China expects joint efforts for sound, steady advancement of GDI, says VP

Xinhua) 08:15, September 21, 2023

This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2023 shows the headquarters building of the China-aided Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

It is both the GDI's aspiration and the UN's goal that no country or person should be left behind on the path of development.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with all parties to push for a sound and steady advancement of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here on Tuesday.

The Chinese side also looks forward to making joint efforts with all parties to gather strong strength for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for building a global development community, Han said at the high-level meeting on GDI Cooperation Outcomes, which was hosted by China on the sidelines of this year's session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

It is both the GDI's aspiration and the UN's goal that no country or person should be left behind on the path of development, he noted.

The GDI, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 76th session of UNGA in 2021, is aimed at forging international consensus on promoting development, nurturing new momentum for global development, and advancing the common progress of all countries in the world, Han said.

Over the last two years, Han noted, countries endorsing the GDI have, through concerted efforts, "cast the yes vote" for development, enlarged the "circle of friends" for cooperation, enriched the "pool of resources" for development and built the "toolkit" for development.

More than 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, and nearly 200 cooperation projects have been included in the GDI project pool, Han said.

The Chinese side has established a 10-billion-U.S.-dollar special fund for the purpose of implementing the GDI, he said.

The world faces serious challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on schedule, with approximately 90 percent of the goals "off track," and nearly one-third of them either stalled or regressing. Meanwhile, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is in the ascendant, and countries are facing an opportunity to transition into higher-quality development, Han noted.

He made the following four proposals:

First, to continue practicing genuine multilateralism, bring development issues back to the center of the international agenda, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance.

Second, to synergize the development strategies of all parties and actively promote global, regional, sub-regional and inter-country development cooperation to give play to each other's complementary advantages.

Third, to mobilize all kinds of development resources to help solve the most pressing problems facing developing countries.

Fourth, to actively tap growth areas for practical cooperation and jointly explore the path of technology-led, resource-efficient, and eco-friendly development.

A Chinese expert introduces desert plants to people from central Asian countries at a desert research station in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Shengbin)

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed who is on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressed the meeting.

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and foreign ministers and ministerial officials from more than 20 countries also addressed the meeting.

More than 300 representatives from the Group of Friends of the GDI, the Group of 77 and international organizations attended the meeting.

All parties congratulated the important progress made in the cooperation of GDI, and spoke highly of the positive role and contribution of the initiative in building consensus on development, deepening international cooperation and helping implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The initiative will bring more benefits to all countries, especially developing countries, they said, adding that they look forward to strengthening unity and cooperation with China to uphold multilateralism, implement the GDI and promote the realization of the UN sustainable development goals.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in Brussels

Xinhua) 13:51, September 21, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Deivis Mendoza, 24, from left, Christian Sarmiento, 34, and Miguel Parra, 37, all from Venezuela, stand near a Home Depot on West 87th Street while looking for work, Sept. 21, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

While Illinois and Chicago leaders on Thursday rejoiced at the news that President Joe Biden will grant temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants who have crossed into the U.S.  following months of anxiety over the rising pile of pending work authorizations from Washington  advocates cautioned the process will take months to trickle down to the migrants it will benefit.

Late Wednesday, the Homeland Security Department announced that about 472,000 Venezuelans who have entered the country by July 31 will receive temporary protected status, which fast-tracks their approval to legally work. The development was heralded as a long-sought victory by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who both spent this summer walking a delicate line between pressuring the White House to take more action on the now-14,000 migrants who have come to Chicago while maintaining good relations with the leader of the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 national convention.

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The announcement came a month after Johnson and Pritzker joined other Illinois elected officials in a massive news conference sounding the alarm for the federal government to expedite asylum-seekers work permits, with the mayor saying the city would be unable to support additional migrants without reprieve from the Biden administration.

As we reach a critical point in our mission to receive new arrivals and put them on a path to resettlement, the action taken today by President Biden and Secretary of Homeland Security Investigations Alejandro Mayorkas to expand the temporary protected status to Venezuelan immigrants comes at a welcome time for our city and our country, Johnson wrote in a statement Wednesday. Where there are labor shortages in our city  it is clear that authorizing new arrivals for work in these sectors would have a significant public benefit  both to our local and regional economies, and to the families and individuals who are new arrivals to our great city.

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Since assuming office, the humanitarian crisis surrounding the asylum-seekers in Chicago has become one of Johnsons top issues as migration from south of the U.S.-Mexico border has ramped up with no end in sight. There are 1,600 migrants currently sleeping in Chicago police station lobbies, often under squalid conditions, but a plan by the mayors team to move them into tent base camps before the winter has garnered its own controversy.

The decision from Biden is expected to affect thousands of new arrivals in Chicago, though it was not immediately clear exactly how many. City, state and federal officials didnt immediately respond when asked for an estimate of how many migrants in Chicago and Illinois would be affected.

The process for applying for work authorization will not apply to everyone and it will take months to make its way into city-run shelters, said Diego Samayoa, associate executive director at Centro Romero, a community-based, front line organization that helps eligible migrants apply for work permits.

Most migrants dont know how to navigate the system, Samayoa said.

Indeed, as government leaders celebrated Wednesdays announcement, migrants staying at the 5th District police station in Pullman were unaware of the news. Betzabeth Bracho has been staying at the station with her husband for over five months and they are working to save money to rent an apartment, she said. She hadnt heard about a policy shift.

She said her husband, who fled Venezuela to escape political persecution, hasnt been able to find work for days. She said they left behind two young sons, who she calls every day.

Im willing to do anything, she said. Cleaning, washing dishes, it doesnt matter.

Carlos Ramirez and wife Betzabeth Bracho sit Sept. 21, 2023, on a bench outside the 5th District police station where the two have been staying since they arrived from Venezuela. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Samayoa said the nonprofit has seen over 4,000 new arrivals from the southern border and has submitted applications for work authorization for about 1,200. But fewer than 5% have gotten a work permit due to lack of documentation, insufficient income, or their constant movement from one shelter to another, he said.

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Applications are long and expensive. Just one application asks for pages of documentation, and without the help of a nonprofit such as Centro Romero, it can be over $400, he said.

The majority of migrants who have come to the city from southern border states such as Texas have been Venezuelans fleeing extreme poverty and political violence. Around July 31, there were at least 4,000 Venezuelans counted in the citys census of migrant shelter population and those still awaiting placement, according to city data, but that does not account for those who exited the shelter system.

Pritzker issued a statement Wednesday evening saying he was very pleased that President Biden has listened to my concerns and those of other governors and political leaders. He also took another shot at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican governors in the south who have played a hand in busing or flying migrants north to liberal cities like Chicago and New York.

Since day one of this humanitarian crisis, I have heard one thing from migrant families and their advocates  they want to build better lives and work, Pritzker wrote. Despite traveling thousands of treacherous miles and then being used as political chess pieces by those who should have welcomed and helped them, they are eager to contribute to their new communities and get to work. Reducing wait times for employment approvals and expanding protection status for those coming from Venezuela will get people working and on a path to building a better future for themselves and their families.

[ What to know about Chicagos migrant crisis ]

The extension and re-designation of Venezuela for temporary status protections will last 18 months and aim to grant work permits within 30 days, but only to the asylum-seekers who crossed with the mobile app, called CBP One, or through parole granted to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. About 242,700 Venezuelans in America already qualified for the temporary status before Bidens decision Wednesday. Those who arrived after July 31 will not be eligible; in Chicago, city records show at least 2,500 new arrivals have come since that date, though not all of them are Venezuelans.

Secretary of Homeland Security Investigations Alejandro Mayorkas, whom Johnson had spoken with multiple times throughout this summer, underscored the danger Venezuelans face in their home country in Wednesdays announcement.

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Temporary Protected Status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return, Mayorkas wrote. That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides. However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023, are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.

While immigration organizations hailed the announcement as long overdue, the exclusion of other Latin American countries from the re-designation did not go unnoticed by advocates.

It is time to do the same for other countries. Central American countries. Weve been asking for the past three years, said Yanira Arias, national campaigns manager for Alianza Americas, a Chicago-based transnational organization rooted in Latino immigrant communities in the United States.

People celebrate the news at a rally at the zocalo in Chicago's Pilsen community on Sept. 21, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

On Thursday morning, pro-immigrant organizations and city leaders joined residents in the country without legal permission at the zocalo in Pilsen, a community that has been shaped by Mexican immigrants, to not only celebrate the news, but to also ask about their path. With chants of Work permits, now!, they demanded that the Biden administration grant work permits and lead immigration reform for the more than 11 million immigrants already living in the country without legal permission.

We are being forgotten, said Consuelo Martinez, a mother of two who has been living in the country without authorization for 27 years.

But their plight has been overshadowed by the humanitarian crisis surrounding the asylum-seekers, which has become one of Johnsons top issues.

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This week, news of a recent contract the city signed with a private security firm, GardaWorld, regarding the base camps alarmed immigration advocates and aldermen who said the company choice and its plan for the encampments worried them. GardaWorld also signed a contract with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis executive office to run his relocation program that flies migrants to blue cities.

Then there is the fiscal strain. Chicago is projected to reach a $538 million shortfall in Johnsons first budget, with the total cost of supporting Chicagos migrants is expected to reach $200 million next year. The city has already obligated an estimated $144 million on migrant care this year.

Though he has ruled out raising property taxes, Johnson himself warned this month: So the sacrifices that will be required in this moment will be necessary from all of us, every single level of government, when asked about whether additional revenue will be needed to support the migrants.

As the rain came down Thursday in a Home Depot parking lot in the Chatham neighborhood, four men who had arrived from Venezuela said they had no idea how to apply for a work permit, and didnt know what temporary protected status meant.

We will do whatever it takes to work, said 34-year-old Christian Sarmiento from Venezuela, looking into the street in an attempt to wave down a car.

Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella and Associated Press contributed.

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RACINE  City Council decided Tuesday night that the Community Development Authority does not need a redevelopment plan prior to negotiating for the potential acquisition of the old lakefront YMCA building, 725 Lake Ave., among some confusion about a previous offer made on the property.

The vote enables the CDAs plan to acquire the building for the purposes of blight remediation to move forward.

At the meeting, Paul Vornholt, city administrator, said the city approached the YMCA Board many months ago after receiving concerns from the public about the building being a public safety risk.

When the city first approached the YMCA, Vornholt said, the organization was under option with a private developer, meaning that the YMCA had entered into a contract where a potential buyer had the option to buy but also could back out. That contract expired in August.

Cory Sebastian is the alder for District 15 and president of the YMCA Board. She said once the contract expired, the board explored other opportunities because members wanted the building to be taken down.

The YMCA Board had decided not to extend that offer any longer because we are extremely dedicated to the safety and development of the community  and we recognize the state of the building, Sebastian said.

Sebastian said there is still a potential closing date in mid-October for the previous contract, so there is a possibility for the developer to close that deal.

Whatever happens next is going to be for the betterment of the community. Anything is better than what we have now, Sebastian told The Journal Times, speaking on behalf of the YMCA Board.

When the city approached the YMCA more recently, the YMCA was no longer under option, Vornholt said. He added that attorneys from the city and from the YMCA confirmed that the contract had ended.

We would have never engaged in any kind of discussion had it been under option, Vornhold said. That would not have been proper.

He said the city believes that there is no active option on the building and a second check will be done to confirm.

The CDA does not have a developer for the site, but hopes to find one with the financial wherewithal to work on the project, Vornholt said at the meeting.

If the building is acquired by the CDA, any resources needed for redevelopment, razing the building or putting a bid on the building for it to be razed will come before the Common Council again.

Building in a state of disrepair

The property at 725 Lake Ave. has been vacant since 2019, when the YMCA closed its primary downtown location.

When we closed that building, it was just too big and too old to maintain, said Sebastian, who been board president since April but has been a member of the board for nearly nine years.

The abandoned building has been a target for forced entry and vandalism. Extensive damage, including broken windows and graffiti, can easily be seen.

According to Vornholt, hundreds of orders have been written on the building but none have become fines.

They should be fined and fined heavily and be made to repair or raze the property, District 6 Alder Jeffrey Peterson said. Its happened elsewhere, theres no reason it shouldnt happen here.

Vornholt said the orders would be a part of the negotiations with the YMCA, and that if a developer purchases the building, the orders would transfer to the buyer.

In addition to the orders placed on the property, 41 code enforcement violations have been recorded against the property since 2018, according to the CDA.

Sixty-two calls for service to the police were made for the building in the last year, and in June, the Racine Fire Department made the decision to no longer send personnel into the building and to only address fires outside the structure, the CDA said at its meeting Monday.

Over the last few years, Ive probably gotten the most calls on this building, Alder Jeff Coe said. This building is a blight on the community. All I know is we cannot wait much longer for someone to get hurt.

Next steps

Following Tuesdays vote, the process moves back to the CDA.

The CDA is scheduled to vote Oct. 2 to authorize negotiations to acquire the building.

If the CDA acquires the property, steps will be taken to start the demolition process.

After demolition, the city said it likely will look for a developer for the site.

Residents at Mondays CDA public hearing offered their ideas for the future of the site, ranging from a facility to serve Racines youth to market-rate housing.
SOMERS  The University of Wisconsin-Parkside College of Arts and Humanities has named Zoe Brester-Pennings as the Artist in Residence for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The goals of the residency are "to support early-career artists and provide first-rate facilities and instruction for our art-making communities in Southeast Wisconsin," university officials said.

The project is a collaboration between UW-Parkside, the Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, and the RAM/Wustum Art Museum.

A recent graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxvilles Master of Fine Arts program, Brester-Pennings is an interdisciplinary artist who "uses printmaking, sculpture, photography, video and live performance to explore themes of beauty, femininity, playfulness and mythmaking," officials said.

Her artwork "draws inspiration from traditional art, Dollywood, rodeo clowns and popular culture and has been featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout the Midwest and Western United States."

A native of Healdsburg, Calif., Brester-Pennings earned degrees from Santa Rosa College and Sonoma State University before her graduate studies. She has a range of teaching experiences, including teaching art at her hometowns public elementary school, summer academies at the Knoxville Museum of Art, and overseeing and assisting classes at the University of Tennessee.

She joins UW-Parkside shortly after completing a monthlong artist residency in Poland at Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts.

At UW-Parkside, Brester-Pennings will create new art, work alongside UW-Parkside students, faculty and staff, hold a solo exhibition (opening in February) and teach printmaking courses.

Her first four-session class, Monoprint Painting, will meet every Tuesday in November and is open to anyone 16 years and older, regardless of art experience.

For more information about this community class, contact UW-Parksides Professional and Continuing Education Office at continuing.ed@uwp.edu.

For more information regarding UW-Parksides Artist-in-Residence program, including how to apply for the 2024-2025 award, contact Lisa Marie Barber at barberl@uwp.edu.
About 20,000 people are descending on the village of Brooklyn on Friday for Luke Bryans 2023 Farm Tour, and local businesses hope to gain some new fans.

Bryans stop at Klondike Farms, a cash grain and custom farming operation owned by husband and wife Kevin and Erika Klahn, is one of five farms where Bryan will be headlining as part of his 14th annual Farm Tour. Since the first tour in 2009, the country star has granted 78 college scholarships to students from farming families that live near the tour sites. Event sponsors for the Farm Tour have frequently donated money, goods and resources to organizations such as Feeding America and state FFAs.

Some local bars and event venues in and around Brooklyn, a village of 1,521 people, are planning to take advantage of the influx of potential customers by hosting parties and offering shuttles to and from the sold-out concert. The Brooklyn restaurant Anchor Club II will host a tailgate party ahead of the event with food specials and a shuttle service for $5.

Main Street Music, a live music venue based in Brooklyn, will host a party before and after the concert that will feature live music by local musicians, concert ticket giveaways from Klondike Farms, drink specials and a shuttle service to and from the concert for $15.

So far, Main Street Music has sold 200 bus shuttle tickets and 100 additional tickets for the pre- and after-party, said Megan Powell, the venues manager. The Nashville-themed music venue opened in 2020 and frequently hosts both local and national artists. The upcoming concert is valuable exposure for the venue and the local musicians set to perform Friday evening.

I think were looking forward to just getting new faces into Main Street. A lot of people still dont really know that were in Brooklyn, Powell said. Some of the people that are playing on Friday are people that play in Main Street pretty often, so itll be cool to give them an opportunity to play for a bigger crowd.

Headquarters, an Oregon-based bar and grill near the concert venue, is offering a shuttle service for $15 to the concert as well. With 120 passengers signed up for the shuttle, the two buses that Headquarters is offering are already full. The decision to provide a shuttle service for Friday was an easy one, said Natasha Croissant, manager of Headquarters.

We heard about it through social media and locals coming in and we had decided immediately that we were going to have a bus, Croissant said. We definitely anticipate that there will be some people from the surrounding area that will stop in.

Show preparations

First responders are preparing for Friday as well. Mason Barber, the chief of Brooklyns Fire and EMS District, said there will be a first aid tent and a field hospital on-site at the concert Friday night courtesy of UW Health. Brooklyns Fire and EMS District is also working with neighboring departments to make sure that they have enough equipment and staff available.

Its not our event but it is in our district, so its our obligation to be there and provide services if needed, Barber said. Being in Wisconsin, the biggest thing that were constantly watching is the weather.

The National Weather Service projects a slight chance of showers on Friday, with a high of 71 and a low of 61. The 2023 Farm Tour website notes that shows will go on rain or shine.

The Dane County Sheriffs Office said it expects the concert to cause significant traffic delays near Brooklyn and Oregon. Concertgoers are recommended to use event parking. The sheriffs office urged those not attending the concert to avoid the area if possible.

Parking for the show opens at 2 p.m., and the doors open at 5 p.m. The concert will begin at 6 p.m., and chairs and blankets are allowed in designated areas of the venue.
The requirement to show a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin would be enshrined in the state Constitution under a proposed amendment Republicans introduced Wednesday, amid fears the new liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court could overturn the current law.

In addition, a Republican bill introduced Thursday proposes withdrawing Wisconsin from a national nonprofit that collects and cross-compares voter registration data to detect possible instances of double voting.

The draft constitutional amendment would require photo IDs in all elections while allowing the Legislature to establish exceptions to the requirement.

Ensuring the legitimacy of votes in an election is a prerequisite of democratic government, draft amendment proposal authors Rep. Patrick Snyder, R-Schofield, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said in a memo to legislators introducing the measure.

Constitutional amendments need to pass two successive legislative sessions before going before voters. Governors cannot veto constitutional amendments. The soonest the proposal could come before voters is the spring 2025 election.

The amendment would preserve Wisconsins voter ID law, which was enacted in 2011 and briefly took effect for the 2012 spring primary election, when there were no statewide contests on the ballot, until court challenges halted its implementation. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the new voting requirement was constitutional, clearing the way for the Republican-authored legislation to take effect.

Some Republican groups have encouraged legislators to amend the Constitution to preserve favorable conservative rulings and laws they fear the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which gained a 4-3 liberal majority in August, could undo.

There is no current challenge to the states voter ID requirement, which is among the strictest of any state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Voters must come to the polls with one of a list of approved photo IDs, such as a Wisconsin drivers license, U.S. passport, tribal ID, U.S. military ID or student ID. Student IDs that are expired must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment, such as a tuition statement.

Other measures

In addition to the voter ID proposal, Republicans on Tuesday reintroduced for the second consideration two election-related proposed constitutional amendments that could appear on the April 2024 ballot if they get approval again this session.

One would bar the state from receiving private funds to help administer elections. Republicans proposed it in response to private election grants provided to cities in 2020 by the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life that they say were used to unfairly increase turnout in the Democratic strongholds of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine.

The other would amend the state Constitutions provision allowing that Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district to state that Only a United States citizen could vote in that district. That measure is meant to head off initiatives like those in other states to allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections.

Database removal

The measure to remove Wisconsin from the national voter database known as the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, is almost certain to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

The proposal, introduced by Rep. Ty Bodden, R-Hilbert, and Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, is similar to GOP-led measures in more than half a dozen other states seeking to stop participation in ERIC due to concerns of privacy of voter information, among other reasons.

GOP criticism of ERIC, which had been largely viewed as a noncontroversial organization, has ramped up recently due in part to false claims raised by former President Donald Trump that ERIC uses voter rolls to benefit Democratic candidates.

In addition to terminating Wisconsins membership agreement with ERIC, the proposal would prohibit the Wisconsin Elections Commission or any other state agency from entering into an agreement to rejoin the agency. Similar measures have been proposed in North Carolina and Oklahoma.

To prevent voter fraud, the nonprofit organization compares voter registration data from participating states with federal death and postal records to help states rid voter rolls of people who may have moved or died. Participating states also must send postcards to residents who are eligible to vote but are unregistered.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
If you want to buy a box of shotgun shells or even .22 LR anywhere in New York state, be prepared for a bevy of personal questions, a background check that includes a $2.50 fee, and a long wait.

A new state law went into effect last week, which requires ammunition retailers  who must all be licensed by the state  to conduct background checks through the State Police of all ammunition purchasers. The law also requires retailers to create and maintain a database of the purchasers' personal information as well as a list of exactly what they bought, to include the number of rounds.

Mike Mayhood, owner of Mayhood's Sporting Goods in Norwich, New York, said the new system is fraught with problems  procedural and constitutional  and will likely put many ammunition retailers out of business.

"We lose money on every box of ammo we sell because of the time involved," Mayhood said last week. "I've never seen things so difficult. It's not going to get easier. We're going to have to raise our prices. We know it's all intentional."

It can take Mayhood and his employees up to 15 minutes just to enter the information required by State Police into their computer, and then there are delays. .....
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

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This episode continues the conversation with Dianne Berg, author of What's behind our enduring fascination with wives and mothers who kill. In this episode, Nat Cardona and Diane talk about what causes wives and mothers to commit murder and how the public, judicial system and medical fields contribute and/or react to these criminal events.

To learn more about Dianne Berg, click here.

Listen to the first part: The true crime fascination with killer wives and mothers

The true crime fascination with killer wives and mothers | Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles podcast Why are we so fascinated by mothers and wives who commit murder? Professor and author Dianne Berg discusses the topic on Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles.

More episodes of Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles

Episode transcript

Note: The following transcript was created by Slack and may contain misspellings and other inaccuracies as it was generated automatically:

Welcome to Lee Enterprise's Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles. I'm your host Nat Cardona. In this episode, we're continuing the exploration of a niche area of true crime stories, the obsession that fans seem to have with killer wives and mothers. We're back with Diane Berg, a professor at Clark University and author of the article What's behind our enduring fascination with wives and mothers who kill? She is very much an expert on this complex topic. If you haven't listened to the first episode, go back and listen to the first half of my interview, please. Otherwise, we pick up the conversation back up by discussing some causes of what makes mothers and wives kill.

I'm a mother myself and I'm, I'm actually pregnant.

So I'm gonna have a baby in four weeks.

I'm actually pregnant, but I'm having a baby in four weeks. Thank you. So I'm kind of like, you know, going through all these things and, you know, very much in the, you know, what makes me different from these other women who have done this historically or in more recent history.

But the thing that comes to mind is there is just something so grabbing about when women do this, because you carry the child for so long and you birth the child and it's so much more intimate than the father who's removed and can kind of clean his hands in the sense of when there is a murder, you can go.

You know, and that's because he's not involved. So in the natural process of pregnancy and birth. So, yeah, when there are these women historically or modern day that do this, it's like, well, you know, you just sit there and go, how how could this happen? How could this happen? And you do. The next point I want to get at is the openness nowadays that we have about talking about postpartum depression, because there seems to be a link with that postpartum psychosis.

And you mentioned it's Lynsey Clancy who's kind of the most recent with that. So in your research and I is something you mentioned, I just want to clarify. Have you you've seen a difference between, let's say, 20, 30 years ago media coverage and nowadays media coverage of like like just jump into that.

Okay. I mean, I kind of want to take those in order, if I may. So, yeah. First, going back to what you were talking about, how okay, when a man does it. Yes, that's terrible and bad and they're they're bad people. But when a woman does it, when a mother does it, especially, there's all this kind of language of the unnatural and the monstrous.

And again, going back to, you know, right now, I've been rereading Euripides Medea all week to get ready for this class, because Medea is like the her murderous mother. Right. And a lot of times these these early modern mothers who kill their children, who, as you point out statistically are fewer than men who kill their children. It is then is now like men commit way more domestic violence than women do.

But women do it. It gets more attention. And it's because of this unnatural list. Right? Women mothers are supposed to be, as you say, it's the natural process whereby we actually think we incubate the child. And there's a lot of that kind of language of like, how could she like a bloody like a bloody tiger? A tiger wouldn't do a thing like this.

A snake wouldn't do a thing like this. The child that she nursed in her body for 40 weeks and fed with her breasts, and there's all this kind of language of like how unnatural this is that you would destroy your own creation in this way. And I think that's really deep. Obviously, that plays it. I think at a really macro level, it plays into fears about like God destroying the earth.

But I think on the more kind of social and cultural level, it just flies in the face of everything that women are supposed to be. We're supposed to be kind and gentle and nurturing and giving and selfless, and all of these things are intimately tied up with our concept of the mother, right? The mother just gives and gives and gives.

The mother is is a a you know, a vessel that never runs dry. Right. That's what it's supposed to be. And so if a mother not only fails to deliver on all those counts, but actually turns on her children and even destroys them, this like, taps into, I think, some really elemental fears. And I think that's why we're so interested in it.

And I think that's why we stay interested in it. And as a mother, I'm a mother as well. I think it's it strikes a particular chord because it's that on the one hand, yes, there's that schadenfreude or. Right, There's that. Well, I didn't do that. You didn't do that? Yeah. My, my, my kid cried all day, too, but I didn't, you know, throw him out a window.

There's that. But there's also the more interesting thing is that on some level, I think anyone who has ever had to care for a small child, an infant, especially if you have recently given birth and your own body and your own mind are still you know, you're not yourself yet. I think anyone who's been in that position has been that exhausted, that frustrated, felt that inadequate, felt how hard it is to live up to all those things.

I just enumerated that mothers are supposed to be can understand how it happens. And that's terrifying that there but for the grace of God go. I write that if I hadn't had my support network, if I hadn't had my level of education, if I hadn't known how to find help. Right. That the I might have done a thing like that.

And I think that's why we can't look away. I think that's a big part of it.

Yeah, that is actually one of the notes that I was just rereading here is that it's hard to make peace with that because, you know, whether it be it's like take guys who who commit murder, there's often the you find out that they had childhood trauma they were abused but then there's plenty of people say, well, so was I.

But I didn't it you know kill five people. It's kind of the same thing here. It's there's there's so many women who deal with postpartum depression and then it's very easy to say, well, I didn't do that and I would never think of doing that. But it's exactly what you say. It's when you stare in the face, it's like, well, it's a really thin line of what, you know, the possibility of it.

It's just it's a weird thing to kind of I just grapple with an iron out. Yeah.

And if there's actually, you know, things out of whack that would respond to medication, this isn't just even a this goes beyond just being exhaustion of being overwhelmed, feeling inadequate, all of which are incredibly legitimate things that, you know, I certainly experienced as a mother of three children. But then you actually add in some sort of, you know, chemical balance or mental illness or, you know, various factors.

Women have no resources. They have no help, they have no money, no one cares about them. We have a government that cares very much about fetuses or at least claims to care very much about fetuses. It doesn't care so much about babies or their mothers. You know, if they wind up needing extra help. So in answer to your question about the sort of coverage of these things, I do think and I hope I'm not being optimistic, I do think that I'm seeing a shift in the coverage.

It's not that there wasn't any mention when the when the Yates murders happened in 2001 or maybe it was. Yes, it was one. There was talk of the fact that this woman hadn't for one reason or another, she didn't get the care that she needed. And there were a lot of factors at play there. She and her husband were evangelical Christians.

They were part of this quiver full movement, which basically they want you to have as many children for Jesus as possible. It's God's will. You just keep having children as long as God sends them to you. She was homeschooling them all she had already had. I can't remember now if it was after her second or third child. She'd had a pretty serious case of postpartum depression to the point where her her gynecologist said she shouldn't have any more children.

This is going to happen again. It's going to get worse. But they had, I think, two more children after that. Anyway. She was being insufficiently monitored. I mean, there was a lot of talk about the fact that this woman was, in her own way, a victim. And there was a lot of finger pointing at the husband. His name was Rusty.

Rusty Yates for continuing to, you know, have children with her and allowing her to homeschool the children. She had five children under the age of seven and, you know, wasn't taking her medication. And there was a lot going on there. So it wasn't that the coverage of her was completely unsympathetic, but there was an awful lot of she's a monster.

She she couldn't have done it if she because the insanity defense, they're doing same thing with Lindsey Clancy. The prosecution is saying, well, no, no, she can't have been insane because she knew what she was doing. She was able to make a plan and carried out both Lindsey Clancy, Andrea Yates and Margaret Robinson, for that matter, wait until their husbands were away and they knew they had a window in order to commit the crimes.

And the prosecution in Clancy's case and in this case have argued that that's impossible, because if she was insane, she couldn't have made a plan, she couldn't have carried it out, etc., etc.. Of course, we know that's not true. People, people suffering from psychosis can commit, make plans and carry them out all time. And it was initially charged with first degree murder and found guilty.

And the jury didn't. They could have given her the death penalty. They they didn't, but they sent a sort of life in prison initially. And then they appealed several years later using an insanity defense, which which succeeded I don't actually think I don't have a crystal ball, but I think that the passage of 22 years is going to have made a difference in the Lindsey Clancy case.

She is, you know, remains in a psychiatric facility. I, I think that there would be a great outcry if she actually were brought to trial for murder charges. And I think that there's been so much more in the press about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis in the wake of Lindsey Clancy's. I mean, it's a crime. I but I hesitate to use that word.

But in the wake of this very tragic incident, there's been so much more coverage of that and a lot more people coming forward, a lot of kind of op ed pieces, people saying, I have postpartum depression. This is what it's like. I you know, again, that could have been me. So I feel like there's a broader discussion about it.

And you know, it was just I think two weeks ago that the government approved this medication for women with postpartum depression to be more widely distributed, which I feel is like a huge step forward. And, you know, I mean, I can talk obviously, I can talk about this all day. At the root of this, the fact that it's 2023 and we're only now it seems like having a really serious conversation about this just speaks to the degree to which women's issues are always pushed down the list.

Right. Women's health, women's wellbeing, women's mental health. It's always bumped down the list. And of course, again, we're going back to mothers, right? Mothers aren't supposed to need anything. We're supposed to take care of everyone all the time and no one takes care of us. So I feel like, yes, progress. But wow, it's, you know, the 21st century.

I know. We need to take a quick break, so don't go too far. It's fascinating to me. And I wonder if it's repeatedly fascinating to you just if this small increment of time is where we're starting to see that little switch turn to, you know, more in favor of the other possibilities that could be at play here. But 2023 compared to, you know, 16, 16, we're not you know, how how in the media things are typecasting with these types of crimes.

Is it for it to be so not that much different? Is, oh, you know, how many how many things can you count, How many topics can you say are like that?

Yeah, I mean, that's a great money generator. So I mean, I mean. Margaret Vincent, you know, I mean, she said ultimately that she had been, you know, she had fallen under evil influences and basically the devil made her do it. And you know, there's this great woodcut on the cover of the pamphlet about her, which is called The Pity Lost Mother Goes on, but we'll just call it a pity loss.

Mother, for the sake of brevity that shows her with her children and she's strangling them and the devil is standing behind her. And he's got horns and claws and and he's he's basically making her do it. And after she had been in prison when she was apprehended, she said that she had been, you know, laboring under this terrible delusion.

And there had been, like Roman Catholic neighbors who were trying to persuade her to become a Catholic. And that's like a bad influence at this time. And once she had been spoken to at length by a proper, you know, Protestant minister, she repented and recanted. And obviously she had to be hanged for it, but she at least was able to repent and make her peace.

And so, like the the the end game of the pamphlet is that since she was truly repentant, you know, maybe she can be saved, right? Like, her body has to die, but maybe her soul can still be saved. But the important part is the repentance, right? Kind of say, yes, I did that. Yes, it was wrong in those days, you know, like, you know, I like to say yesterday's demonic possession might be today's postpartum psychosis or the other way around.

Right. That, you know, these behaviors, there's got to be some kind of a just be an explanation as to be a reason. So, you know, if it's that, you know, I have a chemical imbalance and I need to, you know, take medication and be treated for it or like, oh, like I was actually possessed by it by a demon when this happened.

There has to be some kind of resolution and you have to be sorry.

Do you know off the top of your head with Lindsay Clancy if she said anything like in.

Yeah, she said at her arraignment or I guess her she didn't speak at her arraignment, but her her counsel said that she said that she heard a voice in her head when her husband was gone. She sent her husband out on an errand. He was working from home because she was that she was sick. He had been working from home and she was doing well, apparently seemed to be doing well and hadn't had a good day with the children playing outside in the snow.

And he was working from his home office and she texted him, recalled him and said, let's get takeout. And he said, Yeah. And so he sent him to a place that was about a half hour's drive away. And she said she heard a voice in her head telling her that she had to do it now, because if she didn't do it now, she wouldn't have another chance.

That sounds pretty psychotic to me right? Andrea Yates said something pretty similar that, you know, she she knew that she would have to do it. Now. This was the chance and she had to take it. And something would have prevented them from doing these things. If, you know, if they hadn't taken these these opportunities, created, you know, these opportunities and and taken them.

That's all we've really heard from her thus far. But apparently, she you know, she told her husband that you've done it. The husband has argued very movingly. I think that she deserves compassion and not condemnation, and that if he can forgive her, then, you know, then the people, the people on Facebook comment threads should probably, you know, dig deep and either find compassion or find the ability to get off that Facebook comment thread.

Right.

Oh, my gosh. Amen to that. I mean, and that that kind of brings me to my my parting thoughts here was how you ended your piece was there. It seems to be that there's two lanes of thought here when someone's digesting all of the true crime that they can, especially when it comes to wives of mothers. It seems it's the what did you call it, the shattered fruit.

I can't.

It just means that kind of it's a nasty word and there isn't a word in English that means this. Exactly. It basically means that the sort of pleasure, often a kind of guilty pleasure. We take in the misfortunes of others.

But yeah, exactly. Exactly. So, you know, when when the Lindsay Clancey situation occurred, I know my immediate thought was like, oh my goodness, like, you know, social media, like, that's going to be an absolute pit of despair. You know, if you do the things that people the people's hot takes. Right. But but I feel like that visceral reaction that people have where they feel like they have to get in there and say, look, she's a monster and she should go to hell.

Oh, those poor little angels, etc., etc.. That's very much part and parcel of that. Pushing it away. That can't be me. I'm not like that where you know, I'm not like that. I'm not a person who with my children, I'm not a person who would kill my husband. I'm not a person who, you know, would do X, Y, Z, terrible thing.

And so I have to jump in here and do this very kind of like performative public condemnation of this thing to kind of distance myself from it, but also kind of reassure myself that, you know, that's not me, I'm different than that. I'm better than that.

Right? That's actually the flip side of things. The other lane is what you had mentioned is that the appeal might lie in the fact that, oh, that light bulb thing, we might be capable of these things. It's kind of funny. And the thought that immediately came to me and this is always how I've felt about true crime, and especially on this topic, is like it's better to what is it the devil you know versus the devil you don't know, right?

Yeah, that's just right.

Well, I've been, you know, again, I've sort of been down this kind of classical tragedy rabbit hole this week. You know, I come back to what do we get out of this kind of stuff, Like, you know, here you are. You confess to being like you're constantly devouring this material, right? I do it. Lots of people I know do it.

True crime, you know, has been so massive in recent years. Right. People just devour this stuff. I mean, it's always been very popular. It does seem like it's really kind of having a moment culturally. There's what we get from this stuff is is catharsis, Right? I mean, it's the same thing as as classical tragedy, right? We we watched the terrible thing happen, but the terrible thing hasn't happened to us.

Now, if we're talking about a drama, if we're talking about Medea or Oedipus Rex or even Hamlet, yet the body, you know, the bodies are littering the stage and all these terrible things have happened. We have the the purging of pity and terror that comes. But no one has actually died. Nothing terrible has actually happened. We leave the theater feeling kind of scoured out and then we go and we we get a coffee and we chat about it.

Right. But with the true crime stuff, someone has died. Something a real tragedy has occurred. And yet I still feel like it's that catharsis that you know, we see it, we watch it. You know, people watch to watch these trials when they can. Right? They need to see how it ends. And then they can walk away from it and it hasn't happened to us.

Mhm. Right. We sort of had the, the, the purging of pity and terror but something terrible really has happened and still it's not like when a play is over and now the play is over. As you say, these stories happen over and over again.

It's so, so accessible. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, I mean yeah that, yeah, yeah. And then there's that other thing. Go ahead, Go ahead.

No, no, it's just kind of. I just feel like this. This appeal is kind of timeless, and it speaks to something in in like, the human condition. And I'm not sure it's a very nice thing in the human condition, but it certainly is. There.

That's my thinking. Exactly. Yeah. It really it all ties in together. It's just. Yeah, definitely something to chew on, to use. I mean, what's next for you in this grand scheme of things. And I think going forward, I mean that's kind of a really open ended question.

I, I mean, I'm excited for this, this course. I'm going to start teaching on Monday, which is again, we're going to start with with Medea and we're moving on to so then we're moving on to some everything inside of mothers and we're going to move on to some some women who kill, too. I don't know. We're moving on to petty tyrants after that.

So we'll have some texts about fathers who abuse their authority by killing their wives and or children. And we're going to end up with wives who who kill their their husbands sort of petty traitors. And I will be putting kind of early modern texts in conversation with more modern cases throughout the semester. So I think it's going to be really fun and interesting.

And I'm hoping my my I have I have every intention of writing a book, which is I have a title. It's going to be the same title as my seminar are actually Pulp Pulp nonfiction, Oh, True Crime and Fake News and Early Modern England. So that's that's my next big project. I'm currently working on a of what I think is going to be more public facing piece which is kind of different but kind of not.

It's actually about Barbie and Paradise Lost. Milton's Paradise Lost, which I think is kind of interesting, is sort of Barbie Land as a kind of Eden and Ken as a kind of Adam figure. But that's that's what I'm kind of working on right now on the side. We'll see what happens with that. But yeah, I think going forward, you know, it's going to kind of be more murder and mayhem for me.

I really safe to say that's the life, right.

I hasten to add, I'm actually a very nice person. And it's funny that I know. I mean, I have three children of my own. And I think they they think it's they're a little bemused that this is kind of like my my reputation. I was once at a conference and I was introduced to someone and he said, Oh, you're the infanticide woman.

And I was like, Please don't call me that. But, you know, yeah, I have children, I have children, I have dogs and cats. I, you know, I, I'm, I'm a nice person. I swear to God, you know, I'm vegan. I've been begging for for a very long time. So, yeah, this is all purely intellectual, I assure you.

Yeah. Oh, my goodness. Yeah, Well, these are wrenching, all of that. And is there any way, if a listener is interested in following you and is not obviously at one of your classes at university, one of your son winners at university, is there a way that people can follow what you're doing or publishing.

A I'm not really very I I'm not on Twitter or whatever it's called this week, so I have to go. Yeah, right. Perhaps going forward at this at this point, mainly, you know, just through, through what I publish. Yeah. And up to Clark University. I, I teach English at Clark University in Massachusetts.

Okay. Okay. So Google search, people.

And that is that, my friends, special thanks to Diane Berg for joining the show and then giving us a look at what's mesmerized true crime fans for centuries. Thanks for listening to Late Edition Crime Beat Chronicles. Hit that subscribe button so you don't miss what's coming next. See you later on.
President Donald Trump claps as he walks to the podium to speak at Ford's Rawsonville Components Plant that has been converted to making personal protection and medical equipment, Thursday, May 21, 2020, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (Alex Brandon/AP)

LANSING, Mich.  When former President Donald Trump visits Detroit next week, hell be looking to blunt criticisms from a United Auto Workers union leadership that has said a second term for him would be a disaster for workers.

Trump will bypass the second Republican presidential debate on Sept. 27 to instead visit striking autoworkers in Michigan, where he has looked to position himself as an ally of blue-collar workers by promising to raise wages and protect jobs if elected to a second term.

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But union leaders say Trumps record in the White House speaks for itself. Union leaders have said his first term was far from worker-friendly, citing unfavorable rulings from the nations top labor board and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as unfulfilled promises of automotive jobs. While the United Auto Workers union has withheld an endorsement in the 2024 presidential race, its leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Trump.

Nevertheless, Trump plans to speak directly to a room of former and current union members. A Trump campaign radio ad released Tuesday in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, praised auto workers and said the former president has always had their back.

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Not everyone thinks so. Despite Trumps history of success in courting blue-collar workers in previous elections, union leaders say their members would do well to believe their own eyes.

Just look who Trump put in the courts, said Dave Green, the UAW regional director for Ohio and Indiana. Look at his record with the labor relations board. He did nothing to support organized labor except lip service.

The National Labor Relations Board, which enforces the countrys labor laws and oversees union elections, came under Republican control during the Trump administration for the first time since 2007. The board reversed several key Obama-era rulings that made it easier for small unions to organize, strengthened the bargaining rights of franchise workers and provided protection against anti-union measures for employees.

In 2017, the Trump-era board reversed a decision holding employers responsible for labor violations by subcontractors or franchisees. In 2019, the board gave a boost to companies that use contract labor, such as Lyft and Uber, by emphasizing entrepreneurial opportunity in determining a workers employment status, making organizing harder.

Mark McManus, president of the plumbers and pipefitters union, said in a statement Tuesday that Trump tried to gut the labor relations board under his administration to undo the safeguards that protect working families. Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber told The Associated Press in an emailed statement that the board was stacked with anti-worker appointees who trampled on collective bargaining rights.

The union leaders also point to unfavorable U.S. Supreme Court rulings under a conservative majority that grew during Trumps term. The nations high court has dealt a number of blows to unions, most recently ruling against unionized drivers who walked off the job with their trucks full of wet cement, allowing a civil suit against them to go forward.

In 2018, the courts conservative majority overturned a decades-old pro-union decision involving fees paid by government workers. The justices in 2021 rejected a California regulation giving unions access to farm property so they could organize workers.

If youre appointing conservatives to the court, youre often appointing people who relate to the preference for business or property owners or shareholders, more than the preference of stakeholders like workers, said Peter Berg, a professor of labor relations at Michigan State University.

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The Trump campaign vigorously defended his record as pro-worker.

President Trump has always been on the side of American workers, his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Cheung responded to the criticisms from labor leaders with a long list of economic gains and policies from Trumps time as president, ranging from the surging stock market to low unemployment. He cited Trumps broad push to remove regulations and abandon or renegotiate trade deals as beneficial to American workers across a range of industries.

Republicans have long tried to position themselves as being anti-union while remaining pro-worker. The party has branded itself as being for the working class while attacking organized labor, which has supported the Democratic Party for decades.

Trump has used a similar tactic in an effort to separate workers from a UAW leadership that endorsed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 and that has attacked Trump since. In a recent campaign video addressed to autoworkers, Trump encouraged them not to pay union dues and claimed union leaders have got some deals going for themselves. Trump also claimed he would raise their wages and protect their jobs.

Job growth figures in the auto industry during Trumps presidency contradict his claim that the industry thrived under his watch. The total number of auto manufacturing jobs in Michigan, which holds the most automotive jobs in the U.S., stayed even during Trumps presidency.

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In Ohio, the number of auto manufacturing jobs grew by fewer than 2,000 jobs during Trumps four years in the White House. But Green, the UAW director, said some communities that had backed Trump in 2016 were abandoned by him. He pointed to Lordstown, Ohio, an area that Trump won by a significant margin in 2016 and where Green previously served as the local UAW president.

In 2017, during a visit to the region, Trump pledged that jobs there were all coming back and implored residents to stay put. A year later, General Motors announced the closure of its Lordstown plant, one of the largest employers in the area.

The guy came to my community and flat out lied to everybody, Green said last week. Banks were closing, schools were shutting down. I wrote the guy two letters, and he didnt even reply.

Trump hopes in 2024 to win back the support of union-friendly states such as Michigan, which became the first in nearly 60 years to repeal a union-restricting law known as right-to-work. Its one of three Rust Belt states along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that broke for Democrats but where Trump narrowly won in 2016, carrying him into the White House. He lost those states to Biden in the 2020 election.
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.
Margarito Flores, and his twin brother Pedro at their family home in Little Village in the mid-1980s. The brothers cut deals to buy tons of narcotics from Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, head of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel in the 2000s, and later cooperated with U.S. investigators. (Family photo)

Chicago-born Margarito Flores Jr. was around 8 years old when his father started taking him and his twin brother Pedro on car rides to Mexico. It was mostly business for his father, a hard-scrapping immigrant making ends meet by hauling drugs across the border.

But for the twins, it was an education  and an adventure.

As their father, Margarito Flores Sr., drove through the countryside with loads of narcotics hidden in false gas tanks or secreted in a flatbed truck, hed tell the twins facts about each state, its people and what they were known to produce. When theyd stop at gas stations in Texas and Arkansas, the residents treated them with respect.

He loved middle America because he said, Theyre basically like us,  Flores Jr., who goes by Jay, told the Tribune in an exclusive interview. Theyre farmers. They have respect. They know how to treat you.

Those journeys in Flores early years were just the beginning of an extraordinary life story for him and his brother, who were born in the Little Village neighborhood and rose to the top of the citys drug trade as teenagers to become top distributors for notorious Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

Known for their street smarts and cool business acumen, the tight-knit twins had cautiously avoided the pitfalls of Chicago street gang life. They were living in Mexico in 2008 when they were caught in an escalating war between cartel factions and made the stunning decision to help the U.S. government take Chapo down.

This undated photo from a wanted poster released by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Pedro Flores, left, and his twin brother, Margarito Flores. (U.S. Marshals Service)

Now, 15 years later, Jay Flores had a homecoming of sorts. On Friday, he spoke to law enforcement in the west suburbs at a one-day seminar titled From Kingpin to Educator, giving officers a rare insider account on how cartels use hubs such as Chicago to move massive shipments of drugs and money.

Ahead of the seminar, Flores agreed to speak to the Tribune, his first interview with any Chicago-area news outlet.

Appearing via Zoom from an undisclosed location, Flores, who was released from prison three years ago after serving out his 14-year sentence, cut a far different profile than one might imagine for someone who reached the pinnacle of the cutthroat cartel world.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt, with a bookshelf behind him stocked with family photos and knickknacks, Flores, 42, was thoughtful and articulate about his past and what he hopes to do with his remaining years now that hes a free man, though under the constant worry of retaliation from the cartels because of his cooperation.

He talked about his life growing up in Chicago, the family bonds that led to the twins success as drug dealers, and his desire to do something positive.

I did every aspect of the drug trade, he said. I smuggled, I packaged, I counted, I tested, I distributed. ... I was a mule. I was a driver. I did it all, from one end to the other. ... I hope there is a lot of law enforcement that says, you know what, lets take a chance. Because a lot of it is mindset. (They say), Why would I go listen to this drug trafficker? Im like, who else?

The eight-hour seminar Friday took place in a nondescript parks department building in Aurora, not far from many of the west suburban stash houses Flores and his brother once used as waystations for drugs and piles of cash.

In a large meeting room, about 150 law enforcement officers from around the area, including sheriffs police, state troopers, and federal agents, listened as Flores detailed his intimate knowledge of the cartels operations.

Dressed in all black and pacing back and forth with a microphone, Flores seemed nervous at first, describing his indoctrination into the drug business and that first trip with his father in a beige Ford Tempo. He talked about his first big drug deal at age 17, which went down in the parking lot of the McDonalds where he worked at 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue.

So what made him different from other narcos? I wasnt made in Mexico, he said. I was made in the streets of Chicago.

As he described the ways the cartels moved massive amounts of drugs and cash by semitrailers, Flores held up wrapped packages simulating the size and weight of the real thing. Looking out at the sea of faces of trained drug interdiction and K-9 police, Flores quipped, This is a prop, guys, OK? drawing laughter.

Bundles of cash at a stash house in Hinsdale that was part of a drug-trafficking operation run by Chicago twins Pedro and Margarito Flores. According to court testimony, the house was one of several used as a way station for millions of dollars in drug proceeds, where the cash was counted by machine, then separated by domination and packaged for delivery back to Mexico. Couriers testified they would vacuum-seal dryer sheets with the money to throw off the scent for canine units. (Drug Enforcement Agency)

The seminar was set up by Jeramy Ellison, owner of Dynamic Law Enforcement Training. He said Flores reached out to him on social media earlier this year, and the two of them have spent months talking about what Flores might have to offer.

Flores was being paid for doing the classes, though the amount was not disclosed.

Were excited to get these classes running and pass on some valuable knowledge that can help law enforcement make a bigger impact against these deadly organizations, Ellison said.

Flores told the Tribune his main motivation for taking a risk and putting himself out there was the same as when I chose to cooperate. Its my family, particularly my wife and children, he said.

Turning against the cartel

To be sure, Flores twins deep understanding of the drug trade was built up over a lifetime, starting with those trips with their father.

Flores said that as a child, he never had the sense that what they were doing was wrong. He enjoyed the father-and-son bonding time, learning about the world, moving from riding bikes in Little Village, one day to riding horses in his parents hometown in Mexico the next.

While he sees faults in his father now, to this day, Flores believes he was just doing what he thought he needed to do to provide for his family after years of poverty.

They grew up in a little town in the middle of Mexico, no running water, no electricity, he said. In my fathers eyes he was just trying to provide, and that was his way to provide, you know?

Flores said their father set very clear cut rules for his boys: Dont be a thief. Respect everyone. Dont be a liar. Dont ever disrespect a woman. No drinking, smoking, or doing drugs.

And never, ever, be a rat or a snitch.

Flores said they learned to live by those rules even in their dads absence when he was in prison and later hiding out in Mexico. But in the end, the twins had to violate their fathers no-snitch code to get the deal from investigators and avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison  or an early death.

Their father wasnt as fortunate. Shortly after the twins cooperation became known, Margarito Flores Sr. returned to Mexico despite warnings from his family and federal authorities. Within days, he was kidnapped. A note left on the windshield of his abandoned car had a message for the twins: Shut up or well send you his head. His body has never been found.

The twins cooperation has also led to serious consequences for the rest of their family.

When they were sentenced in 2015, then-U.S. District Chief Judge Ruben Castillo said he harbored no illusions that all of the illegal drug proceeds from their operation had been turned over, saying everyone in this city thinks that you have money. Everyone.

Seven years later, the twins wives along with three other relatives were indicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago on charges alleging theyd conspired to hide millions more of the twins drug proceeds from the government for over a decade.

In this courtroom sketch, from left, twin brothers Pedro and Margarito Flores, 33, of Chicago, appear before U.S. District Chief Judge Ruben Castillo at federal court in Chicago on Jan. 27, 2015. Castillo sentenced the brothers to 14 years in prison each for running a nearly $2 billion North American drug ring, agreeing with prosecutors to drastically reduce their sentences as reward for their cooperation against Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and other Mexican cartel leaders. (Tom Gianni / AP)

All of the defendants pleaded guilty in the case. Vivianna Lopez, who is married to Pedro Flores, was sentenced in July to 3  years in prison. Her sister, Bianca Finnigan, was sentenced to probation while their aunt, Laura Lopez, was given a one-year prison term.

The twins older brother Armando Flores, who helped them break into the drug business three decades ago, will be sentenced in October.

Meanwhile, Jays wife, Valerie Gaytan, is scheduled to be sentenced next week. Prosecutors have asked for a term of five years in prison.

Flores told the Tribune that its just a coincidence his wifes sentencing, which has been moved twice, was falling within days of his seminar. With her facing a significant stretch behind bars, theyre still grappling with the idea of being separated yet again, but ready to move forward, he said.

What are we supposed to do, just sit here and cry and just give up? he said. We are not those people.

Losing the sweet spot

It had taken only a few years for Jay and his brother to climb to the top of the Chicago-area drug trade, but eventually law enforcement started to take notice. By 2004, in the wake of a federal investigation into their drug trafficking in Milwaukee, the twins moved their operation to Mexico along with their growing families.

In his 2018 testimony at Guzmans historic federal trial in Brooklyn, Pedro Flores, who goes by Peter, said the brothers found a sweet spot in the cartel, moving hundreds of tons of drugs for two Sinaloa factions simultaneously, a network that included untold hundreds of truck and train shipments of narcotics hidden among loads of vegetables, shrimp, and even live sheep.

But as their status in the cartel grew, so did problems such as missing shipments and drug debts. Within a year or so of their move to Mexico, a high-ranking supplier, Guadalupe Ledesma, accused the twins of shorting him $10 million and ordered Peters kidnapping. Peter described vividly for the jury being handcuffed, blindfolded and stuffed in a truck for a bumpy ride to a building where he said he was held in a cell for weeks.

Jay Flores, meanwhile, decided to go straight to Guzman to try to negotiate his brothers freedom. On the recent podcast Surviving El Chapo, produced by rapper 50 Cent, Flores said that as he pleaded his case why Ledesma was lying and they didnt owe the $10 million, El Chapo sized him up with his lazy eye, rubbing his chin ominously.

This is starting to be a headache, Flores said El Chapo told him. You know I could just kill you both and go about my day right?

I said, Yes sir, but thats why Im here. I wouldnt come up here and waste your time with a lie. Im a man of my word, Flores said he told Guzman.

Flores said El Chapo ordered him to get a tape recorder and secretly record Ledesma talking about the situation. Flores did what he was told, surviving a harrowing meeting with guns pointed at his head. When he took the recording back to Chapo, the cartel boss began muttering, Oh Lupe, what did you do? You lied to me, according to Flores account on the podcast, which is premiering a second season on Oct. 4.

His brother was freed after 22 days. Though the twins had said they held no grudges, Ledesma was soon killed on El Chapos orders.

Jay Flores told the Tribune the dangerous episode taught him that he knew how to handle himself around people such as Guzman and Ledesma, who were old school from central Mexico, just like his dad.

I remember having the fear, but also knowing what I had to do, he said. It numbed you to it. My brother was tied up in a basement somewhere and I didnt have the time to be scared.

By the spring of 2008, though, the twins faced an even graver threat. A bloody war had broken out between two factions of the Federation  El Chapo and co-leader Ismael El Mayo Zambada Garcia of Sinaloa on the one hand and Arturo Beltran Leyva, now heading his own cartel, on the other.

Authorities escort Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Jan. 19, 2017, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. The infamous drug kingpin who twice escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico was extradited at the request of the U.S. to face drug trafficking and other charges. (U.S. law enforcement via AP)

The twins were caught in the middle, having trafficked narcotics for both sides. Their lives and those of their families were in danger, and the twins decided they were ready to talk to authorities in the U.S.

What resulted was unprecedented: The brothers agreed to cooperate from Mexico while distributing tons of cocaine and heroin simultaneously for two warring, violent cartels.

Over the next six months, the twins provided investigators with details on massive amounts of drugs flowing into the U.S., leading to some 20 seizures of drugs and money in Chicago and Los Angeles, with federal agents and Chicago police sometimes running two operations in one day.

In an even bolder move, the twins made recordings of many of the cartels top bosses, including of El Chapo, on a digital recorder they bought at a Radio Shack in Mexico.

Flores said that despite all the mystique surrounding El Chapo, he wasnt a unique figure.

My first encounter at meeting him, I wasnt like, Oh my god, Jay Flores said on the Surviving El Chapo podcast. I was scared for sure at being there. My impression was like, is this the person theyre always talking about? And he was probably looking at me like, who the (expletive) are you?

In fact, Flores told the Tribune, Chapo and other cartel kingpins were not much different than all the people his father introduced him to as a kid, men who could order killings at a whim, but also liked to sit down with friends and eat bean tacos out of a cooler.

For the most part the bosses I met, they were from the old school, from central Mexico just like my father, he said. I knew where I stood with them.

Hard beginnings

Flores said looking back now, its easy to see that much of his familys trajectory had to do with poverty. Being poor was a big issue for his father, who believed that If you dont have money, youre basically nothing, he said.

On their drug runs to Mexico, their father would take them to the town where he grew up, showing the twins how he had to walk a mile and a half to the local well to get water.

After immigrating to Chicago, Margarito Sr. straddled a world of both legitimate work and crime. Though he held jobs at the local Brachs candy factory and steel mills, he also had worked for years as a coyote smuggling people across the Mexican border to work on farms in California, leading to his first criminal conviction.

In March 1981, the twins father was caught in a sting selling 11 pounds of heroin to an undercover federal agent in front of the family home on South Homan Avenue. He asked agents not to handcuff him in front of his pregnant wife because he was afraid she would miscarry, the Tribune has previously reported. Three months later, with their father in jail, the twins were born.

Though stories about the twins often center on the vast sums of money their drug trafficking brought in, Jay remembers his family struggling to make ends meet in his early years, especially as their father served out his 10-year prison sentence.

If you go ask people in my neighborhood, theyll say we always had money, which is false, Flores said. We grew up on government aid.

He particularly remembers the government cheese his mother would come home with, trying to stretch it to feed seven children. To this day, he said, I cannot give her a burger with American cheese. We lived off of it.

It was after his father was released from prison in 1988 that the familys focus on the drug trade began in earnest. Flores said one of the first loads he can remember helping to bring back from Mexico was about 200 pounds of marijuana, netting $100,000. It wasnt life changing, but the family could afford to buy groceries again.

In one telling memory, Flores recalled his parents taking him and Peter to buy Air Jordan sneakers, a rare treat. Jay, however, balked at the $130 price tag.

I didnt want them because I thought it was too much, he said, laughing. I still remember I put them back. I ended up buying a different pair of sneakers. They were Patrick Ewings, with the biggest tongue ever. Ill never forget it, I still regret that so much.

That feeling of being able to pay bills and afford gifts mushroomed when they were teenagers and making more money than their parents could have ever dreamed, he said.

It was like, OK, Im gonna buy my friend a house, Flores said. Now Im gonna buy them a bigger house. I was able to buy cars. Me and my brother bought our whole family cars for Christmas. Later, two Christmases in a row I bought my parents a house. It was the same present, you know? That made me feel good.

But Flores said he came to learn that money doesnt necessarily bring happiness. And it can lead people astray.

It does make things better. But its not everything you know? he said. But I guess first you have to experience it, to have it, to be able to have that insight.

Aspiring to do good

The twins were just 12 when they started being introduced into the gang life through their brother, Armando, who was in his 20s and already a kingpin in the Latin Kings.

Just like they were later forced to navigate two sides of the Mexican drug cartels, the twins in those days found themselves positioned between two realities of Little Village.

On the one hand were the street gangs, where kids their age were becoming murderers at 13 and 14 years old, he said. On the other was their brother and his friends, who commanded a certain respect and stayed largely out of the day-to-day mayhem on the streets.

Thats where I started to see where me and my (twin) brother were going to sit, like, right in the middle, Flores said.

With their dad largely absent while living in Mexico, Armando bought the home on South Homan and fixed it up, turning the ground floor into a two-bedroom apartment for the twins, who were about to become teenagers.

Even in their fathers absence, the twins still lived by his rules. They didnt go out and drink or smoke on the corners with the young gangbangers their age. They were expected to iron their clothes and go to school, Flores said.

It was, I better wake up on time, I better get to school, I better keep up those grades, he said. But it was more because I didnt want to disappoint my older brother.He was taking on responsibilities and I knew what kind of trouble hed get into if I didnt go.

Like their father, Armando tried to shield the twins from the Latin Kings, even when he was regularly hosting gang meetings at the home. When the gang members would leave, Armando would tell the twins, Dont ever be like them.

In my head I was like, I thought they were your friends, Flores said. I was like, OK so not everyone who you associate with is your friend. And thats a lesson of criminal life. You dont have a lot of choices in that life. Youre going to be associated with some people where you dont always like what they do.

As they grew older, the community started changing, Flores said. His family started getting more recognition for being connected to cartels. Up and down Homan Avenue, their cars were the only ones parked on the block. We were the only ones who werent going to work, he said.

The reputation spilled over into school too, he said. Teachers knew who we were, and some were not so nice. I remember my brother (Pedro) having an issue where one of the teachers spanked him. My older brother came and said Listen you put your hands on him or anyone else at this school youre gonna have some real issues.

By the time they were in high school, the twins had launched their own drug enterprise, in part by picking up some of Armandos customers after he went to prison for a federal drug conviction.

Flores said he remembers vividly when he and Peter made their first million-dollar deal. Our celebration was a high-five and saying, OK, dont get off course. Stay focused. Because we knew what we were up against to stay out of prison.

In the end, he said that by doing the law enforcement seminar, he hopes his kids see they have a father who is still aspiring to do something good despite his past.

I cant help but acknowledge that, despite my best intentions, their lives have been anything but ordinary, he wrote in an email after the interview. Im not sure how much time I have left, but what matters most to me is leaving behind a positive legacy for my family  something they can take pride in.

As for the drug task force officers who attend, Flores said he hopes he can give insight into why he made certain choices. He said that people in law enforcement who meet him now are often surprised by what they see. Theyre trained to think of him as the enemy, he said. Some are even surprised that he speaks English.

I speak a few languages, right? Flores said. Im a little bit of everything, and I think thats what it takes.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Sept. 20, 2023, (EIRNS)Addressing the afternoon session of the UNGA on Sept. 19, Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce (in Spanish) warned of the escalating violence in the Ukraine war, and of the collapsing Western financial system, urging the establishment of a New Pact for the Future. He singled out the potential role of the BRICS, to which Bolivia has already applied for membership. Excerpts follow:

The capitalist system, in its efforts to impose its decadent hegemony, repeats practices of colonial domination and exploitation that should have already been overcome.... [It is] a savage system of capitalist exploitation... We are convinced that we are involved in the construction of a new World Order....

We reiterate our profound concern over the escalation of violence in the conflict in East Europe, and the threats of various countries to worsen the situation through a confrontation with the use of weapons of mass destruction, weapons that use spent radioactive components and non-conventional weapons....

We are at the edge of a crisis that worsens inequalities in the world and which, contrary to the objectives which we adopted in this same venue, deepen poverty on the planet....

It is necessary to tear down as quickly as possible the unjust international order that overwhelms our peoples, and immediately sit down to discuss out, in the framework of the United Nations, the construction of a new pact for the future. From Bolivia, we have begun to discuss the possibility of a New Pact for the Future, but to do that we must recall the past, resolve the present, and prepare ourselves for the future....

Eliminating poverty and inequality today will prevent unimaginable conflicts over economic and ecological distribution in the future.... For example, we must free up all transfer of technology that helps save lives and restores Mother Earth....

In response (to the crisis), the Global South is rising up as never before, in a peaceful and constructive way, through regional and inter-regional processes of cooperation and integration. In that way, there is a growing clamor to reconfigure the international financial system and transform our understanding of what scientific development should be, respectful of Mother Earth, and of how to pursue it equitably....

The emergence of trade blocs such as those in Asia, Africa, South America or the BRICS, today allows nations to gain access to international markets without the requirement of compromising their sovereignty.... (We must) banish the international system and implementation of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures.
Nicholas Brownell, MD, and Boback Ziaeian, MD, PhD Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine

Cardiac Arrest: When the Heart Stops, Save Lives with High-Quality CPR
On 20 September Mexicos national university (Unam) called for an investigation into allegations of plagiarism relating to academic work submitted by, the 2024 presidential candidate for the opposition coalition Frente Amplio por Mexico (FAM).

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Writers Guild of America members picket outside Fox Studios on May 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Getting control of the use of artificial intelligence is a central issue for striking actors and writers. (Ashley Landis/AP)

September is usually filled with weary groanings and anxious energy as summer comes to its official end. But this year has found a new level of anguish, for in just a few months time, artificial intelligence tools have moved from novel party tricks to automated all-purpose machines. And unlike 20th century tech, these statistical computers are wielding a knife to careers requiring high levels of education, with impact far beyond schools and businesses.

The current strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is but one example, in which computational control of writers words and actors images lies at the heart of battle.

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Since computers are ideally suited for analyzing formulas and crunching digits, it stands to reason that math is the most vulnerable to the rise of AI. But instead of pushing back, mathematicians have decided to embrace the machines. In fact, we are helping create and advance machine-learning itself. Algorithms fueled by math are unraveling large and complex data previously thought to be unassailable. Math is now more valued than ever, coveted in nearly every sector of the job market.

But mathematicians have paid a heavy price for these rewards. As AI moves beyond numbers and equations into the realms of words and images, the lessons we have learned can hopefully be a warning, helping this generation navigate a rapidly shifting landscape.

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The partnership between math and machine didnt happen overnight. The summer of 1976 heralded the announcement of the solution to a 125-year-old math puzzle: Four colors were enough to shade the regions of any map, real or imagined, where regions sharing a common border have different colors. The proof itself was several hundred pages long and partly consisted of a catalog of nearly 2,000 cases, each involving up to 500,000 logical options. Impossible to be verified by hand, it required more than 1,000 hours of exhaustive analysis by a computer.

Of course, calculations arent new to math; theyve been a part of our discipline since antiquity. But this was the first major result of mathematics to need help outside humankind. This sudden dependency on machines was deeply unsettling. It divided our community and forced mathematicians to reevaluate core philosophies: Should machine-aided endeavors be genuine mathematics, or should they be some new form of truth altogether?

Today, even with significant reductions in the complexity of cases, the four-color theorem continues to demand computer-aided calculations. But mathematicians are no longer troubled. A half-century of time has blurred the once-hard line in the sand. Now, machines have firmly transitioned from being computers to collaborators of mathematics.

But this partnership is producing heartbreaking consequences.

Mathematicians have always been proud to dwell in the realm of abstract ideas, from tiling 7D space to unearthing new twin primes. With our heads mostly in the clouds, we were able to play freely with ideas without worry of consequence or fallout. But with our embrace of computational power, even mathematics tucked away in obscure and technical corners is finding its way to real-world applications at an alarming rate. While this has given us profound influence, were caught off guard for the darker ramifications that come with our entanglements with technology: rampant data collection, targeted market saturation, surveillance capitalism, algorithm bias and the magnitude of hidden environmental costs. Suddenly, all our works are becoming weaponized, and like atomic bomb developer J. Robert Oppenheimer, we find ourselves ill-prepared.

More subtle, yet equally alarming, is the unraveling of the mathematics endeavor itself. Mathematicians dont regard our occupation as a technological activity for the manufacturing of formulas but as a quintessentially human enterprise. We view unsolved math problems as intricate toy puzzles and are overjoyed when we unlock their hidden mysteries. Our community isnt simply looking for answers but the wondrous beauty of transcendent truths, eager to share with anyone willing to listen.

Mathematician Francis Su notes that the very act of creating math fulfills our basic longings for play  meaning, permanence, truth, beauty and community. For the treasure of mathematics is not just our collection of magnificent theorems but also the cultivation of virtues crucial for human flourishing.

And as we relegate machines to create mathematics, we become less human. This is but part of a larger story concerning techs impact on humanity, as social scientist Sherry Turkle warns of loneliness and distraction, while philosopher Charles Taylor cautions against loss of purpose and meaning. For at great cost, we have chosen utility over beauty, efficiency over understanding, and a digital world over an embodied life.

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Today, AI is rapidly moving beyond numbers and equations into uncharted domains. With this change, new power will be offered to anyone interested. But we can ill afford to look back at this time 50 years from now and plead ignorance, for the lessons of mathematics have taught us that partnership with machines should be weighed with wisdom. Otherwise, flourishing will no longer be a human issue but a technological one.

Satyan L. Devadoss is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society and recipient of two national teaching awards from the Mathematical Association of America. He is the Fletcher Jones professor of applied mathematics and a professor of computer science at the University of San Diego.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
On 20 September Argentinas five vice-presidential candidates took part in a televised debate ahead of the 22 October elections.

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On 20 September Venezuelas Presidentannounced that over 11,000 members of the security forces had stormed the Tocoron prison in Aragua state, which is the headquarters of the transnational organised crime group Tren de Aragua.

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On 20 September the media reported that the previous day, Haitis most powerful gang leaderhad led his supporters through Port-au-Prince, calling for the armed overthrow of caretaker Prime Minister

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Argentina has welcomed a United Nations decision to include a former secret detention and torture center as a World Heritage site.

A UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference in Saudi Arabia agreed this week to include the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory on its list of places considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

The former Navy School of Mechanics, known as ESMA, is in the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. It contained the most infamous illegal detention center that operated during Argentinas last dictatorship --- from 1976 through 1983. It now operates as a museum and a larger site of memory, including offices for government agencies and human rights organizations.

Argentinas President Alberto Fernandez praised UNESCOs decision in a video message. The memory must be kept alive, he said, so that no one in Argentina forgets or denies the horrors that were experienced there.

Fernandez later said to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday afternoon: By actively preserving the memory that denialists want to conceal, we will prevent that pain from recurring.

It is estimated that some 5,000 people were detained at the ESMA during the dictatorship. Many detainees were tortured and later disappeared. It also housed many who were later thrown into the ocean or rivers from planes known as death flights.

The ESMA also housed pregnant women brought from other illegal detention centers. They were kept there until they gave birth and their babies were later taken away by military officers.

Argentinas Human Rights Secretary Horacio Pietragalla Corti praised the decision to recognize the site. He said it is a strong answer to those who deny or seek to downplay state terrorism and the crimes of the last civil-military dictatorship.

A video posted on social media by Argentinas Foreign Ministry showed the official with tears in his eyes as he celebrated the UNESCO decision.

Pietragalla was one of the babies taken by military officers and raised under a false identity. The group Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo discovered his birth history, as well as those of 132 other stolen babies through genetic testing.

Argentina has done more than any other Latin American country to bring crimes of former dictatorships to trial. It has held almost 300 trials, all linked to crimes against humanity, since 2006.

The ESMAs addition to the World Heritage list speaks to more than just Argentina. Pietragalla called the recognition a tribute to the thousands of disappeared individuals in our continent.

Im Caty Weaver.

The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English.

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Words in This Story

preserve - v. to keep something from a loss

conceal - v. to keep secret

recur - v. to occur again

tribute - n. something that you do to show respect
Google has linked its Bard artificial intelligence (AI) tool to its Gmail service and other company offerings. The American-based search engine company says the change will permit its users to easily use the AI technology across different product areas.

Bard is a chatbot, a computer-driven system designed to interact smoothly with humans and perform high-level writing. Such tools are also known as generative AI or large language models.

The first widely released chatbot was ChatGPT. It was launched by technology company OpenAI late last year. Google announced the launch of its Bard tool last February. And shortly thereafter, Microsoft announced it was redesigning its Bing search engine to include OpenAIs chatbot technology. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI.

In an announcement Tuesday, Google said it had created a system that makes it possible for users to extend the AI tool to other company services, or apps. This brings Bard technology to Google products including Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Maps, etc.

The system to expand the AI tool to other Google apps is called Bard Extensions. Users can decide which apps they want to add Bard to. This can be done by going to Googles Chrome browser and following the process to activate new extensions. For the moment, Bard Extensions is only available in English.

In a statement explaining the change, Google gave several descriptions of how users could use Bard with other apps. For example, a user of Gmail could ask Bard to create a summary of all emails dealing with a particular subject.

Another example is a possible solution to someone planning a major family trip. In such a case, a series of Google apps can be used together with Bard.

The user can ask Bard to search through Gmail messages to get available trip dates from the emails of multiple family members. At the same time, a user can ask Bard to use Google Flights to look up flight dates that would work for the trip. Bard can also be used to book available hotel rooms and connect with Google Maps to provide everyone with directions to the airport. And users could also use Bard to find YouTube videos of things to do during the trip.

Another example Google gives is how Bard can link up with other apps to assist someone with a job search. In this case, Google suggests asking Bard to find my resume titled June 2023 from my Drive and summarize it to a short paragraph personal statement.

Another new add-on for Bard permits users to invite others into their Bard conversations.

In its announcement, Google also said it had created a way for users to verify whether information produced by the Bard tool is correct or not. This move is seen as an effort by Google to help users get over concerns about its AI system returning false, outdated or damaging results.

Google says the use of Bards Google it button can test the correctness of its results. When people use this button, Bards results are compared with the results of a Google search on the same subject. Then, Bard points out the differences in its own results compared to information returned from Google search.

Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk told Reuters news agency the company thought it was important to add this ability to help users find the most truthful results.

We are presenting (Bard) in a way that it admits when its not confident, Krawczyk said. He added that the effort is part of a goal by Google to build user trust in generative AI tools, while holding Bard accountable for its performance.

In announcing Bard Extensions, Google promised to protect users' privacy by blocking its employees from seeing any personal information Bard gets from apps such as Gmail or Drive. It said it had also taken steps to prevent data linked to Bard from being used to target users with ads or to train the AI tool.

Krawczyk noted that currently, Bard users can only pull in information from other Google apps. However, he said Google is already working with other companies to be able to connect their apps to Bard in the future.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Google.

Quiz - Google Links Bard AI Tool to Its Other Products Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

summary  n. a short description that provides the main facts or ideas about something

resume  n. a document describing a persons qualifications and past employment history that is used to help someone find a job

conversation  n. the act of speaking or communicating with another person

verify  v. to confirm or prove that something is true

button  n. a switch that is pressed to control a piece of equipment
A new study from international researchers says that Earth is outside of its safe operating space for humanity in six of nine measures of its health. The study added that two of the remaining three measures are moving in the wrong direction.

The international scientists published the study in Science Advances. They said Earths climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient pollution, and human-made compounds are outside of safe operating space for humanity.

The scientists said only the acidity of the oceans, the health of the air, and the ozone layer are within limits considered to be safe.

The ozone layer is mainly high in the atmosphere and prevents dangerous solar radiation from reaching the surface of the Earth.

But the study warned that both the ocean and air pollution are moving in the wrong direction.

Johan Rockstrom is a climate scientist who helped write the study. He is director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. He said, We are in very bad shape. He compared the Earth to a weakening, sick patient.

In 2009, Rockstrom and other researchers created nine boundary areas and used measurements of them to judge Earths health. The latest study continued research from a similar one in 2015. The latest study added a sixth area to the unsafe listing.

Rockstrom said the Earths water went from being safe to being out-of-bounds. The scientists said this was because of river run-off. They said better measurements and understanding of the issue had shown there was a problem.

Rockstrom said these boundaries would decide the future of the planet. He added the nine measures have been scientifically well established by other studies. If Earth can manage these nine measures, Earth could be more-or-less safe. But it is not, he said.

The nine measures were compared with each other in different ways. The team used computer simulations to predict the future. They would, for example, make predictions based on increases in the average temperature of the Earth. The team found, if one area was affected badly by a temperature change then all areas were affected badly. The team also found that if one area improved, all areas improved.

The scientists said the simulations showed that one of the most powerful ways to help the climate is to clean up land and to save forests. Returning forests to the late 20th century levels would provide natural areas to store carbon dioxide instead of in the air, where it traps heat, the study said.

Rockstrom added that biodiversity is in the most troubling area but does not get as much attention.

However, the study said the ozone layer is improving. This shows that when the world and its leaders decide to deal with a problem, it can be fixed.

Neil Donahue is a Carnegie Mellon chemistry and environment professor. He said, for the most part there are things that we know how to do to improve the remaining problems.

Some biodiversity scientists, like Duke Universitys Stuart Pimm, have disputed Rockstroms methods, saying they are not worth much.

Granger Morgan is a Carnegie Mellon environmental engineering professor and was not part of the study. He said, Experts dont agree on exactly where the limits are, or how much the planets different systems may interact, but we are getting dangerously close.

Morgan said he has often said if we do not cut back on how we are harming the Earth, were toast. He added, This paper says its more likely that were burnt toast.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Seth Borenstein reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted the story for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

boundary n. an area where something ends, and another begins

out-of-bounds adj. an area that is outside the place where a game is played

biodiversity  n. the existence of many different kinds of plants and animals in an environment

manage  v. to keep (something) under your control

simulation  n. something that is made to look, feel, or behave like something else especially so that it can be studied or used to train people

interact  v. to come together and have an effect on each other

be toast  idiom to be in a lot of trouble

toast  n. bread that has been sliced and then made crisp and brown by heat
The American Library Association (ALA) says book bans and attempted bans continue to rise in the United States. The group notes that efforts now extend beyond schools to public libraries.

Through the first eight months of 2023, the ALA said there were 695 challenges to library materials and services, involving 1,915 books.

People have sought to remove books they consider offensive from school libraries for a long time. But this year, the challenges have been near-equally divided between schools and libraries open to the general public, the ALA said Wednesday.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone directs the associations Office for Intellectual Freedom. She said, The irony is that you had some censors who said that those who didnt want books pulled from schools could just go to the public libraries.

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.

Many of the challenges came from Moms for Liberty. The group has organized efforts nationwide and has 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 said. Now you have people turning up at meetings and asking that 100 titles be removed.

Earlier this year, the Chicago-based association issued its yearly top 10 list of books most objected to in 2022. Many of them included racial and/or LGBTQ issues. Maia Kobabes Gender Queer topped the list, followed by George Johnsons All Boys Arent Blue and Nobel literature-prize winner Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye.

Teachers and librarians have been criticized a lot in 2023.

At Chapin High School in the state of South Carolina, some students said that a teacher made them feel ashamed to be Caucasian. The teacher, they said, assigned them to read Ta-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me. The book is an open letter to his son about police violence against Black people. It won the National Book Award in 2015. The school removed the book from the study program.

In Front Royal, Virginia, local officials are planning to cut money for the Samuels Public Library. The move follows complaints from conservatives about books about gay, lesbian and transgender issues.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed into law a bill that calls for books describing sex acts to be removed from school libraries.

The ALAs opposition to book bans has also led some communities to withdraw their membership or support, including Campbell County in Wyoming and a local library in Midland, Texas. Missouri officials announced the state would withdraw support from the ALA after new laws limiting young peoples ability to get books considered unacceptable for children.

I think this trend is going to continue, Caldwell-Stone said, at least for as long these groups want to go after whole categories of books.

Im Faith Pirlo.

Hillel Italie reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted this report for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

challenge n. to formally dispute whether something should or should not be done

irony n. language used in a way that is different from its literal meaning and which the user finds funny

censor n. a person who examines books, movies, and other media and removes things considered offensive or unacceptable by society

complaint n. a statement of dissatisfaction with a condition or situation

ratio n. the relationship that exists between one amount and another

title n. literally the name of a book, but which is used as another word for a book itself

ashamed adj. to feel bad or guilty about something you have done

trend n. the general movement of change or development in an issue; something that is becoming more common

category n. a number of similar things that are grouped together
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.

Alioth was appointed to the district court bench by former Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2021. She previously worked as a deputy county attorney in the Douglas County Attorneys Office.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
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. 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. 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.

No type of justice will ever bring my dad back, Vanessa said in reaction to King's sentence. But this is OK with us for the moment.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
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 in the early morning hours of Aug. 27.

Rodriguez Alvis had already paid $50,000 to bond out of jail by Sept. 5, when Baylor, whose friends and family remembered as "a dear, kind, tender soul," 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 had also filed a motion imploring Judge Laurie Yardley to review Rodriguez Alvis' bond amount and conditions, according to the filings.

Yardley did not order an increase to the 22-year-old's bond amount but did update his bond conditions, according to an order filed Tuesday that noted Rodriguez Alvis is not allowed to possess or consume alcohol nor contact any witnesses in his case as it progresses through the court system.

Rodriguez Alvis is only allowed to leave Nebraska 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.

Baylor's death marks Lincoln's seventh suspected killing of 2023.

Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 4. Christopher Karmazin 6. Mark Kruger
A child plays with a doll while recently arrived migrants sit on cots and the floor of a makeshift shelter operated by the city of Chicago at O'Hare International Airport on Aug. 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A famous adage attributed to Winston Churchill and even a Chicago mayor is: Never let a good crisis go to waste. Democrats, Republicans and fraudsters embraced that mindset when it came to spending on COVID-19 and the migrant crisis.

More than $280 billion in COVID-19 relief funding was stolen through fraud, and another $123 billion was wasted or misspent, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The total loss represents more than 10% of the $4.2 trillion the government has disbursed to deal with COVID-19.

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The migrant crisis in Chicago is no different.

WMAQ-Ch. 5s NBC 5 Investigates recently obtained invoices from the city of Chicago showing two employees of Favorite Healthcare Staffing, which assists in operating the citys migrant shelters, made at least $135 an hour. NBC also reported that a facility manager earned $14,000 in one week. Favorite Healthcare Staffing has been paid at least $56 million since last October to provide care for 13,000 migrants.

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WBBM-Ch. 2 fought for six months to obtain records detailing city spending on migrants care. What it received shows that the city spent more than $159,000 on laundry, nearly $70,000 on table and chair rentals, almost $67,000 on portable toilets and sinks, and $20,000 on linens and napkins.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he is planning to house migrants in winterized tent camps and that caring for migrants through the end of the year could cost taxpayers more than $300 million. This is a bad idea; it is the equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on a shotgun wound. According to Johnson, Chicago faces a $538 million budget deficit heading into fiscal year 2024 with $200 million of it tied to the migrant crisis. Only in Chicago can taxpayers be fleeced by a manufactured crisis.

[ Editorial: Brandon Johnsons formidable budget hole ]

The failure of President Joe Bidens administration to secure our borders has caused our country and cities to be less safe and drowning in debt from expenditures related to migrants. To make matters worse, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been releasing migrants directly onto the streets of some cities to ease overcrowding in processing facilities. President Biden and the Democrats weak immigration policies are to blame for cities being overwhelmed by migrants crossing the border. This manufactured crisis is costing taxpayers more than $150 billion. In Chicago and Illinois, the governor and mayor have obligated more than $250 million for migrants.

[ Willie Wilson: Why arent officials prioritizing unhoused Chicagoans in the same way they are asylum-seekers? ]

The taxpayers deserve a full accounting of how and where migrant funding is being spent. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Johnson should be fully transparent when it comes to spending taxpayers money. This crisis is much of their own doing as they maintain Chicago and Illinois as sanctuaries for immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. Illinois and Chicago decided not to cooperate with federal immigration officials and have in essence turned their backs on the Constitution.

Johnson and Pritzker should not allow taxpayers to be taken advantage of by vendors that choose to overcharge government in the midst of a crisis. The city and state should use their leverage to negotiate the best deals on behalf of taxpayers.

I recommend the following to protect taxpayers money and increase transparency:

1. Johnson and Pritzker should consider allowing entrepreneurs to negotiate contracts with vendors regarding migrant housing, food, health and other needs. The mayor may want to leverage federally qualified community health centers to provide health care for migrants.

2. Johnson, and all elected officials supporting sanctuary legislation should open their homes to migrant families. Pritzker should open the Hyatt hotels and the governors mansion to house migrant families.

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3. The city inspector general should examine invoices from all vendors to ensure that they have not overcharged taxpayers for services related to migrants.

4. Johnson should ensure spending related to migrants is detailed on the citys website. The webpage should clearly identify vendors and services provided and be updated monthly.

5. Johnson and Pritzker should make clear that any migrant involved in illegal activity will be deported immediately.

6. Johnson and Pritzker should make clear their commitment to providing for the social needs of struggling citizens in Chicago and Illinois.

7. Biden and Congress should do whatever it takes to protect our nations borders.

I have long said that charity begins at home. I understand the need to provide for migrants because they are here, but what about Chicagoans who are unhoused? What about those suffering from the trauma of gun violence and poverty? What about those suffering from historic flooding on the West Side? When do our citizens become a priority?

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We must never sacrifice our citizens for the sake of people pouring into the United States from other countries. A Chicago alderman noted that none of us can say where the $115.2 million spent on migrants in the first seven months of this year went or where the $123 million Johnson expects to spend through Dec. 31 will go. That is outrageous.

I write this commentary to make those comfortable with spending taxpayer dollars like drunken sailors uncomfortable.

There must be accountability for taxpayer dollars. Our citizens must be elected officials first priority. We citizens are compassionate, but that compassion is wearing thin. Spending on migrants must be transparent and equitable on behalf of taxpayers. This crisis must not be exploited because government is too inept to get the best deal.

The days of government paying $500 for hammer must be over. All elected officials are fiduciaries of taxpayers money, and they must be held accountable for government spending.

Willie Wilson is a Chicago business owner and a former 2023 mayoral candidate.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.  The Nebraska Passport season will soon draw to a close, but theres still time to squeeze in one more adventure out west at Riverside Discovery Center.

Riverside Discovery Center is a small zoo in Scottsbluff, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, with an impressive lineup of animals from around the world. A favorite of local families, the zoo is often called a hidden gem on the western edge of the state.

The zoos executive director, Desiree Drane-Davison, said that being selected as a stop in the Nebraska Passport tourism program has brought plenty of new faces to the zoo, many of whom are surprised to find such a place nestled in the Nebraska Panhandle.

We are a big little zoo. Actually, we have animals here that Denver doesnt have, Drane-Davison said.

Anyone who plans their visit to Riverside Discovery Center on a hot day will get to take advantage of the zoos best non-animal feature.

The most popular attraction is the splash pad, especially on hot days, Drane-Davison said. Everyone wants to get in the water. Even I want to get in the water some days.

Naturally, the animals are the highlight of any visit. Drane-Davison said some of the zoos popular characters are Smokey the grizzly bear and a pair of hyenas, Baby and Charlie, who were recently added to Riversides lineup.

Some of the animals housed at Riverside Discovery Center are included in species survival plan programming through the zoo association. These programs oversee the movement of certain animals from zoo to zoo in order to maintain genetic diversity, health and sustainability of those species.

This summer, a porcupine named Oscar is visiting the Scottsbluff zoo from Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines on one of those breeding missions. If successful, there may be a good reason for visitors to return in a few months time.

Were hoping for little porcupines in the spring, Drane-Davison said.

Right now, the zoo is home to three baby animals, two zebras and one Highland cow calf, who easily overshadow the popularity of their adult counterparts.

Everyone is coming out to see the babies, she said.

Whatever it is that brings a visitor through the gate, Riverside Discovery Center does its best to make sure that they leave with more knowledge than they brought with them. Education is a cornerstone for most zoos and RDC is no different, seeing it as an important piece in the protection and preservation of our planets incredible wildlife.

The only way were going to be able to protect the animals that we have at the zoo  especially those that are on a Species Survival Plan  is through education, Drane-Davison said. Its a solid purpose for zoos.

Despite its small size, Riverside Discovery Center finds ways to keep pace with much larger zoos. In this way, theyre able to provide an important experience for folks who dont live within easy driving distance of more well-known zoos.

Its a long distance between Denver and Omaha, Drane-Davison said. As an accredited AZA facility we have to go through the same process that San Diego, Denver and Omaha go through. The fact that we can hold our own with the big zoos says a lot about the staff and the commitment to the zoo, and people see that when they come to visit.

Although the window to claim a Passport stamp closes at the end of September, Drane-Davison said that the last few weeks of this month are actually the perfect time to stop and visit the animals.

They dont necessarily like to be out in the heat. Theyre a little bit smarter than we are and will find shade and hunker down, she said. As it cools off, the chances of seeing some of these animals are much better.

Drane-Davison also said there are plenty of reasons to drop by Riverside Discovery Center even after the Passport season has concluded. Anyone visiting or traveling through western Nebraska should add it to their agenda alongside Scotts Bluff National Monument, Wildcat Hills, Chimney Rock and the rest.

If theyre out here visiting, they should really see all the sights, and were definitely a good place to visit, she said.

Riverside Discovery Center will be closed to the public during the first week of October so the staff can prepare the grounds for its 35th annual Spooktacular. Both kid-friendly and scary nights will be hosted at the zoo throughout the month of October for those craving some Halloween fun.
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Bill Clintons testimony about his relationship with a young female assistant has been released to the United States public.

The video of the American presidents 17 August interview in front of the Grand Jury was taken to a television station at 0910 local time (1410 BST) and broadcast immediately by many US networks.

During the examination President Clinton was questioned by prosecutors about the exact nature of his affair with Monica Lewinsky  and whether he had previously lied under oath.

The presidents defence against the accusations relied on elaborate definitions of certain words.

The interview was originally taped on the insistence of the investigating team for the benefit of a jury member who could not attend the hearing.

But members of the House of Representatives justified the release of the tape by saying the public had the right to see all the evidence of the Starr Report.

Its not a pretty sight But the key thing weve all got to focus on is what is the truth, said Charles Canady  a republican on the House Judicial Committee.

A visibly uncomfortable President Clinton was forced to defend previous statements about his affair with Miss Lewinsky by quibbling over the precise definition of his words.

In particular he said sexual relations did not to him mean sexual intercourse  which he denied having with the former White House intern.

Challenged later in the hearing, he argued the meaning of the smallest of words contained in one of his lawyers statements.

It depends upon what the meaning of the word is is. If is means is and never has been thats one thing  if it means there is none, that was a completely true statement, he said.

After facing the Grand Jury, the president now awaits the verdict of the American people.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

On 9 December 1998 the House Judiciary Committee proposed four articles of impeachment against the president.

Ten days later  after a bitter debate between republicans and democrats  the House of Representatives voted to confirm the recommendation.

Bill Clinton became only the second president in American history to face such an indictment, but he refused to resign.

His trial began on 7 January 1999 and ended on 12 February when senators voted to acquit him of the impeachment charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
In this undated photo provided by Rebecca Hale, Marc Tyler Nobleman poses for a portrait

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 Atlantas 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 Fingers 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. Its 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 isnt 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 Fingers 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, Nobleman started fielding questions from reporters after the principal at Sharon Elementary sent an electronic message to parents apologizing for the mention of Fred Fingers 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. Noblemans 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 Fingers sexual orientation.

Many parents have applauded Forsyth Countys 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 Noblemans 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 didnt 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 didnt sit right with me. It made me feel like certain parts of our community were being kept as a dirty secret, Maguire said. I couldnt imagine coming from a family with gay members and reading that apology just for saying the word gay. JEFF AMY, ATLANTA, MDT/AP
Early in the summer of 2023, robots projected on a screen delivered sermons to about 300 congregants at St. Pauls Church in Bavaria, Germany. Created by ChatGPT and Jonas Simmerlein, a theologian and philosopher from the University of Vienna, the experimental church service drew immense interest.

The deadpan sermon delivery prompted many to doubt whether AI can really displace priests and pastoral instruction. At the end of the service, an attendee remarked, There was no heart and no soul.

But the growing use of AI may prompt more churches to debut AI-generated worship services. A church in Austin, Texas, for example, has put a banner out advertising a service with an AI-generated sermon. The church worship will also include an AI-generated call to worship and pastoral prayer. Yet this use of AI has prompted concerns, as these technologies are believed to disrupt authentic human presence and leadership in religious life.

My research, alongside others in the interdisciplinary fields of digital religion and human-machine communication, illuminates what is missing in discussions of AI, which tend to be machine-centric and focused on extreme bright or dark outcomes.

It points to how religious leaders are still the ones influencing the latest technologies within their organizations. AI cannot simply displace humans, since storytelling and programming continue to be critical for its development and deployment.

Here are three ways in which machines will need a priest.

1. Clergy approve and affirm AI use

Given rapid changes in emerging technologies, priests have historically served as gatekeepers to endorse and invest in new digital applications. In 2015, in China, the adoption of Xianer, the robot monk, was promoted as a pathway to spiritual engagement by the master priest of the Buddhist Longquan Temple in Beijing.

The priest rejected claims that religious AI was sacrilegious and described innovation in AI as spiritually compatible with religious values. He encouraged the incorporation of AI into religious practices to help believers gain spiritual insight and to elevate the temples outreach efforts in spreading Buddhist teachings.

Similarly, in 2019, the head priest of the Kodai-ji Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, named an adult-size android Kannon Mindar, after the revered Goddess of Mercy.

This robotic deity, who can preach the Heart Sutra, a classic and popular Buddhist scripture, was intentionally built in partnership with Osaka University, with a cost of about US$1 million. The idea behind it was to stimulate public interest and connect religious seekers and practitioners with Buddhist teachings.

By naming and affirming AI use in religious life, religious leaders are acting as key influencers in the development and application of robots in spiritual practice.

2. Priests direct human-machine communication

Today, much of AI data operations remain invisible or opaque. Many adults do not recognize how much AI is already a part of our daily lives, for example in customer service chatbots and custom product recommendations.

But human decision making and judgment about technical processes, including providing feedback for reinforcement learning and interface design, is vital for the day-to-day operations of AI.

Consider the recent robotic initiatives at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia. At this mosque, multilingual robots are being deployed for multiple purposes, including providing answers to questions related to ritual performances in 11 languages.

Notably, while these robots stationed at the Grand Mosque can recite the Holy Quran, they also provide visitors with connections to local imams. Their touch-screen interfaces are equipped with bar codes, allowing users to learn more about the weekly schedules of mosque staff, including clerics who lead Friday sermons. In addition, these robots can connect visitors with Islamic scholars via video interactions to answer their queries around the clock.

What this shows is that while robots can serve as valuable sources of religious knowledge, the strategic channeling of inquiries back to established religious leaders is reinforcing the credibility of priestly authority.

3. Religious leaders can create and share ethical guidelines

Clergy are trying to raise awareness of AIs potential for human flourishing and well-being. For example, in recent years, Pope Francis has been vocal in addressing the potential benefits and disruptive dangers of the new AI technologies.

The Vatican has hosted technology industry leaders and called for ethical guidelines to safeguard the good of the human family and maintain vigilance against technology misuse. The ethical use of AI for religion includes a concern for human bias in programming, which can result in inaccuracies and unsafe outcomes.

In June 2023, the Vaticans culture and education body, in partnership with Santa Clara University, released a 140-page AI ethics handbook for technology organizations. The handbook stressed the importance of embedding moral ideals in the development of AI, including respect for human dignity and rights in data privacy, machine learning and facial recognition technologies.

By creating and sharing ethical guidelines on AI, religious leaders can speak to future AI development from its inception, to guide design and consumer implementation toward cherished values.

In sum, while religious leaders appear to be undervalued in AI development and discourse, I argue that it is important to recognize the ways in which clergy are contributing to skillful communication involving AI technologies. In the process, they are co-constructing the conversations that chatbots such as the one at the church in Bavaria are having with congregants. Pauline Hope Cheong, Arizona State University, MDT/The Conversation
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. MDT/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 yesterday. 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 Japans 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. MDT/AP
A senior Kremlin official yesterday 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.

He noted that Putin is set to hold substantive talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during next months trip to Beijing to attend a summit of the Chinese Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Patrushev, a longtime Putin associate, reaffirmed Russias invariable support for Beijings policy on issues related to Taiwan, the western Xinjiang region and Hong Kong, which he said are being used by the West to discredit China.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has conducted increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around the island. Chinese authorities also have sought to eradicate any possibility of unrest in regions that are home to sizeable ethnic and religious groups, including Tibetans and the Uyghur community in Xinjiang, north of Tibet, the harsh policies that have drawn strong criticism from the West.

The Kremlin has continuously expressed support for Beijing as Russia and China have grown increasingly close while their relations with the West deteriorate.

Wang arrived in Russia Monday on a four-day visit following his weekend talks with U.S. President Joe Bidens national security adviser in Malta. He began his trip by conferring with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The more violent the unilateral actions of hegemony and bloc confrontation become, the more important for us to keep up with the times, show a sense of duty as great powers, and further fulfill our international obligations, Wang said at the start of the talks with Lavrov. MDT/AP
India expelled one of Canadas top diplomats today [Macau time], ramping up a confrontation between the two countries over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.

India, which has dismissed the accusations as absurd, said the expulsion came amid growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities, according to a statement from its Ministry of External Affairs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to try to calm the diplomatic clash, telling reporters that Canada is 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 and to ensure there are proper processes, he said. India and the government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.

On Monday, Trudeau said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader who was killed by masked gunmen in June in Surrey, outside Vancouver. For years, India has said Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation Nijjar denied.

A U.S. official said Trudeau was in contact with President Joe Bidens administration about Canadas findings before raising them publicly. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Trudeaus willingness to speak out about the matter was taken by the White House as an indication of the Canadian leaders certainty about what had been found.

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement, but if true it would mark a major shift for India, whose security and intelligence branches have long been significant players in South Asia, and are suspected in a number of killings in Pakistan. But arranging the killing of a Canadian citizen in Canada, home to nearly 2 million people of Indian descent, would be unprecedented.

India, though, has accused Canada for years of giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Nijjar.

The dueling expulsions have escalated tensions between Canada and India. Trudeau had frosty encounters with Indian Prime Minister Narendra 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.

Nijjar, a plumber, was also a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. A bloody decadelong Sikh insurgency shook north India in the 1970s and 1980s, until it was crushed in a government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders.

Violence spilled across years and continents. In 1984, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by two of her Sikh bodyguards after she ordered an army operation to flush out heavily armed Sikh separatists barricaded inside Sikhisms holiest shrine. Her killing led to riots that left more than 2,000 Sikhs dead.

The next year, an Air India jetliner flying from Toronto to New Delhi was destroyed by a bomb over the Irish coast, killing 329 people. Officials blamed Sikh separatists.

The Khalistan movement has lost much of its political power but still has supporters in the Indian state of Punjab, as well as in the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora. While the active insurgency ended years ago, the Indian government has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback.

Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities, who had offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. At the time of his killing he was working with the group Sikhs For Justice, organizing an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer and spokesperson for Sikhs For Justice, has said Nijjar was warned by Canadian intelligence officials about being targeted for assassination by mercenaries.

Nijjar had recently been meeting once or twice a week with Canadian Security Intelligence Service officers, including a day or two before the shooting, said his son Balraj Singh Nijjar.

He said his father had received hundreds of threatening messages telling him to stop his advocacy for Sikh independence. The threats were always passed to authorities.

We werent worried about safety because we werent doing anything wrong, he said. We were just using freedom of speech.

He said the family was relieved by Canadas actions.

From day 1 we kind of had this idea and knowledge that if anything would happen to him, the Indian government would be involved, he said. It was just a matter of time for when the truth would come out. Its finally coming to the public eyes that the Indian government is involved in this.

On Monday, Trudeau told Parliament that Canadian security agencies were investigating credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and Nijjars killing.

Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty, he said.

Indias foreign ministry dismissed the allegation as absurd and accused Canada of harboring terrorists and extremists.

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 said in a statement.

India has long demanded that Canada take action against the Sikh independence movement, which is banned in India. Canada has a Sikh population of more than 770,000, about 2% of its population.

In March, Modis government summoned the Canadian high commissioner in New Delhi, the top diplomat in the country, to complain about Sikh independence protests in Canada. In 2020, Indias foreign ministry also summoned the top diplomat over Trudeaus comments about an agricultural protest movement associated with the state of Punjab, where many Sikhs live.

Critics accuse Modis Hindu nationalist government of seeking to suppress dissent using sedition laws and other legal weapons. Some critics of his administration have been arrested, creating what Modis opponents say is a culture of intimidation.

Trudeau said Monday he brought up Nijjars slaying with Modi last week at the G20 meeting in New Delhi, and told him any Indian government involvement would be unacceptable and he asked for cooperation in the investigation.

Modi, for his part, expressed strong concerns over Canadas handling of the Sikh independence movement at that meeting, Indias statement said.

While in New Delhi, Trudeau skipped a dinner hosted by the Indian president, and local media reports said he was snubbed by Modi when he got a quick pull aside instead of a bilateral meeting.

The statement called on Canada to work with India on what New Delhi said is a threat to the Indian diaspora, and accused the Sikh movement of promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats.

Earlier this year, Sikh protesters pulled down the Indian flag at Indias high commission in London and smashed the buildings window after India arrested a popular Sikh preacher. Protesters also smashed windows at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and skirmished with consulate workers.

The British government, meanwhile, said yesterday there were no plans to reinvestigate the death of a U.K-based Sikh activist in the wake of Canadas claim India might have been behind the slaying of Nijjar.

Avtar Singh Khanda, who played a prominent role in protests for an independent Sikh homeland, died in June in the English city of Birmingham after falling ill. Supporters alleged be might have been poisoned, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman, Max Blain, said police found nothing suspicious. KRUTIKA PATHI & ROB GILLIES, NEW DELHI, MDT/AP
A migrant and their children head off to school on Sept. 12, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

When I graduated from a suburban high school in Illinois in the mid-1990s, my academic counselor was unprepared to help me transition to college. I was an undocumented student in a majority-white high school where educators knew little to nothing about the challenges my immigration status presented.

They did not know I was excluded from federal financial aid for college. They did not know where to locate resources to assist me in covering tuition costs. They did not know I suppressed my dreams and made myself small to avoid facing the uncertainty of my future.

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I dont want to go to college, I told my counselor.

I delayed college for nearly two years and then enrolled part time while working full time. My experience might make sense for an undocumented immigrant graduating high school 30 years ago. At the time, the stories of undocumented youths remained largely untold, and research was nonexistent. But in 2023, suburban high schools still remain unprepared to support undocumented students transition to college.

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With the college application season in full swing, it is critical to shift how educators support the almost 100,000 undocumented students graduating high school every year, including the 4,000 in Illinois.

During 2020 and 2021, I interviewed 24 educators who work with undocumented high school students in the suburbs as part of a research project as an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I wanted to know how educators learn about the challenges undocumented students encounter and how they locate resources to assist students. The school staffers were mostly counselors but also included teachers, social workers, support workers and program managers.

The educators experiences indicate their schools are not preparing them to support undocumented students college transitions.

To be sure, much has changed since the 1990s. Largely due to the bravery of undocumented youths, public awareness of their stories exists. Illinois has passed meaningful laws benefiting undocumented students. Affected immigrants, committed educators and community advocates have generated resources and raised funds to support undocumented students college goals.

Despite these laudable efforts, suburban schools and districts across the state continue to evade their responsibility to serve undocumented students. Suburban schools fail to provide training on the challenges undocumented students encounter. Educators must either find training on their own or assist students with little training beyond a Google search.

The lack of training exists despite an Illinois law, the Illinois Dream Act, which mandates that professional activities address postsecondary options for undocumented students. However, without funding or accountability measures, this doesnt appear to be happening; none of the educators I interviewed received training directly from their schools.

Although some educators, with much effort, have learned to support students, others have struggled in these tasks and felt anxious and unsure about their ability to assist as students navigate transitioning to college.

Some educators report they found the unresponsiveness of administrators when advocating for students to be one of the most painful aspects of their experiences. They reported they encountered sympathetic but ultimately unresponsive administrators who feared backlash from their affluent and conservative constituents.

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One educator said she created a training on the needs of undocumented students and presented it to the district-level administration, advocating to provide the training to counselors and teachers. The training was wonderfully received.

The district, however, never implemented the training. This educator pushed for the school to declare itself a safe zone for students. But the school declined.

To be sure, a range of political opinions exists regarding undocumented students. These youths should not be in our schools, the staunchest critics might argue. But in 1982s Plyler v. Doe, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled immigrant youth have the right to a K-12 education regardless of their status.

Far from being composed largely of white families, the suburbs are increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, and more immigrants now live in the suburbs than in central cities.

In Illinois, 60% of immigrants live in the suburbs. These young people may lack access to U.S. citizenship, but they are members of suburban communities. They sit in classrooms, eat lunch with and build friendships with their native-born peers. Their families also contribute to the economic vitality of the community, paying local sales taxes, state income taxes and property taxes  as owners or indirectly as renters.

To ensure schools and districts provide educators with the training and resources to support their undocumented students, Illinois must set stronger standards for training at the high school level. The Illinois Dream Act, which requires that professional activities address the college options of undocumented students, lacks funding or accountability measures.

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Standards for training with repercussions are needed.

In addition to training standards, policymakers should allocate funding to support the development of training and resources. Building on existing efforts would ensure a lasting infrastructure. State educational bodies need to set curriculum standards for school counseling programs, school social work programs and other educational graduate degrees.

Constituents of suburban schools need to ask our school leaders how they support their teachers, counselors and support staff to serve undocumented students.

Thirty years is too long a time not to have learned the lessons.

Daysi Ximena Diaz-Strong is an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a public voices fellow with The OpEd Project. She emigrated from Ecuador at 9 years old and was undocumented until her late 20s.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Russias President Vladimir Putin said last night 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 Chinas 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 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 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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday [Macau time] 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 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. JENNIFER PELTZ & DEREK GATOPOULOS, UNITED NATIONS, MDT/AP
A mid the gradual resumption of tourism activities, investments should be prioritized according to people, planet and prosperity, Natalia Bayona, executive director of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said yesterday.

Bayona is a keynote speaker at the 2nd Global Tourism Economy Forum Investment and Financing Conference (GTEF-IFC), which commenced yesterday afternoon at the Galaxy International Convention Centre.

People is one of the three keys to resuming tourism activities around the world, the speaker said, citing UN data stating that 16% of the global population are young people, but more than one in five of them were not in education, employment or training in 2020.

Although she did not explain the reason, it is understood that the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 put cities and countries under lockdown. Back then, technological support for working from a distance was not as popular as it is today.

Moreover, she also pointed out that up to 25% of tourism workers in the European Union possess low-level qualifications. At the same time, 882,000 global tourism jobs per year will require vocational training until 2030.

With that said, the global resumption of tourism to pre-pandemic levels will rely on significant investments in education and training.

In regard to investments for the planet, the speaker suggested that the private sector should strive towards the 21 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), in the hopes of achieving greener and more sustainable tourism activities.

In the last area  prosperity  the speaker explained that technological advancements should receive further investment to boost growth and revitalization. In fact, she said, between 2018 and 2022, 40% of venture capital in the tourism technology industry has gone to travel startups, with 25% to hospitality and 10% to air transportation.

Within the same time frame, she added, the top 6 unicorns in the sector included four US and two Indian companies.

At the same event, Miao Muyang, director general of the Industrial Development Department, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Peoples Republic of China, who was another keynote speaker, shared his views on tourism investments and financing after reopening.

Miao suggested investors should invest to boost consumption, employment and the economy, and on the other, they should empower the revitalization of rural areas and the renewal of urban ones. Room for development in culture and tourism should be sought to help establish spiritual homes for the people, where locals and visitors do not feel threatened or unwelcome.

His second suggestion is that mixed development comprising culture and tourism should be deepened, which will not only elevate tourism projects culturally, but may also breed new industries and industry chains, as well as new values.

Third, he suggested that the trend of digitization should be followed. Digitization, he said, had transformed the mode of travel and introduced smarter and more individualized tourism experiences. Smart technologies should be applied to tourism in a wider manner.

Green tourism was his fourth and final suggestion. Miao suggested people safeguard the ecological baseline and operate sustainable tourism. Low-carbon green development should be promoted and seen as a valuable investment and the core requirement for the establishment of tourism projects.

Citing the Shanghai Disneylands and the Beijing Universal Studios prompt return on investments, as well as the series of theme parks being built around the country as examples, Miao praised Chinas achievements in attracting foreign tourism investments.

In addition, the Chinese official pledged that Beijing would continue its cooperation with governments and entities in various localities to boost connections and investments. The country will further open to foreign investments and make improvements in marketization, the rule of law and internationalization, the official added.
Governors from the Southwestern United States are pursuing stronger business ties with Taiwan in hopes of attracting new foreign investments and jobs to their landlocked states.

Trade missions this week have taken New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Arizona counterpart Katie Hobbs, both Democrats, to the self-governing island of Taiwan.

Hobbs said her goal was to encourage ongoing investments to make Arizona a hub for semiconductor manufacturing. She met earlier this week with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. executives and suppliers, visiting their plant as well as water treatment facilities.

Arizona leaders have been touting that the state will be the home of a Taiwanese microchip manufacturers first U.S. plant, generating 12,000 construction jobs.

Construction started in 2021 on that sprawling facility that will utilize precision trademark technology for semiconductor fabrication with the capacity to produce 20,000 wafers per month. Once completed and operational next year, the plant is estimated to create 4,500 high-tech jobs.

At a business conference in Taipei on Tuesday, Lujan Grisham urged entrepreneurs and leaders to consider investment opportunities in her home state, touting a workforce with access to subsidized child care and tuition-free college.

Lujan Grisham says she hopes to expand the presence in New Mexico of Taiwanese companies that already including the label printing business Cymmetrik and wire manufacturer Admiral Cable  both with facilities at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, near a port of entry for freight between the U.S. and Mexico.

Strengthening our relationships here is good for New Mexico, good for America, and good for Taiwan as we develop a global economy with a more stable and resilient supply chain, Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Several other governors  Democratic and Republican  have recently traveled on trade missions to Taiwan. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer became the first serving governor of Michigan to visit Taiwan, during an investments-related tour this month that included stops in Japan. Republican Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb traveled to Taiwan in August on a separate trade mission.

In August, Singapore-based Maxeon Solar Technologies announced plans to build a major solar panel manufacturing plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, pending approval of a loan application with the U.S. Department of Energy.

The factory would employ about 1,800 people to provide photovoltaic solar panels for use in residential, commercial and utility-scale solar arrays.

Hobbs trade mission includes a visit to South Korea. MDT/AP
CONGRESS JUDICIARY PANEL

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."

GOP criticism

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.

Biden probe

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.
First responders were dispatched to Highway 30 Eastbound near North Thompson Drive at 9:50 p.m., where an off-duty EMS worker had begun lifesaving measures on the unresponsive motorcyclist. First responders took the man to a nearby hospital, and he died Wednesday morning, according to a release from Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer.
Adam Muller

Adam Muller passed away peacefully at his residence, at the age of 96, with his loving family by his side on September 15, 2023.

Adam was a Polish immigrant, grateful American Citizen, active organizer of Polish Schools and Polish Clubs, advocate for Poles and students, Industrial Engineer, avid skier, business owner, proud Catholic, and author.

Adam was born in Bielsko Biala, Poland, the son of Roman and Maria (nee Stapler). Adam's devoted wife, Eugenia, will always remember life with Adam as an adventure.

To support his family, Adam regularly worked two jobs, started businesses, and moved frequently to take on better paying jobs as his English skills improved. Adam loved life and thrived on being surrounded by others. Adam was eager to give solicited and unsolicited advice and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Adam will be remembered by many for his physical stature (6'2"), captain's hat (even though he never owned or piloted a boat), welcoming smile, enthusiastic personality, and commitment to all things Polish. With his conversations and his Eugenia's impeccable hospitality, Adam always made people feel special and at home.

Adam was a lifelong organizer and enthusiastic activist. In the USA and with the assistance of his wife and friends, Adam started three Polish Schools including the Lech Walesa Polish School in Wisconsin Dells. Adam, also with the help of friends, initiated the Polish Club and the Annual Polish Festival in Wisconsin Dells. Adam was a frequent contributor of opinions and articles to both Polish and American where he wholeheartedly promoted Polish organizations and wrote on American events, Polish politics, the treatment of international students, and many other diverse topics.

When Adam retired from his job as an Industrial Engineer, he worked as a bus driver then started International Resources in Wisconsin Dells where he brought hundreds of J1 Visa Students from all over the world to work in the area. Adam advocated for and was loved by his international students, many of whom left him gifts or letters and kept in touch for years afterwards. Adam also wrote a historical book titled, Without Childhood: True Story of Siberian Experience.

Finally, Adam was a Catholic. Adam and Eugenia hosted rosary devotionals at their home and regularly and drove for perpetual adoration until Adam was too weak to make the drive. Father Miroslaw Szynal visited Adam weekly and faithfully offered Adam communion, confession, Sacrament of the Sick, companionship, and Last Rites.

Adam is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Eugenia; children: Bogdan (Lidia) Miler, Susan (Paul) Zwicker, Betty (Dave) DeBoer, and Roman (Margaret) Muller; grandchildren: Grzegosz (lwona) Miler, Katarzyna Wilczkowska, Adam, Thomas and Matthew Zwicker, Christopher Miller, Natalie (Rob) Uhlemann and Renee DeBoer, Michael (Nikia) and Travis Muller; great-grandchildren; and extended family.
KENOSHA  Two officers involved in the arrests of a Black couple inside an Applebees restaurant in Kenosha over the summer have been placed on administrative leave.

We have identified two officers (and) we had concerns with their actions ... and they are no longer in our building, Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said during a Police & Fire Commission meeting Tuesday morning.

The action was effective Aug. 31.

Patton said the officers badges and guns were taken away and they cannot represent themselves as Kenosha officers to the public.

He said one of the two officers was initially placed on administrative duty on July 21.

Patton said additional video footage of the incident, including from police body cameras, will be released soon.

He also said an internal investigation into the use of force is complete and was sent to an outside agency for review and analysis.

On Sept. 6, I reached out to an outside agency and requested that they have all of our information and review our actions and the actions of the incident, he said.

Patton said that after the review is completed, the department anticipates releasing all videos, body cams, interviews, reports from ourselves and the outside agency.

Speaking out

Leaders from local activist groups have criticized the actions of some officers, who activists said brutalized and unnecessarily detained Jermelle English Jr., 24, and traumatized his partner Shanya Boyd, 21, and their baby boy inside the Applebees.

Tanya McLean, executive director of Leaders of Kenosha, a social justice organization, spoke during Tuesdays meeting.

Were still calling for the officers involved in that incident to be fired, and they should be charged as well, McLean said. As an ordinary citizen, if I was to use that use of force against someone, I most certainly would be arrested and charged and sent to jail.

Anthony Davis, president of the NAACP Kenosha Branch, called for accountability and reform.

In a just and compassionate society the protection and wellbeing of every individual, especially the most vulnerable among us, must be the utmost priority, he said. The actions of the officers involved in this incident are an affront to our collective values and its an imperative that they are swiftly dismissed from their positions. The safety of civilians, including innocent children, should always be the foremost of all law enforcement officers.

Davis said accountability is a cornerstone of maintaining public trust in law enforcement.

The incident also raises broader questions about prevailing tactics, training methods and use of force policies within our police departments, he said. It is a glaring reminder that reform is long overdue.

Hit-and-run crash

English and Boyd were arrested July 20 after a hit-and-run crash at Green Bay Road and Highway 50.

According to the criminal complaint, around 11 p.m., police went into the Applebees at 6950 Green Bay Road and saw a couple who appeared to match the descriptions of a man and woman who fled the nearby crash site and entered the restaurant.

Englishs arrest was captured on a video by another man inside the restaurant, and restaurant employees said an officer struck English several times after he had been subdued and had his hands behind his back.

Both English and Boyd were charged with resisting officers and disorderly conduct. Boyd also was charged with possession of marijuana.

Patton said the actual suspects involved in the crash were hiding in the restaurant bathroom and were later arrested. He said that officers made the arrests in good faith, given the descriptions and information they had at the time.

A suspect in the crash that triggered the police search, Jamonte Wright, 17, of Kenosha, has been charged with felony hit-and-run involving injury.
A Monroe County jury convicted 44-year-old Altoona man Friday of several child sex crimes, according to District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger.

Eric L. Wirth was found guilty of eight charges, including repeated sexual assault of the same child, use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, causing a child to view sexual activity, exposing a child to harmful material, two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, sex with a child older than 16 and possession of cocaine, according to the district attorney's press release.

The convictions came after a three-day jury trial. The charges against Wirth stem from conduct that occurred between May 2017 and July 2021 in which Wirth used children for his own sexual gratification, according to Croninger.

Several other counts against Wirth were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled in another jurisdiction, after new information was uncovered indicating that the proper venue for the dismissed counts was outside Monroe County.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching its verdicts.

Circuit Court Judge Todd L. Ziegler revoked Wirths bond and remanded him to custody pending sentencing. Wirth faces over 150 years in prison. The sentencing date has not been set yet.

We are grateful for the attention the jury paid to this serious matter. This case involved multiple perverse actions by the defendant," said Croninger. "We know that having to listen to evidence of these perverse acts can be very difficult The jurors in this matter paid close attention to these difficult facts and rendered just and true verdicts.

The prosecution of the case was handled by Croninger. The investigation was led by Det. John Brose of the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, with help from Sparta Police Chief Emilee Nottestad and Det. Andrew Kuen, formerly of the Sparta Police Department.

Croninger praised the work of Brose and all officers involved.

This is a case that involved numerous perverse acts by the defendant," he said. "The officers involved demonstrated the highest levels of professional integrity and investigative skill in procuring the facts that proved the defendant was guilty.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker reportedly leaned hard on President Joe Bidens administration to make it possible for new migrants from Venezuela, several thousand of whom are sheltering in Chicago, to get authorization to work legally. Good job, governor. Thats a very positive development.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday extended and redesignated Venezuela for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months. The change follows a review of the countrys conditions, federal officials said, although we all know that the conditions in Chicago and New York (not so good) were the more urgent and relevant factors. The decision means that some 472,000 Venezuelans who were in the U.S. on or before July 31 now will be eligible for TPS and thus are eligible for work permits; some 243,000 Venezuelans who were here by March 2021 already have the status.

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This is a Band-Aid, of course, and far from a permanent solution to the nations immigration crisis, created by federal fear, inertia and inaction.

The situation in these and other cities are hardly a boon to Bidens reelection prospects. The migrant situation is crushing big-city budgets and causing neighborhood stress. And a cynical interpretation of the review is that something had to be done urgently to prevent the fallout, especially since Pritzker and other Democratic governors are waiting in the wings with presidential campaigns ready to go, in the event Bidens planned campaign for a second term should stumble.

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That said, sometimes good things happen through expedient motives. The Venezuelans are escaping a terrible situation at home, and they deserve the stabilizing chance to get out and work and take care of what in many cases are large, young families. And, of course, some sectors of the economy in Chicago are short of workers. So thats a win-win.

But if the federal government can act fast when it comes to that part of the crisis, why not in the equally pressing matter of finding suitable housing for these folks until they get on their economic feet?

Also on Wednesday, the Tribune reported that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed a $29 million contract with GardaWorld Federal Services, a private security firm, to oversee a tent city for migrants.

Unsurprisingly, the contract was signed without a news conference  the Tribune had to dig out the information  and, as we write, at least, there has been no announcement as to the million-dollar question: Where will this tent city be located?

We suspect some in the Johnson administration would like to see it plunked right in the middle of Lincoln Park, for equity reasons, but wherever it lands, those who live nearby likely will have something to say about it and understandably so. That many humans crammed together will have an impact. Were unfamiliar with the administrations plan: Are they just going to pick some spots and spring it on the city? Or will there be a transparent process? How many yurts in one place will there be? Is it better to have everyone together or in scores of places? All valid questions.

[ Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses moving migrants from police stations to base camps, warns of sacrifices to balance costs ]

The word tent, of course, sets off a lot of questions, most notably as to how such temporary structures will fare if we happen to get several feet of snow followed by subzero temperatures in January or February, which would not be atypical for a Chicago winter. But the contract with GardaWorld Federal Services specifies yurt-like structures.

If youre wondering, yurt, derived from an old Turkic word, has evolved to mean high-tech coverings over a typically metal frame, allowing for climate control inside and potentially such things as running water and electrical outlets, although if these yurts are not connected to the electric grid, water and, above all, sewer system, theyre a far cry from an apartment. Especially in winter.

Weve been critical of migrants staying in police stations and at OHare International Airport, because those places are lousy for a family to live in and are supposed to fill other vital functions for Chicagoans. So we sympathize with the mayors predicament: Coming up with emergency housing for thousands of people is far from easy, and wherever it lands, there will be complaints. But tough decisions like that, openly made and transparently communicated, are part of the job of being mayor.

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But GardaWorld, a private entity, cashing in? And $29 million in taxpayer money (and counting, no doubt)? Where is the federal government here? The Federal Emergency Management Agency is greatly respected for its prowess and expertise when it comes to emergency housing. Why is FEMA not putting up these cities and shouldering the cost? This is, after all, an emergency born of a failed federal responsibility.

Notably, Denver backed off from hiring GardaWorld to accommodate migrants this past summer, after some nonprofit groups with expertise in the area charged that the company lacked expertise for the situation and also had a checkered past when it came to taking care of migrants. The Denver Post has reported that little information has been forthcoming about what the company actually does. And the Denver mayor apparently was queasy enough to make a different choice. (GardaWorld told the Denver City Council that it was a nonpartisan company committed to providing services and solutions for its clients with the utmost respect for human rights and human dignity.)

GardaWorld is a massive global operation with 120,000 employees. What will happen in Chicago will mostly depend on the quality of the people GardaWorld hires for that $29 million, how well they are compensated and how much oversight the Johnson administration affords them. We wonder how many of these details have been thought through.

Were also struck by the silence to date of the kinds of nonprofits in Chicago with real expertise in this area.

Had Lori Lightfoot as mayor hired a private security company for $29 million to care for migrants in yurts, we suspect there would have been hell to pay from the left. Many of those groups are now inside the Johnson administration.

We hope theyve not lost the courage to speak up if they see something they dont think is right.

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Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
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.

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.
The requirement to show a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin would be enshrined in the state Constitution under a proposed amendment Republicans introduced Wednesday, amid fears the new liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court could overturn the current law.

In addition, a Republican bill introduced Thursday proposes withdrawing Wisconsin from a national nonprofit that collects and cross-compares voter registration data to detect possible instances of double voting.

The draft constitutional amendment would require photo IDs in all elections while allowing the Legislature to establish exceptions to the requirement.

Ensuring the legitimacy of votes in an election is a prerequisite of democratic government, draft amendment proposal authors Rep. Patrick Snyder, R-Schofield, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said in a memo to legislators introducing the measure.

Constitutional amendments need to pass two successive legislative sessions before going before voters. Governors cannot veto constitutional amendments. The soonest the proposal could come before voters is the spring 2025 election.

The amendment would preserve Wisconsins voter ID law, which was enacted in 2011 and briefly took effect for the 2012 spring primary election, when there were no statewide contests on the ballot, until court challenges halted its implementation. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the new voting requirement was constitutional, clearing the way for the Republican-authored legislation to take effect.

Some Republican groups have encouraged legislators to amend the Constitution to preserve favorable conservative rulings and laws they fear the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which gained a 4-3 liberal majority in August, could undo.

There is no current challenge to the states voter ID requirement, which is among the strictest of any state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Voters must come to the polls with one of a list of approved photo IDs, such as a Wisconsin drivers license, U.S. passport, tribal ID, U.S. military ID or student ID. Student IDs that are expired must be accompanied by a separate document that proves enrollment, such as a tuition statement.

Other measures

In addition to the voter ID proposal, Republicans on Tuesday reintroduced for the second consideration two election-related proposed constitutional amendments that could appear on the April 2024 ballot if they get approval again this session.

One would bar the state from receiving private funds to help administer elections. Republicans proposed it in response to private election grants provided to cities in 2020 by the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life that they say were used to unfairly increase turnout in the Democratic strongholds of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine.

The other would amend the state Constitutions provision allowing that Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district to state that Only a United States citizen could vote in that district. That measure is meant to head off initiatives like those in other states to allow noncitizens to vote in some local elections.

Database removal

The measure to remove Wisconsin from the national voter database known as the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, is almost certain to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

The proposal, introduced by Rep. Ty Bodden, R-Hilbert, and Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, is similar to GOP-led measures in more than half a dozen other states seeking to stop participation in ERIC due to concerns of privacy of voter information, among other reasons.

GOP criticism of ERIC, which had been largely viewed as a noncontroversial organization, has ramped up recently due in part to false claims raised by former President Donald Trump that ERIC uses voter rolls to benefit Democratic candidates.

In addition to terminating Wisconsins membership agreement with ERIC, the proposal would prohibit the Wisconsin Elections Commission or any other state agency from entering into an agreement to rejoin the agency. Similar measures have been proposed in North Carolina and Oklahoma.

To prevent voter fraud, the nonprofit organization compares voter registration data from participating states with federal death and postal records to help states rid voter rolls of people who may have moved or died. Participating states also must send postcards to residents who are eligible to vote but are unregistered.
Deep into the House Judiciary Committees grilling of Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin, took a sharp turn from questions about guns, border security, fentanyl and the investigation into Hunter Biden, veering into a local topic that probably resulted in some head scratching.

There was a World Naked Bike Ride in Madison, Wisconsin, just a couple months ago, Tiffany said. And I sent you a letter two months ago, asking if you had a problem with that, because it exposed a 10-year-old girl by the race organizers  the bike organizers  to pedaling around Madison, Wisconsin, naked. Do you think thats a problem? And why did you not answer our letter from two months ago?

Im sorry. Ill have to ask the Office of Legislative Affairs to get back to you about this, Garland replied.

Does it typically take two months to be able to answer questions like this? Tiffany asked.

It sounds like youre asking about a question about state and local law enforcement, Garland replied. We get hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of letters. Ill ask the Office of Legislative Affairs where that letter is.

State and local law enforcement would not act, Tiffany said. We were hoping you would. Its obvious youre not.

About 150 people participated in the June 17 World Naked Bike Ride, now in its 13th year in Madison. Their route included State Street and two loops around Capitol Square. Also staged in other cities around the country, the ride is aimed at encouraging body-image positivity and reducing dependency on petroleum.

After the event, Dane County Sup. Jeff Weigand, of Marshall, said he filed an online report about the incident with Madison police after a county resident sent all County Board members an email about the girl.

Weigand said a photo the Mount Horeb resident later sent him appeared to show a nude girl who was younger than 10. A Wisconsin State Journal reporter who covered the event also saw the girl there, and a different photo of the girl appears on the Facebook page of a World Naked Bike Ride participant.

Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said police received a complaint the day after the race about an image of the girl posted to social media and later received a complaint from someone who saw the girl at the ride.

She said the departments Special Victims Unit was assigned to the case and detectives looked at the states statues on possession of child pornography and exposing a child to harmful material or narrations, but that based on the image observed and city-sanctioned event status of the bike ride, it was determined at this time that neither statutes are applicable.

Weigand rejected the notion that state criminal law wouldnt apply in the incident, pointing to state statutes that, for example, bar sexual exploitation of a child, causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity or causing a child to expose genitals. However, those laws seek to protect minors from engaging in sexual conduct or causing sexual arousal, something the organizers of the bike ride have said the event is not intended to do.

In an email to the Mount Horeb resident a few days after the race, Madison World Naked Bike Ride organizer Peter Keating said the participation of children in the event is not an issue at all and that it has always been our position that minors are perfectly welcome to participate as they please, as long as they are accompanied by parent or legal guardian.
LANCASTER  June Wieland Mulvenna was only 5 years old at the time, but she has fond memories of the farm on which her father milked his small herd of dairy cows.

It was 1943 and her parents were renting a farm in the Grant County community of Hurricane, about 7 miles southwest of here. There was a cheese factory down the road, a one-room schoolhouse and a general store. But just outside the door of her home stood an unusual site for these parts: a round barn, built sometime between 1902 and 1922.

The milking stanchions that could maybe hold 20 cows were in the lower level, a silo ran through the barns middle, while the hayloft provided spectacular views of a maze of lumber that supported the shingled roof.

On a recent Friday afternoon, Mulvenna, now 85, relived part of her childhood as she walked into the barn once again to look up and recollect.

I loved living here and I didnt want to move, said Mulvenna, who now lives in the village of Walworth, just west of Geneva Lake. It was just unique. None of the rest of the kids had a round barn on their farm.

Only as Mulvenna took in the barns architecture and as memories flooded back, she was no longer along Highway N in Hurricane. Instead, she was just over 3 miles to the northeast along Stage Road.

Vesperman Farms

This is where the barn was moved over the course of several days during a bitter cold stretch of February 2022.

And now, after getting fresh shingles on the roof and a poured concrete foundation, the barn is open and ready to be shared with others as part of the offerings at Vesperman Farms, an agritourism destination that offers up a corn maze, hosts weddings, has a small herd of goats, makes fresh apple cider donuts and even has its own line of ice cream.

Other structures have been moved to the property over the years, including an old carriage house from the hospital in Lancaster. The $120,000 round barn project is the most ambitious to date for Kyle Vesperman, a fifth-generation farmer whose family has been working the land of this area for almost 125 years.

Its really neat how much use Im going to actually get out of this building, Vesperman said. Itll have a year-round purpose for us.

The barn, with its vintage hay hook still attached to the ceiling, is set up with tables this fall where customers can snack on pretzels or sip hot chocolate from the nearby food stand. But it could also host special events such as weddings, parties and small concerts. A few weeks ago, the barn was home to a church service for First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster. Pastor Mark Hoehne even hauled in a wooden, 3-foot-tall font for what was likely the barns first-ever baptism.

Kennedy and Mike Adams had wanted to get married in the barn. But because it wouldnt be ready until this fall, they had their baby girl baptized before about 250 people, some of whom sat on bales of hay.

It was really powerful, said Hoehne, who has been with the church for 18 years. It was better than I thought it would be just because of the (barns) craftsmanship.

State distinction

Wisconsin is believed to have one of the largest collections of round barns in the country, including the worlds largest  a 150-foot-wide, 70-foot-tall round barn completed in spring 1916 at the Central Wisconsin State Fair grounds in Marshfield.

Most of the round barns in the state were constructed between 1890 and 1930 and promoted by Franklin H. King, a professor of agricultural physics who was with the Agricultural Experiment Station at UW-Madison. His designs, which he said were easier to build and more resistant to wind, helped influence many barns across the region, including a round barn built in 1903 near Deerfield that is now part of Schusters Farm and is believed to be the only round barn remaining in Dane County.

Meanwhile, Vernon County has a large concentration of round barns and promotes a tour with maps available from the Viroqua Chamber of Commerce. Many were built by Algie Shivers, the son of a slave who came to Wisconsin via the Underground Railroad, studied carpentry at George R. Smith College in Sedalia, Missouri, and, after serving a tour in France during World War I, returned to Vernon County, where he built 15 barns, according to historical accounts.

The test of time

The round barn now at Vesperman farms was constructed by Clyde Richardson and purchased in 1934 by Virgil Weisbrenner. The Weisbrenner family, which had been renting the farm out to other farmers, moved to the property in 1948. Jim Weisbrenner purchased the property in 1979, and he and his wife, Sharon, raised two children there before retiring in 2001 and selling the farm.

A few years ago, a new owner purchased the property and had plans to demolish the barn. But at the urging of neighbors, Vesperman took a look at barn, climbed a ladder to the hayloft and saw for the first time the barns ceiling.

When you come in and look at (the ceiling), everybody has the same reaction, and thats pretty much why I figured we should try and save this thing, Vesperman said.

Probably why its still around is because theres so much lumber. They used what they had at the time and they used what they knew. They probably over-engineered things in the earlier days, but thats also the reason why its stood up here in the open, in the flat, for 110-some odd years through how many tornadoes and high winds and all sorts of events.

Vesperman removed the hayloft to expose the ceiling, while the silo that had originally been built with the barn was removed in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Vesperman also took a few feet off the bottom of the barn so it would better fit on the new concrete slab. New siding and a bright red paint job are on the to-do list.

But the barns ceiling, with its spiraling boards and beams, remains the star and now has decades of life ahead.

Its a crazy piece of art, too. Just how artistically appealing it looks, Vesperman said. Its quite the thing.
The Wisconsin Constitution is clear: Impeaching a justice for following the rules that govern her conduct is an attack on the very independence of the court and violates the separation of powers.

As former state Supreme Court justices, weve had the privilege of serving the people of Wisconsin. On the bench, we were charged with upholding the law and the constitution fairly and impartially, and without the influence of our personal beliefs, political pressure or interference from other branches of government. While we no longer serve on the court, we still carry these principles with us and have a duty to speak out against attacks on the judicial branchs independence or attempts to weaken its ability to serve the people of our state.

In recent weeks, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and other members of the Legislature have tried to erode the courts independence and make it beholden to the Legislature and its clear partisan agenda. Vos recently announced a secret, three-judge panel to consider the criteria for impeachment in relation to newly elected state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz. The members of the panel are apparently retired state Supreme Court justices.

This is an unprecedented step of the speaker inserting himself into the judicial process. While we were not invited to join this panel, we think its important to share our perspective on the questions surrounding impeachment and outline the reasons why it would not only be inappropriate, but unconstitutional.

Wisconsin Republican leader asks former state Supreme Court justices to review impeachment Wisconsin's Republican Assembly leader announced Wednesday that he's created a panel to investigate the criteria for impeachment as he mulls taking that unprecedented step against a liberal state Supreme Court justice.

Fortunately, the Wisconsin Constitution is clear on this matter because it outlines precisely when impeachment is an appropriate action. The only constitutional grounds for impeachment are when an elected official is guilty of corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors. Justice Protasiewicz has not been accused of anything that would even begin to rise to this level. The Legislature has moved to intervene in a pending legal matter. It has filed a motion arguing that legal contributions to her campaign and the sharing of her personal opinion on issues during her campaign, require her to recuse herself from hearing that very case and not do the job she was elected to do.

To begin with, no allegations have been made against the justice that she committed crimes or misdemeanors. So the Legislature has no basis to consider impeachment on those grounds.

As for corrupt conduct in office, at least two reasons show why the justices campaign speech cannot be the grounds for impeachment. First, the justice was not in office when any campaign speech was made, and her campaign speech is therefore not conduct in office. Second, in other similar contexts, the U.S. Supreme Court has already held that this type of campaign speech is protected speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in judicial elections.

That leaves a final assertion for why Justice Protasiewicz could somehow be impeached: If she refuses to recuse herself in the very matter that the Legislature seeks to become a party. On this issue, the rules are clear. Wisconsins Code of Judicial Conduct says that campaign donations alone should not be considered grounds for recusal in a case, and gives judges the sole discretion to decide whether a conflict exists that would prevent them from giving a fair ruling.

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules and prior decisions of that court leave the decision on whether to recuse up to the individual justice, and conclude that other members of the court have no basis in reviewing that decision. At the time of this writing, Justice Protasiewicz has made no decision on whether to recuse in this matter, but that decision is hers to make according to these prior court decisions and rules. As such, it cannot be corrupt conduct for her to follow the very rules and precedent she is required to follow.

The issue with various legislators implicit impeachment threats is deeper, though, than a failure to understand the impeachment standard. Threatening to even consider the possibility of removal of a justice is really an attempt to dictate the outcome of cases, and it undermines the right of the citizens of this state to keep in place the very judges and justices they elect to make decisions on their behalf. It is an attack on the courts independence and the separation of powers that is guaranteed in our Wisconsin Constitution.

Wisconsinites deserve a justice system where justices are allowed to do their jobs, and to decide cases fairly and impartially  without threats from the Legislature in a case where it seeks to be a party, thereby chilling a justices ability to make the very decision that justice was elected to make. This is what the constitution demands and whats necessary for our democratic system of justice to work.
Experts from Iowa said the initial bill did not. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, and former Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Mike Mahaffey issued a joint statement when the bill was proposed, including this remark that the plan, "cannot be accurately called the Iowa model because it lacks the elements that have been the foundation for our systems success. The clearest and most consequential difference is that Wisconsins proposal rejects our system of judicial review.
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.
Some of my favorite people to talk to when Im door-knocking are real-deal conservatives. Not Radical Right-Wingers (although they can be fun, too), but actual conservatives. You know, people who believe in balanced budgets, law and order (not the dog-whistle kind, but actual law and order), and community.

Quote When we stand by and watch Radicals chase teachers, health care providers, librarians, and our children out of this state, how happy can we really be?

I ran into one of those people on the campaign trail recently and we had a great time disagreeing with one another. I like to think I got the better of the debate, but it doesnt really matter. We enjoyed the interaction and he may vote for a Democrat for the first time in his life.

Before I left, he said something that made me smirk, but he may have won that point. He said he thought conservatives were generally more happy people. As someone who has interacted with literally thousands of Idahoans, I found that statement to be a bit dubious.

In my experience, Idaho Democrats are much more optimistic people. However, in hindsight, I realize I conflated conservative with Radical Right-Winger. The latter are decidedly not happy people. Theyre quite the opposite. Real conservatives, like Democrats, may be a bit more positive.

Apparently, the website WalletHub agrees.

As it turns out, Idaho is the 9th happiest state in the nation  slightly happier than Nebraska but slightly less happy than Florida. Among the top 10 happiest states, six are blue, three are red and one is purple.

Idaho, for instance, ranked fourth in income growth (it really has nowhere to go but up), tops in long-term unemployment, sixth for adequate sleep, and 15th for volunteer rate. Considering the majority of Idahoans favor Idaho Democratic values of prosperity, opportunity and security, I guess this shouldnt come as a surprise.

However, what WalletHub did not take into account was the real negative effect Radical Right Wingers are having on our state and how there is nothing to be happy about the following:

Idahos 2023 Teacher of the Year got chased out of the state after being harassed by Radical Right-Wingers. She now teaches in Illinois. Brad Little

 Idahos education governor  said only that, Im sorry she feels that way. No one can be happy with that reaction, especially in a state where recruiting and keeping educators is hard enough as it is.

Bonner General Health in Sandpoint announced earlier this year it will no longer provide obstetrical services, blaming restrictions on reproductive care enacted by the states Radical Right-Wing element. Doctors are fleeing the state because they dont want to go to jail for doing their jobs.

is holding onto its accreditation by a thread thanks to Radical Right Wingers infesting its board. It recently got a life-line until April 2025 to return to good standing.

Jan. 6 rioter Yvonne St. Cyr of Boise was just sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and made to pay restitution/fines of $3,000 for her role in the insurrection.

A state legislator from Boise tried to repeal Medicaid Expansion last session, which would have kicked nearly 150,000 Idahoans off health care.

.

The point is, if we look at life in Idaho through the WalletHub lens, things arent so bad. When we concentrate on improving kitchen table issues like jobs, education, and health care, we can all be pretty happy no matter where we fall on the political spectrum.

The problem is, WalletHub never considered the destructive behavior of Radical Right-Wingers in Idaho and how negatively they are impacting our state. When we stand by and watch Radicals chase teachers, health care providers, librarians, and our children out of this state, how happy can we really be?

As an Idaho Democrat, I remain optimistic that Democrats, real Republicans, and Independents can take back our state and restore sanity to our government. We represent the majority of Idahoans, even if that is not reflected in our elected leaders. Thats something we all must change. Id like to tell everyone not to worry and just be happy, but thats going to require a change in heart and a change in how we all vote.

Id be happy to be part of that solution. How about you?
DITO CME Holdings Corp. said Thursday it signed a $3.9-billion loan facility to support the operations of its telecom subsidiary.

The 15-year long-term project facility will be one of the largest long-term debt arranged and syndicated by a group of multinational banks for a Philippine corporation.

The company said the proceeds would be used to extinguish short-term bridge loan facilities totaling $1.3 billion, with the balance to pay contractors and fund the continuing network rollout of DITO Tel.

It said this would further improve the quality of access and user experience and accelerating the take-up of its FWA 5G and mobile postpaid product offerings.

DITO allotted P27 billion for 2023 capital expenditures, lower than last years P50 billion.

This project finance facility represents strategic trust and confidence in the vision of the Company to be a major enabler of digital services in the Philippines, DITO CME president Ernesto Alberto said.

The signing of this long-term project finance facility is a key milestone, one that helps ensure future funding activities, in both debt and equity. In combination with the recent equity investments at the DITO CME level, this long-term debt provides DITO Tel with more confidence in achieving its business plan targets at the soonest possible time, he said.

The company earlier said subsidiary DITO Holdings Corp. issued 2.24 billion shares to Summit Global Ltd., an entity organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands at P1 per share or a total of P2.4 billion.

DITO CME also sold 610 million shares to Xterra Ventures Ptd. Ltd. and 1.59 billion shares to Summit Telco Corp. Pte. Ltd. for P1 each, raising P2.2 billion.

DITO CME earlier booked a net loss of P11.24 billion in 2022 on high operating expenses of its telecom business.
Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipbuilding and offshore company, plans to participate in the Philippine Navys modernization efforts, focusing on submarines, high-speed crafts, and large landing ships.

The company proposed an advanced underwater solution, the Jangbogo-III PN Submarine, as part of its Submarine Acquisition Project for the Philippine Navy.

The submarine is built upon the success of the Korean Navys Jangbogo-III submarines and offers unparalleled operational capability with the latest propulsion system, Sound Navigation and Ranging and Combat Management System, and Lithium-ion Battery Technology.

Admiral (ret) Steve SK Jeong, Head of International Business of Hanhwa Ocean, former ROKN Submarine Force Commander, said the proposal will not only enhance the Philippines defense capability but also provide

lifetime support for the Submarine Force of the Philippine Navy.

He said this signifies a significant step towards enhancing the Philippines maritime defense capabilities and strengthening its position in the region.

Admiral Jeong expressed confidence in the Philippines acquisition of their products, stating that they offer a more capable solution.

Hanwha has also proposed an integrated logistics support element into the package, which would allow the Philippine Navy to tap into resources that will be provided to what it calls the future Global

Jangbogo Club.

Hanwha officials acknowledge financing remains the primary obstacle to acquiring submarines, proposing a government-to-government transaction for the project.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated in May 2023 that the country is still developing its anti-submarine capabilities, with the hope of acquiring submarines when conditions are favorable.

He emphasized the significant commitment required for acquiring a submarine, including significant training, equipment, and operational requirements, making it a significant part of the countrys plan.

The Department of National Defense is prioritizing the modernization of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard in response to Chinas egregious violations of maritime safety and a rules-based order in

the West Philippine Sea.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated that the Philippine government needs to build a credible deterrent posture and only through honest-to-goodness modernization can achieve this.

Building alliances with other countries is crucial, and the Philippines has an ironclad commitment from the US that the Mutual Defense Treaty signed back in 1951 would come into effect should tensions in the South China Sea escalate.

The Philippines is also enhancing military drills and security cooperation with the United States, Australia, and Japan to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

However, the Philippines must modernize its own military to deal with any external threat and build up its naval capability to defend maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Visitors to the Flag Day ceremony in Batavia in June take a look at the Flag Day Monument which was then under construction. A grand opening and dedication ceremony is planned Oct. 1 for the now completed Flag Day Monument. (David Sharos/The Beacon-News)

A grand opening and dedication ceremony is planned Oct. 1 for the new Flag Day Monument in Batavia.

Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke, along with other city officials and the Fox Valley Patriotic Organization, will lead the ceremony from 2 to 5 p.m. at Patriots Park, 100 N. Island Ave. in Batavia.

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The $1.5 million monument is a tribute to Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand, a Batavia dentist who was instrumental in creating Flag Day, city officials said.

The formal program will begin at 2 p.m. at the Peg Bond Center bandshell with remarks from Fox Valley Patriotic Organization Board members and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Allen Lynch.

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Following the remarks, veterans and current military members, first responders, members of the Cigrand family and others will encircle the monument with a ribbon, which when cut will officially open the monument to the public, event organizers said.

The flag will then be raised on the 50-foot flagpole at the site which was donated by Batavia company FlagSource.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, The Star-Spangled Banner will be played and the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 95 from Morris will fly over the monument in tribute, according to officials.

The festivities will continue throughout the afternoon with a birthday celebration to honor Cigrands 157th birthday, and performances by the Batavia Community Band, Batavia High School a cappella ensemble Chromatics and the Batavia High School/Rotolo Middle School combined band ensemble, organizers said.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the event.

Food trucks will also be available throughout the afternoon. Guided tours of the monument will be held as well, officials said. Visitors will also have the opportunity to create messages which will be encased in time capsules in the monuments wall.

The city of Batavia is very fortunate to have this world-class monument celebrating one of Batavias finest citizens and Flag Day. The Flag Day Committee spent countless hours putting together an event worthy of this momentous occasion, Schielke said. I hope to see many folks from all over the Fox Valley in attendance.

The Flag Day Monument design features a 40-foot diameter helix monument with a 10-foot-wide walkway around the perimeter. The flagpole will display a 10- by 18-foot flag. Elements of the monument commemorate iconic flag events, U.S. population growth, the official flags flown by the U.S., armed conflicts and a Ring of Honor with the names of those who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor from Illinois, officials said.

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Additionally, the monument features signature bricks purchased by families, businesses and organizations.

Right now, more than ever, we need a symbol of unity. While the problems of today and tomorrow may be vastly different than what previous generations have faced, the opportunity to unify under our flag remains the same, said Austin Dempsey, president of the Fox Valley Patriotic Organization, the organization that raised funds for and built the Flag Day Monument.

The Flag Day Monument will be a work in progress, with space to include more milestones and commemorative bricks along the walkway, officials said.

For more information on the monument, go to flagdaymonument.com.
It is prudent that Europe considers the exciting opportunities Asia has to offer, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Mr. Marcos made the remark after the new Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Nicolas Bruhl presented his credentials in a ceremony at Malacanan Palace in Manila.

The President expressed hope that European countries would see the potential of Southeast Asia and the whole of Asia.

He stressed that he, along with his fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders, have come together to strengthen the regions economic systems and address its weaknesses during the pandemic.

Were all trying to learn the lessons that the pandemic brought with it, Mr. Marcos said during his meeting with Bruhl, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office in a news release on Thursday.

I think it is actually wise in terms of European countries, Switzerland included, to look to ASEAN, to look to Asia. Although there are other geopolitical disturbances, shall we say, but the opportunities are quite exciting, he added.

Mr. Marcos said the post-pandemic scenario presents a great opportunity for greater collaboration with the Philippines, stressing that the country now understands how the world works.

The world does not work the same way that it did in 2019, or before the pandemic happened, Mr. Marcos said, adding that it is faring differently.

And so thats why I always value partnerships and alliances and agreements between countries. And I think [with] Switzerland that has always gone very smoothly, lets hope that it continues in that direction, Mr. Marcos told the Swiss ambassador.

Bruhl agreed with Mr. Marcos, saying that the Asian economy is recovering well compared to other parts of the world.

He noted that the Swiss Foreign Ministrys Southeast Asia strategy at the start of the year proves that the region is of utmost importance and could be a partner in the future.

The Philippines and Switzerland celebrated 65 years of diplomatic relations in January 2022.

Bruhl said last years 65th-year celebration of bilateral relations between the two nations is already a good start.

As of 2021, Switzerland ranked as the Philippines 26th biggest trading partner, 17th largest export market, and 29th biggest import supplier.

The Philippines and Switzerland continue to maximize the benefits of the PhilippinesEuropean Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA-FTA).

The EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland on April 28, 2016.

The EFTA-Philippines FTA entered into force on June 1, 2018 for the Philippines, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland and on Jan. 1, 2020 for Iceland.

The FTA covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition, the protection of intellectual property rights, government procurement, and trade and sustainable development.
Hangzhou, ChinaSyrian President Bashar Al-Assad began on Thursday his first official trip to China in almost two decades, where he will ask a longtime ally for financial support to help rebuild his devastated country.

China will become one of only a handful of countries outside the Middle East that Assad has visited since the 2011 start of a war that has since killed more than half a million people, displaced millions more, and battered Syrias infrastructure and industry.

Assad also becomes the latest in a string of leaders ostracized by the West to be feted by Beijing, with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Irans President Ebrahim Raisi, as well as top Russian officials, all visiting this year.

On Saturday, Assad will attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in the eastern city of Hangzhou. He and other foreign leaders will meet there with Xi, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.

According to the Syrian presidency, he will also visit Beijing.

The visit will be Assads first to China since 2004.

Beijing has long provided Damascus with diplomatic support, particularly at the UN Security Council where it is a permanent member.

Officials from both countries have also made visits over the years.

This visit represents an important rupture in the diplomatic isolation and the political siege imposed on Syria, Damascus-based political scientist Oussama Dannoura told AFP.
Maracay, VenezuelaVenezuela has said it seized control of a prison from the hands of a powerful gang with international reach, in a major operation involving 11,000 members of its security forces.

The Tocoron prison, reported to have 5,000 inmates, had served as the Tren de Aragua gangs headquarters, where it had installed amenities such as a zoo, a pool and gambling rooms, according to an investigative journalist recently interviewed by AFP.

In a statement, the government congratulated law enforcement officers for regaining total control of the prison in the northern state of Aragua, adding the operation had dismantled a center of conspiracy and crime.

And in an official proclamation, President Nicolas Maduro praised todays great success in the fight against criminal organizations.

After the government announced a complete evacuation of the jail, Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos told state broadcaster VTV that the inmates were being transferred to another facility.

Dozens of relatives who had been living inside the prison with sentenced inmates gathered outside for news.

I am waiting to hear where they are taking my husband I was living in there, but they kicked us out, said Gladys Hernandez.

An AFP team saw security officers carrying motorcycles, televisions, air conditioners and microwaves out of the jail.

Thats ours! shouted one of the women outside.

It appeared some inmates escaped during the operation, as a later government statement announced a second phase of the operation for the search and capture of fugitive criminals.

Tren de Aragua, Venezuelas most powerful local gang, is involved in crime countrywide and has spread its tentacles to neighboring nations. AFP
Moscow, RussiaRussia said Thursday it had destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones overnight above the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula and the surrounding Black Sea.

Moscows defence ministry said on the messaging platform Telegram that a Ukrainian attempted attack with aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles had been thwarted.

It said three other UAV drones had also been downed elsewhere in separate attacks.

Air defence systems destroyed 19 Ukrainian UAVs over the Black Sea and the territory of the Republic of Crimea, and one each over the territories of Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions, the ministry said.

The Belgorod and Kursk regions border eastern Ukraine, while Oryol is closer to the capital.

Crimea has been targeted by Ukraine throughout Russias offensive but attacks there have recently intensified as Kyiv vows to recapture the Black Sea peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

On August 25, Russia said it had downed 42 drones over Crimea.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, following a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, Berlin will host an international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine next year,

The June 11, 2024 talks will take place in Berlin, added the chancellery in a statement.

London hosted the last such conference, which brought together leaders and representatives of more than 60 countries and financial institutions in June to release funds for the country to rebuild after the Russian invasion.

The aim of the conference is to help Ukraine keep its economy afloat and, in the longer term, to rebuild its infrastructure.

Scholz met the Ukrainian president for 30 minutes on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The political, military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine was at the centre of the discussions, the chancellery said.

Scholz reaffirmed that Germany would continue its support for Kyiv.

In a post on messaging platform Telegram, Zelensky said he and Scholz discussed the situation on the front line and the priority needs of the defence forces of Ukraine.

Special attention was paid to the preparation for the international conference on the restoration of Ukraine, which will be held in Germany, he added.

And since Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in early June, Russia has weathered waves of drone attacks that have sporadically damaged buildings, including in Moscow.

Russian officials have downplayed their significance.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-backed governor of Sevastopol, denied that several drones were destroyed in the area of Crimeas largest city, home to Russias Black Sea fleet.

Yes, air defence works, but in the Crimean zone, he said on Telegram, referring to the rest of the peninsula which is administered separately from the city.

In Sevastopol, all services are on alert, and the air situation is being monitored.

Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the Moscow-appointed governor of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, said on Telegram: We are asking all Crimeans to remain calm.

If you hear the sounds of a drone flying by or air defence systems, move away from the windows. Official information will come later.

If you find the wreckage of a UAV shot down by air defense or landed by electronic warfare, please contact special services or hot lines. AFP
Following the success of Pinoy Christmas in our Hearts, YouTube Philippines ties up again with GMA Public Affairs for Philippines Number 1.

The special online series, which features the countrys best as creatively explored by celebrity content creators is set to be exclusively available on the GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel beginning today.

For its opening salvo, actress and comedian Rufa Mae Quinto sets foot in the municipality of El Nido, Palawan. During her visit, Rufa Mae stumbles upon a secret place that locals claim is one of the places where you can experience the ultimate island vacation. Intrigued by this information, Rufa Mae confidently applies as a receptionist to uncover the secrets of this exclusive destination.

The adventure continues as Philippines Number 1 visits Tuguegarao City in Cagayan Province to experience their most celebrated food festival  the Pancit Batil Patung Festival. Celebrity chef JR Royol traverses the streets of Tuguegarao to find the oldest pancit batil patung recipe in town. He even tries the traditional way of cooking noodles called kinabayu. Chef JR also joins the Batil Patung Eating Contest, wherein he needs to finish a huge bowl of batil patung in just three minutes. Meanwhile, famous vlogger Agassi Ching boldly takes on the Ultimate Pancit Batil Patung Mukbang Challenge and indulges in the delicious local cuisine.

Filipinos have yet to identify a national dish, but it will probably be Adobo if theres a frontrunner dish. For the locals of Silay City in Negros Occidental, almost everything can be Adobo  chicken, pork, shellfish, vegetables, rabbit, duck, etc. They even hold a festival wherein different versions of Pinoy Adobo are served.

Chef vloggers RV Manabat and Abi Marquez go to Silay City for a one-on-one adobo cooking showdown. But to spice up things, Chef RV and Abi are not given any ingredients. The two chefs need to harvest their ingredients.
Apple Dumpling Festival

The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association, will hold its annual fundraiser the Apple Dumpling Festival 5K at 8 a.m. Oct. 21 in downtown Stuart.

The 5K race takes place along the Mayo River Trail before the Apple Dumpling Festival later that day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Registered runners are guaranteed a T-shirt and all runners will receive a finisher medal, run on a marked course and have a chance for additional awards. All proceeds benefit the Dan River Basin Associations trail development in Patrick County. For more information and to register visit patrickchamber.com or call 276-694-6012.

Open mic night

Piedmont Arts will hold its second Make Some Noise open mic night at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Piedmont Arts galleries.

The October session will be hosted by Brian Hancock, a hip-hop artist and arts advocate from Roanoke.

Hancock is a Perry F. Kendig Award Nominated actor, Slam poet and musician. He is currently a cast member of The Big Lick Conspiracy Comedy Troupe and is the Host/Curator of the bi-weekly poetry show Soul Sessions.

He is in his second-year residency at Carillon Healing Hearts working in grief and loss, the teen psych unit, and with fellow colleagues for the essential soul project that connects essential workers on Friday evenings to share their poetry and talents.

Attendees can express themselves through music, poetry, comedy or spoken word. Anything written or created originally can be showcased at this series and slots will be capped at five minutes to ensure everyone gets a chance to share their work.

Admission is free and each event features a cash bar. Sign-up sheets will be at the door at each event.

Kiwanis Club donation

The Kiwanis Club of Bassett donated $600 to the Bassett High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter to go towards club expenses.

VMNH receives $5,000 grant

The Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation has awarded the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) a grant of $5,000 in support of the museums 2023-24 Science Outreach Initiative, a year-long science outreach program designed to provide STEM-based education programming to students in Martinsville and Henry County.

The Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the museums education programming and were excited to have its support again for this school year, said VMNH Deputy Director Ryan Barber. With the Foundations latest support, the museum will be better positioned to offer need-based, education program scholarships to local public schools, as well as a more robust offering of STEM-based programming during the museums public science festivals.

Through the grant, the museum will establish education scholarships for kindergarten through fifth grade students in Martinsville and Henry County public schools during the current school year, a release stated.
Two men have been indicted on federal charges after a gun shop in Patrick County was burglarized.

Bradley Wayne McCraw, 43, of Gaffney, South Carolina and Justin Darrell Whitaker, 30, of Cleveland County, North Carolina, have been charged by federal authorities with possession of a firearm by a felon, knowing and intentionally stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee, and possession of stolen firearms.

On Sept. 22, 2022, the Patrick County Sheriffs Office received an alarm call from the Rabbit Ridge Gun Shot and Range in Ararat. Deputies responded and found the business had been burglarized, so they contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), to assist with the investigation, at Patrick County Sheriffs Office stated.

Patrick County investigators Jason Druse and Oscar Tejada, and ATF Special Agent Drew Effing developed McCraw and Whitaker as suspects. After multiple visits to South Carolina, the investigators and ATF agents were successful in retrieving some of the stolen property and collected evidence related to the crime, the release stated.

The facts of the case were presented to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia at the conclusion of the investigation, and on Aug. 18, a federal grand jury in Roanoke returned the indictments against McCraw and Whitaker, the release said.

This has been a long and multi-faceted investigation, said Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith in the release. I specifically want to commend investigators Jason Druse, Oscar Tejada, and ATF Special Agent Drew Effing for the time and effort they put into this case.

McCraw and Whitaker are being held without bond at the Western Virginia Regional Jail in Salem.
EDITORS NOTE: Church news will print weekly in Thursdays edition. Please email announcements at least one week in advance to news@mcdowellnews.com with church announcement in the subject line or call 828-437-2161 and leave a message.

UPCOMING EVENTS

REVIVAL SERVICES

St. Marks Methodist Church, 3149 U.S. 70 West in Marion, will hold revival services today through Sunday, Sept. 24. Services will be held at 6 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday. Sundays service will be held at its 10:30 a.m. worship service. The Rev. Jerry Warren is the guest pastor.

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE First United Methodist Church across from Marion Elementary School will have a giant rummage and bake sale in their fellowship hall on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 7 a.m. to noon. There will be lots of bargains on household items, furniture, toys, holiday decorations, sporting goods, books, clothes and more.

ONGOING EVENTS

First United Methodist Church, across from Marion Elementary School, invites everyone looking for a church family to Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. The United Methodist Men continue to sell their peanuts for $5 a jar. Peanuts are available in regular, light salt, no salt and Cajun. To order, contact the church office at 652-7010. FUMC also administers an Emergency Fund on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. This fund assists with electricity and heating needs, water bills and rent. Clients must meet certain requirements, and funds are paid directly to providers. Clients should come to the upper parking lot and enter the door near the church van.

Redeemed Freewill Baptist Church, of 5079 U.S. 221 South, hosts a youth program called The Sprouts from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday until further notice. A meal and a Bible lesson will be provided. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to learn about the love of Jesus.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church, of 241 W. Court St., Marion, invites the community to watch the global film phenomenon The Chosen. Experience the Bible as vividly real each Wednesday at 7 p.m. until further notice. There will be refreshments and door prizes.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, on U.S. 221 South, Marion, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30-10 a.m. for a donation.

Concord Methodist Church will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30-10 a.m. This includes pancakes and take-outs. Adults are $7, children younger than 12 are $5. The church is on U.S. 221 North.

His Place Worship Center, 1423 U.S. 70 West in Marion, will host combined in-person and online meetings at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Additional information about the Hickory Lighthouse, including links to the Zoom and Facebook Live meetings, are available at Hickory Aglows website and Facebook page: www.aglownet.org/hickorync and www.facebook.com/hickory.aglow. Interested persons may sign up on the website to receive a monthly email newsletter. Readers may receive related Facebook notifications by liking the Facebook page.

The Sharing Food Pantry Ministry of Cross United Methodist Church needs donations of coats, sweaters and blankets for families in the community who may be in need. Donations can be dropped off at 85 W. Cross St., just past Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments in Marion. For more information, call 828-460-9257 or 828-559-4047 and leave a message.

East Marion Baptist Church, of 660 Baldwin Ave., Marion, will host The Landing, a 12-step program for teens, every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, email thelanding@embc.church.

North Cove Church of God will have a breakfast sale on every third Saturday of the month.

Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort is offering a worship service twice a month for college-aged adults called Encounter. The service will be the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. At each meeting, a new topic will be discussed with a guest speaker; live music will be played; and refreshments will be served. For more information, check out Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort on Facebook or email jakanjamison96@gmail.com. The church is at 344 Moffitt Hill Church Road in Old Fort.

Cross Mill United Methodist Church has a sharing food pantry for the community. The tiny food pantry is outside the church fellowship building, and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nonperishable food items are available for anyone in need. If you would like to donate items to this ministry, you may drop them off at the pantry box or call 460-9257 or 442-8098.

Greenlee Baptist Church, 5967 U.S. 70 West in Old Fort, offers Kids on a Mission each Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Newborns to seniors in high school are invited to join. The church also has a deaf ministry available. Interpreters will be provided for the worship services every Sunday at 10:55 a.m. For information, call the church office at 668-6075 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Cross Ties Cowboy Church meets every first Thursday at 2365 Bethlehem Road in Old Fort at 7 p.m. in the barn. For more information, call 828-925-2095.

Landmark Independent Baptist Church will host a meeting on alcohol and addiction awareness by Gene Sigmon the third Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The church is at 225 Huskins Branch Road in Marion. For more information, contact Sigmon at soundmind16@yahoo.com.

Peppers Creek Baptist Church will have a singing on the fourth Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. from January through October.

McDowell Childrens Ministry, a ministry for children of the community interested in participating in a life-changing program, meets twice monthly. For more information, call Daniel at 659-0095 during the day or at 738-0733 in the evenings.

Cross Mill Pentecostal Holiness Church has a soaking prayer and intercession meeting every Friday at 8 p.m. For information, call the Rev. Doug Beane-Hall at 442-6216.

Vision Baptist Church, at 1841 Fairview Road, Marion, is offering Extreme Teens (Club 411) on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Victorious Couples meet on Sundays at 10 a.m. Additional childrens and adult programs are also available.

First Presbyterian Church of Marion invites everyone to come out on Sundays at 11 a.m. for worship service. All are welcome.

Apostolic Restoration Ministries is a new church to the area. If anyone is interested in attending, call Tim Eller at 828-443-2050.
The European Unions top diplomat has voiced solidarity with Frances ambassador to Niger, who has faced intense pressure after refusing to comply with expulsion orders from the military leaders and leave the country.

We also stress again our solidarity with France, over the situation of its ambassador on the ground, full solidarity with France and full support to President Bazoum, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell told reporters after the blocs foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The EUs top diplomat also stressed the blocs full solidarity with Bazoum, the elected president who has been detained by the military, praising his courage and determination. Borrell also noted that the Europeans agreed on the need to design a new approach in their strategy in the Sahel, where France in particular has led years of efforts aimed at defeating jihadists. We insisted on the idea that we need African solutions for African problems, he said.

After sacking the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July, the military said it was expelling French Ambassador Sylvain Itte, but the former colonial power does not recognize the authority of the putschists. Itte was literally being held hostage in the embassy, President Emmanuel Macron said last week, adding that the ambassador was living off military rations after the military cut off deliveries of supplies. Nigers military junta said it had had cancelled Sylvain Ittes and his familys visa, as well as revoked his diplomatic immunity and instructed the police to expel him.
The Government of Guinea-Bissau is starting a free vaccination campaign against meningitis A and Covid-19 on Thursday September 21, which will cover the whole country until the end of the month, the Ministry of Health announced.

The campaign is aimed at adults aged 18 and over, in the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, and children aged between one and seven, in the case of the meningitis A vaccine, according to the government.

The official launch of the campaign is scheduled for Thursday, at the Ministry of Health, with the presence of Minister Domingos Malu, and the vaccination plan runs until September 29, throughout the territory of Guinea-Bissau.

Vaccination is taking place in health facilities and other duly identified public places and the Ministry of Health encourages all eligible people to get vaccinated, in order to protect themselves, their families and their community, it said in a statement.

The government stresses the importance of vaccination against meningitis due to the fact that Guinea-Bissau borders African countries in the meningitis belt, characterized by factors that favour the occurrence of epidemics, such as travel and large movements of populations, poor living conditions, overcrowding, among others.

Meningitis, as he explains, is caused by various types of bacteria or viruses that cause inflammation of the thin protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord.

Transmission occurs from person to person, usually through droplets of respiratory secretions or the cough of the sick person, and the symptoms are high fever, headaches, difficulty looking down and photophobia.

The campaign aims to contribute to the elimination of Meningitis A epidemics as a public health problem, with the objective of vaccinating all children between the ages of one and seven.
Yorkville resident John Nitto gives blood at the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove during a blood drive last year. Versiti Blood Center of Illinois officials said this week there is a critical need for blood donations in Illinois. (David Sharos / The Beacon-News)

As the regional manager of blood donor recruitment for Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, Emily Alanis can click off plenty of reasons to roll up your sleeve and face the needle.

For one, her employer, formerly known as Heartland and the states largest supplier of blood products, announced this week that Illinois patients are at risk because its inventory is at a dangerously low point.

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It is at such a critical level, according to Versiti, which delivers to Aurora area hospitals, if there is one major tragedy in your community, there is not enough blood to help.

We are happy if we have a one-week supply on shelves, said Alanis, who works in the office on Highland Avenue in Aurora. Right now we are down to less than a day.

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And she knows from personal experience that can literally mean the difference between life and death.

In 2018, the Winfield woman was preparing for an emergency C-section at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital  during a snowstorm, no less  when blood work showed her platelet count, which should have been between 200 and 450, had dropped to 25.

A transfusion not only saved her life, two days later when it became apparent her antibodies had transferred to newborn son Elliot  his platelet count was five  two more transfusions were required to keep the baby from bleeding out.

It took a thousand blood donations for that life-saving procedure, said Alanis, proudly noting Elliot is now a rambunctious kindergartner and in perfect health.

In my job I used to get to hear all these amazing stories ... and what I know now, nobody wants a reason to give blood but most people have one, she told me on Thursday.

Emily Alanis, regional manager for donor recruitment for Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, and her son Elliot, dressed like a drop of blood for a recent blood drive, both received life-saving transfusions when he was born in 2018 at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. (Emily Alanis/HANDOUT)

It just takes one cancer diagnosis, one car accident, one non-normal birth.

So why such a shortage now?

According to Alanis, blame COVID-19, which shifted around so much of how we do things.

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For one thing, she said, the biggest source of blood donations comes from high schools and colleges which, since the pandemic, have not only been harder to get into, the students themselves are not signing up as before.

Campus blood drives once counted for 30% of all donations, but that number is now between 15% and 20%, she said, in part because when schools closed, it meant current upperclassmen missed out on older students alleviating fears and encouraging them to donate.

Its a fun event, said Alanis, who recalls her own experiences at Larkin High School in Elgin, which at one time held four blood drives a year.

Its not needles and blood, she said. It really is a life-saving party.

And, she noted, it is an educational experience that will more likely make these young people regular donors throughout their lives.

Of course schools arent the only places that went through a major shift because of COVID. With more people working remotely, businesses and corporations arent holding those annual blood drives at the office.

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Now people are working from home and not so apt to sign up, said Alanis, which is unfortunate because those company drives send blood right back to our local hospitals, which rely on Versiti when inventory is low.

As the section chief of the blood bank at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Nancy Roxworthys job is to take that inventory, not just in the morning but pretty much all day long.

She too is extremely concerned.

There is especially a need for type O and B-negative blood, she told me. Plus, platelets are well below target right now, which is a particular concern for cancer patients, who have a higher risk of clotting disorders.

People just got out of the habit of donating, said Roxworthy, adding that summer vacations, Labor Day and the start of school only added to the problem, even as major surgeries have picked up and Kane County has seen a disturbing increase in serious vehicle crashes.

It doesnt help that a lot of regular donors are getting older, another reason we have to figure out more ways to get younger people involved, she insisted.

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Alanis said Versiti is doing that by finding more creative ways to get students involved, and by working to get back into schools, as well as into more businesses and churches.

Most times, it is a community coordinator who is asking people to come to blood drives, she said. This is where we need to connect.

Speaking of drives, the local hospitals I contacted are quite aware of the problem and hope that when people realize how critical the shortage has become, they will be motivated not only to donate during this emergency but continue to do so.

We really do rely on blood donors for patient surgeries and for those coming through the ER. There is no more effective substitute, said Dr. Lindsay Brackney, a hematology specialist and medical director of the blood bank at Elmhurst Hospital, which holds multiple employee blood drives a year.

As do other local hospitals. Rush Copley Medical Center spokesperson Courtney Satlak said that, so far in 2023, the staff at the Aurora hospital has donated enough blood to potentially save more than 117 lives.

Delnor in Geneva, by the way, has an employee drive scheduled for Sept. 27, but Roxworthy wanted to extend that invitation to others. To donate - then or at any time - call Versiti at 800-786-4483 or go online to schedule an appointment.

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It is easier than people think, she said, adding that the Versiti people are so professional, you can look away and not even know theyve started the process.

The people whose lives can be saved are not those who live in other parts of the world, Roxworthy continued. Its your community you are helping, including your family and friends.

dcrosby@tribpub.com
Zambezia, Mozambiques second most populous province, known for its tea plantations, mangroves and turquoise beaches, will be the focus of a new $500 million project by the US agency Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), it was announced Wednesday September 20.

The funding, called Compact II, is to be signed Thursday September 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington in the presence of the Mozambican Head of State, Filipe Nyusi. The funding will finance a new bridge on the Licungo River and a ring road in that central coastal province, hit by the cyclones that have affected Mozambique in recent years.

In the notification sent to the US Congress by the MCC for this funding, it is stressed that this highly impoverished province is 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from the epicenter of the conflict in Cabo Delgado, affected in the last six years by terrorist attacks, and that it will be the target area for this investment.

MCC is an external support agency funded by the US government that provides grants to developing countries, and the board of directors announced this funding compact, called the Mozambique Coastal Connectivity and Resilience Compact, the second since 2007, last June, now focusing on improving transportation networks in rural areas, encouraging commercial agriculture through political and fiscal reforms and improving coastal livelihoods through climate resilience initiatives.

The design of this project involved a partnership between the MCC, the Government of Mozambique and two Mozambican non-governmental organizations, Biofund, which defends and conserves the environment, and ProAzul, which promotes the blue economy, both of which have strong ties with coastal community groups in Zambezia province, according to the agency.
The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, said on September 19 that the country is interested in receiving and storing excess wheat production from neighboring Zimbabwe, after meeting in New York with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

We can also import. With these wheat crises worldwide, its very easy for the Machipanda line to bring in wheat. Its an opportunity that weve been discussing, said Filipe Nyusi, after meeting with Emmerson Mnangagwa on the sidelines of the 78th annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, which has been taking place in New York since Tuesday.

The 318-kilometer Machipanda line connects the port of Beira, in central Mozambique, to Zimbabwe, a country that depends on this route for access to the sea to sell its produce.

President Mnangagwa once again shared his experience of wheat production. Now theyre having some storage difficulties, theyre not managing, and were interested, said Filipe Nyusi, speaking to journalists after the meeting.

On the same occasion, the President of Zimbabwe stressed his support for the priorities that both countries have in the region, promising joint action.

We continue to share the challenges, we are sister republics, said

Mnangagwa, recalling the total support for Mozambique, with Zimbabwes military participation in the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado province.
A Senegalese lawyer to deposed Niger leader Mohamed Bazoum has filed a lawsuit with regional bloc ECOWAS court against unlawful detention, of the west-backed President deposed in July by a junta now governing the country.

Lawyer Mohamed Seydou Diagne, Anadolu news agency reports, wrote Monday September 18 to the court and urged it to take consideration of Bazoums detention.

A junta led by Bazoums presidential guards Chief Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani seized power on July 26 and placed the former leader under house arrest. The ECOWAS and several foreign countries condemned the coup and demanded the restoration of Bazoum.

Diagne, the agency also notes, in his correspondence to the court demanded the return to the Constitution order in Niger and to allow Bazoum to finish his term in office. Bazoum was elected in 2021. The junta has proposed three-year transition to lead to elections. The court, Anadolu also indicates, on Monday sent a letter to the junta to provide a response to the charges in one-month time scale.
Daughter of the late Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, Aicha El Khattabi, passed away in Casablanca on Wednesday, and was buried on Thursday, at a funeral ceremony attended by Prince Moulay Rachid.

After the Dhuhr and funeral prayers, the body of the deceased was buried in the Errahma cemetery.

The funeral was attended by family members and relatives, as well as by several personalities.

The late Aicha El Khattabi, born in 1942, lived and studied in Egypt, before returning to the motherland after the death of her father.

Holder of a bachelors degree from the American College for Girls in Cairo, the deceased had, during her lifetime, held the position of advisor to the Mohamed Abdelkrim El Khattabi Foundation.
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Credit: AI-generated image

Aging has been identified as a significant risk factor for herpes zoster, a skin disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. With the aging of the population, the prevalence of herpes zoster infection is increasing in Japan. It has been estimated that one in three people will be affected by this virus by the age of 80 years.

Although Japan approved the administration of live VZV vaccine in 2016, the number of people who have received this vaccine is considerably low.

Multiple studies that focused on identifying the factors that promote the uptake of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines have revealed that vaccination rates are high among patients who receive better services from their primary care provider, a clinical physician from whom patients initially seek comprehensive medical services. However, the factors promoting vaccination uptake or their relationship with the quality of primary care have not yet been investigated.

In this study, researchers led by the University of Tsukuba examined the association between patient experience (PX, events experienced by patients during primary care), an indicator of the quality of primary care, and herpes zoster vaccination (live attenuated varicella vaccine) in elderly patients aged 65 years who regularly received primary care.

They examined the association between PX and vaccination with the herpes zoster vaccine (live attenuated varicella vaccine) and published their findings in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health.

The results showed that patients who received better services during primary care, i.e., those who had better PX, were more likely to receive the VZV vaccine when their physicians recommended it.

This study alone cannot directly prove a cause-and-effect relationship. However, the study findings suggest that physicians recommending VZV vaccination after providing adequate services needed by patients during primary care may improve shingles vaccine coverage.

More information: Takashi Inaba et al, Association Between Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccination and Patient Experience in Elderly Japanese Outpatients: A Case-Control Study, Journal of Primary Care & Community Health (2023). DOI: 10.1177/21501319231192760
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Mean model prediction and data for cumulative reported cases (red line and red circles) and daily reported cases (green line and green circles) in each country for the initial time period with no major mitigation at national level. Colored areas show 95% high density intervals (HDI) of prediction. Credit: Royal Society Open Science (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230316

A new analysis of COVID-19 cases in Africa shows that for most of the continent's countries the rate of infection was likely much higher than reported in the initial stages, found York University researchers.

Case counts reported by most African countries suggest the virus spread slowly during the early part of the pandemic, but the researchers say those numbers likely didn't capture the true extent of the spread.

"The low reporting numbers was likely due to a lack of public awareness, public health resources, monitoring practices, testing availability and stigma," says Faculty of Science Professor Jude Kong, senior author of the paper and director of the Global South Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network (AI4PEP).

To get a better handle on the real number of those infected, the researchers used an epidemiological mathematical model, along with observed data, for 54 countries in Africa to estimate the number of hidden infections. Data on cumulative number of cases and daily confirmed cases were used to build an epidemic profile for Africa of the initial stage of COVID-19.

What may be most surprising is the estimation that some 66 percent of all infections in Africa were asymptomatic, while about five percent were severe and about 27 percent were mild.

"Africa is primarily comprised of a young population so it's possible there were fewer cases, less severe symptoms or more people with asymptomatic symptoms than in a population that has a higher percentage of seniors," says Postdoctoral Fellow Qing Han, lead researcher on the paper. "This suggests the possibility of a lower rate of detection of the virus."

The researchers found that the basic reproduction number (R0) in each country was much higher than when only reported cases were used as the average overall case reporting rate was lowestimated at about five percent continent-widein the early stages for each country. They estimate that the real mean R0 is 2.02 compared to the reported R0 of 0.17 and ranged from 1.12 in Zambia and 3.64 in Nigeria.

"Counties that showed a R0 of less than one, which basically means there was no outbreak, likely have a much higher true R0. Not investigating the underreported figures could cause an underestimation of the severity and magnitude of the epidemic locally in each country," says Han.

Those countries with the highest number of severe infections also tended to have the highest reported cases and those with the lowest severe infections generally had the lowest report rate. The researchers say the predicted true numbers of cumulative cases are high above what was reported for all countries with Sudan and Gambia reporting collectively most at 27 percent and 22 percent, while most countries reported less than five percent.

Northern and southern African countries had higher reporting rates compared to central Africa, which could be explained in part by higher health-care spending in the north and south regions. Libya topped all the African countries for having the most nurses and physicians per 1,000 people.

"The estimated low reporting rates in most African countries point to a need for improved reporting and surveillance systems especially for central Africa," says Kong, co-executive director of the Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium.

The paper, "Estimation of epidemiological parameters and ascertainment rate from early transmission of COVID-19 across Africa," is published in Royal Society Open Science.

More information: Qing Han et al, Estimation of epidemiological parameters and ascertainment rate from early transmission of COVID-19 across Africa, Royal Society Open Science (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230316 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science
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Schematic workflow of biomarker selection process. Single-omic and multi-omic data from PDAC, CP and N tissue samples were collected and analyzed. The workflow consists of four main steps: feature selection, model training, internal validation and validation on independent datasets. AUC, area under the curve; cfDNA, cell-free DNA; CP, chronic pancreatitis; mRNA, messenger RNA; miRNA, microRNA; N, healthy individuals; PDAC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Credit: Gut (2023). DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330155

Current diagnostic methods do not always reliably distinguish between chronic inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatic cancer. About one third of all diagnoses are inconclusive. Scientists from the German Cancer Research (DKFZ) and from the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) therefore searched for molecular markers that could specify this diagnosis.

Supported by machine learning, they were able to identify a pattern of DNA methylations that allowed high accuracy in distinguishing between chronically inflamed and malignantly altered tissue samples. First preliminary results suggest that diagnosis could be performed on blood samples.

Cancer of the pancreas or PDAC for short ("pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma"), has a dramatically poor prognosis. The reasons for this are its usually late detection at an advanced stage, misdiagnosis and its marked resistance to available therapies.

Imaging techniques are usually used for diagnosis. But these have the disadvantage that they cannot always reliably distinguish pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is considered an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer. About 6 to 9 percent of patients suffering from chronic inflammation of the pancreas later develop pancreatic cancer. But imaging and even ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy too often also provide incorrect diagnoses.

"This is dramatic for the patients: if a malignant tumor is misdiagnosed as chronic inflammation, they lose valuable time to treat the disease. However, if doctors mistakenly think an inflammation is a carcinoma, the patient has to undergo a serious surgical intervention unnecessarily," says Jorg Hoheisel of the German Cancer Research Center.

To improve this situation and find molecular markers to arrive at more precise differential diagnoses, Hoheisel has now joined forces with physicians at Surgical University Clinic Heidelberg to conduct a large-scale study of pancreatic tissue samples. The team analyzed 345 tissue samples (PDAC, chronically inflamed and healthy), and then validated the results on an independent set of 48 additional samples. Prior to this, the material used had been independently assessed twice by experienced pathologists.

The analysis included genome-wide variations in DNA methylation as well as mRNA and microRNA amounts. To filter out relevant differences between malignant tumors and chronic inflammation from the wealth of data, the researchers used machine learning approaches. Other, commonly used methods did not yield useful results. It turned out that differences in DNA methylation allowed substantially higher accuracy with far fewer biomarkers than the mRNA or microRNA data.

A signature of six methylation positions in the PRKCB gene provided the clearest discrimination. This allowed correct identification of inflammatory and malignant tissues.

For clinical use, it would be more advantageous if the analyses could be performed on blood instead of tissue samples. Such blood analyses, which detect the small amounts of DNA that circulate in the blood, are also known as "liquid biopsy."

The Heidelberg team therefore also applied the six methylation markers to a small number of blood samples from patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer to demonstrate their applicability in blood as well. As previously in tissue, the methylation markers were able to diagnose patients with high accuracy.

"Of course, the procedure must be validated on a large number of blood samples and confirmed in a trial under clinical conditions in order to finally assess its actual benefit for clinical practice," says Jorg Hoheisel, senior author of the publication. "If the result is confirmed in this process, it could have a significant impact on clinical care and patient prognosis."

Hoheisel assumes that the algorithm developed for this data analysis can also be helpful in the search for biomarkers for other diseases.

The paper is published in the journal Gut.

More information: Yenan Wu et al, DNA-methylation signature accurately differentiates pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis in tissue and plasma, Gut (2023). DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330155 Journal information: Gut
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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 health care, 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 health care 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 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 health care, and mental health care 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 health care 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 health care. 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. Tarun Ramesh et al, Mental Health Outcomes Among Patients Living in US Counties Lacking Broadband Access and Psychiatrists, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33781 Journal information: JAMA Network Open

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A study of Canadian hospitalizations from 20072019 show that over 75% of patients with moderate to severe acute kidney injury (AKI) do not get appropriate follow-up kidney health testing after hospital discharge.

A study in Alberta, Canada, examined care received by over 20,000 hospitalized with AKI during hospitalization and after discharge between 2009 and 2017. The results, published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD), showed that a low proportion of patients with moderate to severe AKI were seen by a kidney specialist during hospitalization or within 90 days after discharge.

Less than 25% of AKI patients had their kidney function monitored with both blood and urine tests within 90 days of discharge. Additionally, about half of AKI survivors with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were prescribed guideline recommended medications for CKD, within 15 months after discharge. There is potential to improve health care delivery to these patients both in hospital and after hospital discharge.

More information: Sandeep Brar et al, Processes of Care After Hospital Discharge for Survivors of Acute Kidney Injury: A Population-Based Cohort Study, American Journal of Kidney Diseases (2023). DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.07.015 Journal information: American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Provided by National Kidney Foundation
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Growing up on the South Side of Chicago as the child of Mexican immigrants who primarily spoke Spanish, Dr. Daniel Meza was often asked to translate for his parents during medical appointments.

"It's a skill that I grew up with, having that technical language," Meza said. "I just recall how stressful it was for my parents when they were in clinics, and as well as for myself, being a small child."

Now a pulmonologist with Northwestern Medicine, Meza says his concerns about equity in health care lingered.

Two months ago, Meza became a part of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute Hispanic Program. Patients of the program receive lung and thoracic care, including surgery and preventive screenings, entirely in Spanish.

Everyone at the CTI Hispanic Program, from front desk workers to operating room nurses, is fluent in Spanish. Patients can also access a dedicated Spanish-language phone line.

Staff aim to improve health equity in Chicago by building trust with Hispanic patients and improving treatment outcomes in Hispanic communities, Meza said.

Some 28.7% of Chicagoans, or about 750,000 people, identified as Hispanic as of the 2022 census.

"When I see patients come in with their children and they see I speak Spanish, there's kind of a relief on both sides," Meza said.

The program launched two months ago. It is led by Dr. Diego Mauricio Avella Patino, a thoracic surgeon trained in Colombia, and by Meza, both native Spanish speakers. Avella performs surgeries related to esophageal disease, lung failure, various cancers, chest wall issues and breathing obstruction. Meza specializes in treating pulmonary problems such as asthma, respiratory failure and emphysema.

Patients are often surrounded by medical staff in their most vulnerable moments, such as right before anesthesia.

Those who can be treated in their primary language tend to forge better relationships with care providers and follow aftercare instructions better, Avella said.

"The need was overwhelming," said Avella, who worked at Northwestern Medicine for two years before the program launched.

Patients may also feel more comfortable asking detailed questions with doctors who understand the cultural norms they experience daily, Avella said.

"Sometimes the barriers for the patients to be compliant with the recommendations are beyond the disease itself, they are social," Avella said. "When you build that bridge with the patient, it can be extremely powerful."

Avella said some of his patients have been treated "suboptimally" at other clinics in the past. He recently saw a lung cancer patient who suffered from extreme untreated nausea. Avella discovered that the patient had been diagnosed with diabetes, but rarely spoke of it.

"This patient was never going to get her diabetes appropriately controlled because she didn't have a doctor who was taking care of her," Avella said. The patient is now being treated by Northwestern Medicine endocrinologists.

Patients in the CTI Hispanic Program are often referred to other Northwestern Medicine specialists, Avella said. Program staff work with these patients to schedule and prepare for future appointments in Spanish, Avella said.

The clinic is also focused on preventive measures for respiratory issues. Proposing that patients quit smoking and get screened for lung cancer has been a priority for Meza.

"There are a lot of great medications out there that we know help increase the chances of a patient quitting," Meza said. "And in any population we have, that's not something they're aware exists."

While smoking rates in Chicago are on the decline, Meza said, he's had to convince at least one ex-smoker to schedule a lung cancer screening. Catching lung cancer at an early stage improves patient outcomes significantly, Meza said.

The program has seen higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues among patients living in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, Meza said. He attributes this to nearby factory smoke and other forms of air pollution within the last decade.

Raising patient awareness of ongoing clinical trials is also a goal, Meza said.

The American Medical Association reported in 2022 that Hispanic patients with limited English proficiency are highly underrepresented in clinical trials, particularly for vaccines and cancer treatment. In 2019, 18.5% of the United States adult population, but only 3% of cancer clinical trial participants, identified as Hispanic.

Meza and Avella both said that while working with new patients, they're conscious of the wide diversity among Hispanic Chicagoans.

"There are people from very different racial backgrounds, educational backgrounds, financial backgrounds and many different countries of origin," Avella said. "What I can do right now is provide health care attention in Spanish and at least be a little more culturally aware of the differences among Hispanics."

Support within Northwestern Medicine and among colleagues has made Chicago ideal for the program, Avella said. He hopes other cities with large Spanish-speaking populations will consider the clinic a model for similar programs.

Meza also hopes to forge more connections with smaller health clinics in neighborhoods with high concentrations of primarily Spanish-speaking residents. Many Hispanic patients, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status, start their care journeys there, he said.

"As (the CTI Hispanic Program) grows, I do hope that we are kind of like a beacon in the city for pulmonary thoracic needs in the Hispanic community," Meza said.

2023 Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Kevin Denny of Blue Island is one of four cast members in Gaelic Park Players Thy Will Be Done, which kicks off the community theaters 2023-24 season at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. The play, which opened Sept. 22, continues to Oct. 1. (Gaelic Park Players/HANDOUT)

A range of emotions are explored in Gaelic Park Players first production of its 2023-24 season.

Thy Will Be Done, which opened Sept. 22 and continues to Oct. 1 at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, is set in a rural town in the West of Ireland in the late 1990s.

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Showtimes are 8 p.m. Sept. 29-30; 3 p.m. Oct. 1.

Its relatable on so many different levels, ways, shapes and forms whether its arguing with family members or friends suffering a heartbreak and the challenges it brings in moving forward in life and then also mourning a loss of a loved one, said Taryn McKenna Daou, director of Thy Will Be Done.

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This play does center around two brothers who have been in a feud and have not spoken in over 40 years and how it has affected everyones lives around them over time, but its also about the four characters reflecting back on the choices they have made in their lives and the truth that they expose.

Then we find out the reason for covering up the truth.

Longtime Gaelic Park Players fans may remember that the community theater group staged Thy Will Be Done in 2000 at Chicago Gaelic Park before taking the production to the Acting Irish International Theatre Festival in Toronto later that year.

We do have a personal connection to the playwright, Michael Carey, so we wanted to honor him and his writing legacy and his family as a friend of Gaelic Park Players, said McKenna Daou of Palos Heights.

Thy Will Be Done features four cast members including Gary Murphy of Orland Park, who is making his debut with Gaelic Park Players in the lead role of older brother Jack Griffin.

The cast also includes Oak Forests Jaimey Kennedy as housekeeper Bridie Lavin; Mick Kenna, who is originally from Dublin is now in Chicagos Beverly community and is returning to acting for the first time since 2014 as nephew Martin Griffin; and Blue Islands Kevin Denny as younger brother Peteen Griffin.

From a directors standpoint, Im very honored and humbled to have and fortunate to just work with this unbelievably talented cast. Words cannot explain how proud I am of Gary, Jaimey, Mick and Kevin, said McKenna Daou, who is making her solo directorial debut with Thy Will Be Done.

People involved in Thy Will Be Done behind the scenes include assistant director Kristel Flynn of Oak Lawn, producer Maggie Murphy of Chicago, stage manager Bridget Christianson of Oak Forest and George Skrobuton of Mokena, who sketched the graphics for the shows advertisements.

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Others include Christina Garrivan of Chicago Ridge, who assisted with the set; Barney Farrelly of Lemont, who provided guidance and support; John Devitt of Palos Park who painted the set and also provided guidance and support; and McKenna Daous husband, Paul Daou, who assisted with sound and set build.

Its all about the fine little details that we want to bring to our Gaelic Park Players audience, said McKenna Daou, who was brought into the group by Kenna and previously served as the groups president and is currently the recording secretary.

Gaelic Park Players season continues in April with Anyone Can Rob a Bank by Thomas Coffey.

Thy Will Be Done

When: 8 p.m. Sept. 29-30; 3 p.m. Oct. 1

Where: Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest

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Tickets: $15

Information: 708-687-9323; gaelicparkplayers.org

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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:

Illustration of a sleeping mouse by the study's first author. Credit: Kyoko Tossell/Imperial College London

A team, led by Imperial College London researchers, has uncovered the wiring in mouse brains that leads them to begin nesting in preparation for sleep. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the study reveals that preparing properly for sleep is likely a hard-wired survival featureone often neglected or overridden by humans.

We all need to sleep, but since we are unconscious when we do so, it makes sense to fall asleep in a safe and warm place. For some animals this is especially important, as a burrow or nest provides a haven from predators.

Dr. Kyoko Tossell, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial, and colleagues in the Franks-Wisden lab found that depriving mice of sleep produces an instinctive behavior to build a nest, or in other words, get ready for bed. They also revealed the brain wiring responsible for this behavior, which is likely to be shared across mammals.

Dr. Tossell said, "Although it seems to us humans that we have a conscious control of the process of going to bed, it is very likely that the same wiring exists in the human brain as the mouse brain. So, even if we think we are making a choice, we are probably governed by unconscious urges to prepare for bed as mice are."

Professor Bill Wisden, Chair in Molecular Neuroscience at Imperial, added, "Getting a good night's sleep is vital for health. And preparing for bed properlywhat clinicians refer to as 'sleep hygiene' (such going to bed at a suitable time, on a proper mattress, with good sheets and no phone or TV)is equally important, but is often neglected or overridden by many."

"The fact that this process is hard-wired in mice shows that preparing properly for sleep is a survival feature used in nature, and so humans should take this aspect of their sleep seriously."

To delve deeper into the sleep preparations of mice, the team deprived the mice of sleep and then observed their behavior and brain activity when they were eventually allowed to drop off. They made mice sleepy by presenting them with Lego bricks and other toys every half an hour for five hours, which caused them to stay awake instead of napping, and filmed their nesting behavior before they finally went to sleep.

To look at the brain wiring involved in nesting, the authors used a method called optogenetics, where particular brain cells can be artificially activated by a flash of light. This allowed them to experimentally verify that dedicated brain cells were responsible for nesting when the mice were sleepy.

They discovered that sleep preparatory behavior is wired up in the top of the brain, in a region called the prefrontal cortex. In humans and mice, the prefrontal cortex helps in rational planning, or 'executive control," which is often essential for survival.

As mice become progressively more tired, the team discovered that special types of neurons become active in the prefrontal cortex and send signals down to the base of the brain, the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the brain's control center for regulating many of the basic survival processes needed by the body, including eating, drinking, and sleeping.

Down in the hypothalamus, special memories (or instincts) are stored for nest building and the wiring to trigger sleep.

Dr. Tossell said, "In other words, when tiredness starts to wash over the mouse, the top part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) decides to implement behavior to make sure the mouse is in a safe place before going to sleep."

Now this brain wiring has been discovered, the team want to expand their studies to uncover what makes the prefrontal cortex cells active during tiredness and how the brain actually senses tiredness.

Professor Nick Franks said, "As the next steps for our work, we would like to discover the answers to these questions as they may provide an answer to one of the biggest questions in neuroscience: why do we sleep?"

More information: Somatostatin neurons in prefrontal cortex initiate sleep-preparatory behavior and sleep via the preoptic and lateral hypothalamus, Nature Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01430-4. www.nature.com/articles/s41593-023-01430-4 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
A story about a creature, whether a bear or a snail, says more about its creator than the subject. Gather together as many as you can, from across time and continents, and the end result is a compendium of humans stories projected onto fauna.

There's so much mythology, fairytale, fables about each one of these that you have to decide what is most important, said Courtney Blazon, a longtime Missoula artist.

When you start seeing all of the different roles an animal has played in culture, she said, you see humor, fear and a broader view of what our relationship to these animals really is.

Blazon is an illustrator by training, working in colored pencil and marker. Her new exhibition, Contre/philia, now on view at Radius Gallery, is a series of drawings, each dedicated to a particular animal and its allusions in culture.

Her style of composition is a surrealist smorgasbord in which characters, animals and ideas, often with literary or historical allusions, swirl around the shared space of the frame: A slice of a strange but detailed dream in which everything is happening, all at once. What exactly is happening takes more time to untangle.

Thats especially true of this exhibition, which includes 10 drawings, 18 by 24 inches, in marker and colored pencil on paper. The cast of this particular menagerie are frogs, swans, snails, geese, bears, donkeys, tigers, lambs, pigs and wolves.

For a swine, her colorful mode of mash-up places Porky the Pig alongside a reference to the Odyssey. She sought out the full range, from high-brow to low-brow, not the sacred and the profane, but some sort of balance, she said.

Porky the Pigs head is actually on a pike, as a young man sits looking on. Its a recreation of a scene from Lord of the Flies, hence the flies coming off his pink dome, a way of injecting humor with things that are more serious, she said.

The surrealist, narrative way of constructing a drawing allowed her segue from one to the next, like a mixtape of allusions.

I love this myth of this Japanese toad who would breathe out rainbows and catch his prey that way, but connecting that to Kermit singing Rainbow Connection just made so much sense. Sometimes it was just for me about finding the first connection, she said.

Wordplay is another tool. Think of all the jokes and possibilities with goose.

The title of the show is a combination of a few things: biologist Edward O. Wilsons biophilia, a theory of an innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world, according to the Oxford Dictionary.

The other half is poetry allusion and pun on her name. A blazon is a device describing attributes, typically of women. A contre-blazon, meanwhile, lists the negatives.

She spent several weeks just on sketches and research, then completed the drawings one at a time. She has a pocket-sized notebook filled with neatly written details about each animal and a sketch of the final piece. (When drawing in color on paper, a plan is essential.) Each one is the accumulation of 75 hours of work by her count.

A staple of local art

Blazon, a New Hampshire native who studied illustration at Parsons School of Design, built herself a career as a mainstay of Missoula's cultural fabric since she moved here in 2005.

Her commissioned work has probably entered your field of vision: A poster for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, bookmarks for Shakespeare & Co., an album jacket for the Sasha Bell Band. She drew a large mural that covers the staircase to the second floor of the Zootown Arts Community Center. Shes co-pilot of the massive MADE Fair events that happen here in Missoula and other cities around the state.

Her art projects, meanwhile, bear the same style applied toward different ends, usually with a conceptual scope. The Year Without A Summer, a traveling exhibition, started at the Missoula Art Museum in 2016. The drawings, many rather large, were based on the events of 1816. The prior year, a volcano in Indonesia erupted and clouded skies around the world.

A more recent, personal series is based on the poetry of Richard Brautigan, a writer best known for his novel, Trout Fishing in America, which is not about angling.

This gallery exhibition isnt her only major one to be unveiled this year. Shes completed a mural, 64 feet wide, for the side of Grizzly Liquor that relays the history of the city and its future, post-history. She drew the pieces on an iPad, and theyll be printed on aluminum.

Wandering through the details

Blazon made laminated cards that are on display in the gallery that list all the references in a particular drawing, which is helpful, since youd likely need to hang one on a wall for several years before you figured them out on your own.

Exit, Pursued by Bears is home to more than 30. In one section, she drew a bottle of wine called Pursued by Bear, a Washington operation owned by Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan. The bottle sits atop a copy of The Winters Tale, by Shakespeare, in which a character is chased off stage by a bear and presumably killed. Gummy bears, bear rugs, Klondike bars (with its bear logo), a copy of Canadian novelist Marian Engels 1976 book Bear, which centers on a female protagonists romantic entanglement with a bear. All these and more sprawl around the exterior and interior of a bears den.

Its not important to know all these when you look at them. There are personal allusions buried in there, or sometimes she placed two objects in contrast for the humor alone.

I just like those funny things together, she said.
Members of the Little Shell and Chippewa Cree tribes have begun to receive payments from a class action distribution totaling $59 million.

Leslie Ann Wilkie Peltier, et al. v. Deb Haaland, et al., also called Pembina, is a nearly 30-year-old case concerning the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians' agreement with the U.S. government.

In the agreement, the Pembina ceded what is now the North Dakota-Canada borderlands to the federal government in the early 20th century. The U.S. paid pennies per acre in the deal.

In 1946, when Congress established the Indian Claims Commission, the Pembinas brought a claim alleging the agreement they entered into was not fair.

Thirty-four years later, in 1980, the claims commission awarded the Pembina $53 million, but because the band no longer existed, money was to be distributed to its modern day successors  members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Turtle Mountain Band in North Dakota and White Earth Band in Minnesota.

However, because the Department of the Interior didn't start distributing the money until eight years later, Turtle Mountain leaders requested accounting and documentation of the funds. When the government didn't produce the information, the four tribes entered a lawsuit against the Interior Department claiming the funds had been mismanaged.

In 2020, the Pembina claims were settled, and now payments from the $59 million settlement will be distributed to more than 30,000 class members via check or online banking. Depending on one's relationship to the case, class members will receive between $50 and $1,500.

Checks were mailed on Sept. 20 and can be cashed until March 18, 2024. Eligible recipients have until May 15, 2024 to update their name and address and request a check be reissued.

The Native American Rights Fund represented the tribes in the lawsuit, and staff attorney Melody McCoy commended the group "for their perseverance and patience."

"Many are unaware of the tremendous impact the Pembinas have had in holding the U.S. accountable to Indian tribes and individuals," she said in a statement.

The Pembina case isn't the first time tribes in Montana alleged federal mismanagement of funds. In 1996, Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet woman, was the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit, demanding back payment and better accounting on Individual Money Accounts managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The federal government settled 13 years later for $3.4 billion  the largest settlement in U.S. history.

To learn more about the settlement, visit PembinaSettlement.com or call 833-999-9915.
Montanas Democratic and Republican senators each got a public lands bill passed out of committee Thursday morning, setting up a possible deal or clash over their separate goals.

Sen. Jon Testers Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Act and Sen. Steve Daines Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act both moved to the Senate floor on a combined voice vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Although neither bill was amended, Daines said during the brief hearing that he looked forward to advancing these two lands bills together.

How either bill advances remains uncertain. With tense budget negotiations threatening to shut down the federal government at the end of September, and the legislative calendar packed with other issues that must be settled by Dec. 31, the chances of the bills getting their own votes on the Senate floor are slim. There is a possibility of one or both getting attached to a must-pass package of legislation, but no moves have started on that yet.

Even Thursdays committee hearing was a scramble, as Chairman Joe Manchin advised his members they had less than 30 minutes before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was to address the full Senate. The committee passed a slate of amendments and then a list of 21 bills on voice votes as a group, although Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) asked to be recorded as voting No on Testers bill.

The Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Act would give federal wilderness status to 79,060 acres along the fringes of the Bob Marshall and Mission Mountains wilderness areas northeast of Missoula. It would also create a 2,013-acre recreation area aimed at snowmobile use, and a 3,835-acre area for mountain-biking recreation.

Daines Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act would remove restrictions from about 100,000 acres of public land currently classified as Wilderness Study Areas. They include the 11,380-acre Hoodoo Mountain WSA and 11,580-acre Wales Creek WSA in the Garnet Mountains between Ovando and Drummond, which are overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. It would also delist the 81,000-acre Middle Fork Judith WSA in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, overseen by the Forest Service.

In a press release on Thursday, Daines said the removal of WSA protection would provide better public access, improve the ability to restore wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfire. As wilderness study areas, each was managed similar to federal wilderness, with limitations on logging, road-building, motorized access and other kinds of development. They were given WSA designation about 50 years ago, but never reached full congressional review of their status.

BLM officials have proposed managing the Hoodoo Mountain area as a Backcountry Conservation Area focused on big-game wildlife management. Parts of the Wales Creek WSA could get similar status, while others might be given Area of Critical Environmental Concern designation. The Forest Service has indicated Middle Fork Judith should retain its roadless status, but could see more wildlife habitat and trail access work if WSA status was removed.

In 2014, then-Rep. Daines negotiated the delisting of about 22 square miles of wilderness study area in southeast Montana in return for his support of Sen. Max Baucus Rocky Mountain Heritage Act. That bill added 105 square miles to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex west of Choteau, along with about 325 square miles of new conservation management area along the Rocky Mountain Front. At the time, it was the first new wilderness designation for Montana in 31 years.

Tester has said he is opposed to amending or linking his Blackfoot-Clearwater bill to Daines Montana Sportsmen bill.
Its truly bizarre to see local governments revolting against and threatening to sue the state when Republicans hold every statewide office but one in Montana, a super-majority in the Legislature, and Greg Gianforte in the governors office. Why? Because local governments have had it with government overreach by the Legislature that limits local governments on tax levies, but not what the state can charge.

Of course government overreach has long been used as a rallying cry by Republicans, particularly when theres any effort to regulate what all of us have in common  the clean air and clean water we need to survive, and the forests and river ecosystems that government is supposed to be protecting under its public trust obligations.

The local governments are kicking off their revolt against the state over taxes due to the absolutely outrageous property re-appraisals and the coming statewide shock  and potential taxpayer revolt  when homeowners get their new tax bills.

In a recent article, longtime Beaverhead County Commissioner Mike McGinley put it very succinctly: Property taxpayers all are having a heart attack because their property taxes are going up so fast. According to McGinley and his fellow county commissioners across the state: Its just how much money were going to put in the states pocket when theyre sitting on a $2 billion surplus, and it comes on the backs of the Montana taxpayers.

The county commissioners and the Montana Association of Counties are claiming the states tax policy is illegal and in August sent a request for a formal opinion to Attorney General Austin Knudsen. But so far, Knudsen has only acknowledged his office received the letter, which is no surprise given his incredibly incompetent track record as AG. Now, his inaction may force the counties to take the issue to court.

As McGinley put it, the support from local elected leaders to take on the Governors Office is coming regardless of whether a county is rural or urban, Republican or Democrat: Theres no two different counties than Missoula County and Beaverhead County, and were on the same line.

In short, the counties say local governments are limited in how many mills they can assess on property owners. But the state, they say, is not and point to what they call Gov. Gianfortes private mansion in Helena where the property taxes he pays to the local government are going down due to the local mill levy caps but the taxes going to the state are going up. The local governments say the state absolutely can and should reduce its mill levy, just as its asking local governments to do.

And so Montanans are left hanging again, as Attorney General Austin Knudsens office refuses to reply to either the press or the counties. In the meantime, the response coming from the governors office claims the law on whether or not it can reduce its mill levies is muddy. Not so says McGinley: This isnt muddy. This is crystal clear to crazy county commissioners like me.

Make no mistake, the revolt on taxes from local governments is just the first of what will be many battles to come thanks to the authoritarian overreach of Gov. Gianforte and the current Legislature.

These we know better than you do policymakers have gutted local governments ability to plan for their own future and that of their residents. Under the guise of affordable housing local zoning has been axed, effectively telling Montanans it doesnt matter what you want your city or county to look like, how it grows, where it grows, or how you deal with it. And that, fellow Montanans, is the exact definition of government overreach.
America has a history of putting their heads in the sand when it comes to involving itself in foreign hostilities. When the first World War began, President Wilson and the American public wanted no part of this foreign conflict. Even when the Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in 1915 (a year after the beginning of the war) the American governments consensus of public opinion did not shake their desire to remain at arms length to the Europe problem. Three years passed with millions being killed before America finally woke up and decided to help the beleaguered British and French. This isolationist stance by the American government and the isolationists that were in power left our friends and allies die because they felt the war was not their problem.

This isolationism and blatant xenophobia was expressed again in the late 1930s. It was during the Great Depression when Americas economy was failing and people didnt want to think about what was happening, again, in Europe. Austria and Czechoslovakia had been taken over by Hitler. But when Hitler invaded Poland, the British and French declared war. They saw (a little late some say) that Hitlers view of the world was a Reich World. Again, despite these atrocities as well as credible information that certain concentration camps were murdering Jews, the United States stayed neutral. The isolationists were dictating policy. But FDR worked behind the scenes providing critical support to Britain. This situation may have continued for many years but for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Still, it took two years before we joined the war. Hitlers policy of expansion Lebensraum would rear its ugly head some 80 years later  in the Ukraine.

The political philosopher George Santayana said, Those who dont know history are destined to repeat it. It appears that there are those in Congress today that just dont get it. Vladimir Putin doesnt simply want the Ukraine. His history of troops in Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and Chechnya are a testament to Hitlers expansionist Lebensraum agenda. This time western Europe is his goal. It is in our interest to help stop him. We failed in World War I and World War II. Millions more people died because of our narrow and mistaken view that it wasnt our business. Support to Ukraine is critical for western democracy.

Bruce Jenkins, Morganton
A telecommunications company and contractors have been in locations throughout Butte marking streets, sidewalks and yards, and in some cases, digging into lawns to lay fiber-optic network lines.

It is part of a three-year, $20 million project by TDS Telecom to bring fiber-optic internet service to about 15,000 households and businesses in Butte. The company says internet speeds will be 10 to 20 times faster than current providers and when construction is completed in 2025, it will also offer TV and telephone services.

But the work has stirred questions and concerns among some residents in Butte who wonder what exactly is going on, why digging is involved and what rights the company has to dig into their lawns.

The company says it has necessary easements and permits to do the work and is doing its best to notify residents when construction in their areas is about to begin.

Be on the lookout for a letter, post card and door hanger, TDS said in answering several questions from The Montana Standard. These provide a simple outline of what will/must happen as construction nears.

The work will continue this fall, next year and into 2025, and so far, Butte-Silver Bow says TDS has gotten all necessary county permits.

On the Public Works side of things, they need to get right-of-way permits and excavation permits, and they send each one into us and we review each one, said Zane Gleason, a project manager and compliance specialist with the countys Public Works Department.

The reviews are done to ensure work will not interfere with known pipes, cables or other existing infrastructure. Gleason also visits each area to make sure everything is good.

It has gone relatively smoothly, and TDS has been good to work with so far, Gleason said.

We had a few minor hiccups with the start but everything is going good now, he said.

Gleason said he wanted to clear up one area of confusion.

A lot of people dont understand that we have a 5-foot right-of-way from the curb, he said. In a lot of situations, especially in the downtown, most of the sidewalks are (about) 4 feet so we can still be like a foot into peoples yards.

Ive been getting a lot of complaints about that but it is a public right-of-way, he said. If somebody has just a curb and no sidewalk, it can be 5-feet from the curb so they are digging in peoples yards.

In addition to the field work, TDS is building a warehouse along Wynne Avenue in south Butte that will be filled with equipment to provide fiber-optic internet, digital TV and phone services.

Here is more information on the work and project:

Q: Where is construction necessary and what are the access rights?

A: There are a couple of main designated areas where utility work and the adding of new fiber-optic network lines often takes place. In both cases, TDS and our contractors have the right to work in these areas.

Public Rights of Way: These usually include the street, terrace and sidewalk areas. Prior to construction, TDS will have obtained permitting from the local municipality to work in these areas.

Public Utility Easements: Like other utility companies, TDS has the right to work on utility easements, including those that may be in your front, side or back yard. If the easement is within a fenced-in yard, crews will need your help accessing the area.

Q: What happens after residents or businesses in area are notified about upcoming work?

A: Contractors will mark underground utilities with flags or spray paint. There will be sandwich boards in the neighborhood during construction, and our contractors will have signage on their vehicles.

The property owner is responsible for clearly marking any privately owned underground facilities (e.g., sprinkler systems, invisible fences, security systems or private power) with flags or spray paint, and calling the construction hotline at 1-855-259-8576.

Q: Why is any digging needed?

A: Digging is necessary to lay down the fiber-optic lines. Weve been approved by the city of Butte to construct buried conduit/fiber at 18-24 depths. All excavation involving removal of materials, such as bore pit locations, hand-hole locations, etc. follows established city environmental compliance review.

Q: What happens during construction?

A: When construction begins, we'll use cable placement techniques, such as directional drilling, to limit disruptions in the road right of way or utility easements the best we can. However, there will be areas where digging is required and additional excavation is necessary.

Digging is a normal part of the construction process. We understand this creates some concerns for people, but digging is limited as much as possible and we will clean up and repair the mess.

Our contractors use what is called a "vac truck" for the digging process. The vehicle acts both as a pressure washer and vacuum cleaner. Workers use the pressure washer to dig, loosening soil only in the spots they need to access. The vacuum hose is then used to suck up the dirt. This is a highly precise process designed to minimize mess and disruption to the area.

Q: Where is work being done now?

A: We have started construction south of Interstate 15 and east of Rowe Road. From there, we head south and north of the Airport; then back north toward Floral Park; then continue into the Greeley Neighborhood area; and finally up to Centerville.

Q: We understand some overhead work is needed, and you are working with NorthWestern Energy to attach cables to poles.

A: Yes, in Butte this is both an underground and overhead (aerial) work project. There are times we do aerial work when the rock may be too thick underneath or in areas where its more compact (downtown).

Q: What is tie timeline for the project?

A: TDS started construction in the spring of 2023 and we expect to be done sometime in 2025.

Q: Will some customers be able to get service before 2025?

A: Yes. As we finish construction in neighborhoods, we then test the network and then turn up that neighborhood. Its not an all-at-once launch. Its staggered.

TDS plans to launch its first customers by the end of this year and will continue to launch service throughout 2024 and 2025, pending no delays related to weather or other construction delays.

Residents will receive service quicker if they register online at TDSFiber.com. We can then construct drops to their home (either underground or aerial) right away, and they will also be emailed when service is ready to purchase.

When we do finish construction in neighborhoods, all customers will receive a mailer to their home that orders are now ready to be taken. If they dont pre-register, it may take a bit longer as we have to go back and construct the drops.
YELLOWSTONE N.P.  Gore slicked the grizzlys snout as the bear slashed and tore at a bison carcass.

This scene unfolded via a mandatory slideshow in the office of a backcountry ranger stationed at the Old Faithful complex in Yellowstone National Park. The presentation highlighted varied ways backpackers could die in Yellowstone  bears, bison, boiling springs, canyon plummets, drowning and hypothermia.

As a native of Virginia, I had never backpacked in such wild country. But I longed to escape the RV hordes at Yellowstones campgrounds. The ranger suggested Mallard Lake, a hike of about 3.6 miles one-way from the Old Faithful area.

With feigned nonchalance, I said, Im guessing there arent too many bears up there.

Well, bears can be anywhere in Yellowstone, he said. Someones tent got ripped up recently at Mallard Lake but we dont know whether a bear did it or a vandal. The campers were gone at the time.

He handed over the backcountry permit.

Have fun, he said. Youre in luck. Youll have the place to yourself.

The date was Sept. 14, 1987, and I sought the permit to escape Yellowstones crowds and the people I judged to be even more clueless about navigating the park than I was.

Earlier that day I had gathered with a few hundred others to watch Old Faithful erupt. I noticed an old man sitting on a bench. Two couples suddenly crowded him, set up a tripod and video camera that blocked his view and started yammering about hailing from Alabama.

One of the Alabamans, his drawl thicker than grits, said to the old man, We meet the nicest people in national parks.

A pause followed. Then, the old man responded, Well, I dont know, everywhere I go in the park I seemed to be surrounded by aholes.

I lived then in Somerville, Massachusetts, and was in the midst of an ambitious solo road trip across the United States. I faced two major life decisions, one about career direction and one tied to relationship and commitment, and hoped the travels might help yield clarity.

After departing the backcountry office I walked to a store at Old Faithful and bought extra flashlight batteries, hoping to ensure there would be light in the dark.

No one carried bear spray in those days.

I outfitted my backpack, toting two sleeping bags to snug together because neither was warm enough by itself.

The trail to Mallard Lake was a gradual, rolling incline through stands of lodgepole pines, with moderate switchbacks. An understatement would be that all senses reached high alert. A chipmunks darting spiked an adrenaline surge.

I reached the designated backcountry campsite around 4:30 p.m., pitched the tent and gathered wood for a fire.

Mallard Lake and its vicinity were alive with sound. Two grebes dove and splashed in the blue-green, 32-acre lake. From a nearby rockslide, a small animal I later realized was a pika issued high-pitched calls.

A journal entry from that afternoon: There is such harmony here that questions about the future course of my life seem less significant. In fact, I avoid thinking about these things. In time, decisions will come.

I am guessing the night will be long, with cold and fear, but the stars will be out and the RVs far, far away, with the Winnebago campers snug in their rolling tin-crates.

With campfire built and Ramen cooked, I hung my pack from a bear pole.

I sat a while by the fire, reading Peter Matthiessens book, The Snow Leopard, by flashlight. Suddenly, the flashlight died. I installed fresh batteries, to no avail. (Discovered later that the bulb had died.) I would spend the night in darkness and a long night it was.

Eerie sounds filled the air. They began with high whistles and ended with guttural grunts. Never had I heard anything like it. Quite unnerving. (It was bull elk, bugling, I later learned.)

Slept fitfully. Once, finally relaxed, something whacked the tent right behind my head. (An elasticized strap on the rain fly had worked loose and snapped back.)

At the first hint of morning light I packed my gear and headed toward the trailhead. (Learning later that dawn is a favored time for grizzlies to forage.)

Revelatory experiences in wilderness are a cliche. I experienced no revelations.

Yet I had tolerated potent fears and not been overwhelmed by them.

I did not serve in Vietnam and never knew combat. One of the last draft lotteries drew my birth date early in the proceedings. But the authority to draft lapsed. I recognized that the fear I felt in Yellowstones backcountry paled in comparison to a host of life experiences.

Still, I learned from that long night that fears need not rule.

Ultimately, I returned to Massachusetts and decided to leave a doctoral program in clinical psychology for a degree program in journalism. With much heartache, I left a longtime relationship rather than marry.

I moved to Montana less than three years after my hike to Mallard Lake.

In the years that followed, I returned three times to backpack in Yellowstone.
The third season of The Morning Show is all over the map and, ironically, rarely on the set of the titular program.

Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) is now hosting the UBA Evening News and Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) is singlehandedly trying to keep UBA+ in relevant content.

In addition to button-holing world leaders, Alex is willing to go up in space in order to land an interview with an Elon Musk-like tech billionaire named Paul Marks (Jon Hamm). Hell agree to go on camera with her, if only to get closer to one of the few women worthy of his time.

The new season touches on financial problems at the network, too, which gives oh-so-slimy CEO Cory Ellison (Billy Crudup) a chance to play everyone.

Morning show Billy Crudup and Greta Lee are in deep when their network is a source of turmoil in season three of "The Morning Show."

Just when you think the AppleTV+ series is headed in the same direction as HBOs The Newsroom, it takes a retro veer and digs up more dirt on everyone before explaining why no one is immune post-Jan. 6.

The loopy plotting may be hard to embrace initially, but it straightens out before the last few episodes and gives Aniston one of the best acting showcases in her career. Suffice it say, she has her own conscience crisis and more than enough rocket time with Hamm. (Debuting later this season in "Fargo," Hamm gets a chance to show yet another side of his twisting ways.)

The two are great together, using intelligence to spar and charisma to spark.

Meanwhile, Witherspoon is pulled back into the fold with outed journalist Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies) and brother Hal (Joe Tippett), who rocks her confidence in all she has espoused.

Morning show Reese Witherspoon is now evening anchor in "The Morning Show."

As Cory swims among his stars, poisoning their water, long-suffering producer Chip Black (the great Mark Duplass) must face his own demons.

When Marks floats the idea of buying UBA, everyone questions its -- and their -- future. Thats when The Morning Show heats up and becomes that 21st century series Aaron Sorkin never wrote.

Easily one of the best behind-the-scenes looks at television, it also gets a chance to discuss the plight women face in the medium. News President Stella Bak (Greta Lee) looks like shes the one who can make a difference but shes also beholden to Ellison -- and that muddies the water.

When the third season gets to its oh-so-good last episode, you can see the grand contributions producers Mimi Leder and Charlotte Stoudt have been able to make.

Morning Show Jon Hamm plays a tech billionaire who may invest in network television in the third season of "The Morning Show."

Morning Show Jennifer Aniston plays a powerhouse network personality who holds the cards in season three of "The Morning Show."

Now able to tee this up as a look at decades-long battle, they have plenty to unpack for the fourth season. Will toxic masculinity still poison network waters? Or will all that conniving (and ratings pursuit) give way to a journalistic venture worthy of its celebrated talents?

Granted, you probably know the answer, but the journey there is awfully fun. Jon Hamm is, too.

"The Morning Show" is now streaming on AppleTV+.
In 2005, the body of Rosa Parks arrived at the U.S. Capitol, where the civil rights icon became the first woman to lie in honor in the Rotunda
Embracing African culture, creating a better world: story of an Ethiopian architect

14:08, September 21, 2023 By Chi Zao ( People's Daily Online

Salt bars, also known as Amole in the Amharic language, were used as means of payment in Ethiopia in ancient times. Salt bars were still in use in Ethiopia at the beginning of the 20th century.

For thousands of years, salt bars packed in wooden carvings, known as Amole in the local Amharic language, were used as currency in Ethiopia. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, Amole was the de facto currency of the country, serving as a cultural symbol of Ethiopia's historical and economic progress.

Although it is no longer used as currency, Amole did inspire 44-year-old Ethiopian architect Medhanit Berhanu to design the primary buildings of Ethiopia's National Bank to resemble giant salt bars.

Medhanit, the design manager at Fuzhou Survey and Design Institute of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in Ethiopia, is mainly responsible for CCECC's success in seeing off many prestigious international designing behemoths to win the contract to construct the National Bank of Ethiopia.

"When designing a building, it is essential to include locals familiar with the culture and customs the structure will serve. I have learned a lot of modern technologies from the Chinese company and had my cultural viewpoint respected by my Chinese coworkers, which is why the Ethiopian government chose our design proposal, said Medhanit.

Embracing traditional African culture

Medhanit has worked with CCECC for only a year, but her designs have already been used to construct the four branch offices of the National Bank of Ethiopia at Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma.

The four offices, which occupy an area of 86,000 square meters and feature distinctive styles inspired by regional cultures, will boost Ethiopia's reputation internationally and hasten its economic growth.

My team and I have extensively researched the history and culture of the four cities, drawing inspiration from locals' daily lives. We have also factored in the four cities' distinctly different climates, balancing cultural factors with geographical ones, said Medhanit.

In Bahir Dar, a city in northern Ethiopia, the ancient weaving technique known as Tilet in the Amharic language has been thriving in local communities for centuries. Tilet's vibrant colors and intricate designs reflect Ethiopia's varied landscape and culture.

Chokers made with hand-woven Ethiopian Tilet are a fashion statement among Ethiopian women. Photo by Twitter @AllureEthiopia.

"We covered the large column on the building's facet in traditional Tilet patterns to make it blend in with its surroundings and be less of an eyesore. The column represents Ethiopia's steadfast economic foundation, while the pattern highlights Bahir Dar's stunning cultural heritage," Medhanit explained.

Dire Dewa in the southwest of Ethiopia has a much stronger Islamic cultural influence than most Ethiopian cities. African and Islamic traditions shaped the city's signature urban layout for centuries.

"The Harari door, or Harar beri in Amharic, is a historic door style that fuses African and Islamic design elements. We used such a design on a facet of the Dire Dawa bank building, and the local authorities received it well," Medhanit explained.

Medhanit's architectural design for the Ethiopian National Bank.

Ethiopian officials have embraced designs by Medhanit and her Chinese colleagues, lauding the designers for their in-depth understanding of Ethiopian culture. The plan Medhanit's team submitted scored 15 points more than the runner-up.

I'm proud that my plans have been approved for use on our country's national bank structures, allowing cutting-edge architecture to coexist with our rich cultural heritage, said Medhanit.

Together with Africans, we design a better world

Medhanit appreciates the history and customs of the Ethiopian people. The traditional Ethiopian weaving art known as Tilet features heavily in her wardrobe. Photo by Chi Zao.

After graduating from Addis Ababa University with degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Medhanit travelled to Sweden, the United States, and the Philippines for further experience and cultural exposure.

People in Ethiopia aren't aware of the importance of taking care of their environment. The majority of our efforts go toward the creation of brand-new structures, rather than the incorporation of any natural touches, and I'd like to find a spot where I can combine my passions for nature and architecture, said Medhanit.

Medhanit says that working at the Fuzhou Survey and Design Institute is like a dream come true as the Chinese firm respects her ideas and environmentalist viewpoints and gives her a chance to showcase her talents.

"For most architects, such as myself, your only duty is to create designs. But with this company, I get to be a part of the entire building process, and it's incredible to know that I'm contributing to creating some of the most spectacular structures in our country," said Medhanit.

Medhanit is just one example of the Ethiopian skill pool contributing significantly to the achievements of the Fuzhou Survey and Design Institute. Of the 74 architects working for the Chinese company, 41 are from Ethiopia, and 73% have bachelor's degrees or higher. The company also employs six local architecture experts with at least 15 years of expertise.

The Fuzhou Survey and Design Institute has been actively growing across Africa, with new offices established in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya to better connect with and use the continent's wealth of creative talent. By the end of 2022, the firm had finished 244 overseas projects, with a cumulative built railway length of over 57,000 kilometers, a cumulative road mileage of about 8,600 kilometers, and a cumulative housing construction area of nearly 14 million square meters.

African people are talented and creative. We want to provide a platform for them to thrive, as well as help Chinese people better understand local culture, so that we can expand our business in Africa, said Jiao Guomu, director of the Chinese company.

China's Ministry of Commerce and eighteen other institutions issued a notice in 2021 encouraging the high-quality development of design consulting services abroad. This notice highlights the significance of absorbing foreign talents and fostering people-to-people exchanges between China and Belt and Road countries.

I'm delighted there's so much for me and my Chinese coworkers to learn from one another. It would be great if more Chinese design companies could establish themselves in Africa so that our knowledge and their technologies could combine to help develop the continent, said Medhanit.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chengliang)
The Rev. Stephen Cliffgard Lee, the Orland Park-based minister who was named last month along with 18 others in a criminal indictment that includes former President Donald Trump, is awaiting word on if his case will remain linked to those of Trump and most of his fellow defendants as two others named in the indictment prepare to begin their trials in one month.

Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheesebro will begin their trials Oct. 23 after Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton County, Georgia, accepted their request for a speedy trial and agreed last week to have their cases jointly severed from those of the other defendants.

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Lees legal team, led by Illinois-based lawyer David Shestokas, has similarly filed a severance request and is waiting to hear back, Shestokas confirmed

We are of the opinion that, on a couple of levels, Pastor Lee will be prejudiced by having his trial take place with everybody else, Shestokas said. Shestokas is working on the case with Georgia-based lawyer David Oles.

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When Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis brought the case spanning 41 total charges, 150 witnesses and 19 defendants including a former U.S. president launching an election campaign, questions immediately arose over how these cases would be argued in a timely and fair manner. Prosecutors said they would be ready to hear the cases all together in late October.

However, in his statement last Thursday, Judge McAfee called this case a herculean task that would best handled if the defendants are not tried all at the same time with trial dates reasonably spread out.

While all 19 defendants are alike in that they all share a primary charge of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, there are differences in the additional 40 counts brought against them. Cases in which defendants are facing similar charges will most likely be joined together and severed from cases involving defendants who share the anti-racketeering charge but whose cases differ in other ways.

Lees team has asked that his case be joined with two other defendants and severed from the 16 other individuals. The two defendants Lees council asked to be joined share three of the five charges brought against Lee and are all facing charges relating to a similar episode in which they are accused of attempting to alter the testimony of a Georgia poll worker.

The two people who Lee hopes to remain joined with are Chicago-based publicist Trevian Kutti and Harrison Floyd, who led a group called Black Voices for Trump. Shestokas said their request for severance on Lees behalf was not made in conjunction with legal representatives of Kutti or Floyd. Kutti and the legal team for Floyd did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Willis also did not respond to a request for comment.

Shestokas is hopeful that McAfee, who said severance is an absolute necessity to most effectively hear this case, will allow Lees case to be severed in the way he and Oles have requested.

While McAfee has not given a date for the trial proceedings of Lee or any of the other defendants beyond Powell and Cheesebro, a footnote on McAfees written statement from last week said a second trial could begin as early as November/December.

Shestokas, who is working in a pro-bono capacity for Lee, said he expects the massive amount of evidence, witness testimony and an expected package of two terabytes of information to sift through will be a challenge for the legal team.

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Were due to have what would be the first completion of discovery by the 6th of October, Shestokas said. Thats the only hard deadline we have at the moment.

As he awaits decisions on his severance request and a court date, Lee continues his role as an interim pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park.
WASHINGTON  With House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's latest funding plan in ruins and lawmakers leaving town for the weekend, there's no endgame in sight as hard-right Republicans push dangerously closer to a disruptive federal shutdown.

The White House will tell federal agencies on Friday to prepare for a shutdown, according to an official with the Office of Management and Budget who insisted on anonymity to discuss the upcoming instructions. That's standard seven days out from a federal disruption.

The Republican McCarthy has repeatedly tried to appease his hard-right flank by agreeing to the steep spending cuts they are demanding to keep government open. But cheered on by Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, the conservatives have all but seized control in dramatic fashion.

In a crushing defeat Thursday, a handful of Republican hardliners blocked a typically popular defense bill from advancing  the second time this week it was set back, an unheard-of loss for a House speaker.

Even a stopgap bill to keep government funding past the Sept. 30 deadline, called a continuing resolution or CR, is a non-starter for some on the right flank who have essentially seized control of the House.

This is a whole new concept of individuals who just want to burn the whole place down, McCarthy said after Thursday's vote, acknowledging he was frustrated. It doesnt work.

The open revolt was further evidence that McCarthys strategy of repeatedly giving in to the conservatives is seemingly only emboldening them, allowing them to run roughshod over their own House majority. Their conservative bills have almost no chances in the Senate.

Trump urged the conservatives to hold the line against the higher funding levels McCarthy had agreed to with President Joe Biden earlier this year and to end the federal criminal indictments against him.

This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots, Trump wrote on social media.

They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country! the former president wrote.

The White House and Democrats, along with some Republicans, warn that a shutdown would be devastating for people who rely on their government for everyday services and would undermine Americas standing in the world.

We need the extreme MAGA Republicans to get their act together, said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, referring to Trumps Make America Great Again slogan.

End the civil war, Jeffries urged the Republicans. Get your act together.

But one of Trump's top allies, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who is leading the hard-right flank, said the House Republicans now have almost no choices left but to spend the time it takes to pass each of the 12 spending bills needed to fund the government  typically a laborious process  even if it means going into a shutdown.

Or they can join with Democrats to pass a CR, which is sure to put McCarthy's job at risk.

What Gaetz said he, and several others, would not do is vote for a continuing resolution that fails to slash spending.

Im giving a eulogy for the CR right now, Gaetz told reporters after a late afternoon meeting at the Capitol.

I represent Floridas first congressional district, where during the shutdown tens of thousands of people will go without a paycheck, and so I know the impact of a shutdown, Gaetz said. So it may get worse before it gets better, and I have little to offer but blood, sweat, toil and tears, but that may be what it takes.

A government closure is increasingly likely as time runs out for Congress to act.

McCarthy's bid to move ahead with a traditionally popular defense funding bill as a first step toward keeping the government running was shattered, on a vote of 212-216. Five Republicans refused to vote with the increasingly endangered speaker. A sixth Republican voted no on procedural grounds so the bill could be reconsidered.

Moving forward with the defense bill was supposed to be a way for McCarthy to build goodwill among the GOP House majority as he tries to pass a temporary measure just to keep government running for another month. It, too, had catered to other hard-right priorities, such as slashing spending by 8% from many services and bolstering security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Many on the right flank opposed the deal McCarthy struck with Biden this year over the spending levels and are trying to dismantle it now. They want to see progress on the individual appropriations bills that would fund the various federal departments at the lower levels these lawmakers are demanding.

The morning test vote shattered a McCarthy strategy that had emerged just the night before. Republicans appeared on track to advance the measure Thursday. Then the Democrats who had not yet voted began rushing into the chamber.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrats yelled out to hold open the vote. She was a no." A few others came in behind her and tipped the tally toward defeat.

The Democrats oppose the military bill on many fronts, including Republican provisions that would gut diversity programs at the Pentagon.

As passage appeared doomed, attention turned to the five Republican holdouts to switch their votes.

GOP leaders spent more than an hour on the floor trying to recruit one of them, Rep. Dan Bishop. R-N.C., to vote yes.

Every time theres the slightest relief of the pressure, the movement goes away from completing the work, Bishop said.

Others were dug in, including some who had supported advancing the defense bill just two days ago when it first failed.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a chief opponent of more aid for Ukraine in the war against Russia, said she voted against the defense bill this time because her party's leadership refused to separate out the war money. Her stand came as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was at the Capitol during a high-profile visit to Washington.

McCarthy had pledged to keep lawmakers in session this weekend for as long as it took to finish their work. But they were sent home, told they could be called back on ample notice.
CEDAR FALLS  This week a controversial law went into effect that will change how medical professionals can provide gender affirming care to minors.

Senate File 538, which bans doctors in the state from providing puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries to children to treat gender dysphoria, became enforceable on Monday.

Doctors who violate the law can be subject to discipline from a state licensing board, and individuals can bring lawsuits against doctors who continue providing gender-affirming care.

Supporters of the law have argued minors are too young to make potentially irreversible decisions about medical care, according to media reports, with some saying gender dysphoria is a temporary phase that children will grow out of.

Rachel Benson, a medical provider for the UnityPoint LGBTQ Clinic at Prairie Parkway whose focus is family medicine, said the nurses and doctors in the clinic have been preparing for this week since the law was passed in March.

Benson said the clinic, which started about five years ago, was brought about because of fear from patients going to standard doctors offices.

I think, and it likely will, cause regression in that standpoint because kids are being alienated and its not OK for them to seek health care now, she said. These children may not feel as comfortable reaching out (to us), which is going to be very unfortunate and detrimental.

The LGBTQ clinic will still be available for adults and also as a resource center for out-of-state care for children. Benson said shes thankful medical providers can still refer children out of state for gender affirming care.

Before this week, the clinic was able to provide basic hormone therapy and puberty blockers to minors.

Hormone therapy is when testosterone or estrogen is prescribed to patients. Transgender boys can use injectable testosterone to suppress feminizing features. This can cause redistribution of fat from the hips and thighs, more body hair, a lower voice, growth of genitals and the loss of a menstrual period.

Transgender girls can use injectable estrogen to suppress masculinizing features, which can result in fat redistribution to the hips, face and buttocks and fuller breasts.

Puberty blockers are prescribed for younger patients who havent started puberty or are at the beginning of puberty. They block testosterone and estrogen that cause puberty changes and can stop things like menstrual periods, breast growth, voice changes and facial hair growth.

Minors can undergo hormone therapy if they meet certain requirements outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which helps medical professionals diagnose other mental disorders like depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia, to name a few.

Children have to meet six out of eight symptoms to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In order to meet criteria, the patient has to present clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functions.

Benson said minors who want to use hormone treatments or puberty blockers are encouraged to go through counseling. Patients and parents also have discussions with pharmacists about the risks and benefits of using these therapies.

As for surgeries, Benson said most patients who request these are 16 to 18 years old. Almost all of these are for top surgery, which flattens someones chest. She said full bottom reconstruction, which changes the appearance of someones genitals, is rare for minors.

To be approved for surgeries, surgeons need letters from at least one counselor that attests that the patient is mentally stable as well as a letter from a medical provider stating the patient has been seen by them. That letter also includes the patients medical history. Benson said this is required to show were not doing things haphazardly.

Although some minors request having gender affirming surgeries, Benson said how gender dysphoria is treated is a spectrum.

Some patients want me to use their name and pronouns, she said. Others want every option in the book.

With the new law, she said providers can still address patients with their preferred name and pronouns. She said they cannot directly address gender dysphoria but can treat things like depression, anxiety and other problems it may be causing, which falls under primary care.

Not directly addressing a patients gender dysphoria is going to have a great impact on children, Benson said. Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand, she said, and providers cannot address one without discussing the other.

She believes this will increase self harm and suicide in patients because they cant receive the care they are seeking. According to the Trevor Project, Benson said last year 35% of transgender children attempted suicide, compared to 7% of cisgender children.

There will be physical changes, too, for children on hormone treatments and puberty blockers. Those on blockers will be taken off and will go through puberty for the sex they were assigned at birth.

Those taken off testosterone and estrogen may not change from when they were on the hormone. For some, vocal changes may not go back to what their voice sounded like before hormones. For some taking estrogen, breast development may not fully regress. Those being taken off testosterone may see breast growth and will restart their menstrual cycle.

Benson said the legislation changes happened because the general population may not have experience with people who are transgender. She said those in the state legislature have a lot of fear involved with the unknown resulting in impacts they may not have considered.

Chad Mohammad, a licensed therapist in Waterloo, said the legislature is creating a mental health issue.

People are living their freaking lives like the children that they should be, he said. And, all of a sudden, now were imposing trauma.

The law is creating a forced detransition, Mohammad said. While it may be super dramatic, he compared the current situation to Hitlers Germany.

Honestly, this is, like, the exact same thing that led up to that, he said. Its almost like the state is preparing to exterminate trans people.

Mohammad said since multiple laws regarding LGBTQ+ citizens have been passed, hes been limiting his patients to those in that community. He was expecting he would have less clients because of this. Instead, hes seen an influx and has been very busy.

Summer Elliott, also a therapist in Waterloo, said there is a scarcity of providers in the community, let alone those who cater to the LGBTQ+ population.

This legislation (will) impact ... how they feel valued, or how they feel connected, or how they feel safe at school, she said. Were gonna see an increase of people feeling more isolated and worried and scared to affirm their own identity.

Mohammad said with the new law, therapists seeing LGBTQ+ children may be even more limited because they are afraid of losing their license. He said he is not subscribing to that mindset.

My license means dookie if I cant f-ing affirm someones gender, he said. I guess Im just gonna do it until they come after it. And then when they come after it, I will give them hell.
Just days after Communication Authority of Kenya CEO Ezra Chiloba was shown the door, more trouble is brewing at the regulatory authority.

A non-governmental organization has called into question the academic credentials of the board chairperson Mary Wambui.

Commission for Human Rights and Justice (CHRJ), a group based in Mombasa, has written to Kenya Methodist University requesting information either confirming or denying her attendance at the institution.

The group first challenged Wambuis suitability to hold a top government position at the High Court Judicial Review Division in December 2020.

Mary Wambui has stated that she attended the university from 2005 to 2008, after which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (second class upper). Before that, she had pursued a diploma in computer proficiency and another one in clearing & forwarding.

CHRJ however contests the validity of her bachelors degree, saying some members of the public believe it is not valid.

In the letter seen by Nairobi Wire, CHRJ writes;

The aforementioned claims to have undertaken a Bachelor of Science: Business Administration  Upper Second Class in the year 2005-2008 in your esteemed institution, claims which some members of the public claims to be nothing short of fluttery words to win confidence of the office she holds.

As the commission obligated to inquire about the status and capacity of leaders to be entrusted to hold such position of authority, in light of the forgoing we therefore IMPLORE your good off(ice) to confirm if indeed the above subject matter was a student.

The letter further requests the university to provide certified copy of the examination transcript and a graduation booklet for the year in question.

Ms Wambui was appointed as chair of CA by President Ruto in December 2022. She is no stranger to controversy, having been mentioned in the edible oil scandal.
Kenya Airways on Wednesday, September 20 presented Mangu High School with a decommissioned Boeing 737-700 from its aircraft inventory.

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen presided over the aircraft handover and emphasized its significance in enhancing the schools aviation curriculum.

Murkomen stressed that the Boeing aircraft was intended to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), aiming to nurture students specific areas of interest and aptitude within their studies.

I wish to thank Kenya Airways for this commendable act of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will inspire hope in the students of Mangu High School, Murkomen said.

The growth of Kenyas aviation sector is of paramount importance to this government due to its ripple effects, which include the creation of jobs, expansion of markets, facilitation of faster movement of goods and people, growth of regional economies, and positioning the country as the aviation hub of Africa, the CS added.

Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka expressed confidence in the donations potential impact, stating that it would play a vital role in nurturing the talents of students.

This donation is true to our commitment to nurturing talent and driving economic growth, not only in Kenya but also in the broader African continent. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the profound impact this initiative will have on Mangu High School, said Kilavuka.

CS Murkomen further emphasized the significance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in furthering the governments educational and aviation reforms. He highlighted how these collaborative efforts play a pivotal role in granting young individuals access to essential resources and opportunities, essential for their journey towards building successful careers.

The donation is an affirmation of KQs support for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) which focuses on accentuating students interests in particular areas of study, harnessing their innate talents, converting their passions into careers, and transforming abstract theories into practicable concepts, he said.
Kenya is seeking to strengthen cooperation with China on intelligence sharing, joint security operations and security management in a strategic move to bolster its security capabilities in the wake of escalating global threats.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said Tuesday when he delivered Kenyas inaugural speech at the Ministerial Roundtable at the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, China, that the move will play a critical role in boosting Kenyas capacity to tackle the emerging security threats.

He emphasized that the rapidly evolving global security landscape necessitates a unified approach to preserving peace.

PS Omollo singled out, terrorism, cyberattacks, transnational crime, regional conflicts and climate change among major challenges posing a threat to global peace.

Given current trends and the interconnectivity of our world through globalization, no nation remains impervious to these threats. However, these new challenges also offer us opportunities for strategic reevaluation and collaboration. He said.

He noted that the forum themed One World, Common Security sets a platform for Kenya and China to engage in candid conversations and to firm up strategic issues that bind the two countries in the pursuit of sustainable peace, security and development cooperation.

In the face of these shared risks, we must also create global resilience, Omollo said adding that Kenya and China regard each other as equal partners with unique contributions to realization of mutual interests.

He added that Kenya is looking to engage in more bilateral and multilateral security agreements with China and other partners.

In his address, PS Omollo further pointed out that Kenyas police officers have been receiving technical training on the security and management of large-scale infrastructure from China.

He stressed the need for expansion of the training programme to include other topical issues such as transnational crime and maritime security so as to incorporate more law enforcement agencies.

The Internal Security PS expressed optimism that ongoing collaborations with China will expedite the Police Equipment Modernization Programme, aimed at equipping security officers deployed in high-risk areas and contribute to mobility and modern communication systems.

The government has allocated resources for modern weaponry, advanced machinery, and reliable personal protective gear for security agents.

Furthermore, PS Omollo revealed that the state is currently enhancing its Command, Control, and Communication capacity to boost the operational efficiency of the National Police Service through the deployment of new hardware and state-of-the-art technology.

Turning attention to border security, he noted that Kenya is actively working towards securing its borders with neighboring countries through integrated border management.

Additionally, Omollo said that Kenya is seeking technical assistance, training, and capacity building for its border personnel and law enforcement agencies including the Kenya Coast Guard Service to bolster border and maritime security.

It is our hope that through international cooperation, we will acquire more state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and enhance our situational awareness and border control, he said.

PS Omollo also voiced concerns about the escalating impact of climate change, identifying prolonged drought and climate-induced migration as major threats to the nations stability.

He stressed that the regions violent conflicts have resulted from competing for limited natural resources.

Regarding the influx of migrants, he cautioned that it could strain diplomatic relations and potentially provoke social tensions, citing instances in some refugee camps.

Kenya has adopted a cross-border cooperation approach to address these challenges in the best interests of its citizens.

We hope that more partners can join us in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and we look forward to the implementation of the recommendations captured during this Global Public Security Forum, he said.

He affirmed Kenyas unwavering commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with China and all international partners.
United States President Joe Biden has praised President William Ruto for stepping up to lead peacekeeping efforts in Haiti.

President Biden said the United Nations-backed security mission seeks to restore peace and stability in Haiti.

I call on the security council to authorise this mission now, the people of Haiti can not wait much longer, he said.

He made the remarks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the presence of President Ruto.

Later, he met Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Alice Albright at the Kenyan Mission in New York.

President Ruto and Ms Albright witnessed the signing of the USD 65 million Second Threshold Programme funds for the acquisition of electric buses to operate on the bus rapid transit (BRT) line 2 to ease traffic congestion within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

The Head of State said the government is collaborating with development partners to scale up the development of critical infrastructure to stimulate rapid economic growth.

The President also held talks with Heads of State and Governments on the sidelines of UNGA to enhance Kenyas bilateral relations. The leaders agreed to deepen, and explore new areas of cooperation with Kenya.

They were Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine), Luis Abinader (Dominican Republic), Alain Berset (Switzerland), Miguel Diaz-Canel (Cuba), Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Kazakhstan), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Portugal), and Joao Lourenco (Angola) and Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

President Zelenskyy committed to establishing a grain hub in the Port of Mombasa to address food shortage in East Africa.

On his part, President Ruto said Kenya advocates for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict to enhance stability and alleviate the suffering of the people.

We strongly believe countries can forge warm relations, cooperate in solving international issues and operate on rules for the worlds shared prosperity.

He also met the President of the World Bank Ajay Banga and called on the institution to support the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration on climate change.

The World Bank is our valuable development partner, offering both technical and financial assistance to the programmes that seek to uplift ordinary people in our country, he said.

-PCS
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is in the process of drafting new guidelines on good pharmaceutical practices in Kenya.

The Boards Chairperson of the Training and Assessment Technical Committee Prof. Francis Ndemo has said the guidelines seek to improve the quality of pharmacy practice and training.

He said medication is now the third leading cause of death in the country hence the need to address drug safety and inappropriate use of medication.

Drug related morbidity is on the rise and these guidelines will help us ensure that we give the best pharmaceutical care in the country, said Prof. Ndemo.

Speaking in Machakos during a stakeholders forum, the chairperson, who is also the Dean of, the School of Pharmacy at United States International University (USIU), said besides the safety issue the guidelines, the Board would also address manufacturing of poor quality drugs, supply chain management and primary healthcare as envisioned in the Universal Health Care (UHC).

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technologists need to be more engaged in the provision of primary healthcare. We intend to come up with the best guidelines for pharmaceutical care and we have benchmarked in other countries for the best practices, said Prof. Ndemo.

He noted that medication is the most widely used intervention in health care and called on stakeholders to pay more attention and articulate the levels of practice for pharmacy personnel.

Medicines being a good intervention in health care also carry a lot of risks and there is need to have personnel that can offer the best care to the patients, he said.

Prof. Ndemo noted that pharmacists would have shared responsibility with medical doctors on drug therapy outcomes.

Pharmacists were never responsible for drug outcomes. This was the responsibility of the medical doctors. However, medication if not properly handled or monitored may not have the best outcomes, he noted.

The chairperson added that pharmacy personnel should ensure that the medication given is the most appropriate, safe and the patient is able and willing to comply with the instructions given.

Initially, pharmacists were seen as product based but we are now centred on the patient and taking responsibility of medication use, noted Prof. Ndemo.

He said the Board has between six months to one year to complete drafting of the guidelines.
Police in Mombasa are conducting an investigation into a robbery incident where two foreign visitors lost valuable electronics and cash from their hotel room in Shanzu area.

The foreigners, one from the UK but working in the Philippines, and a Canadian working in Thailand, said they were in Mombasa for a training session that kicked off between September 11 to 16.

On the evening of September 13, they left their room, only to return and discover that their belongings had disappeared.

They reported that when they departed their room on the evening of the incident, it had been securely locked. However, upon their return, they found that the lock had been forcibly broken.

On that day evening, Wednesday 13, we attended the training session and decided to go swimming for a few minutes at 5.15 pm. When we went back to our room we found the door broken into and the safety box missing, they said as quoted by the Star.

The foreigners said they lost a camera, two mobile phones, two laptops, and a safe box containing crucial travel documents such as passports, along with an amount of 900,000 dollars, which is equivalent to 132.4 million Kenyan shillings.

They reported the matter at the Bamburi Police Station where it was booked under OB Number C/ORG/1/9/VOL11/016/2023.

This was my fourth trip to Kenya and I have never experienced such an incident before.

The same evening sometime after the incident happened, we were told that a woman who was on a motorcycle and wearing a Buibui returned our passports but no one identified her, may the thieves just thought we would be stranded that is why they brought the documents back, their interest was the money and electronics, one foreigner said.

He stated that the missing documents were surrendered to the hotel management by a staff member who claimed they had been left at the hotels entrance.

After reviewing the CCTV footage, it was revealed that two individuals had forcibly entered the room and left with the valuables.

Apparently these people had checked in a day before and checked out the same evening of the incident but we were told by management that they had used the wrong identification, so they were observing our movements.

Joseph Mutungi, the OCPD (Officer Commanding Police Division) of Kisauni sub-county, said the investigation is currently underway.
A total of 72 students from 24 schools around the country participated in the World Cube Association, Kericho Open Speed Cubing tournament held at ACK Holy Trinity Academy in Kericho town.

World Cube Association which governs competitions for mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces, commonly known as twisty puzzles, sought to test the speed of the students in solving the Rubiks cube.

Speaking to KNA, the Speed Cubing Kericho Open Coordinator Mr. Samuel Kamau announced that John Muthee Karichu from St. Xavier Nakuru won in the pyramid category with a speed of 9.25 seconds, while in 3*3 category, Simon Mugambi from Kenyatta University won with a speed of 14.25 seconds.

In the 2*2 category, John Muthee Karichu from St. Xavier again won with a speed of 5.31 seconds. This was very impressive, added Mr. Kamau.

Kamau said the winners in different categories were awarded and all speedcubers received certificates and their names and scores were recorded on the World Cube Association website.

He revealed that Kagaki School in Nakuru which had 36 participants, performed the best with participants taking home 6 trophies, and St. Xavier Primary School Nakuru emerged second with 5 trophies while Fig Tree in Kericho came in third with participants getting awarded four trophies.

Kamau further explained that the competition which highly engages the mind in mapping out steps for solving the Rubiks cube was open to all ages categorized into four; under 9, under 12, junior secondary, and over 18.

Solving Rubiks cube requires a lot of patience and strong will and children who learn this sport improve their memory, patience, problem-solving skills, agility, enhance concentration and configuration, and can break mild addictions as well, added Kamau.

The speed cubing coordinator was impressed that schools around the country had started to embrace Rubiks cube but urged the Ministry of Education to incorporate indoor sporting activity into the Competency-based Curriculum (CBC).

According to him, through solving the Rubiks cube, participants enjoy benefits that include 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, communication, digital literacy, corroboration, and citizenship.

Also in attendance was the 16-year-old World Cube Association Junior Delegate representing Kenya Rayan Parmar who said with Rubiks cube, there were various challenging puzzles available and each puzzle has its own benefit.

Solutions to complex problems are most simple but that does not mean they are easy. So, this sport helps to uncomplicate thinking, declutter the mind, and build patience, perspective, and process, remarked Parmar.

Meanwhile, the parents who took their children to the competition said their children tremendously improved in mathematics due to constant practice of solving the Rubiks cube during their leisure time at home.

Schools that participated included Kagaki School Nakuru, Fig Tree Academy, St. Xavier Public School, ACK Holy Trinity Academy, Kericho Primary, Kericho Academy, Moi Primary Public, Shinners Premier, Samaj International Nairobi, Lions Primary, Highlands Primary Kericho, Moi Educational Secondary, Sabis International, Greenstate International, Shalalji International, St. Andrews Turi international, Oshwal International, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, Multimedia University, JKUAT, Laikipia University and Thika Technical Thika.

-Kenya News Agency(KNA)
Tinley Park police Chief Matt Walsh will be stepping down from the job at the end of this month after five years overseeing the department, according to Village Manager Pat Carr.

Walsh notified the village in a brief letter dated Sept. 15 of his decision but had expressed no dissatisfaction with the job, Carr said Thursday.

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Its unfortunate that we are losing him but we are moving forward, the manager said.

Walsh was not immediately available to comment.

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Carr said Walsh has been on vacation but will return Monday, and that well sit down with him as it relates to any recommendation for an interim chief.

Carr said he spoke with Walsh after getting the resignation letter and everything was all fine and cordial.

Noting that the chief was on vacation at the time of the villages receipt of the resignation letter and their phone conversation, Carr said he didnt want to delve into any possible reasons for Walshs departure.

The department has two deputy chiefs, and Tinley Park Mayor Mike Glotz has the authority to name an interim chief ahead of a Village Board meeting, with the next one not scheduled until after Walshs retirement date, Carr said.

He said the plan is for the village to conduct a nationwide search for a replacement for Walsh.

Walsh had replaced Steve Neubauer, who retired as chief in April 2018.

Walsh came to the job with 25 years of law enforcement experience and, before his hiring by Tinley Park, had been a police lieutenant and watch commander with the Cook County sheriffs police.

He is a graduate of the Northwestern Universitys School of Police Staff and Command, as well as a graduate of the FBI Academy.

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Neubauer had served as chief since early January 2012.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Dry conditions and strengthening winds have prompted a Red Flag warning for higher wildfire risk in mountain areas of Napa County and Northern California, forecasters announced.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for the higher elevations areas of the county, along with northern Solano County and much of Yolo County to the east. The warning was to take effect at 11 p.m. Wednesday and continue until 5 p.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, northerly winds were forecasted to continue channeling smoke from wildfires in northwest California and Southern Oregon into the Bay Area into Thursday, according to the weather service. Increasing smoke led the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue a Spare the Air alert for Wednesday and Thursday.

The Red Flag warning, which covers ridge tops and other terrain above 1,000 feet in elevation, came as forecasters predicted overnight wind gusts up to 35 mph from Wednesday night to Thursday morning. Local humidity levels were expected to reach 40-55% overnight but then fall to 20-35% on Thursday, according to the weather services Bay Area bureau.

The Spare the Air alert follows an increase in smoke levels in Napa County and elsewhere as six wildfires covering more than 200,000 acres continue to burn in Californias upper tier, in Trinity, Humboldt, Siskiyou and Del Norte counties. The Bay Area air quality district earlier issued an air quality advisory through Wednesday, but extended and strengthened it to ban the burning of wood, fire logs and other solid fuels until the alert ends.

People who smell smoke are encouraged to stay indoors, with windows and doors shut. Air conditioners and car ventilation systems should be set to recirculate inside air and prevent outdoor air from entering.

Despite the forecast of increased fire risk, Napa County is not expected to be a major target of pre-emptive power cuts by Pacific Gas & Electric. No more than seven local customers  all non-residential customers in remote areas of the county  are likely to face public safety power shutoffs on Thursday, according to PG&E spokesperson Megan McFarland, repeating earlier forecasts by the utility.

PG&E has said about 4,200 customers across eight counties could be affected by a PSPS, nearly three-quarters of them in Tehama and Shasta counties.
On September 20, in New York within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the "Democracy delivers" forum moderated by the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power.

As MFA of RA reports, prior to the launch of the forum Minister Mirzoyan had a conversation with Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, emphasising the need of international intervention to stop Azerbaijans aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and atrocity crimes.

It is the second time Im addressing this important event and it is the second time Im compelled to speak about the situation in our region and yet another aggression of Azerbaijan. Last year, while we were discussing the challenges and threats to our democratic paths, the Republic of Armenia was under an aggression launched by Azerbaijan against our sovereign territories. Unfortunately, the aggressive behaviour of Azerbaijan continued also this year, and this time it is directed against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. 120.000 people, including women, children and elderly are currently facing existential threat to their lives, as Azerbaijan tries to ethnically cleanse and deprive the people of Nagorno-Karabakh from their right to live in their homeland in security, freedom and dignity, Minister Mirzoyan noted.

He added that considering the complexity of the situation, the international community should take urgent and effective measures to prevent the impending crime and ensure the rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.

Concluding his speech, Minister Mirzoyan emphasised, If we really want to ensure democracy delivers in the face of authoritarian coercion, the democratic world along with praising its achievements should take serious actions against the existing threats and challenges, including by timely addressing the issue of human rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, with the aim to prevent the worst of the crimes - Genocide, and promote just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
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World Bank: Economic activity growth increases, insignificant inflation recorded, exports drop in Armenia

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

Alexander Spendiaryan 152nd birth anniversary events kicking off in Yerevan

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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

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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Biden, Netanyahu discuss ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

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Anti-Israel protest in Russias Dagestan, crowd storms into Makhachkala airport

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Palestinian Red Crescent: Israel demands evacuation of Gaza hospital

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Now, more than ever, US President Biden must urgently push the UN Security Council to create a mandate and peacekeeping mission to protect Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was announced by Congressman Chris Smith, who recently presided over two congressional hearings the dedicated to the plight of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The people of Nagorno-Karabakh are in grave danger. They were forced to disarm and surrender their independence to a ruthless dictator whose government has repeatedly committed horrific atrocities against them over the years, expressed his desire to carry out ethnic cleansing, and even started genocide by starvation by blocking the Lachin corridor, Smith added.

Unfortunately, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, called the claims of the Biden administration that he "will not tolerate" the attack a bluff, the American lawmaker added.

Chris Smith called on President Biden to immediately send diplomats and expert observers to the Nagorno-Karabakh region to monitor the situation and immediately report any atrocities or abuses. Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh have every right to continue living in their ancient homeland and to do so in safety, he added.
On September 20, within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Ignazio Cassis, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by NEWS.am, stated that the meeting involved a comprehensive discussion of the situation arising from another large-scale aggression initiated by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the morning of September 19.

Minister Mirzoyan underscored that Azerbaijan is persisting in its adopted policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh. He emphasized the utmost importance of preventing mass atrocities in Nagorno Karabakh and addressing the security and rights of its people.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan pointed out that in the current situation, any ambivalent response from international partners would be perceived by Azerbaijan as a tacit approval of its actions. He stressed the necessity of a resolute response and clear actions from parties genuinely interested in the stability of the region.

The discussion also included humanitarian access to Nagorno Karabakh and the full functioning of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which had been obstructed by Azerbaijan's nine-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

Additionally, reference was made to the scheduled session of the UN Security Council on September 21.
Iran has welcomed the achievement of a ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh, and mediated by Russia.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani called on both sides to focus on resolving their differences through "dialogue and peaceful mechanisms" within the framework of "Azerbaijan's territorial integrity."

According to him, the war brings no other result than the destruction and spread of hatred and threatens the stability and security of the region.

Welcoming the aforesaid ceasefire agreement, the Iranian foreign ministry spox noted that there is no reason to continue hostilities in the region, and expressed hope that there will be no more wars in the region.

"The Islamic Republic [of Iran] demands full respect for the territorial integrity of the recognized international borders of the countries of the region, and it is of the opinion that the rights and security of the people of Karabakh should be ensured within the same framework," Kanaani said.

Also, he expressed Iran's readiness to contribute to the respective stable peace processes, and said that the third parties intervention in the region will only complicate the existing problems and endanger the existing agreements.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a public meeting this week at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin to gather feedback on a plan to remove nine dams along the Fox River, including the Kimball Street dam in Elgin. (Gloria Casas/The Courier-News)

People who support and oppose removal of the Kimball Street dam in Elgin and eight others along the Fox River voiced their opinions this week at a public hearing held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The federal agency recently released a draft report in which it recommended the structures be removed for the health of the waterway and its habitat but did not address the effect it would have on Elgins water supply, which would be cut off by low water levels.

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Gary Swick, president of Friends of the Fox, said the river is considered endangered and theres a national mandate to restore (it).

The mandate requires action must be taken, Swick said. Its not a choice for us. The choices come from how we achieve that. Here, dam removal is a scientific and economic, most sensible choice.

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But removal comes with a hefty price tag for the city of Elgin, which would have to spend millions to move or replace its intake station to ensure theres a sufficient water supply for city residents, Public Works Director Mike Pubentz said.

The removal of the Kimball Street dam here in Elgin brings some unique challenges to the city, Pubentz said. Seventy percent of Elgins drinking water comes from the Fox River. Thirty percent is from ground wells. But those wells wont be able to supply the city should we lose the ability to draw from the Fox River.

The Army Corps draft report, Fox River Connectivity and Habitat Study, was done with information provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Fox River Study Group, which is part of the Illinois River Basin Restoration Program.

This study and this public meeting tonight, in and itself, do not decide what happens along the Fox River, Col. Kenneth Rockwell, commander and district engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District, told the crowd that gathered Tuesday at the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin.

Local elected officials will make the final decision on what happens to the dams in their communities, Rockwell said.

Whether you support what the Army Corps vision of ecosystem restoration is or whether you do not, you must submit your viewpoints to your elected officials, he said. Your views do matter.

The federal agency is collecting public comments to include in the final report, which is expected to be done by January 2025 and will be presented to federal authorities. Depending on the decisions made by local officials, dam removal would be completed by 2030.

While many of those who support dam removal were environmental advocates and members of environmental groups, those in opposition said they feared what the river would be like after dams were torn out and the effect it would have on the water supply.

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South Elgin resident Jim Breunlin, who lives above the dam, said he estimates the rivers elevation could drop by three feet and the width could decrease between 25% and 50%. That will create an ugly, stinky mess for two years. This will be a significant hit to my property value, Breunlin said.

Additionally, the 130 years of heavy industry along the river in South Elgin have left toxic sediment under the water, he said. If the material is exposed, it will create a health risk for residents, he said.

When an area near the river was redeveloped a few years ago, workers had to wear hazmat suits to remove soil filled with toxins, Breunlin said.

Marcia Rodriguez, a former Elgin resident who now lives along the river in South Elgin, said she believes the dams have created a thriving ecosystem for fish, birds and other animals.

There are a lot of factors besides restoring river ecosystems that should be considered before a dam removal decision is made, especially in Elgin, she said.

We need to consider the impact of losing the volume of water in the river, Rodriguez said. Elgin depends on the river for its water. The consequences need to be considered. Think about what if we dont have enough water for fighting fires, for showers, for flushing toilets, for cooking, for cleaning, et cetera.

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The Army Corps presentation included comments and information provided by consultants for the city of Elgin.

The decision poses a real dilemma for Elgin, Pubentz said.

While we support the creation of an improved natural habitat, we, as the city of Elgin, must be able to provide clean, safe drinking water for the public seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, he said.

With a lower pool of water to draw from, the water supply will be at risk during times of low flow or drought, Pubentz said.

The city, which is a member of the Fox River Study Group, is working on a waterworks master plan that will explore the impact of losing the dam and develop alternatives, Pubentz said.

Friends of the Fox Rivers Swick stressed that its important officials not lose sight of bigger picture when it comes to the rivers health and future.

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We have a rare opportunity to change Elgins history by restoring a free-flowing river again, he said. Elgin, this is going to be our legacy.

Public input on the Army Corps of Engineers draft report will be accepted through Nov. 6. Comments or questions should be emailed to biologist Ryan Johnson at Fox-River-Study@usace.army.mil.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention once again decries Azerbaijans impunity and implores world leaders to act to protect the Artsakh Armenian identity from destruction within a state that is governed by genocidal Armenophobia.

Azerbaijan has used military aggression to force the surrender of the democratic Armenian Republic Of Artsakh to the dictator Ilham Aliyev.

Russia has said this an Azerbaijani internal affair, despite the ostensible mandate of Russian peacekeepers to protect Artsakh civilians and prevent such violations of the 2020 Ceasefire Statement.

On Thursday, September 21, Russia will oversee reintegration talks between Azerbaijan and Artsakh authorities in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlax.

The Lemkin Institute once again decries Azerbaijans impunity and implores world leaders to act to protect the Artsakh Armenian identity from destruction within a state that is governed by genocidal Armenophobia, says a statement of the Institute posted on X (former Twitter).
The security and independence of Armenia have long been safeguarded by the defense of Artsakh. On September 21, Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the 'I Have Honor' faction in the National Assembly, emphasized this point during discussions with journalists at the Yerablur Military Pantheon.

Abrahamyan underscored that the attacks on Artsakh have far-reaching implications for Armenia's security and defense system. He expressed concern that many attempts have been made by the RA authorities to depict the situation in Artsakh as a problem separate from Armenia. He believed that such statements reflect a government effort to downplay the serious consequences of the Artsakh situation onto Armenia. Abrahamyan stressed that Artsakh is an integral part of the Republic of Armenia, and the challenges faced there will inevitably affect Armenia.

Abrahamyan also noted that it is not coincidental that when Azerbaijan initiated aggression against Artsakh, Turkey and Azerbaijan started raising the issue of the so-called 'Zangezur Corridor,' asserting their determination to achieve it at any cost. He viewed this as a direct threat to Armenia, suggesting that if Azerbaijan's demands are not met within the framework of a so-called peace process, they might resort to force. In essence, they are prepared to extend the conflict into Armenian territory, Abrahamyan concluded.
The timing chosen by Azerbaijan for the Evlakh meeting is not coincidental. The military operation was planned to conclude by September 21, the very day of these negotiations. Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the Armenian National Assembly's 'I Have Honor' faction, mentioned this during a conversation with journalists at the Yerablur Military Pantheon on September 21 (The Independence Day of Armenia).

"Azerbaijan is attempting to dismantle all the symbols that represent independence, freedom, and security for Armenia and Artsakh. Scheduling today's meeting on this specific date is intended to morally undermine what these authorities have been doing for a long time," he stated.

Addressing the substance of the negotiations, the opposition MP remarked, "As far as I know, these negotiations will occur at multiple levels, not only in Evlakh. In this situation, while it may seem evident what will transpire, there is still an issue of specifying the exact details.

Currently, there are numerous fallen soldiers on the battlefield who have yet to be removed. In other words, certain clarifications regarding Artsakh's future will be discussed in these negotiations. It remains unclear to me which path will be chosen. The challenge here is not what the Artsakh government thinks; it is essential to comprehend the perspective of the people residing in Artsakh. After the 44-day war, they believed that that phase of the conflict had concluded and that their security concerns had been minimally resolved with the presence of Russian troops. However, time has demonstrated that the Russian presence did not deter Azerbaijan from conducting military operations. It has also revealed that Armenian authorities considered Artsakh's situation exclusively an internal matter for Azerbaijan, not intervening in any way. It is no coincidence that yesterday, the President of Azerbaijan expressed his satisfaction to Armenian authorities and Nikol Pashinyan."

Regarding the potential dissolution of Artsakh's state institutions and the implications for governance in Artsakh, Abrahamyan stated, "In this situation, it is crucial to understand who will assume what responsibilities. Will the Russian contingent play any role, or will it simply withdraw? There are certain agreements between the Russian and Azerbaijani sides about which we still lack information."
The European Union held discussions on potential response measures to address the unacceptable actions taken by Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). This was stated in a conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev by the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, as revealed by a senior European source in Brussels.

According to RIA Novosti reports, the telephone discussion between Michel and Aliyev transpired the day before, although specific details of the conversation were not released by the European Council's press service.

The source explained that President Michel had expressed profound disappointment with the current situation, which has generated a negative international response, including within the EU. Deliberations on various response options occurred on the morning of September 20 due to the unacceptable methods employed by Baku.

According to the source, President Michel emphasized the significance of international involvement in safeguarding the security of ethnic Armenians residing in Karabakh.

'President Michel also underscored the urgency of addressing the humanitarian aspect of the situation. Azerbaijan must guarantee the well-being and future of ethnic Armenians living within its borders. The international community's role is essential for ensuring security,' the European source noted.

Furthermore, President Michel called upon Aliyev to take a personal role in confirming 'full respect for citizens and adherence to international law.'
The Azerbaijani side presented a list of persons whom it demands to surrender. The list includes people who had merit throughout the history of Artsakh. Seyran Ohanyan, head of the Hayastan faction, said this today, September 21, in a conversation with journalists in the Yerablur Military Pantheon, commenting on the ongoing negotiations in Yevlakh.

Ohanyan noted that he does not know whether the list included only heroes living in Artsakh, or people from Armenia, too.

Perhaps Im on this list, too. But the problem is that the Artsakh authorities will conduct these negotiations today, but the most important task today is to ensure the security of our population. We can only guess what conclusions they will come to, he said.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). As a result, more than 200 people were killed and 400 others were wounded. In Azerbaijan, the latters actions to destroy the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh were called "local antiterrorist measure."

Based on the difficult situation on the front, the Artsakh authorities on Wednesday accepted the proposal of the Russian peacekeepers regarding the cessation of fire. Accordingly, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities as of 1pm.

Within the framework of the agreement, an arrangement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, the disbandment and complete disarmament of the Artsakh Defense Army, and the removal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno Karabakh for further utilization.

According to the agreement reached, the matters raised by the Azerbaijani side about reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as ensuring the livelihood of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, within the framework of the Azerbaijani constitution, will be discussed between the representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of Azerbaijan.
Ivan Kovgan, the deputy commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, was tragically killed as a result of an Azerbaijani attack, as reported by SeverPost.

According to the source, on September 20th, in Nagorno-Karabakh, a targeted attack on a UAZ vehicle of the Russian peacekeeping forces led to the untimely death of Captain 1st Rank Ivan Vasilyevich Kovgan, the deputy commander of the peacekeeping forces responsible for military-political affairs.

Captain Kovgan, who was about to celebrate his 53rd birthday in three days, was known for his service as a naval sailor and his regular position as the deputy commander of the submarine forces of the Northern Fleet in Gadzhievo.

In a heartfelt tribute, Northern Fleet officer Andrei Luzik expressed, "He was a naval sailor, but fate led him to the mountains, where a treacherous bullet claimed his life. May Ivan Vasilievich's memory be honored. He dedicated his all to his service and his Motherland, and alas, life itself."

Previously, the Russian Ministry of Defense had reported casualties among peacekeepers due to shelling from the Azerbaijani side, though specific details regarding the number and identities of the deceased were not disclosed.
The meeting between the delegations of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Azerbaijan has ended in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, the latters media report.

Earlier we reported that the Artsakh delegationwhich includes Davit Melkumyan, a member of the Artsakh National Assembly Committee on Foreign Relations, and Sergey Martirosyan, Secretary of the Artsakh Security Councilarrived in Yevlakh accompanied by Russian peacekeepers.

On the Azerbaijani side, the talks in Yevlakh with the Artsakh delegation were conducted by MP Ramin Mammadov.

Earlier, the authorities of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the Russian peacekeepers about the ceasefire. And an agreement was reached Wednesday on the complete cessation of hostilities.

Within the framework of the agreement, an arrangement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, the disbandment and complete disarmament of the Artsakh Defense Army, and the removal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno Karabakh for further utilization.

According to the agreement reached, the matters raised by the Azerbaijani side about reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as ensuring the livelihood of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, within the framework of the Azerbaijani constitution, will be discussed between the representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of Azerbaijan.
At the initiative of the Azerbaijani side, a telephone conversation was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev.

According to the Kremlin press service, during the call, Ilham Aliyev expressed his apologies and deep condolences regarding the tragic deaths of Russian peacekeeping personnel in Karabakh on September 20. Both leaders emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and holding those responsible accountable. The Prosecutor General's Offices of both countries are in close contact in this regard. President Aliyev also expressed his willingness to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims.

Both parties underscored the significance of consistently implementing the agreements reached with the assistance of the Russian peacekeeping mission for a complete cessation of hostilities in Karabakh. The ongoing negotiations, mediated by peacekeepers, between representatives of Baku and Stepanakert were also highlighted.

Priority measures for stabilizing the situation and addressing humanitarian challenges in the region were discussed. President Putin stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights and security of the Armenian population in Karabakh, and the Azerbaijani side reaffirmed its readiness to cooperate with Russian peacekeepers on these issues.

Both leaders agreed to intensify efforts on the negotiation track in line with previously established trilateral agreements between 2020 and 2022. This includes steps toward unblocking transport links, delimiting the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, and preparing a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.
Turkey is striving to assert that it did not have a direct role in Azerbaijan's military actions against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), despite providing comprehensive support, including military training and modernization, to Azerbaijan. This was reported by Reuters with reference to a representative of the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The spokesperson stated, It was Azerbaijan army's own operation, there was no direct involvement of Turkey.

Turkey's cooperation with Azerbaijan in military training and army modernisation has been underway for a long time. The Azerbaijani army's success in the latest operation clearly shows the level they achieved, the official added.

Additionally, the official highlighted that the joint Turkish-Russian monitoring center remains operational and is actively reporting any violations of the ceasefire.

Turkey, which shares strong linguistic, cultural, and economic ties with Azerbaijan, also expressed its support for both Baku and Yerevan in their efforts to establish peaceful relations, the official added.
A representative of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) delegation stated that there is no agreement with the Azerbaijani side, reports RIA Novosti.

After Thursdays meeting in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, the aforesaid representative of the Artsakh delegation stated that there is no final agreement, and the details shall be agreed upon.

It is noted that the Artsakh delegation has left Yevlakh.

Meanwhile, Elchin Amirbekov, the Azerbaijani presidents representative on special assignments, said that it is difficult to expect that all problems will be resolved in one meeting.

"I believe that today's negotiations in Yevlakh are the first of many meetings. It should not be expected that all problems between the Armenians of Karabakh and Azerbaijan will be resolved during one meeting," Amirbekov told Sky News Arabia.
In the midst of a crisis in Artsakh, thousands of people from various villages have sought refuge in Stepanakert. They have spent the night in basements and cars, as reported by Metaxe Hakobyan, a member of the Armenian National Assembly, in an interview with NEWS.am.

The dire situation has left these individuals without electricity and water, with many water supplies dependent on electricity. While some water supply has been partially restored, food shortages have also become an issue. However, Hakobyan emphasized that these immediate concerns are overshadowed by the disbelief and anguish felt by the residents as they grapple with the loss of Artsakh.

The situation is compounded by the fact that numerous families have been separated, and children and individuals have become separated from their loved ones, many families are missing.

In response to these challenges, people have resorted to outdoor spaces and balconies in residential buildings, where they light fires and prepare food, Hakobyan said.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). As a result, more than 200 people were killed and 400 others were wounded. In Azerbaijan, the latters actions to destroy the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh were called "local antiterrorist measure."

Based on the difficult situation on the front, the Artsakh authorities on Wednesday accepted the proposal of the Russian peacekeepers regarding the cessation of fire. Accordingly, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities as of 1pm.
A group of young people have blocked the intersection of Mashtots Avenue and Amiryan Street in central Yerevan, informing the public that Azerbaijan is perpetrating a genocide against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and calling on them to join their protest to remove Armenias authorities.

The protesters blocked the busy parts of the street with trash cans and benches. The police do not obstruct their actions and only try to calm them down as they engage in arguments with some drivers.

The citizens have also blocked the Republic Square-Tigran Mets intersection and Nalbandyan Street.

A rally is planned in Republic Square at 6 p.m. today.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

The 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today as a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh on to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon.
The Armenian government does not consider the evacuation of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Office of Armenias Prime Minister has told the state news agency Armenpress.

"The RA government does not consider the issue of the displacement of NK Armenians and believes that the rights of NK Armenians to live safely and with dignity in their homes should be guaranteed, but on the other hand, if it is deemed impossible for NK Armenians or part of them to stay, the necessary decisions will be made," the Prime Minister's Office said.

Representatives of the Armenias government are in constant contact with their counterparts in Nagorno-Karabakh regarding humanitarian issues, including the evacuation of those who wish to come to Armenia, the Prime Minister's Office added.



The faith of more than 120,000 Armenians remains unclear after Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon.
Artsakh is left alone: Russian peacekeepers practically do not fulfill their obligations, the democratic West has turned its back on us, and Armenia has turned its back. Adviser to the president of Artsakh, former Foreign Minister of the Republic David Babayan has told Reuters.

According to him, the Armenians of Artsakh feel abandoned by Russia, the West and Armenia. He noted that many important issues have not yet been agreed upon with Azerbaijan.

"We have agreement on the cessation of military action, but we await a final agreement - talks are going on, we'll see" Babayan, said by phone.

In accordance with the ceasefire agreement brokered by Russian peacekeepers, the Defense Army should be disbanded and all weapons handed over for disposal.

However, answering a question about not handing over weapons, Babayan said that the people of Artsakh cannot be left to die, and therefore security guarantees are needed first.

"We need to talk through many questions and issues. A whole host of questions still need to be resolved. We do not know what guarantee of security our people will get - this needs to be resolved. At any moment they could destroy us, engage in genocide against us - do you Reuters understand this? The West is silent, Russia is silent, Armenia is silent. What should we do?" he said.

Babayan scolded the world for leaving his people at the mercy of Azerbaijan. "It feels like Constantinople in 1453 - we are besieged and surrounded," he said. "The overwhelming majority of the people here do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan - I do not know what will happen. Karabakh has been left on its own: Russian peacekeepers practically don't fulfil their obligations, the democratic West turned away from us, and Armenia also turned away," he added.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon.
The goal of Azerbaijans military aggression was to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing. Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said at a meeting with his Albanian counterpart Igli Hasani within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Referring to the large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, Minister Mirzoyan noted that it follows Azerbaijan's 9-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the purpose of which was to subject the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.



Minister Mirzoyan brought to the attention of his colleague the cases of targeting the civilian population and civil infrastructures, stressing that the use of force should be uniformly condemned everywhere.

The two ministers spoke about the UN Security Council session scheduled for September 21 regarding the Azerbaijan aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh.

The issues of political dialogue between Armenia and Albania and expansion of the agenda of bilateral relations were also discussed, both sides highlighted the mutual willingness to develop cooperation in a number of directions.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon.
People are desperately searching for their relatives, calling the Office of Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, hoping to find out a tidbit of news about their loved ones, Gegham Stepanyan, Artsakhs ombudsman wrote on his Facebook page.

"The streets of Stepanakert are crowded with displaced citizens who are hungry, scared and in uncertainty," he wrote.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Deputy Foreign Ministers of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan, Paruyr Hovhannisyan and Mnatsakan Safaryan held meetings On September 21 with ambassadors of UN Security Council member states, namely the USA, UK, China, Russia, France, UAE, Japan and Switzerland, which are accredited in Armenia, the Armenias Foreign Ministry reported.

The deputy ministers presented to the ambassadors in detail the situation created in Nagorno-Karabakh because of another large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 19.

They also referred to the emergency session of the UN Security Council scheduled for today and emphasized the need for joint and targeted actions of the UN Security Council.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.

On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.






Mets Shen village of Shushi region of Nagorno-Karabakh continues to be besieged, no food has been supplied to the village so far, Davit Davtyan, head of the village, told NEWS.am.

"Today it is peaceful here. The shooting has stopped since nightfall. No evacuation has been done; residents are still in the village. No food is supplied; forget about it, there is nothing like it. There is uncertainty among the residents; no one knows what will happen. Its already not us who decide what will happen," he said.

Asked about the mood among the population, the head of the village answered: "People are still not in the willingness to go out, there is no place to go out, where should they go? If people can stay in their land, live as before, that's what everyone wants, and integration is out of the question."

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Armenias assessment at the moment is that there is no direct threat to the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, though the Armenian government has taken necessary steps to evacuate all those who would prefer to leave Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said in an address streamed live.



"First of all, we all know that the Lachin Corridor has been closed for 10 months, during that time and at this moment, the Armenian roads leading to the Lachin Corridor have not been closed for a single minute and continue to be so. In other words, there was no such topic. Let me say more. At the beginning of this week, I instructed to form a working group to meet possible groups of people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, to accommodate them, to ensure their living conditions. We did not announce this.

Moreover, we discussed different scenarios, what could happen, that the group could come, etc. We have booked hotel rooms and prepared several tens of thousands of accommodations. This was done earlier this week," he said.

Further, he said that Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan informed him that we they have carried out preparatory works to accommodate around 40 thousand families in Armenia. "We don't want to talk about this, because we believe that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh should live in their homes, in their homeland, in dignified and safe conditions. At this moment, our assessment is that there is no direct threat to the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that now there are 1,200-1,300 citizens and children in the headquarters of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, whom they are taking care of. "Of course, we are ready to take appropriate measures. The problem lies in the closure of the Lachin Corridor. Our humanitarian cargo is waiting in Kornidzor. We have information that about 10,000 people were invited to Stepanakert airport the day before, they were told to come because it is possible to move to Armenia. They were videotaped, after which they said that Armenia does not allow you to move to Armenia. Then those photos were published. It is obvious to me that this is being done to cause internal political upheavals and chaos, he explained.

Pashinyan stated that Armenia does not pursue a policy of depopulation of Nagorno Karabakh, that policy is pursued by Azerbaijan. "One cannot suddenly be emotionally in a position where Azerbaijan will implement the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh through the hands of Armenia. This is a very important detail, he said, adding that Russian peacekeepers continue to be in Nagorno-Karabakh and ensuring the safety of the civilian population is their direct responsibility.
An extraordinary meeting of the Security Council of Armenia was held under the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

According to a press release by the Prime Ministers Office, the meeting discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and further steps to overcome it.

In addition to the members of the Security Council, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, Head of the Prime Minister's Office Arayik Harutyunyan and other officials also participated in the meeting.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.

On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
At the initiative of the Armenian mission to the OSCE, a special session of the OSCE Permanent Council was convened on September 20, during which the head of the Armenian mission to the OSCE, Ambassador Armen Papikyan made a speech entitled "The large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh".

The Foreign Ministry informs NEWS.am that Ambassador Armen Papikyan stated in his speech that on September 19, the armed forces of Azerbaijan unleashed another large-scale military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, violating international law and the provisions of the tripartite declaration on the cessation of hostilities of November 9, 2020.

Armen Papikyan presented the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh because of another large-scale aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan. He particularly noted that the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan deliberately bombarded the capital Stepanakert and other peaceful settlements with heavy artillery, combat aviation and drones, as well as targeted civil infrastructures, because of which there were casualties and injuries among the civilian population.

The ambassador stressed that Azerbaijan pursues a goal: to carry out ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh through the use of force, to deprive the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh of the right to live and work in their homeland in a free and dignified manner. Armen Papikyan emphasized that the illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor, which has been going on for more than nine months, and the use of hunger as a method of war, is an integral part of the systematic policy of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan.

Armen Papikyan emphasized the imperative of the international community's immediate and targeted intervention and the introduction of international mechanisms to ensure the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The ambassador thanked the international partners who unequivocally condemned the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh, adding at the same time that statements are no longer enough and it is necessary to take active steps against Azerbaijan, including targeted sanctions.

Armen Papikyan also called on the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Secretariat to monitor the developments around Nagorno-Karabakh and consistently apply the existing OSCE tools.
The European Union has put responsibility on Azerbaijan for respecting the rights and safety of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and said it would take action against Azerbaijan if it resorts to oppression, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said.

Azerbaijan is responsible for respecting the rights and ensuring the security of the Armenians of Karabakh, including the right to live in their own homes without being subject to threats and discrimination. Forced displacement of civilians, using military or other means, will be met with a strong response from the EU. The EU is ready to take appropriate measures if the situation further deteriorates, Borrell said in a statement.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Since the conclusion of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, five ceasefire violations have been recorded, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Since the conclusion of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities, five ceasefire violations have been recorded: two in Shushi region, three in Mardakert region, the ministry said.

As specified, the violations in Nagorno-Karabakh are being investigated by the Russian peacekeeping contingent in cooperation with the Azerbaijani side. Continuous interaction is also maintained with Baku and Stepanakert, aimed at preventing bloodshed, ensuring security and observing humanitarian law in relation to civilians.

It is noted that the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to have 1,340 civilians, including 607 children, who are currently unable to return to their homes. Their accommodation, food and medical care are organized.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
The UN should send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan has wrote on his X (former Twitter) microblog.



"Today, the UN Security Council should go beyond only calling for action. No more empty rhetoric, we need concrete steps. Currently, 120,000 Armenians have found themselves in a difficult situation, with hundreds killed, wounded and missing. We urgently demand to send a UN mission to Artsakh. Our people need access to basic provisions such as food, medicine, doctors and psychologists. We need to see commitment from the international community, not indifference. Russian peacekeeping forces are severely limited, and even they have come under fire trying to help people.



If the international community continues to act only with statements and requests, the danger of very ethnic cleansing will inevitably increase. We ask you to show that words carry weight and that aggression and the use of force cannot lead to lasting peace. Dictators must be held accountable for the suffering they inflict on humanity, and hatred directed at any ethnic group, in this case Armenians, is unacceptable. It is imperative that you take action now."



Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.



The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs Josep Borrell will also address the UN Security Council meeting on Azerbaijan's military aggression against Karabakh. European External Action Service reports on its X-page.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Ani Badalyan said that Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will also have a speech.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media reported that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers died during the military aggression.

On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Thirteen-year-old Mkrtich Hovoyan and his mother were heavily wounded in Vanq village of Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani shelling on their house. Artak Beglaryan, the former state minister of Artsakh, wrote about this on his X page.



His 16-year-old brother, Sergey Hovoyan, & their 67-year-old neighbor, Melsik, were killed there, he wrote with #Stop ArmenianGenocide2023 hashtag.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Azerbaijani Arme Forces have occupied the positions of Chartar town of Martuni region of Artsakh, now they are two kilometers far from the town. A resident of Chartar, who asked not to publish her name, told NEWS.am.

She said she is now in a shelter along with other women and children of the town.

"We are waiting, let's see what they will say. They say that they will evacuate us, but when they will do it and how, I don't know. They fully surrendered their positions, if they didn't surrender, we would all be annihilated. They didn't attack the village, but they do attack the positions. There is no concrete news from the soldiers in the positions, because there is no communication, but they say that everyone has left the positions. There are many victims from the village," she said.



The woman also said that there is no food in the town, the telephone connection has just been restored.

The town of Chartar was cut off from the outside world for two days. There is no electricity either, the power grids are impossible to repaire now.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
With the beginning of Azerbaijans active hostilities against Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers provided evacuation of civilians from Mardakert, Martuni and Askeran regions, including by personal transport, to the location of the Russian peacekeeping continent. In total, more than 5,000 people were received and accommodated, the Russian peacekeeping contingent reports on its Telegram channel.

Currently, after the complete cessation of hostilities achieved during the negotiation process mediated by the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, 704 people, including 440 children, remain in the peacekeepers location.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media reported that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers died during the military aggression.

On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.



According to a press release by the Prime Ministers Office, they discussed the situation around Nagorno Karabakh and the steps to be taken to overcome it.

Both sides emphasized the need for guarantees for the security and rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

They also spoke about the extraordinary session of the UN Security Council scheduled for today, September 21.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19. Nagorno-Karabakh has confirmed that 200 people have died and more than 400 wounded, including civilians, because of Azerbaijans aggression. Azerbaijani opposition media that report that 80 Azerbaijani soldiers have died during the military aggression.



On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire. The proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeper 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.

The Azerbaijani forces resumed the fire on Stepanakert today while a delegation representing Nagorno-Karabakh was holding a meeting with Azerbaijani representatives in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and further actions. Following the meeting, the delegation said that no final agreement was reached and that the details must be agreed upon. Azerbaijan later said an agreement was reached to hold another meeting.






The European Union condemns Azerbaijan's military action against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and expresses its regret for the loss of life recorded as a result of this escalation. This is stated in the statement issued by the EU High Commissioner for International Relations and Security, Josep Borrell.

We present the full text of the statement below.

The European Union condemns the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplores the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation.

We have taken note of the respective announcements that a ceasefire agreement was reached. We expect an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities, and for the ceasefire to be respected.

The EU calls on Azerbaijan to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to the population in need, including through a full re-opening of the Lachin corridor in line with the ICJ Orders of February and July 2023. The humanitarian actors should be able to operate freely. The EU and its Member States stand ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.

The EU calls on Baku and Karabakh Armenians to urgently engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue.

Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes without intimidation and discrimination. Forced displacement of the civilian population through military or other means will be met with a strong response by the EU.

The EU stands ready to take appropriate actions in the event of a further deterioration of the situation.

The EU reiterates its support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

The EU stands ready to further support the democratically elected authorities of Armenia: the resilience, security and continuation of democratic reforms in the country. The European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) will continue to observe and report on the security situation along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan.

The EU calls for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all pending issues, in view of the conclusion of a peace treaty, and remains fully committed to supporting such negotiations.

The European Union remains fully committed to facilitating dialogue between the sides, notably under the auspices of the European Council President with support of the EU Special Representative, in order to ensure long-lasting peace for the benefit of all people of the region.
During the peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, six servicemen were killed, and several others were injured of varying severity. Statement of the Russian Embassy in Armenia on the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh states.

"In an extremely difficult situation, peacekeepers carry out round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and make active efforts, including at the risk of life, to protect the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh," the statement says.

The Embassy recalled that during the hostilities, the peacekeeping contingent organized the evacuation of civilians from the most dangerous areas and medical assistance to the injured, with accommodation in the base camp and at separate observation posts.

"Only yesterday, more than 8,000 citizens, including the provision of food and places for rest, including children, were provided with assistance," the diplomatic mission specified.

The statement also states that since the conflict escalated, the Russian peacekeeping contingent command has made active mediation efforts to de-escalate the situation, as a result of which an agreement was reached between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani sides to cease hostilities and hold negotiations.

"The Embassy expresses deep condolences to the families and friends of the dead and injured servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which from the first day of its deployment has been carrying out complex tasks to provide practical assistance to ensure the vital needs of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh," the diplomatic mission noted.

The day before, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that a vehicle carrying Russian peacekeepers was fired on from small arms while returning from an observation post, killing all five.
France requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council on this matter, given the seriousness of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. After weeks of massive troop and military material, Azerbaijan decided on September 19 to launch a large-scale military operation, an operation that mobilized land and aerial means on a massive scale and affected the civilian population. Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna, said during the emergency session of the UN Security Council.

"An operation that no one can believe was not premeditated, even though efforts to find a negotiated solution were intensifying and the day before, the supply of humanitarian aid was restored for the first time in 3 months," she said.

According to Colonna, France immediately directly condemned that unacceptable attack, which contradicts the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts established by the UN Charter.

"We are not the only country that thinks this way. A number of countries around this table have also robustly refused this violence and arbitrary behavior, calling on Azerbaijan to maintain restraint and respect international law. As expected, the result of this move was particularly heavy, with hundreds of wounded and dozens of deaths, including civilians, amongst them several children. A ceasefire was announced yesterday. It was indispensable, and it is essential that it is to be respected.

The issue of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is not being questioned; no one is questioning it; it is not being threatened, says the French Foreign Minister. "What is at stake is the possibility of Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh to be able to continue to live there and their rights and culture are respected. Such a guarantee cannot exist when the stronger party exercises deliberate force against the weaker and when Nagorno-Karabakh is under blockade for a long time, and the population has been prevented the population from getting food, medicine, and electricity.

France takes note of President Aliyev's statements made yesterday, in which he confirms his willingness to live in peaceful conditions with Nagorno-Karabakh and protect their rights.

"These words show the commitment of Azerbaijan, today they are responsible for the fate of the population. If Azerbaijan really wants to reach a peaceful and negotiated solution, it should provide tangible guarantees now and here. It must act in good faith and not use force or threaten to use force, and recognize that this dialogue is about guarantees to the population with the support of the international community.

It must ensure the amnesty for the forces that have accepted the ceasefire should immediately and unconditionally restore traffic through the Lachin Corridor in accordance with the decision of the International Court of Justice. In addition, Azerbaijan should agree to the international humanitarian presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is necessary considering the approach of winter. Without these guarantees, there can be no solution," Colonna emphasized.

It is not the first time that France has alerted this council about the seriousness of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the minister reminded. "It is not the first time that we have called on the establishment to concentrate efforts to avoid human tragedy and further destabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus. The events of the last few days have confirmed this fact, we cannot remain passive and turn our eyes from what is currently happening in Nagorno-Karabakh, because if we were to do that, we would be an accomplice to the massive exodus of the population that has already suffered so much. There has been a lot of information, as you know, about the displacements and the preparations for this operation, and more than 10 percent of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh was displaced due to the offensive by Azerbaijan on the 19th of September.

This Council must continue actively to take steps to resolve this crisis, and it must defend the principles of the UN Charter by providing active support in establishing the conditions for a diplomatic solution for Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh. International law must be respected at all times and everywhere," she said.

We must be vigilant in trying to involve Armenia in these tragic events and using them as an excuse to question the country's territorial integrity, Colonna stressed: "In recent months, Prime Minister Pashinyan has shown responsibility, his wish to see a de-escalation and commitment to find a negotiated solution with Azerbaijan, based on the recognition and respect of the territorial integrity of both countries, with clearly defined and demilitarized borders.

France is mobilized and we will continue to be so, within this council and other related bodies, to work in the direction of ensuring stable peace in the South Caucasus for the benefit of all the peoples of the region. We are ready to work with all those who are following the same goal," she concluded her speech.
Scientists working at the frontiers of knowledge are often surprised. They are trained to follow the data, even when it leads to unexpected paths. But none of the team members in the lab of Emory professor Philip Santangelo imagined that the path would include a visit from first lady Jill Biden.

None of us could have predicted this, says Loren Sasser, the labs manager. When we heard that she was coming we were like, what? We couldnt believe it was happening.

The first ladys tour of the lab came on the heels of the announcement by President Joe Biden last month that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected the Santangelo lab as the first recipient of new funding to support transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs. The three-year, $24.8 million cooperative agreement from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) supports the goals of the Biden Cancer Moonshot.

A few days before the first lady arrived, a Secret Service advance team walked through the lab to prepare for the logistics. The lab members continued to work on their groundbreaking research focused on the idea of training the immune system using messenger RNA to help prevent, treat and cure cancers and other diseases.

They also straightened up a bit.

You want to line things up a little nicer when you have the first lady, media and cameras coming through, Sasser says.

Feeling part of something bigger

It was a joy and an honor to have her here, says Jose Assumpcao, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab. It underscored the responsibility that we have. Were not doing this research just for our own careers. The government invested heavily in us so that we can make big advances in treating diseases. The feeling that youre part of something bigger makes you want to excel even more.

The mRNA technology, which was also used in the development of vaccines against COVID-19, is a unique approach to fighting cancer and other diseases. While chemotherapy and radiation kill healthy cells along with cancerous ones, mRNA operates by ramping up immune cells so that they are better able to do their jobs. Assumpcao and Sasser led demonstrations of lab equipment during the tour.

We're also training students and postdocs  we're training the next generation of scientists  and that's another really important part of our labs mission," Santangelo told Biden during the tour. We're a very interactive lab. I would say we are kind of like a little family in terms of the way we work together and how much time we spend together.

Santangelo is a professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory and Georgia Institute of Technology, and a researcher at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

A personal touch

As a mom who watched my son die of cancer, the one thing I never gave up on was hope. As a mother, you cant, Biden said after the tour. This work gives families the power to hold on to that hope just a little bit longer. Because this work could change lives.

Biden took the time to shake the hand of each individual lab member and thank each one personally.

I was so surprised to be shaking her hand, says Jae Yeon Joo, a PhD student in the lab with the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

A native of South Korea, Joo is motivated by doing research with real-life applications. Its a great feeling, he says, to know that youre doing really good science and that this science can be very helpful for people.

The research is challenging, he adds, but I am working with good friends, lab members who are super smart, from a lot of different countries and different backgrounds, who are always willing to help you if you need it.

He is grateful that Santangelo is open to trying new approaches. Our project is ambitious but I believe that we can go to the moon, Joo says, referring to the Cancer Moonshot. I think our messenger RNA platform will one day be applied broadly to help treat many different diseases.

Well-suited for success

Joao Paulo Pera Mendes, the newest member of lab, had not even started working in the facility yet when he heard that he would need to wear a suit his first day because the first lady would be coming to visit.

A native of Brazil, Mendes joined Emory this fall as a PhD student with the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering.

He called his mother to ask her advice for which shirt he should wear with a black jacket. Why do you need a suit? she asked.

I cant tell you just yet, Mendes replied. Bidens visit could not be announced at the time for security reasons.

On Friday, he sent his parents the photo of the lab members with Biden.

My mom was really shocked and proud, Mendes said. My dad said, I think you made the right choice of choosing Emory and joining that lab.

Inspiration for Emory undergrads

When Trisha Sengupta was a first-year student at Emory, they watched from the sidewalk as the motorcade of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris navigated through the Emory campus when the university hosted a conversation with Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders in the wake of shootings at three Atlanta-area spas.

As a fourth-year student, now studying neuroscience and behavioral biology on the pre-med track, Sengupta was invited to attend the first ladys remarks following the lab tour. It felt very full circle, now in my senior year, to get to actually hear her speak, says Sengupta.

Sengupta was one of several members of the Emory Emergency Medical Service (EEMS), a volunteer-based and student-run organization, invited to the event. The group got to witness Bidens remarks to the Emory community because of their involvement in the health care field.

EEMS leaders like Ellie Stone, a fourth-year student studying chemistry and political science on the pre-med track, noted how the project could change the lives of patients.

This investment theyre making with the Cancer Moonshot is something thats not only a research idea that will hopefully impact lives 20 to 30 years in the future, but will tangibly start impacting lives tomorrow, just as cancer is impacting lives every single day, says Stone, the division chief of operations at EEMS.

Both Sengupta, the chief of EEMS, and Stone indicated just how much their involvement with EEMS has solidified their passion for health care careers.

I think my experiences at Emory, especially with EEMS, has taught me a lot about patient care and just being able to help people, Sengupta says. EEMS has really cemented my desire to become a physician because Ive had these opportunities to work with people and talk to patients.

In addition to students in health care pathways, Emory Wheel photographer Kari Zhou was also present during Bidens campus visit. Zhou, a second-year student studying quantitative science on the biology track, is an international transfer student and began her time at Emory just last month.

Photographing the first ladys remarks was one of her first assignments with the Wheel, although shes been practicing photography as a hobby for years. Zhou described how impactful it was to hear Bidens personal connection with cancer.

I feel like I can really relate with her experiences, and I think that added the power to the launch of this project, says Zhou.

She noted her pride in being part of the institution that is spearheading research efforts into life-changing health care advancements and documenting it for the Emory community through her work at the Wheel.

I feel super proud as a member of Emory University to see the first project, the first lab was launched at our school, and Im really looking forward to seeing any future breakthroughs or updates on that, says Zhou.
08:22

There is a "steady" and "alarming" erosion of fundamental rights, particularly of religious and other minorities in India, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue has told the USCIRF.





During a hearing on Wednesday, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue Fernand de Varennes told the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that the situation in India can be summarised in three words -- "massive, systematic and dangerous".





The USCIRF had announced that it would hold a hearing on religious freedom in India on September 20. India has previously rejected USCIRF reports that alleged violations of religious freedom in the country.





Appearing before the USCIRF for the hearing on policy options for advancing religious freedom in India, de Varennes alleged there is a "steady" and "alarming" erosion of fundamental rights, particularly of religious and other minorities in the country.





"India risks becoming one of the world's main generators of instability, atrocities and violence because of the massive scale and gravity of the violations and abuses targeting mainly religious and other minorities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and others. It is not just individual or local, it is systematic and a reflection of religious nationalism," he said.





The hearing comes on the heels of two successful bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden -- the official state visit of the Indian leader here in June and a bilateral meeting in New Delhi in September.





USCIRF chair Abraham Cooper claimed Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits and Adivasis are experiencing "increased levels of attacks and acts of intimidation" in India.





"The national government has continued to suppress minority voices and those advocating on their behalf through surveillance, harassment, demolition of property and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. These trends and their implication for the US foreign policy should not be ignored," he said.





Cooper alleged that for the past several years, religious freedom conditions in India have deteriorated, capturing international attention and highlighting the need for continued discussions and engagement on policy options for advancing religious freedom in the country.





The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US government advisory body created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). Its recommendations are not binding on the US government.





On May 2 this year, India rejected as "biased" and "motivated" a report by the USCIRF that alleged "severe violations" of religious freedom in the country.





"The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India, this time in its 2023 annual report. We reject such misrepresentation of facts, which only serves to discredit USCIRF itself," the Ministry of External Affairs had said.





"We would urge USCIRF to desist from such efforts and develop a better understanding of India, its plurality, its democratic ethos and its constitutional mechanisms," it had said.





Modi's state visit to Washington in June reflects the close bilateral relationship between the United States and India, the USCIRF had said last week.





"However, over the last decade, the Indian government has enacted and enforced discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities, including anti-conversion laws, cow slaughter laws, legislation granting citizenship preferences based on religion, and restrictions on foreign funding for civil society organisations," it alleged. -- PTI
08:21

Facing a massive backlash over his controversial social media post amid the diplomatic sabre-rattling between India and Canada, Punjabi-Canadian rapper Shubhneet Singh (popularly known as Shubh) on Thursday said he was 'extremely disheartened' with the cancellation of his India tour.





The rapper's 'Still Rollin India tour' was cancelled earlier over his alleged support to the Khalistan movement.





In a statement shared on Instagram, Shubhneet Singh said he had been practising hard for his India tour for the past two months and was very excited at the prospect of performing in the country.





Taking to his page on Instagram, the rapper posted, 'As a young rapper-singer hailing from Punjab, it was my life's dream to put my music on an international dais. But the recent happenings have tumbled my hard work and progress, and I wanted to say a few words to express my dismay and sorrow.'





'I'm extremely disheartened by the cancellation of my tour in India. I was highly amped up and enthusiastic to perform in my country, in front of my people. The preparations were in full swing and I was practicing with my heart and soul for the last two months. And I was very excited, happy, and ready to perform. But I guess destiny had some other plans,' he added in his post.





Terming India as his country, he said his 'ancestors and Gurus did not blink an eye' when it came to making sacrifices for the country's freedom.





'India is MY country too. I was born here. It is the land of my GURUS and my ANCESTORS, who didn't even blink an eye to make sacrifices for the freedom of this land, for its glory, and for the family. And Punjab is my soul, Punjab is in my blood. Whatever I am today, I am because of being a Punjabi,' he added in his Instagram post.





On his earlier post that had sparked only fury, Shubhneet said he intended to pray for Punjab as there were reports of electricity shutdown in the state, adding that he did not intend to hurt anyone's sentiments.





The singer said the accusations hurled at him affected him 'deeply'.





On Wednesday, BookMyShow announced that Shubhneet's 'Still Rollin Tour for India' had been cancelled.





In a post shared on X, BookMyShow stated, 'Singer Shubhneet Singh's Still Rollin Tour for India stands cancelled. To that end, BookMyShow has initiated a complete refund of the ticket amount for all consumers who had purchased tickets for the show. The refund will be reflected within 7-10 working days in the customer's source account of the original transaction.'





The ticket-booking app faced a backlash on social media for hosting a singer branded an alleged Khalistani sympathiser in the wake of his earlier post. -- ANI


SIU media, political experts: Murdochs empire remains strong as he steps aside

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Todays (Sept. 21) announcement that Rupert Murdoch, who built Fox News into a powerful force in American political life will step aside later this year as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp. comes as the media empire remains strong, say media and political experts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

According to news reports, Murdoch, 92, will become chairman emeritus for both companies in mid-November, and his son, Lachlan, will become sole chair of News Corp. and continue as executive chair and CEO of Fox Corp. Media and political experts at SIU Carbondale are available to discuss the impact that the network has had on American politics.

John Jackson, visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, noted the sphere of Murdochs influence. In addition to Fox, News Corp. also owns several media properties, including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and HarperCollins Publishers.

By moving from Australia to the United States and creating Fox News, Murdoch, who worked in the media industry for seven decades will be regarded in history as one of the most important figures of the first quarter of the 21st century. Along with Ted Turner at CNN, Murdoch effectively created cable network news, Jackson said.

The now deeply polarized news channels, Fox News on the right and MSNBC news on the left, are now the major news sources for their respective audiences. Fox News is the dominant news source for tens of millions of people. It brings them the news on politics and government, and then interprets it. Then they vote accordingly. No media mogul in the modern era has ever had such power.

William Freivogel, a professor in the School of Journalism and Advertising, said Murdoch is stepping back from control of his media empire when it is strong. But Freivogel notes Murdochs empire has also had its share of issues through the years.

It was only a five months ago that Fox had to pay $785 million to Dominion Voting Systems because it had lied in airing conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines changing votes for Donald Trump to Joe Biden, Freivogel said. The claims were a major element of Trump's false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, noted Fox News impact on American politics, shaping political discourse, and the media landscape.

Fox News under Rupert Murdoch has become a powerful force in in American political life, he said. It has played a central role in reshaping the Republican Party, driving it to the far right, discouraging compromise or conciliation. Under Murdochs leadership, Fox has operated less like a traditional news service and more like a conservative political advocacy group.

Freivogel adds that despite the large defamation settlement and the subsequent forced exit of Tucker Carlson from his prime time evening show, Fox News remains the top-rated cable news channel.

Murdoch's son and the current CEO shares his fathers conservative views. Two decades ago, Rupert Murdoch's now-defunct News of the World was embroiled in a scandal that threw British politics into turmoil because the news organization had hacked the phones of celebrities, politicians, members of Parliament and the British royal family.

Media Availability

William Freivogel, a professor in the School of Journalism and Advertising, is an award-winning journalist, who earned a law degree in 2001. His interests include media law and public affairs and policy. He has written extensively on libel and reported on it as a journalist. Freivogel is available until 2:45 p.m. today (Sept. 21) and until 3 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 22). He can be reached at wfreivogel@gmail.com or 314-322-0396

John Jackson, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute visiting professor, has more than four decades of political expertise and research in presidential politics, campaigns and elections. He can be reached at 618-303-1240 or jsjacson@siu.edu.

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, spent 26 years in Washington, D.C., covering Congress and economic issues for Market News International before his arrival at SIU Carbondale in 2018. He has been a guest on the PBS NewsHour and C-SPAN. He can be reached at 618-453-4009 or john.shaw@siu.edu.
A model presents a creation at the Burberry catwalk show during London Fashion Week in London, Britain, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

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.
PNN New Delhi [India], September 21: TestFlix 2023, the most awaited gathering of Software Quality enthusiasts, is set to stream for the global testing community on September 23-24, 2023. This unique two-day free online event, hosted by The Test Tribe, promises to be filled with new industry insights and elevate the art of testing to new heights. TestFlix, the brainchild of The Test Tribe, a tight-knit testers community, and an ed-tech powerhouse, is now in its fourth annual edition. TestFlix has gained a reputation for being the premier event in the software testing domain, and this year's conference is poised to exceed all expectations. Renowned industry leaders in the fields of Software Testing, Quality Assurance, Automation, DevOps, Accessibility and more will grace the virtual stage to share their expertise. Confirmed speakers include Debra Ruh, a renowned voice in Accessibility Testing; Michael Palotas, an Early Selenium contributor; Kohsuke Kawaguchi, Creator of Jenkins, Jonathan Lipps, Appium Project Lead; Pooja Mistry, Developer Advocate at Postman; and numerous other experts from diverse testing verticals. A comprehensivelist of speakersis available on the official TestFlix website. The talks on AI are major attractions of this event. The Test Tribe reported interest of over 12000 software testers on their Generative AI course in the period of July to September, which has been growing close to 50% each month. TestFlix presents an opportunity to learn more on this topic free of cost. "TestFlix is truly one-of-a-kind conference that was designed four years back to bring maximum Testing Professionals and Thought Leaders under one roof. Having hosted 300+ global Thought Leaders so far and with 40,000 sign ups across editions, TestFlix Conference continues to inspire thousands across the globe and help them stay on top of their game."remarked Mahesh Chikane, Founder & CEO, The Test Tribe. TestFlix is backed by some giants in the industry with the likes of BrowserStack, Element34, UiPath, Avo Automation, Autify, Launchable, and many more. Vanshikha Sharma, Events Lead at The Test Tribe, shared,"We have carefully curated a lineup of thought leaders of industry from 16+ countries to impart their knowledge on themes like Generative AI, Automation, API Testing and much more. This is a place for testers to learn and meet people from all across the world " In addition to gaining knowledge from industry thought leaders, TestFlix attendees will have the opportunity to connect with their peers during networking sessions, access exclusive offers on testing courses provided by Thrive EdSchool, and stand a chance to win remarkable prizes. TestFlix 2023 is set to be a pinnacle event for software professionals. Registration for TestFlix 2023 is open until September 22, 2023. Do not miss the chance to be part of the world's largest virtual testing conference. To secure your spot, visit https://tinyurl.com/y9v56fap. TestFlix 2023, indeed looks like a groundbreaking event that is shaping the future of software testing. The Test Tribe is a dynamic community that has evolved into a leading educational technology provider in the software testing arena. Committed to fostering knowledge-sharing and skill-building, The Test Tribe empowers professionals to excel in the world of software testing. (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)
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 21: TripleDart, a global front-runner in B2B SaaS marketing, has proudly announced the next chapter in its growth story. As part of its commitment to empower SaaS brands worldwide, the agency is expanding its operations to the US & Europe, marking a new era of international collaboration. Shiyam, TripleDart's CEO, remarks, "Following our triumphant expansions into the APAC & UK, we are setting sights on the vast horizons of the US & EMEA. Our experience shows that performance marketing transcends boundaries, and we're eager to support the global B2B SaaS community more closely." Currently, TripleDart boasts partnerships with over 100 B2B SaaS brands, ranging from industry giants like Freshworks and Sprinklr to fast-growing names like Unacademy and Multiplier. A testament to their unparalleled prowess, the agency saw a 300 per cent growth surge just this past year. Their team, spanning six countries, has been pivotal in managing an impressive USD 100 Million ad portfolio, spanning platforms from Google ads, linkedin to Reddit, podcasts and out of home advertisements. This year, the company has further refined its expertise, offering holistic solutions including SEO, brand development, performance creatives, and even revenue operations. Their leadership team too saw the inclusion of seasoned industry veterans, Mahesh Sundararaman and Sudharshan Narasimhan, further fortifying TripleDart's commitment to excellence. Clients sing praises for the agency's hands-on approach.Tom Price Daniel, CRO of Teamed Global,attests, "Working with the TripleDart team feels like having an extension of our own company. Their alignment with our vision truly signifies a partnership where our successes are mutual." Jesse Ocon of Growth Nirvana mirrors this sentiment, highlighting TripleDart's impeccable SEO strategies and unmatched support. Anticipating the agency's European, US foray,Mahesh, the newly inducted director of growth, expressed, "Having transformed the SaaS market scenario in APAC, we are all geared up for our European & US chapter. It's an exhilarating phase for all of us at TripleDart." Established in 2020 and operating from its Bengaluru headquarters, TripleDart stands out as a beacon for SaaS brands, driving robust lead generation and business growth. Their unique approach, symbolized by the three darts - Confidence, Impact, and Ease - ensures that SaaS businesses get a running start on their demand generation endeavors from day one. As TripleDart soars towards its mission of refining SaaS marketing for 10,000 individuals by 2025, the future only looks brighter. For further insights, visit TripleDart atwww.tripledart.comor connect on Linkedin atTripleDart Digital. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
State Bank of India (SBI) has taken a significant step towards shaping the future of banking by establishing the 'SBI Foundation Hub for Data Science and Analytics' at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B). In partnership with IIT Bombay, SBI Foundation will address industry-level challenges in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector by creating a multidisciplinary space for innovation and ideation for both industry and academia, the SBI said in a release. According to the release, SBI has pledged a grant of Rs 22.50 crore to establish this Banking Data and Analytics Hub. The Hub aims to develop a comprehensive suite of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies to enhance banking services, potentially revolutionising the financial landscape in India. The Hub was officially inaugurated by Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI, in the presence of Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT-Bombay, and other senior officials at an event held at the IIT Bombay campus on September 20. By harnessing AI and data analytics, the collaboration between SBI and IIT Bombay aims to create hyper-personalised banking experiences, enhance credit growth, offer tailored insurance solutions, and improve fraud detection. It also seeks to foster financial inclusion by breaking down language barriers using advanced language models for conversational search and analysis. Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI, highlighted the importance of data and AI in SBI's strategy, emphasizing their role in providing convenience, reliability, and innovation to customers. He expressed the bank's commitment to driving innovation and transformation in the BFSI sector and fostering positive change through Corporate Social Responsibility. Khara said,At SBI, Data and AI are not just tools but integral parts of our strategy, enabling us to provide greater convenience, reliability, and innovation to our customers. Together, with IIT Bombay, we endeavor to portray a new era in banking, fostering research, training, and upskilling, while enhancing our nation's AI capabilities in BFSI analytics. The setting up of the 'SBI Foundation Hub for Data Science and Analytics' at IIT Bombay is a testament to SBI's commitment to driving innovation and transformation in the BFSI sector and is a significant milestone in bringing positive change through Corporate Social Responsibility, added Khara. Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay, described the collaboration as a significant milestone in harnessing the power of data science and AI to revolutionize the banking and financial services industry. He noted the partnership's focus on driving innovation, conducting cutting-edge research, and nurturing a community of skilled professionals in banking analytics. Chaudhuri said, This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our commitment to harnessing the power of Data Science and AI to revolutionize the banking and financial services industry. Through this partnership, we aim to not only drive innovation and cutting-edge research but also nurture a thriving community of skilled professionals in banking analytics. Together with the SBI Foundation, we embark on a journey to shape the future of the industry, leveraging the expertise of two national premier institutions, added Chaudhuri. The collaboration includes a state-of-the-art 10,000 square feet space for research, development, and training, expected to become a laboratory for the financial technology of the future. The Hub will also offer Executive Education Programs in emerging BFSI technologies, promote qualitative research, and enhance the nation's capabilities in AI. This initiative is a testament to the commitment of both SBI and IIT Bombay to promote innovation and drive positive change in the BFSI sector while nurturing a skilled talent pool in data science and analytics, the release said. (ANI)
Salman was seen posing with CM Shinde in front of the paps stationed outside his sisters residence.

The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor donned a blue shirt paired with black pants. He was seen in his new bald look.

While CM Shinde wore a white shirt paired with matching pants.

Several pictures and videos of Salman and CM Shinde went viral on social media.

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which falls in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati.

Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, the festival is characterised by the installation of Ganesha idols at home and in gilded pandals (make-shift stage).

The 10-day festival ends with the idols taken for Visarjan through elaborate immersion processions.

The idols are immersed on the day of Anant Chaturdashi.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Salman will be next seen in the action thriller film Tiger 3 which is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Diwali 2023.

The film also stars Katrina Kaif in the lead role. (ANI)
After the Zara Hatke Zara Bachke actress was seen entering Kartiks house, the pictures and videos went viral on social media.

https://twitter.com/KartikAaryan_22/status/1704546921719939125

In the pictures, Sara can be seen posing with Kartik, Manish and Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani.

Sara looked gorgeous in a beautiful pink suit. She wore a matching bangle and earrings and kept her hair in a ponytail.

Kartik was seen dressed in a mustard-white printed kurta pajama.

As soon as the pictures surfaced online, the duo left their fans and followers wondering if they were back together once again.

Check out netizens reaction.

One of the users wrote, Kartik Sara looking like a married couple.

Another commented, What is Sara doing there.

Sartik are looking like newly weds, another comment read.

Another comment read, Sara kartik fir ek ho gye kya,

Another user posted, Are they back together? Otherwise why someone go to her ex's ganapati puja like this.

I hope they get back together, one of the fans wrote.

Back when Sara and Kartik were working together on Imtiyaz Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal', they both were rumoured to be dating. The two, however, reportedly parted ways after a while.

On Wednesday, Kartik shared a picture of himself with Bappa.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxamiAot5t_/

Sharing the picture, he wrote, Oh our fate that Bappa came to our home againGanpati Bappa Morya.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kartik will be seen in Kabir Khans directorial 'Chandu Champion'.

The film is all set to hit the theatres on June 14, 2024.

Chandu Champion marks Kartiks first collaboration with director Kabir Khan. He will also be seen in director Hansal Mehtas upcoming film Captain India and in director Anurag Basus next Aashiqui 3.

Sara will be seen in Anurag Basu's 'Metro...In Dino'. Billed as an anthology, the film also features Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher, Ali Fazal, and Neena Gupta in lead roles.

'Metro...In Dino', a film that apparently draws its title from the famous song 'In Dino' from 'Life in a... Metro', will showcase bittersweet tales of human relationships based on contemporary times. (ANI)
Actor Hansika Motwani on Thursday offered prayers and sought the blessings of Lord Ganpati at the Andheri cha Raja. As the celebrations for the 10-day long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi are underway, Hansika visited the famous life-size Ganpati idol to seek bappas blessings. Talking to ANI, Hansika said, "I am very excited, I came here in my childhood and now I am here after years. I think I should come here every year and make it a ritual. She wore a red and white kurta set, kept her hair tied in a sleek bun and wrapped a gajra over it. Hansika debuted on TV as a popular child artist in a popular show 'Shaka Laka Boom Boom' and went on to be part of the blockbuster 'Koi Mil Gaya' alongside Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. She made her debut as a lead actor in Puri Jagannadh Telugu directorial 'Desamuduru', which also earned her a Filmfare. She was recently seen in director M Rajeshs upcoming web series MY3. The series features actors Hansika, Mugen Rao, Shanthanu and Ashna Zaveri in the lead. The rom-com series is a unique robotic love story. On her show 'MY3', Hansika shared, "MY3 has released, I am very happy that it is Number 1 on India Hotstar. It is doing well. It is in seven languages. I am very excited for the series." Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival that starts on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month 'Bhadrapada', started on Tuesday. This auspicious ten-day festival starts with 'Chaturthi' and ends on 'Anantha Chaturdashi'. The festive period is also known as 'Vinayak Chaturthi' or 'Vinayak Chavithi'. The festival celebrates Ganesha as the 'God of New Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles' as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence. It is celebrated with much fanfare in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra with lakhs of devotees converging into mandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh.For the festivities, people bring Lord Ganesh idols to their homes, observe fasts, prepare mouth-watering delicacies, and visit pandals during the festival. (ANI)
Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, and extended her wishes for the historic moment. Taking to the Instagram story, Shilpa shared a video of Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla, when he announced that the Bill had been passed with a full majority. Sharing the video, she wrote, A landmark day for Bharat and every Bharatiya as the historic legislation, #NariShaktiVandan Bill, passes in the Lok Sabha with thumping majority. Set to further empower women in our great democracy and ensure even greater participation of women in nation building. Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji and his amazing team for setting the example for the world. Women all around are #FeelingSukhee! 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. 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." The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Womens Reservation Bill the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed by Lok Sabha with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it. The Bill seeks to grant one-third of its seats to women in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. (ANI)
Russia to safeguard int'l fairness, justice with China, says Putin

Xinhua) 14:09, September 21, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) meets with Wang Yi (2nd L), 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 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said his country is willing to cooperate with China to resist unipolar hegemony and bloc confrontation, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

Putin made the remarks when meeting with 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 in St. Petersburg.

Putin said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia in March this year marked a new era in the relationship between the two countries. Since then, important agreements reached between the two sides have been steadily implemented, resulting in positive outcomes in various fields such as economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, and sports.

He said Russia has overcome the impact of unilateral sanctions imposed by Western countries and its economy has started to recover and function normally this year, adding that Russia is ready to strengthen planning and deepen practical cooperation with China.

Putin stressed that Russia highly appreciates and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), opposes distortions and smears against the BRI, and is willing to enhance alignment between the Eurasian Economic Union and the BRI to promote regional integration.

Putin stated that the evolution of the current international situation fully validates President Xi's strategic assessment that the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. Through the collective efforts of Russia, China and other parties, the BRICS successfully expanded membership this year, taking BRICS cooperation to a new level. Russia is willing to maintain close coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS mechanism, to resist unipolar hegemony and bloc confrontation, and to safeguard international fairness and justice.

Wang, for his part, said the heads of state of the two countries had a successful meeting this year, jointly outlining a new blueprint for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era. This has provided a clear direction and injected strong momentum for the further development of bilateral relations.

Wang noted that during his current visit, he had comprehensive discussions with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

Wang said China is willing to work together with Russia, taking the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries as the fundamental guideline, to enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and further consolidate the public opinion and social foundation of friendship between China and Russia.

He said that faced with a complex international situation, the world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity, economic globalization is progressing against headwinds, unilateral actions are unsustainable, and hegemonism is not popular. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia bear important responsibilities for promoting global development and progress. Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current international and regional situation. On the Ukraine issue, Putin reiterated Russia's willingness to resolve it through dialogue and negotiation.

During his visit to Russia, Wang Yi also co-chaired the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation, attended a meeting between high representatives of China, Russia and Mongolia on security issues, and met separately with Lavrov and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Artists perform a traditional Chinese opera in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)



East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center in Sofia on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges.

Representatives of Bulgarian media circles, tourism businesses, and other professionals in attendance also learned about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), could taste Chinese tea, and could visit a thematic photo exhibition and an exhibition of porcelain products.

On the sidelines of the event, representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" based in the town of Panagyurishte near the capital Sofia signed a cooperation agreement.

Ye Jianchun, governor of Jiangxi Province, said he sincerely hoped that the event provided a new opportunity and a new starting point to bring exchanges and cooperation to a new level.

Ye said that especially since Jiangxi and Sofia District officially established twinning relations in December 2020, the exchanges and cooperation between them continued to expand, and the friendship between people continued to deepen.

Julian Lekov, governor of Sofia District, said that he and Ye signed on Wednesday morning an agreement reaffirming the desire for partnership between Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Lekov said that the agreement laid the foundation for a future partnership between five of the municipalities in Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun, who also attended the event, said he sincerely hoped that it would boost interpersonal and cultural exchanges between Bulgaria, Jiangxi and China, and advance economic and social cooperation and development between the two countries.

"The event was extremely interesting, very useful for those present there and for Bulgaria in general, because they introduced us to the history, culture and present day of Jiangxi Province," Snezhana Todorova, president of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, told Xinhua.

It was exciting, beautiful and perfectly organized, Todorova added.
Veteran actor turned politician Hema Malini on Thursday lauded PM Modi after the clearance of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha and said No other PM has done such things. Talking exclusively to ANI, Hema Malini said, Whatever PM Modi has done, he has done it with a good motive. No other PM has done such things...It's their (Opposition's) job to do it (oppose the bill), we don't bother about it..." The bill was passed after a day-long debate in which several leaders across party lines put forth their views. The Congress was represented by its Parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi who urged the government to look into OBC and SC quota for women in the bill. After hours of fierce debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Women's Reservation Bill with 454 votes which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. In a historic move, the Vice-President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising 13 women Rajya Sabha members for the day as the house discusses the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, 2023. The Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasized that the presence of women MPs on the chair would send a powerful message to the world at large and it would symbolize that they held a commanding position during this epochal moment of change. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. (ANI)
Taking to X, Anurag Thakur wrote, Many congratulations to veteran film actor @TheSureshGopi ji on being nominated the President of the @srfti_official society & chairman of the governing council of @srfti_official for a period of 3 years. Your vast experience & cinematic brilliance are surely going to enrich this esteemed institute. I wish you a fruitful tenure.

https://twitter.com/ianuragthakur/status/1704868929271951687

Suresh Gopi is a popular face of the Malayalam cinema and has also worked in Tami, Telugu, and Kannada films.

He also won the prestigious National Film Award in the year 1997 for his performance in the film Kaliyattam.

Recently, Union Minister Anurag Thakur also congratulated actor R Madhavan on being nominated as the president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Thakur earlier took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, Heartiest congratulations to @ActorMadhavan ji on being nominated as President of @FTIIOfficial and Chairman of the governing council. I'm sure that your vast experience & strong ethics will enrich this institute, bring positive changes, and take it to a higher level. My best wishes to you.

R Madhavan has been nominated as President and chairman of the governing council of FTII for a period of three years. (ANI)
With 454 votes 'for' and 2 'against', the women's reservation Bill cleared its first legislative hurdle with a brute majority in the Lok Sabha. However, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who voted against the motion seeking the Bill's passage, along withparty colleague Imtiaz Jaleel, defended their opposition to the draft legislation saying that it does not provide for a sub-quota for Muslim andOther Backward Classes (OBC) women. Speaking to ANI after the landmark passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Owaisi said, "We voted against it so that the country knows that there are two members of Parliament, who are fighting for the inclusion of OBC and Muslim in the quota ambit." Explaining his rationale for voting against the motion for the passage of the women's reservation Bill, AIMIM chief said, "OBC people account for more than 50 per cent of the country's population. The idea behind this Bill is to provide for those women, who are not adequately represented in the Parliament and other legislative bodies. Why is the government then denying reservation to women from a community, which makes up more than 50 per cent of ourpopulation?" On the alleged denial of reservation for Muslim women, Owaisi said, "Muslim women account for 7 per cent of the national population but their representation in our legislative bodies, including the Parliament, is just0.7%" Earlier, on Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the draft womens reservation legislation, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply to the motion by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Bill was passed following division, with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it on the motion for the passage moved by Meghwal. Individual clauses of the Bill were also voted on. Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill had been passed. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first Bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday. (ANI)
Weeks after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a hike in the monthly remuneration of MLAs and members of the Cabinet, BJP legislator and the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Wednesday said he had decided to donate the hiked portion of his salary to the protesting government employees demanding payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) at par with other states. Under an umbrella forum for protest titled 'Sangrami Joutho Mancha', the state employees have been holding a sit-in for months demanding the provision of DA at par with central government staffers and their counterparts in other states. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Bengal LoP reached Shahid Minar in Kolkata, the venue of the ongoing protest. Speaking to ANI at the protest site, the BJP leader said, "Since my monthly remuneration as an MLA has also been raised, I have decided to hand over the hiked portion of my salary to the Sangrami Sangrami Joutho Mancha. As a lawmaker, who is sensitive to the needs of our government officials, this is my humble contribution to the cause. I proposed to donate my additional monthly pay to the protest forum and the members accepted it." Earlier this month, Chief Minister and the ruling TMC chief, Mamata Banerjee, announced a salary hike of Rs 50,000 for state ministers and Rs 40,000 for legislators. She added, however, that the hike wasn't much when compared to other states. Amid calls for parity in DA allotment for state employees, the government has cited its inability to do so owing to the fiscal crunch and outlays towards its welfarist schemes. Taking a swipe at the Mamata regime for not meeting the demand of the DA protesters, Adhikari said a government that can cough up huge sums to fund the CM's overseas visits, Durga Puja donations, and honorariums for Muslim clerics should be ashamed not to be able to meet the demand of the government employees. "The government should meet the demand at the earliest. I have been raising the issue both inside and outside the Assembly. This government isn't willing to accept their demands. They have announced donations to Durga Puja committees and have raised the monthly honorariums for the Imams. However, they claim to have no money when it comes to meeting the legitimate demand of our government employees. This government should beashamed," Adhikari told ANI. "This government doesn't seem to be struggling for funds when it comes to splurging Rs 20 crores from the public exchequer for the CM's foreign tours. They can spend Rs 300 crores towards donations for Durga Puja. They should also do some spending for the state employees.This (DA at par with other states) is not a demand but their right," the BJP leader said, adding that the state government should announce 33 per cent of DA ahead of the Pujas. The 'Sangrami Joutho Mancha' is a joint forum of several state government employees that has been spearheading the ongoing protest. The protest has spanned several months and is ongoing. (ANI)
Amid the Cauvery water sharing row, Kannada superstars Darshan Thoogudeepa and Kichcha Sudeep stepped forward to voice their concern and advocate for a resolution. Taking to X, Sudeep on Wednesday wrote, "Cauvery is our right" and expressed confidence in the government's commitment to the people. He also called for an immediate intervention of experts to formulate a strategy. "Our Cauvery is our right. I believe that the government that has won with so much consensus will not abandon the people who believe in Kaveri. I demand that the experts formulate a strategy immediately and give justice. I also have my voice in the land-water-language struggle. May Mother Kaveri protect Karunad," read Sudeep's post on X. https://twitter.com/KicchaSudeep/status/1704440438655275020 Meanwhile, Darshan Thoogudeepa highlighted the scarcity of water that the people of the state have been facing. "There has been a continuous attempt to get more water by cutting the Kaveri water from Karnataka's share. This year there is a lot of water scarcity in the state. At this time, there is a lot of damage to the irrigated area, so let's consider all the statistics and get justice as soon as possible," wrote Thoogudeepa on X. This comes amidst, Karnataka, complying with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order is releasing 5000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, for 15 days. On Wednesday, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah chaired a meeting with Union Ministers and All-Party MPs from Karnataka to discuss the Cauvery water-sharing dispute in the national capital. Following, the crucial meeting, CM Siddaramaiah said We seek a stay on the CWMA order in the Supreme Court. We will appeal to the Supreme Court for an injunction against the CWMA order to release water to Tamil Nadu. We competently presented our actual situation before CWMA. There has been the lowest rainfall recorded in August in 123 years which causes increased distress in the state. We have no drinking water, no water for crop protection, no water for industry. So we are in a lot of trouble." Siddaramaiah further said that the Prime Minister should intervene in the matter as he has the jurisdiction to summon the people of both states. "PM has the jurisdiction to summon the people of both the states. So we have appealed to the Prime Minister for his intervention. Further decisions will be taken after meeting with the Union Water Resources Minister. We have already identified 195 talukas in the state as drought-prone. There has been the lowest rainfall recorded in August in 123 years which causes increased distress in the state, Siddaramaiah said. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that after CWMA's order, Karnataka is even facing scarcity of drinking water. "We are facing a very distressed situation. We are only able to have one-third of the water. CWMA has ordered us to give 5000 cusecs of water for 15 days, we don't even have water for drinking. We have discussed (this) with all of the 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,DK Shivakumarsaid. The meeting on the Cauvery water dispute was attended by deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, Union Ministers Prahlad Joshi, Shobha Karandlaje, Bhagwant Khooba, Narayanaswamy, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Supreme Court lawyers representing Karnataka. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Monday said that the "quarrel" among Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will not be solved "legally" and that a solution will come out only after both sides sit together. (ANI)
Terming the bill as a "post-dated cheque", Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule slammed the Bharatiya Janta Party for calling a special session for parliament for passing the Women's Reservation Bill. Meanwhile, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Women's Reservation Bill for discussion in Rajya Sabha. Stating that neither census and delimitation has been done, the NCP MP also said that the Centre could have introduced the bill during the upcoming winter session. Speaking to ANI ahead of the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Supriya Sule said "They did this in such a haste, in a special session. There was so much haste that it seemed that they could have done it in December (Winter Session). Even if they did it then, the outcome would have been the same..." "We are supporting it strongly. But it is a post-dated cheque because neither census nor delimitation has been done. Unless both of them are done it can't be implemented. It will perhaps be implemented in 2029, who knows?" BJP MP, Hema Malini congratulated PM Modi for his "vision" following the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. "The people who question will only question. But PM Narendra Modi has done it. He has done what has never happened before. We all should thank him, and congratulate him. He has a vision..." the Mathura MP told ANI. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha during the special session after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is a "historic legislation" that will further boost women's empowerment and will enable "greater participation of women in our political process," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after the passage of the bill in Lok Sabha. The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the first sitting of the House in the new Parliament building. The five-day Special Session of Parliament began on Monday and will conclude on Friday. (ANI)
All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Deputy in-charge Madhya Pradesh Shiv Bhatia has said that they have named the publics anger as Jan Aakrosh and it is not the Aakrosh of the Congress. The Congress party is taking out Jan Aakrosh Yatra divided into seven areas across the state from September 19. One of the Yatras started from Sheopur and reached Morena on Thursday. Leader of Opposition Govind Singh and AICC secretary Shiv Bhatia and a huge crowd, including Congress workers was seen.in the yatra. During this, speaking to ANI, Bhatia said, We have named the publics 'Aakrosh' as 'Jan Aakrosh'. This is not the 'Aakrosh' of the Congress. The Congress wants to stand with the anger of the public because they have endured this atrocious, corrupt government for 18 years. So we have come to support them to bring awareness that let us fight together. The Jan Aakrosh Yatra is divided into seven areas, it will cover 11,400 kilometres. This yatra starting from the Chambal division will go to Narsinghgarh and it will cover 36 constituencies. They will go to every consistency and attend two to four meetings, he added. Bhatia also attacked those leaders who left the party during the 2020 congress government collapse and said that the traitors who had left the party were now standing in line but they were not ready to accept them in the Congress party. Meanwhile, the congress leader came down on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government and called Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan a liar. Don't even talk about this deceitful and useless Chief Minister (CM Chouhan). The Chief Minister is a liar. The public will teach him a lesson, this time his party (BJP) has refused to accept him as a leader. Why are big leaders coming here? Why Union Home Minister Amit Shah are visiting here? It means that the entire party has stopped accepting him (CM Chouhan) as a leader. No matter how much BJP defends itself, this time the public is not going to forgive, Bhatia said. Slamming the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the congress leader said he didn't need to tell the history of what happened to traitors. Time would tell what happened to the traitor. I do not need to tell the history of what happens to traitors. Time will tell what happens to the traitor. The public will blacken their faces in every street then one will understand how traitors are treated. Their (Scindia family) betrayal has been going on since 1818. His grandmother betrayed and brought down the Congress government, the same blood of traitors, that he brought down the government in 2020. We have given many opportunities to him to integrate them into the society. This is Mahatma Gandhi's party which forgives. But betrayal is in the blood of the traitor, he added. Although he is a Maharaj, he sold for notes (money) and position? Why should he be called Maharaj, time will tell what will happen to him, the congress leader said. Talking about the upcoming assembly polls slated later this year, he said, BJP were saying that they would bring 160 seats in Karnataka, similarly they had said in Himachal too. These are liars and deceitful people, their job is to make statements and they do not talk about honesty. They did not do work for the society. They only run an event company. This is not the Bharatiya Janata Party, this is the Bangaru Judeo Party. Bangaru Laxman was their president and he was caught taking money in an arms deal. Dilip Singh Judeo was a big leader of Chhattisgarh who was caught taking money on camera in connection with arms deals. It is liar and corrupt party, the congress leader alleged. (ANI)
The recipients of the inaugural Golden Panda Awards, which recognize outstanding global contributions in film, TV, documentaries and animation, were announced at a dazzling award gala on Wednesday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, renowned as the home of the giant panda.

A panda-themed performance unfolds at the Golden Panda Awards ceremony in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The top awards in each of the four categories were presented to standout pieces: Taika Waititi's 2019 anti-Nazi comedy-drama "Jojo Rabbit" secured the Best Film honor. The debut season of the American Western drama television series "1923" (2022) won the Best TV Drama title. Chinese-American co-production "The Miracle Panda" (2022) garnered the Best Documentary award, and the Chinese animated series "Yao - Chinese Folktales," which was released and became viral at the beginning of this year, received the Best Animation distinction.

Notably, "The Miracle Panda" couldn't have been a more fitting winner of the inaugural Golden Panda award. The 51-minute documentary, narrated by Lucy Liu, chronicles the journey of Xiao Qi Ji (meaning "Little Miracle"), a panda born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in 2020. His mother, Mei Xiang, gave birth to him at the age of 22 via artificial insemination. Named through a global voting process, he emerged as a beacon of joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film highlights Sino-U.S. cultural ties and three decades of collaborative efforts in panda breeding, wild release, and habitat restoration.

Renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, the jury president for the inaugural Golden Panda Awards, noted at the award ceremony that the event distinguishes itself from other film and television festivals both domestically and internationally. It symbolizes a grand occasion for film and television cultural exchange and integration, and furthermore, a significant gathering for exchanges and mutual understanding among global civilizations. "The original aspiration of establishing the Golden Panda Awards is for world civilizations to cooperate, communicate, learn, and interact more with each other."

Zhang, who has been making films for 40 years, described cinema as an art form that deeply necessitates collaboration and communication. He has observed the evolution of Chinese cinema from "sailing with borrowed boats" to "building our own boats to sail." "I eagerly anticipate that in the future, through communications and exchanges with the global community, we can offer highly industrialized, excellent content to China and even the world, presenting an objective and genuine portrayal of China and the voice of China to the world," he stated.

Director Zhang Yimou speaks to attendees on behalf of the jury during the Golden Panda Awards ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The first Golden Panda Awards presented 25 awards across four categories: films, TV dramas, documentaries and animations. Nominees were shortlisted from 7,024 submissions originating from 104 countries and regions.

In the film category, other notable winners included Liu Jiangjiang, who secured the Best Director award for "Lighting Up the Stars." Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller won the Best Screenplay award for their 2020 psychological drama, "The Father," directed by Zeller. The Best Actor and Best Actress accolades were awarded to Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Penelope Cruz, respectively. Additionally, Zhang Songwen received the Best Supporting Actor award, while Ni Hongjie was recognized as Best Supporting Actress.

In the TV drama category, Zhang Yongxin won Best Director for "The Age of Awakening." The third season of "My Brilliant Friend" received the Best Screenplay award. Best Actor and Actress honors were given to Lei Jiayin and Margherita Mazzucco, respectively. Meanwhile, Wang Jingchun and Sarah Snook were awarded Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

Sun Chao claimed Best Documentary Director for "Little Giants." The Best Animated Image award went to the third season of the Finnish family drama series "Moominvalley." Additionally, the Chinese 3D animated fantasy "Deep Sea" clinched the Best Visual Effect accolade.

Organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the People's Government of Sichuan Province, the newly established Golden Panda Awards have adopted the panda as a symbol of cultural exchange. This international event aspires to recognize film and television works from around the world and further aims to promote cross-cultural communications, fostering a global community united through culture. Scheduled to be held every two years, the event will consistently take place in Sichuan. The Wednesday evening ceremony was graced by notable personalities, including Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Lang Lang, Zheng Xiaolong, Stanley Tong, Wei Wei, and other distinguished domestic and international film and TV professionals, musicians, and experts in related fields.

Kung fu megastar Jackie Chan holds two panda dolls during the "green carpet" ceremony at the Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Throughout the evening, artists, including Lang Lang, Guan Xiaotong, Zhong Chuxi, Wei Wei, and Dimash Kudaibergen delighted international attendees with their performances. In an atmosphere adorned with panda motifs and elements of Sichuan's local culture, world-renowned action star Jackie Chan, a passionate panda enthusiast, reminisced about being named a Chengdu Panda Ambassador at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 2009. He subsequently adopted two giant pandas, Cheng Cheng and Long Long. He also unveiled his upcoming film about pandas, "Project P." Set to premiere next year, Chan described the film as a tribute to Sichuan and panda enthusiasts, sparking intense curiosity and anticipation.

"Although giant pandas mainly live in China, they also serve as ambassadors spreading friendship all around the world," said Chan. "Pandas convey peace and friendliness with their gentle radiance, and every individual is like a speck of starlight, together illuminating the beauty of the world."
India has secured the privilege of hosting the esteemed International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement (ICCC) in 2027. The successful bid presentation was made by India's leading research and academic institutions, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM) and IIT Delhi, during the ongoing 16th ICCC in Bangkok, Thailand, read the Ministry of Commerce and Industry press release. India faced competition from Switzerland and the UAE, ultimately emerging as the chosen host. The decision was officially announced on September 20, in Bangkok, marking a moment for India's academic and research community. The International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement is a highly prestigious event that reviews advancements in cement and concrete research. These congresses have been held approximately every four to six years since 1918, serving as a crucial bridge between academia and the cement industry. Notably, India previously hosted the 9th Congress in 1992. The current 16th ICCC is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 18 to 22, read the press release. Hosting the 17th ICCC in New Delhi offers India a unique opportunity to bring together global leaders, experts, and innovators in the cement sector. This event serves as a testament to India's research and academic capabilities and provides a platform to showcase the vibrant city of New Delhi to the global cement and concrete industry. With world-class conference facilities like Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, a rich cultural heritage, and exceptional hospitality, New Delhi is poised to offer an unforgettable experience to all attendees, read the release. The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), an apex Research and Development organization under the administrative control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, will play a pivotal role in organizing this significant event. NCCBM is dedicated to research, technology development, education, and industrial services for the cement, allied building materials, and construction industries. The organization has a proven track record of successfully executing biennial NCB International Seminars/Conferences of similar magnitude, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for participants from across the globe. India's cement industry, which is the second-largest in the world with an installed capacity of 600 million tonnes, plays a vital role in the country's circular economy framework, read the release. It is known for utilizing various industrial wastes and maintaining one of the lowest CO2 footprints globally, making it one of the most energy-efficient industries. With its booming infrastructure development, abundant resources, and expertise, India offers an ideal backdrop for the 17th ICCC. The Indian cement industry's experience and framework for addressing local and global challenges, such as decarbonization, sustainable development, circular economy practices, energy security, alternate energy sources, and low-carbon cement, will serve as a valuable model for discussions and showcase to global leaders and technocrats for the benefit of society worldwide. (ANI)
Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma in a post on X (formerly Twitter), informed about the seizure of drugs estimated to be worth over Rs 2 crore.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) Sangma said, "A major success through Police-Public cooperation! In Shillong, a major drug bust worth over Rs 2 crore took place yesterday night. What makes this success unique is the pivotal role played by an alert Sumo driver who promptly informed the Police about a suspicious bag. Many congratulations to the Sumo driver for his quick thinking and courage. He will be aptly rewarded for his honesty."

He further, in his post, praised DGP L R Bishnoi for working continuously towards the state goal of 'Drug-Free Meghalaya'.

"DGP and his team have been tirelessly working to combat the menace of drug trafficking. Such joint effort is a glorious example of the importance of public cooperation to fulfil our dream of Drug-Free Meghalaya," read the post.

Earlier, in August, heroin worth Rs 2 crore was seized from an inter-state drug trafficker in a swift operation by West Garo Hills district police.

Taking to 'X' (Formerly known as Twitter), CM Sangma wrote, "The @MeghalayaPolice thwarted another attempt by drug mafia to ruin our youth! In a swift ops @wghpolice nabbed one Inter-State trafficker and seized Heroin worth 2 Crore".

Hailing the Meghalaya police, CM Sangma wrote, 'Well done @lrbishnoiips (IPS LR Bishnoi, Meghalaya) and his team! Our govt is fully committed to crush evil designs of traffickers to afflict our society @HMOIndia". (ANI)
A day after the Women's Reservation bill was cleared in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janta Party and said that the Centre's promise of implementation of the bill was similar to "clearance sale of a shop". "The Women's Reservation Bill is a dream for Sonia Gandhi, she want this bill to be implemented and women to benefit from it. I consider her a champion for this benefit of women. The promise of the bill is like a Bhajpa shop, that is going to be shut down. More like a "clearance sale". The bill was passed but nothing has been said about its implementation date. This means this bill is going to end up just like the other unkept promises of the BJP, such as the provision of jobs, control of price hikes, and benefits to farmers," Tiwari told ANI. "Na unki neeyat durust na bill durust, (Neither their motive is correct, nor the bill)," added Tiwari. "If we talk about Rajya sabha, we take responsibility that we will pass this bill with maximum votes," said the Congress leader further. When questioned what he thought about Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's statement on calling the measure "incomplete" due to lack of quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC), Tiwari said, "Rahul Gandhi is correct, he is speaking on facts. The Home Minister should have answered to him. The BJP Government says something else and does something else. They show that they support the backward class, but everything they do is against them." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday extended his support to the Women's Reservation Bill adding that the measure was "incomplete" as it lacks quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC). He further said, "Women's Reservation Bill is a big step but I would like to see OBC reservation included in this bill." Comparing it to the implementation of the Panchayati Raj from 1959 onwards, Gandhi said the bill was another big step to facilitate the transfer of power to women. 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 Lower House on Tuesday in the ongoing special session of 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'. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to introduce three new articles and one new clause in the Constitution. (ANI) .
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka on releasing 5,000 cusecs of water every day for now to Tamil Nadu. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra while refusing to interfere in the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu said both CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are regularly meeting and monitoring the water requirements every 15 days. It said the apex court was not inclined to interfere with the order passed on this aspect by the authority, since the authority and committee were meeting and monitoring the situation every 15 days. It declined to entertain an application filed by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery river water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day. Tamil Nadu has sought fresh directions for the release of Cauvery river water from Karnataka, claiming that the neighbouring State had changed its stand, and had released a reduced quantum of water as against what was agreed upon earlier. The Karnataka government on September 20 filed an application before the top court seeking a direction to the CWMA to reconsider its September 18 decision to ensure a flow of 5,000 cusecs of river water to Tamil Nadu till September 29. Karnataka in its application stated, This water year of 2023-24 has begun on a bad note. The south-west monsoon which feeds the catchment in Karnataka has failed miserably. Even at the reservoir level, which covers a part of the catchment, the shortfall is 53.42 per cent. If the shortfall is considered up to the inter-State border Biligundulu, where flows are accountable, shortfall and distress would be much more than 53.42 per cent. The matter has been a controversial issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for decades and they have been locked in battle over the sharing of water from the Cauvery river, which is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for millions of people in the region. The Centre formed the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990, to adjudicate disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry with respect to the water-sharing capacities. (ANI)
Arpit Shukla, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Punjab has said that raids are being conducted at more than 1000 locations in connection with the operation to nab the aides of gangster Goldy Brar. "Raids are being conducted at more than 1000 locations associated with gangster Goldy Brar, in a state-wide operation. Senior officers in the state are monitoring the operation. Legal procedures are underway against listed gangsters. As soon as that process is completed, they will be brought to India and action will be taken as per the law here" said the ADGP Law and Order, Punjab Police. Punjab Police started the mission on Thursday and carried out raids in Moga, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar rural districts to nab the aides of gangster Goldy Brar. The operation will continue throughout the day. The Report of the operation is to be submitted to ADGP later this evebing. Goldy Brar, alias Satinderjeet Singh, is said to be a member of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. He left India for Canada, on a student visa, in 2017. Goldy Brar was also the prime accused in the murder of cult rapper and Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala on May 29, 2022. It is alleged that Brar conspired with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to kill Moose Wala. In May this year Canada named Brar among the country's top 25 wanted criminals. Interpol has also issued a Red Notice against Brar accusing him of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy and Supply of illegal Firearms, Attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Supply of illegal Firearms. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday issued details of 43 individuals associated with 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 Goldy Brar, Rajesh Kumar, Prince, Anil V and Mohammad Shahbaz along with their names. It highlighted that many of these gangsters are based in Canada. 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. (ANI)
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Pollution-Control Vessel Samudra Prahari carried out a comprehensive Pollution Response Table-Top Exercise and Demonstration at Khlong Toei Port in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 20, 2023, the final day of its four-day visit. The exercise was carried out to address shared challenges, particularly marine pollution. The exercise involved personnel from Thailands Maritime Enforcement Coordination Centre (MECC), Customs Department, Marine Department, Royal Navy, Fisheries Department and other government officials, according to a press release by the Ministry of Defence. As per the press release, The exercise involved a scenario that devised and tested Thailand's Maritime Pollution Response contingency plan in collaboration with the ICG. It fostered knowledge sharing and an interactive environment among the services, ensuring seamless cooperation during real-life oil pollution scenarios. The exercise demonstrated ICGs pollution response capabilities and Indias shared commitment towards the region. Ahead of the exercise, a joint yoga session was conducted on the helo deck of the ship, involving embassy officials and Thai-MECC representatives. The participants were enlightened about the significance of incorporating Yoga into their daily lives, emphasising its unifying power and numerous benefits. During the visit, the ships crew, along with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and representatives from the Embassy of India actively engaged in an international outreach beach clean-up activity at Pattaya Beach. The initiative was part of the Puneet Sagar Abhiyan, a nationwide flagship campaign of NCC to clean sea shores of plastic & other waste materials while raising awareness about the importance of cleanliness. The activity saw the collaboration of local Thai youth organisations in promoting environmental responsibility. Commanding Officer DIG GD Raturi also held a meeting with the Director General of the Office of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Wichnu Thupa-ang at Thai-MECC Headquarters. Both the leaders discussed growing relations between India and Thailand in the field of maritime safety and security. The visit of Samudra Prahari to Bangkok under the India- ASEAN initiative marks a significant milestone in elevating the ties between the ICG and Thai MECC in the maritime domain and highlighting India as a dependable maritime partner, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis vision of SAGAR (Security & Growth for All in the Region) and the theme of Indias G20 Presidency Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One Earth, One Family, One Future. The India-ASEAN Initiative of Overseas Deployment was announced by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during the ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus meeting in Cambodia in November 2022. (ANI)
According to officials,the email was received on the official e-mail account of Lal Bahadur Shastri School (LBS) late on Wednesday evening.

The police were informed about the threat mail and a thorough investigation into the matter was conducted on Thursday morning.

The mail was declared a hoax upon investigation by police and further search for the person who sent the e-mail is being carried on, said police.

As per the reports, after the e-mail was declared a hoax, the school functioned on its routine schedule and an exam that was supposed to be conducted on Thursday was eventually conducted by the school authorities.

Earlier in May this year, a private school in Delhi's Push Vihar area had received an email with a warning of explosives on the premises.

Several teams of police and a bomb squad were rushed to the School after police received information that the school had received a bomb threat via e-mail.

Students were evacuated from the school premises as searches were conducted.

The email threat was later turned out to be a hoax and nothing suspicious was found during a search of the school premises, police had said. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav on Wednesday congratulated the women of the country on the Women's Reservation Bill and said that the Centre has brought this legislation for their own political gains as the country is set to enter in the election mode phase. Speaking to ANI, Dimple Yadav said, "Congratulations to all the women in the country. BJP-led Centre has brought this legislation as almost six months are left for the dates to be announced for the Lok Sabha elections. Keeping in mind the strength of the INDIA bloc and upcoming elections this legislation has been brought for their own political gains." The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first Bill passed by Lok Sabha during the special session after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday. The bill was passed after a day-long debate in which several leaders across party lines put forth their views. The Congress was represented by its Parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi who urged the government to look into OBC and SC quota for women in the bill. After hours of fierce debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Women's Reservation Bill with 454 votes which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. In a historic move, the Vice-President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising 13 women Rajya Sabha members for the day as the house discusses the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, 2023. The Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasized that the presence of women MPs on the chair would send a powerful message to the world at large and it would symbolize that they held a commanding position during this epochal moment of change. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. (ANI)
Amid continuous escalation in the diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday said that Ottawa has taken the role of how Pakistan used to be earlier. Talking to ANI, the Congress leader said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him to take care of the Indian students in Canada. "I had a discussion (regarding the students in Canada) with PM Modi in the Parliament yesterday and he told me that they'll take care of it ... Ravaneet Singh said, adding, Canada has taken the role of how Pakistan used to be earlier..." Tensions escalated in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeauon Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist inIndia, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area inCanada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament,claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of theIndian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. The allegations made by theCanadian Prime Ministerand foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs inIndiawhich dubbed the statements as absurd. "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" the statement said. However, speaking about Nijjar, Ravaneet Singh said that the designated terroristwas the right hand of the killers who assassinated his grandfather. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the right hand of the killers who assassinated my grandfather. He went there in 1993 and he got the citizenship...Nijjar and company are out of the 10 most wanted gangsters and drug peddlers..., he added. (ANI)
In a step towards enhancing last-mile connectivity with public transportation, the Delhi government has invited proposals for the deployment of 3,000 high-speed e-scooters, low-speed e-scooters, and e-cycles. This move is part of the Public E-Scooter Sharing (PeSS) System and Public E-Cycle Sharing System (PeCS) initiative, aimed at providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly mobility solution for the residents of the national capital. Commenting on this development, Transport Minister of Delhi Kailash Gahlot said "I am delighted to announce a significant step forward in our mission to enhance the urban mobility experience and last-mile connectivity in Delhi. The Delhi government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has embarked on an innovative journey to introduce a Public E-Scooter Sharing (PeSS) System and Public E-Cycle Sharing System (PeCS) in the Dwarka sub-city. The heart of this initiative lies in our commitment to providing affordable, eco-friendly, and efficient last-mile connectivity options to complement our existing public transport infrastructure, including the Metro and buses, he said further. We understand the importance of last-mile connectivity in making public transportation more accessible and convenient for everyone. With this in mind, we have invited proposals from potential service providers for the deployment of high-speed e-scooters, low-speed e-scooters, and e-cycles." He added. The project envisions the deployment of a total of 3,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across 90 locations in the Dwarka sub-city in three phases. Phase 1, set to launch with 1500 vehicles, will include high-speed e-scooters, low-speed e-scooters, and e-cycles. Phase 2 will introduce an additional minimum of 750 vehicles, while Phase 3 will complete the deployment of the remaining 750 vehicles, with the condition that they be offered for long-term hiring or rental. Bidders will have the flexibility to operate different EV variants based on demand. The timeline for implementation consists of 6 months for Phase 1, 4 months for Phase 2, and 4 months for Phase 3, followed by a 7-year period for operations and maintenance. The estimated project cost is 18 Crore INR. Bidders are expected to propose a per-minute user charge, subject to a minimum usage of 10 minutes. The quantity split provision is set at a ratio of 60% high-speed e-scooters and low-speed e-scooters to 40% e-cycles, with a cap on user charges to ensure affordability for users. To be eligible, bidders must be Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), authorized dealers of OEMs, or Fleet Aggregators of E-scooters or e-cycles. They must meet a set of technical requirements and achieve a minimum score of 70 marks to qualify. Proof of Concept (PoC) with two operational vehicles at site conditions is also a prerequisite. The introduction of a public e-scooter and e-cycle sharing system is expected to bolster the use of public transport in the Dwarka sub-city by providing essential last-mile connectivity options, thereby expanding the reach of the region's transit systems. This initiative aligns with the Kejriwal Government's commitment to provide sustainable last-mile connectivity and improve the overall urban mobility experience for its residents. It is poised to revolutionize the way Delhiites commute within the city and contribute to a greener and more connected future. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of Parliament Vandana Chavan on Thursday said "unfortunately" Womens Reservation Bill comes with a "caveat" that it would be implemented after census and delimitation. "We are very happy that the Women Reservation Bill has ultimately seen the light of day. Unfortunately, it comes with a caveat, it says that after census and delimitation. I don't see why this should be put in. If we genuinely want to give reservations to women, if we want to take them into the decision-making process at the state level and the Parliament level. It can be done even now it can be done in the 2024 elections, so why are we delaying it," Chavan told ANI. The Rajya Sabha member further added, "Delimitation is not a simple thing for our country. It's not going to be a smooth process. If this entire process takes a long time, we are just delaying the reservation for women. We, however, will not oppose the bill, we will support it but really, it is as they say a 'jumla'." Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Womens Reservation Bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Bill was passed following division with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it on the motion for the passage moved by Meghwal. The amendments moved by opposition members were negatived and there was also voting on clauses of the bill. Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill had been passed. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday. (ANI)
As Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs were suspended from Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday, Angani Satya Prasad, a TDP MLA accused the Speaker of being biased. Speaking to ANI, Angani Satya Prasad said that Speaker Tammineni Sitaram did not listen to the plea from the Opposition party in the state. Today in Assembly, we were asking about the undemocratic arrest of our leader Chandrababu Naidu. We are fighting to withdraw all the cases as they are illegal and also there is no trail about the money which has been told by CID and ACB... The Speaker is totally biased and he did not even listen to our plea..." Prasad said. Notably, Prasad has been suspended for the rest of the session from the House. TDP MLAs were suspended from Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday for stalling the proceedings of the House to protest against the arrest of their partys national president and former Chief Minister NChandrababu Naiduin an alleged skill development scam. The Speaker announced the suspension of 15 MLAs of the main Opposition party from the House for one day. He also suspended three members-- P Keshav, A Satya Prasad and Sridhar Reddy for the rest of the session for showing disrespect to the Chair. As soon as the session began on Thursday morning, theTDPmembers were on their feet demanding a debate on Naidus arrest. When the Speaker rejected their adjournment motion, they trooped into the Well of the House and later surrounded the Speakers podium. Carrying placards and raising slogans, the Opposition legislators insisted that the Speaker take up the issue of Naidus illegal arrest. Chandrababu Naidu was arrested on September 9 by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and 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 an alleged Skill Development Corporation scam. As per the CID, Naidu was the principal conspirator and "accused no 1" in the Rs 371 crore skill development scam. In its remand report, the CID has said that according to the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters is sourced exclusively from funds advanced by the Government of AP and AP Skill Development Center, totalling Rs 371 crores." (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo on Thursday said that the Women's Reservation Bill is void. Speaking to reporters here in Raipur, Deo said, "The Congress party has always focused on women. Isn't the bill brought by the central government misleading? What did they say? They said that the same will be implemented after the census and delimitation (restructuring parliamentary and assembly constituencies on the basis of the latest population data). Till now, the census has not been conducted and the bill was brought up. What kind of reservation you are granting the women? What is your intention?" "This is void. This is going to be implemented in 2029 after the census and delimitation. They should have brought the bill then. They also did not conduct the census, which was supposed to be conducted in 2021", he added. The Women Reservation Bill,which proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was passed with a brute majority in the Lower House on Wednesday. A whopping 454 members of the Lower House voted for the draft legislation on women's reservation while two voted against the motion seeking the Bill's passage. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010, during the Congress-led UPA government. However, it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the Lower House. The government introduced the women's quota Bill on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the governments intention to bring 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. Meanwhile, speaking on the list of Congress's candidates for the upcoming state assembly polls, TS Singh Deo said, 'The Congress is not in a hurry. We are reviewing. After this, the list will be released". The Chhattisgarh assembly election is scheduled to be held later this year. In addition, he also spoke on Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to the state to hold public rallies. "The Gandhi family has always had a special relationship with Chhattisgarh for a long time. Priyankaji's grandmother (Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) and her father (Former PM Rajiv Gandhi) had always had a special bond with the state. Priyankaji herself has her own image and position in the state", the Deputy CM said. Ahead of the assembly election in Chhattisgarh scheduled later this year, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reached Raipur airport on Thursday morning. As per the party, Priyanka Gandhi will address a huge public meeting today as the grand old party stepped up its electoral preparedness in the state. At the airport, the Congress leader was welcomed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel along with his Deputy T S Singh Deo. The visit comes after the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad. Earlier in the month, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge attended the 'Bharosa Ke Sammelan' event in the state's Rajnandgaon city. The 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held later this year to elect all 90 members of the House. Congress managed to win 68 seats while BJP was able to ensure victory on 15 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will go to polls later this year. (ANI)
Amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called it a disappointing development adding thatthere is no evidence that any Indian government body is linked with it. The statement from the Congress MP came amidst tensions in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. "We are now seeing a new phenomenon where immigrants to Canada have become Canadian citizens but are not doing anything in Canadian politics. They're focusing on how to actually do damage to their country of origin. To my mind, that is a very dangerous development. And, Canada really has to examine its own approach to these people. It's all very well to claim outrage that a citizen has been killed in Canada," Tharoor said. He further said, "In any case, there is, as far as I'm aware, no evidence that any Indian government body had anything to do with it because we know that, unfortunately, this fringe terrorist group has a number of factions and they have been killing various members including one today." Calling it a disappointing development, Shashi Tharoor said that many Indians are seething with frustration about the way in which people who are if not terrorists themselves are fragrantly creating violence against our country. "We have valued our relationship with Canada, the trade at a considerable level, we have a large Indian diaspora population there 1.7 million in a country of just 40 million, we also have a large number of Indian students and we have not escalated our concerns beyond a certain point, though we have, I'm sure, conveyed them at various levels to the Canadian authorities. It's a relationship we've always valued...I would have expected that Canada would value the relationship as well, but, the extraordinary decision of the PM to go public with an allegation without a shred of evidence, of Indian government complicity in a murder in his country, shocks me to be very frank," he added. "It really looks like it's doubling down on the pandering to a certain political element, in that country. We know the government, is dependent upon certain support. And perhaps this is why they needed to do that. Elections are also coming up very soon. So for all of these reasons, Canadian politics has led to a situation where a very valued relationship between 2 countries has been thrown into jeopardy and I am really surprised Canadians would do that," Tharoor said. When asked about the diplomats being fired in both countries he said that there is a classic case of tit-for-tat going on. "There is a classic case of tit for tat going on as the Canadians expel an Indian diplomat, and India expels the Canadian diplomat. Canada does something else then India does something else in return. Today India has initiated some action and that is how it going to be responded to," he added. "So, my own view is that could have been any other explanation for what happened. In any case, whatever's happening, why their own citizens are allowed with impunity to behave in this manner, threatening the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good, interests of a friendly country. There's something only the Canadians can answer," he added. 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. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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. The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "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" the statement said. (ANI)
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed happiness that the central government has selected Kiriteshwari in Murshidabad district as the "Best Tourism Village of India." "Glad to share and announce that Kiriteshwari in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal has been selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as the Best Tourism Village of India. The selection has happened in the Best Tourism Village Competition,2023, from among 795 applications received from 31 States/ Union Territories (UTs)," Banerjee posted on X. "Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will give away awards on 27 September in New Delhi. I congratulate the people of the village. Jai Bangla," she added. Earlier on Sunday, Banerjee expressed pride that West Bengal's Santiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore's town has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. "Glad and proud that our Santiniketan, the town of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, is now finally included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. Biswa Bangla's pride, Santiniketan was nurtured by the poet and has been supported by people of Bengal over the generations," Mamata Banerjee said in a post on 'X'. "We from the Government of West Bengal have significantly added to its infrastructure in the last 12 years and the world now recognizes the glory of the heritage place. Kudos to all who love Bengal, Tagore, and his messages of fraternity. Jai Bangla, Pranam to Gurudev," she added. "Santiniketan, West Bengal now inscribed on the #WorldHeritage List!! Established in rural West Bengal in 1901, Santiniketan was founded by Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned poet and philosopher. It is now India's 41st #WorldHeritageSite," UNESCO India said in a post on 'X'. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], September 20 (ANI/TPS): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday met with US President Joe Biden in New York where the two are attending the opening of the 78th UN General Assembly session. In their public comments, Netanyahu first spoke about how the two leaders have been friends for forty years, since the Prime Minister first worked at the Israeli embassy in Washington. I think we live at a time of great promise but also grave danger, he said. You just spoke about that great promise in the G20 meeting that you participated in and led. You spoke about an economic corridor that would link Asia, the Middle East and Europe together, and such a corridor will make Israel a very important hub on a highway of unprecedented prosperity. Netanyahu went on to say that under President Bidens leadership Israel 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, said Netanyahu. I believe that working together we can make history and create a better future for the region and beyond. On the Iranian threat, Netanyahu said I appreciate, Mr. President, your continuous commitment to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability. I think thats critical. And that shared goal of ours can be 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. So I look forward to working with you and your team to realize the promise and confront the threat. 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 declared. We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish. (ANI/TPS)
People visit the clean energy and new materials exhibition area at the fifth China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 22, 2021. [Photo/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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday (local time) accused the West of selectively turning to principles of the UN Charter on a case-by-case basis based on their "parochial geopolitical needs." Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied fully and not selectively. The Russian Foreign Minister said, "Thanks to the United Nations, a new world war was averted. A new world war that was fraught with nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the US single-handedly decided that it would determine the fates of all of humankind and with its complex of superiority began to more frequently and broadly ignore the legacy of the founding fathers of the United Nations. 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 the shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fermenting of new hotbeds of tension. Risks of global conflict have heightened." "In order to curb them, in order to bring things on a peaceful path, 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. This includes the principle of the sovereign equality of states, non-intervention in their domestic affairs, respect for territorial sovereignty, integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination and the actions of the US and their allies attest to the systematic violation of the balance of needs which have been enshrined in the Charter," he added. Accusing the US of interfering with the domestic affairs of Ukraine since the collapse of the erstwhile USSR, he stressed that the meeting, being held uinder the Albanian Presidency, allows them to restore the chronological succession of events, particularly in the context of relations of the main acting parties and the purposes of the UN Charter. "Since the collapse of the USSR and establishment of independent states in its place, the US and its ... have egregiously and openly interfered in the domestic affairs of Ukraine as was publicly and even with pride recognized by the Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Newland in 2013, the USD 5 billion were spent on cultivating Ukrainian politicians in Kyiv by the west," Lavrov said. "All of the facts are being swept under the rug. There are attempts to cancel all of what happened prior to 2014, and for this reason, the theme of today's meeting proposed by the Albanian presidency is most apt, which allows us to restore the chronological succession of events, specifically in the context of relations of the main acting parties, in the implementation of the principles and the purposes of the UN charter," he added. He also accused the US of electing people who became key participants in the coup. He said "putschists" after the coup announced that their top priority was to deny the rights of Russian language speakers in Ukraine and Crimea. He said a "litany of Western leaders" directly encouraged participants in "anti-government demonstrations and acts of violence". "In February 2014, the US elected individuals who became key participants in the brutal coup which was organized. I would recall one day after what was reached under the guarantees of Germany, Poland and France. I referred to the agreement between the legitimately elected president of Ukraine and the opposition leaders. The principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs was repeatedly trampled upon," the Russian Foreign Minister added. "Immediately after the coup, the putschists announced that their top priority was to deny the rights of Russian language speakers in Ukraine and the residents of Crimean, southeast of the country who refused to reconcile themselves to the outcomes of the coup were labelled terrorists. A punitive operation was unleashed against them. In response to this, Crimea and Donbas conducted a referendum fully in line with the principles of equality and self-determination of peoples which are enshrined in paragraph 2 of article 1 of the UN charter. Western diplomats and politicians vis-a-vis Ukraine have been turning a blind eye to this important norm of international law. They have been trying to take all the background and the essence of what has happened and trying to distill this to the inadmissibility of violation of territorial integrity," he added. Also accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Petro Poroshenko of adopting racist law and terming it a blatant violation of the UN charter, he said the Kyiv regime's actions directly counter the constitution of Ukraine. "To the fact that the Ukrainian neo-Nazis who seized power in Kyiv did not represent the population of Crimea and Donbas is something that does not need to be proven. And the unconditional support from Western capitals of the actions, criminal actions, of the Kyiv regime is nothing other than a violation of the principle of self-determination subsequent to an egregious violation interference in domestic affairs," Lavrov said. "Poroshenko and Zelenskyy adopted racist laws on the prohibition of everything Russian - education, media, culture, the destruction of books and monuments, a prohibition on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church seizure of its property. These all became blatant violations of paragraph 3, Article 1 of the UN Charter on the Respect for Human Rights and Basic Freedoms for all, without distinctions on the basis of race, gender, language and religion. Not to mention the fact that these actions directly rank counter to the constitution of Ukraine itself, the constitution which sets out the obligation of the state to respect the rights of Russian and other national minorities," he added. (ANI)
The spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson, on Wednesday rejected reports of the US rebuffing Canada after the latter accused the Indian government of behind the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Watson said they are "coordinating and consulting" with Canada and also "engaging" with the Indian government. Watson made the statement in response to reports in the American media that Washington has distanced itself from Canada's allegation about New Delhi's involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani leader in India. The report highlighted the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration as it seeks to maintain strong relations with both India and Canada. In a post shared on X, Adrienne Watson stated, "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." Earlier, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said serious allegations were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Nijjar, adding that the US wanted the matter handled in a transparent way. In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation. "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 in the interview. Weeks before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Nijjar, officials in the country sought public condemnation of the murder from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported. The alleged assassination of Nijjar led to behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials from the 'Five Eyes' countries in the weeks leading up to the G20 Summit in Delhi, the report said. However, no public mention was made before the summit. 'Five Eyes' is a security alliance of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US. Bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit a sharp downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar. Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a designated terrorist was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada's Surrey in June 2018. India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them "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," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the MEA added in its statement. "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law," it added. India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat in light of the claim of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of the wanted separatist leader. The MEA said that the Canadian diplomat was asked to leave India within the next five days. "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 MEA stated. "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," it added. (ANI)
US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (local time) held a meeting in New York City on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders welcomed the announcement made at the G20 Summit to develop the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and discussed how the project can benefit the entire Middle East region with investment and new forms of collaboration across the two continents. The two leaders held discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern, the White House announced through a statement. Biden and Netanyahu welcomed the likely convening of a ministerial meeting in the Negev format to further advance regional integration initiatives and deepen the ongoing US-Israeli tech dialogue. "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, and discussed how the project can benefit the entire Middle East region with investment and new forms of collaboration across two continents," White House said in its statement. The meeting of the two leaders comes after India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor on September 9, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. During the meeting, Biden and Netanyahu reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and carrying forward the ongoing close cooperation between Israel and the United States to counter all "threats" posed by Tehran and its proxies. The two leaders spoke about the progress towards establishing a more "integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East region", including through efforts to deepen and expand normalization with countries in the region. Biden invited Netanyahu to visit Washington, DC before the end of the year to continue the direct collaboration between the two nations on a range of issues, according to the statement by the White House. He also wished Israel's PM and the people of the country a happy new year. Biden spoke about the "unbreakable bond" between the two nations, which, he noted, is based on shared democratic values, as well as the US "iron-clad commitment to Israels security". "With regard to ongoing tension and violence in the West Bank, the President 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. To that end, President Biden called on all parties to fulfil their commitments made during meetings held earlier this year in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to include refraining from further unilateral measures," read the statement issued by the White House. Biden and Netanyahu also agreed to consult regional partners with the aim of convening a meeting soon in the Aqaba/Sharm format. The White House statement read further, "The President also reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israels democratic system, absent the broadest possible consensus." (ANI)
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday announced that it has scheduled a meeting with political parties in October to discuss the code of conduct for elections, which it expects to hold in January, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. In its statement, the ECP said the session was being held according to Section 233 of the Elections Act 2017. The meeting is scheduled to be held on October 4 at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad. The meeting scheduled for October 4 follows separate meetings between the ECP and political parties on the electoral roadmap amid disagreements between political parties regarding the timeframe for polls. The ECP said, "In this regard, a copy of the draft Code of Conduct has also been sent to the leaders of political parties so that they can provide their feedback during the consultation", according to a Dawn report. As Pakistan's National Assembly was dissolved three days before the end of its constitutional term, elections must be within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly by November 7 as per Article 224 of the Constitution. However, at the same time, Section 17(2) of the Elections Act states that the commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published. In the last round of meetings held with the ECP, political parties took different stances regarding the timing for elections with some highlighting the need for fresh delimitation while others stressing for conducting elections within the constitutional time frame. Earlier, in August, Pakistan President Arif Alvi invited Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja for a meeting to fix an appropriate date for general elections, the report said. In his letter to the CEC, Alvi referred to Article 244 of the Constitution and said that he was duty-bound to get the elections conducted within the prescribed 90-day period after Pakistan's National Assembly was dissolved prematurely. However, a recent amendment to the Elections Act 2017 allowed the ECP to announce the dates for elections unilaterally without having to consult the president. In response to the President's letter, CEC said participating in a meeting with him to decide the election date would be of scant importance." Pakistan President Alvi even sought the advice of the Law ministry in the matter. The ministry, however, told the president that the power to announce the date for elections lay with the Pakistan Election Commission. Meanwhile, the country's caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, on September 15 said announcing the date for elections was beyond the mandate of the interim government, Dawn reported. Addressing a press briefing after a high-level meeting at the PM House, Kakar ruled out the prospect of announcing the election date. In response to a question, Kakar said, If I were to announce elections, I would be engaging in an unlawful act, and as a journalist, If you steer us towards illegal actions and pose questions that might tempt us to break the law, what should my response be?" Kakar was quoted as saying in the Dawn report. (ANI)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday (local time) accused Russia of weaponising energy and food. He said countries need to support Ukraine as well as back the sustainable development goals (SDG) and global development, calling it the only responsible choice." In his address at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Ukraine, Trudeau said, "Russia is weaponising energy and food, leading millions to face shortages, hunger and even starvation. Canada is dedicated to mitigating the impacts on the most vulnerable. We do not believe we have to choose between supporting Ukraine and supporting the SDGs and global development. In fact, the only responsible choice is to do both, which we are doing with solidarity and financial commitment." Trudeau called on Russia to completely and immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine. He said the key principles of the Ukrainian 'peace formula' are rooted in international law and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity. Trudeau said, "The fight of Ukraine is also our fight, it is also our common struggle and there can be no doubt about this. Canada calls on Russia to completely, immediately, without conditions, withdraw troops. The key principles of the Ukrainian peace formula because it must be a peace that respects the UN charter, is based on international law and preserves Ukraine's territorial integrity. A peace that upholds our common humanity and common values, not a peace that turns a blind eye. It must be a peace that is built on respect for the facts and respect for the rules." He said Russian President Vladimir Putin violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, adding that action should be taken to stop the tragic deaths and violence. He accused Russia of using its veto power in the United Nations to facilitate the war. Noting that the United Nations was established to save people from the scourge of war, he called formaking efforts to not let the world return to a place where "might makes right". "The UN was established to save people from the scourge of war. This fundamental principle has guided this institution since it was founded. So, we need to be 100 per cent clear about what is happening right now. A permanent member of this Security Council, Russia, has launched and continues to wage an illegal war. Vladimir Putin has violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and seeks to deny the rights of Ukrainian people to determine their own future," Trudeau said in his address. "At the same time, the Russian Federation has been flagrantly using its veto right within this organisation to facilitate this war and these violations of the principles of the United Nations. We must stand up to this affront to the UN. We must take action to stop the tragic deaths and violence, including sexual violence caused by this unjustifiable invasion. We must not let the world return to a place where might makes right. We must make sure that borders mean something, even when a neighbour has a bigger army," he added. Trudeau stressed that respect for the rule of law and accountability to it should be fundamental and non-negotiable. Noting that tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War, he said that Ukraine, Europe and the whole Global South are suffering due to the ongoing conflict. "Tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War. Watching bloody conflict return to Europe has shaken the conscience of the world. And it threatens the peace that for three-quarters of a century led to unprecedented prosperity around the world. We cannot let that happen because it is not just Ukraine or even just Europe that suffers if we don't uphold our values, all of us will suffer, including all of you in the Global South. And it's not just about the far-reaching and long-term impacts. It's about the suffering that is happening right now," Trudeau said. Earlier, on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of selectively turning to principles of the UN Charter on a case-by-case basis based on their "parochial geopolitical needs." Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied fully and not selectively. The Russian Foreign Minister said, "Thanks to the United Nations, a new world war was averted. A new world war that was fraught with nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the US single-handedly decided that it would determine the fates of all of humankind and with its complex of superiority began to more frequently and broadly ignore the legacy of the founding fathers of the United Nations." "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 the shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fermenting of new hotbeds of tension. Risks of global conflict have heightened." "In order to curb them, in order to bring things on a peaceful path, 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," he added. (ANI)
New York [US], September 21 (ANI/WAM): On the second day of the high-level week of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UAE delegation, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held bilateral and multilateral meetings and participated in events focused on strengthening the UAEs network of foreign relations, its active role in the multilateral system, and its contributions to addressing critical regional and global challenges. In this context, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed held bilateral meetings with Rashad al-Alimi, the President of Yemen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konakovic. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed also reviewed bilateral ties with Donika Grvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister of Kosovo. Furthermore, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met separately with Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Jan Lipavsk, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Alva Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs of St. Lucia. He also participated in a trilateral meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Anthony Blinken, the Secretary of State of the United States of America, to discuss the importance of reaching a sustainable political solution in Yemen. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, represented the UAE at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit Halfway to 2030 plenary meeting, which sought to review and strengthen contributions by the private sector toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Al Hashimy also met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. Additionally, Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, met separately with Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgiums Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and the North Sea, and Svenja Schulze, Germanys Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Almheiri also participated in a high-level event for Nature and People: From Ambition to Action, co-hosted by a number of countries, the UN and civil society organizations. In the event, HE Almheiri announced the UAEs endorsement of The Mangrove Breakthrough, an initiative aimed at securing the future of 15 million hectares globally by 2030. The UAE recognises the paramount importance of mangroves in combating climate change and supporting our coastal communities and we look forward to helping drive real on-the-ground change, Almheiri said, who also announced that the UAE will host a Mangroves ministerial meeting on December 9, part of COP28s Nature, Oceans, and Land Use Day. Almheiri also participated in an event hosted by France to launch a Call for Food Security aimed at fostering the development of sustainable and resilient food systems, particularly among the most vulnerable countries. Also today, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, reiterated the UAEs commitment to deepening its partnerships across the African continent, and exploring new areas of cooperation in meetings with Faustin-Archange Touadra, President of the Central African Republic; Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of Botswana; and Nabil Ammar, Foreign Minister of Tunisia. Ahmed Al Sayegh also participated in a high-level side event on Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls, hosted by Canada, Indonesia, and Ireland, and co-sponsored by the UAE. For his part, Al Sayegh underscored the UAEs ongoing commitment to championing the rights of Afghan women and girls and called for a united approach by key regional and global stakeholders. The UAE will continue to work towards fostering a joint international effort that effectively addresses the crises in Afghanistan, and sustainably improves the lives and protects the rights of Afghan women and girls, Al Sayegh said. Al Sayegh also attended a meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, where he highlighted the UAEs leadership in advancing the SDGs and commitment, as hosts of COP28, to accelerate climate action. The UAEs position as a leading commercial and development hub in the region shows the potential for deploying innovative technologies in diversifying our economies and drive towards sustainability, HE Al Sayegh said. "[COP28] aims to urgently transform and accelerate climate action to fulfill the commitments made by the world to reduce impacts of climate change, and increase financing available for the developing world. (ANI/WAM)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 21 (ANI/WAM): Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, Commander of Joint Operations at the UAE Ministry of Defence, met with Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich, US Commander of Ninth Air Force, at his office at the Joint Operations Command, here. During the meeting, they discussed the existing relations of friendship and cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, especially in terms of military aspects, joint operations, and ways to enhance and develop collaboration in this regard between the two countries. (ANI/WAM)
Amid the India-Canada diplomatic standoff, Canadian MP Chandra Arya alleged that the extremist elements are attacking and threatening Hindu-Canadians to go back to India. He has also urged all the Hindu-Canadians in the country to stay calm, and vigilant and report any untoward incident to law enforcement agencies. Notably, Chandra Arya is an Indo-Canadian leader who comes from the Liberal Party of Canada, the same party as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. https://x.com/AryaCanada/status/1704587560847090171?s=20 Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India, Arya posted on X (formerly Twitter). I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies, he added. He further said that the Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke the Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada. However, Arya also clarified that a majority of Canadian Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement. Let me be clear. Vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community. Canadian Hindus and Sikhs are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties, he further said. Arya stated that this direct attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is the further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists. Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law, he added. He further expressed dismay at glorification of terrorism and hate crime being allowed in the name of freedom of expression. I cant understand how the glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression. There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialized Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime, he said. Arya added that the Hindu Canadians keep a low profile, are considered soft targets, and the anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu-Canadians. Two well-organized groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organizations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our parliament hill, he stated. Arya further called upon Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. As Canadians, we can be proud of our Hindu faith and heritage and our impressive contribution to the socio-economic success of our country Canada, he added. Earlier on Monday, in a further souring of ties, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India. This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country. India has outrightly rejected the allegations, dubbing it as "absurd" and "motivated". In a reciprocal move India then expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country. Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 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)
Members of 'Hindu Forum Canada' have written to Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc seeking security for the country's Hindu community in the face of direct threats from Khalistani elements. Hindu Forum Canada is a Not-for-Profit humanitarian organization based in Ontario that advocates for policies that enhance the wellbeing of minority groups in Canada. The forum in a letter addressed to LeBlanc, demanded his urgent attention to the communitys deep concerns regarding recent statements made by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the head of banned organisation Sikh for Justice. We implore the authorities to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness, as it directly impacts the safety and security of Canadian citizens. Our alarm has been exacerbated by the dissemination of a hateful video on social media, the Hindu Forum Canada said. Designated terrorist in India, Gurpatwant Pannun in a recent viral video, said pro-Khalistan Sikhs have consistently shown loyalty to Canada. He then went on to threaten Indo-Canadian Hindus, urging them to leave the country. "Hindus living in Canada, leave Canada as soon as possible, he said in the now-viral video. The Hindu Forum Canada said the foundation of international relationships is predicated on a long-term strategy of mutual benefit, and it is of paramount importance that domestic considerations do not eclipse sound judgment. This comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist inIndia, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area inCanada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. Meanwhile, the forum said Pannu expressed the beliefs held by himself and his Khalistani associates, leaving no room for ambiguity, that they intend to target individuals who do not subscribe to their ideology. These threats have now materialized within Canada, and it is imperative that the Canadian government does not underestimate their gravity. The forum said that both Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have previously defended these incidents as matters of freedom of expression. We implore them to address Pannu's threat to Indo-Canadian citizens, particularly Hindus residing in Canada. With the support of over a million Canadian Hindus, we earnestly beseech Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to recognize Pannu's threat as a hate crime, the letter said. We anticipate that Canadian authorities will take decisive action to address this matter. Will they persist in classifying this threat as an exercise of freedom of expression, or will they acknowledge the danger that has inadvertently befallen Canadian citizens? the letter added. On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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). Indian students inCanadahave been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. (ANI)
The United Kingdom will delay a series of key climate targets to ease the burden on working people, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday. Sunak told reporters that he will push back a ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, dramatically slow down plans to phase out gas boilers, and reject calls to regulate efficiency for homeowners, CNN reported. The Prime Minister reiterated plans to expand oil and gas developments in Britains North Sea and drill for the fossil fuels that environmental groups condemned. He also announced that the ban on onshore wind will be lifted. We're changing the way we reach Net Zero by 2050 to ease the burden on working people. Our new approach will be pragmatic, proportionate and realistic, Rishi Sunak posted on X (formerly Twitter) along with a video message. https://x.com/RishiSunak/status/1704567738172068172?s=20 Stating that the UK is already far ahead of every other major country in terms of achieving Net Zero, Sunak said that if the UK continues on this path, it might lose the consent of people. Sunak called it a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach towards meeting the commitment of reaching Net Zero by 2050. Were absolutely committed to reaching net zero by 2050. But, no one in Westminster politics to look people in the eye and explains what this really involves. Thats wrong and it changes nowSo today, we are changing our approach to meeting net zero to ease the burden on working people, he said in the video address. A major policy relief announced by Sunak is the easing of the transition to electric vehicles, allowing people to buy new petrol-diesel cars and vans until 2035. The citizens have also been given more time to replace existing boilers and they have to make a switch only when they are replacing their boiler. Also, families that are hit hardest by cost need not make the switch ever at all, Sunak said. Sunak further said that the UK government will stay out of peoples lives. He has said that all ideas like the government deciding what to eat, keeping seven different bins in the house, creating new taxes to discourage flying or taking holidays, and restriction on the number of passengers in the car, will go now. We will never impose these unnecessary and heavy-handed measures on you the British people. And we will still meet our international commitments to hit Net Zero by 2050, Sunak added. Notably, Sunaks announcement marks a sharp turn away from a long-standing political consensus on the climate, just two years after the United Kingdom hosted the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, and seriously undermines efforts to portray Britain as a leader in the fight against the climate crisis, as per CNN. Boris Johnson, whose premiership included the COP26 and embraced the net zero pledge, had earlier shot back in a rare public attack on his former chancellor-turned-political rival. Business must have certainty about our net zero commitments, Johnson said in a statement, calling on Sunak to give firms confidence that the 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, CNN quoted Johnson as saying. Britain is legally required to have reached net zero meaning the country would remove from the atmosphere at least as much planet-warming pollution as it emits by 2050. Surveys in th UK show that the climate crisis is increasingly high on the list of British voters concerns, and the opposition Labour party has sought to attack Sunak on what they describe as a withdrawal from Britains former position as a global leader," CNN reported. Rolling back on key climate commitments as the world is being battered by extreme flooding and wildfires would be morally indefensible, CNN quoted Mike Childs, Friends of the Earths head of policy, as saying in a statement. The announcement has also drawn criticism from British businesses. Lisa Brankin, the chair of Ford UK, said in a statement that the automobile giant needs three things from the UK Government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. Ed Matthew, Campaigns Director for independent climate change think tank E3G, said the moves would drive up household bills and damage the UKs ability to compete with other countries on clean technology. Just as the US, China and the EU are racing ahead on green growth, Rishi Sunak appears ready to surrender, he said. The economic damage to the UK could be catastrophic. (ANI)
You are here: China

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected the city of Shaoxing in east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday afternoon.

Xi visited an exhibition hall featuring the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance to review the evolution of the dispute resolution mechanism and learn about its innovative development in the new era.

Xi also went to a canal culture park to learn about the history of ancient canals, the preservation of the Grand Canal, and the construction progress of a national cultural park featuring the Grand Canal.
As per the details, the police found the body hanging from a tree near Ghalib Khyber a suburb of Matiari.

Sources told ARY News that the boy was sexually assaulted before getting killed. Police and rescue workers reached the spot after receiving information and shifted the body to the hospital for post-mortem.

The 12-year-olds family members said he left the house in the morning to cut wood.

Meanwhile, the police said it is premature to say anything about the sexual assault, adding that the confirmation will be done after a post-mortem, as per ARY News.

Recently, speakers at a training session on child abuse prevention in Pakistan revealed that twelve children are sexually abused in the country every day.

The session was organised by the German nonprofit Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), Dawn reported.

In addition, the speakers brought forth a statement from FNFPakistanthat stated 4,253 child abuse incidents were registered in 2022, a 30 per cent rise from 2021.

The session was informed that the state was responsible for promoting and protecting children's rights by teachers, social workers, attorneys, students, journalists, and representatives from several pertinent agencies.

According to FNFPakistan's leader of the programme, Mohammad Anwar, signs of sexual abuse include terrifying behaviours including nightmares, sadness, abnormal fear, efforts to flee, and the emergence of sexual behaviour that is incredibly inappropriate for the child's age, reported Dawn.

He made the observation that 50 per cent of child abuse victims knew their abusers, who could belong to any class, caste, religion, or ethnicity. He noted that the perpetrator could be a male, woman, child, relative of the victim, or a total stranger. (ANI)
The Indian Mission in Canada has once again updated its Visa Application page on BLS International reinstating a ticker that cites temporary suspension of Visa services till further notice for operational reasons. The ticker on the BLS International Website was briefly removed from the Wesbite but has since been restored. As per BLS International, interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue. "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the BLS website says. BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services. On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on traveling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid traveling 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). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The updated travel advisory for students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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. The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "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 Government of India''s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated" the statement said. (ANI)
The Indian Mission in Canada has once again updated its Visa Application page on BLS International removing an earlier ticker that had cited temporary suspension of Visa services till further notice for operational reasons. The ticker on the BLS International Website has since been removed indicating normal Visa service resumption. BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services. On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on traveling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid traveling 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). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The updated travel advisory for students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament,claimed 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. The allegations made by theCanadian Prime Ministerand foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "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 Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated" the statement said. (ANI)
Notably, Shehbaz Sharif had reached Lahore just a day earlier.

He is expected to reach London on Thursday night. While Maryam Nawaz is set to reach the British capital to meet her father on Thursday afternoon, Geo News reported citing sources.

Shehbaz Sharif is coming back to London with an important message for Nawaz Sharif, a trusted source, privy to the information, told Geo News.

Nawaz, Maryam and Shehbaz are expected to hold talks on the PML-N supremo's return to Pakistan on October 21.

Nawaz Sharifs return to Pakistan remains final, there is no change in plan, the source added.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz had left London for Pakistan on Monday night, after spending a month in the British capital where he held meetings with Nawaz and other party members, Geo News reported.

In London, he had revealed the date for his elder brother's return to Pakistan ahead of the upcoming elections to lead the PML-N's political campaign in the country.

"Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21," Shehbaz had said back then.

The statement came after a meeting of the PML-N's top leadership headed by Nawaz Sharif in London. While speaking to the media after the high-level party huddle in London, Shehbaz said that the date for Nawazs return was finalised after consultation with the party members.

Earlier, the legal team of PML-N in London, provided clearance for Nawaz Sharifs return to Pakistan, the News International reported.

The meeting was held on September 16 after which the partys legal team gave a comprehensive briefing to the former Prime Minister in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict in the NAB amendments case. The team comprising former law minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Amjad Pervez, Advocate, and Attaullah Tarar gave Nawaz Sharif legal clearance for his homecoming. (ANI)
The Canadian High Commission, consulates in India are open, operational and continue to serve clients, the High Commission informed on Thursday. The Canadian High Commission said that Global Affairs Canada continuously monitors the safety and security of our missions and personnel as we maintain a strict security protocol to respond to any events. It said: In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff in India. Global Affairs Canada is the department of the Government of Canada that manages Canada's diplomatic and consular relations. The Canadian High Commission said it has decided to temporarily adjust staff present in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity, it said. Global Affairs Canada will continue to 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. Decisions are made based on a number of factors including the professional profile of an employee or personal circumstances, the high commission said. In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here, it said. Indo Canada relations dipped after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist inIndia, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area inCanada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of theIndian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs inIndiawhich dubbed the statements as absurd. "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 Government ofIndia's involvement in any act of violence inCanadaare absurd and motivated" the statement said. On Wednesday,Indian nationals, students inCanadaand those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution.Indian nationals andIndian students inCanadawere advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues inCanadathat have seen growing anti-Indiaactivities, according to 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. (ANI)
The meeting saw the adoption of the Bahrain Declaration and the ACD Chair was transferred from Bahrain to Iran.

On Saturday, the MEA Secretary (ER) addressed the Valedictory Session of the 2023 United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) South Asia Conference in New Delhi.

He touched upon issues related to commercial arbitration, Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), digital economy, MSME and access to credit, commercial mediation and commercial arbitration.

Ravi also spoke on how India could progress to make itself a hub for international arbitration.

Earlier, Damu Ravi met Meg Kinnear, the Secretary General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and the Vice President of the World Bank in the national capital.

The two discussed various issues including investment treaties, arbitration, InvestorState Dispute Settlement (ISDS) reforms among others. (ANI)
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the "potential links" of India behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are Politically driven. "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven," Bagchi said while addressing a weekly presser. The MEA further said no information has been shared by Canada regarding the killing of Nijjar. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries. With the diplomatic row between India and Canada reaching the level of expelling envoys, Bagchi said that the Indian government has conveyed to the Canadian government that there should be parity in the strength of diplomatic presence. He said, "We've informed the Govt of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side. Arindam Bagchi further commented that the Government of India has informed multiple times to the Canadian government about the use of its soil for criminal activities and added that no action was taken by Canada. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon," said Bagchi. MEA Spokesperson said, "Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian govt to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice...We've sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we've requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all." On increasing security at Indian Consulate in Canada, he said, "We have always believed that it is the host government's responsibility to provide security. Some places we have our own security posture also. But, I don't want to discuss security measures in public. That's not an appropriate situation." On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The updated travel advisory for students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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.The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as 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" the statement said. (ANI)
India said on Thursday that security threats being faced by the countrys High Commission and Consulates in Canada have disrupted their normal functioning and they are temporarily unable to process visa applications. Answering queries during the weekly press conference, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our consulates. The remarks came hours after visa services provider BLS International said that it has with immediate effect suspended Indian visa services in Canada. The spokesperson faced a volley of questions over the row between India and Canada following the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats and the allegations made by Canada in connection with the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. "You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis," he said. Answering a query on e-visas, Bagchi said e-visas are also on temporary suspension. All categories of visas are suspended," he said. "Those who have valid visas, OCIs are free to travel to India. The issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our consulates which is what is making us stop temporarily the issuance of visa services. We will review this situation on a regular basis," he added. Answering a query related to the security of diplomats, Bagchi said India takes its obligations about the security of diplomats seriously and expects Canadian authorities to show similar sensitivity. "We take our obligations very seriously. We will be certainly providing all security to foreign diplomats in India. We also expect Canadian authorities to show similar sensitivity to our diplomats in Canada," Bagchi said. Answering a query related to reports concerning visas issued by Canada, Bagchi said discrimination by the Canadian side is something of concern. "We have seen reports...if there are cases where we believe people are not being given fair treatment or there is discrimination, we do take these things up..but discrimination in how visas are granted by the Canadian side is something of concern and there have been cases in the past...," Bagchi said. Bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit a downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar. India has rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them "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. Allegations of Government of India''s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," MEA had said in a statement. "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law," it added. Bagchi said India is engaged with its partners on various issues. "We have been, of course, engaged with our partners in various issues, particularly this one, and we have been discussing with them. we have conveyed our position, and how we see this development and I think those are part of ongoing conversations," Bagchi said. Visa services provider BLS International has with immediate effect suspended Indian visa services in Canada, amid a diplomatic standoff between the countries. Due to operation reasons, with immediate effect i.e. 21 September 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice, the company informed stock exchanges in a filing on Thursday. It added the impact of this move is negligible on the companys financials as the Canadian visa issuance business contributes less than 2 per cent to its total annual revenue. India had on Wednesday issued an advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada. It said that 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 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 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 added. The advisory called upon Indian nationals and students from India 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. It said 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. (ANI)
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday highlighted the concerns regarding the Baby Ariha case and said that the German authorities have granted counsellor access to Baby Ariha. "German authorities granted counsellor access to Baby Ariha on August 31. The interaction with the child included the relevance of cultural immersion with a view to enable the child to remain connected with Indian traditions and culture," the MEA spokesperson highlighted. While addressing the weekly press briefing, Bagchi further assured that the Indian government is in constant engagement with the German authorities on this case to safeguard the child. Moreover, he said that the resources related to Indian festivals and customs were provided by the Indian embassy to keep the child in touch with her faith and culture. "Resource material relating to Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over by our embassy with the expectation that the child's caregiver would incorporate the same in her routine to enable her to remain in touch with her faith and culture. We remain in constant engagement with the German authorities on this matter to safeguard the child," Bagchi added. Last month, Dhara Shah, mother of Ariha Shah, an Indian baby in German foster care, held a demonstration on Friday at Jantar Mantar demanding that German authorities allow Ariha to celebrate Independence Day with the Indian Community in Germany in order to protect her cultural rights. "We will go to the German embassy. We will request the German ambassador that 15th August is coming and every Indian has the right to celebrate it. We will ask him to let Ariha celebrate the Indian independence day. She should not be deprived of her cultural identity," Dhara Shah said while speaking to ANI. The child, Ariha Shah, was accidentally hurt by her grandmother in September 2021 following which the German authorities took the baby away. She is currently under German foster care. Since Baby Ariha's family urged the authorities to look into their matter, the Indian Government has consistently raised the issue with the German authorities. Earlier, in this regard, Bagchi said that the MEA and the Embassy of India in Berlin have been persistently advocating for the return of Ariha Shah to India. He said that the government has urged German authorities to do all that is necessary to send Ariha to India at the earliest, which is also her inalienable right as an Indian national. "We remain committed to ensuring the return of Ariha Shah to India," he added. "India has a robust child welfare and protection system, and there are potential foster parents in India who are willing to bring up the child in her own socio-cultural milieu. The German authorities have been made aware of India's child protection system and the details of potential foster parents have also been shared with them. Ariha's continued placement in German foster care and infringement of her social, cultural and linguistic rights is of deep concern to the Government of India and the parents," he added. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], September 21 (ANI/TPS): Israels Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman participated in what her ministry described as a high-level meeting of the HAC (High Ambition Coalition for People and Nature also known as the 3030 coalition) for the preservation of biological diversity within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2021, Israel joined the HAC coalition, which brings together more than 120 countries that commit to promoting the protection of at least 30 per cent of the total area of global terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030. This goal also known as 30 to 30 is one of the most important tools for protecting Biodiversity today and is also included in the new global plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity published in December 2022 in Montreal. Minister Silman said:I am committed to preserving Israels unique nature and will work to ensure that all ecosystems are adequately preserved. In recent months, I have recommended declaring a number of nature reserves and national parks throughout the country, among other things in sensitive and threatened habitats in the protected areas as well as areas threatened by Accelerated development and extensive areas in the Mediterranean Sea. (ANI/TPS)
On the reports of threats to Canadian diplomats in India, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that New Delhi takes Vienna's obligations very seriously of providing security to foreign diplomats in India, adding that it expects the same from the Canadian side. "We take our obligations of Vienna convention very seriously. We will be certainly providing all security to foreign diplomats in India. We also expect Canadian authorities to show similar sensitivity to our diplomats in Canada," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. His statement comes amid the prevailing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada. Notably, both countries expelled envoys in a tit-for-tat move after the allegations were levelled by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleging India's role behindthe killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While giving further details on the security position of Indian Consulates and diplomats, he said, "We have always believed that it is the host government's responsibility to provide security. In some places, we have our own security posture also. But, I don't want to discuss security measures in public. That's not an appropriate situation." Notably, Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations addresses the protection of diplomatic premises and states that the premises of a diplomatic mission, including the buildings, the land they occupy, and other property, are inviolable. It entrusts the host country with the duty to protect these premises from any intrusion, damage, or disturbance in order to prevent any interference with the mission's peaceful functioning and the diplomats' ability to carry out their duties. In view of the prevailing diplomatic tension, Bagchi said that India has suspended visa services in Canada because the countrys High Commission and consulates in that country face security threats. "You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis," he said. Answering a query on e-visas, Bagchi said e-visas are also on temporary suspension and all categories of visas are suspended. "The issue is not about travel to India. Those who have valid visas, OCIs are free to travel to India. The issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our consulates which is what is making us stop temporarily the issuance of visa services. We will review this situation on a regular basis." he added. MEA also said that they have issued an advisory for all the Indians present in Canada to take proper caution and asserted that the Indian Consulate is working in Canada to help people in any unusual situation. "We've issued an advisory to take precautions. Our Consulate is working there. We have said that if they face any problem, they can contact our Consulate...," he added. On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The updated travel advisory for students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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. The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "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" the statement said. (ANI)
Describing it as a major scandal, a senior journalist from Canada, Daniel Bordman has said that there is a big spectre of foreign interference from China in the country. The journalist has said that there is an enormous threat of Chinese meddling in Canada as Justin Trudeau's Liberal party has, during several election cycles sought support from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), regarding which there is a story in Canada to move the spectrum away from Chinese foreign involvement. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Bordman said, "If you wanna have some Canadian context about what's going on and why he may have done this, here's what I think is maybe the leading theory we can say as to why Trudeau has started to fight with India. In Canada, we have this big, big spectre of foreign interference from China. That's a major scandal right now. It's Justin Trudeau's liberal party, was getting help from the CCP at different points in elections. And how much did they know? How much did they not know? There was a kidnap, two diplomats, the two Michaels. And were there Liberals doing back-channel deals with the CCP to help keep them in jail? It's a whole big thing that we need an investigation into." "Trying to decipher the motivations of Justin Trudeau can be, a maddening task at times, to figure out why he's done. There is no logical explanation. There's no reasonable explanation. There's no good foreign policy explanation. But this is part of the course of Canadian foreign policy since 2015. So in order to shift the spectrum from Chinese foreign interference, we have a story in Canada, which is essentially a story about Pakistani foreign interference, being framed as a story of Indian foreign interference to cover up the real story, which is Chinese interference," the senior journalist said. Claiming that every major news outlet in Canada is funded by Trudeau's Liberal Party now, Bordman said, "Trudeau's big win over the last 24 hours prior to the visas being suspended was no one was really talking about China. And instead of that, we were talking about this. And he got the media to pretty much take his side because every major news outlet in Canada is in some way funded by the Liberal Party now. The government has given them billions of dollars. They need government subsidies to survive. So there's an element of sort of control they can have on the media narrative." "It's the Liberals that are fighting interference. See, they kicked out a diplomat because there was a big thing. They wouldn't kick out a Chinese diplomat. We had evidence he was threatening the family of a sitting MP. He wouldn't kick that diplomat out for over a week. We have to force him to kick him out. So now he's kicking out a diplomat willy nilly to sort of muddy the waters and gaslight the country to say, look, I'm so strong on foreign interference, I kicked out a diplomat," Bordman added. Earlier in May, Canada designated a Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei as 'persona non-grata' following an uproar in the country over allegations of political meddling. However, Beijing (then) fiercely denied any election interference, calling the claims "purely baseless and defamatory". Canada has decided to declare persona non grata Mr. Zhao Wei," read a statement by Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. "I have been clear: we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home," the Canadian Foreign Minister had said then. Bordman told ANI that Canadian foreign policy issues have been jumbled up by the Liberals in the media internally in Canada and sold out to Canadians. "But again, this is blown up in his face because it's not like the Indian government was just going to sit there and do nothing. They actually push back against Trudeau, and now he's dealing with the consequences. It's 09:00 am, Eastern Standard Time here. So Canada is sort of just waking up," he said. Notably, the bilateral ties between India and Canada have hit a sharp downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar. Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a designated terrorist was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada's Surrey in June 2018. India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them "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," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the MEA added in its statement. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], September 21 (ANI/WAM): Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, addressed today 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 the 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. Thats 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 humanitys greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action. Dr. Al Jabers 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 wont be solved through agreement alone. It can only truly be addressed through Action. Thats precisely what we aim to achieve through the COP28 Action Agenda. Dr. Al Jaber went on to detail the COP28 Presidencys 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 Presidencys 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 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 decarbonise 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 operationalise 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, 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, Lets be brave. Lets be bold. Lets go after gigatons, Lets activate a truly global response to the global stocktake and let's unite let's act and let's deliver. (ANI/WAM)
Satya Narayan Sharma, a member of an Indian NGO Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan (RSKS) recently addressed the ongoing 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), shedding light on the significant impact of India's Citizenship Amendments Act (CAA). During an intervention made by him, Sharma highlighted the concerns of refugee communities hailing from neighbouring Pakistan, who, after being displaced, found refuge in India. He underlined how the CAA has played a pivotal role in granting Indian citizenship to minorities from Pakistan, providing them with a fresh start and a renewed sense of security. Sharma shared the harrowing experiences faced by those, who had to leave their homeland due to problems, harassment, and persecution. He emphasized that seeking refuge in another country is an arduous journey marked by endless suffering. Speaking about the CAA, Sharma revealed that Indian citizenship had recently been conferred upon refugees in regions like Jodhpur, Barmer, and Ahmedabad, further solidifying India's commitment to protecting the rights of persecuted minorities. "In their home country, these displaced individuals once had land, property, and farms, but they endured discrimination, harassment, and property seizures solely based on their religion and minority status," Sharma said. "As a result, they made the difficult decision to leave their native land and seek refuge in India, leaving behind many loved ones," he added. Sharma reflected on the implications of a nation where people do not wish to reside in their homeland due to fear and insecurity, deeming it a matter of grave concern. "India has consistently opened its arms to welcome and secure refugees from various countries, recently extending Indian citizenship to numerous refugees from neighbouring nations," Sharma continued. "By implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act, India has demonstrated its commitment to offering refuge and a fresh start to those in need, embracing the principles of humanity and the belief in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' the world as one family," he said. Sharma also emphasised the importance of global unity and the rejection of discrimination based on religion or race anywhere in the world. He also reiterated the government of Indias permanent position of forging solidarity among nations to stand against any form of discrimination and to bring peace and unity to the world. (ANI)
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that India is a country of growing importance, adding that Canada is not looking to provoke or cause problems and called upon the government of India to work with Ottawa to establish processes to uncover the truth in the murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He also stressed that Canada is unequivocal about the importance of the rule of law and protecting Canadians as well as standing up for values. "There is no question, India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with not just in a region but around the world and we are not looking to provoke or cause problems but we are unequivocal about the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about of the importance of protecting Canadians and standing up for values," Trudeau said while addressing a press conference at Canadas Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. "That''s why, we call upon the government of India to work with us to establish processes to uncover the truth of the matter and to allow justice and accountability to be served," Trudeau added. Trudeau''s recent statement comes as the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada escalated to a level that the envoys of both countries have been expelled in a tit-for-tat move. Indian External Affairs Ministry in its response to the allegations by Canada had said, "Yes these allegations were raised by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau with PM (Modi) and PM rejected them." The MEA said that allegations were raised by Trudeau when he was in India to attend the G20 Summit and that PM Modi had rejected them. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Canada has not shared any specific information regarding the allegations and that India is asking Canada to take action against those facing charges related to terrorism."We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday answering queries. Moreover, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also took questions about Canada''s tensions with India during a press conference. On sharing evidence, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said, "Canada has a rigorous and independent justice system, that we trust, to follow through the processes, we will ensure that those processes are strictly, abided by and respected." Regarding the safety of Canadians, he said, "I can tell everyone that Canada is a safe country. We always take Canadians'' safety seriously, whether they are at home or abroad." "Canada has a rigorous and independent justice system, that we trust, to follow through the processes, we will ensure that those processes are strictly, abided by and respected. In terms of safety in Canada and the safety of Canadians, we always take the safety of Canadians extremely seriously, whether at home or overseas, I can assure everyone that Canada is a safe country," Trudeau said, while adding, "I continue to call, for calm, and for Canadians to remain true to who we are, open, respectful, grounded in, respect and trust in our institutions and, our law enforcement and justice systems." Speaking further, the Canadian PM repeated his allegations over the killing of the Khalistani leader and stated, "I think it''s extremely important that as a country with a strong and independent justice system. We allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity. But I can assure you, the decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons was not made lightly. It was done with utmost seriousness..." Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)  a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a designated terrorist was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada''s Surrey in June 2018. India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them "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," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "Allegations of Government of India''s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the MEA added in its statement. "Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law," it added. India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat in light of the claim of New Delhi''s involvement in the killing of the wanted separatist leader. The MEA said that the Canadian diplomat was asked to leave India within the next five days. "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 MEA stated. "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," it added. (ANI)
US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday (local time) held a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC. Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska arrived in a black SUV at the South Portico at 3:33 pm (local time). Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden greeted them on their arrival. After posing for pictures, they entered the White House. Responding to a question on how important is his visit, Zelenskyy said, "Very important." Before their arrival, an honour military corridor lined up on both sides of the driveway, with 56 flags representing all US states, territories and DC. For the meeting in the White House, Zelensky was pictured wearing his signature olive-green clothes. Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy held a meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and US House Representatives. He stated that Ukraine is extremely grateful to the House, both parties and all the Americans for their support. The Ukrainian President posted on X, "I met with US House Speaker @SpeakerMcCarthy, House Democratic Leader @RepJeffries, and US House Representatives. Ukraine is sincerely grateful to the House, both parties, and the entire American people for all the support. We have accomplished much together to safeguard democracy, freedom, and dignityvalues shared by both of our nations." He added, "The Ukrainian people have suffered immensely as a result of Russian war crimes, but we have liberated more than half of the occupied territory from Russian invaders, and we can clearly see that victory is getting closer. During our meeting, we discussed the battlefield situation and priority defence needs, including air defence. I emphasized that a Ukrainian victory will ensure that neither Russia nor any other dictatorship destabilizes the free world again. To win, we must all stand together and work together." After his arrival in Washington, DC, Zelenskyy said he had important meetings ahead. He said that Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Notably, the US has been offering support to Ukraine ever since its conflict began with Russia. Zelenskyy posted, "Olena @ZelenskaUA and I arrived in Washington, D.C. Important meetings ahead. Last night, Russia launched another mass missile attack on Ukraine. I thank all of our rescuers for their immediate response. We must work together to fully deprive Russia of its terrorist potential. At my meetings, air defence will be among top priorities." On Wednesday, the Ukraine President said the UN finds itself in a 'deadlock' on the issue of aggression. Attending a special United Nations Security Council session in New York, 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, "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." At the session, the Ukrainian President also highlighted how Russian aggression is a violation of the UN charter". "...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," he added. (ANI)
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (PIX11) - Two people died and 42 others were hurt when a charter bus carrying students from Long Island to a band camp overturned down an embankment on a New York highway Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The bus crashed on Interstate 84 just outside of Middletown in Orange County at 1:12 p.m., police said. It was one of six buses carrying students from Farmingdale High School to a band camp in Greeley in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the school district.

Student describes rollover bus crash that killed 2: This cant be real

Four adults and 40 students were on the bus. Five students were hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, officials said.

The high schools band director, Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, and a retired teacher Beatrice Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, were identified as the two people who died in the crash.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said a faulty front tire may have contributed to the crash, according to the preliminary investigation. However, the governor stressed that the crash is still under investigation.

Video from AIR11 showed the bus lying on its side in trees and shrubs yards off the road in the median between the westbound and eastbound sides of the highway.

Farmingdale student Anthony Eugenio, 15, was asleep on the bus when he felt a thud and awoke to what he thought was a dream or nightmare. The bus felt as if it was tipping. Then he felt himself tumbling  how many times he cant recall  as he tried to pull his sweatshirt hood from over his eyes.

Then everyone was yelling, he said. The kid next to me was covered in blood. I saw blood everywhere.

He crawled out of the overturned bus through a window, dazed but only scraped and bruised. Once outside, he found his backpack, which had been thrown from the wreck, and his missing shoe.

Eugenio, who spoke to The Associated Press from a car as his mother drove him home, said his thought as the bus turned over and over was This cant be real.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate the crash, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said. Hochul said she sent the Division of Homeland Security to also help local authorities with the investigation.

There are a lot of families who need some love tonight, and we extend that from 20 million New Yorkers who all know how much we cherish our children, Hochul said at a news conference Thursday evening. Lets keep them in our prayers this evening and as they recover from this horrific traumatic experience.

Injured students were sent to a reunification center at the SUNY Orange campus on Conkling Avenue in Middletown to meet up with their parents, officials said. Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said parents could contact Orange County Emergency Management at 845-615-0400 for details on reuniting with their children.

Students from the other five buses headed back to Farmingdale High School.

Bruce Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County where Farmingdale is located, expressed his sympathy to the families of those involved.

What started out as an incredibly beautiful day in New York State  they had a weekend plan of fun  unfortunately the day ended in tragedy for so many, Blakeman said. Our hearts go out to all of the families of Farmingdale High School.

I-84 was shut down for several hours while police investigated the crash.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (PIX11) - Two people died and 42 others were hurt when a charter bus carrying students from Long Island to a band camp overturned down an embankment on a New York highway Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The bus crashed on Interstate 84 just outside of Middletown in Orange County at 1:12 p.m., police said. It was one of six buses carrying students from Farmingdale High School to a band camp in Greeley, in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the school district.

Five students were hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, officials said.

Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, were identified by officials as the two people who died in the crash.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said a faulty front tire may have contributed to the crash, according to the preliminary investigation.

Video taken from news helicopters showed the bus lying on its side in trees and shrubs yards off the road in the median between the westbound and eastbound sides of the highway.

I-84 is closed at exit 15 while authorities investigate the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate the crash, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said.

Hochul said she sent the Division of Homeland Security to help local authorities with the investigation. I-84 is expected to remain closed for several hours.

I have been briefed on the tragedy in Orange County where a bus filled with high school students was involved in an accident, leading to injuries and one fatality  We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation, Hochul said in a statement.

Injured students were sent to a reunification center at the SUNY Orange campus on Conkling Avenue in Middletown to meet up with their parents, officials said.

Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said parents can contact Orange County Emergency Management at 845-615-0400 for details on reuniting with their children.

Students from the other five buses are headed back to Farmingdale High School.

Bruce Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County where Farmingdale is located, expressed his sympathy to the families of those involved.

What started out as an incredibly beautiful day in New York State  they had a weekend plan of fun  unfortunately the day ended in tragedy for so many, Blakeman said. Our hearts go out to all of the families of Farmingdale High School.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Associated Press material was used in this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (PIX11) - Two people died and 42 others were hurt when a charter bus carrying students from Long Island to a band camp overturned down an embankment on a New York highway Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The bus crashed on Interstate 84 just outside of Middletown in Orange County at 1:12 p.m., police said. It was one of six buses carrying students from Farmingdale High School to a band camp in Greeley, in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to the school district.

Five students were hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, officials said.

Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77, were identified by officials as the two people who died in the crash.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said a faulty front tire may have contributed to the crash, according to the preliminary investigation.

Video taken from news helicopters showed the bus lying on its side in trees and shrubs yards off the road in the median between the westbound and eastbound sides of the highway.

I-84 is closed at exit 15 while authorities investigate the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate the crash, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said.

Hochul said she sent the Division of Homeland Security to help local authorities with the investigation. I-84 is expected to remain closed for several hours.

I have been briefed on the tragedy in Orange County where a bus filled with high school students was involved in an accident, leading to injuries and one fatality  We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation, Hochul said in a statement.

Injured students were sent to a reunification center at the SUNY Orange campus on Conkling Avenue in Middletown to meet up with their parents, officials said.

Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said parents can contact Orange County Emergency Management at 845-615-0400 for details on reuniting with their children.

Students from the other five buses are headed back to Farmingdale High School.

Bruce Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County where Farmingdale is located, expressed his sympathy to the families of those involved.

What started out as an incredibly beautiful day in New York State  they had a weekend plan of fun  unfortunately the day ended in tragedy for so many, Blakeman said. Our hearts go out to all of the families of Farmingdale High School.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Associated Press material was used in this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
We're actually pretty good at predicting when our partners want to break up, a new study suggests.

We're actually pretty good at predicting when our partners want to break up, a new study suggests.

Sometimes a hunch is more than just a hunch: A new study suggests people are relatively good at predicting when their partner wants to end the relationship.

Thats the takeaway from a new study out of the Singapore Management University titled When ones partner wants out: Awareness, attachment anxiety and accuracy.

Kenneth Tan, the co-author of the paper and an assistant professor of psychology at SMU, shared insight into why he was interested in studying peoples perception that a breakup might be looming.

We know that when breakups happen, they could start off by one partner actively considering ending the relationship, Tan told HuffPost. But we know very little about whether people actually think that their partners are considering ending the relationship as well.

It is possible that those who suspect that their partner might be intending to break up may respond with breaking up first, but it begged the question: Are people even good at knowing what their partners might be thinking regarding ending the relationship? said Tan, whose study was published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.

Tan and his team introduced a new concept to describe this dynamic: PPDC, or perceived partner dissolution consideration.

We define PPDC as the extent to which individuals perceive their partner is thinking about implementing steps or plans to terminate their relationship, Tan explained. It is an adaptation of ones own dissolution consideration, or the extent to which someone is thinking about implementing steps or plans to end their relationship.

Tan stressed that dissolution consideration is a different metric from commitment. For instance, there could be a scenario where a partner is still committed to the relationship, but is giving some deep thought to relationship dissolution because theyre about to move to another country.

And partners who are less committed might be less caring or have mixed feelings about wanting the relationship to continue, but it is different from actively considering the end of the relationship, he said.

On its own, dissolution consideration represents an existential threat to the relationship.

People are pretty accurate about their partners actual dissolution consideration

To track how accurate people tend to be about sensing their partners dissolution consideration, Tan and his co-authors used a large sample of dating couples from a U.S. university. Accounting for tracking accuracy and directional bias, the team also recruited 235 dating couples from SMU who reported on their own dissolution considerations as well as PPDC, just as the U.S. couples did.

What did they find in the two groups?

The good news is that people were pretty accurate about their partners actual dissolution consideration, Tan said. If their partners were reporting higher dissolution consideration than others, people picked up on that, [and] likewise for those who reported lower dissolution consideration.

People with an anxious attachment style were particularly good at gauging their partners' dissolution consideration.

People with an anxious attachment style were particularly good at gauging their partners' dissolution consideration.

Attachment style made a difference, too. People with an anxious attachment style  meaning the person may fear abandonment in relationships, and may struggle to feel secure in them  were much better at gauging their partners dissolution consideration, compared to people with a secure attachment style.

It makes sense, Tan said, since people with an anxious attachment style typically fear rejection and are hypervigilant about threats to the relationship.

Unfortunately, anxiously attached people in the study also sometimes overestimated their partners actual desire to break up.

In follow-up work, Tan wants to examine how anxiously attached people might respond to PPDC: whether theyre more likely to try to reconnect with or reject their partner. The current study only looked at whether people were accurate about their partners dissolution consideration, and not about the likelihood of a breakup.

We think that its possible that a preoccupation with PPDC might signal the potential end to a relationship: One partner might choose to end the relationship instead of salvaging it, he said. Were excited to continue this line of research.

While this subject may seem like a downer to study, Tan says theres a positive takeaway for couples.

Most people actually want their relationships to continue, hence being vigilant in accurately tracking PPDC, he said.

If youre concerned that your partner is considering breaking up, therapists have some advice

Worried that you may be in the dark about your partners dissolution consideration? Generally, a relationship is a two-way street, noted Alejandro Daniel Pina, a marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles.

If someone is unhappy, that usually means both people are unhappy, he told HuffPost. Some couples specialists call relationships a dance, and if one of you is out of step, it will ultimately affect the other partner.

It may also just be that youre overthinking, said Michele Leno, a psychologist in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Before approaching your partner about your thoughts, consider the facts of the relationship: what you know versus what you think you know, Leno told HuffPost.

You might want to consider how your past relationships color your thinking about this current one.

Sometimes, if youve been left or ghosted, you cant relax in any relationship, Leno said. Consider how this relationship is different from the previous one. If someone has abandoned you without warning, this usually says more about their own dysfunction than you.

Whatever the issue, its best to bring up worries with your partner in order to narrow down the variables and find solutions, Pina said.

Otherwise, he said, keeping your concerns to yourself will affect the dance and eventually get you both out of step.

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Books about activists and their activism can help inspire you to fight for changes that matter to you. From gripping biographies that unveil the intimate struggles of iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, and Nelson Mandela to insightful explorations of collective movements like the suffragettes and civil rights crusaders, these 10 books about activists illuminate the courage, determination, and sacrifices that activists across the globe have made to champion human rights, environmental stewardship, and social change.



Each book on our carefully curated list serves as a powerful reminder that a single voice can spark a revolution.

'The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.' by Peniel E. Joseph

Many Americans have been taught to view Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. as symbolizing opposing ideals. This captivating dual biography upends that misconception, eloquently reevaluating their respective roles in the civil rights movement.

Historian Peniel E. Joseph offers a nuanced revision of the story of two African-American trailblazers who, despite only meeting in person once, mutually ignited and propelled each other's journeys.

Shop Now 'The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.' by Peniel E. Joseph amazon.com $16.99

'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' by Malala Yousafzai

When Malala Yousafzais homeland came under the control of the Taliban, she became an outspoken defender of girls education and womens rights. She rose to international prominence when, at just 15 years old, she survived a harrowing assassination attempt.



Far from silenced, Malala used her platform to expand her activism work. In 2014, she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17.

Shop Now 'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' by Malala Yousafzai amazon.com $13.26

'Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag' by Rob Sanders

Billed as the first childrens book to focus on the history of the rainbow LGBTQ+ pride flag, this beautifully illustrated story uses accessible, engaging language to introduce kids to social activism.



The book traces the rainbow flag from its creation by Gilbert Baker through the groundbreaking political work of Harvey Milk that popularized it, all the way to its use today. It also includes a list of resources for further learning.

Shop Now 'Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag' by Rob Sanders amazon.com $11.81

'Ida: A Sword Among Lions' by Paula J. Giddings

Journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells was born into slavery and became one of the most impactful activists of the 20th century.



While her first foray into activism was an attempt to segregate a railway car in Memphis  a protest that ended with Wells being tossed from a train  she is best known for fighting to end the practice of lynching in America. This sweeping biography brings the vibrant crusader to life.

Shop Now 'Ida: A Sword Among Lions' by Paula J. Giddings amazon.com $15.99

'Love, Anarchy, & Emma Goldman' by Candace Falk

After arriving in America as a Jewish immigrant at the age of 17, Emma Goldman found her way from working as a seamstress to speaking internationally on politics, economics, and oppression. Her essays remain relevant today, with prescient views on incarceration, feminism, political violence, sexuality, religion, nationalism, and more.



This biography combines Goldmans public discourse with her sometimes sappy, often moving, ever scandalous love letters to paint an unprecedented picture of the radical activists life.

Shop Now 'Love, Anarchy, & Emma Goldman' by Candace Falk amazon.com $18.98

'Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela' by Nelson Mandela

Few names are more synonymous with activism than that of Nelson Mandela. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the first democratically elected president of South Africa, Mandela dedicated his life to fighting racial apartheid.



Mandela wrote much of this critically acclaimed autobiography in secret during his 27 years in prison. The text inspired the 2013 movie of the same name, starring Idris Elba.

Shop Now 'Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela' by Nelson Mandela amazon.com $13.49

'Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman' by Leslie Feinberg

Although this book was originally published in 1996, it remains gripping, relevant, and necessary today. Activist and author Leslie Feinberg passionately recounts the history of gender norms, gender diversity, and transphobia while highlighting the work of activists like Marsha P. Johnson and others.



Feinbergs depth of historical research and cultural criticism interweaves with deftly written memoir passages to uplift and inspire readers.

Shop Now 'Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman' by Leslie Feinberg amazon.com $25.95

'Angela Davis: An Autobiography' by Angela Y. Davis

First published in 1974 under the editorial guidance of Tori Morrison, the 2022 rerelease of Angela Daviss autobiography includes modern reflections from the activist and scholar herself.



In addition to addressing aspects of her original text that no longer align with her views, Davis connects the dots for modern readers, hoping to apply lessons from her 20th-century activism to modern-day efforts.

Shop Now 'Angela Davis: An Autobiography' by Angela Y. Davis amazon.com $15.21

Ali: A Life

The New York Times called this book about Muhammad Ali an epic of a biography that reads like a novela suspenseful novel with a cast of vivid characters. With unprecedented access to the heavyweight boxers life and inner circle  as well as previously unreleased FBI and Justice Department files  this bestseller recounts the religious, political, and personal life of the athlete.



This book about activists includes Muhammad Ali's bold opposition to Americas war in Vietnam, befriending Malcolm X, and nearly losing his career.

Shop Now Ali: A Life amazon.com $11.15

'A Burst of Light and Other Essays' by Audre Lorde

Audre Lordes contributions to the world would be weighty enough if her acclaimed poetry and essays were evaluated by artistic merit alone. But Lordes use of the written word to unapologetically explore her identity as a Black lesbian  and to advocate for racial, social, and sexual justice for all  has kept her work relevant and poignant in the years since her death.



This essay collection, in particular, is a call to action for advocates and activists everywhere.

Shop Now 'A Burst of Light and Other Essays' by Audre Lorde amazon.com $12.77

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A 100-year-old big leaf maple tree will be removed from the Washington state Capitol Campus on Friday.

The Department of Enterprise Services said in a news release that the 60-foot-tall tree with an 80-foot-wide canopy is decaying from within and has reached the end of its lifespan. DES said it is removing the tree because it poses a safety risk to pedestrians and parked cars in the Pritchard parking lot.

According to Brent Chapman, who works for DES buildings and grounds, the tree is approximately 90% rotten on the inside. Typically, the state would repurpose the wood from the tree, but the wood is too far gone, he said. The branches may still have some usable wood, he said, and sometimes the Kiwanis Club in Olympia can offer that to low-income families for firewood.

Additionally, other trees from campus are sometimes used for wood chips around campus, but the big leaf maple is too diseased to use for even that.

Its very sad but this tree has been really useful and healthy on campus for 100 years. Its done a lot of really good things for the campus and the neighborhood, Chapman said.

The total cost of the tree removal  including permits from the city for traffic control  is $14,700 and will come out of the operating budget, according to Chapman.

Another big leaf maple would be unlikely to thrive in the same location, DES and a landscape peer review committee determined. Instead, three ponderosa pine trees will replace the big leaf maple when landscape work is being done for the Pritchard Rehabilitation Project in about a year and a half to two years, Chapman told McClatchy.

Several more trees also will be removed during the Pritchard expansion project, but Chapman said that more new trees will be planted than were removed by a factor of two or three.

The replacement plan aligns with urban forestry principles used to manage the Capitol Campus, which is an accredited arboretum, DES said in the news release.

A detour will be in place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday when 16th Avenue Southwest will be closed between Sylvester and Water streets.

A big crane will be used to remove the tree and those in the area can expect to hear chainsaws and grinders throughout the day.

TreeWalker in Olympia was contracted for the job, and a certified arborist for the company will be doing the work.

The removal comes just one month after the removal of a cherry tree on the Capitol Campus sparked an uproar. The dying tree was dedicated to the late state Sen. Cal Anderson, and the removal of the tree was not communicated before crews chopped it down.

The tree and plaque were later replaced on campus, along with several other dying cherry trees.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The 101st Airborne Division is expecting to send more troops to eastern Europe.

This time, about 3,400 soldiers will deploy from Fort Campbell.

The soldiers are part of the divisions 3rd Brigade Combat Team Rakkasans. They will join reinforcements for NATOs eastern flank in the war in Ukraine.

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They will replace the divisions 1st Brigade Combat Team Bastogne in a one-for-one replacement that will not change the overall U.S. force posture in the region, according to a release.

The mission to reinforce our NATO partners remains vital to maintaining security on the European continent, said Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). For the last six months, our 1st Brigade has done an incredible job supporting the Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce mission. I am confident the Rakkasans of 3rd Brigade will continue to represent our division with distinction alongside our European partners and allies.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The deployment will begin in the next few months as the 1st Brigade makes their way back home from a nine-month deployment that began in March.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
As of 4:30 p.m. local time, 11 people are known to have been injured in Russias Sept. 21 missile attack against Cherkasy, the State Emergency Service reported.

The number of casualties may change as the rescue operation is ongoing.

In the early morning, Russia launched 43 missiles toward Ukraine in the attack, 36 of which were destroyed by Ukrainian defenses, according to the Air Force.

Across Ukraine, two people were killed, and around 30 were injured as a result of the strikes and falling debris.

Four missiles were destroyed over Cherkasy Oblast, regional governor Ihor Taburets said on Telegram. Missile debris fell on a local hotel, causing a fire, the official added.

According to emergency workers, a nearby market was also damaged in the strike.

Ukraines state energy operator, Ukrenergo, earlier reported that the morning wave of Russian attacks on Sept. 21 marked the first mass strike on energy infrastructure in six months.

Read also: Russia launches mass wave of missile attacks, 2 killed, 26 injured

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A version of this story appears in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

Days after President Joe Biden declared unyielding support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, the domestic US political fight is threatening aid funding  and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encountered less-than-open arms from Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.

Poland also announced this week it would no longer arm its neighbor Ukraine. Read more from CNNs Rob Picheta about that surprise development, which is born of a looming election in Poland and a standoff with the European Union over Ukraines grain supply.

Back in the US, for the clearest example of how the ground has shifted, watch the video below: a side-by-side comparison of comments from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was the Republican minority leader in March 2022 when Zelensky addressed a joint session of Congress virtually. The Ukrainian leader spoke again to all US lawmakers in person in December. The House was united, McCarthy said last March, to help Ukraine get the weaponry they need to defend themselves.

Now, after Congress committed so many billions in aid to Ukraine during votes in one calendar year and a US election catapulted him to House speaker, McCarthy has questions about accountability and further funding.

And rather than again give Zelensky the platform of a joint session before Congress, McCarthy gave Zelensky a meeting behind closed doors. Those optics, or lack thereof, are important.

Money is the main topic of conversation on Capitol Hill at the moment

The US government is about to run out of funding and a government shutdown is on the horizon.

In August, as part of a larger request that included domestic disaster relief funding, the White House asked Congress to approve another $24 billion for Ukraine. This money would go to a variety of things, including replenishing the Pentagons arsenal with equipment sent to Ukraine.

The most recent short-term funding bill pushed by Republicans included neither the disaster funding nor the Ukraine funding. But negotiations continue.

The existing Ukraine aid was all approved before Republicans took control of the House in a series of spending bills over the course of 2022. It has been spent in multiple disbursements by the Biden administration across the intervening months.

The US has given more to Ukraine than any other country

The total dollar figure the US has provided to Ukraine dwarfs any other individual country.

However, the US is a much wealthier country than those that surround Ukraine, which suggests other countries may have given a larger comparative amount.

How much has the US agreed to spend on Ukraine?

So far, Congress has approved about $113 billion in aid to Ukraine, according to calculations by the US State Department Office of Inspector General and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

That includes more than $62 billion intended to go through the Pentagon and more than $46 billion intended to go through the Department of State and the US Agency for International Development.

Whats $113 billion to the US government?

To place the $113 billion appropriated by Congress for Ukraine in 2022 in context, thats a little more than it spends in one year on the Department of the Interior and a little less than it spends on the Department of Commerce, according to official government tallies.

The larger Pentagon budget is authorized to be $886 billion next year. The US also spends trillions each year on its safety net with programs like Social Security and Medicare.

The largest chunk has gone directly to help Ukraines military

The US has actually spent a bit more than $43 billion on security aid for Ukraine since Russias invasion in February 2022.

The figure pops up to more than $44 billion during the Biden administration and more than $46 billion since 2014, when Russia first seized portions of Ukraine, according to the State Department.

What does the military funding buy?

A lot of firepower. Start with 300 million rounds of ammunition and millions of artillery rounds.

The Pentagon and State Department have a list of what the billions in US aid have gone to since Biden took office.

It includes 198 Howitzers for those millions of artillery rounds; 31 Abrams tanks; hundreds of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles; hundreds of armored personnel vehicles; anti-tank systems like the Javelin; NASAMS (national advanced surface-to-air missile systems) and HAWK air defense systems; river patrol boats; medical supplies; night vision devices; cold weather gear; and spare parts.

Pretty much everything you could imagine short of F-16 fighter jets, which are to be provided by other countries.

What does non-military spending provide?

Its used for a very wide variety of things, according to the review by CRFB  everything from helping provide food security to helping rebuild Ukraines infrastructure.

Does the money go where its supposed to?

There have been indications of corruption. Zelensky, for instance, replaced the leadership at his defense ministry just before traveling to the US to address the United Nations and appear at the White House with Biden.

CNNs Fareed Zakaria asked Zelensky how he would stop corruption. Zelensky argued money from partners like the US was not involved in the case of the defense minister  but that answer will not quiet calls in the US for more transparency and accountability.

Has it been a good investment?

Russia failed to overrun Ukraine, and in fact, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory from Russia. It has been slow going, but Ukraine has claimed new inroads this week in its effort to beat Russia back.

Experts say that without continued financial support, Ukraine would have trouble continuing to stand up to Russia.

What do the people think?

CNNs Ariel Edwards-Levy notes that multiple recent surveys suggest Republicans would like to see the US scale back its support of Ukraine.

Much of the public overall continues to favor actions such as sanctions against Russia and help with Ukrainian intelligence gathering.

A CNN poll released earlier this summer charted growing Republican opposition to aid in Ukraine, and found 55% of the full public opposed to Congress authorizing more funding to support Ukraine, rising to 71% among Republicans. A majority of the public overall did favor some specific forms of aid, such as help with intelligence gathering (63% support) and military training (53% support).

Polling from other organizations this fall has confirmed this shift.

Divides within the GOP

The CNN/University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday helps further demonstrate the divides on Ukraine within the GOP, according to Edwards-Levy.

It finds 59% of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire support stopping all military funding for Ukraine, with 29% opposed and the rest neutral or unsure. An 84% majority of those backing former President Donald Trump in the primary favor cutting off aid to Ukraine, far higher than the level of support for this proposal among the rest of the GOP electorate (39%).

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The new ad includes a woman who identifies herself as Hadley and says she was raped by her stepfather. (STILL FROM VIDEO)

A young woman who says she was raped as a child is blasting Republican Daniel Cameron in a new political ad for his support of a law that prohibits victims of rape and incest from obtaining abortions.

"I was raped by my stepfather after years of sexual abuse. I was 12," says the woman, identified only as Hadley from Owensboro in the ad launched Wednesday by Gov. Andy Beshear 's campaign. "Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it's like to stand in my shoes."

Hadley  whom the Beshear campaign says is 21  goes on to address Cameron directly while looking into the 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. I'm speaking out because women and girls need to have options. Daniel Cameron would give us none."

The Courier Journal does not identify victims of sexual crimes. But according to online records, Hadley's stepfather was convicted of rape and other sexual crimes and is in state custody. He's not eligible for parole until 2032.

Earlier this week Cameron, who is running against Beshear for Kentucky governor in November's general election, flip-flopped his stance on abortion-ban exceptions. He now says he would sign legislation to approve exceptions in the case of rape or incest. That followed an August ad aired by Beshear's campaign that also criticized Cameron's abortion stance.

Within hours of the latest ad's launch, the Cameron campaign released a video railing against it.

"Andy Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history," Cameron said in the video released Wednesday afternoon. "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."

He goes on to call Beshear's perspective on abortion "extremist," while Beshear has previously said that an abortion law with no exceptions is "extremist."

#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

Prior to Monday, Cameron, the state's attorney general, said multiple times that he supports current Kentucky law, which does not provide exceptions for rape or incest.

When asked in April about the potential for tweaking the law to include the exceptions, Cameron told LEX 18 that he would defend the law "as is" and would "not waiver" in his position.

But on Monday he made a different statement on the "Tony & Dwight" show on NewsRadio 840 WHAS.

"If our legislature was to bring legislation before me that provided exceptions for rape and incest, I would sign that legislation," he said. "There's no question about that."

Courtney Yopp Norris, Cameron's press secretary, did not directly answer a question from The Courier Journal about when Cameron changed his stance on Monday but called him "the pro-life candidate for governor."

On Wednesday she said Beshear's "entire public record shows that he refuses to sign or support any pro-life protections for the unborn."

More: Pandemic criticism of Beshear played well in Kentucky GOP primary, but does it hold up?

Beshear campaign spokesman Alex Floyd said Cameron's camp is lying. Andy Beshear has been clear for years that he supports reasonable restrictions, especially on late-term procedures," Floyd said in a statement.

This story may be updated.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @ellie_mccrary.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor race 2023: Beshear ad rips Cameron on abortion law
EARLIMART, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A 12-year-old has been arrested for threatening a mass shooting at Earlimart Middle School, according to the Tulare County Sheriffs Office.

On Monday, deputies received a report about a student making terrorist threats and indicating a mass shooting would happen at Earlimart Middle School.

The threat was made on social media.

Detectives responded and identified a 12-year-old student at Earlimart Middle School as the suspect. He was contacted at his home and taken into custody. No guns were found at his home. Deputies say he was booked at the Juvenile Detention Facility on suspicion of making terrorist threats.

Sheriff Boudreaux is reminding students that threats like these are taken extremely seriously by the Sheriffs Office, and they will be treated like they are credible every time.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Loya or Sergeant Balderas with the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at 559-733-6218.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A 15-year-old girl died and several others were injured in a crash as they were being driven to their Pennsylvania school, officials say.

The crash reportedly happened around 7:25 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, in Dravosburg and involved a van taking students to Serra Catholic High School.

Allegheny County police said the school van was trying to turn left when it was struck by a car, TribLive.com reported. Witnesses described the fiery aftermath.

My husband ran over, put the fire out, and I ran over to the kids and took my sweatshirt off, started putting it on the kids, trying to help stop bleeding and keep them alert, Jessica McCauley, who was driving her son to school, told WTAE.

School officials said 15-year-old Samantha Kalkbrenner was killed in the crash.

Three other Serra Catholic students were taken to a hospital, where they are listed in stable condition, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said. The driver of the van and car were also receiving treatment in a hospital.

The crash caused a door on the car to be ripped off and windows of the school van to be shattered, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Amy Kovka told the newspaper parts went flying everywhere during the collision.

A bunch of people ran over the side, and everybody started screaming, saying that there was a child trapped underneath of the van, Amie Nickelson, who witnessed the crash, told WTAE. About 30 people surrounded the van and tried to lift it up off of the ground. It was just completely, completely devastating to watch. Everybody was just in a frantic trying to get this child out from underneath the van.

Serra Catholic High School, located in a suburb of Pittsburgh, canceled classes for the remainder of the week.

Samanthas father, Carl Kalkbrenner, described his daughter as being as close to perfect as a child could get.

She loved her life and everything about it, the father said. If you knew her, you loved her. Thats the impact she had in this life. I will miss my baby forever, and there will forever be a hole in my heart.

Others close to Samantha noted her infectious smile.

Sam always had a beautiful big smile on her face during class, and had the most contagious laugh, said Steel City Academy of Dance, where Samantha was said to be among the advanced dancers.

Sam was a kind soul who made an impact on everyone she was around, and her smile was infectious, Portals a Fear, a haunted house where Samantha worked as an actor, said in a Facebook post.

16-year-old with contagious smile found dead in car engulfed in flames, GA cops say

Bus transporting school volleyball team involved in fatal crash, North Dakota cops say

Three 15-year-old boys killed when their car crashes into Missouri home, police say
A 17-year-old died after being fatally shot outside a Lewisville fast food restaurant Wednesday, according to police.

Detectives responded to a shooting at around 4:10 p.m. at Raising Canes in the 1000 block of West Main Street.

Just before 6 p.m., Lewisville police confirmed the teenager who was shot died at a local hospital.

Police told Star-Telegram partner WFAA-TV that a juvenile shooting suspect fled from the scene and led officers on a brief chase into Carrollton. The suspect eventually stopped and was taken into custody without further incident.

The victim was identified by police as Skylar Ashton Marquel Linson, who was a Lewisville High School student.

The high school, at 1098 W. Main St., is next to the fast food restaurant where the shooting happened.

The suspects name has not been released. Police said they believe the victim and shooter knew each other.
 Read the full article on Motorious

A winner is crowned.

As the leaves begin to change color in Ontario, classic car aficionados descended upon the picturesque Cobble Beach resort community for the ninth annual Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Held on September 17, the event boasted more than a century of automotive history spread across the lush 18th fairway.

Check out the Amelia weekend mega thread here.

For the 2023 event, the Cobble Beach Concours celebrated multiple significant milestones in the automotive world: 120 years of Buick, 75 years of Porsche, 70 years of Corvettes, and 60 years of Lamborghini. These historical touchpoints were represented by some of the finest collector vehicles North America has to offer.

One notable highlight was the presence of the 1951 Buick LeSabre concept car designed by Harley Earl and provided by the General Motors Heritage Center. This iconic prototype went on to win the "Prototype and Concept Vehicles Pre-1980" class. Hot on its heels was Steve Plunkett's custom-built 1956 Buick Century X show car, crafted for the then-General Motors design chief Bill Mitchell. A unique Canadian-built Ferguson Super Sport, crafted by Chris Atkins, claimed third place in the category.

Among the historical tributes was the Canadian McLaughlin-Buicks, which originated when Sam McLaughlin struck a deal with Buick in Flint, Michigan, more than a century ago. One striking example was a 1908 McLaughlin-Buick Model F, sourced from the Canadian Automotive Museum. This antique vehicle was originally sold to a farmer just a half-hour's drive away from its Cobble Beach display.

However, the crowning moment was when a stunning 1929 Cord L-29 convertible, owned by Greg Ornazian of Rochester Hills, Michigan, took home the Best in Show Award. This classic front-wheel-drive vehicle stole the limelight, epitomizing the union of style, luxury, and engineeringa timeless testament to the glory days of American automaking.

But let's not forget the Newfoundland collector Vernon Smith, whose 1958 Buick Limited Convertibleone of only 839 ever builtwon the ribbon for Outstanding Post-War Classic. This win was hot on the heels of his last year's accolade for his 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. Last but certainly not least, a rare 1935 British-built SS Airline Coupe, restored in Festus, Missouri for owners Jim and Lisa Hendrix, won Outstanding Pre-War Classic. This particular gem is one of just 16 models known to still exist.

As the day drew to a close, it was evident that the 2023 Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance had once again showcased the pinnacle of automobile craftsmanship and history, all against the backdrop of Cobble Beach's breathtaking scenery.

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Authorities with the California Highway Patrols Organized Retail Theft Task Force on Wednesday announced the recovery of more than $200,000 worth of stolen merchandise and the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with a retail theft fencing operation.

On Sept. 13, CHP partnered with LAPDs newly formed Los Angeles Organized Retail Crime Task Force, to investigate the fencing operation, which was selling stolen retail merchandise at swap meets in the L.A. area, according to a new CHP news release.

A fence is either a person or group of individuals that buy merchandise stolen during smash-and-grab robberies and organized retail thefts, such as flash-mob style crimes, and then sell those goods as a seemingly legitimate business, online or at swap meets.

Investigators located the operation, which was being run out of the backyard of a private residence where the stolen merchandise was kept under tents and inside a box truck.

At the scene, CHP and LAPD officers found goods stolen from Victorias Secret, Amazon, CVS, Rite Aid and Ralphs stores in the greater L.A. area totaling an estimated $218,379. Investigators also seized nearly $45,000 in cash as evidence.

Stolen retail merchandise from at least five stores in the L.A. area was recovered by CHP and LAPD on Sept. 13, 2023. (CHP)

Stolen retail merchandise from at least five stores in the L.A. area was recovered by CHP and LAPD on Sept. 13, 2023. (CHP)

Stolen retail merchandise from at least five stores in the L.A. area was recovered by CHP and LAPD on Sept. 13, 2023. (CHP)

VIDEO: $260K in high-end watches stolen during smash-and-grab robbery

The 10 suspects arrested were only described as three females and seven males from the South L.A. neighborhood of Compton.

The CHP is committed to aggressively investigating organized retail crime activity in the Los Angeles region and throughout California, the release noted.

An Organized Retail Theft Grant Program, which will send $267 million to 55 cities and counties in California, was approved by the Board of State and Community Corrections to combat these types of crimes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in a metro Atlanta neighborhood.

Newton County Sheriff officials told Channel 2 Action News around 2:58 a.m. Thursday, deputies received reports of a shooting at a home on Kirkland Road in Covington.

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

When deputies arrived, they located a 23-year-old man who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The victims identity has not been released.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting have not been determined.

TRENDING STORIES:

Deputies have not said if anyone has been taken into custody.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Newton County Sheriffs Department or 911.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Three Black students who helped develop the first COVID-19 vaccine reunited for the first time since the early pandemic days.

According to CNN, Olubukola Abiona, Geoffrey Hutchinson and Cynthia Ziwawo were among the dozens of scientists who helped develop the vaccines at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Working in Dr. Barney Grahams lab at the research center, the students became a major part of the global effort to control the pandemic.

We knew we were doing things that were important, but then it was like Oh, wow, this is really big,' Ziwawo told CNN.

The trio had an emotional reunion when they met at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to attend the inaugural Dr. David Satcher Global Health Equity Summit. As the group reflected on their experience of developing the COVID-19 vaccine, Ziwawo recalled the moment when they first realized that the vaccine would work.

Ziwawo, who had the role of testing the antibodies that block the virus, said she understood the gravity of what they were doing when the tests revealed the response they were looking for.

Ziwawo, 25, is now in her fourth year as a student at Indiana University School of Medicine. Abiona, 27, is studying at Case Western Reserve University as a third-year dual-degree medical and Ph.D. student. Hutchinson, 33, is in his fourth year as a doctoral student at the University of Washington.

The three students worked with renowned scientist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett to develop the vaccine. Graham praised the students and Corbett for their work.

The work that these four people did in particular, I think, has been underappreciated and somewhat heroic, in my opinion, he told CNN. Their work led to not just the Moderna vaccine rapidly entering clinical trials but also to the discovery of monoclonal antibodies that were used for treatments and informed the development of other coronavirus vaccines, as well.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice , Morehouse School of Medicines CEO and president, said Graham intended to bring in people of various backgrounds to the lab.

When hes brought in different people in his laboratory from different backgrounds and ZIP codes and ethnicities, hes had the opportunity to engage with them and understand how they think about science, how they would apply discoveries and how those discoveries would be integrated into a community differently, Rice told CNN. Theyre going to ask questions from a different lens because of the differences theyve experienced throughout life.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5.7% of physicians in the U.S. are Black. Abiona, Ziwawo and Hutchinson, who are all Black, also have different backgrounds and experiences. While Abiona has Nigerian roots, Ziwawo comes from a Malawian family. Hutchinson, who studied infectious in Mozambique, said illnesses such as hepatitis B could have been prevented with vaccinations.

The dormitory actually had to kick a bunch of students out of the dorms. They had chronic viral infections, something that we all get vaccinated against here, Hutchinson told CNN.

The three students have been interested in science since their younger days. While Ziwawo determined at age 5 that she wanted to be a doctor, Abiona found her passion in high school after joining a science and technology program. Hutchinson, who has also loved science for a long time, served in the Peace Corps and taught chemistry.
Sarah Collins Rudolph and her husband, George Carlson Rudolph, at a Capitol ceremony on Sept. 10 to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to her sister Addie Mae Collins and the three other girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Ala. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sixty years after some members of the Ku Klux Klan planted more than a dozen sticks of dynamite and bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., violently bringing hate-fueled terror to a majority Black city by killing four young Black girls, a survivor of the tragedy continues to fight for the restitution she says she deserves.

Sarah Collins Rudolph, 71, who lost a sister and one of her eyes in the blast, still has shards of glass in her body from the incident. She was in the bathroom with the other four girls when the bomb went off. After seeing the families of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., receive tens of millions of dollars in compensation for their lost loved ones, Rudolph, who became known as the Fifth Little Girl, cannot understand why the state of Alabama hasnt done the same for her. Rudolph has persistently argued that the rhetoric of state leaders, including then-Gov. George Wallace , encouraged the 1963 bombing.

They owe me, Rudolph told Yahoo News.

A view of the 16th Street Baptist Church after the bombing on Sept. 15, 1963. (Chris McNair/Getty Images)

Read more on Yahoo News: On 60th anniversary of church bombing, victim's sister, suspect's daughter urge people to stop hate, from AP

In 2020, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued Rudolph an apology for untold pain and suffering from the incident, but declined to pay restitution without legislative involvement. And in the last three years there has been no significant movement on the issue. But restitution is something historians say is necessary to right a devastating wrong, no matter how complex.

Rudolphs missing eye is an absence made visible, Duke University historian Adriane Lentz-Smith told Yahoo News. So often we're talking about something that's not there, but we're talking about it in more figurative or metaphorical language. I think it's necessary, but difficult, to determine how to compensate, apologize and atone for the kinds of loss that linger over a lifetime.

Yet we could do everything from the cost of the doctor care to something a little less concrete but still consequential, Lentz-Smith added. What were the opportunities that she could not pursue or embrace because she lost her eye?

An automobile smolders outside the 16th Street Baptist Church, May 12, 1963. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)

Read more on Yahoo News: Most Californians oppose cash reparations for slavery. Where does the movement go from here?

The bombing, and subsequent outrage, ultimately helped fuel the civil rights movement.

The blast killed Denise McNair, 11, and three 14-year-olds: Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins, who was Rudolphs sister. Rudolphs husband, George, called what his wife experienced terrorism, adding that she continues to deal with PTSD from the incident.

He also said she has found a way to come to peace with the entire experience.

Sarah had to forgive those Klansmen that did that to her, George Rudolph told Yahoo News. She forgave them.

Rudolph attends church in Birmingham in 2020. (Michael A. Schwarz for the Washington Post)

Yahoo News spoke to Sarah Collins Rudolph about why she continues to push for restitution 60 years later. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

1. What does reparations look like to you, and what would it mean?

Restitution would make things better in my life. The state owes me. George Wallace was governor, and he promoted racism at that time. Even Bull Conner, the commissioner of public safety for the city of Birmingham, who put all the dogs on people and fire hoses on people, is responsible for the racism. I think Im owed in the millions. They wanted to give me a Congressional Medal of Honor, but I didnt want that. I want them to pay me my restitution.

2. Most people focus on the four young girls who died in the bombing, but there were 22 people injured, including yourself. How has your life been transformed?

Ive still been moving around and doing things that Ive had to do, but Ive just been waiting on some kind of payback because its long overdue. I wasnt able to get the education I wanted to be a nurse. Instead, I worked at Foundry thrift store. I also wanted to go to the Army, but they told me that a person with one eye couldnt even serve in the Army. So I didnt do that. I couldnt even have any children because the doctor told me I had lead in my stomach.

3. When you think about the last 60 years  progress with the election of the first Black president but also ongoing racism and backlash against movements like Black Lives Matter  how do you make sense of it?

It seemed like things were getting better, but theyre going back. We keep seeing things happen to Black people that shouldnt happen, like George Floyd. We see people going into church and getting shot and killed. I just want people to know that the Civil Rights Bill was passed in 1964 after those girls were killed, and its time for people to realize it hasnt always been like this. It was after they saw the dogs on TV attacking Black people and water hoses being used on them that President Johnson signed it because of what was happening in the state of Alabama.
Schools in Bridgewater-Emery, Brandon Valley and Castlewood have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education this year, the South Dakota Department of Education announced Thursday.

Bridgewater-Emery Elementary School, Fred Assam Elementary School in Brandon Valley and Castlewood High School have all earned the recognition this year. The award celebrates schools for excellence in academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps. All three of the schools this year were honored for high student scores in English and mathematics.

More: Sonia Sotomayor, Holy Spirit named Blue Ribbon Schools in Sioux Falls

This year, Bridgewater-Emery Elementary was recognized for the honor for its community engagement focus. For example, students visit senior centers, nearby Hutterite colonies, local businesses and more throughout the year, creating more engaged and informed students.

Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School celebrates being named a Blue Ribbon School with a ribbon made of students handprints on Friday, October 7, 2022, in Sioux Falls.

Fred Assam Elementary was recognized for its Walk to Read program, which has improved literacy for students at every grade level, according to a press release from the DOE. It assesses each childs reading level and provides the right reading instruction for their ability level.

Castlewood High School was recognized this year as it works to provide students with the encouragement to take rigorous classes that match their ability level, according to a press release from the DOE.

More: These four South Dakota schools were named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021

Education Secretary Joe Graves congratulated schools, staff, students and communities in the release.

They demonstrate what can be achieved when resourceful educators and engaged students put their values into action, he said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 3 South Dakota schools named Blue Ribbon schools by USDOE
More than a decade ago, 26-year-old Eddie Greene was robbed, shot, and killed inside his work van along 1st Avenue Southwest.

For years, the family of Greene came to Long View to put up reward posters asking for any information about the unsolved murder for years. Just this week, four men have been indicted in connection with his murder.

Pierre Ramseur didnt answer any questions while being booked on Thursday and joining three others who have been charged with robbing and murdering Greene.

Family members say Greene owned a masonry business and paid his workers earlier that. They believe he may have had more cash on him when he was shot and killed.

Greenes mother, Wilman Yount, spoke to Channel 9 briefly after the murder in 2008, and on each anniversary for years to come.

ALSO READ: 2 more arrested in connection to teens shooting death in July 2022

Ill never give up, Ill never give up until the day I die if it takes that long. Ill find this person one way or another, Yount said.

Now, 15 years later, the family is a step closer to justice.

Messages from the families

With her daughter at her side, Wilma Yount spoke on Friday about her sons murder and the years of not knowing who was responsible or why it happened.

These people dont know what theyve done to us. Done to my family... done to my other son, Wilma said through tears, holding a photo of her son.

Her daughter echoed the sentiment.

Family gatherings are no longer the same. We keep expecting that smiling face to come through the door that never comes in, she said.

Friday morning, both Ramseur and Propst went before a judge charged with robbing and murdering Greene.

Propst, who was just 18-years-old back in 2008, mouthed the words I love you to his wife and three children who were in the courtroom today.

Hes a great man, a hardworking father. This must have all been a misunderstanding, his wife Lynn Propst said. Hes innocent.

But Wilma doesnt believe it.

Eddie will always be missed and I hope and pray these people get whats coming to them, she said Friday.

The other arrested suspects

Police arrested Probst in Catawba County, Federal Marshals found Emadalae Tolbert in Detroit, Michigan, and Anthony Tucker was already in jail on a federal charge in Virginia.

Investigators present and past have worked tirelessly on this case. Eddies family, the Long View Community, everyone has waited for answers and today we feel like were one step closer to justice for Eddie, Long View Police Chief, TJ Bates said.

While Greenes family doesnt have all of the answers yet, they are grateful that the police never stopped looking. Yount even spread the news to Facebook, posting a quote on Greenes Facebook on Thursday afternoon.

Thank you for all the time and effort Long View Police Department for the arrests in my sons murder, Yount said.

(WATCH BELOW: 4 arrested in 2008 murder case in Long View)




Modified wood tools from the excavation site in Zambia, used by early humans. Nature

The earliest signs of wooden structures were discovered by a group of archeologists in Zambia.

These structures are about 500,000 years old, the scientists responsible for the find said.

These structures change our understanding of what early humans were capable of, they wrote.

A group of scientists discovered the earliest evidence of wooden structures and published their findings in the Nature journal on Wednesday.

The scientists' finds consist of wooden structures and tools  such as digging sticks  found at the Kalambo Falls in Zambia. They date back to more than 476,000 years ago.

These structures  which might have been built by early humans as raised platforms to stay above the wet ground  have "no known parallels," the scientists wrote in the article. The discovery reshapes our understanding of what early humans were capable of, they added.

That's because these findings show how early humans used large tree trunks to make structures and platforms, as well as their use of wooden tools, the study's authors said.

"They used their intelligence, imagination, and skills to create something they'd never seen before, something that had never previously existed," Larry Barham, the lead researcher and a professor at the University of Liverpool, told the BBC on Wednesday.

These structures even predate the earliest known Homo Sapiens fossils, Geoff Duller  a coauthor of the study and a professor at the University of Aberystwyth  told CNN on Wednesday. Duller said the researchers were uncertain about which species of ancient humans were responsible for creating them. Homo Sapiens is the species that modern humans belong to.

The discovery of the wooden structures was first made in 2019. The scientists wrote in the article that they used luminescence dating  a technique that involves measuring the amount of radioactivity absorbed by rocks over millennia  to determine the age of their findings.

Wet conditions at the Kalambo Falls contributed to the rare find, as wooden materials typically fail to stand the test of time unless preserved in unusual conditions like being waterlogged, the article said.

Archeological discoveries such as these wooden structures help shape our understanding of human history  like how early humans hunted or the origin of some of the boulders that make up Stonehenge today.

Last year alone saw a series of archeological finds  like the earliest-known human amputation and the discovery of a lost city in Iraq after an intense drought.

The paper's authors did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Insider
Six Tennessee public schools made the prestigious 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools list released this week.

Given by the U.S. Department of Education, the awards are based on either exemplary overall academic performance or progress in closing test score achievement gaps between student subgroups. The department considers all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

In Tennessee, Black and Hispanic students have long lagged behind their peers on state assessments, along with students with disabilities and those who are facing economic disadvantages or still learning English.

Awardees will be given a flag with the National Blue Ribbon Schools logo to display.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background," a news release from the Education Department said.

A total of 353 schools made the list this year. Here are the six Tennessee schools awarded Blue Ribbon status:

Brentwood Middle School, Williamson County Schools (Brentwood).

Crosswind Elementary School, Collierville Schools (Collierville).

Fairmont Elementary School, Johnson City Schools (Johnson City).

Linden Elementary School, Oak Ridge Schools (Oak Ridge).

Middle College at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools (Clarksville).

Nolan Elementary School, Hamilton County Schools (Signal Mountain).

Children, parents and teachers gather on July 24 for the first day of school at Linden Elementary School in Oak Ridge.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said this year's Blue Ribbon schools set the example for what it means to "raise the bar" in education nationwide.

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 in the release.

Along with diversity and academic performance, the schools also exemplify high standards, a vision for excellence, effective and innovative teaching methods and support for their teachers and staff, per the release. The awardees will be given a National Blue Ribbon School flag to place at their entrance or on a flagpole.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 6 Tennessee schools earn prestigious 2023 National Blue Ribbon awards
Insider asked culinary experts for their favorite savory snacks to make in the air fryer.

Quick, lightly breaded snacks like green tomatoes and pork belly come together easily.

If you want a snack that you can make ahead of time and air-fry later, try stromboli pinwheels.

Home cooks aren't the only people who use the air fryer to whip up quick snacks.

Insider asked experts in the culinary field for their go-to savory snacks to make in an air fryer. Here are seven of their favorite creations.

Green tomatoes get perfectly crispy

Air-fried green tomatoes can be a tasty appetizer. Skyler Bouchard

Due to the air fryer's power, precision, and efficiency, culinary expert Skyler Bouchard of Dining With Skyler loves using the tool to make crispy green tomatoes.

To make them, she recommends salting the tomatoes to draw out the moisture 30 minutes prior to the breading process. Once they're patted dry, she coats them in a flour mixture, egg wash, and cornmeal and air-fries them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

"You can keep them in a 160- to 180-degree oven on a sheet pan until they're ready to serve for about 15 to 20 minutes prior to serving," Bouchard said.

Spiced nuts are the perfect easy snack

Meredith Laurence, creator of the blog Blue Jean Chef, makes spiced nuts in her air fryer. She coats pecans, cashews, and almonds with an egg white and a selection of spices, and air-fries them at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes.

She recommends stirring or tossing the nuts a couple of times during the cooking process to ensure that they toast evenly.

"These are addictive," Laurence said. "They make a perfect hostess gift too."

Air-fried pork belly is sure to hit the spot

If you're a little hungrier, try air-fried pork belly. Patrick Kong

Patrick Kong of Patty Plates said making pork belly in the air fryer is much easier than the typical time-consuming method to create this dish.

"Traditional Chinese roast pork belly usually requires hours of oven time and leaving the skin to dry overnight in the fridge," Kong said. "The air fryer can make this dish just as good as the original in only an hour."

Kong first pokes holes in the skin of the pork belly to help the fat render, puff up, and get super crispy. Then, he coats the meat in Shaoxing wine and hoisin sauce, adds some spices, and air-fries at 200 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Stromboli pinwheels are great for parties

If you want a dish that will impress, Laurence recommends stromboli pinwheels, which are like portable pizza bites. According to the chef, they require a little more elbow grease but the payoff is worth it.

She rolls pizza dough around cheese, salami, ham, and pepperoni to form a log then sprinkles it with oregano or Italian seasoning. Instead of air-frying right away, she places the log in the freezer for 10 to 20 minutes, slices it into rolls, and then air-fries them until golden.

"The best part of this snack is that you can make it well in advance and store the individual pinwheels in a bag in your freezer," she told Insider. To reheat them, use your air fryer once more.

She recommends Stromboli pinwheels for a party or impromptu get-togethers.

Top your salads with crunchy potato croutons

Air-fried potato croutons are a great salad topping. Skyler Bouchard

Bouchard loves making air-fried Parmesan potato croutons. She begins by evenly coating the potatoes in oil to ensure they stay crispy and moist and so the Parmesan can adhere to the potato.

Once the potatoes are coated in oil and cheese, she adds them to a foil-lined air-fryer basket, grates more Parmesan on top, and cooks them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until they're crispy all over.

If you want something a little heartier, air-fry popcorn chicken

Another of Kong's favorite air-fryer snacks is Taiwanese popcorn chicken. He said his cooking method "requires minimal cleanup" and "tastes amazing."

To make the popcorn chicken, he marinates the meat in a mixture of fermented bean curd, soy sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, and spices. Kong then coats the chicken in potato starch and ensures each piece of chicken is evenly coated with cooking spray, as it gets the batter light and crispy.

Kong air-fries the chicken starting at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes and finishes the dish with basil and dry spices.

Level up your snacks with charred shishito peppers

Laurence said charred shishito peppers pack a punch and offer big, flavorful results.

"I like to call them roulette peppers because eating them is like playing roulette  one in 10 is spicy, while the others are quite mild," Laurence said.

She coats the peppers in oil and air-fries them at 390 degrees for five minutes for a basic snack. The peppers can be eaten on their own or paired with coarse salt or lemon zest and feta.

Read the original article on Insider
Daisy nails are a simple yet great way to decorate your hands. Pictured: two outstretched hands with daisy nail art.

Daisy nails are a charming and trendy nail design that can brighten up your style in minutes. Featuring daisy flowers as the central motif, these whimsical and delightful nails create a fresh and vibrant look on your fingers and feature multiple ways to mix and match. Moreover, these nail designs are characterized by their simplicity and versatility, making them suitable for various occasions and seasons that dont just stick to spring and summer.

One of the key reasons for the popularity of daisy nails is their ability to evoke a positive and happy outlook on life. With all of the heaviness going on in the world, the bright and cheerful appearance of daisy flowers symbolizes innocence and purity, making them a fantastic choice for those who want to embrace a youthful and lighthearted aesthetic. Not to mention, daisy nails can be customized to suit individual preferences, allowing for creativity and personal expression. From delicate daisy accents on a neutral nail base to full-blown daisy fields across all ten fingers, the possibilities are endless for those looking to brighten up their style.

Whether youre on the hunt for an effortless nail design or are simply looking to add a bit of softness to your everyday look, daisy nails offer the perfect solution. Ahead, are all of the best nail designs to look out for and try for yourself this season and all of the rest.

Polka Dot Daisy Nails

@getglamwithkimx/Instagram

You can opt for subtle daisy design with white polka dots or go all out with bold, colorful designs. These nails are a trendy and fashionable choice for those looking to make a statement with their fingertips. The multi-colored and layered look makes them pop so that eyes will be drawn to those well-manicured fingers.

French Daisy Nails

@paaula_lifestyle/ Instagram

French daisy nails feature a clean and natural-looking base nail color, such as nude or pale pink, and can be paired with signature white tips. The contrast between the base color and layer creates a nice, dynamic look for eyes to be drawn towards.

Lavender Daisy Nails

@giangnail.ie/ Instagram

Lavender daisy nails are a stunning and unique style that combines the soothing and elegant color of lavender with the natural beauty of daisy flowers. These colors combined pop in a subtle way to make a bold statement.

Simple Daisy Nails

@lindseysbeautylounge1/Instagram

These nails typically feature a clean and neutral base color, often in shades like white, pale pink, or soft beige, providing a fresh canvas for the daisy designs to shine. Pictured here are daisies near the cuticle of the nail that causes the eye to pan from tip to top.

Smiley Face Daisy Nails

@mayleidoesnails/Instagram

Usually features a light and bright base color, often in shades like sunny yellow or white, daisy nails create a joyful and vibrant backdrop. The central focus of these nails is the daisy flower, but you can always add a unique twist to spice things up.

Soft Blue French Daisy Nails

yemaya_cg/ Instagram

Soft blue daisy nails create a sense of tranquility and sophistication, making it a versatile choice for various occasions, from formal events to casual gatherings.

Black and White Daisy Nails

@amyguynailartist/Instagram

Adding a sense of sophistication, black and white daisy nails withstand the test of time and are perfect for any and all seasons.

Whether you opt for a classic white and yellow daisy design or add a modern twist with colorful petals and intricate detailing, daisy nails are the perfect choice for anyone looking to add a touch of natural beauty to their manicure.

The post 7 Daisy Nails Looks to Brighten Up Your Style in Minutes appeared first on 21Ninety.
In 2020, Kauffman Fellows (KF), a prominent venture education program renowned for its extensive and well-established network of VCs, made a concerted effort to enhance the diversity within its board. The program, a well-established resource for startup founders and the venture capital sector, expressed the importance of using this strategy to sustain diversity growth within its fellowship cohort, where a group of fellows actively participate in the nomination and evaluation process for prospective trainees.

The fellowship also seeks to cultivate a more inclusive venture capital sector through yearly summits. This exclusive regional trip aims to facilitate cross-border investments in burgeoning technology markets by bringing together its investor network across various innovation ecosystems worldwide.

Following summits in emerging cities across Mexico, Dubai, Japan and Brazil, KF made its first stop in Africa this year as 300+ investors from more than 45 countries convened in Nairobi, Kenya this September. They joined several Africa-based Fellows, representing VC firms like Norrsken22, Helios Digital Ventures, CRE Ventures, Ingressive Capital and Atlantica Ventures.

Several factors contribute to the enthusiasm of both local and global investors about Africa. Firstly, the regions digital economy has experienced significant expansion in recent years and is anticipated to surpass $700 billion by 2050. Theres also been a considerable surge in venture funding, reaching the $5 billion mark in the last two years, subsequently facilitating five unicorns emergence. Noteworthy companies are emerging in the prominent markets known as the Big Four, namely Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya, as well as in budding startup markets such as Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and Morocco, among other countries.

TechCrunch conducted interviews with seven international investors from the summit which had Kenyas president William Ruto and Meg Whitman, ex-president/CEO of eBay and now U.S. ambassador to Kenya, in attendance. Read on to learn more about their perspectives on African tech, what sectors interest them and investment activities in the region so far.

We spoke with:

The responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Phoebe Wang, investment partner, Climate Pledge Fund, AWS

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the summit?

Attending the Kauffman Global Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, was the first opportunity for me to experience Africas startup and venture capital scene firsthand. My original perception was that the availability of capital is somewhat limited in this area and that the startup and venture capital industries are in an early stage of development. This belief was shaped by the regions historical challenges around attracting significant investment and the perception that African markets have political, regulatory and currency risks.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

My perception changed significantly after great discussions with founders and investors. I recognized the immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit that permeated the continent, which suggested a wealth of untapped opportunities waiting to be explored.

The African startup ecosystem presented some astonishing and promising facts that have reshaped my perception. Firstly, the continents youth demographic is astonishing, with an average age of 19. This demographic dynamism is further underscored by the projection that by 2050, a quarter of the worlds population will be from Africa. This youth-driven population offers an immense talent pool and consumer base for startups to tap into.

Secondly, the rapid ascent of African startups to unicorn status in as little as 3-4 years with relatively modest initial capital requirements has been nothing short of remarkable. This highlights the agility and innovation within the ecosystem, where startups can scale and compete globally faster than previously anticipated.

Lastly, the impressive statistic that 40% of African entrepreneurs are women is a testament to the regions commitment to gender equality in entrepreneurship. Equally noteworthy is that most venture capital funds and financial institutions operating within this ecosystem boast female executives and partners, demonstrating a concerted effort to foster diversity and inclusivity. These revelations not only challenge stereotypes but also underscore the immense potential and resilience of Africas startup landscape.

As an active investor in your region, what were the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

With the caveat that my understanding of Africa is still quite rudimentary, Id like to share several similarities and differences between the startup and VC scenes in North America compared to Africa.

Firstly, the sheer diversity of Africa, encompassing 54 countries, presents both unique challenges and opportunities. Each African nation has its pathway for scalability, often influenced by distinct regulatory environments, infrastructure and market dynamics, which makes scaling a startup in Africa different from the more uniform landscape in the United States.

Secondly, there is a striking difference in the valuation and capital required for startup development. In Africa, startups often need significantly lower capital injections to kickstart their operations and achieve growth milestones, compared to the high-capital environment in the U.S. This dynamic can be attributed to the regions frugal innovation and resourcefulness.

Thirdly, its noteworthy that many startups in Africa, even at an early stage, tend to have positive profit margins. This contrasts with the U.S., where many startups prioritize rapid growth over profitability. This financial prudence can be attributed to the necessity of self-sustainability in some African markets.

Lastly, the exit paths for startups in Africa are primarily through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which may indicate lingering liquidity challenges. In contrast, the U.S. startup ecosystem often sees more diverse exit options, including initial public offerings (IPOs). The prevalence of M&A in Africa can reflect the need for strategic partnerships and consolidation to achieve scale.

In summary, while there are apparent similarities in entrepreneurial drive and innovation between my region and Africa, the differences in regional diversity, capital requirements, profitability focus and exit strategies make each ecosystem distinct. Understanding these nuances is crucial for investors seeking to engage in Africa effectively.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

Im excited about the climate tech innovation in Africa. The Kenya climate week that happened right before the Kauffman Global Summit has demonstrated the level of interest and activities in Africa.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Amazons Climate Pledge Fund maintains a global mandate that extends to Africa, and we are eager to embrace this opportunity. We recognize the dynamism and potential of Africas burgeoning startup ecosystem. As we engage with this region, we remain eager to gain fresh insights that may challenge existing perceptions and reveal new possibilities. Africas unique blend of challenges and opportunities presents a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are poised to actively explore ways to participate and contribute to the evolving dynamics of this thriving ecosystem.



Jenny Fielding, co-founder and managing partner, Everywhere Ventures

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

We have invested in Africa for the last few years, although its a small portion of our overall portfolio. Each time I come to the continent, I discover founders thinking bigger and even more globally-minded than the last time I visited. The first few times I came here, I heard a lot about scaling across the country, then the continent, and now founders talk about dominating the globe. That mindset is really exciting for a fund called Everywhere.

As an active investor in your region, what are the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

There are so many founders in Kenya (and across Africa) that Id describe as empaths, entrepreneurs solving problems that they experienced firsthand. Of course, you can also find these types of founders in the U.S., but theres been a noticeable shift towards founders looking for white spaces and what I call opportunistic entrepreneurship. The empath founder can go the distance, is super resilient and can get through hard times because the mission is often so personal. We look for these characteristics in founders and Africa has a deep bench of empath founders.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

Im a fintech investor and the sector got very hot during the tech boom and many would say, overinflated. The global reset (and crash in the public market) has started to shift the profile of fintechs and many investors have retreated. We see this as an incredible opportunity to lean in and actively deploy across the sector.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Yes, we recently led a fintech deal in South Africa and are excited to deepen our presence in the ecosystem.

Adrianna Samaniego, partner, Female Founders Fund

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

Before attending the summit, I must admit that I may have had some biases. While I recognized Africa as an emerging market with significant potential, I perhaps underestimated the maturity and diversity of its startup and venture capital ecosystem.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

Yes, my perception changed significantly. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and maturity of the ecosystem. The diversity within the startup scene, particularly the efforts centered around climate and sustainability, was noteworthy.

Also, hearing from Meg Whitman, the U.S. ambassador, about Kenyas important trade relationship between apparel and agriculture was very interesting. Its evident that Africa is poised to leapfrog in many sectors, harnessing innovative solutions to its unique challenges.

Additionally, attending the Women Who Build Africa event provided a compelling glimpse into the impact female-led startups are making, especially in womens health, such as addressing maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, which genuinely captivated my interest. The digital transformation across sectors and the incredible scale of opportunities was very evident.

As an active investor in your region, what were the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

The similarities that stood out pertain to the challenges faced by female founders in both regions, especially in terms of securing funding. It was heartening, yet surprising, to learn that Africa has a higher proportion of female general gartners and check writers than the U.S. However, the dynamism of Africas market, characterized by its youthful population and significant GDP movement through mobile platforms, offers a distinctive flavor to its startup and VC scene.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

The health sector, particularly womens health, holds immense potential. Addressing challenges like maternal mortality and tapping into the growing market, as evidenced by countries like Nigeria (which has 2x more births than the U.S.), presents significant opportunities. The digital transformation thats permeating every sector also excites me. While its hard to pinpoint what might be overhyped at the moment, I saw many fintech microfinancing plays.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Absolutely. Given the insights I gained from the summit and the interactions with Kauffman Fellows who have invested in Africa, Im convinced about the continents potential. Im keen on deepening our understanding and expanding our regional network. As we continue to evaluate the opportunities, you can expect a more proactive African strategy from us in the near future.

Kauffman Fellows

L-R: Kauffman Fellows CEO Jeff Harbach and Kenyas president William Ruto

Alex Lazarow, managing partner, Fluent Ventures

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

I have invested in emerging markets, including Africa, for over a decade. At Fluent Ventures, we believe the best ideas come from anywhere and scale everywhere. The Kauffman Fellows Africa VC Summit highlighted this deeply. For example, Kenya pioneered mobile money via M-Pesa. While this story is well told, what is often less appreciated is the movement it helped catalyze with hundreds of mobile banking apps scaling today worldwide and a range of services built on top of this infrastructure. I continue to believe well see exciting innovations emerging from across the continent.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

When I started investing, few (no) mainstream funds had ever seriously contemplated an investment in Africa. Today, with 10+ unicorns, undeniable demographics and strong macro opportunity, for many, it is no longer possible to ignore. This was the sentiment I felt. While not everyone will be deploying in Africa tomorrow, from my discussions with founders and Fellows, there seemed to be consensus about the opportunity and the strength of the emerging ecosystem.

As an active investor in your region, what are the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

Many challenges in the 50+ African countries are not unique to their local ecosystems. The high cost of serving customers has made financial inclusion an ongoing challenge. Supply chains remain fraught with inefficiencies. Quality healthcare and education access must be increased affordably. The world is awash with experiments. Ideas in different geographies are relevant here and vice versa. Super app models from China, B2B Marketplaces from India and neobank ideas from LatAM are influencing ideas here, much like M-Pesa inspired others.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

The biggest opportunities often follow the biggest challenges. For me, they are in fintech, health and commerce.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Absolutely. Weve already made investments in the region and will continue.

Ebony Pope, partner, Rethink Education

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

This has been a region that Rethink Education has been excited to explore for investment opportunities. Market trends, including the growing population on the continent, global talent shortages and a rise in remote work opportunities, make this a target market for educational and workforce training solutions. We have already invested in Decagon and Meaningful Gigs, which are talent marketplaces for African software developers and product designers, respectively. Going into this trip, questions I had included the strength of venture quality deals in this region, buy-in from investors on the ground regarding sector investability and exit opportunities.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

I have been so impressed with how active and close-knit the tech ecosystem is in Nairobi. I planned an edtech happy hour with the local ecosystem and 15 companies and investors showed up with only three days notice of the event. They expressed their gratitude for an in-person gathering of edtech founders, noting that it doesnt often happen, which surprised me. There was varying interest from local investors in investing in edtech. They stressed that education is a public good and hard to scale with challenges selling to the government and limited scalability B2C. The overall market size of the continent is massive, but it is not copy-and-paste selling into different African countries. There seems to be general curiosity from investors Ive met here, but the market opportunity for VC-backable edtech companies is still developing.

As an active investor in your region, what are the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

Investing in edtech is already niche in the U.S. and there is an even smaller number of edtech investors in Nairobi. Valuations are much more reasonable in Africa; founders seem efficient with capital, focusing on building sustainable, profitable businesses because outside capital is more scarce.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

During the summit, President William Samoei Ruto mentioned that with a population of 60 million and a GDP of around $2,000 per capita, they are heavily investing in human capital. Nearly one-third of the countrys budget is dedicated to education -- primary, secondary and workforce training, which is very exciting to hear as an investor in an untapped market.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Yes, Rethink Education is excited to invest in more African startups and partner with local investors to find and get companies.

Miriam Rivera, partner, Ulu Ventures

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

Thanks to the KFP and Black KFP community, I had a limited understanding of the African startup and venture capital ecosystem. Its been so inspiring to see it firsthand and feel the energy of a continent poised to leapfrog on many fronts of technology and business in the next 20 years. I also learned much more about the macroeconomic forces that will make the continent an incredible market or partner for American startups.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

What surprised me the most is that African-focused or Africa-based funds have so many female investors: 40% and 49% compared to 9% in the U.S. Its impressive that in such a young ecosystem, 10% of African startups have women CEOs, 15% have women founders and companies with at least one woman founder receive 7% of VC dollars.

In comparison, the U.S. has 14% of startups with a woman CEO and 28% with at least one woman founder, according to Statista. While the U.S. VC industry is much larger, only 2% of dollars go to companies with women CEOs, and 11% of VC dollars go to startups with women founders. Only about 2% of dollars go to U.S. Black, Latino or indigenous founders.

As an active investor in your region, what are the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

As an early-stage investor with a diversity lens in the U.S. who has participated in 10 of 13 Kauffman Summits around the world, I believe that entrepreneurs and investors essentially have the same challenges but experience differences of degree as ecosystems mature and scale: lack of connectivity to other entrepreneurs or investors (and their hard-earned wisdom and networks), lack of familiarity with venture capital compared to control-oriented investing, lack of access to capital at all stages for entrepreneurs and funders in their ecosystems who arent connected to local and global sources of wealth, and in some cases, lack of limited partner familiarity with venture capital as an asset class.

The most significant differences nationally may be a lack of infrastructure or systemic barriers of various kinds (such as access to essential resources like clean water/electricity, accessible or affordable education, healthcare, access to technology and training, not just the consumption of technology but its production; and more efficient systems of law or transportation).

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

Im only beginning to learn about various technology sectors, so it would be premature to comment.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

Focus is imperative for any successful business and Ulu Ventures is no different. The U.S. has an emerging economy and is not doing as well regarding diverse entrepreneurs as some emerging economies like Africa. If the U.S. VC seed-stage ecosystem had not grown more diverse since Ulu was founded 15 years ago, the share of dollars invested in women and people of color would almost certainly have decreased despite increased assets under management in VC on the whole.

The diversity of Ulus founder population will enable entrepreneurs to partner in important, leapfrogging economies like Africa. But typically, local VC investors have been more successful in a geographic region than those outside the ecosystem. Im mindful of that as an investor, personally and professionally.

Sherman Williams, managing partner, AIN Ventures

How would you describe your perception of Africas startup and venture capital scene before the event?

My perception was that the ecosystem was mainly centered in Nigeria. I thought that Nigeria was the epicenter of this entire ecosystem.

Did this perception change upon discussions with founders and investors? What surprised you the most?

Yes, it did. I had no idea that Nairobi was such a strong ecosystem. As a matter of fact, its actually the strongest ecosystem per capita. I did not truly appreciate the talent in the ecosystem and, more specifically, the sheer abundance of talent. There are many people on the continent, and just the sheer size of talent will have an effect in the future.

As an active investor in your region, what were the similarities and differences between your region's startup and VC scene compared to Africa?

For similarities, I think the hunger and the desire to change the human condition. And differences: in the U.S., most venture ecosystems are centered around strong academic ecosystems. That does not seem to be the case here.

What sectors are you most excited about in Africa? Also, what might be overhyped?

Im excited about fintech, primary healthcare, sustainability and climate, and lastly, distinct from healthcare, digital health.

Should we expect more investments from your firm into African VC funds or startups or some African strategy in the future?

We will certainly consider Africa in the future. This visit, the in-person effect, has made a significant difference. We are excited about what is to come here.
Indian River and Martin counties poured millions of tax dollars into their legal battles against Brightline and its funding. In the end, however, they failed to block construction of the railroad through the Treasure Coast. The first scheduled service begins Friday.

The two counties spent nearly $8 million in legal fees fighting Brightline. Martin County settled its lawsuit in 2018; Indian River's final action was settled in 2021.

Martin

Martin County's lawsuit against Brightline had lasted three years and cost taxpayers more than $4.1 million.

At the time of the settlement, Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi said money set aside for the lawsuit were running out and the county would need to draw from its already dwindling general fund reserves to continue.

Still, Martin County did walk away with concessions.

As part of the settlement, the county received $1 million more fencing than required by the Federal Railroad Administration. Brightline agreed to install and pay for vehicle-presence detection and exit gates at 17 county-owned crossings; install sidewalks; build a station on the Treasure Coast station; and to provide regularly scheduled openings of the St. Lucie River bridge in Stuart.

Indian River

Indian River County had the opportunity to join in the 2018 settlement but chose to continue on.

Ultimately the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down the county's primary lawsuit against Brightline in 2019. Yet even after spending $3.5 million of taxpayer money, and losing, the county appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court, however, denied the appeal.

More: Indian River County approves settlement with Brightline, ends lawsuit over safety improvements

More: U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Indian River County's appeal of Brightline lawsuit

Indian River's secondary lawsuit was not settled until 2021. The county agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for $31.6 million in safety improvements at the 32 rail crossings across the county.

Former County Commissioner Peter O'Bryan at the time characterized the settlement as a win for Indian River County because it ensured safety measures "above and beyond" what the state Department of Transportation required.

"I think this is our only path to getting them," O'Bryan said.

When the dust settled, Indian River had spent $3.8 million on legal fees.

"We knew it was going to be an uphill battle," said former Indian River County Attorney Dylan Reingold after the Supreme Court refused to hear Indian River's case.

Nick Slater is TCPalms Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at Nick.Slater@tcpalm.com and 224-830-2875.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin and Indian River Counties spent $8 million fighting Brighline
A man opened fire in an Ohio home, killing his 81-year-old grandfather and injuring his grandmother and cousin, cops say.

Deputies in Brown County were sent to a home at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, for a report of an active shooter, according to a news release.

The accused shooter, 24-year-old Noah Clifton, was discovered outside the house next to a running car, the sheriffs office said. He was taken into custody without incident.

Two gunshot victims were found in the home and a third was found in a neighboring house, according to the sheriff.

Ralph Neff Sr., 81, was pronounced dead at the scene with a gunshot wound to the head, the sheriff said. His 76-year-old wife was shot in the chest and abdomen and was hospitalized.

Clifton is also accused of shooting his 30-year-old cousin in the face, according to the news release. The cousin was taken to a hospital, but deputies did not know the condition of him and the 76-year-old victim.

A motive for the shooting is unclear.

Clifton was taken to the Brown County Jail and will be charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder, the sheriff said.

Brown County is about 50 miles southeast of Cincinnati.

Foul smell leads to missing teens body after grandmother is found dead, TN cops say

Grandfather shoots 18-year-old grandson multiple times, Mississippi police say
Nine Memphis, Tenn., corrections deputies have been indicted in the death of a Black man who died after he was beaten while in custody.

Gershun Freeman, 33, was punched, kicked and had jailers kneel on his back during an incident last October, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said at a news conference Wednesday.

Freeman suffered from psychosis and cardiovascular disease, according to a March statement from Bonner. A lawyer representing Freemans family told The New York Times that he was being kept in an area for suicidal inmates, and Freeman was reportedly beaten after yelling in his cell all day.

Freeman had been booked Oct. 1 on charges of attacking and kidnapping his girlfriend.

In video footage of the incident released in March, two officers are seen serving meals to inmates. When Freemans cell opens, he runs out naked and appears to run toward the officers.

Freeman is tackled to the ground, where the officers then begin to punch, kick and pepper-spray him. They are soon joined by additional officers. The Associated Press reported at least 10 officers were involved in the beating.

Freemans death is listed as a homicide in the autopsy report from the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center.

Though the report added that the manner of death is not meant to definitively indicate criminal intent, two deputies have been charged with second-degree murder and seven were charged with aggravated assault, according to The New York Times. The indictments are not yet public.

Bonner remained steadfast Wednesday that his deputies did not cause Freemans death.

Let me be clear. No action  no action  by any Shelby County Sheriffs Office employee caused Mr. Freemans death, Bonner said.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into Freemans death.

Shelby County is still reeling from the death of Tyre Nichols, who died earlier this year after being beaten by five police officers during a traffic stop.

Seven officers were fired for their involvement in that incident, including the officers involved in the beating. All five directly involved now face charges of second-degree murder in state court and federal civil rights violations. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The US Department of Defense will not disclose details of the provision of Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine and the arrival of Ukrainians for F-16 training, but insists that these processes are going as planned.

Source: Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing for journalists on 21 September, as reported by European Pravdas correspondent

In response to a question about the timing of the Abrams' arrival in Ukraine, Ryder said that "everything is on schedule".

"For security reasons, Im not going to be able to go into specifics in terms of when the tanks will arrive, other than to say that we expect them to arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks," he added.

The Pentagon spokesman separately said that training for Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets has already begun in Denmark.

"As it relates to the training in the United States, we do expect Ukrainian pilots and maintainers to arrive in the United States soon to conduct the initial English language training, and then the pilot training is to start a few weeks after that," Ryder explained.

The Biden administration announced its intention to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January. It took this step after months of insisting that the tanks were too complex and difficult to maintain and repair in order to prompt Germany to supply Leopard tanks.

The first shipment of Abrams tanks to Ukraine was approved for delivery in early August.

One of the latest aid packages from the US includes depleted-uranium shells for the Abrams.

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!
Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital city, will likely face increased heatwaves, droughts and severe flooding over the next 67 years. These changes will pose risks to public health and infrastructure. Theyll also be felt most acutely by the citys most vulnerable residents: those living in informal settlements.

Addis Ababa is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, and its current metropolitan population of about 5.4 million is projected to reach close to 9 million by 2035.

This increase in the citys population will be absorbed by informal settlements, the prime destination for most migrants. And informal settlements are characterised by poor or non-existent infrastructure, and face the twin challenges of worsening climate change and poor urban environmental policy.

To investigate the citys vulnerability to climate change, researchers at Tufts University and the Woodwell Climate Research Center analysed flood risk and temperature data for different time periods, projecting from the past to the future.

We predicted that the citys extreme daily maximum temperatures would increase by about 1.7C over the period 2040-2060, compared with 20002020. An increase of 1.7C would result in a rise in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves. In addition, higher temperatures contribute to increased water vapour and transpiration. This will threaten health, ecosystems, infrastructure, livelihoods, and food supplies.

Certain southern neighbourhoods, such as Akaki-Kaliti, Bole and Nifas Silk-Lafto, have experienced notably higher temperatures, especially during the warm season from March to May. And, looking to the future, temperature projections for Nifas Silk-Lafto suggest an average temperature increase to 26.21C between 2040 and 2060, and further increase to 27.78C from 2070 to 2090 and 27.78C from 2070 to 2090.

For the warm-season months of March, April, and May, a temperature increase of 1.8C is projected. This suggests that the peak temperature for the hottest day of the year will rise by an average of 1.8C compared to recent data. From 2000 to 2020 the average temperature in the Nifas Silk-Lafto sub-city was 24.70C.

Increases in temperatures of this magnitude will lead to public health challenges such as increased malaria risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and women.

More droughts

Over the past two decades, Addis Ababa has endured an average of three months of extreme drought yearly. Using the Palmer Drought Severity Index to assess temperature and precipitation data in a geographical area, our analysis suggests that extreme drought events will become more frequent between 2040 and 2060. The city is expected to experience an additional 1.6 months of extreme drought annually, a 53% increase compared with 2000-2020.

This rising frequency of droughts, along with the citys growing population, is intensifying water insecurity. Groundwater reserves for drought emergencies are already being depleted.

These droughts will affect health, hydroelectric energy production and urban agriculture.

Flooding

Too much rainfall, particularly if it occurs within a short period of time in an urban area, leads to flooding. Flooding poses a significant environmental risk to Addis Ababa, especially because the city has developed around three primary rivers.

Climate change will increase water-related challenges by affecting the flow of rivers and the replenishment of groundwater.

Currently, 67% of the population in Addis lives in flood prone areas. The parts of the city that are most at risk include central Addis, which has the greatest density of impervious surfaces like tarmac and concrete. These contribute to flood risk because water cant seep into the ground.

Other parts of the city that are at risk include the southern half  where the slope is relatively flatter, so water doesnt flow away  and the Nifas Silk-Lafto region, where considerable development has taken place in the floodplain.

Several factors will add to the flooding challenge. The city has inadequate sewerage infrastructure and weak drainage systems which are often obstructed by solid waste.

The impact

The effects on the citys residents will be substantial.

Health is just one example.

Our data show that average temperatures in the city will make year-round malaria transmission a risk. There will have to be sustained policy measures to deal with the risk.

Older adults and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. The elderly are more sensitive to heat and pollution due to existing health conditions, limited mobility, and compromised immune systems. Pregnant women face risks from thermal variations and mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and Zika.

Read more: Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather

Many urban residents will be prone to increasing floods. Already 10% of the citys newly developed areas are within a 100-year floodplain, threatening lives and infrastructures.

People living in informal settlements are particularly at risk  thats about 70% of Addis Ababas residents. These settlements crop up in limited and unused spaces, such as riverbanks. They are at a higher risk of flood impact, and the risk is growing.

Our data shows that currently the percentage difference in vulnerability between formal and informal settlements is 0.6%. The figure illustrates the extent to which buildings within formal and informal settlements would be affected by flooding events. It is expected to rise to 1.3% by 2050 and 1.6% by 2080.

Policy recommendations

Theres an urgent need for policies that can rise to these challenges. We suggest:

the government should establish a climate adaptation and resilience office, to integrate climate resilience into urban planning

an independent body should then assess policies in practice

a water management strategy to ensure equitable access and sustainable use of water

the city should invest in green infrastructure

Read more: Global climate finance leaves out cities: fixing it is critical to battling climate change

upgrading infrastructure and improving waste management

public awareness campaigns and school education on climate change impacts

developing mechanisms for effective collaboration among government departments, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Abay Yimere, Tufts University.

Read more:



Abay Yimere does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
NEW YORK - Studies show nearly half of South Asian people in the United States report experiencing gender-based violence.

CBS New York's Elle McLogan spoke with advocates uplifting survivors while trying to put an end to what's being called a cycle of abuse.

When Jinelle Ranasinghe moved to the U.S. from Sri Lanka, it took her a while to come out of her shell.

"I'm slowly opening up, getting to talk to people, because I was very shy," she said.

Those around her didn't know she was suffering the trauma of an abusive relationship.

"I thought, 'I'm just, like, damaged. There is nothing that I can do to come out of it,'" she said.

When she connected with the group Sakhi for South Asian Women, she says everything changed.

"Sakhi has been my savior, actually," she said.

The nonprofit offers support to survivors of gender-based violence in New York City, prioritizing culturally-sensitive care for members of the South Asian diaspora.

"Shame is almost like a social handcuff, or this concept of duty is like a social handcuff," executive director Kavita Mehra said.

She says many seeking help are dependent on the very person inflicting harm.

"What we also see across our community is greater forms of isolation," she said.

Sakhi says they saw a 68% increase in calls to their helpline from January to July of 2023, compared to that time frame last year.

"As the first South Asian woman elected to New York State office, this issue is very important to me," Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said.

She remembers a tragedy that rocked her community in 2022.

"Mandeep Kaur was a South Asian woman here in Richmond Hill, and she took her life after suffering eight years of domestic abuse," she said.

Kaur had documented her abuse on video.

"And what was even more outrageous was that the husband, the abuser, was not prosecuted," Rajkumar said.

Just last week, an apparent murder-suicide under investigation in Ozone Park sparked an outcry from gender justice group Jahajee Sisters. They wrote in part, "This heinous violence is so much a part of our culture that a common saying is, 'If he beats you, he loves you.'"

They count the female victim among a growing list of lives lost to intimate partner violence.

Groups like Sakhi for South Asian Women and Jahajee Sisters offer counseling and safety planning as well as financial and legal support. Their locations are confidential.

Jinelle Ranasinghe wants other survivors to know a better life waits for them on the other side of fear.

"Do not hesitate for a second," she said.

These days, she's pursuing a new dream.

"I really want to be a nurse," she said.

And she's on her way to buying a house with a purpose in mind.

"All the girls who need a place to live can come stay with me," she said.

Reach the Sakhi for South Asian Women helpline at (212) 868-6741 Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional resources are available at sakhi.org and jahajeesisters.org.

You can email Elle with Queens story ideas by CLICKING HERE.

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The News

NEW YORK  The global financial system must be overhauled for African countries to address climate challenges, the continents leaders have said  despite concerns that political upheavals may make potential investors wary.

African political and business leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have stressed the need to drive investment to help the continents countries address the green energy transition, and therefore boost their economies, while also adapting to the extreme weather conditions.

Kenyas President William Ruto , speaking at an UNGA side event earlier this week, said there was an inaccurate perception that investments in African countries are risky, unfairly holding back the flow of funds needed. Ruto said there was a need to rethink, to reimagine and to reconfigure the approach to financial markets.

Ruto said the building blocks of financial markets  such as credit rating agencies, sovereign debt analysis, and risk analysis  required a rethink and new approaches were needed to provide concessional finance.

Nigerias president also called for a change in approach to investment opportunities during his address to the General Assembly. Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africas preferred initiative, Bola Tinubu told delegates.

However, complaints about perceived risks come at a time when governance and rule of law is being scrutinized in West and Central Africa following a series of coups in the sub-region. Some African government officials and business leaders have expressed concerns behind closed doors that those flashpoints could potentially make the wider region unappealing to some investors.

Know More

African governments proposed reforms to international financial institutions to help fund climate change action, including new global taxes, in a document produced at the end of the three-day Africa Climate Summit in Kenya earlier this month. The Nairobi Declaration, as the plans are known, will form the basis of the negotiating position adopted by African countries at Novembers COP28 summit.

Alexiss view

The ability of African countries to fund their shift to renewable energy and better prepare for the impact of changing weather patterns has global significance because the continent plays an outsized role in the worlds response to climate change. Thats due to the abundance of minerals needed for the green energy transition, such as metals used in electric vehicle batteries, and also demographics  the continents rapidly growing population will make it the workforce of the future. And as economic activity grows, so too will its emissions.

Despite the global benefits, its clear that African countries are having to campaign hard for changes to an international financial system that typically sees the continents nations as risky but didnt see the red flags in U.S. lending practices ahead of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Underneath it all is a sense of frustration that the continent only contributes around 4% of global carbon emissions and has been hit hard by the effects of climate change  for example, in Libyas recent floods and drought in the Horn of Africa.

There does seem to be a broad international acceptance that something needs to change. U.S. President Joe Biden, in his UNGA address, said though multilateral development banks were among the best tools to deliver high-quality investment in developing countries reforming these institutions can be a game-changer. And the diplomatic efforts weve seen from various countries to build ties with African nations suggests an understanding that advanced economies need the continent  and specifically its resources.

With African countries increasingly being given a voice to articulate their wishes, be it at the G20 or in the expanded BRICS bloc, and going into COP28 with a set of clearly articulated goals, it seems likely that some concessions will be made. History suggests the radical overhaul sought by Ruto and other leaders probably wont happen anytime soon. However, piecemeal changes to improve access to finance for African countries that meet certain financial and political criteria does seem likely.

Room for Disagreement

Amaka Anku, who heads the Africa practice at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said the continents nations have a big role to play in changing risk perceptions, rather than merely relying on changes in global financial systems. African countries have to do their part to streamline regulation requirements and border approvals, non-tariff barriers to trade and infrastructure  all those things you need to do to make an economy competitive, she said. That would help to attract investment.

The View From The Private Sector

Hassanein Hiridjee, chief executive of pan-African conglomerate Axian group, said Africa is underfunded due to a form of financial injustice that overstates the risk of investing in the continents countries and relies on rules that date back to World War II. We have to find a new solution for financing economies, he said.

He said development finance institutions should introduce new tools to de-risk African investment such as innovations to ensure businesses can get their earnings out of a country or to protect them against currency depreciation. The World Bank cant do it alone, he said.

Hiridjee acknowledged that the wave of coups in West and Central Africa, with concerns of a contagion spreading instability, threatened to stymie investment.

In Africa, we must be more serious in terms of governance. Certain countries are doing well but others are not serious and they arent sending the right signals  but were all suffering as a result, he said, stressing that countries with strong economies and a good track record on governance and social reforms should not be penalized because of the problems in other countries.

Notable

The United Arab Emirates is considering creating a fund that could amount to tens of billions of dollars to spur clean energy investments worldwide that it plans to unveil at this years U.N. climate talks in Dubai, reports Politico.
Dead Poets Society

It's an open secret that generative AI is terrible at coming up with original and creative writing.

In many ways, that's to be expected, given its inherent nature  machine learning systems typically churn through the internet and remix what they've gobbled up, often in nonsensical or uninspiring ways.

To remedy the situation, some of Silicon Valley's biggest AI companies are now resorting to hiring poets and writers with humanity degrees, Rest of World reports, which is an ironic twist, considering publishers have been laying off writers and editors while making big investments in generative AI.

Unsurprisingly, the goal is to feed their work straight into the maw of AI models to boost the quality of their output, a depressing new reality for those trying to make a career in writing.

Et Tu, BrutAI

Experts suggest companies such as Scale AI and Appen, both hiring for such roles, may be trying to differentiate themselves from competitors with more creatively competent systems, rather than those that just tell the same dad jokes over and over.

Companies are also looking to specifically boost the skills of their AI models in languages other than English. Some job listings call for fiction writers specializing in Hindi or Japanese.

"The first company advantage in this space is incredibly big," Dan Brown, a professor at the University of Waterloo, told Rest of World. "If there are countries and languages for which companies are failing and somebody can come in and snap those spaces up, its an opportunity for them to wrap up the market before any new players can come in."

Seemingly preempting persistent concerns over AI replacing the need for human writers, a spokesperson for Scale AI told the publication that "our work has and always will include humans in the loop as its critical for developing responsible, safe, and accurate AI."

But whether paying fiction writers to feed AI models with prose will boost these algorithms' creative sides remains unclear at best.

"They are trained to reproduce," Fabricio Goes, informatics lecturer at the University of Leicester, told Rest of World. "So, by design, many people argue that those systems are not creative."

So why are they hiring creatives at all? Some experts argue it may be a way to own the full rights to creative writing instead of making themselves vulnerable to infringing copyright  something that has already resulted in a number of lawsuits, filed by authors against ChatGPT creator OpenAI.

More on writers and AI: Sean Penn Says Replacing Writers with AI Would Be a "Human Obscenity"
James OKeefe led Project Veritas until earlier this year.

James OKeefe led Project Veritas until earlier this year.

Project Veritas, the right-wing video operation known for its heavily edited clips of politicians, media figures and tech middlemen during hidden camera stings, has suspended operations and laid off its remaining journalists, Mediaite reported Wednesday night.

The pause resulted from financial difficulties and was done in the interest of preserving the possible future existence of Project Veritas, the groups human resources director Jennifer Kiyak said in a letter obtained by Mediaite.

Bobby Harr, who said he was among the laid-off employees, first announced the news on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Mediate noted. Harr and another former staffer said the layoffs and operations pause followed earlier dramatic cuts to Project Veritas staff.

Project Veritas pointed HuffPost to a statement on the news from CEO Hannah Giles, which confirmed additional layoffs. Giles maintained that Project Veritas is continuing to operate, but we are pausing our fundraising efforts and proactively taking steps to honor our donors expectations and to preserve the trust the American people have placed in us.

The organization did not respond to HuffPosts follow-up questions about staffing levels or the nature of current operations.

Project Veritas recent leadership and economic struggles have been no secret.

In February, James OKeefe, the groups founder, leader and longtime public face, was forced out by Project Veritas board. The board alleged it had uncovered financial malfeasance on OKeefes part, including $14,000 on a charter flight to meet someone to fix his boat under the guise of meeting with a donor and $60,000 in losses by putting together dance events such as Project Veritas Experience.

Rolling Stone in early 2022 described one such Project Veritas Experience event, a book release party for OKeefe, as including a 50-minute musical-theater production dedicated to telling OKeefes story in song, dance, and strobe light. The musical numbers, it turns out, appear to have been a passion project for OKeefe.

Project Veritas is claiming that James O'Keefe "blew their money on his musical theater dreams"? That can't possibly be true. This was worth every penny they spent. https://t.co/wbBs2Fk2Depic.twitter.com/hyw4SwzPGL  Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) February 9, 2023

A lawsuit against OKeefe from Project Veritas followed in May, and after that, news of a criminal investigation in New York. Project Veritas website was expanded to include a chronology of events about OKeefes behavior, including allegations of a toxic work environment, as well a series of fact-checks of the ousted founders claims about the group.

Separately, Project Veritas in May settled a lawsuit with several former employees who alleged a highly sexualized workplace, paying $270,000.

One internal memo, which was signed by a third of Project Veritas employees, alleged abusive behavior toward staff, including one instance in which they said OKeefe took a sandwich from a woman who was eight months pregnant because he was hungry, The Daily Beast reported in February.

OKeefe was succeeded atop the group by Giles, who oversaw the crumbling of the groups finances in OKeefes absence. In an August meeting reported by Mediaite, Giles lamented that the group was essentially broke.

A representative for OKeefe faulted current Project Veritas leadership for blowing through money.

It appears that in the few months since Project Veritas ousted James, it continued to spend money at the same rate as before, blowing through the many millions of dollars James had previously raised for it  despite PV having no new sources of fundraising, OKeefes attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, told HuffPost in a statement. This is highly suspect and we would welcome a full audit of PVs finances to learn where that money was actually spent  and learn who at PV is still being paid and why, as there are no investigations going on presently.

Referring to Project Veritas lawsuit against OKeefe, Lichtman noted that the group never served OKeefe with the suit. As PV seems to have no money left to pay the lawyers for their reporters who are targets of federal criminal investigations, and havent paid them in months despite work being done on the reporters behalves, I dont expect donor funds raised for investigations to be used to for a frivolous lawsuit against James, he added.

Late last month, the judge overseeing the case granted Project Veritas more time to serve OKeefe after the group said in a court filing that Plaintiff believes an additional 45 days at this point would suffice to advance the goal of out-of-court resolution or to effect service and move forward.

Project Veritas fame among its rich right-wing donor base began with its 2009 expose of ACORN, or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a coalition of community groups that pursued social justice causes.

James O'Keefe (left) and Hannah Giles (right) appeared at a news event with the late conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart in 2009.

James O'Keefe (left) and Hannah Giles (right) appeared at a news event with the late conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart in 2009.

Going undercover as a pimp and a sex worker, respectively, OKeefe and Giles interacted with ACORN staff while secretly recording them, later splicing tape together that appeared to show ACORN employees offering advice on avoiding detection. Even though subsequent investigations by authorities found that the tapes were misleading  one ACORN staffer had even gone to the cops, police later revealed  ACORN lost major funding sources and ultimately dissolved its U.S. operations.

Project Veritas subsequent operations similarly appeared to involve a heavy degree of deceit and misleading editing.

In 2010, OKeefe pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering federal property, part of an alleged effort to tamper with then-Sen. Mary Landrieus phones. He and three accomplices avoided any prison time, instead being sentenced to a mix of probation, fines and community service.

Another infamous moment for the group came during Alabamas 2017 special U.S. Senate election after Republican nominee Roy Moore was accused by several women of sexual assault and harassment when they were underage girls and young women. An undercover Project Veritas operative, claiming to have been impregnated by Moore as a teenager, tried to sell The Washington Post on her claims in an effort to undermine other accusations the Post had published. Instead, the paper exposed the operative. OKeefe nonetheless bragged that Project Veritas work was changing human nature and making people cautious.

In 2020, Project Veritas published a video appearing to show an illegal ballot harvesting operation in Minnesota on behalf of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omars reelection campaign. Soon after the sting was released, though, a primary subject of the video  alleged ballot harvester Libah Osman  told a local Fox affiliate that a man working with Project Veritas had offered him $10,000 to say he was harvesting ballots for Omar, an offer the man said he refused. Osman said the ballots shown in the video were collected not for Omars campaign but a local city council candidate, his brother. At the time the string occurred, Osman said, court rulings had effectively loosened the states ballot collection laws  undermining Project Veritas central claim.

Also that year, a whistleblower postal worker trumpeted by Project Veritas claimed that a postmaster in Erie, Pennsylvania, had ordered workers to backdate mail-in ballots that had missed the cutoff to be counted in the presidential election. OKeefe promoted a GoFundMe page for the man that ultimately raised more than $130,000, but the whistleblower recanted his claims under questioning from investigators. The GoFundMe was subsequently removed.

Last year, a jury in a federal civil case ordered Project Veritas to pay $120,000 to a Democratic consulting firm that had worked on Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential bid. The jury found that Project Veritas misrepresented itself and violated wiretapping laws. A month prior to that, in August 2022, Project Veritas was ordered to pay Stanford University $150,000 in legal fees after a judge dismissed the groups defamation claim against the school.

Mediaite noted in its report that laid-off Project Veritas employees had been reminded of their nondisclosure agreements.

Related...
Air-raid warnings have been issued in most regions of Ukraine because of cruise missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft.

Source: Air Force

Update: As of 06:47, the all-clear was given in all regions of Ukraine. Explosions were heard in Kyiv and five other regions of the country. The pieces of the downed missiles caused damage to civilian infrastructure.

Quote: "There is missile danger in the areas where the air-raid warning was issued.

There is a threat of cruise missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft. Do not ignore air-raid warnings".

Details: The air-raid warning was issued in the eastern, northern and central oblasts of Ukraine.

The group of missiles was flying from the east to the southwest, but the Air Force warned that the course may change. The missiles were moving in the direction of Cherkasy Oblast. Residents of Cherkasy are urged to take shelter.

Head of Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration said that air defence was responding in the oblast.

The second group of missiles was moving from the north, across Chernihiv Oblast towards Kyiv Oblast.

The third group of missiles was also moving from the east to the south-west. They posed a threat to Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad oblasts.

There was a threat to Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia oblasts. Cruise missiles were reportedly heading towards Vinnytsia Oblast.

As of 05:53, the air-raid warning was issued throughout the country.

THE AIR-RAID WARNINGS MAP AS OF 05:55

Background: The Air Force reported earlier that they had detected eight Tu-95MS bombers taking off from the Olenya airfield (Murmansk Oblast, Russia) and warned citizens of a missile threat.

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An Akron man was sentenced to prison this week for his part in a shooting that killed a pregnant woman.

Jaunte Smith, 19, accepted a plea deal just as his trial was about to start in August in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Jaunte Smith, waits to enter a plea to his part in an Akron gun fight that killed Teyaurra Harris, 21, who was pregnant, before the start of his trial in Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty's courtroom in Akron.

Smith, whose most serious charge was felonious assault, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a gun specification and a weapons charge. The other charges against him were dismissed.

Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Smith on Monday to two and a half years in prison. This was the penalty agreed upon by the attorneys. Smith will be able to request an early release.

Smith is the fifth of six males to plead guilty in the shooting, with a sixth man set for trial in early December.

Akron police released this image taken in the 1400 block of Rockaway Street. Police said the person in black got out of the older Chevy Impala in the photo, and started firing shots at a group of people in front of a home down the road on April 14, 2022.

The shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. April 14, 2022. Police said at least 30 bullets from three guns were fired after an individual got out of a car on Rockaway Street in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood and began shooting at a group of people in front of a house down the road.

Police said two males in the group shot back.

Teyaurra Harris, 21, was in a vehicle driving by at the time and was struck in the back of the head by a stray bullet that went through the back window of the car, police said. She died four days later.

The driver of the car was uninjured, but a 19-year-old woman who was in the area was also shot and had non-life-threatening injuries.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jaunte Smith heading to prison for shooting that killed pregnant woman
An Alabama school band director who was tasered by police officers after he refused to stop his bands performance has now spoken out about the incident.

Minor High School band director Johnny Mims said he was tased by police three times following a football game between Minor and PD Jackson-Olin High Schools in Birmingham, Alabama, on 14 September.

Mr Mims told NBC News NOW that he was just doing his job as an educator, instructing the band, allowing the band to play at the end of the game  and trying to celebrate his schools win.

Now, he just remembers the sound of his students screaming, he said.

Mr Mims said that he and the director for Jackson-Olin High School had agreed both bands would play while crowds left the stadium after the football game  something he said the bands often do.

But police officers approached the bands after the game as they were clearing out the stadium and asked them to stop playing so students and attendees would leave the stadium, the Birmingham Police Department said in a statement.

While the home teams band complied with the request, Mr Mims did not and instructed his band to continue performing, police said.

A physical altercation is said to have ensued, with officers tasering and then arresting Mr Mims.

Before I knew it, I did see the officer tase me. I went down and after that, I was tased an additional two more times by the same officer and a different officer, Mr Mims said at a news conference on Wednesday.

I cant even remember after that point because I was so stunned and so baffled. All I remember is hearing all of my students screaming and all of the parents crying.

He continued: The things that happened in that game should have never happened. The students should have never seen me tased.

Bodycam footage released by police  which they said began 18 minutes after the game ended  shows an officer telling Mr Mims yall gotta go and come down.

Get out of my face. Get out of my face. Get out my face, Mr Mims then repeats with his hands in the air.

Were fixing to go. This is our last song, Mr Mims adds.

The high school band director is seen before being tasered (Birmingham Police Department)

An officer is then heard telling Mr Mims you will go to jail, to which he responds with a thumbs up. Thats cool, he says.

The band then stops playing its song and Mr Mims steps off the stage before a struggle ensues between him and the officers as they appear to try to handcuff him and he yells get off of me.

He hit the officer. He gotta go to jail, one officer is heard saying. He swing on the officer.

Mr Mims is then heard saying he did not swing on the officer seconds before he is tasered by police and brought to the ground.

In a statement, police said Mr Mims allegedly pushed an officer during his arrest.

The arresting officer then subdued the band director with a taser which ended the physical confrontation, the statement continued.

Mr Mims was treated at the scene and taken to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.

Following his release from hospital, he was arrested for disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest.

Mr Mims attorney Juandalynn Givan, a state representative, slammed the officers actions. This incident is an alarming abuse of power and a clear violation of our clients civil rights, she said.

In the press conference, she said: We again stand firmly by our belief that this was excessive force, unnecessary and unwarranted.

There were multiple Birmingham police officers there and the size of my client, he should have been able to be subdued in some kind of manner but it never should have escalated. Its their role to de-escalate a situation.

Ms Givan also denied that Mr Mims pushed an officer. She said the claim is just another attempt by law enforcement, as they have done across the country, to validate their bad acts.

The Birmingham Police Departments Internal Affairs Division has launched an investigation into the incident. Jefferson County Schools also is investigating and said Mr Mims is currently on administrative leave  a standard procedure while the probe plays out.
In New York, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have officially inked a joint declaration pertaining to Ukraine's aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration, according to Ihor Zhovkva, presidential office deputy head.

The document outlines Albania's willingness to extend political, military, technical, defense, and humanitarian support to Ukraine within the framework of bilateral and international collaboration.

Albania, currently holding the presidency of the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member and a NATO member since 1999, now stands as the 25th nation to officially affirm its unwavering support for Ukraine's accession to the military alliance.

"This symbolic act coincides with the anniversary of the joint address delivered by the President, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, and the Prime Minister of Ukraine to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on September 30, 2022, which outlined Ukraine's bid for NATO membership," Zhovkva said.

Albania has also expressed its readiness to participate actively in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts, according to Zhovkva.

Read also: Zelensky, Scholz meet in New York

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Richard Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney found guilty of killing his wife and youngest son, has been in the spotlight since his murder conviction on March 3, along with his well-connected legal family from South Carolinas low country.

The former attorney, descended from generations of attorneys, made headlines in July 2022 when he was charged with the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, his wife and youngest son.

Authorities said the double murder set off a chain of events, including a botched murder-for-hire plot that Murdaugh, 54, intended for his surviving son, Buster, 26, to collect on his life insurance payout, and an investigation that led to dozens of charges alleging he committed financial crimes at his law firm.

Image: Alex Murdaugh (Grace Beahm Alford / AP)

Murdaugh has since been disbarred and has been accused of stealing nearly $8.5 million from his clients at his law firm, according to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office.

In addition to facing nearly 100 criminal charges,, Murdaugh is also the subject of the Netflix documentary, Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, which now has two seasons. It explores his stunning downfall since the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh in June 2021.

Was Alex Murdaugh involved in the deaths of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh?

From left, Paul, Margaret and Alex Murdaugh. (via Facebook)

Murdaugh called 911 at 10:07 p.m. to report he found his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul Murdaugh shot dead near dog kennels on their family property about 65 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.

I need the police and an ambulance immediately, Murdaugh told the 911 operator, per audio released by the South Carolinas State Law Enforcement Division and published by a Savannah, Georgia news station. My wife and son were just shot badly.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters revealed in his opening statement on Jan. 26 Paul Murdaugh, 22, was shot in the chest, shoulder and head with buckshot loads from a 12-gauge shotgun, causing devastating damage to his body.

Maggie Murdaugh, 52, was shot with a rifle and had gunshot wounds to her leg, abdomen and head, Waters said. He added the two did not have any defensive wounds, as if they didnt see a threat coming from their attacker.

Their killings went unsolved for more than a year until a grand jury indicted Murdaugh on two counts of murder and two counts of weapons possession charges on July 14, 2022, per NBC.

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty to the charges in July 2022, per NBC affiliate WCSC.

How was Paul Murdaugh involved in a boat accident?

Paul Murdaugh, Alex Murdaughs youngest son who was found shot dead along with his mother in June 2021, had legal troubles of his own before his death, which became the subject of a 2022 Dateline episode.

On Feb. 23, 2019, Paul Murdaugh, 19, took his familys boat out for a night of partying on the Beaufort River, as shown in the first episode of Murdaugh Murders. The boat crashed and resulted in the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach, who was on the boat.

Paul Murdaugh was charged with three felony counts of boating under the influence, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges, NBC affiliate WSAV reported.

At the time of his death, Paul Murdaugh was out on bail  but he would never face trial for the charges, as he was killed on June 7, 2021.

The charges against him were dropped in August 2021 after the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office received his death certificate, NBC affiliate WSAV reported.

Beachs mother filed a legal claim against the estates of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh on Jan. 24, 2022 to get money they believe they are owed as a result of the accident, per NBC.

A settlement was reached between Beach's parents and other survivors of the crash and two of Murdaugh's family members in January 2023, per court documents published by WTOC.

Did Alex Murdaugh hire a man to murder him?

Murdaugh made headlines on Sept. 4, 2021, just months after the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, when he was found with a gunshot wound to the head in Hampton County, South Carolina, per NBC.

Jim Griffin, one of Murdaughs attorneys, told news outlets Murdaugh had pulled over after his vehicle got a flat tire when a person inside a pickup truck passed by and opened fire.

Authorities described Murdaughs injury as a superficial head wound on Sept. 5 per NBC, and the following day Murdaugh announced his resignation from his familys law firm to seek treatment at a rehab facility.

By Sept. 14, authorities alleged Murdaugh arranged for his former client, Curtis Edward Smith, to kill him so that his surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, could collect on his $10 million life insurance policy, per NBC.

Smith was arrested on Sept. 14 on charges of assisted suicide, assault and battery of a high aggravated nature, pointing and presenting a firearm, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, according to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

Smith has not entered a plea for the charges, South Carolina Attorney Generals Office Communications Director Robert Kittle told TODAY.com. Smith denied that he fired a shot at Murdaugh in Episode 3 of the second season of "Murdaugh Murders," alleging he wanted to scare some sense into (Murdaugh), and fired a shot into the air.

"I knew I hadnt shot him," Smith said, adding the injuries to Murdaughs head were due to him falling onto rocks nearby. "I knew there werent no blood on him, there was no blood on me. So I went home."

Murdaugh turned himself in to authorities on Sept. 16 after he was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report, per NBC, and was released on bond.

Murdaughs defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, agreed to the authorities allegations that Murdaugh had hired someone to execute him. His attorneys blamed Murdaughs addiction to opioids for his actions in a statement given to NBC.

He was in a dark, dark dark place and wanted to help his son, the remaining son, Buster, in any way he could, and he thought this was the only way he could leave him with anything, Murdaughs attorney, Dick Harpootlian, said on TODAY in September 2021.

The attorney for Curtis Smith said, during an appearance on TODAY in September 2021, that his client was being set up by Murdaugh. Smith denied shooting Murdaughon TODAY.

Was Alex Murdaugh involved in housekeeper Gloria Satterfield's fall?

South Carolina authorities announced a criminal investigation into the death of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaugh familys housekeeper, on Sept. 15, 2021, per NBC.

Satterfield died in February 2018 at the Murdaugh familys home in what was described during a 911 call as a fall. Hampton County Coroner Angela Topper said the death was not reported to the coroner, and an autopsy was never performed, per WLTX.

Murdaugh agreed to a $4.3 million wrongful death settlement for Satterfields family, and admitted "liability to the (Satterfields) for the claims asserted against him" in a confession of judgement filed in June 2022, according to court documents obtained by NBC affiliate WCBD.

The decision to open the investigation came after questions arose regarding why her manner of death was ruled as natural on her death certificate, which a coroner has said was inconsistent with injuries sustained in an accident, per a letter written by Hampton County Coroner Angela Topper in September 2021.

Authorities arrested Murdaugh on Oct. 14, 2021 as he was leaving a rehab facility in Florida, NBC News reported, on two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses after millions of dollars from Satterfield's wrongful death settlement went missing, the South Carolina Attorney General's Office said.

Attorneys for the Satterfield family released documents, per NBC officiate WCBD, that claimed to prove Murdaugh had defrauded Sattferfields sons out of a wrongful death settlement.

Murdaugh admitted he owed the Satterfield family $4.3 million in June 2022, and asked the court to uphold a judgement ordering him to pay the amount in restitution, according to court documents reviewed by WCBD.

On June 3, 2022, South Carolina authorities said they had permission from Satterfield's family to exhume her body as part of the investigation into her death.

What are Murdaugh's financial crime charges?

The same day Murdaugh announced he was resigning from his law firm, the firm, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrickhe, released its own statement alleging Murdaugh had misappropriated company funds.

South Carolina authorities opened their own investigation into the allegations, and announced on Nov. 19, 2021 multiple indictments against him totaling 27 counts including charges of breach of trust with fraudulent intent, obtaining signature or property by false pretenses, money laundering, computer crimes and forgery.

"Altogether, Murdaugh is charged with respect to alleged schemes to defraud victims and thereafter launder" nearly $4.9 million, the state attorney general's office said.

By June 28, 2022, the state attorney general's office had charged Murdaugh with more than 80 criminal counts, alleging he had stolen nearly $8.5 million over the course of about 11 years.

The South Carolina Supreme Court formally disbarred Murdaugh on July 13, 2022, one day before he was charged with the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, per NBC.

On Dec. 19, 2022, a grand jury indicted Murdaugh on nine counts of tax evasion, bringing his total financial-related charges to 99. Murdaugh has not entered any pleas on the financial crimes charges, South Carolina Attorney General's Office Communications Director Robert Kittle told TODAY.com, citing the Clerk of Court of the State Grand Jury.

Where is Alex Murdaugh now?

Murdaugh faced the charges of killing his wife and youngest son on June 7, 2021 during a six-wek trial that began on Jan. 25, 2023, and in a shocking twist, Murdaugh took the stand in his own defense on Feb. 23, telling jurors he did not kill Maggie or Paul Murdaugh.

"I did not shoot my wife or son, any time, ever," Murdaugh testified.

During his testimony, he admitted to lying to law enforcement about his whereabouts on the night of the shootings. Earlier in the trial, prosecutors introduced video evidence that appeared to show Murdaugh at the family property just before the time of the killings.

He apologized to his family for lying to investigators. "What a tangled web we weave, he said on the stand. Once I told a lie  then I told my family  I had to keep lying."

But Murdaugh insisted that he would never hurt his family. "I would never intentionally do anything to hurt either one of them  ever," he told jurors.

Murdaugh's surviving son Buster Murdaugh, 26, also testified in his father's defense, telling jurors about the first time he saw his dad after the slayings.

"His demeanor was destroyed, he was heartbroken," Buster Murdaugh told jurors on Feb. 21. "I walked in the door and saw him and gave him a hug and just broke down."

The jury deliberated for about three hours on March 2 before convicting Murdaugh for the murders of his wife and youngest son. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 3.

Murdaugh's attorneys have appealed his sentence, and also filed a motion for a new trial in September, alleging they had uncovered evidence of jury tampering.

Murdaugh is currently in custody in a maximum-security prison in South Carolina, corrections officials announced in March. His cell is in an undisclosed location separate from the general prison population due to safety reasons, and includes a bed, toilet and sink.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Lao PM vows closer cooperation to support Belt and Road Initiative

(People's Daily App) 16:17, September 21, 2023

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his country's continued support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in a recent interview with the People's Daily. In 2013, President Xi Jinping first proposed the BRI, which reached its 10th anniversary in 2023. "I speak highly of this initiative of great significance," said Siphandone. This cooperation framework has made significant contributions to the improvement of connectivity, the promotion of economic and social development, job creation and poverty reduction in countries taking part in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, he noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
For the first time, Alex Murdaugh has pleaded guilty to crimes.

The disgraced former South Carolina attorney, who was convicted in March of murdering his wife and son, pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen fraud and money laundering charges Thursday morning in a federal courtroom in Charleston.

The plea is related to a scheme in which Murdaugh and a bank employee allegedly defrauded his personal injury clients and laundered more than $7 million of funds, according to an indictment. Murdaugh was accused of using the settlement funds for his personal benefit, including using the proceeds to pay off personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals.

Murdaugh cried as he told the judge he was pleading guilty of his own free will. He said he was doing so because he was guilty of the crimes, but also so his son, Buster, could see him taking responsibility for his actions, as well as to help his victims heal, according to three attorneys present during the proceedings.

Murdaugh agreed to plead guilty to 22 charges in all: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; one count of bank fraud; five counts of wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and 14 counts of money laundering.

The majority of the charges carry a maximum federal sentence of 20 years, though four of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years.

US District Court Judge Richard Gergel accepted and signed the plea agreement between Murdaugh and federal prosecutors. Gergel will determine federal sentencing for Murdaugh at a later date.

Alex Murdaughs financial crimes were extensive, brazen, and callous, US Attorney Adair F. Boroughs said in a statement. He stole indiscriminately from his clients, from his law firm, and from others who trusted him. The US Attorneys Office, the FBI, and SLED committed to investigating and prosecuting Murdaughs financial crimes when they first came to light. Today marks our fulfillment of that promise.

What the plea agreement says

Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh arrives in court in Beaufort, South Carolina, on Thursday, September 14. - James Pollard/AP

The agreement says that if Murdaugh cooperates and complies with the conditions of the plea agreement, the government attorneys agree to recommend to the court that any federal sentence he receives for these charges be served concurrent to any state sentence served for the same conduct. The agreement does not have a sentence recommendation included in it, as written.

Notably, the agreement requires Murdaugh  who admitted under oath that he had previously lied to the police  to tell the truth.

The Defendant agrees to be fully truthful and forthright with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by providing full, complete and truthful information about all criminal activities about which he/she has knowledge, the agreement reads.

If he is found in any way to break this portion of the agreement, the agreement would be voided.

Much of the agreement is focused on Murdaugh working with the government to repay victims and locate missing assets. The agreement says Murdaugh must pay restitution to his victims and requests he forfeit a total of $9 million in assets. Further, he must submit to a polygraph test, if requested by the government, and could be called to testify before other grand juries or in future trials.

Attorney Justin Bamberg, who represents several of Murdaughs victims in the financial crimes, criticized the plea agreement in a statement.

Given the severity and callousness of his crimes, Alex Murdaugh should never receive any incentive-based deal from the government, be it federal or state, and we respectfully disagree with the federal governments voluntary decision to concede to a concurrent sentence in exchange for his guilty plea and agreement to cooperate, he said.

We trust that the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office will remain steadfast in its commitment to hold Murdaugh accountable and will give him no breaks and offer no incentives; that ship sailed years ago, he added. Murdaughs victims are looking forward to seeing him receive the individual sentences he earned via his own individual criminal conduct towards each of them under South Carolina law.

Bigger legal challenges ahead

The fraud charges are just the latest legal problems for Murdaugh, the scion of a prominent and powerful family of local lawyers and solicitors in South Carolinas Lowcountry.

Murdaugh was convicted in March of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021 at their sprawling estate, and he was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Days after his conviction, Murdaughs lawyers began the appeals process. However, earlier this month, his defense team filed a court motion to suspend the appeal, so they could request a new trial. The motion included bombshell allegations that the Colleton County Clerk of Court tampered with the jury.

The South Carolina attorney general has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the claims.

Last week, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson asked the court to order Murdaughs defense team to correct their motion due to several procedural defects. The prosecutors office didnt directly dispute the motion but noted the ongoing investigation has already revealed significant factual disputes that undermine the credibility of Murdaughs claims.

Murdaughs attorneys responded to the states request on Thursday, accusing prosecutors of attempting to delay the appeal suspension and prevent the defense from requesting a new trial. The defense attorneys argued the procedural defects raised by prosecutors are not relevant to the filing and asked the court to expeditiously grant a new trial.

The South Carolina Court of Appeals has not yet issued a decision.

In addition, the disbarred attorney remains entangled in several other state and federal cases in which he faces more than 100 other charges.

Murdaugh is set to stand trial in November on charges related to stolen settlement funds from the family of the Murdaughs late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.

They are the first of dozens of state charges he faces in alleged schemes to defraud victims of millions. The financial crimes he is accused of in the case include embezzlement, computer crime, money laundering and tax evasion.

CNNs Eric Levenson contributed to this report.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 federal financial crimes charges in a downtown Charleston courtroom on Thursday morning.

Murdaugh appeared before Judge Richard Gergel and admitted that he stole millions of dollars from his former clients. The disbarred attorney-turned-convicted-murderer had agreed to plead guilty to those charges in a court filing earlier this week.

Those charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering.

Murdaugh Murders: The Movie to premiere on Lifetime in October

Nexstars WCBD was inside the courtroom for Thursdays hearing. Murdaugh appeared to enter the courtroom with a smile and was seen talking to his attorneys, but he was seemingly concerned about the number of media members who were present.

Murdaugh later said he was proud to be 744 days sober and away from opioids and alcohol.

He then became emotional when talking about why he was accepting the plea deal, saying he wanted to take responsibility, and wanted his son to see him do so.

Murdaugh also said that, by pleading guilty, he hoped the people he hurt would feel some kind of healing.

This is, we believe, the first step for him in putting this behind him, attorney Dick Harpootlian said while speaking to the media after Thursdays hearing. He did not argue with a single fact. He did not attempt to push back on any allegation by the federal government.

Harpootlian said they believe Murdaugh feels good about the plea.

Obviously, hes going to be sentenced for it and it will be substantial time, but hes willing to accept that, he said.

Thursdays plea hearing was the first time Murdaugh has pleaded guilty to any of the crimes hes accused of. In the past, he pleaded not guilty to state financial crimes charges, and even not guilty in the killings of his wife and youngest son.

Theres two things Alex will tell you: One, he stole the money; two, he did not kill Maggie and Paul, said Harpootlian.

And three, he admitted to stealing the money since he was first confronted in September of 2021 by his law firm, attorney Jim Griffin added.

Federal prosecutors say their goal in holding Murdaugh accountable for the financial crimes in federal court is to ensure that he is never a free man again.

Today is the first time Alex Murdaugh has been held accountable for his decades of thefts of more than 10 and a half million dollars  from his clients and from his law firm and from others who trusted him, federal prosecutors said. As you heard today, Murdaughs financial crimes were calculated and heartless. His plea in federal court today is a product of nearly two years of investigating work by the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Drew Carey subpoenaed to testify in Amie Harwick murder trial

As part of his plea, federal prosecutors say Murdaugh agreed to waive his appeal and post-conviction rights, with narrow exceptions. He has also agreed to be fully truthful with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Provided Murdaugh fully complies with the plea agreement, the Government has agreed  consistent with the recommendation of the United States Sentencing Guidelines  to recommend that Murdaughs federal prison sentence run concurrent to any state sentence imposed for the same conduct.

Murdaugh will be required to surrender a minimum of $9 million as part of the agreement. Thats roughly the amount that he stole as a result of the crimes related to the federal charges.

Murdaugh faces the following penalties:

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;

Bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;

Two counts of wire fraud are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;

Three counts of wire fraud are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000;

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000; and

Money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

Murdaughs state trial for alleged financial crimes has been scheduled for the Monday after Thanksgiving, a judge announced last week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Former Trump lawyer and adviser Kenneth Chesebro filed a motion Monday to defend his actions in the "fake elector" scheme, arguing that the supposed Republican electors he helped convene in Georgia after the 2020 election were in fact "duly elected and certified" to vote for Donald Trump.

Chesebro, who was allegedly a central figure in the plan to send fake electors to Congress from states Trump had lost, filed a "motion to quash" just a few weeks before his case goes to trial. He argued that the court should dismiss two charges against him, including conspiring to commit false statements and writings as part of the fake elector scheme.

"What he has filed is not particularly unusual," said Atlanta defense attorney Andrew Fleischman in an interview with Salon. "In Georgia you can file a 'special demurrer' where you say that a charging instrument is not specific enough, and ask the state to refile with more specifics." But the claim that the Georgia Trump electors "were duly certified is kind of irrelevant to that argument," he continued. "Almost every 'demurrer' or motion to quash is supposed to be solely about the wording of the indictment, with no external facts."

The indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis alleges that Chesebro, along with other defendants, helped file an alternative slate of Republican electors despite knowing they were making false claims, describing their slate as "duly elected and qualified Electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America from the State of Georgia" who "do hereby certify" that Trump won Georgia.

In his motion, Chesebro argued that those statements were not false because the "Republican presidential electors were qualified and elected by the Republican Party." Legal experts contacted by Salon said that argument was unlikely to persuade a judge.

"The argument is far-fetched, almost preposterous," Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, told Salon. "The so-called Republican electors fraudulently claimed they were the official electors from Georgia chosen by the voters when in fact they were not, and they knew that. Chesebro knew that, but concocted this devious scheme to displace the properly chosen electors with imposters."

Chesbro's argument, which Gershman described as saying that he "didn't intend to do anything bad" is one his defense attorneys might present to a jury, rather than to a judge in a pretrial motion, Gershman added.

Caren Myers Morrison, a former federal prosecutor in New York who is now a law professor at Georgia State University, agreed, saying that Chesebro is making the kind of factual argument that is best put in front of a jury.

"If you want to quash a piece of an indictment, you basically have to show that no reasonable jury could ever find that you are guilty," Morrison said.

That's a stretch, she suggested, given that these false GOP electors sent their certifications to courts, statehouses, Congress, and the National Archives, according to Fulton County prosecutors. Those documents did not say they were intended to preserve the Trump campaign's rights if it prevailed in future litigation, Morrison said, but instead made the factual claim that the fake electors were the state's "duly elected and qualified" electors.

"He can give as much background as he wants, but there's nothing conditional about the documents that they sent out," Morrison said, offering a hypothetical example to illustrate the point:

"Let's say I write a fraudulent check for $100,000, and while I'm writing it, I say to you, 'You know, this is just a joke. I don't really mean it,'" Morrison said. "But then I take it to the bank and try to deposit it. What does it matter to you that I said it was a joke if I'm actually trying to cash the check? If the check is fraudulent, the check is fraudulent."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Chesbro and 18 co-defendants were charged last month over their efforts to reverse Trump's defeat in the 2020 election in Georgia. Willis used Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to construct a sweeping indictment of all 19 individuals, including the former president.

Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case, approved an expedited trial for Chesebro and attorney Sidney Powell which is set to begin Oct. 23, severing their case from those of the other 17 defendants.

There is significant risk for Willis' larger prosecution in this first trial, according to Fleischman. If a jury acquits Chesebro "because they think he meant for the jurors to be contingent," he said, that will likely help Trump "because it potentially knocks down some of the RICO claims against him. It's going to be very hard to keep future jurors from learning about that acquittal."
An Altamonte Springs woman was arrested on cruelty charges Wednesday after officers rescued dozens of malnourished and emaciated animals from her property, putting Seminole Countys animal shelter well over its capacity, officials said.

Tonya Grose, 36, was being held in the Seminole County jail on $10,000 bail as of Thursday morning.

Her arrest and the search of her property resulted in more than 40 animals being surrendered to Seminole County Animal Services, spokesperson Andy Wontor said in a statement.

This influx of animals has stressed an already full shelter with dozens of animals that are yet unavailable for adoption being moved offsite in an agreement with a local boarding facility, Wontor said. Staff is also getting creative in splitting kennel runs and pairing adoptable animals together to save space.

Animal Services is asking for the publics help in adopting healthy pets that were already at its facility, in order to create space and alleviate the burden of the sudden influx of animals needing care.

According to the Altamonte Springs Police Department, officers were called to Groses home on Ballard Street, off North Maitland Avenue near Eastmonte Park, by Animal Services, which had gone there to conduct an animal well-being check.

While speaking with Grose, officers could smell the pungent odor of urine and feces coming from inside her home, police spokesperson Michelle Montalvo said in a statement.

Once inside, they observed multiple emaciated dogs in cages without food or water, and birds in cages filled with feces and cockroaches, the statement said. Several cats were also present, and the floor was covered with excrement, urine, and roaches.

In the back yard, officers found more malnourished dogs in cages as well as a pair of sheds, one of which had several dogs locked inside despite not being ventilated, Montalvo said.

In the other shed, police found a dogs skeleton lying on the floor as well as 15 large trash bags holding animal remains in various stages of decomposition, the ASPD statement said.

Records show Grose is facing five animal cruelty charges. Police said their investigation is ongoing.
Volodymyr Lobodiuk was 21 when he graduated from the National Ground Forces Academy in Lviv and joined the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade.

Lobodiuk, still a very young officer, was always there at the firing positions. He managed to secure modern US-made weapons for his unit. He was universally loved and respected, even as he commanded people more than twice his age.

Lobodiuk was killed in close combat with Wagner Group mercenaries. He was just 22. The short story of his life is a story about how the war is claiming the lives of the nations finest people.

"Firing mortar bombs at a tank is a matter of luck. We hit two enemy tanks"

Volodymyrs brothers-in-arms remember him as a cheerful and optimistic person, though his life hadnt always been easy. His parents divorced and both started new families when he was still little, so Volodymyr was raised by his grandparents.

He lived with his relatives in the village of Korshiv, not far from the city of Kolomyia at the foot of the Carpathian mountains, until he started ninth grade (aged 14). After his grandfathers death, he enrolled at a military and sports college. He graduated with distinction from the National Ground Forces Academy in Lviv and joined the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade.

Volodymyr was a good student and was granted the right to choose where he would serve. He decided to join the mountain assault forces. He served as a senior officer in an artillery unit in the Joint Forces Operation area for a few months. [The Joint Forces Operation, or JFO, is a term used from 2018 to identify combat actions in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists - ed.] Soon after the beginning of the full-scale war, he headed a mortar battery in a mountain assault battalion that was engaged in battles with Russian forces advancing on the Zaporizhzhia front.

Senior Lieutenant Volodymyr Lobodiuk served for only a year and a half after graduating from the National Ground Forces Academy

"Our unit first fought under Volodymyr Lobodiuks command near Orikhiv," says Senior Sergeant Bohdan Hota, platoon commander in the mortar battery. "An enemy column  two tanks and several armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and KAMAZ trucks  came out of the woods and attacked an infantry platoon that only had one mortar. The reinforced [Russian] company was advancing in a march formation, not a combat formation, and was some 1.5 kilometres away. The Russians didnt know we were there, so we were able to stop them even though we were outnumbered. The infantry personnel destroyed one APC with a Javelin, and we deployed the mortar to destroy the KAMAZ. The truck was carrying ammunition that continued to explode for two hours after it was hit. The rest of the column quickly turned around and fled. On the battlefield, we found the bodies of two Russians whod been killed in action and their documents. Turned out they were from Dagestan."

Several days later, the mortar battery neutralised another Russian column which was about to assault Ukrainian infantry positions. They destroyed a Russian T-72 tank. Mortars are typically used to target infantry, machine guns, dugouts, pillboxes, and mortar crews. Firing mortar bombs at heavy equipment, especially tanks, is a matter of luck.

A 120-mm mortar bomb weighs almost 16 kilograms and causes a powerful explosion when it hits its targets from a 3.5-kilometre height. But tanks are heavily armoured and can only be damaged or destroyed if a mortar bomb hits the stern or the turret, where the armour is thinner.

"When wed repelled the assault and the enemy column had already stopped and was starting to turn back, Volodymyr ordered us to launch another three mortar bombs," Bohdan says. "One of them hit the T-72s turret. The tanks ammunition immediately detonated, the turret was blown away, the bottom was punctured. We saw this from a drone  it was a spectacular sight. Around the same time, one of our mortar bombs also destroyed an enemy MT-LB (an amphibious tracked armoured fighting vehicle) which was carrying ammunition and 12 infantrymen. The ammunition exploded, killing all of the infantrymen."

As a promising battery commander, Volodymyr was spotted by his superiors. He and a couple of soldiers under his command were sent to train in Germany to learn how to operate US-made M120 120-mm mortars.

The instructors taught the Ukrainian soldiers by the book, whereas Volodymyr tried to take his experience into account. He knew how best to choose positions, how to position and camouflage a mortar, and how many mortars to deploy at once.

"Our commander couldve taught the Americans a lot himself," Bohdan believes. "We explained to the instructors how we use the sun and the stars to navigate. They were particularly impressed when we showed them our Kropyva (software that enables the coordination of multiple units in one area). Volodymyr said during these exercises: Ive never regretted a thing, but now I regret that we werent taught English better at the academy."

After the exercises, the mortar battery and other mountain assault units were deployed to Kherson Oblast, where they engaged in difficult assault operations to liberate occupied territories.

In some areas the mortar battery was the assault units only support (since the artillery was being deployed on other fronts), but it was so effective that after it fired on Russian positions, there was nothing left for the infantry to do but take the injured Russian soldiers prisoner.

Sometimes when Russian forces were fleeing in panic after a Ukrainian breakthrough, the mortar crews would get ahead of the infantry  their pickup trucks were faster than infantry fighting vehicles. Volodymyrs brothers-in-arms recall that he was always in the hottest spots, despite the danger.

"At one point, the Russians spotted our vehicle and launched a pack of Grad rockets  fortunately, they werent well-aimed," says Ivan Roman, the batterys Head Sergeant. "We hid the vehicle in some bushes, put our armoured vests on, took up our guns and went to reconnoitre the area by foot; [we had to walk for] 15 kilometres. Eventually we reached the positions of our territorial defence units  they assured us that the positions ahead of us were held by our infantry. In reality, they were held by the Russians. There we were, courageously walking around some 1.5 kilometres away from the enemy, considering where best to position our mortars. They saw us and launched a pack of Grads; several rockets hit very close to us. Its as if we got a second chance at life there."

The mortar battery under Volodymyrs command hit another Russian tank in Kherson Oblast  a T-90, which the Russians used to call the best tank in the world before the war in Ukraine. The tank was hiding in ambush; it fired to stop the 128th Brigades assault units. Volodymyr used a drone to determine the tanks position and fired on it from several mortars at once. One of the mortar bombs damaged the tank. It stopped firing, allowing the Ukrainian infantry to continue their assault.

The battery commander (front left) and his brothers-in-arms

"Mortars fire from far away, while the infantry marches on ahead of everyone else"

During a short rotation away from the front, Volodymyrs unit was visited by military top brass from Kyiv. During exercises, a general noticed the young officer who was expertly operating the mortars  Volodymyr  and asked what he needed. Volodymyr asked for modern mortars. Soon afterwards, his battery received a shipment of new American M120 120-mm mortars.

"The technical specifications are similar to those of Ukrainian Molot mortars, but theyre better," Bohdan Hota says. "You dont have to dig them in because the strong recoil after the first shot firmly fixes the mortar in place. At night, the American mortars dont produce a flash, so theyre very difficult to detect. Each bomb is packaged separately, so theyre clean when they reach positions, not dirty or damp."

As an additional perk, each mortar came with a Humvee off-road vehicle and a trailer with a hydraulic lift. Of course the trailers werent very effective in our conditions  theyre difficult to manoeuvre in areas that are often rigged with mines. So the Ukrainians unhitched the trailers, and they load the M120s into the Humvees with their bare hands before setting out to their fighting positions.

Mortar crews cover the infantry from the back; their commanders deploy drones to adjust their fire from several kilometres behind. This is what typically happens during combat. Contrary to this practice, Volodymyr didnt adjust fire from behind his crews; he was always in front of his mortars, at infantry strongpoints. You can see the full picture of the battle more clearly on the ground, but you have to pay for that with your own safety.

"He saw the enormous losses in the assault units and he always told us: Were firing from far away, but they march to their deaths ahead of everyone else," says Hennadii Kobal, deputy commander of the mortar battery. "He did everything he could to keep losses to a minimum, he felt his responsibility  mortar support can make a real difference in combat."

Volodymyr had a lot of respect for the infantry  thats why he was always with them on the front line. But he also really loved his unit. He cared about their living conditions and food, and he made sure the guys could take showers, wash their uniforms, and access "civilisation"  places where the postal service was working. These little things mean a lot [at the front], and the guys appreciated them and really loved their commander. His was an exemplary battery, thanks to his efforts.

"He also had a good sense of humour," Ivan Roman adds. "Once, during our time away from the front, he accidentally came across several soldiers who were drinking. He ordered the rule-breaking to be documented, then told the senior officer: Good job for telling me where you were drinking! The soldiers fell for it  they nearly killed the traitor on the spot. Another time there was a stray puppy the commander named Klapan. Everyone really loved that dog; we used to feed him. Once when we were driving back from our position Volodymyr said: Our Klapans been killed, he got run over. He spent the rest of the journey back reminiscing about what a good dog Klapan had been. I was on the verge of tears. When we got back, the dog was right there, alive and well! The commander was laughing."

"He often used to joke about death," Ivan continues. "Hed come back from a combat engagement dog-tired, lie down to rest and say: If someone calls me, tell them Im 200. Or: If I get 200 during the battle, youre next in command. If youre 200 its the senior sergeant. Jokes like this arent common in the army." ["Cargo 200" is the military identifier for transportation of dead bodies from the battlefield; "200" is colloquially often used to mean "dead" - ed.]

"One mortar bomb hit a cluster of enemy forces, killing 15 Wagner Group mercenaries at once"

In December 2022, the mountain assault unit and the mortar battery were deployed in the defence of Bakhmut. Soldiers from the unit recall that time as the worst horror of their lives. Russian soldiers were being mown down by the dozen, yet new assault units kept advancing, surrounded by the bodies of their dead brothers-in-arms.

"In winter there was mud everywhere, everything was getting clogged up with mud, weapons and equipment were failing  meanwhile, the Russians kept advancing, no matter how many of them died," Bohdan recalls. "We mostly fired on the enemy infantry there. During one battle, we killed 64 Russians with an American mortar, 15 of them with one mortar bomb. We hit a cluster of infantry troops, but there were so many of them. Sometimes our infantry would be forced to retreat, with the company commander crouched at the command and observation post, and Wagnerites would already be all over his former positions. Our guys would be walking past us as they retreated and wed keep launching mortar bombs. We mostly fired at random, but we still managed to stop [the Russian forces]. Once we repelled six Wagner assaults in one day. This happened near Vesele, just outside of Soledar. We still hold the village."

Volodymyr made many trips to help adjust mortar fire; he was the best mortar operator, so JFO units often asked for his help. Back then, 82-mm mortars were positioned in line with the infantry, while the 120-mm ones were positioned 800 metres behind  the forward observer would always end up at the very front. Volodymyr never spared himself. He slept two or three hours a day at most, and he was exhausted.

"We slept in rows, in a basement," Bohdan says. "Everyone could see how tired our commander was, so we agreed that while he would still go and carry out the forward observer duties that morning, Id go the next morning so that he could get some proper sleep. Volodymyr came back from the combat engagement in the evening and went straight to a meeting; he didnt get back until late at night. JFO soldiers arrived at five in the morning and woke him up. They could see how tired he was too, so they suggested he stay there and get some rest instead of going with them. But he said hed go."

Volodymyrs favourite uniform was MultiCam [a type of camouflage - ed.]  he thought it brought him luck. That morning, however, he changed into a different uniform and asked us to take his MultiCam one to a base behind the front line and get it washed. He gave all of his documents and credit cards to his deputy, though hed never done that before. He made a characteristic joke: "If some s***heads get my cards, make sure they dont get any credit."

He wasnt preparing to die. He had plans for his future: he really wanted to get some rest and said hed be going on holiday right after he got out of Bakhmut. There were a lot of young guys in his battery, and hed promised to party at all their weddings. But that wasnt meant to be.

On 16 December, Volodymyr was adjusting the mortar fire from frontline infantry strongpoints. He spotted from drone footage that a Wagner assault group was approaching them from behind.

A short-range firefight ensued, and Volodymyr used his gun to kill three Wagner mercenaries; the assault was repelled. But the first assault group was followed by a second one that was better armed and better equipped. A Wagner Group tactic: first use cannon fodder and only then deploy professional fighters. Volodymyr and his brothers-in-arms repelled this second assault, but Volodymyr was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire.

"Later, when the soldiers had recovered from the shock of their commanders death, we studied that battle," Bohdan recalls. "We think Volodymyrs sense of danger could have been dulled by chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue and he let his guard down. If only he could have got a bit of rest, he wouldve been more careful, and maybe he wouldve survived. But he always gave his all."

Volodymyrs death came as a shock not only to his mortar battery, but also to the infantry he had been working with. Infantrymen know best how important reliable mortar cover is  they experience it firsthand.

Volodymyr and his brothers-in-arms in front of a Russian military vehicle they captured, in Kherson Oblast

"Its so strange here: the shops are open, people are sitting in cafes. As if theres no war"

Of all his relatives, the ones Volodymyr was most often in contact with during the war were his aunt Oksana and her daughter Hanna, his cousin. He was Hannas childs godfather.

"We talked almost every day," Oksana says. "Sometimes my nephew would text a few times a day or warn that he might not be in touch for a while. He was very chatty, and he told me a lot about himself and his brothers-in-arms. He always thought about them above anything else, he was honest and fair. Early on in the war Volodia [short for Volodymyr - ed.] went through several very dangerous situations. Once a projectile went off near him and the blast wave knocked him off his feet; he suffered severe concussion. A metal fence nearby was peppered with fragments of the projectile, but he was miraculously unscathed."

Volodymyr received no treatment or rehabilitation after suffering concussion, even though his hands were so numb he couldnt even start a car. His relatives found him a neurologist who gave consultations online.

Another time, a drone dropped explosives on the vehicle Volodymyr was in. A soldier walking ahead was killed, but Volodymyr and another three soldiers survived. His relatives think that he might have become less vigilant after these incidents: he believed death would always pass him by. He was very young and full of energy. Hed often boast: "Its all in Gods hands  if Im meant to live, Ill live."

"We live in a village, and I tried to help as much as I could; I used to send him parcels," Oksana continues. "He said that he had enough food and only asked for something sweet. During the first few months of the war, everyone in our village chipped in to buy a car for Volodia. Someone drove it to Zaporizhzhia, and my nephew managed to travel there from the front. He called me and said: Its so strange here: the shops are open, theres music playing, people are sitting in cafes. As if theres no war."

Volodymyrs relatives asked him to take leave several times in early December; he hadnt had any time off since 2021. They could see how tired he was. But Volodymyr said that if he went on holiday, someone else would take up his position  "an inexperienced officer whod be more likely to get killed. Meanwhile, I know every bush in the area." He never did take leave in the end.

"The last time we spoke was on 15 December," Oksana recalls. "St Nicholas day was approaching [celebrated in Ukraine on 19 December - ed.] and Volodia sent a present for his grandma to my address. Shes been living in her summer kitchen since she had a stroke  its warmer there. [Volodia] sent her a new, modern TV, with instructions on how to properly install it. The present arrived on the afternoon of 16 December. Volodia was already dead

I only dreamt about him once. He was very thin and was wearing a white T-shirt that Id never seen him wear. He came up to me and I gave him a hug. In the back of my mind I knew he was dead, but I still asked him: Volodia, why are you so thin? I did ask you if you had enough to eat. He replied: That doesnt matter, Auntie. The most important thing is that you do what I asked you to do. I think he meant the TV. We were all in shock after Volodias death, and there were a lot of power cuts  the TV was the last thing on our minds. But we installed it after all, honouring his final wish."

Yaroslav Halas, officer from the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade, for Ukrainska Pravda Zhyttia (Life)

Photos: Volodymyr Lobodiuks brothers-in-arms

Translation: Olya Loza

Editing: Teresa Pearce






UPDATE: Word paid the property taxes on Thursday, Sept. 21, and explained the issue to the Courier & Press. You can find the follow-up story here.

EVANSVILLE  There are unpaid taxes, a denied alcoholic beverage license that expires Oct. 8, a narcotics investigation and a finding by regulators that the place is a public nuisance  but school board member Amy Word seeks to sell Lamasco Bar & Grill for more than $1 million.

Word might be able to command that much for the popular Franklin Street establishment. The real estate ad cites among the property's assets "potential for additional revenue," "room for expansion and future growth," "includes all furniture, fixtures and equipment" and "liquor license included."

But that last one is problematic, with recent developments potentially posing challenges to any new owner and serving as a reminder of the felony criminal charge Word faces. She has pleaded not guilty to one count of the Level 6 felony, "maintaining a common nuisance  controlled substances," and has mounted a spirited public defense against the charge linking her to drug use and dealing at Lamasco.

More: Ahead of trial, Amy Word and her attorney go on the offensive against witnesses, police

The Alcoholic Beverage Board of Vanderburgh County voted Aug. 8 to recommend denial of Lamasco's permit renewal application. According to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC), the local board stated "that it believed the permit premises had become a public nuisance as defined in (Indiana Administrative Code)." A week later, ATC took the local board's recommendation to deny renewal of Lamasco's permit.

"Commissioner (Marjorie) Maginn stated this permittee has had several violations  one while on the PACE (Proactive Alcohol Compliance Enforcement) Program. The commissioner feels the business has become a public nuisance," state minutes of the ATC meeting.

Another commissioner said PACE "is similar to a corrective action plan that is supposed to be a vehicle to help permittees keep or get on the right track as far as operating the business lawfully and should be taken seriously," according to the minutes.

More: A judge granted two witnesses immunity to testify against school board member Amy Word

Lamasco is now operating under a 90-day permit extension that expires on October 8, according to ATC. Word has requested an administrative appeal of the denial. As of Wednesday morning, no date was listed for that hearing, according to ATC.

The Lamasco Bar & Grill's sign hangs outside the establishment.

Lamasco closed for 10 days in June due to alleged violations of Indiana's Alcoholic Beverage Act. The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission temporarily suspended Lamasco's privilege to sell alcohol. Initially, Word publicly stated the bar would close for "spring cleaning," though she later clarified that the 10-day shutdown was a pre-arranged sanction imposed by the board shortly after her arrest.

At the time, Word took aim at local media outlets for regularly covering her ongoing court case and developments at Lamasco Bar & Grill.

What does Amy Word say?

Word did not acknowledge text or phone messages seeking comment on her proposed sale of Lamasco or the legal issues swirling around it.

The school board member announced her intention to sell Lamasco in a contemplative Facebook post Monday lamenting personal sacrifices she has made over 15 years of owning the establishment and declaring she is "giddy with anticipation of the unknown."

"This past year has taken me in directions never predicted and a storm that has been like no other," Word wrote. "BUT, it has also been this incredible blessing of bringing EVERYTHING into focus, and analyzing what matters most. What do I want to feel, enjoy, do, not do, be and not be for the next half of my life? What am I craving to explore, seek, and what new adventures do I want for myself? What will a hyper focus on self feel like for me?"

Another potential complication

According to the Vanderburgh County Treasurer's Office, the property at 1331 W. Franklin St.  Lamasco's address  is more than $7,500 in arrears on its county property taxes. The county did not receive the spring or previous fall's installments of property taxes on the structure, which has an assessed value of $211,500.

Amy Word

Another $3,367 will come due by Nov. 13. If that and the already-owed money isn't paid, it will constitute three consecutive seasonal installments of unpaid county property taxes. Under Indiana law, that's when a property can go to tax sale if the owner doesn't set up a payment plan or pay what is due. The next tax sale in Vanderburgh County, though, is a year down the road  September 2024.

More: EVSC board approves leave of absence for Amy Word following July 30 arrest

Word was elected to a four-year term on the school board in 2020. She has not acknowledged messages about her school board seat, which comes up for election again next year. She has been on an unpaid leave of absence from the school board since her July 2022 arrest.

Though she is an elected official, Word has repeatedly complained on social media about the attention paid to her legal issues by news organizations. After posting on Facebook Monday about the sale of Lamasco, she posted what she called, "BREAKING NEWS!"

"What in the hell is the local media going to do without me?!?!???" the school board member wrote. "Thoughts and prayers for the end of the easy Amy clicks!!!"

Houston Harwood contributed to this report and can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Amy Word seeks to sell Lamasco as liquor license, tax issues loom
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON)  Angus Cloud died from overdosing on a lethal drug cocktail including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepine, the Alameda County Sheriffs Office told KRON4 on Thursday.

The Euphoria star died on July 31 inside his familys home in Oakland. Clouds death was investigated by the Sheriffs Office as a possible overdose, and his cause of death was confirmed this week by a coroner.

Cloud died from acute intoxication due to combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and benzodiazepine, the Sheriffs Office said. Cloud was 25.

The rising young actor was grieving his fathers death in July, and he had recently returned to the Bay Area after burying his father in Ireland. Clouds mother quickly dismissed rumors that her sons death was a suicide. His last day was a joyful one, Clouds mother said.

Although my son was in deep grief about his fathers untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one, Lisa Cloud wrote. She said he spent his last day reorganizing his home and talking about how he wanted to take care of his sisters.

Angus Cloud put his head on his desk, which was filled with art projects he was working on, and fell asleep, his mother said. He never woke up.

Angus Cloud was memorialized in Oakland by an artist who painted a large mural on a building on East 19th Street and Park Avenue. Oakland residents laid flowers and candles beside the mural honoring the actor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Anheuser-Busch says it has ended its practice of cutting the tails of the famous Clydesdale horses used in Budweiser commercials and at events after it faced backlash from animal rights advocates.

"The practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority."

Over the past year, the beverage giant has faced mounting backlash over the practice known as docking, which can involve cutting through a horses tailbone for cosmetic reasons.

The animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said an investigation found that Budweiser horses' tails were docked for cosmetic purposes.

Houston Chronicle (James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images file)

Tailbone amputation for cosmetic reasons is banned in at least 10 states and several countries, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, which condemns the practice. The American Association of Equine Practitioners has also condemned tailbone amputation for cosmetic reasons.

PETA asserts that the docking procedure can be painful. The American Veterinary Medical Association has said welfare concerns appear to relate less to the pain equine docking might cause and more to the surgerys being unnecessary, while also limiting a horse's ability to fend off flies and biting insects using its tail.

In a news release, PETA welcomed Anheuser-Busch's announcement, saying its staff was celebrating by "cracking open some cold ones."

"This victory comes after dozens of PETA protests, nationwide ad campaigns, and pleas from more than 121,000 concerned consumers, and it sends a message to other companies that animal abuse doesnt sell," the organization said.

Anheuser-Busch, whose sales plunged following its partnership with the transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, introduced its horse-drawn beer wagon in the 1930s to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition, according to its website. Since then, the Clydesdale horses have become synonymous with the Budweiser brand.

From the Prohibition era to Super Bowl commercials, there is perhaps nothing more iconic in Budweisers storied history than its team of Clydesdale horses, Anheuser-Busch says on its website. More than just a mascot, the Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch for more than 80 years.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE PHOTO: The Budweiser brewing company Clydesdale horses arrive for the second 2016 U.S. presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis

(Reuters) - Brewer Anheuser-Busch said on Wednesday it has stopped cutting off the tails of Clydesdale horses used in publicity for its Budweiser brand of beer after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched a campaign against the practice.

"The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority. The practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year," Anheuser-Busch, part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev global brewing giant, said in a statement.

Docking, which is banned in some states and countries, traditionally involves cutting off the end of the tailbone of a horse to prevent the tail from interfering with harness and carriage equipment, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

PETA, which declared victory in its campaign, said the amputation was painful and that video of the Budweiser Clydesdales showed the animals trying in vain to use the remnants of their tails to shoo away biting, disease-spreading insects.

The Clydesdale, a tall breed of horse originating from the River Clyde valley in Scotland, has long been used by Budweiser in its advertising, sometimes making appearances during Super Bowl commercials. PETA launched its campaign against docking just before the big game last February.

(This story has been refiled to correct the spelling of the company's name in the headline)

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
After a missile strike in the early morning of 21 September, a second air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv and a number of oblasts.

Source: an air-raid warning map; Ukrainian Air Force

Quote from the Air Force: "A group of missiles is flying from Chernihiv Oblast towards Kyiv Oblast".

Details: At 07:19, the Air Force reported that there was also a threat to Kirovohrad and Cherkasy oblasts.

Background: On Thursday morning, air defence forces were responding to a Russian attack in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Rivne and Lviv oblasts, and explosions were heard.

Missile pieces fell in three districts of Kyiv and in the centre of Cherkasy, injuring people.

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 young man has been killed and another man wounded after their vehicle drove over an anti-tank mine in Mykolaiv Oblast, the State Emergency Service reported on Sept. 21.

The men were driving in the region of Snihurivka when they hit the mine.

The man who was killed was born in 2000, while injured man was born in 1985, the State Emergency Service said.

Investigators at the scene found other weaponry in the area, something that is common in territories that have been liberated from Russian occupation, the State Emergency Service warned.

On Sept. 17, a Russian mine in a field in southern Kherson Oblast killed a 45-year-old man and injured a 26-year-old man, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

The two men had reportedly been working in a field near Beryslav, a town located along the Dnipro River, when their tractor drove over the mine, setting it off.

Injuries caused by mines are reported daily in Ukraine, with Kharkiv and the southern Kherson oblasts being the worst affected areas, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry's Aug. 17 intelligence update.

More than 750 mine-related civilian casualties have been reported since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war, with one in eight involving a child, according to the update.

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.
EDINBURG, Texas (Border Report)  An appeals court in South Texas on Wednesday heard opening arguments brought by environmentalists and an Indigenous tribe that want to sue the state and Cameron County for closing Boca Chica Beach for SpaceX tests.

Texas 13th Court of Appeals listened to a total of 40 minutes of oral arguments from lawyers representing the plaintiffs  Save RGV, the Sierra Club and the Carrizo Comecrudo Nation of Texas  and officials with the state, the General Land Office and Cameron County who say they have a right to limit the publics access to the beach under a change to the Texas Open Beaches Act made by the Texas Legislature in 2013.

Boca Chica Beach is blocks from the SpaceX Starbase launch site in South Texas on the border with Mexico. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

Marisa Perales, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, told the three-member panel of justices, Our Texas Bill of Rights is unique in that it guarantees to the public the unrestricted right for the public to use and access public beaches.

But Texas has restricted their rights to access the beach, she said. Whenever a private corporation has instructed the county to close off access so it can ensure its space flight endeavors.

Cartels again spreading rumors that border is open, CBP says

State and county officials told justices that the amendment to the Open Beaches Act included a provision that allows government officials who are on the Gulf of Mexico or have an FAA-approved launch site to close the beach to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

There is no right to just access the beach whenever you want it, Kathryn Cherry, a lawyer representing the State of Texas, told the justices. Rights are subject to government regulation.

Cherry said the regulation was reasonable and rational and for the publics safety.

Cameron County lawyer Jim Allison told Border Report: The plaintiffs in this case are claiming an unfettered, absolute right to access Boca Chica beach at all times, even during spaceflight activities. Obviously, we cannot allow that any more than we could during a hurricane or tsunami or any other time of public danger. So the countys role in this is definitely to protect the publics interest.

Defendants also said there is no private right of enforcement, meaning government entities cannot be sued.

Chief Justice Dori Contreras repeatedly questioned the defendants and their various lawyers as to how then can the statute be challenged in court if there was no right to sue.

A district court in Brownsville last summer dismissed the lawsuit.

Now it is up to the all-female panel of justices to decide whether these groups have the right to sue. If so, then the case would be sent back to the district court and the merits argued.

Its one of a kind and they are denying us access and we feel that is not right, Save RGV board member Mary Angela Branch told Border Report.

She said she has been going to Boca Chica Beach her entire life. It was free, open access, 24/7, undeveloped, pristine, beautiful, and it was where you went to fish. It was for livelihood. It was for recreation. It was for stargazing. It was for birding. It was for nature. We have a refuge there. We have a state park there.

Christopher Basaldu is a member of the Carrizo Comecrudo Nation of Texas. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)

Dozens of plaintiff supporters crammed into the small courtroom on Wednesday morning for the hour-long hearing. Most wore pins that read, Save Boca Chica.

Christopher Basaldu, a member of the Carrizo Comecrudo tribe, says the beach is part of sacred and ancestral lands.

The whole area is a sacred area. The area of the mouth of the river, the river itself, where the river meets the Gulf, the beach and the environment around that those are all a sacred area, Basaldu told Border Report. Our stories of our sacred histories that we get from our ancestors talk about why that area is so sacred to begin with. On top of that, were the original people of the land. So weve always been there, you know, our ancestors are buried there.

He calls the area Turtle Island, and it is a place where thousands of endangered sea turtles nest and lay eggs every year just blocks from where SpaceX is conducting test launches at what it calls its South Texas Starbase.

A decision is not expected from the Appeals Court for several weeks.

But Branch said if they lose, then her board will decide whether to appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
FILE - Connor Thonen-Fleck addresses reporters while his parents stand by his side, Monday March 11, 2019, in Durham, N.C., at the announcement of a lawsuit against North Carolina officials over how the state health plan is run. A federal appeals court is considering cases out of North Carolina and West Virginia that could have broad-ranging implications on whether individual states are constitutionally required to cover healthcare for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance. (AP Photo/ Jonathan Drew, FIle) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A federal appeals court is considering cases out of North Carolina and West Virginia that could have significant implications on whether individual states are required to cover health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance.

The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolinas state employee health plan and the coverage of gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid.

During the proceedings, at least two judges said its likely the case will eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Both states appealed separate lower court rulings that found the denial of gender-affirming care to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. Two panels of three Fourth Circuit judges heard arguments in both cases earlier this year before deciding to intertwine the two cases and see them presented before the full court of 15.

Tara Borelli, senior attorney at Lambda Legal  the organization representing transgender people denied services in both states  said excluding the coverage is a clear example of discrimination outlawed by the 14th Amendment.

The exclusion here is actually quite targeted, it's quite specific," Borelli said in court, arguing that a faithful interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the equal protection clause ensures transgender people coverage.

One of the most important things that a court can do is to uphold those values to protect minority rights who are not able to protect themselves against majoritarian processes, she said.

Attorneys for the state of North Carolina said the state-sponsored plan is not required to cover gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery because being transgender is not an illness. Attorney John Knepper claimed only a subset of transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria, a diagnosis of distress over gender identity that doesnt match a persons assigned sex.

Knepper said North Carolina's insurance plan does not discriminate because it does not allow people to use state health insurance to detransition, either.

Before offering pharmaceutical or surgical intervention, medical guidelines call for thorough psychological assessments to confirm gender dysphoria before starting any treatment.

In updated treatment guidelines issued last year, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health said evidence of later regret is scant, but that patients should be told about the possibility during psychological counseling.

West Virginia attorneys said the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has declined to issue a national coverage decision on covering gender-affirming surgery.

Caleb David, attorney for the state defendants, said West Virginia's is not a case of discrimination, either, but of a state trying to best utilize limited resources. West Virginia has a $128 million deficit in Medicaid for the next year, projected to expand to $256 million in 2025.

West Virginia is entitled to deference where they're going to take their limited resources," he said. They believe that they need to provide more resources towards heart disease, diabetes, drug addiction, cancer, which are all rampant in the West Virginia population.

Unlike North Carolina, the state has covered hormone therapy and other pharmaceutical treatments for transgender people since 2017. That came from a place of caring and compassion, he said.

Theres no indication of when the court will rule.

In June 2022, a North Carolina trial court demanded the state plan pay for medically necessary services, including hormone therapy and some surgeries, for transgender employees and their children. The judge had ruled in favor of the employees and their dependents, who said in a 2019 lawsuit that they were denied coverage for gender-affirming care under the plan.

The North Carolina state insurance plan provides medical coverage for more than 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, lawmakers and their dependents. While it provides counseling for gender dysphoria and other diagnosed mental health conditions, it does not cover treatment in connection with sex changes or modifications and related care.

In August 2022, a federal judge ruled that West Virginias Medicaid program must provide coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender residents.

U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers in Huntington said the Medicaid exclusion discriminated on the basis of sex and transgender status and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid Act.

Chambers certified the lawsuit as a class action, covering all transgender West Virginians who participate in Medicaid.

An original lawsuit filed in 2020 also named state employee health plans. A settlement with The Health Plan of West Virginia Inc. in 2022 led to the removal of the exclusion on gender-affirming care in that companys Public Employees Insurance Agency plans.

After the proceedings Thursday, West Virginia Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey released a statement saying that, under Medicaid, states have wide discretion to determine what procedures their programs can cover.

Taxpayers should not be required to pay for these surgeries under Medicaid  our state should have the ability to determine how to spend our resources to care for the vital medical needs of our citizens, he said.

Borelli, on the other hand, said reversing the lower courts' decisions would cause true harm to the lives and health of transgender people in both states.

It is disappointing that state officials in North Carolina and West Virginia have chosen to double-down on the discriminatory denial of medically necessary, evidence-based care," she said.
Apple's iPhone 15 is missing a chip that the company spent billions developing, report says

Apple launched its latest batch of iPhones and watches at its "Wonderlust" event. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Apple launched the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro at its "Wonderlust" event last week.

The phones lack a silicon chip the company developed for years, the WSJ reported.

Various obstacles hampered the chip's development, the publication reported.

Apple has unveiled the new iPhone 15, but the phones are reportedly missing a silicon chip that the company spent years developing.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple spent billions of dollars trying to develop the chips in time for the phone's rollout, but was delayed by obstacles mainly of its own making.

Apple launched the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro at its "Wonderlust" event last week. The release has been hotly anticipated, but some of the phone's new features have failed to impress some fans.

Apple had been trying to develop the chip to reduce its reliance on its supplier, Qualcomm, the Journal reported.

In 2019, Apple and Qualcomm announced a six-year license agreement, which resulted in the end of a legal row between the two companies.

The FT reported earlier this month that Qualcomm extended a deal to supply 5G modems for Apple's smartphones.

Although Apple planned to have its own modem chip  tech that connects iPhones to wireless carriers  ready in time for the new phones, tests last year found the chip to be prone to overheating and too slow, the Journal reported.

Representatives for Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SANTIAGO, Chile  The Boeing CH-46 medium-lift helicopter, retired from service in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, may get a new lease on life, this time with the Argentine Air Force.

Talking to local media after a Sept. 15 ceremony, Argentine Air Force chief Gen. Xavier Issac said hes interested in buying surplus CH-46s currently stored with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Arizona. He added that the Argentine government has sent a letter of request to the U.S.

Issac said a delegation would visit the 309th in the next few weeks to check the condition of available CH-46s, and hinted that contracts were signed with Columbia Helicopters, a U.S.-based firm able to refurbish, upgrade and modify the helicopter type.

But a military source in Buenos Aires, talking to Defense News on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said that even when the potential procurement of surplus CH-46s is aimed to increased vertical lift capacities for a wide range of uses, the first priority would be to replace two Mil Mi-171Es, ordered in 2010 in a contract worth U.S. $26.5 million, and used since 2011 in support of Antarctic operations.

The source added that both Russian-made Mi-17 aircraft are grounded because maintenance scheduled in the country cannot take place, given Russias ongoing war against Ukraine.

Sanctions applied to Russia made [it] impossible to send the helicopters there and even to transfer the payments, the source explained. The possibility to have the works made in Peru, Colombia or Mexico was explored afterward but proved fruitless, as those workshops do not have the certification to work on the engines of the Argentine Mi-171Es.

Argentina gave up on the maintenance plans in Russia last month, according to the formers Defense Ministry, leaving the future service of the helicopters in doubt and increasing pressure to acquire replacements.

The idea is to procure a first batch of four CH-46s, with follow-on orders aiming to add machines to achieve a strength of at least eight helicopters, the source said. Not only surplus machines in store are being sought, but also those currently operated by civilian firms that may be available.

Luis Pineiro, an independent defense analyst based in Buenos Aires, said its a good idea to buy refurbished CH-46s, even more so if the reason is to replace the Mi-17s for Antarctic operations, which are a high priority for Argentina.

But it looks unlikely that the current administration led by President Alberto Fernandez, which is in its very last months in office, will manage to finalize it. [This] will be in the hands of the next government, to be elected on Oct. 22.
Arlington police Officer Darrin McMichael was killed in a hit-and-run crash while on his way to work the morning of Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. He had served with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years.

Arlington police Officer Darrin McMichael was killed in a hit-and-run crash while on his way to work the morning of Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. He had served with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years.

An Arlington police officer was killed on his way to work Thursday morning in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 20 westbound in Dallas, officials said.

Officer Darrin McMichael was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, the Arlington Police Department said in a news release.

Around 6:30 a.m. the Dallas County Sheriffs Department sent out an alert on social media that westbound I-20 was closed at the Saint Augustine exit due to a major accident.

Doug Sisk, a spokesperson for the sheriffs department, said a little after 6 a.m. a sport utility vehicle in the far left-hand lane reduced speed due to slow traffic ahead. McMichaels motorcycle hit the SUV and the officer fell onto the left-hand shoulder of the road.

A dark-colored sedan ran over McMichael as he lay on the shoulder of the freeway and kept going. Sisk said their main priority right now is to find that car and driver.

The Dallas County Sheriffs Office is investigating the accident. Officials are looking for a dark-colored Dodge or Chrysler car and asking that anyone who has dashcam video of the accident to contact Detective Chaney at 214-589-2323.

McMichael worked with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years and with the Motorcycle Unit for 13. Hed also worked as a patrol officer and a detective in Arlingtons north patrol district, according to the release.

Police Chief Al Jones asked for prayers for McMichaels wife, who is also employed with the Arlington Police Department, and his friends and colleagues.

Officer Darrin McMichael was a respected and beloved member of our APD family, Jones said. We are heartbroken and we are hurting. This is a devastating loss that will be felt for a long time.
The Armys internal auditors recently concluded that the service has failed to ensure that privatized on-base homes with lead-based paint or asbestos are safe for Army families, according to an August 2023 report exclusively obtained by Army Times via the Freedom of Information Act.

The report, based on an Army Audit Agency study, said that the Armys revamped housing inspection program, established in 2020, has lacked effective oversight. The study reviewed inspections of 201 homes built before 1978  when lead-based paint and asbestos materials were banned from use in new homes  at three installations: Fort Cavazos, Texas; Fort Liberty, North Carolina; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Army housing office personnel didnt ensure all assessments were done and documented to certify that homes with lead-based paint and asbestos-containing material were habitable, the agency found. This occurred primarily because Army housing supervisors didnt provide effective oversight.

None of the reviewed homes had received advanced lead paint risk assessments due to disagreements about who would foot the bill. More than two in five, or 41%, had no documented survey identifying the homes asbestos risk areas.

Of 155 homes that had tenant changes, more than three quarters  78%  had no documented lead-based paint visual inspection to identify areas of chipping or peeling lead paint that could pose an immediate health risk to the homes next family, and virtually none of the homes had a properly completed quality assurance pre-move inspection checklist. Auditors said they couldnt verify action was taken on 14 homes where lead paint problems were annotated, either.

Army spokesperson Matt Ahearn told Army Times that the service  which formally agreed with the audits findings  is taking steps to address the programs shortcomings. He added that the Army is committed to furnishing safe, quality housing.

Ahearn said officials will refresh the housing inspector trainingto ensure installations with privatized housing are completing everything that is required by the housing oversight program, in addition to establishing a review process to ensure that quality control inspections occur.

Advocates and a lawmaker who reviewed the reports findings said they were appalled.

Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., represents JBLM and sits on the House Armed Services Committees quality of life panel. In a phone interview, she said that she and her colleagues have focused largely on the cost and supply of housing for military families, but added, This particular issue around lead paint has not really been daylighted.

Workers install new windows at a Fort Moore, Georgia, home on Oct. 1, 2019, as part of a broader effort underway since about a year ago to curb lead-based paint hazards in historic homes built before a 1978 federal law that bans use of lead-based paint. (Patrick Albright/Army)

Strickland said she intends to learn more from our private [housing] providers about...the barriers to making good on this, as well as explore accountability and enforcement tools to ensure compliance from both the privatized housing companies and the Army.

If we dont address these quality of life issues, its going to have an impact on recruiting down the road, Strickland warned. Yes, this is about health, and safety, and well-being and the quality of housing, but its also a much bigger issue as well.

Army spouse Breanna Barnhart, one of the non-profit Safe Military Housing Initiatives leaders, told Army Times that her advocacy work has helped her family progressively come to terms with the lead poisoning her daughter experienced while living on-base at JBLM.

Barnhart argued that recent military housing reforms, including a much-ballyhooed resident bill of rights, havent addressed what she believes to be the underlying problem  military officials are hesitant to aggressively punish non-performing privatized housing partners because of the structure of the joint public-private ventures.

Approximately 99% of the militarys domestic on-base family housing is administered by private companies with military assistance through public-private ventures that sought to revitalize crumbling neighborhoods in the mid-1990s. These projects are run by 14 companies that have consolidated ownership of military housing.

Ahearn, the Army spokesperson, said that 30% of the contractors quarterly compensation is incentivized and...tied to conducting quality control and passing quality assurance inspections.

What, if anything, is going to be done about the fact that there isnt follow through for these accountability measures? Barnhart said. There arent [proper] home inspections happening. The mission starts at home. If our soldiers are worried about their families, their head isnt on the mission.

Untrained inspectors, inadequate oversight

According to the audit, Army Installation Management Command established this housing oversight program, but it failed to monitor whether installations were following it.

Workers install new windows at a Fort Moore, Georgia, home on Oct. 1, 2019, as part of a broader effort underway since about a year ago to curb lead-based paint hazards in historic homes built before a 1978 federal law that bans use of lead-based paint. (Patrick Albright/Army)

The program was established in the wake of a wave of media reports and congressional oversight actions in the late 2010s that revealed, among other things, that the military was largely unaware of whether its older on-base homes posed risks to the troops and families who occupied them. The Army tested most of its privatized homes for lead-based paint, the audit confirmed, but thats only half the battle.

Once a home was confirmed or presumed to have lead-based paint, the new protocol directed Army housing office officials to routinely inspect all painted surfaces in the home for peeling and cracking paint. After a family moves out and before a new family moves in, the housing company does an initial inspection, which the Army follows with a quality assurance inspection.

Under the new program, homes with damaged paint cannot receive new tenants until the problem is assessed and addressed, if necessary. In response to questions for this story, the Army said that approximately 95% of homes pass both inspections, but its not clear whether that number included homes that the auditors said had improperly documented inspections.

Lead-based paint is most dangerous to children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When lead paint deteriorates, it crumbles into paint chips and dust that children can ingest by putting their mouths on surfaces like window sills or doorframes  or even by simply breathing. Children exposed to lead often suffer brain and nervous system damage, leading to developmental delays, lower intelligence or even permanent disability if severe enough or untreated.

Inadequate and incomplete training contributed to Army housing office inspectors collective failure to complete more than three-quarters of the required visual quality assurance assessments, auditors said.

At the audited installations, nine out of 24 Army housing office inspectors failed to complete lead-based paint visual inspection training required by Installation Management Command headquarters, the report said. Local housing officials also told auditors that the training received wasnt very helpful, so they didnt understand how to properly complete and document the visual inspections.

Housing offices at two of the three installations  Fort Cavazos and JBLM  didnt fully understand their quality assurance duty, according to the report.

At Fort Cavazos, this meant a home with chipped lead paint in the bathroom was approved for occupancy instead of receiving remediation. Its housing office completed only three of 58 required lead paint visual assessments.

Meanwhile, auditors reported that JBLM only started completing these assessments in May 2022  right after we started the audit.

Yet even when the Army properly completed visual assessments of lead-based paint, the next step prescribed in Army policy  a lead-based paint risk assessment  did not occur for a single home in the study. The assessments aim to guide interim repair and permanent remediation efforts.

But who will foot the bill?

Army housing offices dont staff the certified lead hazard inspectors required to conduct such assessments, and privatized housing corporations balked at the requirement due to the cost and availability of trained inspectors. Such an assessment usually costs between $2,000 and $3,000, according to the report.

Liberty Military Housing, which administers more than 5,000 homes at JBLM, told auditors that the lead paint risk assessment requirement was not listed in any of the documents governing their partnership with the Army. Nor was it formally requested via other means, they said.

Auditors highlighted this as a critical point of failure  the Armys internal program guidance makes the privatized partner  responsible for LBP risk assessments. However, the program isnt automatically applicable to a privatized housing partner unless the relevant legal agreements between the Army and the partner incorporate this guidance.

Reached by Army Times, Libertys senior vice president of construction and environmental services, Kevin Clarke said in an emailed statement that the audit was not an assessment of Liberty nor the quality of housing that we offer to military families.

Clarke said that the Armys inspection guidance, which she claimed the Army plans to withdraw, was not communicated to the company before the audit began. He also argued that the companys existing lead and asbestos mitigation policies, which include its own inspection regimes and training for maintenance employees, prove that it is vigilant about ensuring that our homes are safe for military families.

The Armys internal guidance goes beyond EPA standards and would cause a major disruption in our ability to house military families. One major barrier is the limited number of consultants who have the certifications needed to conduct lead assessments, Clarke said. The limited consultants would lead to even greater wait times for military families in an already highly impacted area for housing shortages and waitlist times.

A housing inspector carries out a quality assurance inspection of a home in the Fort Moore, Georgia, Patton Village housing area on Nov. 21, 2019, with the aim of having it ready for occupancy by a military family. (Patrick Albright/Army)

Auditors also highlighted the poor documentation of asbestos surveys, which tell maintenance officials and tenants which portions of the home pose health hazards if disturbed. One in five pre-1978 homes at JBLM lacked asbestos surveys, according to the report.

Solving the problem

Clarke warned that making privatized housing partners provide the lead paint assessments could take money away from other priorities. The company recently announced $120 million in renovations to its East Coast communities.

The additional funding required to implement a policy such as this would take funding from essential renovations and improvement projects in the communities, he said.

Strickland, the Washington congresswoman, said she believes solving the problem needs to be a collaborative venture, likely handled under the auspices of Congress.

I would look at this as an opportunity to bring all the partners together  and not [for] finger pointing  and just saying, What in this ecosystem is not working to make sure that we are addressing the lead paint? she said. What are the barriers to doing this? How do we address the barriers, and how do we make sure that we have housing that is safe and habitable, in addition to addressing our housing supply?

The congresswoman acknowledged potential funding constraints, but insisted that lawmakers and other stakeholders must find a path forward.

We know that we have resource constraints, Strickland said. Lets not make excuses for what were not doing. Lets talk about the plan moving forward to actually do something and address some of the structural problems.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Military Times military families editor Karen Jowers contributed to this report.
ASHEVILLE  An Asheville man was sentenced for voluntary manslaughter Sept. 19 in Buncombe County Superior Court, stemming from a fatal stabbing at the Klondyke apartment complex in 2020.

At about 12:30 a.m. on July 1, 2020, police responded to a report of a male suffering from stab wounds at the apartment complex on Montford Avenue, according to an Asheville Police Department news release. APD officers and members of the Asheville Fire Department and EMS found Trevor Warren Ridge, 43, of Asheville, and transported him to Mission Hospital, where he died.

Drug deal in South Asheville: Asheville man gets 8-10 years for 2020 murder over drug deal in South Asheville

Devone Maceo James, Jr., 18 at the time, was originally charged with second-degree murder and arrested following an investigation by the APD Criminal Investigations Section. Investigators determined that Ridge first produced a knife and pointed it at James, according to a news release from the district attorney's office.

"After a brief struggle, James disarmed Ridge of the knife and knocked Ridge and the knife to the ground," the news release states. "James gained control of the loose knife, then stabbed Ridge fatally in the chest."

The stabbing occurred at Ridge's own residence, according to his death certificate.

On Sept. 19, James pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to serve a minimum of 48 months and a maximum of 70 months in jail, according to the news release. With 29 days of pre-trial jail credit, he should be released in a little less than four years, according to his defense attorney, Al Messer. The news release stated that Ridge's parents were consulted and approved the sentence.

Asheville man pleads guilty: Asheville man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of his father in 2021

According to his online obituary, Ridge followed in his father's footsteps by serving in the United States Navy. Ridge, father of two sons and a daughter worked in machinery maintenance after his Navy service.

"He enjoyed history and watching history movies on TV," his obituary reads. "Trevor enjoyed hiking and camping, especially here in the mountains."

The U.S. Navy Honor Guard performed full military honors at Trevor's funeral service on July 8, 2020.

This story will be updated.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville man pleads guilty to 2020 stabbing death of Navy veteran
By Xinghui Kok

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The total value of assets seized in Singapore's biggest money laundering case has swelled to S$2.4 billion ($1.76 billion), police said on Wednesday.

The assets now include cash amounting to more than S$76 million, 68 gold bars, cryptocurrencies of more than S$38 million, more than 110 properties and 62 vehicles worth more than S$1.2 million.

Police did not give details of the fresh seizures and how they were found.

Last month, 400 police officers ran simultaneous raids across Singapore and arrested 10 foreigners in an anti-money laundering swoop.

Police have said the 10 suspects were allegedly "laundering the proceeds of their overseas organised crime activities, including scams and online gambling".

During the raids, police seized S$1 billion worth of assets including bank accounts, S$23 million in cash, luxury homes, cars, bags, watches and two gold bars. The 10 also had various passports from Cyprus, Cambodia, Dominica, China, Turkey and Vanuatu.

The amount was updated to S$1.8 billion in early September as investigations led authorities to assets in Swiss banks.

The large amounts seized in the case has been the talk of the town in Singapore, which has attracted vast investments and private wealth since the pandemic but is generally know for having low crime rates.

Latest figures from the central bank show that total assets under management in Singapore rose 16% in 2021 to S$5.4 trillion, compared with a global increase of 12% to $112 trillion the same year.

($1 = 1.3672 Singapore dollars)

(Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Michael Perry)
21 private family homes and more than 20 cars were damaged in Kyiv Oblast as a result of the Russian nighttime attack on 21 September. The number of casualties has risen to three.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Details: According to the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, three people were injured in the Russian attack. All of them were hospitalised with various injuries of moderate severity.



Windows, doors, roofs and facades were damaged in private family homes due to falling debris. There were no hits to critical or residential infrastructure in Kyiv Oblast.

Quote: "The building of a vocational educational institution was damaged, and the windows were broken. During the air-raid warning, 160 students and 35 adults were in the shelter, so no one was injured.



Debris also fell on the territory of one of the medical institutions in the oblast and Mezhyhirya National Park."

Background:

On the night of 20-21 September, Russia fired 43 missiles on civilian cities in Ukraine.

On 21 September, Ukraine's Defence Forces shot down 36 Russian cruise missiles out of 43 launched by 10 Tu-95MS strategic aircraft from the area west of Engels airfield.

A hotel building was destroyed in Cherkasy due to a missile attack. As a result, a fire broke out, and retail units at the market caught fire.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
The attorneys for the young men shot by Osceola County deputies last year are now taking Sheriff Marcos Lopez and those deputies to federal court.

In April 2022, deputies were conducting a training exercise near Target on U.S. 192 in Kissimmee when they were called about a theft at the store. Two teens, Joseph Lowe and Michael Gomez, were caught shoplifting Pokemon cards and pizza. Deputies blocked the teens from leaving and deputies said the driver rammed into them. The lawsuit claims the unmarked sheriffs truck was the one that initiated the crash. Deputies surrounded the car and started shooting.

We believe that theres a widespread cultural problem at the Osceola County Sheriffs Office, said Attorney Mark NeJame. We have one person whos dead, one who had their hands up and had his finger blown off, and then three bullets shot in each hand and maimed got another shot in the back and another traumatized.

NeJame told Eyewitness News he believes they used excessive force, violated civil rights of unreasonable seizure, and manipulated documents to cover up what happened.

Read: New Orange-Osceola state attorney policy will use grand jury for officer-involved shootings

(The documents) were all done on the same minute, the same date with the same notary and with many with overlapping stories, said NeJame. No, thats not how you do reports.

Lopez sent Eyewitness News the following statement:

Read: New questions raised into deadly deputy-involved shooting at Target in Osceola County

This incident occurred on April 27, 2022. Shortly after the incident, it was announced the individuals who damaged several police cars, caused injury to one deputy, and placed several other deputies in fear for their lives, would be suing the Osceola County Sheriffs Office. This announcement is not unexpected. We look forward to the facts being told in a court of law.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's centre-left Labor government on Thursday said it would hold an independent inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare for future health crises.

Australia closed its international borders and locked down cities among other pandemic restrictions that helped keep infections and deaths far below levels in other comparable developed economies such as the United States and Britain.

It shifted to living with the virus in early 2022 after a majority of the population was vaccinated.

A three-member panel, which includes an epidemiologist, public service expert and economist, will conduct the inquiry, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a media conference.

"We need to examine what went right, what could be done better with a focus on the future," Albanese said. "Because the health experts and the science tells us that this pandemic may ... not likely to be the last one that occurs."

Albanese said the inquiry was of national interest, but the opposition coalition which was in power during the height of the pandemic said it did not want it to become a "witch-hunt".

The opposition also criticised Albanese's government for excluding from the inquiry state-level restrictions, such as the stop-start lockdowns by the Victoria government of Melbourne, which endured a total of 262 days in lock down, one of the longest in the world.

"If we don't learn the lessons of what happened during the course of COVID, good and bad, by every level of government, how do we expect to go into the next pandemic not understanding what had happened in the previous one," opposition leader Peter Dutton told reporters.

(Reporting by Renju Jose; editing by Miral Fahmy)
(Bloomberg) -- Australia has announced an independent inquiry into its response to Covid-19, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning that the 2020-21 pandemic would not be the last.

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The inquiry will consider the response to the pandemic by the national, state and territory governments, Albanese said Thursday. In particular, its been asked to look into the supply of vaccinations, government financial support and the provision of vital medical equipment.

It will also look at the help provided to Australians abroad, many of whom found themselves stranded overseas for long periods after the country shut its borders. A final report is expected to be delivered by the end of September next year.

We need to be more resilient, we need to be more prepared for this in the future, Albanese said at a press conference in Adelaide.

Australias initial Covid-19 response was considered one of the best in the world, after rapid moves to shut borders and mandate public health measures kept cases to a minimum for much of 2020. However, the restrictions came at a cost, with some of Australias largest cities locked down for months on end during major outbreaks, especially the Victoria state capital, Melbourne.

When Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed in 2021, there were criticisms of then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison for moving too quickly, leading to an surge in infections. There have been more than 11.5 million Covid-19 cases in Australia since the beginning of the pandemic, in a population of about 25 million, according to the World Health Organization.

Ahead of his 2022 election win, Albanese had promised to hold a public inquiry into the pandemic, though some members of the public and his party had called for a more extensive royal commission.

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GRAZ, Austria  The Austrian Air Force will buy four Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft to replace its aging fleet of three C-130 Hercules cargo planes in a deal expected to be worth more than 500 million (U.S. $532 million), the Defence Ministry announced Sept. 20.

Austrias current fleet of turboprop transporters was purchased 20 years ago as secondhand aircraft. The planes are now 56 years old. To prolong their service life, an upgrade of almost 37 million would be required, the Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported.

The service would ultimately have to withdraw the fleet from service by 2030 amid maintenance costs for the aging aircraft constantly increasing, the ministry said.

In a news conference, the ministry said this money would instead contribute to the purchase of the four new aircraft.

The ministry added that the price per unit will likely be between 130 million and 150 million, and that the first new planes may arrive in Austria as soon as 2026. A contract is expected to be signed in the first half of the coming year, per defense officials.

The C-390 was the only aircraft in its class that fulfilled all of Austrias requirements, the ministry said in a news release. It is also larger than the American-made C-130 and capable of transporting a Black Hawk helicopter or a Pandur Evo light wheeled tank with its weapons station attached.

The S-70 Black Hawk has served as the backbone of the Austrian militarys helicopter fleet for the past 21 years. The country recently announced the purchase of 12 further units.

The new transport aircraft will be stationed on the military airfield in Horsching near the northern Austrian city of Linz. The air base currently hosts the Hercules fleet and will receive upgrades to accommodate the new aircraft.

Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner highlighted as a benefit that other European partners were also procuring the Brazilian aircraft.

Portugal has ordered five and Hungary bought two C-390s, while the Czech Republic and Sweden are also considering buying the aircraft, Reuters reported.

Austrian defense leaders said they hope to piggyback on a planned procurement of the aircraft by the Dutch to keep costs down and facilitate training. Negotiations for the collaboration are already underway, according to the Austrian ministry.

Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported the Netherlands may add the four extra aircraft to its own order before passing them onto Austria.

Austria has shied away in recent years from purchasing military aircraft directly from manufacturers following a major corruption scandal surrounding the 2002 procurement of the Eurofighter jet.
Russian forces have again targeted settlements in Kherson Oblast, killing one person and wounding another one, regional authorities reported on Sept. 21.

Russia launched four guided aerial bombs at the village of Lvove, killing a 63-year-old resident, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram.

Kherson Oblasts Kozatske was also struck, with a 76-year-old man having sustained injuries, the regional administration reported. The resident was in his apartment when the Russian attack took place, it added.

Read also: Russia launches mass wave of missile attacks, 2 killed, 26 injured

Russian forces also dropped two guided aerial bombs at Tiahynka and shelled Odradokamianka and Mykolaivka, according to Prokudin. No casualties were reported in these settlements.

Earlier the same day, Prokudin said that multiple Russian attacks against the region had killed five civilians and wounded another 10 on Sept. 21.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the Dnipro Rivers west bank in November 2022.

Russian forces were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Read also: Oleg Sukhov: The West lacks political will to ensure Ukraines victory

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Americans broadly support workers striking both in the auto industry and in Hollywood, a poll new found.

The survey, conducted by Reuters, found that Democrats and Republicans each support the strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union against three major automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis  and by screenwriters and actors amid contract talks with studios.

Each group is demanding better pay and benefits, along with other guarantees amid industry changes driven by technology like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.

The autoworkers began their strike last week. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been striking since May, with reports this week that the union could be closing in on a deal. The actors guild began its strike in July, marking the first time in decades that Hollywood has faced labor action from both writers and actors.

The poll found that 58 percent of American respondents support the UAWs demands, while 32 percent oppose the action and 10 percent are unsure. The support was particularly strong from Democrats. Nearly three-quarters of self-identified Democrats said they backed the autoworkers strike and 79 percent said they support the writers strike in Hollywood.

Although Republicans have traditionally not supported movements to unionize, a large number of self-identified Republicans polled by Reuters said they backed the workers. Still, they were largely split on the issue: 48 percent supported the autoworkers strike, while 47 percent did not. Similarly, 46 percent said they supported the writers strike and 46 percent did not.

Reuters noted the poll comes amid a broader uptick in public support for labor unions.

Before the UAW strike, 310,000 workers in the United States were involved in work stoppages.

Two-thirds of people polled said they think compensation of CEOs and workers should go up equally over time, which is a key point of the autoworker unions argument.

The poll found that Americans across the board support the labor movement and what the striking workers are trying to achieve. More than 60 percent of the polls respondents said labor unions have improved quality of life.

More than 1,000 people participated in the poll, conducted Sept. 19-20. The poll has a margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points and 6 percentage points for Democratic and Republican responses.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Amber Nichole McDaniel was transferred from Fort Worth to the Wichita County Detention Center Wednesday ahead of her formal sentencing Monday in Wichita Falls, according to online jail and court records.

A jury deliberated about two hours and 25 minutes Tuesday in Fort Worth before reaching verdicts for Amber, the mother of 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel, calling for her to serve two years in a state jail facility for child endangerment and receive probation for tampering with evidence.

Amber McDaniel

More: The jury in Amber McDaniel's trial has spoken: What next?

Amber, 33, is to be sentenced 9 a.m. Monday by 30th District Judge Jeff McKnight at the Wichita County Courthouse. The judge will determine Amber's probation conditions, and she can seek an appeals bond that would allow her to get out of jail, pending the outcome of an appeal.

After a trial of about seven days, Amber was led away in handcuffs from a courtroom in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday afternoon to be booked into the Tarrant County Jail overnight.

McDaniel was transferred to the Wichita County Detention Center on bench warrants and booked into the local jail Wednesday.

Jason Wilder McDaniel is shown here with his father, Bubba McDaniel.

The jury also found her guilty of the charges in connection with incidents Oct. 11, 2018, the date of her son's murder at the hands of James Irven Staley III. Staley, her ex-boyfriend, is serving a life sentence without parole for capital murder of a child under 10.

On April 28 in 30th District Court, Amber admitted her guilt for endangering her child by allowing him to be around Staley and for tampering with evidence by deleting text messages between her and Staley, messages that investigators testified were important in building the capital murder case against the once-wealthy oilman with a house in the Country Club area.

On Oct. 11, 2018, Staley smothered Wilder in his crib and moved his body to the floor of a bedroom in Staley's home to make it appear the toddler had died as a result of a fall from a crib, according to testimony in Staley's trial earlier this year.

Amber's husband and Wilder's dad, Robert "Bubba" McDaniel Jr., was in the hallway outside the courtroom on Monday. Bubba suffered a nonfatal gunshot in his arm in Wichita Falls on Sept. 10, the day before jury selection in his wife's trial. Police arrested the man they believe was responsible for the shooting.

Amber and Bubba got back together and married after Wilder was murdered. They have a nearly 18-month-old son, Phoenix. He was looked after in the hallway during part of the trial by his grandmothers, aunts and other relatives.

Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie, right, and DA's Investigator Brayden Little leave court Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth after the trial of Amber Nichole McDaniel concluded for the day.

Amber's trial marks the second time some of her family members have testified in court, enduring the difficult emotions associated with little Wilder's death.

The first time was during Staley's trial. It ended March 13 with a guilty verdict from a jury and his sentencing. Before he was led away in handcuffs, he told the crowded courtroom that he did not kill Wilder.

His declaration triggered cries of, "Yes, you did!" from observers in the gallery. Staley is appealing his conviction.

Part 1: The Staley trial DA on Staley: Connecting a psychopath's puzzle pieces for Wilder's murder

Part 2: The Staley trial Never a prosecutor: About James Staley's new defense attorney

Part 3: The Staley trial Here's why the DA opted not to seek the death penalty for James Staley

Part 4: The Staley trial What she said about James Staley still haunts

Part 5: The Staley trial A mother's tears, a mother's punishment: What will happen to Wilder's mom?

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Amber McDaniel transferred to Wichita County Detention Center
ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey is using "all means", including military training and modernisation, to support its close ally Azerbaijan but it did not play a direct role in Baku's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a Turkish defence ministry official said on Thursday.

Azerbaijan mounted a lightning offensive to retake control of its breakaway Karabakh region on Tuesday. It later announced a ceasefire that would disarm the ethnic Armenian separatists who had held much of the region - regarded internationally as part of Azerbaijan - since the 1990s.

On Wednesday, NATO ally Turkey publicly threw its support behind Baku's "steps to preserve its territorial integrity" but it had been unclear whether Ankara played any active role in the 24-hour military operation.

"It was Azerbaijan army's own operation, there was no direct involvement of Turkey," a Turkish defence ministry official told reporters on Thursday.

"Turkey's cooperation with Azerbaijan in military training and army modernisation has been underway for a long time. The Azerbaijani army's success in the latest operation clearly shows the level they achieved," the official said.

He also said a joint Turkish-Russian monitoring centre was still operating and was reporting on any ceasefire violations.

Turkey, which has close linguistic, cultural and economic ties with Azerbaijan, supports efforts by Baku and Yerevan to build peaceful relations, the official added.

Speaking to reporters in New York after the United Nations General Assembly, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Baku's offensive was in response to a "group of Armenian marauders", according to Turkish broadcasters.

"This last development is not about (Armenian Prime Minister Nikol) Pashinyan. It is not about the Armenian state either. It is a matter about a group of Armenian marauders," he was quoted as saying.

"Their attempt to hold a presidential election on their own seriously annoyed Pashinyan and Azerbaijan," he said, referring to Karabakh's parliament choosing a new president of its self-proclaimed independent republic last week.

The move was condemned by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ukraine.

In a phone call with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev late on Wednesday, Erdogan reiterated Turkey's "heartfelt support" of Azerbaijan, his office said.

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Ece Toksabay, Gareth Jones and Alex Richardson)
California health officials are investigating a bacterial outbreak that occurred at a union conference held at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles last month. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

At least 32 people attending a union conference at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles last month were sickened from an outbreak of Shigella bacteria, according to California health officials.

Six of those people were hospitalized, officials said. The outbreak was first reported through an alert by the Alameda County Public Health Department, which is working with the state on an ongoing investigation.

More than 300 people from across the state attended the union delegate event held at the hotel from Aug. 21 to 24, the alert said.

Shigella spreads easily and is especially dangerous for those whose immune systems are weakened by illness or medical treatment. People can be sickened with the bacteria when they eat food prepared by someone with the illness.

Terri McDonald, a Sacramento resident, attended the August conference that was held by a coalition of unions representing Kaiser Permanente employees, which is negotiating a new contract. (Last week, the Kaiser unions authorized a possible strike.)

The coalition announced on Aug. 18 that it had moved the conference to the Bonaventure from the InterContinental, where hotel workers have been picketing for higher wages and better working conditions. When their contracts expired on June 30, workers at more than 60 hotel sites authorized strikes, which have happened on a rolling basis since July 4 weekend. The Bonaventure is the only hotel so far to have reached a tentative deal with the union representing hotel workers, thus avoiding the strikes.

Soon after getting home from L.A., McDonald began suffering nausea, bloody diarrhea, fever and headaches, according to a lawsuit she filed last week against Marriott International, which operates the hotel.

She went to Kaiser for treatment Aug. 27 but continued to deteriorate. She was hospitalized until Sept. 1, the lawsuit said.

McDonald said in an interview that she was so weak she couldn't stand before going to the hospital. She was told by doctors she had sepsis and her kidneys were shutting down. "They were rushing to save my life," she said.

The lawsuit claims that the Bonaventure served food during the three-day conference that caused the outbreak.

"The health, safety and wellness of our guests and associates is paramount," a hotel spokesperson said in a statement. The hotel staff "fully cooperated with the necessary public health agencies" in the investigation, the statement said, and recent inspections of its food and beverage operations by L.A. County "resulted in A ratings."

"Due to pending litigation, we have no additional comments on this matter," the statement said.

Past outbreaks of Shigella have often been tied to child-care facilities. Infected adults and children can shed the bacteria through feces for up to two weeks after their symptoms have ended.

Many people infected by Shigella suffer only mild symptoms and get better without treatment. It can be life threatening if it spreads into the blood.

Shigella causes an estimated 500,000 illnesses, 6,000 hospitalizations and 40 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to a 2018 study .





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
That's now five space station prototypes blown up for science's sake.

The Colorado company Sierra Space, which is creating an inflatable module for an International Space Station (ISS) successor, deliberately exploded a new design on Aug. 17 that included a metal plate. (In this case, the plate was a cheaper stand-in for a window, but metal can also be used to simulate robotic attachments or other items.)

These "burst tests," conducted with "softgoods" built by Delaware-based company ILC Dover, are essential to test the limits of each one-third-scale module before the design flies in space , Sierra Space officials emphasized in a press release issued on Wednesday (Sept. 20). The softgoods are sewn and woven fabrics, mostly Vectran, that become rigid when inflated.

Sierra aims to have the module ready in 2030 for the Orbital Reef space station led by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin , which has received early-stage NASA funding. Sierra also plans to provide a ship capable of carrying cargo and crew, called Dream Chaser , which has undergone a few flight tests over the years.

Related: NASA looks to private outposts to build on International Space Station's legacy

Artist's illustration of Orbital Reef, a private space station project involving Blue Origin, Sierra Space and a number of other partners.

"This is a phenomenal achievement," Shawn Buckley, senior director of engineering and product evolution director for Sierra Space Destinations, said in the statement. Last month's test, he said, "provides the necessary engineering foundation" to do full-scale tests of the module, called LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment).

The "ultimate burst pressure" (UBP) test results showed a 33% margin over the certification standard for a full-scale module, which Sierra Space officials said is a nearly 20% improvement over previous designs.

Sierra previously passed a quartet of tests on LIFE prototypes. Two other UBP tests were performed in July and November 2022; both kept boosting the pressure in test modules until they exploded. Then two creep tests , in which modules had to spend long periods of time at higher-than-usual pressures, were completed in December 2022 and February 2023.

All of these tests were performed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama; Sierra also recently signed a reimbursable Space Act Agreement with that center for more LIFE work.

The ISS has been working in space since 1998, and remains in excellent health. That said, the station's international partners and NASA have mainly agreed to operate the orbiting complex until 2030. (Russia, for now, is committing only to 2028; while space station relations are normal with that partner, its internationally condemned war in Ukraine has severed most of its other partnerships.)

Related Stories:

 NASA working to get private space stations up and running before ISS retires in 2030

 Boom! Sierra Space blows up final inflatable space station module in initial test series (video)

 Kapow! Inflatable space station module blows to pieces in video explosion

NASA is also laying the groundwork for future space stations to replace the longstanding research facility. These would be commercial facilities, with NASA participation and funding. In 2021, the agency granted funding to three consortiums (including Blue Origin's) to receive development assistance for that effort.

Additionally, Houston-based company Axiom Space has a separate agreement to create its own space station modules to attach to the ISS starting as soon as 2026. The set would eventually detach into a free-flying space station.

In recent months, NASA officials have said they are doing their best to minimize any gap in research availability between the ISS and the new space stations. Given that the agency wants to have a two-year transition, this would mean that at least one of the new stations would have to be open around 2028, at least under the current timeline. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a strategy in March of this year with a proposed plan for the transition.
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday restricted Sam Bankman-Fried's ability to call expert witnesses to testify at his criminal fraud trial, in a blow to the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder.

Bankman-Fried wanted to call seven experts on topics such as cryptocurrency markets and English contracts, to convince jurors to acquit him of stealing billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to plug losses at his Alameda Research hedge fund.

But in a written order, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said three proposed witnesses cannot take the stand, because their testimony was irrelevant or could confuse the jury.

He also said Bankman-Fried may seek to call the remaining four experts, but only to rebut prosecution witnesses.

Among the witnesses Kaplan rejected was Peter Vinella, a consultant who intended to testify about "FTX's use of widely-accepted practices in the financial services industry." Kaplan found the testimony irrelevant.

Bankman-Fried also cannot call English barrister Lawrence Akka to testify about FTX's terms of service, which were governed by English law, because only a judge could tell jurors what the law is, Kaplan said.

Court papers suggest Bankman-Fried may argue that the terms of service did not prevent the use of customer funds to make investments - much as banks use deposits to fund loans - and the practice had been common in the cryptocurrency industry.

Bankman-Fried, a 31-year-old former billionaire, has pleaded not guilty. He has acknowledged inadequate risk management at FTX prior to its November 2022 collapse, but denied stealing funds.

It is common in U.S. criminal trials for prosecutors and defendants to call experts to help jurors understand complex issues.

Prosecutors have said they plan to call three former FTX and Alameda executives, who have all pleaded guilty, to testify at Bankman-Fried's trial, which may last up to six weeks.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
A Batavia man pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography that involved a victim under the age of 13, Kane County prosecutors said.

David Winecke, 67, was recently sentenced to six years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea of spreading and possessing multiple videos and still images of child pornography prior to Dec. 20, 2022, Kane County prosecutors said in a news release Thursday.

Kane County Judge Alice Tracy accepted the plea, according to the release. Winecke, of the 1200 block of Hazelwood Court, receives credit for time he has served in the Kane County jail. He had been free on $10,000 bond, officials said.

In addition to the prison term, Winecke must register for life as a sexual offender.

He was identified and investigated by the Kane County Child Exploitation Unit, a recent initiative to investigate tips of individuals possessing or disseminating child pornography, officials said.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
An embattled Louisiana police department has been hit with a second lawsuit alleging officers from a street crime unit dragged detainees to an unmarked warehouse dubbed the Brave Cave, where they were assaulted, stripped and subjected to body cavity searches.

The latest allegations against the Baton Rouge Police Department were detailed in a lawsuit filed Monday by Ternell Brown, a 47-year-old grandmother who said she was taken to a torture warehouse after officers making a traffic stop found bottles of legal prescription medication in her car.

The alleged

She was forced to show officers that she was not hiding contraband in her vagina or rectum, the Baton Rouge womans complaint stated. After more than two hours, they let her go without charge.Browns lawsuit, which also named the city, the parish of Baton Rouge and several officers as defendants, was filed a month after another resident, Jeremy Lee, filed a lawsuit alleging that in January he was taken to the Brave Cave and beaten by the officers.

The street crime unit called BRAVE, short for Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination, was disbanded after Lee filed his lawsuit, which included a body camera image of the 22-year-old perched on a chair in what appears to be a mostly empty warehouse.

Baton Rouge police officers question Jeremy Lee at the warehouse they reportedly call the

"Its essentially an unmarked interrogation warehouse where Baton Rouge citizens have been getting taken for years, strip-searched and sometimes beaten," Thomas Frampton, an attorney for Lee and Brown, said Thursday.

The officers named in the lawsuits "are well known for their brutality in the Baton Rouge community," Frampton said.

Lee was left so badly beaten that the local jail refused to admit him until he was treated by a nearby hospital, his complaint states. There he was treated for broken bones and other injuries.

The officer who arrested Lee, Troy Lawrence Jr., "has an extensive record of injuring members of the public, disregarding their constitutional rights, and escalating routine interactions into hostile and even violent ones," the complaint states.

Lawrence, the son of Baton Rouge Deputy Police Chief Troy Lawrence Sr., is one of the officers named in Brown's complaint. He resigned from the force in August, according to Lee's complaint.

When asked about the BRAVE unit four years ago on FOX's "First Responders Live," Lawrence Jr. said: Like any other major city, when theres guns and drugs, theres violence. So thats gonna be the aggressive side of us.

Lawrence could not be reached for comment. His father said in a brief phone interview that his son does not yet have a lawyer.

Im not going to put him in touch with you right now, sorry to say, Lawrence Sr. said.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul Jr. said in an interview Thursday that Lawrence Jr. was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of battery in a separate incident while he was still on the force and on duty.

Paul said the alleged victim was in handcuffs during the encounter and had been under investigation for having illegal narcotics.

But Frampton, the attorney, said Thursday that Lee's and Brown's cases are not about "individual rogue officers."

"This is about a level of institutional rot, and institutional responsibility for police misconduct that goes to the chief and the deputy chief and has been long-standing for years," he said.

He said he had heard from other alleged "Brave Cave" victims, who also plan to file lawsuits.

"There will be more," Frampton said.

Paul said his department has received seven complaints, not all of them lawsuits, from people who said they were taken to the "Brave Cave." He said he has requested a federal investigation and his department is cooperating with the FBI.

"I was not aware it was being used for strip searches," Paul said about the warehouse, which until recently was used by the police department to process seized narcotics.

He said he and other city leaders were unaware it was being used for other purposes until Lee filed suit.

"When we found out about it and looked into that and learned of those mistakes, I directed a full investigation into the complaint," he said. "And right now what we have is, we have two separate, parallel investigations that are actively going as we speak."

One is an internal affairs investigation, the other a criminal investigation, Paul said.

The FBI office in New Orleans said Friday that it had opened a federal investigation into the police department "and allegations that members of the department may have abused their authority."

"Experienced prosecutors and agents are now reviewing the matter for potential federal violations," the agency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome said Thursday that "no one was more shocked and frustrated" than she was upon learning about how the building was being used, and she ordered it closed permanently.

"This is egregious what took place with this alleged 'brave cave' or facility," she said. "And were going to get to the bottom of it."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Registered nurse Ashley Cohagen works with a patient in the COVID area inside the intensive care unit at Providence Saint John's Health Center on Dec. 15, 2020. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Healthcare workers in several Bay Area counties will soon be required to wear masks in patient care settings as the region contends with continued coronavirus transmission and looks ahead to the wider respiratory virus season.

The mandates, which go into effect Nov. 1, require health officials in Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma and San Mateo counties to wear masks in hospitals and other settings where patients will be getting care indoors.

Santa Clara County health officials issued a mandate in March that requires masks in patient care areas between late fall and spring.

"Historical data show higher rates of infection by COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other viruses in Contra Costa County annually between late fall and spring," Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the county's health officer, wrote in the order.

Read more: COVID-19 is 'heating up all around' this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?

"This seasonal increase in circulation of multiple respiratory viruses poses a particular risk to people more likely to experience severe disease and death if infected, including infants, older adults and people with impaired immunity," the order said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health didn't immediately respond when asked whether a similar mandate would be issued for the region.

There has been a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in California and across the U.S. California's coronavirus test positivity rate was 12.8% as of Sept. 10, compared to 5.1% two months ago, according to state data.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 hospital admissions as of Sept. 8 was roughly 393, compared to about 163 two months prior.

Read more: Why no one is talking about new mask rules even as COVID-19 rises in L.A.

The Biden administration announced this week that it would earmark $600 million in funding to secure additional coronavirus home tests, as well as relaunch a website that lets households order up to four free tests in anticipation of a winter coronavirus resurgence.

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.
TOMS RIVERA code enforcement and zoning officer for Beachwood has been accused of using his office for personal gain and working for different municipalities during the same hours, authorities said.

Michael Ruvo, 56, of Toms River, was charged with official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.

Detectives from the Professional Standards Unit-Economic Crime Squad at the prosecutor's office found that Ruvo engaged in illegal transactions, Billhimer said.

He worked for Beachwood from September 2018 through March, conducting inspections to ensure compliance with municipal ordinances, handling legal cases against violators and signing off on certificates of occupancy in order for people to occupy a home.

In April 2022, Ruvo created a limited liability company to surreptitiously buy a property on Surf Avenue in Beachwood that had code violations, Billhimer said. Ruvo claimed to be arranging the sale for a third party who didn't want their identity revealed and failed to inform the person who held power of attorney for the property owner that Ruvo himself was the purchaser, Billhimer said.

More: Manalapan cop charged with stalking teenage girl, illegally detaining her in handcuffs

Ruvo closed on the property in July 2022, buying it for $80,000, although it was appraised at over $200,000, Billhimer said.

In June 2022, Ruvo issued a code enforcement violation to a property owner on Tiller Avenue who received an estimate to fix the problems but asked for an extension.

Ruvo told the woman that he knew a company that could provide the service cheaper, Billhimer said.

The recommended company, Express Cleanout, was owned by Ruvo, but he did not tell the property owner that, Billhimer said.

Ruvo's company did not complete the job, but he deemed the property to be in compliance nonetheless, Billhimer said.

The investigation also showed that Ruvo, who also worked as a code enforcement officer for both Lavallette and Point Pleasant Beach, billed the two boroughs for a total of 150 hours that coincided with times he was on the clock working for Beachwood, as timesheets showed, Billhimer said.

Ruvo worked for Point Pleasant Beach for about six months in 2021 and Lavallette for about seven months until March.

Ronald F. Roma Jr., the mayor of Beachwood, said the borough has fully cooperated with the investigation.

"I as well as the entire governing body are deeply saddened and disappointed by the allegations against Mr. Ruvo.," Roma said in a text message, adding that the borough is advising anyone with any information or concerns about Ruvo to contact the prosecutor's office.

Roma said Ruvo resigned shortly after the investigation began.

Ruvo surrendered to the Ocean County Sheriffs Office Wednesday accompanied by his attorney, whose name was not immediately available. He was released on a summons.

Billhimer is urging anyone with information on Ruvo with regard to his work as a code enforcement and zoning official to call Sgt. Raymond Gardner of the Economic Crime Squad of the prosecutor's office at (732) 929-2027, Ext. 3908.

Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Code enforcement official from Beachwood NJ charged with misconduct
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that the country's defense ministry will investigate the possibility of sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the Belgian public broadcaster VRT reported on Sept. 20.

The Belgian military said earlier that the F-16s in its arsenal were too old to be of use. However, De Croo commented that all options should be investigated, suggesting that if the jets are not suitable for combat, Ukrainian pilots could at least use them for training, VRT wrote.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine: F-16s and the irrational politics of military aid on Apple Podcasts

"We have to look at all options. If they are still useful in some way, then we should certainly investigate that," the Belgian prime minister said.

The Benelux country is currently replacing its aging F-16s with newer F-35 fighters. According to VRT's investigation, Belgium could provide Ukraine with at least some of its 45 F-16 jets during this transition period.

On Sept. 15, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said that the country would train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters, thus joining the international fighter jet coalition.

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have so far confirmed they will send their F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

Kyiv hopes that the fourth-generation U.S.-made aircraft can tip the balance in the fight against Russia in Ukraine's favor.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Belgian Ministry of Defense is exploring the possibility of sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Belgian PM Alexander De Croo said in an interview with VRT news agency on Sept. 20.

"We have instructed the Defense Ministry to assess the current status of our aircraft," De Croo said during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Read also: US approves Denmark and the Netherlands transferring F-16s to Ukraine  report

Previously, the Belgian military had raised concerns about the aging of their existing F-16 fighters, which, according to Belgian standards, are due for replacement. This raises questions about how long these aircraft could potentially serve in Ukraine.

"We need to consider all available options. If these aircraft can still be of utility, we should certainly explore the possibility," De Croo said.

Read also: F-16s unlikely to defend Ukraines airspace this fall, winter  air force spox

It is also important to note that if Ukraine were to employ Belgian aircraft solely for training purposes, different requirements would apply.

Earlier, the Belgian government had approved the country's participation in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, with Belgium providing its aircraft for this purpose.

In the upcoming weeks, the Belgian Ministry of Defense will dispatch a group of three servicemen to the training center for Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Denmark. Denmark has made its Skrydstrup airbase in the southern part of the country available for this training.

Next year, Belgium plans to send two two-seat training aircraft of the F-16B type to Denmark to enhance pilot training. Additionally, around fifty servicemen, primarily technical personnel, will be responsible for the deployment of the F-16 aircraft.

Read also: Details of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s

Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, revealed in an interview with NV on Sept. 15 that experienced Ukrainian pilots would undergo training to operate F-16s in the United States and Denmark, while younger pilots would receive training in the United Kingdom.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Visitors shop for goods from Malaysia at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China-ASEAN Expo has concluded in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China. A gateway to Southeast Asia, Guangxi has become increasingly significant as new infrastructure has more deeply integrated it with neighboring countries of Laos and Vietnam, mainly through the opening of the China-Laos Railway in late 2021. As a result, the expo represented a bonanza for Chinese and regional businesses, which have founded 470 projects with a combined investment of 487.3 billion yuan (about $67.9 billion). Over 65% of that investment came from deals in the manufacturing sector.

With over 2,000 enterprises in attendance, the expo is a reminder that engagement with China is critical to the growth, prosperity, and future of Southeast Asian countries, and even as certain third parties seek to escalate regional tensions, stoke divisions, play up disputes, and assert external dominance over the region's future, it is critical that the bigger picture is not lost from what countries stand to achieve from deeper integration, commercial ties, trade, and investment. The China-ASEAN partnership has become an example of strengthening multilateral cooperation without leaning toward protectionism, unilateralism, or economic nationalism.

China's most important relationship regionally is that with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two parties are neighbors and, as of 2023, constitute each other's largest export markets. Without China and ASEAN, there is no "Asian century," so to speak. The rise of China has provided a golden opportunity for ASEAN nations to further their own economic development by benefitting not only from Chinese inbound investment but also access to its gigantic consumer market, which is the world's largest. This has made economic integration and regionalism between the two imperative.

Numerous free trade agreements have been put into place, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which constitutes the world's largest free trading bloc. In addition, China has also sought to join the Comprehensive Transpacific Partnership (CPTTP). Because of these initiatives, officials have repeatedly spoken to prioritizing "opening up," that is, further bringing down barriers to greater economic integration and participation with neighboring countries. As noted, projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have significantly enhanced the capabilities and logistics of trade, the China-Laos Railway and the subsequent highway being a huge breakthrough, which have also deepened trade and commerce with countries further afield, such as Thailand.

However, this does not mean the waters are calm or that such cooperation does not come with its own challenges. Third-party states seek to break China-ASEAN cooperation through an appeal to escalating geopolitical and military tensions, with the fundamental goal of shattering regional integration and affirming hegemonic dominance over region-wide structures. The U.S., to this end, does not want to see closer China-ASEAN cooperation or economic ties. It has tried to create sub-regional structures designed to promote the fragmentation of supply chains, is using contentious issues in order to promote fear and distrust, and then maximizes its own military footprint accordingly. These issues undermine the fundamental stability, security, and certainty of the region and are intended to sow discord between China and ASEAN states.

Because of this, both sides must stick to the roadmap of diplomacy, peaceful co-existence, good faith resolution, and management of disputes, as well as focus on "mutual gains" in the form of economic engagement. China has been ASEAN's largest trade partner since 2009, while ASEAN has been China's largest trade partner for the past three consecutive years. As the two parties strengthen strategic synergies to facilitate more pragmatic cooperation, more mutual benefits are expected to arise that will ultimately be conducive to regional economic development.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit:





http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
As some Democrats continue to call for a Democratic primary challenge against President Joe Biden , his campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, expressed confidence that he'll be the 2024 nominee.

In an interview Thursday, CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe asked her about the odds she'd place on Mr. Biden being the Democratic nominee.

"I'd say 100%," she responded. "You know, what we're seeing is a stronger and more united Democratic Party than I know I've seen in my lifetime. You know, the Democratic National Committee has never been stronger."



A CBS News poll this week indicated that former President Donald Trump has a slight edge over the current president, with 50% of likely voters saying they would support Trump and 49% supporting Biden, a statistical tie.

Chavez Rodriguez declined to say whether the Biden campaign believed Trump, who is polling far ahead of any of his Republican opponents, would be Mr. Biden's general election opponent.

"We're not gonna  kinda make any predictions about you know, what, who our opponent is going to be," Chavez Rodriguez said. "At the end of the day though, we're going to ensure that everyone understands no matter who our opponent is, they're coming with the same extreme agenda that we've seen time and time again, whether it's from folks like Trump or DeSantis, or whomever else may be."

President Joe Biden greets members of the audience after delivering remarks at Prince George's Community College on Sept.14, 2023 in Largo, Maryland. / Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

"While Republicans continue to waste resources fighting amongst themselves and trying to 'out-MAGA' one another with the next you know, most extreme position, whether it's a national abortion ban or continuing to scapegoat immigrants, we're going to have the competitive advantage and continue to reach out to voters that we know are going to help us win in November," she added.

Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of farm labor champion Cesar Chavez, also told O'Keefe it was "extremely surreal" to see the statue of her grandfather that sits in the Oval Office.

"At times I feel like I had to walk into the Oval Office and sort of keep it out of my vision," Chavez Rodriguez said. "It's such an emotional thing for me to see because, for me, what it symbolizes is not just my own personal history, but really the history of a people in this country who have contributed so much, who have literally put food on our table."

Chavez Rodriguez will try to draw on her personal background to boost the president's standing with Hispanic voters, as more Hispanic voters in the CBS News poll said they believed Trump would defeat Mr. Biden in the 2024 election.

The president, too, has long been an outspoken proponent for labor unions, and he said last week that the nation's auto workers ought to "receive a fair share of the benefits they helped create," amid the union's strike against the big three U.S. automakers. Chavez Rodriguez slammed Trump and Republicans for policies she said would hurt auto workers.

"Republicans and folks like Donald Trump, they've been absolutely horrible for American auto workers," Chavez Rodriguez said. "They've shipped jobs overseas. They've increased you know, tax cuts for the rich. That's not the kind of, you know, vision that helps the American worker."

Trump, who is skipping the second GOP primary debate and instead plans to address union workers in Detroit at the same time, has echoed the concerns of auto workers that Mr. Biden's push for electric vehicles will hurt them. Fewer workers are needed to manufacture the cars, and battery plants are opening in right-to-work states, rather than union-friendly sites.

"The auto workers are not going to have any jobs when you come right down to it, because if you take a look at what they're doing with electric cars, electric cars are going to be made in China," Trump said on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

In her new role as campaign manager, Chavez Rodriguez said she communicates regularly with the president and that she has trained herself to answer every phone call, since the president sometimes calls her unexpectedly.

"Rest assured, [Mr. Biden] is very engaged. And look, he knows what's at stake, and he understands that, you know, we have an important kind of story and message to tell, but he also knows that we have an important job to do as a campaign," Chavez Rodriguez said.

The campaign is ramping up as the president's son, Hunter Biden, is set to face federal gun possession charges and possibly others. He did not have an active public role during the 2020 campaign, and Chavez Rodriguez would not say whether he would again maintain a low profile in 2024.

"We're building a strong surrogate campaign and operation," she said, adding later, "We'll have a great kind of surrogate cohort" deployed next Wednesday to the site of the Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley, Calif.

Watch Ed O'Keefe's interview with Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez Thursday at 5 p.m. on CBS News' "America Decides."

Cara Korte, Allison Sandza and Grace Kazarian contributed to this story.

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The Biden administration will extend temporary protection status for nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals currently residing in the United States, a decision that comes amid Democratic leaders pressure on the White House to take more action regarding asylum-seekers.

Under the extension, an estimated 474,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. as of July 31 will be granted Temporary Protection Status (TPS), in addition to the approximately 242,700 existing beneficiaries, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas granted the expansion and 18-month extension for those who already have temporary status in the wake of Venezuelas increased instability and lack of safety due to enduring humanitarian, security, political and environmental conditions, the department said.

The designation protects Venezuelans from removal, making it easier for those who came to the U.S. to get employment authorization, a repeated request from some Democrats who have pushed the Biden administration to speed up the process for asylum-seekers to get a work permit.

Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return, Mayorkas said in a statement, noting those who arrived after July 31 are not eligible for such protection.

Those noneligible individuals will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay, the DHS said.

While the decision is likely to appease some of the Democrats demands on immigration, the move could also fuel further Republican critics that President Biden has been too lenient with the countrys border amid an influx of migrants.

The Biden administration has maintained a somewhat cautious approach to immigration and border security, fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle at times.

Leaders in New York, Massachusetts and Chicago have called attention to the toll the newly arrived migrants have taken on the states resources, particularly in New York, where the government is required to provide housing to those who need it.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has been vocal in his call for improving the work-permit process for asylum-seekers, calling it anti-American to not let the migrants work.

Adams expressed his appreciation for Bidens decision Wednesday, adding that he is hopeful to continue to partner with Biden on extending temporary protection for migrants from other countries.

And I look forward to continued work with our state and federal partners to deliver relief for asylum seekers and longtime New Yorkers with a national decompression strategy and expedited work authorizations so those entering our city and our country can provide for themselves and finally have a shot at living out the American Dream, Adams wrote in a statement.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) echoed Adamss gratitude while noting there is still progress to be made.

Theres more work to do as we address this crisis, but the State of New York is prepared to immediately begin the process of signing people up for work authorization and getting them into jobs so they can become self-sufficient, Hochul wrote in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW YORK  The Biden administration on Wednesday expanded temporary protected status for Venezuela, making close to 500,000 newcomers freshly eligible to apply for work permits.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas extended and redesignated Venezuela for TPS for 18 months, following a review of country conditions, a senior Biden administration official told reporters.

About 472,000 individuals are newly eligible and will able to apply for TPS, as well as get work papers, the official said.

The move has been urged by local leaders across the country as a way to make the migrants eligible to legally work. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have been pressing the White House to expand the status to migrants who came to the state from troubled countries.

The New York Immigration Coalition estimated the change will impact about 60,000 Venezuelans in New York who can now "quickly acquire work authorizations and immediately start contributing to our local economy and communities."

After my productive conversation with President Biden last night, Im grateful the federal government has acted so speedily to grant one of our top priorities: providing temporary protected status to Venezuelan asylum-seekers and migrants who have already arrived in this country," Hochul said in a statement after meeting with Biden on Tuesday at a Manhattan reception during the United Nations General Assembly.

Business groups and immigration advocates have joined state and city officials to demand that Biden expand TPS, saying that getting migrants to work would allow them to move out of shelters and start their lives anew.

With the number of migrants in the New York Citys care at 60,000, Hochul and Adams have said migrants are eager to get to work and can fill job vacancies in industries such as health care and construction.

The designation announced Wednesday will apply to those in the United States on or before July 31.

It was long and loudly urged by members of Congress, too.

Adams said he's been calling for the change since April, saying he personally spoke with the White House on Wednesday night to learn about the announcement  despite not meeting with Biden in the city because of his criticism of the federal response.

I am hopeful that we can continue to partner with President Biden to extend temporary protected status to the tens of thousands of other migrants in our care from other countries," Adams said in a statement.

TPS is reserved for individuals who cannot return safely to their home country for fear of armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, said the decision will aid New York's strained system, which has been overwhelmed by the surge of more than 100,000 migrants and has led to tent shelters across the city.

"As a result of this decision, immigrants will be temporarily allowed to work, fill needed jobs and support their families while awaiting an asylum determination," the leaders said in a joint statement.

While Biden can expand TPS unilaterally, another senior administration official on Wednesday stressed that the power to further ease the immigration crisis lays with Congress.

We are working under the constraints of our fundamentally broken statutory framework that is just inadequate to face the challenges that we are seeing on the border today, the official said.

Biden officials on Wednesday also announced efforts to accelerate the processing of employment authorization documents, or EADs, for those paroled into the United States after a CBP One app appointment.
Almost half a million Venezuelans will now be eligible for protection from deportation and will be able to get work authorizations, after the Biden administration expanded Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela, amid calls from public officials, activists, and service providers in South Florida and across the U.S. asking the federal government to amplify the benefits.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday night that it would redesignate and extend TPS  a longstanding program that allows people already in the U.S. from countries in turmoil to temporarily live and work here  for the South American country, where more than 7 million people have fled because of ongoing social, political, and economic crises.

There are already more than 242,000 recipients under Venezuelas Temporary Protected Status, according to DHS. The agency estimates that another 472,000 additional people will now benefit from the huge expansion, which comes as more Venezuelans have arrived in the United States in the past three years. It also kept the benefits for current recipients for another year and a half.

To qualify for the protections, new recipients must have arrived prior to July 31, 2023, and have been continuously in the U.S.. The previous designation date for TPS was March 9, 2021. That means that eligible Venezuelans who have arrived after that, but before the new date, are now eligible.

Temporary Protected Status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return, said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived on or before July 31 find themselves in.

The Impact on South Florida

Miami-Dade County, which has the largest population of Venezuelan immigrants nationwide, has been a key destination for many recently arrived migrants from the South American country. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly 133,000 lived there in 2022. In all, Florida is home to nearly half of all the Venezuelans in the United States.

John de la Vega, a Caracas-born, Miami-based immigration attorney with several Venezuelan clients, called the TPS expansion a very positive development.

This is going to help thousands of Venezuelans immersed in court proceedings, facing deportation proceedings, appealing asylum or facing final deportation, he said. They will be protected.

About 30,000 people in South Florida will benefit from the TPS expansion, according to Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan-American Caucus, a national advocacy group headquartered in the state.

Temporary Protected Status had never been granted to any group in these numbers, Ferro said. Its a historic day.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava  who along with South Florida immigration rights activists has called for a TPS expansion for Venezuela and other countries through letters, press conferences and conversations with DHS  also welcomed Wednesdays announcement.

She described South Florida as a long-time beacon of hope for hundreds of thousands of families who escape tyranny, oppression, warfare, and human rights violations.

Many Miami-Dade County residents  including Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians  have received TPS and as a result, have made invaluable contributions to both our community and economy, the mayor said in a statement. I commend the Biden administration for taking these necessary steps which will allow hundreds of thousands of families  who arrived fleeing dictatorship and seeking freedom and opportunity  to build new lives and contribute to our community.

As Florida faces employee shortages amid a low unemployment rate, local officials and advocates say the new TPS designation for Venezuela could help alleviate labor scarcity in an economy where jobs are plenty and workers few.

No U.S. state has nearly as many TPS recipients as Florida, which was home to 197,485 recipients as of March 2023, according to a Congressional Research Service report from July. Texas, the state with second-largest number of TPS recipients, had 69,840 beneficiaries.

The explosive growth has taken place within one year: Florida had 65,100 beneficiaries in February of last year. Venezuelans fueled two-thirds of that increase, the report said.

Work permits, expansion of civil detention

Homeland Security also made several announcements about new policies and operational changes within its agencies, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The department announced it will deploy more staff to handle the work permit applications for immigrants paroled into the U.S. It will also continue sending texts and emails to people who are eligible and have not yet applied to encourage them to do so. The agency said that Citizenship and Immigration Services had already sent more than 1.4 million messages in several languages, including Creole, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Work permits for certain non-citizens, such as refugees, asylum seekers, and people adjusting their status, will now be valid for five years.

This is anticipated to also reduce the associated workload and processing times, which will allow [immigration authorities] to concentrate efforts on initial work authorization caseload, said Homeland Security, whose aim is to reduce the median processing time from three months to one.

Lawyers in South Florida have told the Herald that work approvals have been slow to come under Biden, forcing recent arrivals to work illegally or not at all while they await for the employment authorizations.

The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, as well as state officials and U.S. Congress members from the Empire State, have publicly asked Biden and DHS to speed up work permit processing and redesignate TPS for Venezuela. Adams has estimated that the city has seen the arrival of more than 116,000 asylum seekers since last spring, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis.

Homeland Security also said Wednesday it has increased the federal governments capacity for civil immigration detention, worked with the Defense Department to direct more military personnel to the border, sped up deportations of families ineligible to stay, and made agreements with other countries to streamline deportations, including collaborating with Mexico so the federal government can deport non-Mexicans to the neighboring country.

President Biden has called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform since his first day in office. As a result of Congress failure to enact the reform, the Administration has been using the limited tools it has available to secure the border and build a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system while leading the largest expansion of lawful pathways for immigration in decades, Homeland Security said.

Eternally grateful

President Biden first designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status in March 2021. Venezuela was also the first country for which his administration created a new parole process so nationals outside the U.S. could come live and work here for two years if they met certain requirements, including having a financial sponsor in the U.S., passing medical and background checks, and buying their own plane ticket.

The program was announced in October 2022. DHS later expanded the Biden parole programs to include Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba in January of this year. The administration has said that the parole processes are meant to curb irregular migration.

The number of Venezuelans coming to the United States has been rising since 2021. Federal data shows that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection registered over 48,000 encounters with Venezuelan nationals in the U.S.-Mexico during that fiscal year.

By fiscal year 2022, that number had gone up to over 187,000 encounters. This fiscal year, which began last Oct. 1, border authorities recorded 168,047 encounters with Venezuelan nationals through July 31 of this year.

Jose Hernandez, former representative of the Venezuelan opposition at the Organization of American States, said he was very grateful to the United States and the Biden administration for the welcome given to Venezuelans. But he said he regretted the behaviors of some recently arrived Venezuelans in cities like New York, alluding to reports of violent encounters with police, aggressive behavior towards random pedestrians, and littering.

That hurts all of us instead of helping us to obtain the help and benefits that we need. We are a hard-working community, a community that creates, he said. A community that has come here seeking a new horizon, not people seeking to replicate here the lawlessness prevalent in Venezuela.

Ferro, the executive director from the Venezuelan American Caucus, said that the Venezuelan community in the United States was eternally grateful for the administrations decision.

This TPS is not only a humanitarian solution and an economic solution for the United States, she said. It is also one a recognition of a crisis that will not get better in Venezuela as long as the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro continues.
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it would deploy an additional 800 troops to assist in stemming the migration influx at the southern border.

The 800 active-duty personnel will focus on logistics and other functions at the border to allow more Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and officers to return to their core mission and responsibilities.

The Department of Defense has already deployed 2,500 state National Guard personnel to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the southern border. An additional 24,000 CBP agents and officers are deployed to the border, along with 2,600 nonuniformed officers, according to the White House.

The announcement comes amid a series of new steps the administration launched to help curb an increase in migration at the southern border in July and likely August.

The number of border encounters had fallen in the month of June, following the expiration of Title 42  the controversial pandemic-era policy that allowed border patrol agents to turn away migrants at the border, citing health concerns.

The Biden administration had paired the lifting of the public health emergency  and the end of Title 42  with new policies that cracked down on asylum-seeking procedures while also creating new mechanisms to schedule appointments with border patrol agents in advance, in order to be able to process the claims in a more orderly fashion. Those policies now face mounting legal challenges from opponents on both sides of the political spectrum.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced several steps it was taking to address migration, including extending Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to nearly half a million Venezuelans who currently in the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This is a photo of a college student walking outside on campus.

This article was originally published in Arkansas Advocate.

States engaged in decades of underfunding of land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities, leading to a more than $12 billion disparity with comparable white institutions, leaders of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday.

Unacceptable funding inequities have forced many of our nations distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities to operate with inadequate resources and delay critical investments in everything from campus infrastructure to research and development to student support services, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Cardona and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to each of 16 governors calculating how each states land-grant HBCU, established under an 1890 law, has been underfunded per student in state funds from 1987 to 2020.

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That figure was arrived at by comparing the HBCU funding to that of land grant institutions that were established in those states for white students in 1862.

Six of those states  Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia  have not participated in one-to-one federal match funding for the 1890 land grant HBCU institutions in recent years, but did so for the 1862 land grant institutions.

The secretaries said that inequitable funding of the 1890 institutions caused a severe financial gap, in the last 30 years alone.

The letter follows after lawsuits in several states have alleged discrimination was responsible for decades of underfunding of land grant HBCUs.

This is a situation that clearly predates all of us, Vilsack and Cardona wrote in their letter. However, it is a problem that we can work together to solve. In fact, it is our hope that we can collaborate to avoid burdensome and costly litigation that has occurred in several states.

Maryland settlement

In 2021, the state of Maryland reached a $577 million settlement to end a 15-year-old federal lawsuit that accused the state of providing inequitable resources to its four HBCUs.

Vilsack and Cardona sent a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat and the first Black governor of the state. They noted that the 1890 land-grant institution in that state, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has not been able to advance in ways that are on par with University of Maryland  College Park  in large part due to unbalanced funding.

If that institution was on equal footing with the 1862 land grant institution, it should have received $321 million in funding over the last 30 years, the secretaries said.

1890 land-grant Institutions are a byproduct of a Civil War-era law that gave land to dozens of universities for white students, through the Morrill Act in 1862, but the land had been forcibly taken from Indigenous tribes. In total, nearly 11 million acres were taken from more than 250 tribes, according to a project published in High Country News.

Because Black Americans were excluded from those institutions, the Second Morrill Act of 1890 was signed into law and established land-grant institutions for Black students. In total, there are 19 land grant HBCUs. Tuskegee University in Alabama is also a land grant, HBCU, but it is private and was not mentioned in the letter to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

The agencies used data from the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Survey from 1987 to 2020 to calculate the amount that HBCU land-grant institutions would have received if their state funding per student were equal to the 1862 institutions.

Delaware and Ohio have equitably funded their respective universities, so those governors did not receive a letter, the secretaries said.

Cardona and Vilsack noted to the governors that it would be ambitious to address the funding disparity over the course of several years in the state budget.

They suggested, if that is not possible, a combination of a substantial state allocation toward the 1890 deficit combined with a forward-looking budget commitment for a two-to-one match of federal land-grant funding for these institutions in order to bring parity to funding levels.

Cardona and Vilsack stressed to the governors they should not reduce funding at other institutions to rectify funding gaps at the land grant HBCUs.

Billions in underfunding in Southern states

States like Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have billions in underfunding for the land-grant HBCUs in those states, according to the letter.

North Carolina A & T State University has a $2 billion funding disparity, compared with North Carolina State University at Raleigh, the original Morrill Act of 1862 land grant institution, the letter said.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, an 1890 land-grant HBCU, has a $1.9 billion funding gap, according to the letter.

The longstanding and ongoing underinvestment in Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University disadvantages the students, faculty, and community that the institution serves, according to the letter. Furthermore, it may contribute to a lack of economic activity that would ultimately benefit Florida. It is our hope that we can work together to make this institution whole after decades of being underfunded.

There is currently a class action lawsuit in which FAMU students have alleged racial discrimination in state funding, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Tennessee State University has a $2.1 billion disparity funding, compared to the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, the 1862 land-grant institution.

Prairie View A & M University in Texas and Southern University and A & M College in Louisiana both have $1.1 billion in underfunding, compared to the 1862 land-grant institutions in their states.

The documented discrepancies are a clarion call for governors to act without delay to provide significant support for the 1890 land-grant institutions in their respective states, Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, said in a statement. Failing to do so will have severe and lasting consequences to the agriculture and food industry at a time when it must remain resilient and competitive.

Heres how each states 1890 HBCU has been underfunded per student in state appropriated funds between 1987 and 2020, according to the secretaries letters:

Alabama

Alabama A&M University

$527.3 million

Arkansas

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

$330.9 million

Florida

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

$1.97 billion

Georgia

Fort Valley State University

$603 million

Kentucky

Kentucky State University

$172 million

Louisiana

Southern University and A & M College

$1.1 billion each

Maryland

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

$321 million

Mississippi

Alcorn State University

$257 million

Missouri

Lincoln University

$361 million

Oklahoma

Langston University

$418.9 million

South Carolina

South Carolina State University

$470 million

Tennessee

Tennessee State University

$2.1 billion

Texas

Prairie View A & M University

$1.1 billion

Virginia

Virginia State University

$277.5 million

West Virginia

West Virginia State University

$852.6 million

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter.
US President Joe Biden has welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House and reassured him that America remains committed to supporting Ukraines efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression.

Source: CNN

Quote from Biden: "Earlier this week at the UN General Assembly, I made it clear that no nation can be truly secure in the world if, in fact, we don't stand up and defend the freedom of Ukraine in the face of this Russian brutality and aggression. That's why we brought together a coalition of more than 50 countries  50 countries to help Ukraine defend itself. It's critical."

Details: Biden said the United States has begun the process of "formalising our long-term commitment to Ukraines security" along with other G7 leaders and other international partners, and that's why it supports a "just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity".

The US president also praised the "enormous bravery" of the Ukrainian people.

"It has inspired the world, really inspired the world with a determination to defend these principles. And together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to all we can to ensure the world stands with you," Biden said.

Background:

During his meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden is expected to announce over US$325 million in new military aid. According to two US officials, it will include more cluster munitions. This is the second time the United States has provided Kyiv with "controversial weapons".

Earlier, the Ukrainian president visited Capitol Hill, where he described his meeting with US senators as a "wonderful dialogue".

Zelenskyy also met with lawmakers from the US House of Representatives.

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 Bidens reelection campaign called out former President Trump for rooting for a government shutdown, saying that he doesnt care about the ramifications for families.

Trump on Wednesday called on Republican lawmakers to use the looming government funding deadline as an opportunity to withhold funds from the Justice Department (DOJ).

Donald Trump is rooting for a government shutdown and couldnt care less what it would mean for American families. The former president continues to act as MAGA House Republicans puppetmaster, now ordering them to shut down the government, which would cause chaos at the expense of hardworking Americans and our nations security, said TJ Ducklo, senior adviser for communications for the Biden-Harris campaign.

Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, said the looming deadline marks the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. The DOJ has indicted Trump in two separate cases, both stemming from special council Jack Smith, related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House and his alleged effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Every American remembers the jobs lost and lives damaged by Donald Trumps extremism during his four years as president, and now hes once again playing political games with peoples lives by capitalizing on House Republicans weakness and doing whatever it takes to regain power, Ducklo added in his statement.

The House has less than two weeks to extend government funding past Sept. 30 or risk a shutdown, and Republicans are struggling to reach a deal within their own conference to avert one. And, any partisan bill that can get passed in the House is unlikely to get support from the Democratic-controlled Senate.

The White House on Wednesday outlined the potential ramifications of a shutdown, accusing House Republicans of putting the nation at risk and creating needless uncertainty for families and businesses.

The White House has called on Republicans in Congress to pass funding bills under terms agreed to during negotiations in May that led to an increase in the debt ceiling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden: First US Abrams tanks to arrive in Ukraine next week

The first U.S. Abrams tanks allocated for Ukraine will arrive there next week, President Biden said during a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .

Biden vowed during the meeting with Zelensky and other officials from Ukraine and the White House that his administration would continue to support the war effort against invading Russian forces.

The president said Thursday he approved the next tranche of U.S. security assistance for Ukraine, which included additional artillery and ammunition, launchers and interceptors and more anti-tank weapons.

The president in January agreed to send 31 Abrams tanks to help Ukrainian forces defend themselves from Russias invasion, a reversal from when the administration initially argued the tanks would be of little benefit to Ukraine. The tanks had to be procured, and Ukrainian forces had to be trained on the machines.

The U.S. is also focused on improving Ukraines air defense capabilities so it can protect infrastructure that provides heat and light as it prepares for winter.

Biden in prepared remarks said ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine is about the future of freedom.

America can never, will never walk away from that, he said. Thats why 575 days later, we stand with Ukraine, and well continue to stand with Mr. President.

Mr. President, were with you. And were staying with you, he added.

Zelenskys visit to Washington on Thursday came as the Biden administration sent Congress a supplemental funding request that includes another $24 billion in military, humanitarian and financial assistance for Ukraine.

The U.S. has already provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, with Biden making the argument that Russias invasion is a threat to democracy globally, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would look to invade another country if it successfully takes Ukraine.

But a minority of Republicans in Congress and some leading presidential candidates, including former President Trump, have pushed back on continued funding for Ukraine, arguing it is not in the United States interests to be sending money to the war-torn nation to fight Russia.

More than two dozen Republican lawmakers wrote to Biden ahead of Zelenskys visit on Thursday, saying they oppose additional spending for Ukraine.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said that he would like to see the $24 billion supplemental request for Ukraine be brought to a vote as a stand-alone bill, as opposed to attaching it to additional government funding that Ukraines supporters feel would allow the assistance to more easily pass through the chaotic Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
 Flash

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.
A supporter of gun reform holds their phone up during special state legislative session on gun violence in Tennesseee in August. (REUTERS)

President Joe Biden will establish the first-ever federal office committed to gun violence prevention, the administrations latest effort to combat a violent American epidemic as the rates of mass shootings eclipse the number of days in a year.

The president has repeatedly stressed that he has tested the limits of his executive authority on gun reform, but a first-of-its-kind office under Vice President Kamala Harris will be tasked with expanding efforts to combat the proliferation of high-powered weapons and stem the tide of gun violence ripping the nation apart, including support for mass shooting survivors and communities acutely impacted by gun violence.

He has made dozens of unanswered pleas to members of Congress to do something, including enacting universal background checks for firearm purchases and reinstating a federal ban on military-style rifles that have become the weapon of choice for mass shooters in recent years. Since the beginning of the Biden administration, there have been more than 1,800 mass shootings.

The new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the rest of his administration will continue to do everything it can in the absence of that sorely needed action, he said in a statement on 21 September.

Gun violence remains the leading cause of death among children. At least 220 children younger than 11 years old and more than 1,000 children between ages 12 and 17 have died from guns so far this year.

Between 2019 and 2020, the relative increase of firearm-related deaths among children  including homicide, suicide and unintentional shootings  was 29.5 per cent, more than twice as high as the increase among the general population. That spike reflects 4,368 Americans under the age of 19 who died from gun violence in 2020.

More than 31,000 Americans have died from gun violence in 2023 alone, including more than 17,000 people who died by suicide, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

There have been more than 500 mass shootings this year  including seven within the last week alone  and more than 30 acts of mass murder that have left at least 171 people dead, putting the nation on a faster pace for such massacres than any other year in roughly two decades.

The epidemic of gun violence requires urgent leadership to end the fear and trauma that Americans experience every day, Ms Harris said in a statement.

The office she will oversee will play a critical role in implementing the administrations efforts alongside members of Congress, state and local officials and advocacy groups, she said.

Our promise to the American people is this: we will not stop working to end the epidemic of gun violence in every community, because we do not have a moment, nor a life to spare, she added.

Turbo-charging gun reform and mental health support

White House staff secretary Stefanie Feldman will serve as the office director, with Greg Jackson, the executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safetys Rob Wilcox joining as deputy directors.

The office will be turbo-charging implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the presidents other executive actions on gun reform, and determine other actions that the White House can take within the presidents authority, according to a senior administration official.

The office also will offer more support to communities impacted by gun violence, an effort that a senior administration official compared to the way FEMA is deployed to areas in the aftermath of other disasters. President Biden has repeatedly indicated after mass acts of violence that the federal government should be doing more for communities impacted by mass shootings, including addressing the trauma and impacts on mental health in their wake.

People protest outside the Tennessee House chamber after Democratic Tennessee state Rep Justin Jones was silenced by Republican lawmakers during a special session on gun violence on 28 August, 2023. (REUTERS)

Gun reform advocacy groups have pushed for years to establish a White House office focused exclusively on gun violence prevention, what would be an important center of gravity to promote administration efforts and push Congress to strengthen legislation, according to Giffords executive director Peter Ambler.

The hiring of Greg and Rob would show how seriously this administration takes its responsibility to address this crisis, Mr Ambler said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Kris Brown, president of Brady, which had called on the White House to create the office in 2020, said that just as FEMA responds to hurricanes and earthquakes, we have desperately needed a federal agency dedicated to responding to this growing public health crisis.

Its important to remember, however, that executive action alone isnt enough to end gun violence, which is why Congress must still act to pass common-sense gun laws, including universal background checks and an assault weapons ban, she added.

David Hogg, among the leading faces of youth-led gun reform efforts and the March for Our Lives movement as a survivor of the 2018 massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School, said he had so many damn Zoom calls from my college dorm room with allies and the White House about this.

F****** fiiiiinallly.

Assault weapons, the Supreme Court and a deadlocked Congress

Against urgent calls for reform, Republican officials and gun groups have instead steadily pushed for measures to expand access to firearms. The number of states allowing Americans to carry concealed firearms without a permit  a top priority for gun groups  has increased dramatically in recent years, with more than half of US states passing laws to expand that access within just the last decade alone.

Despite congressional failures to advance key measures to combat American gun violence, Mr Biden has had more success in enacting new gun safety legislation than any president since Bill Clintons two terms in the 1990s.

Last year, the president signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which clarifies licensing requirements for firearms dealers and strengthens background check requirements for gun purchases, including a review of juvenile records for anyone 16 years of age or older who attempts to purchase a firearm.

But it remains unlikely that Congress will take any action that will outright ban one of Americas most popular guns.

About one in 20 US adults  roughly 16 million Americans  own at least one AR-15-style rifle, which has exploded in popularity despite its role in a growing number of lethal mass shootings since a so-called assault weapons ban expired in 2004.

The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act was enacted in 1994, but Congress repeatedly failed to renew the ban after a series of massacres involving high-powered rifles that were previously impacted by the law.

The president, who was then a senator from Delaware, played a major role in the passage of the 1994 legislation as part of that years massive anti-crime package enacted by then-President Bill Clinton.

A study from Northwestern University found that the ban prevented 11 public mass shootings within the decade it was in effect. The study also estimates that keeping the ban in place until 2019 would have prevented 30 public shootings that killed 339 and injured 1,139 people.

National Rifle Association convention guests inspect rifles in Indiana on 14 April, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)

Theres no better time for President Biden to lean in and use the bully pulpit to help bring the business community and public health experts together to coordinate a unified response to our gun violence epidemic, said Guns Down Americas interim executive director Shannon Grady. We look forward to supporting the administration as it moves forward.

The Biden administrations efforts also follow a landmark decision from the US Supreme Courts conservative supermajority in 2022 that has thrown firearm restrictions into legal jeopardy, with a series of recent federal court rulings undermining progress on gun reform.

Last years decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen states that such restrictions must be historically consistent with the Second Amendment, or rooted in the nations historical tradition.

President Biden, reacting to the decision last year, said it contradicts both common sense and the constitution, and should deeply trouble us all.
The Biden administration rolled out a major strategic shift in border policy Wednesday, granting more than 400,000 Venezuelans work permits while bolstering overstretched border enforcement agencies with military assistance.

The moves respond to pressure from Democrats and immigrant advocates, but also to quickly changing dynamics on the migrant trail toward the U.S.-Mexico border, with hundreds of thousands of migrants already traveling north.

By making all Venezuelans who arrived before July 31 eligible to work and live in the country temporarily, the Biden administration seeks to ease pressure on Democratic-controlled states and cities, whose shelter systems were overwhelmed with new arrivals unable to sustain themselves.

And deploying 800 troops to the border to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Border Patrol will free up manpower for those agencies to process migrants at and between ports of entry.

In recent weeks, CBP has at times closed major international bridges and railway crossings and redirected their personnel to help Border Patrol take migrants into custody.

On Wednesday, CBP pulled its staff from an Eagle Pass, Texas, bridge and at the railway crossing there.

In response to this influx in encounters, we will continue to surge all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants. We will maximize consequences against those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, read a CBP statement on the Eagle Pass closures.

But many Democrats have been pleading with the administration to turn its focus to work permits.

The decision to redesignate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) tripled overnight the population of Venezuelans who are eligible for work permits and are deferred from deportation for at least 18 months.

Under TPS, foreign nationals from a designated country present in the United States as of a set date are allowed to remain and work legally, while their country of origin is undergoing a natural or man-made disaster.

That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides, said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement Wednesday.

However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.

The move drew cheers from a wide range of advocacy groups, as well as Democrats who had pushed for work permit expansion, including New York Mayor Eric Adams (D), who has very publicly butted heads with the administration over the issue.

Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to Let Them Work, so I want to thank @POTUS for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status, wrote Adams on X, formerly Twitter.

The announcement also came a day before Biden addresses the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Annual Awards Gala, an event that brings together the top names in Hispanic politics.

Bidens address is widely expected to set the tone for his pitch to Hispanics ahead of the 2024 elections; the Venezuelan TPS announcement makes it all but certain that hell deliver that pitch to a well-primed audience Thursday night.

But the administration is still facing headwinds on immigration, both from the left and from the right.

With migrant arrivals expected to remain consistently high, Republicans will continue to latch onto border numbers as evidence of failed presidential policies.

Administration officials are looking to weather that storm by doubling down on their carrot-and-stick approach, expanding legal pathways for migrants to enter, while touting deportations.

I think that our model is the right model. And I think it is a success and that model is to provide expanded, safe, orderly and lawful processes and to disincentivize irregular migration to our border and I believe firmly that that is the successful model, Mayorkas told reporters earlier this month.

Migration is a very dynamic phenomenon. And we are going to see ebbs and flows and were going to see the numbers increase and decrease, he said, citing human smuggling as a major factor driving those ups and downs.

Migrant smuggling is a growing business for groups who are either associated or pay dues to cartels.

The business has branched out to create a viable path for migrant stretching from South America to the United States, but the factors pushing migrants out of their home countries remain more or less the same.

Its the same boom as before Title 42 ended. When the numbers went down in May-June, many of us said migrants and smugglers were just in wait and see mode. Well, they waited and saw  and now the lull is over! said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight for the Washington Office on Latin America.

On the homefront, the administration will continue to face pressure to speed up other work permits, improve and expand legal pathways for migrants to enter the country, and suspend deportations to certain countries such as Haiti.

And calls are growing for the administration to pull bureaucratic levers to at least make it easier for undocumented immigrants to regularize their status.

Former Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who at times was a thorn in the side of the Obama administration for his immigrant advocacy, is coming out of retirement as a senior adviser to CASA, a progressive immigration advocacy group, and ABIC-Action, a business-driven immigration advocacy group.

Gutierrez, who celebrated the Venezuelan TPS move, will lead a work permits for all mobilization with an estimated 5,000 attendees outside the White House in November.

I am so delighted and happy and overjoyed that Biden is extending protection for Venezuelans. It wont get him a single additional vote from Cubans, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans in Florida, but its the right thing to do now, said Gutierrez.

Our task is to get him to expand it to other communities, especially millions of Mexicans who have worked and sweated for our country for decades while we celebrate the victory of Venezuelans.

Rebecca Beitsch contributed.

This story was updated at 5:20 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 20, 2023. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

On Wednesday, Biden spoke at a private presidential campaign fundraising event.

He told a story about why he chose to run. Then, minutes later, repeated it "nearly word for word."

The gaffe comes as both Biden, Trump , and members of Congress face criticism for their advanced age.

Speaking at a campaign fundraiser hosted in the living room of a real estate heiress on Wednesday, President Joe Biden briefly mentioned one of the cementing reasons why he chose to run for president in 2020, one that he's brought up many times before: former President Donald Trump's response to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Minutes later, according to a White House media pool report, Biden shared the story again "nearly word for word."

A transcript of his speech on Wednesday was later publicly published by the White House, verifying the pool's report and further documenting his rehashing of a story about "folks from Charlottesville, as they came out of the fields and carrying those swastikas."

Biden, who's currently 80 years old and is the oldest-ever elected US president, has faced criticism for his age both while in office and on the campaign trail by Republicans and Democrats alike for a mixture of reasons: some believe he's mentally unfit for office at his age while others say it's simply time for a new generation of leaders to enter lead the nation.

While Biden's reelection campaign has called Republicans who focus on his age a "one trick pony," the president has directly addressed his seniority on numerous occasions, even having gone as far as acknowledging it's a "legitimate" concern for voters.

"I think it's a legitimate thing to be concerned about anyone's age, including mine," Biden said in October 2022, before he had officially announced he was running for a second term in office. "I think the best way to make the judgment is to watch me. Am I slowing up? Am I going at the same pace?"

On Wednesday, Biden once again spoke about the elephant in the room.

As the White House pool report notes, he said that "though he looked 30, he knew why people talked about it - and said he believed that the nation could still be united."

While Republicans have repeatedly attacked Biden for his age, Trump, who's mercilessly attacked Biden throughout his presidency online and in interviews, isn't going after the 46th president over his age. Instead, Trump, who's currently 77 years old, has declared he believes he's unfit for office because of incompetence.

"But no, he's not too old at all," Trump said on a radio show in mid-September.

Though Trump and Biden have not been confirmed as the Republican and Democratic Party's presidential nominations for 2024 just yet, they're both at the moment poised to in 2024 as polling shows they're well ahead of their fellow candidates in the race.

According to a new Pew Research report, the two senior citizens are both running for the nation's most powerful seat in government at a time when 79% of Americans think there should be an upper limit to how old federal elected officials can be.

The White House did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bids have reached close to $200,000 in an auction for one of the famous collars of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .

As of Wednesday around 7 p.m., the highest bid reached $195,000 with around 14 hours left in the auction for Ginsburgs collar, dubbed The Pegasus.

The Potomack Company, an auction house based in Alexandria, Va., announced in July they would auction off The Pegasus, which Ginsburgs family once described as one of her favorites.

The Pegasus limited edition silver metallic bib by Stella & Dot was one of [Ginsburgs] favorite collars evoking power and strength with the imagery of battle armor in its layered metal pointed feathers, the auction house said in a statement.

Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 in 2020 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She served on the Supreme Court for 27 years.

The Pegasus collar could be spotted on Ginsburg in the official 2018 photo of all nine justices after Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the court. The photo was also taken on her first day back at the Supreme Court after she fell and fractured her ribs.

The auction house said the collar sent the unspoken  but very clear  message that the justice was back in action and ready for duty.

The Pegasus piece  which is considered one of her important collars and will be included in a forthcoming book The Collars of RBG: A Portrait of Justice  is expected to go for between $200,000 and $400,000, a Potomack Company representative previously told ITK.

The auction house said it plans to donate a percentage of the commission to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Endowed Fund for Research in Civil Rights and Gender Equality of the American Bar Foundation, for which Ginsburg served many years as an officer and board member.

Some of Ginsburgs collars were donated to the Smithsonians National Museum of American History last year, as well as her Maison Blanc black robe, a black leather briefcase and a dozen briefs for cases she argued before serving on the Supreme Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough voters will elect new mayors and multiple council and board members in the Nov. 7, 2023, general election. (Juli Leonard/jleonard@newsobserver.com)

Voters will make big decisions this year about the future of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and whittle down what may be one of the largest group of candidates to ever run for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board.

Three new mayors will be elected to replace outgoing leaders in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.

Chapel Hills mayoral and Town Council races could be the ones to watch, since the candidates share many of the same goals, but differ on how to get there. Political action committees and blogs are generating intense dialogue.

A key zoning change to allow duplexes and accessory homes in neighborhoods is central to current Council member and mayoral candidate Adam Searings bid  and that of his four-member council slate  to grab a majority and overturn recent town decisions.

Searings opponent, Jess Anderson, is a fellow council member who supported the zoning change, which passed on a split 6-3 vote. Council member Amy Ryan, who opposed the change, is the only incumbent council member on the Nov. 7 ballot.

That leaves voters to elect at least three new members this year, replacing Anderson and Council members Michael Parker and Tai Huynh.

Carrboro voters will elect at least two new council members to replace outgoing members Susan Romaine and Sammy Slade. Council member Eliazar Posada is running alongside four newcomers. Council member Barbara Foushee is running unopposed to replace outgoing Mayor Damon Seils. The new council could fill Foushees vacant council seat next year.

Hillsborough Mayor Jennifer Weaver also is not running again, and current Town Board member Mark Bell is unopposed in the race to replace her. Incumbent board members Matt Hughes and Evelyn Lloyd are running against two challengers to fill three seats.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board race, after initially attracting 19 candidates because of a rumor that the conservative Moms for Liberty group might put candidates in the race, has since been narrowed to 14 people. The other five withdrew from the race before the Nov. 7 ballots were printed, Orange County elections Director Rachel Raper said.

Incumbent Chair Rani Dasi and board members Deon Temne and Aston Powell will compete with 11 challengers to fill four seats. Board member Jillian La Serna did not file for re-election.

More information about the 2023 election can be found online at orangecountync.gov/1720/Elections (Orange County) and dcovotes.com (Durham County).

These are the candidates

 Chapel Hill mayor: Jess Anderson, Adam Searing

 Chapel Hill Town Council: David Adams, Breckany Eckhardt, Jeffrey Hoagland, Melissa McCullough, Jonathan (Jon) Mitchell, Theodore Nollert, Amy Ryan (incumbent), Elizabeth Sharpe, Renuka Soll, Erik Valera

 Carrboro mayor: Barbara Foushee

 Carrboro Town Council: Catherine Fray, Jason Merrill, April Mills, Eliazar Posada (incumbent), Stephanie Wade

 Hillsborough mayor: Mark Bell

 Hillsborough Board of Commissioners: Meaghun Darab, Matt Hughes (incumbent), Evelyn Lloyd (incumbent), Victoria Joy Masika

 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education: Meredith Ballew, Rani Dasi (incumbent), Vickie Feaster Fornville, Barbara Fedders, Jane Gabin, Solomon Gibson III, Mariela Hernandez, Honoria Middough, Renee Peet, Ashton Powell (incumbent), Michelle Rissling, Taylor Tally, Deon Temne (incumbent), Allison Willis

More information

 Meet the candidates: newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article276897353.html

Candidate forums

Carrboro mayor and council: Thursday, Sept. 21, 6-7:30 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Park amphitheater, Hillsborough Road, Carrboro. Sponsored by NEXT Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Community Empowerment Fund, Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and Empowerment Inc. More info: facebook.com/events/239143512443007

Chapel Hill mayor and council: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Hanes Hall Room 0121 on UNCs campus. Sponsored by UNC Young Democrats. More info: facebook.com/events/830927295330298

Chapel Hill mayor and council: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2-5 p.m., McDougle Middle School, Carrboro. Sponsored by the Chinese School of Chapel Hill. More info: facebook.com/events/247024614486587

All local races: Tuesday, Oct. 3, 8-10 a.m., Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill. Sponsored by the Carolina Chamber and the Carrboro Business Alliance. Tickets cost $35 for members, $50 for non-members. More info: tinyurl.com/xpzbppfp.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board: Monday, Oct. 16, 7-9 p.m., Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill. Sponsored by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools PTA Council, Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP Branch Education Committee, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Association of Educators and League of Women Voters. Submit questions through Sept. 25 at tinyurl.com/3kwbr7s8.

Chapel Hill mayor and council: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3-4:30 p.m., 750 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill. Sponsored by Carol Woods Retirement Community.

Host your own event: The town of Chapel Hill offers space for public forums at Town Hall or the Chapel Hill Library. More info: tinyurl.com/3x55kf8c.

Who can vote

 To vote you must be at least 18 years old on Nov. 7. You also must be a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Orange or Durham counties and the state of North Carolina for at least 30 days before the election.

 You cannot be registered or voting in any other county or state.

 Convicted felons must complete active sentences, including probation, parole or post-release supervision before registering to vote.

 If you move within the same county, let the Board of Elections know in writing about your new address. You may have to vote at a new precinct location on Election Day.

Voter ID required

This is the first year that all voters have to show a valid photo ID when they check in to vote. Voters without a valid ID will be able to fill out an ID exception form and vote with a provisional ballot, but will have to bring a valid photo ID to the local Elections office after the election.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

 A North Carolina drivers license or state identification card

 A drivers license or identification card from another state or territory (only for voters who registered 90 days before the election)

 A U.S. passport or passport card

 A North Carolina voter photo ID card from the Elections office

 An ID card issued by a college or university, state or local government, or charter school

Heres how to get a free voter ID card: newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article277893428.html.

Register to vote

Voters can register through 5 p.m. Oct. 13 to vote in this years elections, or register during early voting. Voters casting a ballot on Election Day  Tuesday, Nov. 7  will only be allowed to vote in the precinct in which they are registered.

Voters in Durham County who need to find their polling place can look it up online at tinyurl.com/bdepurjd. Orange County voters can find their polling location at tinyurl.com/4p3tvhhe.

Registration forms are available online and at the local Board of Elections office. Only original signatures are accepted.

 Orange County residents can drop off their registration form in person or mail it to P.O. Box 220, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

 Durham County residents can drop off their registration form in person at the Durham County Board of Elections, 201 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701. Durham County forms also can be mailed to Durham County Board of Elections, P.O. Box 868, Durham, NC 27702.

 Same-Day registration: Voters can fill out an application and vote on the same day at any Early Voting site. Proof of the voters name and address is required and can include an N.C. drivers license or government-issued photo ID; a current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, government check or government document; a valid student photo ID or document from a college or university that includes a students name and on-campus address.

Early Voting

Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 4. Voters can cast a ballot at any Early Voting site. Here are the locations and hours:

Hillsborough

 Locations: Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons: 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough

 Hours: Oct. 19-20, Oct. 23-27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 29, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carrboro-Chapel Hill

 Locations: Carrboro Town Hall Complex, 108 Bim St., Carrboro; Chapel of the Cross, 304 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill; Seymour Senior Center, 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill Library, 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill

 Hours: Oct. 26-27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 29, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 1-3, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Durham

 Locations: North Regional Library, 221 Milton Road; East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Lane; Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.; South Regional Library, 4505 S. Alston Ave.; NCCU Turner Law Building, 640 Nelson St.

 Hours: Oct. 19-Nov. 4 weekday hours, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, noon to 4 p.m.; Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Absentee voting

Registered voters who cannot cast a ballot in person during Early Voting or at their local precinct on Election Day can request an absentee, or mail-in, ballot.

The deadline for most voters to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 31. However, active members of the military, their spouse and dependents, and U.S. citizens who are overseas have until 5 p.m. Nov. 6 to request an absentee ballot.

Request a ballot online or submit a request via mail at PO Box 220, Hillsborough, NC 27278, or in person at the Orange County elections office, 208 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough.

Ballots can be dropped off at any Early Voting site or submitted to the local Board of Elections office. The deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 7.
It has long perplexed scientists how during pregnancy, mothers don't reject the fetus. When a foreign organism enters the body, the immune system's standard response is to send fighter cells to attack the invader. In some ways, a fetus growing inside the uterus is also a foreign being, sapping the mother's energy and nutrients. Yet evolutionarily, our entire species depends on something breaking that cycle to create a symbiotic relationship between mother and child.

A new study published today in the journal Science deepens our understanding of the maternal-fetal bond and chips away at this question, building on decades of research designed to uncover these mysteries. Although the research was conducted in mice, the findings could inform treatments that reduce maternal and infant mortality, preterm birth and other pregnancy complications in humans, said study author Dr. Sing Sing Way, Ph.D., an infectious disease pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's.

"Pregnancy is really an immunological marvel because it's the most physiologically relevant context where you have genetically and antigenetically different cells and tissues in close approximation with each other that live not only without fighting but in harmony, promoting the growth and development of the fetus," Way told Salon in a phone interview. "We actually don't understand that very well, and we're trying to probe it with these types of experiments that we conducted."

In 2012, Way and his team published a study in which they found pregnant people produce specialized immune cells called tolerogenic cells that are partly responsible for preventing the immune system from attacking the fetus. These immune cells are smart enough to recognize whether subsequent siblings come from the same biological father, using a "memory" they have of prior pregnancies.

A few years later, the same team discovered that it's not only a mother's cells remembering their offspring but that an offspring's cells can also remember their mother. In rodent models, the team found that extremely rare cells travel during pregnancy from mother to fetus and vice versa. These cells persist in both individuals long after birth, which helps explain why, if someone needs an organ transplant, better outcomes occur when the organ comes from the mother rather than the father. It seems this is because people's bodies hold on to these cells that allow them to recognize a mother's tissue more easily.

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"We found that how that tolerance works in the babies to their mothers is from these things called microchimeric cells, which are basically extremely rare cells  about one in a million  that travel during pregnancy from mother to baby and from baby to mother, and persist in both individuals after birth in what seems like forever," Way said. "That's how babies are 'remembering' their mothers is through those cells, or even children or adult children are remembering their mothers, is through that those cells."

The study published today by the same research group suggests that the fetal-mother connection runs even deeper than once thought. The researchers found that only one set of these microchimeric cells can be held at a time, meaning that when a mother has subsequent children, a new set of cells specific to that child replaces the first group of cells. Fascinatingly, when daughters go on to become pregnant, they also lose these original cells connecting them with their mothers to make room for ones that connect them to their own children.

But while a daughter would "forget" this biological connection upon becoming pregnant, the mother retains a "memory" of the child regardless of whether she has subsequent children. That's because the mother retains a set of tolerogenic cells that maintain this mother-child connection.

"Each time there's a pregnancy, there's a displacement or a loss of the prior microchimeric cells and that's why daughters forget their mothers when they have new pregnancy imprinted memories," Way said. "But what's interesting is that mothers never forget any of their children because the way that they remember is not exclusively due to the fetal microchimeric cells. They have another failsafe way of remembering that doesn't require those cells."

Scientists are still uncovering all of the ways in which a mother's immune system reacts in pregnancy. Mothers can also produce "super antibodies," for example, that protect the fetus from viruses. Leveraging how the immune system changes in pregnancy could provide insights into how to treat other immunological conditions, Way said.

One in 10 mothers will experience preterm births, but there are not many treatment options when a baby is born early. Similarly, understanding this mother-child connection, something that's still largely a black box, could help us reduce pregnancy complications.

"We need to understand how we reproduce and how we survive as a species," Way said. "If we could understand how it worked in animals, then, despite the differences between humans and animals, we can apply that knowledge from animals to improving human pregnancy outcomes."
A new city graffiti law in Boise aims to make it easier for the city to clean up the unsanctioned paint, even if a landowner is not cooperative.

After multiple meetings to discuss challenges accessing graffiti on private property, the City Council adopted an ordinance on Sept. 12 that allows the city to paint over graffiti, even if a landowner does not respond to requests from officials that the owners remove graffiti themselves.

Here are answers to three key questions about the ordinance.

1. Why is the city making this law?

This is designed to give us the tools to help those that are victims of graffiti more quickly, Mayor Lauren McLean said about the measures in August.

A memorandum from Jennifer Pitino, a city lawyer, said there has been a growing amount of graffiti defacement on public and private property throughout the citys limits.

Boise has had several high-profile incidents of graffiti on public property in recent years, including antisemitic markings near the Anne Frank Memorial downtown.

Boise officials aim to make cleaning up graffiti on private property easier. Sarah Miller/Idaho Statesman

By defining graffiti as a nuisance in Boises code, the city will be able to treat it as officials already do other nuisances, like overly tall weeds or junk on a property, Kristine Miller, McLeans deputy chief of staff, told the Idaho Statesman.

Reports of graffiti have risen since 2018, when 254 incidents were reported, according to city data. That figure rose to 468 in 2019 before dropping during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 307 reported incidents in 2022, and there have been 218 so far this year, according to the data.

Miller said the new law should also make it easier to clean up graffiti if a property owner is out of town or out of state.

If the owner says, I dont live here, Im not in the area, this allows us to say OK, can we help you clean it up? Miller said.

2. How would the law work?

If an owner whose property gets tagged is unresponsive, the citys code compliance officers will have to wait 10 days before they can enter the property and clean it up, Mayor Lauren McLeans spokesperson Maria Weeg told the Statesman. Thats the same standard that applies to other nuisances, and is the time-frame within which nuisances are required to be abated in city law.

Under the previous rules, the city cannot quickly access private property to remove graffiti.

When graffiti is reported through non-emergency dispatch, the Boise Police Department will respond and document it and start a crime report, Miller said. Then the problem will be forwarded to the citys code compliance office, which will contact the owner and coordinate cleanup.

Weeg said the city plans to have staff proactively keeping an eye out for graffiti through the course of their regular duties.

The public is encouraged to use non-emergency dispatch to report graffiti, she added.

3. How much would it cost?

For most nuisances, the city charges residents if they are uncooperative with efforts to deal with the problems themselves.

Those costs depend on the size of a property and the type of cleanup, Weeg said. If a residential homeowner with weeds in his yard has not communicated with the compliance office and has not removed the weeds, such a cleanup could cost between $500 and $800, she added.

Still, Weeg said the city tries to gain the cooperation of residents through communication and the extension of time limits, as one of our primary goals is self-compliance.

With graffiti, city officials view the situation differently, as graffiti is a crime to the property owner, rather than the owners own doing.

The city has budgeted $100,000 to spend on private-property graffiti abatement in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, when the new law takes effect. For the next year, the city does not plan to charge property owners to remove graffiti. Miller said removal will be handled by a combination of city code-compliance workers and hired contractors. Once the money is spent, the city plans to provide a report to the council on how it went.

This update will address the efforts effectiveness, overall impact, and internal processes, read a memo from Jennifer Pitino, a city attorney. Based on that update, the councils direction may necessitate additional code amendments and a public fee hearing at that time.
Story at a glance

Book ban attempts increased by 33 percent during the 2022-23 school year, a new PEN America report shows.

A total of 1,557 individual book titles were removed from school classrooms or public libraries last academic year due to objections to their content.

The most book bans took place in Florida during that period, followed by Texas.

There were 3,362 book ban attempts in K-12 schools across the country last school year  33 percent more than the year before, according to a new report from free expression group PEN America.

And those book ban attempts resulted in the removal of 1,557 individual titles.

Since 2020, there has been a surge in book challenges as classrooms have become a new ideological battleground.

Book ban attempts have reached record highs each year since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the American Library Association.

The toll of the book banning movement is getting worse. More kids are losing access to books, more libraries are taking authors off the shelves, and opponents of free expression are pushing harder than ever to exert their power over students as a whole, said Suzanne Nossel, chief executive officer of PEN America.

Those who are bent on the suppression of stories and ideas are turning our schools into battlegrounds, compounding post-pandemic learning loss, driving teachers out of the classroom and denying the joy of reading to our kids. By depriving a rising generation of the freedom to read, these bans are eating away at the foundations of our democracy.

PEN America notes in the report that its definition of a book ban includes any action taken against a book based on its content.

This could take the form of a parent or community challenge to a book, school administrative decisions to remove a book or threat or direct action from an elected official to control access to a previously available book.

More than 40 percent of all such actions last school year took place in 33 school districts in Florida, making it the state with the most book ban attempts during that time.

There were 1,406 book ban cases in the Sunshine State last year.

Texas, Missouri, Utah and Pennsylvania also had a high number of book ban attempts last academic year, with 625, 333, 281 and 168 book ban cases taking place in each state, respectively.

While most of the states where many book ban were attempted are conservative-leaning, book bans are taking place in Democratic-leaning states as well.

PEN America recorded at least one in 14 states that voted Democratic during the 2020 presidential election, including New York, California and Massachusetts.

The report shows that the most recent wave of book bans continues to target titles about racism or books with queer characters or characters of color.

Targeted books were most frequently stories written for young adults featuring a queer, nonbinary or female protagonist, the report notes.

Out of the over 3,000 books targeted last school year, there were 11 titles that were banned in 22 districts or more.

The most banned book was Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, who also is the most frequently banned author in K-12 schools, according to the report.

The book, which tells the story of five troubled teenagers who fall into prostitution, was banned in schools across 33 districts.

The second most banned book was Toni Morrisons first novel The Bluest Eye which faced challenges in 29 school districts last academic year, according to the report.

But a shift appears to be happening regarding what books are being challenged. During the last school year, banned books also included titles dealing with physical abuse, health and well-being, as well as grief and death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Set yourself up for a holiday travel experience with minimal stress.

Set yourself up for a holiday travel experience with minimal stress.

Holiday travel can be a stressful endeavor. Between the airport crowds, premium prices and the emotional toll in pursuit of holiday magic, our end-of-year traditions come at a cost.

But there are ways to cut down on the travel expenses and keep stress to a minimum. It just takes a little planning and budget savvy.

Below, experts to share their advice for tackling 2023 holiday travel like a pro.

Generally speaking, you want to book ASAP.

Limited airplane seats exist for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel, and they tend to fill up quickly, said Phil Dengler, co-founder of The Vacationer. Waiting until the last minute increases your odds of having to pay a premium as well as the possibility of not finding a desirable flight.

He recommended booking holiday flights by the end of September if possible for the best deals.

I view Halloween as the cutoff date for getting a reasonable price on a Thanksgiving flight, Dengler added. After Halloween, prices will increase considerably as Thanksgiving gets closer. For Christmas flights, you should really book before Thanksgiving, but the best deals are between now and Halloween.

Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for the flight alert service Going, pointed to the idea of the Goldilocks window  booking travel far enough in advance but not too far. Your likelihood of finding a great price diminishes once you pass that window.

If you are considering traveling for the winter holidays this year, do not wait much longer, Nastro emphasized. Wishing and hoping holiday prices will magically decrease the week before is not a good idea, and you may not just find expensive flights but extremely expensive flights.

If youre heading to a popular destination, book your accommodations, tours, rental cars and other important arrangements ASAP as well.

Demand for holiday travel is high, and hotels in all different kinds of destinations, from beach hotels to ski resorts, are filling up quickly, said Laura Motta, digital editorial director at Lonely Planet. Expect deals to be hard to come by unless youre planning to avoid the holiday dates themselves and travel before or after.

Monitor for better deals or price changes.

Even after youve made your bookings, feel free to continue monitoring the prices to see if a better option arises.

Track prices to get a great deal, advised Laura Lindsay, a travel trends expert at Skyscanner. Like prepping the perfect turkey feast, when it comes to getting the best price, timing is everything.

She pointed to the price alerts feature on Skyscanner, which can keep you up to date on changing costs for your saved routes.

Flight prices evolve as airlines track interest in routes and add capacity to meet demand, allowing them to fly at scale to the most popular destinations, she explained. A route which may be close to being sold out might be allocated more capacity (flights or seats) nearer to departure, and this often drives the price back down for a time as the balance between supply and demand shifts back in favor of the passenger.

Advantage Rent-A-Cars vice president of operations, Elie Michaels, similarly recommended that travelers make their holiday car rental reservations early to secure the car and rate, as companies can run out of cars or escalate the prices as the winter holidays approach.

But it is also recommended to continue browsing the travel websites leading up to the holiday period to see if you can find better deals simply because sometimes things change and the demand gets shifted, which could drive prices down, he added.

Try to avoid flying on the busiest days.

According to the Transportation Security Administrations daily passenger screening numbers, the busiest travel days of the year are typically around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The worst travel days for Thanksgiving will be Wednesday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 26, Dengler said. Those are always the busiest days for Thanksgiving travel, and I expect the same for 2023. If possible, fly as far in advance of Thanksgiving as you can.

He similarly expects the busiest travel days around Christmas to be Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26-27.

The goal is to fly as far in advance of Christmas as possible as well as waiting a few days after to fly home, Denger said, suggesting Dec. 18-20, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (which tend to be cheaper) for your outgoing flights and Dec. 28 or 29 for your return.

If your schedule allows, try to travel a few days before school lets out in your area, advised Jessica van Dop DeJesus, founder and editor at The Dining Traveler. Midweek is always better than flying out on a Friday.

Give yourself extra time for delays.

Between the weather being unusual this year, high travel demand and understaffed airlines, its important to have contingency plans in place for flight disruptions or cancellations, said Gabby Beckford, a travel expert and founder of Packs Light. Flying during the week on less popular days and times as much as possible helps mitigate some of these issues and gives you more backup flight options should something go wrong and you need to reschedule your flight.

Try to fly a day earlier than you need to arrive if possible or choose a days first flight out. Building in extra room for last-minute changes can be a lifesaver.

In addition to generally being cheaper, very early morning flights tend to experience fewer delays and cancellations, which is not something you want to deal with during the holidays, Dengler said. Aim for flights at 8 a.m. or earlier if you can swing it.

Give yourself buffer time on your actual travel day as well.

When making holiday travel plans, it comes as no surprise that airports will be more crowded and stress levels will be heightened, so its smart to plan and prepare for delays, traffic and longer queues, said Melissa DaSilva, president of Trafalgar, North America.

Avoid checking a bag if possible.

If possible, do not check a bag if you are flying during the 2023 holiday season, Dengler said. With a record number of travelers expected, baggage drop lines are going to be very long. Additionally, airlines lost and misplaced a lot of bags last year.

Baggage delays can be particularly annoying during the holiday season when many people are traveling with gifts for loved ones.

With the increase in passengers flying to their holiday travel destination also comes a higher risk of lost or damaged luggage, DaSilva said. Travelers should consider shipping their gifts directly to the final destination and travel lighter via carry-on to not only save money but also time and stress.

Consider mixing and matching flights.

When it comes to making travel plans at any time of year, flexibility can pay off in all aspects of transit.

Consider mixing and matching different airlines and broaden your search to include multiple airport options, for example.

Look at flying out with one airline and back with another or out of one airport and back into another, Lindsay said. Comparing and contrasting dates, providers, departure airports and destinations will enable you to find the best deal available for your needs.

Dont be afraid to think outside the box.

The best time to book holiday travel largely depends on what destinations you are visiting, Lau said. For the majority of the time, planning six to nine months in advance can help ensure that all of the activities, tours and accommodations you are interested in are available. However, if you are visiting places that are off the beaten path, you might often find last-minute getaway deals and discounts.

Dont be afraid to think outside the box with your holiday plans.

Thanksgiving is a great time to travel internationally, Dengler said. Many countries do not celebrate Thanksgiving, which means youll be traveling during a non-holiday period. Many great flight deals are available to hotspots like Italy and France.

Lindsay recommended making use of Skyscanners Everywhere search function to discover new destinations you can visit at a low cost.

Ordered by lowest to highest price from your departure airport to destinations around the globe, an Everywhere search can inspire you to go somewhere youve never been before, and for a lower price than many traditional destinations, she said.

Related...
Washington  The number of migrants apprehended by U.S. immigration agents after crossing the southern border illegally has soared to near-record levels in September, posing a major test to the Biden administration's migration strategy, unpublished federal figures obtained by CBS News show.

Border Patrol agents apprehended roughly 140,000 migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization during the first 20 days of September, an average of about 6,900 each day, according to the internal agency data. That represents a 60% increase from the daily average of 4,300 in July.

The agency is on track to record more than 210,000 migrant apprehensions this month, which would be the highest level since December and May 2022, when Border Patrol reported over 220,000 apprehensions, the current all-time monthly highs. During those record-setting months, Border Patrol apprehended more than 7,000 migrants each day, a level September's average is close to matching.

On Wednesday alone, Border Patrol processed nearly 9,000 migrants, the data show, a daily apprehension level not seen since 10,000 migrants crossed into the U.S. illegally per day during several days in May, before the Biden administration discontinued the Title 42 pandemic-era limits on migration.

Moreover, U.S. border officers have been processing roughly 1,500 migrants at official ports of entry on a daily basis, mostly under a Biden administration system that allows prospective asylum-seekers in Mexico to secure an appointment to enter the country through a government phone app known as CBP One.

The spike in illegal border entries is a significant setback for a web of policies the Biden administration initiated in the hopes of slowing down U.S.-bound migration. Over the past two and a half years, Border Patrol has recorded unprecedented levels of migrant apprehensions, including 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022, a tally that is on track to being matched in fiscal year 2023, which ends at the end of this month.

A group of migrants who have crossed into the U.S. from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, are led by a Border Patrol Agent on Aug. 25, 2023. / Credit: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images

Following the end of the Title 42 public health expulsions in May, the Biden administration implemented a set of policies to discourage unauthorized entries. The strategy has consisted of redirecting tens of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. each month through legal migration programs, including the app-powered process, while imposing higher asylum rules for those who cross into the country unlawfully.

Administration officials touted the strategy when illegal border crossings dropped below 100,000 in June, a two-year low. But the trend was quickly reversed in July, when unauthorized crossings increased to 133,000, a 33% month-to-month jump. In August, Border Patrol apprehended roughly 180,000 migrants, according to preliminary agency data.

The increase in migration is happening across the Western Hemisphere. In August alone, more than 80,000 people crossed Panama's Darien Gap, a monthly record high for a roadless and mountainous jungle that has become a major transit destination for hundreds of thousands of migrants hoping to reach the U.S. each year, according to Panamanian officials.

Influx strains federal and local resources

The spike in migration has strained federal and local resources. In some areas of Arizona and southern California, Border Patrol has recently found itself forced to release migrants into communities to prevent overcrowding in facilities. Last month, Border Patrol agents in Texas temporarily separated children as young as 8 from their parents, citing concerns about overcrowding in a facility, a federal court-appointed inspector found.

In the Texas border cities of El Paso and Eagle Pass, federal border officials have suspended processing of commercial trucks and vehicles at some international bridges, so agency employees can be diverted to help process migrants. The mayor of Eagle Pass this week issued a disaster declaration, citing the daily arrival of thousands of migrants to the small city.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced the Pentagon had approved a plan to send an additional 800 active-duty troops to the southern border to provide logistical support to Border Patrol. Roughly 2,500 troops are already stationed there, performing operational tasks, not arresting migrants.

The administration also said it would increase deportations of migrants, including by expanding a fast-track removal program for families that requires the heads of households to comply with a nightly home curfew and wear an ankle monitor while officials determine whether they could qualify for asylum.

Since the end of Title 42 in May, the U.S. has deported or returned 253,000 migrants to over 150 countries, including 36,000 parents and children processed as families, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday. During the same time period in 2019, the department said it carried out 180,000 deportations and returns.

The impact on cities

Migrants sit in a queue outside of The Roosevelt Hotel that is being used by the city as temporary housing on Monday, July 31, 2023, in New York. / Credit: John Minchillo / AP

The influx in illegal crossings has also impacted large cities in the northern U.S., mainly New York City, which for months has struggled to house tens of thousands of destitute migrants in need of shelter. The city has set up migrant shelters in over 200 hotels, tents and other facilities but has regularly demanded increased federal funds and support.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration granted a long-standing request from New York and other cities receiving asylum-seekers, offering nearly half a million Venezuleans migrants an opportunity to work and live in the U.S. legally under the Temporary Protected Status program. Only Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. before the end of July will qualify for work permits and deportation protections.

While there's a July 31 cut-off date for the TPS program for Venezuelans, some government officials have long feared that expanding the policy risks encouraging more migrants to enter the U.S. illegally, even if they are not eligible for the relief on paper, because of misinformation by smugglers.

In a recent interview, former Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott, who left the agency after a few months in the Biden administration, said the spike in illegal crossings this summer stems from the U.S. releasing large numbers of migrants into the country with court cases that typically take years to complete. Migrants who are released, Scott said, can tell family and friends in their home countries that there are higher chances of being released into the U.S. and staying in the country for years if they cross the border illegally.

Biden administration officials have said the high levels of migration mainly stem from dire conditions in countries like Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, which has seen millions of its citizens flee economic calamity and political tumult in recent years, mostly to resettle in other South American nations like Colombia.

During a briefing Wednesday, a senior DHS official also faulted smugglers for the recent increase in migration, saying they "spread rumors" that "drive people to cross" into the U.S. illegally.

Cassidy Hutchinson on being forced into hiding

Watch: Biden announces Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Ophelia is now officially a tropical storm. Here's its East Coast track.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with 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, in St. Petersburg on Sept. 20, 2023.[Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said his country is willing to cooperate with China to resist unipolar hegemony and bloc confrontation, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

Putin made the remarks when meeting with 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 in St. Petersburg.

Putin said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia in March this year marked a new era in the relationship between the two countries. Since then, important agreements reached between the two sides have been steadily implemented, resulting in positive outcomes in various fields such as economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, and sports.

He said Russia has overcome the impact of unilateral sanctions imposed by Western countries and its economy has started to recover and function normally this year, adding that Russia is ready to strengthen planning and deepen practical cooperation with China.

Putin stressed that Russia highly appreciates and firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), opposes distortions and smears against the BRI, and is willing to enhance alignment between the Eurasian Economic Union and the BRI to promote regional integration.

Putin stated that the evolution of the current international situation fully validates President Xi's strategic assessment that the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. Through the collective efforts of Russia, China and other parties, the BRICS successfully expanded membership this year, taking BRICS cooperation to a new level. Russia is willing to maintain close coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS mechanism, to resist unipolar hegemony and bloc confrontation, and to safeguard international fairness and justice.

Wang, for his part, said the heads of state of the two countries had a successful meeting this year, jointly outlining a new blueprint for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era. This has provided a clear direction and injected strong momentum for the further development of bilateral relations.

Wang noted that during his current visit, he had comprehensive discussions with Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

Wang said China is willing to work together with Russia, taking the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries as the fundamental guideline, to enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and further consolidate the public opinion and social foundation of friendship between China and Russia.

He said that faced with a complex international situation, the world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity, economic globalization is progressing against headwinds, unilateral actions are unsustainable, and hegemonism is not popular. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia bear important responsibilities for promoting global development and progress. Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current international and regional situation. On the Ukraine issue, Putin reiterated Russia's willingness to resolve it through dialogue and negotiation.

During his visit to Russia, Wang Yi also co-chaired the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation, attended a meeting between high representatives of China, Russia and Mongolia on security issues, and met separately with Lavrov and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council.
6:00 p.m. update: 14-year-old Jaydn Betts of Roxbury has been safely located, according to Boston Police.

Original article: Boston Police are asking for the publics help locating a missing Roxbury teen who did not arrive at school Thursday.

Police say 14-year-old Jaydn Betts was last seen around 8 a.m. Thursday morning leaving the area of Highland Street to take a train from the Jackson MBTA station to Andrews Square. Police say he never arrived at his school, Upper Academy.

Jaydn is a Black male, approximately 54 tall with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a Patriots winter hat, black jacket, dark-colored pants and black shoes, police say.

Police say he is known to suffer from mental health issues.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or Boston police detectives at 617-343-4275.

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Brazilian Xokleng Indigenous people celebrate after a majority on Brazil's Supreme Court voted against the so-called legal thesis of 'Marco Temporal', in Brasilia

Brazilian Xokleng Indigenous people celebrate after a majority on Brazil's Supreme Court voted against the so-called legal thesis of 'Marco Temporal', in Brasilia

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) -A majority on Brazil's Supreme Court overwhelmingly voted on Thursday against a cut-off date limiting Indigenous land claims, a restriction sought by the powerful farm lobby to block rights to land that Indigenous people did not live on in 1988.

The court said 9 of its 11 justices rejected the deadline because it countered constitutional guarantees on Indigenous rights to ancestral lands. Two judges voted for the limit to end land conflicts and give farmers security on lands settled over the years in Brazil's fast expanding agricultural frontier.

Brazil has 1.6 million Indigenous people according to the latest census, half of whom live on ancestral lands they say are vital to preserving their cultures and languages, mainly in the Amazon but also in farm states.

Indigenous groups protesting against the proposed deadline for land claims celebrated the court decision, dancing and chanting outside the Supreme Court in Brasilia.

"This is a momentous, historic victory for Brazil's Indigenous peoples, and a massive defeat for the agribusiness lobby," said Survival International Advocacy Director Fiona Watson, who said the time limit was an attempt to legalize the theft of millions of hectares of Indigenous land.

It was also a win for global efforts against climate change as Indigenous reservations preserve their forests, she added.

Indigenous leaders said the Supreme Court ruling was vital to resolve some 300 pending land recognition claims that would protect their communities from land-grabbers and invasion by illegal loggers and wildcat gold miners.

The court decision will give President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva grounds to veto a bill farm interests are rushing through Congress to limit new reservations to land that was occupied by native communities in 1988 when Brazil passed its Constitution.

The legislation was approved by the lower house in August and is now in the Senate where it will be voted on next week by the Constitution and Justice Committee.

Chief Almir of the Surui people of Mato Grosso and Rondonia states said he expects Congress to pass the bill because "the majority are anti-Indigenous, but we hope Lula won't sign it."

The agricultural caucus representing farmers in Congress deplored the court ruling and said it will push ahead anyway to get the bill approved in the Senate, while appealing to the judiciary for compensation for expropriated farm land.

"We want legal security for rural producers. The Supreme Court is fomenting barbarism in the countryside, total legal uncertainty," the caucus said in a statement.

The case before the Supreme Court stems from a dispute in Santa Catarina state where the government rejected a land claim by the Xokleng people, who were evicted by tobacco farmers from what was their ancestral land. The state government argued that they were not living on the disputed area in 1988.

Opposing the deadline, justices said Indigenous communities not living on their lands in 1988 most likely had been expelled.

Defending the need for a cut-off date, Justice Gilmar Mendes said Indigenous people once inhabited all of Brazil before Europeans arrived 500 years ago and could make endless claims if there was no limit. Yet he voted to reject the proposal.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; editing by Grant McCool)
After years of waiting, the loved ones of the 17 people shot and killed and the other 17 injured inside the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentines Day 2018 will get finally closure next summer.

Broward County Public Schools announced Thursday that it will start to demolish the three-story freshman building in the summer of 2024, after consulting with health and safety experts.

Originally, the school district had planned to raze it during weekends and on school holidays over four to five months, but ultimately decided it would be best to wait until summer break when no students or staff members would be in the Parkland school.

FROM JULY: Whats next for Parkland school building? Visits, demolition, then a question mark

We understand the urgency of this matter, but it is essential to prioritize safety above all else, the school district said in a press release.

We are thankful to the students, parents and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as well as the Parkland community for their patience and understanding.

How will the MSD building be demolished?

A contractor will destroy the building by mechanical demolition, not implosion, and the school district hopes the work will be finished before the start of the 2024-25 school year, John Sullivan, a school district spokesman,said Thursday.

The destruction will take place immediately after the 2023-24 school year ends. The school year ends June 10, and the last day of the academic calendar is July 28, when teachers will issue final report cards.

Before the demolition starts, crews will clean and clear the building, following state and federal landfill disposal regulations.

The school district allocated $1.4 million for the project.

FROM FEBRUARY 2023: Like an eyesore: Why the Parkland school building still stands, five years after shooting

On Feb. 14, 2018, 14 students and three educators were shot to death in that three-story freshman building. Nikolas Cruz, an expelled 19-year-old Stoneman Douglas student, was sentenced last November to life in prison for murdering them.

The building has been preserved for years because of Cruzs trial and then because the defense team of Scot Peterson, the only other person charged after the shootings, requested the building be preserved. The Florida sheriffs deputy was acquitted in June of felony child neglect and other charges for failing to act for some 10 minutes before other officers entered the building.

After the criminal trials against Cruz and Peterson concluded this summer, the Broward State Attorneys Office offered a walk-through to the 17 survivors of the tragedy and the relatives of the 17 people who were killed. Some accepted.

What will the school district do after the building demolition?

The Broward school district still hasnt announced any plans for the grounds where the building stands. In 2020, the district built an $18 million building to replace Building 12, so a new classroom building likely wont be built on the site.

Tony Montalto, the father of 14-year-old Gina Montalto, who was one of the 17 people killed, visited the building in July and told the Herald then that hes looking forward to the school districts proposal for a memorial. Ideally, he said, they would know what will be built before the demolition in case they need to keep access to water and electricity.

We need a memorial, he said at the time. Just because the building goes doesnt mean that that ground is not sacred and important because of who was lost there, who was taken.

RELATED: Whats changed in South Florida schools since Parkland?
It's been three years since Sarah Pasco and another woman were held at gunpoint near an abandoned well on the outskirts of Lawrence County before being told to climb inside.

They held shovels against their will at a Stotts City home earlier that day  Aug. 11, 2020  and were told to dig their own graves, but there appeared to be a change in plans.

Both women were ordered into the trunk of a car before being transferred to the well near a county road outside Miller, where they were told to go into the dark, 25-foot hole.

Sarah Pasco

Gary Hunter Jr., who initiated the kidnapping, proceeded to shoot downward with multiple friends nearby, killing Pasco instantly. The other woman, who survived the shooting, played dead underneath Pasco's body until the scene had cleared.

Reports indicate that the crime may have been related to a drug deal gone awry, and that Pasco, 27, had no previous illegal dealings with the group.

Nine people involved in the case were charged with first-degree murder and a litany of other felonies. Although Hunter pulled the trigger, under Missouri law the others present could be charged with murder for contributing to the crime.

Three of the nine  Hunter, Steven Calverley and Diona Park  faced the death penalty for their roles.

Gary Hunter Jr.

Since early 2022, plea deals and sentencings have been handed out to eight of the nine defendants, with many sentenced to decades behind bars.

One man, Frank Sheridan of Aurora, avoided prison. He was sentenced to five years' probation earlier this week (15 years of his prison sentence suspended) after pleading guilty to a kidnapping charge and helping investigators.

The one holdout of the group, Calverley, is accused of shooting into the well after Hunter. He is scheduled for a January trial. Since he hasn't pleaded guilty, the death penalty is still on the table.

More: Ozarks prosecutor says he'll pursue death penalty against at least 3 suspects in homicide of Sarah Pasco

Here is a breakdown of the eight others who were sentenced and their roles in the crime:

Gary Hunter Jr., 27, of Mt. Vernon: Hunter was sentenced to 40 years in prison Jan. 22 on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Hunter initiated the abduction of the women before shooting and killing Pasco and injuring the other woman in the well.

Andrew J. Cypret, 30, of Billings: Cypret was sentenced to 32 years in March 2022. He pleaded guilty to two charges, second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. He was accused of holding the women at gunpoint for Hunter, who briefly left the women, as they dug their own graves.

Lyle B. Delong, 26, of Stotts City: Delong was sentenced to 32 years in March 2022 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Delong was accused of driving the women, who were in the trunk of a car, to the well along with Diona Parks. He also reportedly helped set Pasco's truck ablaze. DeLong is the son of Richard DeLong, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing Erin Vanderhoef and her three children in their northwest Springfield home in 1999.

Siera Dunham, 22, of Mt. Vernon: Dunham pleaded guilty to a first-degree robbery charge in October 2022 that resulted in a 15-year sentence. Dunham, who went to the murder scene with the other assailants, wanted Pasco's sunglasses and shoes before her death. During questioning with detectives, Dunham reportedly wore those items, which were soon turned into evidence.

Diona L. Parks, 29, of Stotts City: Parks was sentenced to 30 years in January 2022. She is accused of helping kidnap the women and burning Pasco's truck.

Christina N. Knapp, 41, of Stotts City : Knapp was sentenced to 15 years in February 2022 on charges of kidnapping and robbery. Hunter initially took the women to Knapp's home Stotts City home, where he forced the women to begin digging their own graves. Knapp retrieved a gun for Hunter at the residence.

Kimberly K. Henderson, 50, of Stotts City : Henderson was sentenced to 25 years in February 2022 after pleading guilty to first-degree robbery. She was accused of taking the keys of Pasco's truck, aiding Hunter in the initial kidnapping and robbery.

Frank J. Sheridan Jr., 30, of Aurora: Sheridan is the most recent of the group to be sentenced. After pleading guilty to first-degree kidnapping, his 15-year sentence this week was suspended and he will serve five years probation. Sheridan, who helped investigators in the case, rode in Pasco's truck along with Hunter to the well.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Eight of nine suspects sentenced in Missouri murder of Sarah Pasco
Boston University is examining practices at its Center for Antiracist Research after the organization recently laid off a number of employees just three years after opening in the hope of altering the nations discussion of racial inequality.

BU says the school received complaints after the centers head, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, laid off more than half the centers staff, the Boston Globe reports.

The complaints are based on the centers culture and its grant management practices, Boston University officials told Boston 25 News.

In addition to an ongoing examination into the centers grant management practices, BU says the inquiry will be expanded to include the Centers management culture and the staffs experience with it.

We recognize the importance of Dr. Kendis work and the significant impact it has had on antiracist thinking and policy, a BU spokesperson said. Boston University and Dr. Kendi believe strongly in the Centers mission, and while he takes strong exception to the allegations made in recent complaints and media reports, we look forward to working with him as we conduct our assessment.

Boston University launching Center for Anti-racist Research

In 2020, BUs Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jean Morrison told Boston 25 that the academic center will study social and racial justice and Kendi will collaborate with faculty and students to gather data on racial inequality.

According to the Boston Globe, the layoffs come as the center plans to shift to a fellowship model.

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
Allegations continue to pile up on a Wichita Falls man accused of arson and burglary, extending now to the destruction of a church, a restaurant, and the setting of grassfires in Wichita Falls.

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New affidavits accuse Waylon Farrell Buckingham of starting a fire at Freedom Baptist Church at 3800 Shasta Drive Tuesday morning. Investigators believed Buckingham was connected to a burglary and attempted arson at the church on Sept. 16 and they began tracking him. Church leaders said the building was a total loss.

More: Arson suspect now charged in burglaries, theft of sex doll

The affidavit also alleges he set fire to the China Star restaurant at 1024 East Central Freeway on April 12. At that three-alarm fire, investigators discovered doors were ajar and an accelerant was used.

Investigators also connect Buckingham to a large grassfire on July 29 at East Hatton and Hammon roads known as the Grasshopper Fire. It burned 396 acres and injured one person.

Believing Buckingham to be a person of interest in the local fires, on Monday police spotted and tailed him in the vicinity of a fire in a vacant house and two grass fires in north Wichita Falls. Investigators observations and some security footage that placed Buckinghams pickup at the housefire led to his arrest.

Investigators also used cellphone data to put phones owned by Buckingham and a relative in the vicinity of the China Star and Grasshopper fires.

A search of Buckinghams home in the 5000 block of Sand Beach Drive after his arrest led to charges against him in two burglaries, including one at the China Star before the fire. Money and decorative items were taken.

Police also charged Buckingham with breaking into DW's Adult Store on Sheppard Access Road on May 2 and stealing a lifelike female doll. The search of Buckinghams home turned up items from China Star and the headless portion of the stolen doll, according to affidavits.

Police said they also recovered trailers stolen from two churches.

Buckingham's total bail is set at $571,500 and he remained in the Wichita County Jail Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Buckingham now connected to church, restaurant and Grasshopper fires
BRISTOL  One day a sailor walked into a tattoo shop in Newport and said to the owner, the late Carlton Buddy" Mott, that he did not want a tattoo but he just wanted to meet the legendary Mott.

After all, he heard about the witty Mott in a Saigon, Vietnam, bar, according to Motts daughter and former tattoo apprentice Marilyn Mott-Tolleson.

Thats the impact Buddy Mott, an artist and a friend to many, had on people, added Mott-Tolleson during a recent interview about her book on her fathers business.

"Buddys Tattoo Shop: Keeping America Beautiful," published by the local Stillwater River Publishing, features 195 pages with over 200 colored pictures, 67 stencils, some of our tattoo tips, trade secrets for fellow artists and tattoo collectors, plus some of the unusual and entertaining requests we got on a nightly basis, Mott-Tolleson wrote in her description.

Buddy Mott tattoos a person's back in a photo published in 1979.

Mott-Tolleson sat down with a reporter in her Bristol home and thumbed through the pages of her book, retelling her father's story. Mott-Tolleson for 30 years worked with her father, who tattooed people from all walks of life for 59 years, before retiring in 2007.

Buddy Mott passed away in 2014 at the age of 90.

Buddys daughter Carolyn Mott-Jacques also worked with her father, turning the tattoo shop into a family business and a treasure chest of stories.

Mott-Tolleson said her father served in both the United States Army and then as a Navy reserve, and often surprised people with his tattoos of both branches of the military.

Buddy Mott, a master of one-liners, said he later enlisted in the Navy because he did not like sleeping on the ground with the Army.

The drawing of a tattoo by Buddy Mott.

Its these one-liners that helped Buddy Mott endear himself to so many people, Mott-Tolleson said.

The first page of "Buddys Tattoo Shop: Keeping America Beautiful" features a conversation with a customer who said, Hi, Im nervous.

Buddy put that customer at ease with a simple line, Hi, Im Buddy, Mott-Tolleson recalled.

This upbeat spirit and Newports Naval presence of sailors looking to get tattoos helped Buddy Mott to become an institution, leading him to tattoo an estimated 3,000 people per year.

In Buddys own words, according to Mott-Tolleson, he saw more skin than a public toilet seat.

Buddy's Tattoo Shop on Marlborough Street in Newport.

Mott-Tolleson said her father always loved to draw. When he served during World War II, he wrote letters for fellow servicemen who could not read or write. Mott-Tolleson would also draw pictures along with these letters, a precursor to his career as a tattoo artist and dear friend to servicemen and women.

He loved people. He loved to draw. He got to sit down to work, said Mott-Tolleson, who claimed that was one reason why her father liked his work.

Buddy Mott always joked that barbers had to stand up all day while a tattoo artist got to sit down.

When Rhode Island was the only state around where tattoos were legal, the legend of Buddy Mott grew, keeping the family business busy.

Buddy Mott grew nervous at one point because the demographic of Newport began to change from a sailor port to a more diverse city, filled with affluent people, not known for their love of tattoos.

But Buddy Mott said the long-haired hippies kept the business afloat.

Buddy Motts business acumen also helped him stretch his work to nearly six decades.

He built his own printing press and he began engraving cigarette/cigar lighters, helping him to diversify his business. He was also a sign letterer and a painter.

With the help of his daughter, he even made his own needles.

Buddy Mott maintained a business and a marriage to the late B. Madonna Mott for 61 years.

Mott-Tolleson jokes that her mother, a teacher and a church organist, never walked into her fathers workplace.

This led to a successful marriage as Buddy Motts art was not always PG-13 quality.

Got ink: Told a tattoo parlor was no place for a lady, she's now opening her own shop in Middletown

In fact, Mott-Tolleson in her description says she would rate her book a PG-15 and a half in terms of its pictures and storytelling.

Still, the business led to some great stories for Buddy Mott and his two girls and a camaraderie among local tattoo artists who always have each others back, Mott-Tolleson said.

Mott-Tolleson plans to promote the book, which can be found on Amazon, at Newports Broadway Street Fair on Oct. 14 and she also plans on conducting a book signing at one of Bristols former factories.

Buddy Mott was born in Bristol and worked at one of the factories, which produced rubber and other items, before he enlisted in the military and became a tattoo artist.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Newport tattoo artist Buddy Mott remembered in new book by daughter
FILE - The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., is seen, Oct. 20, 2021. The school building where 14 students and three staff members were fatally shot in a 2018 massacre is set to be demolished next summer, officials announced Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. The demolition of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools 1200 building, which has remained closed and locked behind a fence since the shooting, is scheduled to take place immediately following the conclusion of the school year. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP)  The South Florida school building where 14 students and three staff members were fatally shot in a 2018 massacre will be demolished next summer, officials announced Thursday.

The demolition of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools 1200 building, which has remained closed and locked behind a fence since the Parkland shooting, is scheduled to take place immediately after the end of the school year, Broward County Public Schools said in a statement.

We understand the urgency of this matter, but it is essential to prioritize safety above all else, it said. In preparation for the demolition, crews will clean and clear the building, adhering to state and the Environmental Protection Agencys landfill disposal regulations.

Classes have long-since resumed at the Stoneman Douglas campus while the building with bullet-riddled and blood-splattered walls remained. Members of the community have been calling for its demolition for years, but prosecutors said they needed to preserve it as evidence for the murder trial of the shooter.

On Feb. 14, 2018, former student Nikolas Cruz went with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle to the campus, where he killed the 17 people and wounded 17 others. He pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced to life in prison last year.
By Stoyan Nenov

SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian police on Thursday scuffled with supporters of the ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane (Revival) party protesting against the policies of the pro-Western government, calling for the government to resign and for the closure of NATO military bases.

Hundreds of protesters opposing the EU member's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia gathered in front of the parliament building, waving Bulgarian and Russian national flags, blowing whistles and demanding an early election in the country which has gone through five polls in the past two years.

Many shouted "Resignation", while fully equipped riot police protected the government buildings, including the defence ministry at which some protesters threw eggs.

Bulgaria, which has sent arms to Ukraine, lifted its ban on Ukrainian grains last week.

"Bulgarians do not want to participate in the war between Russia and Ukraine, we want to be a neutral country," said Neli Tyulekova, 60, a businesswoman. She said that Bulgarians opposed sending arms to Ukraine, "which incites the war further".

Some protesters carried placards reading "American bases out! Bulgaria is a zone of peace", referring to the opening of a new military base in the NATO member.

"The last instruction that came from the masters of Bulgaria, from the U.S., is for Bulgaria to make a new military base," Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the Revival, told the crowd. "NATO Out!"

The protesters ended their walk in front of a monument to the Soviet army, and clashed with police trying to stop them from getting close to the monument that has been put under scaffolding for security reasons.

The government has decided to remove the monument.

Neli Balabanska, 51, an electric engineer, said she hoped the protests will force the government out.

Separately on Thursday, Bulgaria expelled one Russian and two Belarusian nationals and barred them from entering Bulgaria in the next five years by order of the State Agency for National Security (SANS), local media reported.

(Reporting by Stoyan Nenov; Writing by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Jan Harvey)
 Flash

Baima Chilin (1st L), president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, delivers a speech during a seminar on human rights in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese and European specialists and officials gathered in Rome for a seminar on human rights on Wednesday, focusing on China's path to modernization as well as on the diversity of human rights among different civilizations.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights, held both online and offline, was attended by more than 130 human rights experts, officials and representatives from political parties and social organizations.

In his opening address, Baima Chilin, president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, called on countries to promote positive progress in global human rights governance through solidarity and cooperation, and to promote the free and comprehensive development of all people in the process of modernization.

All countries should also join hands to find solutions to problems and challenges that exist in the field of global human rights, he added.

"At a time of tension in international relations, it is apparent that there are various efforts being made to weaponize the human rights debate," Neil Davidson, Labour member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, said.

The considerable diversity in the governance of human affairs suggests that the policy for one society is unlikely to apply to another society with different priorities, traditions, history and cultures, Davidson said, noting that "the purpose of discussion should be to learn from one another, to share experiences and to understand one another, not to promote division between peoples."

Building mutual respect is one step to reducing rising tensions in today's world, he said, adding that "discussion on human rights, with the objective of mutual understanding between countries, can only serve to improve relations."

Oliviero Diliberto, Italy's former justice minister, also dean of the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome, noted that Italy and China enjoy close relations as they recognize and respect differences between their civilizations and cultures, as well as seek common ground and a common goal of cooperation.

In his video message, Diliberto also praised the fruitful academic exchanges and cooperation in law between Italy and China in recent years, which functioned as a bridge between civilizations to foster dialogue.

Three parallel sessions were held during the seminar, with participants discussing such topics as the development of modern human rights philosophy, and the evolution of human rights civilizations in the digital age.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome.
It was a few minutes before the start of chapel service on a recent morning at one of the Sacramento regions most unconventional restaurants.

Ruben Ramirez, a 23-year-old man from the Gilroy area who used to be homeless due to OxyContin and fentanyl, was practicing worship songs on a piano he didnt know how to play a year ago.

So it goes at The Rustic Table. At first glance, this is an affordable, family-style eatery off Interstate 80 in Emigrant Gap. But the workers dont hide that theres a deeper story beyond brisket mac & cheese or half-pound burgers. This restaurant is also part of a faith-based recovery program, Sierra-Pacific Teen Challenge.

A turquoise-tinged painting of Jesus hangs next to a restroom. Workers at the restaurant  who can include everyone from men who have just arrived and are early in their recovery to full-time staff whove graduated  have been seen praying with customers at the bar, a holdover from the buildings days as a dive bar.

There is, of course, no alcohol on the menu now; a robust selection of Italian soda is offered instead.

Drug and alcohol recovery can sometimes mean one of two things: either having resources to pay for rehab; or taking whatever programs like Teen Challenge might be available. Programs like this are sometimes not without controversy. But at least for men like Ramirez, they seem to be making a difference.

Watching the transformation

At some point in the last year, Ramirez sat down at The Rustic Tables piano, which is in a corner of the restaurant near a door leading to the patio. He had a sheet telling him which chords were which.

I put a song next to it and then just learned one hand with the chord, Ramirez said. Then I started getting better at finger placement. And then later on, I asked someone how to do an octave and then pieced it together. Just sat there and then learned one song completely to where I could sing it.

It was just the latest change for Ramirez, a soft-spoken man with short-cropped hair and roughly two years, four months sober. He never sang before this, either, at least not anywhere beyond the shower, he joked.

Ruben Ramirez, 23, works in the coffee bar and helps serve customers earlier this month at The Rustic Table Restaurant in Emigrant Gap. Ramirez entered the drug-alcohol recovery program almost three years ago and decided to stay on after graduation.

Ramirez came into Teen Challenge at 20 years old, after struggling with drugs, a codependent relationship and homelessness. Even though his life had reached an extreme low, Ramirez still struggled to find initial willingness to stick with the program.

When men and women first come to Teen Challenge, they typically start by going to a special crisis facility to detox. After a period of time in crisis, they can be placed at locations like The Rustic Table, for a program that lasts a minimum of 13 months but can be however long a person needs.

While in the crisis phase at a Watsonville facility, Ramirez had to go to the hospital. Upon his release, Ramirez couldnt remember where the crisis facility was and the hospital instead dropped him at a random church. Ramirez called his father, who told him either hed return to the program or his family would drop him back at the park.

Were planning for your funeral, Ramirez remembered his father telling him. By this time next week, youre not going to be alive if you keep going on your addiction.

Ramirez chose to go back to the program. He has now graduated from it and is a staff intern at Sierra-Pacific Teen Challenge.

Jose Marin, a 41-year-old Teen Challenge alum who works full-time at the Emigrant Gap center provided figures to the Sacramento Bee showing that overall, the program currently has 11 students as well as four full-time staffers and two interns whod graduated and opted to stay on.

The Rustic Table, which dates to 2012 in Emigrant Gap, is in Sierra Woods Lodge, a hotel also part of Sierra-Pacific Teen Challenge. Program participants live in a dorm underneath the hotel and can work various tasks on-site. The men are trained in maintenance, grounds, housekeeping, lobby and restaurant work, per Marin.

Justin Nesper poses for a photo as students in the Sierra-Pacific Teen Challenge drug-alcohol recovery program cook in the kitchen around him earlier this month at The Rustic Table Restaurant in Emigrant Gap. Nesper finished the program and stayed on to become a chef at the restaurant.

The center also sometimes gets travelers from other Teen Challenge locations, such as Christian Tapia, a 40-year-old from Susanville who is recovering from methamphetamine use and has been at Teen Challenge for about 14 months. He was visiting the Emigrant Gap chapel service from a Monterey-area center.

Tapia said he decided to join Teen Challenge while he was in jail. Now, Tapia was preparing to do handywork at a Christian camp for the program.

If you look at his rap sheet  no one should give him a chance, Mike Borden, executive director for Teen Challenge Monterey Bay said of Tapia during the chapel service. But as people who have been forgiven, we should forgive others.

Tapia said he was excited about the opportunity at the camp. Its just something God has opened a door for me.

Granted, not every story is as smooth.

Hitting the road

The Rustic Table is, to put it mildly, remote.

The road the restaurant is located on is technically the remains of U.S. 40, one of the first highways in the country. Buses run infrequently to the tiny town of Emigrant Gap, which has about 80 residents, according to the census. Still, this doesnt stop program participants whove had enough of The Rustic Table from striking out on their own.

Customers at Rustic Table Restaurant in Emigrant Gap walk to the outside dining area earlier this month.

You go to their bunk areas and they leave everything, Marin said. They just get a little backpack. And they walk.

Marin recounted the story of one man now back in the program following a wild sojourn. After bolting one morning, the man walked down the road through Emigrant Gap, eventually getting lost and spending the night outdoors. This isnt the safest course of action, with bears regularly spotted on security cameras in Emigrant Gap, according to community Signal posts.

After a night in the wilderness, the man decided to trek back to The Rustic Table, following Interstate 80. Marin, who commutes from Foresthill, spotted the man walking east on the highway near Nyack, a couple miles from Emigrant Gap.

He was so stoked to see me, Marin said. He got in and he was thirsty and he was just ready  ready to come back.

Succeeding in a program like Teen Challenge can mean getting to a point of being willing to do whatever it takes to get through. It can also mean embracing or at least tolerating the condemnation of homosexuality. At chapel service, Borden quoted a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, that includes homosexuals among groups who will not inherit Gods kingdom.

God has called us to a higher standard and its not the standard of the world, Borden said.

Sticking with the program

Teen Challenge hasnt been without controversy at times, with Rachel Aviv questioning in a 2021 piece for The New Yorker if some of the programs practices hewed closer to abuse than discipline. It isnt hard to find online groups condemning Teen Challenge, similar to the criticism Alcoholics Anonymous sometimes attracts.

That said, Teen Challenge has its local supporters, such as Roseville City Councilman Scott Alvord, who is open about his faith as a Seventh Day Adventist. Alvord wasnt familiar with The Rustic Table but said hed attended a Teen Challenge event in Roseville in recent years.

I remember the stories and the people who have gone through the program, how society pretty much rejected them, Alvord said. And this was an opportunity for them to get clean and turn their life around and was their last hope for many of them.

He added, I think we need more opportunities to get people off of drugs, because thats an issue its just hard for the community to deal with.

These opportunities have gotten scarcer in the region in recent years, with Salvation Army closing its adult recovery center in Sacramento. I think most counties are going to say that they would benefit from additional treatment providers and additional capacity for residential placement, said Scott Genschmer, a program manager for Placer County.

Amy Ellis, the director of behavioral health for Placer County said that the county doesnt ever send people to Teen Challenge, since it doesnt contract with the program. But the county includes Teen Challenge on a list of resources people can access for addiction services.

I would describe it more like an alternative option for individuals who would prefer something different than what we have to offer, Ellis said.

Justin Nesper cooks brisket macaroni and cheese earlier this month at Rustic Table Restaurant in Emigrant Gap. Nesper finished the program and stayed on to become a chef at the restaurant.

One major point in Teen Challenges favor could be its success rates. Borden said that of the people who complete the program, after five years, around 80% to 90% remain productive members of society, active in their churches and clean and sober. Small relapses dont remove them from this number.

It doesnt mean that they actually led a perfect life along the way, but have the near-perfect life and (are) able to maintain it, Borden said.

Ramirez once hoped before getting clean to join a gang. He now sees himself being a long-term staff member for Teen Challenge and is also interested in one day going to school to become a youth minister. He holds fast to the programs statistics.

Its been proven that this place works, Ramirez said. Its not just the place, its the people.
Two adults have died after a charter bus carrying members of a high school band crashed on Interstate 84 in Orange County, New York.

Shortly before 1.30pm ET on Thursday, a bus carrying members of the Farmingdale High School band crashed down a steep embankment, with authorities saying a flat tire is likely the cause of the accident.

The group of 300 students from Long Island was travelling in a six-bus convoy from Nassau County to a band camp event in Pennsylvania, according to ABC 7 NY.

A bus that literally tumbled down a 50 foot ravine within minutes. Its extraordinary, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. While its preliminary, its likely that a faulty front tire contributed to the accident. Although, again, this is still under investigation. Thats a preliminary determination.

Hochul said that 5 to 6 students were critically injured.

Theres a lot of families that need some love tonight, and we extend that from 20 million New Yorkers, Hochul said. So lets keep them in our prayers this evening and as they recover from this horrific, traumatic experience.

What resulted was a major vehicle accident that killed one person, an adult, according to The Associated Press. Dozens of other people were injured, with initial reports indicating five young people were taken to local hospitals in critical condition.

Several groups of emergency responders could be seen tending to the accidents in helicopter videos.

It is unclear how many students or adults were aboard the bus that rolled over but initial reports indicate at least 46 people were injured, many of which were young people.

Footage showed first responders using ladders and ropes to reach the bus which was lying on its side in the embankment.

BREAKING: New York State Police confirm that one person has died in the Orange County, NY bus crash.@aaronkatersky reports after a bus carrying high school students crashed while en route to band camp in Pennsylvania, the school district said. pic.twitter.com/JGXc8GZXQd  ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) September 21, 2023

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the New York State Police said that the westbound road at Exit 15, near the town of Wawayanda, was closed for the accident investigation.

Orange County Emergency Management wrote on Facebook that I-84 is anticipated to be closed for several hours and asked drivers to plan an alternate route.

They added that they were setting up a family reunification centre at SUNY Orange County Community College.

New York senator Chuck Schumer said on X that he was monitoring the reports of this bus crash and added that he was praying for the students, passengers, families, and everyone involved.

What started out as an incredibly beautiful day in New York state, our students left Farmingdale High School on the way for a band trip... theyre friends, theyre companions, together, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. They had a weekend planned of fun and enjoying their musicianship, and unfortunately, the day ended in tragedy for so many.
WAWAYANDA, N.Y. -- Two adults are dead after a charter bus carrying high school band members from Long Island overturned on Interstate 84 in Orange County on Thursday near the town of Wawayanda, about two hours northwest of New York City.

The bus was one of six carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band and their chaperones. The band -- roughly 300 students in total -- were all headed to band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania -- a beloved tradition for the band. One of the six buses went through the wire barrier, down a 50-foot ravine and overturned.

It happened at around 1:12 p.m., just 40 minutes to their destination.

Authorities held a news conference on the crash Thursday evening. We brought that to you live on CBS News New York.

Related: Get the latest on the crashWatch: Authorities give update on crash

"A bus that literally tumbled down a 50-foot ravine within minutes. It's extraordinary," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "While it's preliminary, it's likely that a faulty front tire contributed to the accident. Although, again, this is still under investigation. That's a preliminary determination."

Hochul said two adults died and five to six students were critically injured. Many others were taken to area hospitals for evaluation.

"There's a lot of families that need some love tonight, and we extend that from 20 million New Yorkers," Hochul said. "So let's keep them in our prayers this evening and as they recover from this horrific, traumatic experience."

Read More: NTSB investigators headed to scene of Farmingdale High School bus crash that killed 2 adults, critically injured 5 students

"What started out as an incredibly beautiful day in New York state, our students left Farmingdale High School on the way for a band trip... they're friends, they're companions, together," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. "They had a weekend planned of fun and enjoying their musicianship, and unfortunately, the day ended in tragedy for so many."

"The vehicle operator, Regency Transportation of Nesconset, N.Y., has valid operating authority from the State Department of Transportation and a valid semi-annual inspection. The driver is properly licensed," New York state's Department of Transportation said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation Friday morning.

Injured being treated, other students head home

"There were 44 passengers on the bus - 40 students, and four adults," New York State Police Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone said. He identified the adults who died as 43-year-old Gina Pellettiere, from Massapequa, and 77-year-old Beatrice Ferarri, from Farmingdale.

Pellettiere has been identified as the school's marching band teacher.

Mazzone said victims were taken to six hospitals.

"I landed on my side. I had to, like, jump out the window," said 15-year-old Anthony Eugenio, who was on board the bus at the time of the crash. "As soon as I picked my head up, the kid next to me was covered in blood. I saw blood everywhere."

"The only advice I can give to anybody tonight is hug your children very tight. Life is very precious, and our kids started out today thinking they were going to have a wonderful weekend with their friends," Blakeman said.

New York State Police said Interstate 84 westbound was closed at Exit 15.

Family reunification was set up at SUNY Orange College. CBS New York's Shosh Bedrosian's spotted the buses that were not involved in the crash there. They have since departed, and were headed back to Farmingdale under police escort.

Bus was from Farmingdale High School, headed for band camp



Students from Farmingdale High School told CBS New York's Jennifer McLogan the bus involved in the crash was carrying ninth graders.

The students were expected to be at the band camp from Thursday to Sunday.

Related: Farmingdale High School students express shock, sorrow after learning of charter bus crash

Traffic Alert: Orange County 84 town of Wawayanda westbound road closed at exit 15 for accident investigation.  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) September 21, 2023

Numerous emergency responders were visible on the scene. Windows on one side of the bus had been smashed out, and a ladder was raised along the side of the bus near the broken windows.

Equipment was being brought in to recover the bus from the ravine, CBS New York photojournalist Don Collins reported. Collins described emergency responders at the scene as being in "recovery mode." He described at least 20 emergency vehicles at the scene.

"It's awful to hear about the children involved... my daughter's involved in band. She's really upset over it, because band kids, no matter what school they're in, all band kids have that camraderie," Middletown resident Laura Lafollette said.

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Channel 11 has received an update about a local firefighter who was hurt in a motorcycle crash while returning from a training exercise.

Johnathan Charles Faith, 31, a member of the West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department, is in critical but stable condition at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital after a crash on Route 138 in Clay Township on Tuesday night, the department chief told us.

Faith, a father of two young children, had just participated in a vehicle extrication training exercise with the department when his motorcycle and another vehicle were involved in the crash.

Five firefighters were still at the station and responded to the call.

Faith was flown by medical helicopter to Presby.

It is not believed the other driver was hurt.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced that his office is suing a national anti-abortion group and a chain of five Bay Area crisis pregnancy centers, alleging false advertising and unfair business practices.

The lawsuit targets the group Heartbeat International, as well as the RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics, which has locations in San Jose, Oakland, Redwood City and Union City.

In a news conference announcing the lawsuit, Bonta said that these organizations are falsely advertising that it is possible to safely and effectively reverse a medication abortion.

Medication abortions are typically achieved using a combination of two drugs  mifepristone and misoprostol  taken within 24 to 48 hours from one another in order to terminate a pregnancy.

Advocates for alleged medication abortion reversals argue that taking high dosages of the hormone progesterone within 72 hours of taking mifepristone will cancel the affects of the abortion drug.

Websites for both Heartbeat International and RealOptions advertise medication abortion reversal services.

This is an unproven and potentially risky protocol, Bonta said.

The attorney general said that there is no scientific basis for medication abortion reversals, and that the one credible study on the subject had to be halted after three out of 12 participants experienced severe bleeding and had to be rushed to the emergency room.

Their tactics are aimed at creating the false impression that abortion pill reversal is effective and safe during the 72-hour window and beyond, he said.

Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association have issued statements that medication abortion reversals are not supported by science.

The lawsuit, filed in Alameda Superior Court, seeks to block the organizations from any further advertising of that service.

All five RealOptions clinics are licensed as community clinics by the California Department of Public Health. None of the facilities have had any CDPH enforcement actions within the last three years, according to a review of the state licensing database.

The announcement is the latest step by the state of California to push back against abortion misinformation; earlier this year, California lawmakers considered a bill that would use the states false advertising law to prohibit crisis pregnancy centers from advertising that they provide, or are capable of providing, abortion-related services. That bill failed to advance.

Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Heartbeat International said that the organization had not yet been served the lawsuit by the attorney general.

Through our Abortion Pill Rescue Network hotline, we know that some women almost immediately regret their chemical abortion choice. These women deserve the right to try and save their pregnancies. No woman should ever be forced to complete an abortion she no longer wants, the organization said.

A 2020 study by UC San Francisco found that more than 95% of patients who received an abortion said that it was the right decision for them.

RealOptions did not immediately respond to The Sacramento Bees request for comment.
HORNBROOK, Calif.  This time next year, a series of massive dams that block off the Klamath River will no longer exist. The soil and rocks originally dug and transported from a nearby mountain in the 1950s will be returned to their home and the river will run freely again.

The Iron Gate Dam, which opened in 1964 as the last of four dams that, at nearly 200 feet tall each, regulated the flow of the river and time releases for the local water supply in Northern California, is now part of the worlds largest dam removal and river restoration project. Iron Gate is scheduled to be the final stop for decommissioning crews.

One of the dams, Copco2, was removed earlier this year in just a handful of months. It was a relatively quick undertaking, considering the construction of the Iron Gate Dam took nearly a decade.

Mark Bransom, the CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, said the river will be able to flow freely once the dams infrastructure is removed. He also said they have plans to help nature take back the area.

As soon as the reservoir is drained, well get out on the footprint there and begin some initial restoration activity, Bransom said. We want to stabilize the remaining sediments using native vegetation.

NBC News correspondent Maura Barrett speaks with Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, overlooking the Iron Gate Dam. (NBC News)

In the age of extreme heat, record-setting drought and catastrophic flooding linked to climate change, theres been a national push to rewild, a movement rooted in restoring nature to the state it was before human intervention, hoping this helps mitigate the effects of climate change.

A big part of that effort is centered around dams, many of which were originally constructed when infrastructural development took priority over environmental protection.

One of the fastest ways to heal a river is to remove a dam, Ann Willis, the California regional director for American Rivers, a nonprofit focused on protecting clean water, said. The good news is, when you have the opportunity to unjam a river, the river can start to restore itself almost from the moment that the water starts flowing again.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the governing body responsible for maintaining the National Inventory of Dams, has flagged 76% of existing U.S. dams as having high hazard potential, a FEMA designation for any dam whose failure or mis-operation will cause loss of human life and significant property destruction. In the case of the Iron Gate Dam, Willis pointed out the green growth floating on the stagnant reservoirs surface: toxic algae in what is supposed to be a water supply source. And because of aged-out infrastructure, some dams can put people in danger of catastrophic flooding, as more extreme climate events become more common.

Advocates, largely driven by tribal activists along the Klamath River, have been pushing for these dams to be decommissioned for more than 20 years and have pointed out the potential determinants from the start  notably, the near extinction of the salmon in the river has forced an elimination of the Karuk, Yurok and Hoopa tribes sacred practice of salmon ceremonies.

Tribal input wasnt sought, said Barry McCovey Jr., the director of the Yurok Tribe Fisheries Department. If we had input, we would have said, No, this isnt a good idea, you cant cut a river in half with the dam. You cant stop fish from migrating. Its going to throw the ecosystem out of balance. Youre going to see a cascade of effects thats going to last for generations.

McCovey expressed excitement now that the removal has finally begun, calling it the biggest single restorative action that we can take to start to bring balance back to the ecosystem. He warned that it could take considerable time to see the impacts.

But thats OK. Were in this for the long run, he said.

The massive project does come with a cost for local communities: $500 million paid for by taxpayers and those who contract with PacifiCorps, the local electric power company. Some homeowners expressed concern about decreased property values, now that their homes will no longer be on the waterfront. The Siskiyou County Water Users Association, which has been fighting the project for about a decade, filed a federal lawsuit to no avail.

The Renewal Corporation, environmentalists and the tribes argue that the cost is worth to restore nature to its roots and they point to the success of the Elwha Dam Removal project on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state in 2011. That project restored the rivers natural flow, which enabled salmon to return almost immediately, and rebuilt a beach and lagoon that had been deprived of sediment for decades.

Advocates across the country hope to add the Klamath River as another success as they look ahead to even larger projects  like the current $33.5 billion federal proposal to breach four dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Sales associate Elsworth Andrews arranges guns on display at Burbank Ammo & Guns in Burbank in 2022. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

A California law that bars people who are under restraining orders from possessing firearms survived a federal court challenge on procedural grounds Thursday, marking a win for gun control advocates.

A split panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2 to 1 that Huntington Beach couple Miranda and Richard Wallingford's challenge to California's law was moot  or no longer legally viable  because the restraining order at the heart of their case had lapsed and they are no longer barred from possessing guns.

The decision leaves California's law intact at a time when other state weapons laws are being dismantled  including by the 9th Circuit  in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that upended 2nd Amendment jurisprudence nationwide.

Read more: War on California gun laws revs up after Supreme Court's 'right to carry' decision

Alexander Frank, an attorney for the Wallingfords, said he and his clients were disheartened that the court had avoided the couple's underlying claim that their "fundamental liberties" under the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms were being violated by the state.

"Obviously we're disappointed that the 9th Circuit decided to punt it on mootness," Frank said. "It's a rights issue that goes beyond the parties in the case."

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office, which had been defending the state in the case, said in a statement that it was pleased with the decision.

"California's gun safety laws save lives and protect our communities," it said. "We remain committed to defending these constitutional laws on behalf of the people of California."

The Wallingfords have had a tense relationship with their neighbor Jessica Nguyen for years, and the neighbors have filed dueling harassment allegations in Orange County courts. Restraining orders were issued against both parties in 2019, and the Wallingfords had to give up their firearms as a result  prompting their lawsuit.

The Wallingfords had argued that the state law was unconstitutional because it stripped them of their 2nd Amendment rights without any requirement that they be shown to be a danger. They didn't argue that no one under a restraining order should have to give up weapons, but that the state law sets too low a bar for such restrictions.

During arguments in the 9th Circuit case last year, Frank argued that the couple's position was made stronger by the Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. vs. Bruen. In that decision, the high court ruled that restrictions on firearms are unconstitutional unless they are deeply rooted in early American history or sufficiently analogous to some historical rule.

The 9th Circuit and other courts in the country have struck down a number of weapons laws since the Bruen decision. Several cases challenging major California gun laws  such as the state's bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines  are pending.

But Thursday's decision, which divided the panel's two conservative judges, didn't touch on Bruen at all.

In the court's majority opinion, Circuit Judge Mark J. Bennett  a Trump appointee  wrote that the court did not "discount the harm the Wallingfords appear to have suffered."

Read more: 9th Circuit overturns butterfly knife ban, citing Supreme Court 'history' standard on guns

However, there are strict legal requirements that must be met for a legal case to proceed even after an alleged harm has stopped occurring, Bennett wrote, and the Wallingfords had not shown that their case met those requirements.

Bennett was joined by Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, a U.S. District Court judge and Obama appointee who had been specially assigned to the case.

Circuit Judge Daniel P. Collins, another Trump appointee, dissented, saying the Wallingfords' case should have been allowed to proceed because Nguyen has filed for multiple restraining orders against the couple, and it is plausible for the couple to believe she will do so again.

Collins also seemed to question the constitutionality of California's law, writing that it was reasonable to conclude from the record that state courts issue restraining orders that strip people's gun rights "without findings that would be sufficient to support an automatic deprivation of Second Amendment rights."

Frank said he and his clients are determining whether to appeal the decision.

Read more: Biden has bolstered 9th Circuit's liberal flank, but has yet to match Trump's impact

Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor who focuses on 2nd Amendment law, said the ruling shines little light on the 9th Circuit's posture on gun cases, given that it was decided solely on procedural grounds.

But the outcome may well have been different if the court had taken up the 2nd Amendment claims directly, he said, given that the traditionally liberal 9th Circuit has "been turning increasingly anti-gun-control" since President Trump appointed 10 judges to the court  which has 29 full-time members  and the Bruen decision landed.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
If theres one thing California and Florida have in common, its that they have some of the deadliest cities for pedestrians.

In a new study by MoneyGeek, a financial service, more than 200 cities in the U.S. were ranked based on how dangerous they are. According to the service, it used 2018 to 2021 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Fatality Analysis Reporting System and calculated the average annual pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents.

It also looked at the four-year difference in fatalities, total deaths since 2018 and average annual deaths.

Crossing the street is getting more deadly in America; over four years, the U.S. saw a 15.9% average increase in pedestrian fatalities, according to the study. Nearly a third of all traffic accidents prove fatal for pedestrians.

The findings showed that eight of the top 20 deadliest cities are in Florida and California with Fort Lauderdale topping the list. The Florida city has an 8.1 average annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.

In California, 10 cities ranked in the top 50 for deadliest cities, including four Central Valley cities  Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento and Stockton.

Victorville lands the most fatal city in the state at No. 7 with a 6.6 average annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents. Its followed by San Bernardino at No. 11 and El Cajon at No. 13.

Heres how California cities ranked:

7 - Victorville

11 - San Bernardino

13 - El Cajon

27 - Fresno

32 - Modesto

37 - Pomona

40 - Rialto

41 - Sacramento

44 - Lancaster

49 - Stockton

Which cities are the most dangerous for pedestrians?

According to the study, these are the top 10 most dangerous cities:

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Jackson, Miss. Macon, Ga. Memphis, Tenn. Albuquerque, N.M. Little Rock, Ark. Victorville Pompano Beach, Fla. North Charleston, S.C. Baton Rouge, La.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that a lawsuit has been filed against Heartbeat International, a national anti-abortion group, and RealOptions Obria, a chain of five crisis pregnancy centers in Northern California, for promoting an experimental procedure called abortion pill reversal.

The lawsuit alleges that the two organizations used fraudulent and misleading claims to advertise the procedure as being a safe and effective way to reverse a medication abortion, when in reality, thats not the case.

With the lawsuit, Bonta seeks to block the two organizations from falsely advertising APR as a safe and effective procedure, a news release said.

California stockpiles abortion drug misoprostol in wake of Texas court ruling

The complaint also alleges that the two organizations violated Californias False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law by sharing the alleged misinformation.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block further dissemination of the claims by the defendants, as well as other remedies and penalties available under state law, according to Bontas office.

Those who are struggling with the complex decision to get an abortion deserve support and trustworthy guidance  not lies and misinformation, Attorney General Bonta said in a statement.

And let me be clear: the evidence shows that the vast majority of people do not regret their decision to have an abortion  more than 95% of patients who undergo an abortion later say they made the right decision.

Heartbeat International responded to the lawsuit in a statement to KTLA.

The complete statement is as follows:

Heartbeat International learned through interview requests that the California Attorney General is suing to block us from advertising Abortion Pill Reversal as safe and effective. We have not been served at this point, a company spokesperson said.

Through our Abortion Pill Rescue Network hotline, we know that some women almost immediately regret their chemical abortion choice. These women deserve the right to try and save their pregnancies. No woman should ever be forced to complete an abortion she no longer wants.

All major studies show that using progesterone to counteract a chemical abortion (Abortion Pill Reversal) can be effective since its the very same hormone a womans body produces to sustain her pregnancy.

One study even shows an effective rate of 80 percent. Progesterone has been safely used with pregnant women and their babies since the 1950s. To date, statistics show more than 4,500 women have had successful abortion pill reversals, and that number grows higher each day.

Ahead of Supreme Court mifepristone decision, L.A. County reiterates support for medication abortions

RealOptions Obria didnt respond to KTLAs request for comment in time for publication.

In light of the lawsuit, Bonta encourages Californians to visit the California Department of Justice website to learn more about obtaining reproductive health care and their rights.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
FILE PHOTO: A container holding boxes of Mifepristone, the first medication in a medical abortion, are prepared for patients at Alamo Women's Clinic in Carbondale

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - California on Thursday sued two anti-abortion organizations for telling patients that they can help reverse the effects of the abortion pill mifepristone, a potentially dangerous claim not supported by evidence.

In a complaint filed in Alameda County Superior Court, California Attorney General Rob Bonta , a Democrat, accused Heartbeat International (HBI) and RealOptions Obria of violating a state law against fraudulent business practices.

"Those who are struggling with the complex decision to get an abortion deserve support and trustworthy guidance - not lies and misinformation," Bonta said in a statement.

His lawsuit seeks a court order blocking the defendants from advertising abortion pill reversal, though it does not seek to stop the practice itself.

HBI said in a statement that it had not yet been served with the lawsuit. It said women who regret taking mifepristone "deserve the right to try and save their pregnancies."

RealOptions did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

RealOptions operates five crisis pregnancy centers in California, and provides abortion pill reversal, according to the complaint. Such centers offer help to pregnant women with the goal of preventing them from having abortions.

HBI is an international anti-abortion group affiliated with more than 2,000 crisis pregnancy centers around the country. Through its website, it offers to connect women to providers who will perform abortion pill reversal.

Mifepristone is taken as the first step in medication abortion, followed by a second drug, misoprostol. Proponents of medication abortion reversal say mifepristone's effects can be blocked by a high dose of the hormone progesterone.

The only clinical trial of the process was halted early after three of 12 patients experienced severe bleeding requiring them to go to the hospital.

Colorado earlier this year banned the treatment. Kansas passed a law requiring healthcare providers to tell patients that medication abortion can be reversed, which Planned Parenthood is challenging.

A Texas judge in April suspended federal approval for mifepristone in response to a lawsuit by anti-abortion activists. His order is on hold while President Joe Biden's administration appeals it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
 Flash

Wang Yi (L), 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 (C), 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 in Moscow on Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

China, Russia, and Mongolia held a meeting of high representatives for security issues in Moscow 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.
The UKs flat-rate unemployment support is worth just 14% of average earnings, down from 24% in 1980, a new report has highlighted. Photo: Getty.

A new unemployment insurance scheme could soon help British workers transition into a new job without the fear of it not working out and being left without an income, according to new research carried out by Resolution Foundation.

From safety net to springboard  the 44th report from The Economy 2030 Inquiry, funded by the Nuffield Foundation  has highlighted how lower rates of job-to-job moves in Britain result in missed pay and career opportunities for workers, and also wider economic stagnation.

The report further highlights how job mobility has been falling despite pay growth for those who move jobs being 4.1 percentage points higher compared to those who remain with their employer.

"Low job mobility, and the fact that those out of work often need to find a new role very swiftly, also impedes better job matching, whereby workers are able to find the right jobs for the skills they have.

"This is partly why one-in-three graduates are working in non-graduate roles, and why firms looking to expand get frustrated because they cant find the right workers. All of this contributes to weaker productivity growth," the report authors said.

Meanwhile, contributing to weak job mobility is workers legitimate fear of major income losses if job moves dont work out and they find themselves unemployed. The report found that the reality of those income losses means that unemployed workers have a strong incentive to take the first job, rather than the best one.

It was also highlighted that the UKs flat-rate unemployment support is worth just 14% of average earnings, down from 24% in 1980. It was also noted that if a single person without children loses their job, they face the fourth biggest income loss of any advanced economy in the OECD (only ahead of just the US, Greece and Australia).

While some argue that low levels of support have helped to keep unemployment down, the authors note that other advanced economies like Denmark are able to combine dynamic labour markets with greater security via decent unemployment protection.

How would the unemployment insurance scheme work?

To address this problem, the report calls for the introduction of a new unemployment insurance scheme, whereby workers who lose their jobs receive time-limited unemployment support linked to their previous salary (at 65%, and up to a cap set at median earnings of 2,260 a month).

"This means that the current weekly entitlement would rise from 84.80 at present to a maximum of 339," the report authors said.

It was noted that such a scheme would give people the confidence to move to a better job, or to wait for one if unemployed.

The authors added that the duration of support could be flexed  for example, extending it to six months during economic downturns to act as a macroeconomic stabiliser.

They said it would benefit workers across the income distribution.

The Foundations analysis found that the new scheme would cost 0.4 billion in todays labour market, given the low number of unemployed people who had previously been employed for 12 months and said costs would rise during downturns.

Louise Murphy, economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: A new unemployment insurance scheme would help workers find better jobs by giving them the certainty of decent financial support if a job move doesnt work out, and ensuring those losing their job can take the time to find the right next move. At a cost of 450 million, this new scheme would foster a more dynamic labour market delivering higher pay and productivity.

Watch: How Gen Z is 'radically different' from past generations

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It was nearly 80 years from Congress creation to the first impeachment of a president, Andrew Johnson in 1868, and 130 years more until the second, Bill Clinton in 1998, both of them Democrats impeached by Republican House majorities. That total  two impeachments in more than two centuries  doubled in just over a year with the 2019 and 2021 impeachments of Donald Trump by a Democratic-controlled House.

And now, only three years later, we have House Republicans hellbent on impeaching President Biden.

Yet to conclude that weve entered into a sorry new era of tit-for-tat impeachments  as some scholars and other observers have suggested since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy ordered up an impeachment inquiry last week  amounts to simplistic bothsides-ism. Its wrong.

By such reasoning, Democrats and Republicans alike are engaged in a vengeful, self-perpetuating cycle of seeking to oust a president of the opposite party, even when it's clear the Senate won't vote for conviction. No, what we have here is one party, a radicalized Republican Party, playing tit for tat and thereby normalizing the Constitutions most extreme check on the presidency.

Read more: House Republicans set first Biden impeachment inquiry hearing for Sept. 28

And it takes its marching orders from the former president, who has gone so far as to make "retribution" a literal campaign promise. Either IMPEACH the BUM, or fade into OBLIVION, Trump harangued House Republicans last month in an anti-Biden post on his social media site. THEY DID IT TO US!

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, no fan of Trump or of the House Republicans' extremism, nonetheless recently tried to justify their rogue behavior with a bit of I-told-you-so schadenfreude: I said two years ago, when we had not one but two [Trump] impeachments, that once we go down this path it incentivizes the other side to do the same thing. He scolded: This is not good for the country.

Indeed, its not. But the Biden impeachment inquiry is not the same thing at all as the House actions in 2019 and 2021.

Both of Trumps impeachments were well-deserved, based on hard evidence of abuses of presidential power that fit well within the Constitutions definition of impeachable offenses: Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Read more: Calmes: Hunter Biden's problems are legitimately his dad's problems too

Its hard to believe that the founders wouldnt agree that their criteria encompassed a commander in chief who withheld military aid from an ally fearing invasion by a shared enemy  aid hed signed into law after Congress approved it  to pressure the ally to investigate the presidents political rival: "I would like you to do us a favor. And its all but certain that the founders would approve of sanctioning a president for "incitement of insurrection" to overturn a demonstrably fair election and remain in power.

Contrast those justifiable instances of Trumps comeuppance with McCarthy and Co. opening an inquiry into Bidens  what? They cant tell you: The grounds for impeaching Biden are yet to be filled in. Thats what an inquiry is for, McCarthy says.

Yet the hapless Javerts in the House have been investigating Biden and his troubled son Hunter, seeking ever-elusive evidence that the president was enriched by his sons influence-peddling, since even before the Republicans took control of the chamber in January. McCarthys announcement of an inquiry changed nothing about that long-running investigation. It merely allowed the speaker to say the word impeachment in hopes of appeasing the bloodthirsty MAGA minions.

Read more: Column: I traveled to Kevin McCarthy's congressional district. Here's what voters say about impeaching Biden

The move appeased no one. Meanwhile, more sane House Republicans kvetched that the so-far-baseless crusade was interfering with the real business of Congress  like funding the government and avoiding a shutdown on Oct. 1. (At least the impeach-Biden obsession has distracted Republicans from their talk of impeaching others in his Cabinet, though Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene assured reporters recently, You can fire more than one person at a time.)

Lets say the House Republicans eventually do unite in impeaching Biden. Even then, the Democrats record of recent decades offers no sign that they would seek revenge through impeachment when they next find themselves in power opposite a Republican president. To be sure, they might act on actual evidence again if Trump is reelected. He has virtually promised to abuse power in a second term.

Democrats are not political patsies, but even many Republicans will tell you that their foes have a responsibility gene when it comes to government: Democrats tend to want it to work reasonably well; impeachments and shutdowns upset the regular order. It is Republicans, increasingly over the last quarter-century, whove become the chaos agents.

Read more: Calmes: Watch while Kevin McCarthy puts on 'impeachment theater' and the government teeters

Then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi long resisted calls on her left to impeach Trump as he broke norms and bent laws one after another as president. Hes just not worth it, she said  until his blatant Ukraine shakedown and election conniving left her no choice. Similarly, when she and Democrats took power after 2006, she declared that impeaching President George W. Bush over the Iraq war was off the table  this despite Democrats lingering bitterness about Republicans' impeachment of Clinton over his cover-up of an affair.

Kevin McCarthy has none of his predecessors principles or leadership skills. In opening the investigation of the president, under pressure from Trump to weaken Biden for the 2024 election, he is doing exactly what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had the courage to refuse to do in 2019.

Pelosi, now a backbencher by choice, is just taking it all in, without pleasure. For them to use [impeachment] in the frivolous way that they are is really a disservice to the country, she said on MSNBCs The Sunday Show, adding, This is almost silly, except that it's so serious.

Yes, it is serious. Only the Republicans are not. They alone are treating impeachment as if it were just another hammer in the political toolbox, cheapening its power now and for the foreseeable future.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Cameron on abortion

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is so indignant in his current ad shaming Gov. Andy Beshear. But Cameron is just proving that he himself knows no shame and has questionable ethics. His new stance on abortion is meaningless. He hasnt said that he supports, agrees with or will work for exceptions. He merely says hell rubber-stamp what the GOP legislature passes.

He knows that the majority of those legislators are, like him, not pro-life, but merely pro-birth, so he is unlikely to need to sign any changes. He appears to want women to wait until theyre at deaths door for help.

If he was ethical, he would speak out against the PACs running ads against Beshear that use a speck of truth they twist into an ocean of lies. Those ads are despicable. Beshears pandemic choices were to save lives.

The GOP leadership promotes a culture of death: no or sub-par health care; no living wage; no food security; no housing. And yet, we keep voting them into office. Just look at Camerons friend, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who thinks Christmas is about gun ownership. Yep  a culture of death.

Glenna Brouse, Lexington

What legislation?

Ky. Attorney General Daniel Cameron has said he would sign legislation to allow abortions in the case of rape or incest if it reached his desk. He pointedly did not commit to advocating for this legislation, but it really doesnt matter. He knows there is a far greater chance of a July snowstorm in Las Vegas than Kentuckys legislators ever presenting him with such a bill. Its easy to make promises that you know youll never actually have to keep.

Jay Hopkins, Frankfort

A bridge in Brooklyn

If anyone thinks Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron will sign any bill that allows for abortions caused by rape or incest, well, Ive got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale cheap.

Cameron and his band of merry Frankfort troubadours appear to want to declare that they have legal title to every womans reproductive system and can do whatever they want. Expect that Cameron, if elected governor, will try to ram through some of the more obscene restrictive measures that Republicans are proposing in other states: banning all birth control sales; paying a bounty to rat on any Kentuckian who has an abortion; arresting anyone for murder who has had an abortion; arresting anyone who helps a Kentuckian secure an abortion; arresting anyone who uses a Kentucky state highway to travel out of state for an abortion; publishing abortion recipients addresses, and God knows what else.

If you vote for Cameron, you are saying its okay to abuse a womans basic right to privacy and freedom. Cameron and friends are coming after you. Make no mistake of that. Dont be deceived.

Gene Lackhart, Lexington

Thiessen tirade

The odious Marc Thiessen strikes again. It would take too much ink to refute his recent confusing and unfocused tirade (Impeachment inquiry was clearly inevitable) point by point. In this rambling piece, he fails to elaborate on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 riot and he equally dismisses former President Donald Trumps attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (Yes, Trump won in 2016, but he LOST in 2020.)

In a nutshell, Thiessen has spent much of his career villainizing Democrats and espousing radical right-wing dogma. Anyone who believes Trump did nothing wrong is delusional. It is clear from the Jan. 6 Commissions report that Trump is a dangerous traitor, and an enemy of democracy. The proof is all on audio and video.

Michael Worley, Lexington

Investigate Comer

We should be investigating U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.). It appears he is working for Russian President Vladimir Putin by attempting to fabricate scandal where there is none. Its an attack from within and is no service to the U.S. or Kentucky. Its political drama, posturing, and staging. If innuendo is his standard for evidence that demands investigation, there is plenty of that to go around.

We need to look at the Dark Money sponsors and where they are getting their money from. Its seems apparent that there are some borders not defended when it comes to billionaires buying their citizenship, and then later buying Congress members, through Dark Money contributions. That in of itself is suspect.

If we are going to question motives and behaviors, we dont need to look very much further than U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Comer. All of them have rendered comfort to the insurrectionists, as well as aided and abetted the sedition of Jan. 6. They should be subjected to the 14th Amendment; Section 3 and removed from Congress.

Theres a lot more meat and all sorts of dressing on the burger of sedition and treason on Comers part, and only poison air for a nothing burger they are trying to suffocate democracy with.

Robert Moreland, Lexington

Self-assessing politicians

On a recent CBS News broadcast, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) was asked whether Congressmembers in the 75-plus age group should be subjected to some kind of testing to see if they have the mental capability to serve in Congress. She responded that she thought public officials in that age group should self-assess in an honest way about their mental capacities to serve. I was tempted to think, like the old joke, must be a freshman, a sophomore would know better.

Self-assess? Honestly? Were talking about politicians here. You know what U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would respond if you asked him that question? Given that he could respond. Period.

Ralph Derickson, Lexington, Kentucky

Political expiration age

An often-repeated complaint is the age of our elected politicians. The voters want younger law makers with fresh new ideas. The introduction of term limits and restrictions on election spending would be an excellent start. The young and those who are very capable are unable to seek office due to the outrageous expense of campaigning. Corporate donors, organizations like the NRA, political action committees, and Dark Money have changed the ideal of public service. It is an unspoken quid pro quo. In exchange for monetary contributions, law makers will be cooperative. It is doubtful that these changes will come about because those who make the laws would not benefit - much like the fox guarding the hen house.

Cheryl Keenan, Lexington

Urban Service Area

With the ongoing discussions regarding the expansion of the Urban Service Area, I think it is important to remember that our community still has a need to encourage infill and redevelopment. Increasing density and developing long underutilized property plays a vital role in smart growth of our community.

The problem often is that there is a reason the property has been overlooked or the surrounding neighbors might have concerns about new development in their area. When done right, there is a way to create a win-win for the property owner and the neighborhood. For example, back in 2018, we worked with the South Hill Neighborhood to compromise on new housing that replaced a dilapidated government building at on High Street. The project was unanimously approved and supported by the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it still hasnt been built as the Blue Grass Trust continues to fight the neighborhood in an effort to get rid of a building the neighborhood considers to be a continuing eyesore for downtown.

Infill and redevelopment can be hard and quite costly. But we must come together as a community in order to make it a reality. I believe Lexington can and will.

Woodford Webb, Lexington

Dress code

I have long that American civilization was in decline. The senate dress code changes confirm my fears.

Ted Oldham, Georgetown

Reality denials

In recent months we seen devastating loss of life and property on Maui, massive Canadian wildfires, continuing triple digit temperatures, California wildfires, tornadoes in Michigan, storms never before seen in southern California, hot ocean waters, worldwide flooding disasters, monster hurricanes and storm surges over Florida. Yet, right-wingers still deny climate change!

These same folks swallow whatever comes from MAGA world, no matter that January 6 really did happen, that classified documents were illegally taken to Mar-a-Lago, that false elector slates really were formed with intent to overturn the 2020 election. Denials of confirmed fact go on and on.

Its equally regrettable that many just dont care. The vast majority of folks remain good and well-meaning, but germs of discontent, grievance, bigotry and gullibility have erupted, driven by lies, vile slander and cockamamie conspiracy theories. Truth becomes whatever one wishes, sacred vows become hollow mutterings, dedicated teachers and public servants are labeled sinister agents and craven legislators remain silent as death threats serve political ends.

In the first GOP debate, a number of candidates offered hope for a responsible Republican administration, yet polls strongly favor those candidates most dangerous to democracy.

What in heavens name has happened to us?

Ernest Henninger

Keillor performance

Recently, at the Lyric Theater, I listened to a monologue from a person you might have heard about  Garrison Keillor . For many years, he hosted A Prairie Home Companion on National Public Radio (NPR). Keillor was, and still is, very much in love with this country. His show is a comfort for many of his loyal listeners.

For some of us, the man is an institution. When I think of Minnesota, or the Midwest, I think of Keillor. They all go together for me - a member of a certain generation and with maternal roots in the upper mid-west.

Unfortunately, I have never met any of my maternal kin in from that area. This remains a sad gap, like an absence of a sense of place and belonging. Keillor helps to fill that void with tales from Lake Wobegon and the quirky, all too human characters he tells us about.

Keillor seems now conscious of his mortality. Now 81, he accepts his future, whereas I fight it. Listening to his expressions of care for his fellow Americans permits me to take my mind off stuff like current politics. Thank you, Mr. Keillor. You are valued. You are remembered.

Paul Winther, Lexington

Compiled by Liz Carey
Mourners carry the casket of Sikh community leader and temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar during Antim Darshan, the first part of a daylong funeral service for him, in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 25, 2023. Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat on Monday, Sept. 18, as it investigates what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called credible allegations that Indias government may have had links to the Sikh activists assassination. | Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press via Associated Press

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada are strained over the assassination of a prominent Sikh political activist.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday claimed during remarks in Parliament that authorities are investigating credible allegations that agents of the government of India were responsible for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Canadian citizen.

Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty, he said.

Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India, with more than 770,000 Sikh Canadians.

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, Trudeau said. Canadian authorities have not made this evidence public.

Related

India rejects Canadas accusations

Trudeau said he raised the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in New Delhi. A few days following the summit, Canada postponed an October trade mission to India.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs rejected Trudeaus accusations and called them absurd and motivated in a statement. The ministry added that Canada has been providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists who threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Nijjar was shot in a parking lot of a gurdwara, a Sikh temple, in British Columbia back in June. He was a leader in the Sikh separatist movement, which calls for establishing Khalistan, an independent state out of a part of India.

In 2016, Nijjar dismissed reports from the Indian media about his involvement in a terrorist group, saying that his record is clean and that he owns a plumbing business, according to The Associated Press.

Related

India, Canada issue travel advisories

Both India and Canada have issued travel advisories this week.

The Indian government urged travelers to exercise utmost caution amid growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada.

The notice, uploaded by a spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry, also advised Indian students in Canada to be cautious. Nearly 320,000 Indian students are enrolled in Canadian colleges and universities.

Aljazeera reported that Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc responded to Indias travel advisory.

Canada is a safe country, he said, while the country updated its travel information about India, which now warns travelers to exercise a high degree of caution because of the threat of terrorist attacks.

Related

India, Canada expel diplomats

Canada expelled an Indian diplomat Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of a research and analysis ring at RAW, Indias foreign intelligence agency. India followed suit and asked a Canadian diplomat to leave.

Trudeau has raised the issue with President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the allegations from Trudeau were deeply concerning.

We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canadas investigation proceed, and the perpetrators be brought to justice, Watson said.

Modi has demanded that Canada control the Sikh emerging separatist movement, which was banned in India after an insurgency broke out in the 1970s and 1980s.

Related

Will Canada earn support from its allies?

According to The New York Times, multiple countries, that are a part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, including U.S., Britain and Australia, provided evidence against India.

But these countries havent made any statements to support Canadas allegations and denounce the killing.

India is important in Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not, Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawas Carleton University, told Reuters. This is especially true as Modi and Biden work to strengthen diplomatic ties between their two countries, having announced a series of investments during Bidens visit to India in early September.

This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries, Carvin said.

Related
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Thursday to do much more to create political unity and consensus in Haiti, where escalating gang violence and kidnappings are now at the center of an ongoing debate at the United Nations around international intervention.

Trudeau and Henry met in New York Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where Haitis instability, fueled by its escalating gang crisis, has been mentioned by President Joe Biden, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader.

Haiti is the ultimate test of international solidarity and collective action, Kenya President William Ruto said during his general debate on Thursday. The international community has failed this test so far and thus let down a people, very, very badly. Haiti deserves better from the world.

Ruto, who is considering deploying 1,000 police officers to Haiti as part of a multinational support mission, called on the international community to show up for Haiti in the same way they have for Ukraine, and for countries suffering shock from climate change.

The cry of our brothers and sisters who were the first people to win their struggle for freedom from colonial tyranny has reached our ears, and touched our hearts, he said. Inaction is no longer an option.

On Thursday, Trudeau hosted a high-level discussion on Haiti as his government announced a new round of sanctions targeting three high-profile, powerful members of the impoverished Caribbean nations economic elite. In a press statement, Ottawas foreign ministry said the sanctions were being imposed in response to acts of corruption that are fueling Haitis crises.

The three are banker Carl Braun and businessmen Jean Marie Vorbe and Marc Antoine Acra. All three have been deeply involved in Haitis politics over the years, developing close ties to various presidential administrations.

Trudeau touted the new sanctions, which could have far-reaching ramifications for Haitis fragile financial system. Braun is the founder of Haitis largest bank, Unibank, and its former board chairman. Canadas economic sanctions not only means he will be barred from visiting Canada, but it also limits financial transactions. In the past Haitis banking sector has responded to U.S. and Canadian sanctions by closing accounts and blocking anyone who has been blacklisted from doing business through the system.

While Washington has only imposed a handful of sanctions due to the high burden of proof required by the Treasury Department, Canada has issued more than two dozen, which Trudeau spotlighted after being asked during a press conference whether his government will contribute to the non-U.N. multinational force that Kenya is considering leading into Haiti and members of the U.N. Security Council are expected to vote on soon.

The Biden administration, which is supporting Haitis call for the deployment of a specialized armed force to help its Haiti National Police, had hoped that Canada would have led the intervention. But after various meetings and a fact-finding mission to Haiti, Trudeau appeared to have backed off, leading Kenya, nearly a year after the request was first made, to step forward.

Trudeau did not say what role, if any, Canada would play in a deployment should it be approved by the Security Council.

Canada is one of the countries, if not the country, that has been leading, most substantively, in standing up for the Haitian people, Trudeau said. Whether its the 100 million [Canadian dollars] weve allocated to support the [Haiti National Police] six months ago or the $80 million were announcing further today, the 29 sanctioning of individuals responsible for the hardships going on with the Haitian people right now, Canada is taking action in significant ways.

Trudeau said given Canadas 30 years of experience of supporting the Haitian people, we know that the only lasting solution will come through working with the Haitian people themselves, empowering the Haitian people themselves to direct and take responsibilities for their future. This is why, he said, he called on Henry to do more.

A neurosurgeon, Henry was tapped by President Jovenel Moise to serve as his seventh prime minister in four years. But Moise was assassinated before Henrys swearing-in. Moises death created a political vacuum, plunged Haiti deeper into a constitutional crisis and accelerated the gang violence and kidnappings that were already happening during his administration.

Because there are no elected government leaders in Haiti and no constitutional answer for how the country should be governed, the international community has pressed on the prime minister to find a consensus among the countrys political parties and opposition groups. So far, that has not happened. Meanwhile, armed groups continue to exploit Haitis fragile political landscape.

Ongoing efforts by the Caribbean Community, the United Nations political office in Haiti and Jonathan Powell, a former British diplomat who served as adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair, to try to break the political impasse, have hit a roadblock, with each side blaming the other for the lack of progress.

Earlier this month, former prime ministers Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Perry Christie of The Bahamas visited Haiti, as part of an Eminent Persons Group the 15-member Caribbean Community tapped to mediate.

In a statement following their departure from Port-au-Prince after a five-day visit, the group said it was disappointed that the tone of the discussions had hardened and that the positions of some stakeholders had regressed significantly, reflected in the strident calls for the resignation of the prime minister. These developments coincided with the alarming deterioration of the security situation in Port-au-Prince in August and the deepening of the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Ahead of the mediation attempt, the former prime ministers stopped in Miami, where they met with former Haitian President Michel Martelly. The meeting was heavily criticized, because Martelly is among those the Canadian government has sanctioned, and the group had so far not sat down with any sanctioned individuals.

On Wednesday, while Henry met with members of the international community over his request for help, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, a former police officer who leads a powerful gang coalition, led an armed demonstration through the streets of Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, calling for the Henrys ouster.

Cherizier, flanked by armed gang members who are part of his G9 alliance, promised daily demonstrations while calling on Haitians to take to the streets against Henry.

We are launching the fight to overturn Ariel Henrys government in any way, Cherizier said.

As has been the case with previous Canadian sanctions, the announcement Thursday was not specific. But all three businessmen are well known in Haiti and play an integral role in Haitis economic landscape.

Despite his powerful position as founder of Unibank, Braun is a low-key operator and influencer who shuns the public spotlight. He is listed on the banks website as president emeritus, administrator and founder.

Vorbe is the head of a family with various business ventures in the country, from road and housing construction to electricity. His company, Societe Generale dEnergie SA (Sogener), was one of three independent power providers in Haiti that produced then sold electricity to state-owned Electricite dHaiti (EDH) under a 2005 contract.

The company, however was targeted by Moise before his July 2021 assassination, as the president accused oligarchs of being the source of Haitis problems.

In one of the most high profile business battles in Haiti in recent years, each side accused the other of owing millions of dollars in uncollected debt after Moise abruptly terminated Sogeners 14-year-old contract to provide electricity to the state-owned electric utility and seized its property.

Moise also issued warrants for the arrest of the shareholders of the corporation, along with a former public works minister and a finance minister who had negotiated the Sogener contract and Haitis $1.2 billion debt relief package prior to the 2010 earthquake.

Sogener later challenged the decision in Haitis court system, arguing that the moves by Moise, who was ruling by decree in his final years, were illegal. The court agreed, unfroze the companys assets and killed the warrants. Sogener also challenged the lawyers Moise put on the case, arguing that they were not legally authorized to represent the government.The court agreed and threw out the case.

Acra is a former Haiti goodwill ambassador who was appointed to the job by former President Martelly. His appointment came while he was under investigation by Haitian authorities in a high-profile drug smuggling case a sugar-boat haul in April 2015. The bags of sugar were packed along with drugs onboard the MV Manzanares docked at the Terminal Varreux port in Cite Soleil.

The case came to light after two veteran Drug Enforcement Administration agents filed whistle-blower complaints that triggered a Justice Department investigation into the effectiveness of the DEAs drug-fighting efforts in Haiti. At the time, Acra told the Miami Herald that hes innocent added that investigators werent going after the real traffickers.

In a statement, Canadas foreign ministry said its has reason to believe that these individuals are fueling violence and instability in Haiti by engaging in corruption and other criminal acts, and by enabling armed gangs to carry out illegal activities that terrorize the population and threaten peace and security in Haiti.

Canada remains in solidarity with Haiti and its people and believes that sanctions constitute an important tool in the multidimensional approach to remedying the political situation in Haiti, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said. We continue to urge the international community to join Canada in putting pressure on those who are directly contributing to the violence and instability in Haiti.

This story was updated to reflect that Carl Braun is currently president emeritus and founder of Unibank, according to its website.
By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday called on India to cooperate with an investigation into the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia and said Canada would not release its evidence.

Trudeau said on Monday that Ottawa had credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, prompting an angry reaction from New Delhi. Nijjar, 45, was a Canadian citizen.

The Canadian government has amassed both human and signals intelligence in a months-long investigation into the Sikh separatist leader's murder, CBC News separately reported on Thursday citing sources.

Traditional Canadian allies have so far taken a relatively cautious approach to the matter. Political analysts said this was partly because the United States and other major players see India as a counterweight to the growing influence of China.

"There is no question that India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with ... and we're not looking to provoke or cause problems," Trudeau said in a press conference in New York on the sidelines of the annual high-level United Nations General Assembly. "But we are unequivocal around the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians."

"That's why we call upon the government of India to work with us to establish processes to discover and to uncover the truth of the matter."

The CBC report said, citing Canadian sources, that no Indian official, when pressed behind closed doors has denied the allegation that there is evidence suggesting Indian government involvement in Nijjar's death. India's Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the CBC report.

The report said the intelligence included communications involving Indian officials, among them Indian diplomats present in Canada, adding that some of the intelligence was provided by an unidentified ally in the Five Eyes alliance.

Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing network that includes the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The United States is in touch with both Canada and India over Ottawa's allegations, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday, confirming for the first time that Washington was talking to New Delhi about the matter.

"There's not some special exemption you get for actions like this," Sullivan told reporters when asked about Trudeau's statement about possible Indian involvement. "It is a matter of concern for us, it is something we take seriously."

U.S. President Joe Biden and several members of the Five Eyes raised the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they met at the G20 this month, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The Indian foreign ministry said Canada had not shared any specific information about the murder. Nijjar supported a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent Khalistani state and was designated by India as a "terrorist" in July 2020.

"As a country with a strong and independent justice system, we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity," Trudeau replied when asked when Canada would release the evidence it had.

India on Thursday suspended new visas for Canadians and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country. Trudeau did not respond when asked about these measures.

Speaking separately, an Indian trade official said there was no reason for Canadian pension funds to back out of investing in the country.

(Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington, Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; writing by David Ljunggren; editing by Paul Simao, Barbara Lewis and Grant McCool)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus explosive assertion this week that there are credible allegations that Indian agents are behind the killing of an outspoken Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia has kicked off a firestorm of diplomatic tiffs that threaten to escalate in coming days.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a staunch supporter of Khalistan, a sovereign Sikh state separate from India, was shot dead by two masked gunmen in June in Surrey. The men killed Nijjar, the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, in the gurdwara parking lot.

India has vehemently denied the accusations that New Delhi was involved in the killing, calling the claim absurd.

But Canada is holding to its moral claims.

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, Trudeau told reporters.

As 30-Year Anniversary of Mass Killings in India Arrives, Sikhs Find Safety in USA

Both Canada and India have expelled diplomats from either country in response to the public accusations this week. Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, said she ordered the expulsion of Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of Indias foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

RAW has been suspected to be behind targeted killings in other countries for years, according to The New York Times.

The whirlwind of accusations and tit-for-tat responses could mark a pivotal moment for leadership in Ottawa around how far they are willing to take the allegations at the expense of the Canada-India relationship. In turn, the pressure might be on for western allies, too.

A sign outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple is seen after the killing on its grounds of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on Sept. 18, 2023. Chris Helgren/Reuters

The incident has plunged the Ottawa-New Delhi relationship to a new low, reigniting tensions that have threatened to bubble over for years. Canada is home to the largest population of Sikhs outside of Punjab, where an Indian government crackdown in the 1970s and 1980s killed thousands. In more recent years, India has been irked by demonstrations and referenda many Sikhsincluding Nijjarhave held in Canada to rally support for a separate Sikh state.

Many in the Sikh community in Canada say India has been able to surveil, harass, and threaten them for years over their advocacy, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) told The Daily Beast. And the latest bloodshed has raised fresh concerns about Sikhs safety in Canadaand the Canadian governments responsibility to step up for freedom of expression on Canadian soilaccording to WSO Legal Counsel and Spokesperson, Balpreet Singh.

They've been able to do it for decades without Canada reacting, without Canada really pushing back in any significant way, Singh told The Daily Beast.  Canada refused to really do anything about it because India was seen as a potential major trade partner But a step too far is a targeted assassination.

Ottawa has canceled a trade mission planned for October in India, despite previous promises to outline a trade deal by the end of 2023. India was Canadas 10th-largest trading partner last year.

It is still unclear how long both Ottawa and New Delhi hope to hold off. But Canadas interest in drawing a line in the sand could cascade into other countries relationship with India if they double down. For western countries, which have been counting on India to serve as a kind of counterweight to China in the coming years, the incident has so far presented a delicate balancing act.

Privately, Canada made the rounds before the G20 summit in New Delhi, urging senior officials from allied nations to take a stand against India, according to The Washington Post.

Publicly, however, officials have been more cautious. The United States has encouraged Canada to continue its investigation into the incident, urging Indias government to participate.

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 U.S. official said.

New Zealands Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, noted if the allegations prove to be true, that would be of serious concern, NZ Herald reported. Mahuta added I wont comment further on what is an ongoing criminal investigation in Canada.

The U.K. has said it is aware of the serious allegations.

Australiawhich along with the United States, Canada, the U.K., and New Zealand is a member of the intelligence sharing alliance known as the Five Eyesadded it was deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter. Australia went a step further than the others, according to its statement, noting it had raised the issue with India at senior levels.

Members of Pakistan's Sikh community take part in a protest in Lahore on Sept. 20, 2023, following the killing in Canada of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Arif Ali/Getty Images

Canadas government has said that reports that Canada requested allies to condemn India, only to get rebuffed, were false.

The response from the allies has been subdued so far, but Canada will likely expect more if India is indeed behind the assassination, Roland Paris, a former foreign policy adviser to Trudeau, told The Daily Beast.

While I think that it is encouraging that there has been a supportive response from the White House, it is still muted, Paris said. And if it turns out that India was behind this murder, then I think many Canadians will hope and expect the United States to stand with Canada.

If India is willing to do this in Canada, it is likely capable of doing it in other countries, warned Paris.

And though Canadas reaction has been relatively swift, some in the Sikh community in Canada harbor concerns that it may be an uphill battle.

How this goes is also going to depend very heavily on how Canadas Five Eye partners support or don't support Canada in this endeavor, Singh told The Daily Beast. If Canada has now taken the stand, but the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. do not stand with Canada on this matter, and put a premium on Indian trade and ignore the fact that India is trending towards authoritarianism and basically denying democratic values, then Im afraid Canada will be left standing alone.

Governments around the globe use global intimidation, influence, and assassination plots to try to wield their influence and export repression on foreign soil, U.S. officials say.

But western government efforts to call them out and prevent them from happening in the first place appear to have mixed success so far. The FBI arrested two alleged Chinese agents earlier this year, for instance, for allegedly working to run intimidation and harassment schemes on U.S. soil. Other Chinese influence operations in the United States continue, U.S. officials said earlier this year.

The U.S. government has also called out multiple alleged Iranian plots to assassinate both a critic of Iran and a former U.S. official, former national security adviser John Bolton. Governments around the globe have called out Russia for poisoning plots targeting critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin for years.

U.S. government efforts to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the killing of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi have grown complicated in recent years. The United States said last year MBS should be shielded in a lawsuit about his role in killing Khashoggi. President Joe Biden went from calling MBS a pariah to meeting with the crown prince himself.

Mohammed bin Salman Says Hes the Real Victim of Jamal Khashoggi Killing

Already, India is digging in its heels. The Indian government issued a new travel advisory Wednesday warning Indians in Canada to exercise utmost caution. Indias Ministry of External Affairs stated that threats have targeted sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

India has typically protested against the actions of Sikhs in Canada by issuing travel advisories in an apparent attempt to silence the minority. Last year, when Canada allowed a referendum on Khalistan to take place in Ontario, India issued a travel advisory warning that there is a a sharp increase in hate crimes and anti-India activities in the country.

Its exactly these kinds of responses that that have fueled concerns about foreign governments growing increasingly brazen in their work to export repression and coercion abroad.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, on Sept. 9, 2023. Evan Vucci/Reuters

There's a growing awareness in this country that different kinds of foreign interference in our society and politics are a growing challenge and that includes threats to members of diaspora communities living in this country, Paris said.

A Sinking Feeling

Although Canadas response to the killing of Nijjar so far has been swift, Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies have to step up, said Singh.

The Sikh community in Canada had a sinking feeling that Nijjar was going to be killed for advocating for Khalistan, Singh said.

Singh told The Daily Beast he was discussing it with friends the day that Nijjar was killed.

I remember the day of Mr. Nijjars killing. Were having a conversation amongst ourselves, just people that attend, saying that it looks like Nijjars life is in danger, because he's the logical next target, Singh told The Daily Beast. And by that evening we found out that he indeed had been shot dead.

But it wasnt just intuition or gut feeling, according to Singh.

Articles began surfacing last year focusing on rising Sikh radicalization in Canada and the threat it poses to Indias internal security, specifically naming Nijjar.

Canadian intelligence and law enforcement agencies had been aware of the threat to Nijjar, he said.

Singh told The Daily Beast he had personally reached out to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) last year on several occasions to warn them of threats to Nijjar in advance of his killing.

I personally provided this information to CSIS, Singh said. From time to time, whenever I know of an issue that affects the Sikh community, and I think that law enforcement or intelligence needs to know, I contact them or they contact me and we have meetings. This is pretty standard stuff. But I had highlighted the fact that Mr. Nijjars life seemed to be in danger.

Nijjars son confirmed that his father had met with Canadian intelligence on several occasions to discuss the threats. In the months building up to his killing, he was meeting with CSIS officers once or twice a week, including one or two days before his killing, his son, Balraj Nijjar, said, according to CTV News.

On at least one occasion, Mr. Nijjar and his son met with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

But the fact that he was killed despite the red flags suggests Canadas intelligence and law enforcement agencies have their work cut out for them, suggested Singh.

Singh said he hasnt heard from the authorities since Nijjars assassination, but hopes that they are able to chart a new path.

Its on them. Whatever information I provided to them was not for my benefit, it was for the benefit of the general public or individuals I thought were under threat, Singh said, adding that his door is open for talking. I hope they learned their lessons.

The WSO said Indian agents continue to pose an active threat to other Sikhs in Canada, and called on Ottawa to boost protections for Sikhs.

There are other Sikhs in Canada who face an ongoing threat to their lives, WSO President President Tejinder Singh Sidhu said in a statement. Every possible measure must be taken to ensure their safety.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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An elderly womans caretaker was convicted this week of her death at a residential Rancho Cordova senior assisted living facility, according to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office.

Oluwatoyin Mudashiru was entrusted with feeding and caring for Loretta Doe, 66, at Bennys Home Care on Goinyour Way. He was found guilty Monday of elder abuse, elder abuse causing death and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Doe, who had limited mobility and used a wheelchair to move, prosecutors said Thursday in a news release.

On Aug. 10, 2020, Mudashiru, an employee of the facility formerly known as Jennys Home, called the owner of Bennys Home Care to report Doe wasnt breathing. A Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District crew responded and declared Doe dead.

The defendant took care of the woman for two years, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Sacramento County sheriffs deputies found footage of Mudashiru striking Doe, yelling at her and using great force on her, the news release said. Prosecutors said an autopsy showed Doe suffered consistent compressive force to both sides of her neck, as well as injuries to her head and back.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 13 and faces a maximum sentence of nine years and eight months in prison, prosecutors said.

Mudashiru, 62, was remanded to custody after his conviction and remains in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
When a grand jury indicted Hunter Biden last week for buying a gun in 2018 despite using crack cocaine, the legal logic was clear: You cant own a gun if you use illegal drugs, and he clearly did both.

The Navy Reserve had discharged the presidents son four years earlier after he tested positive for cocaine, and he discussed his crack addiction in his 2021 autobiography, Beautiful Things.

That gives special counsel David Weiss substantial proof that Biden lied when he signed the required ATF form pledging that he did not use illegal drugs so that he could buy a .38-caliber revolver  and that he possessed the gun illegally because of his drug use.

But the seemingly straightforward case is also very unusual. Federal prosecutors almost never file stand-alone charges against drug users who buy or possess guns.

In the rare cases in which they do, prosecutors usually have hard evidence in the form of physical guns and drugs that were discovered in the defendants possession. Its usually after a drug search or traffic stop turns up those guns and drugs.

In this case, law enforcement never apprehended Biden with drugs, or even the gun.

I cant recall a single case like this, said former U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Tim Purdon, who has both prosecuted and defended dozens of federal firearms cases. I was an active practitioner in that space for 20 years.

Stanford Law School professor John Donohue said it was

Stanford Law School professor John Donohue said it was "incredibly unusual" for the gun and drug possession charge against Hunter Biden to be prosecuted, "especially since he didnt do anything wrong with the gun, other than possess it.

The list of celebrities who have openly discussed possessing firearms during times that likely overlap with illicit drug use includes podcaster JoeRogan, actor BradPitt, and members of hip-hop group Cypress Hill, whose first album describes possessing guns and marijuana simultaneously in nearly every song.

In theory, the FBI could go chase any of these people down based on that information alone. In practice, federal law enforcement rarely charges these crimes at all.

Its hard to find cases where they just charge someone with this, said Dru Stevenson, a professor at South Texas College of Law Houston. Its almost always incident to a drug bust. That can happen because of a traffic pullover and they find drugs in the car. They do the drug arrest and they find the guy with a gun, so its an extra charge.

Without such hard evidence, proving that drug abuse coincided with a gun purchase or possession can become tricky.

Beyond reasonable doubt is a very high standard, Purdon said. To prove that someone was a drug user in possession of a firearm, an ideal case would be a blood test taken within an hour of a person handling a firearm that showed the presence of a drug. Without evidence of that sort, I think a lot of prosecutors would be concerned about carrying the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Justice Department does not routinely publish prosecution data broken down by charging statute. But of the 7,373 firearms offenders sentenced in 2021, the U.S. Sentencing Commission identified only 5.3% as prohibited possessors of firearms because they were drug users. That amounts to about 390 offenders nationwide, or a little more than half a percent of the federal criminal caseload at the district level.

Its incredibly unusual for this to be prosecuted, especially since he didnt do anything wrong with the gun, other than possess it, said Stanford Law School professor John Donohue. And he only had the gun for a matter of days  it wasnt a long period.

Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunter Bidens brother Beau, discovered the gun within a couple of weeks of the purchase and threw it in a dumpster behind a grocery store. A man later found it in the trash while looking for recyclables.

I dont think theres any doubt that the fact that hes related to the president is harming his prospects here, Donohue added. Probably hundreds of thousands or millions of people have done what Biden has done, and no one has prosecuted them or thought to prosecute them.

I cant recall a single case like this. I was an active practitioner in that space for 20 years.Former U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Tim Purdon

Even half a percent of the federal criminal caseload likely exaggerates the Justice Departments focus on drug-using gun possessors. Prosecutors often decline these cases.

Prosecutors are most likely to pursue charges for possessing guns while using drugs when they suspect the alleged offender is involved in more serious criminal conduct. Federal prosecutors havecharged suspected drug dealers and potentially violent political extremists with possessing guns and drugs at the same time, either to secure a conviction or ratchet up pressure for a plea deal, according to the Dallas Morning News.

When you dig into this and you try to find when this case gets charged, it looks like it gets charged as a tag-along charge to more serious cases of felon-in-possession and things like that, Purdon said.

Lying on ATF Form 4473, the other major charge that Biden faces, is almost never prosecuted at all, according to data made public by The Washington Post through the Freedom of Information Act.The form requires gun buyers to pledge that they can legally own firearms.

One disqualification that applicants have to answer yes or no to is whether they are an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance.

In Delaware in fiscal year 2019, the same state and time frame of Bidens alleged firearm offenses, the U.S. attorney didnt prosecute a single case against someone lying on ATF Form 4473 about drug use.

When prosecutors did pursue cases against people lying to buy guns, they were usually more serious, typically involving straw purchases.

One woman bought two pistols for her boyfriend, a felon under investigation for attempted murder at the time. Investigators recovered one of the guns after he died in a shootout with police.

Another man bought a Ruger 10/22 in a straw purchase, then handed the rifle off to someone who used it in a home invasion. A third woman bought a pair of pistols at a pawnshop to give to her drug dealer as payment.

Explosive Second Amendment Law

Complicating matters further, the Biden indictment comes in the midst of a Supreme Court-mandated overhaul of Second Amendment rights.

In last years landmark case New York State Rifle and Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, the conservative-dominated court held that New York could not keep qualified applicants from obtaining a concealed handgun permit by requiring them to name a specific threat to their safety.

The majority opinion, penned by Justice Clarence Thomas, went on to contend that courts do not have to weigh states interest in public safety at all when assessing the constitutionality of gun restrictions. Instead, the Bruenstandard only considers gun laws constitutional in cases where they fit within a tradition of gun regulation that can trace its origins to sometime between 1791, when the Bill of Rights was signed, and the end of the Civil War.

That novel and vague standard has created a tidal wave of new constitutional challenges to long-standing gun laws, with lower courts overturning state assault weapons bans, age restrictions for handgun purchases and regulations on possessing firearms with scrubbed serial numbers.

One of the clearest targets for Second Amendment challenges is the provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968 that banned drug users from owning guns.

The wave of marijuana legalization since California legalized medical use in 1996 has created a situation in which many otherwise law-abiding gun owners become felons if they use cannabis, even in legal states. Major cases in several states have challenged the law barring marijuana users from possessing firearms as unconstitutional.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a conviction last month on constitutional grounds against Mississippi man Patrick Daniels, who was apprehended in his vehicle with a semi-automatic rifle, a pistol and some marijuana. The 11th Circuit will hear oral arguments next month in a constitutional challenge to gun restrictions on medical marijuana patients filed by a group of plaintiffs including former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Winning gun rights for crack users has less of a social movement behind it, but the energy behind marijuana could have implications for Hunter Biden.

The Supreme Court will give public signals about its evolving thinking on gun rights on Nov. 7, when its slated to hear USA v. Rahimi, in which the 5th Circuit overturned a decades-old federal law barring domestic abusers from possessing guns.

With Biden expected to plead not guilty, his case may be among the many legal challenges that ultimately reshape gun legislation in America.

Theres no guarantee that the case will go very far, however. Federal defendants almost never take their cases to trial. Last year, about 8% of them had their cases dismissed, while almost 90% pleaded guilty.

Biden himself almost avoided indictment on the gun charges through a plea deal that fell apart. He still faces federal prosecution for alleged tax violations and the looming possibility of future legal problems tied to his business dealings overseas. That pressure may give him and his legal team an incentive to keep working toward a new plea deal.

And special counsel Weiss also has an incentive to avoid pushing too hard on a prominent case with the potential to rewrite gun law.

I dont think that the government wants to settle this question, Purdon said. I think theyre afraid of what the answer might be.

Like many legal scholars, Donohue, the Stanford law professor, sees the Bruen decision as vague and impractical, making it hard to guess whether the Supreme Court will ultimately uphold, limit or overturn prohibitions on drug users possessing guns.

The problem with the Bruen decision is it literally makes no sense in any way, Donohue said. I have a feeling that they may want to pull back a little bit on Bruen. But you never know with them. They seem so confused. They might just double down on Bruen and say, You cant prohibit any of this stuff.

Justice Thomas requirement in the Bruen ruling for a historical analog to uphold a gun restriction, however, could work in Bidens favor in the unlikely event that the Supreme Court does take the case.

In 1791, there was no crack cocaine, Donohue said.

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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.
The News

Supporters of Ukraine aid on Capitol Hill are warning that the countrys counteroffensive could falter  and quickly  if Congress does not pass additional assistance or if the government shuts down.

It is very clear that if we were to have a government shutdown or to pass a CR with no Ukraine aid, that the effect on Ukraine would be very quick and devastating, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters following a classified briefing with Biden administration officials Wednesday evening. We cannot let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin win. Without aid, Ukraine could run the very strong risk of being defeated.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who just returned from a trip to Ukraine to assess the progress of the counteroffensive, said they feel like its going well and that the White Houses assessment was similar. But without further help, he said, the impact would be catastrophic. Hes part of a group of senators who have called for new weapons systems to be sent to their aid, including long-range missiles called ATACMS.

They cannot be successful without our support, I am convinced of that, Kelly told reporters.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor that cutting off assistance would be far more ruinous than our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Know More

Their comments came in the middle of a standoff over additional aid for Ukraine  the White House has asked for $24 billion more in security, economic, and humanitarian assistance and the rising prospect of a government shutdown.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that additional assistance would be critical to getting Ukraine the equipment and weapons it needs through the winter months, when the cold weather makes it more difficult to move on the ground and conduct air operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy will enter the fray on Thursday as he heads to Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and White House to provide updates on the slow-moving counteroffensive and make the case for more assistance.

Zelenskyy will encounter Republican Ukraine aid critics, like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who told reporters Wednesday that he heard from administration officials no clear path for Kyiv to win the war and dismissed arguments from McConnell and others in favor of keeping up support. The argument always shifts to whatever is at hand to get us to spend more of the American peoples money without any strategy for victory, Hawley said.

While McConnell likened the consequences of a Ukraine withdrawal to the pullout from Afghanistan, Hawley used the same conflict as a cautionary tale as well in order to rebut the Republican leaders argument in favor of assistance.

Go through and listen to all these comments about what would happen if we didnt keep spending the American peoples money, he said. Take out Ukraine and insert Iraq or insert Afghanistan and you would get exactly what George W. Bush said for years and other people after him about why we have to stay indefinitely in those countries. Its the same recycled arguments.

Morgans view

Lawmakers who support Ukraine seem to be getting more worried that there wont be more aid passed by Congress. These dire warnings are a sign of that. At the same time, they need to hold out hope for progress to justify the investment, and Zelenskyy has argued Ukrainian forces are on the verge of real  if painfully slow  gains just weeks before the changing seasons make it harder to continue major operations.

The White House always insists there is bipartisan support and bicameral support for Ukraine in Congress. Thats true, but even getting a vote on Ukraine funding in the House is going to be difficult, given a growing number of conservatives opposed to additional assistance.

It depends on whether or not the dysfunction thats occurring in the House right now can be overcome, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. told me when I asked how challenging it would be to approve more assistance. In the Senate, I dont think we have issues. I think in the House is where the challenge is going to be.

This also isnt the last time this fight will play out, barring some major shift in the conflict. The Biden administration says the $24 billion they have required will take care of Ukraine for the first quarter of the coming fiscal year, which means another tug-of-war over funding is basically right around the corner after the New Year.

Room for Disagreement

The White House is still projecting confidence Congress will ultimately approve additional assistance. The president is confident that support will continue, Kirby said.
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON)  Authorities have released the cause of death for actor Angus Cloud .

The Euphoria star died on July 31 inside his familys home in Oakland, California. Clouds death was investigated by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office as a possible overdose, and his cause of death was confirmed this week by a coroner.

Cloud died from acute intoxication due to combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and benzodiazepine, the Sheriffs Office told Nexstars KRON on Thursday. He was 25.

Actors Angus Cloud and Zendaya attend the Los Angeles premiere of the new HBO series Euphoria at the Cinerama Dome Theatre in Hollywood, California, on June 4, 2019. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

The rising young actor was grieving his fathers death in July, and he had recently returned to the Bay Area after burying his father in Ireland. Clouds mother quickly dismissed rumors that her sons death was a suicide. His last day was joyful, Clouds mother said.

Although my son was in deep grief about his fathers untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one, Lisa Cloud wrote. She said he spent the day reorganizing his home and talking about how he wanted to take care of his sisters.

Angus Cloud put his head on his desk, which was filled with art projects he was working on, and fell asleep, his mother said. He never woke up.

He did not intend to end his life, she said, adding that she was not aware if her son took any substances.

Cloud was memorialized in Oakland by an artist who painted a large mural on a building on East 19th Street and Park Avenue. Oakland residents laid flowers and candles beside the mural honoring the actor.

Help is available for those who need support with mental health. You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org, to speak with a counselor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
When the great wave of Mexican immigration poured over into El Norte during the Mexican Revolution, war-torn refugees fleeing a decade of violence did not encounter a monolithic American culture. Some cities throughout the West were initially part of the Spanish Empire, and then Mexico.

Other cities throughout the West, were never part of Mexico, but rather founded after 1848. Urban centers such as Houston, Bakersfield, and Fresno were built after the Mexican American War, with no Spanish or Mexican foundation.

Roughly 1 in 10 Mexicans  or 1 million  uprooted their lives due to economic and social instability of the violent Revolution. The great majority entered the U.S. from Ciudad Juarez and into El Paso. From El Paso, labor contractors and the hope for better lives and futures beckoned Mexicans to cities like Chicago and Los Angeles. Mexicans who ventured to towns and cities along the California coast encountered downtown areas similar or identical to cities in Mexico.

California State Library

Since California was once part of New Spain and its colonial enterprises (including the Mission System) then part of Mexico after it gained independence from Spain, urban centers along the California coast had been built along the same municipal guidelines as those in Mexico: a plaza mayor surrounded by government buildings and a main church. The architecture spoke to a Mexican past.

During the colonization of California and its natives, beginning in July 16, 1769 when Father Junipero Serra founded San Diego de Alcala, the mission chain provided the foundation for an expanding national enterprise. Although the Church had plans to build missions within the great Central Valley, the temperature proved too hot for the crusading Mexicans  salvation stopped at the cool, coastal range.

Those Mexicans, therefore, that entered the Central Valley during the Mexican Revolution encountered no Spanish-Mexican architecture anywhere between the Sierras and Coastal Range and between the Tejon Pass and the Sacramento Delta.

Unlike San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Monterey, which were originally founded by Spanish-Mexicans, Fresno was founded by Anglo Americans for Anglo Americans. No Spanish architecture in Fresno greeted Mexicans fleeing the Revolution. What they entered was a New South, founded by refugees from another Civil War just two generations before.

The 1870 census reveals that about 65% of Anglo settlers in the greater Fresno region were from the South, with many fleeing the collapse of the Confederacy and the Washington, D.C.-based federal government. The history of Mariposa and Fresno counties, and subsequent founding of the city of Fresno, reveals a powerful Southern presence, one that would erect a distinct cultural scaffolding for future generations.

The massive immigration waves from Eastern and Southern Europe that characterized the late 19th and early 20th century, as well as 10% of the Mexican population arriving during the Mexican Revolution created anxiety among many White Americans across the nation, and Fresno County was no exception. Indeed, between 1910 and 1930, Fresno County experienced the greatest percentage increase in its Mexican population, more than any other county in California.

Asian immigration also posed a threat. Leading California Progressive Chester H. Rowell, editor of the Fresno Morning Republican, was a vocal critic of Japanese immigration. In a 1913 article, the Fresno politician quotes an Elk Grove farmer to humanize his anti-Japanese stance, Up at Elk Grove, where I live, he said, on the next farm a Japanese man lives, and a white woman. That woman is carrying around a baby in her arms. It isnt white. It isnt Japanese. Ill tell you what it is, it is the beginning of the biggest problem that has ever faced the American people! Such ideas of miscegenation between Asian and Anglo, and Mexican and Anglo, found fertile ground in the New South of Fresno County.

One year  1924  stands out as a watershed for race relations and racial ideologies. Indeed, in 1924 three national historical markers take place, as well as a Fresno event that epitomizes the national zeitgeist of the moment.

 On May 26, Congress passed the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act, also called the 1924 Immigration Act. In essence, the Act was in response to a growing anxiety over non-White, foreign peoples immigrating into the U.S. The act upholds upheld a White supremacist vision for America. Specifically, the law bans banned any further immigration from Japan and, through a quota system places placed severe restrictions on Southern and Eastern European immigrants, those more brown, Catholic, and Orthodox peoples who did not measure up to the Anglo-Saxon standard.

 Two days later, Congress passed the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924, which created the U.S. Border Patrol as a policing force between international check points. The Border Patrol, like the Immigration Act, was in response to a rising anti-immigration sentiment across the nation, what it meant to be an American, and who were the best immigrants to make good Americans  and who were not.

 In 1924 America experienced the zenith of KKK membership. Roughly Approximately 7 million of 114 million U.S. citizens residents (1 out of every 100), that is 6 out of every 100 Americans were enrolled KKK members. In May, the Fresno chapter of the KKK kicked off a 10-day Klan Fiesta at the Fresno fairgrounds that drew 50,000 attendees from throughout California and the Southwest. At the time, Fresno had a population of 45,000.

Klan spokesman Charles J. Hall proclaimed in Fresno, The foundation of this country is the American home, the school, the church and the law. Im for this institution because it stands for those institutions first, last and all the time. It is made up of people who are Americans, all American. We want free schools in this country, schools where the children are taught to speak the English language and reverence the flag.

The ads header proclaimed in all capitalized letters, FRESNO KU KLUX KLAN, followed by State Wide Fiesta and Public Ceremonial. Klan members from Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Madera, Tulare, Dinuba, Porterville, Clovis, Selma, Bakersfield, Taft, Los Angeles, Venice, Long Beach, Santa Barbara, Ventura, from San Diego to Eureka, and many others, showed up.

Five hundred cars from Los Angeles alone drove to Fresno. The May 27 edition of the Visalia Daily Times noted that Goshen residents Bob Carson and George Rasmussen motored to Fresno Saturday evening to attend the Ku Klux Klan carnival.

The activities include a Big Klan Wedding. Miss Sarah Roberta Tripp, a local teacher, married J.J. Goodrich of the Sugar Pine Mill at Pinedale. On May 19, 150 women were naturalized into the Klan while an airplane equipped with a burning cross and the letters KKK lit with electric lights flew above. On May 24, the Klan swore in 2,000 during the largest naturalization ever held in this state. Adding to the carnival-like atmosphere, life-sized dolls dressed in full Klan regalia were sold.

Between the laughter and fun, nationally recognized Klan lecturers J. Rush Bronson and Rev. Horace Lackney (a former Texas Ranger) delivered powerful speeches on Klan doctrine, the state of American society, and the Klans vision for a moral, progressive, and White national future.

Captain G. W. Price, an Imperial representative, also attended. A huge fiery cross was erected in the middle of the carnival. One reporters account: Nearly everything had been camouflaged to portray in some manner the name of the hooded organization. There were Klan ice cream pies, Klan beverages, Klan books and Klan music, and lots of application blanks to be had for the asking. A dance hall occupied the center of the machinery building of Fresno Countys fair grounds. All the attendants and the band were adorned in Klan robes. Klan police eyed the antics of the dancers, watching an opportunity to drag the unwary before the Klan Kangaroo Kourt. Klan money, denoted as notes, flooded the carnival grounds, used at the various carnival attractions. The K notes were necessary, and the coffers of the organization overflowed with the money of those who sought to take home dolls, hams, bacons and lamps through their ability to throw darts and toss rings.

On May 20, Rev. Lackney preached: The Klan is not anti-Jew, nor anti-negro, nor anti-Catholic. We are against only those who are disloyal to the United States and its ideals and institutions. Two nights later, however, Lackney also preached, You in the North may be the social and mental equal of the negro, but in the South, we are his superior and we are not going to be governed by him.

No matter how the Klan attempted to reframe their image, their organization was founded on the bedrock of white supremacy and the belief that negroes (to use the terminology of the day) were inferior in every respect to White people. What does the 1924 KKK fiesta tell us about the historical moment for the nation, California, and Fresno?

First, Fresno was a prime location to hold the congregation for two important reasons. From the early 20th century, because of its central location and success of the citys boosters, Fresno gained a reputation as the place to hold statewide conventions. In fact, at the same time as the fiesta, a statewide gathering of insurance businessmen from all across California gathered in downtown Fresno.

Furthermore, Fresnos Confederate beginnings and subsequent flourishing of Southern values in the region, offered the attendees the perfect social and cultural environment to freely express their strongly held beliefs. It was their white supremacist safe space.

That this fiesta took place on the West coast is telling about California in the early 20th century. Just because the South lost the Civil War, in many ways it did not. Yes, the South was physically annihilated, hundreds of thousands of young men dead, cities in ruin, the social structure collapsed, yet the culture and ideology lived on, and among Southern refugees who spread across the nation  not to mention the thinks leaders, thinkers and politicians who were allowed back into powerful positions and in national and state governments. Congress and Supreme Court.

In some ways, late 19th and early 20th century Fresno was indeed the New South, with powerful families who still nurtured cherished mental and spiritual roots in the Confederacy. These were not illiterate country bumpkins, but included many highly educated movers and shakers, and those that held political and social reigns in the city.

What this says about the nation is clear, especially when taken into context with the creation of the Border Patrol and passage of the 1924 Immigration Act  all in the same month! America was experiencing the height of a racist zeitgeist, one that infiltrated hundreds of thousands of homes, not only in the backwoods of Alabama, but in the police precinct of Fresno, in churches and fraternal organizations throughout California and the Central Valley.

The concrete foundation of the New Southern edifice that was poured following the Civil War, continued to be built upon by future generations. A year later, in 1925, the first junior KKK club in California was established at Fresno High, and Fresno Technical High School.

Dr. Patrick Fontes is a professor of American history in Fresno.

This is part of a series on Stop The Hate, a project funded by the California State Library.
A Roxbury man accused of the tragic shooting death of his 12-year-old brother is set to face a judge in court.

Police announced on Wednesday they arrested and filed new charges against 22-year-old Walter Hendrick of Roxbury accused of shooting and killing his 12-year-old brother in July.

Hendrick was wanted on warrants for manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and witness intimidation for the death of his brother, Savion Ellis.

Boston Police say Hendrick was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon around 1:10 p.m. in the area of 1165 Blue Hill Avenue.

On July 13, officers responding to a reported shooting at 35 Fessenden Street just after 2 p.m. found the 12-year-old Ellis suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was rushed to a hospital where he eventually died from his injuries.

As you can tell, this is a tragic situation. Mr. Hendricks just lost his younger brother, Hendricks attorney told court officials in July. Hes supported here by his family who is sitting in the front row...They want him home. This is something thats going to take time to process for Mr. Hendricks as well.

Prosecutors said at the time there was also another sibling under the age of 21 present when the gun went off.

Hendricks will be arraigned on these new charges Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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UNITED NATIONS (AP)  China told assembled world leaders Thursday that it considers itself part of the Global South, saying it identifies with the goals and challenges of less-developed nations and offering them an alternative to what it has long called Western hegemony. The message came from a second-tier official after the country's powerful president, Xi Jinping , skipped the annual U.N. meeting again.

Xi sent Vice President Han Zheng to deliver a policy statement at the General Assembly's leaders' meeting that covered the government's usual positions with familiar language but appeared to focus on building coalitions around its approach to development and international relations.

As the largest developing country, China is a natural member of the Global South. It breathes the same breath with other developing countries and shares the same future with them, Han said. He also said China supports those nations' development path in keeping with their national conditions.

The loosely defined term Global South, which has come up frequently at the United Nations this year, identifies nations around the world that are less developed and less rich than what have typically been called first-world nations. They're not necessarily in the Southern Hemisphere; many, in fact, are not.

Leaders of a number of larger developing nations, including Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and India's Narendra Modi, have of late pitched themselves as leaders around whom the Global South could coalesce. Just Tuesday, Lula told leaders at the U.N. meeting that Brazil is back in a speech widely received as Global South-focused maneuvering. And Modi in January hosted a Voice of the Global South virtual summit.

China, too, has loosely cast itself in a similar role for more than a decade  and more so since Xi launched the Belt and Road Initiative to drive Chinese development, infrastructure and influence in other nations, particularly developing ones. The sprawling project has been widely touted but has encountered bumps along the way.

China, Han promised, will remain a member of the big family of developing countries.

That statement is in keeping with Beijings attempts to balance  often adeptly  the benefits of continuing to be a developing nation with the advantages of being a major global economic and diplomatic power and counterbalance to the West.

For decades, since the start of the reform and opening up launched by Deng Xiaoping after Mao Zedong's death in 1976, China has positioned its approach to both domestic and international affairs as an alternative to Western hegemony. That counternarrative is a frequent cornerstone of its international identity. Han's Global South statements Thursday match that longtime sensibility.

And China benefits from association with the Global South, which allows it to style statements as if it speaks for many nations  nations that may not be strong enough to object if such a powerful government mischaracterizes them.

Whether China and its $18 trillion GDP should actually be considered part of the Global South is a frequently debated matter. In January, at Modi's summit, 125 countries were included but China wasn't one of them. That may have had more to do with China's often-tense relations with India than with its attitude toward the concept in general.

Xi was one of four leaders of permanent U.N. Security Council members who did not show at the United Nations this week. France's Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Rishi Sunak and Russia's Vladimir Putin also skipped it; U.S. President Joe Biden, leader of the host nation, was the only permanent Security Council member to deliver a speech.

Han Zheng's presence at the United Nations came at a time when China's diplomatic operation appears to be in a bit of disarray.

Many expected Foreign Minister Wang Yi to come to the General Assembly and possibly pave the way for a Xi-Biden meeting. Wang attended and delivered the speech last year. In the months since, a newly appointed foreign minister came and went with some mystery, and Wang took the role on again.

Han, in his speech, covered China's usual topics in such meetings. Among them:

 He reiterated that Taiwan, the island off China's coast that has its own independent government, is historically a part of China and always will be  a frequent message to the United States and the world. The island and the mainland split in 1949 after a civil war.

 He said China supported human rights suited to our national conditions in response to the needs of our people. Beijing's repressive policies toward ethnic Uyghurs in the western region of Xinjiang and its policies toward dissent, including in the special administrative region of Hong Kong, come under frequent Western scrutiny.

 He said, as China has many times before, that a cease-fire and peace talks are the only path to ending war in Ukraine. China has tread a delicate line in the 18 months since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

___

Ted Anthony, the director of new storytelling and newsroom innovation at The Associated Press, has been writing about China for three decades and was based in Beijing from 2001 to 2004. Find him at http://twitter.com/anthonyted
As of this Tuesday, Sept. 26, the billionaire newspaper publisher and human rights activist Jimmy Lai will have spent 1,000 days in a Hong Kong prison for practicing democracy without a license.

After some 2 million of Hong Kongs 7.4 million residents protested Chinas 2019 attempt to disassemble the rule of law in the city, the Chinese Communist Party responded by imposing the 2020 national security law that has essentially criminalized free speech.

Since it applies to anyone living anywhere on the planet, we were breaking the law just by talking about it, Sebastien Lai, Jimmys 28-year-old son, told me in an interview this week in London, where hes meeting with officials he hopes will find the nerve to speak up for his father, who is a British citizen.

None of the criminal charges against 75-year-old Lai, which include a hoked-up commercial lease violation and such dangerous acts as lighting a candle at the annual vigil for those massacred in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, have achieved their only goal, which was to break him and make the rest of us forget all about him.

After all this time, Chinese officials still dont seem to know who theyre dealing with, and by shutting him down have not stopped the world from seeing their oppression for what it is.

In December, Lai is scheduled to go on trial for sedition, for still unspecified crimes related to his journalism for the Apple Daily, the pro-democracy newspaper he founded after Tiananmen. And when hes convicted  not if, because 100% of those charged under the national security law are found guilty  he faces life behind bars.

To its great credit, the paper posed such a potent threat to the CCP that it was raided twice in 2021, first by 200 police officers and then by 500.

Even with its assets and Lais frozen, its journalists said they would keep publishing until the ink and paper ran out. On its last night in business, reporters looked out the window and saw supporters lined up around the block to buy a copy.

Sebastien Lai told me that one man interviewed while in that line was asked, Youre still buying this? Dont you know they just got imprisoned? And he turns around and says, Of course Ill buy it. Id buy it if it was a white piece of paper. The Apple Dailys last issue sold a million copies.

Trucks circled Parliament Square in London this week in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist. Melinda Henneberger/The Star

Mao sent publishers mother to a labor camp

Lais imprisonment is especially brazen in a city that expects its international business community to buy the lie that nothing has changed for foreigners. But his arrest came as a surprise to nobody, according to his son, his lawyers and a documentary about his extraordinary life.

And least surprised, it seems, was the man who raised himself after Mao sent his mother to a labor camp.

He escaped to Hong Kong at 12 or 13  even he doesnt know his exact age  in a fishing boat filled with other vomiting stowaways.

Eventually, his son says, he made a fortune in the clothing business, and then got into media after Tiananmen, and after he saw that China was not going to get any freer as it got richer.

He saw, Sebastien said, that it would get harder and harder to tell the truth after Margaret Thatchers 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the U.K. back to China.

He knew, too, that people would self-censor and would need a publication that would hold truth to power and was also very entertaining.

After calling the official whod ordered the Tiananmen massacre a son of a bitch in print, China closed all of Lais clothing stores in Beijing. They let him know that if he didnt apologize, theyd close him down in the entire country.

His son says he gets scared like everyone, yet realized I could bend today, but if I do that, Im always going to be under someones thumb.

With his means and his British passport, Lai could easily have skipped town to avoid prosecution.

But again, no. He made a very conscious decision to go back to Hong Kong and stand with his people, with the journalists and other pro-democracy activists. I wasnt surprised that he stayed, but Im still in awe of the fact that he did, and that hes been so strong in prison, where he reportedly spends much of each day in solitary confinement.

Biden administration, Ted Cruz, Nancy Pelosi all offer support

How does he manage? He always felt a calling, and the calling wasnt to make as much money as possible, or be the richest person in the graveyard as they say. His calling was to stand up against oppression and for democracy, and thats why he converted to Catholicism after the handover, to help him do that.

Whats all this got to do with us?

He reminds us what authoritarianism looks like, identical as it is on the left and the right.

What has happened couldnt happen in Hong Kong, its residents told themselves, because what sense would it make for a successful commercial hub to destroy its own credibility as a safe place to do business?

Only, authoritarianism isnt logical, and gains ground whenever we ignore that truth.

Sebastien said a woman in Taiwan, where he lives now, recently heard his accent in Mandarin and said, Youre from Hong Kong, arent you? You guys thought you were better than us, and would be free forever. And I turned around and said, Lady, we thought we were better than everyone. 

While the British have been slow to react to Lais predicament, Sebastien and two of his lawyers said, Americans thankfully have not, with the Biden administration and politicians as unalike as Ted Cruz and Nancy Pelosi all offering support.

So what can ordinary Americans do for Jimmy Lai?

Spread my fathers story, his son said. Use my fathers story as an inspiration to write to their representatives, to call them to help my father, and to put their weight behind this man who as a 13-year-old refugee has the same values as Americans.  He went back, you know? He went back when he knew he didnt have to, he went back because he knew not everybody could be like him and fly off to wherever.

Not everyone is built for the daring and determination that Lai has shown, but everyone can look to him for encouragement to stand up for whats right in our own lives.

Thats the whole point of saints. And you dont have to be either a journalist or a person of faith to see that thats what Jimmy Lai is.
Cindy Crawford has explained why she posed nude for Playboy magazine in 1988, even after her agents told her not to.

The supermodel, 57, reflected on the early days of her career in the new Apple TV+ docuseries, The Super Models, which she appears in alongside fashion icons Naomi Campbell , Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington . During the second episode of the show, Crawford noted that, after becoming the face of Revlon in the 80s, things started really happening, as she was doing the right campaigns.

However, she claimed that when she was asked to appear on the cover of Playboy in 1988, some of her peers and agents advised her against it.

Everyone in my life at the time thought I shouldnt do Playboy, she said. My modelling agency didnt feel that that fit into the types of jobs I should be doing. I think the brand still had a connotation to it that maybe scared some people off.

Crawford said she knew why her agency was hesitant about on the gig, given how different it was from jobs shed had before. I understood the platform of Playboy and what that symbolised, she explained. It was definitely outside the normal trajectory for a Vogue model at the time.

She went on to specify that a famous fashion photographer, the late Herb Ritts , was the one who reached out to her about the project. After she recalled that she and Ritts were really good friends and that she worked with him a lot and previously stayed at his house, she shared another reason why she wanted to pose for Playboy.

I dont know, there was just something about it that intrigued me. So against the advice of my agents, I said yes, Crawford said, before describing the conditions she brought up to the maagazine when taking on the job.

But I said: You dont need to pay me a lot of money. As long as I can have control of the images, and I wanted the right to kill the story if I dont like it, she recalled telling the publication.

Crawford noted that when she did the photoshoot for Playboy, she and Ritts combined it with another trip that [they] were doing for French Vogue to Hawaii. And, according to the supermodel, the two photoshoots werent all that different from each other.

Wed shoot a picture for French Vogue and then wed shoot a picture for Playboy, she said. I mean, you almost couldnt tell which pictures were for French Vogue and which pictures were for Playboy, it was very organic and I loved them.

The actor concluded by noting that, despite what other people may think, it was ultimately her decision to pose for Playboy, and she did not feel pressured into it.

Thats the whole thing for me is, even if I make choices that other people disagree with or dont like, if theyre my decisions and I have control of it, thats empowering to me, she said. Even if its doing Playboy. I never felt like a victim of that decision.

This isnt Crawfords first time opening up about posing for the magazine. During an interview with Net-a-Porters PorterEdit in 2019, she acknowledged that she didnt have any regrets about being photographed nude for the publication twice, as she also appeared in a 1998 Playboy spread.

I look back at some of my old Playboy pictures and I think: Why wasnt I walking around naked all the time? she said. Im not getting younger. So I want to celebrate who I am today.

She also opened up about posing nude in her fifties, and shared the candid reason why she did so in photographer Russell James book, Angels.

Part of the reason I wanted to do it was that I thought, at what age is being naked not beautiful anymore? Is there a sell-by date on us? the model said. I dont look the same as I did at 20, 30 or even 40. If we take care of ourselves, why not? Am I frolicking on the beach in a string bikini? No.

Crawford continued to explain how, to her, posing nude showcases a type of beauty that isnt typically shown in her other photoshoots.

But there is a place where I want to feel beautiful naked, in my private life, with my husband. [Russell] was tapping into that real place  not high heels, not a lot of makeup, not coy, just a real woman who doesnt have clothes on, she said.
Donald Trump's "interview" last Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" was a spectacle, one that embodied many of the failings that the mainstream news media has willfully made throughout the Trumpocene and America's continuing democracy crisis. Trump was allowed a platform to lie, circulate disinformation, amplify his disproved conspiracy theories about how the 2020 Election was "stolen" from him and the MAGA movement, and to act like he is leading a righteous struggle to retake the White House from a usurper. What is perhaps most concerning is how Trump was allowed a platform by NBC and "Meet the Press" where he in his role as a political cult leader could recruit new members for his neofascist MAGA movement.

Intentionally (or not), Donald Trump is also a type of teacher. As seen during his "Meet the Press" interview Trump's lessons are cruel and sadistic: his apparent pathological if not sociopathic behavior is a way of traumatizing and abusing the American people.

As I and others have argued here and elsewhere, Trump's use of political sadism is one of the main reasons why so many among the news media, the country's political elites, and general public are still stuck in a state of denial about the dire and existential threat the ex-president and the Republican fascists and larger white right represent to the country and its democracy.

For many people, to see and accept the full horror is too frightening. Unfortunately, denial, wish-casting, liberal schadenfreude, mockery and learned helplessness offers no protection against such malignant leaders and the people who follow them. Moreover, for those Americans who have had direct interpersonal relationships with aberrant and malignant personalities such as Donald Trump, his public behavior is all too familiar and potentially triggering.

In an attempt to make better sense of Trump's "Meet the Press" interview, how it represents the news media's much larger failures, the ex-president's behavior and increasing dangerousness to the public, and the ongoing democracy crisis, I recently asked a range of experts for their thoughts and insights.

The interviews have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Jennifer Mercieca, professor of communication at Texas A&M, and author of "Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump."

Donald Trump did not "meet" the press, he used propaganda strategies to overrun the press. He portrayed the world in fascist terms: everything is dark and corrupted, the nation is weak and humiliated and only he can fix it. None of that is true, but Trump offered hundreds of different lies and distortions of reality to make it appear to be true.

Anyone who interviews Trump faces the same problem: you try to get Trump to specifically answer a question, but he tells 20 lies in the process and you can't stop each of those 20 liesespecially if you focus on the one question you're trying to get him to answer. Old time propaganda analysts called what Trump does a "gish gallop." He also used ad hominem, tu quoque, conspiracy, lies, false accusations of corruption, attacking the interviewer, frame warfareamong others. Every response he gives is an evasion.

Consuming fascist propaganda like this makes you even more vulnerable to fascist propaganda. It is engineered and designed to create the conditions under which fascism flourishes. You cannot put Trump on tv without normalizing fascism in America.

Michael D'Antonio is the author of the biography, "Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success". His other books include "High Crimes: The Corruption, Impunity, and Impeachment of Donald Trump" and The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence".

Donald Trump does not change. For forty years he has brushed aside the substance of every question designed to get at an uncomfortable truth or hold him accountable for his action of past statements. Instead, he uses the network airtime  worth how many dollars?  for his own purposes. In this "deal" he wins, no matter how many extra viewers tuned in.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Trump has mastered the Mussolini pose. Chin jutted out, his eyes rather dead, which closes the so-called window to the soul. Other body language cues  leaning in to dominate the space, using the classic "salesman" hand gestures, and occasionally leaning back, or looking to the side, as if he were receiving wisdom from some unseen source. The micropauses and poses suggested authority in a setting where he was alone.

When asked if he is worried about going to jail, he lies and says, "I don't even think about it." This bald-faced deception is something he began as a small child who could either lie or face harsh punishment from his temperamental father. He discovered that the lies worked.

His words? Here it can be noted that he's still leaning on tropes like "people said," and flipping terms to describe those defending democracy as "fascists" and talking in sentence fragments so that he can reference talking points without bothering to think of sentences. He knows that slogans  "Biden indictments"  work far better than coherent statements, especially when stated in rapid fire sequence that makes it impossible to focus long enough on one to detect the deception. No one could keep up with him.

He also signaled his supposed revelations with phrases like "Are you ready?" and "I'm going to tell you something I never told anyone else." Thus, he draws attention to the point he wants to make and deprives his interviewer of the chance to note what's important and what's not.

Marcel Danesi is Professor Emeritus of linguistic anthropology and semiotics at the University of Toronto. His new book is Politics, Lies and Conspiracy Theories: A Cognitive Linguistic Perspective.

The interview was another Trump performance of defiance and implied potency. As in other interviews he leaned forward as if to listen closer, but he was actually "performing intimidation." Breaching the perceived safe space between oneself and one's interlocutor is intended to induce uncomfortableness and even distress, thus blocking fluid interaction. Another aspect of the performance was his unswerving stare. When asked about the situation in Ukraine, Trump kept his eyes fixated on the interviewer, and then, responding to the question of the inhumanity of Putin's actions, his stare become even more intense, as he opened his hands and moved them aparta mixed signal that was meant to say "I am open, trust me." In response to the interviewer's question of the possibility that he was going to jail, he answered "I don't even think about it," as the stare on his face became increasingly intense and virtually identical to his mug shotan expression of anger and defiance that seems to have become his public persona.

Dr. Justin Frank is a former clinical professor of psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center and the author of "Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President."

It is hard to watch Donald Trump without wondering how he was elected president in the first place. When he's pressed with questions (and doesn't have the assistance of a speechwriter's words delivered via teleprompter) he perseverates, constantly repeating himself without being able to vary his response.

He used a set of vague stock phrases in response to Welker's questions, such as, "Something's going to happen" when talking about Roe v Wade. He was unable to respond directly to the interviewer's question about whether he supported a federal ban on all abortions. He regularly called his multiple criminal indictments "Biden indictments" as if to deflect blame and distance himself.

But most telling was when he often repeated the phrase, "Just so you understand" or "just so you know." It was like he was imparting information, but really wanted her to understand that "I know everything." That means that anything Welker has read or heard about him was wrong because only he knows the truth. This is again a classic God complex driven by a persecutory delusion. His sense of omniscience is compensatory and more disturbing than ever.

The fact that Welker so rarely confronted him on camera about his outright falsehoods may have been a clever way to get him to inadvertently babble into some hard truths, as he did when he admitted that he alone declared that the 2020 election was invalid and single-handedly led staff and supporters into go along with the idea and committing a myriad of crimes in the process.

Rather than call out the rambling wreck of Fulton County, Welker paused the recorded interview to give herself sidebars (not unlike the "confessionals" we see on reality TV) in order to fact-check his responses and set the record straight on his lies and fantasies.

When most people feel angry or defiant, they become more focused. Such is not the case with Donald Trump. He was wearing his mug-shot face, but the eyes were uncomprehending. When talking to a reporter who's not on his payroll, he often looks like he's struggling to listen  especially when he anticipates that he won't like what hears. But in this interview, he was unable to muster even the semblance of a conversation.

In my opinion, Trump's incessant, word-salad repetition reflects chronic substance abuse or impending dementia, which is consistent with the blank eyes. His blotchy red and puffy face (and constant sniffling) are not new but underscore a clinician's natural suspicion that he is not cognitively healthy. His cartoon character menacing and bellicose posture is second nature to him.
2023 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit to be held in November

Xinhua) 16:55, September 21, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit is set to be held from Nov. 8 to 10 in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, the organizers said on Thursday.

As this year marks the 10th year that the WIC Wuzhen Summit is held, the 2023 edition will feature new activities including the awarding of honorary titles and the inauguration of a global youth leadership program under the framework of the WIC.

Themed on "Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the summit will be attended by guests from home and abroad.

This year's event will feature 20 sub-forums on topics such as the Global Development Initiative, coordinated transformation toward digitalization and green growth, and artificial intelligence.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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This photo taken on Aug. 4, 2022 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington, D.C., the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

The U.S. House of Representatives canceled a scheduled vote Tuesday on a temporary government funding bill, further hiking shutdown risk as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches, while the national debt breaks 33 trillion U.S. dollars.

The canceled vote was for a short-term stopgap spending bill, known as a "continuing resolution" that could keep the government running until Oct. 31, giving Congress more time to enact full-scale appropriations for 2024.

Two groups of House majority Republicans -- hardline House Freedom Caucus and moderate Main Street Caucus -- reached the tentative bill on Sunday, which intends to tighten border security, cut federal spendings excluding those on defense, veterans, or disaster relief by 8 percent, and stop increasing aid to Ukraine, in exchange for 1 percent of overall spending cut.

Yet at least a dozen hardline members came out against the deal or expressed skepticism.

Rep. Matt Gaetz called the tentative deal "a betrayal of Republicans" on social media. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene posted: "I'm a NO!" on Tuesday.

House Speaker McCarthy urged Republicans to pass the continuing resolution, warning against political fallout in case of a shutdown.

"I've been through shutdowns and I've never seen somebody win a shutdown because when you shut down, you give all your power to the administration," McCarthy said in a Fox News interview on Sunday.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a memo Monday to the business community, warning of the negative impact a prolonged shutdown can have on the country's economy.

"From passports and permits to clinical trials and contractors, a well-functioning economy requires a functioning government," the chamber wrote.

Congress has so far enacted none of the 12 appropriations bills setting discretionary spending levels. The House has just five days left in session before the Sept. 30 deadline to avert a shutdown.

In case of failure, thousands of government employees would stop working, with business interrupted and the economy dragged down. Goldman Sachs estimates that every week of governmental shutdown kills the U.S. GDP growth rate by 0.15 percent.

The last federal government shutdown happened between December 2018 and January 2019, which cost Americans 3 billion dollars, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The current deadlock occurs amid the deteriorating U.S. fiscal crisis. Credit ratings agency Fitch on Aug. 1 downgraded the U.S. government's credit rating from the top-notch AAA to AA+ over concerns about "growing debt burden" and "an erosion of governance."

U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 into law to avoid a historic default on government debt, which reached in January its debt limit of 31.4 trillion dollars, more than 120 percent of its annual GDP.

The exploding U.S. national debt poses increasing risks to the global finance system.

In less than five years, the debt expanded from 2 trillion dollars in September 2017 to 30 trillion in February 2022. Goldman Sachs estimates it would exceed 35 trillion dollars by January 2025.
This article is part of Insider's "The True Cost of Extreme Weather" project. Read more here.

The climate crisis is about many things. One of them is that tiny numbers add up to big effects.

About two degrees Fahrenheit. That's how much the planet has warmed since the preindustrial era, before the advent of smokestacks and cars.

At least $165 billion. That's how much the US recorded in weather-related damage last year  a total that can't all be blamed on the climate crisis, but has been made worse by a warming world.

This story keeps getting replayed around the world and in people's wallets.

Those costs will only climb if we don't address the climate crisis, economists tell Insider. But in these sometimes-scary numbers, there are is also opportunity  a chance to remake the global economy into one that's far more resilient and in which the climate isn't blowing holes in our wallets.

The ultimate goal, Amir Jina, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, told Insider, should be to create a world where "climate or weather is a problem as boring as plumbing."

But to get there, we'll need to spend a lot of money up front and be real about the climate costs we're already paying  even if we don't always notice them.

The full costs of extreme weather are often hidden

The biggest fires, floods, and heat waves tend to draw headlines. But for years, the more subtle effects of extreme weather had gone pretty much unnoticed. That's changing.

Research over the past decade has exposed the wider-ranging fallout from wild weather. It's been linked to poorer health and higher mortality, of course. Yet extreme weather is also linked to costs like lower productivity at work, reduced crop yields, and worse mental health. It's also tied to an increased risk of suicide, and higher rates of property crime, murder, rape, and civil unrest.

In short, "How's the weather?" is becoming an increasingly important question. Weather extremes put a strain on society, and that leaves the social safety net to pick up the slack.

"The science on this in the past 10 years has just shown that even in the wealthiest countries, we are very much susceptible to exposure to weather, heat, disasters, etc. in a way which we probably thought we could adapt our way out or spend our way out of," Jina said.

One study looking at the cost of hurricanes between 1979 and 2002 found that about a decade on, the storms cost about tenfold more than the initial amount spent on disaster relief. Those costs, the study found, were hidden in local budgets, in spending on social programs, and in insurance payouts.

People in Tarpon Springs, Florida, had to evacuate their homes after Hurricane Idalia inundated the area over the summer. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

All of these sleeper effects cost money. And that has to come from somewhere. This "affects the taxes, it affects health insurance, and many other costs that we pay towards the running of the government, and it spreads down across the economy," Jina said.

"There's almost no sector of the economy that people have looked at where we haven't seen a negative effect  particularly of heat," he added.

Still, for many of us, unless we get hit with a big event, we don't always notice when we encounter these costs.

"You could pick up the shadow of extremely hot days on people's incomes at the end of the year," Jina said. "There's this incremental increase in costs that people are facing, where no one in the US, or no one in the world, is truly insulated from the economic consequences of climate change."

As climate disasters rise, social safety nets start to strain

The steepest cost of extreme weather can't be measured in dollars and cents: People are dying, losing loved ones, and forgoing livelihoods.

Yet, for now, governments can offset many of the most acute financial costs of catastrophic events by drawing on emergency funds and letting some of the bills fall to private insurance.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a similar type of catastrophe, Creon Butler, the director of the global economy and finance program at the London think tank Chatham House, told Insider.

Even though the crisis brought enormous costs, many governments managed to shell out enough money to insulate their populations from the worst economic pain, he said.

Record-high temperatures hit Phoenix over the summer. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Those safety nets and economic buffers will likely start to strain and fail in a warmer world, Butler said, as catastrophes become more common.

Just look at property insurance.

"Insurance only works if the frequency of events doesn't change," Butler said. In a world where extreme weather becomes the norm, "private insurance won't be able to cope with that."

At first, your premiums might start growing so that insurers can keep making a profit, Jina said. Down the line, insurers might decide to pull out of a market entirely. That's already happening in parts of the US.

As the government starts shouldering more of the relief costs, taxes could go up and spending on other priorities like health or education could go down.

"It begins to then raise the question, can the government constantly protect its public?" Butler said. "And the answer is probably no."

Economies lose out if they don't control climate change

Economists haven't agreed on exactly how much climate change will cost in the future, though they do tend to share the sentiment that unless we limit emissions fast, these costs are going to be very difficult to deal with.

"Each new piece of information we learn is showing that the problem is actually worse than we thought," Jina said.

One 2017 paper by Jina and his colleagues, which takes into account climate disasters and the growing effect of extreme weather on society, provides a sneak peek at how much the warming climate could cost the US by the end of the century.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires turned the sky orange over New York City during the summer. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

It found that if little effort is made to control emissions  meaning temperatures rise by about three to six degrees Fahrenheit  these costs could strip about 2% to 5% off of the US gross domestic product every year between 2080 and 2099.

If that estimate proves right, the economy "is probably still going to be growing," but the price of climate change will compound year over year to enormous, avoidable costs, Jina said.

"If we think about the future  even very conservatively  the benefits of mitigation always outweigh the costs," he said.

This situation could be made worse by a looming financial "mega shock," which could arise as more people wake up to the reality of the climate crisis, Butler said.

Investors could suddenly pull out of markets, developing countries could quickly lose access to international financial markets, and people could demand governments bring in rapid policy changes as they see the weather get worse, Butler forecasted in a blog post.

All of this means the longer people take to realize drastic action is needed, the more abrupt the transition will be. And economies aren't very good at dealing with rapid change.

Mitigation and adaptation are going to be expensive, but they'll pay off

There's now a "golden hour" to limit the worst of the effects of climate change and reach the best scenario available today, Jina said.

A woman inspects the damage on Pine Island Road, Florida, after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Unfortunately, historic emissions mean that some of the effects of the climate crisis are inevitable, per Jina.

That means some will need to relocate and pricey infrastructure will need to be built to protect others from harsher environments. Countries will also need to invest to slow the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by moving away from fossil fuels and investing in measures to suck carbon dioxide out of the air.

But those measures won't come cheap.

The Biden administration has already earmarked $52 billion to tackle the climate crisis for 2024. That's likely not enough. Demand for climate spending could make for difficult economic times, Butler said.

"We've got lots of priorities in terms of social care, general health, retirement, and so on. But none of that makes much sense unless you are actually protecting your public," said Butler. "And governments are going to have to choose."

With effort, the climate crisis could be made "boring"

Despite a long list of worries, there's reason for optimism: Climate change has never been so visible, and it's never been higher on the political agenda of government and international meetings, Jina and Butler said. At the same time, the price of renewable energy has dropped much faster than many analysts predicted.

Both Jina and Butler said it's wrong to see the spending going to the net-zero transition as a loss. Instead, they said, we should see it as a necessary investment to build a sustainable and climate-resilient economy.

"We currently have a system, both an energy system and an economic system, where we are quite susceptible to fluctuations in climate, where we are quite susceptible to big disasters, because of an interlinked economy," Jina said. "I would like a transition to an energy economy, facing this global energy challenge that we have, where this just becomes a completely boring issue."

Jina points to how countries brought down the death toll from diarrheal diseases by rolling out plumbing. That initial investment must have seemed huge, yet now we reap the benefits of that infrastructure without even thinking about it, even though stomach bugs are still around.

In the same way, a future economy could mean that thanks to clever adaptation policies, people are able to thrive in spite of an inevitable rise in climate extremes.

"Everything is taken care of. We don't have to talk about it. It's not politically contentious, and people aren't dying," Jina said of this future economy.

Jina and Bulter said most economists agree investment in mitigation and adaptation today will be paid back many times over by the end of the century.

There could be short-term benefits to this investment, according to the UN. For instance, cleaner air could save global economies $1.2 to $4.2 trillion by 2030 by reducing pollution. The transition to renewable energy could create up to 24 million jobs by 2030, compared with an estimated 6 million that could be lost, the UN reported.

As of now, however, only four countries  Botswana, Denmark, Namibia, and the UK  are on track to meet zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, per the UN's World Intellectual Property Organization.

"We're at this point where we could shift pretty dramatically. That really involves people raising their voices and people realizing there might be some short-term pain," Jina said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A student suffered injuries that are not life-threatening after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Tuesday morning. (Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com)

A Carmel Middle School student crossing a street on Thursday morning was struck by a stolen car that fled the scene, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

In a note to families, Principal Andre Plaisance said a vehicle hit the Carmel Middle student while they were crossing the street to board school bus No. 1627. The incident happened around 9 a.m., and the student was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Stop arms of the bus were not in operation, according to an update CMPD posted on the social media platform X, which was formerly known as Twitter.

CMPD said a large, white SUV traveling at a high rate of speed struck the student. The SUV was determined stolen and has been recovered, police say. The suspect driver is still at large.

Plaisance said 48 other students were on the bus at the time of the incident. Another school bus arrived on scene to transport the students to school.

We recognize the impact this incident may have on our students who were present, as well as our entire school community, Plaisance wrote. Counseling services are available to all students and staff who are in need of assistance.

CMPD is investigating the hit-and-run that happened on Arborgate Drive near East Arrowood Road. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.
Republican Party leaders in the U.S. Congress consider cutting Ukraine support from their long-term defense spending bill to satisfy hardliners and unlock the gridlock, CNN reported on Sept. 21, citing two undisclosed sources.

The procedural vote failed to pass earlier today in the House of Representatives because of the hardliners' opposition to $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the news outlet said.

The U.S. has funded aid through this initiative since the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014.

According to CNN, the bill specifies that the assistance can be used for training, equipment, lethal assistance, logistics support, supplies, services, salaries, stipends sustainment, and intel. Several other countries are reportedly included as beneficiaries as well.

As the news outlet commented, it is unclear whether cutting Ukraine spending from the bill would pass through Republican Party moderates and defense hawks.

The discussion over the bill is taking place just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington D.C. to meet with senior Congress members, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and President Joe Biden.

The U.S. president is hoping to secure Congress' approval for another bill that would release an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine. This proposition is also facing opposition from the right flank of the Republican Party.

Washington is leading the allied effort in support of Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression. However, the growing opposition from the hardline elements of the Republican Party put the future of this support into doubt.

The U.S. is heading for the next presidential election in 2024, and several leading Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump, have criticized Biden for devoting too much attention and resources to Ukraine.

Read also: Zelensky arrives at White House for meeting with Biden

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ZANESVILLE  Cody Moody has been sentenced to life in prison.

The 34-year-old Zanesville man previously pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a firearm specification in relation to the death of Timothy Norris.

Muskingum County Sheriff's Office detectives served a search warrant in July, at 809 Ohio St., where Moody was taken into custody. The Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office charged Moody with aggravated murder and he was held on a $2 million bond.

"This was not a random act. It was a targeted, calculated act," Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said at the time.

Cody Moody pleads guilty to aggravated murder in June shooting death, faces life in prison

Lutz said his office responded to a call around 2:30 a.m. June 22 at 2295 Culbertson Road in reference to the resident hearing gunshots. Once on the scene, the resident and responding deputies discovered a decreased white male inside the trailer who had been shot. He was identified as Timothy Norris, and the resident confirmed Norris did live at the address with the resident.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in to process the crime scene. Their agents and deputies discovered several pieces of evidence at the scene and found evidence of where a shot had been fired from outside the trailer towards Norris.

While investigating the case, detectives learned Moody was in a relationship with Carlos Ricky Rivera, uncle of the deceased Jordan Rivera. Jordan Rivera's body was found in the shed located on Culbertson Road property in August 2022. Norris was convicted of failure to report a death on March 27, 2023, and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Footprints 4 Justice striving to bring families closure

Moody confessed that he shot at Norris but failed to kill him. Moody left and returned a short time later to do just that, according to the prosecutor's office.

Moody admitted he intended to kill Norris, his roommate and anyone else that he suspected had responsibility in the death of his boyfriends nephew.

Muskingum County Court Judge Mark Fleegle sentenced Moody to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 28 years.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Cody Moody sentenced to life in prison for killing Timothy Norris
By the time he sidled up to a patrol car and shot two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies at point-blank range, Deonte Lee Murray was in the midst of a crime rampage.

It began 11 days earlier, when he shot a man in Compton and stole his Mercedes-Benz, Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen Lonseth told a jury Wednesday in his closing argument at Murray's trial on charges of attempted murder, assault, robbery and carjacking. It escalated when Murray's best friend was killed in a fiery confrontation with sheriff's deputies.

Seeking revenge, Lonseth said, Murray shot a man outside the Compton courthouse whom he mistook for a detective. Angered the shooting didn't make the news, the prosecutor said, Murray targeted the two deputies, Claudia Apolinar and Emmanuel Perez-Perez, as they sat in a patrol car parked at a Metro station. Lonseth called it a "miracle" the deputies weren't killed.

His argument to the jury came just four days after another sheriff's deputy, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, was shot to death inside his patrol car in Palmdale in what authorities have described as a similarly unprovoked ambush. Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a 29-year-old Palmdale man, Kevin Cataneo Salazar, with the deputy's murder. Cataneo Salazar has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Read more: Were hurting: Murder charge announced in deputys slaying as fiancee, family grieve

Murray, who testified in his own defense, admitted shooting all four people. His lawyer, Kate Hardie, told the jury the only question was intent. She argued that Murray, blinded by grief over his friend's death and on a sleepless, two-day binge of cognac and methamphetamine, was acting on impulse when he pulled the trigger.

Video released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shows a gunman walking up to sheriff's deputies and opening fire without warning or provocation in Compton. (Associated Press)

"When you dig below the surface," she said, "you can see this wasn't premeditated."

The jury began deliberating Wednesday afternoon. Superior Court Judge Connie Quinones barred The Times from photographing Murray, 39, after his lawyer argued it would expose him to attacks in jail.

Read more: Man charged in shooting attack on two L.A. County deputies in Compton

Murray's crimes began on Sept. 1, 2020, when he pointed an assault rifle at an acquaintance, Andrew Harris, and demanded the keys to his Mercedes, Lonseth said. After Harris dropped the keys, Murray shot him in the leg and drove off in the car  the one "he did all the dirt with," Lonseth told the jury.

Murray claimed he had won the black sedan in a dice game. He confronted Harris, angry that he'd not only refused to hand over the car but that he was spreading a rumor that Murray was involved in the death of a woman, Hardie said.

Nine days later, sheriff's deputies surrounded the home of Murray's best friend, Samuel Herrera, before dawn. As they prepared to serve a search warrant, several deputies would later tell prosecutors, they heard Herrera loading a gun inside the Bradford Street home's garage and yell that he was going to "shoot it out."

The deputies started shooting. By the time it was over, the garage had caught fire, and Herrera lay dead, shot 10 times, according to a coroner's report. Deputies found six rifles and a handgun inside the charred garage, according to the district attorney's analysis of the incident.

Hardie described Herrera as the "one pillar" in Murray's life at a time when it seemed like it was coming apart. The mother of his children had kicked him out. Living out of his car, he spent much of his time driving around aimlessly, she said.

Murray claimed that, after Herrera was killed, he saw deputies exchanging high-fives outside the home. He showed up to the family's vigil with a bottle of Hennessy and spent the next 48 hours in "a blur," drinking and using methamphetamine, his lawyer said.

Murray drove the stolen Mercedes past the Compton courthouse, where he spotted a man sitting inside a silver Ford Explorer. Assuming he was a plainclothes detective, Murray raked the SUV with an assault rifle, hitting it five times, Lonseth said.

Then-Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and then-Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey announce the arrest of Deonte Lee Murray in the ambush shooting of two deputies. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The man was no detective  he'd gone to the courthouse to file some paperwork and was "trying to do a Zoom meeting in his car," Lonseth told the jury.

Murray told a friend he was angry the shooting hadn't made the news, Lonseth said. That evening, he drove to a Blue Line stop in Compton, just a few hundred yards from the courthouse, where Apolinar and Perez-Perez were stationed in a patrol car.

A surveillance camera at the train stop captured Murray approaching the cruiser, "not running, not doing anything impulsively, but cold and with a lot of calculation," Lonseth said. He shot both deputies through the front passenger's window before running away. The footage showed Apolinar, the front of her khaki uniform dark with blood, tending to her partner's wounds until a fleet of patrol cars arrived.

"They're alive because of, frankly, a miracle, and the heroics of Claudia Apolinar, who, despite being shot through the jaw, through the wrist, kept this from being a murder case," Lonseth said.

According to Lonseth, Murray bragged to witnesses that he "smoked those ms" and expressed shock when he learned they'd lived, telling one woman, "Can you believe that sh?"

When the police moved in to arrest him three days after the shooting, Murray bolted, tossing away a .40-caliber handgun that was found to have been used to shoot the deputies, Lonseth said.

"Who is Deonte Murray?" the prosecutor asked the jury. "This is a man that shot four people, that tried to kill three of them, including two deputy sheriffs that he ambushed. This is a man who will do anything."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The United States may soon see more higher education institutions shut their doors after college enrollment has declined in recent years, according to a new analysis.

A report from Fitch Ratings stated that further closures, mergers and significantly reduced operations are inevitable for a handful of colleges due to low enrollment numbers and high tuitions. Fitch noted it does not expect widespread closures or downgrades but said higher education institutions will have to evaluate what programs and departments meet their goals.

Fitch warned colleges that do not have strong brands and are in markets where there is a steep decline in college-age adults are more likely to suffer from enrollment drops. It noted that high school graduates are expected to drop by 11 percent by 2036 in the Midwest when compared to the 2018-19 academic year.

Meaningful and persistent declines in student fee revenue, usually the result of unexpected enrollment drops, are common precursors to consolidation or closure, the analysis states.

Red flags that indicate enrollment vulnerability often include volatility in incoming class size, frequent or unusual turnover in student recruitment functions, unsustainable levels of endowment support for student scholarship, and declines in the net tuition per student metric, whether due to changes in sticker price or discounting, the analysis added.

Without steady enrollment rates, small private colleges are the most at risk because they are more likely to rely heavily on tuition as their main revenue stream, Fitch also noted.

A few colleges  including Alliance University and Medaille University in New York  have already closed this past year, while others have merged with neighboring institutions.

Undergraduate enrollment fell for the third straight year in 2022, with data showing that about 1.3 million fewer students enrolled in a higher education institution during the two previous years. Community college enrollment has also plunged by nearly 40 percent since 2010, demonstrating a potential loss of confidence in the two-year college sector.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan complained on Thursday that he was uncomfortable with the use of what he described as "LGBT colors" at the United Nations, which is decorated this week with bright colors promoting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Erdogan said he would have liked to discuss it with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish media reported on Thursday. Turkey's government - led by Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party - has toughened its stance on LGBTQ freedoms.

"One of the issues that bothers me the most ... is that when entering the United Nations General Assembly, you see the LGBT colors on steps and other places," Erdogan was quoted as saying by broadcaster Haberturk and others.

"How many LGBT are there in the world right now? However much right they have on these steps, those against LGBT have as much right as well," said Erdogan, who has frequently labeled members of the LGBTQ community as "deviants" and particularly toughened his rhetoric during his election campaign this year.

However, some U.N. diplomats suggested Erdogan might have confused the 17 different colors associated with the Sustainable Development Goals - and decorating parts of U.N. headquarters, including steps, for a summit that was held earlier this week - with the rainbow Pride colors associated with LGBTQ rights.

While Guterres has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights and spoken out about discrimination, there are no rainbow Pride colors at U.N. headquarters promoting LGBTQ rights.

A spokesperson for Guterres did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Erdogan's remarks.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by world leaders in 2015 with a deadline of 2030, are a global "to do" list that includes wiping out hunger, extreme poverty, battling climate change and inequality, and promoting gender equality.

Homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey, but hostility to it is widespread, and police crackdowns on Pride parades have become tougher over the years.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)
A Columbia County man who served in the U.S. Army was recently sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison after uploading sexually explicit images of children to the internet.

Joshua Paul Barnhill, 41, of Martinez, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography.

U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen also ordered Barnhill to pay restitution of $21,000, register as a sex offender and serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The former staff sergeant in the U.S. Army served as a recruiter operating from Fort Jackson, S.C., according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Fort Gordon officials confirmed Barnhill worked at a local recruiting station in the Augusta area before being assigned to Fort Jackson.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a CyberTip to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation about sexually explicit images and videos of children shared by the KIK internet messaging app, according to the release.

After learning the images originated from Barnhills location, investigators searched his home in October 2022, according to previous reporting.

Investigators found hundreds of images and videos on Barnhill's devices, which he used to upload images to the KIK and Wickr applications, according to the release.

"Joshua Barnhill shared sexually explicit images of young children to online messaging applications for exploitation by other viewers," said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. "Such exploitative conduct has earned him substantial prison time."

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678 or https://report.cybertip.org/.

Child porn arrest: Grovetown man charged with possessing pornographic videos of children

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Columbia County soldier sentenced for distributing child pornography
In case there was doubt, and there wasnt much, Sen. Mike Braun is running as the Trumpiest of the five candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana.

Braun has officially endorsed a return of Trump to the White House, linking himself solidly with the former president.

Said Braun: We installed constitutional conservatives on the Supreme Court who have protected the unborn and our Second Amendment rights, and we have disrupted the cozy, self-serving Washington elites who are bankrupting our country.

Although Braun is running for governor rather than for reelection to the Senate, he said that he and Trump together . . . took on the Washington swamp with a historic victory in the 2018 Indiana Senate race.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun speaks Friday, April 14, 2023, during the NRA convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

He didnt seem to like the Senate. And the Senate didnt seem to like him. So, Braun, a successful businessman before turning to politics, decided he would be better suited for an administrative position, governor.

The unabashed endorsement of Trump makes political sense for Braun in a Republican primary in a state where Trump won big twice in presidential elections with solid GOP support.

There are four other candidates for the Republican nomination, three matching Braun with multi-million-dollar campaign funding.

If Braun wins a big margin of support from Trumps MAGA base in Indiana, and the others split up whats left in the Republican primary, it would seem to be a recipe for nomination victory.

The other contenders with big funding and appeal that could go beyond the MAGA base are Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch , Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden and former Indiana Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, who just recently entered the race with surprising initial momentum.

All three, expressing traditional Hoosier conservative values, have refrained from the Trump style of rhetoric. They certainly want the votes of Trump supporters, past and present. But they also appeal to Republicans more interested in government in Indiana than divisive issues in Washington.

The only chance for defeating Braun in the primary would seem to be for one of those three to become clearly the chief challenger to Braun, winning over rather than just splitting ranks of Republicans who are not all-out Trumpsters.

The other candidate, the one without big funding, is former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. Since he could appeal to evangelicals who have been part of the Trump base, Hill could split away some support from Braun in seeking his own winning formula.

Trump was instrumental in Brauns 2018 defeat of Sen. Joe Donnelly, the Democratic incumbent, with repeated Indiana appearances for Braun, who came from behind to win.

While Braun was a solid supporter of Trump proposals in the Senate, he did not this time get an immediate Trump endorsement for governor. A reason could be that Braun changed his stance on rejecting some Electoral College totals and joined after the Jan. 6 insurrection in the vote to accept the presidential election results. Trump holds a grudge. So, another reason for Brauns unabashed endorsement of Trump could be to prevent Trump from looking at the possibility of supporting one of the other candidates for governor.

The role of Gov. Eric Holcomb could be important.

Initially, there was speculation that Holcomb would endorse Crouch, his lieutenant governor. He has made no endorsement. Now, there is speculation that Holcomb might favor Chambers. Kyle Hupfer, long-time successful Republican state chair and Holcomb confidant, resigned from state party leadership and quickly became Chambers campaign chairman, bringing along other party organization figures.

The winner of the Republican nomination is likely to go on to be elected governor. Jennifer McCormick, a former Republican state school superintendent who broke with the GOP on education policy, is now unopposed for the Democratic nomination for governor. She faces a difficult general election race. No Democrat has won a race for governor since 2000. No Democrat has won any statewide race since 2012.

Jack Colwell is a columnist for The Tribune. Write to him in care of The Tribune or by email at jcolwell@comcast.net.

Jack Colwell

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana Sen. Mike Braun the Trumpiest candidate for governor
A Michigan man who served 21 years in prison for the shooting deaths of two hunters has been exonerated and released. Now, hes suing the detectives who helped put him behind bars.

Jeff Titus, 71, was released from prison on June 1, 2023 after officials learned that crucial evidence had been withheld during his trial, according to a lawsuit.

Its like Ive been reborn, and Im starting life all over again and everything is all new, Titus told WXMI.

Jeff Titus exonerated and released after spending 21 years in prison

But one of the detectives who worked the case stands by his actions and says he still believes he arrested the right person, according to WOOD.

I never arrested a man in my life that wasnt guilty, former Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office Detective Mike Brown told WOOD. Never.

Titus is suing Brown and another detective for $100 million.

If they want to sue me for $10 hundred million, come on with it, Brown said, according to WOOD.

The other detective named in the lawsuit, now-retired Michael Werkema, hasnt publicly commented on the Titus accusations. McClatchy News has reached out for comment and didnt immediately receive a response.

The lawsuit filed by Titus claims there was another suspect who fit a description of the shooter. However, Titus was the primary focus of the detectives investigation, despite him having an alibi and passing a polygraph test.

Those two detectives were so blinded by their hell-bent objective to get Jeff Titus. Mike Brown has said, I knew from day one he was the killer, Titus attorney Wolf Mueller said during a news conference, according to WOOD. Well, when you do that and dont look at the evidence objectively, you start cheating.

It all traces back to Nov. 17, 1990, when Doug Estes and Jim Bennett were shot at close range while they were out hunting in Fulton, Michigan. Around the time of the shooting, two witnesses came across a man whose car was stuck in a ditch near where the men were shot.

Three years later, in 1993, those two witnesses identified the man during a police line up, the lawsuit says.

At the time, the man they identified was also a suspect in a series of murders in Ohio. But, the lawsuit says police ruled this man out because they didnt believe he could have made it from Ohio to Fulton, Michigan, within the timeframe of the shooting, according to the lawsuit.

The case went cold until 2000, when two cold case detectives, Brown and Werkema, began investigating. The lawsuit says they heavily focused on Titus because he lived adjacent to the Fulton State Game Area, where the two men were killed.

But Titus had an alibi, the lawsuit says. He told them he was 27 miles away hunting with a friend. But he says the detectives still felt he was guilty, despite there being no physical evidence or eye witnesses connecting him to the crime, according to the lawsuit.

During their cold case investigation, Brown was aware of the folder containing information about a serial killer in Ohio, the lawsuit says.

In 2020, Michigan Innocence Clinic Director, David Moran reviewed Titus case and found a folder containing 30-40 pages with information on the suspect who had been identified by the witnesses, the lawsuit says.

That suspect pleaded guilty to the murders of five hunters and fisherman in Ohio, all of which happened around the same time as the murders in Fulton, according to the lawsuit.

One of the murders was committed one week before the Bennett/Estes murders and one murder was committed one week later, the lawsuit says.

Among other evidence from the initial investigation, the folder contained news articles referencing a serial killer putting outdoorsmen in his sights as well as notes from an FBI agent who had interviewed a federal inmate. The inmate told the agent that the suspect admitted to the Fulton murders but said no one would be able to prove he was even in the county at the time of the murders, the lawsuit said.

But the folder and the evidence inside was never turned over to the prosecution or Titus defense attorney, therefore it was never presented during his trial.

Mr. Brown will have to answer how such critical evidence of another suspect was not included in the homicide file, while any evidence suggesting Mr. Titus was involved, made it into the file, Mueller said in a statement to McClatchy News.

A jury eventually found Titus guilty of first-degree premeditated murder after prosecutors accused him of being an an overzealous protector of his property and of having killed the hunters for supposedly trespassing, according to the lawsuit.

Brown told WOOD he never heard of the other suspect until after Titus conviction.

I didnt have anything to do with that I know nothing about (those) years, Brown told WOOD.

Both of those gentlemen were responsible for hiding evidence that wasnt discovered for 20 years, Mueller told WOOD.

In February 2023, the Michigan Attorney Generals Officer ordered a new trial based on the evidence. Then, on June 1, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor, Jeffrey Getting, agreed to dismiss the charges against Titus.

Mr. Titus was deprived of a fair trial, as admitting to by the county prosecutor. He spent over two decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit because the defendants, Brown and Werkema, intentionally hid evidence of a serial killer of hunters who had been identified by two witnesses immediately after the shooting. This lawsuit will force Brown and Werkema to answer for their actions, Mueller said in a statement to McClatchy News.

Titus was awarded $1 million by the state of Michigan for the wrongful conviction, which he says he plans to donate, according to WXMI.

I am going to do a scholarship to the University of Michigan, two of them right now. Those will be for students that go in to be attorneys that will work in the Innocence Clinic Innocence Project for at least four years; I will pay their full college tuition and books, he told WXMI.

Exonerated man framed for babys homicide spent nearly 30 years in prison, suit says

DNA exonerates 72-year-old, overturns longest wrongful conviction in US, officials say

16-year-old girl killed 45 years ago, Washington cops say. DNA now identifies suspect
 Flash

The 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang), which opened Wednesday in Lianyungang, eastern China's Jiangsu province, brought together over 500 officials, law enforcement representatives, experts, and scholars from over 50 countries and international organizations. They convened to address rising global challenges such as transnational crime, terrorism, and cybercrime.

The 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) kicks off in Lianyungang, eastern China's Jiangsu province, Sept. 20, 2023. [Photo by Cui Can/China.org.cn]

With the theme "One World, Common Security," the forum aimed to foster enhanced collaboration in international law enforcement and public security, addressing the pressing challenges of the modern world.

During the opening ceremony, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong emphasized the need to combat emerging forms of crime that threaten global security. He said, "No country can fare well by itself without interacting with other countries."

He stated that China has a clear and consistent stance on serious and complicated public security issues. He added, "China is willing to cooperate with all parties to put the Global Security Initiative into action, following the principle of security that is shared, holistic, collaborative, and lasting."

In recent years, the Ministry of Public Security has bolstered its law enforcement and security partnerships with corresponding departments worldwide. This strategy has not only ensured domestic safety but also significantly contributed to global and regional stability.

Ma Jinqi, president of China People's Police University, underscored the role of the Chinese police force in augmenting global public security governance. They have offered training and educational programs to over 20,000 police officers from 116 countries, encompassing various areas of law enforcement and crime prevention.

Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, president of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), praised China's steadfast commitment to regional security, peace, and stability.

He pointed to China's pivotal role in joint operations aimed at cross-border telecom fraud, mainly through the collaborative initiative Operation First Light. In 2022, this operation led to the dismantling of 1,770 fraud hubs, the arrest of over 2,000 suspects, and the seizure of illegal funds amounting to $50 million, data from Interpol shows.

The forum's attendees resoundingly advocated for dialogue and cooperation to address the pressing security challenges of today's world. Many commended the Global Security Initiative (GSI) for prioritizing dialogue over confrontation, collaboration over alliances, and mutual benefits over zero-sum dynamics.

"Security has become more of a much bigger problem. We've moved into an area where peace can no longer be taken for granted," said Martin Jacques, a visiting professor at Tsinghua University and former senior fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies of Cambridge University.

He noted that the West's approach to security  usually by forming alliances to counter perceived threats from China  is seen by some as potentially divisive and conflict-inducing.

Jacques lauded China's GSI for introducing a new perspective on security, focusing on collaboration and collective responsibility for global safety.

The conference promoted thorough discussions on the global security landscape, international law enforcement collaboration, and global security governance. It featured three parallel sessions: the Security & Development Forum, the Panel on the International Security Situation, and the Police Academy Chiefs Forum.

Additionally, three documents were unveiled during the conference, covering the concept of public security, enhancing global public security cooperation, and the Global Public Security Index.
A newly discovered comet will briefly illuminate the night sky before the end of the month.

This is the first time in more than 400 years that Comet Nishimura will pass by the Earth, which is about a couple decades before Galileo invented the telescope, according to The Associated Press.

Comet Nishimura was first spotted in Japan by a novice astronomer in mid-August, which is why the comet was named after him.

The comet is expected to pass Northern Hemisphere the week of September 12, passing within 78 million miles of Earths surface.

If the comet hasnt been broken up by the sun, Southern Hemisphere stargazers will likely be able to observe it by September 18, according to The Planetary Society.

Heres how to catch a glimpse of Comet Nishimura before it disappears from view for another 435 years.

Whats a comet?

Catch Comet Nishimura now or never: Cosmic rock won't return for 400 years

A comet is a ball of ice and rock from the outer solar system that have been flung into very elongated orbits which bring them deep into the inner solar system once in a long while, Philip Mauskopf, a professor at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University shared with The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Comets are often called "dirty snowballs" because of their composition, which includes frozen water, methane and other volatile compounds mixed with dust and rocky particles, AZCentral reported.

Will Comet Nishimura be visible?

Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura): Such a strong solar wind. The disconnection event on September 2nd - the spectacular development in a 20-minute animation (RASA 11 QHY600) and 4x80sec red Michael Jager pic.twitter.com/qf43YqhBbl  Michael Jager (@Komet123Jager) September 2, 2023

There is no guarantee Comet Nishimura will be visible, but there is a good chance it might be, NASA reported.

As the comet continues its journey towards the sun, there is a higher possibility it might be visible to the naked eye in early September, according to NASA. The comet is expected to depart from the solar system as soon as it comes in close contact with the sun on September 17, AP reported.

The nucleus of the comet may break up when it reaches the sun, but it will likely survive its passage, manager of NASAs Center for Near-Earth Object Studies Paul Chodas shared with AP.

Since the comet is expected to approach the sun at an angle, scientists have determined that the comet will be most visible near sunrise or sunset, according to NASA.

When was Comet Nishimura discovered?

Comet Nishimura (C/2023 P1) on Sept 5, 2023. For this single shot I used my A7s and a 135mm lens.



Nishimura is a new comet that was discovered on August 11, 2023. It's expected to brighten to a magnitude of 1.8. Its closest approach to us will be on Sep 12 and its perihelion on pic.twitter.com/BXhDo0IOpq  Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) September 6, 2023

Hideo Nishimura was taking 30 second exposures on the night of August 11 when his digital camera captured the presence of a comet hiding in the suns flare, according to NASA and EarthSky.

Nishimuras comet discovery was confirmed by the International Astronomical Union days later, according to reporting by Record Searchlight,part of the USA TODAY Network. The IAU followed the tradition of naming it after its discoverer.

C/2023 P1 Nishimura is Nishimuras third find, which is highly unusual given the quantity of professional sky surveys by powerful ground telescopes, The Associated Press reported.

This is his third find, so good for him, Chodas said.

The rare green comet with a thin tail has been tracked by stargazers since its discovery, according to EarthSky and NASA.

How do I watch Comet Nishimura?

Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) from Belfast, N Ireland at around 5am on 4th Sept 2023. Cropped from a 100mm image - stack of 50 x 3secs at ISO800. (Some problems with stacking caused a halo above neighbour's roof!) @martinastro2005 pic.twitter.com/jCuuZa3egN  PhilipEcotrakNI (@EcotrakNI) September 4, 2023

While its incredibly likely the comet will be visible to the naked eye, the comet will be extremely faint, AP reported.

Stargazers are more likely to see the comets path by way of telescope or a good pair of binoculars about 90 minutes before the sun rises, according to EarthSky.

Early risers should look toward the northeastern horizon, less than 10 or so degrees above the horizon near the constellation Leo, AP reported.

So you really need a good pair of binoculars to pick it out and you also need to know where to look, Chodas told AP.

Spotting the comet will become increasingly difficult after this week as it gets closer to the sun and drops closer to the horizon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Comet Nishimura could be viewed passing Earth after 435 years
Autonomous aerial vehicles have made headlines since the start of the Ukraine war, with commercial drones changing tactics almost overnight. Given this transformation, policymakers are calling for a renewed focus on autonomy on the ground.

The U.S. Department of Defense is at an important juncture as it thinks creatively and ambitiously on how to leverage this critical new technology at scale for strategic advantage.

The last decade has seen significant technological progress on the ground. An AI-driven revolution is currently underway on American roadways, with important implications for both our economic competitiveness and our national security. After many years and billions of dollars of private sector R&D, autonomous vehicles have arrived.

While autonomous technology will soon begin to fundamentally change the way goods and people move, its impact may soon reach far beyond American roadways. AVs will change the strategy for modern ground warfare while saving lives and keeping our service members out of many dangerous situations.

For years, the U.S. Army has experimented with autonomous ground operations, in which a human-driven leader vehicle would chart a path for one or more autonomous follower vehicles. While the Leader-Follower approach frees up manpower and reduces potential human casualties, it also makes leader trucks high-value targets; disabling a single lead vehicle could potentially put an entire convoy at risk.

While the technology developed for Leader-Follower was a major innovation, in the past five years American commercial autonomy developers have leapfrogged the many DoD-funded efforts. Passengers can now hail driverless taxis in multiple cities and developers are planning to deploy the first driverless trucks next year  no leader vehicle is required.

While these vehicles are not yet as resourceful as human drivers, they are programmed to come to a safe stop, pull over, return to base, or even call for a human to offer remote assistance.

Encouraged by this progress, the Defense Innovation Unit, in partnership with the Army, piloted a program in 2022 to leverage commercial autonomous solutions to make the Robot Combat Vehicle fully autonomous. Through this defense acquisition approach, DoD reaps the benefits of continuous software improvements being learned on U.S. roads every day, while de-risking its technological investments and ensuring solutions are being developed and integrated at the speed of relevance.

The Army continues to think through the best use cases that leverage AVs for high-risk missions such as re-supply, reconnaissance support, casualty evacuation, route clearance, and explosive ordnance disposal. Using human-robot teams offers a solution to an enduring challenge for ground forces  building mass to leverage as a force multiplier. Allowing each soldier to control a small fleet of ground and air systems has the potential to address this challenge, exponentially increasing the capability and flexibility of deployed forces.

Human-robot teams will offer additional capabilities beyond what humans can do alone. Low-cost, attritable autonomous systems can overwhelm adversarial forces by saturating an operational area to force an adversary to move, be detected, or be targeted. They may be able to employ deception to confuse the adversarys operational picture by making it difficult to differentiate real targets from decoys.

Ground vehicles could also be outfitted with ISR assets and short-range air and missile defense systems and driven autonomously to forward deployed positions to provide better situational awareness, planning, lethality, decision support, and more dispersed and enhanced protection for soldiers in theater.

Re-imagining Army acquisition

However, to fully harness this burgeoning technology and take advantage of the tremendous progress in the commercial sector, the Army should re-imagine its acquisition strategies and be open to new concepts of operations. While Ukraine has understandably caused the Army to double down on its existing focus on resiliency and lethality to better prepare for a high-intensity conflict, it should also be thinking critically about how to inject redundancy, flexibility and adaptability into force structure through autonomous systems.

A common myth in defense circles is that commercial industry can only function with fixed infrastructure, well-mapped roads, and structured environments. The reality is that American highways are incredibly unpredictable environments, on par with what Army vehicles must contend with.

The millions of autonomous miles of public road driving these companies have completed gives them a significant advantage as they adapt their mature systems to make meaningful progress in complex environments, off-road, and without a human driver in the vehicle. Companies that are operating commercially will deliver an autonomous solution to the military faster; they have moved beyond science experiments and lab demonstrations to developing and delivering a product.

When it comes to adopting ground autonomy at scale, the U.S. military needs to think ambitiously about how to leverage the advances of the commercial sector for a meaningful strategic advantage for the troops.

Don Burnette is the founder & CEO of Kodiak Robotics, a Mountain View, California-based supplier of autonomous vehicle technology. Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson (ret.) is a former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.
The Ministers of Agriculture of Slovakia and Ukraine have agreed on the creation of a licensing system for grain trade, which will allow lifting the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products to Slovakia as soon as the system is in place.

Source: the Ministry of Agriculture of Slovakia, as Reuters writes

Details: Last week, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary announced national restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports after the European Commission decided not to extend the import ban.

The conflict escalated after Ukraine filed a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over these bans, the agency writes.

"(Ministers) agreed on creating a grain trade system based on issuing and controlling licences," the Slovak ministry said in a statement.

"Until this system is up and running and fully tested, the ban on imports of four commodities from Ukraine remains in place," the agency added.

Ukraine has also agreed to withdraw its complaint to the WTO, the Slovak ministry added. At the same time, the ministry did not provide details on how the licensing system would work.

The Slovak import ban was approved until the end of the year.

Background:

It was reported that the Ukrainian government offered neighbouring countries a compromise scenario regarding grain exports.

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!
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday.

Netanyahu, who met Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi during the U.N. General Assembly, announced in a statement that Israel would also be opening an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Only a handful of countries have their embassies in Jerusalem, with most others maintaining their diplomatic representation in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel's main economic hub.

While Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there, most of the world does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, believing its status should be resolved in negotiations.

Palestinians want the capital of an independent state of theirs to be in the city's eastern sector, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis)
By Ange Kasongo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has asked his government to fast track the withdrawal of a United Nations peacekeeping mission to ensure it begins at the end of the year, he said at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.

The mission, called MONUSCO, took over from an earlier U.N. operation in 2010 to help quell insecurity in the eastern part of the Central African country, where armed groups fight over territory and resources.

But its presence has become increasingly unpopular in recent years for what critics say is a failure to protect civilians against militia groups, sparking deadly protests.

"It is to be deplored that peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years... have failed to cope with the rebellions and armed conflicts," Tshisekedi told the assembly in a speech.

"This is why... I instructed the Government of the Republic to begin discussions with the U.N. authorities for an accelerated withdrawal of MONUSCO... by bringing forward the start of this progressive withdrawal from December 2024 to December 2023," he said.

More than 40 people were killed and dozens wounded in an army crackdown on violent anti-U.N. demonstrations in the eastern city of Goma last month. Another protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and the city of Butembo.

(Reporting by Ange Kasongo; Writing by Edward McAllister. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
On a recent Southwest flight from Washington to Kansas City, as some passengers see-sawed their carry-on bags out of the overhead compartment, several stayed put in their seats for the next leg of the trip  Las Vegas.

The flight originated at Washingtons Reagan National Airport, which is subject to federal rules limiting how many planes go beyond a 1,250 mile perimeter that ends just past Wichita. To fly direct to Las Vegas, theres only one flight, operated by American Airlines.

Some lawmakers want that to change. Theyre pushing to add more direct flights from western states to Washingtons most convenient airport  the one closest to the Capitol and often used by lawmakers rushing to get to the airport after voting on a Thursday afternoon.

The debate is just one small part of a larger negotiation over the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, a process which sets industry standards on issues like flight safety and consumer protections, including preventing airlines from charging parents extra to sit next to their children.

But as lawmakers negotiate its passage in a gridlocked Congress, some in Kansas City are worried the debate will affect flights going through Kansas Citys shiny, new, $1.5 billion terminal.

Thats the theory, said Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican who serves on the committee in charge of writing the FAA reauthorization bill. Moran opposes the changes to Reagan airport.

The argument over flights at Reagan is just one part of a much larger negotiation over FAA reauthorization. Currently, the Senate version of the bill is stuck while lawmakers disagree over how many flight simulator training hours pilots should be allowed to apply to the 1,500 hours they need for the type of license that allows them to fly for the major U.S. airlines.

But the provision shows how one small change in Washington can cause a ripple effect across the country, affecting cities thousands of miles away. So far the major airports in Missouri and Kansas  Kansas City International, Eisenhower in Wichita, and Lambert in St. Louis  have not taken a public stance on the number of flights going through Reagan.

Neither has the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. But theyre paying attention.

We are concerned about the proposed rule change and have been talking with our diverse group of stakeholders and our federal delegation about the issue, said Pam Whiting, the vice president of communications for the chamber. The KC Chamber does not want to lose nonstop service from Kansas City to any city and, with the opening of the new KCI, we have been working to support increased nonstop domestic and international service.

The number of flights at Reagan airport are limited by two factors  the number of slots or how many flights are allowed to come into and leave the airport and a 1,250 perimeter. There are only 20 round trip flights to 10 cities outside the perimeter: Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and San Juan.

Advocates for the bill  including a lobbying group that formed called the Capital Access Alliance, have said the proposals would be adding flights, not taking any existing flights away. They say it will increase competition and help bring the cost down.

Read the bill, said Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the Capital Access Alliance. It does not call for canceling or removing existing flights.

Walshs group has launched an advertising campaign, urging people to support additional flights because it will make it easier for children to visit the nations capital. Their opposition, the Coalition to Protect Americas Regional Airports, has warned that increasing flights will cause more delays and create more noise problems for nearby residents.

The way airlines operate flights may make the issue more complicated. Because there are a limited number of slots available at Reagan airport, cities have to prove that theres enough demand to make the flight worthwhile economically for an airline. For years, Eisenhower airport in Wichita pushed for a direct flight to Reagan.

In July, the airport was able to announce the effort came into fruition  starting January 8, people will be able to fly directly from Wichita to Reagan airport, which is a short metro ride from downtown Washington.

Its something that this region has wanted for a long time, said Valeria Wise, the air service and marketing manager at Eisenhower airport. We certainly dont want to lose it.

But in order to get that flight, another city had to lose a flight.

If more flights were added at Reagan, especially longer flights outside of the perimeter, airlines could choose to focus on those flights and eliminate flights to smaller, regional airports. Take the Southwest flight to Las Vegas that stops in Kansas City. Some worry that if people were able to go directly to Las Vegas on Southwest, it might eliminate the need for a stop in Kansas City, getting rid of two legs  one from Washington to Kansas City and one from Kansas City to Las Vegas.

A report by the Government Accountability Office found that if airlines were able to choose between using their slots on longer flights outside the perimeter and smaller flights within the perimeter, they would choose the longer flights because they earn more money.

Many selected stakeholders agreed that if the perimeter rule were lifted, airlines would reduce or discontinue service for some passengers traveling to or from smaller communities within the perimeter, the report says.

The current proposals floating around Congress would not lift the perimeter rule entirely. A House bill that proposed adding 28 daily round trip flights to Reagan airport was pared down to just seven round-trip flights when it was proposed as an amendment to the Houses version of the FAA reauthorization in July.

The amendment failed, but lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri were split. In Missouri, the two Democrats voted against adding more flights to Reagan airport while the Republicans  including Rep. Sam Graves, who was the sponsor of the FAA reauthorization bill  voted for the changes.

In Kansas, Republican Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes voted to add the additional flights while Reps. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, and Jake LaTurner, a Republican, voted against it.

Theres currently a proposed amendment to the Senate version of the bill that would pare things down even farther, adding just four new flights to Reagan airport. But that vote has been stalled for months as lawmakers argue over whether more flight simulator training hours should count toward a certain type of pilot certificate.

In the meantime, Kansas City officials have been cautious in taking an official stand. That includes Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who frequently flies from Kansas City to Washington to participate in events at the White House and U.S. Capitol.

City leadership has engaged in productive discussions with our representatives in Washington related to ensuring our world-class Kansas City International Airport maintainsand can continue to growKansas Citys aviation footprint, said Morgan Said, Lucas chief of staff. We appreciate our federal delegations ongoing partnership in ensuring Kansas City and our airport are well-represented in all FAA Reauthorization discussions and otherwise.
A former San Luis Obispo police chief who was accused of overusing public funds for travel was fired from his job leading the Cottonwood Police Department in Arizona.

Steve Gesell worked in San Luis Obispo County for six years, serving as a commander for the Atascadero Police Department from 2009 through 2012 and then San Luis Obispo police chief from 2012 through 2015.

Gesell left the San Luis Obispo Police Department following several controversies that ended with him being placed on administrative leave. He was paid a $120,000 severance settlement.

Within six months of leaving San Luis Obispo, Gesell landed the police chief job in Cottonwood, a small city about an hour and a half north of Phoenix.

According to the Arizona Republic, Gesell was placed on administrative leave in May while certain internal matters are being addressed.

Gesells employment with the department was terminated Sept. 14 following an independent investigation, according to a news release from the city of Cottonwood.

City of Cottonwood staff are held to a high standard of accountability, ethics, trustworthiness, service to the community and respectful treatment of their co-workers, the release said. It is the city managers responsibility to ensure that all violations of employment policies and/or procedures are diligently examines, and if substantiated, to take appropriate and necessary action.

Cottonwood city manager Scotty Douglass did not confirm the reason behind Gesells termination by Wednesday evening.

Fired police chief has controversial history in San Luis Obispo

Gesell was subject to several controversies during his three-year tenure as San Luis Obispo police chief, namely in 2014.

Residents found an opinion piece written by Gesell published in The Tribune in December 2014 about the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, and 18-year-old Black man, in Ferguson, Missouri, to be biased, condescending and out of touch, according to Tribune reporting from the time.

Community members also questioned the police response to an early-morning St. Frattys Day party attended by several thousand Cal Poly students in March 2014 where a roof collapsed and injured at least eight people. Gesell said his department was caught off guard that morning and had only five officers on duty, with officer shifts rearranged to prepare for parties that evening, based on loose information from university police.

Gesells work travel also came under scrutiny in 2014, a Tribune investigation found, with Gesell attending three times as many conferences, meetings and workshops as any other police chief in the county.

The trips prompted city officials to draft changes to their travel policy to include more oversight. The 2006 travel policy allowed department heads or their staff to approve their own travel expenses. City officials also determined that Gesell owed the city $146 for personal spending incorrectly included on receipts he submitted for reimbursement.

Gesell was placed on administrative leave from his position in San Luis Obispo in May 2015. According to a press release, he and the city decided to part ways later that month because of fundamental differences about the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the police chief that interfered with their ability to effectively communicate and serve the city at the highest level.

Gesell received a $120,000 payout and agreed to not take legal action against the City of San Luis Obispo as a result of the separation.

He was hired as Cottonwood police chief in January 2016.

Cottonwood city manager Douglass did not respond to questions regarding whether Cottonwood was aware of Gesells history at the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
The state university system Board of Governors on Wednesday took a step in carrying out a controversial new law that includes requiring the designation of restrooms for exclusive use by females and exclusive use by males.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law in May, amid a series of measures in Florida and other states focused on transgender people.

The Board of Governors approved moving forward with a notice of intent to adopt a new regulation about the designation of restrooms or having unisex restrooms.

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University employees who violate (the law), are subject to their universitys established disciplinary procedures, which must include disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal, the proposed regulation said. Universities are required to provide documentation certifying their compliance with the law by April 1.

Amanda Phalin, a member of the Board of Governors who also is a professor at the University of Florida, voted against moving forward with the regulation.

In places where similar laws have been implemented, there has been an increase in harassment of people who were using or attempting to use the restroom, Phalin said during a meeting of the boards Facilities Committee before the measure was taken up by the full board.

Read: Citizens customers could see costly policy switch if they miss this important letter

Phalin also recommended that the board keep and report data on any instances of harassment. Charles Lydecker, chairman of the Facilities Committee, told Phalin that he would be interested in hearing concerns that you have been made aware of.

Equality Florida, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, said in a statement after the Legislature approved the law in May that it perpetuates discrimination and exclusion of transgender Floridians by prohibiting gender-inclusive restrooms and changing rooms in schools and other facilities.

Read: Neighborhood battles squatters in Winter Park

The state Board of Education, which oversees the 28 schools in the public college system, passed a similar rule in August.

State colleges are required to have separate bathrooms and changing rooms based on biological sex at birth under the rule.

Read: Senate confirms chairman of joint chiefs, hundreds of military nominees still being blocked

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Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 counts of federal financial crimes on Thursday. File Photo by South Carolina Department of Corrections

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh entered guilty pleas to 22 financial fraud counts involving clients, his own law firm and others who trusted him over 10 years, totaling millions of dollars.

The guilty pleas entered in federal court in Charleston, S.C., was yet another blow to the once powerful attorney from a prominent legal family who is already serving two life sentences for the deaths of his wife and one of his sons.

Prosecutors said the financial fraud charges covered a 10-year period, but they actually found evidence that his financial crimes dated back to 2005.

"I am pleading guilty of my own free will because I am guilty ... and for other reasons," Murdaugh told U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel. "I want to take responsibility for my actions. ... I want my son (Buster Murdaugh) to see that I am taking responsibility.

"It is my hope that by taking responsibility, that the people I have hurt will begin to heal."

In March, a South Carolina circuit court judge sentenced Murdaugh to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting deaths of his wife, Margaret, and adult son Paul in 2021 after a jury found him guilty of the charges.

He already was awaiting trial for nearly 100 counts of financial fraud-related charges at the time.

Murdaugh's lawyer Richard Harpootlian told reporters Murdaugh was cooperative and apologized to his financial victims.

"This is, we believe, the first step for him in putting this behind him," Harpootlian said. "He did not argue with a single fact. He did not argue with me to push back on any allegation."

In May, federal authorities charged Murdaugh with bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly redirecting settlement funds from his clients to personally enrich himself, according to the Justice Department.

He was accused of sending funds to his own accounts without his clients' approval, and also collected attorney's fees on fake or nonexistent annuities.
Staff members sit at a registration table set up for Afghans who visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' Afghan Support Center in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Three Afghan men are one step closer to reuniting with the wives and children they left in Afghanistan because they attended a recent Oklahoma City area "one-stop-shop" event coordinated by a federal agency.

The trio received help at the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services' Afghan Support Center held Sept. 6-9 at Delta Hotels by Marriott in Midwest City. A similar event began on Wednesday and continues through Saturday in Tulsa. Cherokee Nation System Solutions, a Cherokee Federal company, operated the Oklahoma City area center as a government subcontractor and the organization is also operating the event planned for Eastern Oklahoma.

The support centers offer "targeted wrap-around social services and information" at a single location, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services said in an email.

Afghan refugees in Oklahoma still facing challenges settling in their new home

The assistance comes at a critical time for Afghans and the Oklahomans assisting them with the resettlement process. Many of the Afghans still need a lot of help navigating their new home and culture in Oklahoma, according to several local agency leaders and Afghan family sponsors who recently gathered at the state Capitol to discuss Afghan resettlement.

More than 1,800 Afghans have arrived in the state since 2021 through a resettlement program led by Catholic Charities, the only federally authorized resettlement agency in the state. Oklahoma was one of the states that received the largest number of Afghan refugees after the fall of the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the withdrawal of U.S. military troops from Afghanistan in August 2021.

"It's hard because I've talked to multiple sponsors who are wanting to take a half step back because they've invested so much time and energy and want to encourage self-sufficiency, but they all admit if we don't commit to staying engaged, where are they going to get the help?" said Jeff Poyner, one of the sponsors who attended a recent interim study at the state Capitol gathering.

More: How a chance grocery store encounter brought a local teen and Afghan refugee family together

Poyner said he took three Afghan fathers to the Oklahoma City area Afghan Support Center and saw how happy they were when their reunification efforts were boosted by the much-needed in-person assistance of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services representatives. He said the men fled Afghanistan almost two years ago fearing for their lives when the Taliban began taking over the country.

He said earlier this year, he had helped the men file some paperwork to bring their families to the United States, but their efforts had been at a standstill. He and the Afghan men were able to get a representative with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services together with their attorney from the local Afghan Legal Network.

"That allowed us to move forward with the process very simply," Poyner said.

Miniature U.S. and Afghanistan flags sit on the registration table at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Afghan Support Center in the Oklahoma City metro area.

How the center works to help Afghan refugees in Oklahoma

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said the centers are designed to provide a centralized location for Afghans to access a wide variety of information and services, which include information and resources regarding public health, education, legal assistance, employment, social services, housing and the U.S. immigration system.

Local agencies like Community Action Agency of Oklahoma and Canadian Counties, Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma, the American Red Cross, Oklahoma City-County Health Department, Oklahoma City School District and Spero were among numerous local organizations represented at the Oklahoma City area Afghan Support Center. Shuttle buses provided many Afghans with transportation to and from the center and about 20 interpreters were hired to help walk the visiting Afghans through the center.

Curtis Mays with the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma and Canadian Counties, said many of the Afghans who visited his booth asked for information about help with immediate needs like utility assistance and job referrals.

"I think this is critical for people who are just coming here," he said. It's giving them an opportunity to know what's available."

For more information on future Afghan Support Centers, go to www.centersforafghansupport.org.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cherokee Nation System Solutions helping Afghan refugees in Oklahoma
QUINCY  If Eastern Nazarene College ever goes out of business, the property should be used for senior housing, Mayor Thomas Koch says.

Koch has asked the city council to approve an overlay district for the property, a move prompted by the Aug. 1 announcement that migrant families were being helped and housed on the ENC campus, Koch's chief of staff, Chris Walker, told The Patriot Ledger.

The announcement drew criticism from Koch at the time, and a meeting to discuss the shelter last week grew heated as residents and state and city officials debated the issue, which is affecting cities and towns statewide as migrants flow into Massachusetts.

Walker said it's not the shelter or family welcome center but ENC's need to find other uses for substantial portions of its property that raised questions with city officials about the college's long-term financial stability.

Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy hosts a welcome center and a shelter for immigrant families facing homelessness.

What would the proposed overlay district accomplish?

The overlay district proposal was introduced at the Sept. 18 city council meeting. If adopted, it would limit future development of the ENC campus to low-density senior housing if the college closes and sells its 20 acres of land in Wollaston.

In a letter to Quincy City Council President Noel DiBona, Koch proposed an overlay district of housing for people 55 and older.

Walker said overlay districts for senior housing are relatively rare. He pointed to Randolph as one example in the region.

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch.

According to a document Walker emailed to The Patriot Ledger, the district's purpose would be "to encourage the development of housing opportunities available to senior residents within the City of Quincy, with particular focus on residents who have lived and raised their families in Quincy and now find themselves unable to afford to remain in the city."

The Koch administration had prioritized increasing affordable housing options for seniors in its "five-year housing production plan" released in June 2022.

The council sent the overlay district proposal to its ordinance committee.

"I love the idea of a proactive approach," DiBona said. "I think this opens the doorway for other areas and other developments around the city that may have to be tweaked down the road."

What is the "enrollment cliff," and how is it affecting Eastern Nazarene?

In his letter, Koch wrote that the measure does not imply imminent closure or sale of college property and expressed his hope that Eastern Nazarene remains in the city for decades to come.

"It is no secret, however, that like many similar institutions of higher education, the college faces challenges," Koch wrote.

In an interview at his office, ENC Vice President of Academic Affairs Bill McCoy described "ferocious" competition to enroll a dwindling pool of potential students. He said the number of high school graduates in the Northeast has severely declined, a trend  known as the "enrollment cliff" and blamed on lower birth rates  he expects will intensify over the next decade.

Eastern Nazarene College Vice President of Academic Affairs Bill McCoy.

McCoy said high operational costs also have affected the college's effort to provide an affordable education to its students.

"We need all the creativity we can muster to try to put the right resources in place to support our students and help us fulfill our mission," McCoy said.

Part of ENC's plan is to appeal to nontraditional students. McCoy said the college has launched its first fully online academic programs over the past three years.

More: State officials to visit Quincy 3 days after neo-Nazis march outside ENC migrant shelter

Eastern Nazarene has also partnered with MassHire to offer certifications in areas such as bookkeeping and accounting to unemployed people looking to rejoin the workforce.

"Any school that isn't making those kinds of pivots isn't going to make it," McCoy said.

The college also has also sought alternative uses for its facilities on campus, as illustrated by the welcome center and temporary shelter.

More: Tempers flare as Quincy debates temporary shelter for homeless refugee families

In May 2022, Eastern Nazarene opened 30 residence halls to Quincy College nursing students who need affordable housing. It has also increased the scope of its summer camp and conference programs, according to the college website.

Many small colleges are facing challenging times, especially in the Northeast, McCoy said.

In 2020, a MetroWest Daily News report said 18 private colleges in Massachusetts had closed or merged within the previous five years. A new set of regulations was adopted governing how state higher education officials screen colleges and universities for financial risks and potential closures.

What is Eastern Nazarene College's financial position?

In March 2021, the New England Commission of Higher Education, an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, told Eastern Nazarene that the college was in danger of not meeting the commission's "standard on institutional resources."

The report, which was based on a self-study completed by Eastern Nazarene in 2020, singled out enrollment and budget deficits as areas of concern.

Because of the commission's report, McCoy said, "we have been subject to, and participated in, a heightened level of scrutiny from (the commission) and from the Board of Higher Education. We continue to cooperate fully with them and provide them the information they're requiring, and we remain optimistic about the future."

He said Eastern Nazarene's financial statement for fiscal 2022 reported a second consecutive budget surplus, with revenues exceeding expenses by $102,854.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

Reach Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy mayor wants senior housing zone for Eastern Nazarene property
A dozen earthquakes have rumbled underneath South Carolina so far this year  but Horry County residents could be forgiven for not knowing about any of them.

Thats because a tremblor hasnt affected the region since the President Grover Cleveland administration. And Horry County hasnt been directly hit by an earthquake since at least 1698, though its probably closer to 6,000 years, according to the state Emergency Management Division.

On Aug. 31, 1886, a magnitude 7.3 quake shook Charleston so badly that shock waves could be felt as far away as Boston and Milwaukee. Sixty people were killed and damages were around $6 million, the equivalent of nearly $180 million today.

Ninety miles to the north in Conway, the countys government building was heavily damaged.

It literally shook the county, Ben Burroughs, director of the Horry County Archives Center at Coastal Carolina University, told WPDE News 15 in 2019. Its a wonder that front portico on that building literally didnt come tumbling down.

Despite the rarity of such an event, Horry County has a comprehensive earthquake response protocol baked into its emergency management plan.

But first, a bit of science.

A major fault line runs along western Horry County

Scientists are flummoxed as to why the Palmetto State has shaken 88 times since early 2022.

For clues on how damaging an earthquake in Horry County could be should it face a direct strike, pick up some dirt.

Horry County soils are mostly comprised of clay, loam and sand  upping the chances of higher liquefaction should a quake hit.

Liquefaction essentially turns solid ground into a quicksand-like substance due to the powerful, rapid shaking of a quake.

That soil loses its density and ultimately the ability to support roads, buried pipes, and, of course, houses, the California Earthquake Authority explains on its website.

The phenomena was blamed for exacerbating damage in San Franciscos marina district following a 1989 quake.

The eastern portion and various areas in the western portion of Horry County have been identified to contain areas with liquefaction potential. In addition, areas with liquefaction potential are located along the Grand Strand, the countys emergency management plan states.

In general, the East Coast is less at risk of a major earthquake. You can thank really old rocks for that.

Eastern North America has older rocks, some of which formed hundreds of millions of years before those in the West. These older formations have been exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures, making them harder and often denser, the U.S. Geological Survey says on its website.

Nearly 70% of all South Carolina quakes happen in the greater Charleston area, making it one of the East Coasts most seismically active areas.

Horry Countys earthquake response plan identifies priority areas

Here are the first several things that would happen in the aftermath of an earthquake with a Grand Strand epicenter:

Immediate activation of the emergency operations center to its top level

Immediate focus on preserving life and property in collaboration with state officials

Providing resources for saving and sustaining lives

Development of mobile public address systems and the posting of notices on bulletin boards in designated gathering places

Damage assessment with an immediate focus on the integrity of critical facilities including roadways, bridges and utility systems.
A school board member in Greater Cincinnatis second-largest school district must stay 500 feet away from one of her fellow board members at all times after his request for court-ordered protection from her was granted Wednesday.

Butler County Magistrate Matthew Reed and Common Pleas Court Judge Greg Howard signed the civil stalking protection order for Lakota Local Schools board member Isaac Adi against Darbi Boddy.

"(Boddy) has knowingly engaged in a pattern of conduct that caused Petitioner to believe that Respondent will cause physical harm or cause or has caused mental distress," comments accompanying the order state. "... the following orders are equitable, fair, and necessary to protect the persons named in this order from stalking offenses.

The order, which took effect Wednesday afternoon, forbids Boddy from being within 500 feet of Adi, including at school functions in person where Adi would be present, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office, which served Boddy with the order Thursday.

Read the protection order here.

Under current state law, all elected officials must be physically present at public meetings to vote, according to the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. An exception made during the coronavirus pandemic that allowed virtual meetings ended July 1, 2022, according to the states attorney.

The next Lakota school board meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Darbi Boddy, Lakota School Board member, looks on during a Lakota School Board work session at Lakota Plains Junior School in Liberty Township on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lolli said in a statement Wednesday, Well review the order and make any needed adjustments.

Adi and Boddy campaigned together in 2021 but he claimed in court records filed last month that he was under mental distress because their relationship has deteriorated to the point that Boddy is extremely aggressive toward me and has become very confrontational. In June, Boddy accused Adi of assault after he swatted her phone away when she was attempting to record him after a board meeting. The sheriff's office later dismissed the complaint, finding the offense didn't rise to the level of assault.

During a hearing Friday, fellow board members Julie Shaffer and Lynda O'Connor, as well as Assistant Superintendent Stacy Maney, testified in support of Adi. Boddy was the only one to testify in her defense.

Boddy plans to appeal

The order could stay in effect for years including through the end of Boddy's four-year term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026. Violation of a protection order is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

Boddy plans to appeal the order to Ohio's 12th District Court of Appeals, attorney Robert Croskery said.

This end-around by the Board through contrived actions to disenfranchise Darbi Boddys supporters by banning her from meetings is wrong under the law, is morally outrageous, and I strongly believe it will be overturned on appeal," Croskery said. "In the meanwhile, my client will do her job to the best of her ability, as she was elected to do and as she is required to do.

Isaac Adi (left), vice president of the Lakota Local Schools Board of Education, speaks during a school board meeting at Lakota East Freshman School, on Monday, June 5, 2023, while president Lynda OConnor (right), listens.

When reached for comment, OConnor, the board president, said it is a matter that rests between the courts, Adi and Boddy. "This is not within the boards purview. I think the board is looking forward to focusing on our students.

Robert Lyons, said both he and Adi were pleased and the order would bring relief to his client.

I think with this order he can proceed with his duties as a school board member, as vice president of the school board, without the concern of Ms. Boddy interfering with his life and his duties," Lyons said. "Im very pleased with the magistrates decision. Its a very thorough decision he rendered. He made it clear what his thoughts were.

Several incidents led to protection order, Adi says

In addition to the June 13 confrontation that led to the assault accusation, Adi described other situations that prompted him to seek the protection order:

"Confrontational phone calls followed by apology text messages from November 2021 to January 2022.

"Harassing confrontations three separate times in front of groups of people during a conservative leadership conference they both attended in Florida in April.

Stress over social media posts, most made by Boddy, that he was taken to the hospital because his body was shutting down. He said he was in the hospital for three days and two nights and submitted a medical bill to the court as evidence.

Two days after Adi requested the protection order, Boddy confronted Adi at a board committee meeting by asking why he left the room, recording and challenging him.

Boddy's attorney showed a video in court Friday of Adi getting angry with parents. At the end of it, he smacked a cell phone as he was being videotaped by one of them as well.

Boddy testified Friday that she didnt mean any ill will against Adi.

She said she was just calling him out at the leadership conference for not being conservative when she felt he should be conservative, for not voting conservative and for supporting the former superintendent, Matt Miller. She confirmed on the stand what she said previously about Adi and offered to read it again.

Reed, the magistrate, disagreed with Boddy, saying her actions "are more than just expressing political ideas, they are actions sharply directed at another individual as to exert undue pressure on them to conform to her beliefs or punish them for not changing their beliefs."

This report was provided by Enquirer media partner Fox19.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Protection order granted in feuding Lakota school board members case
The launch of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines, the first campaign since the federal pandemic emergency ended, is off to a bumpy start.

Reports are piling up of insured Americans being stuck with the nearly $200 bill for shots, which were approved last week. The new vaccines are designed to protect against new strains of the coronavirus and are recommended for everyone older than 6 months.

While the Biden administration has scrambled to make the shots accessible to uninsured Americans, its unclear whether current supply will meet demand.

Anyone with health insurance  either through private insurers or federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid  should be able to receive the new COVID vaccines for free.

But thats not always happening, according to news reports and complaints on social media. As CBS News reported, the vaccines have new billing codes, and insurers are still updating their plans to cover the shots.

Major health insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and Kaiser Permanente, said they planned to cover the COVID-19 shots as routine vaccinations when reached for comment by The Hill. Providers like Cigna and Anthem did not immediately respond when reached for comment or deferred inquiries to AHIP, the health insurance trade association.

Health insurance providers are working with the federal government and pharmacy and provider partners to ensure that everyone has access to ACIP-recommended vaccines, without cost sharing, AHIP said in a statement to The Hill.

The new vaccine formulations mark the first time that the COVID-19 vaccines are available without being purchased/distributed by the federal government.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra received his updated COVID shot at a CVS Pharmacy in Washington on Wednesday to encourage vaccine uptake and promote the availability of vaccines through pharmacies.

While taking questions from reporters, Becerra acknowledged accounts of insured individuals having to pay out-of-pocket. The secretary said any claims that insurers arent covering the shots are not correct.

Please make sure youre talking to your insurance company because. You should be covered by law. If you are insured, you are covered for COVID. If you are on Medicare, you are covered. If you are on Medicaid, you are covered and if you dont have insurance  through this Bridge Access program  you are covered, Becerra said.

He also encouraged insured customers to speak with their pharmacists because they may be able to clear up any confusion.

Weve contacted the insurers and contacted the pharmacists and were working with them to make sure everyone understands how this works, Becerra said.

For the uninsured, the Biden administration has quickly expanded pathways to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations. The initiative, called the Bridge Access Program, will distribute vaccines through community health centers, local health departments and pharmacies.

There were initial concerns that contracts with pharmacies in the Bridge program  CVS, Walgreens and eTrueNorth  might not be finalized until October, but the CDC announced last week that existing contracts had been modified to offer the shots in areas with low coverage and access.

HHS estimates more than 20,000 retail pharmacy locations across the U.S. will offer no-cost vaccinations through this Bridge program, scheduled to run until December 2024.

But community health centers and local health departments are also adjusting to a COVID response without the federal funds they enjoyed during the pandemic to help administer doses.

According to Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), health centers lack both the resources and the supply that they previously benefited from.

There will be about 6 million vaccines available and those initial vaccines are targeted towards the uninsured and underinsured folks through what is called the Bridge Program, Freeman said.

Three million will be available to state and local health departments through federally qualified health centers and through the regional community health centers. And so theres going to be less vaccines and there are about 25 million total uninsured people in the country right now. So you can easily do the math.

Health stakeholders are also still unclear on what level of demand they should anticipate for the shots, though Freeman said member departments within her organization have been receiving increasing rates of phone calls about obtaining a vaccine since the CDC approved them.

HHS has not disclosed how many vaccines will be made available through the Bridge program, and Becerra did not provide a figure when asked directly about quantity on Wednesday.

This is a billion-plus dollar program. As I said, you dont have to pay out of pocket for your vaccine but it is not  its not cost-free. There are costs to making a vaccine available, he said.

The secretary said the CDC will be paying a similar price per vaccine dose as it did in the past. The federal government previously paid roughly $20 per dose for the first round of coronavirus immunizations. The updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are priced at $120 and $129, respectively, on the commercial market.

Many health departments may not be able to cover the costs of these newer formulations, according to Freeman, even with reimbursements.

Some of the challenges were seeing specifically with the local health departments involvement are that there are some billing issues with the vaccine in that the reimbursement available to local health departments is less than the cost of the vaccine, Freeman said.

She noted one reimbursement rate she has been told of is $65 for every $120 dose.

Freeman added not all the doses allocated for the Bridge program will be immediately available, so health departments in areas with high rates of uninsured individuals may contend with low supply as manufacturers and distributors get the medicine out.

Still, Becerra projected confidence in vaccine access, saying that these early hiccups will be overcome soon.

Weve been working with the insurers for months and the pharmacist for months. We had to reach contracts with the various stakeholders. So, everyones known but sometimes whether its a computer glitch or maybe something else, something can get in the way, said Becerra. My sense is that these are glitches that will be addressed pretty quickly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Park service workers and rangers at a roadblock give tourists information on what else there is to see and do in the area. Bryce Canyon National Park is closed due to the government partial shutdown. | Alex Cabrero, Deseret News

With a shutdown of the federal government appearing increasingly likely, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says the state has a plan to help keep the states national parks open.

Cox said he has been working with outgoing Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, and Utah Senate President Stuart Adams , R-Layton, and we are all in agreement that its worth keeping the parks open.

National parks are the lifeblood of nearby communities so we are going to step up and do that again, he said.

Responding to reporters questions during the PBS Utahs monthly governors press conference on Thursday, Cox said he believes the plan can be accomplished with existing funds without having to call a special session. So thats the track that we are taking right now, he said.

Cox said hope is dissipating quickly in averting the shutdown. As we kind of evaluate the situation, it could be a long one.

During the government shutdown of 2013, which lasted 16 days, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert negotiated with the Department of Interior and signed agreements to keep national parks open, he said.

Utah funded that to the tune of about a million dollars and ... we never did get reimbursed for it, Cox said.

Cox said the current contingency plan covers only the parks. Other federally funded programs such as Head Start and food inspections could be impacted.

Obviously if this was a situation where were shutdown extended for several months, we would have to reevaluate and potentially call a special session for that but we think we have enough right now that we can do that and then and then we can adjust the budget next year in in January when we come back, Cox said.

Leaders of the Utah Legislature said earlier this week the national parks need to stay open.

Some counties are almost over 90% owned by the federal government. You shut down the national parks, it destroys their entire economy, Adams, the Senate president, told reporters during a Monday news conference in St. George.

If the Department of the Interior will let us, were not going to let that happen. Well keep the parks open like we did last time, Adams said, calling the lack of a balanced federal budget disappointing.

Park Ranger Matthew Chuvarsky talks to St. George resident Melissa Norris on Oct. 5, 2013, about her hike in Zion National Park that violated the parks closure after the government shutdown. Is another federal shutdown looming, and what does Utah have planned to address it? | McKenzie Romero, Deseret News

Wilson, whos resigning from the Legislature to run for the U.S. Senate, took a swipe at Washington, D.C. at the same news conference, held during legislative interim meetings.

Well, big surprise, right? Were going to have another federal government shutdown, the speaker said. Utah has seen this before. Well do what weve done in the past. Well get together and well do what we can, but we do not want our national parks to shut down.

The shutdown in 2018-2019 was 35 days long, the longest in history.

On Thursday morning, House Republicans blocked a Pentagon funding bill for the second time this week. House Republican leaders sent members home for the week amid deep divisions over funding the government ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline.

Cox said of Congress inability to pass a budget, This is stupid. ... This is the one thing theyre supposed to do, right? Like, pass a budget guys. Like its been 10 years more than that since theyve actually done the budgeting process the way it was envisioned to be, he said.

Utah, meanwhile, passes a budget every year. Im trying to imagine what our state would be like if we acted like this. We have 45 days to pass a budget and we do it every year, Cox said.

Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche
Her plan was to leave her colorful yarn bomb project in downtown Wichita up for another 10 days.

Instead, crochet artist Tamara Gonzales has decided to undress the bronze sculptures lining Douglas early. If she doesnt, she said, she wont have any of the pieces she spent months creating left.

Who is dressing the bronze sculptures in downtown Wichita? And who is undressing them?

Gonzales, the longtime president of the citys crochet guild, delighted Wichita last weekend by sewing colorful crocheted clothing onto most of the bronze sculptures installed at various spots along Douglas. She spent months creating hats, scarves, sweaters  even a pair of pastel striped overalls  for the statues to wear, and she saw the project as a way to promote the art of crochet while bringing a little joy to the people who saw it.

Crochet artist Tamara Gonzales may dress the downtown statues again for the Tallgrass Film Festival. For now, though, shes taking the remaining items home for safekeeping.

She first put the clothes on the statues on Friday, expecting some of the items to disappear. Gonzales said she understands that some people who live on downtown streets are in need of clothing, and her guild regularly provides crocheted clothes, afghans and scarves to charitable organizations.

But the items disappeared at an alarming rate, she said. Of the 30 items she put out, half are gone  and not just hats and scarves. Many of the child- and cat-sized sweaters and capes she crocheted have been taken, and because she sewed them on, whoever took them would have had to cut them off, which would have caused them to unravel.

Gonzales isnt angry about the disappearance of the items, she said. She wants people to have what they need. But by Thursday morning, the hood attached to the statue of the businessman at Douglas and Main  who Gonzales nicknamed Walter  had been snipped off, and the sweater and cap worn by the statue of a boy pushing a wagon had been taken, too.

This kittys sweater was one of the first things swiped after crochet artist Tamara Gonzales dressed the statues downtown last weekend.

Im still not discouraged, she said. Im just trying to save whats left.

This afternoon around 4 p.m., she said, she plans to undress Walter, whose overalls she really wants to save, and shell also retrieve the remaining items that havent been taken.

Part of her motivation, Gonzales said, is that she was contacted by someone from the Tallgrass Film Festival, who asked her if shed consider dressing the statues during the festivals run, which is Oct. 5-8. She liked the idea but had serious doubts the items would make it until then.

Walters hood disappeared overnight on Wednesday. Crochet artist Tamara Gonzales worries his intricate overalls could go next.

I dont want to make another pair of overalls if I dont have to, she said.

Gonzales, who went before the citys Design Council to get permission to dress the statues for two weeks, said she still plans to try the installation again next fall, but shes trying to think of places her crocheted items would be more secure.

Instead of dressing the bronze statues, she said, she may try to find things to wrap behind the fence at the Chainlink Gallery at 121 E. Douglas. She may wrap more trees  the five crochet wraps that she sewed on trees on Douglas as part of this installation are still there  or she might try to wrap items on Douglas that are higher off the ground. Shes also considering making lots of hats  but hats only  for the statues that people in need will be able to take and use.

Despite the difficulties of her art installation, though, Gonzales said she enjoyed seeing how people responded to it over the past several days. Now, shes dreaming bigger.

Shes been wondering lately if the Keeper of the Plains statue on the Arkansas River or the roof of Century II could use some occasional color, although her fear of heights might keep her from pursuing those projects.

If it was for something like that, though, Id probably get up there and shake like crazy and just do it for my art, she said.
The owner of a cannabis company that operates 40 locations throughout New Mexico says he is closing his only dispensary in Farmington, although he hopes to reopen before the end of the year in another location in the city.

Duke Rodriguez, the owner of the Ultra Health cannabis dispensary in the Park Plaza shopping center at 4251 E. Main St., said issues with his landlord led him to make the decision to close the store at the end of September. Rodriguez said he already is looking for a new location for the dispensary and plans to begin doing business in Farmington again in the next couple of months, even though he said he believes the city has too many dispensaries and is due for a market adjustment.

Its not a good situation for (the landlord) or me as the tenant, Rodriguez said. Weve been haggling back and forth, and weve agreed to just shake hands and walk away.

Rodriguez described his relationship with his landlord, Pam Carbajal, as stressful. He said some of the other tenants in the small shopping center were unhappy about being located in proximity to a marijuana dispensary and that some of them complained about the smell coming from the store and about the dispensarys clientele and the amount of traffic it generated.

The owner of the Ultra Health cannabis dispensary in Farmington says he is closing the business, but he hopes to reopen it soon in a different location.

Rodriguez opened Ultra Health at that site in January 2018 as a medical marijuana dispensary. In 2020, he expanded the business into an adjoining suite. The lease for the first suite was due to expire before that of the second suite, but Rodriguez said he and Carbajal agreed it would be better if he simply shut down the business and moved out of both suites.

When asked to confirm Rodriguezs version of events, Carbajal said, They wrote me a letter and told me they were closing their store in this area because there was too much competition, and thats all I have to say, before hanging up the phone.

An unfortunate first for Ultra Health

Ultra Health employs five people at its current location, and Rodriguez said all of them would receive a severance package that would carry them financially into November. He said his payroll in Farmington is $200,000 a year, with his lowest-paid workers making $32,000 annually.

Rodriguez said he hopes to be able to hire the five employees back soon, adding that he already has been approached by other cannabis operators in the city who have indicated they might be willing to sell to him.

Being the largest operator in the state kind of puts us as the lead dog in this industry, he said. This is another first for us  weve never had to leave a location. But based on the situation with our landlord, there was simply no alternative.

Jason Little of Farmington's New Mexico Alternative Care says his cannabis dispensary's retail sales have declined by 80% to 85% since over the last couple of years because of the crowded Farmington marijuana market.

Rodriguez said his preference would be to find a new location in a stand-alone building to eliminate the possibility of another nearby tenant complaining about his dispensary. But he acknowledged that limiting his search to locations that meet that description would significantly reduce his options.

Rodriguez said Ultra Health is based in Bernalillo County but maintains an office in Scottsdale, Arizona, for financial reasons. He said none of the companys other locations in the state  including those in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Alamogordo, Las Vegas, Roswell, Ruidoso, Las Cruces and Carlsbad  have ever been the subject of complaints by neighboring tenants.

My first concern is maintaining our service levels to our customers, he said about the possibility of opening a new store in Farmington. Its also about making sure our employees dont suffer from a decision they really had no hand in.

Rodriguez emphasized that his company is not abandoning Farmington.

We are simply putting it on pause until we can find a better solution, he said.

Duke Rodriguez

Too many dispensaries, not enough customers

Rodriguez said he wants to open a new Farmington dispensary despite his belief that the local market is saturated and cannot support the number of stores that exist here already. He estimated there are 27 or 28 marijuana-related businesses in Farmington already, a number he described as the highest density of dispensaries per capita in the state.

Its impossible that a town of 47,000, 48,000 people can support 27 or 28 dispensaries, he said.

Rodriguez said he believes Farmington can support no more than 10 or 12 dispensaries, given its population and its proximity to Colorado, which legalized recreational marijuana a decade before New Mexico did and already has many well-established cannabis operations.

According to the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division there are 11 cannabis businesses licensed to operate in Farmington: two are listed as cannabis producers, one as a producer microbusiness and eight are licensed as retailers.

Data made available by the Cannabis Control Division showed in Farmington $12.7 million in adult-use sales since cannabis became legal in April 2021.

There is a lot of pain ahead, potentially, he said.

He said New Mexico has issued approximately 2,600 licenses to cannabis operators in various forms  retail, manufacturers and producers  but many of those licensees operate multiple locations, as Ultra Health does.

We estimate there are 600 to 700 dispensaries open throughout New Mexico, he said. That is more than McDonalds, Taco Bell and Starbucks combined.

The Cannabis Control Division reported that in August 2023 alone adult use cannabis sales totaled $48.2 million among 1,021 dispensaries in the state. Those sales account for just 28% of the overall market which includes medical sales.

Since recreational cannabis became legal in New Mexico, the state estimates it has resulted in over $400 million in total sales.

By contrast, Rodriguez estimated there are only 560 dispensaries operating in Colorado, a state with a population of 5.8 million, compared to New Mexicos 2.1 million.

Rodriguez said the ideal number of dispensaries in New Mexico would be approximately 200 locations.

Many of Rodriguezs concerns were echoed by Jason Little, the owner and founder of Farmingtons New Mexico Alternative Care, which opened its doors as a medical marijuana dispensary in 2010, becoming the citys first cannabis business.

There are too many people fighting for the same few dollars, Little said, noting that his retail business has declined by 80% to 85% since April 2022, when recreational pot sales began in New Mexico and the Farmington market started to become far more crowded. Its forced me to go outside San Juan County and go wholesale.

Little had a slightly more generous assessment of how many dispensaries Farmington reasonably could support than Rodriguez, pegging the number at 12 to 15. But he shares his counterparts gloomy outlook about what lies ahead, especially since he believes the U.S. economy is poised to slide into a recession soon.

Theres going to be a lot of carnage, he said, indicating he believes a lot of the existing cannabis operations in Farmington will not survive.

Little said he is confident New Mexico Alternative Care will make it through those tough times until the market finds its equilibrium, given the fact that it operates two extraction labs and is a producer in addition to selling cannabis products.

We diversified instead of being just retail, he said.

Little said the way New Mexicos recreational marijuana law was written, government officials have little choice but to grant a license to any operator who meets the states requirements. He acknowledged that is how the free market operates, but he and Rodriguez said they believe there has been a gold rush mentality among cannabis operators in New Mexico that is about to come to a crashing halt.

Weve taken a very promising industry of cannabis and turned it into this beast that is not sustainable, Rodriguez said.

Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e.

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Ultra Health Farmington location closing
 Read the full article on Motorious

Beware, car enthusiasts.

In a trend that has car enthusiasts on high alert, fraudulent classic car restoration schemes are surging across the nation and even attracting federal attention. What was once a domain of automotive passion and craftsmanship has morphed into fertile ground for criminals who exploit the emotional and financial investment collectors have in vintage vehicles.

Learn more about the difference between a good deal and a scam here.

Earlier this year, Clark P. Rittersbach, who operated Concours Classic Motor Cars in Macedon, New York, was charged with wire fraud by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. Rittersbach allegedly deceived his clients to the tune of $1.15 million, claiming to restore their vintage cars but either neglecting to complete the work or not doing it at all. These deceptive practices stretched beyond local or even national boundaries, as Rittersbach targeted international clients as well.

But it's not just Rittersbach; other enterprises are also guilty. Last year in Lawton, Iowa, The Healey Werks Corp faced a $7 million judgment for breaching an agreement related to the restoration and sale of three classic cars.

One of the most disconcerting aspects of these scams is how skillfully these criminals have integrated themselves into the classic car community. Through convincing social media profiles and glowing online reviews, they present a false image of credibility and expertise, lulling potential customers into a false sense of security.

Given the gravity of the situation and the millions of dollars at risk, federal authorities are stepping up their game. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, is getting involved to unravel these complex scams and offer some measure of justice to the defrauded collectors.

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The rise in Russia's disinformation efforts continues to be an ever-growing concern for Western nations. This uptick is notably concentrated on Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, aiming to weaken Western backing for the country.

These strategic propaganda operations are far from isolated events. They represent a broader pattern of information warfare conducted by Russia since 2014, meticulously crafted to erode democratic values, foment discord, and control the narratives within Western media on Ukraine.

Over the past decade, Russia has systematically manipulated narratives to denigrate Ukraine. Leveraging strategic storytelling, it has cast Ukraine as a nation spiraling into chaos, perpetuating misconceptions about Ukraine failing as a state.

This campaign of deceit, which escalated significantly after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine, and the illegal annexation of Crimea, has permeated global media channels often without the requisite fact-checking scrutiny required by reputable outlets.

Read also: Pelechaty, Robertson: Decoding Russian disinformation campaigns

The evolution of Russia's disinformation narratives presents a historical puzzle. Moving from revisionist interpretations surrounding the Crimean annexation to disseminating untruths about neo-Nazi penetrations into the Ukrainian government and the existence of clandestine biological weapons labs, the Kremlin employs confusion and division as its modus operandi.

Designed to strengthen the domestic and global perception of Russia's actions, these strategies pose an existential threat to Western democracies and their continued support for Ukraines fight for its existence.

Jessica Brandt, a policy director at the Brookings Institution, highlighted that Russia doesnt pull even its most outlandish narratives out of thin air  it builds on existing resentments and political fissures. Consequently, Russia harnesses far-right ideologies, exploiting America First sentiments to undercut support for Ukraine.

Emerging evidence demonstrates the sophistication of Russia's disinformation operatives. Leaked documents indicate a prowess in manipulating social media algorithms and search engine rankings, using countless deceptive online profiles to promote disinformation. This disinformation is as varied as claims about the Ukrainian militarys ineptitude to spurious vaccine side effects.

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As the 2024 U.S. presidential race looms, Chris Krebs, the former chief of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, foresees significant foreign and domestic interference. Anticipating actions from nations such as Russia, China, and Iran, he warns of rising tensions and the urgent need for countermeasures to secure democratic processes.

Krebs posits that foreign actors are even more incentivized to interfere than in the 2020 elections, striving for both influence (shaping public opinion) and interference (targeting election infrastructure). Furthermore, ordinary internet users are inadvertently becoming disinformation conduits, amplifying chaos and discord, obviating the need for Russian troll and bot intervention. Meanwhile, Russian trolls continue to perfect their craft and learn from previous mistakes to better hide their identities.

Twitter's (now known as X) recently introduced paid verification system has inadvertently become a catalyst for Russian disinformation. Verified accounts allegedly operating outside Russia propagate Kremlin narratives and disinformation about Ukraine, circumventing U.S. sanctions. These verified accounts continue to post videos from other countries claiming the footage is from Ukraine and spreading narratives asking why we should be sending money to help Ukraine. As a result, many ordinary users share this disinformation and it spreads like wildfire across the platform.

Recent findings by the research firm Reset highlight a significant flaw in a system that allows anonymous accounts to buy verification. This offers them preferential placement in searches, mentions, and replies. These accounts frequently share content from Russian state media and disinformation about the conflict in Ukraine. Consequently, state media accounts from authoritarian regimes such as Russia, China, and Iran have seen a 33% surge in views, significantly expanding their disinformation reach.

Read also: Jakub Kalensky: The information war against the Kremlin is far from over

An analysis from NATO's Strategic Communications Center of Excellence on 11 Russian accounts, previously identified by X, indicated a 60% average rise in views following Musk's policy shift. This includes diplomatic profiles such as the Russian Embassy in the U.S., which experienced a 133% increase in engagement and a 150% uptick in views, as per the research report.

The European Commission, the EU's governing body, also concluded in a study that X has been instrumental in amplifying Russian propaganda about Ukraine to a wider audience than before the onset of the war. This was largely due to the dismantling of Twitters safety standards.

Margarita Simonyan, RT's Editor in Chief, one of the primary Russian propagandists, expressed gratitude to Musk for removing her state affiliation on X. In 2022, she stated that Ukraine should be wiped out, asserting, "There will be no Ukraine." Upon Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Simonyan conveyed immense joy at the event, remarking, "I've been anticipating this for eight years... it finally happened. This is true joy."

Russian disinformation's impact isn't confined to sowing discord; it is increasingly influencing political outcomes. Slovakia's President, Zuzana Caputova, warned of an ongoing influence campaign polarizing her country and risking support for Ukraine. With the upcoming elections approaching, the populist party Smer-SD, which advocates ending military support to Ukraine, leads the polls, indicating the fertile ground for Russian narratives in Slovakia.

Read also: Russias peacekeeper act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh

France also recently exposed a significant Russian disinformation campaign utilizing false news items disguised as articles by renowned media. This typifies Russia's hybrid warfare approach, undermining democratic institutions and manipulating public sentiment. Techniques such as "typosquatting"  using domain names almost identical to legitimate sites  can mislead internet users to false news sites.

U.S. intelligence has suspected that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) is covertly shaping Western policy and opinion by instructing Russian civilians to befriend influential Western figures. These individuals then promote Kremlin-friendly narratives, all while masking the FSB's involvement behind seemingly independent actors.

As a result, the ideas that were generated from Russian propaganda are then organically formulated from within Western society rather than from Russia as the campaigns have sometimes been effective at planting Russian narratives in the Western press, according to the intelligence.

Russia's disinformation campaigns are expansive and insidious. By exploiting political fault lines and stoking existing resentments, they undermine democratic processes through disinformation by making people believe conspiracies and lies and question their reality. It is important for Western societies to understand that Russias war against Ukraine isnt limited to the battlefield, it continues to be fought every day in the digital realm too.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Thursday was a day of reckoning for Alex Murdaugh, a day a long time coming.

Although revelations about his 10-year string of thefts of millions of dollars began to surface two years ago this month, Thursday was the first time that Murdaugh  a convicted killer, disbarred lawyer  pleaded guilty to 22 counts of financial fraud.

Only with his admission Thursday that he was guilty of numerous financial crimes, and with U.S. Judge Richard Gergels acceptance, did Murdaugh formally become a convicted thief.

At his murder trial earlier this year, Murdaugh had taken the witness stand and admitted to years of thefts from clients, friends and law partners. And Murdaugh also admitted in 2022 in a civil court case that he stole $4.3 million from the estate of his late family housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.

But none of those actions had quite the force that Murdaughs guilty plea Thursday had in the windowless courtroom on the fourth floor of the historic Charleston federal courthouse.

Murdaugh stole from those who trusted him the most  former clients, his law partners and friends. His crimes were money laundering, conspiracy, bank fraud and wire fraud.

Unsaid during Thursdays hearing was that for at least 10 years, until September 2021 when he was first arrested, Murdaugh had lived a secret life, stealing millions and spending at least some of it on an illegal drug habit and at the same time going millions of dollars into debt. Neither his partners at what was billed as one of South Carolinas most successful law firms, PMPED, or his wife, Maggie, knew the extent of his clandestine lawlessness.

The guilty plea was a win of sorts for federal prosecutors Emily Limehouse, Katie Stoughton and Winston Holiday. They had succeeded in getting Murdaugh to plead guilty first, beating state prosecutors who had begun to indict Murdaugh for financial crimes nearly two years ago.

Although a state grand jury guided by prosecutors in the office of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson had started returning financial crimes indictments against Murdaugh in the fall of 2021, the states cases were delayed by the discovery in spring 2022 of evidence that allowed them to put him on trial for murder.

That trial began in January of this year and lasted until early March, when a Colleton County jury found Murdaugh guilty of killing his wife and son Paul in June 2021 at their rural 1,770-acre estate.

With state prosecutors attention focused on the murder trial, federal prosecutors assembled a financial crimes case against Murdaugh that covered many of the same 100-plus offenses that the state charged Murdaugh with.

In May of this year a federal grand jury indicted Murdaugh on the financial crimes. Since then, federal prosecutors have worked with Murdaughs lawyers to schedule Thursdays guilty plea.

Murdaugh wont make an appearance in state court on financial charges until Nov. 27. That date was set last week by state Judge Clifton Newman.

The federal plea, and a subsequent sentencing by Gergel at a date yet to be determined, may eventually allow Murdaugh to serve some of his prison time in federal prison. Federal correctional facilities are generally considered more comfortable, with better food and medical facilities, than state prison. 

In the same courthouse last November, Murdaughs childhood friend, Russell Laffitte, a banker who had helped him use his bank to steal millions, was found guilty by a federal jury of six counts of various fraud. Laffitte is now appealing his conviction.

Murdaugh is now serving two consecutive sentences in state prison for killing his wife and son. Murdaugh faces a total of 130 years in prison for the crimes he pleaded guilty to Thursday, but federal prosecutors have described any federal sentence he gets as a formality given that he is serving life sentences for murder.

This story will be updated.
There was heartbreak, pain and frustration on all sides Wednesday after Sacramento Police removed about two dozen people living in an encampment near Broadway in upper Land Park.

The sweep happened just one day after Sacramento District Attorney, Thien Ho, filed a lawsuit blasting the City of Sacramento for its descent into decay for the citys handling of sprawling homeless encampments.

Following the sweep, the District Attorneys office said in a statement, we are supportive of enforcement and compliance actions that are responsive to the public safety concerns of the community.

The citys action, however, was not a direct response to the lawsuit.

The Bee has been talking to residents of the encampment for weeks after a major fire on Aug, 24  the 14th to hit the former California Shellfish Company  choked the neighborhood with smoke while the people living in the adjacent encampment watched flames and the firefighting effort from their tents.

Determining that the building was unsafe, the city ordered it demolished, leaving behind a pile of rubble..

The Bee learned that the city had planned for Wednesday to be the day to evict residents from the encampment that included makeshift tents, a camper with a washing machine powered by a generator and an outdoor shower. Residents tapped into a hose at the nearby Alder Grove public housing project for water.

The encampment has existed for at least a year and a half.

The Citys Department of Community Response has performed extensive outreach at this site over the past six weeks,, said city spokesperson Tim Swanson, visiting it nearly a dozen times to engage with people and offer services.

Swanson said everyone had been offered a spot at a city-sanctioned homeless campsite at nearby Miller Park that includes portable restrooms and a security fence.

No offer has been accepted at this time,  Swanson said Wednesday afternoon.

As police and tow trucks arrived in the morning, members of the encampment mourned what they said had become a community populated by a majority of women who looked out for each other.

Gracie Parsley, who was waiting to have her trailer towed by a friend, said she had no plans to go to Miller Park. Parsley, who worked for nine years as a workers compensation specialist at an insurance company before a disability issue caused her to become homeless, spent a year at Miller Park previously. She said she grew frustrated waiting for housing that never came.

As a friend tries to tow her trailer, Gracie Parsley and her dog Diamond race to make sure her inoperable car isnt being towed amid a homeless encampment sweep on 1st Avenue by the city of Sacramento on Wednesday.

Wearing a black jumpsuit and a purple bandana, Parsley said, the city gets all this money to deal with homelessness. How are they spending it?

Ted Bullock, a Navy Veteran, came to help a friend move, despite being hobbled by a hip replacement. People dont understand how decent most of these people are. Now they have to reestablish themselves again.

But other residents of the neighborhood, while expressing compassion for the homeless, said that the spate of fires, prostitution and drug use by some in the encampment was blighting an already challenged neighborhood. Many said it was time for the encampment to go.

A local business owner told The Bee that the encampment has had a devastating impact.

I literally contacted the city over a hundred times just begging for someone to pay attention, Lee Archie said.

Archie said he had invested in the South Land Park neighborhood 15 years-ago, buying two buildings across the street from the former shellfish building. Weve done everything we can to build this area up, There is so much potential here.

Archie said the fires and unsanitary encampment upset his tenants. In the last several months, two businesses, Nucleus Pump Services and A1 Towing, gave notice.

Lee Archie, who owns commercial property across the street from where a homeless encampment was swept on 1st Avenue in Sacramento on Wednesday, said that businesses had left the area because of the encampment. He worried that the trailers and cars would just move from the vacant lot to the street because they didnt have anywhere else to go. There must be a better way, he said.

That represents dozens of jobs just gone, said Archie, who supports the DAs lawsuit.

Archie added, of course I care about the homeless. We have fed them through our church, through our ministry. We have done all that is possible to try to help. But this is not the proper way. We are not helping them this way.

The fire that led to the shellfish building being torn down in August was not the first fire to severely damage the building. A fire in early June at was set by arson, according to Captain Justin Sylvia, spokesperson for the Sacramento Fire Department.

Sylvia confirmed to The Bee that Dennis Stagg, who has been known to experience homelessness was arrested on Aug. 28 and charged with intentionally setting the June fire. Sylvia said that the fire happened while a group of workers were in the building performing asbestos abatement work necessitated by exposed asbestos from previous fires.

That news did not thrill Derek Welch, a resident of The Mill, a middle-class development a block from the former shellfish building.

The city says that asbestos was abated at the shellfish building prior to the most recent fire.

Sacramento city building inspector Jason Martinoni carries a fence away Wednesday during a homeless encampment sweep on 1st Avenue in Sacramento. The women who live in the trailer said they felt safe there with their dogs, and worried about where they would relocate. City officials proposed the tent-only Miller Park Safe Ground site.

But what about during the previous fires? Welch asked. The aftermath, who knows, we may not get the full repercussions for another 20 years.

As the sweep wound down, Archie was upset when several camping trailers were towed from the vacant lot to the street near his buildings.

This is no way to solve the problem, Archie said.

The city plans a neighborhood meeting on Monday to talk about addressing homelessness and community needs in the Upper Land Park neighborhood, according to several neighborhood residents.

Archie plans to attend. So, too, does writer Sasha Abramsky, another resident of The Mill..

I want to learn how the city plans to humanely address homelessness , Abramsky said, and to secure the neighborhood.
A protester draped in an Armenian flag rallies outside the Azerbaijani Consulate General offices in protest over the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Los Angeles on November 1, 2020. On September 21 1991, Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1780, American Gen. Benedict Arnold gave plans to the British for the surrender of West Point, New York. Arnold's name was forever after associated with the word "traitor."

In 1792, the Legislative Assembly of revolutionary France voted to abolish the monarchy and establish the First Republic, stripping King Louis XVI of most of his power.

In 1893, the first successful American-made, gasoline-operated motorcar appeared on the streets of Springfield, Mass. It was designed and built by Charles and Frank Duryea.

In 1938, an estimated 600 people were killed by a hurricane that battered the coast of New England.

Participants march down Central Park West at the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21, 2014. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor received a unanimous vote in the Senate to become the first female member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

Stephanie Kearny and Jamison Stubbs watch as the rising waters of Lake Pontchartrain crash into the Coast Guard Station at New Orleans, in the background, as Hurricane Georges makes its way toward the Gulf coasts September 27, 1998. On September 21, the storm began its rampage in the Caribbean. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI

In 1991, Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence.

In 1998, Hurricane Georges began a deadly rampage through the Caribbean, killing more than 600 people. About a week later, the storm made landfall near Biloxi, Miss., with reported gusts up to 172 mph.

Sally Field poses behind the scenes at the taping of "America: A tribute to heroes," which aired September 21, 2001, on all major networks. The telethon raised money for those to died in the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centers. Photo courtesy Berliner Studio

In 1999, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, killing at least 2,300 people, injuring thousands and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

In 2001, a telecast by top movie stars and musicians raised more than $500 million for survivors of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

On September 21, 2003, the spacecraft Galileo approached the fringes of Jupiter's atmosphere and then was directed to destroy itself in a high-speed plunge. File Photo courtesy NASA

In 2003, the spacecraft Galileo approached the fringes of Jupiter's atmosphere and then was directed to destroy itself in a high-speed plunge.

File Photo courtesy of NASA

Josh Fattal (L) and Shane Bauer, the two American hikers who were released September 21, 2011, after being held in an Iranian prison for more than two years, speak to the press on their imprisonment at the Parker Meridien New York on September 25. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI

In 2008, Thabo Mbecki, South Africa's president since 1999, stepped down after losing a power struggle with rival Jacob Zuma.

In 2011, American hikers Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, imprisoned on espionage charges in Iran for more than two years after wandering across the border, were released.

In 2013, Islamist terrorists ambushed a crowded, upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, took hostages and clashed with police. The death toll in the four-day siege was at least 67, with more than 170 people injured. The al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab claimed responsibility.

In 2014, an estimated 300,000 people participated in a "People's Climate Change" march in New York City. Organizers said it was the largest climate-change march in history. Tens of thousands marched in other cities.

In 2021, the 76th U.N. General Assembly opened in New York, with President Joe Biden making his first address at the diplomat summit.

File Photo by Timothy A. Clary/UPI
DAYTONA BEACH  City commissioners have approved a $343 million budget that comes with a double-digit property tax increase and includes nearly $1.4 million to cover city employee raises.

At their meeting Wednesday night, city commissioners unanimously approved the new property tax rate and budget that includes $256.89 million in operating expenses and $23.82 million designated for capital projects.

The biggest fund within the city's spending plan is the general fund, which tallies $138.9 million and will go toward paying city employees and running everything from the police and fire departments to parks.

The water and sewer fund tallies $71.8 million, and the solid waste management fund holds $25.3 million.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Daytona Beach's Fire Station No. 1, located in a 98-year-old building on the Halifax River, is a beloved structure, but it has become too small and outmoded for the Daytona Beach Fire Department's needs. The city is planning to build a new Station No. 1 on Ridgewood Avenue south of City Hall. Fire Chief Dru Driscoll is pictured in front of Station No. 1, which is located on the corner of Beach Street and Orange Avenue.

The city has a vast array of projects and efforts planned in the year ahead. Money has been earmarked for flood mitigation, affordable housing, the East International Speedway Boulevard overhaul, a new fire station on Ridgewood Avenue south of City Hall and improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Other priorities include helping the homeless, giving North Beach Street a new streetscape, and improving digital infrastructure.

Mayor Derrick Henry said he also wants to ensure road resurfacing and sidewalk projects remain a priority.

The city started a dedicated fund for roads and sidewalks a few years ago and began by putting $4 million in the fund. Another $100,000 was added last year, and this year's budget upped the total by an additional $100,000.

Henry said he wants an even larger increase in the new budget year, and he challenged City Manager Deric Feacher to find money for at least another $250,000. Feacher said he'll work with staff on that.

"The number of roads we've resurfaced is important," Henry said, noting it's one of the things residents appreciate most.

Daytona gets 11% property tax increase

Commissioners adopted a property tax rate of $5.43 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable value. That's the same property tax rate the city has used in the fiscal year that's going to end in a little over a week, but under state law it's considered an 11% tax hike because increased property values mean the same rate will generate more money.

To collect the same amount of money from property owners in the upcoming budget year, the city would have had to use the rolled-back rate of $4.88 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable value.

The $5.43 rate commissioners chose is an 11% increase over the rolled-back rate, and it's expected to yield $43.85 million in property tax revenue.

The city would have collected $4.4 million less if it had used the $4.88 rolled-back rate, city Budget Officer Fredrik Coulter told commissioners Wednesday night.

Daytona Beach city commissioners huddled for a budget workshop last month at City Hall. The new budget year begins Oct. 1.

All of Daytona Beach's city government employees will receive a 3% raise effective Oct. 1. That includes police officers, firefighters, both unionized and non-unionized general employees, and managers including the city manager and city attorney.

Feacher's salary will increase to $285,681 Oct. 1, and then his pay will rise to $291,395 in April.

All active employees not at the maximum of their pay range will also receive a 2% pay increase in April. Those at the cap will receive a 2% lump sum.

The additional cost to the budget to pay for raises for workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union is $574,494.

Raises for police officers and sergeants tallied $490,350, and pay for police lieutenants cost $39,448.

Raises for firefighters came to $259,740.

City sets $9.6 million CRA budget

Commissioners also approved a $9.6 million budget for the city's five community redevelopment areas. The CRAs are funded by property taxes generated from the increased value of properties within the special districts since they were founded decades ago.

The CRAs are located within Midtown, downtown, Ballough Road, Main Street and South Atlantic Avenue. The Main Street CRA has always generated the most tax increment finance dollars, and in the upcoming budget year, it's expected to bring in $5.63 million.

More Daytona Beach budget news: Daytona Beach seeks $111.2 million from federal government in storm relief funds

The downtown CRA is expected to generate $2.26 million, Midtown is budgeted at $1.03 million, South Atlantic is forecast to pull in $424,380 and Ballough Road is set at $258,324.

City commissioners also approved securing a $6.5 million loan for Midtown to make improvements in that struggling neighborhood.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach adopts new city budget and property tax rate
The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is preparing to say goodbye to its beloved giant pandas, who will return to China after calling the zoo home for more than two decades.

Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived at the zoo in December 2000 as part of the zoos Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The agreement was initially for 10 years but was renewed three times since 2010.

The agreements latest renewal is set to end Dec. 7, 2023, meaning both of the pandas, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji, will return to China. Xiao Qi Ji, whose name means Little Miracle in Mandarin Chinese, was born was in 2020, after a series of unsuccessful breeding and artificial insemination attempts.

Mei Xiang also had three other surviving cubs  Bei Bei, Bao Bao and Tai Shan  who were transported to China at different points in the past 13 years.

Starting Saturday, the zoo will kick off its nine-day Panda Palooza event, where it will offer panda-themed activities and a chance to say goodbye to the longtime residents. The event is set to run until Oct. 1, the same date that a government shutdown could potentially close the zoo.

The zoo has not indicated if it will be getting more giant pandas, though a statement on the zoos website says it hopes to continue this work in the future.

The zoo has housed pandas since 1972, working with China to study the animals biology, behavior and diseases. Last year, the zoo marked 50 years since the arrival of its first giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, who went on to spend 20 years together at the zoo.

Ling-Ling died in 1992 of heart failure at 23 years old, while Hsing-Hsing was euthanized in 1999 after suffering from age-related diseases.

The partnership was part of Chinas ongoing efforts to preserve the species, which were on the endangered species list for more than 25 years until 2016, when the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded its status to vulnerable. It was not until 2021 that Chinese officials announced they had also reclassified the species as vulnerable.

The Hill reached out to the National Zoo for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas Metropolitan police are investigating a fatal crash Thursday at Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way.

According to Metro police, the crash was reported around 10:36 a.m. and involved a collision between a motorcycle and vehicle. One person was pronounced deceased at the scene, but police did not release any additional details about the victim.

A crash near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way killed one Thursday, police said. PHOTO: KLAS/Henry Takai

A crash near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way killed one Thursday, police said. PHOTO: KLAS/Henry Takai

A crash near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way killed one Thursday, police said. PHOTO: KLAS/Henry Takai

The intersection is closed as police continue to investigate the crash. Motorists should avoid the area.

Please check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Georgia land management officials are asking residents for help locating an invasive hornet threatening the Peach State's honey production and its No. 1 economic driver: agriculture.

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said officials located a second yellow-legged hornet nest on Wilmington Island near Savannah, while pest experts continue efforts to eradicate the insect, a close relative of the "murder hornet."

The yellow-legged hornet is a non-native species and, if allowed to flourish in the U.S., could threaten native pollinators, honey production, and agriculture  Georgia's main economic driver, the department wrote in a release issued Wednesday.

According to the release, the second nest was discovered Sept. 15, by state staff under a bridge on the island and destroyed that evening by the crew who eradicated the first nest last month.

Residents should watch for and report any sightings of the yellow-legged hornet after the invasive species was found in Savannah, Georgia, in August and September of 2023.

'A win for the state'

Harper called the destruction a win for the state and said officials are "working around the clock" to find additional hornets to kill them.

The first yellow-legged hornet nest was spotted last month by a Savannah beekeeper who reported the sighting to the state agency. The agency, partnered with the University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), said the finding marked the first detection of the non-native species in "the open United States."

Agency staff and pest management professionals destroyed the nest on Aug. 23 in a residential neighborhood on Wilmington Island.

After the second nest was eradicated, Lewis Bartlett with the University of Georgia and Jamie Ellis with the University of Florida examined it and identified developing hornets within the nest, according to the release. State officials also wrote Bartlett and Ellis found no evidence of the reproductive males or queens in the colony when it was destroyed.

In addition, the release says, UGA scientists found evidence suggesting they originated in Asia.

State officials did not say how the invasive insects made their way the U.S. soil.

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced September 20, 2023, officials located and destroyed a second yellow-legged hornet nest found on Wilmington Island.

Bees kill Kentucky man: Swarm of bees in potting soil attack, kill 59-year-old Kentucky man, coroner says

What is a yellow-legged hornet?

State officials said yellow-legged hornets - also called Asian hornets - prey on honeybees and if allowed to establish in the United States may threaten honey production.

Described as a "social wasp species," because they're known for constructing communal paper nests, the hornets are often found hanging from trees or in tree hollows. Also known as Vespa velutina hornets, their nests are generally egg-shaped and can house up to 6,000 worker wasps.

Their legs are mostly or partially covered in yellow, giving them their name.

How big are the wasps and where do they originate?

Yellow-legged hornets are native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia, the GDA reports, athough the insect has also established a presence in the Middle East and Europe.

Colonies peak in size in mid to late summer and the hornet is sometimes mistaken for the Northern Giant Hornet, though it is generally smaller than that species. Workers can be as small as half the size of the NGH, whereas queens are a bit larger at 3/4 the size.

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced September 20, 2023, officials located and destroyed a second yellow-legged hornet nest found on Wilmington Island.

Meet Methuselah: The world's oldest known aquarium fish is at least 92, DNA shows

'A deadly predator'

UGA Professor of Entomology and Honey Bee Program Director Keith Delaplane said an ideal scenario includes eradicating all nests before colonies have time to name new queens and breed during winter months.

While it does not pose a serious risk to humans, pets and livestock, this hornet has proven itself a deadly predator of honey bees and other pollinators," Delaplane said.

Georgians, as well as residents in nearby states including Florida, are being asked to continue report suspected sightings to their state agricultural agency.

What to do if you see a yellow-legged hornet:

If you have spotted a yellow-legged hornet the GDA has a form you can complete.

The agency advises taking photos of the hornets and comparing their appearance to pictures available on the USDA website, as they can look similar to native species that pose no threat.

The GDAs asks people to include the following information with form submissions:

Name and contact information

Location and date of the sighting

If possible, a photograph of the hornet. If not, a description of the size of the insect, the color of the head and body, and what it was doing

Location and approximate height of the nest (if found)

The direction the hornet(s) flew when flying away

Contributing: Caitlyn Stroh-Page with the Savannah Morning News.

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: Second yellow-legged hornet nest found in Wilmington Island, Georgia
Frankforts oldest restaurant has been looking for a new owner but has run into a speed bump on the bourbon trail.

Rick Paul, owner of Ricks White Light Diner at 114 Bridge St., has been trying to sell his diner near the citys singing bridge for more than a year. But potential buyers get hung up on one thing: A prohibition on alcohol sales put in place decades before the current bourbon boom.

Paul said when he bought the property from the Frankfort Independent School District about 25 years ago it came with a deed restriction that no alcohol could be sold on the premises.

According to the school district, a later agreement allows for beer and wine sales after 3:30 p.m. but everything else is still off limits, which means no bourbon and no cocktails.

Paul said hes attempted to get the school board to consider lifting the restriction without much success.

They said, Why dont you let the person buying it deal with us, Paul said. And no ones going to buy it with the question mark. ... Its not going to sell like this.

The restaurant is currently closed.

Ricks White Light Diner at 114 Bridge St. in Frankfort, Ky., is for sale. Buyers want to be able to capitalize on bourbon tourism but the Frankfort Independent School District has been reluctant to allow it.

What buyers say about the deed restriction

Frankfort real estate agent Brent Simpson, who has been listing the White Light property, said hes had a lot of people look at it with an eye to capitalizing on Kentuckys thriving bourbon tourism.

Theres no way they can do that without the restriction being taken off  that is what were seeing. Theyre just not interested, Simpson said. The deed restriction has been a big factor.

What the school district says

Paul said he was told the school board wanted the alcohol restrictions on the property for the safety of the kids.

The Second Street School playground wraps around the property on the basement level; the restaurant is on the street level, not accessible from the school property.

The board has not made a decision on the restriction as of now and is still considering the proposal. The rationale for the restriction and any other similar issue is and will always be, the safety of our students, said superintendent Sheri Satterly in an email.

Other alcohol in the Frankfort downtown area

Paul pointed that there is another bar, Pourters, across the street from the school, that serves beer, wine and cocktails.

Simpson, the real estate agent, said that most of the downtown area already is part of a special district that allows patrons to buy a special cup and carry alcoholic beverages around.

The sidewalk up to the front door is in that district, but (Pauls) property is not, Simpson said.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Frankforts White Light Diner history

Even with the prohibition on bourbon and cocktails, the tiny White Light Diner has drawn a cult following for its burgers, Cajun and Creole specialties. The restaurant was featured on the Food Networks Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri in 2010.

Theres been a White Light Diner on Bridge Street since 1929 and its been in its existing building since 1943.

Paul bought the White Light building, where hed been operating his diner since 1991, at auction in 1997. A trained chef who had owned many restaurants and clubs, Paul built a following for his menu of breakfast specials, handmade burgers and pulled pork as well as his po boys and crawfish pie.

He announced in June 2022 that he feels like hes cooked enough and is ready to retire and travel.
The defense attorney who picked the jury that returned a lesser charge against an accused cop killer called Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood's comments criticizing the jury verdict "un-American."

Like other law enforcement leaders, Chitwood strongly disagreed with the jury verdict finding Othal Wallace guilty of a manslaughter for killing Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor.

Chitwood, though, used the strongest language thus far, writing I have never been more disgusted by a verdict than I am today.

Chitwood also referred to a post on Facebook by Suzerain, a nonprofit organization with lawyers who defend indigent defendants facing possible death sentences.

The post noted that Allison Ferber Miller was the defense attorney who picked the jury that found Wallace guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter with a firearm, which prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.

Wallace instead faces up to 30 years in prison.

The Clay County jury of seven women and five men deliberated for about 14 hours over two days.

Othal Wallace takes the stand to testify during his trial at the Clay County Courthouse in Clay County, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

Chitwood posted on his Facebook page on Saturday: Theyre really bragging on Facebook about picking a jury that let a cop killer off on a lesser charge.

Miller told The News-Journal she wanted "to set the record straight."

"I did not post anything on social media about this case, nor did I have anything to do with the posts on social media about this case," she said. Suzerain Capital Defense, a capital defense nonprofit organization, posted a factually accurate recounting of what transpired in the case: a jury was selected, by me, to try the State of Florida v Othal Wallace. That jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, which by that verdict, Mr. Wallace is not eligible for the death penalty.

Miller wrote that Robert Dunham, formerly of the Death Penalty Information Center, also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the verdict.

This case was of interest to many people, including those entities that relate to the death penalty in this country, Miller wrote.

Othal Wallace defense attorney: Disparaging jurors is 'un-American'

Miller then wrote about Chitwoods comments about the jury.

However, I am always saddened and troubled when I see a law enforcement official, such as the sheriff, refer to a jurys verdict as disgusting. Those 15 citizens  12 jurors and 3 alternates  upended their lives for weeks, listened attentively to all of the evidence, and deliberated for nearly 15 hours before reaching a verdict in this case.

One such juror, who otherwise would have been excused because of her medical ailments, referred to it as her 'duty' to serve as a juror, Miller wrote.

Sheriff Chitwood is certainly free to disagree with the jurys verdict, but to disparage the work of the jurors and the jurors themselves, frankly, to me, is un-American.

Miller wrote that she sits on the board of directors of Suzerain. Miller said she did not have anything to do with the post.

"I did not know Suzerain was posting anything about the case. Suzerain also did not represent anything in a positive or negative light  to be accused of bragging  again, only an accurate recounting of what transpired in the case," Miller wrote.

Miller joins Othal Wallace defense team

Miller only joined the defense team in August. She was brought onto the case specifically for jury selection at the request of the three attorneys already representing Wallace. Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano at a hearing granted the defense request for the state to pay Miller $100 an hour, up to $8,500, for her work.

The Justice Administrative Commission, the state agency that pays for representation, objected to Millers appointment, saying Wallace already was represented by three attorneys, and that hiring Miller would be "a luxury." But only one of those defense attorneys, Garry Wood, was death-qualified.

After jury selection was complete, the three initial defense attorneys, Terry Shoemaker, Tim Pribisco and Wood, faced off against Seventh Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza and Assistant State Attorneys Jason Lewis and Andrew Urbanak in the courtroom.

Chitwood: Faith in jury's shaken by Othal Wallace verdict

Chitwoods post in part stated that the jurys message was that it was open season on law enforcement.

Chitwood wrote that conviction on a charge of manslaughter was a slap in the face of everyone who puts on a uniform.

Chitwood quoted Wallaces social media post made only weeks before he shot Raynor. In that post Wallace said he would someday take great pride in "getting pigs blood on his hands and boots."

Chitwood referred to that quote and said that Wallace may someday get the chance to walk free.

(Raynors) life may not matter to the jury, but it mattered to us, wrote Chitwood, adding that his faith in the American jury had been shaken previously.

He wrote he had seen juries disregard video evidence and victims.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chitwood's comment in Othal Wallace case called 'un-American' by attorney
A man found shot dead on the side of the road in West Palm Beach was at a Deltona bar the day before his body was found near a subdivision in South Florida, police said.

West Palm Beach police said on Wednesday that tips they received in the homicide of William Tempesta, 56, of Deltona led them to three local area bars.

A motorist found Tempesta's body Sept. 10 in the 5900 block of North Jog Road, between the entrance to the Preserves at Ironhorse subdivision and Florida's Turnpike. Police believe he was killed elsewhere and his body dumped near West Palm Beach.

Homicide detectives have established that Tempesta was at one of the bars early Saturday, Sept. 9, the day before his body was discovered near the Florida Turnpike in West Palm Beach.

Body in river Cause of death of man floating in Halifax River under investigation, according to police

Tempesta was also at his Elkcam Boulevard home late afternoon Sept. 9 before his body was found 180 miles away on the outskirts of West Palm Bech, police said.

West Palm Beach police are asking anyone who may recall seeing Tempesta at some point to call detectives. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the killer.

Tips can be reported anonymously to Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477), or online at Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers. Tips to Crime Stoppers.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona man was at bar before body found in West Palm Beach
A Los Angeles city councilman involved in a racism scandal last year announced Wednesday he would seek reelection, despite pressures from colleagues to resign.

In a statement Wednesday, Kevin de Leon said he would seek another term after making unprecedented strides in his district, which runs through downtown Los Angeles, The Associated Press reported.

De Leon said he has been working on the citys homeless crisis and relativizing parks and public spaces, per the AP.

Campaign financial disclosures with Los Angeles City show de Leon as a candidate for the 14th District, though no contributions have been filed.

A former state Senate leader, de Leon made headlines last year after a recording of conversation from October 2021 between de Leon, then-council member Gil Cedillo, then-council President Nury Martinez and then-L.A. County Labor Federation President Ron Herrera was leaked on Reddit and later reported by the Los Angles Times.

Martinez was heard on the recording saying numerous racist comments, including saying that L.A. District Attorney George Gascon is with the Blacks and calling certain Mexican immigrants in the citys Koreatown short, dark people.

The recording also revealed the groups discussions about limiting the voting power of Black residents and increasing that of Latinos through redistricting.

Amid the backlash following the release of the recording, Martinez resigned as council president and from her seat, and Herrera also stepped down.

De Leon and Cedillo apologized for the conversation but refused to resign. Cedillo lost a reelection bid last year, ending his term in December.

De Leons return to the council chambers after a two-month hiatus reportedly prompted protests in the meeting room as well as social media posts from fellow council members who pushed back against his return.

State Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, who is also running in the 14th District, called for de Leon to resign and not seek another term, the AP reported.

Enough is enough, Santiago said, per the AP. While he has been consumed with scandal, he has failed his district.  The people want change.

Ysabel Jurado, a tenant rights attorney running in the 14th district, responded to de Leons reelection bid Wednesday, telling a reporter with the L.A. Daily News that de Leon has been a distraction in the district over the past year.

As of Wednesday, campaign finance filings show a total of 11 candidates running for de Leons seat.

The primary election is set for March 5, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Id love for the court to save itself from itself and determine that it needs to apply a code of conduct to itself, said Rep. Hank Johnson , D-Ga.

Democratic congressional members are continuing efforts to restore fairness and balance to the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., held a press conference in front of the courts steps to re-introduce the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act. The bill would would establish term limits for Supreme Court justices, who currently serve lifetime appointments.

UNITED STATES  April 15: Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., speaks during a news conference outside the Supreme Court with other Democratic members to announce legislation to expand the number of seats of Supreme Court judges in Washington on Thursday, April 15, 2021. (Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The bill introduced by the Georgia congressman and co-sponsored by Reps. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. and Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., proposes setting term limits to 18 years. If passed into law, the sitting U.S. president would appoint a new justice every two years. Once the two years is up, justices will then be given seniority status and removed from the bench. If at any time the number of justices on the bench falls below nine, then a senior justice will step in.

The current Supreme Court justices, whose time on the bench ranges from 31 years to just over a year, would assume senior status in order of length of service on the court as regularly appointed justices receive their commissions.

Johnson told theGrio that given the current instability of the Supreme Court, it is critical to eradicate lifetime appointments since the court refuses to uphold an ethical standard.

The House Judiciary Committee member linked the Supreme Court to the good ol boy network that is comfortable being immune from accountability.



He continued, [The justices] are so arrogant that they think the American people dont realize what they actually see, which is a billionaire having a justice in his hip pocket bought and paid for over not just a year or two, but several decades.

Johnson referred to Justice Clarence Thomas, who failed to disclose that he had received lavish gifts from a wealthy GOP donor for several years, as theGrio previously reported.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivers a keynote speech during a dedication of Georgia new Nathan Deal Judicial Center in Atlanta, Feb. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

For months, congressional members and activists have been calling on the court to adopt a code of ethics following scathing reports that revealed several justices violated ethical standards.

Rep. Goldman, who also attended the press conference on Tuesday, told theGrio he believes the justices have refused to independently adopt a code of ethics because they dont want to acknowledge all of their prior violations and dont want to be policed.

Over the summer, ProPublica released findings from an investigation that detailed Justice Samuel Alito enjoyed a luxury fishing trip with a Republican billionaire who had cases heard before the Supreme Court, as theGrio previously reported.

In recent months, it has also been revealed that Chief Justice John Roberts wife earned millions of dollars for assisting high-ranking lawyers in getting their cases heard before the court. And just days after Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to the bench, a law firm acquired property in which the justice kept a stake, and that firm had also had cases heard before the court.

Congressman Johnson told theGrio that despite there being evidence that shows justices have crossed ethical lines, the Supreme Court feels like it doesnt have to adopt a code of ethics.

Members of the Supreme Court sit for a new group portrait following the addition of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

They feel likethey can handle their business just quietly amongst themselves with each justice being the judge and jury of his or her ethical conduct, and with the other justices taking a back seat and letting things go, he said. Id love for the court to save itself from itself and determine that it needs to apply a code of conduct to itself.



He added, I just dont know what would happen to cause them to do it.

Goldman told theGrio the Supreme Court needs to do all that it can to restore confidence back into the judicial system.

The Supreme Court is the only courtthat does not have a binding code of ethics that applies to them. How can the highest court have the lowest ethical standards? he said. This is part of the reason why we [are] pushing Chief Justice Roberts to implement a robust reform of the ethics to apply a code of conduct [or] have an independent investigative body.

Although Johnsons TERM Act, which was originally introduced in August 2022, was not enacted into law, the Georgia lawmaker is hopeful that the bill will pass in both the House and Senate this session.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Democrats re-introduce bill to set term limits for Supreme Court justices appeared first on TheGrio.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) on Thursday attempted to bring a bill to the Senate floor to replenish a dwindling federal disaster relief fund but ran into an objection from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Whitehouse argued that the Senate instead should act on President Bidens request for a comprehensive emergency supplemental spending package, which would include money for the disaster relief fund, firefighters battling wildfires, and the war in Ukraine.

Scotts bill would have set up a Senate vote on a proposal to add more than $16 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agencys [FEMA] disaster relief fund, which is projected to have $550 million left in its account by months end.

It would just fill up the disaster relief fund, he said after the attempt to gain unanimous consent to move the legislation. Mine was $16.5 billion. Its an authorization, its not spending the money yet.

Scott cited the need to fund debris pickup, individual assistance and sheltering in the wake of hurricanes and other natural disasters.

He argued on the floor that replenishing the relief fund would help communities across the country and farmers in Florida, whose crops were destroyed by hurricanes

Number one, it will put funds into FEMA so they can provide help for all these communities in every state. Number two, the next thing it does is it helps our farmers. Our farmers have been waiting for almost 12 months for relief from the Department of Agriculture, he said.

Whitehouse stood up on the Senate floor, however, to object to Scott.

I appreciated that Sen. Scott would like to accelerate disaster aid to his home state, but let me observe that disasters have taken place not only in Florida but in  Hawaii, in Vermont and Louisiana and other states as well, he said.

Whitehouse said Congress shouldnt split off disaster relief funding from Bidens broader request for $44 billion in emergency funding, which includes $24 billion for Ukraine.

What President Biden did is made a request to Congress in August to pass a comprehensive emergency supplemental that includes an increase in funding for FEMAs disaster relief fund, he said.

Whitehouse noted that Bidens request also includes $45 million for the Department of Agriculture and $15 million for the Department of Interior to support 20,000 firefighters battling wildfires.

What we should do is pass the continuing resolution with full funding for the presidents supplemental request for FEMAs disaster relief fund, for the Department of Interior firefighting money and while were at it  to support Ukraine. So for those reasons, I will object, Whitehouse said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  Democrats are deliberating ways to confirm the hundreds of remaining military nominees held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.. They hope to capitalize on this weeks momentum to confirm the nearly 300 other nominees in the relatively near future after the Senate confirmed three joint chiefs this week.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said that a likely option Democrats are considering to break the Tuberville logjam would be to confirm the roughly 300 other general and flag officers on the floor in large block packages, allowing the confirmations to proceed without monopolizing precious Senate floor time.

Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Defense News he expects more floor votes on military nominees after the chamber completes work on the appropriations legislation and stopgap funding bill, which Congress must pass by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown.

I think youre going to see some big blocks that we needed to break the ice, but were going to get them all through, Kaine said. We havent taken anything off the table, and were going to continue to increase the pressure.

There are military officials now filling the roughly 300 vacancies in an acting capacity. But the holds have also created uncertainty for troops down the ranks trying to plan for their futures, forced senior military officials to perform two jobs at once, and raised questions about what authorities acting officers do and dont have absent Senate confirmation.

While Democrats would prefer Tuberville simply lift his holds to once again allow the Senate to quickly confirm the nominees by unanimous consent, confirming the hundreds of remaining nominees in large block votes could function as a backup plan to break the logjam.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., told reporters Thursday that nothings on the table, nothings off the table.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., this week held a series of votes to confirm Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by an 83-11 vote, Gen. Randy George as Army chief of staff in a 96-1 vote, and Gen. Eric Smith as Marine Corps commandant with a 96-0 vote.

Tuberville was one of the senators to vote against Brown as Joint Chiefs chairman.

I just didnt want to vote for him, Tuberville told Defense New on Thursday.

Pushed for clarification by Defense News, Tuberville responded, I like Gen. Brown, but noted his no vote was due to the broader situation around the Pentagons abortion leave policy. This policy, which provides paid leave time for troops to receive abortion if they live in states where its illegal, is what prompted Tuberville to instate his hold on all military nominees in February.

Tuberville did vote to confirm George and Smith even though the abortion policy remains in place.

If Democrats proceed with block votes on the remaining nominees, the Senate may still hold stand-alone votes on Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the nominee for chief of naval operations, and Gen. David Allvin to serve as Air Force chief of staff. They both had their confirmation hearings last week.

Schumer had initially declined to hold floor votes on the top military nominees for months while hundreds of other officers remained logjammed, but reversed course after Tuberville planned to force a vote on Smith. Until Tubervilles blockade, the Senate had historically confirmed these nominees in a rapid floor procedure called unanimous consent.

The series of confirmation votes for three nominees took two days, and thats after Tuberville agreed to speed up some procedural hurdles so the Senate did not have to remain in session to vote through the weekend.

A recent Congressional Research Service report found it would take roughly 700 hours of floor time  almost 90 days  to confirm 301 outstanding nominees if the Senate did nothing else and neglected its other duties, like funding the government.

The Senate expects to receive roughly 300 more military nominations by the end of the year, approximately doubling that timeline.

In a floor speech on Wednesday, Schumer left the door open to changing Senate procedures to allow for the confirmation of a batch of military nominees at once.

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, Schumer said. They recognize that the Senate process is being abused and that Sen. Tubervilles reckless actions are harming hundreds of military families.

But a rules change may run into resistance from Republicans, meaning Democrats would be able to afford few  if any  defections to enact such a change.

I do not think we need a rules change, Sen. Join Ernst, R-Iowa, told Defense News.
Denise Richards was back in her old stomping grounds of South Florida over the weekend, and got a surprising reception.

Its been 25 years since the actress starred as a naughty teenager with a secret in Wild Things, which was partially filmed in South Florida.

(Trivia: Her character Kelly Van Ryans Blue Bay High School was actually Ransom Everglades in Coconut Grove.)

These days, Richards is a happily married mother of three and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum.

Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers/Instagram screenshot

Over the weekend, the 52-year-old Illinois native was making the philanthropic rounds in Boca Raton, attending a charity event with her husband Aaron Phypers.

Richards looked fantastic in a jewel encrusted black minidress, Trojan-style high heels and blond hair extensions.

Fun night with the hubby, said the harmless Instagram caption of a photo of the two at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

While we noted no imperfections whatsoever, the dark side of the Internet had a field day dissecting her in the comments section.

Multiple followers picked apart just about every aspect of the photo, literally from head to toe.

Followers accused the Hollywood vet of heavy editing as her skin looked smoother than it did in her RHOBH days.

Just be you. Stop photoshopping, accused one.

Even more people (most, ironically, with private accounts and no avatars of themselves), weighed in on her feet.

Get that [bunion] taken care of, a wannabe podiatrist sniped. Mean.

At least a few folks came to the TV stars defense.

Shes funny and I enjoy her acting and she has aged beautifully, wrote one kind soul. We all have flaws/issues so lets just scroll by if we have nothing nice to say.
A North Carolina sheriffs deputy used dangerous jiujitsu moves during the beating of a handcuffed man and his aunt, who was punched in the face when she tried recording the attack, according to a new federal lawsuit.

After pulling over Gary Thomas Jr. over and arresting him on suspicion of marijuana possession on March 2, 2022, Washington County deputy Jeffrey Aaron Edwards drove him to the Washington County courthouse in Plymouth, where he went on to brutally attack Edwards, a complaint filed Sept. 21 says.

Outside the courthouse, Edwards forcefully kneed Thomas in his back and neck, causing his head to slam into the buildings brick wall, before the deputy dragged his limp body inside, according to the complaint, which says footage of the incident was caught on Thomas friends cellphone and received national media attention.

Edwards then dragged Garys aunt, Mary Moore, into the courthouse after punching her in the face for recording and objecting to the assault of her nephew, the complaint says.

Edwards later described the encounter in a text to a co-worker as a pretty good fight, according to the complaint.

He was fired by the Washington County Sheriffs Office over his use of force after an investigation into the incident, the office announced in a March 10, 2022, Facebook post.

However, he is still a law enforcement officer in North Carolina, according to the complaint. Its unclear where he is employed.

The event left Thomas traumatized  especially from witnessing Edwards assault his aunt  and caused him to move away from the town of Plymouth out of fear of potential harassment and further mistreatment from law enforcement, the complaint says.

Moore also fears Edwards will find her and harm her again, Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, told McClatchy News in an interview on Sept. 21.

The NPAP, a nonprofit dedicated to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the law, is representing Thomas and Moore along with the Littlejohn Law Firm.

Edwards isnt the only one to blame for his misconduct, according to Bonds. The issue also lies with the sheriffs office, which has tolerated law enforcement misconduct for years, Bonds said.

Edwards may have been the primary person leg sweeping, body slamming, dragging, and punching Mary and Gary...but he is far from the only one responsible, the complaint says.

Thomas and Moore are suing Washington County, Sheriff Johnny Barnes, Edwards and others involved in the March 2022 incident on several causes of action, including excessive force.

McClatchy News contacted the county and the sheriffs office for comment on Sept. 21 and didnt receive an immediate response.

Thomas and Moore decided to file the lawsuit because they dont want another situation where sheriffs deputies can consistently harm people and thered be no action taken until it makes the news, Bonds said.

Following Edwards firing from the sheriffs office, a district attorney decided to not file criminal charges against him in connection with his treatment of Thomas and Moore, WITN reported in September 2022.

Bonds called that decision disappointing. However, she said it doesnt undermine their confidence that Edwards will be found civilly liable in this case.

What led to Thomas arrest?

On March 2, 2022, Edwards was outside of his jurisdiction when he pulled Thomas and his friend Caressil Goddard over in a rental car in Martin County, the complaint says.

Since Thomas didnt have a license to show Edwards, the deputy put him in the backseat of his patrol car and went on to search the rental car before saying hed found marijuana inside the vehicle, the complaint says.

Then Edwards told Goddard to leave and arrested Thomas on for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license, according to the complaint, which says these charges were later dropped.

Afterward, Edwards drove Thomas to the Washington County courthouse, where deputy Brian Mizelle, another defendant in the case, arrived, the complaint says.

The brutal assault of Thomas and his aunt

Outside the courthouse, Edwards knocked Thomas legs out from underneath him as he was handcuffed and got on top of him, the complaint says.

This is when Thomas mother, Moore and Goddard arrived to bail him out of jail and saw him being held down on the pavement, according to the complaint.

The trio was horrified as they saw Edwards and Mizelle begin to drag Thomas toward the courthouse, the complaint says.

When Moore began recording with her phone, Edwards abandoned his assault of Gary to assault Mary and punched her in the face, leaving her mouth bloody, according to the complaint, which accuses Mizelle of standing by and not intervening.

During the assault of Thomas and Moore, instead of relying on his training from the sheriffs office, Edwards relied on (basic law enforcement training), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts, and training from the Marines, the complaint says.

Gary was handcuffed. He wasnt actively resisting, he wasnt fighting, Bonds said. To use any type of force against him at that point was gonna be illegal.

Thomas and Moore dragged into courthouse

Edwards is accused of continuing to attack Moore before handcuffing her, meanwhile Mizelle held Thomas down by lying on top of him  pressing a knee on his back, the complaint says.

Ultimately, Thomas and Moore were both dragged into the courthouse by Edwards, according to the complaint.

Then, two Plymouth police officers arrived, Capt. Kevin Phelps and Sgt Ryan White, who witnessed Edwards use of excessive force but didnt attempt to stop it, the complaint says.

Mizelle, Phelps and White had a duty and an obligation to intervene under the law, Keisha James, NPAP staff attorney, told McClatchy News on Sept. 21.

By not doing so, they failed to execute their duties, James said.

The lawsuit also names the town of Plymouth, its police chief, Phelps and White as defendants. McClatchy News contacted the town and police department for comment on Sept. 21 and didnt receive an immediate response.

Thomas and Moore left with injuries

After Thomas and Moore posted bail and were released from the custody of the sheriffs office, they went to a hospital for treatment, the complaint says.

In addition to a bloodied mouth, the event left Moore with marks and bruises on her body, according to the complaint.

Meanwhile, Thomas was treated at the hospital for dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches, among other injuries, the complaint says.

A week after Edwards firing, a district attorney dropped the charges against Thomas and Moore in the interests of justice, the complaint says.

Bonds told McClatchy News that Thomas and Moore hope their lawsuit will lead to significant changes in both the sheriffs office and Plymouth Police Department.

Cops bound 6-year-olds wrists with zip ties as she begged not to be arrested, suit says

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Deputy sexually assaults handcuffed woman he kidnapped during traffic stop, feds say

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Two deputies were arrested following an alleged child abuse incident involving a minor being taken into custody, Michigan authorities say.

The incident happened Aug. 30 when Macomb County deputies Derek Reed and Alan Weir were tasked with bringing a juvenile to jail for a probation violation, the Macomb County Prosecutors Office said in a Sept. 20 news release.

As they were taking the juvenile into custody, Reed slapped the juvenile, the prosecutor said. The 14-year-old boy was handcuffed as he was assaulted, prosecutor Pete Lucido told WDIV.

Photos documented the teens injuries, WDIV reported, citing Lucido.

Now the deputies, who have a combined 26 years of experience with the department, face charges.

Reed was charged with fourth-degree child abuse and failure to uphold the law, according to the prosecutor. Weir was charged with willful neglect of duty.

All of the charges are misdemeanors, said Lucido, who added that the deputies are due back in court Oct. 30.

The deputies were placed on paid administrative leave, the sheriffs office said.

The Macomb County Sheriffs Office takes all allegations of this nature seriously, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said in a statement posted on Facebook. Individuals in positions of power, especially those in law enforcement, must be held to the highest of standards.

Macomb County is about 40 miles northeast of Detroit.

22-year-old deputy driving drunk tries to ram cop car in 130-mph chase, Florida cops say

Ex-deputy shoots father of her unborn child during deadly dispute, Georgia police say

Two officers used scalding water to make jail inmates compliant, Florida sheriff says
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  The warning from Gov. Ron DeSantis ' administration against getting Covid boosters couldnt have come at a worse time.

DeSantis hand-picked surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo , last Wednesday urged people under 65 not to get the newly approved mRNA-boosters, just days after Florida ranked first in the nation for Covid-related hospitalizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data showing Floridas hospitalization rate was 10.65 per 100,000 residents during the week ending on Sept. 9. Washington, D.C. was next with 10.06 per 100,000, followed by Arkansas.

In raw numbers, that means about 2,280 people in Florida were hospitalized for Covid-related health issues. Its a far cry from the height of the pandemic, when the state was shattering nationwide records during the summer of 2021 with more than 10,000 hospitalizations, but still signifies an uptick in cases.

Ladapos warning against getting the vaccine, announced during an online roundtable discussion hosted by DeSantis, follows the surgeon generals skepticism toward vaccines and goes against recommendations from the CDC, FDA and others in the medical community.



CDC Director Mandy Cohen, in response to Ladapos comments undermining the efficacy of the boosters, stressed the importance of vaccination ahead of winter and emphasized that vaccines are safe.

Since this Administrations launch of the largest adult vaccination program in our nations history, COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives and kept countless people out of the hospital, Cohen wrote. Public health experts are in broad agreement about these facts, and efforts to undercut vaccine uptake are unfounded and dangerous."

Jaye Williams, Florida Department of Health spokesperson, said Ladapos guidance speaks for itself despite Florida leading the nation in hospitalizations.

[Ladapos] making the guidance based on the data hes seen, Williams said.

Williams also cited state reports showing a continued drop in Covid-19 infections throughout Florida. The rate of new infections was 16 percent in the week ending on Sept. 9, down by 4 percent from the previous week, according to the state report.

A review of the weekly DOH reports shows Florida saw a spike in Covid infections through August, similar to previous years during the pandemic when there was an increase as schools resumed after summer break.

Its unclear, however, how exactly Ladapos guidance will affect Floridas Covid situation. Michael Teng, virologist and associate dean at the University of South Florida, said many Floridians who were hospitalized are 65 or older  the group that the surgeon general didnt advise against getting boosters. Teng said, in general, the elderly population should be more concerned about the virus and vaccinations than younger people.

If it were just about prioritizing the elderly, the more at-risk population, that would be one thing, Teng said in an interview. But the surgeon general has actively gone and told people not to get the shot if you're below 65, even though the CDC has recommended it for everybody in the United States.
Ron DeSantis is in freefall in New Hampshire.

The Florida GOP governor, who once polled ahead of former President Donald Trump in the first primary state, has now fallen solidly back into the pack, competing in a crowded race with biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy , former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for second place in a new survey.

Support for DeSantis cratered to 10 percent in the CNN/University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday, his worst showing in a public poll of Granite Staters yet, according to the list compiled by polling aggregator Real Clear Politics. Hes down 32 points from the January UNH survey in which he led Trump 42 percent to 30 percent. He now sits 29 points behind the former president.

The campaign for Ron DeSantis is on life support, veteran New Hampshire GOP strategist Mike Dennehy said in response to the poll. He has one shot at resuscitation and that is the debate next week.

DeSantis finished fifth in the survey, behind Ramaswamy at 13 percent, Haley at 12 percent and Christie at 11 percent. But because of the polls margin of error, the candidates are statistically in a four-way tie for second.

The Florida governors sagging poll numbers in New Hampshire come as he hasnt set foot in the first primary state in a month. As he campaigns in Iowa and fundraises in Texas, hes been leaving his surrogates and supporters in New Hampshire to pick up his slack.

He needs to get his ass up to New Hampshire, said one DeSantis endorser in New Hampshire, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. This is absolutely ridiculous that hes not here.

The bad news for DeSantis isnt confined to New Hampshire. Its everywhere. He finished third behind Haley in a new Fox Business poll of her home state of South Carolina. And in another poll released on Wednesday, a Fox Business survey of Iowa caucus-goers, hes barely ahead of the former U.N. ambassador. Trump is crushing them both, with 46 percent support in each poll.

But his absence from New Hampshire has been especially baffling to supporters and political observers in the state. DeSantis next scheduled event in New Hampshire is a mid-October cattle call hosted by the state Republican Party. His campaign said he is planning a broader campaign swing through the state to coincide with the New Hampshire GOPs leadership summit.

Ron DeSantis has maintained the most aggressive campaign schedule of anyone in the field and we are excited to be returning to New Hampshire soon, DeSantis campaign spokesperson Andrew Romeo said.

While DeSantis enjoyed high interest among Republican activists before he entered the presidential race, he has since struggled to sell his brand of culture-war conservatism to the broader electorate in New Hampshire, a libertarian-leaning state where independents, who skew more moderate, make up the largest share of voters and are poised to play a major role in next years open primary.

The Florida governor stumbled out of the gate in New Hampshire, getting dragged into a tit-for-tat endorsement battle with Trump, declining to take questions from voters  town halls are a campaign-trail staple in the Granite State  and angering a prominent Republican womens group by counterprogramming a major fundraiser of theirs where Trump was the featured speaker.

DeSantis turned some heads back in his direction with his summer reboot, during which he showed Granite Staters a candidate more willing to take questions and tangle with Trump. But then he stepped off the trail when Hurricane Idalia hit his home state, and hasnt been back to New Hampshire since.

With neither DeSantis nor Trump around, once-lower-polling candidates  Ramaswamy, Haley, Christie and Scott  have had the state to themselves. Ramaswamy and Haley in particular have worked to capitalize on growing interest in both of their campaigns after the first debate. And its starting to pay off for them: While the CNN/UNH poll of 845 likely GOP primary voters conducted Sept. 14 to 18 was among DeSantis worst showings yet in public polls of the Granite State, it was Haleys best, according to RCP. The polls margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

DeSantis campaigning in New Hampshire has been spotty at best, said Matthew Bartlett, a New Hampshire native and GOP strategist who has worked on presidential campaigns and is unaffiliated in this one. There has not been enough emphasis on holding town hall events, several a day, day after day, where you kick the doors open to the public, clearly and effectively define your vision for the country and then take every question under the sun.

Sally Goldenberg contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said humans are safer than ever from the threat of climate change, and he blasted the Biden administrations effort to address the phenomenon as he unveiled an oil- and gas-first energy plan on Wednesday.

DeSantis, who is vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, made the comments during a speech in Midland, Texas. He pledged to enact a slew of policies to roll back efforts to address climate change, including proposals to make electric vehicles more expensive, ramp up domestic production of fossil fuels and remove the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate agreement.

Weve seen a concerted effort to ramp up the fear when it comes to things like global warming and climate change, he said Wednesday, claiming Democrats were trying to circumscribe your ambitions.

They are even telling our younger generations to have fewer children, or not to even have children, on the grounds that somehow children are going to make our climate and planet unlivable  and thats wrong to say.

DeSantis comments come just weeks after a Category 3 hurricane slammed into Florida, bringing record-high floodwaters and warnings from scientists that climate change is fueling more dangerous and more frequent storms. The secretary-general of the United Nations warned this week that humanity has opened the gates to hell and that even under current commitments, has not done nearly enough to limit planet-warming emissions.

In the DeSantis Administration, green will mean go.



I will demand faster approvals than any President in history.



If bureaucrats are slowing down energy projects, then those bureaucrats will lose their jobs. pic.twitter.com/3wvzS1iB54  Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 21, 2023

The Florida governor seemed to reject scientists concern on Wednesday, saying that although the climate had clearly changed, his policies to increase energy production were in fact a practical way to reduce global emissions. Warnings about a future of climate-related disasters, he said, were merely fear tactics.

We deal with hurricanes in Florida, the governor said. We deal with fires, too, in Florida, but what I would say is when Joe Biden says that hes more worried, like in 10 years, with the climate than a nuclear war, I mean, Im sorry, thats just not true.

The lectern in front of the governor held a sign reading $2 in 2025, pointing to his campaign promise to lower gas prices to $2 a gallon should he be elected to the White House. The Biden campaign took umbrage with DeSantis attacks, calling his plans deeply unserious and impractical and chock-full of the climate denialism that defines the MAGA Republican Party.

In an Aug. 30 satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hurricane Idalia is shown over Florida and crossing into Georgia while Hurricane Franklin, to the right, moves along off the East Coast.

In an Aug. 30 satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hurricane Idalia is shown over Florida and crossing into Georgia while Hurricane Franklin, to the right, moves along off the East Coast.

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, Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Bidens reelection campaign, told The New York Times.

Related...
GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that he will revoke funding for COVID-19 vaccines if elected to the White House next year.

Certainly, were not going to fund them, he said in an interview with ABC. I think that the Biden is spending billions and billions of dollars on these. So theyve done studies. They have not demonstrated the benefit of the boosters.

DeSantis, who remains a strong opponent of mandating COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic measures, claimed that there isnt enough research to show whether the benefits of the new boosters outweigh the potential risks.

President Biden said last month that he plans to ask for more funding from Congress for the development of a new coronavirus vaccine  a move that could face hurdles as a similar request to combat the virus was blocked by Congress last year.

I signed off this morning on a proposal we have to present to the Congress a request for additional funding for a new vaccine that is necessary, that works, Biden said at the time.

DeSantis also questioned whether the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be trusted, vowing to hold the agency accountable if elected in 2024. He claimed the CDC misrepresented how effective masking and vaccines were in preventing COVID-19 infections during the height of the pandemic, saying that the agency cited flimsy studies.

They would make representations which were not true. So the trust thats been lost, I think has been incalculable and one of the things that I said is when I come in were going to have a reckoning about all these COVID policies, he said. Were going to hold people accountable, who got it wrong.

A new COVID-19 booster was rolled out last week after the Food and Drug Administration approved the shots, which are meant to protect new strains of the coronavirus and are recommended for everyone older than 6 months.

However, the campaign to get people vaccinated is off to a rocky start as the federal government scrambles to make the shots accessible to uninsured Americans.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(The Hill)  GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he will revoke funding for COVID-19 vaccines if elected to the White House next year.

Certainly, were not going to fund them, he said in an interview with ABC. I think that the Biden is spending billions and billions of dollars on these. So theyve done studies. They have not demonstrated the benefit of the boosters.

DeSantis, who remains a strong opponent of mandating COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic measures, claimed that there isnt enough research to show whether the benefits of the new boosters outweigh the potential risks.

What are the side effects of the new COVID booster?

President Biden said last month that he plans to ask for more funding from Congress for the development of a new coronavirus vaccine  a move that could face hurdles as a similar request to combat the virus was blocked by Congress last year.

I signed off this morning on a proposal we have to present to the Congress a request for additional funding for a new vaccine that is necessary, that works, Biden said at the time.

DeSantis also questioned whether the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be trusted, vowing to hold the agency accountable if elected in 2024. He claimed the CDC misrepresented how effective masking and vaccines were in preventing COVID-19 infections during the height of the pandemic, saying that the agency cited flimsy studies.

They would make representations which were not true. So the trust thats been lost, I think has been incalculable and one of the things that I said is when I come in were going to have a reckoning about all these COVID policies, he said. Were going to hold people accountable, who got it wrong.

When can you get the new COVID booster?

A new COVID-19 booster was rolled out last week after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new shots, which are meant to protect new strains of the coronavirus and are recommended for everyone older than 6 months.

However, the campaign to get people vaccinated is off to a rocky start as the federal government scrambles to make the shots accessible to uninsured Americans.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan predicted Thursday that Congress will eventually approve additional aid for Ukraine, even as Congress is not publicly projecting that optimism.

I continue to remain of the view, that when all is said and done, after all the back and forth and the to-ing and fro-ing and all the other elements going into these negotiations that have nothing to do with Ukraine, that there will be strong bipartisan support to continue funding Ukraine, Sullivan said during a White House briefing.

Republicans in both the House and Senate in very large numbers have been strong advocates and supporters for this, Sullivan said. And it is that level of bipartisan support that we've seen to date that has sustained the immense and impressive levels of assistance that we've been able to provide to Ukraine.

However, Congressional dysfunction has complicated the matter. In the House, far-right opposition has made passing any kind of spending legislation nearly impossible. And in the Senate, there is strong Republican support for military assistance, but some legislators oppose further humanitarian aid, arguing that Ukraine's European neighbors should be stepping up.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Capitol Hill Thursday to meet with lawmakers and make the case for additional military and humanitarian assistance. He did not take questions after the meetings on what  if any  commitments he secured from Speaker Kevin McCarthy on aid for his defense against Russia, or other subjects.

Zelenskyy was set to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House Thursday afternoon.

Sullivan also told reporters that Biden would announce a new military assistance package for Ukraine later Thursday. The package would not include the long-range ATACMS missile system, he said, but did not rule it out as a future possibility.
By Hyunjoo Jin and Bianca Flowers

CHICAGO (Reuters) -United Auto Workers (UAW) members rallied against the Detroit Three automakers in multiple U.S. states on Thursday afternoon as Friday's deadline loomed for a threatened expansion of the union's strikes.

The seven-day standoff is fueling worries about prolonged industrial action that could disrupt production and ripple through the supply chain and dent U.S. economic growth.

The UAW last week launched unprecedented, simultaneous strikes at one assembly plant each of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis.

Approximately 12,700 workers are on strike as a result of the UAW's coordinated U.S. action out of the union's 146,000 members who work at the Big Three.

"If we have to drag this thing out in order to stand up, we will," Ayanna Dixon, a 13-year auto worker and union steward told a crowd near a Ford plant in southeast Chicago under gray skies. "The raise itself to me will be setting an example for my children," she said.

The Chicago plant has not been shut down by the strike and about 100 workers and supporters rallied, holding signs including "Stand up, End Tiers".

UAW workers want to end a tiered wage structure that they say has created a large gap between newer and older employees, forcing some to work two jobs to make ends meet.

In Louisville, Kentucky, at least a couple of hundred workers, family members and supporters gathered at a parking lot near one of Ford's two local assembly plants in support of workers striking elsewhere. Passing cars honked in support and after some speeches, members of the group held hands and sang union songs.

UAW President Shawn Fain has promised an expansion of the strikes at 12 p.m. EDT on Friday (1600 GMT), barring "serious progress" in talks. On Thursday morning, Fain posted a video message on X, formerly known as Twitter, to UAW members about the Friday deadline, showing scenes from several Hollywood movies with the characters saying "tick tock."

GM said it remained in talks with the UAW on Thursday. Ford said its negotiations continue. Stellantis said on Wednesday it made a fifth offer to the UAW on Tuesday dealing with subcommittee demands, and a source familiar with the talks said those talks continued on Thursday.

The White House declined to say on Thursday if President Joe Biden will visit a picket line but said he is "pro-UAW workers." "We appreciate the fact that they still are at the negotiating table," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found significant support by Americans for the striking auto workers.

Stellantis, GM and Ford have furloughed some employees at other factories because of the ripple effects of the strikes, including parts shortages, storage constraints and other issues.

Analysts expect plants that build high-margin pickup trucks such as Ford's F-150, GM's Chevy Silverado and Stellantis' Ram to be the next targets if the walkout continues.

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas estimated in a Thursday research note that a full month of lost production would cost the three automakers $7 billion to $8 billion in lost profits.

Fain has said Detroit automakers have not shared their huge profits with workers while enriching executives and investors.

GM President Mark Reuss on Wednesday rejected claims by the union that the record profits made by automakers go toward fueling "corporate greed," saying the funds have been reinvested in electric vehicles as well as gasoline-powered cars.

In an opinion piece published in the Detroit Free Press, Reuss also called the UAW's demands for a 40% pay hike "untenable," signaling the two sides remain far apart over the key issue.

The three automakers have proposed 20% raises over 4-1/2 years.

S&P said the strikes were highly likely to last several weeks, potentially cutting third-quarter U.S. gross domestic product by 0.39% and causing "upheaval" across global automotive supply chains.

The impact of the strikes has begun to spread to suppliers. On Thursday, BorgWarner said any hit on sales is expected to be relatively modest initially. However, it added that if the strikes were to continue for several weeks or expand to affect other customer plants the impact would be larger.

The ongoing walkout at mid-sized truck factories benefits rival Toyota Motor, which does not have unions at its U.S. factories and is about to launch redesigned Tacoma pickup trucks, S&P added.

Tesla investors have said a potential hike in wages and benefits at Detroit competitors would widen the EV giant's labor cost structure advantages.

(Reporting by Bianca Flowers in Chicago, Hyunjoo Jin in San Francisco, Michael Swensen in Louisville, David Shepardson in Washington and Ben Klayman in Detroit; Additional reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; Editing by Jamie Freed, Nick Zieminski and Matthew Lewis)
Developers touted the tax benefits and energy savings possible from a proposed solar farm project in Crete during a public information session this week that drew questions from residents about potential for water contamination and runoff issues.

About 16 people attended Tuesdays meeting, where Ironwood Renewables discussed its plan to annex into the village approximately 70 acres near Old Monee Road and South Sangamon Street for a solar farm, called Falconhead Solar.

Hamilton Carrier, the project developer for Ironwood Renewables, said the solar farm would be built on about 48 acres and generate five megawatts of energy.

The landowner and village officials have entered a pre-annexation agreement that the land will be annexed if the solar farm is built, Carrier said.

It wouldnt actually go into effect until the project is built, Carrier said.

The development is expected to generate about $50,000 a year in tax revenue, Carrier said, which will be divided between school districts, the fire department and village.

Crete village administrator Michael Smith said the annexation still has to go through board approval, and the process will include a public hearing. Village officials look forward to the annexation and solar farm project because it will expand the villages boundaries and offer a green source of energy, he said.

The company will enter an interconnection agreement with ComEd, Carrier said. The utility company will sell the energy the solar farm creates. Residents in Crete and surrounding towns could subscribe to the solar farm and receive a rebate of up to 20% on their utility bill, he said.

The solar panels, which are made up of 98% silicone, glass and plastic polymer, will be recycled after the project is decommissioned, Carrier said. Ironwood Renewables will lease the land for 20 years, he said.

At minimum, the solar farm is 100 feet away from other property lines, Carrier said, and an 8 foot fence will be built around the property.

The solar farm likely wouldnt be operational until 2025, Carrier said, because the company plans to apply into the Illinois Adjustable Block Program, an incentive program supporting the development of new solar energy. The program accepts applications each June, so the company plans to apply next year, he said.

Ruth Reed, who attended the meeting to collect information for a friend who lives near the proposed project, asked about potential water pollution from the project.

Carrier said his company has been developing solar farms for seven years, and in his experience and the studies hes read he has not seen evidence of solar farms polluting water.

Carrier pointed to a June 2015 study by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, which found that because the panel materials dont mix with water or vaporize into the air there is little, if any, risk of chemical releases to the environment during normal use.

Were not going to be contaminating their water. Their wells are deep in the ground, Carrier said.

Reed said the assurance didnt convince her there wouldnt be a problem with water contamination. She left the meeting still feeling concerned about the project, she said.

I didnt learn anything, Reed said.

Linda and Scott Hoffmeyer, who live right next to the proposed project, attended the meeting and shared their concerns with the company representatives about water runoff from the solar farm property onto their property.

Michael Keith, a civil engineer with Atwell, the company tasked with civil engineering, landscaping, architecture and surveying the project, said plants and wildflowers will be planted throughout the property, which will help with water runoff.

The project developers will follow Illinois law and ensure that the water on the property moves through the property and doesnt run off into nearby homes, he said.

I will keep that water moving the same way, Keith said.

Keith and the Hoffmeyers took a few moments during the discussion to look over a map of the project and discuss how it will impact their property.

Scott Hoffmeyer said after reviewing the map it appears that the back of their garage will be 213 feet away from the first panel near their house. After the meeting, they said they were still concerned with drainage issues.

The response is what I expected, Scott Hoffmeyer said.
Federal prosecutors are looking into whether an admitted felon helped arrange to give gold bars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez or his wife in exchange for help, sources familiar with the matter tell News 4.

Investigators want to know if Menendez offered to contact the Justice Department to try to help that man who was accused of banking crimes. Those questions are now before a federal grand jury in Manhattan that is considering whether to hand up corruption charges against the senior senator from New Jersey.

Sources say witnesses are now testifying before that federal grand jury. Part of the investigation centers on the senators ties to Fred Daibes, a New Jersey developer and one-time bank chairman. Officials with the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation want to know if Daibes or his associates gave gold bars to the senators wife, Nadine Arslanian -- gold bars worth as much as $400,000.

Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The fight over who bears the blame for the recent US bank failures will turn ever more political today when lawmakers grill the lenders' former senior managers and top regulators. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Al Drago / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

At the time of the gift handoff, Daibes was facing federal bank fraud charges that could have landed him up to a decade in federal prison.

Sources familiar with the matter say federal prosecutors have been asking if Menendez, a Democrat who has represented New Jersey since 2006, offered to help support Daibes with his criminal case by contacting Justice Department officials about the case. If the senator did offer to act in exchange for expensive gifts, legal experts say that could be a crime.

For purposes of the Federal Extortion Act, it makes no difference if the senator took an official act so long as he accepted the money and there was knowledge the money was in exchange for that official influence, even if he never carried out what he had promised he would do, NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos said.

Menendez disclosed his family received the gold bars back in 2020 -- but he disclosed that asset only after the federal criminal investigation was underway.

Daibes faced more than a dozen counts of bank fraud for lying about a $1.8 million loan from Mariners Bank where he served as chairman.

Last year, New Jerseys U.S. Attorneys Office agreed to let Daibes plead guilty to one count and serve probation, saying the fraudulent loan was paid back and Daibes had no criminal past.

Sources tell News 4 there is no indication U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger or his office were ever contacted by the senator -- but the two men had been close, with Sellinger appointed to the position with the senators support, and Sellinger previously serving as a campaign fundraiser for Menendez.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office said, U.S. Attorney Sellinger was recused from the Daibes matter and all activity by the office related to that matter was handled appropriately, according to the principles of federal prosecution.

Federal Judge Susan Wigeton has delayed the bank fraud sentencing for Daibes three times in the last year. Daibes lawyer has issued denials that he is cooperating against Menendez.

Of course the government would much rather have a cooperator take the stand raise their right hand and point at the defendant in the courtroom, Cevallos said.

The senators spokespeople and his attorney did not respond to phone and email requests for comment. Attorneys for Daibes also declined to comment.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who is leading the investigation, declined to take questions about the investigation during an unrelated news conference on Tuesday. His spokesperson Nick Biase also declined to comment.

Spokespeople for the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation also declined comment.

The issue of whether Menendez improperly accepted gold bars is just one part of the investigation.

As News 4 first reported, officials are also looking into whether Menendez or his now wife improperly took gifts, including use of a Mercedes and a luxury D.C. apartment from the owners of a New Jersey business. That business, IS EG Halal, won an exclusive contract with the Egyptian government to perform all Halal meat inspection for the county, even though the firm had no prior experience.

Investigators want to know if Menendez used his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees billions in aid to Egypt, to help that New Jersey firm get the contract in exchange for gifts.

A spokesperson for IS EG Halal has issued a denial of ever giving the senator any gifts and said they won the Egyptian contact on their merits.

Menendez previously denied any wrongdoing back in May: Im sure its going to end up in absolutely nothing.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
New lands, rides, or attractions, based on Black Panther, Frozen and Coco, could come to life at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney Co. executives teased during an investor summit in Florida this week.

Disney Parks Chairman Josh DAmaro talked about the possibility of bringing Frozens Arendelle, Black Panthers Wakanda and Cocos Santa Cecilia to life in some capacity at the Happiest Place on Earth and potentially its sister park in Orlando.

We have a wealth of untapped stories to bring to life across our business, DAmaro said.

The abandoned plans to bring another Disney theme park to California

Frozen, one of the most successful and popular animated franchises of all time, could have a presence at the Disneyland Resort. Wakanda has yet to be brought to life. The world of Coco is just waiting to be explored. Theres a lot of storytelling opportunity.

Disney fans have theorized that lands, rides and attractions based on Tangled, Zootopia and Tron and expanded areas based on Peter Pan and Toy Story, could also be in the works.

Some of the proposed lands potentially coming to Disneyland, such as Frozen, will debut at Disney Parks overseas in the coming months.

Disneyland has also teased the possibility of adding an Avatar experience to the resort. News of the potential addition was teased in February, but details on the project have remained limited.

However, it was later revealed that director James Cameron was working with Walt Disney Imagineering on the project.

Disney reveals dates for expanded D23 fan event

News of the Anaheim resorts likely future comes after the city of Anaheim released a 17,000-page environmental study for Disneys proposed expansion plan, known as Disneyland Forward.

The Disneyland Forward project details how officials want to update and renovate the Anaheim theme park. The project will include new attractions, shops and restaurants within its existing 490-acre footprint, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Disneyland Forward

In 2021, Disneyland officials told media outlets they did not plan to ask the city of Anaheim for more space for the expansion but would instead focus on underdeveloped areas around the resort which the company already owns.

Specifically, officials want to build additions around the two Disney hotels west of the theme parks and on the site of a parking lot east of the resort, the Times reported.

Disney is seeking zoning changes for the expansion. Disney officials previously wanted to add a third entrance to the resort, but those plans never materialized.

The company has not announced how much Disneyland Forward would cost, but it previously stated that the endeavor would be privately funded. Disney hopes to have the project reviewed by the Anaheim City Council and receive approval before the end of 2024.

Disney has previously held community coffee chats for community members to attend and learn more about the proposed project.

A public workshop discussing the Disneyland Forward environmental plan will be held on Oct. 9 at Anaheim City Hall, the Orange County Register reported

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Samuel Mangi was aboard a diving boat in Watamu, Kenya, recently when he spotted something peculiar.

The photographer works with BahariHai, a marine conservation organization, and he was on a diving trip with Turtle Diving Watamu, according to a Sept. 21 social media post. The group was making its way to its second diving location when a big blue shadow with majestic white dots passed by.

It was a whale shark escorted by smaller sharks, BahariHai wrote on Facebook. A video shows the creature swimming close to the top of the surface.

This is a beautiful sighting, showcasing the beauty hidden in the Watamu Marine Protected Area, the post said.

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world  and the largest fish known to have existed on Earth, according to the Georgia Aquarium. Their average length is between 18 and 32 feet. They are known to live in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and tropical Atlantic.

The massive filter-feeding creatures have unusually large mouths that can be up to 4 feet long, experts said. Although the sharks do not use their teeth to feed, they have about 300 rows of tiny teeth on each jaw.

The gentle giants are distinguishable by their white spots, which are unique to each individual, similar to human fingerprints, World Wildlife Fund experts said.

Mangi said he was filled with a wave of emotion when he spotted the shark.

I was thrilled, he wrote in an Instagram post. While capturing the amazing whaleshark swim gently in the open water, I felt fulfillment within me and passionate about my calling in Marine conservation.

Watamu is on the southeastern coast of Kenya.

Boaters get breathtaking glimpse at the biggest fish in the world. See the video

Watch elusive sea creatures come close to Canadian shore and leave witness shaking

Unusual splashes lead boaters to sea creatures playdate in Iceland. See photos
Three Pennsylvania restaurants recently earned recognition as some of the best restaurants in the U.S., according to the New York Times.

The newspapers third annual Restaurant List honored a trio of Keystone State representatives selected by a dozen reporters, editors and critics who traveled all across the country in search of their favorite and most exciting spots. About half of the 50 restaurants featured in this years list opened within the last year or so, the New York Times said.

Despite the upheavals in recent years, this is an expansive moment for independent restaurants, the New York Times wrote. We cant help but feel that cities and towns in the United States are better to eat in today than they ever have been.

Heres what you need to know about the Pennsylvania restaurants that made this years New York Times Restaurant List.

El Chingon

This Philadelphia-based taco and sandwich shop opened in November 2022 in South Philadelphia. According to the New York Times, chef and owner Juan Carlos Aparicio opened El Chingon by combining Pueblan family recipes with skills he learned working in upscale French and Italian restaurants for years.

El Chingon doesnt clamor for attention or traffic in gimmicks; its simply a neighborhood restaurant, albeit one of the highest order, the New York Times Nikita Richardson wrote.

El Chingons menu, supported by house-baked bread and fresh produce, features tacos, sandwiches and plenty of appetizers, including rabbit tinga tostadas and elote. Additionally, a lunch and brunch menu offered between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. features favorites like chilaquiles, chalupa poblana and huevos con mole.

You can find El Chingon at 1524 S. 10th St. in Philadelphia. The restaurant is closed Monday, but open from at least 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the rest of the week, though hours vary by day. Full menus and hours are available at elchingonphilly.com.

My Loup

Located just off Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, this French-influenced restaurant offers a memorable experience for diners thanks to its eccentric but exciting menu. Chefs Alex Kemp and Amanda Shulman each bring their own cooking experiences to the restaurant, resulting in a wholly unique experience.

Je me souviens (I remember) is the motto of Quebec, and its also a vibe at this newcomer in the City of Brotherly Love, where you might remember things about restaurants that have been missing in recent years  namely fun, New York Times editor Sara Bonisteel writes.

My Loups appetizer and small plate selections offer oysters, pickled shrimp, beef tartare and a smoked eel Caesar salad. Entrees include grilled swordfish, half-roasted chicken and a $130 Cote de Boeuf dish intended for two.

You can find My Loup at 2005 Walnut St. The restaurant, which opened in May, operates from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are available online at myloupphl.com.

Kalaya

This Thai restaurant rounds out Phialdelphias (and Pennsylvanias) trio of representatives among the New York Times best restaurants. Kalaya opened in a new spot in November 2022 as the latest product of Chutatip Nok Suntaranon, who took to the restaurant business after working as a flight attendant. Now, her Fishtown neighborhood restaurant offers forcefully spiced, luminous cooking.

Be sure to order the flower-shaped shaw muang, the fiery venison curry and the goong phao, with its grilled freshwater prawns, the New York Times Brett Anderson advises. And while you eat, marvel at the realization that this preternaturally gifted chef and restauranteur didnt open her first place until age 50.

Kalayas menu includes dumplings, curry dishes, stir fry, cocktails and more. Reservations are also accepted through an online form at kalayaphilly.com.

You can find Kalaya at 4 W. Palmer St. in Philadelphia. The restaurant is open for dinner from at least 5 to 10 p.m. daily and for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekend.

The New York Times Restaurant List

The famed newspapers third Restaurant List features establishments from 28 U.S. states, ranging from Washington to South Carolina. No state landed more representatives on 2023s list than California and New York, which each had five restaurants featured.

Visit nytimes.com/interactive/2023/dining/best-restaurants-america.html to check out each restaurant, read brief reviews, browse menus and more.
A growing El Nino and a new long-range forecast are strong signs that Northwest Washington will see a warmer-than-normal winter with less rainfall than average.

A report issued last week from the Climate Prediction Center indicates a 71% chance of a strong El Nino, a seasonal phenomenon that steers heavy winter storms south of Washington state.

On Thursday, the center issued its forecast for December, January & February, calling for a 60-70% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 40-50% chance of below-normal rainfall.

I think theres a lot of evidence that well have a warmer than normal winter, state climatologist Nick Bond told The Bellingham Herald in an interview late last month.

That was even before the most recent reports that doubled down on what meteorologists were already thinking.

Still, a seasonal forecast doesnt preclude extreme weather events such as lowland snow or flooding, National Weather Service meteorologist Harrison Rademacher told The Bellingham Herald.

Obviously, weather patterns have their own systems within them. You cant rule out anything so far in advance, he said.

Western Washington just endured a rare three-year La Nina pattern, which normally means colder and wetter winters in Whatcom County.

In that period, Whatcom County saw three rounds of flooding on the Nooksack River, killing one person and causing more than $200 million in damages.

Mt. Baker Ski Area averaged 679 inches of snow over that period, an important statistic because spring snowmelt, along with winter rainfall in the lowlands, contributes to the amount of water available for agricultural and residential use.

In the El Nino years of 2014-2016, that average was 516 inches. In the El Nino years of 2005 and 2015, so little snow fell that its signature event, Legendary Banked Slalom, was canceled.

Because of the El Nino forecast, the U.S. Drought Monitor lists Whatcom County in a period of severe drought, and indicates that dry conditions will continue.
A dog owner intentionally allowed his large dog to bite another man in the neck, according to police in Texas.

Officers with the San Antonio Police Department were called to the incident at about 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.

When officers arrived, they found a 53-year-old man bleeding from his neck, according to a news release from the department. The man was taken to a hospital with a serious laceration to the left side of the neck.

Two witnesses, along with the man who was bit, told police that the dog owner and the man got into an argument before the attack.

The dog owner, a 40-year-old man, is expected to be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and dangerous dog attack - serious bodily injury, police said. Both counts are felonies.

The victim was last known to be in stable but serious condition, according to police.

Animal Care Services took custody of the dog, which was identified as a cane corso, according to KSAT.

Dog owner shoots and kills dog he says attacked his Yorkie, Georgia police say

Animal attack suspected in death of 1-year-old who wandered away, Louisiana cops say

Man killed by dogs in horrendous attack in UK, cops say. Country to ban the breed
Ten years ago, Brad Brochocki was working for a solar startup in Denver. At the end of the year, the owners said they couldnt give a holiday cash bonus, but instead wanted to give Brochocki more equity in the company.

I was in my young 20s at the time and equity wasn't something that really incentivized me at all, CEO Brochocki told TechCrunch. What kind of felt like a slap in the face, too, was the offering of a commuter pass, but I drove to and from work, so a bus pass didn't do anything for me.

It wasnt just fellow employees and friends who were thinking the same thing. He also spoke with human resources representatives and found that companies had a similar pain point: knowing what benefits and perks people want or need.

Thats when he got the idea for Bundl, a total rewards software that enables employees to build and customize their own rewards package that best fits their wants and needs. For example, like Brochocki, someone might not want the commuter pass, but might want the ability to buy a Peloton bike.

When companies dont know what people want or don't want, they take the stance that the more we can offer the better, Brochocki said. When we don't know what people are actually investing in or what they're opting into, it's a two-sided problem. We want employers to be able to get visibility into what people are choosing and also to give that choice to the employee.

Brochocki and co-founder and CTO Justin Hundley, a full-stack engineer, built Bundl as an open-ended platform. By tackling total rewards customization, Brochocki says Bundl differentiates itself from others in this space that are using debit cards preloaded with funds.

He said where debit card programs are lacking are that funds often have to be spent in a certain category whether you want to or not. Overall, funds are the same for each employee and rewards are often basic.

With Bundl, employers can spice up their benefit programs by enabling employees to choose, for example, if they want to add more equity to their package or remove their fitness stipend. They could also opt to lower their compensation by 10% in exchange for a four-day workweek or decrease their number of PTO days in exchange for a larger work-from-home stipend.

Heres how it works: Employers create their list of benefits and perks  Brochocki says Bundl is best if there are five or more  and then say which job roles and titles are eligible for which benefits. Then employers send the Bundl offer to employees so they build a rewards package that fits their needs.

Once ready, employees send it back to the employer. Bundl collects that data and provides a dashboard so employers can see the most and least desired rewards and can filter by both role and department to better understand what incentivizes and retains employees. This can also help determine future rewards to offer, Brochocki said.

It is a future goal to build this out to anonymize the data so you could see it across the board, he said.

Bundl launched earlier this year and continues to run lean with just Brochocki and Hundley, who have bootstrapped the company so far. It is currently working with just over a dozen companies in its early access program. These companies can get set up on Bundl and begin using the service for free throughout the rest of the calendar year, Brochocki said.

Up next, the company is building integrations with large HR platforms so that it can onboard the nearly 100 customers waiting in the wings.
Donald Trump shared a cruel meme on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday that suggested alligators could be used to prevent migrants from crossing the border without authorization.

The image showed a group of alligators on a river bank.

New Border Security and Will Work For Food, read the caption.

Problem solved!! the former president and current 2024 Republican front-runner wrote alongside the picture.

The post has been characterized as a joke in some quarters.

But it echoes Trumps ugly rhetoric and policies on immigration.

In 2019, The New York Times reported on the then-presidents private musings on fortifying a border wall with a water-filled trench, stocked with snakes or alligators. Trump also talked about electrifying the border wall and shooting migrants in the legs, the Times reported.

He enacted multiple draconian immigration policies, such as splitting children from their parents at the border and limiting protections for asylum-seekers.

Trump shared the gator post amid a rise in the number of people trying to cross into the U.S. from Mexico.

On Wednesday, he vowed to send troops to the border if he returns to the White House.

Upon my inauguration, I will immediately terminate every open borders policy of the Biden administration, Trump told supporters at a rally in Dubuque, Iowa. Ill make clear that we must use any and all resources needed to stop the invasion, including moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas.

Trump, who is currently facing multiple criminal charges, also vowed to expand his previous Muslim travel ban.

Related...
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has asked for an accelerated withdrawal of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, against a backdrop of successive anti-UN protests over its failure to rein in rebel groups more than 20 years after its deployment to the country.

Parts of the DRC are almost overrun by armed militias who mastermind deadly attacks against civilians in their battle for territory and control over the countrys mineral wealth.

Many locals have called for the UN mission to leave the Congo, and demonstrations against the peacekeepers have turned bloody, sometimes with dozens of civilians killed.

In 2010, a UN peacekeeping force known as MONUSCO replaced an earlier operation called MONUC, which was established in 1999 to help bring peace and stability to the DRC.

Tshisekedi told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that MONUSCOs withdrawal was crucial to ending the conflict between the Congolese people and the mission.

The acceleration of the withdrawal of the MONUSCO becomes an imperative necessity to ease tensions between the latter and our fellow citizens, he said in a speech, adding that peacekeeping missions deployed  in one form or another  for 25 years  have failed (to tackle) the rebellions and armed conflicts which are tearing the Republic apart.

Tshisekedi also said it was illusory and counterproductive to continue to cling to  MONUSCO to restore peace  and stabilize the DRC.

According to the Congolese leader, talks were underway between his government and UN authorities to quicken MONUSCOs exit, beginning at the end of the year.

The DRC government had earlier agreed on a withdrawal deadline slated for December 2024.

At least 43 people were killed and 53 more injured during anti-UN protests last month as demonstrators clashed with local authorities.

Similar demonstrations in the DRC this year have led to civilian casualties.

MONUSCO has a staff strength of over 17,000 in the DRC, comprising 14,000 military personnel, according to data last updated on its website in February this year.

The DRC will hold general elections in late December amid threats of unrest from dozens of armed militias.

There are more than 100 armed groups fueling conflicts in the Central African country, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Traffic jams could be a factor for those visiting Kansas City International Airport on Thursday as urgent road surface repairs are planned for the exit ramp overpass from Interstate 29, officials said Wednesday.

Roadway workers will be repairing the bridge deck on the northbound exit at 120th Street, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The overpass is expected to be down to one lane between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday.

Motorists are asked to be cautious while driving through the work zone. The schedule will depend on the weather, a spokesperson from the transportation department said.

Drivers should prepare for delays getting to the airport, Joe McBride, an airport spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday. He added that commuters may consider using the Mexico City Avenue exit as an alternative.
DEA and Washington County Sheriffs department hiked into a remote area where law enforcement seized both marijuana plants and the growing equipment Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. | McKenzie Romero, Deseret News

Earlier this month, the Navajo Police in the Dilkon District of Arizona found 44 marijuana plants illegally growing in a wash, some as tall as two feet.

The police sent out a stern warning: Anyone caught growing, using or transporting cannabis will be prosecuted on the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Police congratulated the district for stopping that amount of marijuana from hitting the streets of Navajo communities.

Despite the legalization of marijuana in 23 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, illegal marijuana grows continue to be a problem.

In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Agencys Domestic Cannabis Suppression program eradicated more than 4.4 million illegally cultivated outdoor cannabis plants and more than 1.2 million illegally cultivated indoor plants. The program also removed 2,840 weapons from cannabis cultivators.

The Navajo Police Department confiscated a total of 44 marijuana plants in a wash near a residence in Dilkon, Ariz. | Navajo Police Department

Marijuana and Utah

At one point, Utah led the nation for the number of convictions for marijuana possession on public lands and was responsible for one third of the convictions nationwide. Its wide open public land spaces are not only attractive for outdoor recreation but for remote cultivation of a plant that is still illegal to grow in Utah except under strict supervision by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for medical purposes.

Related

Over the years, illegal grows in Utah have spurred multiple arrests and led to the discovery of sophisticated operations like one in Duchesne County where agents seized guns, dynamite, and found a 10-foot long tunnel that led to a bunker hosting 510 plants in a hydroponic grow in 2001.

Related

Illegal cannabis is a downer for the environment

Aside from being a major product trafficked by the Mexican cartel using mules, or smugglers, and often involving minors, cannabis grown illegally in the United States is an environmental nightmare.

It perhaps is something few freedom loving, peace out fans think about.

Despite being the second most arid state in the nation, Utah was at one time a hot spot for illegal marijuana grows, with many discovered in Washington County and one of the hugest stashes discovered in northern Utah. With water scarcity such an issue in the West, the demand for H20 for the plants is astounding when compared to legal crops.

According to Smartwatering.com a cannabis plant consumes around 6 gallons of water per day during the growing season.

Consider this comparison of water consumption:

Corn requires 1 inch of water per week.

Soybeans require 0.35 inches of water per day.

Alfalfa requires 0.1 inch to 0.3 inches of water per day.

Cannabis requires 1 inch per day.

Aside from the water consumption, illegal growers often use banned pesticides that kill all manner of aquatic species and other wildlife. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has this to say on illegal cannabis cultivation:

The direct effects of pesticides on wildlife include acute poisoning, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, reproductive failure, altered morphology and growth rates, and changes in behavior.

It runs the gamut of the food chain. It impacts insects which in turn infects birds which then goes on to impact small mammals, ultimately reducing prey for carnivores such as foxes and lynx. Raptors, in particular, the agency said, are of concern from secondary poisoning. Species include the barn owls, red-shouldered hawks and the bald eagle, our nations emblem.

In Utah, there are eight farms that legally cultivate cannabis in grow rooms that occupy 280,000 square feet of indoor space and 5 acres of field. Unlike illegal grow operations, the pesticides used for these plants are strictly controlled under state regulations.

Brandon Forsyth, director of the medical cannabis program for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food as well as its food laboratory, said scrutiny and testing is key.

Weve seen very few problems with pesticide use. We dont detect it almost ever in products in Utah, and the few times that we have mostly have been attributable to draft from other nearby farms.

Deputy director Cody James said each product is subject to surveillance to make sure human health is protected, as well as the environment.

Every product that goes out there is tested for heavy metals that come in fertilizers as well as pesticides, that type of thing, James said. Theres testing of every single product to make sure that there is not a concerning amount of anything in there which kind of goes along with the regulatory side of it, as well that theyre not overusing or not giving time for the environment to self clean, if you will.

Federal drug agents say since the legalization of recreational marijuana in neighboring states, Utah has seen a severe decline in illegal marijuana grows. Hot spots remain, however, particularly in the northwest Pacific region and Humboldt County, Nevada.

Water was the hardest part in Utah, one agent said. Now, you dont have to fight the weather, the bugs and all the highways and byways.

The cannabis pollution problem

In addition to the illegal pesticides used in outdoor grows, even cultivating legal cannabis requires nitrogen rich soil. Excess nitrogen is already a huge problem throughout the United States, a dominant culprit in groundwater contamination and runoff which leads to harmful algal blooms making water bodies unsafe for humans and animals.

Related

The California wildlife agency notes that illegal grow operators are not concerned about the use of illegal pesticides, deaths of animals or groundwater contamination, soil erosion or more. It is a lucrative business. Even legally, it is a $13.2 billion industry for the United States and is expected to reach a compound growth rate from this year to 2030 of 14.2%, according to Grand View Research.

Cannabis and your lungs

Medical experts warn that inhaling a foreign substance is not a good thing for the respiratory system. Environmental activists condemn emissions from industry, transportation, businesses and homes. It causes premature deaths, increased risk of heart attacks, stroke and early onset of dementia. Air pollution is bad. The Biden administration wants a carbon free economy to tamp harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, and ozone.

Lemon Wheel, Elephant Purple and Rockstar Kush sound pretty innocent, but not when it comes to ground level ozone.

A study published in Atmospheric Scientist found that pot plants are a strong source of potent volatile organic compounds called terpene. When VOCs mix with sunlight, that is when you get the haze and the air quality alerts.

Scientists have launched one of the largest studies on pot farms effects on air quality, but because cannabis is an illegal substance due to the federal government, one probe is being carried out in a garage. And Lemon Wheel is being studied, but there are no official studies authorized under federal law.

The Atmospheric Scientist study has suggested the tens of thousands of plants in Denvers indoor farms  which are mostly found along two busy highways  could, under a worst-case scenario, double the citys volume of smog-forming VOCs. If the farms are putting out a significant amount of terpenes, there is not a worse place to put them, said atmospheric scientist William Vizuete. If I was designing an ozone reactor, this is what Id do.

The Denver study, funded by a state program, will collect more data. It will measure VOC emissions at four farms  two large and two small  over the monthslong cultivation cycle, from planting to processing. The goal is to track emissions across pot varieties, growing conditions, and plant size and age, says project leader Kaitlin Urso of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver.

But because cannabis is illegal under federal government drug classifications, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is not any help. That is why Vizuete, a researcher at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, grew a dozen pot plants in a garage in Boulder, Colorado.

To be able to permit (pot farms), we have to at least estimate their emissions, said Mike Wolf, a regulator in Washoe County in Nevada.

Utah state agricultural officials say the majority of pot farms are in rural areas. That does not mean that state air quality regulators are off the hook for pollution in general, facing lawsuits over ozone that drifts to other states and obscures prized scenic views across the state.

Related

Forsyth said operational plans for legal grow operations in Utah do not include any input by air quality regulators from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Should it?

So far, because the legal cannabis industry in Utah is so fledgling, the ozone issues, water contamination, indoor pollution risks and the atmosphere are shrouded in a cloud of smoke.
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  The city of Eagle Pass, Texas, issued an emergency declaration as thousands of migrants crossed the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras, Mexico, on Wednesday.

The City of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well-being of our local citizens. The emergency declaration grants us the ability to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of undocumented immigrants, Mayor Rolando Salinas said in a statement.

The emergency declaration will be in place for one week.

Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection scheduled a 6 p.m. shutdown of vehicles at Eagle Pass Bridge 1 with Mexico. All vehicles must use Bridge 2 to cross to Mexico and/or the United States. The closure is due to the significant influx of migrants in the region. Pedestrian service will remain open under normal hours of operation, CBP said in a statement.

Cartels spreading rumors that U.S. will reopen border to asylum-seekers, officials say

Thousands of migrants, many of them from Venezuela, have crossed the river in the past few days despite the heavy presence of Texas National Guard troops and Texas Department of Public Safety officers. The migrants are also going around a barrier of buoys placed in the river by Texas authorities and lifting razor wire placed along the U.S. bank by Texas.

On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, apparently showing U.S. Border Patrol agents cutting the razor wire to let migrants through.

Today, the Biden administration cut that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants. I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings and install more razor wire, Abbott tweeted.

National park in Arizona becomes frontline in unauthorized migration

Some migrants interviewed on the Mexican side of the river prior to getting into the water said they had been in Mexico for several weeks and could no longer afford to wait due to financial reasons and worries about being victims of crime.

Many were part of family units seeking asylum in the United States.

Emergency declaration (City of Eagle Pass, Texas)

A woman burst into tears when asked what she felt about being a few yards away from the U.S. border, then took off her shoes and stepped into waist-deep water.

Her husband, a Venezuelan man who held his daughter by the hand as they both approached the Rio Grande was asked why he came. The future, he answered.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

A young man from Venezuela who also came to Piedras Negras with his family said he had mixed feelings about crossing into the U.S. He was glad to finally be within sight of American soil but was not sure he would be allowed to remain.

The Department of Homeland Security in May established the Circumvention of Legal Pathways rule which may disqualify from asylum migrants who come into the U.S. between ports of entry or fail to seek protection first in other countries they travel through.

I feel uncertainty. We dont know if they will let us stay or return us to Mexico, the man said, adding his family arrived atop a train from Southern Mexico just three days earlier. There is no guarantee this process will be worth it.

Mexican authorities estimated the number of crossers in the past couple of days in Piedras Negras to be upwards of 4,000. That figure could not immediately be verified with U.S. Border Patrol.

A Venezuelan woman wades into the Rio Grande as she crosses from Piedras Negras, Mexico, to Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The mayor of the border city of Eagle Pass has reinstated the order he and the city council rescinded in August allowing the Texas Department of Public Safety to once again make criminal trespass arrests for migrants who cross from Mexico to the city's signature public park.

The move, which includes a declaration of a local emergency by Mayor Rolando Salinas on Tuesday, comes in response to "the severe undocumented immigrants surge" into the city of almost 29,000 that sits along the Rio Grande 140 miles west of San Antonio, according to a statement by the city.

Migrants are counted by Border Patrol agents before being taken into federal custody about two miles east of where buoys were placed in the Rio Grande on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

"The city of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well being of our local citizens," Salinas said in a news release. "The emergency declaration grants us the ability to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of undocumented immigrants."

When Salinas in July signed an order declaring the city's riverside Shelby Park to be "private property" and allowing DPS and other law enforcement organizations to arrest migrants who reached shore it caused an uproar that rippled from the city to across the state. The 47-acre park beneath the international bridge had already been transformed into a militarized staging area or Gov. Greg Abbott 's multibillion-dollar border security initiative dubbed Operation Lone Star.

After a sometimes emotional public hearing by the Eagle Pass city council, the order was rescinded as several residents said the action painted the community as uncaring.

DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesman for the statewide law enforcement organization, praised Salinas' actions, saying in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the mayor is "working tirelessly for the well-being of the community" and added that "a caravan of nearly 4,000 migrants arrived at the border near Eagle Pass" on Wednesday.

More: Watching migrants struggle to cross the Rio Grande hit close to home for reporter covering the controversy.

DPS troopers and Guard soldiers in Eagle Pass "will regain control, support local, county, & federal authorities, & maintain an enforcement posture," Olivarez said in the post.

The city has been in the national headlines since early summer after Abbott installed a string of oversized buoys in the river about two miles downstream of the city's international bridge. The 1,000-foot chain is anchored to the riverbed by more than 100 tons of concrete block beneath a metal mesh to discourage anyone from attempting to swim underneath it.

Buoys used in the Rio Grande to stop unauthorized border crossings sit in a staging area along the river on Saturday, July 16, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Late Wednesday, Abbott accused the Democratic Biden administration of "opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants" as he posted a video clip on social media of Border Patrol agents using wire-cutting shears to tear state-installed concertina wire from the banks of the Rio Grande to allow several migrants to reach the Texas shore.

The one-minute, 37-second clip was posted to X just before 5 p.m. Central Time Wednesday and Abbott said it was taken near Eagle Pass, which has become the focal point for the governor's efforts to slow down unlawful migration in South Texas as part of Operation Lone Star.

"Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings. Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants," Abbott said in the post. "I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire."

Razor wire and buoys in and around the Rio Grande placed to prevent unauthorized border crossings on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Abbott's public information representatives did not immediately return a text message asking for further explanations about the video and how many more Guard soldiers and feet of razor wire were deployed to the region in response to Border Patrol's actions. A spokesman for the Border Patrol sector also did not turn a call or an email seeking additional information.

More: Migrant child who died on Texas bus trip had fever before she boarded, coroner says

The clip shows two uniformed agents at the riverbank working through thick vegetation while several people can be seen between them and water. One of the agents lops through the coiled wire and then both men drag away the string of metal using a yellow rope to clear a path. Six people, each carrying bags or backpacks, are seen coming up the riverbank toward what appears to be a Patrol vehicle.

The clip ends before showing what became of the people after that.

Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings.



Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.



I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire. pic.twitter.com/eMtLS8Z6WI  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 20, 2023

Meanwhile, the international commission that oversees boundary issues between the United States and Mexico has formally declared in new court documents that the controversial chain of buoys is now on the Texas side of the Rio Grande.

A survey by representatives from the US and Mexico was conducted after Texas moved the chain after an earlier survey showed most of it was actually in Mexico.

This comes as Texas and the DOJ prepare for a court hearing on whether the buoys most be moved to the Texas-side shoreline. The Oct. 6 hearing before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal is a preliminary step in the larger lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department against Abbott and the state of Texas asserting that the placement of the buoys violates a federal law that requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to sign off on such a project.

John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly called Twitter, @JohnnieMo.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Eagle Pass mayor declares emergency over surge in unlawful migration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Employees at Last Chance Liquors in East Nashville said this is the second week in a row that the store has been hit, both times by the same suspect.

We want to protect the businesses that weve invested a lot of time and money and effort into; we want it to be a safe place for our customers to come, Aaron Armstrong explained.

The liquor store on Dickerson Pike has been around since the 1940s and as the name says, it was once the last place to buy liquor when headed out of town before crossing the city line.

Stolen vehicle pursuit ends with K-9 apprehension near downtown Nashville

Weve got people who have been coming here for two generations that came in with their parents to people who are new to the area, and we really want to be a place where everybody is welcomed and really have that neighborhood retail shop feel, Armstrong said.

He hopes to keep the neighborhood feel at the local bottle shop for generations to come, so hes invested in surveillance cameras and is taking a number of steps to make it clear shoplifting wont be tolerated.

Surveillance footage from the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 12 shows a group of three people working together. The suspects then got away with six bottles of tequila.

WATCH: East Nashville liquor store repeatedly hit by thieves

I think they knew what they were doing. The one person was trying to distract the clerk; the other guys were slipping out, and then once they were more distracted, someone was able to grab the other two bottles, Armstrong said.

Employees said two of the suspects took off in a dark blue Pontiac.

We have video from a neighboring business of them driving down Cleveland and picking up the third person, Armstrong explained.

She about killed us: Lebanon hit-and-run driver caught on camera

One week later, one of the suspects returned and hit the store again.

According to Armstrong, the suspect walked out with two bottles of Hennessy. The suspect then shoved the bottles into his backpack as he ran off, but this time, employees of Last Chance Liquors followed and took a picture of him resting a couple of blocks away.

It looked like at that point he had just ducked into someones yard and stopped, Armstrong said.

The employees recovered the bottles of booze, with Armstrong saying its not so much about the property as it is about sending a message.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

We want people to know that they are going to be on video. We are going to pursue it; we are going to post the photos and video, and then we are going to offer an award to see if we cant get those people identified and caught, and then we are going to prosecute charges, Armstrong said.

According to Armstrong, the store is working with Crime Stoppers and is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those involved. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
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.
A 14-year-old El Paso girl died at a hospital on Tuesday, becoming the second teenager killed in a shooting at a house party over the weekend in the far East Side, police officials said Wednesday.

Julia Worthington and Eliel Omar Bultron Hernandez, 19, who died on Sunday, were among a total of six partygoers shot about 1 a.m. Sunday at a short-term rental home in the 12300 block of Tierra Inca Drive, police officials said.

Worthington attended Pebble Hills High School and Bultron Hernandez graduated from Options High School, said a spokesman for the Socorro Independent School District.

"Unfortunately one does not expect a tragedy of this magnitude and we were not prepared for this," stated a GoFundMe account created by family of the young man, which spelled his name as Elilomar Bultron.

Elilomar Bultron was killed in a shooting at a homecoming house party in far East El Paso on Sunday. He is seen on a GoFundMe page raising money to help his family.

Bultron was described as a wonderful son and older brother, his family stated in Spanish. The family also asked that anyone with information on the "unjust act of violence" to contact the El Paso Police Department.

The shooting erupted during a Montwood High School homecoming afterparty at a house students had rented via Vrbo, police said.

A 19-year-old man, two 18-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy were also wounded in the shooting, police said.

El Paso police lights flash at a crime scene. File art.

There have been no arrests in what is now considered a capital murder investigation by homicide detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit.

"Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones during this difficult time. The El Paso Police Department stands together in support and solidarity, offering condolences to all those affected by this senseless act of violence," the department said in a statement.

Teen gun violence growing

During a meeting with news leaders on Tuesday, interim Police Chief Peter Pacillas said the department is shifting resources to better respond to problems tied to house parties, which he described as a community concern requiring the help of parents, schools, neighbors and teenagers themselves.

The shooting is part of a plague of growing gun violence among teenagers, including many linked to underage house parties in recent years.

Three teens have been killed and at least 15 others wounded in shootings at house parties in El Paso County since April, according to a quick review of El Paso Times coverage.

In one case, eight teenagers were wounded in a shooting after uninvited guests arrived at a party attended by more than 100 teens on July 7 at a house on Swan Drive near River Bend Drive in El Paso's Upper Valley. The shooting remains under investigation.

More: El Paso man arrested in shooting death of Bel Air High School student

Police encourage anyone with information on the shootings to contact Crimes Against Persons detectives at 915-212-4040, call the police nonemergency line at 915-832-4400 or they may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS) or leave a tip online at cselpaso.org.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso teen girl dies as death toll rises in house party shooting
On Sept. 21., 2019, Sloan Kiser was looking forward to her wedding, just two weeks away. Her father, who she described as her best friend, couldnt wait to walk her down the aisle.

Sloan had finished writing out thank you cards, the final piece of her wedding preparations, when she got a call from her mom, she testified on Thursday.

When she answered, time stopped. She was screaming for me to come help, Kiser said.

She didnt know it at the time, but her familys pontoon boat had been struck by a speedboat driven by Tracy Gordon, who had spent a long day drinking on Lake Murray. On the Kisers boat was Sloans father, Stan; her mom, Shawn, and sister, Morgan.

I heard my sister calling out for someone, anyone to help. There arent words that can describe the level of fear or helplessness that I experienced during that call, Sloan Kiser said.

The call lasted for 45 minutes, she said. The entire time she could hear the screams of her sister, Morgan, desperately trying to keep their mother alive surrounded by her fathers blood.

Two weeks later, instead of wearing white and being walked down the aisle by her father, Sloan Kiser wore black and walked down the aisle behind his casket. Her wedding guests made up some of the 300 people who showed up for his funeral.

On Thursday morning, four years to the day after the crash, Gordon, 55, was sentenced to ten years in the state Department of Corrections. The sentence, imposed by Circuit Court Judge Heath Taylor, was the maximum allowed for someone convicted of reckless homicide.

That day will always haunt my family, Shawn Kiser said during a sentencing hearing Thursday. She told the court what she had lost in the tragedy: Her leg, her familys peace and the life of her husband, her life partner, the father of her three children.

I used to love to travel, ride bikes and dance. All that is gone, she said.

On Wednesday, a Richland County jury found Gordon guilty of reckless homicide after a seven-day trial featuring close to 20 witnesses.

But Gordon, the former manager of a Mars dog food factory, was acquitted of one count of felony boating under the influence leading to death and one count of the same charge leading to serious injury.

The jury reached their verdict after almost nine hours of deliberations.

Stan Kisers daughter Morgan Kiser looks to her family after Tracy Gordon is sentenced to ten years in prison for reckless homicide on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

On the stand, Gordon, who admitted to drinking eight beers that day but denied being impaired at the time of the crash, described himself as a safe and experienced boater. He said hed been on the water since his stepfather began teaching him to drive a boat at 7 years old.

But that day he was more like an unguided missile, said 5th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Dan Goldberg, who prosecuted the case.

Stan Kiser was killed after sustaining catastrophic injuries from the speedboats propeller. Pathologist Dr. Amy Durso, who performed Stan Kisers autopsy, said that the injuries were the worst shed seen in her career.

Shawn Kiser had a leg amputated, and doctors thought for a month that she would die, her daughter Morgan, who suffered a serious head wound in the crash, told the court.

However, the jury never heard evidence of Gordons blood alcohol level, which solicitors confirmed was 0.043 seven hours after the crash. At the time of the crash, it would have been in the range of 0.1 to 0.16, solicitors said. The legal limit for intoxication in South Carolina is 0.08.

However, this evidence was suppressed when Gordons defense attorneys successfully argued that the search warrant was invalid because state Department of Natural Resources officer Marion Baker, who performed Gordons field sobriety test, failed to sign the probable cause affidavit.

Urging Baker not to lose sleep over the search warrant, Taylor criticized the judge who reviewed the incomplete affidavit, saying the warrant never should have left the courthouse.

Judge Henry Taylor speaks before Tracy Gordon is sentenced after Gordon was found guilty of reckless homicide on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

I speak the language of this case, Taylor, formerly a leading DUI lawyer, told Gordon. You were impaired that night, very impaired. You got lucky with that search warrant.

Felony BUI leading to death carries a maximum penalty of 25 years while felony BUI leading to serious bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

Speaking briefly, wearing a navy blue jumpsuit from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Gordon addressed the Kiser family. We do pray for you every single day and we will continue to do that.

However, he did not offer an apology, and the Kisers said they had long since stopped expecting one. The family also noted that Gordon didnt return to the scene after the crash.

He left me there to die. He left my mom there to die, Morgan Kiser told the court, recounting the horror she experienced as she pleaded with the judge to give Gordon the maximum sentence.

Who ignores the screams of my daughter? Shawn Kiser asked the court.

Defense attorney Jack Swerling urged Taylor to consider a sentence of less than the full ten years. Gordons decision not to help the Kisers was a product of shock and a belief in the moment that he would only make the situation worse.

He had to make a very difficult decision that night. I dont know if that decision could be made with logic, with a clear mind, Swerling said.

The family of Stan Kiser speaks before Tracy Gordon is sentenced after Gordon was found guilty of reckless homicide on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Six people, among them Gordons wife, Angie, who was also on the boat the night of the crash, pleaded with the judge for mercy. They described Gordon, a father of two with two stepchildren, as a hard working, trustworthy, devout man who lived a quiet life based around family and routine.

Hes our glue, hes what sticks us together, Angie Gordon said.

But in his remarks, Taylor made it clear that he was not inclined to show leniency.

Kiser family, youve received a life sentence, Taylor said. I wish this black robe was just magic and I could just turn back time. But Im just a man. Im just a lawyer thats got a different job.

The Kiser family

At 66, Stan Kiser was still an active cyclist, sometimes riding up to 30 miles a day. He and his wife were avid South Carolina Gamecock fans with a close knit extended family. In addition to two daughters, the couple had a son, who is autistic and nonverbal and requires help from his parents for his basic needs.

Sloan remembered that her father was an attentive listener, who loved conversation and was the person she would turn to for advice.

He always seemed to know at least a little something about everything, Sloan said.

Sloan Kiser holds a photo of her father, Stan, during a sentencing hearing Thursday for Tracy Gordon, who was convicted of reckless homicide in the 2019 death of Stan Kiser in a boating accident on Lake Murray.

Since the crash, the family has advocated for boating safety. They founded Safe the Lake, a Facebook group with more than 8,000 members dedicated to safe boating in South Carolina. The family also helped push for legislation that will require all boaters born after July 1, 2007, to complete a boating safety course.

In their remarks at sentencing, the family, who wore garnet and black ribbons in honor of Stan, called for Taylor to send a message to the community at large about the consequences of boating while intoxicated.

There was some measure of peace with this trial, Morgan Kiser told The State. To not feel so alone in my head, to have the judge and doctor (pathologist Amy Durso) validate what I have been saying for years.

But new laws and the sentence cannot heal all wounds. To this day, Morgan Kiser told the court that she could not sleep at night. Shawn Kiser told the court that she experiences excruciating phantom pain where her leg used to be.

And in the middle of a family, there is a hole.

I didnt just lose a father, I lost my best friend, said Sloan. Sometimes she still has the urge to call him, to talk and to ask his advice. Every time I try I have to discover the truth all over again.
The search for human participants is on as Neuralink embarks on its first clinical trial, the company announced Tuesday.

Neuralink, a tech startup owned and co-founded by Elon Musk, received Food and Drug Administration approval in May to implant brain chips into humans.

The company has also received approval from an Institutional Review Board and has a hospital site in place to open participant recruitment, according to a blog post by Neuralink.

The goal of the BCI, or brain-computer interface, is to grant people with paralysis the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.

Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, or PRIME, is a six-year study that aims to evaluate the safety of the implant and surgical robot in addition to the overall functionality of the brain-computer interface software.

Eligible participants will have the R1 Robot surgically place the N1 Implant into a region of the brain that controls movement intention. After the N1 Implant has been surgically placed, it's supposed to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention.

We are happy to announce that weve received approval from the reviewing independent institutional review board and our first hospital site to begin recruitment for our first-in-human clinical trial, Neuralink wrote online.

Heres what we know so far:

ICYMI: Elon Musk's Neuralink has FDA approval to put chips in humans' brains. Here's what's next.

What will Neuralinks study entail?

Participants will be asked to use the N1 Implant and the N1 User App to control a computer and provide feedback about the system after the R1 Robot surgically places the implant, according to Neuralink.

How is the Neuralink chip inserted into the body?

Neuralink has created a surgical robot, specially designed to embed the implant and its 64 ultra-thin flexible connected threads upon which are 1,024 electrodes that record neural activity.

The robot has five built-in camera systems and uses optical coherence tomography for noninvasive imaging of brain tissue. The robot uses a needle as thin as a human hair, which inserts the "threads exactly where they need to be," Neuralink's site says.

What does the Neuralink brain chip actually do?

Neuralink's goal with its human trials is to eventually enable a person with paralysis to use a computer or phone with their brain activity alone. The Neuralink 1 implant actually includes multiple chips, a wireless battery and other electronics hermetically sealed within a device about the size of a large coin.

Several dozen ultra-thin threads protrude from the implant; those go directly into the brain. Signals from the implant are sent via Bluetooth to, and decoded by, a brain-computer interface, which would allow a person to, for instance, control an onscreen cursor or move a robotic limb.

"The first thing that we're going after is a wireless implanted chip that would enable someone who is a  tetraplegic or quadriplegic to control a computer, or mouse, or their phone, or really any device  just by thinking. This obviously would be a massive enabler, make life way easier for them. I'd say it's like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires that go to your brain, Musk said in an online chat in 2021.

Beyond helping paralyzed patients regain some mobility and communicate without typing, Neuralink's longer-term goals include helping restore full mobility and sight.

Elon Musk stands next to the Neuralink surgical robot in this video grab from an online presentation on Aug. 28, 2020. Elon Musk's startup Neuralink on May 25 said it has gotten approval from U.S. regulators to test its brain implants in people.

What should I know if I decide to sign up for a trial?

Neuralinks study is expected to last a period of six years, with almost two dozen follow-up visits scheduled to monitor a participants progress and ensure the BCI is working as intended, according to Neuralinks online brochure.

There will be a total of nine home and in-person clinic visits that will take place over the first year and a half, which is the time frame for the primary study.

Participants will also be asked to participate in a minimum of two research sessions per week in one-hour increments over the duration of the study.

The company will provide follow-up care for the next 3.5 years with a total of 20 visits scheduled for participants over that time period.

Only study-related costs, like travel expenses intended to cover transportation to and from the site, will be the only form of compensation participants receive.

How can I sign up for Neuralinks first clinical trial?

The first human patient will soon receive a Neuralink device. This ultimately has the potential to restore full body movement.



In the long term, Neuralink hopes to play a role in AI risk civilizational risk reduction by improving human to AI (and human to human) bandwidth by https://t.co/DzqoYI27Ng  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 20, 2023

Neuralink has a few requirements in place to determine whether you may participate in the clinical trial.

They are looking for individuals who:

 Have quadriplegia with limited function in all four limbs due to spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are at least one-year post-injury without improvement.

 Are at least 22 years old.

 Have a consistent and reliable caregiver.

Individuals who have an active implanted device like a pacemaker or deep brain stimulator (DBS), have a history of seizures, require MRIs for an ongoing medical condition, or are receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment will not be able to participate in the study. A foolproof way to determine eligibility for current or future trials will be by filling out an application on Neuralinks website.

More: Elon Musk's Neuralink wants people to control computers with their minds. How close are they?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elon Musk's Neuralink chip: How to sign up for first human clinical trial
The only library in tiny Columbia County, Washington, will survive.

The Dayton library  which was on the verge of becoming the first library in the country to shutter over disputes about what books it offers  will remain open after a Columbia County court Wednesday barred an initiative to close the library from appearing on the November ballot.

A local political action committee last month sued Columbia County and the leader of the movement trying to shut down the library, arguing the planned vote on the librarys future would exceed the countys initiative powers, unconstitutionally disenfranchise county residents who pay taxes but wouldnt get to vote and that the petition process was plagued by fraud.

Columbia County Superior Court Commissioner Julie Karl ruled for the librarys supporters Wednesday, barring the county from placing the initiative on the November ballot. The initiative, Karl said from the bench, reading from prepared notes before a packed courtroom, was unconstitutional, procedurally invalid and the signature gathering was marred by potential criminal acts.

The biggest point, I think though, is it doesnt make sense to have people who live in the county be the only ones who vote on something that so much affects citizens of the city, Karl said. We did away with taxation without representation a long time ago.

Karl also spoke passionately about the value the library provides to the community, saying its closure would be an irreparable loss.

The city and county would lose a valuable resource that would disproportionately affect the poorest members of this community that depend on this library as a meeting place, a safe place and the only place to use a computer, she said. The library protects the homeless in our community as a warming and cooling center and as a safe and free place for parents to take their children.

While battles over what books are taught in schools and what books are available in libraries have spread across the nation, Dayton would have been the first library to shut down over book disputes, according to the American Library Association.

Elise Severe, one of the plaintiffs and the leader of the PAC, Neighbors United for Progress, said she was ecstatic at the ruling.

So many people were just waiting with baited breath, were so happy, Severe said. I know many counties, many states, possibly the nation have been watching this, I think this is a really good step in the right direction.

Severe and Neighbors United for Progress filed the lawsuit against Jessica Ruffcorn, a mother of two and the leader of the movement to shut the library, as well as against the county, the county auditor and the county elections director.

Are you freaking kidding me right now, Ruffcorn said in a Facebook video earlier this month, after reading a section of the lawsuit. Karl, Ruffcorn said in the video, is a lib and her politics do not align with our politics.

Ruffcorn did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Ruffcorn had asked to be dismissed as a defendant, a request that was unopposed. She was represented by the Silent Majority Foundation, of Pasco, a conservative group that has filed lawsuits challenging the states COVID policies and its ban on AR-15 style guns.

The county and its officials responded that they were following the law and the advice of the state attorney general in good faith in putting the initiative on the ballot and asked the court to instruct them how to proceed.

So nobody substantively opposed the lawsuits allegations.

The initiative seeks to punish every single person in Columbia County by shuttering the Library in its entirety and depriving the community of its many vital resources, Neighbors United for Progress, and its two co-plaintiffs, wrote in a court filing. The loss of the Library would result in a loss of access to information, the loss of history, a decline in public resources, and the loss of one of the most beautiful buildings in the County.

Library battle has endured a year

The battle over the library in Dayton, a one-stoplight farming town where wheat prices are displayed on Main Street, has raged for more than a year.

The librarys opponents, led by Ruffcorn, objected to the placement of books concerning gender, sexuality and race in the kids and young adult sections of the library. Initially the complaints centered on one book, Whats the T?: The Guide to all Things Trans and/or Nonbinary, but they quickly spread to a dozen others and now well over 100 books.

All the contested books are found in hundreds, if not thousands of libraries across the country, according to the Washington Libraries Association.

The librarys previous director declined to move or remove any of the books, citing First Amendment rights and the rights of individual families to decide for themselves what to read. But he resigned earlier this year, saying he was tired of the battle and was leaving Dayton.

The new director attempted to assuage the librarys critics, moving all young adult nonfiction into the adult section and creating a new parenting section of books.

It did not work. Ruffcorn led a petition drive to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District, as the library is officially known. The drive collected enough signatures to appear on the November ballot.

This public library is an irretrievably compromised entity, and it needs to be removed from our midst, the voters guide statement against the library would read.

If the initiative passes, all of the libraries books and materials would be moved to the state library near Olympia and the librarys building and other property would return to the city of Dayton, which, prior to the formation of the rural library district, had been unable to fund the library.

When the initiatives proponents could not rid the library of the handful of books they found objectionable, they instead sought to throw the baby out with the bathwater  and deprive the County and every single one of its residents of all library resources, the plaintiffs wrote.

Because the library was established as a rural library district, only voters in unincorporated areas of the county would have been eligible to vote. That would exclude Dayton, where two-thirds of the countys voters live, even though Dayton residents pay taxes to fund the library.

The lawsuit argued that local initiatives are different than statewide ones and that Columbia County has not authorized legislation by local initiative. It also argues the initiative is administrative rather than legislative and is thus beyond the scope of what is allowed.

The lawsuit argued the initiative would violate the state and federal constitutions by not giving Dayton residents a vote, even though they pay taxes toward the library.

City residents significant property rights are affected without a right to vote, the lawsuit said. The law, as applied, disenfranchises constitutionally qualified voters.

And it alleged there was fraud in the petition process, that signers were told the petition was to move the books in the library, not to dissolve the library.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues Walmart over sexual harassment claims.

The suit, filed this week, alleges that a female employee was harassed by a manager and later fired for reporting the harassment.

The manager of Walmart Supercenter #1499 in Lewisburg, West Virginia, subjected a class of female employees to egregious sexual harassment, including unwelcome and offensive sexual touching, requests for sexual acts in exchange for money or favorable treatment at work, requests that female workers expose intimate body areas, and making crude sexual innuendos, a release from the EEOC said about the suit.

The EEOC claims that Walmart received multiple complaints about the store managers conduct and failed to take appropriate action to stop the harassment. After the manager was reported for the harassment, the company fired the victim in retaliation.

Walmart sued by EEOC over allegations of discrimination to employees with disabilities

A release from the EEOC claims that the alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits harassment and discrimination because of sex.

Walmart commented on the lawsuit, saying We dont tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind and want all our associates to feel respected. We take this seriously and the claims raised to our Ethics Department were investigated and were not substantiated. We will respond as appropriate once we are served with the complaint.

EEOC Philadelphia District Office Director Jamie R. Williamson said, Employees have the right to a workplace free of discrimination, and no employee should have to endure offensive and sexual comments while in the workplace, especially from persons in positions of authority.

This is the second lawsuit the EEOC has filed against Walmart this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye, does not share the "negative attitudes" of the leaders of certain other states towards Vladimir Putin , whose country has been waging an aggressive war against Ukraine for more than a year and a half.

Source: Erdogan to Turkish journalists in New York on Wednesday 20 September, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Bloomberg

Details: "Both leaders and prime ministers have negative attitudes toward Putin. Of course, we do not have the same attitude. I do not find these attitudes right. Because Russia is not an ordinary country," the Turkish leader said.

He added that Russia is one of the leading grain producers in the world, so "such a country cannot be ignored".

"We will continue our relations with Russia in a positive way," Erdogan said, referring to Turkiyes desire to become a hub for natural gas exports to Europe and Ankara's dependence on imports of Russian gas.

A few days ago, the Turkish president said that he trusts Russia as much as he does the West and believes Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.

Turkiye is a member of NATO and supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine by providing it with assault drones. However, Ankara has refused to join the sanctions imposed against Russia because of the invasion, claiming to be a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.

Putin met with Erdogan in Sochi in early September. The Turkish president had hoped to restore the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but was unable to do so. European Pravda covered the Turkish leaders visit in detail: Russian Defeat for Erdogan. How Turkish Leader Failed to Secure Ukraine Grain Deal with Putin.

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!
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has no time for Republican hypocrisy.

The lawmaker called out Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Wednesday for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee more than a year ago  or, more specifically, 496 days ago.

The congressman used a visual aid  a running clock displayed on the screen of a laptop  to bring home his message.

The stunt came during a House Judiciary Committee hearing where Republicans interrogated Attorney General Merrick Garland on their claims that the Biden administration has weaponized the Justice Department.

At one point, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) suggested that Garland could be in contempt of Congress because the attorney general said he could not comment on the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden, the presidents son.

That is quite rich, Swalwell said. Because the guy whos leaving the hearing room right now, Mr. Jordan, is about 500 days into evading his subpoena.

Jordan, who chairs the committee, had gotten up from his seat moments earlier.

So, if were going to talk about contempt of Congress, lets get real, Swalwell said.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) displays two tablets at a House Judiciary hearing showing a running clock of Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-OH) January 6th committee Subpoena Evasion.



We're going to get lectured about subpoena compliance and contempt of Congress? ... Are you kidding me? pic.twitter.com/wRPHlKZwSA  The Recount (@therecount) September 20, 2023

Are you serious that Jim Jordan, a witness to one of the greatest crimes ever committed in America  a crime where more prosecutions have occurred than any crime committed in America  refuses to help his country, and were going to get lectured about subpoena compliance and contempt of Congress? Swalwell continued.

Swalwell has similarly targeted Jordan in the past.

In March, after Jordan issued a spate of subpoenas to school board officials, Swalwell said it was quite rich that we are talking about subpoena compliance under a chairman of the full committee who was absolutely out of subpoena compliance in the last Congress.

The House committee that investigated the attack on the U.S. Capitol sought to question Jordan, who was heavily involved in Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, about his communications with the former president and his allies in the lead up to Jan. 6, 2021.

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The Georgian revival mansion at 558 W. Sixth St. has played a number of roles since it was built in 1911 as the home of manufacturing executive Robert Jarecki.

The 6,700 square-foot structure, which Jarecki had designed in the style of his fraternity house at Lehigh University, served in later years as home of Gannon University's chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.

The property, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has also seen service as a private residence, the home of the Lay Law Office, and, since 2015, as the home of Erie-based EmKey Energy LLC, founded by Norwegian entrepreneur Oivind Risberg.

EmKey subsidiary RH Energytrans owns and operates the 28.3-mile Risberg pipeline  built at a cost of $86 million  that carries natural gas from Elk Creek Township in western Erie County to North Kingsville, Ohio, in Ashtabula County, just west of the Pennsylvania line.

But many of the EmKey employees who originally moved into the building  there were more than 20 in 2015  are now working remotely and have been since the early days of COVID-19.

Erie philanthropist Tom Hagen has purchased the mansion known as the Jarecki House at the northeastern corner of West Sixth and Cherry streets. Hagen bough the property from EmKey Energy LLC, which built a new natural gas pipeline in western Erie County.

"Since COVID, so much more of the work has been done remotely," said Dennis Holbrook a spokesman for EmKey and its pipeline subsidiary RH Energytrans. "I think the plan is we would relocate to smaller offices."

As of earlier this month, EmKey is now a tenant in the building.

Like so many other properties in the neighborhood, the building and the six-tenths of an acre on which it sits at the corner of West Sixth and Cherry streets have been sold to an entity controlled by Erie businessman, preservationist and developer Tom Hagen.

Hagen, who also serves as chairman of Erie Insurance, confirmed the purchase in a text message with the Erie Times-News.

The Canalside Townhouses are shown Dec. 18, 2020 in the 300 block of West Sixth Street in Erie. The apartments are owned and operated by Tom Hagen, chairman of Erie Insurance.

Hagen said he has no immediate plans for the property, but might eventually transform the space into apartments as he's done elsewhere in the Millionaire's Row area of West Sixth Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

EmKey, which brought the property for $470,000, sold it for $800,000, according to records on file at the Erie County Courthouse.

Erie architect Jeff Kidder, who has worked closely with Hagen on the design and renovation of a growing list of former mansions and other buildings, said four or five preservation projects are underway at the moment. That's in addition to several restoration projects, including two historic buildings on State Street, that have already have been completed.

The only immediate plans for the property, he said, are some landscaping work, including the removal of several limbs and trees that were in bad shape or disfigured by power line trimming.

Eventually, he said, the building will be renovated for possible use as apartments or offices.

Tom Hagen, chairman of the board of Erie Insurance, is shown in this 2017 file photo.

Kidder, who also helped EmKey remodel the after it purchased the building, said he enjoys working with Hagen, who has established a historic preservation trust that will eventually assume ownership of the historic properties that he has purchased.

"We are so deep into this (process)," Kidder said. "We want to preserve these buildings."

This building, which Kidder has described as one one of the largest in the neighborhoodd, was one of the homes Robert Jarecki, the assistant secretary of the Jarecki Manufacturing Co., which made iron fittings, oil well supplies and castings.

Kidder said Emkey will remain in the building for now until the company decides on its next move.

With so many other projects in various stages of construction, "We are in no hurry to get started." Kidder said.

Legal issues continue for EmKey

The sale of the West Sixth Street property comes as RH Energytrans, an EmKey affiliate, remains embroiled in a federal lawsuit over the construction of the Risberg Pipeline. The litigation started with a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Erie in August 2020 and shows no signs of ending soon.

The plaintiff is the Wood Group USA, based in Houston, Texas. It built the pipeline under contract with RH Energytrans.

The Wood Group is claiming that RH Energytrans is in breach of contract and that it owes more than $35 million to the Wood Group for work on the pipeline. RH Energytrans is contending that the claim is groundless.

The Wood Group signed its contract with Energytrans in 2018. The original contract totaled $34.7 million, the Wood Group said in court records, but the Wood Group said the cost of the project grew to $58 million due to $22 million in change orders, typically meant to compensate contractors for unforeseen circumstances.

The Wood Group is claiming RH Energytrans has paid only $22.9 million out of the Wood Group's total project cost of $58 million, putting the total amount due at more than $35 million.

An entity controlled by Tom Hagen, of Erie, has purchased the former Robert Jarecki House at 558 W. Sixth St. The house has been owned since 2015 by Emkey Energy LLC.

RH Energytrans is claiming it compensated the Wood Group for 95 of the 210 change orders requested, and that the other requests are unjustified.

The lawsuit has pulled in residents of western Erie County and residents of Ashtabula County, in Ohio, who granted property easements to RH Enegrytrans in exchange for payments. RH Energytrans needed the easement to build the pipeline across the residents' land.

In an attempt to secure repayment from RH Energytrans, the Wood Group has placed liens on the pipeline-related improvements on the easements. The liens do not put the property owners' own real estate at risk, but the liens have created confusion for the residents who granted easements. More than 100 landowners granted access to RH Energytrans in Erie and Ashtabula counties.

The liens remain in place as the lawsuit proceeds. In the latest action, lawyers for the Wood Group filed a motion on Aug. 10, seeking permission to add two defendants to the original lawsuit: Opatho Gas Trans, the parent company of RH Energytrans, and Oivind Risberg.

According to a court order filed Sept. 6, lawyers for RH Energytrans have until Oct. 6 to file a motion to dismiss the amended lawsuit that adds the two defendants. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter is assigned the case.

Holbrook said reduced space needs are the primary reason for selling the property.

He also acknowledged that the ongoing litigation is expensive and shows no sign of coming to a conclusion.

"The lawsuit is still taking place and there is no question that it's an expensive proposition," Holbrook said. "It's a process that is cumbersome and will continue for the immediate future unless the parties have the opportunity to settle."

Annual property taxes on the property, which includes a separate carriage house, are $21,874.

Pipeline lawsui: Erie County landowners gave access for pipeline. Now they're getting hit with liens

No resolution: Hundreds of liens for millions of dollars remain as mediation fails in Erie County gas pipeline case

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: EmKey Energy, embroiled in pipeline case, sells home to Erie's Hagen
Local residents queue to collect containers of cooked food, distributed by volunteers as a humanitarian aid station, in Kharkiv on February 17, 2023. (Photo by SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images)

America became the arsenal of democracy in the run-up to World War II. But in Ukraine, the European Union and NATO nations are digging deep to provide twice as much aid even though their combined economies and purchasing power are smaller than America or China's.

With the bear at the door, Europe is doing what it can to ensure Ukraine kills it or drives it off before it gets any further in. And the level of aid from any individual country seems to correlate with the threat to it, with tiny Estonia topping the list of aid givers.

The never-ending aid to Ukraine

First, we should all acknowledge that no one is paying as steep a price as Ukraine. It pays in blood, treasure, its cultural heritage, its combined mental health, and more for every day that the war continues.

But Europeans, many of whom were averse to war and military buildup for decades, are reversing their policies. That's not surprising when you remember that many of them drew down their militaries to reduce the possibility of large armed conflicts. When Russia invaded Ukraine anyway, it proved that strongmen like Putin would never respect peace without steel backing it up.

And so now many of those countries are ramping up their domestic military spending and either donating old equipment or helping transfer gear to Ukraine. On the domestic side, European defense spending in 2022 topped 200 billion for the first time ever, and that represented a sharp increase from previous years. Finland raised its spending 36% and Lithuania increased 27% .

But Europe is especially stepping up when it comes to donations. According to the Kiel Institute's tracker of aid to Ukraine :

"...there have been important new multi-year commitments from individual European countries, in particular a 4-year military support package of Germany worth 10.5 billion (20242027) and Norways Nansen Support Program worth 6.6 billion over five years. Additional multi-year packages were committed by Denmark, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal, and Lithuania."

With the new packages, European Union aid to Ukraine is now twice that of the U.S.

Workers from Myrne Nebo (Peaceful Sky) a Ukrainian humanitarian organization, pack food supplies into bags in a warehouse to be delivered to liberated villages on September 26, 2022, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

What's in these packages?

Some of the European donations provide important, specific capabilities to Ukraine.

Think things like the Starstreak missile, a fast, laser-guided missile that allowed Ukrainians to force Russian jets away from cities and bases. And European countries have delivered 93 modern main battle tanks to Ukraine as of August . (America has promised 31 Abrams tanks and helped train crews, but the vehicles are still en route.

Of course, many of the weapons that European countries delivered to Ukraine came from former Soviet stockpiles. These were especially useful for Ukraine early on as it let them keep the weapons they were familiar with in operation. America has done the same, helping fund deals that transferred former Soviet stockpiles to Ukraine . But newer, upgraded weapons add new capabilities.

In fact, some of the major weapons donated by Europe to Ukraine were part of deals to upgrade other European militaries. Basically, if a weapon manufacturer promised to send new weapons in a timely manner, a country promised to send its current vehicles or supplies to Ukraine now. And that's why...

...America is still a major contributor to European defense

While America's dollar value of donated equipment has fallen behind Europe, especially the European Union, it's often part of the deals needed to make donations happen.

For instance, Denmark and the Netherlands are in the process of sending over 20 F-16s to Ukraine, but Denmark said that it would need to receive its first F-35s before it could turn over the F-16s . America greenlit the transfer and promised the F-35s. Similar swap deals took place before with America promising Patriot missile batteries to countries that would send S-300 or Hawk missile systems to Ukraine.

That encourages American job growth, guarantees European security, and ties the purchasing nations tighter to the U.S. Most importantly, it allows Ukraine to better defend itself from Russia.

And that's paying dividends all on its own, with NATO countries like Finland reporting that Russian forces on their borders have dwindled.

Expect Russia to try and draw out this war as long as possible to prevent regime change, but European steadinessbolstered by American manufacturing and weapons researchpoints strongly to a future where Ukraine is free for as long as it is willing to fight.
Polish prime minister, Matesuz Morawiecki, has declared that his country is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine. Instead, it will be focusing on arming Poland with more modern weapons. As explosive as the announcement is, it is unlikely to change the situation in Ukraine in the short term.

What matters more is the language. It is incredibly telling that president Andrzej Duda described Kyiv as behaving like a drowning person clinging to anything available, potentially bringing down those attempting to save them. It sounds like an acceptance that Ukraine cannot win this war, at the current scale and intensity, and that Europe cannot continue to supply it.



Almost every commentator has linked Polands decision with the ongoing dispute over the sale of cheap Ukrainian grain within the EU. While there is some truth to this version of events, the more relevant point is that Poland is running out of materiel to send. After Washington and London, Warsaw has been the biggest military donor since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Poland has already given virtually all of its legacy Soviet-era platforms and military vehicles, in addition to a sizable chunk of its more modern equipment, including over 60 of its Leopard 1 tanks and two dozen Leopard 2s.

This generosity is coming to an end, in part because the cupboard is now bare. Since the war began in February, Poland has had one eye firmly and nervously on the Suwaki Gap  the thin strip of land separating Poland, Belarus, and the Russian nuclear fleet in the Kaliningrad enclave.

Warsaw has accordingly been keen to beef up its own defences and military, continuing the build-up that began after the invasion of Crimea in 2014. While the west of the continent was greedily buying up Russian oil and gas, the Baltics and Poland were investing in armour and shells. Understandably, Warsaw is unwilling to pledge its new stocks to Kyiv before its even received them.

Polands decision shouldnt be exaggerated. Warsaw hasnt said it will halt vital flows of munitions, and Polands essential role as the logistics hub for all western military aid making its way across the Atlantic and through Europe to the battlefields of southern and eastern Ukraine will continue. Without these flows, quite frankly Ukraine would have fallen before last winter.

Poland may also likely continue sending the legacy munitions that have proved so valuable in this centurys version of the Great War  a conflict dominated by massed artillery, infantry assaults, and miles upon miles of layered defences.

This sort of fighting is characterised by massive expenditure of ammunition, and in particular artillery shells, so additional supplies are extremely valuable as stockpiles decline. Even if Poland stops sending weapons platforms, this can be a major contribution to Kyivs defence.

However, even if relations between Warsaw and Kyiv thaw, the limitations in terms of what is physically available to give will still hold. So, too, will the uncomfortable knowledge that doubt is spreading across European capitals. As the war rages on with no end point in sight, its hard not to wonder: which domino will be next?

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A former internal affairs investigator for the Michigan Department of Corrections was sentenced to a year in jail Thursday for profiting from prostitution and for other crimes.

Scott Matthew Fink, 44, was also placed on probation for three years after pleading guilty Aug. 11 to transporting a woman for the purposes of prostitution and accepting earnings from prostitution, which are both 20-year felonies; using a computer to commit a crime, which is a five-year felony; surveilling an unclothed person, which is a two-year felony, plus a misdemeanor charge of aiding and abetting.

Former Michigan Department of Corrections internal affairs investigator Scott Fink enters the Livingson County courthouse for sentencing on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

"You did hold a position of authority, which kind of disgraces your profession," Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael Hatty told Fink, who resigned from the Corrections Department shortly after his May arrest.

Fink, a father of four who was reported to police by his former wife, expressed remorse for the damage he has done to his family, his profession and the community.

"I will live with that feeling of shame for the rest of my life," Fink told the court.

"I hope that I can repair the damage over time, but know the scars will always remain."

After Hatty handed down the sentence, a sheriff's deputy cuffed Fink's hands behind his back and led him away to jail. He received credit for two days already served.

Records the Free Press obtained under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act show police seized confidential state investigative files, mixed with a menu listing prices for various sex acts, when they raided a Hartland Township motel and arrested Fink and a woman Fink promoted over the internet for erotic massages starting at $800. Police seized $4,500 in cash after the 36-year-old woman agreed to perform sex acts as Fink stood by in the adjoining room.

Hatty agreed to a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines, under a plea agreement reached between prosecutors and Fink's attorney, Spencer Bondy of Milford.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @paulegan4.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Michigan prison investigator gets jail time for prostitution crimes
Brent E. Taylor at a court hearing Jan. 7, 2019. Taylor, who is accused of sexually abusing three boys about 30 years ago, is still out of contact with the Provo court and living in Colorado. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The attorney for a former youth symphony leader charged with sexually abusing youth in Utah and Salt Lake counties said Tuesday she still has had no recent contact with her client who lives in Colorado  leading a judge to cancel the jury trial tentatively set in October.

Brent Taylor, 75, was ordered to turn himself in at the Utah County Jail in June after 4th District Judge Roger Griffin determined he was exaggerating his medical symptoms to delay his case while on pretrial release.

Taylor was charged about five years ago, shortly after his retirement from the Utah Valley Youth Symphony where he worked for four decades.

At a hearing two weeks ago, defense attorney Cara Tangaro said since Taylor's nurse died, she has lost contact with Taylor. Taylor would previously communicate through the nurse texting and emailing on his behalf. Now Tangaro only has contact through phone calls to his mother who does not have a smartphone.

Deputy Utah County attorney Julia Thomas said Tuesday that serving the warrant has been hard, but she believes the Utah County Sheriff's Office and federal authorities are currently working on getting Taylor into custody. He is currently living in Colorado, but was living in Provo when he was first charged in 2018.

"I guess there are some odd or different rules in Colorado for service of an out-of-state warrant, but they have been trying to get it accomplished," Thomas said.

Taylor is charged with forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, in Utah County. He also faces other criminal charges in Salt Lake County: two counts of sodomy on a child, a first-degree felony; and two counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, a second-degree felony.

The criminal charges were filed against Taylor after a 2018 Deseret News story reported that three former teen employees of the orchestra said Taylor either sexually abused them or inappropriately touched them between 1985 and 2003, a former neighbor recalled sexual interactions with Taylor as a young teen, a fifth person filed a police report in 2011 alleging that his brother-in-law had been abused by Taylor as a youth, and another former orchestra employee described lewd activities at Taylor's home when he spoke to police in 2011.

Although the October trial is now cancelled, Griffin emphasized that there is another trial already scheduled where Taylor's case will have first priority in June 2024. The October case was scheduled at the same time as another trial to maximize the court's time in case that the trial in the other case did not move forward.

Trials scheduled in Taylor's case have already been delayed four times  three of those times because of Taylor's health which the judge later determined was a delay tactic.

Taylor has appealed the no-bail warrant issued by Griffin in June, and the final brief before the Utah Court of Appeals is due on Friday.

The next hearing for Taylor on this case is on Oct. 24. He is also scheduled for a jury trial in 3rd District Court beginning Jan. 30.
Falls Township has tapped the former Tullytown police chief for a human resources position, though his hiring may be a violation of the state's Sunshine Law.

A township spokeswoman confirmed that Dan Doyle started his new job as director of employment operations and chief human resources officer Monday. The township already employs a human resources coordinator.

The township did not immediately respond to a request for Doyles resume, or questions including if the position is new, if the position was advertised internally or externally or salary information.

Facade of Falls Administrative Complex at 188 Lincoln Highway. Falls supervisors rejected all bids for the renovation of the building in May, pushing back the start of construction. Administration to temporarily relocate.

More on Bucks sheriff side job in Falls Bucks County sheriff has a side job with Falls police. Here's what PA law allows

Doyle retired from Tullytown last year after serving in the department since 1997, including nine years as chief.

The supervisors are scheduled to ratify his professional service agreement at their next board meeting on Sept. 25 with an effective employment date of Sept. 18, 2023, according to the spokeswoman.

But it appears that Doyles start date  before he is formally hired  may violate the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, according to Melissa Melewsky, a widely recognized expert in the law and a media attorney for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

Under the law, any action on official government business, including hiring, termination and other personnel matters, must be done in public, at a publicly advertised meeting where there is an opportunity for public discussion and citizens have an opportunity to comment, she said.

Melewsky pointed to a recent case with nearly identical conduct that took place in Northumberland County in the central part of the state.

The District Attorneys Office there sent a violation warning letter to a school district after it confirmed an assistant superintendent started his employment with the district two weeks before a public vote on his hiring. The DAs office warned that if it happened again criminal charges would be filed, according to the story.

Violations of the Sunshine Act carry civil and criminal penalties, but it is a citizen-enforced law meaning that someone has to file a complaint, Melewsky said.

A civil or criminal complaint, as in the Northumberland case, must be filed with the county civil court or county district attorneys office within 30 days after the citizen becomes aware a violation occurred, Melewsky said.

The statute of limitation for a complaint is one year, meaning someone can report a violation up to one year after it happened, but must report it within 30 days after learning about it, Melewsky said.

She added that most often if district attorneys find a violation occurred, the entity is issued a warning letter for a first offense.

Case law also allows a government entity to cure a perceived Sunshine Act violation with a retroactive approval, such as what Falls proposes to do with Doyle, but that action should be used to correct an accidental violation of the law, not an intentional one, Melewsky said.

While such retroactive cures are frequently done, it does not mean the law was not violated, she added.

Its a complete reversal of the requirements of the Sunshine Act, she added.

Falls Township Supervisors (left to right) Jeffrey Boraski, Jeffry Dence, Erin Mullen, Brian Galloway, John Palmer

Why is Bucks sheriff working in Falls Why is Bucks County's sheriff working as a consultant for Falls Township? What we know

Falls Supervisors have appeared to skirt the transparency law other times in recent years.

A professional service agreement with Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran was signed on Dec. 14, 2022, five days before the board held the public meeting where it voted to hire Harran as a special consultant to its police department. The board meeting minutes do not indicate the approval was retroactive.

Did Falls violate Pa Sunshine Act? Did Falls supervisors violate Sunshine law when they privately fired police officer?

Falls police officer William Tanner IV alleges in a civil suit against Falls that the supervisors wrongfully terminated him in October 2021, but a review of board of supervisor meeting minutes showed no public vote to terminate any police officers in the three months before and after.

A spokeswoman for the township previously responded that as a general rule personnel matters do not require a public vote.

On Falls investigation of police chief Did Falls Township start investigating its police chief months before suspending him?

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Why did Falls Twp's new HR hire start the job before a public vote?
By Sarah El Safty and Michael Hogan

CAIRO (Reuters) -Egypt is in talks with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADBC) for a loan facility that would finance wheat purchases from Kazakhstan, according to Egypt's Supply Minister on Sunday.

The move could give Egypt a cheap alternative to grain from Russia, which has supplied an increasing share of Egypt's wheat since last year but recently blocked a deal for a purchase below an unofficial price floor for wheat purchases, traders say.

Egypt is a top buyer of wheat globally that has been trying to reduce its import bill as it grapples with a foreign currency shortage that caused it to defer wheat payments.

Talks over the loan deal for purchases from Kazakhstan are in early stages, with negotiations taking place over the price and quantities of wheat as well as the value of the loan, a source with knowledge of the talks said.

The source and traders did not name the Abu Dhabi-based bank.

The traders said they learned of the potential deal during a wheat tender on Wednesday by Egypt's state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC).

They were told GASC was negotiating a price that could be lower than the unofficial price floor set by Russia's government, which was believed to have been set at a free-on-board price of $270 per metric ton in the tender.

But they also cast doubt on the potential deal, saying that shipping wheat from Kazakhstan would be logistically challenging, requiring overland deliveries through other countries.

GASC did not respond to a request for comment.

The unofficial price floor has proven a hindrance for both GASC and for Russian wheat suppliers who had upped sales of relatively cheap Russian grain to Egypt since the war in Ukraine broke out early last year.

Russia's government has not officially confirmed the minimum price, seen by traders as a move to slow its huge wheat exports and prevent tight domestic supplies pushing up bread prices.

Russia's agriculture ministry recently prevented the private sale of 480,000 tons of Russian wheat to Egypt, apparently because it was sold below the price floor, traders told Reuters.

The wheat will now be supplied from other origins, such as France and Bulgaria, they added.

Egypt's finance ministry said the cost of subsidies on food, mostly bread, is expected to rise 41.9% to 127.7 billion Egyptian pounds ($4.14 billion) in the current fiscal year, which ends in June 2024.

Kazakhstan is already an approved wheat import origin for Egypt, but purchases from the Central Asian country are rare.

The Egyptian government recently signed a $500 million loan agreement with the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) to buy imported wheat from UAE-based agribusiness Al Dahra.

($1 = 30.8500 Egyptian pounds)

(Reporting by Sarah El Safty and Michael Hogan, Editing by Aidan Lewis and Mark Potter)
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)'s fighter jet is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba

By Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan, Britain and Italy plan to choose Britain as the headquarters for their next-generation fighter program, four sources in Japan said, putting London at the forefront of a partnership that could expand to include other nations.

The three countries established the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in December after Britain and Japan agreed to merge their fighter efforts in a ground-breaking collaboration that aims to deploy an advanced aircraft by the middle of the next decade.

Japan and Britain will dominate design and manufacturing on the project, with London's deeper and more recent experience in jet fighter development likely to give it a leading role in organising the program, said three of the sources, who have knowledge of internal discussions.

"The headquarters will be in Britain, but for the sake of balance, someone from Japan could head it," said one of the sources, all of whom asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Discussion about the headquarters is ongoing and we are unable to comment on the location," Japan's defence procurement agency said in an email. A development framework for the fighter would be established in the next fiscal year, it added.

"No final decisions have been made on the locations and we will not comment on speculation," a spokesperson at Britain's defence ministry said.

Officials at the Italian defence ministry were unavailable for comment.

Reuters in March reported that Italy was set to pay for about a fifth of the overall development cost, which the country's government dismissed as "speculative".

OTHER COUNTRIES

On Friday, the head of Italian defence and aerospace group Leonardo said Saudi Arabia would not be a core partner in the project, after the Financial Times last month said it was pushing to join.

GCAP could welcome the country in a more limited role because it would bring money and a lucrative market to a project expected to cost tens of billions of dollars, the three sources said.

One of its neighbours in the Middle East, The United Arab Emirates, has also shown interest, they added.

There had been conversations on possibilities with Saudi Arabia, but no decision beyond that, Richard Berthon, director of Future Combat Air at Britain's Ministry of Defence, said at London's DSEI arms show last week.

"It was made clear in London that it could possibly come in at a later date," an Italian defence ministry source said, declining to be identified because they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Britain's lead company in GCAP is BAE Systems PLC, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries representing Japan.

European missile maker MBDA will also join the project, along with avionics manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric Corp. Britain's Rolls-Royce PLC, Japan's IHI Corp and Italy's Avio Aero will work on the engine.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo; additional reporting by Paul Sandle and Angelo Amante. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Editors note: This is the first in a three-part series on the environmental and public health threat posed by decades of pollution from dry cleaning chemicals across California.

The deep, crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe are the iconic centerpiece of one of Californias most famed recreation areas.

A local water provider is among the biggest cheerleaders of the lakes legendary clarity, boasting this on its website:

Snow falls in winter, melts in spring and travels through a vast network of groundwater aquifers to Lake Tahoe, the South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District says. By pumping water from these aquifers, the South Lake Tahoe area has some of the tastiest and purest water in California.

But that doesnt tell the whole story.

Investigations over several years have found that even the purest groundwater is not immune to contamination from a carcinogenic chemical long used by a common business operation found in towns and cities across the state: dry cleaners.

Since the 1940s, perchloroethylene, or PCE for short, has been a popular chemical employed in dry cleaning shops across the country.

Water laps at the shore at Lake Tahoes Pope Beach in July. A dry cleaning company may have polluted some of Californias purest water by discharging perchloroethylene, also known as PCE, the widely used but hazardous dry cleaning solvent.

The liquid is fairly effective at ridding clothes of stubborn stains, but it also easily spreads beyond its intended use, seeping silently beneath the shops and spreading in plumes in the ground below.

Thats because in dry cleaners common practice  before better equipment and regulations were developed  the chemical was often dumped down drains or splashed on porous floors.

As a result, over the past 50 years, PCE leaked into the soil and groundwater under the handful of former South Lake Tahoe dry cleaners  and likely thousands of others in California.

In that time, the pollution mixed with the groundwater and eventually spread north toward the great blue lake.

In the South Lake Tahoe groundwater, PCE has been detected at levels more than 1,000 times above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys health limits, according to reports conducted by a consultant for the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Area schools, daycare centers, homes, hospitals and care facilities may be at risk of exposure to the harmful pollution, which can leach into the air, the reports say.

Officials have known about the PCE pollution in the South Lake Tahoe area since 1989, and have for years tried to work with the owners of the now-shuttered dry cleaners to clean it up.

But the efforts at Lake Tahoe and beyond have not gotten far, and now collectively, the pollution poses a multi-billion-dollar problem statewide.

I dont think there is an expectation that were going to necessarily be able to clean up the aquifer, said Brian Grey, an engineering geologist with the local water board. But there are going to be actions conducted that will be protective of human health, and well be able to provide clean drinking water to residents.

A view of Lake Tahoe from Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake Tahoe in July.

Dry cleaning chemicals polluted water across California

Beyond the pure waters of South Lake Tahoe, decades-old pollution from dry cleaners has become a ubiquitous problem that plagues California.

Thats because dry cleaning businesses are a staple in nearly every community: Theyre in strip malls, on street corners, in shopping centers, under apartments and in grocery stores.

They largely use chemicals to clean precious prom dresses, work suits, delicate jackets and uniforms.

Up until as recently as last year, PCE was used widely in California dry cleaning operations to launder those clothes.

Since Jan. 1, California has prohibited PCE from being used by dry cleaners  instead encouraging wet cleaning using detergents, or dry cleaning with chemicals considered environmentally friendly.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now following the states lead and preparing to possibly ban the chemical from use in dry cleaners nationwide.

Its important to transition away to new chemicals, but also to address all this legacy contamination, said Jill Johnston, an associate professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California. Because PCE doesnt go away, itll degrade into other toxic chemicals.

California is home to at least 7,500 dry cleaning business locations  some in operation for years, others long closed.

Its estimated that at least 75% of those businesses have created plumes of underground PCE contamination. The plumes can stretch for miles and vaporize from the soil into the indoor air of nearby homes, schools and businesses.





PCE Contamination Explained

PCE Contamination Explained

PCE explanation illustration

Exposure to PCE is associated with higher chances of developing certain cancers, kidney disease, liver disease, reproductive and birth defects, neurotoxicity and other adverse health impacts, according to numerous scientific studies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set safe drinking water limits for the chemical at 5 micrograms per liter of water.

No studies in California on PCEs impact on public health

Calculating the totality of PCEs impact on Californias health is difficult, however, as no large-scale studies have been conducted in the state.

One of the most complete accountings of PCEs health risks came from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where residents and civilian employees who lived or worked there from the 1950s through 1985 were exposed to drinking water contaminated with the chemical.

Studies found that those exposed to PCE were more likely to get kidney cancer, bladder cancer and kidney disease, according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

In another documented case, residents in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, were exposed to PCE in their drinking water in the 1960s. Studies later found that exposure to the chemical led to a plethora of possible health effects.

When exposed to high levels of PCE in drinking water, residents experienced reproductive health impacts including delayed time-to-pregnancy, increased risk of placental abruptions and an increased risk of congenital malformations, a 2021 scientific article says. Babies exposed to high levels of PCE grew up to have reduced performance on neuropsychological tests, increased risk of bipolar disorder, PTSD, illicit drug use, vision problems and certain types of cancer.

Another epidemiology study found that people living for an average of more than 10 years near a dry cleaner were exposed to PCE in the air at low levels. Those people were found to have reduced cognitive performance on a test of reaction time, vigilance and visual memory, according to the 1995 study.

State knew about dangers and sheer extent of PCE pollution

California officials have known about the massive extent of the pollution in the state, and its danger to people, since at least the early 1990s.

In 1992, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board sounded the alarm about the potential extent of the burgeoning problem in its area.

(PCE), a known carcinogen, has degraded at least 215 wells in the Central Valley of California.  The majority of these wells are large system municipal wells of 200 connections or more, the board said in its report. With approximately 285 dry cleaners in just the metropolitan areas of Sacramento, Chico, Lodi, Modesto, Turlock, Stockton and Merced, one would expect that many more wells will be degraded by PCE in the future.

The report noted that groundwater cleanup was necessary to ensure water supply agencies can provide safe drinking water.

Deciding who should investigate and clean up groundwater is a complex political/legal issue since the PCE discharges from the dry cleaners were all approved, the report said. Because most dry cleaners are small businesses, which may not have the financial capability to define the contamination plume and conduct cleanup, other resources may be needed. A statewide cleanup fund may be appropriate.

Dry cleaning machines in Hollywood, California.

During the years following the 1992 report, the state worked to phase out PCE use in dry cleaners.

In 2002, a $3- to $12-per-gallon fee was imposed on PCE to fund a program to transition dry cleaners away from the chemical.

In 2007, the California Air Resources Board formally gave dry cleaners in the state 15 years to discontinue their PCE use. The agency gave grants to dry cleaners to purchase alternative equipment and attend training programs.

But there simply hasnt been solid statewide funding to clean up the decades of pollution that had already accumulated.

Dry cleaner pollution cleanup funds havent been enough

In Senate Bill 158 passed in 2021, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control was allocated $500 million toward cleaning up pollution in disadvantaged communities. Of that, $152 million was put toward investigating PCE contamination from dry cleaners in those communities.

Dry cleaners in non-disadvantaged areas, or areas where neighborhoods are typically less burdened with other pollutants and residents have a higher median income  even if they may have caused pollution  were generally not a part of the funding initiative.

The state water board also has a separate pot of roughly $34 million each year to clean up various chemical pollution plumes throughout California, including petroleum and PCE. The fund is called the Site Cleanup Subaccount Program, established in 2014, and its funded through a portion of the 2-cent-per-gallon fee charged to gas stations for petroleum stored in underground storage tanks.

The millions invested in investigating and cleaning up the leftover dry cleaning pollution may seem like a good first step, but its far from what the state needs to deal with the massive task ahead.

The state water board has about 700 polluted dry cleaner sites its working to clean up and estimates there could be at least 10,000 left, according to Cheryl Prowell, the state water boards supervisor of underground storage tank and cleanup programs section. Another 325 dry cleaner sites have been classified as closed in the water boards data, meaning the pollution may have been remediated, Prowell added.

Dry cleaners can be really difficult because theyre often small, family-owned businesses, said Prowell. They dont have a lot of resources.

Each cleanup  from investigation to remediation  costs an average of $1 million to $10 million.

That puts estimates to clean up all PCE-contaminated dry cleaners in California at anywhere from $7.5 billion to $100 billion, according to calculations from figures sent by the state water board and the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

So, should the state water board maintain its current annual funding available for the dry cleaner cleanups, it could take from 220 to 2,941 years to fund the necessary remediation.

Meanwhile, countless communities across California sit atop dry cleaner pollution plumes.

How South Lake Tahoe is dealing with the pollution

The pollution in South Lake Tahoe is an example of how PCE can be incredibly difficult to address.

The plume spread during the 1970s from just two coin-operated dry cleaners and a car mechanic shop (PCE was commonly used as a degreaser through the 1970s, although typically in weak concentrations compared to the pure PCE used by dry cleaners).

All three businesses stopped operating or using PCE by the 1980s.

Because PCE is heavier than water, the spilled or discarded chemical easily seeps through small cracks in plumbing and floors, trickling down until it meets groundwater or bedrock. Then, it slowly flows and mixes with the groundwater.

The plume under South Lake Tahoe stretches about a mile north toward the lake, which is fed by the underground aquifers and rivers forming from snowmelt in Californias Sierra Nevada Mountains.

As a result of the pollution, the local water purveyor in the area has been forced to shut down some of the wells it uses to supply water to residents and tourists who come for fresh air and recreation on and around Lake Tahoe.





Under South Lake Tahoe





Under South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe South Map 1

Lake Tahoe South Map 2

Lake Tahoe South Map 3

The regional water quality control board has worked for decades with the owners of the dry cleaner properties in an attempt to remediate the pollution. But those owners have since filed lawsuits in state court generally denying their responsibility for creating the plume of toxic pollution.

Meanwhile, the PCE plume doesnt just sit idly in the soil and groundwater  the chemical goes through a process called volatilization and becomes a gas that can then seep upwards into the air of homes and businesses.

Previous investigation and remedial efforts have not fully evaluated nor mitigated the threats that the regional PCE plume poses to human health or the environment, said a 2022 report by AECOM, an environmental consultant hired by the water board to investigate the pollution. The regional PCE plume continues to pose a potential threat to human health from direct exposure to PCE through ingestion of contaminated groundwater and from the migration of volatilized PCE in soil gas or shallow groundwater into indoor air.

Officials from the regional water board said that fully cleaning the groundwater and soil is tough, thanks to a lack of funding and because Tahoes snowy winters cause the ground to freeze.

A maintenance hole for a groundwater monitoring well at the site of a former dry cleaning business in South Lake Tahoe.

Efforts conducted over the past two decades at the dry cleaners in South Lake Tahoe include using a soil vapor extraction system to essentially pump the contaminated air in the soil out and clean it. There has also been excavation work done to remove the contaminated soil and dispose of it, according to Grey.

Also during that time some of the contaminated water has been pumped out, cleaned and released to feed purified water into the aquifer, Grey said.

Additionally, the local water purveyor has discontinued the use of some of its wells with high levels of PCE contamination. Two wells still in operation have treatment systems in place to ensure residents do not receive polluted water, according to Grey.

A young swimmer enjoys Lake Tahoe at Pope Beach in July.

Were taking this issue very seriously and have been working diligently on this for a long time, because of the threat to human health, which is our utmost priority, said Ben Letton, assistant executive officer at the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Small businesses cant afford cleanup costs

Similar, decades-long PCE plume investigations and cleanup efforts have been occurring in locations across the state.

Dry cleaning business owners never intended to pollute, said Ray Rangwala, owner of Esteem Cleaners in Pasadena and a member of the Southern California Cleaners Association.

But in an industry where harsh chemicals are used and no training is required, its no surprise that the state now finds itself facing such a pollution catastrophe, he said.

And its a catastrophe thats helping to wipe out the dry cleaning industry.

Many dry cleaning businesses in California are barely holding on as their clientele dwindles.

A shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic obliterated profits, and many dry cleaners have seen sales drop more than 50% with little rebound since the end of lockdowns.

That, coupled with multi-million-dollar PCE cleanups, is ripping away the American dream immigrants such as Rangwala thought theyd earn by establishing a business in the United States.

If it hasnt exploded yet, dry cleaners are sitting on ticking time bombs of this pollution they had no idea they were creating, he said. And theres barely anyone there to help you survive the explosion.

Coming tomorrow: Californias small dry cleaners face massive bills to clean up toxic chemicals they were permitted to use, and the state has done very little to help them so far.





Behind the story

This series was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2023 California Health Equity Fellowship.

Mackenzie began investigating the issue of dry cleaner pollution in California in March after she reported on perchloroethylene (PCE) contaminated groundwater in San Luis Obispo for The Tribune.

During the six months following, Mackenzie filed public records requests with the state to receive data on the number of dry cleaners in California to gain perspective on the problem. She soon learned there were at least 7,500 dry cleaner sites in the state, an estimated 75% of which had created plumes of PCE pollution.

Mackenzie then spent months traveling across the state  to Los Angeles, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe  to speak with dry cleaner business owners, health experts and environmental engineers and consultants.

She also spoke to experts from California and other states who were tasked with investigating and cleaning up the pollution leftover by the dry cleaners.

Through interviews with her sources, Mackenzie learned of the ubiquitous nature of PCE pollution in California. Sources from state agencies also revealed how they felt unequipped to deal with the PCE pollution issue and told her they hope her stories bring attention to the dangerous chemical leaking beneath many cities and towns in the state.



Acknowledgements



Joe Tarica | Editor

Hector Amezcua | Photography and video

Sohail Al-Jamea | Video editing

Rachel Handley | Illustration

Gabby McCall | Logo design

Susan Merriam | Data visualization and development
The News

Donald Trump still holds a commanding lead in Iowa as Ron DeSantis finds himself in a statistical tie for 2nd place with Nikki Haley, according to a new polling memo from a top Trump Super PAC conducted by Tony Fabrizio and obtained by Semafor.

The latest internal polling from MAGA Inc. finds Trump holding steady with 45% support. DeSantis is at 15% and locked in a dogfight with Haley, who garners 13%. The race is all but frozen since their last poll in August  Haleys moved up 3 points, DeSantis down 3 points.

The memo is being circulated to key donors, with Fabrizio making the argument that DeSantis heavy on-the-ground efforts in Iowa are doing little to move the needle while Haley remains more liked than loved. 73% of Trumps supporters say they are locked into their choice, versus just 40% of DeSantis and 21% of Haleys.

The commitment of DeSantis and Haleys vote pales by comparison and leaves DeSantis open to further erosion in support and Haley is at risk in having her rise arrested, the memo argues. The continued decline in DeSantis support underscores this vulnerability.

The MAGA Inc. poll was conducted from Sept. 17-19 and surveyed 500 likely caucusgoers.

Shelbys view

Internal polls should always be taken with a grain of salt. A Fox Business poll released on Wednesday found broadly similar results with Trump at 46% in Iowa, DeSantis still in second at 15%, and Haley trending upwards to 11%.

The latest MAGA Inc. survey was conducted as Trump picked a fight with social conservatives over abortion that  in theory  should resonate in evangelical-heavy Iowa as much as anywhere. On Sept. 17, Trump declared DeSantis six-week abortion ban to be a terrible mistake in an NBC News interview. The comment ignited a firestorm among anti-abortion activists, some of whom argued the former president should not be the Republican nominee. Iowas popular Republican governor Kim Reynolds, who also signed a six-week ban into law, rebuked Trump as well. So far, at least, it hasnt translated to any damage in the polls.

If these numbers continue to hold relatively steady, it could indicate one of two things: That some within the anti-abortion movement could be more swayed by a personality, as Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats recently warned, or that the activists have overestimated how much the party faithful agree with them on the specific details of abortion bans.

Notable

A new CNN/University of New Hampshire poll found Trump also continues to lead the field in New Hampshire. DeSantis, meanwhile, has dropped a whopping 13 points since the schools last survey in July. Vivek Ramaswamy, Haley, and Chris Christie are ahead of him by slim margins.
Its been nine years since The Expendables 3 seemingly put the nail in the coffin of Sylvester Stallones old-action-star franchise. Nonetheless, despite only intermittently participating himself, Stallone assembles another collection of tough guys (and Megan Fox?!) for Expend4bles, whose titles silly spelling is indicative of the films goofiness. What few fans remain will be happy to hear that, unlike its PG-13 predecessor, Scott Waugh s sequel fully embraces its R rating. Maturity, however, remains in short supply, as this latest series entry is merely more of the same gung-ho corniness, delivered with a chintziness and wink-wink self-consciousness that undercuts its aggro appeal.

It only takes a single minute for Expend4bles (in theaters Sept. 22) to begin indulging in the fake-looking explosions and helter-skelter shootouts that are its stock and trade. The initial setting is Muammar Gaddafis former chemical weapons plant in Libya, where malevolent terrorist Suarto Rahmat (The Raids Iko Uwais ) and his army of faceless mercs are trying to acquire a nuclear-device detonator. Suarto is the type of one-note villain who promises to spare a generals son in return for a keycode, and then reneges on the deal once he has what he wants and murders the boy in cold blood in front of his father. Uwais martial arts skills are by now the stuff of modern genre-cinema legend, and thus its indicative of the films incompetence that it barely has him exhibit them before a final showdown thats most notable for its pedestrian conception and staging.

Back in the USA, Expendables boss Barney Ross (Stallone) interrupts the latest in a long line of romantic squabbles between his best buddy Lee Christmas ( Jason Statham ) and Lees girlfriend Gina (Fox)whos also a member of the special-ops squadin order to have him help retrieve a giant silver ring that he lost in a bet the evening prior. This affords Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, and Max Adams script with an opportunity to re-establish Barney and Lees bickering brotherly bond, as well as to demonstrate that they remain a rock em, sock em force to be reckoned witheven if, as Barney dubiously states, hes in no shape to fight thanks to a bad back. Their rapport is as strained as the expressions on Stallones face, with every joke crashing to the ground harder than the duos easily dispatched adversaries.

Barneys Expendables outfit includes Easy Day (Curtis 50 Cent Jackson), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Galan (Jacob Scipio), the son of Antonio Banderas Galgo, and theyre ordered by their new CIA boss Marsh (Andy Garcia) to travel to Libya to stop Suarto from completing his task. Time and space dont operate in realistic fashion in Expend4bles, so the team is there in what seems like a matter of minutes. More problematic, they suffer a tragic loss and fail in their mission. In response, Marsh holds Lee responsible for this fiasco, boots him out of the Expendables, and sends his compatriots on a mission of revenge that doubles as a last-ditch attempt to stop Suarto from using his nuke to start World War III. Suarto is working for a mysterious Bigger Bad who years earlier killed most of Barneys men, and the Expendables are also intent on learning his identity.

Lionsgate

Expend4bles plot is so simplistic that calling it paint-by-numbers gives it too much credit, and its characterizations are equally crudewhen, that is, the film even bothers with them. Gunner is a sniper who has bad eyesight, wears a wig, and is a recovering alcoholic, and his major moment involves becoming rejuvenated by falling off the wagon. Galan is silent and psychotically violent. Toll Road has a cauliflower ear from his college wrestling days. Gina is sexy and strong and the material has her spout tactical jargon to confirm her badass bona fides. Easy Day mumbles and argues. And new recruit Lash (Levy Tran) has tattoos and a sexual interest in Toll Road. Together, they may be the least interesting killer-elite crew in movie history, comprised of members who are far less charismatic than those featured in previous Expendables outings, which at least benefited from the cashing-a-paycheck participation of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Harrison Ford.

Arnold Schwazenegger Cops to His Biggest Scandals in New Netflix Docuseries

Statham tussles sexily with Fox and, once his character is exiled from his mates, he enlists the services of Tony Jaas Decha to help save the day. As with Uwais, Thai martial-arts icon Jaa is wasted in a role that barely takes advantage of his combat gifts, with most of the films second half consumed with Lee slicing, stabbing and shooting (including on a motorbike) dozens upon dozens of incompetent enemies aboard a cargo ship. Its a dull setting that Waugh utilizes for mundanely explicit carnage, although the gruesomeness of his myriad kills is less objectionable than the cruddy CGI he employs throughout. The directors shallow-focus close-ups of his protagonists resemble the blurred-background feature offered by Zoom, his countless fireballs look like they were created with Windows 95, and his green-screen effects are direct-to-video-grade phony.

Yana Blajeva/Lionsgate

Aesthetically speaking, Expend4bles is dreadful, and it doesnt help that more than a few of its stars arent up to the meager challenge of their roles. Lundgren can snarl with the best of them but he appears barely capable of moving, and Foxasked to wear a collection of revealing eye-candy outfits when not on the battlefieldis painfully unconvincing as a capable soldier of fortune. Waugh isnt after realism, deliberately casting his adventure as a macho cartoon. Still, thats no excuse for the films slapdash plotting, subpar digital flourishes, and consistent incoherence, nor for its dearth of passable one-liners, which are all the more embarrassing for being delivered in underlined fashion.

Tulsa King: Sylvester Stallones New Gangster Series Is Not What You'd Expect

Expend4bles ultimately leans on Stathams brawny battle prowess, and the British actor dispatches his abundant opponents with a ferociousness that almost energizes the film. Hes the sole redeeming facet of Waughs B-movie, which otherwise dispenses nothing more than third-rate thrills and surprises, culminating with a climactic bombshell that every audience member will see coming from a mile awayand which suggests, alas, that Stallone believes theres still life left in this franchise, no matter the moribund evidence to the contrary.

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Most people dont think twice about putting their leftovers in a Tupperware and popping the container in the microwave. However, the microwave-safe label on these containers may be misleading  potentially putting us at risk.

Whats happening?

For years, plastic companies used a chemical called Bisphenol A, or BPA, in a range of products, including shatter-proof windows, bottle tops, and baby bottles. Although the chemical makes these products more durable, it has come at the expense of human health, causing a range of complications, including congenital disabilities, infertility, and increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Tupperware phased out the use of BPA in its American and Canadian products in 2010, but that doesnt mean people dont still have pre-2010 containers around in their homes. They are durable, after all.

As consumers use their Tupperware and put it through the damage of cutting, dishwashing, and washing, they may remove some of the protective coating that prevents plasticizers and chemicals from leaching into their food  especially when food is heated in the container.

Every single time that theyre used, theyre leaching small amounts of BPA out of them, Laura Vandenberg, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told CNN. Even the low levels of BPA that leach from consumer plastics, canned food linings or other consumer goods  have been shown to be associated with harm, and people certainly should care about it.

So we totally advocate that you transfer your food from a plastic container into a glass bowl and microwave it that way, she further said.

Why is it important?

The number one way people come into contact with BPA is through food and food containers. Populations that are particularly at risk for complications from this endocrine disruptor are pregnant individuals and children.

This is because the BPA mimics estrogen, a sex hormone that also plays a role in muscle-building and fertility. Even small doses of estrogen via BPA can have numerous complications on development, fertility, and overall health and well-being.

Whats being done to protect consumers?

Consumers are urged to dispose of food containers once they notice any discoloration, which may indicate micro-holes or micro-tears in the plastic layer. Several consumer advocacy groups align with Vandenberg and also recommended heating food in inert containers like glass.

Plastics labeled with numbers three through seven or those with the PC (polycarbonate) labels are most likely to contain BPA.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Air defence systems have been responding in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Rivne as well as in Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi and Lviv oblasts, and explosions have been heard. The Russian occupiers have launched a large-scale missile attack.

Source: Kyiv City Military Administration; Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration; Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration

Details: Syniehubov reported that Russian forces were attacking Kharkiv.

Explosions were also heard in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The authorities reported that air defence forces were operating in the oblast.

An air defence system also responded in Cherkasy and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.



Citizens were urged to maintain information silence. "We urge everyone not to film or post the work of our defenders on social media", the authorities insisted.

At 05:01, Ukraines Air Force reported that a group of cruise missiles changed course in the direction of Kyiv Oblast. The rest went westward.

Later, residents of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Lviv, Rivne, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts were warned about the threat in their territories.

Residents of Rivne were urged to stay in shelters. Head of military administration later reported Russian missile strikes in Rivne.

Updated: Later, Kozytskyi reported the explosions in the Drohobych district. Information about casualties and destruction is being ascertained.

The all-clear was given in Ukraines oblasts as of 06:47.

Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron!
NEW YORK  Jewel Floyd doesnt sleep in her bedroom.

The small room facing south is a few degrees warmer than the rest of the older woman's 13th-floor apartment in a concrete senior public housing building in the Bronx. Sunlight seeps through the window most of the day. Floyd, 77, estimated the room stays above 80 degrees most of the time during the summer.

Instead, shes confined to her living room, where her couch faces her bed.

At the window next to an air conditioning unit, she has shelves of plants blocking the view  of two bridges over the East River.

A fan moves stuffy air around in her tasteful, but uncomfortably warm, room.

Jewel Floyd, 77, sits in the living room of her New York City Housing Authority apartment in the Bronx July 27, 2023. Floyd, who suffers from numerous medical conditions including vertigo, diabetes, and recently diagnosed lung cancer, has had to close off the bedroom in her apartment and live entirely in her living room because of how hot her bedroom has gotten during the recent days and nights of extreme high temperatures.

Floyd, a retired nursing assistant, cant move much because of her first stroke, which caused her to develop vertigo, making it feel like the world spins around her. She had another stroke a year ago, and she has diabetes and high blood pressure.

Those conditions put her at risk in the summer. And people with diabetes, for instance, can just feel hotter  especially if the condition injures their nerves and blood vessels in a way making it harder for them to sweat and cool down, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When Floyds apartment floors start to get hot to the touch, she knows to turn on the AC, an old window unit shes owned for two decades.

She constantly flips to the Weather Channel on her television. If it's above 80 degrees, she doesn't go outside. One day this summer, July 26, temperatures hovered in the high 80s throughout the afternoon. New York issued advisories for extreme heat over the next few days that, coupled with humidity, made the temperature feel hotter than 100 degrees.

Jewel Floyd, 77, sits in the living room of her New York City Housing Authority apartment in the Bronx July 27, 2023. Floyd, who suffers from numerous medical conditions including vertigo, diabetes, and recently diagnosed lung cancer, has had to close off the bedroom in her apartment and live entirely in her living room because of how hot her bedroom has gotten during the recent days and nights of extreme high temperatures.

Its too hot, period, Floyd said. And for me, a lot of heat does not help the vertigo, period.

Heat is a silent killer and the most common weather-related death in the United States. As global warming continues to raise temperatures and extend the summer season longer in places like New York, people who are already more vulnerable because of age or medical conditions face even greater danger.

Its just going to get hotter, and were going to have more heat waves, said Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washingtons Center for Health and the Global Environment. Were an aging population and were going to have more people at risk.

Extreme heat kills and maims: Here are some of its victims from across the US.

Hundreds of heat-exacerbated deaths annually, NYC report says

In New York City, about 350 people die from hot weather annually, the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene estimated in its latest heat-related mortality report.

The vast majority are classified as heat-exacerbated deaths, or those caused indirectly by heat aggravating an underlying illness, such as heart disease. A much smaller amount of people die from direct heat stress, an event more common in areas such as Phoenix that have seen temperatures soar beyond 110 degrees for weeks this summer.

Marco Padilla, a driver for R.A.I.N., a New York City based non-profit that provides services to the elderly, delivers food to Bronx resident Carmela De Nova, 97, July 27, 2023. R.A.I.N. partners with Citymeals on Wheels, the New York City food distribution nonprofit in providing food to the homebound elderly. Through food deliveries, Padilla is able to check in on clients during emergencies, including during periods of extreme heat. nt days and nights of extreme high temperatures.

In New York City, people older than 60 had the highest rate of heat-stress deaths.

Among deaths with medical examiner records available, nearly all had at least one chronic health condition.

They come from neighborhoods that are disproportionately Black or Latino and low-income. Black residents are twice as likely to die from heat stress compared to white people.

Most of the dead didnt have AC, the report said.

In response to interview requests, the city health department referred to a news conference at the start of a heat wave. City officials warned New Yorkers about heat indices reaching over 105 degrees.

"This is not our first heat wave," Mayor Eric Adams told reporters in late July. "And with climate change accelerating, it won't be our last."

The number of hot days  defined by the daily maximum temperature being at or above 82 degrees  has increased in the past decade, the city health department report noted. "Extreme heat days," defined as temperatures surpassing 95 degrees, have increased more modestly.

Maternal deaths rising CDC sounds alarm on pregnant women's doctor visits amid rise in maternal deaths

The city report said the combined nonextreme hot days above 82, coupled with extreme heat, have contributed to increases in heat-exacerbated deaths.

Despite the record-setting heat of 2023, we may not see a cooler summer for the rest of our lives, said Kristina Dahl, a climate scientist at the Union for Concerned Scientists. Since May 1, 77% of extreme heat alerts in the U.S. from the National Weather Service have had a clear climate signal, the unions index said. Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat that normally radiates out, raising global temperatures.

As we warm average temperatures, it makes it easier for hot days to reach really hot levels, Dahl said. We are seeing an increase in the frequency and the severity of extreme heat. And that has consequences for human health and well-being.

Meal service workers on the lookout for heat symptoms

Marco Padillas, a driver for the New York City nonprofit Citymeals on Wheels, doesn't need a GPS weaving in and out of residential streets in the eastern Bronx. He drives a red Dodge Ram truck with its bed converted to store meals for elderly, homebound New Yorkers, most of whom are on fixed incomes.

Marco Padilla, a driver for R.A.I.N., a New York City-based non-profit that provides services to the elderly, during his day of delivering food to the homebound elderly in the Bronx July 27, 2023. R.A.I.N. partners with Citymeals on Wheels.

The air conditioning kept the trucks cabin cool on one mid-summer day. Dave Brubecks jazz played in the background. Padillas wore a long-sleeve blue polo, black slacks and black Yeezys, which had gum-bottoms that he said made it easier to do the walking necessary. He wore blue gloves for deliveries.

At each stop, Padillas ticked off names with a pencil. Then, he opened the trucks converted back latches. He placed regular, Latin, halal or kosher meals into a plastic bag. Padillas seemed to remember whos dating whom, the codes if someone is home  a dog statue on the windowsill, or how a client tends to sleep while watching daytime television.

Padillas also takes note of the conditions he sees. Much of this is based on training to look for signs of elder abuse, he said.

Marco Padilla, a driver for R.A.I.N., a New York City based non-profit that provides services to the elderly, waits for a client to come to the door as he delivers food in the Bronx July 27, 2023. R.A.I.N. partners with Citymeals on Wheels, the New York City food distribution nonprofit in providing food to the homebound elderly. Through food deliveries, Padilla is able to check in on clients during emergencies, including during periods of extreme heat.

We just look for things we didnt notice the day before, Padillas said. During hot weather, this includes how a person looks, what they wear, the state of the apartment, or if the AC hadnt been turned on. If were just seeing discomfort, or any signs of discomfort, he said, we ask questions, talk to them, and interact with them.

During the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Citymeals began providing emergency meals to seniors isolated in lower Manhattan after the World Trade Center towers fell. Citymeals then expanded its emergency operations during Superstorm Sandy, in 2012, and again during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nonprofit also provides emergency food packages with nonperishable meals. While this used to be distributed solely in winter, the nonprofit recognized changes with extreme weather.

We're now doing them seasonally because of climate change, Citymeals CEO Beth Shapiro said. Weather-generated emergencies are happening all the time.

Our recipients are most at risk for heat-related death, she added.

New data shows hottest summer on record 'Climate breakdown has begun': Globe swelters to hottest summer on record, new data shows

How heat affects the body

W. Larry Kenney, a professor of physiology and kinesiology at Penn State University, has looked at the effects of heat stress on the body since the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown in 1979, when workers experienced extremely hot temperatures at the reactor.

Now, he's focused on heat's daily effects. This includes a forthcoming five-year National Institute of Health study on heat stress, conducted on subjects varied in age who participated in ordinary activities, such as sitting or using a treadmill, in chambers that fluctuate in temperature and humidity.

Jewel Floyd, 77, sits in the living room of her New York City Housing Authority apartment in the Bronx July 27, 2023. Floyd, who suffers from numerous medical conditions including vertigo, diabetes, and recently diagnosed lung cancer, has had to close off the bedroom in her apartment and live entirely in her living room because of how hot her bedroom has gotten during the recent days and nights of extreme high temperatures.

With hot conditions, humans have two responses: rushing blood to the skin and away from organs, to keep the bodys core temperature below a certain level; and sweating, causing evaporation that cools the skin.

Add in hotter temperatures and more humid conditions, and the bodys cooling mechanisms come under further stress. As a result, the heart begins to work harder to pump blood. A person's organs may begin failing due to drops in blood pressure. Cardiovascular issues comprise the bulk of heat-related deaths.

Older people tend to be at greater risk because the bodys ability to cool itself slows down. That decrease in function can be worsened by medications or health issues.

Even healthy aging carries a burden in our ability to regulate our body temperatures in hot environments, Kenney said. We tend to sweat less. We tend to become more sedentary. And we have a decreased ability to pump blood flow to the skin. So thats even in a fairly active 60- to 80-year-old.

A balancing act the whole day'

In the public housing where Floyd lived, residents crowded inside a senior center that had AC blasting. Some women sat talking, men played at the pool tables.

As Padillas knocked at Floyds place, she yelled that shed be just a minute. When she appeared from behind the door, Padillas reached inside to grab her. Floyds vertigo causes her to quickly lose balance, so Padillas knows to reach for her before she falls.

Its like a balancing act the whole day, Floyd explained.

After storing her meals, Padillas briefly chatted with her. She called him the best friend Ive ever had, as far as a mans concerned.

She gave him a glass vase with a small bamboo plant. It came from her shelves of plants, which gave shade against her living room window. In his air-conditioned truck, Padillas tucked the bamboo vase into his cup holder for the rest of his route.

It could be tens of degrees too late

A few hours after Padillas made deliveries, a coalition of environmental justice organizations gathered at a Masonic Temple in northern Manhattan. Organized by the New York City nonprofit WE ACT for Environmental Justice, residents gathered to identify immediate effects of extreme heat, and how to help if someone has symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Residents also looked at longer term solutions to codify cooling centers, which a 2022 city Comptroller's report found had limited hours and weren't evenly distributed, particularly in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. They also considered a citywide master plan for more trees, and setting an indoor maximum temperature, not unlike current laws across the U.S. for minimum indoor temperatures before heat has to be turned on.

Advocates have warned of areas that see hotter temperatures due to the "heat island" effect, caused by lack of greenspace and swaths of land covered by industry, roads and poor housing stock that trap heat. While New Yorks official recorded temperature is traditionally recorded at Central Park, areas that experience heat island effect often see temperatures as much as 20 degrees hotter. These areas have higher concentrations of Black, Latino and low-income people.

Even on just a neighborhood scale, its likely a lot hotter, but also the indoor temperatures are elevated, said Caleb Smith, WE ACTs resiliency coordinator. It could be tens of degrees too late for a lot of people.

The USA TODAY Network-Northeast has been investigating the effects this summer of a rapidly heating planet on people who live in urban areas. This is part of the USA TODAY project Perilous Course.

Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at EMCuevas1@usatoday.com.

Carlos "Tony" Ramos, 78, pulls weeds from the soil in the garden that he tends in the South Bronx Aug. 18, 2023. The vegetable garden, one of 18 gardens owned by the nonprofit Bronx Land Trust, is squeezed between two prewar apartment buildings that face a public housing high-rise, on a plot of land where an apartment building once stood. Ramos, who has managed the garden for the last three years, distributes the tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and other vegetables to residents of the neighborhood.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Extreme heat is killing New Yorkers with diabetes, heart problems
(Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert on Thursday warning that unapproved parts might be installed in certain General Electric model CF6 jet engines, telling owners to inspect planes or inventories for the parts.

The FAA says UK-based AOG Technics sold bushings for GE Model CF6 engines without having FAA approval.

Jet engine maker CFM International said on Wednesday thousands of engine components may have been sold with forged paperwork by AOG Technics.

The problem predominantly affects CF56 engines built by CFM, with a smaller pool of parts for CF6 engines also suspected of having counterfeit paperwork. As of Monday, about 96 engines total are suspected to contain parts with forged documentation, CFM said.

Matthew Reeve, a lawyer for CFM and its co-owners General Electric and Safran, said in filings to London's High Court that the joint venture has so far identified two forged FAA forms for "hundreds" of CF6 parts.

The CF6 is used mainly to power cargo planes, including the vast majority of Boeing 767 freighters, as well as the KC-767 tanker operated by Italy and Japan.

If unapproved CF6 bushings are found, the FAA said aircraft owners and operators should remove and quarantine parts.

A GE spokesman said the company supports the FAA's action and is "fully engaged" with the FAA and other aviation regulators investigating claims that AOG Technics sold counterfeit parts.

We continue to work with our customers to assess the authenticity of documentation for parts that came from AOG Technics," the spokesman said.

AOG Technics did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its main number, which went to voicemail.

Lawyers representing AOG and its director Jose Zamora Yrala said on Wednesday the defendants were "cooperating fully" with an investigation by Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Valerie Insinna; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Marguerita Choy)
Claim:

A study published in 2023 found that smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarattes can shrink male testicles and cause sperm counts to plummet.

Rating:

Rating: Mixture

What's True:

A 2023 study that involved a relatively small sample size of rats found that smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarettes can change the physiology of rat testes.

What's Undetermined:

The findings potentially have implications for humans but, as of this publication, it is unknown how such experiments in rats translate to human health. The researchers concluded that more investigation is needed to determine to what extent e-cigarettes and cigarettes impact human fertility.

In September 2023, social media posts suggested that a study found that vaping could "shrink male testicles and cause sperm counts to plummet." One such example included a post that was shared to X on Sept. 5, 2023:

New study reveals vaping can shrink male testicles and cause sperm counts to plummet. pic.twitter.com/xxqbK8EGyN  Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) September 5, 2023

Similar claims were also reported on other social media platforms including Instagram and Reddit, as well as in major media publications, such as coverage reported by Forbes, The New York Post, The Daily Mail, among others.

The study that has been cited in the above publications is authentic: It was published in the July-September 2023 edition of the Spanish peer-reviewed journal Revista Internacional de Andrologia and was titled, "The effect of smoking and electronic cigarettes on rat testicles." Though it found that smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarettes can change the physiology of testes, as its title implied, the research was conducted on rats  not actual humans  and it's too soon for the results to be extrapolated to humans.

So, while it is true that the findings may have implications for humans, as of this publication, it is unknown how such experiments in rats translate to human health. The researchers concluded that more investigation is needed to determine to what extent e-cigarettes and cigarettes actually impact human fertility.

That being said, other studies have found that vaping and e-cigarettes may have health impacts on male fertility. For example, a 2020 study found that e-cigarette use was associated with lower sperm counts. Similarly, cigarette smoking is associated with lower semen volume and total sperm count, especially in heavy smokers.

Let's take a deeper look at the findings of the 2023 study in question.

E-cigarettes are sometimes used by people who are trying to stop smoking cigarettes, yet the health impacts of their use are not fully understood. To determine the potential ways in which e-cigarettes may impact male fertility, researchers exposed 24 adult male rats  an admittedly small sample size  to e-cigarette aerosol and cigarette smoke.

After this exposure, the researchers tested levels of cotinine, the product formed after nicotine enters the body, in the rats' urine, as well as recorded changes observed in testicular weight, sperm count, and other characteristics that are indicative of testicle health.

Some rats in the cigarette and e-cigarette groups experienced a disorganization of their seminiferous tubules, which are tubes found in the testes where sperm is produced. Sertoli cells  one of the "most important cells for sperm production  were also shown to be altered. In extreme cases, the study authors noted rats had experienced atrophy, fibrosis, and necrosis.

Together, the results suggest that smoking traditional and e-cigarettes can increase oxidative stress, or cell death, which has been linked to tissue and DNA damage. Oxidative stress plays a natural role in the aging process but has also been linked to conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Morphological changes, or structural alterations in cells related to disease, may also result from the characteristics observed by the researchers, though they concluded that more investigation is necessary to understand not only what these results mean for male fertility, but also how they translate to human health in general.

Sources:

Adult Smoking CessationThe Use of E-Cigarettes. 3 May 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/2020-smoking-cessation/fact-sheets/adult-smoking-cessation-e-cigarettes-use/index.html.

Archive, View Author, and Get author RSS feed. Vaping Can Shrink Testicles, Cause Sperm Counts to Plummet: Study. 4 Sept. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/09/04/vaping-can-shrink-testicles-cause-sperm-counts-to-plummet-study/.

Buntajova, Diana. "Vaping Could Shrink Your Testicles and Reduce Sperm Count, New Study Warns." Express.Co.Uk, 7 Sept. 2023, https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1810293/vaping-shrink-testicles-reduce-sperm-count.

Cotinine Factsheet | National Biomonitoring Program | CDC. 2 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Cotinine_FactSheet.html.

Holmboe, Stine Agergaard, et al. "Use of E-Cigarettes Associated with Lower Sperm Counts in a Cross-Sectional Study of Young Men from the General Population." Human Reproduction (Oxford, England), vol. 35, no. 7, July 2020, pp. 1693701. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa089.

"Https://Twitter.Com/DailyLoud/Status/1699110496014606366." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/DailyLoud/status/1699110496014606366. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw0dRvCuvVY/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

Lee, Bruce Y. "Study: Vaping Can Shrink Testicles And Lower Sperm Counts In Rats." Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2023/09/06/study-vaping-can-shrink-testicles-and-lower-sperm-counts-in-rats/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

MatthewTScott. "New Study Reveals Vaping Can Shrink Male Testicles and Cause Sperm Counts to Plummet." R/Teenagers, 6 Sept. 2023, www.reddit.com/r/teenagers/comments/16bb12d/new_study_reveals_vaping_can_shrink_male/.

Pizzino, Gabriele, et al. "Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health." Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2017, 2017, p. 8416763. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8416763.

Saygn, Huseyin, et al. "The Effect of Smoking and Electronic Cigarettes on Rat Testicles." Revista Internacional de Andrologia, vol. 21, no. 3, July 2023, p. 100365. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.androl.2023.100365.

Senior, Cassidy Morrison. "Vaping 'Shrinks the Testicles and Causes Sperm Counts to Plummet.'" Mail Online, 3 Sept. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12467751/Vaping-lower-mens-sperm-counts-shrink-testicles-study-suggests.html.

Tang, Qiuqin, et al. "Semen Quality and Cigarette Smoking in a Cohort of Healthy Fertile Men." Environmental Epidemiology, vol. 3, no. 4, June 2019, p. e055. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1097/EE9.0000000000000055.

"Vaping Could Shrink Your Testicles and Reduce Sperm Count as per Study (Tips to Stop This Addiction Inside)." The Times of India. The Economic Times - The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/vaping-could-shrink-your-testicles-and-reduce-sperm-count-as-per-study-tips-to-stop-this-addiction-inside/photostory/103507583.cms?from=mdr. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.

Wong, Wah J., and Yusuf S. Khan. "Histology, Sertoli Cell." StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2023. PubMed, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560631/.
(Reuters) - China's long-term military modernisation efforts are bearing fruit, with a string of upgrades for its warships and warplanes under way amid intensifying tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Taiwan Strait.

NEW HELICOPTER ENGINE

China showcased a 1,100-kilowatt turboshaft helicopter engine at a helicopter expo in Tianjin last week. A Chinese military expert told Reuters the high-powered engine, shown for the first time, is key to China's development of medium- and heavyweight helicopters.

China still lags behind in the development of large helicopters, which can carry more weapons and cargo. They could also play a key role in transporting personnel and equipment in conflict scenarios.

BIGGER, MORE ADVANCED FRIGATES

China launched a bigger and more advanced version of its biggest frigate at the end August, according to state and Hong Kong media reports, which cited experts as saying the new Type 054B frigate could be equipped with an integrated electric propulsion (IEP) system, a more advanced radar with better detection capability, and a combined diesel and gas power system that makes it harder to detect.

The new frigate displaces about 6,000 metric tons - 2,000 tons heavier than the current 054A. It is also equipped with a 100mm main gun, replacing the 76mm main gun on the 054A, according to media reports. The new ship is about 147 metres long and 18 metres wide, while the 054A is 134.1 metres long and 15.2 metres wide.

The Type 054B will travel faster, go further, and is harder to detect, making it better at anti-submarine tasks. It could be used as an aircraft carrier escort.

Western analysts have noted that China has lagged behind in anti-submarine warfare, which are vital to protect long-range aircraft carrier operations.

A media report quoted a Chinese military expert as saying the new frigate can serve as a "mini destroyer".

The new frigate will go through sea trials after construction is completed. Two of the ships are being fitted out in shipyards in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

MORE POWERFUL ENGINE FOR STEALTH FIGHTER

China is conducting small-scale flight tests for its J-20 stealth fighter equipped with new WS-15 engines. In July, the aircraft flew with two of the domestically made WS-15s, media reported.

The new engine, replacing the older WS-10C, is meant to give the J-20 more thrust, higher speed, the ability to fly supersonically without using fuel-guzzling afterburners, and a longer range.

That could put U.S. bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam within range of the J-20, said another media report.

Larger-scale tests are expected to follow.

Chinese state media cited an expert as saying that more powerful engines are also most likely under development.

AIRCRAFT CARRIER PREPPING FOR SEA TRIALS

China is in the final stages of preparing its third but first domestically designed and made aircraft carrier - the Fujian - for sea trials, a key step before the warship goes into operational service.

Online images of the conventionally powered vessel under construction while docked at a shipyard in Shanghai show construction sheds above three tracks of the electromagnetic catapult aircraft launch system - the biggest feature of the carrier - have been removed recently.

This suggests the carrier will most likely join the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) within two years as scheduled, a media report said this month.

Fujian underwent propulsion tests and mooring trials this year; the next step would be sea trials.

Chinese carrier operations are closely watched by regional militaries, with some military attaches and analysts noting the PLAN still has some way to go in mastering the complex operations needed to protect the vessels far from shore.

POSSIBLE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP UPGRADE

Images online and media reports have noticed shifts in the manufacturing process of China's 075 type amphibious assault ship.

China has three such ships, considered critical for a possible Taiwan island attack. China claims the democratically governed island as its own; Taiwan rejects such claims.

The new process suggests the warship might be upgraded with integrated electric propulsion, the same as that of the Fujian, a media report cited an expert as saying, boosting its air assault capabilities.

(Reporting by Albee Zhang, Greg Torode, and Ryan Woo. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
SW China's Yunnan takes measures to preserve ancient tea forest culture

People's Daily Online) 10:02, September 21, 2023

Nestled in the forest, the villages of Huimin township in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, located on the southwestern border of Yunnan Province in southwest China, are surrounded by tea plantations. Here, people live harmoniously with nature.

A photo shows the entrance to the Ancient Tea Plantations of Jingmai Mountain. (Photo courtesy of the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Plantation Protection and Management Bureau)

Around 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, tea plants in southwest China weathered the harsh conditions of the Quaternary glacial period. Between the 10th and 14th centuries, as the Bulang and Dai ethnic groups migrated to Jingmai Mountain, they discovered forests rich with thriving tea plants. Recognizing the medicinal properties of these tea trees, they chose to settle in the area. They established villages within the forest and cultivated tea plantations on a limited scale.

Through exploration, the people developed a profound understanding of the production characteristics of Pu'er tea trees. Over time, they got better at mixing different plants and refined their planting techniques.

They established a layered growing system known as "understory planting" with canopy trees at the top, tea trees in the middle, and smaller plants at the bottom. [JB1] This setup optimizes the growing conditions for tea trees. This approach also harnesses the forest's natural ecological system, thwarting diseases and pests while supplying natural nutrients. Consequently, they produce high-quality organic tea leaves.

In this manner, the tradition of understory tea planting has endured for thousands of years.

On Sept. 17, 2023, the Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It became China's 57th World Heritage site.

UNESCO acknowledges the Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er for its conservation system that adeptly manages the ancient tea trees. This system, intertwining government management with grassroots autonomy, is anchored in traditional beliefs. It fosters the preservation of cultural and biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Chen Yaohua, director of Peking University's World Heritage Research Center, remarked that the vast ancient tea plantations stand as a tribute to human tea cultivation practices and offer a blueprint for the progression of mountainous forest agriculture.

The meticulously maintained understory tea planting approach embodies people's ecological values and their harnessing of nature's innate wisdom.

"The Jingmai Mountain ancient tea plantations further demonstrate that southwestern China is the birthplace of tea trees and the earliest location in the world where tea trees were discovered, utilized, and cultivated," Chen said.

The landscape consists of five ancient tea forest areas, nine traditional villages, and three protective forests. It is home to diverse ethnic communities, including the Dai, Bulang, Hani, Wa, and Han.

A woman rolls and twists tea leaves. (Photo courtesy of the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Plantation Protection and Management Bureau)

The local people of Jingmai Mountain cherish a "tea ancestor belief" rooted in their profound reverence for their ancestors and nature. This belief system strengthens their commitment to safeguarding ancient tea plantations and fosters a strong collective identity.

On important occasions, the local community expresses gratitude to the tea trees and seeks blessings from their ancestors for the well-being of the tea plantations and villages.

Jingmai Mountain, as a multi-ethnic settlement, preserves diverse ethnic languages, music, customs, and festivals, which further enhance the allure of the ancient tea plantations.

Chen explained that the local community has taken active measures to promote the protection and development of traditional tea cultivation, harvesting, and processing techniques, as well as intangible cultural heritage such as the tea culture centered on "harmony" and the unique tea ancestor worship.

This endeavor encompasses creating and disseminating books on ethnic culture, enthusiastic engagement in the nomination process for intangible cultural heritage status, and mentoring the next generation to uphold these cherished traditions.

Chen articulated that the enduring belief system, communal structures, tea heritage, and knowledge reservoirs have significantly influenced Jingmai Mountain's continual evolution. The area presents invaluable perspectives on the harmonious progression of human societies and the interplay of diverse cultures.

The application for World Heritage status for Jingmai Mountain has led to the implementation of a more comprehensive protection system. As a result, these plantations are steadily advancing toward a brighter future.

Guan Qiang, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), stated that under the NCHA's guidance, three special laws and seven regulations have been issued and implemented since the initiation of the World Heritage application process. This has culminated in a comprehensive and legally compliant protection and management system.

A photo displays the monitoring center of the Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er. (Photo courtesy of the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Plantation Protection and Management Bureau.)

Over 90 percent of the labor force in Jingmai Mountain depends on tea for their livelihoods. Moreover, an increasing number of young people are opting to remain in their native lands, preserving the tea plantations and trees passed down by their ancestors.

Xian Gong, an entrepreneur, decided to return to her hometown post-graduation to chase her entrepreneurial aspirations. Thirteen years ago, she began a venture that combined a cooperative, tea factory, B&B hotel, and a hands-on experience store.

Last year, Xian assumed a leadership position, rallying 50 women to join her cause. Presently, their cooperative prides itself on a remarkable membership of 229 individuals, managing an expansive tea plantation that stretches over 9,000 mu (600 hectares). The tea plantation possesses an annual production capability of 200 tonnes of raw tea.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
(Reuters) -U.S. government services would be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers would be told not to work if Congress fails to provide funding for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Workers deemed essential would remain on the job. Almost all workers would not be paid.

Here is a guide to what would stay open and what would shut down, according to agency shutdown plans:

MILITARY

The 2 million U.S. military personnel would remain at their posts, but roughly half of the Pentagon's 800,000 civilian employees would be furloughed -- ordered not to work.

Contracts awarded before the shutdown would continue, and the Pentagon could place new orders for supplies or services needed to protect national security. Other new contracts, including renewals or extensions, would not be awarded. Payments to defense contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, could be delayed.

The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration would continue maintaining nuclear weapons.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Agents at the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal law enforcement agencies would remain on the job, and prison staffers would continue to work.

The Secret Service and the Coast Guard would also continue operations, and most employees would continue to work.

Most of the Federal Trade Commission's consumer-protection workers would be furloughed, as would half of its antitrust employees.

SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND OTHER BENEFITS

The Social Security Administration would continue to issue retirement and disability benefits, though the agency might have to delay its announcement of its annual increase in payments.

Payments would likewise continue under the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs.

Military veterans' benefits would also continue, according to a 2021 contingency plan.

Nutrition benefits provided to 7 million mothers through the Women, Infants and Children program would be cut within days, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would go out as normal for October, but could be affected after that.

NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

National parks, monuments and other sites would be closed to the public, though it will be impossible to keep visitors out of many of them. Rangers would be furloughed and restrooms, help desks and other facilities would be shuttered.

Some states may use their own money to keep parks and other sites open, as happened in the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Wildfire fighting efforts would continue, according to the Agriculture Department's 2020 contingency plan, though timber sales on national forest lands would be curtailed and fewer recreation permits would be issued.

MUSEUMS

The Smithsonian museums that line the National Mall have enough money on hand to stay open for about a week after a shutdown, as would the National Zoo. After that, they would close to the public, though zoo staffers would continue to care for animals.

BORDERS AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Most Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents would continue to work, as would most customs officers.

Local governments would not get new aid to shelter migrants.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would suspend security reviews that help schools, local governments and other institutions defend against ransomware.

FEDERAL COURTS

Federal courts have enough money to stay open until at least Oct. 13. Activities might be scaled back after that point. The Supreme Court would stay open as well.

Criminal prosecutions, including the two federal cases against former President Donald Trump, would continue. Most civil litigation would be postponed. The government's landmark Google antitrust lawsuit would continue.

CONGRESS

Lawmakers would continue to collect paychecks, even as other federal workers do not. Staffers would not get paid, though those deemed essential would be required to work.

TRANSPORTATION

Airport security screeners and air-traffic control workers would be required to work, according to recent contingency plans, though absenteeism could be a problem. Some airports had to suspend operations during a shutdown in 2019 when traffic controllers called in sick.

Training for 1,000 new air-traffic controllers would stop, leaving the system understaffed. The Transportation Security Administration would not be able to hire new airport security screeners ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

Some major infrastructure projects could face delays because environmental reviews and permitting would be disrupted, according to the White House.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

U.S. embassies and consulates would remain open. Passport and visa processing would continue as long as there were sufficient fees to cover operations. Nonessential official travel, speeches and other events would be curtailed.

Some foreign aid programs could run out of money as well.

SCIENCE

Scientific research would be disrupted as agencies like the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would furlough most of their workers once they run out of funding.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) would continue to support the International Space Station and track satellites, but 17,000 of its 18,300 employees would be furloughed.

Weather forecasts and fisheries regulation would continue, as would patent and trademark reviews. Tests of new drugs and medical devices would continue.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would suspend consumer-protection activities, equipment reviews, and licensing of TV and radio stations. It would continue to distribute telecommunications subsidies and its broadband mapping effort.

HEALTH

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would continue to monitor disease outbreaks, though other public health activities could suffer as more than half of the agency's workers would be furloughed.

The National Institutes of Health would furlough most of its staff and delay new clinical trials for medical treatments.

Healthcare services for military veterans and Native Americans would continue.

Most inspections of hazardous waste sites and drinking water and chemical facilities would stop.

Food-safety inspections by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could be delayed.

FINANCIAL REGULATION

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would furlough roughly 90% of its 4,600 employees and suspend most activities, leaving only a skeleton staff to respond to emergencies.

Likewise, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) would furlough almost all of its employees and cease most oversight activity.

The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency would continue as normal because they are funded by industry fees rather than congressional appropriations.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), an industry-financed brokerage oversight body, would continue to operate.

The Treasury Department would continue to issue debt and manage the government's cash position.

ECONOMIC DATA

The publication of major U.S. economic data, including employment and inflation reports of critical importance to policymakers and investors, would be suspended.

TAX COLLECTION

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would stop examining and auditing tax returns and responding to taxpayer queries. Automated tax collection would continue, as would processing of green-energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Roughly two-thirds of the agency's 90,000 employees would be furloughed.

DISASTER RESPONSE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be at risk of running out of disaster-relief funds. The agency is already delaying payments to some long-term recovery projects in order to keep money on hand for more immediate relief during the hurricane and wildfire seasons.

EDUCATION

Pell Grants and student loans would continue to be paid, but could be disrupted as most Education Department employees would be furloughed, according to the agency's 2021 plan.

A protracted shutdown could "severely curtail" aid to schools, universities and other educational institutions, the department says. It also could delay funds that are due to be awarded later in the year.

WATERWAYS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would continue to operate locks, dams and flood control facilities. Most employees would not be furloughed.

CHILD CARE

According to the White House, 10,000 children from low-income families would lose access to the Head Start preschool program.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

The Small Business Administration would not be able to issue any new loans, though loans for businesses hurt by natural disasters would continue.

AGRICULTURE

Meat and egg inspections would continue, but some lab services would be disrupted, making it harder to fight animal diseases. Crop insurance would not be affected, but some loan programs would be. Research, conservation and rural development programs would be shut down.

LABOR

Workplace safety inspections would be limited, and investigations into unfair pay practices would be suspended, according to the White House.

The ability of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to mediate labor disputes would be curtailed because almost all of its 1,200 employees would be furloughed, according to a 2022 plan.

HOUSING

Monthly subsidies for public housing and low-income housing aid would be at risk. The Federal Housing Administration would continue to back insured mortgages, and Ginnie Mae would continue to back the secondary mortgage market. New homebuyers in rural areas would not be able to get loans from the Agriculture Department.

WHITE HOUSE

In the 2018-2019 shutdown, the White House furloughed 1,100 of 1,800 staff in the Executive Office of the President. Some offices, such as the National Security Council, continued at full strength, while others like the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) were scaled back sharply.

White House furloughs could make it harder for Republicans in the House of Representatives to get information for their impeachment investigation of Democratic President Joe Biden.

The U.S. Constitution specifies that the president continues to get paid.

MAIL DELIVERY

The U.S. Postal Service would be unaffected because it does not depend on Congress for funding.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan, Pete Schroeder, Howard Schneider, Moira Warburton, Nate Raymond, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Chris Prentice, David Lawder, Brad Brooks, Diane Bartz, Andrew Chung and Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis and Aurora Ellis)
It's well-known that vocal advocates on the abortion issue often are driven by religious beliefs  holding protests, running support programs for pregnant women, lobbying politicians to change the law.

And they are on both sides of the issue.

Major religious groups have markedly different teachings on abortion, and within those groups, followers may or may not agree with the teachings.

Last year, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and abortion became unavailable in Wisconsin, faith-based advocates marshaled resources and volunteers to take action.

A Jewish rabbi who has advocated for decades on abortion rights began looking into how to help women fund trips to get abortions out of state. A Lutheran pastor opposed to abortion who runs several pregnancy resource centers said it was the time for Christians to "step up to the plate" to support women and children in need.

Four local faith leaders at the time told the Journal Sentinel that they were committed to continuing their work undaunted.

Now, following the news that Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin would begin offering abortions again this week, we reached out to them again about what the last year was like and whether Planned Parenthood's move changes the work they do.

While their core beliefs on abortion and approaches to the issue differ, all expressed concern for disadvantaged women and children for whom an unexpected pregnancy could pose challenges. Some spoke about better access to contraception and paid family leave, while others advocated for reducing the costs of birth and removing the sales tax on baby supplies.

From 2022: Faith-based advocates on both sides of abortion issue react to Supreme Court decision, vow to continue work

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis: Plans to discuss next steps to move forward

Margulis is the chair of the Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. She organizes faith leaders to advocate for wider abortion access. Her Jewish faith teaches that life begins at birth.

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis speaks during a roundtable discussion in Madison.

"We are very pleased to know that people in Wisconsin are now again going to be able to access this much-needed health care," Margulis said.

The last year has been "very scary," she said, as people seeking abortions in Wisconsin have traveled to neighboring states where the procedure was available.

Initial hopes of helping women fund out-of-state trips for abortions never came to fruition, Margulis said.

But the coalition did partner with a Wisconsin-based group called POWERS, or Pregnancy Options Wisconsin: Education, Resources, & Support, Inc., to add a pastoral support hotline to its phone line. Now, when a woman seeking information about her pregnancy calls POWERS, she has the option of speaking to an on-call clergy member trained by the coalition.

More than a dozen faith leaders with the coalition have provided counseling through the hotline. The group also has been working to keep its members informed about the latest on abortion issues in Wisconsin and around the country, also sharing opportunities for advocacy.

Planned Parenthood's resumption of abortion services only returns to laws in place at the time of last year's Supreme Court decision. Abortion is banned 20 weeks after "probable fertilization."

"Were not going to nirvana, were going back to where we were," Margulis said. "And where we were wasn't great."

The coalition isn't resting, Margulis said. She hopes members will meet soon with Planned Parenthood staff to discuss next steps.

The coalition also will continue its advocacy on issues such as access to contraception, family planning, paid family leave, child care and more.

"You need to have all those things in place, not just access to abortion care," Margulis said.

The Rev. Cindy Crane: Sees a move in the right direction

Crane is the director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin. The office is the advocacy arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA, in the state.

The church holds that abortion and contraception must be legally accessible. It also stresses the importance of life at all stages, and mitigating the factors that make it difficult to raise children, Crane said. The church also says that anyone considering having abortion should "take great care" to spiritually discern whether it is the right choice.

"It's a very broad statement that could encompass a lot of different belief systems," she said.

Planned Parenthood's decision to resume abortions is a move in the right direction, Crane said, adding, "It fits the spirit of the law in Wisconsin and fits the attitudes of what is probably the majority of the people."

The Wisconsin policy office doesn't typically advocate on abortion, instead choosing a handful of other social issues to focus its efforts on. But over the last year, Crane has noticed a "groundswell" of local ELCA pastors who feel passionately about making abortion more accessible.

It aligns with the church's goal of caring for disadvantaged populations, Crane said.

It's "really moving us in a direction of caring more for people in poverty and people of color who are disproportionately impacted," she said.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed abortions Monday at its clinic at 435 S. Water St. in Milwaukee.

The Rev. Robert Fleischmann: Wants to make abortion a woman's last option

Fleischmann is the national director of Christian Life Resources, an agency affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, or WELS.

The church, headquartered in Waukesha, is opposed to abortion. Fleischmann sees Planned Parenthood's decision to resume abortions as the latest development in a decades-long legal fight over the issue.

"It's not a surprise, but it is disappointing," Fleischmann said.

Christian Life Resources operates pregnancy resource centers around the country, including four in Wisconsin, as well as a home for single mothers and their children in Milwaukee.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, one of the agency's resource centers in Michigan was vandalized, and a center in Arizona received threats, Fleischmann said.

The agency has focused on helping women over the last year instead of activism, he said. Staff provides clothes, diapers and baby food to those in need, and talks to them about faith.

"We could sit in the bleachers and we can condemn the Dane County judge and we can condemn Planned Parenthood, condemn the governor," Fleischmann said. "But quite honestly that's low-hanging fruit. We would much rather be a force of good."

The agency is also creating materials to equip WELS congregations to better help single mothers with children and poor families. The goal is to start programs in churches to provide support and resources to pregnant women in need.

"When you look at all the choices you have when you face an unplanned pregnancy, we want to make abortion the last option on your list," Fleischmann said.

Deacon Jim Matthias: Won't despair because of trust in God

Matthias is the director of the Respect Life Ministry at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He works with local parishes to support pregnancy centers and maternity homes and organizes prayer and educational events as well as a program from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that provides resources to pregnant women called "Walking with Moms in Need." The Catholic Church opposes abortion.

An archdiocese spokeswoman declined an interview on behalf of Matthias but emailed responses to a reporter's questions.

On his reaction to the news that Planned Parenthood is resuming abortions, Matthias said via email: It was very disheartening considering the millions of innocent lives that have already been lost to abortion, and now many more will be."

The ministry's support for mothers and babies "has increased over the past year and some parishes have also started local ministries providing baby supplies and help for new moms," he said.

Matthias said Catholic faithful will continue to pray for an end to abortion, including outside Planned Parenthood locations.

"We knew the battle would come to the state level, but we wont despair because we have hope and trust in God," he said.

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the policy voice of the state's bishops, said in a statement that Planned Parenthood's decision was "a real step backward for human rights," and that "taking a human life is not health care."

The conference said it would continue to advocate for expanding postpartum care, reducing the cost of birth, removing the sales tax on feminine hygiene products and baby supplies, funding pregnancy centers and more.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin religious leaders respond to Planned Parenthood abortions
Fulton county prosecutors argued at a court hearing on Wednesday that three fake Trump electors seeking to transfer their criminal cases for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia should have their requests denied as they were not federal officials and thus ineligible.

The prosecutors cited past comments made by supreme court justices to contend that merely performing a role in a federal election did not make them federal officials and, in any case, they were not even the duly elected electors for the state because Donald Trump lost.

Related: Why is Georgia prosecuting leftwing activists with the same law as Trump? | Akin Olla

These private parties did not transform into public officials by committing a crime, lead prosecutor Anna Cross said at the evidentiary hearing in federal district court in Atlanta. They were not federal officials. They were not electors at all.

The decision on whether the three Trump electors  David Shafer, Shawn Still and Catherine Latham  can remove their racketeering charges to federal court will be made by the presiding US district judge, Steve Jones, who declined to issue a ruling from the bench.

Jones now has four removal decisions in the Fulton county prosecution pending: the request filed by Jeffrey Clark, the former Trump justice department official, as well as the motions filed by the three fake electors that were collapsed for logistical reasons into one hearing.

The judge previously rejected the removal request from Mark Meadows , the former Trump White House chief of staff. Last week, Meadows appealed the decision to the US court of appeals for the 11th circuit.

How the current cases play out are important for the other co-defendants in the sprawling racketeering and conspiracy indictment, most notably Trump, who has been weighing whether to file a request of his own and whose lawyer Steve Sadow was at Wednesdays hearing.

To move a state criminal case to federal court, a defendant has to show they were a federal official, that they were acting within the scope of their official duties as a federal official and they had a legitimate defense to the conduct under federal law.

At the evidentiary hearing, the defense lawyers for the three Trump electors made two primary arguments that their clients could be construed as federal officials and therefore eligible to be tried in federal court.

The Trump electors satisfied the first two prongs of the removal test, their lawyers argued, because the signing and sending of the fake certificates declaring Trump the winner of the 2020 election in Georgia were acts described by the Electoral Count Act.

If the Trump electors were federal officials, as their lawyers believed, they could satisfy the third prong by arguing they were immune because they would be protected by the supremacy clause that bars individual states from prosecuting US government officials.

That argument from the Trump electors was complicated: it contended that so long as a lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results in Georgia had not been resolved by the so-called safe harbor date, it was up to Congress to decide which slate to accept at the congressional certification.

When the state misses the safe harbor date, the power goes back Congress, said Holly Pierson, one of the lawyers for Shafer.

Whether Jones accepts that reasoning is uncertain. Legal experts noted that the argument suggested Congress had an ability to unilaterally decide which slates to accept in the event someone filed a lawsuit and it was not adjudicated before the safe harbor deadline.

The prosecutors also argued that the Trump electors were nothing other than private individuals trying to overturn the 2020 election result since, under Georgia state law, official electors are those nominated by the party that wins the popular vote  which was never in doubt.

Furthermore, to successfully change trial venue from state to federal court, the burden rests on the defendants to show they were federal officials. The three Trump electors did not meet their burden because they did not appear in person for examination, the prosecutors argued.
The family of a man who died driving over a collapsed bridge is suing Google for negligence.

Philip Paxson, 47, drowned after his car plunged off the ruined bridge last year.

His family's lawyers said Google Maps directed him to drive along the doomed route.

The family of a North Carolina man who died trying to cross a collapsed bridge is suing Google for negligence, saying it's responsible for directing him along the route, their lawyers announced Wednesday.

John Paxson, 47, was driving home on September 30, 2022, when his pickup truck went off the edge of a washed-out bridge on the outskirts of Hickory, a city northeast of Charlotte, local outlet WSOC-TV reported last year.

According to the outlet, he was returning alone from a party for his nine-year-old daughter. He had only recently moved to the area, his lawyer, Bob Zimmerman, wrote in a statement.

"Unfamiliar with local roads, he relied on Google Maps, expecting it would safely direct him home to his wife and daughters," he wrote.

"Tragically, as he drove cautiously in the darkness and rain, he unsuspectingly followed Google's outdated directions to what his family later learned for nearly a decade was called the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' crashing into Snow Creek, where he drowned."

The lawsuit also names several private property companies it said were responsible for maintaining the bridge, according to the lawyers.

"Nobody wanted to take responsibility. I don't understand how over nine years this could be like this," his wife, Alicia Paxson, told WSOC-TV soon after his death.

Jon Hopson, Paxson's friend, told local outlet the Hickory Daily Record that there were no nearby signs indicating that the bridge had collapsed. Barriers that normally blocked the route had been removed due to vandalism, the Charlotte Observer reported.

In the years running up to the accident, several people had contacted Google about the bridge, asking the company to update Maps, the Associated Press reported, citing the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said the company acknowledged receipt of at least one of the notifications, saying it was looking into it, but no further action was taken, according to the AP.

"Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions, and the bridge, could have acted with so little regard for human life," Alicia said in the statement released by her lawyers.

In a statement sent to Insider, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said: "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."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A charter bus carrying high school marching band members on their way to summer camp crashed off Interstate 84 northwest of New York City, killing two adults and injuring multiple students, police said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at least five people remain in critical condition. Speaking at a Thursday evening news conference, officials said there were 44 people onboard the bus when a front tire failed. The bus careened off the highway, down a 50-foot embankment and came to rest on its side in bushes and trees, the governor said.

"There's a lot of families who need some love tonight," Hochul said. "Today was a day of terror for 44 passengers on a private coach line."

Orange County marching band bus accident kills two

The crash occurred around 1:12 p.m. near the town of Wawayanda, about 45 miles northwest of New York City. A federal NTSB team has been dispatched to assist with the investigation. Hochul said the tire is preliminarily believed to be a contributing factor but the investigation is ongoing.

She asked New Yorkers and the country as a whole to imagine the fear and panic the students faced, and how bravely the survivors acted as they were assisted out of the bus via ladders.

Authorities identified the two adults who died in the crash as retired teacher Beatrice Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale and the high school's band director, 43-year-old Gina Pellettiere of Massapequa.

Gina was the highly regarded and adored wind ensemble and marching band director at Farmingdale HS, and an active member of the music education community across our county, region and state, said the Nassau Music Educators Association, for which Pellettiere served on the executive board. Her warm smile, infectious laugh, incredible story telling ability, passion for life and talent at her craft will be greatly missed by all who knew her personally and professionally.

Anthony Eugenio, a 15-year-old Farmingdale student, said he was asleep on the bus when he felt a thud and awoke to what he thought was a dream or nightmare. The bus felt as if it was tipping, and then he felt himself tumbling as he tried to pull his sweatshirt hood from over his eyes.

Then everyone was yelling, he said. The kid next to me was covered in blood. I saw blood everywhere.

Dazed, Eugenio crawled out of the overturned bus through a window with scrapes and bruises. Once outside, he found his backpack, which had been thrown in the wreck, and his missing shoe.

Eugenio said he thought as the bus turned over: This cant be real.

One person died and many were injured when a charter bus carrying students crashed on Interstate 84 in the town of Wawayanda, about 45 miles northwest of New York City, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

Middletown, New York site of band camp crash family reunification center

The bus was one of six in a caravan carrying students from Farmingdale High School on Long Island to a band camp in Greeley, in northeastern Pennsylvania. The five other buses took their passengers to a nearby family reunification center, where the students were given a chance to meet with grief counselors before being driven back home.

The students are known as "Farmingdale Dalers."

Students will have the opportunity to stretch and meet with grief counselors, according to a message from the district. Once cleared, they will be returning to Farmingdale High School.

One person died and many were injured when a charter bus carrying students crashed on Interstate 84 in the town of Wawayanda, about 45 miles northwest of New York City, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

According to the marching band's schedule, the students were to have spent a long weekend at Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, Penn., accompanied by parents and other chaperones riding the buses with them. The annual camp visit is part of the band's practices for performances at football games.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," state patrol Lt. Colonel Richard Mazzone said. He declined to answer questions from reporters, citing the ongoing investigation.

According to the bus operator, Regency Buses of Long Island, each bus seats 56 passengers. Video from the scene appeared to show at least two other buses stopped on the interstate close to the crash site.

Regency did not respond to a message from USA TODAY seeking comment.

Where is Farmingdale, New York?

Farmingdale is a one-square-mile village on New York's Long Island within the town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County. The Farmingdale High School has about 1,700 students and in 2021 and 2022 was ranked as one of the nation's best high schools by U.S. News & World Report. Census data shows the village has a population of about 8,500 people.

One person died and many were injured when a charter bus carrying students crashed on Interstate 84 in the town of Wawayanda, about 45 miles northwest of New York City, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

How many bus crashes are there each year?

There are on average over 100 fatalities every year in the United States caused by accidents involving school buses, or other types of buses transporting school children, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

Between 2007 and 2016, there were 1,282 killed, about 70% of which were in other vehicles involved in accidents. Just 9% of the fatalities were occupants on a school transportation vehicle.

Contributing: Sarah Eames of the Press & Sun-Bulletin, part of the USA TODAY Network, and the Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Two dead, several injured after bus carrying band crashes in New York
A 96-year-old judge in Washington is fighting to prove she's mentally fit to carry out her job after she was barred from hearing cases for a year pending a cognitive assessment.

Judge Pauline Newman was appointed to the Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by Ronald Reagan almost 40 years ago.

The judge maintains that she is both physically and mentally fit to carry out her work and has accused her colleagues of trying to force her out, using her age as a cudgel, according to The Associated Press.

Federal judges chosen by presidents and confirmed by the US Senate are appointed for life, and there is no mandatory retirement age.

A council of her colleagues said that her suspension was needed, citing Ms Newman's reluctance to cooperate with an investigation into her mental acuity. They said there were "reasonable concerns" that she had been suffering "from a disability preventing her from effectively discharging the duties of her office."

Judge Pauline Newman, who is on the U.S. Court Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, poses in her office in Washington, on May 3, 2023 (AP)

The council cited interviews with court staff, who reportedly said Ms Newman showed signs of "significant mental deterioration including memory loss, confusion, lack of comprehension, paranoia, anger, hostility, and severe agitation."

They also said Ms Newman had a "troubling" backlog of cases and was not keeping up with her colleagues in administering opinions.

Judge Newman has been having trouble recalling events, conversations and information just days old and having trouble comprehending basic information that court staff communicate to her, the council wrote in its report.

If Ms Newman continues to reject the mental health assessment, the council will renew the ban after the year finishes.

The judge's attorney, Greg Dolin, said the sanction was "flatly illegal" and that he was seeking review from other committees that oversee judicial conduct.

The judicial council has been willing to grab on to as fact any allegation to support what appears to be a predetermined conclusion, he said.

Ms Newman sued her fellow judges in May over their insistence that she be investigated. The lawsuit came after the court's chief judge, Kimberly Moore, demanded that she resign.

Her attorneys are arguing that her suspension ignored evidence supporting her ability, including a statement from a neurologist who assessed the judge. The neurologist determined that Ms Newman's "cognitive function is sufficient to continue her participation in her courts proceedings."

"Chief Judge Moore and the committee she appointed have been interested in one thing and one thing only  keeping Judge Newman off the bench via the exercise of raw power unconstrained by statutory requirements, constitutional limits, any notions of due process, conflict of interest rules or even basic fairness," her attorneys said.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) choked up while talking about struggles that people with disabilities face during a Thursday hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Fetterman held up his phone to let the room see the transcription app that helps him follow conversations and interact with staff after a stroke last year damaged his ability to fully process language.

Because I live in a political environment, I was ridiculed and made fun of, Fetterman said, choking up as he spoke to the witnesses who testified at the hearing.

Im so sorry that Im sure many of you had to go through this kind of thing, Fetterman added. I was lucky enough to go through my life, the vast majority of that, without this kind of disability that I have.

Fetterman experienced a stroke in May 2022, which left him with an auditory processing disorder. At the hearing, titled Unlocking the Virtual Front Door: Ensuring Accessible Government Technology for People with Disabilities, Older Adults, and Veterans, he highlighted the scrutiny he has received for his new disability.

I admire everyone that has to kind of live with these kind of struggles, and prevail over them, Fetterman said.

Fetterman then asked how he and Senate colleagues can become more empathetic, more responsive and more effective senators, to provide the kind of support and services people in disabled communities in the U.S. deserve.

I think it just takes political will and the will to become accessible, Chris Westbrook, an accessibility engineer from Pennsylvania and one of the witnesses said. It takes making it a priority. And just deciding it is going to be a priority.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has a deal for Republicans complaining about his attire: You avoid a government shutdown, and Ill dress up.

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 Wednesday statement.

The senator, who famously prefers to wear shorts and a hoodie in lieu of a suit, has gotten a lot of attention this week after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) quietly changed the Senate chambers informal dress code that required business attire from members on the floor.

Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit, Schumer said in a statement shared with The Hill over the weekend.

The rule change has been widely connected with Fetterman, who had taken to voting from the back of the chamber so he wouldnt violate floor attire rules. Republicans have widely condemned the dress code change, along with some Democrats.

Forty-six senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), penned a letter to Schumer this week in opposition to the change.

The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs, they wrote. Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent.

Democrats, including Schumers No. 2, Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), and Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), have also expressed their displeasure with the change.

The brouhaha hasnt bothered Fetterman.

America  its about freedom and choice, Fetterman told The Hill. Its like [a] Burger King You Rule kind of a thing.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Hill he spoke with Fetterman directly and told him he disagreed with the change.

The West Virginia centrist began circulating a proposal this week to reestablish the Senates formal dress code.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Let's just get this out of the way, since it will be tweeted at me a million times: Wilhoit's Law comes from a 2018 comment posted on the Crooked Timber blog. With devastating  and viral  precision, Frank Wilhoit wrote, "Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect."

The searing truth of Wilhoit's Law has been on full display this week in the disparate reaction Republican reactions to two alleged breaches of propriety: Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn. wearing a hoodie to his office vs. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., getting to third base in the very public audience at "Beetlejuice: The Musical." Well, the latter is not "alleged" at all, as Boebert getting handsy with her date before getting kicked out of the play was caught on a widely spread security tape. But, measured by volume in weight and decibel level, Republicans clearly believe that Fetterman being comfy while doing the people's business is by far the greater offense against basic decency.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., loosened up the Senate's dress code, saying, "Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor." Republican levels of outrage quickly surpassed their anger at Donald Trump for unleashing a mob on the Capitol that broke the windows and smeared feces on the walls.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

"Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote in a letter signed by 45 other Republican senators. Scott also called efforts to investigate the January 6 insurrection "political theater" and voted to overturn the 2020 election. On Fox News, the same network that repeatedly minimized January 6 a minor kerfuffle, the new dress code was described as "an abomination." Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, unwittingly insulted herself by threatening to wear a bikini.

This is all aimed directly at Fetterman, who is hated by Republicans for winning the 2022 swing state election, and who has taken on almost demonic proportions in the GOP imagination. This is doubly comical in light of their corresponding lack of outrage over Boebert vaping, acting like an ass, and groping her date's crotch in an audience where children were present.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Tex. ranted at length on Twitter about "the lowest common denominator" and how "Senator John Fetterman is emblematic of the downfall of society."

The US Senate lowering its dress code standard to appease the lowest common denominator is emblematic of a far greater problem spreading through society.



Rules matter. Standards matter. Theyre what separate the civilized from the uncivilized and theyre what lay the foundation  Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) September 20, 2023

On the subject of his fellow Republican's enjoyment of public sex acts, however, Crenshaw was notably silent:

More from me soon, but I'll just say this right now: https://t.co/mvYQuO17xG pic.twitter.com/9X0mXQJXj5  Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) September 20, 2023

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., used Twitter to call Fetterman's hoodies "disgraceful." But even though she privately has no love for Boebert, she also has no interest in being seen disapproving publicly of Boebert's behavior.

"Double standard" doesn't adequately describe what's going on here, since Fetterman's sartorial choices harm no one, whereas disrupting a play with public sex acts is possibly criminal behavior. The word "hypocrisy" gets thrown around a lot by Republican critics. But that word fails to capture the situation, especially the lack of shame Republicans display when denouncing hoodies on Democrats while shrugging it off when members of their own party engage in public indecency, rape, and seditious conspiracy.

The hypocrite is someone who doesn't live by their own values. But, as Wilhoit's Law suggests, Republicans are living their own values when they back these ridiculous double standards. They really and truly believe rules are for other people, namely Democrats, and not for them.

Wilhoit's Law is funny, but digging deeper suggests there's an ideology and worldview that guides it that is far more disturbing than mere hypocrisy. It really comes down to a Republican belief that they are the only legitimate Americans and that Democrats are trespassers. The pretext may change  today it's Fetterman's hoodie while in the past it was "Clinton's emails" or "Obama's birth certificate"  but the underlying impulse remains the same. There are all different ways for Republicans to express the fundamental belief that Democrats are illegitimate.

Trump's Big Lie was the most blatant manifestation of this GOP viewpoint. He never needed actual evidence of "voter fraud," because to Trump and his followers, it was self-evident that any vote cast for a Democrat was inherently fraudulent. On January 6, Trump famously told the crowd, "If you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." That is the rhetoric of people who believe this country belongs to them alone, and who simply do not accept that people have a right to vote for anyone but a Republican.

This viewpoint is also seen in the recent enthusiasm Republicans display for impeaching public officials for the "high crime" of being Democrats. House Republicans can barely be bothered to erect a fake excuse for their upcoming impeachment of President Joe Biden, as it's obvious that his only transgression is being a Democrat. Same story with efforts to impeach the recently elected Judge Janet Protasiewicz in Wisconsin or Judge Anita Earls of North Carolina. No one has actually accused either woman of a crime, or even of wearing a hoodie to work. It's just that they are Democrats. We also see this in the ouster of elected officials from state houses in Tennessee and Montana. Feigned umbrage over "propriety" is a paper-thin cover for the real GOP motivation: a belief that no one Democrats vote for is legitimately elected.

The special loathing that Republicans have for Fetterman has nothing to do with his hoodies. It's because he won in Pennsylvania. Republicans have a special anger over states where racially diverse urban centers help push Democratic candidates over the finish line in close elections because they don't think those voters should have a voice in the first place. (This is also why you hear so much Republican vitriol over Chicago, because Illinois wouldn't be a blue state without it.) For people who quietly think the only "real" voters in Pennsylvania live outside the cities, Fetterman's continued presence in the Senate is a special irritation.

"Propriety" is an ambiguous and ever-shifting concept, which makes it perfect for Republicans looking for a pretext to deny the legitmacy of Democrats. They're desperate to say that Fetterman doesn't belong, and will grab onto any excuse, even something as dumb as an oversized hoodie. But, of course, the real reason Republicans don't want Fetterman around is because they don't think his voters had a right to choose him in the first place.

Fetterman has reacted to all the abuse with the casual wit that's made him such a beloved figure in Pennsylvania politics. "I figure if I take up vaping and grabbing the hog during a live musical, they'll make me a folk hero," he tweeted on Tuesday. In response to Greene, he quipped, "she runs on more and more ding-a-ling pics," a reference to how Greene tried to garner attention during a House hearing, by showing naked videos of Hunter Biden obtained off a shadily sourced laptop.

This flavor of Republican bullshit is funny, of course. But it's also deeply dangerous. Their belief that they're the only "real" Americans is what fueled the January 6 insurrection and is why most Republican voters are eager to vote for Trump again, despite his attempted coup. The hoodies vs. hand jobs debate only touches the surface of what is really a debate over who deserves to have a voice in American politics and who does not. As long as Republicans and their voters cling to their foul notions of what constitutes "legitimate" citizenship, they remain a dangerous threat to democracy.
The young Coral Springs teacher was leading a raucous school bus in cheers.

But the bus was not in South Florida. It was traveling through the Haitian hinterlands headed to the border with the Dominican Republic, and the people on the bus were cheering back as she yelled: We are on the way to the canal!

The busload was responding to Bertrhude Albert, 33, as she stood in the aisle wearing a red-and-white T-shirt that read Our Teachers Are Heroes in Haitian-Creole.

Albert, looking straight into a video camera, announced that $18,597 had been raised in 12 hours to build the canal in northeast Haiti.

Then, adopting the motto on Haitis coat of arms, LUnion fait la force  Unity makes strength Albert rallied her team in an outpouring of Haitian solidarity and pride before yelling, Lets go build that canal.

Arriving at the site in the city of Ouanaminthe near the border with the Dominican Republic, Albert, 33, tied a Haitian flag around her neck, and toured the canal, escorted by the two security teams standing guard over the mammoth structure, now at the center of an international crisis over access to water.

The unity is so inspiring, Albert said as Haitian flags blew through in the wind and crowds of workers, some of them standing on cinder blocks, used their bare hands to excavate a ditch.

The government of the Dominican Republic has shut down the 220-mile border with Haiti, complaining about the canal that Haitians are building on the Massacre River, saying that it is badly engineered and diverting water vital to both countries for agricultural irrigation.

As the two countries positions continue to harden, the conflict is reigniting centuries-old tensions between the two neighbors and firing up Haitians, including those living abroad, at a time of hyper-polarization among them.

In the past week thousands of Haitians, who share the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, have been making their way to the river to see what the fuss is about and to lend their support to the canals excavation. Some work while others provide supplies, and Haitian living abroad are raising and sending money to help people like Albert support the labor.

When I went there yesterday, they were building the canal without funding and on credit, she said. I actually went to the place and paid for the materials they got on credit because they said, We cant stop this momentum. 

Like most Haitians, Albert, who left Haiti when she was 8 and has a Ph.D in agricultural education from the University of Florida, has been following the conflict, which led to Dominican President Luis Abinader to shut down the entire air, land and sea border on Friday over the canals construction.

Albert runs a Fort Lauderdale-based non-profit, P4H Global, that she founded to train teachers across Haiti. Sitting in the organizations office in Cap-Haitien, she realized that she needed to go to the border and contribute what she could.

Even if it was just gonna be $300, I wanted to give my personal contribution and see it for myself, she said, because I know that any battle that is fighting for the advancement of Haiti belongs to me and it is part of my story.

After informing her staff of 50, they too wanted to join in.

They just erupted with singing and dancing and started waving the Haitian flag, she said.

The group arrived in Ouanaminthe about an hour after boarding two buses on Tuesday from Cap-Haitien and documenting the journey on her social media.

What she witnessed, Albert said, was more than the building of a canal. Its a movement.

Were Haitian and this is our battle, she told the Miami Herald on Wednesday, the day after her visit to the site. We know that if we can build a canal today, we can build our infrastructure tomorrow, we can build up our people tomorrow. We can build up our nation tomorrow.

Albert, who has a large following on TikTok and Instagram, said that as of Wednesday morning, donations for the canal construction had jumped to $53,313.

Dominican Republic security forces stand guard on a border bridge between Dajabon, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The president of the Dominican Republic announced Thursday that he would close all borders with neighboring Haiti starting Friday in response to the construction of a supposed canal on Haitian soil that targets waters from the Massacre River, which runs along the border shared by both countries.

The Massacre River, located about eight hours northeast of Port-au-Prince, has long been a source of conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share a contentious history and have divisions over race, migration and border conflicts.

The latest feud dates back to 2021, when then President Jovenel Moise started the construction. The dispute flared up last week when Abinader threatened to shut down the border if the construction didnt stop. The work, he said, wasnt authorized by the Haitian government and was being carried out by a group of former members of parliament and other government officials.

The Dominican president froze visas for Haitians, sanctioned those behind the construction and then made good on his threat by deploying the Dominican military to the land border to ensure Haitians could not cross.

During an appearance in New York this week, where he is attending the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting along with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Abinader continued to defend the border shutdown, describing it as an example of how Henrys caretaker government, which took over after Moises assassination in July 2021, has no control over its own territory.

We do not have, nor do we desire nor seek a confrontation with the Haitian people, but we are confronting the actors uncontrollable forces that maintain insecurity in Haiti due to their particular interests, and that now also conspire against the stability of their government and the security of water resources, Abinader said Wednesday during his general United Nations debate in which he brought up the canal and his forceful measures.

Referring to the water way as the Dajabon River, after the town on the Dominican side of the border, he said that with the exception of 1.2 miles that runs in the Haitian territory, 34 miles of the river runs through Dominican territory and flows into Manzanillo Bay in Montecristi.

That small stretch on the Haiti side is where they are building the canal, he said. The information we have indicates that it is a maneuver to control water by a small economic-political elite to profit from its sale to small producers in the area.

The construction not only stands in violation of a 1929 treaty between the two countries, governing the use of rivers along the border, but an analysis carried out by the Dominican government shows that the work puts at risk the access to water of hundreds of Dominican and Haitian farming families downstream from where the canal is built. Furthermore, the project puts at risk of flooding both the CODEVI industrial park, [984 feet] downstream of the canal, and its 19,000 Haitian workers, as well as a part of the inhabitants of the border cities of Dajabon and Juana Mendez, and as if not, it would have harmful ecological effects, affecting the Saladillo Lagoon, one of the main wetlands in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republics President Luis Abinader addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at U.N. headquarters.

Abinaders stance, along with the Haitian governments announcement that it will collaborate in the completion of the canal, has raised fears in the U.S. and U.N. circles that the dispute will exacerbate xenophobia against Haitians in the Dominican Republic and worsen Haitis ongoing internal crisis. The countrys escalation in gang violence and kidnappings has forced nearly 200,000 Haitians from their homes, mostly in Port-au-Prince, the capital, and left nearly half of its nearly 12 million population without enough to eat.

On Wednesday, United States Agency for International Development administrator Samantha Power met with Abinader, where among the issues discussed was the border closure with Haiti and potential steps to alleviate humanitarian impacts. She underscored USAIDs commitment to helping both nations address relevant concerns and urged a prompt resolution to address humanitarian needs and the economic interests of both countries, spokesperson Jessica Jennings said in a statement.

Haiti is the Dominican Republics third-largest trading partner after the United States and Switzerland. Haiti imports at least 25% of its food from the Dominican Republic including school lunches for students at schools along the border. Hospitals in Haiti also send patients to the Dominican Republic for specialized medical care for cancer and other serious illnesses due to the lack of doctors and the inability of Haitians to use gang-controlled roads to the capital.

Diplomats have been meeting with Abinader and Henry this week, trying to persuade the two to find a solution to the crisis. The U.N. and countries in the region have also asked for an exemption to the border closure for humanitarian assistance.

Among those who have been involved in the conversations: Former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, who serves as special presidential adviser to the Biden administration for the Americas, and Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez.

On Wednesday, it remained unclear if any progress has been made.

A mother and child walk next to a Dominican Republic security officer on a border bridge between Dajabon, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The president of the Dominican Republic announced Thursday that he would close all borders with neighboring Haiti starting Friday in response to the construction of a supposed canal on Haitian soil that targets waters from the Massacre River, which runs along the border shared by both countries.

While Albert has been gaining support for her assistance to the canal builders, a number of Haitians from Florida to Canada have mounted GoFundMe pages to raise money to help with the construction. At least two people in Florida, one in Tampa and the other in Poinciana, have started pages, with the latter saying he teamed up with one of the Haitian members that was sanctioned by the president of Dominican Republic.

Albert, who spoke with some of the people involved in the construction and plans to visit farmers in the area on Thursday, said she doesnt see the canal structure stopping.

One of the leaders of the canal construction said yesterday that this is an agricultural revolution, this isnt just a matter of building a canal. This is about our agriculture, and food is the life of a nation, Albert said.

As a teacher, Albert said she has always promoted peace and harmony with the Dominican Republic, which was once ruled by Haiti for 22 years in the early 19th century. And while she still believes in harmony, the canal is taking on greater symbolism and meaning for Haitians who are finding unity in the conflict.

We know the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti has been challenging and tense, to say the least, and looking at it, it is not a coincidence that this is happening at the Massacre River, she said.

While for Dominicans the river is the site of a bloody battle between Spanish and French colonizers, giving the river its name, for Haiti it is where Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo slaughtered thousands of Haitians over a five-day period in 1937.

The challenges that our people have faced over the years, the racism, the anti-Haitianism that has really plagued our people through the years, seeing that this is happening at the Massacre River, that element is there, Albert said. This is a fight for our survival.
It's not easy counting fireflies. Across North America, there are an estimated 170 fireflies species, which are technically beetles in the order Coleoptera, but inventorying them is a challenge. While there have been some efforts to conduct a firefly census from nonprofit organizations like the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and various academic research centers, still proving how rapidly the firefly population has declined in recent decades has been a challenge.

While fireflies, or lightning bugs as they are commonly known, are considered to be a staple in the Northeast, it's also the region where many firefly species are most vulnerable to going extinct. Currently, there are no firefly species that are officially protected under the Endangered Species Act, though, assuming they need saving, there is a tiny glimmer of hope that might change and threats to fireflies would be recognized.

Some firefly species like the Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis) have gained recent awareness through a proposed emergency petition to allow this firefly species to be covered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

In recent decades, the Bethany Beach fireflies, known for their rapid, successive green flashes, started disappearing alongside the threatened freshwater wetlands area of Delaware and Maryland. As conservationists realized fireflies were under threat, public awareness grew for these firefly species that live in the habitat as well.

"It's essential for all of us to work to conserve fireflies," said Dr. Casey Sclar, Ph.D., the H.O. Smith endowed director at the Arboretum at Pennsylvania State University and adjunct professor of entomology at Penn State University.

"We are all enamored with fireflies," Sclar said, "But we know so very little about them."

Signal from the noise

Of course, their flashing is their most familiar aspect, which can vary significantly between firefly species. But generally, fireflies blink and flash to attract mates. These kinds of fireflies are traditionally nocturnal maters. In the dusk or evening hours when you see a firefly flashing it's typically an airborne male in search of a female mate who can be found seated on a leaf or close to the ground where they hide or camouflage themselves.

Female fireflies will observe the males' flashing patterns until the two start a courtship dance. Females, who are capable of flying but don't typically fly as much compared with the male during the mating season, may respond by flashing back in a distinctive female flashing pattern.

It may be hard for the untrained eye to easily visually distinguish between the majority of male and female fireflies (although there are always species-specific exceptions.) Depending on the firefly species, some females may exhibit unique, distinctive flashing patterns. For other female fireflies, they may flash in a specific area of its abdomen that differs from males.

In a single night, both male and female fireflies may mate with many partners. Yes, you can think of every firefly display as a kind of beetle orgy. A female firefly has the ability to lay up to 500 eggs, but without more research, we're unsure how many eggs survive the journey from egg to larvae.

Within the genus of flashing or blinking fireflies (since there are also fireflies that do not flash during mating), there are clear species-specific variations to firefly blinking or flashing whether its differences in color, hue, timing of the flash or another difference. Fireflies pull off this light show using bioluminescence, a specially-evolved chemical reaction that occurs inside their "lanterns" (yes, that's the technical term) using a molecule called luciferase. They can also excrete toxins called lucibufagins, that makes them taste unappealing to other animals like toads and other firefly predators.

There has been limited research on bioluminescence and luciferase, which is sometimes extracted for medical science. While it is generally not possible or sustainable to have huge firefly lab populations (scientists would need access to thousands of lab fireflies in order to extract only a small amount of the chemical), at the same time there are still some specific lessons related to human health we can learn from fireflies.

Bioluminescence imaging, that mimics the fireflies glow, is frequently used in scientific research for mapping diseases, such as cancer or other health conditions. According to a 2022 study in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, this breakthrough could potentially increase use of a bioluminescent reaction, thus reducing the costs of light bioluminescence imaging in a research setting. The study's authors believe this research finding is significant because the next step would be to monitor human diseases that lead to altered oxygen metabolism, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more. Ultimately, more bioluminescence research is needed  and we could be driving the creatures that could help us with such medical breakthroughs to extinction.

CHINA-ANIMAL-FIREFLY

Yet, there are still many fundamental open questions about fireflies. Sclar notes scientists don't really know what happens during optimal breeding periods and firefly larval development. Female fireflies lay their eggs in the ground, favoring moist soil and areas near bodies of water. During this time period, larvae and juvenile fireflies alike rely on ground habitat where they can develop and grow undisturbed. While developing, these young fireflies are dedicated carnivores, consuming a range of small bugs and insects, plus the occasional snails, slugs and worms. They are known to scavenge carcasses as well.

Though fireflies can spend approximately 10 months growing and developing in the soil, "We don't really know when to reliably expect them each year." Sclar said."Clearly there are basic effects like land development and type of vegetation choice and the effect on their development [and] the amount of seasonal rainfall and the effect on their development [are among the range of factors]" he added.

In short, anything can go wrong even under the best conditions during the firefly reproductive cycle. But over the past three decades, Sclar said, when looking at the striking changes in land distribution maps, it's not just speculation that habitat loss has had an impact on the firefly population in states like Pennsylvania and elsewhere throughout the Northeast corridor.

"It's difficult to say we counted X number of firefly adults in the 1980s or 1950s, but when you look at the land use development patterns and it's just a timelapse series that you can watch how quickly things have changed," Sclar noted, referring to not only Pennsylvania, but other cities and states that have gone through similar transformations.

"It is stunning to see how that land use pattern has changed from being forest or an agricultural habitat to being edge habitat to housing," he said. "Now we have urban areas with concrete and the increase of the impervious surfaces. It is an easy correlation to look at the amount of growth and firefly population decline."

Clearly, fireflies have not only seen significant decline not only throughout Pennsylvania, but many Northeast states, and elsewhere in the country.

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The Texan firefly in danger of dying out

According to Firefly Conservation & Research, a Texas-based nonprofit organization, the Texan firefly season could extend from as early as April all the way through October, something that is unique to warm weather states. In contrast in the Northeast, firefly season typically extends from the summer months of June or July through August.

Knowing when and how to look for fireflies is essential, said Ben Pfeiffer, a recognized firefly researcher and Texas-certified master naturalist. "There are dozens of under-researched firefly species," he said, noting that he believes there is a significant undercount of Texan fireflies due to data deficiency.

One of the most vulnerable firefly species in the state is the sky island firefly (Photuris flavicollis). Like its other vulnerable firefly cousins throughout the state, the sky island firefly has been disappearing due to oil and gas development in the West Texas area, light pollution, drought and other factors. Scientists report that information about fireflies is oftentimes "data deficient" which is why so many local, state and nationwide data collection initiatives, including Firefly Atlas or Firefly Watch are invaluable to collectively report firefly sightings and develop other helpful data points.

Fireflies bred in the lab

In other geographical regions of the United States, already low firefly populations have disappeared even more dramatically. Out in Colorado  hardly a place known for a significant firefly population to begin with  Butterfly Pavilion recently announced they had successfully bred three Colorado firefly species in their lab through their Firefly Life Cycle Project that started in 2017.

According to Lorna McCallister, the target species manager at Butterfly Pavilion, while the actual number of lab-bred fireflies in this initiative may seem miniscule, it's a feat that is surprisingly uncommon in labs. The organization's goal is to grow its lab firefly population to a much higher number. Starting from scratch meant there was a lot of trial and error when it came to the firefly egg and larvae stages, she said.

Ultimately, McCallister noted that the nonprofit organization's goal is to bolster firefly wildlife populations by rearing vulnerable firefly larvae in a lab and getting them to adulthood. Releasing these fireflies could potentially create or restore new Colorado firefly populations out in the wild, she said.

The organization has several other firefly-specific initiatives, including educational community events and data collection events, McAllister said. While many native Coloradans might be surprised to know that there is a small but established wild native firefly population, the fact is dozens of Colorado fireflies (both glowing and non-glowing species) are present throughout the state, McAllister said.

The impact of light pollution

Light pollution from artificial lights is one major reason fireflies seem to be experiencing such a drastic population decline, as clearly flashing is essential to fireflight mating success and reproduction. Fireflies seem to gravitate to artificial white LED lights, but the overwhelming brightness can discourage males from flashing, leading to diminished mating opportunities.

Homeowners can make simple fixes in their backyards, farms and businesses. According to Sclar, it's best to avoid using standard broadscale white lights in one's backyard  consider red-lights or green lights instead. Non-white colors are thought to be less attractive to fireflies, not to mention other insects who are confused by the light.

Sclar says light pollution is definitely a factor when academics look to firefly population decline. "If there is anything that we can do or to stop doing, as it relates to having a negative impact on the firefly population, I am interested in knowing what those things are," he said.

Firefly tourism: Too much of a good thing?

Citizen firefly enthusiasts are a key component for knowing when fireflies are scarce or abundant, Sclar said. Luckily, many great community initiatives and data collection collectives exist, according to Sclar and others, that help improve public and academic knowledge of fireflies. Enthusiastic citizen firefly advocates have helped scientists and academics access information relating to changing firefly mating seasons and local firefly population estimates.

"Eco-tourism events dedicated to fireflies are great," Sclar said. "Particularly when community or citizen scientist events emphasize minimal interventions when it comes to firefly populations."

In fact, that's one of the principles, nonprofit organizations like Butterfly Pavilion are all about. The organization aims to educate and connect regular people to the fireflies in the community. Citizen firefly enthusiasts who are encouraged to fill out detailed data sheets to share with Butterfly Pavilion and other partner organizations.

While firefly tourism and citizen firefly advocacy is generally positive, it can sometimes come at the expense of the fireflies themselves. These insects tend to want to left alone and large scale night walking tours that emphasize handling fireflies or disturbing their breeding grounds, intentionally or not, may have a negative impact on their population.

Some experts disagree whether you should you catch fireflies and put them in a glass jar. Some organizations like Firefly Conservation & Research believe that with some well-established parameters, catching and releasing fireflies shouldn't be a big issue. Others disagree and say that adults and or adults and children should avoid any catch and release community activities when it comes to fireflies. Standard best practices are to observe fireflies from a distance and to be mindful of fireflies when walking in firefly-rich forest or wetlands areas  try not to disturb potential firefly breeding grounds whenever possible.
Are Floridas Hispanic voters moving more to the right?

In the 2020 election, Republicans were expecting a red wave across the United States. While that did not materialize nationally, Florida proved to be an outlier.

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Leading the red shift in the Sunshine State: Hispanic voters.

While conventional wisdom assumed that Hispanic voters were far more Democratic-leaning, recent trends in Florida have shown the voting bloc moving to the right. While this may be cause for celebration for Republicans and cause for dread for Democrats, experts say dont assume Hispanic voters are solely in one camp or the other.

Its very much an up-for-grabs vote moving forward. Its not been solidified by recent gains in any stretch, said Stephen Neely of the University of South Floridas School of Public Affairs.

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Neely attributes the recent shift in Hispanic voters to better messaging on the part of Republicans, but perhaps more importantly better engagement with specific issues in specific communities.

One of the things theyve done is theyve very kind of effectively targeted and tailored their messaging to the anxieties that are kind of happening back home, so to speak, particularly from for immigrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, where theyre using the language that kind of remind, you know, theyre kind of painting Democrats or framing the Democratic agenda in that language that reminds them of kind of the worst case scenarios back home, Neely said.

Read: New life expected in Dix Ellis Trail area as $29 million invested to convert motels into apartments

In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis carried two majority-Hispanic counties on his way to reelection: Miami-Dade and Osceola. For years Republicans have been dedicating resources to these areas, focusing on engagement, and reaching out to Hispanic voters.

Most notably, in 2018, then-governor Rick Scott made a concerted effort to court Puerto Ricans fleeing the island after Hurricane Maria. These efforts paid off with Scott narrowing his margins in the Osceola County region.

Read: Powerball: Jackpot grows to $725 million

Engagement is key. Name recognition, of course, is part of what he was building when he was doing that. So those are those are key factors. The reality is that Floridians are not Floridians as a whole. And I think the Hispanic community in Florida is not so dramatically more conservative than they are liberal. Its a moderate population of voters, Neely said. The truth is that Republicans are just winning the ground game right now, theyre winning it decisively. Theyre much more organized. They have much better engagement and outreach strategies.

Even still, Hispanic voters are largely unaffiliated and may begin to drift back toward the Democrats or continue to move into the Republican camp.

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With a tight labor market and more than 7,000 vacancies in state government, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet did something this week that the state government has never done in agreeing to offer paid maternity leave to expectant mothers.

Under the proposal approved Tuesday during a nine-minute meeting via telephone, eligible state employees can receive paid maternity leave for up to seven weeks and parental leave for two weeks. For mothers, that amounts to combined family leave of nine weeks. For fathers and partners of the expectant mother, that gives two weeks of paid leave.

It is a substantial change from previous state policy that required state employees seeking leave for the birth or adoption of a child to be treated as if they were sick. Under that plan, state workers were required to use sick and annual leave or unpaid leave following the birth of a child.

With the change, Florida joins North Carolina, South Dakota and Texas that adopted paid parental leave policies this year, said Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow for gender equity, paid leave and care policy, and strategy at the New America Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

15 state have some form of paid leave

About 15 other states have some type of paid leave for state employees, she said, but only 13 states and the District of Columbia have adopted statewide paid family and medical leave programs  and Florida is not among them.

Because Florida will offer more weeks of family leave thanneighboring states, the governor boasted that compared to other Southeastern states, this is the most robust paid leave policy for mothers following birth.

When I became Governor, I made it a priority to champion policies that support families and empower parents, DeSantis said in a news release. As a father of three, I know how instrumental those first weeks are for new parents and their children.

Research shows that a paid family leave policy in state government helps attract talent. It supports retention and so it makes sense for state governments that need to attract new workers, Shabo said.

But, she added, of the four states to adopt new family leave policies this year, each has also adopted stricter abortion policies.

Its a talking point, she said. In states that have adopted widespread restrictions on abortion for all workers, to be able to say that theyre doing something family friendly, they provide paid leave for state workers.

Who is eligible in Florida?

Eligible state employees include nearly 98,000 workers statewide in the career service, select exempt and senior management services, including the 67,000 state workers covered by a union contract. (There are another roughly 7,000 unfilled positions that are also covered by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees contract, according to union officials.)

Under the current system, workers can take unpaid leave for 12 weeks under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and six months under the states Family Supportive Work Program and be guaranteed the right to their position or a comparable position when they return to work, said Jeff Ivey, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Management Services.

The new policy will take effect when the agency completes its rulemaking process, he said.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Attorney General Ashley Moody also supported the change.

As a father of two, CFO Patronis knows how important it is to bond with a newborn child, Patronis spokesperson Devin Galleta said in a statement. He said Patronis hopes the measure will go a long way to ensure state employees can focus on family while serving our state.

Caitlyn Collins is an assistant professor of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, interviewed 135 middle-class employed mothers in Sweden, Germany, Italy and the United States to understand their work-family conflict for her book Making Motherhood Work: How Women Manage Careers and Caregiving.

She said that offering paid maternity leave is a huge win for working mothers who are state workers in Florida.

Its a great step in the right direction and brings moms there one step closer to the leave that most women in peer countries have enjoyed for decades, Collins said. That said, what about fathers? This new policy suggests that its only mothers who can and should care for children, and fathers deserve this leave time as well.

In a recent opinion piece in the Boston Globe, Shabo suggested that after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, there was widespread speculation that it would provoke government to address hypocritical inconsistencies between family-values rhetoric and the absence of laws, policies, and practices like universal paid parental leave, maternity care and new investments in child care.

But that discussion only happened in some states. For example, this year Minnesota passed legislation creating new guaranteed access to paid family and medical leave, and passed a new statewide paid sick and safe days law at the same time it passed new protections for abortion access. In Vermont, the Legislature passed an historic child-care funding override when the governor vetoed it.

But in 26 states that restrict or ban abortion access, Shabo said, none have state-guaranteed access to paid family and medical leave through a state paid leave program.

For states that really want to be family friendly, they would provide paid family and medical leave to all working people in the same way that 13 states and the District of Columbia have done, she said.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas
More books were pulled from shelves in Florida public schools compared to any other state during the past school year, a new report released Thursday by PEN America found.

The nonprofit, which advocates for freedom of expression, recorded 3,362 instances of bans in public school classrooms and libraries from July 2022 to June 2023 across the country. Out of these, about 1,400  or 40% of the national total  took place in Florida.

Florida is not an aberration, said Tasslyn Magnusson, a consultant with the Freedom to Read team at PEN America. Its the direction a number of other states appear to be headed as well, she said.

READ MORE: One Florida school district removed over 400 books. See books restricted in your district

Magnusson noted that Florida is the perfect example of everything thats happening all at once: theres group influence. Theres legislative influence. Theres people who are worried and scared and unsure of how to move forward in a way that supports kids.

About 1,400 book bans took place in Florida from July 2022 to June 2023, a new report from PEN America found. These accounted for 40% of national book bans.

Texas registered the second highest number of book bans with 625 books banned, followed by Missouri (333), Utah (281) and Pennsylvania (186).

The nonprofit defines a book ban as any action taken against a book based on its content, and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, that leads to a previously accessible book.

READ MORE: Classrooms have become political battlegrounds in Florida. Will it intensify this year?

Most book bans recorded this past year are currently classified as banned pending investigation, meaning the book has been removed during review.

Kasey Meehan, PEN Americas Freedom to Read program director and lead author of the report, said in a press release that exaggerated and misleading rhetoric continues to ignite fear over the types of books in schools.

Florida isnt an anomaly  its providing a playbook for other states to follow suit. Students have been using their voices for months in resisting coordinated efforts to suppress teaching and learning about certain stories, identities, and histories; its time we follow their lead, Meehan said.

Why are book bans on the rise?

Nationally, book bans shot up by 33% from 2,532 in the 2021-22 school year to 3,362 in the 2022-23 school year, the report titled Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor shows.

Instances of book bans have increased over the past two years. In the 2021-22 school year, there were 2,532 instances of book bans. In 2022-23, there were 3,362 instances, PEN reports in a study released Thursday.

And while the report points to vaguely worded state legislation and pushes by local and national advocacy groups as some of the reasons for the increased book bans, the 18-page report also highlights how laws and tactics used in Florida in recent years are being replicated elsewhere.

READ MORE: Book bans are growing in South Florida schools. Youve probably read some of these books

One example in Florida is the expanded Parental Rights in Education law, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year and dubbed by critics the Dont Say Gay bill as it prohibits discussions of sexuality and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.

In this years session, state lawmakers expanded the restrictions through the eighth grade. The expanded law, which DeSantis signed, also allows a parent or community member to object to instructional material or library books, and requires a school to remove the book or books within five days of a challenge and remain off library shelves until the review is completed.

The process is a guilty until proven innocent policy that leads to the removal of more books for more time, said Raegan Miller, director of development at the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a nonprofit that advocates for school libraries being accessible to all students.

Moreover, she said, books are expensive to purchase and public libraries are not accessible to all students  especially young students whose parents are unable to accompany them.

Book restrictions in Miami-Dade and Broward schools

Locally, Miami Dade Public Schools received six challenges in the 2022-23 school year, up from zero last year, as previously reported by the Miami Herald. The school district rejected two challenges, and after one parent complained about a series of titles, three were restricted only to the middle school students at that school, Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes. Among the works restricted: the poem The Hill We Climb, written and recited by Amanda Gorman during President Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021.

Cover of Amanda Gormans book containing the inaugural poem The Hill We Climb and a foreword by Oprah Winfrey. The Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes, a Miami-Dade public school, put the book on a restricted list during the 2022-23 school year after a parent complained about it.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade School Board gets an earful from the public about book restrictions

The Broward school district received 12 challenges in the 2022-23 school year, up from one last year. The challenges resulted in three books being banned for all students and nine books restricted to specific grade levels.

Desantis, who has championed the bills, has called the whole book ban thing a hoax.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called book banning in Florida a hoax. He is shown at a rally in Clay County in Florida in March, where he unveiled a civics program in the states public schools.

During his May 24 presidential campaign launch on Twitter Spaces, he said, theres not been a single book banned in the state of Florida. You can go buy or use whatever book you want.

What we have done is empowered parents with the ability to review the curriculum, to know what books are being used in school, and then to ensure that those books match state standards and are age and developmentally appropriate, he added.

Book banning causes chilling effect among educators

Most targeted books were written for younger audiences, the PEN America report says.

Almost half include themes or instances of violence and abuse, including sexual assault. About 40% cover topics on health and well-being for students, including mental health, bullying, substance abuse and puberty. About one-third of the books include LGBTQ+ characters or themes, and about one-third discuss race or include characters of color, according to the report

READ MORE: 5 most banned books this year are about LGBTQ people, characters of color, report says

Nationally, Tricks by Ellen Hopkins was the most banned book, with 33 bans total.

In the more than 150 school districts that banned a book during the 2022-23 school year, the vast majority  80%  have a chapter or local affiliate nearby of one of three groups that have been instrumental in book bans: Moms for Liberty, Citizens Defending Freedom, and Parents Rights in Education.

The report highlights the role of BookLooks, a website founded by a former Moms for Liberty member, which provides users with ratings of books alongside reviews that often include the most controversial passages.

Supporters say these groups give parents more of a voice in their childs education and ensure children are not exposed to age-inappropriate materials. Critics argue the site provides people with the tools to challenge a book without ever having read it.

The unfortunate result from this mounting, multifaceted pressure is that the very stories and voices that have been traditionally underrepresented on school shelves are continuing to be removed at ever-increasing rates, the report said.

Miller, of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, echoed the findings, arguing the vague language of these laws, including the Parental Rights in Education bill, means that they are often applied differently in different districts and as a result, books are often removed without going through the formal challenge process.

Im willing to bet that the PEN report doesnt really even scratch the surface of how many books have been removed, said Miller. Because theres no way for us to capture how many teachers just decided, You know what? Im not gonna sit here and scan in every book.

Still, for Magnusson, the consultant at PEN America, whats most striking is how tired educators are.

It takes great resilience for librarians and educators to continue to fight for titles in light of confusion so theyre going to choose easier titles that wont challenge kids and wont expose them to diversity, because its so hard.

Magnusson also emphasized the resilience of parents and students fighting for education and access to books.

Florida has a huge uphill climb. But there are communities across Florida who are striving to push back to ask for inclusive literature. They just arent heard as much.
Florida is leading the nation in book bans in schools according to a new report conducted by PEN America.

1,406 instances of books being removed from Florida school shelves were documented by PEN America over a one-year stretch.

This year, the Sunshine State surpassed Texas as the state with the most instances of banned books and accounted for 40 percent of all books banned nationwide.

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Florida has really active pressures at play right now that are squeezing school districts and pressuring school districts to remove classroom and school libraries, said Kasey Meehan, who authored the report.

The report found nearly half of books banned nationwide included themes of violence.

Sexual encounters, race and LGBTQ topics were among other common themes..

And what we see this year is that over 75 percent of all the books that have been banned are young adult books, said Meehan.

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Meehan noted one thing that makes Florida unique is the fact state law allows anyone to challenge as many books as they want for any reason.

Serial book challengers are having an outsized role, said Meehan.

In Florida, more than a third of all challenges have come from Clay Countys Bruce Friedman.

Theyve removed 192 separate titles from this communitys schools. 42 schools until recently. Theyre all porn, said Friedman in an interview with Action News Jax in August.

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In that interview, Friedman defended his use of book challenges, pointing to his success rate of roughly 50 percent.

Ive only been victorious, if you want to call it that, when Ive been able to prove that the book violates law. So, you dont like that, take that up with your legislature. Im just the guy shining the light on it, said Friedman.

Meehan does hope Floridians take up the issue with their legislators and encourage them to reverse course on what she sees as government censorship.

We hope that this report that this report continues to activate public will in opposing book bans can support and provide some additional data to the folks on the ground who are really organizing to resist and push back and uphold the freedom to read for students, said Meehan.

Texas, Missouri, Utah and Pennsylvania were also placed on the list for most banned books, but all four combined barely surpassed the number of bans documented in Florida.

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Two Black former workers of video-sharing platform TikTok have filed a federal class action complaint alleging they faced racial discrimination and ultimately were fired from the company when they took the matter to human resources.

Nnete Matima and Joel Carter claim in their Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint that they were treated worse than their white peers while at TikTok, which has more than 150 million users in the United States and is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese tech company.

When I told TikTok that my managers were discriminating against me, I was retaliated against in so many ways, my managers called me a Black Snake, and TikTok terminated me. It was an absolute nightmare, said Matima, who was a business development representative, in a statement shared with The Hill by their attorney, Peter Romer-Friedman.

Carter, who worked as a policy manager, shared a similar story.

TikTok says that its mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. But TikTok fosters fear and silence among its own workers. And TikToks leadership pursues growth at all costs, even if it means discriminating and retaliating against Black professionals like me, he said in a statement via Romer-Friedman.

Romer-Friedman, a principal and founder of Peter Romer-Friedman Law PLLC, said in the complaint that the duo initially went to TikToks human resources department and management through internal complaints before filing the federal claim.

Most employers tell their workers to report discrimination. But when workers find the courage to file an internal discrimination complaint they often suffer blatant retaliation and lose their jobs, he said in a statement. Every time an employer terminates a worker for filing a discrimination complaint, it sends a clear message to all workers at that company that there will be dire consequences if they stand up for their civil rights.

A spokesperson for TikTok told The Hill in a statement that the company values diversity.

We take employee concerns very seriously, and have strong policies in place that prohibit discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace, the spokesperson said. As an organization, we have a strong record of championing diversity and inclusion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones, who died on Monday, Sept. 18, will lie in state at the Kentucky State Capitol on Monday, Sept. 25, officials announced.

Jones will be honored from 10 a.m. - 7 pm. His family will receive visitors in the Capitol Rotunda from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., said Milwards Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.

His funeral will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the Forks of the Elkhorn Baptist Church, 840 Duckers Road, Midway, immediately followed by a private burial.

Jones, who served as governor from 1991 to 1995, was hailed as a reformer in ethics, healthcare and term limits. He was also a successful Thoroughbred breeder and racehorse owner at Airdrie Stud.

A statement from his wife, Libby Jones, and his son Bret and daughter Lucy, was released on Thursday.

It was his love of horses that brought Brereton Jones to Kentucky, but it was the people of the Commonwealth that made his life so incredibly fulfilling. His greatest pride never came in titles, but in those moments when he could use the gifts God gave him to help someone in need or inspire others to do the same. Our family has lost its hero, our leader, our beloved Pop, but our hearts are filled with immeasurable gratitude for both the precious time we shared and the incredible outpouring of love weve received in the wake of his passing. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Old Friends or Bluegrass Care Navigators.
HARTFORD, Conn.  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 couldnt 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 Durhams 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 Barrs 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 Assemblys Judiciary Committee by a vote of 30-4 on Wednesday. The full General Assembly is scheduled to vote next week.
A former Round Rock pastor was sentenced to 70 months in prison and 10 years probation for an enhanced charge of possession of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Texas.

David Lloyd Walther, 57, was a pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Round Rock when he was arrested in 2022. He was sentenced in a federal court in Austin on Wednesday, the release said. A judge also ordered him to pay $61,000 in restitution.

More: Former Round Rock pastor pleads guilty to federal child pornography charge

David Walther, a former pastor for the First Baptist Church of Round Rock, was sentenced to 70 months in prison on a child pornography charge.

When authorities searched his home and car in November 2022, they found two large computer hard drives containing more than 100,000 images and more than 5,000 videos of child sexual abuse material, the release said.

It said he searched for, distributed and possessed child pornography using BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer file sharing network.Many families in the Round Rock area placed their trust in this man when he served as a leader in faith for their community, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza said in the news release.

More: Round Rock Baptist pastor faces federal child pornography charges

I hope that those families can find comfort in knowing our law enforcement partners and justice system are committed to protecting them, ensuring that predators such as Walther cannot continue to pose a threat to innocent children.

Special FBI Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. said in the release that "this case was especially disturbing given the defendants position of trust in the community.

The FBI San Antonio Division's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the Round Rock Police Department, the Collin County sheriffs office, the Williamson County sheriff's office and the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, the release said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin prosecuted the case.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Former Round Rock pastor gets 70 months in prison on child porn charge
Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, my family and community emphasized the importance of getting an education. I am the proud product of Moore County Public Schools, a graduate of the UNC System, a former preschool and an elementary educator.

I had the opportunity to teach third and fourth grade in the public school system in the 2010s. However, the turmoil and new laws, including the elimination of masters pay for teachers, ballooning class sizes and increased work due to unfunded mandates, made the profession of teaching difficult. Sadly, I left the classroom in 2018, just short of five years, a decision I did not make lightly.

Brittany Gregory

I am now a few years from becoming a parent of a public school student and I am worried that the quality education I received will not be there for my child  or children across the state.

North Carolina has the second-highest rural student population in the nation. Unlike urban districts, which typically draw from a wealthier tax base to help fund schools and fill gaps in state funding, rural districts are much more dependent on the state. Schools serve as community hubs and are often the largest employer in rural counties.

When our public schools are suffering from years of neglect and inadequate policies  such as the Parents Bill of Rights, school voucher program expansion, and the state budget delay  this produces an environment of undue burdens, a culture of fear, and leaves our local school systems struggling to meet the needs of our children.

The crisis happening in our state impacts not only our children, but our neighbors and family members  across all socioeconomic and racial groups. When the state shrinks its support for public schools, that lack in funding is particularly devastating for rural families.

Many of us are struggling to make ends meet while constantly making difficult life choices. But even through hardship, families dedicated to public schools continue to reaffirm our commitment to the common good. We do not want our educators to leave; we want stability and equal funding and resources across rural and urban school districts.

An investment in North Carolinas public school system will help with job stability, job growth and other forms of stability that families need for healthy economic development. And there is an urgency to it  before more teachers like me leave.

We need a reckoning for misguided policy-making and the absence of compassion in public school funding and reform. Enough with book bans, limiting the scope of cultural curriculum, failing to address vacancies and manufacturing problems when there are a host of others. We should not sacrifice the quality and accessibility of public education for the promise of choice for some while neglecting the rest.

Our children deserve better from those in power. Investment in our public education is overdue. The current state budget draft invests hundreds of millions of dollars into school vouchers, while giving teachers a measly raise. Where is the dignity in making us beg and plead with our lawmakers to work for us and not against us?

The N.C. General Assembly must return to lawmaking with compassion at its core, giving sufficient grace, goodwill, resources and funding stability to our public schools so that we can thrive as a state. Our lawmakers must provide adequate resources so that teachers and parents do not have to bridge the resource gap and bear the emotional toll of a system in upheaval.

Our children deserve nothing less. They deserve the best without conditions.

Brittany Gregory is a former preschool and elementary educator from Moore County. She currently lives in Raleigh.
Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin said Wednesday that the Trump administration knew Rudy Giuliani was a liability, a comment that comes as Giuliani faces new allegations that he groped ex-Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson .

Farah Griffin, who served in the White House in 2020, said on CNNs The Lead that she absolutely believes Hutchinsons claims that she was groped by Giuliani while they were backstage at former President Trumps rally on Jan. 6, 2021. She said she is not surprised by Giuliani, who served as Trumps personal attorney, saying this accusation tracks with things the former New York City mayor has done before.

And I want to be careful in saying this, but it was a known fact within the Trump White House that Rudy Giuliani was a liability, she told CNNs Jake Tapper. There was often a worry that he would show up to the White House complex, perhaps inebriated, to the point where I was actually given a directive from the president to make sure that he wasnt trying to do stand-ups on television on the White House lawn because you just werent sure what he was going to do, what he was going to say.

She noted Hutchinson told her of the incident before but with less detail than she included in her book, titled Enough.

I absolutely believe her account, and it doesnt in any way shock me that this happened and no one in the Trump White House hierarchy did anything about it at the time, Farah Griffin said.

The whole thing is a mess. It shouldnt be really a surprise to anyone. But its still stunning in this day and age that a White House staffer would experience that on the Ellipse of the White House and you know, we wouldnt even know about it till she has to write about it in her book, she added later on.

Hutchinson accused Giuliani of moving his hand under my blazer, then my skirt, in an excerpt of her new book The Guardian reviewed and reported about Wednesday.

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, Hutchinson writes in the book. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to 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].

Giuliani, who is also facing a $10 million sexual assault lawsuit among a myriad of other legal troubles, has refuted the allegations, with a spokesman for him calling them 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, spokesman Ted Goodman said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Yoel Roth, who used to be in charge of "trust and safety" at a social media company that used to be called Twitter, is worried about "coercive influences on platform decision making." But his concern is curiously selective. Unobjectionably, he sees coercion when foreign governments threaten to arrest uncooperative platform employees. More controversially, he also sees coercion when Republicans criticize content moderation decisions. When Democrats in positions of power pressure social media platforms to suppress politically disfavored content, however, Roth sees no cause for concern.

Roth begins his confused and confusing New York Times essay on this subject by airing a personal grievance that the headline also highlights: "Trump Attacked Me. Then Musk Did. It Wasn't an Accident." When Roth worked at Twitter, now known as X, he "led the team that placed a fact-checking label on one of Donald Trump's tweets for the first time." After the January 6, 2021, riot by Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol, Roth "helped make the call to ban his account from Twitter altogether."

Because of Roth's involvement in that first decision, Trump "publicly attacked" him. After Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, prompting Roth to resign from his position, Musk "added fuel to the fire." As a result, Roth says, "I've lived with armed guards outside my home and have had to upend my family, go into hiding for months and repeatedly move."

It goes without saying that no one should have to worry about threats to his personal safety because he made controversial decisions as an employee of a social media company. And it is certainly true that Trump, both before and after the riot he inspired, has never shown any concern about the risk posed by his combustible combination of inflammatory rhetoric, personal attacks, and reality-defying claims. But Musk's role in all of this is more ambiguous, since the "fuel" he added to "the fire" consisted mainly of internal Twitter communications that he disclosed to several journalists, who presented them as evidence that federal officials had pressured the platform to suppress speech those officials viewed as dangerous. Although a federal judge and an appeals court saw merit in the claim that such meddling violates the First Amendment, Roth conspicuously ignores that concern even as he bemoans "coercive influences on platform decision making."

The real threat, as Roth sees it, is that platforms have abandoned their responsibility to police "misinformation" and "disinformation" in response to conservative criticism, intimidation, and political pressure. He presents his own experience as emblematic of that problem.

That experience began with Roth's decision to slap a warning label on a May 2020 tweet in which Trump claimed that mail-in ballots are an invitation to fraud and that their widespread use would result in a "Rigged Election." After senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway "publicly identified me as the head of Twitter's site integrity team" and the New York Post "put several of my tweets making fun of Mr. Trump and other Republicans on its cover," Roth notes, the president "tweeted that I was a 'hater.'" That triggered "a campaign of online harassment that lasted months, calling for me to be fired, jailed or killed."

That result, Roth avers, was "part of a well-planned strategy""a calculated effort to make Twitter reluctant to moderate Mr. Trump in the future and to dissuade other companies from taking similar steps." The strategy "worked," he says, as evidenced by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's reluctance to shut down Trump's account (as Roth recommended) based on mid-riot tweetsincluding one criticizing Vice President Mike Pence for refusing to interfere in the congressional ratification of Joe Biden's victorythat egged on the rioters rather than trying to calm them. Trump "was given a 12-hour timeout instead" before he was finally banned from Twitter two days after the riot. Roth complains that Twitter also was unjustifiably patient with "prominent right-leaning figures" such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (RGa.), who "was permitted to violate Twitter's rules at least five times before one of her accounts was banned in 2022."

Since Trump is a petty, impulsive man who has always been quick to lash out at anyone who irks him, the suggestion that he was executing "a well-planned strategy" probably gives him too much credit. And without minimizing his rhetorical recklessness, which was at the center of the case against him in his well-deserved second impeachment, it is fair to question the comparison that Roth draws between Trump's pique at him and cases in which government officials have explicitly used their coercive powers to impose their will on social media platforms.

"Similar tactics are being deployed around the world to influence platforms' trust and safety efforts," Roth writes. "In India, the police visited two of our offices in 2021 when we fact-checked posts from a politician from the ruling party, and the police showed up at an employee's home after the government asked us to block accounts involved in a series of protests." However unseemly and ill-advised, calling Roth a "hater" on Twitter is qualitatively different from deploying armed agents of the state to intimidate the company.

Roth offers another example of government intimidation that he sees as analogous to what Trump did to him: "In 2021, ahead of Russian legislative elections, officials of a state security service went to the home of a top Google executive in Moscow to demand the removal of an app that was used to protest Vladimir Putin. Officers threatened her with imprisonment if the company failed to comply within 24 hours. Both Apple and Google removed the app from their respective stores, restoring it after elections had concluded." Again, Trump's complaint about Twitter's warning label is not in the same category as threatening tech company employees with imprisonment.

Roth not only glides over the distinction between criticism and threats; he equates constitutionally protected speech with government bullying. "In the United States," he says, "we've seen these forms of coercion carried out not by judges and police officers, but by grass-roots organizations, mobs on social media, cable news talking heads andin Twitter's caseby the company's new owner."

Before we get into Roth's beef against Musk, it is worth emphasizing that "grass-roots organizations," "mobs on social media," and "cable news talking heads" are not engaging in the same "forms of coercion" as cops dispatched to enforce the government's will. In fact, they are not engaging in "coercion" at all; they are exercising their First Amendment rights. Their criticism may be misguided, unfair, or overheated, but it is undeniably covered by "the freedom of speech" unless it crosses the line into a legal exception such as defamation or "true threats."

As for Musk, Roth complains that he disclosed "a large assortment of company documents""many of them sent or received by me during my nearly eight years at Twitter"to "a handful of selected writers." Although the "Twitter Files" were "hyped by Mr. Musk as a groundbreaking form of transparency," Roth says, they did not reveal anything significant about how Twitter decided which kinds of speech were acceptable. He cites TechDirt founder Mike Masnick's judgment that "in the end 'there was absolutely nothing of interest' in the documents."

Although Roth assures us there is nothing to see here, fair-minded people might disagree. The Twitter Files showed, for example, that the platform eagerly collaborated with the Biden administration's efforts to suppress "misinformation" about COVID-19, which sometimes involved truthful statements that were deemed inconsistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit concluded that such automatic deference to the CDC, which also was apparent at other platforms, qualified as "significant encouragement" of censorship by a government agency, "in violation of the First Amendment."

The platforms "came to heavily rely on the CDC," the 5th Circuit noted. "They adopted rule changes meant to implement the CDC's guidance." In many cases, social media companies made moderation decisions "based entirely on the CDC's say-so." In one email, for example, a Facebook official said "there are several claims that we will be able to remove as soon as the CDC debunks them" but "until then, we are unable to remove them."

The 5th Circuit said the CDC's role in content moderation, although inappropriate, was "not plainly coercive," mainly because the agency had no direct authority over the platforms. But when it came to pressure exerted by the White House, the court saw evidence of "coercion" as well as "significant encouragement." According to the 5th Circuit, the administration's relentless demands that Facebook et al. do more to control "misinformation," which were coupled with implicit threats of punishment, crossed the line between permissible government speech and impermissible intrusion on private decisions.

Roth does not even mention that decision, even to criticize it. But if President Trump was abusing his bully pulpit when he called Roth a "hater," what was President Biden doing when he accused social media companies of "killing people" by allowing speech that discouraged vaccination against COVID-19?

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy lodged the same charge while threatening Facebook et al. with "legal and regulatory measures" if they failed to do what the administration wanted. Other administration officials publicly raised the prospect of antitrust action, new privacy regulations, and increased civil liability for user-posted content. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, White House officials were persistently pestering social media companies, demanding that they delete specific posts and banish specific users while alluding to Biden's continuing displeasure at insufficiently strict speech regulation.

Roth portrays Trump's whining, conservative criticism, and Musk's avowed "transparency" as part of a coordinated "campaign" to discourage platforms from suppressing "misinformation." In his view, these are all "coercive influences on platform decision making." But he evidently sees nothing troubling about the Biden administration's crusade against "misinformation," which the 5th Circuit thought plausibly amounted to "coercion" because it was backed by implied threats of government retaliation. That definition of coercion seems a lot more reasonable than Roth's.

Speaking of definitions, Roth seems confident that "misinformation" can be readily identified, although that category is vague and highly contested. Even if he trusts the Biden administration to decide which speech qualifies as "misinformation," he should be concerned about how a second Trump administrationor the foreign authoritarians he mentionsmight apply it.

Roth's double standard is also apparent when he decries the intimidating effect of congressional inquiries into the alleged anti-conservative bias of major social media platforms. He does not acknowledge that congressional pressure on tech companies is a bipartisan phenomenon, with Republicans arguing that platforms discriminate against right-wing speech and Democrats arguing that they should be doing more to suppress "misinformation" and "hate speech."

Members of both parties want to override the editorial judgment of social media platforms, which is supposed to be protected by the First Amendment. Their competing demands suggest the wisdom of a general rule against government interference with content moderation decisions, regardless of the ideological motivation behind it. But Roth is so focused on the people who have wronged him and the social media users who offend him that he cannot see the merits of that approach.

The post A Former Twitter Executive's Highly Selective Concern About 'Coercive Influences' on Social Media appeared first on Reason.com.
FILE - Three members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, from left, Sen. George Stanley McGovern, D-S.D., Sen. Dick Clark, D-Iowa, and Sen. Joseph Biden, Jr., D-Del., huddle in Washington on May 12, 1978, as the panel prepares to vote on the proposed sale of U.S. warplanes to countries in the Middle East. Former U.S. Sen. Dick Clark, a Democrat who served a single term representing Iowa in the 1970s and was known for his work in global affairs, particularly in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, died Wednesday, Sept. 20 2023, at his home in Washington, his daughter Julie Clark Mendoza said. He was 95. (AP Photo/File)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Former U.S. Sen. Dick Clark, a Democrat who unexpectedly won a single term representing Iowa in the 1970s after campaigning by walking around the state, and who later played a key role in aiding refugees after the Vietnam War, has died. He was 95.

Clark died Wednesday at his home in Washington, said his daughter, Julie Clark Mendoza.

Clark was elected to the Senate in 1972 after launching a longshot bid against two-term Republican Sen. Jack Miller. With little money for his campaign, Clark opted to walk across Iowa during numerous trips in 1972.

The walks, on which he often was joined by supporters, were credited for his convincing victory with 55% of the vote.

During his time in the Senate, Clark devoted time to Africa, pushing for policies to help newly independent nations and to oppose apartheid.

Clark lost in his run for reelection in 1978, and he believed his work in Africa prompted funding against his campaign.

After leaving the Senate, President Jimmy Carter appointed Clark as ambassador-at-large for a refugee crisis related to the Vietnam War. Clark worked with Congress to help create a refugee policy and set up a structure to help refugees.

Later, Clark joined the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit, and focused on helping members of Congress better understand specific foreign policy issues. He also worked to restore relations with Vietnam, including arranging meetings between U.S. and Vietnamese officials.

Clark was born Sept. 14, 1928, in the unincorporated community of Paris, Iowa. His parents made a living selling eggs door to door and later opened a grocery store.

He was drafted into the Army and served in Europe from 1950 to 1952. He attended Upper Iowa University and the University of Iowa, obtaining bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.

Survivors include his wife, his daughter and two sons, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Fort Lauderdale was the victim of a phishing scam that tricked the Accounts Payable department into making a payment of $1.2 million to a scammer pretending to work for a local construction firm, City Manager Greg Chavarria confirmed on Wednesday night.

Chavarria sent out an alert to city officials by email at 5:51 p.m. Wednesday.

Someone sent a request for an (electronic funds) payment pretending to be (a local construction company), he wrote. The scammer filled out the paperwork and had a blank check attached. Accounts Payable checked the names and they matched corporate records.

The citys bank is working to get the money back, but it will take at least a week, Chavarria said.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is working with city officials in IT and Finance to handle the incident, Chavarria said.

Mayor Dean Trantalis was taken aback when a South Florida Sun Sentinel reporter called to get his reaction.

This is news to me, he said. I guess we have to be as cautious as we can.

Trantalis said he was hopeful the city would get its money back.

Because it was caught so quickly, the bank should be able to recapture that money, he said. Wire transfers take awhile to settle from bank to bank.

The Sun Sentinel contacted a spokesperson for the construction company, which declined to comment Wednesday night.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States, speaks onstage at The New York Times Climate Forward Summit 2023 at The Times Center on September 21, 2023 in New York City (Getty Images)

Al Gore unleashed on the fossil fuel industry for engaging in massive fraud for decades and called on the powerful multinationals to get out of the way of those fighting the climate crisis.

The former vice president is the latest prominent political figure to break a long-held taboo, and directly name the fossil fuel industry as core perpetrator of creating - and continuing - the global crisis.

I was one of many who felt for a long time that the fossil fuel companies, or at least many of them, were sincere in saying that they wanted to be a meaningful part of bringing solutions to this crisis, Mr Gore told the New York Times at its Climate Forward event in Manhattan on Thursday, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

But I think that its now clear they are not. Fossil fuel industry speaks with forked tongue.

Mr Gore noted how the industry has been able to infiltrate the political process at every level including the United Nations annual climate summit.

He said that this year, the UN had gone too far in naming Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as president of Cop28 in the United Arab Emirates this December.

Thats just like taking the disguise off, Mr Gore said.

The fossil fuel companies, given their record today, are far more effective at capturing politicians than they are at capturing emissions.

He pointed to how the fossil fuel industry spent just 1 per cent of overall profits on the clean energy transition last year.

It is a ruse, he said. And many of the largest companies have engaged in massive fraud. For some decades now, theyve followed the playbook of the tobacco industry, using these very sophisticated, lavishly-financed strategies for deceiving people.

He added: I dont think its fair to expect them to solve this when theyre incentivised to do otherwise. But I think its more than fair to ask them to get out of the way, and stop blocking the efforts of everybody else to solve this crisis. I think its time to call them out.

Despite the challenges, and the worsening climate impacts, the former VP said there were encouraging signs like the speed of transition to clean energy in the power sector, and the growing number of electric vehicles.

There used to be an old cliche, denial is just a river in Egypt, and you could add that despair is just a tire in the trunk, he said.

Despair is just another form of denial, and we have to resist it. We dont have time to wallow in despair, weve got work to do. We can do this.

Mr Gores fiery denouncement of the fossil fuel industry was part of a shift among some leaders in public statements about the climate crisis.

It was similarly evident on the floor of the UN headquarters on Wednesday at the so-called no-nonsense Climate Ambition Summit  an event championing the movers and doers taking accelerated action to cut emissions.

Presidents and prime ministers along with state and local leaders were invited to speak, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who excoriated the fossil fuel industry for its decades of deception.

Its time for us to be a lot more clear. This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, he said, to applause and cheers in the chamber.

Ms Mottley also laid responsibility at the door of the fossil fuel industry, noting it had benefited from $7 trillion in subsidies last year, along with naming financial institutions and the transport sector.

If you dont take corrective action now, you will have to tell us where youre keeping all your scientific research to relocate you and your families to the planet Mars or Pluto, Ms Mottley said.

Petro Gustavo, president of major fossil fuel exporter Colombia, gave a stark assessment.

The real goal that all countries should have is aiming for zero in terms of production and supply of coal, gas and oil. If we keep as we are on our current track, it will be suicide, he said.
COVID-19 tests provided through the federal government are photographed in Salt Lake City on Dec. 15, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

With COVID-19 on the upswing nationwide and in Utah, free at-home testing kits are once again going to be available from the federal government.

Thursday, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said there have been seven newly reported deaths from the virus in the state over the past week. Thats the most lives lost to the virus since nine deaths were reported for the week ending May 5.

Utahs death toll from COVID-19 now stands at 5,425, with the highest single-day loss of life coming during the first year of the pandemic, in November 2020, when 26 Utahns were reported to have died from the virus.

The current deaths are a Cache County man, 25-44 years old; two Salt Lake County women, one 65-84 and the other, over 85; a Salt Lake County man over 85; a Sanpete County woman over 85; a Utah County man over 85; and a Wasatch County man, 65-84.

Related

Testing is still seen by health care experts as key to slowing the spread of COVID-19, but free at-home testing kits have been harder to come by since the pandemic emergency ended earlier this year.

Now, the Biden administration has announced the reopening of a program to provide COVID-19 at-home testing kits by mail at no cost. Starting Monday, Americans can order four kits online, at covidtests.gov.

The price tag for approximately 200 million more at-home test kits is $600 million, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which said the kits are being manufactured domestically in seven states.

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, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

Older at-home testing kits may still be usable, since the expiration date has been extended on many. A list of tests authorized for home use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the updated expiration dates for each, is available online.

Even though new variants of the virus are circulating, including BA.2.86 or Pirola, which has been detected in wastewater from a Tooele sewage treatment plant, the tests are still expected to detect COVID-19.

Related

The tests perform as well as they did a year ago, Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of the University of Utah Health Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, told reporters at a recent virtual news conference about a dramatic increase in COVID-19.

But, Pavia advised, one home test is pretty good, but far from perfect. Where you get really accurate information is if you do a home test and if its negative, you repeat it within the next 24 hours.

Two negative at-home tests approaches the accuracy of a lab-processed PCR test, he said.

So one test, all by itself, is only fair. Two tests are very good. And the new virus variants dont change that, Pavia said, noting that even someone who tests negative after being sick with COVID-19 could still be contagious for several more days.
A 63-year-old hiker, who was rescued last Friday after he was injured in a fall at the Grand Canyon National Park, has said that he was not abandoned by his friends, contrary to previous reports.

William "Bill" Formanek was on a backpacking trip with his friends on the North Rim of the park along the Kanab Creek when he fell and suffered a traumatic injury to his shoulder that needed emergency medical attention and evacuation, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue.

Search and rescue operation

Last Friday evening, authorities received a call for help from someone using an Apple device through a satellite connection. A search and rescue team was dispatched to the area of the injured hiker's phone location. A Department of Public Safety Western Air Rescue helicopter was also deployed to assist in the rescue.

Due to limited space and visibility because of the tall canyon walls surrounding Kanab Creek and the fact that it was nighttime, the helicopter landed about a quarter mile from the injured hikers location, said the sheriff's office. From there, the operation continued on foot.

When the crew arrived at Formanek's location, they were able to stabilize him and transport him to a local hospital on the helicopter for further medical evaluation.

It was later understood that the hiker's injury happened earlier in the afternoon and that the group had been backpacking for about 3 to 4 days and had a few days ahead of them.

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Not abandoned

While it was earlier believed that the injured hiker's friends abandoned him and continued with their hike, the hiker injured issued a clarification via the sheriff's office that he was not left behind and that his friends assisted in getting him help.

As per the update, the backpackers began their expedition in the Kanab Creek Wilderness area and hiked down Kanab Creek into the Grand Canyon National Park, where they set up a campsite.

On Friday, Formanek and his friend decided to hike further and explore the area south of their campsite, while the others decided to stay at the campsite.

The two were on their way back to the campsite when the 63-year-old fell and injured himself. His companion left him and went back to the campsite to use an emergency device, that was with the other three hikers, according to the clarification.

When rescuers arrived on scene, he was alone.

"It was a very unfortunate slip. My shoulder was severely dislocated. It was extremely painful," Formanek told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday. He explained that he slipped while crossing a creek and fell sideways against a boulder, "severely" dislocating his shoulder.

"Due to the extreme pain, and rugged terrain, there was no way I could continue to hike," he said.

Formanek said that he and his friend had two options: either wait for their friends to find them or for his friend to trek back and seek help. He said that the latter made more sense and was a less risky option, so his friend set out to get help for him.

"I had food, water, and all my gear, so if my friend stayed with me all he could do was sit and watch me suffer in pain," Formanek told the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Formanek's companion caught up with the rest of the group after 5 p.m. and requested a search and rescue with the satellite device.

Kanab Creek in Arizona seen in this aerial shot taken January 27, 2017. Kanab Creek is one of the many tributaries of the Grand Canyon. It begins in Kane County, Utah, just south of the watershed to the Great Basin and flows 125 miles (201 km) south to the Colorado River.It passes Kanab, Utah, crossing the border to Arizona near Fredonia. It flows through the Kaibab Indian Reservation of the Paiute people and the 1984-designated Kanab Creek Wilderness, a wilderness area, before its mouth in the Grand Canyon National Park. / AFP / Daniel SLIM (Photo credit should read DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Inaccurate press release

The sheriff's office had earlier said that the other four hikers in the group "continued on their backpacking adventures  leaving the injured hiker behind alone," with the phone's tracking device. The post had received a barrage of comments from social media users who had criticized the group for leaving the injured hiker behind.

Formanek said that the police had misinterpreted his statement and that their news release affected his friends.

"My co-hikers were very upset that the press release was inaccurate, like, fuming and couldn't sleep at night," Formanek told The Arizona Republic.

Formanek said that he and his friends were all experienced hikers and that he had known them for about 15 years. He said he was grateful for his friends and the decision they made after his injury.

"I think my friends did everything right. They did everything they could. They didn't do anything stupid to put themselves at risk," Formanek said.

'Horrible shock': Texas man on trip to spread dad's ashes dies of heat stroke in Utah's Arches National Park

36-year-old woman dies trying to hike Grand Canyon trail to Colorado River and back in one day, park says

Hiking advisory

The Mohave County Search and Rescue encourages groups to never leave someone behind alone and whenever possible, to stay with them and ensure they are rescued, before continuing on their journey. They also advise everyone to prepare for the unexpected when adventuring in the remote, wilderness areas of Mohave County.

Hiking is best done with someone else, according to the Grand Canyon National Park. "Don't hike alone," the park's website warns, adding in bold, "You are responsible for your own safety as well as that of everyone in your party."

The Grand Canyon has a few preparation tips:

Know your destination and how to arrive there.

Know the weather forecast.

Know the availability of water.

Stay on the trail.

Do not "overestimate capabilities".

Contributing: Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic

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: Injured Grand Canyon hiker says his friends did not abandon him
Forty-six alerts come in a single day. They start at 4:56 a.m. They buzz peoples phones and ping laptops until their heads hit the pillow that night. The next jolt comes at 2:57 a.m., and a new day has started.

These arent news alerts or friends messages. Theyre people in crisis. Whether they get a response is a matter of life or death for someone struggling with addiction or mental health issues.

A male just walked into our office that needs immediate ip (inpatient) treatment. He was just released from (a) hospital with discharge paperwork. Need transportation. Can anyone help?

Need housing for a lady and her newborn baby. I called (redacted), too long of a wait, I can't get ahold of anyone. Any help is greatly appreciated.

We have a young man in the ER tonight who is unhoused and looking for work. He was just kicked out of his parents house today and is panicking. He said he is willing to do any sort of work. Even wanted to join the military but they wouldnt accept him with a mental health diagnosis.

This is On the Front Lines Community Alliance, a multi-state effort that mobilizes volunteers in real time to help people who are suffering from opioid addiction and mental health crises. It started in 2018 as a Facebook group, quickly expanded with a 24-hour chat component and became a nonprofit this summer.

When no one else is around to help Cincinnati-area residents who are in need, someone who knows about their situation posts a message on the chat asking for help. Then a peer recovery supporter, treatment professional or harm reduction worker finds a way to get the person what they need.

The goal is to have people who are on the front lines and actually, like, in the mud, advocating for the (right) level of care for these people, said Daniel Ritchie, among the original members of the alliance.

Cincinnati-area peer supporters in recovery were looking for help

Aaron Laine (left), Hannah Schilling and Daniel Ritchie, original members of the grassroots On the Front Lines 24-7 chat.

Amy Parker, of Fairfield, now an outreach specialist with Boulder Care treatment, started weekly get-togethers for peer supporters at a PF Changs in Norwood in 2018. A peer supporter herself, she wanted to create a space where they could help each other, because they struggle with being reminded of their own trauma as they try to help others.

The six people who met for lunch were the first batch of Ohio-certified peer support specialists in the Cincinnati area. There were no government or charitable agencies running it. Addiction doctors didnt shape it. There was no mandate.

I have a client in Akron 27. He just went to the hospital for drinking hand sanitizer. It is my understanding that he has mh (mental health) issues as well. Any ideas?

I have a client that wants methadone, is in active use and can't get into (redacted). I need her to get somewhere soon !!! Helpppp thanks

Any suggestions for an adolescent needing residential treatment? DOC (drug of choice) meth Caresource insurance?

Parker pointed to a 2018 situation where her attempts to help a woman didnt work. The Clermont County woman, no older than 22, Parker recalled, was in recovery from opioid use disorder and had endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of the heart's valves and lining that can happen to people who inject drugs.

Amy Parker started the support group for peer recovery supporters in Cincinnati. The group later expanded and evolved into On the Front Lines, a 24-7 chat linking recovery professionals who help each other get help and break down barriers to treatment and assistance for people with substance use disorders.

Parker saw a hint of herself in this otherwise vibrant, hopeful woman. But the woman's heart condition worsened.

She died, Parker said quietly.

That was just hard. It really dawned on me  this is hard for the peer support people. Its trauma. She wouldve thrived otherwise," Parker said. "She would have.

So the peer supporters started supporting each other.

Peer supporters expanded to become On the Front Lines

Parker started inviting colleagues from her job at the time at Brightview Health to the luncheons. More and more people came. And they noticed they faced the same challenges that she did at her job.

I have 2 males sleeping in vehicle with 4 adult dogs & 5 puppies in Dayton. Any options would be appreciated.

I have a homeless vet who needs housed somewhere when their hotel is up on Thursday.

Hannah Schilling, of Delhi, an addiction counselor and peer supporter, was on a community quick-response team that helped those whod recently survived an overdose. She said she would get frustrated sometimes because she had to find immediate help for a survivor, and it wasnt always within reach.

I think its a misconception that you can pick up a phone and find an answer, Parker said.

Ritchie, who has a social media support group Facebook page called Inspiring Recovery with Daniel Ritchie, remembers being in active addiction, desperate to get help, and walking into a hospital. He was turned away with a list of resources.

I remember feeling very dehumanized, he said.

Anyone know of a sober living that accepts kids with the mother in Cincinnati? 3 girls age 7,5,3.

I have a woman with a 3 year old and a 5 month old escaping domestic violence that has been calling around, trying to get into a shelter and has been unsuccessful. She stayed in a tent with her children last night.

Hannah Schilling speaks about On the Front Lines, a 24-7 chat that links people with substance use and mental health disorders to help.

The peer supporters group had to evolve, Schilling said, to a platform in which they could still help each other, but most importantly, help those still suffering from substance use disorder.

Schilling became the architect, taking the lead in creating a chat designed for everyone.

The peer supporters had the life experience and trust from people who were in active addiction. The addiction and harm reduction professionals had evidence-based services ready but needed a network to help connect people to the individual care they needed.

We wanted to do something that we ourselves would need, said Aaron Laine, known across the country for his podcast From Tragedy To Triumph.

Now, they make sure another person doesnt get brushed off. Ritchie will respond to requests in the middle of the night, picking up people who don't have a car or bus fare to get to a treatment provider. Once, he arranged a 281-mile trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for a man who needed a ride to a center.

Anyone know of treatment that accepts clients who have liver cancer? This person is not currently doing chemo.

Have a grandmother with a 2 1/2 yr old that will be homeless tomorrow living in a motel.  Need long term help.

Is there anywhere that would help a client with laundry detergent?

Daniel Ritchie, a treatment advocate for people with substance use disorder, says On the Front Lines includes peer recovery supporters who suffered from active addiction and now help guide those struggling to the help they need.

On the Front Lines reaches Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Indiana

The group expanded from the Cincinnati area and Northern Kentucky to nearly all parts of Ohio, more of Kentucky, and parts of Indiana. There are now more than 300 people helping.

In June, the group formalized: The IRS approved On the Front Lines Community Alliance as a charitable organization, that can accept accept tax-deductible donations. The group also created a website detailing its mission.

Aaron Laine says the opioid crisis has already happened, and On the Front Lines is a collaborative of people who understand what it's like to go through a substance use disorder, trying to save people who continue to struggle with it.

"Were only just getting started," Laine said. "We will unlikely solve this crisis, but I dont want to imagine what this looked like if we did nothing.

36 yr old male dual diagnosis treatment DOC (drug of choice) is crack/cocaine or meth. Due to mental health I am having a hard time getting them inpatient treatment.

Hi, FL (Front Lines). A male just walked into our office that needs immediate ip (inpatient) treatment. He was just released from Christ Hospital with discharge paperwork. Need transportation? Can anyone help?

***

The messages shown in italics in this story were directly gathered with permission from the On the Front Lines group chat.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Peer volunteers in Cincinnati area respond 24/7 to addiction crises
Gov. Greg Abbott touted the strength of the Texas economy and the states history with the defense and aerospace industries on Thursday during a luncheon in Dallas.

The future of warfare will be in cyber and outer space, and Texas will lead the way, Abbott said.

He pointed to the states large number of Tier 1 research universities, and the Armys Futures Command in Austin.

You can have a hundred tanks gathered or 20 ships gathered and all of them can be blown apart by one laser from a satellite in space, he said.

He also highlighted the importance community colleges to train the workforce of the future.

Abbott singled out Tarrant County College, where Abbott said business owners could work with the college system to develop coursework tailored to their industries.

This is something thats going to be a game changer around the state, but at the same time a game changer for our students, Abbott said.
A driver has been arrested after officials say he caused a deadly crash.

Georgia State Patrol officials said on Sunday, troopers received reports of a hit-and-run crash with multiple injuries on Ga. 61 in Fairmount.

According to the investigation, the driver, Ronald Grady Dickson, was driving his Ford F-150 northbound on Ga. 61 at a high rate of speed and hit three motorcyclists riding together.

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When they collided, one of the motorcycles became embedded in the front of the truck, according to the report.

Authorities said Dickson failed to stop and continued north on GA 61 with the motorcycle still embedded in the front of his truck.

A witness followed Dickson until Fairmount Police got him to stop approximately six miles north of the crash scene, authorities said.

TRENDING STORIES:

GSP said the road was shut down for nearly three hours, and the initial crash scene was approximately a thousand feet long.

The three motorcyclists were flown to different trauma centers, and two were taken to hospitals by ambulance.

Authorities confirmed one of the motorcyclists died as a result of the crash.

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The names of the victims have not been released.

Dickson was charged with Driving Under the Influence, vehicular homicide, three counts of felony hit and run, four counts of serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, three counts of following too closely and failure to maintain lanes.

IN OTHER NEWS:
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  A family of 10 is safe and sound thanks in no small part to assertive Gallatin police officers and firefighters responding to a fully-engulfed house fire.

Officials said everything went right thanks to the coordinated effort between police and fire units and the quick arrival time of the first Gallatin police officers.

The fire started just before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning as the back of a home on Harper Dean Way went up in flames.

505 building: Management voices concerns over fire response

Christian Blizzard and Valerie Mejia were the first two officers on scene and quickly began knocking on doors and windows, alerting residents in the area to get out as the homes siding was beginning to melt.

The officers were wearing body cameras and the footage captured showed their quick thinking and heroic actions.

The two adults and eight children inside the burning home were able to escape on their own, allowing the officers time to go door to door to alert the neighbors.

(Source: Gallatin Fire Department)

(Source: WKRN)

On body camera footage, you can hear the fire engines sirens approaching in the distance. Despite this, the officers continued knocking on doors and even made sure the fire hydrants a distance from the house were clearly illuminated for arriving firefighters.

They made our job a whole lot easier by having the area already secured, where we could easily get in. They had a fire hydrant spotted and they were actually evacuating people from the left and right side exposures of the house, which would be the nextdoor neighbors houses, Fire Chief Jeff Beaman said.

Mejia not only got a father and daughter to safety, but also put a leash on their dog and saved him.

After 3 decades in construction industry, TN man shares why suicide rates are so high

Beaman said with the police officers help, firefighters could concentrate on quickly knocking down the blaze, mostly attacking it from the back of the structure.

According to Beaman, fire spreading to nearby homes is always a concern, and the home to the right of the burning structure did have extensive vinyl melting.

While firefighters knocked down the blaze, Mejia continued to protect and serve, showing compassion for a little girl and her family who were obviously distraught by the early morning wake up call to flames and fire trucks.

The two officers that responded, weve got them up for accommodations. They did a tremendous job putting all the effort together to get everybody out and comfort everybody that was there at the scene, and like you said, they were even able to get the pets, said Capt. Lamar Ballard with the Gallatin Police Department.

Ballard said the officers are trained to handle these high stress situations. He praised the cohesiveness of fire and police units working together.

911 callers describe downtown Columbia shootout

In the end, no pets or people were hurt.

Fire investigators said the fire was not suspicious and probably started from a backyard grill that had been used the night before.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws to a New York Yankees batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

NEW YORK (AP)  Stingy pitching might just carry these Toronto Blue Jays into the playoffs.

Kevin Gausman tossed six shutout innings, outdueling Michael King as they traded strikeouts all night, and Toronto beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Wednesday for its fifth consecutive victory.

It's just fun to be playing meaningful games," Gausman said. "Every game matters right now and every win is one step closer to our goal.

Locked in a heated pennant race, the Blue Jays scored five times in the final two innings and stayed a game ahead of Texas and Seattle for the second of three American League wild cards. Toronto hasn't lost since getting swept at home in four games by the Rangers last week.

A complete 360," Gausman said. Coming off the worst series of the year and then sweeping Boston and obviously coming here and winning the first two, its been night and day demeanor-wise, clubhouse energy.

Spencer Horwitz had three RBIs, Bo Bichette drove in two runs and the Blue Jays drew five walks in the eighth from two relievers  including four in a row and two with the bases loaded.

Guys were patient, manager John Schneider said. "Loved the way they kind of kept passing the baton.

That made a hard-luck loser of King (4-7), a converted reliever who set career highs across the board with 13 strikeouts over seven innings on 101 pitches in his seventh start this season. The lone run he allowed came on Bichette's infield hit that glanced off his glove in the third, the last of three consecutive two-out singles by Toronto.

It was the most strikeouts for a Yankees pitcher since Gerrit Cole whiffed 14 against Minnesota on Sept. 7, 2022.

Pretty special performance by him, New York manager Aaron Boone said. It's exciting to see. Hopefully a glimpse of what's to come.

But without much offensive support, New York (76-76) dropped its third straight as its improbable postseason hopes keep dwindling away. The Yankees have mustered only four runs during their skid  and Boone wasn't around for much of the latest loss after getting ejected in the second inning.

He was tossed by plate umpire Lance Barrett for arguing balls and strikes, Boone's seventh ejection this year  tied with David Bell of the Cincinnati Reds for most among major league managers. Boone has been ejected 33 times in six seasons as a big league skipper, all with New York.

I thought he called a lot of pitches (that were) low and I let him know that and I got thrown out, Boone said.

Gausman (12-9) bounced back from a wild outing last week, when he walked six over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Texas. This time, he struck out 10 and walked three while scattering three harmless hits.

He got better with each inning," Schneider said. Hes as good as they get.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts versus the Yankees this year. He joined Pedro Martinez (2001) and Chris Sale (2017) as the only pitchers since 1970 with three double-digit strikeout games against the Bronx Bombers in one season.

We got that one run and it was in the back of my mind and I kind of said, that might be the difference tonight," Gausman said. It was nice seeing some runs towards the end of the game and kind of separating that lead a little bit.

Chad Green, Jordan Hicks and Erik Swanson closed it out for Toronto.

Rookie catcher Austin Wells doubled off Gausman and launched his first major league home run into the second deck in right field off Swanson in the ninth.

SLUMPING SLUGGER

Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton went 0 for 4 with a strikeout and has two hits in 39 at-bats over his last 11 games. He is batting .188 this season.

Terrible, he said.

TRAINERS ROOM

Blue Jays: DH Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a late scratch from the lineup because of right knee discomfort. He had an MRI during the game, and the team expects to know more Thursday. He didnt feel quite right, his pregame hitting routine," Schneider said. "Just obviously want to be careful with him. So didnt want to push it today. ... Schneider said LHP Yusei Kikuchi was feeling good and is expected to take his next scheduled turn with a pretty normal routine between starts. Kikuchi was removed from Tuesday night's outing in the sixth inning as a precaution because of a left upper trap muscle cramp.

Yankees: LHP Wandy Peralta (triceps) was unavailable out of the bullpen. ... Rookie OF Jasson Dominguez had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. The team said the procedure included the addition of internal bracing, and the recovery process is expected to take 9-10 months.

UP NEXT

In a matchup of All-Star pitchers, Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (11-10, 3.49 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday night against Cole (13-4, 2.81), perhaps the frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
After years of insurance woes for California homeowners living in wildfire-prone areas, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state officials are attempting to stabilize the market  although consumer advocates say their strategy could increase costs for residents.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday announced his office had reached an agreement with homeowner and commercial property insurance companies that would push them to take on more customers in high fire-risk areas in exchange for allowing them to use catastrophe modeling to set premiums.

Laras announcement came after Newsom issued an executive order asking for prompt regulatory action to shore up the states insurance framework, which is collapsing under the strain of increasingly intense wildfires.

By December 2024, the California Department of Insurance will require insurance companies to write at least 85% of their statewide market share in fire-distressed areas selected by the commissioner. The companies must also help return homeowners using the California FAIR plan  considered the states insurer of last resort  to the regular insurance market.

The expensive state plan has become the only option for some homeowners looking to insure their property from fire damage after being dropped from their conventional plans or being denied coverage.

In exchange for underwriting riskier policies, companies will be permitted to use catastrophic modeling to set insurance rates, a practice Laras office did not previously allow. The companies will also gain the ability to pass reinsurance costs on to consumers.

Consumer Watchdog blasted the deal, saying Lara has given into the industrys demands, and insurance companies will use the new modeling tools with secret algorithms to drive up consumer costs.

The use of catastrophic modeling and adding of reinsurance costs to premiums has pushed Florida premiums up two to three times higher than Californias, said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, in a statement. California is in danger of becoming Florida with these changes that mimic the failed strategies in the Florida.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announces actions aimed at improving insurance choices and addressing the long-term sustainability of the state insurance market during a press conference at the state Capitol on Thursday. Hector Amezcua/hamezcua@sacbee.com

California insurance crisis

Newsoms order and Laras announcement come just weeks after the governor and the commissioner failed to secure an eleventh-hour deal with lawmakers to stop California insurance providers from fleeing the state. Lara said some elements of the agreement he announced were the product of those legislative discussions.

Californias insurance crisis exploded after a wave of devastating wildfires in 2017 and 2018 caused billions of dollars in damages. Insurance companies dropped tens of thousands of policyholders living in wildland-urban interfaces. Those homeowners were then required to pay two to three times as much for alternate coverage.

Since then, two of Californias largest insurance providers, Allstate and State Farm, stopped selling new policies to homeowners across the state, regardless of whether they live in fire-prone areas. And Farmers Insurance announced it would start capping the number of new policies it underwrites.

In some rural parts of the state, homeowners can get insurance only through the states FAIR plan. This drives up costs significantly because homeowners then need to acquire separate policies for burglary and other typical risks.

When asked whether this agreement would push companies to come back to California, Lara said its going to take time.

Were going to wait to make sure that these regulations get done, he said. This is why I want to make sure we get it done within the year  so that then they could submit the rate filings now and move quickly on writing again, or continuing to write new business in California.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, an industry trade group, called Laras changes the first steps of many needed to address the deterioration of the insurance market.

Denni Ritter, the associations vice president for state government relations, did not mention whether the regulatory shifts would be enough to bring insurers back to the California market.

We will continue to work with the insurance commissioner, the governor, the California legislature and other stakeholders to promote meaningful reforms, Ritter said in a statement. Including the assurance of timely approval of adequate rates that bring stability and availability to the market so Californians can access the insurance they need to protect their homes, cars, and businesses.

Insurance and catastrophic modeling

Lara previously opposed allowing companies to use catastrophic modeling. He told The Sacramento Bee in February 2022 the practice doesnt reduce the risk.

He said on Thursday he changed his mind because we can no longer rely on historical data due to the effects of climate change.

Doing that, were actually putting consumers and communities in danger, Lara said. We need to be able to follow the science, we need to be able to use technology. But we also need to verify that.

And thats what we guarantee in this process.

Lara said he absolutely thinks catastrophic modeling algorithms should be made available and promised a public process to make that possible.

The other important thing is that the department will be able to verify these models to make sure theyre accurate, he said. So thats an important distinction now that we currently do not have.

When asked whether the regulation shifts would increase costs for consumers, Lara was vague. He emphasized the new tools would allow companies to take into account fire-safe renovations or home-hardening that owners have done to mitigate risk.

Were going to be able to (home) in on those properties that have done the mitigation and make sure that our rate analysts look at that and appropriately price the risk for that individual, especially if theyve done the hardening, he said.

Insurance exodus affects Californians

Sean Lomen, a Colfax city councilman and retired fire captain, said many of his friends and constituents who were policyholders for more than 30 years were dropped by their insurance providers in recent years.

It seems insurance companies have drawn an arbitrary line at about 2,000 feet of elevation in the foothills and Sierra (Nevada) and are canceling policies, he said. Theyre just taking their money and running.

The city of Colfax adopted a defensible space ordinance last year that requires homeowners to remove hazardous debris and vegetation within 100 feet of a structure. Lomen said hed like to see more insurance companies look at properties individually and take those proactive steps into account before making blanket decisions to drop homeowners in certain parts of the state.

All of us in urban interface areas that bump up against U.S. forestland or state parks are kind of faulted for being close to these under-maintained areas, it seems like, he said. I think current measures taken by community members should be the heavier weight when looking at considerations on coverage.

After the legislative deal imploded, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, said that lawmakers would hold a series of public hearings this fall focusing on access to insurance coverage.

Our mission has always been to ensure homeowners and businesses across California can access and retain comprehensive insurance coverage, Rivas said in a statement.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has opposed Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to reform the UN Security Council and in particular to deprive Russia of its veto, which is paralysing the organisation.

Source: European Pravda, citing an interview Baerbock gave to TV channel ARD

Details: Baerbock says Berlin "does not support" depriving Russia of its Security Council veto, "and I have clearly and repeatedly spoken about this to my Ukrainian interlocutors".

"It is not the case that we support everything that comes from the government of Ukraine. This is also important for discussions in Germany," Baerbock said.

She also expressed reservations about Zelenskyy's proposal to give Germany a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

"We can't say: Okay, just change the Security Council. That would be somewhat naive," the German minister believes, recalling that there are a number of other countries that would be candidates for permanent Security Council membership.

Background: In his speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a reform of the organisation: increasing the number of Security Council members; enabling the General Assembly to overrule the Security Council's veto; and introducing a mechanism for preventing aggression through sanctions.

The issue of reforming the UN Security Council is particularly acute given Russias full-scale invasion, since Russia can use its veto to block any decisions that will hold it accountable for violating international law.

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!
Germany has provided Ukraine with satellite communication equipment, trucks, and spare parts for mine-clearing tanks in the latest military aid package, the German government reported on Sept. 21.

The aid package includes 17 SatCom terminals, an antenna hub station, four 8x8 HX81 truck tractor trains, four semi-trailers, 12 Zetros trucks, and spare parts for WISENT 1 mine clearing tanks.

The government's website noted that some of the deliveries from the industry stocks require further upgrades or training.

On Sept. 19, the German news outlet Spiegel reported that Ukraine had refused to accept a recent batch of 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks sent by Germany, saying they needed repairs that the Ukrainian military could not carry out.

Read also: Kuleba says there is progress in talks on getting Taurus missiles

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously announced that Berlin was preparing a new assistance package for Ukraine worth 400 million euros ($430 million).

The German official said the new assistance tranche will include explosive and mortar ammunition, rockets, armored vehicles, and demining equipment.

When asked about the possibility of providing Ukraine with mush-desired Taurus long-range missiles, Pistorius said that the decision has not yet been made as Berlin has to consider a "variety of political, legal, military and technical aspects."

Read also: German MPs urge Scholz to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has publicly opposed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys proposal to eliminate Russias veto on the UN Security Council, the German publication Merkur reported on Sept. 21.

We do not endorse this idea, and I have consistently conveyed this to my Ukrainian counterparts, Baerbock said.

Read also: Macron calls for limit to UN Security Council veto right due to Russian aggression

However, she also condemned Russia for abusing its veto power in the context of the brutal aggressive war in Ukraine.

This is why reform is now more critical than ever, but we must also be realistic: it will not materialize overnight, she added.

Read also: EU Council president calls for Russias suspension from UN Security Council

President Zelenskyy addressed the issue of the UNs effectiveness during a recent UN Security Council meeting, highlighting the deadlock in addressing aggression. According to Zelenskyy, Russias veto power has hindered the UNs ability to take decisive action, with the aggressor state using its veto rights to the detriment of all other UN member states.

He called for a comprehensive reform of the UN, emphasizing the need to reevaluate the application of veto power, which he argued should not be wielded as a weapon by those driven by hatred and conflict.

Read also: Russia may be kicked out of UN thanks to Ukrainian activists

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A woman who was raped by her stepfather when she was 12 years old appeared in an advertisement for Gov. Andy Beshear, criticizing Attorney General Daniel Cameron for supporting a law that would force victims of rape and incest to give birth to their attackers' children.

Daniel Cameron watched Andy Beshear s new ad that features a young woman who was raped by her stepfather when she was 12 years old and he thought he was the victim.

Shortly after the ad appeared, Camerons campaign released a statement in which he accused Beshear of disgusting false attacks and whined that Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history.

Never mind that the ad is correct.

Whats truly disgusting is forcing a child rape victim to have her attacker's baby.

What's also pretty disgusting is that in his response, the Republican nominee for governors first thought wasnt of the real victim here and other young women and girls like her.

It was about himself and the damage she did to his campaign.

And she did damage to his campaign.

The ad is powerful.

It features a 21-year-old woman from Owensboro who said she was raped by her stepfather when she was a child. In the ad, the woman identified as Hadley speaks directly to the camera  and to Cameron  about the abortion law that he has said repeatedly he supports.

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, Hadley says.

That law is a near-total abortion ban, with the only exception being when the life of the mother is at risk.

Cameron has said he supports the law as it is, but on Monday  perhaps hearing the ad was about to run  he abruptly changed his position and said that if a bill was delivered to him that allowed for abortions when rape or incest were involved, he would sign it.

His campaign, however, has refused to say whether he would press the legislature for such exceptions to the law.

And herein lies the problem.

If hes not going to prod the General Assembly to change the law, he remains just fine with the law as it is currently written.

Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes, Hadley says in the ad.

Shes earnest and believable.

In his response, Cameron didnt even mention her or girls and women like her. He didnt acknowledge the human tragedies that so often lead to abortion.

He just used the ad as a reason to attack Beshear.

It is, as Cameron said in his response, disgusting.

Its also not likely to help him.

Beshears ad taps into the same concerns voters had last year when they rejected a constitutional amendment that would have made it easier for courts to uphold anti-abortion laws.

Those are the voters that Beshear is going after. Camerons apparently going after the voters who think its OK to force 12-year-old rape victims to give birth to their attackers children  and who believe Cameron is the real victim.

Joseph Gerth can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@courierjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Daniel Cameron thinks he's the victim, not child rape victims
Rudy Giuliani says he never groped former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson.

Hutchinson alleges in her upcoming memoir Enough that Giuliani groped her on Jan. 6, 2021, backstage at then-President Donald Trumps speech in Washington, D.C., prior to that days riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The disgraced lawyer was forced to address the allegation Wednesday while appearing on Newsmaxs The Balance.

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, Giuliani told host Eric Bolling. Im gonna grope somebody? With 100 people. First of all, Im not gonna grope somebody at all.

He continued: And number two, in front of like 100 people?

The former New York City mayor claimed it would have been impossible for him to grope Hutchinson because hed brought 10 staffers to the speech as kind of a reward and had extra security that day. Giuliani added hes thinking of going after Hutchinson and her book publisher.

Excerpts of Enough were published Wednesday by The Guardian.

Rudy wraps one arm around my body, closing the space that was separating us, Hutchinson wrote in her book, per The Guardian. I feel his stack of documents press into the small of my back ... His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt.

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, she wrote. 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.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faces groping allegations from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, was previously accused of sexual coercion by one of his former consultants.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faces groping allegations from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, was previously accused of sexual coercion by one of his former consultants.

Giuliani called Hutchinsons account totally absurd on Wednesday.

The former Trump lawyer was accused in May of sexual coercion by one of his former consultants, Noelle Dunphy, who recorded their explicit conversations. Giuliani, who was heard espousing his homophobic, antisemitic and racist opinions on tape, denied that allegation as well.

Giuliani was indicted alongside Trump and 17 others last month for charges related to their attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Giuliani is facing 13 charges, including violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

His surrender in August came one month after a D.C.-based disciplinary board recommended Giuliani for disbarment. He was most recently sued by his former attorneys for allegedly failing to pay $1.4 million in legal fees. Giuliani denied as much.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

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Rudy Giuliani has denied allegations that he groped former Trump White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson at a Jan. 6, 2021, event, calling her accusation completely, absolutely false and totally absurd.

In her new book, Hutchinson claims Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City who served as former President Trumps personal attorney, groped her backstage during Trumps rally at the White House Ellipse a few hours before the Capitol riot.

Hutchinson said Giuliani moved his hand under my blazer, then my skirt, The Guardian reported, citing an excerpt of the book it obtained.

Giuliani addressed the allegations in an interview Wednesday on Newsmax.

First of all, Im not going to grope someone at all, he said. And No. 2, 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.

There would have been no occasion for this to happen, its completely absurd, he added.

Giuliani initially declined to comment on the claims as reports surfaced this week. Hutchinsons book, titled Enough, depicts her experience as an aide to Trumps then-chief of staff Mark Meadows in the White House and as a key witness in the Houses Jan. 6 hearings.

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, she wrote of Giuliani in an excerpt quoted by The Guardian. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin. I fight against the tension in my muscles and recoil from Rudys grip.

Hutchinsons book is set to be published Sept. 26.

Giuliani is one of 19 defendants, including former President Trump, to be indicted on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. The former Trump lawyer turned himself in to an Atlanta jail last month and was released on $150,000 bond.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, smacked down criticisms of the new automatic voter registration policy he enacted in the state on Tuesday, dismissing concerns that its method of implementation would give the 2020 voter fraud conspiracy theory believers a new in to discredit the upcoming election.

This week, Shapiro announced a new policy that allows all eligible Pennsylvania residents to be automatically registered to vote when they obtain a new driver's license or state-issued ID card. On Wednesday, Shapiro joined "CNN This Morning" to discuss the move. He was met with questions about why, as some Republican lawmakers complain, his action did not go through a formal legislative process.

Shapiro responded, in part, by stating that he was "well within my legal authority" in enacting the policy and his team had ensured the registration process is "secure and safe," adding that the move is good for bolstering voter participation and democracy.

Co-anchor Poppy Harlow then asked Shapiro to respond to a tweet from former Donald Trump aide Stephen Miller, who expressed doubt that the automatic registration process would go through any citizenship verification. But Shapiro declined, dubbing Miller a "dope who can't tell the truth."

When Harlow interjected, further pressing the Democratic governor about the substance of Miller's post, Shapiro hit the network for pushing GOP talking points.

"Well, he doesn't raise any substance," Shapiro shot back, explaining that the Department of Motor Vehicles' process for license renewal has built-in safeguards to confirm citizenship in the documents it requires. After Shapiro elaborated, co-anchor Phil Mattingly brought attention to the potential concern that the lack of legislative procedure for this new measure gives individuals who dismissed the election results in 2020 more grounds to question them in 2024.

"Phil, respectfully, I think you're just giving their lies too much oxygen," Shapiro replied, recalling how he worked post-2020 election to disprove the false claims about widespread voter fraud.

"This builds on that work we've done. Voter participation is central to our democracy, and those who are standing up trying to make it harder for people to vote? That's anti-democratic, that's anti-freedom, and that is not how we do things here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

"I think you are just giving their lies too much oxygen."



PA @GovernorShapiro dismisses fears that his automatic voter registration policy will lead to more election denialism in 2024: pic.twitter.com/qAqtAZR3BA  CNN This Morning (@CNNThisMorning) September 20, 2023
Authorities have expanded their search for a murder suspect who was accidentally released from an Indiana jail due to a clerical error.

Kevin Mason, 28, was sought for more than two years in connection with a 2021 murder in Minneapolis until his arrest last week.

He was mistakenly released from the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis on Sept. 13, two days after his arrest, due to a "faulty records review by civilian staff," the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

PHOTO: Kevin Mason is seen in a photo released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. (Marion County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Authorities have determined Mason left Indianapolis the evening of Sept. 13 and "contact has been made with the law enforcement agencies of areas where Mason is believed to have connections," the sheriff's office said Friday.

More than 100 officers from multiple agencies were deployed in Indianapolis Wednesday night pursuing multiple leads in the case, according to Col. James Martin with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

"It led us to leads outside of Indianapolis to include parallel investigations currently underway within other cities," Martin told reporters during a press briefing Thursday afternoon.

Martin did not disclose the names of the cities amid the investigation.

The U.S. Marshals Service, which is now leading the investigation, is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Mason's capture. Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in a statement Friday he is "fully confident they will locate Kevin Mason and bring him into custody."

MORE: Chester County prison officials had 'concerns about the leadership' a year before Danelo Cavalcante's escape

Mason was arrested on Sept. 11 and mistakenly released around 11:05 a.m. ET on Sept. 13, according to Forestal. Authorities became aware of his release several hours later, around 5:30 p.m., he said.

Investigators learned he called for a ride later that night and his girlfriend, Desiree Oliver, picked him up near the jail, Forestal said.

Oliver obtained a new cell phone, "the deceptive type of behavior we'd expect from somebody when they're assisting a criminal," Forestal said during a press briefing on Wednesday. She also purchased men's underwear, a travel kit and men's slippers from a Walmart, he said.

Investigators covertly tracked her actions, instead of going public with the search for the suspect, before arresting her on Wednesday on the charge of assisting a criminal, the sheriff said.

Oliver remains in police custody, Martin said on Thursday.

PHOTO: Desiree Oliver is seen in a photo released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. (Marion County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Martin had a message Thursday to those who may be assisting Mason now: "We're going to be very aggressive in pursuing you. We will find you we will criminally charge you, just as we did as Desiree Oliver."

"We will not stop and we will not sleep until he is brought back into custody," he added.

Two Marion County Sheriff's Office employees were terminated due to Mason's release, the sheriff's office said.

"I think I've made it pretty well known that we're short-staffed, they're underpaid. That's not an excuse, but it's a fact," Forestal said.

Mason is accused of fatally shooting Dontevius Catchings, 29, in the parking lot of a Minneapolis church in June 2021 during a funeral service. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office charged him with murder in the second degree and firearms possession following the shooting.

MORE: Manhunt underway for convicted child sex offender who escaped from St. Louis hospital

Catchings' mother, Sharita Catchings, told ABC Twin Cities affiliate KSTP the search for the suspect in her son's murder has been "unbearable."

"It's hard, it's devastating," Sharita Catchings told KSTP.

"I was a very energetic individual, I'm not like that anymore," she continued. "Half the time, I don't want to get out of bed."

Search for murder suspect mistakenly freed from Indianapolis jail expands to more cities originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former President Donald Trump is expected to skip the second Republican primary debate, in California on Sept. 27, and will instead visit Detroit to deliver a speech in front of union workers amid a major auto strike, according to a senior adviser.

The move -- which will likely draw criticism from some of his primary challengers, just as it did when he opted out of the first debate -- comes as a work stoppage unfolds against the three largest motor vehicle manufacturers in the U.S. and offers Trump an opportunity to deliver a message to a key voting bloc in a pivotal battleground state, Michigan. ( President Joe Biden has likewise emphasized his pro-union bona fides.)

The news of Trump's debate decision was first reported by The New York Times.

MORE: 7 takeaways from the 1st GOP primary debate

PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, S. D., Sept. 8, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

He has been courting auto workers on his social media platform in recent weeks and, while he has yet to offer substantive comments on the strike, he has criticized United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain as not doing a good job."

On Monday evening, President Joe Biden's campaign assailed Trump's plan to speak with union workers in Detroit next week amid the strike.

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," Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a written 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. No self-serving photo op can erase Trumps four years of abandoning union workers and standing with his ultra-rich friends.

The UAW, which represents nearly 150,000 American autoworkers, on Monday entered its fourth day on strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Ongoing sticking points in negotiations include wage increases and the length of the work week.

Trump declined to participate in the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, suggesting he saw no reason to share the stage with his competitors because of his polling lead. Instead, he opted for counter-programming the evening with an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

"The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had," he posted on social media before the first debate.

Other GOP presidential candidates called him out.

"You have got to earn the nomination, and ... doing things like these debates, theyre important parts of the process," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in July.

Trump expected to skip 2nd Republican debate, plans speech to workers in Detroit originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
This is the second story of a five-part series diving into the rise of the anti-vaccine political movement.

The Covid-19 pandemic eroded trust in science. The 2024 election, public health officials fear, may make it worse.

A handful of presidential candidates from both parties are leaning into a growing movement that marries traditional vaccine skepticism with a broader distrust of big institutions  be they the government, the pharmaceutical industry or the scientific establishment.

Its a movement organized in only the loosest of terms. Its anti-vaccine and anti-science. Its pro-medical freedom and pro-alternative medicine. But growth in the movements ranks has many in and out of government fearful that this campaign cycle will accelerate its spread, consolidate its strength and cement its place in the political milieu.

Its going to get worse before it gets better, said Dr. Jerome Adams , U.S. surgeon general during the Trump administration. Many of us in public health are deeply concerned that distrust in government and health entities, and a political campaign in which candidates are openly and vigorously arguing that people should ignore the advice of health experts, could have detrimental impacts for years to come  no matter who wins."



Former President Donald Trump 's administration marshaled unprecedented federal resources to develop and promote a Covid vaccine in record time. But within a few weeks of its arrival, lingering resentment over lockdowns and mistrust of government led to a widespread backlash, particularly among conservatives, that persists almost three years later. Nearly four in 10 Republicans say they will definitely or probably get the new vaccine, according to polling conducted by Morning Consult and POLITICO, while nearly eight in 10 Democrats expect to seek out the updated shot.

That skepticism is bleeding over into other vaccines, like those that prevent measles, mumps and rubella. Dr. Umair Shah, Washington states secretary of health, said it may even take the death of an influential figure to a vaccine-preventable disease to shock the public back to wider acceptance of immunizations.

Im really concerned, and a lot of people in public health and health care are very concerned, that this is the beginning of a really rough and tough time, Shah said. Unfortunately, people are going to get sick. Were going to lose lives.

For decades, being openly skeptical of vaccines made one a pariah in all but the smallest of political circles. Both parties generally accepted that modern science had made essential breakthroughs in health care. To cast doubt on them placed you on the fringe. But public health officials fear those days are increasingly numbered.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who notched 15 percent support in a Harvard-Harris poll of the Democratic presidential primary field earlier this month, is running on his anti-vaccine bona fides. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is campaigning on his work to promote medical freedom and has said he would put Kennedy on a task force to investigate government overreach in medicine if elected president. Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur also running for the Republican nomination, has touted his plans to expose and ultimately gut the FDA and floated Kennedy as a running mate.

While these candidates are trailing in the polls, their followings are certain to outlast the campaign. Lingering resentment over pandemic restrictions is fueling further skepticism around public health, potentially leading to even lower vaccination rates, wider spread of disease and an inability to address future pandemics.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died in this pandemic because of the bad information about vaccines and treatments, said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown School of Public Health and former White House Covid-19 response coordinator under the Biden administration. I certainly am worried about what happens over the next three to five years.

The data show the vast majority of Americans still trust science, listen to doctors and vaccinate their children. But the growing number of those who dont threatens to undo generations of work combatting deadly and debilitating diseases that havent widely circulated for decades.



Resistance to the Covid-19 vaccine has already spilled over to routine childhood immunizations. Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this year show that vaccination rates for kindergarteners dropped for the second consecutive year.

The skipped shots protect against a wide array of diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliovirus and varicella. Together, the CDC estimates childhood vaccines prevent 4 million deaths worldwide every year.

Declining vaccination rates mean these diseases could start to circulate more widely and, with them, vaccine-preventable deaths. In 2019, there were more than 1,200 cases of measles across 31 states, the largest outbreak in the U.S. since 1992.

More recently, an Ohio outbreak that began last November sickened 85 children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years. None of the children were fully vaccinated, and nearly half were hospitalized.

Health officials in Kentucky and New York have recently identified whooping cough cases. And in New York, a young adult was diagnosed with paralytic polio last fall, and wastewater testing confirmed sustained community transmission of the virus.

What I worry about is are we going to see the reemergence of diseases we havent seen in a long time? Jha said. I look at this and I think, I cant believe were talking about polio in 2023.

A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that parents with children under the age of 18 were less likely to believe the benefits of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine outweighed the risks and that the shots had high preventative health benefits. They were more likely to believe in a greater risk of side effects than their counterparts without children. Mothers were significantly more worried about the risks than fathers.

And trust in science is the lowest it has been in years. Only 39 percent of Americans reported a great deal of confidence in the scientific community in 2022, down 9 percent from the previous year after remaining steady for the last two decades, according to the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

I wish I was more optimistic about this, said Rupali Limaye, deputy director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The way that this has been messaged is, If you believe in science, and if you believe in all these things that could infringe on my rights, youre woke.



The problem is clear to public health experts. The solutions are less so, particularly because those best equipped to combat health-related misinformation  doctors and scientists  are the very people the skeptics are least inclined to trust. Its a quandary especially for those in government, who want to act but understand their involvement could deepen the mistrust theyre trying to combat.

I may be a trusted messenger for, hopefully, a large segment of the population, said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregons state health officer. I am not the trusted messenger for everyone.

In lieu of being out front on the issue, public health officials have been turning to the community leaders who helped them spread the word about the Covid-19 vaccine. That includes leaning on respected conservative officials and pastors to be their ambassadors. Theyre looking to expand peer-based education, such as training parents and teachers to spread the word on public health. And they want to improve scientific literacy in the U.S. as a whole.

While the anti-vaccine movement has historically found a home among both libertarians and the far-left, recent data is clear that mistrust in vaccines and science in general is significantly higher among Republicans than Democrats. The AP-NORC data show that 22 percent of Republicans have a great deal of trust in the scientific community compared with 53 percent of Democrats.

But Adams noted the role Kennedy, a Democrat, is having in the discussion  and said the left-versus-right discussion is unhelpful.

The partisan framing drives many of the very people we're trying to engage right into the arms of nefarious actors, Adams said.



Kennedys campaign, in an email, blamed the involvement of business in science and medicine for the growing levels of mistrust and said it was the media, not Kennedy, making vaccines a campaign issue.

The reason the public has lost trust in science and medicine is that all too often, their trust has been betrayed due to corporate influence over academic research and government agencies, the campaign said.

Officials worry that social media may spread rhetoric from the most vocal and the most skeptical, resulting in other Americans delaying or skipping vaccinations, not because theyre opposed, but because they dont know who to trust. A recent KFF poll found that 96 percent of U.S. adults had heard at least one of 10 specific pieces of health-related misinformation, and that while fewer than one in five said the claims were definitely true, anywhere from half to three-quarters of people were uncertain whether the claims were true or false.

It makes it really hard for everyday Americans to know, What should I do for my family? What do I do for my kids? Do I get vaccinated? Do I not get vaccinated? Shah said. People start to wonder, and if you have enough people wonder, what happens is they may hesitate.


A North Carolina woman sued Google for negligence Tuesday after her husband drove off a collapsed bridge and died while following directions from Google Maps.

Alicia Paxsons husband, Philip Paxson, drove off Snow Creek Bridge in Hickory, N.C., last September, as he returned home from their daughters birthday party. The bridge had collapsed nine years earlier but was never repaired or barricaded, according to the lawsuit.

Google Maps allegedly continued to direct drivers to cross the collapsed bridge, despite being notified by Hickory residents that it was no longer passable and presented a danger to drivers.

Mr. Paxson was completely unaware that the Snow Creek Bridge collapsed in 2013, just like others who narrowly escaped the same fate, Larry Bendesky, one of Alicia Paxsons attorneys, said in a statement.

Like so many motorists, Philip put his trust in Google Maps to safely guide him home from the childrens birthday party, Bendesky continued. His trust in Google Maps, and the failure of the road and bridge-keepers to do their jobs, cost him his life.

Google Maps still showed the bridge as passable as recently as this April, more than six months after Paxsons death, the lawsuit alleges.

His widow is suing Google and its parent company Alphabet, as well as the individuals responsible for the upkeep of Snow Creek Bridge.

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, she said in a statement.

Google ignored the concerned community voices telling them to change its map and directions, Paxson added. No one should ever lose a loved one this way, and we want to make sure our voices are heard.

Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, said in a statement that the company is reviewing the lawsuit.

We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family, Castaneda said. Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Researchers at Google DeepMind claim to have built an AI model that can pinpoint which genetic mutations are likely to cause disease, according to a new study in the journal Science.

The new model, dubbed AlphaMissense, is an adaptation of AlphaFold, the DeepMind breakthrough that, back in 2020, finally cracked the protein folding problem, which had baffled the scientific community for years. According to the new study, AlphaMissense is "fine-tuned" on "human and primate" genetic variance and specifically trained to identify "missense" mutations, or genetic mutations that take place in a single letter of DNA code.

Though some missense mutations are completely benign  any given human has 9,000 or so missense alleles in their DNA  others can cause serious disease; sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and cancer, as DeepMind noted in a Tuesday blog post, all stem from missense genes specifically. And yet, despite the fact that missense mutations and other DNA abnormalities are a primary driver of illness, humans have only been able to independently classify a minuscule 0.1 percent of missense genes as good or bad.

Until now, that is. According to DeepMind's new study, this new AI model has been able to identify a staggering 71 million missense mutations, and from there has been able to predictively classify 89 percent of these variations as "either likely benign or likely pathogenic." Tens of millions of these predictions have since been spun into a vast online database for physicians, genetic researchers, and other diagnostic experts, who according to Google will hopefully be able to use this new resource to find and diagnose various illnesses  including exceedingly rare disorders  and ultimately kickstart the development of what it called "life-saving treatments."

"Today, we're releasing a catalog of 'missense' mutations where researchers can learn more about what effect they may have," DeepMind penned in its Tuesday blog, adding later that "by using AI predictions, researchers can get a preview of results for thousands of proteins at a time, which can help to prioritize resources and accelerate more complex studies."

But while that all sounds great, the news has been met with mixed reactions from the scientific community.

Some folks, like Ewan Birney, deputy director general of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, told the BBC that AlphaMissense is a "big step forward," arguing that the model "will help clinical researchers prioritize where to look to find areas that could cause disease." But others, like Ben Lehner, a senior group leader in human genetics at the UK's Wellcome Sanger Institute, were more hesitant, telling The Guardian that the black-box aspect of the tech concerns him.

"One concern about the DeepMind model is that it is extremely complicated," Lehner told The Guardian. "A model like this may turn out to be more complicated than the biology it is trying to predict," he added, noting that because doctors don't really understand how models like AlphaMissense actually work, using their predictions to make diagnostic choices might prove problematic.

"It's humbling to realize that we may never be able to understand how these models actually work. Is this a problem?" Lehner told the Guardian. "It may not be for some applications, but will doctors be comfortable making decisions about patients that they don't understand and can't explain?"

That said, though, Lehner did note that the DeepMind model "does a good job of predicting what is broken," and that "knowing what is broken is a good first step." Still, he says, you "also need to know how something is broken if you want to fix it."

AlphaMissense, of course, doesn't quite go that far just yet. After all, genetics is endlessly complicated. As Heidi Rehm, who directs the clinical laboratory at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, told The MIT Technology Review, computer predictions are only "one piece of evidence" from which physicians can make diagnostic calls.

"The models are improving, but none are perfect, and they still don't get you to pathogenic or not," Rehm continued, reportedly noting that she was "disappointed" to see Google exaggerate the medical efficacy of its new product.

So, mixed reviews. But even if DeepMind's purported step forward isn't quite as big as the venture has cracked it up to be, it may well be a step forward nonetheless. Only time will tell  but in the meantime, if you're in the business of diagnosing genetic disorders, maybe just take AlphaMissense's predictions with a grain of salt.

More on healthcare innovations: Biotech Company Says It's Implanted Dopamine-making Cells in Patients' Brains
(Reuters) - Alphabet's Google said on Thursday it does not see any change in its relationship with Broadcom following a media report the tech giant considered dropping the chipmaker as a supplier of artificial intelligence chips as early as 2027.

Broadcom shares pared losses after falling as much as 4.3% following The Information's report Google will design the chips - called tensor processing units - in-house if it decided to go ahead with the plan and could potentially save billions of dollars in costs annually.

Google has been ramping up chip investments this year as it plays catch-up with Microsoft for domination of the booming market for generative AI applications such as ChatGPT

The report had said Google's deliberations came about after a standoff between the company and Broadcom over the price of the TPU chips, and that Google has also been working to replace Broadcom with Marvell Technology as the supplier of chips that glue their servers together.

"Our work to meet our internal and external Cloud needs benefit from our collaboration with Broadcom; they have been an excellent partner and we see no change in our engagement," a Google spokesperson said.

Shares of Marvell, which declined to comment, reversed course and were down 1.3%.

Broadcom did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Broadcom is seen as the second-biggest winner from the generative AI boom after Nvidia. CEO Hock Tan had predicted in June the technology could account for more than a quarter of the company's semiconductor revenue next year.

In May, J.P. Morgan analysts estimated Broadcom could get $3 billion in revenue from Google this year after a "recent order acceleration" by the company for its TPU processors.

Google co-designs its AI chips with Broadcom and tech giant has already lined up the semiconductor firm for its sixth generation processor, the analysts said. They added Broadcom also works with Meta Platforms on the social media giant's custom chips.

Big technology companies from Microsoft to Amazon.com have in recent years rushed to develop custom chips that help them save on costs and are suited to their specific workloads.

That push has accelerated this year after prices surged for Nvidia's H100, the chip that powers most generative AI apps, to nearly double its original cost of $20,000.

(Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh and Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; Additional Reporting by Chavi Mehta and Jaspreet Singh; Editing by Savio D'Souza, Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
A North Carolina woman blames Google Maps for the death her husband last year after he drove his car off a collapsed bridge following directions from the GPS service.

On the night of Sept. 30, 2022, medical device salesman Philip Paxson drowned after his vehicle plunged off a bridge in Hickory, North Carolina that collapsed in 2013, state highway patrol Master Trooper Jeffrey Swagger told USA TODAY last year.

In a negligence lawsuit filed against Google's parent company Alphabet Tuesday, Paxson's wife Alicia alleged that Google Maps directed him to cross the Snow Creek Bridge as he drove through an unfamiliar neighborhood heading home from his daughter's ninth birthday party.

The state troopers who found the body of the Navy veteran and father of two in an upside down and partially submerged truck said he drove off an unguarded edge crashing 20 feet below, the court filing states. The troopers added there were no warning signs or barriers present along the roadway, which wasn't repaired by the time of the incident.

Las Vegas arrest: Police arrest second teen in hit-and-run of police chief after viral video captures moment

"Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life," Alicia said in a news release.

The lawsuit also claims multiple private property management companies are responsible for the bridge and the adjoining land.

In the years leading up to Paxson's death, Google Maps had been notified several times by people urging Google to update its route information, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also features email records from a Hickory resident who alerted Google in September 2020 with their "suggest an edit feature" that the service was directing drivers over the collapsed bridge.

"We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family," a Google spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit.

Paxson's mother-in-law Linda McPhee Koeing said he was driving home on a "dark and rainy night" in an Oct. 3 Facebook post.

"The bridge had been destroyed  years ago and never repaired," Koeing wrote last year.

Investigating troopers said last year the road where the tragedy occurred is not roadway maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

"Purportedly, that portion of the roadway collapsed several years ago when a culvert washed away," Swagger wrote. "Previous barricades apparently and reportedly had been vandalized and removed."

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Google Maps lawsuit: Man drives off fallen bridge following directions
Google has been trying to publicly pressure Apple into adopting the GSMAs RCS (Rich Communications Service) messaging protocol for a long time now, with nothing to show for it. As a matter of fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook seemed to completely dismiss the idea when he answered a question on the subject by saying that consumers should buy their moms an iPhone. Google and its Android platform arent giving up that easily and theyve just released a snarky ad to continue criticizing Apple's preferred messaging platform.

The ads called iPager and mimics Apples marketing language to reveal a retro-styled beeper, indicating that Apples behind the curve with its chosen messaging platform. The spot states that the iPager uses outdated messaging tech to text with Android, citing many of the perceived disadvantages of sticking with SMS technology when communicating with Android phones. Google didnt invent this comparison whole-cloth, as the 30-year-old SMS tech actually dates back to old-school pagers.

Apples continued use of SMS messaging does hobble Android integration in a few ways, but the reverse is also true. Most famously, theres the dreaded green bubble when texting an Android user from an iPhone. There are some feature-breaking bugs inherent to group chats between iOS and Android users and images sent from Android phones to iPhones tend to be rather pixelated. This is yet another side effect of those interoperability issues.

One-on-one RCS messages have been end-to-end encrypted since 2021, with group chats following suit just last month. iMessage texts have long been encrypted too, but only from iPhone to iPhone. Googles latest ad shines an (admittedly slanted) light on the vulnerability consumers face when texting across operating systems, as those SMS texts aren't encrypted. Additionally, RCS text messages lose encryption when making the leap to iOS devices. It's anyone's guess why Apple should make this change and not Google, despite RCS being a more globally adopted standard.

This ad's unlikely to convince Apple to change anything, as it's only the latest salvo in Googles snark campaign. Back in 2022, the company spoofed Drake to pile on Apple and there have been plenty of other minor jabs at Cupertinos expense at events like I/O 2022 and on social media. We all know Apple is notoriously stubborn when it comes to adopting non-proprietary technology, especially if it views the change as unnecessary. No matter who's to blame, these interoperability issues are annoying for consumers and bad for data privacy. Maybe an antitrust case will get this sorted one day.
A group of GOP lawmakers renewed their opposition to Washington's continued support for the embattled country in a letter to the White House ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's expected visit to the Capitol Thursday morning.

Twenty-three representatives and six senators, led by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), signed a letter outlining their opposition to the Biden administration's latest aid request, citing worries of an open-ended commitment to Ukraine, more than $100 billion in aid already approved and what they called an unclear strategy for helping the war-torn country.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the letter, which was addressed to Shalanda Young, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.

What is our strategy, and what is the presidents exit plan? What does the administration define as victory in Ukraine? are among the questions the lawmakers listed in their letter, which continues, It would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant this request without knowing the answers to these questions.

The White Houses latest request calls for another $24 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.

In Washington on Thursday, Zelenskyy will meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as senators and top military officials, to make the case for continuing support for his country.

But the pushback  as well as the looming threat of a U.S. government shutdown  is an ominous sign for Kyiv, which has heavily relied on Washingtons deep pockets to send more than $100 billion in aid to the nation since Russias invasion in February 2022.

When asked about the letter on MSNBC Thursday morning, which has enough backers to block or delay the White Houses request, Secretary of State Antony Blinken dodged. He did, however, directly address one of the lawmakers concerns.

The White House is working to transition to the kind of sustainable, long-term support that we and other countries can really get behind, he said. That means basically getting to a point where Ukraine is standing on its own two feet militarily, economically, democratically.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) blasted Attorney General Merrick Garland s responses to House GOP lawmaker questions on the Hunter Biden probe for being insulting to the American people.

I thought Attorney General Garland talked to the American people as if he were talking to Bambis baby brother, he said on an appearance on Fox & Friends. It was kind of insulting. The American people may be poorer under President Biden, but theyre not stupid. He didnt talk about the facts.

Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, where he defended the Justice Department and the handling of a high-profile investigation into the presidents son.

Kennedy rattled off a series of claims in connection to the Hunter Biden investigation during his Wednesday appearance, including accusing the White House and the Justice Department of having the skids greased through an inappropriate plea bargain.

But the whistleblowers came forward, and they have sort of been the stool sample in the White House and the Department of Justices punch bowl, he added. And final point, I think its clear to the American people that Mr. Hunter Biden is Fredo. He had to have lots of help to pull this off.

One of the focuses of the hearing came from the testimony of an IRS whistleblower, Gary Shapley, who told lawmakers he believed Hunter Bidens case was slow-walked by prosecutors. It also centered on his claims that prosecutor David Weiss sought a special counsel status earlier on but was denied it.

Garland denied any involvement in Weisss investigation, saying he left it up to Weiss on when he should pursue charges against the presidents son.

Weiss was elevated to a special counsel status in August, just weeks after a plea deal fell apart between Hunter Bidens attorney and prosecutors over whether it limited further prosecution in the case.

When news of the plea deal broke, Republicans labeled it as a sweetheart deal, saying that it showed a two-tier system of justice  pointing to former President Trumps numerous legal battles as a reason.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Grand Canyon National Park will remain open even if the federal government shuts down at the end of the month, which has caused chaos at national parks in the past.

Gov. Katie Hobbs , a Democrat, said Wednesday afternoon that she was prepared to continue a strategy first used by Republican former Gov. Doug Ducey to use state funds to keep the park open.

Arizona should not have to suffer because of the federal governments inaction, Hobbs said in a statement to The Arizona Republic. The Grand Canyon is a pillar of our state and provides good paying jobs for hundreds of Arizonans while showcasing one of the seven natural wonders of the world to those who visit. I am proud to offer resources to keep the park open and am committed to ensuring Arizonans are protected from Washingtons failure.

Congress has hit an apparent stalemate on bills to fund the federal government, and without a breakthrough compromise by Sept. 30, the federal government will partially shut down on Oct. 1, affecting everything from the Internal Revenue Service to the National Guard.

Ducey chose to pay to maintain park staff when the federal government shut down briefly in early 2018 during President Donald Trump's term. The National Park Service at the time allowed parks to remain open without staff.

Ducey issued an executive order to provide state funds in the event the government shut down again, which it did before the end of that year, when the federal government went mostly dark for 35 days, stretching into January 2019.

During that shutdown, state funding maintained trash collection, custodial services for restrooms and snow removal on trails and sidewalks. But the visitors center and contact stations were closed, and no ranger-lead tours were provided.

A Republic reporter visiting the park during that shutdown found the gates were open but nobody was taking the entrance fees.

The National Park Service said at the time that visitors who already had permits for camping or river trips could proceed but no new permits could be issued during the shutdown.

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.

Visitation has been down since then, but the park remains a vital part of the state economy.

Other parks suffered during that 2018-19 shutdown, including Joshua Tree National Park, which saw visitors creating new roads and destroying the park's iconic trees during the shutdown. Other parks had similar problems during that shutdown.

Other states similarly are hoping to avoid problems at their parks.

Utah media reported Tuesday that lawmakers in that state are working on similar plans to keep that state's five national parks open should the government shut down this month.

Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @UtilityReporter.

Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gov. Hobbs says Grand Canyon will stay open if government shuts down
A government contractor has been arrested on espionage charges for allegedly spying on the U.S. for a foreign government.

Abraham Teklu Lemma, 50, is a naturalized citizen of Ethiopian descent and worked as an IT help desk technician for the State Department. He was charged with aiding a foreign government by conspiring to deliver and delivering national defense information and the willful retention of national defense information.

Lemma allegedly copied classified information from intelligence reports and deleted the markings signaling it was classified before removing the information from secure facilities at the State Department. The criminal complaint says he allegedly took this information between Dec. 19, 2022, and Aug. 7.

While the complaint does not state what country he was spying on behalf of, sources told The New York Times he was spying for Ethiopia.

According to court documents, Lemma utilized an encrypted service to transmit the classified information to a foreign government official with whom he expressed an interest in aiding their country.

In one communication, the foreign official stated its time to continue ur support, with Lemma responding, Roger that! according to the complaint. When the official asked Lemma to look into specific issues, Lemma allegedly told him,  I have been focusing on that all this week.

Information conveyed to the official by Lemma included satellite images and other information regarding the U.S. military activities near the foreign country, according to court documents.

First, in or around August 2022, Lemma transmitted satellite imagery from the region of the Relevant Country. This information was classified at the TOP SECRET level. Second, in or around September 2022, Lemma transmitted information related to a third-party countrys activities in the region of the Relevant County. This information was classified at the SECRET level, the affidavit states.

The Justice Department noted that the two espionage charges carry a potential penalty of death or up to life in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The United States governments fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, and if Congress doesnt allocate funding to all 438 government agencies, large swaths of the U.S. government could temporarily close on Oct. 1, per Reuters.

Why do shutdowns happen?

The U.S. Constitution says, No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.

So, for government agencies to receive funding, there must be an appropriations bill.

Twelve subcommittees in Congress review budgets. Then, bills are voted on first in the House and then in the Senate, often not passing. If they fail to pass, they go to a conference committee with members from both chambers, which is then voted on again in the House and the Senate, and then is signed by the president.

If Congress cant pass a bill, they sometimes pass continuing resolutions to keep funds going to federal agencies. If Congress cant agree on a continuing resolution, a government shutdown occurs for the specific federal agency.

Related

Have there always been government shutdowns?

The U.S. government has shut down 21 times, with the three longest durations occurring under Jimmy Carter (17 days), Bill Clinton (21 days) and Donald Trump (35 days).

No government shutdowns occurred in the 1800s, but due to consistent overspending, the Antideficiency Act was enacted in 1884 with amendments made in the 1950s.

U.S. Army Chaplaincy Accounting Chief Scott Turner described, before the Antideficiency Act, spending outside the budget had less serious consequences. He said, now if we violate the Antideficiency Act, were violating federal law.

Before amendments strengthening the Antidificiency Act were added, overspending continued to be an issue. President Ronald Reagan signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, establishing the system that still operates today.

The 1981 act said, First, if, after the expiration of an agencys appropriations, Congress has enacted no appropriation for the immediately sub-sequent period, the agency may make no contracts and obligate no further funds except as authorized by law.

Both of these acts enforced strict adherence to spending within budgets approved by Congress through appropriation bills.

Who is affected?

Only the agencies receiving funding from non-passed appropriation acts are affected.

For example, in 1996, only three out of the 13 regular appropriations acts had been signed into law before the first funding gap, according to the Congressional Research Service.

President Clinton then vetoed a continuing resolution that would have extended budget authority through Dec. 1, and the subsequent gap resulted in the furlough of an estimated 800,000 federal workers.

However, while furloughed federal workers arent paid during a shutdown, Congress routinely provides full back pay to those workers when it ultimately passes appropriations, according to a Senate staff report.

Related

The 35-day shutdown in 2019 also impacted the economy and workers, as the National Park Service left many parks open, but furloughed most rangers and staff, per The Hill.

National Park Service regional fee manager Cindy David said the parks lost between $10 million and $11 million in visitor fee revenue during the shutdown.

Some states will try to keep things running if the federal government shuts down. For example, in Utah, the state government spent $66,000 during the 2019 shutdown to keep national parks open. This month, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams said the state plans to respond like we did last time if another government shutdown occurs, according to KSL News.

State House Speaker Brad Wilson, who will step down Nov. 11, acknowledged Utah towns heavy economic reliance on national park tourism. He said, We do need the people back there to do the hard work and make hard decisions. Well be ready for what comes.

Does the U.S. save money during a shutdown?

Shutdowns typically end up costing the country money. In a Senate staff report, the 2013, 2018 and 2019 shutdowns cost taxpayers nearly $4 billion ... in back pay to furloughed federal workers, and at least $388 million in other costs such as extra administrative work, lost revenue, and late fees on interest payments.

Georgetown law professor Eloise Pasachoff explained that as the public becomes more polarized, the more divided the government becomes, and the harder a time Congress and the president have trying to get funding approved, per UMD Public Policy.
Russia launched a mass missile attack against Ukraine in the morning of Sept. 21, targeting a regional center of Cherkasy among other cities.

Air defense was active in the oblast from 4 a.m. local time until almost 7 a.m. As a result of the air defense operation, debris fell in the central part of the city.

A social infrastructure site was damaged in the attack. Five people were injured, and at least one more person remains under the rubble, regional Governor Ihor Taburets said via his official Telegram channel.

Read also: Mayor: 7 injured following Russian attack on Kyiv

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces launched multiple strikes against Kherson Oblast on Sept. 21, killing five civilians and wounding another 10, reported Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

Most recently, Russian troops hit the village of Bilozerka near Kherson, claiming one persons life and injuring two more people, according to the report.

Bilozerka lies on the Kyiv-controlled west bank of the Dnipro River, some 10 kilometers west of the regional capital.

Earlier the same day, Prokudin said that Russia had struck the village of Kizomys overnight with incendiary ammunition. Three private households and outbuildings were damaged in the strike.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the Dnipro Rivers west bank in November 2022.

Russian forces were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Read also: Russia launches mass wave of missile attacks, 2 killed, 26 injured

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The European Commission is considering whether it should defend Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) proceedings initiated by Kyiv, and is working to "coordinate" these countries' legal objections to Kyiv's WTO complaint.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Financial Times

Quote: "The European Commission, the blocs executive, had initially demanded Poland, Hungary and Slovakia reverse their bans, but is now working to "co-ordinate" their legal rebuttals to Kyivs filing of a suit at the World Trade Organisation."

Details: The three countries have imposed unilateral bans on imports of certain Ukrainian products despite the European Commission's decision not to impose restrictions after 15 September.

In a written request to Poland, Hungary and Slovakia on Wednesday, seen by the Financial Times, the European Commission said that in accordance with EU law, it would "act in these WTO proceedings initiated against member states".

"The immediate next step is for the commission to respond to Ukraine on these consultation requests on behalf of all three member states," they added.

A source familiar with the talks said the European Commission had continued discussions on Wednesday evening about whether to protect Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

The Commission said that member states were "not allowed to take unilateral measures on trade" and that it was "assessing the legally complex situation".

"We are engaging with the concerned [member states] and will seek to work towards a constructive solution, so there would be no need to further pursue this case," the Commission said, adding that it could start its own proceedings to ensure that member states are in compliance with their obligations under EU law and their commitments in the WTO.

Background:

Amid the grain crisis, Ukraine proposed that the European Commission and Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania accept an export control plan for four crop groups  wheat, maize, sunflower and rapeseed  to protect their domestic markets.

Nevertheless, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian imports, prompting Ukraine to file a complaint against the three countries within 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!
For more than 39 years Dr. Henry Morgan Green was a leader in community activities, traveled the world and had a very lucrative medical practice. He served as president of the National Medical Association and was founding president of the National Hospital Association. His name was usually at the forefront of civic affairs until his death in 1939.

Born in Adairsville, Georgia, on Aug. 28, 1873, he came to Knoxville College and graduated from the Normal Department in 1895. He began teaching in one of the KC feeder schools that year but came back to the college a few months later when it opened its medical school. Green enrolled there and later finished his medical training at Northwestern University.

Green School (circa 1916). was erected on Payne Avenue in 1909. The school was named after Dr. Henry Morgan Green, a black physician who was highly regarded for his expertise on pellagra. Photo from Beck Cultural Exchange Center.

He graduated in 1900 and returned to Knoxville and helped to organize the Knoxville Medical College on College Street where Rogers Memorial Baptist Church is today. That school trained twenty-one Black physicians before it closed in 1910.

On Jan. 21, 1908, when he won his City Council seat for the first time, he declared himself independent and said he would not affiliate with any party or group. The Knoxville Journal described him as a "self-made man. Today he is one of the most influential representatives of the negro race in this city and at the same time is one of its wealthiest members and commands as high respect as any negro in the city. He also stands high in his profession."

In 1909 Green School was erected and named for him. Green in 1911 served as president of the Black division of the Exposition at Chilhowee Park. For the occasion that Sept. 24 he introduced the Register of the U.S. Treasury J.C. Napier. A large parade of participants had started at the corner of Gay and Main and proceeded to the Negro Building at the park.

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The News Sentinel of March 10, 1912, heralded Green's return to the city from his trip abroad. It said: "Dr. H.M. Green, one of the best known colored physicians and surgeons in the south, returned Friday night from several months' visit abroad. He was tendered a reception and banquet by colored businessmen of the city. While abroad, he studied his profession in hospitals in Paris, London, Berlin, and Vienna."

Green had first come to Knoxville as a student with the goal of becoming a teacher. At KC he was a member of the Glee Club, which traveled to several cities and raised funds to build McCulloch Hall, the men's dormitory. Another member of that group was Dr. Otis Sims, who also practiced medicine here. He was the grandfather of Henri Sims Spriggs. A third member of the Glee Club was the Rev. John T. Arter, who helped set up the public school system in Alcoa.

He was the father of longtime Austin High School English teacher Edna Arter and Ruth Arter Matthews, who taught in Blount County.

In 1922 Dr. Green was elected president of the National Medical Association and became the founding president of the National Hospital Association in 1923. In that position he helped organize the National Association of Insurance Examiners, which aided the development of Black life insurance companies across the country.

For 17 years he also served as a city physician and was instrumental in addressing the poor health conditions of local citizens. He became an international expert on the disease pellagra and wrote a book on its causes and treatment. He was internationally honored for his discoveries. He died March 19, 1939, and is buried in the Knoxville College Cemetery.

Robert J. Booker is a freelance writer and former executive director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. He may be reached at 865-546-1576.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Green School was named for one of the city's richest Black men in 1909
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Thursday flipped her vote on advancing the Pentagon appropriations bill, citing Ukraine aid as the reason for her no vote.

Greene had voted yes on the rule for the Pentagon bill  which governs debate on a bill and lets the chamber proceed to a vote on the legislation  when it first came up Tuesday.

But the procedural vote failed and when Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) brought it back up Thursday. Greene was one of five conservative Republicans to vote no.

Our country is being invaded by the thousands every damn day and our Department of Defense does nothing, Greene posted Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Our Defense bill should not fund our DOD for blood money for the Ukraine war, thats why Im a NO. What did we get out of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan?

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Washington, D.C., Thursday to meet with government leaders, including McCarthy and President Biden.

Greene has emerged as one of McCarthys strongest allies, but her and other GOP colleagues no votes on advancing the Pentagon bill dealt a blow to the Speaker and continued a week of turmoil for House Republicans. The chaos includes the failure of this bill and other struggles to advance a House GOP stopgap bill to fund the government to prevent an upcoming government shutdown. McCarthy expressed his open frustration Thursday in the wake of the failed vote.

This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down, McCarthy told reporters.

Despite her yes vote on Tuesday, Greene has long been a critic of Ukraine aid.

Currently, the top line spending number for the Defense appropriations bill is $826.45 billion, Greene said on X last week. The president asked for a top line number of $285.87 million less than our top line.

The House bill includes $300 million for Ukraine, which I will not vote for. To cut spending and please the members that dont want to vote for Ukraine, lets take out the $300 M for Ukraine and pass this otherwise great bill, Greene continued.

Earlier this year, she offered amendments to an annual defense policy bill to end assistance to Ukraine as it fends off an invasion from Russia.

McCarthy also denied a request by Zelensky to address Congress on Thursday. He said his denial was because there was no time for an address.

Zelensky asked us for a joint session; we just didnt have time, McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill, according to videos of the exchange.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Southern Baptist Convention, the nations largest Protestant denomination, has kicked a rural Oklahoma church out of its membership after photos and videos of their pastor impersonating singer Ray Charles in blackface emerged on social media.

A spokesperson for the organization said the executive committee ruled that the Matoaka Baptist Church in Ochelata, Oklahoma, was not in friendly cooperation with the convention. The decision came after the church, led by the Rev. Sherman Jaquess, failed to cooperate in resolving concerns regarding discriminatory behavior on the basis of ethnicity, according to CNN.

Bartlesville pastor Sherman Jaquess wears blackface during an event. (Photo: Marq Lewis/Facebook)

Jaquess, a white man, was seen in a video dressed in a Jheri curl wig, black body paint (face, neck, hands), and red lips during a Valentines Day talent show in 2017. The preacher said he was trying to honor the late Grammy Award winner.

Related: They Will Never Recognize My Picture Now: Blackface-Wearing Trump Supporter Locked Up After Harassing People in Target, Starbucks

The incident was highlighted on Facebook in April by local activist Marq Lewis.

The activist published screenshots of pictures from the talent show and said, You can honor anyone by not putting on blackface, and he is ignoring the historical references and all of the satirical types of caricatures that African Americans have gone through in this country.

Lewis also said the preachers actions were actually a slap in the face of African Americans and all people of color.

The pastor said earlier in the year that he thought the hoopla about the costume was misplaced.

We have people [who] are offended by a lot of things, but its hard to play Ray Charles if you dont play a Black man; it wasnt anything, he said.

The clergyman was shocked at people being offended despite him looking nothing like the brown-skinned Charles, who wore his hair for most of his career in a military-styled crew cut.

During a sermon, he said, I just want to publicly say I dont have a racial bone in my body. Im not racist at all.

Jaquess added, There wasnt anything racial about it. I was singing Ray Charles Seven Spanish Angels, and I said, I love Ray Charles music. How can you portray Ray Charles if youre not a Black man?

The Oklahoma chapter of the SBC attempted to intervene. They advised Jaquess to remove the controversial photos from circulation. But the pastor refused.

Mike Keahbone, an executive committee member for the SBC, said to KTUL, He was not cooperative.

Did not take it seriously. Didnt think it was a big deal. Didnt think it was racist in any way, shape, or form, Keahbone said.

It was grievous; we hate to disfellowship any church, the SBC member said. But this was an egregious act of racism in my opinion, and so we voted to disfellowship them yesterday.

The pastor has a history of dressing up as different races. Once, during a cowboys-and-Indians-themed event at the Falls Creek church camp, he appeared as an indigenous woman in brownface.

Lewis took to social media to congratulate the convention.

Way to go @SouthernBapCon for kicking this racist out. Thank you supporters for keeping the pressure on, he tweeted.

Wilkes stated that the expulsion decision is open to appeal, but it wont be easy.

In the annual convention meeting held in June, delegates voted to deny appeals from three churches whose memberships were revoked. One of those churches was Rick Warrens Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, which was ousted because it allowed a woman to serve as a pastor.

Read the full story at Atlanta Black Star.
Tia Howard thought shed found the perfect spot for her new school  a two-acre, rural property in Pinal County, Arizona, with a main house and several smaller buildings that resembled a miniature Western town.

She envisioned teaching elementary students in the primary space and middle schoolers in the casita. The sheds would be for students personal interests, like metal working and car repair. But in July, after she put down a $5,000 deposit and just weeks before she was ready to open, Howard ran up against the countys zoning bureaucracy. Despite plans to serve about a dozen students, officials told her the law required private schools to have at least five acres of land.

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We lost our money, and the families lost their anticipated school, Howard said. A lot of families are looking for an alternative to what they are seeing in public schools right now.

Steve and Tia Howard and their son Ikie found an ideal spot for a new microschool, but were told the property didnt fit the zoning regulations. (Institute for Justice)

Microschools, as such small learning environments are known, arent new. The model took off during the pandemic, and now serves between 1 and 2 million students. But as interest has surged, so have regulatory snags. Parents and educators with dreams of running their own schools are clashing with local officials armed with sometimes arcane rules that were never designed for education. Lawyers and veterans of unconventional education programs are now jumping in to help newcomers navigate everything from fire codes to food safety.

Its the problem that comes with trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, said Paul Avelar, an attorney with the conservative Institute for Justice. The public interest law firm, which has won major school choice victories before the U.S. Supreme Court, represents Howard. Avelar wants Pinal County to clarify its rule in light of a 2018 state law that says counties cant require a private school to have more than one acre of land. He hopes to have an answer by the end of this month.

This is going to be one of those growing pains, he said.

The National Microschooling Centers survey of 100 schools in 34 states shows that understanding laws and regulations that impact their programs is leaders top concern. (National Microschooling Center)

There are now an estimated 125,000 microschools in the United States, said Don Soifer, executive director of the Las Vegas-based National Microschooling Center. Those running them have varied backgrounds and reasons for taking the plunge. While some started out as homeschoolers, other operators left the public system in search of greater flexibility or to offer students a more personalized education. Over 60% of microschool founders are white, and almost three-fourths of leaders are or were certified educators, according to the centers recent report.

Related

Pandemic Learning Pods in Year Two Find Their Legs, But Face Limitations

Lawmakers are beginning to pay attention. A Utah proposal this year would have written microschools into the law, permitting them to operate virtually anywhere, much like charters. Despite a close vote, the bill failed after Democrats raised concerns over traffic in residential areas and said it would further draw families away from public schools.

While they wait for local officials to respond, many advocates warn that microschools ignore the regulatory system at their peril.

We dont want a graveyard of microschools that were looking back on, said Jamie Buckland, founder of West Virginia Families United for Education, a homeschooling and school choice advocacy group. If youre going to charge someone money to educate their child, you do have a responsibility to dot your is and cross your ts.

In West Virginia, that money includes public education funds. Students attending microschools are eligible for the states Hope Scholarship, an education savings account, which this year is set at $4,488 per student. ESAs allow families to pay private school tuition or cover a wide variety of homeschooling expenses.

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Arizona Parents are Using Public Ed $ for Kayaks, Trampolines & SeaWorld Tickets

Buckland has been advising homeschooling families for 16 years. Some of those families collaborate to teach multiple children  an arrangement that might now be called a microschool. She provides workshops across the state on details from employment taxes to liability insurance.

Microschool operators often use spare church spaces, and may incorrectly assume their insurance is covered by the church. Buckland also recommends that schools that store data online invest in cyber insurance to protect from data breaches.

She urges vigilance because opponents of vouchers are on the lookout for fly-by-night schools and start-ups who dont understand what they are liable for.

Beth Lewis, director of Save Our Schools Arizona, a pro-public schools group, is among those who think microschools lack sufficient safeguards. Many operate from private homes that lack pool fences, gun safes and locked medicine cabinets to protect children, she said.

We have asked questions about who is ultimately responsible if something happens to a child at a microschool, she said. But when she contacts state authorities about these questions, she usually gets the runaround. Its only a matter of time before something happens and a child is hurt.

Just want to teach

Whether public or private, microschools can be subject to land use restrictions and health and safety mandates. But these often vary by county and city, leaving school leaders at the mercy of local bureaucrats who frequently lack experience with schools.

Lizette Valles founded a microschool that meets in a Los Angeles multi-use facility, but shes already looking for new space. (Courtesy of Lizette Valles)

Overzealous regulators are looking to do their jobs, and doing it inconsistently, Soifer said.

Almost weekly, his team is on the phone negotiating with officials who are unfamiliar with microschools. If theyre trying to shut down a school, he often seeks a temporary exception that lasts at least until the end of the school year to avoid disruption.

The risk of shutdowns can be enough to make leaders resort to using terms such as learning community  anything other than school  to describe their work.

Lizette Valles, a former private school English teacher and librarian, runs a microschool out of a warehouse in an industrial area south of downtown Los Angeles. Sharing space with a race car garage and a plant nursery, the school serves just a few in-person students, but reaches kids learning from home or roadschooling in an RV.

Lizette Valless microschool meets next to a race car garage, giving students exposure to the industry. (Courtesy of Lizette Valles)

County fire officials determined a glass enclosure around the classroom space violates industrial zoning codes. But the owners, whose children attend the program, satisfied those concerns  for now.

In the long run, this is not sustainable, said Valles, who is already looking for another space. I just want to teach kids.

Over a third of microschools occupy a commercial business space, according to the microschool centers report. That means prospective school leaders might have to conduct a traffic analysis or notify the surrounding community of a schools opening, even if it will only serve a small group of students.

Pizza, goats

Soifer has heard numerous examples of regulations designed to govern traditional schools or businesses clashing with educational programs that dont fit the mold.

A health department in southern Nevada, for example, wouldnt allow a microschool in Clark County to order pizza for students on Fridays because it lacked a commercial kitchen.

Soifer advises microschool operators to avoid serving younger students altogether because child care licensing rules can be especially difficult to navigate. Last fall, Hawaii officials closed a microschool on the Big Island they said was an unlicensed preschool and didnt meet credentialing requirements for staff.

This fall, Katie Saiz, who runs Green Gate Childrens School in Wichita, Kansas, bought a couple of goats for the preschoolers and elementary-age students to take care of. But the city first required her to get permission from members of a homeowners association in the surrounding neighborhood.

Two goats joined Green Gate Childrens School this fall, but first, the neighbors had to give their approval. (Katie Saiz)

With years of experience running a microschool, she wants to help other educators avoid such pitfalls. Shes creating an online guide to the regulatory process for microschools, with a grant from the Vela Education Fund, which supports innovative education programs.

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Just wanted to give up

Regulatory delays can leave parents scrambling for a backup plan. When Tamra Hopkins had to put off opening Desert Peach Montessori in Reno, Nevada this spring, five families suddenly had to find another school.

She thought the process would be easy. After identifying an old church building that previously housed a preschool, regulators told her she had to erect a 6-foot-high retaining wall  a legally required buffer between child care centers and residential areas.

Then she had to hold a public forum to gather input from the community. Many residents opposed the move, concerned that a property zoned as a public facility would one day invite a hospital or some other high-traffic facility to move in. Prospective parents attended the gathering to voice their support for the program.

They must have really wanted this for their children, Hopkins said. The program opened in August after the city granted the school a special permit to serve up to 54 students.

In the end, it was good news, she said. But there were so many times that we just wanted to give up.
Guatemala's President-elect Bernardo Arevalo greets the crowd as he arrives at a march by Indigenous people to demand the resignation of Guatemala's Attorney General Consuelo Porras, outside the Supreme Court building in Guatemala City, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Arevalo has called people to protest efforts to derail his presidency before he can take office and for the attorney general's resignation. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Protests by thousands of Guatemalans this week supporting President-elect Bernardo Arevalo suggest that the efforts by some officials to derail his presidency have awakened a new will among many citizens to defend democracy.

Public displays rejecting machinations by the attorney generals office had been modest in the month since Arevalos resounding victory. But on Monday, thousands marched peacefully through the capitals streets and on Tuesday protesters blocked major highways across the country.

Historically, Guatemala has scored among the lowest in Latin American countries in its support for democracy, according to the AmericasBarometer survey, which has been measuring attitudes there for three decades. Over the past 15 years, measured support for democracy as the best form of government reached as high as 62.9% in 2014 and as low as 48.4% in 2017.

Even as recently as the weeks before this year's election, only 48% of those surveyed said democracy was the best form of government, ranking Guatemala last in the region, according to not-yet-published data shared by researchers at Vanderbilt University's LAPOP Lab, which conducts the AmericasBarometer surveys.

But since the election, Guatemalans have seen attempts by losing parties and the attorney general's office to challenge the results. Arevalo has characterized investigations into his party and electoral authorities as an attempted coup detat and the Organization of American States observation mission said prosecutors actions appeared to be aimed at keeping Arevalo from taking office.

Sandra Paz, 55, marched through the capital waving the Guatemalan flag Monday.

Im here in support of our new presidents democracy, so that he can do his job without corruption, said Paz, who lives on the outskirts of Guatemala City. Ive come to the capital, I have arthritis, its painful to walk, but Im here supporting him.

Rachel Schwartz, an assistant professor of international and area studies at the University of Oklahoma who was a research affiliate and Guatemala expert on the AmericasBarometer survey, said that while the survey data was gathered before the election, what she has seen since suggests the tumultuous electoral process has struck a chord.

I think that based on what Ive seen on the streets and in the Plaza de la Constitucion and on social media, I think this process is mobilizing people, said Schwartz, who was in Guatemala for the first round of voting in June.

She said that Guatemalans' perceptions of democracy are very much intertwined with their perceptions of corruption.

Some 76% of Guatemalans surveyed said that more than half or all of the country's politicians are involved in corruption, the highest level ever recorded in the country, and trailing only Ecuador and Peru this year.

Then along came Arevalo, the last anti-corruption candidate in the race. His campaign resonated with voters, especially with young voters when contrasted with former first lady Sandra Torres, who was associated with the establishment, in the Aug. 20 runoff.

A central target of this weeks protests has been Attorney General Consuelo Porras. On Monday, protesters shouted: Resign Consuelo!

Guatemalans trust in the attorney generals office has declined steadily since reaching a highpoint in 2017 and this year registered 42%, according to the AmericasBarometer surveys.

Porras took over as attorney general in 2018 and in 2021 was sanctioned by the U.S. government for being an undemocratic actor and undermining investigations into corruption. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Porras office has ongoing investigations into the way Arevalos Seed Movement gathered the necessary signatures for its registration years earlier, as well as into allegations of fraud in the election that independent observers have said are unsubstantiated.

Arevalo is among those who believe that the countrys democracy has been on shaky footing, but he sees that changing since the election. Now, more people "are betting on democracy, Arevalo said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Because in some way this corrupt state that we have lived with has authoritarian government practices (hidden) beneath the shape of democratic institutions, and the people are beginning to see that that does not lead anywhere," he said.

__

Sherman reported from Mexico City.
DAKAR (Reuters) - Guinea's military leader Mamady Doumbouya told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday that the Western model of democracy does not work for Africa, as evidenced by a recent wave of coups.

Doumbouya took power in a coup in 2021, which was one of eight in West and Central Africa in the last three years. Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Gabon are also run by military officers.

The coups have been strongly condemned by the United Nations and Western powers such as the U.S. and France, which have urged democracy to be restored as soon as possible. Doumbouya criticised their response, saying it was racist and condescending.

"Africa is suffering from a governance model that has been imposed on it... a model that is good and effective for the West but is difficult to adapt to our realities, our customs and environment," he told world leaders gathered in New York.

"It is time to stop lecturing us and stop treating us with condescension like children," he said, adding that Africans were mature enough to design their own models of governance.

Doumbouya's government proposed a two-year transition to elections in 2022 after negotiating with regional bloc ECOWAS, but has shown little sign of moving to organise a vote.

Western countries such as France have been particularly concerned by the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where the military governments have moved to cut ties with their former colonial ruler and strengthen relations with Russia.

Doumbouya said that African countries were being unfairly placed into boxes and forced to take sides in an ideological battle from the Cold War era, which was not relevant to their current-day relations.

Africans are neither pro- nor anti- American, Chinese, French, Russian or Turkish, he said, they are "simply pro-African".

"Placing us under the influence of this or that power is an insult. It is contempt and racism towards a continent of more than 1.3 billion people."

Doumbouya took power by overthrowing Alpha Conde, Guinea's then 84-year-old president who had changed the constitution to run for a third term, sparking widespread protests.

"The real putschists, the most numerous and those who avoid any condemnation, are also those who plot and scheme... in order to stay in power eternally," Doumbouya said.

(Reporting by Bate Felix; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Against urgent calls for reform in the wake of daily mass shootings, Republican officials and the gun rights groups supporting them have instead steadily pushed for increasing Americans access to firearms.

The number of states allowing Americans to carry concealed firearms without a permit  a top priority for gun groups  has increased dramatically in recent years, with more than half of US states passing laws to expand that access within just the last decade alone.

Those GOP-supporting gun groups and the lawmakers who usher their proposals into law will now endure challenges to gun restrictions for the sake of a political victory against the Democratic president.

After a grand jury indicted Hunter Biden on three charges stemming from the purchase of a firearm in 2018, charges that Second Amendment experts and legal analysts believe could be tossed out in court or face constitutional challenges, gun groups appear reluctant to take up his defence.

And because Joe Bidens son is charged under a federal law that prohibits people who use drugs from buying firearms, the response to the indictment from gun activists underscores the fact that gun groups believe at least one group of people should face the restrictions they otherwise spend millions of dollars and countless lobbying hours opposing: drug users.

Gun Owners of America, which bills itself as the only no compromise gun lobby in the nations capital, celebrated Hunter Bidens indictment with a hand clapping emoji on X, formerly Twitter.

Good! the group wrote. If his father wants to work with us to repeal unconstitutional gun control, our lobbyists will be at the White House in an hour. Until then, Hunter shouldnt get any sweetheart deal!

The younger Biden is facing three charges stemming from his 11-day possession of a handgun he allegedly obtained in a time period in which he admitted to using drugs. Two of the charges are connected to his alleged lie on a federal form required for the sale of the gun, and the other charge relates to possession of the weapon while under the influence of drugs.

Prosecutions for lying on that application are exceedingly rare, and the third charge is typically connected with other more serious crimes, not as a standalone charge, which former prosecutors told The Independent is extremely unusual if not unprecedented. Hunter Biden did not use the gun and had no prior criminal record.

Gun Owners of America opposes all gun control, but so long as this President continues to use every tool at his disposal to harass and criminalize guns, gun owners and gun dealers, his son should be receiving the same treatment and scrutiny as all of us, Erich Pratt, senior vice president for the organisation, said in a statement.

A brief statement from a spokesperson for the National Rifle Association, the nations largest gun rights advocacy group, simply said that laws should be applied equally against all criminals.

The organisation has argued for exceptions for people who use drugs from its broad support for Second Amendment rights, with current CEO Wayne LaPierre stressing in a recent column that it is a federal felony for both convicted felons as well as known drug users to possess firearms.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 makes it a crime for any unlawful user to possess or receive any firearm or ammunition. But the US Supreme Courts 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen argues that any firearms restriction must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with the Nations historical tradition.

Its an enormously high bar for state and federal laws to overcome to test the constitutionality of restrictions as governments respond to a gun violence crisis and the explosion of high-powered firearms across the country. And its one overwhelmingly welcomed by gun groups as a major achievement of their lobbying efforts.

But the ruling could throw restrictions like the ones surrounding Hunter Bidens case into doubt. Within the year after the Bruen decision, federal judges in several cases have ruled that banning someone who uses drugs from owning a firearm is inconsistent with the Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

In short, our history and tradition may support some limits on an intoxicated persons right to carry a weapon, but it does not justify disarming a sober citizen based exclusively on his past drug usage, Ronald Reagan-appointed US District Judge Jerry Smith wrote for a federal appeal courts panel in August. Nor do more generalized traditions of disarming dangerous persons support this restriction on nonviolent drug users.

Oklahoma US District Judge Patrick Wyrick ruled in February that laws cited by the government took a scalpel to the right of armed self-defense while federal law takes a sledgehammer to it.

In June, a federal appeals court ruled that government attorneys failed to point to any laws from the nations founding that establish a tradition of disarming non-violent criminals.

Following a potential plea deal for Hunter Biden this summer, the NRAs lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action, blasted the case as evidence that gun control laws are about exercising political control and suppressing constitutional rights, rather than protecting the public from criminals.

Indeed, if ever there was an exemplary case to justify the firearm prohibition as it pertains to unlawful drug users or addicts, it would seem to have been Hunter Biden, according to a post on the groups website in June.

An expanding web of statutes, regulations and enforcement policies make it harder and harder for conscientious, law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights, while those who brazenly violate the law often go unpunished, the post added.

Hunter Bidens plea deal collapsed, and a grand jury indictment subsequently returned the three counts against him. His arraignment is scheduled for 3 October. He intends to plead not guilty.

GOP lawmakers who previously criticised the Biden administrations gun reform measures and celebrated the Bruen decision have also welcomed the indictment. Republican US Rep James Comer, a member of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus who is leading efforts to investigate the Biden family, described the charges as a very small start.

Republicans characterised an earlier plea agreement as a sweetheart deal, but former prosecutors and legal experts told The Independent that the charges are exceptionally punitive compared to similar cases, and that the previous plea arrangement was much closer to how these cases are typically handled. Of the 6,459 people sentenced in the US for illegal gun possession in 2021, only 5 per cent were charged for their drug use, according to the US Sentencing Commission.

Within the fiscal year that Hunter Biden bought the gun and filled out that paperwork, federal prosecutors received 478 referrals for charges stemming from lying on the form  and filed cases in roughly half of them.

Following the indictment, Hunter Bidens attorney Abbe Lowell said he believed the charges are barred by  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.

Far-right US Rep Matt Gaetz, who supports a national concealed-carry law and said Americans have an obligation to use their Second Amendment rights for armed rebellion, didnt quiet know to react to the possibility that Hunter Bidens case could be a Second Amendment test.

How are we supposed to feel if US v Hunter Biden goes all the way to the Supreme Court and becomes a landmark pro [Second] Amendment decision, deeming large swaths of gun control screening or background check questions unconstitutional? he wrote.

Will we be cheering Hunter? Will the left all of a sudden accuse him of funneling bribes to Joe? he added. Strange times may be ahead, man.
Half a million people, including a significant number of children, were wrongly kicked off Medicaid because of state system errors, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Thursday.

Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C., were erroneously reviewing eligibility for Medicaid at the family level instead of on an individual basis, the agency said. That means thousands of people, including children, were deemed ineligible for the low-income insurance program when they should have been automatically reenrolled.

CMS alerted states to the problem late last month and ordered them to immediately reinstate coverage for anyone who lost their insurance and pause disenrollments for anyone else who may be affected while they fix the underlying issue  or risk losing federal funding.

By making sure the systems glitch is fixed in states across the country, we will help stop more families and children from becoming disenrolled simply because of red tape, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure told reporters.

The agencys announcement comes as states are reviewing Medicaid eligibility for the first time in three years. During the pandemic, states were barred from removing anyone from Medicaid  even if they were no longer eligible  as a condition for receiving enhanced federal funding, but that requirement ended earlier this year.

More than 7.1 million people have been removed from Medicaid since the start of the unwinding process in April, according to KFF.

Several Medicaid directors from affected states said they were unaware they were out of compliance with federal rules until CMS informed them in August. They wished the federal agency had told them back in January, when they were developing renewal plans.

That arguably would have been a great interval at which CMS could have really pointed that out to states, said Kate McEvoy, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.

As a result of the glitch, families have been flagged as ineligible for Medicaid coverage even if a kid or other household member should still be individually eligible. Adults in most states that have expanded Medicaid qualify for the program if they make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level while kids can still be eligible at up to 200 or 300 percent, depending on where they live.

The system errors identified by CMS led to children in at least 18 states and Washington, D.C., losing coverage, while adult household members with different eligibility statuses lost coverage in another 22 states. Some had both issues, and 23 states and territories had neither.

Daniel Tsai, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services at CMS, said the agency doesnt know how many of the 500,000 who lost coverage were kids, though it anticipates they represent a significant portion.

Of the states that have been able to estimate the number of affected individuals, Nevada and Pennsylvania reported the biggest coverage losses, with upward of 100,000 people affected in each state. Nevada health officials on Friday announced they reinstated coverage for about 114,000 people who lost coverage because of the problem, while Pennsylvania, which is still determining a final number of people affected, is working on next steps for reinstatement and has implemented a manual change to process cases at the individual level.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services added that the state has been "operating under a CMS-approved unwinding strategy plan that included approval of the eligibility determination at the household level, since April."

In West Virginia, it took extensive legwork  working with their systems vendors and eligibility workers  to even find out if they had a problem, Cindy Beane, West Virginias Medicaid director and the National Association of Medicaid Directors' board president, said.

If you wouldve asked me before I got that letter, are we in complete compliance, I would have said yes, said Beane, whose state removed about 5,500 kids in error because of the systems issue. It was never clear that this is against the rule or against the regulation, because if it was, we would have been doing it differently a long time ago.

CMS will meet with each of the 29 states and Washington, D.C., to implement a fix and bring them into compliance with federal requirements, Tsai said. The agency anticipates that some of the states will have a fix in place this month, prior to the next round of disenrollments, while others may need multiple months to resolve the problem.

The agency has given states several strategies for addressing coverage losses while they implement solutions, including temporarily suspending renewals for multimember households or delaying scheduled renewals for 12 months for affected individuals. States may not begin processing renewals for affected individuals until the problem is resolved.
PATERSON  Seven students were suspended in the aftermath of a melee last week at the city's alternative education high school, an incident that resulted in a large police response after one officer assigned to the building radioed for help.

Thats what school district officials said during Wednesday nights Board of Education meeting, giving the most detailed account of an incident that authorities initially had described as a riot.

The fight happened early last Friday afternoon at Alonzo Tambua Moody Academy, the high school where Paterson sends students with behavioral problems, including those involved in the juvenile justice system and those ordered by the courts to attend the school.

Paterson Board of Education building, photographed on Tuesday, July 18, 2017.

Police and education officials have said in the past that one of the challenges at the alternative school is keeping the peace among young men who come from rival neighborhoods and street gangs. In describing Fridays fight, officials said it was between different groups, a phrase city officials often use when talking about Patersons gangs.

'It was not a riot'

On the day of the incident, school and police officials issued brief statements about the fight with few details. School board member Dania Martinez raised the issue on Wednesday night, saying there seemed to be a discrepancy between what parents and community members were telling her and the official version of the brawl.

The districts security director, former Paterson Police Officer Dalton Price, gave the school board an account on Wednesday that he said was based what he saw in viewing videos of the incident as well as what people who were there told him.

It was not a riot; it was a fight, between seven to 10 individuals fighting each other, Price said.

No innocent people, or noncombatants, were injured, Price said. No school property was damaged and no desks or chairs were thrown, he said.

All in the main hallway, people are running around and punching people that they are after, the security director told the board, people maybe they wanted to get before and its their first opportunity, and this is what was happening.

It was a fight between different groups of people targeting themselves, Price added.

Martinez said she had heard that 25 to 30 officers responded to the incident. The school usually has one off-duty police officer present for security, officials said.

The reason you had so many police officers, Price said, was once one police officer could not stop one fight, the other fights started to happen. The officer got on his radio and he called for assistance.

Such a radio call lets authorities know theres a serious situation, the director said.

At that point, dispatch sent every available unit to the school, Price said.

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New safety initiative

Some school board members questioned whether the discussion of the brawl should be conducted in public. But other board members said they didnt want the community to think they were trying to hide anything.

The alternative high school got a new principal a few weeks ago. Nicole Payne was put in charge after the district transferred Zatiti Moody, the son of the man for whom the school is named, to John F. Kennedy High School.

Along with that change, the district transferred the alternative schools security supervisor, retired cop Ronald Humphrey, who had worked closely with Moody. The two of them had worked at the alternative high school for six years and had been a team at Eastside High School before that.

Councilman Luis Velez, who represents the 5th Ward, where Moody Academy is, said on the day of the fight that the Police Department should resume its safe school corridor program from last year.

Under that initiative, the department deployed extra officers along Market Street from Moody Academy through New Roberto Clemente School, a stretch that covers Eastside High School as well. The number of officers was increased last February in the aftermath of a fatal stabbing of an Eastside student outside the school after dismissal.

Paterson Press asked the Police Department about Velezs safe corridor suggestion.

Since the start of the 2024 school year, the Paterson Police Department has partnered with the Paterson city school district and using traffic intelligence and community feedback to prioritize locations to ensure student safety during school arrivals and dismissals, said police spokesman Rob Rowan. We will continue to work with our school district counterparts to provide safe passage corridors to transportation hubs throughout the city based on the evolving needs of our students and residents.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ high school brawl: Details from Moody Academy incident
DELAND  For visitors to downtown DeLands business district, the road signs along Woodland Boulevard at Georgia Avenue serve a more spiritual purpose than designating speed limits or turn signals.

The cluster of colorful signs, designed to resemble authentic markers for diamond-shaped warning signs, interstate and U.S. highways instead offer an assortment of uplifting messages for anyone who passes:

Breathe.

All We Have Is NOW.

U R OK.

On another, the INFINITE CLEARANCE is posted beneath a yellow diamond-shaped sign that bears the figure-eight mathematical symbol for infinity.

Facing Woodland Boulevard at the intersection of Georgia Avenue faux road signs by Scott Froschauer of Sun Valley, Calif., offer calming messages. The signs have been temporarily removed during a construction project on a nearby parking lot, but will return when the work is completed, according to an official with the Museum of Art  DeLand.

Recently, however, the artistic street signs  part of the popular DeLand Sculpture Walk program  were removed, causing concern among DeLand residents on Facebook social media groups.

What happened to these signs? Loved them! posted Dani Sheldon on Facebooks DeLand FL Community Page, expressing the sentiments of others.

Heres what we know:

What happened to artistic 'street signs' in downtown DeLand?

Some residents commenting on a Facebook post about the missing signs offered the theory that the art had been removed temporarily during work on an FDOT project related to a nearby parking lot near the intersection at Woodland Boulevard and Georgia Avenue.

That intersection is a popular gathering spot anchored by Cafe DaVinci, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. and DeLands Artisan Alley, among other local businesses along Georgia Avenue.

For once, the Facebook masses were on the money, according to John Wilton, chair of the public art committee at the Museum of Art  DeLand.

Wilton said he was contacted by the owners of the parking lot next to where the work, titled Road Sign Triptych, stands to let him know that the piece needed to be removed until the road work was done.

They told me that DOT was coming through to do some curb work or entrance work to the parking lot there and we had to get those out of there, Wilton said. Theyve been put safely in storage and once DOT completes whatever task theyre doing there, they will be returned as near to the original location as possible.

Wilton acknowledged that after a couple months, local residents are starting to be concerned about the fate of the signs. Although works in the DeLand Sculpture Walk typically are rotated out every few years, that wont be the case with the Road Sign Triptych, he said.

We will not rotate those signs out because the (DeLand) Museum of Art owns them, he said. They are part of the permanent sculpture walk collection.

Whats the story of the artistic 'street signs'?

The cluster of faux traffic signs with calming messages is a piece by Scott Froschauer of Sun Valley, Calif.

The faux road signs are among 11 works that debuted throughout downtown DeLand in 2019 as part of the DeLand Sculpture Walk project. The sculpture walk, a collaboration between the Museum of Art  DeLand and the city, started in 2010 and typically changes out pieces every year or two.

What other works are part of the DeLand Sculpture Walk?

Earlier this year, a dozen new pieces of art were added the collection of outdoor public art as part of the DeLand Sculpture Walk.

The new additions are:

"The Single Twist," an aluminum piece by Mary Angers, of Long Branch, New Jersey. It stands next to DeLand City Hall at the southwest corner of South Florida and West New York avenues.

"Organic Geometry," a steel piece by Joe Chirchirillo, of North Bennington, Vermont. It stands next to Chess Park off West New York Avenue.

"A Novel Idea," a granite piece by C.R. Gray, of Key West, Florida. It stands off West Indiana Avenue near the Half Wall restaurant.

"Vault," a plastic and metal piece by Jeffery Repko, of Atlanta, Georgia. It stands next to the Museum of Art  DeLand off North Woodland Boulevard.

"Outer Reach," an aluminum piece by Harry McDaniel, of Asheville, North Carolina. It stands at the northeast corner of North Woodland Boulevard and East Ohio Avenue.

"Nesting," a steel piece by Adam Walls, of Tryon, North Carolina. It stands off East Rich Avenue between North Woodland Boulevard and North Alabama Avenue.

"Butterfly Enchanter," an iron, resin and stoneware piece by Aldo Muzzarelli, of Mauldin, South Carolina. It stands in Pioneer Park at the southeast corner of North Woodland Boulevard and East Rich Avenue.

"Twin Souls," an aluminum and stainless steel piece by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, of Oldsmar. It stands off East Indiana Avenue between North Woodland Boulevard and North Alabama Avenue.

"IPO 004," an aluminum, steel and granite piece by Robert Coon, of Vero Beach. It stands off the DeLand Greenway at the northwest corner of the intersection of East New York and North Alabama avenues.

"Florida Springs I," a bronze and glass piece by Judith Greavu, of Bluffton, Ohio. It stands off South Woodland Boulevard in front of Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida.

"Faith," a steel piece by Adam Walls, of Tryon, North Carolina. It stands at the northeast corner of South Florida and West Howry avenues.

"Glockenspiel," a steel and aluminum piece by Jarod Charzewski, of Charleston, South Carolina. It stands off West Georgia Avenue in front of Cafe DaVinci.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Colorful faux road sign art is gone in DeLand. What happened to it?
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), in a letter to Tyson Foods Inc. demanded answers after a report published by The New York Times detailed the companys dangerous, illegal child labor practices.

I am alarmed by new reports that Tyson Foods has actively participated in dangerous and illegal child labor practices, Hawley wrote to Tyson CEO Donnie King.

The Times report outlined dangerous work environments at Tysons poultry plants. Employees have had factory machinery cut into their arms, broken bones and even died while on shifts, Hawley wrote.

The employees are often children who have been subcontracted to Tyson and may work full time. Many of the young workers are also migrants who entered the U.S. on their own to escape poverty in Central America, according to The Times.

It is against federal law for children to clean slaughterhouses because of the risk of injury. The law also prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from working at night or for more than three hours on days that they have school.

Tyson has stated that the company has no tolerance for child labor, but The Times report suggests otherwise, Haley wrote. In light of the facts, you owe the American people an explanation as to Tysons child-labor practices.

The Missouri senators letter presented King with a series of questions that Hawley asked to be answered by the end of the week.

His inquiries include whether the food produced by the company is in full cooperation with the Department of Labor and what changes the company will make following the reports release. Hawley also asked whether the company will commit to an independent audit, among others.

Tyson has major locations in 25 states, including seven in Missouri. Last Friday, the senator spoke with King following the companys announcement that it would close its southern Missouri locations.

I spoke with the CEO of Tyson Food today, Hawley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He told me, first, Tyson is willing to sell its facilities in Dexter and Noel, Missouri to any interested party  including a competitor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Air-source heat pumps look a bit like an air-conditioning unit on the outside of a building

The government is increasing the financial support available to help households in England and Wales replace their gas boilers with heat pumps.

The Boiler Upgrade Grant is rising from 5,000 to 7,500.

The sale of new gas boilers will still be banned from 2035 but poorer households will now be exempt.

UK heat pump costs

The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) estimates that air source heat pumps - the most common type for households - costs 10,000 more than a gas boiler on average.

Some energy companies are offering heat pumps as low as 3000 with the government grant.

The NIC analysis suggests that as the UK moves towards using electricity based heating, generated from renewable energy, household bills will fall from 2,200 on average to below 1,400 in the mid 2030s.

Whether this will be cheaper than running gas boilers is challenging to say as it depends on fossil-fuel energy costs, which have fluctuated significantly in recent years, but experts say that costs could be more stable under a renewable energy system.

What is the scheme and who is eligible?

The boiler upgrade scheme was launched in April 2022 to help reduce the cost of more environmentally-friendly heating systems.

It is part of the government's commitment to reach "net zero" - the point at which the UK no longer adds to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere - by 2050.

Grants are available to existing homes and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales, and can be used for:

air source heat pumps

ground source heat pumps

water source heat pumps

biomass boilers (for those living in rural areas)

Even at the increased level, the grant will not necessarily cover the full cost of installation.

The property must have an eligible Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued in the last 10 years, with no outstanding recommendations to install loft or cavity wall insulation.

If that has been recommended, you'll need to insulate your home first, or do it as part of the application process.

The scheme is not available if you live in social housing or a new-build property. Private rented accommodation is also eligible but the landlord has to apply.

Then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced in the 2022 Spring Statement that there would be no VAT on heat pumps for five years in England, Scotland and Wales.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes to help make homes more efficient.

How is the scheme changing?

In March 2023, the government extended the scheme until 2028, after the House of Lords Net Zero Committee warned take-up was so low the national target for green heating was "very unlikely to be met".

In September, as part of a series of changes to the government's approach to net zero, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the 2035 ban would remain and the grant increase.

He also said there would be a "new exemption" to help households who would particularly struggle to switch. The government suggests this could apply to about a fifth of homes.

It is also delaying the ban on installing oil and liquid-petroleum-gas (LPG) boilers and new coal heating for "off-gas-grid" homes, to 2035.

This had been due to be phased in from 2026 but the government wants to give these households more time to adapt.

Engineer inspecting a boiler

Mr Sunak told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the average life of a boiler was about 15 years - so even if people had a gas boiler at the time of the ban, 2035, the 2050 target could still be met.

How do heat pumps work?

A heat pump is an electrically-powered device which absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building.

For example, air-source pumps suck in outdoor air and pass it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids to produce heat.

How big are heat pumps?

A box of about 1m x 1m x 0.4m needs to stand outside - close to, or attached to the property - to draw in air.

It should be at least 1m from your neighbour's property so they will not be able to hear it, although it won't be much louder than a fridge.

You will also need space inside for a heat pump unit and hot water cylinder. The unit will be about the size of a gas boiler - while the cylinder depends on the size of the home.

Graphic showing how an air source heat pump works

A ground source heat pump needs much more space outside - either a bore hole as deep as 100m, or a horizontal system dug into the ground over a large area.
As the invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread nationwide, its proliferation has highlighted an even more worrisome invasive species: the prolific stinking sumac, or tree of heaven.

National Geographic referred to the tree of heaven as the hellish invasive species in 2021. It is a fast-growing deciduous tree that provides food for the spotted lanternfly, kills native plants and can cause severe damage to infrastructure.

Since its introduction in Pennsylvania in the 1700s, the tree has been reported as invasive in at least 30 states, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A tree of heaven sprouts from a sidewalk in downtown Annapolis. Trees of heaven can be identified by the feather-like arrangement of leaves and their nutty smell.

The tree, native to China and Taiwan, was commonly sold in nurseries by the 1840s, the CDFW said. Across the country, Chinese immigrants brought the tree to California during the gold rush in the mid-1800s, The U.S. Forest Service said.

We have invasive plants from all over, said Mikaela Boley, University of Maryland Extension principal agent associate. They come to the United States or they come to an area they don't belong necessarily, and because they don't have any natural predators or competition, some of their growing habits make them able to proliferate very easily.

The tree of heaven is often mistaken for native trees like the black walnut, but can be identified by its leaves and strange odor.

The best way to identify it is by the foliage. It has very large compound leaves. said Christa Carignan, coordinator of digital horticulture education for the University of Maryland Extension. They basically look like a giant feather. There's this central stalk in the leaf, and then it has leaflets coming off of that central stalk. So it might have anywhere from 11 to 25 leaflets on a single leaf.

Flowers or damaged foliage may smell like peanut butter that has gone bad, she said, and can be an effective way of identifying the trees.

The biggest issue caused by the plant is how fast and aggressively it grows, threatening the habitat of native trees and wildlife, Carignan continued.

The tree of heaven is allelopathic, which means it introduces deadly chemicals into the soil to effectively kill competing plants, but is also a high seed-producer that can withstand harsh growing conditions. The tree can also cause severe damage to sidewalks and building foundations, according to the Purdue Landscape Report.

This particular species is really good in urban environments, Boley said. They'll grow in a crack in the concrete. So they're very strategic about how they grow and unfortunately, they also happen to be the one of the preferred hosts for spotted lanternflies, which is another invasive species, Boley continued.

Spanning 14 states since the insect was first found in the U.S. in 2014, including Maryland, the spotted lanternfly poses a threat to native plants and fruit crops like grapes. The Maryland Department of Agriculture says to squash and report the fly.

Sudlersville farmer Jennie Schmidt has seen hundreds of spotted lanternflies in her buffer area between acres, where multiple trees of heaven grow, she said.

What I'm looking at right now are actually two really small sapling trees of heaven that I sprayed with herbicides to kill, Schmidt explained, walking through her buffer area. And so I came up here just to see how they look and, even though they're dead, they're absolutely covered in lanternflies.

The best way to kill adult trees of heaven is to use the hack and squirt method, Boley advised.

You literally chop into the bark of the tree near the base, and then you squirt a herbicide that's rated for trees into those wounds and that should effectively kill without having to chop them down, she explained.

Herbicides are needed to effectively kill the trees root system and can be applied directly to smaller sprouts, Carignan said. Chopping down adult trees without this treatment could cause the root system to expand.

The University of Maryland Extension recommends removing any trees of heaven to help control the spotted lanternfly population, but emphasizes the importance of correct identification.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Invasive 'stinking sumac' popular with spotted lanternflies
She was just 13-years-old in 2016 when four men wearing all black grabbed her at the front door of her Clovis home, taped her eyes and mouth shut, shoved her in the trunk of a car and sped away into the foothills.

She thought it was a prank at first, but when her alleged kidnappers tied her arms behind her back, and began shouting at her to keep quiet, she knew it wasnt a joke.

They told me not to scream or to tell my dad, they were angry and frustrated, she said. I was scared that I was going to get hurt, or worse not come back to see my family.

The 13-year-old, who is now 21, testified Wednesday in the trial of Sandra Garcia and her son Mark Anthony Roque, both charged with conspire to commit a crime, sexual penetration by force, kidnapping, torture and dissuading a witness by force.

Two others involved in the plot, Miguel Carriedo, a cousin of the Roques, pleaded guilty to conspire to commit a crime and torture. Garcias other son, Brandon Roque, pleaded no contest to conspire to commit a crime.

Prosecutor Adam Christopherson alleges that Garcia devised a plot to traumatize the young girl so severely that she would want to move to Sweden to be with her mother. Garcia wanted the girls father, a Swedish businessman she met on a dating app, all to her self, prosecutors say.

Testifying with the aide of a Fresno County District Attorney service dog, the woman calmly shared the harrowing story of what happened on Feb. 16, 2016, the day of her brutal kidnapping.

She recalled walking from the school bus to her home at about 3:20 p.m. She usually walked with her younger sister, but she was home sick that day. As she reached for the keys to the front door, she saw four men dressed all in black with their faces concealed.

They ripped her backpack off and tied her hands before forcing her into the trunk. She heard muffled voices but couldnt understand what they were saying. It was dark inside the trunk and she was scared.

She said her kidnappers drove quickly from the home heading up to the foothills. How did she know which direction they were going, asked Christopherson. It was the winding roads, she replied.

It was a short drive, only about 15 minutes, before they stopped and took her out of the trunk. The tape on her eyes and mouth was thin and did not hold very well. It fell off and she could see her four kidnappers, but not their faces.

She remembers the air being slightly chilly and the dry ground covered with leaves. Through a clearing was a tree that they led her to.

She said they tied her to the tree, stripped her clothes off, then one of the men used the handle of a plunger to sexually assault her repeatedly.

I remember the pain, she said stoically. It felt like getting kicked over and over again.

She slumped over and then threw up on her attacker. He became angry and he punched her in the face, two others followed.

They punched me in my face, on my left cheek, three or four times, she testified. I felt helpless and scared.

After several minutes, the men left and she was able to untie herself. She was afraid they were going to come back so she quickly put on her clothes and went looking for help, she said.

She walked to the main road and found a man and woman in front of their home, working on a car. She borrowed their cell phone and called 911. She was taken to the hospital for treatment. She also spoke to detectives with the Fresno County Sheriffs Department.

Christopherson asked her why she didnt initially tell police she was sexually assaulted. The woman replied that as a 13-year-old, she was embarrassed and not ready to share that with anyone.

The trial continues Thursday in Dept. 74 in Judge Alvin Harrell IIIs courtroom.
The family of Paris Holbert has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses for the 29-year-old who was fatally shot in her east Fort Worth apartment early Saturday.

Gwen Wright, Paris Holberts cousin, told the Star-Telegram that the mother of two had a bubbly personality, an infectious laugh and was like a breath of fresh air.

She was amazing, Wright said.

Police responded to the 500 Flats Apartments in the 600 block of Woodchucker Drive around 2:45 a.m. Saturday. They found Holbert with a gunshot wound inside one of the apartments. She died at a local hospital less than an hour later.

Holberts husband, Robert Holbert, was arrested Saturday and faces a murder charge, according to jail records.

Holbert leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, according to Wright.

Her kids were what she lived for, her family in general, Wright said.
The Coast Guard Cutter Confidence crew offloaded more than 12,100 pounds of cocaine worth more than $160 million on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies recently intercepted several illegal drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, bringing in more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine worth more than $160 million.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence offloaded the haul in Miami, Florida on Tuesday, according to a press release by the Coast Guard Seventh District. The accumulation of contraband was the result of nine interceptions by several agencies over the course of multiple days, spokesperson Santiago Gomez said in an email to USA TODAY.

Photos and videos show the scale of the busts. Twelve pallets hold blocks of the narcotics stacked up as much as five rows high. A video on the USCG's Instagram shows the crew members forming an assembly line to offload the drugs from the ship.

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The busts involved the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West and ships from the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal British Navy and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. All were involved in detecting and monitoring the vessels trafficking drugs, but once the interdiction became imminent, the U.S. Coast Guard took over, according to the release.

The case loads were then transferred to one vessel for transport and offloading, Gomez said.

"(Tuesday's) 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," said Lt. Fernando Pla, duty enforcement officer for Coast Guard District Seven. "This teamwork continues to deter the illicit drug trafficking market and is a testament to the hard work of these crews."

Crew member of Coast Guard Cutter Confidence offloading big cocaine haul from nine different cases in Miami, Florida.

17 people detained

Seventeen suspected smugglers have been detained but have not been charged as of Thursday at noon. Gomez said their identities would not be released unless they are formally charged by a relevant U.S. Attorney's Office.

The agency's biggest offload occurred in February 2022 when the Coast Guard Cutter James' crew brought in $1.06 billion worth of illegal drugs, including 15,800 pounds of marijuana and 54,500 pounds of cocaine, Gomez said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cocaine seized by Coast Guard, brought to Miami worth $160 milion
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  Border Patrol agents working a freeway checkpoint north of San Diego discovered more than 5 pounds of heroin hidden in a diaper bag earlier this week.

The heroin was wrapped in several plastic bundles that looked like large white eggs.

According to a Border Patrol news release, agents stopped a 38-year-old woman who was driving a black Ford pickup at the checkpoint along I-15 just south of Temecula, California.

During the traffic stop, agents searched the vehicle and discovered four cellophane-wrapped bundles inside a diaper bag.

The woman was reportedly traveling with her 5-year-old daughter.

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The unidentified driver was taken to the Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station, where it was discovered she had a previous conviction for narcotics smuggling, agents said.

After examining the bundles, CBP says the agents determined the packets contained 5.4 pounds of heroin with an estimated street value of $69,120.

Drug trafficking organizations will go to great lengths to smuggle their dangerous cargo through the United States, even when it means endangering the lives of young children, said Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel. I commend our agents vigilance and commitment to keep our communities safe from these lethal drugs.

The woman and narcotics were turned over to the Riverside County Sheriffs Office for further investigation and prosecution.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Custody of the 5-year-old girl was transferred an appropriate party, said the Border Patrol, which seized the truck.

According to the agency, for this fiscal year, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 90 pounds of heroin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
(FOX40.COM)  When thinking of a spy one might imagine an MI-6 or CIA agent slinking through shadows with a briefcase that is also a camera, but in Northern California, spies wore bright orange spacesuits and flew higher than any aircraft before or since.

Located about an hour northeast of Sacramento, in the distant rural fields of Yuba County, is Beale Air Force Base, home of the U-2 Dragon Lady and the former home of the SR-71 Blackbird.

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For nearly two decades, Beale hosted two of the United States most high-tech reconnaissance aircraft of the Cold War.

The SR-71 Blackbird

As the United States neared the second decade of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the first supersonic SR-71s left the hangers of Lockheeds Skunk Works facilities in Burbank, California.

Capable of Mach 3 flight at an altitude of more than 80,000 feet, or 15 miles above the surface of the Earth, the Blackbird was designed to pass over the Iron Curtain and defeat any Soviet air defenses on the other side.

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On Jan. 7, 1966, Beale Air Force Base was thrust into the future of aviation when it became the nations first and only state-side base for the Blackbird, with the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.

According to the United States Air Force, 86 pilots were trained to fly the Blackbird.

In an interview with the USAF, retired Lt. Col. Tony Bevacqua said that even though there were so few pilots to fly the mission they rarely got much seat time in the state-of-the-art aircraft.

Throughout the seven years I was in the SR-71 program I only accumulated 738 flight hours, but that was more than a lot of people, Bevacqua told the USAF. Youd be lucky if you got two flights a month on the SR-71, maybe three or four when youre doing the real stuff out in Kadena.

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According to the National Museum of the Air Force, the first operational SR-71 had 2,981 flying hours over 942 total missions, which is more than any other SR-71.

During its nearly 23-year career in the United States Air Force, no SR-71s were shot down, deeming the project an absolute success by the United States military.

One of the most significant missions the SR-71 was involved in was collecting images of the Son Tay prison camp in Vietnam, where more than 500 American prisoners of war were rescued in a raid by American forces.

Despite its success, the SR-71 program was shut down due to mounting costs and improved surveillance technologies.

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The last ever flight for the Blackbird was on Oct. 9, 1999, during the Edwards Air Force Base Open House Air Show.

The U-2 Dragon Lady

Beale received their first U-2 in 1976, although the Dragon Lady was a predecessor to the Blackbird, having entered service with the USAF in 1956.

The addition of the U-2 would also see the creation of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, which would replace the 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.

Beale Air Force Base U-2 pilot shares image of Chinese spy balloon

To this day, Beale is the home base for the U-2S and operates all 27 single-seater variants of the aircraft and the four dual-seat trainer aircraft.

The U-2 was also developed by Lockheeds Skunk Works division and was tasked with reconnaissance missions at an altitude of above 70,000 feet.

The U-2 did have a much slower top speed of about 430 miles per hour, which was proven to be one of its greatest weaknesses when Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union by a surface-to-air missile.

Over its continued service in the USAF, the U-2 has provided such roles as mapping studies, atmospheric nuclear sampling and surveillance of enemy territories.

Local students meet with STEM leaders at Mather Airport

Some of the Dragon Ladys non-combat roles include working with the Department of Agriculture to collect photos of crop and land management and the recon of disaster areas affected by floods, earthquakes and wildfires.

According to Lockheed Martin, the U-2, now the U-2S, has evolved from its original mission as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

The Quantum Leap U-2, as named by Lockheed Martin, plans to use the U-2 as a data collection point to then share over an integrated network with naval vehicles and fellow aircraft, including 5th-generation fighters.

In a 2015 report, the USAF said that since 1994 the U-2 airframe has received $1.7 billion in modernization upgrades that could allow it to live out its expected service life until 2050.

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However, some information indicates that the Dragon Ladys final days could come as soon as 2026.

In the U-2 pilot application from Beale AFB, the question of the U-2S early retirement is addressed.

Weve heard the same thing many times over the course of the Dragon Ladys tenure, the form reads. Right now, the program is funded and there is no sunset or retirement order. While the original Deuce was designed in the 1950s, the modern U-2 is much newer and is outfitted with state-of-the-art sensors and equipment, making it the most effective and least expensive tool for the job.

For the time being, Beale Air Force and the pilots of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing continue their high-flying missions and surveillance of the world below.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Ukraines biggest backers in Congress want the Biden administration to more aggressively sell Americas interest in the war, fearful that bipartisan support for aid is faltering.

In recent weeks, senior House Republicans and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have separately told national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other administration officials to step up their efforts in selling lawmakers on additional Ukraine aid or risk losing critical support, according to three people familiar with the messages and granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys visit to Washington on Thursday, and with House conservatives fighting the inclusion of Ukraine funding in a government spending bill, lawmakers  including the White Houses Democratic allies  say the administration needs to better use its bully pulpit to sell the public on continued support. They want the White House to make a stronger case both for the $26 billion in additional aid its requested and about where the war stands  including how much longer it could take, how U.S. dollars are being spent and why its in Americas interest to back it.

The White House needs to be more forward-leaning, said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), who chairs the Armed Services Committee and has been in touch with senior Biden officials.



Rogers criticized the White House for agonizing over short-term decisions on military assistance without a clear sense of what will get them closer to ending the war. [Biden] always gets to the right decision, just three to six months after the fact, and thats the inherent problem, he said.

On Wednesday, McConnell blasted Bidens public messaging on Ukraine as insufficient and indicative of timid leadership on the matter.

Biden has an obligation to speak to all Americans. But most of his messaging about lofty and abstract principles seems tailored for Washington think tanks, McConnell said on the Senate floor, echoing sentiment he made privately to Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to a senior Republican aide.

Among the messages McConnell wants to see stressed by the White House are ones about the practical reasons for ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine, the importance of a Ukraine victory on European security and Americas competition with China.

House leaders delivered a similar message during a private meeting last week with Sullivan, urging him to lay out more clearly how much aid will be needed to ensure Ukraine can win the war, rather than simply sustain it, according to a lawmaker in the room.

Our members are like, hey, whats our objective? said the lawmaker, who was granted anonymity to freely discuss the closed-door session, which included Speaker Kevin McCarthy, top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, and House Foreign Affairs Committee leaders Michael McCaul, a Republican, and Democrat Gregory Meeks. And how many times are we going to have to do this?



Angst is also bubbling up among Democrats. Several lawmakers expressed fears that, barring a clearer White House vision or sudden major progress on the battlefield, key GOP partners in supporting Ukraine will eventually decide the political pressure from the Republican base to withhold more aid is too much to bear.

Such a development would hamstring Biden, who has largely leaned on Republican lawmakers to sell the need for continued funding to their constituents. It also could potentially turn the fate of Ukraine into the latest deeply partisan debate.

If there really is a moral struggle in the world, this is it, said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), one of the Biden allies who have bristled at the presidents repeated vow to back Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Is that not a fight worth fighting for, as Americans? That ought to be the case the White House is making. We need that passion. We need that articulation.

White House officials defended the administrations strategy and engagement with the Hill, insisting theyve given Congress the same number of briefings with the same level of information as prior supplemental requests. They also said theyve been responsive to follow-up questions and requests for additional information.

We have over the last 18 months and continue to brief members of Congress in both chambers, both parties, consistently on support to Ukraine  at many times in a classified setting, said National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. So any member of Congress who wants additional information will have no trouble getting it from this administration.

The White House has used the bully pulpit at select moments to speak about Ukraine, such as at the United Nations this week and during Bidens cloak-and-dagger train ride to the country in February. In addition, administration officials have spoken about Ukraine at press briefings and in television interviews for months.

Its been a priority for the president and the administration to make the case to the American people about why this is so important, said a White House official granted anonymity to discuss strategy.

In the closed-door meetings, the Hills strongest Ukraine supporters have conveyed the need for the White House to be more open with House members about its longer-term vision for the war, rather than abruptly demanding more money every few months.

Were the fundamental power of the purse, said one senior House GOP lawmaker, who warned that without a revamped White House push, approving more aid beyond the current request will be very difficult. And I think everybody understands that.

Most polling suggests that a majority of Americans still favor aiding Ukraine. But a CNN poll in August that showed 55 percent of those surveyed opposed authorizing additional funding jolted lawmakers and foreign policy experts who argue the Biden administration needs to reset its messaging and re-emphasize whats at stake.

White House officials have largely cast the conflict as a battle between good and evil, with the U.S. firmly on the right side of history. But as more money flows out the door, some have urged the administration to take a more pragmatic approach: pitching the Ukraine war as an investment in strengthening Americans own security.



What does the next 12 months look like? Where can we realistically be? Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said of the questions the administration needs to answer more explicitly. Theyve been able to maintain public support. But we know the longer it goes on, the more challenging it becomes.

The administrations $26 billion request for Ukraine is tied up in broader battles over a government spending bill. White House officials and aides of both parties have expressed confidence the request would eventually be fulfilled, although some have opened the door to it not getting done prior to the end of the month or being split into two.

The pleas for more forceful presidential messaging come ahead of Zelenskyys visit to Washington on Thursday, when he will meet with senators in the storied Old Senate Chamber, with Defense officials at the Pentagon, and then later with Biden at the White House. While the United Nations General Assembly  the reason for Zelenskyys U.S. visit  was scheduled long before the funding request, the Ukrainian presidents visit is viewed by administration officials as helpful to building political support for it.

Support for Ukraine  while consistently relatively strong  hardens when there is a high-profile news event in the battle or with Zelenskyy.

I encourage any member of Congress who is having doubts about this course to make sure that they will make themselves available to President Zelenskyy on Thursday, Kirby said.

Zelenskyy routinely peppers his speeches with accounts of Russias brutality and its immediate threat to the wider world, and critics off the Hill say Biden also needs to speak of real-world implications.

Talking about the liberal international order makes my eyes glaze over when people talk about it and Im at least partially an academic, said Eric Edelman, a George W. Bush administration defense official.

He needs to actually talk about the dangers of a world in which aggression is left free to run its course, the connections between this and peace and security for the American people, not just in Europe, but in the Indo Pacific and beyond. Hes made all of those arguments kind of piecemeal, but not in a concerted way with the attention of the American public.
[Source]

A 150-year-old banyan tree is becoming a symbol of hope as it sprouts new leaves after enduring some of the wildfires that have swept across the Hawaiian island of Maui for weeks.

About the tree: The 60-foot Ficus benghalensis was a gift from India and was planted in April 1873 to commemorate the first Protestant mission in Lahaina. Covering a quarter of a mile in circumference and shading almost two-thirds of an acre, it served as a gathering spot for community events prior to the recent wildfires.

Why this matters: The banyan tree was severely damaged due to the wildfires, which claimed at least 97 lives in all of Maui. However, with green shoots and leaves recently emerging, it has become a beacon of hope for the local community, representing resilience and inspiring renewal after the destruction.

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How people are helping: The tree is the largest of its kind in the U.S., according to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Arborists, landscapers and volunteers are all involved in efforts to restore its health, including aerating the surrounding ground to improve drainage and giving the tree regular servings of nutritious compost tea.

Whether the tree makes a full recovery is yet to be seen, with arborists stressing the importance of close monitoring and care tailoring to ensure its survival. A campaign on GoFundMe is currently raising funds to help with the tree's restoration.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , a 2024 presidential candidate, is under fire over how the new Florida school curriculum portrays Black history  and particularly slavery. However. there is another problem with DeSantis' highly publicized Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative as well as its kindred House Bill 5: both promote one of modern conservatisms most pernicious falsehoods  that socialism and communism ultimately mean dictatorship while capitalism means democracy.

The not-very-subtle implication is that policies advocated by liberal Democratic Party politicians will lead to an overbearing government and, ultimately, tyranny.

Glenn Sacks

Yet DeSantis and his conservative allies  including Richard Corcoran , the former state education commissioner who is now New College of Florida's interim president  ignore the following: in the century since the Bolshevik-led communist revolution in Russia, the vast majority of the worlds dictatorships, and often its worst ones, have been capitalist, not communist.

Nazi Germany and fascist Japan, Italy and Spain were all capitalist dictatorships. Dictatorships led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, Antonio Salazar in Portugal, Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire, Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and many others  including those in various Gulf oil fiefdoms  all had free-market economies. Yet they were also brutal regimes that were backed by the United States.

It is true, of course, that the Soviet Union's Joseph Stalin was one of the most odious criminals in human history, that Mao Zedong perpetrated horrendously destructive chaos on the Chinese people and that the North Korean dynasty is cruel and bizarre  as were the regimes of Matyas Rakosi and Nicolae Ceausescu in Hungary and Romania, respectively. In addition, many communist leaders have been strong-fisted dictators, including Cubas Castro brothers, East Germany's Erich Honecker, China's Xi Jinping and others.

However, focusing only on communist dictatorships provides students with a very limited view, and it reflects a peculiar American blindness that is most acute in Florida: the inability to see any tyranny in the Western Hemisphere except for leftist Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. This is despite the fact that dozens of rightist regimes in Latin America have arguably been far worse.

Jonathan Gartwell and others chant outside Miami-Dade School Board headquarters Aug. 16. They were protesting new Florida standards for teaching black history, including slavery.

For example, as part of the United States' Operation Condor from 1974 to1983, the Argentine military murdered or orchestrated the disappearance of between 20,000 and 30,000 people. Many were drugged, loaded onto aircraft and then tossed out over the Atlantic Ocean. Similar atrocities of an equally high scale were committed by the Pinochet military dictatorship in Chile. These rightist regimes and many similarly blood-soaked ones throughout Latin America were armed, supported and sometimes installed into power by the United States.

House Bill 5, which DeSantis signed into law in 2021, revises Floridas social studies standards and establishes the Portraits in Patriotism Act, requiring the Florida Department of Education to curate oral history resources which integrate into the civics education curriculum . . . first-person accounts of victims of other nations governing philosophies.How DeSantis and his allies want Florida teachers to define victims as well as which "governing philosophies" they suffered under can be seen on CPALMS, Floridas official source for education standards information.

Funded by the state Department of Education and the Florida Legislature, CPALMS Portraits in Patriotism series contains "10 Lessons for K-12 students"  all of them focused on Cuban communism. Not one examines a dictatorship in any non-communist country.

DeSantis pledged to get politicization out of the curriculum and Corcoran, as the state's education commissioner, promised Floridians a well-rounded civics education. Instead, they helped create a highly politicized and factually distorted curriculum that serves to prevent Florida students from learning crucial history  and also the destructive role America has often played in it.

Glenn Sacks teaches high school social studies in California, and he has also worked in the Miami-Dade school district. He has a master's degree in Latin American studies, and his columns on education have been published nationally.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ignorance wins and Floridians lose in DeSantis' war on history
Hollywood writers and studios are nearing an agreement to end the strike that has shut down the entertainment industry since early May, sources tell CNBC.

In a brief but significant joint statement after negotiations on Wednesday, both sides stated, The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow.

CNBC reports a deal will likely be finalized on Thursday.

While negotiators were optimistic, sources also told CNBC that if a deal was not reached soon the strike could last through the end of the year

The Writers Guild of America went on strike on May 2 and in a historic move, the Screen Actors Guild also joined writers on the picket line on July 14, marking the first time in over 60 years both unions have been on strike at the same time.

For striking writers, the two sides have been divided on issues of pay, the size of writing staffs on shows and the use of artificial intelligence.

Striking Hotel workers from Unite Here Local 11 join the picketing actors of SAG-AFTRA, and writers of the WGA, outside Netflix studios on July 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. Some Democrats in the California Legislature are trying to change the law to make striking workers eligible for unemployment benefits. Business groups oppose the bill, noting California doesnt have enough money in its unemployment trust fund to pay for benefits now. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

A sign reads SAG-AFTRA Supports WGA as SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line in solidarity with striking WGA workers outside Netflix offices on July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A strike captain, right, leads the chants as strikers walk a picket line outside Warner Bros., Discovery, and Netflix offices in Manhattan, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA held a joint Latine Picket, presented by the WGAE Latine Writers Salon, the WGAW Latinx Writers Committee, and the SAG-AFTRA National Latino Committee. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

FILE  SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, left, and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on July, 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. This marks the first time since 1960 that actors and writers will picket film and television productions at the same time. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

SAG-AFTRA member Newt Kane walks on a picket line outside Fox studios on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Hollywood writers strike passed the 100-day mark as the film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual actors and screenwriters strikes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Picketers demonstrate outside Netflix studios on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Hollywood writers strike reached the 100-day mark today as the U.S. film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual actors and screenwriters strikes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

SAG-AFTRA member Emily Kincaid dons a 100 on her face as she carries a sign on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Hollywood writers strike reached the 100-day mark today as the U.S. film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual actors and screenwriters strikes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

A picketer carries a sign outside Netflix studios on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Hollywood writers strike reached the 100-day mark today as the U.S. film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual actors and screenwriters strikes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Director of Photography Jac Cheairs and his son, actor Wyatt Cheairs, 11, take part in a rally by striking writers and actors outside Netflix studio in Los Angeles on Friday, July 14, 2023. This marks the first day actors formally joined the picket lines, more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Hollywood actors, writers and their supporters walk the picket line July 18, 2023 outside Disney Studios, in Burbank. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Striking writers and actors chant as they walk a picket line, Monday, July 17, 2023, in New York. Three years after the pandemic brought Hollywood to a standstill, the film and TV industry has again ground to a halt. This time, though, the industry is engaged in a bitter battle over the how streaming  after advancing rapidly during the pandemic  has upended the economics of entertainment. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Striking writers and actors picket outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on Friday, July 14, 2023. This marks the first day actors formally joined the picket lines, more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Actors and comedians Tina Fey, center, and Fred Armisen, right, join striking members of the Writers Guild of America on the picket line during a rally outside Silvercup Studios in New York on May 9, 2023. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)

FILE  Striking Writers Guild members hold signs during a rally in front of Paramount Pictures studio in Los Angeles on May 17, 2023. Hollywood actors may be on the verge of joining screenwriters in what would be the first two-union strike in the industry in more than six decades. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Actor Jason Sudeikis, center, walks a picket line with striking writers and actors, Friday, July 14, 2023, at NBC Universal Studios in New York. The picketing comes a day after the main actors union voted to join screenwriters in a double-barreled strike for the first time in more than six decades. The dispute immediately shut down production across the entertainment industry after talks for a new contract with studios and streaming services broke down. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Late night talk show host Seth Meyers, right, joins striking members of the Writers Guild of America on the picket line during a rally outside Silvercup Studios, Tuesday May 9, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

FILE  Members of the The Writers Guild of America picket outside Paramount Pictures on May 3, 2023, in Los Angeles. Hollywood productions and promotional tours around the world have been put on indefinite hold as actors and writers are on strike against big studios and streaming services.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Nearly 20,000 writers have been without work or pay since May 2 as negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers halted over the summer.

The two sides last met at the AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks on Aug. 18. Following the hiatus, the two sides have met at the bargaining table once again, with both sides hopeful for a quick and fair resolution.

I went in with eyes wide open that this wasnt going to be an easy conversation for anyone involved, said Maggie Gottlieb, a WGA writer. I was sort of buckling down and preparing for a long strike because I know we are preparing for things that are going to benefit future generations of writers.

Following a request to meet again earlier this week, the studios agreed. Some, however, are skeptical that a fair deal will be reached.

Hopefully this ends sooner rather than later, but I have a healthy dose of skepticism, said Alicia Carroll, a WGA Captain.

Insiders tell KTLA the talks were very encouraging so far and included a sit-down conversation with WGA, AMPTP and studios including Netflix, Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery and Universal Television.

Writers are asking for protections against artificial intelligence, higher residual pay and viewership transparency from streaming services. Union members said they are prepared to stay on the picket lines until a fair deal is reached.

Were ready to fight for, not only for ourselves but for the people that come after us, said Gottlieb.

The WGA and AMPTP now have a confirmed schedule to bargain this week, starting on Wednesday, the union said in a message to members. You might not hear from us in the coming days while we are negotiating, but know that our focus is getting a fair deal for writers as soon as possible.

Governor Gavin Newsom said the actors and writers strike have cost the California economy more than $5 billion since the start.

He said hes been in communication with both sides in an effort to bring the strikes to a close.

Im encouraged by the conversations over this last weekend. Im not going to overstate that, and Im encouraged that theyre meeting again later this week, Newsom told CNNs Dana Bash.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Charlotte mans work to provide a safe space for three people experiencing homelessness led to his arrest Wednesday in a saga he said highlights the struggles of helping some of the citys most vulnerable people.

Paul Bradley, 65, has volunteered with people experiencing homelessness for 15 years through groups such as Room in the Inn and Roof Above, he said. On cold winter nights, he drives a bus to bring people who need shelter to his church, Paw Creek Presbyterian.

And for the last four years, hes allowed a small group of people to camp in a wooded area on his commercial property  a former motel on Business Center Drive near the Charlotte airport and Little Rock Road.

I just have a heart for these people, he said of his volunteer work.

His system drew little to no attention until early August. Thats when he called Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police to report a break-in at the property. Soon after police visited, Bradley told The Charlotte Observer, he started receiving notices of violations from Charlottes Code Enforcement team.

He was cited for using his property for a campground and for storage without a permit, a zoning violation, according to a notice Bradley shared with the Observer. Hes also in violation of the citys non-residential building code ordinance and health and sanitation ordinance.

He has worked with code enforcement to clear up the issues, both sides acknowledge, but blocked inspectors from entering buildings on the property Wednesday morning, prompting his arrest for misdemeanor obstruction.

Bradley said what sparked the charges isnt the most important part of the story. While he takes issue with how the city got its warrant for Wednesdays search, he doesnt want the focus to be on him.

He says the situation proves Charlotte leaders need to rethink how they approach the citys homelessness crisis.

An arrest, a search and a conversation

Business owner, Paul Bradley, brings law enforcement and code enforcement to the homeless encampment on his commercial property in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Paul Bradley is in a dispute with code enforcement over him allowing homeless people to camp on his commercial property

Bradley came into Wednesdays visit with Code Enforcement inspectors knowing it may end with him in handcuffs.

He knew inspectors would come armed with an administrative warrant to search his property signed by a magistrate. But he doesnt believe that was enough to legally gain access to his property.

Bradley argues the city needed a search warrant signed by a judge under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, because a violation he received included a line saying he could get a criminal summons if he didnt bring his land up to code.

In North Carolina, a magistrate is an officer of the district court division, according to the state Judicial Branch. Unlike judges and justices, magistrates are not elected. Theyre supervised by the chief district court judge and considered an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court.

There has been no assertion of any criminal activity on the part of the Bradleys , he said in a statement he prepared ahead of Wednesdays visit to read to the inspectors. There has been no probable cause which a judge has reviewed and ruled upon.

Bradley greeted three Code Enforcement staff members and three CMPD officers Wednesday alongside three friends who gathered to support him.

When presented with the warrant, he declined to open the doors to his building, once home to the Bradley Motel owned by his family. When the city officials and officers directed a locksmith to let them in, he stood in front of the door.

Thats when Bradley was handcuffed and placed in a CMPD vehicle.

Its all about being a mature person, a mature Christian person and showing respect to people. Especially these code enforcement people, Bradley said shortly before the citys team arrived of his plans to go peacefully.

Its not the first time hes been arrested at the site: he was taken into custody in 1993 for trying to block grading work for Interstate 85 in front of the then-operating motel, the Observer reported at the time.

Bradley ultimately provided a key to the building Wednesday. He was released from CMPDs custody after about an hour with a summons to appear in court in October on two misdemeanor charges.

Once freed, Bradley chatted cordially with the code enforcement team, noting that hes removed a car that was on blocks in the parking lot he was cited for and that hes brought in a construction dumpster to get debris cleared out.

He also thanked the team for granting him a 30 day extension to get the camp cleared out, a move inspectors said had much to do with Bradleys willingness to work with them.

Our goal is voluntary compliance, Code Enforcement Division Manager Jane Taillon said. Our goal is for Mr. Bradley to take care of all of the code violations occurring on all three parcels, because hes got three separate properties, and really in a timely manner.

As he walked them back to the campsite, where three adults are currently living, Bradley told the inspectors and a CMPD officer hes working with Roof Above and Hope Haven to come up with a plan to get the people to another safe place.

Nestled in the woods behind the former motel, the campsite still had tents, chairs and other items strewn about Wednesday morning.

Little response from city officials

Business owner, Paul Bradley, reviews a warrant in front of law enforcement and code enforcement on his commercial property in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Paul Bradley is in a dispute with code enforcement over him allowing homeless people to camp on his commercial property







Days before he was taken into custody, Bradley attempted to address his issues through calls, emails and letters to local officials, he said. He shared with the Observer an email to City Council member Dimple Ajmera and a letter to Judge Elizabeth Trosch, a district court judge in Mecklenburg County.

I am focused enough to know that this is a matter between me and City Council, he wrote to Ajmera. The inspector is doing the job City Council has chartered him to perform. Bradley went on to write he feels like hes being treated as a blight to the City, despite his history of service as a Scout leader, leader in his church and EMT.

In response to an Observer inquiry, Ajmera directed a reporter to Code Enforcements response to Bradleys email. That response, written by Taillon, outlined the violations against him and said the city has had lengthy conversations with Mr. Bradley regarding the conditions on the property and the steps needed to bring the property into compliance.

Bradley also called Charlotte City Attorney Patrick Baker multiple times and left messages but did not get a response by Wednesday morning, he said.

A history of compliance

In her email, Code Enforcement Manager Taillon told Ajmera that Bradley has a history of compliance with code.

So I would expect any violations on his property will be brought into compliance in a timely manner, she wrote.

And hes made progress on bringing his property up to code, the team acknowledged Wednesday.

Weve got concerns with the motel and the safety of the structure, Taillon said of the work still to be done. Weve got environmental conditions, health and sanitation violations, which is the neglect, the trash, the debris around the building. And then weve got the situation with the homeless camp where we need for him to relocate them.

Michael Thompson, a longtime friend of Bradleys who came out Wednesday morning, said it became difficult for Bradley to maintain the property in recent years when he became the primary caretaker for his elderly mother.

If Bradley keeps making progress, inspectors told him Wednesday, he could get another extension to have the camp cleared out completely.

What comes next?

Bradleys court date is Oct. 16 for the misdemeanor charges he received Wednesday, according to his summons.

In the meantime, hes started a GoFundMe to try to raise money to help both the people affected by the current situation and the homeless community in Charlotte as a whole. Hes also working with local groups to find help for the people currently living on his land.

Now, he wants to do more to bring attention to the number of people experiencing homelessness in Charlotte and learn more about how to get involved with the citys homelessness task force.

My faith is stout enough to suggest that you have skill sets, and youre put in positions to use those skill sets, he said. If you dont use those skill sets, they go away. And I dont know what skill sets Ive got that put me in this position, and I dont know what I can do down the road, but again, I hope that I can infuse some common sense.
Twenty-year-old Lexie Castile died of a gunshot that was fired into her head as she, her fiance and her toddler son were inside their converted garage apartment in a west Erie neighborhood on Sept. 16, 2012.

Those facts were not in dispute in court on Thursday as 35-year-old Anthony S. D'Onofrio, once engaged to be married to Castile, made his first public appearance after being brought back to Erie from Washington earlier this summer.

What is in dispute, according to testimony and arguments that played out during D'Onofrio's more than two-hour preliminary hearing Thursday morning, is who pulled the trigger.

Erie police in early July charged D'Onofrio with criminal homicide, first-degree murder and aggravated assault, accusing him of fatally shooting Castile inside their residence in the 1100 block of West 24th Street 11 years ago. The charges were filed after cold-case detectives with the Erie Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police took a fresh look at Castile's death with the Erie County District Attorney's Office and reviewed the case with Erie County forensic pathologist Eric Vey. M.D. The Erie County Coroner's Office ultimately ruled Castile's death as a homicide following that review.

But the lawyers representing Castile argued Thursday that there was nothing presented at the hearing to prove that D'Onofrio had killed Castile. The evidence actually supported D'Onofrio's initial claims to police that Castile had shot herself, including evidence that Castile's DNA was found on the trigger and grip of the gun that claimed her life, lawyer Chad Vilushis said in his closing argument Thursday.

Erie 6th Ward District Judge Timothy Beveridge bound all of the charges against D'Onofrio to court following the hearing. D'Onofrio remains in the Erie County Prison without bond.

More: Fiance charged in 2012 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Erie woman at West 24th St. apartment

Unknown death

The shooting was reported on the early morning of Sept. 16, 2012. Officers who responded to the West 24th Street residence found Castile on the floor next to a bed in the apartment and located a firearm on the bed, with its magazine out and the bullets removed from it, Erie police Sgt. Sarah Schardt testified under questioning by District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz.

Schardt said she initially spoke to D'Onofrio's mother, who lives in another part of the residence, then spoke to D'Onofrio and brought him to the Erie police station for questioning. She said D'Onofrio told her that he and Castile were involved in a small verbal altercation that evening, and that D'Onofrio told Castile to pack her belongings and move out.

Anthony D'Onofrio, charged in July in the Sept. 16, 2012, fatal shooting of 20-year-old Lexie Castile, seen in this undated contributed photo, was held for court on Sept. 21, 2023, on criminal homicide and first-degree murder in her death.

Schardt also testified that D'Onofrio mentioned he took the gun and removed the magazine and the bullets.

Erie police Detective Sgt. Dennis Oborski, who was one of two city police criminal investigators initially assigned to the case after Castile's death, testified that D'Onofrio told detectives that he, Castile and the child had gone to his cousin's house the previous evening. They were going to stay over at the cousin's house but came home instead because D'Onofrio said Castile was cold and had to work the next day.

Oborski said D'Onofrio stated that after they put the child to bed, he sat on the couch to watch television while Castile was on the bed. He told police Castile thought D'Onofrio was mad at her for them leaving his cousin's house, but he said he was not mad at her and there was no yelling or a physical altercation between them, according to Oborski's testimony.

Investigators who charged D'Onofrio in July wrote in his criminal complaint that he told Castile to move out of their apartment. He also said Castile stated she could not live without him, according to information in the complaint.

According to Oborski's testimony, D'Onofrio told police he then heard a "pop," turned on the lights to the apartment, looked down at Castile and yelled to his mother that he thought Castile shot herself. D'Onofrio told police he then grabbed the gun, emptied it and counted the bullets, Oborski said.

According to D'Onofrio's statement, he saw a wound to the side of Castile's head and called 911, about three minutes after he heard the pop, Oborski testified.

Oborski said under questioning by Vilushis that the gun was registered to D'Onofrio and that he used it in his security job. Police were told the gun was stored in a box under a sink next to the bed, the detective said.

Oborski said in response to Vilushis' questioning that police did not learn of Castile's mental health history or look into her relationship with her mother, and did not believe police served search warrants for Castile's or D'Onofrio's cell phones.

Vilushis also asked Oborski what the motive was in the shooting.

"I have no clue, no clue," the detective replied.

More: Partnership between DA, investigators pushes to resolve unsolved major crimes in Erie area

New information

The Coroner's Office did not initially rule on the cause of Castile's death following autopsy, as it was awaiting more information in the case. That changed in early July, when the office ruled the death as a homicide following the evidence review. Cold-case investigators then filed the charges against D'Onofrio in the death.

Erie police Lt. Ken Kensill of the city police bureau's Identification Unit testified under questioning by First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Reger that presumptive gunshot residue testing on D'Onofrio's hands after the incident was positive, and that gunshot residue was found on a portion of his T-shirt during another test.

While searching the apartment for evidence, police found the box D'Onofrio said his gun was stored in with its latches shut, recovered a spent shell casing in a bag and a live round near the bag, and recovered a projectile in the ceiling, according to Kensill.

The bullet that killed Castile entered by her right ear at a slight upward trajectory and exited by her left ear, according to testimony at the hearing. Kensill testified that, using that information, he and another detective in the Identification Unit returned to the apartment to try and recreate the bullet's trajectory.

In reading from a supplemental report Vey authored following a recent review of the evidence, Kensill said the report states in order for the shooting to have been self-inflicted based on the trajectory, it would have taken an extraordinary and atypical stance in positioning the gun that Vey had not seen in his years as a forensic pathologist. Kensill said he tried to recreate the positioning of the gun, which he showed in court, and could do so but without gripping the gun properly or reaching the trigger.

Kensill agreed with Vilushis under cross-examination that atypical does not mean impossible. He also said that the recovered shell casing was not tested for fingerprints or DNA evidence and that Castile's body and clothing were not tested for gunshot residue.

The gun was swabbed for DNA evidence. When Vilushis asked whose DNA was found on the gun, Kensill said they found Castile's DNA and the DNA of an unknown profile on the weapon.

Vilushis said in asking Beveridge to not bind the case over to court following testimony that police not having D'Onofrio's DNA on the gun's trigger speaks volumes. He said that, unlike other cold cases that are solved with advances in technology, nothing has changed in the investigation since Castile's death.

Vilushis also argued that no motive was offered and nothing was presented to give a possible reason as to why D'Onofrio would want to kill Castile.

Hirz argued that prosecutors do not have to prove a motive, noting that while Vilushis said there was no reason for D'Onofrio to kill Castile there was also no reason for Castile, a mother of a young child who had a job and was planning a wedding, to kill herself.

In order for the suicide to be believable, one would have to believe Castile went to the corner of a dark apartment, retrieved the gun, made sure the gun box latches were secured, put the gun box back, stood up, racked the slide to eject the live bullet that was recovered, contorted her hand and shot herself in a way the forensic pathologist had never seen before, Hirz said.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Ex-Erie resident held for court in fatal shooting of fiancee in 2012
Hospital officials in San Bernardino are asking for the publics help to identify a male patient who has been hospitalized since July.

The unidentified male arrived at Dignity Health on July 2 at around 5 a.m. after he was reportedly found near 24514 E. Little 3rd Street in San Bernardino, officials said in a news release. When he was admitted to the hospital, he had no identification or any other evidence of his identity with him.

Hospital in San Bernardino seeks help identifying male patient

He is described as a white male believed to be in his late 60s, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 130 pounds with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with any information about the patient is urged to call Dignity Health at 909-883-8711, extension 23420.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
With an Oct. 1 shutdown looming, House Republican leaders failed to pass their $826-billion defense bill for a third time in two weeks. Democrats object to its anti-diversity and anti-abortion-travel measures & GOP conservatives who voted against it want deeper cuts in the whole federal budget.

The latest setback on Thursday leaves next years Pentagon funding  and plans for any government funding past Sept. 30  in doubt. If a short-term budget extension or a long-term funding plan is not approved in the next nine days, the appropriations lapse will trigger a partial government shutdown, canceling all non-essential military activities and furloughing hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

The 212-216 failed procedural vote on Thursday included opposition from every chamber Democrat and six Republican lawmakers. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., supported the measure but switched his vote in a procedural move to allow for future reconsideration of the bill.

Military pay could be a casualty of looming government shutdown

Democrats have been unified against the spending plan because of amendments within the legislation limiting access to abortion services for troops, prohibitions on diversity training, and provisions they have said would hurt LGBTQ+ service members. President Joe Biden has threatened to veto the legislation.

The five Republicans opposed  Reps. Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Eli Crane of Arizona, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Rosendale of Montana  have not voiced concerns about the military budget plans but against other government spending issues. They want cuts in domestic spending, limits on aid to Ukraine and border security issues addressed before allowing the military bill to advance.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., issued plans this week to address some of those concerns in short-term spending plans to keep government offices open past the end of the month. But GOP leaders in the chamber wanted to advance the defense budget bill  viewed as a common-ground measure for the party members  ahead of that work.

Now, all of the spending plans face an uncertain future. Some Republican lawmakers have threatened to force McCarthy out of his leadership position if he works with Democratic members on a budget compromise. In turn, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called the plans floated by Republican House leaders so far unworkable and unrealistic.

Former President Donald Trump on social media Wednesday night also attacked McCarthys funding plans, saying that Republicans can and must defund the Biden administration.

House leaders have said they plan on holding negotiations and votes throughout the weekend in an attempt to break the budget impasse.
Some House Republicans are pushing back on former President Trumps criticism of a recent plan the conference hatched to avert a government shutdown that already seems to be in trouble.

A very important deadline is approaching at the end of the month. Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Bidens weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State, Trump wrote on social media shortly after news broke of the plan.

This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country! the former president continued.

Some House Republicans have vowed to try to use the appropriations process to reduce funding for agencies like the Justice Department and the FBI, accusing the federal government of weaponization them in light of the former presidents legal woes.

But while many House Republicans agree with the presidents sentiment  and have supported him throughout his four indictments  they also say they stand behind the framework deal.

He wouldve made the same call, conservative Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said Thursday, arguing this will put us in a position to use leverage that hes talking about.

Others seemed to brush off the former presidents recent call as internal negotiations in the GOP conference heat up days from a looming shutdown deadline.

Hes not here we are. We need to deal with our business in this house, moderate Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) said Thursday. And the mechanics of it are such that the only way we can continue on is to do a CR [continuing resolution] because were not going to be able to get all the appropriations bills passed by the end of the month.

This conference has focused on trying to get our appropriations bills done that we have crafted in the appropriations process, Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) said. Asked about the impact the president has amid GOP spending talks, the congressman added, I think House Republicans are focused on the business of House Republicans.

Republicans appeared to hit a breakthrough in talks late Wednesday as members voiced optimism about the conference progressing toward a deal to prevent the first government funding lapse in years. But by Thursday enough conservatives had lined up against the proposal to sink it.

The partisan plan, which is considered dead on arrival in the upper chamber, called for spending cuts and changes to border policy while kicking the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline through next month to allow time for negotiators to hash out a larger deal on how to fund the government for fiscal 2024.

Discussing Trumps comments on Thursday, Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.), who serves on the Appropriations Committee, said he thinks the conference is working to remove the woke and weaponized government from the DOJ.

And as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on CJS [Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies], Im acutely aware of the need to do that, he said, referring to the subcommittee that oversees funding for the DOJ among other agencies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified an organization. Carol Toye represents the Sierra Club Seal Society of San Diego.

A San Diego rookery will no longer be open to the public after city council members voted this week to close it due to people harassing the animals and taking selfies with them.

City council members voted 8-0 in support of the change at Mondays city council meeting.

Cherlyn Cac, a senior planner with the citys parks and recreation department, spoke at the meeting and thanked them for steps they took last May to add a seasonal closure to both Point La Jolla and nearby Boomer Beach.

The seasonal closure last May came after reports of harassment and problematic interactions between humans and sea lions in the area.

People had been trying to touch the sea lions, take selfies with them and get close to them, she said, adding that its potentially dangerous for both people and the animals.

Last years closure also prohibited dogs and people from entering the closure area, she said. The closure area also included signs and barriers, and park rangers were on-site as well.

This year-round closure comes after months of proposals to do so.

With this new permit, the area will be closed year-round, there will be a gate in place to secure the closure area, signs will be posted and fireworks will be prohibited, Cac said.

Sea lions at Point La Jolla in San Diego.

Maui wildfires: Skip Maui if youre going to do this. Some tourists ignore impact of recent tragedy.

Previous attempts to protect sea lions have had limited success

Multiple speakers spoke at the meeting to support the year-round closure, including Carol Toye, who represents the Sierra Club Seal Society of San Diego and lives in La Jolla.

What makes La Jolla so special is the fact that its the only sea lion rookery on the California mainland, she said.

Rookeries are sites sea lions use for mating, giving birth and resting, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Such areas are most frequented during mating season between May and August, NOAA Fisheries said.

But according to Toye, females and juvenile sea lions tend to stay in the area all year.

She added that previous attempts to control human activity in the area have had limited success.

People will often try and get selfies and mostly, well find that people will put their children close to the animals, Toye said. These are up to 800-pound animals.

But when rangers are present, sea lion harassment is nonexistent, Toye said.

Our survey that we conducted in 2022 showed that over 90% of visitors coming to the area were satisfied viewing from the wall, she said. Body surfers and spear fisherman have been successfully able to access the ocean and rangers are able to issue citations based on a breach of municipal code.

Sea lions at Point La Jolla in San Diego. In September 2023, San Diego's city council voted to close the sea lions' mating area to the public due to people harassing the animals, getting too close to them and harassing them.

La Jolla: Sea lions charge at tourists on San Diego beach

'Too many people are touching the babies'

Another speaker said the sea lions in the area are tormented by people. The speaker suggested having people on-site who can educate people like Toye did at the city council meeting.

Local Girl Scouts  Troop 4372  also spoke via video to protect the seals as part of a community project.

Too many people are touching the babies, said one girl in the video. The mom seal could hurt the human because she was scared and trying to protect her baby.

Another member of the troop warned that if humans touch seal pups, their mothers could abandon them, so stay away, she said.

Bob Evans, president of the nonprofit La Jolla Parks & Beaches, spoke out against the year-round closure, adding that they oppose any beach access closure.

Like everyone, we want to see protections for sea lions and all land and marine life, he said. But to develop a proper long-term coastline management plan, we need an (environmental impact report), which is environmentally based on facts and not a plan forced from large single-agenda lobbying groups and their very one-sided narratives.

He said sea lions have negative impacts on water quality and other marine species.

Were asking for the councils help, he said, asking that city council vote but ask for the creation of an environmental impact report and create a long-term urban park and wildlife management strategy that works for everyone.

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who represents district 5, spoke before the vote, asked a few questions for clarification, wondering whether people will still be able to swim in the area.

They will still be able to swim; they just cant interact with the sea lions, Cac from parks and recreation confirmed.

Given  that there still will be access to the beach for folks who do want to use it for the normal swimming activities, not to harass sea lions and poke at them and take selfies  I will support this item today, said von Wilpert.

Sea lions: Toxic algae bloom suspected in deaths of sea lions and dolphins on Southern California coast

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Diego sea lions beach closed to humans after selfies, harassment
Bye bye, birdie! Hummingbirds are packing up their bags and heading south.

These adorable, hardworking birds migrate north in the spring to breed. Changes in daily light and declining food supply signal it's time to head south in the fall. During migration, the tiny birds can travel up to 23 miles per day, and their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute, according to Hummingbird Central. When crossing the Gulf of Mexico, hummingbirds can fly up to 22 hours nonstop!

Some hummingbirds start their travels to Central America or Mexico, where they'll spend the winter, as early as July, but most wait until August or September. Hummingbirds in some areas, like California, don't migrate at all.

Here's what to know about hummingbird fall migration and how best to support their journey south.

Hummingbirds start to leave Ohio in September and head south for the winter.

When do hummingbirds leave Ohio?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds, which are common in Ohio, typically begin their travels south in September, Kathy Garza-Behr, a wildlife communications specialist at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said. These hummingbirds, identified by their green backs, white bellies and red throats for males, arrive in Ohio in April and May.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America, and many of them fly over the Gulf of Mexico in one nonstop flight, Garza-Behr said.

Another species, the rare rufous hummingbird, is sometimes spotted in Ohio during late fall and winter months.

When to take down hummingbird feeders in Ohio

According to the Ohio State University Extension, homeowners can keep hummingbird feeders up through October, or take them down when hummingbirds stop visiting them. Feeding hummingbirds in the fall will not discourage the tiny birds from migrating, the university says. Instead, feeders can help hummingbirds get the sustenance they need to make the difficult journey south.

How to make sugar water for hummingbirds

Here's a step-by-step guide, per the National Audubon Society:

Dissolve 1/4 cup of white sugar in one cup boiling water.

Let cool.

Fill hummingbird feeder with mixture.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When do hummingbirds leave Ohio? When to take down hummingbird feeders
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Hunter Biden to appear in person for his arraignment next month on felony gun charges, denying his request to appear via video.

"Defendant should not receive special treatment in this matter," U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher J. Burke wrote. "Any other defendant would be required to attend his or her initial appearance in person. So too here."

In his order, Burke scheduled the arraignment for the morning of Sept. 26. He later issued another order changing the arraignment to Oct. 3.

A lawyer for the president's son argued in a court filing Tuesday that Hunter Biden shouldn't have to appear in person, and that a virtual arraignment would help minimize an unnecessary burden on government resources and the disruption to the courthouse and downtown areas when a person protected by the Secret Service flies across the country and then must be transported to and from a downtown location.

Biden lives in California. The arraignment will take place at a federal courthouse in Delaware.

NBC News has reached out to one of Bidens attorneys for comment on the judges order.

Biden lawyer Abbe Lowell said in Tuesday's filing that Biden would enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference.

Federal prosecutors had opposed Biden's request to appear by video. In a court filing, prosecutors from special counsel David Weiss's office had argued that Biden "should be treated no differently" than other criminal defendants.

They also noted that his first appearance on tax and gun charges in July "was anything but routine," a reference to a hearing what was expected to formalize a plea agreement between Biden and prosecutors that fell apart after the judge raised questions.

"Although the government anticipates this proceeding should be straightforward since the parties have not reached an agreement to resolve this matter, we believe an in-person proceeding may be more conducive to addressing any unforeseen issues that arise," prosecutors said.

In his Tuesday filing, Lowell said he was "not seeking any special treatment in making this request," and that he was "puzzled" by government's opposition.

In his ruling, Burke said he agreed with both sides that Biden should not get special treatment, and that "absent some unusual circumstance, he should be treated just as would any other defendant in our court."

Biden is facing three counts tied to possession of a gun while using narcotics.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Washington  Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, must appear in-person for his arraignment on three felony gun charges that is set for Oct. 3, according to a court order issued Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke of the federal district court in Delaware said in his brief order that the president's son "should not receive special treatment in this manner  absent some unusual circumstances," and therefore must be physically present for his initial appearance and arraignment.

Lawyers for Hunter Biden had asked the court to hold the proceeding by video conference, writing in a letter to Burke that the "financial impact on government resources and the logistical burden on the downtown Wilmington area are significant in having him travel across the country for what should be a rather short proceeding." Hunter Biden currently lives in California, and the courthouse is in Wilmington.

They said that regardless of whether his appearance is virtual or in-person, Hunter Biden will waive reading of the indictment returned by a federal grand jury last week and plead not guilty to the three charges he is facing.

"In short, Mr. Biden is satisfied that his constitutional rights will be met by conducting his initial appearance by video conference," Hunter Biden's lawyers wrote.

Hunter Biden arrives in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. / Credit: Julia Nikhinson/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images

They also said Hunter Biden was asking for the proceeding to be held by video conference to "minimize an unnecessary burden on government resources and the disruption to the courthouse and downtown areas" when someone with Secret Service protection files cross-country and must be transported to and from a downtown location. Such movement requires agents and vehicles in both California and Delaware, and his participation in-person would also require roads in Wilmington to be closed, the lawyers said.

"Mr. Biden is not seeking any special treatment in making this request," they wrote. "He has attended and will attend any proceedings in which his physical appearance is required."

Special counsel David Weiss, who is overseeing the case against Hunter Biden, opposed the request for a virtual initial appearance and arraignment, noting that since June 2022, when an order authorizing video teleconferencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic expired, the court has "almost always" held in-person appearances.

"An in-person hearing is important to promote the public's confidence that the defendant is being treated consistently with other defendants in this District and in other Districts," Weiss and prosecutors on his team wrote in a letter to the court.

They said that though the proceeding is expected to be "straightforward," an in-person proceeding "may be more conducive to addressing any unforeseen issues that arise."

Hunter Biden was indicted on three counts related to his purchase of a firearm, a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver, in October 2018 while he was a drug user, according to the charging document. The first count alleges the president's son knowingly made a false statement on the form required for firearms purchases, on which he certified that he was not an unlawful user of any narcotic drugs.

Prosecutors said he also made a false representation to the Wilmington-based firearms dealer that sold Hunter Biden the gun, and knowingly possessed the gun during a 11-day period in October 2018 despite being an unlawful drug user, in violation of federal law.

The three counts are felonies, and if Hunter Biden is convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

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Hunter Biden , the son of President Biden, will have to appear in person at his arraignment in Wilmington, Del., next month, after a judge on Wednesday rejected his attempts to appear virtually.

The younger Biden should not receive special treatment in this manner  absent some unusual circumstances, federal Judge Christopher Burke wrote in his ruling.

The presidents son was levied three firearms charges earlier this month by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, alleging that he illegally purchased a handgun while under the influence of drugs.

His attorneys argued that a video conference should suffice the Oct. 3 appearance, noting the potential financial impact on government resources and the logistical burden on the downtown Wilmington area, as well as the required travel from Bidens home in California.

They also claimed that a virtual appearance would save the trouble of Secret Service protection and city resources preparing for potential protests.

Mr. Biden is not seeking any special treatment in making this request, Hunter Bidens defense team said. He has attended and will attend any proceedings in which his physical appearance is required.

Weiss argued against a virtual hearing, however, citing a lack of precedent and saying convenience is not a proper reason to forgo an in-person arraignment.

Hunter Bidens attorneys suggested he will waive the reading of his indictment at the arraignment and plead not guilty to the charges.

He has denied the allegations, and attorney Abbe Lowell said they are not likely to succeed with the trail against the presidents son. He called the charges unconstitutional and said they will be dismissed before trial.

It is a unique and unjustified charge, Lowell argued. Hunter owned an unloaded gun for 11 days  There has never been a charge like this that has been brought in the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The National Hurricane Center has increased odds for a system to develop off the coast of Florida as well as for one in the eastern Atlantic as Hurricane Nigel heads north.

As of the 8 a.m. tropical advisory, the NHC said a trough of low pressure that moved across Florida on Wednesday is now situated several hundred miles east of the peninsula, but still with a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

The NHC says a non-tropical low pressure system is expected to form within this area by early Friday.

This system could acquire some subtropical characteristics on Friday or early Saturday while it moves generally northward toward the coast of North

Carolina, forecasters said. Regardless of subtropical development, this low is likely to bring gusty winds to gale force, heavy rain, and high surf to

portions of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States on Friday and into the weekend.

The NHC gives it a 30% chance to develop in the next two days and 40% in the next seven.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne said effects on Florida may be limited to coastal dangers as the system moves toward the northeast U.S.

An increased risk of life-threatening rip currents and rough surf will exist from today into the first half of the weekend, the NWS stated in its forecast advisory. Minor beach erosion is possible around the times of high tide from Friday afternoon into early Saturday, especially near and north of Cape

Canaveral. Surf will decrease Sunday, though a risk of rip currents is expected to continue at local beaches.

Farther out in the Atlantic is a tropical wave now west of the Cape Verde Islands producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity.

Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend or early next week 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 20% chance to form in the next two days and 70% in the next seven.

If either system spins up into named-storm status, it would take the name Ophelia and become the 15th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

As far as Hurricane Nigel goes, it has lost more steam as it moves farther north.

As of 5 a.m., Nigel was a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph sustained winds located about 495 miles southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland moving northeast at 30 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend out to 60 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extend out up to 150 miles.

This motion is expected to continue 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.
A satellite image of Tropical Storm Ophelia on Friday. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to make landfall in North Carolina on Saturday morning, bringing with it high winds, flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm, which formed off of Floridas Atlantic coast, was pushing its way toward the Carolinas on Friday afternoon with wind speeds of 60 mph.

Forecasters said Ophelia will continue to strengthen before reaching North Carolina. A hurricane watch was issued for for the Carolina coast from north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet.

The National Hurricane Center warned residents in the path of the storm to heed warnings from local officials.

"Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions," the NHC said.

Projected path of the storm as of Friday afternoon. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Hurricane watch issued:

North Carolina coast from north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet

This means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

Storm surge warnings issued:

Beaufort Inlet, N.C. to Chincoteague, Va.

Chesapeake Bay south of Colonial Beach, Va.

Neuse and Pamlico Rivers

Portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

This means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coast, is possible within the warning area during the next 36 hours.

Tropical storm warnings issued:

Cape Fear, N.C. to Fenwick Island, Del.

Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island

Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach

This means tropical storm conditions are expected anywhere within the warning area in the next 36 hours.

Storm surge watches issued:

Surf City, N.C., to Beaufort Inlet, N.C.

Remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, N.C.

This means theres a possibility of a life-threatening inundation of water moving inland from the coastline during the next 48 hours in the watch areas listed.

Other storm systems churning in the Atlantic and Pacific

Hurricane Nigel: As of Friday morning, Nigel had been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone with maximum winds of 70 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Nigel.

Disturbance 2: In the eastern Atlantic, just west of the Cape Verde islands, a tropical wave, or an area of low pressure in the atmosphere, is moving west from Africa into the Atlantic and is likely to become a tropical depression this weekend or early next week.

According to AccuWeather, a majority  or 85%  of all tropical storm developments can trace their origins to tropical waves, which typically run north to south.

Read more on Yahoo News: Heard of a tropical wave? Here's what you need to know, from AccuWeather

Tropical Depression Kenneth: Meanwhile in the Pacific Ocean, Kenneth weakened to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph as it moved north over 1,000 miles west-southwest from the southern tip of Baja California.

As of Friday morning, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect for Kenneth.

Disturbance 1: There is a 40 percent chance of a cyclone forming in the next 48 hours from this system, which is located several hundred miles from the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
FILE - Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt attends the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, on June 21, 2023. The political careers of two of Norways most powerful women are under threat after it was revealed that their husbands were dealing shares behind their backs. Anniken Huitfeldt, the current center-right foreign minister, and the former conservative prime minister, Erna Solberg are having to answer why they were making decisions in office that could potentially have enriched their spouses. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP, File)

STAVANGER, Norway (AP)  The political careers of two of Norways most powerful women are under threat after it was revealed that their husbands were trading in shares behind their backs.

Anniken Huitfeldt, the current foreign minister of the center-left Labor Party, and Norway's former conservative prime minister for eight years, Erna Solberg , are having to explain why they were making decisions in office that could potentially have enriched their spouses.

The cases of the two women on opposite sides of the political divide are separate but their defense is more or less the same: they say they didnt know what their husbands were up to. And rivals are calling for both women to stand down.

Rasmus Hansson, a lawmaker for the Green Party said the pair were damaging the reputation of Norwegian politics and urged them both to resign. Walk now. Please, he wrote on Facebook, adding that if they refused to go, their parties should remove them.

Right now, the case against Solberg, 62, is graver. During her two terms in office from 2013 to 2021, her husband, Sindre Finnes, made more than 3,600 share deals, many of which should have disqualified Solberg from making decisions on running the country.

I mean very clearly that I have responsibility, and I have explained why: I thought I had fulfilled my responsibility. I had no reason to believe that Sindre was deceiving me, Solberg said in interviews with Norwegian media on Thursday. She said her husband cannot engage in share trading if I become prime minister again.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Finnes admitted he lied to his wife about his trades but he said he never acted on inside information, which would have been a criminal offense.

Even in Norway, where the route to the top of politics is considered smoother for women than other places in the world, the stereotype-busting image of Solberg being too busy running the country to worry what her husband was doing at home has often been played for laughs.

That would not have happened if it was the other way around. These men are being made fun of because they are men with powerful wives, said Berit Aalborg, political editor with the Vart Land newspaper. We like to think we have a high degree of gender equality in Norway. But this is a kind of sexism.

Finnes share trading came to light after Huitfeldt, the foreign minister, admitted that her husband, Ola Flem, had traded shares in companies her decisions could have affected.

After being scolded by her own government's legal department for failing to get to grips with her partners financial activities, Huitfeldt admitted in a statement that she should have asked my husband what shares he owned.

The 53-year-old foreign minister said that since she did not know about the conflicts of interests, her decisions were still valid. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, the leader of Huitfeldt's party, has backed her.

Solberg, who has led the conservative party Hoeyre since May 2004, wants to be the lead conservative candidate for the national election in 2025. On Thursday, she said she was willing to continue as party leader but said it was up to the party to decide.

___ Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
Xi's Imprint on the Era | Xi Jinping's "Encyclopedic" Advisor

People's Daily Online) 13:52, September 21, 2023

In China, almost every place has its own "encyclopedia" documenting its local history and present conditions, some of which have been maintained for thousands of years. Chinese people refer to them as "local chronicles."

Studying local chronicles is an important knack in Xi Jinping's work approach.

One day in 1985, shortly after becoming deputy mayor of Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province, Xi sought out a local chronicle specialist and requested to borrow several local chronicles of Xiamen to read. He also proactively arranged a meeting with the expert to discuss Xiamen's history, a conversation that lasted until midnight.

The expert later described Xi as "a person with a strong sense of history."

Later, Xi took the lead in formulating Xiamen's economic and social development strategies, incorporating and drawing on a large amount of information found in local chronicles.

Whether engaged in local governance or conducting grassroots research, reading local chronicles has become integral to Xi's work.

Where do we come from? Where are we going? As China has arrived where it is today, Xi constantly reminds himself to maintain a strong sense of history.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
FILE PHOTO: ICC ruling on former Ivory Coast President Gbagbo and former Youth Minister Ble Goude in the Hague

By Stephanie van den Berg

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court was operating on Thursday with disruptions to email, streaming and document-sharing after a hacking incident earlier in the week, sources and lawyers at the tribunal said.

The high-profile ICC in the city of The Hague handles sensitive information about war crimes cases.

It disclosed the hack on Tuesday but has given no more information as it seeks to continue core work including an ongoing trial of two men accused of leading Central African Republic militias.

In March, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on suspicion of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. The Kremlin rejects the accusations and the court's jurisdiction.

Prosecutors are also conducting investigations of alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Sudan and Afghanistan, among others.

On Thursday, the court was disconnected from most systems that can access the internet, meaning employees cannot read e-mail and documents cannot be viewed remotely, according to two sources.

Hearings in the trial over attacks on Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic resumed, but the livestream was down and there was no sound in the galleries, court staff told media.

"As the defence team, we do have limited access to the court systems," lawyer Geert-Jan Knoops, who represents one of the suspects, told Reuters, asking for clarity over whether the hack had given undue access to documents.

ICC documents could range from criminal evidence to names of protected witnesses.

The suspects in Thursday's trial, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and co-defendant Alfred Yekatom, have pleaded not guilty.

Mylene Dimitri, defending Yekatom, told Reuters she was exchanging information via USB flash drives and paper binders, delivering information personally from office-to-office.

Only live witnesses were being heard, she added, with testimony via videolink from others postponed.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Anthony Deutsch, Toby Sterling; editing by Barbara Lewis and Andrew Cawthorne)
The mother of Mia Kanu, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly jumped out of a moving car in the Detroit suburb of Southfield and eventually succumbed to her injuries, says she feels a sense of relief as authorities have arrested and charged the driver.

The Oakland County Prosecutors Office says Kentia Fearn, 23, faces charges for not stopping when Kanu jumped from her vehicle after the two left a party this summer.

Southfield Police found an unresponsive woman in front of Coach House Apartments on Providence Drive on June 3 at approximately 4:32 a.m.

Mia Kanu was found dead lying on a Southfield, Michigan road on June 3, 2022. (Photo: Facebook/Mia Kanu)

The Tennessee State University veterinarian student was taken to Ascension Providence Hospital and placed on life support for two days, passing away on June 5. She briefly returned to life support on June 8 while the hospital conducted a walk of life in honor of her organ donor status.

Fearn was charged on Sept. 15 with felony failure to stop at an accident resulting in death, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine. She also faces a misdemeanor for operating while intoxicated, carrying a potential 93-day jail sentence.

The Detroit woman was taken into custody on Sept. 19 and was arraigned the following day in 46th District Court in Southfield, when she was granted a $3,000 bond.

The law requires anyone involved in an accident to stop and immediately report the accident to authorities. Leaving the scene when someone is seriously injured or dies is a felony. My office will hold those who do so accountable, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement.

Bianca Vanmeter, Kanus mother, said she was grateful that someone is being held accountable for her daughters death.

Like, just having the ignorance for someones life, and somebody that you called a friend, you needed to be held accountable, she told the Detroit Free Press.

Kanus family described her as kind, loving, sweet, and funny, highlighting her leadership as a student-athlete, particularly in volleyball and school activities.

Focused on her career, Kanu also worked as a veterinary assistant at Richland Animal Clinic in Tennessee during her time at TSU. Kanu had recently come home to Michigan from college for the summer break when she lost her life.

The police department posted a notice that they would be having a press conference  categorizing the incident as though Kanu fell from a moving vehicle and would be releasing more information regarding their investigation on Sept. 21.

Read the full story at Atlanta Black Star.
Russian invasion forces launched a daring attack on critical infrastructure targets in Ukraine in the early hours of Sept. 21, with officials warning that the Kremlin may again attempt to attack critical civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

It appears their focus on fuel and energy sector facilities will persist as the heating season approaches, Yurii Ihnat , spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said during a briefing on Sept. 21.

He referred to reports from energy experts, which indicated that the aggressor had already targeted key energy facilities in previous attacks. Notably, the Kremenchuk oil refinery in Poltava Oblast had been one of the facilities targeted by the Russians.

Read also: Russian attack damages PepsiCo plant north of the capital

It is reasonable to assume that fuel and energy sector facilities will remain in the crosshairs of the enemy, Ihnat said.

We must prepare for this eventuality, particularly with the heating season on the horizon. The enemy may persist in its plans to target these vital installations, alongside their military objectives.

He also commented on the results of the Ukrainian air defenses work during the overnight Russian attack.

Today, we achieved commendable results in our air defense operations. Out of 43 missiles fired, intercepting 36 represents a remarkable outcome in air defense efforts.

This is especially noteworthy considering that the enemy launched multiple waves of attacks from various directions and regions. Air defense operations were actively conducted in at least six different regions, Ihnat said.

Read also: Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv leave hospital without water, prosecutors confirm more wounded

Russia launched multiple waves of attacks on Ukraine overnight on Sept. 21 in what is possibly the most massive missile assault in recent times. There were impacts in Lviv, Rivne, Kherson, Kharkiv and Cherkasy oblasts.

Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 36 out of 43 of the Russian missiles. An air raid alarm sounded across all oblasts as the missile launches occurred rapidly, with projectiles entering Ukrainian airspace from various directions and executing constant maneuvers.

In Kyivs Shevchenkivskyi district, debris from shot down Russian missiles inflicted damage upon a dormitory building, resulting in injuries, including a 16-year-old girl, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed.

The medics are hospitalizing a 16-year-old girl with an acute stress reaction, the mayor said.

Additionally, a gas pipeline near the dormitory building sustained damage.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
CATOOSA  A suspect in a mass murder in Illinois is now dead after a police chase nearly 700 miles away in Oklahoma.

A family of four  two adults and two children  and three dogs were found dead with gunshots wounds on Sunday evening at their home in Romeoville, Illinois, a small village about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

Within hours of their discovery, Romeoville police believed Nathaniel Huey Jr., of Streamwood, Illinois, to be a suspect, along with a woman he had a relationship with, according to a news release. She was reported as a missing or endangered person Tuesday by her family.

Illinois mass murder suspect dies after Catoosa, Oklahoma, car crash

A suspect and a person of interest wanted in connection to the weekend mass slaying of a couple and their two young children in Romeoville, Illinois, are dead after a fatal police chase nearly 700 miles away outside Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Wednesday morning, a digital license plate reader alerted the Catoosa Police Department to the suspect's vehicle, and a traffic stop was initiated. Catoosa is located about 10 miles northwest of Tulsa.

Catoosa police attempted a traffic stop before the car sped away, continued on to Interstate 44 and then "struck the concrete barrier and came to a stop," according to a statement by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Officers on the scene said they heard what sounded like two gunshots, and a male believed to be Huey was found dead in the driver's seat. The woman was found with a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where she later died, OSBI and Catoosa police reported.

The fiery crash led to lanes of westbound Interstate 44, near Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, being temporarily shut down about 11:30 a.m., NBC affiliate KJRH reported.

"Although Huey is identified as a suspect, this is still an active and evolving investigation," Romeoville police said. "This portion of the incident is still unfolding. We appreciate the publics cooperation and assistance. This does not conclude the investigation. The Romeoville Police Department is committed to meeting the same burden of proof required in any criminal case."

Police say Romeoville, Illinois, family killed in home

Police said they believe the incident occurred between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.

The bodies were discovered when the Romeoville Police Department responded to a request for a well-being check at the residence, authorities said in a statement.

"A member of the family did not show up for work at 6 am on the morning of Sunday, September 17 and did not respond to phone calls throughout the day, resulting in family members becoming concerned," the statement reads.

The deceased have been identified as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei and their two boys, age 7 and 9. Authorities have not released the children's names yet.

The coroner said the victims' official cause and manner of death are pending autopsy and toxicology findings.

Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne said evidence has shown a link between the suspects and the victims, as well as a possible motive, but could not comment further as the case remains active and ongoing. He did say no other people are suspected of being involved in the family's killings.

The police also have requested that anyone with information contact the Romeoville Police Department at 815-886-7219.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Natalie Neysa Alund

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nathaniel Huey Jr., suspect in Illinois killings, dies in Oklahoma chase
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  An Independence man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for two fraud schemes totaling over $2 million in losses.

A judge sentenced Jeremy Ace Woods, who owned Aces Remediation and Lawn Service and Vaughns Property Management, to 17 years in prison with no chance at parole.

Feds press ex-boyfriend in case of missing Independence woman

The court also ordered the 46-year-old to pay nearly $800,000 in restitution to 48 victims and forfeit over $336,000 to the government.

Last year, he pleaded guilty to three counts of travel fraud and two counts of wire fraud in a rental equipment scheme and a real estate scheme, which combined affected at least 48 people or businesses.

Prosecutors said Woods used multiple aliases, including Jeremy Ace, Jeremy Vaughn, Jeremy Brown, James Hanna and Elvis John.

Federal prosecutors say Wood stole nearly 100 pieces of rental equipment valued at almost $1 million from various companies. He then sold the equipment to people across the Midwest.

Prosecutors said the Independence man exploited multiple people, asking them to rent equipment for him.

KCKPD gives new details on homicide outside auto parts store

After he sold it online, those straw renters then saw financial loss and damage to their credit scores. Many of the buyers were also affected when they had to return the equipment Wood stole.

Wood also fraudulently sold 12 homes he didnt own, prosecutors say, obtaining large down payments and monthly payments.

Federal prosecutors say Woods received subcontracting jobs through his companies on homes going through foreclosure. He would then pose as the owner of a real-estate company sell them.

In all, the victims lost over $200,000, but prosecutors say the actual and intended loss combined in this scheme is over $1 million.

The intended loss of the two schemes combined was $2,229,177 while the actual loss totaled $900,896, prosecutors said.

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Woods already has 31 prior felony convictions, including several fraud charges. He was already on probation in four separate cases in Missouri when he was arrested in 2022.

He also has pending cases in four counties, including an active warrant in Kansas for escaping custody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
India has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian citizens  citing operational issues  amid an escalating diplomatic row over the slaying of a Sikh separatist leader.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of the Indian states involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national and prayer leader, in British Columbia.

Canada also ejected an Indian diplomat who it identified as heading the intelligence wing of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.

India has rejected the allegations as absurd and responded by ordering a similarly high-ranking Canadian diplomat in Delhi to leave the country within five days.

India on Wednesday issued a travel warning for its citizens in Canada, urging Indians to exercise caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.

Relations between the two countries have been strained for months over the issue of the Khalistan movement, whose members call for a separate Sikh nation to be carved out of Indias Punjab state. The row has seen trade talks break down and a frosty exchange between Mr Trudeau and Indias Narendra Modi at the G20.

Key Points

India suspends visa services for Canadians

Canada demands security for its diplomats in India

India issues travel advisory against trips to Canada amid diplomatic row

15:33 , Katy Clifton

Thanks for following our live updates, we are pausing our blog for the afternoon but you can check out more coverage here.

What is Khalistan movement

13:25 , Shweta Sharma

Tensions between Canada and India have reached new heights with dueling diplomatic expulsions and an allegation of Indian government involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

The row centers around the Sikh independence, or Khalistan, movement. India has repeatedly accused Canada of supporting the movement, which is banned in India but has support among the Sikh diaspora.

The Sikh independence movement began as an armed insurgency in the late 1980s among Sikhs demanding a separate homeland. It was centered in northern Punjab state, where Sikhs are the majority, though they make up about 1.7 per cent of Indias total population.

The insurgency lasted more than a decade and was suppressed by an Indian government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders.

Hundreds of Sikh youths also were killed in police operations, many of which were later proven in courts to have been staged, according to rights groups.

What we know about Sikh movement at the center of India and Canada tensions

India accuses Canada of providing safe haven for terrorists

13:02 , Shweta Sharma

Indias foreign ministry spokesperson said: Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian government to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice.

Weve sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, more than 20-25 individuals weve requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all.

Son of slain Canada Sikh leader says Trudeau statement vindicates what family always suspected

12:15 , Shweta Sharma

The son of a Sikh separatist leader shot dead in Canada said Justin Trudeaus remarks alleging the Indian governments involvement had confirmed his familys suspicions.

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.

Nijjars 21-year-old son Balraj Singh Nijjar was quoted by public broadcaster CBC as saying that it was just a matter of time for when the truth would come out. Mr Nijjar said Mr Trudeaus surprise official statement during an emergency parliament session brought a sense of relief that the issue is finally coming to the public eyes.

Mr Nijjar thanked the Canadian prime minister and other political leaders from the opposition who rallied behind Mr Trudeau in condemning the killing in the House of Commons.

Hopefully you can take this a step further and get specific individuals, he said and added that the slain leaders family was waiting to see sanctions among possible next steps from Ottawa.

Mr Nijjar said he tried assuring everyone that his fathers death was not being swept under the rug. The killing was not just of a random Sikh man but of a temple president who was shot outside his place of worship, he said.

India says it is Canada that should be worried about 'reputational damage'

12:15 , Shweta Sharma

Asked if Canadas allegations about Indian state involvement in the murder of a Sikh leader will damage Indias reputation on the world stage, Indias foreign ministry spokesperson said it was Canada that should be worried about reputational damage from the episode.

Arindam Bagchi said: I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organised crime. And I think thats a country that needs to worry about its international reputation.

Canada high commissioner to India slams car door on reporter

12:00 , Shweta Sharma

The video shows the moments when an angry Canada high commissioner to India slammed a car door on a reporter after the country accused the Indian state of ordering the killing of a prominent Sikh leader in Canada.

The diplomat was summoned by Indian foreign ministry after Justin Trudeaus accusations on India.

India blames security threats for visa suspension

11:53 , Shweta Sharma

The Indian foreign ministry has confirmed the suspension of visa services in Canada.

Government spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Indias high commission and consulates in

Canada were facing security threats and are therefore temporarily unable to provide visa services.

The security situation because of Canadian governments inaction has resulted in disruptions and we have suspended visa applications, Mr Bagchi said.

It comes after a note saying the Indian mission had suspended visa services for Canadian citizens was posted on an official website.

Canada says to 'adjust' diplomatic staff in India after social media threats

11:45 , Shweta Sharma

Canadas high commission in India said today that it has decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in the country after some diplomats received threats on social media platforms, adding to spiralling tensions between the two countries.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats, the Canadian high commission said in a statement.

With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India, it said, referring to the Canadian government department which manages Ottawas diplomatic and consular relations.

As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India, it said, without elaborating on what it meant by adjusting staff presence.

In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.

India suggests Canadian mission in India could be downgraded

11:44 , Shweta Sharma

Indias foreign ministry spokesperson is giving his weekly press conference in Delhi.He has said there needs to be parity between the size of missions of India and Canada in their respective countries.

Adding that Canada has a lot more diplomats in Delhi than visa versa, Arindham Bagchi said: I assume there will be a reduction.

Watch what Justin Trudeau said in parliament that sparked a diplomatic storm

11:25 , Shweta Sharma

Analysis: Canadas Indian diaspora caught in crossfire as diplomatic relations spiral out of control

11:16 , Shweta Sharma

Frosty relations between India and Canada have reached a remarkable new low with accusations of New Delhis involvement in the assassination of a Sikh leader outside a temple in British Columbia.

In a statement to parliament, Justin Trudeau said Canada was investigating credible allegations the Indian state was behind the 18 June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar  a prominent religious leader who advocated for the Khalistan movement, a separatist campaign to carve a Sikh nation out of Indias Punjab state.

The two nations had already suspended talks on a free trade agreement amid a row over the Trudeau governments response to the growing Khalistan movement, which also has supporters in Britain and the United States. Canada says members have a right to free speech as long as they do not incite or espouse violence, while India calls them extremists and had listed Nijjar as a wanted terrorist.

Read my detailed analysis.

Canadas Indian diaspora caught in crossfire as relations spiral out of control

India visa website suspends services for Canada citizens amid furious diplomatic row

11:00 , Shweta Sharma

A notice declaring the suspension of India visa services for Canadian nationals appeared on an official website today, amid a furious diplomatic row between the two countries.

The announcement was billed as an important notice from the Indian mission and said that all visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice with immediate effect, citing operational reasons.

It was issued by BLS International Services Limited, a company that provides outsourced visa processing services in Canada for the Indian government. The Indian government has yet to comment.

It comes after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of the Indian states involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, triggering a furious tit-for-tat row.

India visa website suspends services for Canada citizens amid diplomatic row

Canada tried to get Five Eyes allies to agree joint condemnation of India over Sikh leaders killing  report

10:34 , Shweta Sharma

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.

Canada sought support of 5 Eyes allies for condemnation of India, report says

Deeply concerned White House asks India to cooperate in probe into Sikh separatist leaders murder

10:34 , Shweta Sharma

The US is deeply concerned by Canadas serious allegations that accuse India of being involved in the assassination of a Sikh leader, the White House said, urging New Delhi to cooperate in the investigations.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Wednesday said the investigations by Canada should proceed unimpeded.

We were deeply concerned by these allegations prime minister Trudeau laid forward and remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners, Mr Kirby said. Theyre investigating and that should proceed unimpeded.

Mr Kirby also said Washingtons relationship with New Delhi remains vitally important, not only for the South Asia region but of course for the Indo Pacific.

Read the full news story here.

Here is everything you need to know about India-Canada row

10:28 , Shweta Sharma

It began after the Canadian prime minister told the parliament that there were credible allegations that the Indian government played a role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader who was shot dead in June.

Canadas foreign minister said Ottawa has expelled top Indian diplomat, who was the head of the countrys intelligence agency

India denied any role in Nijjars death calling the allegations absurd and said there is a growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

In a tit-for-tat move, New Delhi expelled a senior Canadian diplomat. Indias foreign ministry said the diplomat had five days to leave the country.

Canadian allies issued muted response to allegations against India but called the developments concerning. UK and US called its serious allegations while Australia said it had raised the issue with senior officials in India.

Mr Trudeau said he personally and directly raised the matter with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi for the G20 summit.

Indian foreign ministry said of the meeting that similar allegations of the countrys alleged involvement in Nijjars killing were made by the Canadian prime minister to our prime minister, and were completely rejected.

India 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. It was after videos surfaced of Khalistani leaders threatening Indians in Canada.

Canada dismissed the Indian sides fears and its immigration minister said it is one of the most safe countries in the world.

The Canadian High Commission in India said it is temporarily adjusting its staffing presence in India after some diplomats received online threats. It demanded India to increase security of its diplomats.

The Indian mission suspended visa services for Canadian nations, citing operational issues.

Another Indian-origin man shot dead in Canada

10:09 , Shweta Sharma

Sukhdool Singh Gill, a Canadian man wanted in India, was shot dead in Winnipeg, Manitoba province of Canada yesterday.

Gill, who was also known as Sukha Duneke, was shot dead by assailants, days after Indias premier federal investigative agency issued a wanted list of gangsters that also featured his name.

The killing was reported to be the result of inter-gang rivalry. Two gangsters from Indias Punjab claimed responsibility for the killing in Facebook posts, according to reports.

Indias National Investigative Agency (NIA) included Gill in its wanted terrorist list that included 40 people.

It comes as India and Canada are in the throes of a diplomatic row that is likely to worsen already faltering bilateral ties over the killing of a Sikh Canadian in June.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in his car by masked men outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on 18 June.

Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar  Sikh separatist leader murdered in Canada

09:43 , Shweta Sharma

The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national and prayer leader, in British Columbia, is at the centre of a brewing diplomatic storm between India and Canada.

Nijjar was president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia, and was 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.

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.

Read the full story here.

India issues travel advisory against trips to Canada amid diplomatic row

09:34 , Shweta Sharma

India issued a travel warning to its nationals visiting Canada yesterday, after several media outlets falsely reported that Ottawa had updated its own travel advisory amid simmering diplomatic tensions.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

It came 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.

You can read our full story here.

Trudeau says he is not looking to provoke with claim of India link to Sikh leaders murder

09:29 , Shweta Sharma

Justin Trudeau has said Canada is not looking to provoke after he alleged India could be behind the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.

Mr Trudeau told the Canadian parliament at the start of this week that there were credible allegations of the Indian governments 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.

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 later on Tuesday.

India and the government of India need to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.

Trudeau says he is not looking to provoke India with link to Sikh leaders murder

Canada demands security for its diplomats in India

09:22 , Shweta Sharma

The Canadian High Commission in India said it is temporarily adjusting its staffing presence in India after some diplomats received online threats.

It said that the high commission and all consulates in India nonetheless remain open and operational.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats, it said.

With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India.

It urged India to provide security to the staff in accordance with the guidelines of the Vienna convention.

In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.

(EPA)

India suspends visa services for Canadians

09:09 , Shweta Sharma

India has suspended visa services for Canadian nations, a company outsourced by the Indian government for visa processing services said in an update.

The notification which ran as a ticker on the website briefly disappeared before appearing again.

The announcement was billed as an important notice from the Indian mission and said that all visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice with immediate effect, citing operational reasons.

It was issued by BLS International Services Limited, a company that provides outsourced visa processing services in Canada for the Indian government.

The Indian government has yet to comment.

09:04 , Shweta Sharma

Welcome to The Independents coverage of the diplomatic row between India and Canada, which today appears to have led to the suspension of Indian visa services for Canadian nationals.
By Daphne Psaledakis, Gabriela Baczynska and Humeyra Pamuk

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Western nations are sending representatives to India, home to 90% of the world's cutting and polishing of the rare gems, to discuss potential effects of any G7 restrictions on imports of rough Russian diamonds, two Biden administration officials said.

"There's a trip next week to India, a number of countries are going to sort of verify certain elements of implementation. I think that will be really important to people's decisions," a senior official told Reuters on Wednesday.

A second U.S. official said on Thursday that representatives from the United States and its allies from the G7 group of most industrialised countries, as well as Belgium, will travel to Mumbai and Surat, a city where about 80% of the world's diamonds are polished.

The G7 countries are working on a tracing system that would allow them to block imports of stones mined in Russia, the world's largest producer of rough gems.

The plan could transform the global diamond supply chain, but implementation will depend heavily on India, whose diamond industry employs millions of people.

The Biden administration officials spoke on condition of anonymity on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at United Nations headquarters in New York.

Officials in Belgium - where the historic city of Antwerp is the world's No. 1 diamond trading hub - expect the G7 to announce the ban in coming weeks in a bid to tighten a squeeze on Russia's capacity to finance the war in Ukraine.

Belgium, which is not in the G7 but is a member of the European Union, has been blocking any sanctions on Russian diamonds sought by hawks in the EU.

The EU, where imposing sanctions requires unanimous backing of all 27 member states, has imposed 11 rounds of trade restrictions on Russia as punishment since Moscow invaded Ukraine, attacking by land, sea and air in February 2022.

Russian diamonds and the state-controlled miner Alrosa have so far remained off-limits as Belgium said trade lost in Antwerp would be rerouted elsewhere unless any EU imports ban is backed by more countries globally.

A leading Russia critic, Poland this week launched a fresh call for EU sanctions on Russian diamonds, the sales of which brought Moscow more than $4.5 billion in 2022. The EU bought some $1.5 billion worth of Russian diamonds last year.

Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Washington imposed sanctions on Alrosa and barred the import of non-industrial diamonds of Russian origin into the United States.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Howard Goller)
Indiana police warn against helping murder suspect released by accident: 'We will find you'

A murder suspect who was accidentally released because of a clerical error remained on the lam Thursday, with Indiana authorities warning anyone against helping him, officials said.

The U.S. Marshals Service offered a $10,000 reward for any information that could help authorities capture Kevin Mason, 28, who has been missing since a week ago Wednesday, Marion County Sheriffs Col. James Martin told reporters.

Kevin Mason (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

A woman, Desiree Oliver, was arrested and accused of assisting Mason.

Were going to be very aggressive in pursuing you. We will find you. We will criminally charge you, just as we did Desiree Oliver," Martin said of anyone who might help Mason.

Mason was allowed to walk free after a clerk accidentally deleted holds on his record that should have kept him locked up, officials said.

The mistake wasnt publicly disclosed for six days.

Authorities insisted the delay in publicly acknowledging the error was not a cover-up but instead a maneuver to gain a tactical advantage.

We moved from a covert operation to a more uniform operation, Martin said Thursday, describing the multiagency search. Our work last night led to multiple targets throughout the city, multiple leads that were pursuing within Indianapolis, and it led us to leads outside of Indianapolis.

Mason is wanted on a murder warrant out of Minnesota. He was picked up in Indianapolis on Sept. 11 on three different warrants in different jurisdictions out of Minnesota, officials said.

He faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with a shooting in June 2021 in the parking lot of the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis, in which Dontevius Ahmad Catchings was killed, Minneapolis police have said.

Later that year, police asked for the public's help finding him, with his possibly being in Florida.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An unidentified relative hugs Lina Lutfiawati, center, after her trial in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The court sentenced her to two years in prison por saying a Muslim prayer and then eating pork on a TikTok video. (AP Photo/Mohammad Fadli)

PALEMBANG, Indonesia (AP)  A court in Indonesia has convicted a woman of inciting religious hatred and sentenced her to two years in prison for saying a Muslim prayer and then eating pork  considered forbidden in Islam  on a TikTok video.

Judges at Palembang court in South Sumatra province in Sumatra island also ordered Lina Lutfiawati to pay a fine of 250 million rupiah ($16,262) in their blasphemy trial verdict on Tuesday

Lutfiawati, who is also known as Lina Mukherjee and who identifies as Muslim, said a brief prayer phrase that translates to in the name of God before eating a crispy pork skin in a video that was published in March and was widely viewed.

Once she went on trial on blasphemy charges, she expressed regret and apologized in a post on her social media last month. She apologized again after Tuesday's verdict.

I am surprised. I have apologized many times. Actually, I know that I was wrong, but I did not expect the sentence to be two years, Lutfiawati said after the trial.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world and consuming pork is considered haram, or forbidden in Islam.

The charge of inciting hatred against a religious group is a part of blasphemy laws that critics in Indonesia say have been used to curtail freedom of expression.

Whats been happening to Lina is not surprising, despite the governments promises" to protect freedom of expression, said Usman Hamid, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia. He said the laws also have been used to target religious minorities.

In 2017, Jakarta Gov. Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, was imprisoned for two years after being found guilty of blasphemy for quoting a verse from the Koran during a reelection campaign speech.

In 2018, an Indonesian court sentenced an ethnic Chinese woman, Meiliana, who complained about a noisy mosque to 18 months in prison for blasphemy.

-

Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
A Muslim woman has been sentenced to two years in prison under Indonesias blasphemy law over a video she shared on TikTok which showed her reciting an Islamic prayer before trying out pork while visiting the tourist island of Bali.

Lina Lutfiawati, known as Lina Mukherjee on social media, was tried on Tuesday in the Palembang district court on Sumatra island.

The 33-year-old was found guilty of spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups, court documents read.

In addition to her two-year prison sentence, the court fined her $16,245 (250,000,000 Indonesian rupiah), a small fortune in a country where the annual per capita wage is around $4,300. Her jail term could be extended by three months if she does not pay the fine, the court added.

Speaking to reporters outside court on Tuesday after the trial, Mukherjee expressed shock at the sentence.

I know I was wrong but I really did not expect this punishment, she said, in comments carried by CNN affiliate, CNN Indonesia. It is possible that she will file an appeal, CNN Indonesia added.

Blasphemy cases on the rise

Indonesia is the worlds largest Muslim nation, where 231 million people, at least 93% of its adult population, identify as Muslim.

Religious conservatism has been on the rise in the country in recent years and rights groups have warned that blasphemy laws are being increasingly weaponized against religious minorities and those deemed to have insulted Islam.

Pork is forbidden in Islam and eating it remains taboo among most Indonesian Muslims. But the meat is commonly consumed by millions of non-Muslims, including the countrys ethnic Chinese population as well those living on the Hindu-majority island of Bali.

Mukherjee, who identifies as Muslim, commands a combined social media following of more than 2 million.

Known for her lifestyle and food videos showing her sampling various dishes, she received backlash over a video she shared on TikTok in March, which showed her sitting at a dining table and reciting the Islamic phrase Bismillah (In the name of Allah) before consuming crispy pork skin.

Bismillah is one of the most important and common holy phrases in Islam. It is the first phrase in the Quran and is often uttered by Muslims before eating. It is also frequently used as a generic declaration.

The video, which Mukherjee said had been filmed when she was traveling in Bali, featured her trying babi guling, a popular street food of rice and chunks of spit-roasted pork and crackling served with vegetables.

She speaks into the camera and grimaces as she tries a piece of pork crackling.

The video drew millions of views but was condemned by religious groups, including the Indonesian Ulema Council, the countrys top Muslim clerical body, which issued a ruling calling it blasphemous.

It also prompted a public complaint which sparked police investigations, which led to Mukherjee being prosecuted.

Photos and videos taken of Mukherjee throughout the trial and carried by CNN Indonesia often showed her in tears and accompanied by a heavy security presence.

Shes done nothing wrong but it says a lot about (the state of) Indonesia how a self-proclaimed moderate Muslim country is becoming a radicalized Muslim nation, Human Rights Watchs Indonesia researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN.

The blasphemy chapter in the criminal code has been increased from one to six articles  a serious setback to protecting freedom of religion and belief in Indonesia, he added. It bucks a global trend to either not enforce blasphemy laws or to scrap them altogether.

One of Indonesias most high-profile blasphemy cases was that of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Indonesian politician widely known as Ahok who served as Jakartas first non-Muslim governor in 50 years.

He went on trial for blasphemy in 2017 after angering hard-line Muslims by referencing a verse from the Quran while campaigning for re-election in 2016 and was jailed for two years despite making a public apology.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Officials said hikers left their injured friend behind in the Grand Canyon to keep backpacking.

But the injured hiker told Insider that was false and his friends had done everything right.

Many news outlets picked up the story, and the hiker's friends were widely criticized online.

Officials said a hiker who was injured in Grand Canyon National Park last weekend had been left behind by his friends after they called in a rescue for him  but the hiker in question says that's not at all what happened and his friends have been "unjustly vilified in the media."

"In my view, my friends did all the exact right things. They got me rescued," William Formanek told Insider.

Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue published a statement Saturday saying it'd rescued a 63-year-old man who got injured while hiking down Kanab Creek. The statement said the man was hiking in a group of five when he got injured and the group used a satellite-capable device to call for rescue.

"Once contact for help using the Apple device was confirmed by the hiking group, the other four hikers left with the Apple device and continued on their backpacking adventures  leaving the injured hiker behind alone," the statement said.

Formanek said his friends did everything they could to get him rescued quickly and he was "baffled" by how the story got mixed up.

News outlets picked up the story about an injured hiker left behind by his friends with apparent summit fever  prompting angry comments on media sites and in hiking Facebook groups about the behavior of the other group members.

But Formanek says that narrative is simply false.

He said the group of five was a few days into a seven-day backpacking trip when, on Friday, Formanek and one other group member decided to hike farther south down Kanab Creek than the others, prompting the group to split up.

Formanek says he's hiked thousands of miles in the Grand Canyon, even down that exact creek several times, and has climbed more than 40 summits over the years. He said he felt breaking up the group was an acceptable level of risk but noted that when hiking alone, he would usually carry his own emergency device.

"I've hiked hundreds and hundreds of miles with no incident," he said. "I just had bad luck this time."

Formanek said he and his companion eventually turned around to head back to their campsite. He recalled that at about 2:30 p.m., he fell while crossing the creek, struck a large boulder, and dislocated his shoulder. The pain was severe, and Formanek was unable to continue hiking in the rugged terrain, he said.

"Neither my friend nor I had a satellite-capable emergency device, but those in the group ahead of us did. Hence, with my blessing and encouragement, my friend continued to hike, hoping to catch the others before dark and request a rescue," he said.

Formanek said his friend probably hiked 3 or 4 miles over challenging terrain to catch up with the others, at which point they used an Apple iPhone's satellite feature to send an emergency request for help. It was about 5 p.m. when the request was sent, he said.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office said it received the request at about 6 p.m. and initiated search and rescue.

"As the helicopter arrived on scene, it was very dark with tall canyon walls surrounding Kanab Creek  providing a tight and limited landing area for the helicopter," the sheriff's office said, adding that the helicopter was finally able to land about a quarter mile from where Formanek was.

The rescue crew hiked down to Formanek and was able to assist him to the helicopter. He was then transported to Flagstaff, Arizona, for treatment.

"I can't praise them enough on the work they did," Formanek said of the rescue crew, adding that he was extremely grateful.

But he still doesn't know how the miscommunication happened. He said he never told the rescue crew that his friends had just left him. He also said he explained to the rescue crew why they had been given two sets of GPS coordinates: one was where the satellite message came from and the other was where his friends estimated he was.

If the search-and-rescue message was sent while his friends were with him and then they left him, as the post from the sheriff's office said, then there would only be one set of coordinates, Formanek said.

The sheriff's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Formanek said he spoke with someone at the sheriff's office on Wednesday to clarify what had happened. On Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff's office updated its initial post to say the group had been separated at the time of the injury and the one friend hiked ahead only to call for a rescue.

But Formanek told Insider the damage had already been done.

"They're being vilified as idiots and poor friends and all that inaccurate stuff because of that one line in the MCSO post," he said, adding that not everyone who'd seen the original post would see the correction.

"Personally, I don't care if people are criticizing me. I know I did, and my friends did, all the right things," Formanek said. "The fact that my friends are having to take this criticism when they did everything right, I really feel bad for them. It's disheartening."

Formanek emphasized that the friend who left him to get help did everything right, adding that the following day, the friend hiked all day and even into the evening just to get back out of the canyon so he could travel to Formanek.

"If my friend had just stayed with me, it might've been one or two days before I got rescued," he said, adding that in some circumstances it would make sense to leave an injured hiker to get help. "There was nothing my friend could do for me. The best thing he could do was meet up with the others."

Correction: September 20, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated when Formanek corrected the record with the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. He talked to the office Wednesday, not Thursday.

Read the original article on Insider
The number of people injured in the Russian attack on a hotel in the center of the city of Cherkasy on Sept. 21 has increased from seven to ten, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported.

The number of injured was confirmed as of 8:40 a.m., while a search and rescue operation at the scene of the missile strike continues. According to the head of the Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration, Ihor Taburets, there may have been 23 people in the hotel.

Read also: Massive Russian missile assault strikes Ukraine, damage and casualties across nation

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that ten people had been evacuated from the site of the attack, while another man was rescued from the rubble.

The Russian military attacked the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy in a massive strike during the night of Sept. 20-21. According to authorities, a warhead from a Russian missile hit a hotel in the city center.

Trade pavilions also caught fire, the authorities said.

Read also: Russian missile strike on Uman injures eight, two are fighting for their lives

Russia fired 43 cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight, with 36 being shot down by Ukrainian air defense systems, the Ukrainian Air Force reported in the morning on Sept. 21.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Law enforcement is warning the public not to approach an inmate who left and didn't return to a corrections center on Wednesday.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Brian L. Mosher, 38, signed out of the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Winterville at 9:28 a.m. He was supposed to be visiting family on Barnhill Road in Midvale, about six miles southeast of New Philadelphia.

Mosher was due back at the corrections center at 7 p.m. but never returned. Authorities have been unable to contact him.

Mosher, who last lived in Midvale in Tuscarawas County, is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds

Mosher was last seen leaving the corrections center in Wintersville wearing a black hat, black shirt, blue jeans and brown boots. He is reported to have an upside-down cross tattooed on the left side of his neck and various tattoos on both his arms.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 740-283-8600 or their local law enforcement authorities.

The corrections center is located about seven miles west of Steubenville on state Route 43.

Mosher was sent to the corrections center by Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos in August after he pleaded guilty to forgery and theft in July. She sentenced him to spend 30 days in the Tuscarawas County Jail following his release from the corrections center in Wintersville.

He was to serve three years on probation afterward. The judge reserved a one-year prison sentence which could be imposed if Mosher violated probation terms.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Authorities looking for Brian Mosher who escaped from Jefferson County
LAPD Chief Michel Moore , center, has repeatedly assured the public that the alleged body camera misuse among some Mission Division officers does not reflect a larger problem. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

For weeks after the Mission Division scandal broke in late August, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore repeatedly framed the growing crisis as an isolated problem of rogue gang officers who flouted LAPD regulations by turning off their body-worn cameras at critical moments.

Moore said there was no evidence so far that other units were engaging in the more serious allegations facing Mission gang officers  who have been accused of theft, illegal stops and searches, and the use of Apple AirTags to track people, according to LAPD sources who requested anonymity to discuss internal matters.

But an internal department report found that the body camera issue is more widespread than the department is letting on publicly.

The confidential report by command staff from the 77th Street Division said that patrol officers from that division, as well as from the Hollenbeck and Hollywood divisions, were also in the habit of turning off their cameras in violation of department policy.

One possible explanation for these lapses, the report says, is a real perception that exists among many officers that they are somehow excused from turning on their cameras in time to capture encounters with the public, so long as they can articulate a clear reason for not doing so.

At the same time, some supervisors are under the impression that they are only required to review officers body camera footage in a narrow set of situations, the report said.

Anecdotally, when speaking with my supervisors including my Watch Commanders, they provided a few reasons why a deep review or investigation isnt customarily done, a division leader says in the report, which was obtained by The Times. The overall belief by the Watch Commanders and supervisors is that aside from the requirement to review [body-worn and dashboard camera footage] for Personnel Complaints, Use of Force and Pursuit Investigations, the role of reviewing [body-worn and dashboard cameras] for Audits, Inspections, and Compliance Reviews is the responsibility of the Bureau Inspections Units or teams.

Read more: FBI joins probe of LAPD gang officers suspected of turning off body cameras

So-called quality service inspections of officers activity were suspended temporarily in March 2018 at the behest of the police union; a follow-up rule change said that such reviews could only be conducted by auditing units at the departments four geographical bureaus and that they must be randomized.

The same audit did not turn up any body camera deviations at a fourth station, Foothill, a finding the reports authors surmised might be the result of auditors not reading officers reports closely enough for language suggesting a possible deviation.

Officers in the other three divisions had noted in their reports why they failed to activate their cameras, but Foothill officers had not; only someone who reads an officers daily logs line-by-line would figure out that a violation had occurred, the reports authors concluded.

Without addressing all of those issues, the report said that even with a greater emphasis on body camera compliance, officers would find other ways to get around the rules.

If the expectation is that we should be conducting a deeper investigation into any documented ... deviation, the report said, I will tell you with confidence that officers will hear about this and will stop making these entries in the comments of their [reports] and no one would know any different unless their entry was selected as part of a random Bureau Inspection. If we want to make real progress, lets address this as well.

LAPD rules dont explicitly require supervisors to check body camera footage after they find a deviation in the comments of [an officers] report, and until recently, the report said, the departments computer system couldnt track whether such a review had been done.

The report said the department should consider studying the feasibility of adding to the workload of patrol supervisors, who are already tasked with the voluminous work of reviewing [videos] ... for Use of Force and Pursuit Investigations and Complaint Intakes.

After the controversy became public last month, Moore ordered additional training for all of the departments gang units, and effectively disbanded the Mission gang unit, ordering two of its members to submit to disciplinary hearings for possible termination.

In the weeks since, Moore has on several occasions told reporters and the Police Commission  the departments civilian bosses  that problems identified in Mission were confined to a single division, saying a broad review hed ordered found no evidence that this type of misconduct extends to any other division in the City.

But even as he made public assurances, behind the scenes Moore ordered department auditors to start reviewing officers body camera videos for possible violations.

Auditors from the four geographical bureaus perform spot checks roughly



every four weeks by randomly reviewing gang unit stops that dont result in enforcement action. Supervisors are supposed to ensure that an officers reports reflect whats captured by their camera and look for potential red flags, including the use of canned language in reports and unexplained camera deactivations.

The department has since increased the frequency of these audits, according to LAPD spokesperson Capt. Kelly Muniz.

This has led to the discovery of scores of new violations, sources say.

Read more: LAPD will inspect random body-worn camera videos for training lapses, biased policing

According to two LAPD sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media, a preliminary investigation turned up multiple body camera policy violations in a recent police shooting in Hollywood.

In the Sept. 9 incident, officers opened fire after a suspect started shooting toward a group of people outside a nightclub near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Avenue, but no one was struck, police said. The alleged shooter, who hasnt been identified, fled the scene and eventually eluded police in a high-speed chase.

When department officials reviewed police video from the scene, they found several so-called significantly involved officers were late to start recording or otherwise flouted the departments body camera policy, according to sources.

A 2021 study by the departments inspector general found that nearly a fourth of LAPD officers involved in incidents where serious force was used failed to activate their body cameras in a timely manner.

The report found that while the LAPD had ramped up inspections of body camera compliance among officers involved in serious uses of force, the department could be doing more to ensure officers are consistently activating their cameras and keeping them powered on while in the field.

A Times examination of department reports stemming from recent police shootings found that in many cases, officers were still failing to record their encounters with the public.

Of 37 police shootings that have gone before the civilian commission over the last year, 25 cases had some type of body camera violation by officers who were considered to be substantially involved, the Times review found.

These deviations included officers delaying to turn on their cameras, turning them off prematurely or failing to activate them entirely, as required. In another two shootings, some officers recordings did not include a full two-minute buffering period, which is sometimes the result of officers improperly activating their cameras.

In an email, LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Marino admitted that there have been recent Categorical Use of Force Investigations where the involved officers had late activation.

Officers were reminded of their obligations to record interactions with the public in a department-wide message, Marino said in the Sept. 15 email, a copy of which was obtained by The Times. He added that his office was working on a notice to supervisors about their duties and responsibilities to review officers reports and body camera videos.

Mark Smith, the commissions inspector general, said last week that his office had been closely monitoring the LAPDs investigation of the Mission gang unit from the beginning.

Our monitoring is focused on ensuring that the investigation is impartial, unbiased, and thorough, and we will continue monitoring the investigation until it is complete, Smith said in a statement. Additionally, the [office] is currently in the planning phase of a review of all Department [gang enforcement details]. Our broad review of these units will be informed, in part, by the recent allegations involving the unit at Mission.

The alleged misconduct in Mission came to light after a traffic stop in December: A motorist said that police had pulled him over and searched his vehicle without consent or probable cause. The motorist filed a complaint, and the ensuing internal investigation turned up other cases of Mission gang officers improperly switching off their cameras or otherwise failing to document stops.

As the departments inquiry continued, allegations surfaced that some officers may have stolen items from people they pulled over.

The FBI is also investigating the unit for possible civil rights violations.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The interrogation of a man who killed a St. Augustine Catholic priest in 2016 will be featured on the season premiere of Interrogation Raw on Thursday at 9 p.m. on A&E.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook about the upcoming episode, saying that JSO Detective Harold Chapman was assigned to the Homicide Unit where he put in long hours and hard work assisting St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, interrogating Steven Murray on the whereabouts of Father Rene Robert.

 Investigating Crimes  Interviews and interrogations can make or break a criminal case. It can bring justice for the victims and their families or lead to a guilty person walking free. In 2016, #JSO Detective Harold Chapman was assigned to the Homicide Unit where he put in long hours and hard work assisting St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. During this interrogation, he sat with suspect Steven Murray and used verbal tactics which led to a confession and the location of the victims body. #Thankyou A&E for showcasing Detective Chapmans astounding skills and training. #InterrogationRaw #crimestories #detectives #interviewsandinterrogations Georgia Bureau of Investigation Posted by Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Thursday, September 21, 2023

Here is an exchange between Murray and investigators in a preview of the show that was shared by JSO and A&E:

Investigator: Listen, I think you know a lot more than what youre telling me

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Murray: I dont know, I mean, he could be alive and well somewhere right now. He could be on vacation for all I know. I mean, he hasnt told me anything. He hasnt told yall anything, so therefore we all dont know.

Investigator: Steven. Steven, come on now.

JSO said Chapman used verbal tactics which led to a confession and the location of the victims body.

TIMELINE OF THE CASE

Action News Jax told you when Fr. Rene was reported missing on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, after he hadnt been seen or heard from since 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

Father Rene Robert (Courtesy WJAX-TV)

That Sunday night, Father Renes car, a blue Toyota, led authorities on a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through St. Johns and Duval counties, and authorities lost track of the car in a road construction work site near Interstate 95 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard.

Late Wednesday night, April 13, 2016, Fr. Renes car was spotted in Aiken, South Carolina, and then-28-year-old Murray, the suspect in Fr. Renes disappearance, was taken into custody early in the morning on Thursday, April 14, 2016. During his time in South Carolina, then-St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said Murray committed additional crimes such as burglary and taking weapons.

Murray was extradited to Florida and booked into the St. Johns County Jail late at night on Friday, April 15, 2016. Over that weekend (Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, 2016), a large-scale search for Fr. Rene was conducted on the Westside of Jacksonville. Authorities believe Fr. Rene was trying to help Murray, who had recently gotten out of jail.

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On Monday, April 18, 2016, then-St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar confirmed that a body believed to be that of Fr. Rene was found in Georgia.

During the investigation, SJSO investigators developed a rapport with Murray, who led them to several locations involved in this case to include where a body was found on Monday, according to a release from SJSO.

Murray later admitted that he killed Fr. Rene and dumped his body in a remote area in Waynesboro, Ga. He was charged with malice murder, and Murray pleaded guilty to the charge. In 2017, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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Tune into CNN AC360 tonight for Chief Investigative Correspondent Pamela Browns report on this story.

A college president, who wants his campus to become the business school of choice for women, once exchanged hundreds of sexually suggestive messages with a student he taught at the prestigious Coast Guard Academy, prompting prosecutors to recommend charges against him in military court, according to confidential records obtained by CNN.

Attorneys at the Coast Guard were so troubled by Capt. Glenn Sulmasys actions  and by the fact that he continued to work with students  that they recommended in early 2016 that he be charged with conduct unbecoming an officer even though he had retired from the service the prior year.

Prosecution appears to be the only proper course of action, an attorney wrote in a February 2016 memo laying out the prosecution recommendation. Failing to act, the attorney added, could attract significant negative publicity by the media, Congress and internal staff for the appearance of sweeping the case under the rug.

Coast Guard leaders, however, quashed the case and never prosecuted Sulmasy, which allowed his career in private academia to flourish. He now heads Nichols College, a small school in Massachusetts that focuses on business and leadership education.

An academy graduate himself, Sulmasy worked at the Coast Guard Academy for many years. - Jessica Hill/AP

Sulmasys attorney, Jeffrey Robbins, defended his client, calling the prosecution memo, provided to him by CNN, ridiculous on its face. He noted that the intimate texts in question with the student were characterized by prosecutors as consensual in nature and said that the proposed prosecution had been rightfully rejected by the adults within the legal wing of the Coast Guard.

Following CNN inquiries, the chairman of the board of trustees at Nichols College said the school had launched an impartial, third-party investigation into this matter and that they take these allegations very seriously. In a note to the campus community last week, he said Sulmasy volunteered to take a leave of absence pending the results of that investigation.

The case from nearly a decade ago is another hidden example of the Coast Guard internally expressing concern about alleged misconduct but ultimately failing to hold its service members accountable.

CNN in June uncovered a secret investigation of rapes and sexual assaults at the agencys academy, which found that dozens of assaults had been mishandled, allowing some alleged sexual predators to ascend to high-level roles in the US military. The findings of that investigation, dubbed Operation Fouled Anchor, had been withheld from Congress until CNN reporters started making inquiries. And, CNN found that the agencys top leaders had been behind the cover-up.

Coast Guard attorneys argued that retired Coast Guard officer Glenn Sulmasy should be prosecuted in a military court-martial for conduct unbecoming an officer and willful dereliction of duty. - From Comcast Newsmakers NE/YouTube

In the separate investigation into Sulmasy, Coast Guard investigators uncovered more than 1,600 texts between him and a young female student, the majority of which were of a sexual or flirtatious nature, demonstrating that at best, he offered to give high grades and show favoritism in class in exchange for sexual banter, and at worst, he actually did so, according to the internal Coast Guard prosecution memo.

The memo said the student told investigators she had earned the grades herself and denied any sexual contact with Sulmasy. It also described the young woman as a willing participant in the exchanges with Sulmasy and said she had been designated as a witness to his alleged misconduct and was not being granted the benefits given to victims of a crime.

The messages show Sulmasy, who also served as a department chair at the academy, commenting on how attracted he was to the student more than 20 years his junior, requesting photos of her and expressing his desire to spoil her. I am a good boy  no final for the goddess, he wrote one night. Just know that I will give u a 100, he said about another assignment. Do u luv turning me onU really looked great and the nails were very hott.

Coast Guard attorneys found that the strong evidence against him warranted prosecuting him in a military court-martial for conduct unbecoming an officer and willful dereliction of duty around eight months after he had retired from the academy and taken on an administrator role at a private university, records show.

While Sulmasys misconduct case centered on his interactions with one female cadet, attorneys wrote that there are likely other students whom [Capt.] Sulmasy pursued, saying that moving the case forward could possibly bring new women out of the shadows.

Attorneys noted in the prosecution memo that a court-martial of a retired officer was rare and said a successful prosecution for someone as well connected as Sulmasy was even more unlikely. But they argued that it was the Coast Guards obligation to protect students and institutions. If successful, such a prosecution could have stripped Sulmasy of his pension and landed him behind bars, though prosecutors noted securing the maximum punishment for the alleged misconduct was unlikely.

Text messages sent by Glenn Sulmasy to Coast Guard cadet in 2011. - Obtained by CNN

In the end, Coast Guard leaders overruled the prosecutors and decided not to press charges against Sulmasy, keeping the findings of the investigation from being made public. Sulmasy worked as provost at Bryant University for a number of years before leaving to become the president at Nichols College in Massachusetts in 2021. Bryant University did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

An academy graduate himself, Sulmasy worked at the academy for many years as an attorney, professor and eventually the head of the schools humanities department. During the Fouled Anchor investigation, Sulmasy was mentioned by at least one woman who said he discouraged her from pursuing a rape complaint against another cadet while he was working at the school in the late 1990s, court records show. Fouled Anchor investigators found a statement she had made about her alleged attack years later in a box labeled with Sulmasys name.

A previous attorney for Sulmasy told CNN his client has no recollection of any such conversation from a quarter of a century ago, much less of having said anything that would discourage any cadet from putting another cadet on report for a serious criminal offense. His current attorney disputed that Sulmasy had ever been in a meeting with the woman, noting she told investigators she initially met with Sulmasy at a time before he had begun working at the academy. The attorney for Sulmasy pointed CNN to a 2016 ruling by a military judge who stated that the cadet reported her rape allegation to four Coast Guard Academy authorities, none of whom were Sulmasy. That ruling described Sulmasys boss as a primary individual with whom the woman spoke about her allegation in the 1990s.

In a 2017 court filing, however, military attorneys described Sulmasy as a main witness with whom the cadet talked about her rape allegation. In an interview with CNN, the woman said she specifically remembered meeting with Sulmasy about her allegation.

In the wake of CNNs reporting on Fouled Anchor, the Coast Guard launched a review of its policies on assault and harassment and announced changes in how allegations are handled by the agency. And former vice commandant Charles Ray, who declined comment, resigned from his position at a Coast Guard Academy leadership institute after CNN reported he helped keep Fouled Anchor secret. Both House and Senate lawmakers have slammed the agency for keeping the investigation secret and called for independent investigations, with a Senate inquiry announced just last week. And House lawmakers have introduced legislation that would increase protections for academy cadets reporting sexual assault allegations.

CNN started asking questions and filed a public records request about the Coast Guards investigation into Sulmasy more than three months ago, but the agency has yet to provide any details of the investigation or explain why charges were not filed as recommended, saying last week that legal constraints prevent the Coast Guard from commenting on personnel matters related to Mr. Sulmasy.

Melissa McCafferty, a 2011 academy graduate, says it wasnt long after arriving on campus that she began hearing a whisper network of warnings from upperclassmen about Sulmasy.

According to McCafferty, Sulmasy verbally harassed her, telling her she looked good in her pencil skirt and making sexual comments. As the harassment continued, she says she told a female professor at the academy, who was herself a Coast Guard sexual assault survivor, what had happened, but the woman warned that she should stay silent, saying Sulmasy was untouchable and that saying something could jeopardize (her) career.

Melissa McCafferty told CNN it wasn't long after arriving at the Coast Guard Academy that she received warnings from upperclassmen to avoid Glenn Sulmasy. - Courtesy Lt. (Ret.) Melissa K. McCafferty

After she graduated from the academy, McCafferty said she reached out to Sulmasy to see if he would write her a letter of recommendation for law school based on her academic performance at the academy. But in response, she remembers him texting back that he would only write her a letter if she sent him pictures of herself, telling her he had always loved her foot tattoo. I stopped the conversation and found a letter elsewhere It made me feel very dirty and disrespected and very dehumanized, she said.

She said she saved the messages for years but was never asked about them so discarded the phone when she retired in 2019. She did, however, connect CNN to a former colleague who confirmed having viewed the text messages and that they came from a captain in the Coast Guard. The colleague, however, didnt remember the captains name.

Sulmasys attorney told CNN that McCaffertys allegations were categorically false.

The Coast Guard told CNN that it had referred allegations from McCafferty to Coast Guard criminal investigators after being contacted by CNN and urged anyone who has experienced or observed assault or harassment within the Coast Guard to make reports to their command or to the Coast Guard Investigative Service. McCafferty confirmed to CNN that she had been contacted by Coast Guard investigators about her allegations.

Today, McCafferty, a recent Georgetown Law graduate, says she is still angry about the way she and other female students were treated and says it is unacceptable that the Coast Guard had an opportunity to hold Sulmasy accountable for his actions but didnt.

A lot of these people were his friends. They went to school with him, she said. They just wanted it to go away.

Do you have information or an experience to share related to the Coast Guard Academy or the Coast Guard at large? Email melanie.hicken@cnn.com.

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Investigators are still trying to determine what caused an Aug. 11 house fire in Kill Devil Hills that killed three vacationers from Maryland, including a teenage girl.

Sienna Farr, 13, of Silver Spring, died in the early-morning blaze, as did Colleen Cohan, 64, and William Deeg, 68; a married couple from Ashton, Maryland.

Siennas 48-year-old mother Laura Volk, 16-year-old sister Sadie Farr and Volks 55-year-old boyfriend David Brewer all survived, though Volk and Brewer suffered critical injuries. Volk was released from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital this week into the care of a burn center in the D.C. area. Brewer remained hospitalized at Norfolk General, where he was breathing on his own and making improvements, his family said on a CaringBridge page.

Sadie Farr suffered minor injuries and was treated and released the same day from The Outer Banks Hospital.

The fire broke out at 1825 N. Virginia Dare Trail near the Jolly Roger Restaurant about 2:20 a.m. that morning and quickly spread throughout the historic cottage. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find the four-bedroom, four-bath house fully engulfed in flames, Kill Devil Hills spokesperson Rachell Tackett said.

She said investigators have determined the house, built in 1948 and registered as a town historic landmark, had working smoke detectors.

Tackett said town fire investigators still dont have an answer to what caused the blaze, which fully engulfed the house within minutes.

The remains of the house were demolished shortly after the fire and remained there Thursday. Tackett said the structure was demolished quickly for safety reasons, but only after evidence was collected.

Demolition ensures that no additional fires that may have still been smoldering under debris had a chance to escalate, she said in a news release. It was also to keep the public from attempting to enter an unstable and hazardous area.

Two GoFundMe campaigns for Volk and Brewer have raised more than $125,000 so far.

Established by family friends, a campaign for Laura Volk had raised more than $90,000 Thursday morning. The money will help her extensive, ongoing medical bills in addition to funeral costs for her daughter, the campaign reads.

Volk owns an ecological landscape design business, but it is unclear if shell be able to return to work.

The money we raise will go towards a memorial in honor of Sienna Farr and to support expenses for Laura and Sadie as Laura recovers from her injuries, the campaign reads. Laura is known for her generous spirit, often helping others through difficult experiences and volunteering in the community.

A GoFundMe for David Brewer established by his daughter Rachel Toussaint had raised more than $75,000.

Toussaint wrote that both Brewer and Volk will need multiple surgeries, daily occupational and physical therapy, and around the clock care.

Between medical bills, indefinite loss of income, on-going physical therapy after he is back home, grief counseling, transportation, supplies, etc., Dave is going to need friends and family to rally around him to support him financially, the campaign reads.
Iowas first gentleman Kevin Reynolds was diagnosed with lung cancer, according to a statement from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R).

Kim Reynolds announced the diagnosis Thursday morning, writing in the statement, Were grateful to the incredible medical team caring for Kevin. Our doctor has assured us that significant advancements in lung cancer treatment have been very effective and we have every reason to be optimistic. We are confident in our team as we begin treatment, and we will beat this together.

Kevin Reynolds became Iowas first-ever first gentleman after former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) stepped down in 2017 to become then-President Trumps envoy to China, making then-Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds the Hawkeye States first female governor. She won a full term as governor in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.

The pair married in 1982 and have three daughters and 11 grandchildren.

Kevin has been my anchor throughout our 41 years of marriage, and I will be the same for him as he begins treatment, Kim Reynolds said Thursday. We are blessed to be surrounded by a loving family and a community of prayer warriors. We know God is with us on this journey.

Kevin Reynolds began his career in soil and water conservation in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, before working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he went to Mount Pleasant and Leon, Iowa. He retired in March of 2017.

Described as an avid outdoorsman, he is passionate about educating Iowa residents on the states natural resources.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Wednesday that relations with the United States can move forward if the Biden administration demonstrates it wants to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, and a first step should be easing sanctions.

He told a news conference that the Americans have reached out through several channels saying they wish to have a dialogue, but we do believe that it must be accompanied by action. Action on sanctions can be a solid foundation for continuing discussions, he said.

The Iranian leader added: We have not left the table of negotiations.

Raisi said the American withdrawal from the 2015 agreement, aimed at reining in Irans nuclear program, trampled on U.S. commitments including sanctions.

Then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the accord in 2018, restoring crippling sanctions. Iran began breaking the terms a year later, including by enriching uranium to higher levels, and formal talks in Vienna to try to restart the deal collapsed in August 2022.

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.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which Grossi leads, reported earlier this month that Iran had slowed the pace of enriching uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels. That was seen as a sign that Tehran was trying to ease tensions after years of strain with the United States. It took place as the rivals were negotiating a prisoner swap and the release of billions in frozen Iranian assets, which all took place Monday.

Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.

Raisi reiterated Wednesday that Irans nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, pointing to its use in agriculture, oil and gas infrastructure, and saying we have enrichment to satisfy those needs. He said reports that Iran has increased its enrichment levels are not based in fact.

The IAEA director general told the AP on Monday that he asked to meet Raisi on the sidelines of this week's annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, which both were attending, to try to reverse Tehrans ban on a very sizable chunk of the agencys nuclear inspectors.

When asked whether he had met Grossi, Raisi responded that he had talked to him in Tehran, in early March  not this week, adding that Iran has had very good cooperation with the IAEA.

As for denying future entry to many of the most experienced nuclear inspectors, Raisi said the government was only taking aim at individuals who may undertake actions aimed at undermining the level of trust Iran has in them  not inspections themselves.

The inspectors who havent shown any reason for a lack of trust, they can certainly continue their pursuits, he said.

Raisi also criticized last weeks announcement by Britain, France and Germany that they will keep sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October under the 2015 nuclear deal in response to Tehran's failure to comply with the 2015 nuclear deal. He called their action oppressive and unjust and unfair.

The measures ban Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and bar anyone from buying, selling or transferring drones and missiles to and from Iran. They also include an asset freeze for several Iranian individuals and entities involved in the nuclear and ballistic missile program.

Iran has been accused by the U.S. and other Western countries of supplying Russia with military drones being used by Moscow in its war against Ukraine. Tehran has denied sending the drones to Russia.

Raisi arrived in New York as Iran and the U.S. each freed five prisoners who were in jails for years on Monday. 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 United States on Tuesday.

The Iranian president said the release of the frozen assets should have taken place much sooner than it did.
Ari Folman , the Israeli filmmaker and artist who adapted "The Diary of Anne Frank " into a graphic novel, said Thursday he was "devastated" that a teacher in Texas was removed after allowing students in her classroom to read his book.

In an interview with NBC News, he said he viewed the news as "a red alert of where this society is going," describing recent pushes to ban or censor books in public school districts across the United States as "insane."

"It is so sad that today, 80 years after this was written  80 years  there are people in the U.S. who are not allowing this to be seen or read by children," Folman said Thursday in a phone interview from his home in Mikhmoret, a village in central Israel.

"Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation" was published in 2018. Folman, known for directing the Oscar-nominated animated film "Waltz with Bashir," adapted the text from Frank's world-famous diary. Israeli artist David Polonsky created the illustrations.

In adapting the diary, Folman said he felt it was important to include passages that early editions overseen by Frank's father, Otto Frank , had excluded, including a scene in which the young girl suggests to a female friend that they show each other their breasts.

"She has [sexual] thoughts. I guess it's like every teenage girl who goes through this process that she wrote about. ... There's nothing extreme at all," said Folman, who also directed the 2021 animated film "Where Is Anne Frank."

Folman said he was dismayed that the Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District apparently took a "radical" step and removed the teacher last week partly because of that sexual content. The news was first reported last week by local news station KFDM.

Mike Canizales, a spokesman for the school district, told the station that the graphic novel version of Frank's diary was "not approved" to be read in a classroom. "The teacher was sent home," he said in part, adding that there was an "active investigation."

Canizales would not confirm details about the incident following multiple requests for information from NBC News. He instead provided an email that was sent to parents Friday regarding "concerns" over the reading curriculum.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" (also known as "The Diary of a Young Girl") was first published in 1947, two years after Frank died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany. The diary, written in Dutch, chronicles the two years she spent in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Anne Frank in 1942. (Anne Frank House via Flickr)

The original diary has been subject to objections for decades. In the last year, the 160-page illustrated version co-created by Folman and Polonsky was removed from at least two schools  one in Fort Worth, Texas, and another in Florida's Indian River County.

In late March, the American Library Association reported that there were more than 1,200 demands to censor library books and resources last year  the highest number of attempted book bans since the group started compiling data more than 20 years ago.

"The vast majority" of the more than 2,500 books targeted for censorship were "written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color," the group said.

"America is the only place where there are issues like this with the diary," Folman said. "Nowhere else."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Institute for the Study of War in their Sept. 20 report analyzed a video appeal posted by the members of Russia's mobilized 1st Battalion of the 1442nd Regiment of the Altai Krai. The soldiers claimed that they abandoned their military equipment in the Klishchiivka area located seven kilometers southwest of Bakhmut after receiving orders from Russian military command to form an assault group and attack in the Bakhmut direction.

The combatants said that the Russian military command began deploying various types of servicemen, including soldiers who are now on a break in the rear, to the front lines without giving them access to adequate artillery rounds.

The personnel reported that their shells do not detonate when fired, which is likely a result of Russia's military industrial base trying to produce shells with greater speed while ignoring quality control measures in order to do so. After receiving reports that Ukrainian troops had nearly completely annihilated a fleeing assault group in the region and most of an unnamed Russian regiment, servicemen noted that the unit was experiencing low morale. Additionally, the service members asserted that they lack defensive locations and must rely on small guns, while the Ukrainians have artillery.

Family members of the troops of the 1442nd Regiment had earlier approached Russian President Vladimir Putin following the Russian military command's beating of the soldiers on Sept. 14 for refusing to launch an assault.

Russian military command was also charged with directing soldiers to retake Andriivka (10 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut) and the surrounding territory without creating the right conditions for such counterattacks, according to a Russian military blogger. "The Russian military command was allegedly preparing "weak" counterattacks and failing to give Russian assault forces accurate intelligence." He also said that although "hysterical" counterattacks are exhausting Russian resources and supplies, Russian soldiers are also lacking artillery backup.

The Russian military command's efforts to retake lost areas are probably delaying Russian forces from establishing new defensive positions on Bakhmut's southern flank. The blogger also suggested that Russian fortifications on the nearby heights in the Andriivka area had failed.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
I'm a frequent solo traveler who prefers to stay in Airbnbs over hotels.

When I book an Airbnb for a solo trip, I say it's for two people, so hosts don't know I'm alone.

Sometimes booking for two costs extra, but I'm willing to pay it because it makes me feel safer.

Cozy cabins, unique tiny homes, luxury apartments  I've booked them all through Airbnb.

As a travel reporter, I stay in accommodations around the world, from the US and Canada to Western Europe. I prefer staying in Airbnbs over hotels because they often bring me more unique experiences, such as sleeping in a treehouse in Canada and a livable barrel in Switzerland.

Usually, I travel solo. I've taken overnight trains in the US and Europe, spent seven nights on the world's largest cruise ship sailing the Caribbean Sea, and traveled by rail to Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Quebec City. On these trips, I explored new cities and unique accommodations  all by myself.

Now that I'm an experienced solo traveler, I have a lot of practices in place to make sure I feel as safe as possible when I'm traveling alone  especially in other countries.

When it comes to staying in Airbnbs solo, my best tip is to book accommodation for two people

When I make the reservation, I simply change the number of guests from one to two. Then, In my message to the host, I always say that I may have a friend joining me for my trip.

This way, my host doesn't think I'm traveling all by myself. Creating the illusion that I have someone else with me makes me feel more comfortable falling asleep at night in a stranger's place.

Booking for two sometimes comes with an additional fee, depending on the Airbnb.

For example, when I traveled to Rome and booked two nights in a livable art sculpture Airbnb, the price was $102 a night for one person and $145 a night for two people. In this case, my partner did end up joining me for the stay. But even if he hadn't, I would have been fine paying the additional fee to feel more secure about staying there alone.

Solo travel can be daunting, especially when you're booking accommodation with an individual rather than directly through a company like you would at a hotel.

But after all my unique Airbnb experiences, I think it's worth booking them even when I'm all alone. And booking for two makes me feel a little safer.

Read the original article on Insider
Jon Venables, pictured, was just 10-years-old when he murdered Jamie Bulger - PA

Child killer Jon Venables will undoubtedly re-offend if he is granted parole, Jamie Bulgers mother has warned.

Denise Fergus said she is in a state of shock after it was revealed that the Parole Board had granted one of her sons murderers a two-day hearing.

Venables has previously been released from prison on two occasions but was sent back both times after being found in possession of indecent images of children.

Kym Morris, chairman of the James Bulger Memorial Trust, said: Denise Fergus remains deeply concerned about the potential release of Jon Venables, whom she considers to be one of the biggest dangers to our country.

She firmly believes that if he is released, he will undoubtedly offend again.

The recent news regarding his parole has left her in a state of shock. The thought of him being allowed back into our communities is undeniably alarming.

Denise would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown their support for her and her family during this difficult time. Your unwavering support is greatly appreciated.

James Bulger's mutilated body was found on a railway line in 1993 - PA

Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, told Skys Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge, he would do everything he could to ensure justice is done.

He said: This is an appalling case. Its 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.

Venables and Robert Thompson, both now 41, were just 10-years-old when they abducted Jamie Bulger from the New Strand Shopping Centre, in Bootle, in 1993.

The two-year-olds mutilated body was found two days later on a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Walton, Liverpool.

Described by the trial judge as wicked, he said they had committed a crime of unparalleled evil and barbarity.

They were both sentenced to be held in detention for a minimum of eight years or until they were not deemed to be a danger to the public.

Victim impact statements from James Bulgers mother Denise, pictured, and his father Ralph Bulger, will be read out at the parole hearing - Christopher Furlong/Getty

Venables was released in 2001 and provided with a new identity, but in 2010 he was returned to prison after being given a two-year sentence for downloading child abuse images.

He was granted parole in 2013 and, at huge cost to the taxpayer, was provided with a second new identity.

In 2017, he was again returned to prison for possession of child abuse images.

In February 2018, he admitted being in possession of more than 1,000 pictures of children being abused and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

In 2020, the Parole Board was asked to review his case when he became eligible, but the panel decided he should not be released.

He will now face another two-day hearing on November 14 and 15.

At the parole hearing, victim impact statements from Bulgers mother and his father Ralph Bulger will be read out.

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Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, second left, Crown Princess Kiko, left, and Vietnam's Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, center, pose for a group photo at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Minh Hoang)

HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito , met Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on Thursday as he started his visit to Hanoi marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The visit by Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, comes at a time when Tokyo is pushing to deepen ties with Southeast Asia and other emerging nations to tackle regional and global challenges.

Akishino stressed the importance of ties between the two nations at a news conference in Japan last week and said, I hope we can contribute as part of an effort to promote friendly relations between the two countries.

The couple also laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Vietnam's first president, Ho Chi Minh, and are scheduled to meet President Vo Van Thuong before traveling to Hoi An in central Vietnam.

The trip is Akishinos third to Vietnam after earlier visits in 1999 and 2012.

Bilateral trade between the two countries was nearly $50 billion last year, making Japan the fourth-largest trading partner for Vietnam.

The couples visit comes three months after Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako visited Indonesia, this years 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.
Researchers think they've found a way to use AI to translate the clucks of chickens.

The Japanese researchers said their AI system could help understand chickens' emotional state.

The study has not been peer-reviewed and the researchers acknowledged limitations to their methods.

Researchers in Japan said they'd developed an AI system that could understand the emotional state of chickens.

The study, which was led by University of Tokyo professor Adrian David Cheok, has yet to be peer-reviewed.

The AI system is based on a technique the researchers called "Deep Emotional Analysis Learning," which can adapt to changing vocal patterns.

The study found that the system was capable of translating "various emotional states in chickens, including hunger, fear, anger, contentment, excitement, and distress."

The study said: "Our methodology employs a cutting-edge AI technique we call Deep Emotional Analysis Learning (DEAL), a highly mathematical and innovative approach that allows for the nuanced understanding of emotional states through auditory data."

"If we know what animals are feeling, we can design a much better world for them," Cheok told the New York Post. Cheok did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

The researchers tested the system on 80 chickens for the study and collaborated with a team of animal psychologists and veterinarians.

The system was able to achieve surprisingly high accuracy in identifying the birds' emotional states, the study found. "The high average probabilities of detection for each emotion suggest that our model has learned to capture meaningful patterns and features from the chicken sounds," it said.

The researchers acknowledged potential limitations, including variations in breeds and the complexity of some communications, such as body language.

Scientists and researchers are also using AI tools for conservation efforts. In one case, AI tools have been implemented to help identify tracks to better understand animal populations.

In 2022, researchers led by the University of Copenhagen, the ETH Zurich, and France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment said they'd created an algorithm to help understand the emotions of pigs.

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Source]

A 25-year-old Japanese sugar baby was recently slapped with an arrest warrant after authorities accused her of scamming a man out of millions of Japanese yen on a dating app.

Key details: Mai Watanabe, who also goes by her online handle Itadaki-joshi Riri-chan" (Sugar Baby Riri-chan), swindled 27 million yen (approximately $182,500) from the 50-year-old man, who is reportedly from Japan's Ibaraki prefecture. She told him that she had "borrowed money from an acquaintance to open an apparel business, and if I don't pay it back I'll have to sell my body at a brothel" and other false statements, according to The Mainichi.

More alleged victims: The recent victim is just one of the few Watanabe has allegedly conned. The content creator, who reportedly has no fixed address or occupation, has purportedly scammed an undisclosed number of men out of over 160 million yen (approximately $1.08 million). The victims' money was allegedly transferred to Watanabe's bank account.

Past charges: The recent arrest warrant came weeks after Watanabe was indicted for aiding and abetting fraud. She was discovered to have sold guidebooks priced between 10,000 and 20,000 yen (approximately $68 and $135) to women on how to con men into giving them money through paid dating schemes under the guise of being their sugar babies.

More from NextShark: Catholic Priest Has 'No Remorse' for Using 'China Virus', Gets COVID-19

A 20-year-old woman from Nagoya who purportedly purchased a guidebook from Watanabe was arrested in June 2022 for scamming two men out of a total of 10.65 million yen (approximately $72,000).

Social media reacts: One user on X speculated that Watanabe will probably receive a prison sentence without parole, and by the time she gets out, she'll be over 30 years old.

Another X user warned that there are many people like Watanabe online.

More from NextShark: 'You F***ing Chinaman': Racist Caught on Video Spitting At, Kicking Asian Man's Car
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) sharply criticized her Republican colleagues Wednesday for failing to find a path forward to avert a government shutdown before the looming deadline at the end of the month.

At this rate, we are headed to a Republican shutdown, Jayapal said during a CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer . And that gives me no pleasure to say because a shutdown has terrible consequences for the American people.

But the reality is Republicans cannot govern. They are in chaos. They are in ruin. They have not been able to govern from the day that Speaker McCarthy got his speakership and handed the gavel over to Marjorie Taylor Greene , Jayapal added.

Jayapal blasted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for not honoring his deal with President Biden to set budgetary spending caps at certain levels and for opening an impeachment inquiry, which, Jayapal claimed, was reflective of an effort to try and preserve his House speakership. It didnt work, she said.

And the reality is now he cant even pass the 11 bills for funding the government with a majority in the party. He cant get agreement to bring those bills to the floor from his own majority. And theyre loaded with extremist right-wing provisions, she said.

Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, and the divided conference has proved challenging to McCarthys ability to avert a government shutdown while hanging on to his Speakership. House Republicans have so far been unable to make progress on the actual appropriations bills and have been unable to agree on a continuing resolution  a common procedural step to extend the deadline and buy lawmakers some more time to work on the funding bills.

Jayapal noted, however, that Democrats were able to keep the government open under Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) leadership when they too had a slim majority.

Listen, Democrats had the same tiny majority in the last term. We governed. Democrats in the Senate have governed. Theyve passed all their bipartisan spending bills. It is House Republicans that are unable to govern, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) drew attention to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dressing casually during his Thursday visit to the Capitol, nodding to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer s (D-N.Y.) recent change to the dress code.

Look I know Schumer changed the dress code but letting someone in the senate chamber dressed like this really crosses the line, Vance wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, attaching a photo of Zelensky wearing an army green button-down shirt, which was taken during his visit.

Zelensky, whose nation has been fending off a Russian invasion for more than 18 months, often dresses in military greens to highlight Ukraines war-torn status.

Schumer recently changed the traditionally formal dress code in the upper chamber to be more lax for sitting senators, though visitors and staff members are still expected to wear business attire.

When Zelensky addressed Congress last year, he also wore his same trademark army-green color in the form of a crewneck hoodie.

His second visit comes amid increasing scrutiny among Republicans of the funds given to Ukraine. Vance has been at the forefront of the opposition to additional Ukraine aid and joined fellow congressional Republicans in vowing to oppose any additional requests in a Thursday letter to the White House.

Yesterday at a classified briefing over Ukraine, it became clear that America is being asked to fund an indefinite conflict with unlimited resources, Vance wrote on X, sharing the letter.

Enough is enough. To these and future requests, my colleagues and I say: NO, he added.

The Hill has reached out to Vances office for further comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jeep maker Stellantis gave the United Auto Workers (UAW) a new contract proposal on Tuesday, just days before the union could announce further strikes against the Big Three automakers.

A spokeswoman for Stellantis, whose subsidiaries also include Chrysler and Dodge, confirmed to The Hill the company passed a fifth offer on Tuesday, which focused on mostly non-economic outstanding issue.

It was not immediately clear if this would satisfy the demands of UAW president Shawn Fain, who has threatened to expand the strike strike starting Friday if the companies do not make serious progress on contract negotiations.

A negotiator for the union told Bloomberg Stellantis offer lacks job security guarantees requested by the union, while having a similar pay increase to the 19.5 percent already offered.

UAW workers began a historic strike against Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors last week after the workers contracts expired without a new deal.

The union is asking for wage increases, cost-of-living pay raises, a 32-hour work week with 40 hours of pay, union representation of workers at new battery plants and restoration of traditional-defined benefit pensions for new hires who now receive only 401(k)-style retirement plans and pension increases for retirees.

Stellantiss counteroffer is the first from the three automakers since the strike began last Friday.

The offer comes after Stellantis announced on Wednesday the temporary layoffs of 68 employees at the Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, Ohio, citing the UAW strike in Toledo, Ohio. The company also warned of an additional 300 layoffs at two plants in Kokomo, Indiana.

General Motors similarly announced it idled a manufacturing plant in Kansas and laid off nearly all of its estimated 2,000 workers, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Fain has said if serious progress is not made by noon on Friday, more locals will be called upon to join the strike.

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 in a video message Tuesday. Weve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members sacrifices and contributions to these record profits.

The strike expanded from the Midwest on Wednesday when workers at a drivetrain plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. went on strike, marking the fourth UAW plant to join the effort. Other plants involved are near St Louis, Detroit and Toledo.

Other strike targets could include the locations UAW locals have announced they will hold rallies and practice picketing in the coming days, including a Ford plant in Louisville, Kentucky, a GM plant in Bedford, Indiana, and a GM truck plant in Arlington, Texas, per the AP.

UAW and General Motors did not immediately responded to a request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jim Axelrod is the chief investigative and senior national correspondent for CBS News, reporting for "CBS Mornings," the "CBS Evening News," "CBS Sunday Morning," and other CBS News broadcasts.

While at CBS News, Axelrod has covered a broad range of domestic and international stories, notably the war in Iraq and the American invasion of Afghanistan. In 2003, Axelrod was the first television journalist to report live from Baghdad's Saddam International Airport immediately after it fell to U.S. troops. His live coverage of the U.S. Army firing artillery rounds into Iraqi positions was the first to be broadcast by a reporter embedded with ground troops engaged in combat in Iraq. Axelrod also covered the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq and was the last reporter to leave with the military in December 2011.

Axelrod's investigative journalism has been honored with a Peabody Award for his series on West Virginia's opioid addiction crisis, a George Polk Award for his work , and an Edward R. Murrow award for his reporting on the genetic testing industry. He was also part of the CBS News team honored with a 2010 duPont-Columbia Silver Baton for "CBS Reports: Children of the Recession." Axelrod also won Emmy awards in 2002, 2014 and 2016.

Axelrod joined CBS News in 1996 as a Miami-based correspondent and later served in the Dallas Bureau (1997-1999) and New York Bureau (1999-2006). He also served as CBS News' chief White House correspondent (2006-2009) and was named a CBS News national correspondent in 2009. From 2012-2016, Axelrod was the anchor of the Saturday edition of "CBS Evening News."

Before joining CBS News in 1996, he was a political reporter at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina (1993-1996). Previously, Axelrod was a reporter for WSTM-TV Syracuse, New York (1990-1993); and at WUTR-TV Utica, New York (1989-1990). He began his career at WVII-TV Bangor, Maine, in 1989.

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Axelrod was graduated from Cornell University in 1985 with a bachelor of arts in history and from Brown University in 1989 with a master of arts in history.

Axelrod is the author of "In The Long Run: A Father, A Son, and Unintentional Lessons In Happiness," which was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2011.

He and his wife, Christina, have three children and live in Montclair, New Jersey.

Follow Jim Axelrod on Twitter



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Mel Gibsons casting in John Wick spin-off series The Continental has been defended by the shows director, Albert Hughes.

A prequel series to the hit action franchise, The Continental: From the World of John Wick sees Gibson star as ageing assassin Cormac.

The 67-year-old has largely been ignored by Hollywood in recent years after being accused of making racist, antisemitic and homophobic comments in the past. The Continental marks the 67-year-olds first major US TV role.

However, speaking ahead of the series launch on Friday (22 September), director Hughes explained why hed cast Gibson despite the furore surrounding him.

I cast [Mel Gibson] based on his past work that I grew up on, Hughes told The New York Post. And I think he fit the role perfectly. I think once fans see it, theyll understand why.

Hughes, who also serves on the show as an executive producer, added: The personal stuff is not my business to talk about.

Hughes echoed this while speaking to TVLine, adding: The personal life stuff, thats not my place to get into. Im just trying to do my job and appreciate a person who knows what hes doing in front of the camera and behind it.

The Independent has contacted Gibson for comment.

Gibson in The Continental (Prime Video)

Trouble began for Gibson in 2006 when he was arrested for suspected drunk driving in Malibu and made antisemitic remarks to a policeman. The US actor later apologised, stating that the comments were blurted out in a moment of insanity.

Four years later, The Passion of the Christ director featured on a leaked recording with then-wife Oksana Grigorieva in which he uttered a racial slur. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department launched a domestic violence investigation against Gibson, but it was later dropped when he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge.

In multiple interviews over the years, Winona Ryder has claimed that Gibson had made anti-semitic and homophobic comments in front of her at a party.

When the allegations were repeated in 2020, the Braveheart stars representatives called them 100 per cent untrue. She lied about it over a decade ago, when she talked to the press, and shes lying about it now, they said.

Gibson has largely been blacklisted from Hollywood in recent years (Fox News)

Gibson was blacklisted from Hollywood, but returned in 2017 to direct his Oscar-winning film Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards in 2018, with Gibson picking up a nomination for Best Director.

When Gibsons casting in The Continental was announced in 2021, many fans of the John Wick films voiced their concern.

[Theyve] ruined one of my favourite franchises and storylines with the addition of Mel Gibson, one fan wrote.

Another comment read: With Mel Gibson as a part of this project, I know what John Wick chapter I will NOT be watching. I refuse to be a contributor to Gibsons residuals.

Beginning in 2014, the movie series stars Keanu Reeves as a former assassin who returns to the trade after mobsters kill his dog.

Months before his casting in The Continental was announced, Gibson was spotted saluting Donald Trump in a video.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick is released on Friday 22 September on Prime Video.
The Scoop

New York nonprofit newsroom The City is slashing costs in the latest sign that philanthropists around the U.S. are tiring of supporting journalism.

Over the past several days, the organization has held meetings with staff to walk through parts of its finances. One person with knowledge of the situation told Semafor that funding had dropped by at least $1.5 million this year, a significant decrease for the local operation. In 2021, the City reported that it brought in just over $7.5 million in contributions.

Major donors have reduced funding or abstained from giving altogether. One of the biggest donors to The City, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, dialed its support down to just $10,000, a significant drop from the millions it had committed in past years. The Ford Foundation did not renew its grant for the City at all this year.

In order to avert layoffs, the news organization came to an agreement with staff to cut working hours by 20% to take advantage of the New York State Workshare program, which allows employees to be partially compensated by applying for state unemployment with New York.

In a statement, Nic Dawes, Executive Director of The City, said that he was encouraged by The Citys 33% audience growth this year. But he said that nonprofit journalism was not exempt from the forces affecting philanthropy and the wider media sector, and acknowledged that the news organization had experienced a very significant drop in revenue.

We have been exploring ways to reduce our costs, while keeping the engine of our journalism firing and sustaining our ability to fundraise, Dawes said. Although this path is the best option for us and preserves the newsroom and wider organization, it is still a tough and painful moment.

Investigative journalist Tom Robbins, a senior reporter and advisor for The City, resigned this week to help stave off other potential job losses. In a note to staff, Robbins said working there was a last chance to work in a real newsroom with really fine folks dedicated to the job.

I never worked at a paper that didnt hit rough waters of one kind or another, he said. The City has real heart which is rare in this biz and will weather this storm.

Maxs view

In recent years, nonprofit newsrooms have proliferated across the country as journalists and concerned deep-pocketed philanthropists and organizations look to the nonprofit model to fill the void left by the decline of local newspapers. And it worked: From Hawaii to Maine, the nonprofit model has invested in breaking major local news. Since its founding in 2018, the City has broken major stories about New York political figures, and employs an impressive roster of some of New Yorks most respected local journalists.

But many news nonprofits have experienced the drawbacks of the model this year.

Large and small funders have reduced donations significantly to news nonprofits across the country this year. The City is hardly alone: Semafor first reported last month that a decline in corporate sponsorship revenue, which typically stemmed from marketing and government affairs budgets, forced the nonprofit Texas Tribune to make cuts. The Intercept has also continued to send out blunt emails to readers: In an email on Wednesday titled Were facing some major headwinds, Intercept co-founder Jeremy Scahill wrote, adding that it was the most challenging environment for digital news that weve ever faced.

Nonprofit news organizations have also run up against the success of their own model. Multiple nonprofit news insiders told Semafor that the increasing number of news nonprofits has outpaced the money available from donors, creating a competition for a limited pool of money.
Theres an old saying in politics: If youre explaining, youre losing. But lately, when JPS Health Network officials are explaining whats going on with the 2018 bond program meant to expand the countys health offerings, its the public whos on the losing end.

As the price tag has been projected to grow to $1.5 billion or more, its become harder to get clear answers on what taxpayers will get for their money. First, there was confusion about building medical homes, one-stop shopping clinics to improve overall care for needy patients. County leaders are still all over the map on that one.

And now, theres uncertainty about expanding the systems capacity for mental healthcare  a much-needed tool that will trickle down to one of Tarrant Countys most troubling ongoing issues, the overcrowded, understaffed county jail.

Its understandable that priorities may have changed and that construction costs have risen. Its a tough call to spend more to get everything done and even harder to decide what gets left on the shelf. But when Star-Telegram journalists have tried to get clarity, theyve gotten different answers from various officials and smokescreens from JPS. Enough is enough  voters deserve clear information, and county commissioners need to demand that the board members they appoint provide it.

On the medical homes, longtime county administrator G.K. Maenius, who just retired, confirmed that current plans call for one, not four. But JPS chief executive Karen Duncan said thats not necessarily set in stone, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks told the Star-Telegram that even more county money beyond the $800 million approved in bonds could come into play.

The idea of the medical home is to disperse resources around the county for people who need help managing chronic illness or need a variety of services. That can result in better care and cost savings.

The medical homes were politically important to the bond issue, too. Ensuring some of the bond money would fund a facility in southeast Tarrant County helped avoid opposition to the proposal among fiscal hawks in a low-turnout vote.

Confusion over the expansion of behavioral health services is unsettling. Original plans called for nearly 300 new beds for psychiatric care. Its unclear if those plans have advanced or changed, and a JPS spokesperson ducked questions from reporter Ciara McCarthy. Are new beds still in play? JPS says the county plans no reduction but would not say if thats from the current level or the projected need.

Its not an issue to play games with. When there isnt sufficient capacity for mental-health treatment, people who are arrested and need medical help end up languishing in the jail. Its a tremendous burden on the Sheriffs Office, inefficient for taxpayers and an appalling way to approach mental-health care.

The countys leaders are determined to reduce budgets and property taxes, and theyve been off to a good start. But big savings come from tackling big problems, and mental health is one of the biggest.

When voters agree to let their governments issue bonds, theres an expectation that the funds will be prudently managed and voters will get what theyre promised  or else clear explanations of why plans changed. Five years in, Tarrant County voters arent getting any of that, and its time for a serious review of why.

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Lawyers for Orange County Public Schools argued before a judge Thursday morning for the dismissal of a lawsuit filed over the future of 100 acres of land that once housed the Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School, a historic Black educational facility in Eatonville.

The land was nearly sold to a developer who backed out in March after residents spoke out against the plan to build housing that they feared would be too expensive for most people who have generations-deep roots in the community. They feared if the new housing was built, current residents could be priced out of their town.

When the sale fell through, the school board announced that it was no longer seeking a buyer and said the district would work with the town to determine how to proceed.

Eatonville celebrates: Hungerford land victory renews hope among residents

However, the school board has so far rejected the request for the land to be donated to the town so Eatonvilles residents and elected officials can determine its future alone. The districts stance is that it would be illegal to donate the land, a position that legal experts who reviewed the law and policy at the Orlando Sentinels request say is not true.

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based civil rights organization, which is representing the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (PEC) and Bea Leach Hatler, the great-granddaughter of Robert Hungerford, for whom the school was named.

At the Thursday hearing, Chris Wilson, attorney for the school district, called on Judge Vincent Falcone III to dismiss the lawsuit. According to Wilson, the lawsuit is moot because there is no pending sale and no search for a buyer. Because of that, he said there was no controversy for the court to decide.

Wilson went on to criticize a 1950s deed restriction that was imposed when the Florida Supreme Court allowed the school board to purchase the land for well below market value against the will of Hatlers grandmother, Constance Hungerford Fenske, and a group of concerned parties including Mary McLeod Bethune.

Bethune, the legendary educator who founded Bethune Cookman University, offered up a plan to sit on the board and make Hungerford an affiliate institution for students who wanted to attend the university.

The deed restriction required that the land be used to educate Black children. Though OCPS has spent decades fighting to erode that requirement, Wilson argued that the restriction should have been considered voided when schools were legally desegregated and claimed that the only way to follow it now would be to operate a segregated school on the land, making the restriction unenforceable.

Wilson also questioned if it was appropriate for the lawsuit to be filed at all because, in his view, Hatler and the PEC had no standing to sue, as they would not be impacted more than the general public by any decisions made for the future of the land.

They have not alleged that they have any rights under the deed, Wilson told the judge. They are not the trust. They are not the trustees. They are not beneficiaries of the trust. There is no reference to either plaintiff under the deed. There is no doubt as to their rights because they have none.

SPLC attorney Kirsten Anderson argued that the PEC, run by Executive Director N.Y. Nathiri, has been working in the community to preserve its history for decades, has provided educational resources for the towns children and has long been involved in helping to decide the future of the town. Anderson added that the importance of the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, operated by the PEC, has also been cemented in the towns comprehensive plan that lays out priorities for Eatonvilles growth.

And though attorneys for OCPS said Hatler, an Oregon resident, has no standing to bring forth the suit either, Anderson emphasized that her family donated the land more than a century ago for the expressed purpose of providing educational opportunities for Black Eatonville residents.

This is Black American history: Hungerford heir visits Eatonville amid school land fight

She added that the family is so still significant to the land that, when a Winter Park development company was set to buy the property, the legal entity created to purchase the land was also named after the Hungerfords.

Shes not just some member of the general public, Anderson argued. She is a descendant of the original donors of the land who dedicated its use for educational purposes since the 1800s. Their name, the Hungerford name, is still on the property.

Anderson also argued that Wilsons claim that there is no controversy because the land is not currently for sale is invalid because of the past actions taken by the school board.

That is an argument that requires completely ignoring the past, Anderson said. Were talking about more than 10 years of the school district entering into contracts.  Theyve spent a lot time trying to remove this use restriction for the purposes of selling it unencumbered. So the notion that because a developer walked away from a sale that theyre no longer going to pursue something that they have invested enormous time and resources in just doesnt meet the test for mootness. The underlying case and controversy remains.

Falcone did not make a ruling to determine if the case has standing to continue. He asked both attorneys to file additional documents laying out arguments for why the case should either continue or be dismissed. The deadline to submit the documents is Oct. 12 and the judge will make a decision sometime thereafter.

Nathiri, who attended the hearing, did not comment directly on the case or the court proceedings but she said she believes she has every right to fight for the Hungerford land despite the school districts assertion that she does not.

As a third-generation Eatonvillian, I very proud, Nathiri said. Eatonville is my hometown.  I grew up in Eatonville. No one has more right than I to talk about Eatonville, to express my love for Eatonville.

dstennett@orlandosentinel.com
Pretrial hearings scheduled for Friday for Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with murdering four University of Idaho students last fall, were postponed Thursday because of an illness.

Kohbergers attorneys were set to argue that their clients indictment by a local grand jury should be thrown out on several procedural grounds, with only one of the two to be debated in public. Those hearings are now scheduled for Oct. 26 on account of the unspecified illness, according to an Idaho state courts spokesperson.

Kohbergers defense filed the motion to delay the hearing, with prosecutors offering no objection, according to court records. The Latah County District Court supervisor told the Idaho Statesman by email that she couldnt offer additional information about who became ill.

The defense team in July filed a request to dismiss the indictment for what they contend was an error in the instructions given to the grand jurors. A month later, they submitted another filing to the court that cites four more legal challenges of the indictment that pushed the capital murder case to trial.

The procedural concerns Kohbergers public defense raised last month include claims of grand jury bias, as well as the use of improper evidence and a lack of sufficient evidence to indict. The defense also alleged misconduct by the prosecution over its withholding of evidence from the grand jury that the defense says would disprove Kohbergers guilt.

The defense filed those four follow-up challenges to the indictment under a court-approved seal, which keeps the details of the arguments hidden from the public. The prosecutions objection also was held under a court seal, as will the defenses response ordered Thursday to be filed.

The defense for Bryan Kohberger is challenging the grand jury indictment of their client, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. Ted S. Warren/AP

Already, the use of a grand jury by state prosecutors is an intentionally secretive process. Defendants, their attorneys and the public are not permitted to attend. In turn, the defense is unable to cross-examine witnesses or object to certain evidence.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson sat the grand jury exclusively to review the Kohberger case, and it was presided over by retired Judge Jay Gaskill, previously of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Nez Perce County, according to court records. Under Idaho law, only 12 of the 16 selected grand jurors must support indicting a defendant.

The grand jury met over three days and indicted Kohberger on May 16, the court records showed. He was arraigned on May 22, when he stood silent and declined to enter a plea, leading Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County, who is overseeing the case, to default to not guilty.

The indictment vacated Kohbergers scheduled June preliminary hearing, where a judge otherwise determines whether probable cause exists to move a case to trial. If the grand jury challenge is successful, the case likely would revert to a preliminary hearing, an alternative the defense offered in the challenge to the grand jury instructions.

Kohberger, 28, is accused of stabbing to death the four U of I students at an off-campus Moscow home in November 2022. The victims were seniors Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21; and junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20.

From left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were killed in an attack at an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, near the University of Idaho. CBS 48 Hours

At the time, Kohberger was a graduate student in Washington State Universitys criminal justice and criminology department. WSU is located in Pullman, about 9 miles west of Moscow.

Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if a jury convicts him.

Boise defense attorney questions closed hearing

Kohbergers attorneys, in their argument against the instructions received by the grand jurors, asserted that the standard of proof in the Idaho Constitution demands the same level as a conviction at trial: beyond a reasonable doubt. Historically, the language has been interpreted to require the lower legal threshold of being more likely guilty than not, or what is known as probable cause. The same legal threshold is required to obtain a search warrant or make an arrest.

Jay Logsdon, one of Kohbergers public defenders, in the defenses filing implored Judge to rule for his client, which would support Idahos past efforts at adopting reforms to the grand jury system intended to restore to that system its function as bulwark for freedom.

Edwina Elcox is a Boise-based criminal defense attorney who formerly served as an Ada County deputy prosecutor. She commended the creativity of Kohbergers public defenders in filing the legal threshold challenge but voiced doubts it would succeed.

Obviously, its thoroughly researched and is a novel legal argument, Elcox told the Statesman in a phone interview. But this is a loser motion before this court, and thats the reality of the situation.

The defenses argument was unlikely to prevail at least in part because it would overturn the longstanding legal standard for an indictment, retired Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones previously told the Statesman. He described the effort as some kind of Hail Mary thing.

Judge was scheduled to hear those arguments Friday afternoon and now will wait until next month. The defenses other four legal claims aimed at tossing the grand jury indictment, however, will be debated during a morning session now on Oct. 26 that is closed to the public, at the defenses request and with no objection from prosecutors, court records showed.

Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District oversees a hearing in Latah County Court for defendant Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Ted S. Warren/AP

All grand jury records, including transcripts and the jury selection list, are typically filed under court seal. The day after the indictment, Thompson also obtained a court order from Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall, who handled the Kohberger case in its early stages, to seal the names of the witnesses who testified before the grand jury.

At least two of the victims families recently voiced frustration about how information about the case has been released to the public as they advocated for maintaining cameras inside the courtroom. Judge has yet to issue his decision from a hearing on the matter last week.

Shanon Gray, attorney for the Goncalves family, issued a statement to the Statesman on behalf of his clients, as well as some members of the Kernodle family.

This case is surrounded by secrecy. Everything is either sealed or redacted, which leads to speculation, the statement read. That speculation is fueled by the secrecy surrounding everything that is filed and every hearing that is closed off to the media and the public.

The inherently secretive nature of grand juries makes assessing the potential at successful challenges difficult, Elcox said. But she questioned the need to restrict public access for the entirety of the hearing on the defenses four more recent claims, given some are legal arguments over process.

If the challenges are to individual grand jurors, then I can see the need to protect identities, she said. I can at least understand the theory behind that portion of it. But if theyre challenging irregularities like the prosecution did something wrong, I dont know why youd want that sealed.

Even so, of the four arguments that the public wont get to watch  and not knowing the specifics of the evidence-based challenges  Elcox said the defenses best possible chance of overturning the indictment would be assertions of bias from the local grand jury.

Thats where its likely going to be because youre dealing with an extremely small community, where a large portion of revenue and employment is literally centered around that college, she said. Getting an unbiased, neutral grand jury in that county just on face value would be extremely difficult. So if I had to pick a horse to bet on, it would be that one.

Even if Judge ultimately rules in favor of the defense on any of its five arguments, the states prosecution of Kohberger is not going away, Elcox said.

Even if they were successful, all is not said and done here, she said. Per the defenses own request, their alternative remedy is to remand it for a preliminary hearing, which also is a probable cause hearing.
A judge on Wednesday denied a motion by President Joe Biden s son Hunter to have his initial court appearance and arraignment held over video conference following his indictment on federal gun charges.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke sided with prosecutors, saying that all defendants regardless of their location or personal circumstance have been required to appear in person for their first court appearance with the exception of the years when the coronavirus pandemic was at its height.

Other than during the exigent circumstances of the COVID crisis (when the Court was proceeding under the auspices of the now-expired CARES Act standing order), in 12 years as a judge on this Court, the undersigned cannot recall ever having conducted an initial appearance other than in person, Burke wrote.

Burke added that Biden shouldnt receive any special treatment.

Any other defendant would be required to attend his or her initial appearance in person, Burke wrote. So too here.

The hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 3 in Delaware.

Earlier this week, Hunter Biden s lawyer Abbe David Lowell argued there was no need for his client to show up in court, citing the strain his travel would put on the government given the short duration of the hearing. The presidents son resides in California.

Biden seeks to minimize an unnecessary burden on government resources and the disruption to the courthouse and downtown areas when a person protected by the Secret Service flies across the country and then must be transported to and from a downtown location, Lowell wrote.

Lowell also said Biden would enter a not-guilty plea, adding that there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference.

But prosecutors opposed the request.

If convenience was a legitimate basis to warrant virtual proceedings, every defendant would ask for them in every case, special counsel David Weiss wrote in a letter to Burke Wednesday.

Weiss added that the collapse of the plea deal at a hearing earlier this summer points to why having an in-person proceeding could be more conducive to resolving unforeseen issues.

The previous arraignment held in connection with this matter was anything but routine because the defendant and his previous attorney were not prepared to answer the Courts questions, they said.

In July, U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika refused to sign off on a deal Biden made with prosecutors after Noreika raised concerns about parts of the agreement. As part of that deal, Biden would have pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges for failure to pay taxes, and would enter a diversion program in place of pleading guilty to felony gun possession as an admitted drug user.

Following the breakdown of the plea deal, Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss, who is leading the Justice Departments investigation into Hunter Biden, to special counsel status.

Hunter Biden was indicted on three gun charges last week. Two of them concern Biden allegedly submitting a form falsely saying he was not using illegal narcotics when he purchased a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018, and another involves him allegedly possessing that firearm while using narcotics.

Garland on Wednesday rejected GOP suggestions that the DOJ has gone easy on Biden because he is the presidents son.

He added that any decisions in the case are 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 during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Related...
A jury has begun deliberations in the second trial of Max Struck, who is accused of first-degree murder in the death of 73-year-old Patty Magby.

Magby was shot and killed by Struck while trespassing on Struck's Bergemann Road property in October 2022. Struck has admitted to shooting Magby but argued throughout his trial that the shooting was in self-defense.

Here's how the last two days of the trial played out.

Struck testifies in own defense

Struck testified during the trial that he believed he was in danger when he saw a light go on in his home and heard two gunshots fired while he was sitting in a vehicle and smoking a cigarette.

Struck testified Thursday that he saw an unknown, shadowy figure move around the house taking pictures, including of the vehicle he sat in.

Struck testified that as the stranger moved away from his vehicle, he exited, yelling that he was getting a gun and that they should leave. Struck said he locked two of the doors to the house, including the front door and the laundry room door he came in, but not the patio door, and retrieved a gun from his room.

Struck said he then yelled out the door at the intruder, who he said he could not see in the darkness, and heard what he believed to be a female voice say, "Well, come here," at which point he opened fire, pulling the trigger seven times and ducking back behind a wall, closing the door between each shot.

Five of those trigger pulls resulted in bullets being fired, two of which struck Magby in the ankle and stomach. The gun jammed three times, with Struck failing to clear the jam the last time.

Struck stated he went to find and load a second magazine but did not continue firing as he did not see movement anymore.

Struck testified that he feared for his life during the encounter, and was not thinking as clearly as he might have if he had not been terrified. He stated that he never saw Magby's face and that he never meant to kill anyone, and was extremely upset when he heard that Magby had died.

Struck also testified that the reason he did not tell law enforcement that night about the shots he heard was because an attorney he and his husband had spoken to on the phone told him not to say anything more to law enforcement without an attorney present.

Prosecution argues Struck's actions constituted murder

During closing statements Wednesday morning, district attorneys Suzanne Marsh and Anne Mayer argued that Struck acted with intent and deliberation to kill Magby, and did not act in a "reasonable manner" required to justify his self-defense claim.

Marsh stated that if Struck had been terrified as he claimed to be, he would not have drawn attention to himself by yelling at the intruder as he ran into the house and telling them he was getting a weapon, nor would he have opened the screen door to further warn the intruder to leave before opening fire into the dark.

Marsh argued that there also must have been enough light to aim at and hit Magby, a moving target, at a distance of 68 feet with a handgun, as the odds of striking a target you couldn't see at that range would be very low.

Marsh also questioned Struck's statements that he had "heard two shots," pointing to a difficult-to-make-out audio clip of a 911 call in which Struck can be heard saying something to his husband. Marsh pointed out that Struck did not directly tell a dispatcher or any law enforcement officer about the shots, and did not mention them himself until testimony in his first trial in June. Instead, the prosecution contends that Struck said, "The light came on and then she stopped."

Struck never testified that he had seen Magby with a firearm, nor had he seen or heard Magby threaten him in any way, Marsh pointed out.

Marsh claimed Struck deliberated before he shot Magby, as he'd announced his plan to shoot her as he left the vehicle, ran into the house, retrieved a firearm, opened the patio door, and fired several times with a pause between each shot, according to Struck's testimony.

"Struck decided that death was an appropriate punishment for trespassing," Marsh said.

Mayer also argued that Struck had acted not out of fear, but anger. Mayer portrayed Struck as "the aggressor" who felt comfortable enough to leave his vehicle and yell at her while still unarmed.

Mayer also argued that Struck acted not with fear but in a calm, deliberate manner when he opened the screen door, fired, and closed the door between each shot. "He wanted to make sure the job was done," she said. Mayer stated that Struck continued firing until he saw no movement in the yard because he "wanted to make sure that the intruder was dead."

Struck's lawyer paints picture of self-defense

James "David" Henderson, a public defender representing Struck, argued that Struck acted with reasonable fear when Magby trespassed on his property, in the dark, with a blood alcohol content of .155, two loaded guns, and two prescription drugs also in her system.

Struck, he reminded the jury, was alone that night at the "place he should have felt safest." Henderson stated that his client had never planned to kill anyone and reminded the jury that Struck's residence, which is located in a rural part of southwest Pueblo County, was 20 minutes away from any help from law enforcement.

Henderson also argued that it was very dark that night. He pointed to photos taken on Magby's phone, which clearly show the night sky above Struck's residence. Several photos, he indicated, were taken with flash on, meaning it was too dark for a cell phone to use night mode.

Henderson also showed body cam footage from a deputy the night after the shooting. In the footage, as Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Detective Steven Chavez walks the route that Magby allegedly walked around Struck's house the night she was shot and killed, Chavez fails to trigger the shed light that the prosecution contended would have illuminated the backyard during the incident.

A deputy can be heard on the body camera saying, "We can see movement," lining up with Struck's claims that all he saw during the shooting was a shadowy figure.

"In the 911 call, (Struck) didn't say the magic words, 'I was placed in a reasonable fear of my life and responded with an appropriate level of force,'" Henderson said. "People don't talk like that. What he did say is, 'The light came on, and I heard two shots."

A loaded gun containing two spent shell casings was found later on top of Magby's car, Henderson said. Magby's DNA was also found on Struck's front door, he said.

While the state is in possession of a swab of Magby's hands taken that night, the swab remains untested for gunpowder, Henderson stated.

Henderson questioned if the roles were reversed, whether the state would have charged Magby. "If Max Struck, hopped up on alcohol and prescription drugs, had come onto her property at night, going into her house, taking pictures of her property, and he had scared her, she had gotten a gun and shot him, do you think you would even be here?" Henderson asked the jury. "If not, there's a problem."

"The district attorney argues that it's not reasonable to be afraid if you're home alone, it's dark, and an armed intruder trespasses on your property and refuses to leave," he said. "There's nothing more terrifying."

Deliberations will continue until the jury reaches a verdict. If not found guilty of first-degree murder, a jury could find Struck guilty of the lesser charges of second-degree murder or criminally negligent homicide.

More public criminal justice news: Pueblo man who shot and killed ex-girlfriend in 2022 pleads guilty to murder charge

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Jury begins deliberation in Pueblo County murder trial
[Source]

A mistrial was declared after jurors failed to reach a verdict in the case of a violent Delaware robbery that left an elderly Asian jewelry store owner with serious head injuries.

Background: Calvin Ushery Jr., a known repeat offender, is accused of attacking Chang Suh, then 68, inside Solid Gold Jewelers on West 9th Street in Wilmington on Sept. 15, 2022. Ushery allegedly grabbed the store owner, pistol-whipped him in the head, stomped on his head and then struck his head with a hammer before swiping items worth $100,000 and fleeing the scene.

Wilmington, Del.: A 68-year old Korean-American jewelry shop owner was pistol-whipped & assaulted with a hammer on Sept. 15 by a black male suspect during a robbery. Calvin Ushery, 39, was arrested. The victim is unable to walk now due to the head injury. pic.twitter.com/8bq22xzDd4  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) September 27, 2022 More from NextShark: Oakland Chinatown Leader Attacked While Running Errands, Visiting Victim of Separate Incident

Suh, who managed to call the police before losing consciousness, suffered serious head injuries, including a severe concussion and internal bleeding. He received treatment at the intensive care unit.

More from NextShark: South Asian support groups in NYC step up efforts to aid survivors of gender-based violence

Mistrial declared: Ushery, who was arrested a week later after trying to sell the stolen jewelry, was hit with robbery, assault and other charges and faced a total of 107 years in prison. But this week, a mistrial was declared after jurors were deadlocked following two days of deliberation.

Whats next: Prosecutors reportedly plan to refile charges. Meanwhile, Suh is still undergoing rehabilitation.

More from NextShark: China denounces UNs decision to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council

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Former Beauty Queen Sparks Outrage After Blaming K-Pop for Filipinos 'Losing Identity'
A juvenile was arrested this week on suspicion of a drive-by shooting in which a teenager was gunned down outside his Rio Linda home, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs deputies arrested the 15-year-old boy Tuesday, but did not give any further information about the suspect. The shooting happened about 2:15 a.m. Monday in the 6900 block of 22nd Street.

The Sheriffs Office said in a news release that the victims mother had called authorities after at least one bullet in a burst of gunfire struck her child in front of their home, the Sheriffs Office has said.

The Sacramento County Coroners Office identified the victim Thursday as Rio Linda resident Andres Chavez, 17.

The Sheriffs Office said in the hours after the shooting that deputies could not find witnesses to the incident. Deputies in their Thursday announcement urged anyone with information to call deputies at 916-874-5115 or to leave an anonymous tip with Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.
Here are area restaurants with seven or more priority or critical health code violations, with highlighted links to some original public record reports.

Restaurants correct most violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly thereafter. Links to the follow-up inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.

If an inspection or follow-up report needs clarification, restaurant and grocery store owners can email Jenna Thompson at jthompson@kcstar.com. The Star will post appropriate responses in the same online locations as the original report.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture cited these operations for seven or more priority health code violations (direct links to the reports are not available).

For complete Kansas health inspections, click here.

Hy-Vee, 8900 W. 135th St., Overland Park, had 14 violations during a Sept. 18 inspection following a complaint.

Sushi Uni, 12841 87th St. Parkway, had 13 violations during a Sept. 14 inspection following an administrative order.

Jersey Mikes Subs, 15901 Antioch Road, Overland Park, had eight violations during a Sept. 18 standardization inspection.

China One Express, 11176 Antioch Road, Overland Park, had eight violations during a Sept. 8 follow-up inspection.

Hot Basil Thai Cuisine, 7528 W. 119th St., Overland Park, had seven violations during a Sept. 19 routine inspection.

Burnt End BBQ, 11831 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, had seven violations during a Sept. 13 routine inspection.

The Kansas City Health Department cited these operations for seven or more critical violations:

Winsteads, 101 Emmanuel Cleaver Blvd., had nine critical violations following a Sept. 18 routine inspection.

Cold Stone Creamery, 7251 N.W. 86th Place, had eight critical violations following a Sept. 14 routine inspection.

Chick-In Waffle, 429 Westport Road, had eight critical violations following a Sept. 12 routine inspection.

China Feast, 3119 E. 12th St., had seven critical violations following a Sept. 18 routine inspection.

Classic Cup Sidewalk Cafe, 301 W. 47th St., had seven critical violations following a Sept. 11 routine inspection.

For complete Kansas City-area reports, click here.
Sen. Roger Marshall keeps finding new ways to be anti-immigrant.

The Kansas Republican usually defaults to well-worn keep them out rhetoric to demonize migrants. Securing our southern border should be a top priority, he wrote in a typical online post in June, yet the Biden Admin continues to sit back and let thousands of illegal immigrants and fentanyl come through our border EVERY DAY.

Thats misleading, of course.

Fentanyl is a problem in the United States, but its not so much an illegal immigrant problem. Ninety percent of illicit fentanyl is seized at official border crossings, and more than half of that is brought into the country by U.S. citizens. Those facts dont really square with Marshalls narrative, but hes sticking with the anti-migrant narrative. No surprise there.

So whats the new wrinkle? Its not just that Marshall wants to crack down on migrants who are here illegally  he wants legal migrants to be vulnerable to their employers.

Thats the takeaway from Marshalls Monday press release, which announced that he had slammed the Biden administration for a proposed new Department of Labor rule protecting migrant farm workers  specifically, those who hold H2A visas granted by the federal government.

At a time when our nations agriculture industry faces a severe labor crisis, this proposed rule by the Biden Administration makes it difficult and costly for our Ag businesses to keep and recruit H2A visa holders, Marshall said in the release. We need substantial and productive reforms to our nations immigration policy, not government regulations that further penalize hard-working farmers and ranchers.

Sounds bad! But also incredibly vague. Marshall and his media team slammed the president without saying what, specifically, was objectionable about the proposed rule. Were left to guess the actual problem.

So what would the new rule actually do?

Well, it includes some anti-trafficking provisions. And it would require farms that employ the visa holders to provide seat belts on the vans that transport their workers. That makes sense: Transportation deaths are one of the leading causes of farmworker deaths.

Thats probably not the source of Marshalls objection, though. Who is against seat belts in this day and age? Which leads us to the other thing the proposed new rule does: It makes it easier for those temporary farm workers to unionize.

Horrors.

The rule doesnt require big farms to unionize, of course. But it does allow workers to meet with labor representatives in employer-provided housing, and protects them from employer retaliation for those meetings. The idea is to give migrant workers  the folks who are most vulnerable to exploitation  the tools to improve their sometimes dangerous places of employment.

The goal is to have some other eyes on the workplace, Ruben Garcia, a UNLV law professor, told Bloomberg Law. In most cases, a labor organization, a union does that monitoring when a government cant or wont.

The odd part of Marshalls objection is that its not at all clear that Kansas farmers  the folks he ostensibly represents in the Senate  would be much affected much by the rule.

Its true that the number of H2A visa holders has exploded nationally, doubling between 2016 and 2022 to 370,000 workers. But there were just 849 H2A workers in Kansas in 2020. Thats a minuscule percentage of the states agricultural labor force. And farmworker unions arent all that active in Kansas.

So its not clear why Marshall is throwing himself into this fight.

Then again, he rarely resists the opportunity to take a shot at migrant workers  even the ones who help build the Sunflower States economy. Recall that late last year, he raised objections to granting permanent residence to immigrants who had ever used food stamp benefits to feed their families  even though large numbers of migrant workers in Southwest Kansas meatpacking plants rely on charitable food pantries to make ends meet.

Put these examples together, and Marshalls approach would require migrant workers to be self-sufficient  but not too self-sufficient. Which means they cant win. And you have to wonder if thats the point.
Katharine McPhee has responded after a clip of Russell Brand flirting with her on Jimmy Fallons late-night show in 2013 was resurfaced on social media.

Old footage of Brand has begun circulating online after the comedian was accused of rape and sexual assault by four women.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame and presenting on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.

In a video released ahead of the report being published, the 48-year-old vehemently denied all allegations and maintained that all of his sexual relationships were consensual.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates. If you have information in relation to the allegations against Russell Brand that you would like to share with The Independents reporting team, please email yourstories@independent.co.uk

In the wake of the allegations against Brand, one clip resurfaced from a 2013 episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

In the footage, Brand encouraged Smash star McPhee  both of whom were guests on the show  to sit on his lap. He later admitted to finding her very attractive, while Fallon told him to please stop.

And was shared by The Daily Mail on Instagram, with the caption reading: She looks so uncomfortable.

Fosters response (Katharine McPhee/Instagram)

In the comment section, however, McPhee, 39, responded: I know nothing [about] what you are trying to claim here but this specific incident was over 10 years ago and it was harmless.

Please dont try and use me for whatever purpose you are trying to serve, she added.

In the clip, first guest of the night Brand was shown refusing to move out of the chair when incoming guest McPhee arrived on stage.

The Get Him to the Greek star then grabbed her hand, saying: Shes welcome to sit here. McPhee jokingly sat on his lap, before leaping up when Brand began to bounce her on his lap. Brand then grabbed McPhees hand and the actress jokingly sat on his lap.

Fallon appeared visibly stressed, running a hand over his face as Brand told the American Idol star, Youre beautiful. Russell, please stop. Look away, Fallon admonished him. Brand, however, said that he would just sit here with my sexual charisma.

He later said: 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 Numbers. Genes. Genetic info. Data.

In the wake of the allegations against Brand, both the BBC and Channel 4 have announced investigations into the presenters alleged behaviour.

Content containing Brand has also been removed from their respective streaming services.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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. 
Katherine Ryan has opened up about meeting Prince Harry earlier this month, after she spent years making jokes about him.

The comedian, 40, reflected on attending this years WellChild Awards, an event that highlighted the inspiring qualities of seriously ill children and young people in the UK, during an episode of her Telling Everybody Everything podcast, which aired on 14 September. She claimed that while she was invited to meet the Duke of Sussex during the occasion, her husband, Bobby Kootstra, wasnt.

She went on to explain that, as she made her way to meet Harry, she had her concerns, since shed previously told jokes about Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and the royal family. However, she said she reminded herself that she still said very positive things about the British family in her jokes.

Ryan went on to note how, when Harry entered, appearing right over [her] left shoulder, he quickly mentioned her sense of humour. First thing out of his mouth: Oh, Youre the one who tells jokes about me, she recalled.

While recalling that she panicked when Harry mentioned her jokes, she confessed to responding to him by pointing to her friend Natalie, and claiming that shed been the one to make the remarks. She said her friend denied that claim, prompting Ryan to speak up and confess. However, according to Ryan, Harry didnt seem too upset about her previous comments.

I was like: Yeah it was me, sorry about that, she recalled telling the duke. And he said: Its okay, I like jokes. And I said: Okay, well, none of them were at your expense. And he said: No they werent, so keep telling the jokes.

She explained that after the interaction, she just sank into a pool of a sweaty shame, while wondering which one of her jokes he was referring to. I hope he knows the right joke, Ryan added.

The Duchess star went on to praise Harry, as she described how lovely he was when meeting other guests at the charity event. She also explained how the duke looked just like shed expected him to.

His presence was so striking, seeing him up close, she added. Prince Harry in the flesh, looks exactly, but taller, like the image of Prince Harry you have in his hand. Hes in HD, and the photos of him look like the real him.

He has a lovely peaceful presence. Hes so dutiful and beautiful, she continued. He went all around the room, very confidently.

Over the years, Ryan has made numerous quips about the royal family. During the WellChild Awards on 8 September, she also poked fun at her love for the duke on her Instagram Story. Deeply awkward having my current husband and ex in the same room, she wrote, while sharing a snap of Harry at the ceremony, as reported by the Daily Star.

While speaking to the publication, she shared more details about nervously introducing herself to Harry after previously making jokes about him.

I was worried that he might at some point have been told or seen my jokes because I dont want him to feel uncomfortable. Im just having a laugh, she said. But he was great.

She went on to express that her partner wasnt jealous when she met Harry, quipping: My husband was not threatened. My husbands very comfortable with how much I admit I love Prince Harry, but he also knows that Im not as in love with him as it seems.

Ryan also praised Harry for supporting the WellChild Awards, which arrived on the one-year anniversary of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth IIs death.

Prince Harry is the patron of the Well Child Awards and we all loved him, hes very striking in person, she said. "And its amazing that even on the eve of the anniversary of his grandmothers passing he was able to take the time out to be there, thats how meaningful it was.
Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker pilots are inching closer to normal operations after incremental software fixes to the tankers glitchy autopilot have led the service to ease flight restrictions on the jets.

Airmen are now allowed to fly KC-135s with the Block 45 software upgrade  which includes the autopilot in question  at altitudes below 10,000 feet, Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Mike Minihan said Sept. 11.

Were just now bringing the operational capability of the autopilot back up. Ive got confidence in the fixes, he told Air Force Times at the Air and Space Forces Associations annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference outside Washington.

Its the latest step toward resolving a potentially dangerous problem that began more than two years ago.

In early 2021, KC-135 crews began reporting incidents of the autopilot turning on or off, unprompted, during flight. That has caused the jets to unexpectedly tilt toward the ground or pitch upward, including in at least one instance when the aircraft was within 3,000 feet of the ground.

The issue has occurred five times since May 2021, Air Force spokesperson 1st Lt. James Stewart said. All but one of those instances happened between May 2021 and May 2022.

The Air Force initially said a faulty power supply caused the autopilot to malfunction, but later attributed the problem to an error in the programs code, defense technology publication The War Zone reported last year. Collins Aerospace, which designed the software, was expected to begin testing fixes in April 2022.

The Air Force is still rolling out the software patch across its fleet of more than 300 KC-135s, Stewart said. The service did not answer how many KC-135s are flying the original Block 45 software and how many have the updated version.

Block 45 was installed on 272 aircraft as of March 2023, according to the services budget documents. It is slated for use on 329 airframes based on the C-135  all but a few dozen of which are KC-135s  plus 19 pilot simulators and five cockpit simulators.

Data collected by the Air Force to inform its Sept. 11 decision to change the flight restriction showed the autopilot had worked correctly over more than 10,000 hours in flight, Stewart said.

Now a new policy is in place to keep troops safe while they begin to use the updated autopilot on their daily missions. Airmen cant turn on the autopilot when flying in bad weather or at night at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet.

Allowing the autopilot above 10,000 feet gave airmen more time to react in case something went wrong. Lowering that bar indicates the service has enough confidence in the fixes to take on more risk, without getting rid of precautions altogether.

Well build trust in those fixes with these restrictions in, Minihan said. Once weve got trust, then well look at the full capability of the autopilot.

He believes the Air Force will sign off on unfettered use of the autopilot within the next year.

My biggest concern is for the safety of our airmen, always, and I dont want to rush that, he said. The restrictions were great in its use, but they were safe. Weve got to be cautious moving forward [and] allow the expert airmen that fly, fix and support it to do what they do best.

Stewart said no aircraft have been damaged, or airmen injured, because of autopilot failures.

AMC trusts KC-135 aircrew members to safely carry out their mission, he said.
In his first interview since he was acquitted over the weekend in a historic impeachment trial, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) lashed out at the Biden administration and the Lone Star States House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) over his impeachment and trial.

So you think that the effort to remove you from office really came from the Biden administration? commentator Tucker Carlson asked Paxton in an interview posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

I really do, Paxton said, adding that he thinks thats where it was instigated.

The attorney general alleged that the impeachment was a way to get him out of the way after he filed lawsuits against the administration.

Paxton, who had been suspended from his post since the Texas House voted to impeach him earlier this year, was acquitted by a jury of state senators over the weekend on all 16 articles of impeachment he faced.

Paxton was accused of misusing the powers of his office to aid a friend and campaign donor, but after more than a week of witness testimony before the senators, none of the articles of impeachment received the two-thirds votes required to convict.

Paxton and his allies have decried the proceedings as politically motivated. In a statement after the verdict, he bashed the sham impeachment and the weaponization of the impeachment process to settle political differences.

The attorney general has also taken aim at Phelan, telling Carlson that the state Speaker is controlled by the Democrats.

I dont think he particularly has an ideology. Hes like, I want to stay in power. Ive cut this deal to be Speaker with Democrats,' Paxton said.

Though other Paxton allies have also piled criticism onto the Texas House for the impeachment, Phelan has stood by the effort.

The Speaker said in a statement after the verdict that its unfortunate the impeachment process resulted in returning control of the states attorneys general office to an individual who, I believe, clearly abused his power, compromised his agency and its employees, and moved mountains to protect and benefit himself.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fresh off a high-profile impeachment acquittal, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suggested in his clearest terms yet that he could launch a primary challenge against Sen. John Cornyn , who is up for reelection in 2026.

"To me, he's been in Washington too long. He's been there, what, for 14 years or so? And I can't think of a single thing he's accomplished for our state or even for the country," Paxton told Tucker Carlson in an interview that debuted Wednesday. (Cornyn was elected to the Senate in 2002.)

"Everything's on the table for me," Paxton said in response to Carlson asking if he would run. "I think it's time somebody needs to step up and run against this guy that will do the job and do it the right way and represent us and worry about what's going on."

A potential battle between the two Texans would highlight the deep divide in the biggest state Republican Party in the country. And the animosity between the pair is well-documented: When Paxton battled through Republican primary challengers during his 2022 reelection campaign, Cornyn  a former Texas attorney general himself  called his legal battles an "embarrassment" and further reiterated those comments during Paxton's impeachment trial this month. Paxton, in turn, has called the senator a relic of former President George W. Bush, who helped turn the state's Republican Party into a machine.

Both have large political profiles in Texas. Paxton, who has the fierce backing of Donald Trump and many of the former president's conservative allies, has prominently attacked many of the Biden administration's policies in court, ranging from immigration to federal spending. Cornyn, who has held a number of leadership positions in the upper chamber, is often cited as a potential successor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

This year, Paxton faced the biggest threat to his political career so far after the Texas House overwhelmingly voted to remove him from office in May over allegations that he misused his office and accepted bribes. But the Texas Senate acquitted him this month, allowing him to return to his perch as the state's top legal official. He still faces a felony fraud case and a federal investigation.
An elected official in Western Kentucky misused money totaling more than $10,000, a grand jury has charged.

A grand jury indicted Wayne H. Carr Jr., the property valuation administrator in Graves County, on one charge of abuse of public trust involving more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, according to Kentucky State Police and court records.

The investigation began after the office of Auditor Mike Harmon contacted state police in June to report auditors had found several questionable and improper disbursements by Carrs office, the release said.

Police found that Carr, identified as Howell Carr in the release, had authorized people who were not employees to receive benefits from the PVA office, including cell phones and credit cards for fuel.

The most recent audit report available online for Carrs office covers the period from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, but it was posted in May.

The findings included that several out-of-state gas purchases were not for official use; that three Sams Club memberships totaling $140 were paid using PVA office money; 10 disbursements totaling $995 had no documentation to support the spending; 10 payments didnt agree with bank records; and Carr would not provide the detailed billing pages for three cell phone charges totaling $658.

Harmons office said the findings would be referred to state police and other authorities.

State police said their investigation also found evidence that Karla Renkoski, a Mayfield woman who is not a PVA employee, was complicit in the misuse of money from the office.

Renkoski is charged with complicity to abuse of public funds money totaling less than $10,000, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

The charge against Carr is a felony that carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison if hes convicted.

The grand jury indicted Carr and Renkoski this week.

PVAs in Kentucky assess property values for tax purposes.
The president of Kenya said Thursday his East African nation is ready to lead a multinational security support mission into Haiti, and called on the United Nations to urgently deliver the appropriate framework to make it happen.

Kenya is ready to pay its part in full and join with a coalition of other nations of good will, and there are many, as a good friend and true sibling of Haiti, President William Ruto said during general debate at the U.N. in New York. We urge the United Nations to urgently deliver an appropriate framework to facilitate the deployment of a multinational security support as part of a holistic response to Haitis challenge.

We call on the Security Council to contribute positively by approving a resolution on a Chapter Seven that tailors the security support mission to the specific needs of Haiti and its people, he added.

Until now, Ruto had said that his administration was positively considering helping Haiti, which has seen an escalation in violence and kidnappings by armed gangs since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise

With the Haiti police force ill-equipped and outgunned, armed groups have been driving resident out of neighborhoods in the capital of Port-au-Prince and the neighboring Artibonite Valley. Earlier this week, some gang members boldly took to the streets of the capital, demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and calling on Haitians to join them.

Despite the deteriorating landscape, the international community appears to be no hurry to approve the deployment of an international force into the country. Ahead of the key annual U.N. meeting week, China asked for a pause in discussions over a draft resolution, written by the United States and Ecuador, to allow a Kenya-led force.

Kenya, which sent an assessment team to Port-au-Prince, said last month its involvement would depend on getting a Security Council resolution authorizing the mission of a non-United Nations force. The team also told the Haitian government during the visit that it would need a minimum of 2,000 officers to be part of the mission. Kenya had said it would provide 1,000 of its police officers to staff the mission.

On Thursday, following meetings with Henry, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Ruto made his commitment clear. Kenya, he said, had heard the cry of its brothers and sisters, who were the first people to win their freedom by breaking the bondage of slavery from their colonial master, France.

Doing nothing in the face of the isolation and economic distress and betrayal of the people of Haiti is out of question, he said. Inaction is no longer an option.

The same way in which the world has mobilized on behalf of Ukraine and countries facing the shocks of climate change, they must do so on behalf of Haiti, Ruto said, in order to help the country restore peace and security.

The resolution authorizing a Kenya-led support mission into Haiti, Ruto said, should be part of a comprehensive strategy that delivers humanitarian aid supporting livelihoods, instituting reforms and fostering a political process guided and owned by Haitians, all in the name of enabling free and fair elections to convene in a reasonable time frame.

Ruto hinted that he may have achieved at least one goal in his request. Many countries, he said, without offering specifics, have stepped forward to take part and he is encouraged by this.

In his exchange with Blinken before their meeting, Ruto said that on Haiti, We are here to have a conversation on the how, the nitty-gritty so that we can be able to make a useful contribution and consolidate all the efforts to make sure that we get success.

On Wednesday, Haitis foreign affairs ministry announced that the Caribbean nation had established diplomatic ties with Kenya, an important step for the mission to become a reality.
King Charles III became the first British monarch to make a speech from Frances senate chamber on Thursday, praising the indispensable relationship between the UK and its neighbor which he said was as firm as it has ever been.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are on a three-day state trip to France, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, concluding Friday. The tour was originally planned for March but was postponed amid widespread demonstrations over President Emmanuel Macron s pension overhaul.

The 74-year-old sovereign was given an enthusiastic welcome to the chamber  receiving a standing ovation from parliamentarians as he entered. When his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited in 2004, she made her speech from the adjoining Salle des Conferences.

Charles vowed that for the time that is granted to me as King he would seek to strengthen UK-French ties, adding that together, our potential is limitless.

The King  whose speech came 231 years to the day since France abolished its own monarchy and established a republic  spoke of being flattered to have been invited to speak by the two presidents of the two houses that make up Frances parliament.

During his address, he saved some of his strongest words to rebuke Russias invasion of Ukraine, while also urging further action to tackle the climate crisis.

Now, more than 80 years since we fought, side by side, for the liberation of Europe, we once again face unprovoked aggression on our continent, Charles told lawmakers at the Palais du Luxembourg, where the French Senate is located.

Our alliance and our resolve are as important as ever. Together, we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Together, we are steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph, and that our cherished freedoms will prevail.

He continued: These horrifying events have once more demonstrated the fragility of so much that we hold dear. Just as we stand together against military aggression, so must we strive together to protect the world from our most existential challenge of all  that of global warming, climate change and the catastrophic destruction of nature.

Charles deftly flipped between French and English throughout his address, his joke warning against low blows but wishing may the best man win as France hosts the mens Rugby World Cup eliciting laughter from around the room.

The monarch told French senators and members of the National Assembly that "the United Kingdom will always be one of France's closest allies and best friends." - Emmanuel Dunand/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier hed been greeted at the Palais du Luxembourg by the Senate and National Assembly presidents before meeting representatives from both houses of French parliament and signing a visitors book in the Salle des Conferences.

On the other side of the River Seine, Queen Camilla was at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, the national library, where she and the French presidents wife, Brigitte Macron , were launching a new Franco-British literary prize.

Camilla apologized for her slightly rusty French but said it was a huge pleasure to jointly launch the Prix de lEntente Litteraire.

She added that she and the French first lady shared a deep love of literature and a passion to promote literacy. She said both had seen firsthand how books can change lives and bring us joy, comfort, companionship, laughter and tears, opening our eyes to others experiences and reminding us that we are not alone.

Charles and Camilla then reunited in Saint-Denis, in Paris northern suburbs, where they rubbed shoulders with top athletes and met community sports groups at an event highlighting the advantages of sport for young people.

Queen Camilla plays table tennis during a visit to France's national stadium and venue for next year's Olympic Games. - Hannah McKay/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Camilla delivers a speech next to French President's wife Brigitte Macron at the national library in Paris. - Bertrand Guay/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Their next stop was a flower market in central Paris named after Queen Elizabeth II, before heading to Notre Dame cathedral, where restoration work following a devastating fire in 2019 is due for completion next year. They rounded out the day with a reception on sustainability at the Natural History Museum.

Wednesday, the first day of the trip, was all about symbolism and pomp, featuring a highly formal ceremonial welcome at Pariss Arc de Triomphe, a procession down the famed Champs-Elysee and talks at the presidential palace.

Later, Macron posted a video of the two leaders walking between the Elysee palace and the nearby UK ambassadors residence on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the short clip, the two greeted crowds of well-wishers lining the streets amid shouts of vive le Roi  or long live the King.

That evening, Charles and Camilla were guests of honor at an extravagant state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of the capital.

Actors Hugh Grant, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Emma Mackey, as well as Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and former French football manager Arsene Wenger, were among the famous faces to add their star power to the glamorous black-tie soiree.

Up to 180 guests dined in the gilded Hall of Mirrors at the former royal residence, built by French King Louis XIV, enjoying a menu featuring blue lobster and crab cakes and Bresse chicken marinated in champagne with a cep mushroom gratin.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III are welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron to a state dinner in Versailles on September 20, 2023. - Christian Liewig/Corbis/Getty Images

Britain's King Charles with the French first lady Brigitte Macron at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris, on Wednesday. - Daniel Leal/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

The rescheduled royal trip  which is taking place at the request of the British government and by invitation from the French  is being seen as a soft-power continuation of the UKs efforts to reboot the Anglo-French relationship.

It follows UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks own trip to Paris earlier this year for a bilateral summit designed to mend relations which have been strained since Brexit.

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BANGKOK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC lost 4-1 to Thailand's Buriram United in the opening group match of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

A pinpoint cross from the left unlocked the Chinese club's defense after 17 minutes, and it was met by a diving Lonsana Doumbouya header into the bottom corner to open Buriram United's scoring account.

It took five minutes for the Thai side to double their lead from the penalty spot before Buriram United converted a corner to establish a 3-0 lead in the first half.

Zhejiang responded in added time of the first half when Leonardo was fouled inside the box, and the Brazilian made no mistake from the spot.

However, Buriram United scored the fourth goal with a well-taken strike in the second half.

Zhejiang FC will host Melbourne City in their next game while Buriram United travels to Japan to face Ventforet Kofu in Tokyo. 
A JSO officer stands watch on the front of the building as FBI and IRS agents conduct a search of the Duval Teachers United building at 1601 Atlantic Blvd. near Landon Middle School in Jacksonville on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Federal and local law enforcement officers were seen at the Duval Teachers United building at 1601 Atlantic Blvd. on Wednesday. It's unclear what is being looked into, but prominent defense attorney Hank Coxe was spotted at the scene.

The teachers union, which represents some 13,000 Duval County Public Schools employees, dates back to 1974. Its current president, Terrie Brady, has held the position for nearly 25 years, according to the organizations website.

Heres what we know about the union and its executives.

What is Duval Teachers United?

Duval Teachers United is the union representing the paraprofessionals, office personnel, security guards and teachers employed by the Duval County School Board, according to its website. Members work to improve education in the school district with collective bargaining and by lobbying lawmakers. The union website states improving our members salary, rights and working conditions will improve the students learning conditions. The teachers union is affiliated with Florida Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and Florida AFL-CIO.

When was Duval Teachers United formed?

The organization began in 1974 when members of the Duval Teachers Association, the local National Education Association affiliate, and the Jacksonville Federation of Teachers, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, formed a new group, according to the unions website.

How many people are in Duval Teachers United?

The local union represents some 13,000 employees, according to the Florida Education Association.

Who is in charge of Duval Teachers United?

The unions president is Terrie Brady. Executive vice president is Ruby George, first vice president is Rhonda Howell, treasurer is Gary Avery, para first vice president is Cynthia Benjamin and United Office Personnel Of Duval (UOPD) first vice president is LaShonda Phelps.

Who is Terrie Brady?

Terrie Brady has served as president of Duval Teachers United since 1999, but her ties to Duval County Public Schools began as a teacher in 1979. Brady was honored with a lifetime achievement award in 2022 for her commitment to Florida students and public schools, according to a Florida Education Association news release. The same release credits Brady for her work with former Superintendent Nikolai Vitti to allow principals the authority to select their own teachers and her work on a new teachers' contract "that made Duval County the first district in Florida to comply with state requirements for pay and retention and the highest paying school district in Northeast Florida for new teachers."

Brady also serves on the FEA Governance Board, the FEA Advocacy Committee and the American Federation of Teaachers' Teachers Program and Policy Council, the release said.

Where are the Duval Teachers United offices?

The offices are located at 1601 Atlantic Blvd. in San Marco.

Who was in charge of Duval Teachers United before Terrie Brady?

Past presidents are as follows:

1999-present: Terrie Brady

1998-99: Lynne Lucas

1995-98: Andy Ford

1993-95: Nancy Miller

1991-93: Laurie Murray

1978-91: Luann Bennett

1977-78: Hybird Hendry

1976-77: Jim Geiger

1975-76: Vince Exley

1974-75: Vince Exley (Provisional President)

1974: Catherine Luther (Provisional President)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Duval Teachers United: What you should know about the teachers' union
The United Auto Workers members have gone on strike. A strike is simply when workers stop working in the hopes of better working conditions, pay and benefits. John Kennan defines an economic strike as A suspension of production while workers and their employer argue about how to divide the surplus from their relationship.

In for-profit organizations, the value of an employees labor is greater than what they are paid, hence the profit generated. So the strike is an attempt to extract additional compensation from that surplus that they believe accrues to the employer. Essentially, the UAW workers, based on economic strike theory, believe that if the CEO receives a 40% raise, there is sufficient surplus to also to give them a similar increase.

Strikes have been part of labor history for centuries, with strikes becoming part of the political landscape with the industrial revolution. Generally, because most workers are not unionized strikes are rare and do not last very long. Whatever be the case, strikes are not good for the economy. Lets take a look at this particular UAW strike.

As powerful as the UAW is, it is not as big as it used to be and currently faces significant competition from foreign car makers, many of whom are located in states where there no unionized workers. According to CNN.com, foreign automakers operate 19 plants in the U.S. More than half of the cars sold in the U.S are made by foreign automakers. I remember my days of living in Alabama, when the Mercedes plant opened in Tuscaloosa and the Honda plant in Lincoln, Alabama. Those were exciting economic times! As these areas lost the textile industry, it was replaced by higher-paying, non-unionized auto jobs. I was at the Detroit auto show last week, and many of the cars I saw were foreign brands. Economic theory says that one of the factors affecting demand is the availability of substitutes, and if prices go up for these particular vehicles, people will turn to more affordable substitutes such as foreign cars. These American companies are competing against other made-in-America cars, whose prices can be kept lower because of lower wages in a non-unionized environment.

A few other points: American auto makers are already making more cars than they can sell  the demand is not that high. General Motors, for example, is operating plants at 80% capacity. These car companies also have some months of excess inventory, so they still have cars to sell.

According to NPRs Sean Horsley, Economists say even if all 150,000 workers were to go on strike, say, through the end of October, that would probably shave about two-tenths of 1% off the country's GDP in the final months of the year. That is noticeable, but it's not earthshaking.

Several other economists have weighed in, suggesting that the strikes impact would not be significant, causing GDP to decline by 0.2% to 0.3% due to a 30% decrease in motor vehicle production and lower expenditures in the economy by the strikers who will earn strike pay of only $500 a week.

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence "The economic impact of a strike will depend on which manufacturers are struck, for what length of time and how their competitors and suppliers react. Any agreement will raise costs, but a rise in productivity over the past 20 years provides a buffer against the need to increase vehicle prices. Labor costs are also just 5% of manufacturing expenses, so a 46% settlement would only increase costs by 2% over four years. That may be enough, though, to provide a price disadvantage for U.S.-made (foreign) vehicles."

The last auto workers strike was in 2019, when 50,000 GM workers walked off the job for six weeks. General Motors lost $3.6 billion. The Anderson Economic Group, an economic research and market analysis group, has estimated that a 10-day strike by all of the 150,000 union members would total $5 billion in economic losses. Michigan faces the greatest economic impact, as all of these companies are headquartered here.

I expect and hope that this strike will end soon. A prolonged strike would not bode well for our economy, even if the initial impact is small.

Kojo Quartey, Ph.D., is president of Monroe County Community College and an economist. He may be reached at kquartey@monroeccc.edu.

Read Charles Milliken's columns on Sundays starting Sept. 24.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Kojo Quartey: UAW strike and its potential impact on the economy
The president of a Fleming County Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with 45 counts of second-degree forgery and one count of abuse of public trust, a Kentucky State Police citation said.

The charges come after Fleming County School board officials contacted state police Monday and said there was a misappropriations of PTO funds, according to the citation. Erica Martin Earlywine was arrested the next day.

Earlywine was the only person in the organization issued a debit card through Peoples Bank of Kentucky in Flemingsburg and there were numerous cash withdrawals and personal use debit card transactions made by her over the course of her presidency, the citation said.

There were also 45 checks that had the name of another PTO member forged on them by Earlywine, the citation alleged.

The abuse of public trust charge involved more than $10,000 and less than $100,000, according to court records.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Ferrell, public affairs officer of the Morehead post, said Wednesday night he didnt have additional information.

Fleming County Superintendent Brian Creasman did not immediately comment.

Earlywines first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday in Fleming District Court, according to online court records.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
At the dawn of the 1980s, the Italian restaurant scene in Los Angeles was awash in red-checkered tablecloth spots heavy on red sauce  and light on places that elevated the cuisine above Americanized comfort food.

Then a new restaurant chain began to expand across Southern California. It never gained national fame. Nor did it garner culinary acclaim.

But beginning in the mid-'90s, it became a farm system for young Italian chefs who would go on to impressive, decades-long careers in L.A.

Gino Angelini of Angelini Osteria cooked there. So did Nicola Mastronardi of the recently closed Vincenti Ristorante. Lucio Bedon of the newly opened Vicini Ristorante & Wine Bar had a stint there too. Overseeing things was restaurateur Bill Chait, who later opened a string of renowned L.A. restaurants like Bestia and Republique.

Celebrities including Mel Gibson, Michael Keaton and Arnold Schwarzenegger were fans of the chain. Guy Fieri even worked there as a district manager.

The restaurant chain was Louise's Trattoria. At its peak, there were 19 locations of the eatery, from Santa Monica to Philadelphia.

"It was a glorious moment," said Chait, who co-founded the chain in 1985.

Today, only one Louise's remains. It's located in Larchmont Village  a relic amid the teeming bakeries, trendy coffee shops and busy fast-casual eateries that line the neighborhood's namesake street near Hancock Park.

Guy Fieri, the Food Network personality. Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times Chef Gino Angelini, left, of Angelini Osteria on Beverly Boulevard. Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times Bill Chait, the restaurateur behind several notable L.A. spots. Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Louise's was ravaged by many of the same forces that hurt other chains birthed in Southern California, including Marie Callender's and Hamburger Hamlet. Among the challenges: the proliferation of fast-casual restaurants, which overtook Louise's in popularity. An ill-fated East Coast expansion tipped the chain into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1997. Middling to bad reviews followed.

In 2000, a Times write-up of the Louise's in Huntington Beach groused that the brunch buffet "suffered from neglect," with "jerky-tough" carne asada, "too gooey" potatoes and "cold and bland" scrambled eggs. Upon the 2011 closure of the Louise's in Studio City, the food blog Grub Street snarked: "Every time a mediocre chain restaurant closes, an angel gets [its] wings."

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought a spike in the cost of labor and food  and helped stoke the rise of third-party food-delivery services, which can extend a restaurant's reach but take a sizable cut of each sale.

The Louise's on Larchmont Boulevard is a lonely survivor in a fertile Italian dining landscape that includes Michelin-starred stunners such as Osteria Mozza, glitzy hot spots like Mother Wolf and rustic neighborhood gems including Alimento.

Louise's Trattoria co-owner Rob Serritella, second from left, displays a pizza for a patron of his Larchmont Village restaurant. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Rob Serritella, who owns Louise's with his wife, Karen, said he's never considered closing the mid-priced, family-friendly restaurant, which traces its roots to a Santa Monica pizzeria that opened in 1978. He said it has a legacy that is worth preserving.

"I still loved the Louise's brand and hated to see it die," said Serritella. "I still thought there was something there."

Surprising pedigree

L.A. entered the '80s with a glut of staid Italian-American restaurants.

There was at least one notable outlier: Piero Selvaggio's Valentino opened in 1972 and has been credited with introducing Angelenos to white truffles, balsamic vinegar and other Italian ingredients. But, for the most part, this was a spaghetti-and-meatballs town.

Valentino owner Piero Selvaggio, left, and chef Nicola Chessa in the restaurant's wine cellar in 2010. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

"People just thought about red-checkered tablecloth restaurants when they thought about Italian," said Evan Kleiman, host of "Good Food" on KCRW. "They didn't think about real, contemporary Italian food."

Rex Il Ristorante, which Mauro Vincenti opened in 1981, elevated Italian cooking in Los Angeles. The downtown L.A. restaurant offered "sublimely elegant contemporary Italian cuisine" turned out by a kitchen operating with an "abiding respect for quality ingredients," former Times critic S. Irene Virbila wrote in a rave review.

Following Rex, other new Italian restaurants began filtering the cuisine through a California prism, spotlighting bountiful local ingredients. Among the notable spots: Kleiman's Angeli Caffe, which debuted on Melrose Avenue in 1984 and closed in 2012.

Ruth Reichl, the author and former Times restaurant critic, said Angeli was "affordable and modest  and it wasn't red sauce."

"The real game changers were Piero, Mauro and Evan, each of whom did something completely different but really important for what happened to Italian food in L.A.," said Reichl. "The 1980s were a halcyon time; L.A. was the most interesting place to eat in the country."

In 1985, Chait, then in his mid-20s, set his sights on a small Santa Monica pizza place called Louise's, buying it with two partners from owners Louise and Jackie Berardis.

The entrance to Rex Il Ristorante, which was located in downtown L.A.'s Oviatt Building, is seen in 1994. (Rick Meyer / Los Angeles Times)

Amid Louise's expansion, Chait tapped Vincenti in 1994 to serve as a consultant, with a focus on bolstering the quality of the food. They decided that most of the restaurants in the chain should have an Italian in the kitchen. So Vincenti plucked up-and-coming chefs from Italy, transforming Louise's into an incubator of culinary talent and lending it some surprising blue-chip pedigree.

One of Vincenti's hires, Angelini, said that he was impressed by the "very high quality" of ingredients used by Louise's, including dry pasta from Latini, a top producer, and 24-month aged prosciutto di Parma.

"I was surprised, to tell you the truth," said Angelini who briefly worked at Louise's in 1995  his first job in the U.S.  before moving to Rex, which Vincenti helmed until his death in 1996.

Angelini, whose eponymous osteria was recently named to The Times' 101 Best Restaurants Hall of Fame, said that his time at Louise's "opened my mind to understand everything" about how a restaurant should be run. The chef, who also helped recruit Italian cooks for the chain, noticed, for example, how ownership deftly managed the cost of ingredients it purchased.

Louise's also launched Mastronardi's career in the U.S. He joined the restaurant group in 1994 and cooked there for three years. He marveled that Louise's, which then had more than a dozen locations, was making many items from scratch.

"The mentality was fresh," he said. "Fresh pizza dough. Fresh pasta. Everything was made fresh."

A 1995 Times review of the Louise's in Pasadena praised the revamp orchestrated by Chait and Vincenti.

"Louises former aglio e olio was a greasy mess with mushrooms, cheese, limp noodles," it said. "The authentic new version is a study in bare-bones simplicity that flaunts the quality of its four ingredients: olive oil, garlic, red chiles, spaghetti."

Despite all this, the chain's ties to a number of notable Italian chefs have largely been unknown, with Reichl and Kleiman both saying they were unaware of the history.

It may be that this part of the Louise's story has been obscured by what came next: a long slide into mediocrity following the bankruptcy 26 years ago.

A 'fatal blow'

How does a restaurant chain go from 19 locations to just one? Not without major mistakes. For Louise's, the biggest  the one Chait called a "fatal blow"  was trying to expand to the East Coast.

In the mid-1990s, Louise's took on a business partner and an investment from a private equity firm to open in cities including Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

"When you're a young entrepreneur you think you walk on water," Chait said. "The problem with Louise's on the East Coast was that the dynamics there were very different. To become a national chain is much harder than it looked."

The expansion, he said, left Louise's with about $12 million in unsecured debt.

"It's the story I hear a lot about companies of that size," said longtime restaurant industry executive Frank Guidara. "They have one that is successful, so they stretch their limbs and open a second ... and they take it from there. But when you stretch, you have to have unbelievable management."

Server Battur Erdenebat carries drinks for customers at Louise's Trattoria on Larchmont Boulevard. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Following the Chapter 11 reorganization, Chait stepped back from the business, which was acquired out of bankruptcy by his brother, Jon Chait, for $7 million. It marked the beginning of a long, slow retreat. Louise's began closing restaurants; by 2000, it was down to 13 locations.

A year later, Serritella joined the chain as chief operating officer, eventually becoming CEO. Before long, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 triggered an economic slowdown that pushed him to embark on another round of consolidation.

In the 2010s, the company closed additional Louise's locations and converted others into new concepts, including Mess Hall in Los Feliz in 2012, and Holy Cow BBQ in Santa Monica in 2014, Serritella said. He left Louise's around 2015; within three years the chain had withered to just two locations  on Larchmont and West Pico Boulevard.

Alex Susskind, senior director of academic programs at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, said that the biggest challenge for restaurants such as Louise's has been the rise of fast-casual chains, which have changed diners' behavior.

"You can be in and out of a Chipotle in 25 minutes," he said. "Consumers got used to that. Sitting ... for an hour and 10 minutes just seems to be less and less desirable."

Serritella wasn't ready to give up on Louise's and in 2018, when the then-owners of the downsized chain asked him to rejoin the business, he bought the two remaining Louise's restaurants and two locations of Holy Cow. After managing the business through the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, he turned his attention to the Larchmont restaurant, which opened in 1988.

"We literally have three generations of customers," Serritella said. "It is almost indestructible."

Sue A. Welsh, who lives near Larchmont Village, said she has been going to the Louise's there since the early 1990s, and relished taking her grandchildren to the restaurant when they were young.

"That was a big treat to take them after school to Louise's  I think of it as a special memory," said Welsh, 84. "It's become like a family-centered place filled with memories. You feel like you're in an Italian embrace."

Rob and Karen Serritella, co-owners of Louise's Trattoria, stand at the front door of the Larchmont Boulevard restaurant. (Genaro Molina /Los Angeles Times)

Serritella declined to disclose the Larchmont restaurant's revenue but said that sales have increased in 2023. "Business is as good as it ever has been," he said, partly attributing the success to the eatery's catering operation.

"The fact that this brand has survived what it survived is itself extraordinary," he added.

In May, Louise's debuted a new menu. While nodding to the chain's Italian heritage, Serritella added items that he believes have wide appeal. Among the new dishes are fish tacos served with cilantro risotto  and what he termed an "Italian-ish" hamburger.

Reinvention on Pico

Even though there is only one Louise's left, the chain's legacy lives on at a new eatery: Vicini Ristorante & Wine Bar. The West L.A. restaurant embodies the unsung role Louise's had in deepening and diversifying L.A.'s Italian food scene.

Chef and co-owner Lucio Bedon worked for the chain in the mid-1990s, starting off at the Louise's on Pico. While there, he lived in an apartment behind the restaurant with five other chefs. There were hurdles.

"I didn't speak any English. Or Spanish," he said.

Bedon has had stints at several restaurants over the years, including Chait's Spark Woodfire Grill. But his dream was to open a place of his own where he could cook the cuisine of his native Veneto region. And in a twist, when Bedon was finally able to do it, the opportunity aligned at the site of the Pico branch of Louise's, which closed earlier this year.

Serritella said that once he and his wife determined that the restaurant would not be part of their long-term plans, they were pleased to sell to Bedon. After that Louise's shuttered in May, Bedon and his wife, Jennifer, remodeled the space and opened Vicini in August.

On a recent Friday night, Bedon strode through the dining room, shaking hands with some diners and pouring dessert wine for others before sliding onto a long banquette that offered an expansive view of his restaurant.

Bedon acknowledged the poetry of the moment: He'd fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening Vicini  an accomplishment that was occurring in the same location where his American culinary career began nearly 30 years earlier.

If he closed his eyes, Bedon could still see the restaurant that once was.

"You know," he said, "I came back home."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Authorities are looking to the public for help in finding a man who has been missing for a month.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Robert Gutierrez, 53, was last seen near the 800 block of East 89th Street in the Green Meadows neighborhood of L.A. around 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Gutierrez is described as a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is listed as being 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and camouflage shorts.

Angus Clouds cause of death revealed

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robert Gutierrez is urged to contact Officer Hendrickson with the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800.

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527-3247.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit a tip by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SAN DIEGO  Time is running out for San Diego County taxpayers as the window to claim money thats owed to them closes Thursday night.

Regional Treasurer-Tax Collector, Dan McAllister says $543,171 worth of unclaimed cash will be rolled into the County General Fund if its not snagged by the Sept. 21 deadline.

The holidays will be here before we know it; Im sure people can use extra money, McAllister said. If you have done business with the county in the last three years, including paying property taxes, you could be on the Unclaimed Monies list.

Find out if San Diego County owes you money

Finding out if youre owed money by the county is as simple as reviewing a list of unclaimed refunds on the Treasurer-Tax Collectors webpage. Scroll the list, which is in alphabetical order, to see if your name is on the register.

We want all of this money returned to San Diegans, so please tell your friends and family to go to sdttc.com to check the unclaimed money list, said McAllister. The smallest refund amount available is $15.13, and the largest refund amount is $41,491.24. 

If you are owed money, fill out a County Wide Unclaimed Monies Form and submit it to the Treasurer-Tax Collectors office ahead of the deadline.

You can email your claim to refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 1-877-829-4732 for more information.

Cost to live in San Diego climbs as gas prices and soon, water rates, spike

You can also mail your claim form and documents to the County of San Diego Auditor and Controller at 5530 Overland Ave., Rm. 410 San Diego, CA 92123. Keep in mind, this must be postmarked no later than Sept. 21.

More information on unclaimed refunds can be found here.

Each year the Treasurer-Tax Collector and other county departments have thousands of dollars that are owed to taxpayers. This usually results from warrants/checks that are undeliverable by the postal service, overpaid taxes, or instances in which individual and organizations are doing business with or receiving county services.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Rupert Murdoch , the Australian-born conservative news titan, announced his retirement from News Corp., the parent company of Fox, Fox News and countless other media properties across the Anglosphere, on Thursday. He named his son Lachlan Murdoch , currently the executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation, to take his place as chairman of the umbrella company.

Murdochs departure, at the age of 92, comes as his most prized media property  Fox News  faces an uncertain future due to the legal fallout from its promotion of former President Donald Trump s lies about the 2020 election. Part of the uncertain future facing Fox News, and News Corp. more broadly, could come down to one issue: character.

In April, Fox News reached a $787 million settlement with the vote machine manufacturer Dominion Voting Systems after the companys news personalities flogged falsehoods on-air that the companys machines were somehow corrupted. The settlement prevented Murdoch from having to take the stand in a trial. The cable news broadcaster faces another defamation lawsuit from Smartmatic, also a voting machine company, for promoting similar falsehoods. Smartmatic is seeking $2.7 billion in damages.

In addition to these levied and looming financial losses, Fox News promotion of Trumps lies could also cost the Murdochs the broadcasting licenses issued by the Federal Communication Commission for its local broadcast network affiliates.

In July, a media watchdog nonprofit called the Media and Democracy Project filed a petition with the FCC calling for an evidentiary hearing on whether the agency should deny the broadcast license recertification for WTXF-TV, a Philadelphia Fox franchise, for its rebroadcast of Fox News promotion of Trumps lies, arguing News Corp. fails the character test the FCC applies to owners of broadcast television affiliates.

FOXs intentional news distortion, sanctioned at the highest levels of its corporate structure, and fabricated by management and news hosts amounts to misconduct that violates the FCCs policy on the character required of broadcast licensees, and was so egregious as to shock the conscience, the petition states.

Rupert Murdoch (right) handed off control of NewsCorp. to his son Lachlan Murdoch (left) after retiring on Thursday.

Rupert Murdoch (right) handed off control of NewsCorp. to his son Lachlan Murdoch (left) after retiring on Thursday.

The push to reject the broadcast stations license has been joined by former Fox Senior Vice President Preston Padden, whose emails with Rupert Murdoch made it into the Dominion record, conservative-turned-Never Trumper Bill Kristol, former FCC commissioner Ervin Duggan and former FCC chairman Alfred Sikes.

While a denial may be unlikely, the fallout from the Murdochs catastrophic decision to follow Trump down the rabbit hole of conspiracy may not just cost them billions of dollars. It could require them to sell their affiliate stations if their actions prevent the renewal of their licenses.

The FCC licenses television networks to broadcast over the public airwaves under the legal authorization of the Communications Act. These licenses come up for renewal every eight years and may be challenged if the station does not broadcast in the public interest, convenience, and necessity. One way to violate the public interest provision is through news distortion. (This does not apply to cable television stations as they do not use public airwaves to broadcast.)

While the FCC routinely stays out of policing questions of bias in media due to First Amendment considerations, it does state that broadcast licensees may not intentionally distort the news.

The Commission will investigate a station for news distortion if it receives documented evidence of rigging or slanting, such as testimony or other documentation, from individuals with direct personal knowledge that a licensee or its management engaged in the intentional falsification of the news, the FCC says on its website.

Denial of a television stations license over the content it broadcast would be unusual for the FCC. The most common reasons why stations are denied licenses is when station owners are convicted of crimes or if owners let their license lapse.

The petition to deny the Philadelphia Fox affiliates license focuses on its broadcast of Fox News Sunday, which promoted Trumps election lies, constituted impermissible news distortion. To prove that the distortion was intentional, the petition relies on the court record in the Dominion case.

The record amassed in the Dominion case showed that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch were heavily involved in the editorial decision at Fox News to embrace Trumps lies despite knowing they were false.

Seems Trump listening to terrible advice from Giuliani versus Trump family wanting to wave white flag! Not sure of this but sounds likely. Melania very level headed. Ivanka too but would never go public, Rupert Murdoch wrote in a Nov. 6, 2020, email.

In the immediate aftermath of the election, Trump attacked Fox News for not promoting his election fraud lies. The channel began to bleed viewers to other conservative outlets like Newsmax, which frequently attacked Fox for failing to support the presidents lies. This hit News Corp.s stock price.

A truck drives by with a display reading

A truck drives by with a display reading "Fox News LIED" on the first day of the Dominion v. Fox trial in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 18, 2023.

Apparently [Trump] told friends that Lachlan and I have betrayed him. Stock down 5 or 6% today. Real bargain! Rupert Murdoch said in a Nov. 12, 2020, email.

The stock price drop and fears of losing ground to conservative alternatives led Fox News executives to direct on-air talent to parrot the presidents line in order to appease their viewers. Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott emailed Rupert Murdoch on Nov. 9, 2020, to press upon him the urgency of keep[ing] the audience who loves and trusts uswe need to make sure they know we arent abandoning them and still champions for them.

On Nov. 13, 2020, Fox News research team produced an internal fact-check of Trumps allegations that found no evidence of widespread fraud and claims that Dominions machines flipped votes to be 100% false and mathematically impossible, among many other things. Internal communications from Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, top Fox News executives, and on-air talent like Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham, all privately cast doubt on the conspiracy theories. And yet Fox News continued to promote them all the way up to the Jan. 6. 2020, insurrection.

Following the insurrection, Fox News immediately began promoting the conspiracy that the insurrection was committed by Antifa or Black Lives Matter. (It wasnt.)

The extent of willful news distortion on the part of FOX executives and hosts most certainly bears heavily on ultimate Commission action on the application and the licensee, the petition to FCC states.

The Philadelphia Fox affiliate opposes the denial of its license renewal, arguing that none of the claims are made against its own reporting, the FCC does not consider allegations of defamation as bearing on license renewal and the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech.

Related...
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export rose for the first 20 days of this month due to more working days, customs office data showed Thursday.

Outbound shipment gained 9.8 percent from a year earlier to 35.96 billion U.S. dollars in the Sept. 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.

The increase was attributed to more business days.

The export kept sliding for the 11th consecutive month through August on weaker global demand for locally-made products, especially semiconductors.

Import fell 1.5 percent to 36.45 billion dollars in the 20-day period, sending the trade deficit to 490 million dollars.

Semiconductor export plunged 14.1 percent in the cited period, keeping a downward trend since August last year.

Outbound shipment for oil products and computers declined in double figures, but export for cars, steels and auto parts advanced in double digits.

Import for natural gas and coal recorded a double-digit slide in the 20-day period, but those for oil products, cars, machinery and semiconductor equipment increased in double figures. 
A woman filed a negligence lawsuit against Google Tuesday, alleging that her husband died after driving his car off a collapsed bridge last year while following directions using Google Maps.

Philip Paxson, father of two, drowned near Hickory, North Carolina, on the night of Sept. 30, 2022, according to the lawsuit filed in Wake County Superior Court.

The suit alleges that Paxson was following directions using Google Maps while driving through an unfamiliar neighborhood on the way home from his daughter's ninth birthday party. The suit claims Google Maps directed Paxson to cross Snow Creek Bridge, which had collapsed in 2013.

What happened on the day Paxson died?

Paxson and his wife, Alicia Paxson, had originally planned for a birthday camping trip for their daughter, but came up with alternative plans because of a storm.

Instead, they threw a camping-themed party at a friend's home in a neighborhood of Hickory  which is located about 50 miles north of Charlotte  known as the Hickory Woods development.

Paxson had never been to the home before that day and was "generally unfamiliar with the Hickory Woods development," according to the suit. He and his wife drove to the home separately. His wife went early to help set up, and Paxson stayed late to help clean up.

Following the party, the suit reads, Paxson was following Google Maps directions to make the approximately 10-minute drive home and did not know about the collapsed bridge that he drove over.

"The bridge had no artificial lighting, and the area was pitch black at 11:00 p.m.," the suit says. "While following the dangerous directions the Google Map Defendants provided, Mr. Paxson's vehicle drove off the unguarded edge of the bridge and crashed approximately twenty feet below."

Paxson's Jeep Gladiator was found partially submerged in a creek, CBS affiliate WBTV reported last year. Paxson drowned inside.

"Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions, and the bridge, could have acted with so little regard for human life," Alicia Paxson said in a statement. "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."

What does the lawsuit suit allege?

According to the suit, Google Maps had been notified about the Snow Creek Bridge collapse in the years leading up to Paxson's death. The suit includes images of messages from Hickory resident Kim Ellis, who suggested edits to Google Maps twice regarding the collapsed bridge.

"We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family," Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement. "Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit."

Paxson's lawsuit also names Tarde, LLC, James Tarlton, and Hinckley Gauvain, LLC. The suit claims they were responsible for the road and bridge.

The road is private road, WBTV reported. In North Carolina, according to the station, the state maintains state-owned roads, but counties do not maintain public or private roads.

"For nine years, the community of Hickory was needlessly and senselessly placed at risk, when a road-bridge collapsed in 2013, and when one of the largest companies in the world refused to correct its mapping algorithms despite repeated pleas," Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky attorney Robert Zimmerman said. "For years before this tragedy, Hickory residents asked for the road to be fixed or properly barricaded before someone was hurt or killed. Their demands went unanswered."

The Paxson family is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages following her husband's death. She's asked for a jury trial in the case.

Home sales down 15% from last year, data shows

WGA, studios hold second straight day of contract talks, sparking optimism

Wildfire smoke has undone roughly 25% of U.S. air quality improvements since 2000, study finds
FILE - Thach Setha, foreground, a prominent vice president of the country's main opposition, Candlelight Party, talks to media members near the Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 21, 2014. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued its verdict Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, against Thach Setha, a vice president of the Candlelight Party, after finding that he had issued several bounced checks in 2019. Thach Setha was arrested in January this year, ahead of Cambodias general election in July. His arrest was seen by government critics as part of a broader campaign to ensure that the long-ruling Cambodian Peoples Party would face no serious opposition in the polls.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  A prominent leader of Cambodias political opposition was convicted and sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for issuing worthless checks four years ago, in a case that his party has called politically motivated.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued its verdict against Thach Setha, a vice president of the Candlelight Party, after finding that he had issued several bounced checks in 2019, said his lawyer, Sam Sokong.

The lawyer said the court also ordered Thach Setha to pay $33,400 to the company which filed the lawsuit accusing him of issuing bad checks. He called the verdict unacceptable and said he would meet Thach Setha soon to discuss filing an appeal.

The case is the first major legal ruling issued against government opponents since Hun Manet became the countrys new prime minister in August. He had been army commander, and succeeded his father Hun Sen , who stepped down after 38 years in power.

Thach Setha was arrested in January this year even though his Candlelight Party had sought to meet the plaintiff to discuss a settlement and promised to find a way to pay the money that Thach Setha owed.

Thach Setha was taken into custody ahead of Cambodias general election in July. His arrest was seen by government critics as part of a broader campaign to ensure that the long-ruling Cambodian Peoples Party would face no serious opposition in the polls.

The Candlelight Party, the only contender capable of mounting a credible challenge, ended up being barred on a technicality from contesting the polls by the National Election Committee. The election body, as well as the courts, are widely seen as being under the influence of the Cambodian Peoples Party, which coasted to an easy election victory.

In addition to legal challenges, critics of the government have also faced intimidation and violence.

Men with metal batons viciously attacked a dissident and his wife in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on September 12, 2023, Human Rights Watch noted in a Tuesday statement.

The attack shares similarities with assaults reported earlier in 2023 against members of the opposition Candlelight Party, which were never seriously investigated. It tests the new government of Prime Minister Hun Manets willingness to investigate and appropriately prosecute those responsible for abuses against its critics."

The Cambodian Peoples Party has had an iron grip on power for decades and controls almost every level of government.

In recent years, the government has aggressively pursued legal action against its opponents, hindering their ability to operate freely, and sometimes hounding them into exile or jailing them.

In October last year, another Candlelight Partys vice president, Son Chhay, was given a large fine after being found guilty of defamation for saying that the June 2022 local elections were unfair, alleging that the National Election Committee was biased in favor of the Cambodian Peoples Party.

Lawyer Sam Sokong said his client Thach Setha is facing two more charges: incitement to commit a felony, punishable by imprisonment for six months to two years, and incitement to discriminate on the basis of race, religion or nationality, punishable by imprisonment for one to three years. The trial on those charges has been held in recent weeks and the verdict is set for Oct. 18.
A 77-year-old retired teacher who died Thursday afternoon when a charter bus carrying high school band students rolled down an embankment in New York was remembered by her daughter as the glue of this family.

Brooklyn native Beatrice Ferarri, who taught for 32 years at Farmingdale High School on Long Island, was accompanying the youngsters as they headed to band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania. The annual trip is a tradition for the school district, which NBC New York reports has ballooned to include as many as 300 students every year. Grandma Bea had actually stopped teaching 17 years ago but continued to volunteer as a chaperone, daughter Dina LoPresto told Newsday.

Two teachers from Farmingdale High School, Beatrice Ferrari and Gina Pellettiere, died after a bus ride to band camp in Pennsylvania crashed.



Ferrari, 77, taught history at Farmingdale High School for more than 30 years; Pellettiere, 43, taught music for close to two decades. pic.twitter.com/fh3lucBb29  Newsday (@Newsday) September 22, 2023

She had become close with Farmingdale HS band director Gina Pellettiere, who, like Ferrari, also did not survive the crash.

[M]y mom was very special in that she always liked to be a mentor to the new teachers that would come on board at her school, and she and Gina developed a friendship just by being across the hall, another daughter of Ferraris, Angela Ferrari-Aldieri, told NBC News. And Gina said we have to keep this tradition, you have to keep coming to band camp.

Pellettiere, 43, was a trumpet player but was proficient at some 20 different instruments, according to Newsday. One former colleague told the paper that it was obvious [Pellettiere] loved what she did... and the kids loved her.

She was easily one of the best in the school, always full of energy, happy and uplifting people, a student told PIX11.

BREAKING: New York State Police confirm that one person has died in the Orange County, NY bus crash.@aaronkatersky reports after a bus carrying high school students crashed while en route to band camp in Pennsylvania, the school district said. pic.twitter.com/JGXc8GZXQd  ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) September 21, 2023

Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a news briefing that a preliminary investigation revealed that a faulty front tire may have been to blame for the devastating crash, which left five students in critical condition and as many as 46 requiring medical attention. Most of the students injured were ninth graders.

Imagine the fear, the screams and the aftermath when these high school students, many of them freshmen, were surrounded by this chaos, Hochul said at the press conference.

The charter overturned on I-84 near the town of Wawayanda in Orange County shortly after 1 p.m.

Desperate family members took to social media following the crash to ask for prayers. One man said his grandson was on the bus, but was waiting anxiously to learn the extent of the boys injuries. (He later posted an update saying he had just FaceTimed with his grandson, who had minor injuries, bumps and bruises, but he saw some things that will probably remain with him for quite a while.)

The doomed bus was part of a six-bus caravan heading to Greeley, Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said on a call-in to the CBS News studio.

The section of I-84 where the crash occurred is not really a hazardous area, according to DeStefano, who also noted the four-lane highway is a 65mph zone and sees heavy tractor-trailer traffic.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  About $40 million in federal funding related to safe drinking water has been awarded to Nevada through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to announcements this week.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) announced nearly $27 million from the EPA to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Today, Lees office announced another $13 million has been awarded to the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural resources.

The flood of federal water funding into our state should reassure every Nevadan that our future is looking brighter and more sustainable every day, Lee said. This additional funding, most of which was provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will not only continue to protect and preserve our water supplies, but also keep dangerous forever chemicals out of our faucets and precious water resources.

U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev.

The Thursday announcement reported the EPA has awarded about $3.7 million to the states Clean Water State Revolving Fund. An additional $459,000 was earmarked specifically for investments to address emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution.

PFAs  also called forever chemicals  are a growing concern as scientists study their presence in the environment. Compounds like Teflon were created by humans and have been found to persist in the environment rather than naturally breaking down. Some of the chemicals pose a threat to water quality.

The Thursday announcement also included about $8.7 million more for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Thats a program that provides financial assistance to help meet standards in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The federal government contributes 80% of the money to that fund while the state is responsible for the remaining 20%. The program addresses needs like improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes, improving sources of water supply, replacing storage tanks and other infrastructure projects.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A Lee County judge has ruled he must receive key documents related to the 2015 murder-for-hire of a Bonita Springs woman by the end of November.

Mark Sievers, 55, on death row for the murder-for-hire of his wife, Teresa Sievers, 46, on April 26 and June 9 filed separate motions for a court order directing the Postconviction Records Repository to send all sealed or redacted documents.

The Postconviction Records Repository maintains and indexes the copies of records submitted to them by law enforcement, investigative or other agencies.

Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle ruled Monday that the Postconviction Records Repository, at the request of the Officer of Capital Collateral Regional Counsel for the Middle Region, by Nov. 30 will have to deliver containers from the District 21 Medical Examiner's Office; the Lee County Sheriff's Office; the Florida Department of Corrections; the Collier County Sheriff's Office; the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for an in-camera inspection.

An in-camera review happens when a judge looks at confidential or sensitive information and determines which may be made public.

If the court determines any agency or entitys records are confidential medical, mental health or substance abuse treatment records, Mark Sievers requested the release of those records to his attorneys after the court completes the records review, the motions indicated.

The motions said that failing to release the records would violate Mark Sievers' Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment constitutional rights.

In May, the state asked for a three-month extension in the release of files including an excess of 80,000 pages of discovery, more than 60 depositions, hours of audio and millions of videos in the case Mark Sievers to the repository of the Secretary of State, which oversees executions. The files include the documents Mark Sievers is asking Kyle to review.

It is one of several motions Mark Sievers' post-conviction counsel has filed.

In July, Mark Sievers' post-conviction counsel sought the release of files allegedly in the possession of his trial attorneys, "destroyed" by Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

Mark Sievers' initial death row appeal was denied last year.

The Florida Supreme Court on Feb. 3 affirmed his sentence and conviction.

A jury convicted Sievers on Dec. 4, 2019, in the slaying of Teresa Sievers, a Southwest Florida doctor.

On June 28, 2015, Teresa Sievers left a family vacation and returned alone to her Bonita Springs home.

After she pulled into the garage, retrieved her luggage and walked into the house, Curtis Wayne Wright, Jr., and Jimmy Ray Rodgers beat her with hammers.

Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle sentenced Rodgers to life in prison after he was convicted of second-degree murder and trespassing by a Lee County jury in October 2019.

On Feb. 10, 2020, Kyle sentenced Wright to 25 years for his role in the murder after he pleaded guilty.

Sievers hired Rodgers and Wright to kill his wife.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Mark Sievers files to be sent to judge by late November, ruling says
It is virtually unheard of for a district attorney to sue a city government. But it is outrageous for a district attorney to do so when the city government is acting in accord with the United States Constitution. That, though, is exactly what has occurred in Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Hos astounding suit against the City of Sacramento for not adequately solving the problem of encampments of unhoused individuals.

No one disputes the serious problem of homelessness in Sacramento and throughout the state. As many studies have demonstrated, the central problem is that there is not sufficient affordable housing in California and the result is a large number of people living in encampments on the streets. Sadly, no city in California has found a solution, despite a strong commitment to do so.

Opinion

The complaint filed by Ho details the many ways in which homelessness plagues Sacramento. But it is impossible to see how Hos suit will do anything to help. It certainly wont do anything to increase housing or social services. It wont create more shelters. It wont find other places for the unhoused to live.

It is clear from the complaint that what Ho wants is for the court to order the city to clear the many encampments throughout the city and to enforce laws against the unhoused. The complaint, for example, says, Why pass laws if you are not going to enforce them? Is there a mandate from city hall to stop law enforcement from enforcing the law?

What Ho completely ignores is that the United States Court of Appeals has been explicit that there are constitutional limits on enforcing laws against the unhoused when there are not adequate alternatives. The government cannot constitutionally clear the encampments or make it a crime for people to sleep in public unless there are sufficient shelters available. Nowhere does Ho assert that such shelters exist.

In Martin v. City of Boise, in 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Eighth Amendment -- which outlaws cruel and unusual punishment  prohibits the imposition of criminal penalties for sitting, sleeping, or lying outside on public property for homeless individuals who cannot obtain shelter. In July, the Ninth Circuit reaffirmed this. In Jonhson v. City of Grants Pass, the court again held that the government cannot punish people  criminally or civilly  for being unhoused.

These cases are clearly correct. People must live and sleep somewhere. If there are not shelters, then they will live and sleep on the streets. They cannot constitutionally be prevented from doing so if there is no other alternative.

It is unclear what Ho would like the city to do with the encampments that he describes in detail in the complaint. If the city were to dismantle them, where would those who live in them go? There are not shelters for them. There is no other place for them to go. Nor does Ho suggest any solutions for the city to pursue that would provide housing.

Likewise, it is unknown what Ho would like the court to do. Hos suit asks the court to issue an injunction against the City of Sacramento. But what can the court order the city to do that would solve the problem of homelessness? The court cant build more housing or more shelters or provide more social services. It is impossible to see how Hos suit will do anything to help.

It is thus hard to see Hos suit as anything but a publicity stunt at the expense of city officials who recognize the problem of homelessness and are working hard to find solutions, however elusive. The Superior Court should dismiss Hos suit as frivolous. The focus should be on supporting city officials, not harassing them with a lawsuit, as they look for humane and constitutional ways to help solve the problem of homelessness in Sacramento.





Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean and a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Law.
Leonardo DiCaprio has reflected on Hollywoods depictions of Native American people ahead of the release of Martin Scorseses new film, Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Western true-crime thriller is an adaption of David Granns 2017 non-fiction book, which documented the murders that plagued the Osage Indian tribe in Oklahoma in the 1920s after oil was found on their land. The case was deemed the FBIs first homicide investigation.

DiCaprio, 48, stars as Ernest Burkhart in the film alongside Native American actor Lily Gladstone , whose performance has been singled out by critics, as his wife, Mollie Kyle.

In a joint interview for British Vogue, conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strikes, the pair of actors were asked about the films predominantly white production team.

Nobody is going to hand an Osage filmmaker $200m [161m], Gladstone, 37, said. Theres a level of allyship thats absolutely necessary.

Hollywood has a long history and chequered past in its depiction of Native American people, DiCaprio added. We need to do more. You know, we are coming towards a great reckoning of our past. The more that these stories can be told in a truthful way, the more it can be a healing process.

The Oscar-winner continued: Its a completely forgotten part of American history. And an open wound that still festers.

Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in Killers of the Flower Moon (AppleTV+)

Its not that long ago that the Reign of Terror happened, Gladstone agreed, referring to the name ascribed to the deadly era by the Osage. I dont want to label this a Western. Im happy that its being labelled a tragedy.

Elsewhere in the interview, DiCaprio heaped praise on his costar. Lily is absolutely astonishing in this movie, he said. She carries the entire film and the story.

He said that director Scorsese, 80, knew immediately that she was the right actor for the role thanks to the truthfulness he saw in her eyes.

There was no reading. Marty just instinctively knew Lily was the one.  Ive never known [Scorsese] meet somebody and then immediately afterwards have this gravitational pull and instinct to say, Lets not wait another minute, DiCaprio said.

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Scorsese admitted to overhauling the script for the film after realising he was making a movie about all the white guys.

Lily Gladstone and Martin Scorsese in Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple TV+)

DiCaprio was originally set to play FBI agent Tom White, who investigated the murders; however, the role was recast (given to Jesse Plemons) after the pair realised that Burkart and Kyles relationship should be the core of the movie.

Scorsese and his team worked closely with Osage Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and his office, the directors consulting producer Chad Renfro told Time, and hundreds of Osage were involved in making the film. The first day of filming, we had an elder, Archie Mason, come and say a prayer, Renfro said.

In a five-star review for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey observed how Killers of the Flower Moon carries Scorseses tradition fixations: the rotted core of mans heart; how power breeds the impulse for destruction; the myths of cowboys and outlaws and the dirty truth to them.

She also singled out Gladstones performance as one of the most extraordinary performances by a woman in any of Scorseses movies.

She is serene but not saintly; a figure of tragedy with fire in her belly, Loughrey writes. The first time we dive into Mollies perspective, its with a force that could suck the breath out of your body.

Killers of the Flower Moon will be released on 6 October, before streaming globally on Apple TV+.
A mother recalls the traumatic moment a thief stole a car with her baby in the backseat.

Atlanta police captured the childs rescue on camera.

Channel 2s Courtney Francisco was out in southwest Atlanta where this unfolded.

It happened on Sept. 5 around 9:52 p.m. in the Texaco gas station parking lot located on Northside Drive SW after police said they received reports of a car being stolen with a child inside.

When the officer arrived, the victims other child told them that an iPad was inside the vehicle and that its location was available via the Find My iPhone app.

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I thought Id never see my child again or if they did find her they were going to find her dead, the mother told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco.

Officers tracked the iPad to a location 0.4 miles from the gas station, where they found the car sitting in an empty lot on Walker Street.

Authorities said the suspect was no longer inside the car however, the victims child was.

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After breaking the windows of the locked vehicle, officers were able to rescue the child and return her to her family.

Police confirmed the child was unharmed.

I let my baby down. I knew better. Even though I knew better, it was only a mistake. I let my two-year-old down, the mother said.

It took police less than an hour to reunite mother and baby.

We was all hugging because that was such a sigh of relief, said the grandmother.

In the body camera video, you hear the mother tell the baby she is sorry repeatedly.

Yall, Im blessed. Im blessed. Thank God for my nephew, said the mother. Hes a hero in my eyes.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Since Laureen and I had just wandered the halls of Congress, it was time to saunter over to the Library of Congress.

Well, in truth, it was hot and sweltering outside by this time of day and I wanted to stay away from being hot and sweltering.

When our tour guide, Rosemary, had said goodbye, she went her way and we were supposed to go our way.

I know, I said. Why not go back to the tunnels and turn left toward the Library of Congress.

Laureen shook her head. We are supposed to turn in our visitor stickers and exit like all other tourists. We can enter like everyone else, besides, our timed tickets are not scheduled for another four hours.

John Beyer on marble steps at the Library of Congress this summer.

Make sure you get your timed tickets to visit Library of Congress

Timed tickets. Those bloody pieces of paper or scannable app on your phone indicating the time you are allowed to enter a public building as a guest.

I fully understood such a measure. Washington D.C. gets a whole lot of visitors and all of those same visitors would not be able to enter the museums, historic sites, and the like at the same time since every exhibit would be overly crowded.

Excuse me, one guest may say to another guest. Im trying to peek at the Declaration of Independence but all I am seeing is your right armpit. But, I must say that Old Spice After Hours Deodorant is quite refreshing.

The Library is one of the largest in the world. It contains over 173 million items and has more than 3,000 employees.

I understand that one of the ways the federal government can retain so many employees is the fact that the late fees for checked out books is very high.

An interesting tidbit concerning the library: the library's collections are universal, not limited by subject, format, or national boundary, and include research materials from all parts of the world and in more than 470 languages.

Well, that is 469 languages that I do not speak. I was duly impressed.

The Library was founded in 1800 and is considered one of our oldest cultural institutions. I suppose because it has stuff from around the world in a bunch of languages.

During the War of 1812, the British invaded Washington D. C. and burned down a large swath of the town, including the library, and thus destroying most of the inventory housed there.

What treasures must have been lost? Indescribable, like the burning of the library of Alexandria in 48 BC by the Romans.

In an effort to rebuild and replenish this loss, Congress authorized the purchase of the entire 6,487 book collection that made up Thomas Jefferson s personal reading material. That stocked some shelves.

Jefferson was once heard complaining to his wife, Martha, What am I supposed to read before bed now?

As all libraries eventually do, the collection of valuable documents and books continued to grow.

But in 1851 another fire erupted and burnt most of the library's contents, including a major part of Jeffersons books.

Stunning architecture of the interior of the Library of Congress during our trip to Washington DC.

The head librarian asked the city if perhaps a fire hydrant should be installed outside, just in case.

We walked through the tunnel toward the Library of Congress and sure enough, there was an employee scanning the timed tickets for guests.

Told you so, Laureen said. Now we will have to go all the way back and wait until our proper time of entrance.

I nodded, but went ahead and let the gatekeeper scan my phone.

Im sorry, she said. But you are not allowed in for another three hours and forty-five minutes.

Oh, I replied. We are on Nauru time and forgot to change our watches.

What?

A small island country northeast of Australia, I said. Surely you have heard of it, white sandy beaches surrounded by a beautifully clear blue ocean.

Enjoy your visit. And the gates were opened.

The Library of Congress is so huge that it takes in three separate buildings on Capitol Hill; the Thomas Jefferson Building, the John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building.

With limited time, it was Jefferson for us.

Gutenberg Bible is on display at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

As we entered the great hall designed in the Italian Renaissance fashion - Im actually getting familiar with this architecture - the thing that struck us was the grandeur of the institution. A pair of huge winding marble staircases encircling the main lobby leading to galleries on separate floors with humongous sculptured marble columns seemingly holding the entire structure secure.

It was one of the most beautiful buildings we had visited in our nations capital.

It is understandable that this building hosts many hoity-toity events throughout the year. It was like walking into a billionaire's stately mansion. Grand staircases, tall ceilings, ornate paintings, statues, and all that was missing was a butler clad in black, escorting me out of the residence.

Elon has no time for you, the butler may say to me.

See breathtaking architecture at Library of Congress

The domed ceiling towering 75 feet above the great hall in the entrance, is an exquisite masterpiece of art surrounded by statues of some of the most intellectual thinkers of the time: Emerson, Franklin, and Scott to name a few. There are also more historical names inscribed high above the marble floors like: Dante, Homer, Shakespeare, Moses, and so many more.

Dead center below the dome is a beautifully crafted compass rose in the marble floor. Around it are the signs of the Zodiac.

Not the raft. The astrological symbol.

Close by is an arch the visitor walks beneath and instantly sees the glass encased Gutenberg Bible. The first book ever printed on a movable type printer from Western Europe in the 1450s.

Only 48 are known to exist and only 12 which were ever printed on vellum. We were staring at one of the 12.

It was awe inspiring.

Study spaces in the halls of the Library of Congress as seen during our trip this summer.

For any person entering the library, a sense of being at the site of knowledge is immediate.

This is a world to explore - a researcher's dream.

If given the time, I would have loved to visit the main reading room, which can be seen from the mezzanine. Row upon row of desks encircling a huge room where scholars, researchers, students, and the general public are allowed, upon prior permission, and can view countless volumes of some of the most important items in print anywhere in the world.

Laureen looked at me. Youd like to be done there with your nose in a book, wouldnt you?

I only smiled. She knows me well.

Walking the library, the tourist will encounter the collection from Thomas Jeffersons personal library, art works from masters, letters from distinguished world leaders, famous cartoons depicting political humor as well as just everyday events, and so much more. Each gallery is as great as the last one traveled through.

But, there was an area I found intriguing that was full of photographs of important events during Americas growth.

A person can find the likes of Ansel Adams sharing photos from the Internment Camp at Manzanar, a collection of African-American photos from the 1900 Paris Exposition, Civil War photos from Matthew Brady, and one taken during the Great Depression from photographer Dorothea Lange.

It is of a young mother, Florence Owens Thompson, who is seen sitting dejectedly on a simple wooden porch surrounded by her children in 1936. A woman who appears older than her actual age from the trauma she has had to deal with during those most trying times following the downfall of Americas financial might.

It depicts the desperation of a parent wanting the best for their children. A parent is simply a parent.

Laureen and I studied her face in the photograph. As parents, we could not imagine what it must have been like to wonder if there would be enough food on the table to take care of your children.

No parent wants to go through that misery.

That iconic black and white photograph is one of the most reproduced photographs in history, world-wide.

That photograph moved me the most in the entire Jefferson library.

And we complain if there is a line at Costco for gas, I said.

A walk through this library is a walk through American history.

A visit to Library of Congress will enlighten you

It is beautiful. But each gallery can enlighten the individual about the struggles this marvelous country has gone through during its growing period in a variety of mediums and always prevailed.

What we saw of the Library of Congress in this Jefferson building, showed what it is to be an American.

Be that good times, bad times, or just what the heck is happening times, anything is possible when working together.

For more information: https://www.loc.gov/about/general-information/

John can be contacted at, beyersbyways@gmail.com

The library's primary mission is to research inquiries made by members of Congress, which is carried out through the Congressional Research Service. It also houses and oversees the United States Copyright Office. The library is open to the public for research, although only high-ranking government officials and library employees may check out books and materials.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visit the Library of Congress for a treasure trove of history
Lesedi Modo-Mmopelwa, assistant FAO representative, speaks during a training workshop for horticulture farmers in Gaborone, Botswana. Sept. 20, 2023. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN food agency and the government of Botswana held a training workshop for horticulture farmers Wednesday, aimed at improving agricultural practices in the southern African country.

The workshop, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with Botswana's Ministry of Agriculture, was attended by about 60 farmers. During the workshop, participants learned about wastewater utilization, food safety practices, and other essential agricultural techniques.

This initiative seeks to enhance compliance with established standards while also providing a significant opportunity for the ongoing improvement of various procedures involved in the production and processing of agricultural products.

Botswana's horticulture sector has gained increased importance due to import restrictions on specific horticultural items that came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. Global challenges, such as climate change, however, have led to unpredictable rainfall patterns, resulting in water scarcity and the use of wastewater for irrigation. Farmers frequently turn to effluent water due to limited access to freshwater resources, said Lesedi Modo-Mmopelwa, assistant FAO representative, during the training program.

"This shift towards wastewater for irrigation is born out of necessity, but it also presents significant challenges that we must address to safeguard food safety and the health of communities; hence, we are here to train our horticulture farmers on good agriculture practices using wastewater in vegetable production," Modo-Mmopelwa said. 
By Ahmed Elumami, Abdelhadi Ramadi and Maya Gebeily

DERNA/BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) -The small first-floor apartment in Derna became home away from home to Syrian migrant Ammar Kanaan, after the risk of drowning kept him from attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Europe that has cost the lives of so many.

After fleeing Syria two years ago to avoid military service, Kanaan had found a steady job in a pastry shop in the Libyan city and lived with two Sudanese roommates a few metres away from Derna's riverbed.

But this month, the 19-year-old drowned with thousands of others when a flash flood washed away swathes of the city.

Now, the plot where his building once stood is a patch of reddish-brown dirt, and families that relied on breadwinners on distant shores are left shell-shocked, with no bodies to bury.

"He didn't take to the sea. The sea came to him," said Kanaan's uncle, Osama, only 24 himself and who moved from Syria to the Libyan city of Benghazi this year. "He died, crushed and drowned."

More than a decade after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in a NATO-backed uprising, Libya has become a major departure point for migrants trying to cross to Europe.

But many also stay to work in Libya's oil-financed economy.

The International Organization for Migration said Derna was home to more than 8,000 migrants, mostly from Chad, Egypt and Sudan, when the floods hit.

An estimated 400 migrants died when, on the night of Sept 10, the heavy rains of Storm Daniel burst through two dams meant to keep Derna safe.

'DON'T COME'

Kanaan left Syria at age 17, determined to avoid obligatory military service in a country riven by 12 years of war. As Syria's economy continued its downward slump, he hoped a job abroad could help him send money to his parents back home in the southern Daraa province.

Reaching Europe was a near-impossible feat and Turkey was too expensive and difficult to navigate, so he settled on Libya.

From there, embarking on a small dinghy to Europe had enticed him, "but his parents said no because they thought he would drown," Osama said.

By 19, Kanaan was working at the pastry shop, earning $500 a month and sending his family pictures of the cakes he baked.

When the rains came on Sept. 10, he texted Osama, "God help us, that's the best thing." The next messages, just a few moments later, were left unread. By morning, Osama's WhatsApp messages weren't even reaching Kanaan's phone.

Khalil, 61, an Egyptian technician living in Derna, remembered seeing the powerful flows sweeping cars off the earth and smashing them into buildings. "I knew all the Egyptians that were here, a huge number of them died," he said.

Rising numbers of Egyptians have been crossing the Mediterranean from Libya in recent years to search for better economic opportunities, though like other nationalities, some stay in Libya to work.

Alam, an Egyptian construction worker in Derna for three years, said he had lost 10 of his friends in the calamity.

"This is not the Derna we know. The whole city centre has disappeared," he told Reuters.

Egyptian authorities have recorded 112 bodies of Egyptians recovered after the floods, and a further 291 nationals are missing, according to an official at the Emigration Ministry.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based monitor tracking Syria's war and other events related to Syrians, estimates more than 110 Syrians died in the floods.

Within hours, Facebook pages that Syrians in Libya had used to find jobs morphed into online search parties for the missing. Pictures of men, women and even toddlers still unaccounted for were captioned with desperate pleas for help and phone numbers.

But within days, the usual messages started to pop up again: a Syrian man inquiring after wages for a barber in Libyan cities, a woman asking for references for housing for a friend. Some comment with tips. Others simply write, "don't come."

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Abdelhadi Ramahi in Benghazi, Ahmed Elumami in Derna, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo; editing by William Maclean)
LinkedIn announced it was shutting down its Chinese job-seeking service in May.

This comes at a time of high rates of youth unemployment in the country.

Chinese professionals are using a dating app in their search for work instead, Sixth Tone reports.

Young professionals have found a novel way to advertise their willingness to work, using their Tinder profiles to network and kick-start their careers after LinkedIn was pulled from the country, Chinese news publication Sixth Tone reported.

On May 8, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky shared a blog post to employees, announcing job cuts and plans to phase out their local professional networking service named InCareer in China by August 9, citing "shifts in customer behavior and slower revenue growth."

This couldn't have come at a trickier time for many graduates and young professionals, as, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's youth unemployment rate hit an all-time high of 21.3% in June.

One Peking University graduate told Sixth Tone the dating app Tinder had been professionally helpful, as her date gave her tips on how to secure an internship at a firm he worked for. Others told the outlet they have specifically used the app to track down job opportunities.

A 22-year-old fashion graduate from Beijing told the publication she had applied to more than 30 positions in the conventional way, using email and job sites to no avail, before swapping her Tinder selfies with messages in large red characters that read, "Is anyone short of workers? I'm currently looking for a job. Hire me."

It's unclear if her attempts gained her any opportunities, but others are promoting the potential of the idea, including a user on the Chinese social platform Xiaohongshu, who posted a set of tips on how to find a job on Tinder in June.

In the post, the user gave six pieces of advice, including suggestions that users should only match with men from the specific industry they're interested in, start conversations asking about their match's job, and gradually share their struggles before asking for their match's advice. At the end of the post, the user wrote that they had used these tips to get a match to help edit their resume and gain recommendations to employers, Sixth Tone reported.

A spokesperson from Tinder told Sixth Tone that this behavior could violate their platform community guidelines.

"Our guidelines reinforce our policy that users should use Tinder to make personal connections, not business ones," a spokesperson told the outlet. "Tinder is not a place to promote businesses to try and make money. Similarly, users also shouldn't advertise, promote, or share social handles or links to gain followers, sell things, fundraise, or campaign."

This isn't the first time users have taken advantage of a social media app to increase their chances of securing work.

The hashtag #careertok has over 1.7 billion views on TikTok and features videos from creators sharing tips on interview techniques and networking. In response to its popularity, the app launched the pilot program TikTok Resumes in 2021, partnering up with a number of companies, and encouraged users to showcase their skills and experience in the form of a TikTok.

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FILE - Police on the scene of a shooting Monday, July 3, 2023 in Philadelphia. Police say a gunman in a bulletproof vest has opened fire on the streets of Philadelphia, killing several people and wounding two boys before he surrendered to responding officers. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, File)

The latest mass killing in the U.S. happened at a suburban Chicago home, where a couple, their two children and three dogs were found fatally shot on Sunday evening. Officers were asked to check on the family at their home in Romeoville, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Chicago after one member did not show for work that morning and phone calls went unanswered, police said.

Police have said without elaborating that the suspect, who died Wednesday after a fiery crash in Oklahoma, had a relationship with the victims. Investigators believe they know the suspect's motive but have not disclosed it.

The shooting was the country's 35th mass killing this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press 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.

So far this year, the nation has witnessed the highest number on record of mass killings and deaths to this point in a single year. According to the database, there have been more than 560 mass killings since 2006, in which at least 2,900 people died and at least 2,000 were injured.

Heres what happened in the other U.S. mass killings this year.

LAKE TOWNSHIP, OHIO: Aug. 24

Five members of a family, including three children, were found dead at a home in Lake Township, Ohio, by police officers performing a welfare check. Authorities say a husband and wife and their two daughters and son died from gunshot wounds and their deaths are being investigated as a domestic dispute that turned deadly. Its unclear who fired the shots.

OKLAHOMA CITY: Aug. 16

Police in Oklahoma City said a 28-year-old man fatally shot three young children  ages 9, 5 and 2  and his estranged wife before taking his own life. Officers visited the family home following a report of a domestic disturbance. Authorities described the couple as married but separated and said police had never been called to a domestic disturbance at the home before. They added that investigators have not yet determined a motive.

HAMPTON, GEORGIA: July 15

A 40-year-old man is accused of fatally shooting four people, all in their 60s, in a suburb south of Atlanta. Police said the mans motive was not immediately clear. The killings set off a massive search that ended with a shootout that killed the man in another suburb about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away. The exchange of gunfire wounded a sheriffs deputy and two police officers.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA: July 4

Multiple males are believed to have exchanged gunfire at an annual Independence Day block party just before midnight, leaving at least four people dead and at least seven others injured, according to police. Suspects were not quickly identified, and arrests were not immediately made.

PHILADELPHIA: July 3

A 40-year-old man is accused of opening fire randomly with an AR-15-style rifle, killing four people and wounding four others, including a 2-year-old, in a southwest Philadelphia neighborhood. Authorities said the man fatally shot another person in a row house the day before.

GREEN POND, SOUTH CAROLINA: July 2

A 33-year-old man was charged with murder in the killings of his sister-in-law and 11-year-old daughter after authorities found six people dead and one person in critical condition at a home while responding to reports of a house fire and stabbings, officials said. They did not immediately identify a motive. The man was later charged in connection with the other four deaths, according to media reports.

KELLOGG, IDAHO: June 18

A 31-year-old man is accused of fatally shooting four members of a neighboring family in their apartment on Father's Day. The man was upset that the neighbor's 18-year-old son had reportedly exposed himself to the mans children, a police document alleges.

SEQUATCHIE, TENNESSEE: June 15

A 48-year-old man is thought to be responsible for killing himself and five others  including three children and his estranged wife  in a home where police responded to a shooting and arrived to find the residence ablaze, authorities said. A seventh person suffered gunshot wounds and was found alive at the home after firefighters extinguished the flames.

MESA, ARIZONA: May 26

A 20-year-old man shot four men to death and wounded a woman in a 12-hour crime spree in metro Phoenix, authorities said. He told police that he met the victims at random that day at a range of places, including a park and a convenience store, and became angry when the subject of drugs came up.

NASH, TEXAS: May 23

Authorities jailed an 18-year-old man in connection with the shootings of his parents, sister and brother inside a home. A victim's co-worker who went to the home after one of the victims failed to show up for work told police that the man said he had killed his family because they were cannibals, and they were going to eat him."

ALLEN, TEXAS: May 6

A 33-year-old man with an arsenal of legally-purchased firearms killed eight people and wounded seven others at a Dallas-area shopping center. He had posted online about his white supremacist and misogynistic views. A police officer fatally shot him within four minutes.

LAKE WALES, FLORIDA: May 2

A 38-year-old man was suspected of fatally shooting a woman and her three children after police were called to an apartment complex where they found the bodies. After an hourslong standoff at a motel, police fatally shot the man.

HENRYETTA, OKLAHOMA: May 1

A 39-year-old man fatally shot his wife, her three children and their two friends before killing himself, authorities said. They were all found dead on his rural property. He was a convicted rapist who had been freed from prison early, despite facing new sex charges in a separate case.

MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA: April 30

Four people were found fatally shot inside an RV in a remote Mojave Desert community, authorities said. There were no immediate arrests, but two people were being sought for questioning as persons of interest.

CLEVELAND, TEXAS: April 28

A 38-year-old man was arrested after a four-day manhunt. Authorities allege that the man charged into a neighbor's home and killed five people, including a 9-year-old boy, after his neighbors asked him to stop firing his AR-style rifle because a baby was trying to sleep.

BOWDOIN, MAINE: April 18

A 32-year-old man confessed to fatally shooting four people, including his parents, at a home. From there he fled and fired shots at moving vehicles on a highway. Several vehicles were hit by gunfire but the three people injured were a family all in the same car.

DADEVILLE, ALABAMA: April 15

Six suspects  ages 15 to 20  were charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four people and injured at least 32 others. Two high school seniors were killed. The other two killed were 19 and 23.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: April 10

A 25-year-old bank employee armed with a rifle opened fire at his workplace, killing five people  including a close friend of Kentuckys governor  while livestreaming the attack on Instagram, authorities said. Police arrived as shots were still being fired inside Old National Bank and killed the shooter during an exchange of gunfire.

MONROE, LOUISIANA: March 31

A 37-year-old man was arrested on arson and murder charges after a fire killed four people in a home, KNOE-TV reported.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: March 27

A 28-year-old killed three children and three adults in a shooting at a small Christian elementary school before being killed by police. The shooter was a former student there. Police have said the shooter was assigned female at birth but used masculine pronouns on social media.

SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA: March 21

A 42-year-old former soldier shot and killed three children as they slept in their home while their mother frantically sought help, authorities said. He also killed an Army soldier who was at the home before killing himself. The shooter and the children's mother were divorced.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: March 13 to 14

A 28-year-old man was suspected of killing four people in overnight shootings. Authorities said the man approached a police officer and said he had shot two people in Birmingham and two people in St. Clair County.

DALLAS, TEXAS: March 12

An 18-year-old man and 20-year-old woman were charged in the fatal shootings of four people at an apartment. They told police theyd broken into the home to take money. The man admitted to shooting all of the victims. The woman had dated one of the victims, and they were involved in a custody dispute over their son. An infant was found unharmed at the scene.

MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA: March 10

Police found three females and two males dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside a home, officials said. The wounds of one man appeared to be self-inflicted, leading investigators to believe the case was a murder-suicide.

COCOA, FLORIDA: March 1

A 36-year-old man was arrested after fatally shooting his teenage daughter, her mother and two other people, authorities said. Deputies responded after one of two surviving children had called a relative for help.

DAPHNE, ALABAMA: Feb. 22

A 21-year-old man was accused of killing his grandparents, his brother and a family friend with a handgun and pickaxe. Their bodies were found in the backyard of his grandparents' home and inside a bedroom in the house, police said.

ARKABUTLA, MISSISSIPPI: Feb. 17

A 52-year-old man shot and killed six people including his ex-wife and stepfather at multiple locations in a tiny rural community, authorities said. The man was armed with a shotgun and two handguns. A family friend said he had a history of mental illness. One victim was shot and killed while sitting in a pickup truck outside a convenience store.

LUTTRELL, TENNESSEE: Jan. 29

A 52-year-old man who complained of having a devil in his head fatally shot four children in his home before setting the residence ablaze and shooting himself, according to a prosecutor. The children were ages 5 to 15.

HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA: Jan. 23

A 66-year-old man was charged with killing seven people in back-to-back shootings at two mushroom farms. He pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors said he opened fire at the mushroom farm where he worked, killing four co-workers and wounding another one. They said he then drove to a mushroom farm he was fired from in 2015 and fatally shot three former co-workers.

MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA: Jan. 21

A 72-year-old man opened fire on a mostly elderly crowd at a Lunar New Year dance, killing 11 people and wounding nine. The man later died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The massacre has been called the deadliest shooting in Los Angeles County history.

GOSHEN, CALIFORNIA: Jan. 16

Authorities announced more than two dozen arrests during a gang crackdown following the fatal shootings of six people  including a teenage mother and her baby  that investigators believe stemmed from a gang rivalry. Two men have pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.

CLEVELAND, OHIO: Jan. 13

A 41-year-old man was accused of fatally shooting his father, sister and nephew as well as another man and critically wounding an 8-year-old girl. The man pleaded not guilty. Police alleged that he shot victims in the head in different rooms of a home, then flagged down a police cruiser and directed officers to the scene.

HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA: Jan. 7

A 45-year-old man fatally shot his wife and three children and then himself. Authorities said all five lived together in the home. Two others escaped the house. One of the survivors was a relative of the family and another was an acquaintance. Both were in their 20s.

ENOCH, UTAH: Jan. 4

A 42-year-old man fatally shot his five children, his mother-in-law and his wife and then killed himself two weeks after his wife filed for divorce. Child protective services had opened an investigation of the man on child abuse and threats to his family just weeks before the killing.

___

This story has been updated to correct the location of one killing. It happened in Lake Township, Ohio, not Uniontown.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has expressed concern at the UN General Assembly session that Russia had officially announced its withdrawal from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty, which he believes means that Russia is preparing for even more large-scale military action, not peace.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT

Details: Nauseda also called Russia's war against Ukraine a global problem that affects global food and nuclear security.

He said that the international community should put more pressure on Russia to stop its deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

"The unprecedented environmental catastrophe caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam should not be repeated in new, even more dangerous forms," the Lithuanian president added.

He called for an end to Russia's aggressive war with the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops and equipment from the territory of Ukraine within the internationally recognised borders of 1991.

Background:

Prior to that, European Council President Charles Michel addressed the UN Security Council, where he called on China to influence Russia to end its war against Ukraine.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday, listed two conditions that must be met for a complete cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.

The first is the complete withdrawal of all Russian forces and mercenaries from the sovereign territory of Ukraine within the 1991 borders, including the Russian Black Sea Fleet or "those leaky troughs that will remain of it during the war".

The second point was the president's demand for Ukraine to fully regain effective control over its entire state border and exclusive economic zone in the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait.

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!






LOS ANGELES  The day she was set to receive an award recognizing her work promoting inclusivity and social justice, Lizzo was again sued by a former employee who said that behind the scenes, the entertainer allows bullying, harassment and racial discrimination.

I felt like I was living in a madhouse, fashion designer Asha Daniels, 35, told NBC News the day before she filed her lawsuit against Lizzo and other members of the singers team. It was totally shocking.

I was listening to this Black woman on this huge stage have this message of self-love and caring for others and being empathetic and being strong and standing up for others, she said. And I was witnessing myself, the dancers and the background vocalists and my local team in every city be harassed and bullied regularly.

The suit, filed Thursday by lawyers for Daniels in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accused wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura of doing stereotypical impressions of Black women, referring to the performers as fat, useless and dumb, and forcing them to change in front of a mostly white, male stage crew who would lewdly gawk at them, the suit says.

Daniels was fired after she complained about Nomura, according to the suit.

Lizzo is the boss, so the buck stops with her, Daniels lawyer, Ron Zambrano, said in a statement Thursday.

Lizzo (Gus Stewart / Redferns via Getty Images file)

Zambrano, the lawyer for three former dancers who accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment in a lawsuit last month, echoed allegations made in Daniels suit, saying Lizzo has created a sexualized and racially charged environment on her tours that her management staff sees as condoning such behavior, and so it continues unchecked.

Lizzo has previously said that although she has to make difficult decisions, its never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they arent valued as an important part of the team.

Thursdays suit alleged sexual harassment, racial discrimination, failure to prevent a hostile work environment and other accusations. Nomura was named as a defendant, as was Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and her tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta.

Representatives for Lizzo did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Gugliotta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attempts to reach Nomura were unsuccessful.

Lizzo has denied the previous allegations, calling the dancers accounts sensationalized stories that were false and outrageous.

Lizzo is set to be honored Thursday with the Black Music Action Coalitions Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work and commitment to social justice, the group said in a news release.

She has been a longtime advocate for inclusivity and uses her music to empower marginalized groups to promote diversity, the release said.

Valuing female empowerment

Daniels first worked for Lizzo in September 2022, designing custom clothing for her dancers, and was hired early this year to tour with the performer, the lawsuit said.

Dancer Crystal Williams wears a costume by Asha Daniels. (Courtesy Asha Daniels)

Daniels said that she had been friendly with Nomura, and that she was thrilled to work for someone whose values of female empowerment she shared.

As a Black woman myself, I love when I see Black women that have a big stage that use that stage to uplift us, she said.

According to the suit, Daniels worked seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and was told to work even after she injured her ankle.

Nomura told Daniels never to interact with Lizzo or to dress attractively in front of her because it may make Lizzo jealous, the suit said. Even though she was taken aback by the comment  Lizzo is beautiful, shes talented, shes got an amazing career, she has no reason to be jealous of anyone, Daniels told NBC News  she said she followed the rule and never spoke to Lizzo.

Privacy concerns

The dancers were forced to change in front of Lizzos stage crew, most of whom were white men who would lewdly gawk, sneer, and giggle while watching the dancers rush through their outfit changes, the suit alleged.

When Daniels complained to Nomura that the dancers had no privacy, Nomura allegedly told her not to alert anyone else to the matter, according to the suit.

Daniels was scolded for providing new stockings to dancers after they damaged their clothing while performing and was specifically instructed to not give certain dancers panties, mirrors, or items they would need and ask for, despite those items being stocked, the suit said. The suit did not indicate why.

Alleged slurs, threats and offensive impressions

Nomura allegedly mocked Lizzo and her dancers with what the lawsuit described as a stereotypical sassy Black woman imitation. Daniels told her the imitations were offensive, the suit said, and Nomura ignored her.

Lizzo performs with her dancers at Spark Arena (Dave Simpson / WireImage via Getty Images file)

Nomura also appeared to threaten employees, according to the suit. On one occasion, she used a slur and said she would kill anyone who put her job in jeopardy, the suit said.

After Daniels complained to Gugliotta, Lizzos tour manager, she allegedly asked Daniels to surreptitiously record Nomura, according to the suit.

Daniels declined, believing it would be unethical and possibly illegal, and continued to work for Lizzo, according to the suit.

Sexually charged complaints

When they traveled to Amsterdam, she heard managers discussing hiring sex workers for lewd sex acts, attending sex shows and buying hard drugs, according to the suit.

Daniels said she did not attend the events. The lawsuit filed last month on behalf of three former dancers describes one of those dancers going to an Amsterdam strip club, Bananaenbar, and accuses Lizzo of encouraging cast members to engage with performers and pressuring the dancer to touch one of them.

The dancer repeatedly declined, according to the suit, but relented after Lizzo allegedly led a chant goading her to do so.

Daniels suit also alleged that a manager texted a sexually graphic image to more than two dozen people.

No one from LIZZOs management team addressed this graphic sexual imagery in the workplace appropriately, the suit said.

In February, Daniels told the tour manager, Gugliotta, about what the suit called widespread racial and sexual harassment taking place on tour. She was fired weeks later, on March 6, the same day she said Nomura scolded her for taking a break after an allergic reaction, the suit said.

Daniels told NBC News she learned of her termination via a plane ticket in her email.

The tour manager later told Daniels that everyone was aware Nomura was crazy and apologized several times but said it would be too difficult to replace Nomura, the suit said. The manager told Daniels that Nomura wanted her gone for speaking up, according to the suit.

Although Daniels had come to view her working conditions as increasingly hopeless, she said, she was stunned about her removal. She had been committed to staying for her relationships with the dancers and others who she said werent getting the support they deserved.

The firing was especially stunning, Daniels added, because she said Gugliotta had nothing but praise for her designs.

Afterward, Daniels said, the manager asked if she would continue doing design work for the dancers  an offer Daniels said she accepted because of her relationships with the performers and because she didnt want them wearing mass-produced leotards purchased online, a highly disrespectful option Daniels said theyd previously been given.

While working for Lizzo and in the months that followed, Daniels suffered lingering physical and psychological problems, including anxiety and impaired vision, according to the suit. She said she previously considered suing Lizzo over what she described as the most toxic work environment shed ever experienced, but she came forward only after learning of last months lawsuit.

Not only do they deserve for me to stand up for them, but I also deserve to stand up for myself, she said. Twenty-five-year-old Asha deserves someone to stand up for her.

Daniels plea to Lizzo and her managers now, she said, is to take the performers values of love and support seriously.

Black women deserve to work in spaces where we feel safe, where we arent being harassed, where we arent being sexualized, she said. Were allowed to just be great and work hard, and be treated the way that everyone else is allowed to be treated.

This article first appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The top House Republican overseeing U.S. foreign affairs said Congress will provide more funding for Ukraine to fight off the Russian invasion despite GOP pushback, after a Thursday meeting with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also proposed legislating that the U.S. provide F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine and long-range missiles that the Biden administration has held back on providing.

We need to give em everything they need. And if this administration wont give it to them, then I submitted that we write in our appropriations bill, we write the weapons that he [Zelensky] asked for, that this administration wont give, McCaul told reporters, adding that senior Democratic lawmakers agreed with his proposal.

President Biden has approved partner countries to provide American-made F16s to Ukraine but has not yet committed sending them from U.S. stockpiles. The administration has also so far refused to send Ukraine Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which have a range of nearly 190 miles.

The president has submitted to Congress a request for $24 billion in additional funding that would go toward military, economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. It is opposed by a minority group of Republicans with the power to frustrate efforts to pass additional assistance quickly, given tight margins in the House and Senate rules.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a staunch critic of foreign assistance for Ukraine, has vowed to hold up any government funding bill that includes Ukrainian assistance.

Paul was also signatory to a letter led by Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) this week laying out specific asks of the Biden administration before greenlighting additional assistance to Ukraine, signed by 28 members of the House and Senate.

Certainly until we receive answers to the questions above and others forthcomingwe oppose the additional expenditure for war in Ukraine included in your request, the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

The letter was published ahead of Zelenskys arrival on Capitol Hill for meetings Thursday morning. He will meet with President Biden at the White House in the afternoon.

It is the Ukrainian presidents second visit to the capitol in a year, but he is receiving a chillier reception under the Republican-controlled House. In Dec. 2022, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) invited Zelensky to address a joint session of Congress, an invitation that was not extended by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

McCarthy organized the House meeting with Zelensky Thursday morning, but it was only open to a select number of lawmakers at the invitation of the Speaker and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)

The Ukrainian president arrived to his meeting around 9 a.m., walking past reporters with Jeffries.

McCaul, asked if it was a poor signal for McCarthy to not accompany Zelensky into the meeting, pivoted to criticizing the pace of Bidens response to the war.

The Speaker, like me, has shown strong support, but were frustrated with the administrations slowness in the weapons, and the Speaker and I agreed with Zelensky, who  he has to be nice cause were giving him things. But we said, what do you need? And you know, the takeaway with the Speaker was you need ATACMS, you need the F-16s, you need them a year ago, McCaul said.

Its taken too long. So we can write this into the supplemental. And that would be my intention.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Across the 12 largest municipalities in Beaver County, communities spend an average of 35% of their annual budget and a combined total of over $23 million for police protection.

While spending millions of dollars on police protection may seem like a hefty fee for community members to pay, the agencies across Beaver County typically receive less funding than other police departments around the United States. The average per-capita cost of policing in the largest local communities is around $270 per household during 2023, but reports from the Department of Justice share that the average per-capita cost for policing was around $304 in 2017 and has continued to grow each year.

As the cost of living continues to rise around the country, local police departments in communities like Beaver County are scrambling to keep up with wages and enticing new hires.

These differences in public safety funding are not only on a national level, as departments that are in neighboring jurisdictions can see drastically different budgets in Beaver County. While some of these funding differences can be explained by geography, as most rural regions typically require smaller budgets to operate police departments, many of the county's high-population communities are scrambling to find enough money to offer officers livable wages and draw in new hires.

Opioids funds: American Rescue Plan and opioid response funds to be awarded to local police departments

As these budgets continue to increase, it can be important for residents to follow along and know what these budgets look like around the county and how their local budgets have changed over the years. Across the county's 12 largest communities, budgets are exponentially increasing, but that may not be enough to keep the lights on in some of these municipal police departments.

Police funding remains unequal among Beaver County's neighborhoods

Funding for police departments is a mixed bag in Beaver County, with no municipality providing a "typical" model for how they decide to allocate their annual budgets.

Hopewell Township is currently home to the highest-funded police department, with the well-staffed department of first responders budgeted at a total of $2,632,904 for expenses in 2023. The police budget is less than $200,000 from Center Township's departmental expenses, with the two communities being home to the highest populations in Beaver County.

This chart shows each community's annual police budget from 2019 to 2023. Unlike other locations on the graph, the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department opened its doors for police services this year. As the regional force combined three separate departments, data was unavailable before this year and budgets for Baden, Freedom and Conway are not included in the data.

On the opposite side of local police funding is Monaca, which allocated a budget of $996,300 for its police department in 2023. While the borough does not have the smallest budget in the communities measured in the Times research, the lower police department funds are reflective of the community's available expenses. Monaca had the third lowest per capita cost for taxpayers, with each household contributing around $177 a year, and was the community with the second lowest percentage of their annual budget spent on police, with around 24% of their budget going to police protection.

Where the data starts to become unpredictable is when measuring how much of a community's annual budget is spent on police funding each year. Rochester and Beaver spend roughly 53% of their annual budget on police department expenses in the boroughs, but the overall funding of both departments reflects the different tax bases of these communities.

This chart showcases the per capita costs of police departments in Beaver County, highlighting 12 of the biggest communities in the region. The highest costs for policing come to taxpayers in Rochester and Beaver.

Beaver's budget is the third highest in the county, with this year's budget calculating $2,470,024 in expenses and the highest per capita cost of $556. Rochester's budget was lower, only reaching $1,710,787 for the year, but it had the second-highest per capita cost of around $492. Rochester's household cost is around $180 more than the costs in Ambridge, which was the third highest per capita department and has nearly twice the borough's population.

Officials in Chippewa Township contribute the least to their local police protection, with only 23% of their annual budget covering police expenses. Chippewa's police forces have the second lowest budget for municipal departments in the county, with the 2023 budget estimating expenses of $1,109,515 to cover over 8,000 people who call the community home.

Budgets struggle to accommodate rising costs and growing amounts of overtime pay required for small forces

Even as communities contribute large amounts of their annual budgets to police services, it can be difficult for these departments to reach peak operations on their limited budgets each year.

While residents may grumble about millage increases to pay for police services, the increased cost of living in the United States means that police officers also need to be paid competent wages. In addition to salaries, these tax bases must cover the department's gas prices, mandatory state training, new equipment and other similar expenditures.

A graph showcasing the average change in police budgets in Beaver County between 2019 and 2023, with no communities having a negative trend. Out of all of the areas observed, Beaver Falls has seen the biggest increase. Hopewell Township, in contrast, has seen nearly no change year to year.

Departments are often forced to exceed their projected budgets throughout the year, especially when departments are short-staffed. According to the 2022 municipal budget for Beaver Falls, funding for the police department was originally set at $1,764,364 for the year. Due to a need for overtime and vehicle fuel, the department required an additional $477,000 for operations that year and has budgeted for similar needs during 2023.

Pennsylvania paychecks: How our earnings compare and what we can buy with the money

Overtime isn't a problem unique to Beaver Falls, as understaffed departments across Beaver County rely on the practice due to a lack of new officers entering the field. While some departments have a healthy supply of available officers to cover shifts, the low annual budgets among these local departments do not offer the competitive salaries or reliable scheduling that larger city agencies can provide.

The logo of the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department, located at 803 First Ave. in Conway, Pennsylvania.

While some communities remain wary of the process, regionalization is one way some local municipalities have consolidated police resources and mitigated increasing budgets. With a central force to cover several communities, police forces are not stretched as thin, and a larger pool of resources is available to officers. As more communities become involved in these departments, it helps to decrease the annual costs for communities without cutting police officers' salaries.

Beaver County formed its first regional department earlier this year, with predictions for the annual budget of the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department coming in as the second lowest budget when added to the local police force budgets while having several more officers than other local departments. Rather than several communities each paying the average cost, the three communities have broken down the budget in a way that each region pays a fair share for their community.

New combined department: Beaver Valley Regional Police Department begins historical first day in county

The operational cost may rise with the recent addition of Rochester Township to the regional force, but this also adds another community paying into the unified department and overall reducing each community's costs. This is also likely to bring more officers onto the force, further reducing the strain on overtime budget and officers' fatigue.

Regionalization funds offered: Beaver County Commissioners offering funds for police and fire department mergers

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Local police funding a mixed bag in Beaver County
Neighbors, police and firefighters came together in Marysville, Wash., to rescue two kittens trapped in a storm drain. Photo courtesy of Marysville Police/Facebook

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Residents of a Washington neighborhood teamed up with first responders to rescue two kittens trapped in a storm drain.

Daneen Justice of Marysville said her neighbor texted her about hearing meowing coming from a storm drain near Marysville Getchell High School.

"She, her son, and I removed the storm grate and tried to entice the little guy/girl out with food without success," Justice told KOMO-TV. "I called 911 and they dispatched out an awesome team."

Community Service Officer Joie Mette arrived on the scene and called for backup from the Marysville Fire District.

"Firefighters used their kitty rescue equipment to lure one kitten out of the pipe under the roadway," Marysville police said in a Facebook post. "The other kitten was found by officers in a nearby yard."

The kittens were taken to the Everett Animal Shelter.
SYDNEY, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Thursday that two people were injured overnight in a public place shooting.

At about 2:20 a.m. local time (0420 GMT) on Thursday, emergency services were called to Cassia Crescent in Gateshead, a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie, after receiving reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, police officers found a 42-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman sustaining gunshot wounds.

They were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a hospital in stable conditions.

A crime scene has been established, with an investigation also underway into all circumstances of the incident.

The authority urged members of the public to provide any information or video footage related to the shooting.

So far in September this year, the NSW Police Force has responded to at least three shootings occurring across the state, including Thursday's case in Lake Macquarie. The incidents caused four injuries in total. 
Kevin de Leon, one of the Los Angeles City Council members caught up in an audio-recorded racist conversation with other public officials last year, revealed Wednesday that hes running for reelection.

De Leon once considered one of the biggest rising stars in Californias Democratic party, first shared the news with Politico, saying that despite everyone from Gov. Gavin Newsom to President Joe Biden calling for his resignation in the wake of the scandal, he still feels support from the Angelenos he represents.

When a lot of people that I called my friends and allies turned away from me, my constituents had my back, De Leon, who once led the state Senate, told the outlet. I understood in a deeper way the relationship that I had with my community and how that motivates and drives me. Thats why Im still here. And thats why Im running.

De Leon was one of four city officials secretly recorded in the notorious conversation released by The Los Angeles Times last year, though it was recorded in 2021. In it, the since-resigned Council President Nury Martinez makes several racist and insensitive remarks, including saying the Black son of council member Mike Bonin parece changuito  Spanish for is like a monkey.

L.A. City Councilman Kevin de Leon is running again.

L.A. City Councilman Kevin de Leon is running again.

De Leon  whose district covers downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Eagle Rock  joined in on the joke, saying Bonin handled his son the way Martinez carries her Louis Vuitton bag. Despite increasingly louder calls for his resignation, he was steadfast in his refusal, though he admitted he shouldnt have made that flippant remark.

Now-former Council member Gil Cedillo, one of the other officials secretly recorded, also refused to resign, but Martinezs replacement removed them both from committee chairmanships and assignments.

De Leon has several potential challengers, The Los Angeles Times reported, including state Assemblymembers Wendy Carrillo and Miguel Santiago and tenant advocate Ysabel Jurado, who served in former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcettis administration.

The primary race for de Leons spot is scheduled for March. If no one receives a majority vote, a run-off between the top two contenders will occur the following November.

Related...
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A mother turned her life around after her children were found living in uninhabitable conditions.

If you put your mind to it, you can do it, said Armanda Coulson.

AG Drummond announces organized crime task force, citizen tipline

Coulson looks a lot different after she was arrested in October 2022 when Enid Police found her and her two sons living in a filthy trailer.

The conditions of the trailer were uninhabitable, said Cass Rains with the Enid Police Department last year.

I literally was staying in there for two days before I got arrested, said Coulson. My whole life has been rocky. My mom had been in addiction my whole life.

Armanda Coulson mugshot

Coulson said she had just moved out of a tent and detoxed from meth.

I was working overnight, said the mother of two. So, that was like the only way I found to be able to stay up and do everything I was supposed to do.

The boys were taken into DHS foster care, while Armanda was taken to the Garfield County Jail on child neglect charges.

Reality just hit me in my face and was like, you know, Armanda, you got to get your stuff together for your kids. And so I was in jail. I just read my Bible and I prayed, said Coulson.

Coulson applied for drug court and got in. She went through rehab for the second time, intense therapy and parenting classes. Six months later, she was reunited with her kids and DHS closed her case.

The judge and everyone just stood up and started clapping for me because they said they were like Armanda, not all moms do this, she said.

Now, the 27-year-old lives at the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children in Oklahoma City, where she has her own cottage, attends meetings and classes. Meanwhile, the boys also have a place to grow and learn.

 Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com

I couldnt be more proud of them from all the trauma that theyve been through, said Coulson. They just shine so bright and theyre just so happy.

Coulson is also going to school at the Moore Norman Technology Center. She has big dreams.

My calling is to go help single mothers with children, like out on the street or like, you know, in rehabs, said Coulson. It was a lot, but it was all worth it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Baton Rouge police beat and illegally stripped people in a "torture warehouse," a new lawsuit says.

Officers held Ternell Brown in the "Brave Cave" for two hours without charges, the lawsuit says.

It also says cops beat a Black man in the facility so bad he had to be hospitalized.

Police in Louisiana took people to a warehouse they called the "Brave Cave" to beat and illegally strip-search them, a new lawsuit says.

Ternell Brown, a woman who says she was illegally detained by police in Baton Rouge, filed the lawsuit against the Baton Rouge Police Department on Monday in federal court.

Brown says in the lawsuit that officers pulled her over on June 10 and searched her car without her consent or a search warrant. During the search, the officers found Brown's prescription medication, which she told them she had a prescription for, the lawsuit says.

The officers incorrectly told Brown that it is illegal for her to have different prescription pills in the same bottle and then took her to the so-called "Brave Cave," the document states.

According to the lawsuit, the "Brave Cave" is a Baton Rouge Police Department warehouse that the department's Street Crimes Unit has "adopted as their home base over the past several years." The facility is not a jail and has no correctional staff, the document says.

"It is a place where BRPD takes suspects to interrogate them, gather intelligence, and attempt to 'flip' them to begin cooperating with BRPD," Brown's attorneys wrote.

Police held Brown in the warehouse for more than two hours before subjecting her to strip and body cavity searches, the lawsuit says. The officers let Brown go without charges when their searches were unsuccessful, the complaint says.

Ryan Thompson, an attorney for Brown, did not immediately return a request for comment from Insider on Thursday. But at a press conference on Monday, he said police strip-searched Brown.

"There was also a visual body cavity search that was performed upon her where she was made to open up her butt cheeks as well as her vagina," Thompson said.

Brown said at the press conference that the police search against her was "unconscionable," according to WVLA, a local NBC affiliate in Baton Rouge.

A history of beatings in the "Brave Cave"

The lawsuit alleges that in January, officers also stripped and beat a Black man inside the warehouse until he needed to be hospitalized.

Baton Rouge police arrested Jeremy Lee on January 9 "without reasonable suspicion," the lawsuit says. During Lee's arrest, one officer threatened to "bat the living crap" out of him and argued with bystanders who tried to intervene, the complaint alleges.

The officers took Lee to "the same torture warehouse where Mrs. Brown was sexually humiliated" rather than taking him to jail, where they "repeatedly punched and kicked" him, the lawsuit says.

A screenshot of body camera footage showing Jeremy Lee inside the so-called "Brave Cave." United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

The officers then tried to take Lee to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with visible injuries, where officials turned him away and said he needed to be taken to the hospital, according to the complaint.

One of the officers involved in Lee's arrest resigned shortly after, but none of the involved officers were ever disciplined by the police department, according to the complaint.

Read the original article on Insider
A woman is accused killing her 61-year-old husband inside a Lucerne Valley home, sheriffs officials reported.

At 9:51 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a suspicious circumstances call at a home in the 32600 block of Highway 18. When deputies arrived, they found Pierre Antoine dead inside the home.

Jennifer Antoine, 48, is suspected of fatally shooting her husband, Pierre Antoine, 61, at a home in Lucerne Valley, sheriff's officials reported.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detectives said they believe that Jennifer Antoine, 48, shot and killed her husband.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of homicide and booked into the High Desert Detention Center. She remains behind bars without bail.

Detectives haven't released a motive or if the couple had a history of domestic violence.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the sheriffs homicide detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Lucerne Valley woman accused of fatally shooting her husband
(Bloomberg) -- President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a profit-sharing agreement to export gas from the PDVSA-owned Dragon offshore project.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The project, which was halted in 2020 due to US sanctions, entails using a field in Venezuelan waters to produce natural gas, which would be imported by the West Indies nation to be processed for export.

Venezuela has been organizing its gas blocks all over the Caribbean, Maduro said in televised remarks from the presidential palace on Wednesday.

READ: Venezuela Makes Long-Shot Bid to Revive Ruined Economy With Gas

With the nations oil industry in tatters, Maduro sees an economic lifeline in Venezuelas gas reserves, the second-largest in the Western Hemisphere. While theres robust demand from European nations looking to replace Russian supplies, any deal needs a nod from the Biden administration to export the fuel without violating US sanctions.

Our laws offer great advantages to investors, and were ready to move forward with any country or company that wants to invest, Maduro said alongside Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Stuart Young.

The deal, which could see the countries exporting gas by 2025, involves transporting supply to Trinidads Atlantic LNG plant via a Shell-owned offshore platform. Young has estimated the field could start with output of 175 million cubic feet per day and ramp up to 350 million cubic feet per day.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A man arrested and charged in July in connection with the 2018 Iconic Village Apartment fire in San Marcos that killed five people will be released from the Hays County Jail on a personal bond after District Attorney Kelly Higgins said the case merits further investigation.

Higgins said he had agreed to the bond for Jacobe Ferguson, whose bail had been set at $250,000, but he added in a brief statement that "we have not dismissed or declined the case."

"We are seeking further investigation before proceeding," he said. "Because the investigation is ongoing, I cannot comment further at this time."

Exclusive: Mom of San Marcos arson suspect: Cops have wrong guy. Witness says son set fire

A family photo shows Victoria Ferguson with her son Jacobe Ferguson. Jacobe Ferguson was charged with a 2018 deadly apartment fire in San Marcos says her son had never been in trouble and that he told her after the blaze that he tried to help tenants escape the burning building.

The decision to release Ferguson on a personal bond comes as prosecutors faced a deadline early next month to present the case to a grand jury. Under state law, prosecutors have 90 days from an arrest to seek indictment if a person remains in jail, as Jacobe has done since early July.

Ferguson's mother told the American-Statesman days after the arrest that her son was innocent and had actually helped tenants escape the blaze.

Authorities charged Ferguson July 5 with arson causing bodily injury or death nearly five years after the fire in San Marcos.

'Never given up on this case': Arrest made in connection to San Marcos' deadliest fire

The arrest came after what officials said was a new task force made up of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, San Marcos police and Texas Rangers had joined the San Marcos Fire Department in investigating the case. In restarting the investigation, authorities said they circled back to witnesses whom investigators had spoken with after the fire and, this time, got a clearer understanding about what happened.

According to an arrest affidavit, Weldon Moore, identified as a witness, told investigators that Ferguson had discussed setting the fire and confided in him that he was angry about a broken relationship and feeling overwhelmed at work.

Ferguson, according to the affidavit, was intoxicated on the night of the fire and told Moore that the blaze might have originated on a mattress that a tenant had set out for Ferguson to remove. Authorities say they later confirmed the fire began on the mattress.

More: Before Iconic Village, San Marcos fire deaths were rare, officials say

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man charged in Iconic Village apartment fire to be released on bond
A Sacramento County jury convicted a man of attempted murder for an attack last year in which he used a machete to cut off the victims nose after an argument in a convenience store, prosecutors said.

Michael Lamont Daniels, 49, also was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and aggravated mayhem, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday in a news release. The jury reached its verdict Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Daniels and the victim did not know each other before the attack on March 14, 2022. The victim was in line to buy snacks in a convenience store at a gas station in Sacramento County when Daniels got in line behind him.

Daniels and the victim got into argument, which turned into a fight, according to the District Attorneys Office. Store employees broke up the fight, and both men left the store.

The victim walked behind the gas station. Prosecutors said Daniels went back to his car and drove behind the gas station, where he saw the victim walking.

Then, Daniels grabbed two machetes, jumped out of his car and chased down the victim, according to the District Attorneys Office. The victim ran away but tripped and fell to the ground.

Prosecutors said Daniels then attacked the victim with a machete, cutting off his nose and fracturing his skull. The victim suffered other injuries during the attack.

Daniels ran back to his car and drove away, prosecutors said. The brutal attack was captured on security camera video. Authorities found and apprehended Daniels five days later in Placer County.

Daniels on Thursday remained in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail. He is scheduled to return Oct. 13 for his sentencing hearing in Sacramento Superior Court. Prosecutors said Daniels faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison. Deputy

District Attorney Jordan Avey prosecuted the case.
VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man is in the hospital after police found him suffering from stab wounds in Visalia, the citys police department says.

Officers say they were called to the 300 block of North Giddings Street for a report of a stabbing around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday

Upon arrival, detectives say they found a man who had been stabbed. He was transported to a local hospital for his injuries.

According to police, the Violent Crimes Unit was called. This is an ongoing investigation.

The Visalia Police Department urges anyone with information regarding the case to contact them at (559) 734-8116.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A man is in critical condition after being stabbed in Mount Washington Thursday morning.

Officers responded to the 600 block of Omaha Street at 8 a.m. for reports of a stabbing. They found a 34-year-old man with stab wounds to his torso.

Police responded to the 600 block of Omaha Street at ~8:00 a.m. for reports of a stabbing.



Officers located a 34yo male victim with stab wounds to his torso. EMS transported him to the hospital in critical condition.



Zone 3 detectives will continue the investigation. pic.twitter.com/d4sWWuBU10  Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) September 21, 2023

He was taken to a local hospital by ambulance in critical condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

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A SoCal man was sentenced to prison for stealing over $1.7 million from major banks in a check fraud scheme.

Ara Malkhasyan, 52, of Winnetka, was sentenced to 6 years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Malkhasyan was the ringleader and mastermind of a check-kiting scheme that also involved his wife, brother-in-law and other family members, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

From May 2015 to Sept. 2017, Malkhasyan and his accomplices obtained stolen Armenian passports and altered the documents to include photos of themselves.

They used the fraudulent documents to obtain other identity documents in order to open bank accounts.

Once secured, Malkhasyan and his co-conspirators wrote bad checks to other fraudulently obtained bank accounts while exploiting bank rules that allowed them to transfer money from one account to another.

3 arrested for burglaries targeting homes in West L.A.

They would then immediately withdraw funds at ATMs in Las Vegas casinos and several other locations before the checks bounced.

By repeating this method, the suspects allegedly stole $1,304,307 from Bank of America, authorities said.

In a separate scheme from April 2017 to May 2019, Malkhasyan his brother-in-law, Smbat Khechumyan, 41, from North Hollywood, conducted a similar forged check scheme.

Using stolen Armenian passports and counterfeit Ukrainian and Belarusian passports, one suspect would open an account at Wells Fargo. They would deposit forged checks into the account and immediately withdraw the funds from ATMs at Las Vegas casinos.

They allegedly stole around $401,420 using this method, authorities said.

Smbat pleaded guilty in Oct. 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is serving a two-year prison sentence.

Malkhasyans wife, Sveta Khechumyan, 49, pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.

In total, prosecutors have secured nine guilty pleas in this case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BRI contributes to improvement of Benin's medical conditions: Beninese health official

16:40, September 21, 2023 By Chi Zao ( People's Daily Online

China and Benin share a long-standing friendship, and as an active participant of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Benin is expected to further improve the countrys medical conditions in cooperation with China, said Akogbeto Enagnon Petas, Cabinet Director of the Beninese Ministry of Health.

Akogbeto Enagnon Petas, Cabinet Director of the Beninese Ministry of Health, takes an interview with Peoples Daily Online in Yinchuan, northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Peoples Daily Online/Chang Sha)

Akogbeto made the remarks on Thursday while visiting the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Over the past 44 years, 26 medical teams comprised of 616 medical professionals from Ningxia have assisted the people of Benin, where they have treated over 3 million patients and admitted over 130,000 inpatients. They have also performed over 75,000 surgeries for locals.

This is my first trip to China, and Ningxia is my first stop. The Chinese are kind and generous, and I want to express my appreciation to the medical professionals who have been providing assistance to my people, Akogbeto told Peoples Daily Online.

A member of the 26th batch of Chinese medical team dispatched to Benin provides medical services for a local resident. (Photo courtesy of Health Commission of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region)

According to Akogbeto, there has been a marked increase in the level of medical cooperation between China and Benin in recent years. In 2019, Ningxia and Benin collaborated to establish an online medical consultation center, where specialists from Ningxia can instruct their counterparts in Benin on how to carry out complex surgeries online in real-time. In 2023, doctors from Ningxia established a traditional Chinese medicine department in a local hospital in Natitinggou, where they were warmly welcomed.

Ningxia's medical experts help establish a traditional Chinese medicine department at a Benin hospital. (Photo courtesy of Health Commission of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region)

As a medical professional, I find it fascinating to learn about the use of digital technology in China-Benin medical collaboration, and I applaud efforts to spread a combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in Benin, he said.

The Cabinet Director also spoke highly of the BRI, emphasizing that technological and medical cooperation between the two nations will thrive under its framework.

The Benin government has attached great importance to digital and medical technologies. I believe the two countries can have more cooperation in these areas, which can further improve Benins medical conditions, said Akogbeto.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
ACCRA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has made significant contributions to Ghana's utilization of natural gas resources, which has acted as a catalyst for improved economic development, a Ghanaian energy official has said.

Victor Sunu-Attah, general manager of the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), made the remarks during the 2023 Ghana Oil and Gas Conference in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Tuesday.

In an interview with Xinhua, Sunu-Attah commended China for its financial support and technical expertise in helping establish Ghana's first gas processing plant, Ghana Gas, located in the Western Region. This facility, along with associated gas pipelines, transports natural gas to thermal plants in various parts of the country.

"Gas utilization is one of the success stories of Ghana's oil and gas sector. When we were building Ghana Gas, we had a facility from China, and they helped us build the gas infrastructure," he said.

The official highlighted the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) as a leading partner in building this world-class gas processing facility, saying the Chinese firm not only helped construct the plant but also trained local Ghanaians in managing it, ensuring that Ghana could harness natural gas to power its economic activities.

Sunu-Attah also noted that the Chinese firm played a pivotal role in developing the local human resource base necessary for the ongoing and future management of such a facility.

"When Sinopec completed the construction and operation of the facility after several years, they transferred knowledge to our Ghanaian operators, technicians, engineers, as well as individuals in the legal and finance sectors. Today, when you visit Ghana Gas, you will find that the workforce is predominantly Ghanaian, and Ghana has benefitted immensely," the official added.

He emphasized that initial collaborations with countries possessing expertise, including China, have enabled Ghana to acquire knowledge and use it as leverage to build local capacity.

Sunu-Attah described the development of gas resources as a game changer for the country in various aspects, especially its contribution to the stability of power generation.

One of the challenges the country faced was the cost of fuels to power electricity plants, he said, adding that these plants used to rely on light crude oil or diesel, which was expensive, and as soon as gas became available, the country could build the gas processing plant and pipelines.

Although the gas sector is relatively new in Ghana, the country has efficiently harnessed its resources, making it one of the success stories of the oil and gas industry and a significant driver of economic development.

"Ghana may not have abundant gas resources like Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea, but we are making excellent use of the resources we do have to support economic activities," Sunu-Attah concluded. 
Othal Wallace stands with his defense team, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, as the judge reads the verdict convicting him of manslaughter in the killing of Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor.

Law enforcement officials, community members and others were shocked late last week when a jury convicted an accused cop killer of manslaughter rather than first-degree murder.

But one local attorney said the verdict could have been a compromise due to some hold-out jurors, leading the panel to settle on the lesser charge to avoid a deadlocked, hung jury.

The seven women and five men deliberated for about 14 hours over two days before finding Othal Wallace guilty Saturday of manslaughter, bypassing more serious charges of first- and second-degree murder. Wallace killed Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor in 2021.

Aaron Delgado, a Daytona Beach criminal defense attorney not involved in the case, said based on jury questions during deliberations, it seemed jurors were concerned about the law surrounding the encounter between Wallace and Raynor.

It may have been that they had one or two jurors who were not going to get to murder, Delgado said in a phone interview, were not going to get to guilty under any circumstances, because of those kinds of concerns. And so, they reached a compromise verdict of manslaughter."

Aaron Delgado

Had Wallace been convicted of first-degree murder, prosecutors would have been in a courtroom this week seeking to convince eight of the 12 jurors to recommend that Wallace be sentenced to death. A new state law approved earlier this year did away with requiring a unanimous jury recommendation for death.

Had the jury found Wallace guilty of second-degree murder, he would have faced up to life in prison.

The manslaughter conviction, along with a finding that Wallace used a gun, means he faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in about two months.

While the trial was moved to Green Cove Springs in Clay County because of publicity the case had received in Volusia County, the sentencing is anticipated to take place in Volusia.

During the trial, three defense attorneys, Terry Shoemaker, Tim Pribisco and Garry Wood, faced off against Seventh Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza and Assistant State Attorneys Jason Lewis and Andrew Urbanak.

The defense also brought in attorney Allison Ferber Miller in August to handle its jury selection.

Delgado said in a phone interview that the only type of manslaughter that would apply in this case would be manslaughter by act, in which someone commits an intentional act that is not excusable or justifiable but results in someones death.

Thats like mutual combat or like, you know, you throw someone through a window and they die, Delgado said. He said he has had such cases in which someone punches someone and the person dies.

Wallace, 31, was charged with first-degree murder for fatally shooting Raynor on June 23, 2021, in the parking lot of an apartment building at 133 Kingston Ave., in Daytona Beach. The 26-year-old Raynor remained hospitalized until his death on Aug. 17, 2021.

Wallaces attorneys argued that he had a right to defend himself; that it was a consensual police stop and Wallace had the right to walk away. But when he did, Raynor grabbed him.

Wallace testified he had a 9 mm pistol in his pocket and he drew it when he said he saw Raynor reaching for his waistband.

Raynor did not draw his gun or take any steps to unholster it. It was still holstered when assisting officers found him on the ground after the shooting.

Delgado said that some jurors apparently accepted the defense argument, leading to the compromise verdict.

I would imagine that part of the reason they had to compromise was because some jurors thought that Mr. Wallace had the legal right to resist or was engaged in some sort of self-defense, Delgado said. Maybe it was like an imperfect self-defense where they said, Well, you know, it's not self-defense to the extent that we're going to acquit him, but it's self-defense to the point where we can't get to the other types of murder that the state charged, so it definitely strikes me as some sort of jury compromise, jury pardon.

Delgado noted that the jury asked questions about what a citizen had to do when detained by police, because the defense argued there was something improper or illegal about Raynor detaining Wallace.

Othal Wallace was therefore engaging in some sort of self-defense because he thought that he was being unlawfully arrested or excessive or illegal force was being used against him, Delgado said. And so I think those questions showed that that was something that the jury was debating."

State Attorney R. J. Larizza shows a picture of Jason Raynor to the jury during the Othal Wallace murder trial in Clay County, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.

Othal Wallace faces minimum sentence of 11 1/2 years, up to 30

Delgado said according to state sentencing guidelines, the lowest possible prison term for Wallace would be 11.5 years.

He said the defense can seek a downward departure, meaning it would argue legal reasons why Wallace should receive a lower sentence.

But Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano is not required to grant a downward departure. Zambrano can even agree that the defense has provided reasons for a lower sentence and still sentence Wallace to the maximum of 30 years.

Jury questions offer insight into Othal Wallace verdict

Delgado also said its likely the defense will appeal the manslaughter conviction. If an appeal is successful, prosecutors could file a manslaughter charge against Wallace and seek to try him again on that charge. But prosecutors could not file charges of first- or second-degree murder.

Delgado said he believes any appeal would focus on the 21 pages of jury instructions given the questions jurors asked during deliberations.

One such question: At what point does an interaction with law enforcement transition from freedom to detainment? After consulting with attorneys, the judge answered, When a reasonable person feels they are no longer free to leave.

Another question: Can a law enforcement officer legally detain someone without telling them they are being detained and why? The answer was yes.

Jurors also asked if it was lawful for an officer to physically restrain a citizen as a form of detainment. The answer was that a brief involuntary detainment of a person suspected of being involved in a crime is allowed for the officer to investigate.

The defense objected to some of the responses and repeatedly requested without success that the judge allow them to provide jurors more information about the law governing encounters between police and citizens.

The appeal will focus on the jury instructions and the defense request for specific jury instruction about the duty to submit to law enforcement and all that, which was obviously something the jury was really thinking about a lot, Delgado suggested. You heard the defense renew their request for that jury instruction a bunch of times.

Verdicts must be respected

Craig Trocino, a law professor at the University of Miami and director of Miami Law's Innocence Clinic, said jury verdicts are "unique slices of time." He said 12 different jurors could decide a different outcome.

Trocino said he was not commenting on whether the jury was right or wrong, but rather on the jury system in general.

"And even though somebody might not like the verdict, we have to abide by the verdict, because it is difficult to convict somebody, and it's difficult to convict somebody of a capital offense. And it potentially sends them to death," Trocino said. "And that's a feature, not a bug. It ought to be difficult.

"It's the jury's verdict," Trocino said. "And if there's going to be any longstanding belief in our justice system, we have to  under all circumstances  abide by the jury's decision."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jason Raynor shooting verdict could be jury compromise, attorney says
Members of the national guard are posted near the site of a car bombing this summer in Guanajuato state, Mexico, a region hit hard by cartel violence. (AFP/Getty Images)

Ovidio Guzman Lopez is currently in a Chicago lockup awaiting trial on drug-smuggling charges after his extradition last week.

His father, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera, infamous founder of the Sinaloa cartel, is already serving a life sentence at a federal supermax prison in Colorado.

Back in Mexico, of course, organized crime continues to wreak havoc.

But how many people are on the payrolls of the Mexican cartels?

Now researchers have come up with an estimate: 175,000. That figure, which would make the cartels the countrys fifth-largest employer, has steadily risen during the last decade, according to their study, which was published Thursday in the journal Science and relied on a variety of data to build a mathematical model of the workforce.

Its very important to understand the size of the problem, said lead author Rafael Prieto-Curiel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna. It helps put the issue into perspective.

Other researchers not involved in the study questioned the employment estimate, given the lack of precise data and the many ways that the workforce might adapt to changes in the drug trade.

Read more: Sons of Mexico's El Chapo: We don't make fentanyl  or feed victims to tigers

Its really problematic where they get their data from, said Benjamin Smith, a history professor at the University of Warwick in England.

Though cartels have been chronicled in television series, books and high-profile criminal cases, much about them remains unknown. Estimates of annual profits start at $6 billion and spiral upward.

And cartels long ago branched beyond drug trafficking into other lucrative rackets, including extortion, kidnapping, fuel theft and migrant smuggling. That implies a vast economy  and a huge labor force.

The head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, told Congress in July that Mexicos two most powerful criminal organizations  the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel  had almost 45,000 members, associates, facilitators and brokers in more than 100 countries. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a frequent skeptic of Washingtons drug policies, scoffed at the numbers.

Read more: This woman is the front-runner to be Mexico's next president

For the Science paper, researchers crunched statistics on incarceration and casualties during the last decade to arrive at their estimate. They found that Mexican cartels must recruit 350 to 370 people each week to replenish the ranks diminished by losses from arrests and murder.

Being a cartel worker is "like playing Russian roulette, Prieto-Curiel said.

The study cites a greatly fragmented panorama of 150 cartels. Many are small regional bands that are not necessarily affiliated with sophisticated, transnational syndicates.

The estimate of 175,000 active cartel members" in Mexico at the end of 2022 captures both full-time and occasional employees, Prieto-Curiel said. Their ranks include peasants cultivating opium poppies, pistoleros guarding methamphetamine and fentanyl labs, and capos running global contraband networks.

The authors acknowledged that their findings are imperfect." Researchers made an "educated guess" as to what share of murder victims and inmates were cartel members, Prieto-Curiel said.

Smith, author of the 2021 book "The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade," pointed out that the model fails to capture the number of police officers, military personnel, politicians and other officials on cartel payrolls.

He also questioned the value of using incarceration and homicide numbers in a country where relatively few murderers are ever jailed. And, he said, identifying cartel members among the more than 100,000 people listed as disappeared in Mexico seems questionable.

Still, he called the study a useful exercise, as it provides an indication of the depth and extent of organized crime in Mexico.

Using their mathematical model, the authors of the study concluded that increasing education and job opportunities for young men  who make up the majority of recruits  is the only means to thwart the cartels and reduce violence.

We have made cartels desirable, Prieto-Curiel said, noting the financial allure and the romanticizing of drug trafficking in popular culture.

The authors ruled out mass incarceration  the controversial policy that El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, has implemented in his battle against gangs  as a feasible strategy in a nation as large as Mexico. The model suggested that the number of cartel members would continue to rise even if imprisonment doubled.

The paper did not address how to diminish U.S. demand for narcotics, the engine driving drug trafficking.

In an article accompanying the study, three U.S.-based experts called the paper an important contribution. But they faulted it for not recognizing the adaptability of organized crime, saying that cartels have the financial muscle to raise wages or take other steps to offset potential personnel shortfalls.

Cartel members are not billiard balls or atoms locked into mechanistic reactions to external shocks, they wrote. Cartels are adaptive organizations often run by intelligent people who can alter behavior in response to changing conditions.

Read more: Mexico's peso is soaring. That's bad news for people who rely on dollars sent from the U.S.

They also questioned the conclusion that cartel staffing levels have been rising when, they wrote, drug market trends might suggest the need for smaller, not larger staffs. The legalization of cannabis in many U.S. states has reduced demand for marijuana from Mexico, while the emergence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl may have trimmed the market for Mexican-produced heroin.

Perhaps cartel labor is increasingly employed to defend drugs and workers from attacks by rivals, or to intimidate officials, not to produce or distribute drugs, the accompanying article stated.

Cartel activities are widely viewed as contributing to the weakening of democracy in Mexico, a country of 127 million, while escalating U.S.-Mexico tensions.

Read more: Mexico's president says the U.S. is suffering from moral decay. He offers some advice

Cartels are the major driver of rising violence. In 2021, the paper said, Mexico recorded 34,000 intentional homicides, more than quadruple the total in 2007, when the government launched a futile crackdown on cartels.

Fentanyl  churned out in clandestine Mexican laboratories  has flooded into the United States in recent years, causing tens of thousands of deaths and straining relations between the countries.

Some Republican lawmakers have even backed the idea of dispatching U.S. troops to combat Mexican cartels.

Read more: Mexico making history: The country is on track to elect its first woman as president

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Marco Island has a plan to improve its waterways and rid them of toxic nitrogen levels that breed algae blooms and overstimulate aquatic plants.

That plan will get the city off Floridas impaired waterways list and help to satisfy concerns from residents raised more than five years ago.

The citys improvements plan was accepted earlier this month by state and federal regulators. Since 2019, Marco Island has been on the Florida Department of Environmental Protections (FDEP) impaired waterways list. That means the waterways had at least two years of noncompliance with allowed levels of toxins.

Whats the issue?

Marco Island has a plan to improve its waterways and rid them of toxic nitrogen levels that breed algae blooms and overstimulate aquatic plants. The plan will get the city off Floridas impaired waterways list.

The problem is too much nitrogen. Nitrogen levels in the city's canals have been above standards set by the DEP since 2017. Excess nitrogen can cause overstimulation and growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these organisms, in turn, can clog water intakes, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters, according to United States Geological Survey.

Once a waterbody is designated as impaired, it is required by state law to implement a TMDL, or Total Maximum Daily Load, to get the waterway back into compliance. A TMDL is defined as "the maximum amount of a given pollutant that surface water can absorb and still meet the water quality standards that protect human health and aquatic life," according to the DEP.

DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accepted Marco Islands water quality restoration plan  known as a "Category 4e Plan"  that was submitted in June.

As a result, as long as the water quality meets certain thresholds at the next assessment cycle, Marco Islands waterbody will be removed from the FDEP Verified List of impaired waterways and placed into a FDEP 4e category, indicating there are ongoing restoration activities underway, city officials wrote in a press release this week.

This change will be confirmed in the spring of 2024 when the DEP secretary takes final action on 2022-2024 biennial assessment listing cycle, Benjamin Raly of FDEP wrote to Justin Martin, Marco Island director of public works, on Sept. 8. Raly is the environmental consultant with the Watershed Assessment Section, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration at the state agency.

The plan and timing

Marco Islands restoration plan has already begun, Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius said in an email response to questions. It is scheduled for completion in 2029, according to the plan, which can be found here.

The city chose to submit a plan that allows the city to control it and not the state. The Category 4e Plan allows Marco Island to develop an independent evaluation of sources and sinks for the impaired water and a water quality management plan to achieve load reductions and improve water quality. FDEP reviews water quality every five years, and as long as measurable improvements in water quality have been documented, the 4e designation will remain in effect and the city or county will control the improvements rather than FDEP.

The city intends to focus on items that directly affect the long-term health and quality in the canals and upland stormwater facilities under the Citys control, the plan reads.

Those projects include swale exfiltration improvements, street sweeping, median reconstruction to limit runoff, inlet filters, homeowner runoff reductions, stormwater pond modifications, public education on irrigation best practices, canal circulation improvements, cleaning existing culverts to limit runoff, considering new culverts, improving canal aeration, water-quality monitoring and regional septic system phase out.

In all, Marco Island will focus on 20 of the 27 projects and sub elements that may be feasible that were identified by engineering firm Orlando-based Environmental Research & Design, Inc. (ERD). The city hired ERD after the states designation to conduct a nutrient source evaluation and make recommendations. The project report was completed in September 2021.

What will it cost?

There is not one budget for the 4e plan. There are many projects included in the ongoing restoration and each of those projects has a budget," Lucius said. "In some cases, we are seeking state funding to support certain projects. Regarding the timeline, some of the work has already started, but it is likely we will be working on water quality as a priority for our residents for the foreseeable future.

Marco Island has invested over $5 million in stormwater projects as well as sought state funding for canal flushing and stormwater system improvements, City Manager Mike McNees said in the press release. "There remains much to be done, but this approval represents a big step toward the goal of having Marco Island waterways formally removed from any list of impaired waters.

According to the submitted plan, estimated costs include $275,000 to build a pilot aeration system for the canals and $400,000 to evaluate and implement better circulation with culverts, with Marco Island needing to pay 50 percent to qualify for grant funding. City officials committed about $520,000 during FY2023 when counting the sweeper, one-year sweeper operation, water quality monitoring, and other capital items.

The other ongoing water quality monitoring, swale and inlet work will cost about $1.3 million for the next five years, according to the plan. The 4e program has so far identified another $1.175 million in projects for a five-year cost total of about $2.475 million in city capital funds, plus another $675,000 in grants obtained to date; or over $3.5 million between 2023 and 2029.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Marco Island gets state and federal OK for water quality restoration
The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Gen. Eric Smith to be the top Marine general, ending a monthslong limbo for the Corps as it lacked an official commandant.

Smith, who had served as assistant commandant since 2021, assumed the role of acting commandant upon the retirement in July of Commandant Gen. David Berger.

The White House in May picked Smith as the official replacement for Berger. But Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, has refused to provide unanimous consent to batches of military nominees  the standard process for confirming the leaders.

As acting commandant, Smith has had almost all the same authorities as a Senate-confirmed commandant.

Bidens pick to lead the Marine Corps helped design its new vision

Still, he couldnt issue the commandants long-term planning guidance. He couldnt live in the Home of the Commandants or bear the title commandant. His official title remained assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

Perhaps the biggest disruption in the office of the commandant caused by the leadership vacancy was that Smith was serving in the Corps No. 1 and No. 2 positions at the same time  and that apparently hasnt changed.

The nominee to replace Smith as assistant commandant, Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, is still awaiting confirmation by the Senate. In response to a Marine Corps Times question about whether Smith could appoint an acting assistant, Maj. Joshua Larson, a spokesman for Smith, declined on Wednesday to make any statements on the impending confirmation.

Without a deputy, Smith said Sept. 6, he has ended up with a not sustainable schedule that doesnt leave him enough hours in the day to sleep.

I dont mind breaking my own back, Smith said. Its just, I have to make good decisions.

Tuberville initiated his blockade in protest of a Pentagon policy that covers travel expenses and paid leave for service members who travel out of state to seek abortions  a policy he and many other Republican lawmakers see as violating a law barring the use of federal funds for abortions. The Defense Department has said the policy is part of taking care of our people, ensuring their health and well-being, and ensuring the Force remains ready and resilient.

Before Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, hadnt begun the time-intensive process of holding individual votes on nominees to get around the blockade. But on Tuesday night, Tuberville signaled his intention of forcing a vote on one nominee: Smith, whom the Alabama senator previously had said he looked forward to supporting.

On Wednesday, Schumer announced his intention to hold a vote on three top military nominees, including Smith.

Schumer said Wednesday, Due to the extraordinary circumstances of Sen. Tubervilles reckless decisions, Democrats will take action. 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.

That evening, the Senate confirmed Air Force Gen. CQ Brown to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senators confirmed Gen. Randy George as Army chief early Thursday afternoon.

The vote for Smith followed, with 96 senators, including Tuberville, voting to confirm him and none voting against him.

Its unclear when Smith formally will assume the role of commandant. Spokespeople for Smith and the Department of the Navy didnt immediately respond to Marine Corps Times inquiry.

Tuberville said Wednesday he plans to continue his hold on the more than 300 military nominees who remain unconfirmed.

If Democrats want to complain then they should look in the mirror, he said. I dont control the Senate floor  the Democrats do.

For now, general officers nominated to lead the Marine Corps Reserve; plans, policies and operations; the Pacific-based III Marine Expeditionary Force; programs and resources; aviation division; and more are awaiting confirmation, according to Pentagon news releases.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz, the top enlisted Marine, has been in his role since August. As an enlisted leader, he didnt require Senate confirmation.

At the California-based I Marine Expeditionary Force, made up of approximately 48,000 service members, a major general is still at the helm in an acting capacity, rather than a more senior lieutenant general, following the retirement of the forces leader in August.
FILE - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II takes part in an aerial display during the Singapore Airshow 2022 at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, on Feb. 15, 2022. The crash of an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in South Carolina over the weekend has raised numerous questions about what prompted the pilot to eject after experiencing a malfunction and how the $100 million warplane was able to keep flying pilotless for 60 miles before crashing. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah, File)

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)  A military pilot whose advanced fighter jet went temporarily missing over the weekend is heard repeatedly requesting an ambulance in a perplexing 911 call from the South Carolina home where he had parachuted to safety, according to an audio recording released Thursday to The Associated Press.

The four-minute recording captures the bizarre circumstances for the three unidentified people involved: a North Charleston resident calmly explaining that a pilot just parachuted into his backyard, the pilot who doesnt know what became of his F-35 jet, and a puzzled dispatcher trying to make sense of it all.

We got a pilot in the house, and I guess he landed in my backyard, and were trying to see if we could get an ambulance to the house, please, the resident said.

The pilot, who said he was 47, reported feeling OK after falling what he estimated was 2,000 feet. Only his back hurt, he said. The resident said the pilot looked fine.

Ma'am, a military jet crashed. Im the pilot. We need to get rescue rolling, the pilot said. Im not sure where the airplane is. It would have crash landed somewhere. I ejected.

Later in the call, he made another plea for medical help.

"Maam, Im a pilot in a military aircraft, and I ejected. So I just rode a parachute down to the ground. Can you please send an ambulance? the pilot said.

The Marines have described the pilot as an experienced aviator with decades of experience in the cockpit.

The F-35 crashed Sunday after a malfunction prompted the pilot to eject over Charleston and land in the residential backyard not far from Charleston International Airport.

The fighter jet, which the Marine Corps said was at an altitude of only about 1,000 feet (300 meters), kept flying for 60 miles (100 kilometers) until it crashed in a rural area near Indiantown. It took more than a day to locate the wreckage.

In a separate eight-minute dispatch call released Thursday to the AP, an unidentified official tried explaining that they had a pilot with his parachute but no information about what happened to his plane or word of a crash. He said "the pilot lost sight of it on his way down due to the weather.

The official also recalled hearing a rather loud noise about 25 minutes prior that sounded something like a tornado, possibly a plane.

The Marine Corps said Thursday that a feature on fighter jets intended to protect pilots in emergencies could explain how the F-35 managed to continue its travels. They said that while it was unclear why the jet kept flying, flight control software would have worked to keep it steady if there were no longer a pilot's hands on the controls.

If the jet is stable in level flight, the jet will attempt to stay there. If it was in an established climb or descent, the jet will maintain a 1G state in that climb or descent until commanded to do something else, the Marine Corps said in a statement. This is designed to save our pilots if they are incapacitated or lose situational awareness.

Other questions about the crash remained, notably why the plane wasn't tracked as it continued flying over South Carolina and how it could take more than a day to find a massive fighter jet that had flown over populated, although rural, areas.

The Marines said features that erase a jet's secure communications in case of an ejection  a feature designed to protect both the pilot's location and the plane's classified systems  may also have complicated efforts to find it.

Normally, aircraft are tracked via radar and transponder codes, the Marines said. Upon pilot ejection, the aircraft is designed to erase (or zeroize) all secure communication."

The plane would have kept broadcasting an identifier on an open channel to identify itself as friend or foe  but even on an unclassified communications channel air traffic control may not have been able to pick up the signal depending on how powerful its radar was, the weather at the time, how high the plane was flying and the terrain, the Marines said. They said thunderstorms and low cloud ceilings further hampered the search for the plane.

When coupled with the F-35s stealth capabilities, tracking the jet had to be done through non-traditional means, the service said in its statement.

The incident is still under investigation and results from an official review board could take months.

However, the Marines said the feature that kept the plane flying may not only have saved the life of the pilot but of others on the ground.

The good news is it appeared to work as advertised. The other bit of silver lining in this case is that through the F-35 flying away it avoided crashing into a densely populated area surrounding the airport, and fortunately crashed into an empty field and forested area," the statement said.

___

Copp reported from Washington. 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.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The president of the Marshall Islands said on Wednesday his Pacific island nation was "cautiously optimistic" it could soon finalize a deal on future ties with the United States, but repeated a call for Washington to address the legacy of massive nuclear testing in the 1940s and 50s.

The Marshall Islands is one of three sparsely populated Pacific island nations covered by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the United States. Under the agreements, the U.S. has responsibility for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive access to huge strategic swaths of the Pacific.

The U.S. agreed renewed COFA deals with Micronesia and Palau this year, but is still negotiating with the Marshall Islands at a time when China is making significant inroads into the Pacific, a region the U.S. has long considered its back yard.

The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands called in July for more U.S. money to deal with the nuclear legacy to enable the renewal of its COFA, the economic terms of which expire on Sept. 30.

Marshall Islands President David Kabua told the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York his country wanted to continue its free association with the United States but Washington "must realize that the Marshallese people require that the nuclear issue will be addressed."

"We ... have satisfactorily addressed most issues and remain cautiously optimistic that our agreements will be finalized soon," he said. "However, there remain difficult issues that the Marshallese people have insisted need to be resolved ... we cannot ignore the wishes of our people."

Under MOUs agreed this year, the U.S. will commit a total of $7.1 billion over 20 years to the three nations, subject to congressional approval.

Chief U.S. negotiator Joseph Yun has proposed Congress approve the total amount by Sept. 30, even without a final agreement with the Marshall Islands.

The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink told a July congressional hearing the U.S. was "absolutely committed" to reaching a deal with the Marshall Islands, calling such agreements "central to our entire position in the Pacific."

Marshall Islanders are still plagued by health and environmental effects of 67 U.S. nuclear bomb tests from 1946 to 1958, which included "Castle Bravo" at Bikini Atoll in 1954 - the largest U.S. bomb ever detonated.

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.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Russia launched multiple waves of cruise missile attacks on Ukraine in the early hours of Sept. 21 in what was possibly the most massive missile assault on the country by Kremlin forces in recent months.

Read also: Explosions at Chkalovsky airfield near Moscow damage several aircraft

Explosions and air raid alarms wailed across all regions of Ukraine. In Kyiv alone, there were reports of falling missile debris in around 20 locations, resulting in two casualties. Other regions also experienced missile impacts and reported casualties, reads a post by local law enforcement on Facebook.

The Ukrainian Air Force said in its morning report that Russia had fired 43 cruise missiles at Ukraine from 10 Tu-95MS strategic bombers from a launch line above Engels, in Russia's Saratov Oblast, well to the east of Ukraine. The air force said 36 of the missiles had been shot down.

Read also: Ukraine, US near agreement on ATACMS supply  Zelenskyy

Residents of Kyiv were awoken at 4.26 a.m. by the sound of air raid sirens. After about 30 minutes, the sound of air defenses being activated could be heard, followed by explosions audible across the entire Ukrainian capital.

That air raid lasted 2 hours and 14 minutes. A second air alert followed in the capital at 7.15 a.m. It lasted for 48 minutes.

Read also: Ukrainian air defenses down dozens of Russian cruise missiles and kamikaze drones in massive overnight air attack

The Office of the Prosecutor General said that as a result of the raids there had been damage to private residences of civilian residents, economic structures, vehicles, and a hospital building in several districts of Kyiv Oblast. Some missile fragments also ignited a fire on a companys premises. The Prosecutor Generals Office underscored that none of the damaged objects were military targets.

Law enforcement agencies are currently inspecting the locations affected and assisting citizens in coping with the aftermath of the attack.

In the city of Kyiv, seven individuals were injured as a result of the attack, with debris falling in various districts of the capital. The districts of the city affected included Holosiivskyi (windows of a five-story building damaged), Shevchenkivskyi (debris fragments damaged a gas pipeline), Desnianskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi (electricity supply interruptions).

The Darnytskyi district sustained the most damage, with non-residential premises, parked vehicles, and a vocational school dormitory being hit by missile fragments. An auto repair shop also caught fire.

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Consequences of the attack in the Kyiv Oblast www.facebook.com/pol.kyivregion

Consequences of the attack in the Kyiv Oblast www.facebook.com/pol.kyivregion

Preliminary information indicates that Kyiv was targeted by cruise missiles of the Kh-101/555/55 type.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later confirmed that seven people had been injured in the attack, including a nine-year-old girl, with four others receiving on-site medical assistance.

Read also: Battlefield situation in southern and eastern Ukraine  expert interview

Elsewhere, fragments of shot-down Russian missiles also damaged a hotel in the center of Cherkasy, resulting in ten reported injuries. In Drohobych, Lviv Oblast, three Russian missiles struck, causing fires in a workshop and warehouses.

Later, Russia targeted Kharkiv six times with S-300 air defenses missiles fired in ballistic, ground-attack mode, resulting in two injuries.

Russian invasion forces also shelled a dormitory in Kherson, leading to three deaths and five injuries.

Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, commenting on the massive missile strike on Sept. 21, described it as powerful, but noted that Ukraines air defense system had performed reasonably well.

The enemy attacked with a significant geographic scope, Ihnat said on Ukrainian national television, adding that the enemy employed various tactical techniques, direction changes, and various types of weaponry.

Read also: How defense minister Umerov begins to reform his department  expert interview

We observed missiles moving from east to west and returning to central regions. This time, missiles reached many regions, but our air defense system responded quite effectively, Ihnat said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
As many as 48,000 Novaform mattresses have been recalled after reports of mold, safety officials said.

The mattresses included in the recall  Novaform ComfortGrande 14-inch and Novaform DreamAway 8-inch  were sold exclusively through Costco, according to a Sept. 21 news release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Officials said the mattresses were potentially exposed to water during their manufacturing at a San Bernardino, California, facility, according to the release.

The water may cause mold to develop inside the mattresses, posing a health risk to those with immune deficiencies, lung or breathing problems, or mold allergies, officials said.

The company has received 541 reports of mold in the mattresses, but no injuries or illness have been reported, the commission said.

The mattresses were sold in-store at Costco locations throughout northwestern states and in the San Francisco area, according to the release. They were also sold nationally online.

Included in the recall are just shy of 50,000 mattresses sold between January and June, according to the release.

The ComfortGrande 14-inch mattress has Novaform printed in white letters on a blue base, and the DreamAway 8-inch mattress has Novaform printed in white letters on a gray base, the company says.

The 14-inch mattress recall includes two different king-size options, two queen-size options, and the California king, twin and full-size mattresses, according to the release.

The 8-inch mattress recall includes two twin and two full-size mattresses.

Anyone who has purchased one of the recalled mattresses may bring the mattress back to Costco for a full refund or a replacement mattress, and they will receive free delivery of a new mattress and free pick up and disposal of the recalled mattress.

Costco is contacting those known to have purchased the mattress directly about their options, the release said.

H&M recalls mens accessory over lead poisoning risk. Heres what to know

Kraft recalls American cheese singles after customers said they choked or gagged

Why Walmart has stopped selling two kinds of store-brand cake. One has been recalled

The bad news: Theres a public health alert about canned Spam. Heres the good news
CHICAGO  Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration recently moved forward with plans to place new asylum-seekers in massive tent camps around the city, signing a nearly $30 million contract with a private security firm at the center of controversies related to its handling of asylum-seekers elsewhere in the U.S.

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. Earlier this month, Johnsons team noted the citys migrant expenditures could reach $302 million by the end of this year when factoring in costs of the new tent encampment sites.

The $29.4 million GardaWorld agreement with the city came less than a week after Johnson announced he intended to move about 1,600 migrants living inside Chicago police stations to a network of newly erected large tents peppered throughout the city before winter.

The mayor has yet to reveal details about the timeline or locations of the camps, but the contract reveals some specifics about the tents it would assemble. The soft-material yurt structures would fit 12 cots each and would be outfitted with fire extinguishers and portable restrooms while a makeshift kitchen 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. Those dealings encompass projects and proposals in Denver, Texas, Florida and Canada related to migrants  spurring internal concerns from members of Johnsons own administration two months earlier.

Sharing this article about Denvers rejection of GaurdaWorld (sic). Wed like to discuss possible implications here, the citys deputy mayor for immigration Beatriz Ponce de Leon wrote in a July 24 email with state officials that the Chicago Tribune obtained via a records request. She then linked to an article in the Denver Post about a $40 million migrant-related contract with GardaWorld getting scuttled.

Officials with Johnsons administration did not immediately return requests for comment.

Representatives with GardaWorld declined to comment Wednesday and deferred questions on the contract to the city of Chicago.

Controversies in Denver, border states

Earlier this summer, Denvers City Council was set to vote on a planned $40 million contract with GardaWorld, but its mayor withdrew the plan in July after heavy backlash from local nonprofit leaders, the Denver Post reported. Those critics questioned the companys experience with sheltering migrants as well as its emphasis on military-style operations, according to the Post.

GardaWorld was founded in Canada under the name Trans-Quebec Security Inc. in 1995, according to its website, before expanding internationally amid a spate of acquisitions. Regarding the American division based in McLean, Virginia, the companys 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.

In the past decade, the company has been contracted for immigration-related services that include detention, drawing alarm from immigration advocates who followed the situation in Denver.

Jennifer Piper, project director at the Colorado branch of the progressive, Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee, said her organization found that GardaWorld has contracted with the U.S. federal government to provide migrant services at the border in Texas, too. She and others helped sink the Denver contract, and she said that 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.

GardaWorld did not respond to questions on its reported involvement with migrant shelters or detention.

The firm also was one of three finalists in Florida for Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to relaunch a program relocating migrants to Democratic-led cities, according to the Tampa Bay Times. After that arrangement with the administration of the 2024 GOP presidential candidate was detailed in Denver ahead of the planned $40 million contract vote, GardaWorld executives sent a letter to Denver city leaders promising to halt any Florida agreements were they to secure the Denver contract, according to 9news.

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 is DeSantis efforts to manipulate a humanitarian crisis for a political stunt.

The Times also noted the DeSantis administration specifically sought vendors who would agree with the following truths in its request for proposals: 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 piggybacking on the $125 million state deal secured months ago with GardaWorld, but records from the state comptrollers office show just one payment to the company in July for $2,650.

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.

Although the state hasnt paid GardaWorld much yet out of the contract, correspondence between Johnson and Pritzkers administrations, including from Ponce de Leon, show that both were aware of the negative press GardaWorld has incurred.

Spokespeople for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Department of Human Services did not respond immediately Wednesday to detailed questions about the states involvement in the citys agreement with GardaWorld and the concerns previously raised.

But IEMA spokesman Kevin Sur said in a brief phone call that the state had minimal interaction with the company related to the mayors base camp proposal.

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.

A Human Services spokeswoman did not respond immediately Wednesday to questions about the work GardaWorld performed under the contracts.

Alderman Andre Vasquez, chairman of the Chicago City Councils immigration committee, told the Tribune on Wednesday, I dont understand why we would give money to the same folks who were willing to do the bidding of DeSantis administration. 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 and related migrant dealings. 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 them Venezuelan immigrants who trekked across Central and South America with few resources and are still awaiting job permits.

The contract with the city of Chicago 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 facilities 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.

Tent encampments would be made with ClearSpan fabric and provide natural ventilation, armshield cover and multiple foundation options, according to the contract.

There would be groupings of smaller tents, which the contract describes as yurts, that span about 665 square feet and would be outfitted with 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 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 ratio calls for at least one toilet to 20 people, and one toilet and one urinal per 25 males, according to the contract. 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 the tent site, 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.

_____
Migrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Migrants have always come to the U.S., but the immigration system now seems strained nationwide more than ever. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A small town on the Texas border declares a state of emergency as tens of thousands of migrants cross the border. The Biden administration grants protection to nearly half a million Venezuelans in the country, giving them the ability to work. This comes after some Democratic mayors and governors warn that growing numbers of migrants in their care are busting their budgets.

The various scenarios playing out across the country paint a picture of a strained immigration system making an impact far from the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden administration late Wednesday announced measures intended to alleviate the problems.

The U.S. has had immigration surges before so what's different now, and why?

HOW DOES THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS ARRIVING NOW COMPARE TO PREVIOUS DECADES?

Part of the issue is that a lot more people are coming to the U.S. The numbers dropped earlier this summer after pandemic-era migration rules ended and tougher enforcement measures kicked in. But the numbers are climbing again.

On Wednesday, the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, announced a state of emergency after nearly 6,000 migrants crossed the Rio Grande River from Mexico into the town of roughly 28,000 people in two days.

In fiscal year 2022, Border Patrol encountered 2.2 million people crossing the border illegally. The numbers have gone down in the fiscal year ending this month  about 1.6 million so far  but that's still high.

You have to go back decades to see comparable numbers. From 1990 to 2006, Border Patrol encounters nearly always topped one million a year, with a peak of 1.6 million in 2000. Then the numbers began to fall. From 2010 to 2020, the agency recorded below half a million encounters a year, except for 2019 when they climbed to 859,501.

Statistics aren't always a perfect measure, of course. The numbers from the 1990s and 2000s are considered vast undercounts because migrants often evaded authorities as they entered the U.S. Now, migrants often turn themselves in so they can request asylum.

In recent years, the measures used to contain the COVID-19 pandemic skewed the count. The government relied heavily on a public health tool called Title 42 to quickly eject people from the country. But there was no penalty so experts say migrants returned again and again, thus pushing up the statistics.

WHAT'S THE GOVERNMENT DOING?

The Biden administration late Wednesday announced it was giving Temporary Protected Status to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the country as of July 31. That makes it easier for them to work in the U.S. Venezuelans make up such a large proportion of the people coming to the U.S. that changing their status has an outsized effect. In New York City, about 40% of the rough 60,000 asylum seekers the city is paying to house are from Venezuela.

The administration also vowed to speed up the time it takes for migrants who are already eligible to work to get their authorizations processed  a key demand from Democratic governors and mayors.

More broadly, the administration has relied on a carrot and stick approach over the last year to deal with immigration. That's involved doing things like giving humanitarian parole to people from certain countries provided they have a financial sponsor and fly into the country. And then relying heavily on consequences for those who don't follow the rules. For example, they have beefed up deportations and expulsions.

Republicans say it's not enough and accuse the administration of doing little to control the southern border.

WHO IS COMING AND DOES THAT AFFECT RESOURCES?

Julia Gelatt, of the Migration Policy Institute, said there are key differences between what's going on now and during past immigration surges.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there were more single adults coming to the U.S. Now, families with children are increasingly arriving, and they have different needs. While a single adult traveling by himself may be OK crashing on a friend's couch, families often expect more for their children and may be more likely to need government services to protect them. Kids need to go to school.

Also, communications have advanced. These days, migrants can easily share information on social media about the best places to go and what services are available.

Gelatt noted that many of the migrants crossing the border don't hide from the government. Some have been granted humanitarian parole or have a notice to appear in immigration court. They may feel more empowered to ask for assistance.

WHERE ARE MIGRANTS STAYING?

One of the challenges that has thrust immigration into the spotlight is housing.

New York City and Massachusetts have right-to-shelter rules, meaning they must provide housing to people who need it with certain restrictions. In addition to the roughly 60,000 migrants New York is housing, Massachusetts is also paying to shelter about 11,000 new arrivals.

Murad Awawdeh, who heads the New York Immigration Coalition that advocates for immigrants' rights, said immigrants arriving in the city previously didn't really use the city-run shelter system. They had friends or relatives to help them find places to stay. But that's changing.

The most unique thing about this situation is simply that folks dont have a family connection here or community connections like they have had historically, Awawdeh said.

Decades ago, migrants arriving in the U.S. were almost all Mexican nationals. Experts and officials note that migrants today arrive from a vast array of countries across South and Central America and Africa, as well as from China and India. Their disparate countries of origin complicate deportations, because they have to be flown. In some cases, migrants can't be deported because the U.S. has no agreement with their native countries, notably Venezuela.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF MIGRANTS BEING BUSED FROM THE BORDER?

In 2022, Texas began busing migrants to Democrat-led cities around the country to challenge the Biden administration's border policies. Arizona has also bused migrants out of state.

The numbers are relatively small compared to the overall migrant flow. For example, since the spring of 2022, New York says it has counted 113,000 newly arrived migrants compared to the 8,200 Texas said it bused there.

But the Migration Policy Institute wrote last year that the Republican-sponsored trips had repercussions far beyond the numbers. After crossing the southern border, migrants used to spread organically, quietly, and gradually across the U.S., the Institute wrote.

The buses have instead brought migrants to these cities in an orchestrated, visible, and deliberately disorderly way. ... In generating this chaos, the busing scheme has succeeded at least in showcasing the challenges at the border," the organization wrote.

___

Associated Press reporter Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel has extended the closure of the main crossing point with the Gaza Strip on Thursday, to prevent the entry of thousands of Palestinian laborers following protests along the volatile border.

The Office of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an Israeli Defense Ministry unit that coordinates with the Palestinians, said in a press release that the Erez Crossing, the only pedestrian crossing between Gaza and Israel, will remain closed.

The move is "harming Gaza workers and their families, as well as other permit holders who need to travel for humanitarian needs," Gisha, a human rights organization said in a statement.

The measure was taken following an instruction by Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, according to the press release, saying the crossing would be reopened "in accordance with situational assessments."

Although the crossing was planned to be reopened on Monday, COGAT announced that it would remain closed due to the eruption of violent protests.

During days of demonstrations, protestors along the fence have hurled stones and explosives at Israeli troops, who responded with live fire. According to Palestinian media reports, at least one Palestinian was killed and dozens injured by Israeli gunfire.

Approximately 20,000 Gazans hold permits from Israeli authorities to work in Israel, contributing significantly to the much-needed influx of funds into the economy of the coastal enclave. 
Mohammed bin Salman , the Saudi Crown Prince whom US intelligence officials blame for ordering the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi , has called the killing a mistake.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national who lived in the United States, was murdered and dismembered by Saudi government personnel at the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018. Excerpts of an audio recording of his final moments, widely believed to have been made by bugs placed in the building by Turkish intelligence, were later made public by news outlets.

It was a mistake. It was painful, said bin Salman during an interview with Fox News. He told anchor Bret Baier that everyone involved in the murder served time in prison.

We try to reform the security system to be sure that this kind of mistake doesnt happen again, and we can see in the past five years nothing of those things happened. Its not part of what Saudi Arabia does, he said. We take all the legal measurements that any country took We did that in Saudi Arabia and the case being closed.

The late Washington Post opinion columnist was an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, and his murder sparked outrage across the globe even as it drew a muted response from the Trump administration.

Investigations by US media outlets subsequently found that the murder was carried out by Saudi security officials with close ties to the crown prince.

And in November 2019, the Washington Post reported that US intelligence officials had concluded that bin Salman, who is commonly referred to by his initials MBS, had ordered the grisly killing.

While Saudi officials have denied that MBS was involved in the late columnists murder, a declassified intelligence assessment released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence revealed that US officials believed that hed given a proverbial green light to the operation in Istanbul.

We assess that Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the assessment said. We base this assessment on the Crown Princes control of decision making in the Kingdom since 2017, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salmans protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Princes support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi.

The DNI assed that MBS absolute control of the Kingdoms security and intelligence organizations made it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Princes authorization.

President Joe Biden had promised to make Saudi Arabia a pariah over the murder during his 2020 campaign, but he has instead tried to shore up relations with the kingdom and push for normalisation of Saudi Arabias ties with Israel.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) declined a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address Congress Thursday, saying there was not enough time.

Zelensky asked us for a joint session; we just didnt have time, McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill, according to videos of the exchange.

The comments come as the House is struggling to advance funding bills with a deadline looming at the end of the month and with continued financial support for Ukraine one of the sticking points among conservatives.

Zelensky, who addressed a joint session of Congress during his last visit in December, traveled to Washington Thursday to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as he seeks to shore up support for more U.S. aid in the fight against Russia.

While the entire Senate met with Zelensky in the Old Senate Chamber, only a select few House leaders attended a meeting on the other side of Capitol Hill.

McCarthy said the Zelensky meeting was no different than previous ones the House has held with foreign leaders.

What were doing for Zelensky is the exactly the same thing we did for the prime minister of the U.K., the prime minister of Italy, he said.

Approved U.S. aid for Ukraine is running out fast, and Congress will soon need to approve another package.

President Biden has requested $24 billion in additional funding, but there remains no clear path to passing a supplemental in Congress at the moment, which is currently ensnared in a crisis to keep the government funded.

Zelensky is also meeting Thursday with leaders at the Pentagon and with Biden in the White House.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Polish Foreign Ministry was surprised by the country's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki 's statement that Poland is not sending more weapons to Ukraine as it is rearming itself, the news portal RMF24 reported on Sept. 21.

According to the news outlet, Poland's head of government likely did not consult his words with the foreign ministry.

Previously on Sept. 20, Morawiecki told Polsat News that Warsaw is no longer supplying Kyiv with arms, as it is shifting focus on restocking its own military arsenal.

Media outlets have connected the announcement to the ongoing dispute between Poland and Ukraine over an embargo on Ukrainian grain, which saw tensions rise between the traditionally close allies.

The Polish government spokesperson Piotr Muller clarified that Warsaw continues to supply arms and ammunition that are part of previously agreed deliveries.

The official added that the hub in Rzeszow for Western military assistance flowing to Ukraine also continues to operate.

According to RMF24, the foreign ministry staff reiterated the same position, saying that Poland is currently delivering a shipment of Krab self-propelled howitzers. The ministry's officials are reportedly waiting for the return of Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau from the U.S. to receive instructions on how to address the issue.

Regarding the halt of the arms flow, RMF24 argued that Warsaw simply ran out of arms it could provide without jeopardizing its own security, adding that the Polish arms industry continues to refill the stocks.

Commenting on any potential future arms shipments for Ukraine, Polish State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin said that "at the moment it is as the prime minister said - in the future, we will see."

According to the Polish Defense Ministry, the country's military aid for Ukraine amounted to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) by July. This support included a wide range of weaponry from MiG-29 jets and tanks to armored vehicles and artillery.

Read also: Sawomir Sierakowski: The strongest army in Europe?

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.

The dispute arose just as Poland heads for a parliamentary election in October. The governing Law and Justice (PiS) party hopes to secure the backing of voters from rural regions who would be most likely affected by the influx of Ukrainian grain.

Opposition leader Donald Tusk who wants to unseat the right-wing party criticized the apparent escalation of the grain disputes by PiS as "dangerous and disturbing."

He also denounced Morawiecki's words on the weapons transfers, calling it a "moral and geopolitical scandal," and accused PiS of using the disputes for their election campaign.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Mesh (formerly Front Finance), a startup developing a service to help customers transfer and manage digital assets like crypto, has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round led by Money Forward with participation from Galaxy, Samsung Next, Streamlined Ventures, SNR.VC, Hike VC, Heitner Group, Valon Capital, Florida Funders, Altair Capital, Network VC and various angels.

Mesh will use the new cash, which brings its total raised to date to $32 million, to further develop its tools for deposits, payments and payouts, co-founder and CEO Bam Azizi says, as well as support its go-to-market operations.

"Consumers are increasingly focused on digital-first experiences when it comes to their money -- whether it's online banking or a collectible asset," Azizi told TechCrunch in an email interview. "Mesh is reinventing the connection layer that's essential to facilitating these digital-first user experiences, giving users the ability to access and move their money on their own terms."

Mesh, a participant in the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at TC Disrupt 2023, was founded in 2020 by Azizi and Adam Israel. Prior to starting Mesh, Azizi launched the cybersecurity and identity company NoPassword, which LogMeIn acquired in 2019. Israel came from the banking sector, having worked at HSBC as a managing director.

Azizi and Israel spent several years building the core infrastructure for Mesh before rolling it out, alongside the company's business-to-business offerings, in September 2022, with the goal of making Mesh the "intermediate connection layer" between non-traditional assets.

Businesses can use Mesh to let their customers move assets -- including crypto -- across different platforms. And users can connect different asset classes and accounts holding those assets with read, write and transfer capabilities to Mesh, having the platform aggregate all of their accounts.

Mesh supports in-app transfers of assets across exchanges and wallets, plus payments and payouts of crypto. Azizi asserts that Mesh doesn't store users' personal information or credentials, keeps transfer destinations anonymous from the perspective of external accounts and doesn't actually touch assets, providing a purely direct account-to-account transfer.

"Meshs plug and play solution is particularly compelling for those businesses that want to give more interoperability to their users but are not willing to build the APIs from scratch for every platform," Azizi said. "We want Mesh to be present in every single transaction that happens in the digital world and make it more secure, compliant and user-friendly."

Is Mesh more secure, compliant and user-friendly than what's out there? Perhaps. In any case, Mesh's sales pitch appears to have won over a respectable number of customers -- the company claims to have 70 paying clients across the finance and digital assets industries.

Certainly, it's a large addressable market. Millions of people globally, including 16% of adult Americans, have purchased digital assets, which reached a market capitalization of $3 trillion globally last November. Investors in Mesh are no doubt angling for a slice of that pie.

"With this recent funding, we are in an incredibly strong place to execute against our long-term vision," Azizi said.
A Methuen man has died after jumping into a rip current off Salisbury Beach to rescue his son being pulled away from shore, the Essex County District Attorneys Office says.

They miss him terribly of course. We keep on waiting for him to walk through the door again, said Alexis Wronski Garys partner.

Gary Simard, 44, and his family were enjoying a day at Salisbury Beach Wednesday when his eldest of four children was caught in a rip current offshore, the Essex County District Attorneys office said Thursday.

Simard and two bystanders rushed into the water to rescue the 12-year-old boy. While the Good Samaritans were able to bring the young boy back to shore, a witness told Boston 25 News Simard was pulled at least 100 yards out from the beach.

I know its a terrible situation, but as Ive said before if he had the opportunity to save him again, I know he would, said Wronski.

Simard had been out in the ocean for around 20 minutes by the time Salisbury police and fire crews arrived and pulled him from the ocean. Crews began to perform live-saving measures and was transported to Seabrook Emergency Room, where he was pronounced deceased, the DAs office says.

Simards family in Haverhill told Boston 25 News Thursday that he is a hero and that all he wanted was for his son to be saved from the rip current. He had recently became the finance manager at the Mini Cooper in Peabody.

Wronski said he was the familys rock, and he died a superhero. I just cant believe he didnt survive. Hes so strong. He was their Superman. Hes Hulk, said Wronski.

She said she would like the to meet the men who ran to save her son and tried to save her partner and thank them for their heroic efforts.

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Organised crime groups in Mexico have about 175,000 members  making them the fifth-biggest employer in the country, according to new research published in the journal Science.

Related: Son of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman extradited to the US for drug trafficking

Using a decade of data on homicides, missing persons and incarcerations, as well as information about interactions between rival factions, the paper published on Thursday mathematically modeled overall cartel membership, and how levels of violence would respond to a range of policies.

The authors argue that the best way to reduce the bloodshed would be to cut cartel recruitment  whereas locking up more members would actually increase the murder rate.

More than 1.7 million people in Latin America are incarcerated, and adding more people to saturated jails will not solve the insecurity problem, wrote the authors.

The number of homicides in Mexico more than tripled between 2007 and 2021  when the government reported 34,000 victims, or nearly 27 victims for every 100,000 inhabitants  making it one of the deadliest countries in Latin America.

At a national level, two organised crime groups  the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel  battle for domination. But analysts have identified 198 armed groups in Mexico, many of which are subcontractors to bigger players but also undertake local turf disputes.

The paper, titled Reducing cartel recruitment is the only way to lower violence in Mexico, was cautiously welcomed by security analysts in the field. It is a first of its kind, said Victoria Dittmar, a researcher for the Insight Crime thinktank, who did not take part in the study. I havent seen any other estimates of how many people we believe are somehow related to criminal groups.

But Dittmar said the figure would depend on the definition of a cartel and what constitutes membership, since working for a crime faction is very different to being formally employed.

It can be very difficult to say who is a member of a criminal organisation, and who isnt, said Dittmar. What about a politician that receives money? Or someone who cooperates with the group just once?

The idea of targeting cartel recruitment to reduce violence is itself not new, said Valentin Pereda, a professor at the University of Montreal who also was not involved in the study.

Related: As Mexicos epidemic of violence rages on, authorities seem powerless to stop it

If cartels cannot recruit, then they cannot replace their losses, then they cannot keep fighting each other, said Pereda. It makes sense. But until now no one had provided a data-based assessment of how it would work in practice.

But it is one thing to say recruitment should be reduced, and another to come up with policies to make that happen.

Not every member of an organised crime group is involved in violent activities, which means specific subgroups must be targeted separately.

These include the typical profile of the young, working-class man who might be recruited as a sicario  or gunman  or to enforce territorial control. But they also include highly trained deserters from the Mexican police and the militaries across Latin America.

Pereda added that reducing recruitment is also far from the only way to reduce violence, arguing that disarming the cartels must be a central part of any strategy.

One thing that is missing from this study is that violence in Mexico is also a product of the weaponry that is used, said Pereda. Were not talking about people with knives going at each other in a bar. Were talking about paramilitary units with military-grade weapons.

The paper enters a debate across Latin America as to how best to reduce violence, encapsulated by two starkly different approaches in Mexico and El Salvador.

Mexicos president Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors hugs, not bullets policy makes a similar case to that of the new paper: that by offering economic alternatives to young people, they would be less tempted to join cartels, and violence would fall.

Calderon sends in the army

Mexicos war on drugs began in late 2006 when the president at the time, Felipe Calderon, ordered thousands of troops on to the streets in response to an explosion of horrific violence in his native state of Michoacan.

Calderon hoped to smash the drug cartels with his heavily militarized onslaught but the approach was counterproductive and exacted a catastrophic human toll. As Mexicos military went on the offensive, the body count skyrocketed to new heights and tens of thousands were forced from their homes, disappeared or killed.

Kingpin strategy

Simultaneously, Calderon also began pursuing the so-called kingpin strategy by which authorities sought to decapitate the cartels by targeting their leaders.

That policy resulted in some high-profile successes  notably Arturo Beltran Leyva, who was gunned down by Mexican marines in 2009  but also did little to bring peace. In fact, many believe such tactics served only to pulverize the world of organized crime, creating even more violence as new, less predictable factions squabbled for their piece of the pie.

Under Calderons successor, Enrique Pena Nieto, the governments rhetoric on crime softened as Mexico sought to shed its reputation as the headquarters of some the worlds most murderous mafia groups.

But Calderons policies largely survived, with authorities targeting prominent cartel leaders such as Sinaloas Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

When El Chapo was arrested in early 2016, Mexicos president bragged: Mission accomplished. But the violence went on. By the time Pena Nieto left office in 2018, Mexico had suffered another record year of murders, with nearly 36,000 people slain.

'Hugs not bullets'

The leftwing populist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took power in December, promising a dramatic change in tactics. Lopez Obrador, or Amlo, as most call him, vowed to attack the social roots of crime, offering vocational training to more than 2.3 million disadvantaged young people at risk of being ensnared by the cartels.



It will be virtually impossible to achieve peace without justice and [social] welfare, Amlo said, promising to slash the murder rate from an average of 89 killings per day with his hugs not bullets doctrine.

Amlo also pledged to chair daily 6am security meetings and create a 60,000 strong national guard. But those measures have yet to pay off, with the new security force used mostly to hunt Central American migrants.

Mexico now suffers an average of about 96 murders a day.

As implemented, however, the strategy has failed to reduce overall violence, which has increased during this administration.

In El Salvador, meanwhile, President Nayib Bukele has drastically reduced violence by doing precisely the opposite of what the paper prescribes: around 2% of the countrys population has been jailed in a mass incarceration spree that has prompted accusations of systematic human rights violations.

Related: El Salvador crackdown breaks the gangs  at huge cost to human rights

The logic behind Bukeles strategy is not to incarcerate all gang members, but to use those who are incarcerated as hostages and make their safety behind bars conditional to the behaviour of their associates who are not imprisoned, said Pereda.

Pereda doubts such a strategy would work in Mexico, where it would imply an even more draconian policy of incarceration  and human rights abuses.

But the experience of El Salvador shows that organised crime groups are political entities  and that you can devise ways to manipulate their behaviour by treating them as such.
Mexican cartels have seen a surge in growth in their participating members over the last decade, according to a new study, to the point where they have effectively become the nations fifth-largest employer.

Researchers created a mathematical model using homicide, missing persons and incarceration data to track cartel recruitment. Their study, published Thursday in the journal Science, found that some 175,000 people in Mexico are employed by 150 different cartel groups.

The researchers said they hope their study can help analysts and governments who have long struggled to understand cartels and find a better way out of this cycle of violence.

In the last ten years, 37 percent of known cartel members had been killed or incarcerated, and yet the size of cartels grew. The researchers found they must have recruited nearly 20,000 members a year to make up for losses.

An unrelated report released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in July estimated that the two largest cartels, Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, employed more than 44,800 people. The studys author, Rafael Prieto-Curiel, a former Mexico City police officer, said his model showed a similar number of 46,000 cartel members in those two groups.

Neither of those numbers might be fully representative of the total number though, the Thursday report said.

The model only accounts for those directly involved in work that puts them at risk of violence, and not memberssuch as bankerswho help move and launder cartels money, it stated.

Victoria Dittmar, a researcher for Insight Crime who did not take part in the study, told The Guardian that the numbers depend on the definition of a cartel and what constitutes membership.

It can be very difficult to say who is a member of a criminal organization and who isnt, Dittmar said. What about a politician that receives money? Or someone who cooperates with the group just once?

Other researchers have said Prieto-Curiels July study is a breakthrough because previous attempts to fight organized crime by the cartels have failed  and the study has shown combatting the crime starts with decreasing the cartels ability to recruit new members.

At least we know we have to focus on that question rather than just sending more money to armed forces and building prisons, said Carlos Gershenson, a computer scientist at Binghamton University who did not participate in the research. You need to cut the source of the problem rather than dealing with the consequences.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Miami-Dade man who drove a power boat at high speed into a rocky area off the coast of Bimini pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter charges in the deaths of two passengers over a Fourth of July holiday weekend three years ago.

Josbel Fernandez Echevarria, 37, admitted that he killed, without malice, passengers Javier Perez, 29, and Carolyn Alvarez, 26, both of the Miami area, by failing to maintain a proper lookout and failing to proceed at a safe speed, according to his guilty plea to a two-count indictment.

After the boat crash on the night of July 2, 2020, Perez was found on the jagged rock, but his girlfriend, Alvarez, disappeared into the dark water off Bimini in the Bahamas.

Fernandez, who is from South Miami-Dade, faces up to eight years in prison on each involuntary manslaughter count at his Jan. 12, 2024 sentencing before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams. But he is expected to receive less than the maximum for accepting responsibility for his crime just over one year after being charged in Miami federal court.

Members of the Perez and Alvarez families said after Wednesdays plea hearing that they were relieved with the outcome of the criminal case  one they feared would not be pursued because the boat crash occurred in the Bahamas.

Javier Perezs father, Juan, who was joined by his wife, Gloria, and their three sons, John, Jorge and Luis, accused the boat driver of negligence, saying he was more concerned about his own welfare than the two crash victims.

Josbel Fernandez displayed a complete lack of humanity and compassion following the accident, Juan Perez told the Miami Herald. Not only did he fail to provide any assistance to our son and Carolyn, but he also abandoned them at the scene of the tragedy and neglected his duty to seek help promptly.

Instead, he called a friend for assistance before even reporting the accident.

Carolyn Alvarezs mother, Liz, said the families finally have the justice we needed. ... We were finally able to find the truth, and he pleaded guilty.

Fernandez was operating the pleasure boat, a 32-foot Everglades, at 43.4 miles per hour when it crashed into the well-charted rock formation known as North Turtle Rock that July night, according to the factual statement signed by prosecutors Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Yara Dodin, along with Fernandez and his attorney, Orlando do Campo.

Do Campo disagreed with the familys perspective on the accident, saying that Fernandez and his girlfriend, now his wife, suffered serious injuries and were both knocked unconscious as a result of the impact.

It is incontrovertible that my client issued two Maydays as soon as he became conscious after the accident, do Campo told the Herald in a statement. Its the first thing he did. It is established by the GPS data and by the statement of a Bahamian boat captain who heard the Mayday. Only about 30 minutes later, after no response from the Bahamian authorities, did my client call an acquaintance who happened to be in Bimini with his own vessel.

The U.S. Attorneys Office was able to establish jurisdiction of the case because Fernandezs boat is owned by a U.S. citizen. Although born in Cuba, Fernandez is a naturalized U.S. citizen. The vessel is also registered in the United States. The boating incident occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, according to the indictment.

Heres how the boating accident happened: On the first day of a long-awaited vacation in Bimini more than three years ago, Perez and Alvarez went straight to the hotel pool and beach. They soon struck up a conversation with another young couple from Miami, according to a Herald story that included interviews with the victims family members.

The pair, Fernandez and Violeta Khouri, invited them for an evening trip on Fernandezs Everglades boat. But by sunrise the next day, Perez would be found dead and Alvarez would be lost at sea.

A photo of the GPS map purportedly showing the boat crash that killed Javier Perez on July 2, 2020 off the coast of Bimini. The photo was taken by Liz Alvarez, the mother of Carolyn Alvarez, another passenger who was flung overboard. Her body has yet to be found.

More than one month after the boat wreck, exactly what happened remained an agonizing mystery for the Perez and Alvarez families. After they visited Bimini to make inquiries and examine the wrecked boat, they put the blame squarely on Fernandez, who they believed may have been drunk at the time and then delayed calling authorities for a critical period after their loved ones had been flung overboard.

An acquaintance on Bimini named Stanley Stuart said he told the family and police investigators that Fernandez summoned him and another man to the damaged boat before authorities arrived. He said the boat, despite a jagged hole in the bow, somehow came off the rocks and had managed to travel a few miles from the wreck site.

Stuart, in an interview with the Herald, said that he also told Bahamian police that Fernandez was slurring his words and acting aggressive.

He was drunk, Stuart said. He was wasted.

Fernandezs attorney, do Campo, disputed that account.

Stanley Stuart gave the Bahamian police a statement right after the accident where he did not mention that my client was intoxicated, do Campo said.

My client was not intoxicated, do Campo said. He had his last drink at 4 p.m. and the accident occurred at 10:29 p.m. He passed two polygraphs with flying colors maintaining that his last drink came some 6.5 hours before the accident.

My client was going too fast for the conditions, and thats why he pled guilty, he added. The factual proffer makes no mention of any impairment.

An initial police report from the Bahamian Royal Police obtained by the Herald collected an assortment of alcoholic beverages for evidential purposes from the salvaged boat. Fernandez was not charged with any crime in the Bahamas, and the initial police report did not provide any details about his behavior or whether any sobriety tests were conducted after the boat crash.

Liz Alvarez, Carolyns mother, said she believed Fernandez delayed summoning official rescue help.

If you dont have anything to hide, you call authorities for help, not your friends, Liz said at the time. Obviously, he was drinking and he didnt want to get into trouble.

Said Jorge Perez, Javiers brother: The fact that they didnt render aid at the moment of the accident  that was precious time lost.

Relatives are demanding answers in the July 2, 2020, boat crash in Bimini that killed Javier Perez, of Miami. His girlfriend, Carolyn Alvarez, went overboard and remains missing. They were passengers on a 33-foot boat piloted by Josbel Fernandez, of Miami.
This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows a scene at the opening ceremony of the 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum in south China's Macao. The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum opened on Thursday in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), drawing over 1,500 delegates from around the world to discuss tourism recovery and innovations.(Xinhua)

MACAO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum opened on Thursday in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), drawing over 1,500 delegates from around the world to discuss tourism recovery and innovations.

Themed "Destination 2030: Unlocking the Power of Tourism for Business and Development," the three-day forum aims to unleash the potential of mutual cooperation between Chinese and international tourism markets and provide new thinking and impetus for the development of the global tourism economy.

Officials, industry leaders, decision-makers, and scholars worldwide are scheduled to discuss new ways of constructing a resilient, high-quality, and people-oriented environment for the tourism industry in the new normal through innovative and sustainable international cooperation.

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, said at the opening ceremony that the forum is set to be a premier platform for cooperation between governments and the private sector in the area of tourism for development.

"We can shape the course of the sector's future around the pillars of jobs, education, innovation, and investments," Pololikashvili said.

Hu Heping, Chinese minister of culture and tourism, said the ministry hopes to capitalize on the forum to join hands with other countries to create a more open and inclusive environment for tourism development, continuously promote further opening up of China's tourism sector, make steady progress in facilitating people-to-people exchange, and keep improving inbound travel services.

Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR government, voiced hopes that the forum serves as an occasion to share Macao's steady progress towards the resumption of tourism and economic activities, as well as the city's comprehensive capabilities to organize conventions and exhibitions.

The forum underscored Italy as its partner country and Shanghai as the featured city. In addition to discussions and keynote speeches, the program included special interviews, case studies, and casual fireside dialogues as a new highlight. 
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, who seemed 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.

As they parted ways, the monarch couldnt help cracking a joke as the cyclists began to move on. Take care, he said. Dont fall off!

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.
Ukraine and Slovakia have agreed to create a licensing system for their grain trade, which could lift Slovakias import ban on certain Ukrainian products, the Slovak Agriculture Ministry told Reuters on Sept. 21.

Until the system is set up and tested, Slovakias embargo on Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed will remain in place, the ministry said in a statement. The ban was approved until the end of the year.

According to the ministry, Ukraine also agreed to drop the lawsuit against Slovakia at the World Trade Organization. However, Kyiv hasnt officially announced this decision.

Ukraine's Trade Representative Taras Kachka said on Sept. 18 that Kyiv would sue Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary over their refusal to lift the import ban on four said categories of Ukrainian products despite the EU's decision to end the four-month embargo.

The report comes a day after Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi and his Slovak counterpart Jozef Bires held an online meeting on Ukraines action plan for exporting Ukrainian agricultural products proposed to the European Commission.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine: Ukrainian grain exports, and the mayhem they cause in Europe on Apple Podcasts

Commenting on the meeting, Ukraines Agricultural Ministry said that Bratislava deemed Kyivs proposal acceptable, adding that the two sides agreed to coordinate the situation and maintain constructive relations between the countries. The report didnt mention the fate of Ukraines WTO complaint against Slovakia.

Solskyi also discussed the action plan with his Polish and Hungarian counterparts, but no decisions have been agreed.

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. The measure was still permitting the transit of these products through the five countries for exports elsewhere.

Following the expiration of the measure on Sept. 15, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary continued restrictions on the national level, while Romania prolonged the ban for 30 days until it could clear out precise licensing rules on grain imports.

Seeking to lift the restrictions, Ukraine proposed to the EU that it would implement a system of permits to manage grain export.

Read also: Polish minister: Grain disputes undermine Polish public support for Ukraine aid

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
French police arrested 13 people following an investigation into the large-scale theft and trafficking of cars from Europe to West Africa.

More than 170 vehicles were stolen on demand by car thieves in France following orders placed by the schemes coordinators, according to a Sept. 20 news release from Frances National Judicial Police via INTERPOL.

The stolen cars were driven across Europe  often by minors  to ports in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, police said. From the ports, officials said vehicles were hidden in cargo containers and shipped to West Africa.

The group behind the scheme included French, Gambian and Senegalese nationals, police said.

Officials raided several locations across France on Sept. 12 to arrest 13 suspects, the release said. Police said the suspects included thieves, logisticians and the two main coordinators in France.

Police confiscated cell phones, car-theft equipment including illicit on-board diagnostic (OBD) port software, vehicle registration documents and cash, the release said. Using the confiscated phones, police were able to locate and intercept nine stolen cars being shipped from Le Havre, France, and Las Palmas, Spain.

The two-year investigation involved INTERPOL, Europol, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, according to the release.

Salesman stole $1.5M from Texas family-owned business in yearslong scheme, feds say

Woman steals ambulance, crashes it during high-speed police chase, Georgia deputies say

Man swam from Canada to US to steal gun from Michigan pawn shop, authorities say
An explosion occurred in the Darnytskyi district of the Ukrainian capital during an air-raid warning on the early morning of 21 September, injuring seven people. The pieces of missiles also fell in the Holosiivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of the city, damaging a gas pipe. Firefighters are extinguishing the fires.

Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko on Telegram; Kyiv City Military Administration on Telegram

Quote from Klitschko: "An explosion in Darnytskyi district. All services are on their way to the scene. There was also a call [for services  ed.] in the Holosiivskyi district."

CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL OF MISSILE PIECES IN DARNYTSKYI DISTRICT

PHOTO: TELEGRAM OF KYIV CITY MILITARY ADMINISTRATION

Details: Klitschko also said that some neighbourhoods in the Sviatoshynskyi district have no electricity or water supply. However, emergency services are already working.

Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, said that pieces of missiles fell in the Holosiivskyi and Darnytskyi districts of the capital as a result of air defence response.

"All emergency services are on their way. Information on casualties and damage is being confirmed. Stay in shelters until the all-clear is given!", Popko said.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL OF PIECES IN DARNYTSKYI DISTRICT

PHOTO: TELEGRAM OF KYIV CITY MILITARY ADMINISTRATION

Later, Klitschko added that missile pieces damaged a gas pipe in the Shevchenkivskyi district. There is no fire, and the gas service is working on the scene.

There is damage to non-residential buildings in the Darnytskyi district, and firefighters are extinguishing the fire. There are calls for medical assistance.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL OF PIECES IN DARNYTSKYI DISTRICT

PHOTO: TELEGRAM OF KYIV CITY MILITARY ADMINISTRATION

There were no casualties or damage reported in the Holosiivskyi district.

Update from 06:43: An 18-year-old girl and a 9-year-old girl have been taken to hospital in Darnytskyi district. Klitschko said that they were injured, as they lived in a house next to an infrastructure facility where missile pieces fell.

Firefighters are extinguishing a fire at a service station in the Darnytskyi district, as two cars are on fire. Windows in a two-storey building nearby were smashed. A vocational school was also damaged.

"The students were in a shelter, no one was wounded among them," Klitschko said.

Update from 06:55: In the Sviyatoshynskyi district, where there were power outages, power engineers restored the electricity supply.

Updated medical data says seven people were injured in the Darnytskyi district. Three of them (including a 9-year-old girl) are in city hospitals. Four were treated on the scene.

Update from 7:04: Klitschko said that windows in a five-storey building were damaged, but there was no other damage or injured people in the part of Holosiivskyi district that is close to the city centre.

All services are still working at the scene of the fall of pieces on the premises of an infrastructure facility, as well as on the territory of a service station and a student accommodation centre of a vocational school.

Background:

The Russian occupiers launched a large-scale missile attack on the morning of 21 September, and air-raid warning was issued throughout Ukraine.

Air defence forces are responding to the attack in Kyiv, Cherkasy and Khmelnytskyi oblasts and the city of Kharkiv.

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!
FILE - Republican Mississippi State Auditor Shad White speaks at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., July 29, 2021. Calling numerous social science and humanities degree programs indoctrination factories, Mississippi's auditor says the state should defund several college majors and invest in subjects that match the state's workforce needs. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Calling numerous social science and humanities degree programs indoctrination factories, Mississippi's auditor says the state should defund several college majors and invest in subjects that match the state's workforce needs.

In a report published Tuesday, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White , a Republican, argued that the state should change its approach to funding its public universities. He proposed tying public investment to workforce needs instead of providing funds without regard for the degree programs, as has traditionally been the case. Too many college graduates are leaving Mississippi, and aligning degree programs with labor market demand might stem the tide, White said.

In numerous statements on social media leading up to the report's publication, White said there should be no taxpayer funding for useless degrees" in garbage fields like Urban Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, German Literature, African American Studies, Gender Studies and Women's Studies. Claiming some academic programs are hotbeds of political radicalization, White's statements and his report arrive as education, from K-12 to the university level, remains at the center of America's culture wars.

A Florida law enacted in May bars curricula that teach identity politics or theories about race, gender and sexuality disfavored by conservatives. A raft of legislation passed by Republican-controlled legislatures curtails diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities.

White leaned into the ideological fights roiling higher education in his social media commentary. But the report released by his office focuses on elevating some majors over others as a solution to Mississippi's brain drain  a phenomenon that sees significant numbers of college graduates earning their degrees in the mostly rural state and then departing for bigger paychecks and expanded cultural opportunities.

One way to stop the outmigration is to have the state increase funding in degree programs with higher earning potential right after graduating, such as in engineering or business management, according to White's report.

"Some high-paying degree programs were not likely to produce graduates who work in Mississippi, and this represents a missed opportunity for the states taxpayers," the report said. Producing more of these graduates and then retaining even a small number of them would inject millions of additional dollars into Mississippis economy.

At the same time, the state should cut taxpayer funding for programs in the social sciences, humanities and arts that aren't advantageous for the states economy, White said. He pointed to a 2023 Texas law that bases funding for community colleges on measurable outcomes like the number of degrees awarded in high-demand fields.

In an August 2022 analysis, Corey Miller and Sondra Collins, economists for Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning, said one likely factor at the root of the state's brain drain is an increasing segregation by education nationwide. In the mid-to-late 20th century, a smaller percentage of the U.S. population went to college, and those who did were distributed more evenly throughout the country.

Today, more people earn degrees. College graduates are concentrated in the nations urban centers. Unlike many nearby states, Mississippi's largest city, Jackson, has a shrinking population.

This demographic shift has profound implications for the Mississippi economy given the college-educated share of the states population is one of the smallest in the country, wrote Miller and Collins.

The share of Mississippi's population ages 25 and above who held at least a bachelors degree in 2020 was 22.8 %, which ranked 49th among all states, ahead of only West Virginia. In one online comment, White pointed to financial trouble and budget cuts at West Virginia's largest public university as a sign Mississippi should defund some degree programs.

On Sept. 15, West Virginia University's board voted to drop 28 of its majors and cut 143 faculty positions as it grapples with a $45 million budget shortfall. Among the cuts are one-third of the education department faculty and the entire world language department.

Republican Gov. Jim Justice pointed to some level of bloating in programs and things that maybe, just maybe, we ought not to be teaching at WVU.

White does not have the authority to regulate education funding, but the state legislature often uses reports from the auditor to evaluate government spending and weigh potential budget cuts. The auditor studied political science and economics at the University of Mississippi and was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

___

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him at @mikergoldberg.
Rep. Mark Alford, a Missouri Republican, is introducing a bill to reauthorize a Trump-era USDA program aimed at allowing farmers to recoup money for crops theyve lost due to the ongoing drought across the state.

Alford, who took office this year, wants to authorize $8.5 billion for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program-Plus, or WHIP+, which was a supplemental USDA program that helped farmers during a national disaster  even those who did not buy crop insurance before the disaster.

The WHIP program was aimed at crop, tree, bush and vine damage after wildfires and hurricanes in 2017. Later versions of the supplemental program also covered agricultural areas like milk production. In the 2020 fiscal year, it included coverage for damage from droughts.

Currently 79% of Missouri is experiencing a drought, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Alford represents the area to the south and east of Kansas City, which makes up the majority of the 11% of the state that is undergoing what the USDA classifies as extreme drought.

Conditions like these have persisted over the past year and have placed enormous burdens and stress on our hardworking farmers and ranchers, Alford said. To combat problems like this, the Trump Administration introduced the WHIP + program.

As climate change has increased extreme weather conditions, there have been an increase in water issues across the country. In the West, years of drought were followed by a wet winter, helping to relieve some stress on states reliant on the Colorado River.

Western Kansas had two years of severe drought, but benefited from a wet summer where there were more inches of rain in three months than the area had gotten in the past year.

Meanwhile, much of central Kansas remains in either an extreme or exceptional drought.

Alford has been critical of the Biden administrations efforts to reduce carbon emissions, which scientists say are responsible for driving up the planets temperature.

There are permanent programs aimed at helping farmers navigate natural disasters in the Farm Bill  primarily crop insurance. But lawmakers have approved supplemental programs in the past to help bolster the existing safeguards.

In December, Congress approved the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided about $3.7 billion for farmers affected by natural disasters in 2022. The money was distributed by the USDA through a program called the Emergency Relief Program.

Lawmakers are currently in the process of negotiating a new Farm Bill, which is set to expire at the end of September. No draft of the bill has been released.

The Missouri Farm Bureau has been advocating for programs to help farmers who are dealing with drought conditions. In a written statement, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins said hes advocating for governmental programs that will make farms more resilient for future droughts.

The lack of moisture coupled with continued high input prices and supply chain issues has pushed some farmers to their limits, Hawkins said. We appreciate Congressman Alford working to extend critical aid to farmers and ranchers.
The mother of a New Rochelle woman accused of killing her roommate said she is struggling to understand how what she thought was a good relationship could have turned deadly.

"I am still in disbelief. That is not Kenya," Vicki Sharrock-Garnett said in a phone interview Wednesday from her home in Virginia. "There's not a bone in her body that would hurt anyone."

The victim, who has still not been publicly identified, was suffocated, though exactly when has not been determined, according to the felony complaint charging Kenya Tilford with second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse. The body had been in Tilford's third-floor apartment at 155 Franklin Avenue for as long as a week, police said. It was found early on Sept. 15 after police were tipped off by a relative of Tilford's who saw it.

The Franklin Avenue apartment building in New Rochelle where Kenya Tilford allegedly suffocated her roommate to death. The body was discovered Sept. 15 and police still maintained a presence there five days later.

Tilford, 40, was taken into custody at the Days Inn in Elmsford. In statements to police there and at New Rochelle police headquarters, she denied killing anyone and claimed she had been in Virginia that whole week, according to court documents.

Previously: New Rochelle woman denies killing; court docs say she bought bleach, tarps, chainsaw

But one of the documents reveals that police have video from during the week showing Tilford shopping at Home Depot a mile and a half from her home. There she bought a coverall, tarps, rubber gloves, bleach and other items police suspect she might have been planning to use to dispose of the body. She had also gotten a chainsaw, according to the felony complaint.

Sharrock-Garnett said the 27-year-old victim began staying at the Franklin Avenue apartment in the spring. She was a friend of Tilford's cousin who couldn't let her stay at her home, so Tilford took her in.

"She was a very pleasant woman," Sharrock-Garnett said. "I feel very bad and I'm so sorry for her."

When Sharrock-Garnett came to Westchester this summer for a two-month visit, she frequently saw the two women, including over an extended weekend when they stayed at her hotel. They attended a party for Sharrock-Garnett's birthday in July and she visited them at Tilford's apartment.

"She really enjoyed herself around Kenya," Sharrock-Garnett said about Tilford's roommate. "She was very happy. They were fine together."

Tilford did have struggles, her mother acknowledged. Tilford was prescribed several psychiatric medications and Sharrock-Garnett described her as a "bad alcoholic" who frequently would not take her meds.

"But she still wouldn't hurt anyone," she said.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle NY roommate killing: accused's mom speaks out
Theres plenty of momentum surging for The Avett Brothers first musical  the shipwreck survival tale Swept Away  ahead of its East Coast debut this fall at Washington, D.C.s Arena Stage.

Consider the recent shout-outs in both the New York Times and Washington Post fall arts guides, highlighting promising shows in the new theater season.

Ticket sales remain robust, with orders coming from most states and as far away as the U.K., Japan and South Korea. And the Avetts folk-rock music itself continues to win new fans. Heck, last week BuzzFeed cited Murder in the City, one of the Concord bands songs in the show, on a list of song lyrics that give people goosebumps.

Swept Away was inspired by the Grammy-nominated groups Mignonette. That 2004 album was a riff on the real-life tale of a 19th-century yacht that sank during a storm off the coast of South Africa, and the wrenching choice the survivors made to cling to life.

The Avett Brothers contributed all the music and lyrics for Swept Away, deploying over a dozen songs from their deep catalog.

The show debuted last year at Berkeley Rep in California, where it gained strong reviews and extended its run several times. Now its set for a month-long appearance at Arena Stage starting Nov. 25.

But along with momentum, theres pressure.

Pressure that comes with guiding a decade-long passion project with challenging material to a new venue  and maybe, eventually, Broadway, too  despite an uncertain economy, audiences still wary of returning to venues and the ever-present complexities of bringing any show to life on the stage.

Inside look at The Avett Brothers first musical, a tense shipwreck survival saga

Its all a challenge, said Charlotte native Matthew Masten, one of the lead producers. Unfortunately, none of it is easy. But, he added, thats why people become theater producers.

Masten, fellow producer Sean Hudock and producing partner Jamie Forshaw with Madison Wells Live recently spoke with The Charlotte Observer about Swept Away as it preps for its D.C. engagement and beyond.

An Avett Brothers album from 2004, Mignonette, was the inspiration for the musical Swept Away. The band provided music and lyrics for the show from many of their albums.

Catching up with Swept Away

Its been about a decade since Masten hit on the notion that an Avett Brothers album could form the basis for a musical, one with resonant themes of survival and redemption.

Masten lucked out when he managed to connect with the bands manager, Dolph Ramseur, after spotting his email address on Facebook. Ramseur immediately took to the idea of turning Mignonette into a stage show. The Avett Brothers ultimately came on board as well.

As Scott Avett told the Observer in the spring, I love dark and redemptive hope. I love stories that have that because I think its truly reflective of life.

From left, Scott Avett and his brother Seth, seen here at a 2021 concert in Baltimore. The Avett Brothers remain actively involved in the evolution of Swept Away as it prepares to make its East Coast debut in November at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

The musical, from a script by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan, centered around a whaling ship encountering a massive storm off the coast of Massachusetts. Other big names attached to the show include a couple of Tony winners  director Michael Mayer and actor John Gallagher Jr., both honored for Spring Awakening  as well as Tony nominees actor Stark Sands and choreographer David Neumann.

The show centers around a veteran sea captain (Wayne Duvall), his mate (Gallagher), a young man seeking adventure (Adrian Blake Enscoe) and his protective older brother (Sands). After the shipwreck, Swept Away focuses on what the men do to stay alive without food or water, and how they live with the consequences.

The four leads of Swept Away have been with the show since its 2022 world premiere in California. From left: Adrian Blake Enscoe (Little Brother); John Gallagher, Jr. (Mate); Stark Sands (Big Brother); and Wayne Duvall (Captain).

Avetts are all in

The Avett Brothers remain a critical piece of the evolving show, from rewriting their own lyrics to weighing in on moving around the opening song.

Were in constant contact with them, Masten said, despite the bands busy touring schedule. I was just texting with Scott earlier today, and getting their feedback on the artwork by someone whos done posters for them.

Theyre even suggesting songs of theirs that havent been in the show but could be a potential fit.

The Avett Brothers commissioned this poster by Tortuga Design Studio for the Swept Away run at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

In an interview last month with the Des Moines Register, ahead of the band playing a gig in Iowa, Seth Avett called it a beautiful and very surreal experience to see their songs exist in a different format than how they started out.

Logan seamlessly moved the context of the lyrics from the album to the stage as if that was what they were created for all along, Avett said. Its just been really mind-blowing, really beautiful, and its a continuing sensation.

Swept Away heads east

There remained constant work for the producers and the creative team to do after the show closed in California last year.

Logan and Mayer got together with the music team to go over new material as well as to consider alternative Avett songs. They knew there were certain changes and adaptations that needed to happen, Forshaw said, and theyve been working on that (since Berkeley) so theyre ready to go into rehearsals in (Washington) in November.

The Swept Away leaders also were buoyed by the Avett Brothers fan base, which had started to buy tickets well before the show was to open in D.C., and helped push #AvettSailors on social media. A number of Charlotte groups already got their tickets and are heading to Washington, too, including one from the church Masten attended when he was growing up here.

The Avett Brothers band from Concord has been nominated for three Grammys. They contributed over a dozen songs to Swept Away.

But unlike some other recent Broadway shows (think Back to the Future or Mrs. Doubtfire), Swept Away isnt based on a big-name movie.

Its still going to be a tough sell, Masten said, and Hudock added that they know they need to expand their audience to sustain the shows viability.

To that end, they linked up with veteran Broadway ad designer Drew Hodges, whose company created high-profile campaigns for shows from Rent to Hamilton. Hodges got the concert poster vibe they were going for, Hudock said, and has been working with them on fun and different stuff they hope to release to build audience.

Still, even Forshaw had his doubts when Masten and Hudock first approached him about working with them.

Forshaw had questions about the material and he wasnt familiar with The Avett Brothers. But all that quickly changed after he attended an early workshop for the show.

I was blown away by the music, Forshaw said. And the story was very compelling... I left that workshop and said, Yeah, Im in. And weve been in ever since.

When youre creating something new, every step of the way, you have to follow your gut, despite questioning the choices you make and remaining aware that youre trying to get a return on your investors money.

Ultimately, Forshaw added, as long as you really believe in and love the projects youre working on  in this case Swept Away  you have to believe that youre always doing the right thing.

At left, John Gallagher, Jr. (Mate) and Wayne Duvall (Captain) in Swept Away, the shipwreck saga with music and lyrics by The Avett Brothers.

Betting on Broadway

As the show prepares to open in Washington, the producers also have their eyes set further north: on Broadway.

Their goal remains to transfer the musical there. Before that can happen, they said, multiple factors would need to line up just right, from positive reviews in D.C. and audience feedback to just the right theater space becoming available. They also are working to attract industry attention for Swept Away during its stint at Arena Stage.

All of these things really have to click for a show like this to come to Broadway and have a chance at success, Masten said.

Adrian Blake Enscoe, as Little Brother, and Stark Sands as Big Brother, in the 2022 world premiere of Swept Away at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California. They are reprising their roles when the show opens in November in Washington, D.C.s Arena Stage.

At the same time, they are keeping their options open, whether that means touring other cities before Broadway or even instead of Broadway. And they are exploring the best way to get some of the shows music out into the world as a way of highlighting Avett Brothers songs being sung by Broadway vets, Hudock said.

But if everything does align, somehow, they could see a scenario where Swept Away arrives on Broadway next year in the late spring or early fall.

That is certainly the intention, Forshaw said. I mean, thats what weve been developing the show for.

How to get tickets for Swept Away

Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. S.W., Washington, D.C.

When: Nov. 25-Dec. 30

Tickets: Single show tickets remain available at the Arena Stage website, arenastage.org.

More arts coverage

Want to see more stories like this? Sign up here for our free Inside Charlotte Arts newsletter: charlotteobserver.com/newsletters.You can join our Facebook group, Inside Charlotte Arts, by going here: facebook.com/groups/insidecharlottearts. And all of our Fall Arts Guide 2023 stories are here: charlotteobserver.com/topics/charlotte-fall-arts-guide
In what appears to be the fourth reported attack of its kind in Colorado so far this year, a woman and her dog suffered injuries along a hiking trail when a cow moose attacked them this week, state wildlife officials said.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the hiker was walking her dog on a wooded trail in the Rocky Mountains on Wednesday when she spooked a cow moose and it charged her, headbutted her and stomped on her several times before she could retreat.

The South Saint Vrain Trail is north of Ward, in Boulder County in north central Colorado, an area where wildlife officials say they've seen an increase in the moose population in recent years.

The woman was eventually able to return back down the trail she hiked to a neighbors house, where they called Boulder County Sheriff's Office deputies. She was taken to a local hospital. The dog, which suffered minor injuries, was leashed at the time of the attack.

'A deadly predator': 2nd yellow-legged hornet nest, murder hornet's relative, found in GA

10 days prior: Another attack

Just 10 days earlier, south in Teller County, two hikers with three leashed dogs reported confronting a cow moose near Crags Trail.

The hikers had stopped on the trail to observe the moose and its calf about a mile into the trail and told officials they tried to keep a safe distance from the animals, but the moose drew close to the group.

When one of the dogs began to bark, officials said, the moose charged one of the hikers, trampling one of them. According to a release from wildlife officials, they were able to run away as the moose chased them along the trail.

The injured hiker walked away from the trampling on their own, officials reported, and went to a hospital to be evaluated and treated for minor injuries.

In what appears to be the fourth reported attack of its kind in Colorado so far this year, a woman and her dog suffered injuries along a hiking trail in Ward when a cow moose attack them this week, state parks and wildlife officials said,

Other moose attacks on humans reported in Colorado

The attacks over the past two weeks come on the heels of two other moose attacks reported in the state this year.

Officials said both took place in the Boulder County area, another location with growing moose and human populations located north of Teller County and northwest of Denver.

Tim Kroening, Colorado Parks and Wildlifes Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region, said in autum, wildlife including deer, elk and moose enter an annual breeding period called the "rut"  when males become more aggressive, fighting one other for the opportunity to mate. The aggression can sometimes be turned toward people who get too close, officials said.

Signs of moose aggression include its ears laid back, hairs on its rump raised and it licking its snout, wildlife officials said.

Bear attack near Montana trail: Officials search for grizzly bear that attacked hunter near Montana's Yellow Mule Trail

Moose population spikes across Colorado

The moose population is growing across Colorado, wildlife officials said, especially in Teller County.

As of mid-September, officials said, there were some 3,500 moose in the state, compared to 2,250 in 2013.

Wildlife officials are reminding hikers to keep a safe distance from animals in the wild when observing them.

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: Hiker headbutted, stomped on by cow moose on Colorado trail
Miroslav Jenca (C), UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, speaks at a Security Council meeting at UN Headquarters in New York on Sept. 21, 2023. The United Nations on Thursday called for a durable cessation of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia following the latest escalation in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday called for a durable cessation of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia following the latest escalation in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"We call for a credible and durable cessation of all hostilities. Any renewed escalation would lead to further loss of life and human suffering and further set back internationally supported peace efforts," said Miroslav Jenca, UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas.

The protection and essential needs of the civilian population, including their human rights, must be the overriding priority. A genuine dialogue between the government of Azerbaijan and representatives of the region, together with full engagement in the normalization process by Armenia and Azerbaijan, is the only sustainable way forward, he told the Security Council in a briefing.

The UN Secretariat will remain in close contact with all relevant actors and the concerned parties and stands ready to support ongoing peace efforts, as needed. The secretariat is also ready and prepared to conduct humanitarian needs assessments, if given access, and provide assistance as needed, he said.

Azerbaijan announced Tuesday that it had launched "local counter-terrorism activities in the Karabakh economic region" in response to the deaths of two civilians and four police officers in incidents involving landmines, allegedly placed by Armenian armed forces, said Jenca.

According to official statements, Azerbaijan had informed the Russian peacekeeping force and the Joint Russian-Turkish Monitoring Center of its activities as intended to prevent large-scale provocations by the Armenian armed forces, neutralize their military infrastructure, and ensure their withdrawal and the restoration of the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he said.

Developments indicated a serious escalation in military operations with reports of Azerbaijani forces breaking through the Line of Contact. There were casualties reported, including among the civilian population as well as evacuations of some thousands of people within the region. The Russian peacekeeping force, which itself suffered casualties, documented numerous cease-fire violations, said Jenca.

The United Nations, which is neither present along the Line of Contact, nor in other areas under the mandate of the Russian peacekeepers, is not in a position to verify or confirm these various claims and allegations, he said.

The developments of the past few days should be seen in the context of the broader pattern of regular cease-fire violations which have continued to persist. The world body, however, noted Wednesday's announcement of a cessation of hostilities, with the situation on the ground remaining fluid, he said. "We also understand that, in a positive step, representatives of the local population and the government of Azerbaijan met earlier today for an initial exchange."

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. Peace talks have been held since 1994, when a cease-fire was agreed on, but there have been sporadic minor clashes since then. A new round of major armed conflict broke out along the contact line on Sept. 27, 2020, before Russia brokered a new cease-fire agreement on Nov. 9, 2020. Tensions have remained since. 
A moose charged, headbutted and stomped on a woman walking her dog, Colorado wildlife officials reported.

The encounter took place on the South Saint Vrain Trail north of Ward, on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 20, according to a news release by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

The woman and her dog surprised a cow moose on the trail, officials said. After the incident, the woman walked to a nearby home.

She was taken to a hospital, officials said. Her dog, which was on a leash, had minor injuries.

Wildlife officers were unable to find the moose and posted warning signs on the trail.

Moose can perceive dogs as a threat and officials warn residents to keep dogs leashed at all times.

Ward is about 50 miles northwest of Denver.

What to know about moose

Moose are protective animals and will defend their territory and their young.

If someone encounters a moose, they should give it space to leave, wildlife officials said. People shouldnt try to haze a moose to move out of the way.

Wildlife officials said people should do the following if a moose charges:

Run away quickly

Put a tree, rock or other large object between them and the moose

Get up quickly if knocked down

Report the incident to wildlife officials as soon as possible

Stressed moose tumbles off cliff after being darted by biologists, Idaho officials say

Protective moose tramples hiker on trail with barking dog, Colorado officials say

900-pound moose roams into New Mexico city. See how many officers it took to lift it
FILE - Deja Taylor arrives at federal court, June 12, 2023, in Virginia Beach, Va. Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia, could be jailed Thursday, Sept. 21, for failing drug tests while awaiting sentencing on federal weapons charges that she used marijuana while possessing a firearm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP)  Despite multiple failed drug tests, a judge rejected a request by prosecutors Thursday to revoke the bond of the mother of a 6-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia as she awaits sentencing on a federal weapons charge that she used marijuana while possessing a firearm.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Miller said during a hearing in U.S. District Court that Deja Taylor can remain free on bond despite the failed drug tests because she has made efforts to improve.

Taylor's son used her gun to shoot teacher Abby Zwerner in her Newport News classroom in January. The first-grade teacher was seriously wounded and has endured multiple surgeries.

Taylor pleaded guilty in June to using marijuana while possessing a firearm. Authorities say she also lied about her drug use on a federal background check form when she bought the gun her son brought to school.

A judge had set an Oct. 18 sentencing date and released Taylor on bond under the conditions that she submit to drug tests and receive addiction treatment. But Taylor has twice tested positive for marijuana and once for cocaine, federal prosecutors wrote in a filing with the court this month. She also missed two drug tests and two drug treatment sessions, they said.

These violations are serious and call into question the defendants danger to the community, respect for the law and this Courts Orders, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Peter Osyf wrote.

James Ellenson, an attorney for Taylor, argued against incarceration, stating Taylor has made substantial positive developments.

She has taken four more drugs tests since Aug. 25, Ellenson said. And while they have been positive for marijuana, the levels are decreasing and show that Ms. Taylor is abstaining from this drug, Ellenson wrote in a court filing.

After the judge ruled Thursday that Taylor can remain free on bond, attorney Gene Rossi, who also represents Taylor, said she has many challenges in her life, including her battle with addiction.

She is struggling, like millions of other citizens in the United States, Rossi said. We are hoping that the compassion that the judge showed her today will be repeated at her sentencing in October. Miss Taylor has incredible sympathy for the teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old boy."

As part of a plea agreement in the case, prosecutors have agreed to ask the judge for a sentence of 18 months to 24 months in prison.

Marijuana is legal in many U.S. states, including Virginia. But it's still a controlled substance under U.S. law, which generally prohibits gun possession by someone who has been convicted of a felony, been committed to a mental institution or illegally uses controlled substances, among other things.

Authorities found marijuana at homes where Taylor was staying during searches that followed the shooting at Richneck Elementary School.

Meanwhile, Taylor still faces sentencing for a state charge of felony child neglect, which was filed after the shooting. That sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27. In that case, prosecutors agreed to ask for a sentence that falls within state guidelines, expected to be no more than six months. Prosecutors also agreed to drop a misdemeanor charge of reckless storage of a firearm.

Zwerner, the teacher who was shot, is suing the school system for $40 million. She accuses school administrators of gross negligence and of ignoring multiple warnings the day of the shooting that the boy had a gun at school.
There are two layers to the internationally followed Alex Murdaugh crime saga.

There is the real world, where agents of law and order seek to prevail over injustice in the courtrooms of South Carolina in a case that is making modern criminal history, and where real victims, survivors and communities struggle to get on with their broken lives.

And then there is the world of social media, where one can find both factual information from professional journalists or explore the intensely opinionated, sometimes false or ill-informed  and often hostile and bitter  world of shadowy, often anonymous posters voicing outrage, or looking to troll or maybe profit.

It's Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023  just over two years since Alex Murdaugh's roadside shooting scheme helped complete his family's spiraling downfall from grace and make his name an international social media hashtag  and here is the latest in both of those fascinating worlds.

Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh arrives in court in Beaufort, South Carolina on Sept. 14, 2023. Murdaugh appeared publicly as a convicted murderer for the first time at the state court hearing regarding the slew of financial crimes allegedly committed by the disbarred South Carolina attorney.

Cory Fleming state prison sentence causes confusion

Judge Clifton Newman, tasked with dispensing justice in all of the state's Alex Murdaugh conspiracy cases, is usually blunt, clear and direct when it comes to his courtroom.

"I believe in justice and mercy," Newman said as he sentenced Murdaugh co-conspirator Cory Fleming to state prison Sept. 14. "Leniency is not my responsibility."

But the exact nature of that sentence proved to be far less clear for most journalists, state officials, and social media true crime aficionados following the Murdaugh cases.

It's easy to get confused when you are dealing with a plethora of crimes like Fleming's. Five years for this crime, spoke the judge, ten years for that. Concurrent. Consecutive. Throw in a federal sentence for good measure, and its a recipe for confusion for the most seasoned reporters and even prosecutors themselves.

Cory Fleming stands for sentencing with his attorney Deborah Barbier.

Creighton Waters, lead prosecutor for the S.C. State Grand Jury Division of the Attorney General's Office, told members of the press Thursday in the Beaufort County courthouse that, pending review of the sentencing orders, it appeared Fleming was looking at 20 years of state prison time, minus time off for parole, early release, etc.

Most journalists in the courtroom reported that, and even the Attorney General himself, Alan Wilson, issued a public statement the same day citing 20 years.

State prosecutors have now clarified that Murdaugh's former college pal and co-conspirator has a much less daunting penal road ahead of him.

"Cory Flemings sentence will actually be the federal 46 months followed by 10 years in state prison, not 20 years in state prison as we initially thought," Robert Kittle, spokesperson for the AG's Office, stated in an email to The Hampton County Guardian. "There was confusion after the sentencing, and we did not have the sentencing sheets. We thought it was two consecutive 10-year sentences. Once we got the sentencing sheets, we found out that only one of the 10-year state sentences was consecutive to the federal sentence. The second 10-year sentence is concurrent with the federal and state sentences. So, hell serve 46 months in federal prison followed by 10 years in state prison."

Even then, the "Murdaugh Math wasn't mathing," some joked on X (formerly Twitter), so some journalists exercised their art skills and posted visually helpful diagrams, such as Charleston ABC News 4 journalist Drew Tripp's tweet on X, and journalist/podcaster Liz Farrell's X post.

Still seeing confusion about the Fleming sentence. His 10-year multi-charge sentence (with 85% mandatory service) has begun & runs alongside (concurrent to) all other sentences, including federal. His standalone 10-year Pinckney sentence begins after (consecutive to) his federal. pic.twitter.com/r7FbPlMmvK  Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 19, 2023

Due to the nature of his crimes, which include bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, Fleming must serve at least 85 percent, or 8.5 years, of his state prison sentence after completing his federal sentence at FCI Jesup in Georgia.

Convicted former Palmetto State banker Russell Laffitte gets final reprieve from prison

#Laffitte, as the former Palmetto State Bank CEO and Murdaugh's other convicted co-conspirator is labeled on X, was found guilty of similar federal fraud and conspiracy charges in November 2022 and was scheduled to turn himself in to federal custody on Thursday, Sept. 21 after being granted an extension.

Laffitte's request for another extension was approved, but "No further extensions will be granted," ordered federal judge Richard M. Gergel today.

Convicted and disgraced Hampton banker Russell Laffitte stands in the Hampton County Courthouse as, in the background, hangs a portrait of Alex Murdaugh's grandfather, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr.

Laffitte is now scheduled to remand himself to federal custody on Sept. 28, where he will begin serving his seven-year sentence at FCI Coleman in Florida. He has yet to be tried for his similar state crimes, and a trial date has not been set by Judge Newman as his attorneys have requested more time to prepare his defense.

As expected, the response to what many perceive as further "delays" of justice were rampant on X, including those of opposing attorneys like Eric Bland.

I must say, Im disappointed that Russell Lafitte was given another one week extension to report to prison so he can wait to see if the fourth circuit court of appeals grants him a stay of his prison term while he appeals his conviction. Im not sure an ordinary Joe would get  Eric Bland (@TheEricBland) September 20, 2023

Social media mocks #sweetbecky, #beckyboo over jury tampering

As Judge Gergel is set to approve Alex Murdaugh's recent federal plea agreement tomorrow, state court jury tampering allegations against Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill are still being investigated by agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), with a hearing on the matter possibly ahead.

Hill has denied the allegations, but has not issued a formal statement.

Meanwhile, Hill was featured prominently in interviews for the second season of Netflix's "Murdaugh Murders, A Southern Scandal," which was released Sept. 20. This heightened the social media mockery of the accused elected official, as making hashtags of #sweetbecky and #beckyboo proliferated both X, formerly known as Twitter, and the numerous Murdaugh chat rooms and groups on Reddit and Facebook.

While Murdaugh continues to claim he is innocent of murdering his wife and child in 2021, and Hill has denied any wrongdoing in the jury tampering scandal, only one thing is certain.

The Murdaugh cases will take months or years to finalize in South Carolina courtrooms and will continue to be tried in social media judgment rooms around the world wide web for ages to come.

Hampton County Guardian Editor Michael DeWitt, the Greenville News and USA TODAY Network will continue to follow the ongoing criminal and civil cases surrounding the Murdaugh crime saga. Follow DeWitt on Twitter at @mmdewittjr and support his local and national journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Murdaugh saga continues in the courtroom and on social media platforms
Oregon woman NuBrittany Smith and her mother Tasha are trying to relocate after a white man repeatedly threatened their lives, coming to their suburban Portland apartment and pantomiming a stabbing gesture.

The various incidents have been captured by the Ring camera outside of their front door.

Man captured on Ring Camera with a knife. (Photos: Instagram/iambigbadbrit)

Smith captions the terrifying videos on Instagram, This man been harassing me since I moved into these apartments.

Related: Youre a Ner: Vile White Man Goes on Racist, Profanity-Laced Rant, Threatens to Ram Into Womans Vehicle, Video Shows

The deranged white man wearing drooping black shorts keeps walking up to the door and waving a small knife in his hands. In most of the videos, he whispers profanities before he leaves. In one clip, he says he wants the woman to be whipped, and in another one, he utters something about slavery.

In one video that the woman posted on her social media profile, the bare-chested man warns her mother, Ill fking rape your daughter, bch.

In another, he says, Youre about to get murdered.

WATCH A COMPILATION OF THE VIDEOS HERE.

One more says, Call the cops, bch.

Rapper Mysonne, who dedicates his life to defending victims of racially motivated crimes, asks in the comment section after seeing the footage, Where are you at Queen?? She answers him directly, writing that they live in Gresham, Oregon.

At the urging of the people in her comments, the daughter started a GoFundMe and hoped that her mother could raise enough money to move from the Landings at Morrison apartments.

On the crowdfunding page, which has a goal of $5,500 to help them relocate, she disclosed that she and her mother moved in on June 2 and have faced ongoing harassment from a man since June 29.

The individual is struggling with mental health and has been coming down to my unit making death threats, racial slurs and rape threats. Every time he comes down he is either holding a knife or beating on ur door, she wrote, adding, The property management is aware of the situation and appears not to be concerned in our health or safety.

Her mother offered solutions to the property management, believing they should have some responsibility in keeping them safe. She asked them to put the pair up in a hotel or provide them with temporary housing within the complex but was denied both requests.

She also mentioned that the local police have been notified, but nothing is being done to help them.

Project response has been notified and are willing to assist him seek mental health treatment, but only if he agrees to go, she continued, explaining the complexity of the laws and her situation.

Days after her video went viral and several TikTok influencers spread the news about the man and his actions, she posted an update.

I contacted the crisis hotline for mental health, she wrote in a reply. And after telling them everything, they are placing a commitment hold for him at the hospital.

According to a post made by AGilHadNoName on Sept. 19, the man was arrested. She posted a video urging people to financially support the two via GoFundMe and included Smiths video of the man being arrested and her thanking people for sharing her crisis with the world.

Thank you to everyone that got the attention to the police department, the health center, to the landlords, everyone, she can be heard saying in a recording.

As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe campaign has reached $8,000, exceeding the fundraising goal by $3,000.

Atlanta Black Star has reached out to Smith for comment.
Phoenix police continue to investigate the mysterious murder of a north Phoenix man who was beaten to death last month. They have offered a reward for information.

On Aug. 27, about 10 p.m., 49-year-old Jake Kelly was found unconscious by his roommates in the driveway of his house near Cave Creek Road and Union Hills Drive.

According to Kellys mother, Jan Kelly, her son had returned home from a pool party. His roommates had gone to bed without having seen him.

After hearing something outside, one of the roommates found Kelly in the driveway and brought him inside.

It wasnt until 10 to 12 hours later that they took him to a local hospital, where doctors immediately had him airlifted to another medical center, according to Jan Kelly.

Kelleys injuries included a bludgeoned head, broken ribs, punctured lung, broken bones in his face, claw marks, gall bladder and kidney failure, and sepsis.

He was slight built. Kind. Would not have even tried to defend himself and he had no defensive wounds either, Jan Kelly said.

Police started an investigation on Aug. 28 when they got a call from the hospital about an assault, a police spokesperson said.

Kelly went into a coma and died 10 days later.

"This case is still an open investigation which detectives will be looking into all aspects of this case," Phoenix police Sgt. Brian Bower said in an email.

Trying to find answers

Kelly, born and raised in Phoenix, had recently moved back from Texas and was working at a local pizza restaurant, Red Devil.

He tried to get along with everyone. He wasn't a bully and he wasn't you know hardcore anything. He was just a nice guy. And people loved him, Jan Kelly said.

She doesnt understand why he would have been attacked.

Hard to keep track: Arizona's missing crime numbers leave the state in the dark

A friend of Kellys told her that they had seen Kelly and others in a fight, but it is unclear who was involved and if this actually happened.

Everybody has an opinion about this, but it doesn't work to have an opinion unless someone comes forward, she said.

Kellys death left his mother with questions that she is now taking to the public.

We need to figure out why this happened. Who did this? I'm sure that Jake wasn't the first person that this happened to, and he won't be the last, she said.

Anyone who might know anything about this case can call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) if they prefer Spanish. People can also submit tips online at the website, silentwitness.org. There is a $2,000 reward for any information that leads to a break in the case.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mother asks public for help in finding who murdered her son in Phoenix
The Azerbaijani military has violated its ceasefire agreement and is continuing to attack Stepanakert (Khankendi in Azerbaijani), the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian media claimed on Sept. 21, citing the breakaway region's Interior Ministry.

Following the launch of Azerbaijan's military offensive on Sept. 19, authorities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region accepted a Russian-mediated ceasefire agreement on Sept. 20.

However, local authorities in the region said gunfire can be heard in the city's center, urging the population to remain in shelters.

Independent Russian media outlet Meduza reported that the city's residents who have their own car are trying to reach the airport, where Russian forces are based.

The news comes as a delegation from Nagorno-Karabakh arrived in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh on the morning of Sept. 21 to participate in negotiations with Azerbaijan.

The delegation, which is reportedly accompanied by Russian forces, is set to discuss the reintegration of the region, as well as security, rights, and livelihoods of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh with representatives of Azerbaijan.

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On Sept. 20, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said that his country "restored its sovereignty" by conducting the military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.

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.

According to the terms of the ceasefire proposal, there must be a "dissolution and complete disarmament of the Armed Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh" and Armenian troops must leave Azerbaijan territory.

Read also: Nagorno-Karabakh authorities surrender in apparent Russia-brokered deal

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the document's references to his country's forces stationed in Karabakh are "absurd," reiterating that none of Yerevan's troops are present in the area.

Further issues relating to the integration of the territory and the status of the predominantly ethnic Armenian population that live there will be discussed in 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.

Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as Azerbaijan's territory under international law. Its population of 120,000 is predominantly Armenian.

The territory declared independence in 1991 with Yerevan's military support. Until 2020, Armenia de facto controlled Nagorno-Karabakh together with the surrounding regions.

In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation establishing control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In November 2020, Russia brokered an armistice between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moscow sent forces to patrol the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.

In 2022, Yerevan accused Russia of failing its peacekeeping mission when Moscow began withdrawing its troops in 2022 and allowed Azerbaijan blockade Nagorno-Karabakh, preventing basic supplies from reaching the population.

Read also: Russias peacekeeper act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh

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A rally to demand the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in Yerevan

By Gabriela Baczynska

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Security Council members including the United States, Turkey, Russia and France called on Thursday for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan where Baku launched an offensive this week.

THE TAKE

Armenia's foreign minister said Baku was likely to use force against civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh again unless prevented by global powers. His Azerbaijan counterpart, accusing Yerevan of spreading misinformation, said Baku carried out an anti-terrorism operation against Yerevan forces.

KEY QUOTESFRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER CATHERINE COLONNA:

"It is not the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan that is being called into question ... What is at stake is the possibility for the Armenian people in Nagorno-Karabakh to continue to be able to live in respect of their rights."

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD:

"Azerbaijan has a responsibility to ensure its forces rigorously comply with international law ... Azerbaijan also has international obligations and commitments to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals in its territories."

RUSSIA'S DEPUTY AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. DMITRY POLYANSKY:

"Truce should be accompanied by reliable and clear guarantees of security and respect of human rights for the population of Nagorno-Karabakh."

"We need to develop a gradual roadmap to integrate the population of Nagorno-Karabakh into the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, with clear guarantees of their rights and security."

TURKISH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER BURAK AKCAPAR

"Our primary goal should be for everyone, including Armenians, to live peacefully, side-by-side on Azerbaijani lands. We support the steps taken by Azerbaijan to protect its territorial integrity."

CONTEXT

Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but has enjoyed de-facto independence since breaking away in a war in the 1990s as the Soviet Union collapsed.

Azerbaijan launched a military offensive to regain control over Karabakh on Sept. 19, a day after humanitarian aid was delivered to the region for the first time in months.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Howard Goller)
ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thirty refugees have died in Ethiopia's southwestern region of Gambela due to hunger and malnutrition, the state-backed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said on Wednesday evening.

The refugees died while leaving their camps in search of food, the EHRC said in a press release.

Gambela Region has hosted tens of thousands of South Sudanese refugees who have fled civil conflict since 2013. In recent months, the region has also provided shelter to thousands of Sudanese refugees escaping the ongoing fighting that erupted in mid-April.

In June, the World Food Program of the United Nations announced the suspension of most food aid programs in Ethiopia, citing large-scale aid misappropriation. The EHRC noted that the cessation of food aid, coupled with the lack of nutritionally adequate food for children, is contributing to a malnutrition crisis, particularly affecting children.

The UN agency estimated that more than 20 million people in Ethiopia, affected by ongoing drought and conflict, are in urgent need of humanitarian food assistance. 
An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars at a combat position near the village of Tagavard in Karabakh, January 2021

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Nagorno-Karabakh region has accused Azerbaijani military forces of breaching the ceasefire agreement and indiscriminately shelling the city of Stepanakert with various types of firearms, the Azerbaijani outlet NEWS.am reported on Sept. 21

"For safety reasons, we urge everyone to remain in shelters. We will monitor the situation," the ministry said.

Local resident Gayane Chalyan from Stepanakert told the publication that the city's residents are taking refuge in basements to shield themselves from the shelling. Those with vehicles are attempting to reach the airport area, where a Russian peacekeeping base is located.

Read also: Why Karabakh conflict erupted once again  NV analysis

"They say they entered the city, they are firing, and they are heading towards the 9th school, carrying a flag. They want to install it on the government building in Stepanakert," she said.

Earlier, representatives of Armenia's Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan began negotiations in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh regarding the reintegration and protection of Armenian rights in the region.

Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh  What's known

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense announced on Sept. 19 the start of "counter-terrorism measures" in Nagorno-Karabakh to "restore constitutional order."

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry referred to the events in Karabakh as "local counter-terrorism measures" in response to a "series of large-scale military provocations and acts of terrorism" by Armenian forces.

Armenia labeled Baku's actions as full-scale aggression and accused Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing." Protests erupted in Yerevan, calling on the government to intervene in the Karabakh situation.

Read also: In a betrayal of longstanding ally Armenia, Russia recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijans

The unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh region on Sept. 20 agreed to a ceasefire. Today, representatives of the local Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijani authorities were to meet in Yevlakh to discuss the region's reintegration "within the framework of Azerbaijan's Constitution," as well as the rights and security of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan had "completed all tasks of the anti-terrorist operation" within a day and "restored sovereignty," stated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that he is was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty overNagorno-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
For nearly three decades, the authority that runs Orlando International Airport has grumbled that the smaller airport in Sanford, more than 30 miles to the north, has hijacked its name and befuddled travelers.

They point to the dozens of calls and complaints the larger airfield receives each year from flyers misled by the name Orlando Sanford International Airport, which the Sanford Airport Authority adopted in the mid-1990s after securing chartered flights to the United Kingdom and constructing what it called an international terminal.

OMG, Im at the wrong airport! stated a Twitter post by traveler The FAM in 2019 from the Orlando airport realizing their Allegiant flight was soon to take off from the Sanford airport miles away. Apparently there is (sic) 2 Orlando International airports. Im 45 mins away and my flight leaves in 60 minutes. No time for security check.

Although their names are nearly identical, the Orlando International Airport in Orange County is roughly 14 miles south of downtown Orlando. The Orlando Sanford International sits in the east side of the city of Sanford in Seminole County.

Last March, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office agreed the smaller airports name would confuse travelers and upheld the denial of the Sanford Airport Authoritys 2016 application to trademark the name Orlando Sanford International Airport following objections from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which runs the larger airfield.

The Sanford Airport Authority then filed a lawsuit last month requesting a federal court to overturn that decision and award it a trademark for the name it has long used for its airport.

The name Orlando Sanford International Airport and its logo are not confusingly similar to the name Orlando International Airport, states the lawsuit filed in the U.S. Middle District Court in Orlando. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is attempting to monopolize the phrase Orlando International Airport, the lawsuit also notes.

Both airports have coexisted in the Orlando metropolitan area using their respective names, Orlando Sanford International Airport and Orlando International Airport, for almost thirty years, attorneys for the Sanford Airport Authority noted in the court filing.

Brent Renton, one of three attorneys with the Orlando law firm Shutts & Bowen representing the Sanford authority, said he cant comment on active litigation.

Angela Starke, a spokesperson for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, also said her organization would not comment on the lawsuit.

Still, pilots, air traffic controllers, baggage handlers and other airport personnel identify an airport by its unique three-letter code rather than the official name of the airport. For example, Orlando Sanford International Airports code is SFB. And Orlando International Airport is MCO.

Sanford airport officials claim the two facilities are substantially different, and say their facility shouldnt be denied a trademark for a name because a few travelers may be confused.

The Orlando International Airport, for example, is one of the busiest airports in the world because of its proximity to the theme parks. The larger airport is about 20 miles from Walt Disney World, about 18 miles from Universal Studios and 14 miles from SeaWorld.

With about 41 airlines, Orlando International Airport handled more than 55 million passengers last year.

By comparison, the Sanford airport  located about 45 miles northeast from Walt Disney World  saw 2.8 million passengers go through their gates last year. Low-cost Allegiant Airlines is its major carrier. The airport also handles flights from Flair Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Edmonton, Canada, and the charter company Sun Country Airlines.

The Orlando Sanford International Airport has contracts with numerous vendors, none of which was confused as to which airport they were contracting with, according to the lawsuit. The Sanford airport also has contracts with numerous airlines, none of which has been confused as to which airport they were contracting with.

The Sanford airport also notes that the Federal Aviation Administrations operating certification lists it as Orlando Sanford International Airport.

But in opposing the Sanford airports trademark application about five years ago, Phil Brown, at the time the chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, testified that his airport often receives questions or complaints from Allegiant Airlines passengers regarding their flights. Orlando airport staff tell travelers the airline does not fly in or out of Orlando International Airport and that they should contact the Sanford airport.

Ed Allen, for example, complained that friends mistakenly flew into the Orlando Sanford International Airport but due to confusion with the airport names, they booked a car rental at [Orlando International Airport], according to testimonies submitted by the Orlando aviation authority in opposition to the trademark request.

Lee Hoffman testified in 2017 that he booked a flight out of the Sanford airport.

He realized his confusion when he arrived at [Orlando International Airport] on the day of his flight, Administrative Trademark Judge Martha Allard said in her boards ruling last March denying the Sanford airports appeal.

Edward Lawson, another confused traveler, testified that he was perplexed by the similarity between airport names. He mistakenly booked a flight to the Sanford airport instead of the Orlando airfield.

He realized that he arrived at the wrong airport when his ride-sharing service driver mentioned that [the Orlando International Airport] would have been much closer to his hotel, which was in Orlando, Allard said in her ruling.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authoritys fierce protection of its airports name soars past the Sanford airport.

In May 2021, the smaller Melbourne airport agreed to flip its name to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport after years of litigation by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

The two airports sit more than 60 miles apart. But the Orlando airports Brown stated in a 2017 memo that Melbourne using Orlando as the first word in its airports moniker was confusingly similar, false and misleading with his airport.

Sanford airport officials would not comment on whether they would agree to a similar reversal by changing their facilitys name to the Sanford Orlando International Airport. Or whether they would come up with a new name, if their legal battle fails.

Even so, changing the Sanford airports name would cause it irreparable injury and damage, according to the lawsuit.

As of Thursday, a court hearing had not yet been scheduled.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
AJO, Ariz. (Border Report)  Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument sits right on the Arizona border with Mexico, famous for its saguaro cactus and amazing landscapes, and it can be brutally cold in the winter and incredibly hot in the summer.

The massive Tohono Oohdam Indian Reservation, which is as big as the state of Connecticut, is just to the east.

The entire area lies within the Border Patrols Tucson Sector.

And right now, if you drive around, youll easily spot Border Patrol vehicles moving back and forth on dirt roads and on Highway 85, which runs through the park all the way to the border.

Mexican border town adapts to needs of African migrants

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures, the Tucson Sector has recently seen more migrant encounters than any other sector along the southern border.

Organ Pipe National Monument is located on the Mexico-Arizona border about 120 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)

During the month of July, the latest figures available from CBP, the Tucson Sector had 39,215 migrant apprehensions.

In comparison, the San Diego Sector had 15,020, while Yuma had only around 6,599.

While numbers for the month of August and for the first two weeks of September have not been made public, a Border Patrol agent working near Gila Bend, Arizona told Border Report, Its just as busy now as it was in July.

Mark Whelan, a spokesperson for Border Patrol, said agents working the Tucson Sector, including those in and around Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, have in fact been busy.

Were currently seeing a steady increase in traffic, he said. Criminal organizations are choosing to use these remote areas to push people further and further out.

The agency is moving personnel and resources from other sectors into this area to support operations and to help move the migrants to areas that can accommodate and process them.

Smugglers are steering migrants into the remote Arizona desert, posing new challenges for Border Patrol

Currently, Border Patrol is pulling resources from other areas as needed  that may mean transporting them to another station that has higher capacity numbers or even to another sector.

Considering the hostile and hot terrain, Whelan says getting the migrants out of the elements is a big priority.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the United States-Mexico border

Migrants who are apprehended are brought to areas with tents where they are provided water if necessary before being transported to the nearby Ajo Station or other Border Patrol facilities for processing.

Were finding these people at great peril and at great risk to their lives, they are being abandoned in the Organ Pipe National Monument and the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge, criminal organizations abandon them out there, theyre often deceived by the smugglers of how theyll make their journey into the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Opponents in the race for a state Senate seat have resolved a lawsuit that stemmed from a campaign ad against Sen. Michael Lee during the 2022 elections.

The television ad accused Lee, a Republican and lawyer from New Hanover County, of using his political position to serve his real estate clients by getting special use permits and rezoning for big developers against the advice of city planners. It also accused Lee of leaving his constituents with over-development, higher costs of living and increased traffic.

The accusations would have incriminated Lee in six different crimes, according to a lawsuit by Lee that called the ad defamatory.

Late Wednesday night, 10 months after the election ended with a narrow win by Lee, Democrat Marcia Morgan posted on Facebook that her ad was false and that she and Lee had resolved the lawsuit.

Following the guidance of the NC Senate Democratic Caucuss staff and consultants, my campaign ran an advertisement that accused Michael Lee of using his position as a NC Senator to obtain special favors for his real estate developer clients, Morgans post states. I regret that my accusations were not based on actual facts. I am grateful to put this matter behind me and move forward.

The News & Observer could not immediately reach the caucus or Morgan for comment on Thursday.

Lees campaign manager, Chase Horton, told The N&O that additional details about the resolution werent immediately available.

After Lee filed his lawsuit against Morgan, she voluntarily removed the ads against Lee.

Lee squeaked out his reelection win against Morgan with 51% of the vote, allowing him to serve his fourth term in the state Senate.

Lee wasnt the only North Carolina politician in recent years to challenge an opponents campaign ad.

During the 2020 race for attorney general, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill filed a complaint with the North Carolina Board of Elections against incumbent Attorney General Josh Stein, currently running for governor, after he ran an ad against ONeill accusing him of letting rape kits sit untested on a shelf. ONeill claimed defamation, stating that district attorneys had no responsibility for testing rape kits. District Attorney Lorrin Freeman opened a criminal investigation into whether Stein violated a 1930s campaign law, but a court decision blocked her from prosecuting him.

In 2022, an attack ad against U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley by the National Republican Senatorial Committee was also pulled from airwaves by local television stations that determined the commercial to be false.
Nearly 1 in 5 jobs are highly exposed to  or require skills that can largely be performed by  generative artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new report from the American job search website Indeed.

About 19.8 percent of jobs listed on Indeed were categorized as highly exposed to the rapidly expanding form of AI, like ChatGPT, that can generate original content, Indeeds AI at Work Report found.

However, the vast majority of jobs face more limited exposure to generative AI, with 45.7 percent of positions considered moderately exposed to the technology and 34.6 percent considered minimally exposed.

Theres no doubt [generative AI] is a powerful leap in technology that will impact all jobs, particularly those within the tech sector, and the labor market as a whole, said Svenja Gudell, Indeeds chief economist, in a press release.

Our research shows that [generative AI] is less likely to replace an entire job, but rather serve as a tool to augment or streamline parts of a job, she added.

The Indeed report categorized jobs as highly, moderately or minimally exposed to generative AI based on the portion of necessary skills the technology could effectively perform.

Generative AI was proficient at 80 percent or more of the required skills in highly exposed positions, 50 percent or more of skills in moderately exposed positions, and less than 50 percent of skills in minimally exposed positions.

The report found that software development jobs were the most exposed to generative AI, with the technology capable of performing 95 percent of the skills required for such positions.

IT operations and help-desk jobs, mathematics jobs, and information design and documentation jobs also sat at the top end of the spectrum for potential exposure to generative AI.

Positions that can be performed remotely were also considered more vulnerable to the new technology.

Driving jobs sat at the other end of the spectrum as least exposed to generative AI, with the technology only able to perform 29 percent of the necessary skills. Beauty and wellness jobs, personal care and home health jobs, and nursing jobs similarly faced some of the lowest levels of potential exposure to generative AI.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Revisions to North Carolinas budget call for more funding and a sweeping strategic plan to improve the states overwhelmed system for investigating suspicious deaths.

The spending proposals come on the heels of a recent investigation by The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer, which found that lengthy delays in the completion of autopsy reports have led to financial crises and other problems for many grieving North Carolina families.

When people in North Carolina die unexpectedly, it usually takes more than 20 weeks for the required medical investigations to be completed. And in well over 1,000 cases since 2020, it has taken more than a year.

Those delays prevent families from getting the death certificates they need to access life insurance and funds they are entitled to inherit. It also leaves many family members wondering why their loved ones died.

Prosecutors and police, meanwhile, say the logjam has delayed charges against dangerous criminals, leaving them free to victimize others.

The system is so backlogged that Wake County is using refrigerated shipping containers to store bodies requiring autopsies.

Sen. Jim Burgin, a Harnett County Republican who co-chairs the Senate health and human services appropriations committee, said his goal is for the state to begin completing autopsy reports quickly enough that families can receive death certificates within a week.

If Burgin gets his way, the state would easily meet national standards. The national association that sets standards for medical examiners requires accredited systems to complete 90% of autopsy reports within 90 days. North Carolina completed just 24% of cases that quickly in 2022, the newspapers found.

Is this (budget) a cure all? No, Burgin said Wednesday. But its a great first step in fixing a very complicated problem.

A staff member at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh identifies a bullet on a decedents X-ray.

A route to better?

The budget calls for the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to develop a strategic plan by March 2024 for improving the system to enable the performance of timely, high-quality death investigations.

Among other things, OCME would have to come up with proposals to reorganize the system, establish additional regional autopsy centers across the state, and recruit sufficient numbers of forensic pathologists, toxicologists and other staff.

The newspapers investigation found that the system is backlogged chiefly because there are too many bodies and too few pathologists and toxicologists to handle the load. Among the key causes: a shortage of forensic pathologists and an increase in opioid deaths have severely strained the system.

Four of the states 13 forensic pathology positions are now vacant. (The office used to have 16 positions, but the agency recently eliminated three of them to use the salary money to recruit and retain other forensic pathologists, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the medical examiners system.)

The starting annual salary for forensic pathologists in North Carolina has been about $177,500, lower than whats offered by South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia, DHHS staff say. Nationally, the average pay for pathologists is $339,000, according to a recently released Medscape report on physician compensation.

What if we have a catastrophe?

The state contracts with eight independent autopsy centers, which cover 66 counties. But 34 counties have to ship their bodies to the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh.

Burgin, who also co-chairs the state Senate health care committee, said that when he visited the chief medical examiners office two months ago, the small number of pathologists were overloaded and had already done 43 autopsies that morning.

Its ridiculous to have to take a body from one end of the state to another for an autopsy, he said. What scares me is what if we have a catastrophe somewhere - and we need that capacity?

The state pays the regional centers just $2,800 per autopsy  less than half the average cost, according to DHHS. Officials say it has been hard to persuade additional pathology centers to perform autopsies for the state because they are paid so little.

A staff member at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh photographs the identity tag of a person who has died. North Carolina lawmakers are proposing changes that they hope will help clear up a massive autopsy backlog - a problem that has led to financial crises for some families.

The budget bill would increase contractor payments to $5,800, enough to cover the cost of an autopsy. In most cases, the county where a deceased person lived would have to cover about two-thirds of that cost, with the remainder paid by the state.

The states spending plan would also provide $2 million this fiscal year and $2 million more next year to establish a new regional autopsy center to serve nine southern Piedmont counties, including Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Rowan and Anson.

That center would also have to be available to handle critical medical examiner surge capacity, the budget says.

More required autopsies

Changes within the budget would also increase the load on the states medical examiner system.

The budget bill would require the state to do autopsies in all cases where prosecutors suspect there was a violation of the death by distribution statute, which allows police to charge drug dealers with second-degree murder when buyers overdose on their drugs. It would also require toxicology screenings in all child death cases under the jurisdiction of medical examiners.

A staff member at the chief medical examiners office in Raleigh looks through a microscope to examine a specimen from a body.

Under that plan, the state would provide $2 million each year to do autopsies in death by distribution cases. The state would also spend more than $700,000 this year  and about $165,000 next year  to do the new toxicology screenings.

In death by distribution and some infant death cases, prosecutors often have to wait five or more months for the completion of medical examiner investigations. That means police and prosecutors must wait to file charges, and that potentially dangerous criminals remain on the street.

State Rep. Larry Potts, a Davidson County Republican who co-chairs the House health and human services appropriations committee, said he expects lawmakers will approve the budget by Friday. The spending plan will not be a magic pill to solve all of the states autopsy problems, he said, but hes optimistic that it will help.

Its a step in the healing, he said.

A DHHS spokesperson said Wednesday the departments staff members werent available to discuss the budget and are waiting to see the final version. But in an interview with The Observer earlier this year, department Secretary Kody Kinsley stressed the urgency of addressing the states autopsy problems.

Bottom line, plain and simple, the medical examination system is in crisis, he said.

North Carolina autopsy backlog brings pain, financial crises to grieving families

When medical examiner investigations are delayed in NC, so is justice
FRAMINGHAM  Several people who are allegedly members of an organization labeled as a neo-Nazi hate group that was previously seen demonstrating against the housing of Haitian migrants in Woburn and Marlborough were spotted last weekend near a Framingham hotel.

No arrests were made.

Police confirmed that the group  NSC-131  was outside the Red Roof Inn on Cochituate Road late Saturday afternoon, holding signs in protest of the migrants staying there.

According to photos published on social media, about 15 to 20 men wearing black facemasks gathered outside the motel holding signs that said such things as "Invaders: Go Home" and "New England is Ours, the Rest Must Go."

Framingham Police Deputy Chief Sean Riley said reports that neo-Nazis were demonstrating outside a city hotel last weekend turned out to be "uneventful."

Deputy Police Chief Sean Riley said police responded a little after 4 p.m. when a passerby reported that people wearing masks were walking down the street. Riley said the group left quickly.

Protester told police that group doesn't speak with officers

"It was uneventful," Riley said. "I know the sergeant went there with some officers. We were there less than 10 minutes, and they ended up leaving. They parked their cars illegally at a private business and the business told them they had to move their cars and they left."

Attempts to reach Mayor Charlie Sisitsky for comment were unsuccessful.

State Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, said the migrants deserved to be welcomed, not exposed to hate.

'Very disturbing': Neo-Nazi group protests outside hotel housing migrants in Marlborough

There is absolutely no place for hate in Framingham, or anywhere in MetroWest or in our state," Spilka said in a statement. "We are a nation of immigrants, and in Massachusetts, we should be doing everything we can to welcome these families as they arrive in our Commonwealth, the same way we have welcomed countless generations of immigrants before them.

A video posted on social media showed a Framingham officer asking group members what they were doing. One member told the officer they do not speak to police officers.

Riley said the group did not violate any laws.

"With any protest, they have a right to protest," he said. "We sent officers there just to see what they were doing."

Both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center have called the group a neo-Nazi organization. The Anti-Defamation League of New England said it will continue to fight the group's attempt at spreading hate.

"Over the past few weeks, we have seen small bands of anti-immigrant demonstrators' intent on stoking fear and intimidation," said Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg, regional director of the ADL of New England. "Those small extremist factions must not be allowed to overshadow the tremendous work of communities and service providers in Framingham and throughout Massachusetts in welcoming migrant families."

'We want a better life': Haitian asylum seekers share their experiences in Framingham

The group has also protested outside of the Extended Stay America on Northborough Road, Marlborough, on Sept. 2, and a hotel in Woburn. Both of those hotels are believed to be housing migrants.

After the Woburn incident, the Working Committee to Protect Migrant Families, which includes Jewish Family Services of Metrowest, issued a statement condemning the group's actions.

"Here in the commonwealth, we treat people with compassion and dignity," according to the statement. "We will support these families as they seek to create new lives for themselves, becoming our neighbors and part of our state's workforce, and enriching our communities. We will not let hate deter us from acting with humanity, and welcoming people who need our assistance."

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: Neo-Nazi group demonstrates against Haitian migrants in Framingham
NEWARK  Newark Police announced Thursday the arrest of two men and the search for another in connection with the Sept. 11 shooting of two men on North 11th Street in Newark.

Detectives with the Newark Division of Police arrested Eric Z. Hurst, 34, of Lancaster, and Ryan Authement, 32, of New Philadelphia. Detectives are looking for a third suspect, Kyle Mathes, 28, of Lancaster.

The Tuesday arrests came with assistance from the Lancaster Police Department, Fairfield County Sheriff's Office, New Philadelphia Police Department and Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office.

Newark Police officers responded to reports of a shooting about 4:34 p.m. Sept. 11 at 131 N. 11th Street. Officers found two adult males, ages 50 and 35 years, each suffering from single gunshot wounds.

Officers provided aid until firefighter-paramedics arrived. Both victims were taken by helicopter to Columbus area hospitals and are in stable condition, police said.

Newark Police detectives continue to investigate the case and follow-up on leads. Police ask anyone with information to call Newark detectives at 740-670-7215 or Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888.

The department did not release the victims' names.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Police arrest two men in connection with Sept. 11 shooting in Newark
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.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blasted the House GOP stopgap funding proposal on the Senate floor Monday, criticizing it for not including funding for Ukraine and other Democratic requests.

And with no Ukraine funding, the proposal is an insult to Ukraine and a gift to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. I cannot think of a worse welcome for [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky who visits us this week than this House proposal, which ignores Ukraine entirely, Schumer said.

Zelensky is slated to meet with President Biden this week and hold discussions with lawmakers, as well as visit the United Nations General Assembly in New York. While support for Ukraine is widespread, a handful of House Republicans have been outspoken in their opposition to more U.S. funding for the war-torn nation.

Schumer described the House GOP proposal as a hard-right screed, accusing Republicans of not working on a bipartisan solution to keep the government open. The White House asked Congress to attach supplemental funding for Ukraine, disaster relief and border security to a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government.

Without those requests, the CR is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. A group of Republicans announced an internal deal for the stopgap bill Sunday night. If approved, it would extend the funding deadline by a month, cut all spending except for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and enact a large part of the House GOPs marquee border bill, H.R. 2.

It has already been met with opposition from enough Republicans to put it in jeopardy even in the lower chamber.

A CR or other funding bill must be passed by Sept. 30 to keep the government from shutting down.

Schumer also targeted Republicans for proposing cuts to nondefense spending in his remarks Monday.

Instead of working with Democrats to keep government open, House Republicans want to cut virtually all nondefense spending by a devastating 8 percent, 8 percent, he said Monday. Eight percent cuts to law enforcement, cancer research and other critical priorities. Not one penny is dedicated to the presidents disaster relief request despite the anguish in so many states. No health extenders are included, no attempt to reauthorize the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration].

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani military said on Thursday that security forces had killed eight terrorists and arrested five others in two separate operations in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said in a statement that security forces conducted intelligence-based operations in Bannu district and North Waziristan district.

"During the first operation in Jani Khel area of Bannu, intense fire exchange took place between troops and terrorists," said the ISPR, adding that six terrorists were killed and five others were apprehended along with their facilitators.

According to the statement, the eliminated terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces, including the facilitation of a suicide attack on a military convoy in the same area last month, which killed nine soldiers.

The forces held another operation in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, leading to the killing of two terrorists during a fierce encounter between personnel and terrorists and also recovered weapons and ammunition from the killed terrorists.

The military said clearance operations would continue in the surrounding areas to neutralize any other terrorists found, adding that "security forces of Pakistan remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism." 
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is emerging as a vocal defender of President Biden and his reelection campaign, after fending off speculation that he could challenge Biden for the White House in 2024.

Newsom has batted away concerns about the presidents age and boosted Vice President Harris , while also feuding with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and mocking the GOP impeachment effort against Biden.

I think its sort of a win-win. Having somebody out there who will mix up with Republicans is good for all Democrats, but in the same way, I think, getting your national profile raised is good for any politician, Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said.

Though hes long been floated as a possible White House contender as he steps further into the national spotlight, the California governor is shutting down the suggestion that he could challenge the incumbent president in the upcoming race.

In recent interviews, hes vigorously defended the administration and the reelection campaign.

Pressed about a possible 2024 run in a Meet the Press interview on NBC earlier this month, Newsom said its time to move on.

I think we need to move past this notion that [Bidens] not going to run. President Biden is going to run, and were looking forward to getting him reelected, Newsom said. He called the Biden tenure one of the most outstanding administrations in the last few decades.

On CNN over the weekend, Newsom defended the president against persistent concerns about his age, lauding Biden as a a seasoned pro that knows how to get things done.

In an interview on NewsNations CUOMO, Newsom was asked why he doesnt make a White House run himself.

Because I believe in this guy, Newsom said of Biden. His character, his decency and his capacity to do great things. Thats why. Im not worthy of that conversation. This guy deserves it. And we, as members of the party, deserve to have his back. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

The California governor has very purposefully made it clear that hes backing the sitting president, positioning himself as a team player ready to defend the Democratic ticket up and down, Vale said.

Vale said he thinks theres room for newer, younger, different people from outside the D.C. bubble, like Newsom, to step up as national surrogates for the campaign  and he predicted we could see similar action from other Democratic governors as the 2024 cycle heats up.

And as some suggest the vice president should be replaced on Bidens 2024 ticket, Newsom is also explicitly praising Harris, a move that tamps down speculation that he could be vying for his fellow Californians second-in-command spot.

Newsom told CNN that Harris is absolutely the right running mate choice for Biden, contending she gets to lay claim and credit to a lot of the administrations successes.

Newsom said on NBC that, if Biden doesnt run, the vice president is naturally the one lined up.

Both Biden and Harris have been burdened by poor poll numbers, leaving some to question how much Harris is helping the reelection bid, though many Biden allies are shrugging off those worries at this point in the race. Harris has also faced criticism from Republican candidates, some of whom argue that a vote for Biden, given his age, is a vote for Harris to eventually take on the presidential responsibilities.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D), a fellow Californian, deferred to Biden when asked on CNN whether Harris is the best running mate for him.

He thinks so, and thats what matters, Pelosi said, though she later heaped praise on the vice president and said people shouldnt underestimate what Kamala Harris brings to the table.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) also sidestepped around a CNN question about whether Harris is Bidens best running mate, saying Pelosi gave the right answer.

Thats President Bidens choice. And I think shes an excellent running mate for President Biden, Raskin said.

Newsoms enthusiastic support of Harris is notable, though it could make things awkward down the line, some strategists suggest, in the hypothetical that both Harris and Newsom vie for the White House in the future.

But Democratic strategist David Thomas said it would be much more awkward if Newsom wasnt throwing his weight behind the 2024 campaign, even if he has future ambitions.

I want somebody whos gonna be engaged and involved in supporting the team weve got on the field. Then in the future, we can see, Alright, is this the kind of person that we want to lead the charge for us? Thomas said.

Asked on NBC whether he could imagine ever having to run against Harris, Newsom said, Of course not. By definition. Wont happen.

Steven Maviglio, a Sacramento-based Democratic strategist, said he thinks Newsom realized challenging Biden wasnt in the cards this time around and moved on to Plan B of positioning himself as a vocal, supportive surrogate, laying the groundwork for future ambitions and avoiding the risk of anyone saying in the future that his actions hurt Biden or he wasnt supportive enough.

Its a win-win situation for him. Hes a lame duck governor with a lot of ambition, and it serves to hold him in good stead, if theres a second Biden administration, for a post there, and to position himself as a cheerleader for the party for the future, Maviglio said.

Newsom is a popular governor of the countrys most populous state  factors that boost the Biden campaign as he praises the ticket, strategists suggest. He also has leeway to get more aggressive with Republicans.

Maviglio said the governor feels Democrats need to be more confrontational with their messaging against Republicans, and taking it upon himself to do so is probably much appreciated by the Biden administration.

Hes taken swipes at DeSantis, a 2024 GOP candidate for the presidency, and challenged him to a debate. Hes recently criticized the GOP impeachment inquiry into Biden as a joke. And hes gotten terse with Democrats, too, telling The New York Times that the party needs to buck up and get behind the president.

I think being very visible and vocal supporting the president makes a lot of sense in the short term because hes helping President Biden and Harris win reelection, but I think it also helps with the long term, because if he has his eyes on running a nationwide campaign in the future, what better way to be visible than going out around the country and supporting a fellow Democrat? Thomas said of Newsom. I actually think its pretty smart politics.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Nicki Minaj s husband, ex-convict Kenneth Petty, has been under house arrest after violating his probation by threatening Cardi Bs husband, Offset, in New York City.

Petty, 45, could be restricted to his residence for as many as 120 days after he was recorded on video making threatening remarks to a specific individual while in the company of someone with a criminal record, according to court documents obtained by E! News.

It has not yet been determined whether Petty will be forced to wear a GPS ankle bracelet as part of the home confinement, according to the outlet.

The video in question was posted by Petty to Instagram last week. It shows him and two friends making the remarks while standing near a hotel where Migos rapper Offset was believed to be staying, per TMZ.

Offset appeared to respond to the clip with his own Instagram video of himself exiting a private plane and laughing on the tarmac, indicating he may not have been at the hotel at all.

Petty previously served time after he was convicted in 1995 for first-degree attempted rape. He was indicted in early 2020 for failing to register as a sex offender upon his move from New York to Los Angeles. He also served nearly seven years in prison following a conviction for first-degree manslaughter, and was released in 2013.

News of Pettys latest legal battle comes amid a years-long feud between Nicki and Cardi, which famously turned physical during a confrontation at a New York Fashion Week event in 2018.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged the United Nations to become more proactive in addressing his African nation's poverty and security issues and helping to fight illicit resource extraction, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Tinubu raised the issues when he met U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.

The Nigerian leader said malign actors who engage in illicit activities, including resource and weapons smuggling, exploit Africa's vast mineral wealth and undermine its stability.

"We are facing the great challenge of scavengers ravaging our lands and oppressing our people on illegal mines, taking our gold and mineral wealth back to developed economies by stealth and violence," the statement cited Tinubu as saying.

"We will now be aggressive and we will question motives. We will stop what is happening," he said, urging "effective collaboration" with the U.N.

Tinubu called for the United Nations to evolve from a global discussion platform into a proactive coordination centre, highlighting the urgency of addressing poverty and security issues.

In response, Guterres acknowledged the need for comprehensive reform within the U.N. to address institutional weaknesses and improve decision-making power for developing nations, according to the statement.

"We now recognize the need to reform the institution to represent the world as it is today," Guterres was quoted as saying.

In a speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Tinubu, who chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, assailed military coups that have swept through West Africa and pledged to help re-establish constitutional order in Niger.

(Reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Howard Goller)
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At the first Republican presidential debate last month, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley hauled out a practiced line shes frequently invoked on the campaign trail and in media appearances: Its time for an accountant in the White House.

But if thats true, should that accountant be Haley?

Haleywho holds a bachelors degree in accounting and has cited her bookkeeping experience at her familys South Carolina dress store as political bona fides for more than a decadehas never held a certified public accountant license. And her own financial record is spotted, with her family business racking up multiple liens while she ran the books, additional thousands of dollars in penalties for her personal taxes, and self-enrichment during her time in office.

Tim Scott and Nikki Haleys Cold War Is Starting to Turn Hot

And Haley, of all people, would be keenly aware of the ghosts she was summoning. Throughout her 2010 gubernatorial campaign and the ensuing years in office, her financial history and dealings were constantly targeted in the South Carolina press, as a drumroll of exposes revealed everything from the liens to income discrepancies and tens of thousands of dollars in a side hustle exploiting her government connections.

And that microscope has followed her after the Trump administration, as the finances have gotten larger, more complex, and far more curious. Haley and her husband began to ring up millions of dollars in recent yearssome of it in the form of royalties from an illegally run, scandal-drenched tribal casino project that Haley had opposed when she was governor, and where questions still swirl.

And while Haleys life has taken her further and further away from the young woman who balanced the ledgers in her parents dress shopat one point to a Manhattan penthouseshe now finds herself repeatedly reminding a national audience of her past workaday life, at the risk of exposing new voters to old warts.

So you tell me, who are the big spenders? Haley said at the debate last month, railing against what she sees as excessive government spending during both the Biden and Trump administrations. I think its time for an accountant in the White House.

In July, Haleys official YouTube page posted a clip of her making the same point to Fox News host Neil Cavuto, titling the video Haley: Put an accountant in the White House. She also dropped the line in her CNN town hall event the month before, telling voters, Im not a lawyer, Im an accountant, and I think its time we had an accountant in the White Housea comparison she made when her campaign first launched earlier this year, and throughout her 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

She repeated it again this month in a tweet and Instagram post promoting her Sept. 3 appearance on CBS Face the Nation.

But in 2010, the Associated Press reported that Haleys family businessExotica International, Inc., where Haley handled the accounting and served as chief financial officer, had been hit with three liens over the prior seven years for not paying taxes to the state of South Carolina. A fourth lien was filed in error, with AP noting that state officials were unable to explain the phrase.

The taxes were at least 19 months overdue in all three instances, AP reported. Two liens were for not paying taxes on business income, and the third was for failing to send the state the tax money that the company had withheld from employee paychecks. Exotica International paid about $4,000 in total to satisfy the liens, including financial penalties.

In 2009, Haley humble-bragged about the amount of work she put into her accounting job while simultaneously serving as state representative (having run on property tax reform).

The good thing about accounting, payroll, and taxes is that you dont have to work during normal business hours, Haley told South Carolina outlet Whos On The Move at the time. When the legislature is in session, you may see me there early in the morning or late at night, but the work always gets done.

However, AP noted that Exotica International frequently pays operating bills more than a month late, compared with an industry average of 10 days late.

The South Carolina Department of Revenue website doesnt host public lien information older than six years. (Exotica International appears to have received another lien in 2012, while Haley was governor, for failure to pay $692.38 in withholding taxes. That document is still hosted on South Carolina outlet FITSNews.)

But Haley also ran into trouble with her personal income.

She also neglected to file her personal taxes on time, racking up more than $4,000 in penalties for missing multiple annual deadlines in the mid-2000s, Columbia outlet The State reported in 2010.

Nikki Haley Is Starting to Look Like a Real Threat to Trump

While its true that millions of Americans receive filing extensions each year, those Americans dont necessarily flaunt their bookkeeping experience as a qualification for elected office.

But while holding office Haley was accused of withholding financial information from voters. Between 2007 and 2009, while serving as a state representative, Haley earned $42,500 from a company with one of the state governments largest engineering contractors, which, as an advocate of greater public transparency, drew accusations of hypocrisy.

Multiple outlets quoted executives with the firm claiming they hadnt hired Haley for her business talents, but for the network shed built up in the legislature.

She was a connected person who had access to a lot of folks and information one executive told CNN in 2010.

The Nation later reported a near-identical comment on the record from Robert Ferrell, the man who hired her.

She is a well-connected person who knows different things and different people, and thats why we hired her, and Im going to leave it at that, Ferrell told that publication in 2011. Neither Haley nor the company would reveal what she did on the job.

Earlier that year, The State discovered a $100,000 discrepancy between Haleys federally reported income in 2008 ($22,000) and the earnings listed on a hospital job application ($125,000) that same year. Haley landed the gig, a fundraising position that the hospital had created for her, starting at a $110,000 salary.

At the time, Haleys staff protested that she hadnt filled out the application and didnt know why it had turned up in The States public records request. But a hospital spokesperson pushed back forcefully, saying the application couldnt have been altered and that a third party would have had to know personal detailsincluding her social security number, work history, and previous supervisorsto fill out the form.

While a full accounting of that incident may never emerge, Haley did disclose tax returns revealing that her household income had tripled during her five years in the state legislature.

In 2004, Haley and her husband, Michael Haley, earned a combined $65,704; by 2009, they were pulling in $196,282, most of it from Haleys above-mentioned hospital fundraising salary.

Asked for comment, Haley press secretary Ken Farnaso dismissed this report as covering old and previously resolved matters. He asked The Daily Beast to use this quote in full.

These are old claims answered long ago and re-upped by liberal hacks because Nikki is surging. Democrats know Nikki Haley is Bidens biggest threat, and theyre terrified, the statement said.

However, it bears mentioning that it isnt this publication or perceived political opponents who are doing the re-upping here. Instead, its Haley herselfa Tea Party budget hawkwho has touted her accounting experience and financial acumen as not just a valuable credential for the presidency, but a uniquely distinguishing and necessary one.

Biden Trolls GOP With Nikki Haleys Debate Comment

The Daily Beast followed up with Farnaso by pointing out that one of the stated issuesthe casino royalty incomeis neither old nor fully answered. He did not avail himself of an offer to comment further.

In the years since Haley left the governors mansion, her finances appear to have hummed along, but seemingly roared to life after she handed then President Donald Trump her surprising resignation letter in 2018. A Forbes profile last month reported that Haley had cashed in like so many former senior officials, publishing books and commanding top-dollar speaking fees. Over that time, Haley has assembled an $8 million net worth, which according to Forbes was quite a leap from her estimated $1 million net worth in 2018.

Last month, The Daily Beast reported that Haleys husband, Michael, a consultant and entrepreneur in the defense sector, has ties to a shadowy federal contractor.

But Forbes also puts a wrinkle in that 2018 number. In 2017 and 2018, when Haleys parents were hard up for cash and facing foreclosure in South Carolina, she and her husband threw in all they could to help bail them out.

At the time, Forbes reported, her parents checks bore an address at a $9.5 million Manhattan penthouse not far from the U.N. building. In 2019, after Haleys resignation, the U.S. government bought the penthouse for $19 million, according to Forbes. (FITSNews, long openly critical of Haley, reported that legal correspondence was addressed to her father at the penthouse in early 2019.)

But Haleys post-administration windfall has one curious coda that ties back to Trump.

That would be the gambling royalties her husband scored from his consulting contract with a controversial Catawba Nation tribal casino straddling the two Carolinas. When she was governor, Haley opposed the casino, as did a number of other politicians. But the groups financierswith a little bipartisan wheel-greasing from fast-talking megadonor Wallace Chevesfinagled special permitting from the Trump administration in 2020 that allowed the complicated arrangement to go forward.

Then, in July 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that a company owned by Michael Haley provided security consulting for the reservation and casino project in 2018, noting that Nikki Haley was U.N. ambassador at the time. A representative for Haleys company told WSJ that in return for the work, the company was paid with a stake in the casino. (The report noted that the casino gave similar stakes to Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), as well as Butch Bowers, a lawyer who has counted both Nikki Haley and Trump as clients.)

But the decade of work that went into grinding out that deal collapsed almost immediately. The Catawba Nation dissolved the casino this year after federal investigators found that the operation had violated provisions in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act designed to ensure that the tribenot a private companywould be the primary beneficiary.

Haleys office told WSJ in a statement that Haley did not advocate for the casino project to the Trump administration, but would not comment further.

The statement also said that Haleywho once fought the casino as governorhad attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony as a guest of her husband.

She declined to be part of any programming involved with the event, the statement noted.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Nine people are known to have been injured as a result of the morning Russian missile attack in Cherkasy as of 09:00 (Kyiv time) on 21 September.

Source: Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration; State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Quote from Taburets: "The clearing of rubble at the site of the fall of the wreckage of the Russian missile continues. So far, we know there are nine casualties. Two of them are in a serious condition. Doctors are providing all the necessary assistance."

Details: A hotel building was destroyed in Cherkasy due to a missile attack. As a result, a fire broke out, and retail units at the market caught fire.

     

AFTERMATH OF MORNING ATTACK ON CHERKASY

PHOTO: STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE

The State Emergency Service reports that as of 09:30 (Kyiv time), nine people have been injured, and 13 have been evacuated. One person has been rescued from the rubble.

A fire over an area of 750 sq.m at the market retail units has been extinguished.

     

AFTERMATH OF MORNING ATTACK ON CHERKASY

PHOTO: STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE

Firefighters continue to extinguish minor fires under the rubble of the hotel.

Search and rescue operations continue.

Earlier, Taburets said that up to 23 people could have been in the hotel.

Previously: On the morning of 21 September, a Russian missile hit a hotel and a market in the city centre in Cherkasy, with the authorities first reporting 5 people injured, then 7.

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 claim: COVID-19 vaccines classified as 'biological and technological weapons' in Florida

A Sept. 15 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) includes a screen recording of a now-deleted Instagram video where a man is reacting to a news broadcast.

In the broadcast, an anchor discusses the Brevard County Republican Party's call for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders to ban COVID-19 vaccines in the state and label them "biological and technological weapons."

On-screen text included in the video reads, "Florida officially classifies mRNA covid vaccine shots as ... BIOLOGICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL WEAPONS."

The post garnered more than 7,000 shares in four days. Similar versions have been shared on Instagram and Facebook.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

The broadcast featured in the post discusses a letter from Republicans in a single county in Florida. The letter was signed and addressed to the governor and other state officials, but no further action has been taken by the state.

Resolution not approved by DeSantis

The broadcast shown in the post was aired by Florida outlet WPEC-TV on July 13. At the time, the Brevard County Republican Executive Committee was about to vote on whether to send a letter to DeSantis and other state officials requesting they ban COVID-19 vaccines for being "biological and technological weapons." The station later reported the committee voted to send the letter.

The letter requested DeSantis and the state legislature prohibit the sale and distribution of all COVID-19 vaccines and asked the state's attorney general to conduct a forensic analysis to determine if the vaccine's contents pose a threat to recipients.

Fact check: COVID-19 is real, and new variant of the virus is spreading

However, the letter was merely a request and is not proof that the state reclassified the vaccine.

No mention of the letter can be found on websites for the governor or Department of Health.

Jae Williams, a health department spokesperson, told Lead Stories classifying anything as a biological weapon is outside the department's scope. USA TODAY reached out to DeSantis' office, the Florida Department of Health and the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The health department website still regularly publishes COVID-19 vaccine updates and features a map of COVID-19 resource sites across the state. The department published guidance on COVID-19 boosters as recently as Sept. 13 but didn't mention anything about biological or technological weapons.

No credible reports have been published about the COVID-19 vaccines being classified as weapons, nor has any legislation passed outlawing the vaccine in Florida.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and have been safely administered to hundreds of millions of people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Large-scale studies have repeatedly shown vaccination greatly reduces the chance of serious illness and death. The CDC reported in February that people vaccinated against COVID-19 were 14 times less likely to die from an infection than the unvaccinated.

The claim was also debunked by PolitiFact.

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: COVID-19 vaccine still available in Florida, not banned | Fact check
Before your eyes spy the Great American Eclipse or "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse in October, be sure to protect them with the right eyewear.

The Great American Eclipse aka the "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse, is set for Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Though Florida is not in the path of annularity  meaning Floridians will not be able to see the "ring of fire" effect from the moon partially covering the sun leaving only a ring of bright yellow  the state will see a partial solar eclipse. Think of a fat crescent shape.

Experts warn people should not look up directly at the sun to avoid blindness or damage to the eyes. Whether you'll be traveling to one of the areas that is in the U.S. path of annularity to see the Great American Eclipse, or if you'll be watching from the Sunshine State, you'll want to wear solar eclipse glasses.

Here's a safety guide on what to do and what not to do to protect your eyes when watching the Great American Eclipse.

When is the Great American Eclipse 2023?

There are three notable solar eclipses viewable from the U.S. After the Great American Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017, the Great American Eclipse follows on Oct. 14, 2023, then the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Skywatchers from hundreds of miles outside the path will still be able to see the "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse in October.

Can the Great American Eclipse 2023 or 'ring of fire' eclipse be seen in Florida?

Nasa

Embedded content: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBa0pSIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--dbbafb7ea2500db8a6aea6c3bff2b6c67a3629c6/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCam9MWm05eWJXRjBPZ2wzWldKdyIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--24997868381b1f10543ce76109cabaf03df01923/5668_annular_eclipse_2023_path_of_totality_map_of_north_america-opt.jpg?content_type=image%2Fwebp&disposition=inline

Weather permitting, to see all phases of an annular eclipse, you must be within the path of annularity. According to a map on greatamericaneclipse.com, the U.S. path of annularity for the "ring of fire" eclipse covers parts of Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The ring of fire will not be visible from Florida  unless you watch it virtually from a livestream.

However, the state of Florida should have a 50 percent to 60 percent chance of seeing a phase of the annular eclipse.

Florida will be able to see a partial solar eclipse Oct. 14, 2023, beginning at 10:38 a.m. CT/11:38 a.m. ET through 3:13 p.m. ET, according to timeanddate.com.

What is the path of annularity for the 'ring of fire' eclipse 2023?

When the moon obscures everything but the outer ring of the sun, hence the nickname "ring of fire," the path where skywatchers can view this is called the "path of annularity."

Where do I get solar eclipse glasses for the 'ring of fire' eclipse in October 2023?

The American Astronomical Society offers a list of suppliers for safe solar filters and viewers online. Also, various Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart locations sell ISO-compliant safe eclipse glasses and/or handheld viewers, the group states.

All safe eclipse glasses will meet the "ISO 12312-2" standard. The AAS warns that "NASA does not approve or endorse products. Some vendors print the ISO logo on their viewers or claim that they're 'ISO certified,'" according to a blog post on its site, but "ISO prohibits the use of their logo on products and does not certify products."

To protect your eyes, you'll want to wear eclipse glasses that are "recognized by the American Astronomical Society's Solar Eclipse Task Force as a supplier of safe solar viewers/filters," the AAS site states.

What does ISO 12312-2 mean?

ISO refers to "International Organization for Standardization," though ISO is derived from the French name.

Safe eclipse glasses that help prevent injury from intense radiation from the sun and provide a satisfying view of the celestial event are categorized with the international standard ISO 12312-2, in short, "eye and face protection" for direct observation of the sun. ISO 12312-2 applies worldwide.

The American Astronomical Society explains that "ISO standards are not laws, though governments sometimes base laws on ISO standards. This means it is not necessarily illegal for a product to fail to meet the requirements of an ISO standard. But it may be inadvisable to buy or use such a product, as failure to meet the requirements of an applicable standard likely means the product is not well suited to its purpose."

Are 3D glasses the same as solar eclipse glasses?

No. 3-dimensional glasses will not protect your eyes during an eclipse. Do not wear them and look at the sun during an eclipse.

Can I watch the 2023 Great American Eclipse using a cracker?

Yes! Use a buttery round cracker (think Ritz) and a white sheet of paper. With your back toward the sun, hold the cracker up to the paper. Your eyes should be looking away from the sun, which is whats required for safe, indirect viewing, experts say. The solar eclipse will filter through the tiny cracker holes. Reporter tip: If you don't have a Ritz cracker, a Saltine cracker works just as well.

Can I watch the Great American Eclipse using a slotted spoon?

Yes! Use a slotted spoon with round holes in it. Again, with your toward the sun, hold up the spoon to the sheet of paper and watch the solar eclipse project an image.

Can I watch Great American Eclipse using a colander or bowl?

Yes! According to Dennis Ward, retired president of Longmont Astronomical Society in Colorado, Another great projection viewing device is a colander or pasta strainer with holes, not slots. Same instructions apply, stand with your back toward the sun, and hold up the colander to the sheet of paper to see the eclipse.

Can I wear sunglasses and watch the solar eclipse?

No. We can't stress this enough. It is not safe to look up at the sun during a solar eclipse while wearing sunglasses, no matter how dark the lenses are.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ring of fire, Great American Eclipse 2023: Where to get safe glasses
It is a pervasive crime that targets some of the community's most vulnerable  women and children.

Now, a Space Coast nonprofit focused on human trafficking is hoping to raise awareness and funds at "Classics With a Cause," with proceeds supporting refuge for trafficking victims.

Classic cars will be on display as part of a Sept. 23 fundraiser for Life Recaptured, which assists victims of sex trafficking.

"This is our second annual event. One of the reasons we're doing this is that we're building three more safe houses in Brevard that will help victims of human trafficking," said John Casey of Life Recaptured, a Merritt Island-based organization that helps those recovering from sexual exploitation.

The event, set for Saturday at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, is sold out and will feature 400 classic cars from nearly every era and style.

More: Rockledge man sentenced to prison in human trafficking. child porn case, Cocoa police say

The keynote speaker will be U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, along with a human trafficking survivor, Brevard Public Schools Chair Matt Susin and others.

The Life Recaptured event hopes to raise awareness about human trafficking. Hundreds of specialty cars will be on display for attendees. FILE.

Human trafficking continues to be a global issue, with predators targeting women, children and youth for sex work. The National Human Trafficking Hotline ranks Florida third in the nation  behind only California and Texas  for human trafficking cases. In 2019, there were 896 cases involving human trafficking reported in Florida, state law enforcement officials report. The state  with half of the victims younger than 18, according to the Florida Department of Health  also continues to make headlines with stings involving sex trafficking.

Congressman Posey has long addressed issues of human trafficking, his office said, stating on his website that it is stunning not only in the size of the problem, but it is staggering in its inhumanity.

Combatting human trafficking has always been a top priority for me and we have worked collaboratively with community groups for many years to raise awareness and fight these heinous crimes, Posey said in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY.

For information on Life Recaptured, call 1-866-321-5515.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard group's goal: more safe houses for human trafficking victims
North Carolina will receive millions of dollars from the federal government to help address a worsening maternal health crisis.

The $4 million award is part of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administrations plan to combat maternal mortality nationwide. Other states will receive similar federal grants, the details of which will be announced next week, according to an HRSA spokesperson.

Earlier this year, a News & Observer analysis found that the number of pregnancy-related deaths nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021 in North Carolina and that the states maternal mortality rate was higher than the U.S. overall.

The analysis also found that Black North Carolinians are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

Many experts believe these deaths are not caused by a single problem but by a variety of deep-rooted systemic failures like discrimination in the health care system, few accessible maternal health providers, and a lack of postpartum mental health resources.

There is not one magic solution to fix this, said Dr. Michael Warren, associate administrator of the national Maternal and Child Health Bureau. This is multifaceted. And the awards that you all are getting today in North Carolina really reflect that.

The federal money will be divided among several NC programs that aim to address these different contributors.

$2 million will fund programs that offer services  like doula services and parent education classes  directly to pregnant and postpartum women in Charlotte and Cumberland and Polk counties. There are already a handful of similar federally funded programs scattered throughout the state. The money will also help fund efforts to address environmental factors that impact health outcomes, like housing and nutrition.

East Carolina Universitys midwifery program will receive more than $900,000 in order to grow the number of nurse midwives in the state.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services will receive $750,000 to help maternal health providers respond to mental health problems and substance use disorders. The grant will be used to train providers to respond to common mental health concerns and connect mental health experts virtually for a consultation if the problem is more complex.

NC DHHS will also receive $170,000 to help new mothers and their families navigate new Medicaid enrollment rules, which were brought on by the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. More than half of the babies born annually are covered by Medicaid.

Warren said the health officials will evaluate the success of these programs by looking at whether they lead to incremental progress like connecting more pregnant women with prenatal care or producing more trained midwives.

The ultimate aim, though, is to make the U.S. the best country in the world to have a baby, an ambitious goal given that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations.

We have a lot of work to do to get there, said Carole Johnson, the administrator of HRSA. But thats our goal.

Teddy Rosenbluth covers science and health care for The News & Observer in a position funded by Duke Health and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.

Pregnancy can be risky in the US. In North Carolina, the threat of death is even higher.

Maternal deaths just one part of the story in NC. Pregnancy complications are rising

Charlotte women strive for better outcomes amid NCs high Black maternal death rate
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  North Las Vegas police arrested a 37-year-old woman in a double homicide investigation Monday.

Rosemary Meza, 37, faces two counts of open murder, records showed.

Rosemary Meza, 37, arrested in North Las Vegas (NLVPD)

Around 6:10 p.m., officers and medical personnel responded to a report of an unconscious woman lying on the ground in the area of East Cartier Avenue and Magnet Street near Civic Center Drive and Las Vegas Boulevard.

When officers arrived they found the woman, believed to be in her 50s, and she was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Police said nearby surveillance video showed a vehicle dumping the victim in the area.

Later that night, officers were dispatched to a crash on North 5th Street near Alexander Road. During the crash investigation, officers determined that one of the vehicles involved, matched the description of the vehicle that was seen dumping the victims body, according to police.

As detectives continued their investigation, they determined that there was a possible second victim at an apartment in the 2400 block of Carroll Street near Carey Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Detectives later found a woman, believed to be in her 20s, dead inside the apartment.

North Las Vegas police arrested then arrested Meza and took her to the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center where she was booked on two counts of open murder.

Meza is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
CHICAGO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The impact of the strike launched by the Detroit-based United Auto Workers (UAW) against the Big Three U.S. automakers is spreading as the strike enters the sixth day.

General Motors (GM) Co. is idling its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri.

"It is unfortunate that the UAW leadership's decision to call a strike at Wentzville Assembly has already had a negative ripple effect, with GM's Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas being idled today and most of its represented team members leaving the plant as there is no work available," the Detroit News quoted GM as saying in a statement Wednesday.

The layoff is due to a shortage of stamped parts supplied by Wentzville's stamping operations to Fairfax. Employees will not receive supplemental pay from GM while they're laid off.

Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV face the same problem.

Stellantis on Wednesday said it was immediately laying off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of the UAW's strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Hundreds more at the Toledo machining facility could be laid off soon if the strike does not stop.

The automaker further anticipates another estimated 300 layoffs at Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting plants in Indiana, according to a statement sent by Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson.

Ford already temporarily laid off the rest of 600 workers at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne last Friday.

Unifor, a union representing the Big Three U.S. autoworkers in Canada, and Ford had struck a tentative agreement Tuesday night in the 24-hour extended negotiations after their previous contract expired at Monday midnight, averting a strike for the Dearborn-based automaker.

Details on the deal won't be released until after they are shared with Unifor members at ratification meetings to be held "in the near future," according to a news release.

The deal between Unifor and Ford put additional pressure on the UAW's negotiations with the Big Three U.S. automakers, which have yielded no significant breakthroughs by Wednesday.

Besides a 20-percent wage increase offered last Thursday, GM's current offer to the UAW comes with no plant closure. In an opinion piece in the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday, GM President Mark Reuss called his company's contract proposal a record offer, saying the union's demands would be "untenable."

The UAW is spreading "myths" about what GM can afford and what it's offering, Reuss said. GM's offer "recognizes the many contributions our represented team members make to our company - past, present and future." 
Wildfires in the northern part of California are likely to affect the air quality in Fresno County and other parts of the San Joaquin Valley this week.

Multiple fires are burning in areas bordering the Oregon border, including Siskiyou, Trinity and Humboldt counties. The Redwood Fire in Tulare County could also add to the smoky air, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District said Wednesday.

The district said an air quality alert was in place for Fresno, Madera, Merced, Tulare, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

Air in Fresno County on Thursday morning was unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the index. The chance for more effects from smoke was expected to rise as the day progressed, officials said.

The District strongly urges the public to take health-protective actions to stay safe when smoke from wildfires affects the Valley, the agency said in a news release.

The U.S. Air Quality Index advises people with heart or lung disease and older adults and children to protect themselves by avoiding strenuous activities and limiting outdoor activities. Also, use air filters and keep windows closed, the weather service recommends.

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by @ValleyAir for Merced County, Madera County, Fresno County, Tulare County, Stanislaus County, and San Joaquin County. This alert is due to smoke impacts from wildfires in Northern California and the Redwood Fire in Tulare County. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/fvtiXa8kbc  NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) September 21, 2023

Particulate matter in the air can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, health officials warn.

The National Weather Service in Hanford issued a high wind warning for Wednesday afternoon and evening in the Bakersfield area, and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon in Tulare County.

For details on wildfires, go to the districts Wildfire Resource page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires. To check air quality at any Valley location theres myRAAN.com.

Current wildfires in Northern California

Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE | Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, IRWIN, NIFC, NASA, NOAA and Esri

The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.
Its back-to-school time across America, but millions of families have stepped away from a traditional classroom. Instead, they have chosen to stick with homeschooling, an option that grew in popularity during COVID school closures and has remained above pre-pandemic levels ever since.

COVID put things under a microscope, said Amber Okolo-Ebube, a Texas homeschooling mother. Parents saw how far behind their children actually were and said I can do this better. Okolo-Ebube has been homeschooling her children since 2011, but she has seen the local homeschooling population swell over the past three years, especially among families of color.

Okolo-Ebube is one of the hundreds of entrepreneurial parents and teachers I have interviewed over the past three years who are creating low-cost alternatives to conventional schooling. In 2022, she founded Leading Little Arrows, a weekly homeschool co-op that grew so quickly she decided to lease a building near the University of Texas at Arlington to accommodate weekly tutorials with hired educators and a part-time, drop-off microschool for homeschoolers.

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With nearly 40 learners, three-quarters of whom are neurodiverse, Okolo-Ebubes programs are already at capacity. She plans to open two additional microschool locations later this fall.

The homeschooling movement is accelerating here, particularly among BIPOC families, said Okolo-Ebube, referring to Black, Indigenous, and other students of color. You see someone like you doing it and it becomes less scary.

Angela Watson, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, theorizes that these network effects are contributing to the growth in homeschooling among families of color. Minority families have begun to network as homeschoolers, something that white homeschoolers have done for decades. We think these grassroots support systems serve to expand homeschool participation in these populations, she said, explaining that more research is needed.

Related

Black Mothers Launch Microschools to End School-Prison Pipeline

Homeschooling surged in 2020, with Black homeschooling numbers rising five-fold that year, according to the US Census Bureau. Their May 2023 Household Pulse Survey results showed that the homeschooling rate dipped from its pandemic peak but remains elevated at over 5% of the U.S. school-age population, or more than 3.5 million students.

Watson is part of a team at Johns Hopkins that is creating a free hub for research and data on homeschooling. She sees many reasons for homeschoolings continued popularity, including a greater openness among todays younger parents to nontraditional learning options. This generation of parents is more willing to try something new, said Watson. They grew up when homeschooling was more mainstream and is less stigmatized in their view than it may be to older parents. It could also be that younger parents are more tech-savvy and adept at online learning.

Other reasons that families may choose homeschooling are disappointment with the academic or social environment in local public schools and a lack of accessible private school options, as well as concern over curriculum, including what content is or is not covered. Some parents say they are simply disillusioned with standardized, one-size-fits-all schooling and want an alternative.

I think more parents are realizing that compelling their kids to sit still, memorize facts, and take tests is not the surest path to success for their children, said Jenny Markus, a homeschooling mother of a four-year-old daughter in Brooklyn who is seeing more homeschoolers in New York City. Modern challenges call for creative minds and resilient spirits, which conventional schools do not consistently foster. Markus just launched a self-directed learning center for homeschoolers this fall.

New research reveals that New Yorks homeschooling enrollment increased 65 percent during the first two academic years of the pandemic, while in Florida, homeschooling enrollment increased by 43 percent. Floridas homeschooling population continued to climb last year as well, according to state data.

Related

Homeschooling 2.0: Less Religious and Conservative, More Focused on Quality

This movement is just beginning, said Okolo-Ebube, who believes that more families will flock to homeschooling and schooling alternatives, such as microschooling, over the coming years. With the national expansion of school choice policies that enable families to use education funds toward an assortment of approved expenses, including homeschooling program fees and microschool tuition in some states, access to these out-of-system models will become even greater.

Parents increasingly want a wider variety of education options from which to choose, including unconventional ones that are more tailored to their childrens specific needs and interests. More everyday entrepreneurs like Okolo-Ebube and Markus are responding to this parent demand by building innovative and affordable schooling alternatives that families want.

Having gone through the New York City public school system myself, I never felt like I truly had enough time and space to pursue my curiosity and passions at my own pace, said Markus. For my own child, I knew I wanted something that provided more freedom and flexibility, and I am as excited as ever to continue on this path with other families who value the same kinds of experiences for their children.
A Maricopa County, Arizona judge on Thursday rejected three of Kari Lake's witnesses and their testimonies at the Republican's third trial related to her 2022 defeat in Arizona's gubernatorial race.

As RawStory reports, Lake's latest lawsuit's trial kicked off with a Thursday hearing, for which her attorney, Brian Blehm, sought to have the state release ballot envelopes signed by about 1.3 million early voters.

Superior Court Judge John Hannah, however, shook up those plans when he deemed two of Lake's witnesses  Erich Speckin, a forensic document analyst, and Chris Handsel, a software consultant  irrelevant to the trial. He then homed in on witness Shelby Busch, a participant in the Cyber Ninjas computer security firm's voting audit, whom Hannah singled out as an especially irrelevant witness.

"On this one, I'm inclined to go a step further because she's so obviously  she's a medical office manager," Hannah said. "I mean, she's so obviously unqualified that I kind of find a need to make a finding about that, as well as that her testimony is irrelevant. I mean, she's not even in the ballpark." Though Blehm countered that Busch had a lot of experience "under her belt as someone who does investigations into elections," including her work with the now-defunct Cyber Ninjas, Hannah was not impressed. He swiftly granted the motion to exclude Busch from the batch.

Watch below, via Raw Story:
New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess (D) office late Wednesday night pushed back on former President Trumps brazen and meritless attempt to delay an upcoming civil trial in which she is suing Trump, his business and two of his adult children for fraud.

James warned a delay could cause issues with Trumps broader court calendar, in which he is facing four criminal indictments. The trial in this civil suit was set to begin Oct. 2, but a judge issued an interim pause after Trump claimed the trial judge was ignoring an appellate ruling. The pause request now heads to a panel of New York appeals judges for a final decision.

Judith Vale, deputy solicitor general in Jamess office, called Trumps petition a brazen and meritless attempt to usurp the trial judges authority to manage his own docket and his fundamental judicial role to issue certain rulings.

The New York attorney generals office is suing Trump, the Trump Organization and two of his adult children, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., alleging more than a decade of fraud. The lawsuit claims Trumps company falsely inflated and deflated the value of its assets for personal gain, like lower taxes and better insurance coverage.

Jamess office in the new court filings asked that the panel reject Trumps delay request and issue the ruling before Oct. 2 so the trial can begin on time.

Jamess office portrayed Trumps delay attempt as an effort to get around the trial courts upcoming summary judgment ruling, which could resolve the case ahead of the trial.

To rule otherwise would upend the judicial process, Vale wrote in new filings asking the court to deny Trumps request.

Some $250 million in financial penalties are sought by Jamess office, plus Trump and his children would be barred from serving as officers or directors of New York-registered or licensed corporations.

Jamess office, in pushing back on Trumps latest request, noted the former presidents upcoming criminal and civil trials scheduled for early next year.

Even a brief stay of the October 2 trial date would likely wreak havoc on the trial schedule not only in this proceeding but also in scheduled trials in other courts that involve petitioner Donald J. Trump, Jamess office wrote.

The judge overseeing the fraud case previously suggested the trial could extend through late December, if the current start date holds.

Trump is scheduled to go on a civil defamation trial in a case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll beginning Jan. 15.

The former presidents criminal trial in the federal 2020 election subversion case is scheduled for March 4, his hush money criminal case is scheduled to begin March 25, and his classified documents case is set to begin May 20.

A fourth possible trial date in Georgia, where the former president is accused of attempting to subvert the states election results, has not yet been set.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in each case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Officers are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Moraine early Thursday morning.

>>PHOTOS: Power damaged following crash in Moraine

Moraine Police officers and firefighters were dispatched around 3:03 a.m. on initial reports of a vehicle crashing into a power pole at the intersection of Springboro Pike and S. Dixie Avenue, dispatchers told News Center 7.

Wires were down at the intersection and the intersection was closed.

AES Ohio has been requested, according to scanner traffic.

Images from the scene show the power pole removed following the wreck.

The crash remains under investigation.

We will continue to provide updates on this developing story.

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff

Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff
The former head of an Indonesian land agency was found guilty of taking more than $1 million in bribes from palm oil companies, raising alarm about corruption in the industry, Mongabay reports.

What happened?

Indonesias Riau province, located on the island of Sumatra, is known as the countrys palm oil heartland, according to Mongabay. Riaus former land agency head, Muhammad Syahrir, was recently tried for corruption after taking bribes in exchange for renewing or expediting the renewal of palm oil plantation permits. The court found Syahrir guilty and issued a sentence of 12 years in prison plus fines of $1.5 million.

Syahrir was judged to have taken bribes amounting to $1.38 million from several palm oil companies during his time leading the Riau land office and in his previous position working for the North Maluku provincial land office.

Why is this corruption case concerning?

Experts say this is not an isolated incident but likely represents more widespread corruption.

This case involves [the land agencies in] Riau and North Maluku, Raynaldo Sembiring, executive director of the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), told Mongabay. And theres a likelihood that its also happening in other regions. So this is only the tip of the iceberg.

This kind of corruption has already had devastating effects on the environment. Earlier this year, palm oil tycoon Surya Darmadi was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $2.6 billion, in part for giving $200,000 to former Riau Province Governor Annas Maamun, Al Jazeera reported. Darmadi was judged to have given Maamun the money in exchange for amending forestry regulations to allow him to convert more than 90,000 acres of forest into palm oil estates. This scheme and others ultimately led to the deforestation of thousands of acres of protected land.

In the past 40 years, Sumatra has lost more than half of its forests, primarily due to palm oil and pulp plantations, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The clearing of forests to accommodate these plantations has caused a number of environmental impacts, including loss of critical habitat for endangered species, air pollution as forests are cleared through burning, soil and water pollution, soil erosion, and rising temperatures. Some of the most impacted animals include orangutans, Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinos, and Sumatran tigers, of which about only 400 still exist.

What can I do to help with palm oil corruption?

Palm oil is used in many everyday items like food products, detergents, and cosmetics. More than half of all packaged products Americans purchase contain palm oil, reports the WWF.

One of the most important things you can do to help with the palm oil problem is to be a conscious consumer. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) creates standards for sustainable palm oil production and certifies growers and processors. So far, about 20 percent of all palm oil is certified by the organization. When you shop, look for the RSPO logo.

Many organizations have created guides to help consumers choose more sustainably. For instance, this page from Woodland Park Zoo lists chocolate companies that are members of RSPO. The zoo also provides a letter template to make it easier for consumers to contact companies and ask them to join RSPO.

You can also download the PalmOil Scan App, which lets you scan barcodes while you shop to determine whether the company youre about to buy from is committed to sustainable palm oil.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Construction has started on downtown Fresnos newest Starbucks.

The coffee giant is building a new location on Tulare Street, near the Grocery Outlet on R Street.

Its on the site of the former El Torito, the Mexican restaurant that was torn down last year.

The location is slated to open in spring 2024, a Starbucks representative told The Bee via email.

It will employ 25 people.

According to permit applications with the City of Fresno, the coffee shop will have a 2,406-square-foot building, a drive-thru and a patio.

Downtown Fresno already has three existing Starbucks locations: at Kern and N streets, Tulare Avenue and First Street, and Divisadero and U Street. The last one is three-tenths of a mile away from the one under construction.

In recent years, Starbucks has been focusing on its drive-thru business, often closing locations without a drive-thru after opening a new drive-thru nearby.

Starbucks did not respond to a question about whether the Kern Street location  which does not have a drive-thru  would remain open.

Last year, a city spokeswoman said it appeared the Starbucks on Divisadero would remain open.

Starbucks is in the process of opening at least eight new locations in Fresno and Clovis.
The U.S. aid package for Ukraine that President Joe Biden will announce on Sept. 21 will not include ATACMS long-range missiles, according to Amanda Sloat, the National Security Council's senior director for Europe, NBC News reported.

The latest tranche would however include a "very significant amount of air defense... which is the most critical capability that the Ukrainians need now," Sloat added.

The official said that future provision of ATACMS for Ukraine is not off the table, but they will not be a part of today's package.

Reuters reported on Sept. 20 that according to an unnamed U.S. official familiar with the matter, the upcoming tranche should include a new batch of cluster munitions, 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 news outlet also noted that the package would not include ATACMS. The White House has so far resisted pressure from both Ukraine and U.S. lawmakers to provide the coveted missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Ukraine's President Zelensky is scheduled to meet Biden at the White House later today as part of his visit to Washington. He has already met with senior members of Congress and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The president's visit to the U.S. capital comes just as the Biden administration is trying to secure Congress' approval on an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine.

Some U.S. lawmakers, namely from the Republican Party, grow increasingly critical of the level of support that Washington provides to Ukraine.

Zelensky has previously visited the U.S. in December 2022, meeting Biden and addressing Congress members.

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 State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio serves active, inactive and retired Ohio public educators. STRS Ohio is one of the largest public pension funds in the country.

The largest teacher's pension system in Ohio wants to increase how much school districts pay into the retirement system, which would cost taxpayers an additional $533 million a year.

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio Director Bill Neville said his lobbying team is now talking with state lawmakers about the increase. Neville said STRS has yet to line up a legislator willing to sponsor the bill.

State law must be changed to adjust public employee pension benefits in Ohio.

Currently, employers and employees each contribute 14% of payroll into STRS. Neville said the employer contribution rate hasn't changed since 1983. The employer contribution is paid by school districts, and in turn, taxpayers.

Kathy McFarland, chief executive of the Ohio School Boards Association, said her organization would oppose any increase in the employer contribution rate.

Neville said the goal would be to bump it up by half a percentage point each year until it reaches 18%. The additional money would give STRS the flexibility to increase benefits for teachers and retirees.

The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund tried  and failed  to convince lawmakers to boost the employer contribution rate last year.

In 2012, legislators approved a pension reform package that required public employees to work longer for fewer benefits. Starting in 2013, STRS retirees received lower cost-of-living allowances and then in 2017, the cost-of-living allowances stopped. Retirees got a one-time 3% COLA last year and a one-time 1% allowance this year but it's still not back to what many want.

The cuts were made to help shore up the pension fund.

Retirees have been angry over the cuts to the COLA, a perceived lack of transparency and the payment of bonuses to pension investment staff.

STRS is the fifth largest public teacher pension system in the U.S. and is governed by an 11-member board that is a combination of elected and appointed people. It serves 528,000 teachers and retirees.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: STRS Ohio pension wants bigger contributions from school districts
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is reopening for a two-day adoption event.

According to the Shelter, it will be open Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23, from noon-5 p.m. for adoptions only. The shelter will be intaking animals beginning Sept. 26, but are limited to 30 dogs per day.

We are asking the community to help us get below capacity so that we can open for intake, OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary said.

Also, dog and cat adoption fees will be waived to help limit overcapacity. All adoptable dogs and cats are up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, treated for worms and spayed or neutered.

LOCAL NEWS: It was a lot, but it was all worth it, Mother turns life around after children found in uninhabitable home

The reopening adoption event comes after the Shelter closed its doors for a third time this year on August 22, 2023, due to a contagious upper respiratory infection spreading to nearly 100 dogs.

The Shelters staff took samples from their sick dog population on the day the shelter closed to send them to a third-party lab. The test results came back negative for the canine flu.

Even with the negative canine flu test results, we are seeing the same type of virus and bacteria linked with upper respiratory infections (URI), Gary said. Managing the kennel population is essential to keeping illness outbreaks to a minimum.

The OKC Animal Shelter is located at 2811 SE 29th St. For more information, visit okc.gov/animalwelfare.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in New York, the United States, Sept. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Mao Lei, Xiong Maoling

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) deals with all kinds of projects and necessities that developing countries need the most, Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, said.

"The Global Development Initiative, in specific, has great practical importance," Kuhn told Xinhua in an interview on Saturday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI during his remarks at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2021.

"Certainly, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) had obviously all the infrastructure projects. And as I've said in the past, that the infrastructure is the first step, you need to do that first," he said.

"But then the Global Development Initiative is the most natural application on top of that because it deals with all kinds of projects and necessities that poor or developing countries or the least developed countries need the most. These range from health care to educational facilities to the beginning of industrialization," said Kuhn.

Leveraging China's experiences, the GDI addresses global inequalities directly by focusing on poverty alleviation, food security, developmental finance, climate change and green development, industrialization, connectivity and the digital economy -- all areas of China's expertise, said Kuhn.

Kuhn said that many countries benefit substantially from the BRI and the GDI. China also benefits from the two initiatives, such as via diversification of markets and access to natural resources, which makes the GDI and the BRI self-sustaining. China can provide long-term, critical support to the developing world with its expertise and experience.

"It's all very natural for these countries to work with China in this mutually beneficial way," he said.

Sustainability, climate change and global inequities are "front and center" in China's initiatives on global governance, said Kuhn.

These are now being recognized as "perhaps the planetary's primary concern because of the commitment we have not just to our own generation, but to future generations," he said.

"China is now a world leader in several aspects of sustainability, certainly in new energy vehicles, electric cars ... China is, arguably, now the world leader in not just the manufacturing of cars, but in the technology, battery technologies, etc.," he said.

"This is enabled due to the innovativeness of the Chinese scientists and technologists, but also the size of the market that can allow them to have economies of scale. So China has those advantages, and it is in the process of seeing how it can benefit the world and benefit itself in terms of internationalizing some of its activities," he said.

Kuhn was impressed by Xi's announcement during his 2021 UNGA statement that China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad. He said this commitment puts climate change theory into real-world practice by reducing greenhouse gases, a move unmatched by the fine rhetoric of others.

"What is clear is that in the focus on sustainability and green technologies, China is a world leader. And it is committed to not only being a world leader but to sharing it with other countries and applying China's expertise in terms of the applicability in each individual country," said Kuhn.

Around the 2nd anniversary of the GDI, the Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, released a report entitled "The Practical Achievements and Global Contribution of the Global Development Initiative."

Kuhn said that through the report, he found the GDI is particularly relevant for Africa.

"And you see that China's concern and interest in Africa appears in several of the initiatives, particularly in the Global Development Initiative, where China is pledging to help Africa develop its industrialization," Kuhn said.

"Although the other things, healthcare, education, communications, those are all obviously extremely necessary for the people. But the industrialization is something that will have long-term benefits to Africa," he said. 

Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in New York, the United States, Sept. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, gestures during an interview with Xinhua in New York, the United States, Sept. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
This week, an Oklahoma woman shared with Tulsa Public Radio that she was denied emergency abortion care for a life-threatening pregnancy condition in December. Magon Hoffman told the outlet that amid this medical emergency, she lost her job and was forced to pay $6,000 out-of-pocket to travel 600 miles to New Mexico to end her pregnancy upon learning her fetus had no skull. She was forced to make the trek after doctors in Oklahoma told her they couldnt perform the procedure due to the states abortion ban.



Fourteen weeks into her pregnancy, scans for Hoffmans fetus appeared healthy, but her doctor told her she was suffering from one of the largest blood clots theyd ever seen and she was at risk of organ failure, she explained to Tulsa Public Radio. Hoffman was put on bed rest and ceased all physical activities, and her fetus remained healthy through weekly ultrasounds and her pregnancy continueduntil she reached 20 weeks, and learned her fetus was missing a skull and most of its brain; its chances of survival stood at 0%, doctors told her. Continuing to carry the nonviable fetus would inevitably endanger Hoffman, putting her at risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure as well as a life-threatening delivery, doctors said. Carrying her to term sounded like the most torturous thing I could do to myself, my husband and our unborn child, Hoffman, whos also the mother of a four-year-old daughter, said of her decision.

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What happened to my daughter was a tragedy. But what happened to me was the fault of the state of Oklahoma, Hoffman said. Throughout the process of seeking care, she also recounted struggling with anxiety about how shed be perceived by others in her conservative state: 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.

Hoffmans story illustrates what experts have long warned: Exceptions to save the pregnant persons life are mostly theoretical, and can dangerously delay time-sensitive care as doctors consult lawyers. Last week, women in three statesincluding Oklahomajoined a lawsuit challenging their states bans after they say they nearly died from being denied abortions. (One of the women, a Tennessee resident, was denied care even as her fetus organs were growing outside of itself.) This was one of the hardest moments of my life, Hoffman said. And Oklahoma really kicked me when I was down.

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Convicted murderer Anthony Sanchez, 44, was put to death by lethal injection Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Prison officials said his time of death was 10:19 a.m.

Im innocent, Sanchez said as he was strapped to a gurney inside the death chamber, according to an Associated Press report. I didnt kill nobody.

He is the 10th person to be executed in Oklahoma since the state resumed the punishment in 2021.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a last-minute petition to pause Sanchez's execution.

Murder of Juli Busken in Oklahoma

Sanchez was convicted in 2006 of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Juli Busken, a 21-year-old dance student who had completed her courses at the University of Oklahoma and was preparing to return to her parents' home in Arkansas and enroll in graduate school.

Authorities said Busken was bound, raped and shot in the head after being abducted from her apartment in Norman on Dec. 20, 1996. Her body was later found at Lake Stanley Draper in southeast Oklahoma City.

Paris Powell, a death row survivor, gathers with anti-death penalty activists Thursday morning at the Governor's Mansion ahead of the execution of Anthony Sanchez, who was convicted in 2006 of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Juli Busken, a 21-year-old dance student.

Her murder went unsolved until, in 2004, authorities matched DNA taken from Sanchez when he went to prison for burglary in 2002 with semen stains found on Busken's clothing.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his assistants told U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton in a legal brief last week that the odds that the match was a mistake were 1 in 200 trillion Caucasians, 1 in 20 quadrillion African Americans and 1 in 94 trillion Southwest Hispanics,

Anthony Sanchez

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 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.

Anti-death penalty activists hold a sign with the message "Don't kill for me ... Stop executions" as they gather Thursday morning at the Governor's Mansion. Death row inmate Anthony Sanchez was executed and declared dead at 10:19 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

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."

Some of those supporting a delay of Sanchez's execution cited the recent dismissal of another homicide case.

On 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.

Anti-death penalty activists gather Thursday at the Governors Mansion ahead of the execution of Anthony Sanchez.

Simmons served 48 years in prison for the murder, which he maintains he did not commit.

Following Sanchezs execution, the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, called the practice an archaic punishment that is fundamentally at odds with the culture of life the state of Oklahoma proclaims to be building.

I implore all people of goodwill to join me in advocating for an end to the death penalty in Oklahoma and instead working to achieve actual justice that respects human dignity and prioritizes healing the wounds of grief and loss, Coakley said in a statement.

Attorney General Drummond attended Sanchezs execution.

Justice was served today for Juli Busken nearly 27 years after her life tragically was taken, Drummond said in a statement. My hope is that today can bring some measure of peace to her family and friends.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma execution: Death row inmate Anthony Sanchez executed Thursday
Death row inmate Anthony Sanchez, who was convicted of the 1996 murder of a 21-year-old ballerina, was executed in Oklahoma.

Juli Busken, who was studying ballet at the University of Oklahoma, was abducted from her apartment in Norman on 20 December, 1996, and then subsequently raped, and shot in the head. Buskens body was found that evening near Lake Stanley Draper in Oklahoma City.

Although Sanchezs new lawyer had requested a stay of execution, as he said he needed more time to review the case, the Supreme Court rejected it.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in the wake of the execution, Juli was murdered 26 years, nine months and one day ago. The family has found closure and peace.

Im innocent, the death row inmate reportedly said from inside the death chamber. I didnt kill nobody.

Sanchez has long maintained his innocence and didnt request clemency. Sanchezs spiritual advisor Rev Jeff Hood weighed in on that decision to KOCO 5: He felt like it wasnt going to be fair. He explained that Sanchez would rather die standing for his innocence than begging for clemency on his knees.

The case went cold for years until Sanchez became connected to Buskens death in 2004, when he was serving time for a burglary conviction; his DNA matched the DNA in the sperm found on Buskens clothes.

In 2006, Sanchez was sentenced to death for Buskens murder.

According to The Intercept, just before the tragic incident, Busken had finished her last semester and had been accepted to the University of Arkansas for a graduate degree in elementary education.

In 2001, an ex-girlfriend accused Sanchez of tying her up and raping her  but Sanchez repeatedly denied the allegation and the charge was dropped, the outlet reported.

In an effort to prove their clients innocence, according to The Intercept, aaSanchezs trial lawyer suggested that Sanchezs father, Glen, killed Busken.

In a letter, Sanchez torched his attorneys argument, writing: What kind of demented lawyer are you? I feel that you have done your best to help seal my fate at death.

But years later, another person pointed fingers at Glen.

Charlotte Beattie, Glens longtime girlfriend, said that the forensic sketches looked like Glen, not his son. She also told the outlet that her boyfriends behaviour was much more violent than his son, and accused him of inflicting mental abuse.

She even went so far as to say  in a sworn statement, according to The Oklahoman  that Glen began admitting that he had killed Busken in 2020. Once he said he ... enjoyed watching her die, Ms Beattie wrote. Glen said that he regretted Anthony was on death row for something Glen did. But he said that Anthony was tough and could deal with being locked up, whereas Glen wasnt strong enough to adapt to being incarcerated.

Glen reportedly died by suicide in 2022.

Before he was executed, he told the publication, referring to Buskens family: What happened to their daughter was a tragedy. It should have never happened. And if this is what they need to feel closure, then I hope it helps. He insisted: I didnt kill Juli Busken.
Oklahoma executed Anthony Sanchez on Thursday for the 1996 killing of Juli Busken, a University of Oklahoma dance student, the state's attorney general announced. Sanchez, 44, was convicted of raping and murdering Busken in 2006 after his DNA was matched to the slaying while he was serving a burglary sentence.

Sanchez was executed by lethal injection, which the state resumed using after a six-year moratorium. He was pronounced dead at 10:19 a.m. CDT, according to the Associated Press. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond was among those who attended the execution.

"Justice was served today for Juli Busken nearly 27 years after her life tragically was taken," Drummond said in a statement. "My hope is that today can bring some measure of peace to her family and friends."

Even though Sanchez long said he didn't kill Busken, he didn't seek clemency from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt , telling the Associated Press "it doesn't go well for the inmates" no matter what the governor's Pardon and Parole board decides, citing two cases where the board voted in favor of clemency applications that were ultimately denied by Stitt. Sanchez did ask Stitt for a 60-day reprieve so his new attorneys could review his case, according to The Oklahoman newspaper.

Sanchez used his last words to claim his innocence, according to the AP. "I didn't kill nobody," he said in the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. He also criticized attorneys who had represented him in the past on the case and thanked his supporters.

The gurney in the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma, is seen October 9, 2014. / Credit: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Sanchez's attorneys also sought a stay of execution in federal court to have more time to go through evidence from the case. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the request before Thursday's execution.

Earlier this year, Sanchez accused his late father of killing Busken, citing an alleged confession revealed by an ex-girlfriend of Sanchez's dad, Thomas Glen Sanchez.

"Once he said he ... enjoyed watching her die," Charlotte Beattie wrote in a sworn statement, according to the Oklahoman. "Glen said that he regretted Anthony was on death row for something Glen did. But he said that Anthony was tough and could deal with being locked up, whereas Glen wasn't strong enough to adapt to being incarcerated."

The state's attorney general said as recently as last month that there was "no conceivable doubt" that the younger Sanchez killed Busken and the DNA recovered from the killing belonged to him.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Heart rhythm devices have saved countless lives  including the life of one of the men who helped develop the technology.

I was the recipient of the pacemaker that I had developed more than 50 years before, Dr. Benjamin Scherlag, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, told Nexstars KFOR.

OK AG sues pharmaceutical company, saying its partially to blame for the states opioid crisis

After being drafted and serving our country, he began working in a field close to his own heart  literally.

At the time, it wasnt called electrophysiology, they were just cardiac physiology, Scherlag recounted. In the 1960s, he worked to further that technology at Columbia University and hospitals in New York.

What we did was we developed a catheter technique, Scherlag said. Within two years there were 720 citations of that work where usually there would be about 14 or 20 citations, so it became a part of  what we called the cornerstone of the clinical electrophysiology.

Cryptic Instagram posted as police scour home of ex-NFL players slain mother

His work resulted in the pacemaker.

Little did he know, it would save his own life years later during an episode of atrial fibrillation.

I was getting up from sleep and I couldnt get out of bed, Scherlag recalled. I kept falling back and my wife immediately called 911.

He was rushed to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital where it was his turn to be helped by a pacemaker.

That pacemaker was the one that actually I had pioneered back in the 1960s, Scherlag said.

Mother waiting two years for daughters birth certificate, could lose insurance

Scherlag is in his 90s, but not ready to slow down.

In fact, he spends much of his time at the heart hospital, continuing his research with his son who works there and tries to keep up with dad.

I have four children and eight grandchildren, and theyve all been very supportive, said Scherlag. My wife Ellie, has always been at my side for 63 years.

Scherlag also credits those he researched with over the years, as well as the staff at the Heart Hospital for him still being alive today.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Heart rhythm devices have saved countless lives  including the life of one of the men who helped develop the technology.

I was the recipient of the pacemaker that I had developed more than 50 years before, Dr. Benjamin Scherlag, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, told Nexstars KFOR.

OK AG sues pharmaceutical company, saying its partially to blame for the states opioid crisis

After being drafted and serving our country, he began working in a field close to his own heart  literally.

At the time, it wasnt called electrophysiology, they were just cardiac physiology, Scherlag recounted. In the 1960s, he worked to further that technology at Columbia University and hospitals in New York.

What we did was we developed a catheter technique, Scherlag said. Within two years there were 720 citations of that work where usually there would be about 14 or 20 citations, so it became a part of  what we called the cornerstone of the clinical electrophysiology.

Cryptic Instagram posted as police scour home of ex-NFL players slain mother

His work resulted in the pacemaker.

Little did he know, it would save his own life years later during an episode of atrial fibrillation.

I was getting up from sleep and I couldnt get out of bed, Scherlag recalled. I kept falling back and my wife immediately called 911.

He was rushed to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital where it was his turn to be helped by a pacemaker.

That pacemaker was the one that actually I had pioneered back in the 1960s, Scherlag said.

Mother waiting two years for daughters birth certificate, could lose insurance

Scherlag is in his 90s, but not ready to slow down.

In fact, he spends much of his time at the heart hospital, continuing his research with his son who works there and tries to keep up with dad.

I have four children and eight grandchildren, and theyve all been very supportive, said Scherlag. My wife Ellie, has always been at my side for 63 years.

Scherlag also credits those he researched with over the years, as well as the staff at the Heart Hospital for him still being alive today.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Requiring students to take a civics test to graduate from high school, as Oklahoma started doing last year, has shown no nationwide impact on boosting young voter turnout, a new study found.

None of the studied states that require a civics exam had increased levels of voter participation in presidential elections among those age 18 to 22, according to findings from two Pennsylvania State University researchers.

As of 2022, 18 states had implemented a version of the testing requirement, which often involves questions from the U.S. naturalization test. The study didnt examine Oklahomas young voter participation rates because the state hadnt required a civics test before the last presidential election in 2020.

The high school class of 2025 will be the first in Oklahoma to take the U.S. naturalization test in order to graduate. House Bill 2030, which became law in 2021, took effect in the 2022-23 school year.

How active are young Oklahoma voters?

Participation of young voters has been low in the state. An Oklahoma Watch analysis found fewer than 25% of registered voters under age 30 cast votes in last years November elections, and under 10% did so on March 7 when a proposal was on the ballot to legalize recreational marijuana.

The naturalization tests lack of impact on voter turnout is no surprise, said Andy Moore, founder and CEO of Lets Fix This, a local nonprofit focused on civic engagement.

The exam is the floor, not the ceiling of what civic education should be, he said.

Students could be more engaged if they learn about public policy issues that affect their communities and how their vote plays a role.

More: Could Oklahoma turn to ranked choice voting? It would be expensive, elections chief says

The test is really designed to assess students rote memory recall about history and maybe about the mechanics of the process, Moore said. That is very different from connecting students understanding of current issues with the importance of voting.

Rather than having students memorize political knowledge, the studys authors suggested a greater focus on practical civic activities, like learning how to register to vote, visiting legislators and taking part in a get-out-the-vote campaign.

Oklahomas new online voter registration service could help, Moore said, and the state could go even further by expanding early voting opportunities, proactively contacting students to encourage voter registration or automatically registering voters once they turn 18.

For one lawmaker who co-authored HB 2030, voter turnout wasnt the goal.

Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, said his desired outcome was that students have basic knowledge of American history and government.

If were going to require a foreigner to pass this test, then it seems our citizens ought to know those same things, he said.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma civics test has little impact on whether young people vote
[Source]

A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee meeting on Tuesday spiraled into a debate about racism after Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters claimed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has influenced Oklahoma public schools through its Confucius Classrooms.

Key details: Confucius Classrooms are an extension of the Confucius Institute program, which promotes Chinese culture and language at educational institutions and in local areas. During the subcommittee hearing, entitled Academic Freedom Under Attack: Loosening the CCPs Grip on Americas Classrooms," Walters claimed that the CCP "actively set up schools both in higher education and K-12" with the Confucius Institute to spread communism and undermine the United States.

"We must protect our kids and not allow a hostile foreign government to indoctrinate them, he added.

He also said that parents had previously talked to him about China's alleged interference in Oklahoma education.

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Republicans views: Rep. Aaron Bean (R, FL-4), who also serves as the subcommittee's chairperson, supported Walters claims at the hearing, claiming that several Confucius Classrooms are strategically located around U.S. military bases and that teachers are not permitted to tackle topics like the Tiananmen Square protests or Taiwan.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R, MI-9) accused Democrats of not noticing the alleged risks, telling them that China is not our friend."

They are coming after us. Educationally, militarily, academically, I mean, turn the news on," she declared.

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"Unsubstantiated": Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-1) called Walters' claims unsubstantiated and pointed out that past investigations conducted by Congress and think tanks did not find any security risks or threats to children in connection to the Confucius Classrooms.

"Unfortunately, todays hearing has been another part of the majoritys extreme MAGA [Make America Great Again] 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, Bonamici said.

"Repeating history": Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), was one of the witnesses at the hearing and stated that Walters claims are reminiscent of the same dark history that Japanese Americans faced during WWII.

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We find ourselves repeating history as Asian Americans are treated as perpetual foreigners and economic or national security threats, Kusakawa said, pointing out that Asian Americans and immigrants face the backlash at home and become collateral damage whenever the U.S. has tensions with an Asian country.

Another issue: Walters also said at the hearing that he found a disturbing connection between Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) and the CCP through the Confucius Classrooms, a claim TPS refuted in a statement to News 4, saying, "The district takes no funds from the Chinese government and has no Confucius Classroom programs in its schools."

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A special education teacher has now resigned from Deer Creek's Grove Valley Elementary School following accusations that she sedated children with gummies.

A special education teacher who was arrested several years ago amid child abuse allegations has now resigned from a Deer Creek school after parents accused her of sedating children with gummies.

Amanda Bristow resigned from Grove Valley Elementary School on Sept. 5.

It's unclear what kind of gummies Bristow was accused of giving the children. But in an email to a parent, the school district said Bristow "has been in violation of our district board policy related to the proper administration of medication to students." The district's policy requires that any medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, must be approved by the legal guardian and may only be administered by the school nurse or trained personnel.

Various types of chewable gummies can be purchased, including those containing melatonin, a sleep-enhancing hormone, over the counter, or those containing THC from marijuana dispensaries.

Megan Longoria, mother to a 5-year-old boy with special needs, told The Oklahoman she suspected her son was being mistreated because he stopped sleeping through the night.

I didn't think he was sleeping all day at school, but looking back in hindsight he was waking up at night, Longoria said.

Longoria said her son told her Bristow gave children gummies before nap time.

More: Oklahoma lawmakers to discuss use of corporal punishment on students with disabilities

She said did not know Bristow was no longer at the school until she retrieved an Aug. 31 email from the Deer Creek school district that said officials were made aware of the matter three days earlier.

As of Tuesday afternoon on her LinkedIn profile, Bristow described herself as having taught for 12 years in public schools.

I am skilled with behavior management, and working with those students whom others have deemed difficult and/or are misunderstood, her profile stated. I believe all children need love, support and can learn! They need a positive outlook on life and a strong belief in themselves. I will be your biggest cheerleader.

Previous brush with misconduct allegations

Nine years ago, Bristow was accused of injuring a child while working for the Ada Early Childhood Center, according to The Ada News.

Bristow, then 33 years old, was arrested at the center, according to a Sept. 2, 2014, report by The Ada News.

The alleged incident took place at the Ada Boys and Girls Club on July 31, 2014, according to The Ada News, which reported:

Ada police were alerted Aug. 11 by a parent whose child had been injured by the incident, which was captured on video footage. Ada Police Detective Destry Musgrove said a boy knocked a ball out of Bristows hand and that set off a series of events where Bristow assaulted three 9-year-old children with the ball  an 18 Omnikin Six ball  which has a handle sewn into it.

The Ada News reported one of the children was left with an abrasion above his right eye, a cut on his eyelid and abrasions on his back. A search of court documents did not show charges filed in the case.

Ada Public Schools suspended Bristow on Oct. 21, 2014, according to a proposed settlement in which she offered to have her teaching certificate suspended.

Her certificate was to be suspended until July 31, 2016, according to the proposed settlement, which was offered ahead of a certificate termination hearing with the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

The department lists online Bristow's most recent certification as effective June 1, 2019, with an expiration date of June 30, 2024.

Deer Creek further investigating personnel issue

Deer Creek spokeswoman Maggie Leftwich told The Oklahoman in a statement that Bristow was hired on Aug. 4, 2022. She last reported to work on Aug. 28, 2023.

Deer Creek School District is dedicated to facilitating a safe environment for all of our students and staff, Leftwich said. We strictly enforce all district policies, as well as state and federal laws to ensure our employees and students are able to stay focused on learning. When concerns are brought to our attention, district leadership thoroughly investigates and acts in accordance with state and federal laws. Since this is a personnel issue, we are limited in the information we can share due to employee confidentiality laws.

Every employee hired by Deer Creek is required to undergo a thorough background check and fingerprinting through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Leftwich said.

This teacher held a valid teaching certificate and completed the background check when she was hired in 2022 with no discrepancies on her record that would disqualify her from employment as a certified teacher in the state of Oklahoma, Leftwich said.

Longoria said Bristow should not be the only one held accountable for allegedly sedating children at Grove Valley.

The district should be held accountable for child abuse, Longoria said. She got a slap on the wrist and was put back in the classroom, and she turned around and harmed children again.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma teacher allegedly sedated special needs students with gummies
As President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a long-awaited trip to the U.S., the White House is set to announce a new $325 million military aid package.

According to reports, it will again be missing the much-desired ATACMS long-range missiles, which Kyiv says may turn the tide of Russias ongoing all-out war.

So far, Ukraine has only made moderate gains on the southern front and near Bakhmut to the east, during its month-long counteroffensive. There has yet to be a decisive breakthrough.

There are numerous factors at play  strategic and tactical errors, the absence of a decisive advantage over the enemy in terms of resources and manpower, and heavily fortified Russian positions.

Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea

But one factor stands out  the excruciatingly slow pace of Western arms supplies, the main military hardware used by Ukraine to regain its territory.

Had the West supplied the weapons requested by Kyiv faster, Ukraine could have liberated more of its occupied territories before Russia managed to address its manpower shortage and bolster its positions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Some Western actors have expressed their dissatisfaction with the speed of Ukraines counteroffensive.

And while there are surely flaws in Kyivs military strategy, it is delusional to expect more from Ukraine while not providing the country with the arms it requires.

The F-16 saga



Ukraine called on the West to provide Western-made aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, immediately after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine needs F-16s for the simple reason that it has no other options.

Ukraine cant create an effective air force out of the Soviet aircraft because they are obsolete, and because there are very few of them left on the market.

Ukraine also lost many of its planes during multiple military encounters.

F-16s are better than their Soviet equivalents. While there are different estimates as to whether theyre better than the modern Russian equivalents, theyre certainly a good match for what Russia has to offer.

F-16s are also the most widespread Western fighters, with over 4,600 built since the 1970s.

This means Ukraine is unlikely to have supply problems.

The aircraft can launch a wide array of bombs and missiles, which may be used to strike Russian positions from afar. F-16s can also be used as air cover for Ukraines counteroffensive and to shoot down Russian missiles as a powerful air defense tool.

However, the West has dragged its feet amid repeated claims that Ukraine does not need them, that they are not a priority, or that they would take too long to deliver.

The U.S. Congress approved $100 million in funding to train Ukrainian pilots on U.S. aircraft in July 2022, and the Ukrainian Air Force selected a group of pilots to begin training on Western fighter jets in October 2022.

But discussions on training and supplying Ukrainian forces with F-16s only began in earnest in May the following year.

Only in August 2023 did F-16 training finally begin in Denmark, and training on U.S. soil has been delayed for unclear reasons until October.

Ukraine is now expected to receive F-16s at the very earliest in late 2023, refuting all previous claims by Western officials that Ukraine does not need them.

Almost two years since the beginning of the invasion, its certain that Ukraine will receive the jets, but will lose two years in the process.

 and ATACMS

Ukraines experience with the provision of Western long-range missiles has been similar.

The issue of long-range missiles is crucial for Ukraines success on the battlefield.

Short- and medium-range missiles cannot reach many of Ukraines Russian-occupied territories, while long-range missiles would allow Ukraine to hit almost any military targets there. This would definitely speed up Ukraines counteroffensive and bring victory closer.

Ukraines requests for long-range missiles were ignored at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

In June 2022, the U.S. sent Ukraine GMLRS rockets, which have a range of only 80 kilometers and are unable to reach many of the Russian-occupied areas.

The U.S. eventually announced in February that it would supply Ukraine with GLSDB missiles, which can travel 150 kilometers. However, they have yet to arrive in Ukraine, and its unclear when they will.

Read also: Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

A breakthrough came in May, when the U.K. started providing Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of around 250 kilometers.

While this is an improvement, its not sufficient as the supply of Storm Shadow missiles is limited, and they have a shorter range than ATACMS, which have a range of 300 kilometers.

However, the U.S. has continued to obstinately refuse to supply ATACMS.

While ABC News reported on Sept. 9 that Washington will likely send them in an upcoming military aid package, officials say it could take months for them to reach Ukraine.

Deputy White House Advisor on National Security Jonathan Feiner said on Sept. 10 that, while the U.S. has not ruled out sending Ukraine ATACMS, Washington is not yet ready to announce the decision.

Meanwhile, Germany has so far refused to supply its Taurus missiles with a range of 500 kilometers.

Debunking the Wests excuses

The Wests excuses for either dragging its feet or outright refusing to supply Ukraine with various types of weapons ring hollow.

Delivering these weapons quickly is critical as, the faster theyre supplied, the closer Ukraines potential victory and the less effective Russias efforts to boost its own military production in the meantime.

One of the Wests excuses is that Ukrainian forces allegedly have more urgent needs, such as artillery, ammunition, or armored vehicles.

This argument falls flat because the notion of urgency is subjective. For some purposes, such as striking targets deep into Russian territory and providing air cover for Ukraines counteroffensive, the only solutions are long-range missiles and Western aircraft.

Nobody can deny that these purposes are urgent.

In fact, nothing prevents the West from supplying both weapons it considers more urgent and less urgent.

It is often repeated that F-16s and ATACMS are not magic weapons and will not be the silver bullet to an immediate breakthrough or Ukraines victory in the war.

The same can be said about any type of weapon, but the fact remains that Ukraine is more likely to defeat Russia with ATACMS and F-16s than without them.

An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint exercise between the U.S. and South Korea on Oct. 5, 2022. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

Another excuse is that the U.S. has a shortage of ATACMS, and sending the requested amount would undercut Washingtons readiness to address other potential conflicts.

This is not a convincing argument as the U.S. has had a year and a half since the start of Russias full-scale invasion to boost the production of ATACMS to meet both Ukraines and its own needs.

This is a political problem, not a practical one, and it can be resolved quickly with political will.

The fear of escalation with Russia due to the use of long-range missiles or F-16s is another common excuse. This is not a valid argument for several reasons.

First, Ukraine has already received Storm Shadow missiles from the U.K. and no nuclear war or Russian attack on NATO has happened as a result.

Second, the logic of escalation is itself absurd.

Forcing Ukraine to fight with its hands tied will not de-escalate anything. On the contrary, this policy will enable Russia to continue its aggression indefinitely and thus increase instability in the world and the chances of an apocalyptic scenario in the future.

The only effective means of de-escalation would be enabling Ukraine to defeat Russia and end the war quickly.

Read also: Israels reluctance to choose sides strains relations with Ukraine

One of the Wests irrational fears is that Ukraine will use the ATACMS or F-16s to attack Russian territory, also supposedly escalating the situation.

Ukraine has promised not to use these weapons to attack Russian territory, and it has a good track record with the Storm Shadow missiles.

Moreover, the demand that Ukraine should not attack Russia with Western weapons is irrational.

When the Ukrainian military is forbidden from striking military targets in Russian territory, from which Russian missiles and drones are launched at Ukrainian territories, Ukraine is deprived of the fundamental right to self-defense. It is both immoral and impractical.

If Ukraine were able to attack Russian territory with Western weapons, it would have much more freedom of maneuver.

Political will is paramount

These issues do not detract from the fact that Ukraine is thankful to the West for its weapons supplies. After each refusal and delay, Ukraines Western partners about-faced and supplied what was needed.

However, the turnaround always comes too late for Ukraine to achieve a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield, defeat Russia, and win the war. While Ukraine survives and fights on, there is no end in sight.

The question inevitably arises: Maybe the West doesnt want Ukraine to win?

The Wests irrational fears of Russia, defeating Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and provoking some apocalyptic scenario are so great that it may be prolonging the war - intentionally or unintentionally.

The hope of achieving a compromise or shady peace deal with Putin still lingers in the West, but its virtually impossible that Russia would agree to anything less than Ukraines surrender.

Read also: Russias southern mistake  Surovikin lines, Gerasimov tactics

If Ukraine were to make concessions to Russia and not join NATO, the deal would not be worth the paper it was written on  it would just be another invitation for future aggression by Russia.

But Ukraines membership in NATO is exactly what the West is afraid of, and the alliances fear of a war between NATO and Russia is probably even greater than of the consequences of Russias defeat.

So all the numerous excuses for not supplying certain kinds of weapons or supplying them too slowly appear to be spurious.

All practical obstacles can be removed if fear is overcome and if there is political will.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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(Bloomberg) -- After winning control of the party Mark Rutte led for 17 years, Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius is focused on becoming the first female prime minister of the Netherlands.

Most Read from Bloomberg

If she succeeds at Novembers elections, Yesilgoz-Zegerius would also be the first to hold that office having come to the country as a refugee. Her unlikely platform is a promise to crack down on migrants.

Whats unusual about the hard line pursued by the Dutch ruling party is how much its already cost them. It was a fight over asylum policy that torpedoed Ruttes fourth consecutive coalition government in July, prompting the countrys longest-serving prime minister to announce his retirement from politics.

Born in Turkey, Yesilgoz-Zegerius isnt the only right-wing European politician vowing to tighten borders as she confronts a tricky election with populist rivals closing in. Take British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak  himself the child of immigrants  whos made hostility to foreign arrivals key to wooing colleagues further to the right.

It is a fight thats still worth having, according to his successor Yesilgoz-Zegerius, who last month assumed the leadership of the party Rutte used to run. In a recent interview with Bloomberg the 46-year-old prime ministerial hopeful said that the nations asylum policies dont make sense.

In a small country whose residents now include over 2.6 million people born abroad, the asylum system ought to prioritize true refugees at the expense of economic migrants, she said.

In doing so shes signaling a readiness to cooperate with partners on the right after the elections scheduled for Nov. 22. Though her VVD is the largest bloc in parliament, it has spent the year trailing a succession of rivals as second-placed in opinion polls. The latest surveys suggest it would win only a third of the 76 seats necessary for a majority if elections were held today.

According to the math of the fractured Dutch parliament, Yesilgoz-Zegerius still has a strong shot at the top job. The party polling narrowly in front of hers is led by a right-leaning lawmaker whos so far ruled himself out of trying to be prime minister, and rivals on the left may not have enough seats between them without making overtures across the aisle.

The highest placed left-wing contender is Frans Timmermans who leads an alliance between the Green Left and Labor parties, and who stepped down as the European Unions climate chief to take the role.

Willingness to Compromise

Where the frugal Rutte embodied some deeply-held Dutch stereotypes, his successor speaks to the nations more contemporary contradictions. Over a quarter of the countrys residents were either born abroad or have a parent who was, according to the most recent official data.

Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilderss call to exclude Moroccans from the country is a disgusting proposal, Yesilgoz-Zegerius said in the interview. But she refused to rule out partnering with the far-right lawmaker to form a government.

I dont want to exclude any voters, she said. So, I am not starting by excluding parties.

Born to Kurdish-Turkish parents who sought political asylum in the Netherlands when she was a child, Yesilgoz-Zegerius says her stance on migration is entirely consistent with her origins. If I came to the Netherlands today as a refugee, there is no way that eight-year-old girl would have had the same opportunity to become a minister as I did, she said, citing an overcrowded asylum system.

Predecessors Mold

Donald Pols, the head of influential green pressure group Milieudefensie, came into regular contact with Yesilgoz-Zegerius when she was climate secretary. He said her election would be good for the environment  an area in which he cited her genuine commitment  but expressed himself unpleasantly surprised by her migration policies, calling her too eager to court the far right.

Yesilgoz-Zegeriuss openness to partnering with the controversial Wilders betrays a pragmatism that puts her squarely in her predecessors mold. Rutte governed after the collapse of his first 2010 coalition government with support from Wilderss Freedom Party, while his second involved a partnership with left-leaning Labor.

Though in subsequent parliaments Rutte ruled out cooperation with Wilders, the anti-Islamic lawmaker used his first campaign interview in De Telegraaf last weekend to open the door to working with the new VVD leader, by expressing his willingness to compromise on issues like migration.

Rutte Sputter

In March, Rutte presided over the worst Senate election results of his premiership, as the Farmer-Citizen Movement became the biggest bloc in the Dutch upper house. They sealed their win partly by opposing the governments push to halve nitrogen emissions by 2030  a controversial plan that has since been watered down.

The farmers movement plummeted from first to fourth place in voting intentions for the November elections after Ruttes VVD worked hard to shift the conversation away from environmental policies onto migration. By trying to corner his coalition partners into a more hostile stance toward people fleeing war zones he managed to change the subject, but at great personal cost. While his brinkmanship collapsed the government, he remains in place as caretaker until the vote.

As head of the justice ministry  the department with jurisdiction over immigration  Yesilgoz-Zegerius played a key role in those talks, and in that high-stakes strategy. She told Bloomberg that she admires her predecessors ability to form alliances. There is some evidence of this flexibility in her own CV. The child of a trade unionist, she began her career on the left, with stints in the Socialist, Labor and Green parties before finding a home in the VVD.

She has the same style as Rutte, but I think she is more authentic and a little less calculated, Pols said. She is an interesting personality because of her contradictions.

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Just a small fraction of power-producing turbines at existing gas-power plants would be covered by a proposed climate rule from the Biden administration, according to an analysis from an environmental advocacy group.

The analysis projects 5.2 percent of these turbines  representing 22 percent of the nations power capacity  would be covered by the rule when it takes effect in 2035.

The analysis was first shared with The Hill.

The group, Evergreen, said this shows the proposal would not be as burdensome to comply with as some industry players say  and that it needs to be strengthened.

Only 5.2 percent of existing gas units is very minor and insignificant, said Charles Harper, the groups power sector senior policy lead.

Its not going to have the massive impact on the industry that the Edison Electric Institute and others are claiming  and it in fact shows pretty starkly that the rule  needs to be strengthened substantially, Harper said.

These percentages dont necessarily reflect the amount of planet-warming emissions that would be covered by the rule. Not every turbine is equal in size and power, and some larger turbines that are more likely to be covered under the rule also produce more emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the rule, which would impose new climate-related restrictions on power plants, earlier this year.

The rule applies to existing coal plants, new gas plants and some existing gas plants.

Specifically, it covers existing gas plants with a power capacity of at least 300 megawatts that run at least half the time.

Gas plants covered under the rule would have to either install technology to capture their carbon emissions or fire carbon-free hydrogen energy alongside natural gas to limit their impacts on the planet.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), another environmental group, recently found that 36 percent of emissions from plants that are required to report their emissions to the EPA under the rule would be covered.

Amanda Levin, director of policy analysis at the NRDCs science office, said plants that are small or that run infrequently dont have to report their emissions, so that figure may be an overcount of the share of total existing gas emissions the rule would cover.

What we can see is that as EPA has proposed, this standard only covers a subset of these plants, Levin said.

Asked to respond to the findings, an EPA spokesperson provided a written statement noting the rule is focused around the largest sources of emissions in the power sector, and aims to impose robust emission standards based on available technologies.

The spokesperson also noted there are about 120 existing power plants that meet the criteria in the rule, and natural gas plants have historically represented about a third of the sectors carbon dioxide emissions.

Harper said that to find Evergreens new projections, he used data from S&P Global that projects what gas plants will be doing in 2035. He then applied the EPAs specifications for which plants would be covered under the rule to that projection to determine which ones it would apply to.

We dont expect plants to all exactly comply with the projections, but this is the best data that we do have available today, he said.

Reached for comment, The Edison Electric Institute, a major electric lobbying group, referred The Hill to a letter it sent to the EPA that argued the rule is overly burdensome.

In particular, the letter said it would be costly and capital intensive to implement the technologies the rule calls for and described these technologies as not deployable, available, or affordable across the entirety of the industry.

EPAs rulemaking record simultaneously downplays the various infrastructure challenges to deploying these technologies, while overplaying the current state of deployment and demonstration of each technology, the group said in an official comment last month.

At the time, the EPA defended its proposal as being based on proven and cost-effective control technologies that can be applied directly to power plants.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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Join Eagle reporters and avid bowhunters Chance Swaim and Michael Stavola as they hunt in Kansas, beginning with the white-tailed deer season.

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Federal agents raided the headquarters of Duval Teachers United in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sept. 6, carrying away computers and boxes of financial documents.

An investigative team from FBI Jacksonville executed a court-authorized search warrant today in furtherance of a federal investigation, an agency spokesperson told the Florida Times-Union. Because the investigation is ongoing, details about the search are not being released at this time.

Local news reported that the investigation involves the potential misappropriation of funds. The presence of IRS agents at the raid supports this.

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Union officers would not comment but released a statement that read, We continue to be focused on upholding our mission of supporting our members and the students we serve. We are fully cooperating with authorities and anticipate a full and thorough assessment of the facts. To respect the integrity of the process, we will not discuss any further details.

News crews spotted prominent Florida criminal defense attorney Hank Coxe at the scene, but he would not reveal the nature of the investigation or whom he was representing.

With everyone involved mum, media outlets have followed suit. There hasnt been a single update since the raid occurred.

Now, a raid is not itself evidence that a crime has been committed. It only shows that the FBI and IRS received enough information to convince a judge that further investigation was warranted. The presence of federal agents means the situation was beyond the scope of local law enforcement.

But the unions finances arent a complete cipher. All unions and other tax-exempt organizations are required to file an annual disclosure report with the IRS. The most recent one from Duval Teachers United covers the 2021-22 school year. It contains nothing that indicates criminal activity, though there is at least one curiosity.

I dont have a definitive number for how many members the union has, though American Federation of Teachers documents suggest it is in the vicinity of 7,500. The Duval union reported collecting more than $5 million in revenue in 2021-22, though that number is a little deceiving, since almost $2.8 million of it was forwarded to state and national union affiliates.

That left about $2.2 million for the local to run its operations. Its staff is small. The contract with the Duval County Public Schools allows no more than seven people to be released to work for the union. It appears that is the number staffing the headquarters building.

The union has two elected officers. The president, Terrie Brady, has held that position since 1999, and her executive vice president, Ruby George, since at least 2004-05.

That year, the union paid them $114,000 and $101,000, respectively.

Since then, their pay has fluctuated wildly. Bradys salary ranged from $160,000 in 2006-07 to more than $326,000 in 2019-20. She received $251,868 in 2021-22.

Georges salary had a similar trajectory, though not always parallel to Bradys. She received $134,000 in 2018-19 but almost $327,000 the following year.

Its unusual for union officers pay to rise and fall that dramatically, unless they are constantly deferring compensation for tax purposes and then collecting it in later years. That may be the case here. But the amounts involved are also unusual.

For example, Bradys taxable compensation for 2021-22 greatly exceeded the amounts paid to the presidents of United Teachers Los Angeles ($140,000), the Chicago Teachers Union ($155,000) and even that of the largest teachers union in Florida, the United Teachers of Dade ($217,000).

Duval Teachers United is similar in size to two other Florida teachers union locals, the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association and the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association. Their presidents made $127,000 and $152,000, respectively, last year.

The largest local affiliates of the Florida Education Association have a long, sad history of problems with the law and their own parent unions. The state and national unions have not commented on the Duval raid, but neither have they initiated a trusteeship over the local, as far as I can tell.

Theres more to come, Im sure.

Mike Antonuccis Union Report appears most Wednesdays; see the full archive.
Last spring, my organization USAS-SWAPS wrote an op-ed about Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi s failure to take action in returning stolen wages for workers who make our university apparel. As we start the new school year, its clear that our administration is no closer to standing up for the Hong Seng workers who were robbed of their livelihoods while making Nittany Lion merch.

Two years ago, an independent factory monitor organization Worker Rights Consortium, of which Penn State is a member of, exposed a massive wage theft scheme at the Hong Seng Knitting factory in Bangkok, Thailand. The factory, a supplier of collegiate goods for Nike, pressured workers to declare voluntary leave due to a decreased demand linked to the pandemic. The workers were cheated out of $600,000 in wages, now up to $800,000 due to the interest accrued.

Penn State was first informed about these violations in early 2021, and took no action. After more than a year of student activism  including three rallies, an online petition, and several meetings with administrators, the university still refuses to cut our contract with Nike, despite this clear violation of our Nittany Lion code of conduct.

The struggle of Hong Seng workers feels more urgent to me than ever. This summer, I traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, meeting with workers who are organizing under both hostile governments and employers. These workers did not choose to organize and stand up for themselves, they were forced to. Suffering from stolen wages and cut hours after COVID, working 30-plus hours of overtime to just almost live paycheck to paycheck, the conditions that their factories put them in gave them no other choice but to stand up for themselves. And when they finally did, these workers were retaliated against with violence, with threats of being blacklisted from their industry, threats of rape, threats of their very lives being upended.

These are the conditions that overseas garment workers face, conditions not entirely unfamiliar to those at the Hong Seng Knitting Factory. And shamefully, these are the conditions that Nike condones with their suppliers, ones that Penn State and President Bendapudi implicitly encourage by ignoring their own code of conduct and continuing to support Nike and their factory partners without even a hint of condemnation.

Nike does not view these oversea workers as people, but instead as resources for revenue. But the opinions and public actions of Big Ten schools, Penn State included, weigh heavily on this company. Penn State holds great power over whether Nike continues to ignore these injustices, if roughly 1,000 workers get to put food on their tables without being burdened with ballooning debt. And until Penn State takes a public stand against this injustice, our administration is equally to blame for the conditions these garment factories have to face. The administration, our board of trustees, our president, all have a role to play in fair and legally earned wages being stolen by garment workers.

The movement to hold Nike accountable is growing. Students across the country at schools like Ohio State, University of Michigan and University of Texas at Austin are calling on their universities to reconsider whether Nikes action (or rather, inaction) reflects their values. At Penn State, we are joining this campaign through our organization USAS-SWAPS, and will not stop our public actions of solidarity and support for garment factory workers worldwide until our administration does the right thing and pressures Nike to pay back the Hong Seng workers stolen wages.

If you too feel like you cannot ignore this injustice and want to join our campaign to put pressure on Penn States administration, please contact me at dzc99@psu.edu to be added to our mailing list and see how your voice can aid in this fight.

Declan Caviston is the president and undergraduate student coordinator of Penn States SWAPS organization. He is a senior studying labor & employment relations and political science.
It's good news for President Biden that Rupert Murdoch , center, is stepping aside. His son Lachlan, left, will take his place leading News Corp. James, right, resigned from the board in 2020. (Dan Steinberg / Invision via Associated Press)

President Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. Imagine if someone could go back in time and inform him and his communications team that a few pivotal changes in the media would occur during his first three years in office.

Theres the latest news that Rubert Murdoch, 92, stepped down as the chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp. on Thursday. Since the 1980s, Murdoch, who will be replaced by his son Lachlan, has been the most powerful right-wing media executive in the U.S.

Read more: Opinion: Elon Musk accidentally ruined Twitter. He did us all a huge favor

Adding to Bidens good-luck list is Elon Musks purchase of Twitter , now rebranded as X, in October 2022, prompting millions of American users to drop the social media platform, which has become a hotbed of right-wing activity and commentary.

Xs power as an influential social , political and cultural force has since continued to decline. Former President Trump even originally spurned an invitation to return to X, after Twitter suspended his account in 2021. Trump has since posted one time on X, on Aug. 24.

These and other incidents are good for Biden  who, like all other politicians, remains somewhat reliant on the media to both get his word out and craft a positive public image.

Read more: Granderson: Why 'Succession' keeps us glued to our screens watching irredeemable people

Ultimately, this luck  coupled with his avoidance of news conferences  might help Biden evade the intense scrutiny that all presidents face.

A few other major media shifts have transpired during Bidens presidency.

Fox News lost approximately 1 million nightly prime-time viewers , or about a third of its audience, between 2020 and early 2023. CNN and MSNBC ratings tanked, too, reflecting an overall decline of the cable TV news universe.

Read more: Abcarian: Elon Musk's Twitter chaos came calling for me

Its also noteworthy that conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh died in February 2021, leaving a big void in right-wing talk radio. Many loyal Limbaugh listeners then deserted AM talk radio as a main way they get their news .

More recently, Fox News fired Tucker Carlson, the host of Americas most popular right-wing cable TV news program, after Carlsons racist text messages were made public as part of the lawsuit against Fox by the Dominion Voting Systems company. Fox did regain some viewers after Carlson left.

And, finally, this month, Project Veritas, a right-wing political group known for hiding cameras to embarrass journalists and nonprofits the group considered to be politically liberal, reportedly ended all of its investigations and fired almost all its remaining employees.

Read more: Guerrero: The lies of Fox News hurt far more than just Dominion Voting Systems

Given Bidens low approval levels  only 40.6% of Americans said that they approved of Biden in polls this month  I cannot say that this chain of setbacks for conservative media platforms has helped Biden maintain or drawn in more voters and their support.

Nonetheless, Bidens team has skillfully exploited the media. He has, for example, kept a relatively low public profile. In the last century, only Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon have convened fewer average annual news conferences than Biden at this point in their tenure.

But Bidens luck may not last, even though he has benefited from right-wing media tumult in the last few years. And he hasnt seen the emergence of a new liberal media figure with the influence of a Limbaugh or Carlson.

Read more: Column: Why Fox News' lies about Trump's defeat probably aren't protected by the 1st Amendment

Its not yet clear what Rupert Murdochs departure will mean for Fox News , especially since his son, Lachlan Murdoch, is already well-established at Fox Corp. as a top executive and staunch conservative.

One potentially complicating factor is that Bidens son, Hunter, is facing felony gun possession charges . So far, much of the media has avoided connecting Hunter Bidens alleged illegal activities and access peddling with Biden himself. That offers another example of Bidens good luck.

Michael J. Socolow is a media historian at the University of Maine. This article was produced in partnership with The Conversation.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sat down to sign the guestbook at a space center last week as part of his momentous meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a young woman casually leaned over his shoulder to read the message.

Among the assortment of mostly male officials stiffly clustered around the world leaders, she immediately stood out. The woman was Kim Yo Jong  younger sister of the North Korean leader and one of the countrys most important political advisors.

Since stepping into the international spotlight in 2018 with a history-making visit to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea  the first member of her family since the end of the Korean War to set foot in the South  she has become a key mouthpiece of the regime.

Kim Jong Un's sister stands alongside the North Korean leader at the Vostochny osmodrome in the Amur region, Russia, on September 13, 2023. - Kremlin

And one with a sharp tongue. As Sung-Yoon Lee, a Fellow at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars writes in his new book, The Sister, Kim Yo Jong is her nations chief censor, spokeswoman, mocker and threat-and-malice dispenser.

CNN Opinion interviewed Sung-Yoon Lee about Kim Yo Jongs remarkable rise in North Koreas highly patriarchal society, and how much power she really wields beyond the tough talk. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

CNN: Of all the members of the Kim Dynasty, why did you choose to focus on Kim Yo Jong in your book?

Professor and author Sung-Yoon Lee. - Alonso Nichols/Tufts University

Sung-Yoon Lee: Kim Yo Jong is the first preeminent and powerful female figure to emerge in the brutish, male-dominated political landscape of North Korea, ruled by the Kim family for 75 years.

Since 2020, she has governed as the de facto Number Two royal in the dynasty, second only to her brother, Kim Jong Un.

Young, photogenic, smart and acerbic, Ms. Kim appears to exercise real power  with a vituperative verbal twist. She is prone to making threats of nuclear strikes against the South, and is undoubtedly the most powerful woman in North Korea today.

CNN: What do we know about Kim Yo Jongs early life? And her relationship with her brother?

Sung-Yoon Lee: The youngest of the seven children fathered by Kim Jong Il , the previous supreme leader, she has been doted on by her parents from birth. Both mum and dad reportedly called her sweet princess. And dad had her sit next to him at every family meal, according to a former chef for the family.

She spent four years of her childhood, from about nine to 13, living with her two brothers in Switzerland (Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Chol), during which time she formed a close bond with Jong Un, the future leader.

In North Korean video footage, the Kim siblings are often smiling at each other as if they are reaffirming their bond. Even during her brothers formal events, she insouciantly tends to her own interests in the background while all other senior officials stand at stiff attention before her brother. Cleary, she occupies a unique position in her nations hierarchy.

CNN: How did the Kim Dynasty get started?

Sung-Yoon Lee: In the Kim dynastys official history, Kim Il Sung , state founder and the Kim siblings grandfather, virtually single-handedly liberated the Korean nation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. How? By fighting a war of independence from the foothills of Mt. Paektu, a majestic mountain that straddles the Norths border with China and, in Korean mythology, is the cradle of the ethnic Korean nation.

Its a wildly exaggerated claim, for Kim Il Sung was but a junior officer in the Soviet Army who, upon Japans surrender mainly thanks to the US, was deputized by Stalin to be the leader of the Communist North.

North Korea has politically appropriated this mythology into the Kim dynastys very source of legitimacy; that is, woven a fictitious narrative that Kim Il Sung is the savior and his progeny are also endowed with such supernatural powers.

CNN: In 2018, Kim Yo Jong attended South Koreas Winter Olympics with a message of peace. How has her language changed since then?

Sung-Yoon Lee: Having charmed much of South Korea as a debutante on the international stage of the Pyeongchang Winter Games in February 2018, she has undergone a character metamorphosis; that is, she has dramatically turned herself from a haughty-but-not-discourteous princess from Pyongyang to a sometimes foul-mouthed leader of the brutal, medieval-style, absolute monarchy that is her dynasty.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) shakes hands with Kim Yo-Jong (middle), North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's sister, in 2018. - Handout/South Korean Presidential Blue House/Getty Images

She has ridiculed Seouls presidential office (variously likening it to a frightened dog barking or idiots who parrot the US) and called Joe Biden senile. These contrasts and the near-absolute power she appears to wield make her a fascinating contemporary political figure.

CNN: But is she all talk? What are some examples of the power she wields?

Sung-Yoon Lee: In June 2020, she issued a written statement calling on South Korea to pass a new law that criminalizes the sending of leaflets, money, medicine, toothpaste, etc. across the border into the North. (For decades, defectors and other human rights activists have sent the materials North, usually by balloons.)

Hours after Ms. Kims directive, the South said it would comply. The new law was passed that December in the face of mounting criticism from civic groups within the South and international bodies, including the United Nations.

Lord David Alton, a senior Member of the British Parliament, called the Souths new legislation a gag law. Yet, the then South Korean administration, enjoying a supermajority in its parliament, pressed ahead. It is the first successful case of the North extending its stifling censorship across the border into the South  a feat that even Ms. Kims grandfather, father, or brother could not accomplish.

That June, she also threatened to blow up the North-South Joint Liaison Office located just north of the inter-Korean border and built entirely with South Korean funds. Days later, demolished it was. I write about both episodes at some length in the book.

CNN: Its so hard to gather information on the family  how did you go about researching your book?

Sung-Yoon Lee: Ive studied and taught about North Korea for 20 years. Ive read virtually everything thats been published about Kim Yo Jong and her family in Korean (including North Korean sources), Chinese and English. Ive watched hundreds of hours of North Korean footage and read thousands of North Korean articles and statements in writing this book.

And Ive interviewed folks who have met Kim Yo Jong and also former senior North Korean officials who have defected.

CNN: What might the future hold for Kim Yo Jong? Does power inevitably shift to the next generation after her brother?

Sung-Yoo Lee: By convention, power should shift to one of Kim Jong Uns children instead of his sibling. But, Kim Yo Jong, as the boldly assertive sister of the supreme leader, is a novelty. What lies in her future? Will she ever assume the top leadership? Its a question to which there cannot be a firm answer. But its not entirely an unreasonable one, either.

Memories of the wrathful nipping winter of 2013, when the Kim siblings had their uncle, Jang Song Thaek, publicly humiliated and killed, underline the ruthlessness of the regime.

Her dynasty, after all, is the strangest on earth.

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Donald Trump has said many shocking things in his time, but perhaps none that should have been as shocking to a key element of his political base than his abortion comments on Meet the Press last weekend.

Asked by moderator Kristen Welker if hed sign a 15-week abortion ban at the federal level, he remained steadfastly non-committal. Trump insisted instead that he would sit down with both sides and Id negotiate something, and well end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years.

To the extent this promise means anything, itd necessarily entail a settlement deeply unsatisfying to social conservatives; they are disunited and on their back foot on the issue while Democrats are almost uniformly in favor of the Womens Health Protection Act that would establish a sweeping right to abortion at the national level.

Also, notably, Trump portrayed himself as a neutral arbiter, rather than an advocate and leader for social conservatives.

Well, theres always the argument that abortion policy should be decided at the state level, right? Trump didnt leave himself this out since he denounced, in the harshest terms, the six-week ban that Ron DeSantis signed in Florida.

I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake, he said of the legislation thats been a long-held policy ambition of his own party. Trumps condemnation naturally extends as well to Ohio, Georgia and Iowa, which have similar laws, if not governors with the temerity to be running against him for the Republican presidential nomination.



So far the reaction to Trumps remarks has been muted on most of the social right, which is a sign that we may have passed an event horizon. In 2016, Trump had to hew to social-conservative orthodoxy to win the Republican nomination. Now, he may well define the orthodoxy.

Trumps 2016 run showed the relative strength of various parts of the Republican coalition. He jettisoned entitlement reform and survived, even thrived, because of it, and the same was true of free trade.

Fiscal conservatives were relatively weak. If Trump had been a moderate on abortion or gun rights, though, it probably would have been a different story.

If Trump had said anything like his Meet the Press comments in 2016, hed likely have lost the nomination  with Ted Cruz happily slicing and dicing him.

Political circumstances are different now, of course. The party is freaked out about the politics of abortion in a way that it wasnt in the pre-Dobbs era, and open to more pragmatism.

Still, Trump clearly is playing by different rules. Not too long ago, the great former Indiana GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels became political persona non grata in the party by suggesting a truce on cultural issues.

Trump can rely on his supporters to deploy contradictory justifications for whatever he says or does.

If he says things that go way too far and potentially turns off voters, its because hes a fearless truth-teller  whereas anyone who objects on grounds that Trump should be more politically careful is a RINO sell-out who needs to learn from Trumps bold example.

If Trump says something that throws an important conservative cause under the bus or communicates a willingness to compromise, its because hes ruthlessly practical and focused on electoral success  whereas anyone who objects on grounds that Trump should be more courageous and principled is a heedless zealot who doesnt care about winning.

The common thread is that Trump is right no matter what he says or how he comes down on an issue.

Trump is right when hes the most pro-life president in American history, as former Vice President Mike Pence put it back in 2018. (And that was before he delivered the court that would throw out Roe v. Wade.)



Hes also right, or not so wrong as to be roundly criticized, when hes clumsily trying to find an off-ramp on the issue.

Trump may now be bigger than any cause, or put another way  hes the cause. He doesnt need a transactional relationship with social conservatives any longer, if many of those voters now value the relationship for its own sake.

Perhaps DeSantis and other candidates can use Trumps comments against him in Iowa, but its proven difficult to convince anyone Trump is a moderate on anything to this point. Since he himself is in many regards the main cultural issue in our national life, hes by definition a culture warrior. How soft can the guy promising retribution really be?

All that said, Trump will eventually probably try to clean up his remarks, and hell have more latitude to do it because his supporters are so forgiving. He can say hes decided, after all, that 15 weeks is the best cut off for a federal prohibition but that, wouldnt you know, Democrats are more unreasonable than he thought and a deal isnt possible.

As for the Florida ban, maybe hell avoid calling it terrible in the future and say hes happy to defer to the states.

One way or the other, hes likely to get away with his heresy because so many of his supporters believe, almost by definition, that hes not capable of it.
ORRVILLE  The city has launched a new employment program to increase the number of firefighter staff. The idea came after a large increase in the EMS calls the city receives every year, which reached over 1,200 in the past three years.

The move, which started earlier this month, has already resulted in significantly shorter call response times.

Human Resources Manager Phil McFarren explained to the council the employment process will happen in three phases.

The first phase classifies former volunteers as seasonal employees. This started Sept. 1 and is expected to last for the next six months. The Fire Department created 12-hour day shifts and 12-hour night shifts where volunteer firefighters can sign up for the shift they want. They will operate from the Fire Station and take full responsibility for receiving the EMS calls during their shift.

By the end of February, Phase 2 will change the seasonal employees' work status into a permanent part-time status.

Orrville City Council members discuss the three-phase plan the city is implementing to increase the number of firefighters and begin the process to change from a volunteer organization to an employment one.

Moving from a volunteer organization to an employment organization

To do that we need to ask the firefighters and medics to commit to making this their job, we are going from a volunteer organization to an employment organization, McFarren said.

The second phase will include benefit packages, a set schedule and a defined pay structure.

The final phase is when the part-time employees move forward as full-time employees.

The rate of pay will vary depending on the certifications and previous experience of each volunteer.

Volunteers who work in town and are available to respond to all the calls on their shift will be permitted to stay at home. However, they will only receive a $25 stipend and will be paid for their time when they are on a call. They will be paid for a minimum of two hours for every call they cover.

Wages are estimated to be around $135,000 and will be supported by the Orrville EMS fund and the Fire Department wage accounts.

These wages will allow us to be competitive enough to get the staff that we need, McFarren said. The new positions will encourage more local individuals to work in town instead of working outside the city.

Fire Chief Chris Bishop said that the shift signups have been well-received since they started at the beginning of September. After they have seen how its going and that they get to pick their shifts and choose when they got to work, Bishop said.

The shift program has caused EMS call response time to decrease from nearly 8 minutes to 4 minutes.

Other actions:

The City Council approved applying for the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program. The grant is worth about $5,000 and will go for the streets and roads projects. The coming streets project will take place on Bell Avenue, McGill Street, and Washington Boulevard. The construction is expected to start by July 2024.

The Board of Control will enter into a contract with EDGE consultants to provide landscaping and architectural planning services. The consulting company will design parking and green spaces in the Depot area. The project will receive $250,000 from the State Fund.

Director of Utilities Jeff Brediger noted that citizens should notify their current supplier if they wish to switch back to the city aggregation program next year.

If you dont notify the supplier it will automatically renew the contract for another year, Brediger said. Citizens who need more information can call the Utility Department at 330-684-5020.

The next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at City Hall.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Orrville Fire Department to be staffed with paid employees
This image shows Henrico County deputies and Central State Hospital personnel restraining Irvo Otieno in the hospital's admissions area Monday, March 6, 2023. Otieno later died of apparent suffocation as a result of being restrained. All seven deputies who brought him to the hospital, and three CSH employees have been charged with second-degree murder in his death.

The family of a Henrico County man who died while in law-enforcement custody at Central State Hospital earlier this year has agreed to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit against the state and Henrico County.

Late Wednesday, the attorneys representing Irvo Noel Otienos family announced the settlement of the lawsuit. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but The Associated Press reported it was for $8.5 million.

"The family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvos life, read a statement from Ben Crump and Mark Krudys.

Irvo Otieno

The settlement was agreed to on Sept. 19, according to online records from the Henrico County Circuit Court.

In a statement to The Progress-Index late Wednesday, Henrico County spokesperson Ben Sheppard wrote the following: "Henrico County continues to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Otieno. A claim brought by the family of Irvo Otieno against Henrico County, the Henrico County Sheriff and the Commonwealth of Virginia has been resolved. In accordance with the terms of the settlement, which requires confidentiality, Henrico County is unable to provide additional comment."

Otieno died March 6 when 10 Henrico County Sheriffs deputies and CSH security personnel restrained him on the floor of an intake unit at the Dinwiddie County state hospital. The 28-year-old suffocated to death after being pinned down by the authorities for 11 minutes.

All seven deputies and the hospital personnel were indicted on second-degree murder charges related to Otienos death. Since then, the county commonwealths attorneys office has dropped charges against two of the CSH personnel.

Otieno, who suffered from mental illness, was brought to the hospital on the third day of being in Henricos custody. He was under investigation for a burglary in his neighborhood when he was taken by Henrico authorities first to a county hospital and then to a county jail.

Henrico deputies claimed Otieno became combative and tried to escape when they got him to the hospital. His family said Otieno had been off his medication since being taken into custody and there was no way he could have been struggling.

Video from the intake room showed a shackled Otieno as being extremely lethargic when he was brought into the hospital. After 11 minutes under the weight of the deputies and CSH personnel, Otieno stopped moving and died despite more than an hours worth of efforts to resuscitate him.

The case drew comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd while in custody of police in Minneapolis. Video from that arrest showed a police officer with his knee across the neck of a face-down Floyd, who could be heard muttering, I cant breathe.

That utterance became a catchphrase of the subsequent demonstrations over unequal treatment of Black and White suspects while in custody. Some of the larger demonstrations happened in Richmond.

Crump, a Florida attorney known for his civil-rights defense work, took on representation of the Otieno family alongside Krudys, a well-known civil-rights lawyer in Virginia. Rev. Al Sharpton officiated over Otienos funeral March 29 in Chesterfield County.

Otienos family also has been calling for the Department of Justice to get involved in the prosecutions of the case, citing the small size of the Dinwiddie prosecutors office. The former prosecutor in the case had said she would welcome federal involvement, but there has been no movement in that direction as of now.

That prosecutor, Ann Cabell Baskervill, got direct warrants  warrants issued by the court instead of a magistrate  to have the suspects arrested. She stepped down in June to move to Europe, and the person appointed by Dinwiddie judges to fill the job on an interim basis is also a candidate in Novembers contested election for the position.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Otieno family settles wrongful-death suit with state, Henrico County
The Las Vegas Review-Journal campus is sifting through email directed at one of its reporters to protect her from a hate campaign. (K.M. Cannon / Las Vegas Review-Journal/AP)

A Las Vegas newspaper is being viciously attacked online for its coverage of an alleged murder of a retired California police chief, either because of a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to mislead.

The firehose of hatred has led the Las Vegas Review-Journal to sift through email directed at one of its reporters to protect her from the worst of it, the papers executive editor, Glenn Cook, said on Wednesday.

On Aug. 18, four days after a 64-year-old former Bell police chief, Andreas Probst, was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run motorist while riding his bike in Las Vegas, Review-Journal reporter Sabrina Schnur interviewed his family for a story.

The headline: Retired police chief killed in bike crash remembered for laugh, love of coffee.

Then the story took a sinister turn.

Video emerged, apparently taken by a teenage passenger in the car that hit Probst, suggesting that it was no accident. Charges against the 17-year-old driver were upgraded to murder on Aug. 29, and judges ruled on Wednesday that the two juveniles will be tried as adults.

The video, described by Cook as a snuff film, began circulating online and the Review-Journal linked to an edited version of it last Saturday.

Thats when the attacks against the newspaper began. Someone created a social media post about the case, showing the headline from Schnurs Aug. 18 article and suggesting the Review-Journal had covered up the murder of a retired law enforcement official.

Cook said he couldnt speak to the motivations of whoever posted the insinuations, whether or not they knew the original story was published before the video surfaced.

What I can say definitively is the internet mob took no effort to fact-check, he said. The internet mob was happy to spread the message, spread it and add their own animosity to the stew.

The rush of online hate increased exponentially early Sunday when Elon Musk, owner of the former Twitter site now known as X, sent a message to his 157 million followers: An innocent man was murdered in cold blood while riding his bicycle. The killers joke about it on social media. Yet, where is the media outrage? Now you begin to understand the lie.

A spokesperson for Musk did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Wednesday.

Some of the attacks were lewd and antisemitic, wishing harm on the journalists. One specific threat was referred to authorities, Cook said.

Its a particularly sensitive topic at the Review-Journal, where a year ago its investigative reporter, Jeff German, was stabbed to death. One of the people German wrote about, Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, had attacked the reporter on social media and was later charged in the case and is awaiting trial.

At one point last weekend, to try and stop the flow of hate, Review-Journal editors changed the headline of the Aug. 18 article in its internet archive, replacing bike crash with hit-and-run.

That in itself opens up a can of worms: Should a news organization go back in history to change a story based on information that comes out after it was originally published? Cook said he reasoned that replacing bike crash with hit-and-run was not changing anything factually.

Unfortunately, he said, that fed the trolls even more.

Schnur declined comment on Wednesday  she was writing the story about the days court proceedings  but told the Poynter journalism website a day earlier that she began to feel unsafe when people online began unearthing social media posts she made as a teenager. She has briefly moved out of her apartment, and Cook said the newspaper has taken steps to protect her.

Schnur also said she worried about those around her, saying that when talking with her mother on Sunday, she overheard her telling her father in a hushed voice that someone was at the door.

I could hear the fear in her voice, she told Poynter. There was no one there, but just for a moment, my heart broke. ... Because of work that I did and people potentially trying to find where I live, my mom has to be scared of her front door.

Online harassment of journalists, particularly women and minorities, is an ongoing problem that hasnt abated, said Jeje Mohamed, senior manager for digital safety and free expression at PEN America. In a 2020 global study, 73% of women journalists said they had experienced online abuse.

Perhaps because of their experiences, editors at the Las Vegas Review-Journal are better than those at many organizations in responding to protect its journalists, she said.

Recently, harassment campaigns often expand to where journalism and news organizations themselves are the subject of attack, Mohamed said.

This was a manufactured campaign to undermine trust in the media, Cook said. Theres just this increasing mass of people out there who are so angry about a lot of things, but in particular carry anger at the media, who saw this as an opportunity.

In a column published on Tuesday, Cook publicly defended Schnur and touted her work. He said she was the first local reporter to talk to Probsts family to tell their story, and that when a source contacted her to tell her about the then-unknown video, she instructed the person on how to send it to police. Authorities already had it at that point.

I was concerned with making sure that people understood that she was a person, Cook told the Associated Press, that she was not the villain they made her out to be.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners announced it unanimously approved the fiscal year 2024 budget of over $1.6 billion.

The board also unanimously approved a flat millage rate for fiscal year 2024. This is the fourth consecutive fiscal year that the millage rate has not been raised and remained flat.

The public can review the approved FY24 Budget by clicking here and accessing the FY 2024 Final County Budget Presentation link on the new interactive website.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Highlights of the FY24 Budget include the following:

$656.4 million for the Capital Improvement Plan, designed to construct and improve key infrastructural components of the County that will benefit the public for decades to come

More than $59 million in State of Florida appropriations for transportation, land conservation, and coastal protection

$2 million for the Land Acquisition Management Program (LAMP) to purchase and preserve valuable natural resources within the County

45 additional St. Johns County Fire Rescue firefighter positions for the newly constructed Fire Station 11 (State Road 207)

18 additional law enforcement officer positions and four corrections officer positions

Additional St. Johns County Public Library System (SJCPLS) positions, amounting to 35 additional service hours per week, that will allow library branches to open on Sundays and Mondays

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The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget reflects the proactive vision of St. Johns County, Office of Management and Budget Director Jesse Dunn said. Through the collaborative efforts of our County Commissioners and staff, we have arrived at the launching point of a new era of possibilities designed to support, protect, and empower our community.

As part of the FY24 Budget, St. Johns County ensured it maintained its prestigious AAA credit rating as assessed by Moodys, the highest possible credit rating available to a government.

The St. Johns County Property Appraisers Office certified valuation determination reflects a 16.5% taxable value growth increase for FY24 over FY23. This 16.5% increase in taxable value results in $43.6 million in incremental property taxes for St. Johns County.

The State of Floridas Save Our Homes provision protects homesteaded properties from the full percentage increase in assessed value. Homesteaded property owners will experience, on average, a 3% increase in property taxes.

About two-thirds of St. Johns County residential parcels are protected by the Save Our Homes provision.

A non-homesteaded commercial property is capped at a 10% annual increase. Florida statutes provide many exemptions and land classifications that reduce the taxable value of properties for eligible filers.

Property owners can learn more about these exemptions on the St. Johns County Property Appraiser website.

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The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget goes into effect October 1, 2023.

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.
Soon rest stops across the state will have medication to help those suffering from an overdose.

Today, Governor Mike DeWine announced a partnership with the Recovery Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Ohio Department of Healths Project DAWN to install lifesaving Naloxone kits at rest stops across the state.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a nasal spray that can be provided to someone suffering from an opioid overdose.

Increasing access to Naloxone is critical to combatting the opioid crisis and decreasing the number of overdose deaths in Ohio, DeWine sad. By placing Naloxboxes in rest areas across the state we are providing more opportunities to reverse the deadly effects of illicit opioids and providing opportunities for Ohioans to choose recovery.

In 2022, unintentional drug overdoses in Ohio resulted in 4,915 deaths, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

The common signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose include:

Unresponsiveness

Slow or no breathing

Blue lips or fingernails

Choking or coughing

Cold or clammy skin

Small pupils

Dizziness or disorientation

In the Miami Valley, rest stops along Interstate 75 in Miami and Auglaize counties, on I-70 in Preble County, and U.S. 33 in Auglaize County will have Narcan available. To view a map of rest stops with planned Naloxboxes, click here.

If you want Naloxone delivered to your home, click here.
Sixteen months after four Overland Park officers were put on paid leave amid an investigation of police charity funds, the leader of their Fraternal Order of Police is urging District Attorney Steve Howe to decide whether to bring criminal charges.

Officer Dianna Johnson, president of Overland Parks Fraternal Order of Police and director of the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation, said in a statement Wednesday that the charity board is hopeful the case will move forward but has grown anxious.

She said a charging decision is necessary for the charity to resume operations and begin to rebuild public trust. Since the investigation began, the charity has not filed tax papers or collected any donations.

The Foundations mission is to assist law enforcement officers and their families in financial distress following catastrophic injury or death and pursuing educational opportunities, so its imperative we are operational again soon, Johnson said in the statement.

The Overland Park Police Officers Foundation was organized as a nonprofit charity in 2016.

In May 2022, the charity pulled down its webpage and contacted Johnson County District Attorneys Office based on a forensic audit. The audit, performed by an independent firm, was done after FOP members questioned the charitys spending decisions and the disbursement of funds.

Findings of the audit were shared with the Johnson County District Attorneys Office to review any potentially criminal actions. Since then, little has been disclosed by public officials about the nature and scope of the ongoing investigation.

All four of the Overland Park Police Department officers connected to the investigation were put on leave May 6, 2022. Three had served as directors of the police charity.

In February, The Star reported that roughly $250,000 had been paid out to the officers as they remained on administrative leave.

Among the issues raised about the charity was its contract with a third-party fundraising company called Outreach Marketing. Public tax records show a majority of funds collected by Outreach Marketing on behalf of police officers went to Outreach.

Filings with the Internal Revenue Service in 2019, the most recent available, show the Overland Park Police Foundation retained a little less than $92,000 through its fundraising. Meanwhile, Outreach received about $250,000 of the gross income, amounting to 73% of the revenue collected on behalf of the charity.

On Wednesday, Johnson, the FOP president, said the Overland Park Police Officers Foundation immediately cut ties with Outreach once a new slate of board members took over. But the company allegedly continued to raise money on behalf of the charity  which was described as an issue separate from the investigation of the four police officers.

If in fact the company deceived the public in soliciting money for police organizations, we would support any investigation into the company and those in charge, Johnson said.

Controversy around the police charity has resurfaced publicly in recent weeks following the resignation of Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez, who suddenly left the department Sept. 12 after nine years at the helm. The investigation of the officers is one example of tensions that have arisen between the chief and City Hall.

City officials have said the chief was forced out based on insensitive comments made to Sheila Albers, whose 17-year-old son was shot and killed by an officer in 2017, ahead of a city meeting last week. Donchez allegedly blamed Albers for her sons death during a heated argument, which Albers recounted to city officials last week in an email provided to The Star.

Donchez, meanwhile, said in an interview with the Washington Post that he resigned for personal reasons. He declined an interview with The Star.

The Stars Katie Moore and Sarah Ritter contributed to this report.
A West Virginia doctor was convicted of 24 counts of unlawfully distributing opioids and other substances in dangerous, life-threatening combinations, federal officials say.

Thomas Romano of Wheeling, West Virginia, operated a pain management clinic just across the border in Martins Ferry, Ohio, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the Department of Justice.

Attorneys for Romano told McClatchy News they plan to appeal the conviction and maintained their clients innocence.

Federal officials said from 2014 to 2019, Romano prescribed nine patients with more than 137,000 pills, such as opioids, benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants. Romanos patients traveled hundreds of miles for prescriptions that exceeded recommended dosages and fueled the addiction of the individuals to whom he prescribed, officials say.

Romano charged $750 for first visits and $120 for follow-up monthly visits, according to the release.

The 73-year-old was convicted by a jury in the Southern District of Ohio. Each charge carries up to 20 years in prison, according to the DOJ.

He does not yet have a sentencing date.

Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, are about 60 miles southwest of Pittsburgh.

What to know about the opioid crisis in the US

West Virginia reported the highest rate of drug overdoses in 2021, the year with the most recent data available, at 90.9 per 100,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ohio, where Romanos clinic operated, reported the seventh highest fatality rate.

Overdoses are a leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S., according to the CDC.

In 2021, there were nearly 51,000 overdose deaths in the country, according to CDC data. In the past 21 years, drug overdoses have killed more than 932,000 people, the CDC reported.

The majority of overdose deaths involve opioids. Deaths involving synthetic opioids (largely illicitly made fentanyl) and stimulants (such as cocaine and methamphetamine) have increased in recent years, the CDC said. For every drug overdose that results in death, there are many more nonfatal overdoses, each one with its own emotional and economic toll.

Millions of people in the U.S. have an opioid addiction, according to the CDC. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease that can affect anyone.

If you or a loved one shows signs of substance use disorder, you can seek help by calling the national hotline at 1-800-662-4357 or find treatment using SAMHSA's online locator.

Narcan will be available over the counter. What to know about opioid overdose drug

Suspected opioid exposure at daycare leaves toddler dead, 3 kids hospitalized, cops say

Pharmacist illegally sold over 100,000 opioid pills in Texas and is convicted, feds say

Nurse stole painkillers meant for patients at Iowa hospital for years, feds say
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday that there can be no peace in the Middle East without his people enjoying their full and legitimate national rights.

It was the closest he came in a nearly 25-minute address to acknowledging U.S.-led negotiations aimed at getting Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. The Saudis have said such a deal must include major progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israels far-right government has all but ruled out.

Those who think that peace can prevail in the Middle East without the Palestinian people enjoying their full and legitimate national rights are mistaken, Abbas said at the start of his address to the U.N.

The 87-year-old Palestinian leaders speech largely resembled those he has delivered in past sessions. He accused Israel of a litany of violations against Palestinian rights and called for an international conference to revive the peace process.

He said the Israeli occupation of lands the Palestinians want for a future state challenges more than a thousand resolutions, violates the principles of international law and international legitimacy, while racing to change the historical, geographical and demographic reality on the ground.

The Israeli delegation walked out of the hall early in his address, when he spoke about Israels practice of holding the remains of alleged Palestinian attackers.

There have been no serious or substantive peace talks in over a decade. Abbas is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, many of whom view his Palestinian Authority as a corrupt pillar of the status quo.
Dystopia Now

"I saw a naked photo of you."

Those were the chilling words a boy told a 14-year-old girl after she arrived on the first day of school this year in Spain, Spanish newspaper El Pais reports. AI-generated, deepfake nudes of her and other female classmates were being circulated online across four schools, stoking despair among the victims and their parents. There even was one case of alleged blackmail.

"Mom, they say theres a naked photo of me going around," the girl told her mother, as quoted by El Pais. "That they did it with an artificial intelligence app. Im scared. Some girls have also received it.

The case sparked a round of parental outrage in the town of Almendralejo, and the local Juvenile Prosecutors Office is now handling the investigation, according to the report, with 20 victims impacted so far and a group of suspected culprits behind the deepfakes already identified.

The deepfake app the culprits allegedly used is free to use and accessible to anybody with a smartphone  a dystopian use of AI tech that could continue to cause mayhem in schools and elsewhere.

Deepfaked

One of the girls, according to El Pais, was approached on Instagram by a boy who demanded money. When she turned him down, he sent her a deepfake naked photo of herself.

As the tech becomes more accessible, we should expect this kind of stuff to happen more and more. Meanwhile, in the US, the FBI sent out a warning earlier this year about deepfakes being used for extortion.

"The FBI continues to receive reports from victims, including minor children and non-consenting adults, whose photos or videos were altered into explicit content," the agency said in its statement.

To stem this tide, attorney generals from every single state in the US sent a letter to Congress earlier this month, urging a commission and action against the increase of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The Washington Post reported in June that experts had noticed an increase in the dissemination of AI-generated CSAM, which is already hampering efforts to identify the many victims.

It remains to be seen if any upcoming regulations will help forestall the tide of deeply disturbing deepfake images, especially considering the proliferation of open-source generative AI and how long it takes for governments to agree on a solution.

More on deepfakes: Every Single States Attorney General Is Calling for Action on AI-Generated Child Abuse Materials
The parents of Kendrick Johnson are suing Georgia authorities for $1 billion.

They allege in the lawsuit their son's death was not a freak accident, and was instead covered up.

The teen's body was found inside a rolled-up gym mat in 2013.

The parents of a teenager who died a decade ago under mysterious circumstances have filed a federal lawsuit against multiple Georgia law enforcement agencies, accusing authorities of covering up a crime and spinning a "false narrative" about an accidental death.

Kenneth and Jackie Johnson filed the lawsuit this week in the Northern District of Georgia federal court, seeking a jury trial and $1 billion in damages from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.

The body of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, known as KJ, was discovered on January 11, 2013, inside a rolled-up wrestling mat that was perched against the back wall of his high school's gymnasium. The lawsuit says Johnson's body was found in a pool of blood on the floor, and his body had a number of visible injuries, such as facial bruises; lacerations to his ear, lip, and knuckles; and even two circular markings near his waist that were consistent with the prongs of a stun gun.

The prevailing theory among Georgia law-enforcement officials has been that KJ had been trying to reach for his shoes, which were stuck near the top of the rolled-up gym mat, but as the shoes dropped further into the mat, KJ accidentally fell into the opening and became stuck.

The story of Johnson's death garnered national media attention at the time.

Georgia authorities drew an illustration of their theory on Kendrick Johnson's cause of death. Lowndes County Sheriff's Office

KJ's parents noted in their lawsuit that the theory had a number of problems. For one thing, only one shoe was found next to KJ's body, and neither the shoe nor the inside of the gym mat had any blood on them, which KJ's parents said was inconsistent with the "pool of blood" found near their son's body. Secondly, the opening of the gym mat was 14 inches wide, whereas KJ's shoulder width was 19 inches  a distance too wide to have allowed KJ to accidentally fall into the mat, the lawsuit said.

Authorities should have known that KJ's shoulders were "too wide and not heavy enough," and "could not possibly generate enough force to fall inside a gym mat opening 14 inches wide," the lawsuit said, noting that he would have had to been in a "crawling belly position while allegedly reaching for a pair of shoes six feet down."

Kendrick Johnson's true cause of death was blunt-force trauma, his parents say

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the Johnsons' lawsuit. The GBI told Insider in a statement the autopsy on KJ was conducted appropriately.

"The GBI Medical Examiner's Office conducted a thorough autopsy on this case. The case is closed, and we stand behind our original findings," the statement said.

The Johnsons' lawsuit accused both law enforcement agencies of mishandling the investigation into their son's death. Court documents cited a coroner's report, which called the investigative climate "very poor," and noted that the body had been moved, the scene had been "compromised," a sealed body bag had been opened, and law enforcement had refused to cooperate.

"I do not approve of the manner this case was handled," the coroner's report said, according to the lawsuit.

Yet a separate report from a regional crime lab later documented "no signs of blunt force trauma on Johnson's face or body," and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's autopsy report noted "no significant injuries," and listed the cause of death as positional asphyxiation.

The lawsuit said the Johnsons later spent thousands of dollars to exhume KJ's body for an independent autopsy, which determined that the cause of death was blunt-force trauma.

The sheriff's office and the GBI "clearly agreed to make false writing sin each of its official documents that misrepresent material facts and present an invented narrative and erroneous cause of death for Kendrick Johnson," the lawsuit said.

Read the original article on Insider
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved amendments to the law on national minorities, which is one of the requirements for the country's accession to the EU, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Sept. 21.

The original law, adopted in December 2022, set the definition for ethnic minorities in Ukraine, established their rights and obligations, and provided for the creation of advisory bodies with representatives of minorities.

The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body that assists Ukraine with implementing steps needed for EU integration, welcomed the law but recommended further changes to fully comply with international standards.

These suggestions related mainly to the use of national minority languages, for example, allowing ethnic minorities to hold events in their own language without the need for Ukrainian translation.

The changes newly adopted by the Rada updated the definition of national minorities, stipulating that "a national minority (community) of Ukraine is a stable group of citizens of Ukraine who are not ethnic Ukrainians, reside within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, are united by common ethnic, cultural, historical, linguistic, and/or religious characteristics, identify themselves as such, and express a desire to preserve and develop their linguistic, cultural, and religious identity."

The law now also allows holding public and cultural events and publishing advertisements fully in the language of national minorities within the given community.

This does not apply to the language of an aggressor country, specifically the Russian language.

Read also: Von der Leyen: Future of Ukraine is in EU

The issue of national minorities, mainly the use of minority languages, has put Kyiv at odds with EU members Romania and Hungary.

Ukraine is home to sizeable communities of ethnic Romanians and Hungarians, namely in its southwestern territories.

In a diplomatic row that has gone on for years, Budapest has criticized Ukraine's decision to restrict school education in ethnic minority languages. Hungarian officials called the move discriminatory and even threatened to block Ukraine's EU aspirations.

The measure, instituted in 2017, has also attracted criticism from Romania's President Klaus Iohannis, who said it "drastically limits" the access of minorities to education in their native language.

Ukraine responded that it does not intend to crack down on its minorities, only to ensure that every Ukrainian citizen has sufficient knowledge of Ukraine's official language.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The trailer for Andrew Haighs new queer romance, All of Us Strangers, has landed, giving fans a look at Irish actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott playing two neighbours who fall in love.

The film, based on the 1987 Japanese novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada, stars Fleabags Hot Priest Scott as Adam a depressed screenwriter living in London, attempting to write a script inspired by his late parents. One night, his tower block neighbour Harry (Normal People breakout Mescal) returns home drunk and flirts with him.

Their meeting punctures the rhythm of [Adams] everyday life, according to the films official synopsis.

The trailer shows Adam return to his family home where he finds his decades-deceased parents, played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, who appear to him alive.

Is this real? Adam asks his parents in one scene. Does it feel real? Foys character responds.

In another, Mescals Harry tells Adam: Its funny. It doesnt take much to make you feel the way you did back then.

Id always felt alone, Adam says. This is a new feeling.

Following the films debut at Telluride Film Festival on 31 August, All of Us Strangers debuted with a perfect 100 per cent critics score on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. It now stands at 94 per cent on the site.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Haigh said that his Irish stars Scott and Mescal had instant chemistry with one another.

There was chemistry between the two of them literally the second I saw them together, he told the publication.

Speaking of the films sex scenes, the director said: Both of them were pretty fearless. There was no sense of them being afraid of approaching those scenes. They knew how important they were.

Haigh was previously behind the 2011 queer indie film Weekend. He also served as a director and executive producer on HBOs gay drama-comedy series Looking.

Haigh also explained that he was intent on casting a gay actor, such as Scott, in the role of Adam. However, he also clarified that he does not believe only gay actors should play gay characters.

Im not one of those people who thinks you have to cast a queer actor in a queer role, but for this role, I did want to because I was trying to unpick some nuances of a certain generation of gay people, Haigh said.

He said of Scott: I needed someone that could understand that and have those conversations with me. I didnt want it to feel like I was trying to explain what it was like.

Scott opened up about his sexuality in a 2013 interview with The Independent.

Mercifully, these days people dont see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. Its just a fact, he said.

All of Us Strangers is scheduled for a theatrical release on 22 December in the US, and 26 January in the UK.
MADERA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A series of prank calls were made to Madera South High School suggesting a possible threat on Thursday, according to Madera Police.

Officers say they are working with Madera Unified School District following three prank phone calls to Madera South High School regarding a possible threat to the school.

Several officers were on the scene to ensure there was no immediate or actual danger to students or staff. Detectives are working on identifying those responsible for the false reports.

Madera Police added that detectives take all threats seriously until they are deemed otherwise  and that these threats have serious consequences and will not be tolerated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
The News

Israeli officials are working to persuade U.S. leaders that a peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia could strengthen the United States well beyond the Middle East.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Biden Tuesday.

One of Netanyahus top aides, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, crystallized the argument in a brief conversation with Semafor in Manhattan Wednesday. The deal, he said, could be a reverse 9/11; whereas the terror attack, and American response, brought about two decades of suspicion and conflict between the U.S. and Arab world, ushering in an agreement between the Israelis and Saudis could restore Washingtons power and prestige through the region.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the U.S. is considering offering Saudi Arabia strong and unprecedented security guarantees in the context of normalization.

The road will be long and winding and its very complex, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, said at Al Monitor and Semafors Middle East Global Summit Wednesday. It fundamentally has strategic value for the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Bens view

The Biden administration is accelerating a strategy that began under President Donald Trump of looking for strategic gains, and regional stability, in the developing partnership between Israel and the rich states of the Persian Gulf. The Abraham Accords, signed by Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates at the White House in September of 2020, has already triggered a wave of commerce, investment, and travel between the countries.

The emerging new global U.S. rivalry with China and the Ukraine war have added urgency to the American approach to this issue, as to most others. Saudi Arabia and Israels regional enemy, Iran, is tightly linked to the Russian war effort, while China helps prop up the Russian economy.

The new American approach requires swallowing objections to Saudi autocracy and Israels treatment of the Palestinians, both of which Biden is struggling to balance.

The View From Jordan

We and the Egyptians are trying to make this deal successful, King Abdullah II of Jordan said at Al Monitor & Semafor Middle East Global Summit in Manhattan Wednesday. You cant parachute over Palestine and make deals with Israel. Unless we solve this problem there will never be true peace. There are a lot of moving parts. What do the Palestinians get out of it? Look at the slightly bigger picture that ticks all these columns.
Former Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News that former President Trump is backing away from his commitment after Trump is pushing back on a five-week abortion ban.

I have to tell you that, you know, the president and I have had our differences. Two and a half years ago, we had a clash, Pence said Thursday. But since then, I see the President walking away from the commitment to the right to life, I see him walking away from fiscal responsibility, I see him walking away from American leadership in the world.

Trump joined NBCs Kristen Welker on Sunday for Meet the Press. He pushed back on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis s (R) heartbeat bill, which prohibits abortions once a heartbeat can be detected in a fetus. Welker asked Trump if he would support a 15-week ban.

Im not going to say I would or I wouldnt. I mean, DeSanctis is willing to sign a 5-week and 6-week ban, Trump said, using a nickname he calls DeSantis. I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake.

Pence criticized Trumps view, saying he is proud of the pairs administration for appointing three of the Supreme Court Justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.

To have the former president say that a heartbeat bill in Florida, or for that matter, the same bill that was passed in Georgia and Ohio and Iowa was, quote, a terrible mistake, I think it  just suggests to you that he is backing away from that cause, Pence said.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump took credit for ending the decades-long federal protection for abortion.

I was able to do something that nobody thought was possible, end Roe v. Wade. For 52 years, people talked, spent vast amounts of money, but couldnt get the job done. I got the job done! Thanks to the three great Supreme Court Justices I appointed, this issue has been returned to the States, where all Legal Scholars, on both sides, felt it should be, he said in the post.

Pence said he has been a champion of the anti-abortion cause since his days as a governor and congressman. If he were president, he said he would fight for as strong protections as we can.

The Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision held that the Constitution does not grant the right to an abortion, returning power to individual states. Pence said he believes the decision should still be up to the states, but wants a minimum national standard of 15 weeks for liberal-leanings states like California, Illinois or here in New York.

To me, its a minimum standard; I want to go farther than that. I support legislation that goes farther than that, Pence said.

If Trump were elected for another term, he said he would negotiate with both sides.

I would sit down with both sides and I would negotiate something. and well end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years, he said on NBC.

Pence will join DeSantis and four other GOP presidential hopefuls Wednesday at the next Republican presidential primary debate in California.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) pulled no punches when responding to criticism from former Trump White House policy adviser Stephen Miller over his states adoption of automatic voter registration.

Miller was notorious for his hardline stance on immigration during the Trump administration. He peddled white nationalist talking points in emails sent before the 2016 election and pushed the child separation policy at the border. Millers own uncle called his rhetoric a complete repudiation of the American dream, while MSNBCs Mehdi Hasan called him probably the most repugnant individual to serve in Trumps White House.

On X, formerly Twitter, Miller peddled right-wing spin when responding to the Pennsylvania voter news: And, I can promise you, there will be no citizenship verification.

"I think you are just giving their lies too much oxygen."



PA @GovernorShapiro dismisses fears that his automatic voter registration policy will lead to more election denialism in 2024: pic.twitter.com/qAqtAZR3BA  CNN This Morning (@CNNThisMorning) September 20, 2023

CNNs Poppy Harlow on Wednesday asked Shapiro to comment on the post.

The governor shot back: I am not going to respond to Stephen Miller. That guys a dope who cant tell the truth.

Miller doesnt raise any substance, Shapiro added when Harlow pressed him.

Shapiro later explained the actual substance of the policy, which will automatically register anyone who obtains or renews a drivers license or state-issued ID card. If people are not eligible to vote, they will not be registered as part of the DMV process, a Pennsylvania Department of State spokesperson told ABC News.

Pennsylvania is the 24th state to adopt the process, which research suggests leads to higher registration and voter turnout.

Related...
US Department of Defense spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder has said that Poland's decision regarding the provision of military assistance to Ukraine is its sovereign decision, but it does not indicate a reduction in support for Kyiv.

Source: Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing for journalists on 21 September, as reported by European Pravdas correspondent

As the Pentagon spokesman recalled, the United States "has always said that its a sovereign decision for any country to decide what level of support they are going to provide" to Ukraine.

"I will highlight, however, that Poland has been one of the leading countries in terms of providing assistance to Ukraine - not only security assistance, but also humanitarian aid and support for millions of displaced Ukrainians," he added.

Asked whether Poland's statements were indicative of a change of heart in Eastern Europe, including among Ukraine's allies, Ryder pointed to the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting "as a prime example of the fact that unity and resolve is still very strong within the international community".

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recently stated that Warsaw is currently focused on rearming its own army and is therefore not sending military aid to Kyiv.

The statement came amidst tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv over unilateral Polish restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products and Ukraine's actions in response.

The Polish government has since clarified that Warsaw is currently carrying out only previously agreed supplies of ammunition and weapons, including under contracts with Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda further clarified that Morawiecki's words had been misinterpreted.

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 Pentagon will exempt its Ukraine operations from a potential shutdown if lawmakers cant agree on a deal to fund the government by the end of the month, allowing key training and other activities in support of Kyivs forces to move ahead uninterrupted, according to a Defense Department spokesperson.

Washington is more resigned to the looming government shutdown every day. As the Sept. 30 deadline approaches, congressional leaders showed little progress this week in moving a stopgap funding bill to avert that scenario. The House was in chaos on Thursday as a group of GOP hardliners tanked a vote that could have offered a path to fund the government.

But if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement and government appropriations lapse, DOD has decided to continue activities supporting Ukraine, DOD spokesperson Chris Sherwood told POLITICO Thursday  just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley and other senior leaders at the Pentagon.

Operation Atlantic Resolve is an excepted activity under a government lapse in appropriations, Sherwood said, referring to the named operation for DODs activities in response to the Russian invasion.

The move means that the U.S. militarys activities related to the war, such as training of Ukrainian soldiers on American tactics and equipment, as well as shipments of weapons to Kyiv, will continue despite any potential shutdown. As recently as Tuesday, Sherwood had said the shutdown could halt those activities, as POLITICO first reported.

Its good news for Zelenskyy, as U.S. and European officials worry that international support for continuing to aid Ukraine could be waning. Zelenskyy also pleaded his case with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning before heading to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden.

The Biden administration is also expected to announce a new package of military aid for Ukraine later on Thursday, including additional air defenses and artillery.

During the White House meeting, Biden announced a new $325 million package of aid for Ukraine, including more air defenses, artillery and additional cluster munitions. He also said that the first of the U.S. Armys M1 Abrams tanks pledged to Kyiv are expected to arrive on the battlefield next week.

Typically, when the government shuts down, all military activities stop unless they are deemed critical to national security. For example, during the 2018 shutdown, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis said the U.S. military would continue hunting the Islamic State in the Middle East, but training for tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve forces was abruptly canceled.

By law, the Pentagon chief can make exceptions to activities suspended under a government shutdown, Sherwood said, noting that the decision to exempt Ukraine operations was just made.

Only military training and exercises required to achieve and maintain operational readiness and to prepare for and carry out such operations will be exempted from a potential shutdown this year, according to guidance issued by the Pentagon last week.

Sherwood noted that while DODs activities related to Ukraine will continue, furloughs and other activities halted under the shutdown could still have a negative impact.

Training would happen, but depending on whether or not there were certain personnel that were not able to report for duty, for example, that could have an impact, said Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder on Thursday.

The U.S. military is currently training hundreds of Ukrainians in Europe, from teaching them American battlefield tactics to how to use the Abrams. Several Ukrainian pilots and dozens of maintainers are also slated to start training on F-16 fighter jets at a U.S. base shortly.

As of Sept. 20, international forces had trained more than 84,000 Ukrainians on Western weapons and tactics, according to DOD spokesperson Col. Martin ODonnell.
As if drivers didnt have enough to worry about, here comes something else. 6ABC reports drivers are being warned about a new gas station scam out of Pennsylvania called pump switching. This cannot possibly be a real problem, and sounds like another fake police story, but here we go:

The warning comes from police in Lower Merion Twp., Pennsylvania. The scam works like this: youre at the gas station, pumping gas. Suddenly someone walks up to you, demanding that you let them help you pump your gas. The suspects are aggressive to the point that police say they refuse people who turn them down for help. Eventually, itll get to the point where they take control of the gas pump to help you; one woman it happened to described it as the suspect taking the pump out of her hand as she was putting it back in. When the person leaves, the suspect fails to put the pump back to finish the transaction.



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An overcrowded, deteriorating jail spurred a heated debate between metro Atlanta officials Wednesday about whether to send incarcerated people to other facilities, even as some experts say more beds wont solve the real crisis.

Conditions at the Fulton County Jail are at the epicenter of a polarizing national debate about jail and prison overcrowding. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil probe earlier this year to determine whether people in the Georgia jail are subjected to a pattern of constitutional abuse.

Many experts point to the Fulton jail problems as a microcosm of the larger problems across the nation. The United States ranks among the highest worldwide in its dependence on incarceration, according to a 2023 study by The Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy center that seeks to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

Fulton County Jail is more than 300 people over capacity, officials said at a Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday. State leaders in August approved a $4 million settlement for the family of a man who died at the jail in August after being found unresponsive and covered in bug bites.

Sheriff Pat Labat proposed sending some people from Fulton County Jail to another Georgia facility about four hours away, or to a Tutwiler, Mississippi facility more than six hours away.

Both options come with hefty price tags: officials said the Folkston, Georgia facility would cost Fulton County $2.5 million per month for up to 500 inmates, while the Mississippi jail would cost $75-80 a day per diem, in addition to costs for transportation and other necessities.

I am sad today that in the civil rights cradle we're talking about shipping individuals to Mississippi, commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman said at the meeting Wednesday.

Commissioners and other local officials blamed a myriad of reasons for overcrowding, including widespread staffing issues, a backlog of cases at the court and logistical problems.

Not enough staff to run jails at full capacity

Labat and commissioners debated about widespread staffing issues in Fulton County Jail and beyond.

For the better part of a year, weve allowed persistent overcrowding to exist at the main jail facility while we had open beds at facilities that we control and have access to, vice chair Bob Ellis said.

Commissioners worked with the Atlanta City Detention Center and other facilities close by to hold people from Fulton County Jail. However, even facilities with the space to hold more people dont have the staffing to operate at 100% capacity.

Fulton County has tried to incentivize people to work at the jail through signing bonuses, pay raises and double time, Labat said. But even as the initiatives have helped get staff in the door, the county is running into retention issues, he added.

Hundreds jailed without indictment or bond for months

Officials also spoke about delays in court proceedings, which can cause longer jail stays as people wait for their hearings.

Georgia law asserts that anyone arrested and denied bond is entitled to a grand jury process within 90 days of confinement. Absent of a hearing within that time period, judicial standards determine a person has a right to have bail set, Ellis noted in the meeting Wednesday.

However, Fulton County Jail has held 521 unindicted people for more than 90 days, data presented Wednesday shows, 60 of which have been held more than a year.

If thats not pretty disturbing data I really dont know what is, Ellis said.

ACLU: More beds not the answer

Benjamin Lynde, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties of Union of Georgia, told USA TODAY Wednesday that Fulton County Jail has been overcrowded for the entirety of his lifetime.

I've never found a place that was struggling to fill a capacity of their jail, Lynde noted.

Finding more beds ignores the root causes of overcrowding, Lynde said.

The ACLU published a report last September that examined Fulton County Jails overcrowding crisis. The organization determined that a four-pronged approach would solve the longstanding issue: to stop jailing people because of inability to pay bond, release most people charges only with misdemeanors, indict in a timely manner, and incentivize law enforcement to make use of diversion programs at the time or arrest that address mental health issues, poverty and other problems.

Lynde also said the number of deaths at Fulton County Jail is unlike anything hes seen proportionally across the nation's jails. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has reported 10 deaths of people incarcerated at Fulton County Jail so far this year.

Fulton County Jail part of ongoing probe

The U.S. Department of Justice's civil probe will examine living conditions, access to medical care and mental health care, use of excessive force by staff and conditions that may give rise to violence between people incarcerated at the facility, as well as whether the jail discriminates against incarcerated people with psychiatric conditions.

The investigation was launched nearly a year after a man incarcerated at Fulton County Jail was found unresponsive in a bed-bug infested cell. LaShawn Thompson, 35, died due to severe neglect from jail staff, an independent autopsy later determined.

Sheriff Labat remarked on the jail's deteriorating conditions Wednesday, noting it as reason to move 800-1,000 people to other facilities.

"This overcrowding, among other things, has exacerbated the Rice Street facilitys physical condition, contributes to unsanitary conditions and is shockingly unsafe for both inmates and Sheriffs Office staff," Labat said in a statement Wednesday to the Board of Commissioners

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fulton County Jail considers sending inmates to Mississippi
Todays trend in child-rearing, gentle parenting, centers on collaboratively managing childrens feelings rather than authoritatively correcting their misbehavior.

As Jessica Winter wrote last year for The New Yorker, In its broadest outlines, gentle parenting centers on acknowledging a childs feelings and the motivations behind challenging behavior, as opposed to correcting the behavior itself.

In other words, she explained, Instead of issuing commands (Put on your shoes!), the parent strives to understand why a child is acting out in the first place (Whats up, honey? You dont want to put your shoes on? or, perhaps, narrates the problem (Youre playing with your trains because putting on shoes doesnt feel good).

While there are some positive aspects to this approach, it is by and large a failure, even on its own terms.

Gentle parenting promises to foster self-awareness, resilience and independence in children. Yet, the gentler parenting gets, the more solipsistic, fragile and needy our children become. The approach militates against its stated aims  as most people who ever raised children could have intuited it would.

It is true that gentle parentings emphasis on age-appropriate understanding and consistent boundaries is a common-sense correction to the kind of capricious parental reactivity to which too many children have been subjected. That said, excising commands like stop it, reasons like because I said so, and punishments like time out from the parental toolkit is prohibitively time-consuming for all but the smallest, most privileged and least temperamental families (not to mention pointlessly stressful for all families).

More important and far-reaching than these pragmatic considerations, though, is the more interesting question of why otherwise intelligent and indisputably loving parents would double down on an approach that makes parenting so much harder and kids so much more annoying.

The unlikely answer?

Eighteenth century French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau , whose ideas about child development have undergirded mainstream educational thought since the 1960s and are presently finding their way into parental thought under the banner of gentle parenting.

Related

As former Nebraska senator and current University of Florida President Ben Sasse points out in his 2017 book, The Vanishing American Adult, Rousseaus Emile from 1762 is perhaps the most holistic and influential articulation of the notion that people are naturally good and it is society that corrupts.

Per Rousseau: Everything is good as it leaves the hands of the Author of things; everything degenerates in the hands of man. In other words: Human nature, untouched by other humans, is benevolent; it is the societal process of creating a citizen rather than simply a man that leads people into characterological error.

The obvious illogic of Rousseaus contention notwithstanding (how, exactly, does a society created by innately virtuous humans become the source of those humans own corruption?), his seductive conception of childrens fundamental goodness has long proven influential in progressive educational circles.

Only recently, however, have parents as well as educators begun to prove susceptible to the false notion of children as angelic creatures who require self-understanding above all.

As late as when I was growing up in the 1990s, the unspoken assumption of parenting was that children need to be proactively formed through the exercise of parental authority.

Thirty years ago, even as America was becoming more secular, parents still mostly accepted without question the idea that bad behavior originates from within. It was widely assumed, in other words, that human nature is at least as prone to cruelty, chaos and selfishness as it is to empathy, order and sacrifice.

From this perspective, the goal of parenting is to help children learn to behave in accordance with virtue, rather than with feeling. By the 1990s, such a project was understood to involve sympathizing with a childs emotions as part of helping her to conquer those feelings in deference to reason and self-discipline.

But almost no one assumed that feelings should be the core of who we are past the age of two, nor did anyone think that collaborative child-rearing and the forfeiture of parental (and, eventually, institutional and societal) authority was the way to raise confident, well-adjusted kids.

Because it isnt. Its the way to raise fragile, needy pseudo-adults.

Consider the crisis of mental health and anxiety among todays preteens, teens and young adults. Is it any coincidence that kids who were never expected to cope easily with being told no as a matter of course, and who were instead constantly prepared for and talked through every minor disappointment, later find it difficult to manage the rejections and limitations of a world that doesnt care about their feelings?

Is it any surprise that kids whose parents are sources of endless affirmation and constant collaboration become adults who struggle to confront facts and perspectives that do not affirm their emotions? Is it any wonder that some kids whose parents mistook emotional pandering for respect (when in fact its the opposite) refuse to grow up at all, since adulthood can be best defined as the consistent choice of virtue over emotion?

There is no gentle way to prepare kids for the adult reality that the world is and always will be harsh because humans are and always will be fallen. The emotional helicoptering of gentle parenting predictably renders children unready to first comply with, and then assume for themselves, the virtuous authority that has carved a civilization out of the brutality of nature.

Perhaps most concerning of all, that civilization itself is only as strong as those that inherit it.

Elizabeth Grace Matthew is a visiting fellow at the Independent Womens Forum, a Young Voices contributor and a regular contributor to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  Peso Pluma, one of Latin Americas top artists said to be the most streamed in Mexico, was scheduled to perform on Oct. 14 at Tijuanas Caliente Stadium.

But yesterday, the concert was officially canceled.

In the past, Peso Pluma, whose real name Hassan Emilio Kabante Laija, has praised Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, former head of the Sinaloa cartel.

Last week, three narco banners were hung around the city of Tijuana with menacing threats directed at Peso Pluma: This is for you, Peso Pluma. Dont show up on October 14 because it will be your last presentation, you are disrespectful and loose-tongued, read the banners.

Peso Pluma receives death threats ahead of Tijuana concert, officials say

The messages were all signed CJNG, which is short for Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a rival of the Sinaloa cartel.

Groups that have songs justifying crime expose themselves to these type of situations, said Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramirez.

The mayor said the cancellation will not change the way the state of Baja California or city of Tijuana provide security at concerts or large events around the city.

Tijuana bars and nightclubs must link surveillance cameras to city police network

There are a lot of security measures already in place, we just had 50,000 people in downtown, thats not a minor thing, and there were no incidents reported, she said.

Caballero was referring to Tijuanas Mexico Independence Day celebration on Sept. 15.

Peso Plumas management announced the cancellation through social media saying, Our objective is to protect fans and our crew members. As a way to ensure the safety of everyone involved, we are canceling the show in Tijuana.

According to Caballero, the city had yet to decide whether to let the show go on as planned.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

We were waiting on findings of the attorney generals investigation before making a decision, said Caballero. In this case, promoters got ahead of us and canceled the concert, now the investigation goes on, it looks like the artist himself decided to cancel.

People who had purchased tickets for the concert are being asked to seek refunds through the agencies where the tickets were sold.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
While pilots are up in the skies, they say thieves are eyeing the prize in their cars.

There have been at least a dozen break-ins at employee parking lots at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport over the past month, and just this week, one pilot told Channel 9 his car was stolen from one of them.

Union leaders for American Airlines pilots arranged a meeting with airport officials to express their frustration and disappointment with parking lot security.

The union leaders told Channel 9s Evan Donovan that the city came back with several ideas for improvement, but theyre not enough.

SEE MORE >> Five people arrested for traffic violations during airport protest

This has been an issue for several years, said Erik DeWinne, who represents thousands of AA pilots who fly primarily out of Charlotte.

DeWinne, who is the local vice chairman of their union, says pilots have been sending him pictures from recent vandalism and break-ins in employee parking lots in Charlotte. He says the incidents seem to be increasing, making more pilots and other airport workers feel unsafe.

I think it probably has to do with the location issue. Theres a lot of foliage trees and places to hide, DeWinne said.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments crime mapping site, there have been at least 15 stolen cars and dozens of break-ins or vandalism at airport parking lots since the beginning of August, though the map doesnt specifically organize by employee lots.

CMPD told us there were 34 larcenies from cars in employee lots through early September, and 40 through the same period last year. One spokesperson called that a minimal amount given that about 18,000 airport employees park there every month.

In response, the union is providing contact information and asking pilots to pressure city leaders.

CHECK IT OUT: CLT to open revamped airport overlook full of amenities in 2024

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles responded with some solutions, and two weeks ago, the union met with airport officials and CMPD.

I was left with after that meeting feeling pretty underwhelmed, because these all seem like temporary fixes, DeWinne said. You know, a couple of cameras here and there, some extra police, you know, but thats not a real long-term solution to the problem.

Officials with the city of Charlotte and the airport told Channel 9 that theres now a plan in place. That includes more police patrols and cameras, and theyre also reviewing options for a dedicated parking lot attendant or assigned security patrol.

However, theres no timeline for this plan yet.

(WATCH>> NTSB: Broken mechanism forced emergency nose landing at Charlotte Douglas airport)
A 46-year-old Clearwater man has been arrested after police say he attacked a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority driver on a parked trolley in downtown St. Petersburg Tuesday evening.

The trolley was parked near the entrance to the St. Pete Pier when the driver wrapped up a break and got back on to resume his route shortly after 5 p.m. At that point, he was battered by a man he didnt know, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

The driver was taken to an area hospital by ambulance with injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening, the agency said in a news release Thursday. They did not name the driver.

Detectives identified Obdulio Chacon as a suspect based on evidence that was collected during the course of the investigation, police said.

With assistance from the Largo Police Department, Chacon was arrested Wednesday night and questioned by St. Petersburg detectives, the release said.

Chacon was booked into a Pinellas County jail, where he faces a charge of aggravated battery. He was being held on $10,000 bond as of Thursday evening, jail records show.
FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Poland's prime minister said on late Wednesday his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv but put Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk, File)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates and his populist party faces pressure from the far right in the upcoming national election.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a television interview late Wednesday that Poland is "no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons in a military modernization plan spurred by fears of Russian aggression in the region. He did not elaborate or explain how the two actions were mutually exclusive.

A government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, clarified Thursday that the country was now only providing supplies of ammunition and armaments that had previously been agreed to, noting that a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he believes that Poland will continue to be a supporter of Ukraine.

When I read the headlines this morning, I was of course concerned and had questions, but Ive subsequently seen the Polish government spokesman come out to clarify that in fact Polands provision of equipment, including things like Polish-manufactured Howitzers, is continuing and that Poland continues to stand behind Ukraine," Sullivan said when asked about the matter at a news briefing.

Poland has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weaponry, including Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets. Poles are still largely in favor of supporting Ukraine, believing their nation would be vulnerable if Russia were to prevail just across the border. But there is also a growing weariness in society with the large numbers of refugees.

Ahead of the national election on Oct. 15, the far-right Confederation party has said that Poland is not getting the gratitude it deserves for arming Ukraine and accepting its refugees. And emotions have been running high since Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced a new ban on Ukrainian grain imports last week, saying they wanted to protect their farmers.

The Polish-Ukrainian spat comes as Ukraine forces are making slow progress breaking through Russian battle lines in a counteroffensive that has not moved as quickly or as well as initially hoped and Poland's move could have wider fallout as another winter of fighting approaches. Kyivs leaders are lobbying for a new round of advanced weapons, including longer range missiles.

U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last weekend that there is a continued need for more weapons and equipment in Ukraine and that allies and partners are looking for ways to address that.

But some U.S. voters are beginning to tire of helping Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington this week as Republican leaders in Congress diverge on how to send more military and humanitarian aid to the country.

A leading security and defense expert, Michal Baranowski, said that Poland gave most of what it could give earlier in the war, and with no plans for shipments of major equipment soon, he doesn't see a threat to Ukraine's capabilities in the near term. Still, he considers Morawiecki's comments troubling for Ukraine as its seeks to maintain Western support in the war unleashed by Russia.

The message is very bad, both for Poland's reputation but also because Poland has been one of the chief advocates of military aid to Ukraine. Saying Poland will not be sending more weapons means that Poland can no longer play this role," said Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, part of the German Marshall Fund think tank.

He said Poland's attempt to show toughness toward Kyiv should be understood in the context of the election campaign. In response to Morawiecki saying Poland would now focus on modernizing its own forces, Baranowski noted that Poland is capable of both modernizing its military and continuing to help Ukraine.

Donald Tusk, a top opposition leader, accused Morawiecki and other ruling authorities of a moral and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine in the back politically when they decide to fight on the Ukrainian front, just because it will be profitable for their campaign.

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia said the new ban on Ukrainian grain imports was put in place to protect their farmers from a glut of Ukrainian grain in their markets, which lowers prices and hurts their livelihood. Kyiv responded with a complaint at the World Trade Organization against the three countries that sparked even more angry reactions from Poland.

Polish and Ukrainian agriculture ministers said Thursday they were working to resolve the situation in a way that takes the interests of both countries into account. Ukraine meanwhile was lifting its complaint against Slovakia as the two sides sought a resolution, Slovak authorities said.

At the United Nations on Tuesday, Zelenskyy suggested that the countries opposing Ukraine on grain were in fact working on Russia's behalf. Poland urgently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to complain Wednesday.

Morawiecki said in interview on private broadcaster Polsat that a NATO and U.S. hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine would not be affected. We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

The German Foreign Ministry said: Ukraine continues to need our full support. It is important that we in Europe act decisively and in solidarity in this regard. Germany will support Ukraine humanitarianly, politically, economically and with weapons for as long as it needs us.

___

Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim in Washington, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- Poland may send more of its older weapons to Ukraine at a later date, once the country receives new equipment ordered in South Korea and the US, President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday.

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We cannot transfer our new weapons that we buy to strengthen Polands security or modernize the Polish army, Duda told private broadcaster TVN during a visit to New York. Weve signed agreements with Ukraine regarding, among others, ammunition and special vehicles, and we are implementing them.

Read more: Poland Seeks to Mend Ukraine Rift With Arms Supplies U-Turn

The Polish government earlier on Thursday sought to walk back remarks by its prime minister that the country had stopped weapons shipments to Ukraine, which added to tensions between the two countries amid a dispute about grain exports from the war-torn nation.

Ukraine should show understanding for Polands decision to impose restrictions due to a flood of grain on its market, according to Duda.

Its against our interests, we have to watch our market, Duda said. Its hard not to understand what decisions the government has taken.

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said this week his country will no longer supply new weapons to Ukraine in a sudden reversal of support from one of Kyivs staunchest allies in the war against Russia.

Morawiecki told Polish media channel Polsat News on Wednesday that Poland would no longer be transferring any weapons to Ukraine.

We will now arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, he said.

The Polish embassy in Washington, D.C., said in an email to The Hill the country still carries out previously agreed-upon deliveries of ammunition and weaponry under signed contracts and would remain an international hub of assistance for other Western arms flowing into Ukraine.

Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Marek Magierowski said on X, formerly Twitter, that over the last 17 months we have basically gutted our military for the sake of Ukraines war effort.

Poland is now striving to make up for the depletion of our own capabilities, he continued in the post.

The decision is a major blow to Ukraine, which has relied on Western support for arms deliveries to stay in the fight against Russian forces and has worked hard to maintain that support.

If the Polish support remains frozen, it would be a big victory for Moscow. Part of Russias strategy is to stay in the fight long enough to entrench themselves in eastern Ukraine and hope that Western support cracks over time.

Morawieckis announcement comes after Kyiv said it will sue Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in the World Trade Organization for banning grain and agricultural imports from Ukraine.

A European Union commission over the spring allowed those countries to temporarily ban the agricultural imports, but the commission recently declined to extend the ban. That led Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to impose bans of their own and Ukraine to sue in response.

Poland says shipping large amounts of Ukrainian grain into its country is creating high stocks of product and market volatility, which is impacting its farmers and economy.

The enormous increase in the import of grains and oilseeds into Poland at the turn of 2022 and 2023 has led to significant market disruptions in our country, the Polish embassy said to The Hill.

Polish officials also accused Ukraine of negotiating the tensions with hostility.

In recent days we witnessed a series of utterly unacceptable diplomatic statements and gestures which have emerged from the Ukrainian side, they wrote in the email. Poland does not accept such unwarranted actions.

The decision follows comments earlier this week from Polish President Andrzej Duda comparing 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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It appeared to be a reversal that threatened major implications for the war. On Wednesday, the prime minister of Poland, one of Kyivs closest and most vocal allies, said it would no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine.

Yet this apparently bullish move, announced amid a bitter spat with Ukraine over grain, has now evolved into a much murkier situation.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday moved to walk back his prime ministers comments, saying they were interpreted in the worst possible way.

Both Duda and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have attempted to thaw the angry spat. But animosity remains after months of tensions over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports to a number of European Union countries.

It also follows a pattern of increasingly confrontational behavior towards Kyiv from Polands government, just weeks before a tight general election.

Heres what you need to know.

What has Poland announced?

We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a blunt social media statement on Wednesday that accelerated the confrontation between the allies.

Morawiecki added in a television interview that Poland would now focus on supplying the most modern weapons for its own purposes, state news agency PAP reported. If you want to defend yourself you have to have something to defend with, the prime minister said. The government meanwhile clarified he was referring to future weapons shipments, and those already agreed upon would still be completed.

Nonetheless, it seemed to indicate a major change in policy: Poland has been one of the most forthright countries in the race to get weapons and resources into Ukrainian hands. Now, Warsaw was apparently drawing a line in the sand on future donations  a potential blow for Kyiv in the event of a long, drawn-out war.

But on Thursday, Duda sought to clarify Morawieckis statement, saying it merely referred to new weapons being purchased for the Polish army, and that older weapons systems Warsaw deems not necessary for modernizing its own military could still be shipped across the border.

The prime minister talked about these weapons in the context of the new weapons we are buying for our army, Duda told Polish channel TVN24. That was the statement. In my opinion, the prime minister said: We will not transfer to Ukraine new weapons that we are currently purchasing as part of the modernization of our army.

Duda added, please remember that we have contracts signed with Ukraine, for example for the supply of Krabs (howitzers). Poland still needs to fulfill that agreement, as well as other contracts, including for ammunition and mine-clearing vehicles, which are needed for the counteroffensive, Duda said.

As we receive new weapons from (South) Korea and the United States, we will loosen the weapons we have in stock today. Perhaps we will transfer weapons that will be removed from the Polish army to Ukraine, just as we have done so far when we transferred post-Soviet weapons, Duda said.

There has meanwhile never been any suggestion that Poland  the key conduit country for almost all weapons transfers into Ukraine  would stop allowing other Western weapons to pass through its borders on the way to the frontlines.

And both countries have quickly moved to dissipate anger. Kyivs minister of agrarian policy said he had spoken with his Polish counterpart and issued a statement saying the pair discussed the situation and Ukraines proposal to resolve it, and agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries.

But Dudas comments left it unclear what the true effect of Warsaws pronouncements might be, or whether any weapons intended for Ukraine would be impacted.

How did we get here?

Pressure has been building for months over a ban on Ukrainian grain, initially put in place earlier this year by several EU nations to protect the livelihood of local farmers worried about being undercut by the low price of Ukrainian grain.

Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the rule. But three nations  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they intended to defy the change and keep the restrictions in place. It prompted protests from Ukraine, which this week filed lawsuits against all three countries over the issue.

Ukraine, often called the breadbasket of Europe due to the vast quantities of grain it produces, had its Black Sea ports blockaded by Russia following its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Fearing that the situation was threatening global food security, the European Commission set up what it called solidarity lanes in May to facilitate exports, and temporarily eliminated all duties and quotas on Ukraines exports, allowing a glut of cheap Ukrainian grain to flow into the continent.

Combines harvest wheat in a field in the Zaporizhzhia region of Russian-controlled Ukraine. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

Anger in Poland has been simmering since the spring, when farmers led demonstrations against the moves. But they erupted once again in recent days, after the decision of the three nations to ignore the removal of the ban.

In a swipe against the trio on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in New York that it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.

Zelensky added that the nations involved may seem to play their own role but in fact they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor. His comments sparked immediate condemnation from Poland, with the foreign ministry summoning the Ukrainian ambassador to convey its strong protest.

Those comments intensified anger in Warsaw, resulting just hours later in Morawieckis statement on weapons shipments.

When asked whether he was upset after Zelenskys words, Duda told TVN24 maybe upset is a too strong word.

I was embittered, I would rather put it that way. I say this: lets stay calm, please do not raise the temperature, because this is a dispute that concerns a small part of our relations. Lets not allow it to affect the whole, because there is no justification for it and only others will benefit from it, Duda said.

A tight election looms

Polands initial response to the war on Ukraine earned its populist government a rare swelling of goodwill from across Europe, and made it a major player in the Western response to Russias aggression.

The country has taken in more than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees and allowed 15 million to cross its borders to flee the conflict. The two countries shared a decades-old suspicion of Moscow and Warsaw had warned for years of the pitfalls of buying Russian energy, which melded their relationship in the initial phases of the war.

But tensions have frayed in recent months, exacerbated by a pivotal election.

Polands populist ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), are preparing for a vote on October 15 which opinion polls suggest could result in them losing their parliamentary majority. They are particularly suffering in their stronghold rural regions in eastern Poland, where agriculture is an important economic pillar.

Poland's Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, faces a tight election next month. - Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

PiS is losing a chunk of its typical voter base to the Confederation party, a historically far-right group that has been rallying against the costs of Warsaws military aid to Kyiv and complained that Ukraines plight has become a greater priority for the government than that of Polish people.

In response, PiS has seemingly toned down its support for Kyiv in recent months and shown willingness to take on a more combative stance. In August, Warsaw summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland after a Polish foreign policy adviser accused Kyiv of being ungrateful for Polands support in exporting its grain.

Polands opposition parties were quick to pounce on this weeks uncertainty over weapons shipments.

Radek Sikorski, a Member of the European Parliament and previously Polands defense and foreign minister, told CNN that incompetence is at play regarding the latest spat.

The government failed in organizing transit corridors for Ukrainian grain to Africa and China, Sikorski said, adding that if Poland had a better relationship with Brussels, it couldve all been done a year ago.

What does this mean for the war?

While Warsaws position on weapons remains unclear, any reversal in Polish military and strategic support for Ukraine would have major consequences. Poland has been among the most eager nations to bolster Kyivs arsenal since the initial days of the full-scale war, and has shown a willingness to push other European powers and the US into joining them.

In January, when Germany agonized over whether to provide Leopard 2 battle tanks to Kyivs troops, Poland took a leading role in bringing together a European coalition that gave Berlin enough leeway to make the move.

For days, Polish officials talked up publicly and privately their desire to get the high-tech combat vehicles onto the front lines, and insisted they would do so whether or not fellow nations came with them.

Kyiv and its allies will have concerns that if Warsaw takes a new attitude to future arms shipments, other hesitant European countries will feel less pressure to also donate supplies. So, even if this dispute is resolved and shipments continue to Kyiv as before, the episode has brought lessons to both countries.

Poland would be hesitant to anger NATO and the United States  its two crucial security partners  by reducing the flow of weapons onto the front lines. But its domestic political context has pressed PiS into taking a firmer line on Kyiv, and a close or ambiguous electoral result next month may lengthen the tightrope the party is walking.

But Zelenskys tough words for Poland this week have also highlighted the risks of pushing his allies buttons too forcefully. His UNGA speech clearly angered many in Warsaw, and the longer the grain dispute continues, the more likely spats between Kyiv and its nearest ally will become.

CNNs Antonia Mortensen, Sharon Braithwaite, Radina Gigova, Mitchell McCluskey, Mariya Knight, Olga Voitovych and Tim Lister contributed reporting

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(Bloomberg) -- The Polish government sought to walk back remarks by its premier that the country had stopped weapons shipments to Ukraine, tapping the brakes on an escalating dispute thats shaken a key wartime alliance.

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After Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, his office aimed to lower the temperature following a heated exchange of barbs this week thats dismayed allies and undermined a relationship thats been crucial to aid to Kyiv.

Poland is only carrying out previously agreed supplies of ammunition and armaments, including those resulting from the contracts signed with Ukraine, government spokesman Piotr Muller said. Those include a contract to deliver locally-manufactured howitzers, he added. Poland consistently helped repel Russias attack.

The sparring marked a sharp contrast to the unity on display between the two allies since Russias invasion last year, with Poland a key conduit of weapons and aid to Ukraine. But the comity reached its limit after Warsaw extended a unilateral ban on grain imports to appease restive farmers, an important constituency for the ruling party ahead of a tightly contested election on Oct. 15.

The prime ministers statement on weapons to Ukraine was misunderstood and wrongly interpreted, a government official said on condition of anonymity. Another official said Poland has no more weaponry that can be donated, but ammunition shipments will continue.

The spiraling war of words between Warsaw and Kyiv has alarmed governments committed to supporting Ukraine.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas told reporters that cutting off aid to Kyiv wasnt on the table in talks with his Polish counterpart the day before.

On the contrary, we discussed aid to Ukraine, the Ramstein format, coalitions, supplies - that is, the complete opposite things, Anusauskas said.

Dialing Down

An easing also appeared to be possible on the grain front a day after Morawiecki threatened to expand import restrictions to other Ukrainian products. The two countries agriculture ministers agreed in a phone call to seek a solution.

Still, in addition to comments by President Andrzej Duda aimed at Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the last 48 hours, the remarks marked a dramatic change of tone from Polish leadership.

European capitals were caught off guard by the volume of the dispute  and are hoping to see the spat fade quickly, according to an official familiar with the discussions. Another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, voiced concern that protracted tension with Poland will give other donors an opening to scale back support because of war fatigue.

In the months following the start of Russias invasion, Poland lambasted other Western countries, especially Germany, for being slow in delivering arms to Ukraine.

It became one of Kyivs biggest donors and the first nation to deliver high-end Leopard tanks in February as well as Soviet-era jets and ammunition.

Zelenskiy travels to Washington Thursday, where hell press President Joe Biden for sustained support to counter Russias war machine  with allies fearing that the conflict will drag on for years  just as hardline Republicans are threatening to halt additional aid.

The Polish-Ukrainian standoff cast sudden doubt on the unity that had defined the neighbors relationship before the grain dispute, a friendship that seemed to epitomize European solidarity with Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Poland is the primary destination for refugees and the gateway to about 90% of all the western aid and military equipment headed for Kyiv.

Another Missile Barrage

Tension and disagreements between Kyiv and some of its strongest backers is sure to instill more confidence in the Kremlin that European support for Ukraine is not certain over the long term, said Peter Schroeder, a former Russia analyst at the US Central Intelligence Agency and now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

The stakes were as clear as ever as the war headed into its 19th month. Russia launched the largest missile barrage to target the Ukrainian power grid since early spring just as Zelenskiy enlisted help in the US.

For Poland, the issue is a political one. The ruling Law & Justice party is seeking a third term in office in next months contest, as polls show that it may struggle to secure a majority even as it leads. One poll Thursday showed the countrys pro-European opposition parties may win enough seats in the next parliament to form a government.

--With assistance from Milda Seputyte, Andra Timu, Ott Tammik and Alberto Nardelli.

(Adds details from fourth paragraph.)

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Poland said Wednesday it will stop providing weapons to Ukraine amid a growing dispute between the two countries over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on social media.

Poland has long been one of Ukraines staunchest backers since Moscows invasion of its neighbor, alongside multiple former Eastern bloc nations who fear they could be next if Russian President Vladimir Putins expansionist war is successful.

Now Kyiv and Warsaw are at loggerheads.

The ban on Ukrainian grain was initially put in place earlier this year by several European Union nations, to protect the livelihood of local farmers worried about being undercut by low prices of Ukrainian grain.

Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the ban. But three nations  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they intended to defy the change and keep the restrictions in place.

It prompted protests from Ukraine, which this week filed lawsuits against all three countries over the issue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke out against the ban on Wednesday when addressing the UN General Assembly, saying it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.

A truck with corn is seen at a grain storage facility in the village of Bilohiria, Ukraine, on April 19, 2023. - Gleb Garanich/Reuters/FILE

He added that the nations involved may seem to play their own role but in fact they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor.

Ukraine seemingly moved to ease the rift on Thursday. Kyivs minister of agrarian policy said he had spoken with his Polish counterpart and issued a statement saying the pair discussed the situation and Ukraines proposal to resolve it, and agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries.

It also agreed to establish a grain trade system with Slovakia that would enable a ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to be lifted, Slovakias agriculture ministry said on Thursday.

But Zelenskys comments sparked immediate condemnation from Poland, with the foreign ministry summoning the Ukrainian ambassador to Warsaw to convey their strong protest.

Polish Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski told Ukraines ambassador that Zelenskys claim was untrue, especially since Poland had been supporting Ukraine since the first days of the war.

He added that putting pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international tribunals are not appropriate methods of resolving disputes between our countries, according to a statement from the ministry.

In a television interview, Morawiecki, the prime minister, said he would not risk destabilizing the Polish market by accepting Ukrainian grain imports but would not prevent passage through Poland, Polish national news agency PAP reported.

Of course we will maintain the transit of Ukrainian goods. Poland does not bear any costs due to that. On the contrary, it could be said that we earn from it, Morawiecki said, according to PAP.

Morawiecki also accused Ukrainian oligarchs of having pushed their grain onto the Polish market without concern for local farmers, and said Poland will now focus on supplying the most modern weapons for its own purposes, PAP reported.

If you want to defend yourself you have to have something to defend with, Morawiecki said.

Warsaw has taken a lead among NATO allies in supplying Kyiv with heavy weapons. In the spring, Poland became the first NATO country to send fighter jets to Ukraine  months ahead of the United States, which only agreed last month to approve the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, pending the completion of training by Ukrainian forces.

Poland has also previously sent more than 200 Soviet-style tanks to Ukraine. Most Western military equipment and other supplies get to Ukraine through Poland and the country is hosting 1.6 million Ukrainian refugees, according to the United Nations.

According to the Kiel Institutes tracker on how much nations have donated to Ukraine, Poland has pledged 4.27 billion euros (about $4.54 billion), which is a combination of military, financial and humanitarian aid.

Polish President Andrzej Duda also urged greater unity and action on Wednesday at a meeting of the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member.

If we dont act in solidarity today, to defend the fundamental values of international law, tomorrow may be too late, he said, adding that the strategic change that occurred following Russias invasion of Ukraine is not temporary.

We are living in a new era of uncertainty, Duda said.

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Sept. 20 that Poland will no longer supply Ukraine with weapons as rifts over the import of Ukrainian grain products deepens.

Ukraine is defending itself against the brutal Russian attack and I understand this situation, but as I said, we will protect our country. We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland, Morawiecki told the Polsat News TV channel, the Office of the Prime Minister of Poland reported.

The decision to halt weapons transfer comes amidst ongoing disputes between the two countries over the import of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower. The European Commission implemented an embargo on the Ukrainian products in May out of concerns that cheaper imports would threaten the domestic agriculture producers in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The embargo expired on Sept. 15, though Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia each implemented their own bans in response.

Ukraine subsequently filed an appeal at the World Trade Organization. In response, Polish government spokesperson Piotr Muller told Polish media PAP that the Polish governments position has not changed.

We believe that our actions regarding the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain are justified. We will not allow the agriculture market in Poland to be disrupted. We do not change our opinion on this matter and we will take steps to defend the interests of Polish farmers, he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shymal insisted that if countries do not end their embargo on Ukrainian products, Ukraine will limit imports in response.

Poland subsequently implied it may cut off aid to Ukrainian refugees, while Polish President Andrzej Duda compared Ukraine to a drowning man that will take others down with them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the developing crisis during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, saying it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain. They may seem to play their own role but in fact they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor.

Despite this, the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland and head of the ruling Law and Justice Party, Yaroslav Kaczynski, told Polish Radio that Poland will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. We will support Ukraine until victory, he asserted.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Strikes on command post in Crimea, saboteurs attack airbase near Moscow

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In Polands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is astonishment over PM Mateusz Morawiecki s announcement that the country will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine, Polish news agency RMF 24 reported on Sept. 21, citing sources within the ministry.

Officials from the ministry are awaiting guidance from its head, Zbigniew Rau, who is currently visiting the United States. In the meantime, they are working to clarify Morawieckis statement, asserting that it is a response to a series of entirely unacceptable gestures from the Ukrainian side.

Regarding the supply of weapons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland has noted that Poland is fulfilling previously agreed-upon contracts. Journalists believe that the statements made by the prime minister and government spokesperson indicate that Poland has exhausted its capacity to provide Ukraine with equipment that would not jeopardize its own security.

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It is worth noting that Polish factories are currently producing the first 100 Rosomak combat vehicles and several dozen Rak self-propelled howitzers intended for Ukraine. In total, Poland has provided Ukraine with equipment worth over EUR 3 billion.

Previously, Morawiecki stated that his country is not supplying weapons to Kyiv as it is currently modernizing its own army. Polish government spokesperson Piotr Mueller, when commenting on Morawieckis statement, clarified that Poland is still supplying weapons and ammunition, but strictly in accordance with existing contracts.

These statements come amid tension resulting from Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia banning the import of Ukrainian grain. Ukraines Ministry of Economy announced that it has filed complaints against these three countries with the World Trade Organization. The Ukrainian government has proposed a compromise scenario to the EU and neighboring countries.

Read also:

Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Kachka warned that Ukraine may impose an embargo on tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and apples from Poland if the countries do not reach an agreement. Morawiecki responded that his country would expand the ban on the import of Ukrainian products if Ukraine escalates the conflict.

After discussions between the Ministers of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine and Poland, the two countries said they had agreed to find a joint solution to the grain dispute.

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Two teenagers face murder charges for appearing to intentionally run over a Las Vegas bicyclist and filming the incident, according to authorities.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said both teens are tied to at least three hit-and-run incidents on the morning of Aug. 14 including one that killed 64-year-old Andreas Rene Probst. Probst worked in law enforcement for more than 35 years.

Officers arrested the 17-year-old driver that day. He initially faced only traffic charges related to the fatal hit-and-run.

The second teen was arrested Tuesday following a police search for the passenger in the now viral video. Police said they weren't aware of the video until weeks after when a school resource officer showed investigators, prompting the search for the second teen leading to the murder charge for the driver.

See also: 'Missing' kayaker faked Louisiana drowning death to avoid child-sex charges, police say

Las Vegas police Lt. Jason Johansson speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Las Vegas.

Probst, a former police chief in Bell, California, was hit from behind while riding near the curb on a road which showed no traffic, a video shot from the front passenger seat shows. Footage appears to show the drivers deciding to hit Probst and the person recording capturing Probst on the ground after he was hit as the teens drive away.

Deputy Police Chief Nick Farese described the recording as appalling and a "cowardly act."

The names of the teens have not been identified due to them being minors but Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson promised to charge both as adults.

"Justice will be served in this case," Wolfson said at a press conference Tuesday.

At the conference, Taylor Probst described her father, who she calls Andy, as a man of honor and integrity. She said her family is devastated by her father's "senseless murder."

"Andys life was robbed by two individuals who did not believe that lives of others matter," she said. "We now ask that district Wolfson's office take these crimes to the furthest extent of the law as Andy's death should not be in vain."

Crystal Probst, left, and her daughter, Taylor Probst, family members of Andreas Rene Probst, a cyclist who was intentionally struck in a series of hit-and-run crashes, wait to speak at a news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Las Vegas.

The teens first struck a 72-year-old bicyclist the morning of their vehicular crimes where they then drove off and crashed into a different vehicle, according to police. Police added the driver wasnt injured in the crash and didnt detail any injures the bicyclist may have suffered.

Farese said the teens then drove into Probst as the 64-year-old rode in a designated bike lane before taking off laughing and "leaving him for dead on the side of a road."

More: Woman, who jumped into outhouse toilet to retrieve lost Apple Watch, is rescued by police

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second teen arrested in Vegas hit-and-run of bicyclist after video
Its a quiet block in Lawrenceville where homes fill every corner, a safe place, or so Maggie Walker thought.

Its a very unsettling feeling to know somebody was in your house especially talking to neighbors that something like this doesnt happen on this street or in this neighborhood, Walker said.

Her home on Fisk Street was just one of four hit by a burglar earlier this month.

Me and my boyfriend were actually at home sleeping we came downstairs in the morning and realized our back door was open actually ajar and we realized someone had been in our house and our back screen window was broken, Walker said.

Its the same story for the other three places on Arsenal Place up the road. All the homeowners inside sleeping around 4 a.m. when a man made his way in. Another victim telling Channel 11, the suspect climbed through the first-floor window stealing car keys, credit cards, cash and even two guns from the neighborhood.

Burglary detectives are asking for the public's assistance to identify the male in these photos.



He is a suspect in a series of residential burglaries that occurred on Arsenal Place in Lawrenceville in the early morning hours of September 8, 2023.



Info? Call (412) 323-7155. pic.twitter.com/De8xfgpzqc  Pittsburgh Police (@PghPolice) September 21, 2023

Thankfully for us nothing was taken we had heard they were looking for car keys but ours luckily werent in sight, Walker said.

Police confirmed the suspect even used those car keys, moving some cars up and down the block even switching license plates between the neighbors cars.

But now police are releasing photos of a suspect asking you to take a good look and see if you recognize him.

The victims are hopeful that police are making progress in the case, at home they are taking extra steps to be safe.

We have cameras now we are changing our locks all of those things, Walker said.

If you recognize the suspect in the photos, you are asked to call the citys burglary squad at 412-323-7155.

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EVANSVILLE  Just a few weeks after an Indiana Department of Child Services worker determined a home had a rodent infestation, an infant living there sustained more than 50 rodent bites, some of which exposed bones in the child's hand.

The 6-month-olds parents and one other family member are now being held at the Vanderburgh County jail on multiple neglect charges. Affidavits of probable cause filed by the Evansville Police Department identified the parents as David and Angel Schonabaum.

A family member, 25-year-old Delaina Thurman, is also in jail and charged with neglect.

According to arrest affidavits, EPD officers were dispatched to a home in the 1600 block of Linwood Avenue on Sept. 13 for a medic run. David Schonabaum, 31, reportedly called the officers to the home and told them his 6-month-old son appeared to have suffered serious bite wounds.

"All four of (the victim's) fingers and thumb on his right hand were missing the flesh from the top of them, exposing fingertip bones," Detective Jonathan Helm wrote. "The damage to (the victim's) index and pinky fingers were the most severe, as they were missing the flesh halfway down each finger."

The child also reportedly suffered more than 50 bite wounds to his head and face.

Paramedics stabilized the infant and transported him to an Evansville hospital. According to medical records reviewed by detectives, the child's temperature was just 93.5 degrees upon his arrival, and he had a blood-oxygen level of just 69%.

He was stabilized and later moved to an Indianapolis hospital, the police said. The 6-month-old also required a blood transfusion.

According to the EPD, David Schonabaum claimed the Linwood Avenue home was owned by a family member. David and Angel Schonabaum, 28, reportedly lived at the home with their three children, including the infant, and Thurman lived there with her two children.

The house had an ongoing rodent infestation, as evidenced by repeated pest control treatments that investigators detailed in the arrest affidavits. As recently as August, a Terminix technician noted in a report that trash was stacked in the backyard, which would continue to attract rodents.

During a police interview, Thurman reportedly told investigators that two children living in the home told a school teacher on Sept. 1 that their feet were being bitten by mice while they slept in the home. On September 5, DCS caseworker Christina White traveled to the home, police wrote, and spoke with Thurman.

Thurman reportedly told White the home had a normal amount of mice," and she denied that wounds to a child's feet were inflicted by mice or rodents. Detectives said White provided Thurman with a "safety plan" and promised to conduct a follow-up visit on Sept. 14.

When police officers entered the home on Sept. 13, they reported observing blood-stained rodent footprints, rodent feces and trash strewn about.

Prior to the DCS visits regarding the rodent infestation, the agency substantiated a claim of neglect against David and Angel Schonabaum, detectives later determined. The report, which the DCS substantiated in December, stated that two children had been injured due to a lack of supervision.

In June, DCS received another allegation, this time accusing David Schonabaum of physical abuse. The agency substantiated the claim, detectives wrote, but children were not removed from the home. DCS reportedly stated the Schonabaum and their children were already receiving family preservation services that would continue.

Beginning in April, Maglinger Home Based Services began conducting twice-weekly visits to the Schonabaums Linwood Avenue residence. An EPD detective wrote that a caseworkers notes indicated the house was littered with trash, animal feces and dirty dishes. But, the caseworker concluded the home was slowly improving.

A Maglinger Home Based Services caseworker reportedly visited the home on Sept. 9, four days before David Schonabaum called the police to report the infant's injuries.

The Courier & Press submitted a list of questions to the Vanderburgh County DCS office. Maglinger Home Based Services' website was not active as of Thursday afternoon, and a phone call to its office went unreturned.

On Sept. 13, after police responded to the Linwood Avenue home and observed the infant's injuries, the Schonabaums' DCS case manager ordered both the Schonabaums' and Thurman's children removed from their care.

A judge issued a warrant for David Schonabaum, Angel Schonabaum and Thurman on Monday, court records show.

All three were booked into the Vanderburgh County jail Tuesday morning.

David Schonabaum is charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent, according to court records. Angel Schonabaum is charged with five counts of neglect of a dependent and one count of reckless supervision of a child. Both are being held at the jail on a $10,000 bond.

Thurman, who police identified as Angel Schonbaums sister, is charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent and is being held on a $2,500 bond.

Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Police: Infant sustained more than 50 rodent bites in squalid home
Phoenix police have identified a man who died after being shot Tuesday evening near Palm Lane and 37th Street as 39-year-old Bryson McKenzie.

At about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a report of a shooting near the 2000 block of North 37th Street, police said.

Officers found McKenzie suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound, police said. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, police said.

Homicide detectives responded and took over the investigation, police said.

Patrol officers at the scene detained a man who was later questioned by homicide detectives, police said.

No arrest had been made in connection with the shooting as of Wednesday afternoon, police said, and the investigation remained open.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police identify man killed Tuesday near Palm Lane, 37th Street
Chris Kaba's death in 2022 led to an outpouring of anger over police conduct - Left Unity/PA

An armed police officer who shot dead the rapper Chris Kaba in south London last year has appeared in court charged with his murder, but has not been named.

The officer appeared on Thursday morning at Westminster Magistrates Court and then several hours later at the Old Bailey, where he was identified only as NX121.

Mr Kaba, 23, an unarmed black man, was shot dead on Sept 5 last year as he drove an Audi Q8 through the Streatham Hill area.

The firearms officer who fired the fatal shot was charged with murder following a lengthy investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Application for anonymity

At Westminster Magistrates Court, where defendants are usually required to give their full name and personal details, lawyers for the officer made an unusual application for anonymity.

District Judge Nina Tempia granted the interim order banning the publication of his name, age, address, date of birth and any description of him that could lead to his identification.

The order is due to be reviewed at a hearing next Friday at the Central Criminal Court before Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London.

Members of Mr Kabas family were present in the public gallery for the officers first appearance and there were emotional scenes as the defendant entered the dock.

One woman left the court in tears as the hearing got underway.

The officer was granted conditional bail when he appeared at the Old Bailey and is next due to appear before the court on 1 Dec.

A provisional trial date was set for September 2024.

The officer is currently suspended from duty.

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NEW PHILADELPHIA  Two men accused of participating in a scheme involving the purchase of ammunition pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court.

Jeffrey A. Stearns, 48, of Port Washington, a former Bolivar police officer and currently a Sugarcreek officer; and William G. Timberlake, 51, of Bolivar, owner of G&R Tactical in Strasburg, are both free on their own recognizance. They appeared before Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos.

Village of Sugarcreek Sgt. Jeffrey A. Stearns, right, appears with his attorney, Matthew P. Mullen, for arraignment on charges related to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, among others before Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas.

Stearns is being represented by attorney Matthew P. Mullen of New Philadelphia. Timberlake is being represented by attorney Peter T. Cahoon of Canton. Thomas Anger, an attorney with the Ohio Auditor of State, is special prosecutor in the case.

The Auditor of States Special Investigation Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in February 2022 after receiving information about an officer using Bolivars tax-exempt status and law enforcement discounts to purchase ammunition.

William G. Timberlake, right, appears with his attorney, Peter T. Cahoon for arraignment on charges related to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, among others, before Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas.

SIU determined that, during the coronavirus pandemic, when the private sale of ammunition was scarce, Stearns falsified documents to complete the ammunition purchase, allegedly for use by the Bolivar Police Department. The rounds, however, were picked up by Timberlake, and the Bolivar department had no knowledge of the transactions and received no ammunition for use by its officers.

More on indictments: Indictment alleges police officer, store owner were part of ammunition purchasing scheme

Village of Sugarcreek Sgt. Jeffrey A. Stearns appears for arraignment on charges related to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, among others, Wednesday, Sept. 20 before Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas.

Stearns has been placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Sugarcreek Police Department.

Both men face multiple charges

Both men have been charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony; one count of theft in office, a third-degree felony; one count of complicity in the commission of an offense, a third-degree felony; one count of money laundering, a third-degree felony; one count of telecommunications fraud, a fifth-degree felony; and two counts of unlawful transaction in weapons, a third-degree felony.

William G. Timberlake appears in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas after being charged with several felonies.

Stearns also has been charged with one count of tampering with records, a third-degree felony; and one count of representation by a public official or employee, a first-degree misdemeanor. Timberlake is also facing a charge of fabrication in a theft offense, a fourth-degree felony.

Both cases have been assigned to Common Pleas Judge Michael Ernest.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Police officer and store owner plead not guilty in ammunition case
BOSTON  A Pawtucket man was sentenced to seven years in prison Wednesday for his role in a "nationwide conspiracy" that trafficked drugs hidden in toy trucks, Disney items and Halloween decorations, according to the U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts.

Nathan Boddie, 38, pleaded guilty on May 19 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a news release.

Boddie, others, shipped narcotics across the country hidden in toys

Boddie conspired with others, including a Woonsocket woman, to traffic methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and cocaine in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and elsewhere, Levy said.

The conspirators routinely used the mail to ship drugs from Arizona to Massachusetts, often hiding the drugs in packages containing childrens items, including toy trucks, a Disney pillow and a Halloween fog machine, according to Levy and court documents.

In total, more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 700 grams of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl were seized in the course of the investigation, Levy said.

More: RI duo indicted in nationwide scheme to traffic drugs in children's toys

Between May and October 2022, investigators seized seven packages containing a total of over 900 grams of methamphetamine, thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, as well as suspected Dimethyltryptamine a strong psychedelic, Levy said. One package destined for Boddie contained more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney said.

Pawtucket police arrested Boddie on Feb. 6 after a traffic stop. Inside his vehicle, the police found a 9mm ghost gun loaded with five rounds of ammunition, an empty 9mm magazine and a 10-round capacity magazine loaded with one round of ammunition, Levy said.

Boddie tried to swallow a plastic bag containing 20 grams of methamphetamine while police were searching him, Levy said.

During a search of Boddies home, the police recovered two ghost guns, a 3D printer used to print ghost gun components, about 120 grams of methamphetamine and 10 different drivers licenses, each bearing Boddies photo with names and addresses of other individuals, Levy said.

Boddie was indicted with two alleged co-conspirators, one of them Denise Guyette, a Woonsocket woman who allegedly led the operation. She has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. An Arizona man has pleaded guilty.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI man sentenced for trafficking meth, fentanyl in children's toys
Round Rock police said a woman who has been missing since Aug. 26 has been located.

Round Rock police said late Wednesday that a woman who had been missing for more than three weeks has been located and is cooperating with authorities.

Yara Perez, 29, was last seen at 11:50 p.m. Aug. 26 while leaving the Divas Men's Club at 4134 Felter Lane in Southeast Austin with two unknown males in a black Ford Expedition, police said. They said she had not returned home since.

On Sept. 12, Perez's babysitter reported her missing, officials said. Although Perez was known to be gone for a few days at a time, they said, Perez's babysitter was concerned about her welfare after not hearing from Perez since the night of her disappearance.

More: Round Rock police seeking help finding woman missing since Aug. 26

Earlier on Wednesday, police said they found the black Ford Expedition from the night Perez went missing. Detectives spoke to the driver of the vehicle, who said he took Perez and a male subject to Sixth Street in Austin and dropped them off. The driver said that was the last time he saw them.

Round Rock police later confirmed Perez's whereabouts after a family member reported Perez had contacted them. Detectives verified her identity and confirmed her location.

Round Rock police thanked the public and media for their concern of Perezs whereabouts and efforts to locate her.

The Round Rock Police Department was supported by the Texas Department of Public Safety's Texas Rangers during this investigation.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Police say missing Round Rock woman has been located
Police from the unit set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal are working with Scotland Yard detectives investigating allegations against Russell Brand.

Officers from Operation Hydrant, a specialist unit set up in 2014, are supporting the Metropolitan Police with its investigation and have urged anyone with allegations to speak to detectives.

Brand is facing allegations of rape, sexual abuse, coercive control and assault by women in the UK and United States between 2006 and 2013 when he was at the height of his fame.

He has vehemently denied all the allegations, which were made as part of an investigation by Channel 4s Dispatches, the Times and The Sunday Times last weekend.

Since the claims were published, another woman has gone to police to allege that she was sexually assaulted in Soho in 2003.

A spokesman for Operation Hydrant confirmed to The Times that it was supporting officers and said: We are working with the Metropolitan Police in support of their response to recent allegations and would urge any victim or survivor who feels ready to report any allegations of sexual assault to come forward and speak to officers.

Operation Hydrant was set up in 2014 by the National Police Chiefs Council amid concerns about child abuse and sexual offences involving persons of public prominence.

Supporting officers with inquiries

It was created to deliver the national policing response, oversight, and coordination of non-recent child sexual abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence, or in relation to those offences which took place within institutional settings.

Individual investigations are not carried out by Operation Hydrant but it supports officers with their inquiries.

The unit has identified more than 9,000 suspected sex offenders and more than 1,100 people are the subject of live investigations.

According to the latest figures, it has classified 250 suspects, including 58 people from the world of television, film or radio, as public figures.

The spokesman added: The Hydrant programme does not provide comment on the status ... of individual investigations, this is a matter for forces.

Amid the fallout from the allegations against the comedian, Tim Davie , the director-general of the BBC, has questioned whether the corporation could have done more to prevent misogyny and abuse of power during the period Brand was a presenter.

Brand presented shows on BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008, when he made the infamous Sachsgate recording, leaving lewd messages for Andrew Sachs, the Fawlty Towers actor.

Russell Brand CV

At the time of that scandal, Mr Davie, who became director-general in 2020, was the corporations newly installed head of audio and music.

Asked at the Royal Television Society conference about the culture within the BBC, Mr Davie said: There have been deep problems with misogyny and abuse of power. We have to be utterly vigilant and be unaccepting of it.

Mr Davie said that he was only in post for a few weeks before the Sachs incident.

Asked if he regretted that more was not done, he replied: I always look back with hindsight when things come out. Could you have done more? We are all asking those questions.

In a YouTube video last Friday, Brand described the claims as a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks.

He said: These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies, and as Ive written about extensively in my books I was very, very promiscuous.

During that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual.

Russell Brand statement in full

On Wednesday, Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairman of the House of Commons media committee, wrote to Rumble, TikTok and other social media sites asking if they would follow YouTube  where Brand has 6.6 million followers  in suspending his ability to earn on their sites.

Twitter and Facebook have not yet responded. In a letter in response to the committee, TikTok said that monetisation on its platform is different to the mechanism that is used on YouTube, as advertising does not run alongside specific content.

Users only receive a share of revenue if they are accepted for TikToks creator fund, which Brand has never been a part of.

Netflx has repeatedly ignored questions about an original stand-up film made for its platform, Rusell Brand, Re:Birth, which remains live.

Brand was a Guardian columnist for several years and the publication has kept his articles online. The newspaper declined to comment.

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CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Whats described as an unwritten policy campaigners say would allow school officials to out trans and non-binary students to their parents will be the center of discussion at Clovis Unified School Districts (CUSD) meeting Wednesday evening.

Clovis Unified officials say they are abiding by California law AB1266 which requires schools to grant access to facilities and programs based on their gender identity. They emphasize the law speaks to access and not what information is shared with parents.

The California Department of Education has given some suggestions to school districts, but those suggestions are not the law, wrote the school district in a statement to YourCentralValley.com.

School officials also say they are abiding by federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which gives parents and guardians rights to information about their minor childs educational records.

There is also a vast body of research that says an involved and informed parent is a positive indicator in the overall success of students and reduces many risk factors for youth, continued the district.

District officials says they are aware of lawsuits in California regarding one-size-fits-all policies being challenged.

Meanwhile, members of the LGBTQIA+ community will plan on providing their input regarding the policy at the districts meeting Wednesday evening at 1680 David E. Cook Way in Clovis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Nov 8, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose speasks during an election night party for Republican candidates for statewide offices at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Frank LaRose has made one thing abundantly clear over the past six months: Hes not working for the majority of Ohioans.

First, it was Issue 1 in August. LaRose put himself squarely behind this amendment and became the chief campaigner for an effort designed to benefit special interests and silence Ohioans by essentially killing any possibility of citizen-led ballot initiatives passing in Ohio.

He made a series of missteps in his role as Secretary of State, from sending county boards of election the wrong ballot language to sending an official email to poll workers with the wrong election date. While LaRose was busy launching a campaign for U.S. Senate, he was failing to do his taxpayer-funded day job.

LaRose made himself the face of Issue 1 in August. He campaigned for it, he represented the "yes" vote on the debate stage, he did interview after interview trying to trick Ohioans into handing their power and ability to hold politicians like him accountable.

He lost. Resoundingly.

Veronica Strevel

Youd think LaRose would have taken the hint the first time around, but he clearly doesnt care and isnt listening.

After his first attempt to silence Ohioans failed, LaRose wasted no time getting ahead of another ballot amendment  conveniently and confusingly also titled Issue 1  which will be on the ballot in November to give Ohioans the opportunity to protect their reproductive rights.

This year, over 700,000 Ohioans signed onto clear, concise ballot language to protect womens right to make their own health care decisions in November. If youre reading this, you  like me  were probably approached by multiple volunteers collecting signatures to protect this important right in Ohios constitution.

But then  in a slap in the face to all Ohioans, let alone the hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who signed on to that language  LaRose abused his elected office by recently rewriting the language voters will see when they enter the voting booth this November.

LaRoses language is longer, more confusing, and includes medically inaccurate language. Make no mistake: Its a brazen attempt by LaRose to silence Ohioans again by making it harder for this amendment to pass, even when public polling shows a majority of Ohioans support the heart of the amendment.

And worst of all, LaRose has already promised to overrule Ohioans if we protect reproductive rights this fall and he is elected to the Senate by voting for a national abortion ban.

LaRoses actions have made it abundantly clear hes not working for us. Hes trying to get ahead and help himself and his political career  and he doesnt care who stands in his way. LaRose will be remembered by his actions this August and November and who he fought for. One thing is clear: Its not Ohioans.

LaRose wont be able to outrun his disregard for the voters he should be working for. He would be wise to remember that we deserve to be respected and heard.

Veronica Strevel is a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a former licensed social worker and former licensed foster parent who lives in Mason with her husband and five children.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Political stunts prove LaRose not working for most Ohioans | Opinion
Members of Congress returned to Washington last week following an August recess and are currently facing a contentious situation as Republicans oppose aspects of this year's National Defense Authorization Act, potentially leading to a government shutdown.

During a briefing last week, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar , D-El Paso, decried what she called a battle between "extremists and those who are even more extreme" within the House Republicans, which is resulting in conflict over the bill.

The NDAA funds the Department of Defense and is Congress' largest appropriations package.

Escobar said House Republicans, led by Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy, have decided to reject bipartisanship on the bill and instead move ahead unilaterally. So far, however, they have not gathered the needed votes to get the legislation across the finish line.

More: More federal money likely bound for Fort Bliss in 2024 National Defense Authorization Act

"In order the fund the government, we pass funding bills every year, appropriations bills, (and) those bills have to be passed by Sept. 30 because the federal government's fiscal year begins every year on Oct. 1," Escobar said. "We run out of money on Sept. 30."

But while the Senate is working quickly in a bipartisan fashion to approve its appropriations package, Escobar said that work has been derailed in the House.

"In the House of Representatives, essentially the Republican conference has said, 'We don't want any of your priorities, House Democrats; we don't want any of your amendments, House Democrats; we've got this, we're going to do it all on our own,'" Escobar said. "So that's how they've been proceeding without us, essentially locking us out of the process."

Despite having the majority in the House, Escobar said Republicans have been hamstringed by in-fighting.

"Unfortunately, it's looking more and more likely that we will have a government shutdown," she said.

What does a government shutdown mean for El Paso and rest of US?

Government shutdowns are nothing new  there have been five government shutdowns since 1995 and only once, in 2013 when Democrats controlled the Senate, were Republicans not in control of both chambers.

The most recent government shutdown came in 2019 as Escobar was sworn into office.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, presents the framework for her Climate Crisis Advisory Committee during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Downtown El Paso.

"I was sworn into Congress in ... Jan. 2019 to a shut-down government," Escobar recalled. "The prior Congress, Republicans controlled the House, Republicans controlled the Senate, Republicans controlled the White House, and even they could not get the votes together to pass funding bills."

"(We) were sworn in and almost immediately sent back home," she added, "because there was no consensus to re-fund the government."

Escobar returned to El Paso and held discussions with federal employees impacted by the shutdown, all of whom told tales of woe  she fears the same could occur federal employees this time.

"Most of the federal employees in El Paso are considered essential employees, like the air traffic controllers, DEA, Border Patrol, TSA," Escobar said. "And because they're considered essential employees, that means they have to go to work even though they're not getting paid."

More: US Rep. Veronica Escobar leads push to keep guns from those convicted of hate crimes

She said many El Paso families felt "serious economic pain" the last time around, with not only federal employees being impacted but contractors not being paid as well.

"It is absolutely economically disastrous to not fund the government," Escobar said. "We are very, very concerned about it."

Despite those worries, Escobar said McCarthy, R-Fresno, has insisted that Monday's session will not end until the government is funded.

"I hope that's true," Escobar said, "because that is a primary function for Congress."

Veronica Escobar: Republicans playing 'partisan games' as end of fiscal year looms

Earlier this week, House Republicans offered a continuing resolution to stave off the impending government shutdown, which appears to be a non-starter for Democrats and flies in the face of a deal made earlier between McCarthy and President Joe Biden.

"With less than two weeks before the end of the fiscal year, extreme House Republicans are playing partisan games with peoples' lives and marching our country toward a government shutdown instead of working in a bipartisan manner to keep the government open and address emergency needs for the American people," Escobar wrote in a Tuesday statement. "The continuing resolution they introduced this week makes indiscriminate cuts to programs that millions of hardworking Americans count on ... House Republicans have made clear that these cuts are designed to force longer-term cuts, in-line with their extreme and damaging appropriations bills."

More: Here's how $19.2M in federal funding will be used for 15 projects in El Paso

The Republican plan calls for an 8% cut in spending, which Escobar said could have the following damning across-the-board impacts if approved for the entire year:

800 fewer Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and officers.

50,000 pounds of cocaine, more than 300 pounds of fentanyl, more than 700 pounds of heroin, and more than 6,000 pounds of methamphetamine let into our country due to cuts to CBP.

110,000 children would lose access to Head Start slots and 65,000 would lose access to childcare.

60,000 seniors would lose access to nutrition services like Meals on Wheels and 2.1 million women, infants, and children would be waitlisted for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Up to 40,000 fewer teachers, aides, or other key staff across the country, affecting 26 million students in schools that teach low-income students and 7.5 million students with disabilities.

Nearly 70 fewer Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, who are often some of the first federal law enforcement on the scene of a mass shooting to help local law enforcement identify at-large shooters, and 13 furlough days for ATF's entire workforce.

4,000 fewer rail safety inspection days next year alone, with nearly 11,000 fewer miles of track inspected annually.

145 fewer members of local law enforcement due to cuts at the Department of Justice.

Nearly 300,000 households  including 20,000 veterans and 90,000 seniors  would lose housing choice vouchers, putting them at greater risk of homelessness.

A roughly $500 reduction to the maximum Pell Grant for 6.6 million students.

4,000 fewer FBI personnel, including agents who investigate crimes.

250,000 American workers would be denied job training and employment services, resulting in 35,000 fewer workers gaining the opportunity of a Registered Apprenticeship.

50,000 workers would lose an average of $1,000 in back wages they are owed and people applying for disability benefits would have to wait 2 months longer.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: How could El Paso be impacted by a possible government shutdown?
Update: Inmate who escaped Mercy South Hospital back in custody

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A manhunt continues for a convicted child sex offender who escaped from Mercy South Hospital early Thursday morning.

Authorities told FOX 2 that local, state, and federal law officers are all involved with the search for 45-year-old Tommy Wayne Boyd. That search is ongoing both in the air and on the ground. However, at this point, investigators acknowledge that there have been no sightings of Boyd since he escaped from the hospital, located just off Tesson Ferry near Interstate 270.

Were told Boyd walked out of the main entrance at Mercy South Hospital shortly before 4 a.m. A hospital surveillance camera captured an image of Boyd as he was walking out. That image has been turned over to law enforcement.

A hospital spokesperson, Joe Poelker, said that Boyd was in the custody of two state corrections officers when he escaped. Poelker also shared that there was no physical confrontation and no one was hurt.

We asked authorities how the escape could have happened if Boyd was in the custody of corrections officers. County Police referred us to the Department of Corrections, as were still trying to get answers.

Investigators said that Boyd is currently serving a 30-year sentence for statutory sodomy at the Potosi Correctional Facility and was taken to Mercy South on Wednesday for some sort of medical treatment.

Boyd is 57 and 154 pounds, with balding hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, a black jacket, and orange slippers.

Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter captured video of law officers searching a new home under construction on Kerth Road, not too far from Mercy South Hospital. Law officers had a canine with them, trying to find any signs of Boyd.

Earlier on Thursday, law officers also searched the parking lot area outside the hospital. We captured a Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper basically going car to car, looking in all the vehicles for Boyd.

As of Thursday afternoon, police have responded to reports of sightings in south St. Louis County and St. Louis City, but have yet to locate the suspect. The search efforts included a large police presence near Tower Grove Park for at least an hour.

Police recently released a new photo of Boyd with an unidentified female, and investigators say it was possibly taken Thursday morning.

St. Louis County Police Department Lieutenant Colonel Jason Law spoke with FOX 2 about Boyd in a news conference:

The suspect is a dangerous person, but weve brought in the resources needed that if anybody sees this suspect, call 911 to let us know the location but do not approach the suspect, Law explained. But I want you to know that we have brought in all the resources needed to respond immediately and effectively.

Investigators are urging area residents to remain vigilant and make sure their homes and garages are secured as the search continues. Parents are encouraged to pick up their children from schools or activities Thursday night.

Search efforts will continue into the evening hours on Thrusday.

FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Ohio Republicans have dismissed Democrats proposals for new voting maps in favor of their own version that divides Akron among three House districts.

The new maps would be used for 2024 Statehouse races after Republicans in control of the Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to achieve constitutionality with their maps, due to gerrymandering identified in multiple Ohio Supreme Court rulings, or win any Democratic support following the 2020 decennial census.

Democrats introduced their dead-on-arrival plans Tuesday. They say their maps more closely align with the will of voters who approved a constitutional amendment calling for proportionality. Republicans are challenging that partisan test and arguing for the use of election results more favorable for their party. Gov. Mike DeWine, who is missing redistricting commission meetings after contracting COVID-19, handily beat Democrat Nan Whaley last year.

Analyses of new GOP-designed maps introduced Wednesday give Republicans an edge in 70% of the 33 state Senate races and 63% of the House races. The Democrat maps give Republicans lesser advantages of 58% in the Senate and 57% in the House.

Democrats' plans for new House maps would split Akron in half due to its size. Republicans would divide the city into three districts while creating what appear to be more competitive races where the GOP has squeaked out narrow victories in recent election cycles.

Impact on Summit County

The Democratic plans would give their candidates a better shot at controlling the two Senate seats that cover Summit County. The GOP map would continue to concede one seat that includes Akron to the Democrats while giving Republicans a tough but manageable race to hold territory in the countys western and northern reaches.

Democrat plan for Senate seats: This screenshot from Dave's Redistricting, an electoral mapping program that promotes civic engagement, shows the proposed boundaries of Ohio Senate districts for Summit and Portage counties under the Democrats' proposal.

GOP plan for Senate seats: This screenshot from Dave's Redistricting, an electoral mapping program that promotes civic engagement, shows the proposed boundaries of Ohio Senate districts for Summit and Portage counties under the Republicans' proposal.

The GOP's proposed maps for the House would create toss-ups in the 31st and 32nd districts, which they currently hold in Summit County, while maintaining the Democrats strong advantage in the 33rd, which covers much of Akron. Democrats would get less of an advantage to hold the territory they won back a few elections ago from Republicans in the 34th, which includes Hudson and Stow.

The Democrats plan for the House, while also producing a tight match-up in the 34th, would make for more predictable races elsewhere with Democrats holding the 32nd and 33rd, which would split Akron, and Republicans holding the 31st stretching south to the Stark County line.

GOP plan for House seats: This screenshot from Dave's Redistricting, an electoral mapping program that promotes civic engagement, shows the proposed boundaries of Ohio House districts for Summit and Portage counties under the Republicans' proposal.

Democrat plan for House seats: This screenshot from Dave's Redistricting, an electoral mapping program that promotes civic engagement, shows the proposed boundaries of Ohio House districts for Summit and Portage counties under the Democrats' proposal.

What the Republicans' plan does for next years races

GOP maps, if unchanged, have the best shot of becoming reality for at least the next election cycle. (The GOP-dominated redistricting commission would need votes from its two Democrats for the maps to remain through 2030.)

The GOP plan for a new House map also dices up Akron, but into three instead of two major pieces. Rep. Tavia Galonski, D-Akron, would be put in a reliably more liberal 33rd House district that would continue to cover Barberton and Akrons western neighborhoods  plus the University of Akron, downtown and East Akron, where she lives.

A new 34th district, currently held by Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, would continue to lean left while trading Cuyahoga Falls for Akrons Merriman Valley and North Hill neighborhoods. Weinstein is term-limited from running for the Ohio House again next year. He flipped his current district for Democrats and has fended off some of the stiffest challenges in the state from Republicans bent on recapturing the territory that includes Hudson and Stow.

The rest of Akron  Goodyear Heights and Ellet  would slide into a new 32nd House district, which soon will be without a representative after Bob Young, R-Green, resigned effective Oct. 2 amid multiple charges of domestic violence followed by allegedly violating a restraining order.

Rep. Bill Roemer's current 31st House district is a reliably Republican district covering the county's western communities. The new 31st House district would lose Twinsburg and Northfield, having little overall partisan impact. What's more consequential to his re-election, though, is the addition of conservative voters in New Franklin and even more liberal voters in Cuyahoga Falls  a shift that would make his district more of a toss-up.

In the Senate, the GOPs plans for State Sen. Kristina Roegner's district would trade the populous Summit County communities of Hudson, Stow and Green for all of Portage County and the southern edge of Geauga County. That new, more sprawling 27th Senate district would slightly favor Republicans while the 28th, after gaining Hudson, Stow and Green in exchange for Portage County, would remain comfortably to the left.

Roegner, re-elected in 2022, can't run for the Senate again in 2026.

Statewide partisan breakdown of proposed maps

In all statewide office races last year, Republicans swept the board 60-40 over Democrats. And U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, a Republican, beat former U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, a Democrat, 53-47. Although results vary by race and candidate, Republicans scored about 57% of votes in statewide races last year.

In the current Ohio Legislature, which advocates for reform have argued is a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering, Republicans hold 79% of Senate seats and 68% of House seats.

But Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, a Republican on the redistricting commission, said this week that "there's also an argument that you don't get to the magical, mystery ratio depending on how you draw the rest of the maps.

Sep 20, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Committee Co-Chair Keith Faber listens to Co-Chair Nickie J. Antonio speak during a meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission at the Rhodes State Office Tower.

The new maps need done quickly with the deadline for candidates to file on Dec. 20, and a lot of preparations for boards of elections before that can happen.

Observers can see each party's proposal for new maps loaded by their respective political parties into interactive mapping software at the following links.

Democrats' House plan: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::69f6caca-121c-45c7-89ac-96b7dfba0467

Democrat's Senate plan: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#stats::10405b2f-6135-4026-8ad8-16e0566f206a

Republicans' House plan: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::4c0be359-5bde-4b98-9f3c-892b0bd27ee6

Republicans Senate plan: https://davesredistricting.org/maps#stats::6d6a0ec4-e309-4831-964e-33a2a909d7e5

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Each party wants to divide Akron in latest redistricting map plans
A Roxbury man is now facing charges in the shooting death of his 12-year-old brother. He initially misled police by telling them the pre-teen was shot outside of their home and hid the gun, prosecutors argued before a judge Thursday.

Walter Hendrick, 22, pleaded not guilty after his arrest on new charges of manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and witness intimidation in connection with the death of his brother, Savion Ellis.

Hendrick was previously arrested and made bail on charges of improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition after the 12-year-old was found fatally shot in an Mattapan apartment back in July.

Boston police identify 12-year-old boy who was shot to death in Mattapan

Hendrick and Ellis share the same mother, and on July 13 shared the same residence, along with two other siblings. Boston Police responded to a 9-1-1 call from Fessenden Street that afternoon from Elliss Mom, indicating the boy had been shot.

When Boston Police officers arrived on scene, they observed Savion on the floor of the kitchen with a gunshot wound to his chest, said Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins. He was rushed to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

DA Higgins said an autopsy found Ellis died from a single gunshot wound to his chest, that went right through the boys heart. Such a wound, she said, is characteristic of a weapon discharging while in direct contact with a body.

Prosecutors argue that although Hendrick made statements that Ellis was shot at a nearby store and denied hearing gunshots, a gun with shell casings matching ballistics found in the familys apartment was found in the unfinished basement rafters. Investigators also found a fanny pack next to the gun filled with cards bearing Hendricks name and a blue plastic glove, processors say.

After police located the gun, Hendrick told investigators the gun was his and that he was in possession of the gun at the time Ellis was shot.

Prosecutors say the evidence indicates that the gun was pressed to Ellis chest when it was fired, piercing his heart. Additionally, evidence indicates Ellis fingerprint was found on the trigger of the gun.

Hendrick turned himself in to police on Wednesday after authorities filed new charges.

Hendricks defense team asked for $2,500 bail, citing his otherwise clean criminal record and his status as a new father.

The Roxbury man was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail. If he makes bail, Hendrick will be ordered to wear a GPS tracker.

The manslaughter charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Hendrick is due back in court on October 24 for a pretrial hearing.

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MSNBC host Jen Psaki said health scares involving Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are unquestionably bad for President Bidens 2024 reelection chances.

Psaki, who was Bidens White House press secretary before leaving the role last year, discussed the presidents age during a panel discussion for journalist Kara Swishers podcast released Thursday.

Does it help or hurt that theres other elderly people struggling in our political universe? Swisher asked, specifically naming Feinstein and McConnell.

It unquestionably hurts, Psaki replied.

Theres a feeling of like, these people are so old, she added. Theyre so old and white and theyre disconnected from what were experiencing and what were living. And all of them are old. And why are all these old people running Washington?

Feinstein was frequently absent from Senate this year as she recovered from shingles and faces other health problems. McConnell froze during press conferences twice in recent months, worrying voters about his health.

Every elderly politician is different, Psaki said, but the narrative did not help her former boss.

Theyre not the same, obviously. Different health  all the things, we can explain it, but when youre explaining it, its kind of a challenge. So I think its unquestionably bad, Psaki said.

Bidens age has been a headline concern for Democrats and angle of attack for Republicans about a year out from the 2024 election. The president is currently the countrys oldest president and would be 86 at the end of a second term.

More than half of Democrats have some concern over Bidens age, according to polls, while nearly three-quarters of all voters said hes too old to run for office again in a separate poll.

Psaki said the age issue is more important to Washington insiders than it is to the average American, referencing a Washington Post column last week that sparked a new wave of beltway debate.

Biden and the Biden and Harris team in the White House have challenges about running for reelection. Unquestionably, were talking about them, she said.

That is not the conversation happening in the country. That is a conversation outlined in that op-ed that is happening at dinner parties in Washington and maybe some other coastal cities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Commissioner Eppie Griego, who initially declined to comment but submitted a statement through a county spokesperson after this article was published.

Pueblo County Commissioner Epimenio Eppie Griego allegedly called another elected official a homophobic slur Saturday evening at a Southern Colorado Labor Council dinner.

Pueblo City Councilor Vicente Martinez Ortega told the Chieftain that Griego called him a j---, an offensive and derogatory Spanish word that can translate to the word f----- in English.

Bri Buentello, a former state Representative and the current chair of the Pueblo County Democratic Party, also witnessed the incident and confirmed Martinez Ortegas account to the Chieftain.

The incident has prompted a statement spearheaded by the Southern Colorado Equality Alliance, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, calling for Griego to apologize and for the other county commissioners to censure him.

Griego initially declined to comment to the Chieftain on Thursday, but a spokesperson with Pueblo County submitted a statement after the article was published online in which Griego denied the account.

Pueblo County Commissioner Eppie Griego listens on during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March, 7, 2023.

What allegedly happened Saturday evening

Being honored Saturday evening for his labor activism was Nick Voss, the chief of staff at Colorado WINS who is also an openly gay man.

Griegos remarks to Martinez Ortega allegedly happened away from the main area at the Carriage House where most people were seated. The remarks were overheard by Buentello.

Martinez Ortega told the Chieftain that he was going outside for a brief break and to thank the catering staff. Buentello said that she had left the main dining room to take her son to the bathroom.

Griego also got up to speak to Buentello outside the restrooms, Buentello said.

As Martinez Ortega was returning to the main event, he recalled passing by Buentello and Griego as their conversation was ending: the timing couldnt have been more precise, he recalled.

Martinez Ortega has long been critical of Pueblo County government building a new jail between Pueblo and Pueblo West. He said he made a comment about that to Griego in passing.

Go build another jail, Martinez Ortega said he remarked to Griego.

Thats when Griego allegedly said back to him as he was walking back into the ballroom: Laters, j--- boy.

I literally stopped on the steps  you know, when you're walking on the step, walking down the stairs, it takes effort to stop. Then I turned around and I looked at Bri (Buentello), because she was just waiting for her son to leave the restroom, Martinez Ortega recalled. He was sitting with a group of prominent LGBTQ+ Puebloans while eating dinner, so he wasnt sure if thats why Griego said that to him.

Buentello also said that she felt shocked after she overheard Griegos comment to Martinez Ortega.

This incident happened in a hallway separate from the main event  Buentello and Martinez Ortega said that they were the only two people around who heard what Griego said.

'I did not utter the word': Griego refutes the allegations

Griego initially declined to comment about the incident to the Chieftain and did not address the allegations during Thursday's BOCC meeting, but he later provided a written statement through a county spokesperson.

"I respect the communities that I serve including the LGBTQ+ community," Griego wrote. "As reported I did not utter the word that is being accused of me. This was a private conversation and not a public comment. It's unfortunate that someone has decided to disclose a private conversation."

Martinez Ortega publicly shared part of his account Thursday morning during public comment in commissioners' chambers.

I would like to give this person a second chance to even say something, but f--- them. Thats not OK, thats not something that we're going to even entertain because what's done is done, Martinez Ortega said.

Deborah Martinez Martinez, a local publisher and educator, also spoke during public comment about the incident: I do not think homophobia belongs on any table, she said.

Neither Griego nor Commissioner Zach Swearingen mentioned the incident during their public comments  though both of them both reminded people about the Chile & Frijoles Festival scheduled this weekend.

Daneya Esgar was the only commissioner to discuss the issue during commissioners comments.

I just want to make sure that those in this room, including up here, know that I take this very seriously as an openly gay woman serving on this commission. I know there's a lot of conversations to be had, Esgar said.

I'm very concerned and I know my community is hurting and they're very concerned, so I think we're going to have to continue discussions, but I just wouldnt be standing up for myself or my community if I didnt mention that I think further discussion is going to be needed and hopefully we can all move forward, she said.

All three of the county commissioners were present at the dinner Saturday night. Both Swearingen and Esgar mentioned the dinner during their open comments at the BOCC's Tuesday morning meeting, but Griego was silent about the event.

Pueblo County Commissioner Daneya Esgar delivers remarks after being sworn in outside the historic county courthouse on June 1, 2023.

Griego left the event after Buentello confronted him

Buentello recalled checking in with Martinez Ortega after overhearing Griegos words to him. She was bringing her son back from the bathroom when she saw Griego hugging Esgar.

Esgar is Pueblos first openly gay commissioner. She held leadership positions in the Colorado House of Representatives before she served the maximum number of terms from 2014 to 2022. Pueblo Democrats selected her in May to fill a vacancy after former Commissioner Garrison Ortiz left for a executive job at Colorado State University Pueblo.

Buentello said that she told Esgar what Griego had just said to Martinez Ortega and her face just went white.

According to Buentello, Griego pulled her aside to chat, but she questioned why he would ever use that word, in any context.

What is wrong with you? Like, why do you think it is OK to use this word in any setting? We're here celebrating a gay man right now tonight and his contributions to the union to the labor movement in southern Colorado. Why do you think it's okay to talk to that way to anybody? Buentello said she asked Griego, adding that its especially not valid to speak that way to a fellow Democratic elected official.

Griego allegedly tried to say that he was just saying a word in Spanish slang, Buentello said. He didn't turn around and deny it when I publicly confronted him," she said.

I'm like, It's Spanish slang for the f-word. Whether you said it in English or Spanish makes no difference. It is another demonstration that you don't value equity, that you don't value diversity, and that you don't respect the LGBT community as people, Buentello recalled saying.

Bri Buentello speaks during a Pueblo County Democrat meeting ahead of a vote to appoint a replacement for Garrison Ortiz on the Board of County Commissioners on Friday, May 12, 2023.

Griego left shortly after Buentello confronted him.

He pretty much kicked himself out because he was in the wrong so much, Martinez Ortega said.

Pueblo state Sen. Nick Hinrichsen told the Chieftain that Buentello told him shortly after the incident that Griego said a homophobic slur. He also recalled that Griego, before he left, seemed to be justifying his use of the word because Martinez Ortega had said something to him first.

Republican, Democrat (or) unaffiliated, I think it was inappropriate language and behavior for anybody, Hinrichsen said.

Hinrichsen and Buentello are married.

Hilary Glasgow, the executive director of Colorado WINS, was emceeing the dinner Saturday night. She heard about what Griego allegedly said from Esgar and Buentello shortly after the incident and made an announcement about not disparaging people.

We have strict rules in the house of labor: that you don't disparage people using slurs, Glasgow told the Chieftain. I don't actually know why we would even have to say that, but if you come to a labor dinner, you're in the house of labor and youve got to play by our rules.

Pueblo deserves better: a response from the Southern Colorado Equality Alliance

A letter from the Southern Colorado Equality Alliance, shared with the Chieftain, was sent to county commissioners Thursday and asked for a formal apology from Griego for his hate speech. The letter also asked the BOCC to consider censuring Griego.

SCEA, the Southern Colorado Labor Council, a local union representing some Pueblo County employees, and the executive board of the Pueblo County Democratic Party all co-signed the letter.

The signatories also asked for commissioners to partake in diversity training so there is a better understanding of why hate speech is unacceptable.

The word that Griego allegedly said has a long and violent history as a Spanish pejorative slur against the LGBTQ+ community, according to the letter.

Since the word is often connected with anti-LGBTQ+ violence and hate crimes, when heard on the street it is usually safer to shoulder it and carry on, but when the word is used by an elected office-holder in our community, there must be consequences, the letter states.

Pueblo deserves better from its elected leaders.

More Pueblo politics news: Jared Polis and cabinet host listening session in Pueblo. Here's what Puebloans had to say

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo councilor claims county commissioner called him homophobic slur
After nearly four years in the design phase, plans for a memorial to honor the lives of those killed in the Las Vegas Strip massacre in October 2017the nations deadliest mass shooting have been approved by the Clark County commission earlier this month.

Meanwhile, plans for a memorial for the nations second-deadliest mass shooting, the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida, are wavering following a series of setbacks.

The onePULSE Foundation, the nonprofit formed to build a memorial, said it will not be building at the nightclub property, where 49 people were killed in 2016, after one of its owners refused to donate the site. And earlier this year, previously approved plans to build an architecturally-acclaimed museum and memorial in remembrance of the victims fell through for being too expensive.

From its inception, onePULSE has operated independently of local governments and largely outside public view, and was run until recently by Barbara Poma, the nightclubs owner who has faced scrutiny and litigation from survivors of the mass shooting. Poma exited the foundation in April.

In Clark County, government officials are in the process of selecting a nonprofit that will oversee the construction and maintenance of the memorial project and MGM Resorts International has donated two acres on the northeast corner of the concert site off Reno Avenue and Giles Street where the killings occurred.

While the One October Memorial Committee worked to design a memorial for the Las Vegas Strip massacre, people affected by the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival were referred to the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center for support.

The center, which is staffed by state and county officials as well as other community partners, serves as a resource and referral center and helps impacted people with things such as legal aid and insurance issues.

A partnership of local governments and the United Way offered similar services to Pulse survivors at the Orlando United Assistance Center.

But the $8.5 million federal grant used by OUAC to pay for staff and free services ran out in late 2019 and Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed funding for the program in 2020. In addition, the OneOrlando Fund, which distributed more than $30 million to survivors and victims of the shooting, closed in 2017.

In 2021, with the citys ongoing support, OUAC became part of The Center Orlando and still assists people affected by Pulse. On its website, the organization says it can assist with problems relating to mental and physical health, family relationships, financial difficulties and immigration or legal issues, among others.

Funding for other groups that launched after the massacre has dwindled, as the need has grown.

In its capacity, the Las Vegas center has assisted around 10,000 people with accessing help, like disability benefits, that they may be eligible for after experiencing trauma. In other cases, the center has helped those impacted by restructuring financially if they are dealing with a lower income or with housing issues.

Tennille Pereira, director of the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center and chair of the One October committee, spoke with the Orlando Sentinel about how government officials and community members worked together with the families of victims and survivors to design a memorial.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Question: Could you share some insight into the structure of the One October Memorial Committee and how many times it met?

Answer: The memorial committee was made up of seven members, and we had one half that was the professional committee. There was a public arts administrator, a local artist, as well as an architect. Then, on the other side, we had our impacted community representatives. So we had a family member who had lost her sister, an injured survivor and a first responder. It was kind of in the middle of bridging the two perspectives.

We really worked through it for about four years. Regular public meetings were once a month and those were public meetings, online as well as in-person. There were also meetings to put together agendas, and things like that.

Q: Was Clark County the entity that put this committee together? Who was in charge of forming this?

A: It was mostly the Clark County commissioners. So our previous governor [Stephen Sisolak] was a commissioner when the shooting happened and our former sheriff [Joe Lombardo, who currently serves as the governor of Nevada] worked together and were the public face providing the updates and all the press conferences and all of that stuff. They were really close to the incident and they knew that it would be important to do a memorial. Commissioners appointed half of [the committee members] and then former Governor Sisolak appointed the other half.

Q: This was a process that took a lot of time over almost four years, was this all people volunteering their time? Was anyone paid?

A: It was a volunteer committee. We had a facilitator that helped get things started and we had staff provided by the county, and they were paid, but the committee members were not paid.

Q: While you were on the committee, what was the most important thing for you to see accomplished and why?

A: It was really important that the process be healing for the community. I really wanted to make sure it didnt end up being an adversarial process that actually caused harm. I wanted people to know they had a voice in the process and that they felt validated because, usually, thats not how it goes. Usually, its just a few key select people who have a voice in the process.

We knew not everyone was going to have their first pick be the winning memorial but if we could at least give them some validation and a way that they knew that they were heard, then that was okay with me.

Q: How did you do that? What was a way that you gave people who voiced their opinions validation?

A: I think in the designs you really do see the different perspectives and the different voices come through. Everyones impacted based on how they relate to the incident and each one of them wanted something different out of the memorial. Of course, the families are always central and integral to any memorial, but at the same time, we have 22,000 ticket holders [who attended the concert] that night and an entire community that was devastated, so you have these other experiences that should be represented as well.

When we were building a process we asked: How can we make a process where everyone has some input and you can see them in the ending result? Our process really included a ton of community engagement including even creative submissions. People can do any kind of art and submit it. We required all our final teams to go through all of those and we highly encouraged them to be inspired by them and maybe incorporate some of the ideas. When you look at the memorial designs, every single one of them, I would look at them and all of these phrases would come back and all these different memories from going through this process, I can see all of the different groups represented in every single one of them.

Q: Why do you think the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center became so prominent in the aftermath of the tragedy? How would you say the center manages to remain so prominent in the victims lives so many years later?

A: Well, because everyone heals on a different timeline, we started operating off of a national grant that expires at the end of September this year, but we knew that people dont heal on a grant cycle. We did reach out to other communities that had gone through something similar and we were told that theres going to be people who come out for the first time maybe five, seven, sometimes 10 years after and they realize that this unresolved trauma is really impacting them negatively in their life and they need help. So we knew it would be important to make sure that we use the resources and funding that we got from the federal grant to build something that was more permanent that could also help other crime survivors in our community because, as you know, theres no shortage of violence going around right now.

Q: If you dont mind me asking, can you share how the center raises the funding necessary to operate?

A: Our original grant was called the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program. Its administered through the Department of Justice through the Office for Victims of Crime. Its a mass violence grant that isnt something you apply for. When an incident happens they reach out to your community if you qualify for it and they work with you on getting it. That runs out at the end of this month. We have been working with our local county and state government for ways to continue funding the center.

We are a multi-agency collaborative so we have our police and emergency management and our Victims of Crime program, they all staff someone here and then were getting operational funding from our county and then were getting an infusion of capital funding to build a new building so thats how were funding it as well as private donations for the building.

Q: You said in an interview, We put the healing process before the end product. What did you mean by that?

A: Our main goal was to lead a healing process. The whole memorial process to us was about healing and while the memorial itself is an important piece to that, if the memorial process isnt healing then it almost taints the memorial itself.  I cant imagine going through that and not ending up with a beautiful design, but you can have a beautiful design and have a negative impact on your community and that was something that we were not going to be okay with.

Q: Is there anything else you want to express that we havent touched upon?

A: I think its really important for government entities and agencies in our community to understand that memorials really are important. They create a space for the remembrance of so many different people that are impacted by [these kinds of tragedies] and its really important to give them a voice in the process.
Hong Kong (CNN)  Huawei has joined the list of companies that want to be all about artificial intelligence.

For the first time in about 10 years, the Chinese tech and telecoms giant announced its new strategic direction on Wednesday, saying it would shift its focus to AI. Previously, the company had prioritized cloud computing and intellectual property, respectively, over two decade-long periods.

Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis rotating chairwoman and chief financial officer, made the announcement in Shanghai during a company event.

As artificial intelligence gains steam, and its impact on industry continues to grow, Huaweis All Intelligence strategy is designed to help all industries make the most of new strategic opportunities, the company said in a statement.

Meng said in a speech that Huawei was committed to building a solid computing backbone for China  and another option for the world.

Our end goal is to help meet the diverse AI computing needs of different industries, she added, without providing details.

Huaweis decision follows a similar move by fellow Chinese tech giant Alibaba (BABA), announced earlier this month, to prioritize AI.

Other companies, such as Japans SoftBank, have also long declared an intent to focus more on the fast-moving technology, and more businesses have jumped on the bandwagon this year due to excitement about platforms such as GPT-4.

Meng returned to China in September 2021 after spending nearly three years under house arrest in Canada as part of an extradition battle with the United States. She and Huawei had been charged for alleged bank fraud and evasion of economic sanctions against Iran.

The executive, who is also the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was able to leave after reaching an agreement with the US Department of Justice and ultimately having her charges dismissed.

Meng began her role as the rotating chairperson of the company in April and is expected to stay in the position for six months.

Hacking allegations

News of Huaweis strategic update came the same day the company was mentioned in allegations lodged by China against the United States.

In a statement posted Wednesday on Chinese social network WeChat, Chinas Ministry of State Security accused Washington of infiltrating Huawei servers nearly 15 years ago.

With its powerful arsenal of cyberattacks, the United States intelligence services have carried out surveillance, theft of secrets and cyberattacks against many countries around the world, including China, in a variety of ways, the ministry said.

It alleged that the US National Security Agency (NSA), in particular, had repeatedly conducted systematic and platform-based attacks on China in an attempt to steal Chinas important data resources.

Huawei declined to comment on the allegations, while the NSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular US business hours.

The claims are especially notable because US officials have long suspected the company of spying on the networks that its technology operates, using it as grounds to restrict trade with the company. Huawei has vehemently denied the claims, saying it operates independently of the Chinese government.

In 2019, Huawei was added to the US entity list, which restricts exports to select organizations without a US government license. The following year, the US government expanded on those curbs by seeking to cut Huawei off from chip suppliers that use US technology.

In recent weeks, Huawei has added to US-China tensions again after launching a new smartphone that represents an apparent technological breakthrough.

Huawei launched the Mate 60 Pro, its latest flagship device, last month, prompting a US investigation. Analysts who have examined the phone have said it includes a 5G chip, suggesting Huawei may have found a way to overcome American export controls.

 Mengchen Zhang contributed to this report.
The roll out of new COVID-19 vaccines, designed to target the latest, most dominant variant of the virus in the U.S., comes with a wave of fresh questions.

Who should and shouldnt get it? How long will the protection it offers last? Can I get it with other vaccines?

To help answer these and other questions, we reached out via email to University of Kentucky HealthCare and Dr. Ryan Babb, the pharmacist manager of the hospitals Retail and Community Pharmacy Services.

Heres what to know about the new monovalent COVID vaccine now available at many pharmacies and health care providers in Kentucky, like CVS and Walgreens.

Who should and should not get the new COVID booster?

Echoing advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Babb said its recommended everyone aged 6 months and older receive the new vaccine.

If a patient has a question about their specific situation, please call the (UK) Pharmacist Care Team at 859-562-2018, Babb wrote Tuesday in an emailed responses to the Herald-Leader.

With that in mind, the CDC has more specific recommendations for people with weakened or compromised immune systems and people who are pregnant. These groups of people are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and its effects, including hospitalization and death.

How long will the protection the updated vaccine offers last?

We dont have complete data to answer this with confidence, but we are expecting coverage for at least 4-6 months, Babb wrote of the new booster.

Research on the effectiveness of previous boosters during the delta and omicron surges indicates while initial immunity to contracting COVID-19 faded relatively quickly, the protection the boosters offer against severe COVID-19 was more resilient, according to Time Magazine.

We know it takes the immune system 10 to 14 days after vaccination to build up protection against the virus. Thats something to keep in mind if youre planning to gather with extended family members during the coming holidays.

What do we know about current cases and hospitalizations in Central Kentucky?

The roll out of the updated booster comes at a time when resistance is waning and the virus has been surging across the country.

The federal public health emergency for COVID-19 may have officially expired in May, with case counts and deaths reported less frequently, but recent wastewater surveillance show COVID is spreading at high levels.

To that end, President Joe Bidens administration is reviving a program that allows people to request and receive COVID tests by mail. The federal website COVIDTests.gov reopens Monday, an people can once again request four rapid tests be delivered to their home for free.

As for Central Kentucky, Babb says cases are once again on the rise.

COVID cases are increasing in the area. It is important to receive this vaccination as it is ramping up in the community, Babb told the Herald-Leader.

Data reporting in Kentucky has been scaled back to weekly updates, but a case dashboard maintained by the state government shows the latest available figures.

Should people with recent COVID infections get the new vaccine?

As explained by Babb, people who test positive for and then recover from COVID-19 are granted some level of protection, but this resistance to new infections decays over time.

Patients should receive the vaccine if it has been more than 90 days since an infection, the UK HealthCare provider told the Herald-Leader.

The good news, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is unless youre 65 or older or immunocompromised, you only need one annual COVID vaccine dose.

Should I get the new COVID vaccine if I got one just before the new booster was approved?

According to Babb, patients who have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least two months before getting their next booster.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just approved the new booster Sept. 11.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The side effects of the new booster are similar to any vaccine: mild arm soreness and flu-like symptoms can occur, Babb said.

According to the CDC, this is a sign your body is having an immune response to the shot and building protection. The side effects generally go away after a few days.

When the FDA announced its approval of the updated vaccines, the agencys director of its biologic research division, Dr. Peter Marks, said in a statement: The public can be assured that these updated vaccines have met the agencys rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. We very much encourage those who are eligible to consider getting vaccinated.

What do we know about the vaccine price and insurance coverage?

The short answer: it depends on your health care plan.

According to the New York Times, the vaccines will likely remain free for most people with public or private plans, provided you get them from an in-network provider.

Since the roll-out began this week, some individuals have run into issues with coverage and asked to pay out of pocket for the shot. A federal official told reporters Wednesday the DHHS has contacted insurance companies and providers to try and smooth things over.

You should not have to pay out of pocket if youre insured, DHHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said, per a Wednesday CNN report.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department previously told the Herald-Leader it will provide free vaccines to those eligible for the Kentucky Vaccine Program, which includes the uninsured. Medicare is also covering the cost of the updated COVID vaccine.

As for UK HealthCare, Babb said the hospital system expects to be able to offer its patients more information about this soon.

This information will be available soon, the pharmacist manager said.

Can I get other vaccinations at the same time as my COVID shot?

According to Babb, yes. You can receive the annual influenza vaccine and the updated COVID shot during the same visit to a pharmacy or clinic.

The Shingles vaccine is safe to get with the COVID vaccine as well. This vaccine is for patients 50-years-old and older and patients 19 and older with certain immuno-compromising conditions, Babb said.

For patients ages 60 and older, its also safe to get the vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID together.

You can find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at vaccines.gov.

Do you have a question about COVID-19 or health in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
Vivek Ramaswamy has sparked a firestorm of criticism since launching his 2024 presidential campaign for comments that some have called racially charged.

Recently, the 38-year-old entrepreneur faced backlash for comparing Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Black Democrat representing Massachusetts, to modern grand wizards of the Ku Klux Klan. He has said that the U.S. education system is a modern ghetto system, that the government pays women in inner cities to be single, and has argued with former CNN anchor Don Lemon on what it was like to live as a Black person in America.

I think there is a pattern here, but to be honest, I will go one step further and say that this is a cornerstone of his campaign, said Brandon Weathersby, presidential communications director for the American Bridge PAC.

Just because you deliver it with a smile, just because its a little more palatable, doesnt mean that its not going to have a lot of the same negative implications for folks or literally feeling like theres a target on your back when you go outside or when you go into certain communities, because that rhetoric has been normalized.

Ramaswamy, who is Indian American, announced his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination in February, quoting the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in his announcement video. But much of his rhetoric has echoed that of former President Trumps.

Though Trump remains the front-runner for the GOP nomination, Ramaswamy has been rising in the polls with some showing him posing a real threat to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has consistently polled in second place.

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Earlier in August, Ramaswamy promised that if he secured the GOP nomination, he would bring along voters of diverse shades of melanin in droves to win the general election.

But his rhetoric on race only continues to draw criticism, with some experts saying his comments do not speak to Black voters at all.

A spokesperson for Ramaswamys campaign told The Hill that people are welcome to disagree with his statements but that he will always say what he believes.

Vivek says what most people are feeling, he doesnt even really speak in partisan terms, said Tricia McLaughlin, senior adviser and communications director for the campaign. Most of the things hes talking about are not Republican or Democrat, its American issues.

Many have argued that American politics has seen an increase in racialized political rhetoric since the 2016 election, but Ange-Marie Hancock, executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, says the trend goes back decades.

What has changed, Hancock said, is how explicit the comments have become in the political world.

For instance, she said, Ramaswamys comments about single mothers are reminiscent of former President Reagans speech that introduced the term welfare queens to the nation.

The difference between what President Reagan said in the 1980s in that speech was that it was coded, Hancock argued. Welfare queen didnt say Black, didnt say African American, didnt say women of color or something to that effect. So the change that Ramaswamy is doing is hes being explicitly racist as opposed to using coded language.

Hancock added that as a person of color, Ramaswamy had to determine ahead of time how to address race in his campaign  if at all.

Candidates of color have to make a choice pretty early on in their campaigns about whether or not theyre going to run a deracialized campaign, meaning they dont talk about race, they try and present themselves as just American, she said.

The counter to a deracialized campaign is a race-conscious campaign.

In a race-conscious campaign, Hancock explained, candidates embrace their racial and ethnic identity, and the way they talk about the issues that they support is often in a way that talks about their experience as a person of color.

That decision that candidates of color have to make does not apply to most white candidates, Hancock added. However, there is a parallel structure among female candidates. So its not that its unique to race, but that is very much a decision that Ramaswamy has to make.

McLaughlin, the Ramaswamy spokesperson, said that the candidate will not bow to identity politics a lot of folks want to play these days.

Though Ramaswamy says that racism exists  including racism against white people  he has also said that its a dying issue.

Is there existing racism in the United States? Of course, there is. But those [are the] last burning embers of racism  the last thing I want to do is throw kerosene on it, Ramaswamy said on NBCs Meet the Press.

He has pushed for a colorblind equality, colorblind meritocracy and promised to repeal former President Lyndon B. Johnsons executive order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

And, despite the fact that reports have found white supremacy to be on the rise, Ramaswamy has expressed that he doesnt believe in the existence of white supremacists.

Im sure the boogeyman white supremacist exists somewhere in America. Ive just never met him. Never seen one, never met one in my life, right? Ramaswamy said at a town hall in Iowa. Maybe Ill meet a unicorn sooner. And maybe those exist, too.

Such comments could pose political risks for him in the long run. While Ramaswamy has seen his star rise in the GOP primary, controversial remarks like the ones hes made regarding race could prove a harder pill to swallow for the general electorate were he to win the nomination.

Republicans have made a considerable effort in recent years to broaden their appeal with voters of color, including Black and Latino voters. But they have also been hit with controversy over race-related remarks from within their own ranks.

In once instance earlier this year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, sparked a firestorm when he said that white supremacists are not inherently racist  comments that drew pushback from GOP leaders. And Trump, widely viewed as the standard-bearer for his party, has frequently been accused of racism.

Ramaswamys controversial remarks threaten to add to the image that some have of the GOP as a party unwelcoming or even hostile to nonwhite voters.

McLaughlin said that Ramaswamy is not denying racism exists, but rather that too many in politics weaponize racism.

I think Vivek has talked a lot about that there are people in this country who profit off of racism and they want to fan the flames of a dying issue, which should be racism in this country, because they line their pockets from it, she said. I think a lot of people in this country are afraid to say some of those things because one of the greatest charges in modern America is to be called a racist and so many in politics weaponize that.

Still, advocates argue much of his rhetoric is not only racist, veering toward sexist in some cases, but also dangerous.

The Congressional Black Caucus called Ramaswamys comments toward Pressley beyond dangerous, while others have said physical harm could come to those targeted by such rhetoric.

There is a long history of violence against female elected officials in particular, Hancock said. We dont have to go too far back in history to think about what happened to Paul Pelosi because someone was looking for Nancy Pelosi. So the ginning up of this antipathy against elected officials can absolutely lead to violence.

Weathersby, of American Bridge PAC, pointed out that such rhetoric also ignores systemic issues that plague Black and brown communities that face violence.

Whats dangerous here is that you run the risk of making life even harder for folks that are up against the eight ball by not acknowledging some of the systemic issues in our country along the lines of race, Weathersby said.

McLaughlin dismissed the idea that anything Ramaswamy says is dangerous and instead said the stranglehold on free speech in this country is the true danger facing democracy.

Vivek isnt afraid to say what he believes, and thats going to make some people uncomfortable, she said. But this country was founded on radical ideas and thats what Vivek is running to revive. Hes not running to be safe. Hes running with a mission to revive this country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
National, Texas-based chain Whataburger has been on the move recently in South Carolina. Now another location is being planned in the Midlands.

A Whataburger location is slated for the Platt Springs Crossing project at Platt Springs Road and Old Orangeburg Road in the Red Bank area of Lexington County, according to information in the Lexington County Planning Commissions September agenda packet. The Whataburger is listed in the commercial development section of the agenda, and the paperwork also indicates that fees were submitted in July for stormwater management and sediment control for the Whataburger.

The Platt Springs Crossing project encompasses nearly 60 acres in the Red Bank area and was announced earlier this year. It will ultimately include a host of commercial businesses, as well as a residential component, developers have said. The development is across the street from a Publix grocery store, as well as a Chick-fil-A that opened in 2022 and a Wendys that opened in August.

Whataburger has been busy making plans in South Carolina. Six other Whataburger locations have been announced this year in South Carolina, two in the city of Spartanburg, one in Boiling Springs, one in Duncan, one in Anderson and one in Greenville. And in the Midlands, Whataburger has plans for a location at 1185 Dutch Fork Road in Irmo.

The company was founded in 1950 as a roadside burger stand by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dobson died in a private plane crash in 1967, and his wife Grace took over the company. By the time she died in 2005 at age 80, the company had grown to 600 restaurants.

The family sold its majority interest in the company in 2019 to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital, which began the expansion program.

Lynn Riddle contributed to this report.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Canadian rapper Tory Lanez , whose real name is Daystar Shemual Peterson, is being held at a Delano prison after being sentenced last month for shooting Megan Thee Stallion , TMZ reported.

TMZ shared Petersons mugshot after he was transferred to North Kern State Prison on Tuesday, according to the website.

Peterson was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in July 2020. The hip-hop superstars real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete. She testified Lanez fired at the back of her feet and yelled at her to dance, and she needed surgery to remove bullet fragments, according to The Associated Press.

Peterson was convicted of negligent discharge of a gun, assault with a gun and carrying a loaded and unregistered gun.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An endangered bird has delayed the $40 million dollar rehabilitation of a Las Vegas sewage facility, which released hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage in two incidents.

The 8 News Now Investigators first alerted the Clark County Water Reclamation District to potential problems at the Whitney Lift Station in 2021. In 2020, the facility, which sits at a low point in the southeast Las Vegas valley near Sam Boyd Stadium, failed. The 2020 failure caused an estimated half-million gallons of wastewater  some of which ended up in a creek that feeds Lake Mead  to spill.

A half-million gallons is almost enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The reclamation district handles 100 million gallons a day.

An endangered Yuma Ridgways rail in the hand of a field assistant. (USFWS)

In June 2023, a piece of equipment at the station failed, causing nearly 900,000 gallons of untreated sewage to overflow, documents said. Crews did not know about overflow for about two days, documents said. The manhole was outside of the facilitys fence line and outside the view of CCWRD staff, documents said. A partially closed value between the lift station and a rock catcher caused the spill.

Crews recovered a good amount of the raw sewage, staff said. Testing in the creek did not show elevated bacteria concentrations from the June release. Due to dilution, the amount of raw sewage that entered the creek and the Las Vegas Wash to Lake Mead would have been minimal.

The district board of trustees, which is the same body as the Clark County Commission, approved a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation project for the lift station. In 2021, the board described the station as the largest and most critical lift station in our service area in terms of capacity, location, engineering hydraulic requirements and necessary operational efficiencies.

However, the Yuma Ridgways rail, an animal the U.S. Fish & Wildfire Service describes as a marsh bird the size of a chicken, has delayed the project. The endangered species was located near the lift station in the nearby Wetlands Park, a reclamation district spokesperson said.

The bird falls outside of a blanket permit, which requires additional environmental review, a spokesperson said. Due to the delay in the projects start, commissioners will likely have to approve a cost increase.

Officials with the reclamation district were hoping to break ground earlier on projects they could work on pending review.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
WASHINGTON  A man who became the target of far-right conspiracy theories after his image was added and then removed from the FBI's Capitol Violence website has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with the Jan. 6 attack.

Ray Epps pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds at a hearing before U.S. District Chief Judge James Boasberg in Washington. Epps appeared virtually, via Zoom.

Epps became the target of dozens of segments by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson . Epps filed a defamation suit against the network in July.

The conspiracy theory posited that a man pictured on the FBI's website was a government agent and that Jan. 6 was a "false flag" event encouraged by the FBI. Even now, more than two-and-a-half years after the Capitol attack, more than 100 people whose photos are featured on the FBI's website have been identified but not yet arrested.

Epps statement of offense included multiple photos going through his actions on Jan. 6.

Epps, according to the FBI, was not and never has been an asset of the bureau. In an interview with the Jan. 6 committee last year, Epps said the "crazy" conspiracy theories had torn apart his life.

Like thousands of others, Epps was on the restricted grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Video of Epps from the night of Jan. 5 shows him saying that Trump supporters should go inside the Capitol, and video on Jan. 6 shows him urging Trump supporters to go to the Capitol. Later, once a riot breaks out, video shows Epps trying to calm tensions between police and protesters. Most of the charged Jan. 6 defendants either entered the Capitol itself or committed violence or destruction outside, placing Epps in a small category of Jan. 6 participants charged despite never entering the building or engaging in destructive or assaultive conduct.

The maximum sentence for the charge Epps faces is one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine. The sentencing guideline range is between zero and six months of incarceration, according to his plea agreement. Epps will be sentenced by Judge Boasberg on December 20 at 10a. Epps and his attorney have waived their in-person appearance at that hearing.

Michael Teter, Ray Eppss lead counsel in his civil case against Fox News, said in a statement that his client has "cooperated and has taken responsibility for his actions," saying that his plea agreement with DOJ is "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," Teter continued. "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 Rays prosecution."

Last month, the FBI arrested a St. Louis man named Rally Runner who  Tucker Carlson viewers were told in late 2021  was "clearly a law enforcement officer" and an "agent provocateur" who only dressed up as a Trump supporter to make other Trump supporters look bad. In reality, Runner was a huge fan of both Trump and Carlson.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Migrants sit near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river, as seen from Ciudad Juarez

Migrants sit near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river, as seen from Ciudad Juarez

By Lizbeth Diaz and Daina Beth Solomon

TIJUANA, Mexico (Reuters) -Thousands of migrants have crossed into the United States in recent days, from California to Texas, with many more still arriving by bus and cargo trains to Mexican border towns on the heels of record migration flows further south.

The dramatic increase along the border - notably in San Diego, California, and the Texan cities of El Paso and Eagle Pass - marks a turning point after numbers had plummeted in recent months, and could create fresh political challenges for U.S. President Joe Biden heading into election season.

Biden in May rolled out a new policy to deter illegal crossings, including deporting migrants and banning re-entry for five years, as his administration grappled with migration at record highs.

Within a month the tougher measures drove the border-crossing rate down some 70%.

But a recent uptick in arrivals at the border, combined with vastly higher numbers of people on their way north across Central and South America and riding dangerous cargo trains through Mexico, suggest the early deterrent effect is wearing off.

Experts say the U.S. lacks the capacity to detain and process migrants at the border, often making it impossible for the administration to carry out the harsh penalties it announced in May.

As a result, some asylum seekers who cross illegally are being released into the U.S. with a future court date, rather than being deported - becoming success stories repeated back to migrants still en route.

"The (Biden administration) hit on a smart strategy, but they don't have the resources or capacity to implement it," said Andrew Selee, head of the Migration Policy Institute.

In response to questions from Reuters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it was "safely and efficiently" processing migrants, and would impose consequences, including deportation, on migrants without a legal basis to stay in the country.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday derided the lack of an international plan to help countries lift their citizens out of poverty and thus avoid a key migration driver. He praised Biden for creating legal pathways for migrants but said they needed to be expanded.

'WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING'

In Tijuana on Wednesday evening, on the other side of the border from San Diego, several dozen people prepared to spend the night sleeping on the ground at a border entry point ahead of appointments early the next day, secured through a mobile app called CBP One, to enter the U.S. and request asylum.

But not everyone wants to wait.

"My wife's family, and other people who came to Mexico with us, say they crossed (without an appointment) and nothing happened," said Venezuelan migrant Oscar Suarez, 27, sitting in a Tijuana plaza near the border with his pregnant wife, 2-year-old son and two brothers.

He said he preferred to try the same strategy rather than wait on CBP One to obtain an appointment. Demand for appointments far outweighs the 1,450 time slots available borderwide per day, and Suarez said he worried that his family would not survive a long wait.

"Our money ran out, and we don't have anything to eat," he said. "All the shelters in Tijuana are full. We have to do something."

Enrique Lucero, Tijuana's director of migrant affairs, said migration slowed after the U.S. policy change in May, but over the last several weeks has been picking up. Officials have tallied 65 nationalities of people in the city, he said.

Hundreds of migrants who crossed without appointments have been forced to wait between two border walls.

Within the last eight days, CBP had processed more than 5,000 migrants in the San Diego area, a San Diego official said on Thursday.

In Ciudad Juarez, opposite El Paso, hundreds of migrants squeezed past barbed wire to cross the Rio Grande river into the U.S., forming a line next to the border while awaiting processing by U.S. officials.

CBP has logged more than 1,000 migrant encounters daily in the El Paso area in the last several days, according to data published by the city of El Paso.

Migrants are also crossing the river at the Texas city of Eagle Pass, where officials signed an emergency declaration on Tuesday to seek funding for additional services, and railroad operator Union Pacific said it was forced to shut service to Mexico.

Groups of migrants have been as large as 1,000 or 2,000 people, including several hundred migrants who braved a hailstorm to wade through the river.

Mexican railroad operator Ferromex this week suspended service on 60 trains to discourage migrants, who perilously ride north on cargo wagons.

LONG JOURNEYS

A record of about 82,000 people last month entered Panama overland from South America, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), crossing the dangerous Darien Gap jungle that has transformed in recent years from a nearly impassable barrier to a migration thoroughfare.

As many as half a million people could end up crossing by year-end, double the number of 2022, said Giuseppe Loprete, head of IOM in Panama.

Most people crossing the Darien Gap left their home countries due to lack of employment, according to a July U.N. survey.

An unprecedented number of migrants entering Mexico hail from other continents, as the trek to the U.S. southern border increasingly becomes a global migration route.

"Unfortunately, the picture is that many countries are becoming countries of expulsion," said Giovanni Lepri, representative of the U.N. refugee agency in Mexico.

He said violence, economic distress and the growing impacts of climate change were driving mass displacement across the Americas and beyond.

The number of African migrants registered by Mexican authorities so far this year is already three times as high as during all 2022.

"It's a structural, deeper problem. There's an exacerbated crisis globally, in many countries. People don't leave their countries because they want to - they do it out of need," Lopez Obrador told reporters on Thursday.

(Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz in Tijuana, Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey, and Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Adrees Latif in Eagle Pass, Jose Luis Gonzalez in Ciudad Juarez, Mike Blake in San Diego and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Sandra Maler)
WASHINGTON  Biden administration officials this week downplayed the background of five Iranian men freed in the U.S. as part of a prisoner swap with Tehran, saying they were charged with or convicted of committing only non-violent crimes.

What they didnt say? At least some of the men were accused of working to help Iran illegally obtain American military and -- potentially -- even nuclear weapons parts and technology in violation of U.S. and international sanctions.

U.S. law enforcement officials spent months, and sometimes years, trying to put each of the five men behind bars, often in collaborations with their international counterparts, according to court documents and Justice Department records.

Now, some former counter-proliferation authorities are wondering why the men are being set free after an enormous legal effort to charge, track down, arrest, extradite and sentence them.

These are major violators based on what I've read in the complaints or the indictments, said Kenneth MacDonald, a former senior Department of Homeland Security official specializing in investigating illicit networks. It appears that they were sourcing significant technology that helps to advance Iran's weapons systems.

Former federal prosecutor Stephanie Siegmann also oversaw many similar counterproliferation cases as the National Security Chief in the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts until last year.

These procurement networks around the world definitely pose a national security threat, or we wouldn't be putting all these resources into prosecuting them, Siegmann told USA TODAY.

MacDonald and Siegmann know from experience how political and diplomatic negotiations at the White House level can undermine efforts to bring to justice people who spread dangerous international weapons technology.

In January 2016, they both learned that the Obama administration was freeing a few dozen Iranian men accused or convicted of being involved in similar efforts related to weapons under another prisoner swap in which Iran agreed to free five Americans being detained there.

Dig deeper: Americans freed from Iran survived the infamous Evin prison. Here are their stories.

September 19, 2023: Family members embrace freed US Emad Shargi after disembarking from an airplane at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The United States and Iran, on Sept.18, 2023, swapped five prisoners each in one of the arch-foes first deals in years as Tehran gained access to $6 billion in frozen funds. The five Americans freed by Iran, including one held for eight years, flew out of Tehran in a Qatari jet, hours after the unblocked funds were deposited in accounts managed by Qatar.

One of the men whose charges were dropped as part of the deal had been charged with conspiring to provide more than 1,000 high-tech components known as pressure transducers to Iran, which authorities said advanced its nuclear weapons capabilities.

MacDonald and Siegmann said many of the same Biden national security officials negotiating the current deal also worked on the 2016 prisoner swap with Iran, which was done in tandem with the landmark deal to get Iran to curb its clandestine nuclear weapons program. President Donald Trump ultimately scrapped that deal.

In the current case, Siegmann noted, the Biden administration also is agreeing to give Iran access to $6 billion in sanctioned oil revenues that was being held in South Korea for humanitarian purposes. I just don't know if the trades are fair," she said. "Were giving you (Iran) this person who has been convicted of these laws and export control violations for procuring parts for the Iranians in violation of U.S. export laws. And you held people who never committed a crime.

MacDonald led a White House multi-agency task force to go after weapons technology and hardware traffickers, who he said are part of sophisticated networks that buy so-called dual-use technology from U.S. and foreign companies.

Theres nothing to prevent these guys from going right back to doing business again," MacDonald said. "They have the same connections, they have the same networks and the same paymasters who they were selling the goods to. And they'll be smarter this time to stay away from the United States.

In a briefing with reporters, two senior Biden administration officials acknowledged having to make difficult decisions and perhaps even uncomfortable tradeoffs to free the five Americans held in Irans notoriously dangerous Evin prison.

These are very difficult cases  they are excruciating, said one Biden administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the prisoner swap. I think in this case, the arrangement that we finally worked out is very much in our interest. So, we are going to make these families whole.

Heres a look at the five men released by the Biden administration as part of the prisoner swap:

More: Iran releases five Americans in prisoner swap deal negotiated by Joe Biden

Illegally obtaining sensitive military parts and technology for Iran

Mehrdad Ansari was sentenced to more than five years in prison in September 2021 for his role in a scheme to obtain sensitive parts and technology for Iran in violation of international sanctions and trade embargoes.

According to court documents, Ansari  a resident of the United Arab Emirates and Germany  worked with a network of co-conspirators to obtain parts that had dual-use military and civilian capability -- and could be used in nuclear weapons, missile systems, secure tactical radio communications, electronic warfare, military electronic countermeasures (radio jamming) and radar warning and surveillance systems.

Ansari and his co-conspirators attempted to profit from a far-reaching, extensive scheme to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran," Acting Assistant Attorney General Mark Lesko of the Justice Departments National Security Division said at the time. "They repeatedly lied to numerous U.S. suppliers and illegally obtained very sensitive dual-use items. As demonstrated by this prosecution, DOJ pursues those who threaten U.S. national security, even years after their original crimes.

Prosecutors said that from 2007 to 2011, some of Ansari's alleged co-conspirators obtained or tried to obtain from companies worldwide over 105,000 parts valued at approximately $2.6 million involving more than 1,250 transactions, including 599 transactions with 63 different U.S. companies. "Without notifying the U.S. companies these parts were being shipped to Iran or getting the required U.S. government license to ship these parts to Iran," the DOJ said in a report.

Ansari's main role, DOJ said, "was to get one particular set of parts from a Central Texas company that was key for the Iranian governments testing of all other parts."

Iran's new President-elect Ebrahim Raisi waves to participants at the conclusion of his press conference in Tehran, Iran, on June 21, 2021. Raisi said Monday he wouldn't meet with President Joe Biden nor negotiate over Tehran's ballistic missile program and its support of regional militias, sticking to a hard-line position following his landslide victory in last week's election.

Ansari was arrested in 2019 after he left his home in Dubai and traveled to the Republic of Georgia, where he was arrested on an international warrant and extradited back to the U.S to face charges, according to court documents.

Charges of sending Iran equipment that can be used for nuclear enrichment and 'weaponization'

Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani was charged with unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment from the United States to Iran, through Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Chromatography and spectrometry analytical instruments purchased by Kafrani are controlled for nuclear nonproliferation reasons, MacDonald said.

Kafrani, who lived in Montreal, pleaded not guilty and was slated for trial in Washington, D.C. in March 2024 before the deal was announced this week. If found guilty of the sanctions violations and money laundering, he faced up to 20 years in prison.

When he was indictment in July 2021, the Justice Department said mass spectrometers are controlled under laws prohibiting the export of certain items for reasons of Anti-Terrorism and Nuclear Nonproliferation. Mass spectrometers, it said, can be used to monitor the performance of uranium enrichment processes and determine the exact level of enrichment, which is an essential part of enriching uranium for nuclear power and weaponization efforts.

Michigan scholar accused of stealing secret aerospace documents

Amin Hasanzadeh, a Michigan engineer, is an Iranian citizen and U.S. permanent resident accused of funneling secret data to his brother in Iran.

Hasanzadeh, a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan, had his Ann Arbor home secretly searched by the FBI.

He was living in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at the time of his arrest in 2019. He has his PhD in electrical engineering from Shari University of Technology and served in the Iranian military, according to court documents.

Hasanzadeh pleaded not guilty, and his case was still pending this summer. He wrote to U.S. District Judge Denise Hood alleging unfair delays in what he called a totally fabricated and manipulated case.

A company executive told the FBI that if the data fell into the wrong hands it would have catastrophic consequences, according to the criminal complaint.

Banking expert convicted for facilitating financing for Iran

Kambiz Attar Kashani, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen, resided in the UAE. He was convicted in February for exporting proprietary software tied to the SWIFT international banking system. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Kashani conspired to illegally export U.S. goods and technology for the benefit of the Central Bank of Iran, a designated entity that materially supports known terrorist organizations, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, chief of the DOJ's National Security Division at the time.

At Kashanis sentencing in February, Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Arfa called the banking violations the life blood of a hostile foreign states ability to engage in international terrorism activities, according to a court transcript.

And Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said at his sentencing that Kashani "will now head to prison for strengthening the economy of one of the worlds most infamous state sponsors of terrorism to line his own pockets, while circumventing U.S. laws in place to protect our national security interests.

Prominent political scientist accused of illegal lobbying

Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. since 1984, became a prolific letter-writer, media spokesman and consultant for Iran. But he failed to register as a foreign agent and DOJ says he surreptitiously derived a significant portion of his income from the Iranian government.

Afrasiabi drew attention in 2020 for a CGTN American television appearance where he provided commentary on the U.S. airstrike to kill Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. He said President Donald Trumps hands are stained with the blood of ten martyrs, five from Iran, five from Iraq" and called Soleimani a national hero.

He asked a court to consider his efforts with well-known scholar Noam Chomsky to return three American hikers in 2008-2009. Afrasiabi filed a letter with the court he wrote to former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2010. Chomsky said via email that Afrasiabi was a long-time colleague and worked to return the trio of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal.

Afrasiabi pleaded not guilty and his case was still pending as of August 2023 before this weeks deal. John Demers, former Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said Afrasiabi pitched himself to Congress, journalists and the American public as a neutral expert on Iran for more than a decade and intended to hold him responsible for failing to register as a foreign agent.

However, all the while, Afrasiabi was actually a secret employee of the Government of Iran and the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations (IMUN) who was being paid to spread their propaganda. In doing so, he intentionally avoided registering with the Department of Justice as the Foreign Agents Registration Act required. He likewise evaded his obligation to disclose who was sponsoring his views.

Afrasiabi spoke with WCVB-TV and said he was "thrilled" to end what he called "a terrible nightmare" this week.

A global cat-and-mouse game dating back decades

By the time of the 2016 nuclear deal and first prisoner swap, the U.S. government already had spent 35 years pursuing Irans ever more sophisticated web of smugglers, traffickers, transport operatives and procurement agents needed to keep its military and weapons programs in operation.

Thats because in 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter declared that Iran constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. security after Islamic revolutionaries overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took hostage 52 Americans.

Tehran began calling the United States the Great Satan and vowed its destruction, in part by using proxy forces like Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.

Successive administrations put in place a raft of economic sanctions against Iran and Iranian entities. Those included restrictions on U.S. parts and technology that Tehran needed for military or other restricted applications, including its squadrons of F-class fighter jets that Washington sold it during friendlier times.

Tehrans ambitious ballistic missile program also became a grave concern over the years, especially when it became apparent that Iran was using U.S. commodities to engineer inter-continental versions that could reach the United States, and to top them with nuclear, conventional or even chemical and biological weapons.

And as Irans suspected nuclear weapons program ramped up, so did the U.S. effort to stop it.

Overseas, U.S. intelligence operatives shadowed Iranian procurement agents while the U.S. military tried to interdict illicit shipments headed for Tehran. The Treasury Department issued endless rounds of targeted sanctions, but each time it restricted access to global markets for suspect individuals and companies, Tehran would create new ones.

Successive administrations tried the diplomatic route to slow or stop Iranian proliferation too, including Tehrans efforts to share weapons and research with other enemies of the United States, without success.

In response, federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors were deployed to shut down the Iranian procurement networks and dam the rivers of U.S. parts and technology illicitly flowing to Iran.

That proved virtually impossible, given the hundreds of trading, shipping and transport companies Iran employed, and the complex payment schemes and often unwitting procurement agents it used to get the products via other countries with lax export controls.

Moving to close a gaping hole in the US security net

In 2007, moving to close what Bush administration officials said was a gaping hole in the U.S. national security safety net, the Justice Department established special task forces around the country to prevent Iran and other unfriendly nations from illegally obtaining U.S.-made parts and technology for their militaries and fledgling nuclear, biological and chemical weapons programs.

The National Counterproliferation Initiative sought to crack down on the black-market networks that U.S. officials believe had flourished worldwide for decades and continued to clandestinely provide American hardware and software to numerous nations and possibly to terrorist organizations.

Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced a similar effort of its own called the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.

The effort by the Justice Department and Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security will bring together experts throughout government  including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and 14 U.S. Attorneys Offices in 12 metropolitan regions across the country  to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains and protect critical technological assets from being acquired or used by nation-state adversaries.

Released Iranians serving time for same crimes Biden trying to stop

Siegmann, now in private practice, said the prisoner swap this week undermines the new task force's efforts.

At its launch in February, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco described the strike force as a critical cog in the U.S. national security effort to keep America safe.

Today, autocrats seek tactical advantage through the acquisition, use, and abuse of Americas most innovative technology. They use it to enhance their military capabilities, support mass surveillance programs that enable human rights abuses and all together undermine our values, Monaco said. Using real-time intelligence and 21st century data analytics, the Disruptive Technology Strike Force will bring together the Justice and Commerce Departments expertise to strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our most advanced technology, and to attack tomorrows national security threats today.

Well, that's the purpose of that task force, Siegmann said. I mean, there's no other incentive for that initiative other than disrupting these types of procurement networks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the released Iranians? Some could threaten national security
Republican David McCormick announced Thursday that he will make his second bid for U.S. Senate in swing-state Pennsylvania, this time to take on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey after losing in last years bruising and crowded Republican primary.

In a ballroom filled with supporters at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, McCormick said the economy and culture of the United States had suffered under Casey and President Joe Biden.

Under Joe Biden and Bob Casey, whats supposed to be up is down and whats supposed to be down is up, said McCormick, who left his job atop one of Wall Streets best-known hedge funds to enter politics.

The Senate candidates in Pennsylvania will share a ticket with candidates for president next year in a state that is critical to whether Democrats can maintain control of the White House and the Senate.

A race between Casey and McCormick could be one of the nations most expensive and closely watched in a year when Democrats have a difficult 2024 Senate map that requires them to defend incumbents in red states  Montana, Ohio and West Virginia  and multiple swing states.

McCormick entered last years race for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and  after spending $14 million of his own money  ended up losing in the Republican primary to a Donald Trump-endorsed rival, celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz. Democrat John Fettermanbeat Oz in the November general election.

McCormick, 58, was heavily recruited to run again by the party establishment and, thus far, has a clear GOP primary field.

In a statement Thursday evening, Montana Sen. Steve Daines, who chairs the campaign arm of Senate Republicans and had urged McCormick to run, said McCormick had unified the partys grassroots. He is exactly the type of candidate who can win in a competitive state like Pennsylvania, Daines said.

McCormick has talked since last year about possibly running, and Democrats have treated him as Caseys de facto opponent, attacking his record in business, his opposition to abortion rights and indications that he still lives on Connecticuts ritzy Gold Coast, where he spent a dozen years as an executive at the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.

Casey is unlikely to face serious opposition, if any, in his partys primary. He is a stalwart of Pennsylvanias Democratic Party  the son of a former two-term governor and Pennsylvanias longest-ever serving Democrat in the Senate.

Casey spent a decade in statewide office  as auditor general then as treasurer  before going on to win three elections for Senate by no fewer than 9 percentage points each time.

Casey is an key ally of labor unions and Biden. In Congress, Casey has backed all of Bidens top priorities and forged a close relationship with the president, at least in part because the men both hail from the same hometown of Scranton.

McCormick, who grew up near Bloomsburg, is the son of Pennsylvanias first state university system chancellor. He won a Bronze Star for his service in the first Gulf War and worked in Pittsburgh, where he ran online auction house FreeMarkets Inc. at the dawn of the tech boom.

He served in senior positions in former President George W. Bushs administration before moving to Connecticut to work for Bridgewater.

He resigned as CEO and bought a house in Pittsburgh before running for Senate last year  although Democrats are seizing on his connections to Connecticut, including the $16 million mansion in Westport, where McCormick still spends considerable time.

He doesnt even live here, Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said at a news conference Thursday. Hes a mega-millionaire who lives in a mansion on Connecticuts Gold Coast.

Democratic state Sen. Jay Costa, who represents the part of Pittsburgh where McCormick bought a house, said: I know that hes not there, because I work in that community day in and day out. ... If you want to run for U.S. Senate, go to Connecticut and run for U.S. Senate in Connecticut, dont come to be a carpetbagger here in Pennsylvania.

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A former music teacher and preacher faces life in prison after he was found guilty on sex crime charges, Mississippi prosecutors say.

A jury convicted 52-year-old Samuel Lamar Taylor on Wednesday, Sept. 20, on one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust, Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said.

He could spend a maximum 15 years behind bars for the latter charge, plus the possibility of a life sentence, according to prosecutors.

Taylor, who taught for more than 25 years at schools across Mississippi, retired from Richland Upper Elementary School in 2020, Bramlett said. He was also a minister at various churches in Rankin County for more than 40 years.

Richland Upper Elementary School officials contacted police Aug. 23, 2022, after an 11-year-old child, who has autism, told a counselor he was being sexually abused, according to the district attorneys office. The child identified Taylor, who was his legal guardian at the time, officials said.

Investigators said the boy recalled specific details about the abuse he suffered at Taylors home from 2020 to 2022 and was quickly removed from his custody.

Authorities also interviewed a second person who officials said accused Taylor of sexually abusing him from 1990 to 1991 when Taylor worked as a YMCA counselor in nearby Jackson.

Because of this brave child victim and each of these agencies, Sam Taylors 30-year-old secret was finally brought to light, Bramlett said in a statement. While these acts are ones no person should ever endure, especially a child, we hope this conviction brings closure to the victim, his family, and any other victim Taylors actions affected.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13.

Richland is less than 10 miles south of downtown Jackson.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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(CNN)  Is Taylor Swift more powerful than Google?

Her fanbase, known as Swifties, might just be.

For those who dont know (and those who do), Swift is rerecording her old albums with Taylors Version, along with previously unreleased tracks on each.

Swift is famous for her Easter eggs and making things fun for her loyalists, so shes created puzzles to reveal the titles of those tracks. The superstar linked with Google for a new series of online puzzles for the upcoming 1989 (Taylors Version) release.

The search engine explained on Tuesday how it was all supposed to work.

Search for Taylor Swift in the Blank Space (ahem, a Search bar). Click on the blue vault and solve one of the word puzzles. It may take a second, since there are 89 puzzles to get through (a la 1989 (Taylors Version))  dont say we didnt warn ya!, as per a Google blog post. But nothing lasts forever. Youll be helping Swifties around the world get out of the woods (or unlock the vault) as everyone collectively solves 33 million puzzles. And thats how it works, thats how you get the vault track titles!

Swift also announced it was happening on her verified social media.

Great idea! However, so many people responded they seemed to crash the system.

Naturally, social media being what it is, people were both striving to make it work and complaining when it didnt.

Swifties, the vault is jammed! But dont worry, there are no blank spaces inside, Google tweeted on Tuesday. Were in our fix-it era and will be out of the woods soon.

Nothing says we see you like incorporating Swift song titles whem explaining why people couldnt access some Swift song titles.

Indeed, Google was later able to shake it off.

Swifties, we made it out of the woods! Bridges, built. Codes, cracked. Vault, opened, the company tweeted Wednesday.

Swift has had quite the year so far with her mega successful Eras Tour, sweeping wins at the MTV VMAs and speculation over who she may or may not be dating.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Taylor Swifts 1989 (Taylors Version) Google vault puzzles leave fans frustrated"
When Rowan Rosenthal heard about Grindr's return-to-office mandate during a virtual town hall meeting in August, anxiety, confusion and anger set in. The principal product designer lived within a 25-minute bike ride from the company's Brooklyn office but instead was required to report to one in Los Angeles, where Rosenthal's department was assigned. This doesn't make sense and there's no way this will happen, Rosenthal thought.

But it did happen. And two weeks later, Rosenthal realized that despite loving the work, the only option that made sense was to quit. That was also the case for about 45 percent of Grindr's 178 employees, workers say.

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"Honestly I felt betrayed," said Rosenthal, who worked at Grindr for nearly three years. "I've poured my whole heart into advocating for the product and its users, and this is how it ends?"

As more companies enforce their office mandates, some workers are choosing to quit instead of complying and returning to the office. Even companies at the forefront of remote work during the pandemic such as Facebook parent Meta, Google, Amazon and Zoom are getting stricter about office returns. They say workers are more productive, collaborative and engaged in-person. Indeed, the percentage of remote workers in America's workforce is declining - from 17.9 percent in 2021 to 15.2 percent in 2022, according to the latest census data.

Workers say their reasons for quitting include everything from family to commuting expenses to being required to relocate. And many workers worry that people like those with disabilities or who are primary caregivers may be left behind due to their inability to successfully work from the office.

"It's infuriating to see this happening . . . especially with the narrative that workers are lazy," Rosenthal said about the mandates. "It's such an easy dig when so many companies with remote work have seen record profitability."

In a letter to employees, Grindr said it assigned each department one of five hubs and that workers should return to their department's designated office. The company told The Washington Post that despite the mass exodus, it plans to forge ahead with its policy of two office days per week beginning in October. It is offering relocation assistance to workers who have to move.

"We are looking forward to returning to the office in a hybrid model . . . and further improving productivity and collaboration," the company, which has been remote since the pandemic, said in a statement.

Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk was among the first of the tech leaders to implement strict office return policies starting in 2022, but since then, others have followed. In June, Google updated its rules to include tracking employee badges and using office attendance as part of performance reviews. Last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said it likely wouldn't work out for employees if they didn't follow the required three-day office policy. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg similarly threatened termination for employees who didn't come into the office three days a week. And Zoom, the darling of the pandemic that enabled millions of people to work remotely, is asking workers who live near an office to return two days a week.

Workers are pushing back, penning letters to executives, staging walkouts and quitting despite the tight labor market.

"I'm not surprised at all," Prithwiraj Choudhury, a Harvard Business School professor who studies the future of work, said about workers quitting. "By mandating these rigid policies, you're risking your top performers and diversity. It just doesn't make economic sense."

Choudhury said companies should provide overall guidance that allows each to determine how they best work after analysis and feedback from workers. That's especially important for women, whom Choudhury said are resigning in large numbers - a notion multiple surveys support.

Kisha Velazquez is one of those women. The former director of content marketing for recruiting software company Joonko said that child-care costs were simply too high. Plus, she wanted to be more present in her son's life.

Before the pandemic, Velazquez commuted 45 minutes from New Jersey to the New York City office. Meanwhile, her husband did contract work from home and tended to their son. But during the pandemic, roles reversed after her husband landed a full-time job. But Velazquez didn't think she'd be able to properly follow the office policy with school pickups, drop-offs and other activities, which is why Velazquez ultimately quit.

"It was an awkward position to be in because I was supposed to enforce a policy I didn't believe in," she said. "For me, the simple answer is give people a choice. Not everyone has the same situation."

Choice would've made a big difference for Pamela Hayter, a former project manager at Amazon. After Amazon announced its return to office mandate, Hayter started an internal Slack channel to discuss people's concerns. The channel, which also included the CEO, grew to 33,000 workers in a few months and led to them starting a petition and ultimately walking out over the new policy.

Hayter ultimately left the company in August and said at the time close to a hundred others had indicated that they also planned to quit. She says she felt forced out.

But Hayter's concerns over the policy were personal. The mother of two had gotten divorced during the pandemic and could no longer afford the $600 in monthly tolls plus gas and parking to work from the office.

"I was devastated," she said about ending her eight-year career at the tech giant. "I assumed Amazon would be my forever company."

Amazon said it allows workers to make an exception request and considers them on a case-by-case basis. It also said certain roles will have exceptions to the rules, but that will be a small minority.

(Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post. Interim CEO Patty Stonesifer sits on Amazon's board.)

For some workers who moved or were hired remotely during the pandemic, commuting is a nearly impossible task, they say.

Christopher Lee, a San Diego resident, took the role of senior manager of strategic marketing at UCLA Health when work was remote in 2020. But then he said workers were abruptly asked to return to the office five days a week at the end of 2021. For six months, he stayed with his parents in Orange County and commuted to Los Angeles while apartment hunting near the office. But the three-hour minimum of total commute time wore him down and the higher cost of living he'd have to pay near the office led him to quit.

"It was liberating but also a little scary," he said."At least I now know the next step."

Another former Grindr employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said he also quit instead of relocating as he was hired remotely. He worries about future development of the dating app after 80 percent of engineers and large portions of other technical teams resigned during the first phase of the policy. Phase two is expected to affect more of the company's business roles, he said.

He and his colleagues believe that the company's move was the result of workers' decision to unionize.

Some workers say they simply can do a better job working from home.

Elizabeth Bassett, a Houston resident and former global head of creative marketing for commodity markets intelligence firm Argus Media, said she went into the Houston office two to three days a week for two months before resigning in May 2022. Her department had been restructured multiple times, leaving her with only one report in the office and the rest in Singapore and London, which presented major scheduling challenges. Much of her day was on Zoom and her time in the office was very rarely spent engaging productively in-person. It was also hard to do focus work in the office, she said.

"All of it felt very pointless," she said, adding that it felt somewhat performative. "The people I cared most about and worked most with weren't there."

As for Rosenthal, the Grindr exit allowed for new opportunity: a fully remote job at another social app.

"It's like leaving an actual relationship," Rosenthal said. "It feels bad, you feel hurt. Then you give yourself time to grieve, you find someone else and you get excited again."

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The Resilient Africa bulk carrier, which is loaded with 3,000 metric tons of Ukrainian wheat, has arrived at the Bosphorus, Reuters reported on Sept. 21.

On Sept. 19, the Palau-flagged Resilient Africa became the first ship with Ukrainian grain to leave a Black Sea port through the temporary corridor that was set up by Ukraine following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July.

The corridor was primarily meant to allow passage for ships stuck in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Five ships have been evacuated through the temporary corridor since it was established in mid-August.

However, the Resilient Africa and another cargo vessel, the Aroyat, are the first civilian ships that have agreed to enter Ukrainian ports since the collapse of grain deal.

The Aroyat is still docked in the port of Chornomorsk while being loaded with Ukrainian wheat for Egypt, according to Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The two ships are expected to deliver 20,000 tons of grain to African and Asian countries, Kubrakov said.

Brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022, the original grain deal was designed to guarantee the safe passage of ships transporting Ukraine's agricultural exports from the Black Sea during the invasion.

Moscow refused to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023, causing spikes in wheat prices and fears about food security worldwide.

On Sept. 7, Ukraine submitted an official proposal to Turkey to restore a corridor in the Black Sea for Ukrainian grain exports without Russia's participation, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar announced.

The idea is "rational" because cargo ships already travel through Romanian, Bulgarian, and Turkish territorial waters of the Black Sea, the ambassador said.

Read also: Ukraine ready to take neighbors to court as continued grain bans threaten exports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Swedish government's investigation into the Nord Stream explosions that took place last year is at a sensitive stage and the investigator, Mats Ljungqvist, hopes to conclude it before the end of the year, Reuters reported on Sept. 20.

We hope to conclude the investigation shortly but there is still a lot to do and nothing will happen for the next four weeks, Mats Ljungqvist said.

Large blasts followed by significant leaks from the pipeline occurred around this time last year, on Sept. 26, 2022. Investigators later found that the explosions were caused by deliberate sabotage. On Sept. 28, the Times newspaper reported, citing a British defense source, that Russia had likely carried out the attack with an underwater drone.

Following the explosions, several Western officials referred to the pipe leaks as deliberate acts of sabotage but could not unequivocally verify that the damage was linked to Russian involvement.

Earlier this year, Denmark confirmed a Russian SS-750 specialized vessel was photographed close to the location of the sabotaged Nord Steam pipelines.

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.
A ride-hailing service driver was found guilty on Wednesday of the sexual assault of a young passenger in 2019.

A Passaic County jury found Julio Mejia, 43, of Wharton, guilty of second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree luring or enticing a child, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said in a press release.

Mejia, who was an active-duty military member at the time of the assault, was arrested in 2020 after Prospect Park police received a report that a minor had been sexually assaulted.

NJ news The Oradell Dam, linchpin of North Jersey's drinking water supply, just turned 100

Valdes said the victim told police she and Mejia had sex after she took a Lyft in August 2019. The victim said they continued to talk over text messages for several weeks and had sex a second time.

Mejia will remain in the Passaic County Jail until sentencing. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9 before Superior Court Judge Joseph Portelli.

He faces up to a maximum of 26 years in state prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. Mejia will be required to have parole supervision for the rest of his life.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Prospect Park NJ sex assault case ends in guilty verdict
SAN DIEGO  Major road repairs are coming soon to neighborhoods across San Diego.

Crews began resurfacing streets Wednesday in Clairemont, Bay Ho, City Heights, Ridgeview and Emerald Hills as part of a new slurry seal project, city officials said in a news release.

Preventing the deterioration of streets is vital to improving the overall condition of San Diegos network of roads. It reduces the need for a more costly asphalt overlay and reconstruction for badly deteriorated streets, the city said.

Slurry seal, a cost-effective pavement preservation method that consists of asphalt emulsion, sand and rock, is applied to the street surface at an average thickness of a quarter inch and extends the life of already in-good-condition streets, according to the city.

The timeline for the repairs, weather permitting, will be complete over the next three weeks.

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Here are the following roads that are being worked on:

Fargo Avenue

El Penon Way

Hidalgo Avenue

Edell Place

Fawn Avenue

Isleta Avenue

Arroyo Lindo Avenue

Barby Place

Naugatuck Avenue

Jutland Drive

Arcola Avenue

Atwell Street

Guilitoy Avenue

Massasoit Avenue

Powhatan Avenue

Della Place

Gallatin Way

Alexandria Drive

Calaveras Drive

Osprey Street

Washington Place

Pine Street

Ingleside Street

Sunset Boulevard

Witherby Street

Barcelona Drive

Moana Drive

Bayview Heights Drive

Home Avenue

Federal Boulevard

Fairmount Avenue

The selection of the streets were chosen through a pavement management system that helps determine when to schedule streets.

Each street segment is assigned an Overall Condition Index (OCI) score based on the pavements roughness and cracks, the city said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
All lanes of northbound I-5 through Marysville just south of SR 531 were blocked after a fish truck overturned in the roadway, leaving a stinky mess of smashed fish behind.

All lanes have since reopened.

The Washington Department of Transportation reported the incident just after 8 a.m., with traffic getting by on the shoulder. They advised that drivers roll up your windows if youre driving through there.

Seriously, WSDOT added for emphasis.

By 8:40 a.m., a crane had gotten the fish truck upright again, while crews worked to clean up the spillage. At one point, a piece of heavy equipment was used to scoop up smashed fish that was strewn across the highway.

The freeway was then hosed off and eventually, the semi-truck was towed away.

All lanes reopened at 9:44 a.m.

Oh. Roll up your windows if you're driving through there. Seriously. https://t.co/6VDukdXMMZ  Washington State DOT (@wsdot) September 21, 2023
Rudy Giuliani has slammed what he says is the completely, absolutely false and totally absurd claim that he sexually assaulted Cassidy Hutchinson.

Ms Hutchinson, a former aide to Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and a top witness for the House Select Committee investigating January 6, writes in her new book Enough that Mr Giuliani sexually assaulted her on the day of the insurrection.

An adviser to Mr Giuliani also forcefully rejected the allegations in a statement to The Independent.

The former New York mayor was like a wolf closing in on its prey, Ms Hutchinson, 27, writes according to a copy of the book obtained by The Guardian ahead of it being published on Tuesday.

She writes that she encountered Mr Giulaini, 79, backstage at then-President Donald Trumps speech at the Ellipse, down the National Mall not far from the US Capitol, shortly before the attack on the democratic handover of power began.

She writes that Mr Giuliani put his hand under my blazer, then my skirt.

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, she adds. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin.

Mr Giuliani appeared on Newsmax on Wednesday, rejecting the allegations.

First of all, Im not going to grope someone at all, he said. 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.

There would have been no occasion for this to happen, its completely absurd, he added.

Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Mr Giuliani, previously told The Independent in a statement: 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. This is a disgusting lie against Mayor Rudy Giuliania man whose distinguished career in public service includes taking down the Mafia, cleaning up New York City and comforting the nation following September 11th.

Mr Eastman is a law professor who pushed a much-criticized theory that Mr Trump could legally overturn the 2020 election.

An attorney for Mr Eastman said in a statement to The Independent earlier this week that Dr. Eastman categorically denies the allegation that he witnessed the conduct Ms. Hutchinson apparently attributes to Mayor Giuliani in her forthcoming book, or that he flash[ed] a leering smile at Ms. Hutchinson at that time or at any time.

Cassidy Hutchinson (left) John Eastman (top right), Donald Trump (center right), Rudy Giuliani (bottom right) (Reuters / STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Image / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

He does not recall ever having met Ms. Hutchinson, and did not even know who she was until her public testimony before the Select Committee in the House of Representatives in June 2022, the attorney added. Dr. Eastman is considering defamation litigation against those responsible for making or publishing these libelous allegations.

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, Ms Hutchinson writes.

Ms Hutchinson outlines in the book how she started out as a Trump supporter but subsequently only grew more and more disappointed with the president and about how she later became a key witness for the congressional panel looking into the Capitol riot.

Mr Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to 13 charges related to racketeering and conspiracy in Georgia in connection to the Trump campaigns attempt to overturn the 2020 election in the state.

The ex-US Attorney has also been found liable for defamation of two election workers in the state. The bar association in Washington, DC has argued for his disbarment.

Amid a growing mountain of legal fees, Mr Giualini put his Manhattan apartment up for sale. The 79-year-old is also being sued for $1.3m by his own lawyer for unpaid fees and for $10m by a former personal assistant. In that lawsuit, Mr Giualini also faces allegations of sexual assault and harassment, as well as abuse of power and wage theft.

About January 6, 2021, Ms Hutchinson writes that she experience[d] anger, bewilderment, and a creeping sense of dread that something really horrible [was] going to happen.

I find Rudy in the back of the tent with, among others, John Eastman, she adds. 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, she quotes Mr Giualini as saying. 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, she writes.

Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin backed up Ms Hutchinson, telling CNN that Mr Giuliani was known to be a liability and that it was an open secret that he was a wild card who would appear at the White House drunk and women were told to keep their distance.

Ms Griffin added that Ms Hutchinson had previously told her that Mr Giuliani had been getting handsy on the day of the Capitol riot, adding that she unequivocally believed her.

It was a known fact within the Trump White House that Rudy Giuliani was a liability, Ms Griffin told CNN.

There was often a worry that he would show up at the White House complex perhaps inebriated, to the point that I was actually given a directive from the president to make sure that he wasnt trying to do stand-ups on television on the White House lawn. Because you werent sure what he was going to do, what he was going to say.

It doesnt in any way shock me that this happened and no one in the Trump White House hierarchy did anything about this at the time.
Video streaming site Rumble has criticised the chair of a parliamentary committee for writing a letter asking it to suspend Russell Brand from receiving advertising revenue on its platform.

Brand has more than 1.4 million followers on Rumble and used the platform to post his pre-emptive denial video after being approached with allegations of rape, sexual harassment and abusive behaviour by news organisations.

In a statement posted on X, Rumble said its chief executive Chris Pavlovski had received an extremely disturbing letter from Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the culture, media, and sport committee.

The letter asked Mr Pavlovski to confirm whether Mr Brand is able to monetise his content [on Rumble] and, if so, whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brands ability to earn money on the platform.

We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so, the statement from Rumble said. We emphatically reject the UK Parliaments demands.

While Rumble obviously deplores sexual assault, rape, and all serious crimes, and believes that both alleged victims and the accused are entitled to a full and serious investigation, it is vital to note that recent allegations against Russell Brand have nothing to do with the content on Rumbles platform, read the statement.

Rumble stands for very different values. We have devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet  meaning an internet where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform.

Rumble's response to the UK Parliament's letter to our CEO @chrispavlovski pic.twitter.com/iSCpHIHoU4  Rumble -  $RUM (@rumblevideo) September 20, 2023

Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women following an investigation by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

The comedian and media personality has denied all the very serious allegations aimed at him, which date to between 2006 and 2013.

The 48-year-old, originally from Essex, took to his YouTube channel as well as his Rumble page before the allegations were published and said any relationships were absolutely always consensual during the promiscuous stage of his life. He said that amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.

We are also looking at his [Brands] use of social media, including on Rumble where he issued his preemptive response to the accusations made against him by The Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches, said the letter from Dame Caroline.

While we recognise that Rumble is not the creator of the content published by Mr Brand, we are concerned that he may be able to profit from his content on the platform.

Attached is the letter from the UK Parliament. pic.twitter.com/MdeYrlt06J  Rumble -  $RUM (@rumblevideo) September 20, 2023

We would be grateful if you could confirm whether Mr Brand is able to monetise his content, including his videos relating to the serious accusations against him. If so, we would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brands ability to earn money on the platform.

Rumble, in response, said the parliaments demands were even more disturbing because it said the accusations against Brand have no relation to content on Rumble.

We dont agree with the behaviour of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalise them for actions that have nothing to do with our platform, said the statement.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Department of National Defense (DND) said it is considering filing perjury charges against two environmental activists who accused the military of abduction and coercion after going missing in Bataan.

We are studying the possibility of filing perjury charges against them. Pagkatapos mabuo ng kaso, ifa-file namin sa appropriate authorities para ito ay maimbestigahan, said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Wednesday during the plenary debates on DNDs proposed P232.2-billion budget for 2024.

[Translation: We are studying the possibility of filing perjury charges against them. After we complete it, we will file with the appropriate authorities to investigate it.]

Sigurado ako takot itong mga bata na ito. Pero kanino takot?" Teodoro said. "Sa mga armed forces o sa mga nag-manipula sa kanila? Yan ang katanungan."

[Translation: I am sure the two are scared, but to whom are they scared? Is it the armed forces or is it to the people manipulating them? Thats the question.]

The defense chief disclosed there is enough evidence to discredit the claims of Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano.

He said the two activists signed affidavits with the assistance of the Public Attorneys Office attesting to their surrender.

There were also witnesses who saw them give themselves up to the military, he also said.

Hindi ako umaasa sa sole statement ng armed forces," Teodoro said. "Ang inaasahan ko yung katibayan na sumumpa ito sa harapan ng public attorney. May mga testigo pa raw na nandoon."

[Translation: I am not counting on the sole statement of the armed forces. What I expect is the evidence that they swore in front of the public attorney. There are even witnesses there."

Tedoro said Castro and Tamano might have changed their statements to humiliate the military, since they faced the media on the eve of plenary debates on the DND budget.

In a press conference organized on Tuesday by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Castro and Tamano claimed they were forced to ride a van by military personnel on Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan.

The two said they signed the affidavits on their surrender under duress.

READ: Environmental activists released from gov't custody

Teodoro said the filing of perjury cases would serve as a lesson to individuals spreading misinformation.

Ito maliwanag ang ebidensya na unfair ang pagparatang sa mga kasundaluhan dito," he said. "At gusto kong malaman kung sino ang promotor o utak nito para ma-file-an ng subornation of perjury charges at iba pa para magsilbing leksyon."

[Translation: This is clear evidence that the accusations against the military here are unfair. And I want to know who is the promoter or mastermind of this so that we can file a subornation of perjury charges and other cases to serve as a lesson.]
Media magnate Rupert Murdoch , 92, is preparing to step down as chairman of the board for both Fox Corp. and News Corp., with the transition set to become official in November.



Lachlan Murdoch, Ruperts son, will take the reins, becoming the sole chairman of News Corp. He will continue his roles as Fox Corp.s executive chair and CEO. This leadership shift comes amidst significant challenges for Fox, especially in light of its $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over false allegations concerning the companys voting machines in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

In a note shared with employees and provided to CNBC, the elder Murdoch remarked, Our companies are in robust health, as am I, expressing optimism about the future. However, he did not shy away from the challenges, saying, The battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense.

Beyond legal issues, Fox News faced internal disruptions, including the departure of top broadcaster Tucker Carlson, which led to a brief ratings decline. Murdochs decision to step back is also notably timed a year before the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Under his leadership, News Corp. became the parent of prestigious publications like The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Fox Corp. houses right-wing networks, Fox News and Fox Business, both known for their substantial influence on American political discourse and often controversial stances, including editorial choices that are anti-LGBTQ+.

This summer, Fox News faced criticism after its story on the new Progress Pride Flag displayed at the White House during a Pride Month celebration bore a headline suggesting it promotes grooming and pedophilia. Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates rebuked the claim, tweeting, .@FoxNews is characteristically lying through their teeth. The original headline was later adjusted to focus on troubles some critics in the gay community. Notably, Fox Newss parent company previously embraced the same flag in its 2022 corporate report, leading many to highlight the networks inconsistency on the topic.

For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change, Murdoch emphasized in his note on Thursday, signifying that while his roles might shift, his influence and dedication to the industry remain intact.



His letter to employees further delved into his beliefs, as he stated, Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth. He reassured employees of his continued involvement: In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas.

While the industry acknowledges Murdochs vast media empire, it also recognizes the challenges and controversies Fox and News Corp. have faced, particularly their editorial choices. The pushback against their perceived anti-LGBTQ+ positions has been a point of contention for critics and advocacy groups.

As the media landscape evolves and the U.S. gears up for another election cycle, Lachlan Murdochs leadership direction will be scrutinized, especially regarding editorial stances and the companys broader impact on political narratives.

This story is developing.




Rupert Murdoch attends the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at The Museum of Modern Art in New York on Nov. 1, 2017. The media magnate is stepping down as chairman of News Corp. and Fox Corp., the companies that he built into forces over the last 50 years. He will become chairman emeritus of both corporations, the company announced on Thursday. His son, Lachlan, will control both companies | Evan Agostini, Associated Press

Rupert Murdoch, once described as the man who owns the news, is handing off operations of Fox and News Corp. to his son, Lachlan, the company said Thursday in a news release.

The elder Murdoch, who is 92, will become chairman emeritus of the companies he built into a global empire while changing the nature of cable news and, some say, the political landscape itself.

The change will be effective mid-November, the company said.

What will this transition mean for viewers of Fox News, which remains the leader in cable news despite fallout from its split with Tucker Carlson earlier this year?

Not much, at least in the short term. By all accounts, the father and this particular son are ideologically aligned  in fact, some say Lachlan Murdoch is more conservative than his father.

Related

Why is Rupert Murdoch stepping down?

In the news release and on the show Americas Newsroom, Fox described the coming change as a transition, one apparently designed by Rupert Murdoch himself.

On Americas Newsroom, hosts Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino traded their favorite Rupert Murdoch stories and said they could personally attest to the robust health that Murdoch said he is in.

Rupert Murdoch created all of this and so much more across America and the globe. His lifes work has left an indelible imprint on the global media landscape; his contributions are both innumerable and extraordinary, and we thank him for letting us be a part of it all, Hemmer said, to which Perino added, Without him, we would not be here.

When Fox News debuted in 1996, it was an upstart network competing against CNN and another new contender in cable news, MSNBC. On paper, the rivalry, such as it was, didnt last long.

Fox has been a leader in ratings for much of the past two decades, confirming the belief of Rupert Murdoch and the late Roger Ailes that there was an appetite for TV news without a liberal tint. Fox was to be fair and balanced, a motto that later evolved to Most watched, most trusted and Standing up for whats right.

The Murdoch media dynasty

Although Murdochs media holdings are vast and include properties in the U.K. and his native Australia, the success of Fox  and the controversy it generated  made it synonymous with him.

But as Murdoch made clear in his Thursday memo, he is part of a familial legacy that began with his father, Keith Murdoch, a newspaper reporter who went on to own a Melbourne-based media group he would leave to his son.

Keith Murdoch  Rupert Murdochs grandfather  had been a Presbyterian minister who had wanted his son to follow him into the ministry. But as The Guardian reported, Keith Murdoch believed the press was where he could serve his most useful purpose, and Rupert Murdoch followed in the path  as did Lachlan, his oldest son, who has held various positions at News Corp. and 21st Century Fox.

Though much has been written about family drama over who would take Murdochs place (Murdoch has six children, and an entire fictional TV series has been loosely built around the story), Lachlan Murdoch does seem to share his fathers ideological bent  so much so that some liberals are hyperventilating over the idea of Lachlan Murdoch being in control.

He has been called an ideological zealot to the right of his father, and has, in the past, defended Tucker Carlson, although it was reported that he was involved in Carlsons firing in April.

Media Matters for America, a left-leaning nonprofit that mostly serves to criticize Fox, on Thursday issued a statement that said, in part, The world is worse off because of Rupert Murdoch. No one should sugarcoat the damage he caused. Making matters worse, his parting act  handing the reins to Lachlan Murdoch  is akin to tossing a match onto the kindling he stacked.

But Rupert Murdoch called his son a passionate, principled leader who will carry on the vision of his father and grandfather. Saying the battle for the freedom of speech and ultimately the freedom of thought has never been more intense, Murdoch wrote, My father firmly believed in freedom and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause.

In his memo, published in full on the website Insider, Rupert Murdoch sounded notes that are familiar to Fox News viewers, saying, Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

The future of Fox News

As for the direction of Fox and the rest of the Murdoch media properties, it appears that while Lachlan Murdoch will be officially in the drivers seat, his father will still be providing direction.

In his statement, Lachlan Murdoch said his father would continue to provide valued counsel to both Fox and News Corps.

And Rupert Murdoch said in his memo to employees, I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon.

Stock of News Corp., which owns The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, among other publications, were up Thursday morning, as well as shares of Fox. Not everyone is so bullish about the future of Fox, post-Rupert Murdoch, however.

Next week will bring the publication of a new book called The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty. Its written by Michael Wolff, who wrote the 2008 book about Murdoch called The Man Who Owns the News.
Rupert Murdoch has announced he is stepping down as chairman of Fox News and News Corp, effectively ending a remarkable 70-year career.

Mr Murdochs eldest son Lachlan Murdoch will take over from his father ending long-running, speculation that saw him vie with brother James for control of the media empire, mirroring the globally successful HBO series Succession.

In a statement, he said that he had decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News, with his son Lachlan to  become sole Chairman of both companies.

Mr Murdoch took on Fleet Street in 1961 with the acquisition of The Sun and News of the World (News International/Getty)

The 92-year-old informed colleagues in a letter on Thursday of his decision, noting that he would officially make the transition in November.

I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News, Murdoch wrote. For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change.

But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies.

Neither excessive pride nor false humility are admirable qualities. But I am truly proud of what we have achieved collectively through the decades, and I owe much to my colleagues, whose contributions to our success have sometimes been unseen outside the company but are deeply appreciated by me.

Whether the truck drivers distributing our papers, the cleaners who toil when we have left the office, the assistants who support us or the skilled operators behind the cameras or the computer code, we would be less successful and have less positive impact on society without your day-after-day dedication.

His son Lachlan has been named as his successor (Getty Images)

Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them.

The British arm of Murdochs media empire, News UK, publishes nearly a third of national papers sold every day.

According to Forbes, he is reported to have a net worth of over $17 billion after he first started to build his empire in Australia during the 1950s.

In 1969, he took on Fleet Street with the purchase of the News of the World and The Sun, which would both become two of the most successful and best-selling tabloids in the UK.

He went on to purchase The Times and Sunday Times in 1981, while also building his empire in America with the acquisition of the New York Post.

Murdoch began building his empire in Australia during the 1950s (PA)

Murdoch later expanded into television to create Fox News Channel, which became the dominant cable news subscription network in the US.

Other assests included The Wall Street Journal, book publishing giant HarperCollins and 21st Century Fox, which was sold to Disney for $71 billion in 2019.

His lengthy career has not escaped controversy, with Fox News facing criticisim in recent years for airing baseless claims of voter fraud after Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.

It led to a high-profile defamation trial initiated by Dominion Voting Systems, which saw Fox News agreeing to pay a $787.5 million settlement.

In 2011, the outrage and condemnation over the phone hacking scandal led Mr Murdoch to close the News of the World tabloid, which left him humbled and very shaken.

Journalists working for the paper had accessed the voicemail of murdered teenager Milly Dowler, giving her parents false hope that she may still be alive. Celebrities, royals and politicians claimed to be victims of phone-hacking, with the government ordering the highly critical Leveson Inquiry to examine press standards.

Lachlan Murdoch also released an announcement congratulating his father and his legacy.

On behalf of the FOX and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams, and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career, said Lachlan Murdoch.

Mr Murdoch with News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks in 2011 (PA)

We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted. We are grateful that he will serve as Chairman Emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies.

It was widely assumed that one of Mr Murdochs three children from his second marriage would succeed him in his role.

There had been endless speculation inside and outside his News Corporation holding company about who was the favourite at any one time.

Murdoch with his two sons, Lachlan (left) and James (right) (AFP via Getty Images)

Jesse Armstrong, the creator of hit TV series Succession, confirmed that the original script was based on Mr Murdoch, following many years of speculation by fans and media.

Piers Morgan has hailed Rupert Murdoch as a bold, brilliant, visionary leader whose audacity & tenacity built a magnificently successful global media empire.

The journalist and broadcaster was editor of Mr Murdochs now defunct newspaper News Of The World and currently has his own programme on TalkTV which is owned the media moguls company News UK.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Morgan said: Rupert Murdoch has been a bold, brilliant, visionary leader whose audacity & tenacity built a magnificently successful global media empire.

Its been a privilege to work for him on and off for the past 30 years, and an ongoing masterclass in journalism & business. Thanks Boss!

More follows
Russia's lack of training is hindering its troops' ability for successful attacks, the UK MOD said.

A leading factor is the absence of unit rotations away from the battlefield, it said.

Russia has struggled to recruit new soldiers since Putin 's call-up last fall.

Russia's lack of advanced training has left its troops mostly unable to advance in Ukraine, UK intelligence said on Thursday.

"Higher-level training" had mostly been put on hold since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a daily update.

This had left it struggling in "conducting successful complex offensive operations," per the update  the type of work needed to achieve Russia's aim of conquering Ukraine.

The MOD post linked the lack of training to Russia's decision to keep it units in combat continuously, rather than rotating them out of the most intense fighting, which is when training could take place.

That was in turn linked to Russia's ongoing struggle to recruit enough people to conduct the war.

The MOD cited recent comments by a Russian parliamentary official, Andrei Kartapolov, who said that mobilized personnel would have to serve until the war is over and could not be rotated out.

Russia's most significant effort to increase its manpower began a year ago, with the conscription of around 300,000 Russian reservists.

That move prompted tens of thousands of Russian men to flee the country and prompted wider unrest. Shortly after, the Kremlin said it wouldn't do any further waves of mobilization.

That leaves a major recruitment problem and limited supplies of willing fighters. To fill in the gaps, Russia passed a number of bills in July to widen the pool of males who are eligible to fight.

President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law to raise the maximum age for male conscription from 27 to 30 years old from 2024 to enable more men to be drafted.

Another measure also increased the age limit for when retired soldier could be called back up, in some cases extending it to 55.

It remains unclear whether those recruitment efforts will translate into meaningful changes in the war.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a large-scale drone attack is occurring in Russian-occupied Crimea. Russia claims to have shot down 19 drones so far, and that explosions have been heard in Novofedorivka, Saky, Yevpatoriya, Dzhankoi, and Balaklava.

Russian Telegram sources initially reported the attacks, claiming a large number of drones were hitting targets around the territory. Details are developing but videos uploaded to social media show explosions and the sound of drones, while over 20 explosions were allegedly recorded in different cities around the peninsula.

Crimea hosts a number of Russian military installations that have come under increasing attack as Ukraine seeks to degrade Russian logistics and equipment.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) told Ukrainska Pravda that strikes on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol had destroyed military personnel and equipment in the early hours of Sept. 20.

Last week Ukrainian missile strikes severely damaged a Russian warship and submarine in a Sevastopol dry dock. Crimea is also the site of the Kerch bridge, which links to mainland Russia, and has also experienced an increase in Ukrainian attacks this year.

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.
An air-raid warning has been issued in a number of Ukrainian oblasts as Russia launched Onyx missiles.

Source: the Air Force of Ukraine; an air-raid warning map

Quote: "There is a threat for the southern oblasts. Preliminary reports indicate that Onyx supersonic anti-ship missiles have been launched by the Russians."

Details: The missiles are moving towards Zatoka in Odesa Oblast.

Update: The air-raid warning has been cancelled.

As of 19:08, the air-raid warning has been cancelled in all oblasts except for Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

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 launched a mass wave of missile attacks on Ukraine early on the morning of Sept. 21, killing two people and injuring at least 26 others.

Air raid alerts were activated at around 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. in many Ukrainian oblasts and in the city of Kyiv, where the downing of missiles by air defense systems caused debris to fall across the city, Kyiv City Military Administration said.

Over 20 Russian missiles were shot down over the city, the administration later added.

Seven people were wounded in the capital, including a child, in the Darnytskyi district after debris caused a fire at a gas station and damaged a residential building, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported.

In Kyiv Oblast, two casualties have been reported as a result of falling debris, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

In Cherkasy Oblast, a rescue operation was ongoing after a rocket hit the center of Cherkasy, Governor Ihor Taburets reported.

The Interior Ministry said that a hotel had been hit. Taburets said nine people were injured, two of whom were seriously injured, at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that Kharkiv was targeted with six missiles at around 6 a.m., leaving two men injured. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office later updated the number of injured to three men.

Three missiles hit warehouses in Drohobych in Lviv Oblast, setting fire to the buildings, governor Maksym Kozytsky said. He had no information about casualties.

In Rivne, a strike hit a service station, Rivne Oblast Governor Vitaliy Koval reported.

In Kherson, an earlier attack at around 3:40 a.m. hit a dormitory building, killing two men aged 29 and 41, and injuring five others, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

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.
Russian forces launched a missile attack against a recreational facility in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district in Odesa Oblast, Governor Oleh Kiper reported on Sept. 21.

The governor noted that no casualties were reported as a result of the attack.

According to the report, a fire broke out at the site of the attack but was quickly extinguished.

The Ukrainian military said that Russian forces used an Onyx anti-ship cruise missile in the strike.

Russia escalated its attacks against Odesa Oblast following its termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, primarily targeting ports and agricultural infrastructure.

Read also: Beach during the day, air raids at night: Summer comes to end in Odesa

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Air Force suspects that Russia might start attacking fuel and energy sector facilities in Ukraine with cold weather not far ahead. Russian forces would use high-precision long-range missiles, of which they have approximately six hundred.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, on air of national 24/7 newscast

Quote: "We can make a certain assumption that the target of the fuel and energy sector will be in the enemy's crosshairs. It is also necessary to prepare for this, since autumn has arrived, the heating season will soon start, and the enemy may not abandon plans to strike precisely at such targets, beside the military ones.

As for the missiles it can get, we have said more than once: the enemy has about 600 high-precision long-range missiles. These are Kinzhal, Kalibr, Kh-101/Kh-555, Iskanders of both types (M and K). With these missiles, the enemy can reach any corner of our country. Plus kamikaze drones, of course.

As for other missiles the enemy has in its arsenal, these are S-300, Kh-22, Onyx, Kh-35, and guided air missiles (Kh-59), these missiles may be used more in front-line regions. The use of enemy-controlled aerial bombs in the front-line area also continues.

What does Ukraine need? To strengthen air defence systems and expect the arrival of F-16s, which will be able to change air combat in our favour and reduce the activity of Russian aircraft on the southern and eastern fronts.

We are also expecting good news about the provision of additional defence systems to Ukraine from Washington and from another Ramstein-format meeting, which may give the Ukrainians more reinforcement of our air defence. We are talking not only about long-range systems (Patriot, Iris-T or NASAMS), but also so-called small anti-aircraft missiles, capable of effectively destroying Shahed drones in automatic mode.

We see increased attacks by attack UAVs, and to destroy them effectively we need to be reasonably equipped. Constantly downing Shahed drones with (anti-aircraft) missiles can lead to their shortage.

Therefore, we must understand that the strengthening of small air defence forces of the defence forces, mobile fire groups in particular, is necessary to repel attacks by attack drones."

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On Sept. 19, just under three years after the end of the last major war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku moved decisively to finish what it started in 2020.

Shortly after the announcement of the launching of anti-terrorist measures by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, videos emerged of military positions and equipment struck in the ethnically-Armenian breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan.

Soon after, reports and videos flowed in of artillery and small arms fire heard around Nagorno-Karabakhs de facto capital of Stepanakert (Khankendi in Azerbaijani). As the day unfolded, local sources claimed that along with artillery fire, Azerbaijani forces had also made advances on the ground.

Representatives of western countries, including the U.S. and European Union, were quick to condemn the Azerbaijani attacks, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev to halt the escalation by telephone.



On the ground, the reaction of Russia, which had maintained a force of peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a Moscow-brokered ceasefire deal at the time, was nearly absent. Publicly, Moscow denied responsibility for stopping the fighting, pointing to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans public readiness to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory.

Ultimately, without prospects of viable military resistance and without military intervention from the military of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakhs authorities surrendered to Baku on Sept. 20, just under 24 hours after the offensive was launched.

The situation as of Sept. 21 continues to develop quickly, with early reports of Azerbaijani troops entering Armenian-populated settlements and a mass exodus of civilians seeking refuge in Stepanakert.

Under the terms of the new ceasefire, the NKR military is to be disarmed and disbanded, all but heralding the end of the NKR as a de facto state entity.

Azerbaijani and Armenian representatives met on Sept. 21 in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlash for talks moderated by Russian peacekeepers on the implementation of the ceasefire, and the reintegration issues facing the remaining population of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

A view shows an Azerbaijani checkpoint at the entry of the Lachin corridor, the Armenian-populated breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region's only land link with Armenia, on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Karen Minasyan/AFP via Getty Images)

The events of Sept. 19-20 did not come out of the blue after regular flare-ups in violence between Armenians and Azerbaijani forces in the region, while Russias interest in and leverage over Nagorno-Karabakh decreased dramatically with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Starting in autumn last year and with the tacit cooperation of Russian peacekeepers, Baku had initiated a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, cutting off supplies and sparking a humanitarian crisis in the region.

Russias failure to fulfill its stated role of peacekeeper and enforce the terms of the 2020 ceasefire points both to Moscows abandonment of its traditional alliance with Armenia, but also of Russias rapid loss of influence in the South Caucasus as a whole.

Russia tried to impose its hegemony over this whole conflict setting in November 2020, said Caucasus expert and Associate Fellow at Chatham House Laurence Broers to the Kyiv Independent. It brokered the ceasefire, it brought in peacekeepers.

Now, this notion of Russia as the indispensable Eurasian security actor has been proven completely false.

Read also: Nagorno-Karabakh authorities surrender in apparent Russia-brokered deal

Swift demise

Alarm bells about a new Azerbaijani offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenia were first set off earlier in September, when open-source intelligence showed a significant build-up of Azerbaijani forces along the borders of Armenian-controlled territory.

Photos of the military build-up posted to social media showed Azerbaijani military equipment painted with a symbol representing an upside-down letter A. In a fashion not unlike Russias adoption of the letters Z and V as public pro-war symbols, some Azerbaijani media outlets and Telegram channels began to incorporate the symbol in their logos.

In Bakus version, the final decision to attack was triggered by the alleged deaths of two Azerbaijani road workers and four police officers from separate landmine explosions on the morning of Sept. 19.

Although Nagorno-Karabakh remains heavily mined after two major wars and Armenias alleged refusal to cooperate with demining has been a recurring sticking point for Azerbaijan, the claims were not independently verifiable.

Once the offensive began in earnest, Nagorno-Karabakhs authorities and other sources on the ground in Armenian-controlled territory quickly reported both military and civilian casualties from alleged Azerbaijani attacks.

As of the evening of Sept. 20, the NKRs Ombudsman reported at least 200 deaths, of which 10 were civilians, including five children.

In its announcement of the ceasefire, Baku claimed to have taken over 90 Armenian military positions and captured several pieces of military equipment, but denied targeting or killing civilians.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev attends the "Victory Day" event held on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the Karabakh Victory on Nov. 8, 2022 in Shusha, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Azerbaijani Presidency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Photos and videos posted by locals on social media showed extensive damage to residential areas and dozens of civilians taking shelter in dark basements, where, according to the NKR, electricity was cut off in the afternoon of Sept. 19.

With no access to the region for independent media or observers, neither sides claims can be independently verified.

Meanwhile, according to local Armenian journalist Tigran Grigoryan, several Armenian villages had already been taken by Azerbaijani forces as of the morning of Sept. 20, while the Caspian Defense Studies Institute reported that the fourth-century Amaras Monastery had also been taken.

Unlike the war in 2020, this Azerbaijani offensive was over quickly, much in part to Pashinyans decision not to send the Armenian military into the fight, a move that was met with public praise from Aliyev.

Following the ceasefire, images emerged of thousands of local residents gathering at the airport in Stepanakert, where Russian peacekeepers are based. The Russians dont know what to do with them (the refugees at the airport) they are angry at them, said local journalist Marut Vanyan in an Open Democracy video report published on the evening of Sept. 20.

On Sept. 21, locals posted videos with the sounds of continued gunfire around Stepanakert, accompanied by unconfirmed reports in the early afternoon that Azerbaijani troops had entered Stepanakert.

Russian peacekeepers have, according to the countrys defense ministry, evacuated around 5,000 civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Meanwhile, Armenian social media has been flooded with posts seeking information about missing persons in the region.

Read also: Azerbaijans president says countrys sovereignty restored after Karabakh offensive

History of violence

Nagorno-Karabakh lies entirely within the state borders of independent Azerbaijan, with no United Nations member state, not even Armenia, officially recognizing the independence of the NKR.

Though the Azeri and Armenian populations had clashed in the region before, the modern conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has its roots in the Soviet occupation of the South Caucasus, when Joseph Stalin created the Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the borders of the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic in 1923.

When the Soviet Union began its road to collapse in the late 1980s, ethnic tension boiled over as Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh demanded to unite with Armenia proper. Violent pogroms broke out in 1988 in both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and by the time the Soviet Union finally fell apart in 1991, the two newly-independent countries were already in a state of open armed conflict.

Armenian forces achieved a decisive victory in the resulting war, which was marked by numerous crimes against civilians including the Khojaly massacre, in which hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians were slain by Armenian soldiers.

Soldiers keep guard by the side of the road where the final days of battle had occurred between Armenian forces and approaching Azeri forces several day before, on Nov. 13, 2020, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. (Photo by Alex McBride/Getty Images)

By the end of that war in 1994, Armenian forces had seized control not only over the former NKAO, but also over vast stretches of Azerbaijani-majority territory surrounding the enclave.

According to UN estimates, 684,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis were forced to abandon their homes in fear of violence, with their settlements largely left as empty ruins within the newly-formed NKR.

The expulsion of the Azerbaijani population from these areas, described by Baku and its partners as ethnic cleansing, has proved to be one of the main moral arguments used by Azerbaijan to justify its later offensives against Nagorno-Karabakh.

Having grown far stronger economically and militarily than Armenia in the post-Soviet period, Azerbaijan launched a full-scale invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied territories within its borders in September 2020.

In 44 days of brutal fighting, Armenian forces were decisively defeated by the superior Azerbaijani military, before a Moscow-brokered ceasefire froze the contact lines and stipulated the handover to Azerbaijan of all remaining occupied areas outside the former NKAO. Control over the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, was passed, at the time exclusively to Russian peacekeepers.

Despite the Russian presence and most often ignored by it, violence in Nagorno-Karabakh erupted on numerous occasions in the years after the 2020 ceasefire, with frequent small-scale clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces resulting in military and civilian casualties.

I think this is part of a longer term, I should say, a mid term strategy from Azerbaijan to basically methodically deconstruct any basis for secessionism in Karabakh, said Broers.

The aim is that by May 2025, which is when Armenia and Azerbaijan have to agree or reject the renewal of the Russian peacekeepers mandate to get to the point where that question no longer stands, there is no reason for a Russian peacekeepers mission to continue.

A man holds a fruit in an empty market in Stepanakert, capital of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, on Dec. 23, 2022. (Davit Ghahramanyan/AFP via Getty Images)

In a widely-condemned escalation in September 2022, Baku launched attacks on positions inside sovereign Armenia, which Baku often refers to as Western Azerbaijan.

Then, Yerevans requests for assistance according to the terms of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization were rejected by Moscow, preoccupied with its war against Ukraine.

In December 2022, Bakus blockade of the Lachin Corridor further raised the stakes, constricting the supply of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the NKR to the point that by summer 2023, widespread starvation among civilians was reported by independent media and international human rights organizations.

Condemned in rulings by the International Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights, the blockade also highlighted the indifference of Russia, whose peacekeeping force did not take any noticeable action to reopen the road.

The Ukraine war obviously weakened Russia's hold, said Broers, both in material terms, in terms of the experience and quality of peacekeeping staff, but more importantly, reputationally.

That accelerated this pattern of (Azerbaijans) challenge to the ceasefire.

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Russia abandons Karabakh

Though Aliyev claimed on Sept. 20 that Nagorno-Karabakhs Armenians can now breathe easy and that civilians will not be persecuted, the fate of the remaining population remains uncertain.

Ethnic hatred and mistrust between the two nations remains as high as ever, with the memory of several instances of civilians allegedly executed by Azerbaijani forces on video during the 2020 war, including one verified by a Bellingcat investigation, looming large.

"With a high degree of global attention focused on Karabakh, I think it would be unlikely that we would see overt massacres or something like that," said Broers.



"But I think with Azerbaijan making life difficult and incentivising emigration, I find it quite hard to foresee a long term presence or continued presence (of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh)."

The threat also remains that an emboldened Azerbaijan, taking advantage of Russian and Western weakness in the region, could launch a new offensive against sovereign Armenia, in an effort to open what Baku calls the Zangezur Corridor to Azerbaijans western exclave of Nakhchivan. Late on Sept. 20, Yerevan accused Azerbaijan of shelling Armenian territory.

Protestors gather in downtown Yerevan on Sept. 20, 2023, as separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan's authorities announced they would cease hostilities, signalling the end of an "anti-terror" operation launched just one day earlier by Azerbaijan's forces in the breakaway region. (Photo by Karen Minasyan/AFP via Getty Images)

In behavior hardly befitting the image of a so-called ally, Russian officials and state media denied Moscows responsibility to intervene, laying blame squarely on Pashinyan, who had publicly criticized Armenias traditional strategic partnership with indifferent Russia earlier in September, and, for the first time since the full-scale war, sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Published by opposition Russian outlet Meduza on Sept. 20, a leaked Kremlin directive instructed Russian state propaganda outlets to focus blame on Pashinyan, a former journalist who came to power at the head of a popular revolution that deposed pro-Russian leader Serzh Sargsyan in 2018.

According to Broers, Russia has now all but lost its leverage not only with Azerbaijan but in Armenia, where crowds marched on the Russian embassy in protest at Moscows failure to protect Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

I personally can't see how a pro-Russian faction could keep power in Armenia, he said. The disappointment and anger with Russia is so great in Armenia now, that's a long term phenomenon.

Busy with its defense against Russias full-scale war, and with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a historic visit to the United Nations, Kyiv did not officially comment on the events in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Read also: Media: Protesters clash with police at Russian embassy in Armenia over Azerbaijans offensive

Since independence, Ukraine has loosely aligned itself with Azerbaijan in the conflict, given the importance to Kyiv of territorial integrity as per the internationally-recognized borders of post-Soviet states.

Relations with Armenia, often seen in Ukraine through the lens of Yerevans partnership with Russia, soured significantly in 2014 when then-Armenian leader Sargsyan endorsed Russias illegal annexation of Crimea, a position which Pashinyans government refused to retract.

Commenting on the escalation in an interview to Ukrainska Pravda on Sept. 19, Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said that Armenias experience was a warning to other post-Soviet states still close to Russia.



Russia is not a partner to any country, Danilov said.

This should be understood by all the Central Asian countries that still have direct relations with Russia. It simply abandons its partners, and it does not fulfill its commitments."

Note from the author:

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Ma. O Aplasca on Wednesday said the security officer involved with theft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 is now under preventive suspension pending a probe.

He also said the OTS is now in the process of filing an administrative case and a possible criminal case against the erring officer.

Today, we have already forwarded the filing of the administrative case to our legal department, Aplasca said in an interview with CNN Philippines News Night.

He said the filing of legal action is part of an internal cleansing program to rid the OTS of misfits and scalawags.

We will not rest until we're able to identify and dismiss the last perpetrator of these nefarious activities, he added.

READ: Authorities probe alleged theft by NAIA security officer

The OTS administrator said the incident happened on Sept. 8 but they only got enough evidence through CCTV footage on Sept. 14.

The suspected NAIA officer, meanwhile, continues to deny allegations of theft.

The OTS said the identity of the security officer involved has been established but it will remain concealed until the investigation is completed.

The agency earlier said it is working with the Manila International Airport Authority and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security on the case.

In a statement on Wednesday, MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said airport frontliners whose actions completely negate efforts to improve the service levels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have no place in the country's main gateway.

"We trust the leadership of the OTS. Their immediate request for viewing of the CCTV footage shortly after the incident happened, is a manifestation of their resolve to take quick action against erring personnel," he said.

Co added that the OTS is taking the necessary steps to watch over and protect the majority of its members who stay true to their duties.
The Russian invaders struck the village of Zelenivka near Kherson in the evening, killing a woman.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Russia killed a woman in Zelenivka. The invaders shelled the settlement with artillery. They hit a residential building. The house was destroyed by the shelling."

Details: Rescue workers pulled out a 63-year-old woman from under the rubble. She sustained life-threatening injuries.

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Russian missiles and artillery targeted cities across Ukraine on Thursday, days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations.

Air raid sirens could be heard in cities from the east to the west in Ukraine amid the attacks.

In the southern city of Kherson, overnight Russian strikes hit a dormitory, killing three people and injuring four others, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Later in the morning, the defense ministry said a Russian projectile hit an apartment building, killing an 81-year-old woman.

In Kyiv, missile strikes injured seven people, three of whom were sent to city hospitals, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a Telegram post.

Some buildings in the city also sustained damage, including a dormitory of a vocational technical institute in the Darnytskyi district, Klitschko said. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, Klitschko said a 16-year-old girl was hospitalized.

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed it intercepted 36 of the 43 cruise missiles in Ukraine. The Associated Press reported Kharkiv was struck with S-300 missiles.

In the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said at least six strikes damaged civilian infrastructure, sending two people to the hospital.

Another 10 people were injured and at least one person was rescued from under the rubble in Cherkasy in central Ukraine, according to a post on Telegram from Ihor Klymenko, minister of internal affairs of Ukraine.

Cherkasy regional Gov. Ihor Taburets said up to 23 people may still be buried under the rubble as rescuers work to clear the debris.

Strikes were also reported in the city of Rivine and in the western region of Lyiv, according to The AP.

The series of attacks comes on the heels of Zelenskys address to the general assembly on Tuesday, where he urged U.N. members to join Ukraines fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning the Kremlins war will come for them next.

Zelensky is expected to meet with President Biden at the White House on Thursday as the Biden administration pushes for increasing funding to the embattled country. Biden has vowed the U.S. will stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes for the country to win its fight against Russia.

The visit will mark Zelenskys second trip to the White House in the past year, after he traveled to Washington last December to meet with Biden and deliver an address to a joint session of Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
During a massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine early on Sept. 21, fragments from a shot down missile struck the Pepsi plant in Vyshneve, Kyiv Oblast, just north of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, a local Telegram channel reports.

Workers at the facility sustained injuries, and industrial facilities were damaged.

Read also: Massive Russian missile assault strikes Ukraine, damage and casualties across nation

Currently, there is no information about casualties.

Community leaders and all emergency services have converged at the debris site, with local residents sharing footage of the impacts.

PepsiCo has found itself on the list of international sponsors of the war due to its continued operations in Russia following the invasion and payment of taxes to the Russian budget.

Read also: Finnish parliament drops Pepsi as fallout continues from its addition to international sponsors of war list

PepsiCo has been active in Russia since 1974, operating 19 plants, employing approximately 20,000 workers, and involving 40,000 agricultural laborers. In terms of net profit, PepsiCo ranks as the fourth-largest company in the beverages and food industry in Russia.

On the night of Sept. 21, Russia launched multiple waves of attacks on Ukraine in what is possibly the most massive missile assault in recent times. There were impacts in Lviv, Rivne, Kherson, Kharkiv and Cherkasy oblasts.

Read also: Ukraine intercepts 36 cruise missiles in Russian overnight barrage, says military chief

Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 36 out of 43 of the Russian missiles. An air raid alarm sounded across all oblasts as the missile launches occurred rapidly, with projectiles entering Ukrainian airspace from various directions and executing constant maneuvers.

In Kyivs Shevchenkivskyi district, a debris from shot down Russian missiles inflicted damage upon a dormitory building, resulting in injuries, including a 16-year-old girl, as confirmed by Mayor Vitalii Klitschko.

The medics are hospitalizing a 16-year-old girl with an acute stress reaction, the mayor said.

Additionally, a gas pipeline near the dormitory building sustained damage.

Read also: Three dead, five injured in Russian strike on Kherson dormitory

The missile attack caused debris to fall in various parts of the capital. In the Darnytskyi district, non-residential structures and parked vehicles were damaged, leading to a fire outbreak. Seven people, including a child, suffered injuries, while some microdistricts in the Sviatoshynskyi district experienced power and water outages.

Elsewhere, in the center of the city of Cherkasy to the south of Kyiv, a hotel building was reduced to rubble, resulting in ten injuries and prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation.

Rivne witnessed damage to civilian and energy infrastructure, along with five vehicles and an auto repair shop affected.

Russian occupiers also subjected residential areas in Kherson to shelling, striking a dormitory. Three civilians lost their lives, while five others sustained injuries.

Read also: PepsiCo plant resumes operation in Mykolayiv Oblast

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian forces are using desperate tactics to hold back Ukrainian advances, according to a think tank.

Soldiers say they're being ordered to make "ill-conceived" counterattacks, the Institute for the Study of War said.

Ukraine is making slow but significant progress on the front near Bakhmut.

Russian commanders are ordering troops to make "ill-conceived" and "hysterical" counterattacks near the east Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in an urgent bid to regain lost ground, according to a respected US think tank.

The Institute for the Study of War said recent posts by Russian military bloggers and servicemen revealed desperate conditions for the Russian military near Bakhmut, which has been at the center of ferocious fighting.

Troops from one battalion published a video online in which they said they had abandoned their equipment after being ordered to form an assault group and attack in the Bakhmut direction, the ISW said.

The think tank added that soldiers were being posted to the front line with shoddy artillery shells that don't explode when fired, and referred to reports that Russia had been sacrificing safety and quality in its efforts to build weapons quickly.

It added that morale was low after Ukrainian forces killed "most of an unspecified Russian regiment and almost an entire retreating assault group in the area."

The ISW cited a Russian military blogger posting on Telegram, who criticized flawed orders to counterattack and retake the village of Andriivka, near Bakhmut.

"The milblogger claimed that the Russian military command was planning 'weak' counterattacks and failed to provide accurate intelligence to Russian assault units. The milblogger observed that Russian forces also lack artillery support, while 'hysterical' counterattacks are depleting Russian resources and reserves," said the report.

Insider has been unable to verify the claims cited by the ISW, but it's one of a series of reports painting a picture of desperation as Russia seeks to stop Ukraine from breaking through its defensive lines.

As Insider's Sophia Ankel reported, Ukraine is believed to have punched through Russia's formidable anti-tank and "dragon's teeth" defenses with vehicles for the first time, according to multiple analysts.

George Barros, a lead analyst at ISW, located the assault near the southern village of Verbove.

Experts believe that Ukraine is probing several axes on the front line simultaneously, as part of a strategy to get Russia to spread its forces thin.

The UK's military intelligence on Wednesday said that Ukraine was drawing closer to cutting off a crucial supply route to Bakhmut.

The city has been the scene of some of the most ferocious fighting in the war, with Russian forces taking control of the region in May in one of the Kremlin's few notable recent successes.

"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," the UK Ministry of Defense said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russian Ministry of Defence and Russian news outlets have reported explosions in occupied Crimea, and the invaders have claimed to have shot down 19 drones over the peninsula.

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence; Russian Telegram channels Baza, Mash, Krymskiy Veter (Crimean Wind) and others

Details: The Russian Defence Ministry reported a large-scale attack on Crimea: "Russian air defence systems destroyed 19 drones over the peninsula."

Explosions near Novofedorivka began to be heard at midnight. The occupiers claimed that it was an "air defence response".

Explosions were also heard in other settlements, including Saky, Yevpatoriia, Dzhankoi and Balaklava.

Local residents said that this was the heaviest attack by Ukrainian drones yet.

Representatives of the occupation administration and Kremlin-appointed puppet leaders have not yet commented on this.

The Russian Ministry of Defence also claimed that air defence systems destroyed one UAV each over Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol oblasts of Russia.

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Twenty people were injured and 40 buildings were damaged in a Russian missile attack on Ukraine on Thursday, 21 September.

Source: Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Facebook

Quote: "Russia fired 43 missiles at civilian cities of Ukraine overnight. About 40 buildings have been damaged and two dozen people injured as a result of this terrorist attack."

Details: Shmyhal said that search and rescue crews have been clearing the rubble since the morning, pulling injured people from under the rubble and providing them with all necessary assistance.

The Prime Minister thanked the rescue workers and the air defence forces that shot down most of the missiles.

Background: On 21 September, the Ukrainian Defence Forces shot down 36 Russian cruise missiles out of 43 launched by 10 Tu-95MS Russian strategic aircraft from the area west of Engels (Russia's Saratov Oblast).

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Civil and critical infrastructure was damaged in Kharkiv

As a result of the Russian attack on Kharkiv early in the morning on Sept. 21, a water supply system was damaged, and one of the city's hospitals was left without water, Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced on national television.

"There were hits on an industrial area," Terekhov said.

Read also: Massive Russian missile assault strikes Ukraine, damage and casualties across nation

A 200 mm diameter water pipe was damaged. Now one of the city hospitals is without a water supply. We will do our best to localize (the damage) and supply water to the hospital by about 1 p.m.

Terekhov added that several private houses were also left without water supplies.

Read also: Death toll rises to eight in deadly Russian strike on Kupyansk with new Grom-E1 missile

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office clarified that the number of wounded as a result of the attack had increased to three. Men aged 24, 58, and 66 sustained injuries.

Russia launched a massive missile attack in several waves on Ukraine overnight on Sept. 20-21. There were missile impacts in Lviv, Rivne, and Cherkasy oblasts, and air defenses were operating in Kyiv.

Early in the morning, Russia also attacked Kharkiv. The Russian military struck the city six times with S-300 missiles, causing damage to civilian infrastructure.

A hotel building was destroyed in the center of the city of Cherkasy, injuring ten people.

There were hits to civilian and energy infrastructure in Rivne.

Read also: Ukrainian military destroys 27 drones overnight, one man injured in Lviv

In Kyiv, the debris of downed Russian missiles fell in four districts of the city, and seven people were reported injured.

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Russian soldiers say they are being sent to "certain death" in a video shared by Ukraine.

They say Russia asked a group of Russian artillerymen, who ran out of ammo, to fight on the front line.

They said they fled and left all of their weapons behind because they were not trained as infantry.

A group of Russian artillerymen said they were being forced to move to the front lines after running out of ammunition  despite lacking any training on how to fight at the front, according to a video shared by a Ukrainian official on Wednesday.

Artillerymen typically position themselves away from the front line, where they fire ranged weapons to support troops in front of them. Infantrymen are typically ground forces who engage in close-range combat using different types of weapons.

Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor in Ukraine's internal affairs ministry, posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which the group of men claiming to be Russian soldiers say they are "servicemen in regiment number 1442" and are fighting in "the area of Klishchiivka."

In the video, which includes subtitles written by Gerashchenko, the men say their infantry had been killed in battle, prompting Russia to try and reinforce the front line.

"We ran out of ammunition, so we got reassigned to infantry. We weren't trained to be infantry. We were trained to be artillerymen. That's it," one of the men says in the video.

They said some soldiers were refusing the assignment and fleeing instead.

The men said that Russia was sending them to "certain death" by asking them to leave their positions as artillerymen to fight on the front lines. They added that others are fleeing, and some are "hanging themselves already" to get out of the new assignment.

"We're not abandoning our duties, and we never have," one man says in the video. "We're just being sent to certain death. All of us. The unprepared."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russians fired on residential areas of Kherson for the second time on the morning of 21 September, hitting an apartment building and killing an elderly woman.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Quote: "At around 07:30, the occupiers hit the city again. They hit one of the apartment buildings."

Details: An 81-year-old woman who was in her own apartment at the time of the attack reportedly sustained severe injuries.

Background: In the middle of the night on 20-21 September, the Russians attacked a student accommodation building in Kherson, killing two civilians and injuring others.

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Ukrainian defenders are continuing their offensive operations on the Melitopol and Bakhmut fronts, while the Russians are trying to regain their lost positions near Andriivka, but were unsuccessful.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 21 September

Quote: "The Armed Forces are on the defensive in Ukraine's east and south, continuing their offensive operation on the Melitopol and Bakhmut fronts, killing the enemy, liberating the temporarily occupied territories step by step, and consolidating their positions.

During the past day, 23 combat clashes were recorded. The enemy inflicted 2 missile strikes and 80 air strikes, and carried out over 49 attacks with multiple-launch missile systems both on the positions of our troops and on civilian targets."

Details: Ukraines air defence destroyed 17 Shahed UAVs during the day on 20 September. An oil refinery was damaged due to attacks in Poltava Oblast.

Settlements in Chernihiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts were subjected to Russian air strikes.

About 90 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts came under artillery fire.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians continue to maintain a group of troops covering the state border, conducting active sabotage activities in the border areas in order to prevent the transfer of Ukrainian troops to more active fronts, and increasing the density of mine barriers along the state border in Belgorod Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area west of Zaitsev in Donetsk Oblast.

The Russians tried to retake positions in the area northeast and east of Andriivka, Donetsk Oblast, yet had no success.

Ukraines Armed Forces continue their assault operations in the area south of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, inflicting losses on the Russians in manpower and equipment, and consolidating their positions.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Marinka front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the area of Marinka, Donetsk Oblast.

Here, during the past day, the Russians carried out 13 unsuccessful attempts to oust Ukraine's troops from their positions.

At the same time, on the Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk fronts, the Defence Forces of Ukraine are holding the liberated territories and taking the initiative to win back even more Ukrainian land.

On the Melitopol front, the Ukrainian soldiers continue their offensive operations, inflicting significant losses on the Russian forces in manpower and equipment, and forcing them to withdraw from their positions.

Ukrainian defenders repelled the Russian attacks in the area of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhzia Oblast. The Russian forces have suffered significant losses both in manpower and in equipment.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting counter-battery combat, destroying supply depots and hitting targets in the Russians rear.

Throughout the day on 20 September, Ukrainian aircraft inflicted ten attacks on clusters of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, and five strikes on their anti-aircraft missile systems.

Units from Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one cluster of personnel, weapons and military equipment; 11 artillery systems; one Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, as well as a Russian electronic warfare station.

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!
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Senate is set to hold a hearing on Sept. 28 regarding the controversial Socorro group to look into claims that it is operating a drug lab, and the reported presence of armed men believed to be former police officers.

Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source on Thursday, Sen. Bato dela Rosa, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said these were among the allegations written in a letter sent to his office by Socorro Mayor Riza Timcang against the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI).

Maraming laman puro allegations of human rights violations, meron pang allegation doon na mayroon daw shabu laboratory sa loob at ito ay ginagwardiyahan ng armadong kalalakihan kaya this prompted me to file a resolution in aid of legislation, he said.

[Translation: It is full of allegations of human rights violations, there is also an allegation about a shabu laboratory that is guarded by armed men which prompted me to file a resolution in aid of legislation.]

Dela Rosa said the armed guards are believed to be former policemen who were either dismissed or have resigned. Resigned teachers were also reportedly providing their services to the group, he added.

Another claim the committee will look into is the alleged sexual abuse among minors committed by the groups leader, the senator said. SBSI Vice President Mamerto Galanida on Wednesday denied this, but he confirmed that they conduct early marriages.

Dela Rosa said lawmakers will also dig deeper into the deaths of Rosalina Taruc, an official of SBSI who was killed in 2021, and her daughter former Socorro Mayor Denia Florano who mysteriously died eight days after. He noted there were no police records regarding this, and Timcang believes that the deaths were due to the propagation of the cult.

In a separate statement, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who first revealed the illegal activities of the alleged cult this week, said her office has received two more testimonies from former SBSI members.

She said a 28-year-old called Karl told her office that he used to be part of the Agila Squad, the armed group of SBSI led by the reported cult leader Jey Rence Quilario or Senior Agila. It has 107 members, including minors as young as 12 years old and women who practice how to use knives and different types of guns, he added.

Karl said Quilarios private army call themselves the Soldiers of God. The alleged cult leader told them they can kill other people as ordered by Senior Agila, Karl added.

Hontivero said 13-year-old Maymay also reached out to her office. The survivor said she escaped with her parents because she wanted to attend school, which the group does not permit.
The Russian forces have launched airstrikes on a village in Kherson Oblast, killing a woman.

Source: Volodymyr Litvinov, head of the Beryslav District Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: The Russians launched guided air bombs on the village of Lvove in Beryslav district, striking private houses.

A 63-year old woman received injuries incompatible with life as a result of the attack.

Updated: Oleksandr Prokudin , head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, reported that the Russians also shelled Bilozerka. According to preliminary data, one person was killed, and two others were injured due to the Russian strike.

As Prokudin reported, the Russians are bombarding Kherson Oblast all day long. Since the beginning of this day, there have been 15 human casualties caused by Russian bombardment: 5 were killed, and another 10 were injured.

Later, the Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office reported that as of 16:30, six civilians have died and nine more people have been injured due to Russian attacks. Besides the settlements of Bilozerka and Lvove, the Russians also attacked the village of Tiahynka in the Beryslav district.

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By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Russia's leverage over Ukraine's export of grain via the Black Sea will likely erode in weeks to come as more ships are able to leave Ukrainian ports and rising costs could prompt Moscow to reconsider its abandonment of the grain deal, a senior U.S. State Department official said.

THE TAKE

James O'Brien, head of the State Department Office of Sanctions Coordination, said leaders at the U.N. General Assembly this week discussed efforts to revive the deal, which Russia abandoned in July.

Western countries have accused Russia of using food as a weapon of war by quitting the Black Sea deal, which had helped bring down global food prices, and then carrying out repeated air strikes on Ukrainian ports and grain stores.

KEY QUOTES

"A couple of factors are going to ... affect their calculation. One is that their leverage will decline. Ukraine's already now had a few ships leave and stay in territorial waters," O'Brien said of Moscow's thinking on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

He said the second factor was that Russia's pricing would be hurt by its attacks on Ukrainian ships, which leads to insurers raising rates and Moscow's costs going up.

"Over the next several weeks, I think the factors that led Russia to believe it would benefit from withdrawing are going to change."

CONTEXT

Russia quit the grain deal, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey in 2022, saying that its own food and fertilizer exports, while not subject to Western sanctions, faced obstacles and that not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need.

Ukrainian ports across the Danube River have since become a vital export corridor for Ukrainian grain, and Russia has targeted the route with regular air strikes.

Ukraine last month announced a "humanitarian corridor" to release ships trapped in its ports and to circumvent a de facto blockade.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Howard Goller)
In this screenshot, Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks at a congressional subcommittee on education in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Oklahomas state schools superintendent called Chinese influence a pressing and deeply concerning issue in American education during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters spoke to a U.S. House education subcommittee on Tuesday, alleging the Chinese Communist Party has attempted to influence learning in Tulsa Public Schools and other districts through Mandarin language programs.

The Tulsa district has denied receiving any funds from the Chinese government. The district paid for a Chinese language teacher at Booker T. Washington High School to take professional development sessions from a Confucius Classroom Coordination Office at the International Leadership of Texas Charter Schools.

Congressional Democrats said the hearing perpetuated a debunked conspiracy theory and could fuel anti-Asian American bias.

A nonprofit called the Chinese International Education Foundation manages the institute  not the government of China.

Walters and other speakers at the hearing claimed its K-12 language and cultural program, Confucius Classrooms, are part of the Chinese Communist Partys propaganda arm.

Through programs such as Confucius Classrooms, we are allowing a hostile foreign anti-democratic government a foothold into our schools, Walters testified.

More: PragerU Kids, controversial conservative group, to partner with Oklahoma schools

Walters also said Tulsa has a disturbing connection to the Chinese Communist Party, which he alleged whitewashes Chinas history, indoctrinates American students and threatens U.S. national security.

He urged national lawmakers to ban schools from receiving money from hostile foreign governments and from entering into data-sharing agreements. The Oklahoma State Board of Education, which Walters leads, recently ordered all school districts in the state to report any financial contributions from foreign governments.

Republicans on the House panel voiced similar concerns, as did other speakers invited to the hearing  Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez and Nicole Neily, executive director of Parents Defending Education.

None of Oklahomas all-Republican congressional delegation sits on the education subcommittee.

Ryan Walters hearing criticized as an attempt to 'inject culture wars and partisan politics into our public schools'

Congressional Democrats, though, dismissed the claims of Chinese influence as unsubstantiated.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, noted an eight-month investigation by a Senate committee already looked into the Confucius Institute and found no threats to national security nor school curricula.

Bonamici panned the hearing as an attempt by the Republican majority to inject culture wars and partisan politics into our public schools in a way that can fuel anti-Asian American bias.

In a pointed line of questioning for consistency, Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Arizona, asked Walters whether the oil and gas industry should dictate climate change curriculum, hinting it does so through PragerU, a media entity whose pro-America videos the state superintendent encouraged Oklahoma schools to use.

More: 'Do not test me.' Ryan Walters demands quick improvement in Tulsa schools; accreditation approved

These are American companies that are a benefit to the American economy, so I dont see any issue with them having influence on our education system, Walters responded.

Another invited speaker, Gisela Perez Kusakawa, encouraged the subcommittee to exercise caution when crafting laws and rhetoric on China.

Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said Asian Americans and immigrants suffer discrimination when the countrys leaders espouse anti-China language.

For many of them, they are not differentiated between this foreign government and who they are here, Kusakawa said. I really ask that folks consider that even though there are real, genuine threats (from the Chinese government), there is also a real, genuine backlash that the Asian American and immigrant community faces, and this means that we have a responsibility to think on how we can have a nuanced approach moving forward.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters claims Chinese government is influencing Oklahoma schools
The top prosecutor of Sacramento, California, is suing the city in an ongoing dispute between local leaders over the city's homelessness crisis and its handling of cleaning up encampments.

After two months of threatening legal action against city officials, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho announced the lawsuit Tuesday. The suit, which was filed along with a companion lawsuit by residents and business owners, alleges that the city failed to enforce local laws and allowed the unhoused population to become a public nuisance.

Ho noted that over the last seven years, the city's unhoused population has caused the city to "collapse into chaos."

"We have an erosion of everyday life," Ho said during a news conference. "We forget what it feels like to be safe and that brings us to this lawsuit... because we need to get people off the streets." Ho added that his office had asked the city to enforce its homeless ordinances, such as issuing citations for unlawful camping, unlawful storage or sidewalk obstructions, and to create sanctioned encampments.

The lawsuit is the latest challenge in California's escalating homelessness and housing shortage crisis as cities remain divided over the issue and struggle to address homeless encampments  which have become increasingly visible along downtown streets and freeways.

Nearly a third of unhoused people in the United States live in California, according to a statewide study released in June. The study, conducted by the University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, found that almost 90% of unsheltered people reported the cost of housing as the main barrier to escaping homelessness.

Lawsuit comes amid rise in Sacramento's unhoused population

According to data from the Point in Time Count, an annual survey of unhoused people across the nation, Sacramento County had nearly 9,300 homeless people in 2022. Of those people surveyed, 72% slept outdoors and not in shelters.

"The number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night in Sacramento County rose by 67 percent compared to the 2019 Point in Time Count," Sacramento Steps Forward, a nonprofit working to end homelessness, said in a news release.

On Tuesday, Ho said the city's unhoused population has "exploded to over 250%" over the last seven years. Ho's lawsuit described safety concerns from community members and incidents with court and district attorney employees.

The complaint cited a county judge's letter to the city which stated people encountered daily incidents that included "but are not limited to, physical and verbal assault, public sex acts, open fires, nudity, urinating and defecating on walkways."

Dozens of accounts from local residents and business owners living near 14 encampments were also described in the lawsuit and many alleged that their calls for help to city officials were left unanswered.

Some homeowners said they were threatened with firearms at their front door and had their properties broken into and vandalized. And local business owners said they have spent thousands of dollars on security systems after their employees were assaulted by homeless people.

During Tuesday's news conference, Sacramento resident Emily Webb said people living an encampment near her home have trespassed on her property, blocked her driveway and threatened her family.

"We're losing sleep and exhausted from this stress," she said. "We are beyond frustrated and no longer feel comfortable or safe in our home."

'WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE, WE'VE GOT TO': Brown Bag Lady serves meals and dignity to Los Angeles' homeless

Complaint filed after monthslong feud

Since at least July, Ho has threatened legal action against city officials. Last month, Ho sent a letter to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg warning that his office would pursue legal action if the city didn't make several homeless-related changes within 30 days.

Ho proposed to clear the city's 16 homeless encampments, create more temporary emergency shelters, and add a daytime camping ban. Ho also wants to give out citations for those who refuse shelter and hire four more city attorneys to enforce laws.

But Steinberg fired back against the district attorney, saying Ho was politicizing the issue and that the district attorney's office had "offered no substantive partnership in which the courts would work with the city to increase the ability to prosecute quality of life crimes."

In response to Ho's lawsuit, Steinberg said in a statement Tuesday that the city has added 1,200 emergency shelter beds, passed ordinances to protect sidewalks and schools, and has created more affordable housing.

The city is trying to avoid "the futile trap of just moving people endlessly from one block to the next," Steinberg added. The mayor said community frustrations are "absolutely justified" but called Ho's actions a "performative distraction."

"The city needs real partnership from the region's leaders, not politics and lawsuits," he said.

TICKETED FOR BEING HOMELESS? Supreme Court asked to weigh if punishment is 'cruel and unusual'

California's homelessness crisis

California has the largest homeless population in the nation, according to the state auditor. The housing crisis and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have only exacerbated the need for affordable housing.

The state auditor's office has noted local governments have issued permits to build "less than one-fifth of the housing low-income Californians need." And cities are struggling to address local concerns and the needs of unhoused individuals.

Critics have said encampments are unsanitary and lawless, and blocking people such as children, older residents and disabled people from using public spaces. Critics say allowing people to live outdoors in unsafe conditions is neither humane nor compassionate.

But advocates for homeless people have called the crisis complex and that more investment in affordable housing and services is needed to alleviate the issue. They say camping bans and encampment sweeps unnecessarily traumatize the unhoused population.

Other cities in California, including San Francisco and Santa Ana, have also faced legal challenges for their actions against the homeless population. San Francisco is currently facing a lawsuit over homeless camp sweeps and other enforcement actions.

In 2019, Orange County agreed to a settlement after the county was sued for civil rights violations. More recently, the city of Santa Ana was at the center of a legal battle after the city threatened to fine a Christian group for distributing food to homeless people in the community.

Contributing: Terry Collins and Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prosecutor sues Sacramento over failure to enforce homeless ordinances
Alray Nelson and his partner Brennen Yonnie are married in all but name.

Theyve been together for 12 years. Theyve raised a child together. They wear wedding rings and refer to each other as husbands. Unlike straight married couples, however, they cant benefit from each others insurance, file taxes jointly or build a house together on tribal land.

Same-sex marriage is banned on the Navajo Nation, the sprawling reservation that spans Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. The two could have married in another jurisdiction and moved somewhere that recognizes the rights of LGBTQ couples. But the reservation is home, and they feel theres no other place for them to go. So despite a lifelong commitment to each other, they dont plan to marry until the ban is lifted.

When it comes to having a marriage certificate, thats something that we will not obtain until that marriage certificate says the Navajo Nation on it, Nelson, executive director of Navajo Nation Pride and an executive assistant to Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, told CNN.

That day could be on the horizon.

In June, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Seth Damon introduced a bill to repeal the prohibition on same-sex marriage. The legislation has cleared three committees and faces just one more before it can go before the full council. Meanwhile, key Navajo leaders have voiced support for the measure.

If the bill clears the committee stage, Nelson said he expects it to go before the full council in mid-October. And if it passes, he added, it could have a ripple effect on Indigenous nations in the US.

It sends a message of inclusiveness across Indian Country and the United States  that the largest target tribal nation in the country stands on the right side of history, he added. It supports our LGBTQ relatives, as our nations always have since time immemorial.

Navajo leaders banned same-sex marriage in 2005

Though the Supreme Courts 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the Navajo Nation and other federally recognized tribes are sovereign and not bound by the courts decision. While at least 37 tribal nations have marriage equality laws on the books, others  including the Navajo Nation  explicitly prohibit it.

In 2005, the Navajo Nation Council passed the Dine Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman and declared same-sex marriage void and prohibited. Its sponsor characterized the law as promoting family values and preserving Navajo tradition.

Jennifer Denetdale, professor and chair of American Studies at the University of New Mexico, said that the Dine Marriage Act was enacted during a moment when broader American society appeared to be concerned about the preservation of the nuclear family. But according to Denetdale, some Navajos were surprised that the council felt such legislation was necessary. (Then-President Joe Shirley Jr. vetoed the legislation, calling same-sex marriage on the Navajo Nation a non-issue and the ban discriminatory, but the council ultimately overrode the veto.)

Our matrilineal system recognizes that kin relationships are the building blocks of our nation and our relationships, she told CNN. We privilege and we prize our kin relationships. This means that we remember our inclusion of our LGBTQ2 (Two-Spirit) relatives.

Though supporters of the Dine Marriage Act have cited concerns over preserving Navajo tradition, what constitutes Navajo tradition has also been a subject of debate. Some scholars have written that Navajos traditionally acknowledged and respected a third gender, the nadleehi (and even multiple genders)  though theres disagreement over whether relationships between the nadleehi and their partners correspond to modern LGBTQ relationships.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Seth Damon, right, introduced legislation in June that would repeal the tribal nation's ban on same-sex marriages. - From Navajo Nation Council

The proposed legislation to repeal the Dine Marriage Acts ban on same-sex marriage maintains that the traditional Navajo wedding ceremony will remain between a man and a woman. LGBTQ couples will be able to marry on the Navajo Nation through other methods, and the tribal government will also recognize such marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

The way in which its written is intended to acknowledge that the Navajo people consider marriage to be sacred between a man and a woman, Denetdale said. But the legislation recognizes and acknowledges that there are relationships between people who we may consider to be of the same sex, who have always had long-standing and fruitful and loving relationships as well. And those relationships deserve to be recognized by the Navajo Nation.

The proposed legislation also calls for changing gendered language in tribal statues to be more inclusive, and removing provisions of Navajo code that require married women to have their husbands consent before making certain financial decisions.

Damon, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to CNNs requests for comment.

Some Navajos are hesitant to return home without marriage equality

Nelson said a repeal of the same-sex marriage ban would have a profound impact on him and his partner, as well as other LGBTQ couples on the Navajo Nation. For example, if his partner were to experience a medical emergency, he might not have visitation rights or any authority over decisions regarding his care.

God forbid something happened to his life, I do not have any decision making power over what happens to my husband  a privilege that same-sex couples and my mom and my dad had in their marriage, he said.

Nelson, right, and Yonnie have been advocating for marriage equality on the Navajo Nation for nearly a decade. - Courtesy Alray Nelson

While Nelson and his partner have chosen to remain on the Navajo Nation, others say they could be forced to build a life elsewhere if circumstances dont change.

If things dont go the way I want them to go, then its quite possible that I may have to leave and find a place where I am welcomed and celebrated, said Charlie Amaya Scott, a scholar and educator who runs the popular Instagram account Dine Aesthetics.

Such considerations are partly why Josie Raphaelito doesnt currently live on the Navajo Nation.

Raphaelito, a board member for Dine Pride and a vocal advocate for marriage equality on the Navajo Nation, grew up in Pine Hill, New Mexico, on the Ramah Navajo Indian Reservation and left to attend college and graduate school on the East Coast. Though she now lives in Buffalo, New York, with her wife, she said she always planned on returning home eventually.

While there are other factors affecting her decision, Raphaelito said shes hesitant to move back to the Navajo Nation when she knows she and her wife would lack protections afforded to straight married couples.

Its hurtful to not be seen as equal and to have your partner not seen as equal either, she said.

Marriage equality advocates are optimistic about the bills future

There have been other attempts to repeal the Navajo Nations ban on same-sex marriage.

The first bill, introduced last year by Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugene Tso, was initially withdrawn and resubmitted with changes. The council concluded its legislative session before the second proposal could come up for a vote.

Nelson and Raphaelito are optimistic that the third time will be the charm.

The years and years of advocacy and education are starting to really pay off, Raphaelito said. (People) are serving as allies and introducing bills and encouraging their colleagues to listen with their hearts and be a better relative to all of our Navajo people.

While some LGBTQ and Two-Spirit Navajos report not feeling welcome in their communities, the tide is turning. Organizations such as Dine Equality have long advocated for LGBTQ rights. The Navajo Nation, meanwhile, observed Dine Pride Week for the first time in 2017 and the festivities have continued in the years since.

Its time for the Navajo government to really exercise its sovereignty to protect people that look and live like me and my husband, Nelson said.

Nelson said he feels confident that the council has the votes to pass the legislation this time around. And if that happens, he and his partner plan to be first in line for a marriage license issued by the Navajo Nation.

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The Senate Health Committee advanced legislation Thursday that would fund community health centers and increase the number of primary care physicians and nurses, despite a clash between the panels top members.

The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced the bill in a bipartisan 14-7 vote, with Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) joining co-sponsor Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and all Democrats to support the measure.

However, its unclear if the bill has the support necessary to pass the full Senate, especially before funding expires Sept. 30.

It is a far more modest piece of legislation than I would have liked to have seen. But, if this legislation is passed, it will not only save us substantial sums of money by making our health care system more efficient and rational  but it will go a long way towards making primary health care in America more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans, committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said.

The measure was crafted in an unusual bipartisan effort between Sanders and Marshall, circumventing ranking member Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Cassidy said he tried to negotiate with Sanders, but claimed the chairman wanted an unrealistic amount of money for health centers that wasnt going to be offset.

If you want to do something positive for patients, then actually do the work to find the offsets on a bipartisan, bicameral basis. Dont just say someone else will figure it out. If you dont pay for it, then all you have is a messaging bill. That is cynical. It is manipulative, Cassidy said.

Cassidy filed 67 amendments, though he withdrew them all and only called for votes on four of them.

The top Republican said he knew the bill was going to advance despite his opposition, but he said he wanted to make his objections known.

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Sanders and Marshall told reporters earlier this week that the bill will be fully paid for, with about $10 billion from bills in the Health Committee jurisdiction and assurances from other panels about being able to use additional bills outside the Health Committees jurisdiction.

There is no independent estimate on how much the bill could cost. The Health panel has put forward savings from the bill, but those estimates are produced by majority staff. Leaders and aides in other committees also did not have specific details about what those offsets could be.

In a statement after the bill advanced out of committee, Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said his panel is working with the Health Committee on the use of prescription drug competition measures to provide savings.

The solutions to many of our pressing health care challenges are in hand. The question is whether we can find a bipartisan commitment to move them forward. I hope we can, Durbin said.

The legislation increases funding for community health centers to $5.8 billion per year for three years, an increase of almost $2 billion annually. The funding would go toward expanding hours of operation at community health centers as well as school-based health services.

It also includes funding for scholarships and debt forgiveness for medical professionals, as well as new primary care residency slots and more funding for nursing training programs.

But it also includes measures targeting hospital billing policies, drawing the ire of groups like the American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals, which wrote to the committee to oppose the bill.

It would ban hospitals from using anti-competitive practices in certain contracts when they negotiate prices with commercial insurance companies. It also would ban hospitals from charging facility fees for certain services like telehealth that dont occur on a hospital campus.

On the other side of the Capitol, the House Energy and Commerce Committee previously advanced its own version of a community health center funding extension in a unanimous vote. But it hasnt been brought to the floor yet, as GOP leaders have not been able to get the caucus to agree on any legislation that would fund the government.

Funding for community health centers as well as other expiring programs are in the balance.

Were marking up a new proposal six legislative days before the program expires. We have no time to align with House counterparts, guaranteeing that well have to do at least a short-term, flat-funded patch. Not a good outcome for community health centers, who wished to have certainty, Cassidy said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Activist Edin Alex Enamorado and City Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez speak on the steps of the downtown police station in Santa Barbara on Sept. 17, 2023. (Faith E. Pinho / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Barbara police have asked the county district attorney to consider filing trespassing, battery and hate crime charges against a woman who was seen in a viral video arguing with a construction worker.

The woman made statements in the video that were decried as racist and spurred a protest outside Santa Barbara police headquarters.

"Over the last several days Santa Barbara Police Detectives have been investigating the incident that occurred in this recent social media video," the department said Wednesday in a statement to The Times. "As a result of the investigation, Detectives referred the case to the Santa Barbara District Attorneys Office for their consideration."

The Santa Barbara County district attorney's office could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

The video, recorded Saturday, shows Jeanne Umana inside a house being worked on by Luis Cervantes.

Cervantes informs Umana that the house is private property.

"I work for the police so it's OK," Umana says.

In a statement released Monday, police said that Umana had no affiliation with the department and that the agency "does not condone her behavior."

Read more: 'You're a Tijuanan': Viral video roils Santa Barbara, spurring hundreds to protest

Cervantes tells Umana that he will call the police.

I live here. Im American, youre a Tijuanan, Umana says.

Thank you for being racist, thank you, Cervantes says, following her off the property.

The video appears to show Umana slapping at Cervantes' phone.

The video caused a firestorm in the coastal oasis of Santa Barbara, with a crowd of people gathering in the neighborhood on Sunday to call for Umana's arrest.

In an interview with The Times, Umana apologized for her behavior.

I am truly sorry that this got out of hand, and I regret making statements like that, because I said them in the heat of the moment," she said. "They were not measured, and whatever I might feel, I dont have the right to take it out on anybody else. But unfortunately, I lost control.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was interviewed on Fox News.

He said if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia will need one too.

Biden is trying to restart the 2015 Iran deal amid fears of an arms race in the region.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warned that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon his kingdom would have to get one too.

In a rare interview conducted in English with Fox News' Bret Baier on Wednesday, the Saudi ruler addressed the likely consequences of Iran - Saudi Arabia's longtime regional foe - obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"If they get one, we have to get one," the crown prince said, adding that it would be necessary "for security reasons, and for balancing power in the Middle East, but we don't want to see that."

"We are concerned of any country getting a nuclear weapon," he said when asked about Iran. "That's a bad move," he added.

He earlier discussed the potentially cataclysmic consequences of a nuclear strike.

"Even if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, [if] any country uses a nuclear weapon that means they are having a war with the rest of the world," he said. "The world cannot see another Hiroshima. If the world sees 100,000 people dead, that means you are in a war with the rest of the world."

Amid concerns over reports Iran is gearing up its weapons-grade uranium enrichment program, Saudi Arabia's ambitious ruler Crown Prince Mohammed is seeking to play rival superpowers against each other in a bid to obtain nuclear technology, say analysts.

Saudi Arabia has said that it could normalize relations with Israel should the US grant it access to the technology, with the US and Israel considering a civilian uranium enrichment deal for the Saudis if a deal is brokered, The Wall St. Journal reported.

The possible deal could spark a new nuclear arms race in the region, even as the US seeks to get Iran to agree to curtail its program again, non-proliferation experts warned.

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was negotiated by the Obama administration, led to Iran agreeing to limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions being lifted. But the deal was scrapped by President Donald Trump in 2018.

President Joe Biden has engaged in faltering attempts to restart the deal. In recent days there have been hints of an easing in tensions between Iran and the US, with five US citizens held as prisoners by Iran freed in exchange for $6 billion seized under sanctions handed over to Tehran and the release of five Iranians jailed in the US.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday that relations with the US could improve if the Biden administration shows it's sincere about wanting to restart the nuclear deal by easing sanctions, The Associated Press reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista gave the go signal to impose the "maximum penalty" against personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) involved in any wrongdoing, as he expressed dismay over a security screening officer caught stuffing dollar bills into her mouth.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has completed its investigation regarding the female officer who was seen swallowing $300 she allegedly stole from a Chinese passenger.

The DOTr said the OTS has recommended taking legal and administrative actions against the security screener. The OTS earlier said it is working with the Manila International Airport Authority and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security on the case.

READ: NAIA security officer accused of theft suspended, to face complaint

"The Secretary has authorized imposing the maximum penalty to those found guilty to demonstrate the Department's determined push to rid NAIA as well as other attached agencies of scalawags," the DOTr said in a statement Thursday.

Bautista said those personnel found to have connived in the alleged theft will also face complaints.

The DOTr said Bautista was "frustrated" over the news as the current administration has been enticing foreign groups to invest in the country's main gateway.
Saudi crown prince on Iran acquiring nuclear weapons: If they get one, we have to get one

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Wednesday that if Iran acquired a nuclear weapon, his country would seek to do the same.

If they get one, we have to get one, the crown prince said in an interview with Fox Newss Bret Baier , adding that it would be necessary for security reasons, and for balancing power in the Middle East, but we dont want to see that.

Crown Prince Mohammed warned of the dangers of nuclear weapons and said, We are concerned of any country getting a nuclear weapon, when asked about Iran in particular.

Thats a bad, thats a bad move, he added.

He suggested trying to get nuclear weapons in general is a fruitless endeavor, since deploying them is equivalent to declaring war on the world.

Even if Iran get a nuclear weapon, [if] any country use a nuclear weapon, that means they are having a war with the rest of the world, he said. The world cannot see another Hiroshima. If the world sees 100,000 people dead, that means you are in a war with the rest of the world.

On Tuesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that the United States must demonstrate in a verifiable fashion that it intends to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, which former President Trump withdrew from in 2018.

The Biden administration was in talks with Iran to restart the agreement last year, but discussions fell through and the United States has not indicated an interest in reengaging in discussions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a recent interview insisted anyone involved with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is serving jail time, a comment that comes ahead of the five-year anniversary of the murder.

When asked in a rare interview with Fox Newss Bret Baier about if any individuals are serving time for Khashoggis murder, the crown prince said, Yes. Anyone. Anyone involved is serving a jail time. You have to face the law. [sic]

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist for The Washington Post critical of the Saudi government, was killed and dismembered in 2018 by a hit squad while inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

A U.S. intelligence report later determined Salman approved and likely ordered the killing. Crown Prince Mohammed has denied having direct knowledge of the plot against Khashoggi but said in 2019 he accepted responsibility because the attack happened under his leadership.

When asked by Baier what he would tell U.S. tourists or journalists with safety concerns about visiting his country, the crown prince said, Well, we take all the legal measurements that any country took, like when America have mistakes in Iraq, they do investigation, trial, etc.

We did that in Saudi Arabia and the case being closed, he continued. And also, we try to reform the security system to be sure these kinds of mistakes doesnt happen again. And we can see in the past five years, nothing of those things happened. Its not part of what Saudi Arabia do.

In 2019, Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death for Khashoggis killing, while three others were given a total of 24 years in prison for covering up the crime and violating other laws.

The sentencing drew criticism from several lawmakers at the time, who called the verdict a farce.

During his 2020 presidential campaign, President Biden vowed to make Saudi Arabia a pariah over the Khashoggi killing but has since softened relations with the crown prince and sought his help to control oil prices and deal with other regional issues.

Speaking with Baier, Crown Prince Mohammed called the agenda between Saudi Arabia and America really interesting and that his country has a really amazing relationship with Biden.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia is getting closer every day to a landmark deal normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The de facto Saudi ruler, known as MBS, also said his country will be compelled to seek a nuclear bomb if its arch-rival Iran obtains one. If they get one, we have to get one, he said in excerpts released by Fox News from an interview that aired Wednesday.

Asked about the talks on establishing ties with Israel, Prince Mohammed denied reports that the kingdom has frozen the negotiations because Israel is refusing to make concessions to the Palestinians.

There is support from the President Biden administration to get to that point of an agreement, he told Special Report with Bret Baier. For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part, and good negotiations are continuing.

The US, Saudi Arabia and Israel are engaged in complex negotiations in which Washington would offer security guarantees to Riyadh, the Saudis would normalize relations with Israel and Israel would take actions aimed at preserving the possibility of a Palestinian state.

Read More: A Saudi-Israeli Peace Deal? Who Wants What and Why: QuickTake

Saudi-Israel normalization remains difficult, with the process fraught over specifics, including the Palestinian issue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week.

Given the right-wing nature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition, any concessions to Palestinian aspirations may be among the most challenging aspects of the negotiations. Netanyahu has repeatedly said that he would take no steps that would endanger Israels security.

Read More: Biden, Netanyahu Make Peace in New York After Nine-Month Freeze

The Israeli leader expressed confidence Wednesday during a meeting with President Joe Biden that the Jewish state could reach a deal with Saudi Arabia. It would lead to reconciliation with the Arab world and advance prospects for peace with the Palestinians, Netanyahu said in their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

--With assistance from Jennifer Jacobs, Jordan Fabian and Matthew Martin.

(Updates to show interview aired in second paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggested Wednesday that the $2 billion investment the Saudi government made in Jared Kushner s private equity fund would not be affected by a theoretical second term for former President Trump.

In a rare interview with Fox Newss Bret Baier, the crown prince defended the government-controlled Public Investment Funds (PIF) investment in the firm Kushner  Trumps son-in-law  started after leaving his post as a White House adviser.

Its a commitment that the PIF [has], and the PIF [has] commitment[s] with any investor around the globe to keep it, Crown Prince Mohammed said when asked whether he would move the money should Trump, who currently leads the 2024 GOP primary field, were elected president for another term.

Kushner  who had a close relationship with the crown prince  accepted the investment just six months after leaving office, raising concerns about the appearance of an improper quid pro quo.

Asked about the appearance of the investment, the crown prince said, We look to opportunities and investment. We have investment, a lot of investment around the globe with a lot of peoples and with economical opportunity.

He also brushed off concerns about any apparent impropriety and claimed most prominent figures around the world have some sort of connection to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is so big, so Im quite sure mostly any person around the world, directly or indirectly, you have something to do with Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed said when asked whether the investment could affect a theoretical new Trump administration.

So if [thats] going to affect President Trump decision, if he becomes president  [its] going to affect every president in the world and every person in the worlds decision, because directly or indirectly, the crown prince added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The collaborators were residents of Beryslav district of Kherson Oblast

Ukraines SBU security service has detained two organizers of the sham referendum that the Kremlin arranged during Russias occupation of the west-bank part of Kherson Oblast in 2022, the agency reported on Telegram on Sept. 21.

The defendants now face five to ten years in prison.

The collaborators were residents of the Beryslav district of Kherson Oblast. After the seizure of the region, the mother and daughter supported the Russian occupation administration and offered their assistance in the war against Ukraine.

After that, both women were "appointed" to the occupation "election commission" in one of the areas villages.

According to the investigation, the women made door-to-door visits to local residents and collected "votes" for the accession of Kherson Oblast to the Russian Federation.

Read also:

However, in case of refusal to put the "required" tick in the ballot, the defendants threatened locals with imprisonment in a Russian torture chamber. In addition, to further intimidate civilians, the collaborators were accompanied by armed militants.

Later, the women rigged the vote in favor of the Kremlin.

The SBU noted the suspects remained in the village after de-occupation, hoping to avoid accountability.

Based on the collected evidence, the SBU investigators pressed charges against the offenders under Part 2 Article 28, Part 5 Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The two women are currently in custody.

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
One South Carolina restaurant made the third annual New York Times Restaurant List: Verns, which opened in a Charleston neighborhood last year.

Its one of many accolades the restaurant has garnered in a short period, including Conde Nast, James Beard and various Charleston publications that simply gush.

Owned by Bethany and Daniel Heinze, the couple met while working at the now closed McCradys in Charleston, which was founded by legendary chef and James Beard award winner Sean Brock.

The Times restaurant writer Priya Krishna, said of Verns, Finally, wine-bar food feels interesting again.

Daniel, who goes by Dano, was selected as a semi-finalist this year for best chef in the Southeast by the James Beard Awards.

The restaurant was once a corner grocery, built in 1881, in the Elliottborough neighborhood, a section in downtown Charleston of trendy shops and restaurants and largely restored homes that attract young professionals and students. Verns is named for Dano Heinzes late grandfather, who owned a butcher shop and grocery store in Wisconsin, publicist JJ Duggan said. Guests are given a postcard bearing a photo of him standing in front of his butcher case.

The couple worked in Los Angeles for about five years before moving back to Charleston, which they consider home, to open their own restaurant.

It was also important to us when we took this space to become a neighborhood driver, Dano Heinze told Wendy Swat Snyder in a story for Charleston Living magazine. We love for visitors to find us, but really wanted to be a place for locals  and it happened right away. Our staff is great about recognizing guests, which is key.

Bethany, Verns operations and bar manager, is a graduate of the College of Charleston, executive chef Dano Johnson & Wales in Miami.

Food writer Robert F. Moss wrote in the Charleston Post and Courier that Verns renewed his hope for fine dining, calling it a magical space.

As the light fades outside and the tables fill, the room begins to buzz and then hum, but it never grows too loud, he wrote. Each new plate and each new glass that arrives becomes its own little adventure, full of novelty and possibility.

The New York Times said they sent a dozen reporters, editors and critics to hundreds of places across the United States  from Rattlesnake Point in Florida to the Arts District in Los Angeles  to find our favorites.

They selected 50, half of them opened since 2022.

Despite the upheavals in recent years, this is an expansive moment for independent restaurants, the newspaper said. We cant help but feel that cities and towns in the United States are better to eat in today than they have ever been.
The Lexington 2 school district has reviewed 30 books in school libraries in the Cayce-West Columbia district in response to complaints from parents.

As of Tuesday, Lexington 2 confirmed 17 books have either been removed by a school principal, a review committee or the school board. Another 10 were put back on district shelves after a review, while three more still remain under review.

The decision comes amid controversies that have emerged this year in schools across South Carolina and around the country around what books are or should be available for students to read.

When a book is challenged by a parent in Lexington 2, it is first read and reviewed by a school-level committee, which then forwards its recommendation to a district-level committee. That committee will then read the book and study any relevant information before making its own decision on whether to keep or remove the book.

District committees review books against criteria including the books purpose and the value of the whole, its alignment with district material selection guidelines, and a variety of reviews and perspectives from regional and national sources, as well as any awards and recognitions the book has received, district officials said in response to questions from The State.

The committees decision can be appealed to the school board, which has the final say. The Lexington 2 school board so far has overruled the review committees to remove two books, agreed to retain three and added additional restrictions on three others. Another three books are under appeal to the school board.

The district said that while all challenged books were listed in the school districts database, not all were necessarily in circulation or available for checkout at the time of the challenge. Some may have previously been removed from library shelves by the schools principal, officials said. In some cases, members of the review committee could find only one copy to share between them.

Principals ultimately have oversight on books in their collections, the district said. They may evaluate any library book or material brought to their attention, based on factors including board policy. In the cases of these books removed by principals, the principals decided, based on age appropriateness, to keep the books out of circulation.

Childrens book on gender identity causes reshuffle of Lexington County library shelves

Removed by the school principal

 A Court of Silver Flame

 Doing It: Lets Talk About Sex

 Its Perfectly Normal

 Last Night at the Telegraph Club

 Me and White Supremacy: Young Readers Edition

 Rise Up! How You Can Join the Fight Against White Supremacy

Removed by a review committee

 Assassination Classroom

 Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope

 Both Sides Now

 George

 She, He, They, Them

 They She He Me: Free to Be!

 This Book is Anti-Racist

 Too Bright to See

 Unicorn Playlist

Currently under review by a committee

 The Bluest Eye

 The Witch Boy

 Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, Being You

Retained by a review committee

 Stamped (For Kids)

Retained by committee, currently under appeal

 A Good Kind of Trouble

 Flamer

 The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

Retained by school board

 Bathe the Cat

 Ellen Outside the Lines

 Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice

 Me and White Supremacy (retained at high school level)

 The Passing Playbook (retained at high school level)

 The Hate U Give (retained at high school by committee, retained for 11th and 12th grade by board)

Removed by school board

 Grown

 Tilt

The decisions come as school districts around the state are grappling with challenges to books. In Beaufort County, 97 titles were pulled from school library shelves last year. Lexington-Richland 5 briefly removed the childrens book Black is a Rainbow Color before a review committee deemed it appropriate for young students.

School administrators in the same district later halted an English lesson on the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates over concerns it violated state legislation banning the teaching of concepts associated with critical race theory.

Author Ta-Nehisi Coates shows up at SC school board meeting debating his book

Earlier in September, S.C. Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver ended the states working relationship with the S.C. Association of School Librarians over the groups opposition to the removal of books. The groups president later resigned.

In May, the Pickens County School District was sued by three parents and the NAACP over its decision to remove the book Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. The plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuit called it an act of racially motivated censorship.

A review committee in Lexington 2 decided to keep a young readers version of the book in schools.

Made the situation worse: SCs school librarians scrambling after state dumps group
Palmetto, a clean energy software company with a mission to reduce climate change, is moving its headquarters from Charleston to Charlottes South End, and planning to bring up to 100 jobs there by next year.

The company also is a unicorn, a start-up that is valued at over $1 billion. Palmetto currently employs about 400 people.

Palmetto said its software platform makes it easier for homeowners and businesses to choose renewable energy sources. The company helps customers find solar providers that fit their budgets through a network of sellers and installers.

Clean energy uses sources such as sunlight, water and wind, and fewer fossil fuels that cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicle charging stations is another service offered through Palmetto.

We are really interested in building out the clean tech hub for the country in Charlotte as we put more emphasis on this market and bringing more partners in, company founder Chris Kemper said.

He said the citys diverse talent pool, cost of living and the growing emphasis around climate change, technology, electrical engineering and analytical data education at colleges and universities throughout the state were factors in the decision to move.

Palmetto started recruiting for the Charlotte office in January.

The South End office is scheduled to open in October and will have enough room for 200 people. Its designed for team learning, professional development and bonding with activities such as an indoor miniature golf course.

Palmetto said the neighborhood offering things such as restaurants, breweries and art galleries was another plus. South End is also home to Lowes Tech Hub and LendingTree headquarters.

The new Palmetto location will be at 1616 Camden Road and is just under 7,000 square feet, but will expand to over 16,000 square feet next year.

Employees associated with Palmetto install solar panels. The company is moving to Charlotte.

Some employees are already in Charlotte, while others are planning to relocate soon. Additional jobs will be added over time.

Were built for the long term and as the company continues to perform and execute, well continue to create roles, Kemper said. It will not only benefit Palmetto, but in an indirect way, the city too.

Palmetto looks to expand

Palmetto is preparing to open office hubs in 2024, including a revamped Charleston office and in San Francisco. The company services 25 states and reaches 72 million customers.

Well eventually expand internationally, Kemper added.

Palmetto said its work with homeowners helping them switch to solar energy is preventing more than 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere. This is the equivalent to 8.2 billion fewer miles driven and 3.7 billion fewer pounds of coal burned, according to Palmetto.

Kemper is hoping other companies and investors join them in Charlotte to bring more clean technology to the area. He said if the company is successful, and eventually has a big presence in the city, it could support other entrepreneurs in the clean tech field.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the most important message Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered to lawmakers was that failure to deliver more U.S. assistance would condemn Ukraine to a Russian takeover.

There was a single sentence that summed it all up, and Im quoting him verbatim. Mr. Zelensky said If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war. Thats a quote from him, Schumer told reporters following a closed-door meeting with the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky was on Capitol Hill appealing for additional and sustained U.S. assistance to Ukraine as it has pushed back against Russian forces nearly 19 months since a full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022.

The Ukrainian president, speaking to reporters after his meeting with lawmakers, said that he had a very strong dialogue with senators and updated them on the situation on the battlefield, Kyivs military plans and the importance of U.S. support.

When asked if he had a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky simply responded, I am not speaking to him.

The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve $24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine. While the majority of lawmakers support helping Ukraine survive under Russian assault, there is significant opposition among Republicans, with some lawmakers supporting military assistance but opposing financial aid and hard-line GOP members opposing all funds for Ukraine.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said that he would like to see the $24 billion supplemental request for Ukraine be brought to a vote as a stand-alone bill, as opposed to attaching it to additional government funding that Ukraines supporters feel would allow the assistance to more easily pass through the chaotic Congress.

In a signal of the vocal opposition among some GOP lawmakers, more than two dozen Republicans published a letter opposing U.S. assistance to Ukraine Thursday.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) explained that she opposed a House procedural vote on Defense spending because it included security assistance for Ukraine. The procedural vote went down to defeat Thursday as Republicans battled one another.

Congress has appropriated an estimated $113 billion in funding for Ukraine as part of four supplemental packages. The Biden administration is expected to announce an additional aid package as Zelensky visits with President Biden at the White House.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) criticized fellow contender Vivek Ramaswamy in an interview published Thursday, calling the biotech entrepreneur wrong on his positions regarding Taiwan and Israel.

During an interview with conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt , Scott was asked about Ramaswamys position on Taiwan. The 38-year-old GOP candidate has said he would protect Taiwan until the U.S. has semiconductor independence from the country.

Well, we should always be loyal to our allies, lethal to our adversaries. We should be unequivocal in our commitment to our allies. Taiwan is an ally of ours. We should make sure that they have the resources, the weaponry, and frankly, not on backorder, already delivered, Scott told Hewitt.

As president of the United States, I will deliver the weapons necessary to keep Taiwan safe, including missile defense systems as well as other weapons that theyre not getting out of the Biden administration, he continued.

Vivek, hes just wrong on this topic. Hes wrong on making sure that we protect Israel until 2028. You cannot put an expiration date on our allies. Its just dead wrong, and it could lead to the loss of life, and certainly lead to the loss of confidence in the greatest nation on Gods green Earth, he added.

The U.S. has sought to maintain a strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan, under which the government doesnt necessarily clarify what the U.S. response would be if China or another country targets Taiwan.

But President Biden has often elaborated further and argued the U.S. would be willing to militarily defend Taiwan if it were attacked, forcing the White House to clarify that Bidens remarks do not mark a change in the countrys position.

Ramaswamy said during an interview with Hewitt last month that under his presidency, the U.S. would defend Taiwan until 2028, when the U.S. has achieved semiconductor independence.

And after that, our commitments to Taiwan, our commitments to be willing to go to military conflict, will change after that, because thats rationally in our self-interest, Ramaswamy said.

During an interview with NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC later in the month, however, he clarified that after 2028, we will resume our position of strategic ambiguity.

Scotts comments also reference Ramaswamys views on Israel, which have also been the subject of attacks by other opponents. The GOP entrepreneur has said that he would negotiate an Abraham Accords 2.0 that he contended would incorporate Israel into the rest of the Middle East such that it wouldnt be necessary to continue providing aid to the country after 2028.

Ramaswamy campaign senior adviser Tricia McLaughlin hit back at Scott over his comments, telling The Hill in an email, Based on these comments, Senator Scott doesnt know Viveks policy on Israel or on Taiwan. I sure hope he isnt depending on the likes of Chris Christie, Nikki Haley or Karl Rove for his information.

Scotts comments may mark a shift in approach to his opponents, as he has branded himself as a positive, optimistic GOP candidate. The senator has largely avoided attacking other contenders but has been trailing in the polls as of late.

Updated at 12:07 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Senator Imee Marcos said her father, late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, told her that he did not command any abuses while the country was under martial law.

At least 11,000 people were victims of martial law brutalities, but Imee stressed that there were always scalawags in the police and military who committed the atrocities.

"He never intended for abuses to happen and it was never a matter of policy," thre senator said. "Nangyayari pa rin hanggang ngayon, may scalawag, may bulok talaga sa ating kasundaluhan at ating kapulisan."

[Translation: It is still happening to this day, there are scalawags, and there are really rotten elements in our army and our police.]

In a gathering at the Marcoses' San Juan residence during the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law, Sen. Marcos recalled hearing about abuses and abductions during the martial rule and telling it to her father.

"Parati kong sinasabi sa tatay ko at sabi niya, 'May loko talaga sa hanay ng pulis, ng sundalo, ng opisyal. Paparusahan natin 'yan kung talagang totoo,'" Imee shared.

[Translation: I always tell my father and he says, 'There are really rascals in the ranks of the police, the soldiers, the officers. We will punish them if that is really true.']

The senator emphasized that the rascals in the state forces cannot be stopped. The only option is to continue catching and punishing them.

Retired General Hermogenes Esperon, who served during the martial law, admitted that there were abuses during Marcos' reign.

However, he defended the military rule, saying it was necessary to control the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army, as well as peace in Mindanao.

"May mga abuso," Esperon said. "Marami akong nakitang abuso pero para sa'kin at least hindi nanalo ang NPA. Hindi sila nakakuha ng malaking poder, hindi sila nakapag-build up ng forces at 'yung Mindanao nagkaroon tayo ng sapat na kakayahan para ayusin ang Mindanao."

[Translation: There were abuses. I saw many abuses but for me at least the NPA did not win. They did not get much power, they were not able to build up forces and we had enough ability to organize Mindanao.]

The late Ferdinand E. Marcos, father and namesake of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972. The younger Marcos is in his second year in office as the country's chief executive.

The martial law years from 1972 to 1981 saw thousands of human rights violations, widespread corruption and the country racking up billions of dollars in foreign debt.

Malacanang had no word on behalf of the president as the nation recalled the military rule of the elder Marcos, regarded as one of the darkest periods in Philippine history marked by torture, deaths, illegal arrests, and media repression.

With reports from CNN Philippines' correspondent Daniza Fernandez and digital producer Syrah Vivien Inocencio.
Sheriffs officials are investigating a second jewelry store smash-and-grab this month at The Mall of Victor Valley.

Sheriffs officials are investigating a second smash-and-grab robbery of a jewelry store this month at The Mall of Victor Valley.

Around 12:36 p.m. on Monday, deputies responded to a burglary at the mall located on Bear Valley Road in Victorville.

When deputies arrived, they discovered that two men entered Kay Jewelers wearing gloves and face coverings, and armed with sledgehammers. The men broke several display cases and loaded approximately $130,000 worth of jewelry into a white tub before fleeing in a white four-door sedan, sheriffs officials said.

Authorities did not reveal if security camera footage captured the incident.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. No other information was available.

Sept. 6 Smash-and-grab

Three suspects are wanted in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery, which occurred on Sept. 6 at the Victorville mall.

At 4:11 p.m., deputies responded to a robbery at Don Robertos Jewelers inside the mall. When deputies arrived, they learned that three men wearing ski masks and carrying hammers entered the store and broke multiple glass jewelry cases.

The men stole several items before fleeing the scene, according to authorities.

The suspects have not yet been identified and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities did not reveal if security camera footage captured the incident.

Anyone with information about the investigations are asked to contact the Victorville sheriffs station at 760-241-2911 or sheriffs dispatch at 760-956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Second smash-and-grab robbery this month at The Mall of Victor Valley
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have attacked a secret Russian headquarters in temporarily occupied Melitopol.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in special service

Details: The source says that first, the SSU discovered that the Russian had organised their headquarters at a local engine plant. This information was passed on to the military, and then, together with them, they worked on the target.

Reportedly, the commander of the 58th Army of the Russian Federation, which is fighting on the Zaporizhzhia front, and their chief of staff were wounded as a result of the missile attack.

The source says that several dozen Russian officers were injured, and about 10 of them died in addition to the leaders of the invaders.

The UP source does not specify the date of the special operation, noting only that it was a few days ago.

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The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gen. Randy George to officially become Army chief of staff, filling a Senate-confirmed vacancy that has been open due to Sen. Tommy Tuberville s (R-Ala.) hold on more than 300 military promotions.

Senators confirmed George by a 96-1 vote. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) was the lone senator to vote against him.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Wednesday that he would tee up votes on a trio of military nominations amid Tubervilles hold, which has lasted for more than six months.

The Senate confirmed Gen. Charles C.Q. Brown to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs on Wednesday night. Brown will replace outgoing Chairman Mark Milley, whose term expires Oct. 1.

The upper chamber is also set to confirm Gen. Eric Smith later Thursday to become the next commandant of the Marine Corps.

Tuberville put the hold in place in March to protest the Pentagons new policy that allows the department to cover travel expenses for service members who seek abortion care.

Military officials and Senate Democrats have attacked Tuberville in recent months, arguing that his hold is harming readiness of U.S. forces and creating instability within military families.

But Schumers announcement Wednesday came as a surprise. He and other Democrats repeatedly declined to consider top military openings for individual votes over fears that it would create a bad precedent. Many of the more than 300 promotions are usually passed en bloc via unanimous consent, and Democrats maintain that they will not move to confirm them one by one.

Taking these promotions one at a time would cost over 100 days on the Senate calendar, Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told reporters Wednesday prior to Schumers announcement. 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.

Senate Democrats have also repeatedly laid the blame for the lack of resolution at the feet of their Republican colleagues, arguing it is their responsibility to find an offramp to end the holds.

But Tuberville on Wednesday had threatened to use a procedural maneuver to force votes on Smith while leaving his hold in place.

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 on the floor on Wednesday, 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.

George has been serving in an acting capacity since early August, when the term of Gen. James McConville ended. The Marine Corps and Navy have also been without Senate-confirmed leaders.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  The Senate on Thursday confirmed two additional military nominees, despite Sen. Tommy Tuberville 's, R-Ala., block of hundreds of military nominations in protest of a Pentagon policy that pays troops for travel to obtain abortions.

The Senate confirmed Gen. Eric Smith to the Commandant of the Marine Corps with a vote of 96-0, as well as Gen. Randy George to serve as the the Army Chief of Staff by nearly a unanimous vote. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was the lone senator who voted against George's nomination.

The two confirmations mark the second and third military nominees the upper chamber has advanced this week after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., called for individual votes on three nominees Wednesday. The Senate previously approved the nomination of Gen. C.Q. Brown to serve as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position currently held by Army Gen. Mark Milley who is required by law to retire at the end of the month.

Military promotions are typically approved without controversy.

But Tuberville has held up around 300 promotions for senior military jobs since February in protest of the Pentagon's abortion policy.

More: Senate confirms top military officer, bypassing Tommy Tuberville's abortion protest

These men should have already been confirmed. They should already be serving in their new positions, Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday. The Senate should not have to go through procedural hoops just to please one brazen and misguided senator.

Some Republicans have called on Schumer to schedule individual votes on officers. Voting on each officer individual would take the Senate more than three months of full-day sessions, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Tuberville said on the Senate floor Wednesday he has no plans on withdrawing his holds until the Pentagon reverses its policy.

"It's about time. I've called for individual votes on these nominees for almost six months," the Alabama lawmaker said Wednesday. "Instead of voting, Democrats have spent months complaining about having to vote."

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) ORG XMIT: DCMA106

Hundreds of officers affected by Tuberville block

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., chair of the Armed Services Committee, blasted Tuberville for the holds, which prevent the promotion of more than 300 officers. If Tubervilles blockade continues, about 600 officers will be affected.

We still have a lot more work to do to try and undo the damage Senator Tuberville is inflicting on military readiness and national security, Reed said in a statement Wednesday. We need Senate Republicans to stop hiding from their duty to hold their colleague accountable.

Last week, USA TODAY polled Tubervilles GOP colleagues and found most of them indifferent or mildly supportive of Tubervilles hold. Several laid blame for the impasse on Schumer for not scheduling individual votes on the officers.

Meanwhile, below the level of the service chiefs and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the promotions of hundreds of officers remain in doubt due to Tubervilles blockade.

Tubervilles hold has prevented officers from taking command at U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, commanders for the Navys fleets in the Pacific and the Persian Gulf.

Sept. 14, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) listens during the Senate Armed Services hearing to examine the nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti, United States Navy, for reappointment to the grade of admiral and to be Chief of Naval Operations, Department of Defense. on Sept. 14, 2023 in Washington, D.C.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-Franchetti ORIG FILE ID: 20230914_ajw_usa_016.JPG

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Despite Tuberville abortion protest, Senate confirms military picks
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gen. Charles CQ Brown to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, filling a crucial position that was set to become vacant in the coming weeks and overcoming Sen. Tommy Tuberville s (R-Ala.) months-long hold on military promotions.

Senators voted 83-11 to confirm the Air Force general to the post after being nominated by President Biden in May to replace outgoing Chairman Mark Milley.

Milleys term expires Oct. 1, and filling the post was a top priority for many lawmakers.

All 11 senators who voted no were Republicans: Sens. Mike Braun (Ind.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Mike Lee (Utah), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Eric Schmitt (Mo.), JD Vance (Ohio), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tuberville.

Senate Democrats, over the seven months that Tuberville has had a hold on 300 promotions, have repeatedly declined to bring up top military brass for individual votes over fears that it would create a bad precedent. Instead, they said Republican leadership needed to take action.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) earlier Wednesday made the surprise announcement that he would tee up votes on a trio of military nominations, including Gen. Randy George to become Army chief of staff and Gen. Eric Smith to serve as the commandant of the Marine Corps.

On Wednesday night, the Senate advanced Georges nomination 92-1, with only Lee voting in opposition. A final vote on his nomination, and votes on Smith are expected this week.

That came after Tuberville told Senate Republicans on Tuesday that he would attempt to force a cloture vote on Smiths nomination over his own hold. Schumer kicked off debate on the three nominations just hours before that was set to happen.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Tuberville declared victory after the first of the series of individual votes on these nominees.

This is not about me. This is about the Senate and the Constitution, Tuberville said. This is a win today for the legislative branch of government. Voting gives all senators a voice for their constituents.

Tuberville put the hold in place in March over the Pentagons new policy that allows the department to cover travel expenses for service members who seek abortion care.

Military officials have attacked Tuberville in recent months and argue that his hold is harming readiness of U.S. forces and creating instability within military families.

Many of the more than 300 promotions being held up are usually advanced en bloc via unanimous consent, and Democrats maintain that they will not move to confirm them one by one.

Taking these promotions one at a time would cost over 100 days on the Senate calendar, Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told reporters earlier on Wednesday prior to Schumers announcement. 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.

Democrats have also chided Republican leaders for not taking further action to find an offramp to end Tubervilles blockade.

Tuberville added in his floor remarks that he might bring additional cloture votes in the coming weeks on other top military officials but that his hold will continue for the foreseeable future.

To be clear, my hold is still in place, Tuberville said. I reserve the right to seek another cloture position on the nominees in the future, so thats where we stand today.

Updated at 8:26 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Common Sail Investment Group is proposing a $16.8 million, three-level, and 55-unit senior living facility on five acres just west of the Eddy Center in St. Clair. The project is awaiting help through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Another senior housing developer is shifting its focus to build in an area of St. Clair, but it may be a while before the latest project breaks ground.

St. Clair city officials got an update earlier this week on a proposal previously planned for the Jordan Creek area and headed by the Common Sail Investment Group.

Now, theyre hoping to move forward on five acres just west of the Eddy Center for a $16.8 million three-level, 55-unit complex for senior residents instead.

All these units will have in-unit washers and dryers. They will all have dishwashers. They will all be sort of what I would consider to be state-of-the-art apartments, Eric Tuomey, vice president for development at Common Sail, told City Council members last Monday.

In addition to that, while not designed quite yet, we will have on-site transit vans (for which) we would like the opportunity to partner with the broader St. Clair area for seniors and maybe the areas agency for aging, he said. It pays to provide services not only for this development but to other opportunities for other buildings in the area.  Well have onsite health services, (a) pharmacy, (and) well have behavioral services if needed.

How did we get here?

Although a previous iteration of their proposal has been before St. Clair officials, Tuomey said they opted to pursue another nearby opportunity to develop senior housing after running into issues related to a floodplain and eligibility for a financial boost from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

He said they looked at the old St. Clair Middle School, which is still owned by the last St. Clair Inn developer under SMDRP, LLC., but found its restrains werent conducive to the scope of their plans.

They also looked at Gearing Elementary School, which is still in operation but slated to close, and the land just east of it, which is has been tapped for another development from Buildable Senior Living.

To move forward, Tuomey said they brought the vacant acreage that shares a parcel with and is just west of the Eddy Center under contract earlier this year.

Both the Gearing school and former Eddy Elementary School  developed into the mixed-use, namesake center within the last couple of years  have been picked up by Eddy Development LLC, through the St. Clair County Landbank.

Rob Drewek, a principal for Eddy development group, said the original deal with the county meant repurposing Gearing and Eddy, which have fronts off Carney Drive and Ninth Street, respectively, and turning the land in between the two into residential housing based on whatever the city will allow.

Essentially, thats whats happening, he said. And so far, he said they felt lucky to pick up interest for the vacant land. That space is bordered entirely without existing road access on the north and south side by homes and other parcels along Vine and Adams streets.

Quite honestly, I was really concerned that wed ever find any uses for that land," Drewek said. "You know, a landlocked piece in the middle of town is tough. Its really tough. So, were very fortunate to find Build Senior Living that took that piece in front and then Common Sail."

So, what comes next in Common Sail's plans?

As of this week, Drewek said the Eddy parcels split was contingent on the Common Sail project moving forward.

Tuomey said they have a Dec. 1 deadline to apply for MSHDA funding, expecting to hear back by next April and spending much of the remaining year of 2024 in the design phase. Breaking ground would come in 2025, if successful, with the hopes to be leased-up and in rental compliance in 2027.

The development official said theyd later come back before the city for rezoning and council support on a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement and municipal services agreement. Theyd also require, as shown to officials in a rough layout, some sort of access drive off Adams Street in addition to access along the Eddy Center to Ninth Street.

To help move plans forward, Tuomey added they're working with a not-for-profit co-developer, as well as the St. Clair Housing Commission.

The project itself would feature 35 one-bedroom units at 650 square feet and 20 two-bedroom at 850 square feet.

In addition to health and transit services, there would be onsite property management, a 2,000-square-foot community space, and though not designed yet, Tuomey said there was room for a dog park in an interior courtyard.

The independent living facility would target those age 55 and older and seniors of a more middle income. In his presentation Monday to St. Clair officials, Tuomey pointed to U.S. Census data and seniors over the age of 65 with incomes ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 a year.

I cannot tell you how many conversations Ive had about (there not) being enough affordable housing for seniors, Drewek said, referring to housing affordable to those of moderate incomes. I mean, thats pretty much every community you go to, where can an older couple or an older single person live?

Drewek added he couldnt think of a better use for the five acres west of Eddy than giving a place in St. Clair where people can live.

To me, its a no-brainer, he said. And on top of that, it goes back to the tax rolls.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Senior housing developer shifts focus to St. Clair acreage west of Eddy Center
Social Security is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including seniors who rely on it during retirement.

But lawmakers are warning the program is expected to start running low on money for promised benefits in about a decade, and that could mean as much as a 24 percent cut in benefits for beneficiaries.

On Thursday, AARP held a public discussion in Washington D.C. about the future of Social Security, which included input from seniors and lawmakers.

Any cut unpredictably in ten years is a crisis, said a beneficiary from Pennsylvania.

Some seniors warned that without Social Security, they may have to get a job in their golden years.

Do you know anyone that would hire an 83-year-old man? said Alfred Mason, a Social Security beneficiary from Louisiana.

Our Washington News Bureau spoke with Mason after his public comments.

It would make a major hole in our budget, said Mason. A major, major hole.

The discussion included two members of Congress who are pushing for bipartisan legislation to address the problem.

Both said theyre frustrated over the inaction by elected leaders.

We hear a lot of good ideas but how many actually reduce it to a bill, put it in committee, debate it? said Rep. John Larson (D-CT).

Doing nothing is endorsing a 24 percent cut for people currently receiving and those who will be receiving in the future, said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Larson is a sponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act, which increases benefits by 2 percent across the board for beneficiaries and increases benefits for lower-income seniors, among other measures.

A memo from Larsons office says this would be paid for by changing FICA tax rules.

Cassidy is pushing whats known as the Big Idea, which creates an investment fund separate from Social Security and allows the fund to accrue returns over 70 years.

Seniors like Mason are urging Congress to act as soon as possible.

This isnt a Republican, Democrat, independent issue, said Mason. This is a people issue.
Three years after an indictment and a year after a mistrial, the founder of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute will be sentenced in November after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge, court records show.

Sentencing of Dr. William Harwin, 70, will be Nov. 21 before U.S. District Court Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington for the Middle District of Florida in Fort Myers.

More: Florida Cancer Specialists' founder gets new trial after Ian disrupts jury deliberations

Court records indicate Harwin will likely be sentenced to probation and fined.

An oncologist and former president and managing physician of Florida Cancer Specialists, Harwin entered a guilty plea Aug. 23 to one count of conspiracy to control how medical oncology and radiation treatment was available in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, according to records.

A Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute location in Fort Myers.

More: Former president of Florida Cancer Specialists on trial for criminal charge of manipulating market for patient treatment

He admitted that from 1999 to September 2016, he knowingly entered into a mutual arrangement with a competitor, 21st Century Oncology, so that patients needing radiation oncology would be sent to 21st Century while patients needing medical oncology care would be directed to Florida Cancer Specialists, court records show.

Florida Cancer Specialists today is one of the largest, if not the largest, cancer groups in Florida with 250 physicians and 100 locations.

The case background

When Harwin was indicted Sept. 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice said he and an unnamed Company A had made the deal.

Court records later revealed Harwin conspired with 21st Century and members of his own business.

His primary co-conspirator was the founder and leader of 21st Century, Dr. Daniel Dosoretz who would testify in court. Dosoretz stepped down as chief executive officer of 21 Century Oncology in 2016.

The indictment against Harwin came a few months after Florida Cancer Specialists entered into a deferred prosecution agreement resolving the same charge where it admitted to conspiring to allocate chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer patients, records show.

Florida Cancer Specialists agreed to pay a $100 million criminal penalty and to cooperate with the federal governments ongoing investigation.

What about the sentencing?

The criminal charge against Harwin carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $1 million and damages.

According to plea agreement filings, the federal government and the defense are recommending non-custodial probation that does not include time in prison nor in a community correctional facility or home confinement.

He would pay a criminal fine that would be determined by the court, according to records.

Harwin's defense attorney in Miami, David Markus, could not be reached for comment.

An earlier agreement reached between the government and Harwins defense that was disclosed as off the record had called for six months of unsupervised probation and a $100,000 fine.

The judge did not accept a binding resolution with the terms and rejected the proposed plea.

What had transpired since the indictment?

The case against Harwin, who founded Florida Cancer Specialists in 1984, took some twists before his decision to enter a guilty plea.

A criminal trial got underway Sept. 6 last year. During it the 12-member jury and three alternates were partially sequestered for their safety and security, according to the judge.

The case wrapped up with closing arguments Sept. 21, one week before Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida with Category 4 winds and devastating storm surge. Jury deliberations had begun before the storm hit.

After Ian, jurors were surveyed and a majority sad they could report back to court Oct. 3. Two of the 12 jurors said they could not return or had a conflict so the three alternates were told to report to court Oct. 3.

Before that could happen, the judge on Sept. 30 granted a mistrial following oral arguments by Harwins defense team, records show.

In court records unsealed since Harwins decision to enter a guilty plea, the jury had deliberated for one full day before Ian hit and was deadlocked.

The jury split was kept under seal with the defense moving for the mistrial the following week.

A new trial was pending yet both sides engaged in discussions to resolve the case. The attorneys offered a binding resolution that Harwin would enter a guilty plea if given a term of six months unsupervised probation and a $100,000 fine, records show.

The judge rejected the terms, saying she did not want to be bound by the terms offered, records show.

A new agreement was negotiated involving a non-custodial sentence with no prison time, home confinement or time in a halfway house.

Under the new agreement, the parties would make certain joint sentencing recommendations to the Court as to (a) fine, community service, and term of the probation, recommendations that take into account the Courts comments at the second off the record conference about what might be appropriate in this case, according to records.

Although both sides filed a motion that Harwin would not serve time in prison, a halfway house or home confinement, both agreed the amount of the fine, length and terms of probation and community service would be determined by the court, records show.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida cancer firm's former exec will avoid prison in conspiracy case
Growing up Mexican American in West Texas, diversity was whether you wore a cowboy hat or not.

Black Americans were rarely seen. I still remember watching the smoldering ruins of a Black familys home on an early 1960s morning in some forgettable town  one of several we bounced from every year it seemed. Rumor was that the house was set on fire to scare the family away.

I went through school and college without being taught by a Black instructor. It was not until my family migrated to California in the summer of 1969 that I first saw an Asian American. Then Sikhs. Then Armenians, Russians, and folks from all corners of the world. I welcomed that diversity.

However, a diverse Fresno  or San Joaquin Valley  is no vaccine for hate crimes, hate speech, discrimination and racism. The state Attorney Generals 2022 Hate Crime Report is proof. If youre Black, Asian, Jewish or LGBTQ+, you were likely the victim of a hate incident.

California State Library

That is the main reason Vida en el Valle and Fresno Bee reporters have been reporting since August on the Stop the Hate project under a grant by the California State Library.

Our reporting has found:

Representation matters, according to Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea, the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the council. Perea worked with supporters to convince Fresno Mayor to appoint an LGBTQ+ liaison to Mayor Jerry Dyers Office of Community Affairs. That appointment is expected to be announced this month.

People need to report hate crimes to police, who have placed such incidents as a high priority, according to Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama. The department is part of a task force of local, state and federal law enforcement that combats hate crimes.

Gen Z residents who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community do not support policies that force schools to tell parents whenever their child changes his or her pronoun.

Oaxacan immigrants and their offspring find themselves discriminated against on both sides of the border, and often by fellow Mexicans, because of their skin color, culture and language.

Transgender individuals are in critical need of services ranging from mental health to housing to health insurance.

Our reporting  which includes thought-provoking commentaries by Dr. Alex M. Saragoza and Dr. Patrick Fontes  has been completed. However, our work is not done yet. We are partnering with the State Center Community College District, Fresno City College, Councilmember Annalisa Perea, the Mexican Consulate in Fresno, the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission and others to host a Sept. 28 forum at Fresno City College.

Panelists include Perea, SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith, Fresno Deputy Police Chief Mark Salazar, Mexican Head Consul Adriana Gonzalez Carrillo, and Jennifer Cruz, director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center for the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission.

Other panelists include Reel Pride Festival founder Dr. Peter Robertson, Father Nelson Serrano Poveda, Fresno City College instructor Dr. Apryl Lewis, and trans activist Rubi Juarez.

There will be three panels, which will include a question-and-answer period. Topics range from the historical perspective of the LGBTQ+ community in Fresno to what happens when hate crimes dont get reported to the current environment.

The forum, which will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Old Administration Building Auditorium, will include three panel discussions on LGBTQ+ issues. The forum will be videotaped for future viewing.

I invite you to attend the forum in person, or watch it later. RSVP now and submit questions to ask our panelists.







This is part of a series on Stop The Hate, a project funded by the California State Library. Juan Esparza Loera is editor of Vida en el Valle
A Kansas City truck driver has been charged with two cold case murders dating back to the 1990s  with police now investigating the possibility he may be a serial killer.

Gary Dion Davis, 52, was arrested and charged with killing Pearl Barnes in 1996 and Christina King in 1998, Wyandotte District Attorney Attorney Mark Dupree said at a press conference on Wednesday.

His arrest came after officers in a new Kansas City Police cold case unit were able to use DNA evidence to tie him to the both crime scenes.

Pearl Barnes, also known as Sameemah Musawwir, was found dead inside a vacant home on Christmas Day 1996.

King, 26, was beaten to death and her body dumped behind an abandoned building back in 1998.

Now, almost three decades on, he is being held in prison on second-degree murder charges.

But, this could be just the beginning of cases connected to the suspected killer, with Kansas City Police Chief Karl Oakman sparking serial killer fears by saying most likely hes killed more.

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, he said at the press conference.

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.

Gary Dion Davis is suspected of killing Christina King and Pearl Barnes (Kansas City Police)

He added: 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 time. You may be in a drive-thru line. You may be at the grocery store. Were gonna eventually get you.

Mr Davis, a longtime lorry driver, is charged with second-degree murder.

He is being held in Wyandotte County jail with his bail set at $500,000.

Barnes niece Arvetta Davis welcomed the arrest of a suspect in her aunts case.

She told Fox News that that Barnes was a mother of two and her children are now grateful that somebody has finally been charged after more than 25 years.

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, Ms Davis said.

Gary Dion Davis



Has been charged with the murders of the Sameemah Mussawir, who was killed in Nov. 1996and Christina King, who was killed on Dec. 25 1998.



Davis was a truck driver, and police say may be connected to other unsolved cases. @kmbc pic.twitter.com/5HIW5uB2d8  Jackson Kurtz (@jacksonKMBC9) September 20, 2023

Kings daughter April Parks has also campaigned for justice for years for her mother.

She was just 10 when her mother died and joined a vigil back in 2021 to raise awareness of her mothers case.

Who did it? Why? How could they do that to such a young person? She was only 26, she said at the vigil.

Her autopsy [showed] there were so many injuries and so many abrasions and bruises. I just dont understand what she could have done that bad to deserve that.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent a measure that aims to give the government more teeth against individuals profiting from agricultural economic sabotage.

According to a Palace statement, the president certified as urgent the approval of Senate Bill No. 2432 on Wednesday, a letter of which was sent to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

READ: Lawmakers seek passage of tougher law vs. agricultural economic sabotage

Aside from smuggling, the bill seeks to expand crimes to be considered as economic sabotage, which would include hoarding, profiteering, and cartels of agricultural and fishery products.

In an attempt to end these practices, Malacanang said the measure plans to impose severe sanctions, such as life imprisonment and a fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products.

Authorities would also have the right to seize the subject products, as well as the properties used in launching the crime, like vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and warehouses, among others.

Government officers or officials determined to have connived in the crime would also suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits, the bill stated.

Senators earlier expressed hope to pass the law before Christmas.

Lawmaker questions proposed penalty

During Wednesday's Senate hearing on the bill, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said he supports stricter measures to eliminate smuggling and other economic crimes.

However, Pimentel noted that they still need to be "conscious" about the bill of rights of people suspected of having committed the crimes.

"I've noticed that our bill only prescribes one penalty as far as the deprivation of liberty is concerned," he said, which Senator Cynthia Villar referred to as life imprisonment.

"Kasi sa Revised Penal Code, may concept tayo na principal, accomplice, accessory. Si principal po talaga 'yung gumawa nung action na kriminal, 'yung iba tumulong. Ito po ba, 'yung ganung klaseng levels of criminal liability ay buburahin basta masabing nakatulong ka sa taong nag-smuggle? Life imprisonment din ang parusa sa kanya?" Pimentel asked.

[Translation: Because in the Revised Penal Code, we have the concept of principal, accomplice, accessory. The principal is really the one who committed the criminal action, the others just helped. Will this kind of level of criminal liability be removed if the person helped in smuggling? Is life imprisonment also the punishment for him?]

Villar defended the proposed measure, saying this was necessary as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law passed in 2016 failed to even file one case after seven years of enactment.

"We're so disappointed that we have decided to pass a more strict law so that there will be at least one or two or three persons who will be punished under this law," she said.

Senator Francis Escudero also raised concerns on recent news about the Bureau of Customs conducting raids on possible smuggled rice supply, and yet no names of people behind these have emerged.
Several people were victims of armed robbers overnight in North Side neighborhoods and one victim in Chicagos South Loop neighborhood, Chicago police said.

The robbers were traveling in a dark-colored sedan, and in some of the robberies, the robbers got violent with the victims.

The first robbery happened shortly before 1 a.m. in the 1900 block of West Wolfram Street in the North Center neighborhood.

A 78-year-old man was outside taking a walk when he was approached by six robbers who demanded his belongings. He complied but several of the robbers struck the victim before fleeing in a dark sedan, police said.

The victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was listed in good condition, police said.

Around 1 a.m., another robbery happened in the same neighborhood, and the Lakeview neighborhood, police said.

A 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were walking in the 4000 block of North Lincoln Avenue when they were approached by four robbers armed with handguns whom demanded the victims belongings. They complied and the robbers fled in a dark-colored sedan, police said.

About 1 a.m., a 32-year-old woman was walking in the 2800 block of North Lincoln Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood. when she was approached by four male robbers and a female robber. Two of them were armed.

The crew of robbers demanded her personal belongings and she complied, but one of the robbers hit her on the head before fleeing in a dark sedan. The woman refused medical help when an ambulance was called to the scene, police said.

Also around 1 a.m., a 53-year-old man was robbed in the Lakeview neighborhood in the 700 block of West Belmont Avenue.

The man was walking when he was approached by four robbers, two of whom were armed. They demanded his belongings and he complied, but one of the robbers hit him in the head. All four then fled in a dark sedan, and the victim refused medical help at the scene.

Shortly after 1:15 a.m., a 66-year-old man was robbed in the North Center neighborhood in the 4400 block of North Lincoln Avenue.

The victim was walking when he was approached by four robbers, one armed with handgun, who demanded his belongings. He complied and the robbers fled in a dark-colored sedan, police said.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., two women, both 32, were walking in the 300 block of West Webster Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood when they were approached by armed robbers who demanded their belongings. They complied but were struck before the robbers fled in a dark-colored sedan, police said. Both women refused medical help.

Shortly after 1:25 a.m., two women, both 28, were walking in the 1600 block of West Wilson Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood when they were approached by armed- four robbers. The robbers told the women to hand over their personal belongings and they complied, but were battered before the robbers fled in a sedan, police said.

The last reported North Side robbery happened around 1:40 a.m. in the Lakeview neighborhood in the 3000 block of North Clark Street.

A 36-year-old man was walking when he was approached by four armed-robbers whom demanded his belongings. He complied and the robbers fled in a dark-colored sedan, police said.

Shortly before 2 a.m., a 42-year-old man was robbed in the South Loop neighborhood in the 800 block of South Michigan Avenue. Four robbers approached him as he was walking and demanded his belongings before fleeing in a dark-colored sedan, police said.

Chicago police did not say the robberies were committed by the same group of robbers, but all of the robbers fled the scenes in a dark-colored sedan.

No one was in custody, and detectives were investigating.
Drivers near South Station in Boston faced more than the usual headaches on Thursday as police moved in to arrest climate activists who were blocking traffic during the height of the morning rush.

The group, Extinction Rebellion Boston, says some of its XR rebels took to the streets ...to demand that the Healey administration ban new fossil fuel infrastructure, while holding signs and banners in the middle of the road.

Police, in turn, took to the streets to arrest several of them. A spokesperson for the Boston Police Department did not have the exact number of arrests as of 11:30 a.m.

Traffic Advisory: Due to a protest in the South Station area, traffic is impacted, please seek an alternative route. Boston Police are on scene.  Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) September 21, 2023

In a post to the protesting groups website, an event organizer said he was among those arrested.

My grandchildren are facing a world of climate and ecological collapse, with social crises inevitably following. How bad it will be depends on what we do today, said Monty Neill.

Members of Extinction Boston have made headlines previously. In June, some thong-wearing XR activists mooned state senators and disrupted a legislative tax relief debate in the Massachusetts Senate. They were arrested and escorted out of the chamber.

Bummer: Protestors arrested at Mass. State House after mooning lawmakers

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Police tape cordoning off the dumpster where the limb was found (Citizen/New York Post)

An investigation has been launched after a human leg was found sticking out of a dumpster outside a bank in New York City.

The severed body part was seen protruding from the red dumpster outside a TD Bank in Queens on Wednesday, the New York Post reported.

NYPD officers were called to the scene at 164th Street and Union Turnpike in Hillcrest at around 6.30pm when one of the banks cleaners took the trash out and spotted it.

Unconfirmed reports online suggested that maggots were found over the leg which is likely to have been in the bin for up to nine days in between rubbish collection cycles.

The NYPD has asked for local home and business owners to send in security footage from the scene as they investigate reports the limb may have been dumped on 11 September.

Amir Bedawi, a neighbour close to the bank, told ABC News: Before you could see [it], you could smell the dead body.

He added that construction workers on a nearby building site had caught a whiff of the smell and had also made complaints to the police prior to the grim discovery.

Mr Bedawi also claimed he had seen a video from a nearby home which showed a person wheeling a bin towards the container where the leg was found.

Police tape cordoning off the dumpster where the limb was found (Citizen/New York Post)

"It [looked] like someone dropping it off next to the dumpster, Mr Bedawi said of the footage.

Another nearby resident Maksim Dlugunovich told ABC News: I saw a blue trash can recycle bin where the body was dumped and I saw it open and some stuff hanging out, and some garbage and a shoe.

An NYPD statement added: On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at approximately 1833 hours, police responded to a 911 call in the vicinity 164 Street & Union Turnpike, inside of the TD Bank Parking Lot, within the confines of the 107 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed an apparent human body part inside of a recycling bin.

The investigation remains ongoing and the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

TD Bank has not yet commented on the incident.
Sexual assault nurse Norah Lusk and her sister-in-law created a mobile unit to reach rural areas of their state, calling it the Nevada Institute of Forensic Nursing.

In nursing school, Norah Lusk already knew she wanted to work with sexual assault survivors. She had seen how this part of the health care system was sorely lacking through victim-blaming, long wait times and a shortage of specialized practitioners.

Now a sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE, Lusk is trained to care for survivors of violence. SANEs conduct forensic exams, collect evidence, provide follow-up care, advise survivors on their reporting options, testify at trials and more.

Lusk works in an emergency room in Elko, Nevada  a four-hour drive from Reno. In between the two cities, there is nowhere for sexual assault survivors to receive forensic exams, which are essential for law enforcement investigations.

Survivors in Lusks area might have to travel hundreds of miles for proper medical care. The burden is often on them to know where to go and how to get there  all after experiencing a major trauma.

Theres a victim population that is not being served at all, Lusk said.

Across the U.S., forensic nurses are equally scarce.

Nobody really knows where SANE exams are available, said Leah Griffin, a sexual assault advocate and survivor who, in 2014, was turned away from a Seattle hospital that did not provide forensic exams.

Norah Lusk works as a sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE. Lusk is trained to care for survivors of violence.

Despite a 2022 law requiring a national directory of sexual assault nurse examiner locations, there is no comprehensive national resource to direct survivors to the nearest forensic exam. Congress tasked the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to create the resource but did not allocate funding for the project, leaving the agency unable to create it.

Though more than half of states have their own SANE databases, some are incomplete or outdated  out of 30 databases, eight havent been updated in a year or more. Twenty states do not have directories for post-assault medical care at all.

If youve experienced violence, I guess youre just supposed to know what to do, said Jennifer Johnson, president and co-founder of the Association of Forensic Nursing. And I think thats a cop-out.

More: Five critical steps victims of sexual assault should take after the crime

Obstacles to care

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates that someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. every 68 seconds. Medical care afterward is key to addressing physical and mental health needs and collecting evidence.

Forensic exams  commonly known as rape kits  are voluntary and required by federal law to be free. Depending on patient need and consent, the exam can include urgent medical treatment, a full body examination, DNA collection and photographic documentation.

A sexual assault evidence kit is logged in the biology lab at the Houston Forensic Science Center in Houston.

Forensic nurses provide more comprehensive care and more accurate evidence collection than other medical staff, according to the U.S. Department of Justices Office for Victims of Crime. SANE involvement also increases sexual assault reporting rates, the number of charges filed, conviction rates and the average sentence times for offenders.

Regardless of whether a survivor wants to involve law enforcement, forensic exams influence health outcomes by testing for pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. SANEs also evaluate patients psychological states and connect them to mental health resources and advocacy groups for long-term support.

Have you had experience with a rape kit? USA TODAY wants to hear your story

Registered nurses can receive SANE training from universities, state agencies and professional organizations like the International Association of Forensic Nurses. This specialized education focuses on conducting forensic exams and interviews, providing trauma-informed care and working with law enforcement.

A State of Nevada sexual assault evidence collection kit and other supplies are seen in a mobile unit SANE nurse Norah Lusk and her sister-in-law created In April 2022.

But only about 1 in 5 U.S. hospitals have a SANE available, according to IAFN. And providing 24/7 coverage can be a real challenge, Johnson said. The problem is even worse in rural areas, like the expansive Nevada region where Lusk works.

Forensic nurse numbers have decreased in the past few years, mirroring a general post-pandemic nursing shortage. Totaling 4,500 in 2018, IAFNs membership rose to almost 6,100 over the next two years before falling to 5,600 in 2022.

Multiple factors drive the SANE shortage, including inability to find the budget to add staff. The stress of the job also causes many to leave the profession.

If you live in a community where the hospital doesnt have a sexual assault program, the ultimate question is, Well, then what happens? Johnson said.

When a survivor goes to a hospital that doesnt have a forensic nurse examiner on staff, they typically are either told to go elsewhere or are given basic medical treatment.

While general hospital staff can administer a rape kit, Johnson said, theyre not really trained to do the kit right. A majority of medical and nursing school programs do not offer training on sexual assault care, according to multiple studies.

The submission of rape kits for DNA collection is left entirely up to law enforcement discretion and the submission rates vary widely among police departments.

This means less evidence may be collected by general health care providers, which can affect legal outcomes. Forensic nurses also are specifically trained to testify in court about the examination, which is not typical for other hospital staff.

Even when a hospital has a SANE, the coverage may be for limited hours, which can lead to dayslong delays in care, Johnson said. That adds to the list of reasons survivors may not get care.

Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, CEO of the International Association of Forensic Nurses, recounted stories of survivors traveling hours for SANE care, sometimes via costly ambulance rides. Others simply went home because of the complexities of going to one place, not being provided care, and then trying to keep up that will to continue to seek care.

Advocate Leah Griffin said she has spoken to survivors who were left by police at hospitals that did not provide SANE exams. Others dont even get that far.

Phoenix resident Ron Blake said when that he was raped in 2011, he had never heard of a rape kit or a sexual assault nurse examiner. He didnt know to go to the hospital for a forensic exam. Looking back on that night, Blake said the biggest obstacle to receiving medical care was the police.

Blake said that despite his testimony and visible injuries, none of the officers who responded to the scene offered to take him to receive medical care. Nor did anyone tell Blake where he could go to get a forensic exam.

I did everything I was supposed to do, Blake said. I told the police what happened to me. They arrived, they saw all the injuries to me. It was on them. And that's where the impediment was. That's what stopped me from getting a forensic exam.

Blake didnt learn what a forensic exam was until later, when he spoke with other survivors.

I thought: Wow, what did I do wrong? Why didnt I get that? he said. It should have been an option for me, and it wasnt.

Blakes case was closed with no charges. The Phoenix Police Department incident report cites the lack of a forensic exam as one of the reasons.

He now journeys across the country speaking about his experience. He has met tens of thousands of people, some of whom have opened up about their own assaults.

In situations like Blakes, when survivors are left to search for care on their own, advocates believe a comprehensive database of SANE locations could help.

The struggle to find a provider

Last year, Congress called for a requirement to do just that.

It reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. One section directed the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality  part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  to complete a national report on forensic exam services. It also called for the agency to create a comprehensive online map of sexual assault forensic exam availability. The entries would specify whether the forensic nurse coverage is full- or part-time.

The report and online map were set to be published no later than March 15, 2023, a year after the laws enactment. That never happened.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality did not create the resource because Congress did not appropriate funding for it, said Office of Communications Director Howard Holland. The agency did not create a cost estimate for the project, Holland said.

If and when these activities may be included by Congress in the appropriation for AHRQ, we will take further steps to identify how we might move forward, Holland said.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. speaks about plans to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which provides funding and grants for a variety of programs that tackle domestic abuse.

Ron Eckstein, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the bills sponsor, confirmed the mandate wasnt funded. He said, however, that Feinsteins office was under the impression that the database wouldnt require additional funding to complete.

Learning that this (resource) is held up is devastating, advocate Leah Griffin said.

For almost a decade, Griffin has worked with lawmakers to create legislation expanding access to sexual assault nurse examiners. This included advocating for the report and SANE map.

I fought for years for this study, so to learn now that the agency is just throwing up their hands over a miscommunication is hurtful, Griffin said.

Without the required federal directory, other groups are trying to fill the gap.

The International Association of Forensic Nurses operates the largest national database of SANE programs. The list is updated when its members have new information. But it is neither exhaustive nor mandatory.

It's only as good as the data that is entered, CEO Pierce-Weeks said. And it's really based on someone's knowledge that it exists and that we're looking for the information.

There is no comprehensive national resource to direct survivors to specialized nurses like Norah Lusk, who works in Nevada.

State databases have similar shortcomings, if they exist at all, the Center for Public Integrity found.

Thirty states have online databases of SANE locations, usually maintained by advocacy groups or government agencies.

Some of these databases have connected survivors to care. Patients have reported using the Massachusetts Department of Public Healths directory to find SANEs, said Assistant Director of Media Relations Katheleen Conti.

But other state databases are difficult to find or are outdated. The nationwide SANE shortage has forced many programs to close, and older databases may not reflect those changes.

I see through my work that some places, especially really rural places, struggle to maintain a SANE program, said Erin Pollitt, executive director of District of Columbia Forensic Nurse Examiners. I would hate for somebody to see a super rural program on the (database) and immediately assume that theres going to be a SANE there if they go.

All 20 states without a public SANE database have lists of rape crisis centers or other support services online. Similar to RAINNs national directory of sexual assault service providers, these resources can be helpful but do not automatically lead to medical care like a SANE database does, Johnson said.

State by state A rundown of resources available for rape survivors

Every additional step that a survivor has to take, the more likely that they're going to give up, said Brie Franklin, executive director of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Piecing together a national database would be a challenge.

In addition to inconsistent data, the requirements for SANE training and credentialing vary by state, as does who oversees the programs, Johnson said.

This means someone trying to build a database would need to coordinate with numerous offices and hope each organization has current data on where forensic nurses can be found.

A 2016 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found limited nationwide data on health care facilities with SANE programs. Out of a GAO sample of six states, only one had a formal system to track SANE locations.

More permanent solutions

The ideal solution, some advocates and practitioners say, is for every hospital to offer forensic exam services  which would make the databases unnecessary.

I dont want to say its never going to happen, but sitting here right now, its an open dream, Johnson said.

A few states have tried.

In 2018, Illinois passed a law requiring every emergency room in the state to have a sexual assault nurse examiner on staff or an approved transfer plan, with no transportation costs charged to the patient. Nurses must initiate treatment within 90 minutes of the survivors arrival. If a hospital fails to meet the requirements, it can be fined up to $500 a day.

Hospitals were required to comply with the mandate by Jan. 1, 2023. But when asked in August whether every hospital in the state had met the requirements, Illinois Department of Public Health spokesman Mike Claffey said he didnt know. The department is still gathering data through its hospital surveys.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Theresa Anderson, left, and Luann Cook, right, in an examination room in the emergency department at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, N.Y.

Earlier this year, West Virginias governor signed a similar bill into law. Though the proposed legislation would have required every emergency department to have a SANE on staff at all times, a House of Delegates committee amended the bill to allow hospitals to set up a plan to transfer patients to other facilities. Unlike the Illinois law, West Virginias policy does not prohibit them from charging for that transport, nor does it fine hospitals that fail to comply.

When every single hospital in the United States has trained nurses to provide medical forensic exams, Johnson said, then we will have enough.

For now, some providers are working to bring nurses directly to patients in need  like Norah Lusk in Elko, Nevada.

In April 2022, Lusk and her sister-in-law created a mobile unit and called it the Nevada Institute of Forensic Nursing.

Using a travel trailer, Lusks team of forensic nurses, interviewers and advocates can meet survivors wherever necessary, from hospital grounds to Walmart parking lots. The vehicle is unmarked to protect patients privacy.

Norah Lusk (c) and Nevada Institute of Forensic Nursings Director of Advocacy, Christie Youngblood (left) and Director of Forensic Interviews, Cyndy Milligan-Lusk.

The unit is the only one of its kind in Nevada, but Lusk is working to make the institute a statewide program, with plans for a satellite office in Las Vegas. Her ultimate goal is to go national.

If I can do this in a rural area, she said, theres no reason why we cant address this in other states.

Ileana Garnand wrote this story as The Charles Lewis American University fellow at the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit newsroom focused on investigating systems and circumstances that contribute to inequality in our country.

USA TODAY wants to hear about your experience with sexual assault kits. If you do not see the contact form below, please click this link instead to learn more about the request: https://forms.gle/tc99BccTUqfVwMpv5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When sex assault victims seek care, many US hospitals are ill-equipped
House Oversight Chair James Comer, who is investigating President Joe Biden for what Republicans call potentially impeachable offenses, was given unrestricted access Thursday to a batch of his emails from his time as vice president, according to two sources familiar with them.

Comer has made gaining access to redacted portions of Bidens emails a major target as he tries to build a case that the former vice president sought to dictate U.S. policy on Ukraine to benefit the business interests of his son, Hunter. But the new emails do not provide any evidence that Joe Biden personally benefited from his sons business dealings.

The emails, held by the National Archives, were unredacted for the Kentucky Republican and his committee to view.

They include schedules with ordinary family get-togethers. One shows Biden had lunch with Hunter Biden s then-15-year-old daughters, Maisy and Finnegan. Another reveals that the Ukrainians were praising his now-deceased brother, Beau . And then there are the private musings of multiple Georgian women saying they found Joe Biden sexy during a 2009 trip that also included a stop in Ukraine.

Must-read email below, read an email forwarded by Bidens then-national security adviser Tony Blinken to Joe Biden and his sons, Hunter and Beau. The emails subject line: Biden as new Georgian sex symbol.

Republicans had a different view of the emails.

The National Archives has only produced 14 pages of what is expected to be thousands of pages if the Biden White House doesnt try to withhold them from Congress," a House Oversight Committee spokesperson said. "Its silly for anyone to try to draw conclusions from 14 pages of documents that the White House cleared to give to Congress, especially when it contains an email that opines on foreign nationals thinking Joe Biden is sexy. These are the emails Joe Biden wants Americans to see. The Oversight Committee will continue to follow the money and evidence to hold President Biden accountable for his abuse of public office.

For years, Republicans have been focused on Hunter Bidens business dealings with the Ukrainian energy company, Burisma.

Hunter Biden sat on the board of Burisma and Republicans have claimed that his father ordered the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating the company to protect his sons business interests. Indeed, Trumps first impeachment was a result of him threatening to withhold congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine unless its government launched an investigation of Burisma and the Bidens.

This is despite evidence that the prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, was not fired because he was investigating Burisma. Rather, he was fired by the Ukrainian Parliament for failing to crack down on corruption, a move that was supported by most Western nations and U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

Now that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has launched a formal impeachment inquiry, the stakes for Republicans are considerable. If they impeach Biden without the evidence theyve promised to unearth, it is likely to backfire with independent voters and to fire up Democrats in next years elections. If they dont impeach him, hardline conservatives may punish McCarthy and there will be a backlash from many GOP voters who falsely believe Republicans already have the evidence to impeach.

While there is significant evidence that Hunter  who has admitted to struggling with substance abuse at the time  made trading on his fathers name a centerpiece of his dealings with foreign business associates, Republicans have yet to turn up direct evidence that Joe Biden benefited personally or that he took any official action as a result of those connections.

Heres a look at the unredacted emails:

 A June 14, 2016 schedule card shows Biden was to meet with the prime minister of Ukraine. The newly unredacted portions show he was also scheduled to work out with his personal trainer, and to dine with Hunters then-15-year-old daughters, Maisy and Finnegan, in the vice presidents office.

 A May, 27, 2016 schedule card includes a call with former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Hunter Biden was copied on the days schedule. Its already been reported that Biden was also due to attend the one-year anniversary of the passing of his son, Beau, back home in Delaware. Comer had been pointing to this scheduling item, since it was also emailed to then-Vice President Biden under a pseudonym email address. Comer even said the vice president was sending a secret message to his son that he was about to fire the prosecutor. As recently as last week, Comer included that email on a list of evidence of Joe Bidens involvement in his familys influence peddling schemes.

The Washington Post had debunked this a few weeks ago by noting that parliament had fired the prosecutor two months prior to Hunter Biden being looped on the days itinerary. The only new information in the unredacted version was a phone number of an aide, the sources said.

 A March 26, 2012 email from Biden to Blinken and both of his sons had been entirely redacted. The newly-unredacted portions reveal that the then-Ukrainian ambassador sent Blinken a letter effusively praising Beau for a speech he had delivered in Ukraine on combating corruption. Beau Biden was, at the time, the attorney general of the state of Delaware. Beaus visit was everything we hoped for. He was terrific, it read.

 A July 24, 2009 email was forwarded by Bidens then-personal assistant to Biden and his two sons. It included praise for a speech Biden had delivered in Tbilisi to the Georgian parliament. The assistant forwarded the email, titled Biden as new Georgian sex symbol and with the following commentary: Must-Read Email Below. It also stated that multiple female friends were talking about how sexy Biden was after his visit. A new man in my life, remarked one. A big crush on him, said another.

Comer's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The download is the first tranche from the National Archives in response to multiple requests from Comer. In a letter to the National Archives sent last month, the committee asked for unrestricted special access to emails to or from the vice president and his son related to Burisma and Ukraine. Comer is awaiting responses to numerous additional requests including Hunter Bidens use of Air Force Two and Marine Two while Joe Biden was vice president and emails from Biden aides regarding Hunter Biden and all of Bidens executive calendars.

Comer predicted that a broader body of unredacted emails would reveal pretty damaging evidence." Youre gonna see a lot of Democrats hit the panic button, Comer said a few weeks ago on Newsmax. But that does not appear to be the case from these emails.

The batch does make one amusing discovery. Bidens then-assistant forwarded an email from Blinken sharing that women in the country of Georgia found the former vice president sexy during his 2009 visit, said the people who viewed the emails.

McCarthy and his allies insisted that opening a formal impeachment inquiry would empower them to dig deeper. Yet the emails are another example of the House GOP failing to turn up evidence theyve assured the public exists and that will implicate Biden in some form of corruption that rises to an impeachable offense.

Many Republicans have acknowledgedthey do not have documentation showing Biden profited from his sons business dealings  or let it impact his policy actions as vice president. Their theory relies on innuendo about email and text exchanges involving Hunter.

Bidens former business partner, Devon Archer, testified under oath to Comers committee that the president was never involved in their business decisions and that he had no evidence or knowledge that Biden took any action to benefit his son or Burisma. Hunter Biden used the illusion of access to his father in his business dealings, Archer said.
In a turbulent few years for shares and other assets, its not surprising that many private investors have sought refuge in funds whose purpose is specifically to preserve wealth.

This column has tipped such funds for readers who want investments that wont give them sleepless nights. But how well have they met such needs?

As this column is devoted to investment trusts well confine ourselves to funds quoted on the stock market, where Ruffer Investment Company, Capital Gearing and Personal Assets are the three most obvious wealth preservation trusts.

We have also tipped BH Macro, Caledonia Investments and RIT Capital Partners (later sold), although these are not out-and-out wealth preservation funds: Caledonia and RIT hold a variety of assets with a view to reducing risk, while with BH Macro its more the case that the fund, which employs complex hedge fund style strategies, aims to rise when markets fall.

Despite this we suspect some readers regard these three trusts as solid wealth preservation options. Since we covered the six trusts in the spring of last year, four have recorded double-digit share price declines. RIT Capital Partners and BH Macro have fallen the most, by 17.9pc and 17.1pc respectively since our update in May 2022.

Ruffer and Capital Gearing, on which we wrote updates in the same column, have since fallen by 13.7pc and 10.1pc respectively. The other two have also fallen, but more modestly.

Caledonia has lost 4.9pc since our update in April 2022 and Personal Assets is 4pc lower than at the time of our last coverage in June last year. We also asked Stifel, the broker, to find out what had been the biggest peak-to-trough falls in the share prices.

Such falls, called drawdowns in City jargon, are the theoretical losses of the unluckiest possible investors, those who had bought at the highest level and then sold at the lowest.

Over the past 10 years, Stifel said, the biggest share price drawdown had been suffered by Caledonia: a fall of 39pc from peak to following trough. RIT was marginally better at 38pc and BH Macros figure was 34pc.

These numbers are enough in our view to show that none of these trusts, whatever their other merits, should be seen as wealth preservation funds.

But even the other three suffered some big falls. Ruffers biggest share price drawdown over the past 10 years has been 19pc, Capital Gearings 15pc and Personal Assets 12pc.

Its notable how these share price falls are not always mirrored by the trusts net asset values (NAVs). That 34pc fall in BH Macros share price coincided with a decline in NAV of only 7pc, while Ruffers 19pc share price fall took place while the NAV lost 13pc.

The 39pc share price fall at Caledonia contrasted with a 13pc decline in NAV and RITs 38pc fall in share price took place while the NAV lost 16pc.

The gap between the two figures was less marked at Personal Assets and Capital Gearing, which attempt to control their discount: at the former the largest share price fall of 12pc was close to the change in NAV of 10pc while the latters biggest drawdown of 15pc coincided with a 10pc fall in NAV.

Personal Assets' key facts

What these figures suggest is that in the case of wealth preservation funds the investment trust structure is a double-edged sword: the fact that trusts, unlike ordinary, open-ended funds, cannot face a run on their assets allows them to take a longer-term view and to hold illiquid investments, but the fact that share prices can diverge so markedly from net asset values reintroduces the very volatility that the funds seek to avoid.

Can we continue to recommend them for readers who want to preserve wealth? Yes, but with an important caveat: you must be willing and able to hold on through periods of underperformance and widening discounts.

Such periods invariably come to an end but, even more importantly, these trusts really come into their own in the event of a market crash, as they will hold up far better than other funds. We maintain a hold rating on Ruffer, Capital Gearing, Personal Assets, BH Macro and Caledonia.

Questor says: hold

Tickers: RICA, CGT, PNL, BHMG, CLDN

Shares prices at close: 271p, 46.10, 468.5p, 353.5p, 34.80

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The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office identified the two men arrested on suspicion of killing one man and injuring two others in a south Sacramento shooting earlier this month.

Luis Camarillo, 20, and Fernando Zambrano, 24, were arrested on suspicion of homicide.

Sheriffs deputies responded to the crime scene in the 5300 block of Gordon Drive after receiving a ShotSpotter activation around 10:15 p.m. Sept. 8.

Deputies located three men who had been shot, officials said. All three were transported to the hospital, but one of the victims, identified by coroners officials as Isaiah Valencia-Vasquez, 21, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The three men were moving into their new home, in the Lemon Hill neighborhood of unincorporated south Sacramento, when Camarillo and Zambrano allegedly mistook them for rival gang members, the Sheriffs Office said.

Camarillo and Zambrano are known gang associates, according to a Sheriffs Office news release.

They allegedly fired 17 shots at the victims, the Sheriffs Office said. Detectives believe none of the victims had any gang ties, nor did they do anything to provoke the shooting.

Homicide detectives obtained warrants to arrest Camarillo and Zambrano, who were arrested and booked into jail Sept. 14.

Homicide detectives and detectives from the Gang Suppression Unit searched the apartment where Camarillo and Zambrano were arrested and discovered five handguns, the Sheriffs Office said. One was a fully automatic handgun, believed to have been the weapon used in the murder.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office, said the guns were obtained illegally.

The two suspects were booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of homicide and are ineligible for bail. Both are scheduled to appear Oct. 2 in Sacramento Superior Court.
DUNNELLON  Wednesday morning's deputy-involved shooting in a wooded area north of Dunnellon is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. But in the meantime, more information about the incident has been released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Here's what we know:

Name of the person shot

Scott Michael Peltier.

Which deputies were involved?

A detective and two deputies, all men, were involved. Their names were not released by the sheriff's office because they invoked Marsy's Law, which forbids the official release of victim information.

The fourth person on scene was Stephen McEldowney, a deputy trainee. His name was released by officials because he did not witness the shooting.

What happened?

Sheriff's office officials said the deputies and detective were in the 10500 block of U.S. 41, north of Dunnellon, conducting a follow-up investigation on a trespassing complaint. Authorities said when they arrived, they found Peltier on property in violation of a trespass warning issued on Sept. 17.

They noticed he was armed with a firearm in a holster on his hip. Peltier refused commands to leave the property and was upset.

Peltier was told multiple times to keep his hands up and away from the gun. But Peltier drew the firearm and pointed it at deputies, officials said. Fearing for their safety, deputies shot Peltier.

Deputies provided medical treatment. A revolver, with its hammer cocked, was found on the ground near the man, officials said.

The gunshot wounds are non-life threatening. Peltier was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He remained there Thursday afternoon.

A sheriff's deputy vehicle at the scene of Wednesday's shooting.

At the time of the shooting, McEldowney had gone to get an item from his vehicle that would be used to cut a fence, law enforcement officials said.

MCSO officials said Peltier has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, trespassing while armed and resisting or opposing an officer with violence. His bail will be set at $12,000.

The deputies are on paid administrative leave, as per MCSO policy.

Peltier's interview

After the shooting, Detectives Daniel Pinder and Michael Fredette interviewed Peltier. They said he made mention of Army intelligence and terrorists.

He told the detectives that law enforcement officials in marked vehicles had approached him Wednesday morning and one of them showed him identification. Though the officials were professional, Peltier said, he would not allow them on property "with the presence of Army Intelligence," according to the detectives' report.

Peltier told the detectives he doesn't remember anyone giving him a trespass warning or any deputies explaining anything to him. He denied removing his gun from the holster and told the detectives that he had the holster for six months.

He said the gun must have fallen from the holster. He said he was upset when deputies opened the fencing near his makeshift home in the woods. Peltier asked for a military lawyer.

Body camera footage from one the deputies shows Peltier ranting about top secret clearance and refusing to get out from what's been described as a concealed encampment. The report states a deputy pulled back a tarp. A deputy told Peltier to keep his hands up, and Peltier said he would not get out "without a state representative."

"The defendant reaches across his body with his right hand and grabs the firearm while deputy (name redacted) order him to not touch it," according to Pinder's report.

From the body camera, Pinder said, he "observed something in the defendant's hand as he walked behind the tent out of view of the camera." A deputy is heard saying "gun gun gun," and a few moments later, shots were fired. The deputies entered the camp and attended to Peltier, according to the report.

Peltier's camp is roughly 20 yards west in the woods and has chicken-wire like fencing. The fence had tarps that were attached and zipped together. There was also a tent and a table.

Information about Peltier

Locally, the 59-year-old does not have a criminal record. But he has had contact with law enforcement.

Three days before the shooting, one of the three deputies on scene Wednesday gave Peltier a trespass warning and told not to go on the property on Southwest 177th Avenue Road.

In an email, the deputy said he explained the warning to Peltier and had Peltier repeat the meaning of the warning, just so he could confirm that the order was understood.

The deputy told Peltier that he doesn't own the property. He said in the email that Peltier was armed and was not sure if Peltier would cooperate with deputies.

The deputy told Peltier that if he was still on the property and armed, then he would be charged with armed trespassing.

A second incident pertaining to Peltier was in September 2022. According to a Dunnellon Police Department report, an officer issued Peltier a trespass warning at the request of a manager at Taco Bell.

The report states several customers felt uncomfortable when they saw Peltier talking to himself.

Peltier has had encounters with two people who were interviewed by a Star-Banner reporter on Wednesday. They said Peltier was agitated and angry whenever they dealt with him.

Greg Pelletier, who's from an Inverness veterans facility, said he tried helping Peltier, who is a U.S. Army veteran. But Peltier declined assistance. Told Thursday that Peltier remained hospitalized, Pelletier said he was glad that he's alive.

A property manager who represents the owner of the land on which Peltier was trespassing spoke to the man on several occasions. He said Peltier would post signs  such as "private property" and "keep out"  on the trees, even though he himself was not allowed on the land.

Attorney report

Local defense lawyer Jimmie Sparrow is representing two of the deputies involved. The lawyer, who is a former police officer, told a Star-Banner reporter that he has no comment about the case. Asked if his clients have been involved in any other shootings, he said he's not aware of any.

As of Thursday, FDLE agents had not interviewed his clients. He's not sure when they will be interviewed. As for how his clients are doing, Sparrow said as well as can be under the circumstances.

Deputy-involved shootings

Since 2017, there have been nine deputy-involved shootings. Six have been fatal.

No charges: State clears deputies in fatal shooting. Man's family's lawyer says force was excessive.

The last deputy-involved shooting was in December, when 35-year-old Edwards Charles Townsend III, of South Carolina, was shot once in the back after a struggle with deputies where he took a deputy's Taser. The incident occurred in The Villages. Both deputies involved were cleared by prosecutors.

The man's family lawyer said the shooting was excessive.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: More information released in Wednesday's deputy-involved shooting
Ukraines National Police have released a video showing the initial moments following a Russian cruise missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy on the morning of Sept. 21.

The shaky video footage shows firefighters running through a scene of devastation, with rubble and fire among shattered buildings. Emergency workers can also be seen helping victims of the attack move away from the impact site.

Patrol officers were among the first responders at the scene. The rescue operation is ongoing, with medical personnel and rescuers actively involved, the National Police reported.

The missile impacted in the center of Cherkasy, demolishing a hotel building and setting fire to market stalls, as well as causing injuries to ten individuals.

Following the strike, Cherkasy Mayor Anatolii Bondarenko told Radio Free Europe that there could be people still trapped under the rubble, and efforts to clear the debris will likely continue throughout the night.

Russia launched multiple waves of cruise missile attacks on Ukraine in the early hours of Sept. 21 in what was possibly the most massive missile assault on the country by Kremlin forces in recent months. The invaders fired missiles within moments, causing impacts in the Lviv, Rivne, and Cherkasy oblasts, as well as in Kyiv and several other oblasts, prompting the activation of air defense systems.

The occupiers launched X-101/X-555/X-55 missiles from the area west of Engels, utilizing ten Tu-95MS strategic aviation aircraft. Ukraines air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 36 out of 43 Russian missiles.

Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, commenting on the massive missile strike on Sept.21, described it as powerful, but noted that Ukraines air defense system had performed reasonably well.

The enemy attacked with a significant geographic scope, Ihnat said on Ukrainian national television, adding that the enemy employed various tactical techniques, direction changes, and various types of weaponry.

We observed missiles moving from east to west and returning to central regions. This time, missiles reached many regions, but our air defense system responded quite effectively, Ihnat 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 21)  The Philippines has a "strong case" against China over its alleged coral harvesting in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said Wednesday.

"There is evidence to back-up a claim that they have been undertaking these activities," he told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Wednesday. "The question lies on how much can the Philippines prove through direct and substantial evidence."

Batongbacal said local fishermen near the area have been reporting about these activities since 2015.

READ: China's suspected damaging of WPS reefs 'ripe' for Senate probe - Hontiveros

But he warned that the Philippines must prepare and strategize about the legal case as China is again expected to resist this kind of litigation.

"We have to think carefully on what we want out of this action if ever we take it," he said.

"Filing a case and gathering evidence for a case like this is not easy. We need to be careful and very deliberate in our steps here," he added.

READ: DOJ recommends filing of cases vs China over coral harvesting in West PH Sea

'International pressure'

Other than prompting Beijing to pay damages, Batongbacal said the legal case must also be part of a broader strategy of mobilizing international pressure against China in various fora.

He said the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute came up with around 11 strategies against China and its activities in the WPS  from investigatory procedures to litigations.

READ: PCG to tap marine experts to inspect WPS reefs supposedly damaged by China

Batongbacal added that the case will also be "inevitably" based on the landmark South China Sea arbitration award in 2016 as it establishes the country's rights to natural resources in the WPS, which include coral reefs.
At least five people were killed and dozens injured across Ukrainian cities early Thursday in a barrage of missile and artillery strikes that appeared to back up President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's contention at the United Nations that Russia is a "terrorist state.''

Moscow's largest fusillade in more than a month came on a day when Zelenskyy was trying to rally support in Washington while losing the military assistance of neighboring Poland amid a growing trade dispute.

The widespread Russian attack killed five and wounded 10 in the southern Kherson province, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said, injured seven in Kyiv and wounded 11 in the central city of Cherkasy as damaged buildings that included a hotel turned into tons of rubble. Only Kherson among those stricken areas is near the front line.

Russias Ministry of Defense said it hit military targets with precision-guided missiles and drones, but at least six strikes in the northeastern city of Kharkiv impacted civilian infrastructure, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said.

Marharyta Moldokova, 76, railed at Russian President Vladimir Putin after sheltering in her Kyiv home, where a window shattered.

God, we cant wait for someone to shoot him, she said. Everything is not enough for him. ... What does he need?

Firefighters put out a blaze as police experts look for fragments of a missile in an industrial area of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Sept. 21, 2023.

Developments:

 The White House announced a $325 million military assistance package for Ukraine that includes air defense munitions, cluster bombs and artillery ammunition. President Joe Biden also said the first U.S. Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine next week.

 Charles Michel, president of the European Council of EU leaders, called for reforms to a United Nations sclerotic and hobbled decision-making system that has allowed Russia to remain a member of the Security Council with veto power despite invading Ukraine.

 Ukraine's new shipping corridor in the Black Sea can claim its first success as the Resilient Africa cargo ship, which left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk earlier in the week, arrived Thursday at Turkey's Bosphorus Strait with 3,000 tons of wheat. Ukraine has been seeking an efficient and safe export route since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal in mid-July.

 Russia said it fought off attacks from 22 drones overnight, 19 of them above Crimea.

 Belgium, which last week committed to training Ukrainian pilots on flying F-16s, said it would consider sending the war planes to Kyiv for fighting or training. So far, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway have vowed to provide the jets.

Poland in tiff with Ukraine, says it won't supply weapons

Even as he tries to persuade Congress to approve the $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for his country requested by Biden, Zelenskyy is encountering a significant problem closer to home.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland, a neighbor that has hosted millions of Ukrainian refugees and remained a steadfast ally since the war started, said late Wednesday that his nation will no longer send weapons to Ukraine.

Morawiecki said the reason is Poland's desire to modernize its military because of concerns about Russian aggression, but an escalating trade dispute and pressure from an opposing party in the upcoming election provide a backdrop for the decision.

Government spokesman Piotr Mueller clarified Thursday that Poland is now only providing ammunition and armaments it had previously agreed to, pointing out a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side.

After Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced a new ban on Ukrainian grain imports last week, saying they wanted to protect their farmers from a glut that lowered prices, Ukraine filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he believes Poland will continue to support Ukraine. Asked by a Polish reporter if he's concerned about losing Poland as a friend, Zelenskyy said in English: "I want to thank the Polish people, Polish society for their support. That's it.''

Contributing: Francesca Chambers

Zelenskyy visits Congress, where aid request meets resistance

Zelenskyy's second visit to Congress in less than a year was greeted with more skepticism than the hero's welcome he received in December, when Democrats still controlled the House.

As right-wing Republicans flex their muscle in negotiations over a spending bill, they showed no interest Thursday in funding the U.S. military, let alone the Ukrainian one. A small GOP contingent kept a Pentagon appropriations bill from even getting to the House floor for debate.

Despite Zelenskyys stop in Washington, which included a bipartisan meeting with a group of House lawmakers and an all-senators meeting, Biden will have an uphill battle in gaining approval of his $24 billion request in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

Ahead of the meeting with Zelenskyy, a coalition of 28 GOP senators and representatives signed a letter saying, It would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant this request.

Asked after a White House meeting with Zelenskyy if he was confident of getting the package approved, Biden said, "I'm counting on the good judgement of the United States Congress. There's no alternative.''

 Ken Tran and Francesca Chambers

'Your heart cannot let you do otherwise,' Zelenskyy says in thanking US for help

Zelenskyy made a point of thanking the U.S. government and its people at his final two stops Thursday, first after Biden revealed the new military aid  "exactly what our soldiers need now,'' the Ukrainian leader said at the White House  and then in a speech at the National Archives early in the evening.

Zelenskyy addressed an audience that included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, fellow Rep. Adam Schiff, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Attorney General Merrick Garland, in addition to members of the Ukrainian community and others who have supported the country.

Theres not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America,'' Zelenskyy said in an emotional speech shared with his wife, Olena Zelenska. "To you, the people who help us not because you have to but because your heart cannot let you do otherwise. Thank you.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine war live updates: Russian barrage brings death, ruin, fury
A late-night shooting near the American embassy in Lebanon is under investigation by the U.S. and local security agencies, officials revealed Thursday.

A State Department spokesperson told The Hill that shots from a small-caliber weapon were reported about 10:37 p.m. local time Wednesday near the entrance to the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, adding there were no injuries and that the facility is safe. The spokesperson noted the department is in close contact with local law enforcement, and it is investigating the incident alongside local authorities.

A Lebanese official told The Associated Press the countrys army took measures and launched the investigation, which will include analyzing security camera footage. At least five bullet holes were recorded near the entrance to the embassy, the AP noted.

Attacks against Americans in Lebanon are not uncommon. The State Department has a Reconsider Travel advisory in place for the country due to crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest and kidnapping. Furthermore, the department warns the embassy has limited capacity to aid U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon.

In 1983, a suicide bomber drove into a four-story building that killed 241 U.S. service members at the U.S. Marine barracks at the Beirut airport  marking the deadliest Lebanese attack against Americans.

A separate bombing attack earlier that year targeted the Beirut Embassy, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, was responsible for the bombing, U.S. officials concluded.

More recent attacks include a 2008 explosion that targeted a U.S. Embassy vehicle in northern Beirut, which killed at least three Lebanese citizens and wounded an American passerby.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Whats happening

Former President Donald Trump appeared on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday in a pretaped interview with Kristen Welker . It was Welkers first show as moderator of the public affairs program since taking over for longtime host Chuck Todd, who announced his retirement in June.

Her performance was widely panned by critics who said she failed to hold Trump to account while the former president spewed falsehoods about a litany of subjects, including the 2020 election, President Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to an estimated 2.98 million viewers.

NBC published an extensive piece fact-checking Trumps Meet the Press appearance  but it was posted online hours after the show was broadcast.

Former President Donald Trump is interviewed by Kristen Welker at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Sept. 14. (William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images)

Welker allowed Trump to make a number of statements wholly untethered to reality on a range of critical issues without tenacious, resolute, or meaningful pushback, CNN media critic Oliver Darcy wrote. Its arguable that, at this juncture, there is really no need to interview Trump.

After years and years of seeing how he dishonestly operates, what exactly is there to glean from a sit-down? Darcy continued. The near-certain result is that the outlet will record a stream of lies rushing out of his mouth, mixed in with absurd grievances about how supposedly unfair the system treats him. Does any of that really serve the public?

The sit-down came four months after Trump appeared on a CNN live town hall hosted by Kaitlan Collins , who faced similar criticism for allowing the former president to run roughshod over her too.

Why theres debate

Former President Donald Trump participates in a CNN Republican Town Hall moderated by Kaitlan Collins at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on May 10. (CNN)

Some media executives believe it is necessary to interview the former president, especially as he seeks a return to the White House and is the prohibitive favorite in the 2024 Republican presidential primary race.

And Trumps freewheeling interviews do, on occasion, reveal things of importance, particularly for prosecutors overseeing the numerous criminal cases against him.

But others say the risks of providing Trump a bullhorn for his untruths are too grave. For one thing, his lies about the 2020 election inspired the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Whats next

Trump will undoubtedly give more sit-down interviews to mainstream media outlets from the campaign trail  that is, when hes not due in court as a defendant in at least three criminal trials scheduled before next years election.

Perspectives

Welker appears on her first show as moderator of Meet the Press in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. (William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images)

Welker was no match for Trump

In her debut turn as moderator for Meet The Press, Kristen Welker wanted to be the latest to prove to critics that [Trump] could be challenged. But like those who have tried before, her inherent skills as an interviewer were no match for a chaotic interview subject like Trump.  Corbin Bolies, Daily Beast

Her interview was a gross dereliction of journalistic duty

In her interview, Welker seemed fed on the American tradition of treating every politician, even those complicit in an attempt to overturn the democratic tradition, with the utmost in politesse. Consequently, Trump stomped her flat.  Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times

NBC and Welker deserve the backlash

He has most certainly shown himself to be a megalomaniac, a fabulist, a malignant narcissist, and a pathological liar. Instead of denying Donald Trump a platform to spew his poison, Meet the Press and NBC were collaborators in normalizing his fascist demagoguery.  Chauncey DeVega, Salon

Journalists interviewing Trump cant treat him like a normal candidate

[Welker] treated Trump like a normal, legit candidate, not one who tried to blow up our democracy and faces 91 felony indictments. Not just irresponsible journalism. Downright dangerous journalism to legitimize this guy  in the name of having a talked about premiere.  Bill Carter, author and former New York Times television critic

Trump and Welker at Trumps golf club in Bedminster on Sept. 14. (William B. Plowman/NBC via Getty Images)

They shouldnt try to make news either

When interviewing Trump, the goal cannot be to make news like one might attempt with a typical politician. The purpose of the interview must be to hold power to account. It must be about asserting the facts in a meaningful way and forcing Trump to confront them. He will still, of course, lie  but at least the audience might be able to see through the showmanship.  Oliver Darcy, CNN

Interviewing Trump is difficult, but its worth it

Are you a political journalist who does not like Donald Trump? Maybe do some convincing and truthful journalism capable of reaching people who dont 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.  Matt Welch, Reason

Ignoring Trump wont make him disappear

Refusing to have Donald Trump appear on Meet the Press will not make him go away. ... What Donald Trump says is news. News is not inherently good or bad; sometimes its good and sometimes its bad.  Jim Geraghty, National Review
Longtime White House correspondent Brian Karem writes a weekly column for Salon.

Every two weeks or so, some scientific journal publishes a new article that implies our reality might just be a computer simulation or a game on some galactic laptop.

Increasingly, those articles coincide with the latest news of some politician getting caught performing soft porn during a theater production of "Beetlejuice," or an article about the nuclear threat from Russia, now bolstered by an alliance with North Korea. Meanwhile, humans seem to be "mutilating" the tree of life, according to some scientists, while climate change is threatening extinction.

Our villains, and our narrative, seem taken straight from comic books, and our politicians out of Mad magazine. If we live in a computer simulation, it needs better writers. This is definitely beginning to look like a "Chuck" situation straight from "Supernatural."

In the latest edition of the human comic book, Congress appears ready to shut down the federal government as the GOP has splintered into at least three factions: the moderates, the Freedom Caucus crazies and the Matt Gaetz lunatics. I think uniforms and T-shirts would be a nice touch  just so we can readily identify them before they open their mouth and spew excrement. I hear some of them love brown shirts.

Meanwhile, the inoperative GOP House majority has been called a "clown show" and dysfunctional by some of its own members. Not only have Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his anarchic harassers turned the House into a dustbin of despair, they are also helping to destroy the military, the economy and our democracy.

On Tuesday, Republican conservatives sank a procedural vote on Pentagon funding that wasn't just a setback for McCarthy but also, combined with Sen. Tommy Tuberville's wooden-eared refusal to authorize military appointments, a direct threat to national security.

The conservatives don't care. Their cartoon villainy is about getting what they want and getting retribution against those who stand in their way. Some want to oust speaker McCarthy. He challenged them to try. The Democrats  who aren't nearly as fractured and could theoretically help out McCarthy on a floor vote  are in no mood to aid the speaker after he backed an inquiry into a presidential impeachment. Watching the GOP crash and burn is not only hilarious for some Democrats, but a small measure of justice for the way Republicans have run the House.

The upshot is that Congress has less than two weeks to extend government funding past Sept. 30 or risk a shutdown. And it all rests on the slender shoulders and in the soft, frail hands of the Republican Party.

A shutdown would mean furloughs for federal workers who provide basic services, unpaid troops and potential severe damage to the economy. Of course, while the Republicans stand on their soapbox in a child's sandbox, looking like toddlers who've soiled their pull-ups, they also risk annoying and angering voters heading into the 2024 general election.

To the typically self-serving Republicans, it should be obvious their latest move is tantamount to political suicide. The bigger question is how these morons get into office  and why we keep them there. George Carlin famously mused that perhaps our government sucks because we do: Garbage in and garbage out.

For some who love to bite their nails and wail continuously, things have never been worse and we've reached a low point unparalleled in the cartoon annals of American history.

Let's stop right there. This isn't unprecedented, nor is it unparalleled. The House of Representatives and the Senate, historically speaking, have always been shitshows. Long before Jim Jordan made an ass of himself on a daily basis, before Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene , James Comer or a host of other mentally deficient reprobates dragged their knuckles or oozed through the halls of Congress, there were so many lunatics that calm, rational thinking appears to be the exception rather than the rule. Mitch McConnell staring blankly into space is an improvement on some of the things that have happened in Congress.

In the beginning: On Feb. 15, 1798, Rep. Matthew Lyon of Vermont (a member of the Democratic-Republican Party), who two weeks earlier had spit tobacco juice in the face of Rep. Roger Griswold of Connecticut, earning the name "Spitting Lyon" for that, was assaulted by Griswold with a wooden cane. Lyon grabbed a pair of fireplace tongs and the two went at it until other members of Congress dragged Griswold out by his legs. That's an image straight out of "Carnage" or "Venom."

During debates on the Compromise of 1850 concerning the expansion of slavery, Sen. Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri charged Sen. Henry S. Foote of Mississippi on the Senate floor. Foote drew his pistol and pointed it at Benton, who reportedly shouted, "Let him fire! Let the assassin fire!" Other senators wrestled Foote to the floor, took the pistol and locked it away in a desk drawer. It's almost like Bruce Wayne's Batman origin story.

On May 19, 1856, Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner , a Republican who was passionately anti-slavery, rose to speak against Kansas joining the Union as a slave state. He called slavery a "harlot," accusing Sen. Andrew Butler, a South Carolina Democrat, of taking it as a mistress. On May 22, minutes after the Senate adjourned, Rep. Preston Brooks, another South Carolinian, assaulted Sumner, beating him unconscious and bloody with a metal-tipped cane. Maybe that was an inspiration for "The Avengers," or a Tarantino movie?

One of the most comical events occurred on Feb. 5, 1858, when Democrat Laurence M. Keitt attacked Republican Galusha Grow after an insult-laden verbal exchange about slavery in the House chambers. Keitt grabbed Grow's throat and a brawl involving nearly 50 members erupted. It only ended when one House member missed a punch and upended the hairpiece of Rep. William Barksdale. He was embarrassed and replaced the wig backward, causing both sides to erupt in laughter. It's like "Loki," "Joker" or a scene from Marjorie Taylor Greene's Christmas party.

Then, on Dec. 29, 1859, North Carolina Rep. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch challenged Grow to a duel after the two exchanged insults on the House floor. Both men and their seconds were arrested by Washington police before the duel could take place. Maybe that's a storyline for the Justice League?

Think racist actions are something new and unusual? In 1939, Sen. Theodore Bilbo of Mississippi asked for $250 million to deport all African Americans in the United States to Liberia. His inspiration was the "new" Nazi regime in Germany. "Germans appreciate the importance of race values. They understand that racial improvement is the greatest asset that any country can have," Bilbo said. He also filibustered an anti-lynching bill. There's a "Captain America" storyline for you  or one of Magneto's schemes.

As House Republican conference chair, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio literally handed out campaign checks from tobacco PACs on the House floor. Writing in the New York Times in October 2010, Bob Herbert said Boehner was "one of the especially sleazy figures in a capital seething with sleaze." He later became House speaker. Maybe the tobacco money helped. That is a villain scene from just about every comic book ever written .

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

To finally deal with Tuberville's nonsense in holding up military appointments, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Wednesday for a vote that would supersede Tuberville's blockage of such major appointments as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Marine Corps commandant and the Army chief of staff.

"This move is good in the interim," a National Security Council spokesman said Wednesday. "But it ain't good enough for national security and doesn't solve the larger problem." Current estimates suggest that if a vote had to be held on every individual appointment, it would take several hundred hours to push them all through. OK, that's not a comic book twist. Suddenly I'm thinking of "Veep."

The cartoon villains in the GOP are still intent on delaying military appointments or, as Jim Jordan showed in a committee hearing Wednesday, eager to deflect from the GOP's inaction by attacking Attorney General Merrick Garland over the federal investigations into Donald Trump and Hunter Biden.

That prompted an unusually quick response from the Biden White House, which said in a press release that Republicans "want to distract from the reality that their own chaos and inability to govern is going to shut down the government in a matter of days, hurting our economy and national security and jeopardizing everything from troop pay to fighting fentanyl. ... House Republicans should drop these silly political Washington games and actually do their job to prevent a government shutdown."

At the end of the day the cartoon antics in Congress  not just now, but over the last two centuries and more  have caused so much disillusionment among generations of Americans that children are born thinking that government is useless. You can't entirely blame them: It all seems like badly written fiction, acted by Z-listers who dress poorly, act pathetically and perform like drunken zombies.

Maybe this is the best we can do. When you take away education and create a society where not only do both parents have to work, both have to have side hustles just to afford to live from paycheck to paycheck, you end up with this: a dysfunctional, delusional, disillusioned, divided and defiant electorate.

That's America.

Carlin was right: Garbage in and garbage out.

Speaking of the potential shutdown, the NSC spokesman said, "It's just not the way a power like the United States should be behaving. There should be no reason for a shutdown. It's being driven by extremists on the right."

If we really are in a computer simulation, we can still take some responsibility for our ludicrous actions. If we're not, the answer is no different: We need to do better, and we can. That remains Joe Biden's central theme in most of his stump speeches, which few people listen to.

Either way, our fate is still our own, and if we manage to take responsibility for it and banish the cartoon characters back to our imaginations where they belong, we might actually get something done.

Otherwise Republicans will continue crafting their farcical script. And it's obvious it won't get any better. Republicans can't write.
Trump attorney Sidney Powell is trying to dismiss a racketeering charge in Georgia against her.

One of her lawyers' reasons is that the indictment has ruined her "previously sterling" reputation.

That includes her no longer being a "trusted traveler" with TSA, they said in a Friday motion.

Sidney Powell's lawyers, in their attempt to dismiss a racketeering charge against her, said that the Georgia indictment has shattered her traveler privileges with TSA.

"Ms Powell's longstanding trusted traveler status has been revoked by TSA for her 'criminal history'  in addition to other problems created by this wrongful indictment," read a footnote in a Friday motion filed by Powell's legal team, as seen by Insider.

Powell, a conspiracy theorist and an attorney associated with former President Donald Trump, was one of the people charged in a sprawling August indictment accusing Trump and his allies of trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

As one of 19 co-defendants, Powell has pleaded not guilty to the seven charges brought against her, including conspiracy to commit election fraud, conspiracy to defraud the state, and racketeering.

On Friday, her legal team sought to dismiss one of the charges, which accuses her of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

One of their supporting arguments was that the indictment had tarnished the "previously sterling reputations" of Powell and the other defendants.

"It has done a great injustice to the people named and unnamed in it  persons who's previously sterling reputations have been dragged through the mud and their lives and those of their families irreparably altered by this baseless prosecution," the motion read.

Among the "irreparably altered" facets of Powell's life was her now-destroyed standing with airport security, per an attached footnote.

It's unclear exactly what benefits Powell enjoyed with TSA, which offers programs like PreCheck that give travelers a quicker security screening.

Powell worked for Trump's legal team after he lost the 2020 election, helping him to baselessly allege voter fraud and pushing conspiracy theories about corruption in the US election system.

When she spoke on Fox News about her election fraud claims, she was repeatedly pressed for evidence but never provided any, with then-host Tucker Carlson saying she grew angry when asked for proof.

Many of her groundless voter fraud claims have come back to bite her. The voting technology companies Dominion and Smartmatic who are currently suing her for defamation.

Representatives for Powell and the Fulton County District Attorney's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Relations between Canada and India continue to sour after days of back-and-forth diplomatic digs that featured accusations and subsequent denials over the death of a Sikh separatist leader in June.

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of orchestrating the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Trudeau told lawmakers that Canadian intelligence had gathered credible evidence of links between the Indian government and the assassination of the prominent Sikh leader.

Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty, Trudeau said.

Indias Foreign Ministry strongly denied the allegations, labeling them absurd and motivated and called out Canadian diplomats and their involvement in anti-India activities.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in New Delhi on Sept. 9. (Evan Vucci/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, Trudeau stated that Canada was not trying to provoke India but that it wanted to work with the government to understand the facts.

In the past three days, diplomats have been expelled and Indian visas for Canadians have been suspended, while New Delhi urged its citizens to exercise extreme caution for potential hate crimes in Canada over what they claim is a deteriorating security environment.

Read more on Yahoo News

Members of Pakistan's Sikh community take part in a protest in Peshawar on Wednesday. (Abdul Majeed/AFP via Getty Images)

Canadas Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc dismissed the warning of safety, reassuring Indian nations that Canada is a safe country.

In a continuation of the stalemate, the High Commission of Canada in India told CNBC that it has temporarily adjusted the presence of diplomatic staff in India because of threats received on various social media platforms. Meanwhile, a spokesman from Indias Foreign Ministry criticized Canada, claiming it is a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organized crime.

Sikhs in India

In 1947, when India gained independence from British rule, it was split into two nations: India and Pakistan. The partition was drawn along religious lines, with the state of Punjab divided between both India and Pakistan. Going back as far as then, Sikhs  a religious minority in the majority Hindu country  have called for a sovereign state. And in the state of Punjab, Sikhs are the majority, making up 58% of the population. This is where they hope to create their homeland: Khalistan, meaning land of the pure.

Stone-throwing by a mob in Old Delhi during riots between Hindus and Sikhs over the future of Punjab state in 1966. (Keystone/Getty Images)

Tensions between Sikhs and the Indian government reached an all-time high in the 1980s, when the separatist Sikh movement turned violent. Then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi condemned the campaign, seeing it as a direct threat to India. Government forces descended on the Golden Temple  the holiest shrine in the Sikh faith  and killed those involved in the campaign. In retaliation, Gandhis two Sikh bodyguards assassinated her. Following this, the Hindu majority turned against the minority Sikh community, ripping people from their homes and killing them. Under Indias Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Khalistan movement has been banned for being considered a threat to national security.

While the call for a sovereign state became less prominent in Indias public discourse, the call for a separate Sikh state remains a priority for the Sikh diaspora community around the world. A recent revival of the movement abroad has caused concern about whether it will mean a return of violence in India. It is also worth noting that Indias Punjab state is where a high volume of wheat is grown and so is a financially significant region.

The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

On June 18, Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar had long been an activist in the Sikh community and was a prominent supporter of the creation of Khalistan.

Members of Pakistan's Sikh community take part in a protest in Lahore on Wednesday. (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)

Nijjar was labeled a terrorist in India and was wanted after authorities accused him of being involved in the death of a Hindu priest  charges he had profusely denied. At the time of his death, it was reported that he had been organizing an unofficial referendum in India regarding the formation of Khalistan.

Following Trudeaus accusations on Monday, Nijjars son Balraj Singh Nijjar told the CBC that the statement had confirmed his familys suspicions and that it was just a matter of time for when the truth would come out.

Nijjar is the third Sikh leader promoting the separatist movement to have been killed this year. One was killed in Pakistan and another in the U.K.
When you Google Memphis is tired, Joyce Peterson pops up.

The veteran reporter and anchor for Action News 5 was shooting a live spot in Midtown on the night of Sept. 8, 2022, when her voice caught on the words, Memphis is tired.

It is a very nerve-wracking night. Its been a very difficult weektheyre going to find this guy, and until they do, stay inside, Peterson said.

Minutes earlier, then-19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly had critically injured one man with a firearm and killed another woman in Midtown as part of a day-long shooting spree that, in total, left four dead and three others seriously injured.

Flowers on a power pole can be seen in front of the abandoned home Eliza Fletchers body was found behind one year ago at 1666 Victor St. in South Memphis, on Wednesday, September 7, 2023.

As law enforcement scurried to catch up with one crime scene after another, Memphis police unleashed urgent warnings on social media for everyone to shelter in place; Kelly did not appear to have a target, he was firing on whoever was unlucky enough to cross his path.

Petersons temporary departure from media professional to exasperated civilian resonated deeply with Memphians; three small words did a lot of emotional heavy lifting on social media in the days following.

Memphis was tired because days earlier, the abduction and killing of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher on Sept. 2 thrust the Bluff City into the national spotlight.

Weeks before Fletchers death, former Commercial Appeal editor and Whitehaven-area activist Yvonne D. Nelson was shot and killed in Raleigh.

Weeks before Nelsons death, celebrated pastor Rev. Autura Eason-Williams was shot and killed during a random carjacking outside of her Whitehaven home.

And in between these well-publicized violent crimes, the daily stream of violent crime and homicides that tends to disproportionately occur in the citys most vulnerable communities continued.

One year later, Memphis feels just as out of control to many. And while statistics show Memphis has seen more violent time periods in recent history, disagreements on how to change the course of violent crime still dominate the public sphere.

Crimes that occurred in some of the most harrowing weeks of 2022 are now slowly making their way through the justice system. Below is a snapshot of where Memphis stands, one year later.

'Something has to change'

Dorothy Perry lives in a bungalow with masonry covering the front of the house in a shady South Memphis neighborhood.

She remembers the day law enforcement swarmed her block and zeroed in on the overgrown lot next door in early September 2022.

The abandoned home Eliza Fletchers body was found behind one year ago can be seen at 1666 Victor St. in South Memphis, on Wednesday, September 7, 2023.

Tire tracks through the overgrown property alerted police to the possibility they might find the remains of Fletcher, who had been missing for 4 days at the time, on the property.

They did.

I cried that day, Perry said. I cry anytime I hear of something like that happening. In any part of the city.

Perry moved back to Memphis from California and now lives in her late mothers house. Her home has been broken into a few times and worries generally about the state of Memphis.

Its a shame I have to be so careful when I go out, Perry said.

In the year that has passed since Fletcher was found next door to her, Memphis police have documented over 500 offenses in a half-mile radius of her house, ranging from simple theft to vandalism to murder.

As overwhelming as it feels to Perry and to others, the data gathered from the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation show that while the violent crime rate in Memphis has spiked since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic  its still overall down since the mid to late 90s.

By 1996, the violent crime rate in Memphis was 1,112.7 incidents  including homicides, aggravated assaults, rape, burglaries, larcenies and motor vehicle thefts  per 100,000 Memphians, according to data compiled by the FBI and TBI.

News coverage at the time was saturated with reports of gang activity and various forms of organized crime.

Within three years the violent crime rate dropped to 836.8 incidents per 100,000 people by 1999.

The violent crime rate would fluctuate over the next several years, spiking again in 2006 with 1,035 incidents per 100,000 people. Around this time, the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission was formed with the idea of tracking crime in order to present a fuller picture to government and non-government entities.

Crime in Memphis plummeted to its lowest point in over 30 years in 2015, when 739 incidents per 100,000 people occurred yearly. By 2022, that rate was back up to 982.

None of that context matters to Perry, who can list a few reasons why she believes Memphis feels more dangerous now than ever.

Its not a good city, Perry said, Something has to change.

A handful of officers for every square mile

Memphis Police Department Assistant Chief Don Crowe has been on the police force for more than 30 years.

He has seen murders, abductions, and a number of horrific situations unfold, but not necessarily two back to back like the week of Fletchers disappearance and Kellys alleged rampage.

That week, he said, It was hard to get officers to go home and rest because they wanted to keep working.

Every tip or lead that came in brought a spark of energy or excitement, and when it didnt pan out  it brought exhaustion, Crowe said. When Ms. Fletcher was found  the command post was full of tears.

As Memphis crime rate continues to trend up amid a crowded mayoral candidate field, approaches to lowering the crime rate dominate candidate discourse in forums and debates.

Regardless of whether candidates champion investing more in at-risk youth and earlier interventions to alleviate risk factors or a more traditional tough on crime approach  nearly all of the candidates have espoused the need for more police.

According to the FBIs most recent Crime in America report, in 2019 Memphis was 7th among 19 similar-sized cities  ahead of Nashville, St. Louis, and Atlanta for the sheer size of the police force.

Today, the crime commission lists an active complement of 1,959 officers. Broken down over the U.S. Census count of 297 square miles of both urban density and ample sprawl  there are roughly 6.6 officers for every square Memphis mile.

'What are we going to do about it?'

On the night of the shooting rampage, Memphis chef Kelly English left his house in Midtown and arrived at the Second Line to a crowd of people feverishly scanning the news for updates.

He remembers hearing some say it was time to leave Memphis.

The next morning he had a couple of thoughts. One was that nobody was wrong for what they were feeling.

The next was "What are we going to do about it, English said.

Kelly English moderates a conversation amongst Memphis mayoral candidates at a Mayoral forum at Mosaic Church Memphis on April 29, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn.

Shortly after, English invited every community stakeholder he could think of, and then some, into a series of discussions that searched for real and practical ways to abate the problems in Memphis that beget violence.

The group, now called Commit to Memphis, is now a growing nonprofit. In April, Commit to Memphis hosted a mayoral forum with questions submitted by Memphis residents and leaders.

We want to be an extension cord and connect the right people with sources of power. We want to amplify this work thats already being done, English said.

Commit to Memphis is new, but the work the group is seeking to amplify has been ongoing. And the group highlights another critical faction of Memphis that is not as tabulated as crime statistics  civic involvement.

Memphis is home to thousands of nonprofits and grassroots organizations that range vastly in size and causes.

More: Can Alliance Healthcare Services' new facility change mental health care in Memphis?

The impact of these groups is measured internally and individually; the impact of Memphis nonprofit and grassroots infrastructures as a whole isnt nearly as measurable.

While preliminary data submitted to TBI and then aggregated by the Public Safety Institute at the University of Memphis shows increases across the board in major violent crime and property crime compared to this time last year, no such data exists for solutions that are in the process of being implemented.

The realities of crime may win out in the publics consciousness over the number of Memphians working to reverse the trend. And that knowledge is why English has learned over the last year to meet people where they are in their feelings towards the city.

Memphis has taught me to just listen, English said.

And on better days, the work of improving the quality of life that was spurred by that brutal week in September 2022 reminds English of Leonard Cohens 1992 song, Anthem.

Theres a crack, a crack in everything, Cohen wrote. Thats how the light gets in.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering issues tied to healthcare, resource access, and equity. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: After violent year, is Memphis' crime out of control or just perception?
A 51-year-old Sioux Falls man has pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter in connection to a 2020 murder.

Lamont Dion Walker pleaded guilty Thursday morning in a Minnehaha County courtroom. Walker killed Saivaughn Robert Carlstrom, 22, in November 2020, according to previous Argus Leader reporting. Carlstrom's body was found burning in a ditch in the area of 261st Street and 483rd Avenue by a Minnehaha County sheriff's deputy who had noticed the fire.

More: Man charged with murder after body found in ditch, sheriff's office says

Because of Walker's plea agreement, his other 12 charges, which include first degree murder, aggravated assault, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape, will be dropped. The kidnapping and rape charge involved a different victim.

At the change of plea hearing, Carlstrom's sister Aimee Elliott was present. When Walker was escorted in, Elliott ran out in tears but was able to return after the hearing started.

Saivaughn Robert Carlstrom

Carlstrom was described as a "class clown" and could "make anybody laugh," by his mother Kristin Kaiser after his death.

On Thursday, Mikki Lund, Carlstrom's step-mother, said over the phone that the family has spent the last nearly three years looking for closure.

"I think we try to make sense of it, and in so many ways, there's just no way to make any sense of it," she said. "We're just left with a void in our heart, in our family."

More: 'He could find the good in anybody': Homicide victim remembered as a joyful, caring man

Lund, who lives in Nevada, was unable to make it to the change of plea hearing. She learned about the decision on Wednesday and said she felt a sense of numbness.

"[Saivaughn] was young and this man gets to continue to live his life," she said.

Elliott said she feels like she's left without a sense of justice.

"I just don't see how somebody could kill somebody so brutally and just think it'sOK," she said after the hearing, through tears and clutching a pink cigarette lighter and a wad of tissues smeared with black mascara. "Because that's what he's in here saying. He just thinks it's OK and that he did nothing wrong."

At sentencing, scheduled to take place in eight weeks, Walker will face up to 50 years in prison.

Lund said the family tries their hardest to focus on Carlstrom's memory, and "not so much how his life ended but how he lived his life."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Lamont Dion Walker pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2020 murder case
A Sioux Falls woman seeking worker's compensation benefits relating to her husband's 2020 death has settled in court ahead of a state Supreme Court hearing.

Karen Franken had requested death benefits after her husband Craig died of COVID-19 in April 2020 when he contracted it while working at Smithfield Foods. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation dismissed her case in June 2022. A Minnehaha County judge also dismissed the case in November 2022.

Franken had appealed her case all the way up to the South Dakota Supreme Court, and her case was supposed to be heard in the court's oral arguments in Vermillion on Oct. 4. But the state's highest court notified reporters that the Frankens' case had been settled.

More: Sioux Falls woman appeals workers comp lawsuit related to husband's COVID-19 death

The DOL denied the worker compensation claim, citing a 2021 state law that determined employees could not sue for workers compensation when related to COVID-19, unless it was an intentional exposure "with the intent to transmit COVID-19." The law could be applied retroactively to include any time between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2022.

At the time of Craig Franken's death, Smithfield was the site of one of the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 and paused pork production. More than 500 employees contracted the virus between March and April, and Franken was one of four employees who died from the disease.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls woman settles COVID worker's compensation case
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Philippine and Bangladeshi militaries are aiming to forge better defense ties through training and education, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday.

AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training, and Doctrine MGen. Noel Beleran and Bangladesh's National Defense College Directing Staff Army-6 BGen. Kazi Anisuzzaman met on Wednesday during a courtesy visit.

An AFP statement said Beleran discussed the Philippine military's exchange programs with the Bangladeshi officer.

"We are planning to establish our defense cooperation and our shared responsibility through education and training in pursuit of a more stable Indo-Pacific," said Beleran.

The National Defense College of Bangladesh official is currently in the Philippines for a study tour.

"We need you and we need our brothers beside us. We value your country," said Anisuzzaman as he expressed his hopes of "increasing connectivity" with partner nations.
If youve seen any media coverage of Californias anti-caste discrimination legislation, you might think the bill was shrouded in controversy. But theres more to the story, Nitish Pahwa writesmany of the measures opponents have ties to established Hindu nationalist political organizations in India. Pahwa explains how this backlash is one manifestation of the growing influence of Hindu nationalist politics in the U.S.

Plus, ICYMI: Molly Olmstead unpacks Vivek Ramaswamys puzzling embrace of both Hindu and Christian nationalism.

A year after Iranians took to the streets following 22-year-old Mahsa Aminis death in police custody, the revolution is quieter than many hopedbut its still there. Aymann Ismail spoke with a protester about the mood in Iran now, and whats changed.

Photo illustration by Walter McBride/Getty Images, William B. Plowman/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, and Getty Images Plus.

In the ultimate collision of New York Times readers interests, Joyce Carol Oates dunked on David Brooks for a seemingly misleading tweet about overpriced airport food. Ben Mathis-Lilley has assembled all the relevant facts for you to enjoy the biting exchange that surely has the Upper West Side aflame.

The federal landscape for addressing racialized policing is deeply bafflingbut a New Jersey court has provided a road map for fighting biased police stops, Aliza Hochman Bloom explains.

John Riha has become obsessed with tracking wildfires. Hes assembled an army of apps, air filters, and alarmsand hes noticed a scary truth. Heres how he battles wildfire anxiety.

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images.

Theres a reason Mitt Romney journals so much. Max Perry Mueller takes a look at the religious devotion behind the senators filing cabinet full of personal papers.

And, I mean, relatable! Who among us hasnt faced this dilemma and written a quick little to-do list on the back of a random documentclassified, not classified, whos to say? Luke Winkie, for his part, thinks Trumps scrap paper dilemma makes total sense.

Thanks so much for reading! Well see you tomorrow.
More than 200 neighbors flocked to the parking lot of a San Luis Obispo church on Wednesday evening to debate whether it should host an overnight parking site for homeless people.

SLO Naz Church has volunteered its upper parking lot as a place where unhoused people can stay in their vehicles as part of the citys new Rotating Overnight Safe Parking program.

Thats sparked debate among nearby residents over whether the program is a good fit for the neighborhood.

Jack Lahey, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo homeless services director, attended Wednesdays meeting along with San Luis Obispo homelessness response manager Daisy Wiberg and SLO Naz Church pastor Doug Pittam to outline the safe parking programs rules and goals and answer questions from the community.

This neighborhood has always been compassionate, Pittman said Wednesday. This neighborhood has always expressed wisdom to me ... 

While some residents showed support for the program, citing SLO Naz Churchs history of providing humanitarian aid, others expressed concerns over safety and unauthorized visitors.

Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo homeless services director Jack Lahey speaks to a crowd of around 200 neighbors Wednesday evening in the SLO Naz Church parking lot. The church hosted an informational meeting on a proposed safe parking site that would host homeless residents living in their vehicles at night for one or two months each year as part of the citys Rotating Overnight Safe Parking program.

How would SLO safe parking program work?

Lahey and Wiberg kicked off the meeting by explaining how a safe parking site at SLO Naz Church would work.

If approved for the program, the churchs lot at 3396 Johnson Ave. would host 12 vehicles overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., and would include a portable toilet and Dumpster for the participants use.

Safe parking program participants would need to move their vehicles at least a half mile from the parking site during daytime hours, and would only receive authorization to park at the site after passing a background check and a 30-day stay at 40 Prado Homeless Services Centers safe parking program.

During that vetting process, potential participants would need to work with a housing navigator and make sure their vehicles are licensed and up to date on registration, Lahey said.

When parking on the SLO Naz Church site, participants would need to display placards showing they were authorized to park there or would be required to leave, Lahey said.

This vetting and approval process was added to keep the site safer and less accessible to unauthorized parkers. That was an issue at the Railroad Square Safe Parking program, which closed Aug. 27, Lahey said.

While the SLO Naz Church site would not feature a designated security officer or full-time police presence, CAPSLO workers would visit the site overnight to ensure only authorized participants were present, Lahey said.

Participants would elect a site captain who would act as the main point of contact for the sites conditions, Lahey said.

The SLO Naz Church location has not yet been confirmed by the church board or city at this time, Wiberg said.

Wiberg said the program will not launch until four to six additional safe parking sites have been identified, with each site hosting the program one or two months a year.

According to Lahey, many of the Railroad Square participants were from SLO or surrounding communities.

Most of them had not been experiencing chronic homelessness, Lahey said. There were a lot of people who were working, and a lot of people who had just lost their jobs and were down on their luck.

SLO Naz Church pastor Doug Pittam leads a prayer with around 200 neighbors Wednesday evening in the SLO Naz Church parking lot. The church hosted an informational meeting on a proposed safe parking site that would host homeless residents living in their vehicles at night for one or two months each year as part of the citys Rotating Overnight Safe Parking program.

Neighbors: Proposed safe parking site needs better security

Going into the hosting process, Pittam said, the church board was primarily concerned with three things: insurance, the safety of surrounding neighborhoods and the safety of the Kidz Korner preschool, which is located near SLO Naz Church.

Those concerns were echoed by many area residents, who worried about the safe parking programs lack of permanent security and overall fit with the residential area.

A father of three school-aged children living near the church said he was concerned about the lack of security measures.

My responsibility for my childrens safety  who spend three-plus days a week on this campus  is not transitory, said the resident, who did not give his name. A cameras not going to jump off a tripod and quell a situation, and a cop driving around and checking a window sticker is not going to prevent something from happening.

Several residents said they were less concerned about the programs participants than they were about unhoused people who could come to the parking site uninvited.

Others questioned the ability of CAPSLO and the city to enforce good neighbor policies that require participants to move at least half a mile from the site during the day.

(Participants are) supposed to not be within a half mile of this site, one neighborhood resident said. Unfortunately, just over a half mile from here, youre still in this neighborhood.

Lahey said unauthorized parking on the site and nearby streets would need to be reported by program participants or neighbors to the citys Parking Services office.

Many meeting attendees said, while the safe parking program is a good idea worth pursing, it should not be located in a residential neighborhood.

Todd Gailey, a former pastor at SLO Naz Church, said he was glad the church reached out to the public and gathered feedback, but should not host the parking site due to the neighbors concerns.

The former pastor said he also serves as a firefighter and paramedic and spent nine days in Maui, Hawaii, helping with wildfire recovery efforts. He encouraged his neighbors to find other ways to support the homeless community than hosting the parking site.

I want us to be a community that stands up and says We have people in need ... Lets serve them,  he said. I also know that in Ecclesiastes, it says theres a time and a place for everything.

I dont want to be inviting homeless into my personal neighborhood.

About 40 people at the meeting signed a petition asking the church not to host the safe parking program.

A San Luis Obispo resident who lives near SLO Naz Church speaks during an informational meeting Wednesday evening. The church, city and Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo answered questions about a proposed safe parking site that would host homeless residents living in their vehicles at night for one or two months each year as part of the citys Rotating Overnight Safe Parking program.

Supporters: Homelessness could happen to anybody

During the discussion period, three former Railroad Square program participants spoke about their experiences staying at an overnight parking site.

One former participant said she was a homeowner in Paso Robles until financial hardship forced her live in her vehicle with her cat two years ago.

The woman, who did not identify herself by name, stayed at Railroad Square until she was able to find new housing.

I saw it grow, and I contributed to it because Ive been a teacher all my life, she said. There were a lot of children that came (to the Railroad Square site) and I wanted it to be a place that would be comfortable for them.

A woman who lives near SLO Naz Church said the program represents an opportunity to help people in need, allowing homeless participants to make the transition into permanent housing.

I also am concerned about the children in the neighborhood, she said. Im concerned that theyre learning judgment over kindness, exclusion over acceptance and bullying over compassion.

This could happen to anybody  it happened to me, added the woman, who did not give her name. One day, I was making $120,000 a year, the next, I was making zero, and I lived in a van and parked illegally on the street, and thats exactly what happened with these other people.

Another neighborhood resident commended SLO Naz Church for staying true to their faith and supporting the parking program.

It takes a lot of bravery to do what is right when youre facing so much backlash, and I want you to know that there are neighbors here that support you, the unidentified woman told Pittman. To my neighbors here that are feeling really nervous about this program, I believe we can be nervous and brave and caring at the same time.
A Morro Bay High School student was arrested on campus Wednesday after publishing a threatening social media post, according to the Morro Bay Police Department.

Morro Bay High School administrators contacted the Morro Bay Police Department around 7:45 a.m. regarding a tip sent to the schools text-to-tip line that included a screenshot of a safety threat to everyone on campus posted to a students social media, Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Watkins told The Tribune.

School administrators contacted the student prior to the beginning of the school day and asked to report them to the front office, police said.

The student cooperated, Watkins said, and police began investigating after the school completed its investigation.

A comprehensive threat assessment determined there were no further threats to students or staff, Morro Bay police said in a Wednesday news release.

Watkins said the student was arrested around 10:45 a.m. and transported to Juvenile Hall on suspicion of two charges: criminal threats and criminal threats to public employees.

Morro Bay High School (stock photo)

Morro Bay High provides a text-to-tip hotline that allows individuals to report concerns on campus discreetly, Watkins said. Flyers with a QR code and the number can be found throughout campus.

Watkins encourages parents to have a serious talk with their children to help them understand the gravity of making any kind of threat, noting that making verbal, written and social media threats is illegal and comes with serious criminal charges.

With the potential threats and violence we see on campuses and mass shootings every day we have no other option but to investigate these, Watkins said. We will take every single (threat) seriously and charge to fullest extent of the law.

The Morro Bay Police Department asks anyone with additional information to call 805-772- 6225 or San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP(7867).
FILE Musician Joe Jonas, left, takes a selfie with actress Sophie Turner during a break in play of an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings, Saturday, March 9, 2019, in New York. Turner sued her estranged pop star husband Jonas on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, to force him to turn over the passports of the couple's two young daughters so she can take them to England. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Sophie Turner sued her estranged pop star husband Joe Jonas on Thursday to force him to turn over the passports of the couple's two young daughters so she can take them to England.

Turner, who was served with divorce papers this month after four years of marriage to Jonas, said in her petition that the couple had planned to raise their daughters in her native England. It also said that the girls, ages 3 and 1, are both fully involved and integrated in all aspects of daily and cultural life in England.

Best known for playing Sansa Stark on HBO's Game of Thrones, Turner filed her petition in federal court in New York under the child abduction clauses of the Hague Convention, an international treaty aimed at compelling the return of a child taken from their country of habitual residence.

Turner, 27, says that she and Jonas, 34, made a mutual decision to raise their daughters in England and to relocate there in April of this year.

During part of August and September, while Jonas began a tour with his band the Jonas Brothers in the United States, Turner would be working long hours filming a television series in England. So, Turner said she and Jonas had agreed that the children would travel with Jonas and a nanny.

The plan was for Turner to travel to New York after filming wrapped on Sept. 14 to collect the children, but in the meantime the breakdown of the parties' marriage happened very suddenly," Turner said.

According to Turner, Jonas filed for divorce in Florida on Sept. 1 and she learned about it through the media on Sept. 5. The pair issued a joint statement on their Instagram accounts on Sept. 6 saying they had mutually decided to amicably end the marriage.

Turner says she and Jonas saw each other on Sept. 17  and she asked him for the children's passports so she could take them back to England, but Jonas refused to turn over the passports of the girls, who were born in the United States, and have dual U.S. and British citizenship.

The court filing says the girls are temporarily living with Turner in a Manhattan hotel. The Jonas Brothers were scheduled to perform in Philadelphia on Thursday and in Baltimore on Friday.

Jonas said in a statement that he is seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father and that he is okay with the kids being raised both in the U.S. and the UK.

This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending," he added. "When language like 'abduction' is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst."

Jonas said he did not surprise Turner with divorce papers but rather filed for divorce after what he said were multiple conversations with Sophie."

Jonas has been a pop idol since he and his brothers Nick and Kevin formed the Jonas Brothers in 2005. He and Turner met in 2016 and married in 2019.
The divorce between Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas became a federal case Thursday.

Turner, 27, claims in court documents filed Thursday in the Southern District of New York that the couples kids have been wrongfully retained in New York City since Sept. 20 from England, which she described as their habitual residence.

The actress lawsuit was brought under the 1980 Hague Convention, which established civil proceedings for kids wrongly removed from their home country, as well as the U.S. International Child Abduction Remedies Act.

The suit was filed in Manhattan federal court as Turners kids are currently located in Manhattan; Jonas has a condo in Nolita.

The filing states that the pair made the United Kingdom their permanent home in April to have the children attend school in England. According to the lawsuit, the family moved into a long-term rental property in May and entered contracts to purchase a home in July and move there in December.

As a result of their careers and the travel required for each of their careers, the parties had not, until April 2023, committed to setting down roots in any particular place. reads the suit. They lived a very peripatetic lifestyle. They did not need to settle in one location right away and lived in various properties.

The suit further establishes the couple once agreed the U.K. would be their familys main residence. All throughout their marriage, and particularly after their children were born, the parties often discussed their desire to raise their children in England and for their children to attend school in England. The parties regarded England as a safe location to raise their children.

During a trip to Turners hometown of Warwickshire in 2020, the suit says the couple jointly decided they would look for their forever home in England, select a school for their older daughter in England, and settle their family in England.

The family relocated to the U.K. in July after settling on a property in Oxford and putting their house in Miami for sale, Turners lawyers say.

The suit further claims the kids are now fully involved and integrated in all aspects of daily and cultural life in England, where they have received their medical and dental care and set up with dentists, doctors, and extracurricular activities.

Turner began filming a new TV series in her homeland last spring and planned for the children to travel with Jonas and a nanny during the Jonas Brothers tour in the United States in late July. The Dark Phoenix actress further intended to travel to New York City in mid-September and return to England with the kids, who were set up to stay with Jonas and his extended family.

Those plans were apparently upended when Jonas filed to end the marriage in Floridas Miami-Dade County Court earlier this month. Seeking joint custody, he said the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken in his filing. The couple had a daughter, Willa, in 2020 and welcomed another daughter last year whose name has not been revealed. Both children have dual citizenship in the U.S. and the U.K., according to Turners suit.

On Sept. 6, the couple publicly announced their split.

In her petition, Turner said the couple had an argument Aug. 15 and, on Sept. 1, Jonas filed for divorce. She claimed to have learned about the divorce filing Sept. 5 through media reports.

Turner alleges Jonas is in possession of the childrens passports and has refused to hand them over and send them with Turner back to England. She filed the petition because her soon-to-be ex-husbands actions are a breach of the Mothers rights of custody under English law, England being the childrens habitual residence.

In a statement sent to The Daily News following Thursdays filing, Jonas refuted Turners allegation that she learned of the filing in the media, adding that the Florida court has already entered an order that restricts both parents from relocating the children.

Joe is seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father, and is of course also okay with the kids being raised both in the U.S. and the UK. The children were born in the U.S. and have spent the vast majority of their lives in the U.S. They are American citizens, his statement reads.

This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending. When language like abduction is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted. After being in Joes care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently.

Representatives for Turner did not immediately respond to a Daily News request for comment.
NEW YORK  The divorce between Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas became a federal case Thursday.

Turner, 27, claims in court documents filed Thursday in the Southern District of New York that the couples kids have been wrongfully retained in New York City since Sept. 20 from England, which she described as their habitual residence.

The actress lawsuit was brought under the 1980 Hague Convention, which established civil proceedings for kids wrongly removed from their home country, as well as the U.S. International Child Abduction Remedies Act.

The suit was filed in Manhattan federal court as Turners kids are currently located in Manhattan; Jonas has a condo in Nolita.

The filing states that the pair made the United Kingdom their permanent home in April to have the children attend school in England. According to the lawsuit, the family moved into a long-term rental property in May and entered contracts to purchase a home in July and move there in December.

As a result of their careers and the travel required for each of their careers, the parties had not, until April 2023, committed to setting down roots in any particular place. reads the suit. They lived a very peripatetic lifestyle. They did not need to settle in one location right away and lived in various properties.

The suit further establishes the couple once agreed the U.K. would be their familys main residence. All throughout their marriage, and particularly after their children were born, the parties often discussed their desire to raise their children in England and for their children to attend school in England. The parties regarded England as a safe location to raise their children.

During a trip to Turners hometown of Warwickshire in 2020, the suit says the couple jointly decided they would look for their forever home in England, select a school for their older daughter in England, and settle their family in England.

The family relocated to the U.K. in July after settling on a property in Oxford and putting their house in Miami for sale, Turners lawyers say.

The suit further claims the kids are now fully involved and integrated in all aspects of daily and cultural life in England, where they have received their medical and dental care and set up with dentists, doctors, and extracurricular activities.

Turner began filming a new TV series in her homeland last spring and planned for the children to travel with Jonas and a nanny during the Jonas Brothers tour in the United States in late July. The Dark Phoenix actress further intended to travel to New York City in mid-September and return to England with the kids, who were set up to stay with Jonas and his extended family.

Those plans were apparently upended when Jonas filed to end the marriage in Floridas Miami-Dade County Court earlier this month. Seeking joint custody, he said the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken in his filing. The couple had a daughter, Willa, in 2020 and welcomed another daughter last year whose name has not been revealed. Both children have dual citizenship in the U.S. and the U.K., according to Turners suit.

On Sept. 6, the couple publicly announced their split.

In her petition, Turner said the couple had an argument Aug. 15 and, on Sept. 1, Jonas filed for divorce. She claimed to have learned about the divorce filing Sept. 5 through media reports.

Turner alleges Jonas is in possession of the childrens passports and has refused to hand them over and send them with Turner back to England. She filed the petition because her soon-to-be ex-husbands actions are a breach of the Mothers rights of custody under English law, England being the childrens habitual residence.

In a statement sent to The Daily News following Thursdays filing, Jonas refuted Turners allegation that she learned of the filing in the media, adding that the Florida court has already entered an order that restricts both parents from relocating the children.

Joe is seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father, and is of course also okay with the kids being raised both in the U.S. and the UK. The children were born in the U.S. and have spent the vast majority of their lives in the U.S. They are American citizens, his statement reads.

This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending. When language like abduction is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted. After being in Joes care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently.

Representatives for Turner did not immediately respond to a Daily News request for comment.
Sophie Turner is suing Joe Jonas for allegedly keeping their children in New York City even though the couple, who confirmed this month they are ending their marriage, agreed the children would go to England with Turner on Sept. 20.

The family had been spending time in England after buying a home there in March, according to the suit. Turner, 27, was born and raised there and their children are dual citizens. In the suit, the children are only referred to by their initials, WRJ, born in 2020, and DMJ, born in 2022.

In May, Turner began filming a six-part drama series for ITVX, which is the "first significant role [Turner] has taken on since having the children," according to the suit filed in New York.

While Turner stayed in the U.K. to film, Jonas, 34, left the country on July 31 to go on tour with The Jonas Brothers, a band that includes his two brothers, Nick and Kevin Jonas . The tour kicked off in New York on Aug. 12.

Because of Turner's busy filming schedule, the children traveled with Jonas and a nanny for a vacation in August. When Turner finished filming, she returned to the U.S. on Sept. 14, planning to stay a week and then take the children back to the U.K. with her.

Turner alleges the "breakdown" of their marriage "happened very suddenly." "The parties had an argument on August 15, 2023. On or about September 1, 2023, the Father filed a divorce case against the Mother in Florida," the suit reads. "On or about September 5, 2023, the Mother found out through the media that the Father had filed for divorce."

When they met to discuss their separation last week, Turner reiterated the plan to take the children back to the U.K., the suit alleges.

Jonas, however, allegedly refused to return the children's passports to Turner and refuses to send them to the U.K.

The children's friends, family schools, activities, medical and dental care are all in England, according to the suit. They are currently with Turner at a hotel in New York City. Before choosing to relocate to the U.K., the couple and their kids spent most of their time in rental properties, mainly in New York City and Miami.

The suit cites the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, also known as the Hague Convention, which was ratified by both the U.S. and U.K. and grants the court "power to order the children's return at any time" if the children are under 16 wrongfully removed or retained.

Turner has also taken legal action in the U.K. She is asking that Jonas pay her attorneys' fees and expenses relating to the case.

The pair each posted a statement about their separation on Instagram on Sept. 6. "We have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage," the post reads. "There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children.

In a statement to CBS News, a representative for Jonas said Turner was aware that he was going to file for divorce and that a Florida court order restricts both parents from relocating the children. The representative said the pair had a "cordial meeting" in New York on Sunday and the children have been with Turner since that meeting.

"Less than 24 hours later, Sophie advised that she wanted to take the children permanently to the UK. Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children's passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately. If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order," the statement continues.

Jonas is OK with the kids being raised in the U.S. and U.K. but says they've spent the majority of their lives in the U.S., the rep states, and called them American citizens, whereas Turner's suit claims they have citizenship in both countries.

"This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending," the statement reads. "When language like 'abduction' is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted. After being in Joe's care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently."

"His wish is that Sophie reconsider her harsh legal position and move forward in a more constructive and private manner. His only concern is the well-being of his children."

CBS News has reached out to lawyers for Turner and is awaiting response.

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A South Carolina man was killed Wednesday in a crash that involved a motor scooter, the Oconee County Coroners Office said.

Dustin Dusty Tyler Abercrombie, a 41-year-old Seneca resident, died in the accident, Coroner Karl Addis said in a news release.

The two-vehicle collision happened at about 2:30 p.m. in Oconee County, said Cpl. Tyler Tidwell of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Abercrombie was driving a 2004 Suzuki motor scooter north on S.C. 11, and at an intersection he collided with a 2010 Kia that was heading east on Mountain Road/Critter Road, according to Tidwell.

Abercrombie suffered traumatic injuries and died at the scene, the coroners office said.

Tidwell said the driver was the only person in the Kia, and was not hurt. No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either of the drivers were wearing safety restraints.

Information about why the vehicles collided was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through Monday, 705 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least six people have died in Oconee County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 16 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
Five women state senators from South Carolina who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state have been chosen to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award this year.

A special International Profile in Courage Award will honor South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for working to improve relations between their countries despite domestic opposition.

ALSO READ: Abortion-rights group rebrands to Reproductive Freedom for All in post-Roe world

During the filibuster the senators - Republicans Katrina Shealy , Sandy Senn, and Penry Gustafson , Democrat Margie Bright Matthews, and independent Mia McLeod  took turns describing the complexities of pregnancy and the reproductive system, the dangers of lack of access to contraception, and inadequate privacy laws, award officials said in a written release.

Officials noted that members of the coalition, who became known as the sister senators, were heckled by anti-abortion activists, and the three Republicans were also met with strong opposition from their own party  including censures and promises of primary challenges in 2024.

Despite the filibuster, the South Carolina Legislature was later able to approve the measure that would ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy  before most people know they are pregnant.

We in the South Carolina Legislature are not God. We do not know whats going on in somebody elses life. We do not have the right to make decisions for someone else, Shealy said at the time, urging other members of her party to adopt a 12-week abortion ban instead.

U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said the goal of the Profile in Courage awards is to honor leaders who took stands of conscience and risked their careers by putting the public interest ahead of their own political standing.

The women of the South Carolina Senate set an example for those seeking justice and individual freedom at all levels of government, she said in a statement. President Yoon and PM Kishida are doing the hard work of reconciliation in pursuit of a more peaceful world.

ALSO READ: NC Gov. Cooper on 12-week abortion ban: I will never ever give up fighting

Kennedy and her children Jack Schlossberg and Tatiana Schlossberg, members of the Profile in Courage Award Committee, will present the awards on Oct. 29 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.

President Kennedys book, Profiles in Courage, recounts the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers by taking principled stands for unpopular positions. The award was created by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 1989.

Previous winners have included Presidents Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush.

Last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among five people named as recipients of the award for his efforts to protect democracy.

(WATCH BELOW: After having illegal abortion 50 years ago, NC woman fears impact of 12-week ban)








Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the expulsion of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) will benefit the country in the long run.

"Its an appreciation of what the long-term benefits are versus the cost," NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan told a press briefing on Thursday.

"So, I think that what we want to encourage are very legitimate investments, good investments, quality investments and those investments that will produce goods and services and not ones that promote negative externalities to society such as those alleged crimes or and related issues," he added.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means earlier recommended permanent banning of POGOs in the country, citing the rampant crimes involving them.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the committee, previously cited a report by the National Bureau of Investigation which stated that 65 or 58% of the 113 POGO-related cases recorded from November 2019 to March 2023 were linked to human trafficking.

Aside from human trafficking cases, there are also cases of transnational crimes, fraud, and violence against women and children linked to POGOs.

Balisacan added that he is confident that the exit of POGOs can be replaced by other revenues.

"Look at Thailand, look at Indonesia, look at other countries around us, they don't depend on those kinds of businesses," he said.

The country's tax collection from POGOs reached 8.88 billion in 2022, higher than the 3.91 billion from the previous year.

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, there are currently 32 registered POGOs as of July 2023.

This is a huge decline from the 281 recorded in 2019.
(Bloomberg) -- South Koreas ambassador to Japan said high-level talks are underway for a three-nation summit with China poised to happen this year, and it wouldnt affect ties with the US.

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Those discussions are going well, Yun Dukmin, Seouls envoy to Japan said in an interview. There may be a Camp David effect that prompted China to reach out to its neighbors, Yun said, adding that a summit with Beijing wouldnt hurt relations with Washington after the historic meeting with the US.

The foreign minister from South Korea and Japan met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to help advance a three-way summit and senior officials from the three Asian nations are set to meet in Seoul on Sept. 26. Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo are likely to meet on the sidelines of a sporting event this weekend, Yonhap News reported.

South Korea is working to revive three-way summits among Japan and China that have stalled since 2019 due initially to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Beijing has been angered by President Joe Bidens historic summit in August at the Camp David presidential retreat with the leaders of South Korea and Japan, saying its a deliberate attempt to sow discord among the Asian neighbors.

The relationship between Japan and South Korea has progressed so rapidly that its become an environment that China hasnt experienced in the last 10 years or so, Yun said on Wednesday. It would be better for the stability of the region if the neighboring countries cooperate and get along well rather than confronting each other like this.

Appointed to his post about two months after President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022, Yun said ties between South Korea and Japan are starkly different from when he started. Relations were fraught due to a dispute over compensation for Korean workers during Japans 1910-1945 colonial rule of the peninsula. In March, Yoon removed a roadblock in relations when Seoul dropped its demand that Japanese firms compensate Koreans conscripted to work at Japanese mines and factories, but would create its own fund for them.

Read: Japan, South Korea Reach Groundbreaking Deal to Mend Ties

The breakthrough to end a feud that had disrupted ties on everything from trade to security drew praise from Biden, whos been trying to convince the two US allies to present a more united front against China and North Korea.

Biden has sought support from partners to stymie Beijings access to advanced semiconductors. Japan restricted exports of some chipmaking tools, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands. South Korea has been a bit hesitant as major companies such as Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. depend on China as a market and manufacturing site for their memory chips.

The ambassador said it may be just a matter of time before semiconductor makers in China move up the value chain and eventually surpass whats made by South Korean giants in the country. He said South Korean mobile phone makers, department store operators and automobile firms have all seen their market share slide in China as the domestic industries advanced.

Were still very much dependent on China, but a surprising number of companies have moved out of China, Yun said. We cant completely abandon the Chinese market, but overall, the Chinese market is not going to stay open continuously. So in that sense, these next few years are a very important time for Koreas semiconductor companies.

Meanwhile, relations with Japan have progressed very rapidly and this will cause a major shift in the regional strategic landscape, Yun said.

When I first arrived here last year, the whole Japanese society was very, very cold toward Korea, to the point where I wondered if it was possible for them to be so cold, he said.

Yun is looking to use the current momentum to forge another declaration with Japan as they did a quarter century ago to lock in improved ties, which could keep trade flows stable in the face of political tensions.

South Korean companies are starting to invest in Japan again, he said. This includes small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as giants such as Samsung, which is looking at an R&D center in the greater Tokyo region.

Yun said security cooperation with Japan and the US is set to expand as they face nuclear threats from the likes of North Korea. Biden has assured Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the US nuclear policy known as extended deterrence remains in place. The strategy refers to exerting a force strong enough that it convinces an adversary it cant achieve its military and political goals through aggression.

North Korea in the past few years has tested a barrage of missiles designed to hit South Korea and Japan, as well as intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to deliver a warhead to the US mainland. That could raise some difficult questions for Washington, the ambassador said.

Theres this question of whether or not the US would retaliate against Pyongyang at the expense of New York if Tokyo or Seoul were attacked, he said.

More comments from the interview:

On wastewater release from the Fukushima nuclear site:

The Japanese prime minister also said in his meeting with our President that he would never interfere in any way that would compromise the safety of the Korean people.

On tourism:

We are now talking increasing flights and resuming those flights between regional cities that were lost due to Covid. Its taking a little longer, but the infrastructure is being replenished, so we are hoping that this congestion with Japan will improve.

On Kim Jong Uns trip to Russia:

Well have to wait and see if its just a show or something substantial and I think its very politically motivated to take pictures and do things this way when in fact its something that can be done covertly without making a big deal about it.

--With assistance from Isabel Reynolds and Sam Kim.

(Updates with likely meeting of Xi and Han in third paragraph and meeting of ministers.)

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The ruling People Power Party's lawmakers react as the parliament passed a motion to approve main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's arrest warrant at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  In a surprise outcome, South Koreas opposition-controlled parliament voted Thursday to pass a motion submitted by the government that allows the potential arrest of the countrys leading opposition figure, Lee Jae-myung, who faces a widening investigation over corruption allegations.

Lawmakers voted 149-136 in favor of lifting Lees immunity to arrest, reflecting growing divisions within the opposition Democratic Party over his legal problems as the country approaches a general election.

The vote allowed the Seoul Central District Court to hold a hearing on a request from prosecutors for an arrest warrant for Lee, which was set for next Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether the court is likely to grant an arrest warrant after Lee was hospitalized Monday during a weekslong hunger strike in protest of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeols domestic and foreign policies. The Democratic Party voted Lee as its chairperson in August last year, months after he narrowly lost the presidential election to Yoon.

Known for his outspoken style, Lee previously said he was willing to give up his immunity against arrest because he was confident about proving his innocence. But on Wednesday he pleaded with lawmakers to vote against the motion, saying on Facebook that his potential arrest would attach wings to prosecutors manipulated investigation.

Lee did not immediately comment on the outcome of the vote.

Many Democratic Party lawmakers looked stunned after National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo announced that the motion had passed. One, Kim Byungkee, called the party members who voted in favor of the motion dogs.

I salute those Democratic Party members who colluded with prosecutors to unseat Chairperson Lee and grant impunity to prosecutorial dictatorship, Kim derisively wrote on Facebook.

Hundreds of Lee Jae-myungs supporters rallied outside the assembly and the main office of the Democratic Party, shouting angry slogans and waving signs reading R.I.P. Democratic Party and Arrest the lawmakers who supported the motion.

The Democratic Party controls 168 seats in the 298-seat assembly.

Lee is being investigated by prosecutors over various criminal allegations. They include accusations that he provided unlawful favors to a private investor that reaped huge profits from a dubious real estate project in the city of Seongnam, where he was mayor for a decade until 2018. Prosecutors also believe that Lee pressured a local businessman into sending millions of dollars in illegal payments to North Korea as he tried to set up a visit to that country that never materialized.

Ahead of Thursdays vote, some reformist members of Lees party, including Cho Eungcheon, called for him to stay true to his words and publicly endorse the motion seeking his own arrest. They said that would help rally public support for the Democrats that has been sliding since his presidential election loss and silence suspicions that he was conducting a hunger strike to avoid arrest.

Lee has tied his hunger strike to a worsening economy and a broad range of Yoons foreign policy decisions, including the governments refusal to oppose Japans release of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. Lee has also accused Yoon of aggravating tensions with North Korea by expanding military training and security cooperation with the United States and Japan.

Under law, courts cannot hold hearings on requests for arrest warrants for lawmakers during National Assembly sessions unless the assembly allows them to do so by vote. The Democratic Party blocked a previous attempt by prosecutors to arrest Lee in February.

Lawmakers also passed a motion on Thursday urging Yoon to sack his prime minister, Han Duck-soo, for alleged incompetence and policy failures.

The dueling motions underscored deepening political bickering ahead of the parliamentary elections next April. The vote is seen as a midterm referendum on Yoons presidency as he struggles to navigate post-pandemic economic woes and escalating tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Yoon, who warned world leaders about a potential arms alliance between North Korea and Russia at the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, is widely expected to reject the call to dismiss Han, who has been an easy target for the opposition.

The Democratic Party submitted the motion seeking Hans ouster on Monday, hours after Yoons government submitted its motion requesting lawmakers to lift Lees immunity.

Lawmakers voted 175-116 in favor of pushing for Hans dismissal. The motion, signed by 168 opposition lawmakers, alleged that Han and other Cabinet members caused crisis for peoples lives, democracy and peace on the Korean Peninsula and consistently demonstrated incompetence, inaction and irresponsibility.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned Russia and North Korea against making any arms deals, saying Seoul and its allies would be ready to respond to the direct provocation.

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South Korean officials have said North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns recent trip to Russia could have been aimed at furthering a transfer of arms to help Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine. Yoon used an address Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly to warn that military cooperation between the two would be a global concern.

Yoon said if the North acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its weapons of mass destruction capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, that will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea, referring to his country by its formal name.

Seoul together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by, he said, adding this could lead to calls to reform the UN Security Council.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy lashed out at Russia in his first in-person address to the 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.

The US has for months accused Kim of providing arms and ammunition to aid President Vladimir Putins war, including sending shells and rockets. While the US has said the weapons arent likely to alter the battlefield, they can aid in the bombardment of Ukraine, while sales could provide North Korea with a new stream of revenue for an economy isolated from much of world trade.

A South Korean presidential official earlier this month said North Korean weapons have been used for a long time by Russia against Ukraine.

Russia and North Korea have denied any arms deals, although Kim spent a large portion of his visit to Russia meeting military officials and touring weapons plants. In July, Kim gave a tour of North Koreas latest weapons to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu when he made a rare visit to Pyongyang.

Read: Seoul Ships Arms to Poland as Ukraine Enlists Support From Asia

South Korean government policy prohibits lethal aid to countries at war. But Ukraines ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko has said its time for a change, adding theres a lot in its arsenal that could help Kyiv.

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Part of the drugs haul seized by South Korea police during raids at least two US military bases - Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police handout

South Korean police have accused 17 American soldiers of distributing or using synthetic marijuana, which was allegedly smuggled into the country via the US militarys postal service and sold via Snapchat.

After a four-month investigation, police said this week they had arrested two people  a Filipino and a South Korean  and charged 20 others, including all of the American soldiers.

The case is another embarrassment for the US in the region after Travis King, an American soldier based in the east Asian country, dashed across the heavily fortified border to North Korea two months ago.

The 23-year-old was in the process of being sent back to the US to face military discipline, following two months in a local prison on assault charges. His actions sparked a major diplomatic incident at a time when tensions are already high on the Korean peninsula.

Internal tip-off

Cha Min-seok, a senior detective, told NBC News that the arrests came after a tip-off from the US Armys Criminal Investigation Division, and sparked unprecedented raids on at least two military bases. This included Camp Humphreys, Americas largest overseas base, which is roughly 30 miles south of the capital city Seoul.

Videos released by the police showed officers entering residential buildings and handcuffing several men and women. A press release added that officers seized 77 grams of synthetic cannabis, more than 4kg of mixed liquids used in electronic cigarettes, and close to $13,000 (10,600) in cash from sales.

Police accused those involved of bringing the synthetic marijuana  which is also known as K2 or spice  into the country via the US militarys postal service, before distributing supplies through the social media platform Snapchat, predominantly within the army base.

Synthetic cannabis is made to mimic THC  the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana  but is more potent than the natural version, and has been linked to severe side-effects, including paranoia and psychotic episodes.

The US military said it was aware soldiers were being investigated for alleged illegal drug behaviour and misuse of the military mail system.

Currently, no soldiers are in confinement or being detained in relation to this incident, the statement said, adding that the military does not condone any behaviours among its personnel that violate South Korean laws, rules or directives and supports this investigation.

Military bases long suspected

According to the New York Times, South Korean authorities have long believed that the US military bases nationwide are potential hubs for illegal drug imports.

All recreational use of cannabis is illegal in South Korea, where drug use remains a major taboo.

Those convicted of trafficking marijuana can face between five years and life imprisonment, and anyone buying or selling the drug faces a minimum of one year behind bars. Meanwhile, possession carries a maximum sentence of five years, or a fine of around 50 million won (30,300).

Of those charged, seven people, including five soldiers, were said to be involved in the sale of the drugs, while 12 were users and three acted as middlemen. Two of the civilians involved were a soldiers spouse and another soldiers fiancee, Detective Cha said.

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After the Temecula Valley Unified School District approved a controversial flag ban policy on campuses, one student protested the new rule by handing out hundreds of Pride flags to classmates.

The move has now sparked a campaign to support Moxxie, a 16-year-old junior at Great Oak High School in Temecula, with people donating Pride flags, pins and stickers to the teen.

After a 3-2 approval on Sept. 12, only state and U.S. flags can be displayed at schools within the district. All other flags would require the superintendents approval.

Some critics believe the new policy will be used to censor LGBTQ+ support and target pride flags.

Following the decision, Moxxie, has been handing out Pride flags and stickers at his school. Despite being a standout AP student, Moxie said he doesnt feel very supported by his school district.

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (KTLA)

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (Moxxie)

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (Moxxie)

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (Moxxie)

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (Moxxie)

Pride flags being handed out by Moxxie, a 16-year-old high school student in Temecula, to his classmates in protest of the school districts flag ban policy. (Moxxie)

Theres always that risk of being unsafe when youre part of a marginalized community like the LGBTQ community, especially when youre so vocal about it, he said. The Pride flag, to me, symbolizes being allowed to be who you are, that sense of community.

While no text in the policy specifically mentions banning Pride flags on school campuses, members of the LGBTQ+ community believe the ban is a broader and targeted attack on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools.

Some expressed their opposition to the Pride flag during the Sept. 12 school board meeting. A large showing of parents, teachers, students and community members gathered to discuss the policy as tensions flared at times.

Members who supported the policy told KTLA they believed Pride flags, or any other types of flags, should not be flown on school campuses.

Were seeing a lot of activism in the classrooms, said Milana Cubana, a supporter of the flag policy. Were seeing BLM flags, Pride flags, trans flags and were not anti-LGBTQ, were not anti-anything but a classroom is not a place for your personal political beliefs.

But Moxxie argues theres nothing political about taking pride in ones identity, especially when all anyone wants to feel is safe and included.

I think its okay for teachers to have flags up because it lets the kids know that this is a safe space, he said.

The Temecula school board also rejected another resolution that would have affirmed a ban on bullying and harassment based on sexual and gender identity.

Last month, the Temecula school district board considered a policy that would notify parents if their child identified as transgender. That school board also came under fire for rejecting a state-approved social studies book and curriculum over the inclusion of gay rights leader Harvey Milk and coverage of LGBTQ+ figures in history.

The move prompted backlash from local leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom who promised a $1.5 million fine as failure to adopt the curriculum was a violation of state law. The school board later voted to approve the curriculum, avoiding the fine.

When asked why Moxxie believes taking pride in ones LGBTQ+ identity bothers some people, he said, Some people feel threatened by the concept of things that arent considered normal to them. Things that they dont like or that they believe arent okay. Just a lot of people are threatened by that.

To those people Moxxie just wants them to know that Im not a threat and that I have a right to exist just as much as everyone else. People can exist differently than your beliefs.

Moxie said he and other classmates are planning a walkout in protest of the flag policy and the districts anti-LGBTQ+ policies on Friday morning.

School officials have threatened disciplinary action for students who choose to participate in the walkout.

These controversial school board decisions concerning the LGBTQ+ community in Southern California and across the country are coming amid a rise in attacks against the community.

According to a recent State of Pride Report issued by Californias Attorney General, hate crimes targeting Californias gay community rose by 29% in 2022 in comparison to the previous year.

The report also found that LGBTQ+ children are victimized and bullied at rates four times higher than non-LGBTQ+ children, and nearly half of all gay youth seriously considered suicide in 2022.

According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ children are four times more likely to commit suicide than their peers.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental distress, call or text 9-8-8. The line is open 24 hours a day. For more information on the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, visit 988lifeline.org.

A statement from the Temecula Valley Unified School District on the planned walkout said in part:

Some students began circulating this information last week in response to some updated policies and regulations that were recently approved by the TVUSD Governing Board. Site leadership has met with a few student leaders to gain further insight regarding the plan for a potential walkout.

We want to stress that we discourage students from leaving campus whenever possible during instructional time for safety purposes. However, we also recognize that each family will engage in conversations with their own students about these issues. As a reminder, there are other ways that students participate in the democratic process and have their important individual voices heard without walking out of class, leaving campus, and potentially putting themselves in danger.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CHICAGO -- Growing up on the South Side of Chicago as the child of Mexican immigrants who primarily spoke Spanish, Dr. Daniel Meza was often asked to translate for his parents during medical appointments.

Its a skill that I grew up with, having that technical language, Meza said. I just recall how stressful it was for my parents when they were in clinics, and as well as for myself, being a small child.

Now a pulmonologist with Northwestern Medicine, Meza says his concerns about equity in health care lingered.

Two months ago, Meza became a part of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute Hispanic Program. Patients of the program receive lung and thoracic care, including surgery and preventive screenings, entirely in Spanish.

Everyone at the CTI Hispanic Program, from front desk workers to operating room nurses, is fluent in Spanish. Patients can also access a dedicated Spanish-language phone line.

Staff aim to improve health equity in Chicago by building trust with Hispanic patients and improving treatment outcomes in Hispanic communities, Meza said.

Some 28.7% of Chicagoans, or about 750,000 people, identified as Hispanic as of the 2022 census.

When I see patients come in with their children and they see I speak Spanish, theres kind of a relief on both sides, Meza said.

The program launched two months ago. It is led by Dr. Diego Mauricio Avella Patino, a thoracic surgeon trained in Colombia, and by Meza, both native Spanish speakers. Avella performs surgeries related to esophageal disease, lung failure, various cancers, chest wall issues and breathing obstruction. Meza specializes in treating pulmonary problems such as asthma, respiratory failure and emphysema.

Patients are often surrounded by medical staff in their most vulnerable moments, such as right before anesthesia.

Those who can be treated in their primary language tend to forge better relationships with care providers and follow aftercare instructions better, Avella said.

The need was overwhelming, said Avella, who worked at Northwestern Medicine for two years before the program launched.

Patients may also feel more comfortable asking detailed questions with doctors who understand the cultural norms they experience daily, Avella said.

Sometimes the barriers for the patients to be compliant with the recommendations are beyond the disease itself, they are social, Avella said. When you build that bridge with the patient, it can be extremely powerful.

Avella said some of his patients have been treated suboptimally at other clinics in the past. He recently saw a lung cancer patient who suffered from extreme untreated nausea. Avella discovered that the patient had been diagnosed with diabetes, but rarely spoke of it.

This patient was never going to get her diabetes appropriately controlled because she didnt have a doctor who was taking care of her, Avella said. The patient is now being treated by Northwestern Medicine endocrinologists.

Patients in the CTI Hispanic Program are often referred to other Northwestern Medicine specialists, Avella said. Program staff work with these patients to schedule and prepare for future appointments in Spanish, Avella said.

The clinic is also focused on preventive measures for respiratory issues. Proposing that patients quit smoking and get screened for lung cancer has been a priority for Meza.

There are a lot of great medications out there that we know help increase the chances of a patient quitting, Meza said. And in any population we have, thats not something theyre aware exists.

While smoking rates in Chicago are on the decline, Meza said, hes had to convince at least one ex-smoker to schedule a lung cancer screening. Catching lung cancer at an early stage improves patient outcomes significantly, Meza said.

The program has seen higher rates of asthma and respiratory issues among patients living in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, Meza said. He attributes this to nearby factory smoke and other forms of air pollution within the last decade.

Raising patient awareness of ongoing clinical trials is also a goal, Meza said.

The American Medical Association reported in 2022 that Hispanic patients with limited English proficiency are highly underrepresented in clinical trials, particularly for vaccines and cancer treatment. In 2019, 18.5% of the United States adult population, but only 3% of cancer clinical trial participants, identified as Hispanic.

Meza and Avella both said that while working with new patients, theyre conscious of the wide diversity among Hispanic Chicagoans.

There are people from very different racial backgrounds, educational backgrounds, financial backgrounds and many different countries of origin, Avella said. What I can do right now is provide health care attention in Spanish and at least be a little more culturally aware of the differences among Hispanics.

Support within Northwestern Medicine and among colleagues has made Chicago ideal for the program, Avella said. He hopes other cities with large Spanish-speaking populations will consider the clinic a model for similar programs.

Meza also hopes to forge more connections with smaller health clinics in neighborhoods with high concentrations of primarily Spanish-speaking residents. Many Hispanic patients, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status, start their care journeys there, he said.

As (the CTI Hispanic Program) grows, I do hope that we are kind of like a beacon in the city for pulmonary thoracic needs in the Hispanic community, Meza said.

Chicago residents can schedule an appointment with the CTI Hispanic Program at 847-738-4863.
When Miami-Dade County commissioners invite comments from the public, theres one category of speech thats officially prohibited: criticizing elected officials by name.

I forgot to go through all the rules, Oliver Gilbert, chair of the County Commission, told a packed chambers on Sept. 7 after a speaker criticized Mayor Daniella Levine Cava for a perceived misjudgment on policy toward homeless dogs and cats. We act as a county. So we dont direct comments to specific individuals.

READ MORE: A boost in senior aid helps Miami-Dades $11.7 billion budget pass without debate

Its a regular reminder by Gilbert and his predecessors running meetings at the Stephen P. Clark Center, where members of the public have a legal right to speak on agenda items but face local restrictions on who they can mention in those comments.

Im going to ask you guys for the last time, Jose Pepe Diaz, the future Sweetwater mayor, told a feisty chambers audience during a Jan. 20, 2022 hearing on a Palmetto Bay bridge when he was county chair. Do not single out an individual commissioner

No applause is allowed in the Miami-Dade County Commission chambers, so members of the public typically waive their hands in support and flash thumbs-down signals when they disapprove of comments.

While the Miami-Dade decorum policy hasnt been challenged in court, lawsuits in Florida and beyond have left similar rules in place.

A federal judge in February ruled for the Brevard County School Board after the Moms For Liberty advocacy group sued because members kept getting interrupted when singling out board members at meetings. In 2021, a federal judge ruled for Marco Island in a challenge to the local governments practice preventing public speakers singling out council members by name.

Courts have struggled with this, said Thomas Julin, a partner with Miamis Gunster law firm who specializes in First Amendment cases. The U.S. Supreme Court has not issued a definitive ruling on: heres how you should implement a policy thats trying to control the decorum of the meeting.

Rules against naming elected officials are common throughout South Florida government. Miami-Dades school board enforces a similar policy. In July, police escorted former Surfside mayor Charles Burkett out of the Town Commission chambers for what his successor, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, said was repeated violations of the rules against addressing individual board members.

Heres a recent example

At the Sept. 7 budget hearing, Sharon Shaws denunciation of Levine Cava prompted Gilberts public reminder of the decorum rules that have been part of the county code for at least a decade. She carpooled from Kendall to the Clark Center that day, arriving for a 3 p.m. rally supporting more Animal Services spending and wearing the red T-shirt the Pets Trust group adopted as their uniform that day.

Shaw was in her seat well before the hearing started shortly after 5 p.m., and heard her name called at 5:53 p.m. for a 60-second chance to address the board and Levine Cava, who has a seat at the dais.

Behind the rosy picture painted by Mayor Cava regarding the treatment of animals at Miami-Dades shelter lies a dismal reality, Shaw said. If the mayor believes that Miami-Dade Countys animals are being well treated under her watch, think again. We will in 2024 at the ballot box.

Gilbert let her finish, so Shaw delivered her mayoral critique without interruption. She said she didnt pick up that Gilberts comments were directed to her remarks, as she was giving her name to a reporter immediately after taking her seat.

I would call that undemocratic, Shaw said of the rule barring speakers from mentioning county office holders in County Hall. To me, this is the forum to air something like that, as long one uses decent language and doesnt accuse anyone of criminal activity. Criticizing that, to me, is in itself out of line.

In a brief interview, Gilbert said the rules are in place to keep commission meetings orderly and not devolve into personal attacks against elected officials.

Its not just about criticism, he said. Its a matter of decorum.

Is this a free-speech issue?

For free-speech advocates, policies like Miami-Dades tread on residents constitutional rights to petition their government. They also see the restrictions as bad government by shielding elected office holders from hearing criticism from residents who took the time to get themselves to a county microphone to participate in the legislative process.

You have the right to say: This piece of legislation was submitted by Council Member X, and Council Member X has a conflict of interest,  said Alan Gura, an Institute for Free Speech lawyer representing Moms For Liberty, the Florida-based advocacy group urging schools to ban books that violate a state law that restricts when some students can read about homosexuality and transgender adults. Youre engaging in a conversation not just with the board, but youre part of the public debate.

Clay Calvert, a University of Florida law professor who specializes in free-speech issues, noted that some courts have ruled against governments limiting what residents can say at meetings. Others havent, resulting in what he calls a mixed bag of decisions to guide local governments.

One famous case in South Florida didnt resolve the matter.

Supreme Court hears South Florida case

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled with part-time Riviera Beach resident Fane Lozman in his suit against the city over his arrest after refusing to stop talking for violating the City Councils decorum rules.

But the decision centered more on the narrow legality of the arrest than the broader issue of free-speech rules, according to a summary Calvert co-wrote in 2018 for the Case Western Law Review.

Still, Calvert calls the rules like Miami-Dades misguided even if they might survive a court challenge.

If a citizen has a gripe about a specific public official, then why shouldnt they able to identify them by name? Calvert asked. When youre an elected official, you have to have thick skin.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Navy conducted a special operation in temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of 21 September, inflicting a powerful drone strike on Saky airfield.

Source: UP sources in the SSU

Details: The sources said that the special services used drones to overload Russian air defences and then launched Neptune missiles.

At least 12 combat aircraft, including Su-24s and Su-30s, as well as a Pantsir anti-air missile system, were at the airport. There was also a training base for Mohajer UAV operators. These drones are used by the Russians to coordinate their own air attacks and sometimes deployed as a strike drone.

The sources said the strikes by the SSU and the Navy hit their targets and caused serious damage to the Russian equipment.

Background:

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) reported that Russian personnel were killed and expensive military systems were destroyed as a result of an attack on a command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol on the morning of 20 September.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defence and Russian news outlets reported explosions in occupied Crimea, and the invaders claimed to have shot down 19 drones over the peninsula.

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!
PLYMOUTH  A special prosecutor has been assigned to a case involving a Hull police sergeant accused of assaulting his elderly neighbor.

Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Brandon DeAvilla will be the special prosecutor in the case involving Hull police Sgt. Scott Saunders, 46, of Pembroke, according to court records.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we sent the case out of county for prosecution," said Beth Stone, a spokesperson for Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz's office. "This is common practice by all district attorneys' offices when there could be a conflict or perception of a conflict with a case."

A pretrial hearing scheduled for Sept. 12 was pushed back to Oct. 12. According to court records, Saunders attorney had a scheduling conflict.

Saunders was arrested by Pembroke police July 24. He is accused of assaulting his 72-year-old neighbor.

Saunders has been charged with assault and battery on a person 60 or older with injury, which is a felony, according to court documents.

Saunders told police he and his neighbor have a history of disputes.

The allegations against Saunders

Saunders accuser said he saw the officer walking on the side of the road carrying a paddleboard as he drove past him on Furnace Colony Drive, according to the police report about the incident. He said Saunders then struck his vehicle with the board.

The man said he pulled over and got out of his car.

"As he turned to face Saunders, he (said he) was grabbed and 'sucker punched'  then thrown to the ground with Saunders straddling on top of him," the report said.

Saunders told police the man drove too close to him as he passed.

More: Hull police sergeant on paid leave after being arrested in Pembroke: What he is accused of

Saunders told police the man raised his hand as he approached. In response, Saunders said he pushed the man to the ground, got on top of him and held him down.

The man again raised his hand while on the ground, Saunders said, and so he "punched (him) once to the face," the report said.

The altercation was captured in a cellphone video and recorded on Saunders' home security camera. The police report confirms that Saunders struck the accuser's car with the paddleboard, but the man's hands are not visible in the footage.

A neighbor recorded the altercation between Scott Saunders, a sergeant with the Hull Police Department, and his 72-year-old neighbor in Pembroke this past July.

"Saunders pushes (the accuser) with both hands to the chest area, causing him to fall backwards on the ground," the report said. "As Saunders is on top (of the man), he is seen throwing one punch to the face area ... before standing and walking away from the area towards his residence."

The report concludes by stating that in the video, the accuser appeared to give Saunders adequate space and was traveling "at an appropriate speed." It also says that as the two men were speaking, the accuser's hands were not raised.

Saunders was hired by the Hull Police Department in December 2004 and has been a sergeant since 2019.

He has been on paid administrative leave since his arrest. He turned in his badge and his gun pending the outcome of the case. He has been ordered not to have any contact with his accuser as a condition of his release.

The Hull Police Department said it is conducting an internal investigation into the allegations.

As a matter of routine, the incident was reported to the state Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, which is implementing a mandatory certification process for police officers, including decertification, suspension of certification or reprimand for police misconduct.

The commission investigates and resolves officer misconduct complaints and allegations of improper use of force. It maintains and publishes officer information, including certification status, suspensions and disciplinary records.

The commission issued a news release Sept. 6 announcing the addition of Saunders to its suspended officers list. Two other officers, one from Fall River and the other from Saugus, were also added, bringing the total number of actively suspended officers to 42, according to the commissions website.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hull police Sgt. Scott Saunders' court date delayed in assault case
(CNN)  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.

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.

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.

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.
I booked a shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train while traveling from Austria to Italy.

I thought a sleeper train would be the best way to maximize my days while exploring Europe.

A few surprises along the way changed my mind, from a lack of privacy to a restless night.

I traveled on an overnight train from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy, during a two-week trip through four European countries.

The author exits a train in Venice, Italy, in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

When I decided to visit Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland for the first time in just two weeks last year, I wanted to maximize my time exploring each country.

When I realized that my ride from Vienna, Austria, to Venice, Italy, would be 11 hours long, traveling by train through the night seemed like the best way to leave my days totally free, and sharing a sleeper cabin with strangers was the cheapest way to do it.

I bought a Eurail pass for $477, which gives access to most European trains for a set number of days. Some trains only require a Eurail pass, while others, including overnight trains, incur an additional discounted price.

My ticket cost $44 with my Eurail pass, and included breakfast. Without it, it would have been about $84.

I traveled with OBB Nightjet, a train that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

A Nightjet sleeper car arrives in Venice, Italy, in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

OBB Nightjet trains travel overnight to more than 25 European cities, from Rome to Amsterdam, and can go as fast as 143 miles per hour, according to their website.

I decided to book with OBB Nightjet because it's known for having some of Europe's newest and best sleeper routes, according to Lonely Planet.

Nightjet trains have seating carriages as well as sleeper cars with bunks of three, four, or six. The latter of which is what I booked.

A sleeper cabin on an OBB Nightjet train. Nightjet -  OBB/Harald Eisenberger

Some routes have private cabins, according to OBB Nightjet, but mine didn't. So I booked a six-passenger sleeper bunk-style cabin to be shared with up to five other people.

Two nights before my trip to Venice, I traveled on another OBB Nightjet train from Berlin to Vienna in a seating carriage cabin, which are cabins of six regular assigned seats that deeply recline.

I found the seating carriage to be too uncomfortable to get any sleep, so I was hoping the bunk cabin would provide me with a more restful experience.

My ride from Vienna to Venice wasn't my first experience on a sleeper train, but it was my first time traveling in a shared bunk-style cabin.

Insider's reporter spent 30 hours in an Amtrak bedroom while traveling from Miami to New York. Joey Hadden/Insider

While this was my first time traveling in a sleeper train in Europe, it wasn't my first time on an overnight train.

I spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains in October 2021. I stayed in their 20-square-foot roomette and 45-square-foot bedroom accommodations, where I had private rooms to myself. I enjoyed both experiences, and appreciated it as a sustainable way to get around the world with unparalleled views along the way.

Because of those positive experiences, I was excited to try out sleeper trains again while in Europe, especially since traveling at night would free my days.

But a few surprises along the way made me think that ultimately, this ride wasn't worth the time saved.

When I arrived at the Vienna train station, I paid $10 to access the OBB Lounge. I was surprised that aside from me, it was completely empty, which was a stark contrast to the crowded station where I couldn't find a seat.

An empty OBB Lounge at Wein Miedling Station in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

My journey began in Austria's Wien Meidling train station. I arrived 90 minutes before my 9:35 p.m. train, and the waiting areas were so crowded that I couldn't find one empty seat. Then I noticed a lounge for OBB guests.

The lounge is free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day, and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers who would like to pay to access it, which is what I did.

Since I thought the fee was inexpensive and the station was so packed, I was surprised to find there was not one other traveler inside.

The lounge had plenty of tables and chairs, as well as complimentary refreshments from coffee to nuts and seeds. It was a smaller selection than I've seen at Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, which I've visited in New York, but I wasn't hungry so I just got a water bottle and settled into a chair to wait until it was time to board my train.

When I went to the platform, I was surprised by how confusing it was to board the correct train.

A platform where the train takes off in Austria (L). Car two on a Nightjet train stopped in Venice, Italy (R). Joey Hadden/Insider

I went to the platform about 20 minutes before my train's scheduled 9:35 p.m. departure, and was shocked to see a screen that said my train was going to Zurich. This made me worry that I booked the wrong sleeper train.

But at the information desk, I learned that unlike Amtrak, the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations. I had to board my assigned train car in order to reach my ticketed final destination; each has a number.

When my train arrived, I didn't have time to check the train car number before boarding. I just went to the closest car and asked an attendant to guide me to my car and room.

I knew that my cabin was going to be small but once onboard, I was still shocked when I saw it for the first time.

Inside the author's shared Nightjet cabin. Joey Hadden/Insider

According to OBB Nightjet, my cabin was built to fit six people inside a 74-square-foot space.

I expected it would be small, but seeing it in person made me realize that 74 square feet is smaller than I thought.

One traveler was already there when I boarded and two others arrived within an hour. Two got off around 5 a.m., and the other stayed past my stop. We said hello to each other upon arrival, but other than that, the room was quiet. Some of us watched devices, while others went to sleep.

I was surprised by how little personal space I had even when it was still just one other passenger and me. I couldn't imagine six people squeezing in there, and was grateful that we weren't booked to the max.

But I still felt cramped when there were four of us, especially with everyone's luggage around.

I expected each bunk to have a curtain for privacy, but the beds were completely exposed. This made me feel less comfortable.

The author felt she had no privacy without curtains at each bunk. Joey Hadden/Insider

Since the space was shared with strangers, I was expecting to find curtains at the front of each bunk to ensure privacy, but there was nothing to block the space between myself and other passengers.

This made me feel more uncomfortable than I expected. While another traveler changed their clothes in front of me inside the room, I prefer to change in private, and chose to instead go to the shared bathroom at the end of the sleeper car.

I didn't think I'd have to wake up other passengers to use the bathroom. But the room's lock was only accessible from a top bunk where someone was sleeping.

Lighting and lock controls in the sleeper cabin. Joey Hadden/Insider

When I first entered the cabin, I learned the bunks were first-come, first-served. I opted for a bottom bunk since I've previously found top bunks on Amtrak trains to feel bumpier through the night.

But I didn't realize that the person on the top bunk would be the unofficial controller of the door lock since it was only accessible from their bed.

When I went to the bathroom to wash up and change around 10:30 p.m., the top-bunk passenger had just arrived and was still awake. But at around 2 a.m., I found myself lying awake with a full bladder because I didn't want to disturb her. Eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore and reluctantly woke her up.

It was a little awkward, and I felt bad for disrupting her sleep. The whole experience made me think I may have preferred the top bunk anyway. I'd rather have someone wake me than wake someone else up.

I thought I'd get a decent amount of rest in the sleeper cabin with a lie-flat bed, but the ride was so bumpy and uncomfortable that I struggled to fall asleep.

The author watches TV on an overnight train from Vienna to Venice, Italy, in October 2022. Joey Hadden/Insider

Since I had a lie-flat bed in the cabin, as well as bed sheets and a pillow provided by the train, I thought I'd get a decent amount of sleep.

But when bedtime came around, I was surprised to find the bed and bedding didn't matter much.

I only got a couple of hours of sleep and woke up several times during the night due to other travelers entering and exiting the room or the bumpiness of the train, and found the bed to be uncomfortable. For most of the night, I watched TV on my iPad since I had such a hard time sleeping.

"Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us," a representative for OBB Nightjet told Insider.

An OBB Nightjet train. Nightjet -  OBB/Harald Eisenberger

The statement continued, "We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers."

Next year, the rail line is upgrading its overnight trains, according to a press release from OBB Nightjet, with new, more spacious sleeper cabins that will include a seating area in addition to beds, according to the press release.

When I got to Venice, I realized I was wrong about my expectations around a shared sleeper cabin. I didn't feel rested, which was the entire reason why I booked it.

The author before (L) and after (R) having coffee during her first morning in Venice. Joey Hadden/Insider

When I got off the train in Venice, I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. I thought it made my first day in the city less enjoyable, which was perhaps the most surprising element of my ride since the entire reason why I booked this train was to feel rested.

Through these surprises, I learned that a shared cabin on an overnight train wasn't the right choice for me.

While sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination, in this case, I'd rather arrive feeling refreshed so I can enjoy where I'm going. So next time I'm in Europe, I'll either travel during the day or book a private sleeper cabin.

Read the original article on Insider
Downtown St. Augustine has been named as one of the finalists in the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Associations 10th Annual Great Places in Florida Award.

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Associations theme this year is Great Resilient Places and it is considering nominations that signify the ability to thrive amidst changing conditions and to conserve resources from present and future generations.

The community is encouraged to vote daily through Sept. 29 for Downtown St. Augustine to show support of St. Augustines great resilient place by following this link: https://bit.ly/461Tcar

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Read: I think we finally did it: $2 billion project set to revamp 20 blocks of Downtown Jacksonville

Read: St. Johns County administrators to discuss controversial plan for Ponte Vedra Club & Inn

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HILLSBOROUGH  The state Department of Transportation is pushing the bondholder on the Route 206 project to expedite hiring a new contractor to complete the $41 million highway widening after the previous contractor was fired earlier this year.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DOT asked Berkley Surety to find a replacement contractor as soon as possible.

If the bondholder "continues to drag its feet" on finding a replacement contractor, the DOT, through its counsel, "will exhaust every option to restart this contract, and accelerate construction to the extent feasible," according to DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.

The bondholder, Gutierrez-Scaccetti said, has been "unresponsive" to the DOT's counsel since notified of the contractors termination.

The DOT also defended its decision to terminate the contract with Konkus Corp on the long-awaited project because of safety concerns and delays.

We take safety issues raised by our employees very seriously. Activities in and around the job site were reported as unsafe, creating risk to employees and motorists alike," Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. "We were compelled to act."

The DOT is "keenly aware" of the impact the stalled construction is having on motorists, residents and businesses.

However, the DOT was "left with no choice" as it learned of safety issues for both workers and motorists.

Real estate: 6 amazing Central Jersey home listings you must see

Once the DOT terminated the contract with Konkus, Berkley Surety was immediately notified because it is now the bondholder's obligation to complete the project, according to the DOT.

Konkus, however, has filed suit against the DOT, alleging the termination of the contract was the result of "rage-filled" animosity between a DOT engineer and the contractor.

Konkus also claims that the DOT's "careless and dangerous design" led to years of delays and additional costs.

According to the lawsuit, on April 14, the DOT issued a default notice to Konkus, based on 23 allegations that the contractor failed to follow directions of the resident DOT engineer, who is not named in the suit, worked in a reckless manner and failed to carry out work.

In response, Konkus told the DOT the 23 allegations were cured, trivial, "stale" or based on inaccurate information, according to the lawsuit. Konkus also asked for a meeting with the DOT.

Two days later, without a meeting, on April 25, the DOT terminated the contract.

The DOT, which has not filed a response to the suit in Superior County, does not comment on pending litigation.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Route 206 project in Hillsborough NJ takes another turn
Stanislaus County prosecutors have filed murder charges in the fentanyl poisoning death of a woman in Ceres.

George Foster Keene, 27, is facing second-degree murder charges after the 24-year-old woman died from illegal fentanyl in Ceres on Aug. 17, the District Attorneys office said in an announcement.

The criminal complaint identified the victim as Bethany Borges of Ceres.

Ceres police and district attorney investigators conducted a joint investigation into the womans death.

This investigation is representative of our continuing and combined efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic affecting our community, District Attorney Jeff Laugero said in the announcement.

Keene is charged with one count of willfully and unlawfully selling the controlled substance to Borges. Another count charges that Keene did unlawfully and with malice murder Borges.

Wendell Emerson, chief prosecutor for the DAs office, said details of the alleged homicide are not being released yet, as the case is still under investigation. A conviction on a second-degree murder charge may result in a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Keene was booked in jail Sept. 15 and has an initial court date scheduled for Dec. 11. Bail is set at $2 million.

Borges lost her sister, Destiny, who was killed in 2017 when a large tree fell on the 20-year-old woman at Yosemite National Park, according to a Modesto Bee story. Friends and relatives have been posting sympathetic messages about Borges mother losing both of her daughters.

I am now a mother with no living children, wrote Summer Warthan in a recent Facebook post about her daughter Bethanys death. Every day someones child is being poisoned and losing their life. It needs to stop. These people need to be punished.

Warthans post asks people to sign a Change.org petition to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. Three Republican congressman have made that proposal a centerpiece of what they call the Stop Our Scourge Act.

Like most other counties, Stanislaus has been gripped by the national fentanyl crisis, recording 128 deaths due to the highly potent synthetic opioid drug in 2022, an increase from 103 in 2021 and 71 in 2020. State data on the opioid crisis has shown Stanislaus County has a higher fatal overdose rate than the statewide rate, 19.6 per 100,000 population compared to 18 per 100,000 in California.

As of July, 47 of the 72 overdose deaths in the county this year were caused by fentanyl use, according to preliminary county numbers.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Hogan is prosecuting the Ceres case. In an interview in March, Hogan talked about the difficulty of bringing murder charges, under California law, against dealers who illegally sell the highly lethal drug.

Hogan said the court requires evidence the defendant knew that selling fentanyl would result in the individuals death.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says that fentanyl, often sold illegally as counterfeit pills, is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Only 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.
A nationwide campaign to unionize Starbucks workers claimed its first Tri-Cities area victory this week as employees at a Prosser store voted 21-6 to join Starbucks Workers United.

The store at Merlot Drive and Wine Country Road is the 22nd operating Starbucks location in Washington state, home of the Seattle coffee giant, to unionize.

This weeks vote came after workers in Prosser filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with Starbucks Workers United in August. Workers cited lost work hours, lost benefits and being forced to work when ill for making the move.

Katy Tollefson, a barista who organized colleagues in Prosser together with Damian Lozano, called the outcome a monumental win in a news release issued by Starbucks Workers United.

I look forward to working with Workers United and Starbucks to make sure everyone in the store has a great partner experience, she said.

Starbucks previously defended its record and said its relationship with employees is core to its culture. Starbucks said it invested more than $1.4 billion in the past year on new benefits to making it easier for customers to tip on credit and debit card transactions.

The company notes it pays an average wage of $17.50 an hour, or $27 when benefits are computed, exclusive of tips.

To date, 10 stores in Seattle, two in the Olympia area, two in Bellingham and one each in Everett, Marysville, North Bend, Redmond, Shoreline, Spokane and Walla Walla have voted to unionize, according to Workers United.

One Seattle shop rejected the union and two additional votes are pending at Seattle area locations, including Seattle Center.

The national unionization movement is driven by worker demands concerning working conditions, wages and consistent schedules. Workers claim theyre countering the faux-progressivism portrayed in the companys marketing materials.

Starbucks Workers United has organized 356 stores in 42 states and Washington, D.C., since its inception in December 2021.

Workers at 449 stores in 46 states have filed to unionize, according to Perfect Union.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated his goal to protect all LGBTQ+ students from anti-LGBTQ+ attacks from state legislatures to school boards that threaten to isolate, discriminate against, and harm transgender and gender-nonconforming youth across the nation and even California, during his most recent visit to Fresno.

And how is it different than universal notification of a students academic performance or an injury that they have at school? Its different because it targets only one group of people because of who they are. And they are a protected class based on their gender identity, Bonta said.

Bonta was asked by news media about the difference between notifying parents about their childrens gender and pronouns versus bad grades or disciplinary issues, and the legal difference between both.

So the issue youre talking about and the issue that Im involved in, is a group of government officials on a local school board, who have passed a policy that targets, singles out, discriminated against and violates the constitutional rights, civil rights and privacy rights of one of our most vulnerable populations, based on who they are based on being part of a protected class transgender children, Bonta said.

Bonta stopped in Fresno on Sept. 12 for an anti-hate roundtable discussion with local community leaders and advocates who shared their hate crime experiences.

Early this year, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2022 hate crime report that showed a 20.2% increase in reported hate crime events in California, as well as a sharp spike in hate incidents against LGBTQ+ residents, along with Blacks and Jews.

Here in the Central Valley, there has been a movement to out students in schools, April Taylor-Salery, Trans-E-Motion board member told Bonta. And similar to what you did at Chino, we would like for something similar.

Parental notification outing policies have become a hot topic in the Central Valley and the rest of the state.

Recently, Clovis parents asked that the Clovis Unified School Districts board create a written policy to notify parents if their child requests to change their name, pronoun, gender expression or identity.

School districts in California such as Chino Valley, Rocklin and Orange school districts are implementing those types of policies requiring staff to also notify parents if the student request access to sex-segregated school programs and activities, or bathrooms or changing facilities that do not align with the students biological sex or gender.

Early this month, a state judge placed Chino Valley school districts policy outing transgender students to parents on hold.

It doesnt matter what they want to call it, what justification or rationale for doing it. You cannot get past the simple fact that this is an act of discrimination thats unlawful, Bonta said.

Bonta said those policies violate multiple sections of the Constitution, the Equal Protection Clause privacy protections, and two separate government codes.

They knew that it would violate those laws, theyre doing it anyway, Bonta said of school districts like Chino Valley.

For school boards that are considering implementing creating those types of policies, Bonta asks them to relook at the oath they took to uphold the laws and constitutions of the U.S. and California.

This contemplated act that you may be considering, based on the policy that weve already seen in Chino Valley, if its like that policy, it violates the law, Bonta said, adding that those school boards can have a look at the Chino Valley lawsuit, briefing, citations for the law and the facts as well as a neutral third party judges decision who issued a temporary restraining order.

And in that finding it said the children are in imminent harm and at risk of irreparable harm, Bonta said. And the state, the California Department of Justice, the Attorney General is likely to succeed in this case on the merits.

Have a close look at that order, as well as our case law to all the school board members who are contemplating making it, taking a similar illegal discriminatory act, Bonta said.

In June, Bonta released the 2022 hate crime report that showed a 20.2% increase in reported hate crime events in California, as well as a sharp spike in hate incidents against LGBTQ+ residents, along with Blacks and Jews. Hate crime events involving sexual orientation increased by 29%.

This is part of a series on Stop The Hate, a project funded by the California State Library.
An operational audit of the City of Winter Springs by the state is complete, and the preliminary results found eight areas of concern and recommendations on corrective action.

Residents who have long complained about the citys practices for years said this is vindication.

Some of the same issues found by the state on the use of penny sales tax money echo what was uncovered by a county audit earlier this year.

Unlike the county audit, which the city disagreed with everything that it uncovered.

The state audit has more teeth to it, and like it or not, and like it or not, city officials can disagree, but they may have to comply or face stiff consequences from the state.

Read: Seminole County Fire Department battles 2-alarm warehouse fire

For years, Jesse Phillips has been fighting Winter Springs City Hall about issues concerning the citys water quality and about getting public records.

A 15-page preliminary report by the Florida auditor general vindicated what hes been saying.

The audit finally found that if you guys had done this in the sunshine, he said. If youd gone through the normal procedures, none of this would have happened.

Transparency in how public tax money was used is just one of eight areas of concern the auditor general discovered.

Read: General counsel for Seminole County Supervisor of Elections resigns, alleges misinformation

I think the citys reticence to accept what is going on here is troubling, said State Senator Jason Brodeur.

Brodeur initiated the audit by the state in January after complaints from residents.

One of the things that you have is you have the opinion of a city that cant operate a wastewater treatment plant, cant pay a water treatment vendor, cant fulfill public records requests, he said.

Brodeur said the city has no policies and procedures for purchasing cards and no policies and procedures for reporting and investigating fraud. He would like to see their corrective action plan be in line with 400 other municipalities in the state.

Read: Seminole County residents speak out about plan to extend Slavia Road

The City of Winter Springs seems to have trouble in doing this. And so perhaps theres an opportunity for the state to come in and make sure that the city is operating in a way that reflects taxpayer wishes.

Phillips believes it may be too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

They have been completely unable to steer the city in the right direction, Phillips said. They need to consider whether theyre the best people for that job or whether we need to get some fresh blood.

Just like the county audit a few months back, the city told us staff is reviewing the results and will provide responses to the auditor general in the next 30 days.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Virginia Transportation Secretary Shep Miller pauses to watch a freight train pass Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at the Amtrak station in Ettrick. Miller was in the midst of remarks on rail safety awareness when the northbound CSX train came through. Several minutes and 300 train cars later, he resumed his speech.

ETTRICK  The timing could not have been any better.

State Transportation Secretary Shep Miller was just moments into his remarks Thursday morning at the Amtrak station when the horn of a northbound CSX train signaled its approach. Since the trains noise would have drowned out anything he had to say, Miller paused, waved at the engineer and waited as the 300 or so freight cars whizzed by.

Once the final box car passed, Miller resumed his speech.

He and rail-transportation officials were on hand to promote Gov. Glenn Youngkins branding of September as Rail Safety Awareness Month. The event served double duty as speakers also mentioned planned improvements to the Ettrick station over the next four years.

Miller, who as a college student often passed through the station on the old Mountaineer rail line between Norfolk and Roanoke, expressed some frustration over the timeline as he glanced around the station. He noted the broken pavement, aging passenger canopy and other portions that he remembered looking almost the same as it did back in the 1970s.

I wish it was not in 2027, he said. If it were up to me, it would be next year.

Among the $10.5 million in planned improvements is a wider yellow line where the platform meets the tracks that would indicate the border for passengers awaiting their trains. The line will also be tactile for visually impaired passengers.

The pavement around the platform will be replaced, the canopy will be reworked to protect passengers from the elements, and improvements will be made to the 68-year-old station and its parking area. While not in the immediate-need category, longterm plans call for the possibility of a third rail line dedicated solely to passenger use and creating better access to the area from East River Road.

DJ Stadtler, executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, said final designs for the station improvements are set for the coming weeks as VPRA is set to choose the developer for the project. Stadtler said a to-do list of prioritizing the improvements will be drawn up once the firm is selected.

We have our idea from a design point of view, he said. We know what we think makes sense, but until that vendor comes in, we dont want to dictate how they do the work. Theyre here to get it done quickly, get it done efficiently, get it done safely, but they may have a different view on that, and I dont want to put them into a corner and make them do a specific schedule.

The state has acquired the station and surrounding property. Stadtler addressed the issue of access, saying that some drainage issues must be addressed, but the timetable for new entry and exit points will be driven in part by increases in passenger usage.

The station is across East River Road from Virginia State University, which makes it a popular travel option for students. However, to get to the station, potential passengers must make at least a couple of turns from East River Road. One path is a slight right turn onto Grainger Street, then an immediate right turn onto Bessie Street to South Street, the stations official address.

VPRA estimates at least 30,000 passengers use the staton each year.

Even though improvements are part of the larger vision of rail safety, the narrower focus  people staying out of the way of moving trains  is the core of what Rail Safety Awareness Month is about. According to federal statistics, a person is hit or killed by a train every three hours, and most of that is due to simple ignorance about the issue and the temptation to beat trains across the tracks.

For Gods sake, we cant fix peoples behaviors, Miller lamented. They have to get with the program.

Jennifer DeBruhl, director of the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation, noted improvements made to several traffic-rich road-track crossings in northern Virginia where additional gates were placed to extend the entire width of the roadway. That prevents antsy motorists from trying to drive around lowered gates in hopes of beating the train through the crossing. Similar improvements are planned throughout the state.

Echoing the theme of Rail Safety Awareness Month, DeBruhl said, We want folks to see tracks, think train.

More: Woman killed by train as she walked on tracks in Chester

More: You're facing a deadly dilemma of being stuck on railroad tracks. What do you do?

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Improvements at Ettrick train station are updated
Last year, LaShanta Mire felt good about how her daughter Malaysia was doing in school. Malaysia was a second-grader at Clifford Davis Elementary School in Fort Worth, and she consistently brought home As in reading and language arts.

But Mire knew third grade is an important year for reading, so over the summer, she had her daughter take a reading evaluation at a literacy event. When the results came back, Mire learned Malaysia was reading at a kindergarten level.

At first, Mire was shocked. But looking back, she can see where Malaysia struggled. She knew what sounds each letter combination made, so she didnt have much trouble sounding out words. But she seemed to have trouble with reading comprehension, Mire said  even when she could piece together what words sounded like, she often didnt understand what they meant.

How she had an A in reading, I dont know, Mire said.

Mire isnt alone. Recent polling data suggests the overwhelming majority of parents in Fort Worth think their kids are reading on grade level. And with good reason: In several school districts that serve parts of the city, two-thirds to three-quarters of third-graders brought home As and Bs in reading and language arts, according to figures obtained by the Star-Telegram through open records requests.

But state test results paint a different picture. Across the 12 school districts and 14 charter school networks that operate in the city, most students scored below grade level in reading last spring, according to a new analysis of state achievement data.

Fort Worth reading grades dont line up with grade-level skills

Across every school in the city, 44% of students met grade-level standards in reading on last springs State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, according to an analysis of test data by the nonprofit Fort Worth Education Partnership. That represents a two-point decline from how Fort Worth students performed on the 2022 STAAR, the analysis shows.

But polling data shows large majorities of parents think their kids are doing well in reading. In a survey in May by Concord Public Opinion Partners on behalf of the Fort Worth Education Partnership and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, 80% of parents who live in the Fort Worth ISD boundaries said they believed their kids could read on grade level. Nearly all said they thought teaching students to read well is a very important function of a school system. Just 1% said they thought it was somewhat important.

Notably, 47% of parents told pollsters they were not confident at all that STAAR scores are accurate. Over the past few years, research has called into question how well aligned with grade-level standards questions on the state test are. A 2019 study from the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the University of Texas at Austin found inconsistencies in the readability of some test questions. In a separate 2019 study, two professors at Texas A&M University-Commerce found that many test questions had readability levels that were one or two years more advanced than the grade levels being assessed.

Fort Worth mom switches schools after reading assessment

After Mire got the results of Malaysias reading assessment, she talked with leaders of the parent advocacy group Parent Shield Fort Worth, which organized the reading clinics, about what to do. They showed her Clifford Davis reading scores over the past few years. The elementary school has lagged behind the rest of the district in reading for years. Last spring, just 16% of the schools third-graders were reading on grade level, down from 20% the previous year. Clifford Davis is home to a large number of refugee students, many of whom hadnt been in school before arriving in the United States because of circumstances in their home countries.

LaShanta Mire, left, helps her daughter Malaysia Campbell, 8, build her reading skills at the park in the Patriot Pointe Apartments in Fort Worth on Wednesday. After taking a reading assessment over the summer, Campbell was told she has a kindergarten reading level as a third grader despite coming home with As on her report cards.

After seeing how far behind Malaysia was, Mire didnt feel like she could send her daughter back to Clifford Davis for third grade. So she looked at a few other options before picking Rocketship Dennis Dunkins Elementary School, a charter school in Stop Six. Her daughter started school there last month, and so far, she loves it, Mire said. Every morning, teachers at the school take kids into the auditorium and lead them in dances to get them excited about the day, she said.

But Mire said she knew that moving Malaysia to a new school wouldnt solve the problem completely. This year, shes being more proactive about communicating with her daughters teacher and making sure her daughter is doing everything she needs to do.

Whatever it takes for her to get on grade level, Ill do it, she said.

Grades, test scores play different roles, FWISD official says

In Fort Worth ISD, which serves the largest share of students in the city, about 67% of third-graders got As or Bs last year in reading and language arts, according to figures released by the district. But only 32% met grade-level standards on the state test, a six-point decline compared to last year, according to results released last month by the Texas Education Agency. Sixty percent of third-graders either met or approached grade-level standards, also a six-point drop from last year, test results show. Education researchers say third grade is a crucial time for literacy, because students who cant read proficiently by then generally struggle for the rest of their educational careers.

Melissa Kelly, Fort Worth ISDs associate superintendent of learning and leading, said the grades students get throughout the year serve a different purpose than state test scores. Grades are a way for teachers to give parents updates about how their kids are doing at several points throughout the school year, she said. Theyre based on a variety of factors, such as tests, daily grades and projects, she said.

STAAR scores, meanwhile, are based on how students perform on a single test given on a single day at the end of each school year. If a student oversleeps, feels sick or has a bad day at home, they still have to take the test, she said. The test also doesnt always give equal weight to every concept every year, she said  sometimes it focuses more heavily on some areas than others. So although its a major part of how schools and districts are evaluated, the test isnt always the most reliable indicator of how any individual student is doing, she said.

If parents are concerned about how their kids are doing in any subject, Kelly said, their first course of action should be talking to their childs teacher. If a student brings home good grades in reading but doesnt do well on the state test, there are other things teachers can look at to see whats going on, she said. Besides the STAAR, schools also give students MAP assessments at the beginning, middle and end of each year.

Districts use MAP tests to measure academic growth, but unlike STAAR scores, the results arent reported to the state. Because students take MAP assessments three times a year instead of just once, the test can sometimes give a more complete picture of how that student is doing, she said. Teachers are also in a better position to discuss the whole child in a way that tests cant capture, she said.

Parents release balloons to mourn reading scores

On the evening of Sept. 7, a few dozen parents, many with their kids in tow, gathered on the sidewalk outside the Fort Worth Public Librarys Ella Mae Shamblee branch, in the citys Historic Southside neighborhood. Some held signs with slogans like Literacy is Freedom and Our Kids Matter.

Parents from the education advocacy group Parent Shield Fort Worth prepare bags of balloons before a balloon release at the Fort Worth Public Librarys Ella Mae Shamblee branch. The group released balloons as a sign of grief over low reading outcomes.

As cars drove past on Evans Avenue, organizers passed out balloons to people in the crowd. Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, director of Parent Shield Fort Worth, told the crowd that parents have to demand better for kids who are falling through the cracks. During the groups literacy clinics held over the summer, 70% of parents who attended told organizers that they thought their kids were reading on grade level. But when school staff members gave kids reading assessments, the results mirrored what state test scores show, she said.

Our children are not being taught to read, and reading is true freedom, she said.

Before the crowd released the balloons, Dorsey-Hollins reminded parents in the crowd that, by showing up, they were signing up to be advocates for literacy. She asked them to remember students who have passed through the school system without getting an opportunity to become proficient readers, and hold fast to hope for students in the future. Then, she counted to three, and the crowd let go of the balloons. They sailed up above rooftops, drifting north over nearby Evans Avenue Plaza before rising out of sight.

The rally fell the evening before International Literacy Day. Dorsey-Hollins said the group released balloons as a show of grief, but also to symbolize hope for the future. Even as they mourn opportunities that have been lost, parents hope to see reading scores rise over the next few years, just like the balloons rose above the librarys roof and into the sky, she said.

Balloons float skyward during a balloon release held by the education advocacy group Parent Shield Fort Worth. The group held the event to demand better reading outcomes.

Fort Worth ISD school board member Wallace Bridges, who represents Historic Southside, said he was proud to see the turnout. Speaking to a crowd of mostly Black and Hispanic parents, Bridges said theres a perception that communities of color dont care about whats happening in education. Its important for parents in those communities to send a message that they do care and they want to see better, he said.

Bridges said he hopes the event can mark a starting point for the entire city to rally around improving literacy. Its a big problem that requires everyones help, he said  business leaders, church leaders and leaders in the broader community all have a role to play.

Theres a growing understanding across the city that reading outcomes need to be improved, and that it will take a broad community commitment to make it happen, said Elizabeth Brands, executive director of the literacy advocacy group Read Fort Worth. The group works with about 20 community partners, including Fort Worth ISD, the city of Fort Worth and a number of youth organizations, to improve third-grade reading rates in the district.

Among other programs, the organization held learning programs over the summer at more than 100 sites across the city. Those programs helped participating kids stave off the learning loss that many students experience over the summer, Brands said. Literacy assessments showed that 91% of the students who participated either maintained or improved their reading skills.

The partnerships that Read Fort Worth has built with other community organizations are a critical piece of the path forward, Brands said. Sub-par literacy rates are a whole community problem, and it takes the skills and perspectives of the entire community to fix them, she said.

These are complex issues that were trying to solve, and there isnt going to be one silver bullet to make sure that were seeing the literacy outcomes that we really desire for a thriving and vibrant community, she said.

Amiarie Watson holds a sign during a balloon release Sept. 7 at the Fort Worth Public Librarys Ella Mae Shamblee branch. The parent advocacy group Parent Shield Fort Worth organized the event to call for better reading outcomes in Fort Worth schools.

Mismatch leaves parents unaware when kids are struggling

Brent Beasley, president of the Fort Worth Education Partnership, said the mismatch between students report card grades and how they do on state tests can leave parents with the mistaken impression that their kids dont need any extra help. When parents see good grades on their kids report cards and dont hear about any problems at school from teachers, most generally assume that everything is fine, he said, but that isnt always the case.

What were learning is getting As and Bs doesnt necessarily mean that kids are learning their ABCs, he said.

Beasley said parents need better access to information about how their kids are doing in school. Most districts in the Fort Worth area dont include either STAAR or MAP test results in their parent portals, he said. The Texas Education Agency has a website where parents can look up how their kids performed on the state test, with detailed information about the particular kinds of questions they missed. But the login process is complicated, requiring a six-digit access code that parents have to get from their kids schools. That leaves many families without access to any information about how their kids are doing other than their report cards, he said.

Fort Worth reading grade mismatch mirrors national trends

The mismatch between Fort Worth parents impressions of how their kids are doing and how they perform on tests is in line with national trends, according to a recent study. In surveys fielded in March, 92% of parents across the country told pollsters they were confident their child was reading at or above grade level, according to a report from the national education advocacy group Learning Heroes. In the same survey, eight in 10 parents said their children brought home all As or Bs on their report cards.

But according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, sometimes known as the Nations Report Card, only about a third of fourth-graders across the country were either proficient or advanced in reading in 2022.

Cindi Williams, co-founder of Learning Heroes, said the group has studied the mindsets of parents of school-aged children for decades. Over time, the results have been essentially the same, she said: More than nine out of 10 parents think their kids are performing at grade level or better both in reading and math. Those results bear out across all racial and ethnic groups and income levels, in all parts of the United States, she said.

The disconnect is consistent across the country, Williams said.

Grades can be a helpful way for parents to see how their kids are doing in school in a general way, Williams said. The problem is that they take into account many factors besides academic performance, she said. Other things, such as whether a student participates in class discussions and whether they get their homework done on time, can influence their grades, but dont necessarily have anything to do with whether theyve mastered the knowledge and skills they should have that year, she said.

A big part of the disconnect comes from how much emphasis parents place on report cards as a way of understanding how the kids are doing, Williams said. In surveys and conversations with parents, the group found that parents generally think report cards are the single best way to know how the kids are performing, she said.

But teachers placed far less emphasis on the importance of report cards. When the group polled educators, they generally said the most important way for parents to know how their kids were doing in school is through regular communication with their childs teacher. Parents identified those conversations as the least important tool, behind other factors, such as graded tests and quizzes and their childs mood or body language. Teachers have access to a number of tools that they can use to see how students are doing day to day, Williams said, but if parents dont talk to teachers regularly, they dont get that information until report card time.

Parents have to be good problem solvers, she said, so when they find out their kids are underperforming in school, theyre usually quick to help. But parents cant solve a problem they dont know they have, she said. If parents dont know they should be talking to their childs teacher regularly, the public education system gives them no other way to get regular updates on how the kids are doing compared to grade-level standards, she said. So kids could be behind for months before their parents know theres a problem, she said.

Passing the babies along

Mire, the Rocketship Dennis Dunkins mom, said the knowledge that her daughter was behind last year helped her walk into this school year ready to help. She met with Malaysias teacher before the school year started to talk about a plan for getting her caught up, she said.

About a month into the school year, Mire said she could already see the beginnings of progress. Malaysias teacher pulls her aside for extra help anytime they have a reading test coming up, and Mire makes the point to read with her daughter every day at home.

LaShanta Mire, left, helps her daughter Malaysia Campbell, 8, and her son Terrance Mire, 4, build their reading skills at the park in the Patriot Pointe Apartments in Fort Worth on Wednesday. After taking a reading assessment over the summer, Campbell was told she has a kindergarten reading level as a third grader despite coming home with As on her report cards.

Reflecting on the reading assessment Malaysia took over the summer, Mire said the results left her alarmed. If she had no idea her daughter was so far behind, she wonders how many parents are in the same situation.

Our kids are behind, she said. And they just passing the babies along.

Disclaimer: The Sid W. Richardson Foundation is a supporter of the Star-Telegrams education coverage. Editorial decisions are made independently.
Steve Geller, a candidate with a well known name in the county, announced Thursday that hes running for Broward Sheriff.

The newly announced candidate isnt that Steve Geller.

Rather hes the doppelganger of County Commissioner Steve Geller, who has won many primaries and general elections in Broward County since his first, in 1988.

I think hes got a good name, said Geller (the commissioner.) He is Steven A. Geller on his campaign paperwork.

I think were both doing our names very proud, said Geller (the candidate for sheriff). He is Steven Andrew Geller  on his paperwork.

Sheriff

Geller (the freshly minted candidate) brings decades of law enforcement experience  he started with the Plantation Police Department in 1991  to his first-ever run for office, in which hes challenging Sheriff Gregory Tony in the August 2024 Democratic primary.

Candidates dont qualify for the Aug. 20, 2024, primary ballot until next spring. The paperwork he filed Thursday allows him to raise and spend money as a candidate. So far, Tony is running, as is David Howard, who also has a law enforcement background.

Broward is so overwhelmingly Democratic that winning the August primary is tantamount to winning the office. (In the last two elections, the Democratic candidate finished 40 points ahead of the Republican.)

I am ready and eager to lead the Broward County Sheriffs office into the future: the era of safety, accountability and trust. My campaign is built on the foundation of strong ethics and morals. As a lifelong advocate for justice and fairness I have dedicated my career to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens, Geller said Thursday outside the Broward County Governmental Center, immediately after he filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections Office.

The principles of integrity, transparency and respect for human rights should guide all of law enforcement,  he said. I am committed to building a sheriffs office that enforces the law, that fosters positive relationships in the community, an agency that helps those in their darkest hour.

At the Plantation Police Department, Geller was a patrol officer, school resource officer at South Plantation High School, and a major case detective and a captain supervising a range of units. After retiring from the Police Department, he went to work as a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2020.

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His last day at FDLE was Sept. 5. Geller said the agency determined he couldnt continue in the job while running for sheriff.

As sheriff, he said he would emphasize proactive policing, intelligence-led investigations, community partnerships, and improved transparency and communication, and better training and supervision of deputies, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers.

Ive been there at night doing night patrols while people were sleeping, keeping people safe. Ive done crisis response team roles in which Ive been there for people who are going through mental health crises. Ive served in many different capacities in law enforcement. I would put my attributes and my accomplishments up against anybody else, he said.

Geller, 55, said he is a lifelong Democrat. He has a bachelors degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and a masters in public administration from Florida Atlantic University. He and his wife live in Weston, and they have two adult children.

Tony and Israel

The sheriff is the highest-profile, most powerful elected official in Broward County  and the sheriffs have often been highly controversial.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Tony in January 2019 at the same time he suspended then-Sheriff Scott Israel. Tony was elected to a full term the next year.

During the 2020 campaign, and since, Tony faced scrutiny for not divulging to DeSantis and on police applications that he shot and killed an 18-year-old man in 1993 when he was a teenager living in a tough neighborhood in Philadelphia. Tony said it was self-defense for which he was absolved of responsibility.

In proceedings that are pending, the Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause to pursue a case into Tony, finding that there were lies and omissions on forms that led him to his first police job in Coral Springs.

Based on the publicly known facts, Geller said DeSantis should suspend Tony. Yes, I believe based on everything that I do know that, yes, he should be suspended.

When DeSantis suspended Israel, a decision upheld by the Florida Senate, he cited incompetence and neglect of duty in connection with the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre and the 2017 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Geller said DeSantis shouldnt have suspended Israel.

I believe Sheriff Israel, if he were to be removed, it should have been by the public and the public only. I believe that the government intervention at that point was not necessary. I believe the community members should have made that decision, he said.

The Geller name

The other Geller has been elected to the state House of Representatives, the state Senate, where he served as Democratic Party leader, and twice to the County Commission  usually winning by double digits. If hes reelected next year, term limits would prevent him from running again.

The Geller whos currently in elected office said hes seen the other Geller at functions where he introduced himself as, Hi, Im the other Steve Geller.

If a Democrat challenges the commissioner in the August 2024 primary, both Gellers will be on the ballot at the same time.

If I get an opponent, it could certainly have an effect on both of our races, Geller said. Nothing I could do to prevent it. He didnt ask me, Do you mind if I run? I dont think he needs permission to use my name when its his name.

With a few exceptions involving a few incumbents who hes known for years and arent likely to have serious opposition, the commissioner isnt making any primary endorsements  including in the sheriffs race  until he knows if hes going to have a contested primary of his own next year.

The sheriff candidate said having the same last name as the commissioner will definitely be an asset to me. But I believe that its up to me to be sure that I make my own name for myself and that I differentiate the position that Im running for so that an uneducated voter will know that there are two of us.

Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Facebook, Threads.net and Post.news.
(CNN)  Elon Musks controversial biotechnology startup Neuralink opened up recruitment for its first human clinical trial Tuesday, according to a company blog.

After receiving approval from an independent review board, Neuralink is set to begin offering brain implants to paralysis patients as part of the PRIME Study, the company said. PRIME, short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, is being carried out to evaluate both the safety and functionality of the implant.

Trial patients will have a chip surgically placed in the part of the brain that controls the intention to move. The chip, installed by a robot, will then record and send brain signals to an app, with the initial goal being to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone, the company wrote.

Those with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the six-year-long study  18 months of at-home and clinic visits followed by follow-up visits over five years. Interested people can sign up in the patient registry on Neuralinks website.

Musk has been working on Neuralinks goal of using implants to connect the human brain to a computer for five years, but the company so far has only tested on animals. The company also faced scrutiny after a monkey died in project testing in 2022 as part of efforts to get the animal to play Pong, one of the first video games.

In his new book about Neuralinks founder, author Walter Isaacson reported that Musk was inspired by science fiction authors such as Iain Banks to pursue a human-machine interface technology called neural lace that is implanted into people and can connect all of their thoughts to a computer.

In May, Neuralink tweeted that it had received FDA clearance for human clinical trials, with the approval acknowledged by the agency in a statement. The opening of human trials also comes over a month after the brain chip startup raised $280 million in a fundraising round led by Founders Fund, a San Francisco-based VC firm established by Peter Thiel, the controversial billionaire who was also a co-founder at PayPal.

Were extremely excited about this next chapter at Neuralink, the company wrote at the time on X, the Musk-owned social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Musk forecasted human trials at the startup at least four times since 2019, yet the company didnt seek FDA approval until 2022. At that time, the agency rejected the bid, according to a March Reuters report, citing safety concerns about parts of the implant migrating to other parts of the brain and possible brain tissue damage when the devices are removed. Musk said at a December recruiting event that Neuralink has submitted most of its paperwork to the US Food and Drug Administration and could begin testing on humans within six months.

But employees told Reuters in December that the company is rushing to market, resulting in careless animal deaths and a federal investigation.

Neuralink did not respond to CNNs request for comment.

Before Neuralinks brain implants hit the broader market, theyll need regulatory approval. The FDA put out a paper in 2021 mapping out the agencys initial thoughts on brain-computer interface devices, noting the field is progressing rapidly.

This story was first published on CNN.com, Neuralink, Elon Musks brain implant startup, set to begin human trials"
The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, where the Parkland school shooting happened in 2018, will be demolished next summer.

District officials made the announcement Thursday afternoon. The intent is to get the area cleared before students return to school in August.

While it hasnt been hashed out, likely plans for the spot include some type of memorial, said schools spokesman John Sullivan.

In preparation for the demolition, crews will clean and clear the building, adhering to state and the Environmental Protection Agencys landfill disposal regulations, he said.

The 1200 building is where a shooter murdered 17 students and staff, and wounded another 17 on Valentines Day 2018.

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The school shooter was sentenced to life in prison in November, a month after a jury rejected a death sentence for him.

Although there was community concern that the building stood for as long as it did, prosecutors said they needed to preserve the crime scene: During the trial against shooter Nikolas Cruz last year, jurors retraced his steps through the building.

School Board Member Debbi Hixon, whose husband was among those killed, was ready to see the building taken down once classes for this current year are over.

I dont live in Parkland so I dont see the building every day, but it is triggering, she said Thursday. When I go, I have to put myself in a certain mindset to be able to go there.

Its one more way to move forward in the healing process, she said. The building now brings memories you would not have to bring to the forefront of your mind.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash
Asian American civil rights organizations are launching a new effort to help monitor and prevent the use of inflammatory anti-Asian political rhetoric, ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

The Stop the Blame campaign, spearheaded by the nonprofit groups Stop AAPI Hate and Chinese for Affirmative Action, kicked off Thursday with a website that includes information on the impact of racist language and policies.

The initiative will ramp up as the election cycle progresses, with the groups monitoring high-profile debates and election stops and publicly holding accountable candidates who use racist speech, according to details first provided to NBC News.

The campaign comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and China, and rhetoric from political leaders and legislation, like Chinese land ownership bans, that have already been deemed by many Asian Americans as discriminatory and racist. Rep. Judy Chu , chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, underscored the campaigns critical timing.

This anti-Asian rhetoric, many times, has to do with politicians who are trying to outdo one another, said Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. They dont care who they hurt in the process.

Cynthia Choi, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and co-executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, said the website not only contains data and research on anti-Asian language, but also a tracker that will document states seeking to pass land ownership bans. At least 33 states have proposed bans on land ownership from the Chinese government, entities or citizens in 2023. The website will additionally feature information on different campaigns and initiatives in individual states that are pushing back on anti-Asian policies.

Its a way for people to get all the information that they need to understand that this is a serious issue, that its going to affect our way of life, and for people to get activated, Choi said.

They will also be calling on Congress to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Currently, Section 702 of the legislation gives U.S. intelligence agencies the authority to acquire communications of non-Americans, who use American communications platforms, without a warrant. The measure has been criticized by many Asian American and other advocacy groups for its potential to be weaponized as a tool to racially profile communities of color.

Weve seen how policies created under the guise of national security are used to scapegoat Asian American communities in the U.S., and they fuel further racism, violence and the erosion of everyones rights, said Ashley Gorski, a senior staff attorney of the National Security Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, which is not a partner in the campaign but shares the campaigns objectives. Under our Constitution, everyone is entitled to equal protection of the law, but were seeing racist policies being promoted on false claims of national security.

Chu said that the racist language frequently circulated during the height of the Covid pandemic, and subsequent heightened violence toward Asian American communities at the time, proved that words matter. But politicians have not learned from the fallout, she said, citing states such as Florida, Louisiana and Alabama that have since passed land ownership bans.

We have had three years of anti-Asian hate due to Covid-19. You would think that they would be more sensitive to the needs of [Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders] in their district. But instead, the opposite is true, Chu, D-Calif., said. They are going a road too far when they are prohibiting individuals who may have nothing to do with that policy from being able to exercise their everyday rights.

Instead of leaning on racist, anti-China rhetoric, Chu said, politicians should be careful with their words, and distinguish between the Chinese government and Chinese individuals. Chu brought up her own experience in which Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, questioned her loyalty to the U.S. Chu had defended Dominic Ng, a Biden appointee, who was featured in an article by the conservative Daily Caller, that alleged he had ties to a Chinese Communist Party front group.

I question her either loyalty or competence. If she doesnt realize whats going on, then shes totally out of touch with one of her core constituencies, Gooden said in an interview with Fox News in February. Im really disappointed and shocked that someone like Judy Chu would have a security clearance and entitled to confidential intelligence briefings until this is figured out.

Chu told NBC News that politicians should refrain from doing such things as pointing the finger at individuals here in the United States.

It was his way of outdoing other politicians, she said.

Gooden did not respond to a request for comment.

Choi said that with the campaign, she hopes to send elected officials the message that scare tactics are not a winning strategy.

The message is that if you attack our rights and put us in harms way, we will take action, she said. We wont stand for it. We will hold you accountable.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Six Democratic lawmakers asked the Education Department to look into the student-loan company MOHELA.

They said paperwork delays could force borrowers who qualifed for PSLF relief back into repayment.

Federal student-loan payments are resuming on October 1.

A group of Democratic lawmakers are concerned student-loan borrowers may soon have to enter repayment  even if they qualify for debt relief.

On Thursday, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey led five of his Democratic colleagues, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, in sending a letter to the education secretary, Miguel Cardona , regarding the treatment of borrowers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. PSLF is intended to forgive student loans of government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments, and borrowers within that program have their loans managed by the student-loan company MOHELA.

The lawmakers, however, wrote in the letter first viewed by Insider that borrowers serviced by MOHELA had reported a range of concerns with the company, including long wait times to contact customer service, issues receiving credit for the qualifying payments they'd made toward PSLF, and delays in getting refunds for borrowers who'd received forgiveness through PSLF.

"With the restart of repayments, these issues are likely to worsen for borrowers," the lawmakers said in the letter.

"As the Department explores ways to ensure that borrowers are held harmless with the restart of repayments, it is vital that you not overlook these issues," they continued. "Borrowers who are eligible to have their debt cancelled under the PSLF program should not be forced back into repayment due solely to MOHELA's processing delays, which cause difficult financial situations for so many borrowers. The Administration assured public service workers across the country that the PSLF program would be fixed, yet MOHELA appears to be continuing a legacy of lost paperwork, long call wait times, and processing errors and delays."

While borrowers approved for relief can request to be placed on forbearance, the lawmakers said, they might not even be aware they have that option.

Sens. Angus King, Alex Padilla, Ed Markey, and Cory Booker were also among the letter's signatories. They requested that before payments resume on October 1, Cardona delivers a response to questions concerning MOHELA, including tools the Education Department has to hold MOHELA accountable for PSLF processing delays, along with current data on call-hold times and abandoned-call rates for borrowers who have contacted the company.

This is not the first time MOHELA has been under scrutiny for its management of federal borrowers' balances. A couple of weeks before the student-loan payment pause ended on September 1, Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Joe Courtney sent a letter to Scott Giles, MOHELA's CEO, similarly expressing concerns with PSLF processing delays that had kept borrowers in repayment limbo.

Some borrowers have also previously told Insider of the hurdles they've encountered when attempting to get a status update on their PSLF applications. One borrower said he simply wanted to confirm the payments he'd made qualified for the program. But instead, he spent hours on hold and never got an answer.

"The first time I tried to call was a 144-minute estimated wait time," he said. "The second time I called was a 149-minute wait. And then, most recently, I tried to call, and it was 50 minutes. And each of these times, I didn't have time to wait. I thought it would be a quicker call. And one time, I stayed on the call for nearly three hours."

While MOHELA is not the only servicer that's been hit with customer service concerns, borrowers in PSLF are relying on it to properly administer debt relief once they qualify and process their paperwork in a timely manner. Scott Buchanan, the executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance  a group that represents federal loan servicers  previously told Insider the delays came down to a lack of resources the Education Department could offer due to limited congressional funding.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The city of Memphis, its police chief and several officers including one charged in the Tyre Nichols killing have been served with a $3 million lawsuit by a business owner who claims police illegally searched his Summer Avenue auto shop last year.

The case goes back to Sept. 22, 2022, when MPD officers working with the Organized Crime Unit searched Sals Tire and Auto Repair. Investigators said they found stolen cars and auto parts, which they said was evidence of a chop shop operation.

Owner of auto repair business accused of operating chop shop

The owner, Salvador Guevara-Reyes, was initially charged with theft of property and violation of the chop shop law, though court records show those charges were dropped by prosecutors in February.

According to a lawsuit filed Wednesday, officers that day entered Sals without probable cause or a search warrant. They then allegedly detained employees and mechanics for an hour, and seized thousands of dollars in property and equipment.

When a search warrant was presented to the owners daughter several hours later, it allegedly only applied to one address, out of several buildings the business occupies that were searched, according to plaintiffs.

Guevara-Reyes was arrested and taken to jail. The officer who allegedly transported him was Tadarius Bean  one of five former MPD officers charged with second-degree murder and federal civil rights violations in the death of Tyre Nichols.

Six other officers are named in the lawsuit, which makes note that the Scorpion Unit, of which Bean was a member, was disbanded due to allegations of constitutional violations.

The suit also alleges that MPD targeted the business owners because they were Hispanic.

The city of Memphis on Thursday declined to respond to pending litigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A tilted car sits above debris in Libya's eastern city of Derna following deadly flash floods MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images

Floods devastated Derna, a port city in eastern Libya, after a storm overwhelmed two of the city's dams.

First responders continue to find bodies a week into the disaster but are having trouble identifying them.

The citizens of Derna have begun to protest the government for their negligence.

After a storm in the eastern city of Derna, Libya, caused flooding that overwhelmed two of the city's dams on September 11, 2023, the process of restoring the city and recovering bodies began as floodwaters receded.

The flooding caused by the breaks in the dams resulted in the death and displacement of thousands, and there are still an estimated 10,000 people missing.

The storm, being referred to as a medicane  a shorter term for Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone  hit Derna so hard that two inland dams collapsed, releasing a deluge of water upon Derna.

As the waters recede, aid agencies are beginning to recover bodies. However, because many bodies have been floating in water or were carried out to sea, they are harder to identify.

At the same time, many of the people of Derna have been displaced. Libyan protestors torched the home of the mayor of Derna, blaming the government for its inability to protect the city from the faulty infrastructure that caused the flood. As a result, the administration governing eastern Libya has suspended the mayor and fired the entire city council.

Tropical storm Daniel destroyed two dams along the coast of Derna, causing flooding that has resulted in the estimated deaths of 11,000 people, with thousands still missing.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods in Derna, Libya. Halil Fidan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The flood effectively bisected the city of Derna, flipping cars, destroying buildings, and killing thousands in its wake.

A view of a man walking among a destroyed building in Libya's eastern city of Derna. KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Aerial shots of Derna show the devastating impact of the floods, erasing roads and burying cars, making it harder to evacuate the city.

A before and after aerial photo of an area of Derna impacted by the floods. Maxar Technologies

Since the floods happened, international first responders have been aiding in the rescue and recovery.

Russian first responders walk past a destroyed building in Derna. KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

International rescue teams are calling for more aid in the efforts to retrieve the bodies of the victims.

Divers have begun looking for bodies in the sea, where it is believed many of the bodies were washed away after the tsunami-sized wall of water descended upon Derna.

Members of the Emirati rescue team dive in the sea to retrieve bodies in Libya's eastern port city of Derna. KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Because some bodies have been in the sea for a week or more, identifying them has become a challenge for rescue teams, according to BBC.

Rescue teams look for flash flood victims in the city of Derna. Photo/Yousef Murad

Bodies are still washing ashore a week later, and the time spent in saltwater has left many of them unrecognizable.

As rescuers scan the bodies for identifying marks, they also swab the bodies for DNA samples in the event that there are living family members to claim the bodies.

While rescuers search for the dead, the living are dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

A survivor prays over the rubble of her destroyed house in Derna. KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Some volunteers helped by digging mass graves for the bodies that are still being found around the city or in the sea. As the dead are buried, people offer prayers for the hundreds of buried citizens of Derna.

Survivors have begun protests against a government they believe was negligent in repairing infrastructure and implementing flood warnings.

Demonstrators take part in protest outside of the Al-Sahaba mosque against the government. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Officials have admitted that a contract to repair the dams in 2007 was never completed due to "insecurity in the region."

The government overseeing eastern Libya has suspended Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaith and all members of the Derna city council have been dismissed.

Demonstrators stand on a damaged car as a part of a protest outside of the Al-Sahaba mosque. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Later the same day, protesters torched the house of Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi.

Residents say that the disaster could have been prevented. The New York Times reported that for years, the dams protecting Derna from floodwaters "were in danger of giving way."

As protests continue, the UN is worried about another potential crisis in Libya: disease.

A relative of a survivor of the recent flooding in Libya's eastern city of Derna walks along a corridor at the Benghazi Medical Centre hospital. OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

On September 19, the UN warned that the floods could result in a "second devastating crisis" as a result of contaminated water in Derna.

There are currently nine UN agencies working in Derna right now to prevent the outbreak of disease and infections from contaminated water.

So far, 150 people  55 of whom are children  have fallen ill after drinking contaminated water.

A car, carried away by the flood water, is seen at the seafront in Derna. REUTERS/Zohra Bensema

A vaccination program targeted against "diseases that usually occur after disasters" is currently underway, Othman Abduljaleel, the health minister of Libya's eastern government, said on September 17.

On September 18, the Biden administration released a statement that the US government is providing $11 million in aid to local and international organizations working in Libya.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods in Derna. Halil Fidan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Read the original article on Insider
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 family died following a fiery crash in Oklahoma, along with a passenger, police said.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., of Streamwood, Illinois, tried to elude authorities after a digital license plate detector spotted him Wednesday in Catoosa, Oklahoma, but he crashed the vehicle, and it caught fire, police said. It's unclear whether the crash, or gunfire officers heard at the crash scene, killed him and the woman who was his passenger.

Huey, 32, was suspected in the deaths of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei and their two sons, ages 7 and 9. They were believed 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 member did not show for work that morning and phone calls went unanswered, police said.

The names of the children have not been released. Three dogs were also found dead, news outlets reported.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses describes the couple 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 victims and Huey had a relationship, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne told reporters at a news conference, but did not elaborate. Investigators believe they know Huey's motive but have not disclosed it.

Officers who were at the crash scene heard two noises, believed to be gunshots, and both the man and the passenger had a gunshot wound, Burne said at Wednesdays news conference. An Oklahoma state investigator said that the passenger was a woman and that the nature of their relationship was being investigated.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Wednesday night on Facebook that did not include Huey's name that the driver was pronounced dead at the crash scene after the vehicle struck a concrete barrier. His passenger later died at a hospital, it said.

The Oklahoma medical examiners office will identify them and determine their cause of death, the statement 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. There are no other suspects at this point, he said.

Streamwood is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Chicago and the same distance north of Romeoville.

Cristiana Espinoza, 25, said she filed the missing person report Tuesday afternoon for the woman, saying she had been concerned about her safety.

I know she left with him willingly about 4 p.m. Tuesday, Espinoza said in a telephone interview. 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. She did not discuss the nature of their relationship.

Hunter McKee, spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, said the agency was called in to help the Catoosa Police Department after the suspect's vehicle was spotted by a digital license plate detector.

Catoosa officers saw the suspects vehicle, but no one was inside, McKee said. As officers watched it, two people got in and drove away. Police began pursuing it, and the driver crashed into the barrier.

The family's death marks the 35th mass killing in the U.S. this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press 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.

___

Ken Kusmer reported from Indianapolis and Corey Williams from West Bloomfield, Michigan. Contributing to this report were Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, and AP news researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York.
A man being sought in connection to the shooting deaths of a family of four in a Chicago suburb over the weekend was found dead in a burning car in Oklahoma on Wednesday, authorities said.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood, Illinois, was identified as a credible person of interest in the Sunday night slaying hours after it occurred, Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a news conference. Police previously said the familytwo adults, their two children, and their three dogswere likely deliberately targeted.

Also identified as a person of interest in the investigation was an unnamed Streamwood woman with a relationship to Huey, Burne said. The woman was reported missing and endangered by her family on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning, police in Catoosa, Oklahomamore than 600 miles from Romeovilleused a license plate reader to spot a vehicle linked to Huey in their jurisdiction. When officers attempted to stop the car, it sped away. The chase resulted in a single-car crash of the suspect vehicle, causing the vehicle to catch on fire, according to Burne.

Officers on the scene then heard two shots, Burne said. A woman with a gunshot wound in the passenger seat was pulled out of the burning vehicle. She was listed in critical condition on Wednesday.

A man with a gunshot wound, believed to be Huey, was found dead in the drivers seat, according to a police statement.

BREAKING: Illinois quad-murder suspect dies in a fiery crash on I-44 near the Hard Rock Casino. Catoosa police tried to stop the suspect, who took off and crashed. Officers say he shot a woman in the car after the crash, but they were able to rescue her. @kfor (1/2) pic.twitter.com/2oTm3fnbGx  Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023

Burne said that evidence collected by investigators reflected a nexus between Huey and the victims, previously identified by police as Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two boys, ages 7 and 9, as well as [a] possible motive.

An internal police bulletin dated Sunday and obtained by ABC 7 Chicago states that Huey had extensive firearms training. It describes him as irrational and erratic.

State business license records reflect that Huey owned a private security company called Black Bear Security, LLC. The business was involuntarily dissolved earlier this month, CBS 2 reported.

The companys Facebook page posted a number of photos showing Huey armed, according to ABC 7. Other images on the page showed guns, ammunition magazines, and a knife emblazoned with the phrase I can and I will.

Richard Hackworth, a neighbor of Hueys and the woman, told the Chicago Tribune that he was very surprised to hear of Hueys alleged involvement in the murders.

I never even could think of him doing that, Hackworth said. He was a happy, fun guy.

Burne said Wednesday that police do not believe there are any other suspects in the case. The investigation, led by Romeoville police with assistance from the Will County Major Crimes Task Force, remains ongoing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LEAVENWORTH, Kan.  A Kansas inmate is found guilty in connection to the 2019 stabbing of an other inmate inside the Lansing Correctional Facility in Leavenworth County.

Lee B. Jacobs, 42, who is associated with white supremacist groups, was found guilty of attempted aggravated battery and trafficking contraband in a correctional facility during a plea hearing Wednesday, according to Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Jacobs pleaded no contest on the charges.

According to court documents, Jacobs and another inmate, Andrew Hogue, were charged following the attack that occurred in April 2019 in the maximum custody dining hall.

Major developments announced in four KCK cold case murders

Jacobs and Hogue were seen hitting the victim during a fight that lasted several minutes.

The victim was stabbed multiple times with an improvised device.

Jacobs, Hogue and the victim were members of the Kansas Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist gang in the prison system, according to Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

A coded message was used to order the attack on the victim, who had fallen out of favor with the gang. The victim survived the injuries he sustained during the attack.

Kansas City Royals delay decision on new stadium site

Hogue was convicted of aggravated battery following a guilty plea in April 2022 for his role in the attack.

A sentencing hearing for Jacobs is scheduled for November 8.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Five Bulgarian nationals suspected of spying for Russia will be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, are set to be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state.

They espionage is said to have taken place between August 30 2020 and February 8 2023.

Roussev, Dzhambazov and Ivanova were previously charged on February 11 2023 with possession of false identity documents with improper intention under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010.

Nick Price, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.

Criminal proceedings against the five individuals are active and they each have the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.

The five defendants will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on September 26. The charges follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Last month Scotland Yard said it had arrested three men and two women on suspicion of an offence under the Official Secrets Act on February 8. All five were initially bailed.

Three of the individuals, Roussev of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Dzhambazov of Harrow, north west London, and Ivanova of the same address, have been charged with an offence under the Identity Documents Act.



The charges were first reported by the BBC and relate to documents including passports, identity cards and other documents for the UK, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and the Czech Republic.

The trio have reportedly lived in the UK for years and worked in a variety of jobs, a BBC investigation found.



Mr Roussev has a history of business interests in Russia and moved to the UK in 2009, according to the BBC.

He is said to have worked in a technical role for a financial services company for three years, and a LinkedIn profile states that he owned a business involved in the interception of communications or electronic signals.



The 45-year-old has also claimed to have worked as an adviser to the Bulgarian ministry of energy, it is reported.

While Dzhambazov was described as a driver for hospitals by former neighbours in Harrow, Ivanova said she was a laboratory assistant for a private health business on a LinkedIn profile.



The couple reportedly moved to the UK around a decade ago and ran a community organisation for Bulgarian nationals to help familiarise them with the culture and norms of British society.



The BBC, citing online Bulgarian state documents, reported that the couple also worked for electoral commissions in London to facilitate voting in Bulgarian elections by nationals living abroad.

News of the arrests emerged after the head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police warned that officers were increasingly dealing with threats from hostile states such as Russia, China and Iran in a shift in focus away from Islamist extremism.

Previous high-profile Russian intelligence operations in the UK include the poisoning of defector Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the deadly nerve agent Novichok in 2018.

The Skripals were targeted in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and were treated in hospital along with Nick Bailey, a responding detective, but survived the attack. Dawn Sturgess, who was unconnected to the Skripals, died after being exposed to Novichok.

Last month, Sir Richard Moore, the MI6 chief, issued an unprecedented call to Russians disaffected by Vladimir Putins sheer callous incompetence to spy for the UK.

Sir Richard launched a recruitment campaign for defectors to bring the bloodshed to an end in Ukraine, telling them: Our door is always open. Come and talk to us.

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.
(CNN)  Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh accepted a ceasefire proposal made by Russian peacekeepers Wednesday, a day after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the disputed territory.

Azerbaijan on Tuesday began what it called an anti-terrorist campaign against separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, which local officials said killed hundreds By Wednesday night, the death toll had reached at least 200, including 10 civilians, and more than 400 injured, the office of the Ombudsman in the Armenian-controlled territory said.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region that 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 Azerbaijans 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.

The ceasefire was due to begin at 1 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) Wednesday, Nagorno-Karabakhs presidential office announced.

An agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops, the dissolution and complete disarmament of the armed formations, it said in a statement.

Azerbaijans defense ministry said it had agreed to suspend its operation, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Azerbaijan said officials would meet representatives of the Armenian community in Nagorno-Karabakh on Thursday in the city of Yevlakh, to discuss reintegration issues under the constitution and laws of Azerbaijan.

The Nagorno-Karabakh presidency said its forces were outnumbered several times over as it attempted to defend the region from Azerbaijani troops on Tuesday.

Regrettably, the Defense Army has casualties too, while in some parts the enemy succeeded in penetrating Defense Army outposts, capturing several heights and strategic road junctions, it said.

In the current situation, the international communitys actions in the direction of ending the war and resolving the situation are insufficient. Taking this into consideration, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the Russian peacekeeping contingents command regarding a ceasefire, the Nagorno-Karabakh Presidential Office said, according to Armenpress.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his government had no role in brokering the agreement.

In a television address, Pashinyan said that the text of the agreement erroneously mentions the Armenian Armed Forces, whereas Armenia doesnt maintain any military presence in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia has not had an army in Nagorno-Karabakh since August 2021. But in any case, we note this statement and that the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have accepted it, Pashinyan said.

Armenias foreign ministry rejected Bakus claims that Azerbaijani troops had come under systematic shelling from Armenias armed forces, saying in a statement Tuesday that Armenia only provides humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh, rather than military.

Later, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said his campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh was successful, in restoring Azerbaijans territorial integrity.

In a national address on Wednesday, the president praised Azerbaijans military for showing heroism and professionalism in difficult terrain and achieving military successes in all directions.

Aliyev said he ordered Azerbaijani troops to destroy military targets, not civilian infrastructure. There were than 100 tanks and armoured vehicles and 200 artillery and anti-aircraft weaponry inside Nagorno-Karabakh during the operation, according to Aliyev.

He said that Azerbaijan accepted the ceasefire, but accused Armenia of initially violating that agreement. He said Armenian troops began withdrawing at 6:05 p.m. UTC (2:05 p.m. ET).

Russias influence

The region has been the cause of two wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the past three decades. The most recent war broke out in 2020 and lasted 44 days before Moscow negotiated a ceasefire. Under the terms of this agreement, Russia deployed around 2,000 peacekeepers to the region to prevent further conflict.

However, Russias peacekeeping contingent has been accused of failing to implemented the ceasefire. In December 2022, Azerbaijan-backed activists established a military checkpoint along the Lachin corridor  the only road linking Nagorno-Karabkh to Armenia. The region has since been under a blockade, preventing the imports of food and medicine to residents.

A former International Criminal Court chief prosecutor said in August there is reasonable basis to believe that genocide is being committed against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

After Azerbaijan launched fresh missile, artillery and drone strikes Tuesday, Armenias Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to fulfill their obligations to protect Nagorno-Karabakh, according to state-owned Armenpress.

Asked to respond to this criticism during a media briefing on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: Such accusations against us are unfounded, they are not based on anything.

Peskov said Moscow is in dialogue with both Baku and Yerevan and continues its efforts to aide the ethnic Armenians living in Karabakh. Russias defense ministry said it had evacuated around 2,000 civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh overnight Tuesday.

Peskov also revealed Moscow is in the process of 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.

Russias defense ministry said in a statement that its peacekeeping contingent is continuing to perform its duties in aggravated conditions.

Prevention of bloodshed, compliance with humanitarian law in relation to civilians, as well as ensuring the safety of the Russian peacekeeping contingent are discussed, it added.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ethnic Armenians accept Russia ceasefire plan after Azerbaijan offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh"
Denis Kazungu, in Kicukiro Primary Court in Kigali, Rwanda, Thursday, Sept.21, 2023. A suspected serial killer in Rwanda on Thursday pleaded guilty at a court on Thursday, saying he killed 14 people. Most of the victims were women. Denis Kazungu, 34, admitted guilt to charges that included murder, rape and robbery. He appeared at the Kicukiro Court in the capital, Kigali, and didn't appear to show any emotion during the hearing.(AP Photo/Rashid Bugiranfura)

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP)  A serial killer in Rwanda pleaded guilty at a court Thursday, saying he killed 14 people. Most of the victims were women.

Denis Kazungu, 34, admitted guilt to charges that included murder, rape and robbery. He appeared at the Kicukiro Court in the capital, Kigali.

Kazungu smiled as police led him into the courtroom, but he didn't appear to show any other emotion during the hearing.

Police discovered 12 bodies at this home, but he said that he killed an additional two people whose bodies haven't been found.

The victims include 11 women and one man, authorities said. The sex of the other two people Kazungu said he killed wasn't immediately clear.

Kazungu didnt have a lawyer at the hearing and he's expected to appear in court again on Tuesday.

Police alleged that the suspect lured people from bars to his home in a suburb of Kigali.

Though identities of his victims haven't been officially released, a woman has appeared in local media interviews claiming to have escaped from Kazungu.

Authorities say the suspect used different names in a bid to conceal his true identity. Police found the bodies after Kazungu's landlord went to authorities for help because he wasn't being paid rent.
Ukraine has received 10 Swedish variants of Leopard 2A5 tanks known as Stridsvagn 122, manned by Ukrainian crews trained in Sweden, the Swedish military announced on Sept. 21.

"We have given them all that we can in terms of great materiel and good knowledge," Operations Commander of Sweden's Army Staff Mats Ludvig said.

"We wish them all the luck in the world and that they succeed in freeing their country."

Sweden announced the decision to send 10 of its Stridsvagn 122 vehicles, Leopard tanks licensed by Sweden and with additional modifications, on the first anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2023.

Stockholm also provided training to Ukrainian crews on the vehicles on Swedish soil. According to the Swedish military's press statement, the tanks were delivered to Ukraine some time ago, without specifying the exact date.

Before this donation, the Swedish military fielded 120 Stridsvagn 122 tanks in its arsenal, meaning that almost a tenth have been donated to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression.

Several other partners have provided Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, including Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Denmark.

Read also: Media: Denmark, Netherlands buy 14 Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FILE - In this photo taken late Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, police officers work near the scene of a shooting, in Malmo, Sweden. A 13-year-old boy from the suburbs of Stockholm who was found dead in the woods near his home earlier this month, was the latest victim of a deadly gang war in Sweden where the group, warring over arms and drug trafficking, reportedly are recruiting children. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP, File)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  A 13-year-old boy found dead in woods near his home in the suburbs of Stockholm earlier this month was the latest victim of a deadly gang war in Sweden, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Milo, who was only identified by his first name, had been shot in the head in a chilling example of "gross and completely reckless gang violence, prosecutor Lisa dos Santos said. He is believed to have been shot in Haninge, south of Stockholm. She declined to give further details due to the ongoing investigation.

Swedish media, which have published photos of Milo with the permission of his family, said the body had been moved to the woods after the boy  who was not known to the police  was killed. He was reported missing on Sept. 8 and his body was found by a passerby three days later.

Criminal gangs have become a growing problem in Sweden, with an increasing number of drive-by shootings, bombings and grenade attacks. Most of the violence is in Swedens three largest cities: Stockholm, Goteborg and Malmo.

As of Sept. 15, police had counted 261 shootings in Sweden this year, of which 34 were fatal and 71 people were wounded.

In September alone, the Scandinavian country saw four shootings, three of them fatal, in Uppsala, west of Stockholm, and in the Swedish capital. One of the victims was the 13-year-old Milo.

In June, a man with an automatic weapon opened fire in the early morning outside the entrance to a subway station in Farsta, a suburb south of Swedens capital, and struck four people.

A 15-year-old boy died shortly after of his wounds, with the second victim, a 43-year-old man, dying later. Two men in their 20s were later arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Sweden's Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer then said that more than 20 shots had been fired and described the shooting as domestic terrorism.

The violence reportedly is fueled by a feud between a dual Turkish-Swedish man who lives in Turkey and his former lieutenant whose mother, a woman in her 60s, was shot Sept. 7 and later died of her wounds.

Swedens center-right government has been tightening laws to tackle gang-related crime, while the head of Sweden's police said earlier this month that warring gangs had brought an unprecedented wave of violence to the Scandinavian country.

Several boys aged between 13 and 15 have been killed, the mother of a criminal was executed at home, and a young man in Uppsala was shot dead on his way to work, police chief Anders Thornberg told a news conference on Sept. 13. He estimated that some 13,000 people are linked to Sweden's criminal underworld.

Swedish police said that seen from the criminals point of view, there are several advantages to recruiting young people. A child is not controlled by the police in the same way as an adult. Nor can a child be convicted of a crime. A young person can also be easier to influence and exploit.
The Florida Keys sheriff on Thursday warned state transportation officials that people driving on the only highway spanning the entirety of the island chain are in danger because of underground utility work that has left part of the road in shambles for weeks.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, in a letter obtained by the Miami Herald, told Florida Department of Transportation District 6 Secretary Stacy Miller that patchwork to cover over AT&T trenches has resulted in a two-mile stretch of U.S. 1 worse than a third world country and is a hazard for and to public safety.

After AT&T completes the work for the day, steel plates are placed over the trenches in the ground that protrude well above the normal road, Ramsay wrote. In all, he said there are about nine areas along the highway between mile markers 20 and 23 in the Lower Keys that have become hazards due to the ongoing work.

To avoid going over the top of the plates and possibly popping tires, Ramsay said drivers are traveling in turn lanes and veering into oncoming traffic. He said that hes contacted FDOT in the past few weeks about the problem, but has not received a response.

I cannot wait any longer as this is a potential for loss of life, so I am noticing you as the decision maker in this matter, Ramsay wrote.

He also worries about a potential deadly motorcycle crash because the stretch of road is not well lit at night and bikers are likely unable to see where the highway becomes uneven.

I am requesting that FDOT immediately send a road safety team to respond to this area to assess the road conditions as well as address the safety concerns that I and others have raised, Ramsay wrote.

FDOT did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the project or Ramsays letter.

An AT&T spokesperson responded to the Heralds questions about the project that our goal is to minimize the impact of our work on residents.

Our contractors follow all necessary safety procedures and the plates are currently placed per FDOT standards, the statement continues. Additionally, FDOT safety personnel are on site regularly to monitor the progress of the road repair work.

The company did not immediately respond to a follow-up question asking about the purpose for the work or when its scheduled to be completed.

For those who live and work in the area, the work and scarred roads have become a significant disruption.

That area is like a minefield, said Sandra Sujak from Key West. There is no way to get through there.

Sandy Sweitzer Anderson said she drives the route daily. In the days after workers repave the road, its derivable, she said. But other days, I think Ive blown a tire, she said.

Tony Difolco lives on Cudjoe Key at mile marker 22, right in the center of the work area. He said crews border the steel plates with asphalt when they finish for the night, making the road bumpy as hell. Then, there are smaller holes in between the plates that make conditions worse, he said.

Bottom line, they need to fix it, because it is bad, Difolco said.
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  When the coronavirus pandemic began over three years ago, direct flights between Tijuana and China were grounded, and they have yet to resume.

But theres a drive now to get those flights off the ground once again.

Yu Yue, Chinas Consul General in Tijuana, stated there are ongoing talks to reactivate the flights.

She said both countries want this to happen as a way to promote tourism and business opportunities in both countries.

AMLO to limit flights in and out of Mexico Citys main airport

Were also looking at setting the pricing, said Yue. Were studying this possibility as a way to benefit both countries and although there are some technical problems that need to be worked out, Im optimistic well get this direct flight started once again.

Currently, those wanting to fly to and from Mexico and China have to make connections through other cities in Latin America and Asia.

Tijuana to Peking and vice versa would be the only direct flights between Mexico and China.

Yue said there are no problems with the infrastructure at Tijuanas airport, but would not disclose the technical issues preventing the flights from happening.

She also stated there is no timeline for the flights to resume.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

But according to Eduardo Gonzalez Perez, director of Tijuanas airport, its anticipated the flights will restart in less than two months.

In order for this to begin, we need to get the airlines set up, said Gonzalez Perez. There is mutual interest and they know we can accommodate them here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Two Las Vegas teenagers who are accused of leaving a bicyclist to die after they intentionally hit him with a car are now linked to two other hit-and-run cases that day, police announced Tuesday.

Lt. Jason Johansson of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said at a news conference that investigators found evidence the two teens who allegedly struck 64-year-old Andreas Probst on Aug. 14 also intentionally hit another cyclist and a white Toyota Corolla.

Both teens are now charged with murder in connection to Probsts death, police said.

The hit-and-run victim, Andreas

The hit-and-run victim, Andreas "Andy" Probst, a retired police chief from the Los Angeles area, is shown in a photo shared by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The teen suspected of being the driver was taken into custody on Aug. 14 after police received a report of a stolen vehicle. The other teen was arrested after a shocking video circulated on social media and picked up by local news outlets appeared to show the two teens in the car as it struck Probst, a retired police chief from Bell, California. One of the teens can be heard saying, Yeah, hit his ass.

Johansson said investigators received the video from a school resource officer who was approached by a student. Within hours of reviewing the video, police began investigating Probsts death as a homicide instead of a bike accident. Authorities then obtained a search warrant for a teens home, where they said they found more evidence linking the pair to the theft of the car they were driving and the hit-and-runs.

Taylor Probst, Andreas Probsts daughter, also spoke at the news conference on Tuesday and described her father as an honorable man who served 35 years as a police officer but died from a senseless murder.

The daughter of the bicyclist, Taylor Probst, speaks at a news conference Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The daughter of the bicyclist, Taylor Probst, speaks at a news conference Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Right-wing figures criticized local media coverage in the immediate aftermath of Probsts death  before the viral video footage became public. Some began a harassment campaign against a Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter who had actually directed a source to report the video to the police. Others said the coverage was anti-white. (The teenagers in the video appeared to be Black, and Probst was white.)

Probsts daughter addressed the right-wing outrage by saying that her fathers death was a random act and should not be used to fuel a political agenda.

We as a family in no way feel that Andys murder was based on race or profession, Taylor Probst said. It was a random act of violence. We ask you to not politicize or use Andys murder to fuel political agendas or to create cultural wars.

Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson told reporters on Tuesday that he is confident that the two teenagers will be tried as adults based on state law.

In the criminal justice system, if you are a minor and you are eligible to be charged with the crime of murder, you are automatically sent to the adult system, Wolfson said.

Related...
A Tennessee city council approved a motion this week allowing its members to begin carrying concealed firearms during council meetings.

The move in Athens, Tennessee, came after nearly 20 minutes of discussion and is likely to spark ongoing debate. Tennessee has been at the center of high-profile debates over firearms in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville in March and a special legislative session in August aimed at public safety.

Athens, a city of 14,000 residents about 60 miles south of Knoxville, is the county seat of McMinn County.

Vice Mayor Larry Eaton pushed the measure to allow members to carry guns over concerns for his personal safety. The motion would only allow for council members to carry concealed weapons who have a permit and would not include city residents attending meetings.

"This is something that I think that needs to be done because of some of the events that have been happening," Eaton said.

Eaton told The Tennessean he began receiving threats after the city's library removed an LGBTQ display and books Eaton believed to be "pornographic," saying the children's book detailed sexual acts.

Following the display and book removal, Eaton said he has received verbal threats and what he calls written threats after people wrote "F---k Larry Eaton in Bibles."

"If they're willing to deface a Bible in this area, knowing that really upsets a lot of people, what would they do next," Eaton said. "We're in the Bible belt."

Since the display's removal in June, Eaton said he and mayor Steven Sherlin were accused of trying to defund the library, something he said the city has a maintenance agreement and cannot do. He said he was not responsible for the removal of the display or books, saying he mentioned the books being "pornographic" to the library board.

During Tuesday's meeting, council member Dick Pelley asked Eaton if he did not feel safe with police present at meetings.

"No, I don't," Eaton replied. "I've been right outside when the police was threatened ... there's no police officers on the outside. We have had the former city manager have one of the councilpersons escorted out with police."

Eaton said he was physically threatened in the presence of police outside of city hall. Eaton said officers did not give him a police report to fill out.

"I don't think I have adequate protection upon myself or my family, especially if they are going into the chambers," Eaton said.

While he believes Athens Police do the best they can to serve, there is only one officer for security during council meetings and the police chief who is there to deliver monthly reports. Adding more would be challenging as Eaton said the department is down between four and six officers.

Adding metal detectors was another option, but one Eaton said would be too costly.

Council member Frances Witt-McMahan said during the meeting she lives in a house divided when it comes to gun ownership. Tuesday she said she had to vote on the motion with her beliefs.

"I can't agree to vote to have guns here," Witt-McMahan said. "I would like to believe that our police chief and any of the officers and even the two gentlemen on the other door are going to react or act in our best interest if we were threatened."

Witt-McMahan said she was the council member escorted out by police before, but has faith in the police to do their job.

Tennessee gun laws: What to know about how they are different from other states

One concern council member Jordan Curtis mentioned was granting carrying permission to council members and not the rest of the people in the building and audience.

Being an elected official, Eaton said he knows people will disagree with his stance on issues in the city, he encourages those rights. But he said the level of hatred he believes has been directed towards he and Sherlin have made him fear for his safety.

Sherlin said it is nobody's business whether he has a concealed weapon or not.

"I don't see a problem with council carry if they want, if they want to carry it. I've always felt like teachers ought to be able to carry guns," Sherlin said. "It's lawful. I don't see a problem with it at all with whoever wants to carry."

Sherlin said he believes the death toll would have been lower during mass shootings at schools had teachers carried guns.

Witt-McMahan said if carrying inside city hall were lawful, the council would not have to vote to allow for members to carry concealed firearms.

Pelley said he will never carry or touch a gun. He said he would support those authorized with a permit to carry.

"I have no problem with helping vice mayor Eaton feel a little safe, and if he feels safe carrying one of those horrible things, then I will support him being able to carry one of those things," Pelley said.

The motion passed 3-1 with the lone dissenting vote from Witt-McMahan. Curtis abstained from voting.

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: Athens, Tennessee, council members to carry guns during meetings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) sent a letter to Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Haggarty, [sic] supporting, elimination of the militarys funding of travel and other expenses for military members to obtain abortions.

Ragan wrote it was a pattern of overbearing, woke ultimatumslike accommodating trans-sexuals.

I understand that the morale of the troops is something that needs to be considered, Ragan said. In this particular case, I dont feel that it was.

The move comes as Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) is holding up hundreds of military promotions over the militarys abortion policy.

Ragans support letter then infuriated House Minority Leader Karen Camper (D-Memphis).

I was outraged, to be honest with you, Camper said. I was upset that we were politicizing the military.

Both Ragan and Camper served in the military for more than 20 years a pieceCamper in the Army and Ragan in the Air Force.

The Oak Ridge Republican said Tennesseans shouldnt be paying taxes for something they ideologically disagree with.

The funding for that should not be for taxpayer expense. Now, I personally am opposed to abortion, Ragan said. However, it is a state-determined function, and there are states that allow it.

Its a notion Camper took offense with.

Its my money, too. The very taxpayers hes talking about, its their money, too, she said. There are some people that dont want their tax dollars to pay for a stealth fighter they just couldnt find, but it does.

Camper is referring to an incident over the weekend where the Marine Corps lost an F-35 stealth fighter jet after a mishap forced the pilot to eject. The military then found it late Monday evening.

Ragan said he was simply sharing his opinion, something Camper should respect.

While shes entitled to her opinion, she should allow me to be entitled to mine, Ragan said. The womens healthcare issue is a bogus, false-flag operation in my opinion. What about the healthcare of the unborn child?

Camper said her frustration wasnt so much borne of the letter itself  though she admitted anger at that, too  but more so over the fact that Ragan sent it to the Tennessee Veterans Caucus. The Caucus, which consists of lawmakers who served in the armed forces, was co-founded by Camper.

If he had just decided, Im just going to send this letter, this is just my opinion, I may not even have known about the letter, she said. But when it came into my email box asking me to co-sign onto something thats as egregious as that was, in my opinion  because [my opinion] counts, too.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
In the wake of his impeachment acquittal, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton floated a potential primary challenge against Republican Sen. John Cornyn , who is up for re-election in 2026.

To me, hes been in Washington too long. Hes been there, what, for 14 years or so? And I cant think of a single thing hes accomplished for our state or even for the country, Paxton said Wednesday in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson .

Asked whether he would run, Paxton said, Everythings on the table for me.

I think its time somebody needs to step up and run against this guy that will do the job and do it the right way and represent us and worry about whats going on, he said.

Cornyn's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paxton also hit at the Biden administration over his impeachment and trial, alleging without evidence that it was behind the unsuccessful effort to remove him from office.

So you think that the effort to remove you from office really came from the Biden administration? Carlson asked.

I really do, Paxton said, adding he thinks the administration instigated efforts to impeach him.

Paxton pointed to a lawsuit he filed that sought to invalidate Joe Bidens election victory in four battleground states, as well as other lawsuits he filed against the Biden administrations policies.

We were a huge problem for the Biden administration, and that was a way to get me out of the way, Paxton said.

The Texas Senate last week acquitted Paxton on 16 impeachment articles over allegations of corruption. The Republican-controlled Texas House voted in May to impeach him by an overwhelming margin over allegations that he accepted bribes from campaign donor and developer Nate Paul. He was also accused of improperly firing employees who reported his actions to federal authorities and misusing government funds to dispute their allegations.

Paxton pleaded not guilty this month to the articles of impeachment, which included allegations of corruption, abuse of public trust and misuse of public funds.

Tensions between Cornyn and Paxton have spilled out into the open in recent years amid Paxtons legal woes. During Paxtons re-election campaign last year, Cornyn, who previously was Texas attorney general, slammed his scandals as an embarrassment, according to The Texas Tribune. Cornyn doubled down on his criticisms of Paxton during his impeachment trial, telling reporters this month that the allegations were deeply disturbing.

Before he was acquitted, Paxton's allies vowed retribution against Republicans who voted to impeach him, while former President Donald Trump voiced support for him.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Lighting strikes and dust blows from an incoming thunderstorm as hundreds of migrants line up under the Puente Negro Ferrocarril train bridge in Eagle Pass, waiting to surrender to authorities after wading across the Rio Grande into the U.S. on Sept. 15. Credit: REUTERS/Adrees Latif

EL PASO  Thousands of migrants have crossed from Mexico to Eagle Pass and El Paso in the past few days, with both cities struggling to find shelter for the new arrivals as immigration officials process and release many of them into the border cities.

In Eagle Pass, Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr., signed an emergency declaration on Tuesday night to allow the city of about 30,000 to get state resources and funding to handle the number of migrants being released by immigration officials. He told The New York Times that on Wednesday as many as 2,500 migrants crossed into Eagle Pass.

We need the extra help, the funding, Salinas told the Times. We are losing. Every day the bridge is closed we are losing money.

In July federal agents encountered an average of 817 migrants each day in the Del Rio sector, which includes Eagle Pass, according to government data.

On Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which processes people and vehicular traffic at ports of entry, said in a statement that it temporarily closed one of the three international bridges to traffic so agents could help Border Patrol process hundreds of migrants, many of whom were being held under one of the bridges connecting Eagle Pass and Mexico.

In response to this influx in encounters, we will continue to surge all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants, the statement said. We will maximize consequences against those without a legal basis to remain in the United States. CBP will continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation.

Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said in a social media post Wednesday night that the mayor has once again allowed police officers, including state troopers, to arrest migrants crossing the river into the citys Shelby Park.

Due to the unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants crossing between the ports of entry, DPS Troopers & @TXMilitary will regain control, support local, county, & federal authorities, & maintain an enforcement posture, Olivarez wrote.

The mayor in June declared the park private property to allow state troopers to arrest migrants for trespassing. But that decision came under intense criticism after a DPS medic told his superiors that troopers had been ordered to push migrants back into the river and deny them water, and that the razor wire installed along the riverbank by the state had seriously injured migrants.

The mayor joined the rest of the city council in voting to rescind that decision in July. Salinas Jr. didnt respond to a request for comment by the Tribune on Thursday.

In the months after the emergency health order known as Title 42, which immigration officials used to turn away many migrants at the border, expired on May 11, the number of migrant apprehensions dramatically dropped. But in the past few weeks, the number has skyrocketed.

According to CBS News, which cited unpublished federal government data, immigration officials on average made 6,900 apprehensions per day along the southern border in the first 20 days of September  a 60% increase from the daily average in July.

The scenes at the border this week are reminiscent of a similar influx of migrants two years ago in Del Rio, where immigration officials struggled to process 15,000 migrants, many of them Haitian. It took officials nearly a week to process or deport most of the migrants, who were held under an international bridge for days.

In El Paso, city officials have opened an emergency overflow shelter to prepare for a rapid increase of asylum seekers being released into the city by federal agents. The city is also looking to buy a vacant middle school building to use it as a shelter.

Venezuelan migrants wait to board a train to try to reach the U.S. border as they travel through the Mexican state of Coahuila on Sept. 20. Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Many of the migrants rode cargo trains from Mexico City or Chihuahua to the border.

Earlier this week, Ferromex, Mexicos largest rail operator, temporarily suspended 60 train runs in northern Mexico because migrants were getting injured as they tried to climb aboard the freight cars. Ferromex said about six injuries have been reported this week.

As it prepared to end Title 42  which the Trump administration put into place early in the COVID-19 pandemic to stop asylum seekers from entering the country  the Biden administration implemented a series of policies aimed at preventing migrants from crossing the border illegally.

It has asked migrants to make appointments using the governments CBP One cell phone application, but many migrants have said appointments fill up quickly. Other migrants say even when they get an appointment, they still have to wait in dangerous Mexican border cities for weeks or months before they can formally request asylum.

On Wednesday night, the Biden administration announced it will allow Venezuelans who entered the U.S. on or before July 31 to receive temporary protected status, a program Congress approved in 1990 that allows undocumented people to get a work permit and defer deportation for 18 months.

Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return, said Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.

Among those who recently arrived in El Paso was Yuralber Alvarado, 36, who left Venezuela with her husband and his brother and mother earlier this month. She was sitting outside of a hotel where the city of El Paso has been paying, using federal funds, to shelter some of the migrants. She said they stayed in Ciudad Juarez for a month, trying to make an appointment on the CBP One app, but the appointments filled up before they could get one. She said an El Paso resident offered the family a spare room to stay in until they could get on their feet.

She said she and her family plan to go to Denver as soon as they have the money to get there.

Alvarado said she worked as a special education teacher at a public school, but her monthly salary of $8 wasn't enough to survive. She said because she was a public employee, she was forced to take part in pro-government demonstrations even though she opposes the government's policies.

"There's no freedom even if the government says there is," she said.

Sitting outside of the same hotel with one of her grandchildren, Karina, 44, of Ecuador said she didn't want to give her last name out of fear that the men who threatened to kill her husband might retaliate. The family owned a small water purification business, and gang members initially demanded $500 from her husband as a "safety fee," she said. Then they began demanding $2,000 per month. When her husband refused, she said, the men left notes at their home saying they would kill him unless he paid.

One night in August, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at their home, she said.

"We were comfortable, we didn't need to migrate," she said. "But the danger was just too much, we had to leave."

Across the street, a young couple from Venezuela lingered in a parking lot with their 2-year-old daughter, who was playing with a toy car. The couple declined to give their names, but said that they had been trying to make an appointment on the CBP One app as they trekked north toward the U.S.-Mexico border. When they got to Juarez and they still didn't have an appointment, rather than sleep on the streets they said they decided to cross the Rio Grande and surrender to Border Patrol agents.

Were just trying to find a place to sleep until we can get out of here, the wife said.

Disclosure: The New York Times has been a financial supporter 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 Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
(CNN)  A Muslim woman has been sentenced to two years in prison under Indonesias blasphemy law over a video she shared on TikTok which showed her reciting an Islamic prayer before trying out pork while visiting the tourist island of Bali.

Lina Lutfiawati, known as Lina Mukherjee on social media, was tried on Tuesday in the Palembang district court on Sumatra island.

The 33-year-old was found guilty of spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups, court documents read.

In addition to her two-year prison sentence, the court fined her $16,245 (250,000,000 Indonesian rupiah), a small fortune in a country where the annual per capita wage is around $4,300. Her jail term could be extended by three months if she does not pay the fine, the court added.

Speaking to reporters outside court on Tuesday after the trial, Mukherjee expressed shock at the sentence.

I know I was wrong but I really did not expect this punishment, she said, in comments carried by CNN affiliate, CNN Indonesia. It is possible that she will file an appeal, CNN Indonesia added.

Blasphemy cases on the rise

Indonesia is the worlds largest Muslim nation, where 231 million people, at least 93% of its adult population, identify as Muslim.

Religious conservatism has been on the rise in the country in recent years and rights groups have warned that blasphemy laws are being increasingly weaponized against religious minorities and those deemed to have insulted Islam.

Pork is forbidden in Islam and eating it remains taboo among most Indonesian Muslims. But the meat is commonly consumed by millions of non-Muslims, including the countrys ethnic Chinese population as well those living on the Hindu-majority island of Bali.

Mukherjee, who identifies as Muslim, commands a combined social media following of more than 2 million.

Known for her lifestyle and food videos showing her sampling various dishes, she received backlash over a video she shared on TikTok in March, which showed her sitting at a dining table and reciting the Islamic phrase Bismillah (In the name of Allah) before consuming crispy pork skin.

Bismillah is one of the most important and common holy phrases in Islam. It is the first phrase in the Quran and is often uttered by Muslims before eating. It is also frequently used as a generic declaration.

The video, which Mukherjee said had been filmed when she was traveling in Bali, featured her trying babi guling, a popular street food of rice and chunks of spit-roasted pork and crackling served with vegetables.

She speaks into the camera and grimaces as she tries a piece of pork crackling.

The video drew millions of views but was condemned by religious groups, including the Indonesian Ulema Council, the countrys top Muslim clerical body, which issued a ruling calling it blasphemous.

It also prompted a public complaint which sparked police investigations, which led to Mukherjee being prosecuted.

Photos and videos taken of Mukherjee throughout the trial and carried by CNN Indonesia often showed her in tears and accompanied by a heavy security presence.

Shes done nothing wrong but it says a lot about (the state of) Indonesia how a self-proclaimed moderate Muslim country is becoming a radicalized Muslim nation, Human Rights Watchs Indonesia researcher Andreas Harsono told CNN.

The blasphemy chapter in the criminal code has been increased from one to six articles  a serious setback to protecting freedom of religion and belief in Indonesia, he added. It bucks a global trend to either not enforce blasphemy laws or to scrap them altogether.

One of Indonesias most high-profile blasphemy cases was that of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Indonesian politician widely known as Ahok who served as Jakartas first non-Muslim governor in 50 years.

He went on trial for blasphemy in 2017 after angering hard-line Muslims by referencing a verse from the Quran while campaigning for re-election in 2016 and was jailed for two years despite making a public apology.
Eagle Pass, Texas, Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. signed an emergency declaration Tuesday as a result of a purported surge in undocumented immigrants crossing into the city on the southern border.

In a press release, Salinas said the declaration allows the city to access more resources to help manage the influx of migrants at the border. The emergency declaration lasts seven days, unless it is renewed.

The City of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well being of our local citizens. The emergency declaration grants us the ability to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of the undocumented immigrants, Salinas said in the press release.

According to several reports, thousands of migrants are crossing into Texas daily, prompting federal authorities to shut down the international bridge to allow officers to be deployed efficiently to help Border Patrol agents process the influx of migrants, which many reports indicate are from Venezuela and Honduras.

In a video that appeared to be re-posted by a local journalist covering the border, Salinas narrated a visit to the international bridge as he described what he saw in the video posted Wednesday.

As you see, this is not normal to have thousands of people down in the international bridges. This presents a lot of problems potentially for our community, Salinas said in the video.

He said he was accompanied by his chief of police, his fire chief, and other staff members and that they were on top of the situation. Salinas said he is hearing that many of the migrants are single males, as opposed to family units, and he claimed some of them have criminal records.

We dont want these people just to be walking our streets. A lot of them do have records and talking to Border Patrol, talking to DPS, theres no way of confirming who are these people, he said, adding there are just so many people.

This already has taken a toll on the economy by affecting commercial traffic. But were going to everything possible to make sure we maintain the order, maintain peace in Eagle Pass, he added, in the video.

The Biden administration announced several steps Wednesday night, in part, to respond to what many are describing as a crisis at the southern border. He extended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans who arrived in the United States before July 31, and he announced the Department of Defense was deploying 800 active service members to help border patrol agents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Texas school district that has suspended a student for nearly two weeks over his loc hairstyle has asked a court to clarify if the districts dress code violates the CROWN Act, a state law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair.

Barbers Hill High School student Darryl George has spent more than two weeks serving in-school suspension because his locs violated the districts dress code, which states male students hair will not extend, at any time, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes.

Attorneys for Barbers Hill Independent School District on Wednesday asked a court to clarify whether the newly passed CROWN Act prohibits grooming policies addressing the length of a male students hair, according to district spokesperson David Bloom.

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 shared with CNN.

The school district also said it will not enhance the disciplinary action against George. The 17-year-old was suspended again this week after returning from his original suspension.

He had previously been warned that repeated violations of the dress code would result in him being sent to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, also known as an alternative school, CNN previously reported.

George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has received multiple disciplinary action notes for wearing his loc hairstyle in a ponytail, his mother, Darresha George, previously told CNN.

She said her son was suspended the same week the states CROWN Act, a law prohibiting discrimination based on ones hair texture or protective hairstyle such as locs and braids, went into effect.

School officials told George his loc hairstyle violated the Barbers Hill Independent School District dress and grooming code, which states, 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.

George has worn his locs in a ponytail and braided. His family has said his locs include strands from his grandfather and father and they do not intend to cut them.

The family has previously said they are also considering taking legal action against the district.

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Through the first eight months of 2023, Texans received nearly 270,000 student loan-related robocalls, robocall data expert Jim Tyrrell says.

Americans nationwide received an excess of 5 million of these types of robocalls during the same period, said Tyrell, vice president of Transaction Network Services, which analyzes over 1.3 billion daily call events across hundreds of carrier networks to identify current robocall trends and scams. Student loan scams target individuals and families with outstanding student loans or who are seeking financial assistance for education. These scams can take various forms and are designed to exploit vulnerable individuals by asking victims for upfront fees, faking loan forgiveness or through phishing scams.

Student loan robocall scams have surged over the past two weeks because Americans are dealing with several major developments at the same time. First, interest on student loans started accruing again on Sept. 1 for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. In October, students must start making federal student loan payments for the first time since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile, more than 4 million people have already enrolled in President Joe Bidens new student loan repayment plan, SAVE and Republicans in Congress introduced a bill to block the SAVE plan.

Students and families are trying to digest all of these confusing and at times seemingly contradictory developments on who must pay the loans and when  which is music to the ears of scammers who will exploit this chaos, confusion and fear through robocalls and robotexts, Tyrrell says.

The start of the school year coincided with the spike in robocalls. Americans received nearly as many student loan robocalls, 350,000, in the first two weeks that school started as they did in the prior three months combined.

Scammers turning to inexpensive AI-generated deep fake robocalls

Scammers are turning to inexpensive, readily available AI voice cloning technology that can mimic the voice of a loved one to scam them out of money, Tyrrell said. These AI-generated deep fake robocalls make it very difficult for Americans to tell the difference between a real person at the other end of the line and artificial intelligence. Scammers also use call spoofing, which manipulates caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate source.

The sentence structure in these scams is sometimes choppy, which is one of the biggest giveaway that they are scams. Callers may also be aggressive in tone in demanding payment.

A few transcripts of these calls are below, per Transaction Network Services:

This message is for Dominic. My name is Rex calling from trying to reach you regarding a student loan, we may be able to lower or temporarily postpone your monthly payment. Please return our call. Were open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Thank you so much calling from Navy into assistance for students loan. So, Renee, it is important that we speak with you. Were open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. up until 9 p.m. Eastern Standard time. So please call us back.

Hey, this is James. Im calling you from students. As you said, this call is about your student loan, which is now qualified for the forgiveness by the department education. And you have to pay back right? Hello.

Hi. May I speak with Ronald? Hello. Right now. This is man from student services. Im calling about your federal student loan that is now showing possibly qualified for the loan forgiveness program. And this is through the Department of Education, so this program is government funded.

How can Texans protect themselves from robocall scams?

Resist the urge to engage. Student loan scams have been around for a long time, but fraudsters have continued to tweak their techniques to become more topical and realistic. Some scammers use Interactive Voice Response systems to find people who will answer the call and interact with them. If the potential victim responds yes, they will likely receive a text with a link, or be transferred to a live agent who may try to obtain their credit card and other personal information they might use to submit on your behalf. So step one is avoiding interaction with these calls  you can always follow up directly with your provider to be sure the call wasnt legitimate. Dont answer calls from numbers you dont recognize; legitimate callers will leave a voicemail.

Stay attuned to when scammers strike. Operate under the assumption that when something sounds too good to be true, it is. Always be vigilant, especially so when the news cycle is active.

Educate yourself on the latest scams. The Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission keep you informed on recent scams, and TNS has a scam of the month resource page to help consumers stay aware of trending scams.

Call-blocking apps offered by leading telecom providers across the country are a great resource for reporting and blocking unwanted robocalls.

Americans received 77 billion robocalls over the past 12 months, which helps explain why 68% of people surveyed by TNS now refuse to answer calls from an unknown number. But because never answering the phone poses a challenge for callers seeking to reach individuals with important and time-sensitive information, carriers and providers are working on new technologies to address that. TNS is working with carriers and businesses to deploy branded calling technology, which displays critical brand information on incoming call screens to better educate consumers on who is calling.
Tokyo  Construction workers stole and sold potentially radioactive scrap metal from near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Japanese environment ministry said on Thursday. The materials went missing from a museum being demolished in a special zone around 2.5 miles from the atomic plant in northeast Japan that was knocked out by a tsunami in 2011.



Although people were allowed to return to the area in 2022 after intense decontamination work, radiation levels can still be above normal and the Fukushima plant is surrounded by a no-go zone.



Japan's environment ministry was informed of the theft by workers from a joint venture conducting the demolition work in late July and is "exchanging information with police," ministry official Kei Osada told AFP.



Osada said the metal may have been used in the frame of the building, "which means that it's unlikely that these metals were exposed to high levels of radiation when the nuclear accident occurred."

If radioactivity levels are high, metals from the area must go to an interim storage facility or be properly disposed of. If low, they can be re-used. The stolen scrap metals had not been measured for radiation levels, Osada said.



The Mainichi Shimbun daily, citing unidentified sources, reported on Tuesday that the workers sold the scrap metal to companies outside the zone for about 900,000 yen ($6,000).



It is unclear what volume of metal went missing, where it is now, or if it poses a health risk.

Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported over the summer that police in the prefecture of Ibaraki, which borders Fukushima, had called on scrap metal companies to scrutinize their suppliers more carefully as metals thefts surged there. Ibaraki authorities reported more than 900 incidents in June alone  the highest number for any of Japan's 47 prefectures.

The damaged nuclear reactors at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was crippled by a March 11, 2011 tusnami. / Credit: Pallava Bagla/Corbis/Getty

Officials in Chiba, east of Tokyo, said metal grates along more than 20 miles of roadway had been stolen, terrifying motorists who use the narrow roads with the prospect of veering into open gutters, especially at night.

Maintenance workers with the city of Tsu, in Mie prefecture, west of Tokyo, meanwhile, have started patrolling roadside grates and installing metal clips in an effort to thwart thieves.



But infrastructure crime may not pay as much as it used to. The World Bank and other sources say base metals prices have peaked and will continue to decline through 2024 on falling global demand.

The March 11, 2011, tsunami caused multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant in the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

Numerous areas around the plant have been declared safe for residents to return after extensive decontamination work, with just 2.2 percent of the prefecture still covered by no-go orders.



Japan began releasing into the Pacific Ocean last month more than a billion liters of wastewater that had been collected in and around 1,000 steel tanks at the site.

Plant operator TEPCO says the water is safe, a view backed by the United Nations atomic watchdog, but China has accused Japan of treating the ocean like a "sewer."

CBS News' Lucy Craft in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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With COVID-19 cases rising, health officials anticipate more illness and hospitalizations in North Carolina and nationwide in the coming months.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 623 people were hospitalized with COVID last week. Thats a slight drop from the week prior with 638 hospitalizations, but health officials still urge people to get vaccinated to protect themselves.

Despite the fact that COVID-19 burden is currently lower than at previous points in the pandemic, there are still thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths each week, Dr. Megan Wallace with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The majority of the U.S. population has some level of immunity due to infection, vaccination, or both. However, vaccine and infection-induced immunity wanes, and new variants have emerged.

If youve been exposed to COVID-19, health officials say you wait at least five days before taking a test. But if youre sick with symptoms, you should get tested immediately.

Is it COVID, RSV or the flu? What symptoms to look for and how to tell the difference

Several resources are available to get tested for free  even if you dont have insurance. Heres what to know if you get sick

Where to get tested for free and find at-home COVID test kits

Test to Treat offers onsite testing and treatment at local pharmacies and health care centers across the state. NCDHHS says insurance is not required, but you may be charged a fee depending on the location. You can also sign up to get tested at one of the CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing sites for free. Here are other locations in North Carolina that may offer tests for free or at a low cost:

If you want to test yourself at home, you can order one through the Department of Health and Human Services or the state health department.

The Biden administration recently provided more funding to produce free home test kits to be delivered to residents across the country. Beginning Sept. 25, every household can order four free tests through www.covid.gov/tests.

NCDHHS also has partnered with Community Access Points to provide at-home test kits for free pick up. If you visit the state health department website, you can enter your ZIP code online and find a test pickup location nearby.

You can find more information about COVID-19 testing online at cdc.gov/coronavirus and more details on free testing options at testinglocator.cdc.gov/.
A man and two women accused of stealing $30 and a few bag of chips from a Little League concession stand in Fort Worth were arrested Wednesday morning after leading authorities on a chase through several cities, police said.

At about 5:50 a.m., police were dispatched to University Little League ballparks at 5901 Old Hemphill Road in south Fort Worth in response to a prowler.

When officers arrived, three suspects got into a white vehicle and fled the scene. Officers initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle led officers from Old Hemphill Road to Interstate 20, through a construction zone, and into Arlington, according to a report from KDFW-TV.

The vehicle traveled at dangerous speeds as it headed north onto Texas 360 into Grand Prairie, the report said. The suspects then went east on Texas 183 through Irving and crossed into Dallas.

They drove through downtown Dallas, got off an exit near Fair Park, and began driving through neighborhoods, according to KDFW .

Dallas County Sheriffs Office deputies tried to stop the suspect vehicle with spike strips, but they managed to avoid and continued to head east, the report said.

The chase then headed south on LBJ freeway into the Balch Spring area, ending in Kaufman County  about an hour from Fort Worth  according to police and KDFW.

Bobby Williams, 46; Leila Salinas, 41; and Haley Lynch, 37, were taken into custody without further incident.

They are charged with burglary and tampering and fabricating physical evidence. Salinas, the driver of the vehicle, has an additional charge of evading arrest or detention.

Police confirmed to KDFW that the trio broke into a concession stand at the ballpark and stole $30 from the register and a few bags of chips.

The suspects threw the items they stole out of the car window during the chase, police also told KDFW.
(CNN)  South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned on Wednesday that his country and its allies will not stand idly by if North Korea receives Russian help to boost its weapons of mass destruction  just days after the leaders of the two nuclear-armed nations held a closely watched summit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia last week for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Ahead of the meeting US officials warned that the two leaders could strike a deal that would provide weapons for Moscow to use in its grueling war against Ukraine  and that could see sanction-hit Pyongyang gain access to vital Russian technology.

That has alarmed South Korea, a US treaty ally.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yoon declared: While military strength may vary among countries, by uniting in unwavering solidarity and steadfastly adhering to our principles, we can deter any unlawful provocation.

He also called to reform the UN Security Council  of which Russia is a member  saying such a move would receive a broad support if Moscow did supply Pyongyang with information in exchange for weapons.

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 UN Security Council resolutions, Yoon said.

He added that if North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its (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, the president added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Yoons call to reform the UN Security council during his address at the UNGA, and accused Russia of seeking weapons from North Korea.

Kims trip to see Putin was his first overseas visit since the coronavirus pandemic.

The two leaders met for five hours, holding what the Kremlin called very substantive discussions.

But little is known of what went on behind closed doors; the two sides held no press conference, issued no communique, and have not publicly announced any deals.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the two leaders did not sign any agreements during their talks.

Still, the talks signaled closer relations between the two countries, both of which face international isolation  Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program.

As the war drags on, Moscow is desperate for fresh supplies of ammunition  while North Korea ramps up its weapons testing program, eager to advance its nuclear ambitions.
Members of local, state and federal law enforcement are investigating after three bomb threats were made against a Salem elementary school in a span of seven days, police say.

Bomb threats were emailed against Witchcraft Heights Elementary School on September 15, 19 and 21, Salem Police Captain John Burke told Boston 25 News.

Burke says all three of the emails followed a similar MO and that Salem police are working with members of state and federal law enforcement to investigate the hoaxes.

Parents and teachers met with a member of the Salem Police Department to discuss the incidents on Wednesday, police say.

On September 19, Salem police said on Facebook they responded to yet another bomb threat at the elementary school, evacuated and swept the building:

The frequency of school threats which turn out to be hoaxes has dramatically increased in the last two years and presents a quandary for school personnel and public safety alike. It is clear that we must always respond and take all threats seriously given what is at stake. The response, however, must also take into account the mental trauma inflicted upon school children who are exposed to repeated police emergencies and the small but real risk we take in moving them en masse. The FBI has recently updated their guidelines for police response to school threats and the Salem Police have taken steps to ensure that we are following those guidelines in consultation with the School Superintendent. Those guidelines include carefully, but swiftly evaluating the threat and adjusting our response appropriately, the department shared on Facebook.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Russian forces targeted residential areas in the city of Kherson in the early hours of Sept. 21, striking a dormitory, killing three civilians and leaving five others wounded.

Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration (OVA), said two men, aged 29 and 41 were inside the dormitory at the time of the strike and had been killed.

Read also: Ukraine degrades Russias cutting-edge S-400 air defense systems

He added that two women, aged 44 and 57, along with a 49-year-old man had been taken to hospital with moderate injuries. An 81-year-old resident received medical assistance on the spot, Prokudin said.

Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson Regional Police, also reported that an 81-year-old woman who was in her apartment during the shelling had been killed in the attack.

Read also: Ukrainian missile strike destroys Russian Black Sea Fleet command center  NV sources

The head of the Kherson OVA added that, over the past day, Russian invasion forces had fired a total of 41 artillery shells at Kherson.

Russian invasion forces continue to attack the city of Kherson on an almost daily basis. The city was the only major Ukrainian city captured by Russia in the early stages of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was liberated on Nov. 11, 2022 after being under Russian military occupation for around nine months.

Russian forces struck the city on Sept. 20, and a trolleybus was hit the day before, resulting in injuries to passengers and the deaths of two individuals, including a police officer.

Russia falsely claims to have annexed Ukraines Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts. In fact, it controls none of these Ukrainian oblasts completely.

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
Scott Saeger returned to his roots when he was hired as Bellevilles assistant city engineer two months ago.

Engineering department offices are located on the Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus, which formerly housed Belleville Township High School, Belleville West and Lindenwood University.

I knew this part of the building as my study hall when it was Belleville West, Saeger said. It brings back memories.

On Monday night, the City Council approved Mayor Patty Gregorys appointment of Saeger as city engineer. The promotion followed the abrupt resignation of Sal Elkott, his former boss, on Aug. 25.

Elkott, who had served in the position about two years, didnt give notice or publicly explain his reason for leaving.

It has been a privilege to serve the residents of the City of Belleville, he wrote in an email to Gregory that was obtained by the BND through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Effective today, I resign my duties as the City Engineer. The Engineering Department has done an enormous amount of work in two years, but much more needs to be done. I will make myself available to ensure an orderly transfer of operational details to Scott Saeger.

Scott is a person of integrity, but it will take him time to get acquainted with the work. He will need substantial support.

Saeger, 52, grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville West in 1989. He earned an associates degree at Southwestern Illinois College before studying at University of Missouri-Rolla, now known as Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Saeger worked as a project engineer for Alberici Constructors from 1996 to 2003, assistant city engineer for the village of Shiloh from 2003 to 2006 and city engineer for the village of Smithton from 2006 to 2023. He and his wife, Margaret, an IT specialist, live in St. Louis County.

As Belleville city engineer, Saeger will earn $120,819, the same as Elkott, according to Finance Director Jamie Maitret.

Sal had a lot of projects set up that are already in the pipeline, Saeger said Tuesday. So thats kind of the focus right now, making sure that those projects keep moving forward.

The city engineer plans for projects related to infrastructure, such as streets and sidewalks, including budgeting and contracting.

Elkott formerly served as Stookey Township highway commissioner. He founded his own engineering firm in 2004 but agreed to suspend its operation while employed as city engineer.

Elkotts resignation email to Gregory also referred to Renee Thompson, the engineering department secretary, who remains on the job.

She is a dedicated and exceptional professional, who was instrumental in rebuilding a depleted Department and will be the key person to its sustenance during what will be a challenging time.
Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Tim Scott has four names of who might be on his potential running mate shortlist if he were to win the Republican nomination.

South Carolinas junior senator listed Trey Gowdy, who served in the House for eight years; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who was director of National Intelligence for less than a year during the Trump administration; and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu .

Scott gave the list Wednesday during an event in New Hampshire after he was asked about who would be on his vice presidential shortlist, according to Time Magazine.

Scott also said he wants to lead a team anchored in conservatism that wants to make sure that America remains the city on the hill, Time reported.

Both Pompeo and Sununu were considered potential presidential candidates but opted not to make White House runs.

Pompeo also made visits to early-voting South Carolina, having premiere speaking slots in front of conservative audiences at the 2021 S.C. GOP Silver Elephant Gala and the 2022 Jeff Duncan Faith and Freedom BBQ.

Gowdy, who represented the Upstate 4th Congressional District, chaired the House Select Committee on the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, terrorist attack that left four Americans dead including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Gowdy now has a Sunday night television show on Fox News.

With more than three months until the Iowa caucus, it is still early to be seriously considering potential vice presidential candidates. Vetting for a running mate normally doesnt begin until a candidate becomes the presumptive nominee.

Scott, who entered the 2024 race with a sizable campaign war chest, has a hill to climb before becoming the nominee.

In a RealClearPolitics average of national polls, Scott is at 2.3% support, putting him tied for sixth place among Republican candidates with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Scott is doing better in early-voting states in polls released within the last week. A Washington Post/Monmouth University Poll had him at 10% in South Carolina, putting him in third place. A CNN poll had him at 6% in New Hampshire, putting him in sixth place. A Fox Business poll out of Iowa had him at 7% in fifth place.
The Continental Marine Corps claimed big successes in the American Revolution. It punched way above its size and provided a strong example to the generations of Marines that followed.

The call for Marines came from the October 13, 1775, legislation that formed the Continental Navy. In addition to allocating funds for the purchase of ships and ordering a committee to create rules and regulations for the Navy, it authorized leaders in the new Navy to muster Marines.

Marines served aboard ships in order to protect captains and ship officers, and they targeted enemy officers and helmsmen during ship-to-ship engagements. As a part of the ships, they served in Navy battles. And four companies of Marines served with George Washington in the defense of Philadelphia.

But they also conducted two amphibious landings in the Bahamas, seizing naval stores and British ships.

The Continental Marines fighting

Marine Commandant Capt. Samuel Nicholas went from running a small bar called Tun Tavern to raising five companies of Marines in 1775. He then led them on a Naval mission to the Bahamas. Navy Commodore Esek Hopkins led the overall mission to the Caribbean, where American forces sought to seize resources, harass British forces and capture vessels. They would later get in trouble for this, though, as their actual orders were to patrol near the southern colonies.

The large British presence at Nassau proved a tempting target. The port city boasted two forts and large military stores. Of course, that meant it had plenty of defenders and defenses. But Nicholas suspected that it was ill-prepared to repel an attack anyway.

And he was right. The defenders were mostly poorly trained militias, and the forts were in ill repair. In March 1776, he led 284 men, mostly Marines, against the city. The British launched just a token opposition before the governor fled with the militia. Nicholas spoke to another leader under a flag of truce.

After a negotiated ceasefire, the British did manage to smuggle out 162 barrels of powder, but the Americans got a bit of powder as well as additional supplies, some American ships that had been captured, and mortars and cannons.

As the fleet made its way back to the American continent, it fought a series of small naval battles, securing more gunpowder and two ships but also suffering the first U.S. Marine casualty in history, Lt. John Fitzpatrick, a detachment commander.

Return to the colonies

Ultimately, the fleet was missed off the coast of the southern colonies, and the naval commander, Commodore Esek Hopkins, had to apologize for leaving his station . If he'd secured more gunpowder, he might have been forgiven. But his violation of his orders and reports that he'd tortured prisoners led to his censure by Congress and a 1778 dismissal from naval service.

For the small group of Marines on the mission though, they won their amphibious landings with no casualties. They contributed to naval victories. And they proved their worth on ship.

The Marine Corps today carries forward the legacy of those first landings.
A person camps next to New Leaf, New Life and the Perry Township Trustee's office in August.

Correction: This post was updated to correct Skiba's job description.

Monroe County and the city of Bloomington spent about $250,000 last year to clear and clean five homeless camps  or about as much as it costs to run the Friends Place homeless shelter for a year.

Community members, including advocates for homeless people, increasingly are criticizing the clearing of camps and the associated costs as ineffective, as the actions mask the symptoms of homelessness while failing to address the underlying issues.

People find other places to camp. Its not creating any kind of solution to the problem, said the Rev. Forrest Gilmore, who oversees Beacon, a Bloomington-based agency that includes the Friends Place shelter and works to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Trying to find a place

Jeremy Shipley, who is homeless, said he has was ejected out of three homeless camps in 2021, but his situation hasn't changed much.

"It's still about the same," he said Tuesday morning at Seminary Park.

A Bloomington native, Shipley said he has been homeless since 2017 and addicted to all kinds of drugs for much of his life.

He now sleeps "here and there," he said. Sometimes in a tent. Sometimes in the open.

"Whatever we can do," he said.

And Russ Skiba, an emeritus Indiana University professor, said any singular approach, such as removing people from camps, ignores the complexity of the problem.

We live in the 21st century and I believe we have developed more compassionate approaches to those with mental health (challenges) than simply shuttling them around, said Skiba, who taught in the school psychology program at IU and served as director of the universitys Equity Project.

He said Mayor John Hamilton and his administrations recent attempt to prohibit tents in public parks and on sidewalks  rejected last week by the Bloomington City Council  might even make the problem worse.

Defense: It's legal to carry a machete, and more people in Bloomington are doing just that

Many of the people who stay in outdoor camps dont want to be in shelters and will look for other outdoor spaces, Skiba said. Some will go downtown and sleep in doorways or under overhangs. That puts people with serious mental health problems and in a state of crisis  because theyve lost their temporary home and many of their possessions  in closer contact with other members of the public.

This is a resolution with potential for very serious unintended consequences, Skiba said.

Clearing camps = Kirkwood Avenue

Robert Jackson, a Detroit native and Bloomington resident who used to be homeless, agreed, saying the clearing of camps is just going to make things worse.

People who get kicked out of a park, such as Seminary Park, find other places to go, he said.

"They're going to be on Kirkwood, in your face," said Jackson, who has lived in Bloomington for more than 20 years.

Gilmore said some displaced people move downtown, but others switch between parks or find other places farther from the city's core.

Right now what its doing is moving people to potentially less visible locations but its not really creating any solutions, Gilmore said.

Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President Eric Spoonmore said the city and countys responses to homelessness has been reactionary. What we need is practical leadership and long-term strategy, he said.

However, Spoonmore, a former county council member, said the county and city governments cannot tackle the problem by themselves.

Lack of funding from state and federal governments has contributed to letting poverty, mental health and substance use disorders become community crisis points, Spoonmore said.

A woman sleeps at Seminary Park in August.

Those underlying issues, he said, are leading to behaviors in Bloomington that are causing people to feel unsafe in the city and creating the perception that Bloomington is not as safe as it used to be, which is affecting local businesses.

People in crisis and customers

Local police reports sometimes describe problematic interactions between transient people and other members of the public:

At 11:48 p.m. on July 8, employees of a downtown restaurant reported a man exposing himself to customers.

At 11:54 a.m. on Aug. 19, police responded to a report of a woman on the B-Line Trail who threatened to kill someone with a gun. Police said the woman was showing signs of mental distress and was taken to a hospital for emergency detention.

At 6:53 p.m. that same day, police responded to a report of a transient man attempting to incite a fight with diners at multiple local restaurants. The perpetrator was arrested.

No choice but to intervene, say Bloomington, Monroe County

The camp clearing expenses incurred by local governments were skewed by the county last year spending $221,407.43 to clear a single camp behind the At Home store on the west side. Crider Excavating alone was paid $157,500 to clean, grade, seed and reseed the property, which a county official estimated at 8 acres. To clear a camp at the Youth Services Bureau in September, the county paid about $22,000, the bulk of which went to Indianapolis Crime Scene Services.

The camps required staff time from the commissioners office, legal and maintenance, sheriff, county highway and emergency management departments, Angie Purdie, the commissioners administrator, said via email.

A private property notice is displayed behind the At Home store on West Third Street in August.

The city last year cleared three camps, incurring costs of about $5,000 for about 150 hours of labor, according to an emailed message from Angela Van Rooy, the citys interim communications director.

Both Purdie and Van Rooy said before city or county agencies clear the camps, they contact local shelters and other agencies to let them know when the actions will take place. Neither the city nor the county track where people go after the camps have been cleared.

At Home camp: An Indiana county spent $175K to clear a homeless camp. Former occupants have nowhere to go

Gilmore said the 72-hour window the city provides is insufficient. He said he would like to see that deadline extended and for the city to take a more systematic approach that includes funding housing-based street outreach workers who prioritize getting people from camps into housing.

Penny Githens, president of the Monroe County Commissioners, acknowledges that clearing homeless camps is not an efficient way to spend resources, but she and Van Rooy said public health and safety concerns sometimes require intervention.

Githens said the camp behind the At Home site had to be cleared because a retention pond was at risk of being polluted. We had also been asked by store employees to clear this encampment, which was on county-owned property. Essentially, the existence of the camp had become a public safety and health issue.

Living outdoors in these types of encampments is not safe for either the campers or the public, Van Rooy said.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County, Bloomington, what's the solution for homelessness?
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) is teaming up with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on legislation that would require companies to assess the impact of artificial intelligence systems and self-certify the safety of systems seen as particularly risky.

Thune expects to introduce the bill as soon as this week  and the Senates No. 2 Republican said his legislation will run counter to the heavy-handed approach to AI that he expects Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will ultimately endorse.

I think itll be a bill that will be a good marker out there and be unlike some of the more heavy-handed regulatory approaches I suspect will be suggested by Sen. Schumer and others who have designs on this issue, Thune told POLITICO on Wednesday.





Schumer spokesperson Allison Biasotti said the majority leader "does not view AI reforms as a partisan issue and believes the only way to fully harness its potential for good and limit its risks is through bipartisan action."

Schumer has spent months examining the possibility of new AI rules, although it remains unclear how the majority leader plans to legislate. Last week Schumer kicked off the first in a series of AI Insight Forums, where tech leaders spoke to lawmakers behind closed doors. But some senators are growing impatient at the lengthy listening process  and on Wednesday, Klobuchar said that Congress just cant wait to set guidelines for the AI systems used to set credit ratings and otherwise impact peoples lives.

It's really important that we have standards in place, and I appreciate Sen. Thunes leadership on this, Klobuchar told POLITICO. The Democratic senator is already the lead sponsor of a bill that would prevent deceptive AI-generated content from impacting elections.

Although not yet officially introduced, Thunes bill has already picked up some powerful backers. Ryan Hagemann, AI policy executive at IBM, called it the most comprehensive piece of legislation that is out there right now. Hagemann told POLITICO that the bill strikes a very moderate balance between a hands-off approach to AI and early efforts to clamp down on the technology through licensing regimes or other restrictions.

In conversations with POLITICO this week, Thune repeatedly emphasized that his bill would take a light-touch approach to AI governance. While the Commerce Department would be tasked with enforcing the legislation, companies developing or deploying AI systems would ultimately be responsible for assessing their impact and certifying their safety.

What we're trying to do is mitigate against the riskiest applications of AI, Thune told POLITICO on Wednesday. There are mechanisms in there, in addition to self-certification, that I think create the safeguards  but without having the heavy hand of regulation that we think could be harmful.

Thune and Klobuchar said their AI bill is likely to pick up a couple more Senate cosponsors ahead of its official introduction, which they expect either this week or next.
China surpasses U.S. in publishing most influential academic papers: report

Xinhua) 08:21, September 21, 2023

An international research team led by Chinese astronomers revealed the complex dynamic features of relativistic jets of a black hole, according to a study published in the journal Nature. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov openly joked about how isolated Russia is at the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York City.

Everything is fine, we are only suffering from isolation, Lavrov said during a meeting with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abu al-Gheit, in response to a question at the UN confab about how he was doing, according to RBC.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, however, took a different tune, claiming that Russia still has allies at the United Nations interested in conducting diplomacy with Moscow.

The Secretary General, al-Gheit, said there is a queue to the Russian negotiation room, Zakharova claimed, according to RBC.

The gap between their interpretations of Russias status on the global stage could suggest a possible breakdown in communications at the Foreign Ministry while Russia continues to attack Ukraine on a daily basis.

The apparent confusion comes after Moscow has sought to project multiple different narratives about Russian diplomacy to the public, with the Kremlin seeking to chart a path forward even as it is shunned on the world stage.

Last year, Lavrov leaned into the idea that Russia ought to end diplomacy with western countries, including in Europe.

There is neither point nor desire to maintain the previous presence in Western states, he said at the time. Most importantly, theres no work to do since Europe decided to shut off from us and sever any economic cooperation. You cant force love.

You Cant Force Love: Russian Diplomats Told to Kiss the West Goodbye

The Kremlin still maintains hopes of conducting diplomacy with friendly countries, however. Lavrov said Russia would focus more on relations with Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted in April this year that Russia has no desire to self-isolate.

Russia has become a pariah on the world stage since Putin decided to invade Ukraine last year, with western nations levying sanctions on the president himself in addition to measures aimed at crippling Russias economy and ability to wage war.

Lavrovs reported isolation at the UNGA comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for western allies to stand against what he called Russian genocide in Ukraine, referring to the way Russians have allegedly abducted Ukrainian children throughout the war. Zelensky, repeating claims U.S. officials have made as well, accused Russia of weaponizing its blockade of Ukrainian grain, and threatening world food security.

Even allies of Russia have grown wary of conducting diplomacy with Russia in person, in part due to allegations that Putin himself has been involved in abducting children from Ukraine.

Putin didnt attend the BRICS summit in South Africa earlier this year after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him for his alleged involvement in the abductions. Officials in Austria, which has tried to remain neutral during the war, and in Armenia, which is a member of a Russian military alliance, have said they want to go after Putin if he steps foot in their country as well.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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It's official.

The assistant state attorney who presented and encouraged false testimony during a 2022 battery case cannot practice law for a period of two years. Assistant State Attorney Bryon Aven, pleaded guilty to the charges several weeks ago during a plea agreement reached with the Florida Bar, but the Florida Supreme Court had to uphold the plea agreement.

So, what happens now?

"A two-year suspension from the practice of law is severe and rarely imposed. Aven has 30 days to wrap his legal work unless he files a Motion for Rehearing, which is highly unlikely since The Florida Supreme Court accepted his Conditional Guilty Plea for Consent Judgment," said Melbourne attorney Doug Beam, who has defended attorneys facing charges from the Florida Bar and who regularly handles ethics cases.

Though that 30-day period ends Oct. 14, Aven submitted his resignation effective Oct. 2, according to a spokesperson with the State Attorney's Office.

Prosecutor Bryon Aven was suspended for two years from practicing law by the Florida Bar for presenting and encouraging false testimony during a battery charge in Brevard County in 2022.

During the 2022 battery trial, Aven knowingly presented false information that contradicted a surveillance video he admitted into evidence but did not "publish," meaning show it to the jury. The judge ordered the video to be played without the jury present, then held a hearing for a motion to mistrial when he discovered the contents.

During the mistrial hearing, Aven took the stand and denied any wrongdoing and refused to concede there was false testimony. It was only after his second chair, prosecutor Chris Cusmano, told the State Attorney Office's Division Chief Bill Respess and Aven that his own testimony was going to be different that Aven went back on the stand and admitted wrongdoing.

Cusmano, now running for State Attorney, said he was shocked at Aven's actions. He resigned from the office when State Attorney Phil Archer refused to fire Aven. Archer is not seeking reelection.

Aven's actions sent ripples throughout Brevard County's legal system.

Melbourne attorney Scott Robinson.

"I find this situation incredibly frustrating on two fronts," said Melbourne defense attorney Scott Robinson. "First, prosecutors hold immense power within our legal system, and any abuse of that power is deeply concerning. Second and more importantly, the fact that this misconduct occurred in a seemingly minor case raises questions about whether such actions were normal or routine."

Aven was previously reprimanded by the Florida Bar in 2021 for actions while running for judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit. The Florida Supreme Court's reprimand order contained two dissenting opinions. Justices Charles Canady and Jorge Labarga both wrote that Aven deserved more than just a reprimand.

A few months later, Aven lost his job with the State Attorney's office in the 5th Judicial Circuit for his handling of cases and absenteeism. Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie of the 5th Circuit said the parting of ways was for "a pattern of behavior that fell short of the expectations.

It's fascinating then that Brevard County State Attorney Phil Archer would think it a good idea to hire Aven and keep him on even after the misconduct came to light. He was removed from the courtroom and assigned to the intake division, where he decided what cases that occur in the Titusville area go forward for prosecution.

Attorney Daniel Martinez, who was the defense attorney in the case that ended in prosecutorial misconduct, said it was a mistake for the State Attorney to keep Aven employed after the misconduct.

"Allowing any assistant state attorney to continue to prosecute cases or file charges following the finding of prosecutorial misconduct is problematic and erodes the publics trust in our criminal justice system," Martinez said. "I am confident that the Brevard County State Attorneys Office will ultimately make the right call."

More on this case: Torres: Former assistant state attorney shows integrity by quitting

Beam thinks Aven is very lucky the latest punishment wasn't harsher.

"Aven may have salvaged his legal career by the plea deal," Beam said. "The prior misconduct on his record coupled with this latest case could have led to disbarment. A two-year suspension is a positive outcome for Aven given the alternatives."

There had been speculation in the legal community that Aven would continue working for the State Attorney's Office in a non-lawyer role while he serves out his suspension, which did not sit well with many attorneys.

"The fact that Mr. Aven has been suspended by the Florida Supreme Court suggests that he should not be allowed to work in any job that is related to law," said defense attorney Steve Casanova.

Melbourne Attorney Jessica Travis hopes the next elected State Attorney will show better judgement when hiring.

Added attorney Jessica Travis: "The Office of the State Attorney represents the people and should seek justice with transparency and integrity. How can the people be assured that our judicial system is fair when the Office employs unethical prosecutors? Lets hope the next elected State Attorney will only employ attorneys who seek justice, not wins at all cost."

The State Attorney's Office has not clarified Aven's job status as of Wednesday afternoon.

According to Beam, getting reinstated after the two-year suspension is not automatic.

"Getting back to the practice of law is no piece of cake," Beam said. "Aven will have to prove to The Florida Bar that he is fit to practice law after the two-year suspension. If Aven should misstep while suspended, The Florida Supreme Court can disbar him."

Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at facebook.com/FTjohntorres.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Prosecutor who presented false evidence gets two year suspension
The backlog of veterans first-time disability claims in coming weeks is expected to surpass 300,000 cases for the first time in almost a decade. But Veterans Affairs leaders insist that the rise isnt a sign of their systems being overwhelmed like they were in the past.

Instead, they said the rising backlog reflects a dramatic surge in claims related to new military toxic exposure benefits. Still, the growing number of overdue claims points to more veterans waiting longer for disability payouts, which can range from a few hundred dollars to nearly $4,300 a month depending on the severity of the injuries. Disabled veterans can get retroactive pay if their claims linger in processing for multiple months, but that delay can cause hardship and anxiety for individuals dependent on the help for their finances.

What youre seeing is just larger numbers overall because weve been so successful in our outreach and connecting more veterans with their benefits, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs told reporters Thursday. Were doing everything we can to address that, and we can still prioritize processing claims when we need to.

He said the VA is working to hire and train staffers to process the claims.

Thousands of vets disability claims delayed years because of glitch

The backlog of first-time disability claims  claims pending for more than 125 days, the standard set by VA to process the files  reached 292,499 this week. It hasnt been above 300,000 since early 2014.

Back then, the department was coming off several years of unchecked growth in the claims backlog, with the number of overdue cases peaking at more than 610,000 in 2013. VA officials and lawmakers mandated a host of reforms in response, including digitization of all VA benefits records and a surge in staff hires to handle the workload.

In recent years, the backlog has fallen to as low as 70,000 cases, a figure that VA planners have said is as close to zero as they can get without irresponsibly rushing complex disability claims. But the number began to rise again in summer 2020 as officers were partially shuttered because of the national COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said he hoped to get the claims backlog down to pre-pandemic levels by early 2024. Jacobs said Thursday that officials now dont expect to reach that mark until 2025.

The backlog surge is mostly related to the surge in claims filed in recent months related to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act  better known as the PACT Act  signed into law in August 2022. That measure expanded disability benefits for 12 types of cancer and 12 other respiratory illnesses linked to burn pit smoke exposure in the most recent wars, as well as hypertension for veterans who served in Vietnam and were exposed to the chemical defoliant Agent Orange.

Jacobs said more than 1 million veterans have submitted PACT Act claims in the past year, with a sizable portion filing this summer ahead of an early August deadline to be eligible for a year of retroactive benefits. Those cases, coupled with already high filing levels from veterans on other disability issues, has put the department at record-high work levels.

We completed over 8,000 claims in a day 102 different times this year, Jacobs said. To put that in perspective, thats something we had only done six times in the rest of VAs history.

But Jacobs said unlike in 2013  when the backlog was nearly 70% of the total claims inventory  fewer than one-third of cases pending before VA now are overdue. And in response to the higher workload, VA has grown its benefits workforce by about 20% in the last year, to more than 31,000 workers.

Officials are also considering technology upgrades and system improvements that could speed up the work, but wont announce plans for those until later this year.

Lawmakers have said they will monitor the backlog issue closely in coming months, and have warned VA officials not to let the case levels grow out of control as they did 10 years ago.
Tourists on the propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens in June 2023. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images

A tourist was arrested in Greece after police say they stole marble from the Acropolis.

They were charged with aggravated theft and violating a protection of cultural heritage law, reports said.

The tourist claimed they did not know what they were doing was illegal, according to local media.

A Romanian tourist was arrested on Tuesday after police say they tried to steal pieces of marble from the Acropolis in Athens, according to local media reports.

According to local media, a woman alerted police after she saw the 36-year-old tourist holding two marble pieces from the archaeological site.

The tourist apparently wanted to bring the pieces of marble back home as a "souvenir," Greek news outlet Proto Thema reported.

The Acropolis, which is over 2,000 years old, is an ancient citadel containing the remains of several historic buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of Greece's major tourist attractions.

Greek outlet Iefimerida reported that police arrested the tourist on charges of aggravated theft and a violation of the law on the protection of cultural heritage.

They told police that they didn't know that it was illegal, per Iefimerida.

The unnamed tourist also claimed that they didn't cause any damage to the monument because the marble had already fallen off, the outlet said.

There are contradicting reports on the gender of the tourist. According to Proto Thema, the person was a woman, while reports in Iefimerida and the New York Post referred to them as a man.

Insider contacted the Acropolis for clarification but did not immediately receive a response.

Iefimerida reported that the pieces of marble had been confiscated and sent to the Ephorate of Antiquities for assessment.

This isn't the first time this year that police have been called to deal with theft from the ancient site.

In March, a 26-year-old tourist was arrested after police said they found him in possession of 33 stones and three pieces of marble, which he had earlier removed from the archaeological site, according to the Greek City Times.

Insider has also reported on how tourists across Europe have seemingly become more brazen this summer, with multiple incidents of people defacing historic monuments.

Meanwhile, someone who stole stones from the Acropolis years ago returned them in 2018, sending a package to the head of the Greek Department of Tourism in New York with an apology note, per Athens News.

Read the original article on Insider
DEL MAR, Calif.  The San Diego Association of Governments released a report that shows what the future railroad tracks could look like when they are moved from the Del Mar Bluffs, further inland.

This comes after bluff erosion and the threat of sea levels rising have been a constant issue for the tracks and have resulted in several closures over the last year.

The 148-page report discusses several ideas of where exactly to move the tracks.

With the move, the tracks will be upgraded to create a double track, so trains dont have to wait for one another to pass, plus creating straighter tracks, both would cut down on travel time. The plan details speeds up to 110 mph.

Two options for the Crest Canyon Alignment were studied, crossing either above or below Carmel Valley Road. (SANDAG)

Camino Del Mar Alignment (SANDAG)

Crest Canyon Higher Speed Alignment (SANDAG)

The kind of high-speed transit thats provided on the East Coast, SANDAG Deputy CEO Coleen Clementson said. Theres been a lot of discussion around a tunnel in Del Mar, but really what that tunnel is about, is a larger project, its the whole rail corridor from downtown San Diego that goes up the coast, all the way to San Luis Obispo.

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The track is responsible for moving nearly 8 million passengers and $1 billion in goods every year.

The two frontrunners so far, according to SANDAG, are the plans that run along Camino Del Mar and Crest Canyon. Both plans include a 33-foot diameter tunnel 290 feet below the ground.

Both plans would include passing under private property between Jimmy Durante Blvd and Carmel Valley Rd.

This project has to happen so we will determine the best possible place is that minimizes the impact to the community, Clementson said.

Clementson said they have received mixed reviews from the community on the project so far.

There are definitely residents who are concerned about what this might mean for their property, Clementson said.

Its the most logical thing to do when you consider all the options, said Pat Abbott, a geologist professor at San Diego State University.

He says moving the tracks off the bluffs is a necessity.

Fundamentally its San Diego catching up with the 21st century, Abbott added.

The project is estimated to cost between $3-4 billion. SANDAG said they plan to use a mix of federal, state and local funds, with the potential to include funds from sales tax revenue.

SANDAG said they are hoping to have a plan finalized in 2026. Construction is expected to take seven years and the completion date is estimated for 2035, if all goes according to plan.

SANDAG is planning to hold the following upcoming public workshops to get the publics input:

Oct. 4: Tunneling Workshop  6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Del Mar Town Hall

Oct. 19: Virtual Project Information Session  6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Online

Nov. 6: Alignment Workshop  6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Del Mar Town Hall

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
[Source]

A 39-year-old Japanese man is making headlines for identifying as a "trans-age" individual and claiming to be 28 years old.

Embracing a new age: The man from Kyoto, known only as Jackie, went viral in May after explaining his adopted trans-age identity on the reality show Abema Prime.

Jackie, who was born on Jan. 5, 1984, revealed that his trans-age identity journey was triggered by a distressing incident at work around seven years ago. Feeling the weight of societal expectations and judgment, he eventually decided to embrace an age that resonated with his personality.

"I felt a strong desire to stay young and relevant, and I found that being 28 was the age where I felt the most comfortable," he said. "It's an age where I can balance maturity with youthfulness."

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He also shared that while he maintains his actual age on official documents and resumes, he navigates other facets of his daily life as a 28-year-old man.

Beyond chronological age: Jackie believes that Japanese society tends to place a premium on accumulated experience. He views actual age as a mere record of years passed since birth, arguing that it doesn't define one's abilities or achievements.

A psychological perspective: Psychologist and Kanagawa University professor Dr. Takashi Sugiyama explained to Abema Prime that individuals like Jackie, who perceive a significant emotional and mental age gap from their chronological age, are not uncommon in today's information-rich society. Age, he suggests, is increasingly challenging to process as society evolves.

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Sugiyama further noted that Jackie's experience highlights the often-subconscious gap between one's perceived and chronological age. Trans-age individuals, like him, might use this gap to shape their self-image, often reinforcing their self-perception.

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A group of friends who traveled to Tennessee for a concert were more than ready to check into their hotel late at night  only to find no one working the front desk.

So, the friend group  which WZTV reports included Kenzie Brooks, Aaron Howard and Noorain Dobani  decided to work their own shift at the La Quinta Inn they were staying at, according to a TikTok they posted detailing their hotel antics. They stood behind the counter taking calls and even prepared breakfast for hungry guests, the viral video shows.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

When you arrive to the hotel and there is no staff so you now have a new job, the TikTok videos text said. Weve been working for 2 hours.

Several TikTok users complimented the group, saying their decision to help serve breakfast when there was no staff around was kind.

When I say I need friends. These are the friends Im talking about needing, one user wrote.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which owns La Quinta said in a statement to McClatchy News that the experience of the group in no way reflects our brand values.

The company explained that the empty hotel front desk was caused by an employee who left their shift early without telling anyone. That employee is no longer with the hotel, which is an independently owned and operated franchise, the company said.

Once discovered, arrangements were immediately made to bring additional staff on-site, the company said.

One of the biggest demands in the comments of the video was for the group of friends to give a story time about how they ended up running the Nashville hotel for the night.

In a follow-up video , Brooks said the three friends arrived after they went to a casino for Howards birthday. They were originally planning to check in earlier, Brooks said in the video, but they didnt.

They stood at the counter for around 30 minutes waiting for someone to come check them in, but no one came, she said. They eventually found a housekeeper who said no one had been working the front desk for hours, Brooks said in the video.

At one point, a female guest came downstairs saying that her card was charged $600 by the hotel, Brooks said in the video.

Instantly, were like, OK manager mode, Brooks said in the video. We run businesses back home. Manager mode kicks in and were like, all right lets see what we can do.

The group took more calls throughout the night as more people called asking about charges on their cards, Brooks said. At one point, there were around 10 people in the lobby concerned about money being taken out of their account, she said in another video.

They also called the hotels general manager who had no idea any of this was going on, she said.

Tired and ready to go to bed, the group continued to wait for someone to help them, Brooks said in the video. Then, she said the police showed up and told them to do whatever you have to do in order to check in.

In a second follow-up video, Howard took over the story time to describe how the group called the general manager, who they said was in California, but were told they couldnt check into their room.

Then came the breakfast service. People started to come down at 6 a.m. to get their breakfast but there was none out, Brooks said in the video. So they found the keys to the kitchen and started to serve breakfast.

They were really enjoying breakfast, Howard said in the video. There was a whole line for breakfast, they were thanking us.

Howard said in a third video that an employee came into the hotel around 7 or 8 a.m. The group of friends had a one request for the worker: to check into their room.

The employee tried to tell them they would need to pay a $25 fee, Howard said in the video. But the general manager from a nearby Holiday Inn came in and the group told him the situation, Brooks said. They got their room key and headed up to finally relax in their room  where they found a woman inside.

The friends apologized to the woman and rushed back downstairs, Brooks said in the video. After retelling their story, Brooks said the Holiday Inn manager gave them a room at his hotel instead.

Wyndham said the hotels management is working to address and make right any concerns from impacted guests, including the three individuals at the center of the story and called the situation unfortunate and unexpected.

Brooks, Howard and Dobani are from Gwinnett County in George, Atlanta News First reports.

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Trump was reportedly warned of the threat that North Korean nuclear aggression could pose to Guam.

He reportedly replied to former Chief of Staff John Kelly the US territory "isn't America."

Guam has been under American control for over 120 years and its residents are US citizens.

When tensions escalated between the United States and North Korea early in former President Donald Trump's term, the US territory of Guam was particularly vulnerable.

The island, home to roughly 170,000 residents, sits in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles away from the Philippines, and sits within the range of North Korean missiles.

And according to a new report in The Atlantic, Trump was directly warned by then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly about the unique threat that the island would face if North Korea were to start firing off nuclear weapons.

But Trump, according to the report, wasn't especially concerned.

"Guam isn't America," he reportedly told Kelly.

While the US territory is not a state, it has been in American hands since 1898, when the US took control of the island after the Spanish-American War. During World War II, the island was particularly important for the American military as it waged war against Japan across the Pacific Ocean.

Additionally, residents of Guam are considered US citizens, and are allowed to vote if they reside in one of the 50 states.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former President and 2024 hopeful Donald Trump delivers remarks at an event in Maquoketa, Iowa, on Sept. 20.

Former President and 2024 hopeful Donald Trump delivers remarks at an event in Maquoketa, Iowa, on Sept. 20.

WASHINGTON  Coup-attempting former President Donald Trump demanded that House Republicans use the looming threat of a government shutdown to defund the federal criminal prosecutions against him.

Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Bidens weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State, Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform late Wednesday. This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots.

While Trump did not use the word shutdown in his post, he did call the coming end of the budget year on Sept. 30 a very important deadline.

The House has the power, at any time, to pass a bill that would remove funding for the special counsel investigating Trump, but has failed to even consider such a measure. A failure by Congress to pass an appropriations bill by the end of the month will lead to a partial government shutdown, including the possible furlough of federal workers.

Use the power of the purse and defend the Country! Trump wrote.

At least one of his top congressional allies took notice. Within an hour of Trumps post, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) posted an image of it on the social media site X, still commonly known as Twitter, with the comment: Trump Opposes the Continuing Resolution. Hold the line.

Trump is under two federal criminal indictments. One is related to his attempts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election, which culminated in the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his followers on Jan. 6, 2021. The other accuses him of illegally retaining top-secret documents at his Florida country club home and then refusing to turn them over despite a grand jury subpoena demanding he do so.

He also faces state charges in Georgia for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss there and in New York for allegedly falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star in the days before the 2016 election.

If convicted on the federal or Georgia charges, Trump could be sentenced to decades in prison. The potential punishment for the New York case is not as severe, and could possibly result in no prison time.

Trump pushed the government into a shutdown at the end of December 2018, after the GOP-led Congress refused to provide him with money for a wall along the southern border. He had promised during the 2016 campaign that he would force Mexico to pay for that project, but as president he never made any attempt to get that country to do so.

That shutdown ended after 34 days, when Trump gave up on forcing Congress to include wall funding in the spending bill and instead raided the Defense Department budget, using billions of dollars meant for such things as service member housing and schools to pay for border fencing instead.

After four years in office, Trump managed to build only 52 miles of new fence where there had not previously been any barrier, although replacement of existing barrier continued as it had under former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Former President Donald Trump is going to Detroit to try to make the case that hes got the backs of striking autoworkers  but his record on labor issues has union advocates fuming all over again.

Trump has a long history of courting blue-collar workers both before and after his term in the White House, especially in denouncing plant closings and rewriting trade deals that he said had undermined U.S. manufacturing. But in some of those fights, he claimed credit for wins long before the results were clear  only for the labor side to lose in the end.

Trump took a victory lap, for example, when an electric vehicle manufacturer moved into a shuttered General Motors plant in Ohio in 2020, but the venture hit the skids earlier this year. He also browbeat Carrier Global Corp. to keep jobs in Indianapolis that the company had planned to move to Mexico, but hundreds of workers ended up being laid off anyway.

Meanwhile, his administration pursued policies that were hardly union-friendly  limiting employees rights to organize in certain types of workplaces and lowering the standard to rid workplaces of a union, for example. And when the UAW waged a six-week strike against GM in 2019, Trump mostly stayed silent, even as his administration quietly floated the possibility that he might intervene on the unions behalf.



That may explain why his Detroit visit next week is getting such a chilly reception from nearly all union leaders, especially UAW President Shawn Fain  even as its unnerving Democrats who fear that, once again, Trump is outflanking them in appealing to Rust Belt workers bruised by the global economy.

The former presidents campaign believes these voters remain gettable, as they were in 2016 and again in 2020  and that slicing away at President Joe Biden s labor advantage is key to winning battleground states like Michigan. But those voters should pay attention to Trump's actual record, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) told POLITICO.

Donald Trump is full of nothing but broken promises, and Michigans autoworkers havent forgotten," she said.

Asked for comment, a Trump spokesperson sent a long list of the former presidents economic accomplishments, saying his policies created more than 1.2 million manufacturing and construction jobs and helped bring back supply chains from overseas.

These are some of the key episodes that shaped Trumps history with labor unions and the auto industry, an issue now front and center in the 2024 campaign:

Claiming victory and moving on

Trump, who said during his inauguration speech that "rusted out factories" were "scattered like tombstones across the across the landscape of our nation," has latched onto specific manufacturing plants and demanded they stay open. But that hasnt always worked out in the long run.

Perhaps most notably, shortly after the 2016 election and even before he was sworn in as president, Trump spent weeks pressuring Carrier to keep workers at a plant in Indianapolis instead of moving them to Mexico.

The company eventually agreed after being offered state incentives, brokered by Trump and Mike Pence, then the governor of Indiana.

But despite boasts that he had saved jobs and that the company would possibly even add more, the plants workforce  once about 1,400 people  was ultimately cut in half, according to Mike Millsap, United Steelworkers top elected officer in Indiana.



Trump was just less than truthful throughout the whole thing with Carrier, Millsap said in an interview. He claimed he saved the plant."

Carrier did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Two years later, Trump assailed General Motors decision to close an auto plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The plant was sold and later reopened as part of an electric vehicle startup, an outcome Trump touted by showing off one of the companys models  an electric pickup truck  at the White House.

But that company, Lordstown Motors, went bankrupt this year after production mishaps and other difficulties  rekindling economic uncertainty in the area just years after Trump said it was booming.

And in Wisconsin, Trump promised that the giant Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn, best known for making iPhones in China, would invest $10 billion to open a plant outside Milwaukee. This is a great day for American workers and manufacturing and everyone who believes in the concept and label of Made in the USA, Trump said during a White House appearance that included Republican then-Gov. Scott Walker.

However, the massive job payoff never arrived, though the company does employ some people in the area, The Washington Post reported last month.

Setbacks for unions

Despite Trumps vocal efforts to keep domestic manufacturing jobs, his administration was far less friendly to U.S. workers seeking union representation.

[W]hen it comes to the bread and butter issues our members care about  fair wages, safe jobsites, and the ability to retire with the dignity we earned  Donald Trump is just another fraud, Mark McManus, the head of the plumbers union, said in a statement.

Trumps appointees as the majority on the National Labor Relations Board limited workers rights to organize on employers property, as well as the scope of who should be included in particular bargaining units. Bidens appointees to the NLRB have subsequently worked to dismantle much of the Trump boards legacy.

You can make all kinds of speeches, but do you sign up to protect the right to organize? Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said this week. Ill believe this economic populism when I see them [Republicans] do that.

The Trump-led NLRB also lowered the standard needed for employers to oust an existing union and ruled in employers favor on setting handbook rules, a seemingly small issue but one that carries big implications for workplace standards.

The board under Trump further made it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors, rather than employees, meaning those workers could no longer be covered by the law protecting employees rights to organize or collectively bargain.

The rebirth of protectionism

Much of Trumps trade policy was aimed at creating more auto jobs in the United States. That included renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he blamed for massive U.S. manufacturing job losses, and a separate free trade agreement with South Korea.

Moves like that earned Trump some praise even from critics of his overall record.

I think hes going in the right direction on trade," Richard Trumka, then-president of the AFL-CIO, told reporters in 2018.

Trumps U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, used the threat of withdrawing from the agreement with South Korea to force Seoul to accept new auto terms aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit in that sector.

Trump also imposed a 25-percent tariff on auto imports from China, a move that has helped prevent Chinese electric vehicle makers from getting a toehold in the U.S. market.

Trump sees the U.S. trade deficit as a sign that other countries are beating the United States, and he took many of his trade actions with the aim of reducing the imbalance.

During the current campaign, he has talked about imposing a 10 percent tariff on all imports to help level the playing field and to give the United States more negotiating leverage.

That plan would cut both ways for the auto sector. Higher tariffs on imported automobiles would provide a price cushion for cars made in the United States. But automakers would have to pay more for imported parts, increasing their costs.

In addition, the move would most likely violate World Trade Organization rules and inflame relations with trading partners.

Thats what happened in 2018, when Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum in the name of national security. The move, which was later declared illegal by the WTO, provided steel and aluminum workers with a shield against foreign competition but boosted costs for other sectors, such as autos, that rely on the metals.

The NAFTA re-do

Trump also used the threat of withdrawal in the NAFTA renegotiation, which Trump renamed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The USMCA included tougher auto rules-of-origin requiring cars manufactured in Canada and Mexico to contain more North American steel, aluminum and other material to qualify for a waiver of the duty that the United States imposes on passenger car imports.

The new rules also included a novel provision aimed at increasing the wages of Mexican autoworkers to make it less advantageous for automakers to make cars in that country to export to the United States.



Before leaving office, Lighthizer implemented the new USMCA auto rules in a way that both Mexico and Canada said was even tighter than what they had agreed to. The Biden administration has stayed the course in this area  a rare policy nexus between the current and former president  despite protests from the United States' North American neighbors.

The USMCA does appear to have helped reduce the U.S. trade deficit in passenger cars with Canada and Mexico.

But that decline was more than offset by an increased deficit in the two other areas: auto parts and big vehicles. The overall automotive trade deficit  which includes auto parts, passenger cars, trucks, buses and specialty vehicles  totaled nearly $100 billion in 2022, compared with the 2017 level of $83 billion before Trump tinkered with the pact.

Jasper Goodman contributed to this report.
Trump called Hillary Clinton a nasty woman in the 2016 presidential race  and now he's hurling the insult at conservative commentator Megyn Kelly .

Kelly interviewed Trump last week  for the first time since shortly after Trump lashed out at her the first time during a 2015 GOP presidential debate. Trump said Kelly was nasty then, too.

"I did 'Meet the Press' this weekend, they got fantastic ratings. I call it Meet the Fake Press," began Trump at a campaign stop in Iowa on Wednesday. "And it was one question after another after another after another and went through this whole hour. You had Kristen Welker, and she was you know, nice, although she kept interrupting me cause she wasn't loving all of the answers I was giving."

He continued: "Then I did a Megyn Kelly one and she just, you know, boy, she became nastier all of a sudden. She was pretty nasty, didn't ya think? Anybody that watched it?"

NEW:



Trump slams @megynkelly as nasty for asking him tough questions during their interview pic.twitter.com/ty3PqQ8jZC  John Hasson (@SonofHas) September 20, 2023

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.

For her part, Kelly recently insisted when asked about Trump, "You know, all that nonsense between us is under the bridge, and he could not have been more magnanimous."
The government will shut down in nine days if Congress cannot reach a funding agreement.

Trump called on Republicans to let that happen if it means refusing to cave on spending cuts.

Kevin McCarthy is facing opposition from some GOP holdouts who won't pass a bill with Democrats.

Americans are nine days away from experiencing yet another government shutdown. Former President Donald Trump, who led a 35-day shutdown in 2019, is suggesting Republicans should let it happen again.

On Wednesday night, Trump took to his social media site Truth Social to offer advice to Republican lawmakers. If Congress doesn't reach an agreement on funding before September 30, the federal government will shut down  and with that deadline just nine days away, the GOP has yet to find a viable solution to keep the government funded.

Trump, who was responsible for the longest government shutdown in US history, urged Republicans to make the most of the "very important deadline" to keep the government funded.

"Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden's weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State," Trump posted on his site. "This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country!"

With regards to the debt limit, Trump is referring to the concessions Republicans had to make with Democrats in order to raise the limit and ensure the government could continue covering its spending obligations. They did not get the spending cuts they had hoped to achieve within that bill, which is why Trump is urging them to hold the line on government funding.

However, Republicans cannot agree amongst themselves on what those spending cuts should look like. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday had to pull a vote on a group of conservative lawmakers' continuing resolution that would keep the government funded through October 31 because not enough members of his party supported the legislation.

After failing to corral his party around the conservatives' resolution, McCarthy is reportedly seeking to pass a funding bill that would include deeper spending cuts alongside an immigration package that Democrats are likely to vote against  meaning he would need conservative holdouts to hop on board. If they don't, McCarthy would have to appease some Democratic lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown  and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz said that could cost McCarthy his title as Speaker.

"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," Gaetz told CNN.

These party squabbles are having lawmakers on both sides of the aisle frustrated. "It's yet another reminder that in both houses, a small group of hard-right Republicans are dead set to grind the gears of government to a halt," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

A government shutdown would mean thousands of government employees furloughed, which could lead to processing delays for programs Americans rely on like Social Security and SNAP. The clock is ticking to see if Congress can avoid that outcome  and things aren't looking good.

Correction: September 21, 2023  This story has been updated to clarify a shutdown will occur if Congress does not reach an agreement by September 30.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a 2024 presidential campaign rally in Dubuque

By Nathan Layne

(Reuters) -Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that if elected again he would shift resources from federal law enforcement agencies and send thousands of overseas-based troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Speaking to supporters in Iowa, where the Republican Party's first nominating contest for the November 2024 election will be held in January, Trump also promised to expand on a travel ban that barred people from several countries with majority Muslim populations during his 2017-2021 presidency.

Calling record illegal U.S.-Mexico border crossings under President Joe Biden an "invasion," Trump sought to place blame for the problem on the current administration. Biden, a Democrat, is running for re-election and could have a rematch election against the Republican front-runner Trump.

"Upon my inauguration I will immediately terminate every open borders policy of the Biden administration," Trump said at a rally in Dubuque. "I'll make clear that we must use any and all resources needed to stop the invasion, including moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas."

Trump provided few specifics, including on exactly how he planned to expand on any ban imposed on Muslim-majority countries. It was unclear if Trump would face any legal hurdles to implementing such measures.

The Biden administration has defended its border policies, saying it is using the tools available, while calling on Congress to pass laws to fix a broken system. Most people seeking to cross the southern U.S. border come from Central American countries.

Trump's rivals have stepped up their rhetoric on immigration in recent weeks, promising tough action on crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border in a sign of the importance of the issue to Republican primary voters.

About one in six Republicans consider immigration as the most pressing issue facing the country, making it the third most important issue to them after the economy and crime, a Reuters/Ipsos poll this month showed.

Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in an interview with CBS's Norah ODonnell that if elected president he would send the military to the border and authorize the use of deadly force against members of drug cartels.

DeSantis is Trump's top rival but remains some 40 percentage points behind him in opinion polls.

The Dubuque rally was one of two afternoon stops for Trump in Iowa on Wednesday. His campaign is scheduling a series of visits to the state in the coming weeks, as he seeks to fend off a push there by his primary rivals, some of whom have spent considerably more time and money in Iowa.

Trump was the only major candidate to skip the annual Faith and Freedom Coalition banquet in Des Moines over the weekend, missing a chance to connect with evangelicals, a critical voting bloc in the state.

His visit on Wednesday came as he confronted fresh criticism from conservatives for his stance on abortion, triggered by his Sunday appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press, in which he declined to commit to national restrictions on the procedure and called DeSantis signing of a six-week ban a "terrible mistake."

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who is popular in her state, and DeSantis were among the Republicans to blast Trump's remarks.

Trump told the crowd in Dubuque that they needed to "follow their heart" on abortion but warned that Republicans needed to "learn how to talk" about legislation in a way that doesn't turn off voters. He said it was important to carve out exceptions for any ban for instances of rape, incest and the mother's life.

"Without the exceptions, it is very difficult to win elections. We would probably lose the majorities in 2024 without the exceptions and perhaps the presidency itself," he said.

(reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut and Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Grant McCool and Michael Perry)
The Iowa caucuses are still more than four months away, but former President Trump already appears to have one eye toward a general election rematch with President Biden.

Trumps words and actions are that of a candidate less concerned with his primary rivals, who trail him by a wide margin in nearly every state and national poll, and more focused on attacking Biden and winning over voters in key swing states.

Ford OConnell, a Florida-based Republican strategist, said Trump has the freedom to do what he thinks is best with his campaign thanks to his significant lead in primary polls, and national polls that show him in a close hypothetical rematch with Biden.

Trump is running the race as if this is going to be himself and Joe Biden in November of 2024, OConnell said. And anyone whos being honest will tell you thats the right way to go, barring a seismic moment or shift or anything else.

The former presidents speeches are typically filled with attacks on Bidens immigration and economic policies and allegations of corruption against the president and his family. On social media, Trump frequently responds to news of the day about Biden, while occasionally attacking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and other GOP rivals as well.

Trump is not attending next weeks Republican presidential primary debate in California after already skipping the first one.

Instead, he will head to Michigan to deliver remarks in front of union workers, seeking to capitalize politically in a pivotal swing state amid a United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.

Trump won Michigan in 2016 but lost it in 2020, and the state is one of a handful the former president would likely need to flip to win back the White House in 2024.

Trump has hammered Biden over his push for expanded incentives for electric vehicles, one factor at issue for striking workers. And while UAW leadership has been sharply critical of Trump, the former presidents planned appearance in Detroit reflects a focus on peeling away the kinds of voters he will need to weaken Bidens coalition, while his Republican rivals fight it out on the debate stage hundreds of miles away.

The former presidents recent rhetorical maneuvering on abortion also underscores how hes already trying to play to a general election audience more so than a Republican primary crowd.

Trump has repeatedly avoided saying whether he would sign a national abortion ban, though he has also taken credit for bringing about the end of Roe v. Wade through his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices and claimed it returned the issue to the states.

In a Meet the Press interview, Trump called Floridas ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy a terrible thing.

Those comments have frustrated anti-abortion rights groups and social conservatives who have pushed for some type of national standard restricting abortion, and it triggered criticism from GOP governors in Georgia and Iowa who have signed similar bills to the one in Florida.

In a series of Truth Social posts Tuesday, Trump reiterated his belief that there should be exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk, suggesting it would be difficult to win elections with a more restrictive stance.

Without the exceptions, it is very difficult to win Elections, we would probably lose the Majorities in 2024, and perhaps the Presidency itself, but you must follow your HEART! Trump wrote. In order to win in 2024, Republicans must learn how to talk about Abortion. This issue cost us unnecessarily, but dearly, in the Midterms.

One Republican strategist argued that Trumps approach to abortion shows he realizes Democrats are likely to attack him repeatedly on the issue. The end of Roe led to a surge in Democratic turnout in subsequent special elections and the midterms, and many Democrats are expecting the same in 2024.

Trump is not entirely blowing off the primary process, to be sure.

His campaign is aggressively looking to build support on the ground in Iowa and other early primary states. The former president is making multiple trips to the Hawkeye State this month, recognizing that a convincing victory in the caucuses there next January would effectively squash any momentum for a challenger heading into New Hampshire and South Carolina.

I think its safe to say if Trump wins Iowa, this race is over, the GOP strategist said.

Others believe Trump has been able to essentially look ahead to a general election campaign because his rivals in the Republican primary have not put enough pressure on him politically.

A FiveThirtyEight average of polls shows Trump polling nationally at 55 percent in the GOP primary, with DeSantis in second at 14 percent and the rest of the field in single digits. State-level polls have not been much better for Trump rivals.

Even an Emerson College poll this month that showed Trumps support in Iowa declining from May found him leading DeSantis by more than 30 percentage points.

Doug Heye, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), argued those running against Trump have failed to attack him head on or make the case for why they should be the nominee over him.

While former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has attacked Trump directly, most other GOP primary candidates have instead offered broader arguments about electability and the need for generational change. And most candidates policy platforms echo Trumps agenda from his first term in office.

There has been no primary. Weve had people go to Iowa, New Hampshire and all of that, but when your opponent is indicted four times and the response of most of his opponents is not to just not criticize, but to reinforce his own messaging and back him up, theres no primary, Heye said.

If Trump wins Iowa, wins New Hampshire, how does he lose South Carolina? Heye added. It will be because everybody who threw their hat in the ring never actually ran a campaign against the front-runner. I cant recall any race where weve seen that before.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ray Epps, a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has found himself the focus of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Wednesday. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Ray Epps, a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has found himself the focus of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Wednesday.

Epps, 62, had been offered a deal to plead guilty to a charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds for participating in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, court records obtained by UPI show.

He appeared for his court appearance Wednesday via Zoom, court documents show. He was released on the promise to return to court for future appearances and ordered to surrender his passport.

Epps additionally agreed to have his social media reviewed by law enforcement and to pay a $500 fine, The Hill reported. He is scheduled to be sentenced in a virtual court appearance Dec. 20.

In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to charge Epps for other conduct related to the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors noted that Epps has no previous criminal convictions and estimated a prison sentence of six months and a fine range of between $2,000 to $20,000.

Epps is a former Marine who traveled to Washington to protest the 2020 election, which he said he believed was stolen from Trump.

He later faced conspiracy theories, spread by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson , that alleged he was an FBI informant planted in the crowd to instigate the attack on the Capitol.

In July, Epps filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Carlson, claiming he was used as a scapegoat after the violence at the Capitol, which destroyed his reputation.

The conspiracy claims Epps wasn't arrested for his involvement in the riot earlier because the Justice Department was protecting him, fueled by videos from the day before the attack showing him discussing entering the Capitol and the next day whispering into the ear of another protester during the attack.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon read a statement into the record on Wednesday because of the "unusual nature of the case."

Gordon affirmed in his statement that Epps was not a confidential source or an undercover agent for the government, the FBI, DHS or any law enforcement at any point "before, during or after" the riot.
Supporters of Donald Trump gather in Irvine outside a California GOP executive committee meeting, during which delegate-allocation rules were ultimately changed in a way to benefit the former president. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Strategic, surgical efforts by former President Trumps campaign to overhaul obscure Republican Party rules in states around the nation, including California, have created an opportunity for the GOP front-runner to quickly sew up his party's presidential nomination.

The former president's aides have sculpted rules in dozens of states, starting even before his 2020 reelection bid. Their work is ongoing: In addition to California, state Republican parties in Nevada and Michigan have recently overhauled their rules in ways clearly designed to favor Trump.

This election, "despite a large number of candidates, only the Trump campaign went out and did the really hard grunt work of talking to state parties to try and get them to meld their rules to Donald Trump's favor," said Ben Ginsberg, a veteran GOP attorney who represented the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush  notably during the 2000 Florida recount  and Mitt Romney.

The Trump campaign succeeded in changing the rules "in part because they knew what they were doing and in part because everyone else is asleep at the switch," Ginsberg added.

The changes could discourage campaigning and decrease voter participation, said Dan Lee, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"There's all this uncertainty, and there hasn't been much campaigning going on in Nevada. I think that's due to that uncertainty," Lee said.

The success of the Trump campaign's effort is partly attributable to his aggressive courting of state GOP leaders. The former president has headlined fundraisers that have raised millions of dollars for state parties. He wooed their leaders at the White House when he was president and has feted them at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida since leaving office.

Its sort of an advantage no one else is going to naturally have, said Clayton Henson, a member of the Trump campaigns political team who worked on political affairs at the White House during the former presidents tenure.

The Trump campaign's rule changes have focused on ensuring he benefits from how all-important delegates are awarded after each state caucus or primary.

Read more: Tensions flare as California GOP gives Trump a boost by overhauling state primary rules

Though much of the media attention in presidential campaigns focuses on polling, particularly in early-voting states, the outcome is ultimately determined by delegates chosen in each state. The wonky quilt of rules determining how delegates are awarded to candidates vary across the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. Each will send delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next summer, when the party will formally pick its nominee.

"The way delegate-selection rules are written by each state party every four years can make a huge difference to individual candidates and how many delegates they get," Ginsberg said.

Trump's success in changing the rules ahead of 2024 marks a complete reversal from his first presidential campaign, he added. "The Trump campaign in 2016 was five guys on a pirate ship who did not have the organization to go out and really work the rules."

Trump's 2024 campaign started working on shaping delegate-allocation rules in November, seeking modifications that were beneficial for the state parties as well as the campaign, Henson said.

"Parties are extremely keen on being more important in the primary and thats why were seeing more winner-take-all rules  and seeing more early primaries or caucuses when they have the opportunity, Henson said. What that amounts to is a front-runner set of rules, something that benefits the front-runner, and delegates being allocated quickly.

But the work started in earnest years ago  changes were made in 30 states and territories in 2019, according to Josh Putnam, a political scientist who focuses on the presidential nomination process and runs FrontloadingHQ. Among the rules changes were switching from proportional delegate allocation, where multiple candidates can win delegates in a state, to winner-take-all. In some states, delegates are also being awarded based on the outcome of party-run caucuses among GOP activists, many of whom remain loyal to Trump, rather than official state primary elections.

"The Trump team was unusually active in nudging state parties toward changes for 2020 that 1) made it easier for Trump to gobble up delegates as the nomination process moved through the calendar of contests and 2) made it much more difficult for multiple candidates to win delegates," he wrote in March.

In the 2024 race, opinion polls show that the former president enjoys a commanding lead in the race for the GOP nomination. A UC Berkeley survey co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times released earlier this month found Trump has the support of about 55% of likely California Republican voters, compared with 16% for his top challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. If Trump can maintain that level of support in California's March primary, he will win all of the state's 169 delegates  the most of any state in the nation and about 14% of what a candidate needs to win the GOP nomination.

Read more: Trump is on track to sweep California's delegates in presidential race, poll shows

DeSantis backers said they focused on courting voters rather than trying to modify state party protocols.

The effort we put into delegate rules is almost zero, said Ken Cuccinelli, founder of the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC. Its one/10,000th of what we do. But talking to voters is a big part of what we do.

He added that the Trump campaign is focused on delegate rules because it recognizes that DeSantis is the most formidable threat to the former president's candidacy.

He knows who his challenger is  its Ron DeSantis. This is effectively a two-person race. It's why they've spent tens of millions of dollars attacking DeSantis," Cuccinelli said. "DeSantis still has the highest favorables in the race. It's why they're playing the delegate rule games. We're not doing that. We're playing defense there, but we're not trying to rig the rules. We're trying to keep them from being rigged.

That said, decisions to change the delegate-allocation process in California, Nevada and elsewhere prompted the DeSantis super PAC to reduce its efforts in those states. The group's supporters had already knocked on about 130,000 doors in California.

This was a huge factor in our decision. We started door-knocking with the expectation that the rules would remain consistent in California," Cuccinelli said.

He said they would not have started their efforts in the state if they knew the state GOP would shift its rules from ones that rewarded grassroots campaigning to ones that give the edge to campaigns that bombard the airwaves: "We met a lot of voters, we answered a lot of questions one-on-one."

Campaigns in both parties have long tried to work party rules to benefit their candidates, sometimes resulting in confusing outcomes  a candidate can win a state primary or caucus but his or her rival can collect more of its delegates.

Read more: Column: Donald Trump is rotten and despicable  but that doesn't mean he should be kicked off the presidential ballot

In 2008, Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama in the Nevada vote 51% to 45%, but Obama won one more of the state's delegates because of how they are awarded based on regional caucuses around the state  a game-changing moment in the campaign, said Bill Burton, who was Obama's national press secretary at the time.

"It was a dog fight," he said. "If Hillary was able to pull off a real victory there, it could have been real trouble for us in terms of momentum. But because it was a split decision and we won more delegates, she didn't get the boost she could have."

As a novice candidate in 2016, Trump had a similar experience as Clinton. He won Louisiana, yet Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was awarded more of the states delegates  an example of his team being outflanked by Cruzs campaign, whose strategists understood the intricacies of the state's nomination process.

In 2016, the Trump campaign did not have an appreciation early on for the importance of actual delegates, said Ron Nehring, a national spokesman and California chairman for the Cruz campaign who is also a former leader of the state GOP. Part way through 2016, Trump said the process was rigged. What he was whining about was that the Cruz people absolutely outmaneuvered him in states where Trump won the primary.

Ultimately, the delegate hunt was moot because Trump won so much support from GOP voters and Cruz dropped out. But Nehring said the former president clearly learned from that experience, given his current campaigns successful efforts to change state party rules across the country in a manner that blatantly favors Trump over other candidates.

It's an effort that he argues is grossly inappropriate.

"Changing the rules once the campaign has begun and changing the rules based on the political conditions of the race  that's why it's unfair," said Nehring, who is not aligned with a 2024 presidential candidate.

Others argue that the Trump campaign is doing what campaigns have historically always done, such as working existing delegate rules as former Texas Rep. Ron Paul's ardent supporters did in the 2012 presidential campaign. Although former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had effectively clinched the party nomination, Paul's backers worked arcane party rules to take over GOP delegations across the nation.

For example, while Paul finished a distant third in the Iowa caucuses, 23 of the state's 28 delegates who went to the nominating convention were Paul supporters who were not bound to support the victor of the states first-in-the-nation voting contest.

National Republicans fought back, raising the number of states required to put a name in contention and allowing campaigns to select state delegates.

Incumbent presidents have also often reshaped the rules, as Trump did before the last presidential election.

"He and his team laid the groundwork for this in 2020. They were active in turning the knob on making it really front-runner friendly in how the rules were crafted," Putnam said.

Several of Trump's top advisors in the 2024 campaign, including Chris LaCivita, are deeply versed in the intricacies of winning delegates.

Theres an understanding from the senior campaign staff that this is how its done, LaCivita said. The president made it clear he wants an organization, he wants an organized, efficient campaign that is built around ensuring that some of the unknowns that they faced in 16 are not faced this time.

LaCivitia said the former president's campaign has focused on advocating for winner-take-all delegate rules that benefit a front-runner, and if that's not possible, proportional delegate allocation based on statewide vote tallies. They also pushed for caucuses, which draw the most committed conservative voters, rather than primaries in some states. And they supported rules requiring delegates to support the candidate who won in their state, cutting down on convention uncertainty.

They have had a number of successes: Nevada will award all of its delegates based on the results of a Feb. 8 in-person caucus, two days after a meaningless all-mail state primary  an uncommon scenario. The primary may be canceled if no candidate files to appear on the ballot, and there is talk of the state party not allowing any candidate who appears on the ballot to compete in the caucus. Michigan will allocate most of its delegates through caucuses on March 2 rather than the states primary on Feb. 27. Colorado and Louisiana are considering revamping their rules so delegates are bound to a candidate during a second round of voting if no candidate receives a majority during the first round.

Operatives in California, Nevada and elsewhere say they were forced to change their rules to align with national Republican Party requirements, which include mandating some proportional delegate allocation opportunities in states where contests take place before March 15. Though they claim these modifications do not benefit any candidate, most political experts are skeptical, partly because the leaders of many of these groups are Trump loyalists.

In California, the state GOP voted in late July to award all of their 169 delegates to a candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote in the March primary, and to allocate them proportionally based on the statewide vote if no candidate clears that benchmark. The state previously awarded them by congressional district, theoretically allowing candidates to target certain regions without having to advertise across a state that contains some of the most expensive media markets in the nation.

The change is largely viewed as making the state less competitive for candidates who cant afford to blanket the airwaves before California and 14 other states vote on March 5, Super Tuesday.

Read more: Lawsuit argues Trump disqualified from appearing on California ballot

However, some argue this rule change may have created additional risk for Trump if he falters before then.

"If they're coasting to the nomination, then the old rules would have served them fine, but now, if they stumble, they probably don't take as many delegates as they likely would have under the old rules," said Rob Stutzman, a veteran GOP strategist who does not support Trump.

This presidential election is unlikely to be like any other. Trump has been indicted over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, his handling of confidential government documents after leaving the White House and his payments to an adult film star during the 2016 campaign in an attempt to conceal their affair.

A judge recently set March 4  one day before Super Tuesday  as the start of the federal trial over his efforts to stop the transfer of power after his 2020 election loss and his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Conservative grassroots activists also hope to upend the California rule change at the state partys convention on Oct. 1  a Herculean task because of the two-thirds vote required to make such a modification.

While DeSantis backers say they are not behind the insurgent effort to overturn the new delegate-allocation plan, they are angry about the former presidents meddling in state party rules.

If Trump is going to keep breaking these rules in ways that just move everything away from grassroots campaigning, that means voters are going to have less and less contact with candidates. Thats exactly the opposite of what ordinary Americans want," Cuccinelli said. "So this is Trump versus the little people. He can't pull it off in every state, but he pulled it off in California.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) claimed victory Wednesday over Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) after the upper chamber voted to confirm Gen. Charles CQ Brown to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  circumventing Tubervilles months-long blockage on military promotions.

I forced his hand, and were going to do two more tomorrow, which will be good, Tuberville said in an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, referring to two other votes on military promotions that Schumer teed up for Thursday. But still I have my holds on, and theyre going to have to change this policy, or were going to go through a long, drawn-out process.

For the last seven months, Tuberville has had a hold on more than 300 military promotions, as a protest against a newly enacted Pentagons policy covering travel expenses for service members traveling across state lines to seek abortion care.

These military promotions are often advanced en bloc via unanimous consent, allowing any senator, in theory, to object to the advancement. While the Senate can advance the promotions one at a time, that would take an exorbitant amount of time and stall any other Senate business for the near future.

With outgoing Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley set to leave his position at the end of the month, Schumer made the surprise announcement that he would tee up votes on three military nominations this week, including Browns. Schumers announcement came after Tuberville threatened to force a cloture vote on one of the nominations.

Still, however, Democrats have remained steadfast in their refusal to bring up all military promotions individually, and Schumer said in floor remarks Wednesday that, despite the votes on three military promotions this week, Tuberville has not accomplished anything  the abortion policy will not change, and the Senate will not continue bringing up individual nominations.

Tuberville responded to Schumers comments in his interview with Ingraham.

I accomplished, No. 1, I showed people what were doing. They can do them one at a time, and we taught Schumer how to go back to the floor and actually bring somebody to the floor so we could vote and confirm them.

I think a lot of people thought, hey, I am holding them up no matter what, Tuberville continued. No. Schumer can bring them up one at a time, well probably vote for most of them, theyll get confirmed, but theyve waited 220 days, Laura, to do the first one. 220 days, theyve pushed all this stuff back on me, but now its on them. People know now that they can confirm them. And so well just sit back and see if he brings  anybody to the floor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two Hillcrest High School students have been charged in connection with bringing a gun and a loaded magazine to campus Wednesday morning.

Sgt. Josh Hastings, a spokesman for the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, said deputies were called to Hillcrest High, 300 Patriot Parkway, around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday by faculty and school resource officers to investigate a report of a juvenile in possession of a firearm.

After an investigation, Hastings said two juvenile students were charged with illegal possession of a firearm and altering the serial number of a firearm.

"At the conclusion of our investigation, we determined two juveniles had actually been in possession of the same gun at different times on school property. As a result of that, they were both charged and turned over to (the Tuscaloosa County) Juvenile Detention Center," Hastings said.

Hastings said there was never a threat to the school and there was no lockdown put in place. The names of the students were not released because of their juvenile status.

Jeff Hinton, the principal at Hillcrest High, released a statement to parents and the community shortly after the incident.

"We want to provide you details about an incident that happened on campus this morning. We received information that a student was seen with a firearm at school this (Wednesday) morning. This information was reported by another individual, soon as that individual made the observation. Our school resource officer and administrators were able to quickly secure the student and locate the firearm. The firearm was not loaded, but the student did have a clip loaded with bullets in their possession. No one was injured in this situation," Hinton said.

"We extended the class period and held students in their classrooms, for the purpose of conducting a thorough investigation of the situation," the principal said.

"We are thankful to the individual who spoke up immediately when they saw a potential danger to our school. This is one of the most important and effective ways you can help keep our school safe. Because this is an active investigation, we are limited in some details that we can discuss at this time. However, please know that any student who brings a weapon to school faces serious consequences under our code of conduct. Please reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns," Hinton said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Two students charged after gun found at Hillcrest High School
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Two bishops from mainland China are due to attend a major Vatican meeting next month, officials said on Thursday, a positive sign after recent tensions between the Holy See and Beijing.

The two bishops were chosen by their brother bishops in China, meaning they likely had approval from the Communist government, which holds great sway over the Chinese Catholic Church.

The two are Anthony Yao Shun of Jining and Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun, officials said at a press conference.

After they were proposed by the local Church, Pope Francis named them as two of his personal nominees to the month-long meeting of bishops, known as a synod.

They are expected to attend the entire synod. Two other Chinese bishops were allowed by the government to attend another synod for the first time in 2018 but did not stay for the entire meeting.

A bishop from Hong Kong will attend, as will one from Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Beijing has been following a policy of "Sinicisation" of religion, trying to root out foreign influences and enforce obedience to the Communist Party.

A landmark 2018 agreement between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops has been tenuous at best, with the Vatican complaining that Beijing has violated it several times.

Two months ago the Vatican chided Beijing for not consulting over the transfer of two bishops from one diocese to another.

OVERTURES TO BEIJING

During his trip earlier this month to Mongolia, which has a long border with China, Francis made several overtures to Beijing, in apparent efforts to overcome recent tensions.

At one event, he called the Chinese a "noble" people and asked Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens".

At another, he said governments have nothing to fear from the Catholic Church because it has no political agenda.

The Oct. 4-29 synod has been in preparation for two years, during which Catholics around the world were asked about their vision for the future of the Church.

Proponents have welcomed the consultations as an opportunity to change the Church's power dynamics and give a greater voice to lay Catholics, including women, and people on the margins of society.

Conservatives say the process has been a waste of time, may erode the hierarchical structure of the nearly 1.3 billion-member Church and in the long run could dilute traditional doctrine. A second final session will be held in 2024.

About 365 "members" with voting rights will attend, along with about 100 other participants such as observers and delegates from other Christian Churches. Women will be allowed to vote for the first time.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alex Richardson)
STUART  Two teens were behind the shooting of a 17-year-old who was shot while driving on Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Labor Day weekend, police said.

A 16-year-old and 17-year-old have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, said Lt. David Duran, a spokesperson for Stuart police.

More: Stuart shooting victim nearly crashes through police department building Labor Day weekend

The teens were arrested Monday, but their names have not been released. Both are in custody at St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Duran said.

Police said the 17-year-old who was shot was driving past the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard about half a mile away from Stuart police headquarters Sept. 3.

The shooter fired a gun at the teen from another car driving the opposite direction, investigators said.

Police have not released which teen did what during the shooting.

After the shooting, the 17-year-old drove his car to Stuart police headquarters seeking medical attention for his bullet wound.

Police arrested two teens after an investigation that led detectives to St. Lucie County and unincorporated Martin County to locate the suspects, according to Stuart police.

Martin County Sheriff's Office and Port St. Lucie police assisted Stuart detectives with the investigation.

Police have not said what motivated the teens to shoot at the 17-year-old, or if there was any relation among them.

More: Delivery driver in 'serious' condition after rattlesnake attack in Palm City

More: $8 million legal tab: Indian River, Martin counties paid the price for fighting Brightline

Mauricio La Plante is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm focusing on Martin County. Follow him on Twitter @mslaplantenews or email him at Mauricio.LaPlante@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Teens arrested shooting 17-year-old labor day weekend in stuart
U.K. prosecutors said Thursday that they had authorized charges of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia. The charges come after an investigation by the Counter Terrorism Command of London's Metropolitan Police.

The five people are Bulgarian citizens between the ages of 29 and 45. In a statement, the head of Britain's Crown Prosecution Service, Nick Price, named them as Orlin Roussev, Bizer Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova, Ivan Stoyanov and Vanya Gaberova, and said they "will be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state between 30 August 2020 and 8 February 2023."

Three of the defendants were charged earlier this year with possessing false identity documents, Price said.

Police carried out a search of a home occupied by three of the defendants and found allegedly false identification documents and passports for the U.K., the Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, France, Italy, Spain and Slovenia, according to BBC News. The five defendants are also accused of organizing surveillance operations in Montenegro, the BBC reported.

Last year, Britain's domestic intelligence chief, Director General of MI5 Ken McCallum, said over 400 suspected Russian spies had been expelled from Europe, striking a "significant strategic blow." U.K. police have previously charged three Russians, who were accused of being GRU military intelligence officers, with the 2018 conspiracy to murder former spy Sergei Skripal using the nerve agent Novichok.

The five defendants are expected to appear in court in the U.K. on Tuesday.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch | 60 Minutes Archive

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The evening light on the City of London skyline by the river Thames. Credit - Barry LewisInPictures/Getty Images

A report published this week by the U.K.s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has raised concerns about the potential ways the artificial intelligence industry could become monopolized or harm consumers in future, but stressed that it is too soon to tell whether these scenarios would materialize.

The issues raised by the report highlight the difficulties policymakers face in governing AI, a source of both huge potential commercial value and many risks. Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, is pushing for the U.K. to occupy a central role in international AI policy discussions, with a particular focus on risks from advanced AI systems. If the U.K. competition watchdog decides to start taking action against AI developers, tech companies around the world could be affected.

Regulatory concerns

The report, published on Monday, focuses on foundation models, which the CMA defines as a type of AI technology that are trained on vast amounts of data that can be adapted to a wide range of tasks and operations. Examples include text-generating AI models, such as GPT-3.5, the model that powers OpenAIs ChatGPT, as well as image-generating AI models, such as Stable Diffusion.

The paper raises concerns that the increasing amounts of computational power and data used to train AI models could create barriers to entry, reducing competition in the sector.

Access to computing power already determines the competitive dynamics of this market, Anton Korinek, an economics professor at the University of Virginia, told TIME over email. The report is spot-on at recognizing that the market for foundation models would be competitive if a large number of models pushed towards the frontier of capabilities; a market where only a few models are at the frontier is not competitive even if hundreds of other models are behind the frontier.

The CMA also says in the paper that some stakeholders argued that those with a lead in the development of foundation models might be able to use the capabilities of those models to further improve them and pull away from their competitors, in a process known as recursive self-improvement, although the report also notes that this scenario is speculative.

Read more: 4 Charts That Show Why AI Progress Is Unlikely to Slow Down

In 2021, Sam Altman, CEO of prominent AI developer OpenAI, predicted that AI would create a a recursive loop of innovation, in which smart machines themselves help us make smarter machines. In April, TechCrunch reported that a funding document produced by prominent AI developer Anthropic contained statements suggesting there could soon be a winner-takes-all dynamic in development of foundation models.

The open-source debate

The CMA report also says that, if powerful models such as Metas Llama 2 remained open-source, this would reduce the ability of other AI developers to abuse market power and could protect consumers. The report acknowledged that there may be a tension between ensuring public safety and promoting competition, because if powerful AI models are broadly available they could be used to cause harm.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley released a framework for a U.S. AI bill seeking outlining another approach on Sept. 7. Under the framework AI developers would require licenses to develop the most powerful systems, and take steps to limit the transfer of advanced AI models to China, Russia, and other adversary nations. Both of these measures are strongly in tension with promoting powerful open-source models.

Competition policy needs to be coupled with proactive regulation of other risks, including safety risks, said Korinek. If that type of regulation lags behind, encouraging competition could in fact have adverse effects on safety.

Ultimately, given that most powerful open-source AI models are developed outside the U.K., regulators in the U.K. would have limited power over the supply of open-source AI systems if the U.S. and other countries take action to prevent their release.

Read more: The Heated Debate Over Who Should Control Access to AI

The companies that develop foundation models will need to be held accountable to ensure consumers are protected, the report says.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. competition and consumer protection agency, has already taken action on consumer protection. In July, the FTC opened an investigation into OpenAI over whether ChatGPT, the AI powered-chatbot, has harmed consumers through its data collection and publication of false information.

The FTC, under the leadership of Lina Khan, has taken a confrontational stance towards AI regulation. In a blog post published in June, the FTC highlighted potential competition concerns raised by generative AIsystems that create content rather than analyzing existing data. (Foundation models often perform generative tasks, but not all foundation models are generative and not all generative systems are foundation models).

The blog post touched on many of the same issues the CMA report explores. For example, the post expressed concerns about the market power of cloud computing providers. Korinek noted that competition regulators appear to be making greater efforts to coordinate to prevent firms from skirting regulations.

The European Unions AI Act, which is currently progressing through the blocs regulatory process, imposes transparency requirements and risk assessments for foundation models. The companies behind foundation models, such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, would be required to declare whether copyrighted material has been used to train their AIs.

Cautious next steps

The CMAs purview as a competition regulator extends beyond just the U.K, as demonstrated when it blocked tech giant Microsofts attempt to acquire video games producer Activision Blizzard for $69 billion.

The regulator noted in its foundation model paper that it will be vigilant of any competition concerns that arise in markets where [foundation models] play a role and will not hesitate to use its powers where appropriate.

But, the report also states that the next steps are a significant programme of engagement with stakeholders, culminating in the publication of an update in early 2024, signaling a cautious approach.

In a tweet, Cristina Caffara, an expert at economics consultancy Keystone Strategy, said that the CMA is being overly cautious, and that the market structure is such that foundation model developers will be able to abuse their market power. Competition regulators made the same mistake in the case of digital platforms, she added.

We recognise that the foundation models market is rapidly evolving and are fully aware of the risks, a CMA spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Thats why we have set out these proposed principles now so they can help guide the market to more positive outcomes and maximise the potential of these technologies.

By working with stakeholders, our aim is to develop these principles to ensure effective competition and consumer protection are at the heart of responsible development and use of foundation models. But as we have been absolutely clear, we stand ready to intervene where necessary, the statement added.

A bill currently working its way through the U.K. legislative process and expected to pass next year, would give the CMA new powers to regulate digital markets and the firms active within them and the ability to levy fines of up to 10% of the offending companys global revenuebillions of dollars in the case of big tech companies. These powers could be applied to AI developers if the CMA believed they were abusing market power or otherwise harming consumers.

The mere fact that the CMA has published such a report will probably make a positive difference by signaling to companies in the sector that their behavior will be closely monitored for any potential anticompetitive practices, said Korinek. In a sense, the ball is now in the court of the companies working on foundation models to show that they do not engage in anticompetitive practices.

Write to Will Henshall at will.henshall@time.com.
Washington  The Biden administration on Wednesday offered nearly half-a-million Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. the ability to live and work in the country legally, approving a longstanding request from cities struggling to house asylum-seekers.

The Department of Homeland Security expanded, or redesignated, the Temporary Protected Status program for Venezuelan migrants, allowing recent arrivals to apply for the deportation protections and work permits offered by the policy. CBS News first reported the move earlier Wednesday.

Previously, only Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. before March 2021 qualified for TPS, a program created by Congress in 1990 to offer a temporary safe haven to migrants from countries facing humanitarian crises, such as an armed conflict or a natural disaster.

By redesignating Venezuela's TPS program, the U.S. is rendering the record number of Venezuelans who have reached the U.S. over the past two years eligible for the status. An estimated 472,000 additional Venezuelans are expected to qualify for TPS, which has already allowed about 242,000 migrants from that country to obtain the status, according to DHS figures. Venezuelans who reached the U.S. after the end of July will not qualify for TPS.

"Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. "That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in."

While others without legal status will also qualify for TPS, the announcement will mostly benefit the more than 400,000 Venezuelan migrants who have trekked to the U.S. southern border over the past two-and-a-half years as part of a massive exodus from the South American country.

In recent years, more than seven million Venezuelans have fled economic calamity and authoritarian rule, with most of them resettling in other South American nations, such as Colombia, marking the largest refugee crisis ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. Increasingly, more Venezuelans have left Venezuela or other countries in search of better economic opportunities in the U.S., embarking on a weeks-long journey that entails crossing Panama's once-impenetrable Darien Gap on foot.

The administration's announcement is an important victory for congressional Democrats and leaders in large cities like New York, who for months have been pressuring the federal government to grant migrants in their communities legal status so they can work legally more quickly and not rely on local services.

New York City, in particular, has struggled to house tens of thousands of migrants, many of them from Venezuela, in over 200 hotels, shelters, tent cities and other facilities.

"Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to 'Let Them Work,' so I want to thank President Biden for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status," New York Mayor Eric Adams said on Wednesday.

Migrants line up outside Roosevelt Hotel in New York City while waiting for placement inside a shelter that is at full capacity on Aug. 2, 2023. / Credit: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Biden administration has used TPS on an unprecedented scale, making record numbers of migrants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan and Ukraine eligible for the program.

The administration has also kept in place long-standing TPS programs for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, reversing the Trump administration's efforts to terminate them. TPS has long been criticized by Republicans who argue it had been improperly used to give legal status to migrants, some of whom entered the U.S. illegally, for indefinite periods of time despite its temporary nature.

The Biden administration, however, has internally resisted at times expanding TPS programs for certain countries, such as Nicaragua, due to concerns about encouraging more migrants to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally with a generous immigration announcement.

Pressed by CBS News on whether they feared that expanding the TPS policy could fuel more migration, administration officials said they hoped to dissuade Venezuelan migrants from entering the U.S. illegally by setting a cut-off date for the program in July.

"The continuous residence date being set at July 31, 2023, makes clear that individuals who arrive after that date will not be eligible for TPS. We're hoping to communicate that clearly," a senior DHS official said, requesting anonymity during a briefing with reporters.

Illegal crossings along the southern border have reached record levels under the Biden administration. While they dropped to a two-year low in June, unlawful border crossings increased sharply in July and August, testing a carrots and sticks strategy the administration unveiled earlier this year with the hopes of slowing down U.S.-bound migration.

The administration announced several additional actions on Wednesday to address the concerns from New York and other cities receiving migrants. It said it would expedite the review of work permit requests for migrants who enter the U.S. at border ports of entry through a phone app-powered system and a program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans with American sponsors. The objective, officials said, is to adjudicate those requests within 30 days, down from the current 90-day average.

Officials also announced that DHS will increase the validity period of work permits from two to five years for many migrants, including asylum-seekers, refugees and green card applicants. The move, officials added, is designed to cut down on the number of renewal applications the agency has to review.

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The United Auto Workers (UAW) union is about to enter its seventh day on strike after being in a stalemate with the "Big Three" Detroit automakers Ford , General Motors , and Stellantis for months. Despite the union and automakers attempting to come to a deal, the organizations have been deadlocked and both sides are working to counter one another's offers.

On Tuesday, Stellantis turned down the UAW's offer and countered with one of its own that has yet to be accepted. That offer marked the first from one of the automakers since the strike began on Sept. 15. To make matters even more complicated, the UAW has set a deadline of Friday at noon to wrap up negotiations with the big three. If "substantial progress" isn't made by then, the UAW says that it will add additional locations to its strike.

UAW Picket Line Strike Inline

One of the biggest asks from the UAW is 40% hourly pay increase for workers over the next three years. The UAW cites the increase in executive pay as its rationale and, according to a source familiar with the terms who spoke with Yahoo Finance , the gap between the union's ask and the offers coming from GM, to name one example, is "very big."

Ford offered workers a 20% increase over four years following the start of the strike. General Motors reportedly matched that offer, and Stellantis put 21% on the table. But that's not enough for the UAW.

"The reason we ask for 40% pay increases is because, in the last four years alone, the CEO pay went up 40%," said UAW president Shawn Fain. "They're already millionaires."

GM president Mark Reuss says that the UAW's claims of "poverty" wages from the company is part of a "flow of misinformation." In an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press , Reuss claims that around 85% of UAW-represented GM workers would be paid a base wage of $82,000 under the automaker's proposal, which balloons to more than $150,000 per year with overtime and benefits factored in. Reuss also notes that the median household income in nine areas where it has major assembly plants is $51,821.

The UAW has also noted that current labor costs account for around 5% of the purchase price of a vehicle. In 2022, the average cost of a new vehicle was $46,290, meaning that a 40% increase in base pay could result in an increased cost of around $925 per vehicle.

In addition to the increase in compensation, the union is also asking for a four-day, 32-hour work week for its employees. The push for change rides on the coattails of the auto industry, specifically, Henry Ford , implementing the modern five-day, 40-hour work week in 1926. Now, nearly a century later, the same industry is calling on Detroit to cut back hours and give workers an extra day away from the plant.

Labor experts say that the work week isn't the union's primary concern. According to CNBC , if the pay issues are resolved, many believe that the UAW will drop the idea of a 32-hour work week.

"Our members are working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week just to make ends meet," Fain commented during a Facebook Live event in August. "Thats not a living. Thats barely surviving, and it needs to stop."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvhmqJgXOf0\u0026t=248s

In the interim, a long-term strike looks increasingly likely. Axios estimates that there's a "zero chance" that the strike will be resolved by the deadline, which would lead to additional strikes at more factory locations across the nation.

In the interim, automakers have wasted no time shuttering plants and calling for layoffs.

Stellantis has laid off 68 of its own workers at its Toledo plant where the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler are built. The automaker is also toying with the idea of laying off another 300 workers at its Kokomo Casting and Kokomo Transmission plants in Indiana.

Meanwhile, General Motors has announced that it will lay off 2,000 UAW workers as it idles the Fairfax Assembly and Stamping plant in Kansas. Both the Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu are assembled at that location, however, GM has run out of stampings needed to produce the Malibu, and those stampings are sourced from a GM facility in Wentzville, Missouri where workers are currently on strike.

If the deadline passes without any action, the UAW may try to hit the big three where it hurts: pickup trucks. Investment analysts believe that the union may target the production of domestic pickups next, which are top earners for Detroit. Pickups in particular are Ford's best seller, with F-Series trucks being America's top-selling vehicle for four decades in a row . By disrupting the production of these models, it's anticipated that the entire industry's production could be impacted by as much as 40%.

"We're going to keep hitting the company where we need to, when we need to, and we're not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out," said Fain.

Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: rob@thedrive.com
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

UAW Strikes Trigger Automaker Layoffs

This seems to be an escalation to the aggressive negotiations.

The United Auto Workers union and American Big Three automakers are still at an impasse on labor negotiations almost a week after the first round of strikes. In reaction to the shutdowns, GM and Stellantis both have announced layoffs, the former going much deeper than the latter. This could be a preview of whats to come in the near future.

Is Mary Barra really worth $29 million a year?

General Motors announced on September 20 its idling the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City and laying off most of the 2,000 workers who cover two shifts at the facility. Those layoffs, which wont include unemployment benefits, a move the automaker blames on specific circumstances of this situation.

This is stomach-twisting news for the people who work at Fairfax, but the fact the striking Wentzville Assembly Plant does some stamping for the Chevy Malibu and Cadilac XT4 which are assembled in Kansans City, thats the reason the company is providing for this move.

However, some are interpreting this as a retaliatory move or warning shot by GM. After all, UAW is planning to expand its strike, which could in turn trigger more plants to be idled and workers laid off without unemployment.

For its part, Stellantis has kept layoffs much smaller with 68 at its Ohio operations. But the company that owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and more says it could lay off another 300 in Indiana soon, says NBC News.

Things are quiet with Ford at the moment, although the automaker did lay off about 600 workers at its Wayne, Michigan plant last Friday. Its conceivable that a larger wave of layoffs could be coming soon.

About 12,700 UAW members are striking at three different assembly plants, one for each major American automaker. The union has stated that at noon on Friday that number will expand, affecting more factories as the standoff is starting to look like it could last longer than optimists had hoped.

Image via GM
Legal cannabis in California is a multi-billion dollar industry, and many Californians are trying to figure out how to get a piece of the action.

But specific hurdles and a lack of industry knowledge have made it challenging for prospective employees and entrepreneurs to break in and get their careers started.

Thats why the University of California, Riverside has partnered with a prominent online cannabis education company to fill the gap in institutional know-how and help Californians, particularly many in the Inland Empire, learn more about the industry and its pitfalls and better their chances of being hired on with an existing company, or even grow one from the ground up.

The universitys extension program has been working with a company called Green Flower, which has set up a curriculum, assembled a roster of instructors and worked to establish a hiring portal for those looking to make a career out of cannabis.

An array of cannabis plants sit in pots as seen in an instructional video provided by Green Flower.

For Eric Latham, chief financial and administrative officer at UC Riverside University Extension, offering a program that gives those interested in pursuing the industry the proper tools and education to do it right was a no-brainer.

Cannabis is a big industry in the state of California, one of the fastest growing, and certainly within the Inland Empire where were located, Latham said. So it seemed like a logical area to explore.

Bill to legalize cannabis cafes heading to Newsoms desk

The University Extension is all about helping adults continue their education and parlay that knowledge into careers, whatever they may be. Latham said there was obvious demand for classes and the school looked at cannabis the same way it would explore any other industry.

The school works with teachers and nurses who want to further their careers and increase their knowledge, so why not cannabis?

Educators could work with interested students and help them become qualified and knowledgeable in the cannabis industry, or risk losing them to the black market, Latham said.

But to get students taught and on the right path, they needed experts in the field.

It became very clear that it was a super complicated industry, Latham said. The state of California and people of California have said that this is an industry that we want to have available, but there are issues with the federal government and things like that, so it becomes very complicated very quickly and finding experts is difficult.

That led the school to Green Flower, which has partnered with dozens of other schools across the nation, building teaching curricula and providing instructors for those interested in getting started.

Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower, said the companys services are critically important because most people simply dont realize how complex and complicated running a cannabis business really is.

Many of the challenges include being in compliance with the state and federal government, working with banks, lawyers or other merchants, or simply keeping a business afloat.

Theres a lot of ways that people can make mistakes, can lose money, can operate out of compliance, or can just basically get crushed by the competition because theyre not doing these things very well, Simon said. And so these programs are really designed to take you from an outsider to an insider.

A man trims a cannabis plant in an instructional video provided by Green Flower.

There are 83,000 people working in the legal cannabis industry in California, Simon says, so theres no shortage of interest in pot careers. But Green Flower wants to make sure that those choosing to pursue those careers are set up for success, which is something Latham says is important when deciding who the school partners with.

I think we want people that can run their businesses well, thats certainly important, and they want good employees, Latham said. We get lots of requests from employers in the industry looking for good, high-quality employees. And there are people who are enthusiastic about cannabis, theyre users of cannabis, and theyre interested in it for that reason, but that may not always be the best motivation for a good quality employee. And so, this is a way to give people the skillset that they would need to be a good employee within that industry.

The classes offered by UCR and operated by Green Flower cover a variety of topics for those exploring the cannabis field. The University Extension offers certificate programs for cannabis health care and medicine, a certificate for agriculture and horticulture, one for the business of cannabis, and one for compliance and risk management.

A screenshot from an instructional video from Green Flower that is used in its Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine Certificate program.

A screenshot from an instructional video from Green Flower that is used in its Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine Certificate program.

Each certificate program provides students with a unique perspective on the industry and thorough instruction.

In the agriculture class, students actually learn how to grow a real plant. In health care and medicine, students learn about the science and medicinal benefits of weed. The compliance course teaches students about the many strict regulations surrounding cannabis and how to stay in compliance. The business program offers guidance and advice about starting a successful company.

For those interested in starting a cannabis business, arguably the biggest hurdle is faced right off the bat.

I dont think most people realize how difficult it is just to get a license, Simon said, adding that many people who work their way through the business certificate program are often gobsmacked by the process and find the classes eye-opening.

The reasons why people dont get licenses is they dont understand the licensing process, they dont understand what the licensing agencies are looking for and they dont understand how to fill out the applications and all the things that are necessary  Theres a pretty enormous list of things that somebody has to know about if youre going to even have a chance of winning a license, he said.

For those who want a job in cannabis but dont want to go through the hassle of starting an entire business, Simon says the classes offered at UC Riverside help them stand out in a crowded field and a certificate shows prospective employers that they arent just hobbyists looking to make a quick buck.

Weve got a very deeply ingrained partnership with this company called Careers in Cannabis, which is a job-matching platform with employers and cannabis people, Simon said. When people go through these programs, everybody thats a badge holder gets force ranked above everyone else on the platform in terms of their skills and credibility.

If youve got a certificate from the program, youll stand out among a crowded field and automatically have a leg up on the competition, Simon says.

So who is taking these classes?

Brandon Mendez enrolled during the spring and is on track to receive an agriculture and horticulture certificate in the coming months.

Always interested in the subject of botany, and someone who has used medical marijuana to treat crippling migraines, the classes offered at UC Riverside were an obvious fit.

I was decently educated on the topic of cannabis cultivation before I went into this class, so some of the material I was already kind of familiar with, Mendez said. But I really appreciated how certain topics  the course went into great detail and explained them to me, why these things are so important, what they do.'

The courses are asynchronous, which allows him to fit classwork into his busy schedule. He says he feels like hes gotten value from the program and might actually sign up for another certificate path.

A worker waters a cannabis plant as seen in a screenshot from an instructional video by Green Flower.

I do want to start looking for a way to enter the cannabis industry, Mendez said. But at the same time, I also am interested in taking more classes through Green Flower just so I can expand my knowledge of the cannabis industry as Im growing in it.

Aside from some initial surprise that you can actually take classes in cannabis through a real university, Mendez said virtually everyone in his life is supportive of his pot pursuits, which he credits to the ever-evolving stigma surrounding cannabis.

On the education side of things, Latham says the program has received virtually no push-back from the community or the UC system, which he also agrees is due to changing perspectives.

I think people are seeing that there needs to be a well-regulated industry, and the way to do that is through providing education so that people can meet the expectations and provide good quality jobs and good businesses that benefit everybody in the state, Latham said.

Federal restrictions on marijuana may soon be eased

Unsurprisingly, Simon, the CEO of the cannabis education company providing these classes, agrees. He says in addition to the career-boosting benefits the classes provide, they also give students up-to-date and accurate information about the safety, science and industry of cannabis.

When you see that, you cant help but acknowledge that this is actually a really good thing for society, Simon said. It creates a lot of jobs, it creates a lot of tax revenue, it helps a lot of people with ailments and conditions that they otherwise cant  and its an industry that people love.

For more information about the cannabis education certificate programs offered through UC Riverside, including prices and payment options, click here.

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The absence of regular rotations of units on combat duty is highly likely" one of the key aspects contributing to the Russian armys low morale and inability to carry out advanced training since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, reported the U.K. Defense Ministry.

The lack of such training is highly likely contributing to Russias difficulties in conducting successful complex offensive operations, the ministry wrote in its latest intelligence update.

Sept. 21 is the anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement of partial mobilization for Moscows full-scale war against Ukraine. According to Russian officials, 300,000 people were called up during this campaign.

The U.K. Defense Ministry cited Russian State Duma Defence Committee Chair Andrei Kartapolov reiterating on Sept. 15 that the mobilized soldiers were required to serve for the duration of the Ukraine war, which Moscow calls a "special military operation."

Read also: ISW: Russia hopes to attract recruits without resorting to forced mobilization

According to the report, Kartapolov also said that rotation of personnel from the combat zone during their service was impossible due to the difficult situation at the front.

On Sept. 3, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote that Russia was stepping up its campaign to recruit foreigners in neighboring countries and exploited migrant workers for its war against Ukraine to avoid a new wave of domestic mobilization before its presidential election in 2024.

Russia has also forcibly drafted residents of occupied Ukrainian territories. According to Ukraines National Resistance Center, Moscow intends to increase the pace of mobilization in the occupied territories, in part to ease pressure on domestic mobilization efforts.

Forced mobilization in the Russian Federation has proven to be deeply unpopular. The Kremlin's ongoing practice of conducting the mobilization campaign along ethnic lines further sows social division and unrest.

Read also: Ukrainians in Russia fear mobilization: If conscripted, I will shoot Russians and surrender

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United Kingdom Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is weighing in on the 2024 U.S. elections next year, suggesting that a second term for former President Trump is not his desired outcome.

In an appearance on Politicos Power Play podcast, Starmer was asked what his thoughts were if Trump wins back the White House next year. While he said that a Trump win was hypothetical, it is clear what his desired outcome of the election would be.

Obviously, you know, we are progressives, and President Bidens team talked to my team as youd expect, Starmer told host Anne McElvoy. We talked to other people in around the administration. So its clear what my desired outcome would be. But the desired outcome may yield to a different outcome.

He also said that there is a great deal of concern that Trump may take a different approach to the war in Ukraine than Biden has if he wins the election.

And thats why its very important that progressives hold together in difficult circumstances as I laid down before because the probably most immediately impacted area if there is a change of government  change of presidency in the U.S. will be Ukraine and the position in Ukraine.

He noted that his immediate task is carrying the Labour Party through its own elections next year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scrambling to up support for the Conservative Party for the U.K.s national elections next year, but current polls show that conservatives are falling behind the Labour opposition by as much as 20 points. Starmer has been his partys leader since 2020 after former leader Jeremy Corbyn failed to win two elections.

Recent polls show that Biden and Trump  the two front-runner candidates  are neck and neck among voters in hypothetical match-ups for the 2024 election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LONDON  In an effort to avoid collisions in the increasingly congested space environment, Britain is considering a policy that would require satellites to carry a space domain awareness sensor, according to a U.K. Space Command official.

Any spacecraft that goes up that doesnt have some sort of space domain awareness capability is wasted payload space, Commodore David Moody, head of space capability within U.K. Space Command, said Sept. 13 at the DSEI Conference here.

The Ministry of Defence is leading development of a cross-government Space Sector Plan, set to be completed late this year or early next, that outlines its strategy to spur economic growth and resilience across the countrys space enterprise. Moody told C4ISRNET on the sidelines of the conference the plan will likely push for stronger policy around space domain awareness requirements for satellite operators.

I want operators to have the ability to ensure, one, their investment and two, their ability to operate that spacecraft and fly that spacecraft in the manner to which it was designed  and to do so for as long as is predicted without fear of not being able to take the appropriate response if a meteorite happens to be whistling by, Moody said. Thats a loss for everybody.

The number of objects in space has grown significantly in recent years, increasing the potential for mishaps or collisions in orbit. The U.S. Department of Defense tracks approximately 47,900 objects today  16% more than it observed from 2021 to 2022, according to an unclassified Space Policy Review released Sept. 14.

The increase in commercial activity in space, as well as debris from inactive or destroyed satellites, has led spacefaring governments to invest more in sensors that can observe and track that activity.

For U.K. Space Command, Moody said, awareness in the space domain is fundamental to its operations in orbit and its mission to protect and defend.

If I dont have space domain awareness, or at least the ability to have some sort of proximity sensors, then Im not achieving that protect and defend policy, he said. I wouldnt be fulfilling one of the reasons that Space Command was established in the first place.

Allied nations have also been working to increase their collaboration in this area, forming the Combined Space Operations Center in 2018 as a way to more easily share information about what theyre seeing in orbit. The center, located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, brings together partners from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Germany and New Zealand.

Moody said U.K. Space Command has discussed the possible space domain awareness requirements with its international partners.

We talk about the capabilities and architecture work we do, the operations work we do, and also the legal working groups all the time so that we have an absolutely common understanding of what it is that were all trying to achieve, he said.
(Bloomberg) -- Five Bulgarians suspected of spying for Russia are set to be formally charged by UK prosecutors, the Crown Prosecution Service said Thursday.

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Three men and two women will be accused of conspiring to collect information for the Russian state for almost three years until February, the agency said.

Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will all be charged with the same criminal offense.

The move follows an investigation by the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command. The five defendants will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Sept 26. Law enforcement authorities across Europe have been seeking to disrupt Russian spy networks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with several countries also expelling diplomats.

The Russians have increased their espionage efforts against the west in the last couple of decades, Bob Seely, a Conservative member of the UK Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview. We need to wise up to what kind of world we live in.

(Updates with names of defendants in second paragraph.)

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Ukraine appears to have punched through Russia's anti-tank defenses, reports said.

Troops seem to have used armored vehicles to get past trenches and "dragon's teeth" defenses.

Ukraine is starting to exploit gaps in Russia's so-called "Surovikin Line."

Ukraine appears to have punched through Russia's formidable anti-tank traps and "dragon's teeth" defenses in a significant advance, multiple war analysts have said, reacting to footage that appeared to show Western-made Stryker and Marder infantry fighting vehicles pushing past Russian defenses.

The reported armor advances mark a notable development for Ukrainian forces fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. They have found momentum in recent weeks with small territorial gains, and have managed to put pressure on Russia's tough defensive lines.

George Barros, a lead geospatial intelligence analyst with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), shared a video on social media on Thursday that appeared to show the Ukrainian armor advances.

Ukrainian forces have brought heavy equipment (Strykers and Marders) beyond the anti-vehicle ditch and the dragons teeth for the first time.



Ukrainian forces have been widening their breach of the lines for the past several weeks and may be preparing for a new push. https://t.co/k4mFWGUMAk pic.twitter.com/K0995dHYQc  George Barros (@georgewbarros) September 20, 2023

Barros geolocated the assault near the southern village of Verbove, which is one direction where Kyiv's troops have been pushing. He said, crucially, footage showed the vehicles behind Russia's fearsome defenses meant to keep heavy vehicles out.

"We are not yet prepared to say that Ukraine has broken through this portion of the Russian line since these vehicles have not yet penetrated the last visible prepared defensive positions in the area," ISW wrote in a thread on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"But," ISW continued, "the ability to bring armored vehicles to and through the most formidable Russian defenses intended to stop them and to operate them near prepared Russian defensive positions is an important sign of progress in the Ukrainian counteroffensive."

The ISW commentary noted that the footage demonstrated how Ukraine's breach of the Russian defensive lines was big enough to allow the armored vehicles to move forward, and suggested that Kyiv has managed to contain Moscow's artillery and other anti-vehicle measures.

ISW has observed a significant inflection in western #Zaporizhia Obl:



Ukrainian forces are for the first time confirmed to be operating armored vehicles (Stryker & Marder infantry fighting vehicles) beyond the Russian anti-tank ditch and dragons teeth obstacles near #Verbove. https://t.co/ZlX90zSWee pic.twitter.com/JZWGxDmCT7  ISW (@TheStudyofWar) September 21, 2023

Barros said Ukraine had been working on breaching the line for "the past several weeks" and "may be preparing for a new push."

"These small tactical steps may be the start of a larger and more significant advance," ISW said in its thread, but it cautioned "it is too soon to make confident forecasts."

Rob Lee, a defense analyst, also shared commentary about the video, and said that it seemed to show Ukraine's elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade. This brigade, which is made up of 2,000 troops, had previously been held in reserve but joined the counteroffensive efforts in August.

Insider was unable to independently verify the video or which unit had managed to move armor past some of Russia's defenses.

Ukrainian infantry had managed to advance along the so-called "Surovikin Line" in recent weeks, although Kyiv had previously been unable to bring its armored vehicles forward due to the complex obstacles.

The Surovikin Line, which is spread across occupied territory in southern and eastern Ukraine, is a complex system of Russian defensive fortifications and obstacles that include anti-vehicle ditches, concrete pyramids known as "dragon's teeth," and trenches. The Stryker and Marders appear to be the first case of heavy armor advancing past the counter-vehicle measures.

US-made Stryker armored fighting vehicles are versatile eight-wheeled systems that were sent to Ukraine earlier this year. German Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which resemble light tanks and can carry up to six people, were delivered several months later.

Earlier this month, Ukraine said its forces had liberated the village of Robotyne, which sits is on a network of roads leading to Melitopol, in another significant breakthrough against Russian forces.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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All is (not) quiet on the western front

Ukraines grain exports are getting it from all sides.

In plain defiance of the EU, Ukraines western neighbors Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia imposed their own restrictions on Ukrainian imports, despite the European Commissions Sept. 15 decision to lift an embargo on the domestic sale of Ukrainian agricultural products in five countries.

Hungary went even further, expanding the embargo to include 24 Ukrainian agricultural products, including vegetables, some meat products, and honey. Poland is also mulling over plans to prohibit more Ukrainian food goods.

The new measures are likely to protract Ukraines already troubled exports, inflaming tensions between Kyiv and its neighbors in the meantime, contributing writer Dominic Culverwell wrote in the Kyiv Independent.

And things do appear to be heating up. Even before the embargo was lifted, Ukrainian officials said they would be challenging the three countries decision in the World Trade Organization. Late on Sept. 18, Ukraines Economy Minister announced that Kyiv had officially filed a complaint with the trade organization.

What does this all mean for Ukraines already-troubled grain exports? Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky told the Kyiv Independent that grain transit has slowed down by three to four times since May (when the ban was first put in place) with only 183 trucks passing through Poland daily in August 2023, compared to 584 in November 2022.

Our export volumes are decreasing due to complicated logistics routes. Certainly, (the ban) affected the overall monthly figure of our exports in all ways. To compare, in September and October 2022, we exported 6.9 million tons of agricultural products, but in August 2023, we exported only 3.7 million tons, Solsky said.

Its still unclear whats next in this grain war. Many suspect that Polands ruling Law and Justice Party has extended the ban to appease rural voters ahead of next months elections after farmers complained the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products had driven prices down  a claim Kyiv has rejected.

Needless to say, cracks in Polish-Ukrainian relations, said to have never been stronger following Russias full-scale invasion, along with EU countries openly rebelling against the unions trade policies, are a worrying development.

A photo of the "Resilient Africa" vessel on the open sea. (Oleksandr Kubrakov/ Facebook)

Grain corridor testing

There is a small glimmer of hope for Ukrainian grain in the news today. On Sept. 19, a cargo vessel carrying grain left Ukraines Black Sea port of Chornomorsk for the first time since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July.

"The vessel Resilient Africa, carrying 3,000 tons of wheat, has left the port of Chornomorsk and is heading towards the Bosphorus," Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a post on Facebook.

"This is the first of two vessels that entered Chornomorsk last week through a temporary corridor for civilian vessels established by the Ukrainian Navy," he wrote.

Kyiv announced a humanitarian corridor in August to try to free ships trapped in its Black Sea ports since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 and to reopen shipping lanes after Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The Aroya, the much bigger of the two vessels with a capacity of around 20,000 tons, is still moored in Chornomorsk and is currently being loaded with wheat for Egypt, Kubrakov said.

Andrey Sizov, managing editor of the Sizov Report on the Black Sea, told the Kyiv Independent in a comment for this newsletter that while the vessels leaving the ports appear to be a win Kyiv, at some point, Moscow will have to react to show everyone that it is still a force to be reckoned with in the Black Sea.

In other words, we may see further Russian attacks on Ukraines Odesa terminals if more vessels come and go from Ukraines Black Sea ports.

But even if the two vessels successfully reach their destinations, Sizov says we shouldnt expect a lot more ships to start making the trip to Ukraines Odesa terminals, adding that the humanitarian corridor will be hard to scale up.

An unmanned ground vehicle developed by Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Navarenko at a training ground in Donetsk Oblast on July 24, 2023. (Asami Terajima/The Kyiv Independent)

Robots on the battlefield

Ukraines tech and defense industries, innovators in the worlds first drone war, are grounding their operations.

That is, they're setting their sights on unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs. Unlike their aerial counterpart, now ubiquitous and indispensable tools of war for both sides, unmanned ground vehicles have yet to become an integral part of combat operations in the war, Kyiv Independent reporter Asami Terajima writes.

While the West has provided some of the remote-controlled cars to Ukraine for evacuations and infantry fire support, the amount isnt nearly enough to make a noticeable difference, Terajima reports.

Ukraines innovators, inventors, and investors want to change this. Ukraines Digital Transformation Ministry is playing a big role in innovations by supporting defense tech projects through the Brave1 platform it co-founded.

So far, Brave1 has funded 45 defense tech projects worth $785,000 since April, with another 16 projects worth $340,000 in the contract-signing stage. In August alone, the platform supported 15 projects worth $225,000.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry also had a meeting with Armed Forces representatives and other ministries titled "Ground Robotic Systems" at the end of June as part of an effort to develop and integrate ground-based robotic systems into military operations.

The hope is that UGVs will be the next successful example of military tech innovations after drones. Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told the Kyiv Independent that after the ministry launched a fast track system to speed up the approval process of new designs, 62 models of drones are now used on the front lines  a major jump from just seven in February.

Then - U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker talks with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in 2014. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Ukraines new friend

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sept. 14 announced the creation of a brand new role  U.S. Special Representative for Ukraines Economic Recovery  choosing billionaire philanthropist Penny Pritzker, whose family has deep roots in Ukraine, for the job.

Pritzker has her work cut out for her. According to Biden, her task will be to support Kyiv in making the reforms needed to strengthen Ukraine's economy, align the priorities of international donors with Ukraines funding needs, and mobilize the U.S. private sector to invest in Ukraine, Kyiv Independent reporter Elsa Court writes in a profile of the new representative.

As part of her new role, Pritzker will also be responsible for supporting the re-opening of businesses shut down by Russian attacks, and helping Ukraine grow its exports  crucial for the countrys struggling economy.

Tackling that formidable to-do list is a challenge few would envy, Dr. Alpaslan Ozerdem, dean at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and expert on post-conflict reconstruction, told the Kyiv Independent. "She will need to connect many dots to build sustainable momentum in the economic recovery of Ukraine both before and after the war's end," Ozerdem said.

The American president and experts seem confident that Pritzkers experience both as commerce secretary under President Barack Obama and as a philanthropist will serve her well. But its not just about getting businesses and donors on board with Ukraines recovery  Pritzker will also have to build a political base in the U.S. for support beyond emergency assistance to Ukraine. Elections in the U.S. will undoubtedly play a role in her success in doing so.

Well be keeping an eye out for now-Special Representative Pritzker as she reportedly plans to travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to meet with the country's political and business leaders.

Kyiv, Ukraine during the day (Getty Images)

Open for business

A new survey published on Sept. 19 by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ukraine and Citi Ukraine found that 84% of AmCham member companies are fully operational after a year and a half of Russias full-scale war in Ukraine.

AmChams members include more than 600 of the biggest U.S. and international investors operating in Ukraine, as well as major Ukrainian companies.

Despite the optimistic outlook, more than 90% of respondents said that the number one challenge facing their business is the safety and security of their staff.

Other challenges include Russias continued missile attacks on vital infrastructure and business assets, employees health and mental well-being, the economic and consumer recession, and access to electricity, water, mobile network, or heat supply.

Attracting foreign direct investment to the country will require not only Ukraines victory in the war, but country-wide reconstruction projects, EU accession, public-private partnerships, and security guarantees for investments, the companies said.

They also listed areas where they see opportunities: security and defense, infrastructure and construction, agriculture, IT and technologies, energy and renewables, and high-tech production.

Overall, the companies are feeling good about the future, with 78% of respondents saying they are quite confident about Ukraines economic recovery next year.

Ukraine is open for business, and we are getting this message across globally, as Ukraine creates opportunities that no ambitious investors should miss, Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, said in a press release.

What else is happening

The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development expects to invest 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) into Ukraine annually for the coming two years. The figure could increase "if reconstruction really started to accelerate," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said at an event at Chatham House in London.

Gas reserves in Ukrainian storage reached 14.7 million cubic meters, Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov announced on Twitter. We have achieved the highest drilling pace in recent years and, ahead of schedule, met the plan for gas accumulation before the heating season, he wrote. In 2023, Ukraine has so far launched 54 new wells, increasing its daily gas production to an average of 52.7 million cubic meters, according to the CEO.

At least $14.3 million worth of coal produced in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine has been exported to NATO member Turkey this year. Between February and July 2023, about 160,400 tonnes of coal from Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk arrived in Turkey, Reuters reported, citing Russian customs data.

Poland wants to add Russian diamonds and LPG to new European sanctions list. In a proposal seen by Reuters, Poland said the sale of diamonds brought the Russian budget $4.5 billion in 2021 and is calling for individual sanctions on the Russian Alrosa diamond company.

Russia has spent $167 billion on its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Forbes Ukraine reported, citing data of the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, that Ukraine has destroyed around $34 billion worth of Russian equipment as of Aug. 24.

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Ukraine should shift from setting the groundwork for post-war recovery to preparing for a long war.

Source: The Economist

Details: The Economist notes that the Ukrainian army can still make a breakthrough at the contact line in the coming weeks, but "it would be a mistake to bank on that". It is useless to demand a ceasefire or peace talks. Vladimir Putin appears not to be interested in bargaining and, even if he were, he could not be trusted to uphold his end of the bargain.

He is hoping Donald Trump wins reelection while he waits for the West to grow weary. Any ceasefire would only serve as a pause while Putin rearms and prepares for another attack because he needs war to support his domestic dictatorship.

Quote: "Both Ukraine and its Western supporters are coming to realise that this will be a grinding war of attrition.

 But unfortunately, Ukraine is not yet ready; nor are its Western partners. Both are still fixated on the counter-offensive. They need to rethink Ukraines military strategy and how its economy is run.

Instead of aiming to win and then rebuild, the goal should be to ensure that Ukraine has the staying power to wage a long war  and can thrive despite it."

More details: The first point, as emphasised by The Economist, concerns the fatigue and exhaustion of the Ukrainian military, as well as the need for maintenance of equipment: routine repairs, reliable supply of artillery and training.

In addition, a prolonged war will require better air defence, and not only in Kyiv.

"Ukraine cannot thrive if Russia blasts infrastructure and civilians with impunity, as it has for the past 18 months.

Kyiv is a surprisingly vibrant city because it has effective defences against non-stop aerial attacks. The same set-up is needed for other cities, which is why squadrons of F-16s and more missile-defence systems are essential."

More details: Economic recalibration in Ukraine is also needed. The Economist emphasises that it is necessary to plan less for post-war reconstruction and concentrate on increasing production and capital now.

Even as the war continues, Ukraine's economy needs to move away from relying on aid and towards attracting investment. Ukraine has a lot of potential, whether it's producing more weapons or processing more of the agricultural produce it grows. The challenge is to entice more local and foreign businesses to invest and to encourage more Ukrainians to return to the country's western, safer regions.

The long-standing corruption in Ukraine needs to be driven down further, with a focus on making the judiciary just and impartial. And more needs to be done to facilitate doing business, from recognising qualifications that refugees have obtained abroad to providing businesses with war insurance.

All this requires political will from both Ukraine and its friends in the West.

In particular, The Economist asserts that Europe should provide Ukraine with as many weapons as the US does.

Quote: "The stakes [for Europe - ed.] could hardly be higher. [Ukraines - ed.] defeat would mean a failed state on the EUs flank and Mr Putins killing machine closer to more of its borders.

Success would mean a new EU member with 30 million well-educated people, Europes biggest army and a large agricultural and industrial base.

Too many conversations about Ukraine are predicated on an end to the war. That needs to change. Pray for a speedy victory, but plan for a long struggle  and a Ukraine that can survive and thrive nonetheless."

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!
According to the firepower statistics, which take 60 different factors into account, Ukraine ranks 15th in the world in terms of military strength. Meanwhile, Poland, which is a NATO member, ranks 20th and Germany 25th.

Source: new episode of the podcast (ne)Bezpechna Kraina ((Un)Safe Country); Lieutenant General Andrzej Falkowski, strategic advisor to the Ministry of Defence of Poland in 2018 and member of the reserve of the Armed Forces of Poland

Details: Falkowski noted that he does not agree with the decision concerning Ukraines fate in NATO made at the Vilnius summit this summer. Moreover, he is convinced that Ukraine could significantly strengthen the Alliance.

Quote: "Ukraine ranks 15th in the world in military power. Poland ranks 20th. Surprise surprise, Germany ranks 25th. So if Ukraine were to join NATO now, you would only be inferior to the US, the UK, France, NATO nuclear states, Turkiye and Italy. Ukraine would rank sixth. We would be behind you."

At the same time, Falkowski stressed that Ukraine has the strongest army in Europe and is able to fight a symmetrical enemy.

Quote: "And this army can fight a symmetrical enemy. We can pretend that our generals and our soldiers gained experience during peacekeeping operations somewhere in Afghanistan or Iraq. But that war was not symmetrical. The Taliban had no aircraft. The Taliban had no tanks. The Taliban had no missiles or projectiles. Maybe they had something, but very rarely. Here [in Ukraine  ed.] you can use the most advanced military equipment from all over the world. And now you know how to control territory, how to attack, and even how to hide so as not to be killed."

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In Kyiv and a number of oblasts of Ukraine, air defense forces worked

Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 36 of the 43 cruise missiles launched by the Russian military on Ukraine overnight on Sept. 20-21, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi reported on Telegram.

The Russian troops used X-101/X-555/X-55 air-launched cruise missiles. The launches were carried out from ten Tu-95MS strategic aircraft from an area west of Engels.

Read also: Ukraine downs 12 out of 16 Russian missiles and drones

The missiles were launched in several waves. They entered Ukrainian airspace from different directions, constantly changing course along the route.

Anti-aircraft missile troops, fighter aircraft of the Air Force, units of mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and other means were involved in repelling the attack.

Read also: School, kindergarten damaged in Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, no casualties reported

In the early hours of Sept. 21, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. The Russian forces launched missiles in several waves. There were hits in Lviv, Rivne, and Cherkasy oblasts, and air defense was operating in Kyiv.

A hotel building was destroyed in the center of Cherkasy, injuring ten people.

There were hits to civilian and energy infrastructure in Rivne.

In Kyiv, the debris of downed Russian missiles fell in four districts of the city, and seven people were reported injured.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi spoke with his Polish counterpart Robert Telus on Sept. 21 and agreed to find a common solution to the grain dispute between the countries, the website of the Agriculture Ministry reports.

Read also: No trade war with Ukraine, Poland says

"The ministers discussed the situation, as well as Ukraine's proposal to resolve it, and agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries," the agency said.

Kyiv and Warsaw have confirmed close and constructive relations and decided to work out a cooperation framework on export issues in the near future.

The day before, Ukraine's ambassador was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement at the UN General Assembly regarding a ban on imports of Ukrainian grain in some of Ukraine's neighboring countries. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry explained that Kyiv has proposed a "constructive way" to resolve the grain problem.

Ban on imports of Ukrainian grain - What is known

The European Commission on Sept. 15 decided not to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia, provided that Ukraine complies with certain rules, including export control measures.

However, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia announced that they would extend their unilateral ban on Ukrainian grain imports. In addition to wheat, rapeseed, sunflower, and corn, Poland has banned imports of cereals and flour, while Hungary has expanded the list to 25 items.

Ukraines Economy Ministry then reported that Ukraine has filed lawsuits against these three countries with the World Trade Organization.

The Ukrainian government has offered the EU and neighboring countries a compromise scenario.

Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade of Ukraine, warned Warsaw that Kyiv may impose an embargo on tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and apples from Poland if the countries do not reach an agreement. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki then said that his country would expand the ban on imports of Ukrainian products if Ukraine "escalates the conflict."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The German government updated the list of military aid provided to Ukraine on Thursday, 21 September.

Source: European Pravda, referring to the updated list published on the German government's website

Details: According to the report, the new aid package includes:

17 SatCom satellite communication terminals;

four 8x8 HX81 truck tractor trains and four semi-trailers;

12 Zetros trucks;

spare parts for WISENT armoured repair and recovery vehicles, etc.

Background: Earlier, the German Defence Ministry revealed the details of a new military aid package to Ukraine worth 400 million.

Germany ranks first in Europe and second in the world after the United States in terms of aid to Ukraine, amounting to almost 8 billion, according to the Federal Ministry of Defence.

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Ukraine has received 10 Swedish Stridsvagn 122 tanks, manned by Ukrainian crews trained in Sweden.

Source: European Pravda citing the press service of the Armed Forces of Sweden

Details: "We gave them everything we could  excellent equipment and good knowledge. We wish them success in liberating their country," the commander of operations of the Ground Forces Headquarters, Mats Ludwig, said.

The tanks have been in Ukraine for some time. The Swedish military follows Ukrainian colleagues progress on social media as much as possible.

Stridsvagn 122 is a third-generation Swedish main battle tank, a licensed German Leopard 2A5 tank with various modifications.

Stridsvagn 122 entered service with the Swedish Armed Forces in 1996, by 1998 there were 180 tanks, and by 2022  120, the tenth part was decided to be transferred to the Armed Forces.

Background:

Earlier, Denmark announced that, together with other countries, it is purchasing an additional 45 tanks for Ukraine, including 15 modernised T-72s.

In addition, Lloyd Austin, United States Secretary of Defence, opening the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine on 19 September, announced the delivery of M1 Abrams tanks to Kyiv in the near future.

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US president Joe Biden is announcing a new $325m military aid package for Ukraine that will include air defence systems and other weaponry to help Kyiv face a tough winter, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said.

The announcement came as he met Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, after the Ukrainian leader had what he said were frank conversations with members of Congress over future support.

If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war, he reportedly said.

The Bidens greeted Mr Zelensky and his wife warmly, but at the Capitol the Ukrainian leader received a far quieter reception than the heros welcome he got last year.

Earlier, experts said Russian military chiefs had ordered troops to carry out ill-conceived and unsupported counterattacks in Bakhmut to urgently regain lost ground.

The Institute for the Study of War said Russian soldiers claimed their commanders deployed different types of personnel to front lines without providing enough working artillery shells.

One military blogger reportedly observed that hysterical counterattacks were depleting Russian resources and reserves.

Key Points

Russian army launching ill-judged attacks

Poland to stop arming Ukraine for its counteroffensive

Deadly Russian airstrikes across six cities including Kyiv

UN incapable of defending borders, says Ukraines leader

Russia violating UN Charter, Zelensky tells security council

Quiet reception for Zelensky in Washington

20:49 , Jane Dalton

Volodymyr Zelensky worked to shore up US support for Ukraine on a whirlwind visit to Washington, delivering an upbeat message on the wars progress.

The Ukrainian leader received a far quieter reception than the heros welcome he got last year, but also won generally favourable comments on the aid he says he needs to stave off defeat.

Mr Zelensky went to the Capitol with a firm message in private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders.

The Ukrainians have a solid war plan, and are winning, politicians quoted him as saying.

Mr Zelensky also spoke with military leaders at the Pentagon, where defence secretary Lloyd Austin greeted him without the usual ceremonial band or fanfare typical of a high-level visit.

At Congress, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faces opposition among far-right Republicans aligned with former President Donald Trump on support for Ukraine, notably chose not to join House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in greeting the Ukrainian president when he arrived at the Capitol.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska, Volodymyr Zelensky and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (Getty Images)

Bidens greet Zelensky at White House

20:42 , Jane Dalton

President Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, received a warm greeting from his US counterpart, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, at the White House.

The four posed for photographs before going indoors for talks.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader met US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

(Getty Images)

Zelensky visits Capitol Hill amid Republican infighting over Ukraine support

20:28 , Jane Dalton

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Capitol Hill to appeal for the United States to continue to support his country amid a fight amongst Republicans about whether to continue US support for Ukraines defence against Russia.

Mr Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill Thursday morning and attended an all-senators briefing to impress upon the upper chamber the importance of continued funding for his countrys efforts to repel a Russian invading force amid a long-awaited counteroffensive that has seen Ukraine reclaim previously Russian-occupied territory.

Read more from Eric Garcia and Andrew Feinberg here:

Zelensky visits Capitol Hill amid Republican infighting over Ukraine support

Biden to announce new military aid and air defence for Ukraine

19:30 , Natalie Crockett

President Joe Biden will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday that will include air defence systems and other weaponry to help Kyiv ahead of a tough winter.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the timing of the package coincided with the White House visit by Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky.

Russian cannot be disregarded, Turkeys President Erodgan says

18:53 , Natalie Crockett

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he does not agree with the negative approach other leaders are showing towards his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin , Turkish media report.

Speaking to reporters in New York after attending the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan repeated he was hopeful a solution could be found to revive the Black Sea grain initiative with Russia and Ukraine.

Erdogan said Russia could not be disregarded (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Watch live as Zelensky makes first visit of war to Pentagon

18:05 , Jane Dalton

Lloyd Austin, the US defense secretary, welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky to the Pentagon:

Watch as Zelensky makes first visit to US Pentagon since outbreak of Ukraine war

Why Poland has stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine

17:34 , Jane Dalton

Tensions reaching boiling point between the two neighbours after Volodymyr Zelensky said some countries were feigning solidarity by indirectly supporting Russia with a ban on grain imports:

Why has Poland stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine?

Zelensky accuses certain friends in Europe of playing into Russias hands

17:05 , Jane Dalton

Watch:

Zelensky accuses some friends in Europe of playing into Russias hands

Five Bulgarians charged with spying for Russia

16:48 , Jane Dalton

Five Bulgarians suspected of spying for Russia will be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, prosecutors say:

Five Bulgarians charged in UK with spying for Russia

Ukraine inflicts significant losses on Russia'

16:05 , Jane Dalton

Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on Russian manpower and equipment in the direction of the western Zaporizhia region yesterday, military chiefs say.

The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that their forces continued offensive actions in the Bakhmut direction, the Institute for the Study of War reported.

The UK Ministry of Defence said Ukrainian forces secured positions in Klishchiivka near Bakhmut and Andriivka nearby and that Russian redeployments of airborne forces had weakened Moscows defences around Bakhmut.

Putin's panicked commanders 'launching ill-judged attacks to recapture lost ground'

15:57 , Jane Dalton

Russias military command has ordered troops to carry out ill-conceived and unsupported counterattacks on Bakhmuts southern flank to urgently regain lost ground, according to Russian servicemen and military bloggers, the Institute for the Study of War reports.

Elements of a mobilised unit published a video appeal in which the soldiers claim they abandoned their military equipment in the Klishchiivka area southwest of Bakhmut after receiving an order from the Russian military command to form an assault group and attack in the Bakhmut direction.

The servicemen from Altai Krais 1st Battalion of the 1442nd Regiment reportedly said the Russian military command began deploying different types of personnel to the front lines, including soldiers resting in the rear, without providing them with enough working artillery shells.

The shells apparently did not explode when fired - thought to be a result of Russian efforts to speed up production of shells and skipping quality assurance measures to do so.

The troops added that the unit was suffering from low morale after reports that Ukrainian forces destroyed most of a Russian regiment and almost an entire retreating assault group in the area.

They claimed they had to rely on small arms, whereas the Ukrainians had artillery.

Relatives of soldiers in the regiment have previously appealed to Vladimir Putin after troops were beaten for refusing to carry out an assault a week ago.

Pictured: Zelensky arrives at US Senate

15:24 , Alexander Butler

(AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Zelensky is best messenger for perusading US to continue support

15:10 , Alexander Butler

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the Ukrainian president our best messenger in persuading U.S. lawmakers to keep vital U.S. money and weapons coming.Its really important for members of Congress to be able to hear directly from the president about what hes facing in this counteroffensive, Kirby told reporters Wednesday, and how hes achieving his goals, and what he needs to continue to achieve those goals.Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with Ukraine, even as he faces domestic political divisions at home. A hard-right flank of Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, Bidens chief rival in the 2024 race for the White House, is increasingly opposed to sending more money overseas.

Election 2024 Trump (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

As the White House worked to shore up support for Ukraine before Zelenskyys visit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top intelligence officials briefed senior lawmakers behind closed doors Wednesday to argue the case.But some Senate Republicans walked out of the briefing no more convinced than before about the necessity of spending more on Ukraine. Its not close to the end, Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said. What were basically told is, Buckle up and get out your checkbook.

Pictured: Zelensky arrives in Washington DC

14:55 , Alexander Butler

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Washington DC (Getty Images)

A framed flag signed by front-line Ukrainian fighters in Bakhmut and presented to the U.S. Congress in 2022, sits at one end of the table where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet privately with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (REUTERS)

Zelensky faces US lawmakers in Capitol Hill

14:41 , Alexander Butler

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Washington on Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time to face the Republicans now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has kept his troops in the fight against Russian forces.Zelensky arrived at the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate as the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky walks with Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (Getty Images)

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries escorted Zelensky into the Capitol, opening a crucial Washington stop for the Ukrainian president following his appearance before the U.N. General Assembly in New York.It is Zelenskys second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Bidens request to Congress for an additional $24 billion for Ukraines military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance.

Russia downed all Ukrainian missiles that tried to attack Crimea air base, official claims

14:25 , Alexander Butler

Russian forces shot down all Ukrainian missiles that attempted to attack the Saky air base in Crimea, Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the Russian-installed head of the local administration Sergei Aksyonov, wrote on Telegram on Thursday.

Ukraines military said its forces had struck the Russian air base in Crimea overnight, confirming an attack that a Ukrainian intelligence source had earlier told Reuters was carried out by the SBU security service and navy using drones and Neptune cruise missiles.

Five Bulgarian nationals charged in UK with spying for Russia

14:10 , Alexander Butler

Five Bulgarians suspected of spying for Russia will be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, the Crown Prosecution Service says.

Nick Price, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.

Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state between 30 August 2020 and 8 February 2023.

Why has Poland stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine?

13:56 , Alexander Butler

Poland has announced it will no longer be sending weapons to Ukraine amid growing tension between Warsaw and Kyiv after a ban on Ukrainian grain imports was extended.

Prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he would instead be investing the money in arming Poland, which has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies since Russia invaded last year, with the most modern weapons.

The Russian invasion led to a surge in Ukrainian grain ending up in Europe (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The announcement coincides with tensions reaching boiling point between the two neighbours after Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky said some countries were feigning solidarity by indirectly supporting Russia with a ban on grain imports.

The Russian invasion led to a surge in Ukrainian grain ending up in Europe as the main Black Sea shipping lanes all but closed. Read here for more information.

Lack of rotations key factor in lowering Russian armys morale, MoD says

13:40 , Alexander Butler

The absence of regular rotations of units on combat duty is highly likely one of the key aspects contributing to the Russian armys low morale and inability to carry out advanced training since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the UKs Ministry of Defence said.

The lack of such training is highly likely contributing to Russias difficulties in conducting successful complex offensive operations, the ministry wrote in its latest intelligence update.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  21 September 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/iWynNpUZId



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/ohz5iN4GHd  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) September 21, 2023

Pictured: a medical worker assists an injured woman in Kyiv

13:25 , Alexander Butler

A medical worker assists an injured woman in Kyiv (EPA)

Pictured: A woman stands by a damaged window of her flat in Kyiv

13:10

A woman stands by a damaged window of her flat in Kyiv (EPA)

Ukrainian military confirms Crimea attack

12:55 , Alexander Butler

Ukraines military said on Thursday its forces had struck a Russian air base in Crimea overnight, confirming an attack that was earlier reported by a Ukrainian intelligence source.

A brief military statement said the Saky air base in western Crimea had been attacked by Ukraines defence forces, but gave no further details.

The intelligence source told Reuters the attack was carried out by the SBU security service and navy using drones and Neptune cruise missiles. The attack hit the target and caused serious damage to equipment at the air base, the source said.

Russia did not immediately comment on the reports. The Russian military said earlier on Thursday that it had destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea, and gave no details on casualties or damage.

Zelensky seeks more air defence systems after Russian attack

12:40 , Alexander Butler

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underlined his countrys need for more air defence systems on Thursday after Russia launched its biggest attack on Ukraine in weeks.

Last night, Russian terrorists launched another massive attack. In particular, on infrastructure. Most of the missiles were shot down. But only most of them. Not all of them, he said on the Telegram messaging app.

More air defence. More sanctions. More support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines, he wrote during a visit to the United States, where he said air defence systems would be on the agenda of talks.

Poland weapons ban isnt a sign of Western weakness, US official claims

12:04 , Alexander Butler

A US official who recently visited Poland dismissed suggestions that Mateusz Morawieckis comments were a sign of cracks in Western solidarity with Ukraine.

The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity about the Polish prime ministers comments, said:

Were all human and there are moments of tension... But that doesnt mean that theres going to be some dramatic shift in alliance unity or even Polands fundamental position and determination to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Poland weapons ban isnt a sign of Western weakness, US official claims

12:03 , Alexander Butler

A US official who recently visited Poland dismissed suggestions that Mateusz Morawieckis comments were a sign of cracks in Western solidarity with Ukraine.

The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity about the Polish prime ministers comments, said:

Were all human and there are moments of tension... But that doesnt mean that theres going to be some dramatic shift in alliance unity or even Polands fundamental position and determination to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Russia targeting energy facilities, Kyiv claims

11:40 , Alexander Butler

Russia has resumed its campaign of targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, Kyiv believes, after a power station was hit early this morning.

Energy minister Herman Galushchenko said: The most difficult season is approaching, which will not be easier than the previous winter. Enemy attacks have already begun.

Today, after a long break, we had the first enemy attack on an energy facility in western Ukraine. And it is obvious there will be more and more of them closer to winter.

Pictured: An elderly woman sits near her home in Kyiv where debris from a missile fell

11:25 , Alexander Butler

An elderly woman sits near her home in Kyiv where debris from a missile fell (EPA)

Poland to keep sending previously-agreed weapons deals

12:06 , Alexander Butler

Warsaw has pledged to fulfil existing arms deals with Ukraine after saying it would cut off equipment to its war-torn neighbour.

Poland will only carry out previously agreed deliveries of ammunition and armaments. Including those resulting from contracts signed with Ukraine, government spokesman Piotr Muller said.

Ukraine and Slovakia come to grain agreement

10:55 , Alexander Butler

Slovakia and Ukraines agricultural ministers have agreed to set up a licensing system for trading in grains, which would allow a ban on imports of four Ukrainian commodities to Slovakia to be lifted once the system is set up, Reuters reports the Slovak Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday.

Ukraine also agreed to halt a complaint over the import ban that it had filed against Slovakia with the World Trade Organization.

Polands agricultural minister is reportedly currently in a phone conversation with Ukraines equivalent.

Ship with Ukraine grain back in Turkey under "humanitarian corridor"

10:40 , Alexander Butler

The first vessel loaded with grain from Ukraine to sail in and out of the Black Sea using a temporary corridor arrived off Turkeys Bosphorus Strait on Thursday.

The cargo ship Resilient Africa, left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk this week with 3,000 metric tons of grain, Kyiv said.

Ukraine announced last month a humanitarian corridor to release ships bound for African and Asian markets and to circumvent a de facto blockade after Russia abandoned a deal this summer that had guaranteed its exports during the war.

Pictured: Kyiv resident removes damaged door after strikes

10:25 , Alexander Butler

A Kyiv resident dismantles a door that was destroyed during Russian missile strikes (REUTERS)

Defences still intact on southern defensive line, pro-Russian official claims

10:10 , Alexander Butler

Russian sources are claiming that a Ukrainian attack around the village of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia was repelled.

Vladimir Rogov, a Kremlin-backed official in the region, said attack drones covered an assault group of Ukrainian militants and forced them to retreat.

Rybar, a pro-Russian blogger, said Kyiv was focusing on piercing defences between Robotyne and Verbove but was being held off at the moment.

However, footage appears to show Kyivs armoured vehicles pushing through the main line of defences west of the settlement.

Russian missile attacks show difficuly months ahead'

09:55 , Alexander Butler

Difficult months are ahead, a Ukrainian official warned. Oleksiy Kuleba, deputy head of the presidential office, said: Tonight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine. Difficult months are ahead. Russia will attack energy and critically important facilities.

It comes as Russia attacked six Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Lviv. The strikes have damaged residential areas, industrial zones and energy infrastructure.

Pictured: Smoke rises in the sky over Kyiv after Russian attack

09:40 , Alexander Butler

Smoke rises in the sky over Kyiv after a Russian missile strike (REUTERS)

Ukraine says Russian attack damages energy infrastructure

09:25 , Alexander Butler

Russian missile strikes damaged energy infrastructure in central and western Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian national grid operator Ukrenergo said.

The attacks caused electricity shutdowns in five regions - Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Rivne, and Kharkiv, it said on the Telegram messaging app.

Poland to stop arming Ukraine for its counteroffensive

09:10 , Alexander Butler

Poland said it will no longer provide Ukraine with weapons for its counteroffensive against Russia amid growing tension between Warsaw and Kyiv over grain exports.

On Wednesday, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said his country would no longer be transferring any weapons to Ukraine and would instead invest in arming Poland with the most modern weapons.

But Mr Morawiecki claimed the decision wasnt related to a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain, which Poland imposed in a bid to protect the interest of Polish farmers this week, but warned Ukraine it would impose additional products to the ban.

Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki (EPA)

Ukrainian attack causes 'serious damage' at Crimea air base

09:00 , Alexander Butler

Ukraines SBU security service and navy struck the Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, inflicting serious damage, a Ukrainian intelligence source claimed on Thursday.

The Russian military, meanwhile, said it had destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea, and gave no details on casualties or damage.

Strikes by the Security Service and the Navy hit the target and caused serious damage to the occupiers equipment, the source claimed, describing an operation that the source said used first drones and then Neptune cruise missiles.

The source added that at least 12 combat aircraft and man-portable air-defense system were located at the base in western Crimea and that the base was also used as a training base for drone operators.

Images from Kyiv, Ukraine, which show damage from Russian airstrikes

08:44 , Alexander Butler

Here are some images from Kyiv, Ukraine, which show damage inflicted by Russian airstrikes this morning.

A firefighter works at a site in a residential area damaged during a Russian missile strike (REUTERS)

Workers remove debris at a site in an industrial area damaged during a Russian missile strike (REUTERS)

Emergency services stand at a site in a residential area damaged this morning (REUTERS)

Ukrainian armoured vehicles appear to have broken through Russias main defensive line

08:35 , Alexander Butler

Ukraines armoured vehicles appear to have broken through Russias main defensive line on the southern front.

Footage suggests Marder and Stryker vehicles have pushed through the Surovikin Line west of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine kills 130 Russian soldiers in single day in southern push

08:00 , Lydia Patrick

More than 300 of Vladimir Putins soldiers have been killed and wounded in a span of 24 hours in Zaporizhzhias oblast, Ukraines armed forces said in a battlefield update on Wednesday.

Ukrainian commander general Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said the Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 18 times with 830 attacks, one rocket and 23 air strikes in the past day. In retaliation, the artillery units under him launched 1,232 fire missions during the day.

Read the full story here

Ukraines Zelensky says UN incapable of stopping Putins criminal aggression - live

Deadly Russian airstrikes across six cities including Kyiv

07:29 , Alexander Butler

A massive Russian attack on Ukraine hit six cities, damaging residential areas, industrial zones and energy infrastructure.

Where have the strikes hit?

In the southern city of Kherson a strike on a residential building killed two people and injuted five said regional governor Oleksand Prokudin.

Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a nine-year-old girl, after the strike targered residential and commercial buildings, mayor Vitalii Klitschko said.

At least six strikes hit the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure and hospitalising two, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Seven were injured and at least one person was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko the minister of internal affairs of Ukraine.

Missiles hit an industrial zone in the region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but there have been no reports of casualties, Mr Klymenko added.

Regional governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne in the northwest region of the same name, but no further details have been reported.

Ukraine launches its largest drone strike of war so far on Crimea and Black Sea targets

07:15 , Lydia Patrick

Ukraine has fired at least 19 lethal drones over the Black Sea and the Crimean peninsula, and three more over other bordering regions of Russia, the Russian defence ministry said on Thursday.

The Russian anti-aircraft units intercepted and destroyed over a dozen drones in the region, the ministry said on its Telegram channel.

In the night from 20 to 21 September, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with lethal drones on sites in the Russian Federation was intercepted, the ministry said.

Read the full story here

Ukraine launches largest drone strike of war so far on Crimea and Black Sea targets

Zelensky meeting with President Biden

07:00 , Alex Ross

United States President Joe Biden is looking forward to meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington on Thursday and getting a battlefield perspective on Ukraines counter-offensive, says White House spokesperson John Kirby.

Kirby told reporters that the White House had encouraged Zelensky to meet with US lawmakers to discuss his ongoing military needs.

He said the possibility of providing Ukraine with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles remained on the table, but no decision had yet been made.

This is the Ukrainian presidents second visit to the US since Russias invasion and it comes at a time Congress is mulling Mr Bidens request to assist Ukraine with as much as $24bn (19bn) in military and humanitarian aid.

On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. He said the UN was incapable of stopping aggressors like Putin invading other countries.

More on what to expect from the meeting here:

Volodymyr Zelensky set to meet Joe Biden in Washington in his second trip since war

ICYMI: Zelensky says UN is incapable of stopping aggressors like Putin invading other countries

06:00 , Alex Ross

Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defence of the sovereign border of nations - said Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky as he made an impassioned call for reform of the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday.

The president claims the UN is incapable of preventing aggressors like Vladimir Putin invading other countries, and he called for action with a plea 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.

More on Zelenskys address here:

UN incapable of stopping aggressor invading another country, says Zelensky

ICYMI: The moment the diplomatic world was watching for  but didnt get

05:00 , Alex Ross

All eyes were on the potential of a face-off between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov across the UN Security Councils horse-shaped table.

But it was a near-miss as Zelensky left before Lavrov arrived.

Ukraine, Russia and the tense U.N. encounter that almost happened  but didn't

Poland angered by Zelensky remarks

04:00 , Alex Ross

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskys comments on a ban of grain imports by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have angered the government in Warsaw.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but added that the political theatre around grain imports was only helping Moscow.

Polands foreign ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski had conveyed the Polish sides strong protest against the statement, alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia.

More on Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning the grain imports here:

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

Delegate ovation for Zelensky

03:00 , Alex Ross

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky received an applause lasting around 30 seconds after giving his speech before the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Zelensky was invited to the address the delegates, who reacted warmly with the long applause.

ICYMI: Ukraine sends back defective Leopard 1 tanks from Germany

02:30 , Alex Ross

A number of defective German tanks have been rejected by Ukraine after they were discovered not to be working properly.

Ten Leopard 1 tanks were returned after the Ukrainian army noticed they had serious technical issues on delivery to Rzeszow, Poland, in July, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel.

Germany says they will need further repairs before being used in Ukraine.

More on this story here:

Ukraine sends broken tanks with serious faults back to Germany

What was said at the UN Security Council meeting

01:30 , Alex Ross

The main interest during the meeting in New York yesterday was Ukrains president Volodymyr Zelensky, it being the first time he had attended a UN Security Council meeting in person since Russia invaded Ukraine in Feburary, 2022.

In brief, heres what was said:

Zelensky: 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.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: President Putin is betting that if he keeps doubling down on the violence, that if hes willing to inflict enough suffering on enough people, the world will cave on its principles and Ukraine will stop defending itself.

Russias 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.

Chinas vice foreign minsiter 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. 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.

Chinas vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu said relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction

Zelenskys impassioned call for help

Thursday 21 September 2023 00:30 , Alex Ross

Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky used his address to the UN Security Council to call for reform of the body to help end Russias war with his country.

Speaking to the 15-member council, Mr Zelensky said: Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defence of the sovereign border of nations.

Despite meeting dozens of times since Russia invaded Ukraine in Febuary last year, the body has been unable to take any action because Moscow holds a veto.

Zelenskys proposals include expanding membership of the security council to include Germany and the African Union, among others.

It comes ahead of talks with UK president Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday - a meeting where Zelensky will be hoping to secure financial support for the war.

Read more on Zelenskys speech here:

UN incapable of stopping aggressor invading another country, says Zelensky

UN expert urges US not to send Kyiv cluster munitions

Wednesday 20 September 2023 23:30 , Jane Dalton

A United Nations expert has urged the US to reconsider its decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, saying they could harm civilians even decades after the end of the conflict.

In her letter to the US government, Alice Jill Edwards, a UN 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 Excellencys Government to reconsider the decision to transfer cluster munitions and to halt any plan towards the implementation of such decision, Ms Edwards wrote.

The publication of the letter comes days after US 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.

Spat drags Ukraines ties with ally Poland to lowest point since invasion

Wednesday 20 September 2023 22:15 , Jane Dalton

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:

Grain spat drags Ukraine's ties with ally Poland to lowest point since start of Russian invasion

Four die in Russian shelling

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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.

UN incapable of defending national borders, says Zelensky

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

The tense encounter that almost happened  but didnt

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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'

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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'

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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?

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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

Wednesday 20 September 2023 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.
A Ukrainian soldier survived for over a year on the frontlines of the war against Russia.

Ukraine says he was killed in a Russian attack after returning home.

The 32-year-old is survived by his three kids, aged 7, 5, and 2-and-a-half years old.

A Ukrainian soldier survived for more than a year on the front lines in the war against Russia, only to die in a Russian attack on his first day of work after he returned home to his family, according to Ukraine's defense ministry, who posted the story to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday.

Petro Burban, a father of three, "went to the front lines as a volunteer in the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion," the post said. "Petro served for a year and a half. Then, he returned home and got a job."

The defense ministry said Burban arrived for his first day at the Caritas-Spes humanitarian aid warehouse on Tuesday but was killed there "as a result of a Russian terrorist attack on this warehouse."

Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 20, 2023

Burban, a 32-year-old native of Davydiv, Lviv Oblast, volunteered to fight in the war in April 2022, according to Ukrainska Pravda. After he returned home, he was looking for a job for two weeks before finding a position at this warehouse.

A woman who knows Burban from their home village told Ukrainska Pravda that Burban was a good man.

"He fought in the war. He came from a good family. A loving father, son, and brother," Ivanna Horyn said. "He often came to the village. The last time we saw him was after Easter. There is nothing bad to say about him. He was very kind."

Burban is survived by his three kids, aged 7, 5, and 2 12 old, according to Pravda.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Both Russia and Ukraine have launched new waves of large-scale airstrikes, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Washington for talks with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. Ukraine has said it struck Saky military airfield on the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula, while Russia, for its part, has hit Ukraine with its largest missile barrage since mid-August.

The airbase at Saky was targeted in the latest Ukrainian attack on Crimea, according to authorities in Kyiv. The Ukrainian airstrike reportedly involved numerous drones, used to overwhelm Russian air defenses, which were then followed up by Neptune cruise missiles  surface-to-surface versions of the Ukrainian-developed anti-ship missile .

https://www.twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1704752289821397147?s=20 https://www.twitter.com/The_Real_ITDUDE/status/1704889681727684908?s=20

In a statement posted to social media, the Ukrainian Armed Forces communication department said:

On the night of September 21, the Defense Forces of Ukraine launched a combined attack on a military airfield of the occupiers near the city of Saky in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

A satellite view of Saki airbase dated October 2021. Google Earth

A source within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that there were at least a dozen Russian warplanes  probably mainly Su-24 Fencer and Su-30SM Flanker types  and a Pantsir air defense system at the airfield at the time of the attack.

The SBU also said that Saky accommodated a drone training center and that the strikes had inflicted serious damage to the equipment of the occupiers.

The occupiers cannot feel safe in the occupied peninsula, the SBU source added.

The Russian military also admitted that the attack took place but claimed that it had shot down 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea.

https://www.twitter.com/RALee85/status/1704632952909410655?s=20

Meanwhile, an advisor to Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, said that none of the Ukrainian missiles hit their target.

The possible use of the Neptune cruise missile in such a high-profile operation, possibly timed to coincide with Zelenskys visit to Washington, also brings into focus Kyivs repeated demands for long-range strike capabilities from the United States. Most notably, Ukraine has long campaigned for the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a ballistic missile system that seems almost certain to be omitted from the next U.S. defense aid package, expected to be worth $325 million.

As for the land-attack Neptune, this is a significant development in itself and a weapon that we have explored in detail in the past . Suffice it to say, this long-range weapon has been earmarked by Ukrainian officials for future strikes against targets inside Russia. Long-range weapons donated by the West are precluded from use in attacks within Russian borders.

Saky has come under attack before, with a successful strike in August 2022 leading to the destruction of an estimated nine Russian fighters, as you can read about here .

A close-up of the ramp at the southwestern end of Saky airbase on August 10, 2022, showing the remains of multiple aircraft. Fire trucks and other vehicles can be seen, as well. There is visible damage to the structures to the immediate south and east, too. PHOTO  2022 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION

More recently, however, Ukrainian attacks against Crimea have been stepped up, involving missiles and drones, and being calculated to not only hit critical targets but also to deliver symbolic blows against the peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.

In the last few weeks, Ukrainian strikes on the peninsula 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. Just yesterday, the latest wave of Ukrainian strikes against targets in Crimea reportedly hit a command post of the Black Sea Fleet, among other targets. The latest satellite imagery of that last location, the command post near Verkhnosadove, reveals significant damage to the building, with one side of the structure appearing to be totally leveled.

https://www.twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1704802576145785276?s=20

Overnight, Russia, too, launched major attacks on a range of Ukrainian cities, with what has been described as the largest wave of missile attacks in more than a month. Initial reports suggest that at least two people were killed and dozens more injured.

According to Ukrainian officials, the Russian strikes involved air-launched Kh-101, Kh-555, and Kh-55 cruise missiles , which are carried by Tu-95MS Bear-H and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers. While the Kh-55 is normally a nuclear-armed weapon, Russia has apparently been adapting these older missiles with conventional warheads for use in the war in Ukraine, as you can read about here .

The chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Gen, Valerii Zaluzhnyi said that Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 36 out of 43 Russian cruise missiles that had been launched from 10 aircraft. Of that missile total, 20 are said to have been shot down over Kyiv, according to Sergiy Popko, the head of the capitals military administration.

https://www.twitter.com/KpsZSU/status/1704754810602348693?s=20

However, Kyiv was on the receiving end of damage, including a fire at a service station in the Darnytskyi district, which injured 11 people.

In the south of the country, the city of Kherson came under attack, with reports that two people were killed in an attack on a dormitory and four others were admitted to hospital.

https://www.twitter.com/ukraine_ua/status/1704848515694764518?s=20

Kharkiv, in the northeast, was also hit overnight, with damage reported to civilian infrastructure leaving two people injured, according to the regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov.

In the west, the city of Lviv saw damage to a building and a fire, in an industrial area. Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional governor in Lviv, said that three Russian missiles hit the western city of Drohobych, damaging an infrastructure facility and warehouses.

https://www.twitter.com/Textyorgua_Eng/status/1704781819990675815?s=20

Notable about the latest wave of Russian strikes is the fact that they appear to have been directed, at least in part, against energy infrastructure, likely calculated for maximum disruption to the civilian population as the winter draws closer. Reuters reported power cuts in five Ukrainian regions in the west, center, and east. This was, according to grid operator Ukrenergo, the first Russian attack on power infrastructure in six months. The operator reported outages in the Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions.

The same tactics were employed last winter by Russia, with many airstrikes on critical infrastructure leaving millions without power. Repairs to the energy infrastructure are still ongoing and grid operators have imposed regular rolling power cuts.

Officials in the capital said that the latest missile strikes led to power cuts in almost 400 locations. Difficult months are ahead: soon Russia will attack again energy and critically important facilities, said Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of Kyivs presidential office.

Damage at an industrial area in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, after a massive overnight missile attack on Ukraine on September 21, 2023. Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Winter is coming. Tonight [Russia] renews missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk wrote on platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

As for Russia, it reported that its armed forces hit military-industry facilities, radio-intelligence installations, as well as training centers for sabotage groups.

Considering the events overnight, it is appropriate that air defense is being stated as Kyivs priority during Zelenskys Washington visit. The Ukrainian president arrived in the U.S. capital to hold talks with President Biden on securing more weapons.

https://www.twitter.com/laraseligman/status/1704881588067008805?s=20

In a message on Telegram, Zelensky said:

Today there are important negotiations in Washington. Air defense for Ukraine is among the top issues. More air defense, more support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines.

Zelensky also made direct reference to the latest wave of Russian missile strikes.

After thanking the countries that have provided Ukraine with anti-missile systems, Zelensky said:

Most of the missiles were shot down. But only the majority. Not all. We are working to completely rid Russia of its terrorist potential. We have to come to this result.

With no end in sight for the Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, bolstering air defenses is very much on Kyivs mind. Officials will be hopeful that more such equipment will be included in the next arms package. In the meantime, it appears almost certain that Ukraine will keep up its own campaign of striking valuable Russian targets on the Crimean peninsula.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
An American woman serving as an official spokesperson for Ukraines military has been suspended after a Republican U.S. lawmaker raised concerns about her threat of violence against Russian propagandists.

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, the English-language spokesperson for Ukraines Territorial Defense Forces, was suspended Wednesday over public statements that were not approved by the command, the TDF said in a statement.

The command of the TDF will conduct an official investigation into the circumstances of these statements, the statement said, without specifying which statements landed Ashton-Cirillo in hot water.

Days earlier, however, she sparked an uproar among pro-Russian figures on social media with a dramatic video in which she vowed that Russian propagandists would be hunted down and justice served. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), who has called for an end to further aid for Ukraine, cited the video in a letter to top U.S. officials asking if Ashton-Cirillo was being paid with American resources.

I worry American resources could be supporting violence or the threat of violence against people for speaking their mind, Vance wrote, also floating the bizarre claim that Ashton-Cirillo might be a former intelligence operative.

Since there are several people asking for this video and many discussing it on Telegram and across social media channels, here is my latest episode of Russia Hates the Truth.



The russians and their supporters are gnashing their teeth as predicted.



pic.twitter.com/Bdr1yddFN3  Sarah Ashton-Cirillo (Ukrainian TDF Media) (@SarahAshtonLV) September 13, 2023

Along with right-wing figures in the U.S., the video also sparked a hysterical reaction in Russias state-controlled media, which has obsessively mocked Ashton-Cirillo for being transgender.

Some critics in Ukraine took issue with her role as spokesperson for an entirely different reason, however.

Before enlisting in Ukraines Armed Forces, she worked as a freelance journalist covering the war against the country, sharing the aftermath of missile attacks and mortar shelling in videos posted on Twitter and YouTube. One of those videos, shot against the backdrop of the bloody body of a man whod just been killed in a missile strike on Kyiv, sparked backlash among Ukrainians who accused Ashton-Cirillo of exploiting war deaths for online clicks.

She gained notoriety for posting selfies and videos against the backdrop of Ukrainians who had just been killed. Its unbelievable she even got that job, Alona Shevchenko, the co-founder of a group working to raise cryptocurrency funds for Ukraine, wrote on X. The way she behaves is extremely disrespectful towards Ukrainians and she certainly shouldnt represent our Armed Forces in any capacity.

Others said theyd rather have a Ukrainian representing the countrys Armed Forces, or at least someone with a longer history in Ukraine.

Im allowed to not want someone who came to Ukraine in 2022 to represent the armed forces. Im allowed to want someone who fought from 2014 to do it. Someone Ukrainian who isnt popularizing messages Ukrainians dont agree with, the host of the Ukraine War Brief podcast, who goes by Yewleea, wrote on X.

Ukraines former Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, who was fired earlier this week, had praised Ashton-Cirillos work in reaching a large American audience last month. When she was tapped for the role of spokesperson in June, a military representative said the goal was to get truthful information about the war to people in Europe and the U.S. in order to counter Russian propaganda.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Bavovna (cotton, a war-related neologism for a loud explosion far behind the frontline) in occupied Crimea

Ukraines SBU security service and the Ukrainian Navy conducted a large-scale attack on Saky military airfield in Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea on the night of Sept. 20-21, seriously damaging Russian equipment, sources in the SBU have told NV.

Read also: Massive explosions rock Russian-occupied Yevpatoriya, Crimea

There were at least 12 combat aircraft (Su-24 and Su-30) and a Pantsir air defense system at the airfield, sources said. There was also a training base for Iranian Mojaher drone operators. These are the drones used by the Russians to coordinate their own air attacks. They are also used as combat strike drones.

Ukrainian attack drones were used to strike the enemy, exhausting Russian air defenses. Ukraine then launched Neptune missiles at the air base.

"Its interesting that even Russian Telegram channels confirm serious destruction and losses  they report at least 30 dead soldiers," said the NV source.

Read also: Multiple explosions rock Crimea, hitting two airfields, and a military base in Sevastopol

The SBU said that every day the number of explosions in Crimea will grow more and more, and the occupation forces will no longer be able to feel secure on the illegally occupied Ukrainian peninsula.

Over the past week alone, Ukraine has launched several successful strikes against enemy targets in Crimea. On the night of Sept. 12-13, a large amphibious assault ship, the Minsk, and a submarine, the Rostov-on-Don, which were at a ship repair plant, were damaged in Sevastopol. According to Ukrainian intelligence, they are beyond repair.

According to NV's source in the SBU, the special service's counterintelligence, together with the Ukrainian Navy, on Sept. 14 destroyed a Russian Triumf air defense system near Yevpatoriya using drones and Neptune missiles.

The successful operation was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Read also: Peoples Satellite  purchased through crowdfunding  crucial in Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships in Sevastopol

The Ukrainian Defense Forces reported on Sept. 20 that they had also destroyed a command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol in a missile attack.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A new video from Ukraine's defense ministry pokes fun at Russia for losing the Rostov-on-Don submarine.

The video trolls Russia for losing a submarine "in a land war" to a country "without many warships."

The Rostov-on-Don was likely damaged beyond repair in an attack on Sevastopol last week.

Ukraine is taking a victory lap after a devastating attack on a key Black Sea port last week, trolling Russia's apparent loss of an attack submarine in a new video.

The video, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, pokes fun at Russia for having "lost a submarine in a land war."

"Wanna know why Ukraine will win the war?" the video reads. "Well, among other things... we're a country without many warships, and we just destroyed a Russian submarine." Ukraine's navy is limited in capability, and its flagship was actually scuttled shortly after the invasion to keep it from falling into the hands of the Russians.

Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 20, 2023

Indeed, photos that surfaced online in the days after Ukraine's strike on Sevastopol appeared to show the Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don wrecked, with severe and widespread damage to its exterior and possibly interior. An expert told Insider the pictures of the damage, particularly to the pressure hull, suggested the attack left the vessel beyond repair. A potential loss of critical repair facilities only further supported the assessment.

According to Oryx, which keeps a tally of Russian ships taken out by Ukraine, the Rostov is the first recorded submarine loss for Moscow in the war. And, according to warfare expert Franz-Stefan Gady, it's the first combat loss of a Russian submarine since 1945.

The Rostov-on-Don was one of the Black Sea Fleet's four improved Kilo-class submarines capable of carrying cruise missiles. They are formidable assets that have been responsible for striking Ukrainian targets and defending Russia's naval interests in the area.

It was wrecked in a pre-dawn attack on the Sevastopol shipyard by Ukraine last Wednesday, which included the use of cruise missiles  possibly Western-made Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG long-range cruise missiles  and drones.

Russia's Ministry of Defense said it destroyed the drones and shot down seven missiles, claims that are unverified, but a number of weapons made it through, causing extensive damage to the facility, the Rostov, and the landing ship Minsk, which Britain's defense ministry, citing open-source evidence, suggested had "almost certainly been functionally destroyed."

Satellite imagery shows damage at the Sevastopol shipyard on Wednesday. UK Ministry of Defense/Screenshot via Twitter

The hit on the Rostov is the latest in a string of high-profile attacks by Ukraine against Russian forces in occupied Crimea.

In August, Ukrainian officials said they'd modified a Neptune anti-ship missile, the weapon that killed the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship cruiser Moskva last year, to strike and destroy an S-400 Triumf near Olekivka on the western side of the peninsula. Another S-400  a prized mobile, surface-to-air system that's capable of shooting down cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft and drones, at high altitudes and long ranges  was apparently taken out earlier this month in Yevpatoriya, another western city in Crimea.

Unmanned surface vehicle attacks on warships and a key bridge in recent months have made the Black Sea a nightmare for Russian naval forces to navigate and defend. An expert previously told Insider these relatively cheap exploding drone boats  remote-controlled sleek, black watercraft around the size of a life boat  give Ukraine an asymmetric edge, causing massive damage to targets like the the Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak.

Ukraine's attacks, including a surprise amphibious raid in late August, on Crimea are both strategic and symbolic, as Kyiv hopes to ultimately make the peninsula "untenable" for Moscow's forces, a former US Army general previously told Insider, and sets up the contested peninsula as the most important area to reclaim in the larger war.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled the attacks of the Russian military in the vicinity of six settlements, and they struck a command post and two electronic warfare systems.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 21 September

Details: The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Melitopol front and assault actions on the Bakhmut front, inflicting casualties in the manpower and equipment of the Russian forces and exhausting them along the entire contact line.

During the day, the Air Force of the Armed Forces hit a command post and carried out 10 attacks on clusters of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment.

Units of Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a command post, a cluster of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, nine artillery systems and two electronic warfare stations.

During the day, over 20 combat clashes were recorded. In total, the Russians inflicted 52 missile and 44 air strikes, as well as carried out 43 attacks from multiple-launch missile systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Unfortunately, civilians were killed and wounded as a result of Russian terrorist attacks. Residential buildings, civilian educational institutions, medical institutions, student accommodation and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

On the Volyn and Polissia fronts, the operational situation is without significant changes. No signs of the formation of offensive groups were recorded. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus carry out tasks in the border areas with Ukraine.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians maintain a military presence in the border areas and continue attacks on the settlements from the territory of the Russian Federation. During the day, they inflicted an airstrike in the area of Dihtiarne, Sumy Oblast. More than 20 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling, including Chernatske in Chernihiv Oblast; Stara Huta, Zarichchia, Kucherivka, Shalyhyne and Yunakivka in Sumy Oblast; and Hrafske, Hatyshche, Vovchansk and Vovchanski Khutory in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russian forces inflicted airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Berestove, Kopanka and Shyikivka in Kharkiv Oblast. The areas of more than 10 settlements, in particular Dvorichna, Synkivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi and Kivsharivka in Kharkiv Oblast, were subjected to artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Lyman front, areas of the settlements of Nevske, Luhansk Oblast, and Dibrova, Donetsk Oblast, were subjected to airstrikes. More than 10 settlements were affected by artillery and mortar attacks, among them Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast, as well as Spirne, Berestove and Rozdolivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Bakhmut front, Ukraine's Armed Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area northeast of Hrihorivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians tried to restore the lost position in the vicinity of Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast, but were unsuccessful. They inflicted airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Andriivka, Minkivka, Klishchiivka and Pivnichne in Donetsk Oblast. Over 20 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, in particular Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Stupochky and Bila Hora in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians launched an airstrike in the area of Arkhanhelsk, Donetsk Oblast. About 10 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar attacks, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, during the day, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled eight attacks in the areas of Marinka and Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians launched an airstrike in the vicinity of Yelyzavetivka in Donetsk Oblast. Ten settlements came under fire from the Russian forces, among them Marinka, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully repelled a Russian attack in the area of Mykilske, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians inflicted airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Uhledar, Urozhaine and Staromaiorske, Donetsk Oblast. About 10 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar attacks, including Vodiane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Novoukrainka, Zolota Nyva and Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukraines Forces successfully repelled a Russian attack in the area of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Russians inflicted airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Bilohiria, Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Over 20 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar attacks, in particular Malynivka, Huliaipole, Charivne, Stepove and Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Kherson front, the Russians inflicted airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Lvove and Tiahynka in Kherson Oblast. About 10 settlements suffered from artillery and mortar attacks, among them Beryslav, Mykolaivka and Kherson in Kherson Oblast, as well as Solonchaky and Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast.

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Washington  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington, D.C., on Thursday for the second time since Russia launched an assault on his country more than 18 months ago, thanking the U.S. for billions of dollars' worth of support while stressing the need for more aid to turn the tide of the war.

As Zelenskyy visited, the Biden administration announced hundreds of millions of dollars in additional security aid for the country, including for air defense munitions, as winter approaches. The Ukrainian president received a warm welcome from President Biden and most members of Congress, but he faced skepticism from some Republican lawmakers who oppose sending more weapons and money to the country.

Zelenskyy began his visit with meetings behind closed doors with members of the House and Senate on Capitol Hill. He then headed to the Pentagon before arriving at the White House for a meeting with Mr. Biden, which he called "very important."

President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk through the colonnade to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 21, 2023. / Credit: DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The new package of military assistance includes "significant" air defense capabilities to help Ukraine "harden" its defenses, said national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Specifically, the additional security assistance will provide $128 million worth of arms and equipment from Pentagon stocks, and $197 million in arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns, according to the State Department.

But Ukraine will need even more, and Zelenskyy had the opportunity to make his case in person.

In the Oval Office, Mr. Biden told Zelenskyy the people of Ukraine "have shown enormous bravery" and "inspired the world." Zelenskyy, speaking in English, said he had "frank" and "constructive" conversations with members of Congress, and said he looks forward to discussing military support from the U.S., "with a special emphasis on air defense." Zelenskyy emphasized his gratitude to the U.S. for its past and continued assistance.

"I met with U.S. Senate Majority Leader @SenSchumer, U.S. Senate Republican Leader @LeaderMcConnell, and U.S. Senators," Zelenskyy said in a tweet Thursday afternoon."I am grateful to the U.S. Senate for helping our warriors free Ukrainian land of Russian invaders. Support for Ukraine means strengthening NATO's eastern flank. We discussed the battlefield situation and priority defense needs, such as air defense. I hope that the U.S. Congress will continue to take important decisions to provide financial assistance to Ukraine. Oversight, transparency, and accountability for all the aid is absolutely important and imperative. We also discussed the Peace Formula, global coalition in its support, and Ukraine's post-war recovery."

GOP skeptics on Capitol Hill

Zelenskyy encountered a slightly different environment on Capitol Hill than he did in December, when Democrats still controlled the House. Aid to Ukraine has become a sticking point among Republicans in their efforts to fund the government and avoid a shutdown by the end of the month.

A number of Republicans in the GOP-controlled lower chamber are skeptical, if not vocally critical, of the United States' continued financial assistance of Ukraine, even as Mr. Biden and Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have emphasized that assistance is critical. The White House has asked lawmakers to approve another $24 billion in aid, a number that fallen flat among Republicans in Congress.

After meeting with Zelenskyy, GOP Sen. Josh Hawley said he remains firmly against additional funding for Ukraine.

CBS News asked Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina if Zelenskyy made any appeals to senators like Hawley who are skeptical of Ukraine aid.

"I don't think so," Tillis responded. "And quite honestly, I don't believe you can convince Josh Hawley to change his opinion. So why waste the time? Go focus on the vast majority of the members out there to support it."

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Connecticut said Zelenskyy was clear that if the U.S. steps away from supporting Ukraine, the Russians will win.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures while walking with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the Capitol on Sept. 21, 2023. / Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

In the White House briefing room, Sullivan downplayed fraying support from some Republicans, saying he thinks bipartisan support for Ukraine will continue to remain strong. Sullivan also encouraged Americans to step back and consider what Ukraine has achieved with U.S. support.

"Number one  Kyiv stands, Kharkiv stands, Kherson stands. Major cities of Ukraine are not under Russian domination and occupation today because first and foremost, of the bravery of the Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and the Ukrainian people who are supporting them, but also in no small part because of the material assistance we have provided. And that is a significant fact," Sullivan said.

"Second, Ukraine is in fact taking back territory," he added. "It is doing so methodically, step by step, and the weapons that we have provided have allowed them to de-occupy more territory in the last three months than the Russians were able to take in eight months over the course of its fall and winter offensive last year. So we will keep at this."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Zelenskyy asked to address a joint session of Congress, but McCarthy said there wasn't enough time  a signal of where Ukraine stands with the GOP-led House.

"I think the best part is sit down walk through the question of what is the plan for victory, what is the plan in the field, the accountability issues that a lot of members have questions, just walk through that," McCarthy said before meeting with Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy's Washington visit follows his first in-person appearance at the United Nations since Russia invaded in February 2022. Both Zelenskyy and Mr. Biden told the U.N. General Assembly that Ukraine's security is integral to international security.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" Mr. Biden asked during his UNGA speech.

In a recent interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes," Zelenskyy warned that world order is at stake.

"If Ukraine falls, what will happen in 10 years? Just think about it. If [the Russians] reach Poland, what's next? A Third World War?" Zelenskyy told Scott Pelley in the interview that aired Sunday. "We're defending the values of the whole world. And these are Ukrainian people who are paying the highest price. We are truly fighting for our freedom, we are dying. We are not fiction, we are not a book. We are fighting for real with a nuclear state that threatens to destroy the world."

Jack Turman contributed to this report.

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The State Bureau of Investigations of Ukraine (SBI) is conducting examinations and interrogating the commanders of Ukraines Armed Forces in a case about the defence of Kherson Oblast in the south of Ukraine in 2022.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda (UP) article "How the Armed Forces of Ukraine prepared the south for defence, laid mines in Chonhar and fought for Kherson Oblast. Reconstruction" (English translation to follow shortly)

Details: Since April 2022 the SBI has been investigating a criminal case concerning the events in Kherson Oblast.

This case concerns possible negligence by the military, specifically by Pivden (South) Grouping of Forces command which allegedly did not properly mine all structures.

The key figures of this case may be Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, commander of the Joint Forces of Ukraine, and Major General Andrii Sokolov, commander of the Pivden (South) Grouping of Forces since October 2021 and as of the beginning of the full-scale war.

In response to an official request, the SBI reported that at the moment a military examination commission and seven forensic explosive examination commissions have been ordered in the case.

The Pivden (South) Grouping of Forces command and unit commanders have been interrogated as witnesses.

However, one of the important witnesses, soldier Ivan Sestryvatovskyi who was supposed to blow up the Chonhar bridges, was only interrogated after his interview with Ukrainska Pravda. A few more soldiers who blew up other bridges and survived have most likely still not been interrogated.

The SBI responded that "the interrogationsare being conducted taking into account the possibility of locating persons of interest and their ability to come in for questioning".

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By Andrea Shalal, Makini Brice and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday that strong U.S. support for his war to repel Russian invaders will be maintained despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers to sending billions more in aid.

Biden and Zelenskiy held a war council in the White House East Room as part of a blizzard of appearances the Ukraine leader made looking to bolster U.S. support for a war that began in February 2022 and has no end in sight.

"Mr. President, we're with you, we're staying with you," Biden told Zelenskiy before reaching across the table and shaking his hand after two hours of talks.

Zelenskiy thanked Biden for a new $325 million military aid package of weaponry and air defenses, saying "it has exactly what our soldiers need now."

He said he and Biden agreed on specific steps to expand the export of grain from Ukraine in the face of a Russian blockade and tensions with neighbor Poland. He did not detail the steps.

Biden's request for $24 billion in more Ukraine funding to help pay for Ukraine's defense and humanitarian aid through the end of the year is bottled up in a budget fight pushed by Republican hardliners in the House of Representatives.

Asked how to overcome the opposition, Biden said the only way was approval by the U.S. Congress.

Im counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress. Theres no alternative," he said.

Comments from Republican Senator Rand Paul, a frequent critic of foreign aid, were emblematic of the opposition. He told Fox Business News that Ukraine is a "corrupt regime" and that the war has no end in sight.

Biden said the first American Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine next week.

"Just as we're committed to helping Ukraine defend itself now, we're also committed to helping them recover and rebuild in the future, including supporting reforms that will combat corruption," Biden said.

AIR DEFENSE

Biden said Washington would also send Ukraine a second Raytheon-built Hawk air defense battery and related equipment. A U.S. official said the equipment would arrive in Ukraine soon.

After seeking international support at the United Nations on Wednesday, Zelenskiy came to Washington on a blitz across town that included meetings with military leaders at the Pentagon, a visit to the U.S. Capitol and an address in the evening at the National Archives museum.

In announcing a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, Biden lauded the bravery of the Ukrainian people when he and Zelenskiy met earlier in the Oval Office.

"Together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to it to that (we do) all we can to ensure that the world stands with you," Biden said in comments at the start of their meeting.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine greatly appreciates U.S. assistance "to combat Russian terror" and said he would discuss Ukraine's defense needs with Biden, with a special emphasis on air defense.

"Today I'm in Washington to strengthen our ability to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world," he added.

While Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine, and Biden's Democrats control the Senate, Zelenskiy faced a tougher crowd than when he visited Washington nine months ago.

Dressed in military green to reflect his status as a wartime leader, Zelenskiy briefed the full U.S. Senate in the Capitol's historic Old Senate Chamber, receiving several standing ovations, according to a post on the platform X by Senator Chris Murphy.

Zelenskiy told senators that military aid was crucial to Ukraine's war effort, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the Senate chamber after the briefing, which took place behind closed doors.

"If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war," Schumer quoted Zelenskiy as saying.

Zelenskiy later described his meetings with lawmakers as frank and constructive.

Zelenskiy held discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior Pentagon leaders. He visited the Pentagon's memorial of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks where he and his wife each placed a bouquet of sunflowers, irises and other flowers.

The White House announced the U.S. will host a conference this fall for the U.S. defense industry, Ukrainian business leaders and officials from both governments to explore joint ventures and co-production, as Washington seeks to bolster Ukraine's long-term defense capabilities.

In their meeting, Zelenskiy shared with Biden his plans to address corruption and Biden emphasized the importance of strong anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine, the White House said.

In his speech at the National Archives, in front of a display case holding the U.S. Constitution, Zelenskiy thanked Americans for their support, saying "there is not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America."

Zelenskiy and his wife handed out awards to doctors who treated Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, and to people who raised funds for medical equipment, ambulances and other vital supplies.

As Ukraine's military counteroffensive grinds on and Congress stages a bitter debate over spending ahead of a possible government shutdown, a growing chorus of Republicans have questioned the billions of dollars Washington has sent Kyiv for military, economic and humanitarian needs.

The U.S. has sent some $113 billion in security and humanitarian aid to help Zelenskiy's government since Russia invaded in February 2022.

(This story has been corrected to say billion, not million, in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Makini Brice, Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jonathan Landay; writing by Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis; editing by Don Durfee, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell, Grant McCool and Michael Perry)
Consequences of the Russian missile strike on Kyiv

The massive missile strike launched by Russia on Ukraine in the early hours of Sept. 21 was powerful, but the air defense system worked well, the spokesman for the Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, said during the national telethon program.

"The enemy is already attacking over an extensive area," Ihnat said.

"We have seen missiles moving from east to west, returning to the central regions."

The aggressor uses different tactics, directions, and types of weapons, Ihnat said.

"This time, missiles hit many areas, but the air defense system worked well," he added.

Read also: Father of three killed by Russian drone strike on Lviv on first day of new job after returning from front

The air force representative recalled the strike on the Kremenchuk refinery by Russia on Sept. 20, and noted that it is possible that the enemy will choose more such targets in strikes on critical infrastructure.

Overnight on Sept. 20-21, an air raid alert was declared in all regions of Ukraine. Russia launched a massive cruise missile attack in several waves.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv and several regions. In Kyiv, seven people were wounded in the attack, and debris fell in several districts of the capital. In Cherkasy, a hotel in the city center was hit by missile fragments during a Russian attack, injuring at least ten people.

There were also reports of missile strikes in Lviv Oblast, Rivne, and Kharkiv.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine needs more short-range air defense systems to destroy incoming swarms of Russian attack drones, the spokesman for the Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, said during a briefing on Sept. 21.

He stressed that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense systems and noted that Ukraine is waiting for F-16 fighter jets to arrive in Ukraine, which could provide the Defense Forces with air superiority and reduce the activity of enemy aircraft on the southern and eastern parts of the front.

Read also: Ukrainian Air Force comments on Russia's latest mass missile attack

At the same time, Kyiv expects good news from Washington and Ramsteinabout additional opportunities for the country's defense, namely strengthening air defense capabilities.

"In particular, were talking not only about long-range Patriot or IRIS-T systems, NASAMS, but also about effective short-range air defense to automatically destroy Shaheds," Ihnat noted.

Read also: Ihnat warns of ongoing threat after Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy system

He added that there has been an increase in Russian drone attacks, and Ukraine needs effective and rational weapons to effectively destroy them.

"We need to understand that strengthening 'small' air defense and mobilefire groups is necessary to repel attacks by attack UAVs," the spokesperson said.

Overnight on Sept. 20-21, an air raid alert was declared in all regions of Ukraine. Russia launched massive cruise missiles in several waves, with air defense forces shooting down 36 of the 43 missiles Russia launched. Explosions were heard in Kyiv and several regions.

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On 21 September, the Defence Forces of Ukraine shot down 36 Russian cruise missiles out of 43 launched by 10 Tu-95MS strategic aircraft from the area west of Engels airfield.

Source: Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "On the night of 21 September 2023, at about 03:40, the Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with X-101 / X-555 / X-55 air-launched cruise missiles. A total of 43 cruise missiles were launched from 10 Tu-95MS strategic aircraft from the area west of Engels airfield."

Details: The Russians reportedly launched the missiles in several waves. They entered Ukrainian airspace from different fronts, constantly changing their course along the route.

"As a result of combat operations, the Air Force, jointly with the Defence Forces' air defence, destroyed 36 cruise missiles," the statement said.

Anti-aircraft missile troops, fighter aircraft of the Air Force, units of mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and other assets were used to repel the attack.

In addition, at 06:00, the Russians attacked Kharkiv with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles.

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Smoke rises near Verkhniosadove near Sevastopol on September 20

NV sources in Ukraines SBU security service have confirmed that a Ukrainian attack destroyed a command center of Russias Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol on Sept. 20.

According to our sources, besides Russian officers, valuable military equipment was stationed at the site.

Read also: Deputy PM Fedorov promises new strikes on Russian fleet

The military base was destroyed by missiles that accurately hit their targets. This was a joint special operation of the SBU, Ukrainian Air Force, and the Navy.

Russian commanders designated this base as their backup command post to avoid potential attacks on their primary area of deployment. The strike was carried out after the SBU verified reports indicating the presence of enemy fleet commanders at the base.

Read also: Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don took two direct hits in dock in Sevastopol, sub out for remainder of war

The SBU promised further explosions to target Russian military assets in occupied Crimea.

Read also: Russian S-400 Triumf in Crimea destroyed by Ukrainian missile  Danilov

In just the past week, Ukraine has inflicted several successful strikes on the Russian targets in Crimea. On Sept. 13, a Russian submarine and landing ship were severely damaged in a drydock in Sevastopol Bay.

On Sept. 14, according to NVs source in the SBU, Ukrainian forces destroyed a cutting-edge Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system, using Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, which have been modified to be used against ground targets.

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The Ukrainian Defence Forces are now controlling the Bakhmut-Horlivka road under direct fire, meaning that supply for Russian units on this front has become much more difficult.

Source: Illia Yevlash, press service chief for Operational Command Skhid (East), during the national 24/7 newscast

Quote: "The fight is dynamic in both areas, but the types of operations are different: we are defending on the Kupiansk-Lyman front, trying to hold back the enemy's onslaught, while on the Bakhmut front we are having success and are continuing to push them out of their positions.

The enemy keeps pursuing its goal of capturing Luhansk and Donetsk oblast. On the Bakhmut front, the enemy is now intensively trying to regain positions in the liberated Andriivka and Klishchiivka, two very important settlements in terms of the defence of Bakhmut.

It is 7 km from Klishchiivka to Bakhmut. The exposure of this flank allows us to inflict more artillery strikes on the areas where enemy personnel, enemy command posts, equipment and more are concentrated.

The breach near Andriivka and Klishchiivka allows us to get closer to the Bakhmut-Horlivka road, which we are already controlling under direct fire. Its within range of mortars and anti-tank guns now. Therefore, enemy supply on this front has become much more difficult and will become more difficult in the future."

Details: Yevlash said that the defenders are continuing the offensive operation on the southern flank near Bakhmut: "We are having success near Andriivka, Odradivka, and also Kurdiumivka."

He added that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are continuing to strike where the occupiers least expect it and continue to move forward with much smaller forces compared to the Russians despite their dominance in the air.

Yevlash stated that the Russian army is suffering 7-8 times more casualties in defence than the Ukrainian army in the offensive.

He reported that in the past day, the Russians hit the positions of Ukrainian defenders 1,100 times in the strip of the Eastern Group of Forces, while on the Bakhmut front, there were 576 artillery strikes, the Russians used their tactical and army aircraft 5 times, and 10 combat clashes took place.

Yevlash says that the greatest concentration of Russian forces is currently observed on the Lyman-Kupiansk front: the Russians are maintaining more than 110,000 personnel there, a large number of armoured vehicles, artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems.

He added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not observed any combat clashes on this front for about a week, but the Russians are continuing to shell Ukrainian positions. Over the past day, the Russian army launched 552 artillery strikes on this front and used aircraft 17 times.

Yevlash emphasised that the Russians have focused a lot of attention on the Kreminna area, where 190 attacks took place and aircraft were used 10 times. Also near Siversk, in the area of Bilohorivka and Rozdolivka, the Russians used artillery more than 150 times.

Previously: On 20 September, UK Defence Intelligence reported that Russia is still controlling 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.

Background:

On 15 September, the General Staff of Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated Andriivka during their assault actions, are continuing their offensive, and had had partial success in the area of Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast. Later, soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade posted new footage of the operation to liberate Andriivka in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk Oblast.

On 17 September, the Liut (Rage) United Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine confirmed the liberation of the village of Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that it is possible that the Ukrainian liberation of two villages that Russian forces were desperately trying to hold corresponds with the severe degradation of the Russian units defending them.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted as he arrives for the start of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. (Craig Ruttle / Associated Press)

How thankful is thankful enough?

With Ukraine locked in a slow, bloody war with Russian troops who hold a fifth of its territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky, set to visit the White House Thursday, is treading a delicate path as he presses for more U.S. military aid.

In the rain-soaked streets of the Ukrainian capital, the question of whether American support will remain steadfast weighed on people even as they hurried about their morning business.

We worry about what will happen next, said Nataliya Antoniuk, a 35-year-old who works in a bank. We are not sure if everyone understands how difficult it is.

Over the course of 19 months of fighting, even some close allies have occasionally grumbled that Ukraine doesn't seem sufficiently grateful for the billions of dollars in assistance it has received.

Back in July, on the sidelines of an at-times-contentious NATO summit, Britains then-defense secretary, Ben Wallace, observed snappishly that were not Amazon when it comes to fulfilling Ukrainian needs.

Read more: Rosh Hashana in wartime: As missiles fall, Jews in Ukraine find hope, even joy

While there is immense appreciation within Ukraine for all the United States and its allies have done to help fend off the 2022 Russian invasion, many here also feel that the West should express more gratitude to Ukraine for its valiant fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the threat he poses to Europe and the world order.

To be honest, its weird, said Mark Savchuk, a leader of a Ukrainian civil activists group combating government corruption. We absolutely understand that without all that support, wed be dead already. So of course were thankful! But Putin is a huge danger to everyone.

At the United Nations, Zelensky said as much in his address Tuesday to the General Assembly, declaring that Russias war is not only about Ukraine.

Putins goal, he said, was to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources, into a weapon against you  against the international rules-based order.

Zelensky, who has proved himself a wartime leader of uncommon abilities, is a canny communicator, and some Ukrainian analysts see a careful calibration of his tone, particularly as some Republican lawmakers are overtly critical of aid to Ukraine.

When Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken came to the Ukrainian capital two weeks ago, Zelensky, greeting him, issued rapid-fire volleys of appreciation.

Thank you so much  we are really thankful to you, he said, before launching into an even longer litany of gratitude.

Read more: After an artist's studio was damaged in a Russian missile strike, he found a new medium: war debris

The dynamic can be an uneasy one. As a cultural expression, excessive and elaborate thanks can sometimes be read in Ukraine as insincere, analysts said. Moreover, in many post-Soviet societies, politeness in general is not always the strongest point, said Alyona Getmanchuk, the founder and director of the Kyiv-based New Europe Center.

The Ukrainian president is definitely tailoring his message to be less critical, expressing more gratitude for major partners who provided support, she said.

The funny thing is that in reality, Ukrainians are very grateful for the support we have received so far, Getmanchuk said. But she added that etiquette cant always be the point.

By just saying thank you without articulating our needs to succeed on the battlefield, we will lose the war, she said.

At a fraught juncture in the fighting, just how forcefully Ukraine should make its case for more robust and timely help has become a sore point. Zelensky and his aides believe that foot-dragging by some allies  including, at times, the United States  set the stage for difficulties as the nearly 4-month-old counteroffensive has unfolded in the countrys east and south.

Read more: Sleepless in Kyiv: In Ukraine's capital, the stress of war weighs on everyone. How do people cope?

The closely watched campaign so far has failed to yield dramatic results, and Ukraine is frustrated that in some quarters, the slow pace of territorial gains is fueling calls to pull back on support, rather than increase it.

Some Western analysts have been outspoken in their view that as Ukraine struggles on the battlefield, a lack of urgency in providing weaponry has contributed to an inability to break through a maze of deeply entrenched Russian fortifications.

It has obviously been quite slow going, said Nick Reynolds, a land-warfare expert at Britains Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank. Probably expectations were set too high beforehand, and the Ukrainian government did play into that, as well as pressure from outside.

With the largest war in Europe since World War II unfolding, Reynolds said, one would have thought more urgency could have been adopted  were seeing the results of significant delay.

Some weaponry earmarked for the current offensive, he said, arrived broken, with missing parts or manuals, making it incredibly difficult for the Ukrainian military to absorb that equipment.

Theres one area where gratitude  Zelenskys and that of the Ukrainian public  is unstinting: toward troops in the field.

On arriving in the United States, the Ukrainian leaders first stop was to visit soldiers undergoing rehabilitative surgery for grievous war wounds  an expression of appreciation for their care and to the fighters themselves.

Read more: In Ukraine, a harvest of death as bodies of the fallen are returned to their hometowns

The toll of war has been heavy. A poll released earlier this year said that nearly 80% of Ukrainians now have a friend or relative who has been killed or hurt in the conflict. Millions remain displaced, scattered throughout neighboring European countries or taking refuge away from the front lines in safer parts of Ukraine.

Everyone who is part of the war effort, from public sector workers to emergency service personnel, gets periodic shout-outs from the president. Across the country, workers have been rushing to harden the power grid against expected Russian attacks over the winter.

For most people, even far from the front lines, the reminders are everywhere. In central Kyiv, commuters threaded their way through an open-air photo exhibition set up months ago on a cobblestone square outside St. Sophia, a landmark cathedral.

There are oversized portraits, with names and dates of birth and death on the battlefield  young and old, men and women, pictured in combat gear and civilian clothes, dangling a grenade or petting a puppy.

I walk past this every day, said Antoniuk, the bank worker. Sometimes it seems their eyes follow you.

As scenes of Zelenskys U.S. visit played out on TV screens with lowered sound, a Kyiv barista caught an unmistakable American accent along with an espresso order.

U.S.A.? he said, handing over a small, steaming cup. Thank you.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The morning wave of Russian attacks on Sept. 21 marked the first mass strike on energy infrastructure in six months, Ukraines state energy operator Ukrenergo reported.

Energy facilities in western and central Ukraine have been damaged and there were partial blackouts in Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv oblasts, according to Ukrenergo.

"Emergency recovery work began immediately after the alarm was sounded," Ukrenergo said.

Russian launched 43 missiles toward Ukraine in the attack, 36 of which were destroyed by Ukrainian defenses, the Air Force reported.

Across Ukraine, two people were killed and over two dozen were injured as a result of the strikes and falling debris.

Ukrenergo added that due to the ongoing Russian invasion, 398 settlements are currently cut off from the power network, many of them in front-line areas of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Sumy oblasts.

The head of Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, said in July that the operator is preparing for the worst-case scenario this winter, but was "certain that our main network will be ready to function without restrictions."

Russian forces attempted to cripple Ukraine's energy network with massive strikes during the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, leading to frequent blackouts and a lack of heating across the country.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is likely to attempt this strategy again next winter.

Read also: Shmyhal: Energy infrastructure will be ready for winter within next month

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The News

At the U.N.s Climate Ambition Summit yesterday, was in short supply.

Brazil reinstated a stricter emissions target that had been scrapped under former President Jair Bolsonaro . A few European countries tossed out relatively meager new contributions to the Green Climate Fund. But apart from that, the succession of speeches by world leaders throughout the morning mostly retrod well-worn ground.

The small steps countries offered are welcome, but theyre like trying to put out an inferno with a leaking hose, David Waskow, director of the International Climate Initiative at the World Resources Institute, said. There is simply a huge mismatch between the depth of actions governments and businesses are taking and the transformative shifts that are needed to address the climate crisis.

Tims view

The lackluster outcome raises the stakes for COP28 to produce more meaningful policy changes, but also underscores both how unlikely that is and the severe limitations of the U.N. itself in driving the necessary shift. The 2015 Paris Agreement was a high point for climate diplomacy, but since then, countries have found it much easier to agree on what needs to be done than to actually do it.

In his opening statement, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres complained that shady pledges have betrayed the public trust, and blamed foot-dragging, arm-twisting, and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels for the lack of decisive action.

In organizing the summit, Guterres chose a novel tactic, handing the microphone only to leaders his office deemed to have taken sufficient domestic action. That left out many of the worlds top emitters, including the U.S., China, India, and COP28 host the United Arab Emirates. The move was designed to create a kind of coalition of the willing and more clearly delineate leaders from laggards. But it risks splintering the delicate multilateral coalitions that typically drive the biggest COP outcomes, said Tom Evans, policy adviser at the think tank E3G. And in any case even the countries that were allowed to speak have for the most part not done nearly enough, as the U.N.s global stocktake report this month made clear.

There was also no progress Wednesday on the issue that will be most contentious at COP28: A commitment to phase out the use of fossil fuels. The UAE is against such a goal, the COP28 director-general told me this week.

Theyre saying lots of good things about the agenda but not showcasing their own leadership or putting their money where their mouth is, Evans said.

Quotable

If you dont take corrective action, youll have to tell us where youre keeping your scientific research that will allow you to take you and your families to the planet Mars.  Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her address to the U.N., speaking of oil and gas company executives.

The View From BRICS

There were some modest signs of progress on the issue of climate reparations payments for the most-impacted low-income countries. Leaders agreed at COP27 last year to set up a loss and damage fund, but its still unclear how it will be resourced. In a session led by Rachel Kyte, dean emerita of the Tufts University graduate school for international affairs, representatives of a number of multilateral development banks laid out suggestions, including the introduction of low-cost disaster insurance and the repurposing of some existing aid finance.

There was incremental progress today and more collaboration than we have seen before but this is not a moment for an incremental response, Kyte said in an email afterwards. We need a step change.

And theres a chance that the fund could be derailed by a disagreement among rich countries about who exactly it should target, according to a Western official on the loss and damage committee who asked to remain anonymous to discuss private negotiations. Some are pushing for it to be accessible only to the least-developed countries and island nations, while many middle-income countries, including those like South Africa and India in the BRICS group, are insisting they too should qualify. So theres a strong possibility that the negotiations that took place over the last year will have to be scrapped and restarted at COP28, the official said.

Room for Disagreement

The biggest round of applause during the summit went to California Governor Gavin Newsom, when he said that this climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis. Newsom, whose state recently adopted some of the worlds toughest corporate climate disclosure rules and is suing a group of oil majors for misleading the public about climate science, was one of a handful of sub-national leaders to speak, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan. In past summits, state and local leaders have often been more proactive than national ones, and that seems likely to continue.

Notable

The summit offered another turn in the spotlight for Kenyan President William Ruto, fresh off of hosting the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi earlier this month. Ruto was the first to speak, and said that Africa does not need handouts  what we need is fairness.
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N.-appointed investigators warned on Thursday that more atrocities were likely in Ethiopia and called for continued scrutiny of Addis Ababa's human rights record as their work faces termination amid strong African-led opposition.

Thousands died in a two-year conflict between the government and regional forces from Tigray, which formally came to an end in November last year. Both sides accused each other of atrocities, including massacres, rape and arbitrary detentions, but each denied responsibility for systemic abuses.

The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, composed of three independent experts, said earlier this week in a report that war crimes and crimes against humanity were still being committed in Ethiopia.

Its two-year mandate is up for renewal in the ongoing Human Rights Council session in Geneva although so far no request has been submitted amid what diplomats describe as strong opposition, mostly from African states.

Ethiopia, which denies committing widespread abuses, has strongly opposed the probe and tried to cut its work short.

Mohamed Chande Othman, chair of the Commission, told the 47-member council it would be "premature" to end its work and urged it to renew, referring to ongoing violations in the region of Amhara.

"Failure to do so would not only be an abdication of the Council's responsibility, it would send a devastating message to the victims and survivors of this conflict," he said.

He told the Council that "...the situation in Ethiopia exhibits most of the indicators for future atrocities..." and accused Ethiopia of conducting "a deliberate effort to evade regional and international scrutiny".

And he criticised Ethiopia's approach to justice as "deeply flawed", saying there had been no credible evidence of legitimate investigations or trials of its soldiers which it accuses of attacking civilians.

Ethiopia's government and its armed forces have repeatedly denied that their soldiers committed widespread crimes and have promised to investigate complaints of individual abuses.

Ethiopia's ambassador Tsegab Kebebew said the Commission had "grossly mischaracterised the positive and widely acclaimed political developments in Ethiopia". He did not directly address the other criticisms. A spokesperson for Ethiopia's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ivory Coast envoy Konan Francois Kouame said that it considered the work of the U.N. Commission as now being terminated and urged the council to instead support Ethiopian-led measures.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alex Richardson)
FILE - Palestinian shepherd Mustafa Arara, 24, stands in the ruins of the West Bank Bedouin village of al-Baqa where residents fled in July after settlers established an outpost a stone's throw from the village in June, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Over 1100 Palestinians have fled their homes in the West Bank since the start of 2022, according to a report from the U.N. U.N. released Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Officials described the exodus as unprecedented in recent memory. They attribute the displacement to increasing levels of violence from Israeli settlers directed toward Palestinians in the territory. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Violence from Israeli settlers has displaced over 1,100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 2022, according to a U.N. report released Thursday, with officials describing the exodus as unparalleled in recent years.

The report documented about three settler-related incidents each day in the West Bank  the highest daily average since the U.N. began documenting the trend in 2006. The violence has completely emptied out five Palestinian communities. Six more have seen half their inhabitants leave, and seven have seen a quarter flee, the report said.

As Israeli settlements expand under the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu , Palestinians say the violence from radical Israeli settlers has reached a fever pitch.

The U.N. has recorded unprecedented levels of settler violence against Palestinians this year," said Lynn Hastings, humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory. "The humanitarian community is responding to their immediate needs, but there would be no need for humanitarian assistance if their fundamental rights were upheld.

Those who have left their homes say that attacks on their grazing lands and violence from settlement outposts  many of which are recently established on hilltops ringing rural Palestinian villages  prompted them to pull up stakes permanently.

Experts say the trend is transforming the map of the West Bank and further undermining the prospects for an independent Palestinian state. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip  areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war  for their future state.

The affected villages are mostly reliant on herding and agriculture for their livelihoods. Nearly all of the communities reported having to sell part of their livestock and 70% have had to borrow money to pay for artificial feed after settler incursions cut off access to their grazing lands, the report says.

Over a third of the residents have reported changing their livelihoods, some giving up shepherding altogether.

The Palestinian communities that saw the greatest population loss were in areas with the highest number of settlement outposts, according to the report.

COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, did not respond to a request for comment.

Settlement expansion has been promoted by successive Israeli governments over nearly six decades, but Netanyahus far-right government has made it a top priority. Settler firebrand and powerful Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich now oversees settlement policy and has vowed to step up construction and legalize outposts built without authorization.

The international community overwhelmingly views settlements as illegal and a major obstacle to peace. President Joe Biden met with Netanyahu on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, raising concerns about the Israeli governments treatment of the Palestinians.

In the pairs first meeting since Netanyahu took office late last year, Biden urged Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, confirmed that Biden had raised his concerns about settler terrorist violence during the meeting.

Palestinians who have been displaced report that Israeli authorities, charged with administering the territory, rarely respond to instances of settler violence. According to U.N. data, nearly all the communities where displacement occurred said they had filed complaints with authorities, but only 6% said that Israeli authorities had followed up on the complaint.

The rise in settler violence comes at a time of heavy Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area.

Some 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire this year. Nearly half were affiliated with militant groups, but stone throwing youths protesting military incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. More than 30 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
(KRON)  A San Jose mother who underwent a quadruple amputation earlier this month after eating tilapia fish remains in a hospital, and her illness is now a mystery.

Laura Barajas, 40, was not sickened by Vibrio, public health officials said Wednesday.

Barajas close friend, Anna Messina, previously told Nexstars KRON that an infection that led to the amputations was likely caused by Vibrio. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Vibrio bacterial infection can be caused by eating raw or undercooked fish, or by exposing an open wound to coastal waters.

About 150-200 cases of the infections are reported each year, the CDC says. Roughly one in five cases are fatal, sometimes within one to two days of becoming ill.

Texas man dies of Vibrio infection after eating raw oysters

Barajas purchased tilapia in July from a local market in San Jose and cooked it for dinner.

Little did she know that this simple act would change her life forever. The following day, Laura realized something was terribly wrong, and she was diagnosed with Vibrio, Messina wrote in a GoFundMe page for Barajas. On September 13, 2023, all four of Lauras limbs had to be removed in order to save her life, Messina later added.

Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) officials learned of the case through news media reports, and they found the hospitalized patient on Tuesday.

Preliminary information has now been received regarding this individual, confirming that no laboratory tests are positive for Vibrio, SCCPHD wrote. Several different diseases including but not limited to Vibrio can cause tragic clinical outcomes like this one. Public Health is actively investigating to confirm if a cause of this illness can be identified.

The countys public health department monitors local medical providers and laboratories for any unusual infections and diseases. Public Health investigates reports of suspected Vibrio each year to prevent potential risks to the public, SCCPHD wrote.

Messina says she and Barajas family are still waiting to learn more about what happened.

A GoFundMe page for Barajas has raised more than $111,000 in donations. On Monday, Messina wrote that Laura is healing well and looking forward to moving out of the ICU into another room at the hospital.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Union County school board members are publicly criticizing the town of Waxhaws willingness to entertain large development projects that could add to already-crammed schools in the area.

Gary Sides, who has served on the Union County Public Schools Board of Education since 2014, spoke at two different meetings this month  the school board and Waxhaw Board of Commissioners  about his displeasure with plans that could see hundreds of homes built within the city limits.

Sides and UCPS board chair Kathy Heintel say the plans will bring families with school-aged children to the district and that the district has no room to put them in the Waxhaw area.

I would not support any type of student realignment to accommodate, in my opinion, this foolish undertaking, Sides said during the school board meeting Sept. 6. This many homes, and undoubtedly this many students, is going to cause the need for an entirely additional cluster  high school, middle school and at least one elementary and maybe more. Folks, everybody in Union County is going to be sharing the pain.

Teachers and children arrive for the first day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023.

Waxhaw is already considering Adelina, a project that would bring nearly 500 homes. American Engineering also has proposed the project Polo Grounds, a large mixed-use plan that would include miles of greenway trails, parks, shops, restaurants and homes that could bring hundreds, maybe thousands, more people, according to the plan. The projects website states the development team is collaborating with town staff to create the best project possible.

Waxhaw Mayor Ronald Pappas and the town board of commissioners in a joint statement to The Charlotte Observer say they share the citizens concerns about the potential impacts that ongoing and future development projects may have on UCPS.

Town officials also say the Polo Grounds project is not under consideration because the developers application was not complete. They say completed applications are reviewed by town planning staff and distributed to outside partnering agencies, including NCDOT, Duke Energy, and UCPS.

The joint statement said, After review, town planning staff would make their recommendations on any project based on comments from our outside partnering agencies and if the project meets all town requirements.

While Waxhaw commissioners make the final decision on projects, the school system will have to figure out where to send new residents kids.

Sides says he plans to fight any attempt at redistricting to support the new developments.

I am not going to move existing UCPS families to make room for new ones, Sides said.

Pappas and Waxhaws commissioners say they have seen the increasing strain on the school system, and its a concern.

We are particularly concerned about UCPSs reliance on bonds for funding, the joint town statement reads, and note with concern that while bonds have been approved for projects, implementation has faced obstacles such as sewer constraints, preventing the realization of these essential facilities.

Meeting scheduled this week

A day after Heintel and Sides spoke at a town commissioners meeting Sept. 12, Waxhaws planning board scheduled a special meeting for this Thursday. Among the agenda items: conditional rezoning for Adelina, a residential and mixed use development that includes 486 single family homes off of Providence Road South.

A public hearing on the development is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 10.

If Adelina is approved, Heintel told commissioners Sept. 12, those families will be districted to Marvin schools, where both Marvin Ridge middle and high schools are at or above capacity.

Heintel asked: How can we put students from 480 houses into the Marvin cluster?

Waxhaw schools at capacity

Students arrive for the first day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023.

U.S. Census estimates have consistently listed Union County among the fastest growing in North Carolina and the United States, according to the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.

In the past 30 years, Union County has added more than 150,000 residents. Its projected to add nearly the same amount in the next 30 years, according to its 2050 Union County Comprehensive Plan.

Waxhaws population has more than doubled from April 2010 to April 2020, U.S. Census data reports, and it estimates the towns population climbed 9.7% from 2020 to 2022.

That growth and talk of adding more development projects led to concerned residents questioning town officials, including Pappas, about school planning at a Waxhaw Town Hall forum in August.

Of eight elementary schools that include Waxhaw students, three are over capacity and the rest are nearing capacity, according to a UCPS 2022-23 enrollment data report. Kensington Elementary is at 138% capacity. All three middle schools are either slightly over or nearing capacity, and both Cuthbertson and Marvin Ridge high schools are over capacity. Parkwood High, the only other high school that draws Waxhaw students, is at 77% capacity.

Enrollment district-wide is forecast to decline each year by less than 1% across the next 10 years, according to a McKibben Demographic Research report presented to the school board May 2. It is unclear if yet-to-be approved developments are included in that forecast.

Waxhaw is at capacity, Heintel told Pappas and commissioners Sept. 12. We worked hard on moving new developments where there was capacity so that families wouldnt worry about redistricting. It seems that one town can change it all. We are all elected officials, and our residents are your residents. They dont want redistricting.

Transportation nightmare

Timing is making the situation worse in Waxhaw, too.

UCPS falls in the top 10 in the state with facility needs above $400 million, and the district already has a 10-year bond plan in place. The long range plan addresses multiple older high school buildings, including the decades-old Parkwood High, additional land and a replacement building.

Cuthbertson and Marvin Ridge high schools are newer buildings and not on a list to add facilities to accommodate more students. The 10-year plan includes the $134 million bond Union County voters approved in November that will replace buildings at East Elementary in Monroe and Forest Hills High in Marshville.

We have a long range plan. We should continue working on our older high schools, Sides said. Im not going to shove them out of line for a new cluster.

Sides says the earliest the district would be able to propose another bond package for school construction in Waxhaw is 2030. And even if voters approve money, the need for land would be close to 200 acres.

Will your developer give us that? Sides said. Will the town buy it for us? I would dare say you wouldnt get students into (a building) until 2034. So, what do we do in the meantime?

The answer, Sides proposes, is forcing students to schools that have room: the Marshville area of Union County (where Forest Hills High is located and west of Waxhaw) and Monroe. Marshville is more than 35 minutes from Waxhaw. Busing students that far would mean having to set up transportation hubs, where parents would be responsible for getting their child to the hub, and the districts buses would pick them up from there.

Thats an absolute transportation nightmare, Sides said.

Heintel at the meeting Sept. 12 told the mayor and commissioners discussion needs to happen in person instead of posting on Facebook.
University Park Airport is getting a little more help with its makeover.

The local airport recently received $5.45 million in federal funding to rehabilitate the taxiway, meaning future improvements will allow larger aircraft to more easily taxi to and from the runway and aircraft parking positions. Construction is expected to start next spring, with completion anticipated for late fall 2024, according to airport director Bryan Rodgers.

The improvements are part of a multi-phase project that began in 2021 and focused on needed upgrades around the University Park Airport. Since that time, the local airport has received more than $20 million in federal funding.

The latest funding was announced in a joint release Thursday by U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman . Dubois Regional Airport also received $96,000.

Central Pennsylvanias airports connect the region to the rest of the world, Casey said in a written statement. Improving taxiways will make these two airports safer and more efficient. A safe, effective airport means a better experience for travelers and greater investment in Central Pennsylvanias economy.

Added Fetterman: Im very proud that this federal funding is going toward the Dubois and State College Regional Airports.

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation, specifically as grants from the Airport Improvement Program. The roots for the taxiway rehabilitation project can be traced back to around 2018, when Penn States board of trustees hired an architect since Taxiway A had exceeded its 20-year service life. The project was expected to cost more than $35 million and be phased over multiple years due to funding availability.

Rodgers, the airport director, thanked the Federal Aviation Administration and Pennsylvanias two senators for their latest round of support.

The airport is a vital transportation facility for the region and this latest grant is crucial to the overall funding of the project, he added.
 Read the full article on Motorious

The Paradox of Power.

In the high-octane universe of drag racing, there's a delicate dance between horsepower and control. Enter 'Precious,' a Chevy Camaro that defies all conventions with its staggering 3,000-horsepower engine, putting even the Bugatti Chiron Sport's 1,500 hp to shame. But as a series of drag races against an all-wheel-drive Honda Civic demonstrated, power isn't the end-all-be-all in the world of racing.

Check out a 39-car barn find here.

The video series, courtesy of the YouTube channel Hoonigan, offers an intriguing showdownAmerican muscle versus Japanese agility. It's a David and Goliath tale where David has all-wheel drive and Goliath can barely keep his sandals on the ground.

Owner Mick has curated 'Precious' into a 7-liter, twin-turbocharged behemoth with a three-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. In theory, the Camaro is built like a rocket, primed to obliterate quarter-mile records with 7-second runs and to break the sound barrier at 204 mph in a half-mile. Yet, its Achilles heel is the inability to transfer that ridiculous amount of power effectively to an unprepped track, leading to a tire-spinning extravaganza rather than a display of sheer speed.

Contrast this with the Honda Civic, a lightweight Japanese marvel with significantly less power but the kind of agility that allows it to launch off the line like a guided missile. While the Civic can't match the raw force of 'Precious,' its all-wheel-drive system allows it to grip the track with the finesse of a ballerina.

From a spectator's viewpoint, 'Precious' is a spectacle to behold. The front-exit exhausts, expansive canards, bead-lock wheels, and parachute tell you this isn't your everyday ride. Step inside, and you're greeted with a full roll cage, a high-tech Holley EFI system, and curiously, a non-functional stock dashperhaps a whimsical nod to its more 'domesticated' ancestors.

The moral of this tale? In racing, power is just one piece of the puzzle. Harnessing it effectively is what distinguishes a roaring beast from an uncontrollable monster. As 'Precious' takes us on a journey of brute force and jaw-dropping numbers, it also serves as a lesson in humilityreminding us that in the world of drag racing, sometimes less can indeed be more.

Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The UNLV-led Las Vegas Urban Forest Center received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agricultures Forest Service to help counteract the growing impacts of extreme heat.

Las Vegas is one of the fastest warming cities in the country, explained Alison Sloat, associate professor at UNLVs College of Sciences. Its increased in temperature by 8 degrees since 1970 and because of that we have one of the worst urban heat island effects in the country.

Heat islands are urbanized areas emitting higher temperatures due to black asphalt and other structures.

You may notice it walking on the Strip or downtown and even in your neighborhood.

UNLV student Nathaniel Church lives in Sunrise Manor and is learning about this study.

From my area, my neighborhood we have a 24% tree coverage so were doing pretty good, said Church.

UNLV is one of seven U.S. Forest grant recipients in Nevada. In total, the U.S. Forest Service is investing $1 billion for nearly 400 projects nationwide through its Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Weve been working with the Nature Conservancy and other groups to try to figure out how many trees are needed to help mitigate the urban heat island effect in Las Vegas, Sloat explained.

As the project lead, she said this program is expected to last five years, also educating the community and targeting schools about the importance of planting trees.

We will grow and plant these trees and educate certified arborists in training who will help take care of these trees in the decades to come, Sloat added.

The arborists and other volunteers will plant trees in the neighborhoods surrounding UNLV, in East Las Vegas, the Historic West Side, and parts of North Las Vegas.

UNLV student Claire Martensen is from Illinois and says you can feel weather differences compared to other states.

If they decreased the amount of cement and increased the amount of organic materials like grass or trees, it could have a very positive impact on that just the amount of heat trapped in the cement but also the amount it floods and therell be somewhere for the water to go when it does flood, Martensen said.

Future trees will be native and drought tolerant as the grant allows community partners to plant in private residences.

The project gets underway in January 2024.

If you would like to volunteer to plant trees contact Alison at alison.sloat@unlv.edu

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Two U.S. drone ships have been sent to Japan, the first time such vessels have been deployed near China.

The unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Ranger and Mariner arrived Sept. 18 in Yokosuka as part of a scheduled port visit during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, a drone exercise, according to a Navy statement on the event.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the deployment, which is meant to test the drone ships surveillance and attack capabilities that could be used to counter China in the region.

Unmanned and autonomous technologies are key to growing our distributed maritime operations framework, said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. By proliferating our presence in the Pacific and increasing the fleets situational awareness and lethality, we give ourselves more options to make better decisions at all levels of leadership.

Navy Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, who spoke Thursday on board the unmanned surface vessel Ranger, said drone vessels could likely stand as substitutes for larger ships such as destroyers for groups of ships hunting enemy targets, according to the Journal.

The drone ships dont currently carry missiles but can do so, as Ranger did during a 2021 test in which the vessel fired a SM-6 interceptor missile.

The drone capability is useful to the Navy as the ships can operate for fewer tax dollars than their manned counterparts and can also allow manned ships to keep farther back from enemy fire as the drone ships move in first.

Such things are being considered by defense leaders as Chinas fleet has outgrown the U.S. Navys in recent years. Beijing has also become more active in the Pacific amid fears it could move to try to take control of Taiwan, holding a major exercise in the waters between Taiwan and Guam earlier this month.

Ranger, Mariner and several other unmanned ships are part of a project known as Ghost Fleet Overlord, which started in 2018 with the intention to integrate drone operations into the Navy.

The Pentagon has also moved to invest more in drones and autonomous systems in the next two years, announcing the plan earlier this month.

Prior to reaching Japan, Ranger and Mariner also participated in exercises in the Pacific with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and other ships.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Mariam Sunny

(Reuters) - A panel of external advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted against Intarcia Therapeutics' diabetes treatment implant on Thursday, citing risks from potential side-effects.

The committee unanimously held that the benefits of the drug-device combination for the treatment of type 2 diabetes did not outweigh its risks, pointing to the need for additional safety data.

The decision comes on the back of two previous rejections by the health regulator owing to the drug's potential acute kidney injury (AKI) and cardiovascular risks. While the FDA usually follows the recommendations of its expert panel, it is not obligated to do so.

In briefing documents published on Monday, the agency's staff reviewers separately identified an "imbalance" in the number of AKI issues reported in the treatment group, versus the placebo group.

The matchstick-sized drug-device candidate, called ITCA 650, uses a pump that can be implanted under the skin to deliver the drug exenatide - also the active ingredient in AstraZeneca's Bydureon - on a sustained basis for up to a year, to treat type 2 diabetes.

When operating optimally, the device could be a game changer, said Robert Greevy, one of the FDA panelists. However, he said the data presented was insufficient for them to be convinced this was the best version of the device.

Exenatide belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes and also work to suppress the appetite and promote a feeling of fullness.

Originally developed to tackle diabetes, GLP-1s have gained traction as weight-loss treatments and are in overwhelming demand in the United States.

Intarcia, once touted as a biotech unicorn, is now a subsidiary of privately owned i2o Therapeutics.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)
US Navy drone boats made a first-of-its-kind visit to a key US ally in the Western Pacific.

The two ships are part of a project that focuses on integrating large drone boats into the Navy.

The Pentagon is looking to a new drone initiative as a way to counter China's growing military mass.

US Navy drone ships, or unmanned surface vessels (USVs), made a first-ever visit to a key ally in the Western Pacific this week as the Pentagon takes a hard look at drones as tools to counter China's military mass.

Ranger and Mariner, two USVs, arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan on Monday, the Navy's 7th Fleet said in a statement on Thursday. The scheduled port visit came during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, which is an ongoing event that focuses on testing, developing, and evaluating the capabilities of drone boats.

The two ships, like several others, are part of a project called Ghost Fleet Overlord, which began in 2018 and is a way to integrate large unmanned surface vessels into the Navy. Ranger and Mariner are part of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division ONE (USVDIV-1), a unit that manages drone boat integration and experimentation.

"Unmanned and autonomous technologies are key to growing our distributed maritime operations framework." said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of US Pacific Fleet, in the statement. "By proliferating our presence in the Pacific and increasing the fleet's situational awareness and lethality, we give ourselves more options to make better decisions at all levels of leadership."

The unmanned surface vessel Ranger transits the Pacific Ocean during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 15, 2023. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford

IBP 23.2 is the first time that USVs have been employed in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, which covers an area of more than 124 million square kilometers across the Indo-Pacific region and encompasses 36 maritime countries.

Before arriving in Japan earlier this week, the Navy said USVDIV-1 participated last month in joint exercises with the Navy and US Marine Corps, where the drone boats were integrated with Carrier Strike Group One organized around the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

"Through the integration of unmanned platforms in our operations, we continue to forge a culture of learning and innovation within our Navy and with joint partners to deliver warfighting advantage." said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, in the statement. "Testing and integrating emerging technologies in a demanding, real-world operational environment is vital to providing feedback that informs our progress in this domain."

The unmanned surface vessel Ranger trails the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) as both ships transit the Pacific Ocean during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 15, 2023. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford

The Navy's continued experimentation with USVs comes amid a push from the Pentagon to counter China's growing military by fielding more drones in the future. Beijing in recent years has surpassed the US in the number of ships and submarines it has, and it tends to build them faster than Washington, only widening the gap.

Faced with this problem, and the increasing threat of a potential war over Taiwan, the Pentagon in late August announced a new vision known as the 'Replicator Initiative,' in which the US plans to eventually field thousands of autonomous systems like unmanned aircraft and boats in the coming months.

"We've set a big goal for Replicator: to field attritable autonomous systems at a scale of multiple thousands, in multiple domains, within the next 18-to-24 months," Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said at a conference in early September. She said the initiative will help the US "overcome the PRC's advantage in mass: more ships, more missiles, more forces."

"Now is the time to scale, with systems that are harder to plan for, harder to hit, and harder to beat than those of potential competitors," Hicks said. "And we'll do so while remaining steadfast to our responsible and ethical approach to AI and autonomous systems, where DoD has been a world leader for over a decade."

Read the original article on Business Insider
South Korean police are investigating more than a dozen U.S. soldiers stationed at two military bases in the country for allegedly using and distributing synthetic marijuana.

Korean detectives announced Wednesday that they raided the homes of 17 troops based at Camp Humphreys and Camp Casey. The soldiers and five civilian accomplices were brought in for questioning, but all the soldiers have since returned to their respective bases.

The probe is the latest high-profile run-in between American military personnel and local police. Private 2nd Class Travis King, an Army soldier now being held in North Korea, had served two months in a South Korean prison for assault. King was slated to be sent home after his release on July 10, but he escaped his escorts and slipped across the border.

Soldier held in North Korea faced discharge for fights, cop car damage

In this latest incident, Korean authorities have accused the 22-person cohort of smuggling synthetic marijuana  an illegal substance in South Korea  into the country through the military mail system and plotting to distribute it to military personnel. Officials confiscated 2.7 ounces of the drug, $12,850 in cash, 145.4 ounces of mixing liquid, and 27 electronic cigarettes during their search, according to police reports.

Korean police said in a press release that theyre collaborating with the Armys Criminal Investigation Division on the case. U.S. Forces Korea, the command overseeing U.S. military assets in the country, acknowledged the investigation, saying in a statement that it does not condone any behaviors among its personnel that violate South Korean laws, rules or directives and supports this investigation.

We expect all service members, family members, civilians, contractors, sponsored guests, and other affiliated individuals to conduct themselves appropriately, both on and off duty, and hold a deep respect for the Korean people, their culture, laws, and regulations, it added. CNN was the first international news outlet to report the story.

Camps Humphreys and Casey house tens of thousands of soldiers and support staff between them. Camp Humphreys is the Armys largest garrison in Asia. Its 8,100-foot airfield is the branchs busiest on the continent.

South Korean authorities have long suspected American military installations of serving as gateways for illicit substances entering the country, the New York Times reported.
Virgin Galactic's next flight will take a Pakistani to space for the 1st time

Namira Salim will make spaceflight history next month.

The adventurer will become the first Pakistani to reach space on Virgin Galactic's next mission, called "Galactic 04," which is scheduled to launch from New Mexico's Spaceport America on Oct. 5.

"Thrilled to take to the #stars with @trevorbmbagency and @ronrosano aboard #Galactic04 with @virgingalactic. Inspiring #girls #women and #youth globally to reach for the stars," Salim posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday (Sept. 17).

Related: Virgin Galactic launches 3 of its original space tourist customers to the final frontier (video)

Galactic 04 will carry three customers to suborbital space and back. Salim shouted out the other two in her post  British advertising executive Trevor Beattie and American astronomy educator Ron Rosano.

Joining these space tourists in the cabin of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane will be Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor. Kelly Latimer and C.J. Sturckow will fly the VSS Unity space plane on Galactic 04, and Nicola Pecile and Jameel Janjua will be at the controls of VMS Eve, the carrier plane that hauls Unity off the ground. (Eve drops Unity at an altitude of about 45,000 feet, or 13,700 meters; the space plane then lights up its rocket motor to get to suborbital space.)

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As its name suggests, Galactic 04 will be Virgin's fourth commercial spaceflight. The previous three have all launched recently  in June, August and September, respectively.

Salim, the founder and chairperson of the nonprofit Space Trust, is a longtime adventurer. According to her website, she's the first Pakistani to visit both the North Pole (in April 2007) and the South Pole (in January 2008).

She was one of the first 100 people to buy a ticket with Virgin Galactic, having booked her ride in 2006. Back then, the price was $200,000; it has since risen to $450,000.
A library in Virginia will remain open temporarily as the community it serves continues to grapple with a right-wing push to remove LGBTQ+ books from its circulation.

The historic Samuels Public Library in Front Royal has received a lifeline that will keep its doors open for at least another three months, thanks to a temporary funding reprieve passed by the Warren County Board of Supervisors on a recent Tuesday night. This move grants the library and the county more time to negotiate the librarys control and its policy on LGBTQ+ books for young readers.



Yet beneath this temporary relief lies a more profound struggle about discrimination, constitutional rights, and the soul of a community.

What's the controversy at Samuels Public Library?

At the heart of the matter is the Board of Supervisors decision in June to withhold a significant portion of the librarys annual funding, a move prompted by pressure from conservative activists organized as a group called Clean Up Samuels and demanded stricter controls over childrens access to LGBTQ-themed books.

They demanded that books be removed from the public library. When that did not work, the group demanded that the elected supervisors take over the library, which operates under a public-private partnership with a non-profit organization running its daily operations.

Charles Stewart, a vocal supporter of the library and member of the Save Samuels group  a group supporting the library  passionately noted, Its less about books and more about silencing diverse voices. These actions tread dangerously close to violating the First and 14th Amendments.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech, while the 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens.

Considering the backdrop, it becomes clear that the implications here go far beyond the operation of a library.

Moreover, Stewart added, When you pair these potential violations with the Virginia Values Act of 2020, which protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it becomes clear that this is more than a local library dispute; its a statewide concern.

Front Royal residents speak out

Ive lived here all my life. Ive seen our community evolve and grow, but Ive never seen it so divided, Valerie Minteer, who attended the Tuesday meeting, told The Advocate.

Minteer noted that the issue revolves around discrimination and bigotry, alluding to potential overreach and Catholic Theocracy in Warren County. Minteer accused the Board of not acting in good faith to resolve the contentious issue, fearing that the core values of the community were at stake.

The decision of the Board was sheer political posturing. This was never about books. Its about discrimination, bigotry, and what appears to be a Catholic Theocracy in Warren County.

She continued, frustrated, The requests for reconsideration are both invalid and discriminatory. Save Samuels will prevail, even if it necessitates legal action.

Stewart, echoing Minteers sentiments, warned of potential legal consequences, stating, Given the Boards trajectory and the seeming pressure on the Library to mute LGBTQ+ voices, theyre on a crash course with civil rights litigation.

Supervisors weigh in

On the other side, supervisors express a mixture of concerns and hopes. Supervisor Delores Oates, who is campaigning as a Republican for the state House of Delegates, acknowledged progress but took a firmer stance on content regulation at the meeting.

She would "never vote to deprive taxpayers of this incredible community service," she asserted, but in a foreboding tone, indicated should she earn a seat in the state House, a first priority would target the ability of institutions like libraries to provide what she deemed as obscene content to children.

Supervisor Cheryl Cullers, displaying a more conciliatory stance, remarked, Whats happening with the library is tearing this community apart and that breaks my heart."

Cullers also expressed her sorrow over the issues rift within the community.

She emphasized the need for a calm, deliberative approach, saying, Lets all take a breath, please, and let both boards work together for a contract that is acceptable to both.
Sea lions will get a break from selfie-taking visitors after a California city closes down an iconic beach, experts hope.

The San Diego City Council voted 8-0 on Monday, Sept. 18, to close Point La Jolla beach, Travel + Leisure reported. Nearby Boomer Beach also will be closed.

People will often try and get selfies and mostly, well find that people will put their children close to the animals, Carol Toye of the Seal Society of San Diego told the council, according to USA Today. These are up to 800-pound animals.

Sea lions use the beach as a rookery to raise their young, making it a popular spot for visitors seeking a close-up look, the Los Angeles Times reported.

City officials instituted a six-month closure from May to October in 2022, the publication said. The new rule makes the closure year-round.

Swimmers will have access to the ocean, USA Today reported.

But not everyone favored the closure.

It feels like the city is casting aside the community and the park with no respect and no regard, said Bob Evans, president of La Jolla Parks & Beaches, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Sea lions can grow to up to 11 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds, the San Diego Zoo said.

Chunky sea creature and its family gave tourists a show in California, photos show

Watch as sea lion charges toward beachgoers in California video. Give them space

Seal pup rescued after getting tangled in netting in California bay, video shows
Vice President Kamala Harris laughs as she speaks at Hampton University on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Hampton, Va. (AP Photo/John C. Clark) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that the Biden administration is taking the first steps toward removing medical bills from people's credit scores, which could improve ratings for millions of people.

Harris said that would make it easier for them to obtain an auto loan or a home mortgage. Roughly one in five people report having medical debt. The vice president said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is beginning the rulemaking process to make the change.

The agency said in a statement that including medical debt in credit scores is problematic because mistakes and inaccuracies in medical billing are common."

Access to health care should be a right and not a privilege, Harris told reporters in call to preview the action. These measures will improve the credit scores of millions of Americans so that they will better be able to invest in their future.

The announcement comes after a long push by the Biden administration to minimize the importance of medical debt in how people's creditworthiness is rated. CFPB director Rohit Chopra said the credit reporting companies Equifax, TransUnion and Experian announced last March that they would stop reporting some but not all medical bills on an individuals credit report.

In addition to pulling medical bills from credit reports, the proposal would prevent creditors from using medical bills when deciding on loans and stop debt collectors from using credit ratings to pressure people with health care-related debt. The government will hear feedback from small businesses and then issue a notice of a proposed rulemaking at some point next year.
Environmental justice advocates and Hennepin County commissioners were frustrated Thursday by a report and recommendation from county staff that said it was best to wait until 2040 to close the facility that incinerates nearly half of residents' trash.

Activists have been fighting for years to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, or HERC, because of the adverse health effects emissions have on nearby communities. Commissioners largely agree it needs to be shut down, but they acknowledge a quick timeline will be difficult  even with the promise of state funds for a more environmentally friendly way of dealing with waste.

"It's mind-boggling," Commissioner Angela Conley said of the 2040 closure proposal. She noted that county leaders agree the HERC contributes to the institutionalized racism harming the health of residents living near the incinerator.

"I'm not seeing the urgency," she said.

Nazir Khan, an organizer with Minnesota Environmental Justice Table, agreed. "That's ridiculous," he said, noting the new 55-page report gave no firm timeline for closing the garbage incinerator. "If there's no deadline, they're not going to act."

The HERC has been incinerating garbage in the North Loop since 1989. Located next to Target Field, it is one of the county's biggest sources of several air pollutants that environmental and social justice advocates say contributes to high rates of asthma and other health problems in nearby neighborhoods, including north Minneapolis.

In contrast, the new county report says the HERC's emissions are well below allowable levels. It says trucking the trash elsewhere to sit in landfills will create more greenhouse gas-causing emissions.

The report lays out in detail the various hurdles that need to be overcome in order to close the incinerator. They include:

What to do with the roughly 365,000 tons of garbage burnt at the facility each year. Local landfills are already constrained and garbage would need to be transported out of the metro if it is not burnt.How to replace the revenue and energy the HERC creates from burning trash. The facility helps heat parts of Minneapolis and generates 200,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually that is sold to Xcel Energy. Those revenues help fund county environmental programs.What role the state and the local communities that create the garbage sent to the HERC should play in the effort to decommission the incinerator. Minneapolis is the biggest contributor of garbage burnt at the HERC.

The easiest answer is to create a lot less waste, but right now, Hennepin County is doing the opposite of that. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates by 2042 the garbage generated by county residents and businesses will grow by nearly 20%.

In 2022, Hennepin County created about 1.27 million tons of waste. Only about 41% of it was recycled or composted, leaving nearly 800,000 tons of garbage that needed disposal.

"We just can't put it somewhere else and say we've done our job. Where the garbage goes needs to be answered," said Commissioner Kevin Anderson. "The way you close it is there's no waste stream to feed it and there is no waste going into the ground."

Dramatically reducing waste is not something Hennepin County can do alone. County Board Chair Irene Fernando said she has long advocated for closing the incinerator, but doing so will take policy changes by state and local leaders to reduce the amount of waste residents and businesses create.

The Minnesota Legislature gave Hennepin County a big nudge toward closing the HERC during the past legislative session. The state's new carbon-free electricity by 2040 plan eliminates trash burning as an acceptable energy source.

The report released Thursday was in response to another legislative action. The Legislature's infrastructure bill requires the county to have a plan for closing the HERC before it gets $26 million in state funding for an anaerobic digester to break down organic waste planned for Brooklyn Center.

County leaders may need to do more to satisfy that legislative requirement to get the infrastructure money. Commissioners are weighing whether to create a task force to develop a detailed timeline for decommissioning the HERC, but it needs to be done quickly.

"This is not a shutdown plan," said Mary Blitzer, of the North Star chapter of the Sierra Club. "This is just a report that says 'maybe 2040.' That's not progress."
Open wounds while swimming in brackish waters is the primary way people are infected with Vibrio vulnificus.

When Hurricane Lee rapidly grew in strength and size last week, following a pattern established by Hurricanes Idalia earlier this year and Ian last year, rising ocean temperatures were fingered as a major reason for the storm's intensification.

As greenhouse gases associated with climate change warm the atmosphere, the oceans are absorbing more heat, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea levels. That, in turn, is allowing tropical storms to draw more energy from the water, leading to more dangerous hurricanes that can cause more damage along the coast and carry those dangerous winds and rains much farther north into territory that rarely sees hurricanes, like New England and the Canadian Maritimes, and much deeper inland.

But another impact from the warming oceans has scientists and health officials, especially along the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts, concerned.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert over rising cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium associated with warming coastal waters.

"Amid increasing water temperatures and extreme weather events (e.g., heat waves, flooding, and severe storms) associated with climate change, people who are at increased risk for V. vulnificus infection should exercise caution when engaging in coastal water activities," the alert states. "Prompt treatment is crucial to reduce mortality from severeV. vulnificus infection."

WEATHER WOES Study says climate change could impact the rapid growth along the NC, SC coasts

The CDC notes that since July three East Coast states  New York, Connecticut and North Carolina  have reported severe and fatal V. vulnificus infections. In a July 28 release, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued its own warning about swimming in coastal waters with wounds or open cuts after the state reported three deaths this summer from Vibrio infections.

Vibrio infections can be treated easily if people get antibiotics quickly. But without quick attention, they can cause necrotizing fasciitis, better known as flesh-eating disease. According to the CDC, many people infected with V. vulnificus require intensive care or surgical tissue removal, even amputation.

"This can be a pretty serious, nasty infection," said Dr. Larry Cahoon, a marine biologist at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. "You don't want to wait until your whole leg is swelling and you're running a fever to seek treatment."

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrioare bacteria that cause an estimated 80,000 illnesses each year in the U.S., with about a dozen species of the bacteria pathogenic to humans, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of a Vibrio infection include diarrhea, with stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills also common ailments. ButV. vulnificus, is known to cause life-threatening infections. The CDC said roughly 150 to 200 V. vulnificus infections are reported to the federal agency each year, although that's considered a significant undercount, with about one in five people dying within 1-2 days of becoming ill.

SUPER-CHARGED STORMS A warming planet is pushing hurricanes north and deeper inland. What that means for NC

Most people get sick from Vibrio by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. With oysters a multi-million dollar business in many states, including North Carolina, federal and state regulators tightly monitor oyster waters to make sure contaminated bivalves doesn't enter the food chain. That includes closing waters to oysters fishing and farming that are known to be prone to pollutants like fecal coliform. Among the best antidotes to Vibrio is cold water temperatures  hence, one of the reasons for the old rule of thumb that you only eat oysters in months ending in "r."

Although the CDC says V. vulnificus can be transmitted through tainted seafood, the bacteria is primarily transmitted to humans through open-wound contact with salt water or brackish water. The elderly or those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to catching an infection.

Cahoon said the bacteria loves hanging around in the sediments in coastal waters and tidal creeks where there's plenty of organic matter to feed on but not much sunlight and generally not very salty brackish waters.

"What that means is you're generally going to be fine swimming or wading on the beachside of our barrier islands," he said. "But doing that in the estuaries, especially if you have an open wound or cut, is a different matter."

Why the growing concern?

Vibrio occurs naturally in areas with warm water and low-salt environments. The warmer the water, the more the bacteria thrives.

But while it has always been a concern in areas like the Gulf and in the waters around Florida, the bacteria's range has been expanding as ocean waters warm up. According to the CDC, V. vulnificus infections in the Eastern U.S. increased eightfold from 1988 to 2018, and the geographic range of infections has been marching north 30 miles per year.

RISING WATERS New studies show 'unprecedented' sea-level rise along the North Carolina coast

This summer, Vibrio killed three people and sickened a fourth in Connecticut and New York, several of them contracting the pathogen after swimming in Long Island Sound. Since 2019, eight of the 47 reported Vibrio cases among North Carolina residents have been fatal, including three this year, according to DHHS.

According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, water temperatures on Tuesday were 79.5 degrees at Wilmington's Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and 83.7 at a buoy 225 nautical miles south of Cape Hatteras. That compares to normals of 78.5 and 82.3 degrees, respectively.

"As climate change increases water temperatures, more Vibrio cases can be expected, and they are likely to be identified in previously unaffected areas," states the DHHS release.

Some waters along the N.C. coast are closed to shellfishing by state regulators to stop people from getting sick from eating contaminated seafood.

What happens now?

With ocean temperatures expected to keep rising in coming years, officials are eager to get out the word about to health professionals and residents in areas where they might not be familiar with Vibrio about the potential danger posed by the bacteria.

In its alert, the CDC emphasized to health professionals how fast Vibrio infections can turn septic and to send cultures to a lab an do other testing just to be on the safe side. But the agency also urged doctors to start patients on antibiotics immediately, without waiting for lab results or consultation with a specialist.

While the Carolinas used to be considered near the northern most extent of Vibrio's range, the bacteria has now been found in the Chesapeake Bay and is believed to be successfully overwintering in North Carolina  in part because rapid population growth is filling coastal waters with nutrients that help the bacteria survive and thrive along with the warming water temperatures.

Cahoon said additional education and outreach efforts in the coming years will likely be needed to reach people in areas where Vibrio isn't a known problem because it's highly unlikely the bacterium's march north will stop anytime soon unless climate change is slowed, and recent human actions make that highly unlikely.

Weve seen a dramatic warming or our waters this year," he said, noting some ocean temperatures off Florida reached more than 100 degrees in July. "While some is associated with El Nino, some was already occurring in the North Atlantic basin, so it's probably part of a larger trend. But we can confidently predict an overall trend of warming ocean temperatures."

According to the DHHS, following these recommendations will help reduce your likelihood of Vibrio exposure and infection:

If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach.

Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with saltwater, brackish water or raw or undercooked seafood.

If you sustain any type of wound while in salt or brackish water (e.g., cutting your hand on a boat propeller or crab pot) immediately get out of the water and wash with soap and water.

Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after contact with saltwater, brackish water or raw seafood.

Thoroughly cook all shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Flesh-eating bacteria in NC coast warming ocean temps Vibrio vulnificus
A bench warrant issued for a Barren County woman indicted on a murder charge has been recalled, according to online court documents.

Cheryl Leighanne Bennett, 46, was indicted on a murder charge for the death of her father, Michael Mickey Logsdon. Bennetts mother, 71-year-old Donna Logsdon, was also indicted on a murder charge in January 2023 by a Barren County grand jury. They are alleged to have turned off and on a machine that assisted with Michael Logsdons breathing over the course of five hours, causing his death.

Both women have been out of custody since January while their case moves through the court system after a family member posted their bail, according to court documents. For much of that time, the two have been on house arrest at the home where the murder allegedly happened, court documents say.

Last week, online court documents showed Bennett had an active warrant issued for her arrest due to probable cause of a bond violation. However, that warrant has since been recalled, according to online court documents.

When a warrant is recalled, it has been ordered that the warrant is void, withdrawn or canceled.

Maj. Terry Flatt, public information officer with the Glasgow Police Department, confirmed that the department did not receive an active warrant to serve to Bennett.

Correspondence from GPS monitoring service You Turn sent to the Barren Circuit judge overseeing the case indicated that there was concern Bennett may be in violation of her bond conditions. The correspondence was sent before a warrant was issued or recalled. The message was filed into court documents and obtained by the Herald-Leader.

Barren County Circuit Court Judge John Alexander, whos overseeing the case, declined to comment on the issue. The Barren County Circuit Court Clerks Office also declined to comment.
A product 9 Investigates first warned you about in December has now been recalled, but a local mother says its not enough.

We told you about the Chuckle and Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit, sold at Target stores, being recalled following the death of an infant who swallowed one of the beads.

The beads can grow in size and cause intestinal and airway blockages.

9 Investigates told you back in December 2022 when that same thing happened to an Ormond Beach toddler. Investigative Reporter Karla Ray followed up with his mom who has made it her mission to get more of these kits pulled from store shelves.

Read: Water beads: How these sprinkle-sized toys can become deadly when swallowed

In just a few weeks, Henry Gent, of Ormond Beach, will celebrate his second birthday. The milestone means even more after he nearly died last fall.

He was special anyway, but even more so now, his mother, Sara Gent, said. Were all so grateful, and not everybody had the same outcome as we did.

Read: Recall alert: 52K Chuckle & Roar water beads kits sold at Target recalled

When we first met little Henry, he was still recovering after he accidentally swallowed a few of the tiny water beads that his older sister had as a toy. As small as a sprinkle to start, they continued to absorb liquid inside his body and grew so big they blocked his intestine.

Sara has since shared his story with the Consumer Product Safety Commission; part of a growing group of parents petitioning for the products to be pulled from store shelves and websites.

He became so lethargic, he didnt even open his eyes when he threw up his first water bead. I saw it and my heart sank to my feet. I knew what it was right away, Gent told Commissioners in May, as the CPSC worked to develop its agenda for the upcoming year.

Read: Recall alert: 346K kids cups recalled due to lead levels

The efforts of Gent and other parents are starting to pay off. The Commission announced a manufacturer recall of the Chuckle and Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits earlier this month.

Gent says its the same brand she had in her home, but a different kit.

We know its an uphill battle, and were really grateful that there is a step in the right direction, Gent said. But its hard when you see babies going through the same thing that your son did, and companies just arent stopping, and they have the capability to stop it, and theyre not. It is frustrating, it really is.

Read: Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 forms off Floridas coast

Target told us they removed the product from stores in November 2022, and they extend their deepest sympathies to the families affected by these tragic incidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that no one with children under the age of three should have any type of water bead in their homes due to the risks, and the agency believes that between 2016 and 2022, 7,800 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to water bead injuries.

Commissioners promised Gent and other moms that they will be taking a hard look at water bead products in the next year.





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Water levels along the Mississippi River are plummeting for the second year in a row after this summers blistering heat and low rainfall triggered extreme drought across parts of the Central US.

The low water levels have made a unique rock formation in the Mississippi River, usually surrounded by water, accessible by foot, and the Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the size of a levee in Louisiana to prevent saltwater from surging into drinking water in New Orleans.

The drought comes as a critical harvest season approaches and farmers across the Midwest are concerned about water supply and barge deliveries. Officials and residents along the river worry about the widespread impacts another decline could bring.

Every water level gauge along a nearly 400-mile stretch of the Mississippi from the Ohio River to Jackson, Mississippi, is at or below the low-water threshold, according data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Geological Survey.

The same stretch of the river experienced record-low water levels last year in October, which brought major impacts on farming communities and barge traffic during the critical harvest period, where staple Midwestern crops including soybeans, corn and wheat are transported down the river.

Weve been teetering on drought, extreme drought since last fall, said Colin Wellenkamp, the executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a network that includes mayors and experts along the Mississippi River.

We get a little reprieve, and then its warm and dry, Wellenkamp told CNN. We really havent ever totally climbed out of the drought from last fall for the whole river yet.

Exceptional drought  the worst category  has spread across parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. This year has so far been the hottest on record for Louisiana and Mississippi, according to recent figures from NOAA dating through August.

Extreme drought is present in several states across the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri, according to the US Drought Monitor.

Those four states have really been significantly impacted by drought since last winter, its just ongoing, Wellenkamp said.

Tower Rock accessible again  with a catch

A rock formation in the Mississippi River normally only reachable by boat is accessible by foot for the second year in a row due to the drought and low water levels, gauge data shows and officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation told CNN, but work on a pipeline is impeding road access to the formation.

Tower Rock juts out of the Mississippi River in Perry County, south of St. Louis and around 25 miles north of Cape Girardeau. When water levels drop below 1.5 feet at a nearby river gauge, enough of the underlying ground is exposed for people to walk to the formation.

Water levels at the gauge were near zero as of September 20, with no improvement forecast in the near term.

This rare occurrence happened last October amid another severe drought, causing tourists to flock to the site.

People were able to walk to Tower Rock, normally only accessible by boat, on October 19 2022, in Perry County, Missouri. - Jeff Roberson/AP

Previous to last year, it was probably only accessible once or twice in the last decade, Steve Schell, a natural history biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation, told CNN.

Unfortunately for potential tourists, road access to the site is impeded by construction work on a pipeline, officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation told CNN. They urged people to schedule a visit at a later date, but said they were unaware when the work would be completed.

None of the officials CNN spoke to had been to the site since it became accessible by foot, both because of the lack of road access and because of low water levels which made it hard to access by boat.

Part of the consequences of low water, is there are not a lot of places you can put a boat in on the river anymore, Schell said. All of those places are dry, and the only place they have right now is south of Cape Girardeau. Tower rock is, off the top of my head, 20 or 30 miles from the only available boat ramp.

Salty ocean water threatens drinking water

As water levels drop, the threat of saltwater intrusion is growing in Louisiana as ocean water pushes north into drinking water systems, unimpeded by the Mississippis normally mighty flow rate.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for Plaquemines Parish in July as saltwater began to impact drinking water systems there, and the US Army Corps of Engineers built a 1,500-foot-wide underwater levee south of New Orleans to prevent it from pushing even farther north.

Last week, Plaquemines Parish President W. Keith Hinkley said at a news conference that clean water was being distributed to around 2,000 residents who were impacted by the saltwater intrusion. The Army Corps also announced plans at the same news conference to make the levee larger.

Based off the current forecast, and if no action is taken, you could potentially see the saltwater wedge all the way up to the French Quarter, Cullen Jones, commander of the Army Corps New Orleans District office, said at a news conference on Friday.

Colonel Cullen Jones, commander and district engineer for New Orleans District US Army Corps of Engineers, meets with the media to talk about the low river concerns in the Mississippi River on September 15. - Chris Granger/The Advocate/AP

But as the Army Corps is building up the riverbed in Louisiana, it has been dredging other portions of the river to keep traffic flowing  albeit at a slower pace than normal. The treacherously low river has been impeding hundreds of barges and vessels from passing through  and it is also causing the cost of transporting some of the harvest to soar.

They have to light load barges in order to get them to float, so its more trips, Wellenkamp said. And so youre not putting as much product into one barge. The barge will move on, and its gotta go back again  all of this eats up a lot of fuel and eats up a lot of time.

There are also signs that drought and low water levels get worse in the Upper Midwest as El Nino strengthens in the Pacific Ocean, said Jonathan T. Overpeck, dean of the school for environment and sustainability at the University of Michigan. But this years conditions were not caused by the natural climate phenomenon, he said.

This is heat that has already been trapped in the system due to climate change, Overpeck told CNN.

Unless officials invest in efficient climate adaptation projects to protect communities, he said, it will be an increasingly challenging problem as the planet warms.

These conditions will only become more frequent, if we dont phase out fossil fuels, Overpeck said. Its cooking the planet and were seeing the impacts unfold in the Mississippi River right now.

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Two Lake County men were charged Wednesday by the Illinois Attorney General with trying to sell illegal firearms  some of which were stolen  in Lake and Cook counties, authorities said.

Cesar Morales, 25, of Waukegan, was charged in Lake County Circuit Court with three counts of gunrunning, one count of unlawful sale or delivery of firearms, three counts of armed violence and two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, officials said.

Agustin Prado, 28, of Waukegan, was charged with two counts of gunrunning and two counts of unlawful sale or delivery of firearms, according to authorities.

Both men were being held Wednesday in the Lake County jail. The next court date for Prado is Sept. 22 and for Morales Sept. 27, both in the Lake County Circuit Court.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said that between June and July, Morales and Prado worked together to illegally sell six firearms and an ounce of cocaine in Lake and Cook counties. Raoul also alleged that between June and August, Morales illegally sold 10 additional firearms.

Of the 16 firearms illegally sold, five were reported stolen, authorities said.

Illegal gun and drug sales fuel gang activity and make our neighborhoods less safe, Raoul said in a statement. These charges are the result of a collaborative effort between my office, federal entities and local law enforcement agencies to address gun trafficking and violence in our communities.

Attorney General Raouls office will co-prosecute this case with the Lake County State Attorney Eric Rineharts office, according to a release.

Our office looks forward to co-counseling this case with the Illinois Attorney Generals Office, Rinehart said in a statement. Our office will handle the detention hearings, and these are exactly the type of defendants who should be detained awaiting trial.

Because of the SAFE-T Act, these offenders will be detained without being able to use their own cash or have criminal associates post cash bond on their behalf, Rinehart said.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County sheriffs office.

chilles@chicagotribune.com
I asked Icelandic locals for their favorite non-touristy alternatives to the Blue Lagoon.

They recommended visiting one of Reykjavik's public swimming pools.

They were right that no tourists seemed to know about it, but being the only foreigner felt awkward.

With more than 700,000 visitors every year, Iceland's Blue Lagoon is one of the country's most recognizable and iconic attractions.

When I visited the lagoon earlier this year, parts of it were crowded, but I felt it lived up to the hype. I also, however, wanted to experience a less-touristy side of Iceland and see how local residents lived.

I asked two Icelandic locals what they would recommend as a more under-the-radar alternative to the Blue Lagoon and followed their advice. Here's how it went.

I had a great time at Iceland's Blue Lagoon, but locals recommended I visit one of Iceland's many public swimming pools as a less-touristy alternative.

At the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Talia Lakritz/Insider

"Most foreigners know about the Blue Lagoon, and of course, it's very nice, but it is kind of pricey, and a lot of tourists go there," Helgi Gunnlaugsson, a sociology professor at the University of Iceland, told Insider. "Instead of the Blue Lagoon, I would just recommend the public swimming pools in Reykjavik. I go to the sauna. There are nice hot tubs here, and it's actually with the locals."

Davi Geir Jonasson, an Icelandic tour guide who owns Vik Expeditions, agreed.

"People come to Iceland and come to the Blue Lagoon and all that, but the swimming pools are absolutely amazing," he said. "Every proper town in Iceland has a swimming pool. The swimming pool itself is heated, with a sauna and a hot tub. You go there and meet people and chat with them. In Britain, you go to the pub; in Iceland, you go to the swimming pool."

In a bid to experience how locals live, I decided to visit Arbjarlaug, a public pool in Reykjavik with rave online reviews.

Arbjarlaug. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The pool is located about a 15-minute drive from Iceland's famous Rainbow Street.

Of its 20 reviews on TripAdvisor, 15 users rated it "excellent" and five rated it "very good."

"One of the best pools in Reykjavik. Why go to the Blue Lagoon and pay $75 or more?" one user wrote.

Another user described it as having a "very Icelandic atmosphere."

Since it was a weekend, the parking lot was packed.

The parking lot at Arbjarlaug. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I got lucky and snagged a spot just as another car was pulling out of the parking lot.

Admission to the pool cost 1,210 Icelandic kronur, or about $8.88  nothing compared to the Blue Lagoon's $93 ticket.

Entering Arbjarlaug. Talia Lakritz/Insider

After I paid for my visit, I received a receipt with a barcode that I had to scan to open the doors to the locker room.

I was surprised to find open shelves for people to remove their shoes before entering the locker room.

Shelves for shoes outside the locker room. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Iceland has consistently been ranked the safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index, so it appeared that locals felt comfortable leaving their shoes unattended. As someone who lives in New York City, however, I felt less trusting of the public. I decided to keep my shoes inside my locker.

I noticed other indications of Iceland's safety throughout my trip, such as an unstaffed "honesty bar" at a hotel and unlocked cosmetics in stores.

The lockers came with keys attached to rubber bracelets for easy access.

The key to my locker. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The locker room and pool at Arbjarlaug were among the few places in Iceland where I didn't hear any English and actually overheard locals speaking Icelandic. (The other place this happened was at Costco.) I got the sense that I was the only tourist there.

I felt both excited about experiencing everyday life in Iceland like a local and a bit apprehensive, like I was infiltrating a secret club.

The indoor pool was gorgeous, housed in a circular glass building with a skylight, and the water was a comfortable temperature.

The skylight above the pool at Arbjarlaug. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Jonasson had described the social, pub-like atmosphere of local pools, and I saw it for myself: Arbjarlaug was full of people chatting with each other in Icelandic.

A passageway led into the outdoor section of the pool.

The indoor-outdoor pool. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Since the weather was in the 50s that day, I appreciated the option of swimming inside, even though the pool was heated. The Blue Lagoon only features outdoor swimming areas.

The outdoor area was much larger, with water slides, hot tubs, cold-plunge pools, lanes for swimming laps, and even a net for water volleyball.

The outdoor pools. Talia Lakritz/Insider

I immediately transferred myself to one of the hot tubs to warm up. The surroundings weren't as scenic as the Blue Lagoon's milky blue waters and black volcanic rock, but it was still relaxing and pleasant on a cool, windy day.

As I snapped a few quick photos of the amenities, I noticed people looking at me. Eventually, a lifeguard came over and told me to stop taking pictures.

A cold-plunge pool. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Unlike the Blue Lagoon, where photography and selfies are the norm, I immediately stood out by taking pictures of my surroundings. When the lifeguard spoke to me in English, I knew the jig was up, and I'd been exposed as a tourist.

Humbled, I swam a little longer before returning to the locker room and making my way to the exit.

I felt awkward taking photos. Talia Lakritz/Insider

While I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the way Icelandic locals spend their weekends and was impressed with the variety of pools and activities at an affordable price, I felt self-conscious as the only foreigner and ended up violating some unspoken pool etiquette.

The Blue Lagoon is ultimately geared toward tourists like me, so I had a more comfortable experience there. I preferred the anonymity the attraction granted me as just another person taking selfies. Plus, it was more spacious and luxurious with perks such as face masks and swim-up bars, even though they came with a higher price tag.

Next time I ask someone to recommend their favorite non-touristy spot in a country where I'm a tourist, I'd accompany the local who frequents it instead of going alone. That way, they could help me navigate the language barrier and cultural norms that made me feel out of place at Arbjarlaug.

Read the original article on Insider
Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Perry County

Perry County  The Lancaster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred at approximately 05:21 p.m. Sunday. The crash occurred on Ohio 37 at the intersection of 668 in Jackson Township.

Rose Spangler, 25, of Junction City was operating a 2017 Chevrolet Trax traveling eastbound on Ohio 37 while Jonathan Spangler, 20, of Junction City was operating a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling the same direction on the same road. Dennis Hewitt, 56 of West Jefferson, was operating a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle westbound on Ohio 37.

Rose Spangler failed to stop when traffic slowed and struck Jonathan Spangler in the left rear. His vehicle crossed the center line and struck Hewitt head-on.

Hewitt was pronounced deceased at the scene and Rose Spangler sustained minor injuries.

The traffic crash remains under investigation by the Lancaster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by New Lexington Fire Department, Junction City Fire Department, Community Ambulance Service and the Perry County Coroners Office.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Motorcyclist killed in Perry County crash
Despite more than a decade of political and legal attacks, nearly 600,000 people are still receiving the benefits of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, renewing their DACA designations in two-year increments.

The program's future, however, remains clouded.

The Obama administration established DACA in 2012 as a temporary stopgap measure to allow Dreamers  immigrants brought to this country without authorization before they turned 16  to work, travel and get higher education legally. It was never meant to be a path to citizenship or a permanent fix.

The program initially protected more than 800,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. prior to June 15, 2007. That number has dwindled as many have either failed to renew their applications or adjusted their status in other ways, such as by marrying a U.S. citizen. Some have voluntarily left the country in favor of places that can grant them permanent citizenship.

Here's a breakdown of where things stand, what the program currently offers, and what might happen in the future.

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DACA's current legal troubles

The Supreme Court appeared to rescue DACA in 2020, ruling that the Trump administration had violated federal procedural rules when it ordered the program terminated in 2017. But a year later, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen in Houston ruled against the program, declaring that the Department of Homeland Security memorandum that created DACA had exceeded its authority and violated federal procedural rules.

Hanen allowed the government to continue the program for current enrollees, but not to sign up any new ones. That remains the status quo.

Last year, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hanen's ruling. But the panel sent the case back to his court to consider a new DACA rule issued by the Biden administration in August 2022.

On Sept. 13, , Hanen once again ruled that DACA is unlawful, as most legal analysts expected he would. Also as expected, he put his order on hold for all current DACA recipients, meaning that their benefits will continue with no change pending further litigation. The case is likely to once again be appealed to the 5th Circuit and ultimately to the Supreme Court.

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What does that mean for DACA recipients right now?

Under the Biden administration's rule, which currently governs the program, existing recipients can apply to renew their DACA status every two years, paying a $495 filing fee each time. The fee includes the cost of fingerprinting, a background check and a work permit.

The rule makes clear that expunged convictions, juvenile delinquency adjudications and convictions under state laws for immigration-related offenses don't disqualify a person from DACA.

"It gives them enough security to think about from now until 2025, is the bottom line," said Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, a nonprofit that advocates for immigration reform.

In addition to allowing recipients to work legally, DACA also allows people to obtain advance parole under certain circumstances, which means they can travel legally to other countries and do not need to obtain a visa to return to the U.S.

DACA recipients can request advance parole only when traveling for employment, humanitarian or education reasons.

Examples of humanitarian reasons include traveling to obtain medical treatment, attending funeral services for a family member or visiting a sick or elderly relative, according to Monica Andrade, manager of state policy for the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

Examples of employment reasons include overseas assignments, interviews, conferences and training.

As of July 2023, it is taking approximately 4 to 8 months for [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] to process a mailed advance parole application, but if a DACA recipient needs to travel urgently for humanitarian reasons, they can apply for emergency advance parole in person at their local USCIS field office, she said.

Obtaining advance parole doesn't guarantee a DACA recipient will be able to get back into the country, however. The decision to allow someone to physically enter the U.S. is up to the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at a port of entry, Andrade said.

The Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which has an online guide detailing how to apply for advance parole, lists other factors that could make it harder for DACA recipients to reenter the country, including:





Traveling outside the parole date authorized by the advance parole document

Traveling with an expired DACA authorization (the expiration date can be found on the employment authorization document)

Having a prior deportation or voluntary departure order

Having spent multiple prior periods unlawfully present in the U.S.

Having a record of contacts with the criminal system  whether they resulted in a conviction or not  that could lead to an inadmissibility finding

Andrade and Marissa Montes, director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, advise that recipients consult with an immigration attorney about the risk factors that apply to them if they decide to apply for advance parole.

If a DACA recipient hasnt already done a full immigration consultation, Montes added, they should.

Go check in and consult with an immigration attorney every now and then to see if something's happened, changed or maybe you've never actually done a full consultation.... You [could find out you] might qualify for something, she said.

For example, shes had some clients find opportunities for employment-based visas  every case is unique.

A full consultation could cost from $100 to $150, but Montes said there are legal firms and clinics that provide services at free or low-cost. The Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, for example, offers free consultations twice a month.

If you're looking for an attorney, Montes advises you search for one on the California State Bar website. All of an attorney's practice information is there, along with information on whether the attorney has been sanctioned, disciplined or disbarred.

"I always tell people that shopping for an attorney is like shopping for a doctor  you should just go for someone that gives you a good vibe and that you can connect with," she said.

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What can happen to DACA in the future?

DACA being in limbo frustrates recipients, advocates, and immigration attorneys, Montes said.

"I don't know if there's anything that can necessarily be done to alleviate that sense of uncertainty," she added.

Murray of the National Immigration Forum cited two major sources of trepidation among DACA supporters.

One is the statement by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) that House Republicans no longer want to include a solution for Dreamers in legislation to beef up border security. They're willing to address the two issues in parallel, she said, but they don't want the bills to be combined.

The other thing, Murray said, is the number of Dreamers (including those who aren't DACA recipients). The Migration Policy Institute estimates that as of 2022, more than 1 million individuals would be eligible to participate in DACA, based on the original criteria.

That's a sticking point for any legislative action because it raises questions about how many individuals a program would cover and what criteria would apply.

"But what we continue to urge Congress is to look at all the 600,000 [DACA recipients] that we have already protected that are incredible contributing parts of our society, and we have no reason to believe that the whole 1 million folks wouldn't be the exact same contributors that are already established in our communities," Murray said.

Even if DACA is ultimately ruled unlawful, Murray said, she doesn't think the courts would order DACA recipients to be summarily removed from the country, "even in areas where we have the most difficult rhetoric." But she is worried that the recipients' work permits would become void, rendering them unable to work legally in the U.S.

For now, DACA recipients should stay informed and seek legal guidance when necessary, legal experts and immigrant advocates advise.

"One thing that we all have, as people of color who come from low-income communities or immigrant backgrounds, is that we're resilient," Montes said she tells her students.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After failing to appear in court, Morrisvilles mayor is headed to trial on misdemeanor charges for fleeing the scene of a traffic accident earlier this year

Following a brief in-absentia hearing Wednesday, Penndel District Judge Daniel Baranoski held Brud Anderson, 50, on all charges including accidents involving death or personal injury and accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle.

Baranoski, who was assigned the case after the Morrisville district judge recused herself, told the court that Anderson and a local police chief had contacted the court requesting a third continuance of the preliminary hearing, but he denied it.

A man serving a life term for a 1991 murder in Vineland has lost a court challenge seeking access to videos showing naked women.

Morrisville Police Chief George McClay confirmed in a text message after the hearing that he made the request for Anderson, who was with his mother who was getting medical treatment.

It was much better for everyone for it to be continued, McClay said. Nothing I wouldnt have done for anyone who is going through what she is going through.

This news organization was not successful in immediately reaching Anderson for comment after the Thursday hearing. No legal representative for him was listed on the court docket.

Anderson, who has been mayor of the riverfront town since 2021, was arrested in June, two months after the April 13 accident in the borough.

At the hearing Thursday, the New Jersey woman testified that she was headed home traveling south on Delmorr Avenue when a black Sport-Trac made a left turn from northbound Delmorr onto East Trenton Avenue and struck her vehicle. The woman said the Sport-Trac had a red light when the turn was attempted.

The woman said her vehicles airbag deployed and her car stalled in the intersection. She described her injuries as bruises over her body and a brush burn on her wrist from the airbag.

The woman said that immediately after the collision she saw the other vehicle back up and turn left onto East Trenton Avenue. At first, she thought the driver was pulling over to get out of the intersection, but then he continued driving westbound on East Trenton Avenue, she testified.

Eight days after the accident, Morrisville police confirmed the Sport-Trac was registered to Anderson, according to authorities. The borough police referred the case for investigation to the Bucks County District Attorneys Office citing a conflict of interest; Anderson oversees the boroughs police department.

Bucks County Detective Tim Fuhrmann testified Thursday that he reviewed video of the accident captured from cameras at the Delaware River Bridge Commission and the Calhoun Street Bridge.

The videos showed after the accident the black Sport-Trac remained at the scene for less than five-seconds before backing up and speeding away.

When he interviewed Anderson, Fuhrmann testified the mayor admitted to the accident and fleeing the scene. The county detective also inspected Andersons vehicle which still had damage from the accident.

More on the arrest of Brud Anderson Morrisville mayor charged in April accident. Here's what we know so far

More on the Morrisville mayor accident Bucks County DA investigating accident involving Morrisville mayor. Why so few details?

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Morrisville mayor a no-show at preliminary hearing in accident case
Although shipments of the newest COVID-19 vaccines started arriving in Southern California pharmacies and clinics last week, Kaiser Permanente members will need to wait just a little longer to get their shot from the healthcare provider.

Kaiser Permanente, which serves more than 9 million Californians, is not yet offering its members the newest booster  formulated to target viral strains health officials believe will be dominant this fall. Kaiser said it expects to begin administering the updated shots across the region by Sept. 28.

In the meantime, Californians insured through Kaiser can visit another pharmacy to be vaccinated, but they should be prepared to pay steep out-of-pocket costs.

Pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens began receiving the updated vaccine last week. The shot is available at the drugstores at no cost through most insurance plans. But pharmacists at multiple CVS locations in Los Angeles said Wednesday that Kaiser members would not be able to get the shot at the drugstore if they wanted it covered through insurance.

CVS pharmacists said the booster would cost a little more than $190 for those paying out of pocket. Pharmacists at Walgreens said people insured through Kaiser would have to pay an out-of-pocket cost of about $155.

Dr. Nancy Gin, Kaiser Permanente's regional medical director of quality and clinical analysis for Southern California, said that in past years, Kaiser members could get their COVID-19 vaccine anywhere because it was covered by the federal government. But after the end of the national COVID-19 public health emergency in May, many Kaiser members were no longer eligible for free shots at non-Kaiser Permanente sites. Kaiser members will be able to get their shots free at Kaiser facilities.

Read more: New COVID-19 vaccinations are coming, CDC says. The shots will likely be available this week

People insured through the other major health insurance providers should be able to get their boosters covered at CVS and Walgreens, pharmacists at the two drugstore chains said.

CVS pharmacies began receiving the updated vaccine Sept. 13, according to a company spokesperson. People can use the companys digital scheduler to see if their pharmacy has gotten its delivery.

Walgreens is also offering the new vaccines nationwide. Appointments can be scheduled immediately online or by calling (800) WALGREENS.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it is waiting for doses to arrive but expects to start administering the vaccine in the coming days.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone older than 6 months get a newly updated COVID-19 vaccination alongside their annual flu shot.

CVS and Walgreens are also participating in the CDCs temporary Bridge Access Program , which provides free vaccinations for uninsured and underinsured adults through the end of 2024. Participating providers can be found at vaccines.gov . Another federal program, Vaccines for Children, provides free vaccinations to eligible kids.

Federal health officials recommend people 5 and older receive a single dose of the updated vaccine  as long as it has been two months since their last dose. Previously vaccinated babies and young children  ages 6 months to 4 years  can receive one or two doses of the vaccine, depending on which brand of vaccine they previously got.

Times staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The week after United Auto Workers members walked off the job, their protest could expand.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the workers have sacrificed and are due a fair share of automakers record profits.

Particularly when senior executives and the CEO continue to get huge increases in their pay, workers believe they should have their fair share as well, Peters said.

Ford, General Motors and Stellantis say they want to strike a deal by Friday to avoid an even larger strike. All three companies have offered better pay and benefits, but rejected the unions demands to increase pay by 40%, citing the high cost of making electric vehicles.

Ford alone lost $4.5 billion on their EV line last year, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said.

He blamed Democrats clean energy policies for putting autoworkers in a bind.

This is a direct result of this radical climate agenda that the Biden administration has been pushing, Schmitt said. And now its having a real-life impact on the workers in my state.

President Joe Biden says he supports workers, but at the request of the union, his administration is taking a back seat at the negotiation table.

Former President Donald Trump plans to head to Michigan next week to support strikers. Peters said its just an act.

The former president has been anti-labor union his entire life  and he cant change his past record, Peters said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The city said the initiative guarantees historically marginalized individuals can acquire lucrative government contracts and promotes a more competitive economic climate.

A married white couple in Houston has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the citys mandate that a specific percentage of government contracts go to minority-owned firms is unconstitutional.

Reuters reported that Jerry and Theresa Thompson filed the complaint in federal court Tuesday, claiming that one of their two landscaping businesses has a $1.3 million, five-year contract with the city but is obligated to subcontract 11% of the entire amount  or $143,000  to a minority-owned company under the Houston program.

The city of Houston is shown at sunset. A married white couple is suing the city over a mandate that a specific percentage of government contracts must go to minority-owned firms. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The city establishes yearly quantitative targets for giving minority-owned firms several contracts. According to its officials, minority-owned enterprises received around 24% of professional service contracts and roughly 14 percent of construction contracts between July 2021 and June 2022.

Houston says the four-decade-old initiative guarantees historically marginalized individuals can engage in lucrative government procurement and promotes a more competitive economic climate.

However, the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, representing the Thompsons, asserted that racial set-asides contribute to the myth that particular racial groups cannot flourish without government assistance.

The Thompson case is the most recent to contest affirmative action measures since the U.S. Supreme Court voted in June to overturn racial admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Even though the Supreme Courts decision in June only directly affects higher education, legal challenges to several government programs and business workforce diversity initiatives are anticipated to gain momentum.

In July, a federal judge in Tennessee cited the decision after ruling that the U.S. Small Business Administration could not assume that minority business owners were socially disadvantaged, allowing them to compete for specific government contracts without requiring them to present any evidence beyond their race.

Edward Blum, the driving force behind the Supreme Courts decision, has spearheaded at least three lawsuits as part of a broader campaign to use Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to undermine diversity initiatives in the private sector.

The Thompsons lawsuit accuses Houston of neglecting to clarify how its contracting program addresses historical prejudice, a justification that, according to the Supreme Court, could make affirmative action plans illegal.

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The post White couple sues the city of Houston for minority contract quota appeared first on TheGrio.
Rahm Emanuel s stint as ambassador to Japan appears to be off to a rocky start, according to some White House officials.

Confirmed in late 2021 to the office, Mr Emanuel has been the US representative in Tokyo for a little more than a year and a half. But NBC News reports that he has already waded into territory that has put the White House in an uncomfortable position. Three administration officials told the network that Mr Emanuel had been reprimanded for posting a series of taunting messages aimed at Japans neighbour, China, on Twitter.

The messages in question were posted earlier this month; in the tweets, the mayor-turned-ambassador speculates about why a Chinese defence minister has not been seen in public and generally appears to mock the Chinese government over internal instability.

President Xi's cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen in public for two weeks. Who's going to win this unemployment race? Chinas youth or Xi's cabinet? he wrote in a 7 September message.

President Xi's cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen in public for two weeks. Who's going   (@USAmbJapan) September 8, 2023

Another tweet sent a week later read: As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasnt been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. 2nd: He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now: Hes absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???

Might be getting crowded in there, he added.

According to one official who spoke to NBC News, the White House informed Mr Emanuel that his tweets were not in keeping with the message coming out of this building.

As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasnt been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. 2nd: He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now: Hes absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy   (@USAmbJapan) September 15, 2023

But Mr Emanuels office has disputed NBCs reporting, calling the assertion that he was reprimanded absolutely not true.

The Independent has reached out to the State Department for comment on NBCs reporting.

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, told NBC News about the ambassador, while refusing to comment on whether Mr Emanuel would be making further remarks about Chinas government. This guy is a superstar and when you put Rahm on the field you get the full Rahm.

Mr Emanuel, the son and grandson of Jewish immigrants, grew up in Chicago and had no connection to Japan prior to being selected as the US ambassador. His posting was largely seen as a reward for years of loyalty in the Democratic Party; he previously served in the Obama White House as chief of staff, and in Bill Clintons presidential campaign and White House.

He won two terms in office as Chicagos mayor but withdrew from a third bid amid criticism of his handling of the police shooting of a Black teenager, Laquan Mcdonald.
The White House announced it is creating the first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to find additional actions President Biden can take to curb gun violence, as well as to implement existing actions.

Biden and Vice President Harris launched the new office at a Friday event at the White House, alongside members of Congress, mayors and gun violence survivors. The Hill earlier this week reported the president would make the announcement Friday, which comes after gun violence prevention advocates and Democratic lawmakers have been pushing the White House to establish a designated office solely focused on gun violence.

The president wants us to continue to dig deep and find additional actions we can take, a senior administration official told reporters, adding that doing so requires additional staff and more coordination with the White House.

Additionally, the official said the office will focus on implementation of the bipartisan gun control law, which Biden signed last summer, and implementation of the multiple executive actions he has taken.

Harris will oversee the office, and Stephanie Feldman, White House assistant to the president, will serve as its new director.

Two gun violence prevention advocates will also join the White House team as deputy directors of the office: Greg Jackson, the head of the Community Justice Action Fund, and Rob Wilcox, senior director of federal government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety.

Biden on Friday reiterated that the office will have four responsibilities, including implementation, identifying new actions, expanding coalition of partners in states and cities, and coordinating support for survivors like mental health care and financial support.

The same way FEMA responds to natural disasters, same way, he said.

He also made a call to elect more lawmakers focused on gun violence prevention in 2024, saying he wont stop calling for actions like passing an assault weapons ban.

If members of Congress refuse to act, then we need to elect members of Congress who will act Democrat or Republican, he said to cheers from the audience.

Biden has consistently called for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, end gun manufacturers immunity from liability and enact universal background checks.

Officials on Thursday said that Biden wont take any attention or energy off of those pushes. But the GOP-controlled House and tight margins in the Senate have made the issues non-starters this Congress.

Feldman told reporters on Thursday that creating this office is to accelerate life-saving work.

President Biden would be the first to say that we need to do so much more to address this public health epidemic of gun violence, she said.

Among its first priorities, the office will work on getting the federal government to do more for communities devastated by mass shootings, which can lead to a long-term impact on mental health and the economic well-being of communities.

The office will be funded through the already-appropriated White House budget, and it will work with law enforcement and gun violence survivors to help communities.

Jacksons group, Community Justice Action Fund, and March for Our Lives, which was created following the Parkland, Fla., school shooting in 2019, have been making the push for this type of office. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) introduced legislation this year to establish such an office within the Department of Justice.

Bidens reelection campaign received early endorsements from four major gun violence prevention groups: Everytown for Gun Safety, Community Justice Action Fund, Giffords and Brady.

While the gun violence prevention movement has been supportive of Bidens efforts on gun control, it considers them to be first steps. Biden acknowledged in June that the bipartisan gun safety bill 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.

Updated: 3:25 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The White House found a rare moment of agreement with extremist Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), then let him know in the form of a pretty vicious meme.

Gaetz on Wednesday said any government shutdown would absolutely be the fault of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

We cannot blame Joe Biden for not having moved our individual spending bills, he said, according to Fox News digital reporter Liz Elkind. We cannot blame House Democrats. We cant even blame Chuck Schumer in the Senate.

Gaetz has been threatening to file a motion to get McCarthy booted from the speakers chair.

The White House shared Elkinds tweet with the Gaetz quote along with the meme Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made A Great Point.

The meme originated in a 2018 story on Clickhole, a satirical website.

Out of nowhere, the most loathsome person youve ever met in your whole life chimed into the argument with a completely valid and irrefutable point, the original story says. All you can do now is try to pick up the pieces, move on, and pray that this pompous moron never makes another great point ever again.

Supporters of President Joe Biden loved the sassy attitude coming from the White House social media team:

Dark Brandon must be running the White House account.   Erie Siobhan  (@ErieNotEerie) September 20, 2023

Omg. Whoever is running the Dems social media lately is crushing it  https://t.co/OaP3knxDmb  Angry Staffer  (@Angry_Staffer) September 21, 2023

Dark Brandon for the win. https://t.co/d2TO6gWBkW  Aaron Parnas (@AaronParnas) September 20, 2023

Heartwarming: I have a faceapp version specifically made for Gaetz stories https://t.co/YSfC96elYypic.twitter.com/w9jo8lmfQZ  Dan Nguyen (@dancow) September 21, 2023

god bless the Biden team for hiring social media comms staff who actually know what they're doing https://t.co/98VxkgOxJZ  Max  (@MaxMaaxMaaax) September 20, 2023

This is golden  Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) September 20, 2023
Screenshot: Facebook

The parents of Kendrick Johnson, the Lowndes County High School student who was found dead rolled up in a wrestling mat, are still fighting to know the truth. Their latest move on the chess board was filing a $1 billion lawsuit accusing the agencies involved of fabricating the facts.



The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Lowndes County Sheriffs Office are accused of releasing false information about Johnsons death 10 years ago. Authorities say Johnson was found by classmates in the school gym, stuck upside down in a gym mat. GBI ruled he died of asphyxia in some weird accident, suffocating while trying to retrieve a shoe.

Read more

KJs death was not accidental, and further contentions that the details, evidence, and scientific facts, bring to light the unsavory agreement between the Defendants to suppress the truth and deny the Plaintiff justice. The 16-page synopsis by Defendant-Sheriff is rife with false information, logical fallacies, and scientific impossibilities. Defendant-GBI invented a fabricated materially false narrative to cover up for the initial false narrative made public by Defendant-Sheriff. (See Exhibit 6, Exhibit 8, Exhibit 9, Exhibit 10) Sheriff Ashley Paulk knew or should have known producing his patently false 16-page investigation synopsis concerning KJs injuries and death was against the law, implicated himself and the agency in a multitude of crimes, and exposed himself and the agency to criminal and civil liability under federal and state fraud and civil rights laws.

The last two people to allegedly see Johnson alive were brothers Brian and Branden Bell. They became the target suspects in the mysterious death but were never handed charges in connection to the case.

Johnsons parents demand half-a-billion in compensatory damages and another half in punitive damages. They also demand a jury trial on all questions of fact raised in the complaint.

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Young BJP workers hold placards for the Women's Reservation Bill near the parliament building on September 20 in New Delhi. Credit - Sonu MehtaHindustan Times / Getty Images

India took a major step forward for gender equality this week when Prime Minister Narendra Modi , during a special session in parliament, announced a bill that would reserve one-third of seats in the more powerful lower house and state legislative assemblies for women.

This is a historic moment, this is a moment of pride for us, Modi said in his speech as he introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or Womens Reservation Bill.

A similar bill was first introduced in September 1996, with nearly every successive Indian government trying, but failing, to pass it into law after facing staunch opposition from conservative heartland parties. We are not anti-women but we want reservations for women hailing from minority and backward classes first, said Mulayam Singh Yadav , a leader of the socialist Samajwadi Party in 2010, when a similar bill faced a voting deadlock.

After 27 years in the making, the Womens Reservation Bill passed in the lower house with near unanimity on Wednesday, before sailing through the upper house late Thursday. The bill now needs the signature of the President to become law.

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U.N. Women applauds the passage of the bill, says Kanta Singh, a country representative from the international agency. She calls it one of the most progressive and transformative pieces of legislation that would bring women into the highest decision-making bodies.

According to Reuters, women occupy just 82 out of 550, or about 15% of seats in the lower house, with the number dipping further in the upper house, where they occupy 31 out of 250 seats, or 12%. A 2015 Report on the Status of Women in India by the Ministry of Women and Child Development noted that womens representation in parliament and state assemblies was dismal, especially in senior decision-making positions.

Besides parliament, India has had just one woman Prime Minister and two female Presidents since its independence in 1947. So far, only 15 women have served as Chief Ministers.

That record has pushed India, often called the worlds largest democracy, toward the bottom of the global list on gender parity in legislatures. The country ranks 141 out of 185 in the World Economic Forum's latest Global Gender Gap Report.

Read More: A '620km Human Chain'  Indian Women Rally for Equality

Still, there has been a seven-fold increase in women contesting elections since the 1950s. But they aren't really winning, says economist Shamika Ravi, who serves on the Indian governments Economic Advisory Council. She attributes the high probability of losing to the fact that most women run as independent candidates.

There are major barriers to women entering politics or being in leadership positions, but the entry barrier is not only in terms of having money to run but also whether you have a political party backing you, Ravi says.

For this reason, Ravi believes the new bill, which creates a legally-binding target for the number of women lawmakers by 2029, will give more political parties an incentive to be more gender inclusive and appoint more women to leadership positions.

The bill also comes at a time when women in India have been more engaged as voters than ever beforeaccounting for almost half of Indias 950 million registered voters, a number that has increased with every election over the last two decades. And studies have shown that women tend to vote differently from men. For example, while studying the outcomes of a hung election in 2005 in the northern state of Bihar, Ravi says women helped elect a new roster of candidates. It became very clear that women were voting for change, while the men were voting status quo, Ravi says.

Backers of the legislation say that quotas for women have already been successful at the local level after they were first introduced in 1993. That provision ensured remarkable political empowerment of women at the grassroots level, says Ambar Kumar Ghosh from the Observer Researcher Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, citing reports that women occupy around 44% of seats in local assemblies today.

Its a significant record that makes India one of the top performing nations in the world in facilitating women's political empowerment at the local level, leaving behind other major countries like France, the U.K., Germany, and Japan, Ghosh says.

The landmark bill comes months before Indians head to the polls for the next general elections, due by May 2024, when Modi will seek his third term in power. Its passing in the lower house saw an eight hour debate where the opposition parties, led by the Indian National Congress, engaged in a heated battle over who should get credit for the historic legislation.

Sonia Gandhi, who once led Congress, has called the bill ours. I must say it be a victory for the Congress Party if the bill is finally passed, she told reporters.

This contention is also a good thing, says Ravi, because it shows that everyone wants to own an idea like the women's reservation." And come election time, it will mean that all these parties will be ready to give those tickets to women."

Write to Astha Rajvanshi at astha.rajvanshi@time.com.
On Jan. 1, 2021, Lin Wood took to Twitter to reassure the public that he was not insane. The tweets about my insanity are at an all time high this morning. Wonder why? Wood wrote. No worries. I am fine. The attacks do not concern me.

In the days leading up to the post, Wood mused about the arrest and execution by firing squad of then Vice President Mike Pence as a last-ditch effort to stave off the Electoral College certification of President Joe Biden s 2020 victory.

The episode was one of several peaks of delusion and desperation for Wood, a die-hard, QAnon-pushing, pro-Trump attorney who for weeks had been hard at work challenging the certification of ballot counts favoring Biden, often in the company of fellow MAGA loyalist attorney and Trump Georgia co-defendant Sidney Powell .

On Wednesday, a filing by Fulton County prosecutors revealed that Wood is expected to be called as a prosecutions witness in the states RICO trial against Trump and 18 other co-defendants over their efforts to meddle with election results in Georgia. The decision by prosecutors to bring in Wood, a loud proponent of conspiracies about the election, and a supporting character in various plots to meddle with election results, as a witness is likely unwelcome news for several of the defendants.

Powell could be in trouble, in particular. Wood told Rolling Stone on Thursday that to his best recollection he was asked about her when he testified before the Fulton County grand jury last year, certainly a sign he could be asked about her again once hes placed on the stand.

In the fallout from Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the election, Wood has largely escaped being sucked into the orbit of the former presidents legal troubles. Thats not to say there havent been consequences, including his voluntary retirement to avoid disbarment, penalties in states where he litigated frivolous election challenges, and a defamation case brought by conspiracy influencer QAnon John. Being hauled in to give testimony to the Fulton County grand jury is the closest hes come to the criminal cases surrounding the 2020 election. I did not seek advice of counsel during my examination and I certainly did not assert the 5th Amendment, Wood wrote on Telegram of the testimony he gave last November. I answered honestly EVERY question posed to me by the prosecutors and members of the grand jury. He said he testified for  for 1 1/2 hours.

Wood made a point to emphasize that while he remained an unwavering supporter of President Trump, he had never officially represented him as an attorney and had no involvement in the issues which to my knowledge and understanding were being investigated by the Special Grand Jury.

In the immediate aftermath of the election, Wood claimed that Trump had secured more than 70 percent of the vote, and was only thwarted by an international conspiracy of communists and disloyal Republicans. He quickly honed in on election outcomes in swing states, falsely alleging that the number of people who had voted in Michigan was implausibly high, and promoting conspiratorial videos claiming election workers in Cobb County, Georgia, had shredded Trump ballots. And while Wood was not on Trumps payroll, his involvement in post-election efforts to keep the former president in power, and his frequent crossover with individuals who were working for Trump in an official capacity, likely explains prosecutors interest.

In a 2021 interview with CNBC, Wood said that in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 election, his South Carolina plantation became a hub for Trump allies helping to plan efforts to subvert the former presidents election loss. According to Wood, Powell herself had requested the mansion to do work on the election cases. General Mike Flynn had arrived shortly after with a gaggle of aides and allies.

They set up in my living room and one of the sunrooms. They looked like election central. They had computers, whiteboards. They were working, Wood told CNBC. I remember making a couple of phone calls to speak to individuals that [Powell] was trying to talk into being plaintiffs, I believe in Georgia, he added.

Wood told Rolling Stone on Thursday that the grand jury asked him about Sidney Powell coming to my home in Tomotley, where she worked for a couple weeks with another lawyer or two. He added that he was not working with either Flynn or Powell. I extended hospitality, he said, and I thought they were working on trying to get information about the election. When asked about making phone calls to potential plaintiffs in Georgia, Wood said was trying to be helpful, given that he was from the state and had long practiced in Atlanta.

But Wood was very much involved in the effort to keep Trump in power. He personally filed an election lawsuit in Atlanta against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that accused the state of having unconstitutional absentee ballot procedures. As the suit moved through the court, Wood and Powell (who had filed her own lawsuit in Georgia) both appeared at a Stop the Steel rally in Alpharetta, Georgia, promoting baseless claims of fraud. Woods lawsuit was struck down by a Trump-appointed judge, and the case was dismissed with a rebuke that it had no basis in fact or in law.

Woods name was also on a lawsuit Powell brought in Michigan. U.S. District Judge Linda V. Parker issued a strong rebuke in her rejection of their request for the decertification of the states election results. This lawsuit seems to be less about achieving the relief plaintiffs seek [] and more about the impact of their allegations on peoples faith in the democratic process and their trust in our government, Parker wrote.

The Michigan lawsuit would have lasting consequences for Wood. In December 2021 he, Powell, and several other attorneys involved in the suit were ordered to pay $175,000 in legal fees as an appropriate sanction for filing a frivolous claim that was needed to deter Plaintiffs counsel and others from engaging in similar misconduct in the future.

The fallout of the election would also send Wood into a spiral of animosity against prominent allies of the former president. In November 2021, Wood accused Powell and former Trump National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn of being grifters.

After doing the research and connecting the dots, I have reached the conclusion that the Stop the Steal organization is a Deep State organization to raise money for purposes other than to FIX 2020.  WATCH OUT for anyone affiliated with Stop the Steal. Every lie will be revealed, Wood wrote on Telegram.

In a recorded conversation with former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, another Trump loyalist, Wood retroactively accused Powell of having signed his name to certain lawsuits without my knowledge or permission, and she hasnt been honest about that. He made a similar argument in court during Michigans disciplinary proceedings against the attorneys involved in the suit. Powell herself acknowledged that it was certainly possible there had been a misunderstanding between them.

Im not happy about it, I think I was set up by Sidney Powell, he said to Byrne. Wood told Rolling Stone that he additionally had no involvement with the lawsuits Powell filed in Arizona, and Wisconsin, despite his name being listed in the original complaints. I had nothing to do substantively with Sidneys lawsuits in Georgia or in the other places where she filed them and my name appeared  I do not recall agreeing to having my name added to those pleas, he added.

Ive been dragged into litigation and accusations that Im simply not a part of, he said.

An attorney for Powell did not respond to a request for comment from Rolling Stone.

Woods allegations may not be completely out of character with Powells mode of operation. In 2021 a D.C. grand jury found evidence that Powell had falsely listed Wood and businessman Brannon Castleberry as members of the board of her nonprofit, Defending the Republic, in an effort to attract donor interest. According to The Guardian, the grand jury reviewed extensive documentation that the men had not agreed to serve on the board, and that one was never even notified of his listed position in the organization.

The spat with Powell was just the beginning of Woods bridge-burning. After being fired from the defense team of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, Wood accused former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Sebastian Gorka, TPUSAs Charlie Kirk, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Flynn of being deep state operatives involved in a plot to smear his reputation.

Given his history, its no wonder Fulton County prosecutors have moved to put Wood on the stand. Still, in a Telegram post written on Wednesday, Wood insisted that there is NO TRUTH to accusations that he flipped on the former president. Whether that grace extends to Trumps co-defendants, however, remains to be seen.

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California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara speaks during a news conference in a Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Lara announced a new plan aimed at keeping insurance companies from leaving the wildfire-prone state. (AP Photo/Adam Beam)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California will let insurance companies consider climate change when setting their prices, the state's chief regulator announced Thursday, a move aimed at preventing insurers from fleeing the state over fears of massive losses from wildfires and other natural disasters.

Unlike other states, California does not let insurance companies consider current or future risks when deciding how much to charge for an insurance policy. Instead, they can only consider what's happened on a property in the past to set the price.

At a time when climate change is making wildfires, floods and windstorms more common, insurers say that restriction makes it difficult to truly price the risk on properties. Its one reason why, in the past year, seven of the top 12 insurance companies doing business in California have either paused or restricted new business in the state.

On Thursday, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the state will write new rules to let insurers look to the future when setting their rates. But companies will only get to do this if they agree to write more policies for homeowners who live in areas with the most risk  including communities threatened by wildfires.

Modernizing our insurance market is not going to be easy or happen overnight. We are in really unchartered territory and we must make difficult choices when the world is changing rapidly, Lara said at a news conference.

The rule change could mean higher rates for homeowners who are already seeing dramatic increases. Eight insurance companies doing business in California have requested rate increases of at least 20% or higher this year, according to the California Department of Insurance.

Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog and author of a 1988 ballot proposition that regulates insurance rates, said Lara's announcement will dramatically increase homeowner and renter insurance bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But Lara said looking to the future to set rates doesnt have to always be pessimistic. Insurers can also consider the billions of dollars the state has spent to better manage forests and the improvements homeowners have made to their homes to make them resistant to wildfires  all things insurers aren't allowed to consider when setting rates under the current rules.

Insurers have advanced a very powerful argument that the past is not as good a predictor of the future as it used to be, said Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a national insurance consumer organization. I think the (Insurance) department did what it needed to do to try to restore a viable market. We don't have a viable market right now in this state in a lot of areas.

California isn't the only state that's struggled to keep home insurance companies amid natural disasters. Officials in Florida and Louisiana, which deal with hurricanes and flooding, have fought to keep companies writing policies. A recent report from First Street Foundation said about one-quarter of all homes in the nation are underpriced for climate risk in insurance. Florida allows insurers to consider climate risk with restrictions. States with less regulated insurance markets have insurers who build current and future events into their models.

Wildfires have always been part of life in California, where it only rains for a few months out of the year. But as the climate has gotten hotter and dryer, it has made those fires much larger and more intense. Of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in state history, 14 have occurred since 2015, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Insurance companies have responded by not renewing coverage for many homeowners who live in areas threatened by wildfires. When that happens, homeowners who need insurance must purchase it from the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan. The plan is primarily funded by policies sold to customers. Insurers only pay into the fund if it is insolvent or to keep it from going insolvent.

People with mortgages often have to buy home insurance because their lender requires it. The number of people on California's FAIR plan nearly doubled in the five years leading up to 2021, and that number has almost certainly increased even more in the past two years.

Lara said his plan is to require insurance companies to write policies for no less than 85% of their statewide market share in areas at risk for wildfires. That means if a company writes policies for 20 homes, it must write 17 new policies for homeowners in wildfire-distressed areas  moving those people off of the FAIR Plan.

This is a historic agreement between the department and insurance companies, Lara said.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, which represents insurers, called Laras actions the first steps of many needed to address the deterioration of the market.

Californias 35-year-old regulatory system is outdated, cumbersome and fails to reflect the increasing catastrophic losses consumers and businesses are facing from inflation, climate change, extreme weather and more residents living in wildfire prone areas, Denni Ritter, vice president for state government relations, said in a statement.

Jeremy Porter, a co-author of the First Street Foundation report on climate risk, said allowing insurers to consider climate change in their pricing might lead to more competition in the state's insurance market.

If this is implemented correctly, this would definitely allow insurers to come back into the market in California, he said.

Some consumer groups, including Consumer Watchdog, say they are not opposed to insurance companies using a model to look to the future to set their rates. But they want to see what is in that model. It's not clear if California's new rules will allow that. State regulators will spend much of the next year deciding what the rule will be.

Lara said he's committed to making those models public.

The department will be able to verify these models to make sure theyre accurate, he said.

___

This story has been corrected to say that a fund to provide coverage for people who cant get coverage through no fault of their own is primarily funded by policies sold to customers. Insurers only pay into the fund if it is insolvent or to keep it from going insolvent.

___

This story has been corrected to fix the second reference to the foundation to say First Street, not Front Street.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Sweet contributed from New York.
Police arrested an Ohio woman last weekend on suspicion of child endangerment and other charges after others reported her driving erratically on I-75.

At 11:21 p.m. Saturday, Monroe County Central Dispatch alerted Monroe police officer that witnesses reported a silver sedan driving northbound on I-75, swerving all over the roadway and stopping in the middle lane of traffic before exiting the freeway at East Front Street, a post from the Monroe Public Safety Department on Facebook said.

An officer quickly located the car and found a woman outside of the vehicle, urinating, the post said. The woman was identified as being 39 years old, from Cleveland and the driver of the vehicle. Other officers arrived and recognized the signs of intoxication and suspected the woman to be under the influence of alcohol. Sobriety evaluations confirmed the driver was "highly intoxicated." Officers placed her under arrest.

As officers were investigating, they noted that the woman had five children in the vehicle with her, all under the age of 12.

Officers transported the children to the police station and contacted the Child Protective Services, the post said. With CPSs assistance, family members were contacted and the children were soon reunited with relatives.

Prior to having the vehicle removed from the scene, an officer found a concealed, loaded handgun within the reach of the driver as well as open alcoholic containers.

Charges of child endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon and having open intoxicants are being sought in this case. Police did not release the woman's name pending her arraignment.

"The Monroe Police Department would like to express our appreciation and thank the citizens who called Central Dispatch to report this driver," the post said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Woman investigated for child endangerment after erratic driving
An Illinois woman who lived with a man suspected in the quadruple murder of a family of four in a Chicago suburb called him a very dangerous man.

Cristiana Espinoza, 25, of Streamwood, Illinois, said Wednesday afternoon that her mother had dated Nathaniel Huey Jr., 32, for about eight years. The trio lived together for that long, Espinoza said.

Espinozas address was listed in a public database as the same address where Huey lived.

On Wednesday, police in Romeoville said a man believed to be Huey, whom they had named as a suspect in the slayings, and a woman were found each with a gunshot wound in a burning vehicle that had fled from authorities in Oklahoma and crashed.

The man was dead and the woman was critically wounded, police said.

Police said the woman found in the vehicle was considered a person of interest before she was reported missing and in danger by her family Tuesday night.

Espinoza declined to identify her mother by name, but said her mother, 50, was in the vehicle found on the interstate in Oklahoma.

Hes a very dangerous man. Hes a huge manipulator. A huge manipulator, Espinoza said of Huey.

When I first met him, he wasnt too bad of a guy. A couple of months ago, something switched. He was shutting all of us out, including my mom, and now this, Espinoza said. He started becoming suspicious  keeping to himself, staying in the garage. He started not being himself, pushing us all away, even my mom.

The Chicago-area family of four fatally shot along with their three dogs was not killed in a random attack, police said Tuesday. (WMAQ)

Espinoza's sister, who did not want to be named, said Huey had betrayed their family but she declined to say how. She said Huey was a "very angry man," who was manipulative, and that her mother "was scared of him."

"Huey is someone I thought I could trust," she said. "And the past few months, he distanced himself from us, and it turned out to be that we could not trust him."

Huey used to own a security company, had access to multiple weapons, and last worked at a machinery warehouse, Espinoza said. A public database showed Huey had a business connection to a security company.

Espinoza said she has spoken to investigators about Huey and her mother. She declined to say what agency the investigators were with or when she talked to them.

Romeoville police and Deputy Police Chief Chris Burne did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday night about Espinoza or whether her mother was the woman once described as a "person of interest."

On Wednesday, a car linked to Huey was captured by a license plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Officers tried to stop the vehicle but it sped away and crashed, police said.

Officers heard what they thought were gunshots and found the man dead in the drivers seat and the woman wounded.

Police have been searching for a suspect in the deaths of the family of four that rattled the suburb about 35 miles southwest of Chicago.

Alberto Rolon, 38; Zoraida Bartolomei, 32; and their two boys, 7 and 9, were found slain in their Romeoville home Sunday night.

Burne said Wednesday that evidence pointed to a connection between the suspect and the victims as well as a possible motive, but declined to elaborate on the motive.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The woman was heard yelling for help inside the outhouse. Michigan State Police

A woman had to be hoisted out of an outhouse after she tried to rescue her dropped Apple Watch.

She was heard yelling for help inside the outhouse after she couldn't get out, police said.

At least she found the Apple Watch, per a police spokesperson speaking to Detroit Free Press.

A woman in Michigan was rescued from an outhouse after climbing inside to retrieve her Apple Watch, state police said.

The woman, who was not named, was found trapped in an outhouse at a boat launch at Dixon Lake on Tuesday morning, Michigan state police said in a statement.

She was heard yelling for help from inside the outhouse, the statement said.

When officers arrived at the scene, she told them she had dropped her Apple Watch in the toilet, it added.

"She then lowered herself inside the toilet to retrieve it and could not get out," wrote the state police.

Police spokesperson Derrick Carroll said the woman at least managed to find her Apple Watch, per Detroit Free Press.

"She was in the muck, if you will," Carroll told the outlet, adding that she wasn't injured.

The police statement said officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police troopers, and Otsego County emergency services responded to the incident.

The officers removed the toilet from the outhouse and used a strap to "hoist the woman out to safety," it added.

Otsego County: First Responders rescue woman trapped inside outhouse toilet at Dixon Lake. https://t.co/ua3CTr8k8X pic.twitter.com/t2DNeWO1Hi  MSP Seventh District (@mspnorthernmi) September 20, 2023

"If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area," the police statement said. "Serious injury may occur."

Some Apple Watches can cost up to $800, while simpler models retail at around $249.

Read the original article on Insider
A woman who was found slain in her Fayetteville home last week was a paratrooper stationed at Fort Liberty, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The body of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jessica Moore, 35, was found about 10 p.m. Sept. 14 in her home on Kentyre Drive, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. Tito Matos of Fayetteville, who was in a "domestic relationship" with Moore, is believed to have killed her, police said.

Forty minutes after the discovery of Moore's body, Matos was found inside his vehicle in Southern Pines, about 35 miles from Kentyre Drive, "slumped over and suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound." A police officer had stopped the vehicle on U.S. 1 near West Morganton Road at 10:45 p.m. for a traffic violation, according to the Southern Pines Police Department. Matos was pronounced dead at the scene. Southern Pines police subsequently learned the vehicle was being sought in the killing of Moore, a news release said.

A portion of Kentyre Drive in Fayetteville is blocked by police vehicles and crime scene tape on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, after Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jessica Moore was found dead in her home there. The man suspected of killing her then killed himself in Moore County, Southern Pines police said.

Originally from Melbourne, Florida, Moore had served in the Army nearly 17 years, Maj. Matt Visser, spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps, said. She arrived at Fort Liberty in February 2020 and was an air traffic and airspace management technician for the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Visser said.

Related: Woman slain in home, suspect found dead in Moore County, officials say

Lt. Col. Anthony Clas, spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division, said the incident is under investigation by not only local law enforcement but also the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and members of (Moore's) unit during this difficult time," Clas said by email.

The Fayetteville Police Department has not released a cause of death or motive in the slaying.

Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Woman slain in suspected murder-suicide was soldier at Fort Liberty
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A lawsuit has been filed by a woman who says she bought coffee from a San Francisco McDonalds and was left with severe burns after the lid was not properly sealed over the drink.

Mable Childress, 85, says she visited the McDonalds at 1100 Fillmore St. on June 13, 2023. She bought the coffee at the drive-thru, according to the lawsuit, and the lid opened when she tried to drink it.

It burned, she told Nexstars KRON. It was so hot from my chest on down.

The lawsuit claims that Childress suffered severe burns and emotional distress. She has scarring on her groin area and is still feeling pain, though Childress lawyer told KRON she is recovering nicely and the burns are mostly healed.

A fish in San Francisco may be 100 years old, study finds

Furthermore, Childress said that after attending a doctors appointment, she was advised by the doctor to return to McDonalds and report the incident to a manager. She says she went back, asked to speak to a manager, and the workers went into the managers office and never returned.

I didnt know what to do. I just kept standing there for a while. The cashier started laughing. He just shook his head. I just turned around and walked away, she said.

In a statement sent to KRON, restaurant owner Peter Ou said that employees did offer assistance.

My restaurants have strict food safety protocols in place, including training crew 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, Ou said.

Cake recall impacts Walmart stores nationwide

The civil lawsuit was filed for general negligence against McDonalds Restaurants of California. Childress asked for an amount of money more than $25,000.

McDonalds was sued over a similar incident in the 1990s when a woman was scalded by hot McDonalds coffee that pulled into her lap. A New Mexico jury awarded the victim $2.7 million, which was later reduced to $480,000.

Earlier this year, a Florida jury awarded $800,000 in damages to a family that alleged hot chicken McNuggets left a 4-year-old girl with severe burns. The jury found McDonalds and the franchise owner liable for the girls burns, but not negligent.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on Wednesday said he would "save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week" if House Republicans "stop trying to shut our government down." Fetterman made the comments poking fun at his Republican colleagues, whom he referred to as "those jagoffs in the House," while presiding over the Senate in shorts and a short-sleeve button-down sans tie, NBC News reports.

"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, a first-term senator whose often seen at the Capitol in casual attire, wrote in full on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

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

His casual attire on the floor and challenge to his conservative peers comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. redefined the chamber's informal dress code to allow members to wear whatever they wish to, a guideline that went into effect Monday. The dress code previously required lawmakers to dress in business attire, though it was often disregarded.

"The world didn't spin off its axis," he told reporters on Wednesday.

Fetterman says he felt a tear in the time continuum after presiding over the Senate without a suit



The world didnt spin off its axis pic.twitter.com/It2PCqrizQ  Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) September 20, 2023

The relaxed dress code drew criticism from Republicans, who have been unable to reach a compromise to pass a funding bill by Congress' Sept. 30 deadline, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who called the change "disgraceful" and called out Fetterman by name. "Well her platform, really she runs on more and more ding-a-ling, pics, you know in the meetings over in the Congress," Fetterman told MSNBC's Chris Hayes in responses to Greene's comments on Monday. "So, again, I'm not really sure why she cares how I dress, but you know, she really takes it a different way."
The world must learn from the mistakes made after the war in Bosnia to avoid putting Ukrainian victims of rape and conflict-related sexual violence through decades of trauma, a new expert report has warned.

Ukrainian prosecutors and independent investigators from the United Nations and other international organizations have said there is mounting evidence that Russian troops are using rape and sexual violence as part of their campaign of terror in Ukraine  similar to the systematic use of rape by the Bosnian Serb army during the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. Russia has denied the allegations.

The report by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a US-based think tank, is set to be released and discussed in a debate in the UK Parliament on Thursday.

It says that if the world wants to avoid the repeat of the trauma faced by the victims in Bosnia, it needs to focus on the victims first in Ukraine. Many in Bosnia have waited for decades before coming forward and the vast majority of sexual crimes committed there have gone unpunished.

Rape was one of the main aspects of the war in Bosnia and yet when we look at the Dayton Peace Accords, there were no women around the table, there were no survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, said Emily Prey, one of the reports lead authors, referring to the 1995 agreement that ended the Bosnian war.

They didnt have a say in the peace (negotiations), and so instead of a real, sustainable, lasting peace, the Dayton Accords actually only froze the conflict, she told CNN.

Prey said that when considering survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, it is crucial to put aside biases and stigma and make sure everyone who is impacted is included.

We often think sexual violence is a crime that only happens to women, but its a crime that happens to everyone. Women and girls, men, boys, people with diverse gender identities, Prey said.

Men who were victims of conflict-related sexual violence in the Bosnian war are only just coming forward to say that they survived this crime, and so they have gone decades without receiving the support that they need. And were seeing this in Ukraine as well.

Prey added that children born of wartime rape are often forgotten as well. Between 2,000 and 4,000 children were born just from the documented cases of wartime rapes in Bosnia, although the real number is likely much higher.

If we dont really think about conflict-related sexual violence enough, then we especially dont think about children born of wartime rape. In Bosnia, they were called the Invisible Children and they have been fighting for years to get recognition because theyve faced barriers and difficulties throughout their lives, she added.

The report also says it will be crucial for Ukraines allies to be ready to prosecute perpetrators on behalf of Ukraine. This can happen either under the UNs Genocide Convention or in national courts under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows national or international courts to prosecute individuals for crimes against international law committed in other territories.

Prey said a recent case of a Bosnian Serb soldier charged with murder and rape that was transferred from Bosnia to Montenegro, where the accused was living, was a good example of this mechanism working well.

The International Criminal Court has already issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and launched an investigation into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Several countries including Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, and Spain have all opened their own investigations into alleged Russian atrocities.

However, Prey said these cases could be costly and lengthy, which means there needs to be an extra focus on providing immediate help to the victims, including psychological and social support, free health care and free legal aid.

They might not see any conclusion to a court case for 10 or 20 years, she said. And survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, they deserve more than that. They deserve justice for themselves, accountability, but they also need to live, they need to take care of their families, they need to pay their bills and they need the support for this.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Wyoming ranch accused of abusing children and forcing them to perform manual labor lost its license earlier this year after state officials documented a litany of safety and sanitary violations. But the ranch found a way to stay open and will no longer need a license to care for children, a development that has alarmed youth rights advocates.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services in June revoked the group home license from Triangle Cross Ranch, a facility that claims it can help transform teenage boys from misbehaving rebels into thoughtful, respectful, and responsible young men for a $5,800 monthly fee.

The facility, which typically has five or fewer boys enrolled at a time, will now operate without a license because the owner said last month he was appointed guardian of the youth living there, a department spokesman said. The spokesman said the owner provided copies of the paperwork, which was filed in Wyoming.

And state officials will no longer conduct regular welfare inspections going forward due to another licensing exemption for ranches or farms that do not offer services to children who are homeless, delinquent or have an intellectual disability, according to the departments rules.

Its incredibly troubling that they would have decided to go this route after losing their license to be a child caring facility, said Donna Sheen, founder and director of the Wyoming Childrens Law Center, a nonprofit. She noted that the Department of Family Services will now need a specific allegation or complaint in order to investigate the ranch.

In a brief phone call, Gerald Schneider, the ranchs owner, confirmed that the program is now known as Sunlight Mountain Boys Ranch. The website under the new moniker is nearly identical to the Triangle Cross Ranch website, uses the same email and phone number, and lists the same staff members, but it does not mention its previous name or the lack of licensure. Schneider declined to answer additional questions and hung up, and the ranch did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Sunlight Mountain promotes itself as a

On its website, the ranch advertises it can treat children with Reactive Attachment Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, those with learning disabilities and boys struggling with porn consumption and drug abuse. It says it does so by providing an authentic cowboy experience.

Schneiders facility is part of whats often called the troubled teen industry, a constellation of ranches, wilderness camps, boarding schools and jail-like facilities that promise parents they can provide therapy and other services to help youth struggling at home with addiction, depression or erratic behavior. If the programs do not take U.S. government funding  like Triangle Cross Ranch  they are not subject to federal oversight or regulations, instead leaving the states to keep watch.

An NBC News investigation last year found that the ranch and Trinity Teen Solutions, a facility for girls run by the same family, had operated in rural Wyoming for years despite repeated complaints from youth of cruel and humiliating treatment. State inspectors documented numerous red flags at Triangle Cross Ranch, including misrepresenting its services, punishing boys for speaking with state officials and complaining about their treatment, and making children physically restrain each other.

Trinity Teen Solutions voluntarily closed in September, three weeks after the NBC News investigation was published, asserting at the time that negative information about its business online had made it impossible to recruit new children to be enrolled. It disputed allegations of abuse and cruel treatment from former residents.

The troubled teen industry is an unregulated, unmitigated disaster, said Brice Timmons, an attorney for former residents who sued Triangle Cross Ranch and Trinity Teen Solutions. Its a constant game of whack-a-mole as a company changes names, an operation moves across state lines, or a license is changed from a residential treatment center to a boarding school. The same handful of people continue to abuse Americas children for profit, and Congress should act to put an end to it.

Andrew Scavuzzo, who sued Triangle Cross Ranch over abuse he alleged took place at the ranch in 2012, said hed been branded with a hot iron when he was a boy at the facility. He said he also had to haul dead animal carcasses, was forced by staff to huff gasoline and that boys had to box each other as punishment.

Image: (James Stukenberg for NBC News)

Triangle Cross Ranch disputed Scavuzzos account in court filings. The suit was dismissed this year following an out-of-court settlement.

In a March letter, the Wyoming Department of Family Services noted that Triangle Cross Ranch accumulated 45 rule violations between 2015 and 2022, and state officials cataloged 35 new violations this year.

State inspectors found exposed feces inside the ranchs buildings on seven occasions since March, and broken glass and trash scattered in the yard during multiple visits, according to department records.

In April, a department official observed broken windows, and doors and lights that did not work during an inspection of the ranch. There was also a dead calf that had been lying in the yard for three days and the inspector witnessed a dog eating it. Youth were left alone while a staff member napped, inspection files show. Officials also noted that weapons, such as a large knife, and tobacco products were left lying unattended at the ranch.

The state found that one boy had to be taken to a hospital for self-harming after the ranch failed to give him his medication for 26 days. The ranch refused to take the boy back because he was too high risk, so he was sent to another group home, records show.

Inspectors found that Schneider, the ranch owner, had also moved the children to Montana earlier this year to hide them from state officials.

After several misleading conversations about the whereabouts of the youth, the inspection files state, Schneider revealed hed rented a house in Belfry, Montana, and taken an unspecified number of children there. Schneider had previously told state officials the youth were on vacation to misdirect the Licensing Authority away from knowing he rented a house in Montana and the youth were residing in it, and that he did so because they were afraid of DFS, in that they are going to shut them down, the records state.

At the last inspection of the ranch in July, the state found additional violations, including an adult living in the childrens bunk house, lack of background checks, and one of two youth residing there without any bedding. Again, there was feces on the floor.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a press conference at the U.S. embassy in Beijing

By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt signaled support on Thursday for a European Union plan to impose a windfall tax on profits generated by frozen Russian sovereign assets to help finance the reconstruction of Ukraine.

A Treasury spokesperson said Yellen called the EU plan a "sensible" proposal.

Yellen, who discussed frozen Russian assets with Ukrainian officials during her visit to Kyiv in February, told Bloomberg News reporters and editors that Washington was discussing the idea with the EU, the spokesperson said.

Hunt told Reuters in a telephone interview from Los Angeles that he supported the EU's idea of diverting interest earnings from the assets to Ukraine's reconstruction.

"We have to find a way that doesn't have unintended consequences," Hunt said. "And I think the most interesting discussions are really about how to use the interest income generated by (frozen) assets to go towards that reconstruction without actually seizing the assets themselves."

But Hunt said it was important to ultimately force Russia to bear the costs of reconstruction of Ukraine as a consequence of its invasion and "to make it clear to Russia that those assets are frozen until there's a fair settlement made with the reconstruction costs."

Yellen has repeatedly voiced support for Ukrainian demands that Russia should pay for the damage it has done to Ukraine, but has also pointed to significant legal obstacles halting moves to fully seize the $300 billion in Russian central bank assets frozen by sanctions.

EU officials have estimated that the windfall profit from Russia's frozen assets in Europe could provide 3 billion euro ($3.27 billion) a year to rebuild Ukraine.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington and Lavanya Ahire in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said his nation and its allies would not "stand idly by" if North Korea Russia helped North Korea bolster its weapons and nuclear programs. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned during an address to the United Nations General Assembly that Seoul and its allies will not "stand idly by" if Russia gives North Korea technical assistance with its nuclear and missile programs.

Yoon made the remark during his keynote address at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday evening, shortly after a six-day visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia that prompted widespread speculation over a potential weapons deal.

Last week, the White House expressed concern over a "budding arms deal" between Pyongyang and Moscow, citing intelligence that Kim was planning to supply Russia with artillery for its war against Ukraine.

Kim, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking advanced technology for the North's weapons programs, including its efforts to launch a military spy satellite into orbit.

Yoon on Wednesday called the North's nuclear and missile programs a "direct and existential threat" to South Korea and a "serious challenge" to peace around the world.

"If the DPRK acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, such a deal between Russia and the DPRK will be a direct provocation," Yoon said, referring to North Korea by its official acronym.

"The Republic of Korea, together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by," he said.

In a follow-up move, South Korea on Thursday slapped unilateral sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities involved in the North's illegal weapons trade with other countries, including Russia.

Included on the blacklist were North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam and former top general Pak Su Il, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

Kang was part of the delegation that traveled with Kim to Russia last week, where the North Korean leader held a summit with President Vladimir Putin and visited several military sites to view advanced fighter jets, bombers and missiles.

Kim met with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Vladivostok and discussed "strengthening the strategic and tactical coordination, cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries," according to North Korean state media.

The Kremlin has denied that any deals for military or technical cooperation were struck during the visit.

Yoon also echoed concerns about Russia raised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Wednesday that Moscow has abused its permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and called for the removal of its veto power.

"It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council ... would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates Security Council resolutions," Yoon said.

"In such a situation, the call to reform the U.N. Security Council would receive a broad support," he added.

The Russian Embassy in Seoul expressed "deep regret" over Yoon's remarks on Thursday and accused him of joining the "propaganda campaign initiated by Washington ... aimed at discrediting Russian-North Korean cooperation."

In a post on its Facebook page, the embassy urged South Korea to "base their actions on a sober and objective assessment of the current situation, as well as the negative consequences of Seoul's continued pursuit of the anti-Russian line."
FILE - Voters fill out their ballots at a polling site in the BedfordStuyvesant neighborhood, Nov. 8, 2022, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The New York attorney general's office on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, sent a cease-and-desist letter to a group accused of confronting voters at their homes while claiming to be state election officials and falsely accusing people of committing voter fraud. The letter orders the group NY Citizens Audit to immediately stop any voter intimidation efforts and turn over records reflecting its training of and communications with its door-to-door canvassers. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  The New York attorney general's office on Thursday sent a cease-and-desist letter to a group accused of confronting voters at their homes while claiming to be state election officials and falsely accusing people of committing voter fraud.

The letter orders the group NY Citizens Audit to immediately stop any voter intimidation efforts and turn over records on its training of and communications with its door-to-door canvassers.

These allegations, if true, could constitute unlawful voter deception under New York state law and unlawful voter intimidation under both state and federal law, reads the letter, which was obtained by the Associated Press.

In an emailed statement, NY Citizens Audit Executive Director Marly Hornik said: New York Citizens Audit is not engaged in any canvassing, and we have not received this letter as of yet.

NY Citizens Audit describes itself on its website as dedicated to restoring and maintaining the essential, founding American principle of sovereignty through honest, provable elections in New York and across the nation.

The attorney general's letter says in some cases voters have reported that canvassers displayed false badges or other identification to portray themselves as election workers. The attorney general's office said it has not seen evidence that anyone who was approached has committed voter fraud.

The letter comes after the New York State Board of Elections warned that voters in at least 13 counties had been approached by individuals purporting to be election officials who accused voters of committing fraud. A spokeswoman for the board said it had passed information about the incidents to state and federal law enforcement.

The attorney general's office has given the group until Oct. 2 to turn over records including communications with anyone engaged in door-to-door canvassing, training documents for its canvassers and communications with any third parties regarding its canvassing efforts.
New York Times columnist David Brooks, right, got some blowback from social media users for his tweet about airport food and the U.S. economy.

New York Times columnist David Brooks, right, got some blowback from social media users for his tweet about airport food and the U.S. economy.

New York Times columnist David Brooks probably thought he was giving social media users some food for thought when he tweeted about the price of his burger.

Instead, he was humiliated by the Community Notes feature on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Wednesday evening, Brooks tweeted a photo of his meal  a burger, fries and an unidentified drink  at the Newark airport, along with a gripe about how much it cost.

This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible, he wrote.

This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. pic.twitter.com/1qeV9qOBL3  David Brooks (@nytdavidbrooks) September 21, 2023

People who saw the post became suspicious about the actual cost breakdown of Brooks meal.

The Community Notes section on X noted that based on the similar table, glass, chair, sheet and cut of fries, this is the Smokehouse Restaurant in Newark Airport Terminal A. The burger and fries cost $17.

Dude is being roasted in the proposed community note https://t.co/qK9zcg6tdPpic.twitter.com/Fds4GsU3XT  Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) September 21, 2023

Many commenters pointed out what appeared to be a stiff drink in Brooks photo and noted that airport booze isnt cheap.

...and by the way, I just noticed the scotch. How many did you buy to hit $78? Maybe buy a water next time, like I do. Best not to be one of those drunkards on the plane.  Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 21, 2023

Others piled on.

Just had coffee and bagel for $13.79 (including tip) at Dulles. Possible that Bulwark per diem not quite as generous as NYTimes? https://t.co/crQa6alFxE  Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) September 21, 2023

This tweet is a good reminder never to tweet during or after libations. https://t.co/tpUyvz4bc2  Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) September 21, 2023

I love that David Brooks exists because he reminds me that my most under developed and least rigorous opinions are still more thoughtful and smart than what regularly appears in the New York Times.

Reading him makes me feel like Im Adele listening to bad karaoke. https://t.co/lp5SVZBGxL  Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) September 21, 2023

The restaurant where Brooks supposedly ate also chimed in on Facebook, noting that the bill wasnt just for the burger and fries.

Looks like someone was knocking back some serious drinks, the post from 1911 Smoke House Barbeque read. Bar tab was almost 80% and hes complaining about the cost of his meal



keep drinking buddy - we get paid off everything.

Brooks photo also inspired many users to create their own $78 meal tweets.

This breakfast just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. https://t.co/Ozsq8oVER7pic.twitter.com/63a0MgyHiF  Raquel Perazzo (@raquelmperazzo) September 21, 2023

this disgusting meal cost me $7.98, the food was awful & there wasn't nearly enough of it which is why Biden is so unpopular. https://t.co/ZcmHOKuPIipic.twitter.com/5xtol5OJU9  Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) September 21, 2023

This large popcorn, a coke and the bottle of Jack Daniels I hid in my coat cost me $46 at the local metroplex



WTF is going on with the economy https://t.co/wswiCIg7XNpic.twitter.com/7XgJlkT7VD  Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) September 21, 2023

This meal cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. https://t.co/YDRRA6r7zHpic.twitter.com/d0KrvUMWrY   Hailey Piper  (@HaileyPiperSays) September 21, 2023

This meal just cost me $1,008 in San Francisco. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible. https://t.co/stlv3JPsgRpic.twitter.com/93WtDdL30D  Chris Albon (@chrisalbon) September 21, 2023

This meal just cost me $78,000 at Mar-a-Lago. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible.



Should have snacked at Newark airport. https://t.co/dsugmNtC04pic.twitter.com/6VnLkvkxLp  BlueSkiesAreComing (@SkiesComing) September 21, 2023

Related...
Volodymyr Zelenskiy is finding his latest visit to Washington a much tougher occasion than the heros welcome he was given nine months ago.

Zelenskiy was given a standing ovation when he delivered an address to a joint sitting of Congress in December. This time, he addressed the Senate in a closed session, but House Republicans turned down a request to address both chambers again. They are also reported to have turned down an administration briefing on Ukraine.

Zelenskiy arrived on Capitol Hill in the midst of a bitter spending battle that could trigger a government shutdown, and he faced difficult conversations when he met congressional leaders behind closed doors. Republicans have proposed a stopgap bill that does not include funding for Ukraine, an omission that the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer , called an insult to Ukraine and a gift to Putin.

Related: Zelenskiy says only way to ensure peace is fundamental UN reform

I cannot think of a worse welcome for Zelenskiy, Schumer said.

The Republican leadership in the Senate is broadly pro-Ukrainian, but the party is more divided in the House, where the speaker, Kevin McCarthy, faces a restive group on the right hostile to military support for Kyiv. McCarthy made clear to his party that he would approach Bidens pending request for an additional $24bn in support for Ukraine with considerable scepticism.

Is Zelenskiy elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think I have to commit anything and I think I have questions for him, McCarthy told ABC News.

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, McCarthy added.

Democrats too said they would have questions if the Ukrainian delegation came with requests for drone technology. Party leaders are wary of providing weapon systems that could be used to strike Russian territory, and congressional sources say Zelenskiy will be quizzed on Kyivs role in recent strikes on Moscow and other targets deep within Russia.

After his visit to the Hill, Zelenskiy was scheduled to cross the Potomac to the Pentagon for a meeting with the defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley.

Then in mid-afternoon, he is due at the White House to meet Joe Biden. The US president is expected to announce a new $325m military aid package on the occasion of the visit, but the package will reportedly not include the 300km-range Atacms missiles Ukraine has been asking for.

Kyiv wants Atacms to help its forces strike deep behind Russian lines to disrupt their supplies and demoralise the entrenched enemy troops. The Biden administration was reported in recent days to be moving towards approval of supplying the missiles. Zelenskiy told CNN on Tuesday that he was sure the negotiations were on the finishing line.

However, the national security council spokesperson, John Kirby, said on Wednesday the issue had not been resolved.

Atacms are not off the table. We continue to have discussions here in the interagency about that particular weapon system, but no decision has been made, Kirby told reporters.

US officials have said in the past that the Pentagon has concerns over the inventory of Atacms for US defence needs and the White House wants to ensure it does not supply weapons that could be used to hit Russian territory, for fear of being seen by Moscow as a direct combatant.

Marc Polymeropoulos, a former senior CIA officer, said that if the missile is withheld from the Ukrainians, it would count as an unfortunate failure by the administration.

Its fair to ask, do they really want Ukraine to prevail, or just force them to the negotiating table? Polymeropoulos wrote on social media. This shows US timidity, and Russia will read it accordingly.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Pentagon for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin , the New York Times reported on Sept. 21.

The Department of Defense's headquarters is only one of the stops in Zelensky's visit to Washington as he hopes to ensure further U.S. support for Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression.

The media reported that the Biden administration plans to present a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $325 million during Zelensky's visit, including cluster munitions, anti-tank and anti-air rockets, and more.

Zelensky and Austin will not hold a press conference following their meeting, the New York Times said.

The president is further scheduled to meet his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden at the White House.

Read also: Biden asks UN leaders to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression

Earlier on Sept. 21, Zelensky met senior leaders of Congress, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and leaders of the two major U.S. political parties.

According to Zelensky's press service, Ukraine's head of state thanked American lawmakers for their continued support.

"Together, we have made significant progress in defending democracy, freedom, and dignity - the values on which both our countries are based," the president reportedly said.

"The suffering of the Ukrainian people from Russian war crimes is enormous, but more than half of the occupied Ukrainian territories have been liberated from Russian invaders, and we clearly see that complete victory is getting closer."

Zelensky briefed U.S. lawmakers on the situation on Ukraine's battlefields and discussed priority defense needs, namely air defenses for the upcoming winter.

The president's visit to the U.S. capital comes just as the Biden administration is trying to secure Congress' approval on an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine.

Some U.S. lawmakers, namely from the Republican Party, grow increasingly critical of the level of support that Washington provides to Ukraine.

Zelensky has previously visited the U.S. in December 2022, meeting Biden and addressing Congress members.

Read also: Zelensky arrives at US Capitol for talks with lawmakers

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the U.S. Capitol to hold private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, the Associated Press reported on Sept. 21.

After that, Zelensky is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and speak to U.S. military leaders in the Pentagon, AP wrote.

During Zelensky's White House visit, Biden will reportedly announce a new defense assistance package for Ukraine, which, according to Reuters, would not include the much-desired ATACMS long-range missiles.

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine

Zelensky's second visit to Washington since the start of the full-scale invasion comes as the Republican party faces divisions over the White House's request to Congress for an additional $22 billion in aid to Ukraine.

A hard-right wing of Republicans, led by former president Donald Trump, has increasingly resisted providing Ukraine with more assistance.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has refused to host a forum for Zelensky to address members of the House on Sept. 21 in a decision that underscores deep disagreements in the Republican ranks, the New York Times reported.

In the meantime, McCarthy is expected to meet the Ukrainian president privately, according to the media outlet.

President Zelensky previously spent two days in New York, where he addressed the U.N. General Assembly and visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers recovering at Staten Island University Hospital.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived at the White House on Sept. 21, welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill Biden .

As the two leaders meet for bilateral talks, U.S. officials have revealed that Biden will unveil a new military aid package for Ukraine, encompassing extensive air defense capabilities.

According to Reuters, this tranche should also include a fresh batch of cluster munitions, anti-tank rockets, and other aid but not the much-desired ATACMS long-range missiles.

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Zelensky previously met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and senior members of U.S. Congress as part of his visit to Washington, D.C.

The president's trip to the U.S. capital comes just as the Biden administration is trying to secure Congress' approval on an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine.

Some U.S. lawmakers, namely from the Republican Party, grow increasingly critical of the level of support that Washington provides to Ukraine.

Zelensky has previously visited the U.S. in December 2022, meeting Biden and addressing Congress members.

Read also: Zelensky arrives at Pentagon for talks with Defense Secretary Austin

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky went to Capitol Hill Thursday for his second visit, as fresh attacks by Russia overnight underscore the urgency facing his country as he asks for more US aid.

Only this time, the political landscape has shifted.

A year ago, Zelensky faced a much different reception in Congress. Democrats controlled the House and public support for funding the war effort in Ukraine was higher. As he stood to ask for more money and weapons before a joint meeting of Congress Zelensky was met with a packed House, members adorned in yellow and blue standing in support with Ukraine. Now, the Ukrainian president will return to Congress to a new speaker  facing a rebellion on his right  who has yet to promise future aid to Ukraine and will have to balance his own political future against the future Zelensky is hoping for his country.

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? House Speaker Kevin McCarthy asked Tuesday.

New Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people in Kherson and wounded others in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

This week alone, McCarthys right flank has openly taunted members for backing Ukraine. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida posted a picture of McCarthy in a Ukraine pin and with a yellow and blue pocket square, writing, How does this make you feel?

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia posted a scene of Lord Farquaad calling his troops to battle from the animated film Shrek, tweeting, Washington warlords speaking to the American people about Ukraine.

President Joe Biden welcomed Zelensky to the White House on Thursday afternoon after the Ukrainian president also toured the Pentagon. Biden is seeking to hear a battlefield perspective from Zelensky as a second autumn of war approaches, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby told reporters.

Biden is expected to talk to Zelensky about battlefield needs, Kirby said, but it comes amid CNN reporting that ATACMS, the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, may not be part of a new weapons package, something Zelensky suggested to CNNs Wolf Blitzer would be a disappointment. ATACMS are not off the table, Kirby said.

Zelensky arrives amid shutdown fight

Zelenskys visit came as House Republicans are engaged in a bitter fight over government funding on the domestic front and as the prospects for more money for Ukraine  while very much alive in the Senate  are far less clear in the House even as the Biden administration as sent over a request for $24 billion in support.

The first thing I will tell you is there is no money in the House right now for Ukraine, Rep. Byron Donalds, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus from Florida, told CNN. Its not a good time for him to be here, quite frankly. Thats just the reality.

Texas Rep. Chip Roy, another conservative, told CNN, When was the last time Zelensky came here? Right before money. You think that is a coincidence? I dont. That is why this Ukraine game needs to stop.

Zelensky met Thursday with leaders in the US House of Representatives including McCarthy, but the speaker has said that no one-on-one meeting is planned nor will Zelensky have a chance to meet with the GOP conference where he could speak directly to the members opposed to funding his war effort.

A source told CNN that McCarthy denied Zelensky a joint session of Congress, which would have allowed him to give a speech and address everyone, a point first reported by Punchbowl.

McCarthy told reporters: What I was asked for was a joint session. We dont have time for a joint session.

So, I did exactly what Ive done with the prime minister of Italy, the prime minister of the UK, I always bring when leaders come in, I bring a bipartisan group of leadership together, he added.

McCarthy also denied official photographers access to the room where House leaders met Zelensky, the source added. But, a source shared photos from the room.

I do think the more people who could hear from him directly, the more impact that it would have, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, told CNN.

Kirby said there is a critical need for Congress to grant the White Houses $24 billion supplemental funding request for Ukraine for its counteroffensive capabilities, saying that the aid will have a significant impact on Ukraines fight.

In contrast, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are holding a joint meeting with their members in the Senate.

Despite a slip in public support, there is still strong bipartisan backing for Ukraine funding on Capitol Hill, but it will be up to McCarthy to decide if legislation will even be put on the floor. The speaker has said he doesnt want funding attached to a short-term spending bill and hes also said it should be a standalone issue. But time is of the essence, with aides close to the matter telling CNN the expectation is that current US funding accounts for Ukraine could be depleted as soon as by the end of the year.

This becomes an issue that time and time again, minute to minute, every question is: Is Speaker McCarthy going to do the responsible thing of putting the bill on the floor that we know will pass with broad bipartisan support? Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia said. If he lives in this constant fear that one member on his far right is going to take the action of motion to vacate the chair, therefore removing him from the speakership, then we are making day-to-day decisions or not making day-to-day decisions because one guy wants to keep his job. 

Shifting public support makes Ukraine funding risky

Inside McCarthys conference, the question of helping Ukraine is being framed by isolationists as a choice between helping Americans or helping Ukraine.

I think every single person in this Congress, Democrat, Republican or in between is appalled, shocked and disagrees with what Russia and Vladimir Putin has done and is doing. That having been said, our borders are wide open. Our people cannot afford their electric bills, their gas bills and their food bills and before we send blank checks to some other country, we need to take care of our own people, said Rep. Scott Perry, a conservative Republican from Pennsylvania.

A CNN poll in August found now a majority of Americans are opposed to authorizing more funding for Ukraine, and among Republicans, the number opposed soars to 71%. Its a reality reflected in how Republican members  even those who dont rule out more funding  talk about US support for Ukraine.

Do you know who is winning the war in Ukraine right now? I dont think the average member of Congress understands what is going on in Ukraine, said Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican from California. I dont think the executive branch knows what is going on in Ukraine right now. Look, weve invested $100 billion of American taxpayer dollars in Ukraine, we owe it to the American taxpayers to get an accountability of that money, the accountability of the weapons, to get a current status of whats going on in Ukraine  and what is needed to win and how we are going to be involved in it before we invest.

Rep. Garret Graves, a Republican from Louisiana, blamed the administration for a slide in support even as he argued it was still essential.

The fiscally responsible thing to do here is to stop this in Ukraine. This crosses over into NATO countries and you trigger article five, you arent going to be talking bout tens of billions of dollars, you are going to be talking about trillions of dollars and you are going to be talking about American service men and women on the front lines. That is not an option, Graves said. This administration has both accountability and transparency issues theyve got to address before they deserve another penny.

One of the most difficult balances Zelensky will face on Capitol Hill on Thursday is acknowledging why he needs the US aid, why it hasnt been enough so far and how long he thinks he will actually be relying on the support as public fatigue over the war effort looms.

There is still a strong coalition of GOP support for Ukraine funding on Capitol Hill, such as McConnell, but Republicans have at times been critical of how the president has engaged in the war and how he has sold the US aid. Those GOP lawmakers argue Biden could do more to both sell the importance of the war effort to the public and to ensure members of Congress are kept in the loop on where and what impact the funding they are appropriating is having.

The consequences of pulling the plug on Ukraine are enormous, said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. It will lead to more war, not less. It will destroy a world order that has existed that has benefited the world. So I could not disagree more with my colleagues who say Ukraine doesnt matter to us. It matters a lot.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Annie Grayer, Betsy Klein, Morgan Rimmer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New York on Sept. 20 to discuss German aid to Ukraine and the situation at the front lines.

According to an announcement posted over Telegram, Zelensky and Scholz discussed the situation at the front and the priority needs of the military. Germany has announced a new military aid package worth $430 million in recent days, though it remains to be seen if the desired long range missiles will be included.

In May the German government announced a military aid package of approximately $3 billion worth of material, the largest single package to date. This followed the March announcement of $13 billion worth of aid and credit, with $3 billion allocated for 2023 and $9.4 billion in credit for the years 2024 through 2032.

The supply of German military aid to Ukraine following the full-scale Russian invasion has marked a historic shift in policy, with Germany leading the distribution of the advanced Leopard 2 battle tanks this past spring.

Zelensky and Scholz also reportedly discussed the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure in this upcoming winter and the maintenance of Ukrainian grain exports. Germany is scheduled to host the next Ukrainian Recovery Conference in 2024.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Strikes on command post in Crimea, saboteurs attack airbase near Moscow

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President Joe Biden on Thursday said he has approved a new tranche of defence aid for Ukraine, including multiple air defence systems to protect Ukrainian infrastructure from Russian attacks during the coming winter months.

Speaking during an expanded bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky and his advisers in the East Room of the White House, Mr Biden said the new arms package would include artillery rounds and other ammunition, as well as anti-tank weapons. He also said the US would work to strengthen Ukraines air defence network with additional Mim-23 Hawk missile batteries and other missile systems, which he said are meant to protect critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year as well as Ukraine's grain silos, hospitals, schools and power plants.

He added that the US and partners would remain committed to help Ukraine build a force capable of ensuring Ukraine's long-term security, capable of deterring future threats against sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom, which are underway now.

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last year, the US has provided more than $75bn (61bn) in humanitarian, financial and defence assistance in conjunction with a broad range of allies and partners.

Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Biden for what he described as a very powerful package that contained exactly what our soldiers need now, as well as the broad support the US has provided since the war began 575 days ago.

He said the efforts to develop the future force of Ukraine would be very important and represented a strategic decision that would allow his country to prevent future aggression.

Just hours before in the Oval Office, Mr Zelensky said he felt trust between himself and top American officials and expressed gratitude for the defence support that has allowed his armed forces to combat Russian terror as he capped his day in Washington with a visit to the White House.

Mr Zelensky said he had thanked members of Congress during a Thursday morning visit to Capitol Hill, during which he took the opportunity to appeal for the United States to continue to support his country as some Republicans debated continued US support for Ukraines defence against Russia.

Today I'm in Washington to strengthen our ability to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world. I started my day in the US Congress to thank its members and the people of America for all the big, huge support. I felt trust between us and it allows us to have a frank and constructive dialogue, he said, adding that he was grateful for the trust and support he received from members of both the House and Senate.

The Ukrainian leader also said he was looking to a discussion with Mr Biden regarding a new US defence package, with a special emphasis on air.

For his part, Mr Biden said the US and the American people are determined to see to it, to do all we can, to ensure that the world stands with Ukraine, and reiterated his remarks from earlier in the week when he told the UN General Assembly that no nation can be truly secure in the world if Ukraines freedom isnt defended.

Mr Zelensky arrived at the White House at approximately 1530 local time [1930 GMT] Thursday, just hours after he visited Capitol Hill and attended an all-senators briefing to impress upon the upper chamber the importance of continued funding for his countrys efforts to repel a Russian invading force amid a long-awaited counteroffensive that has seen Ukraine reclaim previously Russian-occupied territory.

One Democratic senator, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, told The Independent that Mr Zelensky was not asking us to spend money but was instead urging senators to lead the investments made for democracy and freedom around the world.

We still need a vote on basically supporting and investing in democracy. So I'm supporting whatever form we take, he said.

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell flanked the Ukrainian president as he walked into the briefing.

At the risk of repeating myself, American support for Ukraine is not charity, Mr McConnell said. Its an investment in our own direct interests  not least because degrading Russias military power helps to deter our primary strategic adversary, China.

Similarly, Mr Zelensky met with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the war effort, even as many of that chambers Republican members have been advocating for an end to US support for his country.

President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)

It was an honour and a privilege to be with him, House minority whip Katherine Clark told The Independent. And we expressed our deep commitment and gratitude not only to him for his leadership but to the Ukrainian people. And there was unanimity in that room.

But the visit comes as the federal government is set to run out of money when the US fiscal year expires at midnight on 30 September. Many Republicans in the House oppose giving more aid to Ukraine and have vowed to vote against any bill to continue funding the government if it includes defence assistance for Kyiv.

President Zelensky coming, thats cool, Rep Byron Donalds (R - Florida), a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, told reporters earlier in the week. But I think the American people are sick and tired of their needs being neglected, while we take care of the rest of the world. And that's one of the reasons why you have members who have issues with Ukraine funding.

Similarly, Punchbowl News and NBC News reported that House speaker Kevin McCarthy denied a request from Mr Zelensky to deliver a joint address to Congress. Meanwhile, CNN reported that Mr McCarthy avoided a public entrance with the Ukrainian president but took photos with Mr Zelensky and House minority leader Jeffries.

I'm very concerned that they are not doing that, Ms Clark said. And it is opposed to the sentiment they express. America has to stand strong for freedom.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at the White House September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Rep Michael McCaul (R - Texas), the chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, told reporters that in the meeting there was universal support for Ukraine.

I just said, look, it's turning into a war of attrition, he said. And that's to Putin's advantage. And he wants to wear down the world, the American people and Europe, Nato.

Mr McCaul told The Independent that aid to Ukraine would eventually pass with Republican support.

I dont think they all will, he said. But well have the majority of the majorities.

Rep Joe Wilson (R - South Carolina), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, said Republicans needed to get behind Ukraine for the welfare of the larger world order, comparing it to how people were previously naive about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

We should learn from history and that is that there were many good people who thought that before September 1, 1939, that you could simply not be involved in Europe, and a perception that the tribes of Europe never stop fighting. But we've learned sadly, that the conflicts of Europe ultimately will affect America.

Following his trip to the Capitol, Mr Zelensky travelled to the Pentagon for a meeting with secretary of defence Lloyd Austin and a wreath-laying at the Pentagons memorial to those who died in the 11 September, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) walks with U.S. President Joe Biden down the colonnade to the Oval Office during a visit to the White House September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Speaking to reporters at the daily White House press briefing ahead of Mr Zelenskys sit-down with Mr Biden, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president would use the Ukrainian leaders visit to emphasise the continued need for the American people to step up and support Ukraine as they battle on the frontlines of the free world.

He told reporters that Mr Biden will announce a new arms package for Ukraines defence forces, including more of the cluster munitions that he authorised for Ukrainian use earlier this year.

President Biden wants to use today to reaffirm his commitment, this administrations commitment, this countrys commitment to continuing to lead the world in support of Ukraine for as long as it takes and thats what he intends to do today, he said.

Mr Sullivan also said he is confident that there will be bipartisan support for continuing to fund Ukraines defence when Congress agrees on a spending bill for the next fiscal year.

He added that Mr McCarthy has previously advocated and voted for bills including funds for Ukraine, and said briefings he has held with House and Senate leaders to be incredibly constructive and deeply substantive.

The members had excellent questions. They also had a lot of constructive suggestions for how we most effectively pursue continued assistance to Ukraine and rally the world to help Ukraine defend its territory, he said.

So on the basis of those conversations, and further consultations weve had since then, I continue to remain of the view that when all is said and done, after all the back and forth and the to-ing and fro-ing and all the other elements going into these negotiations that have nothing to do with Ukraine, that there will be strong bipartisan support to continue funding Ukraine to the extent that we believe is necessary to get Ukraine what it needs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Capitol Hill to appeal for the United States to continue to support his country amid a fight amongst Republicans about whether to continue US support for Ukraines defence against Russia.

Mr Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill Thursday morning and attended an all-senators briefing to impress upon the upper chamber the importance of continued funding for his countrys efforts to repel a Russian invading force amid a long-awaited counteroffensive that has seen Ukraine reclaim previously Russian-occupied territory.

One Democratic senator, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, told The Independent that Mr Zelensky was not asking us to spend money but was instead urging senators to lead the investments made for democracy and freedom around the world.

We still need a vote on basically supporting and investing in democracy. So I'm supporting whatever form we take, he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell flanked the Ukrainian president as he walked into the briefing.

At the risk of repeating myself, American support for Ukraine is not charity, Mr McConnell said. Its an investment in our own direct interests  not least because degrading Russias military power helps to deter our primary strategic adversary, China.

Similarly, Mr Zelensky met with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the war effort, even as many of that chambers Republican members have been advocating for an end to US support for his country.

It was an honour and a privilege to be with him, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark told The Independent. And we expressed our deep commitment and gratitude not only to him for his leadership but to the Ukrainian people. And there was unanimity in that room.

But the visit comes as the federal government is set to run out of money on when the US fiscal year expires at midnight on 30 September. Many Republicans in the House oppose giving more aid to Ukraine, and have vowed to vote against any bill to continue funding the government if it includes defence assistance for Kyiv.

President Zelensky coming, thats cool, Rep Byron Donalds (R - Florida), a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, told reporters earlier in the week. But I think the American people are sick and tired of their needs being neglected, while we take care of the rest of the world. And that's one of the reasons why you have members who have issues with Ukraine funding.

Similarly, Punchbowl News and NBC News reported that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied a request from Mr Zelensky to deliver a joint address to Congress. Meanwhile, CNN reported that Mr McCarthy avoided a public entrance with the Ukrainian president but took photos with Mr Zelensky and House Minority Leader Jeffries.

I'm very concerned that they are not doing that, Ms Clark said. And it is opposed to the sentiment they express. America has to stand strong for freedom.

Rep Michael McCaul (R - Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters that in the meeting there was universal support for Ukraine.

I just said, look, it's turning into a war of attrition, he said. And that's to Putin's advantage. And he wants to wear down the world, the American people and Europe, Nato.

Mr McCaul told The Independent that aid to Ukraine would eventually pass with Republican support.

I dont think they all will, he said. But well have the majority of the majorities.

Rep Joe Wilson (R - South Carolina), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, said Republicans needed to get behind Ukraine for the welfare of the larger world order, comparing it to how people were previously naive about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

We should in you learn from history and that is that there were many good people who thought that before September 1, 1939, that you could simply not be involved in Europe, and a perception that the tribes of Europe never stop fighting. But we've learned sadly, that the conflicts of Europe ultimately will affect America.

Following his trip to the Capitol, Mr Zelensky travelled to the Pentagon for a meeting with Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and a wreath-laying at the Pentagons memorial to those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

He is also set to visit the White House this afternoon for his fourth meeting with President Joe Biden and his senior aides.

Ahead of that sit-down, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the president would use Mr Zelenskys visit to emphasise the continued need for the American people to step up and support Ukraine as they battle on the frontlines of the free world.

He told reporters that Mr Biden will announce a new arms package for Ukraines defence forces, including more of the cluster munitions that he authorised for Ukrainian use earlier this year.

President Biden wants to use today to reaffirm his commitment, this administrations commitment, this countrys commitment to continuing to lead the world in support of Ukraine for as long as it takes and thats what he intends to do today, he said.

Mr Sullivan also said he is confident that there will be bipartisan support for continuing to fund Ukraines defence when Congress agrees on a spending bill for the next fiscal year.

He added that Mr McCarthy has previously advocated and voted for bills including funds for Ukraine, and said briefings he has held with House and Senate leaders to be incredibly constructive and deeply substantive.

The members had excellent questions. They also had a lot of constructive suggestions for how we most effectively pursue continued assistance to Ukraine and rally the world to help Ukraine defend its territory, he said.

So on the basis of those conversations, and further consultations weve had since then, I continue to remain of the view that when all is said and done, after all the back and forth and the to-ing and fro-ing and all the other elements going into these negotiations that have nothing to do with Ukraine, that there will be strong bipartisan support to continue funding Ukraine to the extent that we believe is necessary to get Ukraine what it needs.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York, left, listens as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , second from left, speaks while walking through Capitol Hill on Thursday in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein / Associated Press)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to Washington on Thursday with a problem to solve.

A year and a half after Russia invaded Ukraine, once-bipartisan support for U.S. military funding for the embattled nation has evaporated.

Seventy-one percent of Republicans  along with 55% of independents but just 38% of Democrats  said Congress should not authorize additional funding for the war, according to a July CNN poll.

Some GOP members have followed their constituents' lead. In August, 70 House Republicans, nearly a third of the caucus, voted for an amendment that would have cut off all U.S. aid to Ukraine. Rep. Doug LaMalfa of Richvale was the sole California Republican to vote for the measure, which failed after Democrats joined with the majority of the House GOP to kill it.

Zelensky, fresh from a visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, arrived at the Capitol on Thursday under heavy security. His top priority: Make sure the number of Republicans unwilling to continue funding the war effort doesn't get any bigger.

A meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), who's also facing a looming government shutdown and a potential leadership coup by far-right members of his caucus, was first on the Ukrainian leader's agenda. The meeting was attended by committee and party leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Zelensky later met with senators behind closed doors.

McCarthy declined Zelensky's request to address a joint session of Congress, saying there was not enough time. He also reportedly declined a White House offer to give House lawmakers the same classified briefing the Senate received this week.

Asked by reporters about the meeting, McCarthy said only that it was good." After the meeting, McCarthy bolted to wrangle far-right members to back legislation to advance Pentagon funding. The measure failed in a floor vote, only adding to the list of McCarthy's problems as the federal government barrels toward a shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was more enthusiastic after his meeting with Zelensky.

"American support for Ukraine is not charity," he said after meeting with Zelensky. "It's an investment in our own direct interest  not least because degrading Russia's military power helps to deter our primary strategic adversary: China."

Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's gratitude for U.S. assistance  and expressed thanks to "both parties" in a tweet Thursday afternoon. "We have accomplished much together to safeguard democracy, freedom, and dignityvalues shared by both of our nations," he added.

Read more: Ukrainians are grateful for U.S. military aid. But some ask whether they deserve thanks too

Many of California's Republican House members are in a particularly difficult position. Of the 18 Republicans who hold districts President Biden won in 2020, five  nearly a third  are in California. If they continue to back the war effort, they could alienate the GOP base in their districts. But voting against Ukraine aid, which Democrats still support, could limit their crossover appeal.

Peter Harris, a political scientist at Colorado State University, told The Times that some Republicans oppose approving funding because they believe the United States should be more focused on defeating another world power: China. Harris also predicted that support for Ukraine will probably continue to wane as the war drags on.

"I wouldn't be surprised if a pretty sizable faction within the Republican Party came to the determination that it would be politically prudent to end the war rather than supporting Ukraine," Harris said.

Some Republicans vying for the White House have already made that call. During the August GOP primary debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy both said they would stop aid to Ukraine if elected president.

It's not unusual for the opposition party to be skeptical of an administration's policies, Alex Conant, a Republican strategist, told The Times.

Democrats were the first to critique then-President George W. Bush over the war in Iraq and now some Republicans are doing the same of Biden over his strategy for Ukraine, Conant argued.

Theyre the opposition so theyre not invested in his policies," he said.

Conant added that there is a small but growing number of Republicans who are very skeptical of foreign interventions" and that a "small faction can cause big problems." Still, a majority of the GOP backs sending military aid, notably in the Senate.

Though support for the war has also slipped among Democratic voters since the invasion, Democratic lawmakers remain overwhelmingly supportive of approving military aid.

In an interview with The Times, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) said that "when there is contention within any political party people try to distinguish themselves from one another," noting that many Republicans on the intelligence committee understand the stakes: If American military aid stops, it will make the war even more challenging for Ukrainians.

Propaganda pushed out by the Kremlin is successfully convincing many voters that the United States should not be in Ukraine  and some Republicans are gleefully repeating that propaganda, Gomez argued. Congress must "send a loud message... across the globe that we stand by our friends and we're not going to let them get taken over by a rogue country," he said.

Read more: Biden, Zelensky implore world leaders at U.N. to stand up to Russia in Ukraine

"The role of the United States and its stature around the globe relies on us following through on our word," Gomez added. "And if we allow a country like Russia to invade another country, it might create a willingness of other countries to take action through military might."

Zelensky left the Capitol before noon and traveled to the Pentagon to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. Zelensky is expected to meet with President Biden at the White House on Thursday afternoon.

In a news conference, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said that Biden would announce a "new package of military assistance" that would "include significant air defense capabilities to help Ukraine protect its people." The assistance would also include weapons and equipment to enable the beleaguered nation to "maintain its momentum in the counter offensive."

"These capabilities will help Ukraine harden its defenses ahead of what is likely to be a tough winter filled with renewed Russian attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure," he said.

The Pentagon is opting not to send ATACMs long-range missiles to Ukraine but Biden "has not taken it off the table" in the future.

Hours before Zelensky met with McCarthy, Ukraine was hit with the biggest barrage of Russian missiles in more than a month.

Overnight, 43 Russian cruise missiles struck cities from east to west including the capital, Kyiv; the countrys second-largest city, Kharkiv, close to the Russian border; and Lviv, near the Polish frontier. Ukraines military said 36 of the projectiles were shot down, including 20 over Kyiv.

Over a period of hours lasting until early morning, the repeated blare of air alarms sent people scrambling for shelter, many with small children and pets in tow. In Kyiv, falling debris damaged several buildings and left at least four people injured. Zelensky made grim note of the wave of strikes, writing in a post on the messaging app Telegram that air defense is among the top issues as he seeks to win congressional support for more aid.

Times staff writers Courtney Subramanian contributed to this report from Washington and Laura King from Kyiv.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the US Congress, where he is to address senators and hold meetings before negotiations with Joe Biden at the White House.

Source: European Pravda with reference to AP

Details: Judging by the photos published by the agency, Zelenskyy was accompanied in the Capitol by Hakeem Jeffries, the leader of the Democratic minority in the House of Representatives.

During his visit to the Capitol, the President of Ukraine will talk with the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties in both houses of Congress. His speech in front of the senators is scheduled for 17:00 Kyiv time.

He will then hold a meeting with Joe Biden at the White House, where the US president is expected to announce a new package of US military aid.

Zelenskyy on the upcoming negotiations in Washington: The priority is air defence for Ukraine

This is Zelenskyy's second visit to Washington since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and it comes as the US Congress considers the White House's request for an additional US$22 billion in aid to Ukraine.

But its approval is still uncertain, as the Republican Party is deeply divided on the issue. Part of the right-wing Republicans, led by Donald Trump, argue that the United States is giving Ukraine too much aid and should focus on domestic priorities.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on 21 September for talks with US President Joe Biden .

Source: European Pravda

Zelenskyy was accompanied by First Lady Olena Zelenska, and the couple were greeted by Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden .

The leaders of Ukraine and the United States did not take questions from journalists. Zelenskyy merely noted briefly that the meeting was "very important".

Later, Biden is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include air defence equipment, but not long-range ATACMS missiles.

Background:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Washington on 21 September. This is his second visit to the US capital since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It comes as the US Congress is considering a request from the White House for an additional US$24 billion in aid to Ukraine. During a meeting with US Congressmen at the Capitol, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to approve additional funding for Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , who is currently on a visit to the United States, shared his expectations for the upcoming talks with American leaders.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram, reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy noted that one of the most important issues in his US talks was to strengthen Ukraine's air defence.

Zelenskyy pointed out that Russian troops had launched a large-scale missile strike on Ukraine that night.

Quote: "I am grateful to the rescue workers who immediately started to deal with the aftermath of the strikes. I am also grateful to every country that has provided Ukraine with air defence systems. We are working to completely deprive Russia of its terrorist potential. We must achieve this result."

More details: Zelenskyy called for more air defence systems for Ukraine, more sanctions against Russia and more support for Ukrainian troops.

"Russian terror must lose," Zelenskyy stressed.

Background:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with all US senators in Congress and deliver a speech on Thursday, 21 September, followed by a meeting with Joe Biden at the White House.

Zelenskyy's visit comes as the US Congress is considering the White House's 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.

A part of the right wing of the US Republican Party, led by Donald Trump, argues that the US is giving Ukraine too much aid and should focus on domestic priorities.

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Archival photo of the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden at the White House in December 22

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Sept. 21. This marks the second visit of the Ukrainian leader to Washington, DC since the start of Russias full-scale invasion.

The meeting with Biden is a significant part of Zelenskyys extensive visit to the United States and North America. Over the past two days, the Ukrainian President has been in New York, where he participated in UN General Assembly events. Following his visit to Washington, DC, he is expected to visit Canada.

Biden will receive Zelenskyy at the White House for the second time, following the Ukrainian Presidents initial foreign visit to the United States in December 2022, amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The most recent meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders occurred just a few months ago on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Among the topics that Zelenskyy and Biden may discuss today are:



Progress of Ukraines counter-offensive: President (Biden) eagerly anticipates hearing from President Zelenskyy about Ukraines counter-offensive and the progress they (Ukrainian Armed Forces) are making  his own assessment of the situation on the battlefield, announced White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian Presidents office, said that Zelenskyy will further stress Ukraines commitment to liberating its territories.



Ukraines military needs amid prolonged warfare: Podolyak reminded that Ukrainian military requires long-range ATACMS missiles to target Russian logistics, rear bases, and command posts effectively. Ukraine is also looking for expedited training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Another component of Ukraines military needs includes various types of armored vehicles and artillery ammunition, particularly for HIMARS.



Assurances of long-term U.S. support: According to Kirby, Biden aims to reassure Zelenskyy that the U.S. will genuinely stand with Ukraine as long as necessary, and Ukrainians should understand that the support will continue.



Critical moment in the war: Both Kirby and Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, emphasized that Biden and Zelenskyy will meet at a critical moment as Russia seeks to expand its military cooperation with authoritarian regimes like North Korea and Iran.



Corruption in Ukraine: Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko added the hypothetical topic of corruption in Ukraine to the meeting agenda. He suggested that it might involve U.S. oversight of the use of U.S. aid to Ukraine.



Macroeconomic support from the U.S.: Fesenko also noted another challenge, which is the approaching U.S. presidential elections and the risks related to passing the U.S. budget for the next year through the U.S. Congress. This could have a negative impact on Ukraines current financial support. This will also be discussed, as well as the overall level of financial support for Ukraine from the United States, said the analyst.



Preparation of a bilateral security guarantee for Ukraine.

Additionally, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with leaders of the U.S. Congress from both main parties in Washington, DC.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy , President of Ukraine, met with Ursula von der Leyen , President of the European Commission, President Klaus Iohannis of Romania, and Mariya Gabriel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Source: Office of the President

Quote: "The talks in this format were primarily focused on preserving the single market principle and free access of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU market."

Details: According to Zelenskyy, a mechanism for constant dialogue has been created: "the Joint Coordination Platform for Export and Transit of Ukrainian Agricultural Products. This platform should continue to work and help resolve all problematic issues in the field of agricultural products."

Zelenskyy believes that Ukraine, as a future member of the European Union, should not be subject to unilateral restrictions. It is also necessary to protect the competitive advantages of each EU member in a free trade environment.

The parties discussed finding practical logistical solutions with the President of Romania and the Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, in particular expanding the capacity of ports like the Black Sea port of Constanta and transportation via the Danube River.

They also talked about increasing the volume of transit of Ukrainian products through Romania and Bulgaria.

Zelenskyy thanked the President and the government of Romania for their contribution to strengthening the unity of the EU, compliance with the principles of the single market and free competition.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "It is through Romania that over 60% of transit of Ukrainian grain that passes through the EU's Solidarity Lanes is ensured. Our joint efforts will help reduce the burden on the infrastructure of the Ukrainian ports of Izmail and Reni, as well as speed up cargo transshipment. The Ukrainian part of the Danube River should also be included in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T),"

Alternative transportation routes through Romania and Bulgaria were discussed at the meeting. These routes would significantly increase transit volumes and ease the burden on these countries' domestic markets.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy worked to shore up U.S. support for Ukraine on a whirlwind visit to Washington on Thursday, delivering an upbeat message on the war's progress while facing new questions about the flow of American dollars that for 19 months have helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.

The Ukrainian leader received a far quieter reception than the hero's welcome he was given last year from Congress, but also won generally favorable comments on the next round of U.S. aid he says he needs to stave off defeat.

Zelenskyy, in long-sleeve olive drab, came to the Capitol with a firm message in private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders. The Ukrainians have a solid war plan, and they are winning, lawmakers quoted him as assuring them, at a time that the world is watching Western support for Kyiv.

President Joe Biden gave Zelenskyy a red-carpet arrival on the White House South lawn and more ceremony than world leaders normally receive, and made clear his concern with Congress.

Intensifying opposition to continued Ukraine funding from a faction of congressional Republicans largely aligned with the party's presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is threatening what had been easier congressional approval for four previous rounds of funding for Ukraine, delivering $113 billion. Any momentum toward opposing U.S. aid for Ukraine also potentially risks public backing for the war effort.

Asked about the funding issue after meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden answered, Im counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress. Theres no alternative.

It was Zelenskyys second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and came as Bidens request to Congress for an additional $24 billion for Ukraines military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance. Resistance to the latest request could lead to delays or reductions.

The administration did announce another $325 million Thursday in whats known as presidential drawdown assistance for Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the package would include additional air defense, artillery ammunition, cluster munitions and other arms.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , who faces opposition to the Ukrainian funding package from the Republicans aligned with Trump, notably chose not to join House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat, in greeting Zelenskyy when he arrived. And Republican McCarthy also confirmed that he declined Zelenskyys request for a joint session of Congress, as happened during the Ukrainian presidents dramatic visit to Washington last winter, saying there wasnt time for that on short notice.

But McCarthy praised the answers that Ukrainians delivered to lawmakers Thursday.

It was direct, I thought it was honest, they were answering the questions, McCarthy said. I heard a lot of positive things.

Lawmakers who attended the private meeting described questioning Zelenskyy on the way forward for Ukraines counteroffensive, as the fight to roll back invading Russian forces moves closer to the two-year mark without major breakthroughs in Russias heavily mined lines.

Zelenskyy conceded that its tough, very tough to overcome entrenched defenses, Independent Sen. Angus King said. They believe they will make slow but steady progress, but its not going to be quick.

Back home, Russia launched its heaviest strikes in a month in the hours before Zelenskyys arrival at Congress, killing three, igniting fires and damaging energy infrastructure as Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored Thursday that Biden would seek to drive home with Zelenskyys visit that the U.S. and the world send the unmistakable message that in the 21st century, a dictator cannot be allowed to conquer or carve up his neighbors territory."

If we allow that here, it will happen elsewhere in ways that will undermine the fundamental security, not to mention the values that the American people hold so dear, Sullivan said.

Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with Ukraine, even as he faces domestic political divisions at home. A hard-right flank of Republicans, led by Trump, Bidens chief rival in the 2024 race for the White House, is increasingly opposed to sending more money overseas.

Zelenskyy was scheduled to address the Canadian Parliament and meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Friday.

He faces challenges in Europe, as cracks emerge in what had been a largely united Western alliance behind Ukraine.

Late Wednesday, Polands prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Polands status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates.

Zelenskyys visit comes with U.S. and world government leaders watching as Ukrainian forces struggle to take back territory that Russia gained over the past year. Their progress in the next month or so before the rains come and the ground turns to mud could be critical to rousing additional global support over the winter. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hopes to outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalize if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defense or other weapons.

The political environment has shifted markedly since Zelenskyy addressed Congress last December on his first trip out of Ukraine since the war began. He was met with rapturous applause for his countrys bravery and surprisingly strong showing in the war.

His meeting with senators Thursday took place behind closed doors in the Old Senate Chamber, a historic and intimate place of importance at the U.S. Capitol, signifying the respect the Senate is showing the foreign leader.

Zelenskyy received a warm welcome from both parties on his stop in the Senate. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer flanked him as he walked in. A few lawmakers of both parties wore clothes with blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Schumer told reporters afterward one sentence summed up the meeting: Mr. Zelenskyy said if we dont get the aid, we will lose the war."

Senate Republican leader McConnell, who is trying to keep his party in line behind support for Ukraine, said afterward he was proud to welcome Zelenskyy to the Capitol.

Americans support for Ukraine is not a charity, he said. Its an investment in our own self-interest.

___

Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Kevin Freking, Tara Copp, Lolita M. Baldor, Colleen Long, Aamer Madhani and Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US Congressmen to approve additional funding for aid for Ukraine during a meeting at the Capitol.

Source: European Pravdas correspondent, citing Chuck Schumer , the leader of the Democrat majority in the Senate

Details: Schumer refused to talk about the details of Zelenskyy's meeting with members of Congress or to answer any questions from journalists.

"There was a single sentence that summed it all up, and Im quoting him verbatim, Mr Zelenskyy said: If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war," Schumer said.

However, Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, told reporters that he has not changed his position and will not support the approval of a US$24 billion assistance package to Ukraine, demanding that the White House focus on combating illegal migration.

"I'm more than willing to look at that [assistance to Ukraine - ed.]. But the one thing I know is that if the President's only focused on that, well, you've just had 10,000 people come across the border, and he wants to ignore that," CNN quoted him as saying.

He added, however, that he had asked Zelenskyy several questions, and said the conversation with him was "good" and "productive".

After the Congressional meetings, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Joe Biden at the White House, where the US president is expected to announce a new US military assistance package.

This is Zelensky's second visit to Washington since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and it comes at a time when the US Congress is considering the White House's request for additional assistance to Ukraine in the amount of US$24 billion.

And that approval is still uncertain, as there are serious disagreements in the Republican Party on this issue. Some right-wing Republicans, led by Donald Trump, argue that the United States is giving Ukraine too much aid and should focus on domestic priorities.

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WASHINGTON  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House and Capitol Hill on Thursday with specific objectives at each place: secure long-range munitions from the U.S. while persuading skeptical Republicans to pass a fifth aid package for Kyiv worth $25 billion.

If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war, multiple senators recounted Zelenskyy saying after a rare meeting in the historic Old Senate Chamber.

But Zelenskyys message appeared to fall on deaf ears. The White House still refuses to provide the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, Kyiv has sought for more than a year, previously supportive Republicans are turning against additional assistance and Poland has halted the transfer of arms to Ukraine amid a trade dispute over grain.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy made the case that Ukraine has degraded the Russian military, but that Moscow would be able to reconstitute its forces if Kyiv doesnt keep the pressure up over the next several months.

He also pushed the U.S. to provide ATACMS, which can fly as far as 186 miles when fired from HIMARS. This would allow Kyiv to strike Russian assets positioned deep in occupied Ukrainian territory, beyond the current range of most of Ukraines artillery.

The majority of senators support providing Ukraine with another aid package, which would include $13 billion for the Pentagon to continue providing military support against Russias invasion. Not so in the House, where a growing coalition of Republicans is coming out against the White Houses latest aid request.

Zelenskyy did not have the opportunity to meet with many members of the growing group of House Republican skeptics because Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., did not arrange a similar all-members briefing in the lower chamber. Instead, McCarthy received Zelenskyy in a meeting with leadership as well as the Republican heads and top Democrats of key committees.

Zelenskyy had asked to address another joint meeting of Congress like he did in December, which more than half of the House Republican caucus skipped. But McCarthy declined, citing the Houses time constraints.

House Defense Appropriations Chairman Ken Calvert, R-Calif., described the House meeting with Zelenskyy as cordial, but declined to commit to advancing another Ukraine aid package. He noted his priority right now is securing passage of the annual defense spending bill  which the House failed to pass on Thursday for the third time in two weeks on the cusp of a government shutdown amid a revolt from the far-right Freedom Caucus.

McCarthy also did not commit to passing another Ukraine aid package after the meeting.

If Congress does not pass a fifth aid package, the Pentagon still has roughly $5.5 billion in drawdown authority it says it can use to continue transferring weapons to Ukraine past the end of the fiscal year, which concludes this month. But another $2.5 billion in authority to backfill U.S. stockpiles of weapons sent to Kyiv would expire.

Congress has already passed a cumulative $113 billion in military and economic aid for Ukraine since Russias invasion last year.

Republican conditions

Numerous House Republicans aligned with the Freedom Caucus have opposed previous tranches of aid, but now even defense hawks have started to lay down red lines on additional assistance.

Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who chairs the House Armed Services subcommitee on readiness, said 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 offering details.

On Thursday, after Zelenskyys visit, a Republican defense appropriator who previously supported Ukrainian assistance released his own set of conditions for future aid packages.

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., issued a list of 12 conditions to secure his vote on future aid packages, some of which were unrelated to Ukraine. They include a public update from President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the status of the war, a Biden administration report on sanctions enforcement against Russia as well as a coherent strategy for Ukraine to prevail and under what timeline.

He also called for all NATO members to adopt a full sanctions policy on Russian grain, rare-earth minerals and oil  something several European countries have been hesitant to do for fear of worsening their economies. The unrelated conditions include passage of a House Republican immigration bill strongly opposed by Democrats and support for a junior enlisted pay raise Garcia secured in the defense spending bill, which the White House opposes.

Conversely, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, lambasted the Biden administration for not providing the long-range ATACMS, which Zelenskyy had hoped to secure during his visit.

Does the Biden administration want Ukraine to win, or not? Wicker said in a statement. Every delay in supplying Ukraine with the tools it needs to secure victory has cost unnecessary lives and prolonged the war.

He called on the White House to send Congress another supplemental spending request with money to expand production lines for ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles.

Laura Cressey, director of arms transfers at the State Departments political-military affairs bureau, told the Defense News Conference earlier this month the Biden administration is closely considering long-range fires for Ukraine. But its unclear whether the U.S. has enough ATACMS in its stocks to send Kyiv without compromising its own readiness.

A provision in the Houses fiscal 2024 defense policy bill would require the Pentagon to build the Lockheed Martin-made ballistic missiles for Kyiv via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Britain has also provided long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation parents reacted to the Lynchburg City School Boards decision Tuesday night with tears, anger and disbelief  T.C. Miller and Sandusky elementary schools will be either closed or repurposed in the near future, part of a facilities master plan scenario the board adopted to address declining enrollment and aging infrastructure across the division.

They say that the best interests of the children were at heart and yet they voted exactly the opposite. So I feel very betrayed and I feel like this was fairly rehearsed, T.C. Miller parent Carly Sheaffer said outside the LCS administration building after the vote.

They say we want community input  we show up to the community meetings. They say we want community input  we fill out surveys. They say we want community input  we come and give public comments and break records for how many people attended the school board meeting, and still they chose to close our school, Sheaffer said.

The board had just voted 5-4 in favor of Vice Chair Martin Days motion to adopt scenario three of four facilities master plans prepared for the board by consultant group MGT of America, and released to the public in July. That scenario calls for the closure of Sandusky and closure or repurpose  likely to a pre-K facility  of T.C. Miller.

Scenario three also calls for division-wide rezoning for close-to-home attendance; and renovations and/or expansions to Perrymont, Linkhorne, Bedford Hills, Paul Munro and Robert S. Payne elementary schools.

The estimated 10-year capital cost for that scenario is $206.5 million. Its estimated to save the division $4.5 million in fiscal year 2030.

Also part of Days motion was an additional request of Lynchburg City Council for $15 million to fund expansions and renovations at W.M. Bass Elementary School to accommodate the additional students expected to be assigned there with close-to-home zoning.

His motion was a departure from the finance and facilities committees recommendation at the Sept. 5 school board meeting.

Since then its clear that a number of people are not real comfortable with what the facilities and finance recommended because it was not one of the four scenarios produced by MGT, Day said before making his motion.

Now I cannot unilaterally change what the facilities and finance committees recommendation is, but what I do want to do is as an individual board member is make a motion for what I think the board needs to do at this point, he said.

According to LCS Deputy Superintendent Reid Wodicka, any of the four facilities master plan scenarios would take years to develop. Closing Sandusky and T.C. Miller would affect about 570 students enrolled at the elementary schools in 2022.

Board member Randall Trost was among the four votes against, and said his concerns were about the timeline for the project.

I dont want to be moving these children twice and I just dont see how wed be ready to move these children and house them in another facility until the Bass expansion was done and other schools were renovated, Trost said.

Its too many unknowns at this point, board member Sharon Carter said. Her objections to Days motion drew applause from the audience, which again filled almost every seat in the LCS board room.

We talk about parental input, the governor won on parental input. We have a lot of people on city council talk about parental input. We talk about it. We have new people talk about it like we never did  the old board members. Didnt 70% of the input from parents say No. 1, so we can ignore some voices of parents if they dont fit into our criteria? Carter said.

LCS conducted a community survey of the four scenarios that garnered 1,372 respondents from residents. On a scale of one to 10, the average approval score for scenario three was 4.75, the second lowest among the four scenarios. Scenario one had the highest approval score from the community, at 6.97.

Carter then moved to amend Days motion and for the board to instead adopt scenario one. The board ultimately voted 6-3 against her motion.

Scenario one calls for close-to-home rezoning division-wide, converting Heritage Elementary for alternative education; rebuilding Sandusky Elementary; closing Fort Hill Community School; renovating Linkhorne, Paul Munro, Perrymont and Robert S. Payne elementary schools; and other elementary building improvements.

Day said hes opposed to that scenario because of a conversation hed had with the former director of Fort Hill School who said shed prefer to have two separate facilities than one large location  so for that reason I think moving the alternative education facility into the Heritage facility is contrary to the best interests of the alternative education plan.

Day also noted scenario one is expected to generate the least operational savings, coupled with the highest implementation cost.

It also involved rebuilding Sandusky at a price tag of $52 million. None of the other scenarios have that kind of a price tag associated with them and as Dr. Edwards explained a few minutes ago the way that were going to do this is were going to decide which facilities that the administration has to work with and then they will develop an appropriate plan for them.

Board Chair Atul Gupta later said the vote will give Superintendent Crystal Edwards a clear directive to start developing an implementation strategy.

I can assure you as one individual board member, therell be no rush for pushing it down the throat whichever decision we pick. Weve got to take time and do it right, Gupta said.

Much of the audience filed out of the board room immediately after the vote. Parents, many in tears, werent consoled by Edwards earlier comment that people, people, people and connections and relationships that teachers have with children  rather than just buildings  are what make schools special.

I cant speak for Sandusky, but I can tell you at T.C. Miller, it is the most incredible  not school  its a family. It is a family of parents and teachers and staff who treat your kids like family, Karla Jones said. Shes the parent of two T.C. Miler students, and said her son had struggled at another LCS school.

...[A]nd since coming to T.C. Miller, both of our kids that are there are thriving, theyre part of the theater program. And they [the board] keep saying, were just going to pick that up and move it to Bass. You cant just pick a school up and move it and expect everything to be the same. It doesnt work that way. The only analogy I can come up with is OK, you take colors, you add colors together do the colors stay the same? No.
In late 2022, after Ashley Flater had been named interim director of Micah House, she learned of a new kind of mental health therapy that she thought might be beneficial to the women staying at the Council Bluffs homeless shelter.

Called neurofeedback therapy, its a noninvasive form of therapy that measures brainwave activity and provides data that can then be used to help someone understand, and ultimately control, their physiological responses to pain and trauma.

There's a shelter in California, it's called the Bell Shelter, and they've been doing this for a long time, said Flater, who was named permanent executive director in January. We had a conversation with their executive director about it before we signed up to do it and he could not have spoken more highly of the impact that it has for his clients. He said, the best marketing for this will be the feedback you get from clients who actively participate on a regular basis, because they will see those improvements, will talk to others, and then others will want to participate. So we're hoping the program just grows over time, but we think it can make a really positive impact.

Neurofeedback therapy works by retraining the user's brain to respond differently to the pain signals it receives.

After learning about neurofeedback therapy, Micah House partnered with a New Zealand-based startup called Exsurgo that has been working on ways for people to monitor their brain wave activity at home.

Exsurgo sent Micah House a number of headsets  the Axon1  and tablet computers that are loaded with a variety of small games that help the user control their brain wave function.

The user wears the headset, which has electrodes that have to connect to certain sections of the skull, and the headset connects wirelessly to the tablet. Once the headset and tablet are synced, the user is asked a few questions about their physical or mental health to set a baseline for their brain wave activity, which they can then compare to the brain wave activity at the end of their session.

Once the baseline is set, the user chooses a game on the tablet that is designed to reward the user if they are able to maintain a certain level of brain wave activity.

"The different games are sort of to allow different types of personalities," said Christine Ozolins, Exsurgo's chief science officer. "One is sitting there and a jigsaw puzzle puts itself together, another one is a balloon goes up in the sky and we've got one for quite high anxious people, which is just a flower opening up."

Once the user's brain waves achieve a certain threshold and maintain it for three-quarters of a second, a bell will ring, and the puzzle will begin to put itself together or the balloon will begin to rise.

"And so this is giving them visual feedback and audio feedback as well ... for staying in there," Ozolins said. "That's encouraging the brain on these really basic levels to spend more time in that frequency and to stay there."

A woman named Dawn was one of the first at Micah House to try the Exsurgo headset and games, even though she was skeptical at the start.

"At first I was, like, I don't know, because I'm not used to that stuff, and I always thought when I started doing the classes, some of it was what I called new age, Dawn told the Nonpareil. It's not. I was wrong on that. It just does something to you. You concentrate more.

Using the balloon game, Dawn, whose last name is being withheld to protect her privacy, was able to calm her anxiety and lessen her depression.

When Dawn came to Micah House, she was at a difficult time in her life.

I just it was like, I can't do this anymore, she said.

After a variety of therapies, including neurofeedback therapy, Dawn has come a long way, said Angie Williams, Micah House program director.

"Over the course of the time from when she started neurofeedback  and I believe she did like 54, 55 sessions, which is quite a bit more than I've even completed  into now, and it's about eight months since you've last done it, for her, it has been that concentration, it's been that attention," Williams said. "She's able to pay more attention, more motivation throughout the day, and I think you're sleeping better than what you did in the past."

Neurofeedback therapy might sound like just the latest in a series of mental health treatments, but its origins actually go back to the 1960s.

Using cats as test subjects, a researcher at NASA was conducting experiments to see whether rocket fuel caused seizures.

Those same cats were also being used to study SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) training, which involved rewarding the cats with food every time they achieved a certain goal.

Researchers discovered that the cats that had undergone the SMR training were less likely to experience seizures from the rocket fuel than cats that hadnt received the treatment.

One of the lab assistants had epilepsy, Ozolins said. She started doing this modulation, very basic modulation, of EEG by looking at a stimulus on a screen, and her epilepsy almost completely ceased.

Shortly thereafter, the researchers lost their funding, and their research disappeared off into universities and private clinics for a very long time, Ozolins said.

Ozolins came aboard Exsurgo in late 2019 after meeting one of the New Zealand-based companys co-founders  a Scotsman named Richard Little  at a neurofeedback conference in Munich, Germany.

I told him my dream, I want everyone to have this, and he said, well, funny you should mention that, because we're developing this headset, and it was just a wonderful moment, Ozolins said.

With Exsurgo, Ozolins was able to bring her dream one step closer to reality. The company is preparing to launch its new Axon2 headset on the consumer market in the United Kingdom on Nov. 6, with a rollout in the U.S. to follow in 2024.

It's a tool, it's a resource, Flater said. It may not work for everybody, and that's OK, but for those that it does work for, that's why we have it.
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.

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.
DES MOINES  As Donald Trump flew in to Iowa this week, he was met with backlash from conservatives over recent comments on abortion and a targeted critique from the state's most popular Republican, Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Going after his closest opponent in the polls, Ron DeSantis, Trump said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that the six-week abortion ban the Florida governor signed into law this year was a terrible mistake.

Trump previously called DeSantiss law too harsh. Instead, Trump said, he would compromise with Democrats on a number of weeks or months after which abortions would be banned thats going to make people happy.

That Florida law is strikingly similar to the fetal heartbeat policy Reynolds signed into law this year which bans abortions after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo or fetus, which can be as early as six weeks.

Without mentioning Trump by name (though the target was clear), Reynolds defended the law she signed this year, further deepening the rift between her and the former president who holds a major lead in GOP primary polling.

Its never a 'terrible thing' to protect innocent life, she 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.

Abortion has emerged since 2022 as a potential general election weakness for Republicans, an issue where they are not in line with public opinion and have made moves to redevelop and soften their message on the subject.

In election after election since the fall of Roe v. Wade, voters, even in conservative-leaning states, have voted to keep abortion rights intact when they have been directly on the ballot.

So Trumps stance sounds like the platform of someone who is planning for the general election, trying not to stake a hard stance on abortion that can open up lines of attack from Biden and Democrats. Iowa Democrats already fired back on Wednesday, saying Trump should not be let off the hook for appointing the justices that made severe abortion restrictions possible with the Dobbs decision that overturned federal abortion protections.

But before he runs in the general election, Trump needs to win the primary, and abortion restrictions are popular among Republican voters, especially socially conservative evangelicals that make up a significant bloc of Iowa Republican caucusgoers.

A Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll in August found 58% of likely Republican caucusgoers think the Iowa law is about right. Thirty percent said it has too many restrictions.

Trump's position drew fire from other conservative leaders in Iowa, including Family Leader CEO Bob Vander Plaats, whose organization has been key in promoting abortion restrictions at the state level in recent years. Vander Plaats suggested Trump believes he does not need to signal anti-abortion policies to win the support of anti-abortion voters.

"He really believes right now, I don't have to agree with any of that stuff anymore," Vander Plaats said on the Steve Deace Show.

And some reporting from the Quad-City Times' Sarah Watson suggests that may be partially accurate. At an event in Maquoketa on Wednesday, attendees said abortion was not among their top issues and they still planned to support Trump.

Given the thorny politics of abortion restrictions, Trump's competitors have staked out an array of positions on the matter. His former Vice President, Mike Pence, has endorsed a federal 15-week abortion ban. DeSantis has not backed or rejected a federal ban, but he has said the issue is better addressed at the state level. And Nikki Haley has said Republicans won't have the 60 Senate votes needed to ban abortion at the federal level any time soon, so they should focus on policies like expanding adoption and birth control access.

It's worth noting that all of these are far from the six-week ban that many Republican governors have signed into law, signaling that the candidates are also hedging their bets in the event they become the nominee and need to appeal to a national general electorate.

It's safe to say the candidates (minus Trump) will be asked about all this and more at the second Republican debate next Wednesday, and it will be worth watching if they make any more targeted attacks at Trump over his recent comments.

What I'm reading

Trump's abortion comments expose a line of attack for rivals in Iowa (Nicholas Nehemas and Maggie Haberman, New York Times): This story delves more into the effect of Trump's comments on abortion in Iowa.

'A big day for the city;' Maquoketa residents ready for Trump's visit (Tom Loewy and Sarah Watson, the Quad-City Times): Before Trump visited the quiet town of Maquoketa on Wednesday, the Quad-City Times met with folks in the town to see how they were preparing for the rally.

Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed.
The Nebraska Broadband Office is moving to the next phase of efforts to ensure access to reliable broadband for all Nebraskans. As part of this effort, there will be ongoing public engagements across the state, including a series of nine public meetings and an open comment period from Monday
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The UN agencies have sounded the alarm over the devastating impact the crisis in Sudan is having on young lives, with over 1,200 children having died in refugee camps since May, succumbing to suspected measles and malnutrition.

These statistics come amidst an ominous warning issued by the United Nations, saying that thousands more, including vulnerable newborns, are likely to die in refugee camps across the war-torn country by year-end. Regrettably, we anticipate that these numbers will continue to rise, Dr. Allen Maina, the chief of public health at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said during a UN briefing in Geneva this week.

UNICEF, the UN childrens agency, expressed grave concern for the many thousands of newborns, who, along with their mothers, are in dire need of skilled delivery care.

On the back of a cruel disregard for civilians and the relentless attacks on health and nutrition services, UNICEF fears many thousands of newborns will die between now and the end of the year, UNICEFs spokesman James Elder told reporters.

But with millions of Sudanese finding themselves trapped in war-torn regions or displaced, and with critical medical supplies being in scarce supply, the badly needed crucial care is rapidly slipping beyond reach. UNICEF also said it sorely lacked funds, noting that it had received just a quarter of the $838 million it had requested to help 10 million children in Sudan, Elder said.
The annual Africa Open for Business Summit that is held in New York this week (18-20 September) focuses on the theme Women of Africa and the Diaspora and the Fight for Climate Justice.

The 5th of its kind, the summit is part of the global activities taking place around the high-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). With its mission centered on driving womens leadership in the private sector and creating equal opportunities for women and girls amid the challenges posed by climate change, the venue has brought together heads of state and government, leading CEOs and investors, senior UN leadership and select civil society representatives. Its focus is also geared towards sustainable corporate practices, expanding job opportunities in Africa and its diaspora, and harnessing diverse perspectives to shape the future of business, trade, and development across Africa.

Our summit champions one of the most pressing issues of our time, which is climate justice, said Dr. Djibril Diallo, President and CEO of the African Renaissance And Diaspora Network (ARDN). The remarkable individuals at this summit arent just talking; theyre actively driving change and proving that the fight against climate change knows no boundaries, said Diallo, whose organizations mission is to accelerate the attainment of the African renaissance by advocating for and supporting United Nations programs and priorities. This years summit aims to contribute to change the narrative on Africa, highlight the contributions of women and celebrate leadership for and from the African continent in pursuit of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and African Union Agenda 2063.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has announced for the first time that he plans to run for a fourth term in next years elections.

I am happy with the trust Rwandans have placed in me. I will always serve them, whenever I can. Yes, I am indeed a candidate, 65-year-old Kagame told the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique Wednesday, September 20.

In March, the Rwandan government decided to synchronize the dates of its legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for August 2024.

Until then, Kagame had not openly expressed his intentions, but he has made controversial constitutional amendments that have enabled him to serve a third term and could allow him to govern until 2034.

A former rebel leader, Kagame has been considered the countrys de facto leader since the end of the 1994 genocide. He was returned to power  with over 90% of the vote  in the 2003, 2010 and 2017 elections. While Rwanda now claims to be one of the most stable countries on the African continent, human rights groups accuse Kagame of ruling in a climate of fear, stifling dissent and freedom of expression.

In 2021, Paul Rusesabagina, hero of Hotel Rwanda and outspoken critic of Kagame, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for alleged terrorism, following his arrest the previous year. Rusesabagina was on a plane he thought was bound for Burundi when it landed in Kigali, in what his family described as a kidnapping.

Released from prison in March 2023 and flown to the USA following a presidential pardon, Rusesabagina published a video message in July 2023, claiming that Rwandans were prisoners in their own country.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 21, 2023

CONTACT

Leha Byrd

ECSU Communications and Marketing

Email or 252.335.8745

Chief Ernest L. Cuthbertson comes to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) from the UNC System Office, where he was the Training Director of the UNC System's Public Safety Training Program at the North Carolina DPS Samarcand Training Academy. Prior to that, he worked for the Greensboro, NC, Police Department, reaching the rank of District Command Officer before retiring after 32 years with the agency. He served in many roles within the Greensboro Police Department, including training officer, watch commander, criminal investigation division, gang enforcement unit, and criminal intelligence unit. He concurrently worked as a Criminal Justice adjunct faculty member at North Carolina A&T for 10 years. Cuthbertson is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served on the Marine Corps security detail for the President of the United States and worked on the security team providing internal security for the White House and Camp David.

We are fortunate that Chief Cuthbertson is joining the ECSU Viking family. He brings decades of experience to the role, along with strong bonds with officers and law enforcement agencies in our region, the state of North Carolina, and our nation, says ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. His knowledge and relationships in the law enforcement community will help ensure the continued safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on our campus and forge strong ties with external law enforcement partners.

Cuthbertson holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University, a master's in Justice Administration & Policy from Methodist University, and a bachelor's in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University.

__________________________________________________________________________

Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education as one of North Carolinas leading four-year public institutions that is part of the University of North Carolina System. ECSU develops leaders who are courageous, resilient, and empowered through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. We offer baccalaureate, professional, and masters degrees across a wide variety of interests. Excellence is the standard at Elizabeth City State University  success is our legacy. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu.
Moroccos private investment fund Al Mada and Chinas CNGR Advanced Materials said they will partner to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Jorf Lasfar worth 2 billion dollars.

The two parties announced in a joint statement that construction will start this year for the plant that is planned to be operational in 2025.

Local media said the plant would have a capacity to equip 1 million electric vehicles annually.

The firms are reportedly in talks with Moroccos state-owned phosphates and fertilizer company OCP to secure the phosphates they need for production.

In August, Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturer Huayou said it had plans to invest MAD 200bn ($20bn) into establishing a plant in Moroccos region of Laayoune Sakia El Hamra. The plant will produce electric batteries for 6mn cars annually.

In May, Chinas Gotion High-Tech signed an agreement to construct a $6.3bn new factory for the production of electric car batteries and energy storage systems in Morocco.

Moroccan authorities have encouraged EV battery manufacturers to invest in the country where the automotive sector has been topping industrial exports over the past 8 years.

The move is also key to adapt the growing automotive industry to low carbon requirements as the main export market the EU braces for a ban on cars operating on fossil fuel in the next decade.

Besides phosphates, Morocco is rich with lithium, another key mineral in EV battery manufacturing.
The funeral of Aicha El Khattabi, daughter of the late Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, took place in Casablanca on Thursday, in the presence of Prince Moulay Rachid.

After the Dhuhr and funeral prayers, the body of the deceased was buried in the Errahma cemetery.

The funeral was attended by family members and relatives, as well as by several personalities.

The late Aicha El Khattabi passed away in Casablanca on Wednesday, at the age of 81, after a long illness.

Born in 1942, she lived and studied in Egypt, before returning to the motherland after the death of her father.

Holder of a bachelors degree from the American College for Girls in Cairo, the deceased had, during her lifetime, held the position of advisor to the Mohamed Abdelkrim El Khattabi Foundation.

Abdelkrim El Khattabi, nephew of the deceased and grandson of late Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi said that Aicha El Khattabi was always deeply attached to national constants, and has an unwavering fidelity and loyalty to the Alaouite Throne.

These constants were, for the deceased, indivisible and could in no way be subject to bargaining, he said following the passing away of his aunt.

El Khattabi also noted that late Aicha El Khattabi and her family, like their late father, were fervent defenders of the unity of the Fatherland and deeply attached to their King.

The stay of this family abroad for family reasons never prevented them from developing the same patriotic spirit as all Moroccans, he said, recalling that his family had risen up against the exile of the countrys legitimate Sultan, late king Mohammed V, while demanding his return to the Kingdom.

My family always believed in a strong and united Morocco under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI who never ceased to surround us with his high solicitude and benevolence, he stressed, recalling that Aicha El Khattabi was received by the Sovereign on the occasion of the celebration of the glorious Throne Day in 2018.

Like all Moroccans, we have received an education based on the values of true citizenship, and we will always remain mobilized behind HM the King to serve the countrys interests, he said.
Wednesday night was a night for decrying the rising cost of everything  especially taxes  at Lincoln Countys second annual joint property tax hearing required by a 2021 state law.

About 90 people, 17 of whom spoke, showed up for the 90-minute hearing at North Platte Community Colleges South Campus. More than 100 attended the initial hearing last September.

Only three local governments were initially required to take part in the hearing. Just one, Sutherland Public Schools, remains on track to raise its property tax request by more than the legal threshold to force its attendance.

But Sutherland Superintendent Steve Bristol drew praise for outlining in his presentation why his districts $4.68 million 2023-24 tax request will be $104,863 higher than it was last year.

Bristol pointed to a near-tripling of his districts building fund tax rate  from 1.3 cents to 3.8 cents per $100 of taxable value  as Sutherland copes with the lingering effects of a June 2021 lightning strike and a separate need to replace its school playground.

He said the school building has 47 rooftop HVAC air units, 22 of which are at least 20 years old. Sutherland has spent $462,607 to repair or replace units since 2021, and were still dealing with the effects of that lightning strike.

Meanwhile, Bristol said, the district is spending $190,471 to improve the playground after its insurance company made a very strong recommendation to replace its landing surface and equipment. Sutherland faces $42,500 in related site expenses, he added.

Representatives of Lincoln County government and North Platte Public Schools  both of which have tax-related public hearings over the next week  stuck with quick, basic information to comply with the requirements of Legislative Bill 644.

Both also have reduced their projected tax requests since turning in preliminary estimates higher than the joint hearing laws trigger point for participation. See Thursdays Telegraph for related stories.

The North Platte school board fell short Sept. 11 of ratifying a tax request 9.7% higher than its 2022-23 level. Itll hold a 6 p.m. hearing Thursday at the McKinley Education Center on a revised request 3 percentage points lower.

County commissioners, meanwhile, turned an estimated tax-request increase into an 0.85% cut over five Mondays of post-meeting work sessions. Their 2023-24 budget and tax-request hearing will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the commissioners room in the North Platte courthouse.

Nonetheless, many of the people who chose to speak Wednesday night excoriated the county and school representatives for giving virtually no details at the joint hearing.

You guys are elected officials. Some of you just get to do what you want, said Andrew Junker, 2122 W. 15th St. Youre never held accountable.

LB 644s prescribed format for the initial 2022 joint hearing didnt allow government participants to respond to the public. A 2023 tweak to the law required at least one elected official from each represented government to be present and left the door open for them to respond.

Commissioner Chris Bruns, the evenings last speaker, took up the audiences challenge on behalf of the five-member County Board.

After receiving the countys draft budget Aug. 21, he said, commissioners asked county departments to cut their spending requests by 5% to cut the budget to a revenue-neutral or better situation.

They did, Bruns said, and the County Board also cut hundreds of thousands from the county road budget. He challenged the hearing audience to attend and speak at local budget hearings like the countys on Monday.

Its your civic responsibility as taxpayers to attend those functions, Bruns said.

Only one person spoke at the North Platte schools formal budget hearing Aug. 28 and none at all at the Sept. 5 hearing by the North Platte City Council, which cut its 2023-24 tax request for the first time in eight years.

Some speakers, however, said they dont have time between work and family functions to attend hearings or protest their taxable valuations.

One said hearing dates  which are published on local government websites and in The Telegraphs budget season stories  arent easy to find.

Most of the speakers wrath was directed at the average 14.9% leap in North Platte residential taxable values released at the start of June. Several said their valuations jumped even higher.

Kenneth Gann, 1710 Burlington Blvd., said hes owned that home just over a year and absorbed two valuation increases in that time. His homes 2021 taxable value of $208,185 rose 4% to $216,512 last year, then another 11.5% to $241,495 this year, according to records on Lincoln County GIS.

I make well over the North Platte average, and Im still struggling, Gann said. Its not right.

Some complained theyre not getting in city services what they for in taxes. Others said North Platte school leaders arent giving their children the education they need and turn deaf ears to the struggles of families and senior citizens.

Mike Halverson, 1900 N. Buffalo Bill Ave., said hes borne extra financial burdens for his children to attend North Platte Catholic Schools on top of the public school property taxes he faces.

Youre going to say, Tough. Well, it shouldnt be tough, he said. I think there is no regard for the North Platte St. Pats system by the powers that be.
Last week, I wrote a column puzzling why no mainstream Democrat is challenging President Biden for the nomination, given the strong demand among Democrats for a different and younger nominee. It remains mysterious to me.

Dan Pfeiffer offers a reasonably strong response that still fails to satisfy my curiosity. Pfeiffer, a former aide to President Obama, argues that the main challengers are largely unknown. Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, Georgia senator Raphael Warnock, and Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker were mentioned but still have relatively low name ID among the Democratic electorate, in a CNN poll. He concludes, a primary challenge would be a massive longshot with potentially devastating consequences for the primary challenger and the incumbent.

I think that argument may capture why private polls might not show an alternative standing a strong chance to beat Biden. And perhaps it would also explain why challengers have stayed out of the race  if they are surreptitiously taking polls and finding Biden holds a commanding lead, which some insiders have speculated but remains unknown, they would sensibly decide not to run against him.

But I think this misunderstands the nature of such a race. Name recognition is extremely important in an ordinary presidential primary. Contested primaries typically involve a lot of candidates, and a big component of winning is getting the media to give you a lot of coverage so voters think of you as a contender. 2020 had an enormous field of contenders, most of whom never received serious coverage. Youd probably have trouble remembering most of their names without prompting.

But a race with one main contender against Biden would have a different dynamic. (This assumes the contender had a credible background, such as having won statewide office or some other well-established record.) The campaign would draw a lot of media attention. Name recognition would pretty quickly cease to pose a major obstacle. The question would be whether the candidate could look to Democrats like a better candidate than Biden.

The number that seizes my attention, again, is the CNN poll showing two-thirds of the partys voters prefer somebody else over Biden as their nominee. Now, obviously, a generic somebody else is going to capture the ceiling of voter appetite for an alternative. An actual nominee, with a concrete identity and flaws, is probably going to fare worse than an undefined alternative.

That said, two-thirds of the vote is a pretty high ceiling. You might wonder how meaningful that number is. Dont voters always want somebody different and better? This time four years ago, just 24 percent of Republicans said they wished somebody else were running for the nomination. This time in 2011, just 32 percent of Democrats wanted a challenger against President Obama. So the huge majority of Democrats currently wishing they had somebody else is actually quite unusual for an incumbent president.

I think the best explanation for the partys complacency is that they simply dont believe Biden is in serious trouble. He did win the nomination in 2020 even though the media wrote him off, and he did defeat Trump. That confidence comes through in reported stories about the administrations thinking.

Axios reports, The recent calls for Biden to step aside are seen internally as just the latest example of elite Democrats underestimating Biden, and quotes a senior Biden adviser saying, We dont take the ups and downs of individual polls to heart.

The phrase ups and downs implies that there are ups in the polls, a premise that seems increasingly far-fetched. The problem is not a handful of individual polls with outlier views. The average of the polling now has Trump pulling into a slight lead.

Here, via Peter Hamby, is another story explaining the administrations thinking:

Bidens own political instincts are cautious, institutional, and generally risk-averse. His whole bet on 2024 is that the same safe and boring formula that won him the presidency  a bulwark against Trumpian chaos  will work once again. Why would Biden suddenly mess with that calculation and potentially shatter the fragile Democratic coalition that voted him into office in the first place?

Hamby is responding to a different argument  that Biden should replace Kamala Harris, rather than that a Democrat should run against Biden  but it still captures the premise that Biden is safe. Biden certainly can win, but I dont consider that prospect safe. While he overcame those concerns in 2020, the pandemic shielded him from much public campaigning, a protection he wont have in 2024, when he will be four years older.

He has dreadful approval ratings that have failed to budge since halfway through his first year in office. The overriding concern voters have with him, his age, is one that by almost definition cannot get better and may well get worse.

Yes, its early, and yes, the polling has limited value this far from an election. An improving economy offers a highly plausible scenario for how the dynamic of the race could change for the better.

That said, I cant escape the conclusion that Democrats are treating a highly risky plan as though it were a safe one, locking themselves in to a single-track strategy, and leaving themselves little recourse if the plan falters.
Iowa, and Iowa only, is on Ron DeSantiss mind. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Its not hard to understand why embattled Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is very focused on Iowa right now. He got an early start in the state that begins the formal nominating contest and has by most accounts out-hustled front-runner Donald Trump there, with plenty of counties visited, abundant endorsements, a lot of doors knocked and a lot of ads run. Unless his campaign craters entirely, hes likely to win support from popular Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (whom Trump has publicly disrespected) and is also in good shape for a nod from conservative Evangelical king-maker Bob Vander Plaats, who has backed the last three winners of contested Republican caucuses. Most recently, Trump gave DeSantis a new opening in Iowa by attacking the six-week abortion ban DeSantis signed in Florida and that Reynolds has championed as well. The 45th president has led in every poll of Iowa, but not by quite the massive margins hes held nationally.

But the Florida governors Iowa-centric campaign has proceeded at a price: Polls show him beginning to flounder in the other early states that will vote after Iowa. A new CNN/University of New Hampshire poll of the Granite State, whose primary is eight days after the January 15 Iowa Caucuses, shows DeSantis slipping into fifth place, behind Trump (at 39 percent), Vivek Ramaswamy (13 percent), Nikki Haley (12 percent), and Chris Christie (11 percent). Yes, DeSantis, at 10 percent, isnt far behind his other non-Trump rivals, but hes been dropping steadily in New Hampshire surveys for months; a mid-July UNH poll gave him 23 percent, and back in January, UNH showed the Floridian leading Trump in the state by a 42 percent to 30 percent margin. The reason for his slide is pretty clear, as the Messenger reported this week: He hasnt visited the attention-hungry state in over a month as he has crisscrossed Iowa:

Christie, Haley, Ramaswamy are here, taking every question. Theyre doing all the media. Theyre showing up. And DeSantis isnt, said Jim Merrill, a veteran Republican consultant who has worked on five presidential campaigns in the state.

New Hampshire demands a level of intimacy of candidates that some cant give. Right now, that balance is off for DeSantis. It may not be a hand-in-glove fit for him, Merrill said. Without saying it, DeSantis has shown hes made a choice: Iowa first. And New Hampshire second. People can feel that 

Get your ass up here. Yesterday, one influential DeSantis supporter in the state told The Messenger on condition of anonymity to speak freely about his displeasure.

DeSantis has also gotten bad polling news from the first southern state on the primary calendar, South Carolina (which votes on February 24). Two nearly identical September polls  one from the Washington Post/Monmouth College and the other from Fox Business News  show Nikki Haley (with 18 percent in both polls) surging into second place in her home state, while DeSantis battles Tim Scott (another South Carolinian) for third place at about half Haleys level of support. Doing well in the Palmetto State is a matter of basic survival for Haley and Scott. Meanwhile, Trump sails above the candidates battling for scraps of support with 46 percent in both South Carolina polls.

It looks like Trump may get some especially good luck in the fourth early state that might otherwise theoretically give his rivals a chance to knock the former president off stride: Nevada. In order to stay compliant with Democratic National Committee rules all but banning caucuses in 2024, the Democratic-controlled Nevada legislature authorized a state-run primary to be held on February 6. But Nevada Republicans, claiming that a primary would be open to fraud (you know, mail ballots and all that), are insisting on a caucus to be held on February 8 that will elect the actual convention delegates. And thanks to the dominant position of Trump allies like GOP chair Michael McDonald, its widely assumed a caucus would be completely wired for the 45th president. Barring some change in state-party tactics or legal action by other campaigns, it could stay that way; the entire candidate field has largely ignored Nevada so far.

So DeSantis really does need to kick out the jams in Iowa or his once overpowering Death Star of a campaign may end ignominiously and very early. The bigger question may be whether even an Iowa upset would save the Florida governor from the weakness he is exhibiting in other early states.

History is replete with Iowa Republican Caucus winners who did not ultimately win the Republican nomination, including the last three winners of contested caucuses (Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012, and Ted Cruz in 2016). And even some Caucus winners in both parties who eventually did win nationally stumbled in New Hampshire and had to really struggle to recover, including George W. Bush in 2000 and Barack Obama in 2008. The classic example of a candidate who parlayed a win in Iowa into a New Hampshire surge that put him in the lead for good was Democrat John Kerry in 2004. But the front-runner that Kerry toppled in Iowa, Howard Dean, finished a shocking third (that is not going to happen to Donald Trump), and Dean compounded the damage with his famous election-night scream that unfairly but unquestionably dominated media coverage of the campaign going into New Hampshire.

So winning Iowa wont necessarily put the Humpty Dumpty of Ron DeSantiss presidential candidacy back together again, and the second-place Iowa finish thats much more likely can only keep him in the race if virtually all his other rivals quickly drop out. In assessing the possibility of a DeSantis miracle run, the New York Times Nate Cohn pointed to John McCains 2008 primary comeback win as a possible precedent for the Floridian. DeSantis, of course, isnt a universally admired war hero and media favorite the way McCain was in 2008, and McCain wasnt running against a quasi-incumbent like Trump with a giant lead. Perhaps DeSantiss real source of hope and inspiration is Joe Biden, who did horribly in both Iowa and New Hampshire but still became the 46th president. We live in a very strange era.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images

President Joe Bidens trip to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly came and went without a meeting with Mayor Eric Adams, who has levied significant criticism toward the federal government over the migrant crisis.

On Tuesday, Adams was asked during a press availability if he would be meeting with Biden while he was in town. He said that he had spoken to Biden earlier in the year and noted that the two hadnt had a conversation since.

We release a public schedule. Im very public. 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, he said.

Since last year, more than 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city, putting a strain on the citys shelter system as the city government has worked to house and care for the new arrivals. Adams has consistently said that his administration needs more assistance from both the state and federal governments as more migrants continue to arrive. Earlier this month, the mayor gave his strongest comments yet on the issue, saying the influx of migrants will destroy New York City.

The mayors ire toward the White House has been persistent, with Adams saying during a press conference in April that Biden had failed the city. In addition to increased funding, Adams has called for expediting work authorizations for asylum seekers.

The migrant issue has put a strain on the relationship between the president and Adams, who once dubbed himself the Biden of Brooklyn. The mayor was once set to be part of a 2024 advisory board for the Biden campaign, but was later dropped from the final list following his asylum-seeker criticisms, per Axios. So far, Biden hasnt commented on the changing dynamic between the two leaders. Politico reports that Adams was invited to a reception at the Museum of Modern Art, as well as a campaign fundraiser that Biden was slated to attend.

During a series of morning interviews Wednesday, Adams was asked about the lack of a meeting with Biden. The mayor told PIX11 that he is in constant communication with White House staff about the citys needs, but suggested that his authentic style of communicating might rub some people the wrong way.

I walk around with that New York communication style, and, you know, I dont search through a thesaurus to find a politically correct way of saying You are hurting me, youre hurting my city, if thats what someone is doing, he said. And some people may get offended to that, but I have to defend the city that I defended as a police officer and now as the mayor of the city.

Biden did take the time to meet with Governor Kathy Hochul, who has also been vocal on the need for federal aid. On Tuesday, Hochul said in a tweet that she had a very productive conversation with President Biden tonight regarding some of our specific requests for help with the migrant crisis.
Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump is currently outpolling his closest competitor in the GOP primary by more than 40 points. The Republican front-runner has retained this overwhelming advantage in the face of a civil court finding him liable for sexual abuse, various grand juries indicting him for state and federal crimes, and his own decision to skip a nationally televised primary debate. At this point, Trump is less likely to lose renomination to Ron DeSantis than to a heart attack.

This is a dispiriting state of affairs for conservatives who disdain uncouth insurrectionists but despise liberalism all the more. These anti-anti-Trumpers spent much of the 2016 primary cataloguing the GOP front-runners myriad demerits as both a conservative and human being. Then it became clear that a critical mass of Republican voters did not care (or else believe) that Trump was an abusive con man, vicious misogynist, or worse, a supporter of the auto bailouts. And then Trump proved less unelectable than the conservative intelligentsia had wagered.

Never Trump conservatives responded to these developments by defecting to blue America. But the anti-anti-Trumpers decided that preserving unborn life and low tax rates (and/or their movement sinecures) was more important than opposing an authoritarian demagogue. So they refocused their intellectual energies on rationalizing their support for the party of Trump. This involved, among other things, celebrating a more respectable version of Trumpian nationalism, portraying mainstream Democrats as proto-Bolsheviks, and blaming liberals for the Trumps nomination.

This last bit may seem bizarre. Why would Democrats be responsible for the outcome of an election in which only the GOPs core supporters could participate? Yet as Jonathan Chait has written, casting Trumps ascent as a by-product of liberal malfeasance  rather than a reflection of the conservative movements pathologies  helps anti-anti-Trumpers resolve their own cognitive dissonance.

If the Democratic Party is fundamentally responsible for the GOPs transformation into a personality cult, then the contradiction between ostensibly loathing Trump and actually fighting tirelessly to disempower his primary opposition is much reduced. From this perspective, Trumps various grotesqueries dont make the case for the Democratic Party so much as they underscore its odiousness: The worse Trump is, the more vile it was for the Democrats to foist him upon the GOP.

Perhaps more important, pinning Trump on blue America is useful for short-circuiting any self-reflection about the conservative intelligentsias own responsibility for its political movements authoritarian turn.

In any case, the notion that Democrats imposed Trump upon the GOP electorate has never looked less plausible. Opposition parties do sometimes try to meddle in primaries to aid the less electable candidate. But the impact of such efforts is generally marginal. You cant ratfuck a party into nominating someone by 40 points.

Nevertheless, Trumps overwhelming lead has increased conservative intellectuals appetite for the Democrats made us do it narratives. Faced with another one-to-five years of doing apologetics for an incompetent, egomaniacal sex offender, anti-anti-Trump conservatives have redoubled their efforts to pin Trumps political success on his opponents.

This narrative has taken a few different forms in recent days. The most prominent version holds that Democratic operatives cajoled and coerced state and federal prosecutors into indicting Trump for several crimes in a Machivallean plot to ensure Trumps renomination. After all, nothing would be more certain to galvanize Republican support for Trump than a deep-state plot to destroy him.

The problem with this narrative: There is literally no evidence to support it. Under Merrick Garlands leadership, the Justice Department did not go out of its way to indict Trump but rather to avoid doing so. Even after Trump had illegally retained classified documents for months, the DOJ gave him the opportunity to escape prosecution by simply returning the illicitly held files (a luxury it has historically declined to extend to ordinary officials who mishandled classified information). Trumps recalcitrant criminality, not Democratic treachery, birthed his legal woes.

Even if this were not the case, we would have zero evidence that Democratic bigwigs had made the (counterintuitive) calculation that indicting Trump for federal crimes would help his campaign rather than hurt it. And even if we had such proof, there would still be the inconvenient fact that Trump already boasted a formidable lead over DeSantis before the indictments came down.

More recently, Commentarys Noah Rothman and National Reviews Dan McLaughlin have condemned Biden for covertly aiding Trump by reminding voters that the GOP front-runner is responsible for ending Roe v. Wade. The context here is that Trump recently reiterated his opposition to the six-week abortion ban DeSantis enacted in Florida, while refusing to commit to even a 15-week federal ban. Amid the ensuing buzz about Trumps moderation on abortion, Biden noted that Trumps governing record is likely a better guide to his stance on reproductive freedom than his recent remarks are:

Lets be clear: Donald Trump is responsible for ending Roe v. Wade.



And if you vote for him, hell go even further. pic.twitter.com/24Xq6s33wv  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 19, 2023

Given that a segment of GOP primary voters would theoretically be off-put by Trumps triangulation, anti-anti-Trump DeSantis supporters interpreted the presidents post as an in-kind contribution to the Trump campaign. Biden still doing what he can to prop up Trump in the primary, McLaughlin wrote in response. Rothman, meanwhile, declared Biden was assuring confused voters Trump is maniacally focused on promoting pro-life policies (wink wink). He continued, Theyre eagerly promoting Trump in ways now that jeopardize even the patina of plausible deniability even as the polls suggest hes legitimately competitive in a general. Then theyll fundraise off the threat to democracy theyre actively inviting. Gross.

But the idea that Bidens post was aimed at propping up Trump makes little sense. For one thing, Trump scarcely needs propping. His lead over DeSantis is now comparable to Bidens lead over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (in the latest polls of each race, Biden bests RFK Jr. by 48 points, while Trump beats DeSantis by 47). When Republicans attack Biden as excessively liberal today, does anyone believe their intention is to shore up his support in the Democratic primary? Or is it more likely that such Republicans have simply read the polls, concluded that the president is all but certain to be the Democratic nominee, and begun calibrating their attacks against him for a general-election audience? I doubt Rothman or McLaughlin would have difficulty seeing that the latter is more plausible. Yet they apparently cannot comprehend that the GOP primary is not remotely competitive and that thus both Trump and Biden are now tailoring their abortion talking points to the general electorates tastes.

Incidentally, though in this context anti-anti-Trump conservatives insist liberals are helping Trump win the GOP nomination by attacking him (knowing conservative voters will reward any candidate who attracts liberal ire), they will argue in other contexts that liberals helped Trump win the 2016 nomination by praising him.

Yes how dare I suggest that liberals helped push Republican voters into Trumps arms? Its just cope, bro. https://t.co/AB2sUDo10M pic.twitter.com/B5MZHEM1fV  Noam Blum  (@neontaster) September 15, 2023

Apparently, whether liberals are praising Trump or disparaging him, they are definitely single-handedly causing Republican voters to support him.

Anyhow, the fundamental premise of McLaughlins and Rothmans arguments  that Democrats would much rather face Trump than DeSantis  is not obviously true. This might have been the case at the campaigns outset, but now that DeSantis has spent months portraying himself as more virulently ant-LGBT+ and antiabortion rights than Trump, its far from clear that Democrats would benefit from the latters nomination. Right now, DeSantis looks like Trump but without the charisma or ideological opportunism. That does not seem especially menacing.

Finally, there is a separate narrative that Democrats brought about Trumps rise through their smearing of Mitt Romney in 2012. The idea here is that Republicans tried nominating a nice, respectable Mormon candidate only to see Democrats and the liberal media smear him as a job-killing, dog-torturing ghoul. As a result, GOP voters entered the 2016 primary looking for a fighter above all else, and they found one in Trump.

There are a couple of problems with this story. One is that it simply isnt true that Romney was treated exceptionally poorly. Major-party presidential candidates are more or less always targeted for character assassination. In 2004, conservatives baselessly accused John Kerry of fabricating his war record. In 2012, they alleged that Barack Obama was deliberately trying to destroy the United States by running up the debt in a nefarious bid to punish the West for colonialism. Democratic primary voters did not respond to either of these events by nominating cartoonishly racist reality stars.

More critically, though, there is simply no evidence that Romneys defeat was a necessary precondition for Trumpism. Thanks to his promotion of birtherism, Trump was already a power broker in Republican politics by 2012. Romney famously felt compelled to fly out to Las Vegas to formally accept his endorsement.

Photo: Ethan Miller/2012 Getty Images

In fact, Trump actually led in some early polls of the 2012 GOP primary. At the time, pundits dismissed these results as by-products of pure name recognition; surely, upon scrutiny, GOP voters would reject Trump.

Of course, we now know this assumption was wrong. In hindsight, it seems quite plausible that Trump could have won the nomination in 2012 if only he had run. The advantages that his subsequent campaign revealed  his celebrity cachet, unashamed xenophobia, ideological flexibility on Social Security, and talent for insult comedy  all would have been at his disposal four years earlier. And he would have boasted the additional distinction of running as Americas foremost besmircher of Obamas legitimacy.

Further, the notion that Romneys loss taught GOP primary voters to prioritize fighters who would stick it to the libs wont scan to anyone who remembers when the tea-party wave crested. By 2012, the Republican electorate was already demonstrably eager to nominate bomb-throwing extremists.

The reality is that no Democrat ever forced or tricked Republican voters into loving Donald Trump. Rather, the conservative movement and its aligned media spent decades cultivating cultural grievance, racial paranoia, social distrust, and partisan hatred. For a while, the GOPs traditional elite leveraged these dark forces to perpetuate their own power. Then a sociopath came along and turned red Americas seething alienation against the Bush family and its associates. Now, the nation is at serious risk of reelecting an insurrectionist, and former Bushites want you to know that the only political organization capable of preventing this outcome is to blame.
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Rupert Murdoch announced on Thursday morning that he would step down as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp., the massively influential media companies that have defined the Australian media magnates right-wing empire in North America. He will give control of the company to his oldest son, Lachlan, who is seen as aligned with Rupert on political and cultural matters. Murdoch will stay on as chairman emeritus, will still control the family trust that governs Fox, and seemed to give himself wiggle room to keep influencing the network he built in the 90s with Roger Ailes.

In a memo, Murdoch wrote that the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled, leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies. He did not frame his decision as an inevitable bow to his advanced age, noting that our companies are in robust health, as am I. And he sprinkled in a few populist political notes, invoking a battle for free speech and warning about elites who have open contempt for those who are not part of their rarefied class.

Murdochs move came just a day after a New York cover story by Michael Wolff  an excerpt from his upcoming book  documented the process of Murdochs decision to sideline Fox News ratings leader Tucker Carlson, as well as the 92-year-olds sometimes unsteady efforts to set a direction for the company and keep his family members and the companys employees from undermining him. This year, the network paid out a staggering sum to settle a historic libel lawsuit, took Carlson off the air, and has contended with the continuing dominance of Donald Trump, whom Murdoch openly disdains.

Rupert Murdoch didnt want to dump Tucker Carlson. But did he have a choice?



In an excerpt from his new book, @MichaelWolffNYC writes about how the 92-year-old media baron dumped his ratings leader and favorite Fox host. Our new cover:https://t.co/xC8ynBd9jb pic.twitter.com/kN1RAebpK7  New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 20, 2023

Foxs future is hazy, but one thing is clear: There will be a ton of Succession memes on the internet today.
Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez possesses an ability to hang on through corruption scandals that would bury most politicians. In 2018, less than one year after a federal bribery trial for accepting lavish gifts from a Florida eye doctor ended in a mistrial, Menendez was reelected to the Senate for a third term. But it didnt take too long for federal prosecutors in Manhattan to open another investigation into the senator, this time for allegedly accepting gifts from Jersey high rollers in exchange for political favors.

Per a report from NBC 4 New York, prosecutors are investigating allegations that Menendez or his wife, Nadine Arslanian, accepted gold bars worth as much as $400,000 from a developer and former bank executive named Fred Daibes, who was facing federal bank-fraud charges when the gift was exchanged. In 2022, Daibes pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud for lying about a $1.8 million loan from the bank, where he served as chair.

The investigation is reportedly focused on whether Menendez offered to contact Justice Department officials regarding Daibes case in exchange for the gold  an act that could run afoul of the Federal Extortion Act. NBC 4 reports that a grand jury is hearing from witnesses on the matter and could soon decide on corruption charges for Menendez. In 2020, Menendez and his wife filed a disclosure stating that he had the gold bars in his possession  but only after the criminal investigation was launched.

The gold bars are not the only gifts the senator is accused of taking.

Menendez, who is facing a small-town mayor in the Democratic primary for 2024, also allegedly took cash from the owner of a powerful halal importer in Edgewater, New Jersey, whom his wife knew before she began dating the senator. Federal prosecutors and the FBI are reportedly investigating if Menendez received a Mercedes-Benz and a luxury Washington, D.C., apartment in exchange for political favors. So far, the senator has denied any wrongdoing. I am sure it is going to end up in absolutely nothing, he said in May.
Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The succession is finally official. On Thursday, 92-year-old Rupert Murdoch announced that he would step down from his position as chairman of News Corp. and the Fox Corporation and hand the reins over to his oldest son, Lachlan. If the timing of the handoff was a surprise, its big winner wasnt. For years, Murdoch had been training his preferred successor to eventually run his multibillion-dollar media empire and its key holdings, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. As Lachlan, 52, prepares to step into his fathers shoes, here are some key details to know about the new chairman in town.

Aside from being Murdochs son, what is Lachlans background?

Born in London and raised in New York after his father bought the New York Post in 1976, Lachlan Murdoch attended the high-society schools one might expect for a budding media mogul: the Trinity School on the Upper West Side, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Princeton to polish things off. Rupert Murdoch brought him in after college to run some of his holdings in Australia, where he capably handled their newspaper operation in the country. In 1996 Lachlan rose to the C-suite at News Corp., but nine years later, he wanted out  purportedly in order to spend more time in Australia with his family. At the request of Rupert, he returned to the business fold in 2014 as a co-chairman of News Corp. After the sale of 21st Century Fox to Walt Disney Company in 2019, Lachlan was able to focus more closely on the operations at Fox News when he became the CEO of the Fox Corporation.

How Lachlan won the succession plot

Aside from being the eldest son, Lachlan is also the most politically similar to his populist father. Reporters on the Murdoch beat attest that he actually leans further to the right than Rupert; critics say that his decision-making at Fox News helped push the network toward anti-vaccine information and election-fraud conspiracies.

But ideology wasnt the only factor, and Lachlan did not always have a clear path to the top job. For years, his younger (and more politically centrist) brother, James, was considered the favorite to take over; outsiders hoped he could moderate the conservative media empire. But in 2020, James resigned from his position at News Corp., citing disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Companys news outlets and certain other strategic decisions. Later, James would say that his fathers companies (which made him a billionaire) helped legitimize disinformation. Since then, Lachlan has been the crown prince.

Has there been any tension between Rupert and Lachlan?

According to reporting from Michael Wolff, Rupert Murdoch blamed Lachlan for failing to control former Fox News host Tucker Carlson as he ventured further into the realm of far-right conspiracies and open racism. The elder Murdoch even reportedly told his friends that he thought that Lachlan wanted Carlson to run for president. Eventually, Fox fired Carlson amid allegations of workplace sexism against him, plus the damaging Dominion lawsuit. But clearly, Lachlans affinity for Carlson wasnt enough to change Ruperts succession plans.

How is he expected to reign?

Media reporters dont anticipate a softer hand from above now that Lachlan is in charge  though he does share Ruperts belief that Donald Trump is bad for the country. The bigger question revolves around his managerial style and level of competence. While he has decades of executive experience at the family firm, some experts still think he will need to prove himself. Investors were willing to give a Rupert discount for years  but that was Rupert, David Folkenflik, the author of Murdochs World, told The Guardian. Nobody puts that degree of faith in Lachlan, even as hes made some decent bets.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), is hosting a CPR and lifesaving skills training event 5:30  6:30 p.m., Sept. 21, in the Ridley Student Center. The event was designed to coincide with the recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, which is meant to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. Members of ECSU CERT will be providing skills training on automated external defibrillator (AED) use, bystander CPR and pet CPR. The event is open to the campus community and organizers are hopeful attendees will share the skills they learn with their families and communities. Kevin Kupietz, Ph.D., is the chairperson for the ECSU Department of Aviation and Emergency Management. He shared best practices with the Office of Communications and Marketing on how to properly prepare for a disaster and how to help others, if necessary.

___

What are some of the more common disasters that occur in the United States?

The United States is at risk of multiple disasters such as flooding, tornados, terrorist attacks and more. The threats from natural disasters alone are increasing in frequency and severity worldwide. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data show that there have been more billion-dollar events in the past five years than the 20 years prior. There are so many different risks and hazards to United States communities that to be efficient emergency management professionals train with an "all hazards" approach, which teaches principles that can be utilized and adopted for any emergency or disaster situation.

How can individuals and families be prepared?

Preparation includes being trained in things such as CPR and first aid. Understanding and signing up for alerts and emergency messages is important. Its also essential to have evacuation plans, sheltering in place, and communicating with family members. We all should have items such as water, medications, and non-perishable food to help us be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster. Emergency management professionals encourage everyone to practice or drill emergencies and disasters. For example, practice a fire drill out of your house or have the family go to their tornado-safe spot as a test. This not only helps familiarize everyone with the plan but also allows for a test of the plan. Also, the plan can identify secondary egress paths, such as access to windows in the event of a fire, whether family pets fit into the escape plan, and ensure emergency batteries still work. FEMA offers tips on preparing the family for a disaster.

What skills are necessary to be most prepared during a disaster?

The more a person knows about emergency and disaster preparedness, the larger the difference they can make for themselves, their family, and the community. Knowing not to drive through moving water on a roadway can keep a car from being swept away and the occupants from drowning. Knowing CPR can save a family member alive after a heart attack until 911 arrives. Understanding bleeding control may save the life of a neighbor following a vehicle accident or a disaster with multiple victims. Knowing the signs of tsunamis or other impending disasters and being able to sound the alarm could save many people. The benefits of a prepared community for saving lives and property are endless.

Where can communities get more information about being prepared?

There are various places to get more information on disaster preparedness, planning, and survival skills. Federal government sites such as FEMA, The Department of Health and Human Services, Community Emergency Response Team, Ready.gov and others have a lot of useful information. State and local government sites can offer similar information but include more localized information such as shelter sites and training. Non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Stop the Bleed also provide a great deal of information and training.

What household/business/car items should be readily available in case of an emergency?

Some necessary items include home, car, and work emergency kits. A car kit may include items to help if a person becomes stranded during bad weather like blankets, water, flashlights, and extra clothes. A home kit should include what a family might need for at least 72 hours after a disaster, like drinking water (one gallon per day, per person), non-perishable food, medications, and communication devices such as an emergency radio. Ready.gov offers information on how to build a basic disaster supplies kit.

How can we help others and vulnerable populations during a disaster?

An advantage of having ourselves and our families prepared for a disaster is that it allows us to help others. An important concept in disaster response is neighbors helping neighbors. We should have an idea of our neighbors who may need extra help in disasters and be able to help them or at least notify authorities about their need for help. When thinking of our extended family members who are vulnerable, consider moving them to a safer area or a place where we can get to them quicker, in the event of a disaster. It is much easier to help these individuals before they are victims of a disaster than after they become harmed by the disaster. The Centers for Disease Control offers tips on how to help at risk populations.

What skills do the ECSU Emergency Management Department teach and facilitate?

Our program teaches students strategies and tactics to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters. Part of this training includes how to train others in disaster preparedness. Students from multiple programs across campus, including Emergency Management, belong to CERT. Those students spend a large amount of their time and energy teaching lifesaving skills such as CPR, Stop the Bleed, disaster preparedness, fire extinguisher use and more on and off campus. Students utilize YouTube and Facebook platforms for these types of teachings, as well.
The oil price rally continues to display strong momentum as tightness in the physical markets shows no sign of easing. The past seven trading days have all seen new year-to-date-highs set for front-month Brent, with the latest hitting a 10-month high above $95 per barrel (bbl). According to commodity analysts at Standard Chartered, there have been higher intraday highs over the past eight trading days and for 16 of the past 18 trading days, with WTI recording a similar pattern.

The oil price rally has also been accompanied by a sharp drop in volatility with prices pointing in one direction--higher. According to StanChart, realized annualized 30-day Brent volatility stood at a 26-month low of 16.2% at settlement on 18 September; with volatility having been lower on only two days since the start of 2020. StanChart estimates that gl;obal oil markets are facing a 3 million barrels per day deficit.

However, projecting the oil price outlook just a few months out is proving to be a challenge, with prognostications by different experts varying by quite wide margins. Interestingly, the most bearish Q4 view is that by U.S.-based Energy Information Administration (EIA), which has forecast a Q4 call on OPEC and inventories (i.e., the level of OPEC output that would keep global inventories unchanged) of 27.8 mb/d, a level within the range of estimates of OPEC output in July. The OPEC Secretariat survey of secondary sources puts OPEC output at 27.45 mb/d, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates it at 27.96 mb/d and the EIA estimate is 27.03 mb/d. In effect, the EIA forecast implies a roughly balanced market with a significant possibility of a surplus should demand fall or OPEC output move higher. Related: Chevron Agrees To Terms That Could End Strike At LNG Facilities

In contrast, the OPEC Secretariat has forecast a Q4 call on OPEC of 30.7 mb/d, an additional 2.9 mb/d above the EIA estimate evenly split between a higher demand forecast and a lower non-OPEC supply forecast. In effect, the OPEC Secretariat forecast implies a very high probability of a large global stock draw. The IEA has a Q4 call on OPEC forecast between the two extremes at 29.0 mb/d, a 0.9 mb/d downwards revision in the latest report.

Meanwhile, StanChart has predicted a Q4 call on OPEC at 28.8 mb/d, saying it expects global inventories to draw by 1.3 mb/d in Q4, lower than its earlier estimate at 2.1 mb/d. StanChart says it expects the draws to continue through H1-2024, with the call on OPEC increasing 0.8 mb/d q/q to 29.6 mb/d in Q1 and increasing a further 0.5 mb/d q/q to 30.1 mb/d in Q2 2024.

Ultra Bullish Hedge Funds

Its looking increasingly likely that the oil bulls will have the last laugh, if ongoing bets by money managers are any indication.

Back in June, we reported that legendary oil trader Pierre Andurand had seen his hedge fund suffer the worst-ever loss after the oil prices reversed course. Andurands main Andurand Commodities Discretionary Enhanced Fund, which makes leveraged bets, lost more than half of its value in the first half of the year, a sharp contrast to the more than sevenfold return it recorded in the previous three years.

The fund, which Andurand runs with no set risk limits, suffered catastrophic losses after Andurand earlier this year predicted that oil prices may exceed $140 a barrel by the end of 2023. Unfortunately, elevated inventory levels, rising supplies by Russia, Iran and Venezuela, weak global demand and sub-par recovery by the Chinese economy lay waste to Andurrands bets.

Meanwhile, short sellers were running amok in the oil futures market, with commodity analysts at Standard Chartered at one point reporting that speculative short volumes were more than six times larger than those after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns in 2008.

Luckily for the bulls, the oil price outlook has improved quite dramatically, with hedge funds now placing the most bullish wagers in more than a year after the extension of cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia have sent crude surging 30 per cent since mid-June. Money managers are now the most bullish on U.S. crude since June 2022.

At least two oil experts have predicted that Brent prices will cross above $100 per barrel in the final quarter of 2023, though neither is confident that price level is sustainable. Brent was trading at $94.11 per barrel in Wednesdays intraday session.

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By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The role of Saudi Aramco has always been seen as that of a national oil company, deeply integrated into the Kingdom's operations and serving as a significant player in the oil market. It has aimed to avoid discussions about market power and the influence on oil prices, issues that often concern international oil companies (IOCs) like Shell, TotalEnergies, ENI, and their American counterparts.

As of now, Saudi Aramco is officially recognized as a National Oil Company (NOC), and the markets view it as a stable and conservative presence in the oil industry. However, this perception is evolving, and the transformation is happening faster than many analysts realize. While it remains owned and influenced by the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's strategies, beneath the surface, Aramco has become a significant international player. It has acquired numerous assets in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, reshaping its overall structure more into that of an International National Oil Company (INOC) than a traditional NOC.

Simultaneously, the connection between Aramco and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is still somewhat underestimated. Revenues, both internal and external, flow between these two powerful entities, although the process might seem somewhat diffuse. Much of the capital flowing into the PIF within the Kingdom originates directly from its holdings and ownership of Aramco. At the same time, the PIF is increasingly supporting international acquisitions in the oil and gas sector that align perfectly with Aramco's interests.

Recently, attention has returned to the high-profile initial public offering (IPO) of ADES, a Saudi drilling giant backed by the PIF. ADES Holding has announced its final IPO price, exceeding initial expectations and valuing the company at over $4 billion. The IPO has garnered significant interest from institutional investors, with orders totaling $76.5 billion. This success underscores the attractiveness of the Saudi oil and gas sector. Related: Europes Natural Gas Prices Dip As Supply Concerns Ease

ADES's success is closely tied to its significant presence in Saudi Arabia as a major driller for Aramco, but it also signals opportunities for international expansion in the coming years. What began as an Egyptian drilling company has become a leading player, promoting Saudi interests not only in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region but likely extending to Aramco's endeavors in Africa and Latin America.

As the PIF acts as Aramco's financial investment arm abroad, we can expect more developments in the future. In 2022, the PIF acquired minority stakes in several Egyptian hydrocarbon-related entities, indicating a growing interest in the region's energy sector. Further investments in Egypt's gas and oil infrastructure, potentially including a share in TAQA Arabia, are possibilities. Additionally, TAQA Arabia has established a joint venture within the Kingdom, aligning with Saudi Arabia's growing logistics and maritime industry investments.

While the PIF is acquiring a range of assets, Aramco is also active. Aramco's acquisition of Chile's Esmax Distribucion SpA from Southern Cross Group, with revenues of $2.5 billion in 2022, demonstrates its interest in Latin America's downstream expansion. This move opens doors for Aramco to secure outlets for its refined products and bolster its international retail operations, particularly for Valvoline branded lubricants.

The broader picture reveals that Saudi Arabia is embarking on a significant international acquisition campaign to strengthen its hold on the downstream sector, with potential expansion into upstream in the near future. Unlike Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), which has focused on upstream assets, Aramco's growing financial resources, coupled with PIF's support, suggest a similar move may be imminent. The current Saudi leadership is increasingly outward-looking, recognizing the importance of geopolitical power and economics on the international stage. Aramco's strength is likely to be leveraged in global affairs, with initial targets in Egypt or Iraq, and expansion into Latin America, Africa, and other energy-producing regions. The combination of Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Amin Nasr, with the backing of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, presents a formidable force on the international energy stage.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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China is importing record volumes of coal, with purchases from Australia and Russia at multi-year highs, as Chinese authorities focus on boosting energy security and the economy amid the worsening quality of the domestically mined coal.

China is mining record amounts of coal, but the quality of the fuel for burning for electricity and for steelmaking is lower than imports, so the worlds top coal consumer is boosting imports from Australia and Russia, according to Chinese customs data reported by Bloomberg.

Early this year, China received the first shipment of Australian coal in two years as Beijing signaled it was warming up to restoring trade relations with its former major supplier of the fossil fuel.

Since then, Chinese imports of coal from Australia have soared, and so have imports from Russia, whose coal has been banned in the West for more than a year now.

As a result, Russia and Australia are gaining market share in China at the expense of Indonesia, analysts say.

Chinese coal imports jumped in August by 12.9% from July to a record in data going back to 2015. Imports also surged by 53% from August last year, according to Chinas customs data.

With a significant decline in power output from Chinas massive hydropower sector due to insufficient rainfall and drought, coal production, coal imports, and coal-fired electricity generation have jumped this year.

China is relying on coal to avoid blackouts as the economy reopened after the Covid lockdowns. During the first half of this year, coal production, coal imports, and coal-fired electricity generation surged and offset a significant decline in power output at Chinas massive hydropower capacity due to insufficient rainfall and drought.

Lower international coal prices compared to last years record highs, when Russian coal was banned in the West, have also played a role in the Chinese surge in imports this year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia is temporarily restricting exports of gasoline and diesel to stabilize fuel prices on the domestic market, the Russian government said on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation that authorities would limit exports in the face of soaring prices and shortages due to higher crude prices and weak Russian ruble.

The temporary restrictions will help raise supply on the fuel market, which in turn will reduce prices for consumers, the Russian government said.

Before the temporary restrictions were enacted, Russia had raised the mandatory supply volumes of motor gasoline and diesel fuel to the commodity exchange to help ease the supply crunch.

Last week, reports emerged that Russia was considering banning refined product exports to stabilize the domestic gasoline and diesel prices.

Russia has been considering a fuel export ban since May in an effort to avert domestic fuel shortages and rein in prices after announcing a halving of subsidies to oil refiners that will start this month in order to keep more money in government coffers to fund its military operation in Ukraine.

Russia was already said to be preparing to slash its diesel exports from its ports on the Baltic and Black Seas by nearly 25% in September compared to the export plans for August. The plan for diesel exports in September lays out the lowest shipments since May this year when spring refinery maintenance was in place, according to industry data reported by Bloomberg earlier this month.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has helped Russia with fuel supply in recent weeks, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last week it was ready to further increase supplies if needed. Belarus has supplied 60,000 tons of diesel and gasoline each to Russia, Russian news agency Interfax quoted Lukashenko as saying. The Belarusian president is one of the very few allies Putin has left after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lower diesel supply out of Russia would not only reduce Putins revenues but could also tighten an already tight global diesel market.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia launched missile attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities on Thursday, in one of the biggest attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure in months.

Missile attacks overnight caused damage to power facilities in the western and central parts of Ukraine, CNN's Fred Pleitgen reported from Zaporizhzhia.

The biggest attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure comes as the country is preparing for the winter.

Ukraine said that the latest attacks were the largest massive aerial strikes on energy facilities in six months. Russia launched several cruise missiles from strategic bombers from western Russia. The Ukrainian general staff said 43 cruise missiles were launched, while Ukraines air defense shot down 36 out of those.

The most damage was caused in western and central Ukraine, and mostly energy infrastructure was hit. Ukraine says many people were injured in one town where a hotel was hit.

At least 18 people, including a child, were injured in air strikes, Ukrainian officials told Reuters.

There are townships and cities without power and the authorities are trying to restore electricity supply as fast as they can.

Winter is coming. Tonight russia renew missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Andrii Osadchuk, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

The attack occurred weeks before the winter heating season in Ukraine begins.

Earlier this week, Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) said it is conducting large-scale preparation for the upcoming heating season.

In close coordination with the Ministry of Energy, companies and enterprises of the oil and gas, electricity and coal industries are conducting restoration and repair works and preparing the relevant infrastructure for this winter in the conditions of constant military challenges, GTSOU said on Tuesday.

Special attention is paid to the reliability of gas transportation on the border with European countries in addition to the usual preparatory measures, the system operator said.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The de facto Armenian administration of Nagorno-Karabakh declared its readiness to surrender to Azerbaijan, avoiding further bloodshed following the start of the latters offensive a day earlier.

The population of the region has been under Azerbaijani blockade since December. The local army, the Artsakh Defense Force, had no help from Armenia this time, and was massively outgunned.

On September 20, the Nagorno-Karabakh de facto authorities announced that they had reached agreement on the "complete cessation of hostilities," through the mediation of the Russian peacekeepers, from 1 pm local time.

They agreed to the withdrawal of the remaining units of the armed forces of Armenia (Armenia's prime minister said on September 19 that the country had no units in Karabakh) and the "dissolution and complete disarmament" of the Artsakh Defense Force.

The announcement said that Azerbaijani proposals on "reintegration and ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as ensuring the livelihood of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of the Constitution of Azerbaijan" would be discussed at a meeting between Azerbaijani and Karabakhi Armenian representatives in the Azerbaijani town of Yevlakh on September 21 and at subsequent meetings.

Shortly afterwards, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry released a statement confirming the agreement and that the meeting in Yevlakh would be mediated by the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Earlier in the day, the newly elected de facto president of Nagorno-Karabakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, convened a security council meeting where he said that given the "inadequate" response of the international community to Azerbaijan's offensive, the de facto authorities were "forced to take appropriate steps, aimed first and foremost at ensuring the physical safety of the population."

Amid the Azerbaijani offensive on September 20, reportedly 7,000 people were evacuated from remote villages of Nagorno-Karabakh, which were under heavy shelling, to the regions de facto capital Stepanakert.

And after the announcement of the ceasefire, many rushed to the airport in the town of Khojaly, where Russian peacekeepers are headquartered, hoping to be evacuated to Armenia.

The number of killed and wounded on the Karabakhi Armenian side has yet to be tallied but former official Artak Beglaryan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that at least five children had been killed and 13 had been wounded.

Azerbaijan has not spoken about its own casualties. Berlin-based independent outlet Meydan TV has identified 15 slain Azerbaijani soldiers so far. Besides, one civilian was killed in Shusha, and one was wounded in Aghdam by Armenian fire.

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By Eurasianet.org

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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) said in an exclusive Fox News interview published Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will obtain a nuclear weapon if its number one regional rival does so first.

"If they get one, we have to get one," MbS told Fox's 'Special Report' anchor Bret Baier when asked what the kingdom would do if Iran builds a nuclear weapon.

BREAKING: If Iran gets nuclear weapon, we will get it too, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman says in an interview with Fox News pic.twitter.com/rIpAuBSOWO  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 20, 2023

It marks Riyadh's clearest warning to date related to Iran's alleged nuclear aspirations (though Tehran has long maintained its nuclear program is solely for peaceful nuclear energy purposes).

The blunt statements regarding Saudi Arabia's intentions to go nuclear if the Islamic Republic does were set against a broader discussion about potentially achieving full peace and diplomatic relations with Israel on the basis of the Abraham Accords.

"Every day we get closer," the crown prince said when asked about the recent expanding ties with Israel, which has lately included opening up airspace to Israeli flights for the first time, and exchanging official delegations.

Interestingly, Israel itself is already the region's sole nuclear-armed power, but has never confirmed this openly. MbS' comments on going nuclear reflect the general thinking that Tehran achieving a nuke would set off a broader nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Despite the tough words of warning from the crown prince, China this summer brokered a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which Beijing hopes will drive a "wave of reconciliation" in the region, particularly along the historic Shia-Sunni religious divide.

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As for the potential of full diplomatic relations with Israel, it's been widely reported that Riyadh is asking Washington to allow it to have a nuclear energy program, which would see the Saudis enrich uranium, just like the Iranians currently do.

By Zerohedge.com

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Canada will seek to reduce methane emissions from its oil and gas industry by more than its initial ambitious target. That target was a 75% reduction from 2012 levels by 2030, and the countrys Ambassador for Climate Change made it clear at the Climate Action Summit in New York City that the country now hopes to exceed that target.

The news release on the announcement noted that methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over a short period of time and that it was one of the key drivers contributing to the increase in extreme climate-related weather events worldwide.

To reduce these emissions, the Canadian federal government will draft new regulations for the oil and gas industry, to be released later in the fall.

Per the release, They will achieve significant methane emission reductions from new and existing upstream oil and gas facilities through performance standards, and a risk-based approach for leak detection and repair (LDAR) with increased stringency for sites with the highest risk of unintentional releases (fugitive emissions).

"Canada has committed to reduce by 2030 methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75 per cent below 2012 levels," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the UN.

"Today, I can announce that the draft regulations we will share soon will be designed to help us exceed this ambitious target."

He stopped short of going into the details of how this already ambitious target will be exceeded.

Methane is been attracting growing attention from transition activists and governments in the past few years. It has become a natural target alongside CO2 because of its potent greenhouse effect.

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Yet investment in methane emissions reduction is minuscule compared to the billions being poured into CO2 emission cuts, a recent report from environmentalist group Clean Air Task Force said. The report estimated that the world needs to spend $119 billion annually in the energy, agriculture, and waste industries to reduce methane emissions meaningfully and in line with Paris Agreement stipulations.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Canadian federal government expects to start the sale process for the Trans Mountain oil pipeline next week with a meeting with indigenous groups interested in buying a stake, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the plans.

Around 130 indigenous groups have expressed interest in buying a stake in the pipeline which carries crude from Albertas oil sands to British Columbia on the Pacific Coast. Representatives from the federal government and the indigenous groups are set to meet as early as next week to discuss a partial stake sale, according to Bloombergs sources.

The Trans Mountain pipeline is being expanded, with the aim to triple the capacity of the original pipeline that carries Alberta crude through British Columbia to the west coast of Canadato 890,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 300,000 bpd.

At the start of the project, fierce opposition in British Columbia forced Kinder Morgan to reconsider its commitment to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline. So the Government of Canada reached an agreement with Kinder Morgan back in 2018 to buy the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and related pipeline and terminal assets.

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.

However, the start-up of the expanded pipeline could be set back by nine months unless regulators approve a proposed change of its route.

The expansion project, expected 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. The expansion of the oil pipeline is expected to raise the prices U.S. refiners in the Midwest pay for Canadian oil by up to $2 per barrel, analysts have told Reuters recently.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Exxon expects to generate some $16 billion in profits from its fuels and chemicals businesses in 2027, company executives told media.

"Toward the end of this decade we see gasoline demand peaking, but it will be a long plateau," Senior Vice President Jack Williams said, as quoted by Reuters.

The increase in earnings follows the merger of Exxons refining and chemicals business and its streamlining in order to maximize returns from both divisions.

In line with these plans, Exxon announced the start-up of two new chemicals units at its Baytown, Texas, refinery earlier this week.

The addition cost the supermajor $2 billion and was part of its long-term growth plan.

With the startup of these two new lines, ExxonMobil is delivering high-value materials for a variety of products that society depends on every day, said Karen McKee, president of the companys Product Solutions division.

We achieved excellent safety performance by leveraging our expertise to plan and execute large projects, while providing meaningful investment in the U.S. Gulf Coast, McKee also said.

Exxon also expanded its Beaumont, Texas, refinery earlier this year, adding 250,000 barrels to its daily processing capacity.

Petrochemicals are widely seen as the only long-term growth path for oil and gas companies. The reason is, of course, the energy transition that many argue will decimate demand for oil as a transport fuel.

The International Energy Agency earlier this month forecast that oil demand will peak before 2030 as EVs displace internal combustion engines. OPEC disagreed, however, warning against such forecasts as they could endanger global energy security by discouraging investment in oil and gas production.

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According to the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand in the United States is already past its peak, which occurred in 2018, at a level of 9.33 million barrels daily. The latest available data, for June this year, shows demand of 9.27 million bpd.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Germany passed on Thursday a bill that would make energy savings measures mandatory across all economic sectors, according to media.

The new law, called The Energy Efficiency Act, would regulate energy savings in public buildings, industry, and data centers in hopes of reducing energy consumption by 26.5% by 2030 compared to 2008.

The Energy Efficiency Act goes beyond the measures Germany took last year when it was operating under the fear that energy supplies could run short in the wake of Russia restricting gas supplies. In August of last year, Germany banned swimming and bathing pool heat, and capped heating above 66F in office buildings, and banned heating in certain public areas. Hot water was turned down for handwashing in restrooms, and monument and advertisement lighting was mostly prohibited.

In 2022, Germanys energy consumption fell to the lowest level since 1990.

The new lawa scaled back version of a bill introduced in Aprilwill require companies to draw up plans to save energy, but binding measures are not part of the bill. Managing Director at DIHK Chambers of Commerce and Industry said that new measures could not be achieved without endangering economic growth in Germany.

Still, climate group Germany Energy Efficiency Initiative said it was still unlikely that Germany would reach its 2030 target of cutting emissions by 65% compared to 1990.

Reduced energy consumption is just a part of Germanys aggressive green initiatives. Earlier this week, Germanys Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that renewable energy sources were expected to generate over 50% of the countrys electricity this year, with Germany setting a goal for this figure reaching 80% by 2030but we wont get there at the current pace, Habeck added.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani is meeting this week in New York with representatives of dozens of U.S. energy companies to pitch potential investments in the Iraqi natural gas sector.

My government is serious about investment in gas and to be an active and powerful player in the gas market, the Iraqi official has told Bloomberg Television in an interview.

Al-Sudani has already met with U.S. companies operating in the semi-autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan and planning to expand in other parts of Iraq. The Iraqi PM is also set to meet with representatives of 31 other American companies on Thursday.

Earlier this week, al-Sudani met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Secretary Blinken encouraged the Government of Iraq to continue sustainably developing energy resources and combating climate change and underscored U.S. support for re-opening of the pipeline with Turkiye, the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.

Blinken urged the Iraqi government to continue its cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to foster the KRGs stability and resiliency.

Despite being rich in oil and gas, Iraq has had to import gas from neighboring countries, including Iran, for fuel at its power plants.

Iraq lacks the gas processing plants necessary to process the associated gas extracted from its massive oilfields and continues to flare some of those gas volumes.

Iraq imports gas and electricity from Iran but has had trouble paying for those because of the U.S. sanctions on Irans energy sector. The U.S., while endorsing the Iraq-Iran energy deals to keep Iraq supplied with power and gas, has been pushing Baghdad to reduce its reliance on Iranian energy imports.

Separately, Iraqs PM al-Sudani told Bloomberg that his country, OPECs second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, is committed to the production cuts and sees an oil price of no less than $85 to $95.

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The price for Brent has risen, Morgan Stanley said in a note on Thursday, and all signals for crude oil are flashing tightness, with prices being supported at current levels.

Not only has Brent flat price risen, but calendar spreads have rallied, refining margins are unusually strong, the CFD curve is deeply in backwardation and physical differentials are elevated, Morgan Stanley said, adding that fundamental data is telling a similar story, with robust demand growth and falling inventories.

According to MS, the oil market is currently undersupplied by about 1 million barrels per day, with inventory suggesting an undersupply of 1.3 million bpd so far this quarter. The undersupplycoincidentally or not so coincidentallypretty closely matches the volume of OPEC production declines this quarter compared to the 2nd quarter.

As Morgan Stanley points out, this curb in supply was almost entirely carried out by OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

As such, OPEC, and in particular Saudi Arabia, are key to the oil market outlook.

Morgan Stanlys new Brent price forecast for Q4 this year is $95 per barrelup from $82.50. Its outlook for Q1 2024 is for $92.50 per barrel, up from an estimate of $80 in its previous outlook. That outlook is based on the assumption that Saudi Arabia will continue its voluntary production cuts into March 2024, with the undersupply continuing until early next year, with a small surplus in total beginning to emerge in Q2 2024but crude oil surplus carrying on unabated until the end of next year.

But much of that is already baked into current oil prices, and Morgan Stanley sees Brent between $85 and $95 per barrel through the end of next eyar.

As long as the market remains in deficit, prices are well supported around curent levels.

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Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) research team has achieved significant breakthroughs in harnessing low-grade heat sources (<100 C) for efficient energy conversion.

The research team is jointly led by Professor Hyun-Wook Lee and Professor Dong-Hwa Seo from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), in collaboration with Professor Seok Woo Lee from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

The study findings have been published ahead of their official publication in the online version of Advanced Materials. Their groundbreaking work focuses on developing a highly efficient Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle (TREC) system capable of converting small temperature differences into usable energy.

Conventional energy-harvesting systems face challenges when it comes to effectively utilizing low-grade heat sources. However, TREC systems offer an attractive solution as they integrate battery functionality with thermal-energy-harvesting capabilities. In this study, the research team delved into the role of structural vibration modes to enhance the efficacy of TREC systems.

By analyzing how changes in covalent bonding influence vibration modes  specifically affecting structural water molecules  the researchers discovered that even minute amounts of water induce strong structural vibrations within cyanide ligands A1g stretching mode. These vibrations substantially contribute to a larger temperature coefficient (?) within a TREC system. Based on these insights, the team designed and implemented a highly efficient TREC system using a sodium-ion-based aqueous electrolyte.

Professor Hyun-Wook Lee explained, This study provides valuable insights into how structural vibration modes can enhance the energy-harvesting capabilities of TREC systems. Our findings deepen our understanding of Prussian Blue analogs intrinsic properties regulated by these vibration modes  opening up new possibilities for improved energy conversion.

The potential applications for TREC systems are vast, particularly in wearable technologies and other devices where small temperature differentials exist. By effectively capturing and converting low-grade heat into usable energy, TREC systems offer a promising pathway towards the development of next-generation secondary batteries.

This research has received support from the 2023 Research Fund of UNIST, Individual Basic Science & Engineering Research Program, and the National Center for Materials Research Data through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).

***

Its true that the energy lost to fuel and energy use in the low temperature range is huge. Its a vast resource in need of ever more research, The catch is the recovery of the energy needs to be done at very low cost and in a simple fashion.

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This team may have just cracked open the pot of gold in low temp energy with a inclusion of a battery in the apparatus.

This looks like a new perspective on the harvesting in the lower temperatures. There looks to be quite an opportunity here, and the technology has just been born.

By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel

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THURSDAY, Sept. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A new government report finds that federal regulators need to do more to help in the battle to keep kids and teens off tobacco.

Among the reports findings were that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to get tough on retailers selling tobacco to youth and should improve its oversight of online retailers.

The FDA should also work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to help stop online tobacco sales to children, according to the report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Responding effectively to serial violators remains a challenge for FDA, the report stated.

The small number of retailers that repeatedly violate the Tobacco Control Act are often not subjected to more punitive actions. This risks undermining FDAs efforts to control youth access to tobacco and enforce other restrictions on tobacco intended to safeguard public health, according to the report.

The agency needs to prioritize enforcement actions against retailers with a history of noncompliance, the OIG said.

The FDA plans to discuss stricter enforcement with internal experts by November, CNN reported, and the agency agreed that inspections are a key part of keeping kids from smoking or vaping.

The FDA did more than 1 million inspections between 2010 and 2020 looking for underage sales, CNN reported.

The agency inspected about 74% of 360,000 stores at least once. It typically returned within a year if the inspection found a violation, according to the report.

Still, more than 3 million adolescents used tobacco within the previous month, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Youth tobacco use, which includes electronic cigarettes, is a high public health concern, the OIG said.

While smoking has declined overall, its impact can be devastating, contributing to a number of health conditions from lung and heart diseases to cancer, eye problems and immune system conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, CNN reported.

About nine in 10 adults who smoke said they started in childhood.

The FDAs role has included regulating the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco since 2009, which it does with surprise inspections and undercover underage buyers.

Inspections are more widespread in certain states than in others. While more than half of states inspected at least 90% of retailers, in Nevada it was just 32%, in the Virgin Islands it was 37%, and in California it was 42%.

Challenges in those areas include the state of Nevadas unwillingness to help with inspections, hurricane damage in the Virgin Islands and state budget woes in California, CNN reported.

About 10% of all the stores reached through these inspections had violations between 2019 and 2020, according to the report.

The FDA sent more than 93,000 warning letters to violators in the decade included in the report.

The agency can also fine for violations, up to $12,795 for six violations in 48 months. It did so more than 24,000 times during the studied decade for repeat violations. But among retailers with histories of violations, only 9% paid the civil penalties in full. Those with fewer violations paid 60% in full. The FDA also barred 204 stores from selling tobacco, which was fewer than 1% of inspection violators.

The report also found that in certain states, regulators are too focused on sellers in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the risks of e-cigarettes for kids.

SOURCES: "FDA Could Take Stronger Enforcement Action Against Tobacco Retailers With Histories of Sales to Youth and Other Violations," report, Office of Inspector General; CNN
Angry.

Thats how one Latino advocacy organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens, described its reaction to the appointment of Ron Hug as the newest member of the Omaha City Council.

LULAC is angry at Hugs appointment because, among other reasons, it meant that several Latino candidates who had applied for the District 4 seat, which mostly represents South Omaha, were not ultimately selected by the six other members of the council.

No Latino has ever served on the City Council. LULAC and some South Omaha leaders said an opportunity was lost to appoint a council member that reflected the makeup of a district where more than half of Omahas Latinos reside.

Were angry, Elsa Ramon Aranda, LULAC Nebraska council president, said Wednesday.

David Cruz, a spokesman for the national LULAC organization, echoed Ramon Arandas sentiment. When the council had the opportunity to be more inclusive, it chose not to be, he said.

Using milder language, Douglas County Board member Roger Garcia agreed the city missed an opportunity, paralleling it with his own appointment to the Douglas County Board in 2021. Garcias appointment made him the first Latino on the board, as well as the first millennial.

I think a similar historical moment could have occurred with this City Council appointment. But the opportunity was unfortunately lost, which leads to the disappointment and frustration that we are hearing now from sizable segments of the District 4 constituency," Garcia said in a statement.

Five Latinos applied for the seat. Two Latinos, Erik Servellon and Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan, were chosen as finalists. But neither was selected.

Servellon, a Democrat, got three votes in the first round of voting, one short of the number needed. He was backed by the three Democrats on the City Council: Pete Festersen, Juanita Johnson and Danny Begley. The councils Republican members  Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe  voted for fellow Republican Terri Blackburn.

Festersen, the council's president, said the Democrats on the council then switched to Hug, another Democrat, on the second ballot. The three Republican council members stuck with Blackburn.

Finally, on the third ballot, the three Republican council members joined their Democratic colleagues in a unanimous vote for Hug.

Barrientos-Patlan, one of two Republican finalists, received no votes. She has since changed her party affiliation to nonpartisan.

Festersen said Wednesday he had seen the District 4 vote as an important opportunity to appoint the first Latino to the City Council. He said the 36-year-old Servellon, who served 14 years in the Nebraska Army National Guard and is a board member for numerous Latino organizations including in South Omaha, would have been a positive addition to the council.

It was clear we only had three votes for Erik and that was not going to change, Festersen said. Further compromise was needed in the process to come to a conclusion.

Festersen said it was necessary to reach a consensus so the council could operate at full strength again. The council had been down one member after previous District 4 council member Vinny Palermo was arrested on federal felony charges in April.

Festersen said Hug is qualified to serve, pointing to Hugs quarter-century of service on the Metropolitan Community College board. Hug previously told The World-Herald that his family spans four generations in South Omaha.

That district (that Hug represented) is very similar to the City Council district that were talking about in terms of boundaries, Festersen said. Hes well-versed in city issues. He has experience working with and representing constituents. I know he plans to do a lot of outreach.

Based on the scorching press release from LULAC, it appears Hug has his work cut out for him.

The organization took issue with Hug for paying $40 for a two-year membership with LULAC after his appointment. Ramon Aranda claimed Hug had been very dismissive with her about LULAC and issues affecting the Latino community, and Servellon called Hug's membership an inauthentic act.

He didnt do it in good faith. He did it as a sneaky thing, Ramon Aranda said, adding LULAC is seeking to revoke Hugs membership and return his money.

Hug told The World-Herald said he reached out LULACs office in Washington, D.C., this week immediately after he saw the press release. He said Wednesday that he hadn't heard back, and declined to comment further about LULACs press release.

Since hes been sworn in, Hug said, he has started making calls and setting up meeting with community leaders.

I intend to equally and fairly represent all the constituents in District 4, he said.

Marcos Mora, executive director of Casa de la Cultura, said Hug is not known to many South Omahans. But Mora said he and other South Omaha leaders are looking forward to meeting Hug and working with him.

Well see what we can do, Mora said.

While Servellon said he was surprised and disappointed by the council appointment, he said the moment presents an opportunity.

I really would love to encourage the Latino community and our allies to use this moment to get involved, register to vote (and) get civically engaged, he said.

Servellon would also like to see the city make a greater effort to reach out to the Latino community.

Creating some sort of Latino liaison would go a long way in being able to say, Yes, this city has this direct connection (to the Latino community),  he said. I think thats one way that could really be a good act of goodwill.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  For nearly a week, families whose lives were upended by a Nashville elementary school shooting took turns sharing dark details to Tennessee lawmakers.

Their children thought they were going to die. A teacher told students to race each other, knowing they needed to get some place safe quickly to avoid the spray of bullets. Children died after fire alarm evacuation protocols led one class to collide with the shooter in a hallway.

The parents who testified spilled their own stories, but also carried the weight of representing and speaking for the six people  including three children  who were killed by a shooter on March 27 inside The Covenant School. They hoped that doing so during a brief special session in August would compel lawmakers to pass meaningful legislation.

To me, that was the most nerve-wracking piece, said Melissa Alexander, whose child attends Covenant. Trying to tell someone else's story in the most perfect way, it's not easy."

But inside the Republican-led General Assembly, many lawmakers had already dismissed the gun control change as an option and resisted passing significant changes this year, punting the issue to the next regular session starting in January. They argued that their constituents are protective of the Second Amendment and that taking away guns even temporarily is likely to infringe on people's rights.

It's an all-too-common scene across the United States. Throughout the corridors of many state Capitols, families are sharing emotionally gutting stories of tragedy caused by mass school shootings with the hope that revealing their trauma will convince lawmakers from either party to reconsider firearm policies.

States have differed widely for years in their responses to the spate of mass shootings that plague the country. Democratic-led states have largely tightened firearm restrictions, while Republican-led ones have loosened them. Meanwhile, families have waded into the legislative process, uncovering and reliving personally painful details before lawmakers  privately, publicly or both  with mixed results.

Families will do whatever it takes to restore that sense of protection that wasnt there that day, even if that means having to talk with, raise their voices and share what they experienced as a family, and what their kids experienced, with people that they know may not even give them the respect of listening," said Melissa Brymer, director of the Terrorism & Disaster Program at the UCLA/Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.

The inaction this year in Tennessee was markedly different from how Florida reacted five years ago to a massive school shooting.

Lawmakers in Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature passed a series of gun control laws just three weeks after authorities say a mentally disturbed man killed 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The legislation raised the gun-buying age to 21, imposed a three-day waiting period for purchases and let police seek court orders seizing guns from individuals considered a danger to themselves or others  a stronger red flag change than a Tennessee proposal that couldnt even get a hearing.

These changes came after Parkland families gave impassioned pleas seeking school-safety measures.

Ive never been an outspoken person. I never wanted to be in this situation. But Im pleading with you to put your differences aside," said Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son Alex was among 17 people killed at the Parkland shooting, during an emotional 2018 committee hearing. "Its time to learn to compromise and help make our schools safe again... Im willing to compromise, are you?

Instead, the outcome in Tennessee bore more resemblance to the response from Texas lawmakers after 19 children and two teachers were killed at the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde last May.

In April, Kimberly Mata-Rubio waited for more than 12 hours at the Texas Capitol to testify that lawmakers should raise the purchase age for semiautomatic rifles like the one an 18-year-old gunman used to kill her daughter Lexi. The hearing adjourned after 3 a.m. without a vote.

Did you look at images of children running for their lives, and think, What if we had enacted stricter gun laws?" Mata-Rubio asked a Texas House committee, wiping away tears.

Parents offered similar pleas in Tennessee last month during a brief special legislative session called by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. But resistant Republican lawmakers largely dismissed Lee's push for legislation to keep guns away from people who are judged to pose a threat from themselves or others.

Rather than open a debate about the state's lax firearm regulations, the session was overshadowed by debates over new rules temporarily limiting public access around the Capitol and banning people from holding signs at hearings.

Republican legislative leaders argued their constituents didnt want changes to Tennessees gun laws.

Theres a huge amount of our caucus, their people who sent them asked us not to do anything, said House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison.

Meanwhile, one lawmaker booted everyone in the audience  grieving parents and all  from one hearing because some in the audience held signs and clapped.

I dont think people understand what it means to be up here, said Sarah Shoop Neumann, a parent where her children attends Covenant, told reporters through tears. Its raw.

During one committee hearing, parents closely connected to the Covenant shooting audibly gasped, and some fled the room in tears, when Republican Rep. Chris Todd suggested that the shooter probably would have driven over those kids if he didnt have a gun, as a way to dismiss that fewer firearms  rather than more  would have prevented the tragedy. He was proposing a wide expansion of who could bring guns into schools.

While House Republicans wanted a wide range of bills to pass, the Senate pursued only a few, but neither was open to gun restrictions. Four bills with minimal changes ultimately passed.

The US surpasses 160 mass shootings in 2023. Here's every event mapped The US surpasses 100 mass shootings in 2023here's every event mapped Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space Mass shootings have happened in gun-friendly statesand some stricter ones Mass shootings take place in nearly every type of public and private space
The first challenger to Nebraskas senior U.S. senator, Deb Fischer, in 2024 just threw his hat into the ring.

Independent candidate Dan Osborn announced Thursday that he plans to run for Fischers seat, which is up for election next November. Fischer previously announced she is seeking a third term.

Osborn is an Omaha steamfitter and industrial mechanic, and also a Navy and Nebraska Army National Guard veteran, according to his campaign press release.

In 2021, he led a strike at Kelloggs in Omaha as president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G.

Two years ago, I successfully led the strike to preserve 500 middle-class jobs here in Nebraska. It didnt matter what party you belonged to. We came together to find solutions and move forward, Osborn said in the press release.

In order to qualify for the November 2024 ballot, Osborns campaign needs to collect at least 4,000 signatures from registered Nebraska voters by Sept. 1, 2024. Osborn will officially launch his campaign Oct. 5 in Omaha.

If elected, Osborn said he would make protecting small businesses, family farmers and other Nebraska workers his top priority.

Historically, Nebraska has produced leaders who think in terms of issues, not parties; politicians with broad appeal across party lines, who could bring people together around common goals, he said. The divisions in this country are threatening our great democratic experiment. Nebraskans are looking for a leader not a politician.

Osborns Senate bid saw support from Jeff Cooley, president of the Midwest Nebraska Central Labor Council; Lawrence Mozena, Weeping Water City Council president; and Gary Osborn, former Dodge County commissioner and Osborns father.

Meanwhile, Fischer has received endorsements from Kellyanne Conway, senior adviser to former President Donald Trump; along with her fellow U.S. senator, Pete Ricketts; Gov. Jim Pillen; and former Nebraska Govs. Dave Heineman and Kay Orr.

Fischers campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Osborns challenge.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
(Photo : Kena Betancur / AFP) (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Tens of thousands of climate activists gathered in Midtown Manhattan to urge the government and other world leaders to end the use of fossil fuels.

Tens of thousands gathered in the streets of Midtown Manhattan in New York City despite the harsh sun on Sunday and demanded global officials end using fossil fuels as part of a climate protest.

The demands urge lawmakers to quickly pivot away from using the power source as it is causing the dangerous heating of the Earth. Many of the people's anger was directed towards United States President Joe Biden, who was set to arrive in the city on Sunday before the United Nations General Assembly session that would start on Tuesday.

New York City Climate Protest

In a statement, 17-year-old Emma Buretta, a New York City high school student and an organizer with the Fridays for Future movement, said that the Democratic leader should be scared of them. She shouted at a rally ahead of the march and argued that he should end using fossil fuels if he wanted their vote.

The Biden administration has shepherded through what is considered the country's most ambitious climate law and is trying to transition to wind, solar, and other renewable energy, as per the New York Times.

However, the administration has also continued to approve permits for new oil and gas drilling, in most instances because it was mandated under American law. The situation has angered many of the Democrat's traditional supporters as well as lawmakers on the left flank of the Democratic Party. The latter wants the president to declare a climate emergency and block new fossil fuel production.

New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) also drew applause when she spoke at the end of the march. During her remarks, she described climate action as an "electoral and a popular force that cannot be ignored."

While the climate activists suggested their support for Biden in 2024 would depend on the latter's more aggressive climate action, none of the Republican candidates running for the next presidential race have issued plans to cut the nation's emissions, and several said they want to encourage more drilling.

Read Also: Hawaii Governor Acknowledges Global Warming as Factor in Maui Wildfire

Demanding an End to Fossil Fuels

AOC said they were all at the rally for one reason: to end the use of fossil fuels around the planet. According to The Guardian, she added that they want to create an urgency to encourage people worldwide to take to the streets.

The progressive Democrat added that the U.S. continues to approve a record number of fossil fuel leases. She argued that they need to send a message: despite record profits, the support for the fossil fuel industry is starting to decline.

The energy justice director of the Center for Biological Diversity and one of the organizers of the march in New York City, Jean Su, said that the protest was clear about what needs to be done to address the climate issue, which is the end of fossil fuels.

The incident comes after a summer marked by extreme weather events many believe were exacerbated by climate change. According to NPR, there were historic heat waves in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, a deadly wildfire in Maui, and catastrophic flooding in Brazil, China, and Libya.

Related Article: Montana Judge Favors Youth Activists Arguing State Act Harmed Them, Environment

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BLOOMINGTON  The cello isnt only for concert orchestras and symphonies.

As many have heard through scores like Bachs Cello Suite No. 1, this instrument is quite proficient in creating euphoric sounds of bliss. But cellists venturing into parts unknown are discovering soundscapes of a more ethereal caliber throughout their music journey.

Some reading this column may have rocked out to the styles of Electric Light Orchestra, or become entranced by cello strumming on the Nirvana track Something In The Way. Post-rock artist Godspeed You! Black Emperor also helped bring the cello out of the orchestra pit and into the DIY music scene with track The Dead Flag Blues from 1997 album F A .

More recently, I was enthralled with other Twin City showgoers when Cincinnati drum-cello punk duo Lung performed in March 2022 at nightshop. Live music fans in Central Illinois also ought to know another exceptionally alternative cellist is coming to Bloomington.

Dorothy Carlos is planning a free show Friday at Bombsight Recording Studios, which hosted Karats Gold album release show in July. Carlos, 25, is bringing experimental electronic cello and synth sounds that incorporate moments of ambience and tonal turbulence.

Carlos show will mark the first in a series of four produced as part of pt.fwds fifth season. The local music and arts nonprofits executive director, Eddie Breitweiser, said in a Sunday announcement hes thrilled to have artists coming to Bloomington-Normal from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, in addition to local favorites.

Short bow, long circuit

Effects pedals are not only meant for guitarists. As covered by this column in April, the Normal Community High School experimental ensemble tinkered their setup by cabling an upright bass to pedal effects gear. Theyre next booked at the museum in 2024, closing off the pt.fwd season.

After flying back Tuesday from a show, Carlos told me Wednesday she often uses the Red Panda Particle pedal with her cello for a granular delay effect. She said its one of her favorite ways to process sounds.

Most of my pedal board is different, weird kinds of delays, she said, adding that before she got a Red Panda Particle, she had chained several individually-set delay pedals. Carlos also said she loves working the Max MSP software plugin to trigger different kinds of granular sounds.

On her most recent record last year, Carlos collaborated with artist and synth builder Brian Oakes, tracking five pieces at his Brooklyn studio for their release titled Circuit Spectre. Opening track I Started morphs the murmur of a cello bowing into steely, vertigo-inducing synth echoes. Next up, With Command oscillates static layers into a hard sci-fi sound, producing an ambience as out-worldly as Stanisaw Lems novel Solaris.

If an oceanic, alien planet of sentience could sing a song, it would resonate in sync with their track A New.

For her Friday show in Bloomington, Carlos said she plans a solo, improvisational set with a simple effects pedal setup. She said she connected with Breitweiser after her spring performance at Big Ears Music Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Carlos, who was also featured by the Swiss Institute in New York and the Night Gallery in LA, received her bachelors degree in classical cello from New York University and recently finished her Masters in Fine Arts in sound from the Sound of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Shes now doing a residency at Experimental Sound Studios in Chicago. Carlos grew up near Holly Springs, North Carolina, and said she accidentally signed up for orchestra in middle school and fell into playing cello.

While she still draws from her classical background in cello, Carlos said she rarely plays notated music. However, many extended techniques from her training are still used in her material.

After admiring her peers exploring music technology at NYU, she said she started experimenting with that tech during the pandemic. Before then, Carlos said she felt limited to only playing acoustic instruments.

Through amplifying her cello, she said shes able to produce sounds not possible with an acoustic instrument. Those sonic styles include intimate and gradual sonics; noisy-textured audio; and meditative soundwaves. They could either feel pleasurable  or even beautiful  to her ears. On the other hand, they may instead embody an expression of melancholy.

Either way, Carlos said her creative techniques form a pathway to what she wants to hear.

With the cello, I feel you can just get so many different sounds of it, Carlos said. With that, she added that now, she doesnt feel limited at all.

I feel like I have all the tools to express whatever I want to express, she said.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Dorothy Carlos, presented by pt.fwd. WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday WHERE: Bombsight Recording Studio, 801 W. Chestnut St., Suite D, Bloomington TICKETS: Free ALSO CHECK OUT: pt.fwd presents Claire Rousay. Music starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington. Free show.
MINONK  A woman was injured in a Tuesday night crash after her vehicle entered the opposite lanes of traffic on Interstate 39 near Minonk.

Illinois State Police said a 2015 white Honda SUV was traveling north on I-39 near milepost 25 around 9:12 p.m. Tuesday when it crossed into the southbound lanes of traffic, striking a 2012 black Peterbilt semitrailer.

The driver of the SUV, a 65-year-old female from Saint Francis, Minnesota, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, ISP said. The driver of the semitrailer, a 46-year-old man from Normal, was not injured.

The southbound lanes of I-39 were closed for about two hours after the crash.

No further information was available Thursday.

Much to do, see at Eureka Lake 050321-blm-loc-2explore 050321-blm-loc-1explore 050321-blm-loc-3explore 050321-blm-loc-4explore 050321-blm-loc-5explore 050321-blm-loc-7explore 050321-blm-loc-6explore 050321-blm-loc-9explore 050321-blm-loc-8explore 050321-blm-loc-10explore
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region. 100 years ago

Sept. 21, 1923: The Louis E. Davis post of the American Legion has received a beautiful polar bear rug as a gift from Howard Humphreys. It is 8 by 10 feet and is a perfect specimen. The rug is a very valuable addition to the club rooms of the Legion in the John McBarnes Memorial Hall.

75 years ago

Sept. 21, 1948: The Normal Town Council considered a letter presented by Mrs. Eva Sutton and signed by 15 doctors approving her plans to erect a rest haven that would provide 24-hour nursing service for elderly persons, located on the clubhouse site of the now-defunct Maplewood Country Club. Citing the overcrowded conditions of most hospitals at the present time, the doctors stressed the great need for a service such as what Mrs. Sutton plans to provide.

50 years ago

Sept. 21, 1973: The two French turboliners and a new train, The Statehouse, will make their inaugural runs from Chicago to St. Louis on Oct. 1. The Statehouse will provide Bloomington-Normal with the long-awaited morning train service into Chicago.

25 years ago

Sept. 21, 1998: The people who can give you a good view of the Big Dipper apparently know how to present other things, as well. The Twin City Amateur Astronomers were recently recognized for the content and design of their newsletter, The Observer, which won the Mabel Stern Award for Newsletter Excellence from the Astronomical League. Editors of the newsletter are Jean Memken, an environmental and research design teacher at Illinois State University, and Michael Rogers, who teaches at Millikin University in Decatur.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois entered a new era on Monday, becoming the first state in the nation to entirely eliminate cash bail as a means in which criminal defendants can obtain pretrial release.

Now, decisions on detainment are determined by non-monetary factors such as the danger or flight risk a defendant poses rather than a person's ability to afford cash bail.

The transition to the new system has been smooth in some places and rockier in others, a result to be expected when factoring in the different circumstances when it comes to resources, staffing and caseloads across 102 counties.

Make no mistake, this is a big change. And there will inevitably be bumps in the road as there are in any institutions run by fallible humans.

But, let's not lose sight of the big picture. Or, to put another way, let's not miss the forest for the trees.

Advocates fought for years to end money bond, arguing passionately that it disproportionately kept poor people and people of color incarcerated unnecessarily, thus creating harmful ripple effects across their communities.

This is our modern day civil rights fight," state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said last week, adding that the focus now is on "effective implementation" and combatting misinformation that has been spread around the law.

Law enforcement and several state's attorneys have expressed concerns about the impact the law may have on crime as well as the increased burden the new system has put onto the criminal justice system.

The law has also been the target of fierce opposition from Republicans, who universally opposed its passage and subsequently made it a focal point of their messaging in the 2022 election.

Many of them have said with charged emotions that victims of crime are being drowned out in the debate  though several victims rights groups support the move away from cash bail.

Passions are high on this topic. And implementation is being watched closely.

But again, let's not lose sight of that big picture, which is that people can no longer be detained while awaiting trial simply because they are poor.

This does not invalidate the legitimate concerns as the state navigates forward into the unchartered territory of cashless bail.

Additional resources to hire more staff to handle the increased burden placed on prosecutors seeking to detain defendants may be necessary, for instance.

Other process kinks undoubtedly will arise and need to be addressed.

Though steadfastly defending the premise of their crusade against cash bail, the sponsors of the initial legislation have acknowledged its flaws and displayed flexibility in addressing them.

There will be more cleanup bills in the future, which is the case for most major legislative efforts, no matter how sloppy or tight the initial law was written.

And when I say let's not lose the forest for the trees, I also mean let us be wary of cherrypicked examples of individual cases that will be used to make a political point about the Pretrial Fairness Act.

This is already being done.

The first case heard in Cook County on Monday was that of a 24-year-old woman charged with four felony counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer after she allegedly pepper-sprayed four Chicago cops during the city's Mexican Independence Day Parade.

Prosecutors in Cook County did not file a petition seeking the woman's detainment. Opponents used this to highlight the supposed problems with the law.

"This highlights the misplaced priorities of Illinois' criminal justice system when the prosecutor prioritizes the freedom of a violent offender over the safety of those police officers dedicated to protecting and serving our communities," Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said in a statement.

The thing is, the defendant probably would have been released under the old system, too, with a reasonable bond amount set due to her lack of a criminal background.

Under the old system, she would have maybe paid a $500 bail before being released. The only difference between now and then is the money. She still cannot pick up any new cases. https://t.co/Xesa6qHbPe  Will Lee (@MidnoirCowboy) September 19, 2023

The point here is that it is easy to make a straw man argument that cashless bail will lead to more people out of jail and thus more crime.

But there is no evidence to support that. In fact, there may be some to the contrary.

For example, a 24-year-old Normal man was detained Monday after being charged with four gun felonies. His attorney sought to have the case considered under the old system since the arrest took place Saturday. This would have allowed the defendant to possibly bond out. But a McLean County judge sided with prosecutors who sought the defendant's detainment.

Prosecutors still have the tools to detain people who are dangerous or a flight risk. Is the burden of proof higher? Yes. But, folks have a point when arguing that that's how it should be when someone's freedom is on the line.

The debate around the SAFE-T Act and its most high-profile feature, the end of cash bail, has been filled with disinformation over the past couple of years.

The law's proponents did a poor job explaining it and bad-faith actors on social media repeatedly made false claims about what the law would and would not do.

But now that we've crossed the rubicon into a system where non-monetary factors determine pretrial detainment, let us all try to be better. Let us all be smarter and not let emotions get in the way of logic. Let us try to avoid the politically-charged rhetoric that ginned up confusion last year.

Issues will arise and the debate can be had on how to improve the pretrial detention system and, more broadly, public safety. But let us not lose sight of the big picture.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
New York failed to properly prepare for the legalization of recreational cannabis. Growers and retailers are paying the price.

To say that cannabis legalization in New York is not going smoothly is an understatement in the extreme. Evidence is overwhelming that the state just doesnt have its act together.

Look, for example, at a recent report by the Cornell Labor and Employment Law Program, which noted ongoing confusion about how and when employers may test workers who are exhibiting signs of marijuana impairment. State law as written does a disservice to employers and employees alike.

Employers have the right to ensure that workers are not under the drugs influence while on the clock, particularly for jobs that involve driving or the use of machinery. But the states Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act forbids employment discrimination for a workers use of cannabis away from the workplace. (Cannabis use remains illegal on the federal level.)

So when might an employer test? Thats unclear. No state regulations address the topic, according to the Cornell report. Neither do clear rules indicate when an employee can challenge a positive test or the punishment, including firing, that may follow, a situation complicated by the lack of a reliable test for at-the-moment marijuana impairment.

And while state law does allow employers to punish or fire workers exhibiting specific symptoms of marijuana use, the statute does not define those symptoms or situations. And how would discharge or discipline for cannabis use affect unemployment insurance eligibility? Thats also unclear.

New York lawmakers havent done the work necessary to help employers and workers through the consequences of legalization. Employers and workers have been left to sort through it all on their own.

And thats hardly the only example of confusion resulting from the states clumsy cannabis rollout.

Because of the states failure to get licensed dispensaries up and operating, marijuana growers have been left with no market for their crop. The gravity of the situation was on full display last week during a meeting of the state Cannabis Control Board that was flooded by distressed marijuana farmers, processors and retail license holders.

I have 500-plus pounds sitting and rotting right now, a cannabis farmer from Niagara County told the board. This ruined my life, the grower added. Were tired. Were done. Were struggling. We need help.

New York got cannabis farmers into this mess by encouraging them to grow the crop, selling them on the states vision and promising them a market for it. State lawmakers and the administration of Gov. Kathy Hochul now must get them out of it. Both are obligated to fix this mess and to make cannabis farmers whole.

A change as complicated and significant as marijuana legalization was always going to be difficult. But the confusion and distress on display in New York cant be blamed on foreseeable bumps in the road. They result from state policymakers who didnt prepare properly, leaving failure as the likely outcome.
* Ghanaian government faces bankruptcy as it struggles to pay billions in debt to international creditors.



* The IMF extended a $3 billion loan to stabilise Ghana's economy amid the financial crisis and mounting debts.



* Ghana's ongoing debt crisis linked to COVID-19, geopolitical events, and rising food and fuel prices raises concerns about future financial stability.





The Ghanaian government has filed for bankruptcy after failing to pay billions of dollars it owed to international creditors in December.



According to a report by The New York Times, President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration "had no choice but to agree to a $3 billion loan from the lender of last resort, the International Monetary Fund," which helped to explain Ghana's financial crisis, in which government organisations owed billions to contractors and were in serious debt.



The media outlet noted that the financial crisis has had far-reaching effects, with many contractors laying off workers, exacerbating the country's unemployment problem.



Emmanuel Cherry, the chief executive of an association of Ghanaian construction companies, recently disclosed that government back payments to contractors amounted to a staggering 15 billion cedis, or roughly $1.3 billion, before interest.



The reports also disclosed that the Ghanaian government owes independent power producers $1.58 billion and is in danger of experiencing widespread blackouts.



The government is essentially bankrupt. It was the 17th time Ghana has been compelled to turn to the fund since it gained independence in 1957. This latest crisis was partly prompted by the havoc of the coronavirus pandemic, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and higher food and fuel prices, the report read in parts.











Read Full Story .... africa.businessinsider.com >>> :









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Newmont Africa has noted with concern, media publications alleging connivance with the police to arrest some members of the Concerned Farmers Association in its Ahafo North Projects mining area.



Newmont Africa remains committed to progressing the Ahafo North Project in a responsible and sustainable manner, having due regard for the human rights of all persons affected by the Project. The company respects and proactively engaged in good faith dialogue to reach mutually acceptable solutions. The Ahafo North Project has therefore enjoyed strong community, regulatory, and broader stakeholder support and approval.



Ahafo North land access and Concerned Farmers claims



In compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, Newmont has accessed over 98% of land required to begin construction of the Project. About 2,500 farmers and landowners have been compensated, following negotiations and agreements with the Resettlement and Crop Rate Negotiation Committees, jointly constituted by impacted farmers, property owners, traditional leaders, as well as community and government representatives.



Some 21 farmers, belonging to the Concerned Farmers Association, however, refused to abide by the outcome of the negotiations and subsequently declined enumeration of their farms and structures. They have been uncooperative despite the extensive engagement and mediation efforts aimed at addressing their concerns, including interventions by eminent traditional chiefs, youth leaders, and other relevant stakeholders. The group is demanding individual negotiations that could result in potential rates beyond what was agreed by the Resettlement and Crop Rate Negotiation Committees, which rates are significantly more than the assessed professional and government valuation rates or lower negotiated rates leading to unfair compensation in comparison to the already 2,500 compensated farmers and further dissatisfaction with the compensation process.



Disruption of land clearing activities



Following full compensation for over 98% of lands required for mine construction, Newmont commenced clearing of these compensated lands within the Ahafo North Projects mining area. Unfortunately, some members of the Concerned Farmers Association have actively and aggressively disrupted land-clearing activities by the company and its contractors. The company has largely resorted to good faith engagement and dialogue in these instances, to reduce tension and maintain peaceful co-existence.



Impact on uncompensated land



There was an incidence where the companys exploration team inadvertently impacted one of the farms that had not yet been compensated for. In this instance, the company engaged the



owners of the land, who are members of the Association to amicably resolve the impact. They initially agreed for the temporary exploration activities to proceed while adequate compensation is discussed. However, one John Mensah, who is the chairman of the Association, mobilised the impacted farmers and other members of the Association whose land had not been impacted, to halt the exploration drilling activities on the said parcel of land, threatening to burn the exploration drill rig, among other equipment. The exploration activity was stopped, the rigs demobilised, and the drill holes covered.



Vandalization of company property on compensated land



In a separate incident, Mr. John Mensah led some Association members to attack Newmonts mining team during a land-clearing exercise on a parcel of land that had been negotiated and compensated for by the company. This time, the companys vehicle was vandalized during the attack, prompting the company to report the incident to the police. The members were arrested and arraigned before the Duayaw Nkwanta circuit court on 30th August, 2023. The court granted them bail and directed them not to return to the companys mining area until the determination of the case by the court. The Association members ignored the courts directive and proceeded to disrupt work at the mining area the very next day, 1st September, 2023, leading to the arrest of four of them, including Mr. John Mensah.



Claims by Concerned Farmers Association regarding the destruction of John Mensahs Farm



In the media publications, the Concerned Farmers Association made claims that members of the Association were on their way to their farms when they noticed that the farm of their chairman, John Mensah, was being destroyed by Newmont.



The land in question is not owned by John Mensah. He is a tenant farmer. The said land has been fully assessed and due compensation has been paid to the farmland owner, following the owners request to Newmont to carry out the assessment, and John Mensahs refusal to allow for same. Mr. John Mensah was duly notified of the landowners request for assessment and payment of compensation. After the assessment, John Mensah proceeded to harvest all the mature teak trees in the farm before the Newmont team started the land clearing.



Newmont will continue to respect the rights of its stakeholders



Newmont Africa remains committed to progressing the Ahafo North project in a responsible manner, and in line with the due human rights requirements and processes. It will continue constructive and organised dialogue with all stakeholders on all issues of mutual concern to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business and the jobs, incomes, tax revenues and other benefits the company provides.

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Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called for the expedited reform of the Civil Service Act and the Presidential Office Act to bolster the efficiency of government operations.



In a public lecture titled "A Legal Framework for Communicating Governance" held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on Wednesday,September 20, 2023, Minister Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the need for these reforms to streamline government communication and improve clarity in conveying governance principles.



The parts of the legal framework where there is clarity have a higher chance in participating in Agenda Setting. Parts of the framework that lack clarity have a more difficult task to sustainably participate in agenda setting, he said.



He stressed the significance of Agenda Setting in governance communication and highlighted the challenges posed by certain ambiguities within the current legal framework.



The Minister further explained that these ambiguities often lead to misunderstandings in communicating governance, emphasizing the urgency of amending these legal sections. He also pointed out that the lack of clarity in defining the mandates and roles of various government entities, including Ministries and communication responsibilities, has hindered coordination and agenda setting.



To address these challenges, the Minister said the Office of the Counsel to the President has initiated efforts to review specific sections of both the Presidential Office Act and the Civil Service Act. The objective of this review is to inject much-needed clarity and momentum into various government components, particularly in the realm of communication. Minister Oppong Nkrumah's call for swift action on these reforms reflects the government's commitment to improving governance communication efficiency and effectiveness.



Having noticed this, the Office of the Counsel to the President has commenced efforts to review parts of the Presidential Office Act and the Civil Service Act to bring more clarity and impetus for the purposes of smother functioning of the various parts of Government including communications, he added

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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.
The Abena Dokua Foundation has once again demonstrated its commitment to quality education and improved sanitation by unveiling a brand-new 10-unit Toilet and Urinal Facility at the Kyebi M/A Experimental Basic School.



In a heartening development for the school and the community, this modern facility comprises five units for males and five for females, significantly elevating the hygiene standards for students and staff. The project was spearheaded by the Abena Dokua Foundation (ADEF), a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting educational institutions in Ghana.



Mr. Kwaku Boateng, the President of ADEF, addressed a vibrant gathering at the unveiling ceremony, emphasizing the foundation's unwavering mission to enhance the educational experience. He stressed the importance of quality education and revealed that the construction of this facility cost the foundation a total of twenty-eight thousand dollars ($28k).



Further, Mr. Boateng announced that ADEF's commitment to education extends far beyond Kyebi, as they are currently funding projects totaling seventy thousand USD in four different regions across Ghana this year. Three of these projects have already reached completion, with one ongoing, set to conclude by the end of the year.



The unveiling event saw the attendance of esteemed stakeholders and community leaders, who conveyed their heartfelt appreciation for ADEF's benevolence. Ms. Josephine, the headmistress of the school, made a solemn commitment to maintaining the facility's cleanliness and ensuring responsible usage. She also urged other individuals and organizations to emulate ADEF's generosity in uplifting the school and enhancing the learning environment.



ADEF, a registered nonprofit organization has consistently championed the cause of education in Ghana. Their latest endeavor to improve sanitation and educational facilities in Kyebi exemplifies their unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and the community.



For more information about the Abena Dokua Foundation and its initiatives, please visit www.adefgh.org.

Source: Peacefmonline









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The Minority in Parliament has accused the Presidency of coercing and compelling the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to seek a $431 million loan agreement from Lukoil International Trading and Supply Company (LITASCO) SA, a Swiss company operating refineries and retail network in Europe.



It said the act by the Presidency was unconstitutional, unlawful and blatant disregard to the directive and resolution of Parliament.



Per a memo intercepted by the Minority, the Presidency called a meeting on September 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. and directed the GNPC to seek for board approval to raise the amount without parliamentary approval, a directive some board members of the corporation kicked against.



Those who were present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff, the Executive Secretary to the President, the Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister of Energy, the chief executives of Karpower and LITASCO and other executives of both companies, it said.



Dont commit illegality



Speaking to the press in Parliament on Wednesday (Sept 20), the Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor, called on the Chief Executive of the GNPC and the board to decline the directive from the Presidency.



If you proceed with this directive, you will be committing an illegality. You do not have that mandate and that power to enter into such an agreement without parliamentary approval.



The Minority wish to serve notice that we shall use every necessary tool available to ensure that we what is right and legal, Mr Jinapor warned.



Parliaments directive



The MP for Yapei Kusawgu just before Parliament rose in August this year, the Committee on Mines and Energy, under the chairmanship of Samuel Atta Akyea, submitted a report of the committee on the 2023 work programme of the GNPC.



He said one of the key issues that came up for consideration was a request by the GNPC to raise an amount of $620 million in a form of loan facility from LITASCO SA.



He said Parliament took a decision that it could not approve that amount in the GNPCs work programme.



He said Parliament was explicit that the corporation should lay the terms and conditions of the intended loan in accordance with article 181 of the Constitution for the House to consider same and make a determination.



To utmost shock, we have come across a document that the Presidency is using coercive force and the power of the Presidency to compel the GNPC to proceed and execute this loan agreement without parliamentary approval, he said.

He pointed out that some of the board members kicked against such illegality.



Collaterising TEN Field oil



The MP added that another document that was also intercepted at the board level of the GNPC had what he described as the deed of indebtedness, the JOHL Crude Oil Supply and Purchase Agreement, Jubilee Oil Holding Limited (JOHL) prepayment facility agreement, the guarantees facility agreement and the crude oil supply and purchase agreement.



The key has to do with the fact that GNPC is raising this facility from LITASCO LUKOIL and in return they are giving our oil out to this company for the next five-and-a-half years.



Indeed, all the oil in the TEN Oil Field have been incombered including royalties and our carried and participating interests will be escrowed into this company



More importantly, Mr Jinapor explained that every year a minimum of 3.8 million barrels of crude oil would be given to LITASCO for the loan being raised.



No one even knows exactly what they want to use this money for apart from some repayment of debt.



This is a government that received over $1.4 billion of oil receipts in 2022, the highest ever, and despite receiving this huge oil revenue from our oil sales, you want to take $431 million today and mortgage our future for the next five-and-a-half years and escrow the whole of TEN field oil, he added.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Sylvester Tetteh, the Member of Parliament of Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro constituency, has crossed over from the Alan Kyerematen camp to join the camp of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia into the New Patriotic Party (NPP) November 4 presidential election.



Hon. Sylvester Tetteh was a staunch leader of the Alan campaign team and pledged unflinching allegiance to his cause to become the flagbearer of the party.



However, Alan Kyerematen surprisingly pulled out of the contest announcing he will no longer be in the race for reasons of intimidation against his polling agents and favoritism by the party leadership.



As the NPP awaits the D-day of its presidential primary, Hon. Sylvester Tetteh says he supports Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the party into the 2024 general elections.



According to him, his conviction to join the Bawumia campaign train is because of Alan's withdrawal and the fact that he is an NPP stalwart, so he still needs to support a candidate to lead the party.



Hence, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who, to him, is the best person among the candidates competing in the race on November 4.



"Moving on, among the four candidates, I think Dr. Bawumia is our surest bet. That is why I'm rallying everybody that let's support him; the party is going to elections. So if Alan is no longer contesting, we don't go for elections? We have to go for elections. I have to make a choice. I have constituents; I have a vote," he asserted while revealing his decision on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress for accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of trying to sabotage their strongholds so as to cause them to lose the 2024 elections.



At a media briefing on the exercise, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah alleged that the EC had intentionally taken faulty machines to some of its district offices in areas it deems as 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 said.



Allotey has ridiculed this claim of a marriage between the Electoral Commission and the New Patriotic Party to rig the elections.



In a brief reply to the NDC, he said; "Any political party that says such a thing shows its weakness that that party is weak. That that party is not on the ground; that that party has no people who relate with the Electoral Commission."



He made this comment during Peace FM's Wednesday edition of "Kokrokoo" programme.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, today, September 20, 2023, visited the Enchi district voters registration centre in the Western North Region.



Dr. Bawumia, who is in the Western North Region for a campaign tour, visited the Enchi centre, which is having the Electoral Commission's limited exercise, before starting his tour on Wednesday.



At the centre, Vice President Bawumia interacted with registration officials.



A member of the registration team briefed the Vice President on the process going on well and indicated the numbers were encouraging.



After his interactions with the registration officers and encouraging them, Dr. Bawumia exchanged pleasantries with some of the people at the centre to register.



Both the registration officials and some of the people present requested pictures with Dr. Bawumia which he obliged.



The Electoral Commission opened a limited registration exercise last week to enable Ghanaians who have turned 18 to register as well as to allow those who have lost their voters identity card to replace them.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Organizers of a planned picketing at the Jubilee House, the seat of government dubbed #occupiedjubileehouse have been arrested after they proceeded with their demonstration despite an injunction application filed at the court by the police.



They were arrested when they started the protest march from 37 vicinity in the capital.

They said to have violated the Public Order Act.



The organizers, Democracy Hub, planned to demonstrate within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd September 2023, but the police in a statement disclosed it had filed an injunction application at the court and waiting for it to determine the matter before taking any further action.



The group expressed its disappointment at the partisan attempts by the Police to disrupt peaceful and democratic mobilization for our upcoming Occupy Jubilee House picket.



The group therefore urged the public in a press release to disregard the police communication and convene at the 37 Trotro Station on Thursday, September 21 for the protest.



However, on the day of the protest, police officers arrested three of the organizers of the Democracy Hub as they attempted to carry out the demonstration. The Vormawor boys who were identified as Simon Kudjo, Kojo Ackah and Kwami Dzata were arrested for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration.



According to the Accra Regional Police Command, the Vormawor boys were in violation of the Public Order Act, which requires organizers of demonstrations to notify the police and obtain a clearance before demonstrating.



The police said the Democracy Hub organizers failed to obtain such a permit, therefore their planned protest was illegal and in contravention of the law.



The police also stated that the arrested individuals will be prosecuted for their actions and reminded the public about the importance of obtaining permits before holding demonstrations.



Meanwhile, the Democracy Hub has condemned the arrest of the organisers, saying it was a clear example of the governments attempt to silence dissenting voices and suppress freedom of expression.



The group called on the government to respect the right of citizens to peaceful protest and demanded the immediate release of the Vormawor boys.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The 2020 running mate to former President John Mahama, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has condemned the arrest of protesters of #OccupyJulorBiHouse demonstration.



About 50 demonstrators who were participating in the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest were arrested after they proceeded with their demonstration despite an injunction application filed at the court by the police.



Among those arrested was Oliver Barker Vormawor, the #FixtheCountry convener.



Reacting to this, Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang wrote on X: Todays arrest of the small band of protesters - mostly young, non threatening people - is unnecessary and undemocratic.



One expects the Police to have engaged them, to hear them out and to direct them accordingly, instead of intimidating, arresting, and brutalizing them. I join all well meaning Ghanaians to demand their immediate release from custody".



Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, on the other hand, described it as shameful and backward.



Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Median cautions or convictions for those with youth justice involvement, by care experience and ethnic group major. Care Experience, Ethnicity and Youth Justice Involvement: Key Trends and Policy Implications (2023).

An unprecedented study of 2.3m children has found that one in three children born between 1996 and 1999 who had experience of the care system received a youth justice caution or conviction between the ages of 10 and 17, compared with just 4% of those without experience of care.

This figure was even higher for some ethnic groups, with a total of 39% of Black Caribbean, 38% of White and Black African and 42% of White and Black Caribbean children who'd been in care involved in the youth justice system.

Of all children in the study, custodial sentences were almost twice as common among Black and Mixed ethnicity children who'd been in care compared to White children who'd been in care.

The study found that 5% of White children who'd been in care received a custodial sentencewith 9% of Black and Mixed ethnicity children who'd been in care sentenced to custody.

Dr. Claire Fitzpatrick, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Lancaster University and co-author of the report, said, "The findings from this research led by Dr. Katie Hunter are deeply concerning and ought to be taken very seriously. In particular, the extent of justice-system over-representation that has been revealed is shocking.

"This research demonstrates the importance of using more detailed ethnicity information when considering inequalities in youth justice involvement, particularly for those who have been in care. It highlights the serious need to ensure that all children can benefit from efforts at preventing unnecessary criminalization, no matter who they are or where they have come from."

The research, authored by Manchester Metropolitan University and Lancaster University, is the largest ever study of its kind in England, demonstrating that children who'd been in careand particularly those who are Blackare statistically over-represented in the criminal justice system.

The report also emphasizes that high levels of youth justice involvement among children who've been in care are not an inevitability but a sign that somewhere along the line, they have been failed.

An Administrative Data Research UK Research Fellowship project, the study analyzed new linked data from the Ministry of Justice and Department for Education. It included four cohorts of children born between 1996 and 1999, with snapshot demographic information extracted from the 2006 to 2009 educational censuses when they were aged ten, the minimum age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales.

The resulting dataset contains information for approximately 2.3m children, comprising demographic informationincluding gender and ethnicityinformation about children's services involvement and/or youth justice involvement. The data included 50,000 children who had experience of being in care including foster care, children's homes and kinship care.

Based on the report findings, the authors have outlined a series of policy recommendations, including improving the availability of linked data from the justice system and other government departments, the publication of data using detailed ethnicity categories, a statutory duty on local authorities to prevent unnecessary criminalization of children in care and care leavers, and promoting understanding across youth justice agencies of the needs of children who've been in care in order to improve support.

Dr. Katie Hunter, Lecturer in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University and lead author of the study, said, "As a result of this analysis, we now know the shocking extent of criminalization among care-experienced children in England. It also reveals what individuals working in the field have long suspectedthat racially minoritized care-experienced children are especially vulnerable to youth justice involvement and imprisonment.

"Clearly, we need urgent action from government to prevent the unnecessary criminalization of children in care and care leavers which takes account of the specific needs of minoritized groups. We also need to keep in mind that youth justice involvement among children who've been in care is not an inevitability. We must avoid stigmatizing these childrenthis is about over-criminalization and system failures."

The report, Care Experience, Ethnicity and Youth Justice Involvement: Key Trends and Policy Implications, is authored by Dr. Katie Hunter at Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as Professor Brian Francis and Dr. Claire Fitzpatrick at Lancaster University.
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Illustration of a radio telescope listening for signals from an alien civilization. Credit: Zayna Sheikh, Breakthrough Listen

You've heard this story before. An advanced alien race comes to Earth. They offer peace and prosperity, but they hold a dark secret. One that could destroy humanity. That dark secret has varied over the years, from stealing our water, books on culinary advice, or communism, but the result is always the same. First contact with advanced extraterrestrials goes very badly for us. But in reality, how bad could it be? That's the question a new study examines using game theory and Hobbesian philosophy.

The simple argument against alien contact comes from our own history. When European colonizers made contact with the nations of the Americas, the results were genocide and the destruction of American civilizations. So, the argument goes, if an advanced alien fleet comes to Earth, we should expect the worst.

However, Europeans came to the Americas with the specific intent of subjugation and exploitation, which might not be true of alien explorers. And while giant spaceships hovering over our major cities can make for good cinema, it's much more likely that the first contact with aliens will be by radio, with an exchange of information across light years. So we should probably take a more game-theoretic approach to first contact.

One way to approach the problem of first contact is through the Hobbesian Trap, also known as Schelling's dilemma. Suppose you get lost in the woods and meet a stranger. The best outcome is for the two of you to work together to find a way out of the woods. But you don't know this stranger. They might beat you unconscious and steal your stuff. So maybe you should beat them unconscious first. Even though the best outcome is cooperation, the safest outcome is betrayal. The conclusion seems to be that contact between alien civilizations would likely lead to their destruction rather than an alliance. This has been used as one explanation for the Fermi Paradox, and why we haven't yet discovered aliens.

But in this new paper published in Space Policy, the author argues that Hobbesian logic is the wrong approach. The trap arises because both sides have adopted a risk-averse approachthat it's better to be safe than sorry. An alternative would be to take a reward approach, which the author feels is more likely.

The argument is that if we make contact with an alien civilization, we will actually know quite a bit about them. We'd know that they evolved in the same physical universe as us, with all the evolutionary challenges. We'd know they have developed technology, which requires a level of cooperation and mutual benefit. And if they can travel through interstellar space to reach us, they have likely overcome major societal and environmental challenges.

So even though we can't assume their intentions are completely benign, we also know there would be a tremendous benefit to cooperation and information exchange. So our best strategy is to take a beneficial approach. This would also be their best strategy, and they likely know it.

From this the author develops a set of Axioms of First Contact, outlining some basic rules of engagement when meeting an alien species. Very broadly, they are to understand that communication is possible between us, that we should be cautious but hopeful, and that first contact is not likely to be an existential threat. There are strong mutual benefits to contact.

When humans work together and trust each other, our world becomes a better and safer place. Perhaps the same can be said about humans and aliens.

More information: Steven J. Firth, An Assay on The Hobbesian Trap and Axioms of First Contact, Space Policy (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2023.101581
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Projected weekly cartel-related deaths (top) and cartel size (bottom) under different scenarios: continued trends, doubling incapacitation, halving recruitment, and reducing recruitment to zero. Credit: Complexity Science Hub

Not through courts and not through prisons. The only way to reduce violence in Mexico is to cut off recruitment. Increasing incapacitation instead leads to both more homicides and cartel members, researcher Rafael Prieto-Curiel from the Complexity Science Hub and colleagues show in a study published in Science.

In 2021, approximately 34,000 people died from intentional homicides in Mexicothe equivalent of nearly 27 victims per 100,000 population. This ranks Mexico among the least peaceful countries worldwide.

Fifth largest employer

In order to be able to address this violence in the most targeted way possible, researchers now studied the cartels' evolution by using data on murders, missing persons, and incarcerations in Mexico between 2012 and 2022. Therefore, they combined data from the National Institute of Geography and Statistics in Mexico (INEGI) on homicides, the national registry of missing persons (RNPDNO), and data from the Mexican prison census.

Their results show that Mexican cartels currently have between 160,000 and 185,000 members. This makes them the fifth largest employer in the countrywith far-reaching effects on the population. And despite the state's efforts to limit the cartels' power by, for example, imprisoning nearly 6,000 cartel members annually, the cartels have increased their membership by 60,000 since 2012.

A | Between 2012 and 2022, an estimated 285,000 people were cartel members, but only 60% remained active by 2022. Cartel careers are short and perilous, with approximately 17% deceased and 20% incapacitated. B | Number of employees from the top 10 companies in Mexico and the combined size of cartels. The total cartel membership ranged between 160,000 and 185,000. C | Among the 175,000 active cartel members, approximately 17.9% belong to CJNG, 8.9% to Cartel de Sinaloa, and 6.2% to Nueva Familia Michoacana, the three largest cartels by size. Credit: Complexity Science Hub

Recruiting 350 people per week

At the same time, they themselves lose many members to killings. "The career path of cartels is very short and violent. In 10 years, 17% of the people recruited by cartels will be dead, and 20% will be incapacitated in some prison," explains Rafael Prieto-Curiel from the Complexity Science Hub. At least 350 people need to be recruited per week to avoid collapse due to total losses, the researcher says.

Massively increasing violence

Still, violence has not decreased. On the contrary, between 2012 and 2021, cartel-related deaths increased by 77%. "If Mexico continues this path, it will experience 40% more deaths by 2027 than it does today, and the cartels will have 26% more members," Prieto-Curiel says. Even if it were possible to prosecute twice as many cartel members and have twice as many people in prison, there would still be 8% more deaths in 2027.

Cutting off recruitment

In comparison, halving the cartel's ability to recruit would reduce weekly casualties by 25% and the cartel's size by 11% until 2027.

"Mathematically, therefore, a preventive strategy is significantly more successful than a traditional reactive strategy," Prieto-Curiel says. However, the cartels are so large that even if recruitment were to drop to zero, it would take three years to return to the already high levels of violence seen in 2012. That's why swift and comprehensive action is needed.

First scientific attempt

Despite the Mexican cartels' economic, social, and political importance, essential information about their size and the impact of various policies designed to limit their power has been lacking.

"To the best of our knowledge, this work provides the first scientific attempt to mathematically quantify the size of cartels in Mexico and compare policy strategies to reduce violence in the country. We, therefore, hope to make an important contribution to a more peaceful future of Mexico," Prieto-Curiel says.

More information: Rafael Prieto-Curiel, Reducing cartel recruitment is the only way to lower violence in Mexico, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2888. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh2888 Journal information: Science
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

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Foremost Neanderthal remains found at the Simanya Gran gallery from Cova Simanya (Barcelona, Spain). Skeletal remains are distributed according to their attribution to specific individuals. (A) Left humerus; (B) shaft, caudal view; (C) bones of the foot; (D) bones of the right hand; (E) upper P3 and M3; (F) fragment of the atlas and first phalanx of the hand; and (G) fragment of the ascending branch. Credit: Frontiers in Earth Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/feart.2023.1230707

A team of historians, paleontologists and biologists affiliated with institutions across Spain has discovered that a box of artifacts donated to a museum in Spain back in 1986 contained a treasure trove of Neanderthal bones. In their paper published in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science, the group describes the history of the bones, how they turned up at a museum and what the group has learned about the objects so far.

Back in the late 1970s, amateur paleontologist Miguel Aznar uncovered a vast assortment of artifacts and bones outside of a cave called Cova Simanya, which is located in a park just outside of Barcelona. Aznar cleaned the materials and gave them a cursory inspection and then dumped them all together in a box. He then put them in a storage bin at his home, where they stayed until 1986; the year he donated the box to the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, where it sat unexplored until 2020.

After finally opening the box, the research team found that in addition to pottery fragments and other artifacts, the box also held animal bones and 53 Neanderthal bones. Study of the bones has revealed that they all belonged to just three individuals; an adult, probably a woman, a child, probably aged 11 or 12 years old at the time of death and another young child, which the team estimates to have been 7 to 8 years old at their time of death.

The bones have been dated back to approximately 50,000 years ago. The researchers are still in the process of attempting to retrieve DNA from the bones to learn more about them and find out if the individuals they represent were related.

To more accurately place the original location of the bones from the box, the researchers went to the mouth of the cave as described by Aznar and looked for more of them. In so doing, they found a wisdom tooth that had once belonged to one of the individuals whose bones were found in the box. That allowed the research team to definitively tie the rest of the bones in the box to the same dig site.

The research team notes that the bone collection also represents the most significant discovery of Neanderthal bones in the region, and perhaps the entire Iberian Peninsula.

More information: Juan I. Morales et al, A new assemblage of late Neanderthal remains from Cova Simanya (NE Iberia), Frontiers in Earth Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/feart.2023.1230707 Journal information: Frontiers in Earth Science

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This is bleached coral at Rottnest Island off Western Australia during the 2011 heatwave, when sea surface temperatures were around 4C higher than average. The bleaching took place at the end of a La Nina phase. Credit: Damian Thomson, CSIRO

It's official: An El Nino event is now underway across the Pacific.

With hotter and drier conditions expected for this summer, it's time for a refresher on El Nino and how his sister, La Nina, fits into the mix.

El Nino and La Nina are the two primary phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). They affect wind, clouds, and ocean temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific. And while this is far from the shores of Bondi, these phases can have a huge impact on mainland Australiafrom rainfall to drought to extreme events.

This makes ENSO one of the most important climate drivers in our region. Outside of Australia, ENSO affects every single other continent in the world, particularly South America, Africa and Asia.

Other climate drivers affect us too, including the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).

El Nino or La Nina: What's the difference?

ENSO is responsible for changes in our weather patterns roughly every two to seven years. The last El Nino we experienced was in 2015/16.

When the central and eastern equatorial Pacific is warmer than normal, it is called the El Nino phase, "the little boy" in Spanish. When it is cooler than normal, it is called La Nina, or "the little girl."

These warmer-than- or cooler-than-usual events generally last for several months in a row, and in some cases, longer.

La Nina: The little girl who brings floods and cyclones to Australia

Many of us on the east coast would prefer to forget the "triple-dip" La Nina that ended in early 2023. It took place across a rare three consecutive years. Here's a quick science reminder.

When La Nina visits, about once every two to seven years, she hitches a ride with strong trade winds blowing from east to west. La Nina makes the winds blow stronger from the Americas to Australia across the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific winds take some of the surface water on a journey to Australia's landmass, warming the surface water as they blow. This means we start to see warmer than usual waters collect in our oceans around Australia and Indonesia.

Warmer waters bring more evaporation, which leads to more condensation, which leads to more clouds and rain. And just like that, you can thank Nina for those heavy downpours and flooding events.

El Nino: The little boy who dampens rainfall and turns up the heat in Australia

What about when El Nino visits? He's the opposite. El Nino arrives when the winds from the Americas weaken from east to west. This means warm water that begins to gather in the Americas doesn't make it to Australia. Warm surface water that is normally being pushed across to the west (Australia's east coast), is now staying in the east side of the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly the Americas have warm water, and Australia and Indonesia are both left with cooler water in the surrounding oceans.

Cooler water surrounding Australia and Indonesia can have a big impact on rainfall during El Nino years. Cooler water in this area means there is less evaporation, less condensation, and less rain. This means an increased risk of droughts, heat waves, and bushfires in north-eastern Australia.

Interestingly, in North and South America, El Nino causes the oppositefloods and more cloudy days.

You may have also heard of Ash Wednesday in 1983? That occurred during El Nino too.

Like ENSO, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) has positive and negative phases. As at September 2023, a "positive" IOD has also developed. When the a positive IOD and El Nino occur together, their drying effect is typically enhanced.

El Nino and La Nina disclaimer

No two El Nino or La Nina events are the same. It's important to note extreme events like drought and floods can happen in the neutral phase of ENSO. It's best to think of ENSO as "weighting the dice."

While ENSO might make certain events such as high ocean temperatures more likely, it all comes down to the flavor, strength, and timing of any ENSO phase. In addition to flavor, whatever else is going on in the climate system at the time also plays a role in what eventually occurs.

Provided by CSIRO
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For more than 25 years, New Zealanders have consistently rated freshwater health as one of their leading environmental concerns. But the issue is strikingly absent from the 2023 election campaign.

Debate of the controversial new water reform lawwhich places the management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater with ten publicly owned entities instead of local councilshas been noticeably muted.

Similarly, discussions of the 2020 Essential Freshwater package, which was the government's response to New Zealanders listing freshwater as the second most important policy issue in 2017, are nowhere to be seen.

Part of the reason could be that the regulatory approach of the Essential Freshwater package has met resistance from farmers and landowners who feel growing pressure from compounding environmental regulations.

Given this, the continued absence of environmental markets for addressing scarcity and improving freshwater quality in New Zealand streams and rivers is a marked policy omission.

Elsewhere in the world, water trading can help improve efficiency and drive water conservation. Trading helps to shift water from low-value to high-value uses or from areas with relative abundance to places of relative scarcity.

Motivated by what we observe in New Zealand and internationally, our new research offers an innovative, alternative approach for managing freshwater in small catchments.

Freshwater and property rights

Freshwater is allocated on a "first come, first served" basis in New Zealand. Since 1991, consents or permits have been granted to water users by local authorities under the Resource Management Act (RMA), usually for periods of up to 30 years.

Although these consents act as de-facto property rights to water, they are not defined as such under the RMA. This makes water "rights" open to interpretation when challenged under law.

Consent holders are also unable to easily trade and exchange their rights. This means water is not necessarily used in the most efficient or effective way. This potentially exacerbates issues of over-allocation and declining water quality.

Part of the ambiguity around water rights is driven by unresolved questions about proprietary rights and Maori interests in water that have arisen because of inconsistent translations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. These complexities make the establishment of property rights to freshwater complicated, with run-on effects for the types of policy tools that can be adopted.

Freshwater catchments, such as the 12,400ha Edendale groundwater management zone in the South Island, generally have small numbers of active users. Credit: NIWA, CC BY-SA

Formal water markets, like those in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin, require property rights to be well defined, defended and divestible. They also have several institutional preconditions, such as low transaction costs and a large number of active traders. These make them appear poorly suited for many small New Zealand catchments.

However, our research suggests that designing water markets as "clubs" could circumvent some of the institutional challenges of implementing formal trading regimes in small New Zealand catchments.

Water clubs: A new model for small catchments

Unlike other countries characterized by large river basins and many active water users, many parts of New Zealand have small catchments with few active users.

Economic theory argues these contexts are unsuitable for formal trading arrangements because the transaction costs associated with establishing an active water market are likely to outweigh any potential efficiency gains from trade.

Designing (or redesigning) water markets as clubs could get around some of the political and economic complexities of New Zealand's freshwater policy landscape by permitting small groups of users with shared interests to voluntarily trade their water endowment under certain conditions.

In small catchments, the introduction of trading at the group level has the potential to increase the public-good aspects of water such as water quality. It could also improve community well-being and encourage people to internalize the costs they may be imposing on other group members.

We also find the club model performs best when the number of active traders is low. This challenges the common assumptions regarding group size and effective market performance.

These results suggest that if water users, such as a group of like-minded farmers involved in a catchment group, were given permission to trade their water consent with other members of their group, they could improve the health of the environment.

They could also enhance the net benefits of their own private agricultural production, compared with the current regulatory status quo.

Although this new "club model" does not comprehensively address the outstanding issues of Maori rights and interests in freshwater, it provides an innovative way to adapt a trading regime to suit New Zealand's political and geographical context.

Surely innovation is something political leaders would want to discuss on the campaign trail.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A new report from Wiley suggests that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in the majority of college classroomsand that number could climb quickly.

The majority (58%) of college instructors who responded to Wiley's recent survey say they or their students are already using generative AI in their classrooms, according to the company's new report, "Higher Ed's Next Chapter, 20232024." And another third of those who aren't say they'd consider using it in the future.

More than 60% of instructors are somewhat or very familiar with generative AI tools.

"The whirlwind that is generative AI has swept across our college campuses with remarkable speed, and there's no going back," said Smita Bakshi, senior vice president of academic learning at Wiley. "It's important for college instructors to educate themselves and their students on effective and appropriate use of this new technology in the classroom."

Generative AI's growth is happening quickly, and respondents expect that trend to continue. Two-thirds of instructors say they expect their program or department will use more technology over the next three years, and nearly six in ten anticipate AI-based tools, virtual/augmented reality, or courseware with flexible assignment types will be important in delivering their courses three years from now.

The quick adoption of AI technology does not come without its concerns. Just around one third of instructors say they feel somewhat or very positive about AI usage. The large majority believe it will allow students to cheat more easily and make it harder to detect cheating. More than six in ten are looking for new ideas and solutions to address these concerns.

A recent study from zyBooks and the University of California suggested that simple, low-effort methods can help reduce cheating in college courses, such as discussing academic integrity with students early in the course, requiring an academic integrity quiz, and demonstrating anti-cheating tools the instructor has available.

The rise of technology and AI is one of four emerging trends in higher education identified in the report. The other three trends are:

Students are concerned that they're not well prepared for their post-graduation lives.

Students are searching for meaningful careers.

Instructors are prioritizing student needs despite challenges of their own.

Some data on AI were generated in an August 2023 survey consisting of responses from 1,078 instructors in North America from various disciplines (including business, math, science, psychology, and technology). Other data were gathered in August 2022 in a survey of 2,452 instructors.

Provided by Wiley
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Researchers have identified the threat greenwashing poses to a "nature positive" world, one where environmental decline halts and biodiversity outcomes improve. The research is published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

The concept of nature positiveoften seen as the biodiversity version of a "net zero" climate goaldepicts a planet where nature genuinely improves globally, going beyond current efforts that largely focus on mitigating harm.

The University of Queensland's Professor Martine Maron, who led the work, said nature positive is essential to stopping the world's current mass extinction event.

"Countries around the world are starting to back the conceptmore than 90 world leaders have signed on to the Leaders' Pledge for Nature calling for a nature positive future by 2030. And 11 of the global Fortune 100 companies already aspire to contribute to nature positive.

"This is fantastic news, but these laudable ambitions mustn't be sidelined by a well-known enemy of the environmental movement: greenwash."

Greenwash refers to misleading or deceptive publicity disseminated by an organization to present an environmentally responsible public image.

Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland from the University of Oxford said they hope the public don't get the proverbial wool pulled over their eyes.

"Our message to the public is that it's incredibly important to scrutinize these claims," Professor Milner-Gulland said.

"As with the term 'net zero,' you'll soon start to see the businesses you buy from, and the governments you vote for, making claims that they are being, doing, or contributing to nature positive. But to be clear, such an achievement is only possible if we fundamentally change how we run our society and economy.

"What we really need are standards, so that it's clear what constitutes misleading information, and transparency, so that consumers and voters can tell the greenwash from the genuine efforts for change."

Australia is currently framing its national environmental law reforms around the concept of nature positive.

"For these initiatives to truly achieve that goal, they'll need to be substantial and far-reaching, preventing the accumulation of further impacts, especially on our threatened biodiversity," Professor Maron said.

"Hundreds of thousands of hectares of habitat are still being cleared in Australia every year, so we still have a long way to go before we can say we're nature positive."
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At this excavation site at the foot of Ambarlikaya in Bogazkoy-Hattusha in Turkey, a cuneiform tablet with a previously unknown Indo-European language was discovered. Credit: Andreas Schachner / Deutsches Archaologisches Institut

An excavation in Turkey has brought to light an unknown Indo-European language. Professor Daniel Schwemer, an expert for the ancient Near East, is involved in investigating the discovery.

The new language was discovered in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bogazkoy-Hattusha in north-central Turkey. This was once the capital of the Hittite Empire, one of the great powers of Western Asia during the Late Bronze Age (1650 to 1200 BC).

Excavations in Bogazkoy-Hattusha have been going on for more than 100 years under the direction of the German Archaeological Institute. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986; almost 30,000 clay tablets with cuneiform writing have been found there so far. These tablets, which were included in the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage in 2001, provide rich information about the history, society, economy and religious traditions of the Hittites and their neighbors.

Yearly archaeological campaigns led by current site director Professor Andreas Schachner of the Istanbul Department of the German Archaeological Institute continue to add to the cuneiform finds. Most of the texts are written in Hittite, the oldest attested Indo-European language and the dominant language at the site. Yet the excavations of this year yielded a surprise: Hidden in a cultic ritual text written in Hittite is a recitation in a hitherto unknown language.

Hittites were interested in foreign languages

Professor Schwemer, head of the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Germany, is working on the cuneiform finds from the excavation. He reports that the Hittite ritual text refers to the new idiom as the language of the land of Kalasma. This is an area on the north-western edge of the Hittite heartland, probably in the area of present-day Bolu or Gerede.

The discovery of another language in the Bogazkoy-Hattusha archives is not entirely unexpected, as Prof. Schwemer explains: "The Hittites were uniquely interested in recording rituals in foreign languages."

Such ritual texts, written by scribes of the Hittite king reflect various Anatolian, Syrian, and Mesopotamian traditions and linguistic milieus. The rituals provide valuable glimpses into the little known linguistic landscapes of Late Bronze Age Anatolia, where not just Hittite was spoken. Thus cuneiform texts from Bogazkoy-Hattusha include passages in Luwian and Palaic, two other Anatolian-Indo-European languages closely related to Hittite, as well as Hattic, a non-Indo-European language. Now the language of Kalasma can be added to these.

More precise classification of the new language is in progress

Being written in a newly discovered language the Kalasmaic text is as yet largely incomprehensible. Prof. Schwemer's colleague, Professor Elisabeth Rieken (Marburg University), a specialist in ancient Anatolian languages, has confirmed that the idiom belongs to the family of Anatolian-Indo-European languages.

According to Rieken, despite its geographic proximity to the area where Palaic was spoken, the text seems to share more features with Luwian. How closely the language of Kalasma is related to the other Luwian dialects of Late Bronze Age Anatolia will be the subject of further investigation.
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Lolita, the orca who lived in a tank at the Miami Seaquarium from her capture in 1970 in waters off Washington state to her death 53 years later in August, will be honored in a homecoming Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Lummi Nation, representing the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast where Lolita was captured, announced it will welcome home Sk'aliCh'elh-tenautthe orca also known as Tokitae or Toki"in traditional ceremonies to honor her life and leadership," the group said in a statement.

The Lummi Nation had long advocated on behalf of Tokitae and had aimed to have her returned to Puget Sound in her lifetime.

Lolita, who performed at the Virginia Key attraction until she was retired in 2022 due to health issues, died Aug. 18. She was about 57.

"Lolita will be welcomed by her family, with the honors and ceremonies of the Lummi's still preserved culture. Some of them will be shared to the people live stream in social media," the Seaquarium said in a Facebook post.

According to the Lummi Nation, its members traveled to Athens, Georgia, earlier this week to culturally and traditionally prepare Toki's ashes for her journey home. A necropsy was conducted in August by vets and pathologists at the University of Georgia. Final results will be released soon and made available to the public, the Seaquarium said in its statement.

"This week's ceremonies are private for Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut's Lummi relations. Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut will be honored with a public celebration of life at a date to be announced later," the Lummi Nation said.

2023 Miami Herald.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Nano Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01684

A new form of agricultural pest control could one day take rootone that treats crop infestations deep under the ground in a targeted manner with less pesticide.

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed nanoparticles, fashioned from plant viruses, that can deliver pesticide molecules to soil depths that were previously unreachable. This advance could potentially help farmers effectively combat parasitic nematodes that plague the root zones of crops, all while minimizing costs, pesticide use and environmental toxicity.

Controlling infestations caused by root-damaging nematodes has long been a challenge in agriculture. One reason is that the types of pesticides used against nematodes tend to cling to the top layers of soil, making it tough to reach the root level where nematodes wreak havoc. As a result, farmers often resort to applying excessive amounts of pesticide, as well as water to wash pesticides down to the root zone. This can lead to contamination of soil and groundwater.

To find a more sustainable and effective solution, a team led by Nicole Steinmetz, a professor of nanoengineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and founding director of the Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, developed plant virus nanoparticles that can transport pesticide molecules deep into the soil, precisely where they are needed. The work is detailed in a paper published in Nano Letters.

Steinmetz's team drew inspiration from nanomedicine, where nanoparticles are being created for targeted drug delivery, and adapted this concept to agriculture. This idea of repurposing and redesigning biological materials for different applications is also a focus area of the UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), of which Steinmetz is a co-lead.

"We're developing a precision farming approach where we're creating nanoparticles for targeted pesticide delivery," said Steinmetz, who is the study's senior author. "This technology holds the promise of enhancing treatment effectiveness in the field without the need to increase pesticide dosage."

The star of this approach is the tobacco mild green mosaic virus, a plant virus that has the ability to move through soil with ease. Researchers modified these virus nanoparticles, rendering them noninfectious to crops by removing their RNA. They then mixed these nanoparticles with pesticide solutions in water and heated them, creating spherical virus-like nanoparticles packed with pesticides through a simple one-pot synthesis.

This one-pot synthesis offers several advantages. First, it is cost-effective, with just a few steps and a straightforward purification process. The result is a more scalable method, paving the way toward a more affordable product for farmers, noted Steinmetz. Second, by simply packaging the pesticide inside the nanoparticles, rather than chemically binding it to the surface, this method preserves the original chemical structure of the pesticide.

"If we had used a traditional synthetic method where we link the pesticide molecules to the nanoparticles, we would have essentially created a new compound, which will need to go through a whole new registration and regulatory approval process," said study first author Adam Caparco, a postdoctoral researcher in Steinmetz's lab.

"But since we're just encapsulating the pesticide within the nanoparticles, we're not changing the active ingredient, so we won't need to get new approval for it. That could help expedite the translation of this technology to the market."

Moreover, the tobacco mild green mosaic virus is already approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as an herbicide to control an invasive plant called the tropical soda apple. This existing approval could further streamline the path from lab to market.

The researchers conducted experiments in the lab to demonstrate the efficacy of their pesticide-packed nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were watered through columns of soil and successfully transported the pesticides to depths of at least 10 centimeters. The solutions were collected from the bottom of the soil columns and were found to contain the pesticide-packed nanoparticles. When the researchers treated nematodes with these solutions, they eliminated at least half of the population in a petri dish.

While the researchers have not yet tested the nanoparticles on nematodes lurking beneath the soil, they note that this study marks a significant step forward.

"Our technology enables pesticides meant to combat nematodes to be used in the soil," said Caparco. "These pesticides alone cannot penetrate the soil. But with our nanoparticles, they now have soil mobility, can reach the root level, and potentially kill the nematodes."

Future research will involve testing the nanoparticles on actual infested plants to assess their effectiveness in real-world agricultural scenarios. Steinmetz's lab will perform these follow-up studies in collaboration with the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory. Her team has also established plans for an industry partnership aimed at advancing the nanoparticles into a commercial product.

More information: Adam A. Caparco et al, Delivery of Nematicides Using TMGMV-Derived Spherical Nanoparticles, Nano Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01684 Journal information: Nano Letters
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A former mining camp shows where shallow mining ponds have overwhelmed a former river system in the La Pampa region of Madre de Dios, Peru. Credit: Jason Houston (iLCP Redsecker Response Fund/CEES/CINCIA))

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a lifeline for many who live in Madre de Dios, a region in southeastern Peru, where poverty is high and jobs are scarce. But the economic development in this part of the Amazon basin comes at a cost, as it causes deforestation, build up of sediment in rivers, and mercury contamination in nearby watersheds, threatening public health, Indigenous peoples, and the future of the biodiversity hotspot. And much of the mining activity is unauthorized.

Seeking to eliminate illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining activity and its many negative impacts, the Peruvian government deployed "Operation Mercury" (Operation Mercurio) in February 2019 in the La Pampa region, an area where gold mining is banned in most places. La Pampa straddles the Interoceanic Highway. North of the highway, mining is mostly legal in mining concessions. However, south of the highway mining is strictly prohibited in the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve.

Through Operation Mercury, armed military and national police were dispatched to the region and had a sustained presence until March 2020. Miners were evicted and mining equipment was destroyed. The intervention was successful in stopping illegal gold mining activity in La Pampa but activity in legal areas spiked, triggering many of the same environmental concerns, according to a Dartmouth-led study. The results are published in Conservation Letters.

"Although illegal gold mining operations in La Pampa came to a near halt during Operation Mercury's two intervening years (20192020), mining activity essentially just shifted across the road to legal areas on the other side of the Interoceanic Highway," says lead author Evan Dethier, an assistant professor at Occidental College, who conducted the study while he was a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth.

Following Operation Mercury, mining decreased by 70% to 90%. Excavated mining pits ("mining ponds") in illegal mining areas decreased by up to 5% per year as compared to increasing by 33% to 90% per year before the intervention.

Although deforested areas experienced revegetation at a rate of 1 to 3 square kilometers per year, progress was offset by increases in deforestation in legal mining areas north of the Interoceanic Highway at a rate of 3 to 5 square kilometers per year. Most of the revegetation occurred on the edges of deforested areas, with the highest revegetation in La Pampa south. Mining pond areas outside intervention zones also saw increases ranging from 42% to 83%

"The spillover effect in areas near the intervention zone demonstrates that stronger regulations are also needed in legal gold mining areas, to help mitigate the environmental effects," says Dethier. "But this intervention did have some of the intended effects, limiting mining in a protected area for a sustained period."

To assess Operation Mercury's impact on mining activity, the research team drew on satellite data from 2016 to 2021 from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2. Data were obtained from nine mining areas: four illegal mining areas targeted by the intervention, two legal areas to the north on the other side of the Interoceanic Highway, and three distant sites that were not part of the enforcement, which served as a control for the study.

Using the radar and multispectral data, the researchers were able to quantify changes in water, water quality, mining pond areas, and deforestation in La Pampa following Operation Mercury, by comparing data from before, during, and after the intervention.

As part of the analysis, the team examined the spectral properties of the mining ponds and changes in pond color. Mining ponds typically take on a yellow color, which acts as a marker for gold mining activity. The "yellowness" of the ponds is associated with increases in suspended sediment in the water, according to prior research led by Dethier.

Through gold mining processes, sediment is churned up from the land, creating turbid water with lower reflectance levels, while clearer water has higher reflectance. After Operation Mercury was implemented, reflectance increased in mining ponds in La Pampa south but then stabilized.

Following Operation Mercury, pond yellowness decreased rapidly after mining activity was suspended in all areas of La Pampa, except in the north. In La Pampa northwest, mining activity spiked and pond yellowness increased by 43%, as compared to before the intervention. In La Pampa northeast, yellowness remained stable due to continued mining activity.

"Like many other countries around the world with highly prized natural resources, with Peru's rich deposits of gold, it has had to determine who controls this extractable resource and how this particular mining sector will be formed," says co-author David A. Lutz, a research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth.

By January 2023, when this paper was under review by the journal, illegal gold mining had resumed in protected areas, as enforcement and anticorruption activities by the military and national police had ceased, once they were redeployed to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our results demonstrate how intervention at the federal level can effectively stop illegal mining in Peru," says Dethier. "But that is just one aspect of the problem, as a multifaceted approach is necessary to address the long-term impacts of both illegal and legal gold mining activity on humans, wildlife and the environment in the Madre de Dios watershed."

Dethier says that "strong governance and conservation and remediation strategies are needed to protect this tropical biodiversity hotspot. And, as we continue to show in our related work, this challenge is a global phenomenon."

Dethier, Lutz, and others just published a related study that showed the rise of similar mining operations in 49 countries across the global tropics. They showed that as much as 7% of large tropical rivers have been degraded by these expanding mining operations.

More information: Evan N. Dethier et al, Operation mercury: Impacts of nationallevel armed forces intervention and anticorruption strategy on artisanal gold mining and water quality in the Peruvian Amazon, Conservation Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1111/conl.12978 Journal information: Conservation Letters
GLOBALink | China's economic growth defies Western naysayers Pub Date:23-09-21 09:24 Source:Xinhua BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- When some in the West once again bad-mouthed China's economy, international observers and business insiders say otherwise. Data have also shown that China's economy has continued to recover on a generally sound track of rebound. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

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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

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Niue, a small island nation in the Pacific, has devised an innovative strategy to fund the protection of its expansive and pristine territorial waters: it will get sponsors to pay.

According to the initiative, which was unveiled by Niue's Premier Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday in New York, people or businesses can pay $148 to safeguard one square kilometer (about 250 acres) of the ocean for a period of 20 years from risks including illicit fishing and plastic garbage, as reported by The Associated Press.

By selling 127,000 square kilometer units, which represent the 40 percent of its seas that make up a no-take marine protected area, Niue intends to collect more than $18 million from the plan. According to Tagelagi, his people have always maintained a strong bond with the ocean.

He claimed that because their ancestors taught them about the ocean, Niueans want to be able to transmit that knowledge to the following generation in a healthy and sustainable way.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the majority of fishing in Niue is done for domestic consumption, while there are a few small-scale commercial operations and sporadic offshore industrial-scale fishing activities.

Unrestricted fishing can cause fish stocks to become depleted and unable to recover, and marine animals may consume or become entangled in plastics. Ocean ecosystems for underwater organisms have changed as a result of warmer, more acidic oceans brought on by human-caused climate change.

Niue is also particularly susceptible to increasing sea levels endangering its freshwater resources and land, as well as the possibility of stronger tropical storms fueled by warmer air and ocean.

Niue, which has a population of only 1,700, admits it needs assistance from elsewhere. It is one of the world's tiniest nations, overshadowed by an oceanic area that is 1,200 times bigger than its land area.

Niue Will Purchase Over 1,000 Sponsorship Units

According to the concept, a nonprofit trust will be in charge of managing the sponsorship funds, known as Ocean Conservation Commitments.

Niue will purchase 1,700 sponsorship units or one for every one of its people. Other launch contributors include conservation group Conservation International, based in the United States, and philanthropist Lyna Lam and her husband Chris Larsen, who established the blockchain startup Ripple and assisted in setting up some technical elements of the program.

Read also: Marine Microbe Diversity's Influence On The Environment Revealed In Breakthrough Study

A Good Idea?

The necessity for nations like Niue to continuously look for new money on a project-by-project basis, according to Mal Imirizaldu, a marine scientist and regional leader with Conservation International and the Blue Nature Alliance, is one issue with the conventional way to finance ocean conservation.

The concept sounded good, according to Simon Thrush, a professor of marine science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand who was not engaged.

Related article: NOAA: Coral Bleaching Event Threatens World's Oceans For Third Time In History

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LAKE LUZERNE  After months of discussion, the Rockwell Falls Library Board officially adopted a statement solidifying its position on book banning.

The main focus of the resolution passed on Tuesday Sept. 19 reinforces the statement that Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. Further, parents should not be making decisions for other parents children about what they read.

This is a proactive statement, saying, This is where we stand, said board president Janet Silburn.

The national hot topic has reached the small town library in recent months. Trustee Kathleen Jones said she had reached out to three other libraries in the area with similar demographics  Corinth Free Library, Caldwell-Lake George Library, and Richards Library in Warrensburg  to see how theyve responded to the controversial discussion.

All three of these libraries include the American Library Associations library bill of rights which very specifically spells out why people should be allowed the right to choose their own reading material, Jones said.

The Library Bill of Rights is a set of seven articles intended as guidelines for public libraries, individual library boards are able to set their own policies regarding its application.

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices, its website states.

The board did not move to adopt the bill of rights; however, Jones read the Resolution Against Book Banning, a draft of which had been proposed several meetings ago and was finalized Tuesday evening.

As well as defending parents rights to choose, it says We as [organization/governing body] will act to protect the rights of [all students/everyone] to access a variety of books, in schools, in libraries, in bookstores, online, and elsewhere.

The resolution stops short of setting any specific policy, but counts as virtue signaling, by the board, according to Trustee Josh Jacquard.

This is just the library saying, We agree with this resolution, he said. Its just saying, Hey were nice people, were against book bans, and it really doesnt actually do anything.

Jacquard was also concerned that the resolution could directly conflict with the librarys reconsideration policy, which allows any member of the public to request that the board reconsider material found in the library.

However, the policy states that, No items shall be removed from Rockwell Falls collection if the Director deems it appropriate for the collection.

Jones clarified the resolution was meant to strengthen the boards opinion regarding the preservation of individual intellectual freedom in the library. She referenced personal opinions Jacquard had posted on social media, which may contradict the opinion expressed in the resolution.

We could bring up your loud in the library video, and although you did not mention specifically the name of the library, you are inferring that we should not have certain books in the public library, she asserted.

Silburn interrupted the dialogue stating that it was going down a rather personal rabbit hole, but allowed Jacquard to clarify his stance on the matter of book banning.

My position is not that books should be removed from the library. My position is that books should be placed in age-appropriate locations in a library, Jacquard stated.

Board Secretary Kathleen Mitchell moved that the board adopt the resolution, even if only as an act of symbolic good faith to the community at large.

I think that the community has provided applause in support of the Resolution Against Book Bans and I think if were here to listen to our patrons in our community, we need to support them by passing this resolution against book bans, Mitchell said.

The motion was passed with Mitchell, Jones, and Silburn voting for it, Jacquard voting no, and newly appointed trustee Jason Hall abstaining.
ATLANTIC CITY  Two residents of Atlantic City Housing Authority communities asked City Council to help the more than 1,300 tenants living in subsidized housing, some of whom have been dealing with frequent disruptions of heat and hot water, leaking gas lines and mold in living areas.

While council did not want to discuss another agencys issues, several members said they planned to attend the next Housing Authority board meeting in support of residents.

But some residents wanted more than that.

Luana Molley, who has lived at the 420-unit Stanley Holmes Village since 2007, attempted to ask council at its Wednesday meeting if any members have contacted state or federal officials about the issues regarding living conditions in her community.

Initially, Council President Aaron Randolph told Molley the meeting was not the venue for her comments.

I would ask you politely to not talk about Housing Authority issues here since they do not belong in this venue, but I promise we will be at the next Housing Authority meeting to support you because we believe in you and we love you, Randolph told her Wednesday.

He said council wouldnt be able to provide answers to most questions on the Housing Authority and instead, they should be directed to that agencys board.

But 2nd Ward Councilwoman LaToya Dunston disagreed.

Atlantic City Housing Authority can't find board records 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.

This is a public meeting, and we should be able to discuss anything, she said. Their answers could be here because we appoint them to the board.

Councilman-at-large George Tibbitt echoed Dunstons statements.

We are only being told what we read in the newspapers or what you hear on the radio. These tenants have come here to tell us what the people that we appointed to the housing board are doing or not doing, he said. It is our responsibility to listen in case we choose to hold hearings to remove people.

Following the pushback from other council members and after conferring with legislative counsel Robert Tarver, Randolph changed his position and said any Housing Authority tenant can speak during public comment.

The seven-member Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is currently led by board Chair and Councilwoman-at-large Stephanie Marshall, who was silent throughout the council meeting except when casting her vote on resolutions.

The other six commissioners are Vice Chair and Stanley resident Eli Gbayee, Geoff Dorsey, Dr. Natalie Devonish, Rosetta Johnson, Libbie Wills and Charmaine Hall, who is also a resident of the authoritys Walter J. Buzby Homes. Dorsey is a mayoral appointee, Devonish is an appointee of the state Department of Community Affairs and the rest of the commissioners were appointed by council.

According to the New Jersey housing authority commissioners handbook, members can be removed from office for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office. Removal is by the appointing authority.

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.

When contacted Thursday, Molley said she didnt know council had this level of oversight.

How are they going to handle the situation? Molley asked Thursday. Whats the next steps for Stanley Holmes?

Molley is among the 87 Stanley Holmes residents who filed a lawsuit against the Housing Authority over unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

At the Wednesday meeting, 3rd Ward Councilman and council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, whose district includes Stanley Holmes, said he is in constant contact with the board.

Im composing a letter now to the Housing Authority, Shabazz said.

He previously advocated on behalf of Stanley Holmes residents at multiple Housing Authority board meetings in 2021.

And following the citys emergency declaration, he wrote a letter Nov. 28, 2022, to Marshall asking for rent abatement for Stanley Holmes residents over the loss of heat and hot water that month and reiterated his request at the December board meeting.

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.

Hall also told council she was frustrated with her colleagues on the Housing Authority board, saying they prevent her and others from participating in discussions at their public meetings.

At least two Housing Authority staff members wanted to speak during public comment at the board meeting Sept. 7, when the board voted to terminate the executive director, but they were denied.

Hall also criticized the quality of recent renovation work at Buzby, showing photos of the Chelsea Heights community.

If contractors came to your house and did this job for you guys, would you be pleased? she asked.

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge John C. Porto in December ordered the Housing Authority to submit repair plans that ensured safe, adequate, reliable heat, hot water and gas service at Stanley, but the authority missed the deadline. After returning to court several times, the authority provided its repair plan Sept. 1, though the plaintiffs attorney, Olga Pomar of South Jersey Legal Services, called the document inadequate because it lacked specifics and firm timetables.

Pomar has asked the judge to appoint a special master to oversee inspection, maintenance, repairs and renovations at Stanley Holmes.

Shabazz previously said he supports the appointment of a special master and at the next board meeting, he would ask for the development of a policy that automatically refunds rent to residents whose heat and hot water fail this winter.

We plan to be physically at the commissioners meeting to express our concerns and our support, he said Wednesday.

Fired Atlantic City Housing Authority director will be paid for staying home for four months Matt Doherty was terminated with 120 days' notice at a special meeting Thursday night, after just four months on the job trying to turn around an agency that has been unable to provide basics such as heat and hot water to many residents.

The next Housing Authority board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at 901 Arctic Ave.
A mosquito sample collected from Linwood has tested positive for West Nile virus, Atlantic County officials said Thursday.

The sample was collected Sept. 12 from the meadows near the 2200 block of Brighton Avenue and was confirmed positive for West Nile on Wednesday, county health officials said in a news release.

West Nile virus was previously confirmed in a Linwood sample from the 300 block of Royal Street in late August. Other positive samples have been found in Absecon, Buena, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Northfield and Pleasantville. There have been no reported human cases of the virus.

Mosquito ground sprays were conducted by the county earlier this month in Absecon, Pleasantville, Linwood and Somers Point, and aerial sprays were performed in August in Galloway Township and Port Republic.

West Nile virus is carried by infected mosquitoes and can be transmitted to birds, animals and humans. The virus can cause serious illness and even death. Health officials encourage residents to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes by following these tips:

Use an insect repellent whenever outdoors.

Drain properties of standing water, including buckets, bird baths, flower pots and other containers.

Clean clogged gutters.

Check and repair screen doors

Cut high grass around your property.

For more information about West Nile virus, call the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971. If you need help removing stagnant puddles or floodwater from your property, call the Office of Mosquito Control at 609-645-5948.
WILDWOOD  Last years H2oi car rally hit Wildwood and its neighboring towns like a human hurricane, leaving two dead, injuring more and profoundly disrupting the community.

Local officials have spent a significant portion of the past year working to ensure nothing similar happens again. The test will come this weekend, as the city prepares to welcome its annual car show and other events while keeping out the much different car rally that invaded the community in 2022.

City officials say several people have tried to organize a new rally this year, using social media sites, but they believe they have managed to shut them down before they gain momentum.

The Wildwood Police Department along with the Cape May County Prosecutors Office have been proactively monitoring this event since the beginning of the year, police said Monday in a statement.

Last year, a diffuse group of organizers brought the car rally to Wildwood. Using several social media sites, participants were able to gather large numbers in parking lots and on street corners, where drag racing and potentially dangerous maneuvers took place.

The evening of Sept. 23, police in Middle Township and other communities had their hands full as large crowds gathered in empty parking lots. Former Middle police Chief Christopher Leusner said at the time there were points at which police were close to losing control of the situation, and officers raced to keep up as new gatherings were rapidly organized in locations around the community.

The next evening, in Wildwood, emergency responders were overwhelmed with 911 calls from throughout the community, with complaints of drag races and rowdy, sometimes violent crowds.

By the end of the night, two people were dead as a result of accidents connected to the rally, and others were badly hurt, including a father who was thrown from an open low-speed vehicle after a drag racing car lost control.

Wildwood to pursue legal action against person planning unsanctioned beach event WILDWOOD  The city said Friday it will pursue legal action against the planner of a "pop-up

Video of that incident was widely shared across multiple platforms.

Multiple people were arrested in connection to the accidents, including a Pittsburgh man who was charged with two counts of death by auto.

Over the years, Ocean City officials honed multiple strategies to keep things under control.

From 2018 on we were bringing in allied law enforcement agencies from the Eastern Shore to assist us. In 2020, the violence and mob mentality were in full swing, we had to send out a (mayday) request in the middle of the night, said Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager for the Ocean City, Maryland, Police Department. We were very fortunate that a second wave of allied agencies came immediately from all over the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Over four days, the town had hundreds of arrests and 49 collisions.

Through all the chaos, crowds, disorderly and assaults, we did not experience any fatalities, Miller said. The town looked to changes in state law to create a citywide special event zone with reduced speed limits and higher fines and an aggressive policy of citing drivers and impounding vehicles.

Last year, Ocean City was able to make rally participants unwelcome enough to see the event move to Wildwood instead.

Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said Tuesday that Ocean City, Maryland, officials were extremely cooperative with South Jersey communities, sharing information and strategies.

Report: Unsanctioned Wildwood beach party is off An unsanctioned beach party planned for May in Wildwood appears to have been canceled.

There is a chance the rally may return to its Maryland roots.

Some online groups, including one on Facebook called H2Oi OCMD 2023, indicate the rally will take place in Ocean City, Maryland, this weekend.

Even on that forum, some expressed concerns about the event.

You guys didnt want a car show, you wanted to take over the town and destroy it. Then you go to New Jersey and do the same, only this time two people died, wrote one commenter on the page.

Ocean City police said they will be ready, with all of the roads designated as a special event zone, which means reduced speed limits and increases in fines for traffic violations.

While the event appears to have moved on from calling Ocean City its home, the Ocean City Police Department and the Town of Ocean City want to ensure our residents and visitors that we remain vigilant and proactive to ensure the Town is a safe and welcoming destination, reads a statement posted to the Ocean City, Maryland, website. The Pop-up Rally is a car meet/show driven by social media rather than an organized event with a designated promoter. Therefore, the event can occur whenever and wherever they are promoted on social media.

A significant police presence is planned for the weekend, according to the statement.

Byron said Wildwood does not have any reason to believe the rally will return this year, saying police and the Prosecutors Office have kept a close eye on anyone seeming to organize a new event, and shutting it down quickly.

Despite the complexities of social media monitoring several small groups have been identified on social media platforms. The Wildwood Police Department with the assistance of the city of Wildwood Solicitor were able to quickly identify the promoters of these groups and legally advise them to cease and desist their promotion of these unsanctioned events, reads the police statement. All of these have been removed from the social media platforms as of this press release.

Police said they will keep a close watch in the coming days.

While we continue to be vigilant in our approach to attempting to identify any possible threats to our hometown, we also have planned for the possibility of this unsanctioned event occurring, the statement continues. We want to be clear we have no credible information that this event is occurring in a large-scale manner as of this date, but we will continue to do our due diligence in attempting to prevent it, while still preparing for it.

State and local officials began meeting soon after last years event in hopes of avoiding a repeat. But just because an event is canceled, that does not mean no one will come.

The Roar to the Shore motorcycle rally took place in Wildwood every September for more than 20 years before being canceled in 2020. The organizers said at the time that the city denied a permit, but the city says the organization never applied for one.

Still, years later, there are more than the usual number of motorcycles in Wildwood the weekend after Labor Day, and the Pagans Motorcycle Club continues to gather in the town each year. Byron said there were no issues this year, describing the members of the reputed outlaw club as perfect gentlemen.
District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh has issued an order in which it is mentioned that the public Ganpati Mandals can use amplifiers and loudspeakers for the next 6 days instead of 5 days.

Under the Central Government's Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2017, exemption has been given for the use of loudspeakers and loudspeakers from 6 am to 12 pm for 15 days during the festival period. According to the order of the Collector dated 16 February 2023, 13 days were fixed for the festivals of 2023 and 2 days were reserved. In that 5 days were fixed for Ganeshotsav.

However, various people's representatives and Ganapati Mandals had requested to extend this day as a special event of Ganapati immersion takes place on the seventh day of the public Ganapati festival in Pune city and district. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police has also informed that there is no objection to giving permission. According to the order, 1 day out of the two reserve days will be assigned for the seventh day of the Ganpati immersion program, said Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh

According to the previous orders for Ganeshotsav, Saturday 23 September (Fifth Day - Gauri Visarjan), Sunday 24 September (Sixth Day), Tuesday 26 September (Eighth Day), Wednesday 27 September (Ninth Day), Thursday 28 September (Tenth Day - Anant Chaturdashi) the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers was allowed till midnight. It has been mentioned in the order that now, on Monday, 25 September 2023 (seventh day), loudspeakers and amplifiers are allowed till midnight by following the rules for six days.
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
Davenport Mayor Mike Matson plans to ask the city council to appoint Chris Jerome to temporarily fill the 7th Ward seat.

The council voted 7-3 to remove Derek Cornette from the 7th Ward office following allegations of sexual harassment of city employees and intoxication during meetings.

If approved Jerome, a retired electrical engineer, would temporarily fill the seat until the Nov. 7 election. Matson said he planned to put Jerome's name on the Sept. 27 meeting agenda for council vote.

"I understand there's potential litigation," Matson said Wednesday. "But my appointment will stand unless, of course, the court says otherwise."

Cornette, through his attorney Mike Meloy, has filed suit, asking the courts in Scott County to reverse the council's decision to remove Cornette.

Meloy has also asked for a temporary injunction that would reinstate Cornette as the 7th Ward alderman and annul any appointment by Matson until the court rules on the case.

Meloy argues the city council and mayor, during the removal hearing Sept. 7, "intermingled the investigative, prosecutorial and adjudicative functions in the removal of Alderman Cornette, establishing a fundamentally unfair process."

Cornette is running for re-election, and faces three others in the Oct. 10 primary for the 7th Ward seat.

Photos: Davenport City Council Meeting, June 7, 2023
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."
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.
Washington, D.C.  The Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the U.S. House by unanimous consent Wednesday.

The bill preserves a section of the land where hundreds of Lakota Indians were massacred by the U.S. Army in the late 1800s. U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the bill in May after months of working in coordination with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The bill unanimously passed the House Natural Resources Committee in June.

What happened at Wounded Knee is a stain on our nations past that cannot be washed away, said Johnson. But passage of this bill is a step closer to properly memorializing the lives lost and protecting the land forever.

In the dead of winter, December 29, 1890, the United States 7th Cavalry massacred our People, old men, women, and children. We stand as a united voice for our ancestors who suffered the pain of the Wounded Knee Massacre and our countless generations who continue to suffer from the historical trauma. We, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, extend our strong support for the passage of the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act. We thank Dusty Johnson and the House for taking this important step, said Chairman Ryman LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

We are pleased the House of Representatives acted quickly to pass this important legislation. This bill will protect our sacred land at Wounded Knee. It also continues the healing process for the descendants of victims and survivors of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, said President Frank Star Comes Out, Oglala Sioux Tribe.

On December 29, 1890, a group of Lakota Indians led by Chief Spotted Elk had made camp near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. There, U.S. Army 7th Calvary troops were sent to disarm the Lakota. A struggle occurred between the U.S. Army and some of Chief Spotted Elks band  a majority of which consisted of women and children. A shot rang out, and the U.S. Army opened fire on the largely unarmed group, massacring an estimated 350-375 Lakota people. Twenty-five U.S. soldiers also died.
When the lengthy process of jury selection began this week at the Pennington County Courthouse for the murder of a 22-year-old Rapid City woman, it had been over seven years since Richard Hirth was booked into the Pennington County Jail and over eight years since the young woman died under the alleged orders of an ex-boyfriend.

The now 42-year-old Hirth is the final defendant with a pending case for alleged involvement 22-year-old Jessica Rehfelds murder. Rehfeld was killed on May 18, 2014  a year before someone led law enforcement to the young womans body in the Black Hills National Forest south of Rockerville.

Hirth is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping. Initially Hirth entered a standard not guilty plea, but he later changed that to not guilty by reason of insanity.

Rehfelds death and unsanctimonious burial involved several people, according to the states case and others admissions of guilt. Hirth is the only to maintain his innocence.

Rehfeld broke up with a man named Jonathan Klinetobe in April 2015 after an on-again, off-again relationship that lasted throughout 2014 and 2015, according to a South Dakota Supreme Court opinion in Klinetobes later appeal.

Klinetobe began to threaten her with phone calls, text and social media posts. She got a protection order against him in May 2015, and stated she felt her life was in danger. A fear that became reality before the end of the month.

Klinetobe told Hirth and David Schneider the Hells Angels would pay $80,000 to have Rehfeld killed because she had information on the motorcycle gang. Klinetobe allegedly arranged for Hirth to speak on the phone with someone posing as a Hells Angels member. According to the South Dakota Supreme Court decision, that person hasnt been identified.

The three met several times to discuss the murder in late April and early May 2015, according to the supreme court document.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed with the May 26, 2016 indictment against Hirth, he and Schneider picked up Rehfeld from her house under the guise of giving her a ride to work. But instead they drove her to an industrial part of Rapid City. Once there, Schneider allegedly held her legs down, and Hirth allegedly stabbed her. With her body in the trunk, they picked up Klinetobe, drove to the Black Hills with a shovel and buried Rehfeld in a shallow grave.

Klinetobe returned to the site about two weeks later. With the help of two other men named Garland Brown and Michael Frye, he dug up Rehfeld and reburied her in a deeper grave.

According to the Rapid City Police Department, a woman who drove Klinetobe to visit the burial site several times led police to the makeshift grave.

Brown pleaded guilty in July 2016 to accessory to a felony and was sentenced to five years in prison with one suspended. According to the South Dakota Department of Corrections, he was released in June 2018. Frye pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony in December 2016. He received a five-year suspended sentence and five years of probation, which is set to complete in 2025.

Schneider pleaded guilty to aiding first-degree manslaughter in September 2018. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison. According to the South Dakota Department of Corrections, his first chance at parole is 2053.

Klinetobe pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree manslaughter in September 2019. He received a life sentence without parole in December 2019. The South Dakota Supreme Court upheld the sentence in 2021 and Klinetobe remains in custody. Although he spends the bulk of his time at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, he is currently held at the Pennington County Jail.

The court issued a warrant to bring Klinetobe to Rapid City so he can testify in Hirths trial.

Hirths journey through the court system has been lengthy, but he has maintained his innocence. His court file, which contains hundreds of pages of filings throughout the last eight years, is peppered with motions for continuance and centers around questions of competency.

In March 2019, the defense asked for Hirth to undergo a competency evaluation to determine if he was even able to stand trial. After the evaluation, both the state and the defense agreed Hirth was not competent to stand trial, according to the judges memorandum opinion.

Hirth was admitted to the Human Services Center (HSC) in November 2019 for competency restoration.

At the end of January 2020, HSC determined he had been restored to competency. The defense objected to HSCs finding and requested a competency hearing.

During a competency hearing split between a day in May 2020 and a day in June 2020, the court heard testimony from the medical staff that worked with Hirth, including testimony his initial diagnosis of schizophrenia was incorrect.

After the hearing, Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren ruled Hirth was competent to stand trial. In September 2020, the judge signed an order to have him discharged from HSC and transported back to the Pennington County Jail.

Throughout the years, Hirths trial date has been moved several times. He was first set to go to trial in October 2019, then January 2022, then February 2022, then September 2022, and finally Sept. 18, 2023 through October 20, 2023. The reasons listed for the date moves are either reset by court or other.

Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren is tasked with overseeing the trial. As of Thursday, jury selection continued and opening statements and testimony had not been presented.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley reminded the public to be careful when contacted by scammers posing as legitimate organizations.

Recently, the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division has received calls about scammers posing as legitimate-sounding organizations, said Attorney General Jackley. It is important to double check all such contacts and guard personal and financial information.

Attorney General Jackley said scammers, through phone calls and email messages, have identified themselves as banks, government agencies, local businesses, and other entities. In many cases, the scammers demand the victim to pay money to avoid being sued or sent to jail.

Scammers prey on a persons fear that he or she has done something wrong, said Attorney General Jackley. These are unscrupulous scammers who want nothing but to be to harm consumers financially and emotionally.

The Consumer Protection Division offers these tips to consumers to avoid scams:

 Obtain as much information about the organization that is calling  name, phone number, time they called, what they said.

 Be wary of a caller demanding that you take immediate action such as sending money via a wire transfer, or by purchasing gift cards, or using one of the various payment apps such as Venmo or Zelle.

 NEVER give or provide financial information or money via telephone or email.

 Dont answer calls from numbers you dont recognize.

 Verify requests for information or payments by calling the organization using a publicly available phone number.

 Keep family members aware of what you are doing.

People who receive such calls are encouraged to contact the Division of Consumer Protection at consumerhelp@state.sd.us or call 1-800-300-1986 or 605-773-4400.

The public can also sign up for Consumer Alerts via email from the Consumer Protection Division at www.consumer.sd.gov. Email addresses will not be shared or sold to a third party.
A California man is being held on a $100,000 bond in Ravalli County after allegedly stealing property from his mother, and then reporting the theft to law enforcement after pawning the items.

Christopher Kazou Urata, 48, of Roseville, California was charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, theft, and making false reports to law enforcement, along with misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia in Ravalli County Justice Court on Sept. 14.

According to court documents, deputies were dispatched to a Hamilton residence on the evening of Sept. 11 after Urata called to report a burglary. Urata reportedly told dispatch that gold and silver jewelry and precious gemstones had been stolen from his mothers residence. When law enforcement arrived, Urata greeted them outside the garage and took deputies behind the house to show the route he believed the perpetrator may have used to access the home, pointing out an open gate and window to the home.

Urata then led deputies inside the house to a room used to house collectables. Deputies reported that the room appeared to have been ransacked with empty collectable coin boxes spread across the floor. Locks on filing cabinets and gun safes in the room were unlocked, but appeared to show no sign that the locks had been cut or broken.

Urata reported to law enforcement that he had flown to Montana to care for his mother, who he said was in poor health and admitted to Bitterroot Health in the days prior to the theft. Urata told deputies that he had left the Hamilton area for three days and noticed the burglary when he returned to his mothers residence on Sept. 11.

The next day, on Sept. 12 a detective learned that Urata had allegedly pawned $7,250 worth of precious metals and jewelry at the Missoula Gold and Silver Exchange during the preceding week. Urata was arrested for theft of property following the discovery. While being transported to the Ravalli County Detention Center, Urata reportedly admitted to taking the gold from his mothers home, and asked a detective to tell his mom about $5,000 in cash that was located in the console of his mothers vehicle. He reportedly told the officer he wanted his mother to have the money as restitution.

While Urata was being processed at the detention center, officers discovered drug paraphernalia containing what appeared to be methamphetamine residue. After reportedly waiving his Miranda rights, Urata told officers that there were additional drugs and $10,000 in cash located in the room he staying in at his mothers residence. He also allegedly admitted to selling some of the jewelry, and hiding other pieces in a case along the side of Blodgett Road with an Air Tag so he could easily find it later. The case was later found and recovered. He also revealed he had hidden a black case containing syringes dry loaded with methamphetamine in the engine compartment of his mothers vehicle. It is believed that Urata was using his mothers vehicle for personal use while staying at the Hamilton residence.

Upon executing a search warrant deputies reported discovering 15 syringes containing methamphetamine, and three used syringes containing crystalline residue. A glass pipe containing methamphetamine was discovered under the upholstery on the bottom of the passenger seat of his mothers vehicle. Additionally, deputies recovers more than $22,000 in cash comprised almost entirely of $100 bills.

Judge Jennifer Ray set bond at $100,000. Urata is scheduled to appear in Ravalli County District Court on Oct. 4.
The Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show is coming to Darby, on Saturday, Sept. 23.

This is the third year that the nonprofit youth program Social-Overall-Academics-Recreation (S.O.A.R) is hosting this Arts and Crafts show.

S.O.A.R. invites one and all to attend this event, there is something for everyone.

The kitchen has a new vendor  Darbys own Brilliant Beginnings. Volunteers and friends will be serving baked goods, including cinnamon rolls, beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes, plus, Christinas amazing grilled cheese sandwiches and savory chili, the perfect lunch on a fall day.

Area artists and craftspeople have been working hard getting ready for this fall show.

Wood porch and interior decor items, will be available including scarecrows and pumpkins, just in time for fall.

Vendor spaces are full and include handmade gnomes, wood flower designs, wreaths and swags, puppets and jewelry, olive oils and balsamic vinegars, and cold pressed goats milk soaps and lotions. There will also be lovely and unique sewn finery, beautiful hand-painted items, unique greeting cards, paper designs, watercolor art, seasonal potpourri and much more.

Brilliant Beginnings will also be hosting the Not your average Joe Scarecrow Contest during October.

Entry forms will be available at their table in front of the kitchen during the Happy Fall Yall show.

If you are interested in attending one of the two Darby Brilliant Beginnings Murder Mystery Dinners and Performances, scheduled for Nov. 3 and 4, at the Darby Community Clubhouse, then you can reserve tickets at their table in front of the kitchen. At this time the theme of the Murder Mystery is a mystery, but they might tell you at this show.

Last but not least, S.O.A.R. is hosting a raffle with fantastic area gift certificates, decor items and gift baskets. The weather should be good, the fall colors are starting to show-up and it should be a great day to visit the Southern Bitterroot Valley.

The Happy Fall Yall Arts & Crafts Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Darby Montana Community Clubhouse, 106 N. Main Street in Darby.

Rain or shine, come, enjoy the show, discover some of your local arts and crafts people and their wares, have lunch and visit Main Street in Darby.

Co-chairs for this event are Trish Becker and Diana Rogers. They, plus S.O.A.R. President Jennifer Bush, invite yall to come out and support this worthwhile charitable event as we welcome another beautiful Bitterroot Fall.

S.O.A.R. Youth program strives, to provide funding and support for Darby Schools youth events and programs not funded by Darby Public Schools.

S.O.A.R. was created several years ago as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support the then Darby After School Program. S.O.A.R. is a 501(c)(3) # 82-3173325. If you have questions contact Diana Rogers at dkr1221xx@gmail.com.
Sapphire Lutheran Homes is hosting a Fall Festival celebration and fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Community Life Director Dominic Farrenkopf invites everyone.

It will be an outdoor event where we will celebrate fall and come together as a community, Farrenkopf said. We are raising money for a new activity space at Sapphire.

Currently events held indoors at Sapphire are held in the dining room and the chapel. Sapphire is remodeling the old assisted living kitchen to make a new activity space.

This will allow the dining room and chapel to be used for their primary purposes, Farrenkopf said. We moved all our assisted living residents to the Remington, into one building. So now we have this big beautiful space. We are turning it into a really good community room for the residents of the Sapphire campus.

For $10 admission, patrons receive a lunch of German brats, German potato salad, strudel and root beer.

Real beer, from Bitter Root Brewing, costs $3, if youd like to purchase beer, Farrenkopf said. We have the Five Valley Accordions entertaining us. In the three-hour event we are having a bake sale, a raffle baskets, and other raffle prizes of gift certificates to local businesses.

Raffle drawings will be held at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

If people would like to come and celebrate fall with us, they are welcome, Farrenkopf said. If they just want to come and listen to the accordions there is no fee but if they want to enjoy the lunch, it is $10 and beer is $3.

The SLH Fall Festival is a celebration that the residents of Sapphire are part of the bigger community.

We like to say we want to be a part of the community, not apart from the community, Farrenkopf said. We want to welcome everyone to our campus and enjoy a really good Fall Festival.

Welcome the changing seasons with Sapphire Lutheran Homes as they host a Fall Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 501 N. 10th St. in Hamilton. For more information, visit sapphirelutheran.org or call 406-363-2800.
At The Heart Of Propira's Mission Is Bridging The Gap Between Buyers-Sellers & Providing Direct Access Of Property Experts As Per Client Requirements

on Propira undergoes a thorough pricing assessment. As a trusted partner and confidante, we navigate their real estate inquiries and transactions with unwavering dedication, adds Deepak Solanki, Director at Propira.Propira stands out from its competitors through its dedication to service quality and its unique offerings. While primarily focus on brokers, the company also extends its services free of cost to end users. This inclusive approach simplifies the process for both parties, from property selection to documentation. Unlike its competitors, Propira provides a comprehensive CRM tool, streamlining the entire transaction journey.The assurance of property quality is a cornerstone of Propira's operations. Every listed property undergoes a thorough verification process, overseen by a dedicated back-end team. The team ensures that each detail aligns with the client's submission and that any modifications are promptly addressed. Additionally, Propira's commitment to delivering genuine and qualified leads sets it apart each client receives individual attention and a tailored experience. While other players in this segment share one leads to multiple clients, at Propira committing share one leads to Single client for this, we have a different strategy to assign leads to each individual client", emphasizes Deepak Solanki.The expert team at Propira boasts extensive experience across various segments of the real estate sector. From project development to managing top property firms, the team's expertise contributes to the company's success. Since its inception in 2022, Propira's journey has been marked by local achievements and positive recommendations. The company has grown its reach across Rajasthan and is now poised for a national launch, with plans to target multiple cities.Looking ahead, Propira envisions further expansion and growth. With an established presence in Rajasthan, the company aims to strengthen its national footprint. By continuing to offer quality services and innovative solutions, Propira seeks to redefine the real estate transaction experience in India.
Foreign Minister Saud meets with former US Secretary of State Pompeo





Kathmandu, Nepal, September 21, 2023: Foreign Minister NP Saud has met with former US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday.





During the meeting, matters related to mutual interest and cooperation between the two countries were discussed.





Nepali Ambassador to the US Sridhar Khatri was also present in the meeting.




WASHINGTON

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.

Garland 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.

Garland said repeatedly that he purposely kept the details of the investigation at arms length, to keep his promise not to interfere.

Meanwhile, 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.
Calling all Peruvian chicken fans: A new Canastas Chicken is headed to Chesterfield Towne Center at 11500 Midlothian Turnpike, near Jimmy Johns.

This will be the fourth location for the locally owned fast-casual restaurant with a focus on marinated charcoal-grilled chicken that can be purchased in -, - and whole-chicken sizes ($11-$26) with two sides such as beans, rice and fried plantains.

Canastas has a massive menu that includes burritos, quesadillas, steak, platters, ceviche, salads, sandwiches and more.

The new location is expected to open in three to four months.

The other locations are at 7037 Forest Hill Ave. in Richmond and 5235 S. Laburnum Ave. and 11424 W. Broad St. in Henrico County.

Daves Hot Chicken eyeing Va. for expansion

The Los Angeles-based fast-casual restaurant specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken says its looking to open 12 locations in Virginia over the next few years, in Richmond, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Daves Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up in 2017, with lines wrapping around the block. Since then, the brand has expanded with over 140 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Daves Hot Chicken specializes in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from No Spice to Reaper.

The chain is currently in negotiations for a Richmond space, location to be determined, and plans to open sometime next year.

New flavors of Sabra hummus

Sabra hummus, headquartered in Chesterfield County, has unveiled three new hummus flavors: buffalo, barbecue and Southwest.

We recently got to try the new flavors. The buffalo hummus, made with Franks RedHot, was the clear winner of the bunch. It carried a spicy heat that married well with the creamy hummus spread. Up next, Southwest took home second place. We tasted hints of cumin, garlic powder and paprika. But the barbecue flavor, inspired by Stubbs barbecue sauce, was the only miss of the bunch. It tasted sweet and surprisingly strange with the hummus creamy consistency.

Sabra said it was introducing the new flavors to take hummus to the next level.

As we reach for snacks more often, we want more from them ... more intense flavor, more satisfying textures, more fulfilling options, said Sabras Olugbenga Diyaolu in a statement.

Sabra said the new flavors are the first in a series of bold-flavor innovations. The company also recently released Mediterranean garlic dip in roasted garlic and spicy harissa flavors.

Paix Espresso brick-and-mortar waiting on permit

Paix Espresso, the mobile coffee cart from 23-year-old founders Danny Hodge and Seth McDaniel, was planning to open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop at 407 N. Cleveland St. in the Museum District in early September.

But opening plans were sidelined when they learned they needed to get a special-use permit from the city of Richmond. That special permit process could take three to six months.

The new shop is planned next to Rexco, a vintage store in the Museum District. Rexco mainly sells mens vintage clothing as well as offering custom stitching.

While they work on the permit, Hodge and McDaniel are back on the streets of Richmond with the Paix coffee cart, selling lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, espresso and a seasonal espresso drink. Follow their Instagram @paixrva for updates on locations.

Negroni Week

Its Negroni Week through Sunday where bars and restaurants nationwide will be whipping up the Italian cocktail made with gin, vermouth and Campari to support a great cause. This years cause is Slow Food USA.

Negroni Week is a week we look forward to every year because its a chance for us to showcase this classic, but still youthful cocktail, said Kevin Liu, co-owner of The Jasper. Also, he said, this years cause, Slow Food, goes to a global network of individuals fighting for better food in the places that need it the most.

The Jasper, 3113 W Cary St,, is serving up eight different Negronis, including a Negroni on draft ($12) and the Jungle Bird, described as if a daiquiri and a Negroni had a lil baby with Coruba dark rum, Campari, pineapple and lime ($13). And the Jaspers sister cocktail bar, The Emerald Lounge at 2416 Jefferson Ave., will also be doing a frozen Negroni ($10) as well as others.

Lolitas, 2929 W. Cary St., is doing four different Negronis. Visitors can purchase a flight or a Negroni by the glass such as the sweet potato Negroni with sweet potato-infused Aviation gin, Amaro, sweet vermouth, cinnamon syrup and chipotle cacoa bitters ($13).

Other participating local restaurants can be found at www.negroniweek.com.

Also, speaking of The Emerald Lounge, the Church Hill cocktail bar has introduced a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. seven days a week, with select cocktails $5 to $6. Get up there.

Guide to Oktoberfest eats in Richmond Golonka and more at Maymont Bier-Garden The Mayor Meats & schnitzel at Maymont Bier-Garden Sehr-Gut pizza at Final Gravity Brats and pierogi at Vastoberfest Artisan sourdough pretzels at Hardywood West Creek More to celebrate at Smoky Mugs Oktoberfest
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.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to drayage, the process of transporting goods over a short distance. This story has been updated.

Richmond logistics provider Estes Forwarding Worldwide is acquiring Minneapolis-based supply chain company Superior Brokerage Services in a move expected to double the companys revenue to $850 million.

EFW and SBS are very like-minded when it comes to customers, said Paul Goff, founder and president of SBS. Its important that our customers are going to have a more enhanced package of services going forward, and we will be able to serve our customers in a lot more areas.

EFW, a subsidiary of the private transportation company Estes Express Lines, provides domestic and international transportation solutions, including air and ground transportation, truckload brokerage and trade show service. The company celebrated 20 years of business this month.

SBS is of the few single-source, asset-based companies in the supply chain industry. Its services include warehousing, U.S. customs brokerage services, and domestic and international transportation.

The two companies were introduced by a mutual customer, and they determined that their respective strengths complemented each other. SBS conducted 70% of its business internationally, while EFW was looking to expand its international reach.

Its very collaborative, Goff said. The cultures are very similar, and its been a positive experience.

The deal includes SBS of Asia, which will extend EFWs footprint in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Singapore. In total, EFW is anticipating $1 billion in revenue by the end of 2025.

Irvo Otieno family agrees to $8.5 million settlement with state, Henrico and sheriff "The family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvo's life, said civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family.

EFW will retain the Estes Forwarding Worldwide name, with SBS transitioning to EFW branding over the next few weeks. Goff will work as EFWs executive vice president, with EFW CEO Scott Fisher serving as head of the combined companies.

The announcement was made to both companies on Sept. 13, and the acquisition is expected to close in late October.

The reactions on both sides have been overwhelmingly positive, Fisher said. At the end of the day, people understand growth means opportunity. Opportunity means good things for them personally.

EFW will add port and rail drayage as well as a line haul trucking piece that deploys 100 additional drivers. The company will expand from 750 employees to more than 1,100 nationwide, which stands in contrast to competitors that have recently reduced staff, according to Fisher.

The focus is our employees and our customers, he said. Were very aligned on those two key initiatives.

The combined warehousing of EFW and SBS will take up 7.2 million square feet across the U.S., placing them among the top 40 to 50 warehousing and contract logistics companies in North America.

From the archives: 65 photos of Richmond in the 1930s
Earlier this month, Jim Hall found a pile of masks in his car, left over from the height of the pandemic. The Midlothian resident promptly dumped them in the trash.

Given the low rate of COVID-19 and the long odds that mask mandates will return to Virginia, Hall decided he did not need them anymore.

Disease caused by COVID has increased somewhat in Virginia this summer, but rates remain low, a significant surge this fall is unlikely, and government-mandated restrictions are near extinct under Republican leadership.

The number of people diagnosed with COVID at Virginia emergency rooms reached 2% last week. Thats the highest number since January, but its still lower than previous, more serious waves.

COVIDs threat is low enough that residents should not be overly concerned, Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters this week, noting that the state monitors COVID continuously.

I think people should just live their lives and be responsible  and if someone doesnt feel well, call the doctor, Youngkin said.

But the rise in cases was enough for some business leaders to ask for guidance on how to respond, for some residents to bring back their masks, and for others to seek out newly available vaccines.

COVIDs small comeback

For the first six months of the year, COVID was going down in Virginia. Since mid-July, it has staged a bit of a comeback  about 1,600 people were diagnosed with COVID in Virginia emergency rooms last week, compared with roughly 300 in early summer.

At least 10 different variants surfaced in the state in August, including the two most prevalent strains, XBB.1.5 and EG.5.

But COVID numbers are still low compared with previous surges. In December 2022, there were roughly 4,000 people diagnosed with the virus in Virginia emergency rooms. In January 2022, when omicron was at its peak, there were more than 11,000.

Based on the latest data, theres not much evidence a new surge is coming. COVIDs growth has slowed in the past week and may be entering a plateau phase, according to the state health department. None of the states 30 wastewater surveillance sites showed increased levels last week.

And the number of patients admitted to hospitals because of COVID has shrunk from about 100 in late August to fewer than 50, according to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Rates of influenza and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are low, too, though flu cases typically do not ascend in the state until October.

Unless a particularly evasive variant arises, case levels will likely rise but not exceed previous falls and winters, said Bryan Lewis, a research associate professor at the Biocomplexity Institute of the University of Virginia.

Thanks to vaccination, previous infection and people staying home when they are sick, the state is in a much better place than weve ever been, said Heather Harmon-Sloan, the Virginia Department of Healths COVID unit lead.

Restrictions unlikely to return

According to The Virginian-Pilot editorial board, unfounded rumors have spread across the state asserting the next COVID wave will lead state leaders to reimpose mask mandates, school closures and business restrictions. But thats all they are, rumors.

During a political rally in Henrico County on Monday night, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares emphasized how Youngkin worked last year to bar mask mandates in schools and they criticized COVID restrictions in the previous Democratic administration.

Under Youngkins direction, you get to decide as a parent whether your childs going to be masked for eight hours a day, Miyares said.

On his first day in office in January 2022, Youngkin signed an executive order barring mask mandates from public schools. After several school divisions challenged the governor in court, the legislature made it official, passing a law restricting schools from imposing mask mandates, which Youngkin signed in February 2022.

Earle-Sears said the COVID policies set by then-Gov. Ralph Northam are a reason to give Republicans total control of the legislature this November, when all 140 seats are up for election.

They had shut our businesses down and determined which businesses were essential, she said. They shut our schools down and told us how we were going to educate our children  except that they werent learning anything, she added, also decrying past COVID restrictions on Virginia houses of worship.

Upticks at businesses, schools

But the increase in cases was enough for business leaders to seek advice on how to respond. Businesses are not getting clear answers from federal authorities about how to handle a sick employee, said Barry DuVal, CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Most employers in the area are asking employees to isolate for five days and, if the employee has no fever, he or she can return wearing a mask, DuVal said.

Harmon-Sloan of the health department generally agreed with that approach. A patient is most infectious the first five days after transmission and should isolate during that period, she said. Because a person can remain infectious until Day 10, he or she should wear a high-quality mask for the next five days. She also recommended people get vaccinated, wash their hands, cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing, and stay home when sick.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, reported cases from students and employees have declined since August. At VCU and VCU Health, where there are about 50,000 students and employees, 23 students and 25 employees reported COVID cases last week, according to Dr. Shannan Green, director of student health services, and Suzanne Weaver, who oversees operations and wellness for VCU employees.

Most students visiting the universitys clinic are experiencing allergies and other respiratory illnesses, not COVID. There has been no uptick in employees asking to work from home, said Alison Miller, assistant vice president for human resources.

In Hanover County, school officials no longer track the number of COVID infections, so its hard to determine exactly how many students and teachers have come down with the virus, said Chris Whitley, a spokesperson for the district. There has been no spike in absences. Spokespeople for other Richmond-area schools did not answer questions about whether students and teachers are missing school due to the virus.

Altria, which employs nearly 4,000 local workers, has not seen an uptick, either, though many employees already work from home.

Some bring masks back

While some local residents have tossed their masks, some others have brought them back from the closet.

Ad Lester, a Richmond resident, started wearing a mask again earlier this year and wore it to the Kroger grocery store on North Lombardy Street this week.

COVIDs latest developments are not tracked in the media as closely as they used to be, so its better to be safe than sorry, Lester said.

I just feel like its a good way to protect myself and others, she added.

Yvette Wilson, another Richmond resident shopping at the Kroger, said she has continued to wear a mask in public since the pandemics peak. She said she is wary of seasonal variants and that each winter seems to bring a new strain of COVID.

The virus mutates and then it turns into something else, she said. I just kinda wish that it was completely gone.

This week, updated vaccines designed to prevent the latest strains of COVID arrived at Richmond-area pharmacies, spurring those interested to sign up.

While Youngkin encouraged residents to get a flu shot in answering a question about COVID after the political rally, he did not mention COVID boosters.

Youngkin often has said Virginians can make up their own minds about how to combat COVID. Last year, he stressed he opposes mandates, even as he released a public service announcement encouraging residents to get vaccinated against the virus.
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.
An out-of-court settlement agreement between the family of Irvo Otieno and the state, Henrico County and the county sheriff shows that Henrico will pay the largest portion of the $8.5 million lawsuit.

The five-page agreement filed in Henrico Circuit Court this week outlines that the county will pay $4.45 million, the state of Virginia is paying $2.55 million, and the Henrico sheriff will pay $1.5 million.

Otieno, 28, died March 6 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 was captured on surveillance camera footage and later became a national story as civil rights lawyers spoke out on the family's behalf, maintaining that Otieno, who was in need of mental health treatment, was treated instead as a criminal.

Otieno was arrested by Henrico police and transported by county sheriff's personnel to Central State, which is operated by the state.

The case also drew the attention of the Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at Otienos funeral in North Chesterfield.

During his eulogy, Sharpton called for a change in how law enforcement handles mental health cases.

He had an illness," he said. "He should have been doctored to, not treated with brutality.

On Monday, a wrongful death motion was filed by Otienos mother, Caroline Ouko, and brother, Leon Ochieng. It was approved by Henrico Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Wallerstein Jr. the next day.

The agreement states that the payment was made to compensate the family for the loss of their family member, and that the state, county and sheriff have not admitted any liability related to Otienos death.

The settlement also says that about $29,000 in burial expenses are to be reimbursed to Ouko and the National Action Network, the organization that Sharpton runs and that provided funds for the funeral.

Lawyers for the state, county and sheriff have not responded to questions. As part of the agreement, the state, county and sheriff have not admitted any liability and deny that their actions caused Otienos death.

Six of Otienos family members were awarded a total of $5.085 million after legal fees paid to the Crump Law Firm and Krudys Law Firm, plus expenditures for the funeral and expenses for a legal loan.

Ouko and Ochieng will each receive $2.5 million as part of the settlement while four other siblings will receive a little over $21,000 each.

"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," said Gov. Glenn Youngkin's spokeswoman, Macaulay Porter.

She added that the governor "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."

Youngkin last year proposed a $230 million overhaul of the state's behavioral health system.

Otienos death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. Ten defendants were indicted on second-degree murder charges, but charges were later dropped against two hospital employees.

Lawyers representing the Otieno family have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into the death.

Ben Sheppard, a spokesman for Henrico, said in a statement: The county continues to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Otieno."
Enrollment in Richmonds selective high schools  which now admit mostly higher-income students  will soon be more reflective of the citys overall student population.

The Richmond School Board voted Monday night on new admissions processes for three of Richmonds selective schools: Maggie L. Walker Governors School, as well as Richmond Community and Open high schools.

The Maggie L. Walker Governors School in particular has been the subject of public scrutiny for decades, with enduring allegations of elitism and racism. Named after Maggie L. Walker, a Richmond native who fought for social justice and was the first Black woman in the U.S. to charter a bank, the school held special significance in the early 20th century as a sanctuary for Black students. It closed after schools desegregated, and now hosts a program in which Black students are underrepresented.

A 2021 series by the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that for 20 years, white students have been accepted into Maggie Walker at a rate nearly four times higher than Black students. In interviews spanning decades of experiences shared by current and former students, The Times-Dispatch series found that the school allowed students of color to feel isolated and unsupported.

Richmond Public Schools leaders said they wanted to do better. This summer, the administration set out to create recommendations for the School Board to vote on that would make the districts selective schools better reflect the percentage of students in RPS who are categorized as economically disadvantaged, which is about 70%.

Maggie Walker is a regional governors school, which admits students from all around the region. Sixty seats of each class are dedicated for Richmond students. The new admissions policy applies only to students living in the city of Richmond.

Richmond Community High School and Open High School are both alternative high schools offering a high level of rigor that are part of the RPS system and use a special admission process.

The recommendation the Richmond School Board approved on Monday night ensures a broad representation of students from all eight RPS middle schools, and guarantees that at least 50% of students accepted to the citys selective schools are economically disadvantaged, a state designation that acts as a rough gauge of poverty. It also caps the number of Richmond students who were homeschooled or attended private middle schools to eight.

The RPS administration acknowledged that the new admissions policy will make it more difficult for students from higher-income families to be admitted to specialty schools.

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras described the policy as giving a small boost to the very talented low income students whove been working themselves to the bone to win the race, despite starting well behind their higher income peers.

Will this make it a little harder for higher income students like my own seventh grader to get into specialty schools? Yes, it will, and Im good with that if it means the playing field is a bit more even, Kamras said. After all, isnt that the least we owe the children of Richmond? And isnt that also what Maggie Lena Walker fought for every day of her life?

In the new application process, the top three scoring applicants from each of the eight Richmond Public Schools middle schools and the top three scoring homeschooled or private students would automatically receive an offer. The next set of offers would go to the next highest-scoring economically disadvantaged students, regardless of school, until the total number of economically disadvantaged student offers equals 50% of the schools seats.

Last year, only 9% of Richmond students accepted to Maggie Walker were considered economically disadvantaged.

The connection between economic well-being and education results is one of the most persistent links in education research. Schools with consistently low test scores tend to have a high proportion of families living in poverty, while schools with families enjoying comfortable incomes consistently achieve higher scores. This correlation remains highly consistent over time. Affluent households generally do not face the same issues like access to food, health care and transportation.

While there is significant community support for the policy change, many parents at Monday nights board meeting characterized the policy change as unfair and disenfranchising to the middle class, particularly the cap of eight students on the number of private school students. Several parents spoke about how they chose to send their children to private middle schools though the decision prompted a financial struggle.

Perhaps the administration thinks (this is) OK because all private school families are rich and dont need to use public schools anyway. But I can assure you thats not the case, said Matthew Bolster, whose twin sons attended Linwood Holton from preschool through fifth grade, then started sixth grade at Seven Hills School, an all-boys private school, this year.

There are many middle-class families who make sacrifices to pay tuition, and many schools that help them with financial aid. But just because you can manage it for a few years does not mean you can do it all through high school as well.

Tyler Bishop, who identified himself as a North Side parent whose children attended Linwood Holton, said he and his wife made a decision to send their daughters to an all-girls school for middle school because they felt single-sex education would be the best for their girls during those challenging years.

He said the goal to increase the number of economically challenged students attending Maggie Walker is laudable and something that should be examined. But, he said, the proposals are fatally flawed and probably unconstitutional.

Other parents said they should not be penalized for temporarily removing their children from public schools so that they could receive religious instruction, or so that they could keep learning in physical classrooms when public schools went virtual during COVID.

Parents described the proposal as swing(ing) the pendulum too far the other way and an attack on us taxpayers in the city of Richmond.

At a virtual town hall meeting last week, Kamras said, almost a third of the seats each year at Maggie Walker are going to private school students, and that just does not seem equitable, given that the overwhelming proportion of students in Richmond are going to Richmond Public Schools.

Some parents lauded the administrations goal to even the playing field for disadvantaged students.

Adria Scharf, the mother of a junior at Maggie Walker, said there were virtually no Black students from Richmond in her sons incoming class, and very few economically disadvantaged students.

Historic action is needed in a city that still ranks among the worst places nationally for an economically disadvantaged child to achieve upward mobility, Scharf said. You may hear tonight from speakers who feel that the new proposal is unfair. In my view, the real unfairness is the decadeslong exclusion of gifted, intellectually curious, economically disadvantaged students from access to such an exceptional learning environment.

The debate in Richmond is a microcosm of one of the biggest issues in education playing out in Virginia and across the U.S.

Early in Gov. Glenn Youngkins term, his administration ended virtually all equity initiatives that the Virginia Department of Education had launched under the previous administration of Gov. Ralph Northam.

The Youngkin administration has made the case that schools have unduly emphasized equitable outcomes over equal opportunity. His administration has described affirmative action policies in schools as discriminatory and suggested that historic discrimination in education might not be to blame for disparate outcomes among students of color.

Despite the Youngkin administrations stance, little has changed on the equity front in most school divisions. Likewise, the Northam administrations equity initiatives did not see widespread implementation. The Virginia Department of Education cannot force districts to comply with recommendations because schools are under the control of their local school boards.

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A coastal storm developing over the Atlantic Ocean will bring soaking rain and lashing winds to the Richmond area this weekend, prompting event cancellations and potentially causing power outages, traffic disruptions and flooding.

Officials on Thursday issued a tropical storm warning from coastal North Carolina to Delaware ahead of the weather system that the National Hurricane Center says could develop into a tropical cyclone.

The system  currently dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone 16  was roughly 355 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, as of 2 p.m. Thursday, moving north at 9 mph.

This (storm) will bring some tropical storm force winds and storm surge along with the high winds to the East Coast through the weekend, said Maria Torres, a public affairs officer with the National Hurricane Center. She urged residents in the path of the storm to gather supplies and make preparations in advance of the storms arrival.

Lee Enterprises Weather Team meteorologist Joe Martucci said central Virginians should expect up to 3 inches of rain and sustained wind speeds of between 20 and 30 mph, with wind gusts up to 40 mph.

Were expecting heavy rain, probably flooding rain ... generally starting Friday evening, Martucci said. The worst of the rain will probably be overnight (Friday) into sunrise on Saturday ... with additional rain on Saturday afternoon.

A tropical storm warning was issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware. It also includes the Chesapeake Bay south of Smith Point and the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds. A storm surge watch was also issued from Surf City, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia.

Martucci noted that the National Weather Service shows that Richmond is in a level two out of four risk for excessive rainfall on Saturday, adding that the James River could enter a flood stage and advising residents to be on the lookout for potential flash flooding.

People who live in an area that floods  if theyre by a stream or a creak, or their basement floods  should make plans, he said. Now is the time to prepare.

Martucci described the tornado risk for Richmond as low, but said tornadic activity could not be ruled out entirely. He said widespread power outages in and around Richmond were certainly in the realm of possibility.

Jeremy Slayton, a spokesperson for Dominion Energy, said the utility company is tracking the storm and monitoring the status of the companys service.

Any storm that brings wind or heavy rain has the potential to knock down trees onto power lines or poles, Slayton said. Our crews will be fully mobilized and prepared in the event of impacts in our area.

Slayton encouraged Dominion customers to report power outages as soon as they occur.

Officials with the Virginia Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the potential impacts of the storm on the state's roads.

Several weekend events in Richmond were canceled Thursday due to the weather forecast. Representatives for Virginia Pride on Thursday morning announced the indefinite postponement of Pridefest 2023, originally slated to take place on Browns Island on Saturday.

If you're somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard from North Carolina, northward, you'll want to check out this detailed update on what @NHC_Atlantic refers to as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen.



You can also find and follow your local NWS office for more: https://t.co/GWrG0hTRHN pic.twitter.com/ifS19BjjHw  National Weather Service (@NWS) September 21, 2023

The projected weather conditions for Saturday would make the event uncomfortable and dangerous for our attendees, vendors, entertainers, and dedicated volunteers, Virginia Pride representatives said.

Meanwhile, parts of eastern Virginia, including Claremont and Lanexa, are in a storm surge watch, Martucci said. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management warned that areas on the coast could experience up to 4 inches of rain, wind gusts up to 55 mph, isolated tornadoes and coastal flooding.

Start preparing! the department said in a post on X.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Isabel formed 20 years ago this month
The former VCU Health employee accused of shooting to death a coworker inside a stairwell at the VCU Medical Center in May has been convicted of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to Virginia court records.

Christopher Boisseau was charged in May with first-degree murder and maliciously shooting inside a building, but the murder charge was amended to second-degree murder and charges for maliciously shooting inside a building were dropped, according to court documents.

Boisseau pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and claimed he had acted in self-defense.

He is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Dec. 11. Sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder in Virginia call for between five and 40 years in prison.

Officers with Richmond police and VCU responded to VCU Medical Center, 1300 E. Marshall St., just after midnight on May 10 for reports of a shooting.

Police said their investigation indicated the shooting was a result of an altercation between two coworkers: Boisseau, 24, of Henrico County, and the victim, identified by police as TyQuan White, 25, of Richmond.

White received treatment before succumbing to his injuries. Boisseau was taken into custody without incident, and a firearm was recovered at the scene, police said.

Prosecutors said the argument between Boisseau and White stemmed from a work assignment and that White was killed over nothing, WRIC previously reported.

The shooting, along with other instances of violence, prompted VCU Medical Center to increase security, which included the installation of medical detectors at entrances to the hospital earlier this year. The health system also requires employees, patients and visitors to be screened for weapons.

From the archives: 65 photos of Richmond in the 1930s
Regulators slashed Dominion Energys three-year plan to make some of its most outage-prone lines less vulnerable to outages, cutting some $351 million from the companys request to approve $508 million of work.

For customers, it will mean an additional $1.38 on a benchmark 1,000 kilowatt-hour bill, which now stands at $125. If the SCC had approved all of the work, that additional cost would have been $1.88.

While Dominion said it wanted to harden 111 mainfeeder lines, serving customers who have suffered twice the outages experienced by its average customer, the SCC said the companys data did not support its request.

Mainfeeders link neighborhoods to the substations that tie into Dominions high-voltage transmission lines.

The company has seen cost overruns for the work already done, which typically involves installing sturdier poles, more up-to-date safety and voltage managing equipment, and sometimes re-routing a line, the commission said.

In one case, costs overran estimates by 427%, the SCC said. The Dominion document detailing that overrun also reported that its spending on 12 completed projects came in 2%, or $862,000 over a $39.2 million budget; six came in under budget, one by 62%.

Regulators approve work on 44 lines

While the companys cost-benefit analysis showed a benefit from reduced outages on a pilot program involving 11 mainfeeders, the SCC said data from last year showed outages on those circuits, totaling 352.3 million minutes last year, were 20.3 million minutes more than the 2015-2019 average for those circuits.

Simply put, the company has not sustained its burden of providing these costs are reasonable and prudent, the commission said in its order on Dominions three-year spending plan for work on its grid.

The SCC did approve work on some 44 lines that started in 2022 and 2023, setting a spending cap on them of $182.7 million. These lines run over about 261 miles and serve 102,323 customers.

Dominion had wanted to start on 67 additional mainfeeders by 2026. The SCC order said spending on any additional mainfeeder work beyond the 44 lines would be at the companys risk.

Our mainfeeder hardening program strengthens the resiliency of the grid in outage prone areas and is critical to providing safe and reliable power to our customers, said Dominion spokesman Jeremy Slayton.

He said the company is pleased the SCC approved completing the 44 projects now underway.

We look forward to coming back to the Commission with additional data and cost benefit analysis to approve additional projects, he said.

The mainfeeder hardening program was the biggest portion of a $1.1 billion spending plan for work on Dominions grid, and the SCC approved the other elements as the company proposed.

Those include a $215 million effort to more tightly manage voltages on the grid, targeting a systemwide 2-volt reduction  roughly what it takes to power two hearing aids  in order to reduce Virginias total energy consumption.

$25 million to fix so-called voltage islands

The utility has got elements of the system installed at 145 premises and expects to add 2,315 more by the end of this year, at which point the control systems fed by the continuous stream of voltage readings from those modern meters will be operational.

It aims to add 28,000 more premises to its voltage optimization network over the next three years  work that will also mean adding or upgrading transformers at its substations and other work on its lines and voltage-regulating gear.

The plan also includes $144 million to upgrade the voltage controls and safety equipment at its substations, while the commission approved a $50 million plan to install five battery systems for storing energy, intended to meet demand when wind turbines and solar panels are not pumping electricity into the grid.

Dominions plan also includes $25 million to fix so-called voltage islands, which are substations with only one transformer  typically, a truck-sized gray box with pine-tree-like bushings linking it with the substations overhead wiring. Transformers step down voltages to safe levels for the stations mainfeeder circuit. Backups exist in most of the Dominion system.

The SCC approved the $71 million in Dominions plan for security measures at its facilities and a total of $23.2 million of investment in advanced meters and $23.3 million to cover operating costs for the devices.

From the Archives: Old Richmond buildings
Rarely if ever has a governors clemency power become a rallying point in a political campaign. Yet, thats exactly what Gov. Glenn Youngkin did by pardoning a Loudoun County father charged with offenses arising from a heated school board meeting.

Youngkins full pardon this month of Scott Thomas Smith has become a powerful statement in the nationwide debate over how much input parents should have into public school policy and curriculum.

In Virginia, it stands to speak even louder this fall by refocusing a powerful, proven Republican message in pivotal elections for control of the General Assembly.

The charges against Smith stemmed from a 2021 meeting of the Loudoun County School Board as momentum was building behind conservative-led movements across the nation to resist what they saw as a leftward turn in K-12 public education. Smith attended the meeting after his daughter was sexually assaulted in a high school restroom by a male student wearing a skirt, an action he blamed on transgender bathroom policies.

During the meeting, Smith clashed with supporters of the policies. Sheriffs deputies intervened and forcibly removed Smith from the meeting. Viral video of the confrontation and the resulting charges filed against him made Smith a hero of the parents rights movement. His conviction on an obstruction of justice charge was overturned on appeal in circuit court. He still faced trial on a charge of disorderly conduct.

In Youngkins race for governor later that year, the Republican in his first bid for elective office deftly harnessed the issue. It galvanized his own party, already hostile toward accommodations by schools for trans youth. Of greater strategic importance, however, it became a kitchen-table issue that resonated with many moderate voters  particularly parents of school-age children  in the politically moderate, heavily populated suburbs of Northern Virginia, the Richmond area and Hampton Roads, where, one year earlier, President Donald Trump and the GOPs biting, divisive message had been roundly rejected.

While Youngkin didnt win majorities in those suburban and exurban areas, his stand on giving parents a greater voice in schools struck a chord and reduced the large margins Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe would need to overcome massive Republican turnouts in rural Virginia.

By pardoning Smith, Youngkin reinvigorates the parental rights debate, which remains as hot now as it was two years ago and is a seminal issue in races for seats on local school boards across Virginia.

It brushes right past the narrow, legalistic and ideological arguments for prosecuting Smith and gives Republican House and Senate candidates a clear, compelling narrative. Not that there isnt an explanation to be made, but its dense and long-winded, and in politics, if youre explaining, youre losing.

In Smith, Republicans have a relatable figure whose emotional assertion of defending his home and family needs no explanation and plays powerfully.

For his part, Smith said he wanted to go to court, clear his name and tell his story. One of his attorneys is state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County.

I really wanted to win this straight up on its merits in court, he said in a Fox News interview.

Youngkins timing for the pardon was politically deft. He could have done it at any point since he took office in January 2022. Coming in early September 2023, however, it creates national headlines in the final sprint to the Nov. 7 elections in which the GOP hopes to take a narrow Senate majority from the Democrats, hold its narrow House majority and claim full control of state government for the first time in 10 years.

In making the rounds of national talk shows, Youngkin was dropping talking points for Republican candidates to follow this fall.

This was a dad standing up for his daughter, Youngkin said on Fox News Sunday, casting school boards and policies he contends have gone too far left as the villain. Mr. Smith did what any parent would do.

From the Archives: A look back at the Richmond region's railroad past
(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.
Tuesdays column on solar energy ("Is Amazon polluting the Chesapeake Bay?," Sept. 19) from a former Trump administration official paints a wildly misleading portrait of utility scale solars role in Virginias energy mix.

Lets be clear: Every acre of utility scale solar that comes to Virginia displaces 121 to 138 metric tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide. Nothing is worse for our environment, or our forests and farmlands, than catastrophic climate change. Medium to high warming scenarios will wipe out entire crop yields by paradoxically intensifying both flooding and drought, creating unsuitably warm conditions for crop growth, and increasing disease and death in livestock. Moreover, realizing our solar goals would occupy only half of a single percent of Virginias total land area.

While we should site solar carefully to minimize impacts to our highest quality farmland and forests, arguing that utility scale solar in general hurts farms and forests is losing the forest for the trees.

Utility scale solar energy is also the cheapest form of energy, producing electricity for as low as $24 per megawatt hour. Thats 283% cheaper than the cheapest coal plant and 162% cheaper than the least expensive combined cycle gas plant. If we want to meet growing energy demand affordably, we need utility scale solar.

This is not to say that we should not maximize rooftop and other forms of distributed solar. The state can do much more to expand access to distributed generation. This is also not to say that data centers should not work closely with utilities to ensure that energy demand does not balloon unsustainably and create untenable costs for ratepayers. Both of these efforts must be undertaken swiftly  but nothing should deter us from realizing a zero-carbon future that ensures our commonwealth is habitable for our children and grandchildren.

Victoria Higgins.

Richmond.
CENTRAL STATE

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 Irvo's 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 sheriff's 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 Otieno's funeral in North Chesterfield, and Crump, who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, became a spokesman for Otieno's relatives.

On Monday, a wrongful death motion was filed by Otieno's mother, Caroline Ouko, and brother, Leon Ochieng, listing the state, Henrico and county Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory as defendants.

The next day, Henrico Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Wallerstein Jr. approved the settlement, records show.

Mark Krudys, the Virginia civil rights lawyer representing Otieno's family, did not comment on the settlement agreement.

The county enlisted former Richmond Commonwealth's 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 General's 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 sheriff's deputies.

Otieno's 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.

Some of the defendants' lawyers have said they were simply trying to restrain him.

Otieno's 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 Otieno's 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 Commonwealth's Attorney Jonathan Bourlier said his top priority is familiarizing himself with the case's 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.
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 brother's 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. It's 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 Carolina's 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 didn't 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, that's 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 you're 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 shouldn't be stripped of health care options because of their size or the number of low-income people with public insurance.
Lopez Obrador says no response from Vulcan Materials regarding offer to purchase Playa del Carmen land

Mexico City, Mexico  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reported that he has not received a response from the Directors of Vulcan Materials (SAC-TUNformerly Calica).

He says he has had no response to the proposed purchase of more than 2,000 hectares of land outside Playa del Carmen. He made the offer in July of this year to purchase the land they were using for stone extraction.

They are one of those companies who are waiting for the government to end. They think that what was before, how it was before, will return. () We made them a good offer. We are buying everything from them and even so, they do not respond, so we are going to continue waiting.

We are talking about the jungle, we are talking about mangroves and there are like 2,400 hectares, he said during his Wednesday morning press conference.

He recalled that in previous six-year terms, this company was dedicated to extracting stone material to send to the United States. However, it destroyed the environment of one of the most important areas in the world, so now the Government of Mexico intends to rescue that area by creating an ecotourism development.

The Directors have not responded since July of this year when the president sent, through Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, the Mexican ambassador to the United States, the appraisal for around 6 billion pesos.

In the Treasury Room of the National Palace, he stressed the importance of protecting that place because it has areas of mangrove and tropical jungle with endemic flora and fauna.

In July, the Government of Mexico offered to purchase the 2,400 hectares of land from Vulcan Materials. Mexicos Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, hand delivered the letter of purchase for more than 6.5 billion pesos.
Mexicos fentanyl seizures represents 25 percent globally reports SRE

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexicos Ministry of Foreign relations says fentanyl seizures in Mexico have increased by 1,049 percent. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Alicia Barcena Ibarra, says Mexicos fentanyl seizures represents 25 percent globally.

Duirng a recent forum, Secretary Barcena reaffirmed Mexicos commitment to confronting synthetic drugs. The chancellor emphasized the need to focus on the problem with a comprehensive perspective and not just a reduction in supply, adding that Mexico maintains close dialogue with China, India and Korea to detect and interrupt fentanyl supply chains.

Within the framework of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Alicia Barcena Ibarra participated in Addressing the Public Health and Safety Threats of Synthetic Drugs through Global Collaboration.

Foreign Minister Barcena detailed the steps that the Government of Mexico is taking to address and confront the threats posed by synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamines and other emerging substances.

During her report, Barcena Ibarra highlighted that from 2018 to March 2023, fentanyl seizures in Mexico have increased by 1,049 percent compared to the figures recorded from 2014 to 2018.

The actions implemented between 2020 and 2023 by our country represents 25 percent of fentanyl seizures globally, she said.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs celebrated that the Global Coalition to Address the Threats of Synthetic Drugs, made up of more than 80 countries, is coordinating efforts and strengthening cooperation to promote a collaborative agenda that combats organized crime.

Not only do we have to confront the trafficking of synthetic drugs, we must also address the situation from a preventive approach through public health. It is also important that we approach the private sector to supervise and regulate supply chains, Barcena added.

Mexico participated in the September 19, 2023 forum. Photo: SRE

In that sense, she highlighted the two pilot programs that Mexico established to detect new precursors and their distribution as well as to track all imported and exported substances so that they are not used for drug manufacturing.

Likewise, she highlighted the recent incorporation of Mexico to the Global Container Control Program, an initiative that strengthens national processes to prevent and avoid the exploitation of maritime containers for illicit activities in the different sea ports of Mexico.

He specified that it is necessary to recognize and address arms trafficking since the relationship between drug trafficking and the illegal flow of weapons increases the potential for violence of organized crime and causes their illicit businesses to prosper.

Foreign Minister Barcena concluded her participation by endorsing President Lopez Obradors commitment to collaborate bilaterally, trilaterally and globally to combat synthetic drug trafficking, interrupt arms trafficking and promote public health services that reduce the harm and demand of drugs. in our communities.

Earlier in September, a semi driver in Cinco, Sinaloa was found transporting more than 2.6 million fentanyl pills. His vehicle was inspected after being marked positive for illegal substances by a narcotics dog.

During inspection, authorities found the pills secured inside metal rails of the lower structure of a Federal Public Service tractor-trailer in which the driver, Alfonso B, was arrested.
New Commander preparing to fight state crime with fresh security strategy

Chetumal, Q.R.  Newly appointed Commander, Gerardo Serna Melchor, says they are preparing a fresh security strategy to implement throughout the state. Serna Melcho was named Commander of the 34th Military Zone Wednesday.

After his swearing in ceremony, he said that the instruction of the Secretary of National Defense has been to reduce crime rates and violent events in Quintana Ro. With that, he says they will be working in coordination with members of the state and municipal security forces to create a strategy.

We have instructions from the General Secretary of Defense to join the effort in the fight against insecurity, to join the security strategy for peace in Quintana Roo. The most important thing is to reduce the chain of homicides that are generated by the existence of drug dealing points to reduce violence in Quintana Roo, he said.

Gerardo Serna said that he has an experienced team and that he will be working to reduce these incidents and strengthen the security of Quintana Roo.

There is a lot of work to be done. We have a good team and we have to contribute to moving the issue forward, he added.

On Wednesday, the head of the Government Secretariat attested to the change of command of the Command of the 34th Military Zone. Diplomated Brigadier General of the General Staff (DEM), Gerardo Serna Melchor, carried out the inauguration and Flag Protest as the new Commander of the 34th Military Zone.

Gerardo Serna Melchor was named Commander of the 34th Military Zone. Photo: CGC September 20, 2023.

On behalf of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, the Secretary of Government, Cristina Torres Gomez, witnessed the ceremony in the Civic Plaza of the 7th Motorized Cavalry Regiment.

Cristina Torres wished success to Gerardo Serna Melchor, as the new Commander of the 34th Military Zone, as well as the outgoing DEM Brigadier General, Hector Jimenez Aldana.

The new commander of the 34th Military Zone specializes in issues of national security, ports and airports, combating crime and drug trafficking. He has been Military Attache at the Mexican embassy in Cuba and Commander of the 3rd Military Zone in Baja California Sur.
One arrest and one home seized in Jose Maria Morelos narcotics search

Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R.  A narcotic search operation in the municipality of Jose Maria Morelos lead to the arrest of one and seizure of a property. Authorities searched two homes in the Las Palmas neighborhood in response to anonymous complaints.

The Prosecutor of the Public Ministry in its Narcomenudeo Modality began the investigation which lead to search warrants for the properties. Both homes searched were located on Lazaro Cardenas Street in the Las Palmas neighborhood.

As a result, Investigative Police from the FGE Quintana Roo entered the first property where they detained Julio N and seized bags of marijuana as well as cash.

In the second procedure, after a thorough search, no signs of narcotics were found and the place was not secured. Jose Maria Morelos Municipal Police assisted in both searches.
Two Mexican nationals extradited to face charges in U.S courts

Mexico City, Mexico  Two people of Mexican nationality accused of various crimes have been extradited to the U.S.

Omar P was wanted by the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on charges of drug and criminal association. According to the FGR of Mexico (Fiscalia General de la Republica), he was a member of a criminal organization that trafficked heroin and methamphetamine in 2015.

He was in charge of coordinating the importation and storage of drugs to the United States and distributing them in Atlanta, Georgia. He was located and detained for extradition purposes in November 2021, in Zapopan, Jalisco.

Luis M, who was wanted by the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California, was also extradited Tuesday. Luis M was transferred to U.S. federal custody for criminal association, trafficking of undocumented immigrants and operations with resources of illicit origin.

According to the FGR, he trafficked people from Mexico across the border, specifically from Tecate, Baja California, to the United States. His arrest occurred in April of this year in Tijuana, Baja California.

Both men were transferred to the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) where they were handed over to U.S. agents designated for their final transfer.
A high number of homes and businesses in the Roanoke Valley have signed up for Glo Fiber, which provides internet, TV and phone, a company official said.

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co., a company based in Edinburg between Harrisonburg and Winchester, ran fiber optic line in the cities of Roanoke and Salem and Roanoke County that competes with Cox Communications and Comcast. The initial buildout, which began in 2020 and ends this year, covered 862 miles, the company said.

Asked for its market share in those communities, Chris Kyle, a vice president at the company, said We expected long-term to take a third. We think we will beat that.

Kyle said he could not be specific, citing Shenandoahs structure as a publicly traded company.

We feel really good about how Roanoke is going, Kyle said. Every month were adding customers in Roanoke.

Spec warehouses planned

Christiansburg will get two new warehouses for lease in about a year, according to Gary Duncan, a local automotive dealer and classic car collector.

Duncan said a shortage exists. Theres no warehouses near [Interstate] 81, said Duncan, whose GAD Management Inc. will own the project.

The plans show warehouses of 16,560 square feet and 9,800 square feet in the Christiansburg Industrial Park.

Business changes hands

An Idaho firm specializing in engineering services for energy, environmental and food and beverage industries, said it bought the Rocky Mount firm Earth Environmental and Civil Inc. Power Engineers Inc. announced the acquisition in a recent release. Terms were not disclosed.

Earth Environmental and Civil President Jim Lovell said in the release that the 22-person Franklin County firm was pleased to become part of a much larger company. The two organizations have jointly handled a variety of projects in the region. Power has a Richmond office.

Blacksburg biotech to receive grant

The National Institutes of Health awarded $295,294 to Biotherapeutics Inc. of Blacksburg, the office of U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, announced.

The money will come from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, one of the institutes that make up the the NIH, and pay expenses related to a possible treatment for psoriasis, the announcement said.

A company representative confirmed the accuracy of the announcement.
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.
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.
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Although the autumnal equinox is observed, maybe even celebrated, all day on Sept. 23, it's really just a moment in time  to be exact it's when the sun crosses the celestial equator, an imaginary line in the sky above Earth's equator.

Normally, Earth orbits tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees. But at this precise instant, its rotational axis is neither tilting toward nor away from the sun.

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For 2023, that takes place at 2:50 a.m. EDT. After this time, the sun will start rising later and setting earlier for those in the Northern Hemisphere.

Those living in the Southern Hemisphere will see the opposite. In fact, people in the Southern Hemisphere refer to Sept. 23 as the spring equinox, a signal that the days will start getting longer.
" " Offshore drilling platforms burn off excess natural gas, giving them their signature flares. Terje Rakke/Riser/Getty Images

Once the drill hits petroleum, a final bit of casing called a production casing goes down to the bottom of the shaft. This section of casing terminates in a solid cap, closing the well off from the surrounding petroleum reservoir.

It may seem a bit odd to seal up the prize once you've finally reached it, but the goal isn't to just vent pressurized oil and gas up to the surface, but to control its flow.

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Engineers send down explosives to perforate the production casing at different depths to allow petroleum into the well. This allows the oil and gas to reach the surface under less pressure, and not as a blasting geyser.

Initially, the natural pressure from the subsurface petroleum reservoir is sufficient to push fluids and gas to the surface. Eventually, however, this pressure declines, and the use of a pump or injections of gas, oil or water are required to bring the petroleum to the surface.

By adding water or gas to the reservoir, engineers are able to increase reservoir pressure, causing the petroleum to rise again. In some cases, compressed air or steam is sent down a well to heat the remaining petroleum, which also increases pressure.

If what came up from the wells was pure petroleum, it would just be a matter of barreling it up at this point. But this isn't usually the case, and it's why offshore drilling platforms often boast full production facilities as well. The liquid that rises up to the platform is a mixture of crude oil, natural gas, water and sediments. Most oil refinement takes place onshore, but oil companies sometimes use converted tanker ships to treat and store oil at sea. This process removes unwanted substances from the oil, prior to refining.

Wet vs. Dry Natural Gas

Natural gas falls into two categories: wet and dry. Wet natural gas contains various vaporized liquids, and these have to be filtered out before it can be transported elsewhere. Dry natural gas, on the other hand, is free of these pollutants. At this point, undersea pipelines and oil tankers transport the separated oil and natural gas to onshore storage and treatment plants.

Eventually, a well will either run dry, or the costs of further development will outweigh potential future profits. When this happens, petroleum companies plug and abandon the well.

At this point, operators remove platforms from their moorings  with explosives if need be  and either relocate them or drag them back to shore for scrap. Divers then cut the well casing off below the surface of the ocean floor and seal it in with concrete. In some cases, however, portions of the oil rig remain and are slowly overtaken by sea life.

A Slippery Subject

Despite our culture's dependence on petroleum, not everyone's a huge fan of offshore oil drilling. Criticism ranges from dire environmental warnings to concerns over how oil rigs obstruct the view on a holiday beach trip.

The extraction of natural gas reserves via offshore drilling, particularly with the use of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), carries significant implications for climate and greenhouse gas emissions. Although natural gas is considered a relatively cleaner-burning fossil fuel in comparison to coal and oil, the extraction process can unintentionally release methane, an exceptionally potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.

This methane leakage can manifest during various phases, including drilling, production and transportation. Because methane possesses a significantly higher heat-trapping capacity than carbon dioxide over a short time frame, even minor emissions can make substantial contributions to global warming.

Efforts to mitigate methane emissions, such as the adoption of improved drilling practices and equipment, are crucial in curtailing the climate impact of offshore natural gas extraction, particularly when utilizing MODUs.

Rigorous monitoring and effective regulation are vital to ensuring that the advantages of natural gas as a transitional energy source do not exacerbate the challenges associated with climate change.
" " That boiling geyser at Yellowstone National Park probably has some extremophiles lurking nearby. John Wang/Getty Images

An environment is called extreme only in relation to what's normal for humans, but for an extremophile, their favored environments are "normal." And beyond Earth, conditions that make life possible for humans are likely rare. In turn, so-called extreme environments and the extremophiles that populate them may be more commonplace.

Here on Earth, a number of factors might earn a place the label "extreme," including the following:

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Pressure

Radiation levels

Acidity

Temperature

Salinity

Lack of water

Lack of oxygen

Pollutants or toxins left behind by humans (oil, nuclear waste, heavy metals)

Remember that these factors can sometimes be extreme in one of two ways: very hot or very cold, highly acidic or highly alkaline. Most organisms that we see or encounter subsist in temperatures ranging from 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), but extreme life has been found in nuclear reactors, penguin guano, volcanoes, practically oxygen-free zones, incredibly salty areas like Utah's Great Salt Lake and in the digestive systems of many animals, including insects [source: Science Education Resource Center].

In one case of thriving in extreme conditions, bacteria were found entombed in Alaskan ice. When the ice melted, bacteria that had been dormant for tens of thousands of years resumed activity, as if nothing had happened.

Antarctica's Lake Untersee is a great example of an extreme environment. The water is brimming with methane and has a highly alkaline pH, comparable to laundry detergent [source: Science Daily]. Scientists at NASA are particularly interested in the lake because its distinct environment  lots of methane and low temperatures  may be similar to those of other planetary bodies, such as Jupiter's moon Europa [source: NASA].

Acidic Environments

As we've mentioned, some of these organisms love a good acidic environment. But just how acidic? First, let's take a look at how acidity is measured. "Potential of hydrogen," or pH, is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, indicating the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution. In terms of pH: 0 is most acidic, while 14 is most basic or alkaline.

Humans prefer a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, but acidophiles thrive in places with pH levels ranging from 0 to 5. The human stomach actually falls into this category, and we have some extremophiles living in our bodies.

In general, acidophiles survive in acidic environments by strengthening their cell membranes. Some produce biofilms (colonies of microorganisms that aggregate, creating slimy, extracellular protective films) or fatty acids that protect their cell membranes. Others can regulate their internal pH to keep it at a more moderate level of around 6.5.

Extremophiles in highly alkaline environments also manage to regulate internal pH and have enzymes that can withstand the effects of high alkalinity.

One such extremophile is Spirochaeta americana, a bacteria that lives in the mud deposits of California's Mono Lake and whose discovery was announced in May 2003. One of 14 known spirochetes, this extremophile needs an alkaline pH from 8.0 to 10.5. And it's anaerobic, which means it's incapable of living in environments with oxygen.

Spirochetes like sulfurous mud deposits and don't rely on oxygen. For example, Spirochaeta thermophila lives near deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Mono Lake's mud is alkaline with a pH of 10, very salty and filled with sulfides. The lake became this way because it's a terminal lake  water flows in but not out. As water evaporates, chemicals and minerals stay, becoming highly concentrated.

Geysers and Rivers

Many other notable extreme environments also play host to extremophiles. Numerous geysers around the world, including some in Siberia, have extremophiles living in their hot pools and vents.

In the United States, Yellowstone National Park has thousands of geysers, springs and other geothermal features, with varying levels of temperature, acidity and sulfur  and many types of extremophiles.

Rio Tinto, a river in Spain, is full of heavy metals because the region has been host to mining operations for thousands of years. Similarly, Northern California's Iron Mountain has water so loaded with heavy metals and acids (byproducts of mining) that it can eat through a metal shovel in a day.

But even here, deep in underground mines, microbes from the Archaea and Eubacteria domains manage to survive scrappily, using biofilms for both protection and nutrient absorption.
But what is this other dimension? Mystics used to see it as a place where spirits lived, since they weren't bound by our earthly rules. In his theory of special relativity, Einstein referred to time as the fourth dimension, but noted that time is inseparable from space.

Science-fiction aficionados may recognize that union as space-time, and indeed, the idea of a space-time continuum has been popularized by science-fiction writers for centuries (e.g., Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles" or Joe Haldeman's "The Forever War").

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Today, some physicists describe the fourth dimension as any space that's perpendicular to a cube  the problem being that most of us can't visualize something that is perpendicular to a cube [source: Duke University].

Researchers have used Einstein's ideas to determine whether we can travel through time. While we can move in any direction in our 3D world, we can only move forward in time. Thus, traveling to the past has been deemed near-impossible, though some researchers still hold out hope for finding wormholes that connect to different sections of space-time.

Beginnings of the Concept

In the early 19th century, mathematicians and thinkers began to explore the idea of a fourth spatial dimension beyond our familiar three dimensions (depth, width and height). August Ferdinand Mobius was among those who pondered the possibilities of this additional dimension. One of the intriguing aspects of the fourth dimension is that in it, a three-dimensional object could be rotated in such a way that it would appear as its own mirror image, a concept that challenges our intuitive understanding of space.

The tesseract, also known as a hypercube, is a common visual representation of 4D space. It is an extension of the concept of a cube (a 3D object) into the fourth dimension. While it's challenging to visualize in our three-dimensional world, mathematicians use diagrams and models to help convey the idea of a tesseract.

Later in the 19th century, mathematician Bernhard Riemann laid the foundations for true four-dimensional geometry, providing a mathematical framework for understanding and working with higher-dimensional spaces. This work became fundamental to later developments in mathematics and physics, particularly in the study of curved spaces and the theory of relativity.
Emotional Mastery and Wisdom

The King of Cups in the upright position represents emotional balance, compassion, and wisdom. This card signifies that you have gained control over your feelings and can accept them without being overwhelmed. It reflects a deep understanding of your emotional self and the ability to navigate through life's challenges with maturity and stability.

The King of Cups invites you to embrace your emotional intelligence and make wise choices based on both intellect and intuition. It encourages you to stay balanced even in the face of adversity, allowing your compassion and wisdom to guide your actions.

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The King's Compassionate Nature

As a symbol of compassion, the King of Cups embodies kindness, empathy, and understanding. He is a good listener and offers support and guidance to others. In relationships, this card signifies a loving and devoted partner who strives to create harmonious connections based on patience and understanding.

The King of Cups encourages you to cultivate empathy and compassion in your interactions with others. By seeking to understand their emotions and needs, you can foster deeper connections and create a sense of peace in your interactions.

Balancing Intellect and Emotion

One of the key messages of the King of Cups is the importance of integrating intellect and emotion. This card highlights the harmonious relationship between understanding and feeling. It reminds you to use both your rational mind and intuitive insights to make informed decisions.

The King of Cups teaches you to trust your emotions while also applying logical thinking. By finding this balance, you can make wise choices that align with your values and goals. The integration of intellect and emotion empowers you to navigate life's challenges with clarity and emotional resilience.

Relationships and Love

In matters of love and relationships, the King of Cups is a positive sign. If you are in a committed relationship, this card signifies a harmonious and loving partnership. It represents a partner who is loyal, devoted, and emotionally mature. The King of Cups suggests that your relationship is characterized by emotional fulfillment, understanding, and support.

If you are single, the King of Cups may indicate the arrival of a potential partner who embodies the qualities of emotional intelligence and compassion. This card invites you to be open to new connections and to seek a partner who shares your values and emotional depth.

Career and Finances

In the realm of career and finances, the King of Cups indicates that emotional intelligence and diplomacy are key to success. This card suggests that you may receive guidance or support from an older, wiser individual in your professional journey. Their advice and mentorship can help you navigate challenges and create a harmonious work environment.

The King of Cups also reminds you to find balance between career aspirations and emotional well-being. While it is important to pursue your goals, remember to prioritize your emotional needs and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This card may also suggest that a career in a caring or creative field would suit you well, where you can leverage your compassion and intuitive abilities.

Health and Well-being

When it comes to health and well-being, the King of Cups encourages you to pay attention to your emotional state. This card reminds you to prioritize self-care and emotional balance. By nurturing your emotional well-being, you can enhance your overall health and vitality.

The King of Cups suggests that developing emotional intelligence and seeking support when needed can contribute to your overall well-being. Take time to understand and address any emotional imbalances or stressors that may be impacting your health. Remember, emotional well-being is an integral part of your overall wellness.

Spirituality and Intuition

The King of Cups embodies a deep connection to spirituality and intuition. This card signifies a heightened level of psychic and intuitive abilities. It encourages you to trust your instincts and listen to your inner voice. By embracing your spiritual side, you can tap into a wellspring of wisdom and guidance.

The King of Cups invites you to explore spiritual practices such as meditation, journaling, or energy healing. These practices can help you deepen your connection to your intuition and enhance your spiritual growth. Trust in the insights and messages that come from within, as they hold valuable guidance for your journey.
A section of an ovarian tumour with cancer cells (in white) and immune cells (in cyan). The EPOCH trial will assess whether a chemotherapy drug used to treat aggressive breast cancers, can boost the bodys immune response and, together with an immunotherapy drug, can halt tumour progression in patients with ovarian and uterine carcinosarcoma. Credit: Kristy Shield-Artin and Suzan Sam, WEHI

An international clinical trial exploring a new way to treat rare and aggressive gynecological cancers has launched in Melbourne.

Based on a WEHI-led discovery, the trial hopes to enhance treatment options for women with two of the most lethal gynecological cancersovarian and uterine carcinosarcomas.

The study will offer a novel combination therapy for women with these relapsing cancers and is now open in Australia, with plans to expand to Canada and the United Kingdom in coming months.

In 2022, more than 1,800 Australian women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including ovarian carcinosarcoma. Survival rates for ovarian cancer have not improved in over three decades, with one Australian woman dying from the disease every eight hours.

Uterine cancer was the fifth most diagnosed cancer in Australian females in 2022.

Uterine carcinosarcoma, while three times more common than ovarian carcinosarcoma, is still classified as a rare cancer.

These diseases often present with no symptoms, meaning most women are diagnosed at an advanced stagesignificantly limiting their treatment options.

The EPOCH (Eribulin and Pembrolizumab in Tubo-Ovarian and Uterine Carcinosarcoma) trial aims to reverse these dire outcomes by testing a new combination therapy.

Professor Clare Scott AM, principal investigator of the EPOCH trial and chair of ANZGOG, said the trial could provide real hope for women with rare cancers.

"When a disease is rare, it means the research into it is much more challenging, halting the discovery of new treatments," Prof Scott, also a joint division head at WEHI's Clinical Translation Division, said.

"Ovarian carcinosarcoma is currently treated with the same drugs used for the more common ovarian cancers, but these tumors generally respond poorly to standard-of-care treatments.

"This is proof that blanket approaches aren't viable when it comes to rare cancers and that new treatments are desperately needed.

"That is why it is incredibly exciting to see our research, spanning over seven years, now translated into a clinical trial that could potentially help women living with rare diseases, like ovarian and uterine carcinosarcomas."

Repurposed potential

EPOCH will give women with relapsing carcinosarcoma access to two treatments that have never been used for these cancers before.

The trial is based on findings from a WEHI study published in Cancer Research, which showed a chemotherapy drug used to treat advanced stages of breast cancer was more effective for ovarian carcinosarcoma than the most proven chemotherapy, platinum chemotherapy.

Using a variety of human ovarian carcinosarcoma pre-clinical models, the team investigated whether the chemotherapy drug Eribulin could be used to reverse a process associated with tumor progression and drug resistance, known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Dr. Holly Barker, who spearheaded the research, found the chemotherapy drug could reverse EMT in ovarian carcinosarcoma, reducing the growth and aggressive nature of these tumors.

"We found Eribulin specifically inhibited EMT, reducing cell invasionwhich could minimize the likelihood of the tumor spreading," Dr. Barker said.

The team also found the drug boosted the immune response towards ovarian carcinosarcoma, as more immune cells were found in the tumors following treatment. This suggests Eribulin treatment could make these tumors more responsive to immunotherapy.

Early studies in uterine carcinosarcoma pre-clinical models, developed by the team, indicate Eribulin treatment is also more effective than platinum chemotherapy at reducing tumor growth for this type of cancer.

The EPOCH trial will test this dual effect by combining Eribulin with the immunotherapy drug, Pembrolizumab, for the first time.

"We hope the promising results we saw in our initial research will be emulated in the trial to improve outcomes for these women," Dr. Barker said.

Identifying 'super responders'

As part of the trial, researchers will also search for biomarkers that can help identify the patients who will best respond to this combination therapy.

All patient samples from this trial will be analyzed in Prof Scott's WEHI lab by Anthony Hadla, a Ph.D. student who is supported by a generous donation from Steve Tyerman.

EPOCH is one of the first ANZGOG trials to incorporate TR-ANZGOG (Translational ANZGOG), a program implemented to support the collection of biospecimens associated with ANZGOG trials and help facilitate current and future translational research.

The EPOCH trial is now open at Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Center and Monash Health.

The first stage of the international trial aims to recruit 30 participants, with the recruitment of a further 60 participants planned for the second stage.

The trial will also expand to the following sites in coming months: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (Queensland), Prince of Wales Hospital (New South Wales), Princess Margaret Cancer Center (Canada), Imperial College (United Kingdom).

Provided by WEHI
A new study revealed that more and more Americans are now living alone. This means that the social and family dynamics in the U.S. are changing.

If this lifestyle trend continues, it could have significant impacts on society, business, government, as well as the American culture.

More and More Americans Now Prefer Living Alone, Claims New Study

Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau said that more than 46% of American adults are single. That's around 117 million U.S. residents who are unmarried.

The Census Bureau said that these numbers include Americans-18 years old and above-who had divorced, are widowed, and who have never married before.

But, this doesn't prove that these single Americans are really living alone in a household. Now, SmartAsset, a financial tech firm, conducted its own study to see how many U.S. residents are living in isolation.

SmartAsset examined more than 340 households in the largest U.S. cities. Based on its findings, single-person households increased by up to 28%, as reported by Yahoo Finance.

Aside from this, the new study also showed that half of households in six U.S. cities are nearly compromised by single Americans. These include Washington (D.C.), Richmond (Virginia), Alexandria (Virginia), Cleveland (Ohio, and Cincinnati (Ohio).

Read Also: [SURVEY] Americans More Interested in Space Defense Than Mars Missions; Are Asteroids Really That Scary?

Top US Cities With Most Single-Person Household Increases

SmartAsset also provided the list of the top U.S. cities that experienced the highest increases in single-person households. These include the following:

Arlington, VA: Single-person households increased by up to 41.71% in 2021 (only 11.78% in 2016) Alexandria, VA: Single-person households increased by 46.52% in 2021 (only 15.61% in 2016) College Station, TX: Single-person households increased by 31.11% in 2021 (only 11.83% in 2016) Madison, WI: Single-person households increased by 41.32% in 2021 (only 15.91% in 2016) Ann Arbor, MI: Single-person households increased by 36.10% in 2021 (only 13.97% in 2016).

These are just the top five U.S. cities that had the most single-person household increases. If you want to see more details about other cities, you can click this link.

Since living as a single person in the United States is not a piece of cake, here are some tips that can you get by:

Always know the things that you can afford based on your salary.

Create a responsive budget plan that will inform you about your living costs.

If you can afford it or know someone, you can seek help from a professional financial advisor.

Related Article: [SURVEY] Younger Americans' Impulse Buying on Social Media Getting Worse-Spending Over $71 Billion in 2022

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Peru has launched a criminal probe into how alleged non-human alien corpses that were displayed to the Mexican Congress were taken out of the country.

Self-described UFO expert Jaime Maussan claimed the two small corpses were retrieved from Cusco, Peru. They were presented in windowed boxes in Mexico City on Wednesday, stirring excitement within the UFO conspiracy-theorist community.

Peruvian officials have questioned Mr Maussans claims and said they are looking into how the corpses came into his possession.

Culture minister Leslie Urteaga said they were looking into how the pre-hispanic bodies left Peru, adding that a criminal complaint has been filed against Mr Maussan.

Mr Maussan, 70, insists he is innocent. Im not worried. I have done absolutely nothing illegal, he said.

The 70-year-old has not been able to explain how the corpses came into his possession. He said he would reveal all at an appropriate time.

Doctors in Mexico City are carrying out CT scans on the corpses. Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez, director of the Scientific Institute for Health of the Mexican navy, said the studies showed that the alleged bodies belonged to a single skeleton and were not assembled.

He added that the laboratory tests have shown that there is no evidence of any assembly or manipulation of the skulls.

Mr Maussan claimed, under oath, at the Mexican congress that the mummified specimens are not part of our terrestrial evolution, with almost a third of their DNA remaining unknown, reported Mexican media.

His claims have not been proven and he has previously been associated with claims of discoveries that have later been debunked.

Mr Maussan claimed the remains are about 1,000 years old, saying researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico used carbon dating to determine the age of the corpses.

Self-described UFO expert Jaime Maussan claimed the two small corpses were retrieved from Cusco, Peru (Reuters)

The university has distanced itself from Mr Maussan, claiming its scientists were not involved in the research and never came into contact with the full specimens.

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In no case do we make conclusions about the origin of these samples, the universitys National Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry With Accelerators said in a statement.

At the public hearing, Mr Maussan showed US officials and members of the Mexican government several videos of UFOs and unidentified anomalous phenomena before unveiling the alleged alien corpses.

He said: These specimen(s) are not part of our terrestrial evolution... These arent beings that were found after a UFO wreckage. They were found in diatom (algae) mines, and were later fossilized.

Whether they are aliens or not, we dont know, but they were intelligent and they lived with us. They should rewrite history.

He added: We are not alone in this vast universe, we should embrace this reality.

Mr Maussan also told the Mexican Congress how scientists from the Autonomous National University of Mexico found eggs in one of the corpses.

The 70-year-old has previously been associated with claims of alien discoveries that have later been debunked, including five mummies found in Peru in 2017 that were later shown to be human children.

Former US Navy pilot Ryan Graves, who also attended the hearing to share his personal experience with sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) heaped criticism on the presentation.

Yesterdays demonstration was a huge step backwards for this issue, Mr Graves said on the X, formerly known as Twitter. I am deeply disappointed by this unsubstantiated stunt.

Meanwhile, Antigona Segura, one of Mexicos top astrobiologists, told The New York Times: These conclusions are simply not backed up by evidence. The whole thing is very shameful.
A group of people laughing. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

A TEACHER took me to one side. She had that look. Id crossed the line. It wasnt the first time. Humorous writing of any kind is a tightrope, one thats always moving with societal changes, as it should be.

But Id crossed the line. Id given a students workshop on humour writing and made fun of that underprivileged, underrepresented, voiceless group.

Ang mohs.

Im sure you were just thinking about donating to the many virtuous causes dedicated to lifting that poorest of souls: The White, Middle-Aged, Heterosexual Male. God knows, he needs your thoughts and prayers right now.

But the teacher was concerned that Id been offensive to Caucasians.

Id mentioned only one ang moh in a story. Me. The entire joke was on me. The cheeky build-up, the silly slapstick and the outlandish payoff were all at my expense.

Yeah, but some could find it offensive, she said.

So, on behalf of anyone who found a joke I told about an ang moh (me) offensive in any way (to me), I apologise to the jokes target (me). I promise to work much harder on me and avoid further jokes about an oppressed group (me).

Self-deprecation was  and remains  my fallback position, a safe space for both the writer and the audience to relax and exhale and do what comes easily to us, what makes us human, social and joyful.

Laugh.

We are supposed to laugh. Our minds want us to laugh, but our bodies actually need us to laugh, for medical reasons, according to recent findings.

Worrying about the subject of the joke

Last month, a Yahoo article reported that laughter can improve heart health. Research showed that patients with coronary artery disease who underwent a course of laughter therapy had reduced inflammation and better health. And this wasnt a daft claim on one of Russell Brands demented YouTube videos, the results were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam, the worlds largest heart conference.

A study examined 26 adults with coronary artery disease. Over a three-month period, one watched popular sitcoms, the other half watched serious documentaries. At the end, their hearts ability to pump oxygen around the body was measured again. The comedy half had improved by 10 per cent. They were also at a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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Thats a stats-heavy way of saying something that you already know. Laugh more and youll feel better. Test the theory. Have a sly look at the people around you right now. The one with a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp probably hasnt laughed since his mother-in-law died. You know it. And he definitely knows it.

But theres already a slight wince. That was a problematic joke about mothers-in-law, inferring that wed all be better off if Mother-in-Law kicked the bucket and left all her CPF savings, which is a doubly offensive proposition in a society that prides itself on filial piety and  were back where we started, worrying more about the subject of the joke, rather than its target and potential outcome.

The mother-in-law was made up. She was a hypothetical device. She doesnt exist.

But still, the tightrope endures, with OB markers on one side and the threat of the POFMA office on the other, with sphincters tightening at the mere mention of either. A casual misstep is a fall into the bottomless pit of societal uncertainty. Talk about ang mohs? Thats race! Make fun of a Chinese void-deck funeral? Thats religion! And maybe also race! And culture! Draft a strongly-worded letter to the Forum editor!

Identifying with frailties, making others feel better

I became well-known for telling a story about a Chinese void-deck funeral. Ive written 28 books but if a double-decker bus takes me out tomorrow, I know people will say, Humphreys die ah? The ang moh one who thought a funeral was a hawker centre, is it?

But the target (me) and desired outcome are the same (to make others laugh). And apart from the obvious, narcissistic and selfish reasons  I get to feel good about it  the medical benefits are increasingly understood, too. According to that Yahoo story, laughter releases endorphins, which reduces inflammation, helps the heart and blood vessels relax and brings down stress hormones (which makes sense. Those who obsess over my content seem to have a real struggle with their stress hormones.)

Self-deprecation is always a solid starting point, a reliable safety valve in reducing pressure and alleviating concerns. A little, reflective self-mockery creates warmth and empathy with an audience. Stand-up comedian Rishi Budhrani is terrific at this and well on his way to becoming an international success.

But self-deprecation requires a subtle acknowledgement of failure, an admission of a cock-up or a mistake, things that are robotically drilled out of us from the very first school exam in Singapore. We are No.1 or we are nowhere. We win. Others are losers.

But comedy is so often for  and about  losers. Sitcoms have a fine tradition of championing noble (and ignoble) failures. Basil Fawlty, Edmund Blackadder and The Offices David Brent are all failures with deep-seated psychological issues. We identify with these human frailties. We empathise and connect. And we make others feel better, literally, according to the latest medical research. No one is losing here.

About 10 years ago, a woman introduced herself as we lined up in a pharmacy queue. She told me that shed read some of the sillier passages from my Singapore books to her dying mother, to give both of them a brief distraction from the inevitable. She was grateful. I was humbled.

There was a poignant silence.

And then the pharmacist explained loudly how to apply the cream for my groin rash.

The woman and I laughed again. At my expense. And we both felt better.

Comedy is so often for  and about  losers... We identify with these human frailties. We empathise and connect. And we make others feel better.

Neil Humphreys is an award-winning football writer and a best-selling author, who has covered the English Premier League since 2000 and has written 28 books.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
Representational image: A 58-year-old man died after falling in hot oil (Pictures Colour Library)

A hawker in Malaysia died after fainting and falling face-first into a wok of boiling oil inside a food court in Kuala Kangsar town.

Liu Youcai, 58, suffered severe burns on his face, chest and back after falling into the hot oil on Wednesday, Malaysias Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily reported.

The locals rushed him to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries after 1.5 hours.

Liu was a well-known hawker in the area, famous for selling chicken chop and rice at 1.73 a plate. His reasonable food prices attracted patrons far and wide, other hawkers said.

He suffered from high blood pressure for years and was advised to take care of his health, according to his older brother Liu Youming.

"He worked six days a week and even on Mondays, when his stall was closed, he would come back to prepare the ingredients for his dishes, an operator at the food court told the newspaper.

Liu's friends remembered him as a cheerful person and an animal lover with over 10 stray dogs at his home. He reportedly also cooked a large pot of rice with sweet potatoes daily to feed the strays near the food court.

A 74-year-old fried banana seller in Penang died in 2022 after similarly fainting and falling into a wok full of boiling oil. The woman, identified as Zhong Bixuan, suffered severe burn injuries and later succumbed at the hospital.
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.
Christian Liewig - Corbis - Getty Images

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.

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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.

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Pet Blessings

Mayflower Congregational UCC, 1407 W. 18th St., will have a special service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, in which Pastor Jessie Lent will offer pet blessings. Attendees may bring their pets and lawn chairs to this special service which will take place on the church lawn.

Chops in the Church

New Horizons United Church of Christ, 141 Reed Street Akron, Iowa, will host Chops in the Church from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. Menu will include Grilled Smoked Iowa Pork Chop Meal $12 with choice of baked potato or sweet potato, sweet corn, homemade pie, beverage, and the Grilled Hotdog Meal $4 with potato chips, choice of chocolate chip cookie, beverage. Ten percent of the net proceeds to the Akron Lions Club. Dine-in, carry-out, or free delivery within the Akron City limits. Call 712-568-3446.

Citywide confessions

In an effort to encourage the Catholic faithful to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), the four Catholic parishes in Sioux City are collaborating on citywide confessions throughout the next year.

Each parish will host one of four come and go confessions in the next 10 months to remind Catholics that the sacrament is available throughout the year  not just during the liturgical (church) seasons of Advent and Lent.

Confessions will be available at the following locations from 7 to 8 p.m. and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for confession participants to pray in adoration if they wish. Multiple priests will be present at each citywide confessions event.

Dec. 19 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany at 1000 Douglas St.

March 19 at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Church at 4241 Natalia Way

June 18 at Sacred Heart Parish at 5010 Military Rd.

Pastors of the four parishes include: The Rev. David Hemann of Holy Cross Parish, which includes Blessed Sacrament and St. Michael churches; The Rev. David Esquiliano of Cathedral Parish, which includes the Cathedral of the Epiphany, St. Boniface and St. Joseph churches; The Rev. Brad Pelzel of Mater Dei Parish, which includes Immaculate Conception and Nativity churches, and The Rev. Tim Friedrichsen of Sacred Heart Parish

Sunday School

Mayflower Congregational UCC, 1407 W. 18th St., will have a special kick-off to start a new year of learning in Sunday School. There will be activities to learn the teachings of Jesus for all children aged 4 to fifth grade. The Sunday School classes, which is called The Transformation Station, are each Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Blue Mass

Bishop Walker Nickless and the Sioux City Cathedral Parish are hosting a Blue Mass at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, the Feast of the Archangels  Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The date was selected for the Mass due to St. Michaels patronage of law enforcement.

Area first responders and those working in the emergency response fields (including law enforcement, fire, EMTs and others) and their families are encouraged to attend this Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. The pastor said the liturgy will provide an opportunity to pray for first responders.

Organizers are hopeful that those working in law enforcement will feel comfortable attending, whether they are Catholic or not.

First responders and their families planning to attend are asked to RSVP to info@sccathedral.org. However, anyone who arrives without an RSVP is welcome to attend the Mass and the meal afterward.

The Cathedral Parish will host a White Mass for health care workers on Oct. 5 and a Red Mass Nov. 6 for workers in the legal profession. Bishop Nickless will celebrate those Masses at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Epiphany.

Food pantry

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Douglas St., will have its food pantry open from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays.
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- More children with overweight move to a healthier weight over two years than do children with obesity, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in PLOS ONE.

Byron A. Foster, M.D., from the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and colleagues examined weight trajectories for school-aged children with a focus on obesity remission. The analysis included 11,247 children (6 to 11 years of age) with three or more valid height and weight measurements from an Oregon hospital system during Jan. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2020, followed for a median of 2.1 years.

The researchers found that 14.4 percent of children were classified as overweight and 16.0 percent as obese. During follow-up, 1 percent of participants with obesity experienced remission, while 23 percent of those with overweight moved to within a healthy weight range. Three classes (flat trajectory, flat trajectory with a different intercept, flat then upward trajectory) within each weight-based stratum were identified over time. Most children with overweight or obesity had a flat trajectory over time. A worsening trajectory was associated with lower socioeconomic status. Models using different adiposity metrics (body mass index [BMI], BMI z-scores, tri-ponderal mass index) differed substantially from each other.

"Further weight trajectory modeling work using distance from the median with longer periods of follow-up and incorporating additional clinical indicators in addition to BMI to characterize metabolic health are warranted using these types of data," the authors write.
SIOUX CITY -- When most people talk about what they did over summer, they recount trips spent at the beach, vacationing to tourist-y destinations or simply chilling at home.

That wasn't the case with Steve Meyer, a Dakota Dunes-based orthopedic surgeon and founder of Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries (STEMM).

In June, he and a group of medical providers -- including two Sioux City natives, a pair of Dordt College students and Meyer's son Josh, a University of Iowa pharmacy student -- set up a temporary medical clinic in one of the remotest parts of the East African country of Tanzania.

"We were there for 10 days and performed multiple orthopedic surgeries," Meyer explained. "In addition to the surgeries, we treated people for high blood pressure, administered injections to treat arthritis and took care of whatever medical needs that were needed."

As soon as word spread that healthcare providers were in the area, many people walked as many as 20 miles to receive medical attention.

"In this part of Tanzania, people didn't have cars or bikes or, even, a donkey to ride," Meyer said. "If they wanted to go somewhere, they'd walk."

For an especially busy three-day period, Meyer's son and the other medical providers saw more than 1,500 patients.

"Plus Josh and the crew still had 500 people in line when they had to leave," he said. "It was amazing."

Then in August, Meyer made a second trip to Tanzania, this time, joining up with members of Operation Walk, an independent medical charitable organization which provides hip or knee replacement surgeries.

"Our group of 50 healthcare providers did nearly 50 joint replacement surgeries over the course of three days," Meyer said.

The news of the STEMM humanitarian efforts was lauded at the highest level. That even included an invitation to meet with Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania.

"The president sent a private jet to pick up our team members, including my son Josh," Meyer said. "They flew to meet with the president at her private estate."

After meeting Hassan, STEMM signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become a recognized healthcare provider in Tanzania, which Meyer said is quite unique.

"STEMM is, at heart, an interdenominational Christian ministry, yet we provide our services in a predominantly Muslim country," he explained. "The Memorandum of Understanding will lend authenticity not only to STEMM's medical outreach, but also to our educational and agricultural programs."

Which is the mission of the organization.

"STEMM was specifically created to build a relational bridge between Siouxland and Tanzania," Meyer said. "We do this by addressing the priorities of spiritual growth, medical care and educational opportunities."

Such goals are accomplished through a series of hands-on mission trips where STEMM impart important education to Tanzania while transforming their lives.

"You know that old saying 'Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime?'" Meyer said. "We're providing Tanzanians both the training and the means to become self-sufficient."

While Meyer takes pride in transforming the lives of Tanzanian people, they have a similar impact on his crew.

"On our trips, we're living in tents and eating goat just like everybody else," he said. "Still, every person who has ever joined us in Tanzania said the trip has changed their lives forever."

This is certainly true for Meyer, who has made more than 60 trips to the East African country over the course of the past two decades.

"To be honest, I may make two more trips to Tanzania yet this year," he said. "I'm quickly making my way of joining the 'one million mile' club when it comes to air travel."

A few weeks ago, Meyer celebrated his 65th birthday. When asked by his son what his birthday wish would be, he had a ready answer.

"I figure I have a good 20 years of health ahead of me," he said. "I'd like to join the 'two million mile' club with even more humanitarian trips to Tanzania."

"There is so much work left to be accomplished," Meyer said with a smile. "There are so many lives left to be transformed."
SIOUX CITY  A resurfacing and pothole filling project is underway at Memorial Park Cemetery.

"We will be working through the roads as quickly as possible. We are excited to get this done for the families," Lindsay Granson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Everstory Partners, told The Journal in an email.

Everstory Partners, a company headquartered in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, serves more than 50,000 families in the United States and Puerto Rico annually through its 389 cemetery, funeral and cremation locations.

Granson said the project, which will be completed in three phases, involves the entire cemetery. When the project will be finished is to be determined, according to Granson.

Numerous citizens have lodged complaints with city officials about the deteriorating condition of the cemetery on Sioux City's east side. They have also called The Journal and signed a petition entitled "Save Memorial Park Cemetery" on change.org.

The petition, which was created on May 23, cites potholed roads, neglected lawns, deactivated water spigots, as well as rotting signage, trees and the Tower of Legends landmark, as ongoing problems at the cemetery. The petition had garnered more than 2,600 signatures.

Last month, Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott said Everstory Partners has heard citizens' concerns and is working to address them. Scott made the comment after he and City Manager Bob Padmore met with a representative from the company.

During the City Council's meeting on May 22, Scott said the condition of the cemetery is the "single largest complaint" he has received over the past three months.

Memorial Park was founded in 1936. A corporation headed by F.K. Lytle and J.M. Gunnell purchased 40-acres on Old Highway 141 for the cemetery, according to a story published in The Journal on Sept. 28, 1947.

StoneMor Inc., which rebranded as Everstory Partners in April, acquired the cemetery from Service Corporation International in 2007.
65, of Sioux City passed away on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 at his residence. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 at Mohr & Becker Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.
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.
NEW YORK  Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox's parent company and his News Corp. media holdings.

Fox said Thursday that Murdoch would become chairman emeritus of both companies, effective at board meetings in November. His son, Lachlan, will become News Corp. chairman and continue as chief executive officer of Fox Corp.

Lachlan Murdoch said that "we are grateful that he will serve as chairman emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies."

Besides Fox News, Murdoch started the Fox broadcast network, the first to successfully challenge the Big Three of ABC, CBS and NBC, with shows like "The Simpsons." He is owner of The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

He slimmed down his corporate holdings with the 2019 sale of many entertainment assets to the Walt Disney Co. These included film production, rights to the Marvel comics, National Geographic and the cable network FX.

Fox News Channel has profoundly influenced television and the nation's politics since its start in 1996, making Murdoch a hero to some and pariah to others. The 24-hour network converted the power and energy of political talk radio to television. Within six years, it outrated CNN and MSNBC.

But it has been a rough year for Fox, which was forced to pay $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit related to its coverage of false claims following the 2020 presidential election. Shortly after, Fox fired its most popular personality, Tucker Carlson.

Stock in Fox Corp., while positive this year, began to decline early in 2022, due in part to lawsuits and investor anxiety over the loss of viewers to smaller media outlets.

Murdoch vowed in a letter to employees that he would remain engaged at Fox.

"In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas," Murdoch wrote. "Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest."

There was no immediate word on why Murdoch's announcement came now. Ironically, next week author and Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff is publishing a book, "The End of Fox News," speculating on what will happen to the network when the patriarch is gone.

Murdoch and his family, particularly children James, Lachlan, Elisabeth and Prudence, were said to be the model of the HBO show " Succession."

He built his empire from a single newspaper in Adelaide, Australia, inherited from his father and became a multi-billionaire. Forbes estimated the Murdoch family's net worth at roughly $19 billion in 2020.

While Murdoch never ran for political office, politicians in the United States and Britain anxiously sought his approval. He had a complicated relationship with Donald Trump. Wolff reported in 2018 that Murdoch had called Trump an "idiot," adding an expletive for emphasis, but Fox News is built with an audience that largely admires Trump.

Fox briefly seemed to tout the candidacy of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the current election cycle, but that has faded along with DeSantis' prospects.

For decades, Murdoch was one of the most powerful media figures in Britain, a market he entered after buying the tabloid News of the World in 1969. He reinvigorated Britain's stodgy newspaper scene with sex, scandal and celebrity and helped shake up television with satellite broadcaster Sky.

His clout has waned since the revelation more than a decade ago that employees of the News of the World had eavesdropped on phones and used other underhanded methods to get scoops on celebrities, politicians and royals. News Corp. owns the Times, Sunday Times and Sun newspapers, but News of the World closed and Murdoch sold his 40% stake in Sky when he failed to get complete control of the company.

Fox News went through a series of sexual harassment scandals in the 2010s, which led to top executive Roger Ailes and prime-time personality Bill O'Reilly being pushed out. Murdoch dismissed them as isolated instances that were "largely political because we're conservative."

Shares of News Corp. and Fox rose Thursday in early trading.

___

A previous version gave the incorrect publication timeline for the book "The End of Fox News."

Tucker Carlson the latest in a string of high-profile Fox News oustings. Here's the list. Tucker Carlson Roger Ailes Bill O'Reilly Eric Bolling Glenn Beck Fox News and Tucker Carlson part ways
A central Iowa chiropractor who has been accused of sexual impropriety with patients on three separate occasions is facing new charges from state regulators.

In March 2023, the Iowa Board of Chiropractic charged Stuart Hoven of Winterset with unethical conduct for behavior that includes engaging in a sexual or emotional relationship with a former patient; habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs; failure to comply with the terms of a previous board order; unethical conduct or behavior that includes improper sexual contact with, or making suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient, client or coworker; and exhibiting unprofessional behavior in connection with the practice of chiropractic.

The alleged conduct that gave rise to those alleged violations has not been publicly disclosed by the board pursuant to a 2021 Iowa Supreme Court order that restricts the release of such information until a case is resolved. A hearing on the charges was initially set for last April but has been rescheduled three times and is now planned for late October.

Recently, however, the board filed a new set of charges against Hoven, alleging he has failed to comply with the terms of an unspecified board order or settlement agreement.

As with the charges levied in March, the underlying allegations against Hoven are being kept confidential. However, the case number assigned to the new charges is the same as a 2012 case that resulted in restrictions on Hovens license due to alleged sexual improprieties with patients.

License restrictions eased after initial charges

Hovens issues with the board date back 20 years, to 2003, when the Winterset police investigated allegations from two of Hovens patients. The patients independently alleged Hoven had improperly touched their breasts during separate examinations in his office. Hoven allegedly told one of the women he was obsessed with her breasts, adding I cant stop looking at them.

State records indicate Hoven admitted to some of the alleged conduct during an interview with police. He was criminally charged with sexual exploitation, but the charge was later dismissed.

The board, however, accused Hoven of unethical conduct and after a hearing on the matter, concluded in April 2005 that Hoven had willfully and repeatedly touched the breasts of two female patients without a valid clinical reason for doing so, and had willfully made inappropriate comments to two patients concerning their breasts. The board suspended Hovens license pending a comprehensive sexual misconduct evaluation.

Three months later, the board reinstated Hovens license, but placed it on probationary status and required Hoven to receive counseling from the Center for Marital and Sexual Health. The board also ordered him to ensure a female chaperone was present in his exam room whenever he was seeing female patients, and to receive continuing education on professional boundaries.

In 2007, the board agreed to terminate the requirements for a female chaperone and ongoing education, but noted that Hoven had not accepted full personal responsibility for the misconduct he engaged in. In 2010, the board eliminated all restrictions on Hovens license.

2012 case resulted in more sanctions

In 2012, the board received a complaint that Hoven grabbed a female patients breast during an X-ray appointment. The board issued an emergency order, stating Hovens continued practice as a chiropractor constituted an immediate danger to the public health, safety, and welfare, but it allowed him to continue practicing subject to monitoring and other interim safeguards.

Within a few months, a complaint of a similar nature was filed by another of Hovens female patients. The board again suspended Hovens license and ordered him to submit to another assessment pertaining to professional sexual misconduct by the Behavioral Medicine Institute. According to the board, the institute determined Hoven could not safely return to practice at that time due to his need to be admired, his lack of empathy for others, and his grandiose sense of self-importance.

In 2014, the board agreed to reinstate Hovens license, but placed it on permanent probationary status subject to numerous restrictions. The board again required Hoven to have a chaperone present with all female patients; to submit to psychotherapy evaluations; to submit to polygraph tests every six months to gauge whether he was maintaining proper boundaries with patients; and to meet regularly with a professional mentor.

In 2019, the board relaxed the requirement for polygraph testing, requiring the tests to be taken once a year rather than every six months.

In January 2021, the board formally charged Hoven with failure to comply with the order on psychotherapy evaluations. As part of a settlement agreement reached with the board, Hoven admitted violating the boards orders and he promised to comply with a new, even less stringent set of requirements that didnt include psychotherapy evaluations.

Among the conditions placed on his license at that time: He was required to maintain copies of his disciplinary orders for his employees to read; he was barred from seeing female patients without a female chaperone; he had to craft a policy that established a workplace free of sexual harassment; and he had to submit to lie-detector tests once per year.
As Republican Presidential wannabes traipse across the countryside offering 30 second solutions for complex problems, theres another more immediate election looming. School board elections in November will help determine if our community school thrives, suffers, or dies.

Currently, Iowa has a governor and a group of legislative lemmings committed to creating a two-tiered school system separate and unequal both funded with public dollars. One tier is used as a political punching bag, has new laws to cope with, accepts all students, and is chronically underfunded. The other tier has funding from a new voucher entitlement, can pick and choose who to accept, and has little to no accountability to taxpayers.

While this two-tier school system isnt financially feasible long term, Iowans must suffer through this mistake until at least the next legislative election.

Thats why we need to elect school boards wholl protect public schools, the foundation Iowa was built upon.

School board elections are the last nonpartisan political races. We dont need hard- core Democrats or Republicans running our schools. We need hard-core consensus builders who disagree publicly and privately without being disagreeable. We need board members who are committed to challenging state leaders, and who will put kids and educators first.

These are our friends and neighbors running and they deserve gratitude for taking the risk, but they also owe it to the community to answer hard questions.

Heres a menu of questions to choose from so communities create consensus instead of chaos.

 When was your last visit to a public school?

 Why do you want to be on the school board?

 Are you willing to consistently lobby for increased funding? How would you lobby the state legislature?

 How would you handle losing an election?

 Do you believe teachers are indoctrinating students? why or why not?

 Are you affiliated with any group? If you are, what is the name of the group, and how do you as a candidate differ from the agenda of that group?

 What do you see as the strengths and the weaknesses of the school district?

 What are your priorities for the district?

 How do you feel about private school vouchers?

 Who should determine curriculum content?

 If there is a complaint about a book in the library or classroom, how would you handle it?

 How will you handle the teacher shortage?

 How would you handle the paraeducator and substitute shortages?

 How would you get parents more involved in the school?

 Do you think parents should determine the curriculum?

 What should the procedure be if a parent has a complaint about curriculum?

 Do you believe parents are the school districts customers? Why?

 How would you handle a complaint by a parent about a school employee?

 How would you handle a complaint by a school employee about another employee?

 How will you work as a team with the other school board members?

 Define woke.

Carefully watch how a candidate campaigns. If the candidate attacks the district about one specific issue and never goes beyond that attack to discuss other issues, you have an axe to grind candidate. They focus only on one narrow issue and never look at the whole district. Once their axe is ground, they have little to offer.

Follow the money. Its surprising how much money is spent in a school board race. Watch to see what individuals or groups contribute. Look to see who volunteers for the candidate. If its not clear, ask the candidate directly.

Even though the sound and fury of a Presidential campaign dominates, we owe it to our future, to consider the election that will protect our schools.

Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City, IA. He has been connected to public schools for 38 years. He taught for 11 years and represented educators as an Iowa State Education Association Regional Director for 27 years until retiring.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

My husband and I are happily married with two children. We are doing very well both personally and professionally. My husband grew up poorhad multiple siblings, was on food stamps, went to bed hungry. His parents are now both retired with over a million saved, but my MIL still acts like they are poor. She used to take my husband and his five siblings to the parking lot of the local amusement park to watch the roller coasters and other kids having fun. She would also take them to walk around the mall and watch other people shop.

Now my MIL wants to take her grandkids to watch the roller coaster and walk around the mall to see other people having fun. My husband and I refuse to let our kids participate; my husband is still traumatized from the rollercoaster incidents growing up. We told his mom wed give her money to go to the amusement park with our kids, and she refused. Are we the a-holes here in asking his mom to pick other activities to do with our kids, like the beach? MIL hates the beach. At the end of the day, its all about her and what she wants.

Not Watching Coasters

Dear Not Watching Coasters,

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It is (or used to be?) fairly common, I think, to go to the mall and mostly window-shop, or buy something small but not really make a whole spree of itI dont think theres anything fundamentally terrible about that, even if youd prefer that your mother-in-law buy things for your kids. To your its all about her comment: Its true that she might be self-absorbed. But it also really sounds like she has some deeply ingrained financial anxiety or trauma she cant shake despite being secure now. It can be really difficult for some people whove experienced hardship to believe that they are genuinely safe and secure.

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That doesnt mean you cant be annoyed that your mother-in-laws issues are affecting how shell spend time with your kids. And I think your attempted solutionsoffering her money to take your kids somewhere; suggesting other activities, including an inexpensive onewere good ones. Assuming that you trust her as a caregiver, you can keep doing what youre doing, and periodically ask your MIL what other sorts of activities she might like to do with your kids. If she keeps refusing, thats sad and frustrating, but its also her choice and not something for you to feel guilty about, since youre doing the best you can.

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I dont know if shed ever consider therapy for some of these issues; regardless, it seems likely that there is a lot of fear and anxiety behind her particular money hangups. Again, you dont have to like or approve of them, but its probably not possible for you to get her to change, either. It might help you hold onto your patience if you remember where at least some of her issues likely come from.

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Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life?

Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.)

Dear Care and Feeding,

Our daughter is 1 year old. Our gentle middle-aged cat Max has been around her whole life, and she is obsessed with him. She loves to toddle around after him, share her toys with him, or gently pat his butt. Her first word was kitty, and she calls out for him when she wakes up, and when she gets home from daycare. On a recent trip we took, she asked about Max every single day. Shes very attached.

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Unfortunately, we just came back from a vet visit where we discovered Max is sick and well probably only have a few more months with him. Im really sad, and so is my husband. Were going to try to give him the best quality of life we can and love him extra. Im trying to figure out how to handle death and dying with a really little kid. With older kids, I know there are some good books and conversation tips, but shes so young. Whats age-appropriate here?

Unsure

Dear Unsure,

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Theres so much variability in what a child can understand at your daughters age. Even if she were a year or two older, its very hard for young children to understand death and its permanence. The simplest possible verbal explanation of what will happene.g., Max died. That means his body stopped working and we wont see him anymore. Were very sad about itcould be beyond her ability to grasp. That doesnt mean you cant try, but a deeper conversation probably wont be possible right now. She might understand enough to show clear sadness or anger or confusion because Max is no longer there. Its important to let her know that all her feelings are okay, and tell her that youre sad, too. If she seems unbothered, obviously its not because she doesnt care about Max; she likely just doesnt understand what death really means. She may need to be told about his death several times, because she wont understand why hes not coming back.

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Depending on how much you think shes able to understand and talk with you about thismaybe shes super verbal, and/or closer to 2 than 1?you could also try talking with her before the fact, again using the simplest possible language, perhaps giving her a chance to say her own goodbye to Max. If that feels like too much, then its okay to tell her after hes gone. Shes too little to ask you tons of questions or express her feelings in many words, but that doesnt mean she wont react in some waytoddlers can be sensitive to parents moods and emotional swings as well as changes in the household. And she might have questions later on. Maybe, when shes a bit older, shell see photos of her and Max and ask you what happened to him. If she does, then you can talk more with her and share memories of your pet that she may have forgotten by then.

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Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

This past weekend, I went to my nephews girlfriends baby shower. My sister (not his mom), her two daughters (11 and 14 years old), and I drove to the baby shower six hours away. At the baby shower there was a little boy, maybe about 9-10 years old. All the kids were playing in the backyard. My 11-year-old niece came up to me and said the little boy told her he did not want to play with her because she was Mexican. We are all Mexican-American. My niece is second generation, but is very obviously of Mexican descent (as am I). I was shocked but just told my niece to ignore the boy and go play somewhere else. I really did not know what else to say. The little boy is white passing but based on his mom and dad, who were there, hes also of Mexican descentunless he was adopted.

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Later on, I went to the backyard and I heard the little boy say somethingnot sure whatand my niece said be quiet, youre racist. Im not sure if the boy understood the word or not, he simply retorted that she was racist and stuck out his tongue at her. I said hey! and the little boy walked away. My question is, what should have I done? Should I have approached the boys parents? I didnt want to cause a scene at the baby shower. They were clearly related to my nephews girlfriend. I tend to be the kind to let things slide, a lot, like I wont send the wrong plate back at a restaurant, but I hate that about myself. I dont want my niece(s) to grow up with that same mentality. I want them to advocate for themselves. I actually refuse to have children for fear of not being able to stand up for them.

What to Do?

Dear What to Do,

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I dont think you were obligated to go to the boys parents. In your place, I probably would have just approached your niece and said something like: Hey, is everything alright? Do you want to talk about what just happened? And then, based on what she shared and whether she was confused or upset, you could have considered looping in her parents, who would have been the ones to decide whether to approach the other kids family.

Checking in with your niece would have let her know that you care, and wouldnt necessarily have led to further confrontation with anyone else. Even if it had, you dont want to be so afraid of confrontation that you withhold support from a kid who might need it. You say that you want your niece to be able to advocate for herself, and it really sounds like she has no problem doing so! Keep in mind that self-advocacy can also look like talking things through with a trusted adult, if she wants to. Make sure she knows that you care and are always there to listen if she needs you.

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Dear Care and Feeding,

I live on a residential street, which is peaceful and quiet except for a 10- or 11-year-old boy a few houses down. I work from home, as do many of my neighbors, and there are quite a few elderly/retired people as well. The neighbor kid in question plays outside all the time, in all weather, from morning until dark. During the school year its tolerable, but I dread the summer, when he is outside all day, every day. I suspect he is on the autism spectrum or has a sensory processing disorder that inhibits him from regulating his volume. He shrieks at the top of his lungs and yells at his friends (sometimes quite hatefully) all day. Its very disruptive, as they are the type of blood-curdling screams one expects to hear in a horror movie, and I find myself going outside several times a day to ensure no one is being bludgeoned or impaled.

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I am pretty close with most of my neighbors, but I have never spoken to this boys family. They seem like normal enough people, but I have never seen them address his behavior, even when he hurts another child or makes them cry. I know many of my neighbors share this sentiment. I am a parent, but certainly dont presume to tell anyone else how to parent their child. I understand that all kids are different and Im certainly not blaming him for his behavior, especially if its beyond his control (which is often how it seems). But I dont know if I can bear another summer. Is it out of line for me to politely ask them for an hour or two of quiet time during the day to save my sanity?

The Volume Goes to Eleven

Dear Volume,

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I definitely understand why the screaming bothers you. If the neighbor kid is bullying or getting into physical fights with other kids, his parents should be informed so they can try to stop it. I think it can be tougher to effectively intervene in the case of tantrums, meltdowns, or the type of screaming youre describing, when its a matter of behavior and not of anyones safety. Presumably, the parents are aware of the screamingunless they wear noise-canceling headphones all day, every day, its probably hard for them to deal with as well. Its not that you cant ask for that quiet time you want, but do you have any real expectation that theyd be able to secure it for you? Or that they wouldnt secure it for themselves if they were able?

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They might be taking steps to try to address their sons behavior through therapy or some other form of support you arent aware of. You could see whether some interaction, show of care, or friendly gesture opens the door to discussing the screaming issue with themit might be somewhat easier to do so if you got to know them a little, or had the kind of friendly relationship you seem to have with your other neighbors. I realize you might not want to do this; maybe youve already tried to chat and gotten nowhere. I just think its often hard to have a potentially sensitive conversation, one touching on parenting, disability, and a childs atypical behavior, when you are basically strangers to the family.

Nicole

More Advice From Slate

My 10-year-old son just had a growth spurt. Once upon a time I just picked out his clothes or gave him hand-me-downs from cousins, but hes getting interested in fashion and is much too cool for that now. We are having a great time shopping together, with one exception. He wont believe me when I tell him what size to buy! He is a skinny guy and wants to be the smallest and gets upset when I tell him a size bigger than he is trying to pick out.
Earlier this month, the California Assembly passed S.B. 403, the first state bill in the country to include caste under the scope of anti-discrimination law. The bill has been sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 14 to officially sign it. Newsom has not said whether he supports the legislationbut if he does give it his signature, it wont be thanks to how American media has covered the measure and the supposed controversy around it. Along the bills path to this monumental point, local and national outlets have chosen to amplify bad-faith actors and parrot reactionary institutions and talking points.

Coverage of the bill created the perception that it was met with significant backlash in California, the state with the largest South Asian American population, over fears that the bill would engender anti-Hindu discrimination. But thats less a grassroots phenomenon and more a manifestation of the growing influence of Hindu nationalism in American politicsdriven in part by activists and groups with direct links to the Sangh Parivar, the India-based Hindu nationalist network that paved the ideological route to Prime Minister Narendra Modis rule.

Hindu nationalism, also known as Hindutva or Hinduness, arises from a core belief that the Indian subcontinent belongs to Hindus and Hindus onlythe hundreds of millions of Muslims, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, and members of other religious groups with millennia-spanning roots in the region need not apply. This ideology has manifested itself most flagrantly in the reign of Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party, which has censored Indian textbooks and records to erase the subcontinents vibrant history of non-Hindu civilizations, granted carte blanche to fundamentalists whove visited violent attacks upon Muslims and Dalits, enacted policies that strip civil rights from Muslims, and scrubbed the Indian internet of anti-Modi dissenters.

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U.S.-based Hindu nationalists seek to dismiss any criticisms of Modi, his party, and their fundamentalist visions of Hinduism as constituting a form of Hinduphobia. And theyre opposed to anti-castetist policy like the one pending in California, as many of the most conservative Hindus benefit from the system. (More on that in a moment.)

Casteism is also promoted stateside through the international branches of the very extremist organizations that helped the Bharatiya Janata Party come to power. Just a few examples among many: the Hindu American Foundation, a 20-year-old nonprofit that emerged from the Islamophobic Vishwa Hindu Parishad group that is a Sangh Parivar member; the World Hindu Council of America, which is designated as an overseas branch of the VHP; and the Coalition of Hindus of North America, whose leaders are affiliated with the VHP and the United States Hindu Alliancethe latter of which was formed by former volunteers with the Sangh Parivars century-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh group.

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One might think that journalists who interact with such Hindutva-network organizations in the course of their reporting would make note of those unseemly, barely hidden ties. Yet U.S. media outlets tend to be troublingly blase about this context, often characterizing these groups as concerned activists or good-faith opposition. Coverage of the California anti-caste-discrimination legislation in Politico, ABC News, the New York Times, the Associated Press, the Sacramento Bee, and Cal Matters has included input from representatives of the aforementioned groups without any indication of their association with Indias international Hindutva cells; at most, theyre identified as opponents of organizers against the legislation.

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To better understand whats going on here, its worth taking a step back to look at how caste is recognized in the modern eraand why its become a flashpoint beyond the Indian subcontinent.

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Caste is a hierarchical system of group stratification with roots tracing back to Hinduism as practiced in ancient India. In the Vedic Hindu period of Indian society, caste consisted of four distinct social classes: Brahmins, the top rank that encompassed highly respected religious and spiritual leaders; Kshatriyas, the bureaucrats and warriors who stood second only to the Brahmins; Vaishyas, who were artists, merchants, and farmers; and Shudras, the bottom-level workers. The post-Vedic era would also characterize many Shudras as Dalits, or untouchables, who do not hold claim to any caste and are all but unrecognized in casteist society. One could recognize a persons class status from their family name, ancestry, and religious devotion. While the caste system existed throughout Hindu and Indian civilization, spanning all its empires, it was not always recognized under the word castea term that originated from Portuguese, thanks to settlers who came to India in 1498and it took on varied and ever-changing forms, all quite different from the modern incarnation most Indians are familiar with.

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It took the British Empires rule-by-division to formalize casteism in Indian common law, as the colonists divided their Indian subjects by arbitrary castes in each 10-year census, granted jobs only to members of higher castes, and imposed legal penalties upon lower-caste populations. As Indians agitated for freedom from the Brits in the early 20th century, a dynamic anti-casteism movement led by Dalit scholar B.R. Ambedkar ensured that Indias post-independence constitution forbid caste-based discrimination while enshrining affirmative action programs for disenfranchised lower-caste Indians. Of course, this wasnt enough on its own, and higher-caste Indian communities have long spurned or even violently attacked Dalits along with other lower-caste populationsa grisly trend that has only escalated under current Prime Minister Narendra Modi (who comes from a lower-caste background himself, a fact he invokes in speeches to deny that casteism still exists).

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Not only are Hindu nationalists loath to part with the privileges afforded to them by the casteist systemwealth, societal status, and political advantagesbut they genuinely view many Dalits and lower-caste individuals as an unclean people unworthy of basic human rights. In India, the most bigoted Brahmins will fence themselves off from Dalits in any way possible, forcing them into poverty-wage jobs with horrific conditions, and not even allow them the basic dignity of sharing common spaces or utensils with higher-caste Indians.

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Of course, its difficult to boil down the complex, millennia-spanning history of caste, and its only recently that the United States has come face-to-face with the concept. During the summer of antipolice brutality protests spurred by George Floyds murder, Americans newly introduced to sociopolitical concepts like systemic racism and mutual aid likewise got their first glimpses of casteism. In June 2020, the United States registered its first-ever caste-discrimination lawsuit when the state of California sued Cisco Systems under the 1964 Civil Rights Act after some of its employees were alleged to have denied workplace opportunities to lower-caste Indian American employees based solely on their caste. (The suit is ongoing.)

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The anti-Dalit taunts included in the lawsuit underscored how some Brahminswho, because they have the means to emigrate and travel, make up the bulk of Indian American immigrantsmight prefer that this segregation be universal. Theyd also prefer to promote the image that their lives in the United States are the result of bootstraps effort, rather than what essentially amounts to birthright privilege, as a CUNY anthropology professor recently wrote in the Indian Express.

In August of that year, Pulitzer-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson published the acclaimed book Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, which compared the U.S.s history of racism to Indias more vicious forms of casteism; despite some criticism from lower-caste scholars, the book was a bestseller and has inspired an upcoming Ava DuVernay film. In the years since, caste has only entered the public consciousness more in America: There have been allegations of casteist workplace environments fostered by Silicon Valleys South Asian workers and executives, emerging scholarship on casteisms worldwide presence, anti-caste-discrimination policies adopted at colleges like the University of Michigan and Rutgers, a successful Seattle City Council ordinance to ban casteist discrimination, and even an appearance in the 2024 GOP primary, with the Ron DeSantis campaign singling out Vivek Ramaswamys high-caste background as a potential attack line.

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Yet the extremists promoting anti-anti-casteism are presented by U.S. media as concerned citizens instead of foot soldiers for a grander and more insidious movement. Whats more, their statements to the press convey Hindu fundamentalists common propagandistic talking points time and time again with no pushback or fact-checking, and their well-known, ruthlessly organized methods of flooding social media and politicians offices with rampant disinformation are framed as grassroots protests.

As such, spokespeople for the larger Sangh Parivar footprint that includes the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America are granted free rein to push dubious talking points, including: 1) that modern casteisms colonial origins mean that it has nothing to do with Hinduism as practiced past or present, which is a blatant falsehood; 2) that legislating against casteism unfairly singles out Hindus and is thus discriminatory against Hindus as a whole, even though the stateside battles around casteism involve high-caste Hindu Americans already discriminating against lower-caste Hindu Americans, and even though casteism is also practiced by some devotees of other religions like Islam and Sikhism; 3) that caste discrimination just doesnt happen in the U.S.which, as we saw from the Cisco lawsuit, is an easy-to-dismiss lie.

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Of course, the coalitions opposing anti-caste-discrimination laws have constitutional free speech rights like anyone else, and mainstream journalists have a responsibility to look at issues from multiple angles. But in soliciting Hindu nationalist opinion and excluding even basic aspects of the movements broader context, as outlined above, writers do a disservice to readers likely to be unaware of domestic casteism and Hindu nationalisms widespread influence.

Even if intrepid readers take it upon themselves to look up groups like VHP, they may be more likely to come upon such organizations self-professed advertising, which will cover for their more nefarious missions through buzzwords like service and human rights.

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This sort of thing has been commonplace in U.S. media for a while now. You can look to last years Wall Street Journal op-ed from the Hindu American Foundations executive director, who referred to Brown Universitys anti-caste-oppression policy as discriminatory. Or to the Religion News Service articles produced with funding from the Guru Krupa Foundation, a charity with ties to the Sangh Parivar outfit Ekal Vidyalaya. Or other outlets that unabashedly spread concern over a supposed epidemic of anti-Hindu hate crimes in the U.S., even though such incidents remain rare, and are far outnumbered by acts of Islamophobia and anti-Sikhism.

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There are a few instances of real anti-Hindu discrimination in the U.S., like bans on yoga and Sanskrit chants in public schools, bigoted remarks from conservatives like Ann Coulter, and the occasional vandalism that hits a Hindu temple. But Hindu nationalist orgs are not primarily devoted to combating such acts. Rather, they seek to characterize any critiques of Hindu nationalism and/or the Modi regime as being Hinduphobic, in essence equating them with actual anti-Hindu incidents.

This applies to the hullaballoo around Californias anti-caste-discrimination law that has followed it at every step of the process, from its consideration in the California state Senate to an Assembly-level compromise that involved removing a detailed history of casteisms South Asian origins from S.B. 403, and from the barrages of online attacks directed against the bills supporters to the Sangh Parivar affiliates now calling on Newsom to veto the legislation. (This also takes attention away from the Dalit activists who are going on hunger strikes until the bill is signed, a way of demonstrating how existential this is for lower-caste Indian Americans.)

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The California bill is a civil rights triumph that passed with overwhelming support in both the state Senate and Assembly, carries plenty of public favor with both social justice groups and everyday constituents, and addresses a real, indisputable issue afflicting the South Asian diaspora today, especially in the Golden State. But you wouldnt know that from the repeated media emphasis on vague notions of divisiveness and conflict.

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This piece has been updated to clarify the nature of Hinduisms Indian roots and of Narendra Modis caste background.

Correction, Sept. 24, 2023: This piece originally described the political activities and background of an individual interviewed by the Los Altos Town Crier. Those references have been removed because Slate could not confirm whether it was the same person engaged in those other activities, or a different person with the same name.
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:

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[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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Related From Slate Mitt Romney Is the Coward and Hero of Our Time Read More

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
The stage was set for an epic political brawl when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to debate this summer. This was sure to be must-see TV, Alexander Sammon writes. Two guys who really wanted to be president, both of them very much under 80, squaring up.

It never happened. Why not? That their showdown was delayedperhaps indefinitelysays a lot about this political moment. Sammon tells the story of two governors flying too close to the sun.

And speaking of DeSantis: John Pfaff breaks down the Florida GOPs new, devious way to thwart liberal judges and prosecutors.

An international assassination?

Justin Trudeau says India may have murdered a Canadian. Nitish Pahwa unpacks the complex story behind the accusation.

Whoopsie!

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Its Groundhog Day at the Supreme Court, as the third term kicks off amid another crisis of the courts own making, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern write. Last term, Brett Kavanaugh signaled to Alabama lawmakers, in a wink-wink, nudge-nudge kind of way, that the door might be open to make the voting district they were pushing for a reality in the future. Lithwick and Stern take a look at how that seems to have encouraged them to blatantly defy the court right away, and what that says about the changing relationship between the court and the conservative legal movement.

The parent flap

Sam Bankman-Frieds folks were allegedly tied up in his crypto empireincluding some of its shenanigans. Alex Kirshner fills us in as the FTX saga attains new levels of farce.

Decisions, decisions

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To One Piece or not to One Piece? Nadira Goffe helps you decide whether Netflixs live-action adaptation of the popular anime is right for you.

What the British already knew

The sexual assault allegations in the new Russell Brand documentary are sadly not a surpriseespecially to Brits, Imogen West-Knights writes. She takes a look at the particular moment that forged his misogyny.

Dank news

The Biden administration may soon take an important step toward decriminalizing pot. Its not legalization, but its something! Alex Halperin explains what rescheduling cannabis will actually do.

Today, Slate is  * GAH! YEESH! BLERGH.

 much like the week Kevin McCarthy is having! Jim Newell is here to catch you up on the speakers trials and tribulations.

Thanks so much for reading! Well see you tomorrow.
Ari Berman has been to Wisconsin so many times that he can attest to the quality of the cheese curds at this point. Berman reports for Mother Jones. Hes an expert in voting rights, and he is not just in Wisconsin for the cheese curds. Hes there because he calls it a laboratory for dismantling democracy. And he wants to peek inside.

What he sees is not pretty, at least not for Democrats. Despite the fact that Wisconsin is a swing state, the GOP has cemented control over the statehouse. Theyve done that using aggressively gerrymandered maps. Just one example: In 2018, even though Dems secured 54 percent of the vote statewide, that translated to a measly third of the seats in the state assembly.

The only way to explain the gap between the huge Republican majorities in the Legislature and the fact that Wisconsin is voting for Democrats in all these statewide elections is gerrymandering, Berman said. In the elections that Republicans cant gerrymander, theyre losing. But in the elections that they can gerrymander, theyre winning over and over and over again, not because their policies are popularbecause if you look at the polling, what theyre doing is actually incredibly unpopular. Its because they have rigged the maps to such an extent that they basically cant lose.

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But earlier this year, Democrats got a chance to flip the narrative. A state Supreme Court seat came up for grabs. And a candidate named Janet Protasiewicz entered the race. Because of this courts history of ruling on everything from reproductive rights to voting rights, many called this election one of the most important of 2023.

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Technically, it was nonpartisan, but everyone knew where Janet Protasiewicz stood. She called the Republican political maps rigged. She talked about the right to abortion. And Janet Protasiewicz? She won. But the Legislature is still controlled by Republicans. And Berman says, Theyre not just going to sit back and let Democrats and progressives take away all of the things that they did.

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On Wednesdays episode of What Next, we talked with Berman about how much Wisconsin Republicans want to stay in power. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Mary Harris: Youve said Wisconsin used to be held up as this example of good governance. Can you take me back to that time? When was this?

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Ari Berman: Back in the late 1800s, early 1900s, Wisconsin was lauded for this progressive reform streak. It had this governor named Bob LaFollette, who was nicknamed Fighting Bob, and he would crusade against the influence of the robber barons and the stranglehold of money in politics. And Wisconsin was a place that gave birth to policies like Social Security and unemployment insurance and collective bargaining rights for unions.

When did that change?

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Its swung between red and blue. It hasnt always been a Democratic state. This was also the place that was home to Joe McCarthy, the fiercely anti-communist senator for many years. But in general, these progressive ideas that it should be a place of good governance lasted for a very long time. The breaking point was in 2011, when Scott Walker was elected governor, and Republicans gained majorities in the Legislature that they then entrenched through gerrymandering. And instead of making Wisconsin a model for progressive reform, they wanted to make it a model for a new brand of hard-edged conservatism.

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The Scott Walker project was making him governor for life kind of.

Yeah, the Scott Walker project was not just making him governor for life and the Republican Party the dominant party for life. It was having that be the model that would then be exported all across the country. They talked very explicitly about the Wisconsin model when they did things like go after unions or dismantle campaign finance laws or pass new restrictions on votingthose are things they wanted to export all across the country. And in many ways, they did. Now, of course, lots of other Republicans have done lots of other undemocratic things, whether its in Ohio or North Carolina or you name the state. But Wisconsin Republicans have prided themselves on being a national leader when it comes to the kind of policies that theyre trying to pass.

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In the last few years, the pendulum began to swing back in Wisconsin. First, Gov. Tony Evers was elected, whos a Democrat. Is that where youd place that to, the turn?

Yeah, for sure, because that ended the Scott Walker era in Wisconsin. Then, of course, a month after Evers was elected, the Republican Legislature convened this unprecedented lame-duck session and stripped power from the new Democratic governor.

And there was a lawsuit there, right? It got appealed to the state Supreme Court, and they upheld what the Legislature had done.

They upheld most of what the Legislature had done. Because remember, up until April of 2023, there had been a conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for 15 years. And there was this symbiotic relationship between the Legislature and the state Supreme Court. The Legislature would do things that would make it easier for Republicans to win a majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Supreme Court would in turn uphold all of the controversial policies passed by the state Legislature. Every once in a while, there would be a split, but for the most part, over and over for the past decade plus, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has basically acted as a branch of the Republican Legislature.

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When that happened, did Democrats immediately set their sights on the Supreme Court?

Yeah. Its been a long process to take back the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Everyone realizes that if you cant dislodge Republicans in the Legislature, which is basically impossible right now because of gerrymandering, and the Legislature has stripped power from the states Democratic governor, then really the only vehicle to hold the Legislature accountable is the state Supreme Court. And thats why it was such a big deal when progressives gained a 4-to-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April because it suddenly made it possible to think about striking down the gerrymandered maps, striking down the anti-union laws, striking down the voter suppression laws. Now, this is still a court. Its not just going to rubber stamp all of these policies. Theres a process it has to go through, and inevitably courts move slower than people would like. Theyre not as sweeping as people would usually like, but theres a sense that possibilities existed for unpopular and anti-democratic policies to be rolled back with this new Supreme Court majority that hadnt existed for the previous 15 years.

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And we should underline that this state Supreme Court, it could possibly rule on the gerrymandered maps. And thats the thing that undergirds everything else.

Exactly. The gerrymandered maps are the concrete of the foundation. If those stay in place, the structure still exists. You have to get rid of that foundation because thats what has kept Republicans in power over and over. And that is what has allowed them to pass all of the unpopular policies or keep them in place, like the 1849 abortion ban. If the Legislatures not so gerrymandered, those policies will start to change.

In April, when Janet Protasiewicz was elected, it shifted the court to the balance of power on the state Supreme Court, to the left for the first time in 15 years. Just a day after she was sworn in, Democrats filed lawsuits challenging Wisconsins gerrymandered maps, in the hope that those cases would make it to the newly left-leaning court.

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Republicans were also moving fast, though. Almost as soon as Protasiewicz was in the mix, in some cases before she was even elected, they were saying the state should impeach her, because of these comments she made, on the campaign trail: So lets be clear here: The maps are rigged. Bottom line. Absolutely positively rigged. They do not accurately represent the people in this state, they do not reflect accurately representation neither the state Assembly or the state Senate. They are rigged, period.

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Republicans say she should recuse herself from any case shes expressed an opinion about, including those all-important maps. If she doesnt recuse, she should get impeached.

Is that a valid argument?

No, because she hasnt actually said how shes going to rule on any kind of case. Judges are elected in Wisconsin, so they have to take positions on things. Its not like theyre appointed. Its not like the U.S. Supreme Court. They campaign for office, and they frequently cite their positions on issues. The Republicans and the conservatives on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have done things like compared abortion to the Holocaust and slavery, said that Planned Parenthood is a wicked organization, but they havent recused themselves from cases challenging the states 1849 abortion ban.

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The other thing to note is that the conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court wrote the states recusal laws. Theres no criteria for recusing yourself. You dont have to recuse yourself if you took money from somebody. Nothing that Janet Protasiewicz did would rise to the level of recusal. And even if you argued that she should recuse herself, failure to recuse in no way should lead to impeachment. Even if you believe that she shouldnt have said those things, that she should be impeached for it would have absolutely no precedent in any state, not just in Wisconsin.

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Im struck by this irony that Republicans made these really lax recusal rules, and now theyre crying foul when a Democrat comes in.

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Thats the problem for Republicans is they created this system with the understanding that they would rule forever, and they dont rule forever anymore. Now theyre trying to weaponize the very system that they built. Based on every precedent from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, theres no basis for Janet Protasiewicz to recuse herself. And theres no basis certainly for her to be impeached. But nonetheless, that seems to be the road that Wisconsin Republicans are willing to go down right now.

Whats the timeline for some kind of impeachment proceeding if its going to happen here?

Thats a little bit unknowable right now. There are briefings before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on whether Janet Protasiewicz should recuse herself. I would not expect her to recuse based on the precedents that have been set by the conservatives on the court. But I will say that Republicans have the power to impeach her. All it takes is a simple majority of the state Assembly.

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Because that doesnt mean shes convicted. It just means that were investigating.

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If a majority of the Assembly impeaches her, she is sidelined indefinitely, even if the state Senate doesnt convict her. Theres no timetable for the state Senate to have to act.

So, they could just press pause on her taking power. Could the governor appoint someone to fill her seat?

Only if she was convicted or acquitted by the Senate or she resigned. If the Senate does nothing or she does nothing, then shes just caught in this state of purgatory for an indefinite period of time. They have the power to do this. But I dont know if they have the power to control what would happen as a result

What do you think would happen?

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I think there would be a tremendous backlash against Republicans if they were to impeach a state Supreme Court justice simply because she was prepared to strike down their gerrymandered maps. I think there would be a huge national outcry as well. So, this could help Republicans in the Legislature, but it could also hurt them in all of the other national races that are happening, including the presidential race in 2024.

The question is just how much pain the Republicans are willing to take on themselves.

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My feeling is any amount of pain to preserve the gerrymandered maps, because without the gerrymandered maps their grip on power is slipping away. Under fair maps, they could very well win a majority. Nobody is saying that Democrats have a foolproof majority if the gerrymandered amounts are struck down. But under fair maps, theres no way Republicans are going to get two-thirds of the seats in the state Senate and 65 percent of the seats in the state House. Republicans want to maintain this near supermajority in both houses indefinitely. And theyre going to cling to the gerrymandered maps as long as they can.

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Ive been impressed by how busy the Republicans in Wisconsin have been, because its not just this potential impeachment idea that theyre focusing in on. The Republicans are also trying to fire the chief elections officer in their state.

Thats another situation of trying to weaponize the institutions that they created.

Huh. Explain.

Wisconsin Republicans created the elections commission theyre now vilifying. They unanimously appointed the election administrator theyre now trying to fire. Back in 2015, Wisconsin Republicans got rid of the panel of retired judges that oversaw voting laws and campaign finance laws in the state. And they replaced it with this commission called the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

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The idea was that it would be modeled after the Federal Election Commission, that it would have three Democrats and three Republican appointees. Now, I think the idea was that basically that was a recipe for gridlock, and they didnt want it to do anything.

Thats what happens at the federal level for sure.

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Exactly. Nobody in their right mind would say, Lets model something on the Federal Election Commission. Its a completely dysfunctional institution. But they create the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and then they appointed an election administrator who was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate in 2019. Someone by the name of Meagan Wolfe.

So, shes been in charge since this whole thing started. When did she first start facing Republican pushback?

It started to come to a head in 2020 because the commission started to make rules for voting during COVID that Republicans would later blame for Donald Trumps defeat in the state.

I remember the primary election in April 2020 in Wisconsin. It was really messy.

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It was a disaster. It happened in April of 2020, three or four weeks into COVID. There were hourlong lines because there were only five polling places instead of 180 in Milwaukee. There was a famous sign someone held up that said, This is ridiculous. The GOP Assembly speaker was in full PPE working the polls when he told everyone it was safe to vote in person. The Wisconsin Election Commission became embroiled in this whole fight, and they tried to take steps to make voting safe during the pandemic. They did things like sending absentee ballots to nursing homes instead of sending in-person voting deputies to assist elderly voters. These were things that were relatively uncontroversial at the time. They were done on a bipartisan basis. They were done in a unanimous basis. But later, Republicans started to scapegoat these things as Democrats had illegally rigged the rules for voting during the pandemic. And they began to scapegoat Meagan Wolfe and the Wisconsin Elections Commission for Donald Trumps 22,000 vote defeat in Wisconsin.

How did this go down?

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Republicans have basically compared Meagan Wolfe to Hillary Clinton. A former state Supreme Court justice named Michael Gableman was tapped to lead a sprawling 13-month investigation into the 2020 election that made a lot of headlines but uncovered no truth of fraud, and Gableman basically said, Weve seen the schtick before. Blond hair, pearls, basically comparing her to Hillary Clinton.

There was a hearing before the Legislature recently in which Republicans said, We dont just want to fire her, we want to arrest her. The whole lock her up vibe has very much been targeted at Meagan Wolfe, who is a nonpartisan administrator. Shes a bureaucrat. She doesnt even make decisions! The Wisconsin Elections Commission, which is equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, makes decisions. And she implements those decisions. She doesnt create voting laws. She doesnt make up voting laws. She is purely a bureaucrat.

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So last week, the state Senate in Wisconsin voted to oust Wolfe from her post. But now theres disagreement about whether they can actually do that. Whats going on there?

Once again, the precedent of the Wisconsin Supreme Court comes back to bite them. What Republicans have done over and over to prevent the states Democratic governor from filling key seats is not to reappoint people, but just allow them to stay in their job after their positions have expired. Theyve repeatedly done this, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld this tactic, and thats exactly whats happening right now with Meagan Wolfe. The commission deadlocked on whether to reappoint her.

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Because its half Republicans and half Democrats.

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Exactly. You need a majority on the Wisconsin Elections Commission to put her nomination before the Senate. Because there was not that majority vote, her nomination was not properly before the state Senate, meaning they dont actually have the power to fire her. So, it was largely a performative vote to appease election deniers. There were a lot of election deniers in the gallery who cheered when the Wisconsin Senate took this vote. But the state attorney general is challenging it right now in court. And Meagan Wolfe basically has said, Im not leaving absent a court telling me to leave. And she doesnt have to leave. But, of course, again, this is going before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. You can see the relationship between these two entities. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is frequently the final arbiter on the most hot-button issues in Wisconsin. And thats one reason why Republicans are trying so hard to sideline the new liberal majority on that court.

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Even if Meagan Wolfe isnt fired, have Republicans in the legislature undermined her so much that its very difficult for her to do her job?

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Yes. And not only that, theyve laid the groundwork to contest the next election.

Whoa.

Well, theyre going to argue that shes illegally in her job, and therefore she doesnt have the authority to run Wisconsins elections. And if the Wisconsin Elections Commission does things that they dont like, theyre just going to view that as illegitimate. Now, thats not going to have any kind of legal grounding, but just rhetorically. Clearly, they are they are once again setting up to make Meagan Wolfe the scapegoat if Donald Trump loses Wisconsin again in 2024.

Thats such a 12-dimensional chess thing.

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Ultimately, they would like to get rid of her and put in place someone more compliant. Theyre just hoping that they make her life so miserable that shes just going to step down. It isnt like the election deniers have gone away in Wisconsin. They are very, very strong. They are constantly influencing the Republican Party. The Republican establishment is constantly taking steps to try to appease the election-denying wing of the Republican Party. The vote to oust Meagan Wolfe is just the latest example of that. This remains an incredibly influential faction within the state GOP. And as long as they vote in primaries, as long as they make up majorities of the electorate in these gerrymandered districts, theyre going to go a long way toward determining the actions of the Republican Party in the state.

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Both the effort to impeach Judge Protasiewicz and the effort to fire Meagan Wolfe, they involve so much irony. Republicans are ignoring laws or rules that they championed up and down both of these cases. Theyre basically just throwing them out the window and saying, We dont like this. Is this standard political hypocrisy, or is something weirder at play?

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Its more disturbing than standard political hypocrisy because its so anti-democratic. Theres lots of instances in our lives where we do something that involves some act of hypocrisy. But what this is doing is its taking the anti-democratic actions of the Wisconsin Republican Party that were already at a 10 and pushing it to a 12. Theyre going beyond what anyone thought was possible. Trying to remove two of the most prominent people in Wisconsin politics right nowthe nonpartisan administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the newly elected state Supreme Court justiceshows the extreme lengths theyll go to try to undermine fair elections in 2024 to keep their hold on power. And its a chilling preview of what the Republican Party could do all across the country, because once you start to break these democratic norms, nothing is viewed as unbreakable anymore. Theres no norm that you wont decide to eventually topple.
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There are so many options available for entrepreneurs and professionals to create their own business cards, it can be hard to know where to begin. Where is the best place to get business cards? What design best suits your brand? What is the perfect font for business cards?

The font is one of the most important elements of business card design. The typeface does so much more than illustrate text. The type of font impacts the clarity and readability of a business card, and the business card font sets a tone for the brand, conveying characteristics such as professionalism, sophistication and fun.

How to Choose Your Business Card Font

How do you choose your business card font? Whether youre customizing a template or designing business cards from scratch, thousands of fonts are available from the best font sites, though not all are created equal.

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Choosing the wrong font can result in your brand delivering the wrong message to your target audience. Likewise, many fonts are not designed for the quick, clear communication required for an effective business card font.

Unsure how to choose good fonts for business cards? The following four tips should set you on the right path.

Choose business card fonts that emote proper mood.

The design of a font carries a message and a tone, and it conveys a mood that will be attached to your brand. When choosing a font for your business card, be sure and select a typeface that emotes the mood you want to represent.

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Is your small business classic and sophisticated, upscale and elegant or fun and adventurous? All of these can be communicated in a font.

Look for business card fonts that are original with high readability.

In the pursuit of uniqueness, its essential not to compromise on clarity. When selecting a font that embodies your brands distinctiveness while ensuring it remains legible, consider the following:

Serif vs. Sans Serif : Serif fonts, like Times New Roman or Baskerville, have small lines attached to the end of each letter, making them appear more traditional. Sans Serif fonts, such as Arial or Helvetica, lack these lines, giving a modern look. Decide which style aligns with your brands personality.

: Serif fonts, like Times New Roman or Baskerville, have small lines attached to the end of each letter, making them appear more traditional. Sans Serif fonts, such as Arial or Helvetica, lack these lines, giving a modern look. Decide which style aligns with your brands personality. Weight Matters : Fonts like Futura or Bebas Neue come in various weights, from thin to bold. Depending on the backdrop of your card and the space available, select a weight thats both attractive and readable.

: Fonts like Futura or Bebas Neue come in various weights, from thin to bold. Depending on the backdrop of your card and the space available, select a weight thats both attractive and readable. Letter Spacing : Fonts like Oswald have tighter letter spacing, making them suitable for larger text sizes, while fonts like Raleway offer a bit more breathing space between characters.

: Fonts like Oswald have tighter letter spacing, making them suitable for larger text sizes, while fonts like Raleway offer a bit more breathing space between characters. Height and X-height : Some fonts, like Montserrat, have tall uppercase letters and a high x-height (the height of lowercase letters), which can impact readability at smaller sizes.

: Some fonts, like Montserrat, have tall uppercase letters and a high x-height (the height of lowercase letters), which can impact readability at smaller sizes. Decorative Fonts with Caution: Fonts like Pacifico or Lobster are decorative and can add flair. However, they should be used sparingly and ideally for headers or brand names only.

Choose a combination of fonts that makes your business card design pop.

Amateur designers creating their own business yards might want to stick with a single font or a single font family to avoid mismatching their fonts.

However, if you have an eye for design, mixing two contrasting fonts on your business card can make the design stand out and capture attention.

Understand various font families

Different types of fonts convey different tones and even can deliver varying messages, so its important to understand the primary font categories when selecting the perfect business card font. Will you choose a classic sans serif font or a more sophisticated serif typeface? Creative professionals might even choose to add elements of a script font for a unique and original business card design.

Choosing the Best Font for Business Cards: Our Methodology

Your business card serves as a tangible memory aid for potential clients or partners. The font you select plays a significant role in readability, brand representation, and overall design aesthetics. Here are the criteria we believe you should consider when picking the best font for your business cards:

Readability

Importance Scale: 10/10

The primary purpose of a business card is to convey information. The chosen font should be legible at small sizes, ensuring that contact details and your name can be easily read. Brand Consistency

Importance Scale: 9/10

Your font should align with your brands identity and tone. If your brand is elegant and high-end, a sophisticated script font might be fitting. On the other hand, a modern brand might call for a sleek sans-serif font. Versatility

Importance Scale: 8/10

The chosen font should look great both in print and digitally, in case you also use it for electronic business cards or email signatures. Uniqueness

Importance Scale: 7/10

While its important to be readable, choosing a font that stands out (without compromising clarity) can make your card memorable. Weight & Style Options

Importance Scale: 9/10

A good font family provides multiple weights (like light, regular, bold) and styles (italic, condensed) to allow for flexibility in design. Compatibility

Importance Scale: 8/10

Ensure that the font renders well across different printers and paper types. This is particularly crucial if youre getting your cards printed from multiple vendors or if you use varied printing techniques. Licensing & Cost

Importance Scale: 7/10

Be sure to have the appropriate license for the font, especially for commercial use. Some fonts might also have associated costs. Mood & Tone

Importance Scale: 8/10

Every font carries a certain mood or tone, be it professional, casual, playful, or authoritative. Match this with the mood you wish to convey. Pairing Potential

Importance Scale: 8/10

If youre considering using more than one font on your card, ensure they complement each other well without clashing. Popularity & Trends

Importance Scale: 6/10

While its okay to use trending fonts, be mindful not to choose something thats overly popular and might make your card look generic.

Taking into account these guidelines, weve researched and collated a list of fonts that shine when used on business cards. Whether you seek a timeless classic or a modern gem, our recommendations are designed to ensure your card leaves a lasting impression.

Sans Serif Fonts for Business Cards

A simple sans serif typeface makes one of the best business card fonts because of the clean lines, classic style and clear readability. Common sans serifs are some of the most popular business card fonts because their simplicity allows a sans serif font to serve as the foundation for almost any design.

1. Myriad Pro

As its name implies, Adobes Myriad Pro font adds a flair of professionalism to business cards. The popular sans serif font has high readability and clearly conveys its message in a variety of font sizes and weights.

2. Source Code

Fonts like Adobes original Source Code typeface are perfect options for business card fonts thanks to their clarity, simplicity and readability. The Source Code font is particularly popular for business cards in the tech industry, where the lettering resembles common coded characters.

3. Futura

Emoting modernism for nearly a century, the Futura font, available from a variety of sources including Adobe, is a simple sans serif typeface that retains high readability on a business card design. The generous line spacing in Futura is enjoyed by designers, and its various available weights allow it to compliment a multitude of business card designs.

4. Ratio

Another great font for business cards, the Ratio sans serif font choice features smooth and sleek lines for a clear and professional appearance. The Ratio font, available from Adobe fonts and other popular sources, provides a modern feel for business cards in contemporary sectors.

5. Quicksand

The Quicksand font is another effective sans serif typeface suitable for business cards. Available from a variety of online sources including Adobe Fonts, Quicksand features ample spacing and quirky characters that provide a unique appearance to any business card design.

6. Gibson

Because its so easy to read, the Gibson font remains one of the most popular sans serif fonts for business cards. Available from Adobe and other resources, Gibson is considered a humanist font that shines in almost any design.

7. Xaviera

Looking or the perfect business card font? Why not select a typeface that was created just for that purpose? Xaviera is a professional sans serif font choice designs exclusively for business cards as well as display advertising and online print. The straightforward characters of the Xaviera font, available from Envato Elements and other popular sources, pair well with scripted or novelty anchors.

8. Dalton

Dalton is a modern business font perfect for making a statement on a business card. The sans serif Dalton font exudes professionalism and sends a clear message. The typeface is available from Envato Elements.

Best Sans Serif Fonts for Business Cards Summary

Font Name Description Myriad Pro Professional flair, high readability, suitable for various sizes and weights. Source Code Clear and simple, popular in the tech industry. Futura Modern yet classic, generous line spacing, available in various weights. Ratio Sleek and clear with a contemporary feel. Quicksand Unique with ample spacing and quirky characters. Gibson Highly readable, versatile humanist font. Xaviera Designed for business cards, straightforward characters. Dalton Modern and professional.

Serif Fonts for Business Cards

Serif fonts also make effective choices as business card typefaces thanks to their classic and professional appearance. In typography, a serif refers to small line or stroke thats attached to the end of a larger stroke in a typed or written character. These tiny details can drastically alter the appearance of a font, and when used effectively they can spice up an otherwise plain and boring design.

9. Trajan

Trajan | Adobe Fonts

Inspired by classic Roman letterforms, Adobes Trajan font adds a touch of timeless style to a business card design. The serif fonts classic elegance emotes professionalism while still standing apart from the crowd.

10. Minion

Similar in style to the universally-popular Times New Roman, the Minion serif font was designed for body text over 30 years ago. The Minion font, an original typeface from Adobe Fonts, gives business cards a classic yet professional look.

11. Qanaya

Want to give your business card an air of elegance? The Qanaya font is a serif typeface that is available from Envato Elements and other sources in a variety of weights and font sizes.

12. Solomon

Another popular serif font choice for business cards available from Envato Elements, the Solomon font features a creative design that will add flair to an otherwise ordinary business card while retaining its elegance and readability.

13. Baskerville PT

Another beautiful font option for business cards, Baskerville PT is an elegant serif typeface that promises to provide an auro of professionalism. The versatile font is available in a variety of sizes and weights, holding its classic appearance in multiple formats.

Best Serif Fonts for Business Cards Summary

Font Name Description Trajan Timeless, classic Roman-inspired elegance. Minion Classic and professional, akin to Times New Roman. Qanaya Elegant serif typeface in various weights and sizes. Solomon Creative yet elegant. Baskerville PT Classic, elegant serif typeface versatile in various formats.

Script Fonts for Business Cards

While script fonts, typefaces that resemble cursive handwriting, arent recommended as a primary business card font, they can add a creative flair when used sparingly. Consider capturing attention with your business card by choosing a script font for a title or company name. However, avoid script typefaces for the details because of reduced readability.

14. Bouquet

Sporty and exciting, the Bouquet typeface is a script font characterized by thick cursive lettering. The Bouquet font, available from Envato Elements and other sources, will make a strong statement with a readable message when used in a limited capacity on a business card.

15. Signature Cursive

Looking for a simple yet elegant script font to highlight your business card? The Signature Cursive font, available from Envato Elements, consists of a stylish characters drawn with graceful strokes.

16. Bright Daddy

TheBright Daddy typeface, available online from sources such as Envato Elements, features a natural, flowing design that could serve as an effective way to highlight major themes on an otherwise forgettable business card design.

Best Script Fonts for Business Cards Summary

Font Name Description Bouquet Thick cursive lettering, strong statement but readable when used sparingly. Signature Cursive Graceful strokes offering a simple elegance. Bright Daddy Natural, flowing design, highlights major themes on a business card.

What is the Best Font for Business Cards?

With so many options available, it can be hard to determine what is the best font for business cards. The best business card font is one that is clear and readable, while retaining professionalism and originality. Therefore, the best business card font is clearly Baskeville PT. The font is versatile and includes a variety of options while offering a flair of elegance and professionalism.

What is the best sans serif font for business cards?

For a variety of reasons, some people prefer sans serif fonts for their business cards. Sans serrif fonts are classic and provide clear readability in multiple sizes and formats. The best sans serif font for business cards is Xaviera. The crisp and clear characters promise to stand out and capture the recipients attention.

What is the standard size for business card fonts?

What are the best font sizes for business cards? The standard size for business card fonts is 10 pt. Bear in mind that when 10 pt is used for the primary font size, details like contact information will be better suited at a smaller 9 or 8 pt font size. Remember, dont print any information on your business card in a font size smaller than 8 pt.

Read More: best font sites
(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.


Like the name suggests, employee self service is the name given to software that allows workers to take care of items like changing banking and contact information without going through someone in the HR department. They can often access payroll, personal details and in some cases submit vacation requests too.

If you think your small business can get away with bypassing employee self service software without even a consideration, think again.

Gartner has predicted by 2020, 85% of customer interactions wont involve a human and this wave of automation already includes employee self service portals.

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Heres what small businesses need to know about this cost saving technology.

Employee self-service is an emerging trend for small businesses that want to streamline or eliminate their HR departments. Beyond the features already mentioned, some of these portals allow employees to change their W-4 data as well as direct deposit information. There are a host of other options like benefits information as well.

Employee Self Service Tips

User Friendliness

There needs to be a lot of information in one of these portals but it needs to be easy to read and understand. Navigation is a very important aspect. Start planning the portal with the navigation bar on the landing page because thats the launch point for your employees.

Since theyre more than likely familiar with websites, you should put your nav bar at the top where they expect it to be. To reduce clutter, consider a drop-down feature from there. Remember that you dont need to clutter up the website with a lot of information that would just put your employees off.

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These drop-down menus are a great way to hide folders behind the landing page. For example, clicking on a Benefits tab could lead to the drop-down menu to take employees to the dental or eyeglass benefit folders/pages.

There are a host of other features you need to look at this as a starting point and the one you should funnel all your choices through.

Other Features

One of the other features that you need to consider for an employee self-service portal is compliance. Its a good idea to reserve at least part of the website for employee handbooks and tools where they can report acts of discrimination or theft.

Keeping employee files online where you can see them 24/7 is another feature that youll probably want to take a serious look at.

Picking the Software

Picking the right software for your small business depends on sorting through several different options. Some, like EmpXTrack will charge a fee per employee per month.

Other models like Zoho People charge per user per month. The other option is for larger small businesses or medium sized companies. There is usually a one time payment here with some tiered options youll need to sort through.

Getting Started

Like everything else when youre moving from paper to digital records, you should plan a strategy when youve decided to set up one of these employee self service portals. You should plan to create an account for each individual employee and give them the login information. Tell them to go in and check whats in there once youve got the software up and running and make any necessary changes.

Youll need to walk your employees through the whole process. Having a team meeting is a good idea. Explain what can and cannot be done in the portal. Its also important to answer any questions they might have.

The Advantages

There are some advantages to digitizing the employee experience this way. If you sign up with a software program that has a mobile app option, everyone in your company will be able to organize the information they need on the go.

This software option also makes it easier for HR people to skip the mundane administrative parts of their job and concentrate on other things like onboarding new employees.

The Disadvantages

Before you go all in with one of these employee self-service platforms, consider the downside. For example, errors have a way of showing up when theres no one overseeing how the data gets entered and how accurate it is.

There are some upfront costs involved like ramping up your cyber security. Having employees personal information compromised can actually leave your small business accountable legally so you cant skimp on this feature.

Topic Tips and Recommendations User Friendliness - Ensure the portal is easy to read and understand. - Place the navigation bar at the top for familiarity. - Consider using drop-down menus to reduce clutter. - Use drop-down menus to hide folders for organization. Other Features - Reserve part of the portal for employee handbooks. - Provide tools for reporting acts of discrimination. - Keep employee files accessible 24/7 online. Picking the Software - Choose software based on your business size. - Some charge per employee per month (e.g., EmpXTrack). - Others charge per user per month (e.g., Zoho People). - Larger businesses may have one-time payment options. Getting Started - Plan a strategy for transitioning to digital records. - Create accounts for individual employees. - Provide login information and guide employees. The Advantages - Mobile app options allow easy access on the go. - Streamline HR tasks, freeing up time for other duties. The Disadvantages - Errors may occur without oversight of data entry. - Upfront costs for cybersecurity are necessary. - Data breaches can have legal consequences.

Employee Self-Service Implementation

Implementing employee self-service software can greatly benefit your small business, but a successful implementation requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key steps to consider:

1. Needs Assessment

Before selecting and implementing employee self-service software, assess your companys specific needs and goals. Consider what tasks and processes you want to automate or streamline. This will help you choose the right software solution.

2. Software Selection

Research and evaluate different employee self-service software options. Look for features that align with your companys requirements, such as payroll management, benefits administration, and compliance tools. Compare pricing models to find one that fits your budget.

3. Customization

Once youve chosen a software solution, customize it to match your companys branding and workflow. Ensure that the user interface is intuitive and user-friendly for your employees.

4. Data Migration

If youre transitioning from paper records or another HR system, plan the migration of employee data carefully. Ensure that all existing information is accurately transferred to the new system to avoid data discrepancies.

5. Training and Onboarding

Provide comprehensive training to your employees on how to use the self-service portal effectively. Create user guides and conduct training sessions to help them navigate the system with ease. Address any questions or concerns they may have.

6. Security Measures

Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive employee data. Regularly update and patch the software to prevent security breaches. Ensure compliance with data protection regulations to avoid legal consequences.

7. Continuous Improvement

Monitor the performance of the self-service portal and gather feedback from employees. Use this feedback to make necessary improvements and updates to enhance the user experience.

8. Support and Maintenance

Offer ongoing technical support to assist employees with any issues they encounter while using the self-service portal. Regularly update the software to add new features and improve functionality.

Step Description Needs Assessment Assess your company's needs and goals for self-service software. Identify tasks and processes to automate or streamline. Software Selection Research and evaluate different self-service software options. Consider features aligned with your requirements and budget. Customization Customize the chosen software to match your company's branding and workflow. Ensure a user-friendly interface. Data Migration Plan and execute the migration of employee data from existing systems or paper records to the new software. Training & Onboarding Provide comprehensive training and user guides to help employees navigate the self-service portal effectively. Security Measures Implement strong cybersecurity measures, update the software regularly, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Continuous Improvement Monitor portal performance, collect employee feedback, and make necessary improvements for a better user experience. Support & Maintenance Offer ongoing technical support and keep the software updated with new features and improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is employee self-service (ESS) software?

ESS software allows employees to manage various HR-related tasks independently, such as updating personal information, accessing payroll data, and submitting vacation requests, without HR department assistance.

Why should small businesses consider ESS software?

ESS software streamlines HR processes, reduces administrative overhead, and empowers employees to manage their information. It can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency.

How user-friendly should an ESS portal be?

An ESS portal should be highly user-friendly with intuitive navigation. The goal is to make it easy for employees to find and use the features they need. Start with a clear navigation bar.

What other features should an ESS portal have?

In addition to basic features, an ESS portal should include compliance tools, employee handbooks, and reporting mechanisms for issues like discrimination or theft. It can also store employee files securely.

How do I choose the right ESS software for my small business?

When selecting ESS software, consider your budget and the specific needs of your company. Compare pricing models (e.g., per employee, per user) and evaluate available features.

What steps are involved in implementing ESS software?

The implementation process includes assessing needs, selecting software, customization, data migration, employee training, security measures, continuous improvement, and ongoing support and maintenance.

How can I ensure the security of employee data in an ESS portal?

Implement robust cybersecurity measures, regularly update the software, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive employee information.

What are the advantages of digitizing the employee experience with ESS software?

Digitizing employee processes can provide on-the-go access, streamline HR tasks, and allow HR personnel to focus on more strategic activities like onboarding.

What are the potential disadvantages of ESS platforms?

ESS platforms may introduce errors if data isnt entered accurately. There can also be upfront costs associated with cybersecurity, and data breaches can have legal consequences.

How can I ensure a successful ESS software implementation?

Success requires careful planning, customization, training, data migration, ongoing support, and continuous improvement based on employee feedback. Tailor the implementation to your companys unique needs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is teaming up with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express (AMEX) to host two ChallengeHER events. The initiative, now celebrating its 11th year, has successfully aided women-owned small businesses in gaining a foothold in the lucrative federal contracting arena.

Scheduled for September 14 in Phoenix, Arizona, and October 24 in Silver Spring, Maryland, these events underscore the federal governments commitment to diversifying its supply chain by integrating more women-owned firms.

ChallengeHERs main objective is to enlighten women entrepreneurs about the opportunities the SBAs Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program presents. It acts as a bridge, connecting government agencies with qualified women-owned small business contractors. The result? A tangible increase in the representation of women-owned firms in the federal governments roster of suppliers.

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Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the figurehead of the U.S. Small Business Administration, emphasized the transformative impact of ChallengeHER, stating, Our continued collaboration with Women Impacting Public Policy and American Express on the ChallengeHER initiative reaffirms the SBAs commitment to leveling the playing field for women-owned businesses in the federal marketplace by advocating for them and matching them to the buyers directly so they can win more contracts.

For small business owners keen to explore the intricacies of federal contracting, these events offer an unparalleled chance to engage with industry leaders and gather critical insights. They will benefit from networking sessions, fostering connections between women entrepreneurs and government contractors. Moreover, they can participate in comprehensive training workshops, steered by domain experts, detailing the nuances of integrating into the public sector supply chain.

Angela Dingles, Acting President & CEO of WIPP, expressed her gratitude and pride in the initiative, noting that In its 11th year, ChallengeHER has catered to almost 26,000 businesses. We equip women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need, especially during these transformative times.

This move by the SBA, WIPP, and AMEX is in line with the Biden-Harris Administrations heightened focus on small businesses. Earlier in July, the administration proudly declared that it had surpassed its small business federal contracting target for FY 22. An unparalleled 26.5% of federal contract funds, equating to a staggering $162.9 billion, was allocated to small businesses. Additionally, Women-Owned Small Businesses clinched contracts worth over $26 billion for the fourth consecutive year.

Small Business Deals

For those interested in attending, the details of the upcoming ChallengeHER Road Tour are as follows:

Phoenix, AZ: September 14, 2023

Silver Spring, MD: October 24, 2023

For small business owners, especially women entrepreneurs, these events herald an era of increased access to federal contracting opportunities, ensuring they play a significant role in shaping the nations economic landscape.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) proposes a groundbreaking rule change. The SBA is opening up discussions on a rule to enhance access to SBA loans for individuals with specific criminal records. The reform is a strategic move, echoing President Bidens Safer America Plan, which targets root causes of crime and violence, such as unemployment and lack of opportunities.

The SBAs regulations currently create hindrances for loan aspirants with certain criminal backgrounds. Due to these stipulations, some are completely excluded from accessing SBA programs. However, the proposed rule, if enacted, would overhaul this framework. It promises to increase access to essential capital for these entrepreneurs by broadening eligibility criteria and dismantling pre-existing barriers within SBAs loan and surety bond programs.

A crucial aspect of the proposal is the removal of queries regarding an applicants criminal justice involvement from SBA forms. This change arises from the acknowledgment that no tangible evidence suggests those with prior criminal involvements are more susceptible to defaulting on their loans. Further, studies indicate that posing such questions can deter eligible applicants from even initiating the loan process.

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Nevertheless, to ensure the systems integrity, the rule will uphold restrictions against those presently incarcerated or those found guilty of defrauding the government.

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman passionately noted, America is about possibilities and second chances  including justice-involved individuals who are working hard to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship.

The implications of this proposed rule cannot be overstated. With one in three American adults having a criminal record, employment remains their paramount necessity and obstacle. A 2018 study highlighted the grim reality: ex-inmates face a staggering 27% unemployment rate. Entrepreneurship, therefore, presents a beacon of hope for those seeking to rebuild their lives after serving their sentences, especially since obtaining regular employment remains a significant challenge.

Among the significant modifications within the proposed rule change are:

Small Business Deals

A standardized set of eligibility criteria across various SBA capital programs. Removal of ambiguous terms like crime of moral turpitude. The introduction of a straightforward approach to verifying an applicants incarceration status. SBAs commitment to protecting against fraudulent activities by leveraging third-party databases for independent verification.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) voiced his support, praising the SBAs effort to dismantle the barriers that previously restrained justice-involved individuals from accessing the resources vital for their entrepreneurial pursuits.

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the transformative power of entrepreneurship for returning citizens.

In essence, this proposed rule champions the belief that everyone deserves a shot at the American dream. By bolstering access to capital for entrepreneurs with criminal histories, the SBA promotes economic growth and plays a pivotal role in fostering a safer, more equitable America.

While these changes mark significant progress, its crucial to note that the onus of safeguarding against fraud still remains. As of August 1, 2023, the SBA inaugurated a stringent protocol to pre-screen all business loan applications for potential fraud. These protocols will remain untouched by the proposed changes.

In championing entrepreneurship, the SBA is fortifying the nations economic fabric. With such reforms, America ensures an equitable entrepreneurial landscape, turning the page towards a brighter, more inclusive future.
What is WordPress? WordPress powers businesses all over the world. It is one of the most popular website building platforms, and it allows you to create a website or blog from scratch or improve an existing website.

There are many notable brands, celebrities and companies that use it too. This article discusses what WordPress is and how it can benefit your business. By the end of this post, you should definitely know the answer to the question, What is WordPress?

What is a WordPress Website?

If you ever did an internet search for What is WordPress? youd likely find out more than 1 in 4 websites use the website platform to power their own website (by the way, the term WordPress is searched for nearly 3 million times a month!).

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Thats all well and good, but it doesnt really answer the question, What is WordPress? right?

Simply put, WordPress is a content management system (CMS) created in 2003 by WordPress experts Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little.

The duo designed it as a tool to make it easy for people without any coding experience to create a website or blog from scratch. It is a free, open-source software system licensed under GPLv2 (or later), meaning any user can use, modify or contribute to its codebase.

In addition, WordPresss open-source software system has end-to-end encryption that can be used on your own web server or by a hosting company.

Small Business Deals

Its functionality and ease of use have resulted in a large community of WordPress users and WordPress developers who have created and utilized themes, plugins, and other tools to quickly and easily build anything from huge online stores to a simple blog.

10 Useful WordPress Statistics

If you need further help convincing yourselves or others that WordPress is the best CMS system for your business, be sure to check out the following WordPress statistics:

It is currently the most popular content management system on the web. People visit WordPress more than the social media giant Twitter, which has a whopping 156 million unique visitors a month. With a WordPress theme-builder like seedprod, even users who arent very technically skilled can easily create a custom WordPress theme from scratch. Over 400 million people visit a WordPress website each month. 661 WordPress sites and nearly 300 new WooCommerce stores appear on average each day. There are over 59,000 free plugins available in the WordPress plugin directory. Over 187 countries have at least one active WordPress installation. The WordPress.org website receives over two billion page views per month. The WordPress app has been downloaded over two million times. Out of 1.3 billion websites on the web, more than 455 million sites use WordPress to power their own website.

What is WordPress used for?

The question closely following What is WordPress? is probably Why do I need to use a WordPress website for my business, anyway, and is WordPress good for small business websites?

Firstly, when you install WordPress and set everything up, youll find that it can be used for developing anything from a small business site to an eCommerce storefront and blog. In fact, some of the most popular websites in the world are powered by WordPress, including Samsung, Forbes, The Guardian and the New York Times. Additionally, small business sites like ours also use WordPress.

Secondly, WordPress has many versatile features, and they are coming up with more unique features each day. But versatility isnt the only thing that makes WordPress so popular; it also has a number of features that make it an ideal platform for businesses.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do with the king of content management systems:

Create website content such as custom pages and posts.

Easily integrate it with social media platforms.

Help your site rank higher in search engine results through SEO capabilities.

Track your websites traffic and performance with analytics tools.

Design a website or blog from scratch.

Improve an existing website by adding WordPress functionality.

Develop membership sites, chatrooms, directories, wikis, galleries and online courses.

Support all media types, such as audio, video, images and information-related data.

How does WordPress Work?

Now that you know a little more about what WordPress is lets take a look at how it works.

The working process of WordPress software is a comprehensive procedure that works by combining some core files, a database, files that you add or install, and a dashboard to let you manage the whole thing.

There are also many components such as themes, plugins and widgets that work together to give your website the look and functionality you desire.

WordPress core

Installing core files is the first procedure in WordPress you will do. When you install WordPress (the WordPress core), you get access to two websites: the WordPress dashboard and your website.

The WordPress dashboard is where you manage your websiteadd posts and pages, change settings, install plugins and themes, etc.

The database

This place is where all your data and website files are stored. If you are using manual WordPress, you need to install the database. If you are using an auto-installer, it will automatically do the installation process.

Extra files

Extra files are in the forms of plugins, themes and uploads for WordPress, and they help to make your website or blog look unique by allowing you to customize aspects.

WordPress dashboard or admin screen

To create a website or blog with WordPress, you first need to install it on a web server. You can do this yourself by downloading the software and installing it on your own web server, or you can have a hosting company do it for you. Once WordPress is installed, you can log in to the WordPress dashboard and start creating content. You can add posts and pages, change settings, install plugins and themes, etc.

Publishing

When youre ready to launch your website or blog, you simply need to publish it by clicking on the Publish button in the WordPress dashboard. After that, your website will be live and accessible to the world. You can also use the WordPress dashboard to track your websites traffic and performance and see how your visitors are accessing your content.

Customization, themes and plugins

Themes control the appearance of your site; plugins add features and widgets put all the pieces together. When you install WordPress, it comes with a core set of themes and plugins that provide the basic structure for your website. You can then install additional themes and plugins from the WordPress.org plugin directory or other sources to add features like a blog, contact form, social media integration, and more.

You can also customize your sites appearance by editing the CSS code for your theme or using child themes to make changes without affecting the original code. And if you need help with any of this, there are plenty of WordPress tutorials and support forums to help you out.

Summary

Component Description WordPress Core Initial files you install. Grants access to the WordPress dashboard (for site management) and your actual website. Database Storage for all website data and files. Manual WordPress requires manual installation, while auto-installs handle this automatically. Extra Files (Plugins, Themes) Customization tools to give a unique look to the site. They can be plugins, themes, or uploads. WordPress Dashboard Once WordPress is installed on a server, you can manage content through the dashboard by adding posts/pages, changing settings, and more. Publishing Launch your website/blog by clicking the "Publish" button in the dashboard. This action makes your site live to the world. Customization, Themes, Plugins Themes dictate the site's look; plugins add features; widgets integrate various elements. WordPress comes with a basic structure, but additional features can be added from various sources.

WordPress.org Vs. WordPress.com

There are two versions of WordPress: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org is the self-hosted version of WordPress that you install on your own web server, while WordPress.com is a hosted version where all the hosting and maintenance is taken care of for you.

Why You Should Consider WordPress for Your Business

WordPress.com allows you to set up your blog for free, but it has several disadvantages. For instance, you can only create a site under a subdomain, and you cant remove the ads.

Here are a few other ways the two stack up against one another.

Ease of Use

WordPress.org is a little more difficult to use than WordPress.com, as you need to install it on your own web server and manage all the aspects of your website yourself.

With WordPress.com, everything is taken care of for you, and getting started is fairly straightforward.

WordPress themes

WordPress themes make your website look brilliant, and WordPress.org has full WordPress theme support where you can use custom commercial themes and all the other free themes.

The .org version of WordPress also lets you use premium WordPress themes to customize, modify or do pretty much anything you like with your website.

WordPress.com doesnt let you customize themes and only has limited theme support where you are limited to the WordPress themes that exist in their repository.

WordPress plugins

You will likely need WordPress plugins, and the WordPress.org plugin repository is enormous and has a plugin for just about anything you can imagine.

In addition, you can find all types of WordPress pluginsfrom social media to security plugins.

Unfortunely, the WordPress.com plugin library only has about 100 free WordPress plugins, which might not be enough for your needs.

Domain name

Your domain name, or your websites URL, is what takes your visitors to your website. With WordPress.org, you have full control over your domain name and can use any domain you want. WordPress.com limits you to the .wordpress.com subdomain unless you upgrade to a paid plan that gives you a custom domain name.

Web hosting account

The cost of hosting for your WordPress website is included in the price when you install WordPress.org on your web server. However, WordPress.org does charge a monthly fee for web hosting, which starts at an estimated $46-$100/yr.

WordPress.com is free for up to 3GB of storage space, but you have to deal with their ads splashed across your pages.

That might not be a big deal for a personal blog, but it might be a deal-breaker for a small business trying to establish its brand.

eCommerce

With WordPress.org, you can install any eCommerce plugin you want and create an eCommerce site, giving you a full-blown online store.

On the other hand, with WordPress.com, you are limited to the basic Shopify eCommerce platform that has some restrictions on what you can sell.

Monetization

You can monetize your website with WordPress.org by adding ads, selling products or accepting donations.

Meanwhile, you cannot monetize your site on WordPress.com without upgrading to a paid plan that gives you more features.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

This feature is essential since it helps your business site to reach the top Google rank in search results. WordPress.org comes with all the SEO features you need to optimize your website for search engines.

With free WordPress.com, you dont have much control over your website SEO since you cant install the required plugins. Business plan users can install 3rd-party SEO plugins for about $300/yr.

Help and support from the WordPress community

WordPress.org has a support community with millions of users who are happy to help you out with any issue you might have. You can also get WordPress assistance through the help and support feature.

The WordPress Help Team has helped many entrepreneurs build their business websites and do other tasks. That being said, the .com version of WordPress has much less support and is not as active in the support forums.

Free software

WordPress.com is free and has many features available if you are looking for an easy way to get started.

If you want to use WordPress for your small business, the .org version is probably the best option and will cost anywhere from $46 to $100/year. Of course, it isnt free, but you get more features and control of your WordPress websites.

Google Analytics integration

Google Analytics helps you increase your website traffic and also helps convert visitors into leads. WordPress.org offers powerful Google Analytics tracking built-in so you can see how your website is performing and where your visitors are coming from. In contrast, WordPress.com does not offer this feature.

Website security

There are different types of website security in WordPress, such as backdoors, pharma hacks, malicious redirects, denial of service and many more.

WordPress.org gives you the ability to install a good security plugin and harden the security of your WordPress site with only a few clicks. WordPress.com doesnt give you this feature.

WordPress site customization

WordPress.org

WordPress.org is the go-to choice for users seeking a more customized digital presence. This platform grants extensive freedom, allowing for profound modifications in website design and functionality.

One of the highlights of WordPress.org is its flexibility to allow direct CSS edits, which means webmasters can tweak the visual appearance down to the smallest detail.

Additionally, for those wanting a more sustainable and advanced customization without affecting the primary theme, creating child themes is a beneficial option.

A child theme inherits the features and appearance of its parent theme but allows for modifications without affecting the original theme, making it an invaluable tool for developers and designers.

WordPress.com:

In contrast, WordPress.com is more restrictive when it comes to customization. Users are limited to basic theme alterations, which means direct modifications to CSS or the creation of child themes are off the table.

While its simpler and more user-friendly, especially for beginners, those with a distinct vision for their website might find it limiting.

This platform is ideal for individuals who prefer ready-to-use templates without the intricacies of intricate design modifications.

Mobile-Friendly features

Both WordPress.org and WordPress.com are mobile-friendly, meaning they can be used on a PC, tablet or mobile phone. However, WordPress.org has more features that make it easier for your website to look good on mobiles devices and screen sizes.

Speed

WordPress.org is faster than WordPress.com because you are in control of all the aspects of your website and can optimize it for speed.

Sowhich version of WordPress should you choose? If you want more control over your WordPress website and dont mind managing the technical aspects yourself, then WordPress.org is the better option.

If youre looking for an easy way to get started with a blog or dont need all the features that WordPress.org offers, then WordPress.com is a good choice.

Also importantly, if youre looking for a business-grade WordPress site, its probably going to be best to go with WordPress.org rather than WordPress.com.

How to Start Using WordPress

Installing WordPress for your blog or any business is an easy task. Compared to other website builders, the installation of WordPress is user-friendly and can be done faster.

The following illustrates the steps for installing WordPress:

Step 1: Download and open the WordPress software

Download and open the WordPress software Step 2: Establish a WordPress database on your web application and a MySQL user with full access and modification capabilities.

Establish a WordPress database on your web application and a MySQL user with full access and modification capabilities. Step 3: Locate and change wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php, then modify the document to include your database information.

Locate and change wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php, then modify the document to include your database information. Step 4: Upload the WordPress files to your web servers preferred location

Upload the WordPress files to your web servers preferred location Step 5: Access the URL in a web browser to run the WordPress installation script. This should have been the location in which the WordPress files were published. If you are using WordPress.com, you can install almost any WordPress plugin and launch a custom domain for your business site.

Access the URL in a web browser to run the WordPress installation script. This should have been the location in which the WordPress files were published. If you are using WordPress.com, you can install almost any WordPress plugin and launch a custom domain for your business site. Step 6: At this step, you can use WordPress. Here, you begin hosting your site, and if you are the WordPress editor, you can start publishing things like WordPress posts and WordPress pages.

At this step, you can use WordPress. Here, you begin hosting your site, and if you are the WordPress editor, you can start publishing things like WordPress posts and WordPress pages. Step 7: WordPress currently comes with three themes. The current default theme is named Twenty Twenty-One, and thats the first theme you see after logging into your website platform. You can change this to any other theme by going to Appearance > Themes or downloading a new one from the WordPress.org Theme Directory

WordPress Tips

The following tips and ideas can help you create a WordPress website:

Always make sure to decrease your image size to speed up your website.

Dont forget to insert title tags and ALT texts.

There will be some posts that you dont want ads to appear between them. Therefore, youll need to hide ads for individual posts.

Always edit your permalinks.

Add a footer widget to your blog site or business site.

Dont forget to use an SEO plugin.

Is WordPress Good for Beginners?

Yes, its surprisingly easy to use for such a powerful website builder. And although there is a little bit of work to installing and publishing your WordPress website, it is about as simple as using Microsoft Word once you get everything going. In brief, whether you are a beginner or an expert, its user-friendly right from the start to use WordPress.

What are the Disadvantages of WordPress?

One of the major disadvantages of WordPress is that more plugins are required for additional features.

Also, WordPress websites can go down for no apparent reason and in a way that is difficult to troubleshoot. If you dont manage your website correctly, it can also tend to be slow and full of spam.

Finally, the codebase is not as intuitive as it could be, so some developers find it difficult to work with WordPress compared to other frameworks. And if these issues are a deal-breaker, you can look at the best WordPress alternatives to get your site underway.

What Type of Website is WordPress Good For?

The following are the types of websites where WordPress is good to use:

A blog

Ecommerce websites

Business website

Portfolio website

Online community

Multilingual websites

Frequently asked questions:

Is WordPress a web server?

Yes, and its a web server that handles the majority of high-traffic sites and runs the show. Thats why its the webserver of choice for many high-end hosting providers and leading WordPress companies.

Can I install WordPress on my personal computer?

Yes, you can install WordPress on a PC.

What language is WordPress written in?

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) software written in the PHP language associated with a MySQL or MariaDB database.

Are multilingual sites allowed in WordPress?

Yes, multilingual sites are allowed in WordPress. For example, the popular blogging tool is multilingual, meaning it can be used in different languages. It is also available in 196 languages.
Quarter of respondents said child vaccinations do not work.

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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
Ukraines lawsuit action outraged Slovak politicians earlier on.

A tractor collects straw on a field in a private farm in Zhurivka, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. (Source: AP/TASR)

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Ukraine has promised to withdraw a lawsuit against Slovakia regarding Slovakias extended ban on Ukrainian grain, and lift a ban on the imports of Slovak agricultural products to the country.

Acting Slovak Agriculture Minister Jozef Bires announced the news on September 21, as reported by the TASR news agency.

[Ukraines Agriculture ] Minister Solskyi promised that these steps will be halted as of September 20, he added.

The announcement comes a day after Bires held an online meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Solskyi, and following the criticism of Slovakia by Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, the ministers discussed the action plan for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products proposed by Ukraine to the European Commission. Last week, unlike Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, the Commission lifted restrictions imposed on Ukrainian agricultural products before the summer, on the condition of Ukraine introducing measures to prevent a surge in the imports of food products to the EU.

Ban remains in place
Hlas is said to decide the future of the next government.

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The latest Ipsos public opinion poll for the Pravda daily has confirmed the Smer partys lead ahead of the election. Smer would come first with 20.3 percent if the election took place in mid-September.

Eight parties would get into parliament.

Harmed by smear campaigns against its leader, the populist party Sme Rodina, led by Speaker Boris Kollar, would stay out of the parliament. Conversely, OLaNO, a self-proclaimed anti-corruption movement led by former PM and finance minister Igor Matovic, running in the election as a coalition with two smaller parties, would receive more than 8 percent. This would be enough for the coalition party to win seats in the house. A publicised fight between Matovic and Smers former interior minister Robert Kalinak may have helped OLaNO.

The liberal party SaS, led by ex-economy minister Richard Sulik, has also improved its numbers, just like the gradually growing Slovak National Party (SNS). This cannot be said about the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). KDH leader Milan Majersky called the LGBT+ community a plague on live TV a few weeks ago, which might have had an affect on the partys result in the poll.

On Thursday, Sulik called on smaller parties that have no chance of winning any seat in the house to withdraw from the race. It is not about who wins the election, he added, it is about Smer leader and former three-time PM Robert Fico not gaining 76 votes in parliament.

On September 20, former Slovak President Andrej Kiska announced that he would vote for SaS next Saturday.

According to the poll, Slovakia would end up in a post-election stalemate. Smer, nor Progresivne Slovensko, would be able to form a stable government, though both parties grew slightly stronger compared to the previous Ipsos poll.

The coalition of Smer, Hlas, Republika and SNS would control 84 seats in the 150-seat house. But Hlas refuses to be part of a coalition that includes the far-right party Republika. If Republika is replaced with KDH, such a coalition would have 78 seats, a very fragile majority. In addition, KDH refuses cooperation with Smer.

PS would risk forming a very diverse coalition government, but only if the party managed to convince Hlas, SaS, OLaNO and KDH to be part of it.

According to Sulik, the darkest scenario is the formation of the Smer, Hlas, Republika and SNS coalition government.

"Then Slovakia would become the black hole of Europe again," he said.

The third most popular party in the polls, Hlas, is said to decide what the next government might look like. Its leader and ex-PM Peter Pellegrini has not ruled out cooperation with PS, but he said that he would not want to sit in a government with Smer leader Robert Fico. He believes that two ex-prime ministers sitting in one government is not ideal. In a video, Fico has used Pellegrinis vague statement regarding cooperation with PS to appeal to Hlas voters and to ask them to vote for Smer. In this way, Fico may be attempting to strengthen Smers position. In the video, Fico told Hlas voters that Hlas wants to form a progressive government with PS.

Related article

Related article Only Fico can form a strong coalition govt, poll shows Read more

Despite his strategy and attacks on Hlas, Fico calls Hlas a sister party. It was founded by Smer renegades three years ago.

Based on Dennik Ns informal talks with top Hlas members, most of them appear to support a Smer-led coalition government.

In response to a video posted by Fico, but unbothered by his claims, Pellegrini also posted a video to tell Hlas voters that he cannot imagine being part of a coalition with liberal parties, nor a coalition that would include a far-right party.
Ukraine's promise to withdraw a lawsuit against Slovakia, what the latest Ipsos poll tells us, and some good news from around Slovakia.

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Good evening. Here is the Thursday, September 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Slovaks work almost 40 h a week

In 2022, the usual working week for people aged 20-64 in the EU averaged 37.5 hours. (Source: TASR)

In 2022, the usual working week for people aged 20-64 in the Union averaged 37.5 hours, but significant differences among EU countries are visible, according to Eurostat.

The longest working weeks were recorded in Greece (41.0 h), Poland (40.4 h), Romania and Bulgaria (40.2 h both). By contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working week (33.2 h), followed by Germany (35.3 h) and Denmark (35.4 h).

Slovaks do not work as long as Greek people, but they work longer than the EU average is. Their usual working week lasts 39.6 hours.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Politics: The latest Ipsos poll shows that Smer and PS would struggle to form a strong government.

The latest Ipsos poll shows that Smer and PS would struggle to form a strong government. Business: Ukraine is said to withdraw its lawsuit against Slovakia regarding Slovakia's ban on four Ukrainian agricultural products.

Ukraine is said to withdraw its lawsuit against Slovakia regarding Slovakia's ban on four Ukrainian agricultural products. Travel: Visitors to the tower at the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Body and Blood church in Stropkov, eastern Slovakia, are in for what historians claim is a rare treat.

Visitors to the tower at the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Body and Blood church in Stropkov, eastern Slovakia, are in for what historians claim is a rare treat. Good news: A Slovak aims to shatter a world record with his childhood hobby.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY

You say tomato, I think potato

Tomatoes or potatoes? (Source: Linh Pham on Unsplash)

The same sounding word doesn't always mean the same thing - "seriozny" doesn't mean serious, or "perfektny" perfect.

3 THINGS TO DO IN BRATISLAVA FOR FREE

Good Market returns

The Good Market. (Source: Dobry Trh)

Visit The Good Market on Panenska Street or set out on a hike to the northern slopes of Devinska Kobyla.

In other news

Thus far, more than 50 percent of registered voters, or 40,500 people, have cast their vote in the upcoming election from abroad. Nearly 73,000 Slovaks registered to vote. They have until September 29 to vote. (Interior Ministry)

Just 26 percent of Slovaks, and no supporter of the far-right party Republika, trust EC President Ursula von der Leyen. (Euractiv)

People have collected 650,000 to buy a Slovak demining technology called Bozena 5 for Ukraine. It should be produced in December. The initiative has been organised by A Gift For Putin. Also, the Jan Kuciak Investigative Journalism Centre has found that Slovakia handed 265 Russian wagons, which were in Slovakia after Russia invaded Ukraine, to Ukraine.

According to an analysis carried out by the organisation Via Iuris and Zastavme Korupciu, the parties Demokrati, PS, KDH and SaS have the best prepared manifestos ahead of the election when it comes to the rule of law and fight against corruption.

The multifunctional building in the centre of Bratislava, called Manderla or Manderlak, was declared a national cultural monument at the beginning of September. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: The last work day of this week will be cloudy and with occassional showers. The highest daytime temperature will rise to 29C. Wind warnings remain in place in northern Slovakia until Saturday. (SHMU)

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator).
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russian-air-defenses-thwart-massive-ukraine-attack-on-crimea-down-19-drones-1113545579.html

Russian Air Defenses Thwart Massive Ukraine Attack on Crimea, Down 19 Drones

Russian Air Defenses Thwart Massive Ukraine Attack on Crimea, Down 19 Drones

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that air defenses thwarted an overnight terrorist attack of the Ukrainian armed forces on Crimea... 20.09.2023, Sputnik International

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russia

crimea

russian defense ministry

ukraine

belgorod

kursk region

oryol region

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

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"On the night of September 20-21, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that air defenses also destroyed three drones in Russia's other regions, "one each over the territories of the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions." Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said on Telegram that all services were on alert in the city, adding that the air situation was monitored.Andrei Klychkov, the governor of the Oryol region, has remarked that two drones that attempted to strike fuel and energy sector facilities had been neutralized. It was further stated that the attack did not cause any casualties or damages.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/air-defense-downs-all-missiles-lacnched-by-ukraine-at-saki-airfield-in-crimea-1113558838.html

Air Defense Downs All Missiles Launched by Ukraine at Saki Airfield in Crimea

Air Defense Downs All Missiles Launched by Ukraine at Saki Airfield in Crimea

Russian air defense systems have shot down all the missiles with which Kiev tried to attack the Saki airfield in Crimea, Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the head of Crimea, stated on Thursday.

2023-09-21T12:37+0000

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ukraine

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ukrainian crisis

ukrainian conflict

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drone strike

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Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said that air defenses had thwarted an overnight terrorist attack of the Ukrainian armed forces on Crimea by shooting down 19 unmanned aerial vehicles over the peninsula.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230914/russias-air-defenses-drop-11-ukrainian-drones-over-crimea-overnight-1113359678.html

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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

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/cannon-fodder-number-of-ukrainian-amputee-soldiers-going-through-the-roof-1113563445.html

Cannon Fodder: Number of Ukrainian Amputee Soldiers Going Through the Roof

Cannon Fodder: Number of Ukrainian Amputee Soldiers Going Through the Roof

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have become amputees, while many more sustained other injuries or died on the battlefield. The scale of amputations in Ukraine has reached that of the First World War, according to Western media.

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russia

americans

vladimir putin

volodymyr zelensky

ukraine

kiev

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ukrainian ministry of defense

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Between 20,000 and 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost one or more limbs since the beginning of the conflict, Western press has reported.The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recently announced that 40% of wounded Ukrainian soldiers have serious limb injuries that appear to be incurable.However, it is difficult to know for sure how many Ukrainian soldiers have disabilities, because this information is top secret, according to a Norwegian media outlet. As per the Russian Defense Ministry, over 71,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed during the three months of the Kiev regime's counteroffensive.Given that Ukraine and Russia have been involved in high-scale counter-battery duels since the outset of the conflict, most of the wounds at the front have been caused by shrapnel and artillery fire, military personnel and war correspondents have said. Meanwhile, Ukrainians also sustained heavy losses while trying to storm Russia's sophisticated defense lines and minefields, which have been largely blamed by the Western press for the failure of the Kiev regime's offensive operations.Ukrainian Amputees Evoke Scale of WWIWestern journalists assume that during 18 months of the special military operation in Ukraine, there have been at least 10 times the number of Ukrainian amputees than Americans with the same sort of injuries over 20 years in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.For their part, US medical experts say that injuries of this magnitude had not been seen by Western military surgeons since World War II. The First World War saw at least 67,000 Germans and 41,000 British amputees, according to some estimates.Several clinics in Ukraine cite 20,000 amputee cases, but the actual figure may be higher as it takes time to register patients after undergoing the amputation procedure, per the media. Some patients have to wait for weeks or even months for the surgery as the Ukrainian healthcare system is overwhelmed.During the unfolding conflict, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered a scale of losses for which the army's medical service was unprepared, Tetiana Ostashchenko, commander of the Medical Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told a Ukrainian broadcaster on August 26.She said that new problems emerge every day and despite the nation's healthcare system trying to solve them, it is not working as quickly as required.To complicate matters further, the battlefield first aid straps used by Ukrainian during combat to stem bleeding, are often fitted too high to the injured limb and left on for too long. As a result, the cells in the limb die and a whole arm or leg will need to be removed instead of just part of it. What's worse, sometimes these surgeries are done in horrific conditions, according to the British press.Prosthetics is yet another problem faced by Ukrainian military amputees. One arm could cost $100,000 while a hook in place of a hand is an additional $8,000. A number of Western charities help some Ukrainian soldiers to get new artificial limbs but there are too many amputees returning from the battlefield.Kiev Throws Ukrainians Into 'Meat Grinder'Previously, former Prime Minister of Ukraine Nikolai Azarov stated that Kiev is deliberately hiding the figures of real losses in order to avoid payments to the families of fallen soldiers, attributing them to the number of missing people instead.There have also been cases when wounded Ukrainian soldiers were left to die by their fellows on the battlefield. On September 12, captured Ukrainian serviceman Yevgeny Zinovik told Sputnik that he had been abandoned by the Ukrainian military and laid on the ground suffering from wounds for four days, until Russian reconnaissance officers found him. Zinovik confessed that he was glad to be captured after all this suffering. He said that he had undergone treatment in a Donetsk hospital.The Ukrainian military leadership changed tactics during the counteroffensive: they try to keep weapons and military equipment safe, but do not care about human losses, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press briefing in July.The Russian president explained that in fact the Ukrainian Armed Forces "bring people to the frontline in armored vehicles, throw them out, and this equipment immediately disappears."Ukrainians Hide Abroad or Surrender A glaring indicator of Kiev running out of military personnel is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's order to conduct a full review of all mobilization exemptions granted by Military Medical Commissions (MMCs) starting from February 24, 2022. In addition to bringing young and elderly to the front, the Kiev regime has requested European states extradite Ukrainian draft-age adults. However, EU states are resisting those requests, citing European laws that prevent them from deporting refugees or altogether refusing to send Ukrainians back home. One should bear in mind that Ukrainians are a source of cheap labor in Europe.Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military is continuing to surrender en masse: most recently, the Russian military captured eight Ukrainian militants in the Kherson region, as per Vladimir Saldo, acting head of the region."This is now happening more and more often - many of those fighting on the enemys side have gradually started to realize that their lives mean nothing to the military commanders and political leaders of the regime," Saldo wrote on his Telegram channel on September 17.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230811/watch-ukrainian-recovery-team-abandons-wounded-soldiers-1112534580.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230905/ukrainian-medical-services-struggle-to-treat-more-than-20000-amputee-soldiers-1113132278.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/they-dont-want-to-die-pointless-death-why-ukrainian-troops-increasingly-surrender-1113318870.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230915/europe-snubs-ukraines-demand-to-extradite-draft-dodgers-1113395120.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/cant-get-you-outta-my-head-1113546427.html

Cant Get You Outta My Head

Cant Get You Outta My Head

In perhaps the most impressive demonstration yet of the dedication of fans of the multi-billionaire tech magnate, people are signing up to allow Elon Musks neurotech startup to install experimental implants in their brains.

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beyond politics

us

neuralink

elon musk

science & tech

political cartoons

cartoons

ted rall

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The website for Musks biotechnology company Neuralink announced Tuesday it was recruiting patients to participate in its first clinical human trial.Musk has been working on the technology for a number of years but as of yet has only tested the chip on animals. His company generated negative headlines last year when efforts to enable a monkey to play Pong resulted in the death of the animal. Some employees worry the company is rushing the technology to market and violating animal welfare laws in the process.If the promise of enabling Jedis in training to use The Force werent appealing enough, Musk says the technology will evolve over time to restore various capabilities to the disabled. In the future, we hope to restore capabilities such as vision, motor function, and speech, and eventually expand how we experience the world, reads the Neuralink site.However, the outspoken billionaire is known for sometimes making grand promises without following through. People who tested underground tunnels Musk proclaimed would solve traffic congestion were unimpressed.The tech magnate has teased his so-called hyperloop technology for over a decade, although it has yet to materialize. Critics have theorized Musk, an automobile manufacturer, proposed the speculative technology in order to sap support among the US public for high-speed rail.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/neuralink-receives-fda-go-ahead-for-first-human-trials-1110593359.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/hungary-to-veto-any-eu-sanctions-on-russian-nuclear-energy-1113559789.html

Hungary to Veto Any EU Sanctions on Russian Nuclear Energy

Hungary to Veto Any EU Sanctions on Russian Nuclear Energy

Any EU attempt to impose sanctions on Russian nuclear energy would be vetoed by Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Sputnik.

2023-09-21T16:42+0000

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russia

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sergey lavrov

new york

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Hungary has voiced its intention to block any move by Brussels to sanction Moscow's nuclear industry.He added there are "continuous attempts" to target Russian nuclear energy with sanctions.EU and NATO allies tried to persuade Hungary not to engage with Russian and Belarusian representatives during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, Budapest believes that such behavior leads to a dead-end and does not contribute to the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto said in an interview with the Chinese television channel CGTN."I see that our colleagues and allies from NATO and the European Union don't really want to use this General Assembly as a platform for dialogue. They have tried to persuade us not to meet with representatives of Russia and Belarus. But I think this is a dead-end. If you can't reach out to those with whom we have conflicts and you can't discuss these conflicts, then we will never find a peaceful solution," Szijjarto said.Earlier, Szijjarto had announced his intention to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in the second half of the week, and advised his Western European colleagues to do the same.In June, Hungary's foreign minister said he was in contact with his Russian counterpart to keep alive the chance for a solution in Ukraine. He has also repeatedly called on EU and NATO countries not to cut off communication channels with Russia, stressing that peace can only be achieved through dialogue.The high-level week of the UN General Assembly takes place from September 19 to 26. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is heading the Russian delegation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230830/hungarian-pm-orban-to-tucker-carlson-rumors-about-ukraine-prevailing-over-russia-a-lie-1112985915.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/hungarys-top-diplomat-says-ukraine-conflict-would-not-happen-if-trump-won-2020-election-1111148291.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/listen-more-lecture-less-nato-must-accept-global-failure-of-anti-russia-diplomacy-1113563673.html

Listen More, Lecture Less: NATO Must Accept Global Failure of Anti-Russia Diplomacy

Listen More, Lecture Less: NATO Must Accept Global Failure of Anti-Russia Diplomacy

In forming their foreign policy, Western leaders have acted like Russia is the Soviet Union - a catastrophic mistake that has fueled both strategic errors like the conflict in Ukraine and driven Russophobia at home.

2023-09-21T16:45+0000

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analysis

russia

ukraine

nato

russophobia

arms sales

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In Poland, popular resentment against arming Ukraine and prolonging the conflict with Russia have manifested in political pressure from the countrys right parties, causing Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to announce a halt in arms shipments ahead of elections next month.In the United States, continuing weapons shipments and financing for Kiev have become a major factor in the complex political jockeying of the US Congress. Even the strongly pro-Ukraine Biden administration, which has pledged its undying support for Kiev, has backed off plans to integrate the former Soviet republic into the NATO alliance, instead suggesting an Israel-like arrangement with preferential sales of new weapons.Matthew Gordon-Banks, a former British Conservative Member of Parliament and Senior Research Fellow at the UK Defense Academy, told Sputnik on Thursday that NATOs gamble on pressing its strategy to weaken Russia was based on false premises and as a result has totally failed, alienating much of the world.The refusal of Western leaders, especially the US, to entertain an alternative narrative regarding Ukraine has created more risk with each passing day. False or mistaken assumptions about why Russia is doing what it is doing carries an enormous risk of miscalculation on the part of the United States and its NATO allies. All too often, there is a failure to seek to understand and take on board how Russia and Russians see things.He noted that despite Western sanctions, the Russian economy remains robust, and that its seemingly unlimited access to natural resources, including energy resources and rare earth metals, will keep its global military position strong. As a consequence, the Russian defense industry has ramped up production to levels the West cannot match, he said.By contrast, Ukraine is totally dependent on the West to provide money and weapons, Gordon-Banks said, noting that the Russian Armed Forces were inflicting enormous casualties on Ukraines military and decimating infrastructure critical to the Ukrainian military campaign.Too many so-called key opinion-formers have never even met a Russian or Chinese citizen, let alone have a real understanding of how they see things, the academic said. This includes many so-called experts.Ukraine has been a spectacular failure of US foreign policy. To some extent it is having an impact, especially with the rise of BRICS, which may cut America off at the knees. Even on the military side, the type of ground in Ukraine was always going to lead to an artillery-based war, with much equipment unable to move in that terrain for many months of the year. Right from the start, the US ought to have known it had neither the shells required to supply Ukraine or the military-industrial complex to manufacture them in sufficient quantity.Each time British or NATO missiles, often guided by NATO personnel, hit the Russian heartland, it risks retaliation in a manner not currently part of the so-called special military operation, Gordon-Banks noted, adding that the Russians genuinely believe they face an existential threat from the West, especially the United States.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/us-uses-ukraine-to-test-military-solutions-for-future-use-expert-says-1113561952.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/germany-says-not-in-favor-of-idea-to-deprive-russia-of-veto-power-in-un-security-council-1113555506.html

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matthew gordon-banks; weapons shipments for ukraine; russophobia; special military operation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/mccarthy-us-house-republicans-very-close-to-stopgap-government-funding-plan-1113546604.html

McCarthy: US House Republicans Very Close to Stopgap Government Funding Plan

McCarthy: US House Republicans Very Close to Stopgap Government Funding Plan

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said during a news conference that House Republicans are nearing a plan to temporarily fund the US government and avoid a potential shutdown.

2023-09-21T00:51+0000

2023-09-21T00:51+0000

2023-09-29T17:48+0000

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ukraine

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"Were very close there. I feel I just got a little more movement to go there," McCarthy said on Wednesday, when asked how close House Republicans are to a plan. Congress must pass a government funding measure before the end of the month to avoid a shutdown. House Republicans have proposed legislation to extend government funding through the end of next month, in addition to border security measures. Senate leadership is seeking to include aid for Ukraine in any government funding measure. However, McCarthy and other Republican lawmakers have proposed addressing the issues separately. McCarthy has expressed a desire to pass a short-term government funding measure in order to give lawmakers more time to pass standard appropriations bills. The House of Representatives will consider a rule for a Defense Department appropriations bill on Thursday, McCarthy said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/mccarthy-delays-vote-on-advancing-30-day-funding-resolution-as-govt-shutdown-deadline-nears-1113508123.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire-is-biden-compromised-by-corruption-in-ukraine-1113546276.html

Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire; Is Biden Compromised by Corruption in Ukraine?

Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire; Is Biden Compromised by Corruption in Ukraine?

Observers are beginning to question whether corrupt business dealings in Ukraine may compromise Joe Biden's ability to navigate the conflict.

2023-09-21T04:00+0000

2023-09-21T04:00+0000

2023-09-21T11:27+0000

the critical hour

radio

ukraine

taiwan

sweden

recep tayyip erdogan

united nations general assembly (unga)

russia

joe biden

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Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire; Is Biden Compromised By Corruption in Ukraine? Observers are beginning to question whether corrupt business dealings in Ukraine may compromise Joe Biden's ability to navigate the conflict.

Dr. Nicolai Petro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, joins us to discuss Ukraine. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia may be calming as a ceasefire gives hope to those who seek peace in the region. Professor Petro says this conflict has existed since the early 1990's because of border disputes. Also, he says that the power imbalance between the two nations is now significant. Russia wants good relations with both governments and will not militarily intervene.Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, joins us to discuss the Biden scandal. Observers are beginning to question whether corrupt business dealings in Ukraine may compromise Joe Biden's ability to navigate the conflict. Ray McGovern argues that NATO is not ready for a war with Russia. He says the evidence is overwhelming that Biden was involved in corruption in the Eastern European nation, and the Neo Nazis may use that against him. Ray says that he has never seen the level of corruption in his career in the CIA as that which was used to push the Russiagate narrative.KJ Noh, peace activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss Asia. A Canadian claim that India is behind the murder of a Sikh separatist is complicating the Biden plan to draw India into its anti-China and anti-Russia sphere. KJ Noh sees this as a carrot-and-stick approach because India maintains neutrality. This is part of wielding the stick against Prime Minister Modi. He says India needs to understand that being friends with the US is deadly and that Kashmir and other weak points can and will be weaponized against the Indian government.Brian Berletic, ex-US Marine, independent geopolitical researcher and writer based in Bangkok, Thailand, joins us to discuss the US confrontation with Russia and China. The people of Taiwan are being propagandized into a potential conflict with their mother nation by the US neocons. Brian Berletic says that this dynamic directly results from the international US media interference program. He also argues that older people are less susceptible to neocon propaganda because they know local history.Robert Fantina, journalist and Palestine activist, joins us to discuss the Middle East. President Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. Robert Fantina says that this meeting is meaningless. The money and support will continue flowing to Israel regardless of the relationship between the two men. He refers to the so-called row between the leaders as political theatre.Niko House, political activist, independent journalist, and podcaster, joins us to discuss Russell Brand, RFK Jr., and Elon Musk. The mainstream media is heading up an international attack on Russell Brand, and alternative media figures suspect it is related to his anti-establishment reporting. Niko House says that he has talked about these things in his book, and they interviewed hundreds of women and used hearsay. He says we have seen how powerful men on Epstein's list have not been brought to justice.Professor Danny Shaw, author, activist and professor of Latin American studies, joins us to discuss the Global South. President Biden is demanding that the UN execute a military intervention in Haiti. Professor Danny Shaw argues that the US will stop at nothing to carry out its occupation of Haiti. He says the Biden Administration is weaponizing other nations to hide their involvement. Also, Haiti's access to water is impeded by the Dominican Republic. He says that the sanctioned nations gathered in Havana to push back against US imperialism.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss Neoliberal fascism. Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel argues for a new and more just global order. Dan Kovalik says that US imperialism has used the UN to cover imperialist machinations such as the Korean War and the Guatemalan coup. Additionally, the World Bank and IMF are controlled by the US and leveraged to push debt on nations in the Global South and force them into imperial servitude.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

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the critical hour, ceasefire in nagorno-karabakh, biden's involvement in ukraine, the murder of a sikh separatist, us war on russia, attack on russell brand, military intervention in haiti
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/new-undersea-find-off-egyptian-coast-reveals-wealth-of-ancient-pharaohs-greeks-1113547416.html

New Undersea Find Off Egyptian Coast Reveals Wealth of Ancient Pharaohs, Greeks

New Undersea Find Off Egyptian Coast Reveals Wealth of Ancient Pharaohs, Greeks

The European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) announced the discovery of several ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts at a site underneath the Mediterranean Sea.

2023-09-21T02:38+0000

2023-09-21T02:38+0000

2023-09-21T02:47+0000

beyond politics

science & tech

egypt

greece

mediterranean sea

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The European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) announced the discovery of several ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts at a site underneath the Mediterranean Sea.French archaeologist Franck Goddio led the team which investigated a sunken temple to the god Amun. The temple was located off the Abu Qir Bay in Thonis-Heracleion, which for hundreds of years was an important Egyptian port before being swallowed by the ocean in a natural disaster.The IEASM said the expedition uncovered various precious objects from what wouldve been the temples treasury, including silver ritual instruments, gold jewelry and fragile alabaster containers for perfumes or unguents.They bear witness to the wealth of this sanctuary and the piety of the former inhabitants of the port city.Large stone blocks marked the site of the temple which wouldve occupied a spot near the ports south canal. The city was first discovered by the IEASM in 2000 but the organization was only recently able to fully examine the site thanks to new exploratory technology allowing the team to see objects and chambers covered by layers of clay several meters thick. The Department of Underwater Archaeology of Egypts Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities aided in the effort.At the temple, pharaohs received the titles of their power as universal kings from the supreme god of the ancient Egyptian pantheon, according to the IEASM. The group said the temple was constructed during the 5th century BC before being lost to the sea during the mid-second century BC.The significant find demonstrated the sacred ideals of the ancient Egyptians. However, nearby discoveries also shed light on Ancient Greek civilization, with a temple to Aphrodite being revealed east of the Egyptian site. There, bronze and ceramic jars and other artifacts were uncovered.Greek weapons were also unearthed in the area, which archaeologists believe indicates the operation of mercenaries controlling access to the kingdom in the Nile River Delta. The Greeks would have brought their own religious traditions to the area after being allowed to settle there during the Egyptian Saite dynasty from 664 until 525 BC.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230913/archaeologists-unearth-stunning-paleolithic-cave-art-site-in-spain-1113326898.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/risk-of-escalation-multiplies-due-to-nato-drills-near-russian-borders---moscow-1113548659.html

NATO Drills Near Russian Borders Raise Escalation Risk, Moscow Warns

NATO Drills Near Russian Borders Raise Escalation Risk, Moscow Warns

Due to NATO maneuvers near the Russian borders, the risk of unintentional incidents and aggravation of the situation multiplies, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik.

2023-09-21T05:14+0000

2023-09-21T05:14+0000

2023-09-21T09:01+0000

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"We would like to emphasize that as a result of the alliance's maneuvers in close proximity to our state borders, airspace and maritime space, the risk of unintended incidents and the aggravation of the situation multiplies," the ministry cautioned."The danger of such cases unwittingly escalating into an armed conflict is extremely high given the current conditions of the unremitting escalation of tensions by NATO," the ministry added.On NATO's Steadfast Defender Drills GoalsNATO is not hiding the fact that it is practicing actions to repel Russia's "attacks" in the course of their military drills, the Russian Foreign Ministry has told Sputnik."NATO's Steadfast Defender exercise scheduled for spring 2024, according to available data, will cover the territory of several European countries. Plans are that it will involve more than 40,000 troops," the ministry said.The exercise, like all other maneuvers of the Defender series, involves the deployment of US troops and equipment to Europe and working out the logistics for such actions, the ministry said."NATO has been continuously increasing the scale of its exercises over the past decades. They have become more provocative and aggressive in nature and are intentionally held mostly near borders of Russia," the ministry said.The ministry's data says that the number of military personnel and equipment involved has increased every year, "systematically practicing actions under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty on collective defense," the foreign ministry noted."At the same time, if earlier the legends about such maneuvers by the alliance were about some 'imaginary' enemy in the east, now NATO members do not hide - they are practicing actions to repel an attack from Russia," the ministry said, adding that NATO talks about "'realistic scenarios' for the use of NATO forces."The MFA recalled that Russia has repeatedly offered the bloc various initiatives to de-escalate and abandon provocative steps, and has voluntarily moved its exercises inland."In response, the NATO members, while paying lip service to the fact that they are not looking for confrontation with our country, continue their 'demonstration of force' literally at our doorstep," the diplomatic agency said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230804/which-nato-weapons-has-russia-captured-in-ukraine-1112391714.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/nato-admits-russia-tried-to-prevent-war-trump-blames-pelosi-for-jan-6th-and-sanctions-on-niger-1113479996.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/russian-forces-strike-reconnaissance-sabotage-preparation-centers-in-ukraine-1113558009.html

Russian Forces Strike Reconnaissance, Sabotage Preparation Centers in Ukraine

Russian Forces Strike Reconnaissance, Sabotage Preparation Centers in Ukraine

Russia's armed forces attacked military industry facilities, as well as radio intelligence and saboteur training centers of Ukraine overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

2023-09-21T12:06+0000

2023-09-21T12:06+0000

2023-09-21T12:06+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

us arms for ukraine

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's armed forces attacked military industry facilities, as well as radio intelligence and saboteur training centers of Ukraine overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday."[On Wednesday night], the Russian armed forces carried out a group strike with high-precision long-range air-launched weapons and attack unmanned aerial vehicles against military industry facilities, as well as radio intelligence centers and training centers for sabotage groups of the Ukrainian armed forces," the ministry said in a statement, adding that the strike targets were achieved and all objects were hit.On Latest Results of Ukrainian Counteroffensive AttemptRussia repelled five attacks and Ukraine has lost up to 300 military killed and wounded in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.Russia repelled five attacks in the Donetsk direction."Enemy losses [in the Donetsk direction] amounted to up to 300 Ukrainian military killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles and five cars, a Olha MLRS combat vehicle, and a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system," the ministry said.In the Zaporozhye direction Russia repelled two attacks and Ukraine lost some 50 military."During the day, up to 50 Ukrainian military, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and three cars were destroyed. Two US-made M777 artillery systems, three D-30 howitzers, as well as a US-made M119 howitzer were hit," the ministry said.Russia also repelled one attack by Ukraine in the South Donetsk direction, where Kiev lost up to 110 military, and repelled three Kiev's attacks in the Krasni Liman direction, where Kiev lost 75 soldiers, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230828/no-antidote-ukrainian-troops-terrified-of-russias-unstoppable-precision-gliding-bombs-1112948316.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/sci-fi-turned-into-reality-russian-laser-weapons-successfully-tested-in-combat-1113566461.html

Sci-Fi Becomes Reality: Russian Laser Weapons Successfully Tested in Combat

Sci-Fi Becomes Reality: Russian Laser Weapons Successfully Tested in Combat

Russia is testing its cutting-edge laser weapons in Ukraine. What is known about these arms based on new physical principles?

2023-09-21T20:22+0000

2023-09-21T20:22+0000

2023-09-23T10:50+0000

us

russia

israel

ukraine

pentagon

iron dome

russian ministry of defense

vladimir putin

yuri borisov

military

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While addressing the Eastern Economic Forum earlier this month Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia is working on "weapons based on new physical principles" that "will ensure the security of any country in the near historical perspective."Even though the Russian president did not elaborate what models of innovative arms he meant, Russian military observers suggested Putin's remark is more likely a reference to lasers and other high-energy, physics-based weapons.Indeed, on March 1, 2018, Putin mentioned Russia's laser weapon for air defense and anti-satellite warfare, the Peresvet, during his address to the Federal Assembly. The Peresvet, named after a medieval Orthodox warrior monk Alexander Peresvet, entered experimental combat duty in the Russian Armed Forces in December 2018. By February 2019, the Russian president announced the laser installations had confirmed their unique characteristics along with the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.In May 2022, another Russian laser weapon, "the Zadira" ("Bully" or "Badass") was said to be deployed during the Ukraine conflict to shoot down Ukrainian drones.The Zadira became known to the public during the international military-technical forum ARMY-2017. At that time, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russian Federal Nuclear Center" inked a contract to carry out development work (R&D) on so-called "Zadira-16."What is the Peresvet Laser System?While information and technical characteristics of Russia's laser weapons are shrouded in secrecy, it is known the Peresvet is a strategic laser platform designed to disable enemy spacecraft at altitudes up to 1,500 kilometers (km).Still, a laser with enough power to blind satellites should also be capable of hitting atmospheric aircraft, as per international military observers. Officials believe it can also "burn out" the equipment of reconnaissance aircraft and drones, and with some modifications, even physically destroy them at close range. Experts have additionally indicated the Peresvet is used to camouflage the launch positions of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles.In December 2020, Colonel General Sergei Karakaev, the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, told the Russian press the Peresvet had already been tested to cover mobile ground systems on their combat patrol routes. The laser weapon doesn't allow reconnaissance satellites to determine the exact coordinates of Russia's mobile ballistic missile systems on combat duty.How is the Zadira Used in Ukraine?While the Peresvet "blinds" the enemy's systems, the Zadira burns them down. The weapon can hit an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a distance of up to 5 km. During testing, a drone flying 5 km away was struck by the Zadira and burned out within five seconds."[The Zadira] is intended specifically for the zone of a special military operation, to combat drones, primarily aircraft type, and partly quadcopters. () And in order to destroy such a drone, of course, you need a certain guidance system. Therefore, there is an optical-electronic station; it detects the drone, takes it for automatic tracking, then the laser turns on directly and literally burns through the body of the drone. If the laser beam hits the video camera, the matrix is burned out in literally one or two seconds. And again, the drone actually loses its functions."The Zadira could help combat enemy drones and not waste expensive missiles of Russia short-to-medium range air defense systems. Even though laser weapons are a technologically complex product, the cost of their shot is significantly lower than that from an anti-aircraft missile system (SAM). Moreover, the laser beam reaches the target almost instantly and cannot be intercepted.What Other Laser Arms Does Russia Have in Its Toolbox?In addition to the Zadira and the Peresvet, the Russian military also mentioned the Luchezar project in their bulletins. The promising small-sized mobile laser system is designed to neutralize reconnaissance devices containing CCD matrices by effectively damaging them. A specific feature of this laser system is its lens, which allows it to destroy surveillance equipment, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Meanwhile, in late August, an informed source told Sputnik that Russia conducted successful field tests of a laser gun, during which it destroyed several drones of various types. Per the source, the Russian laser gun burned the aerodynamic surfaces of the UAVs or burned their body along with on-board equipment.What Other Nations Develop Laser Weapons?The advantages of laser weapons have been explored by many foreign nations, Knutov underscored."Such developments have been carried out in the US. Turkiye has now entered the testing stage, and the UK is testing its [laser weapons] too. Israel has a laser system which is part of the Iron Dome. But, judging by reports, the Israeli combat laser has never been used effectively against missiles," the expert suggested.The Pentagon is spending roughly $1 billion a year to develop laser weapons - also known as "directed energy" weapons, according to the US Government Accountability Office. It was reported in January 2022 that the first set of Stryker combat vehicles equipped with 50-kilowatt laser weapons would undergo field tests after being dispatched to a unit of Army soldiers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.Israel's laser weapon is called "Magen Or" (Iron Beam) and regarded as the next step up in the nation's self-defense. According to Israel-based arms producer Rafael, the Iron Beam  which will complement Israel's Iron Dome air defense system  is designed to neutralize unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery and mortar rounds by using a 100-kilowatt or more directed energy weapon. According to the press, Israelis may help the US to finalize its costly laser project. Reportedly, the Israel-based company inked an agreement with Lockheed Martin in December to jointly develop a laser system based on Iron Beam for use in the US.What Are Laser Arms Advantages & Disadvantages?"Laser weapons allow you to hit a target almost instantly, at long range, and do it silently," explained Knutov.At the same time, the laser beam is quite cheap in terms of its cost, the expert noted, adding that this ratio will work when the technology is widely used. Per Knutov, presently, the military laser technology is still in its initial stages.However, a real breakthrough will happen when a laser beam's power exceeds one megawatt, according to Knutov, who stressed that such a laser weapon would be akin to artillery shells.Do World Players Have Anti-Laser Weapons?Given that most major powers have joined the laser weapons race, one might ask whether there is an "antidote" against deadly laser beams. According to Knutov, laser weapons have already posed a challenge to the military.However, engineers are likely to step forward and propose solutions for each case to mitigate or neutralize the disastrous consequences, according to the expert.Meanwhile, equipping aircraft with combat lasers to intercept drones and missiles or destroying armored vehicles will become a reality quite soon, the expert projected. He noted that one of the requirements for the sixth-generation aircraft is an onboard power plant, which must be designed to generate enough energy for a combat laser weapon intended to be mounted on war planes. "That is, it is already envisaged that sixth-generation aircraft will have combat lasers on board," Knutov concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/russias-combat-laser-systems-1111141950.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/what-does-putin-mean-by-weapons-based-on-new-physical-principles-1113316548.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230529/what-are-anti-drone-systems-and-how-do-they-work-1110774045.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230826/russia-successfully-tested-laser-gun---source-1112903489.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230829/israel-looks-to-implement-laser-defense-system-in-next-two-years-1112955402.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220928/us-air-force-reportedly-set-to-test-its-aircraft-laser-weapon-in-flight-next-year-1101294211.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210915/next-generation-technology-uk-plans-to-test-laser-weapons-on-board-a-warship-for-first-time-1089097562.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20200108/chinas-air-force-seeks-aircraft-mounted-laser-weapon-1077982799.html

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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
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.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/scott-ritter-ukraine-shows-us-military-not-ready-for-major-war-1113561694.html

Scott Ritter: Ukraine Shows US Military Not Ready for Major War

Scott Ritter: Ukraine Shows US Military Not Ready for Major War

Sputnik brings you the latest insights from Scott Ritter  former US Marine intel officer and UN weapons inspector  where he explains why the US Army is not ready for the full-scale war against Russia based on the failed Ukrainian counteroffensive attempt.

2023-09-21T15:04+0000

2023-09-21T15:04+0000

2023-09-21T15:04+0000

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War is hell.Before the Ukrainian conflict began, the US Army, drawing upon Cold War estimates, assessed in the 2019 edition of Field Manual (FM) 4-0 (Sustainment Operations) that US Army theater medical planners may anticipate a sustained rate of roughly 3,600 casualties per day, ranging from those killed in action to those wounded in action or suffering disease or other non-battle injuries, putting the US Army on track to lose some 50,000 casualties in two weeks of sustained combat operations against a Russian-style threat.Are these numbers realistic? Ask Ukraine. In the lead up to the current counteroffensive, Ukraine built up three brigades-worth of troops (around 20,000 soldiers) along with another nine brigades (some 37,000 troops) trained and equipped by NATO, all of which were slated to participate in the main offensive effort in and around the village of Rabotino, in southern Zaporozhye. These forces were supplemented by an additional 40,000 territorial forces formed into eight so-called shock brigades intended to be deployed offensively in the vicinity of the city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut). The total number of Ukrainian troops mobilized and trained specifically for the counteroffensive was just under 100,000 men.Back in January 2023five months before the start of the current counteroffensive, and two months before the Battle of Artemovsk (Bakhmut), US General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of US and NATO forces in Europe, told an audience at an Oslo defense forum that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine out of proportion with all of our [NATO] recent thinking, adding that the magnitude of this war is incredible. Cavoli spoke of artillery expenditure rates by the Russian Army that exceeded, on average, 20,000 rounds per day. Violence begets violence, and with this much high explosive being sent down range, the Ukrainians were certain to be sustaining very high losses.Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to the Eastern Economic Forum, stated that in the three months that have transpired since the Ukrainian counteroffensive was begun, Ukraine had suffered some 71,000 casualties (killed and wounded), or roughly seven out of every 10 men participating. This number is consistent with a statement made by a Ukrainian official responsible for the mobilization of troops in the Poltava Region, which indicated that 80-90 out of every 100 men mobilized become casualties in this conflict. Calculating that roughly 90 days transpired between the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and Putins comments, this means that Ukraine was losing around 790 casualties per day.The US Army currently has approximately 100,000 troops deployed to Europe, around 40,000 of which are organized into combat units expected to bear the brunt of the fighting. If these troops were subject to casualty rates approximating those sustained by Ukraine in the prosecution of its counteroffensive, the US Army would exhaust its combat power within 50 days. Of course, this calculation is misleading since it speaks of 100% casualty rates. According to US Army doctrine, if a unit is at 50 to 69 percent strength, it becomes combat ineffective, meaning it is no longer capable of accomplishing its assigned mission. The reality is that US combat forces subjected to the level of violence experienced by Ukraine at the hands of the Russians would become combat ineffective after around 2 weeks of fighting.An argument can be made that, given the qualitative superiority of the US military over their Ukrainian counterparts, the overall level of lethality being experienced by the Ukrainian military would be mitigated to a large extent, meaning that the US Army should not suffer attrition rates that match those experienced by the Ukrainian forces. This might be true if the conditions on the battlefield were equitablenamely, that the US found itself in a quasi-positional conflict with well-delineated lines of contact with the enemy, and access to fortified defensive positions.The reality is, however, that any US-Russian conflict will involve what is known as a meeting engagement, with two opposing forces engaged in a more fluid battle where the precise make up of forces and the specific terrain features will not be defined until after the lead elements of each force make initial contact. In a meeting engagement, issues of firepower and maneuver dominate, and the side that is able to employ both more efficiently than the other will most likely prevail.Unfortunately for the US Army, it is Russia that will have the advantage in such an encounter. Maneuver warfare requires the careful choreography of fire and maneuver. Fire is an essential aspect of thisthe need to suppress enemy fires and interrupt enemy movement is far more important than inflicting casualties. The US has long relied upon precision fires to offset mass. Precision fires, however, require situational awareness in terms of the enemys disposition, something that can only take place via real-time communications.The methodologies currently employed by the US have been perfected over the course of the past two decades while engaged in low-intensity conflicts where the US forces operated in a permissive environment regarding hostile electronic warfare capabilities. Against a Russian opponent, the seamless communications and the transfer of data that underpins US fire and maneuver schemes will be largely neutralized by Russian electronic warfare capabilities, leaving the US deaf, dumb, and blind when it comes to disposition of Russian forces.In an environment where speed and alacrity are the cornerstones of victory, the US will find itself lethargic and unresponsive, unable to coordinate effectively on the most rudimentary of tasks. Russia will be able to exploit its significant advantage in artillery firepower to disrupt and destroy the US ability to place effective firepower on the Russian target, and to impede US efforts at maneuvering in reaction to Russian advances. The result will be the total collapse of the US forces involved in the meeting engagement, leading to their retreat and ultimate destruction.The magnitude of the US defeat will be increased by the difficulties associated with logistically supporting large quantities of US forces in the field. Manuever requires more movement, and movement requires fuel. The US will be confronted with uncertain fuel supplies and vulnerable lines of communication which, once subjected to Russia interdiction, will prevent the sustainment of whatever maneuver efforts the US might be able to undertake. Russia should be able to isolate individual units, threatening them with destruction and prompting their disintegration or surrender.In such a battle, the US could easily find itself burning through a Brigades worth of troops every two daysthe very 3,600 casualty figures predicted by the US Army in 2019. At this rate, the US could very well find its entire European force made combat ineffective after only approximately one week of sustained combat. The rapid defeat of US Army forces in Europe would resonate throughout NATO, resulting in a precipitous decline in morale which could result in the total collapse of the forces engaged in combat operations against Russia. Again, General Cavolis words resonatethe violence associated with modern large-scale ground combat is out of proportion to the thinking taking place in NATO and US planning circles. Simply put, neither the US nor NATO are prepared to engage in large-scale combat operations against a peer-level opponent such as Russia.War is hell.But its even more so when you are completely unprepared for its awful reality.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230910/as-russia-easily-destroys-western-armored-vehicles-in-ukraine-us-doubts-its-effectiveness---report--1113244261.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230804/ukraines-attrition-rate-suggests-counteroffensive-is-over-1112393002.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/debris-of-missing-f-35-jet-found-near-military-air-base-in-south-carolina-1113482085.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230902/us-laying-groundwork-for-defeats-in-two-wars-of-choice-against-russia--china-1113067940.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/thai-university-becomes-sputnikpro-participant-for-first-time-1113553120.html

Thai University Becomes SputnikPro Participant for First Time

Thai University Becomes SputnikPro Participant for First Time

Thammasat University has taken part in the SputnikPro online session, becoming the first Thai platform to join the project.

2023-09-21T10:46+0000

2023-09-21T10:46+0000

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Rossiya Segodnya Media Group adviser Oleg Dmitriyev spoke with the students of Russian and Eurasian Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts. He told the audience about the main trends of the Russian and global media markets, the biggest differences between international broadcasting and newsmaking for a national audience, and spoke in detail on the issue of fake news and its impact on the media today.I really enjoyed the event. It helped us gain an insight into the work of the Russian media and learn skills that will help students and graduates in their future careers, said Parit Aroonoast, Lecturer of the Russian Studies Program, Thammasat University.Thammasat University is a public university located in Bangkok, Thailand. The university has 19 faculties and 5 institutes that offer training in a broad area of humanities and engineering subjects. The university has over 50,000 students.SputnikPro is a project by the Sputnik international news agency and radio for journalists, students, press service employees and media managers designed to exchange expertise and develop professional ties with foreign colleagues. The project modules are hosted by Sputnik media managers and other renowned Russian experts. The sessions focus on various aspects of journalism, including production of multimedia content, working with social networks, building traffic to news websites, and much more. Since March 2018, more than 10,000 people from over 80 countries have taken part in SputnikPro workshops.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230828/russias-synergy-uni-creates-association-of-private-brics-educational-organizations-1112940895.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/us-arms-purchases-divides-european-powerhouses-1113538249.html

US Arms Purchases Divides European Powerhouses

US Arms Purchases Divides European Powerhouses

The defense ministers of France and Germany are in disagreement over European defense procurement outside the bloc's arms industry. The French advocate for EU industry contracts, while the German emphasizes the need for immediate action and considers non-European options.

2023-09-21T14:00+0000

2023-09-21T14:00+0000

2023-09-21T14:00+0000

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Enduring contention between Paris and Berlin regarding European acquisition of US weapons was vividly brought to light in a joint interview featuring the defense ministers of both countries, as reported by European news outlets on Wednesday.At the heart of the disagreement lies the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a brainchild of Germany launched in the autumn of 2022, which brings together 19 countries to jointly procure air defense systems.According to media sources, the project involves acquiring a diverse range of weaponry from Germany, the United States, and Israel. This includes the short-range Close Air Defense System (LVS NNbS), the medium-range IRIS-T SLM missile from Germany, the long-range Patriot missile system from the United States, and the very-long-range Arrow hypersonic anti-ballistic missiles from Israel.However, the German-led initiative faces a stark contradiction. France's argument, as advocated by President Emmanuel Macron, is that European capitals should prioritize contracts with the European Union's industry rather than directing European funds towards companies from the United States, Israel, and South Korea.In contrast, the German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, stressed the urgency of the situation, asserting that the European industry cannot currently meet all existing demands.Defense ministers from France and Germany are next set to convene at France's Evreux air base to confer on the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), a joint initiative to develop a next-generation battle tank. Both ministers affirm the project's continued importance. Originating in 2017, the MGCS aims to replace France's Leclerc tank and Germany's Leopard 2 tank by 2035 to 2040, as initiated by President Macron and then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221015/us-designed-european-sky-shield-initiative-to-escalate-tension-with-russia-analyst-says-1101880792.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/us-iran-prisoner-exchange-will-not-change-relations-between-tehran-washington---russia-1113556967.html

US-Iran Prisoner Exchange Will Not Change Relations Between Tehran, Washington - Russia

US-Iran Prisoner Exchange Will Not Change Relations Between Tehran, Washington - Russia

Moscow believes that the exchange of prisoners between the United States and Iran will not radically change anything in the relations between Tehran and Washington, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik on Thursday.

2023-09-21T11:48+0000

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On Monday, the US and Iran exchanged five prisoners each under the deal brokered by Qatar and Oman. There is no direct connection between the US-Iran prisoner exchange and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) dialogue resumption, but this means mutual understanding is possible, the official added. Russia is ready, if Western colleagues demonstrate common sense, to resume work on the JCPOA in Vienna, the diplomat emphasized.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/us-uses-ukraine-to-test-military-solutions-for-future-use-expert-says-1113561952.html

US Uses Ukraine to Test Military Solutions For Future Use, Expert Says

US Uses Ukraine to Test Military Solutions For Future Use, Expert Says

Washington doesnt think twice about using Ukraine to probe new military tactics in order to then introduce it in the US army, analyst Dmitry Stefanovich told Sputnik.

2023-09-21T15:06+0000

2023-09-21T15:06+0000

2023-09-21T15:06+0000

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Mara Karlin, the US assistant secretary of defense for strategies, plans and capabilities, has previously called Ukraine a laboratory to study US military innovations.Speaking at Ronald Reagan University, she said that Ukraine uses artificial intelligence technologies that help Kiev and its Western allies make more accurate assessments of the course of hostilities and understand what the Zelensky regime needs most.In this context, hostilities are used to specify weapons characteristics and test them in real conditions, Dmitry Stefanovich of the Moscow-based Institute of World Economy and International Relations with the Russian Academy of Sciences said.Stefanovich also recalled Americas key role in meddling in the Ukraine conflict and "creating integral reconnaissance systems, assessing the results of the combat use of weapons and creating unified air and missile defense systems as well as developing communication systems, including with the help of commercial solutions such as Starlink for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF).According to the Russian expert, its important to underscore that the Americans are using Ukraine to learn to repel attacks from cruise and ballistic missiles and drones using anti-aircraft missiles and gun systems of various types and ranges, among other things.When asked why Ukraine became the right place for the US to test its weapons and new technologies, he said that it was in Ukraine where the possibility of integrating Western-style and Soviet and post-Soviet-style weapons systems has been demonstrated.The US and its allies ramped up their military assistance to Kiev shortly after Russia launched its special military operation in February 2022. Since, Washington has delivered about $43.7 billion worth of weapons to Kiev.Moscow has repeatedly warned that NATO countries "play with fire" by supplying arms to Kiev, which the Kremlin said adds to prolonging the Ukraine conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, has underscored that any cargo with weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russias-cutting-edge-lancet-kamikaze-drones-put-ukraines-air-bases-in-striking-range-1113514330.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/risks-of-global-conflict-increasing---lavrov-1113538711.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/watch-russian-forces-destroy-ukrainian-marine-deployment-point-1113558715.html

Watch Russian Forces Destroy Ukrainian Marine Deployment Point

Watch Russian Forces Destroy Ukrainian Marine Deployment Point

Russian troops launched a missile strike on Ukrainian positions, wiping out manpower and military equipment in the village of Petropavlovka, the Donetsk Peoples' Rebublic (DPR).

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The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has published footage of the Russian forces wrecking havoc on the temporary deployment point of the 35th Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps.The Russian soldiers reduced the Ukrainian military equipment uncovered by means of reconnaissance to scrap.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.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/will-west-draw-japan-into-militarization-with-uk-italy-6th-gen-fighter-project-1113552937.html

Will West Draw Japan Into Militarization With UK-Italy 6th-Gen Fighter Project?

Will West Draw Japan Into Militarization With UK-Italy 6th-Gen Fighter Project?

Japan's 1947 constitution rejects the militarism that led the empire to disaster in the Second World war. But in recent years, the Tokyo government has sought to relax the prohibition on closer military co-operation with the West.

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Japan may break its post-WWII rules against arms exports by joining NATO members the UK and Italy in a 6th-generation fighter jet project.Local sources told media on Thursday that the UK would be chosen as the headquarters for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) development program.The Japanese defense procurement agency insisted that discussions about the location of the project's HQ were still "ongoing" and refused to comment further, while the British Ministry of Defence said that "no final decisions have been made on the locations and we will not comment on speculation."The collaboration, launched in December 2022, will merge the British Tempest future fighter project with Japan's Mitsubishi-FX. The program has set ambitious targets of building the first prototype in 2029, flight-testing in 2030 and producing in 2031.Japan's IHI Corporation has been contracted to develop the jet's engine, despite never having built a military jet power plant before.But that could run afoul of Japan's US-drafted post-war constitution, which puts limits on the production and export of weapons and mandates the role of the armed forces to purely self-defense.In recent years, a succession of Liberal Democratic Party governments have sought to re-write that charter to allow overseas deployments in support of US-led military interventions, currently forbidden by article 9.Under pressure from the West, Tokyo is now seeking to loosen the restrictions on arms exports too. Japanese military suppliers argue that doing so could help recoup research and development costs and would be "effective in ensuring the growth of the defense industry through the expansion of a defense equipment market."The Tempest was itself a joint effort between BAe systems, Rolls Royce and the British subsidiaries of Italian aerospace firm Leonardo  formerly Finmeccanica  and pan-European guided missile producer MBDA.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have also expressed interest in the future aircraft, but will not be closely involved in its development. The Tempest would have been the first all-British jet fighter program since the BAC Lightning, which entered service in 1960, or the Hawker Siddeley Harrier introduced in 1969. The SEPECT Jaguar  now only operated by the Indian Air Force  was an Anglo-French design, while the Panavia Tornado was a UK-German-Italian project and the Eurofighter Typhoon included Spain as well.Japan's only truly indigenous supersonic jet fighter was the Mitsubishi F-1, in service from 1978 to 2006. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force now flies the US-made F-15 Eagle and Mitsubishi F-2, a locally-built variant of the US F-16 Eagle.Japan modernized its feudal-style military system during the Meiji period under the long reign of emperor Mitsuhito, who also reformed the state into a constitutional monarchy with a prime minister heading the government.The country militarized heavily during the period between the two world wars, when it sought to dominate the Pacific region in rivalry with fellow imperialist powers the US, Great Britain, France and the Netherlands, becoming a military dictatorship in the process. Its occupations of north-eastern China and Korea were marked by genocidal atrocities which continued throughout the Second World War.Since the post-war occupation, Japan has played host to numerous US bases. Their presence on the island of Okinawa has prompted decades of protests by local residents angered at a string of unpunished rapes and murders by US servicemen and concerns about the safety of air operations, especially with the accident-prone MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

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The Atlantic Breeders Crown Host Committee has announced the four Atlantic Canadian harness racing families who will be honoured for their achievements and contributions to the industry.

The four families will be honoured during the upcoming Atlantic Breeders Crown Weekend at Red Shores Charlottetown on Oct. 7-8.

The Campbell family from Charlottetown, P.E.I will be recognized for their long association with harness racing. Brothers John Buddy, Winston Soupy and Sanford Campbell, and a second generation consisting of Drew, Heath and Brandon, have left their mark at racetracks across North America.

The Baird family (Hugh Sr. and sons Dr. Hugh and Sandy) will be the honourees from Newfoundland and Labrador while the Beaton family (brothers John William, Donald Francis and Anthony) from Port Hood, N.S. will be recognized for their many successes.

From New Brunswick, the family of the late Art and Shirley Davidson will be recognized for their decades of involvement.

Presentations to each of the four families will take place at the Atlantic Breeders Crown banquet at the Top of the Park at Red Shores Charlottetown on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Memorabilia from each of the four families will be on display in the Memory Lane area at the CDP.

For race dates, programs and information on the Atlantic Breeders Crown, go to redshores.ca.

(Red Shores)
On the heels of Ucandoit Blue Chip winning the $255,000 Jugette for three-year-old pacing fillies, her sire Keystone Velocity is on the move and will head to Eastern Canada to stand stud in 2024.

A career winner of more than $1.6 million, Keystone Velocity will stand the 2024 season at Windemere Farms in Springvale, P.E.I., for a $1,500 + HST stud fee, with a multiple mares at $1,250 + HST each.

From limited foals, Keystone Velocity has had 21 foals make the track from just 25 eligible to race. They were headlined by 1:50.2 Jugette winner Ucandoit Blue Chip, who has banked more than $560,000 in her career.

A 29-time winner, Keystone Velocity was one of the top pacers on the continent when he raced, banking more than $1.6 million in prize money. Some of his top wins included the $529,000 Levy final at Yonkers Raceway in New York, the $100,000 Potomac Pace at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland and the $500,000 Ben Franklin at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania in 2017 as well as the $532,000 Levy final at Yonkers in 2018.

Keystone Velocity will join other champion sires Malicious, Muscle Throught It, Somewhere Fancy and Source Of Pride at Windemere Farms in 2024.

(With files from Windemere Farms)
The Western Community College Area Board of Governors held its annual budget hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 20. There, the property tax request for the 2023-2024 budget year at Western Nebraska Community College was set at around $14.9 million.

That amount is nearly $1.1 million more than the colleges tax request in the previous year and results in a property tax rate of 10 cents per $100 of valuation, a marginal decrease from the previous years rate.

WNCCs tax supported budgets, which include the colleges general operating budget and building improvement/bond sinking budget, will still see a substantial combined decrease from the previous year. This is due to nearly $23 million of non-tax revenue that was included in the building fund last year.

The majority of the colleges tax request, around $11.8 million, will be funneled into the operating budget, which is used for instruction, academic support and student services, among other purposes.

The total operating budget will only increase by around $320,000 in the 2023-2024 school despite receiving more property tax revenue for a total of around $29.3 million. This is due to decreases in other funding sources, such as tuition.

Of the remaining tax request, the lions share will be given to the building fund, about $3.1 million. The total budget of that fund will be around $9.3 million and include expenses such as the ongoing A Pod renovation, utility upgrades in the student commons and various interior and exterior improvements across the colleges campuses.

The board held its regular September meeting following the conclusion of the budget hearing, at which time it approved the 2023-2024 budget as presented at the hearing and welcomed two new members: Marjorie Schmidt and Misty Curtis.

Schmidt, a resident of Gordon, will fill the vacancy in District 1, replacing Kim Marcy who resigned in July. She is a semi-retired medical professional who plays an active role in a large farm and ranch operation near Gordon.

Curtis, of Hemingford, will fill the District 3 vacancy, replacing Richard Stickney, who also resigned in July. She is the principal of Hemingford High School. Prior to that, she was principal of Gordon-Rushville Middle School and has teaching experience dating back to 2006 in many different districts.

We are pleased to welcome Marjorie and Misty to our board, chair Lynne Klemke said. They come to us with backgrounds in ag, health care, and education, and we welcome their voice and perspectives.

Other business for the board included accepting the official resignation of at-large district representative Thomas Perkins and appointing an ad hoc committee to fill that vacancy. Perkins served on the WCCA board for 33 years

The next regular meeting for the WCCA board will be on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. on the colleges Scottsbluff campus.

That same day, a welcome reception will be held on that campus for new WNCC President Greg Dart starting at 3:30 p.m. The college invited the community to attend the event and meet Dart along with members of the board.
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

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Two families  or one, considering the two women and their families moving into the two homes are cousins  were presented the keys to their homes by Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh during a pair of Welcome Home celebrations with Habitat for Humanity on Saturday.

Im a long-term supporter of Habitat, and I see it is one of the best ways to give people a hand up, and believe that homeownership in this country is one of the biggest things that separate poverty from wealth, Kutteh said. Were happy to be here, we welcome you to our community, and look forward to seeing you in your home.

Both Amy Stevenson and Remeka Stevenson were given the keys to their homes in the two ceremonies where Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region was glad to give them the keys and the book Make Your Bed by retired Admiral William H. McRaven.

Both expressed gratitude to Habitat and were happy to move in with their family members to the two homes in separate parts of the city.

According to Kailey Truczinskas, the public relations and event marketing coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, the two families who are earning their homes in Statesville applied for and were approved to be a part of its homebuyer program.

That process requires an application, more than 250 volunteer hours in Habitats homeowner-in-process (HIP) program, and 16 weeks of homeownership-readiness classes

It is an extensive process that is very rewarding in the end, Truczinskas said.

Challenges ahead

For Habitat, it isn't as easy as just building houses. The market for land in Iredell County, like many places in North Carolina, means it deals with a very competitive market.

"Two significant challenges in buying land in Statesville and Iredell County are competition with investors and the availability of water and sewer. We have found that there is significant investor speculation in the market," Jennifer Morrell said. She is the Director of Land Acquisition and Development with Habitat.

She said as soon as parcels of land are listed, investors swoop in quickly, often sight unseen or with extremely high due diligence payments.

"Habitat Charlotte Region is more careful in our approach to due diligence and vetting land purchases so we often cannot compete with investor offers on available land," Morell said.

She also noted that Habitat Charlotte Region builds homes where there is access to water and sewer. She said that limits where the organization can operate as there are large parts of the county without water and sewer access.

More work to be done

In October, Habitat Charlotte Region will host the 37th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project which has volunteers from across the U.S. to build 27 homes in one week alongside celebrity ambassadors Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

The homes are part of the $10.6M Meadows at Plato Price development, which will create affordable homeownership opportunities for 39 families on property that was once home to a school for African-American students. As Habitat Charlotte Region recognizes its 40th anniversary, the organization said it is honored to host the Carter Work Project for the second time and bring greater awareness to the role of affordable housing in building a legacy of impact in the community.

The first Charlotte-based Carter Work Project happened in 1987 and resulted in 14 affordable homes in the Optimist Park neighborhood.
Episode 105: We talk a lot about diversity in this country, and while many Americans seem to like the idea of having a country that is welcoming, most of us still choose to spend most our time with people who are a lot like ourselves.

And this is especially apparent when it comes to class.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about why far too many people are comfortable in discriminating in people who are different from us economically.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Where do socioeconomic classes mix? Not church, but Chilis, by Catherine Rampell, The Washington Post

Barbara Kingsolver thinks urban liberals have it all wrong on Appalachia, The Ezra Klein Show podcast

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Smyth County judge has denied a motion asking the court to send a child abuse case to Washington County for jury trial.

In a motion to change venue filed earlier this month, Kimberly Haugh, defense attorney for 21-year-old Chase Levi Clark, who faces two counts of child abuse or neglect, cited a News & Messenger article referencing comments made by Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Phillip Blevins at a court hearing last month.

The article, which Haugh mistakenly attributed to the Bristol Herald Courier and wrongly claimed the commonwealth had approved, detailed the Aug. 2 hearing at which Clark was expected to enter an open guilty plea.

At the hearing, Haugh advised the court that her client had decided late the night before to take a plea agreement previously offered by Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Brendan Roche, who typically handles cases involving juveniles.

Blevins, who is currently seeking election to the countys commonwealths attorney seat and who was handling the case in Roches absence that day, told the court that he could not stand by and let this type of crime go for that kind of time, and asked the court to set the matter for jury trial.

He later told Haugh during a brief court recess that, If I was commonwealths attorney, I wouldnt agree to that.

In the motion seeking the change of venue, Haugh wrote, Mr. Blevins is clearly bringing a political agenda into the negotiations for this matter with his quoted comment to the newspaper.

Her client, she said, would benefit from a change of venue to Washington County.

Changes of venue are typically only granted when it can be shown that extensive publicity of a particular case has rendered a fair and impartial trial unlikely. A change of venue does not, however, include a change of prosecutors.

Though Haugh made no specific reference to a potential for jury prejudice, Roche noted in his response to the motion that, The court must begin with the presumption that a defendant can receive a fair trial in the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred.

Quoting opinions issued in two Virginia murder cases in which changes of venue were denied, Roche said that to overcome that presumption, the defense would need to clearly show that there is such widespread feeling of prejudice on the part of the citizenry as will be reasonably certain to prevent a fair and impartial trial.

The defense, he said, had not shown that any prejudice existed because of the article.

He further pointed out that the article did not contain any facts of the case, saying, The article even states, Few details about the allegations against Clark are known at this time as he was charged via direct indictment, but Roche said last week that it was a case involving Shaken Baby Syndrome.

In regard to the claim that the commonwealth had approved the publication of the article, Roche said, At no time did the Commonwealth approve the article run by the media, nor has the Commonwealth ever had any type of power of approval over any media outlets.

To demonstrate that point, he noted that the News & Messenger had declined Blevins request to alter the article after it was published online to exclude the exchange between the two attorneys, which took place in the courtroom directly in front of the journalist covering the hearing. The newspaper also declined Blevins request to exclude the jail sentence proposed in the plea agreement.

The News & Messenger would note that it has policies in place prohibiting the proofreading or approval of any news articles by those outside of news staff.

Roche further pointed out that the article contained references to comments made by Blevins political opponent, Paul Morrison, which would not be in line with a political statement issued and/or approved by Mr. Blevins.

Ultimately, Circuit Court Judge Deanis Simmons agreed with the commonwealth and on Thursday denied the motion to change venue.

Set for Sept. 20, Clarks trial has now been continued to a later date. The case has been set for review next Tuesday.
The police officers lives were in imminent danger as was the life of a woman directing a large Bowie knife at the pair, trying to get them to shoot her. When the situation ended, all three were alive and, for their actions, the two Chilhowie Police Department officers recently received statewide recognition.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) presented its 2023 Award for Lifesaving to CPD Chief Andrew Moss and Master Police Officer Austin Millsaps.

The award reads for actions that put the officer in harms way in the attempt to save the life of another.

Moss had nominated Millsaps for the honor, but the association presented the award to both men, acknowledging Moss role in Oct. 4, 2022 event.

The two officers responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex. There, they found that items had been thrown and broken in the parking lot and an apartment window had been shattered.

According to a VACP letter, a woman approached Moss and Millsaps, telling them that her daughter had become unruly and dangerous.

When the woman tried to enter her daughters apartment, she met resistance. When she tried again, the door was forcefully slammed back against her. Then, the VACP letter said, the door flew open and a woman appeared there brandishing a large bowie knife just inches from Chief Moss.

Both officers drew their guns, as the woman continued to scream, demanding the officers shoot her.

MPO Millsaps remained composed and calmly addressed her, assuring her that they were not there to harm her and urging her to put down the knife.

While Moss held his gun on the woman, he told Millsaps to switch to a Taser. While he did so, the letter said, Millsaps persisted in his efforts to persuade her to relinquish the knife.

Ultimately, they were able to take her into custody under an Emergency Custody Order.

Chilhowie Master Police Officer Austin Millsaps demonstrated exceptional levelheadedness and compassion during an incident involving an individual who was attempting suicide by cop. Chief Moss took calm and firm control of the situation while working with MPO Millsaps to de-escalate the situation, read the VACP letter.

Last Thursday, Marion PD Chief John Clair, who on Sept. 12 was installed as VACPs 2nd vice president, presented the award to Moss and Millsaps before the Chilhowie Town Council.

Clair lauded Millsaps decision-making, de-escalation skills, and compassionate action.

With different outcomes in similar circumstances often making headlines, Clair said, As a profession, law enforcement is recognizing the type of behavior it wants to see propagated.
Turkish intelligence conducted a targeted operation against Uman Darwish, a prominent leader within the YPG, Syria TV writes.

The US State Department has issued a strong appeal to all parties involved in northeast Syria, emphasizing the urgent need for de-escalation. They have expressed concern about the perilous situation, which poses a significant threat to the safety of civilians.

During an interview on Alhurra TV, a spokesperson from the US State Department acknowledged the reports regarding the killing of YPG leader Uman Darwish in eastern Syrias Manbij region.

The US diplomat stressed, We reiterate our call for an immediate de-escalation by all parties involved. The escalating tensions in Syria not only endanger the lives of civilians but also undermine the stability of areas that have been liberated from ISIS. This jeopardizes our collective objective of preventing the resurgence of ISIS.

Targeting Uman Darwish

On Tuesday, according to Anadolu Agency, Turkish intelligence conducted a targeted operation against Uman Darwish, a prominent leader within the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a major component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the Manbij region, located east of Aleppo.

Citing information from security sources, the agency reported that Darwish, also known as Sarah / Sherwin Drek, had been associated with the YPG since 1998 and held a leadership position in a specialized unit formed for carrying out operations within major Turkish cities. Additionally, Darwish was responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of operations against Turkey from Syrian territory.

These sources indicated that Turkish intelligence had been closely monitoring Darwishs activities, particularly her involvement in operations against security forces within the areas covered by the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in northwestern Syria.

Turkish intelligence confirmed its successful targeting of Uman Darwish and her accompanying guards in the Manbij area. However, specific details regarding the method of the operation, such as whether it involved a drone strike or another approach, were not disclosed.

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.
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

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Bashar al-Assad's relatives exploit the ports of Tartous and Lattakia to export narcotics, according to Orient Net.

Saudi authorities have announced the interception of a substantial quantity of narcotic pills and the apprehension of individuals with Syrian ties, less than a week after the UAE seized a similar shipment.

In a statement posted on the X platform, the General Directorate of Drug Control in Saudi Arabia disclosed that they successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 7,920,000 tablets of amphetamine through the Batha port in the Eastern Province, collaborating closely with the counterpart agency in the United Arab Emirates.

The authorities further revealed that they apprehended the recipients of this illegal shipment in the Riyadh region, comprising expatriates of Syrian nationality and four Saudi citizens.

A video broadcast by the Saudi al-Ekhbariya channel depicted Captagon pills concealed within a cargo of plastic panels. Upon unloading, the pills created a mound due to their substantial quantity.

Just days earlier, the UAE Interior Ministry had announced the foiling of an attempt to smuggle 13 tons of Captagon, equivalent to 86 million tablets. These were concealed amidst doors and decorative building panels, with an estimated value exceeding $1 billion. Dubai police had detained six individuals in connection with the shipment, although their nationalities and sources were not disclosed.

Towards the end of the previous August, Saudi authorities had also announced the thwarting of two separate attempts to smuggle millions of narcotic tablets within the capital, Riyadh. Several individuals involved, including four Syrians, were apprehended.

These significant drug shipments underscore the Assad regimes deliberate effort to inundate Gulf states with narcotic pills, even as some of these states seek to normalize relations with it.

Assads militia relies on the production and trafficking of contraband to supplement its finances, having already leveraged the countrys resources with Russia and Iran.

Bashar al-Assads relatives maintained a firm grip on the ports of Tartous and Latakia, exploiting them for the shipment and smuggling of narcotic pills and contraband.

In the preceding July, over 80 countries and 12 regional and international organizations established an international coalition, led by the United States of America, to combat the production and smuggling of manufactured drugs across various nations, including Syria. Syria has been transformed by Assads militias and Iran into an extensive hub for Captagon production.

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.
King Abdullah underscored the importance of engaging with Iraq to counter Iranian influence, according to Syria TV.

Jordans King Abdullah II has raised questions about the extent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads control over the countrys situation. During his address at the al-Monitor/Semafor summit in New York City, the king expressed his uncertainty regarding Assads complete responsibility for the ongoing issues. He stated, I believe Bashar may not desire conflict with Jordan, but I am unsure about the extent of his control, particularly in light of the significant challenge posed by drug and weapons smuggling into Jordan.

The monarch emphasized that Iran and certain members of the Syrian government were benefiting from the flourishing drug trade within the country. He remarked, We are engaged daily in border operations to prevent the influx of large quantities of drugs, and this issue is being exploited by various parties, including members within the regime, as well as the Iranians and their proxies.

King Abdullah also touched upon the ongoing protests in southern Syria, where people are demonstrating against dire economic conditions. He expressed concerns that this unrest could lead to a new wave of refugees entering Jordan and Lebanon, likening the situation to the early days of the Arab Spring when people protested due to economic hardships. He noted, They are struggling to put food on their tables.

However, King Abdullah emphasized that Jordan could not absorb additional Syrian refugees, as the country was already hosting around 1.3 million of them, partly due to declining international support.

The conversation also delved into Jordans neighbouring country, Israel, and its normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain through the US-brokered Abraham Accords. King Abdullah stated that the success of this historic agreement, announced by the Trump administration in September 2020, hinges on finding a solution to the Palestinian issue.

Regarding the US push for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, the king maintained that bypassing the Palestinian question would lead to failure. He stated, The belief in the region that you can sidestep the Palestinian issue, deal with Arab countries, and then return to it is flawed. Saudi Arabia has its interests, Israel has its interests, and the US has its interests. What remains to be addressed is what the Palestinians stand to gain.

Additionally, King Abdullah underscored the importance of engaging with Iraq to counter Iranian influence in the region. He urged the international community to strengthen its ties with Baghdad to safeguard the gains made in Iraq.

Beyond politics, King Abdullah called for greater economic prosperity in the Middle East. He highlighted increased Gulf investments in green technology and gas projects involving Lebanon, Israel, and Cyprus as potential avenues for enhancing prosperity, suggesting that economic well-being could be a catalyst for peace. He remarked, I believe that the potential for economic prosperity can break down barriers. Ultimately, most people will choose peace if they can provide for their families.

Drug trafficking is an organized process

In an interview on Wednesday on al-Mamlaka TV, the Jordanian Foreign Minister issued a statement regarding drug smuggling across the Syrian border, characterizing it as a highly organized operation carried out by skilled smugglers. He emphasized Jordans unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security, stating firmly, Jordan will not tolerate any compromise to its national security, and it will take all essential measures to ensure the protection of its security and interests.

The Foreign Minister acknowledged the significant challenges posed by both the crisis in Syria and the issue of drug trafficking, highlighting them as substantial burdens. He praised the active presence of the Jordanian armed forces at the border, underscoring their dedicated role in addressing these challenges. He reiterated Jordans determination, stating unequivocally, Jordan is resolute in preventing any threats to its national security and will staunchly prevent the entry of drugs and the ensuing disasters they may bring into our country.

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.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

In August, British counter-terrorism authorities detained a British journalist for an extended period of five hours. This journalist had previously worked in northeastern Syria. Concurrently, protests against the regime in Syrias southern city of Suweida marked their 32nd day on Thursday, drawing large crowds from the nearby towns and villages.

Iran-Russia burgeoning military ties prop up Syrias President

The US Air Force commander in the Middle East warned on Wednesday of burgeoning military ties between Iran and Russia, saying shared drone technology was a particular concern, North Press reported.

Modified Iranian drones used by Moscow in its war in Ukraine could feed back to Iran, which in turn may employ them in its campaign to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich said in a briefing in Abu Dhabi.

I see the implications of that relationship playing out a little bit in Syria, he added.

On the same day, Iranian Tasnim news agency said that the Russian defense minister and his entourage, who have traveled to Iran at the invitation of Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, paid a visit to the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Group Crops (IRGC) Aerospace Force in Tehran.

General Shoigu was shown a number of drones, missile systems and missile defense equipment, according to the source.

The Russian defence minister and the Iranian military officials have discussed a range of issues in Tehran, such as long-term military cooperation between the two countries.

UK police hold, and question British journalist for work in NE Syria

In August, the British counter-terrorism police arrested a British journalist for five hours. The journalist previously worked in northeast Syria, North Press reported.

According to the Guardian, Matt Broomfield, 29, said, that after he got off from a plane from Belgrade on Aug. 24, the police questioned him about his reporting and opinions on the British state.

Broomfield said the police seized his phone and laptop but did not return them after the questioning ended.

Broomfield, with other reporters, co-founded the Rojava Information Center(RIC) in northeast Syria. The RIC is an independent, volunteer-staffed organization and helped many researchers and national and international media outlets with information from on the ground in northeast Syria.

He said the police officers focused on his writings in their questioning and who he had met and interviewed.

Previously, Broomfield had been held for two months in a detention center in Greece in 2021 and denied entry into Italy due to his media and advocacy work he believed. He was also questioned one time in the UK.

Broomfield said, It seems clear the Schengen ban and my harassment by the UK police are driven by direct or indirect pressure from Turkey, on the basis of my work and reporting in Rojava and around the Kurdish issue.

Suweida protests enter 32nd day amid calls for Assad to step down

Anti-regime protests in Syrias southern city of Suweida entered their 32nd day on Thursday, with crowds coming from surrounding towns and villages.

Protesters, according to New Arab, gathered in Karama Square in Suweida city centre calling for a political transition in Syria based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which the Assad regime has rejected.

Sources close to Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, a popular spiritual leader of the Druze community who has encouraged the protests, told The New Arabs Arabic language site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that many Syrians from outside Suweida had visited his residence in the town of Qanawat to voice solidarity with the demonstrations.

Activist Salam Abbas told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: The regime is striving hard to thwart and discredit any figure that supports the protests, adding that the regime also feared that protests would expand, potentially to other Syrian provinces.

In videos shared on the Suwayda 24 Facebook page, dozens of people can be seen waving banners showing loyalty to the Druze sect and chanting slogans describing President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling establishment as a gang of thieves, and chanting Syria wants freedom.

Protesters also held up slogans and banners in various languages, including Chinese as Assad and his wife Asma were visiting China on Thursday to attend the opening of the Asian Games.

Pro-regime media, however, continued their negative coverage of the Suweida protests, saying that there could be armed attacks on checkpoints in the city, according to a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Activist Munif Rashid told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that new people were joining the protests every day. He emphasised the presence of intellectuals and lawyers as well as women in the rallies.

The number of protesters continues to increase every day, he said, adding This gives further momentum and strength to the protests.

Like a Grave: Syrians Shelter Underground

Asharq al-Awsat published a story of a resident of the battered village of Kansafra in Syrias Idlib province, who has constructed a bomb shelter to protect his family from the ongoing attacks in the region. The article highlights the dire conditions in Idlib, an area home to approximately three million people, where many have been displaced by years of conflict.

In a battered village in Syrias last main opposition bastion, one resident has hewn a bomb shelter out of a rock to stay on his land and protect his family from attacks.

Kansafra, in the south of Idlib province, often comes under Syrian army fire targeting militants who control the area, while Russian warplanes circle above and carry out airstrikes in support of ally Damascus.

Many families have fled the village, located less than two kilometres from the front lines.

Now, just a few shops remain open, while heavily damaged buildings line the streets.

But Ahmad Khalil, 53, would not leave.

People keep telling us to go to a camp for displaced people, but these camps are a thousand times worse, he said.

Khalil carved out the shelter next to his house in 2017.

Winding, narrow steps lead down to a small room with a low, curved roof, illuminated with sunlight from a shaft and a dim lamp.

I prefer to stay here under the bombs, he said, even though the shelter is like a grave.

held Idlib region in Syrias northwest is home to about three million people, around half of them displaced from other parts of the country during more than a decade of conflict.

Many live in impoverished tented settlements, dependent on international aid.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham controls swathes of Idlib, as well as parts of the adjacent provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, so Khalils family has been spending more time underground.

Whenever they hear shelling or warplanes, they run to the shelter.

There are always aircraft flying over the village and the area, it never stops. The life we lead is worse than death, said Khalil, who has two wives and seven children.

Mostly bereft of furniture, the shelter is covered with basic floor mats. Jars of vine leaves and other fermented vegetables are stored in the cool of the underground cave.

Buying bread means a walk to the nearest shop, at constant risk of attack.

In the familys sombre shelter, two of Khalils young sons played with toys on the ground.

My children dream of living like any other children  of going out and playing outside, said the father.

But here, there are no other children for them to play with and the entire region is in ruins, he added.

This is no life.

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.
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

Australians lost a staggering $3 billion to scammers last year, surpassing any previous year. That's equivalent to the cost of rebuilding three new hospitals. The latest Targeting Scams report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlights the urgency of the issue.

In 2022, investment scams accounted for the highest losses at $1.5 billion, followed by remote access scams ($229 million) and payment redirection scams ($224 million). Small and micro businesses experienced a substantial 95 percent increase in losses, reaching $13.7 million, primarily due to payment redirection scams. Overall, there was a 73 percent rise in scam losses across the Australian business community, totalling $23.2 million, underscoring the urgency to understand the reasons behind scam victimization and implement proactive measures against fraud.

In an interview with the UNSW Business School, Dr. Kam-Fung (Henry) Cheung, Lecturer in the School of Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM), and Shesha J. Maheshwari, a research student in the School of ISTM, emphasize the importance of understanding the psychological factors that make people vulnerable to scams. The experts say financial desperation and a lack of awareness about evolving scam techniques contribute to why many individuals today are being taken in by scams.

Why do people fall for scams?

According to Dr. Cheung and Ms Maheshwari, there are six key reasons people fall victim to scams.

Financial desperation: This is a significant factor. When faced with financial difficulties or a desire for quick financial gains, people become more vulnerable to scams promising easy money or high investment returns. In such circumstances, the desperation to improve one's financial situation can cloud judgment and lead to susceptibility to fraudulent schemes. Social engineering: Scammers excel at social engineering, exploiting personal relationships and connections to manipulate victims. By leveraging information gathered from social media and other sources, scammers personalize their scams, making them appear more legitimate and trustworthy. Victims deceived by this false sense of trust are likelier to fall victim to scams. Lack of awareness: Scammers employ sophisticated tactics to deceive their victims, and many people are simply unaware of the various scams. A lack of awareness regarding evolving scam techniques, such as those involving cryptocurrencies and blockchain, makes individuals more vulnerable. People inadvertently increase their chances of falling victim to scams by staying uninformed. Emotional triggers: Scammers frequently exploit emotional triggers to manipulate their targets. By creating a sense of urgency, fear, or excitement, scammers impair rational thinking and compel individuals to make impulsive decisions. Heightened emotions make it difficult for victims to evaluate the situation objectively, leading to unfortunate outcomes. Trust and authority: Masquerading as trusted individuals or authoritative figures is a common tactic employed by scammers. By posing as government officials, company representatives, or law enforcement officers, scammers exploit trust to convince victims to share personal information, provide access to financial accounts, or make financial transactions. Trusting these impostors increases the risk of falling victim to scams. Lack of vigilance: Busy lifestyles and constant distractions contribute to a lack of vigilance, causing individuals to overlook warning signs or suspicious behaviors. Neglecting to conduct proper research, failing to verify the authenticity of communications or offers, and inadequate protection of personal information can leave individuals vulnerable to scams.

Cheung explains that awareness is a shield against scams that equips individuals with the knowledge to identify and avoid fraudulent activities. "It promotes a vigilant mindset that is essential in today's world where scams continue to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances," he says.

But it is also crucial to remember that anyone can fall victim to a scam regardless of their age, education, or background, adds Ms Maheshwari, whose work focuses on phishing attacks with a particular focus on smishing attacksa type of phishing attack that is conducted via Short Message Service (SMS) or instant messaging on a mobile device. "Scammers are skilled at exploiting vulnerabilities and manipulating people's emotions and trust," she says.

Maheshwari also notes she has observed younger generations, driven by curiosity and a propensity for risk-taking, often hold the belief that scams will not affect them personally, which renders them more vulnerable. To promote online safety, she suggests a shift in mindset from "it won't happen to me" to "it could happen to me, so I must remain aware and vigilant."

She says, "Awareness and vigilance play an important role in safeguarding against frauds and scams. Staying informed and maintaining a skeptical mindset empower individuals to make informed decisions and protect themselves from falling victim to scams."

How to avoid falling victim to scams

According to Cheung and Maheshwari, falling victim to scams does not reflect personal weakness or naivety, as scammers are highly skilled manipulators, capable of deceiving anyone. And to better protect themselves against potential scams, individuals can take the following precautions.

Stay informed: Educate yourself about common scam tactics, emerging fraud schemes, and evolving technologies used by scammers. Maintain skepticism: Approach unexpected or unsolicited offers with caution. Question the legitimacy of claims or promises that seem too good to be true. Avoid clicking on suspicious links, even if they appear to be from a "legitimate source." Scrutinize emails: Be vigilant when handling emails, particularly those from unknown senders or requesting personal or financial information. Watch out for spelling errors, suspicious links, and email addresses that don't match the claimed source. Guard personal information: Be cautious about sharing personal information online or over the phone. Only provide sensitive details to trusted and verified sources. Enable multi-factor authentication for accounts that offer this feature, and change passwords regularly for added security. Verify the websites before entering login details and consider using a longer passphrase instead of passwords. Exercise caution with financial decisions: Conduct thorough research before making any financial decisions. Seek advice from trusted professionals and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities. Never give out personal information, including bank account details, passwords, or OTPs, over email or phone. Legitimate financial institutions do not ask for personal information via these channels and usually communicate through secure portals.

How do I report being the victim of a scam?

In addition to these proactive measures, the Australian government and ACCC have taken steps to address the issue of scams. Establishing the National Anti-Scams Centre, launched July 1, 2023, is a significant initiative to combat scams. Over the next three years, the center will build its information-sharing capabilities and bring together government and private sector experts to tackle harmful scams head-on.

Finally, Dr. Cheung and Ms Maheshwari reiterate that falling for a scam doesn't reflect a personal weakness or naivety. "Highly skilled scammers are manipulators who exploit psychological vulnerabilities and use sophisticated tactics to deceive people from all walks of life, including highly educated and cautious individuals."

"Acknowledging this fact can help victims overcome any feelings of self-blame or shame and instead focus on reporting the scam, seeking support, and learning from the experience to prevent future occurrences."
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Non-invasive electrodes with resilient and conductive membrane for cyborg insects. Credit: npj Flexible Electronics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41528-023-00274-z

A team of mechanical engineers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has found a way to electronically control cockroaches without injuring them. In their paper published in the journal npj Flexible Electronics, the group describes the new technology they used to remotely control the cockroaches and the benefits of doing so.

Prior research teams have created a variety of cyborg cockroaches, but they all had one feature in commonthey all involved attaching probes to the insect's nervous systemprocedures that led to damage to the insect, and likely some degree of pain.

In this new effort, the researchers noted that damaging cockroaches during attempts to control them results in a very short life expectancy, which then results in very little payoff for a lot of work. They also suggest such research is unethical because of the pain inflicted on the cockroaches. In this new effort, they have found a way to control cockroaches that does not involve cutting into them, resulting in a much longer lifespan. Credit: npj Flexible Electronics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41528-023-00274-z

Noting that prior research had suggested that cockroaches could be coaxed into turning by stimulating one or the other of their antennae, the research team found a way to attach cuffs to each of them that do not cause damage. They created a sleeve that fits individually over each antenna. The sleeve is made of gold and plastic printed in layers. Fixed in place by a blast of ultraviolet light, the sleeves shrink like plastic shrink-wrap.

Both sleeves were connected by a short wire to a tiny backpack that was glued to the back of the cockroach. Signals were sent wirelessly to the backpack from a hand controller, which sent very gentle electric jolts to one antenna or the other, resulting in the cockroach turning in a desired direction. The research team also glued an electrode to the cockroach's belly, that when stimulated in just the right way, made the cockroach run faster or slower.

The researchers tested their cockroach cyborg by having it run around a tiny S-shaped track and also by having it navigate an obstacle course created by placing stones on a flat base in random places. In so doing, they found they could get their cyborg to go where they wanted, when they wanted.

More information: Qifeng Lin et al, Resilient conductive membrane synthesized by in-situ polymerisation for wearable non-invasive electronics on moving appendages of cyborg insect, npj Flexible Electronics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41528-023-00274-z Journal information: npj Flexible Electronics

 2023 Science X Network
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Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 17, 2023. Pennsylvania state government will prepare to use artificial intelligence in its operations, Gov. Shapiro said Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, as states are increasingly trying to gauge the impact of AI and how to regulate it. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file

Pennsylvania state government will prepare to use artificial intelligence in its operations, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday, as states are increasingly trying to gauge the impact of AI and how to regulate it.

Shapiro, speaking at a news conference at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, said his administration is convening an AI governing board, publishing principles on the use of AI and developing training programs for state employees.

Pennsylvanians will expect state government to understand AI, adapt to AI and ensure that it is being used safely in the private sector, Shapiro said.

"We don't want to let AI happen to us," Shapiro said. "We want to be part of helping develop AI for the betterment of our citizens."

Shapiro's administration plans to start a two-year fellowship program to recruit AI experts who can help agencies incorporate it into their operations. He said the state's public safety agencies have already begun consulting with AI experts to prepare for any AI-driven threats, such as fraud.

The governing board of senior administration officials will be asked to guide the development, purchase and use of AI, with the help of Carnegie Mellon faculty, the administration said.

Among state policymakers nationwide, AI is a growing area of concern. States including Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota and West Virginia have taken action to study some of the effects of AI.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month signed an executive order to study the development, use and risks of AI, and lawmakers in at least 25 states have introduced bills that address it, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have introduced several bills on AI, including a pair to study its impacts on the state.

One bill would allow caseworkers to use it to help determine someone's eligibility for a government program and to detect fraud. Another would create a registry of companies that make software containing algorithmic logic for use in automated calls, voice or text prompts online.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: AI-generated image

Spam might not have brought an end to the internet or email, as some dire predictions in the early 2000s claimed it couldbut it's still a massive pain.

Despite all the spam being removed by spam-filtering technologies, most people still receive spam every day. How do these messages end up flooding our inboxes? And are there any legal consequences for the senders?

What is spam?

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted in 2004 "there does not appear to be a widely agreed and workable definition for spam" across jurisdictionsand this remains true today.

That said, "spam" generally refers to unsolicited electronic messages. These are often sent in bulk and frequently advertise goods or services. It also includes scamming and phishing messages, according to the OECD.

Most people think of spam in the form of emails or SMS messages. However, what we now call spam actually predates the internet. In 1854, a spam telegram was sent to British politicians advertising the opening hours of dentists who sold tooth-whitening powder.

The first spam email came more than 100 years later. It was reportedly sent to 600 people on May 3 1978 through ARPAneta precursor to the modern internet.

As for how much spam is out there, the figures vary, possibly due to the various definitions of "spam". One source reports the average number of spam emails sent daily in 2022 was about 122.33 billion (which would mean more than half of all emails were spam). As for text messages, another source reports a daily average of 1.6 billion spam texts.

Where do spammers get my details?

Each time you enter your email address or phone number into an e-commerce website, you may be handing it to spammers.

But sometimes you may even receive spam from entities you don't recognize. That's because businesses will often transfer customers' contact information to related companies, or sell their data to third parties such as data brokers.

Australia's Privacy Act 1988 somewhat limits the transfer of personal information to third parties. However, these laws are weakand weakly enforced.

Some entities also use "address-harvesting" software to search the internet for electronic addresses that are captured in a database. The collector then uses these addresses directly, or sells them to others looking to send spam.

Many jurisdictions (including Australia) prohibit these harvesting activities, but they are still common.

Is spamming against the law?

Australia has had legislation regulating spam messaging since 2003. But the Spam Act surprisingly does not define the word "spam". It tackles spam by prohibiting the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages containing offers, ads or other promotions of goods, services or land.

However, if the receiver consented to these types of messages, the prohibition does not apply. When you buy goods or services from a company, you will often see a request to click on a "yes" button to receive marketing promotions. Doing so means you have consented.

On the other hand, if your phone or inbox are hit by commercial messages you haven't agreed to receive, that is a breach of the Spam Act by the sender. If you originally signed up to receive the messages, but then unsubscribed and the messages kept coming after five business days, that is also illegal. Senders must also include a functioning unsubscribe facility in every commercial message they send.

Spammers can be penalized for breaches of the Spam Act. In the past few months alone, Commonwealth Bank, DoorDash and mycar Tyre & Auto were fined more than A$6 million in total for breaches.

However, most spam comes from outside Australia where the laws aren't the same. In the United States spam is legal under the CAN-SPAM Act until you opt out. Unsurprisingly, the US tops the list of countries where the most spam originates.

Although spam sent to Australia from overseas can still breach the Spam Actand the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) co-operates with overseas regulatorsoverseas enforcement actions are difficult and expensive, especially if the spammer has disguised their true identity and location.

It's worth noting that messages from political parties, registered charities and government bodies aren't prohibitednor are messages from educational institutions to students and former students. So while you might consider these messages as "spam", they can legally be sent freely without consent. Factual messages (without marketing content) from businesses are also legal as long as they include accurate sender details and contact information.

Moreover, the Spam Act generally only covers spam sent via email, SMS/MMS or instant messaging services, such as WhatsApp. Voice calls and faxes aren't covered (although you can use the Do Not Call Register to block some commercial calls).

Staying safe from spam (and cyberattacks)

Spam isn't only annoying, it can also be dangerous. Spam messages can contain indecent images, scams and phishing attempts. Some have malware (malicious software) designed to break into computer networks and cause harm, such as by stealing data or money, or shutting down systems.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre and ACMA provide useful tips for reducing the spam you get and your risk of being hit by cyberattacks. They suggest to:

use a spam filter and block spammersemail and telecommunications providers often supply useful tools as part of their services unsubscribe from any emails you no longer want to receiveeven if you originally agreed to receive them remove as much of your contact details from websites as you can and always restrict the sharing of your personal information (such as name, birth date, email address and mobile number) when you canbeware of pre-ticked boxes asking for your consent to receive marketing emails install cybersecurity updates for your devices and software as you get them always think twice about opening emails or clicking on links, especially for messages promising rewards or asking for personal informationif it looks too good to be true, it probably is use multi-factor authentication to access online services so even if a scam compromises your login details, it will still be difficult for hackers to break into your accounts report spam to your email and telecommunications providers, and to ACMA.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
In the closing arguments of the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Rep. Jeff Leach, a former Paxton ally who was now making the case against him, told his Senate colleagues that their next vote would be the hardest vote, the most difficult vote, the heaviest vote that they would ever cast.

After 13 witnesses and dozens of hours of testimony and cross-examination  it was finally time for the Texas Senate, acting as the jury, to deliberate.

Senators ate lunch and then fanned out across their side of the Texas Capitol. They deliberated for just shy of eight hours.

By Saturday morning, the jury had reached a verdict  and it was decisive. The Texas Senate voted to acquit Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment that alleged he misused his office to help his friend and donor Nate Paul investigate his enemies in exchange for favors. No article received even close to the 21 votes required to convict Paxton  and permanently remove him from office.

Behind closed doors, however, it was not a foregone conclusion that Paxton would skate.

Multiple senators who spoke with The Texas Tribune described deliberations that began in good faith, but turned toward an acquittal consensus as political calculation set in among Republicans. In the end, it appeared that the Senate may have been close to the threshold for acquittal, but Republicans did not want to take a tough vote if they could not get there.

I feel there were six senators who were ready to be the 21st vote, said Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas. But they didnt want to be the 20th vote.

Ultimately, only two Republicans  Sens. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville and Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills  voted with Democrats to convict Paxton. But at least five more GOP senators appeared to be in play during deliberations, according to four people familiar with the talks. There was never any poll taken of how senators would vote, so they were left to gauge their colleagues thinking through personal observations and discussions in private.

Among those five were some who had long been seen as potential problems for Paxton. There was Houston Sen. Joan Huffman, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, who had questioned Paxton in 2021 over his hiring of an outside lawyer to investigate Pauls claims that he was the target of a conspiracy by law enforcement. Even Paxtons lead lawyer, Tony Buzbee, publicly acknowledged in a mid-June podcast that Huffman may not be pro-Paxton.

Any characterization that I changed my mind during deliberations is completely false, Huffman said in a statement when asked about being open to voting to convict. No one could have known my final decision until I voted on the Senate floor as votes were never taken during the deliberation process. I impartially considered the law and the evidence as required by my oath.

Another one of the five was Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston, who had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to two of Paxtons primary challengers in 2022. Middleton has been conspicuously quiet since the verdict  he did not respond to a request for comment, and he had not publicized any explanation of his vote as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Houston Chronicle first reported Tuesday that Huffman and Middleton were among multiple senators who considered voting to convict but ultimately declined.

Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, went further in an interview with his local newspaper published Monday, suggesting half of the 16 Republican senators who voted to acquit had been close to deciding the other way. People familiar with the deliberations said Springer was among those who were on the fence, but his spokesperson told the Chronicle that evidence alone impacted Sen. Springers decision. He did not respond to messages seeking comment from the Tribune.

Paxton allies had especially zeroed in on him as a GOP senator up for reelection next year in a blood-red district. They released polling in his district and dangled a serious primary opponent.

Ultimately, Republican senators largely justified their acquittal votes by saying the House simply did not meet the heavy burden of proof. But the political pressure was inescapable, as Paxton allies bombarded Republican lawmakers with TV ads, text messages, billboards and individual threats of primary challengers. Toward the end of the trial, former President Donald Trump broke his silence on the Senate proceeding, condemning Paxtons shameful impeachment.

And then there was Patrick, the all-powerful lieutenant governor who presided over the trial and made an effort to show his impartiality, impressing even some of his skeptics along the way. But he took $3 million from a pro-Paxton group in June, and any of his skeptics optimism crumbled when they saw him conclude the trial by giving a fiery speech denouncing the House impeachment process.

It instantly sparked speculation that Patrick knew the verdict ahead of time and had been in contact with jurors, perhaps lobbying them during deliberations. He has since denied applying any pressure to senators, calling it a conspiracy theory from the House.

Its a bunch of losers who are crying now in their beer saying, Oh, well, it has to be someone else. We did our job, Patrick said in a radio interview Tuesday. They did nothing.

Jury begins

Jury deliberations began shortly before noon Friday.

There was no indication how long they would last. Patrick told them if they could not reach a verdict by Sunday night, he may sequester them in the Capitol. They were to pack a bag of clothes just in case.

It was nothing like 12 Angry Men, the 1957 movie where a jury vigorously debates as a whole, multiple senators said in interviews. After all, the senators didnt need a unanimous verdict like in a criminal trial. Instead they went off on their own or broke off into small groups  no more than roughly six senators meeting at once. Some sat at their desks to review their notes on the Senate floor, while others gathered in the hallway or committee room behind the chamber.

Johnson said he thought most senators had very strong leanings by the end of closing arguments but wanted to return to the evidence to address lingering questions or confirm things they had heard. He said some of the conversations among senators were more earnest than others and he had some really good, patient conversations with several members, including Republicans.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican close to Patrick who had voted to dismiss the case pretrial, said a a couple dozen or more senators went to the Betty King Committee Room to watch what he considered a key piece of evidence. It was a video of a 2020 meeting between Nate Paul, his lawyer Michael Wynne and Paxtons deputies, with Paul laying out his allegations against the authorities. Bettencourt recalled that senators listened intently and some stayed for the entirety of the video.

I felt that there was a pretty substantial coalescing around the video making it demonstrably clear that it was not a baseless complaint by Paul, Bettencourt said, nodding to the prosecutions insistence that it was a waste of the offices resources and time to take Pauls case seriously.

Another senator, granted anonymity to discuss the private deliberations, said the audio of the video was poor quality and they did not understand how it could outweigh all the other evidence in any case.

In the 5 p.m. hour, a poll was taken of who was ready to vote. Bettencourt said a substantial minority was not ready  including people in all the camps  so they kept deliberating. Another senator confirmed Bettencourts account.

They had fajitas for dinner, but there was no gathering of the full jury  individuals and small groups came and went.

The mood was changing by late evening, however, according to multiple senators. Johnson said it turned deathly pale as it became clear some Republican senators were moving toward voting inconsistent with how they actually felt.

You could tell they were beginning to be pressured, Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said.

Hancock, the Republican senator who voted to convict, later told the Dallas Morning News that a lot of peoples opinion changed overnight. He declined to elaborate, both to the newspaper and to the Tribune.

Calls to Dan Patrick

While jurors deliberated Friday, Patrick and his staff went to see Oppenheimer, the summer blockbuster about the making of the atomic bomb, before going out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Patrick said he received a call from a senator right in the middle of the movie when the bombs gonna drop.

[The senator] wanted to know if they had reached their decision, if they could go home early, Patrick said in an interview with the Tribune on Tuesday.

Senators apparently were cleared, as several were seen leaving the Capitol before the 8 p.m. end time that Patrick had given them.

Patrick said he received a second call from a senator later that night, asking about the logistics of the Saturday vote.

Patrick declined to name who he spoke with but denied discussing jury deliberations with them.

People were still formulating an opinion Friday night, Bettencourt said, but I felt like there were no eureka moments of, Heres the smoking gun. We found it.

Others left the Capitol that night mostly resigned. Paxton, they believed, was headed for acquittal as it became clear Republicans were not willing to take a tough vote if they could not reach the overall threshold to convict.

Not all of the senators have painted the same picture of what happened.

Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, said in a radio interview Monday that the final outcome was a surprise to members. Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, said he did not think any minds were changed in deliberations.

Some GOP senators and people close to them said they started really forming an opinion a couple days before deliberations, when the House rested its case. They were taken aback that the House had nothing more to offer.

Verdict day

In any case, there was little deliberation left to be had by Saturday morning. Senators were scheduled to resume deliberations at 9 a.m., and while a handful were still reviewing evidence, it seemed like a verdict was near.

Mitch Little, one of Paxtons attorneys, later recalled that he was showering around 9 a.m. Saturday  when he got a call from Patricks chief of staff, Darrell Davila. The jury had reached a verdict.

Shortly after 9:30, Patricks office gave notice to the media that the jury would vote on the articles at 10:30 a.m.

Paxtons lawyers felt they had done a good job raising doubt about the testimony of the House witnesses, but they had no read on the jury.

Not one of them ever gave any indication of where their heads were in all this, Paxtons lead lawyer, Tony Buzbee, later said in a radio interview. There were no leaks. I had no idea. My team had no idea. My client, Attorney General Paxton, had no idea how these jurors would vote.

After the vote to acquit, Patrick excused his impeachment counsel, Lana Myers. Then Davila laid a new piece of paper on Patricks desk.

Longtime observers like me, Bettencourt said, I knew something was coming.

Patrick laid into the House, harshly criticizing the impeachment process and calling for an audit of the costs of the investigation and trial. It was a political bombshell, ratcheting up a Texas GOP civil war that was already raging. At least one senator who voted convict, Gutierrez, walked out in disgust.

Within an hour and a half, it drew a furious response from Phelan, who accused Patrick of showing he was biased all along.

One of the House lawyers, Dick DeGuerin, had a simpler  but maybe not unrelated  explanation in a TV interview three days later.

The Republican senators turned chicken, DeGuerin said.

Patricks speech

The questions began almost immediately. What did Patrick know, and when did he know it?

By Sunday evening, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial saying the fix was in from the start and that Mr. Patrick lobbied his fellow GOP Senators to unite against the House articles of impeachment. Patrick insisted on Twitter that all he did was return phone calls from two senators who had procedural issues during the deliberations.

In media appearances Monday, he denied speaking to any senators about their deliberations and said he actually thought going into the trial that Paxton would probably be convicted due to the large number of articles. In a radio interview, Bettencourt said the Wall Street Journal editorial board is just flat lying through their teeth ... and theres just no senators that will testify otherwise, Democrat or Republican.

As for the Saturday timeline, Patrick told Lubbock radio host Chad Hasty that he had prepared two speeches  and wrote the one he ultimately delivered at 4 a.m. Saturday. He emphasized to Hasty and other interviewers that he decided to give it immediately after the verdict  rather than later  because he wanted his feelings on the House process to be part of the court record.

Patrick told the Tribune that the other speech he prepared was for if Paxton had been convicted. He said he planned to criticize the House process regardless.

I would have said very, very similar things  in fact, pretty much identical, he said.

While opinions vary on what exactly may have ultimately swayed the swing votes, few disagree that it was an inherently political process from the start. The outcome, they reason, reflected that.

My cynical lens says Republicans were gonna go in there and make a political decision, Gutierrez said. Hell, I thought that from Day 1. I was proven right.
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.
Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. operates as a media company in the Spanish-speaking Mexico and internationally. It operates through three segments: Cable, Sky, and Other Businesses. The Cable segment operates cable multiple system that provides basic and premium television subscription, pay-per-view, installation, Internet subscription, and telephone and mobile services subscription services, as well as sales local and national advertising services; and telecommunication facilities, which offers data and long-distance services solutions to carriers and other telecommunications service providers through its fiber-optic network. The Sky segment offers direct-to-home broadcast satellite pay television services comprising program, installation, and equipment rental services to subscribers in Mexico, Central America, and the Dominican Republic; and national advertising sales. The Other Businesses segment is involved in the sports and show business promotion, soccer, gaming, and publishing distribution businesses, as well as provides transmission concessions and facilities. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.
General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, nutrition bars, and savory snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. It also manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food. The company markets its products under the Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, EPIC, Fiber One, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto's, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Haagen-Dazs, Kitano, Kix, Larabar, Latina, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Nudges, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Top Chews Naturals, Totino's, Trix, True Chews, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, Yoki, Reese's Puffs, Green Giant, and Yoplait trademarks. It sells its products directly, as well as through broker and distribution arrangements to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores, as well as drug, dollar, and discount chains. In addition, the company operates ice cream parlors. General Mills, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kimco Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on open-air mall-style properties in the US and is among the largest mall REITs on the market. The firm has been in business since the post-war boom of the 1966 and trading on the public markets since 1991. The name is a blend of the founders names, Martin Kimmel and Milton Cooper, who merged their assets in order to form the larger company.

The stock was added to the S&P 500 in 2006 and has held its position ever since. Kimco is also know for being the first vertically integrated REIT meaning it is internally managed and advised, and provides its own asset and property management. The firm raised $120 million with its IPO and was worth $11.4 billion in October 2022.

As of October 2022, the company laid claim to more than 530 properties enclosing 92 million square feet of retail space. The properties are primarily located within grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use assets in suburban areas. The tenant-focus is on a diverse blend of essential and/or necessity-based goods or services that drive multiple consumer trips per week and provide stable income.

Kimco Realty is headquartered in Jerico, N.Y., but does not limit its investments by geography. The companys properties are located in 1st-ring suburbs surrounding major metropolitan areas from coast to coast. One area of focus is high-barrier-to-entry coastal properties in population-dense vacation zones while another is the rapidly expanding Sun Belt.

The firm offers a variety of services and features apart from property rentals that include curbside pickup zones and many others that enhance the tenant and consumer experience. Other features include digital maintenance requests, Click Pay, and a Discount Program. Some of the markets served by Kimco Realty include New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta.
The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company, provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property. The Personal Lines segment writes insurance for personal autos and recreational vehicles (RV). This segment's products include personal auto insurance; and special lines products, including insurance for motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, watercrafts, snowmobiles, and related products. The Commercial Lines segment provides auto-related liability and physical damage insurance, and business-related general liability and property insurance for autos, vans, pick-up trucks, and dump trucks used by small businesses; tractors, trailers, and straight trucks primarily used by regional general freight and expeditor-type businesses, and long-haul operators; dump trucks, log trucks, and garbage trucks used by dirt, sand and gravel, logging, garbage/debris removal, and coal-type businesses; and tow trucks and wreckers used in towing services and gas/service station businesses; as well as non-fleet and airport taxis, and black-car services. The Property segment writes residential property insurance for homeowners, other property owners, and renters, as well as offers manufactured homes, personal umbrella insurance, and primary and excess flood insurance. The company offers policy issuance and claims adjusting services; and acts as an agent to homeowners, general liability, workers' compensation insurance, and other products. It also provides reinsurance services. The company sells its products through independent insurance agencies, as well as through mobile applications and over the phone. The Progressive Corporation was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio.
Prudential Financial, Inc. is a global financial services company headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Founded in 1875, the company has become one of the world's largest insurance and investment management companies, with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential Financial provides insurance, retirement, and investment products to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients.

The company has diverse products and services, including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, retirement planning, asset management, and real estate services. Its offerings cater to a wide range of customers, from individuals to large corporations.

Prudential Financial's management team is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Lowrey, who assumed the position in 2018. Lowrey has been with the company for over 25 years and has held various leadership positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer. He has a strong track record of driving growth and profitability, having led the company's international business and overseen its merger with Prudential plc's Asian business. Other key management team members include Vice Chairman Robert Falzon and Chief Financial Officer Ken Tanji.

Over the past few years, Prudential Financial has delivered consistent financial results. The company reported revenue and net income up for the past several years. The company keeps an average profit margin of around 4%. The company has maintained a solid balance sheet with an average debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 20%. Prudential Financial's valuation metrics compare favorably to industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio are slightly lower than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the company's stock is undervalued relative to its peers. Prudential Financial's stock has performed well over the past few years.

Prudential Financial operates in the insurance and investment management industry, which is highly competitive and subject to regulatory and political risks. The industry is also subject to cyclical and secular trends that can impact its profitability. For instance, low-interest rates can reduce the profitability of insurers and investment managers by reducing investment income. Prudential Financial's main competitors include MetLife, AIG, and Manulife Financial.

The industry is also subject to regulatory and political risks, such as changes in tax laws or regulatory requirements. In addition, consumer preferences and behavior can also impact the industry, as changes in consumer preferences for financial products and services can affect the demand for insurance and investment management products.

Prudential Financial has several growth opportunities. The company has a strong presence in Asia, particularly in Japan and China, where it has established partnerships with local financial institutions to distribute its products. The company also recently acquired Assurance IQ, a technology-enabled insurance brokerage, to expand its reach in the United States. Prudential Financial is also focused on developing new products and services to meet evolving customer needs, such as its Prudential LINK platform, which provides customers with a personalized approach to financial wellness. Additionally, the company has invested in digital and data capabilities to improve customer experience and streamline operations.

Prudential Financial also has opportunities for expansion into new markets. The company has been expanding its footprint in emerging markets, such as Brazil and Mexico, where it has seen strong growth potential. Furthermore, the company has been exploring opportunities in the growing retirement and financial planning market, particularly in the United States. The aging population has increased the demand for retirement and wealth management services.

Prudential Financial also faces several risks and challenges. The company is exposed to market risks, such as fluctuations in interest rates and equity markets, which can impact the value of its investment portfolio and earnings. In addition, the company's success depends on its ability to effectively manage risks associated with its insurance business, such as mortality, morbidity, and longevity risks.

Prudential Financial is also exposed to regulatory and political risks. Changes in regulatory requirements or tax laws can impact the company's operations and profitability. Furthermore, the company operates in multiple jurisdictions with different regulatory environments, which can create additional complexity and costs.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, also known as TD Bank, is a Canadian multinational bank that provides a wide range of financial services to customers in Canada, the United States, and worldwide. The bank was founded in 1855 in Toronto, Canada, and has since grown to become one of the largest banks in North America, with over 85,000 employees and more than 26 million customers. TD Bank is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and has additional offices in New York City and other major cities throughout the United States.

TD Bank's key highlights and achievements include its status as the sixth-largest bank in North America by assets, its recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for 20 consecutive years, and its commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.

The management team at TD Bank is led by Chief Executive Officer Bharat Masrani, who has been with the company for over 30 years and has held various senior leadership positions before being appointed CEO in 2014.

Regarding financial performance, TD Bank has delivered consistent results over the past few years, with revenue and net income increasing yearly for the past several years. The bank's profit margins have also remained robust, with an average net profit margin of 25%. However, TD Bank has also faced challenges related to debt levels and changes in ownership, with a recent decrease in ownership by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. Regarding valuation, TD Bank's price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios align with industry peers. The company's market performance has also been relatively stable, with modest price movements and steady trading volume over the past few years.

TD Bank operates in a highly competitive and regulated industry, with other major players, including the Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The broader banking industry is also subject to regulatory and political issues, such as changes in interest rates and financial regulations.

Despite these challenges, TD Bank has identified growth opportunities in new markets and product areas. These include launching new digital banking services and expanding the bank's presence in key markets such as the United States and Asia. TD Bank has also made several acquisitions in recent years, including the addition of Scottrade Bank in 2017 and the purchase of Chrysler Financial in 2011.

However, TD Bank also faces several risks and challenges, such as changes in consumer preferences and increased competition from fintech startups. The bank's focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility also presents risks related to environmental and social factors, such as climate change and social inequality. There are also recession risks involved. TD Bank could face challenges if there is a downturn in the economy.
Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies worldwide. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security. The HVAC segment provides products, controls, services, and solutions to meet the heating, cooling, and ventilation needs of residential and commercial customers. Its products include air conditioners, heating systems, controls, and aftermarket components, as well as aftermarket repair and maintenance services and building automation solutions. The Refrigeration segment offers transport refrigeration and monitoring products and services, as well as digital solutions for trucks, trailers, shipping containers, intermodal applications, food retail, and warehouse cooling; and commercial refrigeration solutions, such as refrigerated cabinets, freezers, systems, and controls. The Fire & Security segment provides various residential, commercial, and industrial technologies, including fire, flame, gas, smoke, and carbon monoxide detection; portable fire extinguishers; fire suppression systems; intruder alarms; access control systems; video management systems; and electronic controls. Its other fire and security service offerings comprise audit, design, installation, and system integration, as well as aftermarket maintenance and repair and monitoring services. The company offers its products under the Autronica, Det-Tronics, Edwards, Aritech, Fireye, GST, Kidde, LenelS2, Marioff, Onity, and Supra; Carrier, Toshiba, Automated Logic, Bryant, CIAT, Day & Night, Heil, NORESCO, and Riello; and Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Carrier Transicold, and Sensitech brands. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
ConocoPhillips is a US-based muti-national energy company. ConocoPhillips is a diversified and integrated energy company with operations in all energy industry segments. In 2021, it was ranked the 8th largest petroleum company by market cap and was #156 on the Forbes Fortune 500 list. Regarding the global economy, it is the worlds 574th largest business, with operations in 13 countries. It is one of 5 remaining companies from Standard Oils split up and is the result of decades of mergers and acquisitions.

The companys earliest origins are in 1875 with the birth of Continental Oil and Transportation Company, Conoco. The company grew quickly with the industrial revolution and the widening usage of Kerosene, among other petroleum products, for heating and lighting. By 1885 it had become part of the Standard Oil family of companies, a time in which it also saw explosive growth.

Assets related to the original Conoco were sold to oil exploration leader E.W. Marland and were later remerged following Standards demise. By 1929, the company was an independent and fully integrated energy company specializing in crude and derivative products. Phillips Petroleum Company was founded in 1917 as an oil exploration company that quickly expanded into diversified operations. The company hit the big times upon the discovery of natural gas in the Texas panhandle and it saw explosive growth in the war and post-war periods of the early and mid-20th century.

Today, ConocoPhillips explores for, develops and produces crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen across a diversified portfolio of assets. The company also transports and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas liquids and their derivative products through a global network of distributors.

The companys operations span the conventional and tight oil markets, including shale gas, heavy oil, oil sands and other petroleum-related businesses. As of late 2022, the company had more than 6.1 billion barrels of proven oil and oil-equivalent reserves and was producing 1.731 million barrels of crude and equivalents per day. Roughly 50% of operations are centered in the crude oil market while less than 40% are natural gas, with the remainder made up of LNG and bitumen (asphalt).

The company's portfolio includes conventional, unconventional plays in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Assets are primarily located in Alaska (about 33% of US production), Eagle Ford, the Permian Basin, the Bakken, the Gulf of Mexico and the Anadarko Basin. Revenue topped $45.8 billion in 2021 and the company employs about 9,900 worldwide. Exploratory operations are underway in Columbia and Chile where the opportunity for both scale and flexibility is present.

ConocoPhillips was the first major oil company to adopt the Paris Climate Accord and pledge to achieve net-zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2050. Areas of focus include increasing operational efficiencies, supporting the reduction of end-use pollutants and advancing low-carbon alternatives, including hydrogen production and fuel cells.
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.
Visa Inc. is a US-based multinational financial services company formed from a consortium of US banks. It is the 2nd largest payment processor globally and the leading payment processor outside China. Its market share in 2021 was roughly 50% of global transaction volume x-China. Transactions are processed in 1 of 4 hardened data centers in key regions worldwide. The data centers are hardened against internal and external attacks, both physical and digital, and can operate independently of each, providing ample redundancy for the system. As of 2022, the company can process more than 30,000 transactions per second, making it the most viable solution for most use-case scenarios.

Visa Inc. was founded in 1958 by Bank of America as the BankAmericard Credit Card network. Not only is the card itself of historical importance, but how it was launched is also. Bank of America launched the program with the first mass mailing of unsolicited credit cards, changing the nature of the entire consumer credit market. At the time, consumers often had several credit accounts with local merchants, which was cumbersome for financial record-keeping; by introducing a consumer-friendly credit card, Bank of America unified merchant credit accounts into one billing statement.

The BankAmericard network was so popular, and to compete again with the then-number 1 MasterCard, Bank of America opened use to other financial institutions. By 1970 Bank of America had relinquished direct control of the institution allowing a consortium of financial institutions to operate the company. It was rebranded as Visa in 1976 and grew to become the dominant payment processing network in the decades since.

Visa Inc is not a card issuer; it does not extend credit to consumers and does not set rates or fees for consumers. It is in business to provide electronic funds transfers services or EFT to financial institutions, banks, government and businesses. Entities needing financial payment processing infrastructure can enroll in VisaNet and issue Visa-branded cards and services to their clients and customers.

Visa operated as four separate entities serving different regions of the globe until restructuring in 2006. The restructuring resulted in the merger of 3 of the four assets into Visa Inc, leaving Visa Europe as a stand-alone entity. The new Visa Inc held its IPO in 2007, selling half of its shares, raising nearly $18 billion or almost double the targeted amount. Visa Europe was later acquired by Visa Inc, forming the unified company traded today.

Visa employs more than 26,500 individuals globally and brought in roughly $15 billion in revenue for fiscal 2021. The company has more than 3.9 billion active cards out globally; it has processed more than 255 billion transactions and is used by more than 80 million merchant locations. As a forward-thinking company, Visa is also engaged to some degree with the cryptocurrency markets and has partnerships with Coinbase and Crypto.com, among others.
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.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) has accused the U.S. of breaking into Huawei's servers, stealing critical data, and implanting backdoors since 2009, amid mounting geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

In a message posted on WeChat, the government authority said U.S. intelligence agencies have "done everything possible" to conduct surveillance, secret theft, and intrusions on many countries around the world, including China, using a "powerful cyber attack arsenal." Specifics about the alleged hacks were not shared.

It explicitly singled out the U.S. National Security Agency's (NSA) Computer Network Operations (formerly the Office of Tailored Access Operations or TAO) as having "repeatedly carried out systematic and platform-based attacks" against the country to plunder its "important data resources."

The post went on to claim that the cyber-warfare intelligence-gathering unit hacked Huawei's servers in 2009 and that it had carried out "tens of thousands of malicious network attacks" on domestic entities, including the Northwestern Polytechnical University, to siphon sensitive data, an allegation that was first leveled by China in September 2022.

Further, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre (NCVERC) is said to have isolated a spyware artifact dubbed Second Date when dealing with an incident at the public research university that's purportedly developed by the NSA and run stealthily on "thousands of network devices in many countries around the world."

Details about Second Date were previously reported by South China Morning Post and China Daily last week, describing it as a cross-platform malware capable of monitoring and hijacking network traffic as well as injecting malicious code. Germany, Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan are believed to be some of the countries targeted by the spyware.

"The U.S. intelligence agency has used these large-scale weapons and equipment to carry out cyber attacks and cyber espionage operations for more than ten years against China, Russia and other 45 countries and regions around the world," MSS said, adding the attacks targeted telecom, scientific research, economy, energy and military sectors.

MSS also claimed that the U.S. has forced technology companies to install backdoors in their software and equipment to conduct cyber espionage and steal data, citing examples of companies such as X-Mode Social and Anomaly Six, which have demonstrated abilities to track the mobile phones of users.

"It has long been an open secret that the United States has long relied on its technological advantages to conduct large-scale eavesdropping on countries around the world, including its allies, and carried out cyber theft activities," the MSS said, adding Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea are its main targets.

"At the same time, the United States is trying its best to portray itself as a cyber-attack victim, inciting and coercing other countries to join the so-called 'clean network' program under the banner of maintaining network security, in an attempt to eliminate Chinese companies from the international network market."

In July 2023, after Microsoft disclosed a China-linked espionage campaign mounted by an actor codenamed Storm-0558 targeting two dozen organizations in the U.S. and Europe, China responded by calling the U.S. "the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief."

The MSS made its WeChat debut on August 1, 2023, emphasizing the need to boost counter-espionage efforts and encourage citizens to report suspicious activity as well as be rewarded and protected for their contributions.
Canadian real estate group enters Vietnam, employs 100 experts

By Lan Do Thu, September 21, 2023 | 7:24 pm GTM+7

Avison Young, a global commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Toronto, Canada, has entered Vietnam with a strategic affiliation agreement and a team of more than 100 industry experts.

The firm, which has more than 100 offices in 15 countries, has reached the affiliation agreement with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi-based D&P Company.

Its Vietnam entry expands the commercial real estate company's Asia Pacific network and establishes a presence in Southeast Asia for the first time.

The new Avison Young Vietnamese operation will be manned by an experienced, multi-national team of more than 100 real estate experts, with transactional, management, and consulting services across all major property types, the firms website says.

Its services will cover valuation, industrial and office leasing, capital markets, property management and asset management.

Peter Dinning (left) and David Jackson, chairman and CEO of Avison Young in Vietnam, respectively. Photo coutersy of Avison Young.

Its offices in Hanoi and HCMC will be led respectively by David Jackson and Peter Dinning, with the former as CEO and the latter as chairman.

The firm says that both have in-depth knowledge of the Vietnamese market and more than 20 years of experience as managing directors of a real estate company in the Southeast Asian market. This will enable the Avison Young team to provide tailored real estate solutions to clients in Vietnam, enabling them to navigate this dynamic and rapidly evolving market with confidence.

The firm notes that Vietnam has seen significant socio-economic growth in the past decades and has a young population and tech-savvy workforce, which encourages innovation and rapid urbanization. It also has a fast-paced real estate market that the Canadian firm is looking to tap.

The company says that the affiliation agreement is a strategic step in its global expansion efforts. By leveraging its global intelligence platforms and working with local industry experts, Avison Young aims to build lasting partnerships with clients and contribute to the sustainable development of communities in Vietnam.

Mark Rose, chairman and CEO of Avison Young, said he was excited about the affiliation. Vietnam is a fast-growing market, and we are incredibly excited to expand the Avison Young network in the Asian-Pacific real estate market, through our affiliation with D&P.

Vietnam's robust economy and dynamic real estate sector offer tremendous opportunities for us to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. We are confident that David's and Peters leadership and expertise will be instrumental in establishing and growing our presence in this market, he said.

Jackson said that the opportunity to lead the newly affiliated office in Vietnam of a dynamic, tech-forward and deeply experienced global real estate company such as Avison Young, is very exciting.

Together with our experienced team, we look forward to extending the companys purpose of creating real economic, social and environmental value to the Southeast Asian market.
China smartphone supplier gets $150 mln investment certificate for central Vietnam project

By Tri Duc Thu, September 21, 2023 | 9:51 am GTM+7

The central province of Nghe An has granted an investment certificate to a $150 million project to Hong Kong-based Summit Optical Investment Limited.

The company, which functions under major smartphone supplier Sunny Optical Technology, will implement the Sunny Optical Automotive Vina project on 43 hectares at the WHA Industrial Zone.

It will employ 20,000 people for producing, processing and assembling camera modules, smartphone cameras, vehicle cameras and other electronic items.

Nghe An Chairman Nguyen Duc Trung (second, right) grants an investment certificate to a Sunny Optical Technology executive in the central province, September 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of Nghe An newspaper.

The company began surveying the site on July 5 and submitted files for the project on September 12 and won in-principle approval a week later.

Speaking at Wednesdays investment certificate granting ceremony, Nghe An Chairman Nguyen Duc Trung said the project marked the first instance of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the province exceeding $1 billion a year.

In the first nine months of 2023, the central province has attracted an estimated $1.27 billion in FDI, placing it eighth among all localities in the country, he added.

In total, the province has lured 130 FDI projects with a total registered capital of $3.85 billion.

Representatives of Sunny and WHA Industrial Development sign a land-lease agreement in Nghe An province, central Vietnam, September 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of Nghe An newspaper.

The project investor, its vendors and Thailand-based WHA Industrial Development, investor of the WHA Industrial Zone, also signed an agreement to establish "an ecosystem of Sunny Optical Technology in Nghe An province".

Trung noted that the agreement highlights the provinces efforts to improve its business environment and collaboration with major investors with a focus on the hi-tech electronics sector.
International funding crucial for Vietnam's green growth: central bank official

By Minh Anh Thu, September 21, 2023 | 5:35 pm GTM+7

Commercial banks in Vietnam need funding from international institutions and private financiers in order to promote green, sustainable growth, a Vietnamese central bank official said Thursday.

Pham Thanh Tung, deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnams (SBV) Credit Department, raised the issue at a conference titled Greening the financial sector: Accelerating transition to a low-carbon economy in Vietnam organized by the International Financial Corporation (IFC) in Hanoi.

Tung said Vietnams needs for long-term green loans were huge, with most of the mobilization consisting of short-term ones.

Total outstanding loans in Vietnam crossed VND12,500 trillion (roughly $520 billion) as of August, or 114% of GDP. Of this amount, green credit accounted for a mere 4.6%, she noted.

Tung added that the central bank was looking to build and cement ties with international financiers to green the financial sector, especially for green projects that require long-term funding.

Pham Thanh Tung (second from right), deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnam's Credit Department, speaks at the conference "Greening the Financial Sector" in Hanoi, September 21, 2023. Photo by The Investor/Minh Tuan.

Big opportunities

According to the IFC, the private arm of the World Bank Group, climate finance is still in its infancy in Vietnam, presenting massive opportunities for financial institutions.

The IFC estimates that Vietnam would require a cumulative $368 billion through 2040, or about 6.8% of GDP per year, to pave a resilient, net-zero development pathway. Of the amount, private sources would provide $184 billion, the public sector $130 billion, and external financiers $54 billion.

The key sectors with immediate investment opportunities for climate change adaptation and mitigation are energy, transport, agriculture and forestry, trade and manufacturing, infrastructure, water, and waste and wastewater management.

Climate financing accounted for about 0.5% of total financing provided by Vietnamese banks, or 0.2% of GDP in 2020, according to an IFC report, which adds that no green bonds had been issued thus far by the private sector or by a bank.

Funding energy transition

Speaking at a panel on Vietnams commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Pham Nguyen Hung, deputy director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said Vietnam needed massive funding for its energy transition process.

After a boom lasting several years, solar and wind power projects now make up 27% of total designed supply sources in the country. The percentage of renewables will be 50% plus if hydropower is included, Hung said.

Meanwhile, coal-fired power plants have a combined capacity of 26 gigawatts (GW), but their electricity output surpasses 50% of total production.

Under the new National Power Development Power Plan (PDPVIII) approved by the government in May, the total capacity of coal-to-power projects would increase to 30 GW by 2030, Hung said, noting that power from coal use was still a vital source that will gradually be phased out with natural gas and natural liquified gas.

Vietnam needs $135 billion to implement its latest national power development plan (until 2030 with vision extended to 2050), Hung said. On average, the country needs $13.5 billion annually - around $12 billion for power generation and $1.5 billion for grid development.
Vietnam among worlds 40 busiest summer destinations

By Hoang Minh Thu, September 21, 2023 | 11:02 pm GTM+7

Vietnam ranked 19th in a list of 40 most visited travel destinations this summer based on an analysis of flight bookings by Spain-based leading travel data & analytics company ForwardKeys.

The number of international visitors to Vietnam by air this summer was 28% lower than the same period before Covid-19 pandemic but increased 12% over the same period last year, a ForwardKeys report said.

The U.S. was the most visited country this summer, followed by Spain and the U.K. Making up the top 10 destinations were Italy, Japan, France, Mexico, Germany, Canada and Turkey.

Thailand and Vietnam were the only two Southeast Asian destinations to break into the top 20, with the former ranking 14th.

To compile this list, the company analyzed summer flight booking data between July 1 and August 31.

Foreign tourists take cyclo rides in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy Vietnam News Agency.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam received 2.25 million international visitors in July and August, 80% of the figure during the same period in 2019. Of these, about 1.97 million visitors arrived by air, about 88% of pre-pandemic levels.

Looking at the destinations which have done best against 2019 levels, the list is dominated by countries famous for their beaches and warm waters, the report said.

Throughout the pandemic, leisure travel to beach destinations proved to be the most resilient, with many highly tourism-dependent economies working hard to keep their borders open and the tourists coming; and their efforts have certainly paid off, it added.

Given its 3,000-km coastline, Vietnam is well known for its long, sandy beaches.

The countrys tourism industry is on the path to recovery, having relaxed visa policies to lure more international visitors during the peak international tourism season that lasts from October to April next year.

Starting August 15, the Vietnamese government extended visa-free entry from 15 days to 45 days for passport holders from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. It has also extended the duration of e-visas from 30 days to three months with multiple entries.

Citizens of another 80 countries, including major economies such as India, Australia and the U.S., are currently eligible to enter the country using an e-visa.

So far this year, Vietnam has welcomed 8 million international arrivals, already achieving its annual target. The country expects to receive about 12 million foreign visitors this year.

South Korea sent the highest number of visitors to Vietnam at 2.27 million, followed by China (almost 950,000) and the U.S. (502,000).

Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said the new visa policy was a big opportunity for Vietnam to attract more foreign visitors and improve Vietnams position on the global tourism map.

A series of international travel magazines have hailed Vietnam as a rising destination in Asia.

Vietnam received a record 18 million foreign tourists in pre-pandemic 2019.
Vietnam has many things to share with the world: UN General Assembly president

By Huong Dung Thu, September 21, 2023 | 11:13 am GTM+7

Vietnam can share its achievements in poverty reduction and country development with the world, said president of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis.

At a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday afternoon (local time), Francis said that sharing will help promote cooperation in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), responding to climate change, and ensuring food security.

Appreciating Vietnam's active, dynamic role and increasing position in the world, including its engagement in UN peacekeeping missions, the UN leader agreed to cooperate with the country to uphold compliance with the UN Charter, international law, and multilateralism.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets with president of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis in New York on September 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's government portal.

For his part, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam values and supports the central role of the UN in the global governance system in response to today's enormous common challenges.

"Vietnam is committed to contribute positively to the major priorities of the 78th UN General Assembly, including consolidating peace through enhancing trust, promoting cooperation, reducing tensions between major countries, while boosting solidarity, multilateralism, and the reform of international financial institutions towards more equality," he said.

Chinh also affirmed Vietnams determination to realize the SDGs for the benefit of the people while leaving no one behind.

"Vietnam supports and is determined to implement the SDGs and respond to climate change, including efforts to implement commitments to net zero emissions by 2050," he stressed.

The Prime Minister said that Vietnam has just passed its National Power Development Plan (PDP VIII) with strong commitments to sustainable energy development, and will soon announce a plan to mobilize resources for the realization of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

PM Pham Minh Chinh is in the U.S. on a week-long visit. Earlier, he joined other world leaders at the Climate Ambition Summit and the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York, part of the 78th UN General Assembly.



On September 18, he attended the Vietnam-U.S. Business Forum in San Francisco during which he once again called on American companies to invest in Vietnam with a focus on high technology in order to realize the U.S. commitment to a strong, independent, resilient and prosperous Vietnam.
Vietnam seeks further cooperation with Meta, Microsoft: PM

By Tri Duc Thu, September 21, 2023 | 11:55 am GTM+7

Vietnam is looking for further cooperation with Meta and Microsoft, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at meetings with executives of the American technological giants as part of his working trip in the U.S.

Microsoft

At a meeting in New York on Wednesday (local time) with Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft, also co-founder of the Gates Foundation, PM Chinh invited the billionaire to visit Vietnam and support activities at Vietnams National Innovation Center (NIC). The NIC, under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, is expected to inaugurate a new facility in Hanoi next month, the PM added.

Chinh also urged Gates to advise Vietnam on science-technology development and innovation, contributing to Vietnams strong and sustainable growth.

Bill Gates (left) and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting in New York on September 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's government news portal.

The government chief proposed the philanthropist, via suitable funds, aid Vietnams startups in the sectors of innovation, science-technology, climate change adaptation, healthcare, education, green growth, renewable energy, and others. Vietnam is focusing on growth based on science-technology and innovation, especially participation in the supply chain of chips and semiconductors.

In reply, Gates said Vietnam is an integral part of Microsoft and the funds development strategies. He also expressed his willingness to boost cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the environment, clean water, and hygiene; healthcare, tuberculosis; and artificial intelligence (AI) and modern education. He would send a message on the inauguration of the NICs new facility, he continued.

Meta

During a meeting at Metas headquarters in Silicon Valley, California on Monday (local time), Chinh proposed Meta, the parent firm of social media platform Facebook, help Vietnam with technological solutions and technology transfer.

He also recommended collaboration in science-technology development, innovation, digitalization, corporate governance, high-tech workforce training, the fight against cybercrimes, cybersecurity, and dissemination of the Vietnam-U.S. partnership.

He also commended Metas cooperation with the NIC, government agencies, and businesses in Vietnam.

From left: Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung (third, right) at a meeting with Meta executives in California on September 18, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's government news portal.

For his part, Joel Kaplan, vice president for global policy at Meta, affirmed that Vietnam is a major market with high potential. Meta is striving to cooperate with Vietnamese agencies in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro enterprises, especially in approaching customers and training human resources for digitalization.

The Facebook page of the Vietnamese government, with 4.2 million followers, is the most successful governmental Facebook page in the region, the executive highlighted, adding that Facebook plans to expand this model to other agencies in Vietnam.

Meta used to produce metaverse equipment in Vietnam before the activity was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and plans to resume production and make other investments in Vietnam, he added.
Authorities discovered the suspects in the Romeoville family murder shot inside a car in Oklahoma only days after the horrific killings in Illinois.

The two individuals identified as persons of interest in the Illinois family murder, 31-year-old Nathaniel Huey Jr. and an unnamed woman, were involved in a car crash and subsequent shooting in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

Romeoville Family Murder

Police officials announced the update during a press conference. They came only days after discovering the bodies of two adults, two children, and three dogs inside a home in Romeoville, Illinois.

The family murder initially unfolded as law enforcement personnel were called to the home for a well-being check around 8:43 p.m. on Sunday in the 500 block of Concord Avenue. In a statement, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne said that one of the family members did not show up for work at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Officials added that the individual in question did not respond to phone calls throughout the day, which caused family members to become concerned about their well-being. When police arrived at the home in Romeoville, officers discovered four deceased individuals, all of whom had sustained gunshot wounds, as per NBC Chicago.

Romeoville police officials later identified the two adult victims as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei. The two young kids were identified as aged seven and nine, and they have been kept anonymous and only said to have been students at Robert C. Hill Elementary School.

Officials added that the shooting was believed to have occurred between 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 a.m. on Sunday. On Tuesday, police published an update regarding the incident, saying that authorities have determined that the shootings were "not a random act," adding that there was no ongoing threat to the public.

However, on that same day, police said that the female person of interest, who was said to have had a relationship with Huey, was reported by family on Tuesday as a "missing and dangerous person" out of Streamwood, which subsequently prompted the Romeoville police to release a statewide bulletin.

Read Also: Unlicensed NYC Acupuncturist Charged After Woman's Lungs Collapse

Suspects Found Dead

The bodies of Huey and the unnamed woman were discovered after officials from Catoosa, Oklahoma, were alerted to a vehicle within their jurisdiction that matched the description and license plate of the one that the suspects used, according to ABC7 Chicago.

Authorities said that the vehicle drove away during an attempted traffic stop and subsequently crashed. After that, the car caught fire, and officers said they heard two gunshots fired.

Burne noted that they made the family murder the department's top priority, adding that they have all officers and professional staff working tirelessly on the case. He noted that their detectives and crime-scene investigators spent more than 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence.

The police deputy chief said the Will County Major Crime Task Force had joined the investigation to gather evidence and collect video. Burne added that investigators are still seeking information from the public, including doorbell video, said NBC News.

Related Article: Las Vegas: 2 Teens Accused of Murder After Tragic Hit-And-Run Captured on Cam

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HARRISBURG  The Southeastern Illinois College Foundation in coordination with the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art will host the second annual Jazz Under the Stars on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

Two jazz bands are slated to perform on the Hise Terrace. The opening band is local favorite The Penguins featuring Jim Smith, Bruce Boone, Keith Talley, and Melinda Tolley. Taking the stage at 8 p.m. is the headliner  the Louis Pettinelli Jazz Quartet  consisting of vocals, keyboard, upright bass, and drums.

While jazz music will be enjoyed on the Hise Terrace, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the finale of two exhibits in the Hise Museum: Regional Landmarks and Architecture in the Main Gallery and The Works of Kathy Phelps in the West Gallery.

Major sponsors include Banterra Bank  the platinum sponsor, gold sponsors Ferrell Hospital and Southern Illinois Healthcare, and silver sponsors Legence Bank and State Representative Patrick Windhorst.

Heavy hors doeuvres will be served by the SIC Falcon Pointe Bistro that include shrimp cocktail shooters, a relish tray, mini sandwiches, a chocolate fountain, mini cheesecakes, and other dishes.

Morellos Restaurant & Catering will provide a cash bar. Morellos will also offer a special Funky Falcon in honor of the event, and will donate $1 of each drink purchased to the event.

A silent auction will also be available not only to guests, but to anyone online. The auction opened Wednesday. To register and bid, participants should visit sic.edu/jazz. A credit or debit card are required to enable bidding, and the card will be charged at the end of the evening for any items won. Winners who are not present at the event will need to arrange a day/time to pick up their items by emailing give@sic.edu.

We are excited to try this fun new cultural event melding jazz with two regional art exhibits in the Hise Museum, said Dr. Jonah Rice, SIC President. Every dollar we raise right now will be doubled by a federal grant, so come out, have fun, purchase auction items and know that every dollar you spend is multiplied toward helping our students!

Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple. For more information or to purchase tickets or bid on auction items visit sic.edu/jazz. For questions, call 618-252-5400, ext. 2205 or email giving@sic.edu.

In the event of inclement weather, the outside portion of the event will be moved to the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center next door.
Demolition crews Tuesday began to tear down the former Palmetto Inn and Suites on John C. Calhoun Drive.

The hotel is being razed to make room for the parking lot of the new Orangeburg County Courthouse to be built on Russell Street.

EMR Services Inc. of Thomasville, North Carolina, is doing the demolition work.

In July, Orangeburg County Council unanimously approved the purchase of the Palmetto Inn and Suites.

Palmetto The former Palmetto Inn and Suites on John C. Calhoun Drive was being demolished Tuesday afternoon.

Orangeburg County has purchased a total of 5.5 acres for the future courthouse. The cost for the property purchases has been a little over $2 million.

Orangeburg County announced plans to build a new courthouse in February 2022.

During the same month, the county bought the former Russell Street Winn-Dixie. The grocery store at 1480 Russell St. closed in 1997.

In May 2022, the county purchased the rear parking lot at the Dairy-O and then later that same month purchased the former hair salon building at 1520 Russell St.

Earlier this week, council voted to purchase the former Thunderbird motel at 465 Orange St. from the city. The hotel is behind the Dairy-O.

In April of this year, County Council approved borrowing $7.3 million for the first phase of construction. The money will go toward the demolition of existing structures, architecture, engineering and surveying costs, as well as additional capital projects.

The current courthouse on Amelia Street was built in 1928 and the building has extended past its useful life, according to county officials.

Officials have also said the current courthouse on Amelia Street is too small to meet community needs.

The estimated cost for a new courthouse is between $30 million and $50 million.

The existing courthouse will be used for archival storage.
Local unemployment rates dropped in August to levels rarely seen in the last three decades.

Orangeburg County's unemployment rate was 3.9 percent for the month of August, down from 5.8 percent in July.

Augusts rate was tied for the third-lowest monthly unemployment rate seen in the county over the last 33 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS started keeping county-level monthly unemployment rate data in January 1990.

Orangeburg County has only seen lower unemployment rates in April 2023, when the rate was 3.5 percent, and in September 2019, when the rate was 3.8 percent. The current rate ties the unemployment rate seen in April 2019.

The county's August unemployment rate was the fifth-highest of the state's 46 counties.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Merle Johnson cant pinpoint why the rate dropped so low, but he did note that Pet Supplies Plus has been hiring at its new distribution center near Interstate 26.

Hounen Solar, a solar panel manufacturer at the Orangeburg County City/Industrial Park, has also staffed up, he said.

Volvo in Berkeley County has also increased staffing recently. Johnson speculated that Orangeburg County residents could be commuting to the Volvo plant.

In the past, large fluctuations in the county's unemployment rates typically have been due to its largest manufacturer  Husqvarna  conducting its seasonal layoffs, Johnson said. The company has halted its seasonal hiring environment since its July right sizing.

Bamberg County's unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in August, down from 7.2 percent in July. The county had the states second-highest rate for the month.

The August rate is also among the countys lowest in the past three decades. The lowest monthly rate on record was October 2000s 3.7 percent, according to the BLS.

SouthernCarolina Alliance Vice President of Marketing Kay Maxwell said the countys unemployment rate was generally trending downward over the last eleven years, before it spiked back up during the COVID pandemic.

The S.C. Dept. of Employment and Workforce reports that last month, there were 159 job openings in Bamberg County and 1,556 job openings in Orangeburg County.

There are openings for good jobs in the area, and we are experiencing low unemployment, in part due to recent expansions and announcements in the region," Maxwell said. "However, since January 2020, SouthernCarolina Alliance and our member counties have announced 2,747 new jobs that will be coming online in the next 2-3 years in Bamberg and neighboring Barnwell, Allendale and Colleton counties.

We need a skilled workforce ready to fill these jobs and take advantage of these unprecedented opportunities, Maxwell continued. There are good jobs for our emerging workforce right here in our region.

Calhoun County's unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in August, down from 4 percent in July. The monthly unemployment rate was the second-lowest rate seen in 33 years. The only lower monthly unemployment rate was 2.6 percent in September 2019.

South Carolinas unemployment rate for the month of August was 3 percent, down from 3.1 percent in July.

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased to 3.8 percent from Julys rate of 3.5 percent, according to the Current Population Survey.
Each year the U.S. Department of Education spotlights some of the best schools across the country with its National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which recognizes schools for their academic excellence and for closing achievement gaps between students. Over the last decade, roughly two dozen Wyoming schools have earned the coveted award, some of them multiple times.

This year the state can add two more honors to its growing list.

The Department of Education revealed Tuesday that Caspers Sagewood Elementary and Powells Southside Elementary are among the agencys National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. For Sagewood Elementary, it marks the first time the school has received the award, while Southside Elementary also earned the distinction in 2014.

In the departments announcement, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona applauded the more than 350 schools that received the distinction this year, characterizing them as exemplars.

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, Cardona said in a press release.

Schools in Park County School District No. 1 have won a number of national blue ribbon awards over roughly the last decade. Natrona County School District No. 1 is no stranger to blue ribbons either with a handful of its schools receiving the distinction since the Department of Education first began giving out the awards in 1983. Kelly Walsh High School was among the first schools in the state to be recognized for its academic excellence. NCSDs last school to receive a national blue ribbon was Fort Caspar Academy in 2016.

Sagewood Elementary Principal Anna Lavin and NCSD Superintendent Mike Jennings celebrated the announcement, pointing to the teachers, parents and students that underpin the schools success.

I am extremely honored to be part of the outstanding community of Sagewood Elementary, Lavin said in a statement. I am humbled and grateful for this recognition of the incredible achievements of our students and staff. I am amazed by the commitment the staff, students, and parents show each day to each other and our school.

In a press release, NCSD also attributed the schools achievement to personalized learning and a culture of collaboration among teachers and staff that creates a fruitful learning environment for students.

It is a testament to the commitment to academic excellence, the strong instructional leadership of all staff, the spirit of collaboration within its walls, and the remarkable dedication to supporting staff and students to reach and exceed high expectations, said Angela Hensley, an associate superintendent with NCSD.

Every year the Department of Education works with state education officials to identify and nominate schools for the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. The schools are recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. and receive a plaque and flag that mark their accomplishment, according to departments website.

This year marks the 21st consecutive year that a Wyoming school has been selected as a blue ribbon school. The last school to earn the award was Green Rivers Washington Elementary in 2022.

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Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the Kingdom and Israel were getting closer "every day" to the normalization of relations.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, said that the Kingdom and Israel are getting closer and closer to normalization "every day."

The official also clarified that the Palestinian issue is still a "very important" component of the normalization process between the two nations. The crown prince's remarks represented rare public remarks made in English by the leader concerning the country's stances.

Saudi Arabia-Israel Normalization

The crown prince's statement also came a few hours after United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the issue during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, known colloquially as MBS, commented when Fox News was interviewing him. The media outlet also released several brief segments of the conversation that will air in full on Wednesday evening, per the Times of Israel.

Additionally, the crown prince has long been seen as less hostile to Israel than his father, King Salman. Last year, he said that they were not looking at Israel as an enemy but rather as a potential ally with many interests they can pursue together.

However, the crown prince noted that they still have to solve some issues between the two regions before such a situation can happen. The de facto ruler's statement seemed to refer to the Palestinians.

The situation came as a senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters after the Biden-Netanyahu meeting on Wednesday said that the Israeli leader also understood the importance of the Palestinian issue in the normalization talks.

Currently, Saudi Arabia is discussing a major agreement with the American government regarding normalizing relations with Israel. According to Yahoo News, this would come in exchange for a US defense pact and aid in developing the Kingdom's civilian nuclear program.

Read Also: Niue, New Zealand Launches Innovative Plan to Protect Ocean

Treatment of Palestinians

Saudi Arabian officials have argued that any deal would require major progress toward creating a Palestinian state, which is a difficult demand for the most religious and nationalist government in the history of Israel.

During the meeting with Netanyahu, Biden reportedly raised concerns regarding the far-right Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. He was said to have urged the Israeli prime minister to take more steps to improve West Bank conditions during heightened violence in the occupied territory.

Talks about normalizing relations come as American officials privately touted the potential benefits of a regional mega-deal. Achieving such an agreement would be considered a foreign policy win as the Democratic US president seeks re-election in the November 2024 elections.

The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia added that if Iran gets its hand on a nuclear weapon, then his country should also "have to get one." The Kingdom, along with Israel, has been an adversary of Iran. Fortunately, relations have improved since Riyadh and Tehran agreed in March to restore diplomatic relations, said Aljazeera.

Related Article: Ethnic Armenians, Azerbaijan Agree to Russia-Brokered Ceasefire

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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.
Police Commissioner Erla Christopher is welcoming the 100 Defence Force (TTDF) reserve officers who have been called out to assist with law enforcement operations.

President Christine Kangaloo on Monday issued a proclamation calling out members of the volunteer Defence Force for a period of 123 days with effect from October 30, 2023, to February 29, 2024. This period will include the pre-Christmas season to the 2024 Carnival season. Carnival is scheduled to take place on February 12 and 13 . The call-out comes on the heels of this country recording eight murders in 24 hours between Sunday and Monday.
For saying absolutely nothing in 126 words, yesterdays media release from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on the crime crisis would be hard to beat.

Following the fatal shooting of eight men between Sunday night and Monday afternoon, Dr Rowley issued a statement describing crime in Trinidad and Tobago as now gone beyond concerning to the ridiculous.
(Photo : Morgan Sette / AFP) (MORGAN SETTE/AFP via Getty Images)

NASA scientists warn that the Bennu asteroid has a small chance of hitting Earth in an impact that would release the power of 24 atomic bombs.

NASA issued a warning that the asteroid known as Bennu, which is the size of the Empire State Building, could hit Earth in the future and unleash the same destructive force of 24 atomic bombs.

The space agency has spent seven years trying to steer the massive cosmic object away from a trajectory that would intersect with our planet. NASA noted that the chances of Bennu hitting our planet are just one in 2,700, which is more than five times the chance that a person is struck by lightning.

NASA Warns of Asteroid Bennu

However, the agency's team said that they have nevertheless categorized it as one of two "most hazardous known asteroids." Scientists said that in the worst-case scenario, the nearly 510-meter-wide, carbon-based asteroid will hit our planet with 1,200 megatons of energy.

This is equal to 24 times the power of the largest nuclear bomb that has ever been detonated in the world, which is the Soviet Union's "Tsar Bomba." The potential asteroid strike on our planet is estimated to occur 159 years from Sunday, Sept. 4, 2182, as per the Daily Mail.

While the massive asteroid is nowhere near the size of the one that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs in prehistoric times, astronomers believe that this particular asteroid could still cause continental devastation if it does impact our planet.

When the space agency first launched its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which was designed to have a rendezvous with the asteroid on Sept. 8, 2016, it was also meant to trail the asteroid for two years between 2018 and 2020 to collect data to better calculate the future path of the cosmic object.

In a statement, Davide Farnocchia of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that they have improved their knowledge of the asteroid's trajectory by a factor of 20. NASA is also set to conduct its final risk calculations on Bennu's orbit during its next near-Earth pass, which is estimated to occur in 2135, which is less than five decades before its supposed impact on our planet.

Read Also: New NASA UFO Report to Be Released-What's in It? Here's How to Watch the Livestream

OSIRIS-REx Brings Sample Back

The situation comes as NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully obtained samples from Bennu's surface and is on its way to deliver them to Earth for further analysis. When the spacecraft arrived at the asteroid, it discovered a body that looked and behaved quite differently from what astronomers were expecting to see, according to Space.

Instead of wide plains of sand and gravel interspersed with accumulations of boulders, scientists discovered that Bennu had a "bouldery landscape" that had none of the smooth open areas that were thought to have been where OSIRIS-REx was supposed to land and collect its sample.

The massive asteroid was first discovered in 1999 and NASA has been tracking the cosmic object for more than two decades. Bennu is known to pass near our planet every six years and has already had three close encounters with Earth, occurring in 1999, 2005, and 2011.

In a statement, astrophysicist Hakeem Oluyesi said that OSIRIS-REx bringing the sample back to Earth for analysis will change what people know about the origins of our solar system. He added that it was pure untainted material that would reveal the secrets of the early solar system, said ABC News.

Related Article: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Set To Deliver Sample of Mysterious Asteroid

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A Tucson man was sentenced to probation Thursday in connection with a fatal 2020 shooting at a strip club.

Stanley Gerome Calvin was sentenced to five years probation by Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell in connection with the killing of Daniel Antonio Ortiz, 37.

Calvin had pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.

Ernest Ortiz, Ortizs father, told the court that the incident has affected his family in unimaginable ways. He described his son as a good, hard-working person who did not deserve this fate.

Ortizs daughter, who lost her dad a week before her 14th birthday, also spoke about her fathers legacy. She said Ortiz was her best friend and truly one of a kind.

Calvin offered condolences to Ortizs family during the sentencing. He said that although he wasnt the shooter, he takes accountability for being an accomplice.

In the shooting, a group of men showed up to Tens Showclub, 5120 E. Speedway, on October 31, 2020 and were refused admittance. Ortiz, who was the bouncer, and other managers cited a dress code violation. The men then reportedly changed clothes and tried to reenter. However, they still werent allowed inside and a fight ensued, records say.

Later that night, a white sedan pulled up to the club and the gunman, who was wearing a gray beanie, surgical mask, sunglasses and blue latex gloves, entered the club and opened fire, killing Ortiz, records said. Calvin was later arrested by Tucson Police.

Calvin was initially charged with first degree murder, but accepted a plea agreement that instead charged him with manslaughter. Calvins attorneys, Kristine Alger and Lynn Allan, provided evidence that showed he was not the shooter, records show.

Calvin was connected to the shooting through the white sedan that was seen on surveillance video, which appeared to match a Chevy Malibu that was registered to him at the time, records say. Calvin admitted to being at Tens Showclub the night of the incident but did not return after the group of men were not allowed entry.

Calvin also said he sold the Chevy Malibu two to three weeks before the shooting but did not remove the plate or transfer the title, records say.

During the sentencing, Fell asked Deputy County Attorney Mark Diebolt how they reached the decision for the lesser charge. Diebolt told the court it was decided that it was the most sure way to get justice.
Nearly 200 residents of Ocotillo Apartments and Hotel on Tucsons south side were faced with an option Wednesday morning: pack up all their belongings and leave their only source of housing, or resist property managements attempts to evict them.

The residents are part of what was supposed to be a sober living community at 1025 E. Benson Highway called Happy Times. About a month ago, the program stopped paying the hotel for the residents to live there, according to Ocotillos general manager.

The formerly homeless residents were left to fend for themselves, while the business was left with unsettled bills.

Residents said they were promised a sober living community but were left without any of the healthcare, money or food promised to them. Tucson officials said theyve counted 189 people who will be left without shelter.

The owners of the property posted final notices on residents doors Tuesday that Happy Times has continued to no longer pay for your hotel stay and residents had until 11 a.m. Wednesday to leave promptly, the note said.

Leonard Carrillo Jr. has been living at the Ocotillo Hotel for nearly three months. He used to stay at Santa Rita Park, where he said he was attacked and lost most of his teeth. Someone approached him with the promise of housing, a daily stipend, food and sober living services. But not long after he moved in, the Happy Times program left him, and the other residents, without any of those services.

This is our safe haven. Theyre gonna kick us out, and then were all gonna be out on the street, its dangerous. Its really not right what theyre doing, Carrillo Jr. said.

Most of the residents have a similar story: They were living on the streets when someone from Happy Times approached them with the promise of housing. The only catch: They had to sign up for the American Indian Health Program through the states Medicaid provider, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

The predatory practice is not new to Arizona. The state, and city of Tucson, have recently moved to crack down on the common practice where individuals promise shelter to vulnerable Native American populations and bill Medicaid for services that arent provided.

Credible evidence has been established that individuals were targeted and aggressively recruited with false promises of food, treatment, and housing, only to be taken to facilities where providers billed for services that were not provided, AHCCCS wrote in a June statement after stopping payments to more than 100 healthcare providers sending invoices for nonexistent treatments.

The Medicaid systems care management team has worked with residents at the hotel and said the situation demonstrates the lengths bad actors will go to exploit the states Medicaid program, defraud taxpayers, and endanger our communities, said AHCCCS Communication Administrator Heidi Capriotti. AHCCCS has suspended more than 300 providers to date on allegations of credible fraud, Capriotti said.

While Carrillo Jr. has Native American ancestry, another resident, Ronald Reno, said he was told to lie on the AHCCCS application and say hes of Native descent.

I was homeless. And they said, just come stay here, its free. Were gonna give you money for whatever you need, as long as I switch my insurance to Native American insurance, Reno said. I said, Im not native. He says, That doesnt matter, and hes like, Just come in, and Ill do it.

Renos girlfriend, Carrie, said the individuals who approached them, sat us down, made us dial the phone number and we had a piece of paper we had to read to people.

Reno said he was promised a weekly allowance and would be provided help to get sober. He says he never received money or drug addiction treatment.

They didnt give us a fighting chance to get sober, he said. They gave us every tool to fail. They gave you a place where you can hide to do your drugs.

The Tucson Tenants Union and other homelessness advocacy groups went door-to-door Wednesday to alert residents of their rights to not be evicted without a court order.

A lot of people were self-evicting. And by that, I mean, they were being intimidated, they were being illegally locked out already by management, Tucson Tenants Union member Nicholas Bruno said.

While some residents took the unions guidance to stay in their rooms without opening the door for management and await a court order, others decided to leave. Reno packed his belongings on a makeshift trailer of wagons hitched to his bike and said hes going out to the desert.

Reno and his girlfriend have a service dog, and most shelters theyve contacted said they wont allow pets.

The city negotiated with the Ocotillos owners to delay the evictions until Wednesday after management previously attempted to vacate residents last week, according to Mari Vasquez, the Multi-Agency Resource Coordinator for Tucson and Pima County.

Several city, county, tribal and community organizations gathered around the hotel in the early morning hours to offer services to evictees. But many tenants said theyve been offered housing through temporary shelter before and had negative experiences.

About 80 people accepted the citys offer for some form of assistance or alternate shelter, said Andy Squire, a city spokesman.

Management said it gave residents more than a week to vacate and that the rooms arent even under their names. Its under the agency. Residents can pay the nightly rate of $50 to stay at the hotel.

It was going well for a while  (Happy Times) motto was to help people that are chronically homeless, which I did for many years, and I have a soft spot for that, the general manager said. And then they stopped paying. And unfortunately, were not a nonprofit. We cant keep people here for free.

A California-based commercial design firm, Long Beach Designers, has begun the process to request Tucson rezone the location and turn it into multifamily housing, according to city property records.

But as Reno vacates his room to set up shelter in an unknown place, hes returning to a life of homelessness hes experienced for a year before moving into the hotel. Although the Happy Times program promised him help for his drug addiction, Reno feels hes worse off entering the streets again.

If its sober living, Id rather go to that place to get sober, not worse. Im worse, he said.
PHOENIX  Local governments can't transfer unclaimed firearms to the embattled Ukrainian government, regardless of how well-meaning the goal, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes concluded Wednesday.

The Phoenix city council acted illegally when it approved an ordinance that would use an exporter to funnel more than 500 weapons to the National Police of Ukraine, Mayes said in a formal legal finding. That is clearly prohibited by state law which requires seized and unclaimed weapons to be sold off, with the proceeds going to the city, she said.

Mayor Kate Gallego said she is disappointed by the ruling and said the city will repeal the ordinance.

But Gallego also took a slap at the Republican-controlled Legislature for enacting the 2000 law which prohibits what Phoenix did by spelling out that any weapons obtained by cities can be disposed of solely by selling them to a licensed firearms dealer who then has to sell them to the public, with the proceeds paid into the city's general fund.

"State leaders must do better to prioritize public safety and give cities the tools to keep guns used in violent crimes from re-entering our communities," Gallego said.

That drew a slap from Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, one of two state lawmakers who first asked Mayes to look into the city's actions.

"We're not handing these guns out like candy on Halloween to just about anybody," Nguyen said. Nor, he said, can they wind up in the hands of those who have committed crimes.

Instead, Nguyen said, the law requires them to be "sold back to law-abiding citizens" who, like anyone who purchases a weapon from a licensed firearms dealer, has to go through a background check.

Mayes' ruling should come as no surprise.

Tucson enacted a 2005 ordinance saying that weapons obtained by the police department through seizure or surrender must be destroyed.

In that case, then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a similar finding of illegality. But the city, rather than rescinding the ordinance, chose to fight in 2017 all the way to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Tucson lost.

And given that ruling and the wording of Mayes' new decision, it appears there is little wiggle room in the law for local governments to do anything with weapons that come into their possession other than sell them off or trade them for other police equipment, regardless of the merits of their claims.

The complaint last month by Nguyen and Rep. Selina Bliss of Prescott that the Phoenix action violates the law is what brought Mayes into the dispute.

That's because rather than seek a court order to overturn the move by Phoenix, the pair instead used a 2016 law which allows any state lawmaker to ask the attorney general whether the actions by a local government are legal. That triggered a requirement for Mayes to investigate and seek a response from the community.

The teeth in that law is that if the attorney general believes the action is illegal, she is required to give the city 30 days to "resolve the violation." If that does not happen to her satisfaction, she then would tell the treasurer to withhold state revenue sharing dollars  in the case of Phoenix, possibly more than $600 million.

Phoenix officials responded by saying there was no difference between what the city was doing and decisions by others to transfer law enforcement items to other equivalent agencies.

Gallego specifically cited the move last year by the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, under the direction of then-Gov. Doug Ducey, to collect 9,000 pounds of surplus equipment from local, county, state and tribal enforcement agencies to aid Ukraine. The items shipped overseas included bullet proof vests, 77 helmets, miscellaneous tactical clothing, footwear, pads and shields.

"This situation is no different," the mayor said.

Yes it is, said Mayes.

"Arizona law requires cities to dispose of unclaimed firearms by selling them in the manner provided by statute," Mayes wrote.

"A donation is not a sale," she continued.

Mayes also rejected any claim that what Phoenix does with its unclaimed firearms is a matter of "purely local concern," beyond the reach of state lawmakers and state law. She said that argument was specifically rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court when Tucson raised it.

And Mayes said the the city's purpose in adopting the ordinance to transfer the firearms to Ukraine is not relevant.

"While the laudable intent may be similar (to Ducey's actions), it is not a defense that the political subdivision was acting in good faith," she said.

Still, Mayes made it clear she was ruling strictly on what the law requires, not the merits of the city's actions.

"This report should not be construed as a rebuke of the public spirit underlying the city's desire to aid Ukraine or as an endorsement of the policy underlying Arizona's firearms disposition statutes," Mayes said. "Nor should it discourage future support and donations to Ukraine or elsewhere that can be carried out in compliance with Arizona law."

One thing that Mayes' order cannot do is undo the transaction: The city already has sent the weapons to the exporter.

But a spokesman for Mayes said that, as far as she is concerned, once the city repeals the ordinance  and essentially promises not to do this again  that satisfies her.
It's not time to panic about climate change. It's past time. Usually, panic is the wrong response to almost every situation. It implies irrational overreaction to threats, often producing unproductive or harmful handling of them.

Yet the existential threat that climate change poses to life on Earth requires at least an element of panic as a catalyst to a meaningful, sustained response.

Worry and concern haven't worked.

Globally, June of this year was the hottest June on record, going back almost two centuries when the United States and Britain first began tracking atmospheric temperatures.

On July 3, the hottest daily mean global temperature ever was reached at 62.69 degrees Fahrenheit. The next day set another record. So did the next and the next. From July 3 through July 29, the Earth experienced 29 consecutive hottest days  in any month, in any year, ever.

The frightening climate numbers are difficult to ignore. Whether or not panic is warranted, our anxiety is rising, almost in concert with the inexorable increase in global temperatures.

Young people feel the most urgency about climate change, which makes sense. They have the longest time left to live on a planet enduring uncontrollable wildfires, unbearable heat waves, glacial melting and the warming of both the deepest seas and the blankets of air above them. Young people face stronger hurricanes unleashed by warmer oceans and more destruction of the life-saving trees that combat global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

China and India protest that they are being asked to burn less fossil fuel and release fewer greenhouse gases just as they become economic powerhouses. The United States, Japan, Germany and other industrialized nations did not have to do that in earlier decades when they were rapidly developing.

China and India are right: The evolving requirements of responsible global stewardship are unfair. Their economies happen to be booming in a more perilous era, one in which the very future of life on Earth hangs in the balance.

Such inequity is no excuse for inaction on their part.

International resolve is growing against the ravages of climate change. The Paris Agreement, an international treaty adopted in 2015, has been signed by 193 countries plus the European Union, pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and give developing nations money to fight global warming. The historic accord aims to limit the global temperature increase this century to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) while pursuing eff orts to hold it to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). Even those relatively modest temperature hikes would cause more destructive climate events.

Disgracefully, former President Donald Trump pulled the United States from the Paris Agreement. His successor, President Joe Biden, restored U.S. membership on his first day in office.

More ambitiously, the European Union has joined China and 69 other countries that combined emit three-quarters of all greenhouse gases in pledging to reach zero net emissions by 2050. More than 1,000 cities worldwide, including Los Angeles and Houston, are part of the same initiative.

Not surprisingly, even such a dangerous threat as climate change has been politicized. Conservative commentators blame environmentalists' longstanding opposition to nuclear power for contributing to climate change. Nuclear power production does not emit greenhouse gases, but it entails other risks involving the storage of spent fuel rods and the cataclysmic, if rare, danger of nuclear meltdown.

France has gone against the grain of most other industrialized countries in obtaining more than two-thirds of its energy from nuclear power, compared with just one-fifth in the United States.

While we've picked up the pace in belatedly mitigating climate change, it's still far from enough. If we want to save our grandchildren and their grandchildren from even worse natural catastrophes, we will have to do far more.

Rosen is a former political reporter and Pentagon correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

City councilors Wednesday failed to pass an ordinance that would have expanded the citys anti-discrimination laws.

The ordinance, sponsored by District 3 Councilor Crista Patrick, would have cleaned up inconsistencies in existing city laws and expanded the law in other areas such as for veterans and active military.

But for some councilors, the inclusion of gender expression as a class to be protected from discrimination was either duplicative or went beyond current federal law and therefore was not needed here.

The proposed ordinance was defeated by a 4-4 vote.

Councilors Jeannie Cue, Christian Bengel and Jayme Fowler voted against the measure. Councilor Grant Miller abstained from voting, and it was recorded as a no, vote.

Councilors Lori Decter Wright, Laura Bellis, Vanessa Hall-Harper and Patrick voted for the ordinance. Councilor Phil Lakin left the meeting early to catch a plane flight.

The vote came after more than an hour of discussion from the public with about half in favor of the ordinance and a little less than half opposed to it.

Among the proposed changes, the ordinance would have added additional classes of people to existing anti-discrimination housing and public accommodation city ordinances.

The ordinance would have also added requirements for those who contract with the city.

The ordinance would have added protections based on age, gender expression, active military status and if they were honorably discharged from discrimination in housing accommodations.

Currently, the list of classes protected in housing matters includes: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

The ordinance would have added sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and military status to the list of classes protected from discrimination in public accommodations.

The ordinance also would have addressed those who contract with the city. The ordinance adds six new classes of people to the list of those protected from discrimination when dealing with contracts. Those additions would have been: religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and veteran status.

Some city councilors expressed concerns that the ordinance might run afoul of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that dealt with free speech rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that a womans business could not be compelled to build a website for a same-sex couple if it differed with her religion.

But City Council Attorney Jack Blair told councilors during a committee meeting earlier this month that the ruling only applied to cases where speech would be compelled.

Patrick sponsored the ordinance, which she said she has worked on for several years.

Patrick, who describes herself as bisexual and pagan, said during a committee meeting earlier that day that this is important work.

I know you all know this is personal to me, Patrick told councilors. But at the end of the day this is not about me.

Patrick left the council meeting after the vote to compose herself.

Fowler said trade groups have expressed concerns to him about the proposed ordinance.

He said trade groups would refuse to bid on city contracts if the ordinance was approved.

Fowler said fewer bidders would result in less competition and as a result higher costs.

Its literally a hidden tax on the city of Tulsa, Fowler said.

The ordinance would not apply to religious organizations or civic groups.

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A suspect in the shooting deaths of a suburban Chicago family died following a fiery crash in Oklahoma, along with a passenger, police said.

Nathaniel Huey Jr. of Streamwood, Illinois, tried to elude authorities after a digital license plate detector spotted him Wednesday in Catoosa, but he crashed the vehicle, and it caught fire, police said. Its unclear whether the crash or gunshots killed him and the woman who was his passenger.

Huey, 32, was suspected in the deaths of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei, and their two sons, ages 7 and 9. They were believed shot between Saturday night and early Sunday in their home in Romeoville, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

Police were asked to check on the family Sunday night after one member did not show for work that Sunday morning and phone calls went unanswered, police said.

The names of the children have not been released. Three dogs were also found dead, news outlets reported.

The victims and Huey had a relationship, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne told reporters at a news conference, though he did not elaborate. Investigators think they know Hueys motive but have not disclosed it.

Officers who were at the crash scene heard two noises, believed to be gunshots, and both the man and the passenger had a gunshot wound, Burne said at Wednesdays news conference. An Oklahoma state investigator said the passenger was a woman and that the nature of their relationship was being investigated.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Wednesday night on Facebook, which did not include Hueys name, that the driver was pronounced dead at the crash scene after the vehicle struck a concrete barrier. His passenger died later at a hospital, the post says.

The Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office will work to determine their causes of death, the statement says.

The woman, 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. There are no other suspects at this point, he said.

Streamwood is about 35 miles northwest of Chicago and the same distance north of Romeoville.

OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee said the agency was called in to help the Catoosa Police Department after the suspects vehicle was spotted by a digital license plate detector.

Catoosa officers saw the suspects vehicle, but no one was inside, McKee said. As officers watched it, two people got in and drove away. Police began pursuing it, and the driver crashed into the barrier.

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Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Three motions have been filed to dismiss a lawsuit attempting to block the launch of the countrys first religious charter school.

Filed Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court, the Oklahoma State Department of Educations motion claims it would be in violation of the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act if the department were to deny state aid to St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School, a proposed Catholic online school that was approved in June by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.

If the department were to deny state aid or other funding to St. Isidore, it would surely pose a substantial burden on St. Isidores free exercise of religion, wrote OSDE attorney Bryan Cleveland. This burden would be more than incidental, because failure to receive state aid would effectively prevent St. Isidores operation as a school.

Citing the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Charter School Act and the Statewide Virtual Charter School Boards own regulations, the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee and nine additional individual plaintiffs from across the state filed for an injunction in July.

Their lawsuit seeks to halt the state from entering into a sponsorship contract with St. Isidore, to block St. Isidore from operating as a charter school and to prohibit any state aid or other state funding from going to St. Isidore.

Oklahoma statutes currently define charter schools as public schools and specifically prohibit them from affiliation with a nonpublic sectarian school or religious institution. However, St. Isidore has been proposed to provide Catholic school education access to students in areas currently without Catholic schools and to expand online course offerings to students in existing Catholic schools across Oklahoma.

Along with the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, its five members in their official capacity and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the suits named defendants are St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School and state Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Oklahoma Catholic church leaders and attorneys with the Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative Clinic who helped them with the St. Isidore application have said they view it as a test case to challenge separation of church and state laws across the nation.

Meanwhile, attorneys for both the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and St. Isidore maintain in their filings that the lawsuit is premature since the school has not yet been established and its governing policies have not been adopted.

... the board is currently negotiating contract terms with St. Isidore, attorney Cheryl Plaxico wrote in the filing. And if St. Isidore does not successfully enter a charter contract on terms that the board approves, this lawsuit becomes unnecessary.

All of Wednesdays motions to dismiss cite three U.S. Supreme Court cases originating from Maine, Missouri and Montana that allowed for churches and sectarian schools to receive public funds through the choices of individual recipients, such as a tuition assistance program for families in rural school districts that do not have a public high school.

They also point to a more local decision as precedent. In 2016, the Oklahoma Supreme Court held in Oliver v. Hofmeister that since participation is strictly voluntary, allowing private religious schools to participate in the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship program does not violate provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution that bar public funds from being used to support or promote religion.

Enrollment in a charter school is entirely voluntary, which breaks the circuit between the government and religion, Cleveland wrote. Beyond the broken circuit, allowing St. Isidore to receive state aid or other funding is the religiously neutral option under Oliver. Withholding funds from St. Isidore because it is religious while distributing state aid to secular charter schools is hostility to religion that neither the Oklahoma Constitution nor the United States Constitution will tolerate.

As of Wednesday, no court dates have been set.

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(Photo : ARASH SALKOUYEH/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

09/16/2023 Toronto, Canada. A man on a bike carries an Iranian flag during the protest commemorating the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by Iran's moral police for violating the mandatory veil law in The Islamic Republic, lost her life.

Amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the Indian government has issued a cautionary advisory to its citizens, especially students residing or planning to visit Canada.

The advisory comes in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion that the Indian government may have been involved in assassinating a Sikh activist on Canadian soil, as per to New York Times.

Indian Advisory Amidst Diplomatic Tensions with Canada

In a statement released by the Indian foreign ministry, it was revealed that threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. The statement further emphasized the deteriorating security environment in Canada and advised Indian students, particularly, to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

This advisory holds significant weight as Indian nationals constituted approximately 40% of Canada's international student body last year, making them the country's largest group of international students, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education.

The diplomatic rift between the two nations stems from Canadian allegations that Indian government agents may be linked to the murder of a vocal Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia in June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has categorically denied these allegations, referring to them as credible allegations made by Prime Minister Trudeau. Consequently, India and Canada expelled each other's diplomats, marking a significant breakdown in their diplomatic relations.

The exact nature of the evidence being investigated by Canadian intelligence officials remains unclear, but Indian leaders have consistently maintained the innocence of their government. A.S. Dulat, a former head of India's international espionage operations, unequivocally stated, "We do not go around assassinating people - let me clarify this."

New Delhi has raised concerns about the rise of anti-Indian rhetoric, "politically condoned hate crimes, and criminal violence in Canada."

These concerns align with Modi's longstanding accusations that Canada is providing a haven for terrorists with aspirations of establishing Khalistan, an independent Sikh state in the Indian state of Punjab. Before his tragic death, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was wanted in India in connection to extremist activities, although Canada maintains that he had not engaged in acts of terrorism in either country.

India is apprehensive that pro-Khalistani political activity in Canada could reignite the movement within India's borders. The Modi government has consistently urged Canada to take a stricter stance on separatist elements, but these calls have gone unanswered.

Canada is home to the most prominent Sikh population outside the Indian state of Punjab, with approximately 770,000 individuals identifying Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census, according to Al Jazeera.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Says Normalization With Israel is Getting Closer 'Every Day'

Khalistan Movement in the Sikh Diaspora

The Indian government has often reacted strongly to the demands of Sikh separatists in Western countries advocating for Khalistan.

While the Khalistan movement experienced its peak in India during the 1980s with a violent insurgency centered in the Sikh-majority Punjab state, it has since waned in India but retains popularity among specific segments of the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Canada, with its substantial Sikh population, has witnessed numerous pro-Khalistan protests and demonstrations. In June, reports surfaced that India had lodged a "formal complaint" with Canada regarding the safety of its diplomats stationed there.

The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada raise concerns about the broader implications for the relationship between these two nations, with potential repercussions extending to economic, political, and cultural ties. As both countries grapple with these complex issues, the situation remains fluid, with no immediate resolution, BBC reported.

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Ten years ago, then-Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said he was sorry that the Tulsa Police Department did not protect its citizens during the 1921 Race Massacre.

"I can not apologize for the actions, inaction and dereliction that those individual officers and their chief exhibited during that dark time," Jordan said at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park. "But as your chief today, I can apologize for our police department. I am sorry and distressed that the Tulsa Police Department did not protect its citizens during those tragic days in 1921."

Jordan's comments came at the outset of "Literacy, Legacy and Movement Day," an event meant to promote cultural awareness, literacy, health and entrepreneurship. Starting at the park named after Franklin, a highly respected author and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who died in 2009, participants walked to various significant spots in the Greenwood District.

Take a look back at June 2021 photos of President Joe Biden's Tulsa visit for the Race Massacre centennial:
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  Some state agency directors got significant pay hikes, according to a report released by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton saw his salary climb to $185,900, a 30% increase, according to the report.

Last year, the Legislature approved a 30% raise for all troopers, said Sarah Stewart, a Department of Public Safety spokeswoman. Tipton is a trooper, so he got the pay raise.

The raises were first reported by NonDoc, an online news outlet.

Health Commissioner Keith A. Reed saw his pay rise to $240,000, a 60% hike.

Before the pay raise, he was acting as the interim commissioner, said Erica Rankin-Riley, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Once he was confirmed by the Senate to be the commissioner, that is when he got the raise.

She said the Office of Management and Enterprise Services sets the salary range. Reed is toward the bottom of the allowable amount, she said.

His predecessor, Dr. Lance Frye, earned $335,160.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples got a 43.72% hike, bringing her salary to $131,649, according to the report.

A yearlong study concluded her compensation lagged significantly behind state and arts sector peers for more than a decade, said Tracie Chapman, Oklahoma Arts Council chair.

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Chief Executive Officer Trae Rahill saw a salary hike of 21.62%, bringing his pay to $225,000, according to the report.

The Commission gave unanimous approval to the increase effective July 2, said David Reid, OESC chairman.

This was to both reflect his outstanding performance in moving the OESC forward in its strategic objectives, as well as to bring the salary closer to similar positions in the private sector, Reid said.

Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation Director Shelley Zumwalt got a nearly 13% hike, bringing her salary to $265,000, according to the report. Zumwalt previously ran the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Director Zumwalts salary reflects her original request when offered the position, said Chase Horn, an agency spokesman. At the time, Gov. Stitt countered with a lower salary and milestones for the agency in order to reconsider her original request. Director Zumwalt gladly accepted the challenge and since has worked with her team to drastically transform the agencys operations.

Oklahoma Department of Libraries Director Natalie Currie saw a nearly 25% raise, bringing her salary to $119,900, according to the report.

According to the agency, it received an increased appropriation of $500,000 to adjust staff salaries to be closer to the market rate. It adjusted all staff salaries to within 93% of the market rate, according to the agency.

In June, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Board voted to increase the directors salary to be included in the adjustment made for all staff, according to the agency.

The report notes that it may not include all agency heads who got raises.

The pay hikes must have been done without the need for additional funding, according to the report.

To be a top 10 state, we need to have top talent leading our agencies, said Gov. Kevin Stitt. To accomplish that, we need competitive salaries. I am proud of what our agency heads have accomplished this year, and because of our efforts to streamline our agencies and make government more efficient, we can make sure those that serve the people of Oklahoma are compensated competitively.

Tony DeSha, Oklahoma Public Employees Association executive director, said the last statewide pay hike was in 2018 with increases ranging from $750 to $2,000 depending in the salary.

A recent study showed 57% of state employees are paid below the competitive market range compared to state employees in surrounding states with similar titles and duties, DeSha said.

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McALESTER  Oklahoma executed an inmate Thursday for the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma dance student, a case that went unsolved for years until DNA from the crime scene was matched to a man serving prison time for burglary.

Anthony Sanchez, 44, was pronounced dead at 10:19 a.m. following a three-drug injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Even though he maintained that he had nothing to do with the killing of 21-year-old Juli Busken, he took the unusual step of opting not to present a clemency application to the states Pardon and Parole Board, which many viewed as the last chance to spare his life.

Im innocent, Sanchez said as he was strapped to a gurney inside the death chamber. I didnt kill nobody.

Sanchez criticized his former attorneys and thanked his supporters, including his spiritual adviser, who was in the chamber with him, and the anti-death penalty group Death Penalty Action.

The lethal drugs, beginning with the sedative midazolam, were administered starting at 10:08 a.m.

At one point during the execution, a member of the execution team entered the chamber and reattached an oxygen monitor that prison officials said had malfunctioned during the procedure.

Shortly before Sanchez was put to death, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request for a stay of execution submitted by his new lawyer, Eric Allen of Columbus, Ohio. Allen had said he needed more time to go through the case evidence.

Sanchez was convicted of raping and murdering 21-year-old Juli Busken, a Benton, Arkansas, native who had just completed her last semester at the university when she was abducted on Dec. 20, 1996, from the parking lot of her Norman apartment complex. Her body was found that evening near Lake Stanley Draper in far southeastern Oklahoma City. She had been bound, raped and shot in the head.

Busken had performed as a ballerina in several dance performances during her tenure at OU and was memorialized at the campus with a dance scholarship in her name at the College of Fine Arts.

Years later, Sanchez was serving time for a burglary conviction when DNA from sperm on Buskens clothing at the crime scene was matched to him. He was convicted and sentenced to die in 2006.

None of Buskens family attended Thursdays execution, but state Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he had spoken to them several times in recent months.

Juli was murdered 26 years, nine months and one day ago. The family has found closure and peace, Drummond said.

Sanchez has long maintained his innocence and did so again in a phone call to The Associated Press earlier this year from death row. That is fabricated DNA, Sanchez said. That is false DNA. That is not my DNA. Ive been saying that since day one.

He told the AP that he declined to ask for clemency because even when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board takes the rare step of recommending it, Gov. Kevin Stitt has been unlikely to grant it. Ive sat in my cell and Ive watched inmate after inmate after inmate get clemency and get denied clemency, Sanchez said. Either way, it doesnt go well for the inmates.

Drummond maintained that the DNA evidence unequivocally linked Sanchez to Buskens killing.

A sample of Sanchezs DNA was identical to the profiles developed from sperm on Ms. Buskens panties and leotard, Drummond wrote last month in a letter to a state representative who had inquired about Sanchezs conviction. Drummond added there was no indication either profile was mixed with DNA from any other individual and that the odds of randomly selecting an individual with the same genetic profile were 1 in 94 trillion among Southwest Hispanics.

There is no conceivable doubt that Anthony Sanchez is a brutal rapist and murderer who is deserving of the states harshest punishment, Drummond said in a recent statement.

A private investigator hired by an anti-death penalty group contended that the DNA evidence may have been contaminated and that an inexperienced lab technician miscommunicated the strength of the evidence to a jury.

Former Cleveland County District Attorney Tim Kuykendall, who was the countys top prosecutor when Sanchez was tried, has said that while the DNA evidence was the most compelling evidence at the trial, there was other evidence linking Sanchez to the killing, including ballistic evidence and a shoe print found at the crime scene.

I know from spending a lot of time on that case, there is not one piece of evidence that pointed to anyone other than Anthony Sanchez, Kuykendall said recently. I dont care if a hundred people or a thousand people confess to killing Juli Busken.

Oklahoma resumed carrying out the death penalty in 2021, ending a six-year moratorium brought on by concerns about its execution methods. The state had one of the nations busiest death chambers until problems arose in 2014 and 2015. Richard Glossip was hours away from being executed in September 2015 when prison officials realized that they had received the wrong lethal drug. It was later learned that the same wrong drug had been used to execute an inmate in January 2015.

Death row in Oklahoma: Pace of executions in 2023 slows on AG's request Richard Glossip Jemaine Cannon Phillip Hancock James Ryder Michael D. Smith Wade Lay John Fitzgerald Hanson Oklahoma corrections director on execution: 'Not pleasant to watch, but ... not inhumane' Alfred Mitchell Marlon Harmon Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez Clarence Goode Jr. Emmanuel Littlejohn James Pavatt Kendrick Simpson Kevin Underwood Raymond E. Johnson Richard Rojem Ricky Malone Ronson Bush Termane Wood Wendell Grissom Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
The mediation request came after a judge ruled for the state of Oklahoma on most of its claims against the poultry industry over waste in the 
Ginnie Graham Tulsa World Editorials Editor Follow Ginnie Graham Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

When Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist surprised everyone by choosing to leave the district in an effort to stave off a state takeover, no one was clamoring to take that job.

Some national consulting companies were quick to contact the school board to offer its paid services for a search, but no individuals raised their hand.

TPS has an annual budget of about $755 million and nearly 6,000 staff. If this were a private company or nonprofit, plenty of leaders would have sent inquiries or discreetly contacted board members to offer themselves as possible candidates.

The job of superintendent has because so pressurized and politicized that education leaders are reluctant to take on that kind of challenge.

But, in comes the Tulsa born-and-educated Ebony Johnson to accept the interim position from her role as chief academic officer this past week. She has been a tireless administrator with 24 years experience, a doctorate degree and reputation as a diplomatic and fair leader.

"As your interim superintendent I'm going to remind you of the pride you should have in your schools," Johnson said. "We are not a district that has completely fallen off the rails. We have amazing buildings with amazing leaders, teachers who are great and students who show up every day wanting to learn."

TPS board members say there will be a national search, but history shows the district doesn't always do well looking outside the state.

The most effective superintendents have been internal TPS administrators or from other Oklahoma districts, including Bruce Howell (1973-1976 and 1990-1993) and the late Keith Ballard (2008-2015).

Some coming from outside Oklahoma struggled to find success.

Former superintendent Michael Zolkoski (2006-2008) received widespread criticism for violence and overcrowding reported at an alternative school and an inability to work with community partners, ending with a contract buyout in less than two years. John W. Thompson's (1994-2000) seemingly constant search for another job led to a board committee's recommendation against a contract renewal. He took a job in Pittsburg before the board could act.

So, a national search is no guarantee the best candidate will be found; it's more of an expensive gamble.

Much has been written about the Oklahoma crisis in recruiting teachers and staff, which reached historic levels. Less discussed are problems among the superintendent ranks.

In the past two years, new superintendents have been hired at Broken Arrow, Anderson, Catoosa, Owasso, Skiatook, Inola, Tahlequah, Stillwater, Pawhuska, Avant and Woodland (in Fairfax).

Now, more than ever, urban superintendents are tough to find and keep around.

In 2018, the Broad Center of the Yale University School of Management found among the top 100 districts that, on average, superintendents stay six years. Tenure is about seven years shorter in districts with high percentages of non-white students about about 3.5 years shorter in districts with high poverty levels.

The pandemic increased superintendent turnover nationally from about 14% to 17%, with at least a quarter of the 100 largest districts losing a superintendent, Education Week reports. It's not surprising that COVID-19 was ground zero for politically motivated school attacks.

Johnson walks into this role, even if temporarily, against this backdrop.

TPS remains under threat of a state takeover based largely on test scores, though at least 26 other districts have lower composite scores. The State Education Department has not stated what measures it will use to determine success, or even what goals it has in mind.

Johnson says the TPS plan will revolve around responsiveness, results and resilience. The local board approved the priorities of literacy around the science of reading, corrective action for academically struggling students and fiscal questions about fraud detection. These were already underway but will be intensified.

Another part of her vision for the next few months centers around community and school identity.

"How do we write the narrative in this day as it should be written around what Tulsa Public Schools really is and the work we care so deeply about, which is our young people being successful," Johnson says.

As a TPS parent, it has been frustrating to hear stereotypes and falsehoods about the schools where my child attends. Johnson recognizes that TPS families and students need to have our reality known.

"We have had an unfortunate shake by some around misrepresentation of who we are as a city and who we are as a Tulsa Public School district," she said. "I'm very committed to ensuring the campaign changes from what has been done in the past to us to people really understanding how amazing and awesome we are."

Johnson knows first-hand what it's like to grow up in schools labeled as lesser-than by outsiders. As a McLain High School class of 1994 graduate, she attended schools targeted by the state Education Department for nearly a decade while headed by State Superintendent Sandy Garrett.

The early 1990s was the start of the testing-culture era later codified into federal law with No Child Left Behind. In Oklahoma, the state early on created lists based on test scores with names like "high challenged" and "low performing" and came with punishments, rather than resources.

For many consecutive years, TPS was accredited at the lowest possible level  accreditation on probation  due to test scores from schools in economically struggling neighborhoods, such as McLain, Gilcrease Middle School, Monroe Middle, Houston Elementary, Eugene Field Elementary and Anderson Elementary. The state could have taken control or closed the schools, but the district avoided drastic actions.

Even after all these decades, some things haven't changed, though now those schools have the label of F.

Johnson attended Walt Whitman, Anderson (when it was a middle school,) Gilcrease and McLain. She then earned a bachelors degree in English education, a masters of arts degree in Educational Leadership from Northeastern State University and doctoral degree in education at the University of Oklahoma, in which she posted a 4.0 GPA.

She is a testament that students in so-called failing schools can  and do  achieve great things.

"When I think about my humble beginnings and growing up in north Tulsa and being a student  it makes the position I'm in both personal and professional," she said. "It's mostly because I am Tulsa. It's exciting to know that the students in McLain right now can resonate with the fact that I was once a student in the same hallways.

"I think that's critically important. The majority of our student population in Tulsa Public Schools are Black and brown students and representation matters. I think it's critically important they see themselves as students who have the capability, opportunity and resources to go as far as they would like to go."

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Listen to an interview with the author of this column: Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham talks to Kimberlee Wilson on the Tulsa World Opinion Podcast about this op-ed. Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify

If youve ever looked at the headlines and thought to yourself, What the heck is going on? youre not alone. Im right there with you.

Have you thought, said or heard the phrase: My vote doesnt matter. I hear this phrase from all sides of the political spectrum.

Republicans feel as if their votes dont matter because the current primary system heavily favors their party, so theres really no reason to participate. Democrats feel as though their votes have no weight at all due to their lack of representation in state government. Independents and Libertarians often share the same sentiment because they have few or no choices.

My friends and I want to be hopeful for our states future, but we all feel completely powerless and like no one values us.

Im 17 years old and a senior at Oologah-Talala. Many of my peers accept that their votes dont make a difference.

In the 2020 election, Oklahoma ranked next to last in the nation in voter turnout, with only Texas lagging, according to an analysis of federal election data. By 2022, Oklahoma had fallen to last place, with only 55% of the eligible population casting a ballot.

Yale University found that its vital for young people to vote because voting is habitual. People who vote from the age of 18 are more likely to vote in the future.

My generation has lost faith in politics, so they are less likely to vote. Under 25% of eligible voters younger than 30 cast ballots last November.

Why does my generation have such a lackluster view of voting? Independents, the largest growing political group in Oklahoma, are barred from Republican primaries, yet Republicans hold every statewide and congressional seat in our state and a supermajority in the Legislature.

Democrats have voluntarily permitted unaffiliated voters in their primaries, but its still not a level playing field for all voters. Regardless of their party affiliation, I want our elected officials to confront issues that young people worry about: education, health care, public safety and the cost of living.

The accomplishments, and lack thereof, have left Oklahoma 46th in the nation for youth well-being as reported by the national Kids Count annual report. This downward trend will continue as long as Oklahomas voters neglect the ballot booth. Why? Because our collective apathy disconnects the people from the officials.

How do we restore faith in our political system? Many states have increased voter turnout through primary election reform.

An open primary system allows all voters to participate in primary contests, regardless of political affiliation or non-party registration. Six of the highest turnout states in 2022 were states with open primaries. Oklahoma is the only state among our neighbors with a closed primary system.

Voter turnout is a key sign of a healthy democracy.

Open primaries dont just increase voter turnout. They also have the ability to advance centrist political candidates motivated by topics that concern all aspects of daily life.

Moderates or centrists have few chances of appearing on the general election ballot, where all eligible Oklahomans can cast a vote. These results-oriented politicians have potential to help Oklahoma by focusing on commonsense legislation and responding with solutions that improve the quality of life for all of us.

Centrist representatives are more likely to end gridlock in Congress. Brookings found that the presence of centrists in elected bodies creates a 10% decrease in gridlock.

Oklahomas growing number of independent or unaffiliated voters, now over 400,000 out of the approximately 2.2 million registered total, demonstrates that gridlock between two major parties is not what our citizens want. We want rational and relatable research, deliberation and solutions to issues impacting all Oklahomans, young and old.

All of these facts are why I volunteer for Oklahoma United for Progress, a nonpartisan organization working to repeal closed primaries to free Oklahomans to vote in all elections.

Oklahoma United is right there with us because it wants whats best for Oklahoma in a way I havent seen in any other organization. Our grassroots efforts connect Oklahomans to the patriotic cause of a better democracy.

Im channeling my frustration and disappointment into a positive and lasting reform that helps all of us.

All of our electorate deserves to be represented, including my friends and me. When we see higher voter turnout, moderate representation and a decrease in gridlock, we can get to a healthier Oklahoma.

At the end of the day, whether youre Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or somewhere in between, thats a future that we can all hope for. Im a high school senior, and I want open primaries.

Kimberlee Wilson is a senior at Oologah-Talala High School.

Listen to an interview with the author of this column: Editorials Editor Ginnie Graham talks to Kimberlee Wilson on the Tulsa World Opinion Podcast about this op-ed. Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify

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UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UNITED NATIONS  Insisting that international cooperation is critical, the United Nations chief delivered a dire warning to leaders from across the world Tuesday, declaring that the planet is becoming unhinged with mounting global challenges and geopolitical tensions  and warning that "we seem incapable of coming together to respond."

Addressing presidents and prime ministers, monarchs and ministers at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly's 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 world's nations. He said that the United Nations  and the ways that countries cooperate  must evolve to meet the era.

"The world has changed. Our institutions have not," Guterres said before the opening of the U.N. General Assembly's General Debate. "We cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions don't reflect the world as it is."

Also speaking Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is "weaponizing" everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine  and warned world leaders that the same could happen to them.

He pointed to the war's effect on fuel and food supplies. And he highlighted what Ukraine says were at least tens of thousands of children taken from their families after Moscow's invasion: "Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide."

Russia gets its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday, when Foreign Minister Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected on the rostrum. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky sat in Russia's seat during Zelenskyy's speech.
Some top international and U.S. firms such as SpaceX, the Coca-Cola Company, and Pacifico Energy are planning to expand their operations in Vietnam, heard the receptions hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for these firms leaders in New York City on Wednesday (local time).

During these receptions, part of the top Vietnamese officials ongoing trip to the United States, PM Chinh underlined that Vietnam prioritizes science, technology, innovation, green, digital and circular economic, and research projects.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese government always creates favorable conditions for international firms to do business in Vietnam effectively.

Speaking at the meeting with the prime minister, Tim Hughes, senior vice president for global business and government affairs at SpaceX, a U.S. aerospace company, run by South African-American billionaire Elon Musk, said that the group highly values Vietnams potential for development.

Hughes revealed that SpaceX aims to ramp up its investment in Vietnam, and desires to launch satellite Internet service Starlink in the Southeast Asian nation.

The prime minister said that he welcomes SpaceXs plan to expand its reach in Vietnam as it will contribute to speeding up the nations digitalization.

The Vietnamese government leader said that he would task relevant agencies with helping SpaceX with legal procedures to deploy its cooperation and investment projects.

PM Chinh proposed SpaceX foster its partnership in innovation in Vietnam.

Nate Franklin, chairman of Pacifico Energy, a renewable power company, said that he had great regard for the upgrade of the Vietnam  U.S. relationship.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with Nate Franklin, chairman of Pacifico Energy. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

He told PM Chinh that Vietnam, Japan and South Korea are among the firms key markets.

Pacifico Energy, headquartered in the United States, expects to continue its investment in renewable energy in Vietnam, and is targeting an offshore wind power project in the nation.

The prime minister asserted that Vietnam always encourages clean energy development projects.

Meanwhile, at the meeting with PM Chinh, James Quincey, chairman and CEO at American multinational corporation Coca-Cola, unveiled the firms green production-driven business strategy.

The prime minister threw its support behind its plan for sustainability and environmental protection.

The Coca-Cola Company runs three beverage factories in Hanoi, Da Nang City, located in central Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, and has started work on another facility in Long An Province in the Mekong Delta region.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives James Quincey, chairman and CEO at American multinational corporation Coca-Cola. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

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Authorities in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong Provinces, located in Vietnams south-central and Central Highlands regions, respectively, have sought to develop a 103km-long expressway linking the two localities in the 2025-28 period, said a local official.

The administration of Khanh Hoa recently told relevant agencies to work with a consulting unit on a proposal to develop the Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway project, Nguyen Tan Tuan, chairman of the Khanh Hoa Peoples Committee, said on Thursday.

According to the proposal, the route would start from an intersection with the Nha Trang - Cam Lam Expressway in Khanh Hoa to the end of the Lien Khuong - Prenn Expressway in Lam Dong, with some 48km of the route in Khanh Hoa and the rest in Lam Dong.

The projected end of the Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway project, which will link Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam with Lam Dong Province in the countrys Central Highlands region. Photo: Tran Huong / Tuoi Tre

Around 1,000 hectares of land are needed to develop the project, thus leaving 116 households affected and prompting 100 of them to relocate.

Vehicles are expected to travel on this four-lane route at the maximum speed of 100km per hour.

The project would require nearly VND27.5 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in the first phase, under the public-private partnership and build-operate-transfer contract.

In the second phase, its price tag is set to be around VND36.2 trillion ($1.4 billion).

The consulting unit was told to suggest more optimal measures, including applying tunnel-boring technology, to minimize negative impact on forest areas when developing the expressway, Tuan said.

Once completed, the Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway is expected to boost economic growth of the three provinces of Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan.

The route will also help drivers avoid a risk of accidents caused by possible landslides at Khanh Le Pass on National Highway 27C, which connects Lam Dongs Da Lat City with neighboring Khanh Hoas Nha Trang City, the local official added.

As for tourism businesses, they hoped that the expressway will help shorten the distance between Da Lat and Nha Trang, two popular tourist destinations.

The Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway would enable tourists to take one-day tours to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, and Nha Trang, said the director of a travel company.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday morning met with Aurelia Nguyen, a Vietnamese French, chief program strategy officer at Gavi, a global Vaccine Alliance, to award her Vietnams Friendship Medal for her valuable contributions to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The medal demonstrates recognition from the Vietnamese Party, state, and people for her efforts in helping Vietnam fight the pandemic.

Nguyen pledged to closely collaborate with the Vietnamese Health Ministry to eliminate dangerous diseases such as measles and rubella  an acute, contagious viral infection, beef up vaccinations and improve vaccine storage.

Gavi is one of three organizations leading the COVAX vaccine allocation plan, ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

When Vietnam and the world were hit by the pandemic, Nguyen began reaching out to top Vietnamese officials.

Over the course of the pandemic, Vietnam was provided with over 70 million COVID-19 vaccine doses under the COVAX scheme, well above the pledged 38.9 million doses.

At a reception for Nguyen in New York, as part of PM Chinhs ongoing trip to the United States, the Vietnamese government leader thanked her and Gavi for such honorable support during the toughest COVID-19 period.

The prime minister also asked Gavi and Nguyen to maintain their support for Vietnams ability to access vaccines against several diseases.

He also hinted at mapping out strategies and plans to promote vaccination expansion and mRNA vaccine technology transfer.

The prime minster expressed hope that Nguyen will help connect prestigious foreign experts, organizations, and firms with Vietnamese partners to transfer technology, and manufacture biological products and vaccines in the country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expects Aurelia Nguyen to maintain her support for Vietnam. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen shared that she highly valued Vietnams high COVID-19 vaccination coverage and rapid post-pandemic socio-economic recovery.

She also hoped that the two sides will deepen their cooperation to produce vaccines against multiple diseases in the coming time.

Nguyen affirmed that she will continue supporting Vietnam in the implementation of its national vaccination programs.

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The family of a North Carolina man who tragically lost his life after following Google Maps directions onto a collapsed bridge is now pursuing legal action against the tech giant.

Philip Paxson, a father of two, died on the night of September 30, 2022, in Hickory, North Carolina, in a devastating incident that has left his family seeking justice, as per to CBS News.

Family Pursues Legal Action Against Google Maps After Tragic Bridge Incident

The lawsuit, filed in Wake County Superior Court, alleges that Google was aware of the bridge's collapse but failed to update its navigation system accordingly. According to the suit, Paxson had been using Google Maps to navigate an unfamiliar neighborhood while driving home from his daughter's ninth birthday party.

Unfortunately, the mapping app directed him to cross Snow Creek Bridge, which had collapsed back in 2013. Initially, the Paxson family had planned a camping trip for their daughter's birthday. However, due to inclement weather, they celebrated with a camping-themed party at a friend's house in the Hickory Woods development, about 50 miles north of Charlotte.

On the day of the party, Philip Paxson was visiting this neighborhood for the first time and was generally unfamiliar with the area. His wife arrived early to help set up, while he stayed late to assist with cleaning up after the celebration.

After the party concluded, Philip Paxson relied on Google Maps to guide him during the approximately 10-minute drive back home. Tragically, he had no prior knowledge of the bridge's collapse, and the lawsuit alleges that the bridge area was completely dark at 11:00 p.m.

As he followed the directions provided by Google Maps, Paxson's vehicle unintentionally veered off the unguarded edge of the collapsed bridge, plummeting approximately twenty feet below into a creek. His Jeep Gladiator was discovered partially submerged in the water, and he drowned inside.

Alicia Paxson, Philip's widow, expressed the family's profound grief and frustration, stating, "Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life."

She further emphasized that Google had ignored the voices of concerned community members who had repeatedly urged the company to update its mapping system and directions, according to NBC New York.

Read Also: Authorities Find Romeoville Family Murder Suspects Shot in Oklahoma Days After Horrific Killings

Paxson Family's Fight for Justice

The Paxson family is determined to ensure their voices are heard, and justice is served. The lawsuit reveals that Google Maps had received notifications about the Snow Creek Bridge collapse in the years leading up to Paxson's tragic death. It includes images of messages from a Hickory resident named Kim Ellis, who had suggested edits to Google Maps on two occasions regarding the collapsed bridge.

In response to the lawsuit, Google spokesperson Jose Castaeda expressed condolences for the Paxson family and stated, "Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps, and we are reviewing this lawsuit."

Additionally, the lawsuit names Tarde, LLC, James Tarlton, and Hinckley Gauvain, LLC, alleging that they were responsible for the maintenance and oversight of the road and bridge.

Notably, the road in question is private. The state maintains state-owned roads in North Carolina, while counties are not responsible for maintaining public or private roads.

Attorney Robert Zimmerman of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "For nine years, the community of Hickory was needlessly and senselessly placed at risk when a road bridge collapsed in 2013, and when one of the largest companies in the world refused to correct its mapping algorithms despite repeated pleas."

The Paxson family is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages following the tragic loss of Philip Paxson's life. They have requested a jury trial in their pursuit of justice, The Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Texas Teacher Who Used Sexually Explicit Anne Frank Graphic Novel Fired

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Vietnam is determined to meet its commitment of a net-zero emission target by 2050 and support global health security priorities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told two United Nations summits in New York, the U.S., on Wednesday.

The Vietnamese leader kicked off his first activities at the United Nations headquarters by attending two summits on climate change response and preparations for future pandemics, as part of his seven-day trip to the U.S. for the high-level General Debate of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and other activities.

Cutting emissions by 43.5 percent by 2030

Speaking at the UN Climate Ambition Summit, where leaders of countries and international organizations expressed their concern about the severe impacts of climate change, PM Chinh stressed that addressing climate change impacts requires a global and all-people approach, with more urgent and stronger actions.

The PM proposed accelerating a fair and just green energy transition, which takes people as its center and leaves no one behind.

Developed countries and international organizations should put the Loss and Damage Fund into operation at COP28 as committed to supporting developing and underdeveloped countries to overcome the consequences of climate change, Chinh told the summit.

He also called for more assistance for developing countries and underdeveloped countries in developing green technologies, green finance, and renewable energy industries.

Many other delegates affirmed that responding to climate change is a shared responsibility, which requires every country to reduce the use of fossil fuels while making a fair green transition as soon as possible.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on high-emitting countries to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with developed countries and large emerging economies required to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and 2050, respectively.

Sharing the same view, PM Chinh said Vietnam, with support from the international community, will strive to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43.5 percent by 2030 and obtain a renewable energy ratio of more than 70 percent by 2050.

Even though being a developing country still facing many difficulties, Vietnam, with the spirit of supporting a green Earth, is determined to fulfill its commitment, raised at COP26, to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Chinh affirmed.

Supporting global health security priorities

While attending the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) on Wednesday afternoon, PM Chinh emphasized the extremely serious consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He called on the international community to take action soon so that future generations do not have to suffer from similar terrible epidemics.

The PM proposed prioritizing increasing timely and equitable access to vaccines, improving the capacity of grassroots and preventive health, promoting transfer of vaccine and drug technologies, and providing financial support for developing and underdeveloped countries.

He affirmed that Vietnam supports making global health security a priority in all policies to help early detect, timely respond to and effectively drive back epidemics in the future.

From the COVID-19 experience, delegates called for increased international cooperation and coordination at the highest level to ensure equitable and timely access to pandemic-related medical products.

They also proposed removing trade barriers and strengthening supply chains to facilitate the transportation of vaccines, drugs and other public health products.

Delegates unanimously passed a political declaration on pandemic preparedness and response, and agreed to hold a high-level conference in 2026 to evaluate the implementation of the declaration.

This years HLM on PPPR was convened by the UN based on an initiative raised by Vietnam and some other countries and was approved by the UN General Assembly in September 2022.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday morning (New York time) received Aurelia Nguyen, a Vietnamese French, chief program strategy officer at Gavi, a global Vaccine Alliance, and awarded her Vietnams Friendship Medal for her valuable contributions to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

-- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has sent a letter to his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh to express his condolences over the tragic apartment block inferno in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi. The blaze killed 56 people and injured 37 others on Tuesday last week.

Society

-- Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai expects the city to become an exemplar of cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Japan, he told a ceremony to celebrate 50 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties on Wednesday.

-- Police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Wednesday afternoon delivered Jinhong Kil, a South Korean, who was put on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)s red list, to the South Korean police. The man is suspected of robbing a branch of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea in Daejeon on August 18, and was arrested in Vietnams coastal central city on September 10.

Business

-- Vietnam exported wood and woodwork worth over US$1.1 billion in August, showing positive signs of recovery, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

-- The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam has written to four foreign-invested firms asking them to suspend cooperation agreements with 328 livestock farms as these farms have no certificates of completion of environmental protection works.

-- Some 100 representatives from Australian food firms and education facilities are seeking cooperation opportunities in Vietnam as they are engaging in Australian education and cuisine promotion programs in Can Tho City, Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang City under Khanh Hoa Province through Friday.

Tourism

-- Boat service for tourists on the Nho Que River, a popular destination in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, will resume on Thursday, five days after its suspension.

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The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council has approved a plan to revitalize the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Saigon Opera House, as the theater has fallen into a state of degradation.

The renovation of the opera house, which is considered as one of the citys iconic symbols, is estimated to cost VND337 billion (US$13.9 million).

The repair is aimed at preserving the architectural values of the establishment to make it a further attractive destination for international tourists visiting the city and a venue for important festivals and events.

Chau Huy Toan, who has worked at the opera house for 33 years, said he has witnessed the building undergo two renovations.

The Saigon Opera House is situated at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The theater, developed over 123 years ago, is a popular destination for tourists to the city.

In 1998, the city launched a large renovation of the theater and equipped it with modern sound equipment from France.

In 2008, the city revitalized the building once again but most of the work was painting.

Now, the theaters electrical system, water supply, firefighting system, and air conditioning systems are in need of an overhaul.

Currently, the theaters technical system fails to meet the demand for large international artistic events, such as symphony orchestras and ballet programs, Toan said.

In 1998, the city revitalized the opera house to preserve its architecture.

Two statues of the Goddess of Art in front of the Saigon Opera House were restored in 1998, becoming a highlight of the building.

Ho Chi Minh City will this time renovate the main hall, and invest in electricity supply, air conditioning, sound, lightning, firefighting, and fire alarm systems so that the Saigon Opera House can accommodate international artistic programs pending the completion of an opera house in Thu Duc City.

The building will be repaired until 2026. The city will make a prefeasibility report for the renovation project his year, seek the approval for the project and its design next year, and execute the project from 2025.

Besides the Saigon Opera House, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council also approved a plan to repair the Hoa Binh Theater in District 10 with a cost of VND275 billion ($11.3 million) sourced from the citys budget. The theater, built in 185, features the citys cultural and historical values but its equipment has deteriorated. It will take two years to complete the project.

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The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council on Tuesday decided to source over VND4.3 trillion (US$176.1 million) from its budget to purchase medical equipment for three hospitals at its gateways.

Of the total, the Thu Duc Regional General Hospital will receive over VND1.45 trillion ($59.5 million); Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, over VND1.49 trillion ($61.1 million); and Cu Chi Regional General Hospital, some VND1.36 trillion ($55.8 million).

The city will purchase the equipment between 2023 and 2025.

The plan to acquire medical equipment for these hospitals is vital to ensure that they will have sufficient equipment after being put into operation.

Residents in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces can access high-quality healthcare services, while these hospitals can attract high-skilled medical workers.

The plan will also help ease the overload at central-level hospitals in the southern metropolis.

In 2021, Ho Chi Minh started work on these three hospitals with an investment of VND5.6 trillion ($229.5 million), sourced from the citys budget. The city expected to complete and put them into use in 2025.

Dang Quoc Quan, director of the Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the project to rebuild the hospital is around 75 percent complete.

The hospital proposed needed medical equipment two to three years ago to prepare for its operation.

Meanwhile, Cao Tan Phuoc, director of the Thu Duc Regional General Hospital, said the re-construction of the hospital is expected to finish at the end of this year.

Contractors are installing elevators at the hospital. It will hand over the land on which the current hospital is located for the development of internal roads in the next 15 days.

The hospital has also made a list of necessary medical devices and sent the list to the municipal Department of Health.

The 1,000-bed Cu Chi Regional General Hospital was also expected to begin operating from late this year. It will also admit 3,000-3,500 outpatients per day.

The construction of the Thu Duc Regional General Hospital is expected to finish at the end of 2023. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Quan from the Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital said the hospital sees a high number of patients daily, including some 1,600 outpatients and 300 inpatients, including those from neighboring Long An and Binh Duong Provinces.

Infrastructure and equipment of the hospital is ramshackle and operating ineffectively.

He gave the example of a 16-slice CT scanner at the hospital that has been used for over 15 years but has been seriously broken for two years. As a result, the hospital has to send its patients to other hospitals.

Its ultrasound machines, X-ray machines, operating tables, and operating rooms are also dilapidated.

Meanwhile, the Thu Duc Regional General Hospital receives an average of 2,600-2,700 patients daily and even up to 3,000 on peak days. The number of patients from adjacent provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong makes up 40 percent, and the remaining are patients from Thu Duc City.

The investment in new medical equipment for the hospital is essential to meet the demand of patients.

The VND4.3 trillion (US$176.1 million) amount for the purchase of medical equipment at the three hospitals is part of the VND7 trillion ($304 million) that the municipal Peoples Council decided to spend on infrastructure and equipment of health care units under the mid-term public investment plan for the 2021-25 period.

The city also passed projects to develop new infrastructure and procure equipment for 17 medical facilities under the municipal Department of Health.

As a result, the total mid-term public investment is valued at over VND3 trillion ($123 million) for the 2021-25 period and more than VND4 trillion ($164 million) for 2026-30.

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A conference for experts from Germany and Vietnam to analyze and discuss the potential of Vietnams just energy for local economic and labor growth took place in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The Just Energy Transition = Job Accelerator for Vietnam? German-Vietnamese perspectives on employment and skills needs, hosted by the German Embassy in Hanoi on Wednesday, attracted nearly 200 delegates and 300 private attendees, according to press release issued by the embassy.

Just energy transition typically refers to financing mechanisms that allow developed countries to fund clean energy initiatives in fossil fuel-dependent developing countries.

Many of those in attendance represented Vietnamese governmental agencies, such as the National Assembly; the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN); the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

Representatives from mission-based organizations, such as the German Institute for Employment Research and the Institute for Sustainable Futures - University of Technology Sydney, were also in attendance.

Specifically, the event focused on exploring the transformative potential of just energy transition for Vietnam's workforce and economy.

Measures currently underway which will create a forward-looking framework for enhancing green skills and green jobs were also discussed at the conference.

Delegates at the Just Energy Transition = Job Accelerator for Vietnam? German-Vietnamese perspectives on employment and skills needs conference in Hanoi on September 20, 2023. Photo: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hanoi

A common topic of discussion at the conference was the philosophy that just energy transition must also acknowledge social, cultural, environmental, economic, and identity-related issues in order to ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind.

Addressing the conference, Dr. Guido Hildner, the German Ambassador to Vietnam, congratulated the Vietnamese government for its ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and its commitment to a comprehensive Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) signed by Vietnam and the G7 Plus Members in December 2022.

Germany is a long standing and reliable Partner of Vietnam. Our first joint project in the field of renewable energies started in 2009. Since then our cooperation has continuously grown and currently comprises an overall portfolio of ongoing and planned projects of more than 1 billion Euro, the ambassador said.

Ambassador Hildner also told the conference that the number of employees in occupations with green skills in Germany has increased by 56.7 percent to 5 million from 2012 to 2020, demonstrating that, although energy transition is a complex and demanding process, there are also huge opportunities both individuals and the economy.

Aside from Hildner, International experts used their platforms at the conference to share stories of the world's energy transition, highlighting successful mechanisms for the transition and clarifying the importance of nurturing the workforce and building mechanisms and policies with long-term visions to promote the development of new jobs and indirect jobs related to the energy transformation.

Acknowledging the importance of fostering and upgrading labor skills, Nguyen Thi Ha, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs stressed that training initiatives must be created to ensure that workers can keep their jobs or change careers during the energy transition process.

Ha also expressed her hope that experts share their experiences in tapping the potential of energy transition as well as propose specific solutions related to employment and skills training for Vietnamese workers which align with the goal of the countrys just energy transition.

Experts at the conference also confirmed the urgency of promoting skills development and employment promotion measures in order to realize employment potential during the energy transition.

They also emphasized the need to focus on gender equality and promote the role of women in the energy transition process.

The conferences participants joined discussions in five areas, including wind energy, solar energy, women in energy, energy efficiency, and e-mobility.

Ta Dinh Thi, vice chairman of the National Assemblys Committee on Science, Technology and Environment affirmed that Vietnam is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Vietnam is aware of the importance of developing the 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 a green future for Vietnam, Thi said.

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New horror film Hell House LLG Origins: The Carmichael Manor from writer / director Stephen Cognetti will premiere on Shudder in October during the streamers Devils Night premiere.

An official selection at the 14th annual Telluride Horror Show, the film also comes with a special 14 day offer from Shudder (below).

Although this is the fourth film in the Hell House LLC series, I want fans to know that this is not a part 4 or a prequel. In making the Carmichael Manor, I wanted to create an original story within the Hell House LLC universe yet set it in the present day instead of making a precursor to the original trilogy. As a filmmaker, the Carmichael Manor allowed me to explore some of the themes and origins from the hotels mythology, while introducing new characters and mysteries surrounding the events that took place in 1989 in a stand-alone origin story, one of several I hope to create, stated Cognetti.

The story takes place in 2021 and follows a group of internet sleuths who travel to the remote Carmichael Manor. Located deep in the woods of Rockland County, New York, the estate is the site of the infamous 1989 Carmichael family murders that have gone unsolved to this day. What they discover are secrets that have been hidden away for decades and a terror that has been lurking in the shadows long before Hell House.

The film is produced by Joe Bandelli, with Joe Dain and Jim Klock executive producing for Terror Films Releasing. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor will be available to anyone with a Shudder or AMC+ subscription in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

For fans who dont yet have a subscription, Shudder offers a 7-Day free trial however, Terror Films Releasing has teamed with Shudder to offer this special promo code: HELLHOUSELLC4

The code will be good for a 14-Day Free Trial from the date activation, but this special code expires on October 21, 2023, so be sure to activate it before October 21 but no earlier than October 18 to catch the premiere of Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor on October 30.

Horror themes.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, currently chairman of Fox Corporation and executive chairman of News Corp, will step down from all his roles in November when the companies hold their annual meetings.

He will be appointed Chairman Emeritus of each company with son Lachlan Murdoch, 52, to succeed him as Chairman.

For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change, Murdoch wrote in a memo to employees on Thursday.

But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole chairman of both companies.

Neither excessive pride nor false humility are admirable qualities. But I am truly proud of what we have achieved collectively through the decades, and I owe much to my colleagues, whose contributions to our success have sometimes been unseen outside the company but are deeply appreciated by me.

On behalf of the Fox and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams, and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career, said Lachlan Murdoch.

We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted.

The 92-year-old media mogul, who got into the newspaper business in Australia the 1950s, became a major Hollywood executive in 1985 when he purchased Twentieth Century Fox from oilman Marvin Davis.

Under News Limited he founded NWS9, Adelaides first television station in 1959, owning it until 1980.

In 1986, Murdoch got into the US TV business after he purchased several US television stations and created Fox Broadcasting. Fox News launched in 1996 as a startup competitor to CNN. In 1990, he founded Star TV, a Hong Kong-based television broadcasting company.

There were also controversies in his long career, including in 2011 over News of the World reporters hacking phones to get stories.

Under Murdochs leadership, Fox News, has echoed election lies espoused by former President Donald Trump in the wake of the 2020 election.

Fox Corp ultimately paid US$787 million ($1.23 billion) in a defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and faces another lawsuit from Dominion competitor Smartmatic.

The battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense, he said.

My father firmly believed in freedom, and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause. Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

Rupert Murdoch has six children including Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence, Grace and Chloe.

He said he would still be actively involved in the contest of ideas.

In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon, Mr Murdoch said.

Source: The Australian, Nine News
Jeopardy Australia host Stephen Fry was rushed to hospital after falling from the O2 stage in London last week.

Fry, 66, was at the venue on 14 September to deliver a speech on Artificial Intelligence at the CogX Festival technology conference.

As he was exiting the stage, he reportedly fell two metres to the floor, sustaining rib and leg injuries before being taken to hospital for treatment.

An unnamed source said, It looked like it was too dark and there didnt look like there was a handrail. He looked to have been hurt as he had to leave in a wheelchair.

We were called today at 11.31am to reports of an incident at the O2 Arena, in Peninsula Square, a London Ambulance Service spokesperson said, without confirming the patients identity.

We sent a medic in a fast-response car, an ambulance crew, and an incident response officer to the scene.

His current condition is unknown, although he reportedly remains in hospital.

A spokesperson for CogX said, We were deeply concerned to hear of Stephens 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.

During his speech, Fry had cautioned against the dangers of AI, playing the audience a clip of what appeared to be his voice narrating a historical documentary.

I said not one word of that  it was a machine, Fry revealee. 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

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.

Nine has completed filming of Jeopardy Australia specials due to screen in 2024.

Source: Independent, New Daily
GLOBALink | Int'l Tai Chi contest in central Chinese city attracts fans from afar Pub Date:23-09-21 09:24 Source:Xinhua 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 Editor:Zheng Chen

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The Biden-Harris administration has provided $600 million in funding to restart the manufacturing and offering of free at-home COVID-19 tests for people of the United States.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) an investment of more than half a billion dollars across 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers and the reopening of COVIDTests.gov.

Government To Offer Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Again

The decision will lead to delivering COVID-19 tests to households across the United States without people having to pay for them. The critical investments in US manufacturing are designed to improve preparedness for COVID-19 and other pandemic threats that could occur in the future.

It would also strengthen the nation's capacity to manufacture tests and secure approximately 200 million new over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for future federal government use. The funding will be divided among various companies nationwide, the largest recipient of which is Access Bio in New Jersey, which will receive $88.7 million, as per the HHS.

In a statement, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the Biden-Harris administration partnered with domestic manufacturers to make great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the country's supply chain. This is done by reducing the nation's reliance on overseas manufacturing.

The 12 manufacturing companies that comprise the recipient list for the funding operate production facilities across the United States and employ hundreds of workers in seven states. The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dawn O'Connell, said that manufacturing COVID-19 tests in the US strengthen preparedness for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

He added that this would also reduce the country's reliance on other countries and provide good jobs for hard-working Americans. O'Connell noted that ASPR's investment in domestic manufacturers will increase the availability of COVID-19 tests in the future.

Read Also: UK's Health System Warns Doctor Strike Could Cause Major Patient Care Disruption

Providing $600 Million to Manufacturers

United States President Joe Biden's administration announced the new funding as the coronavirus is gaining a stronger foothold nationwide. Free test kits have been offered by the government through the COVIDTests.gov website since January 2022, according to CNBC.

However, the site stopped taking orders on June 1 this year to conserve supplies of the tests. The American government is now relaunching the program just before the virus is expected to spread at higher levels among the population. For the past eight weeks straight, COVID-19 hospitalizations have steadily increased.

The Biden administration also noted that the free at-home COVID-19 test kits that will be delivered will be able to detect currently circulating virus variants. The kits are also intended for use up through the end of 2023 and will have instructions for how people can verify if a test's expiration date has been extended.

Households nationwide can order four free COVID-19 tests through the website. The current administration also said that it expects to secure roughly 200 million test kits from its new investments in the 12 local manufacturers, including in the new funding, said Axios.

Related Article: FDA Rejects First Needle-Free Alternative to EpiPens Citing Further Research Needed

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The report published Thursday reveals that six out of 16 EU-funded migration actions in Niger, Libya and Tunisia worth a total 667 million potentially breach the aid rules set out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Oxfam's findings suggest the EU is increasingly diverting its development aid to pursue a domestic strategy of deterring migration, undermining human rights and welfare.

The EU allocates 10% of its landmark 79.5 billion international aid package to migration-related activities. At least 93% of funds must promote development and welfare in developing countries, in compliance with the OECD's aid criteria.

But the Oxfam report suggests a third of EU-funded migration actions in three African countries violate these rules.

"EU aid is going towards supporting the coastguards despite their extremely poor human rights track record," Stephanie Pope, Oxfam EU migration expert, told Euronews.

"In Libya, the coastguard only a few months ago fired shots at rescue ships attempting to help people in distress at sea. The Tunisian coastguard has been reported to steal engines of migrant boats, as well as refusing to help people in distress at sea contrary to its international obligations," she added.

The OECD says any actions that "neglect the rights of forcibly displaced persons and migrants" do not qualify as aid.

Responding to the report on Thursday, a European Commission spokesperson refuted the claim that money destined to fight poverty is being diverted to fight migration.

"Most of our actions are actually helping to address the root causes of migration," the spokesperson said.

Of the eight migration activities analysed by Oxfam in Niger, a country often used as a corridor for migrant smugglers between sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb, only one was found to support safe and legal migration.

In Libya, none of the migration projects analysed foster safe and regular pathways, Oxfam says.

Story continues

Funding 'complex' to trace

The NGO also says that tracking the EU's multiple financial mechanisms to stem migratory flows from Africa to Europe, including as part of the controversial migration deal struck recently with Tunisia, is increasingly complex.

The deal, signed between European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisian President Kais Saied in July, has been criticised for its questionable legal basis and lack of democratic oversight.

The European Parliament has blasted the deal for failing to recognise mounting evidence of Tunisian authorities abusive treatment of sub-Saharan migrants, including illegal pushbacks, racial hatred and human rights violations.

The report calls on the Parliament to hold the bloc's executive to account on its migration actions, warning that the EU's increasing preoccupation with migratory flows is eclipsing crucial development aid in Africa.

Oxfam also says the EU is missing out on opportunities to open safe migration routes and harness the development advantages of migration.

"If the EU increasingly redirects these already very scarce development funds towards its own misguided migration interests, the risk is that there's even less money available to give these countries the support they urgently need right now," Pope said.
Poland will stop supplying weapons to Ukraine after a row about grain imports saw President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticise the country at the UN and Warsaw summon Kyiv's ambassador.

Poland has been one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, transferring many of its older weapons, as well as taking in a huge number of refugees.

But Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the scheme would end because it is updating its arms inventory.

Ukraine war latest - get live updates

"We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons," he told Polsat News.

He denied it was related to the grain row and said his decision wouldn't impact weapons transfers through Poland, where Rzeszow is an international hub for shuttling arms across the border.

Relations have soured after Poland last week joined Hungary and Slovakia in extending an EU ban on Ukrainian grain to protect its own farmers.

President Zelenskyy attacked the decision at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

"Alarmingly, some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theatre - turning grain into a thriller," he said.

"They may seem to play their own roles. In fact, they're helping set the stage for a Moscow actor."

Poland called in the Ukrainian ambassador for a dressing down on Wednesday and said deputy foreign minister Pawel Jablonski had expressed a "strong protest".

It said he had told Vasyl Zvarych that "sending complaints to international tribunals are not appropriate methods of resolving disputes between our countries".

Some European nations have seen a surge in Ukrainian grain as Russian blockades mean it can no longer export to other parts of the world.

On Friday, the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on sales to five countries - Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

However, the latter three said they would maintain the ban.

Story continues

Ukraine like a 'drowning person'

Kyiv's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said on Facebook: "We urge our Polish friends to put aside their emotions.

"The Ukrainian side has offered Poland a constructive path to resolve the grain issue."

He said their ambassador had stressed the "unacceptability" of Poland's ban - and also the "incorrectness" of comments by Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The Polish leader, speaking to reporters in New York, said Ukraine should remember it gets help from Poland and likened the country to a "drowning person".

"A drowning person is extremely dangerous because he can pull you to the depth... He can simply drown the rescuer," he said.

Read more:

Zelenskyy's poise and persuasion could be key at Washington talks

Biden call to unite behind Ukraine hints at concern over appeasement

Ukraine has threatened retaliatory measures on some imports if the countries blocking its grain don't change course - as well as lodging a protest with the World Trade Organisation.

Mr Morawiecki hit back during his Polsat News interview on Wednesday.

"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," he said.

Some commentators believe Poland's decision to stop weapons transfers is related to next month's parliamentary elections.

The ruling nationalist Law and Justice party has been criticised by the far right for what it says is a subservient attitude to Ukraine.

The leader of Poland's Civic Coalition, Donald Tusk, also criticised the move to stop supplying weapons, calling it "completely unacceptable".

He accused the government of jeopardising national interests and "wasting what was a great opportunity for the entire region".
Irwins Bakery in Portadown, Co Armagh has worked with Waitrose to secure a new listing for its Irwins Together branded Cranberry & Orange Super Seeded Loaf. (Photo: Contributed by Irwin's)

A new twist on the traditional fruit loaf, the Irwins Together branded Cranberry and Orange Super Seeded Loaf, has been snapped up by top supermarket Waitrose.

The bread will be stocked in 300 Waitrose stores from mid-September and strengthens Irwins existing relationship with the retailer, which currently lists six Irwins Together lines, including two other fruited breads  a Luxury Fruit Loaf and Cinnamon & Raisin Toasty Loaf.

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Irwins Bakery, Northern Irelands only independent plant bakery, launched the Irwins Together range to the market in 2021, following over 500,000 investment in Research and Development. Since then, Irwins has increased its share of the speciality bread market with a more than five percent growth in the fruited category.

This latest business win demonstrates our continued success in creating demand for speciality breads among GB consumers, explains Chloe Ormiston, Category and Shopper Insights Manager at Irwins Bakery.

In a challenging market with changing shopping behaviours, Irwins is passionate about giving added product benefits to consumers. Increasingly weve seen a rebalancing of what consumers deem as important, with value, health, practicality, and enjoyment all in play. Further weve seen a decline in traditional breakfast choices, with a switch to morning goods options driven by health and convenient indulgence, said Chloe.

This research has driven our desire to bring excitement to the fruited and morning goods categories, delivering great-tasting products that consumers are asking for.

The development of this new style of fruit loaf, with added seeds and grains, opens up the business to a new market, giving us the opportunity to engage with a younger audience who wouldn't normally consider a traditional fruit loaf.

Irwins Together Cranberry and Orange Super Seeded Loaf is available in Waitrose stores now  RRP 2.10.

WD Irwin started in business in 1912 in Woodhouse Street, Portadown, as a grocer and was baking cakes and breads to sell in his shop. Now, the bakery employs more than 450 staff and operates 24 hours a day, 363 days a year.
Zelenskyy at the White House: Five things Ukraine wants from the US

As war rages back at home, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due in the White House on Thursday.

He will meet his US counterpart for talks, hot off the back of a visit to the UN HQ in New York.

But what does Ukraine want - and need - from the US right now? And more importantly, can Washington give it?

1. Secure aid

US President Joe Biden is trying to give Ukraine an extra $24 billion in security and humanitarian aid to help oust Russia from its territory.

Still, despite promising to help Kyiv as long as it takes, his attempt is deeply uncertain thanks to a growing political impasse in Congress about federal spending.

Republican lawmakers are pushing for broad budgetary cuts and a government shutdown looms at the end of the month.

There are a lot of divisions within Americas domestic environment, particularly at the government level, says Georgina Taylor, who is researching the Ukraine war at Leeds University. Zelenskyy is going to make one final push to try and get that aid.

2. Shore up US support

Behind the standoff in Washington lies a growing partisan divide, with some America First Republicans wanting to halt aid for Ukraine entirely.

There is an apprehension on the US side when it comes to sending more money, Taylor tells Euronews, adding right-wingers were increasingly critical of the supposed blank cheque handed to Kyiv.

This is something Ukraines number one is likely to try and address, meeting US lawmakers from both sides of the political divide during his trip.

Further afield Taylor claims Zelenskyy will want to shore up support ahead of the US 2024 Presidential Election which could see Donald Trump come to power.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Pray Vote Stand Summit, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. - Jose Luis Magana/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.

The embattled former president - currently facing several criminal charges - has not committed to backing Ukraine in the war against Russia, saying in March that we wanted everybody to stop dying.

A CNN poll last month found most Americans oppose giving more money to Ukraine, with 55% saying US Congress should not authorise further funding.

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3. Inspire confidence in counteroffensive

Ukraines progress in the counteroffensive will definitely come up when the two leaders meet, says Leed University's Georgian Taylor.

It's a very difficult topic to discuss because there are so many factors but I do think the US would like to see more progress being made, she tells Euronews.

But I don't necessarily think there will be a forceful push that Kyiv needs to make gains on the battlefield because that's a very bold claim, especially when you are not directly involved in the fighting.

Equipped with billions in Western arms, Kyiv launched its counteroffensive against Russian forces in June. Progress has been slow, with Moscow mounting stiff resistance.

Zelenskyy may relay to Biden a more strategic vision of the war, adds Dr Jade McGlynn a researcher at Kings College, pointing to striking differences between Western understandings of the conflict and Ukraines.

The Ukrainian leader will want to make the case why Ukraine should win a total victory, which is framed as expelling Russian forces from its territory completely.

From the point of view of some in the West, the war is increasingly framed as there needs to be peace, and peace involves compromise, suggests McGlynn, alluding to arguments that Kyiv should give Moscow captured land in exchange for stoping hostilities.

Yet, the researcher claims Ukraine has had pretty recent evidence that appeasement does not work, citing Russias proxy war in eastern Ukraine that began in 2014.

"The vast majority of Ukrainians don't want to compromise on territory because... of the threat that would pose for the future of Ukraine and their children."

"They measure the war in much darker terms than some Western observers might think."

4. More weapons

Another item on the agenda will likely be weaponry, with Ukraine needing more guns and ammunition amid its grinding offensive in the south and east.

The Ukrainians won't necessarily be seeking new weapons The main point is to get them on time, says McGlynn. That's been the key sticking point because an awful lot of what was promised has been delayed... or it's taken too long to get there.

Zelenskyy warned world leaders in April that delays in supplying his country with more weapons were costing lives.

Kyivs need for weaponry is more pressing as officials - including the Ukrainian president himself  have said the countrys counteroffensive will not pause this winter, despite the weather making it harder to fight.

A months-long pause last year is seen by some as having given Russia ample time to prepare its defences, making Ukraines campaign much harder.

5. Push NATO membership

Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine renewed its efforts to join NATO.

Its ambitious bid has been frustrated, however, with the US-led military alliance delincing Kyivs request for fast-track membership in September 2022.

Zelenskyy is constantly pushing for NATO recognition, says Taylor, believing the topic would likely be a talking point in the White House.

She suggests the seeming rapprochement between Russia and North Korea - with the leaders of both countries meeting last week - could make these NATO conversations more comprehensive.

We don't know if the conflict will spill out of Ukraine's borders. That risk is always there, Taylor tells Euronews, though adds: there were far more immediate things to focus on when Biden and Zelenskyy meet.

Some observers see Ukraines NATO membership as the best way of ensuring the countrys and Europes future peace, with its security umbrella deterring possible Russian aggression.

However, experts told Euronews there are several reasons why Kyiv could not join the alliance, including the risk of a wider war, Kyivs lack of preparedness and the potential propaganda victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Geraldine and Sean McLaughlin celebrating the forthcoming new business opening. Photo: submitted

Experienced restaurant operators, Sean and Geraldine McLaughlin, in partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, are putting their hands to the tiller. Over the next 18 months, they will invest over 150K in the Boat House, which is located on the first floor at the council-owned Gateway building on the shores of Lough Neagh.

Sean and his team won a competitive tender to reinstate and run the restaurant. The McLaughlins, whos portfolio includes the Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy and award-winning Kraken Fish & Chips in Portrush, will re-open the restaurant on Tuesday, October 10 with Michael McGuigan as head chef.

This new contract is expected not only to breathe new life into the restaurant but to champion community growth with job retention and creation and plans for further expansion.

With panoramic views of Lough Neagh, the restaurant can seat a total of 70 guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

Speaking at the new contract announcement, Sean McLaughlin, said: Today is a great day for the entire McLaughlin family and all our much-valued staff. We're immensely proud and excited to be able to reinstate one of the best-loved restaurants in County Antrim and beyond.

It will be our honour to get the Boat House restaurant back to its former glory and even better, offering our guests a taste of Northern Ireland's finest foods and flavours amidst the serene beauty of Lough Neagh.

Culinary excellence is not just about food; it's about creating unforgettable experiences coupled with our famous Northern Ireland hospitality and we will work exceptionally hard to deliver that promise.

Read More New 5.5m Premier Inn hotel near Belfast International Airport given planning permission

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper, said: Im delighted to welcome the McLaughlin family to the borough to manage the Boat House, a unique restaurant on the shores of Lough Neagh.

Their experience as successful restaurant operators will make this very popular visitor attraction even more appealing and will, no doubt, bring new visitors to the Borough. The council looks forward to working with Sean and Geraldine and I would wish them every success with this high-profile new venture.
MP Bob Seely, right, cuts the ribbon on the production line at Britten-Norman in Bembridge while chief executive, William Hynett, watches on. (Image: IWCP.)

Isle of Wight aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman, plans to quadruple its output over the next couple of years, with workers based at its hangers in Bembridge.

Today (Thursday), it formally opened its new production line and revealed there is already interest from firms in Malta, India and Australia. Meanwhile, the first aeroplane from its reinvigorated Island-base will to go to the Falkland Islands.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely cut the ribbon, alongside the group's chief executive, William Hynett, who said the aim was to "build British and export to the world."

The firm is already successful in doing so, with 97 per cent of its products sent across the globe.

Isle of Wight County Press: Red carpet to a demonstrator Islander aircraft.

Red carpet to a demonstrator Islander aircraft. (Image: IWCP.)The firm's iconic Islander has been flying since 1965 and although it has undergone 2,000 modifications since then, the basic design is true to the original and it is fondly referred to as the 'Land Rover of the skies'.

William Hynett said Islanders are exported to far flung locations, including remote Pacific islands, Canada and South Africa.

Historically they were manufactured in Romania, which has resulted in logistic challenges when it comes to getting Solent-based staff out to check on the work.

Now, the process will be streamlined.

Mr Seely said: "It is really important to have skilled manufacturing on the Island.

"I am delighted we are in shoring. We will do it better and we will probably do it at less global environmental cost than other countries."

Also on hand for the official launch were Alex Norman, whose dad, Desmond Norman, was half of the pioneering duo behind Britten-Norman.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Isle of Wight County Press: MP Bob Seely, right, cuts the ribbon on the production line at Britten-Norman in Bembridge while chief executive, William Hynett, watches on.

MP Bob Seely, right, cuts the ribbon on the production line at Britten-Norman in Bembridge while chief executive, William Hynett, watches on. (Image: IWCP.)

Isle of Wight County Press: MP Bob Seely and young Britten-Norman staff.

MP Bob Seely and young Britten-Norman staff. (Image: IWCP.)He said: "Dad would have been utterly delighted and quietly satisfied. If you get something right, it stays right.

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"Here we are, almost sixty years after the first flight, still going strong.

"He and John [Britten] would have delighted production has moved back to Bembridge, where it all began"

James Morton is the nephew of co-founder John Britten.

Of the Islander, he said: "It's the Land Rover of the sky. You've got a strong study platform. It's never going to let you down and you can put whatever you want in it, whether it's parachutists, medical staff.

"To see it coming back to life at Bembridge is just brilliant.

"My uncle would have been chuffed to nuts, He really would."
Ukrainian special services were likely behind a series of drone strikes and a ground operation directed against a Wagner-backed militia near Sudans capital, a CNN investigation has found, raising the prospect that the fallout from Russias invasion of Ukraine has spread far from the frontlines.

Speaking to CNN, a Ukrainian military source described the operation as the work of a non-Sudanese military. Pressed on whether Kyiv was behind the attacks, the source would only say that Ukrainian special services were likely responsible.

The operation involved a series of attacks on the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is believed to be receiving assistance from Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, in its fight against the Sudanese army for control of the country.

CNN was unable to independently confirm Ukraines involvement in the series of strikes. But video footage obtained by CNN revealed the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks.

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. Aside from a string of Ukrainian drone attacks that hit deep inside Russian territory, Ukraines ongoing counter-offensive has been focused on the countrys occupied east and south.

Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were captured in the drone footage. After this report was published, Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, told CNN: We can neither confirm nor deny this.

Portions of those videos have been circulating on social media since Thursday. Footage of the ground operation has not previously been published.

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A high-level Sudanese military source said he had no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan and did not believe it was true.

Multiple US officials appeared unaware of the alleged incident and expressed surprise at the suggestion that the strikes and ground operation may have been conducted by Ukrainian forces.

The videos, which alternate between the pilots view, the viewpoint of a drone observing from overhead and the controller itself, show a succession of drone strikes in and around Omdurman, a city across the Nile River from the capital Khartoum which has become a focal point of fighting between the two rival factions.

First-person view (FPV) drones allow pilots to view the operation from the drones point of view, wearing a pair of goggles or using a monitor to watch the live transmission. What appears to be a DJI MAVIC 3 drone can be seen in the videos filming the drone strikes. Both drone types are commercially available and widely used by Ukrainian forces.

The DJI MAVIC 3 drone has a maximum flight distance of 30 kilometers (around 18 miles), a video transmission range of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) and 46 minutes of flying time, which would indicate that the pilot would have been operating the drone inside, or very close to, the city.

In video showing the monitor of the drone controller, text in English and Ukrainian is visible, including , or Stop. The drone operator, who appears to be foreign, can also be seen in the reflection of the controller, but the operator is wearing a balaclava and is not identifiable.

A British researcher who runs Calibre Obscura, a website that identifies weapons, analyzed the footage for CNN and said the device tallies with those used by Ukrainian forces to control DJI MAVIC drones.

CNN has geolocated the sites of the small-scale attacks and the ground operation seen in the drone videos but could not independently verify the date the videos were filmed. Several strikes on Shambat bridge, which connects Omdurman and Khartoum, appeared to tally with local reports on social media of an attack on September 8.

The strikes came just two days after Wagner facilitated a large arms convoy to Sudan via an RSF garrison in al-Zurug, in the countrys southwest near the border with Chad, according to another high-level Sudanese source. The official told CNN that a large number of vehicles, including several trucks carrying weapons from Wagner arrived at Zurug on September 6. CNN has obtained satellite images that showed over 100 vehicles, including scores of trucks, at the garrison on the same day high-level Sudanese sources reported the arms convoy.

Two Chadian military whistleblowers told CNN that the convoy traveled through Chad to Zurug, which would signal an expansion of Russia and Wagners sphere of influence in Africa, which is widely known to comprise Mali, Sudan, the Central African Republic and Libya.

The powerful Russian mercenary group has played a public and pivotal role in Moscows foreign military campaigns, namely in Ukraine, and has repeatedly been accused of committing atrocities. In Africa, it has helped to prop up Moscows growing influence and seizing of resources.

Six drone strikes targeted pickup trucks driving on Shambat bridge. Eight other attacks hit parked vehicles, buildings and armed men in Omdurman and the western suburb of Ombada, where the Sudanese military has conducted a series of air raids in recent weeks targeting RSF positions that have reportedly claimed scores of civilian lives.

One of the videos showed at least three foreign fighters appearing to conduct a raid on a building. In a clip apparently recorded on a body camera, troops were wearing night goggles, and one of the soldiers appeared to be carrying a rocket launcher. An aerial shot showing the troops advancing on the building was geolocated by CNN to a neighborhood in Omdurman near where the drone strikes took place.

CNN has previously reported that, according to sources, Wagner has been supplying the RSF with surface-to-air missiles buttressing RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo  widely known as Hemedti  as he battles for power with Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudans military ruler and the head of its armed forces.

Wim Zwijnenburg, project leader for humanitarian disarmament at PAX, a Dutch peace organization, said it was the first time the drones identified by CNN had been observed in Africa.

Such (FPV) loitering drones are being seen in the African continent for the first time ever, Zwijnenburg, who specializes in emerging military technologies, including drones, said. However, we have seen the rise in use of such drones in Ukraine over the last year.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zwijnenburg said that both Ukrainian and Russian forces have been experimenting with FPV drones, equipping them with rocket-propelled grenades. The highly maneuverable, precise munitions can carry a payload large enough to take out a vehicle. While drones have previously been used to drop bombs in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Libya, the use of weaponized commercial drones that explode on impact is new in Africa, he added.

Some of the individuals seen targeted in the footage were wearing local attire and pale fatigues, matching that worn by RSF soldiers and allied militia. In one video, fighters can be seen fleeing the scene of the raid while wielding AK-47s.

The RSF, which has a large presence in the capital Khartoum and Omdurman, has been under frequent aerial attack by the Sudanese military since fighting broke out between the two groups in April. In a speech on Thursday, RSF head Hemedti said his forces had all but dominated Khartoum state, which includes Omdurman, and spoke of recent indiscriminate aerial attacks in Omdurman and other cities.

Rapid Support Forces leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, in April 2019. - AP

Prior to the outbreak of violence this spring, Burhan and Hemedti were allies in a military junta that overthrew an internationally recognized transitional government in 2021. Sudans military government had received Wagners support in the past, but Hemedti emerged over the years as Wagners preferred ally in the country.

Wagner dropped Sudans army wholesale when fighting broke out, backing Hemedti and his fighters in the conflict.

CNN has exposed arms supply routes that helped sustain this conflict, running through key Wagner transit points: Russias air and naval base in the Syrian coastal region of Latakia, Wagner bases in Libya, and Bangui airport in the Central African Republic.

Wagner has a significant presence in the CAR as well as large parts of eastern Libya, which borders Sudan, and where the renegade General Khalifa Haftar controls vast swathes of territory.

Around 90% of the RSFs weapons have come from Wagner, the high-level Sudanese source told CNN, adding that Wagners supply of arms to the RSF has continued unabated despite the death of the mercenary groups leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his deputy Dmitry Utkin in a plane crash on August 23.

Prigozhins demise has raised questions about the future of Wagners operations in Africa, where the mercenary group has used brutal tactics to prop up militant groups and authoritarian regimes in exchange for mineral riches. Those resources  including huge concessions in Sudans gold mining industry  are believed to have aided Moscows war effort in Ukraine, and helped it circumvent wide-ranging Western sanctions.

The late Yevgeny Prigozhin shared a video on August 21, days before his death, suggesting he was with Wagner mercenaries in Africa. - PMC Wagner/Telegram/Reuters

Analysts and researchers have speculated that the Kremlin has consolidated control over the mercenary groups activities in Africa as part of a larger effort to absorb the group into Russias defense ministry in the wake of Prigozhins failed mutiny in June.

Prigozhin had recently flown back to Russia from Africa when his jet crashed outside Moscow killing everyone on board. Two days after Prigozhins death, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov embarked on a five-country tour of old Wagner stomping grounds: Libya, Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso and the CAR.

During the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg in late July  less than a month before Prigozhins death  the head of covert offensive operations at Russias military intelligence service (the GRU) General Andrey Averyanov attended meetings with the heads of Mali, the CAR, Eritrea and Burkina Faso.

We have repeatedly asked the Kremlin about Wagners support for the RSF, and they have told us that they have no information about this, the high-level Sudanese source told CNN. For us the Kremlin and Wagner have become one and the same.

As it battles Russia, Kyiv has placed strategic importance on deepening ties overseas, including among African countries. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has made three trips to the continent in the last year, visiting more than 10 countries.

Russia is trying very hard to keep countries in its orbit through coercion, bribery and fear Russia has two tools for its work in Africa, the most powerful ones are propaganda and Wagner, Kuleba said in a recent interview with Agence France-Presse.

Our strategy is not to replace Russia but to free Africa from Russias grip, he added.

This story has been updated with additional response from Ukraine.

Victoria Butenko and Andrew Carey in Kyiv, and Nima Elbagir, Barbara Arvanitidis and Alex Platt in NDjamena reported. Tamara Qiblawi wrote and reported from London. Gianluca Mezzofiore, Allegra Goodwin and Pallabi Munsi reported from London.



CNNs Lewis Whyld, Natasha Bertrand and Katie Bo Lillis contributed reporting.

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Keith Barron will be cooking up a storm in the Bake Off tent (Photo: Love Productions / Channel 4 / Mark Bourdillon)

The 60 year old from Lee-on-the-Solent learned to bake with his mum whose lessons form the baking backdrop to Keiths childhood, along with his mums love for traditional dishes from her home in Malta. Since those formative years, Keith has never stopped baking.

Recently, though, he has returned to the baking books of the early 1970s to attempt recipes that were once beyond him. He loves the challenge of taking on more complex bakes and has grown in confidence with bread and as a result his partner, Sue, has got very used to waking up to the smell of a freshly baked loaf!

They live with their poodle, Maisie, just a few steps from the sea.

All of the Bake Off contestants from 2023: Saku, Dan, Cristy, Josh, Rowan, Abbi, Amos, Dana, Nicky, Matty, Tasha and Keith. (Photo: Photographer: Mark Bourdillon)

Did you ever dream that you would actually get into the Bake Off tent, and what was your reaction when you got the call confirming your place?

Not in the slightest. Disbelief at receiving the phone call and some anxiety about making an idiot of myself on national telly.

Are there any particular series of Bake Off that stand out to you and which past bakers have inspired you, how and why?

Series 5 (Martha  youngest ever contestant; Enwezor  lives near me and who once overtook me in a triathlon and was too far away when I realised and yelled youre the bloke from Bake Off!; Iain - Bingate). I frequently use recipes from books by: Candice Brown, Jo Wheatley, Liam Charles, Edd Kimber. My favourite though is Martha Collison. I really like Marthas style of explaining the science and technique of her baking without being patronising. Ive also received more plaudits when Ive done her recipes than anyone else.

In the very first week of filming what special memories do you have of that time?

Everyone having such a great time, some of the group photoshoots we had to do, meals and chats with the gang, feeling very fortunate to be in the mix with a bunch of exceptionally talented people. Witnessing how these seemingly ordinary people became extraordinary after getting hold of a spatula and a piping bag.

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As a baker what would you say are your strengths.and what are your weaknesses?

Strengths - flavours, precision with ingredients, good at tweaking recipes; Weaknesses  decoration and finesse

If you were pastry would you be shortcrust, rough puff or a flaky filo? And why?

Obviously Id be a short pastry due to my stature. My mum was Maltese and only 4ft 10 so I reckon Ive overachieved in reaching 5ft 5 3/4

Is there any kind of cake or biscuit that you really dont like and what is your all time favourite?

All time favourite has to be a rich fruit cake and the only other things Im not really partial to is anything with coconut.

What was it like meeting Alison and Noel for the first time, any funny moments?

Alison is like a force of nature and it was evident that she LOVED being in the tent and being part of the Bake Off team. Noel is far more laid back very cool and it is obvious that he feels the same but in a more understated way.

Can you describe seeing the big white tent for the first time and walking in towards your workstation?

Quite surreal. It was very much a deep-breath / pinch-yourself moment and I kept thinking about how all my family and friends would react when they get to see it on telly.

Give us one fact about being in the tent that you didnt realise after having watched the series previously?

The floor is quite wobbly!!

It is not the first time the area has been represented in the Bake Off tent. Previous local contestants include Enwezor Nzegwu who lives in Southsea and Dave Friday from Waterlooville.

The Great British Bake Off will start at 8pm on Tuesday, September 26. It will be shown on Channel 4. The show will also be available online on Channel 4's catch-up service, All 4.
Polands prime minister has announced the country will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine but arm itself instead amid a growing dispute over grain imports.

Poland has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies since Russias invasion, but tensions between the two countries escalated quickly after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia extended a unliateral ban on Ukrainian farm imports to protect local farmer interests.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a televised address on Wednesday: We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons.

The announcement comes in response to President Volodymyr Zelenskys comments to the United Nations General Assembly. He said Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but added that the political theatre around grain imports was only helping Russia.

Poland summoned Kyivs envoy to the foreign ministry on Wednesday, while Ukraines foreign ministry called for calm in the dispute.

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 Russias invasion largely blocked Ukraines routes via Black Sea ports.

Polands foreign ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski had conveyed the Polish sides strong protest against the statements made by President Zelensky at the UN General Assembly, alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia.

It said Mr 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.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson 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.

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Mr Nikolenko said Ukraines ambassador explained their position on the unacceptability of the Polish ban and suggested Kyivs proposals will become the basis for moving the dialogue into a constructive course.

Ukraines ambassador also underlined the incorrectness of remarks by Polish President Andrzej Duda in New York that Ukraine should remember that it receives help from Poland, he added.

Mr 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 Organisation 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.
A body language expert has revealed that King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron displayed an "unexpected closeness" and appeared close beyond regular small conversation during their meeting in France today.

King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, landed in Paris today to begin a three-day visit to France. French President Emmanuel Macron and and his wife, First Lady Brigette Macron were there to greet them, USA Today reported

King Charles, Queen Camilla Visit Paris

During a friendly meeting, Macron and King Charles immediately embraced one another. The Royal couple arrived shortly before 2:00 p.m. on a private chartered flight from Farnborough aboard the 'baby Voyager' Airbus plane, where French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne officially welcomed them on behalf of President Macron and the French government.

They were also met by foreign secretary James Cleverly, British ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings, and French ambassador to the United Kingdom Helene Treheux-Duchene.

Camilla was a flash of color in an elegant dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy, which she gripped closely due to windy conditions as they walked along a red carpet that had been meticulously brushed earlier.

Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, met the royals at the Arc de Triomphe for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath-laying. As the Queen repeatedly attempted to keep her hat in position, President Macron was seen laughing with her.

However, as the King and the President laid the wreath, both nations' air forces performed a magnificent flyby over the renowned Parisian landmark, according to Daily Mail.

Read Also: Mark Wahlberg Hints Acting Retirement Sooner, Starts Producer Career

The Arc de Triomphe Ceremony

As part of the ceremony, the president invited King Charles to ignite the monument's eternal flame, which burns in memory of those who perished in the First and Second World Wars. Macron bowed slightly to the King and Queen while Bridgette Macron, dressed more professionally than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels, gave Camilla a cordial peck on each cheek.

Before His Majesty was accompanied by the President to inspect the soldiers, a military band played the national anthems of Britain and France. The band comprised the Regimental Band of the Garde Republicaine, the French Colour Guard, and the Tri-Service Guard of Honour.

During this time, the Queen and Madame Macron engaged in a lively conversation. Following the Guard Inspection, King Charles and President Emmanuel Macron made their way to the Plateau, the center of the Arc de Triomphe, where they visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Before laying a wreath in remembrance of those who perished in the First and Second World Wars, both men bowed in stillness in front of the eternal flame beneath the war memorial. In a floral arrangement of white and red roses, the King tucked a card inscribed in English and French with the phrase "In eternal memory."

Following the lighting, the bugle call 'Aux Morts', the French equivalent of 'The Last Post', which means 'to the deceased', was played, followed by a minute of silence. La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, came after the British anthem as the Patrouille de France and the Red Arrows performed an impressive flypast above the Champs-elysees.

The Arc was the location of Her Majesty's 2014 Ceremonial Arrival for Her Majesty's final State Visit to France, as per Independent.

Related Article: Stephen Fry Claims AI Steals His Voice From 'Harry Potter' Audiobooks, Says Deepfake Celebrity Videos Will Be Next

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A journalist who was detained after revealing a connection between French state intelligence and air strikes in Egypt has been released from police custody amid a furore over her treatment  a rare coercive measure that has sparked outrage in France.

Ariane Lavrilleux was released Wednesday evening after 48 hours' detention. The authorities say they are investigating her articles on a possible Egyptian hijacking of a French intelligence operation.

"I'm free, thank you very much for your support," she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening, accompanying her message with a photo of her fist raised in front of an Egyptian flag.

Lavrilleux's work was published by the investigative website Disclose, which in November 2021 claimed that a French intelligence mission named "Sirli", begun in February 2016 on behalf of Egypt in the name of the fight against terrorism, had been hijacked by the Egyptian state.

According to the story, Egyptian authorities used the information gathered to carry out air strikes on suspected smugglers' vehicles on the Egyptian-Libyan border.

Following the publication of the claims, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces filed a complaint for "violation of national defence secrecy". According to the site, preliminary investigation was opened in November 2021, before an examining magistrate was appointed in the summer of 2022.

Part news medium, part NGO, Disclose was founded in 2018 by two investigative journalists. Its funding relies exclusively on donations, guaranteeing its editorial independence, and its investigations are not paywalled.

The site said on Wednesday on X that according to its information, investigators from France's General Directorate for Internal Security are alledging that Lavrilleux was responsible for "five articles on French arms sales abroad, published in the media since 2019".

In addition to the one on the "Sirli" operation, Disclose cites articles on "the sale of 30 Rafale aircraft to Egypt", "arms delivered to Russia until 2020", "the sale of 150,000 shells to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates" and "the illicit transfer of arms from the UAE to Libya".

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Outrage

At a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, government spokesman Olivier Veran refused to answer a question on the case, but the incident has prompted an outpouring of support for Lavrilleux  and widespread condemnation of the police's actions.

Amnesty International said it deplored "an attack on journalists (...) who try to expose the opaque actions of French intelligence services".

Paul Coppin of Reporters Without Borders added: "There is a form of escalation in the means used (to obtain information on journalists' sources), which is itself worrying."

At a rally in Place de la Republique in Paris, the president of Disclose said the state's arrest of Lavrilleux sent a clear message to journalists: "If you investigate state secrets, you risk ending up like Ariane Lavrilleux, in police custody".

Emmanuel Poupard, speaking on behalf of the journalists' union, denounced the fact that "we are faced with intimidation the likes of which we have never seen in recent years".

Also present at the protest was the head of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, who called for "the right to protection of sources" to be embedded in the French constitution.

Gatherings of dozens of people also took place in Marseille, where the journalist had been in police custody since Tuesday, and in Lyon.
SPUTNIK

Vladimir Putins backyard just got a whole lot smaller.

A year and a half after the Russian presidents rash, illegal, blundering invasion of Ukraine, Russian peacekeepers have been forced to admit defeat in the faraway enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, handing control back to Azerbaijan after a 24-hour military offensive, which killed a senior Russian officer.

For Azerbaijan, which began talks with Karabakhs Armenian separatist leaders on Thursday to formally take back control of the region, it looked like a surprisingly swift conclusion to a 35-year conflict that has cost thousands of lives.

But for Putin's Russia, its an equally stunning loss, proof that Moscow's writ no longer holds in the Caucasus and that the post-Soviet security bloc Putin set up to mirror NATO in the regionthe Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)is a spent force.

And the Russian dictator has only himself to blame.

In the two full-on wars fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, from 1988 to 1994 and again in 2020, the separatists had full military and political support from Armenia itself and, indirectly, from Russia.

Attack Drones Dominating Tanks as Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Showcases the Future of War

But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Caucasus calculus has changed. Armenia took no action as Azerbaijan moved to cut off its supply route to Nagorno-Karabakh, the Lachin Corridor, over the past year. Then, earlier this month, Armenia held its first joint military exercises with the United States, clearly turning its back on the CSTO.

On Tuesday, emboldened by events, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev ordered the offensive, his troops quickly capturing key heights and strategic junctions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The separatists crumbled, agreeing to a ceasefire backed by Russian peacekeepers.

Amid the violence at least two Russians were killed, reportedly including the deputy commander of Russias North Fleet submarine forces, Captain First Rank (Colonel) Ivan Kovgan, who was seconded to the region with Russian forces stretched desperately thin.

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Under the terms of the CSTO, any military aggression against one member is seen as an attack on all of them, just like NATOs Article 5, but Russia did nothing to stop the latest incursion.

In an interview earlier this month with Politico, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spelled out clearly what was going on: Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to guarantee its safety and had to assert its own independence. As a result of the events in Ukraine, the capabilities of Russia have changed, Pashinyan said. We want to have an independent country, a sovereign country, but we have to have ways to avoid ending up in the center of clashes between West and East, North and South."

It is clear that the bloodshed is not yet over. Thousands have joined protests on the streets of Yerevan this week to protest Pashinyans perceived desertion of Armenians inside Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh. Despite the ceasefire, there are still reports of fighting in the mountainous region.

The Karabakh conflict began in the late Soviet era when Armenians inside the enclave demanded that it be transferred from the control of Azerbaijan to Armeniaboth then still Soviet republics.

The main man in Soviet Azerbaijan was Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB official who became the first president of independent Azerbaijan in 1983. After his death in 2003, his son Ilham took over, thanks to rigged elections, and has held power ever since after doing away with constitutional term limits.

The Gravedigger Who Fears Digging His Own Sons Grave in Nagorno-Karabakh

If Putin, abandoned by yet another ally as Armenia turns towards NATO, is the big geopolitical loser in the latest Caucasian crisis, the big winnerthis may have a familiar ringis Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has long been Azerbaijans key ally, supporting it through the various Karabakh conflicts. As Aliyev carved out a post-Soviet role for his nation, primarily as an energy producer, he has developed increasingly close ties with the Turkic-speaking nations of Central Asia and with Erdogan himself.

In June 2021, Aliyev even took Erdogan on a visit to an area of Nagorno-Karabakh recaptured the previous year in a 44-day conflict that laid the ground for this weeks victory. Armenia called the visit an outright provocation against regional peace and security, but the Turkish leader's message was unmistakable: that this is now his backyard.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Poland has just drawn a metaphorical line in the sand and said it will no longer provide weapons to its beleaguered neighbour, Ukraine.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, Kyiv has depended on assistance from its Western allies to help it fight back against the much larger state.

More than a year and a half into the war, Ukraine has far surpassed expectations on the frontline by holding back Moscow for this long.

But, Russia still occupies around 18% of Ukrainian land, and Kyivs counteroffensive has been faltering in recent months.

And, even though its only the sixth largest donor of military aid to Kyiv, Polands decision not to continue supplying its close ally Ukraine is a shock.

Why is Poland no longer sending weapons to Ukraine?

Warsaw has already sent Ukraine 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets  and doesnt have many more weapons left to give, having offered out a third of its reserves already.

Thats why prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said his countrys focus is now on restocking Poland, even as Ukrainian forces are struggling to progress on the frontline and Kyiv is lobbying for fresh weaponry.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, he explained on Wednesday night by the private Polsat news TV channel.

There are plans to modernise the Polish military too, amid growing concerns about Russia expanding its aggression in the area.

There will still be some Polish transfers to Ukraine though, as artillery weapons are still scheduled for the coming months.

Poland has also welcomed more than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine, and encouraged other countries to support Kyiv over the course of the war.

The two countries were already close allies, but the war meant the Polish population were keener than ever to support Ukraine as it was the only country between them.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda (L) and Zelenskyy (R) during a joint press conference on June 28, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda (L) and Zelenskyy (R) during a joint press conference on June 28, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

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Why is this turning into a larger drama?

The decision to ease off on the weapons came after a period of tension between the two countries.

Government spokesman Piotr Mueller said that Poland confirmed it was just fulfilling its previous agreements of weaponry, but noted that there had been a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side.

On Tuesday, Poland summoned Ukraines ambassador to Warsaw over comments Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy made at the UN, over Poland, Hungary and Slovakias decision to extend ban on Ukrainian grain.

Zelenskyy had said the that Ukraines European allies were working together in a political theatre  making a thriller from grain.

Grain is one of Ukraines major exports, and it has been hampered by the war blockade put in place by Russia, so grain cannot be exported via the Black Sea shipping lanes.

Grain can still be transferred via a different route across land, but it meant Ukrainian grain risked dominating European markets.

The EU did initially ban imports of grain into Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia because it risked overshadowing local grain.

But, this ban ended on September 15  and the EU didnt renew it, reminding members that it was not up to individual governments to control such bans.

Hungary, Slovakia and Poland brought it back anyway, although the grain can be transferred through them to other countries.

The row between the staunchest of allies over grain. Now some signs Ukraine  & Poland might find a resolution.



As one opposition MP said: cant we wait until after the war to have an argument? pic.twitter.com/BK0ydOD0ye  James Waterhouse (@JamWaterhouse) September 21, 2023

How did Ukraine respond to the new ban?

Ukraine issued a lawsuit to the World Trade Organisation over the renewed ban, saying it breached international obligations.

Ukraines economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko said it was crucially important for us to prove that individual member states cannot ban imported Ukrainian goods.

But, Kyiv and Slovakia have since agreed to keep to lift the ban by introducing a grain licence system instead.

Poland initially said it would keep the ban, saying they will increase the number of banned products from Kyiv if Ukraine takes it further.

But, Ukraine has since said that the two neighbours would agree to seek solution.

Poland has also maintained that the countries are still working together to defeat the Russian barbarian, by helping prop up its military hub in Rzeszow.

Its worth noting that the Polish government is currently facing pressure ahead of its national election on October 15  and a far-right party has stirred up tensions by suggesting Poland has not received the thanks it deserves for everything it has done since war began.

Related...
Belfast International Airport. Pic: Google

The proposal will see the construction of a three-storey Premier Inn hotel at the junction of Ballyrobin Road and Antrim Road, Crumlin.

An 81-bedroom development with restaurant and bar is planned at the location which is 250 metres from the airport. The proposal includes new access at Antrim Road. The proposed car park lay-out will provide 130 spaces and seven mobility impaired parking spaces.

Senior planning officer Alicia Leathem told the committee meeting the proposed site is an area of land zoned for airport use. She indicated permission had been approved previously in 2018.

She noted an objection regarding a concern over road safety. However, she reported no objection from Department for Infrastructure Roads.

A recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Councillor Stephen Cosgrove, seconded by Threemilewater DUP Cllr Sam Flanagan and following a vote, it was approved unanimously.

According to a Pre-Application Community Consultation Report, the construction phase will support 30 jobs with 30 jobs expected to be created when the business is operational.

Tom McGrath, chair, of Belfast International Consultative Forum, said in the Pre-Application Community Consultation Report: An 81-bed hotel will be a significant boost We have to build new facilities if we are to expand our tourism offer. As the airport grows, so too will demand for quality facilities. The 30 new jobs are important but theres a whole supply chain that will also benefit.

Bed Space

Richard Holmes, managing director of Sam Mouldings, commented: We host customers to our Antrim factory on a regular basis and sometimes its difficult to secure accommodation nearby. Bed space is at a premium which is why we warmly welcome what we all see as a clear vote of confidence in the area.

David Shaw, general manager Woodgate Aviation, stated: The hotel directly mirrors the growth being experienced on the airport site. This proposed investment proves just how much an economic hub the airport is and what its capable of delivering for the wider Northern Ireland economy.

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Whitbread Plc, the parent company to Premier Inn, operates 82,700 hotel rooms in the UK and Ireland. Jill Anderson, property acquisition manager for Premier Inn, said previously: I am looking forward to building the pipeline of new hotels in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Read More 19 stylish photos from Ballyclare Rugby Club's 2011 fashion show

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM, said: This is a great boost for tourism in the borough offering more choice and improved convenience for visitors.

With Northern Ireland proudly maintaining its standing as a major visitor destination, the option of affordable hotel accommodation will be an asset for the tourism industry.

Chairman of the Planning Committee Macedon Ulster Unionist Cllr Robert Foster said: This major investment in a prime location will be an asset to our borough and will enhance Antrim and Newtownabbeys role in Northern Irelands success as a great place to visit.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter
Madge Kelly

Madge Kelly is born and bred in Nairobi in Kenya but has called Ligford just outside Plumbridge home since 2018 where she lives with her husband.

She fell in love with sewing during the 2020 lockdown restrictions and has now developed a collection including tote bags, waist coats, circle skirts, scrunchies and aprons.

I lost my beloved mother during the 2020 lockdown and thats when I discovered the art of sewing, she explains. As a way of dealing with grief, I taught myself how to sew and I started making masks for family and friends.

Madge Kelly's designs

In due time, I started making scrunchies, tote bags and headbands in my studio at home. I was inspired by the rich colours of the African prints and how it showcases the vibrancy of the continent and the heritage of the people. I wanted to pay homage to cultural diversity through my handmade designs.

Madge named her collection RAFIKI, a Swahili name meaning friend, and initially began to share her items with family and friends. Their positive reaction has given her the confidence to now showcase her work to a wider audience.

At the Guildhall this weekend I will be showcasing some of the designs I have been working on, she added. My motivation is to introduce and create awareness in our community of the African spirit by adopting the African prints in their wardrobe.

By sharing my collection, I hope people will fall in love with the colours and embrace the African culture to create a sense of inclusion and diversity. In future I would like to train in Fashion Design, to learn the business of fashion and my goal is to showcase my African print designs in the runways of Paris and London during the Fashion Week.

A tote bag made by Madge Kelly

The North West Multicultural Festival - One World, hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council, will take place in and around the Guildhall from midday on Saturday September 23rd and will showcase the vibrant tapestry of global cultures that exist locally.

The comprehensive programme is a colourful celebration of worldwide music, song, dance and cuisine and includes performances, workshops, arts and crafts, storytelling, enlightening exhibitions and engaging dialogues.

A performance space will be created Guildhall Square along with food stalls and arts and crafts including Beijing Mask Making and Thai Fan Making.

The space will feature dance and music performances from a wide range of genres including Hip Hop, Indian and Ghana from midday until 4.30pm.

Inside the Guildhall, the Main Hall will feature the World of Workshops initiative where people can try India Saree tying, Polish and Latvian crafts and Chinese Dragon making. The Guildhall foyer area will play host to a range of displays of worldwide traditional costumes while the Whittaker Suite will have dance performances from Africa, India and Asia. A photographic exhibition by Mukesh Chugh will be displayed in the Main Hall.

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Next door in Harbour House, the beautiful Obon Fest Lanterns and an Indian Culture Exhibition will be on display and people can pop into a number of discussion events about the experience people from all over the world have had in relocating to the city and district.

To access the full programme for the One World Festival visit www.derrystrabane.com/oneworldfestival. This festival has been supported by Councils Good Relations Programme.

Madge's tote bags

Madge Kelly's bags

A bag and a mask made by Madge Kelly

Madge Kelly's designs
Nick Knowles (Photo: u)

Nick Knowles is probably best known as the presenter of DIY SOS, but when it comes to TV, hes really a bit of a jack-of-all-trades.

As he told The Metro in an interview last year: Over the years Ive popped into all kinds of places: history, interviews, I wrote a movie, Ive done quiz shows and natural history.

In the noughties I did lots of holiday programmes [and Id] wanted to do more travel shows for a while.

The presenter also has a passion for trains, which comes from his dad. He told The Metro: We lived in Southall in London and hed take me to a metal footbridge with holes in the middle. Wed watch the steam locomotives run by underneath and wed disappear in a cloud of steam.

So, its easy to see why he signed up for the Channel 5 series Amazing Railway Adventures with Nick Knowles, which began airing in 2022  and why he enjoyed it so much, hes now back for a second run.

The first adventure takes him to three capital cities  Prague in the Czech Republic, Bratislava in Slovakia and Budapest in Hungary.

Before he gets on board the train at Prague, he pays a visit to the citys 600-year-old astronomical clock. The keeper explains to him how the remarkable and complex clock keeps going, and even lets Nick have go at activating its striking mechanism.

Hopefully, the presenter is also keeping one eye on the time, as hes got a train to catch  and an appointment to keep. As he departs Prague for Bratislava, he meets up with an expert on Dvorak, who reveals that the Czech composer loved trains and visited the railway station in Prague almost every day.

We could forgive Nick if he considered missing the train though, as theres a big challenge waiting for him in Bratislava. Hes embarking on a precipitous clamber around the perimeter of an observation tower, which involves balancing on a narrow ledge above an almost 300-foot drop  and Nick doesnt have a head for heights.

So understandably, he needs to recover afterwards  and how better than by getting back on solid ground and going for a wander through the city? As luck would have it, his walk coincided with nearly 100 vintage and classic cars arriving in Bratislava at the end of a 500km race.

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Then its time to get back on board, this time for a train that takes him over the border into Hungary, where he learns more about how Swabian culture is being preserved.

From there its on to a real train-lovers paradise  the Hungarian Railway Museum, where Nick gets to single-handedly rotates a 147-ton steam engine, thanks to one of the worlds largest functioning turntables.

Then, he ends this leg of his railway adventure in Budapest, where he swaps the trains for a boat, and a river cruise with a couple of reality TV stars, who offer an insight into how young Hungarians view their country. Then its back on the rails for a trip on a steam engine with a difference  its part of the worlds longest railway run by children.
(Bloomberg) -- Chile arrested 11 members of an indigenous group accused of numerous arson attacks against businesses and houses in the center-south of the country  a boost for a government that has been accused of being soft on crime.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Among the members of Resistencia Mapuche Lafkenche were a retired police officer and another member in active duty.

Interior Minister Carolina Toha praised the security forces for the arrests and stressed the governments support for their work, according to a social media post. Well continue working in this line, she said.

The conflict stems from the violent takeover of Mapuche lands in the late 19th century, when the government transferred their farms to Chilean and European settlers. Since the 1990s, several Mapuche groups have resorted to violence to regain those lands. The current governments sympathy with their cause though has been eroded by the refusal of some groups to negotiate and continuous attacks on the local forestry industry.

President Gabriel Boric had vowed to improve conditions and speed up land transfers to Mapuches as part of his electoral campaign. However, shortly after taking office the then Interior Minister was received with gunshots in her first visit to the area. The intensity of the attacks increased and forced Boric to extend a state of emergency in the region, allowing for the army to intervene.

Read more: Oct. 10: Setback in Quest for Indigenous Rights Roils Chile (2)

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Siobhan Cullen as Elvira in Obituary. (Photo: rte)

When her editor informs her that she will be paid per article, an obituarist for a small-town newspaper begins murdering people to avoid going broke. However, Elviras plans are upended when she falls for the papers dogged new crime correspondent.

Obituary is a six-part series produced by Galway-based production company Magamedia in association with French company About Premium Content for RTE and Hulu in the US, and filmed largely in Ballyshannon.

Starring a line-up of renowned Irish actors  Siobhan Cullen (The Dry) who takes the lead as Elvira Clancy, Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters, Bloodlands) as Elviras protective and troubled father Ward Clancy; Ronan Raftery (The Rook, Mortal Engines, The Terror) as ambitious new crime correspondent Emerson Stafford. Directed by John Hayes (Dublin Murders, Bancroft).

Obituary is a dark comedy drama in which the newspaper that 24-year-old Elvira Clancy works for falls into hard times and she is now being paid per obituary. When deaths trickle to a halt and work dries up, Elvira soon discovers that by murdering the unpleasant residents in her small town, she will not only earn more money, but discovers she has an untapped bloodlust. The only problem for her lies with the papers new hire, Emerson Stafford (Ronan Raftery), a suspicious crime correspondent who Elvira begins to develop feelings for...

Magamedia previously produced the Irish language feature film Foscadh in Corr na Mona which was Ireland's entry to the Oscars race in 2022. They also produced the hit TG4 drama Corp & Anam.Speaking of the new series, Executive Producer Paddy Hayes said: "We scouted up and down the West coast of Ireland looking for a suitable location and we settled on the Bundoran/ Ballyshannon region.

" We needed a seaside vibe, but also a place that was big enough for a serial killing obituarist to hide - so the combination of the two towns really worked for us. I am really proud to be showcasing this corner of Donegal on RTE One, but also screening it worldwide on platforms such as Hulu in the USA."



Paddy Hayes and APC Studios Laurent Boissel feature as Executive Producers on Obituary, made with support from Screen Ireland, WRAP Fund, and Coimisiun na Mean. In the US, Obituary will stream exclusively on Hulu later this year.

Obituary premieres on RTE One on Tuesday, September 26th at 10.15pm. All episodes will be available on RTE Player from September 27.
(Photo : Leon Neal / POOL / AFP) (LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that the country will stop supplying weapons to Ukraine following a dispute over grain bans.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that the country will stop supplying weapons to Ukraine after Kyiv filed lawsuits over grain bans.

The situation comes as Warsaw is one of Ukraine's staunchest allies amid its continuing conflict against Russia. Morawiecki said Poland will instead focus on arming itself with more modern weapons.

Poland To End Supply of Weapons to Ukraine

On Tuesday, Poland summoned Ukraine's ambassador over comments that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made at the United Nations. The latter argued that some countries feigned solidarity with his nation, which is a statement that Warsaw denounced as "unjustified concerning Poland, which has supported Ukraine since the first days of the war."

The Polish prime minister announced the decision during a televised address on Wednesday following rapidly escalating tensions between the two nations over grain imports. He said that they would no longer be transferring weapons to Kyiv.

The grain row between the two nations began after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine all but closed the main Black Sea shipping lanes. According to BBC, this forced Kyiv to find alternative overland routes to deliver its grain products.

That situation resulted in large quantities of grain ending up in central Europe. The European Union then temporarily banned grain imports into five countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

That decision was made to protect local farmers who feared that Ukrainian grain was lowering the product's prices locally. The ban ended on Sept. 15, and the EU decided not to renew it, but some nations, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, decided to continue implementing the ban.

However, the European Commission repeatedly warned that it was not up to individual EU members to make trade policy for the bloc. Ukraine filed lawsuits earlier this week to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the countries that decided to continue the implementation of the ban, which it said was a violation of international obligations.

Read Also: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Says Normalization With Israel is Getting Closer 'Every Day'

Dispute Over Grain Bans

Polish leaders have compared Ukraine to a drowning person who was hurting the one trying to help and have threatened to expand a ban on food products from Kyiv. On the other hand, the war-torn country's president suggested that EU allies prohibiting imports of his nation's grains were only helping Russia, according to the Associated Press.

During the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Zelensky noted that some European nations play out solidarity in a political theater. He said that these countries are simply helping set the stage for a Moscow actor.

In response to Ukraine's complaint to the WTO, Poland's foreign minister said that putting pressure on it in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international courts are inappropriate methods of resolving the differences between the nations, said The Guardian.

A Ukraine analyst from a Polish state-funded think tank, Tadeusz Iwanski, said that Ukraine has been pursuing hyper-assertive diplomacy since the beginning of the war with Russia. He noted that this was partly due to which its requests and demands have been granted.

Related Article: Canada Rejects Indian Travel Advisory Following Murder Implication Allegations

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Movement for Good (Photo: Submitted)

For the fifth year running, Benefact Group is giving away over 1million to charities through its Movement for Good Awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 150 awards of 1,000 announced today.

Brains Matter Charity, which supports adults who have been affected by brain injuries, Sussex Dolphin Project, which protects local dolphin species through research, and The Quicken Trust, transforming lives of people living in poverty in Uganda, are some of the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county. Kind-hearted East Sussex residents donated their time and submitted more than 3,000 nominations for charities close to their hearts, with over 190 local causes receiving votes.

More than 15,000 charitable causes in the UK and Ireland received votes, thanks to over 250,000 nominations from supporters. The 150 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated, following 150 previous winners being selected in June. Further donations will be awarded throughout the year.

Since the awards began, nearly 2million people have nominated and made a difference to communities all across the UK and Ireland with more than 5million given to over 2,500 charities.

This year, 420 charities will be awarded 1,000 donations, while 40 good causes will be awarded 5,000 via special grants throughout the year, aimed at helping charities in specific sectors. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. Further donations totalling 500,000 will also be given in larger amounts later this year

To find out how to support the Movement for Good Awards and to nominate a cause you care about visit www.movementforgood.com.

Thanking supporters in East Sussex, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards. Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give. We know that 1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and were looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.

Benefact Group has donated almost 200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK1. The organisation aims to reach 250million in donations by 2025.

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
A woman in Indonesia has been jailed for two years after saying an Islamic prayer before eating pork in a viral TikTok video.

The video showed Lina Lutfiawati, who has more than two million followers, saying a brief prayer that translates to "in the name of God" before eating a piece of crispy pork skin.

Lutfiawati, who identifies as Muslim, was convicted of inciting religious hatred and was also ordered to pay a fine of 250 million rupiah (13,217).

After going on trial on blasphemy charges, she expressed regret and apologised in a post on her social media.

She apologised again after Tuesday's verdict: "I am surprised. I have apologised many times. Actually, I know that I was wrong, but I did not expect the sentence to be two years."

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world and consuming pork is considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam.

Critics have said Indonesia's strict blasphemy laws have been used to erode a long-standing reputation for tolerance and diversity in the country.

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Usman Hamid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said what happened to Lutfiawati was "not surprising", despite government promises to protect freedom of expression.

He said the law had also been abused to target minority groups and dissenters.

Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, was imprisoned for two years in 2017 after being found guilty of blasphemy for quoting a verse from the Koran during a campaign speech.

In 2018, an Indonesian court sentenced an ethnic Chinese woman who complained about a noisy mosque to 18 months in prison for blasphemy.
Mrs Oxley, 45, told the PA news agency that she was told during a meeting with a US general that the US serviceman involved in the accident would face no charges and that was the end of the matter.cc PA/Handout (Photo: Family handouts)

Colour Sergeant Anthony Oxley, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was on deployment in June 2016 when he was involved in the crash at the RAF Akrotiri base.

The 40-year-old, from Ryhill, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was riding a motorbike when he collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by a US serviceman and later died at a Cypriot hospital.

An inquest into his death was due to begin on the island on Thursday after last being adjourned in June, but was postponed again due to paperwork delays.

A judge at Nicosia District Court said it would now be heard on Monday.

CSgt Oxleys widow Sally told the PA news agency: We think, fingers crossed, it is going to conclude on Monday, but its just the stress that goes along with it.

Being out here again, having to juggle my whole life around a lack of organisation.

A 2018 inquest in the UK recorded a narrative verdict, that CSgt Oxleys death had been caused by multiple blunt force injuries to his head, as a result of a road traffic collision.

But Mrs Oxley, who lives in Barnsley, has been pushing for a new inquest in Cyprus to look into witness accounts of his death.

Mrs Oxley previously said she had been left in the dark about the details of how her husband died.

KRW Law, which represents Mrs Oxley, said the US Air Force took charge of the investigation and few details were made public, even though CSgt Oxleys death happened within British sovereign territory.

Mrs Oxley, 45, told PA that she was told during a meeting with a US general that the US serviceman involved in the accident would face no charges and that was the end of the matter.

She said she had been left with many unanswered questions.

Christopher Stanley, of KRW Law, said there were discrepancies in the evidence between witnesses and a new inquest was in the interests of justice.
Mary O'Hagan from the Save Our Shores group speaking during a meeting at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace centre in Bellaghy, Co Londonderry to express concern about a huge bloom of toxic blue-green algae in Lough Neagh. Photo credit: Rebecca Black/PA Wire (Photo: Rebecca Black)

Those in attendance packed an auditorium at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace centre in Bellaghy, Co Londonderry close to the northern shores of the lough.

The event was organised by the Save Our Shores group, set up in August in response to the outbreak of algae.

Other waterways in Northern Ireland have also been affected.

Lough Neagh is Irelands largest fresh water lake, and supplies 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water.

It also supports a major eel fishing industry.

The meeting on Wednesday evening started with the reading of Heaneys poem A Lough Neagh Sequence.

Among the speakers was Mary OHagan, a co-founder of the Save Our Shores group.

She said, as an open water swimmer, her and others had been growing increasingly concerned about the water in the lough.

Peter Harper, from the Lough Neagh Partnership, said having functioning government at Stormont would help, and called for a dedicated environment minister to be appointed.

The environment brief is currently included within the agriculture portfolio, although no ministers are in post while the institutions effectively remain collapsed.

He said the situation should be categorised as an emergency

Its not going away quick, we need resources, he told the meeting.

The algae growth is linked to excess nutrients in the water.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields is believed to be a major contributory factor.

The spread of the invasive Zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis.

Climate change is another factor cited, with the temperature of the lough having risen by 1C in the last two decades.

The deaths of birds and dogs have been linked to the recent algae blooms and anglers are being urged not to eat anything they catch.

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A number of water-based businesses on Lough Neagh have also had to stop operating.

NI Water has insisted that its intensive treatment processes mean there is no health risk associated with drinking water sourced from the lough.

Civil servants at Stormont are attempting to co-ordinate efforts to take action, but critics claims the current lack of devolved government in Northern Ireland is hindering the response.

Earlier this week the archbishops of Armagh criticised the response to the situation as too slow, urging a task force to be formed.

Archbishops John McDowell and Eamon Martin said the lough is facing an environmental disaster.
The BBC has carried out a year-long investigation into the impact TikTok has on real-life crime events. The resulting documentary is called 'The TikTok Effect'. Photos by Adobe Photos. Composite image by NationalWorld/Kim Mogg.

A new BBC documentary will examine the impact of the use of TikTok on the real world, and has concluded that the popular social media site is driving online frenzies that encourage anti-social behaviour.

The 55 minute documentary will examine how some people are using TikTok to try to get involved with real-life crime events and the consequences of that. Viewers will see recent high profile events such as the Nicola Bulley disappearance in the UK, the Idaho murders in the US, and riots worldwide.

The BBC said that their investigation found that TikTok's algorithm and design means people see videos which wouldn't normally be recommended to them or arent from people they directly follow or know - and that, in turn, incentivises them to do unusual things in their own videos on the platform. They added that this way of displaying and viewing content, where TikTok drives disproportionate amounts of engagement to some topics, can lead to frenzies.

The release of the documentary comes just days after it was revealed that shoplifters are using TikTok to share their top tips for theft as independent shop owners called on the government for help in tackling the crime. It also follows on from mass looting on Londons Oxford Street being organised via the platform in August. The incident, which led to several people being arrested, was condemned by both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Donna Jones, the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.

So, just what exactly is the TikTok Effect about, when is it on and how can you watch it? Heres what you need to know.

What is The TikTok Effect about?

The documentary is fronted by Marianna Spring, the BBCs disinformation correspondent, who spent a year investigating harmful behaviour on TikTok which spilled out into the real-world.

Viewers will see her speak to TikTok users, crime victims and former TikTok employees to expose how extremely high engagement on the social media platform around some topics appears to be creating 'frenzies' linked to behaviour previously seen as unacceptable.

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The synopsis for the programme reads: What connects amateur sleuths turning up at crime scenes, anti-social behaviour in UK schools and riots in France? The answer, according to a BBC investigation, is that they are all examples of a TikTok 'frenzy'.

The documentary examines three main events in detail; the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, the murder of four American students and various riots worldwide. Below, we look into what the documentary says about each of them more closely.

Mum-of-two Nicola Bulley, aged 45, went missing in January while she was out walking her dog after dropping her children off at school. The search for her lasted for around three weeks and the circumstances of her disappearance had investigators baffled. In mid-February, her body was found and an inquest later revealed she had died of drowning.

At the time police were looking for her, however, many TikTok users decided to use the platform to share their theories over what had happened to Bulley, and many people also filmed themselves at the place where she was last seen. The police criticised these people and said they were interfering with the case. A man who posted TikTok videos inside the police cordon on the day her body was found was also arrested.

In the documentary, Spring speaks to a woman called Heather who posted a video which falsely implied Nicola's best friend, Emma White, had posed as the missing woman. She says it received 3.6 million views within 72 hours, but goes on to say she regrets posting this video and has since deleted it.

The BBC also state they have seen emails Heather received from TikTok at the time, encouraging her to keep posting once her speculation had gone viral and applauding her post as a hit.

Four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed whilst they were sleeping in a house in November 2022. Following the murders, investigators said that they believed the murders were an isolated attack with targeted victims. A 28-year-old criminology graduate student called Bryan Kohberger was arrested and charged with murdering Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, all aged 20 or 21, in December 2022. Kohbergers trial date has been set for 2 October 2023.

Spring said that videos she found about the case racked up two billion views from November 2022 to August this year. She added that she saw videos about speculative theories of who committed the murders without any evidence to back them up.

She speaks to the sister of Jack Showalter, dubbed "hoodie guy" by some TikTokkers, who was falsely accused of involvement in the Idaho killings. She condemned the threats and harassment his family received and said: There were so many victims created through internet sleuth videos.

Spring also spoke to one of these so-called internet sleuths called Olivia. Olivia, who lives in Florida, flew for more than six hours and filmed at the scene for a week. She did not name any suspects in her videos, but at least one of her videos reached 20 million views. Olivia said: "I felt this need to go out there and dig for answers and see if I can help out in any way.

Riots have happened in numerous places this year - most notably the Paris riots which happened in May. The French president Emmanuel Macron levelled the blame for the disorder at TikTok and Snapchat.

Jean-Marie Vilain, the mayor of Viry-Chatillon, told Spring that once the riots started, TikTok became a tool to show, here, this is what I'm capable of doing. Can you do better?" He added that he believes seeing acts of destruction widely shared on TikTok "became the norm" for some people. TikTok users sharing this content who spoke to Spring also said the same, she claims.

What has TikTok said about The TikTok Effect?

A spokesperson for TikTok told the BBC that users "naturally" took more of an interest in stories at "moments of national conversation, which are intensified by 24-hour news reporting". They also pointed out that the BBC has posted on TikTok about many stories like the ones mentioned in the documentary.

They also said that the platform has more than 40,000 "safety professionals" using technology to moderate content, with the "vast majority" of videos with harmful misinformation never receiving a single view. They added: Prioritising safety is not only the right thing to do, it makes business sense," the spokesperson said. The company also said it collaborates with academics, law enforcement agencies and other experts to improve its processes.

According to TikToks own community guidelines, videos may be removed from the platform if fact-checkers determine content to be false and we deem it to be in violation of our policies.

When is The TikTok Effect on TV?

The TikTok Effect will air on BBC Three tonight (Thursday 21 September) between 9pm and 9.55pm.

How can I watch The TikTok Effect?

You can watch The TikTok Effect live on BBC Three, or you can watch it at a time to suit yourself on BBC iPlayer.
Antrim's beloved Boat House Restaurant set to sail again. Geraldine and Sean McLaughlin are pictured celebrating the new forthcoming new business opening (Photo: y)

An exciting new chapter in the world of culinary excellence is set to unfold as Sean and Geraldine McLaughlin, in partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, take over the reins of the iconic Boat House restaurant, Antrim.

Over the next 18 months, they will invest over 150,000 creating 20 employment opportunities. It's a mission rooted in giving back to the local community while retaining the dedicated staff members who faced job loss under previous ownership.

The Boat House, is located on the first floor at the council-owned Gateway building at Loughshore in Antrim on the shores of Lough Neagh. Sean and his team won a competitive tender to reinstate and run the much-loved local restaurant.

The McLaughlin family, owners of the renowned Fullerton Arms in Ballintoy and Kraken Fish & Chips in Portrush, will bring their unwavering commitment to enhancing the hospitality experience at the Boat House. They will re-open the restaurant next month, under the tutelage of head chef, Michael McGuigan, who worked for the restaurant before its untimely closure in August 2023.

This new contract will not only breathe new life into the hugely popular family restaurant but will also champion community growth with job retention and creation and plans for further expansion.

With unrivalled panoramic views of Lough Neagh, the restaurant can seat a total of 70 guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner service. A stunning new menu is set to be launched which will showcase the very best of seafood from local waters, meats and produce from Northern Irish farms and drinks from local breweries and beyond.

Speaking at the announcement of the new contract, Sean McLaughlin, said: Today is a great day for the entire McLaughlin family and all our much-valued staff. We're immensely proud and excited to be able to reinstate one of the best-loved restaurants in County Antrim and beyond.

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It will be our honour to get the Boat House restaurant back to its former glory and even better, offering our guests a taste of Northern Ireland's finest foods and flavours amidst the serene beauty of Lough Neagh.

Culinary excellence is not just about food; it's about creating unforgettable experiences coupled with our famous Northern Ireland hospitality and we will work exceptionally hard to deliver that promise.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, councillor Mark Cooper, added: Im delighted to welcome the McLaughlin family to the Borough to manage the Boat House, a unique restaurant on the shores of Lough Neagh.

Their experience as successful restaurant operators will make this very popular visitor attraction even more appealing and will, no doubt, bring new visitors to the Borough. The Council looks forward to working with Sean and Geraldine and I would wish them every success with this high-profile new venture.

The Boat House Restaurant is set to re-open to the public on Tuesday, October 10.
On Wednesday, September 20, the Biden Administration announced it would offer legal status and work permits to nearly half a million Venezuelan migrants.

This effort comes as the United States struggles with the rising numbers of asylum seekers fleeing the South American country and other parts of the world.

Biden Admin To Expand TPS To Nearly Half-a-Million Venezuelan Migrants

According to the Associated Press, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that it plans to expand the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Venezuela.

Specifically, the upcoming TPS expansion will cover 472,000 Venezuelan immigrants who arrived in the United States on July 31. Once this effort begins, it will allow them to find work easily and legally.

The Biden Admin's latest effort to help asylum seekers is expected to appease Democratic leaders, who have been pressuring the government to provide more assistance to immigrants. Legal work permits are among the key demands of numerous Democratic mayors and governors struggling to accommodate the increasing numbers of immigrants.

The latest TPS expansion will cover the 242,700 Venezuelan migrants already qualified for the program. Analysts said that the Temporary Protected Status is a big deal for the US since Venezuelan immigrants account for many asylum seekers in the US.

Read Also: Texas Separates Migrant Families; Border Patrol Agent Asks Asylum Seekers for $5K Bribe

US Officials Thank Biden Administration

CBS News reported that the Biden Administration's TPS expansion is a big win for congressional Democrats and other city leaders, such as NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

Recently, Adams shared how New York City has struggled to house thousands of asylum seekers. He said 200 hotels, tent cities, shelters, and other facilities cannot accommodate them.

The NYC mayor even said the rising number of immigrants could lead to the city's downfall. Because of this, he commended the US government for expanding the Temporary Protected Status.

"Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to 'Let Them Work,' so I want to thank President Biden for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation," said Eric Adams.

The NYC leader added that the TPS expansion is a major step that can bring hope to thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the city's care.

US President Joe Biden has been using the Temporary Protected Program to help migrants from Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Haiti, Afghanistan, and other countries in chaos.

But, the Biden Administration is also careful regarding TPS expansions since officials believe it could encourage immigrants to cross the US-Mexico border illegally.

Related Article: 'You're Not Welcome!' Protestors in NYC's Staten Island Block Bus Carrying Migrants, Asylum Seekers; 10 Arrested

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
HA GIANG  From today, the tourist boat service on the Nho Que River, offering sightseeing through Tu San Canyon, has been fully reinstated after a temporary halt of one week.

The Meo Vac District People's Committee in Ha Giang Province has informed the press of the outcomes of a meeting between the Nho Que 1 Hydropower Joint Stock Company and the Tu San Agriculture and Tourism Services Co-operative on Tuesday. The agreement reached ensures the resumption of tourist transportation on the Nho Que hydropower reservoir from 7am on 21st September.

Issues concerning tourist transportation on the Nho Que 1 Hydroelectric Reservoir will continue to be addressed and resolved by the Meo Vac District People's Committee within its remit. Any decisions will be swiftly communicated to the Provincial People's Committee and specific agencies to ensure a satisfactory solution.

The Meo Vac District People's Committee has also instructed the Nho Que 1 Hydropower Joint Stock Company and the Tu San Agriculture and Tourism Services Co-operative to collaborate in adhering to the operational guidelines set out by the Meo Vac District People's Committee, in conjunction with Decision No. 8280/Q-UBND from October 28, 2022.

Earlier, on September 15, the Tu San Agriculture and Tourism Services Co-operative had announced a temporary halt in tourist transportation on the Nho Que 1 Hydroelectric Reservoir. This suspension arose from a disagreement over an interim management strategy for inland waterway tourist transport activities on the Nho Que 1 hydropower reservoir, involving the Meo Vac People's Committee, the Tu San Agriculture and Tourism Services Co-operative, and the Nho Que 1 Hydropower Joint Stock Company.

As a result, from 0:16 on September 9, the Co-operative suspended the transportation of tourists wishing to explore Tu San canyon using cruise ships on the Nho Que River.

The Nho Que 1 hydropower reservoir is the sole location where tourists can visit the Tu San canyon by cruise ship, and the Tu San Agricultural and Tourism Services Co-operative is the exclusive operator of cruise ships in this area.

The Tu San canyon, recognised as the deepest in Southeast Asia, is designated as a Vietnamese Scenic Monument. It boasts cliffs reaching 700-800m in height, spans 1.7km in length, and has a depth approaching 1km.

This breathtaking landscape is a standout feature of the ong Van stone plateau in Ha Giang Province. The canyon is nestled at the base of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, encircled by the meandering Nho Que River.  VNS
HCM CITY - A series of remarkable events, including seminars, exhibitions, film festivals, competitions, and performances, featuring renowned French-Vietnamese guests, will be held during the 'Fashion and Design' season from now until the end of 2023.

This was recently shared at a press conference introducing a series of cultural events the cultural activities of the 2023 Season 2 programme at the French Institute in HCM City on September 20 at the French Consul General's Residence.

This event is part of a series of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and Viet Nam.

Numerous fashion and design activities

According to Emmanuelle Pavillon Grosser, the French Consul General, the theme of "Cuisine" in the first half of 2023 brought many exciting events related to the history of bread, culinary fusion, wine, diplomatic cuisine, coffee, and cocoa.

The public also has the opportunity to meet and interact with famous personalities and renowned culinary experts from both France and Viet Nam.

Season 2, with the theme "Fashion and Design", will continue with many outstanding activities such as fashion and design seminars, high-fashion nights, fashion film festivals, and the Fashion in Paris competition.

Emmanuelle Charrier, Director of the French Institute in HCM City, said that he has invited prominent figures in the fields of fashion and perfumery from France, the French Fashion Institute and the French Federation of Fashion and Haute Couture to Viet Nam to participate in seminars on high fashion, sustainable fashion, environmentally-friendly design, and perfumery.

This is an opportunity for the audience, especially fashion enthusiasts, to enjoy unique fashion performances, explore the luxury fashion industry of France through experts, learn about the development of the Vietnamese market for French luxury brands, and understand the digital transformation in the fashion industry in both France and Viet Nam.

Focusing on supporting young Vietnamese designers, Charrier also emphasised that the main goal of the event series is to target the young audience, and support young designers and the creative community in Viet Nam.

Therefore, Vietnamese models will showcase Vietnamese designs at the fashion show instead of French models and brands.

A Fashion in Paris competition is being held from June to October for young talents in the Vietnamese fashion design industry.

The judging panel consists of prominent figures in the French-Vietnamese fashion world and they have selected the top seven outstanding contestants to present their ideas.

The winners will be fully sponsored for a two-week internship at the French Fashion Institute in Paris in 2024.

First Runner-Up Phuong Anh expressed her excitement about having the opportunity to learn about famous French fashion and perfume brands.

According to her, this diverse event series is suitable for various target audiences, including designers, models, fashion enthusiasts, and professionals, enabling them to learn and exchange cultural experiences.

Phuong Anh is also enthusiastic about the Fashion in Paris competition.

As soon as she heard about it at the beginning of the year, she shared the news with her friends to join her at the event.

This provides an opportunity to express oneself, as well as receive feedback from renowned experts.

"All the contestants in the competition are very creative, bringing beautiful and elegant designs in line with the haute couture theme. I believe the final performance will be grand and highly anticipated," Phuong Anh added. - VNS
BRUSSELS  The European Commission (EC) recognised Viet Nams efforts and progress in implementing EC's recommendations on fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and affirmed its commitment to accompany the country in developing sustainable fisheries and realising targets on transitioning to a green and circular economy, said an EC official.

EC Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius made the remarks at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan in Brussels early this week.

The EC representative also said the EC wants to assist the Southeast Asian nation in becoming a model of sustainable fisheries development and anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the world.

In the meeting, Hoan told Sinkevicius that Viet Nam saw the yellow card of the EC not only as a challenge but also an opportunity for the local fisheries sector to switch from a small-scale, tropical, multi-sector, multi-species industry to a responsible and sustainable one. A comprehensive plan with specific goals and solutions has been developed and implemented across all levels, especially in coastal localities, with the active participation of authorities, organisations, fishing communities, associations, and seafood businesses.

So far, with consensus and concerted effort from the entire political system, Viet Nam has achieved notable results, including high awareness and resolute actions in implementing legal provisions and EC recommendations on IUU fishing prevention and control across all levels, sectors, fishing communities, businesses, and society, according to the minister.

He went on to say that a comprehensive legal framework to manage fisheries and combat IUU fishing has been formed with the promulgation of the fisheries law, and the management of fishing vessels has significantly improved, with a national database for fishing vessels established and operated.

Currently, over 97.65 per cent of offshore fishing ships (with a length of 15 metres or more) have installed tracking devices. Meanwhile, seafood origin tracing has been carried out and controlled throughout the supply chain, from quantity control at ports to export certificate issuance and raw material control at processing plants.

In addition, a national database on administrative violations in fisheries has been formed, providing data to 28 coastal localities, the border guards and coast guard forces, contributing to a remarkable reduction in vessels' violation of foreign waters since 2015.

The minister stressed that Viet Nam has clearly identified sustainable fisheries development as the key to addressing the EC's yellow card warning.

Based on those reasons, he suggested that the EU quickly remove the warning for Viet Nam.

Minister Hoan also asked the EU to classify Viet Nam as a low-risk one concerning the implementation of the EU's new regulations on combating deforestation, continue promoting trade and investment in Viet Nam's agriculture, and support Viet Nam in developing eco-friendly farming, circular economy, emissions reduction, livelihood transformation for fishermen, sustainable blue economy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forest management.

The Vietnamese minister also had working sessions with officials of the EC Directorate-General for the Environment (DG Environment) and Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), during which he underscored the Vietnamese Government's commitment to transforming agriculture in an eco-friendly and sustainable direction, and developing a transparent and sustainable farming industry as the nation steers towards becoming a major global supplier of food products.  VNS
NEW YORK  Viet Nam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined other world leaders in the Climate Ambition Summit and the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York on September 20 (local time), part of the high-level week of the 78th UN General Assembly.

Addressing the Climate Ambition Summit, PM Chinh stressed that climate change remains the biggest global challenge directly impacting and taking a heavy toll on economic development, social security, and peoples life safety and health.

A global and universal approach with breakthrough, general, comprehensive, and innovative solutions is required for coping with climate change, he opined, calling for faster, stronger, and more responsible actions to minimise the global temperature rise.

He proposed a new vision, a new mindset, new determination, and drastic actions be made to secure green development and net zero emissions, while just energy transition be accelerated with people put at the centre and serving as the main stakeholder to leave no one behind. He also asked developed countries and international organisations to assist developing and underdeveloped ones with green technology, green finance, green management, training of green human resources, and development of the renewable energy industry and smart grid networks.

The PM suggested building new-generation partnerships and stepping up the mobilisation of green climate finance via the public-private partnership format.

He said developed countries and international partners should double finance for adaptation activities by 2025, put the Loss and Damage Fund into operation at the coming 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) as committed to help developing and underdeveloped countries settle climate change consequences, and continue to make comprehensive reforms of the global financial system to boost the green finance supplying capacity to help the world better respond to big climate challenges.

Viet Nam is one of the 30 countries having submitted the nationally determined contributions (NDC) plans and also one of the three first developing nations joining the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). It is also working with international partners to draft a resource mobilisation plan to be announced at COP28 with the hope of turning this partnership into a model helping promote just energy transition worldwide, PM Chinh went on.

He affirmed that Viet Nam is determined to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and, with the international communitys adequate assistance, reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 43.5 per cent by 2030 and raise the rate of renewable energy to over 70 per cent by 2050.

Speaking at the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, PM Chinh pointed out the highly serious consequences of the pandemic, and appealed to the international community to take actions so that future generations will not suffer from the scourge of pandemics.

He said that international cooperation and solidarity in both bilateral and multilateral terms play the decisive role in improving the epidemic prevention and response capacity, particularly in developing countries.

He asked for priorities to promoting the timely and equal access to vaccines, treatment capacity, public awareness, technology transfer, vaccine and medicine production capacity, and effective financial support for developing and underdeveloped nations.

It is necessary to focus on improving the capacity of grassroots and preventive health care, consider this as an urgent task of each country and international cooperation, and promoting multilateralism, global solidarity, universal solidarity, and all countries efforts in epidemic prevention, the PM remarked.

Highlighting Viet Nam's efforts in joining hands with the international community to share information and experience in a timely and effective manner to cope with epidemics, the Government leader emphasised Viet Nam's support for appealing to the international community to list global health security as a priority in the agenda so as to early prevent, prepare for, and effective respond to epidemics.

He also underlined the spirit of giving the top priority to caring for and protecting peoples health and life to achieve sustainable development and leave no one behind.

On this occasion, PM Chinh highly valued and thanked countries and international organisations, including the World Health Organisation, for their effective cooperation and assistance for Viet Nam, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting approved by consensus a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. It decided to hold another UN high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in 2026 to comprehensively review the declaration implementation.

The convening of this meeting was an initiative of Vietnam in coordination with some key countries. It was proposed and approved by the UN General Assembly in September 2022 with a view to devising effective solutions to national, regional, and global-level shortcomings in preparing for, preventing, detecting, and responding to health emergencies.

Vietnam proposed the selection of December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, which was approved by the UN General Assembly in 2020.  VNS
Harmful online content is still targeting more and more young users. All victims should be given care immediately since their toll could be drastic.

But, some people still want to know who is more at risk of harmful online content. Are they girls or boys? Thanks to a new study, this can finally be answered.

Who's More At Risk of Harmful Online Content, Boys or Girls?

According to BBC News' latest report, academics from CRUE (Stranmillis University College's Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement) surveyed around 6,500 young users.

Their study was funded by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). In their latest research, 2,650 participants are at the age of 14 to 18 years old. Meanwhile, 3,800 of them are 8 to 13-year-old children.

Most aged 8-13 participants (9 in 10) said they own a smartphone. Most of the 14-18 surveyees also said they have their own devices; 99% of them agreed.

Since they own personal gadgets, the new study also discovered that these teenagers spent more than seven hours per day scrolling on YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and other popular platforms.

This means they are exposed to numerous online content, including harmful ones. The new study confirmed that one in five children found unpleasant videos, images, and other content while scrolling.

However, teenage girls will likely see worse online content, such as NSFW comments on their posts.

Read Also: EU Internet Users Now Enjoy Algorithm-Free Browsing; Here's Why It Matters

Girls are Mostly at Risk of Harmful Online Content

The new study revealed that more than 5% of 14-18-year-old girls received messages asking them to send nude videos or photos. Aside from this, 5% of them also confirmed that they received pornography and other NSFW content from other users.

When it comes to receiving suicide-promoting content, girls are also more at risk compared to boys. They also tend to see self-harm or eating disorder posts. Researchers said their findings prove that teenage girls are two times more likely to be targeted by harmful online content than young males.

The new study's results show that parents should do more to protect their children, especially their daughters. If you are a parent with girl children, the Queensland Government provided some tips on how you can ensure the safety of your kids:

When your kids use their devices, ensure they are placed where you can see them.

Ensure their social media accounts and gadgets have parental controls activated.

Try knowing who your children are talking to online.

Educate your children on how they can ensure their privacy, such as telling them how to turn off their location.

Since some children can be secretive, the best thing you can do as a parent is to talk to them openly regarding their online activity.

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.
WASHINGTON DC  The Vietnamese Embassy in the US in collaboration with the US Institute of Peace organised a banquet on September 19 evening to celebrate the 78th National Day of Viet Nam and the newly-elevated Viet Nam-US relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a US trip for the 78th United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities in the country, his entourage, and nearly 30 US guests who are senior officials of the US administration and parliament, and representatives of businesses and organisations, along with scholars and US friends.

Opening the event, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung highlighted the significant of the National Day of Viet Nam and the elevation of the Viet Nam-US ties during the Viet Nam visit by US President Joe Biden earlier this month.

He thanked US friends and partners as well as the international community for supporting Viet Nam during the countrys cause of national development and enhancing international position.

Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the US President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the US National Security Council, extended greetings to Viet Nam on the occasion of the National Day, affirming that US attaches great importance to relations with the country. He underlined the USs commitments to supporting a strong, independent, prosperous, and self-reliant Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, Senator Dan Sullivan and Senator Jeff Merkley affirmed the strong support from both parties of the US to the Vietnam-US relations, including bilateral cooperation in dealing with war consequences. They spoke highly of the role, position and positive contributions of Viet Nam in the region.

President of the US Institute of Peace Lise Grande underscored that the elevation of the Viet Nam-US ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership is an important milestone in bilateral relationship.

Grande thanked Vietnamese partners for accompanying the US and the Institute of Peace in particular during cooperation in overcoming consequences of war.

Participants shared the delight at and optimism on the growth of the Viet Nam-US relations, and affirmed to continue positive collaboration with Viet Nam to promote the ties.  VNS
HA NOI  Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue left Ha Noi on Thursday morning for official visits to Bangladesh and Bulgaria.

The visits, lasting from September 21-26, are made at the invitations of Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and President of the NA of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov.

The NA Chairman is accompanied by General Secretary of the NA and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong; Chairman of the NA Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha; and Chairman of the NA Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy, among others.

The visits aim to implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations of the 13th Party Congress and the Politburos Resolution No. 34-NQ/TW dated January 9, 2023. The trips are also expected to promote cooperative relations between the NA of Viet Nam and the legislative bodies of the two countries, continue to promote friendship between Viet Nam and Bangladesh, and affirm Viet Nam's attachement to its traditional friendship with Bulgaria.

For Bangladesh, the visit takes place in the context of the good development of Viet Nam-Bangladesh friendship and at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

It is expected to contribute to consolidating and expanding the friendship and effective and practical cooperation between the two countries in all fields, affirming the commitment of the NA of Viet Nam to cooperate with the Bangladeshi Parliament after the Viet Nam visit by the Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament in 2017. It is the most important foreign political event between the two countries on the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations, and the first visit by the Vietnamese NA Chairman to Bangladesh and the highest leader of Viet Nam to visit Bangladesh since 2018.

On February 8, 1950, Bulgaria was one of the first ten countries in the world to recognise and officially establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The official visit to Bulgaria by NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue is made 15 years after the visit to the European country by NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008.

Hue's visit aims to further consolidate and strengthen the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Bulgaria in general and between the two countries NAs in particular.

During the visit, the two sides will re-sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the two NAs; step up bilateral cooperation in all fields, promote the implementation of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), urge the Bulgarian National Assembly to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern.  VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for outgoing Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

The Vietnamese Party chief congratulated the ambassador on his excellent performance during the tenure in Viet Nam, and appreciated the his contributions to implementing diplomatic activities of senior leaders, thus promoting the effective implementation of agreements between the two Parties and countries and deepening the Viet Nam-Laos special solidarity.

He suggested the Lao diplomat to continue to actively contribute to preserving valuable traditions and further stepping up the relationship between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people.

Trong also congratulated Laos on its important achievements in recent times, affirming that Viet Nam always supports Laos' reform process.

He expressed the belief that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will continue to reap new and greater achievements in implementing Resolution of the 11th Party Congress.

For his part, the Lao diplomat congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements in recent years, especially in Party building and socio-economic development, and thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for great and effective support for Laos so far.

Houngboungnuang expressed his joy at the flourishing development of the Laos-Viet Nam special solidarity, which brings practical benefits to the people of both nations.

He affirmed that no matter what position he is in, he will do his utmost to nurture and further promote the special solidarity relationship between the two countries.  VNS
NEW YORK  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions for Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Gerd Muller and Chief Programme Officer at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) Aurelia Nguyen in New York on September 20 (local time).

Receiving Muller, Chinh, on his trip to attend the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly's 78th session and bilateral activities in the US, appreciated efforts by the UNIDO and its Director General to support Viet Nam in implementing three strategic breakthroughs in infrastructure, human resources and institutions, and building a socialist-oriented market economy.

Emphasising Viet Nam's determination to build a strong industry, sustainable ecological agriculture, and concerted and effective service industries, he requested the UNIDO to support Viet Nam in implementing its industrial development strategy to 2025, with a vision to 2035, with priority given to perfecting and implementing industrial policies, developing low-emission industries, and increasing the added value and competitiveness of Viet Nam's industries to participate in global supply chains.

Muller said that Viet Nam is the most successful model of development and an important partner of the UNIDO with many cooperation programmes, affirming his organisation will focus on supporting Viet Nam in energy saving and decarbonisation of industries, and in developing food innovation systems and agricultural value chains, processing industries, and rural industry.

The UNIDO will coordinate closely with the Vietnamese side to soon approve the national cooperation programme for the 2023-2027 period as a basis for collaboration activities in the coming time, he stated, proposing the two sides consider the possibility of trilateral cooperation between Viet Nam, the UNIDO, and a developing country.

Chinh took the occasion to invite the UNIDO leader to visit Viet Nam to promote more opportunities for bilateral cooperation, thus contributing to supporting Vietnam in achieving its goal of becoming an upper middle-income country with a modern industry by 2030 and a high-income developed country by 2045.

Receiving Aurelia Nguyen, PM Chinh thanked her for GAVI's support to Viet Nam during the most difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He suggested GAVI and Aurelia Nguyen personally increase support for Viet Nam in accessing vaccines to prevent epidemics, building strategies and plans to improve expanded vaccination, and receiving the transfer of mRNA vaccine technology.

Aurelia Nguyen expressed her hope that the two sides will maintain cooperation in producing vaccines against diseases in the coming time, and affirmed that she will continue supporting the country in implementing vaccination programmes for common diseases.

On this occasion, Chinh handed to Aurelia Nguyen the Vietnamese States Friendship Order in recognition of her important support for COVID-19 prevention in the country.  VNS
NEW YORK  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed relevant agencies of Viet Nam and the US work together to complete new cooperation frameworks to lay a foundation for the two sides further promote and deepen bilateral cooperative relations, especially in the strategic fields of science-technology, innovation, green growth, sustainable and green energy transition, climate change response, and cybersecurity.

PM Chinh, who is in New York to attend the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, made the suggestion while hosting a reception for US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on September 20.

The move aims to realise the outcomes of the recent state visit to Viet Nam by US President Joe Biden, he said, hailing the US National Security Councils support to bolster the Viet Nam-US relations over the past years.

The PM took this occasion to thank Sullivan for successfully arranging the US Presidents visit to Viet Nam from September 10-11 and the upgrade of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He asked the US official to convey General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong's thanks and regards to President Biden.

He suggested the US side to prioritise accelerating the recognition of Viet Nam's market economy regulations, and not to apply trade defence measures to Vietnamese products, especially farm produce to avoid livelihoods of farmers, on the basis of ensuring balance, equality and mutual benefits.

The Vietnamese leader also spoke highly of the USs clear stance on the recent terrorist attack in Viet Nam's Central Highlands, and proposed the two sides to work together to reduce the opposition from reactionary and hostile forces towards the Vietnamese State and people.

Sullivan, for his part, underlined the significance and importance of President Bidens state visit to Vietnam and the establishment of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, describing it as an opportunity for the two nations to build a good future together.

The official said he will promote the USs recognition of Viet Nam's market economy and affirmed that he supports the Vietnam-US stronger cooperation in the fields of high-tech, green energy transition, response to climate change, education and training so as to develop the bilateral collaboration in a more extensive, practical and effective fashion.

Sullivan also welcomed Viet Nam's continued participation in discussions and negotiations within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Regarding issues of mutual concern, PM Chinh applauded the USs promotion of comprehensive and responsible cooperation with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, Sullivan affirmed ASEANs central role and spoke highly of Viet Nam's active role at regional and international forums such as ASEAN, APEC and the UN.

The two sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), as well as handling disputes via peaceful means and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the SEA (UNCLOS), thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.  VNS
NEW YORK  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in New York on Wednesday (local time) to discuss cooperation between Viet Nam and the US in economy and finance, and to share views on other issues of mutual concern.

The meeting took place as part of the Vietnamese leaders trip to the US for the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and bilateral activities in the country.

Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam considers the US a leading, important partner, and stands ready to work together with the country to promote the bilateral relationship intensively, extensively, stably and practically.

Viet Nam also regards cooperation in economy, finance, trade and investment as a priority of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and highly valued substantive contributions by Yellen and the US Department of the Treasury to the economic and trade ties, he continued.

The PM suggested the department further allocate resources to the economic and trade relations, and called on the US to soon recognise Viet Nams market economy mechanism.

The two countries should enhance dialogues and collaboration in the areas of mutual benefits like infrastructure, financial services, personnel training, IT application, management experience sharing, loans and grants, tax, and capital and stock markets, he said.

Chinh also suggested the US ease trade remedies on Vietnamese garments-textiles, wood products, and especially farm produce.

Yellen shared Chinhs view on the importance of the recent visit to Viet Nam by President Joe Biden, saying the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership reflects spectacular steps in the bilateral relations, as well as the USs commitment to opening up new economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries, helping raise mutual understanding and trust.

Since the normalisation of the relations in 1995, the US and Viet Nam have remained important economic and trade partners of each other, she said, noting that Viet Nam is a key partner in the USs implementation of its regional policy.

The official affirmed the US is cooperating with the Southeast Asian nation to enhance the self-resilience of the regional supply chain, and that Viet Nam boasts potential in the supply chain in the semiconductor industry.

Yellen thanked Vietnamese Government agencies for their active and proactive coordination with the US department in matters relating to trade, monetary and foreign exchange policies.

Regarding regional cooperation, PM Chinh expressed his hope that the US will continue its close connection with the economic development and international integration of the Asia-Pacific, and suggested the US provide more resources and finance for Mekong Sub-region countries to support their implementation of sustainable development goals.

The two also reviewed cooperation priorities in economy and finance globally.

The same day, PM Chinh separately met representatives of some leading economic groups of the US and the world like Microsoft, Gates Foundation, SpaceX, Coca-Cola, and Pacifico Energy.

At the meetings, the leader spoke highly of their contributions to Viet Nams sustainable socio-economic development, and briefed them on favourable business conditions in the country.

Viet Nam is selective in attracting investments, and prioritises projects in such spheres as science-technology, innovation, research and development, green economy, digital economy, knowledge-based economy and circular economy, he said.

The Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for groups to operate in the country, targeting the harmony of interests of people, businesses and the State, the leader emphasised.

At the meeting with Microsoft Corp's co-founder Bill Gates, who is also founder and chairman of the Gates Foundation that operates in agricultural development, financial services for the poor, clean energy, environmental hygiene, global education, health care and nutrition, PM Chinh suggested he support the operation of the Vietnam National Innovation Centre and provide consultancy for Viet Nams strategy on science-technology, and innovation.

He also called on Gates, through the foundation, to continue his assistance to innovative start-ups, science-technology development, climate change response, green transition, green growth, renewable energy, health care and education in Viet Nam.

Gates said he wants to promote cooperation with and support to Viet Nam, focusing on hygiene, clean energy, environment; health care, especially tuberculosis prevention and control; and AI and advanced education models, and pledged to support the Vietnam National Innovation Centre.

PM Chinh also met with James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of the CocaCola Company, who said Coca-Cola wants to expand its operation in Viet Nam.

Meanwhile, Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs at SpaceX that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, said the group plans to invest about US$500 million in Viet Nam, and expressed his hope to receive the investment licence for its Starlink services in Viet Nam.

PM Chinh suggested SpaceX coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment to connect and cooperate with potential Vietnamese partners in information technology, deploy cooperative activities to promote innovation in Viet Nam, and propose OEM (original equipment manufacturers) build telecommunications equipment factories in Viet Nam in the time ahead.

The PM asked Hughes to convey his invitation to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to attend the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2023 later this year.

Nate Franklin, President and CEO of Pacifico Energy, also affirmed that the group wants to invest more in renewable energy in Viet Nam, and shared his ideas on offshore wind power development in the country.  VNS
NEW YORK  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Wednesday signed the United Nations agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (the High Sea Treaty), making Viet Nam one of the first countries to sign the international-legally binding instrument under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The signing of the agreement conveyed the message that Viet Nam is a active and responsible member of the international community as well as the countrys efforts to join hands with countries to deal with global issues, contributing to peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

More than 60 countries are scheduled to sign the agreement during the underway high-level week of the 78th UN General Assembly.

The ratification and signing of the deal is a historic milestone in the international communitys efforts in environmental protection during the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially goal No. 14 on preservation and sustainable use of oceans and maritime resources.

This is the third agreement negotiated and signed within the framework of the 1982 UNCLOS, reaffirming the role and importance of the convention as a legal framework for all activities at sea and in oceans.

The High Sea Treaty regulates the exploitation, sharing of benefits and conservation of marine genetic resources in international waters. This is a new potential resource, belonging to large sea areas accounting for more than 60 per cent of the surface area of the oceans that do not belong to any country. Many areas at the bottom of the oceans have exceptionally rich ecosystems, with many rare and precious genes of high value for scientific research and great economic potential, especially in pharmaceutical and cosmetic production.

Currently, only developed countries and private companies possessing leading marine technologies and biotechnologies, with abundant financial resources, are capable of collecting marine genetic resources and developing applications that bring profits, while there is no international document regulating the obligation to share benefits and conserve these resources.

Talking to the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in New York, Son said the signing of the treaty is an important milestone, as this is one of the international treaties that has drawn the greatest attention in the past decade.

Explaining the significance of the treaty, Son underlined that it is the first document to comprehensively regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resources in international waters.

At the same time, in recent years, the international community's awareness and concern for ocean issues and maritime law is increasing, especially in the context of depletion of marine resources due to overexploitation and negative impacts of environmental pollution and climate change, he noted.

The signing of the agreement is the result of long-term efforts by the international community, a nearly two-decade process with official negotiations beginning in 2018 with the participation of almost all UN member countries, including landlocked nations or non-signatories of the UNCLOS.

The minister said that the approval of the treaty by consensus last June, and the fact that a large number of participating countries signed it right on the opening day demonstrated the success of the negotiation process, describing it as a historic milestone in the efforts of the international community to protect the marine environment.

The agreement has opened up opportunities for developing countries to access, participate in research and benefit from genetic resources in international waters, while reaffirming the role and importance of the 1982 UNCLOS as a legal framework for all activities on the seas and oceans.

As a coastal country with a high awareness of the importance of oceans to the national construction and defence, Viet Nam has joined the negotiations on the agreement right from the beginning.

For Viet Nam, the agreement has many important meanings, stated the minister, underlining that the pact continues to strengthen the system of legal documents based on the 1982 UNCLOS in the management of seas and oceans towards the goal of sustainable development. It reaffirms the 1982 UNCLOS as the legal framework for all activities at sea. All maritime claims must not harm the common interests of the international community. The scope of international waters, where marine living resources belong to all humanity, must be determined through and in accordance with 1982 UNCLOS, he stressed.

The agreement opens up opportunities for Viet Nam and other developing countries to participate in scientific research, transfer marine technologies, and receive economic benefits shared by other countries which have greater advantages in marine technology and strong financial science and technology to exploit genetic resources in the high seas.

The agreement also creates and encourages international cooperation mechanisms and regional marine cooperation to preserve and share benefits from marine genetic resources, which brings opportunities for Viet Nam to promote cooperation, strengthen the intertwining of interests, and contribute to protecting the homeland early and from afar.

At the same time, Viet Nams early joining of the agreements negotiations and contributions to the building of the agreement helped the country realise its strategy on actively and responsibly participating in solving international and regional issues related to seas and oceans, as well as its policy of playing a core, leading, and mediating role at multilateral forums of strategic importance, which is stated in Directive 25 of the Party Central Committees Secretariat on enhancing the countrys multilateral diplomacy until 2030, Son said.  VNS
NEW YORK  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with global leaders in New York on September 20 afternoon (local time), on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Talking to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel, PM Chinh affirmed that the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people of Viet Nam never forget Cubas wholehearted assistance for Viet Nams struggle for national liberation, always treasure and stay determined to further intensify the traditional solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, and support the just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people.

He underlined Viet Nams consistent stance of not supporting but demanding the unilateral sanctions against Cuba be removed.

The PM held that the two sides should maintain close cooperation to enhance trade and investment links and develop their economic ties on par with the sound political relations as directed and wished by the countries Party and State leaders.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the Cuba-Viet Nam relations form a noble symbol of the comradeship and close-knit friendship, and thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for the precious support for Cuba to weather difficulties caused by the embargo and sanctions.

He pledged to direct Cuban ministries and sectors to work more closely with Viet Nam to promote bilateral economic, investment, and trade ties, especially in agriculture to guarantee food security.

Both leaders also affirmed coordination to organise activities marking the 50 years since Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz visited the liberated zone in South Viet Nam in September 1973, especially during the coming trip to Viet Nam by President of the Cuban National Assembly of Peoples Power Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

Meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, PM Chinh stressed the great importance Viet Nam attaches to the traditional friendship and cooperation with Romania, and thanked the European country for its vaccine support for Viet Nam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To continue fostering bilateral ties, he called on both sides to increase meetings and mutual visits, especially at the high level, continue making trade and investment breakthroughs so that the relations live up to the countries potential and advantages. They also need to boost cooperation in labour and education - training, which are their traditional cooperation fields, and share experience in the sustainable management of the Mekong and Danube deltas.

President Iohannis applauded the development of the countries partnership, particularly in economy - trade.

He pledged that Romania will work to further promote all-round ties with Viet Nam, especially in economy, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, so that bilateral relations match the development of the countries ties.

At the meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, PM Chinh highlighted Viet Nam always treasures and hopes to reinforce the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Poland, a priority partner in Central and Eastern Europe. He also thanked the Polish Government and people for actively assisting Viet Nam in the pandemic response.

He suggested both countries step up all-level delegation exchanges via all channels to enhance mutual political trust and understanding and expand cooperation in all fields. He called on the Polish Government to continue creating optimal conditions for the Vietnamese community in Poland to live, work, and integrate well into the local society.

President Duda highly valued Viet Nams achievements in socio-economic recovery and development after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Polish leader expressed his special attention to fostering economic ties and perceived that there remains much cooperation potential in education - training, information technology, health care, pharmaceutical, and agriculture. He also asked for the Vietnamese Governments support for Polish businesses to invest in the Southeast Asian nation.

Also on September 20, PM Chinh told Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar during their meeting that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to strengthen the traditional friendship with Slovenia, one of its priority partners in Europe.

He asked the countries to boost mutual visits at all levels, especially in 2024 when they celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and effectively implement the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The PM also called on the Slovenian Parliament and Government to soon complete the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and raise their voice so that the European Commission (EC) will lift the yellow card warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Viet Nams fisheries sector.

Noting PM Chinhs opinions, President Musar said Slovenia always views Viet Nam as one of its propriety partners in Southeast Asia, and that it will bolster multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam.

She also asked both sides to enhance cooperation in some potential areas such as labour, science - technology, natural resource protection, pharmaceutical, and environmental protection.

At the meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, PM Chinh said Viet Nam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and sound cooperation with Finland.

To further boost bilateral ties, he recommended the countries increase all-level delegation exchanges to develop their relations in a more substantive and effective manner, while continuing to foster trade and investment ties to create momentum for bilateral relations to grow strongly. He also highlighted Viet Nams hope to boost exporting farm produce, leather - footwear, textile - garment, and other products to Finland.

The PM appealed to the Finnish Parliament and Government to soon finalise the EVIPA ratification to facilitate equal and mutually beneficial investment ties. He also asked Finland to support the ECs removal of the yellow card warning for Viet Nams fisheries sector.

Hailing the development of bilateral cooperation, especially since the EVFTA took effect, President Niinisto expressed his hope that their countries will not only promote bilateral cooperation but also serve as bridges linking Finland with ASEAN, Viet Nam with the EU, and between ASEAN and the EU.

At the meetings, PM Chinh and the European leaders affirmed that their countries will keep strengthen cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and step up coordination within ASEAN and EU cooperation mechanisms.

Talking to his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin also on September 20, PM Chinh noted that Thailand is an important and trustworthy partner of Viet Nam in the region, expressing his delight at the progress of bilateral ties amid the 10th anniversary of the countries strategic partnership.

To keep fostering the Viet Nam-Thailand cooperation, he pointed out four focuses that should be promoted, namely effectively carrying out the action plan for implementing the enhanced strategic partnership for 2022-27; further opening their markets and providing more favourable conditions for both sides businesses so as to achieve the trade target of US$25 billion in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner; enhancing cooperation in education - training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges; and maintaining close coordination at multilateral mechanisms, especially ASEAN.

PM Thavisin agreed on his counterparts opinions, adding that Thailand wishes to join Viet Nam in bolstering collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure connectivity, and locality-to-locality ties.

He also suggested Viet Nam consider opening more direct air routes to Thailand.

Both leaders agreed that their countries will jointly implement the cooperation focuses to boost the effective and substantive development of their strategic partnership.  VNS
NEW YORK  Viet Nam attaches importance to and supports the United Nations (UN)s central role in the global administration system in order to cope with current big common challenges, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed while meeting with President of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) Dennis Francis in New York on September 20 (local time).

Viet Nam commits to actively contributing to major priorities of UNGA 78, including the consolidation of peace through enhancing trust, fostering cooperation, easing tensions between powers, strengthening solidarity, promoting multilateralism, reforming international financial institutions towards more equality, and realising the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the PM stressed.

He held that a global, all-people and comprehensive approach is needed to tackle such challenges, and affirmed that Vietnam supports and is resolved to implement the SDGs and respond to climate change, particularly achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Chinh briefed Francis on Viet Nam's National Power Development Plan VIII, which guides the development of power plants and power grids between 2021 and 2030, with a vision until 2050. The country will soon announce a resources mobilisation plan for the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), he added.

The PM also highlighted Viet Nam's efforts in ensuring rice exports, contributing to guaranteeing global food security.

For his part, Francis spoke highly of the UN-Viet Nam relations, saying he is impressed by socio-economic achievements the Southeast Asian nation has recorded. He highly evaluated the country's active and dynamic role, and increasing position, including its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Francis also commended Viet Nam's achievements in poverty reduction and national development, saying its experience in this field should be shared to the world, and spoke highly of the countrys cooperation in the SDGs implementation, climate change response and food security.

The President of UNGA 78 agreed to cooperate with Viet Nam to promote the compliance with the UN Charter and international law, and multilateralism.

On this occasion, Chinh invited Francis to visit Viet Nam in the coming time.  VNS
WASHINGTON DC  Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner co-chaired the annual Viet Nam-US Defence Policy Dialogue in Washington, D.C on September 19 (local time).

Commending positive defence cooperation between the two countries in the past year, Chien and Ratner said post-war recovery cooperation has continued to be a pillar and a bright spot in the bilateral relations, helping build trust and foster mutual understanding between the two sides.

Chien took this occasion to thank the US for increasing its non-refundable aid from US$183 million to $300 million for the project to clean up dioxin-contaminated soil at the Bien Hoa Air Base, describing it an important resource to complete the first phase of the project.

Viet Nam will continue creating favourable conditions for the search for US soldiers missing in action (MIA) as the two sides are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Office for Seeking Missing Persons, and 35 years of the implementation of the joint MIA activities, Chien said.

At the event, the two sides laid stress on the important role of Viet Nam and the US in the cooperation framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and agreed to continue effective defence collaboration in the fields of delegation exchange at all levels, cyber security, defence industry and UN peacekeeping activities, as well as support each other at regional and multilateral forums, especially ADMM+, making contributions to regional and global peace, stability and development.

As Viet Nam and the US will continue working together to handle post-war consequences, Chien suggested both sides to meticulously study the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the field based on the joint statement on the upgrade of the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

Chien asked the US to give further aid to Viet Nam to speed up the dioxin detoxification project at the Bien Hoa Air Base, which needs an additional $150-200 million.

Ratner said he will discuss the issue with the US Congress to seek further support for the project.

Discussing international issues of mutual concerns, Chien and Ratner spoke highly of the role and position of ASEAN as well as ASEAN-led mechanisms, and emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom, security and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

Vietnam is persistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralisation and diversification, and has pursued a Four Nos defence policy, Chien said, adding Viet Nam supports the settlement of disputes in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) via peaceful means and in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  VNS
In a dramatic escalation of the diplomatic confrontation between the two nations, India stopped accepting visa applications from Canadian citizens. This comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being behind an assassination that took place in Canada in June.

Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry, said on Thursday, September 21, that the country's high commission and consulates in Canada were temporarily unable to process visas. Apparently, the decision was due to technical and security issues.

Bagchi, speaking at a press conference, acknowledged the disruption to their operations and promised regular assessments of the matter, as reported by The New York Times.

Escalating Tensions

The suspension occurred amid escalating tensions between India and Canada after Trudeau revealed in Parliament earlier this week that Canadian intelligence agencies had evidence connecting the Indian government to the June 18 murder of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia.

On Tuesday, September 19, the Indian government strongly denied any involvement in the killing of Canadian Sikh Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Instead, they accused the Canadian government of providing a safe haven to terrorists who are trying to carve out a Sikh state in India.

Canada's top diplomat in New Delhi was then subject to an expulsion order from India. The previous day, Canada expelled an Indian ambassador who was said to be the chief of New Delhi's intelligence agency in Canada.

Due to concerns that doing so might compromise the ongoing police investigation into Nijjar's murder and betray the country's intelligence-gathering techniques, the Canadian government has not made public its conclusions about the case. Canada has reportedly reached out to India for help with this investigation.

Trudeau stated, "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.

See Also: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Claims India Killed Sikh Leader in British Columbia, Orders Expulsion of Indian Diplomat

India's Travel Advisory

The Indian foreign ministry issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals in Canada on Wednesday, September 20, urging them to exercise extreme care due to a rise in politically sanctioned hate crimes and criminal violence against Indians.

According to the advisory, "Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda." Therefore, Indian people are strongly discouraged from visiting the areas of Canada where these occurrences have taken place.

In comments to reporters in Ottawa, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc dismissed India's travel advisory. "Canada is a safe country. What we're doing is ensuring there's an appropriate criminal investigation into these circumstances."

After years of escalating animosity, relations between India and Canada have hit a new low this week, according to officials and observers.

Extremist Sikh organizations in the Indian diaspora, like the one founded by Nijjar, have backed a separatist campaign that threatens India's sovereignty. The Indian government has long accused Canada and other Western countries of silence.

See Also: Tensions Rise: Canada Rejects Indian Travel Advisory Following Murder Implication Allegations

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DHAKA  Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka capital on September 21, starting his official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.

The top legislator and his entourage were greeted at the airport by Iqbalur Rahim, member of the Parliament; K.M. Abdus Salam, Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament; and representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh.

Since Viet Nam and Bangladesh set up their diplomatic relations on February 11, 1973, their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have been continuously developed with political trust enhanced, which laid a firm foundation for the two nations to promote partnership across all fields.

Over the past 50 years, the two sides have stood by stood and support each other during national construction, defence and economic development in each country.

Along with maintaining regular high-level visits and meetings, the two sides have agreed to work closely to build a long-term vision for the bilateral relations, increase visits at high and all levels, strengthen meetings of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the resumption and upgrading of the Joint Committee on economic, culture, science and technology cooperation in the time to come.

Hues visit takes place in the context of the good development of Viet Nam-Bangladesh friendship and at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023).

It is expected to contribute to consolidating and expanding the friendship and effective and practical cooperation between the two countries in all fields, affirming the commitment of the NA of Viet Nam to cooperate with the Bangladeshi Parliament after the Vietnam visit by the Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament in 2017. It is the most important foreign political event between the two countries on the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations, and the first visit by the Vietnamese NA Chairman to Bangladesh and the highest leader of Viet Nam to visit Bangladesh since 2018.

While in Bangladesh, Hue will join host leaders in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

He is scheduled to hold talks and meet with senior leaders of Bangladesh, during which they will discuss measures to consolidate and promote the friendship and the effective, practical cooperation between the two countries in all Party, parliament and government channels, and people-to-people exchange.

The top legislator will also attend a number of cultural, economic and diplomatic activities on this occasion.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and Japan have a reliable and close-knit partnership, Japanese Crown Prince Akishino during his talks with Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on Thursday.

Welcoming the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan to Viet Nam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam-Japan ties, Vice President Xuan said that their visit would be a milestone for mutual understanding and friendship, thereby improving the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Viet Nam and Japan have had people exchanges since the 8th century, and robust trade activities in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Vietnamese leader also expressed her appreciation towards the Japanese royal family, government and people for their support for Viet Nams socio-economic development, as well as the Vietnamese community of nearly 500,000 people in Japan.

Noting the achievements of bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, culture, tourism and people exchanges, she hoped that this collaboration would be extended to other areas such as digital transformation, green growth, food and energy security.

The Japanese Crown Prince praised the Southeast Asian countrys growth as well as the Vietnamese communitys contributions to Japans development.

Noting that there is an increasing number of Japanese people who wish to study the Vietnamese language, Crown Prince Akishino believed that cultural exchanges lead to better mutual understanding, which will be the foundation to promote Viet Nam-Japan relations to a higher level.

He would also make more efforts for the cooperation and friendship between the two countries in the future.

Crown Princess Kiko added that she wishes to promote cooperation and share experiences with Viet Nam in terms of tuberculosis prevention, exchanges between women of the two countries, as well as in education and healthcare.

Vice President Xuan also sent her regards to Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, and members of the Japanese royal family.

Following the talks, Vice President Xuan and Japans Crown Prince and Crown Princess paid a visit to late President Ho Chi Minhs residence in the presidential palace.

A reception was held later on the same day to welcome the royal couple and delegation.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue and Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament held talks in Dhaka on Thursday, believing that the two countries have great potential for cooperation with mutual trust and friendship built through multiple generations of leaders and people.

NA Chairman Hue is on the first official visit to Bangladesh from September 21-23. The two countries are also celebrating 50th years of diplomatic relations this year.

Congratulating Bangladeshs achievements in economic growth, the Vietnamese top legislator noted that the South Asian countrys gross domestic product (GDP) increased over seven per cent during the fiscal year of 2021-22.

Bangladesh has also become the worlds second-largest exporter of garment products and a pioneering model in building green factories, he said.

Viet Nam and Bangladesh relations have seen positive development despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with bilateral trade turnover increased to US$1.5 billion in 2022 and is heading towards the goal of $2 billion.

Bangladesh has also become Viet Nams second-largest trading partner in the South Asian region.

Agreeing that the Viet Nam-Bangladesh ties still have plenty of room for growth, the two leaders said that there will be more delegation exchanges of all levels as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the joint committee on economic, cultural, scientific and technology cooperation.

NA Chairman Hue also praised the establishment of the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Friendship Society (BVFS).

Noting that Bangladesh has a promising market with a population of nearly 170 and large consumption power, the NA Chairman Hue requested that Bangladesh continues to facilitate Vietnamese exports into the South Asian country, particularly for products of Viet Nams strengths such as agricultural machinery, raw materials, household goods, electronics, processed agricultural and aquatic products.

The two countries should also promote cooperation in halal food, he added.

Praising the Policy and Law Forum, aiming to bolster economic, trade, and investment collaboration between the two countries, Bangladeshi parliament speaker Chaudhury also called for Vietnamese companies to look for business opportunities in Bangladesh, especially in the new special economic zones initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

She also asked that Viet Nam create favourable conditions for Bangladeshs exports, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics and leather footwear, to contribute to the trade balance.

The Bangladeshi parliament speaker also encouraged tourism agencies of both countries to organise more tours to Viet Nam and Bangladesh, as well as better aviation connectivity through direct or transit flights.

Friendship parliamentary groups have also been established as a measure to promote exchanges and share experiences between the Vietnamese and Bangladeshi legislators.

NA Chairman Hue also asked that Bangladesh provide support for the stable livelihoods of the small yet united Vietnamese community in the South Asian country, which is also acting as a strong link for the friendship between the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two leaders agreed to continue the close cooperation and coordination at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations (UN) and other mechanisms led by ASEAN.

With both Viet Nam and Bangladesh being members of the 2023-25 UN Human Rights Council, they believed that the two countries will have many opportunities for discussions and promoting cooperation, particularly in climate change and human rights.

Following the talks, the Vietnamese and Bangladeshi leaders signed a memorandum of understanding between the two legislative bodies.

Prior to the meeting, NA Chairman Hue and the Vietnamese delegation paid a visit to the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is considered Bangladeshs Father of the Nation.

Exhibition visit

In the afternoon of September 21, at the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh in Dhaka, Chairman Vuong inh Hue, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Shahriar Alam and Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong, officially opened a photo exhibition celebrating 50 years of enduring friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Bangladesh.

The exhibition was attended by a distinguished delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly, along with a substantial number of Bangladeshi delegates.

The exhibition, organised by the Vietnam News Agency, featured photographs showcasing the enduring traditional friendship and the political, economic, social, and cultural collaboration between Viet Nam and Bangladesh.

The exhibition comprises 20 large-format photographs, carefully selected from the archives of the Vietnam News Agency, offering glimpses of pivotal moments in the development of relations between Viet Nam and Bangladesh. It also highlights the landscapes, people, and culture of Viet Nam. Notably, photographs capturing mutual visits by high-ranking leaders of both nations underscore their contributions to bolstering bilateral relations and creating new opportunities for cooperation, including inter-parliamentary collaboration.

The exhibition space includes a black-and-white photograph depicting "President Ho Chi Minh reading the oath on behalf of the Resistance Coalition Government under the first Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam" in Ha Noi on March 2, 1946. Additionally, there are photographs documenting reciprocal visits by high-ranking leaders of both countries.

The exhibition also showcases photographs from various events, including the launch of the Bangla translation of the English version of the book "Uncle Ho Wrote His Will" in Dhaka, Bangladesh; the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site; a dragon boat performance and traditional art programme on Tam Chuc Lake during the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak - Vesak 2019 at the Tam Chuc Buddhist Cultural Center in Kim Bang District, Ha Nam; Ho Chi Minh City's Saigon River, an economic hub and Viet Nam's largest development centre; the Giong Festival in Phu ong Village, Gia Lam, Ha Noi; and the Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival, a unique cultural event of the Khmer ethnic group, held annually on the 30th day of the 8th lunar month in Tri Ton District, An Giang Province, as part of the Khmer Senne Dolta holiday. VNS
HA NOI  In every step of Viet Nam's development, there has always been the support and assistance of the fraternal Lao Party, State and people, said President Vo Van Thuong at Thursday reception for outgoing Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Sengphet Houngboungnuang.

President Thuong said the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos in recent times has always been strengthened and developed, achieving practical results in all aspects. The two countries agencies and localities have regularly engaged in exchanges and cooperation.

Thanks to the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements, economic and trade ties have yielded positive results while collaboration in theoretical research, training, national defence and security has also seen significant progress. Both sides have also offered mutual support in global and regional issues.

The host leader congratulated the ambassador on fulfilling his assigned tasks, making important contributions to promoting Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

He wished that in his new role, the diplomat would continue contributing even more to the friendship and special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos.

Houngboungnuang, for his part, congratulated Viet nam on upgrading ties with several countries, including the US, which reflects the country's increasingly prominent international stature and role.

He believed that Viet nam will successfully realise the Resolution adopted by the 13th National Party Congress and achieve its goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

The guest thanked the Vietnamese authorities for their support to him to fulfill his mission during the tenure, and pledged that in any future position, he will strive to nurture the bilateral relationship.  VNS
DHAKA  National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue joined a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off a photo exhibition on the five-decade long Vietnam-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in Dhaka on September 21, as part of his official visit to the South Asian nation.

The exhibition, organised by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), displayed 20 large-format photographs carefully selected from the VNAs archives.

They showcase significant and prominent moments in the bilateral relationship, high-level reciprocal visits between Vietnamese and Bangladeshi leaders, and Viet Nam's landscape, people, and culture.

Among them, there are those capturing the events of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receiving visiting Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in Viet Nam, and of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina witnessing the signing ceremony of an agreement to establish the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Business Council.

The NA leaders current official visit to Bangladesh takes place in the context of the good development of the Viet Nam-Bangladesh friendship and at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

Since Viet Nam and Bangladesh set up their diplomatic ties on February 11, 1973, their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have been continuously developed with political trust enhanced, which laid a firm foundation for the two nations to promote partnership across all fields.  VNS
NEW YORK  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Uganda Henry Oryem Okello, and Vice President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations Maros Sefcovic in New York on September 20 (US time).

The meetings took place on the occasion of their attendance in the high-level general debate of the United Nations General Assembly.

Talking to Kommasith, Son applauded the sound development of the two countries relations, especially high-level mutual visits and meetings, and the promotion of key cooperation projects in the recent past.

The Lao official spoke highly of the success of the delegation exchanges between the countries Party and State leaders, especially the meeting among the leaders of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, and the Cambodian Peoples Party in Ha Noi on September 6.

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely to prepare for high-level activities between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties and Governments, coming events of inter-sectoral cooperation mechanisms, and some cooperation projects. The countries will also keep close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Minister Son affirmed Viet Nam's support for and efforts to help Laos fulfill its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024.

At the meeting with Manele, Son stressed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to developing cooperation with Pacific island countries, particularly the Solomon Islands.

Both sides agreed to consider the establishment of cooperation mechanisms; sign documents and agreements in the areas the countries are strong at such as trade - investment, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and climate change response to serve as stepping stones for cooperation; and enhance collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Receiving Okello, Son highly valued the visit to Viet Nam by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last November, and asked the two countries to press on with implementing the trips outcomes to substantively develop multifaceted cooperation.

Okello emphasised that his country admires Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements and wishes the two sides will boost discussion to expand ties in agriculture and telecommunications infrastructure.

The two officials agreed that their countries will strengthen cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Group of 77 (G77).

Meeting with Sefcovic, Son noted with satisfaction the increasingly extensive and substantive strides in the Viet Nam-EU relations, and affirmed that the EU is one of the leading partners of Viet Nam, calling on both sides to maintain and bring into play cooperation and dialogue mechanisms.

The Vietnamese minister also appealed to the European Council to raise its voice to persuade the EU to soon remove the yellow card warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for fishery exports of the Southeast Asian nation.

Sefcovic said he attaches importance to the EU-Viet Nam cooperation and also shared the view on Sons proposals.

Both officials also touched upon measures for realising climate change response commitments and the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Viet Nam and the G7 countries.

At the meetings, Minister Son affirmed Viet Nam and ASEANs common stance on peacefully settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and guaranteeing the safety and security of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea).  VNS
Thao Nguyen, Bich Hong, Duong Hoa, Huy Hai

HA NOI  Five years after the European Commission (EC) issued a yellow card against Viet Nams seafood products for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, numerous efforts have been made to lift the restrictions as the commission is scheduled to visit in October.

This will be the ECs fourth inspection of Viet Nams fishery sector.

An action plan against IUU fishing has been implemented in accordance with the Prime Ministers Decision No. 81/Q-TTg, which was issued in February this year.

IUU fishing is considered a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, while also creating negative impacts on the sustainable livelihoods of the coastal communities as well as the global economy and food security in the long term.

In the fishing season in autumn, the coastal south-central province of Khanh Hoa is bustling with vessels bringing tonnes of sea catches back to the shore in the early morning.

Huynh Van Bi, who has been working at the dock for years, said he and his fellow workers sort out over 20 types of fish every day.

The seaport also supervises the amount of catches as they are unloaded at the shore, he said.

Nguyen Moc, a fishing vessel owner and former fisherman, said: Aquaculture resources are on the decrease, so seafood prices and costs are rising.

A fishing trip usually lasts more than 10 days, but if the catches are not as expected, then the crew would have to stay at sea longer.

When ships in the same fisheries trade union set sail together, they will be a great help to each other at these times.

Fisheries trade unions also play an important role in communication activities against IUU fishing.

Nguyen uc Thang, chairman of Vinh Phuoc Ward fisheries trade union, which has a total of 23 vessels and 250 sailors, said that regular meetings and close bonds between the union members help circulate new information and regulations in the fishing industry.

Vessel owners are also better aware of the importance of removing the IUU fishing yellow card, which will increase the price of their catches and therefore their income.

Thang said: Since regulations against IUU fishing are put in place, none of our unions vessels commit violations.

All shipowners are committed to strictly comply with procedures for departure, docking, inspection, registration and regulations for fishing at sea, especially in regard to IUU fishing.

Khanh Hoa Province now has nine grassroots fisheries trade unions, with a total of 227 member vessels and 915 crew members.

The provincial Union of Agriculture and Rural Development is taking measures for similar unions to be established, with specific guidelines that suit the circumstances of their job.

These include capacity building, raising awareness of the laws and legal assistance for better productivity and business operations, in addition to protecting the national aquaculture resources as well as security and sovereignty.

The national fisheries society has also issued a handbook on laws related to the sea and islands, which also encourages sailors and shipowners to fight against IUU fishing.

According to vice chairman of Viet Nam Union of Agriculture and Rural Development o Tien Dung, most of the fisheries trade union members are offshore fishing vessels with a majority of their catches used for exports to foreign markets such as the EU.

Therefore, they witness a significant impact from the yellow card.

Dung recommends authorities strengthen inspection and take measures to protect and support fishermen during operations and in terms of supply chain, while also imposing strict penalties on violating vessels, especially those that venture out to the waters of neighbouring countries.

Action taken

Following the third inspection in October last year, the EC continues to recommend Viet Nam focus on addressing four main groups of issues, including legal frameworks, management and supervision of fishing vessels, origin traceability and law enforcement.

In addition to the promulgation of policies against IUU fishing and for a sustainable and responsible fishery industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has also reduced the number of fishing vessels and their capacity in accordance with the ECs recommendations.

Data on fishing vessels are also updated in the national fisheries database VNFishbase, while the number of ships measuring 15 metres or above is also limited.

The vessel monitoring system (VMS) is also installed on 97.86 per cent of vessels with a length of 15 metres or longer.

According to authorities, the remaining ships are being listed for monitoring, with most of them out of operation.

The navy and coast guards as well as patrol teams on fisheries have also been coordinating in key areas to prevent vessels from violating foreign waters.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that while Viet Nam has been making progress in fisheries, challenges still remain.

A report from the MARD revealed that currently, the country has only been able to control half of the vessels entering seaports for origin traceability.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of the year, 39 vessels and 252 fishermen from Binh inh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Ben Tre, Bac Lieu, Tien Giang, Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces were arrested by foreign authorities for their violations in other countries waters.

Meanwhile, there are still cases where the VMS devices were removed and transferred to other ships to avoid law enforcers.

Presiding over a meeting on measures against IUU fishing with coastal provinces authorities on August 29, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said that ministries, sectors and localities must be more responsible and take drastic measures with the goal to remove the ECs yellow card.

The MARD is in charge of a plan that details priority tasks in preparations for the ECs inspection in October, while the Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) will work on preventing violations in foreign waters.

Agriculture and rural development minister Hoan said that the immediate focus is to manage and monitor fishing vessels.

He added that the ministry will also make adjustments to regulations on administrative fines and monitoring devices that will address IUU fishing.

Infrastructure will also be upgraded to manage ships entering seaports, the amount of catches as well as origin traceability.

Chairman of Viet Nam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) Nguyen Viet Thang said that in the long run, it is necessary to improve the sector to be more responsible, ensuring stability and sustainability and following fishing plans in each locality and maritime region.

Assessment must be conducted on aquacultural resources in different sea zones with prompt and accurate predictions for catching seasons, alongside capacity building for fishermen, he added.

ECs recommendations

According to the ECs Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE), Viet Nam has to take more stringent measures in preventing IUU fishing and foreign waters violations with 100 per cent of the cases investigated and handled, including those of vessels arrested at foreign sea and ships that do not maintain monitoring devices according to regulations.

The European Union (EU) is one of the top export markets for Vietnamese seafood, placing only behind the US and Chinese markets.

The European market contributed approximately US$1.3 billion in Viet Nams total seafood export turnover of $11 billion in 2022.

The delay in implementing EC inspection teams recommendations on combatting IUU fishing could also turn the yellow card into a red card warning.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) estimated that if given a red card, Viet Nam could be banned from exporting fisheries products to EU, which is worth nearly $500 million per year.

In this case, other markets such as the US could also impose similar regulations on Viet Nams seafood exports for IUU fishing, in addition to the EU.

The EU has regulations on certifying the origin of imported seafood, thereby classifying countries exporting fishery products with the green, yellow and red cards, or a trade ban at the most critical level.

With a yellow card, 100 per cent of Viet Nams seafood exports to the EU are subjected to inspection, which reduces the export volume, increase the costs and delivery time.

European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius said that the ECs yellow card can also encourage Viet Nam to reduce excessive fishing and ensure fairness for law-abiding fishermen.

According to the EC, countermeasures for IUU fishing have been prioritised by the Vietnamese Government and have returned positive results.

The commission also believed in Viet Nams commitment when the country deployed the 180-day action plan to combat IUU fishing, while also taking into consideration ECs recommendations when drafting the Law on Fisheries.

As a country with a long coastline and a large fleet of offshore fishing vessels, Viet Nam accounts for 5 per cent of the global fishery production.

In 2022, the total volume of Viet Nams fish catches reached over 3.86 million tonnes.

IUU fishing will not only lead to a decline in exports but also reduce Viet Nams credibility with its partners in international trade relations.  VNS
A LAT  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has identified three main tasks for the development of the Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) region and required provinces in the region to prioritise those tasks.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang set the tasked while , while addressing the first conference of the Tay Nguyen coordinating council held in a Lat City, Lam ong Province, on Wednesday.

Quang emphasised three main missions: one, complete the regional transportation network and link with regions and provinces bordering the Central Highlands; two, establish mechanisms to attract and promote investments for the greater good of the region; and three, develop agriculture as a supply chain system, from building sourcing regions to creating production factories to capitalise on the region's advantages.

According to Quang, the legal framework is set and the three aforementioned missions will soon commence. The implementation will be sped up within the next two years to meet the deadline. Issues such as climate change and forest protection in the area must also be addressed.

Delegates at the meeting included leaders of related authorities and chairpersons of people's committees from all five provinces of the Central Highlands area.

At the conference, representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported on specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the Central Highlands region and their action plan for the final months of 2023, seeking input from various ministries and localities.

According to the report, the ministry proposes prioritising the early implementation of several special mechanisms and policies, including investing in infrastructure, particularly transportation infrastructure; policies related to the development of the forestry economy, effective land use solutions for residents, environmental management and protection, support for agricultural development, tourism, and human resource development.

Among the tasks that need to be implemented, the foremost is to study mechanisms and policies that encourage and effectively mobilise resources from all economic sectors for investment in the construction of technical infrastructure, particularly transportation infrastructure.

The leaders of the people's committees of the five provinces in the Central Highlands region have proposed various opinions on mechanisms and policies for the socio-economic development of the Central Highlands.

Most of the localities have highlighted the need for mechanisms to expedite the construction and improvement of transportation infrastructure (including roads and aviation) to forge robust regional connectivity among the provinces.

This would establish a comprehensive transportation and logistics network to bolster the economic development of the Central Highlands, especially in sectors such as eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture.

Tran Van Hiep, chairman of the Lam ong People's Committee, recommended the repair of National Highway 27, which connects Lam ong, ak Lak, and Ninh Thuan. The road has been deteriorating for many years and has been neglected due to bureaucratic issues.

This situation has posed significant challenges and inconveniences for the local people when travelling on this crucial route.

According to Hiep, local authorities aim to overcome these challenges by addressing bureaucratic obstacles and revising policies to allow them to invest their own funds in repairs whilst awaiting financial support from the Ministry of Transport.

The Central Highlands Coordination Council was established on July 11, 2023, by the Prime Minister, with Deputy Prime Minister Quang serving as the Chairman.

The Central Highlands Coordination Council is an interagency coordination organisation set up by the Prime Minister to execute functions that assist the Prime Minister in studying, directing, coordinating, and resolving pivotal inter-sectoral tasks related to regional connectivity and sustainable development in the Central Highlands region.

In his concluding statement, Deputy PM Quang said that the meeting gave the regional Coordination Council the initiative to form a special mechanism to develop the region.  VNS
HA NOI  The Government has approved for the Vietnam Airlines Corporation (Vietnam Airlines) to set up an additional salary fund to increase the salary of Vietnamese pilots.

This increase is intended to bring the salary of Vietnamese pilots closer to that of foreign pilots.

Currently, the salary of Vietnamese pilots is less than half that of foreign colleagues.

The additional salary fund will be set up annually and must not exceed the difference between the salary funds paid for Vietnamese and foreign pilots.

The financial source to set up the additional salary fund will depend on the financial capacity of Vietnam Airlines to fulfill the planned profit target.

The payment of the additional salary for Vietnamese pilots will be implemented from January 1, 2023.

Vietnam Airlines said that that the average salary of Vietnamese pilots at the corporation is only 43-48 per cent of the average salary paid for foreign pilots.

Since 2020, Vietnam Airlines pays a foreign pilot VN2.5 billion (US$100,000) a year higher than that for a Vietnamese pilot.

Specifically, in 2018-19, Vietnamese pilots received a salary of VN124-135 million ($5,200-5,600) per person per month, while foreign pilots were paid VN249-281 million ($10,275-11,569) per person per month.

In 2020, this figure was VN85 million ($3,500) compared to VN145 million ($6,000), respectively.

This difference is because Vietnamese pilots are contracted to work and are employees of the airline so their salaries are included in the companys salary fund that is built according to general regulations, without any specificity.

Meanwhile, foreign pilots are hired by the company and their salaries are from a different fund.

Due to low wages, many Vietnamese pilots have quit their jobs.

Since 2018, there have been 154 Vietnamese pilots have transferred to other airlines. In the first three months of this year alone, eight Vietnamese pilots left the airline.

With the high growth rate of other Vietnamese airlines, in the next three years, Vietnam Airlines may lose an additional 120-240 Vietnamese pilots a year.

To make Vietnamese pilots' salaries equal to 80 per cent of foreign counterparts, this year the airline has to add VN510 billion ($21 million) to salaries. If the rate increases to 90 per cent, the airline will add VN713 billion ($29.3 million).

In return, the airline retains Vietnamese pilots and saves VN300-600 billion ($12.3-24.6 million) per year from hiring foreign pilots.

Currently, Vietnam Airlines employs 780 Vietnamese pilots and 144 foreign pilots.  VNS
By Le Huong

It is a bright afternoon, and the art studio class at Ha Noi Viet Nam Fine Arts University is busier than ever. The smell of paint and sand overwhelms the spacious studio. A group of artists and students are losing themselves, spraying paint and sand over their canvases.

Uruguayan painter Yandi Monardo works on his own canvas. Occasionally, he stops to explain techniques to students, who follow his instructions step by step.

They make the backgrounds for paintings on canvas by scattering many layers of acrylic oil paint, stone powder and sand. They then use pointed nails to sketch on the background, finally removing all the sand to let sketches and colour clusters form.

They have frames of different sizes and use different colours as they see fit.

All the students are excited to discover the new techniques and materials.

Nguyen Quang o, a senior student at the university, cannot hide his joy.

These new techniques are interesting to me, different to what I have learned before, he tells Viet Nam News.

I have just learned about classical materials like oil on canvas and lacquer, where you need to be quite disciplined. He teaches us new materials to mix with soil and stone powder, which I had never tried.

o says the piece he has created at the class even surprised him.

Such a workshop is great as we, the students, have few chances to exchange with foreign artists to explore their mindsets and ways to create things, he says.

Nguyen Thi Nhien, a third-year student, says she loves this new experience of making a painting with sand.

I'm not totally happy with my final product, she says. While following him, I could not imagine how the final product would be. Yet, I have completed my first work in his style. This is the first time I have exchanged with a team of Uruguayan artists. I found it interesting. Im more curious and will learn more about Uruguayan art later.

Nhien says she likes the way the artist treated the materials on canvas.

I should be more confident and dare to try new things, she says.

Monardo says he uses sand in his artwork, as he lives in a place where the material is available. He combines the dust with marble stone powder, which is also available in Viet Nam.

I want to surprise the audience with the final products, he says. The students put many layers of coloured paint and sand onto one another spontaneously. They may not be able to imagine how the final products will be.

Monardo says Viet Nam is wonderful on many different levels.

There are many different songs, colours, the people are so fantastic, he says. We can find incredible materials here.

Monardo has been working on different materials and wants to try Vietnamese lacquer one day.

We are trying to develop some cultural activities for the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Viet Nam and Uruguay, says Raul Juan Pollak Giampietro, Uruguayan ambassador to Viet Nam.

We have put much of our efforts in developing cultural activities. Because we consider them excellent two-way bridges between the two countries; its a superb chance for the two peoples to know each other.

The ambassador says he appreciates the engagement of the students at the workshop.

Its a chance to share with other people from a great distance country and to discuss different techniques and colours, he says. Its a great opportunity for these students. The embassy is planning other cultural exchange activities later this year and next.

ang Thi Phuong Lan, deputy principal of the university, says the university has hosted many similar workshops with foreign artists, but this is the first with Uruguayan artists.

Their way of working is very interesting, she notes. They make our students practise right after the opening ceremony. Our students are so excited. They have been taught basic knowledge of painting in the curriculum and now have a chance to learn new contemporary styles.

The workshop is in the framework of the Arts for the World Project hosted by Los Cabos Art Gallery and the Uruguayan embassy in Ha Noi. The same workshops took place in the Viet Nam National Arts and Culture Institute and the America Research Institute.

More than 40 artworks created at the workshops, including four paintings by Monardo will be displayed at an exhibition at the Fine Arts University, 42 Yet Kieu Street, Ha Noi, on September 28.

Monardo has 28 years of experience working as a painter in Uruguay, and is now based in Cabo San Lucas BCS, where he has a studio and a gallery.

He has made a considerable contribution to community art, education, and cultural projects. He has also opened art spaces for new and experienced artists, both local and international.

Furthermore, he is now cooperating with Yana Aguirre, director of Los Cabos Art Gallery, on the project Arts for the World, which has been developed over 20 years in many countries, including Argentina, Mexico, the US, Sweden, Germany, and Spain. VNS
Russian missiles hit Ukrainian energy installations on Thursday, September 21, in what seemed to be the first strike of a new air campaign targeting the country's electrical infrastructure, authorities said.

Reports of power outages have come in from five different locations throughout western, central, and eastern Ukraine, bringing back painful memories of the many air attacks on crucial infrastructure that left millions of Ukrainians in the dark and freezing last winter.

Ukrenergo, a grid operator, confirmed damage to facilities, calling the strike the first Russian attack on electricity infrastructure in six months.

Largest Attack in Weeks

According to Reuters, Russian drones were shot down above the occupied Crimean peninsula and the Black Sea overnight. Moscow claims that Kyiv has been bombing Russian territory as it launches a counteroffensive.

According to Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the head of the Ukrainian armed forces, 36 of Russia's 43 cruise missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses overnight. Reuters sources report hearing loud explosions in and around Kyiv as day broke.

Seven people were hurt in the capital, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, including a 9-year-old girl. He said a fire started when missile fragments landed in the downtown area, damaging an infrastructure complex and many commercial buildings.

Additionally, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that a hotel and many commercial kiosks were destroyed in central Ukraine's Cherkasy. An injured guy was evacuated from the building on a stretcher as firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Authorities in Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk all reported explosions. Partial blackouts occurred in the Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv districts.

Three Russian missiles reportedly targeted the western city of Drohobych, according to Lviv's regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi. He said that a warehouse and a facility were attacked.

Oleksandr Prokudin, the governor of southern Ukraine's city of Kherson, added that Russian shelling on a dormitory there had killed two people.

Read Also: Poland To Stop Supplying Ukraine With Weapons Following Kyiv's Lawsuits Over Grain Bans

Ukraine's Defenses

Even with upgraded Western-supplied air defenses this year, Ukraine still has a formidable task in protecting such a large territory.

Russia, which sent thousands of soldiers to Ukraine in February 2022, has been conducting air attacks on the country's ports and grain infrastructure since mid-July. This makes it more difficult for Kyiv, a key global grain exporter, to ship out its goods.

While Moscow claims no civilians were intended targets, several assaults have resulted in their deaths.

Russia has said nothing about the latest round of airstrikes, which have been going on while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is in the United States for negotiations after attending the United Nations General Assembly to drum up support for his country.

Read Also: US To Provide M1 Abrams Battle Tanks to Ukraine for 'Game-Changer' Counteroffensive

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By 2025, a number of key drivers are expected to continue to make Vietnam one of the fastest-growing and most sustainable emerging markets.

In addition to traditional growth drivers such as production, export, investment, and consumption, some new trends are set to become new driving forces for Vietnam's economic growth in the medium and long term.

Firstly, the strong development of the digital economy. By completing the legal framework and overcoming the limitations in terms of infrastructure, human resources, innovation ecosystems, and network, information, and data security, Vietnam's digital economy is expected to continue to grow strongly up to 2030.

Secondly, accelerating labour productivity and total factor productivity (TFP) is a driving force for Vietnam's economy to improve over the coming years, with predicted increases of about 4.5-5 per cent over the 2021-2025 period and 6-6.5 per cent from 2026 to 2030. TFP's contribution to GDP growth is forecast to reach about 40-45 per cent by 2025 and 50-55 per cent by 2030.

In addition, the private sector will play an increasingly important role in the economy, supplementing and enriching resources to support state-owned enterprises. However, a breakthrough is needed in terms of mechanisms to facilitate a contribution of about 45 per cent of GDP by 2025 and 50-55 per cent of GDP by 2030.

Furthermore, depending on the scale and quality of the institutional improvement of economic institutions, they could contribute 0.05-0.27 percentage points per year to GDP growth.

Additional practical benefits can also be derived from the green economy and Vietnam's proactive approach to climate change. The national strategy on green growth sets the goal of levelling up the green economy to generate $300 billion in GDP by 2050 (around 10 per cent of the total). Its contribution is set to increase by an average of about 15 per cent per year from 2021 to 2050.

Finally, motivation comes from the determination to improve Vietnam's position in the global value chain. Vietnam's deeper participation globally will enable local businesses to access capital, technology, management skills, new markets, and partners, thereby raising both the competitiveness and value of products, goods, and services.

To promote and exploit new growth drivers for rapid, sustainable, and inclusive development, it is necessary to accelerate the process of building and perfecting institutions for the digital, green, and circular economies, including sandbox policies.

To maximise the gains, there have been calls to establish a national productivity committee, mirroring the most successful models from other countries.

Ramp-up required for nations recovery programme The slow-paced implementation of the countrys gigantic initiative on socioeconomic recovery and development is affecting efforts to revive corporate performance and promote economic growth.

Setting a strong impression for socioeconomic advances Although the target of 6.5 per cent GDP growth in 2023 is challenging, the disbursement of public investment could still help Vietnam get as close to that goal as possible. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong explained to VIRs Nguyen Huong how the gradual improvement of disbursement will be a strong premise for economic growth for the rest of the year and into 2024.
The investment was made by the Mekong Enterprise Fund IV (MEF IV) under Mekong Capital. Following MEF IVs initial investment in 2021, this latest addition will support Gene Solutions expansion plans in Southeast Asia, especially relating to the provision of early detection tests for multiple forms of cancer.

Chris Freund, founder and partner at Mekong Capital said, "This second round of investment by MEF IV into Gene Solutions will be used to fund their ongoing expansion throughout Southeast Asia. We have great confidence in Dr. Nghia, the co-founders, and the excellent team that Gene Solutions has assembled. Our initial investment in Gene Solutions has been performing very well over the last two years, and of course, we expect this will continue as Gene Solutions emerges as a model of a successful and sustainable biotechnology company in Southeast Asia."

Gene Solutions specialises in detecting the presence of certain diseases based on DNA markers. The company's success was initially built on prenatal tests, such as helping expecting parents to screen for disorders during their pregnancy, identifying potential genetic problems, and assisting with the conception of a child. They are currently the market leader for non-invasive prenatal testing in Vietnam.

In 2022, Gene Solution validated a liquid biopsy technology called SPOT-MAS that can detect circulating tumour DNA in the bloodstream that signals multiple common types of cancers in their early stages, typically before they are easily detectable by traditional methods.

The multi-cancer early detection test has been well adopted by private hospitals and wellness centres in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Jakarta, and Bangkok. Gene Solutions also expects to open its oncology laboratory in Tai Seng Exchange, Singapore by November this year to fulfill the growing needs for cancer testing in the region.

The key to Gene Solutions ongoing expansion is in its lower cost structure compared to its competitors, along with its efforts to continuously lower the cost per test, making such tests more affordable for a wider range of end-users throughout Southeast Asia. Gene Solutions achieves this in part by running its own labs with a strong in-house research and development team.

Nearly 1,000,000 genetic tests have been provided by Gene Solutions, making genetic testing available to more people in the Southeast Asian countries where its services operate.

Gene Solutions secures $15 million from Mekong Capital Mekong Capital has announced that Mekong Enterprise Fund IV (MEF IV) invested $15 million into Gene Solutions to make genetic testing affordable and accessible to millions of Vietnamese.

Genetica brings Southeast Asia's largest gene sequencing centre to Vietnam's NIC Gene decoding centre Genetica has changed its plan of establishing a regional centre in Singapore and picked Vietnam instead.
During the 78th UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with top executives from global giants, including the space exploration tech firm SpaceX on September 20.

In a notable discussion, PM Chinh met with Tim Hughes, senior vice president in charge of Global Business and Government Affairs at SpaceX.

During their conversation, Hughes said, "SpaceX is planning an investment of approximately $500 million in Vietnam, and we're keen on obtaining a licence to introduce our Starlink services in the country."

Chinh warmly welcomed SpaceX's proactive investment proposal and encouraged the company to "coordinate with Vietnamese agencies and relevant entities to expedite the project's deployment."

Additionally, it's essential to consider competitive pricing to align with Vietnam's developmental objectives and legal framework," Chinh said.

The PM emphasised the need for SpaceX to collaborate with Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment.

"This collaboration will forge stronger ties with potential Vietnamese partners in the IT sector, drive innovation, and promote research with Original Equipment Manufacturer partners to consider the establishment of telecommunication equipment production plants in Vietnam," the PM said.

In a gesture underscoring the significance of this partnership, PM Chinh extended an invitation to SpaceX's CEO, Elon Musk, to attend the International Technology Exhibition in Vietnam later this year.

Chinh expressed his hope that Musk's presence would "inspire Vietnamese youth in the realms of innovation and drive increased usage of SpaceX's offerings."
GHG emissions inventories will cause a considerable challenge for the steel industry, photo Le Toan

From October 1, steel companies exporting to the EU must adhere to the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, starting with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting and reduction.

At the training for steel manufacturers on GHG accounting and emissions mitigation, held on September 12 by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), experts discussed industrial carbon reduction technologies and provided insights into opportunities and challenges related to carbon trading.

As one of the fundamental industries in Vietnam, the steel industry serves as a primary input for various sectors such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, mechanics, and others. According to information from the VSA, Vietnam exported approximately 8.397 million tonnes of steel last year, representing a 35.85 per cent decrease compared to the same period the previous year.

The export value reached $7.99 billion, down 32.2 per cent on-year. However, in order to continue exporting to the EU, steel businesses must adhere to the carbon emission monitoring and reduction requirements.

Ma Khai Hien, director of the Energy Conservation Research and Development Center (Enerteam), assessed that this is not a small challenge for Vietnams steel manufacturing companies, especially when Vietnams average GHG emissions rate is currently about 23 per cent higher than the global average.

Specifically, the average emissions rate in Vietnams steel industry is currently at 2.51 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of raw steel, while the global average is 1.85 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of raw steel, he explained.

The Office of Sustainable Production and Consumption under the Ministry of Industry and Trade projected that the steel industry will emit approximately 122.5 million tonnes of CO2 by 2025 and around 132.9 million tonnes by 2030, accounting for about 17 per cent of the countrys total GHG emissions. This makes the steel industry one of the largest emitters of GHGs in Vietnam.

Chu Duc Khai, chairman of the Vietnam Foundry and Metallurgy Sciences and Technology Association, cited an example from a World Bank project which calculated the CO2 emissions from Vietnams steel industry in 2018 through 13 representative steel mills.

According to Khai, the projects survey results revealed that there has been a significant gap between the CO2 emissions intensity per tonne of raw steel produced in Vietnam compared to global standards, and the global standard is 1.9 while Vietnams is 2.17. This poses a considerable challenge to the steel industry as, during the period of 2023-2024, it must complete GHG emissions inventory following global standards, along with a commitment to achieving Vietnams net-zero emissions by 2050, Khai emphasised.

Last year, guidelines were provided for a list of sectors and facilities required to conduct GHG emissions inventory. There are currently more than 1,900 facilities across the country that must carry out such inventory.

Khai suggested that if they intend to export to the EU, steel companies need to start conducting GHG emissions inventory, as required by the Vietnamese government and the upcoming regulations.

These businesses should also apply more Best Available Techniques/Best Environmental Practices standards in their technological processes, initially following EU guidelines that include 95 related standards for the steel manufacturing sector. These standards cover emissions such as air, water, and energy to reduce energy consumption, protect the environment, and minimise GHG emissions, he said.

Khai also emphasises the importance of carbon storage solutions. Vietnam has significant potential due to its oil and mineral extraction activities, he said. Oil and mineral extraction sites are suitable locations for carbon storage. Utilising some of the oil pipelines at these extraction sites is a solution for carbon storage.

Dien of Enerteam believes that the potential for emissions reduction in the Vietnamese steel industry is still feasible. There needs to be encouragement from the government and relevant agencies, including establishing and updating Minimum Energy Performance Standards, and the implementation of technical guidelines. Enhancing capacity and technical support to help businesses identify and understand suitable technologies for their operations is also crucial, he suggested.

In August, the State Securities Commission and the IFC introduced a handbook on GHG emission reporting. This handbook facilitates reporting of GHG emissions for businesses and organisations, making it simpler for them to comply with legal requirements.

Apprehension apparent over fresh CBAM regulations The EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism could help Vietnam set up a carbon market, so long as taxes are used to balance economic growth and emissions.

IFC launches greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reporting manual Companies in Vietnam will find it easier to log and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions thanks to the manual published by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The German Embassy in Vietnam hosted a pivotal seminar on September 20 on the just energy transition and opportunities in Vietnam's labour market. The discussion centred on the potential for green jobs in the wake of Vietnam's evolving energy landscape.

Speaking at the event, German Ambassador to Vietnam Dr. Guido Hildner drew attention to the nation's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Coupled with its commitment to a just energy transition, this opens vast opportunities for sustainable development and promises a robust influx of high-quality job opportunities for the future.

Reflecting on his home country's experience, Ambassador Hildner stated, "In Germany, the number of employees working in skilled green sectors saw a surge of 56.7 per cent, rising to 5 million between 2012 and 2020. This underscores that while the energy transition is a complex and demanding journey, it has immense potential to benefit citizens and the economy at large."

Recent policies from the Vietnamese government have spurned considerable growth in the renewable energy sector, which boasts impressive figures. According to the National Power Development Plan VIII, by 2045, over 75 per cent of the nation's energy will be sourced renewably.

Current studies also highlight that in sectors like wind and solar energy, nearly a quarter of jobs generated are earmarked for highly skilled personnel. The push for a skilled workforce in the industry is only expected to grow in Vietnam over the next decade.

Such projections mean that training institutions need to adapt to this changing landscape promptly to equip the workforce to meet the country's domestic requirements.

Ta Dinh Thi, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, reaffirmed that the energy transition is an inevitable trajectory towards sustainable energy development.

"To ensure a successful energy transition, the shift towards green jobs in renewable sectors is paramount," he noted.

He further stressed the urgency to proactively strategise and plan for the training and implementation of a high-quality workforce in the green energy sector.

This involves tapping into the strengths of the current workforce while harnessing advanced scientific and technological achievements and new skills that are relevant to the energy transition, Thi concluded.

Norway and Vietnam collaborate on energy transition The participation of the private sector is seen as an important aspect of implementing Power Development Plan VIII and promoting Vietnam's goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy sources.

Energy China eyes expansion in Vietnam with increased investment in renewable projects Energy China, a Fortune 500 energy conglomerate, has unveiled plans to expand its investments in Vietnam.
As the first local currency SLBs in Vietnam, they aim to help issuers expand their businesses while creating jobs, boosting competitiveness, and supporting the countrys low-carbon growth model.

IFCs investment comprises two elements, with about $100 million to be issued by BIM Land  a tourism and property developer in Vietnam  and approximately $50 million to be issued by Thanh Xuan JSC. 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 Vinh Phuc province, including an eco-friendly and unique residential community alongside a hotel complex (under the InterContinental brand), as well as other relevant services and infrastructure.

IFCs funding will also help the developers implement water- and energy-saving solutions at two BIM Land hotels  InterContinental and Regent  on Phu Quoc island.

An innovative financing tool to support global sustainable development, these SLBs will provide financial incentives for both BIM Land and Thanh Xuan JSC to improve water conservation and energy efficiency in three of their hospitality assets that hope to be accredited by EDGE  IFCs green building certification system.

This is expected to avoid an estimated 4,000 metric tonnes of CO 2 annually  equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from 890 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year.

Doan Quoc Huy, BIM Groups vice chairman and CEO said, Sustainability is a critical part of our strategy to position BIM Land as a leading property developer and operator in Asia with a long-term vision. We hope to attract international investors as we develop high-quality, green tourism infrastructure across the country.

Most importantly, IFCs financing and advice will help catalyse our green transition in line with the industrys best practices and global climate goals, he added.

IFC has also helped BIM Land develop its sustainability-linked financing framework with tailor-made performance targets.

Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos stated, "Private capital is key to Vietnams 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."

IFCs funding will also encourage developers to align their interests with responsible investment and to mobilise funding from green capital markets, paving the way for the sustainable tourism sector, Jacobs continued.

In line with the governments twin goals of becoming a high-income country by 2045 and achieving net-zero by 2050, climate and sustainability have become stronger focus areas for the IFC engagements in Vietnam.

To date, IFC has allocated over $900 million in long-term finance to support climate-related projects in the country. IFCs commitments in Vietnam reached close to $1.9 billion in fiscal year 2023, helping local companies recover and navigate the challenging environment.

IFC investments to strengthen agribusiness value chain The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is initiating two new investments in Vietnam's retail and agribusiness sectors. These investments are aimed at strengthening the agribusiness value chain and ensuring food security, while stimulating job creation, and fostering competitiveness on the country.

IFC launches greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reporting manual Companies in Vietnam will find it easier to log and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions thanks to the manual published by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
According to PwC's research, 96 per cent of Vietnamese consumers are willing to pay for products produced by companies with good business ethics, while 68 per cent of the next generation believes that businesses have a responsibility to combat climate change and its related consequences.

At a business level, ESG commitment levels are high, with 80 per cent of companies having made ESG commitments or plans to do so soon.

Pham Hai Au, director of Business Solutions at PwC Vietnam, noted that ESG is a topic that has attracted significant attention in Vietnam, ranging from press coverage, events, and conferences, to reports, surveys, and research.

Stakeholders have articulated their views on ESG practices, setting increasingly high expectations when implementing sustainable operations and the transparent disclosure of non-financial information, he said.

ESG practices are seen as a transformative journey that creates long-term value and opens up new opportunities for businesses, Au added.

From an investment perspective, Pham Anh Duy, senior manager of Capital Projects and Infrastructure at PwC Vietnam, credited the branding value as one of the most critical factors for investors.

When investing in green energy projects, investors can avoid costs related to emissions by complying with state policies that encourage companies to reduce emissions. This can lead to increased profits and enhanced brand value for both parties, he said.

"As the economy develops, the focus on net-zero and the energy transition only increases, which makes it easier for green projects to receive support and gain brand recognition."

It is expected that by 2025, Vietnam will have its first carbon credit market, and by participating in sustainable projects, investors can obtain credits for trading, he noted.

While capital is a crucial issue when implementing ESG projects, the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) has been mentioned as one of the support solutions, offering development projects the chance to connect with potential investors, acquire information, and establish a network of stakeholders in the climate finance sector.

However, difficulties in implementing ESG commitments are still apparent. According to PwCs Vietnam ESG Readiness Report 2022: From Ambition to Impact, 67 per cent of businesses found the lack of clear and official transparency regulations a significant challenge.

71 per cent had not started, or had just begun, to understand the necessary ESG data for reporting, 72 per cent had not identified indicators for monitoring management, and 70 per cent had little or no external ESG reporting.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Nam Thang, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation at the National Economics University, suggested that businesses should participate in support programmes like CFA in various countries.

Communication efforts are also essential, and business leaders should educate themselves to change their perceptions and understand that ESG is crucial for allocating human and financial resources, she noted.

In addition to partner requirements, businesses need to view the green transition and ESG practices as a driving force for innovation, ultimately creating more unique products in the market, Thang concluded.

Variety of support on hand to boost green projects High-level events and in-depth workshops were held last week as part of the Climate Finance Accelerator programme, allowing low-carbon project leaders to meet with investors and financial institutions in efforts to accelerate Vietnams green journey.

UK begins second phase of climate finance accelerator in Vietnam The UK Embassy in Vietnam has announced a new wave of capacity-building support for low carbon projects that can benefit communities across the Southeast Asian nation.
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 worlds 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 werent 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 worlds 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 didnt give Kerry a speaking spot. But California Gov. Gavin Newsom was given the space to speak and tout his states efforts.

The 32 national leaders who did qualify represent only 11% of the worlds carbon dioxide pollution. China and the United States both emit more carbon dioxide than those 32 countries combined. The European Commissions 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 countrys 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.
Shame on GOP

Regarding the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton, let me start by saying I am a Republican all the way. Saying that, this trial made me ashamed of the Republican Party. I am retired so I watched almost every minute of the trial. If you did not watch the trial, I do not feel your opinion is worth much.

The lieutenant governor (judge), Dan Patrick, did his best to make sure the prosecution got as little evidence entered as possible. In fact, the star witness, which was Ken Paxton's girlfriend, was not even put on the stand. The statement given was that she is "present but unavailable to testify." I saw her walk down the hallway.

In spite of all the controls on testimony, it was very clear Ken Paxton was guilty of abusing his office. I lost all my faith in our Republican leaders when they voted "not guilty." I was especially ashamed of Sens. Charles Schwertner and Brian Birdwell, who also followed party lines and voted not guilty.

Personal integrity did not prevail. Please join me in "draining the swamp" by voting against all the Republican incumbents. Sorry, but I still can not vote Democrat in spite of this unbelievable trial outcome.

Danny Krumnow, Groesbeck

Easy conviction

I watched the Ken Paxton impeachment trial. What I heard warranted conviction. What I didnt see were all the back-room deals and money payoffs from the pro-Paxton supporters like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks.

Other than the $3 million that Dan Patrick got right before he issued the gag order, what else transpired to convince the senators to acquit? Because it certainly wasnt what was on the floor of the Texas Senate for us to see.

So, Sen. Brian Birdwell, how much was your payout? It is just so sad, that once again, the Texas GOP protects itself from accountability.

Cheryl Foster, Waco

No vouchers

Im incredibly disappointed in Gov. Greg Abbott and his push for the special session next month that will focus on school choice. By allowing private schools to take what little tax dollars public schools currently get, it hinders and takes away from the resources my fellow teachers and I need to teach students. It also takes away the opportunity for teachers to have a professional wage in a profession that has increasingly become more advanced. There is also no guarantee the private schools that take this money will be held to the same standards that the Texas Legislature says students need to be successful in our communities.

I do wonder if Gov. Abbott is aware of the history of private schools in that after Brown v. Board of Education, several organizations began school vouchers as a way to circumvent integration in private schools. School choice does not have enough of a student achievement gain over public school students to justify this push. Reach out to your representatives and tell them you support public schools and do not support the governor's school choice agenda.

Jake Myers, Robinson
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man is behind bars after he was allegedly caught inside car from a dealership after hours and then attacked an employee with a screwdriver.

The employee drew his pistol and detained David Hocking, 51, until police arrived and arrested him on charges of first-degree robbery, possession of burglary tools and trespassing.

Bond was set at $32,000.

According to court records, the worker at Liberty Car Co. noticed Hocking in the drivers seat of a vehicle parked at the dealerships lot at 407 E. Mullan Ave. around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Hocking was allegedly working the ignition and, when the employee confronted him, Hocking exited the vehicle and tried to stab him with a screwdriver.

The worker drew his firearm, Hocking began to run, and the employee wrestled with him until officers showed up, court records state.

Hocking is also awaiting trial for a Sept. 16 incident where he allegedly failed to pay for $22 worth of food at Newtons Cafe, a Sept. 6 incident where he allegedly damaged an elevator door at the Hotel President and a February 2022 incident where he was entering vehicles parked at Reedys Auto Sales on Commercial Street.

He is also awaiting trial for a May 2022 incident where he rode a bike to a Birmingham Avenue business claiming to be the Waterloo police chief. When he was approached by police officers, he claimed to be the Black Hawk County Sheriff running an internal affairs investigation, according to court records.

Safest cities in America 2023: Violent crime rate increases drive per capita cost of crime Safest cities in America 2023: Violent crime rate increases drive per capita cost of crime The 15 Safest Cities in America The 15 Most Dangerous Cities Methodology
Since becoming the first Asian country to legalize cannabis a year ago, hundreds of pot stores have emerged throughout the country. This now prompts Thailand's new prime minister to pledge to limit its usage for medicinal reasons only.

Rectifying the Cannabis Laws

During an interview with Bloomberg Television's Haslinda Amin on Wednesday, September 20, in New York, PM Srettha Thavisin claimed that the government plans to rectify the cannabis policy. Within six months, it aims to control the proliferation of shops that openly sell the substance.

"The law will need to be rewritten. It needs to be rectified. We can have that regulated for medical use only," Srettha stated. He went on to say that there must be zero tolerance for recreational usage.

According to the South China Morning Post, the administration of Srettha has pledged to "eradicate" drugs from Thai society, with the prime minister promising to decisively minimize drug use within a year. This week, the prime minister presided over an event to destroy narcotics that had been recovered by officials.

Srettha said that the 11-party coalition he leads was in agreement on the need to limit cannabis consumption, but it is unclear how his government would implement these changes.

In the run-up to the May election, Srettha's Pheu Thai Party advocated for a strict anti-drug campaign and pledged to reverse the historic move that legalizes cannabis. Bhumjaithai Party, chaired by Anutin Charnvirakul, has pledged to propose a cannabis bill in parliament, which wants stricter surveillance of this industry but opposes designating the plant as a narcotic again.

Since marijuana was declassified as a controlled substance, there has been a regulatory vacuum that has allowed approximately 6,000 dispensaries to open throughout the nation. They provide a broad range of cannabis products, from buds to oil extracts containing as little as 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical responsible for the "high" sensation.

See Also: South Korean Police Raid US Military Bases in Drugs Inquiry

The Cannabis Industry

Even while cannabis smoking for pleasure is not illegal at this time, doing so in a public place is. Creating offensive odors in public places, selling to minors or pregnant women, and utilizing commercial advertising are all prohibited.

After registering with the Thai Food and Drug Administration, Thai farmers may legally cultivate cannabis. Local dispensary operators have also voiced concern about the effects of unchecked imports on their industry.

The reimposition of regulations did not faze the cannabis market in the least.

According to Poonwarit Wangpatravanich, head of the Phuket Cannabis Association, the barrier between medicinal and recreational cannabis usage has already been blurred. He added that a prohibition might hurt the government's popularity since it would force the closure of dispensaries that have sprung up all across the nation and would hurt the economy.

Instead of regulating the sector, reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic might drive recreational usage underground, where even less oversight exists, according to Highland Network's founder, Rattapon Sanrak.

See Also: Srettha Thavisin Sworn In as Thailand's New PM

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WATERLOO  A Waterloo police officer described finding a young man unconscious behind the wheel of a blue Ford Escape that hit a house and trying to save his life.

Officer Thomas Frein told jurors he noticed the rear passenger and front driver windows shattered and discovering the driver suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

Jurors watched Freins body camera footage showing the vehicles blood-spattered airbag as officers struggled to open the door and place the victim on the snow and ice covered parking lot.

Frein began chest compressions on the lifeless man. He said the man didnt survive.

The lifeless driver was Courtney Lamont Harris, an 18-year-old Waterloo resident who moments earlier had dropped off his female friend at her home after hanging out and watching movies.

Assistant County Attorney Heather Jackson said Harris was shot by Eugene Octavius Love Jr., an acquaintance of Harris, in on Jan. 8, 2022.

Love, 21, is charged with first-degree murder. Testimony in his trial began Wednesday in Black Hawk County District Court.

Loves attorney, Nichole Watt, didnt outline the defense case, but she asked jurors to keep an open mind and hold off on drawing any conclusions until all of the evidence is in. She said her client isnt guilty of murder.

Watt did file a notice indicating she may argue Love acted in self-defense, according to court records.

Jackson said Harris dropped off his friend and then drove to Prime Mart on Broadway Street where he pulled into the drive-through window at about 9:57 p.m.

A short time later, a Mitsubishi Tribute pulled up behind Harris Escape.

Jackson said Love was a passenger in the Tribute. He exited, walked up to the Escape and fired four shots into the Escape's back passenger window, she said. One of the bullets hit Harris in the head.

Love climbed back into the Tribute, which then drove off, Jackson said.

Harris Escape rolled forward across the parking lot and hit a nearby house.

Detective Brice Lippert with the Waterloo Police Department detailed how officers used store surveillance cameras to track the getaway vehicle into the downtown area where traffic videos were able to document part of the license plate.

Detective Nicholas Sadd testified that police obtained a list of Tributes registered in Black Hawk County through the Iowa Department of Transportation. Investigators then searched through the license plates and narrowed it down to a vehicle owned by a friend of Love, he said.

Jackson said following the shooting, Love and his friends traveled to Urbana where they attempted to burn clothing and other evidence using gasoline and a 32-ounce Styrofoam cup the obtained at the Caseys General Store.

Sadd noted that Styrofoam cups arent good for storing gas.

Gas eats through Styrofoam, creating a flammable gel similar to napalm, he told jurors.

Surveillance video from the Urbana Caseys shows an acquaintance of Love obtaining the cup about an hour after the shooting.

Authorities said the gun used in the shooting was later recovered from Owatonna, Minnesota, where the weapon had been buried in a ditch.

Sadd said, during the investigation, police recovered a broken pick axe they believe was used to dig the hole to hide the gun. They also found the receipt for the tool, which was purchased at the Waverly Walmart two days following the shooting.

Photos: Broadway Street homicide trial 092023jr-love-trial-2 092023jr-love-trial-1 092023jr-love-trial-4 092023jr-love-trial-3 092123jr-love-trial-2 092123jr-love-trial-1 092123jr-love-trial-3 092123jr-love-trial-4 092123jr-love-trial-5 092123jr-love-trial-7 092123jr-love-trial-6 092223jr-love-trial-1 092223jr-love-trial-2 092223jr-love-trial-3 092223jr-love-trial-4 092223jr-love-trial-5 092523jr-love-trial-2 092523jr-love-trial-1 092523jr-love-trial-3 092623jr-love-trial-2
WAVERLY  Residents got a first-hand view of how Iowas highest court operates on Tuesday.

The Iowa Supreme Court traveled to the Waverly-Shell Rock High School Auditorium to hear oral arguments in a Worth County drug appeal as part of its of its ongoing outreach program.

The court didnt decide the matter  which involved the police K9 search of a semi at a highway weigh station  during the session.

But, after the hearing, Chief Justice Susan Christensen gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look at what come next when it comes to crafting rulings.

The justices usually take their regular seats in a conference room like cows in a barn and hand the matter to one justice to write a draft opinion. That is passed around and then a vote is taken.

Maybe the author writes the opinion and he or she is the only one who likes the idea as it is written and every other person says Id do the opposite, Christensen said.

If the author stands by his or her opinion, another justice will take over to write the majority opinion, which then gets a similar review and vote.

We go back and forth, back and forth, and maybe someone says after all I do like the idea and change my vote. So until its done, its not done, Christensen said.

By the time we have an opinion thats ready to be published, weve had seven people put our two cents in each, so its a 14-cent opinion, she said.

In the Worth County case before the court, driver Steven Arrietas appealed a marijuana conviction stemming from an August 2020 incident where a drug detection K-9 named Titan allegedly alerted to the scent of drugs on his vehicle.

Authorities had sent for the dog while officials reviewed his driving log and cleared up an erroneous report that his truck had been reported stolen.

Titan completed one pass of the vehicle without incident but the dog allegedly indicated when the handler had him focus on a certain area during a second pass.

More than 100 people attended Tuesdays special session. The Iowa Supreme Court uses the traveling sessions to enhance public understanding of the court system.

Justices also spoke to students in area high schools as part of the program.

Photos: Iowa Supreme Court in Waverly 091923jr-supreme-waverly-2 091923jr-supreme-waverly-1 091923jr-supreme-waverly-3 091923jr-supreme-waverly-4 091923jr-supreme-waverly-5 091923jr-supreme-waverly-6 091923jr-supreme-waverly-7
Criminals look for people who are not paying attention to their surroundings and use the element of surprise to their advantage. Crime usually occurs when there is desire, ability and opportunity. You can reduce the opportunity by following these crime prevention tips.
The Waverly Chamber of Commerce Main Street Program will host its first annual Job Fair & Skilled Trades Career Expo, highlighting the skilled trade professions high school students may want to research for meaningful employment opportunities.

Businesses will set up displays and information tables from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 13 in the commons area of Waverly-Shell Rock High School, 1405 Fourth Ave S.W. The organization is working with local businesses to highlight trades, including electricians, plumbers, auto mechanics, or any opportunity a student could take on after graduating.

Parents are invited and encouraged to attend too. For more information about the event and future ones, contact the Waverly Chamber of Commerce at 319-352-4526 or waverly@waverlychamber.com.
CEDAR FALLS  Making waves in 2024.

Thats the mantra for the latest landmark project recently underway in Cedar Falls and expected to be completed by next year. The commonly referred to river project will bring recreational enhancements to the Cedar River near downtown between the First Street (Iowa Highway 57) and Main Street bridges.

With the sound of construction equipment in the water and the sight of the Highway 57 bridge in the background, city officials and community stakeholders broke ground by flipping dirt on shore with shovels Tuesday outside Gateway Park off Lincoln Street and North Main Street.

I see this as a quality of life project for the people who live here and not just the people who live within blocks of here or tens of miles of here. Im talking about everybody in the state, said Ty Graham, a Cedar Falls whitewater enthusiast and river specialist with Riverwise Engineering, during his remarks.

The finished project, designed by Riverwise Engineering and being constructed by Peterson Contractors, Inc. will include multiple kayak play areas, fishing jetties, habitat spawning pools, and water access points, along with riverbank improvements and trail additions. In-river improvements are first on the list of work.

The Cedar River Experience Committee is calling the event the official kick-off for a fundraising and pledge gathering of $500,000 to lend toward the cost. To date, $200,000 has reportedly been secured. For more information, visit www.cedarriverexperience.com.

Up to this point weve treated our river like a garbage can. Weve treated it like a sewer. If you look at the state of the river today, as we start this project, theres still pieces of broken up concrete along the river and rebar sticking out of it, Graham said. Ive pulled tons out of this section of river alone. But even more important, we say not today, we are going to pay attention and were going to give our river the respect that it deserves.

Credit was given to Community Development Director Stephanie Houk Sheetz and Public Works Director Chase Schrage as well as City Planner Thomas Weintraut and City Engineer Matthew Tolan, along with several other agencies and businesses involved in the process.

Planning has been years in the making. But preliminary work began last week with the closing of the nearby trail. Major work officially started Monday and is expected to be ongoing for 12 months.

The cost has soared to $6.7 million, but has been helped out by a number of grants and some pivots in planning. The contractor was awarded the work back in December. Plans had been delayed slightly because of needing to identify a specialized inspector of the in-water features.

The Cedar River Recreation Project will transform our city for years and decades to come, providing opportunities for economic growth and recreational fun and adventure for area families and visitors that we could not have otherwise, said Mayor Rob Green.

The hope is it not just being of benefit to locals, but that its one to visitors and the local economy, becoming another reason someone may come to the area and spend money on downtown businesses. Additionally, the project is part of a larger shared vision to connect Cedar Falls and Waterloo along the Cedar River.

Upon completion, people could bring their kayaks or enjoy the aesthetics of the revitalized community resource here before the highly touted trail system was created.
A Lyon County landowner in the path of Summit Carbon Solutions proposed carbon dioxide pipeline system alleged on Tuesday that the company punished him for not signing an easement by choosing a less-desirable route through his property.

Gregory Kracht was among several landowners who testified at the start of the fifth week of the companys evidentiary hearing with the Iowa Utilities Board. They are among the first of dozens of remaining landowners who are subject to eminent domain requests from the company and have yet to testify.

Those requests could force easement agreements that would allow Summit to build and operate its pipeline on land it doesnt own.

The company wants to lay more than 2,000 miles of pipe in five states to transport captured carbon dioxide from more 30 ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground sequestration.

The IUB has indicated it wants to conclude the hearing by the end of this month, but those who have yet to call witnesses say that is unlikely. Many of those yet to testify are farmers, and their ability to participate might be complicated by harvest season, which has begun.

Landowner concerns

Those who testified on Tuesday said Summit declined to adjust its route to avoid them despite adjacent landowners who are willing to host the project, and despite their concerns about locating the pipeline in a flood-prone area and near a potential residential development.

Reluctance to change the pipeline route was part of the reason North Dakota rejected Summits permit application last month. The company has since made hundreds of adjustments to the route in that state.

Over the past two years, Summit Carbon Solutions has made approximately 3,000 adjustments to our project route based on feedback from landowners, policymakers, and other stakeholders or to avoid identified sensitive areas, said Sabrina Zenor, a spokesperson for the company. That deliberate approach is part of the reason why landowners in Iowa and across the Midwest have embraced our project.

Kracht, the Lyon County landowner, testified that he bought land near the Missouri River more than 10 years ago as an investment. He said he paid too much for it but thought he could turn a profit by selling plots to people for their homes.

The idea behind paying too much for it, in my opinion, was because there was great potential in developing it because (it is) picturesque and just the lay of the land, Kracht said.

County records show he bought about 180 acres of land for nearly $1 million in 2011.

Kracht said after he initially outright rejected signing an easement, he reached a tentative agreement with the companys agents for a different route on his property. He said the original route would block road access to more than half of the property.

But Kracht said the company later reneged on that route change when he offered a counterproposal during negotiations.

They had the route back where it wouldnt work, he said. It seemed as a punishment to me for not agreeing with them at the time.

A Palo Alto landowner who farms land near the Des Moines River said the pipeline should be moved across the river because his property is prone to flooding that could lead to a pipeline rupture.

Jamie Moser testified that heavy rainfall floods his farmland near the river at least every other year and that standing water can persist for months. When the river floods, it creates new channels on the land that in the past have been two feet deep, he said.

This is like the worst place to put a pipeline, Moser said.

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued an advisory in 2019 that warned pipeline operators to closely monitor flooded areas for signs of shifting ground.

Operators should be aware that severe flooding, river scour, and river channel migration may create unusual operating conditions that can adversely affect the safe operation of a pipeline, it said.

Moser said landowners on the other side of the river are more willing to sign easements.

Moser also took issue with how the companys agents have documented their contacts with him and his family. He said the agents claimed to have had face-to-face talks with his father, who previously owned the land but died in 2020.

Documenting contacts with landowners is important evidence for the eminent domain requests to show the company made sufficient effort to negotiate agreements.

David Skilling, a Kossuth County landowner, said Summit refused to move the pipeline off his property to adjacent land owned by people who have said they would sign easements.

He said he is also worried about the threat of a pipeline break in his area and is concerned that local emergency responders wont be prepared to handle a carbon dioxide plume it might create.

Under certain conditions, such plumes have the potential to travel long distances and suffocate people and animals. Summit has declined to reveal the areas of the state it has identified that might be at risk if its pipeline system ruptures.

Theres so much thats being left unsaid, Skilling said. We dont know about the plume. We dont know anything about the emergency reaction.

Board agrees to limit examinations

Questions during Skillings testimony elicited multiple objections from Summits attorney for potentially violating the rules of the hearing.

The primary purpose of the hearing is to allow for the cross-examination of witnesses who have already submitted written testimony, but several times on Tuesday the questions went beyond that scope.

Extraneous questions and the sometimes lengthy responses they elicit have the potential to prolong the hearing. That potential is heightened in this stage of the hearing because most of the remaining witnesses are pipeline opponents who are being mostly questioned by attorneys who represent pipeline opponents.

Erik Helland, chairperson of the IUB, said Tuesday that he will restrict questions that are likely to result in duplicative testimony.

District court clearly and succinctly affirmed the boards ability to limit friendly cross (examination) and rely on pre-filed testimony heavily, Helland said. He added: The board will continue to restrict and run a very tight course.

Despite that decision, an attorney for Summit gradually stopped objecting to certain questions throughout Tuesdays testimony. Sometimes the process of objecting has taken longer during the hearing than allowing a witness to answer a question.

Legislators make an appearance

Three state legislators also testified on Tuesday, including Rep. Steven Holt, a Denison Republican who has been among the most outspoken against Summits proposal.

He led the passage of legislation in the Iowa House this year that would have restricted the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines. The bill was not taken up by the Senate.

My objection is not to the pipeline being built, Holt said. My objection is to the use of eminent domain to seize the property of my constituents to build something that I think is a private, economic development project and does not fit the requirements for the use of eminent domain.

Holt is part of a group known as the Republican Legislative Intervenors for Justice. He was the groups first witness to testify. The second was state Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville.

The very fact that Summit Carbon is still pursuing this project in an agricultural state where landowners depend heavily on private property rights being protected to make their investments  is absolutely breathtaking, Salmon said. I am almost 70 years old, and Ive never seen anything like this. To me, this is outrageous, reprehensible, brazen and shameless action and all Iowans can see it.

Rep. Charley Thomson, a Charles City Republican, is also expected to testify for the group later in the hearing.

Separately, state Rep. Charles Isenhart, a Dubuque Democrat, testified on Tuesday that he doesnt think Summit has adequately proven the environmental benefits of its project. He also said it might be possible to sequester carbon dioxide underground in Iowa rather than transport it with a pipeline out of state.

Ryan Clark, a bedrock geologist for the Iowa Geological Survey, testified that there might be places in the state that are suitable for sequestration. Those places would be found by drilling numerous test wells, which would be time-consuming and expensive, he said.

It is our belief that the potential is there, Clark said.

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Do not let Obama forget that he and his admin (Hillary for one) are why Libya was destroyed and Quaddafi murdered. Obama was president and gave the commands to illegally attack Libya by lying about human rights in Libya. And Obama alone is 100% responsible with his and his admin actions that which allowed open market slavery of humans to become the normality

Obama destroyed Libya and lately he is acting like he is innocent of such doings

WtR
The St. Paul district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a $22.5 million contract to a Minnesota contractor for gate maintenance on Lock and Dam No. 5 north of Winona on the Mississippi River, according to a press release.

The project will focus on sandblasting, painting, rehabilitating and other maintenance of the dam roller gates and service bridge.

The repair work will not impact navigation, the release says, and construction is expected to be completed in November 2028.

Abhe & Svobada Inc. of Jordan, Minnesota, was awarded the contract for the project.
Negotiations between Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh began Thursday (September 21) after Azerbaijani forces launched what reporters describe as a decisive blow to the self-styled Republic of Artsakh, forcing ethnic Armenian separatists to surrender and agree to return to the negotiating table on Baku's terms.

Officials in Yerevan have insisted they were not a party in the ceasefire or the negotiations. It could be recalled that Armenia was defeated in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, which severed Artsakh's land bridge to most of Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also warned that Azerbaijan was seeking to drag Armenia into another conflict.

The Guardian reported that Thursday was also the anniversary of Armenia's independence day, and Pashinyan addressed the nation that they should be "free of conflict" for the sake of its independence, without mentioning Nagorno-Karabakh.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered the night before (Wednesday, September 20) to denounce the Armenian government's failure to protect ethnic Armenians in the enclave.

Fall of Armenian Karabakh Imminent?

Video published by Azerbaijani media showed the delegation from Armenian Karabakh accompanied by Russian peacekeepers in a meeting at the city of Yevlakh after a ceasefire was announced Wednesday (September 20), which stipulated that ethnic Armenian fighters would surrender and disband.

The Stepanakert delegation was led by Artsakh state minister Artur Harutyunyan, who wore a military uniform, while the Baku contingent was led by Azerbaijani parliamentarian Ramin Mammadov.

The talks would determine the fate of around 120,000 ethnic Armenians in the disputed territory, which already saw two wars and a months-long blockade as they continue as an ethnically Christian minority in an enclave that is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, a nation that is predominantly Muslim and Turkic.

However, David Babayan, adviser to Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan, told Reuters that Karabakh Armenians need security guarantees before total capitulation.

"We have an agreement on the cessation of military action but we await a final agreement - talks are going on," he said.

Read Also: Azerbaijan Allows Supplies, Aid Into Armenia's Nagorno-Karabakh Region After 9-Month Blockade

Armenian Officials Warn of Ethnic Cleansing

Officials in both Stepanakert and Yerevan have warned that Azerbaijan is undertaking a campaign of ethnic cleansing by seeking to drive out the tens of thousands of remaining ethnic Armenian residents of the region.

During the United Nations General Assembly this week, Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan reported that the whole population of the Armenian enclave was "currently facing an existential threat to their lives."

On the other hand, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev made a televised address that his country wanted to discuss the reintegration of Karabakh into the rest of its territory as he accused the ethnic Armenians of "[forgetting] that they live in Azerbaijan" and that he restored the country's sovereignty "with an iron fist."

Aliyev Apologizes to Putin for Russian Casualties

Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry issued a statement that they were accommodating over 5,000 Armenian residents at an airport near Stepanakert which has been used as a base by Russian peacekeepers deployed as a result of the 2020 war. The Kremlin added that Aliyev contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin to apologize for the death of several Russian peacekeepers during this week's offensive, including Ivan Kovgan, the deputy commander of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In the phone call with Aliyev, the Kremlin added that Putin also highlighted the importance of safeguarding the security and rights of ethnic Armenians in the breakaway region.

European Council president Charles Michel earlier urged Aliyev to protect the rights of ethnic Armenians in the region, as well as to "ensure full ceasefire and safe, dignified treatment by Azerbaijan of Karabakh Armenians."

"Their human rights and security need to be ensured. Access needed for immediate humanitarian assistance," he added.

Related Article: Ethnic Armenians, Azerbaijan Agree to Russia-Brokered Ceasefire Hours After Attack in Nagorno-Karabakh

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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What can you do when a money manager won't accept an essential estate planning document? Kristen McDermott of Fryeburg, Maine, needed an answer.



McDermott, 58, a professional gardener, told me she had power of attorney (POA) for her mother, Leslie Kremer, 85, who has dementia. Kremers bank and former employer honored that POA, which Kremer granted 14 years ago giving McDermott legal authority to manage her mothers finances.

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But two financial companies  Vanguard and USAA  wouldnt let McDermott act for her mother. She had called, supplied documents, called again  and gotten nowhere.

I am at my wits end, she wrote.

Types of power of attorney documents

McDermotts email shook me. I have power of attorney for my mother, and as in McDermotts situation, a capable attorney created it. To have a POA not honored in a crisis would be awful.

First, lets clarify: Powers of attorney arent all the same:

A general POA allows a designated person to handle all financial matters on your behalf.

allows a designated person to handle all financial matters on your behalf. A special or limited POA is for a specific purpose, such as having someone sign for you at a real estate closing.

is for a specific purpose, such as having someone sign for you at a real estate closing. A durable POA is in force at all times.

is in force at all times. A nondurable POA ends if you become incapacitated or disabled.

ends if you become incapacitated or disabled. A so-called springing POA goes into effect only if you become incapacitated.

McDermott had a durable POA, so she thought she was set.

Institutions may have additional requirements

Vanguard thought otherwise.



We have our own, very specific POA paperwork, says Lauren Wybar, a senior financial planner at Vanguard.

How often are customers surprised to hear they need Vanguards special forms? All the time, Wybar says.

Vanguards version of a POA is called the Vanguard Agent Authorization form, which the company says was designed to be valid in the face of state-by-state variations in POA laws. Presumably, if Kremer had found it among the various forms on Vanguards site, filled it out and submitted it prior to the onset of her dementia, McDermott would now be able to access her mothers account.

But  the exact reasons why are still unclear to me  Vanguard made McDermott send in not only a clearer copy of the POA shed previously submitted but also a new set of documents: the companys Agent Certification for Incapacitated Person form and a letter from Kremers doctor attesting to her condition.

The problem was different at USAA, which works only with military families. Although USAA would accept McDermotts POA, it wouldnt discuss her mother with her because McDermott wasnt a USAA member. A free membership solved that.
The Japanese environment ministry reported on Thursday, September 21, that construction workers stole and sold possibly radioactive scrap metal from the area around the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The materials in question vanished from a museum that was being dismantled in a designated zone about 2.5 miles from the nuclear facility in northeast Japan.

Intense cleanup efforts permitted residents to return to the region in 2022, but the area around the Fukushima plant is still off-limits due to elevated radiation levels.

Missing Scrap Metal

Late in July, employees from the joint venture carrying out the demolition work reported the theft to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, which is "exchanging information with police," according to ministry spokesman Kei Osada, as reported by CBS News.

Despite the fear, Osada said the metal was likely utilized in the building's framework, which means it might not be subjected to excessive radiation during the nuclear catastrophe.

In the event that radiation levels are excessive, metals from the region will need to be moved to a temporary storage facility or disposed of safely. If the levels are low, the materials can be reused. Unfortunately, according to Osada, the radiation levels of the stolen scrap metals had not been checked.

The Mainichi Shimbun said earlier this week, citing unnamed sources, that the employees had sold the scrap metal to businesses outside the zone for about 900,000 yen ($6,000).

The amount of metal that disappeared, its current location, and whether or not it constitutes a health danger are all unknown.

Metal Thefts on the Rise

NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, reported this past summer that scrap metal firms in the bordering prefecture of Ibaraki had been encouraged by authorities to conduct more stringent checks on their suppliers due to an increase in metal thefts. More than 900 occurrences were reported to Ibaraki authorities in June alone, more than any other of Japan's 47 prefectures.

Metal grates spanning more than 20 miles of highway were reported stolen, said the authorities in Chiba, east of Tokyo. This scares drivers on the narrow roadways at night due to the possibility of drifting into open gutters.

Meanwhile, in Tsu, Mie prefecture, west of Tokyo, municipal maintenance workers have begun monitoring roadside grates and placing metal clips to deter thieves.

See Also: Japan to WTO: China's Seafood Ban Over Fukushima Wastewater Release Is Unacceptable

Wastewater Release

In the biggest nuclear catastrophe since Chernobyl, several meltdowns occurred at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear facility on March 11, 2011.

After considerable decontamination efforts, several regions near the plant have been assessed safe for people to return, with just 2.2% of the prefecture remaining covered by no-go orders.

Last month, Japan started discharging more than a billion liters of wastewater stored in a thousand steel containers into the Pacific Ocean.

The plant operator TEPCO and the UN atomic watchdog agree that the water is safe. However, China is not satisfied and has banned the import of Japanese seafood into the nation.

See Also: Japan Announces Long-Term Plan to Support Fisheries After Fukushima Water Release

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The wood being excavated in Kalambo Falls in Zambia

Half a million years ago, earlier than was previously thought possible, humans were building structures made of wood, according to new research by a team from the University of Liverpool and Aberystwyth University.

The research, published in the journal Nature, reports on the excavation of well-preserved wood at the archaeological site of Kalambo Falls, Zambia, dating back at least 476,000 years and predating the evolution of our own species, Homo sapiens.

Expert analysis of stone tool cut-marks on the wood show that these early humans shaped and joined two large logs to make a structure, probably the foundation of a platform or part of a dwelling.

This is the earliest evidence from anywhere in the world of the deliberate crafting of logs to fit together. Until now, evidence for the human use of wood was limited to its use for making fire, digging sticks and spears.

Wood is rarely found in such ancient sites as it usually rots and disappears, but at Kalambo Falls permanently high water levels preserved the wood.

This discovery challenges the prevailing view that Stone Age humans were nomadic. At Kalambo Falls these humans not only had a perennial source of water, but the forest around them provided enough food to enable them to settle and make structures.

Professor Larry Barham, from the University of Liverpools Department of Archaeology, Classic and Egyptology, who leads the Deep Roots of Humanity research project said:

This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors. Forget the label Stone Age, 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 theyd 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.

The specialist dating of the finds was undertaken by experts at Aberystwyth University.

They used new luminescence dating techniques, which reveal the last time minerals in the sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight, to determine their age.

Professor Geoff Duller from Aberystwyth University said:

At this great age, putting a date on finds is very challenging and we used luminescence dating to do this. 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. The site at Kalambo Falls had been excavated back in the 1960s when similar pieces of wood were recovered, but they were unable to date them, so the true significance of the site was unclear until now.

The site of Kalambo Falls on the Kalambo River lies above a 235 metres (772 foot) waterfall on the border of Zambia with the Rukwa Region of Tanzania at the edge of Lake Tanganyika. The area is on a tentative list from UNESCO for becoming a World Heritage site because of its archaeological significance.

Professor Duller added:

Our research proves that this site is much older than previously thought, so its archaeological significance is now even greater. It adds more weight to the argument that it should be a United Nations World Heritage Site.

This research forms part of the pioneering Deep Roots of Humanity project, an investigation into how human technology developed in the Stone Age. The project is funded by the UKs Arts and Humanities Research Council and involved teams from Zambias National Heritage Conservation Commission, Livingstone Museum, Moto Moto Museum and the National Museum, Lusaka.

Professor Barham added:

Kalambo Falls is an extraordinary site and a major heritage asset for Zambia. The Deep Roots team is looking forward to more exciting discoveries emerging from its waterlogged sands.


Exploration Identifies Pegmatites at Yalgarra Project

Perth, Sep 21, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Intra Energy Corporation Limited ( ASX:IEC ) is pleased to advise that field mapping targeting Lithium at the Yalgarra Project ("Yalgarra", "Project") 70km east of Kalbarri in Western Australia has identified multiple pegmatite dykes intruding Archean mafic rocks.



The dykes are up to 5 metres wide, outcrop over 20-50 metres before diving under cover and reappearing up to 500 metres south. The dykes occur in two orientations, northsouth orientation with shallow easterly dips and ENE-WSW (060 degrees) with steep northeasterly dips. The dykes are typically composed of an outer layer of potassic feldspar, albite and muscovite with identifiable accessory minerals including garnet on the outer contact. The inner core is typically quartz.



The dykes occur approximately 500 metres to 1km north of the recently reported soil anomalism (ASX release 11/09/2023) where coincident LCT pegmatite pathfinder elements suggest the potential for a proximal lithium enrichment zone.



The identified swarm of dykes occur in the northeastern corner of the northern tenement block where they crosscut the northeasterly trending mafic rocks (Figure 1*).



The dykes are adjacent to a radiometrically potassium rich granitoid to the northwest and north There is also a potential source granite to the northeast.



Rock chip samples have been collected at multiple outcrops and several samples were collected across the 5-metre-wide pegmatite to test the outer contacts, the feldspar zone, the quartz core and a muscovite rich layer (Figure 2*). The samples have been submitted to Labwest for analysis with results expected in the December quarter.



Next Steps



Based on the identification of outcropping pegmatites, the Company has commenced tenement wide satellite spectral imaging including aster, thermal and side aperture radar to rapidly identify and prioritise further targets, particularly those obscured by alluvial cover. The company expects to report on this work in the December quarter.



IEC Principal Geologist, Todd Hibberd, commented:



"The identification of so many pegmatite dykes in a small area within the mafic units is promising. Much of the tenement remains to be mapped and further work is expected to identify many more dykes. Given the scale of the tenement, the company is conducting satellite aster, thermal and side aperture radar to identify more targets rapidly and efficiently while awaiting assay results."



IEC Managing Director, Benjamin Dunn, commented:



"The Company is very encouraged by the identification of multiple pegmatite dykes in a small area of the tenement north of the existing lithium anomalism. There is substantial scope for more pegmatite swarms to be identified with the objective of defining compelling drilling targets. Exploration is accelerating and the project is advancing quickly with results from the sampling and satellite work expected early in the December quarter".



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/YK0G56B3





About Intra Energy Corporation Limited





Intra Energy Corporation Limited (ASX:IEC) is an environmentally responsible, diversified mining and energy group with a core focus on battery, base and precious metals exploration to support the global decarbonisation and electrification for the clean energy future.

IEC is currently focused on the development of two highly prospective and underexplored projects in Australia:

- Llama Lithium Project  in the prolific James Bay Region of Quebec, Canada, comprising 123 mineral claims for 63km2, with reported outcropping pegmatites.

- Yalgarra Project - located in Western Australia near Kalbarri is a 70% owned joint venture targeting the exploration of magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE mineralisation.

The Company combines many years of experience in developing major projects, along with a highly skilled board and a demonstrated track record of success.

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The new trailer begins with an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, on a mission to restore his once-proud family's position in a post-war Capitol.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - A new trailer for "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is out. The trailer, which arrived on Wednesday, September 20, shows Lucy Gray Baird's (Rachel Zegler) fight get intense in Panem.

The trailer begins with an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, on a mission to restore his once-proud family's position in a post-war Capitol. Thus, he is ordered to mentor District 12 tribute Lucy for the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Viola Davis' character, Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul, then shows up. She asks Coriolanus, "After everything you've seen out there in the world. What are the Hunger Games for?" In response, he says, "The Hunger Gamesthey're to punish the Districts. Those tributes don't have a choice."

Peter Dinklage's character, academy dean Casca Highbottom, then chimes in, "Your role is to turn these children into spectacles, not survivors." However, things take turns as Coriolanus forms a romantic connection with Lucy.

"I am gonna get you out of here," the mentor tells Lucy. The rest of the clip then showcases Lucy's attempt to survive.

Speaking about the film, which is set 64 years before the events of "Hunger Games", producer Nina Jacobson told Variety, "It is such a completely original Lucy moment... She's such a different character from Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence)."

"She's such a performer. Katniss is the opposite. This is a woman who loves and lives to perform," Nina added. "To see the connection there, the history that she represents, and to think that Katniss Everdeen grew up knowing about Lucy Gray and this moment, it was just a great kind of microcosm of both how much of a new ground it is and how rooted it is in what we've seen, but in this backward-looking way."

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HEFEI - 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 ($139.4 billion).
A shooting that took place at a Walmart in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 20, resulted in the deaths of two persons, according to the Georgia police.

Hiram residents James Wyatt Norton (age 26) and Zoey Nicole Messenger (age 20) have been named as the victims, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Possible Murder-Suicide Motives Are at the Center of Inquiry

The incident occurred at the Walmart Super Center at 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway in Hiram at about 7:30 PM local time, as confirmed by Police Chief Mike Turner.

The case is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide. The police chief said that the two victims, a man and a woman, were "younger people" who had been in a relationship in the past.

"What it appears to be is a known-to-known shooting event where both parties knew each other. This was not an active shooter. This was one person knew another person, there was some kind of former relationship," Turner stated.

Officers discovered Norton and Messenger, both suffering from at least one gunshot wound and transferred them to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, as stated in the report. On arrival, they were declared dead.

Turner specified that the male victim was regarded as the perpetrator and the female as the victim.

See Also: Authorities Find Romeoville Family Murder Suspects Shot in Oklahoma Days After Horrific Killings

Not Only It Terrifies the Victim, but Also the Witnesses

The terror that this sort of occurrence had to induce was not just for the victim herself but for the other persons in the area as well. Several customers informed FOX 5 Atlanta that they heard gunfire and left the establishment in fear.

Devani Lopez, a bystander, said, "As soon as I heard the second shot, I ran straight for the exit because I heard the gunshot come from my left side, so I ran to the right exit ... I could see everyone running for their lives. Everyone was just so panicked and scared."

On Wednesday night, Walmart issued a statement claiming the firm grieving for what happened and will be cooperating with investigations. "We're heartbroken by what happened at our Hiram store tonight. Our priority, right now, is the safety of our associates and customers. The store will remain closed while we work with law enforcement during their investigation," ABC News reported.

Last year, six people, including the gunman, were killed in a shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia. Over the past several years, smaller-scale shooting incidents have occurred at different sites of the large retail company, according to Fox News.

In 2022, almost two weeks after the massacre in Chesapeake, a gunman opened fire outside a Walmart in Marietta, Georgia.

Suicide is discussed in this narrative. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, available 24 hours a day, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

See Also: North Carolina: Family Sues Google Over Outdated Maps After Man Dies Driving Off Collapsed Bridge

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star is caught on camera keeping her head down and covering her face with her hair as she steps out of an apartment in Newport Beach, California.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Shannon Beador kept her head down as she stepped out following a legal trouble. A few days after getting arrested for DUI alcohol and hit-and-run, the star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" appeared to have attempted to hide an apparent bruise on her face.

On Wednesday afternoon, September 20, the 59-year-old star was spotted out and about outside an apartment in Newport Beach, California. In pictures obtained and published by Page Six, it could be seen that she had a mark slightly above her left eye.

Shannon was seemingly trying to cover the bruise by keeping her head down and putting her hair in front of her face. In addition, she hid her eyes behind a pair of black sunglasses and covered her arms by wearing a blue shirt that came with long sleeves.

During the outing, the reality TV star was not alone. She was accompanied by her former husband John Janssen as she stood behind him. The former couple was joined by an unidentified man, who was caught on camera carrying a box. All the three of them were stepping down the stairs of the apartment.

This was not the first time Shannon made a public appearance after the arrest. One day prior, she was spotted entering what appeared to be the same apartment in Newport Beach. At the time, she was also accompanied by John. She was photographed from behind while John turned to the camera several times.

Pictures from Shannon's first sighting showed that she did not put her left arm inside one of the long sleeves of her black jacket, seemingly having her left arm in a sling due to her alleged injuries. Her former husband was also seen helping her enter the apartment by opening the door for her.

Later on, RadarOnline.com confirmed that Shannon suffered a broken arm from her recent car crash. Aside from that, sources told the outlet that her face was "bruised and cut." She allegedly "had to get stitches." Furthermore, the outlet revealed, "She is concerned she'll need plastic surgery and is already thinking about consulting a doctor in preparation for when the stitches come out."

Shannon was arrested due to DUI alcohol and hit-and-run after she smashed her car into a building in Newport Beach on Saturday night. In CCTV footage obtained by TMZ, she could be seen driving at a high speed before the crash. The video also documented her driving away from the damaged building. Later on, she was arrested, "cited and released without bond."

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The former One Direction star was rushed to a medical center in Milan in for emergency treatment after being struck down with agonizing kidney pain during a trip to Lake Como with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Liam Payne has been discharged from hospital in Italy after falling ill on a trip to Lake Como. The 30-year-old former One Direction star was rushed to a medical center in Milan in for emergency treatment after being struck down with agonizing 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, September 19, 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. It's horrible - him being all the way over there. It's such a horrible situation and we just hope he's in the best place possible. He's in Milan and it sounds like he'll be there for a week. I feel helpless."

A source previously told The Sun newspaper, "Liam is in a bad way but he's 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 Kate's 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 U.K., but Kate was spotted enjoying a night out in London on Tuesday, September 19. 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.

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In honor of his late nephew and Migos bandmate, the 'Champions' rapper meets with Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Congress in Washington, DC for a panel discussion on gun violence prevention.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Quavo is turning his grief into action. The rapper, who lost his nephew and fellow Migos member Takeoff in a shooting in November 2022, has headed to the White House to advocate for gun violence prevention.

On Wednesday, September 20, the Athens native joined forces with the Community Justice Action Fund to meet with members of Congress in Washington, DC. They joined a panel discussion on gun violence prevention after meeting privately with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Joined by his sister and Takeoff's mother Titania Davenport, Quavo was clad in a black suit as he arrived. "I feel like your calling comes at the least expected times," he said at the panel. "You don't think nothing is going to happen. I need to step up to the plate and hit a homerun. I have to do something about it, so it won't happen to the masses - especially in our culture. I don't want this to happen to the next person. I want to knock down these percentages."

In a statement, the 32-year-old also shared, "Music is storytelling and no one can tell my story better than me. For me and my family, the fight against gun violence is personal and not something we are going to forget. We are coming to DC, bringing the voices of millions of families with us that have been hurt by this kind of violence."

The panel discussion was attended by Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rep. Lucy McBath, whose activism was propelled after the shooting death of her teenage son, and Greg Jackson of the Community Justice Action Fund.

Kamala has since praised Quavo for using his voice to bring awareness about gun violence prevention. Sharing photos from their meeting, the VP said, "Thank you @quavohuncho, Edna, and Titania for using your voices to honor Takeoff's legacy and call for action to prevent gun violence."

Quavo has become a staunch advocate for gun violence prevention in the wake of his nephew's death, which inspired him to launch the Rocket Foundation. "The Rocket Foundation is linking up with Community Justice and our nation's leaders during the ALC (Annual Legislative Conference) to talk about what we need from policymakers to build safer futures for our communities," he said of its goal. "Together, with solutions that come straight from my heart and our neighborhoods, we can tackle this violence head-on and save lives."

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In a new interview, Adidas' top executive Bjorn Gulden defends the hip-hop star and Yeezy designer over his controversial remarks that got the 'Gold Digger' rapper canceled.

Sep 22, 2023

AceShowbiz - Not everyone is apparently offended by Kanye West's alleged anti-Semitic comments. In a new interview, Adidas' top executive Bjorn Gulden defended the hip-hop star over his controversial remarks that got the rapper canceled.

When discussing the German-based apparent giant's decision to cut ties with Ye in the wake of his anti-Semitic comments last year, Gulden believed that the musician didn't mean all those words. "Very unfortunate, because I don't think he meant what he said, and I don't think he's a bad person. It just came across that way," he said in "In Good Company" podcast last week.

Gulden, a former top executive at rival sportswear brand Puma, went on to say, "That meant we lost that business, one of the most successful collabs in the historyvery sad." It was reported that $1.5 billion of Ye's net worth was shaved off following the fallout.

Back in 2022, Adidas ended its partnership with the rapper, designer and entrepreneur following backlash over his anti-Semitic comments. Ye also faced criticism when he launched "White Lives Matter" T-shirts during his Yeezy show during Paris Fashion Week.

After several brands including Balenciaga cut ties with him, Ye was also banned from social media platforms such as Twitter, now X, and Instagram due to his posts about Sean "P. Diddy" Combs being controlled by Jews. He also declared that he would go "death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE" and posted an image of a swastika inside a Star of David.

Not stopping there, Ye claimed in a podcast interview that George Floyd died of a fentanyl overdose in addition to lashing out at "Jewish media" and "Jewish Zionists" for forcing the cancellation of his shows. In December of that year, the former husband of Kim Kardashian noted on podcaster Alex Jones' show that he saw "good things about Hitler."

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The 31-year-old Canadian emcee, who'd been wearing a very low cut before being sent to jail, has grown his hair out a bit in the mug shot.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tory Lanez's mug shot was made public as he was being transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California. In the picture, which was revealed on Wednesday, September 20, the "Hurts Me" rapper looked very unhappy since his attempt to appeal his 10-year prison sentence was denied by a judge.

The 31-year-old, who'd been wearing a very low cut before being sent to jail, has grown his hair out a bit in the mug shot, which was obtained by TMZ. The cut was accented with a mustache and scraggly beard.

Many on X, formerly Twitter, have since weighed in on Tory's new look. "His hair look like mine underneath my wig," one user commented. "They got homie with a dry perm," another person quipped, while a third added, "Bro got nappy Mexican hair."

The "It Doesn't Matter" emcee initially attempted to appeal his jail sentence in Megan Thee Stallion's shooting case. However, a judge denied his bond request on September 14.

The judge noted that the rapper, whose real name is Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, is "convicted of a violent felony, has a history of violating court orders, and isn't a U.S. citizen," per TMZ report. His legal team allegedly argued the last point, saying the rap star is in America legally on an active work visa and has no reason to go back to his home country. However, the judge stuck to the ruling.

Tory received the 10-year prison sentence on August 8 after being found guilty in December 2022 of three felony counts including assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence in connection with the July 2020 incident. He will spend 9 years in prison after being credited with time served.

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The 'In Da Club' rapper gushes over his longtime friendship with the 'Real Slim Shady' spitter after their performance at the 'Final Lap Tour' stop in Detroit, Michigan.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - 50 Cent has bragged about his friendship with Eminem. After being called "best friend" by his longtime pal, the "In Da Club" rapper gave his response to "The Real Slim Shady" spitter's sweet public remark.

On Wednesday, September 20, Fif went public with his reaction to Eminem's praise. Along with an Instagram video featuring Eminem's remark, the latter gushed, "That's my guy. [a shrugging emoji] He put me on !" He went on to say about their friendship, "You know the vibes we don't switch up over here. #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi."

Eminem showed that his and Fif's longtime friendship is still alive when he made an appearance at the latter's "Final Lap Tour" stop in Detroit, Michigan. During the concert on Sunday night, September 17 which took place at the Pine Knob Music Theatre, Eminem became Fif's surprise guest.

At one point during the show, Eminem showed up onstage to deliver a number of songs. He performed his collaborative track with 50 Cent titled "Patiently Waiting" which is featured in "Get Rich or Die Tryin' ". He also rapped another of their collaborations titled "Crack a Bottle", featuring Dr. Dre, which was released back in 2009.

Wrapping up his performance, the "Sing for the Moment" spitter showed his love to Fif as he exclaimed, "Detroit, make some noise for one of the best friends that I've ever known, 50 Cent!" He added, "And also, make some noise for hip-hop's 50th birthday, y'all  Detroit, I love y'all, man."

Following the show, Eminem let out a number of photos from his performance with 50 Cent. One of the pictures captured the two best friends shaking hands when they were on stage. Along with the snaps, he penned in the caption of the post, "Had 2 come out with @50cent last night thanks 4 the love, Detroit! 'FINAL LAP TOUR!!!' "

Aside from Eminem, 50 Cent released a video from the gig on his own Instagram account. Accompanying the footage which he let out on Monday, Fif gushed over Eminem by writing, "Bro when I do anything with EM people just go crazy they know he really my boy." He further marveled, "I love him till death! #bransoncognac #lecheminudroi."

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The iconic supermodel, who has been featured on over 700 magazine covers, recalls the unpleasant experience she had after she flew to Japan alone for a modeling contract at the age of 16.

Sep 21, 2023

AceShowbiz - Linda Evangelista revealed that her career journey in modeling was not always smooth. The iconic supermodel, who has been featured on over 700 magazine covers, recalled that she almost "gave up" due to a harrowing experience she had when she was a teenager.

On the documentary series titled "The Super Models" created by Apple TV+, the 58-year-old beauty elaborated what led to her nearly giving up on her career in modeling. "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 first recounted.

"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," Linda stated. "They made a composite and it had my measurements on it and I didn't want to take my clothes off."

About her reaction at that time, the model, who is regarded as "one of the most accomplished and influential models of all time," admitted that she was "kind of freaked out." She further said, "I never should have went there by myself. I went home. I sort of gave up."

Fortunately, Linda did not stop trying. She later received an offer to sign a contract for a modeling job with an agency after she was introduced to agent John Casablancas.

On the same show, Linda opened up about her former husband Gerald Marie allegedly being abusive to her during their past relationship. "It's easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept because I lived it," she claimed. "It wasn't a matter of just saying, 'I want a divorce, see ya.' It doesn't work that way."

"He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money maker, ya know?" the model 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 the wake of Linda's allegations, Gerald's lawyer Celine Bekerman issued a statement to PEOPLE. Celine stated, "Gerald Marie firmly objects to the defamatory and false allegations made against him. He refuses to participate in this dishonest media controversy."

Linda tied the knot with Gerald, who is former CEO of Elite Model Management's Paris office, back in 1987. Gerald was 37 years old at that time. A few years later, the two called it quits in 1993.

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Indias leading power infrastructure company, Bajel Projects Limited, announced the onboarding of Rajesh Ganesh as the Managing Director. In his role as MD, Rajesh will be responsible for charting the long-term growth strategy while ensuring healthy financial metrics and driving the organisation to achieve its goals. He will serve as a Whole-Time Director.

Making this announcement, Shekhar Bajaj, Chairman of Bajel Projects Limited, said, Rajesh is a dynamic, value- driven business leader and has a proven track record of building and driving businesses at scale. We are delighted to welcome him as the Managing Director. He has remarkable strategic capabilities and strong experience in the industrial markets. I am sure that he will bring to the fore his deep experience and sharp focus on the overall business to re-assert our prominent position in the Indian power infrastructure sector.

Rajesh Ganesh, the appointed MD of Bajel Projects Limited, said, Bajel Projects Limited is an established leader in the power infrastructure industry and is known to conduct business with the highest level of ethics and integrity. I am pleased to join the Company at this interesting juncture and contribute to this legacy business. I look forward to working with the Board, the team and leaders to deliver superior growth and competitive performance.

This is a further step to boost the current leadership strength for Bajel Projects Limited as a standalone corporate entity and better equip it to pursue its strategic growth agenda and the cohesive management of multiple stakeholders.

Rajesh is a strong leader of people and business value with a track record of success in big scale operations. He has about 30 years of cross business, International experience with large multinational companies like Shell, Castrol , and Oiltanking GmbH. He has lived and worked in India, UK, Europe, Singapore, and Indonesia. He is a Mechanical Engineer and has an MBA (Ex) from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Until recently Rajesh was the Managing Director of Indian Oiltanking Limited (A JV between IndianOil Corporation Limited and Oiltanking GmbH). He recently led the successful divestment of Oiltanking GmbH shareholding in Indian Oiltanking Limited to Adani Ports and SEZ Limited.
Indian PR firm, GreyMatters Communications & Consulting, has secured the communications and media mandate for the esteemed bi-annual CGIAR GENDER Research Conference, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from October 9 to 12. The conference hosted by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), will bring together global experts and researchers to discuss gender and social inequalities in agriculture. This event holds significant importance, occurring shortly after the successful conclusion of the G20 Summit.



"We are honored to have been entrusted with this prestigious assignment for a global event of such magnitude. We are grateful to CGIAR for their trust in us. What makes this task challenging, yet special, is the demographically and culturally diverse audience that we need to cater to, along with the nuanced messaging required," said Dr Navneet Anand, founder Director of GreyMatters.

Marianne Gadeberg, Strategic Communications & Content consultant at CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform stated, "GreyMatters brings with it an enormous 13-year experience, not only in agriculture but across various sectors, working in public affairs and advocacy. What sets them apart is their ability to navigate the intersection of policy, politics, and research, thanks to their extensive experience in government communications. With GreyMatters, we have a clear plan to effectively capture and communicate the rich deliberations at the high-level conference to a diverse set of audiences."

Dr Anand added, "Despite India being predominantly an agrarian country, there is minimal interest in agriculture. The conversation around agricultural issues is muted, especially regarding gender issues. Our challenge is to amplify the significance of this conference, which brings together a multitude of global experts with deep and diverse experiences in social and action research. We are confident that our teams are prepared to reach out to journalists across the country with the relevant messages."

"We will work on highlighting the role of gender in our food systems and initiate conversations about it through various media and social media platforms. We also intend to leverage the discussions at the G20 Summit to weave into our narratives and bring these to the public sphere," Dr Anand added.

The CGIAR is a global research partnership dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis, with a focus on a food-secure future. GENDER (Generating Evidence and New Directions for Equitable Results) is a CGIAR impact platform that synthesizes and amplifies research, fills gaps, builds capacity, and sets directions to enable CGIAR to have maximum impact.

ICAR is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences across India. It boasts 113 ICAR institutes and 74 agricultural universities, making it one of the largest national agricultural systems globally.

Founded in 2010, GreyMatters has established itself as a prominent player in public affairs, advocacy, government communication, and social media. The agency has worked with over 100 partners from government, corporate, MNCs, UN Agencies, NGOs, Rural Organizations, Political Actors & Political Parties, and independent organizations. It has been involved in multiple verticals, including agriculture, rural development, textiles, technology, healthcare, academics, infrastructure, and biotech.
Kalam, Indias first AI-backed Adaptive Learning Ecosystem, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deepanshu Singh as the new Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer effective from September 12, 2023. Deepanshu, an alumnus of IIM-Kozhikode, joins Kalam with an extensive background in technology, strategy, public policy, and education.

Singhs expertise extends beyond the boardroom into the realms of Civil Services, Government consulting, and youth empowerment. His unique blend of experience makes him a critical asset to Kalam, as it seeks to revolutionize education in India through its ground-breaking AI technology and mentorship programs.

"Deepanshu Singh is an extraordinary addition to our team and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him on board. His innovative strategies in education and his wealth of experience in public policy embody the ethos of Kalam. Deepanshus passion for leveraging technology to benefit the youth aligns perfectly with our mission to create a social impact, and we're confident that his contributions will be instrumental in expanding the growth and reach of Kalam," said Vimal Singh Rathore, founder of Kalam.

With a career that spans across multiple sectors, Deepanshu has been a game-changer in the educational field. His revolutionary idea of analysing 'The Hindu' newspaper online became a national trendsetter in 2016. This and his numerous other initiatives helped him earn a reputation as a top educator for UPSC civil services aspirants in India. Over the last decade, he has mentored more than 250,000 students online, helping them crack one of the most challenging exams in the country. He has also been actively involved with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Abhyuday Yojana since 2022 for providing quality and free guidance in cracking UPSC examination for aspirants from rural areas and marginalised sections of the State.

During his time at Unacademy, Deepanshu managed the UPSC section, introduced products, and contributed to the introduction of paid live classes. Singh has regularly been in the top 5 educators on the platform for several years, accumulating over 100 million views across YouTube and Unacademy.

"Joining Kalam represents a compelling blend of challenge and opportunity that deeply resonates with me. I'm invigorated by the company's vision of transforming education through AI and personalized learning, which aligns perfectly with my own passion for building impactful products. Given India's burgeoning youth population, I firmly believe that now is the pivotal moment to scale Kalam's transformative educational offerings. Together, we aim to empower students across the nation and foster a more equitable educational landscape," said Deepanshu Singh,

Deepanshu is also a renowned TEDx speaker and an author of two Amazon best-selling books on Indias foreign policy. His passion lies in building products that solve everyday problems, understanding the global implications of local actions, and tapping into the synergy of Technology+Teaching+Team or the T3 approach.

His recent stint with the Government of India for G20, where he was a core team member that designed the High-level principles on Digitalization of trade documents under the Trade and Investment working group, adds another layer of acumen to his profile, making him an unparalleled addition to the Kalam team.

Deepanshus leadership promises to synergize well with Kalam's mission of personalizing education for each student and revolutionizing the learning ecosystem in India.
Several lawmakers from the Republican Party sent a letter to the White House this week renewing their opposition to the US government's continued support for Ukraine ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington Thursday morning (September 21).

According to Politico, 23 representatives and six senators from the GOP, led by Rep. Chip Roy (TX) and Sen. JD Vance (OH), respectively, signed the letter, which outlined their opposition to the Biden administration's latest aid package.

The lawmakers cited worries about an "open-ended commitment" to Ukraine, over $100 billion in aid already approved, and what they called an unclear strategy for helping the beleaguered country.

"What is our strategy, and what is the president's exit plan? What does the administration define as victory in Ukraine?" the letter wrote. "It would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant this request without knowing the answers to these questions."

The letter, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was addressed to White House Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young.

The White House's latest request calls for another $24 billion in security, economic, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.

Zelensky was scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and several key political and military officials to make the case for continuing to support Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

Read Also: Poland To Stop Supplying Ukraine With Weapons Following Kyiv's Lawsuits Over Grain Bans

Aftermath of the Ukrainian strike at the Black Sea fleet command post near Sevastopol. Comparison of the @planet satellite imagery captured on Aug. 22 and Sep. 21. Russia claimed that all the rockets were intercepted, and the smoke seen on the video was caused by a burning grass. pic.twitter.com/p7jTlFv8U6  Mark Krutov (@kromark) September 21, 2023

SBU Confirms Ukrainian Forces Hit Sevastopol Anew

Meanwhile, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed Thursday (September 21) that Kyiv launched a missile attack on Crimea and successfully struck a command post of the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet.

An SBU source told the Kyiv Post that several Russian commanders were at the location during the time the command post near the Belbek airfield near Sevastopol was hit on Wednesday (September 20).

"The strike was carried out after the SBU verified the data that the commanders of the enemy fleet are indeed in the military unit," the source said.

The SBU source added that Russian generals had designated this base as their backup command post so that they would not be found outside the main location.

No exact death toll was confirmed, but both Russian military manpower and equipment were affected by the missile attack, the source added.

The attack on Crimea followed a successful cruise missile strike that heavily damaged two Russian warships dry-docked in Sevastopol last week, including the Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don. The recent attack also equalized the latest Russian airstrike that targeted Kyiv also on Thursday, when energy installations were severely hit.

Related Article: Ukraine's Electricity Infrastructure Hit by Russia's Worst Missile Attack in Weeks

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mankind Pharma, a reputed global pharmaceutical firm, is set to collaborate with SpiceJet, one of Indias major domestic airlines to elevate brand awareness. The spectacular display on SpiceJets plane with Mankinds logo will not only capture the brands journey and vision, but also serve as a testament to Mankind Pharma's dedication to innovation and raising the bar in the healthcare industry.

This association marks the next step in propagating Mankind Pharmas vision of ensuring international quality medicines to all. Mankind Pharma has taken a pioneering step by introducing 120 DMF quality API medicines in the Indian market, which conform to stringent international standards.

Mr. Rajeev Juneja, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mankind Pharma, expressed his excitement and shared, "At Mankind Pharma, our continuous endeavor has been to improve lives through groundbreaking healthcare solutions. Our goal is to enable access to international quality API medicines for everyone. This has led to the introduction of 120 DMF quality API in our medicines.

The medicines in the USA comply with stringent USFDA's norms for quality, safety and effectiveness; defined by DMF (Drug Master File). The Drug Master File (DMF) has all the information on an API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient/Raw Material for medicines). It provides extensive data on the manufacturing, stability, quality, packaging, purity and impurity profile for authorities to ensure that medicines are up-to international standards in terms of quality.

This campaign, therefore, aims to raise awareness about DMF-grade API medicines and the need for affordable yet international quality healthcare. Mankind hopes to capture even larger audiences and elevate their brand image through thrilling airport promotions and media spotlights. By leveraging this partnership, Mankind Pharma plans to create a lasting impact on consumers, reaffirming their position as a trusted pharmaceutical company in the Indian industry.
MobilTM is turbo-powering the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team at the inaugural MotoGP Bharat, debuting at the Buddh International Circuit for the 2023 Grand Prix of India from Sept. 22 to 24, 2023.

Celebrating the global partnership between ExxonMobil and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, the adrenaline-pumping showdown by the two riders - Australian Jack Miller and South African Brad Binder for whom winning is next to second nature, having demonstrated their mettle and prowess in global circuits, will bear witness to the full-throttle performance of their KTM RC16 bikes.The two riders will power their Grand Prix bikes with the performance and confidence assured by MobilTM. They also shared their excitement with fans a a recent Mobil event held at Jaypee Greens, where Jack Miller launched the Mobil Super Moto10W-30.

With proven engine protection, longer engine life, and better fuel economy, the Mobil Super Moto10W-30 is just what everyday riders across the country need. Moreover, the product packaging will now feature the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team logo on its label.

The Mobil brands will also be prominently displayed on the bikes, rider overalls, garage, and team kit.

Vipin Rana, CEO - ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd., said: We are further expanding our presence in the world of motorsports with the Red Bull KTM Family. In addition to our current successful partnership with Oracle Red Bull racing team in Formula1, we have also entered MotoGP through a multi-year deal with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. We look forward to being part of the teams success through the supply of our cutting-edge Mobil lubricants and fuels to improve KTMs performance. Racing provides Mobil the ultimate testing ground to improve motorcycle lubricant technology, giving confidence and trust to all bike enthusiasts.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: This collaboration is important to us for a few reasons. ExxonMobil is a major name in the industry and motorsports with a big presence in racing and we know we will count on their premium lubricants for our Red Bull KTM RC16. They have a similar mentality to us when it comes to aiming for the top level and the best performance, and that also flows into our goals for the future where we really want to be part of this shift in MotoGP sustainability with race fuels. Its a great privilege to represent Mobil lubricants in MotoGP competition."
The Sleep Company, pioneers of the comfort-tech movement in India and Asia's first and only SmartGRID mattress creators, have unveiled their latest campaign featuring brand ambassador Anil Kapoor. The #ScienceOfPeacefulSleep campaign sees Kapoor endorsing the companys patented SmartGRID technology mattresses which combines cutting-edge science and technology to enhance sleep quality.

In a fun and engaging way, the campaign uses Anil Kapoor's charismatic personality to talk about something many people do: trying different things to sleep peacefully. Some people try to make their sleeping area quieter, listen to relaxing music, drink special teas, or even eat sleep gummies. Surprisingly, a new study shows that almost 70% of people have given at least one of these methods a shot.

However, it is essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these techniques can be uncertain. The campaign underscores a critical point  the ultimate and most reliable path to peaceful sleep can be enabled through SCIENCE. It is intriguing that while we tend to prioritize scientific solutions for our everyday challenges, we often overlook this approach when it comes to achieving peaceful sleep.

Choosing the right mattress is vital for proper body alignment and better sleep, supported by scientific research.

The Sleep Company's patented SmartGRID technology is a scientifically backed solution designed to promote peaceful sleep. Created in collaboration with a former DRDO scientist, SmartGRID is made of a hyper-elastic polymer material that seamlessly conforms to all body shapes and sizes. This provides a unique combination of softness and firmness, effectively alleviating pressure points and maintaining proper sleep posture. With over 2500 air channels, it ensures excellent airflow, creating a cool sleeping environment.

Anil Kapoor, actor & brand ambassador, The Sleep Company, said, Sleeping peacefully has always been a top priority for me to maintain overall health and wellbeing. It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of The Sleep Company family for three consecutive years now. It's not just about promoting a brand; it's about enhancing the quality of people's lives through peaceful sleep. The Sleep Companys SmartGRID technology truly redefines the way we sleep, and I'm excited to continue spreading the word about the importance of a peaceful sleeping experience with this exceptional brand."

Commenting on the new campaign, Priyanka Salot, Founder, The Sleep Company said, "While countless sleep tips and tricks are being made popular every day, one of the fundamental root causes of poor sleep often goes unaddressed  the absence of a scientifically-proven, high-quality mattress. Our mission is to continually enhance the quality of life for our customers through our patented SmartGRID products. Mr. Anil Kapoor's charismatic and energetic persona brings to life the essence of this campaign  educating consumers about how our products epitomise the science of peaceful sleep, enhancing overall sleep quality, and ultimately enriching lives."

Ripal Chopda, Chief Marketing Officer, The Sleep Company, also shared his insights on the campaign, stating, "Our campaign is a testament to our commitment to revolutionising the way people perceive and achieve quality sleep. With Mr. Anil Kapoor, we have successfully conveyed the message that science is the ultimate key to peaceful sleep. This campaign reinforces our dedication to offering innovative sleep solutions, backed by rigorous scientific research, to enhance the well-being of our customers."

The campaign has been conceptualised by The Sleep Company in collaboration with World Without Walls. The Sleep Company has consistently showcased its commitment to excellence. What began as a digital-first brand has evolved to conquer a significant presence in the retail market, boasting over 40 new physical stores throughout India. Looking ahead, The Sleep Company is poised to expand even further, with plans to launch more than 100 stores within the year. This strategic move is set to bolster the company's market dominance and solidify its position as a prominent player in the Indian sleep and sitting solutions market.
A group of prominent authors has taken OpenAI to the federal court in Manhattan, accusing the company of unlawfully utilizing their literary works to train its popular AI conversational model ChatGPT.

The group comprises writers such as John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, George Saunders, Jonathan Franzen, and George RR Martin, the writer of "Game of Thrones."

This class-action lawsuit, filed by the Authors Guild on Tuesday, is the latest in a series of similar suits filed by writers, visual artists, and source code owners against providers of generative AI technologies. In addition to the Microsoft-backed OpenAI, there are parallel lawsuits in progress against Meta Platforms and Stability AI, centered around the data utilized for training their respective AI systems.

OpenAI and its defenders of AI argue that their utilization of data gleaned from the treasure-trove of the internet falls under the gambit of fair use, as per the US copyright law.

The lawsuit alleges that the datasets deployed by OpenAI to train its large language model in response to human prompts comprised of text from the authors' books which may have been taken from online "pirate" book sources.

An OpenAI spokesperson stated that it 'respects' authors' rights and is having productive conversations "with many creators around the world, including the Authors Guild."
A 31-year-old woman is charged with killing her 67-year-old father outside his Florida Panhandle home Wednesday, the Santa Rosa County (Fla.) Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies responded to a home in Milton about 2 p.m. Wednesday after a report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found the victim, identified as 67-year-old Timothy Delong, inside the home in the 4900 block of Community Circle with an apparent stab wound.

Delong was transported to a hospital, but he later died.

Santa Rosa investigators received a tip the suspect may be located inside the home, so they returned and located the victims daughter, Brea Michelle Delong.

Brea Delong was taken for treatment of undisclosed medical issues, after which she was transported to the Santa Rosa County Detention Center for questioning, after which she was booked on a charge of 2nd-degree homicide.

As of Thursday afternoon, Brea Delong remained in the detention center, held without bond.
Six federal lawsuits were filed Wednesday alleging that children with disabilities placed in residential treatment facilities have been discriminated against and denied educational opportunities.

The lawsuits claim that children placed in these facilities are deprived of meaningful interaction with their non-disabled peers, and also receive inferior instruction, limited resources and inadequate support.

The legal actions come after a Department of Justice investigation last year found the state of Alabama - namely the Department of Human Resources and State Department of Education - illegally discriminates against children in foster care with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

With this legal action, we hope to bring attention to the dire need for reform and establish a precedent ensuring equal education rights for children with disabilities across Alabama and the nation, said Tommy James, who filed the lawsuits, along with attorneys Jeremy Knowles and Caleb Cunningham, on behalf of children placed in facilities. We are confident we will prevail in these lawsuits, and the State of Alabama will be forced to change its discriminatory practices.

The DOJ investigation claimed that the state agencies relegated hundreds of students with disabilities to segregated educational programs in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Department of Justices findings are deeply troubling and underscore the need for immediate action to ensure our most vulnerable have equal access to education, James said.

It is inexcusable that state officials have ignored and been complicit in such systemic segregation and discrimination. The DOJs revelations are not only concerningthey are damning. Every child, irrespective of disability, is entitled to equal educational opportunities.

The new lawsuits filed name Nancy Buckner, Commissioner of DHR, and Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of the Alabama Department of Education, as defendants. Both agencies said they were unable to comment on the litigation at this time.

The lawsuits allege that children were not given an option to attend schools in their communities once they were placed in residential treatment facilities, instead they were enrolled into schools on the campus of the facility, where the education was substantially inferior.

One suit claims that, because of the inferior education that Plaintiff received at Sequel Owens Cross Roads, J. K. has been unable to enroll in traditional public-school systems. In fact, J. K. has been denied the right to enroll in the previous school systems due to their educational records gaps and inadequacies due to the lack of educational opportunities received while in Sequel Owens Cross Roads.

Another states that, because of the inferior education that Plaintiff received at these facilities, Cavanaugh has been unable to enroll in traditional public-school systems. In fact, Cavanaugh has been unable to advance academically or interact socially due to the lack of education he received while at the facilities. Cavanaugh is unable to seek employment opportunities or otherwise advance in life.

The plaintiffs in these suits were placed in Sequel Tuskegee, Sequel Owens Cross Roads and Sequel Courtland. Sequel TSI of Alabama, a Huntsville-based provider, rebranded to Brighter Path last year after the companys facilities in Alabama and across the country came under fire for numerous abuse scandals.

The company is not listed as a party in any of the suits filed Wednesday.

Advocacy organizations and attorneys have for years detailed their grave concerns about the health and safety of residents inside some of Alabamas PRTFs, namely those run by Sequel.

Groups have called on the state to revoke Sequels license to operate and relocate the children residing in the facilities after finding the facilities to be violent and chaotic places where youth are physically and emotionally abused by staff and peers, subjected to wretched living conditions, provided inadequate supervision and medical care, and subjected to illegal seclusion and restraint.

The lawsuits seek, among other things, compensatory damages, attorneys fees, and costs, emphasizing the severe educational, financial, and social damages suffered by the plaintiffs and countless other children due to these discriminatory practices.

James added that he and his co-counsel plan to file dozens of more lawsuits relating to educational discrimination in residential treatment facilities in the coming months.
A Birmingham principal will remain on paid administrative leave while an investigation into test irregularities continues, a Jefferson Circuit Court Judge ruled Thursday.

Wilkerson Middle School Principal Jennifer Love Lott has been on leave since Aug. 4 while the Birmingham Board of Education conducts an investigation into test scores at two schools where Lott has been principal.

In his order, Judge Patrick Ballard said Birmingham Superintendent Mark Sullivan has sole discretion to place employees of the Birmingham Schools on administrative leave, adding that Sullivan has not abused that discretion.

Ms. Lott is disappointed, attorney Reginald McDaniel said, but were going to keep fighting until we can get this resolved.

In her request to return to work, Lott claimed her livelihood has been and will continue to be adversely impacted and suffer immediate and irreparable harm by the suspension. She claims her name, professional reputation, mental well-being have suffered as well.

Court filings show the Birmingham Board of Education has retained the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama to evaluate and verify test data. The Alabama Department of Education has begun a separate investigation. There was no indication as to when either investigation would be completed.

Lott alleged her suspension is due to personal vendettas that Oliver Elementary staff have because Olivers test scores fell after she left Oliver to become Wilkerson Middle Schools principal at the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Test scores dropped precipitously at Oliver Elementary after Lott left, while Wilkerson Middle Schools scores rose the year Lott became principal there.

Wilkerson Middle had the greatest percentage-point increase in math of all schools statewide. Oliver Elementary had the greatest percentage-point drop in math of all schools statewide.

From May 2022 to May 2023, Oliver Elementary proficiency levels shifted from:

48% to 28% in English language arts,

39% to 10% in math, and

63% to 12% in science.

From May 2022 to May 2023, Wilkerson Middle proficiency levels shifted from:
A south Alabama group that has spent half a decade paying dues and honing its own bareknuckled, hard-rocking brand of country music has been in the studio with a legendary producer known for his work with the likes of Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Jamey Johnson, Brandi Carlile, John Prine and Greta Van Fleet.

Well ladies and gents, the cats out of the bag, the Red Clay Strays shared on social media this week. Weve been in the studio working on the next album! While weve been telling people at shows lately we just got out of the studio, what weve kept a pretty good secret is that Dave Cobb is producing it.

Cobb has shared in nine Grammy wins. Four of those were projects honored as Best America Album: Isbells Something More Than Free and The Nashville Sound and Carliles By the Way, I Forgive You and In These Silent Days. Three others were for Chris Stapleton projects honored as Best Country Album: Traveller, From A Room: Vol. 1 and Starting Over.

Hes been named Producer of the Year by the Country Music Awards, the Americana Music Association (twice) and the Music Row Awards, and has been a Grammy nominee in the category.

The note from the Strays described him as someone whos made albums for practically all of our music heroes. Getting to work with him has always been a dream of ours.

The Strays are about to launch their Way Too Long tour, a 28-show odyssey that will start in Mobile on Sept. 23 and go up the East Coast and into the upper Midwest before heading back south to a finish in Texas in early November. More than a third of the shows are sold out, including stops in Mobile, Birmingham, New York, Philadelphia and Nashville.

The Red Clay Strays post warned fans theyll have to wait to hear the results of the work with Cobb: You all have been telling us to drop these new tunes, and its still gonna be a little while. Making and promoting a record takes time, and we really appreciate yalls patience. So, if you want to hear these new tunes youll have to catch them live, and aint that the best place to be anyway?

Even so, the revelation of Cobbs involvement adds to a series of recent signs that big things are ahead for the group. So far this year, the group has made its Grand Ole Opry debut; signed with industry giant WME for global representation in all areas; and toured with Elle King and Eric Church. The same announcement that revealed Cobbs involvement also said the group is working with a well-known promotional company, Thirty Tigers, to push this record the right way.

The group consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Brandon Coleman, vocalist/guitarist Drew Nix, guitarist Zach Rishel, bassist Andrew Bishop and drummer John Hall. For more information, visit www.redclaystrays.com.

Related:

Alabamas Red Clay Strays primed for showcase at CMA Fest

Grammy nominated producer Dave Cobb on making Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton albums
Angus Cloud, the actor known for portraying fan-favorite drug dealer Fezco in HBOs Euphoria, died of an accidental overdose, the Alameda County Coroners Bureau said Thursday.

The actor suffered acute intoxication from a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine, according to the coroner. His death was ruled an accident.

Cloud, born Conor Angus Cloud Hickey, died on July 31 at his family home in Oakland. He was 25.

In a statement shared with The Times in July, the family said, [I]t is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today.

Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss, the statement continued. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.

Hours after news of Clouds death broke, Oakland Fire Department Chief of Staff Michael Hunt said in an email to The Times that officials reported to the 200 block of Euclid Avenue in Oakland for a medical emergency. Cloud was determined to be already deceased by the time the Fire Department arrived.

Cloud, an Oakland native born on July 10, 1998, unexpectedly rose to fame after a chance encounter with a casting agent in Manhattan led to his part in Sam Levinsons Euphoria. He appeared alongside fellow Oakland School for the Arts alumni Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and Hunter Schafer.

Clouds Fezco (also known as Fez) was a soft-spoken friend to Zendayas Rue, a teenager battling drug addiction. Donning a chain, jeans and a patterned shirt or bulky sweater, Fezco was often the calm amid chaos  whether he was cutting off Rues drug supply or romancing Maude Apatows Lexi while she wrote her messy, autobiographical play in Season 2.

Fezco was also the adoptive older brother and business partner of Javon Waltons hotheaded Ashtray.

The actor, whose credits also include the films The Line and North Hollywood, was also beloved on social media for his blase attitude on red carpets at Hollywood events.

After news of Clouds death broke, Euphoria stars including Zendaya, Sweeney and Colman Domingo paid tribute to their co-star.

Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus (Conor), Zendaya, 25, wrote in an Instagram post, accompanying a candid black-and-white photo of Cloud smiling. Im so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (Im smiling now just thinking of it).

Sweeney, who portrayed hopeless-romantic Cassie, said her late co-star was an open soul, with the kindest heart.

You will be missed more than you know, but Im so blessed to have known you in this lifetime, and Im sure everyone who has ever met you feels the same, Sweeney continued. This heartache is real and I wish we couldve had one more hug and 711 run. All my love is with you.

Additional members of the Euphoria family grieving Clouds death were Levinson, Walton, Barbie Ferreira and Alexa Demie.

A week after his death, Clouds mother Lisa Cloud said on Facebook that her son did not intend to end his life.

Although my son was in deep grief about his fathers untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one, she wrote. He was reorganizing his room and placing items around the house with intent to stay a while in the home he loved. He spoke of his intent to help provide for his sisters at college, and also help his mom emotionally and financially. He did not intend to end his life.

Times staff writer Christi Carras 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.
Volcanologists in the Philippines said Thursday (September 21) that Taal Volcano, south of Manila, has emitted large amounts of volcanic smog which could adversely affect human respiratory health, as well as cause damage to crops and infrastructure.

"Since 12:30 pm today [local time] (04:30 UTC), volcanic smog or vog has been observed over Taal Lake by the Taal Volcano Network and has lingered over the region until present," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in a statement.

There were also several volcanic earthquakes in the area surrounding Taal.

The most recent activity of the volcano, which last erupted in 2020, prompted several local governments in the province of Batangas, where the volcano is situated, to announce a suspension of classes or alternative class arrangements on Friday (September 22).

Other provinces and areas near the volcano, such as Cavite and Metro Manila, have also announced low air quality advisories and class disruptions due to the phenomenon late Thursday evening, local time as the smog was photographed by people and shared online, local media reported.

Read Also: US Aims to Access More Philippine Bases to Strengthen Alliance, Deter Beijing

Volcanologists Warn of Acid Rain, Sulfuric Irritation

Volcanic smog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide, which is acidic and could cause irritation to the skin, eyes, throat, and respiratory tract upon contact.

PHIVOLCS also urged people in affected areas to cover their noses with an N95 mask if they deem it necessary to go outside. Otherwise, the agency added, people are recommended to stay indoors and maintain hydration levels.

With the rainy weather affecting the island of Luzon for the past few days, PHIVOLCS also projected that rainfall would mix with the smog to create acid rain, which could affect the metal roofs of houses and buildings, as well as cause damage to crops.

However, state volcanologists say Taal would remain at its lowest alert level unless new developments would prompt them to raise it.

Related Article: Philippine Taal Volcano Threatens Lives of Residents With Highly Toxic Fumes

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson traveled to Alabama last week to visit several historical markers, including Tuskegee University, one of the nations few universities marked as a national historic site.

Jackson visited the historically Black university along with her husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson on Sept. 15. Her mother Ellery Brown graduated from the school in 1967, when it was called Tuskegee Institute.

The justice met with President Charlotte P. Morris; Dr. Olga Bolden Tiller, Dean of the College of Agriculture Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Dr. Ruby Perry, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Heshmat Aglan, Dean of the College of Engineering; and students of the university.

See photos from Jacksons visit in the gallery above.

Justice Jackson visited Birmingham to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four young girls, which became a turning point for the civil rights movement in Alabama. She mentioned that her family lived in Alabama and taught her how Alabamians helped change American history.

I want to assure you that I actually do know a lot about Alabama and in particular its critical connection to the civil rights struggle of African-Americans during the 1950s and 1960s, she said. While Ive not been to Alabama, I can quite confidently say that I know Alabama. If you knew my parents, you would understand why.

During Jacksons speech at the church, she said that her aunt and uncle are also proud graduates of Tuskegee University.

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DENVER (AP)  Federal officials on Friday renamed a towering mountain southwest of Denver as part of a national effort to address the history of oppression and violence against Native Americans.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted overwhelmingly to change Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky at the request of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and with the approval of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. The Arapaho were known as the Blue Sky People, while the Cheyenne hold an annual renewal-of-life ceremony called Blue Sky.

The 14,264-foot (4,348-meter) peak was named after John Evans, Colorados second territorial governor and ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs. Evans resigned after Col. John Chivington led an 1864 U.S. cavalry massacre of more than 200 Arapaho and Cheyenne people  most of them women, children and the elderly  at Sand Creek in what is now southeastern Colorado.

It is a huge step, not only for the Cheyenne and Arapaho people, but also for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Southern Ute Tribe, Northern Arapaho Tribe, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and other allies who worked diligently to begin the healing process, bringing honor to a monumental and majestic mountain, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Gov. Reggie Wassana said after Fridays vote.

Tribal leaders are now focusing their efforts on changing the name of the adjacent Mount Evans Wilderness Area to Mount Blue Sky Wilderness area, which would require congressional action.

Polis, a Democrat, revived the states 15-member geographic naming panel in July 2020 to make recommendations for his review before being forwarded for final federal approval. On Friday, the federal board considered changing several other geographical names submitted from across the country, none as prominent or well-known as Mount Evans.

The name Mount Evans was first applied to the peak in the 1870s and first published on U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps in 1903, according to research compiled for the national naming board. In recommending the change to Mount Blue Sky, Polis said John Evans culpability for the Sand Creek Massacre, tacit or explicit, is without question.

Colonel Chivington celebrated in Denver, parading the deceased bodies through the streets while Governor Evans praised and decorated Chivington and his men for their valor in subduing the savages, Polis wrote in a Feb. 28 letter to Trent Palmer, the federal renaming boards executive secretary.

Polis added that the state is not erasing the complicated history of Evans, who helped found the University of Denver and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Evans also played a role in bringing the railroad to Denver, opposed slavery and had a close relationship with Abraham Lincoln, Polis noted.

Studies by Northwestern and the University of Denver published in 2014 also recognized Evans positive contributions but determined that even though he was not directly involved in the Sand Creek Massacre, he bore some responsibility.

Evans abrogated his duties as superintendent, fanned the flames of war when he could have dampened them, cultivated an unusually interdependent relationship with the military, and rejected clear opportunities to engage in peaceful negotiations with the Native peoples under his jurisdiction, according to the DU study.

In 2021, the federal panel approved renaming another Colorado peak after a Cheyenne woman who facilitated relations between white settlers and Native American tribes in the early 19th century.

Mestaaehehe Mountain, pronounced mess-taw-HAY, honors and bears the name of an influential translator, also known as Owl Woman, who mediated between Native Americans and white traders and soldiers in what is now southern Colorado. The mountain 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Denver previously included a misogynist and racist term for Native American women.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the federal board took action to eliminate the use of derogatory terms related to Black and Japanese people. The latest moves come amid a reckoning on race relations across the U.S. and under the leadership of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the nations first Native American Cabinet member.
An Alabama Education Lab analysis of chronic absenteeism rates - the percentage of students who missed 18 or more days of school in a given school year - showed a wide range among the states school districts and schools.

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Schools across Alabama are sending reminders and tips to help parents make sure their children are going to school every day. Twenty-six districts had double-digit percentage point increases from pre-pandemic absenteeism levels.

Among the states 138 traditional school districts, Perry County had the highest absenteeism rate in the 2021-22 school year, the most recent year data is available. Four in every 10 students missed 18 or more days of school - more than twice the rate of years before the pandemic.

Barbour County, Bessemer City and Linden City school districts were next, with more than three in 10 students chronically absent that year.

On the other end of the scale was Blount County, where fewer than 5% of students were chronically absent. In Mountain Brook City schools, just over 5% of students were chronically absent - a rate that was a tad lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Among the states eight charter schools, rates ranged from 3.5% at University Charter School to 53% at Breakthrough Charter School in Perry County.

Rates in non-charter public schools ranged from zero in 22 schools to more than 50% in 17 schools statewide.

[The full list of schools and districts is available at the end of this article.]

The chart below shows how the rate for all student groups increased from 2019 to 2022. Click here if you are unable to see the chart.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey recently praised Alabamas position in a recent Associated Press and Stanford University analysis of absenteeism rates across all states before and after the pandemic, saying the analysis had mixed good information.

Alabama is No. 1, he told board members. Weve had the least attendance slide of all the states.

During the 2021-22 school year, 18% of K-12 students missed 18 or more days of school.

Thats higher than the 2018-19 rate of 11%, but is the same as the 2017-18 rate of 18%.

Its not good, he clarified. Its not where we want to be. But we were number one in the nation in students getting back in school and not being absent.

Wed like to see that our chronic absenteeism rates drop dramatically over the next year or two.

Why chronic absenteeism matters

Chronic absenteeism is one of the variables schools are graded on each years federal report card, but it isnt just a numbers game. Frequent absences should not be confused with truancy. Chronic absences include excused and unexcused absences. Truancy regulations apply only to unexcused absences.

Absent students miss out not only on what is being taught in class but also on all the other things schools provide  such as meals, counseling, socialization. Students who are chronically absent are at higher risk of not learning to read and eventually dropping out.

Kids stay home for myriad reasons  finances, housing instability, illness, transportation issues, school staffing shortages, anxiety, depression, bullying and generally feeling unwelcome at school, experts say.

While families are responsible for making sure their children attend school, teachers play a big role,too.

In the Student Attendance Playbook, FutureEd Associate Director Phyllis Jordan compiled a wide range of practices backed by research that schools can do to improve student attendance.

Jordan noted that when students feel supported and respected at school, they are less likely to be absent, according to researchers. What students are learning matters, too, and when kids feel connected to the material theyre learning, theyre more likely to show up for class.

Heres a look at rates for all students in all schools and districts for five school years - 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2021-22. Chronic absenteeism rates were not publicly reported for the 2019-20 school year. Click here if you are unable to see the table.

In 2017-18 and previously, Alabama counted students as chronically absent when they missed 15 or more days. The number of absences changed to 18 in 2018-19 to conform to the federal definition.

If youd like to see rates by each student group - race, ethnicity, disability status, poverty status - click here to go to a data visualization (best viewed on a desktop or laptop monitor).
Alabama lawmakers are taking the lead on an effort to defund security protection for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the retired director the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who became a household name during the COVID pandemic.

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, a Republican from the Huntsville area, introduced a bill Thursday in Congress that would eliminate federal money being used for Faucis security detail. The bill so far has three co-sponsors  two of which are among Strongs Alabama colleagues in the House: Mike Rogers and Barry Moore.

Faucis received his security detail after death threats were made against him and his family with the onset of the COVID pandemic in March 2020.

Our country is $33 trillion in debt, Strong said in a social media post. Taxpayers shouldnt be paying for Dr. Faucis security detail, especially when Fauci was one of the highest-paid federal employees in the U.S.

Rogers echoed Strongs sentiments in his own social media post.

Dr. and Mrs. Fauci reported a massive $11 million net worth last year, Rogers said. He has thankfully retired from his position. Why are they still receiving security on taxpayers dime?

Moore, like Strong, also cited the national debt as a reason not to provide security for Fauci.

A country that is $33 trillion in debt shouldnt be paying for the security detail of one of our highest-paid bureaucrats who has retired, Moore said in a social media post.

Fauci began receiving death threats soon after COVID began impacting Americans lives. Last year, a West Virginia man pleaded guilty to making threats against Fauci. The Department of Justice said the man used an encrypted email service threatening to harm or kill Fauci and members of his family.

The Justice Department during the Trump administration approved the security detail for Fauci in March 2020.

You feel like you have to be aware all the time that theres a possible danger, Faucis wife, Dr. Christine Grady, told PBS in March.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo of the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been named as Faucis replacement
A man shot and killed his neighbor because he was trimming trees too close to the property line, according to investigators in Volusia County, Fla.

The Volusia County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a shooting just after 7 p.m. Sunday in a neighborhood in De Leon, Fla.

Deputies learned 42-year-old Brian Ford had been trimming trees over the property line when the neighboring homeowner, 78-year-old Edward Stanley Druzolowski, came outside and fired a shot, striking Ford.

Deputies arriving on the scene attempted life-saving measures, but Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ford was killed in front of his 8-year-old son, investigators said.

Additional investigation determined Druzolowski had confronted Ford about being on his property prior to the shooting. Druzolowski told detectives he had threatened to shoot Ford and when Ford didnt leave, he shot him.

WFTV reported Druzolowski called 911 to report the shooting.

I was pointing a gun at him and trying to get him off my property, Druzolowski said, according to the report. Then he kept walking toward me, really close, so I shot him.

Druzolowski reportedly told investigators he was afraid of Ford because Ford had spent time in prison. Florida Department of Corrections records show Ford was released from state prison in June 2022 after serving two years for assault and other charges.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said none of allowed Druzolowski to shoot Ford.

You just cant walk around shooting people because they step foot on your property, Chitwood told WFTV. Thats why we have the police. You have to be reasonable in your approach.

Chitwood also noted that not only did Fords son watch his father die in front of him, the boy will now be a witness in the case.

Druzolowski was booked Monday on a charge of 2nd-degree murder. He is being held without bond in the Volusia County Branch Jail awaiting an initial court appearance.

If convicted, Druzolowski would face up to life in prison under Florida law.
The Senate is confirming three of the Pentagons top leaders, filling the posts after monthslong delays and as a Republican senator is still holding up hundreds of other nominations and promotions for military officers.

Gen. Randy George was confirmed as Army Chief of Staff on Thursday, and Gen. Eric Smith is expected to be confirmed as commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps by Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Gen. CQ Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, putting him in place to succeed Gen. Mark Milley when he retires at the end of the month.

Democrats are still trying to maneuver around holds placed on more than 300 nominations by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville over the Pentagons abortion policy. Tuberville has been blocking the Senate from the routine process of approving the military nominations in groups, forcing Democrats to bring the nominations up one by one  a process that could take months and delay other priorities.

The Senate usually holds roll call votes to confirm top Pentagon leadership such as Brown, George and Smith. But lower-ranking promotions and nominations are always approved in large groups by unanimous consent, meaning no objections from senators. Tuberville has upended that tradition by objecting, and he has said he will continue to object unless the Pentagon reverses its new policy of paying for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care.

In an effort to force Tubervilles hand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had originally said he would not move any of the nominations, including the top leaders, until Tuberville lifted the holds. But Tuberville has dug in, repeatedly coming to the floor to object to the nominations.

On Wednesday, Schumer reversed course and said the Senate would hold votes on the three military leaders. Senator Tuberville is forcing us to face his obstruction head on, Schumer said.

The blockade has frustrated members on both sides of the aisle, and it is still unclear how the larger standoff will be resolved. Schumer did not say if he would put additional nominations on the floor.

George, nominated by President Joe Biden in April, was confirmed on a 96-1 vote. The current vice chief of the Army, he is also a highly decorated infantry officer, who commanded at all levels and did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been focused on efforts to modernize the Army and revamp recruiting as the service expects to fall short of its enlistment goal this year.

Smith, who was nominated in May, is a highly decorated Marine officer who as the assistant commandant has been involved in the transformation of the force to be better able to fight amphibious wars in the Pacific after years of battling terrorist groups in the Middle East. He is a career infantry officer who has commanded at every level and served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including time in Fallujah and Ramadi during heavy combat in 2004 and 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A host of military officers have spoken out about the damage of the delays for service members at all levels. While Tubervilles holds are focused on all general and flag officers, the delays block opportunities for more junior officers to rise.

Senator Tubervilles continued hold on hundreds of our nations military leaders endangers our national security and military readiness, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday after Brown was confirmed. It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees.
A DeKalb County man was sentenced Wednesday to 220 years in prison for child sex crimes.

Travis Eugene Wolfe, 36, was found guilty in June of two counts of second degree rape; four counts of second degree sodomy; six counts of second degree sexual abuse; enticing a child for sexual acts; sexual extortion, and first-degree sexual abuse.

He was arrested by Fort Payne police in September 2022.

Circuit Judge Shaunathan Bell ordered each of the sentences to run consecutively. Ninth Circuit District Attorney Summer Summerford said Wolfe committed the acts against the same minor victim on multiple occasions.

We are thankful for the maximum sentences passed down in these cases, Summerford said. This should serve as an example and warning to child predators that sexual crimes against children will not be tolerated within our community. Justice was served thanks to the courage and bravery of the victim and her family, as well as the efforts of law enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stanna Guice and Brady Burns.

The Fort Payne Police Department, the DeKalb County Department of Human Resources and the DeKalb County Childrens Advocacy Center assisted in the case.
Pay raises for correctional officers announced in March have helped reverse a trend of declining staff in Alabamas overcrowded prisons, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told lawmakers this week.

The prisons are understaffed, but Hamm said the pay raises have raised the interest of job applicants and are attracting former and retired employees back to the job.

Hamm reported the staff numbers to the Legislatures prison oversight committee on Wednesday.

Recruiting, hiring and retention is the number one issue facing the department, Hamm said.

Under the new pay scale, correctional officer trainees who complete the 10-week academy have a starting salary of no less than about $51,000, about $12,000 to $15,000 more than under the previous plan. The starting pay is higher at medium and maximum security prisons.

A shortage of correctional officers has been a problem for years and is a main factor in lawsuits against the state over inmate health care and violence in prisons, including a lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hamm said the ADOC has 1,693 correctional officers and other security staff personnel and has 727 positions that are funded but vacant, about 30%.

But Hamm said the need exceeds the 2,420 funded positions. He said having enough officers is the key to stopping violence and managing programs needed to help inmates rehabilitate and avoid landing back in prison.

Weve got to be around 2,700 or 3,000 correctional officers to be able to do the things we need to do on the inside, all the programs we need to run because this is the business that we do not want repeat customers, Hamm said. And we need to do everything we can to make that happen.

A report for the quarter that ended June 30 showed the ADOC has 1,744 employees on its security staff, up from 1,705 on March 31. While that is a modest increase, it reversed a negative trend. The ADOC had a net loss of 415 on its security staff during fiscal year 2022 and a net loss of 197 during fiscal year 2021.

Hamm said 60 new hires graduated from the ADOCs 10-week training academy last week. Another class of 75 candidates begins on Oct. 9. The ADOC operates four classes each year.

The 60 we just graduated, that helped tremendously, Hamm said. Hopefully well graduate 75, but realistically well probably graduate 65, 67 next class. Were headed in the right direction.

We have 21,000 people (inmates) that we take care of 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, Hamm said. So there are no off days. So it takes a lot of resources.

Hamm said the agency has 806 active applications for correctional officer trainee and correctional security guard. He said 20 full-time employees who had left the ADOC have been rehired since June 19. And the ADOC is hoping to attract retired state employees with Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training certification. A new law passed this year allows the ADOC to pay certain retirees up to $52,000 a year to work as correctional officers.

The commissioner said the ADOC loses some job candidates because of news about the violence, overcrowding, and poor conditions in Alabamas prisons. But he said there are good opportunities for the right people.

Its a very good time to go to work for the Department of Corrections if youre public safety-minded, if you want to work, because career advancement is probably the best its been in years and years because of those vacancies, Hamm said. If you come in and you do your job, you have great opportunities for advancement.

Hamm said the ADOCs recruiting efforts include plans to staff two new, 4,000-bed prisons for men. A prison under construction in Elmore County is expected to be finished in 2026. The second prison is planned for Escambia County.

Read more: Final price tag on Alabamas new 4,000-bed prison could top $1 billion
The ACLU of Alabama said its observance of 267 parole hearings this summer showed that the low rate of paroles granted in Alabama cannot be fully explained by concern for public safety.

In a report released today, the ACLU of Alabama said the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles rarely granted parole even for inmates placed on work release by the Alabama Department of Corrections. Work release inmates should be good candidates for parole if the ADOC has classified them as safely able to work in the community, the report said.

The ACLUs team observed 74 hearings for work release inmates, and 64 of those, 86%, were denied.

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The Parole Boards decisions arent motivated by concerns for public safety, Alison Mollman, Interim Legal Director at the ACLU of Alabama, said in a press release about the report. Their decisions are retributive, racially disparate, and prevent people who could safely and responsibly reenter society from returning to their families. It is time for the Parole Board to follow the law and their own guidelines. It is time for incarcerated Alabamians to come home.

Overall, the board denied parole for inmates at 248 of the 267 hearings the ACLU team watched, or 93%.

Those numbers follow a downward trend in paroles that started in 2019. The parole grant rate hit a new low last fiscal year, at 10%. In contrast, about half of paroles were granted from 2016 through 2018.

Here is a link to the ACLU of Alabama Parole Watch Report.

The ACLU of Alabama has criticized the parole boards declining parole rate for several years, saying it contributes to problems in Alabamas overcrowded, understaffed prisons, which the Department of Justice alleges holds men in unconstitutional conditions because of the violence.

State officials who have defended the parole board note that about 80% of the inmates in Alabama prisons are classified as violent offenders.

Amanda Priest, communications director for Attorney General Steve Marshall, issued a statement in response to the report.

The Attorney General is grateful to the ACLU for highlighting his work to keep violent offenders behind bars and is proud to stand with crime victims, whose perspective was conspicuously absent from this report, Priest said.

The rate of paroles granted by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles has fallen sharply since 2019. (Chart from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.)

The Parole Board is a three-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature. The chair is Leigh Gwathney, a former Jefferson County prosecutor and assistant attorney general, who was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2019. The other members are Darryl Littleton, a former state trooper and executive security officer for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, who was appointed by Ivey in 2021, and Gabrielle Simmons, who was appointed last month after previously serving as director of board operations.

The board has not yet responded to a request for comments on the report.

In its report, the ACLU of Alabama said its purpose was also to shed some light on how the parole board works, noting that it is a process not well understood by the public.

In Alabama, inmates do not appear at parole hearings. Advocates for the inmate can speak at the hearing. The Alabama attorney generals office and advocates for victims speak in opposition to parole at many of the hearings. The three-board members generally vote and announce their decisions at the conclusion of the hearing.

The ACLU of Alabama report says the attorney generals office or the victim advocacy group VOCAL spoke in opposition to parole at 209 of the 267 hearings it observed. The board turned down parole in 202 of those cases, the report says.

Janette Grantham, state director for VOCAL, issued a statement in response to the report.

VOCAL is the only crime-victims advocacy group in the State of Alabama, Grantham said. We support our victims and their families through every stage of the justice process and work hard to ensure that their voices are heard. Every case, and each victims suffering, must be considered individually. Parole decisions must never be reduced to arbitrary quotas.

Read more: Black men in Alabama prisons less likely to get parole, often serve more years than white prisoners

Alabama has granted parole to less than 8% of eligible prisoners

Alabama lawmaker renews call for new guidelines on whether to grant paroles

Alabama parole rate drops by half since Jimmy Spencer case

Alabamas falling rate of paroles granted sparks call for reform
Authorities are trying to figure out why a well-respected physical education teacher was found shirtless and armed inside his east Alabama high school after having set fire to the building Thursday morning.

Just before 8 a.m. Thursday, Saks High School Principal Seth Taylor was doing his morning rounds when he noticed smoke coming from the gym, said Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade.

When the principal went to investigate, he saw several windows had been broken.

As he was examining the broken windows, Wade said, the door opened behind Taylor and it was longtime P.E. teacher LaGregory Thomas, 38, of Anniston.

Thomas was shirtless and holding a pistol, the sheriff said.

Smoke was coming from behind Thomas where a fire had been set in that room.

The principal could tell by the things he was saying that he wasnt in a good frame of mind or mental status, Wade said.

The principal, I cant speak highly enough of how he handled himself, was able to get the teacher to put the weapon down and get him away from it and notify the SRO, he said.

There was no violent, no threats of violence, Wade said. Its just a weird situation that was very dangerous.

Wade said it appeared Thomas had been in the school for hours before he was discovered by the principal.

There had been no prior incidents with Thomas, or any sign that something was amiss.

This is a long-term teacher and they said he was a good guy, Wade said. The SRO knew him personally and said, Ive never seen him act this way or talk this way. Hes a great guy.

We hate that we even have to tell this story, the sheriff said, but when kids are involved, and this kind of thing happens, its important that the public know about it.

Theres no sign he is a bad person or had bad intent, he said. But even though he might not have had bad intent, its still a dangerous situation for the school to be put in.

Wade said they were obtaining search warrants as part of the probe, including for Thomass house and to be able to take a blood sample from him.

Hes definitely not in his right mind, he said. His mental status is not what is what it has been in the past. Things he is saying and doing seem to point toward his mental health. Why? We dont know, but were going to try to find out.

Thomas was undergoing booking Thursday afternoon at the Calhoun County Jail on charges of second-degree arson and third-degree criminal mischief. He will be taken to a hospital at some point.

Its just as important to us to find out why, Wade said. Its not as simple as, You started a fire, were going to take you to jail.

Our goal, he said, is to protect those kids as best we can.

Updated Sept. 22 at 2:45 p.m. to add that Thomas was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief.
A climate misinformation study ranked X, formerly Twitter, as the lowest among other social media that commit to mitigating the spread of climate misinformation on its platform.

Read Also: H&M Charges Customers for Online Returns, Seeks to Reduce Emissions

X Lacks Policies for Addressing Climate Misinformation

Climate change misinformation continues to thrive on social media. Big tech companies are evidently struggling on moderating content about climate change denial. For instance, X is reported to be "lacking clear policies that addresses climate misinformation." The company has also no substantive public transparency mechanism.

On the other hand, YouTube, Meta, and TikTok have committed to address the climate misinformation, however, independent researchers found that implementation is still lacking for these companies. Meanwhile, Pinterest was ranked the highest and is proven to mitigate the spread of such misinformation.

Out of the 21 points, Pinterest got 12 points, TikTok with nine points, Meta (for Facebook and Instagram) got eight points, YouTube with six points, and X with one point. However, most of these platforms were proven to have little to no policies that tackles greenwashing.

X's Climate Misinformation Bans

In 2019, X assured that the platform will no longer accept political ads, including those from climate denial groups. Meanwhile, the company also announced last year that they will ban any ads that denies the scientific consensus on climate change.

"In the case of X/Twitter, Elon Musk's acquisition of the company has created uncertainty about which policies are still standing and which are not," researchers wrote.

The Climate Action Against Disinformation Coalition is now calling the big tech companies to produce a transparent company plan that focuses on stopping the spread of climate disinformation, greenwashing, hate speech, and any content that can jeopardize public health and security.

Related Article: Almost Half of Environmental Twitter Left X After Musk's Acquisition
Charity Hodge had mixed feelings when she spotted a Facebook post announcing that her longtime primary care doctor was ready to retire after decades of serving their rural community.

I was like, Oh my gosh, no! Hodge recalled while sitting in an exam room on a July afternoon, waiting to see the physician, Terry Vester. Well, Im happy for the retirement part, but thats my favorite doctor, so Im crying on the inside.

Hodge, a 29-year-old customer service representative, has been seeing Vester for nine years. She had come to check in on her diabetes management and to ask for anti-nausea medication in preparation for a cruise.

LaFayette  pronounced luh-FAY-it by most residents  and surrounding Chambers County face high rates of disease and chronic illness. Yet Terry Vester and her husband, Al, are the only primary care doctors in the town of 2,700 residents, surrounded by farms and other small communities.

The Vesters are in their late 60s and would like to retire soon. Terry Vester wants to spend more time with her grandson and aging parents. But she cant imagine abandoning her patients, some of whom she has cared for since they were born.

There are people here that still need in-town doctors, said Vester, who sometimes visits patients in their homes. So we want to stay here to take care of them until someone else is here to take care of them.

Terry Vesters worry  leaving her town with no doctors  is already reality across much of rural America, where many residents have health problems but few health care professionals to turn to.

LaFayette, in east-central Alabama near the border with Georgia, is a 30-minute drive to the nearest sizable city, the college town of Auburn. Its lush, wooded neighborhoods include elegant, restored homes with wraparound porches and massive lawns. But the town also has formerly grand houses that have fallen into disrepair, plus mobile homes and public housing.

The towns median household income is much lower than the states and countrys. Black residents  who make up 70% of the population  are much more likely to live in poverty than white residents. They are also more likely to attend the public high school, whose student body is 90% Black and which is scheduled to close and consolidate with a majority-white school in another community.

The Vesters have worked in LaFayette since the early 1980s and saw the local hospital close in 1988. The nearest emergency room is now in another town 20 minutes away along a rolling road. So are the nearest urgent care clinic and pediatricians office.

To fill that void, residents turn to the one place in LaFayette where medical professionals are always on the clock: the city fire department, staffed with full-time firefighters and emergency medics.

Fire Chief Jim Doody worked for 13 years as the fire chief at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. He arrived in LaFayette in 2020, just as the county was about to be hit by one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in Alabama.

Doody said most of the stations ambulance runs are for nonemergency situations. Other calls involve urgent issues that could have been headed off if patients had better access to preventive care.

People from LaFayette regularly walk or drive themselves to the fire station to ask for help, Doody said. The station has a makeshift exam area within its small entryway, containing a bench, defibrillator machine, and cabinet filled with medical supplies.

Firefighter Tanner Hill said people often arrive with concerns about fatigue, blood sugar levels, breathing difficulties, or heart trouble. He recalled helping a man who walked into the station after getting hit by a car.

He was just like, Hey, I just got run over. And I was like, Oh, OK, well, let me check you out. And sure enough, he got run over, Hill said.

Hill determined the mans leg was broken and sent him by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

This de facto walk-in clinic option isnt available in most other rural areas, where emergency medical services are often run by volunteers who arent posted at a station all day, Doody said. But hes noticed fewer LaFayette residents relying on the fire department since a new telehealth service arrived in town.

Rickey Whitlow was recently driving in LaFayette when he saw a sign touting the new option.

The 61-year-old was intrigued. He parked his car and walked into a new health center that also houses an OnMed Care Station, a large booth stocked with a video screen and high-tech health monitoring equipment.

Whitlow was scheduled for his monthly diabetes checkup with physician Al Vester in a few weeks. But his feet felt like they were burning, and he needed relief now.

Whitlow stepped into the telehealth kiosk, pressed a button, and saw a nurse practitioner appear on a large vertical video screen positioned at eye level. After consulting with the provider, he left the free appointment with a prescription for a cream to relieve his foot pain.

OnMed patients use an automated blood pressure cuff and other devices to collect their vital signs, and the data is sent to the provider treating them from a distance. Patients can also hold a stethoscope to their chest to transmit the sounds of their heart and lungs. A special camera captures internal temperatures, which can be used to diagnose infections. A hand-held camera lets providers examine problems such as rashes, irritated eyes, and swollen throats. In some states, the stations can dispense medications.

OnMed, a Florida-based company, has another kiosk in rural Texas and hopes to open several dozen more in various states next year. The company wants to keep its services free for patients, with funding from universities, health systems, nonprofits, and insurance companies.

The kiosks can stay open on evenings and weekends and are much cheaper to operate than brick-and-mortar doctors offices, said CEO Tom Vanderheyden. They also make telehealth available to rural residents whose home internet connections are too weak for video appointments.

LaFayettes OnMed kiosk is part of a new health center inside a building that has seen several medical facilities come and go.

The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center is operated by Auburn University, whose students and faculty travel there to host vaccination and diagnostic clinics, such as speech and hearing exams. They also offer health education events on topics such as healthy eating and maternal health.

The university plans to bring similar centers and OnMed kiosks to other rural Alabama towns.

Vester, the longtime primary care physician, is excited about the new health care resources in LaFayette. But she said its still important to have doctors in town.

You know everyone, or you have a connection with someone, Vester said.

Vesters statement rang true during recent appointments as she asked about her patients lives and relatives.

Deep breath, Vester instructed as she placed a stethoscope on Hodges chest. Are you still at home with your mother? Is she doing good?

Yes, shes doing very well, Hodge said.

Earlier that day, Vester treated a patient who had throat pain and difficultly speaking after surviving a choking incident. During the appointment, the patient mentioned an upcoming funeral.

Vester knew about the funeral. It was for a woman she once treated.

I see her daughters and then their children, and they have children  so thats four generations right there, Vester said. And so, you sort of know the whole story, you know the context.

Vester plans to reach out to Alabama medical schools to let them know shes looking for doctors to take over for her and her husband. But she said not everyone wants to live in rural areas like LaFayette.

The doctor hopes some of the Auburn students will want to serve in LaFayette after seeing what its like working at the new health center. She said its nice to live in a small, quiet town thats relatively close to larger cities, and to run an independent clinic rather than work for a larger health system.

Vester said the charm of LaFayette and its residents is also a selling point.

All they have to do is pretty much come here and spend a day and go through what we do, and I think they would enjoy it, she said.

___

(KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.)

2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Former students at the University of Phoenix may be eligible for part of $37 million in student loan forgiveness.

The debt cancellation covers more than 1,200 borrowers who were deceived, by the for-profit university, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

These borrowers were cheated into believing that by attending the University of Phoenix they would have promising career prospects at Fortune 500 companies  yet those benefits and opportunities never existed, Biden said.

READ MORE: Social security would be exempt from garnishment for student loans under new bill

Forgiveness covers borrowers who enrolled in University of Phoenix between Sept. 21, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2014 and applied for a borrower defense loan discharge, which provides full discharge of federal loans for schools that engaged in misconduct. Borrowers will receive emails from the Department of Education in early October and no further action will be required for those students to receive refunds on any loan amounts paid.

In a statement, the department said it found a national ad campaign from Phoenix misled prospective students by 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. In fact, Phoenixs corporate partnerships provided no such benefits to students.

Students who have not filed for borrower defense loan discharge must complete an application on the Federal Student Aid website.

In its own statement, the University of Phoenix said it disagreed with the allegations raised by the department and pointed out they 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, the university said in a statement. With respect the Borrower Defense to Repayment claims, 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.
Weight loss drug maker Eli Lilly has filed suit against 10 medical spas, wellness clinics and compounding pharmacies over claims they are selling unauthorized versions of the diabetes drug Mounjaro.

Lawsuits have been filed in federal courts in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and Utah, CNBC reported. In the suit, Eli Lilly alleges the businesses are selling compounded drug products that claim to contain tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro.

The medicine is currently in short supply due to skyrocketing demand for its off-label use as a weight loss drug.

READ MORE: FDA issues warning about another weight loss product

Lilly filed this lawsuit to protect patients, the drug maker said in a statement. Lilly cannot validate the safety or effectiveness of products claiming to contain tirzepatide that are not our own branded product. Because of this, Lilly filed lawsuits to protect patient safety and stop the unlawful marketing and sale of non-FDA approved compounded products fraudulently claiming to be Mounjaro (tirzepatide) by medical spas, wellness centers and compounding pharmacies.

These entities should be stopped from providing drug products in violation of consumer protection laws, particularly where they promise their patients that their drugs offer the same safety profile and clinical benefits as Mounjaro, the company added.

The suit alleges trademark violations, false advertising and unfair competition.

Mounjaro, available in a pre-filled single dose pen, is currently only approved for type 2 diabetes.
Its been one year since a 66-year-old man was found shot dead on the front porch of a Birmingham home, and no arrests have been made.

Curtis Alvin Ware was found slain in Inglenook just before 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022.

It wasnt immediately clear when the deadly shooting happened, but Officer Truman Fitzgerald said investigators discovered that someone had fired multiple shots into the residence.

Ware was pronounced dead on the scene.

A man was found slain on the front porch of an Inglenook house on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (Carol Robinson)

A friend said Ware had lived in the neighborhood for a long time. The house where he was found was not his home, but a popular hangout spot.

His friend said he last saw him alive at 9 p.m. the night before.

Investigators at the time said they believed Ware was targeted.

To this day, Fitzgerald said, no one is in custody.

Birmingham police are asking for help from the public.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Anniston High School canceled its homecoming parade and pep rally scheduled for Thursday night after a girl was injured in a shootout that erupted Tuesday after several female students got into fights near a community center.

In a social media post Thursday, the school did not provide any details on the incident, only saying homecoming was canceled [d]ue to recent events involving shootings in the community.

We are cooperating fully with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation, the school said. Please remember, our first priority is the safety of all students and staff.

Anniston Police Chief Nick Bowles told AL.com a group of girls from the high school was at South Highland Community Center on Tuesday night when multiple fights broke out between the girls.

As the fights subsided, someone brandished a gun and started firing at a vehicle parked in the roadway.

At least two other people brandished firearms at an intersection near the community center and returned fire at the first person who fired shots.

A girl who was a passenger in the vehicle at the intersection was hit in the back by gunfire, the chief said.

The girl suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital, Bowles said.

Bowles said police have identified suspects but no arrests have been made as of late Thursday afternoon.
Four people were injured, including a Montgomery police officer and a 2-year-old child, when a suspect led Montgomery and state police on a chase through the city Wednesday after refusing to stop for a tag violation, authorities said.

A state trooper tried to stop a gray Dodge Charger on Narrow Lane Road near Audubon Road around 2:05 p.m. Wednesday as part of a joint operation with Montgomery police, said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The driver, later identified as 35-year-old Montgomery resident Richard Moore, refused to stop for the trooper, prompting a pursuit, said Burkett.

As the pursuit continued to East Third Street, the Charger struck a Montgomery police vehicle driven by Police Officer DAnthony Green, who was responding to help the trooper, according to Burkett.

Green was immediately taken into custody while Green was taken to Jackson Hospital for treatment.

Two women who were passengers in the Charger were taken to Baptist Medical South, while a 2-year-old child who was also in the vehicle was taken to a local hospital.

Moore is facing several charges, including felony attempting to elude, first-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

The investigation was ongoing as of Wednesday evening.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved Gen. Eric Smith to lead the Marines, the chambers third confirmation vote since Sen. Tommy Tuberville put a hold on military promotions in February.

The Alabama senator had blocked the nominations of military leaders that need Senate approve over his contention that new Defense Department policies reimbursing travel for service members who seek abortions in areas where the procedure is outlawed is illegal.

Smiths confirmation as commandant of the Marines sailed through the Senate by a vote of 96-0.

He is the third military leader to be confirmed since Wednesday, when Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown was approved as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Randy George was confirmed as Army chief of staff earlier Thursday.

Democrats are still trying to maneuver around holds placed on more than 300 nominations by Tuberville. Tuberville has been blocking the Senate from the routine process of approving the military nominations in groups, forcing Democrats to bring the nominations up one by one  a process that could take months and delay other priorities.

The Senate usually holds roll call votes to confirm top Pentagon leadership such as Brown, George and Smith. But lower-ranking promotions and nominations are always approved in large groups by unanimous consent, meaning no objections from senators. Tuberville has upended that tradition by objecting, and he has said he will continue to object unless the Pentagon reverses its new policy of paying for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care.

In an effort to force Tubervilles hand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had originally said he would not move any of the nominations, including the top leaders, until Tuberville lifted the holds. But Tuberville has dug in, repeatedly coming to the floor to object to the nominations.

On Wednesday, Schumer reversed course and said the Senate would hold votes on the three military leaders. Senator Tuberville is forcing us to face his obstruction head on, Schumer said.

The blockade has frustrated members on both sides of the aisle, and it is still unclear how the larger standoff will be resolved. Schumer did not say if he would put additional nominations on the floor.

George, nominated by President Joe Biden in April, was confirmed on a 96-1 vote. The current vice chief of the Army, he is also a highly decorated infantry officer, who commanded at all levels and did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been focused on efforts to modernize the Army and revamp recruiting as the service expects to fall short of its enlistment goal this year.

Smith, who was nominated in May, is a highly decorated Marine officer who as the assistant commandant has been involved in the transformation of the force to be better able to fight amphibious wars in the Pacific after years of battling terrorist groups in the Middle East. He is a career infantry officer who has commanded at every level and served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including time in Fallujah and Ramadi during heavy combat in 2004 and 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A host of military officers have spoken out about the damage of the delays for service members at all levels. While Tubervilles holds are focused on all general and flag officers, the delays block opportunities for more junior officers to rise.

Senator Tubervilles continued hold on hundreds of our nations military leaders endangers our national security and military readiness, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday after Brown was confirmed. It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For the first time since Sen. Tommy Tuberville. R-A.L., blocked military nominations over Defense Department abortion policies in February, the U.S. Senate confirmed a military appointment on Wednesday, approving Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Brown was confirmed by a vote of 83-11. He replaces Gen. Mark Milley, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Tuberville was among the 11 no votes, while Katie Britt, Alabamas Republican junior senator, was a yes vote.

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The confirmation came hours after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., scheduled a procedural vote to move Browns nomination forward along with those of Marine Commandant nominee Gen. Eric M. Smith and Randy George, nominated to be Army chief of staff.

Earlier in the day, Tuberville moved to force a vote on Smiths nomination, in response to Democratic criticism of the hold that the blockade is harming military readiness. Schumers scheduling of the votes on the three nominees rendered Tubervilles action moot.

The procedural vote passed, 89-8.

Let's go.



It's time to vote. pic.twitter.com/xgDYFJt7No  Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) September 20, 2023

Tuberville has blocked more than 300 military nominations since January over Defense Department policies on abortion, including reimbursing service members who live in areas where abortion is illegal and need to travel to undergo the procedure.

Browns nomination does not signal an end to the months-long stalling, according to Tuberville.

To be clear, my hold remains in place, the senator said Wednesday afternoon.

Rep. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on today's military nominations and his reason for placing a hold on all Defense Department nominees: "My hold is still in place. The hold will remain in place as long as the Pentagon's illegal abortion policy remains in place." pic.twitter.com/yC6siDAodQ  CSPAN (@cspan) September 20, 2023

Tuberville, who has said his hold does not prevent Schumer from scheduling votes, said he could move to attempt to hold the same procedural votes for other military nominees.

Democrats earlier claimed voting on the nominations individually would be lengthy. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., claimed in July it would take 27 days with the Senate working around the clock or 84 days if the Senate worked eight hours a day to get through all the nominations.

Alabamas senior senator has fought with the White House and top Senate Democrats over the holds, with President Joe Biden attacking Tuberville on multiple occasions, claiming the move harms the military and their families and is irresponsible.

But Tuberville claimed the hold is within his rights and that the Defense Departments policies are illegal, arguing that only Congress could put the policies in place.

In explaining her vote to confirm Brown, Britt noted he was nominated by then-President Trump as chief of staff of the Air Force in 2020 and his confirmation in the Senate was unanimous.

General Brown is a five-time graduate of educational programs at Montgomerys own Maxwell Air Force Base. ... In Alabama, we know that our military is important to Alabama  and that Alabama is important to our military, she said.

I look forward to continuing that synergy and mutually beneficial partnership, so our warfighters remain the best equipped, resourced, and trained in the world, Britt continued. As General Brown begins his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I will remain a voice for our military achieving peace through strength by focusing on readiness  not partisan political ideology.

Updated at 7:41 p.m. to correct that Brown is not the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
OpenAI is hit with lawsuit after lawsuit. The company just had its lawsuit regarding privacy concerns dismissed, and it already faced more legal actions prior. The latest lawsuit once again accuses OpenAI of copyright infringement, with prominent authors as the plaintiffs.

Another Day, Another Lawsuit

AI companies require lots of data to train their AI large language models (LLM). However, the issue does not lie with how much content they need but where they get it from. A lot of individuals have come forward claiming that OpenAI used their copyrighted works without permission.

The latest lawsuit that the AI giant is facing comes from well-known authors with work you might recognize. The plaintiffs include The Authors Guild as well as 17 other authors including George R.R. Martin known for "Game of Thrones," Jonathan Franzen, John Grisham, and Jodi Picoult.

OpenAI has been accused of using the mentioned authors's copyrighted materials "without permission or consideration," which are then used to train the company's LLMs, as reported by The Verge. The group aims to turn the lawsuit into a class action suit.

The complaint states that the authors' livelihood "derive from the works they create" but OpenAI's LLMs "endanger fiction writers' ability to make a living in that the LLMs allow anyone to generate," given that they can do it for free or a much cheaper price.

Adding to the complaint, the authors also expressed that the trained chatbot could generate derivative work that will be based on, mimic, summarize, or paraphrase their books. This in turn could affect the market negatively for the authors.

The plaintiffs suggested that the AI model could train using content from the public domain, instead of using the copyrighted materials they or other writers created without paying a licensing fee. Sadly, this had been the case for other AI companies as well.

Read Also: Meta is Being Sued for Its LLaMa AI Software Training with Copyrighted Materials

Accusations of Data Scraping

The ChatGPT maker has been allegedly stealing people's data from the internet to train its AI models. The class action suit filed back in late June claims that OpenAI takes personal data, including "essentially every piece of data exchanged on the internet it could take."

In the 160-page complaint, it stated that the AI company seized the data without notice, consent, or compensation, and has done so on an "unprecedented scale." Even Microsoft was pulled into the lawsuit as a defendant, as reported by CNN.

A partner at the Clarkson law firm, Timothy K. Giordano says that by "collecting previously obscure personal data of millions and misappropriating it to develop a volatile, untested technology, OpenAI put everyone in a zone of risk."

As for how far "unprecedented" is, the lawsuit states that OpenAI products use "stolen private information, including personally identifiable information, from hundreds of millions of internet users, including children of all ages, without their informed consent or knowledge."

This has been an ongoing issue in different fields, not just written content. A lot of artists have also come forward stating that AI companies are using their artwork to train AI image generators, even though the works are under copyright protection.

Related: OpenAI's Web Crawler Has Been Blocked by The New York Times










English News China, ASEAN join forces to build an ever closer community with shared future

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 19 Septembre 2023



"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.

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.



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.



"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.



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.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Finance Ministers' Meeting Seeks $30 Billion Boost for Water and Sanitation AI Beauty Ranking: The Most Attractive U.S. Presidential Candidates for 2024 Chinese enterprises show strong vitality in innovation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Outside Magazine has just chimed in on the supposed happiest places to live. Their focus on inclusivity pays homage to LGBTQ activities and civility, but excludes conservative groups who are subject to discrimination. Even though its easy to dismiss these qualitative rankings that actually lack quality, its worth countering their assault upon the conservative happiness quotient.

Subjective happiness rankings are always suspicious, especially when relying on qualitative analysis of online forum posts, which Outside Magazine does. I really sensed something was askew when they ranked Wilmington, Delaware, as highly happy. Thats where the village idiot Joe Biden maintains a residence, and spends a lot of time going to bed.

Predictably, Outside Magazines preposterous methodology obsesses with inclusivity, admitting we looked at the level of inclusivity demonstrated to people of color and LGBTQ+ residents, based on the Municipal Equality Index score from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and a qualitative analysis of residents posts on online forums.

Their biased filtering, and reliance on unreliable online forums, disproportionately favors LGBTQ sensibilities. In fact, LGBTQ affirmation and outreach are mentioned in the justifying narrative for several of the happiest places, even though they are not the happiest bunch of folks.

However, nowhere in their Equality Index hogwash is inclusivity demonstrated to Faith and Flag Conservatives, even though they face discrimination. In fact, Old Glory is being torn down, if not desecrated, all over liberal enclaves, and those humble souls with Godly faith are often trampled upon.

And dont dare wear a MAGA hat outside in some of those Outside places. Their contrived inclusivity is intolerant of them, and of those who dare to back the blue. But the mislabeled deplorables suffer discrimination and leftist attacks. Even patriotic veterans who actually did something for America are disrespected, contrasted to the liberals who are always on the take. Instead of sanctuaries for illegal aliens, they deserve to be included for a truly representative Equality Index score.

While the increase in their numbers is accelerating amongst the snowflake cohort, LGBTQ people only represent about 7% of the population (probably overreported). By contrast, Flag and Faith Conservatives still represent over 10% (probably underreported). Since the latter are subjected to systemic discrimination, they should be identified in the inclusiveness methodology.

I suspect the biased editors at Outside did not qualitatively review the online forums mentioning all the affronts that Flag and Faith Conservatives suffer, so heres a very brief reminder, with original headlines, of their inquisition and persecution:

The term happy liberal may be an oxymoron. While leftists flounder in angst and wallow in neurotic victimhood, it is conservative values that tend to lead toward lasting happiness. Therefore, one would anticipate a quality ranking system to include more rural, conservative communities (though Im glad they are not attracting attention to those desperately fleeing dystopian Blue states). It seems the leftist concoction of inclusivity willfully omits the happy people with a sense of civic purpose.

I suspect that Wilmington, Delaware, among other places Outside mischaracterizes as happy, is not as welcoming to God-fearing, flag-waving, police-supporting, America-First conservatives. If they were, the places on their absurd list, like New Orleans, would not have such high crime rates. Neither would they have endured violent riots, nor anarchists desecrating historical statues and disobeying local statutes.

None of that is truly inclusive, but Minneapolis, which Outside incongruously assigns the highest Municipal Equality Index Score of 100, deserves special attention.

It truly beggars belief, considering the University of Minnesota (their Twin Cities campus stretches more than 1,150 acres in Minneapolis and St. Paul) promoted a summer research program with paid internships that was restricted to non-white applicants. Since about 60% of Minnesota residents are white, that alone should earn them an Equality Index score of about zero. Nada! Illegal aliens welcome, however.

Under the guise of DEI, the happy places are where ones spirit DIEs in leftist orthodoxy. After all, anti-American George Soros doesnt seem a happy chappy; actually, the proponent of the Equality Index is the spitting image of some tormented gargoyles.

Not only does he undermine law and order in America by supporting leftist prosecutors, he also supports the Human Rights Campaign that promulgates the Equality Index that the ludicrous Outside rankings relies heavily upon.

I suspect that America would be a happier, less divisive place if the gnarly old curmudgeon would go to his own happy place (preferably Hungary, where hes from) and leave Americans to celebrate their birthright of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Image: Outside magazine
On September 12 we learned of highly credible whistleblower testimony from a senior CIA employee to staff of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that the CIA offered significant monetary incentives (translation: generous bribes) to the six out of its seven COVID-19 analysts supporting the lab-leak hypothesis to switch to the zoonotic hypothesis. Whether any accepted is unknown. Exactly when this offer was made is unclear, but given the House committees want to interview Andrew Makridis, who was CIA COO from 2018 until his retirement at the end of 2022, it could have been any time from the start of the pandemic until the end of 2022.

Science covered the story, and while it was a bit careless with its wording (bribed instead of offered bribes, received a significant monetary incentive instead of were offered a significant monetary incentive), it surprisingly quotes for the story evolutionary biologist Kristian Andersen of Scripps Research and virologist Robert Garry of Tulane University without additional background (unless you click on a link, which most dont do). Youll recall that that these two originally supported the lab-leak hypothesis (look engineered, inconsistent with expectations of evolutionary theory, I just cant figure out how this gets accomplished in nature), and right after Anthony Faucis emergency February 1, 2020 hush-hush call in which they participated, instantly changed their minds to support the zoonotic hypothesis. Both were authors of the controversial, speedily-produced, and now one of the most accessed (nearing 6 million downloads) science papers in history, the The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2, appearing on March 17, 2020 in Nature Medicine, in which they claimed, It is improbable that SARS-CoV-2 emerged through laboratory manipulation of a related SARS-CoV-like coronavirus. (The paper also downplays the possibility that the virus could have come from selection during repeated passage, e.g., through mice in the lab.) Both Andersen and Garry had received substantial grant money from Faucis NIAID before authoring that paper, and Andersen received a huge NIAID grant seven months later to establish one of the Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID). While it appears from the Science article that these scientists legitimately conferred with CIA analysts for a few years on COVID-19 origins, not mentioning their flip-flop and the circumstances behind it, even while quoting Andersen as saying that the whistleblower testimony obviously is bullshit, is shocking.

At a White House press briefing on April 17, 2020, in response to a question about the possibility of a lab leak, Fauci rejected the premise by referring to the above paper written by a group of highly qualified evolutionary scientists. You could say Fauci engineered the paper he self-referenced.

The big question, though, is why the CIA made the offer to its analysts. Maybe it was covering for Fauci or Obama for illegally sponsoring gain-of-function research. Maybe CIA leaders are aligned with the goals of the World Economic Forum to control us and need to hide CIA involvement. I have seen a conservative writer speculate it was so Joe Biden would win the election, but it is unclear to me how that follows.

Perhaps the best explanation of all comes from Ashley Rindsberg writing at Tablet:

So why would the CIA want to hide evidence that the virus might have come from a Chinese government laboratory? The answer may have to do with the fact that funding for the infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology came from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) -- which is relevant because USAID, while nominally Americas foreign aid agency, has decadeslong ties to the CIA and a history of acting as a cutout for the intelligence agency.

And you thought EcoHealth Alliance headed by Peter Daszak was the only cutout.

agencies including the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (formerly led by Fauci), as well as USAID, funneled millions of taxpayer dollars through an otherwise obscure New York NGO called EcoHealth Alliance to virus research programs. USAID gave $64.7 million to EcoHealth Alliance. At least $1.1 million of the USAID money went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which studies coronaviruses.

She goes on to say:

Contrary to the popular depiction of Fauci as an altruistic public health official, he was in fact deeply embedded in the U.S. military establishment through his role as the first head of U.S. biodefense, which made intelligence gathering essential to his work. Unlike nuclear weapons development advanced virus research provides little to no differentiation between the results of scientific experimentation and what essentially amounts to a bioweapon.

Then this:

Proponents of this type of research often point out that respiratory viruses make ineffective weapons since they infect your enemys population as well as your own. But this is not entirely true. The possession of an effective vaccine by one side prior to the release of a deadly virus transforms the pathogen from a common scourge into a strategic weapon. And this is, of course, why vaccines are of primary importance to Americas national security apparatus; without them the nation is susceptible to an attack that not only destroys the bodies of those it targets but, as weve seen, disrupts global trade and tears through the social fabric. It presents the potential for exactly the kind of superweapon that Dick Cheney panicked over in the early 2000s when he anointed Fauci, then just one among 27 directors of NIH institutes and centers, as head of American biodefense. (Its also why, despite his penchant for prevarication, a taste for the limelight, and a deft hand at obfuscation, its hard to deny that Faucis intention was to serve his government and country.) Whatever the exact mechanism, it is clear that the United States government had an interest in pursuing this research. So perhaps its understandable that senior officials at the CIA, who would have known that they were risking a major scandal by obscuring evidence that tied the pandemic to a lab connected to the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, would have decided the risk was worth it. On the other hand, it is inconceivable that U.S. government and intelligence agencies, which had been involved in research carried out in those labs for so long, would allow the fact to become common knowledge in the midst of an unfolding pandemic.

Get it? We had it all wrong all along. Fauci was a patriot doing his part. Peter Daszak was a patriot doing his part (and now it makes sense why he organized the letter signed by 27 scientists and published on February 19, 2020 in the Lancet stating the lab-leak hypothesis was a conspiracy theory, and also why he got a plush new NIAID CREID grant instead of going to jail). And most patriotic of all was the CIA, creating a bioweapon to enhance our national security while simultaneously protecting U.S. citizens with vaccines almost ready to go. Oops, the virus leaked out of the Wuhan lab, many died or suffered lockdown effects, and we patsies were forced to take the vaccines that didnt quite live up to their safe and effective billing. But just remember, you did your part. Thank you for your service.

W.A. Eliot is a pseudonym

Image: CIA
Teachers union boss Randi Weingarten has taken a troubling stance that has left many parents and supporters of school choice and parental rights initiatives feeling alienated and insulted. Weingarten's recent comparison of these advocates to segregationists is not only divisive but also a grave mischaracterization of the very parents who are striving to be more involved in their children's education.

Weingarten's likening of the rhetoric of parental rights advocates to that of segregationists is a deeply flawed and misguided attempt to delegitimize their cause. Using race as a weapon to shame those who seek to empower parents is not only disingenuous but also a troubling trend in today's political discourse. Weingarten's choice to invoke the specter of segregation is a deliberate attempt to silence opposing viewpoints and shut down legitimate debates about the future of education.

At its core, the issue at hand is not about race but about the fundamental rights of parents to have a voice in their children's education. Randi Weingarten, as the leader of a prominent teachers union, has made it her mission to deny parents this crucial voice. Even more concerning is her consistent effort to subvert educational standards, effectively fueling an era of low expectations for our children.

Every year, millions of parents entrust their children's educational well-being to a system that should prioritize their input and concerns. Instead, they find themselves belittled and voiceless in the face of a union boss who claims to care about parents but consistently works to destroy local control of education. This isn't just about policy differences; it's about the very essence of democracy and the role of parents in shaping the futures of their children.

In an ideal world, teachers and parents should work hand in hand to ensure the well-being of future generations. However, the trust that parents have in the educational system is eroding, thanks to the likes of Randi Weingarten. She professes to have the best interests of millions of parents at heart, but her actions tell a different story. She continually attempts to undermine local control of education, leaving parents feeling marginalized and excluded from the very system that should serve their children's needs.

What parents want is an educational system that prepares their children for the challenges of the future. They want an educational landscape that values their input and partnerships with teachers. Instead, they are being used as pawns in our current political battles, with their children's futures hanging in the balance.

Parents are not looking to disrupt the educational system but rather to have a seat at the table, to be there for their children in their educational journey. However, at every turn, they face roadblocks and resistance from those who should be their allies. The system is increasingly stacked against parental involvement, and this is detrimental to the education of our children.

Furthermore, Randi Weingarten's divisive rhetoric has not gone unnoticed. Prominent figures like presidential candidate Tim Scott have called her out, noting the damage she is doing to children living in distressed communities. Scott stated, "There might not be anyone that's done more damage recently than Randi Weingarten to the kids living in distressed communities, especially like the ones where I grew up It's so frustrating to hear these liberal lies, hearkening back to a day that no longer exists."

Tim Scott's words resonate deeply with many who have witnessed the consequences of Randi Weingarten's actions firsthand. In the face of pressing challenges in underserved communities, it is disheartening to see the focus diverted from the urgent need for educational reform to a rhetoric that looks back to a painful past. Weingarten's tactics do a disservice to the children she claims to serve and only hinder the progress we desperately need in education.

It is high time that Randi Weingarten be held accountable for her words and actions. Parents and supporters of school choice and parental rights initiatives deserve better than being unfairly targeted and accused of promoting segregationist rhetoric. They are advocates for a more inclusive and responsive educational system, one that empowers parents and respects their vital role in their children's education.

In conclusion, the battle for parental rights and a more responsive educational system is not a divisive or harmful endeavor. It is a call for greater cooperation between teachers and parents, a demand for a system that values the input of those who know their children best. Randi Weingarten's divisive rhetoric and attempts to undermine local control of education are counterproductive and damaging to the very children she claims to care about. It's time to put aside such rhetoric and work together to create a better educational future for our children -- one that respects the rights and voices of parents.

Image: CEMillerPhotography
It has been creditably alleged that China is facilitating, if not masterminding, the opioid crisis in America. If so, the Maoists probably feel it justified as a case of historical tit for tat. In the 1800s China suffered through an opioid crisis of their own, exacerbated by the opium wars with Britain. Simply put, opium addiction was ravaging Chinese society, and the British Empire fought two wars to keep it that way.

For most of history China was the place to be. Up until the Renaissance, Europe was a stagnant backwater, fragmented and culturally stunted. The literary and technical heritage of the Greeks and Romans languished, locked away in scattered monasteries, safe but near-forgotten. China and the Islamic world were cultural and scientific utopias in comparison. In fact, the prosperity of the Middle East depended in large part on marketing the luxury goods of China (silk, tea, fine porcelain) to the West.

This situation carried on for so long that it may have baked a certain degree of arrogance and isolationism into the Chinese character. If so, it was, at the time, entirely warranted. China had much more to offer to the world than we had to offer in return. Why bother to engage with foreign devils when youve already got the best stuff right there at home? Over centuries, this imbalance resulted in a concentration of gold and silver within the borders of China, and a shortage everywhere else. Because gold and silver were the only things the rest of the world had which China wanted from them. All well and good if youre Chinese, but ruinous if youre not. Desperate for something other than precious metals that the Chinese would accept in trade, the British finally hit upon an answer: opium.

Opium changed everything. Finally, here was a trade good the West could sell to China. The British grew opium in India and traded it for tea, silk, and porcelain in China. Unfortunately, opium slowly started to destroy Chinese society. Tea, and coffee, have the effect of stimulating thinking and discourse. Opium addiction brings slumber and apathy. After a while, the Chinese authorities recognized the dangers and aggressively resisted the opium trade.

Irony loves to paint on the canvas of history. Items commonplace in China (silks, tea, printing, and gunpowder for fireworks) precipitated entirely different outcomes in Europe. Political fragmentation in Europe ensured that gunpowder was rapidly exploited as a wonderful new way to murder fellow Europeans and kickstart a technological arms race. The printing press allowed contagious spread of new ideas. The lure of enormous profits from eastern tea and spices incentivized the exploration of sea trade routes to bypass those Middle-Eastern middlemen. Columbus sailed west hoping to reach India and China and hit America instead, encouraging more sailing on across the Pacific Ocean. Bigger, faster, better ships were needed, carrying cannon to deal with pirates, and the ships of other European competitors.

When China sought to stop the opium trade, the British Empire intervened militarily to keep it going. Arguably, that western military superiority was a direct result of forcing Europeans to develop ways to come to China and get the trade goods they sought. Is that blaming the victim? Perhaps. Were the opium wars justified? No. But the past is a different place. The people who lived then had other priorities. We have the benefit of viewing the consequences of actions taken then, in the context of whats happened since. Its up to us to learn from past mistakes, assuming we can.

The opium wars made it impossible for China to ignore that they were no longer the center of things. There followed what the Chinese call the hundred years of humiliation. Did western greed cause this? Yes. But you might as well blame the fall of the Western Roman Empire solely on the barbarians, and the fall of Byzantium on the Moslems. The Visigoths did sack Rome in 410, and the Ottoman Turks took Constantinople in 1453. Neither of these upheavals could have occurred without long, painful rot and decline of both realms in preceding centuries. The rulers of Rome, Constantinople, and Imperial China all ignored what was best for the nation to prolong what was good for them personally.

The Chinese viewed the greedy, grasping westerners smuggling opium into their perfect land as barbarians. In some ways they were quite correct. Europeans didnt respect Eastern culture, and didnt particularly care what happened to the place as long as profits were made. To be fair, the concept of cultural appreciation would have baffled pretty much everyone in the world at that point in time. It wasnt fashionable yet.

Centuries of smug isolation had convinced the Chinese of their inherent superiority. They didnt need the rest of the globe, and it seemed a good idea to ignore the squabbling, squalid barbarians. History marched on, and things changed. Wrapped in splendid seclusion, the people who ran China concentrated on consolidated and safeguarding internal power. That type of behavior breeds arrogance, corruption, and inattention to reality. When the western merchants found their secret weapon, opium, they used the dysfunctional Chinese government to bribe and bully their way into the Chinese market. Military force wasnt resorted to until the first Opium War in 1842. Cue the hundred years of humiliation.

The Chinese of today no doubt view the opioid crisis in America as poetic (and convenient) justice for past sins. However, two wrongs dont make a right (Particularly since it was Imperial Britain, not the United States, that exploited opium against China). Besides, communists arent interested in justice, beyond using the word as a false label slapped on revenge and global hegemony. The world held out a hand to China a couple decades ago. Come join the community of nations. Well help you. China took that help, but never intended to join any community it wouldnt dominate.

One aspect separates America in the early 21st century from Rome, Constantinople, and Imperial China. The earlier empires were autocracies, systems which are prone to leadership focusing on remaining in charge at all costs. Thats fine when the leadership makes good decisions. Incompetent leaders, once ensconced upon the throne, keep doubling down on stupid until the barbarians come knocking at the gate. America is, at least technically, a democratic republic. If the rules are followed, our leadership must face periodic performance reviews called elections. This setup has, in the past, facilitated the peaceful change of government should incumbents not come up to snuff. That way deposed politicians can retire to a life of book tours and paid speeches, instead of dank concrete cells and a firing squad. So much more civilized.

The unconscionable number of Americans addicted to opioids, large as it is, is not our drug problem of greatest concern. Our elites have become addicted to power and position, and will sell anything or anyone to feed that habit. Americas citizens have become overly tolerant of big government. God help us. Washington elites have weaponized the bureaucracy to quash dissent, opened the borders to swell a dependent underclass, and very likely stole the 2020 election by faking a global pandemic. An undeclared opium war rages all about us. The first step upon the path out of this nightmare will be voting the addicts out of office by a margin so overwhelming that the next election simply cannot be stolen again. Then the hard work begins. The rot in Washington has been metastasizing for a hundred years. America needs to go to rehab to be free again.

Image: Picryl
Imagine, for a moment, being a fifth-grader going back to school this month. After class, you sit down at a computer in the school library to do some research for a homework assignment. And then you see this article headline on the school research database: "Wanna see banned footage? Try Pornhub," along with a live URL link that takes you straight to the Pornhub website at the bottom of the article.

Or you might see headlines like "The 54 Best Sex Positions" or "26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know," again with live URL links straight to magazine articles filled with shockingly explicit adult content, including photos and graphic illustrations of sex acts.

With one click, your innocence could be destroyed forever. And your parents wouldn't know the truth until it's too late.

Sadly, these are not hypothetical examples meant to shock you. These articles are real examples of what tens of millions of K12 students can find with the click of a button on their school computer.

To you and me, this is clearly evil and disgusting. But alarmingly, not everyone agrees.

Powerful elites in school administration, library administration, legislatures, and political activist groups have combined to deliberately preserve access to pornographic content for students of all ages. By calling concerned parents "domestic terrorists," the radical leftists are doing their best to make parents the villains while simultaneously traumatizing children with explicit materials.

For example, the American Library Association (ALA) has developed a devious system where schools can claim that their libraries are clean  while in reality, all it takes is one click for students to hop from the school's supposedly "clean" database to the ALA's porn-filled public library database.

Plus, these school databases always have innocent, scholastic-sounding names, and they're accessible only via student ID  a fact that often keeps parents in the dark.

Leftist elites have deliberately made porn easy for children to access.

As a father of school-age children myself, this fills me with righteous anger. Those responsible for this evil are tying the millstones around their own necks  and they are ultimately accountable to God for their actions.

But we also have a responsibility to protect as many innocent children as we can from falling prey to this evil. We must fight the left's stranglehold on the education system on multiple fronts right now  before it's too late.

The first step is to pass more library reform bills to kick porn out of schools. One such bill, spearheaded by AFA Action, just passed in Mississippi. Now all public and school libraries in Mississippi must require age verification to access their databases. This enables parents and school officials to take legal action against libraries that knowingly allow explicit material on their databases. Hopefully, other lawmakers can use this legislation as a model and apply it to their own states.

On the other hand, it is vital that we block bills that keep porn in schools. The other side is fighting just as hard to keep these dark avenues of child corruption open. They're accusing parental rights groups of advocating for censorship, claiming that the efforts to clean up libraries are tantamount to "book-burning."

Overall, the most important step is to ensure that parents are informed. When parents are equipped with the truth, they can fulfill their biblical duty to shepherd their children more effectively.

The left knows we're gaining momentum. That's why they're desperately trying to stop us with these "censorship" accusations. But no number of deceptive attacks is going to stop us from fighting for that goal.

Walker Wildmon serves as a vice president of American Family Association (AFA) and as a spokesperson for AFA. He has been quoted by CNN, Fox News, and other major news outlets. He also serves as chief executive officer and member of the Board of Directors of AFA Action. Wildmon graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in political science. He lives in Tupelo, Mississippi with his wife Lexie and their four children.

Image: Lars Ploughmann.
What if the U.N. held a Climate Ambition Summit (sic!), and no one  well, okay, just a few  came? Being the U.N., it would carry on anyway because "humanity has opened the gates to hell," U.N. secretary-general Antonio Guterres said.

Hell or not, most "hellish" nations chose not to attend this "climate summit."

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 (Democrat) was given the space to speak and tout his state's efforts.

Yes, California, where illegal aliens disproportionately devour tax-supported institutions while productive tax-paying citizens leave  the latter in spite of California's celebrated perfect climate.

But wait! The U.N. bravely carried on its important business in other fields despite the absence of climate attendees and bad weather in polluted and crime-ridden New York! While delegates applauded a speech by Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in the General Assembly, U.N. armed personnel detained Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Gil Erdan, for holding up a picture of a woman murdered in Iran for not wearing the mandated head-to-toe, face covering costume...um, Muslim outfit.

Ah, Israel! The U.N.'s most unfavorite nation did it again! They even control the climate! Using their Jewish Zionist power, they named a storm Daniel, after the ancient Jewish prophet, and then...boom! Dams burst in Libya, a Muslim country, causing massive floods that killed thousands of people, asserted the head of Tunisia, another Muslim country.

Tunisian leader Kais Saied has claimed that the "Zionist movement" was behind the naming of Storm Daniel, which brought on massive floods that killed thousands of people in Libya last week, prompting outrage and accusations of antisemitism. "Has no one questioned why it was called so? Who is Daniel? He is a Hebrew prophet," said the 65-year-old president in a nearly hour-long monologue at a cabinet meeting on Monday. "Why did they name the storm Daniel? Because the Zionist movement has penetrated, has made it to the core of the mind and thinking. ... From Abraham to Daniel, it is clear." Swaths of the Mediterranean region have been lashed by Storm Daniel this month. The storm was the result of a very strong low-pressure system that became a "medicane"  a relatively rare type of storm with similar characteristics to hurricanes and typhoons which can bring dangerous rainfall and flooding.

Awesome! So instead of worrying about the U.N.'s Climate Ambition Summit's worrying and scary climate insights, maybe I'll save myself with my own climate summit by traveling to Israel for the upcoming holiday of Succoth, which is somewhat of an agricultural holiday, celebrating a good harvest and adequate rainfall, among other features. The weather there is delightful this time of year, so while there, I can be safe from the U.N.'s multiple frightful failures.

Thanks again, U.N., for all your good  unintentional in this case  ideas. Don't let all your hot air burn you up! It is bad for the climate.

Image via Pxfuel.
After browbeating a sparsely attended United Nations' General Assembly about Russia's invasion, and calling for additional international support on the grounds that Ukraine's fight is everyone's fight, President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to Washington, to lobby for more money; $24 billion up for a vote in U.S. Congress.

According to Newsweek:

President Volodymyr Zelensky can expect a warm welcome from President Biden when he arrives Thursday in Washington to make the case for continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Republicans in Congress may be a tougher sell, however. Zelensky is making the quick side trip to Washington, following his appearance at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, to urge lawmakers in Congress to approve additional assistance for Ukraine as part of a spending deal that would avert a government shutdown at the end of the month. "The aim is to move the needle" by winning over Ukraine skeptics in Congress and addressing concerns lawmakers may have about Kyiv's progress on the battlefield, said Andrew D'Anieri, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center. "Zelensky can allay some of those concerns and make a strong case for why [additional military aid] would allow Ukraine to continue the fight," D'Anieri told Newsweek.

Joe Biden, who's never met a spending bill he didn't like, is all for it, but House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who leads increasingly skeptical Republicans, says that all he wants to know is:

"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."

That's not much to ask, really, but neither Zelensky nor Biden are going to give him those answers.

Zelensky's approach is to say that he's still winning the war. He may be grotesquely outnumbered, and most of his army may be already dead, but Ukrainian ingenuity and persistence will do the trick. He's been saying this for a while now, calling for total victory, with no concessions to much-bigger Russia, and it's getting a little old.

He's mouthed global warming platitudes at the United Nations to please Joe Biden, and fired a crazed transgender American military spokesperson for Ukraine, after the latter started putting errant American journalists on hit lists, in order to please Republicans. He's made every neocon argument about the threat to the global order, the moral good of winning, the importance of "saving democracy" and the dangers of emboldening Russia should Ukraine fall as the first domino.

But win? We still don't know if he can win. And inquire about the previous money? Like, with an auditor? Nope, not gonna get that. Getting an auditor would "play into Putin's hands,' and anyone asking is a "Putin stooge."

The claims that Ukraine can win, though, seem to be going down like a shot-down fighter jet.

Here's the news that broke today from the Washington Post:

WARSAW  Poland will no longer send weapons to Ukraine, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Wednesday, sharply escalating a battle over grain exports that has driven a wedge between Kyiv and one of its strongest supporters in the fight against Russias invasion. Russia has targeted Ukraines vital agricultural sector, disrupting transit routes in the Black Sea and repeatedly bombing the countrys grain infrastructure. That has left Ukraine desperate for other export routes, but also prompted Poland and other neighboring countries to impose an import ban, aiming to protect their farmers from the market being flooded with low-cost Ukrainian grain.

The grain export issue is being reported as at the root of it but it seems only an interesting side story -- Russia's destruction of Ukraine's ports in the Black Sea has forced Ukraine to take its grain exports through Poland, supposedly so it can reach its markets in Egypt, Ethiopia and the like, but as ZeroHedge notes, it tends to get sold in Poland at cheaper prices than Polish farmers produce, putting them out of business. Poland (along with Slovakia and Hungary and to some extent Romania) is vowing to block those grain imports, and supposedly has linked that trade retaliation to the arms sales.

But I have my doubts. The apparent real reason was stated by Poland's president, according to The Hill:

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.

Poland thinks it's maybe time to start thinking about saving Poland instead of just funneling cash and arms to Ukraine. That means saving Poland's economy, based on the grain issue, but also defending its own national security, based on not sending all of its resources to go into an unwinnable war in Ukraine, which got itself into its situation by not preparing.

As Mark Wauck at Meaning in History notes:

Ukraine as a dangerous drowning man? That doesnt seem to support the official narrative that Ukraine is winning, nor does it reflect well on the Ukrainian leadership. It even opens the door to a Polish debate on whether to scale back Polish support and involvement in the war on Russia. In other words, abandon the drowning man and save yourself.

The Biden administration has been quick to claim that this damning verdict is just a spot of bother, according to the Washington Post:

On Thursday, a senior U.S. government official downplayed the rift, casting it as a heat-of-the-moment bit of electioneering. I know some folks feel like the prime ministers remarks maybe were a reflection that the unity is finally cracking, and I just dont see any evidence of that at every level, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic relations. Throughout the bureaucracy in Poland, we saw a firm commitment to stay the course. They see no alternative. Morawieckis remarks, the official continued, are a reflection that at the end of the day, were all human and there are moments of tension and there can be frustration on all sides, but that doesnt mean that theres going to be some dramatic shift in alliance unity or even Polands fundamental position and determination to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

And in the last hour or two, Poland has announced that it will fulfill existing arms sales contracts with Ukraine, according to Barron's.

There's some spin control going on about that Polish vote of no confidence, in other words. But the underlying question, of whether Ukraine can win its war and whether more U.S. spending is going to help it win its war, remains a real issue. Poland's pulling of arms sales is a dramatic turn of events given its staunch willingness to stand up for Ukraine in the past. It's now reading something different in the air. Its arms sales cutoff was accompanied by Belgium announcing that it wouldn't be selling those fighter jets it promised after all to Ukraine, either. There seems to be some kind of chian reaction which may get worse now that Congress is getting very skeptical and may not approve all the money for Ukraine that the Biden administration is asking for.

Wauck also notes that the U.S., behind the scenes, is urging Ukraine to negotiate some kind of deal both sides can live with, which Ukraine thus far has publicly said it has no intention of doing:

The fact is, there has so far been no American reaction to any of this, which suggests that the US may find the Polish stance to be useful at this time, when the US is attempting to pressure Ukraine into proposing direct talks with Russia. Zelensky is attempting to resist the US pressure, and Polish attacks on Zelensky may be helpful in undermining Zelensky. It fits in with other ongoing attacks directed at Ukraine by the US, such as the NYT story exposing Ukrainian responsibility for a disastrous missile attack on a market in Ukraine that resulted in heavy civilian casualtiesUkraine had tried to blame Russia. It is widely believed that the revelation was timed to embarrass Zelensky during his attendance at the UN.

If so, that's an even harder recognition of reality -- and Wauck thinks Poland probably coordinated with the U.S. before declaring its cutoff.

Yet Biden and his crazies in Congress, such as Sen. John Fetterman, have loudly declared that they will get Ukraine its $24 billion from Congress even as all of these private indicators of Ukraine not being able to win its war, and probably being better off hashing out some kind of deal with Russia are happening now.

With Poland pulling arms sales in the name of saving itself, should Congress be handing Ukraine another $24 bil without audits or plans to victory? It sure doesn't sound like it. Zelensky will arrive like a conquering hero to Joe Biden and his White House, but his act is getting old. It won't belong before Congress eventually pulls the plug.

Image: Twitter screen shot
In its push to elevate people on the LGBT spectrum  and the farther along the spectrum, the better  the Biden administration elevated Sam Brinton to the position of deputy assistant secretary of spent fuel and waste disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy. It was clear that the administration did this not despite his aggressively weird personal life, but because of it. This was diversity in action. Unfortunately, it was also criminality in action. We're now learning that Brinton is in trouble not just because he was caught on film with other people's suitcases and wearing a designer's one-of-a-kind clothes. In fact, he had those designer clothes hidden in his home.

It's true that Brinton has a Master's of Science degree from MIT in nuclear science and engineering. However, my view of academia is so jaundiced that, despite MIT's long-standing reputation, I no longer trust any academic credentials from any institution when they're handed out to a person whose identity is entirely defined by being a member of a victim class.

And what a victim class member Brinton is. He identifies as an imaginary creature known as a "non-binary" and made his fame by claiming to have been fiercely abused because of conversion therapy to which his Southern Baptist missionary parents subjected him. A journalist and gay activist immediately and openly challenged Brinton's conversion therapy narrative, but that's irrelevant. It put Brinton on the map.



Image: Sam Brinton. YouTube screen grab (cropped).

In addition to being a biologically impossible "non-binary" person, Brinton kept himself in the spotlight by cross-dressing and posting a lot about the sexual pleasure he obtained from "dominating" other men who pretended to be dogs. Bondage gear was an important part of the doggy domination oeuvre.

And indeed, clothes really mattered to Brinton  so much so that he was videotaped walking out of airports with high-end luggage belonging to real women. Additionally, he was frequently seen in photos and videos wearing unique women's clothes that looked remarkably like those that a Tanzanian fashion designer lost in Ronald Reagan Airport. Whoops!

Now we're learning that those clothes weren't just showing up on videos or in photos. They were in Brinton's home, too:

Police returned articles of clothing to a Tanzanian fashion designer they obtained while executing a search warrant of disgraced ex-Department of Energy (DOE) official Sam Brinton's home. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department confirmed the clothes were returned to Asya Khamsin, who has alleged Brinton publicly wore clothing she designed, but which was in her bag she reported missing at Ronald Reagan National Airport years ago. In May, MWAA police officers executed a search warrant in connection with the case at Brinton's Maryland residence. "The MWAA Police Department can confirm we returned the victim's property and police retained photos of the evidence for prosecution," MWAA spokesperson Crystal Nosal told Fox News Digital in a statement Tuesday. "The case is still under adjudication and we cannot release more detailed information."

On the evidence available to the public, I think we can confidently say that Brinton is guilty of grand larceny.

Naturally, we don't expect the agencies charged with vetting someone for security clearance to comb through years of airport CC footage to determine whether a potential employee was stealing women's clothes. However, we do expect common sense from our government. Common sense says that a man credibly challenged for lying about his past, who believes he's the sexual equivalent of a unicorn (i.e., a non-existent being), and who puts his weird sexual peccadilloes up on social media probably has...um...issues.

People who manifestly have issues shouldn't be anywhere near America's security. I don't care if he graduated at the top of his class at MIT. This guy was like a firefly in heat, flashing out his behavior as hard as he could. Only a government in the grip of madness would ignore those signs and hire him anyway.

So our government has gone mad. In its rush to power, it has embraced America's most dysfunctional and weird people. Indeed, our institutions promote them, especially by pushing them through education programs so that schools across America, in both conservative and leftist regions, have their K12 classrooms filled with stupid people who distinguish themselves by reveling in victimhood, engaging in bizarre sexual fantasies, and hating America.
The bloated, feckless Office of Personnel Management (OPM)  what is effectively the federal government's HR department  is asleep at the wheel.

A significant portion, if not the majority, of private-sector American workers in the post-pandemic economy have returned to the office  but not federal employees.

Rather, per reporting in the Federal Times, only one out of every three federal employees is back in the office  despite President Biden himself declaring the pandemic over almost a year ago to the day.

Although OPM requested last April that that federal workers get back to the office  at the prodding of Rep. James Comer and the grassroots conservative movement  a majority have simply not complied.

(Imagine for a moment what would happen if a private-sector firm told its employees to return to the office and they simply refused.)

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), for one, has had enough, declaring that "frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many federal employees are phoning it in" in a recent speech delivered on the Senate floor, citing unanswered calls and similar basic customer service failures by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and other agencies with significant real-world impacts on seniors and veterans.

These deficiencies fall squarely at the feet of OPM, which is tasked with the administration of the federal workforce.

Beyond the affront to taxpayers and the mockeries made of their jobs, OPM's ineptitude and blatant disregard for efficiency also pose a substantial national security risk.

Back in 2015, OPM was victimized by one of the most significant cyber-attacks in world history, suspected to be conducted by Chinese actors. North of five million individuals' fingerprints were stolen as a result.

This was not the first time, nor will it likely be the last, barring significant changes, that the federal bureaucracy failed to secure the data it manages.

For instance, a report published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Labor, and the Treasury have yet to implement critical cloud security practices to safeguard data vital to national security:

Until these agencies fully implement the cloud security key practices identified in federal policies and guidance, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of agency information contained in these cloud systems is at increased risk.

Forcing absentee federal employees back into the office and at work on behalf of the taxpayers who foot their salaries is the bare minimum. What we need, in fact, is a massive overhaul of the entirety of OPM operations.

But rather than giving up the responsibilities it has demonstrated its incapacity to carry out without compromising national security, OPM has sought greater power and authority. This cannot be allowed to stand.

Were OPM a private-sector enterprise, it would have gone bankrupt long ago due to its incompetence.

It's long past time to allow the private sector to pick up the slack in terms of patching up the glaring national security deficiencies within the current OPM system.

Per reporting from Townhall, in comparing the track records of the public versus private sectors in terms of stewardship of government data, the imperative to transfer greater responsibilities in this vein to the latter is clear:

On the July 2022 Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) scorecard, the OPM received an F for cybersecurity. That didn't surprise anyone familiar with the significant security flaws the OPM has experienced throughout its existence, which culminated in a judge-settled $63 million settlement in October for the most significant breach in government history that occurred on its watch, affecting over 21 million Americans. Compare the OPM's abysmal track record with the glowing records of private sector companies that also manage employment listings for the federal government, like Monster Government Solutions (MonsterGov), and the truth becomes clear as day. Less of the public sector is more, especially when it comes to privacy protection.

In addition to the unacceptable inefficiencies and security lapses committed by OPM, Rep. Comer, in an open letter to OPM, pointed to the agency's conflicts of interest: "OPM sells hiring-related services to those agencies which it oversees via USA Staffing, even though there are many private firms that assist both the private and public sector with hiring and related human capital acquisition activities."

Given that Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives, there is no reason why OPM's responsibilities should be expanding when it should be forcibly diminished and replaced by the more efficient private sector.

It's up to the American people's representatives in Congress to force the issue.

Image via Unsplash.
In the leftist lexicon, "preventing gun violence" is code for gun control. That's why we should all view with deep suspicion the report that the White House is creating an office that will focus on "preventing" gun violence. Since the White House's policies all encourage gun violence, the only avenue left to the White House to "curb" this violence is to grab guns from law-abiding citizens.

If you read the article at The Hill, you see that, while it talks constantly about how the White House, congresscritters, and various groups dedicated to ending gun violence are excited about this office to end gun violence, the article is silent about anything concrete. It mentions failed initiatives to limit gun rights but says nothing else that might curb actual violence. Here are just a few excerpts that give you a sense of this thunderous silence:



Image: Biden speaks about his desire for gun control. YouTube screen grab (cropped).

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. [snip] 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. [snip] 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.

If I were trying to end gun violence, I would not make it more difficult for law-abiding people to have guns. Instead, I would (a) make it more difficult for criminals to commit crimes and (b) create a culture of values and respect for life that is antithetical to violence  kind of like how America was before the 1960s, a time when gun ownership was common but random gun violence significantly lower.

So if this new White House office to reduce gun violence would like my suggestions, here goes:

Stop having a revolving-door justice system that sees criminals instantly back on the streets.

Enforce existing gun laws against actual criminals.

Encourage fatherhood, which significantly decreases crime.

Discourage abortion, especially in inner-city communities, because abortion tells young people that life has no value. If a mother doesn't care about a baby's life, why should anyone else care about the value of life?

Encourage Judaism and Christianity, not as run through leftism, but as built around the anti-murder values of the Noahide laws and the Ten Commandments.

Close the border through which violent criminals, especially cartels, are coming.

Teach gun safety in schools and give children responsible outlets for handling guns. This was also common in America when gun crime was much less.

Of course, everything I've suggested is impossible because it runs counter to Democrat policies. As became patently obvious with the BLM/George Floyd movement, the left wants to decriminalize crime.

Leftists discourage fatherhood. Instead, they promote single motherhood, which means a higher poverty rate and more dependence on government. Leftism and abortion...well, do I need to say anything?

And do I need to discuss the left's hostility to the classic Jewish and Christian religious traditions?

The open border is a core Democrat policy. Through it come drugs, cartels, criminals, illegal guns, and single young men...all the things that lead to gun violence. Nothing will stop the left on this policy except imprisonment for those men and women in the administration who are behind this border criminality.

When it comes to teaching gun safety in school, the schools aren't even interested in teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. For the left, schools exist to teach DIE, CRT, LGBTQ+, radical feminism, etc. Each of these, of course, drives America's decline into a paranoid tribal nation rather than a law-abiding nation of many people bound together by love of country and the Constitution.
A few weeks ago, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre assured a press questioner that Joe Biden "had done more than anyone to secure the border."

Reminder, three weeks ago, @PressSec claimed that President Bidens policies are stopping the flow at the border and that he has done more than anybody to secure the border.



You have to call a spade a spade. These are objectively false statements. https://t.co/U0OaCz6I5D  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 20, 2023

Today, the situation looks like this:

Al ritmo que vamos, pronto habra mas venezolanos en EEUU que en Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/mIqLUf3615  Jonathan Jakubowicz (@JoJakubowicz) September 20, 2023

(The wry Spanish comment, by noted Venezuelan film director Jonathan Jakubowicz, says: "At the rate we are going, there will soon be more Venezuelans in the U.S. than in Venezuela.")

What we see in this video going viral are a huge line of young men, marching in single file, the way people do who are certain of what is at the end, certain that they will not be cheated, so no need to rush, and one of them says, in response to apparently a Border Patrol-shouted question, "We are fleeing a dictatorship."

Undoubtedly so, but every dictatorship has its collaborators. In any case, he'd get arguments about that dictatorship claim from Venezuela apologists Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar about that who are ironically their biggest champions regarding their "right" to claim asylum here.

The situation is getting bad, with 9,000 or 10,000 people, mostly Venezuelans, crossing into Eagle Pass now. It's so bad normal border traffic has been halted, leaving the people who properly use the border for trade and work without a means of getting to work and getting paid. Supply chains, in other words, are disrupted, based on the Biden administration's priority to "process" the incoming illegal migrants instead.

NEW: CBP releases statement after mass illegal crossing of thousands into Eagle Pass, TX today. Two bridges will be temporarily shut down to redirect resources to help w/ surge. CBP promises to maximize consequences against those who dont have a legal basis to be in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/yskzuj5KYZ  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 20, 2023

Which is outrageous.

After all, what do we know about these migrants? The "dictatorship" claim is obviously rehearsed, an argument for letting this parade of at least a thousand young military-aged men into the U.S. as asylum applicants.

They are unvetted and unknown.

Perhaps they are all Amish refugees fleeing government persecution, but more likely, they are denizens of the vast Caracas slums, known as "ranchos," which are pits of violence, crime and disorder..

I've been to the ranchos, and they are vast, I nearly wanted to faint when I first laid eyes on them in late 2005, crime pits, criminal-gang dominated hellholes so dangerous even the Lonely Planet travel guide to Venezuela warns its hardy backpacker clientele never to enter them. They are dangerous because everyone is involved in some kind of crime, it's not a matter of a few criminals and a vast innocent citizenry, there's zero social capital in those dog-eat-dog places, and it's a savage existence.

Might they be from these places and this class of people? Based on their entitlement mentality and the many incidents of violence seen among them one can draw one's own conclusions.

How many of these young men were emptied from Venezuela's prisons for migration purposes, which is what Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro reportedly has done? Venezuela is famous for its quantity of criminals.

Worse still, how many of these unvetted young men being let into the states were shock troops for Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution, the one that made Venezuela the hellhole it is?

How many of these unvetted young men in this procession put on the red tshirt for Hugo and cheered at all his many rallies? There were a lot of people in those crowds. Were these migrants among them?

How many of these Venezuelan migrants "served" in Chavista motorcycle gangs, terrorizing residents to vote for Hugo or else and engaging in random shootings, old-lady-beatups, and random crime on the side, all fully protected by the state? How many of them sprayed FARC graffiti on storefronts in Caracas, on little bakery and bicyle shops, rendering ordinary shopping streets into nasty, menacing slums? How many engaged in flash-mob lootings of shops -- bakeries, groceries, gift shops, butchers -- which were fully encouraged by Hugo as early as the early 2000s as a means of "taking back" from the capitalists, since everyone was supposedly hungry? (Hugo used the same talking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did when she justified flash mobs, but much earlier). How many of these migrants joined motorcycle gangs to shoot up newspaper and television stations that dissented from the official Chavista party line, as I saw in the bullet-pocked offices of Globovision in Caracas in late 2005? How many of them engaged in ATM thievery and identity theft all the other things that go on in Caracas without consequences?

Maybe none of them did, maybe they are all monks, but given the numbers seen, the odds are that a lot of them did.

That's why migration requires vetting and none of these young men in this army-like invasion marching single file into the U.S. as "asylum applicants" have been vetted in the slightest.

Lonely Planet warned indeed about not going to the Caracas slums, but odds are, these are the Caracas slums -- coming to us, bringing Chavista values and all the socialism that flows from it.

Hugo Chavez always dreamed of conquering America and occasionally said he would even camp out at the U.S. border with illegals to achieve it. Chavez's closest Colombian ally, Gustavo Petro, a former M-19 guerrilla who is currently president of Colombia, summed up the migrant surge as a conquering invasion against white privilege at the United Nations this week, as if it was part of a plan.

These migrants have been steeped in hate-America sentiment from the day they were born, so it wouldn't be surprising to learn that America is a conquest to them as they march on in.

Not one of these young men should be allowed in even to claim asylum without the most thorough of vetting. Americans have a right to that much.

Image: Twitter screen shot
During World War II, one of the most significant logistical challenges faced by the Allied forces during their invasion of Europe was ensuring a steady flow of essential supplies like food, fuel, and ammunition to sustain their troops. The rapid advance of American forces into France hinged on their ability to secure these vital resources. Complicating matters, the Allied bombing campaign had rendered the railway network unusable, preventing its use by the Germans but also hindering the Allies' own supply efforts. Additionally, access to key ports in France and Belgium had not yet been secured, which meant that ships couldn't dock and unload supplies directly. As a result, the majority of the required fuel, provisions, and ammunition had to be offloaded at the French port of Cherbourg in Normandy and then transported via truck over narrow rural roads to the American supply depots in the ChartresLa LoupeDreux region.

The Red Ball Express. Photo credit: National Archives USA

To solve the supply dilemma, American commanders devised what they called the "Red Ball" truck route, named after the red markers typically used to denote priority express trains in the United States. This route was designed as a one-way express highway loop exclusively dedicated to supply trucks. It was clearly marked with red balls and warning signs, indicating that other vehicles should avoid using it. However, despite these precautions, other military and civilian vehicles often ignored the signage, leading to disruptions and delays.

The original routes ran from Cherbourg to Chartres, but later extensions stretched as far as Sommesous and Soissons. At its peak, this convoy system operated with 6,000 vehicles, facilitating the delivery of approximately 12,500 tons of supplies daily. The urgency of keeping the front lines well-supplied meant that these convoys ran non-stop, operating around the clock. The majority of the drivers on the Red Ball Express were African-American servicemen, and not all of them had prior experience as truck drivers. Nevertheless, the exigency of the situation required them to step into this new role.

Map of the Red Ball Express. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Red Ball Express drivers often worked in pairs to complete the grueling 54-hour round trip from Cherbourg to Chartres. The trucks traversed designated one-way roads exclusively reserved for their convoys, with military policemen stationed at intersections to ensure uninterrupted progress. Initially, the plan called for trucks to maintain a speed of 25 miles per hour, spaced at 60-yard intervals and escorted by jeeps. However, in reality, the trucks frequently ran alone, departing Cherbourg immediately upon loading and racing at speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour to reach the forward supply depots, even in blackout conditions. To evade detection and attack by German planes during nighttime journeys, the trucks' headlights were fitted with 'cat-eye' covers, which made driving challenging and perilous. Additionally, truck drivers had to navigate around landmines, snipers, as well as hazardous shrapnel and barbed wire that posed a constant threat to their tires. Accidents and fatigue were ever-present challenges.

The Red Ball Express ceased operations after American forces captured the port of Antwerp. During the 82 days of its operation, the convoy successfully transported over 412,000 tons of fuel, ammunition, and equipment to 28 different divisions. The Red Ball Expresss success led to the establishment of several other similar convoy systems throughout France when the need arose.

Corporal Charles H. Johnson of the 783rd Military Police Battalion, waves on a "Red Ball Express" motor convoy rushing priority materiel to the forward areas, near Alencon, France. Photo credit: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Tanker trucks of the 3990th Quartermaster (Transportation Corps) Truck Company on the Red Ball Express. Photo credit: United States Army Signal Corps

An American truck convoy halts at a makeshift service station 7 September 1944 for servicing and a change of drivers near Saint Denis, France. Photo credit: US Army

Trucks from different units draw cans of gasoline 7 February 1945 from one of the storage fields in the quartermaster depot. After the five-gallon jerricans were washed, they were refilled from tankers on the beachheads and returned to the quartermaster depot. Photo credit: US Army

A Diamond T M20 12-ton truck and M9 trailer loaded with ammunition roars through a destroyed French town as part of a Red Ball Express convoy, France, 1944. Photo credit: US Army

A Red Ball Express truck gets stuck in the mud. Photo credit: US Army

U.S. drivers nap or relax on boxes of ammunition and other equipment 10 October 1944 during the delivery of supplies to a forward area in France. Photo credit: US Army

A road patrol wrecker (right) pulls an overturned truck back on its wheels circa 1944 to haul it to the nearest heavy-automotive maintenance depot along the Red Ball Express route in the European theater of operations. Damaged trucks were repaired at once and put back into service. If a truck was damaged beyond repair, it was immediately replaced. Photo credit: US Army

Soldiers load trucks with combat rations in preparation for a convoy to the front line 21 December 1944 in the European theater of operations. Photo credit: US Army
Google may have yet to roll out the stable Android 14 update to Pixel devices, but it has already begun preparations for the next major feature update based on the new Android version. It has released the Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 for eligible Pixel phones, the Pixel Tablet, and the Pixel Fold.

Quarterly Platform Releases, aka QPRs, are quarterly feature updates for Pixels. Google pushes new features, improvements, and other changes that dont require an OS upgrade through these releases. QPRs come once every three months throughout the year. Ahead of that, the company tests the update with beta builds. The beta updates are relatively stable, though they do need some finishing touches.

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The first QPR or QPR1 usually follows a major Android OS update. Google has delayed the Android 14 release this year for reasons best known to itself. However, this hasnt stopped the company from pushing the first Android 14 QPR1 beta. The update will be automatically available to Pixel users enrolled in the Android 14 beta program. They dont need to do anything from their end. The stable QPR1 release will come in December.

The beta update comes with the build number U1B1.230908.003 and bundles the September 2023 security patch. As far as the eligible models are concerned, this beta update is available for the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold. Its available for the Android Emulator as well. The Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, both of which will get Android 14, are not eligible for further feature updates.

Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 known issues

The Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 isnt completely free of bugs. The official release notes provided by Google state that the device may occasionally fail to connect to cellular service after swapping SIM cards. Its unclear if this is a temporary issue or a more severe one. We hope its the former. The battery level in the status bar may also sometimes show up as 0% temporarily. You can use the Android Beta Feedback app to report bugs if you find any.

This update brings a major new feature as well, particularly for large-screen devices such as foldables and tablets. It lets you change the aspect ratio of apps. A newly added settings menu allows you to manually force apps such as Instagram to go full screen on the Pixel Tablet or Pixel Fold. If the full-screen UI looks too stretched, you can select from other preset aspect ratios such as 4:3 and 16:9.

If you are on the latest Android 14 beta build and dont want to install Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 on your Pixel, you can opt out of the beta program by visiting this official website. You will be prompted to downgrade to Android 13, but you can ignore the update. Downgrading will wipe out your devices data. Keep ignoring the Android 13 downgrade until you receive the stable Android 14 update, which has a build version starting with UP1A.
In a recent surprising development, EV manufacturers have started producing Android phones to complement their cars. Next in line is the Chinese EV maker Nio, which unveiled its new Nio Phone at the Technology Day held in Shanghai. The company aims to capture at least a 50% market share among Nio automobile owners.

When talking about the specifications, Nio phone boasts a 6.81-inch 2K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera setup (including a 50MP IMX707 main camera with OIS, a 50MP IMX766 ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50MP IMX890 periscope telephoto lens, all with OIS), a Snapdragon 8 Gen2, and a substantial 5200mAh battery. Additionally, it supports 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and even 10W wireless reverse charging.

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So, whats special about the Nio Phone?

While the phones specs may seem modest compared to other phones like the S23 Ultra, what sets it apart is its integration with NIOs electric vehicle ecosystem. Running on SkyUI, the phone features a special button that doubles as a car key, enabling users to remotely control. Additionally, the phone can also manage various in-car functions as well. Moreover, the Sky Window feature lets users control smartphone apps on their cars display, supporting gaming and video conferencing.

We pay more attention to the value that each user brings to our entire brand. It is more convenient to connect users. It is also more efficient than before. What we are pursuing is the car experience we can provide to our users. I believe this portion of users are very likely to use this new form [of device] when they are changing their phones, said CEO William Li.

However, its important to note that the phones price ranges from $900 to $1,000. And Nio does not plan to launch the phone in Europe. Moreover, pre-orders for the new device are now open, with deliveries scheduled to begin on September 28th.
There are likely more than a few reasons Stadia was unsuccessful but hanging out towards the top of that list was a lack of AAA games. Thats according to Google Director of Product Management Dov Zimring. Who said in a statement as part of the Microsoft vs. FTC case that Stadias lack of important AAA content created a self-sustaining cycle. That cycle Zimring is referring to is the one where players stopped subscribing to or wouldnt subscribe to Stadia Pro because of a lack of AAA game titles.

Publishers and developers then wouldnt show interest because there were low user numbers. And thus the cycle repeats itself. Which obviously wouldnt bode well for sales of games. Unlike other cloud gaming services, Stadia acted more like its own platform. Wherein you were required to buy your games for Stadia. As opposed to getting access to tons of games for a single monthly fee.

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As Zimring notes in his email, a significant reason Google decided to shut down Stadia was the cost of securing content to offer to subscribers. He also stated that getting this content onto the service was difficult to do.

Google knew Stadia would be unsuccessful if it couldnt secure more AAA games

This revelation shouldnt come as a shock. As great as some indie games and other non-AAA games are, you also need a healthy selection of AAA titles. Otherwise gamers wont be interested.

This was a challenge that Google tried to tackle but ultimately wasnt able to. Porting games to Stadia was expensive for external developers. And because of the lower user numbers, the cost wasnt worth it. Zimring also touches on Googles early consideration of using Microsofts Windows platform for running its cloud severs. But this had long term costs that ultimately werent viable. With Zimring calling them cost prohibitive. In the end, there were a lot of moving parts and decisions that led to Stadias downfall.

Which is a shame considering how good the technology ended up being in regards to the streaming quality and reliability in the services final year.
After topping the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for 5G smartphones, Samsung has now become the most reliable brand in the personal computer (PC) space, which includes desktops, laptops, and tablets. The South Korean company jumped two points to achieve a score of 83 in the ACSI Household Appliance and Electronics Study 2022-2023. It sits tied with Apple on top, with the latter seeing its score increase just one point.

According to the report, which is based on interviews with more than 14,000 customers between July 2022 and June 2023, the satisfaction of customers with personal computers has mostly remained flat (a minor increase from 79 to 80). However, a breakdown of the satisfaction score by device type shows that users are happier with their desktop computers (84) than with laptops (80) and tablets (76). Samsungs Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Book lineups and Apples iPad, MacBook, and other Mac series products fall under these groups.

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Dell and HP follow the two companies in this customer satisfaction index. These two brands jumped three points and four points, respectively. Acer, Amazon, ASUS, and Lenovo make up the top eight personal computer brands in the US. However, the latter four saw their satisfaction rating drop over the past year. The latest ACSI report shows that customers are least satisfied with call center services provided by major companies. They have fewer complaints about the product design and the availability of apps.

Samsung is a top brand in household appliances and TVs as well

Unlike some of its rivals, Samsung is a top player in various other device categories. It has long been the worlds largest vendor of smartphones and TVs. The company was Americas most-loved TV brand last year. While its ACSI rating has dropped marginally this year, it remains a top brand in this space. LG topped the chart with a score of 83, followed by Samsung, Hisense, and TCL (all 82). Sony (81) and Vizio (80) also feature on the list. Customers love the image quality and screen sizes offered by these brands.

Samsung finds itself among the top household appliance brands as well. It jumped two points to achieve a customer satisfaction score of 81, one point below Haier, LG, and Whirlpool (all 82). Samsung is the preferred brand for ovens and microwaves, the ACSI report reveals. Whirlpool takes the top spot for dryers and dishwashers. LG washers and Haier refrigerators are also favorites of American consumers. Customers are most satisfied with the reliability of mobile apps, durability, and energy efficiency of the products.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is right around the corner at this point, and its coming in two SoC variants. Both Snapdragon and Exynos models will launch, and their availability will be market-dependent, of course.

The Galaxy S23 FE is coming in two SoC variants

The phone just surfaced on the Google Play Console, which not only confirmed that two SoC variants are coming, but an image of the phone also got shared. You can check it out below the article.

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Lets talk about the SoCs first, though. The Exynos variant will include the Exynos 2200 processor, while the Snapdragon model will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor.

The Galaxy S23 FE will include 8GB of RAM, well, at least one of its variants will. Its easily possible this will be the only RAM variant, though. Android 13 is also confirmed, while One UI will be included on top of it.

The Google Play Store listing also suggests that a fullHD+ display will be included. Other details have not been revealed this time around, but theyve been mentioned in previous rumors/leaks.

A 6.4-inch 120Hz display will be included, and a 50-megapixel main camera

Samsungs upcoming handset is expected to include a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. That will be a fullHD+ display. 256GB of storage is expected, and a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS.

An 8-megapixel ultrawide camera was also tipped, and the same goes for a 12-megapixel telephoto unit. On the front, a 10-megapixel selfie shooter will sit. The Galaxy S23 FE could include a 4,500mAh battery, and offer support for 25W wired charging. A charger wont be included in the box.

As you can see in the provided image, the device will include a flat display, with a display camera hole. The bezels will be rather thin, but not uniform, and the camera design on the back reminds us of the Galaxy S23.

The device will arrive in three color variants

The phone also got listed on the Samsung India website, suggesting that it will launch in the country soon. Its pricing in India is expected to start from INR54,999 ($662). Black, Green, Purple, and White colors are expected.
Samsung and the University of Michigan have started a partnership to improve the health features of Galaxy Watch devices. During an eight-month research period, UMich and its Exercise & Sport Science Initiative (ESSI) department will scrutinize the Galaxy Watch.

Health monitoring features are now a vital part of wearables. There are numerous reports that a health tracking feature on an Apple Watch or any other smartwatch has saved someones life by monitoring their heart rate or other parameters.

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The manufacturers are constantly collaborating with third parties to enhance the accuracy of health features on watches. As the second largest wearable brand after Apple, Samsung is teaming up with the University of Michigan and its ESSI to improve health-tracking capabilities in the Galaxy Watch.

Samsung and the University of Michigan work together to enhance Galaxy Watch health monitoring features

The participants in the quest are challenged in both indoor and outdoor environments. This is because scientists want to gather data in all typical running scenarios. They should run distances between 1.5 to 12.5 miles. The Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR) analyzes the obtained data.

All participants must wear a Galaxy Watch device during the experiment. The scientists will compare the reference data and the data gathered by Galaxy Watch on VO2 max and sweat loss measurements. Any change in the participants weight is also monitored. Finally, Samsung hopes that this academic experiment will help improve the Galaxy Watchs health-tracking capabilities.

According to Ken Kozloff, the co-director of ESSI, the experiment has already started in the city of Ann Arbor, and local runners are positively contributing to it. For the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory, the opportunity to work with Samsung and leverage the advanced sensors and health and wellness trackers from one of the most popular smartwatches gives added credibility to our research, Kozloff added.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic launched with a long list of health tracking features. One of those is a Personalized Heart Rate Zone. This feature can offer five optimal running intensity levels based on the users physical capabilities.
Starting the month of October, the TikTok MyRTO tracker app might start tormenting certain workers. This new app is meant to track worker attendance at the office via badge swipes for check-in. Through this means, the short-form video-sharing platform will be able to keep track of workers reporting for duty at the office.

But why is there an app to track whether workers at TikTok check in at the office? Well, this is a result of the work-from-home policy that various firms around the world, including TikTok, gave to their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This helped to keep not only the workers safe, but also the entire company by limiting their contact with others by going to the office.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a threat globally, and things are readjusting to the way they were before the global outbreak. Despite this fact, most workers are a bit reluctant to resume work in their respective offices. This is because they have become too comfortable working from home, and TikTok has come up with a nifty plan to get them back to the office.

While the new TikTok MyRTO tracker app reflects innovative thinking, it poses a threat to workers

TikTok expects its employees around the world to get back to the office, but things arent moving fast. To combat the unwillingness of staff to return to the office, TikTok rolled out a tracking app. The function of this app is to register an employees check-in and also spot missed check-ins if there are any.

Workers who miss their check-in for any reason will be called for questions about the reason for the missed check-in. With this new MyRTO tracking app, supervisors and HR managers at TikTok can monitor workers in-person attendance. This app doesnt track the workers every move but keeps a tab on their check-ins to ensure compliance with the return-to-office instructions.

While this new tracking app is great for TikTok, it is going to be a nightmare for certain staff in the company. These include those who have become so used to working from home and prefer it to working from an office. Ever since the pandemic ended, some workers have kicked off office work, but some are still working from home.

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Those who prefer working from home are the use of this new app for tracking check-ins. This is because according to TikTok staff, the punishments for missing a check-in at the office are unnecessary. While certain staff feel this way, TikTok doesnt have the same mindset as the MyRTO tracking app and its usage.

With this new app, most staff members who prefer working from home will begin to show up in offices. TikTok has plans to give most workers some days off within the week, so they can rest and relax. From next month, usage of this app will keep off and employees and TikTok will need to comply with the office check-in to avoid any complaints.
(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 21 - A House panel on Thursday OKd a crackdown on bear killers after a recent case in Abruzzo in which a man shot dead a female bear after she strayed onto hos property, saying she had scared him.

The green light to an amendment that 'toughens the penalties for those who capture or kill Marsican bears' was announced by the chair of the Constitutional Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, Nazario Pagano, centre-right Forza Italia (FI) Abruzzo regional coordinator, commenting on the proposed amendment to a justice bill.

"The amendment," Pagano said, "provides for the arrest from six months to two years and a fine from 4,000 euros to 10,000 euros in the case of the killing, capture and possession of Marsican brown bear specimens." The popular bear Amarena was gunned down in the Abruzzo national park on the evening of August 31 by a 56-year-old resident of San Benedetto dei Marsi.

Her cubs are said to be surviving OK and fending for themselves, after initial fears they would not be able to. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 21 - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni called for a global war against human traffickers in her address to the United Nations General Assembly overnight.

"Can an organisation like this, which affirms 'faith in the dignity and value of the human person' in its founding document, really turn the other way in the face of this havoc?" Meloni asked, referring the big wave of migrants that have arrived in Italy via sea from North Africa this year.

"I am convinced that it is the duty of this organisation to reject all hypocrisy on this issue and to declare a global war, with no compromises, on human traffickers .

"To do this we have to work together at every level, and Italy intends to be on the front line.

"A hypocritical approach to immigration has made these people immensely rich;" she added, referring to the traffickers.

"We want to fight the mafia in all its forms, and we will fight this too. It must be a goal that unites us all". (ANSA).


The chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs has said the disinformation and dishonesty in society has created the need for pure impartiality within news organisations.

Deborah Turness reflected on the role of impartiality within news outlets alongside GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos and Sky News UKs managing director and executive editor Jonathan Levy during a panel discussion at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Conference on Thursday.

Ms Turness said she feels the media watchdog Ofcom needs to provide clarity for the public between outlets who follow its code of conduct and those that do not.

She said: News organisations, we have great power and with great power comes great responsibility.

And I think the question for Ofcom is, is there going to be a clarity created between the organisations that dedicate themselves to deliver on the impartiality code that is laid down and those that do not?

She continued: And I think that clarity for the consumer, with the noise and chaos, its really, really difficult out there for our news consumers. Theyre having a really rough time knowing who to trust, its worse in the US market.

Im proud to be working for an organisation that I know consumers feel they can trust, but weve got to be working even harder to earn that trust because its getting more and more difficult and theyre more and more sceptical.

The noise, the chaos, the disinformation and the dishonesty out there creates the need for the pure impartiality but I think Ofcoms champion opportunity is to create clarity between those that do apply the code and those that do not.

Chief executive officer of GB News Angelos Frangopoulos (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

During the discussion, Mr Frangopoulos also argued that an interview with the Chancellor by two fellow Conservative MPs which Ofcom recently found breached impartiality rules was an innovative approach.

A pre-recorded interview with Jeremy Hunt by former pensions minister Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies was broadcast on their Saturday morning show in March, prompting 45 complaints.

Earlier this week, the media watchdog said GB News should have taken additional steps to ensure that due impartiality was preserved and found that the programme was overwhelmingly reflective of the viewpoints of different strands of opinion within the Conservative Party.

Speaking on the ruling, Mr Frangopoulos said: Were clearly disappointed by the decision by Ofcom. We chose to be regulated and we take the regulation seriously and we work closely with Ofcom as we work through each one of their cases that they bring before us.

But the reality is that we set out to disrupt. We set out to do things differently because were not creating content for this room, or for other journalists, were creating content for the United Kingdom.

Were actually addressing what I think is a really significant market failure. And the reality is, and its a difficult truth for people to take on board, is the fact that people in the United Kingdom want a service like GB News.

Addressing the interview with Mr Hunt and the married couple of Ms McVey and Mr Davies, Mr Frangopoulos added: Ultimately were here to serve the viewers and that interview itself was actually really innovative.

It was a very different way of approaching the interview. You had a centrist chancellor being interviewed by two MPs from another wing, another path of the party. And after that we did actually have opposing views including from viewers.

He also said he feels the term due in relation to impartiality is opaque, adding: This is not about equal time, its what is the right amount of opposing debate, discussion that ticks the box.

Asked if they would have a politician as a presenter on their news coverage, Ms Turness and Mr Levy both agreed they would not.

Ms Turness explained: I dont think that represents BBC values and what were here to do.

And I think if it happens on other platforms, well its for Ofcom to decide whether or not thats okay.

But where it does happen, I think you have to make sure, if you are governed by a set of code and a set of regulated frameworks, that you are applying scrutiny, that you are holding those others that you might interview to account. Where thats not happening then clearly there is a problem.
A dog called Carmen is the latest animal character based on a toy to join Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin in the book series based on AA Milnes work.

Author Jane Riordan was inspired to introduce the animal to the Hundred Acre Wood after discovering that the author of the childrens classics, Milne, had taken a toy dog mascot called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War.

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.

Four years after that (our son) Christopher Robin was born.

Illustrations by Mark Burgess of Rabbit, Carmen, Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet (Trustees of The Pooh Properties/Trustees of The Shepard Trust/PA)

The new collection Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest sees the character Christopher, who was inspired by Milnes son, go on adventures in seven new stories set after 1926s Winnie The Pooh and 1928s The House At Pooh Corner.

Riordan said: It was fascinating to discover the little-known story told by Daphne Milne about AA Milne taking a small toy dog called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War.

AA Milne even attributed his survival of the First World War to Carmen, so it felt appropriate to give this brave little dog a place alongside Christopher Robin and friends in our new story collection, Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest.

We feel shes earned her right to enjoy the peace of the forest just like all the readers who have been delighted by the Winnie the Pooh stories over the years.

The characters will have adventures in places such as Poohsticks Bridge and Eeyores Gloomy Place, as well as real-world locations including the British Museum and the Tower of London.

Riordan has previously been involved in Winnie The Pooh: Once There Was A Bear  Timeless Tales Inspired By Milnes Classic Stories About The Nations Favourite Bear, as well as Winnie The Pooh Meets the Queen, and the recently published Winnie The Pooh Meets The King, celebrating the coronation.

An illustration by Mark Burgess of Carmen sleeping (Trustees of The Pooh Properties/Trustees of The Shepard Trust/PA)

Beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh appeared during the Coronation Concert festivities at Windsor Castle earlier this year.

Illustrator Mark Burgess  who has previously been involved in other Pooh books  has drawn Carmen in the style of artist EH Shepards original depictions.

Cally Poplak, executive publisher at Farshore, said: Pooh and friends are as much a part of childhood now as they were almost a century ago  they remain wonderful stories to share aloud with children and to inspire a love of reading.

So, as we look forward to celebrating the centenary in 2026, Farshore is delighted to be publishing this utterly charming new collection of adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood by Jane Riordan and Mark Burgess, who have truly captured the magic of the original stories by AA Milne and EH Shepard.

Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest written by Riordan and illustrated by Burgess will be published by Farshore on September 28.
By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Gang Dong-won is turning into a sly con artist pretending to be an exorcist in the new fantasy comedy film Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman.

Based on the popular webtoon "Possessed," the comedy action film revolves around fraudulent exorcist Dr. Cheon (Gang), who lures clients through his exorcism YouTube channel with his assistant In-bae (Lee Dong-Hwi).

One day, he comes across a new client, Yoo-kyung (Esom), and faces a real case of demonic possession. Joining forces, the duo tries to save Yoo-kyungs possessed sister from a powerful evil spirit, Beom Cheon (Huh Joon-ho).

The film marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Kim Seong-sik, who worked as an assistant director on Bong Jong-hos "Parasite" (2019) and Park Chan-wooks "Decision to Leave" (2022).

Gang said he was drawn to the intriguing and unique plot of the film, although he was worried that the role shared similarities to his previous role as a free-wheeling magician in the 2009 comedy film Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard.

When I read the script I thought it was overall refreshing and interesting. But the character was somewhere in between the one I played in Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard and A Violent Prosecutor. So there was something overlapping about the character (with previous roles). So I tried my best to avoid that, he said during a press conference for the movie at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul, Tuesday.

The character from Jeon Woo-chi was one-dimensional and charming because he didnt have any flaws. But Dr. Cheon has a trauma in himself so I tried to build layers when I expressed emotions through the character.

The film involves heavy computer graphics to depict the spirits and a flair of cartoon-style visuals to portray spiritual possession. The director shared that he found it difficult to breathe life into the fantasy story.

The most important things that I brought from the original work were the character of Dr. Cheon and possession. The spiritual possession triggered my interest, so I wanted to visualize that, he said.

I do agree that if the computer graphics look too fake, it will make the movie corny. So I tried to stay in the middle. I tried to find the balance by having reality as the foundation and building onto it with techniques.

Veteran actor Huh also noted the challenges of his role.

This was such a difficult character. I could see that I didnt portray the appropriate emotion in some scenes, for which I apologize. I wanted to challenge myself with an unfamiliar genre and Ive gained this many great people, he said.

I wanted to try a genre that I know nothing about. And (as a result) Ive gained hope to do the action genre again. It was difficult and I cant say Ive done it well. But I feel that its a genre that I can challenge myself with again.

Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman will be released in Korea on Sept. 27.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has branded media mogul Rupert Murdoch a formidable operator while former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused him of presiding over a news empire that poisoned global democracy.

Politicians have reflected on the Australia-born businessmans legacy after he announced he would retire as chairman of his Fox and News Corp companies.

Reaction has been mixed, with the Chancellor describing him as a defining influence over the last half century but Mr Corbyn claiming he oversaw the spreading of disinformation on a mass scale.

Murdoch, 92, has courted prime ministers and presidents over the course of his 70-year career, with aspiring political leaders in the UK and the US seeking his endorsement.

He is set to be replaced in the role at both companies by his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch.

Mr Hunt told LBCs Tonight With Andrew Marr show: Well, he is someone who, love him or loathe him, had a defining influence on all of our lives over the last half century.

I mean, his support for Margaret Thatcher in the Wapping dispute was an extremely important moment in her leadership. And she benefited enormously from his support.

I recognise therell be lots of other things that hes done over the years that people disagreed with. But I dont think anyone would disagree this was an absolutely formidable operator 

I think I had moments of feeling different emotions when it came to Rupert Murdoch, if Im completely honest, Andrew, but as hes stepping down today, I will just say simply this, I do have enormous respect for someone who was one of the giants of his era.

Mr Corbyn posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: Rupert Murdochs media empire has poisoned global democracy and spread disinformation on a mass scale.

Rupert Murdoch's media empire has poisoned global democracy and spread disinformation on a mass scale. It's time to break up monopolies and build a truly free media  one that exposes the truth, challenges the powerful and amplifies local voices building a better world.  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 21, 2023

Its time to break up monopolies and build a truly free media  one that exposes the truth, challenges the powerful and amplifies local voices building a better world.

Tory MP Andrew Griffith said on X: I worked with Rupert whilst I was at Sky for 20 years. He was a great chairman and shareholder. Whenever wed talk about our plans, his challenge was always to think bigger, bolder or better.

I worked with Rupert whilst I was at Sky for 20 years. He was a great Chairman and shareholder. Whenever wed talk about our plans, his challenge was always to think bigger, bolder or better. https://t.co/2vfFp3AD9p  Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) September 21, 2023

In a letter to staff, Mr Murdoch criticised the elites  and the media in cahoots with them  as he promised to be involved every day in the contest of ideas.

Our companies are in robust health, as am I, he said.

Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges.

We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years  I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them.

It comes after a turbulent year for Mr Murdoch and his empire, with him recently ditching plans to merge his Fox and News Corp operations.

In April, Fox agreed to pay 787.5 million US dollars (640.5 million) in a settlement to voting machine firm Dominion after a lengthy legal case related to Foxs reporting of the 2020 presidential election in the States.

Fox also faces an unresolved lawsuit from fellow voting machine firm Smartmatic, which is seeking around 2.7 billion dollars (2.2 billion).
The inquest into the death of an Army officer who was hit by a car driven by a US serviceman on an RAF base in Cyprus will begin on Thursday in the country.

Colour Sergeant Anthony Oxley, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was on deployment in June 2016 when he was involved in the crash at the RAF Akrotiri base.

The 40-year-old, from Ryhill, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was riding a motorbike when he collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by a US serviceman and later died at a Cypriot hospital.

An inquest hearing into his death is expected to begin on the island on Thursday after it was adjourned in June.

A 2018 inquest in the UK recorded a narrative verdict, that CSgt Oxleys death had been caused by multiple blunt force injuries to his head, as a result of a road traffic collision.

But his widow, Sally Oxley, is appealing for a new inquest there to look into witness accounts of his death earlier this year.

Anthony Oxley left behind a daughter and three stepchildren (Family handout/PA)

Mrs Oxley previously said she had been left in the dark about the details of how her husband died.

In April, her legal team submitted a request to the attorney general for England and Wales, seeking permission to go to the High Court and appeal for a fresh inquest.

Sgt Oxley died on a Cyprus RAF base when he was hit by a car driven by a US serviceman (Family handout/PA)

KRW Law, which represent Mrs Oxley, said the US Air Force took charge of the investigation and few details were made public, even though Mr Oxleys death happened within British sovereign territory.

Mrs Oxley, 45, told the PA news agency that she was told during a meeting with a US general that the US serviceman involved in the accident would face no charges and that was the end of the matter.

She said she has been left with many unanswered questions after the cursory inquest in 2018.

Christopher Stanley, of KRW Law, said there were discrepancies in the evidence between witnesses and a new inquest was in the interests of justice.

An inquest hearing will take place in Cyprus on Thursday (Family handout/PA)

Mrs Oxley, from Barnsley, said: I know the outcomes never going to be changed but my husband didnt serve 21 years for them just to say he died by blunt force.

Its not good enough.
A whistleblower who was dismissed by the Foreign Office after helping to expose the Governments much-criticised response to the fall of Kabul has claimed she witnessed the biggest foreign policy failure of our time and devastating failings, a judge was told.

Josie Stewart, a former senior official at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), lost her job after an interview with the BBC in which she spoke about her traumatic experiences working in the FCDO Afghanistan Crisis Centre in summer 2021.

She is taking the Government to court in a case to test the legal protections for whistleblowers  challenging her dismissal after she spoke anonymously to the BBC only for her identity to be revealed when her unredacted emails were accidentally posted on social media.

The case will decide the extent of the rights of civil servants to make public interest disclosures to the press when misleading claims from ministers and civil servants are made to Parliament and the media, according to Ms Stewarts lawyers.

In a hearing ahead of the tribunal, the FCDO applied to strike out parts of Ms Stewarts witness statement concerning evidence given to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) about the evacuation from Afghanistan and the role of senior figures in those efforts and accompanying comments about the truthfulness of that evidence.

Ms Stewarts final witness statement was referred to at a preliminary hearing at Central London Employment Tribunal hearing on Thursday, ahead of the three-week final tribunal which will start on May 2 next year.

In it the whistleblower claims she witnessed denial, lies and the complete lack of accountability while working on the Afghan crisis response.

She said: In my career as a civil servant, I witnessed many failings within government and was privy to much information that would have made a good news story.

I disclosed none of it.

But through the Afghan evacuation, I witnessed both the biggest foreign policy failure of our time and the shameful handling of the resulting crisis.

I knew people, friends and former colleagues whose lives were on the line.

And then I witnessed the denial, the lies and the complete lack of accountability for these devastating failings.

Our established systems of scrutiny were not working, so I felt I had no choice but to enable the public to know the truth.

It should not have been necessary to do what I did. I am angry that I had to.

The loss of my career has impacted me profoundly, and I do not think this is fair.

I believe that the law should protect people who disclose information in the public interest, in exceptional circumstances such as these.

Dominic Raab gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on September 1 2021 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Oral submissions by Ms Stewarts legal team were made on Thursday and a judgment on whether the challenged evidence should be struck out or not is to be handed down at a later date.

Gavin Millar KC, for the claimant, said: We do say, quite straightforwardly, that the public position of the Foreign Office in Parliament and in the press failed to acknowledge the failings of the Afghan Crisis Centre.

Referencing Ms Stewarts evidence, he said that on August 26 2021 Boris Johnson was quoted in the national media as saying weve got the overwhelming majority of those to whom we owe that debt out of Afghanistan.

But Ms Stewart has challenged this as a misleading statement.

She said: I knew this to be a lie, because I knew no one had conducted any exercise to even identify who specifically the people to whom we owed a debt were, the majority of emails in the crisis mailboxes had not been read, and, based on my personal knowledge of the UKs activities in Afghanistan, I knew that only a fraction of those who met the LOTR (leave outside the immigration rules) criteria had made it through our process and been evacuated.

I believe that the prime minister must have known this.

She also suggested that the then Foreign Secretary Dominic Raabs oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on September 1 2021 was misleading.

She said: Mr Raab was asked by the committee if he was content that the effort within the crisis centre matched requirements. He said yes.

On Wednesday, Ben Cooper KC, for the FCDO, argued that admitting the challenged evidence to the tribunal would involve improper questioning of proceedings in Parliament in breach of article nine of the Bill of Rights 1689 and general principles of parliamentary privilege.

Article nine says: The freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.

In an interview with the Guardian in February, Ms Stewart, who was head of illicit finance at the FCDO, warned civil servants increasingly saw it as their job to protect ministers rather than to serve the public.

She said the change could be traced back to Boris Johnsons time as prime minister and that it was particularly striking in the summer of 2021 as the Afghan capital, Kabul, fell in the face of the Taliban advance.

She joined the Department for International Development in 2015 and remained an employee when it merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to form the FCDO in 2020 before she was dismissed in September 2022.

A Cabinet Office spokesman has said: The Cabinet Secretary is proud to lead a Civil Service that works day in, day out to deliver the Governments priorities for the people of this country.

His focus is on ensuring the whole of government is working together to put in place the very best public services for the British people.

An FCDO spokesman has said: We are rightly proud of our staff who worked tirelessly to evacuate more than 15,000 people from Afghanistan within a fortnight.

This was the biggest mission of its kind in generations and the second-largest evacuation carried out by any country. We implemented lessons learned from the Afghanistan response in our response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The FCDO has been approached for comment in response to Ms Stewarts statement.
Les Dennis has spoken of how happy he is to have Nancy Xu as his professional partner when he competes on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Family Fortunes presenter, 69, and 32-year-old Chinese dancer and choreographer Xu are one of the 15 couples performing live for the first time on Saturdays BBC celebrity dancing show.

Dennis told the PA news agency: Well, when we did the original dance meeting, I thought I really liked Nancy, I hope that I get Nancy.

Les Dennis and Nancy Xu (Ray Burniston/BBC)

And then when she walked through the door at the club in Liverpool. I was thrilled. Absolutely thrilled I didnt guess I just hoped You were such a good teacher on my first day. You (Nancy) said: Oh, youve done a bit of dance. And that really encouraged me.

He also said he has introduced his professional dancer to his wife, Claire Nicholson, and is set to introduce her to his children. Claire, my wife already loves you, he told Xu.

Xu revealed she knew straight away her partner was Dennis as she looked up which celebrity is from Liverpool ahead of her going to the city to surprise him.

Actor and comedian Dennis also said: My Strictly partner needs to know, and she already does that. I like a laugh. She makes me laugh.

So two other things need to know that I cant dance and the third one is that I am willing to learn.

Xu said Dennis should let people know on the show how much he can push himself and also told him to never look at her face during rehearsals.

What's On: From @LaytonWilliams to @LesDennis, #StrictlyComeDancing 2023 promises to unearth some real dancing talent and some underdogs to root for. The Launch Show airs tonight on @BBCOne https://t.co/QNVFv6q0vP pic.twitter.com/WpZGrGog8k  Royal Television Society (@RTS_media) September 16, 2023

She also said: This face could could send (the) wrong information because my face can be serious and very serious and dont take anything (I say) in the studio personal, because my advice, my experience, is everything happens in the studio (me saying) Wrong, right, correct or no, do it again, everything happens in the studio.

Dennis is looking to experimenting and fancies a jive one week, he also said.

However, Xu is more looking at a serious style of dancing for her partner, saying: The minute I met him (there was) so many different versions that (came) out of my mind.

I think Argentine Tango is one of the (dances), I really want to see him (do) because you see he always smiled, he always, you know makes you feel good.

And (I) want to put him in that kind of environment (of) dangerous, serious.

Dennis explained he wants to at least get to Blackpool  where Strictly airs from latter weeks in the prestigious Tower Ballroom.

He also said: Theres a great feeling of camaraderie with all of us, with the pros with all the contestants but of course its a competition and I dont want to go out first.

Dennis will face celebrities including reality star Zara McDermott, actress Amanda Abbington, broadcaster Angela Rippon and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier at the weekend.

 Strictly Come Dancing will return on September 23 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
A fresh campaign is being launched aimed at tackling outdated stereotyping of jobs in the airline industry.

The move by easyJet is part of a recruitment drive to hire 1,000 new cabin crew this year.

The budget airline is encouraging people to switch careers with an advertising campaign featuring a former dental nurse, an optician and a Paris police officer.

Former opera singer Thiago Beretta, ex-chef George Dogaru and former radio presenter Ian Gilmour front easyJets new recruitment campaign, aiming at tackling stereotypes about cabin crew (David Parry/PA)

The initiative follows the companys drive last year to encourage people over the age of 45 to consider a career as cabin crew.

Since then, the number of over-45s flying with easyJet as crew has increased by 28%.

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.

The research found that 75% of those polled believe that cabin crew is typically a role for women.

As a result, two in five men said they would not consider doing the job.
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is to retire as chairman of his Fox and News Corp businesses.

The Australia-born businessman is set to be replaced in the role at both companies by his son Lachlan Murdoch.

The change of leadership will take place following the companies annual meeting in mid-November.

The 92-year-old will be appointed chairman emeritus of each company.

Lachlan Murdoch will replace his father (Steve Parsons/PA)

In a letter to staff, he said the time is right for me to take on different roles.

He added: I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of chairman emeritus at Fox and News.

For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change.

Our companies are in robust health, as am I.

Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges.

We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years  I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them.

Mr Murdoch launched his media career in 1954 by taking control of Australian publisher News Limited, which was previously run by his father Sir Keith Murdoch.

The group rapidly expanded internationally, which included a deal to buy the News of the World and Sun newspapers in the UK in 1969.

In 1986, he launched the Fox Broadcasting company in the US and started the Fox News station ten years later. It is now the most popular news network in the US.

Lachlan Murdoch said: On behalf of the Fox and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams, and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career.

We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted.

We are grateful that he will serve as chairman emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction, as a hunt was launched for a missing mother and two children.

The Metropolitan Police said Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in Colindale, north-west London, with her three-year-old daughter and newborn boy on Tuesday.

The force said the children are under care protection orders and were removed from the family assessment centre against the wishes of staff.

Ms Kelly, who has links to Thurrock in Essex and Havering, east London, then got into a blue Ford Fiesta with the children, which drove away at speed.

Police want to find Jamie-Leigh Kelly who is missing with her two children, one who is a new-born baby boy. She was last seen leaving an address in #Colindale but has links to #Havering and #Thurrock. If you can help call 020 7175 0793. Read more https://t.co/Rkv5EUioPV pic.twitter.com/tLLtta65QU  Havering MPS (@MPSHavering) September 21, 2023

Police believe the driver of the vehicle was a woman and both driver and car have yet to be located.

On Wednesday a man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the investigation, on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy to kidnap. He remains in custody in Essex.

Ms Kelly is described as white with green eyes, of slim build and about 5ft 4ins tall.

She was wearing a white jumper or long-sleeved t-shirt, white jogging trousers and white trainers.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who leads the Mets Public Protection command in East Area, said the force was extremely concerned for the welfare of Ms Kelly and her children.

He said: Jamie-Leigh, I am making a direct appeal to you to contact with us so we can ensure the children are safe and well.

We know you have no intention for the children to come to harm, so we are asking you to please pick up the phone and have a conversation with us so we can meet with you.

The baby may need medical care as he is newborn, so please put him first and contact us on 020 7175 0793.

Mr Basford said they believe Ms Kelly is being assisted and urged anyone with information to call the incident room on 020 7175 0793 with information or call 999 immediately with live sightings.
Scotlands peers in the House of Lords fail at every level to represent the needs of the country, an SNP MP has said.

A report produced by Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard makes the case for the abolition of the UK Parliaments second chamber.

Peers scrutinise government policy, however membership is not selected by the public through election.

The report, titled Their Scottish Lordships, identified 78 members who could be regarded as Scotlands peers, either those who have spent most of their active life in Scotland or who have been given a Scottish title.

Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard (Steve Welsh/PA)

Mr Sheppard argues the system does not represent the majority of Scotland as most of the Scottish peers are privately educated men over the age of 65.

He also said they are opposed to Scottish independence.

Just 22% of the peers are women and 68% are aged 65 and over, with just former Scottish Tory leader Baroness Ruth Davidson under the age of 45, the report said.

Mr Sheppard also said the House of Lords does not accurately represent the make-up of Scottish seats at Westminster, where the SNP has 81% of the available 59 seats but the party has no peers.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives account for 31% of Scotlands peers but hold 10% of the countrys seats in Westminster, according to the report.

The Liberal Democrats, the report says, has 10% of Scotlands peers compared with 7% of Westminster seats, while Labour has 2% of seats and 32% of peers.

The report also says there are 17 hereditary peers  where a title is inherited  among the 78 Scottish peers.

Mr Sheppard said the total expenses bill amounted to 2,342,142 between September 2021 and 2022, with seven peers together claiming 78,907 for attending the Lords despite not speaking in the chamber or asking any written questions.

He said: This report makes grim reading for advocates of democracy. It provides further evidence that the House of Lords fails at every level to give any semblance of representation or respect the views, character and aspirations of the Scottish people.

Over 2.3 million was claimed in expenses and allowances by Scotlands peers, despite some doing nothing in a year. The fact that this happened during a cost-of-living crisis shows just how dire the situation has become.

Its unquestionably clear that efforts towards reform have failed, and with both Labour and the Tories committed to preserving the institution, the only realistic opportunity to dismantle the undemocratic Lords lies in wholesale change. Its a core component of this broken Westminster system and ought to be abolished.

Of course, the smarter answer would be to set up a new country to do it better. With the full powers of independence, we can draw up a modern constitution which inspires and represents our citizens. And in doing that, we use the House of Lords as a temple for what to avoid.

A House of Lords spokesperson said: Unlike MPs, members of the House of Lords are not paid a salary. Apart from reimbursing travel costs the daily allowance is the only financial support they receive for costs associated with attending the House, for members who live in Scotland this will include paying for overnight accommodation.

MPs who live outside of London can claim financial support for accommodation on top of their salary.

The House of Lords is a busy and effective revising Chamber. The allowances system is designed to ensure members from all parts of the UK, and a range of personal financial circumstances, can make an important contribution to improving legislation and holding the Government to account.

Members of the Lords who live in Scotland may have higher travel costs than those living closer to London and it is important that they are not prevented from contributing their knowledge and experience to the important work of the House of Lords.
The UK will provide 160 million towards developing nations net zero efforts at the same time as Rishi Sunak is watering down green pledges at home.

Energy minister Graham Stuart announced the funding at the United Nations Climate Ambitions Summit in New York.

The Department for Energy Secretary and Net Zero said the money would assist developing nations to speed up the creation and deployment of new green technologies designed to reduce emissions and drive down costs.

It comes after the Prime Minister delayed a number of goals aimed at achieving a net zero carbon emissions economy in the UK by 2050 in a move that has sparked widespread criticism, including from those in his own party and the Governments climate change advisers.

In a speech on Wednesday, Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak pushed back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, softened the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035 and scrapped the requirement of energy efficiency upgrades to homes.

The Prime Minister said the shift was in response to concerns over the financial costs to British households  but insisted the UK, even with the changes, is still on target to meet the 2050 target.

After announcing the Governments latest international climate change package in the US, Mr Stuart said: The UK has cut its emissions by more than any other major economy since 1990 and, following Cop26, will continue to spearhead international efforts to limit global warming and reach net zero.

It is essential that developing countries are able to future-proof their industries too  and we will stand with them every step of the way in their industrial transformation.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has weakened climate pledges over cost concerns for the public (Alastair Grant/PA)

Teresa Ribera, Spains ecological transition minister, said there was consternation and sadness at the UN conference when delegates heard about Mr Sunaks moves to water down the UKs domestic environmental pledges.

The Spanish Socialist Workers Party member said she felt it was probably not the right decision to be taking and called it a contradictory message.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s PM programme, Ms Ribera said Mr Sunaks stance came across as defeating, adding: The role is not to say, Well since it is difficult, I prefer to postpone.

The money announced by the UK in New York follows the Prime Ministers pledge, made during his trip to India for the G20 summit, of 1.62 billion towards the Global Climate Fund.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho was attending the Climate Mobilisation Forum in Paris on Thursday (Aaron Chown/PA)

It marked the UKs biggest single financial contribution to helping the worlds most vulnerable people adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change, No 10 said.

The 160 million funding envelope is part of wider UK international efforts to assist developing countries in tackling climate change, which includes a commitment to spend 11.6 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho joined her French counterpart, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, in Paris on Thursday for the Climate Mobilisation Forum.

Ms Coutinho, a close ally of Mr Sunaks, met with leading businesses and philanthropists looking to invest in developing technologies at the event.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, her department said the Cabinet minister would stress the need for international co-operation to reduce global emissions.
An Arkansas state trooper has retired after shunting the wrong car off a motorway in a bungled effort to stop a speeding driver during a chase.

Corporal Thomas Hubbard was chasing two cars that had been driving at more than 100mph when he caught a white Cadillac saloon and nudged the rear - causing the suspect to veer from the road into a barrier.

The precision immobilisation technique (PIT), also known as a tactical vehicle intervention, is a method adopted from Nascar that US police can use to forcibly stop fleeing cars.

But in this case, on the chase near Little Rock, Hubbard performed the manoeuvre on a similar car whose driver had done nothing wrong but was shunted off into the central reservation. Police dashcam footage shows patrol cars then surrounding the stricken Cadillac.

Neither of the two occupants of the Cadillac were injured in the incident and Yahoo reported they declined the offer of medical treatment.

An ongoing investigation within the Arkansas State Police department has led to Hubbard submitting his resignation. He has not been on duty since the incident and has not commented.

State police spokeswoman Cindy Murphy said Tuesday that Hubbard had not been on duty since the incident, which happened on September 10.

Immediately we knew there was an issue because the vehicle that was [checked] was not involved in the pursuit, she said, adding she was unsure if the intended target was caught.

Arkansas Police are, according to Carscoops, more willing than other US forces to deploy the precision immobilisation technique and will do so above the 35mph threshold other states officers stick to.

Generally speaking, its considered a dangerous tactic as it can lead to rollovers and even injure the officers involved, the site comments.

It has not been reported how fast the Cadillac was travelling when it speered off into the barrier.
FSC tightens grip on capital market irregularities

By Lee Yeon-woo

Financial authorities say they will tighten their grip on unfair transactions following a recent stock manipulation scheme that caused the share prices of nine companies to plummet without any clear reason.

Regulators will freeze the accounts of stock price manipulators immediately upon detecting such transactions. The rewards for reporting unfair trading will be increased, and the team responsible for investigating such practices will be expanded.

These moves are part of the measures for addressing unfair trading in the capital market, announced jointly on Thursday by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Korea Exchange and the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office.

"Illicit activities in various forms continue to take place, with the increased public participation in the capital market and the growing number of listed companies," FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun said. "The large-scale stock manipulation crimes that occurred this April provided an opportunity for us to assess our response system. The relevant institutions will function as 'one-team.' Using all our capabilities, we will show zero tolerance and work towards eradicating unfair transactions in the capital market."

Previously, each institution had executed its roles in phases and collaborated only when necessary, leading to an inconsistent cooperative framework, the FSC explained.

Following the announcement, financial authorities will immediately freeze the accounts of those suspected of manipulation when illicit transactions are detected. Such measures, already adopted in countries like the U.S. and Australia, prevent the accused from siphoning stolen funds and continuing with their financial transactions. Until now, only the prosecution could take such measures after securing permission from a court. Financial regulators, on the other hand, have had no such power.

The rewards for reporting unfair trading will increase from 2 billion won ($1.4 million) to 3 billion won, funded by the government budget. Provisions for anonymous reporting will also be ensured.

Guidelines will be refined to motivate employees of disclosure offices and securities firms to come forward if they spot potentially unfair trading. Those who take the initiative to report cases and assist in investigations could see penalties reduced by as much as 100 percent.

Moreover, individuals with a history of unfair trading will be met with heightened sanctions. They will face limitations on capital market activities like stock trading and account opening for a decade. These individuals will be barred from holding executive roles in publicly traded companies for the same duration.

In April, Ra Deok-yeon, the head of an unregistered investment consulting firm, was discovered to have been manipulating the stock prices of nine listed companies for years. These stocks had risen in value consistently over the years, only to plummet sharply following mass sell-offs through SG Securities Korea, the local branch of France's Societe Generale Group. It is estimated that around 70,000 individual investors endured financial losses totaling 770 billion won.

"As the head of the financial regulator, it is disheartening to see that stock manipulators have disrupted our capital market for such a long time. This incident underscores the need for deep introspection from the financial authorities," Kim expressed in an apology at the time.
Smoke was seen billowing into the sky after the Ukrainian missile strike in Crimea

A Ukrainian Storm Shadow missile strike has hit a headquarters building in Crimea belonging to Russias Black Sea Fleet.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian military said that it had hit a command post near Sevastopol, where the Black Sea Fleet is based.

Videos shared on social media showed the British-supplied cruise missiles streaking through the sky on their way to the target. Other videos showed smoke rising into the air after the impact.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines military intelligence agency, said that it was behind the attacks, which also targeted several other sites on the Russian-occupied peninsula.

We can confirm that these were the actions of the Ukrainian security and defence forces against the occupiers military targets, he told state television.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, claimed that Russian air defences repelled a missile attack on the city.

Crimea has been targeted regularly since Russia launched full-scale hostilities in Ukraine last year, but Kyivs attacks have intensified in recent weeks.

On Ukrainian Independence Day on Aug 24, Kyiv said that it had flown its flag over Crimea following a commando raid.

And last week, a Storm Shadow missile strike damaged two Russian military naval vessels undergoing repairs in a shipyard in Sevastopol.

Images seen after the attack showed that Russias Rostov-on-Don submarine  one of the Black Sea Fleets most modern warships that had been involved in cruise missile strikes on Ukraine  had suffered severe damage.

The British-supplied Storm Shadows are fired from Ukrainian fighter jets and have the longest range of all the missiles in Ukraines arsenal.

US missiles not off the table

The weapons carry a sophisticated warhead designed specifically to attack heavily reinforced targets such as bunkers and fly at low altitudes to avoid enemy air defences.

Britain was the first to send the missiles to Ukraine, although France also followed suit and sent its own version, known as Scalp-EG.

Ukraine is currently seeking more long-range weapons from its allies, and particularly wants to get hold of Taurus missiles from Germany, which are similar to the Storm Shadow.

Kyiv has also long sought American ATACMS missiles, which are fired from Himars launcher vehicles but have a much greater range.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, is due to meet Joe Biden, the US president, in Washington on Thursday, with a decision on the missiles reportedly high on the Ukrainian agenda.

Sending the missiles, which can strike targets up to 190 miles away, is not off the table but there has been no decision yet, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The president will be talking to President Zelensky about his needs and about how the United States will continue to meet those needs.

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Budweiser wont cut off the tails of its famous Clydesdale horses

PETA said its cracking open some cold ones after Anheuser-Busch said its ending the practice of cutting the tails of Budweisers iconic Clydesdale horses.

Budweiser has featured the horses, with their ubiquitous white feathered legs, in its ad campaigns for decades, from the holidays to the Super Bowl. But the practice of docking, which is when the tails hair is cut short and which can result in parts of the tailbone being shaved off, has long been under fire from animal rights groups.

Budweiser Clydesdale horses are seen during 2016 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 30, 2016 in Indio, California. - Matt Cowan/Getty Images

In a statement, Anheuser-Busch said the practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year.

The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority, a company spokesperson said.

Earlier this month, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other animal rights groups sent a letter to the company requesting it immediately prohibit the amputation of the horses tailbones.

The American Veterinary Medical Association said the practice has become cosmetically fashionable in some breeds for competitions or shows. The association said its been widely suggested that veterinarians should not perform surgeries that are not medically necessary. At least ten states have banned the docking of horses tails, the AVMA said.

Its another controversy for the beer brand, which lost its title as Americas top-selling beer in June following the backlash from transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaneys Instagram post showing off a customized Bud Light can.

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Cheryl Burke is taking her time in the dating scene following her 2022 divorce from actor Matthew Lawrence.

On Sept. 19, the former "Dancing with the Stars" professional dancer, 39, told E! News that she's gone through "so many changes" in her life in the past year.

"I think it was from the divorce to leaving the show to a move all in one year, she said.

There were two divorces, one was with the show and one was with my ex-husband. I am learning so much about myself and I am also learning that there is no such thing as your own identity being defined by anything outside of you," she continued.

Now single, Burke noted that she has gone on dates, but is not "actively looking" for a partner.

Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)

I have been on dates, yes. Has there been anyone to brag bout? No. I am not in a rush, she said. I owe this to myself. You know they say every narcissist you date you owe a year to yourself. Ive got a lot of years to make up, OK?

"Im not even on a dating app  I refuse, Burke added. Youre swiping through and the only time you stop swiping is when you think someone looks good, and that is just a-s-backwards for me.

She continued, Thats not what Im looking for. Im not looking for someone with no personality thats on my Abercrombie & Fitch shopping bag. Im not doing that. I am almost 40 years old.

While Burke isn't in a rush, she wants her and her future partner to "inspire" and "support" one another.

[Someone] that is his own person and Im my own individual person but then we come together because we enjoy each others company," she added.

As for whether she would date a celebrity again, Burke said she's open to it.

If they have the qualities I mentioned, I guess (being a celebrity) doesnt matter because again thats not your identity, she said. Thats not even in the tunnel vision of what Im looking for.

Burke noted that she hasn't let her career on "Dancing with the Stars" define who she is as a person.

The show didnt identify who I truly am at all. It was a part of me, absolutely, and same thing with my relationships, she said. If you do define yourself by the outside world, it is so temporary. And then thats when you feel the loss, the emptiness, the loneliness.

In February 2022, Burke filed for divorce from Lawrence after nearly three years of marriage.

In a petition for their dissolution of marriage, she noted that they had been separated since Jan. 7 of that year, and she cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason they were parting ways.

After they broke up, Lawrence started dating Rozonda Chilli Thomas from the hit '90s girl group TLC.

During a March episode of The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison," Burke said she was "not surprised at all" by Lawrence's desire to have kids with Chilli, based on her own previous conversations with Lawrence and his family.

He comes from a huge family and I think that, especially his mom, there were definitely conversations, but I always had said, As long as I had to shove my body in a dance costume, me thinking about being pregnant probably isnt something I can talk about at the moment,'" she said.

But yes, there were discussions of possibly freezing my eggs, Burke added.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
When russia invaded Ukraine, panic gripped Europes nuclear expertsthe civilian variety, that is. Ukraine, where 15 reactors relied on Russia for their uranium, rushed to sign an unusually long 12-year deal with Canada. European utilities, also reliant on Russia, drew the maximum they could under other contracts. Most exposed were operators in Finland and eastern Europe that owned Russian-made reactors, which only Russian firms knew how to feed. Finding an American rival that could bundle uranium rods into the hexagonal blocks such plants demand took a year. Now they are searching for the metal needed to restart the atomic Tetris.

Such last-minute procurement of uranium is very rare, notes Per Jander of wmc, a trader. Utilities usually take deliveries two to three years after signing a contract. The scramble is just one illustration of the fallout of the war on a once-sedate market already squeezed by rising demand, supply shocks and speculation. In the week to September 18th uraniums spot price hit $65 a pound, its highest since 2011, reports uxc, a data firm. At the industrys yearly shindig in London, which drew a record 700 delegates this month, some warned it could reach $100. The two largest producers are sold out until 2027; some utilities are thought to be short for 2024.

Just 85,000 tonnes of uranium are used each year. This compares with 170,000 for niche metals like cobalt and many millions for industrial ones like copper. Unlike coal or gas plants, nuclear reactors cost a lot to build but little to run, so utilities mostly opt to keep them going regardless of, say, the economic cycle, making demand for fuel predictable. It also means that utilities cannot afford to run out, which is why they buy the stuff via long-term contracts.

Most supply comes directly from mines. Canada and Kazakhstan, two reliable exporters, account for 60% of such primary supply. A quarter of total global supply arrives from secondary sources. Exhausted fuel blocks, replaced every three-to-four years, are re-enriched and re-used. Fuel is also made by diluting weapons-grade uranium, which contains more than 90% fissile elements, to concentrations of just 3-4%. In the two decades following the cold war the dilution of just 30 tonnes a year displaced 10,000 tonnes of annual mine output. More supply is regularly released from stockpiles. America, China, France and Japan hold a combined stash worth years of global use, which can be drawn from when prices are high.

This tranquil trade is now being rocked by two forces. One is resurgent demand. For years after the Fukushima disaster in 2011 the closure of plants in Japan, Germany and elsewhere pushed the market into surplus. But the search for steady sources of low-carbon power, and Russias war in Ukraine, have led governments back to nuclear energy, which emits about the same as wind power and can operate even if pipelines are shut. Some 60 new reactors are under construction, which should add an additional 15% to the worlds nuclear-power-generation capacity over the next decade, reckons Liberum, a bank. Small modular reactorscheap and easy to buildcould turbocharge demand for fuel. The World Nuclear Association, an industry body, forecasts that they could make up half of Frances nuclear capacity by 2040.

Uraniums glowing prospects are not lost on financiers. In recent years several listed funds have launched. Sprott Physical Uranium Trust and Yellow Cake, the two biggest, have bought 22,000 tonnes in the past two years, equivalent to over a quarter of annual demand. Both are set up for the long run, with no fixed date or target price at which they will liquidate their holdings.

Meanwhile, supply is looking precariousthe second reason why prices are soaring. Early panic aside, Russian ores can still be obtained. But a coup in Niger in July has put 4% of mined supply in jeopardy. Last week Orano, Frances state-owned giant, said it had halted its ore processing there owing to a lack of critical chemicals. Logistical headaches are causing Kazatomprom, the leading Kazakh supplier, to ship less uranium than expected (it typically passes through Russia). Cameco, Canadas champion, recently cut its production forecast by 9% after hiccups at two mines.

All this will probably keep the market in deficit next year, as it has been since 2018. Outright shortages remain unlikely, however. Major utilities retain stocks. And the fuel blocks inserted into operating reactors have another one-to-three years of life left, with a years extension possible at limited costs. Most also have the next block ready to go. Thus the risk of running out lies more than four years ahead.

That leaves time for supply to respond. Cameco and Kazatomprom, which have lots of unused capacity after trimming output during the dreary 2010s, will not like to see higher-cost producers nab market share. Tom Price of Liberum estimates that they could add another 15-20% to global supply in as little as 12-18 months. If that fails to tame the market, then a sustained rise in price will incentivise the opening of new mines. Jonathan Hinze of uxc reckons a spot price of $70-80 would be enough to get many projects started. Supply snags are also unlikely to last too long. Nigers junta has a beef with France, but not with China, which runs other mines in the country. If all else fails, Kazatomprom can always decide to export uranium by plane.

So the most likely outcome is high prices for a few years, with a surplus returning by the middle of the decade. No one anticipates a repeat of 2007, when buying by the first uranium fund and floods at big mines combined to push the spot price beyond $135 a pound. Utilities have ample room for absorbing price shocks anyway. Because uranium is heavily processed, raw materials are worth less than half as much as finished fuel, which itself accounts for just 10% of a plants operating costs (against 70% for natural gas). The rally matters more to speculators than to the cost of what comes out of your socket.

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 2023 The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved.

From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/09/21/why-uranium-prices-are-soaring
US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday used testimony before the House Judiciary Committee to hit back at Republican critics  including former president Donald Trump  who have accused him without evidence of doing the political bidding of the Biden administration.

Mr Garland, who appeared on Capitol Hill for a scheduled oversight hearing before the GOP-led panel, opened his remarks with a defence of his departments work and its independence from both the White House and the US legislative branch.

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.

I am not the presidents lawyer. I will add I am not Congresss prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people.

Mr Garlands testimony before the House committee was his first appearance at the Capitol since his department levelled charges against Mr Trump, who has been indicted by federal grand juries in Florida and Washington DC.

His appearance was also his first trip to speak before Congress since a special prosecutor he appointed brought charges against President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, in a Delaware federal court.

Republicans in Congress have complained that the charges against both men are evidence of a two-tiered justice system and have accused Mr Garland of carrying out political vendettas on behalf of President Biden, while they have also argued that Mr Weiss, an appointee of Mr Trump who was asked to stay on to continue supervising the long-running probe into Hunter Biden, is somehow acting to cover up wrongdoing by the Biden family.

Mr Garland told the panel that his decision to give Mr Weiss the added authority of a special counsel came in response to a request from Mr Weiss, who is still also serving as the US attorney for the District of Delaware.

He also repeatedly pushed back at suggestions that he had been less than truthful when he told Congress in prior testimony that Mr Weiss had full authority to bring whatever charges he felt were appropriate against the presidents son.

Multiple Republican members of the panel complained that the Delaware prosecutor had not been given the special counsel status he was given until last month, but Mr Garland said he commissioned Mr Weiss as a special prosecutor in response to his specific request for that authority.

Mr Weiss asked for that authority, given the extraordinary circumstances of this matter, and given my promise that I would give him any resources he requested. I made him special counsel, he said.

He later added, under questioning from a Democratic member of the panel, that the GOP rhetoric regarding Hunter Biden lacks any basis in reality.

The attorney general also pushed back against a claim by the ex-president, who on Sunday accused President Biden of having personally ordered the department to prosecute him.

Mr Garland, who last November named Jack Smith as a special counsel to supervise probes into Mr Trumps alleged unlawful retention of national defence information and his alleged unlawful effort to overturn his 2020 election loss, said the decision to seek charges against the ex-president was Mr Smiths and did not come in response to any directive from the president or anyone else.

No one has told me to indict. And in this case, the decision to indict was made by the Special Counsel, he said.

In a statement, White House spokesperson Ian Sams described the proceeding as part of a not-so-sophisticated distraction campaign by House Republicans meant to cover up their own actions that are hurtling America to a dangerous and costly government shutdown.

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, Mr Sams said.

The White House spokesperson added that the House GOP wants to distract from the reality that their own chaos and inability to govern is going to shut down the government in a matter of days, hurting our economy and national security and jeopardizing everything from troop pay to fighting fentanyl.

These sideshows wont spare House Republicans from bearing responsibility for inflicting serious damage on the country, he said.
WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris and Latino members of President Joe Bidens Cabinet came out in force Wednesday to rally Latinos behind the administration's fight for abortion rights, health care access and more legal immigration pathways.

At the annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conference, Harris spoke to a largely supportive, packed crowd and said that the president has been clear that when Congress puts back Roe v. Wade, he will sign that legislation ... Thats why elections matter," she added.

CHCI is an arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, composed of Latino Democrats.

Harris said the notion of some states refusing to propose exceptions to abortion, even in case of rape or incest, "is immoral.

One does not have to abandon their faith to agree that the government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body," she said.

Harris slammed efforts to undo the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals legislation by former President Donald Trump and some Republican states, describing them as unapologetic attempts to undo progress."

Image: Vice President Kamala Harris and actor John Leguizamo participate in a conversation during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Leadership Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sept. 20, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images)

Hours earlier, at the same conference, Biden's four Latino Cabinet members sat together on a panel for the first time.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the first Latino to head the Health and Human Services Department, said more Americans than ever, specifically Latinos and Blacks, have health insurance.

Becerra said HHS is doing everything it can to make sure women continue to have access to health care, including emergency services.

He gave the example of his agency intervening in cases in Missouri and Kansas, where pregnant women were denied emergency services because of abortion prohibitions and restrictions. Becerra said denying anyone emergency services is a violation of federal law.

He added that a woman who lives in a state with no access to abortion is two to three more times likely to die giving birth.

Becerra trumpeted the administration's work closing the Covid vaccination gap that it inherited when Biden took office, by providing more than 700 million shots during the pandemic.

We made sure to erase that disparity, he said, by going into communities to vaccinate people.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that under Bidens school debt relief plan, the debt of 1 in 2 Latinos would have been forgiven, but the Supreme Court struck down the plan.

Cardona said the administration is working on other ways to help debt-laden students, including a new income-driven repayment plan and a crackdown on schools that prey on first-generation students with unkept promises of certain professional certificates, leaving them in heavy debt instead.

We are also trying to address a racial wealth gap," Cardona said.

Biden is likely to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2024 and even though he won the Latino vote in 2020, Trump and other Republicans made key gains among Hispanics, particularly in Florida as well as in Texas.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conference on Sept. 20, 2023. (Nicole Acevado / NBC News)

Several polls over the past month have shown Trump doing historically well among Latino and Black voters, The Washington Post reported, although the voter samples were small.

Immigration already is taking center stage in the upcoming election, with new increases of illegal crossings at the southern border.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who has been an impeachment target of Republicans, praised Biden's immigration approach, which has also come under heavy criticism from immigration advocates and progressives.

When asked about the recent surge of migrants, he touted the Biden administrations focus on building lawful pathways for migrants/immigrants to remain in the country. We are incredibly proud to be a nation of immigrants, he said.

Mayorkas drew a line between the Biden administrations policies and Trumps use of family separation to deter migration, when asked about reports of children being temporarily separated by Border Patrol because of overcrowding.

We ended the cruel policy of family separations from the Trump administration, he said, adding that more than 700 of those families separated under Trump have been reunited.

But a high-ranking Latino Democratic senator pressed Biden to go further in opening legal pathways.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., called on Biden to urgently and aggressively use executive action to address immigration, since Congress is very unlikely to do so.

Unfortunately, any meaningful immigration reform is not going to come from Congress anytime soon, Menendez said in a media call.

Among some proposals for executive action that Menendez has previously floated, and raised again in the call, are issuing new visas to address labor shortages, expanding access to the H2A temporary agricultural worker visas in Latin America and the Carribean, and redesignating Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status and issuing it for Guatemala.

Later on Wednesday, the Biden administration announced it was extending Temporary Protected Status to all Venezuelans who have lived in the U.S. since July of this year, which would allow hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to work and live in the U.S. without risk of deportation. A source told NBC News the decision came after pressure from New York City leaders, including Democratic Mayor Eric Adams. The TPS designation will enable many of the Venezuelan migrants who have recently arrived in New York City to work and not have to solely depend on the citys shelter system.

Menendez said Biden shouldnt shy from taking these actions amid the escalating criticism from Republicans and sensational images of people riding atop freight trains from Mexico to get to the U.S.

Isabella Casillas Guzman, ALejandro Mayorkas, Xavier Becerra. (AP/Getty Images)

Creating new links, creating new pathways reduces pressure on the southwest border. It reduces the scenes that we see every day. It reduces the reality of going from 3,500 to 8,000 and it solves the economic questions that Republican governors across the country are calling for ... they are actually saying, why cant we offer people who want to do a job here in our state, Menendez said.

Running away from this doesnt make this any better, he added.

Matt Barreto, president and co-founder of BSP Research, said polling of Latinos by his firm and by Immigration Hub, an immigration reform advocacy group, found broad Latino support for a balanced approach to immigration that includes humane and orderly border security.

When you couple border security actions  that is, adding more agents to monitor and process immigrants  and also taking action to support the immigrants already living here  were talking about longtime immigrants who have been working in the United States for decades that people are connected to  that gives you the biggest boost in enthusiasm, he said.

Addressing Latino attendees on the topic of business and the economy, Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said the Biden administration has been addressing barriers to help Latino businesses, which she said are started at higher rates than the general population and contribute $800 billion to the U.S. economy.
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.
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 declined to release 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.

The arrests occurred in Arlington, Midlothian, Richardson and Richland Hills, according to a Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson.

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.
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.
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP)  The governor of Bolivias most populous and richest region was allowed to briefly leave his high-security prison cell Wednesday for medical tests, highlighting how the politician widely considered the countrys opposition leader has been governing from behind bars for more than eight months.

Santa Cruz Gov. Luis Fernando Camacho, who has been in pretrial detention since Dec. 30 accused of sedition and terrorism, left Chonchocoro prison in Bolivias highlands for a few hours before returning. Last month, a 26-member medical board said Camacho should be allowed to undergo medical tests in a hospital instead of by prison doctors amid concerns about his health.

His lawyer, Martin Camacho, protested afterward that the governor had not been allowed to receive all the tests ordered by a medical board. The two men are not related.

The defense will request ... the cessation of preventive detention because his life is at risk, the lawyer told the Associated Press.

International human rights experts say the imprisonment of Camacho, even though he has not been convicted of a crime, is an example of how Bolivias justice system is often used for political purposes.

Camacho, 44, has been in pretrial detention for allegedly orchestrating what prosecutors describe as a coup while leading mass protests in 2019 following elections the Organization of American States said were marred by fraud. Judges ruled the governor should be remanded in custody because he was a flight risk and could obstruct the ongoing investigation.

The governor, who remains in his post while in prison, has vehemently denied all charges and characterized his detention as a kidnapping.

No date has been set for his trial to start.

The eastern region of Santa Cruz, which makes up around one-third of Bolivias economic activity, has long been ruled by right-leaning governments opposed to the leftist central government in the capital of La Paz.

Images seen of Camacho during a July hearing showed that the governor had lost a significant amount of weight during his months behind bars, exacerbating worries about his health. His family has expressed concern over his Churg-Strauss syndrome, a disorder that inflames blood vessels and can lead to permanent damage of the organs if not properly treated, Natalia Ibanez, Camacho's cousin, told the AP.

His lawyer, Martin Camacho, said that while he was in the hospital the governor suffered a sort of arrhythmia but instead of stabilizing him, he was transferred back to Chonchocoro without receiving any tests." He characterized it as an inhumane act because it is evident that his life is at risk.

The lawyer earlier said the governor had lost anywhere between 12-15kgs (26-33lbs) and refused to be treated by prison doctors because they were not specialists.

Juan Carlos Limpias, the director of Bolivias prison system, insisted Camacho had received the necessary medical attention although he acknowledged in an interview last month that the governor had lost 7 kilograms.

When he was detained, he weighed 62 kilograms, and now he weighs 54.9 kilograms, Limpias told the AP in early August.

The international community has largely stayed silent on Camachos detention, which Cesar Munoz, the associate director of Human Rights Watchs Americas division, said has a clear political dimension, noting that there is no solid justification for him to be in preventive detention.

Yet Camachos case is hardly uncommon in a country where more than 60% of detainees are in pretrial detention, and the independence of the judiciary is openly questioned.

Pretrial detention should be the exception, not the rule, Munoz said, and in this case even more so considering Camacho is a well-known person who has a fixed residence and job, two arguments often used to justify being remanded in custody.

Tamara Taraciuk Broner, the director of the Rule of Law program at the Inter American Dialogue, said Camachos detention takes place in a country where the lack of judicial independence is glaring. Governments of all political stripes have taken advantage of the absence of an independent judiciary to use the courts against political opponents.

Camachos detention led to protests and road blockades in his native Santa Cruz that lasted weeks, but attention has waned as his preventive detention has been repeatedly extended.

The governor amounts to a political trophy that has been seized to curb Santa Cruz, said Erwin Bazan, a deputy from Creemos, the party Camacho leads.

Members of the ruling Movement Toward Socialism, however, insist Camachos detention is just.

Camacho committed a coup in La Paz, said Renan Cabezas, a MAS lawmaker.

The social upheaval that followed the 2019 presidential election left 37 people dead.

Gustavo Torrico, the federal governments deputy minister for government management, even went as far as to mock the governors weight loss, saying in a July interview that it was due to a lack of exercise and the fact that Camacho was no longer eating hamburgers or drinking beer.
The United States is trying to stop North Korea's potential arms support to Russia "wherever we can," its top diplomat said Wednesday, as last week's summit between the two isolated regimes deepened concerns about their military cooperation.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster NBC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said that the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to a "certain amount of desperation" on the part of Russia amid the protracted war in Ukraine.

"We are looking and taking action to try to disrupt that to break that up wherever we can," Blinken said. "But Russia is in a world of hurt as a result of the actions that Vladimir Putin has taken militarily, economically and diplomatically."

The rare summit between Kim and Putin came amid speculation that Kim wants military technology cooperation from Russia to build spy satellites and other weapons, while Putin seeks more ammunition from the North for use in Ukraine.

Blinken said that Russia is in a "much worse" position than it was before due to its invasion of Ukraine, as he pointed out the absence of the Russian president at international leader-level gatherings, namely the ongoing U.N. General Assembly in New York.

"He is in fact persona non grata in many parts of the world," Blinken said of Putin. "So, the only thing they have left is to go to regimes like the ones in North Korea and Iran to try to get what they need."

Seoul and Washington have warned that a potential arms deal between Pyongyang and Moscow would be in violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that Russia itself voted for.

Meanwhile, Blinken referred to the North Korean leader as a "dictator" while mentioning the summit between Kim and Putin during an open UNSC ministerial meeting on Ukraine on Wednesday.

"Russia hosted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un," he was quoted as saying in a transcript on the State Department's website. "Putin said that they discussed ways to cooperate militarily."

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

He also reiterated that the transfer of arms between Russia and the North would run afoul of UNSC resolutions.

"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," he said. (Yonhap)
By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) -A majority on Brazil's Supreme Court overwhelmingly voted on Thursday against a cut-off date limiting Indigenous land claims, a restriction sought by the powerful farm lobby to block rights to land that Indigenous people did not live on in 1988.

The court said 9 of its 11 justices rejected the deadline because it countered constitutional guarantees on Indigenous rights to ancestral lands. Two judges voted for the limit to end land conflicts and give farmers security on lands settled over the years in Brazil's fast expanding agricultural frontier.

Brazil has 1.6 million Indigenous people according to the latest census, half of whom live on ancestral lands they say are vital to preserving their cultures and languages, mainly in the Amazon but also in farm states.

Indigenous groups protesting against the proposed deadline for land claims celebrated the court decision, dancing and chanting outside the Supreme Court in Brasilia.

"This is a momentous, historic victory for Brazil's Indigenous peoples, and a massive defeat for the agribusiness lobby," said Survival International Advocacy Director Fiona Watson, who said the time limit was an attempt to legalize the theft of millions of hectares of Indigenous land.

It was also a win for global efforts against climate change as Indigenous reservations preserve their forests, she added.

Indigenous leaders said the Supreme Court ruling was vital to resolve some 300 pending land recognition claims that would protect their communities from land-grabbers and invasion by illegal loggers and wildcat gold miners.

The court decision will give President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva grounds to veto a bill farm interests are rushing through Congress to limit new reservations to land that was occupied by native communities in 1988 when Brazil passed its Constitution.

The legislation was approved by the lower house in August and is now in the Senate where it will be voted on next week by the Constitution and Justice Committee.

Chief Almir of the Surui people of Mato Grosso and Rondonia states said he expects Congress to pass the bill because "the majority are anti-Indigenous, but we hope Lula won't sign it."

The agricultural caucus representing farmers in Congress deplored the court ruling and said it will push ahead anyway to get the bill approved in the Senate, while appealing to the judiciary for compensation for expropriated farm land.

"We want legal security for rural producers. The Supreme Court is fomenting barbarism in the countryside, total legal uncertainty," the caucus said in a statement.

The case before the Supreme Court stems from a dispute in Santa Catarina state where the government rejected a land claim by the Xokleng people, who were evicted by tobacco farmers from what was their ancestral land. The state government argued that they were not living on the disputed area in 1988.

Opposing the deadline, justices said Indigenous communities not living on their lands in 1988 most likely had been expelled.

Defending the need for a cut-off date, Justice Gilmar Mendes said Indigenous people once inhabited all of Brazil before Europeans arrived 500 years ago and could make endless claims if there was no limit. Yet he voted to reject the proposal.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; editing by Grant McCool)
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.
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. Coast Guard District Seven

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.
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 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.
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)
Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump White House aide, claims in a new book that Rudy Giuliani groped her backstage at the rally that preceded the former presidents supporters insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The 27-year-old Hutchinson, whose bombshell testimony provided a key moment in last years public hearings of the House select committee that investigated the events of January 6, details her time in former President Donald Trumps administration and afterward in a book titled Enough set to publish next week.

Quotes from the book, first reported by The Guardian, were confirmed by CNN. Hutchinson, an assistant to Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, writes that Giuliani put his hands under my blazer, then my skirt, at the January 6 rally.

Giuliani political adviser Ted Goodman in a statement called Hutchinsons claims 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. This is a disgusting lie against Mayor Rudy Giuliania man whose distinguished career in public service includes taking down the Mafia, cleaning up New York City and comforting the nation following September 11th.

Publisher Simon & Schuster said in a statement, We stand behind our author and her book.

Backstage on Jan. 6

Hutchinson writes that the encounter with Giuliani was observed by others including John Eastman, a conservative attorney who, like Giuliani, advanced false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.

Rudy Giuliani speaks from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The encounter began, she writes, with Giuliani claiming to possess evidence of voter fraud.

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, Hutchinson writes.

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, Hutchinson writes.

By the way, he says, fingering the fabric, Im loving this leather jacket on you. His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt.

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 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, she writes, a reference to her then-boss Meadows.

Charles Burnham, a lawyer for Eastman, categorically denied Hutchinsons account and in a statement to CNN called the accusations libelous.

Burnhams statement said that Eastman does not recall ever having met Ms. Hutchinson, and did not even know who she was until her public testimony before the Select Committee in the House of Representatives in June 2022.

Giulianis legal issues

Hutchinsons claims come as Giuliani faces a series of legal issues, including millions of dollars in mounting legal bills. The former New York City mayor is one of 18 co-defendants who were indicted alongside Trump in August by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for their alleged role in attempting to interfere with the 2020 election results in Georgia. Giuliani had to post bond as he awaits trial  another costly venture.

A law firm that represented Giuliani in recent years, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, is also suing him, claiming Giuliani had paid only $214,000 of his total legal bill, leaving him owing the firm more than $1.3 million.

Giuliani has also been found liable for defaming two Georgia election workers who say they were falsely accused by Giuliani of committing voter fraud in 2020.

Trumps PAC recently paid off more than $300,000 Giuliani owed to a data-hosting company who kept access to some of his electronic data that hes needed to produce in litigation, and may need to pay thousands more to the company. He also faces more than $100,000 in sanctions for failure to respond to parts of the 2020 election defamation lawsuit and is awaiting a jury trial on potentially significant damages in that case.

Trump has promoted fundraisers for Giulianis legal defense fund.

This story has been updated with comment from publisher Simon & Schuster.

CNNs Kara Scannell and Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
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.
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The United States is closely monitoring possible arms trade between North Korea and Russia, a senior U.S. official said Thursday, after last week's summit between their leaders raised concerns of military cooperation.

During a meeting with a group of reporters in Brussels, the official also said South Korea has expressed its willingness to actively support North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries that assist Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"Obviously Russia is looking for weapons and is feeling the pinch from isolation and sanctions and is shopping around," the official said on condition of anonymity. "We're watching this very closely. But to us, it's a signal that they are looking for more and the DPRK could be one possible route (for) assistance."

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on Sept. 13, spawning speculation over a potential arms deal that could help Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine.

The official said it remains unknown whether such a deal will take place, noting that Pyongyang has publicly said it would not send weapons to Russia and such a move would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

But the official said the two countries have engaged in arms deals in the recent past.

"We've seen cases in the fall of 2021, where they were actually purchasing missiles from the DPRK. And so no doubt they have that in the back of their minds," the official said.

Washington has warned against the possible military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. The U.S.' top diplomat, Antony Blinken, said Wednesday the U.S. is trying to stop the North's potential arms support to Russia "wherever we can."

During the press meeting, the U.S. official welcomed South Korea's efforts to strengthen cooperation with NATO.

"We're very excited and grateful for the South Koreans for indicating that they want to move forward with this relationship," the official said. "We're very grateful for the support that they're providing not only to Poland, but other allies that are interested in backfill."

Last year, South Korean signed major deals to supply K2 battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers and FA-50 light attack aircraft to Poland, as Warsaw has been boosting its arms procurement efforts after sending military aid to Ukraine.

"The South Koreans have showed up and said we can help for those of you that have provided enormous amounts of assistance to Ukraine, we've got stuff on the shelf today that we can send and deepen our relationship," the official said.

The official pointed to South Korean soldiers at a live-fire exercise in Poland last weekend as an example of the growing cooperation between NATO and South Korea.

"Standing next to South Korean soldiers at this live-fire exercise ... was quite a moment and understanding how the world is changing," the official said, without elaborating on the details of the exercise.

The official also said South Korean officials have given briefings to NATO officials on disinformation and other security topics amid efforts to strengthen ties.

"They frequently will or regularly will brief allies on how Korea grapples with disinformation or how South Korea is protecting its technological edge, grappling with hybrid tactics from China," the official said, adding that NATO members find such briefings "interesting" as they often face the same tactics from Russia.

In July, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg established a new bilateral partnership for cooperation in 11 areas ranging from antiterrorism to cyber defense on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Although it is not a member of the alliance, South Korea was invited to the summit along with Australia, Japan and others. (Yonhap)
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told Fox News that normalized relations with Israel are getting closer every day.

The crown princes interview with the right-wing news network comes as the White House attempts to broker a deal to open diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The negotiations have included discussions of US security guarantees and civilian nuclear help for Saudi Arabia, as well as Israeli concession to the Palestinians, according to Reuters.

Every day we get closer, he said in the interview about the normalisation of relations.

For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part, he added. And we have a good negotiations strategy til now.

And he continued: 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,.

During the interview with Bret Baier, he said that if Iran, an adversary of both Saudi Arabia and Israel, obtained a nuclear bomb then his country would also have to get one.

Thats 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.

A US intelligence report in 2021 concluded that the crown prince, who is commonly referred to as MBS, approved an operation to capture or kill Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smiles as he arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris on July 28, 2022 for a meeting with Emanuel Macron (AFP via Getty Images)

We assess that Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the reports executive summary states.

We base this assessment on the Crown Princes control of decision-making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salmans protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Princes support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a US-based critic of Saudi Arabias leaders, walked into the countrys consulate in October 2018 in Istanbul where he was murdered.

During the Fox News interview, the Saudi leader touted his relationship with Joe Biden and said he found the president sharp and really well-focused, despite criticisms Mr Biden is too old to remain in the White House.

The agenda between Saudi Arabia and America today, its really interesting and we have a really amazing relationship with President Biden, the crown prince said.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The 31st annual Folsom Renaissance Faire returns to the Sacramento area this weekend with jousting, juggling and storytelling.

The two-day interactive outdoor event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Folsom City Lions Park in Folsom. At least 800 performers will bring Shakespeares London to life with costumes and performances, according to the Folsom medieval attraction.

Folsom Renaissance Faire offers you a chance to visit the days of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, Folsom Renaissance Faire wrote on its website. Lose yourself in the magic and merriment of the Renaissance.

The main event will feature authentic jousting on horseback from riders across the U.S., Europe and Canada, according to the Folsom faire. Food and drinks will be available, including turkey legs to get eventgoers in the medieval spirit.

Nearly 80 different arts and craft sellers will be at the two-day event with ceramics, clothes, swords and jewelry.

Ticket prices range from $14 to $20, depending on your age and military status. Heres a cost breakdown:
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has revealed parts of her trial strategy for the Georgia election subversion case in a new court filing Wednesday that identified some of her key witnesses.

Pro-Donald Trump lawyer Lin Wood is a witness for the state in the Georgia election subversion case, as are four of the fake Donald Trump GOP electors, Willis revealed Wednesday.

The reference to Wood was buried in a new court filing by the DAs office that raised potential conflicts of interest for six defense attorneys because they previously represented witnesses or other defendants in related proceedings.

As a witness, Wood could be subject to cross-examination by his former attorney and co-counsel who is now representing former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark in the Georgia RICO probe  creating a potential conflict of interest.

Wood, a prominent right-wing attorney and election denier, filed a series of meritless lawsuits after then-President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, which were filled with debunked theories about massive voter fraud that went nowhere in the courts.

He was never formally part of the Trump campaigns legal team, though he promoted the same baseless claims that Trump embraced and could shed light on efforts to upend the election results in Georgia.

In a Telegram post Wood denied that he flipped on Trump and said he had been subpoenaed as a witness in the case against former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell, who is scheduled to go on trial next month.

I have no idea why I am being asked to testify at the trial, Wood said. I have had no discussions with the DAs office since I testified before the special grand jury several months ago.

Wood did not respond to a request for comment from CNN.

Willis team also confirmed in the court filing that four of the Georgia fake electors are now witnesses for the prosecution. CNN previously reported that several fake electors struck cooperation deals with Willis team  the new filing confirms which GOP electors are now witnesses for the state.

The filing says fake GOP electors Vikki Consiglio, Gloria Godwin, James Carroll, and Carolyn Fisher are witnesses for the state. None of them have been charged in the sprawling criminal case.

The filing also says another prosecution witness is CJ Pearson, who was originally part of the pro-Trump slate of electors and was spotted by CNN at the Georgia state capitol on the day that the GOP electors met  but later backed out of process.

He was replaced in the slate of Trump electors by Burt Jones, who is now the lieutenant governor of Georgia. Jones actions surrounding the 2020 election are the subject of a pending investigation by a special prosecutor that is separate from Willis team.

The filing on Wednesday also said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan are witnesses for the prosecution. The two Republicans have been outspoken against Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and have previously testified in the many subsequent investigations. Duncan is a CNN contributor.

Possible conflicts of interest

Willis also said at least six defense attorneys in the case may have conflicts of interest because they previously represented witnesses or other defendants in related proceedings, according to the filing.

Prosecutors say several defense attorneys could have a conflict of interest because they previously represented Raffensperger, whose January 2021 phone call with Trump is a core part of the sprawling conspiracy case.

Among them is Scott Grubman  the attorney for defendant Kenneth Chesebro, who is set to go to trial in October. Grubman previously represented Raffensperger during the special purpose grand jury investigation that preceded the indictment of Trump and 18 co-defendants, including Chesebro.

The district attorneys office says Raffensperger is a witness for the state, making Grubmans representation of Chesebro a potential conflict of interest.

The DA is asking the judge to review the potential conflicts of interest identified in the court filing and take any steps deemed appropriate to preserve the rights of both defendants and witnesses in the case.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Sara Murray and Nick Valencia contributed to this report.

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By Helen Coster, Aditya Soni and Dawn Chmielewski

(Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch has stepped down as the chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, ending a more than seven-decade career during which he created a media empire spanning from Australia to the United States.

His son, Lachlan Murdoch, will become the sole chairman of News Corp and continue as the chair and CEO of Fox, the companies said on Thursday. The transition solidifies Lachlan's role as the leader of the media empire, putting to rest questions of succession within the Murdoch family.

Lachlan takes over the Murdoch empire as the media industry is battered by challenges ranging from the decline in traditional television viewership, to news organizations battling tech companies over alleged copyright theft in the age of artificial intelligence.

In a memo to staff Thursday, Murdoch wrote: "Our companies are in robust health, as am I."

Earlier this year Murdoch, 92, scrapped a plan that would have reunited his media empire by merging Fox and News Corp, after several top shareholders rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would fail to realize the full value of the company.

Murdoch, who has near-controlling stakes in both companies, will be appointed chairman emeritus of both companies.

The executive transition coincides with the annual meeting of shareholders for Fox and News Corp in mid-November.

Fox News continues to be the number one U.S. cable news network, playing an influential role in U.S. politics, particularly among Republicans who prize Fox's conservative-leaning audience.

Earlier this year, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, averting a trial in which Murdoch, Lachlan and Fox executives and hosts were expected to testify.

The trial would have put Fox in the crosshairs over its amplification of false vote-rigging claims in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Legal experts said the settlement was the largest ever struck by an American media company.

Fox still faces a lawsuit from voting technology firm Smartmatic, which in 2021 sued Fox for $2.7 billion over similar claims, as well as shareholder lawsuits accusing Fox Corp officers and directors of breaching their duties by allowing the company to become mired in defamation claims.

"Many of his enterprises still produce a lot of important news which helps keep the world informed in ways that might not have occurred were it not for his leadership," said Brian Wieser, media analyst at advisory firm Madison & Wall.

"But its impossible to ignore the other side of that, where Fox News amplified toxicity in the US political environment, and other properties similarly impacted other territories."

Shares of Fox ended the day 3.2% higher after the news of Murdoch stepping down. News Corp shares gained 1.3%.

SUCCESSION

Murdoch, who has six children, has long desired his children to eventually take the reins of the empire. His son James had been CEO of Twenty-First Century Fox before the company's decision to sell its film and television assets to Walt Disney Co for $71.3 billion, a deal that closed in 2019.

James then channeled proceeds from the deal into a private investment firm, Lupa Systems. Lachlan was appointed CEO of the new Fox Corp.

Upon Murdoch's death, his other children could challenge Lachlan's power. Murdoch controls News Corp and Fox Corp through a Reno, Nevada-based family trust that holds a roughly a 40% stake in voting shares of each company. He also holds a small number of shares of the companies outside the trust.

Each of Murdoch's four children from his first two marriages - Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence -- has a stake in the trust. His youngest daughters Chloe and Grace, from his third wife Wendi Deng, do not have voting rights in the trust.

The transfer of News Corp and Fox Corp voting shares from Murdoch to his four adult children could create a scenario in which three of the children could out-vote a fourth, potentially setting up a battle over the future of the companies, even as Lachlan Murdoch now oversees Fox Corp. and News Corp.

Fox and News Corp have a dual-share system, with non-voting Class A shares and voting Class B shares. The shares in Fox and News Corp owned by Murdochs children through the trust are a combination of both classes of shares.

Concerns about Murdoch's health have dogged him in recent years. In 2018, he suffered a serious back injury after he fell on his son Lachlan's yacht, according to several employees.

Over the past year, Murdoch has started appearing back at Fox and News Corp's offices in London and New York, employees say.

"Its the end of the founder-mogul era," said former News Corp executive Jonathan Miller, who worked alongside the elder Murdoch.

A generation of media titans, including Sumner Redstone, Ted Turner and John Malone, shaped the modern industry, Miller said. Now, the mantle has been passed from founders to executives who have risen through the ranks.

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York, Aditya Soni in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; additional reporting by Leela de Kretzer in New York; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nick Zieminski)
Gershun Freeman, a 33-year-old inmate who died in October 2022, had psychosis and cardiovascular disease and died of a heart attack while being restrained, said Shelby Countys sheriff.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Nine Memphis jail deputies have been indicted in the death of a Black man who was having a psychotic episode and died in custody last fall after jailers punched, kicked and kneeled on his back during a confrontation, a sheriff said Wednesday.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who oversees the jail where 33-year-old Gershun Freeman was beaten, disclosed the existence of the indictments during a news conference Wednesday but declined to offer more details, including the names of the county jail deputies and the charges they face.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner walks away after a news conference about the indictments of nine jail deputies in connection with an inmates beating death on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo by Adrian Sainz)

The Associated Press was unable to obtain the indictments late Wednesday. But lawyers for Freemans family in a wrongful death lawsuit against Bonner said the indictments were sealed. They declined to name the jailers and the charges, only saying that they are serious.

Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk released video in March of Freeman at the Shelby County Jail.

The video shows Freeman was beaten by at least 10 corrections officers Oct. 5 after he ran naked from his cell. His attorneys say he was also struck with handcuffs, rings of jail keys and pepper spray cannisters.

Freeman had psychosis and cardiovascular disease and died of a heart attack while being restrained, Bonner said in a March statement, citing a medical examiners report.

Freemans manner of death is listed as a homicide in the autopsy report from the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, although the report says that this is not meant to definitively indicate criminal intent.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the death. Funk is acting as an independent prosecutor in the case out of Nashville.

Memphis has been roiled by Tyre Nichols fatal beating by Memphis police in January. The Black motorist was punched, hit with a baton, kicked and pepper sprayed during an arrest that was recorded on video.

His death led to seven police firings, including of the five officers who have since been charged with second-degree murder in state court and federal civil rights violations. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Nichols family members were present at a March news conference during which Gershun Freemans family called for the corrections deputies involved in the confrontation with Freeman to be punished.

Freeman had been booked in jail Oct. 1 on charges of attacking and kidnapping his girlfriend, according to court records.

The video begins with two corrections officers serving meals to inmates in a narrow hallway. When Freemans cell opens, he runs out unclothed and appears to charge at the officers.

The officers wrestle him to the ground and begin to punch, kick and pepper-spray him. They are joined by additional officers. The deputies move with Freeman out of the hallway. From another cameras view, Freeman is seen wrapping himself around an officers legs in a different hallway.

The video shifts to a bank of escalators and Freeman, still naked, runs up one of them. In another hallway, a struggle continues with officers attempting to restrain him before getting him face-down on the ground. They can be seen stepping and kneeling on his back before he becomes still. One officer remained on Freemans back for several minutes before he was lifted.

He appears limp when officers do lift him up, with his head falling forward between his knees and his hands cuffed behind his back. He remains in that position until medical employees arrive, and the video ends.

Bonner, who is running for mayor of Memphis, said the deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave. Bonner said he supports them and claims the release of the video and the indictments are politically motivated because Mulroy, the Shelby County district attorney, supports a different mayoral candidate.

Let me be clear. No action  no action  by any Shelby County Sheriffs Office employee caused Mr. Freemans death, Bonner said, adding later that he would be the first one to donate to any fundraiser to help with his deputies legal fees.

In a statement, Mulroy said he had endorsed candidate Van Turner for mayor before Freemans death. Mulroy also said he recused himself from the investigation to keep politics out of the case.

Gershun Freemans family, attorney Ben Crump, and RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the parents of Tyre Nichols, hold a press conference to address Freemans death at Shelby County Jail outside of the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center in Memphis, Tenn., March 17, 2023. Nine Memphis jail deputies have been indicted in the death of Freeman, who was having a psychotic episode and died in custody last fall after jailers punched, kicked and kneeled on his back during a confrontation, a sheriff said Wednesday, Sept. 20. (Photo by Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal via AP, File)

Ive had no involvement at all in the case since last year, and played no role in the decision to indict, Mulroy said, adding that he supported the video release in the name of transparency.

Brice Timmons, a lawyer for Freemans family, said Bonner is to blame for Freemans death.

He supports his officers. He creates these policies, Timmons said in a news conference just outside the sheriffs office.

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Al-Masmak Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Courtesy of Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Seoul





By Kim Hyun-bin







The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to celebrate its 93rd National Day, Saturday, to commemorate the historic proclamation made by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud in 1932, when he named the country the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.







This momentous event followed a unification process that spanned 32 years, leading to the formation of a state dedicated to spreading peace, goodness, knowledge and development, all while steadfastly advancing toward a brighter future for its people and the global community.







King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Saudis will reflect on this significant day that instilled pride in their religion and patriotism, fostered by a government committed to their development. This commitment has propelled Saudi Arabia to stand proudly among nations, marked by substantial progress and modernization comparable to developed countries.







This year, the citizens of Saudi Arabia revisit this memory under the banner of "We Dream and Achieve." This slogan signifies the realization of dreams in various aspects of Saudi life, evident in the ambitious projects launched as part of Saudi Vision 2030. This vision has fortified the kingdom's position and capabilities to continue its influential role on the global stage.







Today, Saudi Arabians live in an exceptional present and look forward to an even more extraordinary future. The Saudis place their trust in King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who has been at the helm since 2015, diligently guiding the nation forward. His efforts have spanned a multitude of fields, both domestically and internationally, and have been marked by accomplishments across various stages of his leadership.







Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been unwavering in his commitment to uphold the kingdom's regional and international significance, prioritize citizen well-being, and drive Saudi Arabia towards advanced global standing.







In 2016, he introduced "Kingdom's Vision 2030," a comprehensive plan built on a strong foundation, characterized by a resolute intent to undertake extensive projects and investments across all sectors, leveraging the kingdom's strategic position and pioneering capabilities. Seven years since its launch, this vision has yielded numerous achievements, enhancing government operations, stimulating economic growth, and fostering societal advancements, setting the groundwork for future success.







Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in upholding regional security and stability, enjoying a prominent status in the regional, Arab, Islamic and international arenas. The kingdom actively influences international decision-making and remains dedicated to fostering global peace and security.







Old Town in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Courtesy of Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Seoul





As one of the world's leading oil producers, Saudi Arabia acknowledges its responsibility in combating climate change. The kingdom is actively pursuing innovative solutions to address the climate crisis, embracing the era of renewable energy sources. The Saudi Green Initiatives are poised to position the kingdom as a global leader in sustainability.







Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Korea Sami M. Alsadhan

It is worth noting that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea represents a genuine partnership. The leaders of both countries prioritize strengthening this relationship and expanding its horizons, enhancing economic ties, boosting trade, and fostering joint investments.







Additionally, Saudi Arabia anticipate the outcomes of the historic visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister to the Republic of Korea in November last year. This visit reinforced the longstanding ties between the two nations, resulting in the signing of over 26 agreements worth $30 billion across economic, developmental, cultural and investment sectors.







A rock climber climbs up a cliff on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Seoul





The Republic of Korea is a strategic partner of Saudi Arabia in realizing Vision 2030, as demonstrated by the "Saudi-Korean Vision 2030" Memorandum of Cooperation signed in October 2017. This underscores the Kingdom's recognition of Korea's significance as an economic partner in achieving its Vision 2030 goals and actively participating in projects such as Neom City, The Line, Oxagon and others.


By Khalid Abdelaziz

CAIRO (Reuters) -The heads of Sudan's rival military factions gave competing addresses to the United Nations on Thursday, one from the podium at U.N. headquarters in New York and the other in a rare video recording from an undisclosed location.

Army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, speaking at the United Nations following a string of foreign trips, called on the international community to designate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a terrorist organization and to counter its sponsors outside Sudan's borders.

RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, said in a video message that his forces were fully prepared for a ceasefire and comprehensive political talks to end the conflict.

Both sides blamed the other for starting the war that erupted in mid-April in Khartoum and has spread to other parts of the country including the western region of Darfur, displacing more than 5 million people and threatening to destabilize the region.

Most of Hemedti's recent communications have been audio messages, and his whereabouts have been a source of speculation.

In the video released on Thursday shortly before Burhan spoke, Hemedti appeared in military uniform, seated behind a desk with a Sudanese national flag behind him as he read out his speech. His location was not clear.

"Today we renew our commitment to the peaceful process to put a halt to this war," Hemedti said. "The RSF are fully prepared for a ceasefire throughout Sudan to allow the passage of humanitarian aid ... and to start serious and comprehensive political talks."

FAILED CEASEFIRES

Previous assertions by the army and the RSF that they are seeking a solution to the conflict, as well as announcements of ceasefires by both sides, have failed to stop bloodshed and the deepening of a humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

"We are still extending our hands for peace, to stop this war and the suffering of our people," said Burhan, adding that the army remained committed to withdrawing from politics in a transition to civilian rule.

But he also called for the RSF to be labeled a terrorist group and said it was backed by regional and international backers, without naming any. "There is a need to firmly address their sponsors," he said.

Sudan's war broke out over plans to formally integrate the RSF into the army as part of a political transition, four years after the overthrow of former leader Omar al-Bashir during a popular uprising. The army and RSF staged a coup together in 2021 before coming to blows.

Witnesses say the army has used heavy artillery and air strikes that have caused casualties in residential districts of Khartoum and other cities, and that the RSF has inflicted widespread looting and sexual violence on residents as well as participating in ethnically targeted attacks in Darfur.

Saudi Arabia and the United States have tried to secure a lasting ceasefire in Sudan but the process stalled amid parallel international initiatives in Africa and the Middle East.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdeaziz, Yomna Ehab and Enas Alashray; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Leslie Adler, Sandra Maler and Grant McCool)
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.

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DUBUQUE, Iowa  Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that if re-elected, he would immediately invoke a federal law granting himself the unilateral power to detain and deport non-citizens in the United States who are older than 14 years old.

In remarks at a campaign stop, Trump pledged to use the Alien Enemies Act  part of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798  to target suspected gang members, drug dealers and cartel members.

Ill...invoke immediately the Alien Enemies Act to remove all known or suspected gang membersthe drug dealers, the cartel members from the United States, ending the scourge of illegal alien gang violence once and for all, Trump said from a campaign stage in here in front of more than 1,000 supporters.

Trump put forward his proposal in a speech intended to outline what would amount to his second-term immigration policy  one that foreshadows a greater use of executive branch powers and law enforcement resources, which the president could have a greater hand in directing.

He also told the crowd that he would also reinstate and expand the travel ban that he implemented during his first term in the White House. The ban, which President Joe Biden ended on his first day in office, barred most individuals from seven countries  including five Muslim-majority countries  from entering the United States.

The Alien Enemies Act  meant to be a wartime measure  was notably used during World War II. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt invoked it following the bombing of Pearl Harbor to order the government observation and detention of thousands of Japanese, German and Italian nationals.

The law says a president may order non-citizens to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies when he or she makes public proclamation than an invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation.

A number of Democratic senators and civil rights groups have pushed for the repeal of the Alien Enemies Act.

On Wednesday, Trump said that he would expand his travel ban to deny entry to all communists and Marxists to the United States. The Republican front-runner provided no details or parameters for such a proposal.

Trump also promised to relocate thousands of troops presently stationed overseas to the U.S.-Mexico border.

We guard other peoples borders, but we dont guard our own, said Trump.

He further asserted that a new Trump administration would shift massive portions of federal law enforcement  including the FBI, DEA and ATF  into immigration enforcement roles.

Trump also said that he would commit the Navy to establish blockades to ensure fentanyl would not cross into the country by waterways.
By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives late on Wednesday announced they had embraced a framework for legislation providing stopgap funds to avert government shutdowns starting on Oct. 1.

Without prompt action by Congress, existing money to fully operate a vast array of federal programs expires at midnight Sept. 30 with the end of the current fiscal year.

For months, far-right House Republicans have been demanding deeper cuts in federal spending than agreed to in bipartisan legislation this summer.

The 64 members of the House's "Problem Solvers Caucus" -- 32 Democrats and 32 Republicans -- issued a statement saying the group had voted to endorse a temporary funding measure that would run through Jan. 11, 2024.

The stopgap funding to keep the lights on throughout the federal government also would grant President Joe Biden his request for a new round of emergency funding for Ukraine in its battle to oust invading Russian forces, as well as new money for helping U.S. communities recover from natural disasters.

It was unclear whether this plan would gain traction in the deeply-divided House.

"The Problem Solvers proposal keeps the government open, addresses our nations longer-term fiscal health and includes fiscally responsible measures," said Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer, a co-chair of the bipartisan caucus.

The group's framework also calls for establishing a new fiscal commission to "stabilize long-term (U.S. budget) deficits and debt," the statement said.

Between Oct. 1 and Jan. 11, Congress would work to pass and send to Biden the 12 regular appropriations bills to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2024, the caucus said. Funding would be set at the $1.59 trillion level approved earlier this year by the president and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Shortly after that deal was struck, McCarthy backed away from it, bowing to demands from a group of about 30 very conservative Republicans who have been seeking an additional $120 billion or so in spending cuts.

The Problem Solvers Caucus plan also calls for new border security controls that would be operational through the end of next year. Details of that plan were not outlined, however.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Michael Perry)
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.
A race to the roof was all that saved them from the deluge.

It was like being in the middle of the sea with massive waves crashing around, said high school teacher Ahmad al-Sharif, who scrambled to the top of his building with some neighbors as a wall of water swallowed up cars, homes and bodies.

In the darkness and faced with a wave of water so large it felt like a tsunami appearing in front of you, he recalled, neighbors were screaming as the deluge destroyed the city. Some were shouting Save us! Help us! while others were saying the shahada, the Islamic affirmation of faith, as the waves crashed over them and pulled them under.

Al-Sharif, 34, spoke via voice message from a shelter in Derna, the city in eastern Libya that was devastated by last weeks floods.

Most of my friends from the neighborhood have died, he said. People have been found in their homes  people have been found in the sea.

A week after a tsunami-sized flash flood devastated the Libyan coastal city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the international aid effort to help the grieving survivors slowly gathered pace. (Karim Sahib / AFP - Getty Images)

Thousands of people have been killed, with thousands more missing in the floods that survivors and experts told NBC News was not merely a natural disaster.

Years of civil war, corruption and institutional neglect left residents of the North African state at the mercy of Mediterranean storm Daniels extreme weather, as did the authorities who frankly had nothing but contempt for their people, said Tarek Megerisi, a Libya expert and senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank.

Fury that simmered for a week has now erupted into protests against local officials, with the home of Dernas ousted mayor torched.

Heres how the heavy rainfall turned so deadly in Libya.

From livestreaming to fleeing

The rain was getting heavier and heavier around midnight, but residents in the Wadi Derna Valley felt confident that the dams would hold  as they had before.

The two structures, Abu Mansour and Derna, were located just uphill from the Mediterranean coastal city and meant to protect its almost 90,000 residents.

The people were used to occasional flooding and on Sept. 10, even rain heavy enough to fill the first dam did not sound the alarm.

Were used to this  weve seen the same scene in 2011 without a catastrophe happening, said al-Sharif, who was streaming it all live on Facebook as the canal started overflowing.

Residents took videos of the water level rising, then returned home to dry off and sleep as the night got darker and wetter.

But it was soon clear that this was not just another downpour.

We started to hear screaming in the streets. Torrent! Torrent is coming! So everyone went out onto their balconies to look, and we saw the torrent rushing into the streets with a very big force, al-Sharif said.

It was about 2:30 a.m., he recalled, and cars were lying overturned on streets covered in mud. Thinking the worst was over, people headed out to clean up the roads.

Then the tragedy happened.

Around 3 a.m., it was clear both dams had given way as a second wave almost as high as the buildings in the neighborhood charged toward the residents, who ran to take whatever high ground they could and grab neighboring families to escape with them.

Some, like al-Sharif, were lucky to find their stairs taking them just out of reach of the water rushing up floor after floor behind them. After finally reaching the roof, he was shocked to see what was happening outside.

The entire place was all submerged in water  you dont see anything but water he said.

God had mercy on us, al-Sharif said. Our building survived, but the other buildings were completely wiped out. Taken away with the torrent like they were biscuits.

Residents waited until 7 a.m. for the water to recede. Al-Sharif said he walked for two hours to find safety and aid, stalked all the way by the overwhelming tragedy. The smell of death travels down all the roads, he said.

But while for many residents, the water brought death to Derna in a devastating and sudden rush, the floods were preceded by a litany of unheeded warnings.

Missed warnings

In a research paper published last year, hydrologist Abdelwanees Ashoor of Libyas Omar Al-Mukhtar University warned the Derna area has a high potential for flood risk, citing five floods that occurred there since 1942 and calling for immediate maintenance steps for the dams.

In the event of a big flood, the consequences will be disastrous for the residents of the valley and the city, he wrote in the Sebha University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences.

Some Libyan officials have also not refrained from criticizing authorities.

The dams suffered major damage in a strong storm that hit the region in 1986, and more than a decade later a study commissioned by the government revealed cracks and fissures in their structures, Libyas general prosecutor, al-Sediq al-Sour, said last week.

But years went by as cautionary reports piled up and restoration efforts either failed to get off the ground or were abandoned amid the chaos of civil war.

At a news conference in the stricken city, al-Sour said prosecutors would investigate the collapse of the two dams, as well as the allocation of maintenance funds.

I reassure citizens that whoever made mistakes or negligence, prosecutors will certainly take firm measures, file a criminal case against him and send him to trial, he said.

Survivors are in no doubt about what or whom to blame.

The main cause of the disaster was the dam located south of Derna, which had not undergone recent maintenance, said Salem Mansour, 27, who lost his sister in the disaster. Speaking from the hospital in the nearby city of Tobruk, he was convinced that more could  and should  have been done to prevent this.

The responsibility lies with the successive corrupt governments in Libya, which neglected the safety of citizens,  he added.

A tsunami-sized flash flood broke through two ageing river dams upstream from Libya's northeastern city of Derna on the night of September 10 and razed entire neighbourhoods, sweeping untold thousands into the Mediterranean Sea. (Ricardo Garcia Vilanova / AFP - Getty Images)

Libya Derna Flooding (Mahmud Turkia / AFP - Getty Images)

The country plunged into a spiral of conflict and civil war after longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi was killed by opposition fighters in a NATO-backed Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Divided between rival administrations and riven by corruption, the countrys infrastructure and public services have been neglected.

Derna lies under the authority of the countrys eastern administration, controlled by the self-styled Libyan National Army of Gen. Khalifa Hifter, while the countrys west is ruled by the Government of National Unity based in the capital, Tripoli.

Most of the civilian infrastructure has been in a state of dilapidation since their construction. There wasnt regular careful and systematic management of the Libyan infrastructure. Its really been rotting. Megerisi, the Libya expert, said.

The country is becoming a failed state, nobody has looked after it, he said.

Hifters son Saddam Hifter, considered by many as the heir apparent, refused to blame the administration, telling Sky News All is OK when asked about the flood warnings.

Climate extremes and chaotic rule

Anger among local residents fueled protests against local officials earlier this week, with the home of Dernas ousted mayor Abdel-Moneim al-Ghaithi set on fire after hundreds of people gathered in the city, chanting slogans and demanding accountability.

Authorities have been quick to respond, imposing a communication blackout and even ordering journalists to leave the area, calling it a necessary move for rescue operations.

One source of that anger is a sense that warnings were not just missed for years before the flood, but also in the days preceding the storm that slammed into the region.

One day before Daniel hit Libya, al-Ghaithi said at a news conference that some areas surrounding the dam should be evacuated. But an emergency committee formed by the eastern governments interior ministry instead imposed a curfew that was supposed to last through the morning of Sept. 11.

This confusion was a sign of the kind of chaotic governance and emergency response failure that global officials said was a crucial factor.

Petteri Taalas, head of the World Meteorological Organization, told a news conference last week that most of the human casualties could have been avoided had the local and national authorities issued the correct warnings and carried out evacuations.

The fragmentation of the countrys disaster management and disaster response mechanisms, as well as deteriorating infrastructure, exacerbated the enormity of the challenges, he said.

In countries like Libya with no singular nationwide administration, where corruption is rife and public infrastructure is often an afterthought, everything from prediction to prevention is made less reliable, analysts said.

And all of this only highlights a glaring issue facing the world going forward: The effects of climate change are making acute weather phenomena like Daniel more frequent, placing additional stress on flawed structures  and states.

Climate change is increasing weather extremes, stresses infrastructure, and makes management and preparation all the more important, said Kimberly Nicholas, a sustainability science lecturer at Lund University in Sweden.

Timely prediction of the storm and a response like the swift opening of the dam gates may have helped prevent such a disaster, experts said. But failing to identify the threat posed to Derna despite all the warnings was the ultimate failing, said Nadhir al-Ansari, a professor at Lulea University of Technology in Sweden who has been studying water resources in the Middle East for the past 40 years.

The government should have examined the areas that could be flooded in case of failure. They shouldnt have allowed the building of houses in such areas. Nobody thought of this, he said.

At least one local resident did, in a poem that warned of the dangers of the floods.

Mustafa al-Trabelsi had attended a meeting Sept. 6 in Derna to discuss the threat of flooding there. Days later, he wrote the poem, which has been shared widely in the wake of the disaster.

It reads, in part:

The rain exposes the drenched streets,

the cheating contractor,

and the failed state.

Al-Trabelsi has not posted anything since the floods, leading to fears for his safety.
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.
The Saudi royals remarks appear to be aimed at mollifying Western leaders - Saudi Royal Court/Reuters

Saudi Arabias Crown Prince has admitted to being ashamed of his countrys draconian laws, as he claimed he was powerless to help a teacher sentenced to death for criticising the leadership on social media.

Mohammed bin Salman made the admission when asked about the case of Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a retired teacher who was handed a death sentence for posts on Twitter to his tiny audience of 10 accounts.

Shamefully, its true. Its something I dont like, said the Crown Prince when asked about the case by a Fox News journalist during a television interview.

When pushed on why he could not change Saudi Arabias ultra-conservative laws, he responded: We are doing our best  we have already changed tens of laws in Saudi Arabia, and the list has more than 1,000 items. In the cabinet they have only 150 lawyers, so Im trying to prioritise the change day by day.

The Crown Prince added: But we are not happy with that. We are ashamed of that. But [under] the jury system, you have to follow the laws and I cannot tell a judge [to] do that and ignore the law, because  thats against the rule of law. But do we have bad laws? Yes. We are changing that, yes.

Saudi Arabia has launched an intensified crackdown on social media critics, handing down lengthy jail sentences for criticism of the Kingdom online.

The Crown Prince had been shunned by the West after the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist - Saudi Press Agency/Reuters

Among those to receive a tough punishment is Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi mother and Leeds University student who was sentenced to 34 years imprisonment for critical messages she posted on Twitter.

Experts familiar with the Crown Princes leadership strategy said that his interview on Fox News sent a clear signal that he wants to drastically reform the legal system as part of his Vision 2030 scheme, but that it would take time.

What he is saying is that the country has a legacy legal system that he is working to reform but that takes a lot of time and he recognises some unjustifiable sentences that he expects will be overturned on appeal, said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst who is supportive of the Crown Princes strategy.

The Saudi royals remarks also appeared to be aimed at mollifying Western leaders, who are slowly welcoming him back into the fold five years after the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist.

Khashoggi, a critic of the Crown Prince, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The Crown Prince has been accused of personally ordering the killing, although he vehemently denies this.

Khashoggis death led to the Crown Prince being shunned by most Western leaders, but relations are now warming, as he is increasingly seen as a crucial partner in the Middle East.

The Crown Prince is due to visit London in October to meet with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister.

Sir John Jenkins, the former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told The Telegraph that he thought the Crown Prince was making a genuine attempt to reform the judicial system.

Mohammed bin Salman was quizzed by a Fox News journalist during a television interview - Saudi Press Agency/Reuters

They have been saying for some time that this has nothing to do with the government, that the judges are independent and that some may well have been over-enthusiastic. Though nothing has happened so far [in terms of significant reform], he said.

This is a very slow system and dependent on the rulings of individual judges because of the way the Sharia system works.

In terms of Vision 2030, he knows he has to have a legal system not just on the commercial but criminal side which is more predictable than the system theyve got  otherwise he will have trouble attracting high-powered tourists and investors to come and live and work in Saudi Arabia.

Vision 2030 is a major infrastructure and domestic reform scheme that aims to transform the Gulf state by weaning it off oil dependency and making it attractive to foreigners.

It is possible that the Crown Princes father, King Salman, may resolve the furore over Mr al-Ghamdis death sentence by granting him clemency, added Sir John.

During the same interview, the Crown Prince hinted that al-Ghamdis case might be shown leniency by Saudi judges in the near future, but he himself could not intervene.

Well, I believe there are a few steps and trials, he said.

Im hoping that [in] the next phase of trials, the judge there is more experienced and they might look at it totally differently.

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.
Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to boost cooperation on technology for chips, robots and other advanced industries through joint research projects, Seoul's industry ministry said.

The two nations held a forum on technology exchanges in Seoul, which was attended by Korea's First Vice Industry Minister Jang Young-jin and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, as well as dozens of experts and corporate officials, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

During the forum, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yale University to establish a cooperative mechanism regarding next-generation technologies.

KIAT also signed an agreement with MassRobotics on joint robot projects, and its MOU with the U.S.' MAKER was meant to work together in the smart manufacturing field.

The attendees also discussed ways to deepen cooperation on the chip sector, and security policy regarding industry technology and how to boost exchanges of young talents, the ministry said.

"We will allow foreign researchers to join our projects on industry technologies. Korea and the U.S. will launch around 50 joint RD projects starting next year to be carried out by leading companies and global research institutions," Jang said. (Yonhap)
TODAYs Dylan Dreyer accidentally ordered penis-shaped drinking straws for her kids earlier this year.

Really thought I bought the kid-friendly Valentine pack Dylan captioned an Instagram post.

Now, Britta Rieser, a preschool director in Sudbury, Massachusetts, is sharing her unintentionally hilarious purchase.

Winning, Rieser wrote on Facebook. One of my teachers asked if I could run out and grab a birthday balloon for one of the 4 year olds in her class. This is what I selected, paid for, loaded into my car, got out of the my car, and delivered to the classroom. I swear I didnt even notice.

Britta Rieser (Courtesy Britta Rieser)

Happy birthday Grandpa! reads the balloon that Rieser chose for a little boy celebrating his fourth trip around the sun.

Its a story that will never get old.

I was in a rush and I literally grabbed the first balloon I saw that said, Happy Birthday. It never occurred to me that it might say something else, Rieser tells TODAY.com. And the funniest thing is, I scanned it myself at checkout."

Rieser returned to the Sudbury Cooperative Preschool with the balloon in hand, and delivered it to the child's classroom.

Later that day, she received a text from teacher Lana Ames. It read, Really?? Are you kidding me?

Rieser was confused. What was she referring to? Then Ames sent Rieser a photo of the balloon. Whoops!

I burst out laughing, she says. We were all in tears. How did I miss it!?"

Rieser is in good company. Dylan had the NSFW straws and Rebecca Fisher, a mom in the United Kingdom, sent her daughter to school with a postcard that featured a Roman vase decorated with penises.

We were absolutely mortified. Especially when they said that the children passed it around the classroom, Fisher previously told TODAY.com. But the teachers thought it was funny! They said they had a laugh about it, which was quite a relief.

Last year, a Nebraska mom went viral after her 5-year-old daughter gave her teacher a NSFW card that she had picked without her moms knowledge.

A best friend you can have sex with, the meant-for-adults card read on the outside. How great is that?"

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
All hope is not dead for Donald Trumps Republican rivals, but anyone seeking to emerge as a genuine challenger must soon begin to coalesce opposition to the ex-president to slow his chase toward a third straight GOP nomination.

A new CNN/SSRS poll showing the ex-presidents big lead steady in the first primary state of New Hampshire, an escalation of the campaign in Iowa, and frustrations among donors over a bloated field that is splitting the anti-Trump vote are injecting new urgency into the race four months before voting starts.

Were talking about four months. Can you believe it? the ex-president said during a trip to Iowa on Wednesday, claiming that his polling had gone up like a rocket ship and boasting about how he had carried the state twice in general elections.

This is about a lot more than a horse race. In this unprecedented election, Trumps strength raises the possibility that Republicans could chose a candidate facing four criminal trials, who could be a convicted felon by the November 2024 election and is promising, in an outpouring of autocratic rhetoric, a presidency of retribution that would test the rule of law more than his first term.

This prospect is at least part of the reason for increasing scrutiny of President Joe Bidens campaign and prospects amid concern over his capacity to repel a fearsome Trump assault and then to fully serve a possible second term that would end when he is 86.

The state of the Republican race is this: Trump is not yet unbeatable but the conditions in which he could be beaten are still far from materializing.

The new CNN/SSRS poll in the Granite State shows some signs for optimism among Trump rivals who have so far struggled to mount a credible challenge to an ex-president beloved among the partys base voters and movement in the race for second place.

Six in 10 voters are open to a candidate other than Trump, who leads with 39%  lower than his number in some other states and in national polls where he often gets a majority. But the perception that Trump could be beaten must be balanced against the fact that, just as in 2016, there is no dominant alternative to the ex-president.

In the poll, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has 13%, ahead of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 12% and former New Jersey governor and vehement Trump critic Chris Christie at 11%. The poll is bad news for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who plunged 13 points from a previous poll in July to 10%, confirming that a campaign expected to pose a real threat to Trump has eroded significantly on contact with voters. But Haley, Ramaswamy and Christie all posted large gains while Trumps support was steady, meaning the race is stable at the top but shifting below the front-runner.

One takeaway from the poll is that there is a genuine anti-Trump block of voters in New Hampshire. A sense that many voters are disillusioned by the prospect of another election between Biden and Trump and are despairing over politics in general, animated the latest episode of a reporting project by CNNs John King this week, which featured voters as they size up their options in the state.

No clear anti-Trump alternative

But for anyone to seriously damage the ex-president, in the Granite State and elsewhere, one candidate would need to emerge in a still bloated field as the choice of almost all voters who oppose him. With four months to go, there is no sign yet of any of the chasing pack being willing to cede their own ambitions in favor of their rivals in order to stop Trump. And if Trump does not take on severe damage in the first two contests, its hard to see how his momentum can be halted as the race turns south and to big state primaries loaded with nominating delegates.

This is one reason why next weeks second Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California will be important, because it will offer another chance for a member of the chasing bunch to break out.

Haley for instance will be seeking to build on some good reviews among some GOP voters after she was judged to have performed well in the first debate last month in Wisconsin. The New Hampshire poll may boost an impression that Haley is on the rise and with DeSantis ebbing, she could emerge as the strongest anti-Trump challenger.

Thats because Ramaswamy appears to appeal to many voters who might also like Trump. And 60% of voters in New Hampshire say they wouldnt consider a vote for Christie, whose growth is concentrated among Democrats and independents who say they will vote in the GOP primary. This is a potential recipe for success in New Hampshire, but is unlikely to translate into a blueprint for a winning national GOP campaign.

Nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire often gather intensity and turn decisively in the final weeks. But the building blocks of a surge to victory need to be laid weeks and months before. Political experts often warn that its early and things can change. But in a matter of weeks, it wont be early any more.

To that point, there is an increasing sense of unease among Republican donors who had hoped that Trump would not emerge as their nominee over the failure of the anti-Trump crop of candidates to coalesce, CNNs Fredreka Schouten and Steve Contorno reported on Wednesday. Some major donors expressed concerns that it might already be too late to stop Trump, whose standing within his own party appears only to have been bolstered by criminal indictments over his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election, his hoarding of classified documents in his Mar-a-Lago resort and in relation to a hush money payment to an adult film star, as the ex-president claims hes a victim of politicized persecution.

Support for Trump is so strong among Republicans that his most serious rivals have been unable to use his criminal liability, which could be a big problem in a general election, to their advantage in the primary race.

The race hits a new peak of intensity in Iowa

A feeling that a critical, more competitive stage of the campaign is unfolding can be seen in the increasing pace of activity in the other earliest nominating state  Iowa.

Trump, who has been running what appears to be a general election strategy in recent months  for instance snubbing the chance to debate his rivals in official Republican National Committee debates  flew into Iowa for canvas kickoff events on Wednesday and promised a blitz of future visits. The move reveals an apparent strategy designed to stamp out any resurgence by DeSantis, who is spending disproportionate time traveling to Iowas 99 counties in a classic gambit designed to use a Hawkeye State victory as a pivot to a national win.

Its a special place. Were going to be back five or six times in the next period, Trump said, previewing an increased Iowa schedule in October and November.

A sense of urgency is also evident in attacks by DeSantis on his former political mentor over abortion. Trump, including in an interview on Meet the Press on NBC on Sunday, has been trying to claim credit for building the Supreme Court majority that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion while criticizing Republicans  like DeSantis  who backed strict limits on the procedure. Trump appears to be eying a general election audience that punished Republicans in the midterms over the issue. But DeSantis has jumped at the chance to try to harm Trump with evangelical voters who are very important in the Iowa caucuses.

He claimed to be pro-life. He spoke at the March for Life and was waxing eloquently about how everybody counts, DeSantis said in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday. For him to then attack people like Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, all these other states, I thought was a big mistake, DeSantis said.

The abortion debate in Iowa could test whether Trump has so much credibility among Republican voters  especially over his three conservative Supreme Court picks  that he can adopt positions that might harm a more conventional GOP candidate. This in turn will have a significant impact on the Florida governors chances. If DeSantis is to pull off the kind of victory in the state that could make Trump wobble elsewhere, he will need his attacks to cut deep into Trumps lead.

But a new Fox Business poll in Iowa published on Wednesday showed that far from threatening Trump, DeSantis is only just ahead of the rest of the second tier. The ex-president is the favorite of 46% of caucus-goers in the survey. DeSantis is at 15% ahead of Haley on 11%. A Fox Business poll in South Carolina, meanwhile, puts Trump on 46% with 18% backing Haley and 10% favoring DeSantis.

In Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere, the race for the Republican nomination is beginning to accelerate. But candidates must soon begin to show that they have the capacity to mount a serious challenge to the former president and show they can change the complexion of a campaign when hes appeared all but untouchable.

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An Illinois woman who was in a vehicle with a man suspected of killing a Chicago-area family died after a car crash in Oklahoma, according to officials and her family.

Ermalinda Palomo, 50, who was shot in the head, died Wednesday afternoon at an Oklahoma hospital, JohnPaul Ivec, an attorney for her family, said Thursday. Ivec said the death had been ruled a homicide.

One of her daughters also confirmed her death, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said the woman in the car died after having been taken to a hospital.

Palomo was involved in an accident with a man police believe to be Nathaniel Huey Jr., 32, who was a suspect in the deaths of Alberto Rolon, 38; Zoraida Bartolomei, 32; and their two boys, 7 and 9. The family was found dead in their Romeoville, Illinois, home Sunday night.

A motive in those slayings was not clear.

Ivec said Palomo was engaged to Huey. He said she was home sleeping when the family was killed and had nothing to do with the murders.

"We know without a shadow of a doubt," he said.

Police said the car had fled authorities in Oklahoma and crashed, catching on fire. Officers then heard gunshots, police in Romeoville said. Both occupants were found with gunshot wounds. The man died at the scene, and Palomo was taken to the hospital.

Police had said she was a person of interest in the killings before her family reported her missing and in danger Tuesday night.

One of the Palomo's daughters, who did not want to be named, said that Huey was a "very angry man" and that her mother "was scared of him."

"Huey is someone I thought I could trust," she said. "And the past few months, he distanced himself from us, and it turned out to be that we could not trust him."

Another daughter, Cristiana Espinoza, 25, of Streamwood, Illinois, said her mother had dated Huey for about eight years. She said Huey was "very dangerous" and a "huge manipulator."

Ivec said Palomo was a mother of five, who had five grandchildren.

The family is in shock and grieving," he said.

Romeoville police and Deputy Police Chief Chris Burne said Wednesday that evidence pointed to a connection between the suspect and the family, as well as a possible motive, but did not provide further details.
WASHINGTON  Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday afternoon after heading to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers who will be asked to continue to fund his nation's defense against Russia.

The Ukrainian leader met with a bipartisan group of House members in the morning and met with about 70 senators shortly after.

In the meeting with senators, Zelenskyy took half a dozen questions on topics including a plan for victory and what Ukrainians need most from the U.S. in terms of financial and military aid.

Follow live updates on the Zelenskyy visit

In his second trip to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Biden and Zelenskyy will meet in the Oval Office, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room that Vice President Kamala Harris will also attend.

The first ladies of both nations will also be part of the visit.

John Kirby, the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, told reporters on Wednesday that Biden is "looking forward" to hearing a "battlefield perspective directly from Ukraine's commander in chief" and reiterated that the administration will continue to stand with Ukraine.

Kirby said he also expected Zelenskyy to visit the Pentagon, where he will meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

Biden previously reiterated support for Ukraine and emphasized that "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war" in his Tuesday speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? Id respectfully suggest the answer is no," Biden said in his speech. "We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

When asked about a future aid package for Ukraine, Kirby said that he would not get ahead of the president, and Biden "has every expectation of talking to President Zelenskyy about his needs and about how the United States will continue to meet those needs." When asked whether Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), a long-range weapon, would be part of an aid package, Kirby said they are "not off the table." The U.S. has previously rejected providing long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday that he declined a request from Zelenskyy to address a joint session of Congress because of time constraints given the busy legislative week, in remarks first reported by Punchbowl News. McCarthy also noted that Zelensky had already addressed Congress.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pose together at the Capitol on Sept. 21, 2023. (Obtained by NBC News)

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., blasted McCarthy for his decision not to hold a joint address for Zelenskyy, telling NBC News that there was a possibility that we could have had a joint session, but apparently the House decided that they didnt have time to do it, which is disappointing.

Guess they have their hands full, Rounds quipped.

It comes the same day a group of congressional Republicans sent a letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young about Ukraine funding requests, arguing that "it would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant" the request without having further details about how the money is used, the Ukrainians' strategy and Biden's exit plan. The letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Zelenskyy's meeting with the senators lasted a little over an hour on Thursday morning. He spoke entirely in English, without the use of translators, according to two Senators in the room.

He was exceptionally good today, said Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., who has questioned and voted against aid for Ukraine in the past.

Zelenskyy was extremely personable, Rounds said, adding that the closed-door nature of the meeting allowed Senators to have a more intimate conversation with the Ukrainian President.

Asked if there was concern that Congress would not approve aid, Rounds shot back that there was more than enough support in both chambers.

Both Biden and Zelenskyy attended the U.N. General Assembly this week, and they previously met in July during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zelenskyy visited Washington in December and delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress. He also met with Biden at the White House during the December trip.

Ukraine is alive and kicking, he said in his previous speech to Congress. Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.

Congress has appropriated more than $113 billion for the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine, according to a March release from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.


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Pakistans men in uniform have historically been as manipulative as the politicians if it suited them.

The late Gen. Zia-ul Haqs whispered words in the ears of his one-time mentor Lt. Gen. Faiz Chisti Mursheed, marwa na dena (mentor, dont get us killed) has entered Pakistani folklore and still sends shivers down the spine of all politicians! Its a statement that typifies so much that is wrong with Pakistan, then and now. Lt. Gen. Chisti was Zias junior and thus not deserving of the mursheed tag, but Zia was goading his junior to undertake a coup detat against the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, ironically called Operation Fairplay!

Pakistans men in uniform have historically been as manipulative as the politicians if it suited them. All three formal coups by Ayub Khan, Zia-ul Haq and Pervez Musharraf were accompanied with insincere promises of immediate elections. Ayub ruled for 11 years, Zia for 10, and Musharraf for nine years -- only personal health, mysterious death or unsustainable unpopularity forced them out. When not officially in power, the generals were content with the charade of democratically elected governments, as they went about selecting these with impunity. The Establishment in Pakistan (meaning the military) never belonged to any political camp and was switch sides whenever necessary. In turn, they have backed the PPP of the Bhuttos, the PML(N) of the Sharifs and even the PTI of Imran Khan, and booted them out whenever the politicos crossed Rawalpindis red lines.

An otherwise wily politician, Nawaz Sharif ran into trouble with all six Army Chiefs that he personally appointed (usually bypassing seniority), on the misplaced presumption of their loyalty towards him. Without exception, all six ran into him hard. After getting bumped out by Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, he had famously called the shadowy Establishment Khalai Maqlook (invisible aliens) which surreptitiously decided the fate of Pakistan. Nawaz was essentially right, and they continue to do so.

Pakistans general election is now due in November 2023, and all eyes are on the Establishment to second-guess the direction in which it will march this time.

A relatively unknown, non-controversial senator from the Balochistan Awami Party (also called Kings Party for its pro-Establishment stance), Anwaarul Haq Kakar, has taken over as caretaker Prime Minister, to manage the show in the interim period. Given that the Establishment is not beholden to any political camp (despite Shehbaz Sharifs claims of good relations with the military), the Establishment will continue feigning its much-ridiculed claim of neutrality till the last minute, to ensure that it gets the government that suits it best.

One thing is clear: with the rising popularity of Imran Khan, despite his incarceration and possible disqualification, his PTI might easily win a popular mandate and insist on a puppet candidate, chosen by Imran. Such a scenario would be simply unacceptable to the Establishment, with both the current Army Chief, Gen. Asim Munir, and his predecessor, Gen. Bajwa, having personal axes to grind. Washington too would fear the unreliability and theatrics of Imran Khan. So, despite any theatrics by the PTI, the Establishment cant afford to back Imran or his PTI in the top job.

There are four possible routes for the Establishment to march towards after the elections. First, to stitch together yet another coalition of the unwieldy, with the larger Sharif-Bhutto coalition (along with other anti-PTI forces). This discredited bunch could tactically agree to continue the unnaturalness of this equation as the best of bad options. But will the Establishment agree to associate itself and besmirch its already wounded reputation?

Second, persist with the caretaker arrangement under the plausible pretext of a national emergency, and to buy time. The Constitution will not be amenable to such extensions, but then the Constitution is just a piece of paper for the Establishment.

Third, if no single party or coalition is feasible, cobble together a national government of credible technocrats (which wont appear threatening to the Establishment) -- like banker Shaukat Aziz under Pervez Musharaf (who was PM in 2004-07). In a country that has genuinely got tired of corrupt and failed politicians, and the Establishments surreptitious ways, citizens may welcome such an option of perceived do-gooders with domain expertise (as the unseen levers stay with the generals).

Lastly, repeat the Ayub-Zia-Musharraf formula of legitimising the obvious? That seems unlikely, but it all depends on the risk appetite of Gen. Asim Munir. He is an unknown oddity in that he ticks several non-functional boxes: hes a rare Hafiz-e-Quran (who has memorised the Quran), has an insight into the governance levers after having been the head of both Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence before becoming Army Chief. Gen. Munir has served in Saudi Arabia and is not known to be a hawk on Afghanistan, and is thus amenable to the important Arab sheikhdoms as well as to Washington. He is taking on the terror group Tehreek-a-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and so even the Chinese, given their serious security concerns over CPEC investments, wouldnt mind a security-focused person at the helm. Despite all their concerns about democracy and legitimacy, therefore, the influential outsiders wouldnt really mind if Pakistan were again to be directly run from Army House as the residence of the head of government.

The Establishment will decide the final direction as the situation evolves and options emerge. The only person who seems to be persona non grata (as of now) is Imran Khan. The State within a State, as the Pakistani military is often described, was and is the real McCoy in Pakistan. Which way they will march depends on how events develop.
The United States will "do everything" to make sure that Korean chipmakers are able to continue their business in China or elsewhere, a senior U.S. official said Thursday, one month to go before the expiry of its one-year waiver from equipment export restrictions on China.

In October last year, the U.S. announced a set of rules that restrict exports of certain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and items to companies in China in an apparent bid to slow Beijing's technological advances.

But Samsung Electronics and SK hynix received a one-year waiver amid concerns that the move would disrupt their businesses in China as the Korean chip giants rely on U.S. equipment for part of their production there.

"We understand the concerns that companies have and we'll do everything that we can to make sure that companies are able to continue to conduct their business," U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves told Yonhap News Agency in Seoul.

He visited Korea on Thursday for a two-day stay to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation on advanced industries and other pending issues of mutual concern.

Graves refused to comment on individual cases but stressed that Washington is giving them "the opportunity to explain to us why they should receive a waiver" as it wants "to make sure that what we're doing is allowing legitimate business to go on" and does not want to "constrain" them "unnecessarily."

"We want to have strong national security but also allow our businesses to be able to continue to do their work and to succeed, because ... if they're able to invest successfully, grow research and development, then they'll be able to have long term success and we'll be able to keep that technological advantage together as partners," Graves said.

Earlier, Korea's industry ministry voiced expectations for the extension of the waiver as the two nations have been in talks regarding the issue.

Samsung runs a chip manufacturing plant in the Chinese city of Xian, which accounts for some 40 percent of its global NAND flash production. In Suzhou, the chipmaker runs a semiconductor packaging factory.

SK hynix currently operates multiple plants in China, including one in the eastern city of Wuxi, where it manufactures about half of its global DRAM chips. (Yonhap)
His name was among 43 of NIAs most-wanted terrorists

New Delhi: One of Indias most wanted gangsters, Sukhdul Singh, alias Sukha Duneke from Punjab, was killed in Winnipeg, Canada, on Wednesday night in what is believed to be due to an inter-gang rivalry.

His killing came hours after Duneke's name figured in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) most wanted list of 43 linked to the terror gang network with their connections in Canada. Duneke, who had more than 18 cases against him, including murder and robbery in India, was believed to be in Canada after he fled India in 2017 on forged documents. It is learned that Indian agencies have prepared dossiers on Khalistani elements residing in the US and Canada, which will be handed over to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to be given to these countries for repatriation of these elements under bilateral agreements.

It is not clear who is behind Duneke's killing, but names of two gangs are circulating on various social media platforms.

Duneke's killing comes at a time when India-Canada diplomatic relations are at a low point after the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar, even though the Canadian authorities have not provided any evidence to support his claim.

"Safe haven is being provided in Canada. We want the Canadian government not to do so and take action against those with terrorism charges or send them here to face justice... We've sought either extradition requests or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we've requested over the years, but the response has not been helpful at all," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. He added that Canada's reputation is growing as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. "And I think that's a country that needs to worry about its international reputation," he added.

The Khalistani elements have in the past few days threatened Hindus in Canada, asking them to leave the country, and called for a referendum against the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa, accusing him of being involved in the killing of Nijjar. The Hindu community in Canada has written to the Trudeau government, urging it to recognise these threats as hate crimes. "We anticipate that Canadian authorities will take decisive action to address this matter... as it concerns the safety and security of Canadian citizens," said the Hindu Forum in Canada.

Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district, the gangster was an active member of the Davinder Bambiha gang and closely associated with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla, gangster Lucky Patial, Malaysia-based gangster Jackpal Singh, alias Lali, and other criminals. He was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket, targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab and neighbouring areas through his local contacts, and managing the network of his foreign-based associates, the sources said.

In the last few months, the number of extortion calls made by Duneke had increased considerably in Punjab and neighbouring areas, they added. In January, two of Duneke's associates, Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda, and Paramjeet Singh Pamma, were arrested by the counter-intelligence wing (Bathinda). These men were part of the extortion racket run by Duneke.

"The NIA has provided a list of 10 gangsters who run drug cartels in Punjab, and 8 of them are in Canada. They have been granted citizenship there, so the question arises, are they (Canada) our friends or enemies? The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala was allegedly planned by individuals based in Canada," said Congress MP Ravneet Singh.

Meanwhile, NIA on Thursday released pictures of 10 accused involved in attacking the Indian Consulate at USA's San Francisco in March. The NIA has sought information about them from the public. According to the NIA, the case was registered following an attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco during the intervening night of March 18 and 19 when some pro-Khalistani entities allegedly trespassed into the consulate and tried to burn it down. The same day, Khalistani supporters, raising slogans, had broken through the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and put up two so-called Khalistani flags on the consulate premises, damaged the building and assaulted and injured the officials, the anti-terror agency said.
by Melani Manel Perera

After the recent revelations of the Channel 4 documentary, the Minister of Public Security once again exonerates the police, whose top management includes the former head of the secret service, whom the Supreme Court has ordered to pay compensation to the victims. The spokesman for the archdiocese of Colombo: impossible to get to the truth without a new investigation with the supervision of foreign experts.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The debate on the report ordered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the investigation of the Easter 2019 attacks, which caused 269 deaths and around 500 injuries in Colombo, has arrived in Parliament in Sri Lanka.

The act was decided in the aftermath of the uproar caused by a documentary broadcast on 5 September by the British broadcaster Channel 4 which heavily implicated officials of the administration of the deposed president Rajapaksa, accusing them of having deliberately left the field open to Islamic extremists, authors of the massacres, to gain political advantage from the chaos.

In reality, during the parliamentary session, the Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles did nothing but reiterate the thesis according to which so far a role on the part of the police in the massacres has not clearly emerged.

The names of the allegedly accused officials have been turned over to the Attorney General for further proceedings, he said.

Therefore, he added, it would be wrong for me to nominate some staff members as if they were already accused, until they are rightly prosecuted.

Yet the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka itself has already condemned - together with former president Rajapaksa - also the former director of the security services Nilantha Jayawardene to compensate the victims; but despite this Jayawardene still remains in positions of responsibility at the top of the Sri Lankan police.

A fact that opposition deputies have cited as proof of the current administration's lack of will to truly ascertain responsibility for the massacres.

Disappointment was also expressed by the archdiocese of Colombo: the spokesperson Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that using people accused in relation to the Easter Sunday bombings to inform MPs about investigations into those bombings is an insult to Parliament.

Having another debate in Parliament will not help find the real perpetrators he continued, reiterating the archdiocese's request for a new investigation with the supervision of foreign experts to ascertain the truth.
Extraordinary repair and maintenance work needed. Undefined timeframes, some experts even speak of 50 years for completion. The closure hypothesis a 'political issue'. The denial by the Minister of Tourism that it will be regularly opened as a mosque (and open to tourists).

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The Turkish government has started extraordinary - and long-term - repair and maintenance work on the former Hagia Sophia basilica in Istanbul, which a few years ago was converted into a mosque at the behest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The decision was based on the discovery, by a group of scientists, of "significant damage" both inside and outside the Byzantine-era monument; at the moment the exact severity of the problem is not known, but some experts are already talking about a "long" term project that could take up to 50 years to be completed.

Statements that have raised concern and "suspicions" in some Turkish circles, according to which there is a question of political expediency behind the decision, so that Hagia Sophia remains closed for some time and is not used as a mosque.

Observers recall that in the same period of the conversion of the current Blue Mosque, another Christian building, the Chora (Kariye) monastery also underwent the same treatment with the transformation into a Muslim place of worship. However, there were no Islamic celebrations, prayers or rites inside because it was "suddenly" closed for restoration work.

Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy intervened on the controversy, assuring that Hagia Sophia will remain open and will also function as a mosque during the renovation works.

Various studies are currently underway to evaluate the best intervention, in particular in an anti-seismic perspective to avoid the possibility of a collapse in the prospect - not too remote - of a strong earthquake in the Istanbul area. Added to this are also maintenance works on the domes due to rainwater leaks and infiltrations.

Guides and archaeologists explain that during the restoration work the prayer area and the visiting areas will necessarily have to be limited, which means that for some time it will be necessary to seal the gates and deny access to visitors and faithful.

Turkish media have highlighted several times that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque and free access to the site have put a strain on this cultural heritage monument, and many reports have already been published about the damage caused by visitors to the walls and gates.

In May last year the first injuries to the structure were recorded, confirming the fears of the antiquities experts who were alarmed and UNESCO had threatened to remove the ancient Christian basilica from the world heritage sites.

Because, as then happened, under the control of the Turkish government it would have lost its universal character and risked being damaged, compromising its historical, cultural and symbolic value as an element of unity for all Turkish citizens. The damage concerned the imperial oak doors, from which the vandals apparently tore off some pieces.

A few weeks earlier, after almost a century, the first Islamic prayers for the period of Ramadan, the sacred month of Muslim fasting and prayer, were celebrated, led by the powerful Ali Erbas, head of the Diyanet (the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which governs the Sunni Muslims ).

The conversion into mosques of the ancient Christian basilicas - then museums at the beginning of the 20th century under Ataturk - of Hagia Sophia and Chora was part of the nationalist and Islamic policy implemented by President Erdogan to hide the economic crisis and maintain power.

Following the decree that sanctioned its transformation, the Muslim authorities covered with a white curtain the images of Jesus, frescoes and icons that testify to the Christian roots of the thousand-year-old structure dedicated to the wisdom of God and dating back to the sixth century.

The transformation of the two buildings - UNESCO world heritage sites - took place in 2020 in the first phase of the pandemic, within a political-religious controversy that crossed national borders.

Confirming the struggle around the site and the ongoing "cancellation" policy, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports that restoration work began on September 9th.

However, while describing all the projects and the different work plans, including a virtual reconstruction of the structure, we always talk about a mosque (and a former museum), but there is no mention of its origins as a Christian basilica and its Orthodox roots and Byzantine.
The Philippines plans to go before a yet-to-be-named international tribunal seeking damages against Chinese vessels operating in the Philippine section of the disputed South China Sea Chinas aggressive policy is blamed. Beijing rejects the accusations; instead, it points the finger at Japan over its release of contaminated waters from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Manila (AsiaNews)  The Philippines might file a case against China at a yet-to-be-named international tribunal over alleged large-scale coral reef destruction in the disputed South China Sea.

This week the Philippine Coast Guard released a video following underwater inspections of two areas, Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, which the Philippines claims as its own, showing "serious damage" to the marine ecosystem, a situation linked to Chinas aggressive claims in the sea that disregard treaties and the common good.

According to the Philippine military and local experts, dead corals were cleaned and crushed before being dumped into the seabed in an area claimed by Manila where Chinese fishing boats had been spotted in recent months.

Experts from the University of the Philippines plan to study the damaged corals to ascertain if reclamation activities were responsible for the environmental degradation.

Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government had a lot of evidence" of Chinese activities that negatively impact the area's ecology and maritime ecosystem, enough to blame Beijing for the devastation.

With or without the territorial dispute, the destruction of the environment is a sin against humanity, Remulla said. This is why, its a very good case to file on behalf of the Philippines and the sake of humanity itself.

The Chinese government reacted immediately rejecting any responsibility in the matter and accusing instead the Philippine official of "spreading disinformation".

In an attempt to shift attention away, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines issued a statement that read: Oceans are indeed the lifeblood of our planet. So stop the release of contaminated nuclear water from Fukushima.

This follows a pattern that China has used before, namely accuse others to hide its own actions; in this case, Japan, for releasing contaminated waters from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

For Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro, foreign entities might have harvested coral to conduct island-building work, but none of this has been proven, including the Chinese ships' link to the coral reef devastation.

Japan's ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa also waded into the controversy, expressing concern over mass coral harvesting.

Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, and coral reefs are its colourful heartbeats. Lets preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come, he wrote on X.

In view of the situation, the Philippines National Security Council (NSC) is planning marine scientific research in areas that were reportedly damaged by Chinese vessels.

[What] we need to do is to increase maritime patrols in the area and have a more extensive marine research [programme] by the scientific community to determine the exact damage to the environment, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told Rappler.

The NSC, he said, has already worked with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) to promote research into the current situation, and plans an expedition that should begin shortly.

The Councils cooperation with the UPMSI is extensive, most recently in 2021 when Philippines scientists embarked on a marine scientific research expedition funded by the NSC. This included a survey of Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

At the time, the UPMSI reported that, the surveyed area had a reef ecosystem, with corals, benthic animals, fishes, seaweeds, and other marine organisms.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

A law to defend the memory of citizens who suffered persecution under Lenin and Stalin, between 1918 and 1953. Kyrgyz historians speak of at least 40,000 people. A move by President Sadyr Zaparov (himself accused of authoritarianism) who seeks to present himself as the author of a 'great national reconciliation.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - The deputies of the Zogorku Kenes, the parliament of Bishkek, met in the Committee for Social Policies, to evaluate the text of the current law "On the rights and guarantees of rehabilitated citizens, who have suffered due to repression for their political and religious beliefs, and for social, national or other characteristics, and together the provisions for the National Archives of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The proposal plans to insert a new article that concerns those convicted for some articles of the Criminal Code of the then Soviet Russia between 1922 and 1926, which were also applied on Kyrgyz territory until 1961, covering the entire Stalinist period, and the waves of persecutions that affected many people.

In the new editorial, the characteristics of political persecution are linked to the actions of the Soviet authorities following the decisions "On the Red Terror", which after the revolution punished those who opposed the revolution and the new communist regime, in the years of the civil war between 1918 and 1920, and even in subsequent ones.

In Kyrgyzstan, and in other Central Asian countries, the counter-revolutionary movement was defined by the term basmacestvo, which summarized the actions of various national liberation groups, but also of affirmation of their ethnic and religious belonging, identifying the basmaci as the owners landowners and the baj, the large landowners or farmers enriched by the policies of the 1920s, the so-called kulaki, but also the mullahs and in general the bourgeoisie considered anti-Soviet as an "enemy" class.

One of the authors of the new bill, Zanarbek Akaev, noted that a commission for the rehabilitation of victims of political repression is also being formed at the Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences, the composition of which will include scholars, representatives of non-governmental associations, the Agency for the Defense of Rights, the prosecutor's offices, the Ministry of the Interior, the GKNB services and the state archive. This commission will be officially approved by the Zogorku Kenes.

As Akaev explains, we want to defend the rights and memory of citizens who suffered persecution under Lenin and Stalin, between 1918 and 1953, to ensure their full rehabilitation and a new understanding of our history.

Kyrgyz historians speak of at least 40 thousand people to whom the new definitions must be applied, among those who were shot, sent to concentration camps or into exile, condemned by courts or troikas of Soviet memory, the trios of "revolutionary judges".

Now one hundred years have passed since the beginning of the period in question, and rehabilitation for deputies "is an essential mission", confirms the rapporteur, "and they should also do it in the other Central Asian countries, where however there does not seem to be the same sensitivity" .

The process of reviewing historical persecutions is long and tiring, and requires scrupulous archival work and study of sources. In Kyrgyzstan the importance of this initiative takes on particularly sensitive contours, in a current context where Sadyr Zaparov's regime is accused by many of regressing towards forms of authoritarianism and repression increasingly similar to the Soviet past.

The deputies therefore approved the new bill unanimously, thus expressing solidarity with the president, who tries in every way to present himself as the author of a "great national reconciliation".

Among the many persecuted people of Soviet times there were also important intellectuals such as Torokul Ajtmatov, Imanaly Ajdarbekov, Bajaly Isakeev, Kasym Tynystanov and others, shot in 1938 at the end of the most acute phase of Stalin's terror and accused then of being "enemies of the people", while now they are the main candidates to form a new pantheon of Kyrgyz culture.

The place of their burial was found only after the end of the Soviet regime, and the monument in their honor is the symbol of a country that is still struggling to be reborn, freeing itself from its contradictions and the specters of its past.
Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun and Yao Shun of Jining are on the list of members released today a couple of weeks before the synod opens. They were picked by the local Church in agreement with the authorities and appointed by Pope Francis.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  Like in 2018, two bishops from mainland China will be present at the Synod of Bishops set to open on 4 October at the Vatican, the Secretariat of the Synod announced at a briefing that saw the release of the latest list of participants.

The local Church, in agreement with the authorities, put forward two names and the Holy Father included them among the members he appointed, said Bishop Luis Marin de San Martin, undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod.

The two bishops are 53-year-old Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun (Shandong), appointed 10 years ago, and 58-year-old Anthony Yao Shun of Jining (Inner Mongolia).

Yao Shun is one of the first bishops ordained in 2019 after the Holy See and the People's Republic of China reached a provisional agreement on episcopal appointments. The Vatican had, however, already approved his appointment in 2010.

The two are different from the two Chinese prelates  Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai of Chengde (Hebei) and Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Ya'an (Shaanxi)  who participated in the 2018 Synod on young people.

Other prelates from the wider Chinese area will also be present, namely newly appointed Cardinal Stephen Chow, bishop of Hong Kong (who was already on the list), and Bishop Norbert Pu of Kiayi (Taiwan) from the Bishops Conference officially recognised by the Vatican (which includes only prelates from Taiwan).

The first list of Synod members was released in early July and did not include the two bishops from mainland China, when the question of Beijings unilateral transfer of Bishop Shen Bin to Shanghai, the heart of Chinese Catholicism, was still not settled.

A few days later Pope Francis, in a show of overture, appointed Shen Bin to Shanghai, a decision Vatican Secretary of State Card Parolin described as "for the good of the diocese" to fix the irregularity created. This probably made it possible for the two prelates to attend the Synod.

In todays briefing, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication Paolo Ruffini said that their presence shows the importance of the Church and Chinese people that Pope Francis clearly underscored during his recent trip to Mongolia.

It should be noted that since the pandemic Chinese bishops have not been allowed to take part in any initiative by Asian Churches.

Last year no one from mainland China attended the general assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) in Bangkok marking the FABCs 50th anniversary, nor were any able to publicly take part in the different phases of the synodal path in Asia.

Just a few weeks ago, the bishop of Jining, whose Church follows Mongolian tradition and has historically important ties with Mongolia, was not allowed to travel to that country to meet Pope Francis.
Relations between India and Canada have hit an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that India might be behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who promoted the establishment of an independent Khalistan. The crisis has put the United States in a tough spot given Indias importance as a US ally in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ottawa (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The diplomatic spat between India and Canada rose by a notch today in the wake Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement on Monday suggesting that the Indian government may be involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist.

BLS, an outsourcing service provider for Indian government and diplomatic missions, announced that it was suspending visa services for Canadians until further notice for "operational reasons".

India's foreign ministry declined to comment on the matter, saying interested parties should refer to the BLSs website.

Relations between the two countries, which have been strained for some time, are now at an all-time low.

On Monday, Prime Minister Trudeau said Canadian intelligence agencies were investigating whether agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder last June of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen designated as a terrorist by India in 2020 for promoting an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, to be carved out of Indian and Pakistani Punjab.

Nijjar was killed outside the temple he led in the city of Surrey, British Columbia; the two hitmen who shot him have not been identified.

Yesterday India issued an advisory to its citizens travelling or living in Canada to "exercise utmost caution" due to " growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes, a reference to Sikh activism, which has a wide audience in Canada.

Last year, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an association banned in India since 2019, organised a referendum for Khalistan. Deemed a secessionist threat, India asked Canada to stop and speak out against it.

The Khalistan independence movement emerged in the 1970s after a long history of political militancy. It has included a phase of armed struggle and has seen a revival recently, in particular after India arrested self-styled preacher Amritpal Singh.

Canada has 1.4 million people of Indian origin, 3.7 per cent of the country's population, according to the 2021 census. The North American country is also home to the largest Sikh community outside India, at around 780,000.

Aside from English and French, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language.

The crisis in Indo-Canadian relations spells trouble for US President Joe Biden, who must try to keep the two allies together.

John F. Kirby, a spokesman for the presidents National Security Council, said that the US administration is deeply concerned about the allegations, adding that the perpetrators of this attack need to be brought to justice.

Stressing US ties with India, he noted that our relationship with India remains vitally important not only for the South Asian region but, of course, for the Indo-Pacific.
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Moscow urges Seoul not to follow US-led anti-Russian propaganda

By Lee Hyo-jin

South Korea is taking contrasting diplomatic approaches to address Russia and China as Pyongang and Moscow bolster military ties.

While condemning Russia for its potential arms deal with North Korea, Seoul is seeking to improve ties with Beijing in a move analysts view as an attempt to prevent the North Korea-Russia partnership from expanding into a trilateral bloc with China.

During his speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Wednesday (local time), President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a warning against military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, saying any arms deal between the two countries would be a "direct provocation" against South Korea.

"If North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its Weapons of Mass Distruction (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 said.

In his speech, Yoon used the term "Russia-North Korea" instead of "North Korea-Russia," drawing attention as the latter is more frequently used by the South Korean public. His choice of words apparently reflected his administration's increasing hostility toward North Korea, possibly perceiving the relationship with North Korea more distant than that with Russia.

Later in the day, Russia expressed deep regret over Yoon's speech and warned of the "negative consequences" on biltaeral relations if South Korea continues to follow the anti-Russian propoganda initiated by the U.S.

"We call upon the government of the Republic of Korea, with which Russia has a substantial experience of mutually beneficial communication and cooperation, to base its actions on a healthy and objective assessment of the current situation," the Russian Embassy in Seoul said in a statement.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russian Ambassador to Seoul Andrey Kulik, Monday, to protest Russia's military ties with North Korea. It was the first time Seoul called in the Russian envoy since July 2019, when a Russian military aircraft invaded South Korea's airspace near the Dokdo islets.

The rare official diplomatic protest, however, was brushed off by Russia.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Russian Embassy said the ongoing speculation about potential technological and military cooperation with North Korea is a groundless" claim being disseminated by the South Korean and U.S. media.

"The real threat to the Korean Peninsula comes from the fierce and disproportionate military activity by South Korea and United States that aims to deter Pyongyang by force," the embassy added.

Seoul seeks to break ice with Beijing

Seoul's hardline stance toward Russia appears to contrast with its active engagement with China. In recent weeks, South Korea has been trying to thaw relations with China that have chilled considerably under the incumbent administration.

Earlier this week, the government announced that a delegation led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which kicks off this Saturday.

Announcing such plans, Han said his visit will send a positive signal to China and expressed hopes of meeting Chinese President Xi Jingping, either in the form of an one-on-one meeting or a brief engagement.

Considering that South Korea's delegations to previous Asian Games were led by the culture minister, Han's envisioned visit highlights Seoul's willingness to improve ties with Beijing, according to Kang Joon-young, a professor of Chinese Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

"China wants to improve relations with South Korea too," Kang said. "Han may be able to meet with Preimer Li Qiang, and I wouldn't rule out the possiblity of a brief meeting with Xi."

China's complex view on the deepening North Korea-Russia partnership can be a good opportunity for South Korea to restore diplomatic ties with its biggest trading partner, the professor said.

"Forging a Beijing-Moscow-Pyongyang military bloc is not something China wants right now. Beijing seems to be refraining from overtly highlighting trilateral cooperation, which makes room for South Korea to improve bilateral relations with China," he said.
Volkswagen introduced the third generation of its compact SUV, Tiguan, in 2023, and it was a big step forward for the vehicle compared to its predecessor in terms of styling, technology, and features.

The Tiguan started its career trying to catch up with Nissan Qashqai and losing most of the time. Volkswagen didnt have the reputation of a 4x4 car maker, so its products suffered in that segment. But the German automaker didnt give up and pushed harder on the market. The second generation, which it launched in 2016, performed better and took the crown as the best-selling VW. By 2023, the Tiguan had reached 7.6 million units sold and was on its way to success. Thats why its creator tried to make a better car and surprise its customers in a good way.

With styling cues carried over from its bigger brother, the Touareg, the Tiguan looked more up-scale than its predecessor. Strangely, there was no grille above the massive bumper, just a lower one needed to cool the engine and a pair of side scoops that housed a pair of air intakes. The LED headlights showed a new, more angular design than on the Tiguans second generation and flanked a strip that supported the carmakers badge. From its profile, the compact SUV revealed its sculptured doors and the widened rear quarter panels, creating a muscular image for the Tiguan. Finally, at the back, the tilted forward tailgate sported a roof spoiler. Also, at the back, customers could notice the lack of any exhaust, not even fake ones. For the sporty version, Volkswagen added piano-black trims at the front bumper, the B- and C-pillars, and the rear bumper.

Inside, the third generation of the Tiguan boasted a more luxurious cabin than its predecessor. It now featured a standard 10 instrument cluster and up to 15 touchscreen for the infotainment system. Just like the rest of the Volkswagen range, the multimedia unit didnt feature a dedicated volume knob, but the automaker thought slightly differently. Volkswagen listened to its clients and ditched the touch-buttons from the steering wheel and replaced them with physical ones, which was a good thing. Between the front seats on the center console, it installed a rotary dial with its own touch-button inside that could control several systems, including the volume. The front occupants could access it from their comfortable seats designed for long journeys. In the back, the carmaker installed a split-folding bench seat that could expand the 652-liter (23 cu-ft.) trunk.

Volkswagen built the Tiguan on the MQB evo platform and installed a choice of hybrid, gasoline, or diesel drivetrains. All of them were prepared for the Euro 7 emission standards and provided not just good performance but also low fuel consumption figures. Furthermore, the 2023 iteration of the Tiguan was the first to completely ditch the manual gearboxes and featured just dual-clutch ones for the entire range.
The Barracuda rolled out for the 1964 model year, then Chrysler pulled the plug after 1974 as the Malaise Era started to rear its ugly head. In addition to OPEC's original oil embargo, the American muscle car's downfall is also attributed to reduced compression ratios due to the introduction of unleaded fuel in 1971, as well as the catalytic converter going mainstream for model year 1975.

Photo: wlb400 on Bring a Trailer

Before the muscle car genre was temporarily replaced by slow land yachts, the Plymouth division was allowed to shoehorn the legendary 426 Hemi in the engine bay of the Barracuda. This resulted in the Hemi 'Cuda, with the 'Cuda moniker introduced for MY69 with a selection of three powerplants: the 340, 383, and the torque monster referred to as the 440.The 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda in the featured photos is one of merely 368 examples produced that year, an FE5 Rallye Red-painted blast from the past whose first owner used to race it under the name Warlock. Chassis number BS23R0B146694 remained with the first owner's family until 2015, the year this fellow was subjected to a nut-and-bolt restoration by Oregon-based Rouze Rod & Custom.Finished in 2018, said restoration included a replacement 426 Hemi overbored to 431 cubic inches. That means 7.06 liters compared to 6.98 for the stock engine. Fed by two four-barrel carburetors topped by a Shaker Bubble in FE5 Rallye Red, the naturally-aspirated V8 was allegedly sourced from another 1970 model year Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda.Connected to a period-correct TorqueFlite A727 three-speed automatic spinning 4.10:1 gears in the Dana 60 rear axle, said engine completely dominates the driving experience. Presently located in Minnesota, this badass car is featured as a premium listing on Bring a Trailer. At press time, the highest offer is $75,000 with nine days of bidding left to go.Given that we're not dealing with a numbers-matching time capsule, it's not going to fetch top dollar. Broad Arrow Auctions recently auctioned 0B100010 (the press preview car) without reserve, with said 1970 model hammering for 280 big ones.The most expensive Hemi 'Cuda of them all is the 1971 convertible bearing vehicle identification number BS27R1B315367. Auctioned in Seattle back in 2014, the car sold for a tremendous $3,780,000.This being said, there's no denying the 431-ci example offered on Bring a Trailer will easily surpass $100,000 in the following days. The current owner purchased it back in 2020 from Rouze Rod & Custom, but its mileage isn't unknown. The odometer was reportedly disconnected by the first owner, and it currently indicates 9 miles (14.48 kilometers).The 8,000-rpm tachometer does work, and so does the 150-mph speedometer. In metric, that means 241.40 kilometers per hour. The Hemi 'Cuda isn't capable of hitting that speed, though, for it maxes out at 117 miles per hour (188 kilometers per hour).
Not long ago, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit was one of the most important events across the automotive industry and also the signal to kick off a new year of car-related bonanza.

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However, now the Detroit Auto Show was relegated to a fall slot because of the hype surrounding CES in Las Vegas and the changing consumer tastes. This year, though, NAIAS also became a pale shadow of its former self because only the Big Detroit Three paid their respects with significant world premieres.Mopar enthusiasts witnessed the official arrival of the refreshed 2024 Jeep Gladiator mid-size adventure pickup truck. General Motors had a double ensemble with the new generation GMC Acadia full-size crossoverand the subtle yet elegant facelift applied to the 2025 Cadillac CT5. And last but certainly not least, there was also the 2024 Ford F-150.A best-seller for decades, the most successful representative of the F-Series has always attracted a lot of attention, even when it was called the F-100 instead of F-150. However, some people want to combine the past with the present and possibly even the future. Alas, if they cannot do it in the real world, they always have the refuge of the parallel universes created by the imaginative realms of digital car content creators.And there is no need to take our word for granted as we have a trio of eloquent examples. The first one is directly (sort of) related to the Ford F-Series. Dubbed Ford 'F1000' this digital project by the virtual artist behind RS Design (better known as rs_design01 on social media) is a very nice return to CGI action as the pixel master usually spends a lot of free time in between his imagined creations.With very few details shared by the author, we can see this Ford 'F1000' rocks an air bag suspension, allowing it to crawl at a millimeter-level distance from the tarmac. But that's not all. Instead, it's also full of cool stickers, has a nice patina for the virtual body along with vintage-flavored stripes, a big-lipped aftermarket wheel treatment signaling the modern stuff hiding in between them, plus a reworked heart  as seen via the second POV embedded in the gallery above.Alas, this is not the only restomod project that caught our eye recently. There was also Timothy Adry Emmanuel, the virtual artist better known as adry53customs on social media, who continues his dream ride periplus among vintage cars. So, as part of his 'Blower Gang' series, now there is also a crimson-shaded 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS rocking black flames, a massively-blown V8 towering out of the engine bay, plus all the modern elements needed to make it a monster at the local quarter-mile dragstrip, including a wheelie bar.Naturally, that creation caught the attention of another digital vintage ride restomod expert - Emmanuel Brito, or " personalizatuauto " as he is known on social media. This pixel master has an entire array of classic car projects  many of which are turning from vision into reality. Just like the gray 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, you can fully admire it in the third post embedded below! So, in the end, there is just one question left out in the open. Which is your favorite?
Yacht builders are making significant progress in their quest to lessen the industry's ecological footprint through innovative new technologies and green initiatives that help reduce fuel consumption. Netherlands-based shipbuilder Feadship is also making strides in its carbon offsetting efforts by striving to design and build yachts in the most eco-friendly way possible.

The upcoming 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, which is set to take place between September 27 - 30, is a great place to reveal innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, and Feadship plans to do just that. The renowned shipyard will showcase its latest concept design called "Dunes at the highly anticipated event, showcasing how clever exterior design can be leveraged to significantly reduce a yacht's energy needs and capture wind and solar energy almost invisibly.Dunes is the twelfth concept design developed by Feadship in its ambitious roadmap towards carbon neutrality. Just like the previous designs revealed by the company, this new conceptual yacht is not only futuristic but also feasible and ready for construction discussions today.Sustainability was the designers' main concern when creating this vessel , which is envisioned with a "low impact" steel hull and aluminum and wood superstructure, reducing carbon emissions by 50-70%. In terms of propulsion, Dunes would be equipped with a highly efficient electric propulsion system by ABB called Dynafin. It will also use groundbreaking solid oxide fuel cells powered by green methanol, which offer a low-pollution technology to generate electricity onboard.The exterior design was signed off by Studio De Voogt, and in terms of styling, the new yacht is said to be defined by flowing lines reminiscent of sand dunes, hence its name."Studio De Voogt was inspired by the shapes sculpted by the forces of nature; drifting snow, water, and sand. Noticing how sand dunes are timeless, yet ever changing gave the designers new ideas about line, flow, and adaptability," Feadship explained.Various factors were taken into account when designing this conceptual yacht, such as large overhangs to shade windows and minimize cooling requirements, next-generation storage batteries, and the elimination of teak decks. Instead of the teak decking, Feadship envisions Dunes with decks crafted from millions of tiny glass or stone chips, sealed in a transparent aliphatic polyurethane resin to give the topsides their usual glimmer. Alfresco spaces are also imagined as islands, clad in eco-conscious materials like maple wood.In terms of accommodation, Dunes will feature a six-stateroom configuration, ready to welcome up to twelve guests. All the guest cabins are situated in closer vicinity to guest amenities such as the pool deck, dining spaces, and spa areas, the regularly enjoyed leisure areas. Like most of today's luxury yachts, the owner will benefit from a private deck, while guests will be able to take in spectacular views of the surrounding seascape on the Pavilion deck.A standout feature of this concept design is the walk-around decks that offer unique circulation routes around the superyacht . The designers' exquisite attention to detail is also noticeable in the inclusion of special features like pop-up seating areas, surprise small pools and recessed bow seating.Designers Thijs Orth and Tanno Weeda will be present on-site at the Monaco Yacht Show and, together with specialist Bram Jongepier, will offer more details about the fresh concept and explain the technologies incorporated into its design.
Pictured with chrome-finish exhaust outlets, the Nite Pony visual package, and GT Performance go-faster package, said model rocks a manual tranny (supplied by Getrag for the life-sized car), Recaro bucket seats for the front occupants, and a black-painted roof. The black theme continues with the grilles up front, hood vent, mirror caps, and rear wing.Also pictured with 10-spoke aluminum wheels painted in black, the 'Stang is finished in a deep red that's halfway between the Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat (a $495 optional extra at press time) and Candy Apple Red (think #FF0800 in hex code). Under the hood  of course  you'll find the Ford Motor Company 's most advanced Coyote ever.The fourth-gen engine differs from the previous Coyote in a multitude of small ways. The easiest ways of telling the Gen 4 apart from its forerunner are the dual intakes and throttle bodies, which feed the naturally-aspirated V8 with more air, thus resulting in more power. At higher engine speeds, that is, namely 7,150 revolutions per minute as opposed to 7,000 flat in the 2023 Mustang GT.How big of a difference in crankshaft ponies are we dealing with? Ford advertises the GT with 480 horsepower to its name, up 30 from the 2023 model. Torque also went up by 5 pound-feet to 415 pound-feet (563 Nm), with torque peaking at 4,900 revolutions per minute versus 4,600 for MY23.Specifying the active-valve exhaust system unlocks 6 more horsepower (495-hp HEMI 392, anyone?) and 3 pound-feet, resulting in 486 and 418 (567). Said torque rating carries over to the Dark Horse, which replaces the Mach 1 in the 'Stang's lineup.A track-focused machine with plenty of performance additions over the GT, the Dark Horse tops 500 horsepower due to a few bits and pieces from the S550-generation Shelby GT500. There is, however, a catch. Going for the manual transmission limits engine speed to 7,250 revolutions per minute, which is also where the Dark Horse-spec Coyote develops 500 horsepower. The Ford Motor Company-developed automatic takes 7,500 revolutions per minute, which is only natural given the beefier cams designed for extended operation at high RPMs.Now exclusively automatic, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost Fastback can be yours for at least $30,920 (not including the destination freight charger). GTs kick off at $42,495, whereas the Dark Horse is $59,270. Both it and Dark Horse Premium are listed by the American automaker with limited availability.
The Indian-owned British marque has joined forces with Tesla. Its future all-electric cars will be equipped with the North American Charging Standard (formerly known simply as Tesla's charging port). The brand's customers will also be able to use the Supercharger network seamlessly. Here's the gist of it.

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Jaguar gave us the I-PACE five years ago as a stylish crossoverwith a decently sized battery under its floor. Although it has tweaked its looks for the 2024 model year , the unit is being discontinued in 2025. The brand is preparing for a major overhaul, and that strategy does not include the I-PACE.But that's understandable. The quirky vehicle is now mostly known for being used by companies developing robotaxis or training their advanced driver-assistance systems. Rarely is someone excited about the prospect of becoming a Jaguar owner anymore.The first move was announced in spring when we learned that the Land Rover and Jaguar brands wouldn't exist separately for much longer. They were to fuse and turn into JLR  one big name to rule them all. Once that transformation was done, JLR would spawn four sub-brands: Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar.The latter is now the first of the group to make a serious move about its zero-tailpipe emission future by adopting the NACS port. Thus, Jaguar follows in the footsteps of Aptera, Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Volvo, Polestar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Fisker, and Honda to become the 11th automaker that ditches the CCS Combo 1 connector.Jaguar confirms that the remaining I-PACE owners will be provided with CCS-to-NACS adapters sourced directly from Tesla but does not specify if it will make them available at no cost or if owners will have to pay for them. It'll most likely be the latter, even though it would be great to see the former implemented.Future Jaguar customers from Canada, the US, and Mexico will also have access to the Supercharger network from 2025 onward.The British marque also points out that Tesla's high-power charging stations are "reliable and easy to use" and confirms that its upcoming models will be future-proofed  they'll work well with both V3 and V4 Supercharger stalls.Existing pedestals dispense power at a maximum rate of 250 The V4s that are currently being deployed over the pond can go over 350 kW, which is great for EVs with 800V+ battery architectures.Coincidentally or not, 2025 is also when Jaguar will become an electric vehicle manufacturer. It will launch a pricey four-door GT with a range of over 400 miles next year. That unit will be built on a new platform called the Jaguar Electrified Architecture.Jaguar's intent is to compete with the likes of Bentley and Lucid, not Tesla. Still, it'll help the Texas-basedmaker to have even more customers for its dependable fast-charging network.
Billionaires, they all have more in common with each other than just their vast wealth. They also share a passion for super luxurious toys and assets, for showing off, and for privacy. And for turning off the AIS on their expensive boats.



Photo: Damen Yachting



Abeona was in the yard briefly over the summer for some minor touch-ups, with Koru accompanying it to France. It's rare for AIS tracking to be turned off even while a vessel is undergoing repairs or even taken out of the water, so this seems a deliberate decision.



As we all learned last year, when Russian oligarchs began



This helps authorities and other vessels "see the boat at all times and avoid mishaps. When the Ukraine war started, and especially after sanctions went into effect, tracking oligarchs' superyachts became a passion for many superyacht watchers.



In the case of Koru and Abeona, it looks like Bezos had about enough of being "seen."



Koru last broadcast from Sardinia, turning off AIS as it was underway to other destinations. It was later spotted in Croatia and then off the coast of Spain as early as September 11, so it's unlikely that it's dealing with some sort of AIS malfunction. Most likely, Bezos has "already [grown] tired of his yachts being tracked on AIS websites."Abeona was in the yard briefly over the summer for some minor touch-ups, with Koru accompanying it to France. It's rare for AIS tracking to be turned off even while a vessel is undergoing repairs or even taken out of the water, so this seems a deliberate decision.As we all learned last year, when Russian oligarchs began "disappearing" their superyachts the second their name popped up on a sanctions list, AIS tracking is mandatory for any vessel over 300 tons. AIS tracking offers the vessel's exact location and state (sailing or at anchor), its destination, and traveling speed.This helps authorities and other vessels "see the boat at all times and avoid mishaps. When the Ukraine war started, and especially after sanctions went into effect, tracking oligarchs' superyachts became a passion for many superyacht watchers.In the case of Koru and Abeona, it looks like Bezos had about enough of being "seen."

Jeff Bezos, Amazon billionaire and certified Space Cowboy, is also the relatively new owner of the largest sailing yacht in the world, the 127-meter (417-foot) Oceanco megayacht now sailing under the name Koru . Koru is a beast of the most gorgeous and impressive kind, and it's been attracting the kind of attention you'd expect a $500 million boat built for a billionaire would.The same goes for Koru's shadow yacht , which also holds a world record for the largest shadow vessel. Abeona is technically a superyacht on its own, but under the Bezos ownership, it serves as the toy hauler for Koru. Because of its large masts and sails, Koru can't carry any of the gear any self-respecting (and rich) seafarer needs on his adventures, like tenders, water toys, helicopters, and the like. Abeona does that instead.Given the kind of media attention these two spectacular and record-breaking vessels have gotten over the summer, it probably comes as little surprise to hear that they've gone dark. In fact, as eSysman Superyacht notes in the video below, they've been off the map for almost two months, which means that the AIS (automatic identification system) tracker has been turned off.
South Korea on Thursday imposed unilateral sanctions on 10 individuals and two institutions involved in North Korea's illegal weapons trade with other countries, including Russia, after a recent summit between Pyongyang and Moscow raised fresh concerns about their military cooperation.

Newly added to Seoul's unilateral sanctions list against Pyongyang were North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam and Pak Su-il, former head of the North's Korean People's Army's General Staff, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

Kang was spotted accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on a trip to Russia last week. Kim held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid speculation they could discuss a suspected ammunition supply deal and cooperation on space technology.

Also included in the sanctions were Ri Song-hak, an official overseeing the North's State Academy of Defense Sciences, and Jo Myung-chol of the Vladivostok branch of the North's Cheil Credit Bank.

The two institutions were Slovakian companies Versor SRO and Glocom.

The announcement marks Seoul's 12th unilateral sanctions measure against the North since the launch of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration in May last year.

A total of 64 individuals and 53 agencies have been added to the sanctions list since he came to office.

The ministry said it plans to take a firm and vigilant approach to address North Korea's illicit activities, including illegal nuclear and missile development, and weapons trading.

It also pledged to lead international efforts to prevent North Korea's violations and circumvention of sanctions through the continued imposition of unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang. (Yonhap)
There's no denying that Lucid makes fantastic all-electric vehicles. The Air comes in many flavors, and it's one of the fastest vehicles out there, both in terms of speed and charging capabilities. However, when you acquire an EV, you're also buying into the DC charging network. For this owner, the seemingly never-ending problems with replenishing the high-voltage energy storage unit have forced them to get rid of the posh EV. There's a lesson for all of us and automakers to learn here.

10 photos Photo: Out of Spec Dave on Twitter | Edited
Not long ago we ran a story here on autoevolution centered on the best electric dirt bikes of the year. As you'd expect from such a piece, it was one filled with electron-powered wonders, many of them produced by companies that are just starting to build a name for themselves in this industry.

kW

One of these companies is Belgium-based Trevor Motorcycles. You probably haven't heard about it yet, but if all goes according to plan, and the DTRe Stella motorcycle is a hit, that could quickly change.The Stella is described as a premium electric bike, and it's built around a simple frame to which a 2.7battery was attached. It can hold enough juice to travel for as much as 100 km (62 miles), and it sends electricity to a 15-hp brushless electric motor capable of pushing it to speeds of 90 kph (56 mph).Until this week the DTRe Stella range comprised only the European spec bike, available on the Old Continent in two versions, road and dirt. As of now, however, the non-street legal two-wheeler is available for American riders as well.In this configuration, the ride presents itself with the exact same specs mentioned above and adds on top of that a 1 kW hour external charger capable of getting the battery to full capacity in at most 70 minutes.For the American market the bike is offered in the same white body as over in Europe, but Trevor does offer customers the chance to personalize their ride in pretty much any design imaginable.As a side note, the limited real estate that makes up the bike's body is swappable, and that means you can get yourself an endless supply of bodies and design them any way you like. You just need to be willing to pay $900 for each of them.The bike for the American market is already listed by Trevor on its website, with a starting price that's well below what it has to offer for people in Europe. More to the point, Trevor is selling this thing for $11,975, whereas the same bike can be had across the Ocean for 12,995, which translates into over $13,800 at today's exchange rates.And that makes it clear the Belgians are gunning for a large piece of the American off-road bike market. The Trevor DTRe Stella may be for now the underdog of this segment, but given its minimalist design, its flat track appearance, and more than decent hardware and specifications, that'll probably not be the case for too long.Yet, if you still find this bike not to be to your taste, you can have a look at fourteen others, listed in our Best Electric Dirt Bikes of 2023 coverage.
When it comes to supercars, names like Bugatti, Ferrari, or Porsche are the first to come to mind. Korean cars are not exactly high on the list of fastest cars in the world, but once in a while, a unicorn supercar reveals its metaphorical horn and changes people's minds a little bit about Korean manufacturers and supercars.

This is the case with this one-of-a-kind supercar that was recently spotted in South Korea and caused many eyebrows to raise in surprise and curiosity. That's because people didn't recognize the brand or the model and were left wondering what it was.This rare unicorn is the Epique GT1 supercar and was made by a little-known South Korean car manufacturer called De Macross. If you have never heard of it, don't worry. You are not alone. No less than 13 years have passed since this car was first announced, and since no details about it surfaced for a few years, many thought back then it was just a chimera. However, it resurfaced in 2012 when Jay Leno took it out for a drive for an episode of his show.Now, the odd but certainly intriguing piece of machinery has been spotted in the flesh by photographer Gold Jongsun, who posted photos and a video of it on Instagram. Browse the picture gallery above to see its spectacular appearance with the prominent rear wing, gullwing doors, and see-through engine cover.The Epique GT1 supercar is the brainchild of a Korean oil magnate and avid car enthusiast by the name of Jahong Keyser Hur. It was developed in Canada in collaboration with different outsourced component and systems manufacturers and takes design cues from some recognized manufacturers like Ford and Porsche. Actually, the car was intended to pay homage to the old-school look of European Le Mans race cars of the 1960s and 70s.Based on a purpose-built aluminum and carbon fiber hybrid chassis, this unique car boasts a hand-made full aluminum body with F1-derived active suspension technology and a mighty mid-rear-mounted supercharged Ford 5.4 liter V8 engine capable of churning out 845 horsepower and 740 of lb-ft torque. It sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.The power-to-weight ratio is quite impressive as well, considering the machine only weighs 3,200 pounds (1,450 kg). When it presented the prototype, the company claimed the car was able to complete the 0 to 62 mph (100 km) sprint in 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 230 mph (370 kph).De Macross's initial plan was to produce 200 units of this spectacular car, but by 2012, the figure was revised to 20-30. Eventually, due to strong competition and high costs, the company ended up producing only one prototype of the Epique GT1 supercar, which makes it truly one of a kind.In the comments section of Gold Jongsun's Instagram post, some people even assumed it was a fake car, and they aren't to blame actually, considering the name of the brand is basically unknown, many design elements reminisce of European race cars, and the badge looks like a clone of an old De Tomaso logo.Below, you can watch the 2012 episode of Jay Leno's Garage in which the legendary comedian presents the unique vehcile.
Skoda has just rolled out the three millionth SUV. It is a black Kodiaq Sportline that has been manufactured at the Kvasiny plant in Slovakia, which is just one of the five countries where the Czech carmaker builds vehicles.

SUV

Photo: Skoda

Skoda has produced over 841,000 Kodiaq examples to date and is getting ready to roll out the second generation of the model, which is the largest in the carmakers lineup and is also available in a seven-seat configuration. The Kodiaq will also come as a plug-in hybrid model, capable of driving on electric power only for over 100 kilometers (62 miles).The Skoda-badgedstory started with the Yeti, Skodas fifth model series, back in 2009. It did not exactly look like a typical SUV, but it had a high ground clearance of one, it was compact, yet spacious and sported the Simply Clever features like the VarioFlex seats, which made it more practical than other cars out there. Skoda produced more than 684,000 Yetis. Production came to an end in 2018.Later on, the Czech carmaker kicked off the K lineup. It started with the Kodiaq in 2016, with the RS version, the first SUV to join the Skoda RS family, in the fall of 2018.Then the Karoq made its global debut in 2017. On sale in 60 countries by 2021, it was sold in over 705,000 units, ranking third after the best-selling Octavia and Kamiq.2019 was the year of the Kamiq , which became an instant hit. The city crossover was a bestseller in both 2021 and 2022. In China, customers also get the Kamiq GT. Over 537,000 units were sold in the models four years on the market. Skoda came up with the updated version of the model back in August.The first all-electric SUV came in the shape of the Enyaq , followed by the Coupe variant. Now SUVs represent nearly half of Skodas global deliveries. To date, Skoda built over 166,00 units of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe at the Mlada Boleslav production facility.Next up for Skoda is switching to an entirely electric lineup and adapting the production facilities to the new strategy.Made in India for the local market, the Skoda Kushaq sold in nearly 64,000 units since launch, in 2021. Starting the second half of 2024, the plant in Pune, India, will export the model as CKD (Completely Knocked Down) to Vietnam for the final assembly.The Skoda SUVs see the light of day in several plants located in the Czech Republic, China, India, Ukraine, and Slovakia. The Kamiq, Enyaq, and Enyaq Coupe are made in the Czech Republic, at the Mlada Boleslav plant. Meanwhile, the Karoq and Kodiaq roll out the production line in Kvasiny, Slovakia.
The alien saga is the unexpected gift of the fall 2023 season, and it's of the kind that keeps on giving. Just days after various members of the scientific community spoke against ufologist Jaime Maussan and his alleged pair of aliens uncovered in Peru, here's video that aims to prove they're not fake.

Photo: YouTube/Jaime Maussan

fire with fire

On September 12, 2023, Jaime Maussan, a well-known Mexican ufologist, journalist, and occasional conspirationist, went before the Mexican Congress during a public hearing on UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena, or UFOs by their old name) to reveal two desiccated bodies that he claimed were of non-human origin.The bodies had been discovered in 2017 in Nazca, Peru, and proved that "we are not alone in the universe," Maussan said. He believed that the aliens lived on earth among humans at one point, like these two bodies he recovered from an algae mine. Clara, the female, was pregnant when she died, and Mauricio had a chest implant made of a very rare metal. Both were at least 1,000 years old.You can imagine, if you don't already know, how this piece of news dropped and the kind of waves it created. Aware of being called out as a liar, Maussan claimed the bodies had been carbon-tested, X-rayed, and analyzed by scientists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to confirm that they weren't human Blowback was instant , especially from UNAM. Maussan's own reputation was a clear sign that the alien bodies couldn't be real since he'd made similar claims before, and they were all debunked by science. Of the real kind.This is Maussan fightingscience with science. A team led by navy forensic specialist and close Maussan associate Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez conducted further testing on Clara and Mauricio (the two aliens). The whole thing streamed live online, and Maussan even got a notary on hand to attest to the findings of the tests.These tests were three in number: a simple X-ray, a CT scan, and a fluoroscopy study. Benitez says they prove beyond any doubt that each body is a single skeleton not assembled by various parts or manipulated in any way. He also made a point of stressing how the tiny aliens didn't show bolts or other metal supporting structures to hold them together.Previously, researchers said Maussan had tried a similar stunt before, with doll-like creations made up of real bones, both human and animal, held together with glue and synthetic skin. They believed this was the case as well. Peruvian Culture Minister Leslie Urteaga went on the record to say that the "aliens" were actually pre-Hispanic relics modified to look like ET and even launched a criminal investigation into how Maussan got them out of the country.Below is a brief video of the latest round of lab tests on the tiny aliens . As far as we know, Maussan has yet to keep his initial promise of making all data available or to provide samples to the scientific community so he can have the findings peer-reviewed, as is customary.
The UK adopted a strict pro-EV stance and implemented an official strategy to phase out internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. It was one of the first countries to do so. The initial date was scheduled for 2030. Now, it has been delayed.

Photo: Ford

Photo: Tesla

EV

"It should be you, the consumer that makes that choice, not government forcing you to do it"



PM Rishi Sunak confirms ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be delayed until 2035https://t.co/nSJPkCaXQp pic.twitter.com/e1NDRHUO8q  BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 20, 2023

Originally, the Brits wanted to ban the sale of all new passenger cars hiding a fossil fuel-hungry powerplant under their hoods by 2040. Then, Boris Johnson said the country must make its "green ambitions" known and lowered the phasing-out timeframe by a decade.Now, there's a new government leading the United Kingdom. The officials announced that automakers would be able to sell their gas- and diesel-powered passenger cars until 2035. Thus, on December 31, 2034, one last non-hybrid vehicle will be sold to someone, which will be completely legal. When the clock strikes midnight, such a transaction will become illegal. That's, of course, true only if the government won't change its mind again.Remember that the ban doesn't forbid drivers from enjoying their internal combustion engine-powered cars. It just forces dealers to stop selling brand-new automobiles with an exhaust system spewing out all kinds of nasty chemicals.However, it indirectly forces automakers to prepare by electrifying their portfolios in advance. Some already did. They are not happy with what's happening now.The decision will most likely anger protesters. Organizations like Just Stop Oil or leaderless movements like the Tire Extinguishers have just obtained renewed reasons to continue and even amplify their actions.It also comes at a time when gas prices are high, and the uptrend seems like it will continue because Saudi Arabia and Russia decided to curb the crude oil output voluntarily.But it's not just environmentalists who disagree with such decisions. Ford UK Chair Lisa Brankin released a short statement in which it pointed out that the automaker invested hundreds of millions in the country to kickstart the electric revolution. She underlined that the delay won't do anything but undermine the efforts to decarbonize the UK's economy.Still, it sounds like Ford doesn't appreciate the country's everchanging public policies. She said the Blue Oval needs "ambition, commitment, and consistency" from the UK government.But we know at least three auto brands that won't be upset about this delay  Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a live press conference and said he and His Majesty's government believe that the consumer should be the one who makes the choice. He also underlined that it's not right "to impose more costs on working people."That might signal friction with London's mayor, who favors expanding the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). Brits living in the capital city and adjacent areas have complained about selling their cars and relying on unpredictable public transport.At first, the decision might seem chaotic and irresponsible. But a survey from last year showed that over 40% of the Brits strongly believed their country won't ever be ready for a complete transition to all-electric vehicles.Nonetheless, the delay does raise some questions. A report showed that affluential businesspersons lobbied the UK government to introduce additives that could drastically lower the emissions from internal combustion engine-powered cars' exhaust systems. Those substances, although unproven, were touted as revolutionary.Even though EVs are great for local environments because they don't emit any harmful gasses and use their friction brakes less than traditional cars, it's worth noting that forcing everyone to switch to one isn't a good strategy. We touched on this subject last year when we underlined that banning internal combustion engine cars would be a major mistake But it's not just us thinking that. Even declaredfan Rowan Atkinson , the actor who played Mr. Bean, believes that making everyone buy a new car just because the government decided to say so is a bad idea.Like fast fashion, replacing a working vehicle with another solely to switch powertrains has repercussions. One is scrapping a reliable car for another that may not have a low carbon footprint. Due to mining for critical minerals and lengthy supply chains, EVs are dirtier than gas-powered cars when leaving the factory.But the decision was already taken. Now, it remains to be seen if the UK will change its mind again until 2035.
Are you ready for the Lilium jet? It claims to be the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet in the world and the only one of its kind. Although test flights will only kick off next year, the first production unit is being completed as we speak and is set to be ready before the end of 2023.

Like most startups in this emerging air mobility sector, the German company Lilium is relying on multiple global partners for producing its unique eVTOL. Aciturri (one of its main investors) is a reputable aerospace supplier that made essential components for some of the best-known commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A400M and Boeing 787.Aciturri will now assemble the fuselage for the first Lilium Jet at its facility in Valladolid, Spain. From there, the fuselage will be delivered to the Lilium facility in Wessling, Germany, for final assembly. All of this is set to happen before the end of 2023, in line with the German company's target for the first piloted flights. The test flight campaign is due to start towards the end of 2024.This initial unit will be the first in a series of seven aircraft. Lilium says it will use these first production jets to finalize the type certification process.Earlier this month, the manufacturer secured another strategic partnership with a tier-one cockpit and cabin windows supplier. Saint-Gobain Aerospace will provide custom-designed windows for the future electric jet. The windshields will be adapted specifically for optimal visibility and bird-strike resistance. The cabin windows will also be designed to limit fogging and icing for better visibility.At the moment, Lilium claims to be the only eVTOL manufacturer on track to certify a power lift eVTOL aircraft with both EASA (The European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).The power lift eVTOL features DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) technology, developed in-house by the German startup. This technology was coupled with an innovative aircraft design  the future jet won't have fixed wings or a tail, and its engines will be integrated into the wing flaps.All of this is meant to improve aerodynamic efficiency, reduce noise levels, and allow for a bigger payload while also making the Lilium jet easier to operate.It all started with the idea of adapting jet engine technology to an all-electric aircraft, which would be a first in the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) industry. Since jet engines power more than 90% of existing aircraft, Lilium wanted to come up with electric jet engines using a single-stage rotor/stator system that's driven by an electric motor.In the meantime, the German startup has also secured customers worldwide, including an exclusive collaboration in the UK for a luxury private jet version of its air taxi.
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21 September 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Terror acts that happened on September 19 shook Azerbaijan. As a result of these terror acts 9 Azerbaijanis, of which seven were policemen and 2 were civilians, died. Figuratively speaking, it was the last straw and Azerbaijan was obliged to take some measures. Because these acts were not the first crimes. Armenian armed forces in Garabagh have done plenty of provocations and terror against the Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel. It seems that there are some fractions in Garabagh that are eager to have high tension.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Maxime Gauin, Associate Professor at ADA University, and a researcher at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy, noted that some cliques that illegally grabbed the power in Garabagh are interested in provocations. As for ordinary people, like all human beings, they need a safe and prosperous life.

For that, there is only one way: Becoming Azerbaijani citizens, like 30,000 other ethnic Armenians in Baku and Ganja, like about 100,000 ethnic Russians, thousands of ethnic Georgians, thousands of ethnic Ukrainians, etc. Those who needed it were the small clique controlling the separatist entity because their short-term interest was the continuation of the conflict. The main reason why this small number of persons believed that conflict works for them is that they received weapons and ammunition for free, by convoys escorted by the Russian soldiers, Maxime Gauin said.

He added that the secondary reason is the aggressiveness of the Iranian government against Azerbaijan. The joint exercise between the Armenian army and the U.S. Army did not help but was a minor event, which took place very recently, after most of the violent actions by the irregular armed forces located in and near Khankendi. He stressed that the circumstances were not as separatists expected.

Right now, the Azerbaijani government announced an agreement with the separatists and a meeting tomorrow to discuss the details with them. This is of course excellent news. Now, we have to wait for the results of this meeting. The surrender of the illegal forces is in the interest of almost everybody, he noted.

He also touched the US Senators who express disrespect toward international law and stand with the separatists. M.Gauin pointed out that the U.S. is one of the few democratic countries still implementing the death penalty. However, it was abolished in Azerbaijan twenty-five years ago. He added that there is unfortunately a part of the U.S. senators and representatives ready to say anything, including against the interests of NATO in general and of their own country in particular. Because these senators and representatives receive support from the Armenian nationalists for their campaigns, in terms of vote and of financial contributions. Unlike in European countries, there is practically no limit to the electoral expenses in the U.S. The total cost of the presidential and legislative elections was three billion dollars in 2000; and fourteen billion in 2020. Another reason is the place (unparalleled in most of the other democratic countries) of fundamentalist religious voters, who often have a very narrow mind. We saw what they can do in domestic policy with the unmaking of the federal guarantee for the right to abortion. The Armenian nationalists cooperate with groups of this kind openly. These people probably ignore the fact that it is much easier to be a Protestant in Baku than in Yerevan, the pundit noted.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
21 September 2023 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Armenia has been provoking Azerbaijan since the end of the 44-day War in 2020. With the sneaking and planting of landmines in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, financing the separatist gang in Khankendi, and transferring military equipment and personnel to Garabagh, it has been able to keep tension high in its relationship with Azerbaijan over the last three years. However, two successive terror acts ended in the deaths of nine Azerbaijanis on September 19 changed everything, and Baku started the anti-terror activities.

It should be noted that the processes have attracted the special interest of foreign media representatives, think tanks and political analysts. Experts from different countries, including Turkiye, Britain, France and Pakistan, have shared their opinions on the ongoing processes.

Speaking to Azernews political scientist Dr. Imran Khalid pointed out that it appears, that terrorist activities are connected with two factors. First, it has to be understood that Pashinyan is trying to remain in power, and for this, he makes populist speeches. As is known, the best way to stay in power is to create problems and to keep the relations with Azerbaijan tense. Or to what extent, he tries to provoke Azerbaijan in the Garabagh economic region.

The second factor is, that Russian influence on Armenia is gradually decreasing and at the same time, the influence of the USA and the West is gradually increasing. One can observe it from recent visits by Western leaders to Armenia. Even very recently, Armenian forces have held military exercises with the USA. So, all these factors have encouraged Pashinyan to take risks, and some kind of teasing activities in Garabagh. I guess, initially their plan was to start some kind of terrorist activities to test the potential response of Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan had responded softly, they would gradually increase these terrorist activities to convert them to a kind of guerrilla war. However, to their disappointment, Azerbaijan retaliated swiftly, promptly, and solidly by launching a comprehensive operation against terrorism, Imran Khalid noted.

He stressed that actually, Armenia did not expect it and that is why now Pashinyan is finding it difficult to come out of this situation. Therefore the PM immediately called his friends in the West instead of Moscow for their support and it was noticed that Antony Blinken immediately called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to ask to stop the anti-terror activities.

Obviously, this is being done in an effort to stop Azerbaijan from cleaning up the area from Armenian military personnel there. We have witnessed that a lot of pressure came from the USA and other Western countries. The situation differs from previous ones when Moscow had put pressure on this matter. Pashinyan felt that in the case of Azerbaijan's further success in the anti-terror activities, his domestic position would be seriously affected. He had already seen that people in Yerevan and other Armenian cities went out to protest against him because of his back-fired foolish strategy. In short, Pashinyan was desperate to get out of this situation, and he was seeking the support of his newly found friends in the West, the pundit opined.

As for some US Senators who stand with Armenian separatism, he pointed out that it is more of their personal interest. He said that right now, the American interest is that they want to increase their influence in the backyard of Russia and Armenia is the place for fulfilling this interest. Therefore, they forget all these principles regarding terrorism and separatism. He concluded that instead, they put pressure on Azerbaijan, or they do want to show Pashinyan and Armenians that they are just allies with Armenia.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The Russian Embassy in Seoul on Thursday expressed "deep regret" over President Yoon Suk Yeol's speech condemning military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow at the United Nations and accused him of joining Washington's "propaganda campaign."

During his keynote address to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday (U.S. time), Yoon warned that any arms deal between the two countries would be considered a "direct provocation" against South Korea, relaying concerns North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin could have agreed on a weapons deal at their rare summit last week.

In a Facebook message in English, the embassy expressed "deep regret" that Yoon "joined the propaganda campaign initiated by Washington and picked up by the American and South Korean media aimed at discrediting Russian-North Korean cooperation."

"We regard such speculative and baseless statements made in the 'best' traditions of 'megaphone' diplomacy and the methods of the notorious false 'vial' of the former U.S. Secretary of State C. Powell as provocative and confrontational, in line with the aggressive hybrid war unleashed against our country by the collective West led by the United States," it said.

The embassy stressed that Russia "invariably complies with all of its international obligations," including those related to the development of ties with its "good neighbor and long-time partner," North Korea.

The embassy also urged South Korea to "base their actions on a sober and objective assessment" of the current situation and to consider the negative consequences of Seoul's "continued pursuit of the anti-Russian line" on their bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap)
21 September 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The illegal Armenian armed groups surrendered shortly after the local anti-terrorist activities carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Garabagh and near Khankendi.

It should be noted that since September 19, the units of the Armenian armed forces formations in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, fired intensively at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army located in the direction of the Aghdam district with various types of weapons.

Following the terror committed by Armenians in Garabagh, a mass rally was also held in Yerevan against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In addition to blaming the PM for losing the lands they occupied decades ago, Armenians also mentioned the USA, Russia and other countries adding them in their list of 'guilty'.

Thus, Armenians, who did not receive any support from Putin, gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Armenia and held a protest. With the so-called "flag" of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian revanchists demanded the Russians to fight along with the separatist elements.

It seems that Armenia, which is in a desperate situation, accuses all the countries that come before it. Accusing the United States of not imposing sanctions, Russia of not providing military assistance, Israel of providing arms to Azerbaijan, and brotherly countries Turkiye and Pakistan of helping Azerbaijan, Armenian separatist regime seems to have been cornered like a beaten dog. As a way out, the Armenians left alone in the square should either vacate Khankendi and return to their homes, or they should choose the first option and surrender.

However, it should be noted that in one of the statements of Russia, it was officially stated that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan.

An interesting point is what will be the reaction of the Kremlin to this disrespect of the Armenians towards the Russian embassy in Yerevan and themselves?

"At the moment, several processes are taking place here. The first and most important thing is to fully restore Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the entire Garabagh region, as well as to establish a full constitutional structure in the entire territory of Garabagh. For this purpose, the local anti-terrorist activities, which did not even last 24 hours, were very successfully completed. After that, there will be processes of restoration of Garabagh in Azerbaijan, restoration of state constitutions of Azerbaijan in the region, as well as creation of various forms of integration of the Armenian minority living in that region. After all, it is their decision whether to stay in Garabagh or leave."

Russian political scientist Sergey Markov said these words in his comment to AZERNEWS. According to him, people in Yerevan also struggle to figure out what they are fighting for. There are several directions here as well.

"Nikol Pashinyan intends to sharply distance Armenia from Russia. The Prime Minister wants to use the pessimism that has arisen in the minds of the Armenian public to turn his country towards France and the United States, which are Russia's rivals in the West. Pashinyan connects all these actions with France and also with the United States that is considered as the most important hegemonic power in the West. I would also like to note that Pashinyan himself is a product of the Soros Foundation, which helped him grow as a "politician"," Markov noted.

The expert added that Pashinyan blamed Russia and the CSTO for the "loss" of Garabagh. Therefore, he invited the US military to conduct exercises in the region. Also, the Prime Minister intends to include Armenia in the international court that issued a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin. In general, it turns out that the Russian President was banned from entering Armenia because Pashinyan threatened Putin with arrest.

Speaking about Russia's reaction to this action of the Armenians, the Russian political scientist noted that their reaction was quite calm. Russia cannot be as pro-Armenian as any Armenian. Because nobody can be more "Armenian" than the Armenians themselves.

"If Pashinyan himself has already admitted that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan, then what can be further discussed? We are observing now, is official Baku that restores the constitution in Garabagh, which is part of its country," Markov added.

"The second thing that Vladimir Putin pays attention to is helping to minimize the difficulties of the Armenian minority living in Garabagh. Therefore, Russian peacekeepers have opened the doors of their bases there to about 2,000 Armenian children and women. Another task of Russian peacekeepers is to help the Armenian minority who want to leave Garabagh and move to the territory of Armenia through a humanitarian corridor created for them. Because there is no direct connection between the Armenian minority living in Garabagh and Azerbaijan, Russia is playing the role of mediator," the expert emphasized.

In conclusion, the political analyst, talking about another point that Putin paid attention to, noted that currently, Russia wants to prevent Armenia's sharp break away from it and its inclination towards France and the United States, as well as NATO and the West as a whole. Most likely, all secrets within the CSTO can no longer be passed on to Armenian military officials due to Armenia's treachery, he said.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
21 September 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Finally, on September 19, the next provocation launched by the separatist regime was successfully prevented. The separatist elements in Azerbaijans Garabagh economic region, who did not want to surrender, tried to make the process more complicated by deceiving themselves with empty dreams - but their attempts, like the previous ones, were in vain. As a result of the anti-terrorist measures initiated by Azerbaijan a couple of days ago, the separatists' secret dens were rendered useless. Surrender was their destiny, but fate cannot be avoided. Todays event should have happened a long time ago.

The President of Azerbaijan, the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev addressed the people after the successful operation of the Azerbaijani Army and the unequivocal surrender of the other side. This was Azerbaijan's repeated warning that after the 44-day war, the Armenian separatists did not fully implement the capitulation document signed by the Yerevan leadership.

Azerbaijan does not see any work unfinished, the separatist regime has simply forgotten the sharp impact of the iron fist. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev wanted to say exactly this:

They had probably forgotten my words. When the Second Karabakh War ended, and Armenia threw in the towel, was brought to its knees, and signed the act of capitulation, I said that the status went to hell. For some time after the war, we did not hear any nonsense about the status. But as this fear slowly dissipated, revengeful forces started emerging again. Therefore, all these factors are further evidence that the regime of the illegal criminal junta has become depraved, impertinent, and impudent. They forgot that they were living in the territory of Azerbaijan, the President said while addressing the Azerbaijani nation.

By resorting to such provocations, the separatist forces and Armenia, which supports them, seemed to want to test the strength of the Azerbaijani army. Armenia and a handful of separatist groups, which were confident in the arms collected from outside as donations, were deceived in their assumptions this time. They thought that the military bases they had built in the territories of Garabagh for a long time would protect them from the targets of the Azerbaijani Army. However, they did not even imagine that they would raise a white flag and surrender in just 23 hours 43 minutes.

The Azerbaijani army is brave, powerful and invincible. Its principles of justice are unambiguous. During the anti-terrorist measures, the mighty army took into account the safety of the civilian population first. Because from the very beginning, Azerbaijan considered the Armenian minority living in Garabagh as its citizens and considered their security a priority. During the only one-day military operation, the entire illegal strategic space of the separatist groups was destroyed with precise weapons that hit the exact target. Given the landscape that it was quite difficult to move in the mountainous area, nevertheless, the invincible soldier of the Azerbaijan Army repelled the attack attempts of the other side at once.

Thus, the "status" issue, which the separatist regime wanted to bring back to the agenda in Garabagh, was buried under the ground again as a result of the decisive measures of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

After Armenia has recognized Garabagh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, what status can the criminal regime that has been calling the shots in Garabagh for 30 years have? What state attributes can there be? What elections can there be? Despite all the trilateral verbal agreements reached after the Second Garabagh War, fake "elections" were held in Garabagh on September 9, and a fake "president" was elected. That person immediately declared that they would pursue the status issue, the President said.

This victory was not only Azerbaijan's struggle against the separatist regime, but also a decisive step against the hypocritical Western forces supporting terrorism and separatism in Garabagh while recognizing Azerbaijans territorial integrity. Azerbaijan overcame all obstacles and ensured the supremacy of its laws. The separatists who had already surrendered were disarmed and brought to the negotiation table. The meeting held in Yevlakh district is the first step for future prosperity, peace and security in Garabagh.

I am sure that the Armenian population living in Karabakh will soon see a change for the better. We intend to build a life together based on peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect. We have no problems with the Armenian people. We have no enmity, the President emphasizes as he addressed the nation as well as Armenian minority living in Garabagh.

Thus, it is clear from recent processes that Azerbaijan does not support or encourage hatred against any nation or ethnic minority. On the contrary, it concentrates all its efforts to restore territorial integrity and improve the security and well-being of all nations and ethnic minorities living in its territory. Garabagh is a historical and ancient place of Azerbaijan, and the people living here cannot be allowed to become a tool of separatism.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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20 September 2023 17:42 (UTC+04:00)

A new bridge across the Aras River is set to be built on the Azerbaijani-Turkish state border.

According to Azernews, 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," which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

The bridge is part of a project to establish a corridor inside Iran and along the Armenian border that will connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, its exclave. The project was made necessary after a war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, which resulted in the liberation of Azeri territories formerly occupied by pro-Armenian forces.

In addition, the bridge is expected to create additional opportunities for the countries of the region and increase transport and economic ties in the region. It is also expected to be connected to Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydroelectric power plants via Jabrayil 330/110-kilovolt substation, the largest in the region.

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21 September 2023 11:43 (UTC+04:00)

Iran lifted the ban on flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the opposite direction after peace restoration in Azerbaijan's Garabagh, the representative of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran, Jafar Yazerlu, said, Azernews reports.

According to Yazerlu, after the launch of anti-terrorist measures in Garabagh on September 19, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization suspended all flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the opposite direction for the safety of passengers.

He added that yesterday, given the agreement reached in the region, a decision was made to resume flights.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Garabagh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Garabagh 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 activities have been conducted in the region on September 19. The next day, when the separatists formed by Armenia in Garabagh announced that they accepted Azerbaijan's conditions, the anti-terror activities stopped.

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21 September 2023 23:13 (UTC+04:00)

The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan is investigating the incident in connection with the death of Russian peacekeepers.

According to Azernews, the Prosecutor General's Office, on September 20, 2023, a group of servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participating in local anti-terrorism activities in the village of Janyatag, Tartar district of Azerbaijan, fired at a car with military personnel of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation stationed in this territory from firearms. (RMK), mistakenly accepted due to the difficult terrain and foggy and rainy weather conditions as belonging to illegal Armenian armed groups. As a result of the incident, 5 RMK servicemen were killed.

In addition, on the same day, on the territory of the specified settlement, unknown members of illegal Armenian armed groups fired at a Kamaz vehicle belonging to RMK. As a result of the incident, 1 RMK serviceman was killed and another serviceman was injured.

On both facts, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan initiated a criminal case under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, the investigation of which was entrusted to the Investigative Department of the General Prosecutor's Office.

Today a telephone conversation took place between the prosecutors general of the two countries. The Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan expressed deep condolences to the Russian side in connection with the death of the peacekeepers. The parties agreed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident in close cooperation. Currently, the prosecutor's office is conducting investigative and operational activities in the criminal case.

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21 September 2023 10:02 (UTC+04:00)

Representatives of the Armenian minority of Karabakh are gathering in Yevlakh, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

At the suggestion of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh will be held in Yevlakh on September 21 to discuss issues of reintegration based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Note that in order to ensure the provisions of the Tripartite Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Garabagh economic region, disarmament and withdrawal of Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and restoration work and Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as the restoration of the constitutional system of the Republic of Azerbaijan, local anti-terrorist measures were carried out in the region.

As part of the measures using high-precision weapons on the front line and in the depths, the positions of formations of the Armenian armed forces, their long-term firing points, as well as combat assets and military facilities were disabled. Civilians and civilian infrastructure were not targeted; only legitimate military targets were disabled.

Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian minority of Garabagh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023 at 13:00, an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist measures under the following conditions: formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan fold weapons, leave combat positions and military posts and completely disarm; formations of the Armenian armed forces leave the territory of Azerbaijan, Armenian illegal armed formations are disbanded.

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21 September 2023 10:18 (UTC+04:00)

On September 20, President of the European Council Charles Michel made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

During the phone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the situation in the region.

Charles Michel expressed his concern about the developments, which occurred in the region.

President Ilham Aliyev said that the units of the Armenian armed forces in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan had committed terrorist acts yesterday, killing police officers and civilians, and noted that Azerbaijan had to take local anti-terror measures in response to this.

The head of state touched upon the agreement on stopping anti-terror measures and labelled as a positive step the fact of withdrawing the formations of Armenias armed forces, illegal armed groups laying down their weapons, their disarming and the meeting to be held in Yevlakh. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the meeting in Yevlakh would discuss the rights and duties of the Garabagh Armenians on the basis of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as their cultural, religious, municipal and other rights. The head of state pointed out that Azerbaijan implements this in the context of its domestic affairs.

The Azerbaijani President touched upon the support for regional peace agenda, adding unilateral steps can yield a reverse effect. The Azerbaijani leader underlined that the results achieved would have a positive impact on taking Azerbaijan-Armenia peace treaty talks forward.

The President of the European Council described the end of anti-terror measures as a positive fact and expressed hope for ensuring ceasefire. Charles Michel also positively assessed the meeting to be held in Yevlakh.

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21 September 2023 10:25 (UTC+04:00)

Talks between the representatives of Karabakh Armenians with Azerbaijani officials have kicked off in Yevlakh, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

Representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh accompanied by the Russian peacekeeping contingent arrived in Yevlakh earlier this morning.

As proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, will be held on 21 September 2023 in Yevlakh.

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.

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21 September 2023 15:02 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on September 21 at the initiative of the Azerbaijani side.

President Ilham Aliyev offered his apology and deep condolences over the tragic death of the military personnel of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh on September 20. The head of state emphasized that a thorough investigation would be conducted and all the perpetrators would receive deserved punishment. The prosecutor generals offices of both countries are in close contact over the case. The President of Azerbaijan also said that he was ready to provide financial assistance to the families of the killed.

The sides noted the importance of consistent implementation of the agreements reached with the support of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on the complete cessation of hostilities in Karabakh. Much importance is attached in this context to the contacts started in the city of Yevlakh today between the representatives of Azerbaijans state bodies and Armenian population of Karabakh with participation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Priority steps were discussed to stabilize the regional situation and solve humanitarian problems. Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of ensuring rights and security of the Armenian population of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani sides readiness for interaction on this matter with Russian peacekeepers was confirmed.

The sides agreed to step up efforts towards opening of transportation communications, delimitation of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border and signing of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan during the process of negotiations against the backdrop of high-level trilateral agreements reached in 2020-2022.

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21 September 2023 15:42 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) Sahiba Gafarova voiced her expectations at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Issues of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Baku, Azernews reports.

"We hope that the dialogue held today in the city of Yevlakh with representatives of the Armenian residents of Garabagh will lead to their reintegration into Azerbaijani society," the official said.

The speaker recalled that on September 19, units of the Armenian armed forces, illegally stationed in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, committed a number of large-scale military provocations and terrorist acts.

Sahiba Gafarova emphasized that in response to these provocations, Azerbaijan began local anti-terrorist measures in the region, the purpose of which was the disarmament and withdrawal of units of the Armenian armed forces from the territory of Azerbaijan, neutralization of their military infrastructure, ensuring the safety of civilians and restoring the constitutional order.

The Speaker of the Parliament noted that on September 20, based on an appeal from representatives of the Armenian residents of the Garabagh region, an agreement was reached on the suspension of local anti-terrorism measures on the conditions presented by Azerbaijan.

The speaker expressed the hope that the renewed dialogue with representatives of the Armenian residents of Garabagh today will lead to their reintegration into Azerbaijani society, and Yerevan will take a responsible approach to the process of normalizing relations with Baku and sign a peace agreement that will ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.

It was also noted that the Turkish Armed Forces did not participate in the anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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By Kim Hyun-bin

Korea and Germany have seen significant growth in recent years backed by mutual trust and opportunities that have defined the relationship for 140 years, according to ADeKo Chairman Kim Hyo-joon.

The chairman shared insights into the enduring partnership between the two nations and the potential for future collaboration during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday.

Korea established diplomatic ties with Germany in 1883.

Since then, the bond between the two countries has only grown stronger, thanks to economic and technological cooperation, as well as cultural exchanges. What sets the partnership apart is the strong trust and cooperation that underpins it. Germany was one of the first countries to extend assistance to Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953) laying the groundwork for a robust relationship today.

At present, both Korea and Germany are economic giants in their respective regions. Germany boasts industrial leadership in Europe, while Korea stands out for its technological prowess. This synergy has led to a significant exchange of goods and services, with over 500 German companies operating in Korea, employing more than 110,000 individuals. The economic success of both nations is evident in their respective positions as leading trading partners.

From Korea's perspective, about 25 percent of its exports to Europe go to Germany. From Germany's perspective, next to China, Korea is a significant country in terms of exports to Asia. So, if you look at it, Korea is the largest country after China in both directions, and this success from both sides is very meaningful, Kim said.

There aren't many countries like Korea and Germany that have achieved economic growth, social stability and harmony represented by the Miracle on the Han River or the Miracle on the Rhine.

Looking ahead, the chairman emphasized the importance of navigating geopolitical changes and increasing uncertainties. He highlighted the need for new international governance mechanisms, emphasizing a transition from geopolitics to geo-technics.

The vision entails countries with technological leadership, such as Germany and Korea, forming horizontal connections and strategic realignments to play pivotal roles in future global governance. Key sectors like AI, biotechnology, next-generation fuel cells, hydrogen fuel and aerospace engineering offer ample opportunities for collaboration.

This way, we can expect new leadership in global governance in the future. So, in a cautious sense, there is a widespread belief that countries with technological leadership in industries such as AI, content, bio, next-generation fuel cells, hydrogen fuel, aerospace engineering, and others can work together and establish a strategic framework, he said.

Kim underscored the well-established trust between the two nations, noting that during difficult times, Germany was the first and only country to lend a helping hand to Korea. This trust, which has persisted for decades, must be maintained and strengthened through continuous efforts to enhance cooperation.

After the war, when Korea was going through difficult times in a harsh reality, Germany was the first and only country to reach out with a helping hand. Korean miners, about 8,000 of them, and then nurses, about 10,000 of them, went to Germany. Based on that, we formed an agreement on economic cooperation, technological cooperation, and development in the late 1960s, Kim said.

He mentioned several initiatives aimed at fostering future leaders and strengthening connections including the new exchange project. These efforts focus on education and cultural exchange, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration between the two nations.

The chairman expressed a strong desire to continue strengthening the Korea-Germany relationship, pointing out that the coming years hold great potential for both nations. By leveraging their strengths, trust and shared interests, the two nations can lead the way in global governance and innovation, ensuring that their partnership remains vibrant for generations to come.

Chairman Kim concluded the interview with optimism, highlighting the immense potential for further collaboration between Korea and Germany, a partnership grounded in history and poised for a promising future.

What's more important is that, in addition to the relationships between governments, our relationship, and connections, it's not just about pursuing our interests. It's about sharing those interests and building a trusting relationship so that we can move forward together, Kim said.
21 September 2023 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudswoman) of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, met with the chief adviser to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the South Caucasus, Vladimir Shkolnikov, Azernews reports.

As Azertaj was told by the Ombudsman's Office, during the meeting, Sabina Aliyeva informed the chief adviser in detail about the work done in the field of protecting human rights and freedoms and the reforms carried out. She brought to the attention of her interlocutor that she attaches great importance to close cooperation and exchange of experience with international human rights organizations and ombudsmen of foreign countries.

Stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation with the UN and its specialized structures, the Ombudswoman noted that parallel reports are provided to treaty bodies.

Vladimir Shkolnikov was also informed about the armed provocations and terrorist actions of Armenia aimed against the civilian population in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, and about local anti-terrorism measures taken to prevent such crimes, which claimed the lives of many innocent people and created a threat to peace and security in the region, as well as the protection of people's rights and freedoms. The Ombudsman noted that special attention is paid to the safety and protection of the rights of Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin living in Garabagh.

Sabina Aliyeva also spoke about the mine terror that Armenia unleashed on the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation, adding that more than 300 civilians and military personnel became victims of mine explosions.

The Ombudswoman especially emphasized that Armenia has not yet provided Azerbaijan with accurate maps of minefields and the ongoing mine threat creates serious obstacles to construction and restoration work in the region and the return of former internally displaced persons. She also spoke about Azerbaijanis who went missing during the years of occupation.

At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on issues related to the prospects for cooperation between the UN and the ombudsman institution.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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21 September 2023 16:58 (UTC+04:00)

At the invitation of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, point person for contacts with Armenian residents of Garabagh Ramin Mammadov met on September 21, 2023 with representatives of Armenian residents of Garabagh Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan.

Head for the Russian side at the Russia-Turkiye Monitoring Center, rear admiral Oleg Semyonov joined the meeting in the capacity of a participant.

The discussions held in a constructive and positive atmosphere focused on reintegration of the Armenian population of Garabagh, restoration of infrastructure and organization of activities on the basis of Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ramin Mammadov presented reintegration plans.

In addition, the importance of soonest implementation of the issues reflected in the September 20 statement on the cessation of anti-terrorist measures of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan was emphasized.

In the context of discussions of social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan said that there was a particular need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance, including food products.

As a result of the meeting, their request was accepted positively. In particular, it is planned to provide fuel supply for heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as emergency medical and firefighting services, and provide humanitarian support.

The sides reached an agreement to hold the next meeting soon.

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21 September 2023 10:54 (UTC+04:00)

On September 20, 2023, Rovshan Najaf, President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Helge Lund, Chairman of the Board of Directors of bp, Gordon Birrell, Executive Vice President of Production and Operations of the company, and the former CEO of the company, who participated in the signing of the "Deal of the Century" met with director Lord John Philip Brown.

At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the efficient operation of bp in Azerbaijan and the long-term successful cooperation between SOCAR and bp. As a result of the wise and far-sighted policy of the Azerbaijani National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, the "Agreement of the Century" signed on September 20, 1994 laid the foundation of Azerbaijan's new energy strategy and made an important contribution to the economic development of the region along with our country.

The parties reviewed the existing opportunities for cooperation on energy projects, exchanged views on the implementation of experience exchanges in the field of human capital and other issues of mutual interest.

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21 September 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Turkish Red Crescent on Wednesday said it sent more than 150 tons of humanitarian aid to Libya, where floods due to Storm Daniel killed nearly 4,000 people, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The aid, which included food, hygiene materials, clothing, masks, flashlights, communication devices, candles and batteries, was delivered to the victims by planes and ships, the organization said in a statement.

Hot meals were also provided through a mobile feeding vehicle, it said, adding that they are preparing another 78 tons of humanitarian aid consisting of blankets, food, and hygiene sets for the disaster-hit region.

More than 40,000 people have been displaced across Libyas northeastern areas, which were hit by heavy rains more than a week ago, according to the UN.

A new report by the World Weather Attribution group, a group of scientists supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on Tuesday said climate change made the disaster in the North African country significantly more likely.

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21 September 2023 23:20 (UTC+04:00)

Premier Giorgia Meloni's government said Thursday that it will present a roadmap within seven months for the possible return to the use of nuclear energy in Italy, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

After the first meeting of the new 'National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear Energy', the Environment and Energy Security Ministry said the roadmap would be the basis for guidelines set to come out within nine months specifying possible resources, actions, investments and time frames.

Italy closed its nuclear plants in 1990 after the 1987 referendum on atomic energy following the Chernobyl disaster.

However, there have been calls for a rethink of the ban, given that nuclear energy has a low carbon footprint and there is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet European and international targets for combating the climate crisis.

The country is also looking to boost its energy security following Russia's war of invasion in Ukraine.

"Italy can't waste time," Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said.

"Going back to produce clean, safe energy via nuclear (technology) must be a clear goal, starting in the next few years".

Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said there was no question of Italy building large, third-generation plants.

He said what was being considered was "innovative nuclear technology such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and fourth-generation AMR reactors." A demonstration was held outside the ministry as Thursday's meeting took place by protestors opposed to the return to nuclear power.

"Nuclear won't save us. Let's pull the plug on this system!" read one banner.

"Nuclear tried, disaster guaranteed," said another.

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21 September 2023 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan's tourism potential has been promoted in Russia and Kazakhstan.

The main purpose of organizing the events is to inform representatives of tourism companies operating in Kazakhstan and Russia about Azerbaijan's winter tourism, Azernews reports.

A series of meetings in B2B (Business to Business) format was successfully held with the participation of the tourism companies.

Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, Shahdag Mountain Resort local tourism companies specializing in inbound tourism, hotels and medical resorts operating in Baku and other cities were represented in a series of events together with the Azerbaijan State Tourism Board.

During the meetings with representatives of Kazakhstan's tourism industry, it was reported that a change in the category of Kazakh tourists visiting Azerbaijan was registered.

Before that, more interest was observed in the medical resorts of Azerbaijan, but recently, Azerbaijan, especially the city of Baku, has become one of the popular destinations among young people in Kazakhstan.

It was noted that the presence of direct flights from Kazakhstan's cities of Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Aktobe to Baku contributes to mutual tourist visits.

During the discussions with the Russian tourism companies, it was brought to attention that the interest of Russian tourists in the mountain-ski resorts operating in Azerbaijan has increased.

Over the first 8 months of 2023, an increase in the number of people visiting Azerbaijan from Kazakhstan and Russia was observed

Thus, in the period of January-August 2023, 35, 471 people from Kazakhstan and 426,177 people from Russia visited Azerbaijan, which means an increase of 85 percent and 62 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Note that, Azerbaijan has much to offer tourists at the most wonderful time. Here you can experience the world's most thrilling winter activities.

The Shahdag Mountain Resort is ideal for tourists of all ages. Well-known as the country's first ski resort, the resort is located in the Shahdag National Park, 32 km off Gusar District, 2,350 meters above sea level.

The resort plays an important role in the development of winter tourism in Azerbaijan. All conditions for this have been created in Shahdag for local and foreign tourists.

Shahdag Mountain Resort's hotels can accommodate a total of 1,200 people. On weekends, the center receives 8,000 tourists.

The infrastructure of the complex is very rich - there are a lot of hotels, restaurants, ski trails, lifts, etc.

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The late wife of an Australian veteran killed during the 1950-53 Korean War was laid to rest in the southeastern city of Busan alongside her husband on her 100th birthday Thursday.

A burial ceremony for Olywn Green, the late widow of Lt. Col. Charles Green, took place at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and was attended by family members, including the late couple's only daughter, Anthea.

Also present were senior military and foreign officials, including Seoul's Vice Veterans Minister Yoon Jong-jin and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park Jeong-hwan, Australian Ambassador to Seoul Catherine Raper, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera and Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, chief of the Australian Army.

Green, who died in Australia in 2019 at the age of 96, had expressed a wish to be buried with her husband, who was laid to rest in Busan. But her wish had been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Korea's veterans ministry.

Lt. Col. Green took part in the Korean War as the commander of the Royal Australian Regiment's 3rd Battalion in September 1950. He was killed in November that year at the age of 30 due to a shrapnel wound in his stomach after shelling by enemy forces.

His wife never remarried and published a biography on his life in 1993 based on personal and historical records. She received the Member of the Order of Australia Medal in 2006 in recognition of her work.

Anthea told Yonhap News Agency she feels honored to carry out her mother's lifelong wish of being buried alongside her husband in Korea, adding the outpour of support by Koreans for her late father was a source of strength for her late mother.

Seoul's Army chief expressed deep gratitude for the support and devotion of the Australian armed forces during the Korean War, while his Australian counterpart hoped for ties between the two countries to extend to strengthened cooperation between their armies.

Australia was among the 22 countries that sent troops or gave medical aid to Korea under the U.N. flag during the Korean War, which ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.

Canberra dispatched a total of 17,164 service members during the war, with 339 of them being killed in action, according to Korean data.

A total of 2,320 troops, including 281 Australians, are currently buried at the memorial cemetery in Busan, according to its website. (Yonhap)
FROMA HARROP: If she said, he should also be able to say
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a life sentence for a woman on charges of murder in the high-profile drowning death of her husband in 2019 for a hefty life insurance payout.

Lee Eun-hae, 32, and her extramarital lover, Cho Hyun-soo, 31, were indicted for allegedly prodding the woman's then 39-year-old husband to jump into a deep valley river in Gapyeong, 50 kilometers northeast of Seoul, in late June 2019, even though he was unable to swim, and letting him drown.

Their motive was found to be an 800 million-won ($598,000) death benefit payable to Lee upon her husband's death.

The top court upheld a 30-year prison term for Cho accused of being an accessory in the crime.

The two were also convicted of attempting to kill the husband earlier in 2019 by poisoning him with puffer fish toxin and trying to drown him at a fishing place. (Yonhap)
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She woke up Monday morning complaining about feelingAfter breakfast I found her on the front porch wrapped in a blanket, shivering in the 90-degree temperature.We got a thermometer and a COVID test kit. She tested negative for COVID, but her temperature registered 103.2 degrees. In adultsthis is alarming, so we called her doctor. He confirmed this was worrisome and asked that she come into his office. Learning we were out of town, he urged us to go to the emergency room for bloodwork and a urine test.So off we go to the nearest hospital. We arrived in late afternoon, and the ER was crowded. We understood this might take a while. After 30 minutes they got vitals from her, then sent us back to the waiting room. About an hour later they called her to draw blood and take a urine sample. Back to the waiting room, where we sat for another four hours. We were wearing shorts and it was a frigid wait. Hearing nothing, we went several times to the information desk to ask where we were in line, only to be told we were waiting for an examining room back in ER.6 hours had elapsed when she was finally called into an examination room and told we were waiting on a doctor to share the test results with us. It was midnight. Did I mention it was cold enough to hang meat?We waited. And waited some more. Several times we asked how much longer we would be waiting; the nurses couldn't speculate, adding they were not allowed to share any test information with us. Still later, I asked again and was told there was not even a doctor assigned to see her.Finally, at 2:30 a.m. we went to the desk and asked the nurse to come take the needle from her arm and remove the blood pressure lines because we were leaving. The nurse said that if we left all the test information would be destroyed. We didn't believe this because we knew they would bill us for the tests and couldn't do so if there was no evidence they existed.Overall, we spent 8 1/2 hours, not knowing any more when we left than when we arrived. We were exhausted and exasperated.I won't mention the name of the hospital because I believe our experience is more the rule today rather than the exception. People I've told this story respond with one very similar at another hospital.The next day we called the hospital and got the test results faxed to her doctor. Thankfully, the tests didn't reveal anything wrong.We acknowledge and agree that patients with life-threatening illnesses need to have first priority for treatment in the ER, but there was a man walking around the waiting room, obviously in pain because of a visibly broken arm. He walked and walked, getting new ice packs from time to time. After more than two hours he was sent to a room.This hospital, like most, is more process focused than patient focused, even though a big sign in their waiting room proclaims,That's not the reality. At no time in this 8 1/2 hour trauma did anyone explain their process, give us some idea how long we might be waiting or update us as to what situations they were dealing with. We got an apology for taking so long, but never did anyone ever say that it might behours before we got seen or ask if we wanted to continue waiting.This hospital was in a more rural part of our state and we are thankful it remains open. Since 2005, twelve rural hospitals have closed in our state. I know ER's are busier than ever and staffing is difficult, however we wouldn't tolerate treatment like this from any business and we shouldn't have to tolerate it from our healthcare providers. There were many employees evident during our wait, obviously busy, but not so busy they couldn't have given us better communication.Our healthcare system is obviously badly broken. We've known it for years. Maybe they can't fix all the problems, but hospitals (and all healthcare providers) can make a significant start by simply communicating better with their patients. It doesn't cost much, or even take much time, but it demonstrates patients are valued and gives them information about their care. Had we understood how busy the hospital was and how long the wait time might be we would have left after the tests were done.Those in healthcare can and must do better. Healthcare providers have an obligation to care, but also caretheir patients.
As New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern had a rigid authoritarian record, with far reaching gun confiscation from law abiding citizens to one of the most draconian Covid police states in the world. All the while, she denounced freedom of speech. Now, she is speaking at the UN leading a globalist onslaught against freedom of speech. In the 1930s, she would have probably been marching with either Hitler or Stalin, being more extreme than even Mussolini.

Adhern openly demanded that the UN "crack down on freedom of speech as a weapon of war . . . We cannot allow free speech to get in the way of fighting things like climate change,. The solution is to silence those with opposing views. It is that simple."

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/former-nz-pm-ardean-urges-united-nations-crack-down-free-speech-weapon-war

This comes as 1,600 scientists including two Nobel Prize winners have issued a statement saying "there is no climate emergency". Ardern wants to stiffle science itself, as well as politics. It should be remembered that Dr. Vaclav Klaus, former president and prime minister of the Czech Republic warned that climate alarmism is "a budding totalitarian ideology that is the greatest threat to freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the world today."

With despicable totalitarians like this given prominence at the UN, it is high time for the US to get out of the UN mousetrap.
The Bishop holds court as ECU delivers the mail. Carter-Finley Stadium -- nineteen-eighty something: Above. Click image to enlarge.

WYOMING 16  HAPPY APPY 7

Legendary stock trader Jesse Livermore frequently opined the importance of weather in establishing commodity positions. The man who broke Wall Street twice (1907, 1929) and died penniless from a self-inflicted gunshot wound is recognized as a fount of wisdom in terms of risk management for profit. In the end, he left the world only his vast knowledge of speculative matrix-formation dynamics -- and a number of million dollar trust funds for his favoured survivors.Thank you, Man. Like Flipper, you died for our fins. All about your wisdom from the pit this week as we saunter West.Happily, weather was not a factor in the desert as Fresno State delivered two units in a 29-0 blowout as we move to 4-0 and plus six units in this space. Carolina rowed the boat in large form and ECU showed again why you have to let them go for awhile. The Pirates are not ready to be good stewards of our quam until we find the right conference match up.(In the meantime, Barton moves towith avictory over UVA-Wise in their SAC opener -- as the Bulldogs continue their stunning march to the National Title game.)With Farnell disappeared since Murray's dove hunt (Loved them sausage wraps, Man!) and Westerby on assignment in the Tidewater, we turn to the bottom of the barrel for this week's insight. Yes, noble reader, this means Hughes -- Editor of the UK platform for this drivel, Falklands survivor (Royal Marines) and general alcoholic gambling fiend, Brit reprobate style -- is driving the portfolio this week.And, as luck would have it, we find Hughes as he is preparing for Monday evening's Burnley at Nottingham Forest match. As a long suffering Burnley fan he is settling in for the worst, with three pints consumed already:Wounded at Goose Green and haunted by the machine-gun deaths of Manfredi and Johnson, the Old Craw struggles with the ghosts of the past as any wartime survivor does; he beats back such adversity with the bottle and the betting slip. Ever since that fateful day in May of '82 -- when the weather was horrendous and Brit intel of the Argie fortified positions even worse -- he only takes games where weather is a factor.Livermore would always speak to weather as the seminal consideration in establishing a forward commodity position. One senses Hughes and the crowd might be holding a lot of futures tickets.That May it was cold and windy at Goose Green as in the southern hemisphere the seasons run opposite the north. For Hughes it is all about wind and elevation when taking it to the enemy.Worth a flutter for the dosh?Damn right, Pilgrim.Appalachian State rolls into Laramie, Wyoming as one of the hottest teams in the country line-wise after embarrassing ECU on Saturday and takingpoint favourite Carolina to the wire two weeks ago. They cash tickets and are a popular pick in nouveau martini bars across the land.Now the Mountaineers head to Wyoming where they have opened as two and the hook point underdogs to a Cowboys team layingon the money line to win the game outright.        Appalachian is a good team, well coached; they know how to exploit weaknesses of teams they are familiar with. They over performed against a Carolina team, that is increasingly becoming one dimensional, more by being ready than by being talented. ECU, sad to say, is on the verge of collapse and any win against them now has to be viewed as salt loaded.However, if you were a fan of ECU football in the 1960's you will love the throwback Wyoming Cowboys. They play old-fashioned, pre-wishbone, Texas A&M Bear Bryant style football; not a particularly fast team, except at the skill positions, but most very physical up front.To be brutally frank, Appalachian is going to receive a physical style ass-whuppin' on the scoreboard if there is any kind of weather to negate their speed advantage at wide receiver. Regardless of what the scoreboard reveals at the final gun, the Mountaineers are going to be physically manhandled all night long and are likely to head back east that evening banged up with multiple injuries.Our call here is WYOMINGfor two units. (This means we riskunits to win two and the Cowboys just need to win the game. On the money line points are not a factor.) This is a tough spot for Appy and the kind of game they are unlikely to schedule in the future. Until you have been to Wyoming, you really don't understand that part of the country and how they see things.Less talkin' and a lot more showin' out there than Boone, NC.This is a strong play. Should the front slow just a hair and come through during the game, then this contest represents even further superlative value:The transition from September to Rocktober signals the conclusion of the non-conference sparring matches which provide such an advantage to the handicapper in terms of style mismatches. In conference play familiarity breeds contempt and sharper lines -- but this can often result in an advantage as seasonal weather begins to shape the map.Appalachian is soft against the run and by the fourth quarter will be out of gas. Check your friendly wind gauge as game time approaches; any breeze over 20 mph is a signal to increase the position.At Goose Green an outnumbered 2 Para battled fourteen hours and suffered 18 KIA to defeat a much larger force along the wind blown marshy moors. Men like Hughes earned, the hard way, the right to drink and gamble themselves silly if they wish. If it helps to calm their demons -- especially if they pick winners -- then so be it.Mountaineers landing in a hot LZ Saturday -- and Happy Appy ain't no 2 Para.
A Martin's Ferry, Ohio-based physician has been convicted of unlawfully distributing opioids.

Thomas Romano, MD, of Wheeling, W.Va., owned and operated a self-named pain management clinic where he wrote prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances that exceeded recommended dosages, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the Justice Department.

Between October 2014 and September 2019, he prescribed more than 137,000 pills to nine people, according to the release.

Dr. Romano has been convicted of 24 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, to nine people. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each charge.
Boston Children's Hospital said it plans to switch to Epic for its EHR in 2024.

Boston Children's had been using a combination of Cerner and Epic but recently signed a contract with Epic to move to the single EHR.

"The entire IT department is working hard to make this transition as painless as possible," the medical center stated on its website.

Pediatric residents involved in the hospital's Digital Innovation Network for House Officers, or DINHO Squad, will serve as trainee liaisons during the move, which is expected to be completed next summer.

"Providing feedback on note templates and ideal workflows to reduce clicks and time, residents have a key voice in designing our EHR for the future and making sure it works for everyone involved from the experienced clinician to the youngest patient," Boston Children's said.

Other notable health systems have recently said they would be switching to Epic for their EHRs, including Pittsburgh-based UPMC and Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health.
San Diego-based Scripps Health said it saw a 50 percent increase in patient messages since the onset of COVID-19, San Diego Business Journal reported Sept. 20.

"There are 44 messages per day received on average, with some physicians receiving over 100 per day," David Wetherhold, MD, chief medical information officer of ambulatory systems at Scripps Health, told the publication. "Each message takes 30 to 120 seconds to review and complete. This has some physicians spending an hour per day just on messages."

Dr. Wetherhold said this task is one of the top five complaints that his physicians express.

"Some [situations] are even worse, where they are doing in basket messages until 2 a.m., only to get up a few hours later and repeat the process," he said.

In order to help reduce this administrative burden, the health system is piloting generative AI in responding to patient messages.

Currently, one physician at Scripps Clinic Anderson Medical Pavilion in La Jolla, Calif., is leading the pilot, with the aim to expand it to all five of its primary care physicians and two advanced healthcare providers next month.

"The initial implementation is focused on primary care," Shane Thielman, CIO of Scripps, told the publication. "Primary care is most impacted by in basket messages.  We are in an initial adoption phase and learning and adapting to the technology in a controlled manner so that we can expand to additional care teams."

The health system is working with Epic Systems to refine the AI tool through weekly check-ins and clinician feedback.
Chun Woo-won, a grandson of late former President Chun Doo-hwan, has been indicted on charges of suspected illegal drug use, prosecutors said Thursday.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Chun without physical detention Thursday over allegations that he had taken four types of drugs from November through March during his stay in the United States.

In March, Chun mentioned psychotropic drugs, like ecstasy and dimethyltryptamine, a hallucinogenic drug, and swallowed them while livestreaming on YouTube.

Police apprehended him upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport and questioned him two times before referring him to prosecutors on April 28.

Prosecutors said they decided to indict him without detention in consideration that he confessed to his wrongdoings and is reflective of them. (Yonhap)
Hospital price quotes vary, depending on how you ask.

A study published Sept. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine explored this phenomenon. Mark Cuban co-authored the report, along with affiliates of multiple universities, including Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University, both based in Houston.

Sixty U.S. hospitals were evaluated in the study: 20 top-ranked, 20 safety-net and 20 others. The researchers sent "secret shoppers" to call each hospital and request the lowest cash price for vaginal childbirth and brain MRI. They compared the prices given over the telephone to the prices reported on the hospitals' websites.

For brain MRI, 85 percent of top-ranked and 50 percent of safety-net hospitals provided both phone and online prices, along with 100 percent of the hospitals surveyed that fell into neither category. For vaginal childbirth, 63 percent of top-ranked, 30 percent of safety-net and 21 percent of unclassified hospitals did so.

The prices given on the phone were "substantially different from those posted online," but were not always lower, according to Vivian Ho, PhD, a co-author on the study and a chair in the economics department at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

"There were multiple hospitals with online prices that were greater than $20,000 (for vaginal childbirth), but telephone prices of less than $10,000," according to the report. "For brain MRI, two hospitals provided telephone prices of more than $5,000 when their online prices were approximately $2,000."

Although hospitals are required to post prices online under the Hospital Price Transparency Rule, many do not comply. The study demonstrates hospitals' difficulties with providing a clear answer to patients, and patients' subsequent struggles to compare prices and understand their care costs, according to the authors.

"Transparency is critical to changing the trajectory of health care costs in this country," said Mr. Cuban in a Sept. 20 news release. "Our paper shows that while some progress has been made in hospital transparency, we still have a ways to go."
Physician turnover rates are increasing as more clinicians experience burnout and decide to retire early, leave the field or refresh their practice setting.

The Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment's report on physician and provider retention and turnover in 2022 showed around 76 percent of physician exits in organizations with the most and least providers were due to retirement. Physicians finding a new role elsewhere was also a top response.

If caught unaware, physician turnover can hit the health system's finances hard. Here are seven points:

1. Losing a physician means hospitals won't receive the revenue associated with those cases until the physician is replaced. Physicians also typically have a ramp-up period for to build a patient base. On average, physicians generate $2.4 million for affiliated hospitals each year, according to Merritt Hawkins. The highest revenue generating physicians being interventional cardiologists who generate $3.48 million per year and then orthopedic surgeons who generate $3.29 million per year.

2. Interview expenses could be $30,000 per candidate, with the interview process relevant to recruiting costs being around $250 for human resources per hour plus lost productivity during the interview, according to a report from the New England Journal of Medicine authored by Tony Stajduhar, president of Jackson Physician Search.

3. Revenue lost from the vacancy of a physician depends on the specialty; a family medicine physician that generates $1.5 million revenue for the hospital could mean a loss of $130,000 per month until the vacancy is filled, Mr. Stajduhar noted.

4. On average, it takes 4.3 months to fill an open family medicine role, and five to 10 months to fill a specialist role, NEJM reported. In that time, hospitals could lose $559,000 on the open family medicine spot and much more for medical specialists.

5. Newly hired physicians receive a myriad of financial perks. More than 90 percent of hospitals offer an average of $10,000 to $15,000 for physician relocation as needed, according to the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment. Forty-one percent of organizations surveyed offered $75,000 to $99,000 in physician student loan repayment.

6. Ninety-one percent of organizations offered signing bonuses to new physicians, typically $20,000 to $30,000, according to the American Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment. Physician signing bonuses jumped 21 percent from 2022 to 2023 to $37,473, according to a report from AMN Healthcare. The signing bonus for the most requested specialties was much higher; family medicine physicians had an average signing bonus of $45,918 and a high of $250,000.

7. Hospitals will sometimes pay for medical malpractice insurance for physicians, which varies by state and specialty. Overall, medical malpractice premiums increased 30 percent from 2020 to 2022, according to the American Medical Association.




From declining patient volumes, reimbursement challenges, spiraling labor costs and collapsed health system deals, many factors can contribute to hospitals shutting down.

Here are the reasons behind seven hospital closures in the last nine months:

1. South City Hospital, a 178-bed facility in St. Louis, closed in August after struggling to overcome various financial challenges. The 154-year-old hospital had been under receivership for the past few months and began transferring patients to other facilities and winding down the facility Aug. 4. A substantial portion of the hospital's patients were uninsured or underinsured and many of its beds were dedicated to treating behavioral health patients. The hospital had changed owners multiple times in recent years, drifting in and out of bankruptcy court.

2. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health will close its Lakeview, Mich.-based Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital in October after a steady decline in admissions. The small, rural community hospital opened in 1962 and is having problems with aging infrastructure. The 16-bed hospital recorded only a handful of inpatients over five years and none in the last three.

3. Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport, N.Y., closed June 17 after years of financial difficulties. Annual revenues that totaled more than $70 million a decade ago fell to under $35 million by 2021, with the hospital failing to turn a profit since 2015, according to The Buffalo News. In November 2019, the 115-year-old hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and signed a management agreement with Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health. The system originally planned to keep Eastern Niagara open until replacement hospital Lockport Memorial could open, but funding challenges made it difficult to continue operations.

4. McLaren St. Luke's in Maumee, Ohio, closed May 8 and ceased all outpatient services after years of declining revenues and an unstable reimbursement environment. The hospital experienced "historic financial losses" that began long before COVID-19 that "ran into the millions each month," McLaren St. Luke's President and CEO Jennifer Montgomery said. Cincinnati-based Mercy Health acquired the hospital campus from Grand Blanc, Mich.-based McLaren Health Care on June 1 and worked with WellCare Physicians Group practices through the transition to maintain the continuity of patient care.

5. San Antonio-based Texas Vista Medical Center, part of Dallas-based Steward Health Care, closed May 1. The 325-bed hospital was already struggling financially when Steward acquired it in 2017, and the pandemic exacerbated its losses. Traditionally, the hospital served lower-income patients; nearly one-quarter of its patients cannot and do not pay for medical services, according to a March 1 news release. The closure resulted in 827 layoffs.

6. Madera (Calif.) Community Hospital officially closed at midnight Dec. 30, after Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health's plan to buy the hospital fell through. Trinity already owns and operates Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Calif. In Madera County, one-fifth of residents live in poverty and many do not have health insurance, according to Cal Matters. Recent losses were tied to increases in day-to-day costs, which are difficult to cover over long periods, especially for hospitals with limited reserves. Significant expenses during the pandemic, including paying for expensive travel nurses, financially overwhelmed the hospital. The bankrupt hospital is looking to sell off assets and find a buyer to reopen the facility.

7. St. Margaret's Health-Peru (Ill.) closed Jan. 28 citing various financial and economic factors as well as a cyberattack, which prevented the hospital from being able to bill or get paid in a timely way. The hospital also cited severe staff shortages. Peoria, Ill.-based OSF Healthcare is in the process of acquiring the hospital and aims to reopen it by Thanksgiving, according to Shaw Local News Network.
Nine West Virginia healthcare sites, including some operated by two of the state's largest providers, will receive approximately $19.3 million in federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a Sept. 21 report in The Inter-Mountain.

Morgantown-based WVU Medicine will receive $11 million of the funding for research, laboratory space and capital spending at WVU Children's Hospital, the report said.

Charleston Area Medical Center is to receive $2.25 million for help with cardiovascular care integration and telenursing services.

CAMC joined forces with Morgantown-based Mon Health System to form Vandalia Health last year.

More details on the funding projects can be found here.
Larry Butler Jr., who has a criminal history, began his new role as senior director of facilities at Penn Medicine's Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia on July 17, and resigned less than a month later, on Aug. 14.

Both pieces of news were announced in all-staff emails from Daniel Wilson, Pennsylvania Hospital's acting CEO, according to a Sept. 21 report from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The email announcing the hiring of Mr. Butler references his experience and educational background. In the email announcing Mr. Butler's resignation, Mr. Wilson writes that the hospital will be "restarting the search for our senior director of facilities effective immediately. Larry Butler has resigned from his position and is no longer with the organization. I will continue to provide coverage and oversight for this role, supporting the leaders in engineering, security, environmental services and food and nutrition."

Mr. Butler's criminal history came to light last year after Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, Ore., fired him as COO.

Mr. Butler was named COO of the hospital in May 2022. He was employed four days before the criminal history was discovered, hospital spokesperson Kim Winker told Becker's at the time.

"He was immediately terminated upon learning about [his] background," she said.

In August 2015, Mr. Butler was sentenced to five years in federal prison for defrauding two of his former employers, according to the Justice Department.

Mr. Butler was convicted of wire fraud and false representation of a Social Security number. The Justice Department said he used false credentials, a false Social Security number and other false documentation to defraud Metairie-based Louisiana Health Cooperative and Baton Rouge, La.-based Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

He also used company credit cards to pay for personal expenses, according to the Justice Department.

Philadelphia has a "Ban the Box" law that prohibits inquiries into arrests and convictions on employment applications. The law also stipulates that employers may ask about an applicant's convictions after the first interview and, if necessary and appropriate, conduct a criminal record check after the employer "has determined that the candidate is otherwise qualified for the position."

A Penn Medicine spokesperson told Becker's in a statement that the hospital "has a robust hiring process which includes background checks, reference checks and interviews," and it "complies with all applicable laws related to this process."

"Though candidates are expected to provide accurate information, these processes can allow for individuals who are not honest about their background to evade findings which may otherwise preclude their hiring."

Mr. Butler did not have access to any patient information or financial systems during his brief employment at the hospital, the spokesperson added.

Mr. Butler told the the Inquirer earlier in September that his criminal record was not discussed during the hiring process, although he anticipated it might come up and was prepared to address it.

He also told the newspaper he "embellished" parts of his resume, "like a lot of people do," which he said included falsely indicating he worked at the California hospital since 2015. According to the Inquirer, Mr. Butler expressed that he was concerned about how his past would affect his ability to get well-paid management jobs.

"I'm just trying to work. That's all," Mr. Butler told the newspaper, noting he was qualified for the Penn Medicine job, and he's been a model employee since leaving prison in February 2019. "I want to move on."

Penn Medicine did not reveal the names of the vendors it uses for background checks, but an industry expert told the Inquirer that background checks can sometimes fail to identify all of a candidate's history if the employer only checks local criminal records or within a limited timeframe.






The CEO of Derby, Conn.-based Griffin Hospital warned Gov. Ned Lamont that the debt burden of the hospital's parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, and a recent cyberattack could complicate a potential sale to Yale New Haven Health, CT Mirror reported Sept. 21.

Griffin Hospital CEO Patrick Charmel told the governor that the hospital has been awaiting money from Prospect to pay their vendors. He said that the debt was over $40 million. In August, Prospect Medical Holdings' facilities were hit by a cyberattack that caused a disruption in some services.

In 2022, Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Prospect's Connecticut facilities. The sale has not been completed.

"During our conversation, Justin (CEO of Waterbury Hospital) told me that Prospect Medical Holdings' long-awaited debt refinancing that was supposed to improve liquidity and provide working capital that would flow to company-owned hospitals like Waterbury, Manchester and Rockville finally occurred, but none of the proceeds found their way to Connecticut," Mr. Charmel told the governor.
Disputes between labor unions and hospitals have long existed. However, amid today's healthcare challenges, and after going through a pandemic, workers have become especially vocal about issues such as pay and staffing.

Workers are taking actions that range from informational pickets to strikes. Some are also holding marches, rallies and other events to amplify their concerns.

Staffing, pay and working conditions are often at the center of union members' decisions to participate in actions. They often cite what they say are needs for improved staffing and competitive pay to recruit and retain workers. Hospitals say they respect union members' rights to participate in such labor actions. At the same time, healthcare organizations emphasize their commitment to employees, their efforts toward staffing and wages, and what they see as generous offers to unions.

"I don't think [the issues] are entirely different [from] what we saw before," Johnnie Kallas, a PhD candidate and the director of the Ithaca, N.Y.-based Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations' labor action tracker, told Becker's in June. "It's pay. It's staffing. It's health and safety. I'd say those are probably the three main issues. But I think workers are now more emboldened to act on that."

The Cornell labor action tracker shows 99 strikes involving workers in the healthcare and social assistance sector since January 2021. This includes 39 strikes in 2022, an increase from 33 in 2021. As of Sept. 21, 27 strikes had occurred in the sector this year.

Some actions are one day or several, while others are more prolonged.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 4-200 held a march Sept. 9 in Maplewood, N.J., where RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan resides, amid their labor dispute with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. Union members have been on strike against the hospital since Aug. 4.

In California, members of SEIU Local 121RN held a picket Sept. 14 at HCA Healthcare's West Hills Hospital and Medical Center to raise awareness about their concerns over staffing, retention, patient safety and working conditions. Union members and the hospital have been in negotiations for a new labor contract since May, according to a news release shared with Becker's. The union and HCA's Los Robles Regional Medical Center have also been in negotiations.

And in Michigan, members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 40 began a three-day strike Sept. 11 at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, part of St. Louis-based Ascension. Union members voted to authorize a strike earlier this year. The union and hospital have been at the bargaining table since 2022 under extended contracts, according to the union's website.

These, of course, are just a few recent examples, and negotiating circumstances and contract details differ at organizations across the U.S. But labor disputes will likely continue as both workers and leaders navigate emerging challenges in healthcare.






In a lawsuit filed Sept. 21 against U.S. Anesthesia Partners and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a private equity firm, the Federal Trade Commission alleges that the two companies executed an anticompetitive scheme to consolidate anesthesiology practices in Texas, drive up the price of services and boost their profits.

Welsh Carson, which created USAP, allegedly engaged in a three-part strategy to consolidate and monopolize the Texas anesthesiology market, according to the FTC complaint.

The agency alleges that Welsh Carson executed a roll-up scheme, buying up almost every large anesthesia practice in Texas to create a single dominant provider that could demand higher prices. USAP and Welsh Carson then allegedly further drove up prices through price-setting agreements with remaining independent practices, with USAP later sidelining a competitor by agreeing a deal to keep it out of USAP's territory, according to the complaint.

"Welsh Carson spearheaded a roll-up strategy and created USAP to buy out nearly every large anesthesiology practice in Texas," FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a news release. "Along with a set of unlawful agreements to set prices and allocate markets, these tactics enabled USAP and Welsh Carson to raise prices for anesthesia services  raking in tens of millions of extra dollars for these executives at the expense of Texas patients and businesses."

Since launching in 2012, USAP has acquired more than a dozen anesthesiology practices in Texas. The FTC alleges that USAP raised acquired groups' rates to USAP's higher rates, which were significant mark-ups for the same physicians as before. The alleged roll-up strategy made USAP the dominant provider of anesthesia services in Texas and in many metropolitan areas, including Houston and Dallas, according to the FTC.

"The FTC's intended outcome threatens to disrupt and restrict patients' equitable access to quality anesthesia care in Texas and will negatively impact the Texas hospitals and health systems that provide care in underserved communities," said Derek Schoppa, MD, a USAP physician and board member. "The FTC's civil complaint is based on flawed legal theories and a lack of medical understanding about anesthesia, our patient-oriented business model and our level of care for patients in Texas."

Welsh Carson said that it is "profoundly disappointed" with the FTC's decision to bring this case and is confident that it will prove the allegations wrong.

"We are proud of our investment in USAP, which has allowed independent anesthesiologists to deliver superior clinical outcomes to underserved populations. The FTC's action will harm clinicians and patients at a time of physician shortages," a spokesperson for Welsh Carson said in a statement provided to Becker's. "Moreover, the FTC is ignoring that USAP's commercial rates have not exceeded the rate of medical cost inflation for close to ten years. The FTC's decision to pursue a civil action against a minority investor of a physician-owned company is unprecedented and disregards well-settled principles of law."
Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health may be liable for up to $519 million in a case involving alleged double billing and unnecessarily expensive post-op treatment, a Sept. 20 Law360 report said.

The whistleblower suit that is expected to last about a month alleges Sutter Health has since late 2013 performed nerve-blocking procedures in operating rooms without consistent documentation, and then overcharged for post-treatment services that may not actually have been given.

Charges for nerve blocks done in an operating room are regularly more than double the amount if done outside the OR, the suit claims. One of the plaintiffs is a retired former orthopedic surgeon who worked within the Sutter Health system.

Sutter Health lawyers dispute the claims, describing the 28-hospital system as having "no profit motive."

The health system issued the following statement on the case.

Sutter will show at trial that this case has no merit, and the bills plaintiffs claim violate the law are compliant, accurately reflect the services Sutter provided to patients, and are consistent with the national billing guidelines required by insurance companies," according to the statement. "The State Department of Insurance chose not to intervene in this matter, despite being presented with the opportunity to do so, and insurance company witnesses support the billing methodology plaintiffs claim is unlawful."

Sutter Health, which reported an operating gain of $29 million in the second quarter, is also involved in two other lawsuits totaling a possible $650 million.
CMS accused Salem-based Oregon State Hospital administrators of failing to take immediate action after a patient who was awaiting felony charges escaped using a hospital van, The Lund Report reported Sept. 20.

An immediate jeopardy citation was given Sept. 15 two weeks after Christopher Pray escaped the facility while fully shackled. Although the warning does not name Mr. Pray, the details align with his escape  he stole a van that had the keys inside and was found days later stuck in a bog.

"The hospital has not demonstrated that it has taken sufficient immediate actions to correct this noncompliance and prevent serious injury or death," the CMS notice said. It also said the "hospital's failure to fully cooperate slowed" the federal regulators' work.

In response to the event, the Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the hospital, said in a Sept. 20 press conference that it had submitted a corrective plan and begun implementing it. Under the plan, only vans with barriers between front and back seats will be used for medical transport of patients requiring restraints. All secure medical transports will also load and unload in secure ports, and drivers will have control of vehicle keys at all times.

The hospital has 23 days to fix the issues. On Sept. 15, Oregon State Hospital Superintendent Dolly Matteucci said in the release, "We are taking steps right away to reduce the possibility that an unauthorized leave could occur during transport and potentially put themselves, staff or members of the community at risk."
The National Assembly passed a set of revisions aimed at improving the rights of teachers in classrooms at a plenary session Thursday.

The four revisions, known as the "teacher rights restoration bills," unanimously passed the parliament in the wake of a series of suicides by teachers that sparked criticism that Korea's school system and related laws fail to protect teachers' authority in classrooms.

The revisions aim to strengthen the criteria to hold teachers accountable for child abuse, and provide grounds for the schools and education offices to protect them against disgruntled parents or unruly behavior from students.

A controversial provision that would allow teachers to leave a record of students who infringe upon their rights during education activities was left out during the deliberation process. (Yonhap)
Kaiser Permanente pharmacy workers in Oregon and Washington plan to strike for three weeks in October, adding to the growing tally of what could be the largest healthcare strike in U.S. history.

The contracted pharmacy employees accuse Kaiser of engaging in unfair labor practices during months of negotiations aimed at bolstering staffing levels and increasing wages for first-year employees and those working nights and weekends.

Local 555 of the United Food and Commercial Workers, a union that represents pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy staff at the Oakland, Calif.-based system, said Sept. 20 that 99.6 percent of its members voted to strike from Oct. 1 to Oct. 21.

About 1,000 pharmacy technicians plan to strike, according to The Lund Report, but a Kaiser spokesperson said the union includes 380 pharmacy technicians, pharmacy clerks and pharmacy warehouse employees.

The union alleged that Kaiser representatives have been "failing to provide information regarding bargaining and grievances, attempting to directly deal with our members and attempting to dictate to the union who may serve as its representative."

"The number one issue at Kaiser is the lack of staffing," Dan Clay, president of Local 555, said in a release. "Workers are burning out, patients are having to wait months to receive care, and the problem is only getting worse."

Other Kaiser workers in California, Colorado, Maryland, Oregon and Southwest Washington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., have authorized strikes for this fall if a resolution is not found soon. Early estimates place the potential strike to involve 85,000 Kaiser employees.

"A strike notice does not mean a strike will happen," a Kaiser spokesperson told Becker's. "We are confident we'll reach an agreement before the national agreement expires on September 30. Our top priority is caring for our members and patients."

The spokesperson added that, if a strike happens, its inpatient hospital pharmacies will be able to continue operating.
The CDC is dolling out $262.5 million over five years to research centers across the U.S. The goal? To develop a national network that can forecast infectious disease outbreaks, something akin to the National Weather Service, according to a Sept. 20 Boston Globe report.

"It is so, so deeply needed," Megan Ranney, MD, PhD, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, who is not involved with the project, told the Globe. "In public health, we currently don't have systems that are the equivalent of satellites and radar. I'm hoping this will lead to that kind of equivalent capacity for infectious disease outbreaks."

The CDC's new Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics is housing the project, and 13 research centers across the U.S. will receive funding to participate in testing algorithms and methods to forecast a pathogen's activity. Some of the funding will also go to public health authorities at the state and local level to foster stronger relationships between those entities and academia, so that information can flow more seamlessly between the two in an infectious disease outbreak.

Boston-based Northeastern University is a participant in the project, which will receive $17.4 million over the next five years to create an innovation center designed to help communities detect and prepare for future disease threats. The center will lead a consortium of 10 research institutions, health systems and private companies that will leverage tools such as wastewater surveillance, artificial intelligence and machine learning to support its efforts.

Read more about the effort, which the CDC has not yet publicly released information on, here.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Western Reserve Hospital Physicians, Inc. Orthopedics has added Gordon Bennett, MD, to its team of providers.

Dr. Bennett is an orthopedic surgeon and previously served as president of Akron, Ohio-based Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center, according to a news release from Western Reserve Hospital.

Dr. Bennett is also a member of the American Orthopaedic Association and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

He will provide care at locations in Akron and Hudson, Ohio, the release said.
Relievant Medsystems released the Intracept Simulator System, a training program for the Intracept procedure, the company said Sept. 21.

The program is based on Medabilitys SimBone simulation program and offers hands-on training with virtual x-ray, computed tomography imaging and navigation with a realistic lumbosacral spine model, according to a news release.

"We are dedicated to supporting physicians with clinical training and education to increase procedural efficiency and enable better patient outcomes," Tyler Binney, president and CEO of Relievant Medsystems, said in the release. "The Intracept Simulator System is an important innovation that will empower more physicians to provide their patients with vertebrogenic pain relief."

Intracept is a minimally invasive spine procedure designed to address chronic vertebrogenic low back pain.
Queens University has said it will create more than 220 jobs as it invests up to 100m in 460 student rooms at three sites.

The accommodation will be built at Laganbank in south Belfast and Dublin Road and Brunswick Street in the city centre.

Belfast is already home to 45,000 full-time students, but Queens has said 3,000 more rooms will be needed in the next five years for its attendees alone.

It also claimed there was increased demand from students for high-quality accommodation, with a 5% increase in applications this year.

Queens said its 100m, four-year investment would create up to 225 jobs while transforming the city centre.

Vice president of students and corporate services Caroline Young added: We have been aware of and planning for a major increase in demand for student accommodation in recent years, and through this significant investment, we are ensuring we are prepared to respond effectively.

There is a specific focus on the need for high-quality, affordable and safe housing options in close proximity to Queens.

Securing these three sites close to Queens and the city centre is not only putting us on the front foot in terms of keeping our best students at home and attracting others from elsewhere, but it will also have a hugely positive effect on the city as a whole in terms of attracting developers, businesses and better services.

Crucially [it]will help deliver Belfast City Council Agenda for 66,000 more residents living in our city centre by 2030.

Construction will begin at Dublin Road first, carried out by Graham contracting. A public consultation is under way.

SDLP South Belfast MLA Matthew OToole said: It is critical that we have a diverse and affordable range of student accommodation for students of Queens and other institutions.

We know that some parts of south Belfast have experienced very high levels of houses in multiple occupation accommodation and that some students have had poor experiences with landlords.

So, it is welcome that Queens, as a responsible landlord, is working to provide accommodation in other parts of the city.
DAA denies planned increases add up to 45pc

Mr Wilson said DAA needed to stop wasting money on a tunnel and expand existing infrastructure (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ryanair has announced it will cut its winter schedule at Dublin Airport, blaming the operator's passenger charges for the move.

The cuts will mean loss of connections to cities in Italy and Germany as well as across Central and Eastern Europe.

The airline has cancelled 17 routes and says it has moved its entire Dublin-based enviro-friendly fleet of 19 aircraft, which it says burns 16pc less fuel and emits 40pc less noise, to alternative EU airports that incentivise growth and low-emission aircraft.

The affected routes include a lot of Central and Eastern European routes, chief executive Eddie Wilson said.

Palermo and Sicily will go and Nuremberg in Germany, he said. Genoa in Italy will go.

These routes will no longer be on sale from November 1, reducing passenger numbers for the airline at Dublin Airport by 10pc compared to the same period last winter.

Mr Wilson added that there would also be reduction in the frequency of UK provincial routes. Its going to feed into less tourism, less jobs and less connectivity, he said.

He said the company will assess what it will do when it comes to its 2024 summer schedule, with no decisions on routes as yet. Around 57 aircraft will arrive next year, the airline reported.

No routes will be cut at Cork Airport or Shannon Airport, the chief executive confirmed this morning.

Weve expanded in Cork, for example, Mr Wilson said. Weve got long term deals in Cork where weve got an agreement on charges for the next five years.

Ryanair has also added an extra aircraft in Cork this winter.

He added that the airline has already secured a deal on charges in Shannon Airport until 2031

What youre doing there is that youve got an incentive there to put extra additional capacity there, Mr Wilson said.

The airline said DAA was increasing its already excessive charges by a ludicrous 45pc to fund its 3bn gold-plated CAPEX programme, which includes a portfolio of unnecessary vanity projects which have no benefit for passengers.

Mr Wilson said the airport is moving to increase charges by 45pc and it was regrettable and would have hugely damaging consequences for Ireland.

The Government implemented an innovative industry-leading Traffic Recovery Support Scheme post-Covid, with Ryanair responding with 117pc recovery vs pre-Covid levels, ensuring Irelands recovery of connectivity and tourism.

Dublin Airport isnt Heathrow; Dublin competes for traffic with other European Airports, and with less airline seat capacity returning post covid, airports must respond with incentives to attract that smaller pool of aircraft seat capacity.

Sadly, DAA are oblivious to what is happening at airports elsewhere in Europe.

Airports that have lowered charges and implemented incentive passenger growth schemes for lower-emission aircraft are recovering passenger numbers and growing connectivity.

DAAs policies are putting Ireland at risk of becoming just like Germany, whose passenger numbers are only 75pc recovered vs pre-Covid with reduced connections and tourism because they increased airport and security charges  precisely what DAA are now doing.

What has played out in Germany will now be repeated in Ireland as higher airport charges mean lower passengers which runs counter to Govt policy to develop low-cost sustainable access to support a growing economy. 

In response the DAA categorically denied that charges at Dublin Airport will increase by 45pc in 2024.

The airport operator said that regulated charges at the airport are set by the aviation regulator, the IAA, adding that these charges are anticipated to rise by 6pc next year.

DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs said that the airline would have the opportunity to pay lower charges if they opted to avail of sustainability incentives that the airport operator has proposed for next year.

He said: I am baffled why any airline with sustainability ambitions would choose to turn down the opportunity to operate lower CO2 emission and less noisy aircraft at Dublin Airport by turning down the new discount schemes.

The Ryanair decision to reduce their Max fleet at Dublin Airport next winter is adding to their cost base when by actually increasing the Max fleet they would in fact pay even less in 2024 that they will in 2023.

Mr Jacobs said Ryanairs claim of a 45% increase in charges in 2024 is false.

He added: There is nothing approaching a 45% proposed rise in pricing at Dublin Airport which is patently false for anyone who has studied the regulators determination last December.

Rather than depending on back-of-a-scratchcard mathematics, I would urge those making such false statements to redo their sums and more importantly study the range of sustainability incentives proposed at Dublin Airport, and join us on the journey to a carbon-free aviation eco-system over the coming years.
Former policeman Aurelien Gimenez, ex-optician Joumana Maallawi, former chef George Dogaru, ex-opera singer Thiago Beretta, former radio presenter Ian Gilmour, and ex-dental nurse Nicole Blundy front a new easyJet cabin crew recruitment campaign (David Parry/PA)

A fresh campaign is being launched aimed at tackling outdated stereotyping of jobs in the airline industry.

The move by easyJet is part of a recruitment drive to hire 1,000 new cabin crew this year.

The budget airline is encouraging people to switch careers with an advertising campaign featuring a former dental nurse, an optician and a Paris police officer.

Former opera singer Thiago Beretta, ex-chef George Dogaru and former radio presenter Ian Gilmour front easyJets new recruitment campaign, aiming at tackling stereotypes about cabin crew (David Parry/PA)

The initiative follows the companys drive last year to encourage people over the age of 45 to consider a career as cabin crew.

Since then, the number of over-45s flying with easyJet as crew has increased by 28%.

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.

The research found that 75% of those polled believe that cabin crew is typically a role for women.

As a result, two in five men said they would not consider doing the job.
The National Assembly on Thursday adopted a confirmation hearing report for the nominee for Supreme Court chief justice, but the two major rival parties were discussing putting it to a vote next week.

The parliamentary special committee on the confirmation hearing adopted the confirmation report for Lee Gyun-ryong, but no consensus was reached on whether he is fit for the country's chief justice job.

The ruling People Power Party said Lee is fit for the job, a claim rejected by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

After serving as a judge for about 30 years, Lee was nominated as the chief justice of the Supreme Court in August to replace Kim Meong-su, whose term ends this Sunday.

The ruling party has said Lee is the right person to normalize what it calls the politicization of the judiciary during Kim's tenure, while the DPK disagreed, claiming Lee has personal connections with President Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor.

The justice chief nominee has denied the allegations, saying he is a friend of someone close to the president, but not the president himself.

The DPK has also took issue with Lee's past rulings, where he reportedly reduced the sentences of offenders of sexual crimes or domestic violence multiple times.

Additionally, Lee also faces accusations of purposefully underreporting assets he and his family owned for many years in the annual asset disclosure of high-ranking government officials, while he served as a high court judge.

He reportedly omitted some 990 million won ($738,000) worth of unlisted stocks owned by his family, and left out assets under foreign accounts owned by Lee's son and daughter currently studying abroad.

Lee has also been accused of using his position as a judge to land his son an internship job at a top law firm.

At least 150 out of 298 lawmakers need to be present at the parliament during a vote. Of them, a majority of votes, at least 76, is needed to endorse Lee's nomination as the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

If Lee's nomination fails to pass the DPK-controlled Assembly, the Supreme Court chief justice seat will be vacant starting next week. (Yonhap)
Events and conferences hosted by organisations and businesses from right across the globe are an increasingly important part of revenue generation in Northern Ireland, with a predicated 209m in economic generation by 2030. John Mulgrew speaks to the industry and looks at why Belfast, Derry and beyond are bringing in the visitors

Visit Belfast was named Best Convention Bureau at this years Micebook awards. Pictured are Julia Corkey, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall and Rachel McGuckin, Visit Belfast

Northern Ireland events and conference numbers are on the up

And its big business for Belfast and beyond, especially if some of the economic stats are to be believed.

Its now being predicted that Northern Ireland could bring in some 209m in additional spend by 2030  something which would have been previously unheard of just a few years back.

The Northern Ireland Integrated Strategy for Business Events was launched in March 2022 and demonstrated the potential growth and the necessary steps to increase the direct economic impact of this important sector by a further 209m by 2030, Naomi Waite, Tourism NI director of marketing, told Ulster Business.

Northern Ireland is set to welcome 177 conferences with more than 60,000 delegates, and a 76m spend here over the next three years, she says.

Its a strong sign of the recovery of this important sector. We will be working closely with our partners Tourism Ireland, Visit Belfast and Visit Derry to present Northern Ireland as an exciting, competitive business events destination.

Later this month more than 100 global investors are confirmed to attend the Northern Ireland Investment Summit.

Its aiming to promote local opportunities to one of the largest groups of global investors and businesses ever seen in Northern Ireland, when it takes place on September.

Northern Irelands innovative businesses will be showcased to more than 100 investors from the US, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions.

Business events provide welcome mid-week and shoulder season business so play a vital role in a healthy tourism portfolio for destinations, Naomi says. Furthermore, beyond the immediate economic impact of hosting, they provide a valuable opportunity to showcase Northern Irelands sectoral strengths, helping us to position Northern Ireland as a great place to not only visit at a conference, but to live, work and invest, creating a positive lasting legacy.

The latest summit marks a significant opportunity to demonstrate Northern Irelands innovation and technological strengths across its internationally renowned sectors, including advanced manufacturing, software and technology, financial and professional services, and emerging health and life sciences.

Breaking down the figures, the numbers are only going up. And while Derry is getting some of the activity, the majority remains centred in Belfast.

There were some 95 conferences in Belfast in 2022, according to Visit Belfast, and a further 34 in Derry. That total economic impact is estimated to be around 38m.

And looking ahead, Belfast looks set to welcome 147 conferences and 55,000 delegates, over the next three years, amounting to a spend of around 74.8m.

Meanwhile in Derry, 30 conferences are in the diary with 4,700 delegates and an economic impact of around 1.2m.

According to Visit Belfast theres been an increase of 16% on the previous year.

This year, Belfast will welcome a number of high profile and strategic events such as the One Young World Summit in October, UK Space Conference in November and the European Association of Archaeologists.

This year has been a record-breaking year for business tourism with a number of high-profile, significant events in the city including Cyber UK, One Young World and UK Space, Gerry Lennon, chief executive, Visit Belfast, said.

Business tourism is vital to a sustainable visitor economy providing year-round, mid-week and high spend visitors and it is an essential part of the trading mix for hotels, venues and the wider hospitality sector. Beyond tourism  these events also play an important role in supporting economic development, education and research policy areas.

Visit Belfasts award-winning business tourism team, work with over 1,300 business, academic and medical leaders to attract business events to Belfast and Northern Ireland in key sectors that can also promote Belfast and Northern Ireland as a vibrant place to work, do business, study, live and invest in.

Working in partnership with Invest NI, Tourism NI, Belfast City Council, ICC Belfast, Queens University and Ulster University, we have five strategic advisory panels bringing together Northern Irelands leaders within life and health sciences, technology, agri-food, business and professional services and advanced manufacturing.

This ensures that we are attracting events that not only deliver important tourism revenue  but that align to the regions 10x economic vision and showcase Northern Irelands world-leading expertise.

Such events are key in boosting our region as a place to do business, as well as putting us on the global map, according to Neil Dalzell, managing director of plannd.

International events such as conferences and trade shows, attract professionals and experts from diverse industries, creating a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation, he says.

Hosting such events enhances a citys reputation as a hub for business and innovation, attracting investment and encouraging the establishment of new business operations within Northern Ireland. This has in turn has led to my events management agency working with international clients such as Citi, Allstate and Sandvik.

Large international events have had the power to significantly boost small businesses within Belfast. These events draw a diverse and often sizable crowd of attendees, creating a surge in demand for various goods and services.

Local shops such as Born and Bred, restaurants close to hotels and conference venues, and transportation services experience increased foot traffic and sales during these periods. The increased number of international events has prompted local entrepreneurs to innovate and tailor their offerings to cater to event attendees, showcasing Belfasts unique character and fostering economic resilience.

But its not just the cities playing host to events here. For example, Seating Matters, a globally recognised leader in clinical, therapeutic seating, will be hosting the Two Second Lean Summit 2023 in the Roe Park Resort, Limavady, on September 4-5.

The sold-out event has received interest worldwide with delegates travelling from Japan, India, Europe, Argentina, South Africa, North America and Australia all due to attend.

Gerry Lennon says turning to the future, sustainability will also be a key strand in the appetite for events and hosting major conferences  something Belfast is upping its game in.

Looking ahead to the future, sustainability will be at the forefront of the industry and this is an area that Visit Belfast has invested in to ensure we can deliver sustainable growth, he says.

Belfast is now ranked in the Top 10 Most Sustainable Destinations in the World (GDS-Index 2022), 81% of our hotel bedrooms in the city are now sustainably certified. We also have a sustainability and impact manager within the team and have launched a range of support for event organisers and the industry to help them make their event in Belfast as sustainable as possible.
The gigs often became a way of sleeping with women  and in some cases, demeaning them

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued on the YouTube page of Russell Brand.

It has been over 15 years since Matt* went to watch Russell Brand at the Peterborough Broadway theatre on March 25 2007, but he can still remember how uncomfortable he felt at the sight of Brand beckoning over a pair of women from the audience to go backstage with him after the show.

It was slick, like something he had obviously done before, Matt says.

It was unsettling then, and its even more unsettling now.

The British comedian has been accused by four separate women of various crimes, including sexual assault, manipulation and rape, in incidents which took place between 2006 and 2013.

Another alleged victim has also come forward to the Met Police with a story of sexual assault that dates back as far as 2003.

Brand denies all the allegations.

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued on the YouTube page of Russell Brand.

When Brand beckoned over those audience members in 2007, it was following a skit that had involved them earlier in the show.

Brands running bit during his tours often involved a prank phone call: in this case, it was getting a person up on stage and asking them to ring a friend who wasnt in attendance, then getting them to cajole that friend into joining them at the theatre.

I think the whole point was that they were both female, and I think that was part of the act, Matt recalls, then when the friend turned up everyone cheered and he [Brand] continued with the show.

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.

One ran back out immediately - Im not sure what shocked her. But the other one stayed in there.

Russell Brand. Pic: Ian West/PA Wire

Also present at a 2007 gig was Helen*, who went to see Brand aged 15 in Wolverhamptons Civic Hall on March 26 2007, the day after Matt had seen him beckon those two women into his dressing room.

Helen, who is now 31, told the Evening Standard: At the beginning of the set he announced, If youd like to shag me, form an orderly queue at the dressing room door and he kept referring back to that joke. It didnt feel like a joke.

When he said it, he dropped the kind of over-the-top emphatic booky-wooky expression style he had going at the time and went very still and confident, staring into the crowd.

And after he said it, there was a pause [from Brand] where he was just grinning. Then he immediately reverted to his typical prancing.

This was confirmed by a fellow audience member at the same gig, 46-year-old Stu from Halesowen, who attended separately but recalls the exact same behaviour.

He joked that they should ignore their dignity and chat to a member of his staff who would be by the stage, Stu remembers.

It was said as a joke but it wasnt. I always wondered if anyone did queue.

They did. Helen says she saw the queue as she and her friend were leaving to be picked up by her friends dad.

[It was] young women, she recalls, I would say aged 17 to 25. At this point Russell Brand would have been 32-years-old.

It may make your skin crawl now, but at the time people were picking up what Brand was putting down: he consistently sold out gigs, and his increasing popularity had already landed him roles in major Hollywood films by 2008.

Back then, audiences thought very little of Brand openly picking up groupies.

Even Matt, who remembers feeling uncomfortable at the sight of Brand beckoning over those women, says he rationalised it because back then it didnt seem that weird. It was Russell Brand and he was such a lad. You know?

Later in Brands tour, an attendee named Darnell* remembers him exhibiting similar behaviour at a venue in Stoke-on-Trent.

The second half of the show it felt like he gave up on the comedy, says Darnell.

He spent [it] in the stalls, working his way through girl after girl.

He wasnt shy about why he was doing it either, he said it to them in front of a watching audience, that he wanted sex after the show.

We all just had to sit there waiting until he was happy hed got a few to choose from.

And while the girls and women in this case were willing to head backstage with Brand, his gigs were not always such welcome spaces for female fans.

Russell Brand. Pic: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Poppy, 39, from Bristol, remembers watching Brand during his Scandalous tour one night in Edinburgh, in 2009, getting up to his usual tricks: The front aisles of seats were all screaming girls, she says.

He started off making jokes Id guess were common across his shows, that theres no need to worry, theyd all get a chance with him, and about them lining up after the show.

But then Brands mood changed.

There was one girl who wouldnt stop screaming out to him and I guess it pissed him off. So he got her on stage and spent five minutes totally humiliating her, saying why would she think he would find her attractive, all this kind of thing.

She was like a deer in headlights, meeting her idol and standing in a theatre in front of hundreds of people.

He left the stage and I kept an eye on her. I saw her leaving, walking along the side of the theatre sobbing as she went.

Poppy says the whole experience left her feeling disgusted by Brand.

Another attendee who left Brands comedy show feeling sickly was Malcom, 39, from British Columbia, who saw Brand perform in 2012 at the River Rock Show Theatre in Vancouver.

Brand was still employing the prank phone call gimmick at this point, and chose to call upon a transgender sex worker whose number he found in the paper as his target on this occasion.

[He was] repeatedly calling her to the point of harassment, Malcom recalls, I was young when I saw him, 19, and thought this was all scripted but I ended up working in live performance and when I think back on the show, it was clear he was just harassing her.

Brand was not transphobic, according to Malcolm, but extremely denigrating about her position as a sex worker.

Brand himself has shared stories of sleeping with sex workers, including an incident when he was 16 on a family holiday, an encounter which was set up by his father.

Another incident which Brand wrote about in his memoir, where he smashed a sex workers phone against a wall during sex, has also recently resurfaced following the allegations.

Brands prank calls have got him into trouble before, too: in 2008 he called a rape crisis helpline while on stage in Northampton, which proved particularly egregious given a spate of recent sexual assaults in the local area.

The series of sexual assaults appeared to have the same perpetrator and took place within the same alleyway, earning the perpetrator the nickname of the underpass attacker.

Brand pretended to be submitting a sighting of the attacker and made jokes such as Ive had someone come near my underpass.

He later apologised for the incident and said that he was devastated that he might have offended vulnerable people.

Brand has spoken about his sex addiction at length, though he began to make claims of his rehabilitation in 2005, after a stint in a Philadelphia based sexual recovery facility.

Just two years later he was beckoning women backstage, show after show.

In Brands book, published in November 2007, not long after Helen, Matt, Darnell and Stu saw Brands sexually charged performance on stage, he wrote about his stint in rehab, saying he did it just to shut everyone up, really, and for the same reason that I finally gave up drink and drugs  because my ambition is the most powerful force within me, so once people convinced me that my sexual behaviour might become damaging to my career, I found it easier to think of it as a flaw that needed to be remedied.

More recently, he paints himself as a family man and has recently lambasted the impact of pornography upon young men.

As for the allegations of unconsensual sexual acts, Brand has denied all wrongdoing, saying: ...amidst this litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks, are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.

These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. And as Ive written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous.

Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual."
This week sees the release of Ballywalter, starring new host of The Late Late Show Patrick Kielty. The Co Down comedian takes on a serious screen role in the blackly humorous drama from director Prasanna Puwanarajah.

Penned by east Belfast writer Stacey Gregg, Ballywalter is a quietly affecting study of two lost souls who have hit rock bottom; self-pitying victims of their own actions who recognise the darkness that consumes them but dont know how to escape it.

A slow-burning story of depression and self-preservation unfolds during 12 car journeys from the coastal village of Ballywalter to Belfast, cocooning central characters inside a taxicab as Mother Nature kisses the rugged countryside and cityscapes of Northern Ireland.

Kielty meets his match in Seana Kerslake, portraying an acid-tongued university dropout on a wee stop-gap which currently comprises ill-tempered exchanges with the clientele of a local cafe where she is paid to make flat whites not chug quadruple espressos in a back alley.

You dont respect the bean! snaps her boss.

Spiky verbal exchanges are petrol in the films fuel tank and Greggs script bides its time with back stories to explain the characters companionships with misery.

Following the implosion of his marriage, Shane (Kielty) is living in self-imposed exile in Ballywalter, estranged from his wife Donna (Joanne Crawford) and their daughter Martha.

He hopes to escape a choking fog of self-loathing by enrolling in a 12-week stand-up comedy course run by Jonny (Lloyd Hutchinson) at a community centre in Belfast.

First look at Ballywalter starring Patrick Kielty

Shane is serving a six-month suspended sentence for driving under the influence so he calls for a taxi to ferry him back and forth between Ballywalter and Belfast.

Unlicensed 20-something driver Eileen (Kerslake) responds.

She has recently returned home to live with her mam (Abigail McGibbon) and pregnant sister Gemma (Adele Gribbon) after dropping out of university studies in London.

Scratching a living behind the wheel of her former boyfriends minicab is no dream and a perpetually sour-faced Eileen refuses to engage with chatty passengers. She also flees the scene of a collision with a motorcycle belonging to delivery driver Pizza Phil (Ryan McParland). Shane and Eileen unexpectedly sow seeds of a touching friendship during weekly trips and they inspire one another to clamber out of their respective ruts.

Ballywalter exercises restraint at every narrative turn, even with a climatic first performance by course students at the Empire music hall, a centre of gravity for comedy in Belfast and fittingly where Kielty began his stand-up career.

He gels handsomely with Kerslake, who has the showier role and carefully softens her protagonists sharp edges as she absorbs the comedy courses key learning: If youre being truthful then failure can be powerful.

Some of the films choices fail  the protracted Pizza Phil subplot is superfluous  but a well-intentioned stumble is better than standing still.

RATING: 7/10

Ballywalter is released in the UK and Ireland tomorrow in selected cinemas
Youth-led exhibition Our Lives, Our Legacy reflects on the Troubles and explores peoples hopes for the future

A cross-community group of young people discuss the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, what it means to them and what they want for their future

Aoife Lafferty turns the spotlight on the UN International Day of Peace mural at the peace line gates at Northumberland Street in Belfast

Fifteen young people have explored the legacy of the Troubles and share their hopes for the future in the cross-community project called Our Lives, Our Legacy, which received almost 5,000 funding from the NI Housing Executive.

The event marks Good Relations Week 2023 (September 18-24) and the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

One highlight of the exhibition at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, is a thought-provoking video about the Agreement.

Steph ORourke, deputy director of Springboard Opportunities, said: Our UN International Day of Peace event celebrates a shared future, supporting peacebuilding and the identity and traditions of two historical communities.

These 16- to 28-year-olds, who come from areas of social economic need in Belfast, have led the project by capturing, in their video, the experiences and perspectives of their peers, and others in their communities, on life since the Agreement.

Visitors to the exhibition are taken through a timeline leading up to the Agreement, a finale showcase of the video, speeches and a performance piece. This project is an important part of our bridge-building work and aims to show how shared events can help promote integration and build common ground across social divides.

We are also creating a podcast and we will be visiting secondary school with the exhibits.

We are very grateful to the Housing Executive for helping to make this exhibition possible and we hope it will help pave the way for more tension-free streets where our people can live in peace.

Jennifer Hawthorne, NI Housing Executive's director of housing services

Jennifer Hawthorne, NI Housing Executives director of housing services, said: We are delighted to support this significant piece of work, which is part-funded by our community cohesion team who work to develop strong, positive relationships between people from different backgrounds.

As well as exploring the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement and what it means to them, this group of young people has been given an opportunity to examine different identities and cultures and to develop personally.

Our aim is to increase mutual understanding and create positive outcomes for them and their communities.

Activities like these shine a light on the diverse people who live in our estates and neighbourhoods, and they are crucial to building relationships between communities deeply affected by conflict and to create shared visions and hopes for Northern Ireland in the next 25 years.

Aoife Lafferty turns the spotlight on the UN International Day of Peace mural at the peace line gates at Northumberland Street in Belfast

Stephen McAllister (17), from the Shankill area of Belfast, said: I think its very far-sighted of the Housing Executive to support a project like this. It is all about getting young people in communities to understand each other and work together, which leads to creating better places for us all to live in. Everyone I know wants to live in a decent area free from hassle.

I was interested in this project because it was youth-led. Its been a great opportunity for all of us to take charge of our own piece of work and we are proud of what we have achieved.

Stephen added: The Belfast-Good Friday Agreement happened before I was born. I knew a bit about it, but Ive done some proper research for this project.

People my age dont know what the conditions were in the Agreement and what was meant to happen. For example, how the peace walls were supposed to come down by a certain date.

Communities are rife with murals that remind us of our troubled past. Even if you dont pay much attention, its subliminal  its just there.

Projects like this let us see how far we have actually come, which gives us more hope for the future and encourages us to keep working towards a better way of doing things.

Both sides of the community have been brought together and its good to see that we are all aiming for the same goal.

My personal hope for the future is for everyone to realise we are just all human beings.

Aoife Lafferty (25), from the Falls, said: Projects like this are so important in lots of different ways.

Springboard has changed my life.

I suffered from anxiety and depression. I was in a very dark place and didnt think Id be able to do anything normal again.

The opportunities for training, development and confidence building that this has offered me gave me the support I needed to turn my life around.

Aoife continued: I like to be involved with activism and learning as much as I can, and I want to help create positive change and to particularly support local young people in the way that Ive been helped, because it has done so much for me.

Identity and diversity are key issues in Northern Ireland and its encouraging to see the Housing Executive playing its part in trying to tackle the problems around this at grassroots level.

Its interest and support boosts peoples confidence in the organisation and lets them see they are not alone and forgotten.

Aoife added: I was born in the same year as the Good Friday Agreement. Its really, really good being able to learn about it.

A cross-community group of young people discuss the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, what it means to them and what they want for their future

The Agreement is very relevant to me today. Northern Ireland is my home and what happens here is very important to me. The Agreement was a massive thing and its part of my story. If it hadnt happened, I, and other young people, just wouldnt have the same opportunities that exist now.

It is something that is always in the background and its definitely something I should know about.

Im grateful for this chance to learn the story behind the Agreement and how it has led to the situation we are in today.

Its amazing that it has brought peace. It hasnt fixed everything, but it is a brilliant foundation for going forward.

I want to see the politicians doing their job and working to solve the day-to-day problems that people face.

On a more personal level, my boyfriend and I come from different sections of the community and it means a lot to me to be able to find out more about the other side.

Im excited for other young people to see what we have created and [I hope] it will give them plenty to think about.

Springboards Our Lives Our Legacy event at Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre takes place on Thursday, September 21.
An alleged drug dealer accused of supplying a bad batch of pregabalin to a man who was later found dead he breached his bail.

Mark Hayes appeared in Ballymena Magistrates Court today after breaking his curfew time for the second time.

Police had no objections to the 31-year-old being freed on bail again.

Defence counsel Michael Smyth outlined how both breaches, the latest one being on Wednesday night, arose from Hayes failing to keep his curfew as there was a delay with his taxi.

Hayes, from Maple Drive in Coleraine, is charged with two drug offences, alleged to have been committed on August 25 this year, including possessing pregabalin with intent to supply and with supplying the class C, prescription-only drug.

The court was previously told that there had been a sudden death at the Lighthouse Hostel in Ballymena. A man had been found dead in his room, with a box of pregabalin lying beside him.

While the post-mortem results came back as inconclusive, police are awaiting a full toxicology report, said the officer.

Through police enquiries, a witness came forward to claim they knew Hayes had been taking drugs with the deceased the day before his death and that the deceased complained to him [the witness] that he gave the defendant 70 to buy pregabalin but had not received any from him.

The witness also claimed that on the day the man was found dead, they saw Hayes give him a box of pregabalin.

When Hayes room at the hostel was searched, police found a sheet of pregabalin, which, the officer said, appears to be the same brand as the box that was found in the deceaseds room.

He added that 145 in cash, along with a list of names and numbers which police suspect are dealing figures  was also seized, revealing that the name of the deceased was on that list.

Arrested and interviewed, Hayes denied that he is a drug dealer, claiming that the list [named] people he had lent money to, and although he accepted going to Belfast to buy pregabalin on Thursday [August 24] and Friday [August 25], he denied giving any to the now-deceased man.

According to the detective, Hayes told police the tablets he bought were different to the usual prescription drugs, as the blister pack tinfoil was gold rather than silver.

In court today, District Judge Nigel Broderick said that while he was content to release Hayes again, he warned that the defendant needs to be careful to keep all his bail conditions in future.

If you break [them] again, you will eventually run out of patience [granted by] the court or the police, so make sure that you are at home or you will be in Maghaberry [Prison], he told Hayes.

Finally, District Judge Broderick told Hayes, who is barred from being in Ballymena: Go straight to the train station and go straight to Coleraine.
A north Belfast man allegedly throttled three members of his family and grabbed their pet dog by the throat, a court heard today.

Kevin Barry Cassidy, 29, is accused of choking his mother, a cousin and 82-year-old grandfather during a single outburst.

Cassidy, of Ardoyne Walk, is charged with three counts of non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation and causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

He faces further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault in connection with the same incident on July 1.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard he allegedly arrived at the family home and started shouting aggressively.

It was claimed at the time that he tried to strike his mother and then began to choke her.

When his grandfather tried to intervene he allegedly grabbed him by the throat, squeezing tightly for around 10 seconds before letting go, a detective said.

Cassidy is also accused of hitting the 82-year-old with a phone, leaving him bleeding from a head wound.

He then grabbed the familys dog by the throat in an apparent attempt to choke it, according to a complaint made at the time.

A female cousin who lives nearby was allegedly subjected to a similar attack after she went to the house.

Cassidy was located and arrested by police later that day.

Opposing his application for bail, the detective claimed he posed a high risk of causing further harm.

Strangulation or asphyxiation has been reported (by the alleged victims) as the defendants chosen method of assaulting them, she added.

A defence solicitor told the court Cassidys grandfather has since made a statement to withdraw his complaint.

He suggested that his client will ultimately only face common assault charges.

Bail was refused, however, due to the risk of re-offending.

District Judge Anne Marshall remanded Cassidy in custody until October 12.
A Belfast man who raped a stranger as she walked home from a night out with friends will be sentenced next month.

Stephen Dalton appeared at Belfast Crown Court today for a plea hearing, where it emerged that two cyclists witnessed the attack.

Despite initial denials, Dalton (39), from Fairfax Court in Belfast, admitted to both raping and sexually assaulting the woman.

Crown barrister Philip Mateer KC said that on September 10, 2021, the victim had been out socialising with friends in Belfast.

Aged 26 at the time, she and her friends had dined at a Chinese restaurant, then moved on to a few bars in the city centre.

Mr Mateer said the woman decided to walk home.

Read more Belfast man throttled three members of his family and grabbed dog by the throat, court told

As she was walking along a footpath that runs along the River Lagan, she encountered Dalton, who was also on the same walkway.

Mr Mateer said Dalton became aware of her presence and that, as they walked along the same path, she started a conversation with him.

The prosecutor said they then walked together for a short time before separating. But then Dalton followed her across a bridge.

What followed, the Crown say, was an encounter between the defendant and the victim on a bench which was witnessed by two passing cyclists.

Mr Mateer said the cyclists heard a commotion on the bench and someone saying help. After observing the woman was unable to look out for herself, one of the cyclists approached the bench.

Mr Mateer said: The cyclist had a conversation with the defendant and assessed the complainant and said the girl was crying at one stage.

The defendant claimed he just wanted to help her.

Because of what she had witnessed, as to the vulnerability of the complainant and the interaction with the defendant, this witness was sufficiently alerted to phone the police.

Mr Mateer said, after calling the PSNI, the two cyclists remained watching from a distance of 30 to 40 yards. One saw Dalton with his trousers down; he then carried out the sex attack.

Revealing that one of the witnesses said the complainant looked like a rag doll during the incident, Mr Mateer said that when the cyclists protested to Dalton about his behaviour, he threatened to throw both of them in the Lagan.

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Police arrived at the scene, and when Dalton was arrested and interviewed he gave a no comment response.

Mr Mateer said: The complainant cannot assist, because she frankly admitted she remembers nothing between the decision taken to walk home and being in the back of the police car.

She has absolutely no memory of the encounter with the defendant.

Mr Mateer told Judge Paul Ramsey KC that Dalton was a repeat offender with a significant criminal record, but accepted that none of these previous convictions were for sexual offences.

Gavan Duffy KC, representing Dalton, reiterated his clients lack of relevant offending and described what happened as an opportunistic offence.

Mr Duffy also spoke of Daltons very long history of drug and alcohol misuse.

The defence barrister added that Daltons guilty pleas were a recognition that the complainant was not and could not have consented, given her intoxicated state.

After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Ramsey addressed Dalton in the dock.

Judge Ramsey told him he needed time to reflect on the case and said he would pass sentence on October 5.

Dalton was then returned back into custody.
Caolan Larkin, from Glengomna Road, Draperstown, Co Londonderry appeared via video link from the custody suite in Dungannon PSNI station.

The 30-year-old is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to the supply the drug.

He is also accused of possessing cocaine and possessing a small quantity of cannabis.

A police officer told Derry Magistrates Court that on Tuesday police officers searched premises at The Orchard in Draperstown under warrant after the PSNI received information about the possibility of drugs being in the property.

After gaining entry to the property by force, the officers found 1.2kg of cocaine, with a street value of between 50,000 and 60,000.

They also found a small amount of cannabis, a laptop, two mobile phones, a heat sealer and a postal receipt from Portugal.

The officer said: During interview, he [Larkin] made some admissions in relation to the cannabis. Regarding the cocaine, he said some of it belonged to him.

When asked if he was acting under duress, he said, No comment at this time, and he wanted to speak to his solicitor in relation to that question.

Bail is objected to. The two mobile phones and the laptop have yet to be triaged. He is currently off on sick leave from his employment, which is based in the Republic of Ireland.

He has admitted owning some of the cocaine, which means others own the rest of it. Police therefore believe there is a risk of him interfering with the course of justice and with an ongoing police investigation, and there is also a risk of him leaving the jurisdiction.

In relation to finances, it is very clear he now owes money in relation to the cocaine he has now lost. The police would only reconsider our attitude to bail once the mobile phones and laptop have been triaged, in case there is relevant material on them, the officer said.

Applying for bail, solicitor Stephen Atherton said the defendant had no criminal record, nor had he ever come to the adverse attention of the police.

He said the defendant, whose occupation on the charge sheet was listed as army personnel, had been on long-term sick leave for the past six months due to a debilitating health issue.

He said the police objections to bail could be managed by conditions imposed by the court, saying the defendants parents, who were in court, were willing to sign as surety for their son.

Refusing bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said, while the police attitude to bail might change, to make an application now was premature.

The mobile phones have yet to be triaged to find out who else might be involved in this.

He [Larkin] said he owns some of the drugs, which suggests he may be in a partnership. He could owe money to an organised crime gang in relation to the drugs seized. We all know what they are like: they will want their money back.

The investigation is only just beginning. Bail is refused for fear of further offending, due to the amount involved and the possibility he could owe money to other people, he said.

Larkin was remanded in custody to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on October 18.
A Stormont department has been in breach of an obligation to test diesel cars for potentially dangerous emissions over the past 17 years, the High Court heard today.

Counsel for environmental campaigners alleged a failure to carry out the checks on the level of pollutants scientifically linked to respiratory diseases and early deaths.

Monye Anyadike Danes KC urged a judge to make an order compelling the Department of Infrastructure to recommence testing in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency.

She argued: They have been in breach of this duty since 2006 and are not telling us when they are going to bring this sorry state of affairs to an end.

We need air quality being improved and polluting vehicles off the road.

Legal action is being taken by Friends of the Earth NI, supported by the Public Interest Litigation Support Project (PILS).

They claim legally required exhaust emissions tests have not been carried out on any diesel cars at MOT centres in Northern Ireland since being introduced and stopped within months back in 2006.

The alleged failure also breaches duties to protect public health, biodiversity and wildlife habitats, it was contended.

Northern Ireland has a disproportionately higher number of diesel vehicles than the rest of the UK for all sorts of reasons to do with the border and price arbitrage on diesel, the barrister added.

Despite lorries and buses still being tested, Ms Anyadike-Danes insisted that cars made up the vast majority of diesel vehicles.

We are talking about a breach that has been ongoing for 17 years with no sign that it will end, she submitted.

Questions were also raised about when two planned testing centres near Belfast, at Hydebank and Mallusk, will be fully operational.

Even then, according to counsel, they will only be able to deal with 50% of diesel cars.

Ms Anyadike-Danes added: The urgency one would hope would be instilled in the Department just doesnt seem to be there.

The case continues.
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The National Assembly on Thursday passed a motion seeking parliamentary consent to the potential arrest of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, a surprise result that shows a number of dissenting votes from Lee's own Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

With the motion's passage in a 149-136 vote, a court hearing will be held to determine whether to grant the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant for Lee on corruption charges in connection with a land development project and a company's illegal cash remittance to North Korea.

But it is unclear whether Lee will show up for the hearing, considering he has been on a hunger strike since Aug. 31 to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's handling of state affairs and was hospitalized earlier this week due to deteriorating health.

The motion needed at least 148 votes in favor to pass. Given that Lee's DPK has 168 lawmakers in the 298-member National Assembly, the result suggests that dozens of DPK lawmakers voted in favor of the potential arrest of their party leader.

The result was even more surprising, because Lee appealed for the motion's rejection a day earlier.

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.

"We are very surprised and in shock. The leadership had requested members to vote against the motion, but we feel regretful the results came otherwise," DPK's spokesperson, Rep. Lee So-young, said. "I think the leadership need to gather immediately and discuss this matter."

The presidential office did not release an official statement regarding Thursday's vote.

The prosecution accuses Lee of committing breach of trust worth 20 billion won ($15.06 million) by giving special treatment to a private developer in the Baekhyeon-dong district apartment project in the city of Seongnam, south of Seoul, between 2014 and 2015, when he was serving as the city's mayor.

Lee is also suspected of asking Ssangbangwool Group, an underwear maker, to illegally transfer $8 million to North Korea between 2019 and 2020, when he was serving as Gyeonggi Province governor, through his deputy to facilitate his visit to the North and push for a joint smart farm project between his province and Pyongyang.

It was the second time that the prosecution has sought an arrest warrant for Lee.

In February, the prosecution's attempt to detain Lee on allegations of corruption in two separate corruption cases fell through after parliamentary disapproval.

Also on Thursday, the opposition-controlled parliament voted 175-116 for a motion calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The DPK submitted the dismissal motion to the parliament Monday, accusing the prime minister of serious incompetence as chief of the Cabinet and holding him responsible for President Yoon Suk Yeol's policies.

It was the first time a dismissal motion against a prime minister passed through the National Assembly.

Yoon is widely expected to reject it.

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)
Thousands of health and social care workers in Northern Ireland have begun a 48-hour strike as part of a pay dispute (Pacemaker)

The morale of frontline health staff in Northern Ireland is in the gutter, union chiefs have warned.

Thousands of healthcare workers are staging a 48-hour walkout as part of calls to achieve pay parity with workers in other parts of the UK, as well as to advocate for more funding for the health service.

Workers from unions including Unison, Unite and Nipsa, as well as the Society of Radiographers, are on picket lines outside hospitals across Northern Ireland.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) joined industrial action on Thursday, with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) announcing its intention to strike on Friday.

A rally for striking workers will be held outside Belfast City Hall on Friday afternoon.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy said the strikes were a result of clear political choices made by the Secretary of State.

GMB Union Members on strike outside Belfast City Hospital (Presseye)

Its estimated that more than 4,000 union members  including the Ambulance Service  from across the health and social care systems are taking part, as a result of ongoing disputes over pay.

The strike is part of wider industrial action within NIs healthcare system. Pay rises offered to healthcare workers across the rest of the UK have not been offered to staff in Northern Ireland.

Mr Murphy said: The choices made by Chris Heaton-Harris have resulted in a pay border between Larne and Cairnryan, and Liverpool and Holyhead.

His refusal to honour the Barnett consequentials of pay increases across England, Wales and Scotland have given us the Irish Sea Pay Border, he continued.

Experienced staff are leaving and new entrants to the NHS and civil service are going elsewhere.

The long-term impact of this years punishment budget will be significant and damaging for the social fabric of NI.

Kevin McAdam, lead officer for Unite, said the action was a continuation of strikes from last year, and workers wanted to make sure the healthcare service is sustained.

As workers, our claim is to those that can pay, and currently thats the British Government, is to give our workers what theyve afforded to people in England and Scotland and Wales. We want at least thats what were looking for, he said.

Were not into politics. Its not who should pay, the Government pay the health service and they need to pay the health service workers.

Mr McAdam said workers were facing a morale deficit.

The workers are at the coalface and know whats going wrong, but they also have a morale deficit that they really cant cope with. People are just at the end of their tethers, and another thing they dont have is - they have no forward vision, they cant see a pay rise.

No pay rise for this year when inflation is running (high) so thats just intolerable, so what is the morale like? It couldnt be lower.

Norman Cunningham, secretary of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service branch of Unite, said workers had never seen it as bad.

Staffing levels are at an all-time low, morale is in the gutter, he said.

And just the fact that people arent being paid for what they do is a major issue for us. This isnt just about pay, having said that, its about safe services and its about patients overall. Were out here for the patients, because its the patient services that are suffering overall.

Mr Cunningham said that emergency services would be trying to mitigate health impacts caused by the 48-hour strike, but that those needing to use the health service were suffering on the day and daily.

Meanwhile, a People Before Profit MLA has said the strikes across the NI healthcare service should mark the end of the Tory government.

Gerry Carroll also slammed NI Secretary Heaton-Harris, adding The North has the worst health waiting lists in the NHS, the lowest-paid workers, and a Secretary of State who has washed his hands of both.

Rather than address the crisis in our NHS, Chris Heaton-Harris has implemented an austerity budget designed to punish working people and destroy our public services.

Mr Carroll concluded: These strikes should mark the demise of the Tory government and its evil economic agenda.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said its deeply regrettable that staff have once again been forced to take to the picket lines.

Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon said healthcare services here are at breaking point as a result of 13 years of Tory cuts.

The Department of Health said: The Department understands the deep-seated frustration over the ongoing absence of a pay offer for this year but very much regrets that colleagues have decided this industrial action is required.

In setting out the implications of the budget it received for 2023/24, the Department said in May that it was facing an impossible position and that decisions are required that are not in the best interests of the health and social care system.

That remains the case today. As has been previously stated, the current budgetary constraints mean that matching the English pay offer for Agenda for Change health and social care staff would require large-scale cuts on an unprecedented scale, with severe and lasting implications for services. That would be outside the scope of our decision-making powers.

The Department continues to look for ways to address the pay challenge.

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.
Physiotherapist Graham McKee (32) on the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

Paramedic Gabe McComish taking part in industrial action at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

Radiotherapy engineer Craig Gill (61) on the picket line at Belfast City Hospital

Belfast Trust administrative worker Conan Morgan (37) on the picket line outside Belfast City Hospital

Belfast Trust community bus driver Declan Petticrew (right) on the picket line at Belfast City Hospital

Radiographer Jessica Rush (26) on the picket line at the Royal Victoria Belfast

Thousands of healthcare workers taking part in a two-day walkout have expressed deep frustrations as they demand pay parity with their counterparts elsewhere in the UK.

It means community bus driver Declan Petticrew (57) is earning at least 1,000 less for doing the same job as someone across the water.

Its not major money, but it would make a major difference, he said from the picket line at Belfast City Hospital.

Like everybody, I am finding it very tough. The cost of living is rising but our wages have stayed the same. Its very hard to take.

The Belfast Trust employee said low wages are resulting in a deterioration of working conditions, as it is harder to attract new recruits.

Some [individuals] in our sector are being asked to do the work of two people, Mr Petticrew said.

The reason they cant recruit is because they wont pay a living wage.

Conan Morgan is one of the many administrative staff taking part in the industrial action.

The 37-year-old has seen work pressures mount for more than a decade despite more staff being brought in.

Belfast Trust community bus driver Declan Petticrew (right) on the picket line at Belfast City Hospital

There are all sorts of road blocks and the inability to retain workers means we are constantly losing expertise.

For me, the reward of working in the health service is knowing that I am helping patients. There is a real spiritual or emotional satisfaction in doing that, but at the same time you need to have a financial reward.

Mr Morgan said he has watched his savings account dwindle during the cost-of-living crisis.

My generation seems to go from one financial disaster to another, but people need to be able to live, he said.

I have colleagues 10 years younger than me who have no chance of saving or getting a mortgage.

The admin worker said budget pressures are not just taking a toll on people and services, but on the physical infrastructure of hospitals too.

The foundations of the NHS are literally crumbling, he warned.

But the Secretary of State doesnt seem to be interested in resolving any of this.

Hes been a bit like Pontius Pilate, by simply washing his hands of it.

Paramedic Gabe McComish taking part in industrial action at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has also blamed the crisis on Chris Heaton-Harris, whom she accused of enforcing a punitive budget on the Department of Health in the absence of Stormont.

Radiotherapy engineer Craig Gill (61) said things have gotten worse since former Health Minister Robin Swann promised to restore pay parity following strike action in 2019.

I live with my wife, it is just the two of us, and we have really felt the dramatic increase in the cost of living, he said.

Everything has escalated at a far greater rate than what our salaries have.

Mr Craig, whose job is to maintain machinery used in cancer care, is angry that healthcare workers are being used as political pawns.

It is really unfair on us, he said.

I think thats why we have growing support from older staff and higher bands. They are coming out to strike because they are suffering too.

We havent even been made an offer yet and it seems like we have taken a backward step.

Radiographer Jessica Rush (26) took to the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital within months of graduating from Ulster University.

The job is completely different to what I thought, she admitted.

We are severely understaffed and the waiting lists are too long.

Radiographers are going to Australia, England and the Republic, where the pay is much better.

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The new recruit has not been tempted to join them, but warned that many graduates will.

Its sad to hear, from older colleagues, how things used to be and see the extent of the deterioration, Ms Rush added.

Physiotherapist Graham McKee (32) on the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

Meanwhile, paramedic Gabe McComish reflected on his 40 years in the workforce and said he cant remember a time when things have been so tight.

I cant understand how young couples are buying houses, raising families and putting food on the table, he said.

It is absolutely ridiculous and everyone feels let down after Covid.

People have had enough. Morale is at an all-time low and many workers are wanting to leave.

Physiotherapist Graham McKee (32) admitted he has thought about applying for other jobs after four years in his post.

I would much prefer to stay in my post with fair pay and improved working conditions, he added.

But weve been left behind.

We arent going to fix this problem in a day, but we need to raise awareness of it.

All the politicians were out clapping during the pandemic, but that hasnt changed anything.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy rep said everyone is talking about burnout, as he called on politicians to listen, and then act.
Stormont departments ordered by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to launch public consultations on revenue-raising measures could bring in around 700m each year, according to analysts.

On Wednesday, Mr Heaton-Harris announced he has written to the permanent secretaries directing them to consult on measures to support budget sustainability and raise additional revenue.

Analyses have already been carried out by government officials and the Northern Ireland Fiscal Commission, which was set up to review the case for increasing revenue-raising powers available to the Assembly.

It comes after Mr Heaton-Harris introduced a Stormont budget in the absence of a functioning Executive, which has resulted in significant financial pressures for departments.

Back in May of last year, the NI Fiscal Commission published a report that included an overview of policy divergence from Great Britain in Northern Ireland and the associated costs for each department.

Essentially this super-parity can be used to indicate where money could be saved, or revenue raised.

For the Department for Communities, welfare mitigations and compensation paid out relating to housing benefit rates are worth 54.8m each year.

Over in the Department for the Economy, raising tuition fees could bring in up to 90.5m.

Removing the various forms of rates relief, which are under the remit of the Department of Finance, as well as landlord allowance, could raise 130m.

For the Department of Health, prescription charges and domiciliary care charges could raise up to 52.5m.

Removing free bus and rail travel for those aged over 60 would raise an estimated 29.2m, while introducing water charges would raise 344.5m.

Changes to air passenger duty could bring in 2.3m each year.

All told, an estimated 690m each year could be raised if action is taken in these areas.

The report notes: There are of course significant and complex issues behind each of these measures and there is no guarantee that alignment with other parts of the UK would bring the full fiscal benefit as detailed, given, for example, the mitigations required in the system for those who cannot afford to absorb additional costs.

A separate estimation, contained in a leaked Northern Ireland Office briefing paper, states that the Executive is losing over 700m a year by failing to introduce revenue-raising measures.

Dr Esmond Birnie

Esmond Birnie, senior economist at Ulster University, said: Particularly over the last decade or so, government in Northern Ireland has built up a big amount of so-called super-parity  in other words, where we pay less or nothing to get a similar level of public services as in England or GB.

He said potential revenue-raising measures will be down in large part to political choices about our priorities, but we do need an informed debate about what the priorities should be.

The failure to raise more revenues in NI means certain options are being closed off, he said.

In his announcement, Mr Heaton-Harris said that 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.

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.

He said the purpose of the consultations is to gather views so a restored Executive can make funding decisions in the future.

The SDLPs Matthew OToole accused the Secretary of State of using the prospect of revenue-raising measures as a scarcely concealed stick to beat the DUP back into government, which is hardly strategic or ethical.

Gavin Robinson, DUP MP for East Belfast, said his party will oppose the Secretary of State taxing Northern Ireland more just to plug the gaps created by Treasury underfunding.
If the deal is rejected, schools across most of Scotland will close for three days next week as staff strike (PA)

Schools across much of Scotland are set to close next week after a union rejected the best and final pay offer from council leaders.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said its significantly improved in-year offer would mean workers on the Scottish local government living wage see an in-year uplift of around 2,000, or almost 10%.

But Unison, one of three unions involved in the negotiations, said strikes will go ahead as it has rejected the deal.

School staff including cleaners and janitors will walk out for three days from Tuesday.

The PA news agency understands Unison has rejected the offer but will put it before members, suggesting that they also reject it.

An extra 90 million was found for the latest offer, including the 10 million previously allocated by council leaders in the previous deal offered to unions on September 13.

Cosla said the new offer was made on condition that the unions take it to their members for full consideration and that strikes are suspended with immediate effect whilst they do so.

Its resources spokeswoman Katie Hagmann said: I am extremely disappointed with Unison that not only are they recommending rejection of this half a billion pay package  they are putting our communities, especially children and young people, through the turmoil and mayhem of strikes next week.

This best and final offer was made on the basis that strikes would be suspended.

Throughout negotiations council leaders have re-iterated the value we place on the workforce and the work that they do.

It is totally unacceptable with such a significant offer on the table. We are talking about a pay package worth over 445 million, specifically targeted at the lower end of our workforce, which not only compares well to other sectors but recognises cost-of-living pressures.

The lowest paid would see an in-year uplift of over 2,000 or just under 10%.

This would mean that a pupil support assistant currently earning 22,000 would receive a 2,006 increase and a new salary of 24,000. This is an additional 748 from the offer in April.

Unions have warned more than three-quarters of schools will close if the strike goes ahead, affecting 26 of Scotlands 32 council areas.

Unison, Unite and GMB Scotland rejected the previous measly pay offer from Cosla, saying it would lead to an increase of 38p per week for the lowest paid.

Cosla had said the previous offer would have provided at least a 1,929 increase in annual salary for workers by January 1, and the lowest paid would have seen a 21% rise over two years.

Ms Hagmann said on Thursday that no new money had been identified for the latest offer, and there will be delays to programmes and projects within communities to meet the pay demands.

Unite, Unison and GMB Scotland unions are all involved in the dispute (PA)

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotlands senior organiser in public services, said on the new offer: Our members have absolutely no interest in last-minute deadline dramas. All they want is a fair pay offer.

Cosla could have made such an offer months ago but instead, despite our best efforts, chose to drag the process out for no good reason.

We will now look at the detail of this latest offer. If it is a significant improvement on the last one, we will take it to our members.

If it is not, the strikes will go ahead as planned.

Unite has been asked for comment.
A 44-year-old prisoner has been executed for the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma (OU) dance student.

Anthony Sanchez was pronounced dead at 10.19am local time following a three-drug injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

Even though he maintained that he had nothing to do with the killing of 21-year-old Juli Busken, he took the unusual step of opting not to present a clemency application to the states Pardon and Parole Board, which many viewed as the last chance to save his life.

Shortly before he was put to death, the US Supreme Court rejected a request for a stay of execution submitted by his new lawyer, Eric Allen, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr Allen had said he needed more time to go through the case evidence.

Sanchez was convicted of raping and murdering 21-year-old Juli Busken, from Benton, Arkansas, who had just completed her last semester at the university when she was abducted on December 20 1996, from the car park of her Norman apartment complex.

Her body was found that evening near Lake Stanley Draper in far south-eastern Oklahoma City. She had been bound, raped and shot in the head.

Ms Busken had performed as a ballerina in several dance performances during her tenure at OU and was memorialised at the campus with a dance scholarship in her name at the College of Fine Arts.

Years later, Sanchez was serving time for a burglary conviction when DNA on Ms Buskens clothing at the crime scene was matched to him. He was convicted and sentenced to die in 2006.

Sanchez has long maintained his innocence and did so again in a phone call to The Associated Press earlier this year from death row.

That is fabricated DNA, Sanchez said. That is false DNA. That is not my DNA. Ive been saying that since day one.

He told the AP that he declined to ask for clemency because even when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board takes the rare step of recommending it, Governor Kevin Stitt has been unlikely to grant it.

Ive sat in my cell and Ive watched inmate after inmate after inmate get clemency and get denied clemency, Sanchez said. Either way, it doesnt go well for the inmates.

Oklahoma attorney general Gentner Drummond maintained that the DNA evidence unequivocally linked Sanchez to Ms Buskens killing.

There is no conceivable doubt that Anthony Sanchez is a brutal rapist and murderer who is deserving of the states harshest punishment, Mr Drummond said in a recent statement.

A private investigator hired by an anti-death penalty group contended that the DNA evidence may have been contaminated and that an inexperienced lab technician miscommunicated the strength of the evidence to a jury.

Former Cleveland County district attorney Tim Kuykendall, who was the countys top prosecutor when Sanchez was tried, has said that while the DNA evidence was the most compelling at trial, there was other evidence linking Sanchez to the killing, including ballistic evidence and a shoe print found at the crime scene.

I know from spending a lot of time on that case, there is not one piece of evidence that pointed to anyone other than Anthony Sanchez, Mr Kuykendall said recently. I dont care if a hundred people or a thousand people confess to killing Juli Busken.

Oklahoma resumed carrying out the death penalty in 2021, ending a six-year moratorium brought on by concerns about its execution methods.
Air alerts sounded again and again in Kyiv as a massive Russian attack on at least six cities across Ukraine killed at least two people, started fires and injured at least 21 (Kyiv City Hall Press Service/AP)

Air alerts sounded again and again in Kyiv as a massive Russian attack on at least six cities across Ukraine killed at least two people, started fires and wounded at least 21.

The attack carried out on the International Day of Peace coincided with the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech and presented a Ukrainian peace formula.

It also came as Poland said it will stop transferring any more of its own weapons to Ukraine as it modernises its own military.

Emergency services at the scene of a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the decision is not related to a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports, nor will it affect weapons transfers through Poland.

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.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, Mr Morawiecki said in an interview with private TV broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday.

He stressed that Poland will defend its economic interests but added that the dispute over grain imports will not harm Ukraines security. He said a Nato and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine will not be affected.

We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

Poland has transferred large amounts of its older weapons to Ukraine and has been upgrading its own inventory with new equipment purchased from South Korea and other countries.

The missile attack was Russias largest since August 15 and came a day after reports of sabotage at a Russian military airfield in Chkalovsk near Moscow.

Emergency services workers tackle a fire following a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

In the southern city of Kherson, near the front lines, two people were killed in Thursdays attacks and at least five were injured when a strike hit a residential building, said regional Governor Oleksand Prokudin.

Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a nine-year-old girl, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said, and some residential and commercial buildings were damaged.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had intercepted 36 of 43 cruise missiles launched deep into Ukraine.

Closer to the the front lines, Kherson was struck with S-300 missiles and Kharkiv was likely targeted with other, shorter-ranged, weapons.

At least six strikes hit the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The citys mayor added that two people had been taken to hospital.

At least 10 people were injured and at least one person was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines internal affairs minister.

An industrial zone was hit in the western region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but no information on casualties was immediately available, Mr Klymenko added.

Regional governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne, in the north-west region of the same name, without immediately providing details.

Russias Ministry of Defence said 22 drones were taken down overnight by air defence systems, 19 above Russian-annexed Crimea and three others in the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions near Ukraine. It did not say whether there were any casualties.
A suspected serial killer in Rwanda pleaded guilty at a court on Thursday, saying he killed 14 people, most of them women.

Denis Kazungu admitted charges including murder, rape and robbery.

The 34-year-old appeared at Kicukiro Court in the capital, Kigali, and did not appear to show any emotion during the hearing.

Kazungu smiled as police led him into the courtroom.

Denis Kazungu is escorted by police into Kicukiro Primary Court in Kigali (Rashid Bugiranfura/AP)

Officers discovered 12 bodies on his property, but he said he killed an additional two people whose bodies have not been found.

Kazungu said he killed his victims because he claimed they intentionally infected him with HIV, but he offered no evidence of this.

The victims include 11 women and one man, authorities said.

The genders of the other two people Kazungu said he killed were not immediately clear.

Kazungu said he could remember the names of only three of his victims.

He requested that his trial be held behind closed doors so details about the case would not be publicised and others would be prevented from possibly being inspired to become serial killers.

Kazungu did not have a lawyer at the hearing and is expected to appear in court again on Tuesday.

Police alleged that the suspect lured people from bars to his home in a suburb of Kigali.

Though identities of his victims have not yet been officially released, a woman has appeared on local interviews claiming to have escaped from Kazungu and his accomplices.

Kazungu is set to face court again on Tuesday (Rashid Bugiranfura/AP)

Nobody else has been charged in the case.

Police said the suspect used different names in a bid to conceal his true identity.

The New Times newspaper quoted Kazungus landlord, Augustin Shyirambere, as saying the suspect had not paid rent for several months and denied access to the property. The landlord went to authorities for help.

One neighbour said the suspect was married and rented two houses, one for his family and the other unoccupied.

He owned a motorcycle spare parts shop, said the neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

Emmanuel Nizeyimana, the executive secretary of the Busanza neighbourhood where Kazungu lived, said the suspect had previously been detained over alleged robbery and rape but was later released. It was not immediately clear why.
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Most biblical websites related to counseling and marriage suggest marriage is never too late to save. Pastors and counselors encourage women and men to never give up on their marriages. They discuss the value of staying with a partner even when only one spouse is trying, and the other seems not to care anymore. So, is there ever a time when a marriage is too late to salvage?

What is marriage?

God established marriage to be a union of a man and a woman. Genesis 2:24 says a man should leave his parents to hold fast to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. One theologian summarizes the biblical view of marriage as one of a voluntary, God-given, public social union of one man and one woman from different families to serve God. The biblical image of marriage between a man and a woman imitates the marriage of Christ to the church, which is an eternal marriage.

Earthly marriage is only a shadow of that spiritual reality, like the respective roles of husband and wife are only shadows of the perfect relationship between Christ and His bride. In Ephesians 5:22-23, Pauls definition of marital roles indicates that women should submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord, while men are pushed to love their wives as Christ loved the church and sacrificed Himself for her. Even if men and women could live in a perfect form of marital unity as agreed in Scripture, their union would pale compared to that of Christ and the church when were perfected and live eternally with Jesus.

Fallen world, broken marriage.

Still, statistics say American marriages, even Christian ones, frequently divorce. Among evangelical Christians, 26 percent interviewed by The Barna Group had been divorced at least once. There had come a time in their lives when their marriage couldnt be saved. This survey doesnt explore the reasons for divorcing their spouses or what steps it took to try and save their marriages. Nor do the numbers of individuals who stayed married at the time of the survey reflect the state of their unions, for example, whether a spouse was being abused.

A percentage of those marriages were either extraordinarily healthy or doing okay. Some may have reached the brink of divorce at one point before recovering. The numbers dont reflect those individual stories. Statistics confirm what we already know: marriage is meant to reflect the Christian couples ultimate reality as part of the body and bride of Christ, but humans are flawed. They cant live up to the perfect picture set forward by Paul in Ephesians. According to his definition, the wife should follow the husband, as the church should follow Christ. A wife should let her husband be the family leader and should feel safe to do so.

A husband should live up to his role as the family leader by spending time in Christ and committing his life to respectfully and lovingly leading his wife and, if theyre blessed with them, their children. Together, they would give their lives to Jesus and yearn to reflect this mutually satisfying and sacrificial love to a watching world. They would be best friends but with the addition of an intimacy that friendships dont possess. Another theologian asserts that few things are more unprecedented than what the Bible says about sexual generosity in a marriage. He quotes 1 Corinthians 7:3-5, where the apostle Paul discussed the conjugal rights owed to both parties.

The world promotes individualism, so its easy to lose sight of the deep friendship and selfless love that marriage represents. When the culture and its people say you only live once or you do you, implying that marriage is slavery, and even when Christians take Pauls words out of context and say his instructions to the Ephesians about submission are oppressive, it takes security and a great deal of commitment in ones faith to foster marriage through the challenging times that typically arise, one way or another.

Broken marriages.

Marriage counselors typically tell their clients that saving a deeply broken marriage is always possible with Jesus. Still, one will find more online resources that discuss the biblical grounds for separation. If a spouse or children are in physical danger, its appropriate to separate, and if the abusive spouse wont repent and go through the necessary counseling to handle the aggression, then divorce is one way to protect all parties physically and financially. The same is true of emotional abuse, which can be insulting, shouting, gaslighting, or giving someone the silent treatment.

Its challenging to navigate through the issue of biblical divorce, but research reveals the damage done even by emotional abuse. Proverbs 12:18 reminds us that reckless words can pierce like a sword, and Proverbs 18:14 asks who can handle a crushed spirit. What about the covenant two people make when they get married? How can someone consider breaking that promise? Marriage is an equality covenant, a contract between equal parties and an agreement entered into that includes promises to each other.

Is it ever too late to save a marriage?

There has to be genuine repentance, and the other party should seek forgiveness. The offended party must forgive and is required by Christ to forgive, though not subject themselves to ongoing abuse or unfaithfulness. Second Corinthians 7:10 reminds us that godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret. Repentance has to be genuine, then its life-giving. However, divorce takes enough time for both parties to get empathetic and scripturally sound counsel about repenting and forgiving.

The necessary steps in a divorce require at least several months once both parties have agreed to begin the process. First comes separation, then an agreement on how property is divided and custody arrangements where applicable. Then theres a decision: do we really want to do this? Many biblical counselors tell tales of couples who try to work things out at the last minute. These couples might eventually experience a more profound unity and a more committed Christian walk. Unfortunately, those same counselors report that such miraculous stories are rare.

A marriage is too late to save if one or both parties dont want to do the work. Even if the abuser or adulterous individual goes to therapy, repents their behavior, demonstrates a fruitful change of behavior and attitude, and seeks salvation, the other party must be willing to forgive and trust that person to no longer cause harm.
Supporters of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung attempted to break into the National Assembly complex in western Seoul on Thursday following the passage of an arrest motion against him.

The National Assembly passed the motion seeking parliamentary consent to the potential arrest of Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), in a 149-136 vote.

The police controlled the main entrance to the National Assembly to prevent protesters from entering the premises.

Police also closed off Exits 1 and 6 of the National Assembly subway station as protestors attempted to enter the parliament's grounds using the exits.

Ahead of the parliamentary vote, police deployed some 3,700 personnel around Yeouido district, where the National Assembly and the DP's headquarters are located.

It has also set up a barricade of buses in front of the National Assembly and plans to limit traffic on some nearby roads. (Yonhap)
A view of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya where Malaysias two highest courts are located, May 12, 2021.

Malaysian civil society groups and lawyers are calling to hasten the separation of the public prosecutor and attorney generals roles after corruption charges were dropped this month against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims deputy.

The attorney general, whose job it is to defend the government, must not have the power to prosecute because it would be a conflict of interest, especially if someone in government is on trial, they said.

Take the case of Anwars deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, whose party is propping up the coalition government headed by Anwar.

A Malaysian court on Sept. 4 dropped 47 graft charges against Zahid linked to the alleged misuse of millions of dollars at a charity he founded to fight poverty. The public prosecutor requested those charges be dropped, saying more time was needed to investigate the case. This, despite the prosecutor having earlier said there was enough evidence to go to trial.

Almost immediately, critics slammed the prosecutions move, alleging there had been political interference, because Zahid was in government and his partys MPs were needed to keep the coalition government standing and Anwar prime minister.

Criticism only heightened when a few days after Zahid was freed of graft charges, a court acquitted another lawmaker from his party of similar charges.

Why were accusations of political interference made?

They were made because the attorney general, who was appointed by the government to be its defender, was the one who also decided on dropping corruption charges against a member of the government, said Thomas Fann, chairman of BERSIH, an electoral and institutional reform group.

This perception [of political interference] exists because the attorney general is appointed on the advice of the prime minister, Fann told BenarNews.

Given the fact that Anwar's government needs the support of Zahid in order to have a stable government, the suspicion of the public is that he made a deal with Zahid to let him off in exchange for support.

Separating the roles of attorney general and public prosecutor would be a key to allaying suspicions, Fann said.

[I]t would ensure that decisions by the prosecution [such as] withdrawal of charges are made independently, without undue political influence, he said.

For his part, Anwar denied that he had interfered in Zahids case and said the attorney general alone had handled the case.

It is as though I must order the AG to go ahead with the charges against the Deputy Prime Minister to be deemed a hero  but I cannot go against Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, he said in Parliament on Sept. 19, according to the news site of The Star.

The article Anwar referred to says the attorney general has the discretionary power to begin, continue or discontinue proceedings for any offense.

Anwar also said the attorney general at the time  he has retired since the charges against Zahid were dropped  was appointed by the previous government and that he did not change the person holding that office as soon as he came to power.

The Attorney Generals Chambers said the judge had described the prosecutions reasons to drop the charges against Zahid as cogent.

Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi waves to his supporters as he leaves the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex after the court dropped corruption charges against him, in Kuala Lumpur, Sept. 4, 2023. [Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters]

Few Malaysians are aware of the prime ministers influence on the judiciary and the role of attorney general as public prosecutor, Fann said.

Some did become aware in 2015 when then-Prime Minister Najib Razak removed the person who was attorney general back then.

Najib removed Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail in 2015 and replaced him with Apandi Ali. Gani was investigating Najibs role in the multibillion dollar looting of sovereign fund 1MDB.

Apandi refused to prosecute Najib, but when a new government was elected in 2018, it appointed a new attorney general who did prosecute him for the same alleged offenses.

Najib is serving 12 years in prison after being convicted for corruption in a case linked to the 1MDB scandal.

The differing decisions of the two attorneys general clearly show bias, said lawyer and writer Charles C.J. Chow in a column for local newspaper Free Malaysia Today.

The glaring contrasting difference in the actions of the two respective attorneys general suggests, at the least, arbitrariness in the decision-making process of prosecution. At worst, it implies partiality and reflects a huge weakness in the administration of justice, he said.

Veteran retired Court of Appeal Judge Hishamudin Yuno said Malaysia should look to countries such as India, Mauritius and Ireland, where the attorney general and public prosecutor roles are held by two individuals.

In those countries, public prosecutors are also granted security of tenure, which safeguards them from abrupt removal by the government in power, he said.

The appointment of a public prosecutor must be entrusted to an independent committee, comprising members such as judges and representatives from the Malaysian Bar, among other relevant stakeholders, Hishamudin told BenarNews.

The person who is appointed should be of courage and of high integrity to combat corruption, especially in high places and to enhance public perception of the judiciary.

The public prosecutors independent appointment could also be made by the select parliamentary committee or the senate to ensure the public trusts the process, said Yusmadi Yusoff, a senior lawyer and founder of social justice group Rights Foundation.

In a mature democracy, the attorney general could be aligned to the government but the public prosecutor has to be thoroughly independent, he told BenarNews.

Anwar reaffirmed his commitment to judicial reform following the backlash from Zahid being freed of corruption charges.

Law Minister Azalina Othman Said told reporters on Sept. 12 that the administration is looking to expedite institutional reforms including splitting the attorney generals powers related to prosecution.

IDEAS, a Kuala Lumpur-based think tank on democracy and economic affairs, had said in a 2016 paper that this reform would be a big step in reducing graft.

With the roles of the attorney general and public prosecutor clearly defined, and with the necessary safeguards in place to ensure conflicts of interest are minimized, efforts to combat corruption in Malaysia can be strengthened, it said.
President Joe Biden (left) poses for photos with Pacific island leaders including Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (center) and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Sept. 29, 2022.

Updated at 3:50 p.m. EDT on 2023-09-21

Pacific island leaders are calling for tangible outcomes from their summit next week with President Joe Biden  the second in a year  as the United States continues a charm offensive in response to Chinas inroads in the region.

Recent statements from Pacific leaders show the countries have doubled down on a strategy for responding to the superpower rivalry in their backyards. They hope the explosion of attention on their region, previously treated as a backwater, can be redirected into serving its neglected needs. As part of that they insist they wont take a side in China-U.S. rivalry  despite the obvious differing loyalties among governments in the region.

For the Pacific, we do not have time to concern ourselves with geostrategic posturing, positioning and influence or to sail to the narrative of others, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said in a speech to a Carnegie Endowment event in New York this week.

We will partner with all who are willing to engage with us on our terms and in alignment with our priorities, said Brown, who is also chairman this year of the Pacific Islands Forum, an 18-nation regional grouping.

U.S. interest in Pacific island nations was galvanized in early 2022 after Beijing and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact that the U.S. and allies such as Australia fear could lead to a Chinese military presence in a region they consider crucial to their defense and security.

Since then the U.S. has agreed to increase its financial and economic assistance for Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau  three North Pacific countries that delegate their defense to Washington under longstanding compacts of free association.

In the South Pacific, the U.S has added to its diplomatic presence by opening embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, but both have limited staffing and no ambassadors. Last month the United States Agency for International Development opened an expanded aid mission headquartered in Fiji.

Recent U.S. rhetoric about the Pacific has been filled with buzzwords such as engagement, partnership and showing up. However, over the past two decades it is Chinese aid and Chinese state companies, not American aid and companies, that have come to occupy a leading role in meeting the infrastructure needs of economically lagging island nations.

We are looking for more tangible engagement, said Brown, in areas such as trade, air links and easier access to climate finance. So we look forward to this summit coming up with optimism.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta on Sept. 7, 2023. [Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool/AFP]

The combination, he said, of superpower competition, international attention on the Pacific and the current degree of unity among Pacific island nations is a rare opportunity to shape events in their favor.

Wilson Thompson, chairman of Papua New Guineas National Research Institute, said some U.S. projects in the country arent flattered by comparison with Chinas.

One example, he said, is the 54-megawatt Edevu hydro dam built by a Chinese company that will supply the blackout-prone capital Port Moresby with electricity.

An electrification project that the U.S. is involved in with Japan, Australia and New Zealand  which started in 2018 and aims to bring power to 70% of Papua New Guinea  is having less impact with its focus on small-scale solar power, Thompson said.

Papua New Guineans were thinking Americans, the Australians, the Japanese were going to build power pylons, connecting the electricity to people, but they came up with solar lights, he told BenarNews.

These kinds of projects have no impact in the country and no impact on the concerns of the people, he said. Papua New Guineans are saying that look, the Chinese are already providing solar lights in the stores, cheaper.

The first Pacific Islands-U.S. summit in September last year announced plans for more than U.S. $800 million in assistance to island nations over a decade. The figure included nearly tripling the payments tied to a tuna fishing treaty with Pacific nations to a total of U.S. $600 million between 2023 and 2033. A State Department spokesperson said Thursday the economic assistance agreement for the tuna payments went into effect on Sept. 14.

On the security front, the U.S. has agreed to help equip Australia with nuclear powered submarines by next decade and recently signed a defense cooperation agreement with Papua New Guinea that will give it access to six air and sea ports.

This year, U.S. President Biden will meet Pacific island leaders at the White House on day one of the two-day event, his office said in a statement earlier this week confirming the Sept. 25-26 summit.

Beijings influence in the Pacific has increased over the past two decades through a combination of trade, infrastructure and aid as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, gain allies in international institutions and advance its economic and security interests.

U.S. President Joe Biden (center) poses with Pacific island leaders at the inaugural U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit at the White House in Washington on Sept. 29, 2022. [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]

The Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched their diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week said the switch was by far the countrys most important decision in decades. The Pacific island nations of Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu are among the 13 countries that continue to recognize Taiwan.

The Pacific island countries, mostly small in population, are spread over vast areas of ocean and have claim to giant exclusive economic zones. Some such as Tuvalu and Nauru each have little more than 10,000 people while Papua New Guinea with nine million people is the most populous.

For far too long now, we have been regarded as mere dots or specks in the great Pacific Ocean, said Henry Puna, secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum who also spoke at the Carnegie event.

The geopolitical tussle between the U.S. and China is resulting in quite frankly, strategic manipulation in the Pacific, he said. But island nations, Puna said, must capitalize on the competition to bring long-term benefits.

If Im honest, we must realize that the strategic interest and attention that we enjoy today will not last forever, Puna said.

What we are seeing is a lot of engagement at all levels, but with little concrete action or commitment.

Tess Newton Cain, a Pacific analyst at Griffith Asia Institute, said Pacific leaders are making it clear they know that the interest in the region from the U.S., China and other nations isnt out of altruism.

They are saying, she said, we know there are geostrategic elements to this but were not just going to be tossed and turned, were going to play a part in how this plays out.

The summit in Washington is a prestigious event but following the first summit Pacific island leaders and policymakers are developing a keener understanding of the possible gap between what political leaders promise and what the machinery of the U.S. government delivers, Newton Cain told BenarNews.

Theres already a sense in the region that the U.S. says great things but getting them to deliver stuff on the ground is a lot harder, she said.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido talks to reporters at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila, Sept. 21, 2023.

The Philippine Army on Thursday said it was preparing charges against two environmental activists who accused the military of having abducted and forced them to sign statements saying they were communist rebels.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido didnt give details on what charges would be filed, but denied the activists accusations made this week, saying the two had voluntarily sought the militarys protection and signed affidavits claiming they wanted to leave the communist movement.

We are a country of laws, we have rules of law, we have a court here and we felt betrayed, Galido told reporters on Thursday. Thats why we will file the necessary case and use our laws.

What were after here is just the truth. They went to us, they wanted to go back to the folds of the law, they provided a statement and we welcomed them.

The activists, Jhed Tamano, 21, and Jonila Castro, 22, who have been protesting China-backed reclamation projects in Manila Bay, resurfaced Tuesday after they were reported missing early this month.

They took the military and a government anti-communist task force by surprise that same day when they recanted their allegedly coerced statements during a live news conference. Later, Tamano and Castro were reunited with their parents.

The women had said they were forced into a van by armed men in an area northwest of Manila.

But Galido said they had sought military protection from their cohorts because they feared they may be harmed.

Assisted by attorney

The army chief further said the activists were assisted by the state Public Attorneys Office and freely made statements under oath.

Their hand-written statements obtained by BenarNews on Thursday detailed alleged hardships inside the rebel movement.

In her statement, Castro said she had been with the movement for the past four years, first as a community organizer and later moving through the ranks in the New Peoples Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a rebellion since 1969.

During these years, my life revolved around hardship and fear. Hardship because of hunger, restlessness and sadness because I am away from family, Castro said in her statement.

Her statement said she feared for her life daily because she could have been targeted by another communist rebel faction opposed to the NPA.

Castro also denied that she and Tamano were forcibly taken but rather we escaped from our former comrades.

Tamanos statement cited the same hardships, adding she decided to quit because she missed her family.

The truth is we looked for help to be able to leave our former life, she said.

Environmental activists Jonila Castro (second from right) and Jhed Tamano (second from left) speak to reporters at the Commission on Human Rights headquarters in suburban Quezon City, Philippines, Sept. 19, 2023. [Gerard Carreon/BenarNews]

Both women claimed they were under duress when they wrote those statements, they said during Tuesdays news conference surrounded by military and other officials.

The truth is, we were kidnapped by the military onboard a van, Castro said. We were coerced to surrender and our lives were threatened.

Missing persons

The case has brought renewed attention to cases of missing activists, including farmer organizer Bea Lopez, 26, who was apparently kidnapped with Peter Agravante, a commuter tricycle driver, in the central Negros Oriental province on Sept. 15.

Agravante, whose body was recovered shortly after, had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and his body showed evidence of torture, activists said.

Lopezs whereabouts are unknown, according to rights group Karapatan.

Eight other activists, whose cases are similar to those of Castro and Tamano, have gone missing in the last year, according to the activists.

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay on Thursday called for a deeper independent investigation into the cases and for the government to abolish the governments National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).



The task force is chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose dictator father was blamed for thousands of deaths and missing persons cases during his brutal two-decade reign that ended in a popular revolt in 1986.

This incident, along with several others, are more than enough bases for the long-standing demand to defund and abolish the NTF-ELCAC, Palabay said, adding that the perpetrators clearly violated a law on enforced and involuntary disappearances.

On Thursday, hundreds of people gathered on Manilas streets to remember the elder Marcos imposition of martial law, during which thousands went missing or were tortured.

This generation is represented by Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano who courageously exposed their abduction by the military, said the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law, a victims support group.

Together with the new generation of activists, we pledge to continue the fight for genuine justice and accountability.
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Concentration of talent darkens Korea Inc.s future

Being a doctor is now the most desired career in the eyes of young Koreans and their parents.

The early admissions results for the 2024 school year showed the average competition rate of medical schools at 10 major universities was 46 to 1. For Inha University College of Medicines essay-based admission, the competition rate was a jaw-dropping 661 to 1.

In contrast, the competition rate for high-tech departments, including semiconductor majors, averaged 16.5 to 1. This was lower than the average of other natural science majors (19.2 to 1).

Furthermore, three in 10 successful candidates for regular admissions at the nations three most prestigious universities, called SKY (Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei), passed on enrollment offers. They appeared to shift to medical schools. Some freshmen at the SKY universities even moved to the medical colleges of nameless provincial universities.

Welcome to the paradise of doctors and patients!

However, a closer look reveals things are far from what they seem. Above all, many of these would-be doctors are not aspiring to be Hippocrates. The most popular specialties among medical residents are dermatology, ophthalmology, and cosmetic surgery. They avoid internal medicine, surgery, ob-gyn, and pediatrics, which are essential but challenging and financially less rewarding. Physicians want easier, freer, and more profitable jobs.

Yet, Korean doctors already earn more than their peers in rich countries. According to data, salaried doctors earned $192,749 (255 million won) in 2020 on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. It was the highest among 28 OECD countries and 70 percent more than their average of $112,832. It is little wonder some parents send their fourth graders to private academies in southern Seoul to prepare for medical school exams. The medical school enrollment quota has been fixed at 3,058 for 17 years.

The concentration of talent in medical schools causes serious adverse effects on fostering a balanced workforce. Medical colleges absorb the top 0.2 percent of high school students, but their global rankings remain poor. Despite its excellent students, the Seoul National University College of Medicine ranks 37th while its chemical engineering department takes 18th place. One reason is their focus on clinical fields while neglecting research. The waste of talent also leads to a lack of top-level students in IT, airspace and other futuristic areas.

What the government should do is clear.

It must increase the number of doctors. Children needing emergency care cannot find doctors, while essential physicians die of overwork. Some estimate there will be a shortage of 27,000 doctors by 2035. Doctors, of course, refute it, calling for the better allocation of existing ones while citing the nations declining population. They may be right, to an extent. When the fourth graders become doctors, generative AI will diagnose diseases, and robots will perform surgeries. However, Korea cant wait another 20 years, letting the black hole suck up all talent until then.

The previous government tried to increase the medical school quota by 4,000 over 10 years. It failed in the face of doctors strikes. The incumbent administration must push it through, even setting the annual target far higher than before. Admitting 400 more students a year will only fan the medical school craze. Adding about 1,000 will cool it. Nobody will oppose Korea having a sufficient supply of doctors in decades to come; except some physicians.

We remain hopeful because President Yoon Suk Yeol appears to be better than his predecessor in at least one area  breaking cartels, be they unionists or scientists. If Yoon breaks the medical cartel and expands medical students, it will be his most remarkable  if not only  legacy.

Yoon must also raise the income of high-tech workers, researchers, and scientists and improve their research infrastructure. The U.S. and China are competing to foster more talent in cutting-edge sectors. Biopharma experts, not medical doctors, are the answer. Korea has no industrial future with the current talent cultivation and reward system.

The president should drop his fiscal health slogan and revive the R&D outlays he reduced under the pretext of breaking up cartels.

If the president wants to stick to his anticartel campaign, he must at least discern who constitutes cartels  plastic surgeons or scientific explorers.
On Tuesday, John Krol sent emails, screenshots and records to The Eagle that he said were "undeniable proof" that he thought the Animal Dreams account number was his business account number. Those records instead led The Eagle to find five additional transactions by Krol's business on the Animal Dreams account.
The towns recent acquisition of 300-plus acres of forestland adjacent the Strobridge Recreation Area stirred interest among some residents in reviving the dormant Pownal, Vt., Conservation Commission.
Diners grab lunch at The Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox. The popular gathering place is doing business as usual during a transition as Ryan Salame must relinquish his ownership. The McNinch Restaurant Group is said to be waiting in the wings.
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Korea's antitrust regulator said Thursday it has decided to slap a 19.1 billion-won ($14.3 million) fine on U.S. chipmaker Broadcom, for its unfair business practices against Samsung Electronics.

The punitive move came after Broadcom forced Samsung to sign a long-term agreement in 2020 by taking advantage of its market dominance and using unlawful tactics, including cutting off its supply and technical support, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

Samsung, which suffered disruptions in the supply of parts due to Broadcom's actions, signed the long-term agreement in 2020.

Under the deal, Broadcom compelled Samsung Electronics to procure its smartphone parts worth $760 million annually from 2021 to 2023 and required the Korean tech giant to compensate for any shortfall if the purchasing amount falls below that amount.

The deal, meanwhile, ended in August 2021.

"Broadcom is a company which holds an overwhelming market share in the market for cutting-edge and high-performance mobile device parts that are used in smartphones and tablet PCs," the FTC said.

"(The company) used unfair tactics, including suspending order approvals, shipments and technical support, to force Samsung Electronics to sign a long-term agreement," it added.

In June, the FTC rejected Broadcom's proposal to voluntarily correct its unfair business practices with 20 billion won, ruling in favor of Samsung.

The regulator earlier said the proposal "fell short as a suitable measure to restore the fair trade order and safeguard the interests of other industry players." (Yonhap)
Catering to domestic and export markets including regulated markets like USA and EU

Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) hosted the groundbreaking ceremony of its new manufacturing plant at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, Telangana, in the presence of K.T Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development; Industries and Commerce; and Information Technology, Electronics and Communications of Telangana.

BSV currently has a manufacturing facility in Ambernath, Maharashtra that caters to domestic and more than 80 export markets and a manufacturing facility in Aachen, Germany, that serves the international markets.

The new manufacturing facility in Genome Valley will cover an area of 10 acres and involve an investment of Rs 200 crore. It aims to provide long-term employment opportunities to the people of the Telangana State as well as upskilling of capabilities.

With this manufacturing facility, BSV aims to significantly increase its capacity in producing injectables with the commissioning of the fill-finish formulation line in phase 1 and an additional multi-product line in phase 2 of the project. The manufacturing facility endeavors to produce world-class products that adhere to International Quality Systems while complying to the Indian regulatory norms of Schedule M as well as the Global regulatory requirements in the world. The facility will produce women health products, rabies vaccines, immunoglobulins, hormones, among others.
Ogilvy Africa's Lesso Lessons has made it onto The Care Awards shortlist.

The ad is the only African campaign to make it onto the shortlist. Source: YouTube.

The Care Awards recognise excellence in promoting care for people and the environment. Since 2015, Dita Charanzova, Vice-President of the European Parliament, has been the jury president and Godmother of the award.

The categories encompass various topics, including public health, the environment, sustainable consumption, public safety, disability, human rights, domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, education, and other relevant public issues. By highlighting these campaigns, the Care Awards promote awareness, raise visibility and inspire change in society.

This ACT Responsible initiative was launched in 2008 with the European Association of Communications Agencies in partnership with the support of the European Parliament. This year, the 120 entries were submitted by 85 agencies for 106 advertisers, representing 28 countries.

After the first-round of judging, a total of 30 campaigns stood out and made it to the shortlist with 16 countries are represented.

These campaigns were drawn from a pool of 120 entries, which were divided in three categories:

Companies & Businesses

Corporate governance (CSR): it covers corporate campaigns advocating for safety, youth empowerment, communities welfare and environmental responsibility. This category included 46 campaigns, 15 are shortlisted.

Bangladesh - Grey Advertising Bangladesh Ltd. for IPDC Finance Ltd. - Child Marriage Prevention Loan

Brazil - FCB Brasil for Raca Magazine - Black characters

Canada - FCB Canada for Adidas - Runner 321

France - Publicis Conseil for Renault - Time-fighters program

Kenya - Ogilvy Africa for Ministry of Health Kenya & Roto Tanks - Lesso lessons

Mexico - MullenLowe SSP3 for Music Vibe & Fun Ticket - Blind seats

New Zealand - DDB Group Aotearoa for Team Heroine - Correct the Internet

Portugal - FCB Lisboa for Penguin Random House - Portuguese (re)constitution

Peru - Circus Grey for Mibanco - The emancipation loan

Peru - VMLY&R for Alicorp - The prevention formula

United Kingdom - FCB Inferno for Virgin Group & Made By Dyslexia - Dyslexic thinking

United Kingdom - Grey London for Dole Fresh Fruit Europe - No fruit should be forbidden`

United Kingdom - Havas London for Reckitt - Me, my autism & I

United Kingdom - Ogilvy UK for Unilever - As early as five

United States - 72andSunny for United Airlines - Chief trash officer

NGOs & Foundations

Non-profit organisations and non-governmental bodies: These entities operate for educational or charitable purposes, with no financial benefits to shareholders or trustees. They are established by private individuals or organisations with no participation or representation of any government. A total of 66 campaigns fell under this category, 13 are shortlisted.

Argentina - Grey Argentina for LALCEC (Liga Argentina de Lucha contra el Cancer) - Finger puppets

Brazil - VMLY&R Sao Paulo for Greenpeace - Handle with care

France - Havas Paris for Fondation Anne de Gaulle - Anne de Gaulle

France - Publicis Conseil for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Monday

France - STEVE for World Vision - The unshowables

France - TBWA\Paris for HandsAway - Decoding women

France & Germany - McCann Paris & McCann Germany for Junge Helden - Opt-Ink

Germany - Havas Germany for fiftyfifty (organisation for homeless people) - Winter in Germany

Peru - Havas Group for Amnesty International - The best religion is love

United Kingdom - Adam&eveDDB for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - The last photo

United States - Area 23, an IPG Health Company for Stand for the Silent x Kazoo - Social bullets

United States - Grey New York for American Society of Clinical Oncology - The most beautiful sound

United States & India - FCB Chicago & FCB India for SOS Childrens Villages - Chatpat

Governments & Institutions

Government bodies and related organisations: it represents governing governing authorities of political units and the mechanisms through which governing bodies exercise authority in a political society. Eight campaigns entered this category, two are shortlisted.
Simba combines Chef Benny's braai culinary finesse with its snack expertise to create a flavour profile that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Mzansis favourite chip brand, Simba, has taken a bold leap into the world of flavours with the launch of its newest sensation, limited edition Steakhouse Beef flavoured chips.

A braai before the braai

In a society where the braai is more than just a meal the Simba Steakhouse Beef flavoured chips steps into the scene as a tribute to the cherished South African occasion. Every braai moment deserves to roarrr with flavour and in recognition of this, Simba has created a delicious companion.

The Simba Steakhouse Beef flavour creates an occasion of its own, to savour the anticipation, joyous wait, and the camaraderie before the feast begins. With the tagline 'Roarrs with flavour', when the wait is too long, Bambisa ngeSimba Steakhouse Beef. The brand presents a flavour experience that bridges the gap between the start and the actual braai indulgence. It's a prelude to the culinary celebration, bringing the sizzle of a steakhouse to your fingertips.

With this new flavour, Simba continues to revolutionise taste sensations by embracing cultural traditions to craft unique flavour experiences. With a commitment to celebrating special moments together the Steakhouse Beef flavour is set to become the backdrop for laughter, conversation, and the creation of lasting braai memories, adds Giulia lorio-Ndlovu, senior snacks marketing director at PepsiCo South Africa.

Partnering with culinary maestro, Chef Benny

Simba has collaborated with renowned South African Chef Benny Masekwameng to elevate the new flavour to the echelons of taste excellence. A true braai master, Chef Benny adds his touch of mastery, refining snack time by bringing the essence of the braai culture to life.

This significant collaboration reflects Simba's commitment to creating authentic flavours that resonate with the heart of South African culture.

The very best meaty South African flavours

The new Steakhouse Beef stands out as a distinct flavour from Simba's repertoire. Unlike the traditional Smoked Beef flavour, it boasts a carefully curated blend of premium spices that replicate the succulent and savoury taste of a gourmet steakhouse beef fillet, all within the confines of a snack. The Steakhouse Beef flavour is sweet and saucy, with an unmistakable meaty base and hints of BBQ  just like a steakhouse meal in your mouth!

When it comes to quality, Simba does not compromise. Consumers can still expect chips that are made from only the very best potatoes grown in Southern Africa, continues lorio-Ndlovu.

This limited-edition offering is designed to spark curiosity, ignite braai moments together and inspire convers.

Distributed on behalf of PepsiCo by M-Sports Marketing Communications: (011) 781-9724.

For interview opportunities, please contact Bingi Mavi on: az.oc.gnitekramstropsm@ignib.




Morocco plans to spend at least $11.7bn in a post-earthquake reconstruction plan over the next five years, the royal palace said on Wednesday.

Ait Abdellah Brahim, 86, gestures among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Talat N'Yaaqoub. Source: Reuters/Ammar Awad

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck on 8 September, 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 $700m in donations.

Last week, the palace said that 50,000 houses were known to have been damaged and that authorities would provide shelter and $3,000 to affected households. It also pledged to offer reconstruction aid of $14,000 dirhams for collapsed homes and $8,000 for damaged ones.
Get ready for an 10th-anniversary celebration of African creativity at the Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival. Taking place from 26 September to 1 October 2023, the festival is virtual feast of Africa's best creative showcases, digital workshops, talks, music, and digital art exhibitions.

For a decade, Fakugesi has been supporting innovation in technology, art, and culture across the African continent, and is now, once again, proud to deliver an outstanding lineup geared towards bringing tech innovation to people in a fun, accessible and playful way.

Fak'ugesi has been a pioneer in bridging the gap between African culture, technological innovation and creative encounters, says Eduardo Cachucho, Fakugesi Festivals creative director. This 10th-anniversary celebration promises to be a milestone in the journey of creativity, and we invite everyone to join us in this unique experience.

The Fakugesi Festival public programme is open to everyone, with each day tailored to offer a journey like no other. The Fakugesi Conference is made for the inquisitive mind looking for engaging talks, panels and speakers.

Student Day is crafted for students 18 years old and up looking for masterclasses, expo and exhibitions, while Beats brings thumping bass and dazzling pan-African and international music performances to the heart of Joburg.

Lastly, the Fakugesi Family & Maker Day is back by popular demand offering a variety of activities and digital artistic content for children and their parents.

Digital innovation and creativity

This year, Fakugesi has added some exciting events to its lineup to commemorate 10 years and this years theme #MoreFlow which questions how we use digital innovation and creativity to build new worlds. In a world asking for more data, more information, more work, and more pressure, the festival is a call to search for #moreflow  paths of least resistance with the most benefit, says Cachucho.

Here's what to expect

HipHop 360 (50 years of Hip Hop)

Two virtual reality films produced by Wits students in the TV & Film and Digital Arts departments are featured in this project.

The viewers are thrust into the heart of two hip-hop videos shot in and around Braamfontein, Johannesburg - home to the largest student population in South Africa. You'll be drawn in by these 360 music videos, depicting either the shady deals of Keys or the heart-breaking tale of Let Me Go.

Fakugesi Trailer - Mollo Partnership

Fakugesis collaboration with Mollo is set to take creativity to new heights with a first of its kind Fakugesi Animated Trailer. Tshimologongs Mollo Animation Academy and Studio develops the South African animation industry into a dependable contributor to the creative economy and opens doors for new talent. Video Here.

Creation Afrique Exhibition Showcase

See two outstanding VR works by the AfroCyborg delving into African spiritualism, eco-consciousness, and AI. The showcase is installed at Fakugesi ready to travel to Paris from 6-8 October for the Creation Afrique Forum Supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the forum strives to honour and showcase the newest, bravest, and most brilliant works of African innovation.

AI to Amplify

Explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence and its role in amplifying creativity and innovation. Here, socially conscious individuals are invited to contribute their viewpoints to the creation of public good-focused artificial intelligence applications and products in a variety of teams that were selected from Goethe Instituts global programme. Through virtual courses and meetings, the fellowship programme broadens AI skill sets.

Noga Mo Jozi

Noga Mo Jozi delves into the many possible African urban imaginaries of Johannesburg with the help of AI as an iterative tool for creation. It sees African urban futures not as sci-fi but as the extension of a millennia old engagement with spiritualism, humanity, the earth, and design intersecting with technology.

The exhibition by Dr Sechaba Maape (co-curator of the SA pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale), brings together for the first time in South Africa, together with AI Joburg African urban speculations from Dr Sechaba Maape, Menzi Ndlovu, Dirk Coetser, Anita Szentesi. Its showing at the Fakugesi Festival is made possible with the support of the WITS School of Architecture and Planning.

The Fak'ugesi Beats Party

The weeks activities at Fak'ugesi culminate in this sensational party, reigniting the energy and spirit created at the inaugural event. Returning to Johannesburg in celebration of the Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival's 10-year anniversary. On Saturday, 30 September, the Beats Party takes over Braamfonteins tech hub at the Tshimologong Precinct.

Live performances will feature Muzi, K Le Maestro (UK), Morena Leraba x Leeu, and COCO EM (KE), with support from Kaddy, Deniece Marz, Yolophonik, and Sis Madlisa.

Prepare for a union of performance, music, technology, and digital innovation, showcasing the best in alternative talent, both local and international.

For more, go to https://fakugesi2023.super.site/
Once stigmatised and marginalised, mental healthcare is now centre stage. Over the past few decades, there has been growing mainstream acceptance that we need to attend to our emotional well-being with the same concern that we apply to our physical health. Mental healthcare is not just for some people facing serious challenges, we can all be affected by issues such as anxiety and depression, and many South Africans battle with substance abuse. In 2022, it was estimated that untreated anxiety and depression cost the South African economy around R200bn due to work absenteeism and lack of productivity.

When it comes to mental health, South African society faces critical challenges. The prevalence of crime and violence, poverty and unemployment create a continual high-stress environment. It is common for long-term stress to induce and exacerbate mental health issues. In addition, the countrys mental healthcare system is under-developed and under-resourced. As a result, mental healthcare remains out of reach for the majority of South Africans.

While strides have been made in reducing stigma attached to mental health, theres still a long way to go. More education and awareness of mental health conditions and solution is urgently needed to overcome stigma and bridge cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare.

Dr Vikki Botes, head of Faculty for Applied Psychology at SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) says, Our current mental healthcare infrastructure is not meeting the needs of people in the most traumatised communities. Registered counsellors have been identified as an important category of registered healthcare workers to provide greater access to mental health services in South Africa. Registered counsellors are capable of early intervention, creating vital community awareness and empowering people to improve challenging life situations.

Training of qualified registered counsellors in SA

South African registered counsellors undergo rigorous training and education to prepare them for their role in the countrys healthcare system. Individuals must complete a Bachelor of Psychology (Psych) or a BPsych Equivalent degree. Their training includes a supervised internship or Work Integrated Learning component. Once qualified, they must register with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa).

Registered counsellors are qualified to provide counselling to help people in crisis cope with stress and anxiety, and they can provide trauma and grief counselling. They are trained to screen people to find out whether they need referrals to psychologists who can diagnose mental illnesses, or to psychiatrists who are qualified to prescribe mental health treatments. Registered counsellors frequently collaborate with other healthcare professionals and work on interdisciplinary teams alongside doctors and nurses, psychologists and social workers.

The role of registered counsellors

Community-based presence  One of the primary roles of registered counsellors is to make mental healthcare services more accessible to South Africans, and therefore they often work in community-based settings. In the more rural provinces, the only mental healthcare professionals may be at the state hospital, and therefore there is a great need for more registered counsellors who can be deployed to provide services at primary healthcare clinics, schools and via community-based projects.

Individual and group counselling - Registered counsellors provide culturally sensitive, individual and group counselling sessions tailored to the unique needs of their clients. They provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to explore thoughts, emotions and experiences. Through evidence-based therapeutic techniques, registered counsellors help their clients develop coping skills, improve their mental well-being, and navigate life's challenges.

Mental health education and advocacy - Registered counsellors play a pivotal role in raising awareness about mental health issues in South Africa. They engage in public education and advocacy to reduce stigma and promote mental health. By conducting workshops, seminars, and community outreach programmes, they empower individuals and communities to better understand mental health, to recognise signs of distress, and find pathways to ongoing support and treatment.

Crisis intervention and support - In times of crisis, such as natural disasters, community violence, or personal emergencies, registered counsellors provide critical psychological first aid and support. Their expertise enables them to help individuals and communities cope with the emotional aftermath of traumatic events. This immediate assistance is crucial in reducing the long-term psychological impact of trauma and helps to improve community resilience.

Dr Botes says, This is a career path for people who want to make a difference in peoples lives and a contribution to better South Africa. Registered counsellors have the potential to ease the pressure on the state mental healthcare system, as they expand mental healthcare services to more South Africans. Because they provide primary preventative and developmental interventions, they play a critical role in the mental healthcare environment. Early intervention in a mental health crisis or a challenging life situation can prevent escalation, divert people from substance abuse, self-harm or suicide ideation. For young people it can improve school attendance and educational performance. For working adults, it can limit absenteeism, help people maintain their productivity and prevent job loss.

SACAP is one of few higher education institutions in South Africa which trains Registered Counsellors through its BPsych and BPsych Equivalent programmes. Both programmes are CHE-and HPCSA accredited. The BPsych programme is a four-year, full-time course and is available at SACAPs Cape Town and Johannesburg, campuses. Applications for the 2024 academic year for the BPsych programme close on 17 November 2023.

The BPsych Equivalent programme is an 18-month, full time course and is available at SACAPs Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria campuses. Applications for the 2024 academic year for the BPsych Equivalent programme close on 29 September 2023.

Dr Botes concludes, SACAPs qualified registered counsellors play an indispensable role in the mental health ecosystem. As the country continues to work towards breaking down barriers to mental health care, registered counsellors are at the forefront, providing support, education, and advocacy to individuals and communities in need. Our BPsych graduates make contributions that are instrumental in building a healthier and more resilient South Africa.

Apply for SACAPS Bachelor of Psychology programme here.

Apply for SACAPs Bachelor of Psychology Equivalent programme here.
Huawei, once the darling of Mzansi's Android faithful, is in the middle of a geopolitical nightmare. When the Trump administration added the Chinese firm to the "entity list" in 2019 it set into motion a series of ever-increasing restrictions on what and how vendors could trade with Huawei.

Google was the first major company to end its relationship with Huawei and this move kneecapped any hopes the Chinese tech maker had of entrenching itself as the worlds biggest smartphone maker. Shipping Android phones without Google services would prove a challenging task, even to devoted customers like those in South Africa.

What Huawei didnt do, however, is stop making devices.

We cant just abandon the R&D weve already spent on the different product categories, says Huawei South Africas Consumer Business Group GM Peter Feng. He explains that, despite the sanctions imposed by the US government, Huawei has grown to become the number one foldable phone brand in China and Europe.

In the UAE we have 47% market share for foldables, even after the competitors launched their new products and began cutting prices. Were also number one in China for ultra slim PC. We dont have access to Nvidia technology, so we cant do gaming devices, so we have to compete in different product segments.

Ecosystem survival

The manufacturer has been in the news lately because of its latest flagship smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro. The device is an iteration on the stellar camera hardware from the P60 Pro and does its best to ape Apples Dynamic Island with its own custom widget interface around the in-screen cameras.

Where it really sets itself apart from even previous Huawei devices, is on the inside. Huawei has managed to fabricate its own processor using in-country expertise.

Inside the Mate 60 Pro is a home baked Kirin 9000s system on a chip (SoC), with 5G capabilities, without leveraging any intellectual property from the US.

This also sparked a new probe into the technology that Huawei is using and fresh calls from Republican lawmakers for extra sanctions and more restrictions.

And throughout this, Ive been using a Huawei Matebook X Pro for daily computing and found it to be one of the best Windows laptops on the market right now. Pair it with the P60 Pro smartphone to cover events where I need to take pictures, record video and audio, and move data quickly between devices and the Huawei Super Device ecosystem truly sings.

Class leading hardware

The Huawei P60 Pro smartphone camera truly deserves its spot at the top of the dxomark.com rankings. It is capable of remarkable image output and not too bad at video. The only thing that keeps it from being an easy recommendation I the lack of Google services.

This highlights Googles stranglehold on the Android ecosystem with its first party solutions  Gmail, Docs, YouTube, Google Photos, etc  taking preference as default computing options over everything else. Google is currently in court with the US regulators on antitrust charges related to its search business.

Google pays to be the default search engine on iPhones and took a significant loss when Apple improved its own maps solution. It has also moved Fitbit, the fitness wearables company it acquired in 2021, user data over to its own services, which creates further entrenches those customers into the Google ecosystem.

Huawei is the only wearable maker that is supporting three operating systems, explains Feng at the launch of the Huawei Watch GT4 series in Cape Town. The new family of wearables run on the Huawei Health app that can sync data with Apple Health and Discovery Vitality.

We try and update the iOS app at least every other month, its a lot of work, he says.

Addressing the widest possible market

The focus on creating a good experience for a wide range of users is a position that Huawei was forced into. Its wearable business managed to keep the company afloat during the early months of the ban.

Garmin does a similar play and will work reliably on Huawei devices, but the map data is drawn using Google Maps in the Android environment, which means runners cannot see their route on the phone app.

There are, however, no such limitations on the PCs, with the Windows operating system running smoothly on Huaweis hardware choices. The Biden administration tried to interfere with Intel exports to Huawei, but luckily the 2023 Matebook X Pro and Matebook D-series made it to store shelves before the clampdown.

Full metal chassis Windows laptops are not common under R35,000 and the Matebook X Pro does as good a MacBook Air impression with its slim build as youll find among Intel Evo notebooks.

You also get 1TB of storage as standard and Huawei makes up for the lack of discreet graphics  only Intel Iris X integrated graphics is on offer  by equipping two Thunderbolt USB-C ports that are compatible with an external GPU.

While the MacBook mimicry doesnt extend to the battery endurance, a reliable six hours off of a wall charger is still respectable.

A new world

Huawei has diversified its portfolio of devices to bring more premium products to the most amount of users, but the US sanctions do still scare potential buyers off. The knows this and has chosen to play the long game.

On the telecoms side, Huawei equipment is entrenched in the 5G networks of many nations. When the US sanctions hit it came alongside stripping out Huawei tech from core infrastructure and Europe is following suit with Germany and Portugal making the switch away from Chinese networking tech as well.

Producing a competitive 5G mobile SoC in-house is a big win and will open up the opportunity for other Chinese manufacturers to source parts without any connection to the US. Theres also a smart EV coming that will also run HarmonyOS, giving automotive manufacturers more options outside Google Automotive Services and the Harman systems from Samsung.

Maybe we can bring Mate 60 Pro to South Africa next year, but it depends on the network situation  theres still a lot of work to do, says Feng.
If you enjoyed Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, consider its predecessor, released in South Africa in 1986. That year, we not only imported an iconic movie into our popular culture but also the concept of constructive dismissal into our law. It was 37 years ago that the Labour Court's predecessor, the Industrial Court, agreed that employers should not act wrongfully to cause the destruction of employment relationships, and held that sometimes an employee's resignation could be seen as the employer having constructively dismissed the employee.

Image source: Pixabay from Pexels

The use of the word constructive has legal meaning "...something the law deems to exist for reasons of fairness and justice, such as notice, knowledge, trust, desertion..." (Murray v Minister of Defence). Usually, when an employee resigns from employment, the employee is not dismissed - only an employer can legally dismiss an employee. Employees end the employment relationship through resignation, retirement or death.

Introducing the notion of constructive dismissal allows the law to view employees as having been dismissed in certain instances where this is required as a matter of fairness. An employer shouldnt benefit from wrongfully causing an intolerable relationship resulting in the employee resigning: fairness dictates that the employee should be deemed to be dismissed, or constructively dismissed. In these circumstances, the employee should also be allowed to claim that the termination was unfair and, where successful, receive compensation (or even reinstatement) as a remedy.

Recognised form of dismissal

Fast-forward to 1996 and the introduction of the Labour Relations Act (and the first Mission Impossible movie). Constructive dismissal had become a recognised statutory form of dismissal. It confirmed that employees may lodge claims of unfair dismissal at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, where they could show their employer wrongfully made continued employment intolerable, resulting in resignation.

Like the Mission Impossible franchise, the law on constructive dismissal continues to evolve. A bit of legal make-up and a judicial nip and tuck have produced a wonderfully mature area of law that belies its age.

To succeed in claims for constructive dismissal, employees must prove they resigned from employment. Where the employer dismisses the employee - for misconduct, incapacity or retrenchment - there can be no constructive dismissal. If the employer terminates the employment relationship, it is a(n actual) dismissal. If the employee terminates the relationship (by resignation), it will be deemed a dismissal if the employee proves that the resignation was due to the employers wrongful conduct and intolerable working relationship.

Further clarity includes that:

It must be the employers wrongful conduct that causes the intolerability of the relationship, a bad actor or culpable behaviour of the organisation causing the intolerable work situation is generally required. In any employment relationship, various events or circumstances could result in the relationship breaking down and becoming incapable of resurrection. The employer cannot be held liable for its role in breaking down the relationship if it didnt do anything wrong. The employer must have "without reasonable and proper cause, conducted itself in a manner calculated or likely to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of trust and confidence between employer and employee." ( Pretoria Society for the Care of the Retarded v Loots ).

Intolerability is a significant hurdle to overcome, the typical conflict inherent in any employment relationship does not a constructive dismissal victory make: the facts should evidence more than Mission: Unpleasant.



Whilst resignation need not be the measure of absolute last resort to succeed with such a claim, employees should explore other, less-final options to address workplace unhappiness.

Resignation brings the employment relationship to an end, with no guarantee of compensation. A small percentage of constructive dismissal cases succeed at the CCMA. This is not only due to the high legal hurdles to overcome in convincing an arbitrator that the employer acted wrongfully, the procedural steps involved are also more onerous for the employee.

Unlike dismissals for misconduct or incapacity, employers are automatically allowed to have legal representation in constructive dismissal disputes at the CCMA. Similarly, the employee must prove the resignation meets the test for constructive dismissal and must present their case first, with the employer responding.

These factors are not aimed at making it unduly difficult to succeed with these claims, but are to guide employees in considering whether they should pursue this drastic course of action. It cannot be in our interest as a nation to flood the labour dispute resolution system with claims of constructive dismissal brought by every employee who feels aggrieved by their employers general conduct.

Mature organisations and employees find appropriate mechanisms to manage workplace conflict. Our law on constructive dismissal acts as a safety net for those employees whose workplace is less "the best of the best" and more War of the Worlds.
Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is making a significant investment of over R1bn in the current financial year to enhance network connectivity for its customers. This investment aims to bolster network capacity and resilience, while also expanding access to connectivity across the province. A special focus is being placed on improving connectivity in deep rural areas.

In pursuing our aim of creating an inclusive digital society, we are making a significant investment into the regions network. By expanding access to reliable, quality connectivity through the deployment of more sites and network upgrades, we aim to provide an exceptional network experience to our customers. With this effort, we hope to bring the benefits of digitalisation to all communities we serve, says Imran Khan, managing executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal.

From this expenditure, R700m will go towards projects for radio access network, network capacity and upgrades, with R173m allocated to improving core network infrastructure. The region plans to modernise 429 base station sites and expand LTE capacity to 774 sites in the current financial year.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natals 4G population coverage is standing at 95.8%. We are rolling out 23 new urban sites and 129 deep rural sites across the region this financial year to expand this reach and drive digital inclusion, especially in underserved areas of the province. In addition, we now have circa 200 sites on 5G, with plans to switch on another 122 within the financial year, adds Khan.

Vodacom outperforms rivals in KZN

As a result of increased investment in network services, the network boasts a call drop rate of 0.34% and a call setup success rate of 99.4%. The region also outperformed rivals in providing the highest overall reliability score and best service for voice calls in an independent benchmarking audit by umlaut, part of Accenture.

These results are testament to our commitment to delivering a quality network experience to customers. With our reliable widespread coverage, we are ensuring that individuals and businesses, regardless of their location, are able to reap the benefits of connectivity, explains Khan.

Widespread loadshedding continues to affect the network in the region. To keep customers connected, Vodacom is investing R235m into energy projects, including the procurement of 68 generators to add to an existing fleet of over 196 and increasing base station site power standby time to a minimum of four hours. These upgrades will improve network capacity and availability, particularly during stage 4-6 loadshedding.

Cost to communicate

The cost to communicate remains a critical issue for customers facing major economic pressures. Vodacom KZN introduced personalised discounted voice and data offers such as Just4You, Just4You Town bundles for residents in certain KZN towns and bigger prepaid data bundles with prepaid LTE to make connectivity affordable. As a result, more customers can affordably use data, and consequently, data traffic has grown by 40% in the province over the past year.

In driving inclusion for all, Vodacom supports the Code Like a Girl initiative, aimed at inspiring more girls to explore careers that require coding skills to help them get a start in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and industries. The region will be running an instalment of the programme, which trains girls between 14 and 18 years old in coding and other IT skills, in October this year.

Inclusive access to connectivity is how we are meeting our purpose in shaping a digitally enabled society and contributing to sustainable economic growth. At Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal, we remain committed to accelerating and expanding access to internet services, such as employment, education, healthcare and financial services, that can transform lives, concludes Khan.
Camps Bay High School has implemented a solar energy system that not only ensures uninterrupted operation during load shedding periods but also generates surplus electricity for the broader community.

In 2020, Camps Bay High School took its first step towards energy resilience by installing 80 solar panels, a forward-thinking move to curtail electricity costs and uphold our commitment to responsible energy consumption. However, the increasing frequency and impact of load shedding prompted the School Governing Body to take decisive further action, explains school principal Louis Mostert.

This year, with a strategic allocation of R1.8m from its financial reserves, the school governing body (SGB) spearheaded the installation of a further 120 advanced solar panels, generating 100kW of electricity. The upgrade includes the integration of two 50kW inverters and two 40kWh batteries, securing the school's operation during extended load shedding periods.

The inverter, batteries, and solar panels in the new system come with guarantees of five, 10, and 25 years respectively, providing a secure and enduring power solution.

"With the sun now serving as our steadfast power source, we wave goodbye to the unsettling presence of load shedding. Camps Bay High School is now one of only a handful of schools in South Africa who can say that learning and school activities can carry on uninterrupted during load shedding," said Mostert.

"Our ability to ensure uninterrupted learning for our students, irrespective of external energy challenges, reaffirms our commitment to their education and well-being. We have not only empowered our school but our community as well."

Rigorous process

Following a rigorous tender process, NHD Solar was awarded the contract for providing the upgrading of the solar power system. The company is headed up by a school parent, Dean Tait, with installation services handled by Cinch Energy, and the panels themselves supplied by another school parent, Simon Campbell-Young and his company, CydTechsolar.com.

"The infrastructure empowers Camps Bay High School to generate an average of 450kWh of electricity daily, resulting in a noteworthy monthly saving of R49,140 under the current Eskom tariff structure. Through harnessing this surplus power, the school actively contributes to the electricity grid, generating revenue from excess energy and illuminating neighbouring residences and businesses," Tait explained.

"Our system is seamlessly integrated with a user-friendly app, providing real-time insights into energy production, consumption, and storage. This app issues alerts and notifications for issue resolution and enables the school to optimise energy usage for maximum savings," he continues.

"It offers a comprehensive view of the power dynamics, including solar generation, grid utilisation, and total energy consumption. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into available stored power reserves during Eskom downtimes."

A catalyst for positive change

"This transformative action aligns with the schools vision of being a catalyst for positive change beyond its campus. Our comprehensive solar initiative is an investment that transcends immediate financial benefits. By generating surplus electricity that can be shared with our community, we are fostering resilience and collaboration," said Brian Williams, SGB business development manager and project leader.

"Through this commitment, we are not only energising our classrooms but also exemplifying our dedication to environmental responsibility. Furthermore, with the assurance of uninterrupted power, we ensure that learning never succumbs to the disruptions of load shedding, fortifying the education journey for our students and embodying the spirit of progress for all our community."

This system not only marks an end to Camps Bay High School's vulnerability to load shedding, but also underscores its role as a dynamic force for progress. Beyond financial savings, the school's solar venture has unlocked a new era of energy autonomy, echoing the school's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community enrichment.
Yakgwa among SPC Samlip's 53 Korean finger foods for Koln expo

By Ko Dong-hwan

Korean traditional honey cookies, known as "yakgwa," have become the flagship product of over 53 Korean desserts and finger foods to be showcased at a global food expo in Germany next month, according to SPC Samlip, Thursday.

The subsidiary of Korean major readymade food maker SPC Group said it decided to front the traditional confectionery at ANUGA in Koln on Oct. 7 to 11.

The decision came as an increaing number of consumers worldwide are showing interest in yakgwa, according to the company.

SPC will showcase 12 differerent kinds of yakgwa at ANUGA, including yakgwa tarts, modernized yakgwa cookies, mini yakgwa and royal honey yakgwa. The company said it will promote yakgwa as a signature "K-dessert."

SPC will also showcase other Korean desserts like different flavors of steamed buns called "hoppang" in Korean, as well as rice cakes and baked goods. Noodles, dumplings and hot dogs that are made for vegans will also be among the food maker's lineup of readymade products. The company is showcasing 53 products at the German expo.

The world's biggest annual expo for food and beverage products, ANUGA is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors as well as 8,000 companies from 100 countries.

SPC Samlip, one of the major players in Korea's bakery market, said it will promote its key food techniques and products to the global market as well as raise awareness of Korean desserts.

The food maker currently exports around 250 products to 61 countries, including the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Europe. Hoppang stuffed with spicy chicken and kimchi cheese are among 25 different kinds of buns that are becoming increasingly popular overseas, according to the food maker.
South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has joined forces with Afro Energy, a subsidiary of Australian gas explorer Kinetiko Energy, to forge a "non-binding term sheet" agreement for the ambitious liquified natural gas project in Mpumalanga province. This project, touted as South Africa's largest, underscores the growing potential of natural gas as a key energy source for the nation. Initially set to produce 50MW of equivalent energy, the project aims to scale up to an impressive 500MW in the future, with additional prospects for similar LNG initiatives on the horizon.

This collaborative effort comes amidst escalating interest in onshore gas, driven by South Africa's persistent power challenges. TotalEnergies has secured approval for oil and gas exploration off the country's west coast, and recent government announcements signal a reevaluation of shale-gas exploration in the Karoo region.

The Mpumalanga discovery is relatively advanced and involves an innovative public-private partnership. However, the resource  estimated at 3.1 billion ft3 of natural gas  pales in comparison to the gargantuan gas reserves in other parts of Africa.

Africas natural-gas reserves have been estimated at around 620 trillion ft3, with the largest resources in Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal.

Thanks to its proximity to Europe, and well-developed LNG infrastructure, Algeria is currently Africas largest exporter of natural gas, and the fourth largest gas export in the world, with the 10th largest proven natural gas reserves on the planet.

As Europe looks to wean itself off Russian energy, following that countrys invasion of Ukraine, North and West Africa are well positioned to fill the gap. Established trans-Mediterranean gas pipelines can facilitate this, and several more pipelines are in the planning stages.

Supply bottlenecks and political challenges need to be resolved, but the upside for African oil-and-gas exports to Europe is enormous.

Transition fuel

Natural gas has also long been heralded as a transition fuel, that can help ease the move from oil and coal towards renewable energy. By some measures, gas is a cleaner-burning, efficient fuel that produces fewer carbon-dioxide emissions than other fossil fuels.

It is abundant, and can be compressed, liquified and stored. This storage capability gives natural gas the advantage over forms of renewable energy like solar and wind, which are less easily dispatchable. Storing and providing renewable energy as and when required necessitates complementary technology like batteries, hydrogen or pumped storage.

Gas resources can simply be integrated into the well-developed global natural-gas infrastructure  through pipelines, and the international shipping. This means frontier natural-gas territories  such as South Africa  would be able to plug in to this system and begin supplying gas to where it is needed relatively soon after fields are established.

Ghana provides an instructive example of what is possible. The countrys oil-and-gas industry launched with its first discoveries around 2006, and it was able to produce its first product within 40 months. In 2021, the country produced 2,4 million tons of gas.

A role for natural gas

The imperative to minimise global greenhouse gas emissions to meet Paris 2050 commitments and to reverse climate change is a serious concern, which must be balanced against Africas development imperatives.

Almost half of Africas people remain without electricity. The Africa Energy Commission has confirmed that it still sees a role for natural gas in the continents evolving energy mix.

In a context where Africa still generates only four percent of global carbon emissions, and the majority of its people still rely on biomass to meet their energy needs, a move to natural gas would still represent a net improvement.

That is the domestic scenario. Globally, the planet is hungry for natural gas. Africa is sitting astride enormous resources, but currently only provides 6% of global gas exports.

The opportunities are significant. There is worldwide gas activity going on, and Africa needs to come to the party.
Capital injection to lead to highly anticipated expansion of SA's first pure play subscription model for digital goods and appliances.

Started by four friends with the goal of enabling more South Africans to access premium products and technology, Rentoza has become the country's first pure play subscription model for digital goods and appliances.

Their bold mission to democratise and dematerialise ownership of technology devices and appliances has enabled them to secure R18m in finance to grow the business even further, especially when it comes to accelerating access to technology for entrepreneurs and micro enterprises.

The decision by the Vumela Enterprise Development Fund to inject capital into Rentoza was further cemented given the large market opportunity, the companys innovative scalable solution and their exceptional management team.

"Rentoza provides a unique and highly innovative solution that unlocks access to key business assets for entrepreneurs, SMEs and micro-enterprises in an elegant and flexible manner. We are impressed by the teams skill sets and experience and are excited to partner with them in the next phase of their journey," says Sam Tennant, partner at Edge Growth Ventures.

Established in 2009 by FNB Commercial and Edge Growth, the Vumela Enterprise Development Fund is an innovative model that fills the gap in the SME funding sector and is at the forefront of fostering growth and sustainability in black-owned 'missing-middle' SMEs.

Mike Sage, FNBs CEO of Structured Lending Solutions and a Vumela Trustee, commented: Our participation in this funding round was to assist and help unlock Rentozas growth potential. Rentoza is part of a market segment we believe is a catalyst for economic growth in our country.

This funding, managed by Edge Growth Ventures, will enable Rentoza to drive even more affordable and flexible access in the e-commerce ecosystem, while remaining distinctly clear of finance and credit consumer propositions.

"We are proud to partner with Vumela who has been supporting rapidly scaling technology driven businesses with significant social and environmental impact for over 13 years," says Aviraag Ramdhani, co-founder at Rentoza.

"Through this partnership, we will have the privilege of working with an accomplished entrepreneurial team with domain wisdom that we can leverage to achieve our collective vision of being the largest subscription service for essential goods on the continent."

Ramdhani adds that funds will be used for asset purchases, marketing campaigns, talent acquisition, and capital projects, including expansion across Africa and beyond.

The growth of Rentoza's subscription and non-ownership model means that more small businesses on the continent will be able to access top technology at affordable rates with flexible terms, without having to overextend themselves.

Edge Growth unlocks growth constraints for progressive entrepreneurs by facilitating access to funding, access to markets and small business development programmes. For more information, go to https://edgegrowth.com/.




In an era of constant transformation within the healthcare sector, it is crucial to pause and reflect on the profound changes shaping the future of healthcare in South Africa. Recently, Dr Nivisha Parag from Regent Business School had the privilege of hosting an engaging webinar session with two distinguished sector experts: Dr Rajesh Patel, head of health system strengthening, and Mr. Charlton Murove, head of the specialised research unit, both from the Board of Healthcare Funders. The discussion centred on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Fund and Bill, two pillars that will undoubtedly influence the direction of healthcare in our nation.

The NHI Fund and Bill have become focal points of discourse, drawing attention from healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and the general public alike. They represent a substantial shift in our approach to healthcare, one that holds the promise of greater accessibility, equity, and quality of care for all South Africans. However, as with any transformation of this magnitude, they also bring with them a multitude of questions and concerns.

At Regent Business School, we recognise the importance of facilitating informed dialogue and analysis on critical healthcare issues. The recent webinar served as a platform for thought leaders and experts to engage in a comprehensive examination of the NHI Fund and Bill, shedding light on their historical underpinnings and potential implications.

One of the central issues discussed during the webinar was the prerequisites for user and healthcare service provider registration with the NHI Fund. While the concept of universal healthcare coverage is undoubtedly commendable, the practical implementation of such a system poses its challenges. It is vital to ensure that the transition to the NHI is seamless, minimises disruption to healthcare services, and safeguards the interests of both providers and users.

Remuneration was another key topic of discussion. Fair compensation for healthcare services is fundamental to attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Ensuring that healthcare providers are adequately reimbursed is not only essential for the sustainability of the healthcare sector but also for maintaining the quality of care that South Africans deserve.

The webinar also critically examined the Bill itself, highlighting issues of irregularities and vagueness. Concerns were raised regarding fiscal implications, constitutional compliance, and the resources necessary to execute the significant infrastructural reforms outlined in the Bill. These concerns are not to be taken lightly, as they directly impact the successful implementation of the NHI.

Another noteworthy aspect of the NHI is the proposal to establish a single purchaser and payer for healthcare services. While this may streamline administrative processes, it also raises constitutional concerns and questions about potential monopolisation within the healthcare insurance industry. Patient rights to choose their healthcare providers and access to healthcare must not be compromised as we strive for Universal Health Coverage.

Governance and accountability within the proposed framework were also discussed at length during the webinar. The concentration of authority in the hands of the Minister and the associated board raised concerns about potential corruption and transparency issues within an already complex political landscape. Ensuring robust checks and balances is essential to building trust in the NHI system.

As we approach the upcoming elections, it is imperative to address the question of whether the NHI is being positioned as a political tool to garner voter support or as a genuine commitment to well-considered healthcare policies and sector reform. The future of our healthcare system should not be subject to political manoeuvring, but rather a reflection of our dedication to the well-being of all South Africans.

The NHI Fund and Bill represent a pivotal moment in South African healthcare. While they offer the promise of a more equitable and accessible healthcare system, they also pose complex challenges that require careful consideration. It is our hope that by engaging in open and informed discussions, we can contribute to the development of a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of our diverse nation.

About the author:

Dr Nivisha Parag matriculated from Ladysmith Secondary in 2002 and achieved her MBChB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) UKZN NRMSM in 2007 and thereafter completed her MBA at Regent, post-grad Emergency Medicine Specialty 2014 and most recently her Critical Care Sub-Specialty in 2017. Her role as Head of Healthcare Management Studies at Regent Business School involves strategic development and continuous improvement of programs in healthcare, including the sector specific MBA in Healthcare Management.
Award winning creative and driving force of TBWA\RAAD, Alex Pineda has been appointed as chief creative officer of TBWA\Helsinki.

Alex Pineda is CCO for TBWA\Helsinki. Source: Supplied.

Pineda will steer the agencys creative work together with ECD Laura Paikkari and actively challenge the status quo and push for even more iconic client work. Pineda will act as part of the management team and report directly to TBWA Nordic President Sami Tikkanen.

With iconic campaigns for brands such as Nissan, KFC and Louvre the work of Alex and his team has made a strong mark not only in the United Arab Emirates but also in the entire MENA region.This is the most interesting creative industry recruitment in 2023 that brings international perspective, cultural insights and creates pull to the Finnish market, says Nordic President, CEO TBWA\Helsinki, Sami Tikkanen.

TBWA\Helsinki is the Home of the Originals. Finland has always punched above their weight in creativity, innovations and lifting phenomena in earned media field. I am honored to work with this crowd of remarkable individuals and extremely brave and ambitious clients, says Alex Pineda, CCO of TBWA\Helsinki.

With more than 240 creativity awards, Pineda has been recognised by all the major creative competitions from Cannes Lions to Cresta. Selected as 'Associate Creative Director of the Year', for the Middle East and North Africa by the 'Black & White Report' in 2019. He was also the number one English copywriter in the United Arab Emirates by Lurzer's Archive Magazine for six consecutive years.
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When police suspected Danny Kyllo, an Oregon man, of growing cannabis in his home they drove to his house with a thermal imaging device to scan it. They found hot pockets in the house, which were used to obtain a search warrant and subsequently bust Kyllo.

Fortunately, a 5-4 Supreme Court decision ruled the scan an unlawful search under the Fourth Amendment, requiring a warrant the police did not obtain. Score one for privacy, but the government is about to have a far more controversial and dangerous tool at its disposal to monitor whats going on inside your home.

Unlike a thermal imager, this device is already in your home  and you put it there.

How It Works

WiFi is electromagnetic waves in the 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges. Its the same thing as the light you see, only it can penetrate walls due to its much longer wavelength. Just like light (and echolocation) these waves also reflect off various surfaces and, when reconstructed properly, can be used to create an image.

Development of this technology goes back at least as far as July 2005, where researchers claimed at an IEEE Symposium that they had created an ultra-wideband high-resolution short pulse imaging radar system operating around 10 GHz. The applications for which were explicitly for military and police use, providing them with enhanced situation awareness.

A few years later, in 2008, researchers at UC Santa Barbara created an initial approach for imaging with WiFi that they presented at IEEE ACC 2009. A year later they demonstrated the feasibility of this approach.

The Race is On

Sensing the potential of this new surveillance technology, other researchers began piling on. Progress was initially slow but, in 2017, two researchers in Germany demonstrated the ability to do WiFi imaging using techniques borrowed from the field of holography. According to Philipp Holl, an undergrad student and lead study author who worked with Friedemann Reinhard of the Technical University of Munich to develop the new method, The past two years have seen an explosion of methods for passive Wi-Fi imaging.

At the time, the technology could only make out rough shapes of things. If theres a cup of coffee on a table, you may see something is there, but you couldnt see the shape, Holl says, but you could make out the shape of a person, or a dog on a couch. Really any object thats more than 4 centimeters in size.

The Controversy Begins

In 2018 the team at UC Santa Barbara published a paper titled Et Tu Alexa? examining the potential threats of this emerging technology. They examined the problem of adversarial WiFi sensing and the risk to privacy resulting from the widespread deployment of wireless devices, which could be used to track your precise physical location, movement, and other physiological properties.

Fortunately, they also propose some countermeasures for defending against such attacks to reduce the quantity and quality of the WiFi signals captured by the attacker, such as Geo-fencing and rate-limiting. These methods are not as effective with IoT devices, though, due to the frequency with which they make transmissions.

The Breakthrough

Up until this point it was necessary to use frequencies higher than commercial WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz) to achieve decent imaging resolutions. That all changed in February 2019 when a team from Michigan State University published a paper in IEEE Access outlining how they were able to use signals at 5.5 GHz, which matches the 802.11n/ac WiFi protocol, to create a 2-D image of two reflecting spheres and a reflecting X-shaped target, concluding full 2-D imagery is possible by capturing the WiFi signals present in typical environments.

Adding AI and Going 3-D

At MobiCom 2020, researchers from the University of Buffalo, presented their WiPose technology, touted as the first 3-D human pose construction framework using commercial WiFi devices. This system uses the 2-D imaging technology previously discussed to construct a 3-D avatar of the humans captured by it. The system uses a deep learning model that encodes the prior knowledge of human skeletons in the construction process of the 3-D model.

In 2019, former DARPA contractor Ray Liu launched his first commercial product in the WiFi sensing domain. Pitched as a way of Making the world safer, healthier, and smarter, the original military and law enforcement usages mentioned when this technology was born in 2005 were cast aside. The company claims the technology is so accurate that it can sense your breathing using nothing but standard WiFi signals.

In a 2021 company blog, Liu discusses the development of IEEE 802.11bf, a new WiFi protocol, which is aimed at standardizing WiFi imaging across all devices  thus making it easier for companies such as his to exploit compatible wireless networks. Liu was elected to serve as IEEE President for 2022, and the new standard continues to be developed to this day.

Further refinements to the imaging technology itself have been made. In late 2021 another paper was submitted to IEEE outlining how the researchers were able to achieve high-resolution imaging results with commercial WiFi signals using beamforming on the 802.11n/ac protocol.

Ready for Production

The perfect WiFi imaging system may have just been introduced to the world in December 2022, when researchers from Carnegie Mellon University married the latest in WiFi sensing technology to a human form estimation engine known as DensePose.

DensePose is a technology developed by Meta/Facebook, beginning in 2018. Its very similar to the WiPose system we previously discussed and aims at mapping all human pixels of an RGB image to the 3D surface of a human body. The researchers modified DensePose so that, rather than taking an RGB image, it would be compatible with the imagery being produced by state-of-the-art WiFi sensing technologies. The resulting system can detect the pose of humans in a room based solely on the WiFi signals passing through the environment.

Big Brothers New Eyes

Its telling how the pitch for this technology has pivoted from military and police use to keeping people safe in their own homes. The true purpose of this is obviously for law enforcement, the military, and intelligence agencies. We already live with mass digital surveillance and if you dont believe that this wont get incorporated into their plans to monitor everything you do, then you havent been paying attention.

Apart from putting CCTV cameras in everyones living spaces, this technology offers a comprehensive and supremely surreptitious way of putting eyes in every room of your house and place of work. Indeed, this just may become the norm. With nearly a third of Gen Z favoring the installation of government surveillance cameras in your home, this less-intrusive method may just find even broader support from the brainwashed masses. It will be possible to know where you are in the house and exactly what youre doing, from sitting on the toilet to making love.

Weve seen how easily intelligence agencies can get secret warrants to surveil anyone of particular interest. Weve also seen just how easy it is for someone to become a target for surveillance. You very well might, one day, find your WiFi router and access points feeding imagery to an alphabet agency that didnt like your social media posts, while armed thugs wait for the perfect moment to execute their next no-knock raid.

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2023 White Paper published by ECCK

By Lee Min-hyung

A business lobby group representing European firms here urged the Korean government to ease rules on the nations electric vehicle (EV) battery safety certification, as it may be a trade barrier to global automakers, the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) said Thursday.

According to Andrew Hongjoong Kim, a chairperson at ECCKs passenger vehicles committee, the government needs to take a more flexible approach to accepting safety requirements from European automakers when they have received United Nations (UN) regulation-type approvals there.

We recommend that European automobile manufacturers who have obtained the UN regulation-type approval in Europe should be recognized as satisfying the requirements of the battery safety certification system in Korea, he said. And specification and details need to be clearly stated in the relevant law and regulations, which will prevent any potential trade barriers.

The call came in response to Koreas recent law amendment regarding pre-certifications of EV batteries. The UN official argued that EV safety certifications should be granted to European automakers here if they won the UN R100 electric power train safety requirement.

The message was included in the ECCK 2023 White Paper released on Thursday. The ECCK called on the Korean government to relax some 100 regulations from 17 industries, including automobiles, food, chemistry and healthcare, in the annual paper published since 2015. A group of 400 Europe-headquartered companies operating business here are members of the ECCK.

Ranking officials from the ECCK also discussed other critical issues during a press conference after publishing the paper.

ECCKs environment committee urged the government to help swiftly pass a law on wind power promotion, as it is crucial for Koreas path to becoming a carbon-neutral nation.

The offshore wind power industry is expected to become a new growth engine for Korea with trillions of won in capital and technology invested in it, Moon Go-young, a chairperson at the ECCKs energy & environment committee said. It is expected to make a significant contribution to achieving the national and global goal of becoming carbon neutral at a time when economic vitality is needed."

The official also underscored a dire need for the government to remain more active in its institutional role in the area.

In order to promote faster and more predictable offshore wind power projects, institutional measures, such as a unified licensing process, clear resident consent and resident participation guidelines, the governments active role in grid connectivity and advance notice of the wind power bids here every year are essential. In particular, I hope that the Wind Power Promotion Act, which is being reviewed by the National Assembly, will be passed quickly.

An office of foreign investment ombudsman at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency discussed 96 issues raised from the ECCK 2022 White Paper with relevant ministries who reviewed around 40 percent positively.
Indias visa processing center in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canadas leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.

Ties between Ottawa and New Delhi, two key strategic partners on security and trade, have plunged to their lowest point in years after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week said there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar , a 45-year-old Canadian citizen who had been wanted by India for years, was gunned down in June outside the temple he led in Surrey, outside Vancouver.

The bombshell allegation from Trudeau on Monday set off a diplomatic tit-for-tat as both countries expelled a diplomat each from their consulates. India denied the claim and called it absurd.

Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 Sept. Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, the BLS Indian Visa Application Center in Canada said. It gave no further details. BLS is the agency that processes visa requests for India.

The suspension means that Canadians who dont already have a visa will not be able to travel to India until services resume. In 2021, foreign tourists from Canada were the fourth largest group to arrive in India at over 80,000, according to data from Indias Bureau of Immigration.

Indias External Affairs Ministry did not immediately comment.

The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi said in a statement Thursday that all of its consulates in India are open and continue to serve clients. It said that some of its diplomats had received threats on social media, prompting it to assess its staff complement in India. It added that Canada expects India to provide security for its diplomats and consular officers working there.

The latest move comes a day after India warned its citizens to be careful when traveling to Canada because of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate-crimes.

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement, but if true it would mark a major shift for India, whose security and intelligence branches have long been significant players in South Asia, and are suspected in a number of killings in Pakistan. But arranging the killing of a Canadian citizen in Canada, home to nearly 2 million people of Indian descent, would be unprecedented.

India, though, has hit out at Canada for years over giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Nijjar. New Delhi had accused him of having links to terrorism, which he had denied.

Nijjar, a plumber, was also a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland , known as Khalistan. A bloody decadelong Sikh insurgency shook north India in the 1970s and 1980s, until it was crushed in a government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders.

While the active insurgency ended decades ago, the Indian government has warned that Sikh separatists were trying to stage a comeback and pressed countries like Canada, where Sikhs comprise over 2% of the population, to do more in stopping them.

At the time of his killing, Nijjar was working to organize an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India.

New Delhis anxieties about Sikh separatist groups in Canada have long been a strain on the relationship , but the two have maintained strong defense and trade ties, and share strategic interests over Chinas global ambitions.

In March, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government summoned the Canadian high commissioner in New Delhi, the top diplomat in the country, to complain about Sikh independence protests in Canada.

But signs of a broader diplomatic rift emerged at the summit of the Group of 20 leading world economies, hosted by India earlier this month. 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. A trade deal between the two is now on pause.

On Wednesday, Indias National Investigation Agency said it has intensified its crackdown on Sikh insurgents operating in India.

It announced rewards of up to 1 million rupees ($12,000) for information leading to the arrest of five insurgents, one of whom is believed to be based in neighboring Pakistan.

The agency accused them of extorting money from businesses for a banned Sikh organization, the Babbar Khalsa International, and of targeted killings in India. They also have established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terrorist activities in India, it said in a statement, without naming any country.

India accuses Pakistan of supporting insurgencies in Kashmir and Punjab, a charge Islamabad denies. (AP)


The C-295 military transport aircraft. (Photo: PTI)

NEW DELHI (PTI): The first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft landed in Vadodara on Wednesday, days after it was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the southern Spanish city of Seville.



The aircraft would be formally inducted into the IAF at a ceremony in Hindon near Delhi on September 25.



Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on September 13 received the first of the 56 C295 transport aircraft two years after India sealed a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure the jets to replace its ageing Avro-748 fleet.



"The IAF's first C-295 MW aircraft landed in Vadodara today. The aircraft would be handed over to the #IAF in a formal ceremony on 25 Sep 23 at AF Stn Hindon by the Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh," the IAF tweeted.



Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.



The production of components of these aircraft has already started in the Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) facility in Hyderabad.



These parts will be shipped to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara which is expected to be operational by November 2024.



In October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the manufacturing facility for 295 planes in Vadodara. It will be the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium.



The Indian Air Force (IAF) is procuring the C295 aircraft to replace its fleet of ageing Avro-748 planes that entered the service over six decades back.



The C295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.



The aircraft can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation.



The aircraft is capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.


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Patrick Kielty has arguably been having a year of firsts.

The comedian (52) has taken over as the host of RTEs The Late Late Show from Ryan Tubridy, who stepped down after hosting the talk show for 14 years.

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Kieltys debut on the show this month, as only the fourth permanent presenter of the show since it started in 1962, was a hit.

Now a new venture is about to propel him onto the big screen, in a first for the Co Down man.

This week sees the release of the film Ballywalter, which takes its title from the Co Down town.

Kielty makes his feature film debut as the character Shane, and said: Walking on set on the first day was the most terrifying professional thing I have ever done in my life. It was similar to a first day at school when you are joining the class three-quarters of the way through the year.

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The role sees the comedian, who began his stand-up career as host of Northern Irelands first comedy club, The Empire Laughs Back, in pre-ceasefire Belfast, take on a serious screen role in the blackly humorous drama from director Prasanna Puwanarajah.

In 2018, Kielty presented the BBC programme, My Dad, The Peace Deal And Me, about his fathers death at the hands of paramilitary gunmen.

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The comedian was only 16 when his father Jack Kielty was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

The programme coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and saw Kielty return to his home town of Dundrum and travel around to see if the historic peace deal had delivered on its pledge to create a new Northern Ireland.

It was nominated for a Bafta for best single documentary and he was named UK documentary host of the year at the 2018 Grierson Awards.

Ballywalter is Puwanarajahs directorial debut, with his acting credits including playing Martin Bashir in the fifth instalment of Netflixs royal series, The Crown.

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Starring alongside Kielty is Cant Cope, Wont Cope star Seana Kerslake (30), whose other credits include Apple TVs Bad Sisters, and the film also features Lloyd Hutchinson, Conor MacNeill, Chris Corrigan, Joanne Crawford, Paul Mallon and Ryan McParland.

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Following the implosion of his marriage, Shane (Kielty) is living in self-imposed exile in Ballywalter, estranged from his wife Donna (Crawford) and their daughter Martha.

Director Prasanna Puwanarajah (Victoria Jones/PA)

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He signs up for a 12-week stand-up comedy course at a Belfast community centre.

But, due to serving a six-month suspended sentence for driving under the influence, has to call for a taxi to ferry him back and forth between Ballywalter and Belfast.

Unlicensed 20-something driver Eileen (Seana Kerslake) responds.

Dublin star Kerslake said of her character: When we meet Eileen she is in quite a dark place. She has lost her sense of self and a sense of purpose. I knew it was going to be a challenge to try to climb into her skin and play her in a way that felt honest.

To master the Belfast accent, she said: Its hard to chop and change, thats what I found while we were shooting, I just stayed in the accent the whole time.

Getting into character was another story for Kielty, who alongside his TV work has continued stand-up tours which have often sold out venues across Ireland and the UK.

Father-of-two Kielty, who is married to fellow TV presenter Cat Deeley, recalls how in addition to rehearsing, he had to gain a bit of weight and not shave to get into character.

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Kerslake plays taxi driver Eileen (BT22 Film Ltd/Helen Murray/PA)

Prasanna just said it was gin and crisps and takeaway for four months, he said jokingly.

I hadnt done any acting before so when I went on the school run, one or two of the parents would recognise me and as my physical decline progressed, you could see them looking at each other, probably thinking, Lockdown hasnt been kind.

The production began filming in December 2020 and over the five-week run, due to the coronavirus pandemic, stringent safety measures were still in place.

Kielty recalls a scene he and Kerslake filmed in Belfasts Sunflower pub.

We couldnt do the take because we were almost frozen to the spot remembering what it was like having fun in a bar, he said.

We were almost getting drunk on the fake beer because we mentally wanted to be back in that setting, being sociable and doing those things.

Penned by East Belfast writer Stacey Gregg, the film was a personal one, the writer and director said.

For a long time as a screenwriter, it was incredibly hard to make material about Northern Ireland if it wasnt explicitly about the Troubles, Gregg explains.

I think now we are finally entering a really exciting period where people are ready to hear more of a diversity of voices.

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Kielty is making his feature film debut in Ballywalter (BT22 Film Ltd/Helen Murray/PA)

She reflected on making a film during a pandemic.

Whats happened over the last year has really made people stop and slow down and bear witness to each other in a way that maybe, generationally, we havent for a long time.

I think questions around care, self-care, mental health and appreciating the small things. All of that might speak in an even more pertinent way than we could have imagined when we set out to make this film.

Another major plus for Kielty was being able to film near where he grew up.

As a County Down lad, born and bred, to be telling a County Down story and working with people from Northern Ireland, that is just Christmas, birthdays, everything all in one, he said.

Kerslake concurred, having had a front-row seat to the scenery from her characters taxi, adding: As I was driving somewhere and the camera was following us, the views were amazing. I kept thinking, Ireland on a good day, shes looking well. When the light hits her right  shes perfect.
Poland said it has stopped sending military weapons to Ukraine amid a growing dispute between the two countries.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told local media that his nation was scaling back on its support for Ukraine to focus on its own defense.

"We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons," he said. "If you don't want to be on the defensive, you have to have something to defend yourself with."

Morawiecki also insisted that Poland was still supporting Ukraine by maintaining a military hub.

"Our hub in Rzeszow, in agreement with the Americans and NATO, is fulfilling the same role the whole time as it has fulfilled and will fulfill," he said.

Warsaw's decision, though, will not affect Polish manufacturer PGZ is still due to send about 60 Krab artillery weapons to Ukraine in the coming months.

Poland, which has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia invaded its neighbor more than a year ago, was already in a dispute where Warsaw stopped accepting Ukrainian grain to protect its own farmers from competing against cheaper products from Kyiv.

The European Commission had recently moved to allow Ukrainian grain sales across member states, despite the desire of Eastern members to protect their farmers. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia said they would continue to ban grain imports, prompting a lawsuit from Ukraine.

Since Russia walked away from a Black Sea grain agreement in June, Ukraine must rely upon land routes to get its grain to other ports and customers. (UPI)
Charlie Bird was one of thousands who took part in a coffee morning in support of hospice services.

The RTE broadcaster and his wife Claire were at Wicklow Hospice to mark the event, just weeks after he revealed he is receiving care at home in his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease.

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More than 2,500 people registered to host a Bewleys Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice this year.

I never thought I would need Hospice care, but since they have come into our lives, I have realised the massively important nature of their work in helping people at end-of-life and those with life-limiting conditions, Bird (74) said.

Lets have one last push to help us reach this 2 million target. There is still time for individuals and businesses to host an event or simply donate to their local Hospice.

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If you have not already registered to host a coffee morning, you can do so until September 30th at 0818-995 996. If you can not host or attend a coffee morning, a donation can be made to your local Hospice at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate.
Irish authors Paul Lynch and Paul Murray are among six novelists shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023.

This years shortlist was announced on Thursday by chairwoman of the judges, Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, at the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery in London.

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On the judges panel was writer and professor James Shapiro, who said the arts have been flourishing in Ireland, something reflected in both the longlist and shortlist.

Alongside the Irish authors are three North American writers and a British author.

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch has been shortlisted (Oneworld/PA)

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Irish novelist Paul Lynch made the cut with his book Prophet Song, about a scientist whose husband is taken away by the newly formed Irish secret police.

Fellow Irish writer Paul Murray has been recognised for The Bee Sting, which follows an Irish family facing financial and emotional troubles after the 2008 financial crash.

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Also on the shortlist is British author Chetna Maroos debut novel Western Lane, about grief, sisterhood and playing squash.

American novelist Jonathan Escoffery is on the list for If I Survive You, a book set in 1979 that follows a Jamaican family in Miami as they endure recession, racism and Hurricane Andrew.

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Canadian author Sarah Bernsteins Study For Obedience is about a young woman who moves from the place of her birth to be housekeeper for her brother.

The Bee Sting is written by Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton/PA)

American author Paul Harding is recognised for This Other Eden, set at the beginning of the 20th century in Apple Island, an enclave off the coast of the US where people who are castaways go to live.

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A number of well-known faces helped to whittle down the longlist of 13 titles to a shortlist of six, including Peep Shows Robert Webb and Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh.

The Booker Prize recognises talent from across the globe and has previously been awarded to authors including John Banville, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, Margaret Atwood, Hilary Mantel and Salman Rushdie.

Esi Edugyan said: The best novels invoke a sense of timelessness even while saying something about how we live now. Our six finalists are marvels of form.

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Some look unflinchingly at the ways in which trauma can be absorbed and passed down through the generations, as much an inheritance as a well-worn object or an unwanted talent.

Some turn a gleeful, dissecting eye on everyday encounters. Some paint visceral portraits of societies pushed to the edge of tolerance.

All are fuelled by a kind of relentless truth-telling, even when that honesty forces us to confront dark acts. And yet however long we may pause in the shadows, humour, decency and grace are never far from hand.

The winner of the 2023 Booker Prize will be announced on November 26th at a ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London and receive 50,000 (57,000) and a trophy which has been named Iris in honour of the Dublin-born writer Iris Murdoch.
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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.
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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Police officers try to block an entrance of the government building during a protest against Armenian 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
A painting by Bob Ross, the artist who brought painting to the people, with works completed for TV viewers in less than half an hour, is going up for sale for nearly $10 million.

A Walk In The Woods, the first of more than 400 paintings Ross produced on-air for his TV series The Joy Of Painting, will be sold by a Minneapolis art gallery.

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It is season one, episode one of what you would call the rookie card for Bob Ross, Ryan Nelson, who owns the gallery, Modern Artifact, said of the work created in the shows debut, which aired on January 11th, 1983.

Growing up in a small town, Mr Nelson said he was introduced to art through Rosss show and loves his paintings. He does not expect a quick sale given the high asking price, which he sees as an opportunity to display the painting for a larger audience.

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Bob Ross was known for his unpretentious approach to painting on his long-running show The Joy Of Painting (Richard Drew/AP/PA)

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On that first show where he painted A Walk In The Woods, Ross  sporting his perm, full beard and unbuttoned shirt  stressed that painting did not need to be pretentious.

We have avoided painting for so long because I think all of our lives weve been told that you have to go to school half your life, maybe even have to be blessed by Michelangelo at birth, to ever be able to paint a picture, Ross said. And here, we want to show you that thats not true. That you can paint a picture.

Ross, who died in 1995, hosted the show from 1983 until 1994. In each episode, he would speak directly to viewers whom he encouraged to paint with him as he created idealised scenes of streams backed by mountains, waterfalls and rustic cabins and mills  all done very quickly.

What this piece represents is the peoples artist, Mr Nelson said. This isnt an institution thats telling you that Bob Ross is great. Its not some highbrow gallery telling you that Bob Ross is great. This is the masses, the population in the world that are saying that Bob Ross is great.

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The first season of The Joy Of Painting was filmed in Falls Creek, Virginia, and the painting from Rosss first show was sold months later to raise funds for the local PBS station.

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A volunteer at the station bought the painting for an undisclosed price and hung it in her home for 39 years until getting in touch with Mr Nelson, who has bought and sold more than 100 of Rosss works.

Nelson bought the painting last year and then gave it a not for sale price of $9.85 million, said publicist Megan Hoffman.

Ms Hoffman said the asking price is far more than any other Ross painting has sold for, but A Walk In The Woods is unique and Mr Nelson is not looking for a quick sale. She notes that Rosss popularity has soared in recent years, with 5.63 million subscribers to a YouTube channel featuring his shows.

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Ryan would prefer to take it out, tour it around to museums and things like that so people can enjoy it and appreciate it, Ms Hoffman said. He will take offers but hes not in a hurry to sell it.
British authorities have charged five Bulgarian nationals with spying for Russia.

They are accused of conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy between August 2020 and February this year.

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Nick Price, head of the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: The CPS has authorised a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.

Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state between August 30 2020 and February 8 2023.

Roussev, Dzhambazov and Ivanova were previously charged on February 11 2023 with possession of false identity documents with improper intention under section 4 of the Identity Documents Act 2010.

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They are all due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on September 26th.

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The five were arrested by counter-terrorism police in February under the UK's Official Secrets Act.

Last month it emerged that Roussev, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Dzhambazov, of Harrow, north-west London, and Ivanova, of the same Harrow address, were facing charges which allege they were in possession of 34 identity documents, some of which were suspected to be false.

The trio appeared at the Old Bailey in London in July to face those charges.
A 44-year-old prisoner has been executed for the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma (OU) dance student.

Anthony Sanchez was pronounced dead at 10.19am local time following a three-drug injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

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Even though he maintained that he had nothing to do with the killing of 21-year-old Juli Busken, he took the unusual step of opting not to present a clemency application to the states Pardon and Parole Board, which many viewed as the last chance to save his life.

Shortly before he was put to death, the US Supreme Court rejected a request for a stay of execution submitted by his new lawyer, Eric Allen, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr Allen had said he needed more time to go through the case evidence.



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Sanchez was convicted of raping and murdering 21-year-old Juli Busken, from Benton, Arkansas, who had just completed her last semester at the university when she was abducted on December 20 1996, from the car park of her Norman apartment complex.

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Her body was found that evening near Lake Stanley Draper in far south-eastern Oklahoma City. She had been bound, raped and shot in the head.

Ms Busken had performed as a ballerina in several dance performances during her tenure at OU and was memorialised at the campus with a dance scholarship in her name at the College of Fine Arts.

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Years later, Sanchez was serving time for a burglary conviction when DNA on Ms Buskens clothing at the crime scene was matched to him. He was convicted and sentenced to die in 2006.

Sanchez has long maintained his innocence and did so again in a phone call to The Associated Press earlier this year from death row.

That is fabricated DNA, Sanchez said. That is false DNA. That is not my DNA. Ive been saying that since day one.

He told the AP that he declined to ask for clemency because even when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board takes the rare step of recommending it, Governor Kevin Stitt has been unlikely to grant it.

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Ive sat in my cell and Ive watched inmate after inmate after inmate get clemency and get denied clemency, Sanchez said. Either way, it doesnt go well for the inmates.

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Oklahoma attorney general Gentner Drummond maintained that the DNA evidence unequivocally linked Sanchez to Ms Buskens killing.

There is no conceivable doubt that Anthony Sanchez is a brutal rapist and murderer who is deserving of the states harshest punishment, Mr Drummond said in a recent statement.

A private investigator hired by an anti-death penalty group contended that the DNA evidence may have been contaminated and that an inexperienced lab technician miscommunicated the strength of the evidence to a jury.

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Former Cleveland County district attorney Tim Kuykendall, who was the countys top prosecutor when Sanchez was tried, has said that while the DNA evidence was the most compelling at trial, there was other evidence linking Sanchez to the killing, including ballistic evidence and a shoe print found at the crime scene.

I know from spending a lot of time on that case, there is not one piece of evidence that pointed to anyone other than Anthony Sanchez, Mr Kuykendall said recently. I dont care if a hundred people or a thousand people confess to killing Juli Busken.

Oklahoma resumed carrying out the death penalty in 2021, ending a six-year moratorium brought on by concerns about its execution methods.
Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine early on Thursday, sparking fires, killing at least three people and trapping others under the rubble of destroyed buildings, authorities said.

The bombardment came as Poland said it would stop providing weapons to its ally amid a trade dispute.

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The early-morning wave of missile strikes on what is known as the International Day of Peace was Russias largest in more than a month, and came as world leaders meet at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In a speech there, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Russia as a terrorist state.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed to the Capitol in Washington by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

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Mr Zelensky was due to meet President Joe Biden and congressional leaders in Washington later on Thursday, with an additional 24 billion-dollar (19.4 billion) aid package hanging in the balance.

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Poland, which has been a major supporter of Ukraine, said it will stop transferring weapons to its neighbour as it works to modernise its own military, but denied the decision is linked to a simmering dispute over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the decision will not affect Nato and US weapons transfers through Poland.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, he said in an interview on private TV broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday.

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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.

Mr Morawiecki stressed that Poland will defend its economic interests, but added that the dispute over grain imports will not harm Ukraines security.

We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

Poland has transferred large amounts of its older weapons to Ukraine and has been upgrading its own inventory with new equipment purchased from South Korea and other countries.

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Emergency services at the scene of a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Ukraine early on Thursday, as Russia launched dozens of missiles and, near the front lines, likely used shorter-range artillery to pound the southern city of Kherson.

Three people were killed in Kherson and at least four others were injured when a residential building was hit, the Defence Ministry said on social media.

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Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a nine-year-old girl, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said, as missile strikes blew out windows in buildings and cars and left fires burning around crumpled metal wreckage.

Marharyta Moldokova, 76, who had taken shelter on the floor of her Kyiv home just before hearing an explosion and the sound of her window shattering, denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

God, we cant wait for someone to shoot him, she said. Everything is not enough for him  What does he need?

Students at the National Academy of Statistics, Accounting and Audit in Kyiv stood outside, looking at a building where metal strips hung from the portico and empty window frames were bent inwards.

Illia Melnyk said he had taken shelter behind two walls as he heard an explosion and saw a flash and then ran outside.

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When I came out, I saw bricks falling from the door, he said. It was visible how the wall was broken and the door was knocked out  It was scary.



Students look at the damage to the National Academy of Statistics, Accounting and Audit in Kyiv (Roman Hrytsyna/AP)

The academy, located in Kyivs Tatarka neighbourhood, has endured numerous missile strikes and damage from falling debris. It is located near an arms maker that manufactures high-precision ammunition and missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had intercepted 36 of 43 cruise missiles launched deep into Ukraine. Kharkiv, closer to the front lines, was struck with S-300 missiles.

Russias Ministry of Defence said it targeted Ukrainian arms factories and radio-technical intelligence centres with precision-guided missiles and drones.

It said, without providing details, that the strike achieved the objectives and all targets were hit. It was not possible to confirm that claim.

At least six strikes damaged civilian infrastructure in the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The citys mayor added that two people had been taken to hospital.

At least 10 people were injured and at least one was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines internal affairs minister.

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Up to 23 people may still be buried under rubble, said Cherkasy regional governor Ihor Taburets.

Rescue services are working to clear the debris.



Emergency services workers tackle a fire following a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

An industrial zone was hit in the western region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but no information on casualties was immediately available, Mr Klymenko added.

Regional governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne, in the north-west region of the same name, without immediately providing details.

Ukrainian armed forces said they attacked a military airport near the city of Saka in Russian-annexed Crimea.

Russia said 22 drones were taken down overnight by air defence systems, 19 above Crimea and three others in the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions near Ukraine.

The defence ministry did not say whether there were any casualties.
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.

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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.





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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.
Three South African navy personnel have died and a senior officer is in a critical condition after seven members of a submarine crew were swept off the vessels deck by large waves as a helicopter attempted a vertical transfer of supplies, the Department of Defence said on Thursday.

The accident happened on Wednesday as an Air Force Lynx helicopter was attempting what is known as a vertrep  or vertical replenishment  of supplies to the SAS Manthatisi submarine on the ocean surface off the coast of Cape Town, the department said.

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The operation was immediately called off and a rescue effort was launched.

All seven submariners were recovered, but three were pronounced dead.

A crew member from the helicopter who was dispatched as a surface swimmer to assist in the rescue operation was also recovered and is in hospital alongside the four surviving submariners.

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NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated after the neighbor of station commander Dave Smith called him on the phone reporting what he suspected to be SA Navy personnel washed off an SA Navy vessel off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse.https://t.co/hIgNAGqzoo  National Sea Rescue Institute (@NSRI) September 21, 2023

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The National Sea Rescue Institute and other emergency services were called in to help with the rescue, the Department of Defence said.

There will be an inquiry into the failed operation and the resulting deaths, the department added.

The South African National Defence Force, which comprises all the armed forces, said a female officer with the rank of lieutenant commander was among the three who died.

Cape Town and other areas on South Africas south coast have been hit by extremely rough seas since last weekend, caused by a phenomenon known as spring tide.

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South African armed forces analyst Dean Wingrin told the defenceWeb website that the submarine was moving to the Cape Town waterfront for a three-day navy exhibition starting on Saturday.

The navy has planned the exhibition to mark South Africas Heritage Day national holiday on Sunday.

The SAS Manthatisi is one of three German-built Type 209/1400 Heroine-class submarines in the South African navy fleet and had returned to the water earlier this year after undergoing maintenance work.
The political careers of two of Norways most powerful women are under threat after it was revealed that their husbands had been trading in shares behind their backs.

Norway's foreign minister Anniken Huitfeldt, of the centre-left Labour Party, and former conservative prime minister Erna Solberg are having to explain why they were making decisions in office that could potentially have enriched their spouses.

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The cases of the two women on opposite sides of the political divide are separate, but their defence is more or less the same: they say they did not know what their husbands were up to. And rivals are calling for both women to stand down.

Green Party politician Rasmus Hansson said the pair are damaging the reputation of Norwegian politics and urged them both to resign.

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Walk now. Please, he wrote on Facebook, adding that if they refuse to go, their parties should remove them.

The case against 62-year-old Ms Solberg is more serious.

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During her two terms in office from 2013 to 2021, her husband, Sindre Finnes, made more than 3,600 share deals, many of which should have disqualified Ms Solberg from making decisions on running the country.

In interviews with Norwegian media on Thursday, Ms Solberg said: I mean very clearly that I have responsibility, and I have explained why: I thought I had fulfilled my responsibility. I had no reason to believe that Sindre was deceiving me.

She said her husband cannot engage in share trading if I become prime minister again.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Mr Finnes admitted that he lied to his wife about his trades but he said he never acted on inside information, which would have been a criminal offence.

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Erna Solbergs husband, Sindre Finnes, made more than 3,600 share deals during her two terms as prime minister (Seth Wenig/AP)

Even in Norway, where the route to the top of politics is considered smoother for women than other places in the world, the stereotype-busting image of Ms Solberg being too busy running the country to worry what her husband was doing at home has often been played for laughs.

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That would not have happened if it was the other way around. These men are being made fun of because they are men with powerful wives, said Berit Aalborg, political editor with the Vart Land newspaper.

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We like to think we have a high degree of gender equality in Norway. But this is a kind of sexism.

Mr Finnes share trading came to light after foreign minister Ms Huitfeldt admitted that her husband, Ola Flem, had traded shares in companies her decisions could have affected.

After being scolded by her own governments legal department for failing to get to grips with her partners financial activities, she admitted in a statement that she should have asked my husband what shares he owned.

The 53-year-old foreign minister said that, since she did not know about the conflicts of interests, her decisions were still valid.

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Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, the leader of Ms Huitfeldts party, has backed her.

Ms Solberg, who has led the conservative Hoeyre party since May 2004, wants to be the lead conservative candidate for the national election in 2025.

On Thursday, she said she is willing to continue as leader but that it up to the party to decide.
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.
A man has been charged and granted bail after allegedly taking part in a deadly street race that killed two boys, aged 9 and 10, in Sydneys south last month.

Adam Yurun, 24, faced Bankstown Local Court on Thursday after allegedly racing his silver Audi A4 on The Grand Parade at Monterey on the night of August 25.

During the alleged race, Jimmy Martin Brito, 33, lost control of his Subaru Impreza, crossed to the wrong side of the road and crashed into a tree.

Two boys travelling in the Impreza suffered fatal injuries, while a third passenger  a nine-year-old girl  suffered minor injuries.
The home of eminent entomologist Gustavus Athol Waterhouse was nearby in Killara, and he encouraged Graemes lifelong pursuit and interest in studying, collecting and breeding butterflies. Another lifelong interest was steam-powered machinery, locomotives and railways, and he enjoyed frequent train trips in school holidays. Schooling in Sydney began at Killara Preparatory, followed by two terms at Barker College, but he failed to thrive academically until his 1946 enrolment at Chatswoods Mowbray House. Here, he became dux in 1949 and began his musical odyssey with piano tuition from Halford Oldershaw, the schools music/choirmaster and chapel organist. Organ lessons came later, and he quickly developed to the degree of playing for daily traditional chapel services. The organ so resonated with Graeme that he immersed himself in studying its history and began practising at Anglican Churches in Chatswood and Killara. Despite the wishes of his family, Graeme decided to leave school in December 1949 after gaining the intermediate certificate (Year 9). He chose work so he could buy a car. Then he commenced an accountancy course, and was soon accepted by ICI as a management trainee employed in Sydney until a transfer to Melbourne in 1953. From January 1954 he was on loan for six months to ICI in New Zealand, a transfer that extended to 1958. Back in Melbourne he joined the Victorian Society of Organists, which led to him interacting with the US organist E. Power Biggs (an organ idol) by a deployment to ferry him and his wife between hotels and rehearsals on the occasion of Biggs Melbourne concert. A line drawing by Graeme Rushworth.

In 1960 ICI sent him abroad to work in laboratories, offices and manufacturing plants in the UK, Canada and the USA. He returned the same year to a virile harpsichord clique that had developed in Melbourne around harpsichord maker Mars McMillan and her home at Clifton Hill. Instrument makers such as Alastair McAllister and Richard Ireland joined her, and it prompted Graeme to explore the possibility of building his own instrument. After studying Frank Hubbards Three Centuries of Harpsichord Making and examining the 1769 instrument by harpsichord maker Burkat Shudi in the collection at Fenton House, London, when in England and Europe for ICI again in 1971, he embarked on building an Italian-style virginals [a keyboard instrument of the harpsichord family] to a design of McMillans. That year he would also design and scratch-build an Italianate harpsichord best described, by him, as English traditional. Both of these formed part of an exhibition of locally made instruments played at Melbourne Art Gallery in 1973 by Richard Ireland. In the midst of this Graeme also turned his attention to organ building. Beginning with a donation of some wooden pipes, plus metal pipes and parts from an organ-building firm, he constructed a most impressive and tonally pleasing house organ of five stops, guided by W.E. Dicksons primer Organ Building for Amateurs. It was played by many celebrated organists including Dame Gillian Weir. It was an utter delight, from my recollection, despite Graemes penchant for hauling one on to the bench after an expansive dinner (when faculties were less than optimal) and having to sight-read some score for the assembled company. Graeme and the instrument relocated to Sydney after his resignation from ICI in 1973  a year that also saw a divorce from his first wife, Joy. He worked in a variety of jobs thereafter and, finally, in the bursars office at Macquarie University. After retirement from paid employment he conceived the idea of writing Historic Organs of New South Wales. Loading His reputation in organ circles preceding him he was invited to chair the NSW Heritage Offices newly established Pipe Organ Advisory Committee, where he was tasked with advising on conservation, preservation and restoration, and allocation of funds for assistance. Some notable restorations and the formulation of a code and guide for restoration occurred under his watch. Honorary life membership was also conferred on him by the Organ Historical Trust of Australia (OHTA) in recognition of his work for organ restoration.

A second marriage after his return to Sydney produced a daughter, Alexandra, but it also ended in divorce. Obliged to sell his beloved organ, he took leave of Sydney and relocated to a large rural holding in Upper Caboolture, Queensland. There, he distracted himself with membership of a koala rescue group, assisted at the Bribie Island Butterfly House and held notes for tuning rounds by Brisbane organ builder Simon Pierce. Around 2006 Graeme felt a pressing need to update Historic Organs and began work on a supplement, and with the demise of the original publisher, under the auspices of OHTA, he single-handedly researched and composed the text, typeset the book, made up the pages and utilised a local commercial printer at Bribie Island. Such was his industry and self-sufficiency. Graeme often remarked about the difficulty of illustrating his books, saying that this could only be met by self-processing and printing. For that reason he invested in an enlarger and darkroom equipment to print thousands of photos over the years. Similarly, he maintained that, before digital photography, some organs could only be satisfactorily illustrated by drawings. Thus, he studied pen-and-ink techniques and drawings by H.T. Lily and especially A.G. Hill. Eventually, he created around 250 drawings of organs, churches, houses and more. There were also many of nature  koalas, other mammals, and butterflies which often appeared on his Christmas cards. One from 2013, addressed to me, speaks of his clinging tightly to my twig as I still have much more to write and complete, and also you might visit here again, if I can still chirp! Our final stay was in March. Loading His chirping now has ceased, but OHTA plans to issue a memorial book of the organ drawings, many of which graced the covers and illustrations for OHTA News and conference books for decades.
The news

Brisbanes Victoria Barracks is being considered for sale, with high-level support for the site to be opened up to the public and made a part of the citys burgeoning sport and entertainment precinct.

An audit of Defence property holdings will be completed by the end of the year and includes a review of the largely dormant barracks at Petrie Terrace, between Caxton and Countess streets.

Rethinking Brisbanes Victoria Barracks between Roma Street and Suncorp Stadium. Credit: Nine

For years, the site has been eyed off by Brisbane officials and planners as the missing link between Roma Street train station and Suncorp Stadium. Its landmark buildings and open spaces could become cultural and tourist drawcards, in an area that also includes the Roma Street Parkland and planned Brisbane Arena venue.
A startling number is about to add a toxic combination of fear and alarm to a national argument on migration that will help define federal politics after the Voice referendum  and may even shape the next election.

The number is 454,400, and it is deeply troubling news for Australia because it sums up the enormous strain on the country from a surge in migrants after the pandemic. The figure shows the net overseas migration over the 12 months to the end of March, after deducting the number of departures from those who arrived over that year.

Illustration: Simon Letch. Credit:

Its the highest level of net migration in Australias history, and its being taken as proof that Australia has opened the floodgates to migrants.

But that old analogy is exactly the wrong way to look at this challenge when so much of the argument actually opens the floodgates on stale rhetoric, frightening conjecture and tired blame games.
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

Digital lender ubank has released a brokers guide to using TikTok to support brokers wanting to tap into the growing channel that has become increasingly popular among younger Australians.

George Srbinovski (pictured above left), ubanks head of broker distribution, said there was a real opportunity for brokers to reach buyers through the platform, which is the fastest growing social media site in Australia.

TikTok is increasingly favoured by younger generations over traditional search engines, Srbinovski said.

Many of our brokers want to be more active on social media but dont know where to start, so off the back of our successful BrokerFest events, we wanted to continue to provide real, actionable content that helps them build a better business.

Why should mortgage brokers consider TikTok as part of their marketing strategy?

Apart from being the place for bussin viral dance trends, TikTok is also a powerful short-form video platform that has become synonymous with Gen-Z and internet culture.

TikTok has over one billion users, more than LinkedIn and Twitter, and was the most popular app for consumer spending in 2022.

As a gauge, the hashtag #TikTokmademebuyit has gained 31.8 billion lifetime views and counting.

However, the mortgage industry has not fully embraced it as a marketing tool, unlike Facebook or LinkedIn.

But with TikTok estimating 33% of its users wanted to apply for a home loan in the next six months, Srbinonski said that might be about to change.

Our partners at TikTok were able to share some interesting consumer insights with us, and this was the catalyst for us better educating and supporting our brokers tap into this channel, said Srbinovski.

For example, home loan content is growing massively, according to these insights, with 69 million views of #mortgage content in the past year.

ubank's in-house social media team is dedicated to staying updated and extending their knowledge to our broker network, to help them build a strong brand presence online, Srbinovski said.

As part of the first of three A Brokers guide to TikTok carousels, we highlight the opportunity of how to engage with younger audiences on TikTok by creating human-led, relatable and engaging content, Srbinovski said.

What strategies work on TikTok for mortgage brokers?

Part of the reason TikTok use among mortgage brokerages havent been as widespread might be due to the type of content.

Ubank said the most effective content formats for capturing the attention of potential home loan clients on TikTok are short, engaging videos that provide educational information, customer testimonials, real estate market updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, interactive challenges, infographics, Q&A sessions, humour, relatability, duets, and collaborations.

This is usually different from the written content that dominates Facebook and LinkedIn.

The format should be vertical videos, between 7 to 15 seconds or up to 30 seconds for longer-form educational content, Srbinovski said. We would recommend a minimum of two posts per week, to keep your audience engaged but always take a quality over quantity approach.

However, as the data indicates some are already carving out a space on the platform and have already reaped the rewards.

For example, Robbo the Aussie Mortgage Guy from Trusted Finance Loans has already amassed 7 million likes and has more than 429,000 followers.

In one video (pictured below), he went viral gaining over 170,000 views from one post.

Building a personal brand

While the opportunity of going viral brings with it obvious benefits, its important to consider that, just like mortgage broking itself, success doesnt happen overnight.

For Peter Vassilis (pictured above right), director of Sydney-based brokerage Black and White Finance, his TikTok marketing journey is just starting.

Once a month, Vassilis said he posted a market update as part of his educational market strategy  a snippet of the companys blog.

We want to demystify financial topics with no grey areas, presenting information in simple language in short 45 to 60 second videos, Vassilis said.

We aim for those with immediate finance questions or mortgage needs, or anyone seeking educational content related to finance. We're not specifically targeting a niche yet, but it's part of our future plans.

While Vasillis hadnt been able to measure any specific leads through TikTok yet, he said some new clients mentioned they discovered the brokerage on TikTok and found it to be an additional source for verifying the businesss credibility.

It seems people are using it to supplement their research on us.

Vasillis said that he hoped the industry and brokers would begin to try and engage with TikTok more as it was going to be an important platform of the future.

The short, bite-sized pieces of information really helps you hone your message. I dont know the data, but people have short attention spans, especially on TikTok, so its important to get your ideas across in a clear, simple and concise way.

Srbinovski agreed, saying that through TikTok, brokers could reach buyers in the lead up to purchase by entertaining and educating target audiences, while demonstrating their point of difference.

Brokers have opportunities on TikTok to create educational content, build their personal brand, and collaborate with potential customers. ubank supports them by providing helpful tips and insights on using the platform effectivel, Srbinovski said.
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

Salestrekker has set a release date for its new lending, origination, and CRM platform dubbed Salestrekker 2.0.

According to Salestrekker founder and CEO Dalibor Ivkovic (pictured above), Salestrekker 2.0 will be a powerful tool to help finance brokers protect their market share and help fend off fintechs who are intent on eroding their margins.

With bank-grade security, mobile origination capabilities and an enterprise solution for aggregators and subgroups, Salestrekker 2.0 delivers a single lending and origination and CRM platform that will change Australias lending landscape forever.

Key details

Available from January 1, 2024, the CRM and loan management software system will undergo pilot testing in the months leading up across firstly aggregators and then residential, commercial and asset finance brokers.

While a price has not been announced yet, the platform's features will be split by a regular and premium service.

There will be also be a transitional period during which both platforms can be used concurrently until the launch date.

With so much data sitting on the original platform, there will be no live sync between the two systems. Instead, all data from Salestrekker will be migrated to the new platform like for like, including all documents and files.

Designed to provide better results in the future

Since its launch in 2015, Salestrekker has built a reputation as a popular CRM solution for Australian mortgage brokers.

Providing white-labelled software-as-a-service origination to over 9,000 users in Australia and New Zealand, it has been a major staple of the industrys major aggregators, including SFG, outsource Financial, Yellow Brick Road, Resolve, Purple Circle, Astute, and Mortgage Australia Group.

Now the broker-focused solution has been fully re-developed to help finance brokers stay ahead of industry trends. With improved automation, Quick tools, and deal scenarios, Salestrekker 2.0 can also be used on any device.

Its like having your office in your pocket, said Ivkovic.

Ivkovic said he platform is designed so finance brokers can streamline an end-to-end sales process, lock in clients faster and improve revenue.

Its also a win-win for aggregators who can benefit from higher sales volumes, he said.

Salestrekker 2.0 innovation is all about exceptional task functionality within a highly automated endto-end solution. There is nothing else like it on the market. Its easier than ever for a finance broker to diversify from mortgages to new asset financing.

Addressing new opportunities in a mobile world

The new platform is also differentiating itself with its decision service to help brokers write loans and identify new opportunities from their existing client book and leads.

Salestrekker 2.0 moves beyond a CRM platform that produces compliance documents, recommendations and lodgements. It now automates the client relationship beyond mortgages to highly lucrative personal and asset finance arrangements, delivering more competitive choices for everyday Australians and industry participants, Dalibor said.

Salestrekker 2.0 is Australia's first truly mobile origination platform, letting brokers originate loans from any device, including smart phones and tablets.

The platform will also come with bank-grade data security with improved protections around its application programming interface (API) connections with other software providers.

However, this will mean the current API integrations will need to be refreshed uring the transition period.

It will also feature a new user management system that allows business owners to secure access to relevant platform sections for their employees, contractors and referral partners.
FILE PHOTO: Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing, China January 21, 2021. (Photo: Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

In the midst of escalating geopolitical tensions, the United States is embarking on its most significant overhaul of its secretive undersea surveillance network since the Cold War's conclusion. Reuters reported that this move is a strategic counter to China's burgeoning submarine capabilities and its own maritime surveillance ambitions.

Located 50 miles north of Seattle, the U.S. Navy's Whidbey Island facility, once tasked with tracking whale movements, has been rebranded as the Theater Undersea Surveillance Command. This change signifies a broader U.S. military initiative: the rejuvenation of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS). This resurgence comes at a time when China's military activities around Taiwan are intensifying, stoking fears of a potential clash over the democratically governed territory that Beijing seeks to reclaim.

The IUSS project, previously unreported, aims to modernize the U.S.'s underwater acoustic spy cables and equip surveillance ships with state-of-the-art sensors and subsea microphones. This upgrade is designed to enhance the military's espionage capabilities. In a move to strengthen Pacific defenses, the U.S. has also agreed to provide Australia with similar technology.

The Navy's ambitious plan includes deploying unmanned sea drones for enemy detection, installing portable "underwater satellite" sensors on the ocean floor, utilizing satellites to track ships based on their radio frequencies, and leveraging artificial intelligence to swiftly analyze maritime spy data.

China, in parallel, is advancing its maritime spy program, dubbed the "Great Underwater Wall." This initiative involves installing sonar-equipped cables along the South China Sea's seabed, a region rife with territorial disputes. Additionally, China is developing a fleet of underwater drones to detect enemy submarines.

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the primary battleground for U.S.-China military rivalry. Beijing's assertive stance towards Taiwan, territorial disputes with neighboring countries, and its resistance to the longstanding U.S. naval presence in the region have exacerbated tensions between the two superpowers.

The U.S. Navy's renewed focus on maritime surveillance is driven by China's rapid ascent as a naval power, the potential threats its vessels pose to Taiwan and critical undersea infrastructure, and Ukraine's innovative maritime warfare tactics against Russian forces. The latter showcased the efficacy of low-cost unmanned sea vehicles in targeting enemy ships, underscoring the potential significance of submarine warfare in any future U.S.-China conflict.

Brent Sadler, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have to invest faster in next-generation capabilities. We're losing the lead, and the Chinese are rapidly catching up."

The U.S. Navy's surveillance endeavors are rooted in the 1950s Sound Surveillance System, which utilized hydrophone cables on the ocean floor to detect Soviet submarines. With the Soviet Union's dissolution in the 1990s, the IUSS's focus shifted to monitoring marine life and offshore seismic activity. However, China's emergence as a naval contender and Ukraine's effective use of drones against Russia's Black Sea fleet have reinvigorated the U.S. military's commitment to ocean surveillance.

As the U.S. and China vie for maritime dominance, the undersea espionage race is intensifying. Both nations are investing heavily in advanced technologies to bolster their surveillance capabilities, signaling a new era of underwater warfare and intelligence-gathering.
India attended a two-day meeting convened by a neutral expert in Vienna that was part of proceedings aimed at resolution of a dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve was present in the capacity of India's lead counsel in the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

"A delegation from India, led by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, attended a meeting of the neutral expert proceedings in the Kishenganga and Ratle matter at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Vienna on September 20 and 21," it said.

The MEA said the meeting was convened by the neutral expert appointed on India's request under the aegis of the Indus Waters Treaty and was attended by representatives of India and Pakistan.

"India's participation in this meeting is in line with India's consistent, principled stand that as per the graded mechanism provided for in the Indus Waters Treaty, the neutral expert proceedings are the only valid proceedings at this juncture," the MEA said in a statement.

"It is for this reason that India has taken the Treaty-consistent decision to not participate in the parallel proceedings being conducted by an illegally constituted Court of Arbitration on the same set of issues pertaining to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects," it said.

The MEA said the neutral expert proceedings are ongoing and expected to continue for some time.

"India is committed to engaging in a manner that supports the resolution of issues in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty," it said.

India has not cooperated with the Court of Arbitration process to resolve the dispute.

India considers the start of the two concurrent processes to resolve the dispute violates the provision of the three-step graded mechanism prescribed in the Indus Waters Treaty.

India has been pushing for resolution of the dispute through the neutral expert proceedings.

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Paving the way for its enactment, the Rajya Sabha passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam  the womens reservation Bill, or the 128th Constitution amendment Bill on Thursday, with all 215 members present in the House in favour. The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of all Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly seats for women, the previous day.

At the time of voting, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the members of the Upper House about the happy coincidence of this being Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday according to Hindu calendar. The members of the House greeted the PM, whose birthday falls on September 17 by Gregorian calendar, and he accepted the greetings with folded hands.

Official sources claimed that the Bill did not need ratification from states, as mandated otherwise for Constitution amendments, since it had been introduced under specific provisions and did not affect the representation of states in Parliament. During the discussion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the decennial census could begin in 2024, and the delimitation would be held subsequently to identify the one-third of seats to be reserved.

Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J P Nadda said the 2029 Lok Sabha elections would be held with a third of seats reserved for women. Calling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claim that the government had only three of its 90 secretaries from other backward classes (OBC) misplaced, he clarified that secretaries being empanelled currently were from the 1992 batch; the OBC reservation in central services had not kicked in until 1995.

Drawing the House's attention to the procedures involved in ensuring the implementation of the BIll, Sitharaman said the 42nd Constitution amendment of 1976 froze delimitation until 2000, and the 84th amendment in 2002 until 2026. She said the current law allowed for delimitation to take place after 2026, following the latest decennial census. She said the reservation would apply only after the dissolution of an Assembly or the Lok Sabha and has a 15-year sunset clause.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to specify the month and year when it would be implemented to address misgivings that it was merely a political slogan, a jumla. He said the Bill could be implemented at the earliest by delinking it with the census and delimitation exercise. Congress MPs reiterated their demand for a quota for OBC women in the reservation.

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Independent MP Kapil Sibal said the 1972 delimitation took four years and was concluded in 1976, suggesting that a similar timeline, with the delimitation exercise starting in 2026, would delay the implementation beyond 2029. "I want the Prime Minister and the home minister to make a statement in this House. We don't know who will come to power, but they must make a statement that if they don't complete the process by 2029, they will resign. We will know the genuineness of why they have moved it in 2023."

On the government's inability to conduct the 2021 census because of the pandemic, Sibal said the US, England, and China completed the census even during Covid-19. The former Union law minister said the finance commission allocates resources based on population, and if census data is unavailable, the allocations become skewed.

BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani underscored the necessity of a delimitation, a quasi-judicial process, and said it was possible to implement the one-third reservation by 2029. He said the census could commence in 2024 and could be completed expeditiously, thanks to digitisation, and delimitation could be completed by 2025. The reservation could become a reality by the Assembly elections in 2026 and the Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

Soon after the Lok Sabha assembled earlier in the day, PM Modi described the passage of the Bill as a "golden moment" in India's parliamentary history and thanked the members for their contribution to the "sacred" task. He also thanked the Rajya Sabha MPs at the end of the discussion in the House.
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Foreign Ministers of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations on Thursday called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations (UN), and advocated the inclusion of India, South Africa and Brazil in its Security Council (UNSC).Brics Foreign Ministers said in a joint statement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joined the meeting virtually.At the last Brics Summit in Johannesburg, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had supported such a move, warning that without such reforms, fragmentation of the UN body would be inevitable.The statement also pointed to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine."The ministers recalled their national positions concerning the conflict in and around Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and General Assembly, and noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," the statement said.On the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the nations further reaffirmed the call for donor countries to honour their Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries, in line with the national policy objectives of recipients.Giving credence to media reports suggesting that Brics nations are closely aligning policies on artificial intelligence, the ministers announced the nations are exploring the establishment of an effective global governance framework with the aim to protect human rights and spur innovation and economic growth.Climate crisisThe nations also called upon advanced economies to operationalise the fund on Loss and Damage at the upcoming COP28 environmental meet in Dubai.The fund was touted as a historic breakthrough in negotiations at last year's COP27 meet, and aims to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change.But differences have since erupted over which nations can access it, with reports that India may not be able to benefit from it.The ministers have also reiterated that developed countries need to ensure 'new, additional, predictable, adequate and timely flow of affordable climate finance.They also pointed out the need for capacity building and transfer of technology for climate actions.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called for an expansion of the United Nations Security Council, backing India's bid for a permanent membership of the UN body, along with Brazil, Germany and Japan.

He emphasised that Africa deserves a louder voice on the world stage.

In his opening remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Cleverly said, "I will summarize by saying that the challenges the world presents us are legion. But we do have the opportunity to make positive progress. We do have the opportunity to get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track."

"It is going to mean that we work with our traditional friends and allies, but it also means that we have to give voice to the emerging powers in the world. The UK has encouraged an expansion of the United Nations Security Council for example, we believe that India, Brazil, Germany, Japan should have permanent membership, and Africa really deserves a louder voice on the world stage," he added.

Notably, reforms in the global systems have been an issue continuously raised by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at global fora. During his concluding address at the G20 Leaders Summit in Delhi, 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.

Further, in his address at the Council on Foreign Relations, Cleverly spoke about his visit to Beijing. He said he spoke with the Chinese government about areas where the two nations "have deep, deep disagreements."

He spoke about China's treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang, their failure to abide by the commitment to freely enter Hong Kong and their "aggressive posture" across the Taiwan Strait.

Cleverly said he engaged with them on some of the issues, which included economic recovery, after the conference, and how to take benefit from artificial intelligence.

The UK Foreign Minister said Russian President Vladimir Putin believed that he could outlast Ukraine and its friends around the world. However, he was wrong. He lauded the US for providing military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a "leading supplier of military aid" to Kyiv. He noted that the support of the UK, US and other nations around the world has made a difference in giving the "Ukrainians a fighting chance at the beginning of this conflict."

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"The US is the leading supplier of military aid to Ukraine and I pay tribute to your nation's generosity. And the Ukrainians are making the most of their support. And I know sometimes there's frustration with the pace of their counter-offensive, I've had military briefings, and whilst I don't want to bore you with the details, the Russian occupying forces have spent a huge amount of time and effort fortifying the whole of that southern part of Ukraine, meaning that any advance would inevitably need to be both slow and methodical," Cleverly said.

"Russia has suffered many times more fatalities in combat in just over eighteen months than the Soviets did during their 10 years in Afghanistan. That level is unsustainable," he said, adding that the UK will continue to call on the international community to offer support to Ukraine.
Indian American entrepreneur and Republican Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy on Thursday will unveil his plan on how the US will "declare independence from China."

The details regarding the event mentioned on Ramaswamy's official website read, "Political outsider and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will offer unprecedented detail on how the United States will declare independence from Communist China in a speech on Thursday, September 21."

In an address that he will deliver in Ohio's Columbus on Thursday, Ramaswamy said he will "delineate the heretofore-unexamined connection between the rise of 'stakeholder capitalism' in the West and China's use of that trend to achieve economic parity with the US by failing to adopt the constraints that multinational institutions apply to the US", Fox News reported citing a preview of his speech.

Further, the preview of his policy speech also includes the use of forced data and technology transfers and even "pro-CCP US lobbying as a condition" to acquire licenses to do business in China, including but not limited to applying constraints in the US while not being able to apply such caps in Beijing.

Ramaswamy will speak about what he terms a "pro-trade approach to sensibly decoupling from China" and "knocked conservatives" who do not support a "trade-led agenda" and call it "unserious." He will call for declaring independence from the climate agenda of the US and "declare independence from China" abroad. He will emphasise that the climate agenda has nothing to do with climate and has everything to do with "allowing Beijing to catch up to the US".

The preview of the speech reads further, "Electric vehicle agenda worsens dependence on China for rare earth minerals and mineral refining capacity: when U.S. taxpayers subsidize EVs, American taxpayers subsidize the CCP", Fox News reported.

In his address, he will also talk about US military dependence on China. He will propose that limiting engagement in other parts of the world like Ukraine and the Middle East will reopen substantial funds to reinvest in the US' domestic base without the need to enhance the country's military budget, according to the Fox News report.

Ramaswamy will also propose reducing the US' pharmaceutical dependence on China by bolstering trade partnerships with Israel and India, Fox News reported. He will call for making similar efforts with regard to rare earth minerals with countries like India and Brazil. He will propose all American companies to declare "lithium independence" from China and increase their imports from Chile.

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Last week, Ramaswamy vowed to end the H-1B visa program if elected to power, US-based POLITICO reported. Terming the H-1B Visa as "indentured servitude", Ramaswamy called it to replace the "lottery system" for an "actual meritocratic admission", adding that the US needs to eliminate chain-based migration.

"The lottery system needs to be replaced by actual meritocratic admission. It's a form of indentured servitude that only accrues to the benefit of the company that sponsored an H-1B immigrant. I'll gut it," Ramaswamy said in a statement to POLITICO.

He added, "The people who come as family members are not the meritocratic immigrants who make skills-based contributions to this country."

Notably, H-1B is a non-immigrant visa, which is highly sought after including in India. This allows US companies to employ foreign workers in occupations that require some technical expertise

These visas are highly sought after, and the demand for these workers in the US has only increased with time.
BYD's high-end sub-brand, Yangwang, officially unveiled the U8 Premium Edition priced at 1,098,000 RMB

Yangwang U8 Premium Edition will start delivering on October

Cutting-edge technologies, including the e Platform and DiSus-P Platform, elevate the U8 Premium Edition's off-road prowess and safety.

BYD, the worlds leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power battery, today officially launched the U8 Premium Edition under its high-end sub-brand, Yangwang, priced at 1,098,000 RMB, and announced that its delivery will start in October this year.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921878681/en/

Yangwang U8 Premium Edition Off-road scene (Photo: Business Wire)

This exceptional vehicle boasts a plug-in hybrid system, offering an impressive CLTC (Comprehensive Long Trip Capability) range of up to 1,000 km, ensuring peace of mind during off-road adventures. The Yangwang U8 is powered by two groundbreaking technologies: the e platform and the DiSus-P Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System.

The U8 Premium Edition boasts unique features such as all-terrain tank turns, tire blowout stabilization, and emergency flotation, ensuring unparalleled safety, exceptional performance, and an extraordinary driving experience. The U8 Premium Edition aims to redefine the million-level new energy off-road segment.

Disruptive EV Technologies Empower the Masterpiece

The U8 Premium Edition is driven by the revolutionary e Platform and the DiSus-P technologies. BYD's e Platform is the world's first mass-produced four-motor independent drive technology platform, designed to offer leading-class safety and performance. Compared with conventional fuel vehicles, it precisely controls the dynamics of all four wheels through four-motor independent vector control, providing rapid sensing, precise recognition, and robust control capabilities.

The U8 Premium Edition packs a whopping 1,200 horsepower, it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The precise torque vectoring on each wheel ensures stability even during a tire blowout, pushing the boundaries of active automotive safety.

The BYD DiSus Intelligent Body Control System is another proprietary breakthrough, enhancing vehicle agility and compatibility in various driving scenarios. It reduces the risk of rollovers, minimizes occupant displacement during high-speed cornering, acceleration, or braking, and protects the vehicle from damage under challenging road conditions.

An Unprecedented Premium Off-roader for the Discerning Driver

The U8 Premium Edition supports fast DC charging at rates of up to 110 kW, allowing a charge from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes. In extreme conditions, such as flash floods or off-road water obstacles, the U8 Premium Edition can remain afloat for up to 30 minutes, maintaining stability and control for swift evasion.* Its 6 kW vehicle-to-load (VTL) discharge capability can power electronic devices and high-power equipment for up to 25 hours. The Yangwang U8 Premium Edition integrates 38 high-precision components and the robust NVIDIA DRIVE Orin intelligent driving processor, with a computational capability of up to 508 TOPS. The Yangwang U8 Premium Edition is equipped with Blade Batteries and supplemented with Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology, ensuring comprehensive travel safety.

Inside, the U8 Premium Edition's symmetrical, dual-layered cockpit features a 12.8-inch OLED Galaxy Curved Center Display, dual 23.6-inch longitudinal screens for the driver and front passenger, and high-end Nappa leather seats combined with Sapele wood from Africa. With three wireless charging spots, compatible with 50 kW fast charging, passengers can enjoy quick and convenient charging. It also boasts the Dynaudio Evidence Series high-end audio system with 22 speakers, offering an immersive auditory experience.

The Future Journey of Yangwang U8

Earlier this year, BYD unveiled its high-end sub-brand, Yangwang, dedicated to providing premium services accessible to consumers. Display vehicles of the U8 Premium Edition are now showcased in stores across major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, with deliveries scheduled to start in October. Over 60 Yangwangs direct sale stores are under construction, with plans to open more than 90 stores in over 40 cities by year-end.

With BYD's unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability, Yangwang represents the future of greener transportation. Yangwang aims to push the boundaries of new energy vehicle evolution, offering robust performance, uncompromising safety, and an unparalleled driving experience.

*The emergency flotation feature is a passively triggered emergency function. The manufacturer advises users against attempting it without due cause. Once triggered, the vehicle needs to be returned to the factory for a thorough check.

About BYD

BYD is a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker, BYD now boasts a diverse business scope covering automobiles, rail transit, new energy, and electronics, with over 30 industrial parks in China, the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Hungary, and India. From energy generation and storage to its applications, BYD is dedicated to providing zero-emission energy solutions that reduce global reliance on fossil fuels. Its new energy vehicle footprint now covers 6 continents, over 70 countries and regions, and more than 400 cities. Listed in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, the company is known to be a Fortune Global 500 enterprise that furnishes innovations in pursuit of a greener world.

For more information, please visit www.bydglobal.com.

About BYD Auto

Founded in 2003, BYD Auto is the automotive subsidiary of BYD, a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Aiming to accelerate the green transition of the global transportation sector, BYD Auto focuses on developing pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company has mastered the core technologies of the entire industrial chain of new energy vehicles, such as batteries, electric motors, and electronic controllers. It has witnessed in recent years significant technological advancements, including the Blade Battery, DM-i Super Hybrid Technology, e Platform 3.0, CTB Technology, e Platform, BYD DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, and DMO super hybrid system. The company is the world's first carmaker to stop the production of fossil-fueled vehicles on the EV shift and has remained top of new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 10 years in a row.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921878681/en/
motorola edge 40 neo comes in three exquisite PANTONE curated colours: Black Beauty, Soothing Sea, and Caneel Bay.

The motorola edge 40 neo is the Worlds Lightest 5G smartphone featuring IP68 underwater protection.

This device is the world's first smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 Processor, a 6nm chipset.

Featuring the segments first 6.55 pOLED curved display with a refresh rate of upto 144Hz and support for 10-bit billion colors . It also supports a peak brightness of 1300nits .

with a refresh rate of and support for . It also supports a peak brightness of . It comes with a 50MP Ultra Pixel Night Vision camera with OIS capability for stable 4K videos and All-Pixel Focus technology for 32x more focusing pixels .

Night Vision camera with capability for stable 4K videos and technology for . The motorola edge 40 is priced at Rs. 23,999 for 8GB+128GB and Rs. 25,999 for 12GB+256GB. However, this phone will be available at a special limited period festive price of just Rs. 20,999 for 8GB + 128GB and just Rs. 22,999 for 12GB + 256GB variant . It will go on sale from 28th Sep, 7pm on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores.

. It will go on on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores. Consumers can also avail exchange bonus offer of Rs. 1000 or an instant bank discount of Rs. 1000 making the net effective price start at Rs. 19,999 for 8GB + 128GB. Additionally, consumers can get No Cost EMI starting at Rs. 3500/month from leading banks.



Motorola, Indias best 5G smartphone brand, today announced the launch of its latest offering in the edge series, the motorola edge 40 neo. A device that embodies the edge familys mission to develop state-of-the-art technology and provide users with marquee features at cost-effective prices.



Staying ahead of the curve, the motorola edge 40 neo is a true headturner as it has been launched in PANTONE curated trend-setting color options, in an elegant, thin endless edge design. This device inspires individuality and encourages personal style through the powerful shades of Black Beauty, Soothing Sea, and Caneel Bay. The motorola edge 40 neo is equipped with the segments first IP68 underwater protection and can effortlessly withstand dust, dirt, and sand, along with up to 30 minutes of submersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water. The smartphone is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a reliable companion even on an adventurous day. In fact, this smartphone is the Worlds Lightest 5G Phone with IP68 Underwater protection. This 172g ultra light and 7.79mm ultra-thin body with a contoured endless edge design makes it exceptionally tactile and provides a great in-hand feel. The smartphone has a premium vegan leather finish providing a soft tactile touch along with a solid grip. It also comes with an option of 3D PMMA acrylic glass finish in black beauty color.



Furthermore, users can binge-watch movies, the latest shows and play games on the incredibly vivid, segment 1st 144Hz 6.55 pOLED curved display with support for a billion colors. This curved edge borderless display is complemented by a 144Hz refresh rate which makes the UI super smooth and fluid, making it an effortless process to switch apps and swap windows. Videos radiate a heightened vibrancy and lifelike quality, owing to the 10-bit colour and DCI-P3 offering an extensive palette of over a billion shades that meet cinematic excellence. Additionally, the motorola edge 40 neo boasts an impressive 1300nits of peak brightness, ensuring users a comfortable fatigue-free visual experience even in bright sunlight. motorola edge 40 neo with its curved display brings the interesting feature of edge lights which light up the curved edges in different ways to let you know about a new notification, an incoming phone call, and more. It supports dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos making it a true head turning entertainer.



The motorola edge 40 neo is a processing powerhouse, boasting the Worlds 1st MediaTek Dimensity 7030 lightning-fast processor which is a 6nm chipset supporting Wi-Fi 6e for incredible speeds and has MediaTek HyperEngineTM game Technology for the best gaming experience.



The motorola edge 40 neo is the go-to device for photography enthusiasts who are on a budget. With its 50MP Ultra Pixel Night Vision primary camera, this is the perfect device for night photography, eliminating any challenging lighting conditions. The Auto Night Vision technology captures pictures up to 16x faster than its predecessor. Its Instant All-Pixel Focus technology for 32x more focusing pixels, results in faster, impeccable performance in any light, and OIS, lets in more light by stabilizing hand movement, allowing longer exposure times for spectacular shots. Not just that, the rear camera system also has a 13MP secondary camera which supports an ultra-wide-angle lens along with Macro Vision and Depth segment. On the front, users are presented with a 32MP selfie camera with quad-pixel technology which guarantees remarkable selfies in all lighting conditions. Additionally, there are multiple flagship-grade camera features such as Horizon Lock Stabilization, Video Portrait, Audio Zoom, and Vlog Mode for users to explore their creativity without boundaries. The horizon lock feature is another segment first and advances the level of OIS which impeccably captures action shots, keeping the camera stable even while rotating up to 360 degrees thus avoiding shaky videos. Additionally, the processing occurs in real-time, without latency, ensuring clear image.



The device comes equipped with a massive 5000mAh battery with a 68W TurboPower fast charger included in the box, charging the battery to 50% in just 15 minutes.



The motorola edge 40 neo's software capabilities are as impressive as its hardware. Its numerous software offerings such as Family Space, Moto Secure, and My UX give users an optimized smartphone experience that users can customize. The Family Spaces feature allows a Motorola user to remotely control another Motorola smartphone user's screen for remote guidance, selecting the interface of certain apps, exercising parental control, and managing the timing of other users, especially kids, using the apps. Moto Secure allows users to manage network security, control app permissions, and even create a secret folder for their most sensitive data, making it a go-to destination for all the vital security and privacy features on the smartphone. The Moto Connect and Ready For feature lets users connect their smartphone wirelessly to a TV to play mobile games, make video calls, and use the smartphones apps on a big screen. With My UX, the smartphone can be customized to create a one-in-a-million look ensuring that the device reflects their individual style and preferences like no other. While the device runs on Android 13 with no bloatware and Motorola has assured 2 OS upgrades and 3 years of security upgrades.



Mr. Prashanth Mani, Executive Director - Motorola Asia Pacific, said, "We are excited to launch the motorola edge 40 neo in India, which showcases our dedication to cutting-edge technology and innovation. This impressive device sets new standards with its segment-first features across design, display, battery life, and performance. The edge 40 Neo is the Worlds Lightest 5G smartphone with IP68 Underwater Protection, comes with a 144Hz curved display with billion colors, the Worlds 1st MediaTek Dimensity 7030 processor with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, plus an ultra-premium design that makes it a head turner in its truest sense. Additionally, it comes in a range of Pantone colors that embody Motorola's signature style. We are certain that this smartphone will set new benchmarks and encourage users to explore new levels of creativity, connectivity, and convenience."



Availability & Pricing



The motorola edge 40 neo is available in three stunning PantoneTM colour variants, Caneel Bay and Soothing Sea in vegan leather finish and Black Beauty in PMMA (acrylic glass) finish. The smartphone will go on sale from 28th September 2023, 7PM on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores including Reliance Digital.



For 8GB + 128GB variant,



Launch Price : Rs. 23,999

Special Festive Launch Price : Rs. 20,999



For 12GB + 256GB variant,



Launch Price : Rs.25,999

Special Festive Launch Price : Rs. 22,999



Affordability Offers:



Consumers can choose from the following two offers to purchase the device making the effective price of the product starting at Rs. 19,999 (for 8GB+128GB) and Rs. 21,999 (for 12GB+256GB)



Rs. 1,000 Additional bump-up on exchange Rs. 1,000 Instant bank discount on select bank



Additionally, consumers can also avail No Cost EMIs up to 6 months on leading bank cards  making the effective ownership cost starting at Rs.3,500/month.

To know more about the product visit:



Flipkart -

Motorola website -



Operator Offers:



Consumers can avail additional benefits worth Rs. 10,000 from Reliance Jio.



This includes Cashback worth Rs. 2,000 (Rs 50 x 40 months) on prepaid plan of Rs. 399 along with additional partner offers like Ajio, Yatra, Swiggy, AbhiBus and Net Meds worth Rs. 8000



To know more about the offer: https://www.jio.com/en-in/jio-motorola-edge40neo-offer-2023



Marketing Spec sheet making the effective ownership cost starting atFlipkart - https://www.flipkart.com/motorola-edge-40-neo-coming-soon-eh83dh-store Motorola website - https://www.motorola.in/smartphones-motorola-edge-40-neo/p Consumers can avail additional benefits worth Rs. 10,000 from Reliance Jio.This includes Cashback worth Rs. 2,000 (Rs 50 x 40 months) on prepaid plan of Rs. 399 along with additional partner offers like Ajio, Yatra, Swiggy, AbhiBus and Net Meds worth Rs. 8000Marketing Spec sheet
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) announced today that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has verified its Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions reductions targets. PMI is one of very few companies so far to achieve this recognition.

Land use and agricultural sectors offer vast opportunities for GHG removals, including agroforestry, soil carbon sequestration, and forest restoration, for example. Adopting a science-based target for Forest, Land, and Agriculture will support PMI to further accelerate its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions arising from land use.

According to the Science Based Targets initiative, SBTis FLAG guidance provides the worlds first standard method for companies in land-intensive sectors to set science-based targets that include land-based emission reductions and removals. The guidance enables companies to reduce the 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land use.

PMI maintains its science-based target to reach net-zero emissions for scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2040, which was validated by SBTi in July 2022. As part of its ongoing net-zero commitment, PMI has now pledged to reduce absolute scope 3 emissions related to forestry, land, and agriculture (FLAG) by 33.3% by 2030 in line with SBTi best practice. PMI aspires to reducing all other scope 3 emissions by 27.5% within the same timeframe. PMIs 2040 net-zero target remains in line with a 1.5-degree scenario, aligned with leading edge target-setters across business industries. PMI outlines comprehensive plans to achieving net-zero by 2040 in its Low-Carbon Transition Plan.

We renew and continue our effort to direct our activities toward decarbonizing our value chain and are committed to aligning our work with relevant updates on international methodologies, such as the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) and guidance from the SBTi on forest, land, and agriculture (FLAG) science-based targets, said Scott Coutts, Senior Vice President of Operations at PMI.

The SBTis science-based targets on forestry, land use, and agriculture will become the gold standard for companies within the agricultural sector to accelerate emissions reductions, and we are pleased to be early adopters, said Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer at PMI. The SBTis validation demonstrates that our targets are rooted in science and aligned with the Paris Climate Agreements goal to keep global warming to the 1.5C threshold that is considered the limit beyond which climate-related impacts will be catastrophic.

Ahead of the validation, PMI was included in Forbes first-ever Net Zero Leaders ranking,1 which highlights the 100 U.S. public companies that are best positioning themselves to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions and ultimately offset them by 2050. On the inaugural ranking, which considered initiatives to reduce carbon emissions from the companys own operations and that of its suppliers, vendors, and customers, PMI ranked seventh overall, and first within its peer group. The ranking also considered the companys management structure around risk assessment, governance, strategy, and metrics for achieving its decarbonization goals and its financial strength to withstand industry competition and economic turmoil.

Read PMIs Low-Carbon Transition Plan, PMIs Integrated Report 2022, or visit pmi.com/sustainability to learn more. Additional information about the SBTi and PMIs approved targets are available at https://sciencebasedtargets.org.

Science Based Targets initiative

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies targets. www.sciencebasedtargets.org @sciencetargets.

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 Matcha leader in oral nicotine deliverycreating 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 78 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 2023 second-quarter 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.

Philip Morris International: SBTi Near- and Long-Term Targets

Overall Net-Zero Target: Philip Morris International commits to reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2040.

Near-Term Targets Energy/industrial: Philip Morris International commits to reduce absolute scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.

Philip Morris International also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 27.5% within the same timeframe.*

*The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks. FLAG: Philip Morris International commits to reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions 33.3% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.* Philip Morris International also commits to no deforestation across its primary deforestation-linked commodities with a target date of FY2025. *The target includes FLAG emissions and removals.

Long-Term Targets Energy/industrial: Philip Morris International commits to reduce absolute scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2040 from a 2019 base year.*

*The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks. FLAG: Philip Morris International commits to reduce absolute scope 3 FLAG GHG emissions 72% by 2040 from a 2019 base year.*

*The target includes FLAG emissions and removals.

# # #

1 2023 Forbes Media LLC. used with permission.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921892822/en/
SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, today announced the launch of new service management and database observability solutions designed to help companies achieve operational excellence, better business outcomes and accelerated innovation across the enterprise.

Announced at todays SolarWinds Day virtual summit, the new Enterprise Service Management (ESM) and upgraded SQL Sentry solutions are part of the companys ongoing transformative strategy to uniquely unify observability and service management. As a leader in enterprise software for nearly 25 years, SolarWinds provides customers with the tools they need to get maximum value from their digital innovation efforts and increase productivity within complex IT environments. With a broad customer base across IT ops, DevOps, SecOps, AIOps, and CloudOps teams, SolarWinds has built on this success with transformative efforts to evolve its business, expand its product portfolio of industry-leading, AI-enabled solutions, and enhance its go-to-market strategy.

As the challenges our customers face evolve, we are committed to evolving our solutions and business alongside them to ensure we consistently meet their needs, said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, SolarWinds President and CEO. At SolarWinds, we have a simple but basic strategy for success: listening to, and learning from, our customers. Our foremost priority is helping our customers stay innovative, competitive, and productive. By giving them precisely the tools they need for todays most pressing challenges and keeping pace as theyand the industrytransform, weve been able to grow, mature, and advance our own business.

Enterprise Service Management: Service Desks Beyond IT

The new SolarWinds Enterprise Service Management (ESM) solution extends the value of service management beyond IT teams to improve the management, efficiency, interactions, and user experience of every department across the enterprise.

SolarWinds ESM provides a powerful solution for customers who currently rely on disparate and disconnected tools across departments to manage inbound requests and workflows, which creates silos that slow response times and further complicate the companys technology stack. SolarWinds ESM allows HR, legal, marketing, facilities, and other departments to create dedicated service management environments with their own ticketing systems, knowledge bases, service portals, and request catalogs.

This one-stop-shop view of service requests and issue management empowers every department, in and beyond IT, to better define and manage inbound requests, department portals, and internal work orders for a better employee experienceand an enterprise-wide focus on delivering maximum value to internal and external stakeholders.

The digital landscape has fundamentally reimagined the way businesses operate. In an age where every company is a technology company, we believe every department should have access to the digital tools most critical to improving the efficiency, transparency, and integration of their departmentfor benefits that echo throughout the full enterprise, said Cullen Childress, GVP of product management at SolarWinds. These new features will enable each department to serve as a true partner in supporting every other area of the business.

"When most people think of their bank, transparency, convenience, and speed may not be the first words that come to mind. Thanks to SolarWinds unified Service Management, however, our employees are always ready to provide Great Plains Bank customers with great service with every interaction, said Nick Lenius, IT Officer & VP at Great Plains Bank. Now, the same SolarWinds Service Management that underpins IT is helping support other departments, like legal and compliance, treasury and HR.

SQL Sentry 2023.3: Enhanced Alerts and Monitoring for Database Administrators

Additionally, SolarWinds announced an upgraded version of its comprehensive database performance monitoring and DataOps solution, SQL Sentry. With an enhanced web portal, the introduction of query-level wait statistics, and a revamped Environmental Health Overview (EHO) dashboard, SQL Sentry 2023.3 makes it easier than ever for organizations to identify and prevent database performance issues.

With complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments, database performance issues can quickly lead to costly bottlenecks or serious outages. SQL Sentry offers an enhanced monitoring experience paired with real-time and historical data, allowing database professionals to more quickly and easily detect, remediate, and prevent issues.

SolarWinds acquired SentryOne in October 2020, adding SQL Sentry to its suite of powerful database management solutions. SolarWinds has continued to invest in its database observability solutions, including Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) and Database Performance Monitor (DPM), to help customers take a proactive stance on avoiding outages, identifying issues at the root cause, and getting the most value out of their databases with the lowest risk.

"The role of database administrator continues to evolve with an increasing burden to manage more complex data estates, ranging from traditional relational databases to online SQL services in the public clouds of Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS, to data warehouses like Snowflake or Synapse, and even non-relational database like Cassandra and MongoDB," said Kevin Kline, senior staff technical marketing manager at SolarWinds. "Thanks to a continuous, open dialogue with our users and the broader data community, the leading solutions from SolarWinds have ensured a steady drumbeat of innovation that enriches the lives of data management professionals and makes their jobs easier."

Connect with SolarWinds

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About SolarWinds

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) is a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software built to enable customers to accelerate their digital transformation. Our solutions provide organizations worldwideregardless of type, size, or complexitywith a comprehensive and unified view of todays modern, distributed, and hybrid network environments. We continuously engage with IT service and operations professionals, DevOps and SecOps professionals, and database administrators (DBAs) to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available hybrid IT infrastructures, applications, and environments. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to address customers needs now and in the future. Our focus on the user and our commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management have established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for observability, IT service management, application performance, and database management. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.

 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

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9 September marked the first All-Ireland meeting of the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) which met in Dublin. Comrades came from around the country including Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Meath and Limerick, with a comrade attending from the international centre of the IMT, making a total of 15 attendees. Comrades were all filled with a mood of revolutionary enthusiasm, and after a day of political discussions comrades left with heightened spirits, ready to spread the ideas of Marxism and to build the Marxist tendency in Ireland!

Capitalism in crisis

The meeting opened with a discussion on world and Irish perspectives. Capitalism today is in the deepest, longest and most widespread crisis in its history. Ireland is no exception. Irelands role as an international base of operations for important multinationals positioned between the US, Europe and Britain means that it is acutely susceptible to the capitalist crisis.

This has been disastrous for Irish workers. The cost of a basket of shopping has risen by 20 percent. Three quarters of workers had to go without heating at some point last winter. Over 12,000 people have been left homeless as rents continue to skyrocket and the prospect of homeownership becomes a distant memory. Its no wonder that 70 percent of young people are considering emigration!

The Irish group has enjoyed important growth over the past year / Image: Irish Marxists

The economic situation in the North isnt much better. The Northern statelet was designed by British imperialism to prevent a Catholic majority, but a combination of demographic changes, radicalisation in nationalist communities, and the crisis of the unionist parties which cannot offer anything to working-class people has led to the emergence of Sinn Fein as the regions biggest party.

With the possibility of Sinn Fein having power North and South of the border, the idea of reunification appears to be back on the table. But the Irish capitalist class is uninterested in unity and incapable of achieving it. Only joint struggle on a class basis of workers Catholic and Protestant, North and South can cut across the sectarian divide, and connected to a programme for a socialist republic can offer something tangible for workers to fight for.

As for the ruling classes of Britain, America and Europe, granting the democratic procedure of a border poll would threaten the stability of the political setup that serves them very well. Thus, they oppose reunification adamantly, with the democratic rights of the Irish people trailing far behind their imperialist interests.

Following behind their masters, the timid Irish ruling class also opposes reunification on the same basis. As James Connolly said: An Irish Republic, the only purely political change in Ireland worth crossing the street for will never be realised except by a revolutionary party Such a revolutionary party must be socialist, and from socialism alone can the salvation of Ireland come.

The Irish Marxists are working towards building such a party on an all-Ireland basis.

Building the Marxist tendency in Ireland

The second session of the day dealt with the building of the Marxist tendency in Ireland. The Irish group has enjoyed important growth over the past year thanks to a consistent approach of building based on a serious attitude towards Marxist theory, and an orientation towards the youth. From just two people meeting via Zoom a little over a year ago, today we have branches in Dublin and Belfast, and the possibility of new branches developing in other towns and cities where we now have a presence, and a second Dublin branch in the near future.

Part of the recent growth can be attributed to the launch of the Are You A Communist (AYAC) campaign in Ireland. Over 1,000 have scanned our stickers since June, 30 of whom have signed up to get involved. After our comrades came back from this years world congress we quickly adapted the lessons of the Internationals experience to our work, and four people joined us in just one week!

The national meeting also saw us celebrating the launch of the second edition of the Marxist Voice! The first edition was a qualitative leap forwards for the organisation, and through the hard work of all comrades we were able to sell 500 copies. With this new issue, we aim to build upon the success of our AYAC campaign and use it to boldly recruit anyone and everyone who buys a paper. [To order your copy of the Marxist Voice, message the Irish Marxists on Instagram.]

The tasks ahead of us now require work to build new recruits into cadres steeled in Marxist theory, whilst continuing to grow. This will require dedication from all of our comrades, but its clear from this meeting that all are eager to take on this task. As our comrade said to conclude the session The working class will rise to the task imposed on them by history, we must also be ready to rise to our historic task

Alien class ideas

The first steps towards the building of an Irish section of the IMT have materialised / Image: Irish Marxists

The final session of the day sought to draw a line in the sand between Marxism and the various alien class ideas originating from university campuses that proclaim themselves to be radical and new, particularly the ideas of identity politics and postmodernism.

Engels explained that there are three arenas in which the class war is fought: the political and economic struggles, and just as importantly, the theoretical battle for ideas. During the discussion, a sharp line was drawn between our ideas and the trendy petit-bourgeois and bourgeois ideas which have spread among the left through academia.

Fighting to defend the ideas of Marxism against these academic confusions is an essential part of our struggle against capitalism. As Lenin said: Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement.

In fact, after the defeat of the 1905 revolution in Russia, Lenin wrote a book specifically to combat the intrusion of these academic ideas into the party called Materialism & Empirio-Criticism. Engels did the same, writing Anti-Duhring in response to an academic who believed that he had improved upon Marxs ideas. We proudly defend the ideas of Marxism which, as proven by the Bolsheviks in 1917, are the only ideas capable of bringing about revolutionary change.

Academic ideas like intersectionality, queer theory, postcolonial theory, and all the rest come from the same postmodern philosophy. Postmodernism rejects the idea that there are any overarching truths about humans and society. Essentially this is a rejection of the scientific analysis which Marxism is based on which shows that society behaves according to historical laws. Postmodernism leaves us only with individual experience and from this perspective it is impossible to understand, never mind change, society. It is therefore as reactionary as any other ideology which undermines the unity and consciousness of the working class and must be fought as diligently.

This first national meeting was an undeniable success. Within a day after the meeting ended, we had four people writing to us to get organised. The first steps towards the building of an Irish section of the IMT have materialised, thanks to the hard work of our comrades and the radicalising effect of a deep crisis of capitalism. But what exists today is only a beginning, for this potential to develop comrades will all have to dedicate themselves to growing the organisation in both quality and quantity. Carrying forwards the energy from this national meeting, the Irish Marxists are ready to smash through all obstacles to building a fighting revolutionary organisation!
Founders Day Convocation

About

Each fall, the university community, alumni and friends gather to celebrate the founding of the university at Founders Day Convocation. We celebrate the educational commitment of the university to equip graduates who are called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.

You are invited: Date: October 27, 2023 Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am Location: Samuelson Chapel Livestream link: CalLutheran.edu/live The Founders Day Address will be given by Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, Executive Director, Network of ELCA (Lutheran) Colleges and Universities (NECU). As an international human rights activist, he focuses on enhancing and expanding access to education in equitable ways among global populations.

For more information, please contact: Mission and Identity at jesparza@CalLutheran.edu

The ceremony

The Founders Day Convocation program includes the installation of the Board of Regents, commissioning of the Convocation, blessing of the Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government, musical performance, and Graduate and Professionals Student Council, and bestowing of the Christus Award.

Founders Day Program 2023
The Lok Sabha overwhelmingly approved the Women Reservation Bill, 2023, also known as the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam", during the special session of the Parliament on September 20, 2023. In the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the bill proposes allocating 33% of all seats to women.

The turbulent legislative history of the Women's Reservation Bill began 27 years ago, in September 1996, when it was introduced in Parliament by the H. D. Deve Gowda-led administration. Since then, practically every administration has made an effort to pass it; the UPA administration even succeeded in doing so in the Rajya Sabha in 2010. However, the effort erred due to a lack of political will and consensus.

The 2008 Constitution's 108th Women Reservation Bill mandates that 33% of seats in state legislative bodies and the Parliament be set aside for women. For the 33% quota, the law suggests sub-reservation for SCs, STs, and Anglo-Indians. The option of rotating the distribution of reserved seats is available in a number of states or union territories. According to the approved law, 15 years from the start date of the modified act, the seats designated for women must be deleted.



Highlights of the Women's Reservation Bill:

By reserving one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, the Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008 aims to amend the Constitution. The authority that Parliament has designated to allocate reserved seats will make that decision.

Women from those categories shall be given a third of the total seats in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies that are designated as being reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

In a state or union territory, reserved seats may be distributed through rotation to various constituencies.

15 years after the beginning of this Amendment Act, seat reservations for women will no longer be allowed.

Key Issues and Analysis of the Women's Reservation Bill:

On the reservation policy, there are different points of view. Affirmative action is essential, according to supporters, in order to improve the status of women. Recent research on panchayats has demonstrated the beneficial impact of reservation on the allocation of resources and the empowerment of women.

Its detractors claim that because women would not be seen as competitors on the basis of merit, this would perpetuate their inferior status. Additionally, they argue that this strategy deflects attention from more important electoral reform issues like the criminalization of politics and internal party democracy.

Parliamentary seat reservations limit voters' options to female candidates. Because of this, some academics have proposed alternative strategies like racial and ethnic discrimination in political parties and dual-member constituencies.

The rotation of reserved seats in each election may lessen an MP's incentive to work for his district because he may lose his right to run for re-election there.

After the Constitution was changed to permit reservation for OBCs, it was advised that reservation be allowed for women from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the report analyzing the 1996 Women's Reservation Bill. Additionally, it suggested that the Rajya Sabha and the Legislative Councils be included in the reservation policy. Both of these suggestions have not been included in the Bill.

The Importance of the Women's Reservation Bill:

Women have historically been adversely affected by social limitations and prejudice. To overcome the situation and condition of women in society, it becomes important to have a law that strongly infers the potential of women that shapes the society and nation at large. Let's have a look at the importance of the Women's Reservation Bill that talks about women:

Caste Groups: Any proposal for a reservation for women must follow constitutional guidelines and take caste diversity into account.

Gender Quota: Without a gender quota, women's representation would continue to be very low, seriously damaging our democracy.

Panchayats: Recent research on panchayats has demonstrated the positive effects of reservation on resource distribution and women's emancipation.

Vote Share: Although the number of women voting has increased, there are still too few women in positions of power.



The Trajectory of the Women's Reservation Bill:

The significant female population in India represents an important repository of potential that, if unleashed, may advance the country.

Democracy will take off once women are included because it will give the great majority of people a say in how their lives should be run.

The Status of Women's Reservations in India:

National Average: There are still 8% of women serving in state legislatures nationwide.

Rankings: India is placed 144th out of 193 countries in terms of the representation of women in parliament, according to a study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
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. ...
Pete Kozachik, longtime Henry Selick collaborator and director of photography on films including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and James and the Giant Peach, died on September 12 at his Bay Area home after a years-long battle with primary progressive aphasia. He was 72.

As a child growing up in Michigan in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Kozachik was mesmerized by what he saw on the big screen in films such as King Kong and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. His mother worried that the effects in the films might be too frightening for her son and suggested that perhaps the monsters werent real but just robots wearing costumes.

For a time he believed the theory, but learned that wasnt the case in third grade after finding the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland at a newsstand. In the magazine, he discovered that movies were created by ordinary people whose job was making the images he saw on screen. Those were the kinds of jobs that Kozachik could imagine himself doing one day. In his 2020 autobiography Tales from the Pumpkin Kings Cameraman, written with his wife, Katy Moore-Kozachik, he recalled first learning about his career idol Ray Harryhausen:

The smiling man, who was named Ray Harryhausen, had somehow made these creatures himself. And, somehow, he had made them perform as well. One guy had done the whole job, not a factory full of army men.

The passage is followed by an entire chapter dedicated to Harryhausens influence on a young Kozachik. Using a black-and-white 8mm camera he purchased with funds raised by delivering the Detroit Free Press, he started making his own practical effects-heavy films. One of his earliest projects was an adaptation of King Kong he put together for an English class project, seen in the still below.

Around the time he started high school, Kozachiks family relocated from the Midwest to Tucson, Arizona. Upon arriving in the new city, he showed his homemade films to anyone interested. The exposure got him odd jobs at local tv stations, mostly doing work for commercial filmmakers.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, he worked on commercials and industrial productions in the area for several years. He used footage from those projects to create a reel he took to Hollywood in the 1970s.

In L.A., he worked for stop-motion animation veterans Gene Warren and Phil Kellison, who taught him a great deal about art form. In an interview with The Advanced Art of Stop-Motion Animation, Kozachik recalled:

Phil was a director at Coast Special Effects and became one of my early mentors in the craft. I ended up working there for several years, and it was such a valuable learning experience. I had it in mind to watch the animators work, but stop-motion animators are actually not that interesting to watch because they move very slowly, and its all just going on in their heads. But I remember one of my first nights there, cleaning up after someones shoot and opening up a drawer with a row of Pillsbury Dough Boy heads. I was so totally transfixed by that because these heads seemed too precious to even look at, and Ive never really lost that fascination.

During his time at Coast Special Effects, Kozachik improved as a cameraman, a role he continued to fill on films throughout his career. After several years at the commercial studio, he applied and was hired as a cameraman at Industrial Light & Magic, where he began working in feature filmmaking.

At ILM, his career quickly took off, and he was constantly busy working on films such as Howard the Duck, Innerspace, Willow, and Hudson Hawk.

In 1991, he had his first collaboration with Henry Selick on the short Slow Bob in the Lower Dimensions. That relationship paid dividends over the years, with Kozachik eventually working as director of photography on Selicks The Nightmare Before Christmas and earning a vfx Oscar nomination with the rest of the films effects crew, including Eric Leighton, Ariel Velasco-Shaw, and Gordon Baker.

After that, Kozachik became the go-to DoP for spooky stop-motion, filling the role on Selicks James and the Giant Peach and Coraline and Tim Burton and Mike Johnsons Corpse Bride.

In Kozachiks autobiography, Tim Burton said of him:

It takes an unusual person to work in stop motion; imagination, patience, technical ability, and a strong artistic vision. Pete has all of these qualities, and I had the pleasure of working with him on many films. Watching him work was like seeing a giant hovering over a quiet village or a mad scientist in his laboratory, bringing inanimate objects to life; finding ways, both high-tech and low-tech, to solve problems; and delicately, tactically bringing the beautiful miniature sets to life. Petes unique style gives you an insight into the special world and the weirdness, excitement, depression, humor, anger, loneliness, and creativity of it all.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Kozachiks wife said he died peacefully in hospice care in his Northern California home of aphasia-related complications.

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others. The music video Its Still Me! is taken from a 17-minute animated guide for people with aphasia and their loved ones to learn to communicate more effectively. The video was produced by Buzzco Associates.
Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming anime series adaptation of Capcoms Onimusha video game franchise. The show will debut worldwide on the platform on November 2.

In the trailer, we get our first look at Onimushas impressive cg character animation in motion, superimposed over rustic, hand-drawn backgrounds. According to Netflix, This amalgamation of traditional and modern animation techniques promises to bring a fresh, immersive experience to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Heres what we know about the series:
Photo: The Canadian Press Ontario Premier Doug Ford delivers remarks at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute in Toronto, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Ford says he is reversing his plan to open the protected Greenbelt lands for housing development and won't make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is reversing his plan to open the protected Greenbelt lands for housing development and won't make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future.

While meeting with his caucus during a retreat this week in Niagara Falls, Ont., Ford says his caucus members shared with him what they have been hearing about the Greenbelt from people in their communities and he is listening.

Last year, the province took 7,400 acres of land in more than a dozen sections out of the Greenbelt to build 50,000 homes, citing the housing crisis, and Ford has faced large amounts of opposition to the plan since then.

Reports from the auditor general and integrity commissioner found that the process to select lands was rushed and favoured certain developers.

Ford says today that he is sorry that he broke his original promise not to touch the Greenbelt, and it was a mistake to open it up for development.

He says in order to earn back people's trust he will be reversing the changes he made to the Greenbelt and putting the lands back under Greenbelt protections.
Photo: Cornelia Naylor/Burnaby NOW.

Advisory: This story includes disturbing details about a murder trial. Reader discretion is advised.

Injuries to a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby park six years ago were equivalent to injuries women sometimes sustain during childbirth, a sexual assault expert told the jury at the murder trial of Ibrahim Ali this week.

Dr. Tracy Pickett, the director of BC Womens Hospital sexual assault service, continued her testimony in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver Thursday morning.

Ali has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in Central Park on July 19, 2017, less than two hours after her family reported her missing.

Ali has pleaded not guilty.

The girl cannot be identified because of a publication ban.

Pickett was engaged by the Crown in January 2021 to give expert opinion on injuries found on the body of the young teen, including tearing within the vagina and anus and bruising on the wall of the rectum.

Earlier in her testimony, Pickett had said the likely cause of the injury was blunt force trauma inflicted during penetration with a relatively large object, such as a penis.

Picket said vaginal injuries are very uncommon compared to other injuries, and it was very unlikely that the ones she observed on the girls body were caused by a smaller object, such as a tampon.

I would consider it equivalent to the injuries that Ive seen with childbirth, following childbirth, she said.

During her nearly 30-year career as a doctor, Pickett noted she has performed more than 1,500 vaginal exams in a trauma context, and she has delivered more than 100 babies.

The Crown's theory is that Ali and the girl were strangers to one another and that he attacked her on a trail in Central Park, dragged her into the forest and strangled her to death while sexually assaulting her.

The defence has not outlined its theory but has suggested the killer and whoever had sex with the young teen  "either forced sex or sex"  are not the same people.

Pickett's testimony continues. She has yet to face questions from Ali's lawyers.
Photo: The Canadian Press The Coastal GasLink pipeline has been fined $340,000 by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for issues related to erosion and sediment control. Piping is seen on the top of a receiving platform which will be connected to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline terminus at the LNG Canada export terminal under construction, in Kitimat, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coastal GasLink has been fined $340,000 by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office for issues related to erosion and sediment control.

Coastal GasLink, which is owned by Calgary-based TC Energy Corp., says the fines stem from four inspections of its ongoing pipeline construction project that occurred in April and May of 2022.

Those inspections took place before Coastal GasLink signed a compliance agreement requiring the company to ensure erosion and sediment control measures are incorporated into its construction plans.

Erosion and sediment control have continued to be ongoing issues for the project, most recently resulting in a temporary construction pause on a 20-kilometre stretch of pipeline.

Coastal GasLink is now more than 94 per cent complete and on track for mechanical completion at the end of this year.

The 670-km pipeline spanning northern British Columbia will carry natural gas across the province to the LNG Canada processing and export facility in Kitimat, B.C.
CEMEX leads the way in environmental impact information

21 September 2023

CEMEX is the first company in its industry to provide environmental impact information, including CO 2 emissions, for its core products in all of the main markets in which it participates around the world. This disclosure is customised by location and is critical for architects, engineers, contractors, and customers looking to develop more sustainable construction.

Depending on the markets customary practices, this is addressed either through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), or CEMEXs proprietary environmental measurement tool called CERO2. Both processes have a third-party validation.

We are committed to being the leading partner in sustainable construction for our customers, said Fernando A Gonzalez, CEO of CEMEX. With this disclosure, our customers have environmental impact information on which they can rely for sustainable construction. We continue to expand our portfolio of sustainable products, allowing our clients to effectively design and manage the carbon footprint of their construction projects.

The CERO2 carbon footprint measurement tool is the result of years of development efforts by CEMEX and harnesses the companys industry-leading digital capabilities. The tool calculates the detailed environmental impact to provide accurate information on a products footprint in a particular location. The tool provides a much higher degree of accuracy than the average emission data available in other carbon calculator tools available in the market today, according to the company.

In addition, products under CEMEXs Vertua brand provide a sustainable fact label, the first in the industry, which details the products performance across a range of sustainable attributes. Vertua has a specialised portfolio of more sustainable, high-quality construction products that aim to contribute to sustainable construction.

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SAPPORO, Sep 18 ( NHK ) - Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have observed rare birds at a wildlife conservation center located in the country's largest wetland.

The Imperial couple visited the Kushiro-shitsugen Wildlife Center in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido on Saturday.

The facility is operated by the Environment Ministry and located in a national park centered on the Kushiro Marsh -- Japan's largest wetland registered for international protection under the Ramsar Convention.

Visitors can learn the habits of wild birds designated as endangered species. The Imperial couple viewed a recreation of the habitat of the Blakiston's fish owl, which is native to Hokkaido.

A conservation center official said the Emperor asked how local forests are being preserved.

Rare birds, such as white-tailed sea eagles and Steller's sea eagles, are kept in a cage outside the facility. They are not able to be released back into the wild for various reasons. Some sustained injuries when they were hit by trains or flew into power lines.

The Imperial couple viewed the birds through a small window. They said it is a great effort and that they appreciate the good work.
A traffic stop in the 10000 block of Lee Highway led to the drivers arrest for driving on a license revoked for DUI. The passenger was also charged for being in possession of fentanyl. During the intake process at the jail, the driver was found to be concealing narcotics on their person and received two new charges: tampering with evidence and introduction of contraband into a penal facility.

A Collegedale fugitive at the jail was booked on a bond revocation warrant from an original felony drug charge.

Police responded to what was described as a verbal disorder between two individuals at the Winding Creek apartments in the 5000 block of Ooltewah Ringgold Road. Officers checked the area but were unable to find the people involved.

A Collegedale fugitive at the jail was booked on warrants for drug possession.

Child Protective Services filed an abuse report on behalf of an alleged victim in the Hawthorne at the Summit apartment complex.

An officer was called to the pond located in the Greenbriar Cove neighborhood for individuals fishing in the pond and allegedly keeping the fish. The officers observed no violations that required an address.

A Collegedale fugitive was booked at the jail for felony theft and conspiracy warrants.

A traffic stop in the 7900 block of Apison Pike for a light law violation resulted in an occupants arrest for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

An officer responded to a noise complaint at the Hawthorne at the Summit apartment complex. The residents were asked to keep the noise down.

Police were asked to check the well being of individuals involved in a possible domestic disturbance at the Hawthorne at the Crest apartment complex. The yelling that had been heard between the two individuals was from both of them playing video games.

A traffic stop in the 10300 block of Lee Highway resulted in the drivers arrest for driving on a suspended license.

Collegedale police assisted the sheriffs office as they searched for an assault suspect who had fled on foot from the Legends at White Oak apartment complex in the 6000 block of Ooltewah Georgetown Road.




The Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education awarded Lee University a $12,000 grant as a Professional Development Award for the project Renewing the Christian University.

This grant was designed to reinforce Lee's mission and consistent attainment of our goals, said Dr. Debbie Murray, provost. The rich conversations should encourage colleagues and students to join in meaningful dialogues about the integration of faith and vocation. We believe that leadership development over a broader sector of the campus will also be a positive outcome of participation in this grant.

With the funding, Lee will conduct a seminar and retreat, inviting staff and faculty members to begin a new conversation on the vocation of a Christian university, particularly with regard to the liberal arts curriculum and the unique history of the institution. Participants will convene for bi-weekly discussions of relevant academic literature and to examine how the universitys understanding of vocation has changed over time.

Two of seven seminar sessions scheduled for this fall have already taken place, during which participants discussed the earliest decades of Lees history.

We are very grateful for the support of NetVUE for this opportunity for faculty and staff to discuss vocation in light of a broader discussion of Lee's history and mission, said Dr. Jared Wielfaert, project coordinator and associate professor of humanities. Our hope is that the sessions will

frame conversations among friends and colleagues that can continue to play out casually in hallways and offices around campus.

NetVUE is a nationwide network of 300 colleges and universities formed to support and enrich vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students. A program of the Council of Independent Colleges, NetVUE is supported by the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. and member dues. The CIC administers NetVUE with guidance from an advisory council comprising representatives from participating institutions.

To learn more about NetVUE, visit cic.edu/networks/netvue/.




A grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will allow a collaborative team of researchers from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to produce better modeling of reactive gas transport.UTC will receive $562,497 from the DOEs Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) initiative for First Principles Multiphase Modeling of Mesoscale Gas Transport in Porous Reactive Systems.The Department of Energy recently announced $37 million in funding for 52 projects to 44 institutions to build research capacity, infrastructure and expertise at institutions historically underrepresented in DOEs Office of Science portfolio.Through the FAIR initiative, the Office of Science supports mutually beneficial relationships between minority-serving or emerging research institutions and partnering institutions to perform research in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geoscience, isotope research, materials science and physics.Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Murat Barisik, who joined the UTC faculty in 2022, is the grants principal investigator. UTC Assistant Professor Reetesh Ranjan is one of the co-investigators, while Dr. Ramanan Sankaran leads Oak Ridge National Laboratorys three-person team.This is a great, collaborative team, Mr. Barisik said. Hopefully, the grant money will result in improved infrastructure and provide support for our graduate students.The research conducted during the three-year grant period will look at how things move and change in a particular gas environment seen in many applicationssuch as protecting spacecraft from heat. Understanding and modeling these processes is essential for making better materials and devices.The study focuses on different scales, which means looking at things from tiny to bigger sizes. Barisik said that because of the extensive range of sizes involved, they would use a unique approach instead of a conventional way of computing.We will bring a combination of surface chemical reaction calculations coming from quantum calculations, then molecular level calculations for gas dynamics, and then volume average techniques or classical competition of fluid mechanics for the transport of the gas through a confinement, he said. Combining all these different scales requires a combination of different techniques, and that requires this kind of multi-scale approach.
Lee Universitys Dr. Drew Bledsoe was featured on two panels at Gettysburg Colleges 2023 Civil War Institute Conference this summer, one of which recently aired on C-Span.

It was an honor to participate in the CWI, and I always enjoy the opportunity to interact with historians and interested Civil War fans in Gettysburg, said Dr. Bledsoe, associate professor of history.

Dr. Bledsoe was invited to participate in the conference by Dr. Peter Carmichael, CWI director. Dr. Bledsoe served on the two panels Debating Joseph Johnston, which covered General Joseph E. Johnstons personality, strategic miscalculations, and leadership and legacy in Civil War history; and Generalship in the Army of Tennessee, which later appeared on C-Span.

During Generalship in the Army of Tennessee, historians discussed generals, such as Braxton Bragg and John Bell Hood, who led the principal Confederate army west of the Mississippi River.

The audience was extremely well-informed, and the other panelists brought tremendous knowledge and ability to the conversations, said Dr. Bledsoe. Judging from the quality and enthusiasm of all the participants, it seems Civil War history is in a healthy place.

Dr. Bledsoe has been a member of Lees faculty since 2013. He is the author of Citizen-Officers: The Union and Confederate Volunteer Junior Officer Corps in the American Civil War and has authored or edited numerous scholarly works on the Civil War and military history. He received Lees Excellence in Scholarship Award in 2019 and has been a fellow at the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Ridgway fellow at the U.S. Army Center for Military History, and a faculty fellow at the CWI at Gettysburg College.

He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law, his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts at Rice University, his Master of Liberal Arts from Henderson State University, and his Bachelor of Arts from Ouachita Baptist University.

The CWI creates opportunities for students to put history into action in immersive and experiential ways. Academically, it contributes to enhancing the teaching and research aspects of Gettysburg Colleges intellectual life and serves as home to the Civil War era studies minor and public history minor. The CWIs annual summer conference, public programs, and digital scholarship initiatives also foster informed public conversation about the history and legacy of the Civil War era.

For more information about the CWI, visit https://www.gettysburg.edu/civil-war-institute/about/.

To view the C-Span airing of the panel, visit

https://www.c-span.org/video/?528650-2/army-tennessee-generals&event=528650&playEvent.
In a Peeping Tom case on Hickory Valley Road, a woman told police she was lying in bed when she saw a camera in the ceiling above her.

Tyrone D. Akridge, 41, wound up being arrested for stalking, observation without consent and aggravated burglary.

The woman said she had gotten her night clothes on and written in her planner when she looked up and saw a camera lens at a vent above the bed.

She said she jumped out of bed and grabbed a flashlight to get a better view "and saw it definitely was a camera looking at me."

She said she grabbed her cell phone and took two pictures of the camera.

The woman said when she got a screwdriver to remove the camera she heard some scrambling in the attic and then the camera was pulled away. The woman started screaming.

Her daughter said she was coming out of the shower when she heard her mother yell at what appeared to be someone in the attic. She said she went outside "and saw Tyrone exit his utility room in shock as if he was caught in something."

The women then called 911.

Police said they made contact with Akridge, who was described as nervous and sweating. He said he was watching TV when he heard the woman scream. He said he went to investigate. He said someone had moved his ladder from inside the storage space to outside.

Police said they could not reach the attic from the woman's side. They asked permission to try from the Akridge side, but he denied the request. He also would not allow a search for a camera.

Police were provided by the woman the cell phone photos she took of the camera.
In a previous article we discussed the decision of a federal judge in the Cradle of the Confederacy (Alabama) declaring a panhandling prohibition law as being unconstitutional.

Whether the judge's ruling will be appealed is still undetermined but with the increasing number of new residents arriving in the Choo Choo City who are in need of further financial support it is time to address the status of similar statutes in the Volunteer State and Chattanooga.

The Tennessee legislature in 1989 enacted TCA 39-17-313 concerning Aggressive Panhandling that carried a penalty of 30 days in the jail or workhouse for a first offense (class C misdemeanor) or up to six months incarceration for a second offense (class B misdemeanor). However, the statute was repealed in 1990 in Acts 1990, chap.984, .

The conflict between state statutes, municipal ordinances and the First Amendment of the United States Constitution under Freedom of Speech has been addressed by many courts. Memphis, Knoxville, etc. have enacted statutes regulating panhandling.

In Chattanooga, the City Council and prior administration on April 10, 2018 adopted Ordinance 13295 that distinguished between passive panhandling (legal?) versus aggressive panhandling (illegal?) activities in the municipality under Section 25-39 of the Chattanooga City Code Part II Chapter 25. Article I was revised and adopted in an effort to balance the interests of public safety and freedom of speech.

To date there have been relatively few (if any) attempted prosecutions under the ordinance. However, with the steady influx of new residents and immigrants eager to enjoy the benefits of the 2,439 non-profit charitable organizations such as the former Chattanooga Community Kitchen (Chatt Foundation), and other compassionate local charities and churches, it is anticipated that the issue of any violations of the ordinance by uninformed new members of our locale will possibly increase.

However, the permanent appointment of an experienced non-political City Attorney should effectively monitor the panhandling ordinance to avoid any litigation that might result in any expenditure of taxpayer money in class action cases brought by civil rights organizations or individuals.

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
A Mapco employee at 1227 E. Main St. told police earlier that evening, a black male wearing a plaid shirt with short hair and a beard, came into the store and requested to purchase three cartons of Newport cigarettes. The employee told police when she placed the cartons on the counter to scan them, the man grabbed the items and ran out of the store. He was last seen getting into the passenger seat of a small silver sedan, which then headed west on E, Main Street. Total value of the theft is $420.

* * *

Police were called to check on a couple arguing in Miller Park. An officer spoke to the man and woman and they explained they had gotten loud as they were arguing and apologized, and they were finished. The officer explained that no one else in the park wanted to hear them argue and if they were not finished, they could leave or keep it down.

* * *

The store manager at Sams Club at 6101 Lee Hwy. told police one of her employees watched two black males attempt to buy gift cards with multiple credit or debit cards. After purchasing the cards, the two men were stopped at the door to have their receipts checked, per Sams Club policy. Both asked why and left two of the gift cards and the receipt with the employee, leaving with a total of six gift cards. The men were seen entering a white, four-door vehicle. No suspects were on scene at the time of police arrival. A photo of the possible suspects as well as copies of the transaction were attached to the police report.

* * *

A woman on 1112 E. 10th Street told police over the phone her vehicle had been broken into. She said several items was taken, including her lululemon bag, server book, Apple charger and Ray Ban sunglasses.

* * *

Police had been dealing with a man and a woman who lived on Shanty Lake Road. The man was moving out and couldnt find his car cover, headlights, fuel pump and key to his Ford Mustang. The man said all of the items were in a box that was in a closet inside the residence. The woman said the man took the box to his fathers house. At this time, it was considered lost property.

* * *

Police saw a man searching through the dumpster at 1966 Northpoint Blvd. He was trespassed from the property in accordance with the wishes of management.

* * *

A woman on Market Street told police a man was yelling at her. She said he called her a bad name. The woman said she became afraid and went across the street to stop the CARTA bus.

* * *

A woman at the Medical Mall at 975 E. 3rd St. told police someone stole her gold iPhone 14 pro max in a pink/purple case, worth $1,200, out of her office. She said she had a photo of the suspect from hospital security camera footage. Her find your cellphone app was showing the phone at Marriott at 1100 Carter St. and had been there for two days. An officer went to the Marriott and spoke with the front desk who said their manager had a cellphone that was found in the women's bathroom a couple of days ago. The manager brought the officer the phone and the officer was able to identify the phone as the stolen phone. The officer showed the Marriott manager the photo of the suspect and she said she believed the suspect lived in the area and she comes in and out of the hotel often. The officer returned the stolen phone back to the woman at the Medical Mall. She wanted to prosecute if police were able to identify the suspect. The officer emailed the suspect photo to a sergeant for him to send out to CPD Sworn to get a possible identity of the suspect.

* * *

Police spoke with a man on the phone on Reserve Way who was translating for his friend who didnt speak English. The man discovered someone had opened the driver side door on his vehicle and stole checks from inside, while it was parked at home overnight. The man believed they picked the lock on the door. There were five checks stolen, totaling around $1,500, made out to his company.

* * *

A woman on Young Avenue called police and reported she received a call last week that her First Horizon bank account had been compromised. She later found out that a check was cashed on her account for $2,495. It was a fake check with her routing/account numbers and she believes it was done electronically. There was a business name on it - Loews, with an address - Madison Ave in New York, NY but she couldnt read the rest of it.

* * *

An employee at TJ Maxx at Hamilton Place told police over the phone that her car had been damaged while she was at work. The damage was on the passenger side front door and rear corner area, mostly dents and scratches. There were no estimates for repairs yet.

* * *

A man told police he dropped his vehicle off at valet at the Read House at 107 W. Martin Luther King Blvd. When he picked it up the next morning, he discovered there was damage on it. His 2022 Jeep has a soft top and the driver side rear window had been slashed and someone had stolen a couple things out of it.

* * *

A woman on Douglas Street told police her mountain bike had been stolen. She said it was triple locked in an area that only residents have access to by use of a key. She said it was a red and black mountain bike with white lettering that read GIANT on the frame.

* * *

A woman on S. Hickory Street told police her vehicle had been gone through. She had found a gym bag on her porch with some of her belongings inside along with a note. The note said, "(Her Name), These items were found in the street near the corner of 12th and Hickory. I hope having them back is some help or comfort- your neighbor". The woman went through the bag and found items that were hers and the rest she gave for police to take care of. There was no signs of forced entry into the vehicle and the woman said she probably had left it unlocked. Police dropped the items off to Property for safe keeping.
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

AKRIDGE, TYRONE D

2428 HICKORY VALLEY RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 41 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

STALKING

OBSERVATION WITHOUT CONSENT

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY



ALLEN, TERRIE LYNN

HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37412

Age at Arrest: 57 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE

POSSESSION OF SCH V

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



ANDERSON, DENNIS LEBRON

6521 LAKESHORE PKWY CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 41 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

THEFT OF PROPERTY



ARMOUR, JOHNNY LEBRON

Homeless Chattanooga, 37404

Age at Arrest: 67 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

INDECENT EXPOSURE



AUSTIN-COOK, KATHLEEN

125 KINGWOOD DR EAST RIDGE, 37412

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



BAGGETT, CANDAS R

2801 DAYTON BLVD APT 2 RED BANK, 37415

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND/

OPEN CONTAINER LAW



BYRD, PATRICK WILLIAM

300 PATROL RD FORSYTH, 310291868

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

FAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENT

LEAVING SCENE ACCIDENT

EVADING ARREST

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL.

OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAFAILURE TO RENDER AIDRETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICERCONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONSCHITWOOD, MICHAEL ALEXADRI2217 BEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374212439Age at Arrest: 50 years oldArresting Agency:Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)COLLINS, DAJAH LARISSA129 OVERBROOK DR ROSSVILLE, 30741Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTYDAVIS, JESSICA RENEE1294 DAYTON PIKE SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)DUNN, MICHAEL WILLIAM620 U.S. 127 SIGNAL MTN, 37377Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: Signal MountainDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEFRIZZELL, DAIN6889 OLD DUNLAP RD WHITWELL, 37397Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDTHEFT OF PROPERTYGILMORE, JOSHUA LEVI2815 OLD ALABAMA RD SW MC DONALD, 37353Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: CollegedaleBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)GRAHAM, MATHEW WILLIAM4019 WOODMONT DRIVE EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDOMESTIC ASSAULTHARLOW, MILES KEITH4612 PLAZA HILLS LANE APARTMENT B HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 60 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTYALTERING MANUFACTURER'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBERDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEREGISTRATION, UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF DECAL OR PLATEHARRIS, CHRISTIE LYNN1020 W 37TH ST, APT D301 CHATTANOOGA, 37410Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffAGGRAVATED DOMESTIC ASSAULTDISORDERLY CONDUCTSTALKINGVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFPOSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMEDRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTHARASSMENTAGGRAVATED ASSAULTHOLEWINSKI, BRADLEY A421RETRO HUGHES RD BAKEWELL, 37373Age at Arrest: 57 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEREGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATESREGISTRATION, EXPIREDHUGHES, JAYMNE CAREZZ13761 MOUNT TABOR RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 25 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)JONES, DESTINY JERMYAH327 CLOUD SPRINGS RD FORT OGLETHORP, 30742Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)KILGORE, JAMES CALVIN1305 BOYSCOUT RD HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 59 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYKOSTIUK, MICHAEL CASHMERE1425 ARAPAHO DR SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIALEE, JAMES WILLIAM RILEY1704 SMALL ST CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 43 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)LOPEZ ELIAS, ALVARO4100 15TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 25 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTMCCORMICK, KELSEY ANN7530 NOAH REID ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: CollegedaleBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)MCNABB, BAILEY ANDREW921 W. ELMWOOD DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYMEJIA, JESUS SATIN2110 MCBRIEN RD EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 46 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)MILLER, KAWANDA DONSHAE3916 JUNIPER ST CHATTANOOGA, 374212148Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)RANSOM, JACQUELINE SHAY1236 GROVE COURT APT. APT.76 CHATTANOOGA, 37410Age at Arrest: 53 years oldArresting Agency: Federal MarshallVIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY)ROBINSON, STANLEY BERNARD1406 AVENUE ST MCDONOUGH,Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)RUDD, SAVANNAH LEEMARIE1833 SEQUOYAH TE HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffENTICING CHILD TO PURCHASE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESSHVED, PAVEL I8470 MAPLEWOOD TRAIL OOLTEWAH, 37363Age at Arrest: 37 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffAGGRAVATED ASSAULTSMITH, DESMOND LEBRONE5807 HILLCREST DRIVE HARRISON, 37341Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: Tenn Hwy PatrolDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCESPEEDINGDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCESTEWART, CODY LAMAR9019 HALE ROAD HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyDOMESTIC ASSAULTSTEWART, SASHA1521 HICKORY VALLEY RD APT 201 CHATTANOOGA, 37412Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSESTOCKWELL, HEATHER A496 WOODMONT DR WHITWELL, 37397Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIATURNEY, CHARNITA KATRINA9103 MISTY RIDGE DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 43 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffAGGRAVATED ASSAULTWATKINS, MARQUITA SHARI56 MOUNTAIN BRIDGE RD CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSESTOP SIGN VIOLATIONNO PROOF OF INSURANCETRAILER REGISTRATION REQUIRED (SUSPENDED REGRISTRAWILKINSON, KYRA184 RIVERSTONE DR DUNLAP, 37327Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAYODER, JAMES HUNTER1723 GREENHILLS DRIVE HIXSON, 37415Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINEDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCENO PROOF OF INSURANCE

Here are the mug shots:

AKRIDGE, TYRONE D

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 08/07/1973

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

STALKING

OBSERVATION WITHOUT CONSENT

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY ANDERSON, DENNIS LEBRON

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 04/06/1982

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY BAGGETT, CANDAS R

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 07/15/1992

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND/

OPEN CONTAINER LAW BYRD, PATRICK WILLIAM

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 03/09/1995

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

FAILURE TO REPORT ACCIDENT

LEAVING SCENE ACCIDENT

EVADING ARREST

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

FAILURE TO RENDER AID

RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER

CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS CHITWOOD, MICHAEL ALEXADRI

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 12/06/1971

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

COLLINS, DAJAH LARISSA

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 12/02/2003

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY DUNN, MICHAEL WILLIAM

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 07/21/2000

Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FRIZZELL, DAIN

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 09/04/1991

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY GILMORE, JOSHUA LEVI

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 08/13/1992

Arresting Agency: Collegedale



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

HARRIS, CHRISTIE LYNN

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 04/10/1983

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC ASSAULT

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

STALKING

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

HARASSMENT

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

HOLEWINSKI, BRADLEY A

Age at Arrest: 57

Date of Birth: 07/01/1966

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATES

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED HUGHES, JAYMNE CAREZZ

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 12/25/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

JONES, DESTINY JERMYAH

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 07/21/2004

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) KILGORE, JAMES CALVIN

Age at Arrest: 59

Date of Birth: 04/29/1964

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY KOSTIUK, MICHAEL CASHMERE

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 02/23/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA LEE, JAMES WILLIAM RILEY

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 04/19/1980

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

MILLER, KAWANDA DONSHAE

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 04/27/1988

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

RUDD, SAVANNAH LEEMARIE

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 09/26/2001

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

ENTICING CHILD TO PURCHASE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SHELTON, JACOB LEE

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 06/12/1991

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (GEORGIA PAROLE AND PARDON) SHVED, PAVEL I

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 08/11/1986

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

SMITH, DESMOND LEBRONE

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 04/18/2002

Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

SPEEDING

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SMITH, SHONIQUE NECHELLE

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 05/05/1991

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE

CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS STEWART, CODY LAMAR

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 08/29/1995

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT STEWART, SASHA

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 07/24/1987

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE STOCKWELL, HEATHER A

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 07/24/1978

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WATKINS, MARQUITA SHARI

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 05/30/1984

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

NO PROOF OF INSURANCE

TRAILER REGISTRATION REQUIRED (SUSPENDED REGRISTRA WILKINSON, KYRA

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 04/07/2002

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 09/20/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA




Pictured, left to right: Life Bridges Team Chief Executive Officer Diana Jackson, Kelli Wilkey, Emily Jackson, Karen Kelley and Ginger Davis Award winners, pictured left to right: Dr. Russell Dyer, Education; Dr. Ray Brooks, Cleveland State Interim President; Dr. Linda Cash, Education; Ricardo Torres, Don Lorton Volunteer Service Award; Julia Johnson Scoggins, Philanthropy; Steve Lofty, Public Service; Janice Johnson Wilson, Philanthropy; Mark Johnson, Philanthropy; Dr. Don Robinson, Healthcare; Carson Blevins, Student Leadership; Melissa Fugate, Arts; and Diana Jackson, Non-Profit Leadership. Don Robinson, MD (left) accepted the Healthcare award. Cleveland State Foundation Board Chair Mike Griffin looks on. Previous Next

Cleveland State Community College hosted its signature event on Tuesday eveningthe Eighth Annual Community First Awards.The event was held at the Partners in Industry and Education (PIE) Center in Cleveland and recognized individuals from Cleveland States five-county service area who share the Cleveland State value of always putting the community first.Award winners were: Dr. Russell Dyer, Education; Dr. Ray Brooks, Cleveland State interim president; Dr. Linda Cash, Education; Ricardo Torres, Don Lorton Volunteer Service Award; Julia Johnson Scoggins, Philanthropy; Steve Lofty, Public Service; Janice Johnson Wilson, Philanthropy; Mark Johnson, Philanthropy; Dr.Don Robinson, Healthcare; Carson Blevins, Student Leadership; Melissa Fugate, Arts; and Diana Jackson, Non-Profit Leadership.The Life Bridges team celebrated their Chief Executive Officer Diana Jackson during the evening program.
The Womens Fund of Greater Chattanooga will host its annual fundraiser, Voices, on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Chattanoogan Hotel. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. for networking and the Power of the Purse Silent Auction. From 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., guests will enjoy lunch and a program featuring three local women sharing their personal stories and demonstrating the power of advocacy. The recipient of the 2023 Nightingale Network grant will also be announced.Voices highlights our work to leverage advocacy, philanthropy and a robust network of partners to diminish root causes of inequity.We hope this years event inspires all attendees to leverage their Voices to improve the lives of women and girls in Tennessee, said Board Chair Rachael Sauceman.The Womens Fund is also celebrating that it successfully passed the proactive legislation to define "Financial Abuse" and extend the definition to the Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adult (those advanced in age or living with a disability) sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated. Currently, this is the most comprehensive Financial Abuse Legislation in the United States, officials said.During the program, the Womens Fund will announce the recipient of the 2023 Nightingale Network grant. This years finalists are Chambliss Center for Children, Signal Centers and Chattanooga Room in the INN. The Nightingale Network is the collective philanthropy initiative of the Womens Fund, providing an organized platform for people to have a positive social impact on women and girls. Since 2011, the Nightingale Network, along with matching funds from The Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga, has awarded more than $120,000 to area non-profit organizations.Sponsors include:Endorser sponsor - BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee;Speaker sponsor - EPB; andPromoter sponsors - UNUM, First Horizon, K: A Boutique by Katherine Roberts and Truist.Proceeds support the Womens Fund of Greater Chattanooga. Tickets are on sale at http://onecau.se/voices2023 . Individual tickets are $75. Tables of eight begin at $600, and include lunch. Table and corporate sponsorships are still available.Visit http://onecau.se/voices2023 or contact Katie McCallie at 904-385-8721 or katie@chattanoogawomensfund.org for more details.
Akita, Sep 20 (TAKASHii from Japan) - Today I came to Akita Prefecture, in the Japanese countryside, to visit this school, which is Japanese language school, where you can experience Japanese culture and activities and I'm going to stay here with students for three days, let's see what happens.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on Thursday announced a $44.5 million settlement with Food City over the grocery store chains opioid-related misconduct. Most of the settlement will go to Tennessees Opioid Abatement Fund to support local efforts addressing the opioid epidemic, officials said.

Every entity that contributed to the opioid crisis must be held accountable. Our Consumer Protection Division remains relentless in the pursuit of justice and I am proud of their aggressive enforcement in this case, said Attorney General Skrmetti. By paying a hefty price to resolve past misconduct, Food City provides critical resources to save lives and protect families and can now get back to the business of serving its customers and supporting Tennessee communities.

Food City has also agreed to ensure future compliance by providing additional training to pharmacy staff, updating the prescription-validation process, and monitoring and reporting data related to suspicious activity. The settlement further includes an agreement by Food City to provide dedicated employment opportunities for Tennesseans recovering from opioid addiction.
Educators are the lifeblood of our communities. Not only do they educate our children, but they also serve as role models and support systems, pouring their hearts into our kids.

A disturbing trend of assaults against teachers is growing in Tennessee. According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, 10 percent of educators stated that they have been physically assaulted or attacked by a student.

Across the state, educators are forced to face an impossible decision: continue to follow the career they love despite an increase in school violence or walk away from teaching entirely. This should never be a choice that teachers must make.

In Tennessee, we have the Educator Bill of Rights, which protects the right of teachers to a safe classroom and the ability to report abusive behavior committed by students. The Teachers Discipline Act took effect on January 1, 2022, to increase classroom safety. While these bills have made significant strides in aiding our teachers against this type of behavior, we can do more.

School districts across the state are not taking the issue of teacher assault seriously, especially given the recent escalation and increase in teaching vacancies. The trend of violence against educators is worrisome not only for the teachers themselves but for the entire community.

Teachers are crucial in shaping the future of the state, and their safety and job satisfaction are imperative in maintaining a high-quality education system. Violence is not acceptable, and it must never be tolerated.

Our teachers are too valuable to lose to preventable behavior. Until school districts, boards, and administrations realize that appeasing violent students does not work, this problem will only continue to escalate.

Schools are not only for learning academics but also for acquiring life skills that extend beyond the classroom and help shape the future generation of America. Thats why it is important to address these issues promptly. Neglecting them will likely lead to problems beyond the classroom, creating a more hazardous society, not just for teachers and children, but for everyone. Students need to understand that such behavior is unacceptable and can result in severe consequences in the real world.

The Educator Bill of Rights and the Teacher's Discipline Act are positive steps towards addressing this issue. Tennessees teachers need people in their cornerthey need immediate action. We must stand behind our teachers and ensure they have a safe work environment.

It is crucial to hold students responsible for their actions. One way to achieve this is by establishing unambiguous disciplinary procedures for students who display disruptive or violent behavior. Such measures should include appropriate consequences to deter such actions. To tackle this issue effectively, we need to ensure that violent students are held accountable, teachers have access to the necessary resources to address such behavior, and parents are informed about their children's conduct.

Establishing a secure and encouraging learning atmosphere necessitates a joint effort among teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the broader community. By utilizing various tactics and staying dedicated to the welfare of educators, Tennessee can strive towards a future where teachers can flourish, and students acquire knowledge in a safe and supportive environment.

Schools should be a safe environment for students and teachers alike. Allowing violent behavior against educators harms public education, teacher retention, and communities. Something must change. The future of Tennessee education depends on it.

JC Bowman and Congressman Mark Green


The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center announced the first recipient of the Katie Fields Bell Fellow Award  Amanda Davidson, social studies teacher at Tyner Middle Academy.

Earlier this year, the Heritage Center launched its inaugural Teacher Fellowship Program "that exposes classroom teachers to the incredible history surrounding the Medal of Honor and works with them to create instructional materials and lesson plans that use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in ways that align with the Tennessee Academic Standards."

Officials said, "As more teachers complete this program, the Heritage Center will become even more accessible to teachers and students of all grade levels and provide new learning opportunities for students attending schools across our state, region and country."

Ms. Davidson received the Katie Fields Bell Fellow Award for creating a Women in War lesson plan for fourth graders that highlights the various roles women served in during the Civil War and is aligned with the Tennessee State Standard to teach the significant contributions women made during the Civil War. While Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a civilian surgeon during the Civil War and the only female to have received the Medal of Honor, is not mentioned in this specific standard, Ms. Davidson crafted the lesson to have students work in groups to explore the contributions of some of the most influential women during the Civil War, including Dr. Walker. The lesson also encourages students to consider the character values she exhibited and how they, too, can live those values out at school and in their communities.

A core part of our mission at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor is to honor the past by educating and inspiring the next generation through the stories of Medal of Honor recipients and the six values the Medal of Honor represents, said Maranda Wilkinson, director of education and public programming at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The goal of our Fellowship program is to expose teachers to the stories of Medal of Honor recipients and closely work with them to craft engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards that also weave these inspiring stories and the character values associated with the Medal of Honor into the educational materials for use in classrooms.



Other members of this inaugural cohort for the Heritage Centers Teacher Fellowship Program include Matt Henson, teacher at Ooltewah High School; Melissa Thompson, teacher at Westview Elementary School; Tiffany Smith, teacher at Hamilton County Virtual School; Daniel Bennett, teacher at Red Bank Middle School; Andrea Clifford, teacher at Signal Mountain Middle High School; Mendi Catlett, teacher at Ooltewah Elementary; Karen Fogo, teacher at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy; Susannah Jacobs, teacher at Thrasher Elementary; Bruce Stubblefield, Secondary Social Studies Content Lead for Hamilton County Schools; and Bekah Reed, Elementary Social Studies Content Lead for Hamilton County Schools.



The Heritage Centers Teacher Fellowship Program was made possible through a generous gift from Sarah and Harry Fields and General B.B. Bell, who was married to Katie Fields Bell for 54 years before she passed away peacefully at her home on May 10, 2023. Throughout her life, Mrs. Bell devoted herself to not only her family but the military families around the world where her husband was stationed. She was instrumental in forming different military family resource groups to help families in crisis or facing challenges. She also took spouses concerns to Washington several times seeking and gaining solutions to the problems faced by all families during times of war. When she saw a need, she took action - an action in itself that cemented her legacy as a tireless advocate for those who were serving our country and their families.



Ms. Wilkinson continued, Ms. Davidson created an exceptional lesson plan that focused on bringing students together to work collaboratively and explore the life of Dr. Mary Walker, a woman who was recognized for her relentless efforts during the Civil War to better the lives of others. Her story of courage, sacrifice, and commitment is truly reflective of Mrs. Katie Fields Bell and her own work on behalf of veterans and their families throughout her life and career.

Ms. Davidson received the Katie Fields Bell Fellow Award during a special banquet on Sept. 11 at the Heritage Center. In addition to receiving $500 to be utilized on further professional development or in the classroom, she received a vintage railroad bell to symbolize Chattanooga as the Birthplace of the Medal of Honor, the first recipients of the Medal of Honor  members of the Andrews Raiders  and the hometown connection of the Fields and Bell families, and "to serve as a reminder that we are all called to action."

Each year, one of the 12 Teacher Fellows will be awarded a smaller railroad bell while a larger railroad bell will remain at the Heritage Center on display with the names of the Katie Fields Bell Teacher Fellows engraved on it.

During the banquet, the Heritage Center also recognized two other Teacher Fellows for their efforts in the program - Mendi Catlett and Andrea Clifford. Ms. Catlett took on the challenge of creating a STEM-based lesson to highlight Commander Richard Dick Scobee and the Space Medal of Honor. Her lesson will serve as a transition for groups visiting both the Heritage Center and the Challenger STEM Learning Center in Chattanooga. Ms. Clifford focused on Word War I and developed two lessons that highlighted Medal of Honor recipients Alvin York and Henry Johnson. For their above and beyond efforts in the program, each teacher received $250 to use in their classrooms or to utilize for further professional development.

Lessons referenced will soon be available for free on the center website. For teachers interested in participating in the 2024 class for the Heritage Centers Teacher Fellow Program, applications can be submitted online starting Dec. 1. To learn more, please visit https://www.mohhc.org/learn/professional-development or contact Maranda Wilkinson at education@MOHHC.org.
The Fallen Hero Cart will be available for all airlines to use.

SPOKANE - In collaboration with Spokane International Airport, Alaska Airlines employees held a ceremony on September 16 to place a new Fallen Hero Cart at the airport.

This marks the second cart delivered this year and the 15th cart created by Alaska Airlines maintenance employees to honor fallen military personnel.

The cart is designed to transport the remains of the deceased with respect and honor to and from the aircraft.

"We are honored to bring this cart to Spokane," said Brian Bowden in a press release, founder of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program. "This program is designed to make sure every active, retired, or veteran military member and their families are honored for their service and sacrifice in a respectful and dignified manner on their final journey. Our goal is to have a cart at every airport where we operate."

This cart, unique to Spokane, features an interior plaque showcasing the Spokane skyline and the Washington State flag according to the press release.

It is decorated with patriotic colors and symbols representing various military branches.

"The Spokane-Coeur d'Alene Region is home to Fairchild Air Force Base, as well as a number of reserve and national guard facilities that are key to our national defense," said Larry Krauter, chief executive officer of Spokane International Airport. "Our community honors veterans like no other, and we sincerely value, respect, and appreciate the commitment of our service members and their families who sacrifice so much so that we can live in safety and freedom."

"I am most grateful to receive the Fallen Hero Cart on behalf of the entire airport community. It is a special resource to further honor those veterans when they return home to their final resting place," he added.
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SAPPORO, Sep 21 ( News On Japan ) - Toxic mushrooms were mistakenly sold at an unmanned vegetable vending stand in Sapporo which now has a sign that reads, 'Please do not eat the mushrooms left here.'

The mushrooms that were being sold at the unmanned vegetable vending stand are believed to be Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, which are deadly poisonous.

It is believed that at least one batch was purchased between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM on September 20.

Death cap mushrooms can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even respiratory difficulties when consumed, with cases of death reported.

The person who left the mushrooms on the stand explained, 'I was planning to take it to the health department, so I just left it on the stand for the time being. Then, it was purchased within just 15 minutes.'

The identity of the purchaser has not been determined. Sapporo City is urging the purchaser not to consume the mushrooms."
Nearly a century and a half ago, the schooner Trinidad descended into the depths of Lake Michigan off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin.

In July, two maritime historians named Brendan Baillod and Bob Jaeck located the 140-foot-long schooner in nearly 300 feet of water and found it to be in surprisingly good condition for a ship that had been underwater for 142 years.

They discovered that the deckhouse was still intact and were stunned to see that the cabinets still had dishes stacked inside them, along with the crews belongings.

The pair had been searching for the lost ship for two years. They believed that finding the Trinidad was within their capabilities since the crew had provided such a detailed description of where the boat had sunk.

In addition, the boat had gone down slowly into deep water, which meant that it was likely it remained intact.

The vessel was built in 1867 by William Keefe. It was larger and made with sturdier reinforcements than most boats because it needed to endure sailing through the Welland Canal, a passage connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

During its time, the Trinidad carried iron and coal from Oswego, New York, to Milwaukee and Chicago and made the journey back with a supply of wheat from Wisconsin, which would then be shipped to cities on the East Coast.

The grain trade was thriving, and with the help of the trusty Trinidad, the boats owners made a fortune. However, the owners failed to maintain the ship, even though they could definitely afford to. As a result, it suffered from many leaks until it finally went under and settled at the bottom of the lake.

In 1881, the Trinidad met its end. The captain and crew were forced to leave behind their personal possessions and escape immediately in a small boat. They rowed for almost eight hours before they reached shore.

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Are you fascinated with the story of the lost Roanoke Colony, the colony of settlers who mysteriously vanished from North Carolina in the late 1500s?

While many people know the basics of that story, not everyone knows about the Dare Stones, the series of stones discovered across the country whose inscriptions allegedly gave answers as to what happened to the members of the lost colony.

In case you didnt know, in 1587, English explorer John White sailed with 115 settlers from England to North Carolina and settled on Roanoke Island. A few months after their arrival, John returned to England to gather supplies for his colony. But when he returned to Roanoke Island in 1590, everyone on the island, including his daughter, Eleanor Dare, his son-in-law Ananias, and his granddaughter Virginia, had mysteriously disappeared and were never seen again.

The disappearance of the lost Roanoke Colony had stumped and mystified scholars for years and still does to this day. That is, until 1937 when a fascinating discovery was made.

In 1937, a California resident named Louis Hammond brought a slab of rock he had found with his wife in North Carolina to Emory University in Atlanta. The slab was covered in etchings and had some kind of message on it, which Louis hoped scholars at Emory could translate.

Using professors from various academic departments, the staff at Emory were finally about to decipher the message on the slab, which read, Ananias Dare & Virginia went hence Unto Heaven 1591 on the front.

The front of the slab also instructed anyone who came across it to give that message to John White and was signed by EWD, who scholars believed to be Eleanor White Dare.

On the back of this rock was more of an explanation as to what happened to the members of the lost colony. It explained that after John White had left for England, the settlers moved inland. Then, more than half of them died of disease, while the survivors were killed by Native Americans. It cited that the victims, including Ananias and Virginia, were buried four miles east of the river at a gravesite marked by a rock that listed everyones name.

As soon as the message on the slab had been translated, scholars immediately set out to figure out if this information was true and actually written by Eleanor White Dare. Unfortunately, their findings were inconclusive, as there wasnt any distinguishing evidence to prove the inscription was legit, leading many to believe the stone was a hoax.

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Aircraft accidents happen from time to time. Thats just the risks that come with traveling by plane. Most accidents have a clear cause, such as stormy weather conditions or mechanical failure. But some others are shrouded with uncertainty.

TikToker Alison (@alisonnfit) is talking about how her father mysteriously vanished from the face of the earth when she was a young girl.

Her dad, Troy Johnson, was a pilot, and on August 26, 2015, he was flying an experimental plane when he crashed into the Pacific Ocean and was never found.

Her family lived in a mini airport, and her dad had top security clearance with the government. They owned four or five planes through the company her dad worked for, and she frequently flew on airplanes throughout her entire childhood.

Recently, Alison got her hands on some footage of her dads plane crash. She described the route her dad had flown before his aircraft dove into the ocean.

He went from Point Reyes, California, to Phoenix, Arizona. Then, he made a pit stop in Palmdale, California, to refuel his plane, which she found odd because he never stopped in Palmdale.

He always has enough gas topped off to get him from point A to point B as long as hes not flying across the country, so that is so out of his character to do that, said Alison.

From Palmdale, he traveled 460 miles off the coast and crashed. Alison and her family were told that he had lost consciousness.

Another important piece of information that Alison mentions is that he had been connected to the tower but stopped responding. Two fighter jets found him in the air, pulling up on either side of his plane.

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Many Japanese American Christians first heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, as they returned home from Sunday worship. Japanese students gathered with their faculty at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, to pray long into the evening. During the nightly curfew enforced for Nikkei (the term for all ethnic Japanese in the US), ministers telephoned frightened church members who huddled together in their homes.

Ten weeks later, President Franklin Roosevelt authorized Executive Order 9066, forcing nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans from the Pacific Coast to relocate to internment camps. Throughout the spring of 1942, public notices started appearing on telephone poles in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles announcing the dates when all persons of Japanese ancestry, both alien and nonalien would be evacuated and where they would be picked up.

Each family could only bring whatever luggage they could carry, leaving behind homes, businesses, farms, churches, communities, and even pets. Authorities then bused them to makeshift assembly camps where they would reside for several months before being transferred to one of 10 relocation centers in the countrys interior.

My grandparents and their two young children, my aunt and uncle, were detained at Manzanar Relocation Center near Death Valley, California. The older generation rarely talked about the camps, so in college I began to study the internment to learn about my familys story. Now, as a pastor, Ive expanded my research to how the Japanese American church practiced soul care during that difficult time in our nations history.

By the outset of World War II, Nikkei churches numbered about 100, mostly led by Issei, or immigrants from Japan, but also including Nisei, ethnic Japanese born in the US. These believers endured their grief and shame by caring for one another, as exemplified by the actions of Nikkei pastors and the sermons they preached in the days before evacuation.

In my research, I discovered an unpublished manuscript entitled The Sunday Before: Sermons by Pacific Coast Pastors of the Japanese Race on the Sunday before Evacuation to Assembly Centers in the Late Spring of 1942. Like John the Baptist, Nikkei ministers raised their voices in the wilderness to proclaim a message of hope in Jesus Christ. Yet they also actively lived out their faith by suffering with their flocks and leading worship services behind the barbed wire of the internment camps. Their witness in the face of unjust suffering models how we can care for souls today. (Unless otherwise noted, most of the sermons quoted below are from The Sunday Before).

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The whole counsel of Gods Word

In the days before evacuation, Nikkei pastors exhorted their anxious flocks to remember Old Testament pilgrims like Abraham, Moses, and the faithful remnant in the Babylonian exile. They also sought to bolster their congregations sufferology from the New Testament letters to persecuted churches and from the example of Christ himself. During those tense days and in the months to come, pastors reminded their fellow believers that God would empower them to rejoice in suffering just like Daniel praying in the den of lions, Paul and Silas singing praises in prison, and Jesus willingly enduring on the cross for the joy set before him (Heb. 12:2). A believers faith was not determined by their circumstances, but rather by their response to these circumstances.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, John Yamazaki proclaimed from the pulpit of St. Marys Episcopal Church that the power of Christs resurrection came only through suffering, citing Philippians 3:10. Yamazaki, who had pastored St. Marys since 1913, then reminded his flock that Good Friday preceded Easter as he walked them through examples in Scripture of Gods sustaining grace during times of evacuation: Abraham leaving Ur for a land that God would show him, and Israel wandering in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land.

It was those of the new generationmay I term them the second generation or Nisei of the Exodusthat crossed the [Jordan] River and went into Canaan, the Promised Land, under the leadership of Joshua, a new leader, he said.

Yamazaki continued with the Babylonian captives, the remnant who returned to rebuild Jerusalem, and Mary and Josephs trek to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. This is the higher and greater way that God holds for us, Yamazaki said. So, if evacuation is the order of the day in our lives, we have examples in history recorded in the Bible.

The day after his sermon, a sad caravan of 66 small trucks and cars, 6 large trucks, and 13 public (Pacific Electric) Busses conveyed 700 people from St. Marys departure point, pretty much emptying out the neighborhood of Mariposa Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, according to a journal article by Joanna Gillespie in Anglican and Episcopal History. Yamazaki would go on to pastor the Episcopal church at the Jerome camp in Arkansas.

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After the war, St. Marys became a refuge and a resource center for Nikkei resettlers who had nowhere else to live, because their former homes had been taken. Yamazaki served as president of the Los Angeles Japanese Clergy Association and continued to pastor St. Marys until 1956, when his son took over as rector.

The sufferings of Christ

Shigeo Shimada grew up in Japan, where his father disowned him for believing in the foreign religion of Christianity. He immigrated to America for seminary studies with only his broken English and $200 in his pocket, yet he clung to the truth that the same God who saved him in Japan would provide for him in a distant land, he wrote in his book, A Stone Cried Out: The True Story of Simple Faith in Difficult Days.

At a farewell service on February 15, before being sent off to internment camps, Shimada exhorted Alameda Japanese Methodist Church in the San Francisco Bay Area to remember the sufferings of Christ, according to his book.

You and I are and will be suffering a great deal because of this war. This is an opportunity to test our Christian faith. Let us meet all suffering face to face and endure the coming tribulations patiently. Let us not give up hope, whatever our trial may be.  Remember, you are all Christians and you are all citizens of the kingdom of God. The Issei people are called enemy aliens, and unfortunately the Nisei are treated like aliens as well. However, we must not become enemy aliens of God. Please behave as children of God wherever you may go and whatever your situation may be.

Shimada refused to conceal the future suffering his people would face, relating the Nikkei persecution to that of the early church under the Roman Empire. Peter had written to Christians who were likewise dispersed from their homes and facing an uncertain future (1 Pet. 1:1). They, too, were subject to harsh authorities with little say about what would happen to them (2:18).

Yet Shimada called them to be like Jesus, whose humility was not a sign of weakness, but rather a mark of measured strength: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (2:21). The churchs suffering should neither be strange nor unexpected, but an opportunity to joyfully share in the sufferings of Christ. Thus, believers must be ready for whatever might befall them and rejoice, knowing that faithful endurance would fashion them into the likeness of their Lord and Savior.

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Shimada would soon be tested himself, as his family was assigned to live in one of the filthiest horse stables at Tanforan Assembly Center, a former racetrack south of San Francisco. They slept in an old horse stall which had been whitewashed inside without first being cleaned. Workers had placed linoleum on the floor directly atop a pile of manure and the putrid smell filled the air day and night until it saturated their hair and clothes, he wrote in his book. Shimada resented being treated like an animal until he began to reflect on Christs atoning sacrifice.

My thoughts turned to Jesus Christ who was born in a stable that must have been much worse than ours.  Yet Mary and Joseph did not complain about their miserable situation. When the shepherds came to meet Jesus and worship him, it was a heavenly picture. I am sure that the stable was full of glory. However, in another stable of the twentieth century there was nothing but the spirit of resentment and bitterness. Why such a difference between the two stables? It was a difference of the hearts. Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds were profoundly related with God, whereas God was absent in my heart in our stable. I was deeply ashamed of myself. When I realized that being put in a stable as the holy family had been was a unique experience, a spirit of peace replaced the resentment and bitterness in my heart.

Shimadas family was transferred to Topaz Relocation Center in Utah, where agitators often accused Christian ministers of being pro-American spies. Shimada had to sleep with a guard outside his bunkhouse, yet he faithfully shepherded the flock that God had given him.

After the war, Shimada continued to pastor Nikkei churches. He was also able to lead his aged father to Christ, more than 25 years after being disowned and thrown into the street.

The fellowship of the gathered church

Sohei Kowta, the pastor of Wintersburg Japanese Presbyterian Church in Orange County, California, preached an installation service for young Donald Toriumi at Union Church of Los Angeles on April 19. He urged Nikkei Christians to uphold the example of Abraham, who not only followed the Lord in faith, but also continued to worship him: Wherever he visited a new place, the first thing he did there was to build an altar to Jehovah God. He also emphasized that the church was not just a building, but mainly consisted of her people.

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Within a very short time, we shall have to move out from  this church where we have played together and prayed together; this church where we have talked together and worked together; this church where we have sung together and sacrificed together, he preached. But, we Japanese  shall be like Abraham, the mighty migration leader; filled, not with hatred or bitterness, but with faith, hope and love. We shall go wherever God wants us to go, and as we go along we shall bless the people everywhere, as did Abraham of old.

Kowta and many members of his church would end up at Poston Relocation Center in Arizona, where he served on the pastoral team of Poston Christian Church. Like the other camps, the church gathered members from many different denominations, both Issei and Nisei, including Japanese and English speakers. They adopted broader doctrinal statements like the Apostles Creed and jointly decided on which hymns to sing and how to rotate preaching. Their beautiful picture of oneness amid diversity followed the example of the early church and anticipated Christs coming kingdom.

Following the war, Kowta actively aided many Nikkei by establishing a resettlement center at Union Church called the Evergreen Hostel, where he would serve for many years.

The ministry of presence

Many Nikkei pastors comforted their congregations not only with their words but through the ministry of presence. Lester Suzuki, the young pastor of Los Angeles Japanese Methodist Church, could have avoided internment, as his wifes family in Colorado offered them refuge. Instead, he and his family chose to suffer with his flock.

On April 26, the Sunday before their forced removal, Suzuki stood before the congregation to preach. Brethren, we are facing the eve of evacuation, he said. We must evacuate our homes and churches and be taken to strange places, and we will not know what will happen to us. This is our last Sunday on which we can worship in our own sanctuary.

Suzuki mourned with his church about leaving behind a chapel they had built with their own hands and financed with their hard-earned wages. Many had attended Sunday school there since childhood and were now forced to vacate without certainty of return.

In less than a week, Suzuki, with his wife and two children, boarded a bus to the Santa Anita racetrack, 14 miles northeast of Los Angeles, where they, too, would live in a horse stable for several months. Although his role was to cheer the flock, he couldnt stop the tears from flowing as the bus pulled away from their home.

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At Santa Anita, Suzuki was appointed chairman of Christian youth activities. He made his pastoral visits on a bicycle, and the youth ministry thrived since almost half of the evacuees were between the ages of 1029. A third to a quarter of the 4,200 residents would attend the Sunday morning worship services, which met in the grandstands, with hymns played on a portable organ. The Santa Anita stadium, which once seated screaming horse-racing fans, was now echoing the songs in praise of God lifted up by our young voices, wrote Midori Watanabe in Triumphs of Faith.

Suzuki would go on to lead Granada Christian Church at Amache camp in Colorado and serve as a historian for the Nikkei community after the war. He conducted his doctoral research on Christian ministry in the camps and conducted many oral interviews among members of the churches he pastored.

He would attribute his effectiveness as a shepherd to the ministry of presence, as he recounts in his book, Ministry in the Assembly and Relocation Centers of World War II.

The opportunities of the [relocation] Center experience gave every minister a deep sense of sensitivity with the inner feelings of people as they ministered in the post-war era, he wrote. The common experience of having suffered together with no extra privileges, having learned the common lessons of deprivation, of humiliation, of indignity, and yet come out with a sense of dignity and strength of character and much deeper faith in God made them much more effective ministers than if they had arrived from a free country.

This ministry of soul care during the Japanese American internment compels the church today to remain present with fellow sufferers, to continue gathering together, and to remind one another of Christs person and work from the whole counsel of Gods Word.

Tom Sugimura is a church planting mentor, counselor, and pastor of New Life Church in Woodland Hills, California. He is the author of The Church Behind Barbed Wire: Stories of Faith during the Japanese American Internment of World War II.
This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here.

This week, all of Washington is abuzz about journalist McKay Coppinss profile in The Atlantic of US Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), which revealed Romneys forthcoming retirement from the worlds most important deliberative body.

The piece, excerpted from Coppinss forthcoming book, Romney: A Reckoning, is striking because in it, the senator does not retreat into euphemisms or PR-speak in disclosing what he believes to be the problems in the country and in his own party. Instead, he lets his yes be yes and his no be no, no matter what people might think of that.

Setting aside for a moment whether one agrees or disagrees with Romneys viewpoints, now might be the time for us to reevaluate what we once knew about the importance of characternot just in public office, but also in the church.

As I read the profile, many thoughts came to mind, but one memory kept flashing to the forefront. Several years ago, I was interviewed on a media format I rarely engagea drive-time radio comedy/news/sports/politics show. One of the hosts challenged me on my saying that a lack of character makes someone unfit for office. He said he had found evidence that I once thought the exact opposite.

Now, there are lots of things that I have said in my life where I now think the exact opposite (Ive discussed some of them here), but I was hard-pressed to think how this was one of them. The radio host pointed to a panel I had done back in 2012, when the controversy in the evangelical world was over whether Christians could vote for Mitt Romney, then the Republican nominee for president, given the fact that hes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I dontand didnt then, eitherendorse candidates for office, but I made the case that Romneys faith did not at all represent a moral dilemma for those who disagree with him theologically, as I did and do. Ive had theological discussions with four former presidents of the United States in my lifesometimes with a lot of agreement, sometimes not. In every case, I was reminded of how few presidents in American history would even have the categories to have theological conversations.

In fact, one of the many reasons I admired Romney at the time was the fact that he didnt try to sweep all those differences away into some least common denominator civil religion to play identity politics with the evangelicals. He was clear that he believed in the teachings of his church and gladly served as a missionary and as a stake leader. But he was also clear that his oath would be to uphold and defend the United States Constitution, not any pronouncement from Salt Lake City.

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I can believe a person to be wrong on his or her religious convictions and still believe him or her to have the character and competency requisite to lead in a civil office. That didntand doesntseem contradictory to me at all.

Campaigning for public office in a democratic republic can be compared to a job interview. A citizen is delegating someone to bear the sword of public justice (Rom. 13:4), as the apostle Paul put it.

Imagine if you were a shift supervisor of a grocery store in your town, working to hire a new manager. Imagine that you also served on the pastor search committee of your church at the same time. You are interviewing candidates during the dayto work in the meat or produce or frozen food departments of your business. And you are interviewing candidates at night who might preach to and shepherd your congregation.

A candidate comes forward who believes Jesus was a good man, but probably not God. He says the idea of a Trinity doesnt make sense to him, and when someone quotes the Nicene Creed, he says its all incomprehensible to him.

When asked what he would say if he were asked at the Judgment why he should be admitted to heaven, the candidate says, Well, I worked hard, paid my taxes, and went to church every Christmas Eve; if thats not good enough for you, I dont know what to tell you. Does that disqualify the candidate? Well, in this case, it depends on whether the interview is in the daytime or at night.

If youre looking for someone to manage products and people and to make a profit in the produce department, personal regeneration, much less theological consensus, is not a necessary qualification. As a matter of fact, you might well be mistreating your employers if you hire a born-again produce manager who ends up throwing away boxes of spoiled fruit at the end of a week because he didnt know how to anticipate inventory.

At night, though, those interviews would include a different set of criteria. You might well end up hiring a pastor who has to ask Alexa to do basic multiplication (people have, after all, hired me before) but who meets the biblical qualifications for the pastorate and who shares the doctrinal convictions of the church.

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You would never in that context say, This candidate thinks Habakkuk is a kind of cannabis, and when asked about the Holy Spirit, shrugged and said I can teach it whatever way you want. But he knows how to invest our building fund in a way that will pay off our debt in half the time.

Now, lets suppose you go back to the daytime interviews. A candidate comes to you, and you know him from your church. He posts Christian memes to social media all the time and is heavy into discernment against bad doctrine. He also has a record of sexually harassing his fellow workers at the last three grocery stores for which he worked. His references say, consistently, Dont trust him, because he lies all the time.

When you ask the prospective employee why he called in sick so often to his last workplace, he says to you, Probably because of how much cocaine I was doing, but Im only selling it now, not using. When you ask him about why so much money went missing at his last workplace, he says, Theres nothing that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury of my peers, and winks at you.

Right after that, you interview a woman who has a record of honesty, straightforwardness, and integrity in all of her previous workplaces. Every employee who has worked for her testifies that shes truthful and fair. She knows exactly how to keep the shelves in her area stocked, to reduce waste, and to bring in a profit. And, from everything you can tell from her past background, she can be trusted with the bank receipts. Shes also active in the Mormon Womens Relief Society in her neighborhood, where she works with at-risk youth and single mothers.

Of the two options, you are obviously going to hire her over the church guy. In fact, if you did the reverse, you would be violating your duty to your business obligations.

Might you be wrong? Sure. Maybe the woman is just playing the long game. Shes been waiting to embezzle funds until she got to a grocery store without so many security cameras. Or maybe shed never thought about how much more work she could get done with cocaine until she talked to the other candidate, while they waited to be interviewed. You might be surprised, but generally, someones past record of integrity will show you how that person will operate in the future.

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A boring preacher might still manage a business well. A skilled marketer might teach the Bible poorly. But character and competency matter for both the grocer and the pastor, just in different areas.

Whatever one thinks of Mitt Romneys perspective, no reasonable person doubts that what he is saying publicly lines up with what hes saying privately. To think one thing internally and to say the opposite externally, Jesus tells us, reveals something twisted in the human heart (Matt. 22:18; Mark 7:1423). At its most literal level, thats what integrity means: a holding together, an alignment of mind, mouth, and conscience.

We live in a time, though, in which leaderswhether in the civil or in the spiritual spheresoften say things they know to be not true, because they are afraid of the loudest and angriest among their own people. Sometimes the fear is a lost primary election or being booed at a convention.

Sometimes the fear is what former congressman Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) called the assassins vetothe threat of physical violence against oneself or ones family (the Coppins profile reveals that Romney was spending $5,000 a day on security for his family).

The pull of the tribe over ones conscience is strong. You start to wonder if youre crazy. You start to know that when you walk in the room and everyone stops talking and looks down, they were probably talking about you. You start to be embarrassed that your friends dont want to be seen with you.

Political theorist Yascha Mounk writes in his forthcoming book The Identity Trap about the problem of internalized shame and the reluctant heretic (meaning heresy against ones group identity, not against ones religious conviction). Such a person is so nervous about disagreeing with prevailing sentiments that they practically seem to apologize for their own ideas.

These dissenters think they are being charitable or shielding themselves from criticism, but instead, Mounk argues, they signal that they themselves seem to regard their views as somehow illicit, and thereby encourage the enforcers of orthodoxy to use moral shaming or rank intimidation to shut them down.

In such a context, it is very hard to let ones yes be yes and no be no. In such a context, it is all the more necessary that someoneat least someone with a conscience, even with fear and tremblingwill do it anyway.

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Mitt Romney is leaving Washington. He will never sit in the Oval Office. Hes remained faithful, though, to the vows he made and to the oaths he swore. How many are left who will be willing to feel the sting of exile when they believe they have to choose between the truth and their tribe?

As long as we keep acting as though personal character is irrelevant foror maybe even worse, a detriment toleadership, we will find that there are very few. Once you learn to justify the breaking of one vow, the breaking of the others gets easier and easier. If history has taught us nothing else, hasnt it taught us that?

Character matters, all the time. Character matters, everywhere.

Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project.
College marketers love photos: students in class, students out on the grassmaybe throwing a frisbee, reading a book, or laughing with friends. For a Christian school, any image of someone singing or praying is good. They are always looking for compelling pictures that say to prospective students, This could be you.

And the Asbury revivalthe outpouring in February 2023, where students in Wilmore, Kentucky, felt moved by the Holy Spirit to stay in chapel and sing, pray, confess, testify, and sing some more for about two weeksproduced lots and lots of compelling photos.

But Jennifer McChord didnt think she could use them.

When the revival started, the vice president of marketing and enrollment at Asbury University was a year and a half into an intensive digital ad campaign to raise the Wesleyan-movement schools brand profile. She was trying every way she could to grab the attention of 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds who loved Jesus and wanted to be challenged in their faith while studying Bible theology, biological psychology, English, health communication, equine science, or any of the other subjects offered at Asbury. Her team wanted to make sure that Christian high school students in the region knew about and seriously considered applying to the school.

But using the photos and videos from the revival for an ad campaign felt like it would be a violation of something special. The administration decided they werent going to do that.

If it seems like were trying to benefit from the outpouring, thats the check, McChord told CT. This was not ours. And we dont take credit.

From the outside, news that Asbury has record-breaking enrollment this fall seems, kind of obviously, like an outpouring of the outpouring. After all, the revival went viral on social media and grabbed the attention of Christians around the country and the world, right as high school seniors were making decisions about college. It only makes sense to think that Asbury got a Holy Spirit enrollment bump.

I think people in our community will immediately say it was [the] outpouring, president Kevin Brown told the Asbury student newspaper.

Internally, however, administrators say the move of the Holy Spirit presented the school with a peculiar marketing challenge. They worried about the real danger of misusing it. Even the act of celebrating what God had done could become cheap and crass, if too directly commercial.

The marketing team, deep into a push to increase enrollment post-pandemic, had to stop and evaluate the ways they were going to represent the outpouringif they were even going toin advertising materials. How were they going to avoid misappropriation? How were they going to incorporate it in the story of Asburys mission and identity, and talk about it with prospective students and their families?

Before theyd really decided what they were going to do, McChord told CT, they noticed the student-led campus tours started to fill up more than normal. But the prospective students turned out not to be prospective students at all. Instead, they were visitors who found they couldnt get into the chapel, because so many people came to participate in the revival. They were signing up for tours in hopes of gaining access another way. They were disappointed when they found their groups wouldnt be traipsing through the middle of all the praying and singing.

The university community did a lot of work to protect the outpouring from visitors who seemed like they wanted to hijack it. In the process, they also embraced the idea that the outpouring wasnt theirs to control. They were caretakers. It was a gift. Any attempt to own it would be wrong.

We want to be true to how the Holy Spirit showed up, student life vice president Sarah Thomas Baldwin told CT at the time. We are seeing the Holy Spirit come upon our students, and we want to honor that.

Marketing and enrollment decided they needed to adopt the same disposition. When the outpouring came up in plans for promotional efforts, they asked themselves if it seemed like they were trying to benefit from the work of the Holy Spirit. If the answer was yes, they shut it down.

Its been a very careful and prayerful process, spokeswoman Abby Laub said.

The results sometimes felt counterintuitive. As they were promoting the school, counselors and recruiters found themselves on occasion telling people they shouldnt enroll in Asbury in anticipation of the next outbreak of spiritual fervor.

Weve had to correct some people when they say, I cant wait for the next one or Im excited to get to be part of an outpouring, McChord said. You can pray for that. Be expectantthats part of our theology. But we dont plan it. Its not on our schedule. Weve had to have a lot of these conversations.

At the same time, the marketing teams big goal with the digital ad campaign and other outreach efforts was to make sure that more people knew about Asbury. They wanted to raise the schools profile and communicate that this is a place where students can earn a good education while also growing spiritually.

The revival got that message out. They just had to accept it as a gift.

We hold it with both hands, McChord told CT. But truly open hands.

The outpouring also encouraged the marketing and enrollment team to lean in to conversations about the spiritual life at the school.

While prospective students and their parents are, of course, concerned with practical things from degree paths to the quality of the food to potential scholarship packages, they are also interested in Christian formation.

From a marketing and enrollment standpoint, what the outpouring has allowed us to do is be all-in on who we are at Asbury, McChord said. We can really be clear: It is an academically excellent school with spiritual vitality. You will encounter Jesus here. You will learn about God. It will be your decision what youre going to do with that.
Eleven evangelical college and universities have announced record enrollment this fallwhich is a record for breaking records, as far as anyone in Christian higher education remembers.

Asbury University saw enrollment jump 20 percent, while East Texas Baptist Universitys student population climbed above 1,800, the highest in the schools 111-year history. Abilene Christian University has more than 1,000 incoming freshmen, and Cedarville University is celebrating an increase of 374 students for a total incoming class of 1,017. Grace College, marking its 75th anniversary in Winona Lake, Indiana, grew by 465 new undergraduates, and Taylor University, also in Indiana, added 606 students to its rolls.

Concordia University, St. Paul, beat its previous record by 218 students. Lipscomb University welcomed more than 700 first-time freshmen. Dordt Universitys enrollment climbed to 1,911 students and Samford Universitys incoming class is 11 percent larger than last years, continuing a decade and a half of growth. Ouachita Baptist University had a 14 percent increase in undergraduates and now has a total of 1,581 undergraduates on its campus in Arkansas.

Overall enrollment numbers at schools affiliated with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities are not yet available. But several other evangelical schools have also reported strong numbers, including Houghton Univeristy and Wheaton College, which surpassed its enrollment goal by about 50 students after a few difficult years.

College presidents and vice presidents who spoke to CT say prospective students are drawn to the community at small Christian schools. The incoming class suffered through the social isolation imposed on them through the pandemic in high school and now are looking for deep connections in college. They place a high value on the very thing that evangelical institutions have always offereddiscipleship, relationships, and a place to grow.

Its hard to be an 18-year-old student right now, said Jennifer McChord, Asburys vice president of enrollment and marketing. When they see a place where they can have these meaningful, authentic connections where they are seen and known, it stands out. Because thats what theyre craving.

Schools like Asbury have also been working very hard to get the message out about the value of Christian higher education. After the institution, named for an early American evangelist, learned that many local high schoolers didnt know what Asbury was, the marketing department decided to invest in an intensive digital advertising campaign. For the last two years, social media ads have targeted 16- and 17-year-olds in the area who express an interest in growing in their Christian faith and one or more of the academic and extra-curricular programs that Asbury offers.

A lot of ads. A lot of videos. A lot of value content, McChord said. We use the digital platforms to drive a student to engage with a counselor and drive them to visit, where they can see.

Asbury also developed a number of partnerships with Christian high schools in the region, offering scholarships and developing a stronger pipeline from evangelical secondary education to evangelical post-secondary education.

According to Mark Pohl, Grace Colleges vice president of enrollment management, less than a third of graduates from Christian high schools go on to Christian colleges. Increasing that percentage could mean a lot to a school like Grace.

Pohl and Grace College president Drew Flamm visited about a dozen Christian high schools in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan the year before Grace broke its enrollment record.

We encourage students to talk to their families about the continued discipleship process and the value of Christ-centered education as they make their faith their own, Flamm told CT. Were a discipleship institution. Part of the application process has students indicate a relationship with Jesus. And we also emphasize you can get a good job with a Grace education.

Christian schools have also been working on improving the pipeline out of collegewhere students go when they graduate. Bethany College, a West Virginia school affiliated with the mainline Disciples of Christ, has signed agreements with other institutions to guarantee qualifying graduates a seat in medical school, law school, pharmacy school, and veterinary school.

We want to tell mom, dad, and student you can get there from here. That second phase of post-secondary education is already worked out if you come here, said Bethanys interim president Jamie Caridi.

Bethany, like other Christian colleges and universities that spoke to CT, does not often compete against peer institutions for prospective students. Most of the young people considering Bethany are also looking at public universities, Caridi said.

Small Christian schools have to find ways to credibly promise a career path that seems equivalent to what someone could get at a state school. And then they add a promise about the potential for close relationships and spiritual growth. The West Virginia school, which went through a severe financial crisis in the 2010s, now offers degrees in cybersecurity, digital marketing, and health care administration, as well as pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, and criminal justice.

We feel like America today needs Christian education more than ever before in history, Caridi told CT. But if were honest, at some point the marketplace lost sight of the value of Christian education. The marketplace has shifted, so we need to offer academic programs that are relevant to the marketplace but are a good mission fit for us too.

Many Christian schools have made similar shifts in emphasis in the last few years. That program innovation seems like its paying off for some of them in 2023.

Nearly 10 percent of Ouachita Baptists record undergraduate enrollment, for example, is made up of nursing studentsa program that didnt exist a few years ago. The Baptist founders may not have envisioned that in 1886, but the administration sees the pre-professional degree plan as a natural fit for the Christian school.

When I talk to these students, they talk about a calling to nursing, president Ben Sells said. And that comes in part out of their Christian faith and seeing the need to meet the nurse shortage in our state and, more often than not, some need in their family. Were extending our mission to serve students who want to be really proficient in nursing and who are sincere about their Christian faith.

Individual institutions may also be benefitting from larger trends that have little to do with changes to the curriculum or outreach efforts. Early data collected from 841 colleges and universities showed a surge of applications in 2023.

A number of large public schools have also reported record enrollments this fall, including University of Ohio, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, University of Arkansas, University of Alabama, and Michigan State University. That growth cant really be explained by an emphasis on small communities and the importance of faith formation. It appears that some prospective students delayed college, waiting for the pandemic to end.

If you are basing how youre thinking or feeling on the life decisions of 17-year-olds, Wheaton president Philip Ryken said, theres going to be a complexity and inscrutability to that, no matter what.

Top Christian college administrators are acutely aware that one or two good years may not signal a reliable upward trend. The president at Bethany said, no one is spiking the ball, while the president at Grace said recruiters would need to continue to remember the fundamentals of a good defensive strategy.

Many in higher education continue to worry about how declining birthrate will impact the total number of potential college students. Some experts have talked about an enrollment cliff as soon as 2025.

I dont know that we are seeing some dramatically new situation for Christian college enrollment, Ryken said. I think, year by year, were going to see some winners and losers and were going to continue to see that its tougher than ever financially to sustain your mission.

But all of the presidents and vice presidents who spoke to CT said they were, nevertheless, hopeful. The rising enrollment numbers give them a sense of momentum, and theyre encouraged that recent events seem to have helped people recognize the value of Christian higher education.

As horrible as the pandemic was, it probably increased interest in Christian higher education, said Beck Taylor, president of Samford University. Students who did not enjoy online education are looking for places to really invest in community.  We can really live into the relational aspects of university education and do it with credibility.

For Christian colleges, seeing a record number of students show up feels like the reward for many years of hard work. It also feels like an opportunity to fulfill the mission of Christian education.

We can really be clear about the value, said McChord at Asbury. When we can lock arms and pour into these students who are suffering from social isolation, anxiety, and so many other challenges today, continually pointing them back to the cross, pointing them to the truth, and challenging them to find what God says about it, that is value. And thats what theyre looking for.
Open Doors warns 'America no longer the safe haven' for persecuted Christians it once was

WASHINGTON  International religious freedom advocacy groups released a joint report Wednesday warning that the number of persecuted Christians being resettled into the United States from countries where they face most persecution still hovers near historic lows even as much of society has regained a sense of normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Christian persecution watchdog organization Open Doors US teamed up with the Evangelical humanitarian agency World Relief to release the latest edition of their "Closed Doors" report. The organizations had previously published a "Closed Doors" report in 2020.

Unveiled at an event on Capitol Hill, advocates stressed that as one out of every seven Christians worldwide is subject to "high levels of persecution and discrimination," the number of Christian refugees admitted into the U.S. from the 50 countries on Open Doors' annual World Watch List remains near the lowest level in a decade.

"Recent shifts in U.S. policy reveal that America is no longer the safe haven for displaced persons that it once was," the report states.

While refugee admissions into the United States were dramatically reduced under the Trump administration and reached their lowest point during the COVID-19 pandemic, the groups warn that refugee admissions have "rebounded more slowly than the pace at which most of life in the United States has returned to a post-pandemic normal."

"By the end of fiscal year 2022, the number of Christian refugees resettled from the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution was down by about 70% compared to the fiscal year 2016," World Relief Vice President of Advocacy and Policy Matt Soerens said.

While the U.S. resettled 9,538 Christian refugees from the 50 countries on the World Watch List in fiscal year 2022, that number amounts to less than one-third of the 32,248 Christian refugees admitted from such countries in fiscal year 2016, the final year of the Obama administration when nearly 85,000 refugees were admitted into the U.S.

At the same time, the number of Christian refugees admitted from countries on the World Watch List in fiscal year 2022 increased from the low of 5,390 measured in fiscal year 2020.

While the report focuses primarily on the effects of changes to U.S. refugee and asylum policy on persecuted Christians, the report notes that other minority groups have largely been shut out of the U.S. refugee resettlement system.

While Soerens expressed gratitude for the increase in resettlement and predicted statistics from the fiscal year 2023 would reveal the resettlement of more Christian refugees, he believes "the numbers are far less encouraging for Christian refugees from several particular countries where Christians face especially severe persecution."

Iran, which comes in as the eighth worst persecutor of Christians on the World Watch List, saw a 95% drop in the number of Christian refugees admitted between 2016 and 2022. Iraq ranked the 18th worst persecutor of Christians worldwide witnessed a 94% decrease in the same period.

The number of Christian refugees from Burma, also known as Myanmar, fell by 92% despite its status as the 14th worst persecutor of Christians, according to the Open Doors World Watch List.

Refugee arrivals from Eritrea, the fourth worst prosecutor of Christians, declined by 85%.

Soerens expressed concern about "several new policies and policy proposals that relate to asylum and that would restrict access to asylum for persecuted Christians and for others who might seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border."

The report calls out a rule instituted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration in May that restricts eligibility for asylum for those who enter the U.S. in ways other than a lawful port of entry.

"A new app designed to request asylum appointments at ports of entry, however, offers significantly fewer appointment slots than the number of individuals seeking to request asylum, creating a situation that some have described as an 'asylum lottery,'" the report notes.

Soerens described the U.S. asylum system as "a lifeline for persecuted Christians who were unsafe where they were living and whose only hope was to get to a safe place."

The panelists at the event warned about the implications of H.R. 2, also known as the Secure the Border Act of 2023.

Passed by the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives in a 219-213 vote earlier this year, the measure would reform the asylum process, in part by requiring those seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to pay a $50 fee.

World Relief President and CEO Myal Greene characterized H.R. 2 as an "incredible impediment to supporting and bringing a pathway for asylum for individuals who are fleeing for religious reasons." Soerens took issue with the bill's efforts to "roll back access to asylum" and increased "documentary standards" required to qualify for asylum under the legislation, which is still awaiting action in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate.

Greene called on the Biden administration to "raise and increase the refugee resettlement ceiling," urging Congress to restore the Lautenberg Amendment.

Named for the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., Greene praised the amendment as a "bipartisan, broad consensus piece of legislation for many years, which specifically seeks to create a pathway for people from former Soviet republics" as well as "particular religious minorities coming to this country."

Greene lamented that the amendment was not included in the most recent House Foreign Operations bill.

Soerens praised the Dignity Act as a bipartisan effort that would "put about $35 billion into border security" and "dramatically expand the adjudication capacity at the border by increasing the number of judges and officers that will  verify asylum claims." He believes the act will enable people to "go through that process closer to the border and not necessarily be distributed across the United States."

Sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., the Dignity Act has secured the support of five Republican co-sponsors and six Democrat co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. The chamber has yet to vote on the legislation.
TOKYO, Sep 22 ( dexerto.com ) - Controversial Kick streamer Johnny Somali has been arrested in Japan following months of harassing locals and other streamers.

Johnny Somali was arrested in Osaka after reportedly breaking into a hotel construction site last month on August 30.

During a live Kick broadcast on September 21, Johnny began streaming while being followed by a police officer, explaining to his viewers that the cop had been on his tail for thirty minutes.

After entering a convenience store to get a drink, Johnny was apprehended as multiple officers showed up and placed him in handcuffs, all while his stream continued. ...continue reading
Churches urged to pursue outreach in Spanish amid 'record' Latino political engagement

WASHINGTON  Amid a "record level of Hispanic involvement in politics," conservative activists contend that churches and other religious and political organizations have an obligation to reach out to the Latino community using Spanish-language media and materials.

A panel discussion at the Family Research Council's Pray Vote Stand Summit Saturday focused on "The Hispanic Community and Its Growing Influence on the U.S."

Panelists discussed the policy views of many Hispanics and how they align with the values of faith-based voters, stressing the need for churches and faith-based organizations to reach out to Hispanics to ensure electoral victories for the foreseeable future.

"There is a strong faith component in the Hispanic community that shares the values that we have, and they are being drawn into a community of like-minded citizens," FRC President Tony Perkins said as he introduced the panel. "When we look at the future of America, the Hispanic community is going to play a key role in preserving the values that you and I hold dear and that have been historically important in making America a great country."

Alfonso Aguilar of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles noted that the Latino community has given an increasing share of the vote to Republican candidates in recent elections, a factor that Perkins brought up at the beginning of the panel.

Perkins highlighted several heavily Latino counties in South Texas that supported Republican Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election after backing Democrat Hillary Clinton four years earlier.

Aguilar attributed this development to the fact that "they are afraid, literally afraid, of this leftist agenda that seeks to promote gender ideology, critical race theory, question the glorious history of our country."

Aguilar identified the 39% share of the Latino vote received by Republican candidates in last year's midterm elections as "the highest number since 1978." He said majorities of Latinos voted to re-elect Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio last year.

Nilsa Alvarez, the Hispanic division director for the Faith & Freedom Coalition, reported a "record level of Hispanics engaging in American politics."

"We've never seen the amount of Hispanic parents drop what they're doing and run for school board," Alvarez said. "It's something unprecedented yet so natural to the Hispanic community because we are, by the vast majority, conservative."

Alvarez, who lives in Tennessee, said "a lot of Hispanics" lobbied for a law in her state prohibiting drag shows at venues attended by minors.

"A lot of Hispanic parents reached out to legislators and said, 'We don't want to kids exposed to these sexual performances,'" Alvarez said.

Bishop Angel Nunez, the vice president of the National Hispanic Pastors Alliance, said that most Hispanics are "told that politics is of the devil and that we were just supposed to stay behind closed doors, wait for the rapture and the Lord is coming to take us home and let the world go to [Hell] in a basket and don't worry about it because God is coming back soon."

Nunez suggested that recent events have prompted a change of strategy.

"It is quite obvious what's happening in our schools," Nunez said. "It is quite obvious the laws that have been changed and the persecution that has come  to the state that we can't even mention the name of Jesus without having somebody being offended. They offend us, but they don't want us to offend them."

Alvarez credited the efforts of the Faith & Freedom Coalition with helping to register more than 6 million voters while stressing the importance of putting out "voter education materials in Spanish." She delivered a message to "organizations, ministries, charities, churches represented in this event."

"If you have nothing in Spanish, you're leaving out the fastest-growing minority in the nation," Alvarez stressed.

"You need to welcome them with their language," she added. "Our media is very censored in Spanish. It's all owned by the left. So, if you want your message to resonate, invest in Hispanic media. [In] every election cycle, I get phone calls from general managers of Spanish media stations saying 'we need ads from the right' because the left will have three ads every hour."

Alvarez concluded that "our absence in this media circuit is allowing our opposition to grow the ranks" as she reiterated her call to "invest in Hispanic media."

Nunez agreed while calling on ads to only feature people who know how to "write and speak in Spanish," describing the use of people who do not know how to pronounce Spanish words as "disheartening."

Aguilar stated that "the majority of those Hispanic voters who are supporting conservative candidates are English-speaking Hispanics," before citing polling data showing Republicans are behind by nearly 40% with Spanish-speaking Hispanic voters, which account for one-third of the Hispanic electorate.

"We have to figure out how to develop conservative Spanish language efforts towards Hispanics," he said.
Congressional Republicans look to repeal FACE Act, claim it targets pro-life activists

Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas has introduced legislation to repeal a federal law that has been used to prosecute abortion clinic protesters and those accused of vandalizing crisis pregnancy centers.

Roy introduced the bill Tuesday meant to repeal the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, with Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introducing companion legislation in the upper house of Congress.

In an announcement, Roy argues that the FACE Act, enacted in the mid-1990s, has been used by the Biden administration to target pro-life activists peacefully demonstrating against abortion. The law makes it a federal crime to block or use intimidation to prevent people from receiving an abortion or reproductive health services.

"Biden's Department of Justice has brazenly weaponized the FACE Act against normal, everyday Americans across the political spectrum, simply because they are pro-life," stated Roy.

"Our Constitution separates power between the federal government and the states for a reason, and we ignore that safeguard at our own peril. The FACE Act is an unconstitutional federal takeover of state police powers; it must be repealed."

Although the House is controlled by Republicans, Democrats maintain a narrow lead in the Senate, making the bill highly unlikely to pass during the 118th Congress.

Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, said he believes the FACE Act gave "harsh, mean-spirited punishments when pro-life individuals engage in acts of nonviolent civil disobedience  the staple of the human rights and civil rights movements."

"Under the FACE Act, peaceful actions like holding a sign, singing a hymn, or praying the Rosary, if conducted near an abortion mill, can result in jail sentences, massive fines and punitive damages by the party that feels it has been offended," Smith added.

"At the same time, there has been no documented arrest in over 80 instances of violent attacks, firebombing and vandalism by pro-abortion activists in a coordinated effort to intimidate front-line volunteers and licensed medical professionals providing critical support to mothers in need and their unborn baby boys and girls."

The FACE Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, coming in response to a reported uptick in violence against abortion providers.

"We simply cannot  we must not  continue to allow the attacks, the incidents of arson, the campaigns of intimidation upon law-abiding citizens that has given rise to this law," stated Clinton in 1994, as quoted by The New York Times.

"No person seeking medical care, no physician providing that care should have to endure harassments or threats or obstruction or intimidation or even murder from vigilantes who take the law into their own hands because they think they know what the law ought to be."

Groups like the National Abortion Federation continue to defend the FACE Act, arguing that the federal law not only protects abortion clinics but still allows pro-life activists to peacefully demonstrate.

"FACE protects protesters' First Amendment right to free speech," claimed NAF in a position paper. "Clinic protesters remain free to conduct peaceful protest, including singing hymns, praying, carrying signs, walking picket lines and distributing anti-abortion materials outside of clinics."

In recent times, several pro-life activists have been convicted for violating the FACE Act.

Last week, for example, activists Jonathan Darnel, Jean Marshall and Joan Bell were found guilty of violating the FACE Act when they attempted to blockade the entrance to a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic in October 2020.

In August, activists Lauren Handy, John Heather Idoni, William Goodman and Herb Geraghty were convicted on the same counts and could each face several years in prison as a result.

Last year, the Biden Department of Justice drew the ire of federal lawmakers for using the FACE Act to arrest and prosecute Catholic activist Mark Houck over a confrontation with an abortion clinic volunteer down the street from an abortion clinic in Philadelphia. Houck was acquitted by a federal jury in January.

Although primarily used against those harassing abortion clinics, the FACE Act has been used against pro-choice activists who have violently attacked pro-life pregnancy care centers.

In March, Gabriella Oropesa and Annarella Rivera were indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida for their alleged involvement in vandalizing at least one pro-life pregnancy care center in the Sunshine State.
Thousands protest churchs decision to block granny from being buried in cemetery over tithes

A Virginia pastor is facing protest from thousands of online supporters of a late longtime member and grandmother of his congregation who he allegedly blocked from being buried in the churchs cemetery alongside many of her departed family members due to a dispute over tithes.

The family of the late grandmother, 82-year-old Alice Mae Garrison, who died on Aug. 30 in her lifelong Roanoke community, said she spent most of her life as a member of First Baptist Church Hollins, which is led by the Rev. Harvey Saunders.

Affectionately known as Sallie, she accepted Christ at a young age when she joined First Baptist Church Hollins (FBCH) and quickly gravitated towards music. Throughout her music ministry, Sallie utilized her strong and powerful alto voice as she served on the FBCH Junior Choir, L. Lejoure Mass Choir, Senior Choir, and the melodic group known as the Vocaliers. She later organized the Garrison Family Choir and served some time as Youth Choir Director, the late grandmothers obituary explained.

A true servant of the Lord, Sallie led her children to Christ by teaching them to show His love in all their affairs. Sunday School and church were mandatory in her home, as Christ was the center of her life. Sallie loved her children fervently by believing in the message Jesus taught: man ought to always pray and not faint. Love was the message she lived, the obituary continued.

About six or seven years before she died, however, Garrison developed health problems that prevented her from attending church services, her family members told The Roanoke Times.

Garrisons daughter and co-caregiver, Kathy Garrison, and her brother, Gregory Garrison, told the publication that after their mother died, they reached out to Saunders about having their mother buried in the churchs cemetery, but he told them she had been removed from their membership roll because she stopped tithing.

The siblings, however, dispute Saunders claim. Kathy Garrison said even though their mother was sick and lived on a fixed income, between 2016 and 2023, she sporadically sent the church a total of 22 checks totaling $1,765. The last check she sent, in the amount of $400, was dated Jan. 3. All the checks were cashed by the church.

Saunders did not respond to calls for comment from The Christian Post, but he told Garrisons children that the churchs bylaws do not allow non-members to be buried in their cemetery.

The family, however, refuses to give up because, they said, Her dying wish was to be buried in that cemetery, Gregory Garrison told The Roanoke Times.

Earlier this month, they launched a change.org petition to allow Garrisons remains to be buried in the churchs cemetery, and it has already been signed by more than 11,800 people.

It is crucial to highlight that our beloved mother's absence from regular church attendance was not by choice but due to her failing health. She longed to attend services regularly, but physical limitations prevented it, Alycia Garrison wrote.

We firmly believe that it is an injustice and a gross act of discrimination that a religious institution has denied its member the right of burial. Her entire family that preceded her in death is buried in the cemetery. Only five months ago her beloved sister was buried there, Alycia Garrison said. Our beloved mothers unwavering faithfulness and dutifulness to her church throughout the decades has ended in utter and shear disrespect rendered by the attending church pastor.

A number of local leaders and ministers have reportedly tried to intervene, such as Brenda Hale, leader of Roanokes chapter of the NAACP, but the pastor would not change his mind on blocking Garrisons wish.

She was baptized there. She was a vibrant member for years. She started a choir there. She was someone to be respected, Hale told The Roanoke Times.

And she lived on Social Security. With her meager income, she would send whatever money she could. The family has receipts to show she continued her membership. She was never even informed that [the church] had removed her as a member, Hale said.

Gregory Garrison told the publication that his mothers parents, four of her sisters and three brothers who died earlier before here are all buried in First Baptist Church of Hollins cemetery with other extended family.

I have at least 30 relatives there, he said. And I might be lowballing it.
Why I am not a Christian nationalist

We were all unfamiliar with the term Christian nationalism until a couple of years ago. However, some people are demanding that we should agree with its ideology.

Most of us had never heard of the term until the media blamed Christian nationalism for the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol Building in 2021. The media attempted to make Christian nationalism synonymous with evangelicalism. That seemingly prompted all sorts of professing Christians to embrace the term.

From what Ive read, there are four or five kinds of Christian nationalists. In a sense, this is mostly why I am not a Christian nationalist. I dont think its wise to describe myself as a Christian nationalist when some of the people who embrace that label are completely unbiblical.

If the term was older than two years in mainstream culture, I would probably think differently. But I dont think its worth fighting for a relatively new word with so many connotations.

The different kinds of Christian nationalists include: the New Apostolic Reformation movement, some theonomists, Kinists, and according to leftists: all Christians.

The New Apostolic Reformation is generally a more political version of the Word of Faith or prosperity gospel. Its made up of professing Christians who believe humans lost dominion over the earth to Satan after Adams sin. According to them, God has restored the offices of apostles and prophets to lead Christians to take back dominion from Satan that rightfully belongs to humanity. They say there are seven areas that Christians need to regain dominion over. The government is one of these areas.

However, theres an entirely different group of Christians who are also calling themselves Christian nationalists: theonomists. Simply, theonomists believe Gods judicial laws for Israel in the Old Covenant are the standard for all nations. Therefore for some theonomists, Christian Nationalism seems like a simpler term to describe their beliefs.

I recently wrote an article about a group of professing Christians called Kinists. I said, Kinism is an ideology within some Reformed circles that teaches that a persons so-called race makes them kins or related to people within their racial group. According to Kinists, all white people have a shared ethnicity and culture that should be preserved. Therefore they support racial segregation in communities and families. Meaning, theyre especially opposed to interracial marriage.

Kinists have also taken the Christian nationalist label. As I mentioned in the article, some of the most popular books promoting Christian nationalism are from authors with a soft form of Kinism.

Also, as I mentioned in my review of Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, according to the authors of that book and other leftists, if youre a Christian with a Biblical view on race, gender, and sexuality  youre a Christian nationalist.

There are other versions of Christian nationalists, including some Reformed Christians who are influenced by Stephen Wolfes The Case For Christian Nationalism. So clearly, there are broad and narrow definitions of Christian Nationalism.

According to the leftist definition of Christian nationalism, Im a Christian nationalist. But Im not interested in accepting the terms leftist use to describe my political views. Especially since theyre attempting to conflate all evangelicals with the Kinist versions of Christian nationalism.

However, this doesnt mean I dont want America (or my beloved Canada) to be a Christian nation. Opposition to Christian nationalism isnt the same as opposition to a Christian nation.

Christian nationalists should stop making the fallacious claim that conservative Christians who reject Christian nationalism do not want Christian nations. Just as people can reject the concept of antiracism while hating racism, Christians can reject the concept of Christian nationalism while wanting Christian nations.

Every Christian wants their nation to embrace Christian ethics. Every subject of the Kingdom of God wants their nation to honor Jesus Christ as the king of kings. We simply disagree on how that should happen or what that should look like politically.

For instance, I strongly disagree with Christian nationalists who reject freedom of religion and freedom of speech. This is one of the main reasons why I reject Christian nationalism.

Christians in America have a different nation and covenant than the ancient Israelites. So in that sense, were not called to be prophets for a theocratic system like Moses. Were called to be preachers of the Gospel like the Apostle Paul, who said:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

The Apostle Paul didnt say Christians should restrict an unbelievers right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. He says we destroy their heretical arguments with the Gospel, not authoritarianism.

Its not the Churchs responsibility to punish unbelievers. That responsibility belongs to Christ. He will punish unbelievers when he fulfills His Kingdom in the New Earth. Until then, however, His Kingdom isnt of this world (John 18:36).

That doesnt mean we should believe in the myth of neutrality. Theres no such thing as a religiously neutral nation. Every nations laws are primarily influenced by one religion. From its founding and for most of its existence, American law was primarily influenced by Christianity. Now, however, Americas laws are primarily influenced by postmodernism or secular paganism.

Thats actually why freedom of religion is necessary. It protects minority religions from persecution by official religions. For example, what do Christian nationalists say to persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria? Do they have a right to freedom of religion?



What arguments should Christian organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom International make to defend them from persecution? If we support blasphemy laws for unbelievers, what legal basis do we have to fight blasphemy laws in Muslim nations?

So although I want America, Canada, and every nation in the world to be a Christian nation, these are just some of the reasons why I am not a Christian nationalist.

Originally published at Slow to Write.
90% fewer Christians who are facing persecution being resettled to US since 2015

Theres been a nearly 90% reduction in the number of Christian refugees being resettled to the United States from countries where churches face the greatest persecution since 2015, according to two leading evangelical humanitarian organizations.

Open Doors USA, a watchdog group that monitors the persecution of Christians in over 60 countries, teamed up with the refugee resettlement agency World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, to release a new report Friday.

The 16-page report, titled Closed Doors, is critical of policies that have drastically reduced refugee resettlement to the U.S. in recent years and others that have made it increasingly difficult for persecuted individuals and families to seek asylum.

There have been many recent changes regarding refugee resettlement and asylum law that has effectively shut the door on many of the refugees from being able to access protection in the United States of America, World Relief Vice President of Advocacy and Policy Jenny Yang told reporters on a press call Friday.

As organizations that are working to help those that are fleeing religious persecution, particularly Christians, we feel like it is of the utmost importance that the ... U.S. keeps its doors open.

The report includes testimonies from persecuted Christians as well as data comparing the numbers of refugees resettled during the final years of the Obama administration to the drastically decreased numbers resettled under President Donald Trump.

The report finds that 18,462 Christians from countries listed on Open Doors USAs influential annual list of 50 worst countries where Christians face persecution were resettled to the U.S. in 2015 and 17,122 Christians from those countries were resettled in 2016, the final two years under Obama.

By comparison, only 946 Christians from those countries on the Open Doors World Watch List were resettled in the first half of the fiscal year 2020. The report estimates that if projections remain steady, only 1,897 Christians from those 50 countries will be resettled by the end of the fiscal year 2020, which represents a reduction of 89.7% from 2015.

The purpose of the report, organizers said, is to stress how policy changes enacted by the Trump administration since 2017  including the cutting of the U.S. refugee resettlement ceiling  have impacted persecuted Christians abroad. The report was not published to suggest that Christians should be prioritized over refugees of other religious backgrounds.

We do unabashedly believe, however, immigration and asylum policies must be addressed in order to protect those who, because of persecution on account of their faith in Christ, have been forced to flee their countries, the report stresses. Scripture teaches us that the global Church is a single body, and that when one part suffers, we all are to suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).

According to World Relief, the world is facing its worst refugee crisis since World War II and there are believed to be 80 million people throughout the world displaced from their homes. The United Nations estimates that about 1.4 million displaced people in 60 refugee-hosting countries are in need of resettlement.

Open Doors USA CEO David Curry, a respected religious freedom advocate, told reporters that while the Trump administration has championed the presidents promise to promote religious freedom and protect persecuted Christians overseas, its changes to policies on refugee resettlement as asylum law have created a gaping hole in that promise.

Curry said he would like to see the Trump administration prioritize the refugee resettlement program and noted that there are over 250 million Christians worldwide experiencing severe levels of persecution for their faith in Jesus.

Open Doors has reached out to the State Department and the National Security Council about this issue.

This is an opportunity for them to address something that hasnt been addressed, Curry said. We are hopeful and want to encourage them to step up and take significant steps to address this refugee issue.

World Relief is planning to send the new report to the office of Sam Brownback, U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Yang said she plans to raise the issue on Tuesday during the weekly international religious freedom roundtable meeting in Washington, D.C., and will discuss it with Brownback directly. The report will also be sent to staffers on the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Last year, Christian groups voiced their displeasure after the Trump administration announced another cut to the U.S. refugee resettlement ceiling after resettling 22,874 refugees in 2018.

The administration proposed a record-low ceiling of 18,000 refugees resettled to the U.S. in the fiscal year 2020. But to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis, the administration has further restricted refugee resettlement. The new report states that fewer than 7,600 refugees have been resettled to the U.S. in 2020 with just three months left to go in the fiscal year.

The resettlement program is "still largely halted, the report reads.

Both organizations believe that the refugee ceiling should be raised to an annual 95,000 refugees resettled to the U.S. per year, which is 2,000 refugees under the number resettled to the U.S. in 2016, the final year of Obamas presidency.

The U.S. government needs to have a strategy to help those people who are specifically targeted for their faith expression, Curry said. These people may need to have some sort of refugee status in the U.S. The fact that we sort of blanket block it is not a sufficient answer. Christians need to speak out on this issue.

The new report goes into detail and criticizes a series of policies enacted by the administration in recent years reinterpreting how U.S. asylum law is to be applied for those seeking to claim asylum at the border or upon entry into the U.S.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene said that a new rule proposed last month by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security effectively redefines what qualifies as persecution and reduces eligibility for asylum. The public comment period for the rule proposal ends July 15.

Proposed regulations change the standard for the evidence necessary to request a hearing before an immigration judge, Breene warned. They significantly redefine key terms, including what we mean by persecution. They severely restrict the opportunity to be granted asylum for any individual who transited through other countries. There are many places where people are persecuted who can only get here by transiting through other countries. This is really a further dramatic reduction in accessibility for those fleeing persecution.

Breene argued that it is possible to resettle refugees in the U.S. while also taking the precautions necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Open Doors USA, an influential evangelical organization whose annual World Watch List report is utilized by members of Congress, federal officials as well as churches nationwide, has largely been supportive of the U.S. governments drive under the Trump administration to prioritize issues of religious freedom.

The president even signed an executive order last month related to the topic of international religious freedom, which Curry praised in a later interview with The Christian Post.

This administration has been really exceptional in how it communicates on [international religious freedom]. At the same time, it has fallen down on this issue and those two things (asylum and refugee policies), he commented. It is not contrary for us to call out where the administration needs to step up and where Christians need to speak out on this issue. Frankly, some people can not safely stay in their countries.

Curry stressed that Open Doors is not a political group and is happy to work with both sides.

I have no problem applauding the way this State Department has addressed religious liberty. [But] this is a shortcoming. The secretary of state and others within the State Department need to recognize now, three years into this administration, that they have fallen down on this issue.  This is an opportunity for them and they need to step up. I think that is why this report is so important.
Are Hispanics becoming more Republican? Pollster says it's unclear if rightward shift is 'durable'

While exit polls from the 2022 midterm elections indicate a double-digit swing in Latino voters from Democrat to Republican since 2020, many pollsters and election experts have looked into the possibility that Hispanics, a traditionally strong voting bloc for Democrats, could be shifting in their political support.

Exit polling from last Tuesday shows a slight improvement in Republicans' performance with Latinos, with 39% of Hispanics saying they voted for Republican candidates, an increase of 7 percentage points from the 2020 presidential election. While 65% of Latino voters voted for Democrats in 2020, only 60% said the same in 2022, representing a 12-point swing in Latinos' net support for Democrats dropping from 33% in 2020 to 21% in 2022.

In some local and state races, the shift is even more dramatic.

One example of this is Florida. According to exit polls reported by ABC News, Republican incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis garnered 57% of the Hispanic vote last week after losing the Hispanic vote by 10 percentage points in 2018.

Republican Monica De La Cruz made history by becoming the first Republican elected to represent Texas' 15th Congressional District. She defeated Democrat Michelle Vallejo by 8.5 points in a once-blue majority-Latino district that has swung to the right in recent years. Her victory came months after Republican Rep. Mayra Flores became the first Mexican-born woman elected to Congress after winning a June special election in another historically blue South Texas district.

Exit polling on the demographic has been contradictory at times. Exit polls from Virginia's 2021 gubernatorial race were conflicted on the status of the Latino vote, with Associated Press' VoteCast indicating that Republican Glen Youngkin won Hispanics by a dozen percentage points, while Edison Research reported Democrat Terry McAuliffe won the voting bloc by 34 percentage points.

To examine the question of whether Latinos are shifting from Democrat to Republican, The Christian Post spoke with polling experts to gauge their insight on the matter.

Mark Hugo Lopez, director of Race & Ethnicity Research at Pew Research Center, told CP that there "has been a shift underway in Latino voters' support for Republican candidates for a few years now."

"From 2016 to 2020, the share of Latino voters who voted for Donald Trump grew from 28% to 38%, according to a Pew Research Center verified voter study," he said.

Lopez cited "preliminary results based on exit polls," which suggest Republican candidates won about as much Latino support in 2022 as they did in 2020.

Lopez says there are "many factors that may be contributing to these changes," including the context of certain elections and outreach.

"First is the candidates themselves and the national and local context of recent elections. Who is running and how things are going in the nation can affect voters' choices," he said.

"Second, how campaigns reach out to voters can make a difference too. For example, what issues are campaigns focusing on as they do voter outreach?"

Nevertheless, Lopez says it's "important to note" that there have been "similar shifts in Latino voters' support for Republican candidates in the past," including during the 1980s and among Latino voters between 2004 and 2012.

"What remains unknown is whether this shift will be durable," Lopez added.

Robert Cahaly, the senior strategist and pollster with The Trafalgar Group, believes a shift is ongoing in the Latino community. He attributed it partly to "the Democrats' departure from traditional faith-based values."

Cahaly contends that if Democrats want to combat this trend, they would have to make "a fundamental change" to their proposed policies and "reject the very secular notions" that he believed underpinned them.

"They would have to just completely reject that element of the party that is moving them away from faith-based values to secularism," he said.

Cahaly suggests Republicans should "keep treating Hispanic voters like regular people" and "reject any notion that they're monolithic."

"Treat them like they are individuals whose votes you must earn every two years," continued Cahaly. "Show them that respect."

Questions about the state of the Latino vote come as the results of the 2022 midterm elections continue to trickle in, showing that the expected "red wave" only resulted in modest gains for Republicans, including taking control of the House of Representatives.

Poll results have varied leading up to the midterm elections. A survey conducted in April by Marist University in conjunction with NPR and PBS NewsHour found 52% of Latinos said they support the Republican candidate for Congress compared to 39% who would vote for the Democrat.

Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, told CP earlier this year that many Latinos are "abandoning the Democratic Party or leftist ideologies" because of their opposition to abortion. He pointed to South Texas as an example of a region where Latinos are voting more Republican than before.

Congressional districts based in South Texas swung heavily toward the Republican Party in 2020. Democrat Hillary Clinton won the 15th Congressional District in 2016 by a margin of nearly 17 points, but the district only supported Biden by less than 2 percentage points in the 2020 election. The shift culminated this year in the Republican De La Cruz's victory in a once-blue district.

"The districts that used to be blue are now red," Rodriguez said of South Texas. "These are districts with 87%, 89%, 90% Latino populations, and now they're becoming all red."
Christian groups praise Biden raising refugee resettlement cap: Blessing to our communities Biden vows to set 2022 resettlement cap of 125K refugees

President Joe Biden announced Monday that he is raising the United States refugee resettlement ceiling in a move that contrasts with the Trump administration's immigration policies, drawing praise from faith-based refugee advocacy organizations.

In the announcement posted by the White House, Biden noted that the resettlement cap will increase from the historical low of 15,000 refugees to a goal of 62,500 refugees resettled in the U.S. during the fiscal year 2021.

Biden believes that former President Donald Trumps decreased cap for the current fiscal year and previous years did not reflect Americas values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.

The new admissions cap will also reinforce efforts that are already underway to expand the United States capacity to admit refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year, stated Biden.

It is important to take this action today to remove any lingering doubt in the minds of refugees around the world who have suffered so much, and who are anxiously waiting for their new lives to begin.

The announcement was a turnaround from earlier reports that indicated that Biden was going to maintain Trump's resettlement limit of 15,000 refugees for the duration of the fiscal year 2021.

The following pages include the reactions to the announcement by four Christian organizations, including those that specialize in helping immigrants and refugees.

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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."
AG Garland unsure if FBI agent was fired for memo on 'radical-traditionalist Catholics'

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has come under fire from Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups for what they have deemed as unsatisfactory answers about an FBI memo on radical-traditionalist Catholics.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Wednesday titled "Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice."

The purpose of the hearing, as stated on the committee's website, was to "examine how the Justice Department has become politicized under the leadership of Attorney General Merrick Garland."

One part of the hearing focused on a document circulated in the FBI Richmond Field Office earlier this year, made public in January by former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin. The "domain product" warned that "the increasingly observed interest of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology almost certainly presents opportunities for threat mitigation through the exploration of new avenues for tripwire and source development."

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., asked Garland if he agreed that "traditional Catholics are violent extremists." Garland said, "I have no idea what  traditional means here." Van Drew defined "traditional Catholics" as "Catholics that go to church."

Garland stressed that he and FBI Director Christopher Wray have "said that we were appalled by that memo," prompting Van Drew to ask Garland again if he thought traditional Catholics were extremists.

"Catholics are not extremists, no," Garland replied.

When Van Drew asked if there was "anyone fired for drafting and circulating the anti-Catholic memo," Garland told him he didn't know the answer to that question.

"There is a disciplinary process that the Attorney General is not permitted to intervene in."

Garland, whose Jewish grandmother fled from religious persecution in Europe, took issue with the question of whether the FBI was discriminating against Catholics.

"The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous, so absurd, it's hard to even answer your question," Garland said.

The FBI document stated that radical-traditional Catholics are "characterized by the rejection of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) as a valid church council; disdain for most of the popes elected since Vatican II, particularly Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II; and frequent adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT, and white supremacist ideology."

Vatican II took place from 1962-1965 and is credited with shaping "the Modern Roman Rite Catholic Church," instituting liturgy reforms and amending the denomination's "attitudes towards non-Christian religions, roles and responsibilities of the laity, views on religious freedom, etc."

The domain product clarified that "Radical-traditionalist Catholics compose a small minority of overall Roman Catholic adherents and are separate and distinct from 'traditionalist Catholics' who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions, but without the more extremist ideological beliefs and violent rhetoric." It expressed concern that RTCs and RMVEs would find common ground in "areas such as abortion rights, immigration, affirmative action, and LGBTQ protections."

Tom McClusky, director of government affairs for the advocacy group CatholicVote, released a statement reacting to Garland's testimony.

"Merrick Garland has proved himself to either be a very bad liar or totally incompetent," McClusky said. "Either way the answer is the same: he needs to resign or be removed from office."

The House Judiciary Committee revealed findings last month showing that the FBI's Richmond Field Office "coordinated with multiple FBI field offices across the country" to produce the document expressing concern about "radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology."

The FBI submitted a document to the House Judiciary Committee illustrating that both the FBI Portland Field Office and the FBI Los Angeles Field Office "were involved in or contributed to the creation of the FBI's assessment of traditional Catholics as potential domestic terrorists."

The committee discovered that an FBI contact in Portland "informed on a deceased [Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist (RMVE)] subject" who had "sought out a mainline Roman Catholic community" and then "gravitated to [Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX)]."

Earlier this year, CatholicVote filed a lawsuit against bot FBI and the DOJ for failing to provide internal communications containing a series of terms related to the Catholic Church that it requested under the Freedom of Information Act. That litigation remains ongoing.
India sees drastic rise in anti-Christian attacks: report

Since January, 525 violent incidents against Christians have been documented in 23 different states in India, according to the United Christian Forum (UCF), which highlighted the spike in reported incidents from the previous year, which saw 505 attacks.

According to a statement issued on Sept. 7 by UCF, June had the most incidents  89  against Christians. UCF found that the number of violent occurrences peaked in July at 80, while it was at its lowest in May at 47.

There are 13 areas across the nation where it's now unsafe to practice Christianity, says UCF. Bastar and Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh, where there have been 51 and 14 acts of violence against Christians, respectively, top the list. Most frequently, Christians are the targets of the state's anti-conversion law.

Close to 520 Christians have been detained across the nation under the anti-conversion statute so far this year, the UCF statement noted.

With 211 assaults, Uttar Pradesh recorded the most attacks, followed by Chhattisgarh and Haryana.

In Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, Christians have been denied access to water sources in over 54 instances of social exclusion. Occasionally, they were even barred from gathering their own harvests.

Additionally, acts of violence against Christians occurred in New Delhi, the nation's capital, where four prayer gatherings were disturbed by extremist groups.

Reports on violence from several locations in Manipur remained unreachable since the unrest started on May 3. UCF noted that it is anticipating a formal report on this issue from government officials.

Originally published at Christian Today India
Latino voters rejecting 'anti-Christian, 'anti-religious liberty' Democratic Party policies: pastor

Latinos are expected to continue moving away from the Democratic Party in the upcoming midterm elections because the party has become anti-Christian and anti-religious liberty, according to the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, a leader in the faith community.

Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, weighed in on the political realignment of Latino voters in an interview with The Christian Post. He attributed Latino voters' abandoning the Democratic Party or leftist ideologies to their commitment to life, referring to their opposition to abortion. That commitment to life stems primarily out of our faith, he said.

Citing every single survey from The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets, Rodriguez proclaimed that Latinos are abandoning the Democratic Party in droves. A Journal poll released in March revealed Latinos supported the Republican congressional candidate over the Democratic contender by 9 points in this years midterm elections.

Another poll conducted in late April by Marist University in conjunction with NPR and PBS NewsHour found 52% of Latinos supporting the Republican candidate for Congress in the upcoming midterm elections compared to 39% who would vote for the Democrat. Exit polling conducted by CNN following the 2020 presidential election revealed that Latinos supported President Joe Biden, a Democrat, over former President Donald Trump, a Republican, by 33 points.

If the polls taken thus far end up reflecting the actual political preferences of Latinos, it would constitute a massive shift. Rodriguez pointed to South Texas as a screenshot of this phenomenon, noting that the districts that used to be blue are now red. He told CP that these are districts with 87%, 89%, 90% Latino populations, and now theyre becoming all red.

What does that tell you? It tells you the Democratic Party is not the party of Bill Clinton, its not the party of Jimmy Carter, its not even the party of Barack Obama in 2008, he added. The Democratic Party is no longer that party.

Rodriguez characterized todays Democrats as a new progressive, socialist, anti-right, anti-Christian party that completely ignores the rights of individuals and the idea that we are created in the image of God, with God-ordained rights. He maintained that Latinos are not going to stand for that because we are a people of faith.

Speaking about the Democratic Partys policy positions, Rodriguez described the Biden administrations engagement with faith leaders as terrible. He contrasted the Biden administrations approach to dealing with faith issues with his Democratic predecessor, former President Barack Obama: The secret sauce behind President Obama was the fact that he invited people who disagreed with him, especially as it pertains to faith leaders. He would invite them in and hear them out and wasnt intimidated by different opinions.

Rodriguez contended that the Biden administration has a very myopic and rigid tunnel vision worldview, which is if you dont agree with 100% of all of my policies, you cannot sit at my table. Under this approach, he added, there is absolutely no way you can engage the faith community in any viable or sustainable way.

The Biden administration completely disavowed the Evangelical community, it disavows the conservative Catholic community. So who are they engaging? They are engaging just an echo chamber of mutual affirmation.

Rodriguez defined the Biden administrations embrace of the most liberal, progressive, red letter of Gospel, pro-abortion people instead of hearing individuals who may have a dissenting opinion that can chime in and agree on certain areas as evidence of a lack of maturity and limited bandwidth. He asserted that former President Trump had 5G faith outreach, President Obama had 5G faith outreach, and President Biden has analog, not even LTE, not even 3G, not 4G, were back to flip phones.

According to data compiled by the Democrat progressive blog the Daily Kos, which keeps track of presidential election results at the congressional district level, the congressional districts based in South Texas swung heavily toward the Republican Party in the 2020 presidential election. Texas 15th Congressional District, which supported Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 presidential election by a margin of nearly 17 points, only supported Biden by less than 2 percentage points in the 2020 election.

Texas 28th Congressional District went from supporting Clinton by nearly 20 points in 2016 to backing Biden by only 4 points in 2020. Texas 34th Congressional District backed Clinton by almost 22 points in 2016. By 2020, Biden only carried it by 4 points.

Redistricting has altered the composition of all three districts ahead of the 2022 elections, with the 15th District becoming more Republican and the other two districts becoming more Democratic. The Republican Congressional Campaign Committee has included all three of them on its list of seats it hopes to flip in this years election.

Rodriguez predicted that a Republican takeover of the U.S. House and Senate could result in the passage of a comprehensive immigration reform package. He also outlined his priorities for such legislation, including the protection of our borders, which means securing our borders, stopping all illegal immigration.

It means finishing the wall, if not physically through infrared technology, satellite imaging, using our drones, using every single resource in the proverbial arsenal in order to stop all illegal immigration, he stressed. After advocating for the reinstatement of the Trump-era policy requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are adjudicated, Rodriguez called for the granting of citizenship to the dreamers, immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

However, Rodriguez insisted that their parents who came here illegally should never be granted citizenship. He remained open to the possibility of granting dreamers parents a permanent green card, reiterating that they have completely disqualified themselves from ever becoming citizens because there is a price to pay for coming to this country illegally and that should be the price.

Addressing the topic of abortion, Rodriguez suggested that the pro-life movement continues to thrive due to the demographical shifts of America associated with a growing Latino population, adding, The pro-life movement is healthier than ever before. He also condemned the leaking of the draft majority opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health as egregious and criminal.

Rodriguez emphasized that if the draft opinion in Dobbs, which is not final, becomes the final opinion and ruling, abortion will not become illegal in America. Instead, the issue will go back to the states and then what we will see will be states making modificationsto their abortion laws. He expressed hope that, at the very least, U.S. abortion laws would become more in line with those of the rest of the world, where it's legal in the first trimester and then afterwards only under very, very specific circumstances.

Not that I agree with that. I am pro-life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural departure from this planet, but it is more in mind with the rest of the world instead of aligning us with North Korea and China and other regimes that have no concern whatever for life.

Speaking about the Biden administrations decision to ease sanctions on Venezuela, Rodriguez said it was completely counterintuitive and antithetical to accomplishing the goals in Venezuela, specifically to establishing a free and democratic Venezuela. Classifying the situation in the Latin American country as one of the most tragic flips of a script that we have ever seen in a nation, he recounted how it was a very prosperous nation back in the 1970s and '80s before Chavez took over and turned it into an authoritarian, totalitarian, socialist regime.

We have Venezuelan people in our churches, he said. Because of that, we know firsthand the humanitarian crisis taking place in Venezuela. Rodriguez slammed the easing of sanctions on Venezuela as illogical, incoherent and I would even argue immoral.

In addition to criticizing the Democratic Partys policy positions, Rodriguez described the Biden administrations engagement with faith leaders as terrible. He contrasted the Biden administrations approach to dealing with faith issues with his Democratic predecessor, former President Barack Obama: The secret sauce behind President Obama was the fact that he invited people who disagreed with him, especially as it pertains to faith leaders. He would invite them in and hear them out and wasnt intimidated by different opinions.
North Korea ranks as worst persecutor of Christians after enacting 'anti-reactionary thought law

North Korea has reclaimed its position as the worlds worst persecutor of Christians, according to the latest World Watch List report prepared by the religious persecution watchdog Open Doors US.

Open Doors US released its 2023 World Watch List on Tuesday. The document, released annually since 1993, ranks the countries of the world based on the severity of the persecution and discrimination Christians are subjected to. While Afghanistan took the top spot in 2022, North Korea regained its status as the worlds worst persecutor of Christians in 2023. Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan round out the top-10 worst persecutors of Christians on this years World Watch List.

In a statement announcing the findings of the 2023 World Watch List, Open Doors US cited an anti-reactionary thought law implemented in North Korea as a particularly troubling development. Open Doors US Interim CEO Lisa Pearce told The Christian Post in an interview that the law was enacted in 2020.

Pearce described the anti-reactionary thought law as a way to legitimize persecuting anybody who has any literature, anything of Western influence, including the Bible. She pointed to the law as another reason for North Koreas presence at the top of this years World Watch List while acknowledging that in practice, its difficult for things to be more brutal for the Church than they already were.

Open Doors US cited a comment from North Korean escapee Timothy Cho when painting a picture of the hostility faced by Christians there. Cho said, Christians have always been in the front line of attack for the regime, referring to the Kim dynasty that has ruled the country with an iron fist for several decades. According to Cho, Their aim is to wipe out every Christian in the country. There can only be one god in North Korea, and that is the Kim family.

As for Afghanistan, which claimed the title of worlds worst persecutor of Christians last year amid the Talibans highly publicized takeover after the Biden administration's withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, World Watch List founder Wybo Niccolai told CP that the situation has really not changed in the past year even though the country dropped from No. 1 to No. 9 on the list. He noted that a number of things have changed that led to Afghanistan ranking further down on the list of the worlds worst Christian persecutors this year.

The Taliban, during the time of takeover, they killed a lot of Christians. They are no longer there, he said. Many other Christians fled so they are no longer there. Niccolai also detailed how a large number of Christians who have decided to remain in Afghanistan have gone deep down underground.

One Christian who fled Afghanistan following the Talibans takeover, identified as Zabi, elaborated on the situation on the ground in a neighboring country in a statement to Open Doors US: Our situation is desperate. My mother and I managed to cross the border into another country. I am praying that I can leave this country and go somewhere safe. I may have to go into hiding or Ill be deported to Afghanistan. If that happens, I may be killed.

The World Watch List also listed Nigeria as a hotbed for Christian persecution. The number of religiously motivated killings in the African nation rose from 4,650 to 5,014 in the course of a year, accounting for 89% of the international total of 5,623 Christians killed for their faith in 2022. The number of religiously motivated killings worldwide marked a slight decrease worldwide from the 5,898 measured the previous year.

Pearce called on the U.S. State Department to re-establish Nigeria as a country of particular concern, a designation reserved for the worst violators of religious freedom. She contended that based on conversations with our teams of people who live there, Nigerias absence from the list of countries of particular concern for the second year in a row is a difficult thing to reconcile.

The World Watch List also reflects the emergence of Sub-Saharan Africa as a troubled spot for Christian persecution, home to four of the top-10 worst persecutors of Christians. The whole region is heading into catastrophe, said World Watch Research Managing Director Frans Veerman.

The aim of Islamic State and affiliated groups is to destabilize the entire region, establish an Islamic caliphate  ultimately across the entire continent  and, long term, they are confident this is within their reach. They are helped by other Islamists focusing on non-violent, systemic Islamization, he added.

Veerman stressed that it isnt just governments in Africa that arent facing up to the true nature of this religiously motivated purge, its governments across the world. He warned that the price of this denial is incalculable, not just to Africa, but to the whole world.

Statistics compiled by Open Doors US reveal that more than 360 million Christians worldwide find themselves subject to discrimination and persecution on the basis of their faith, accounting for one out every seven Christians. The watchdog organization characterized the persecution of Christians as at the highest levels since the list began nearly 30 years ago.

This years World Watch List marks the first to be released after Open Doors USA, the organization that previously released the World Watch Lists, separated from Open Doors International and assumed the name Global Christian Relief. Open Doors International announced on Jan. 1 that its U.S. chapter would henceforth be known as Open Doors US.

Open Doors US identifies itself as a global NGO network which has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians for 68 years and works in more than 70 countries to provide practical support to persecuted Christians such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training and resources.
Russell Brand denies sexual assault allegations, warns of 'serious, concerted agenda' after YouTube ban 'I was very, very promiscuous' but affairs were 'always consensual,' actor says

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been suspended from earning income on his YouTube channel following reports of sexual assault allegations and warnings from his audience that he might be sharing too much truth.

The 48-year-old Brand, who has over 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube, was suspended after purportedly violating the platforms creator responsibility policy, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The suspension came after several British media outlets, The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, published allegations of sexual assault and emotional abuse from five alleged victims  including four of whom were anonymous  during the height of his movie career from 2006 to 2013.

One report from The Sunday Times alleged Brand assaulted a then-16-year-old girl  who was over the age of consent in the U.K.  during a brief emotionally and sexually abusive relationship, while another victim told The Times that Brand raped her at his Los Angeles home in 2012.

In what ultimately was his last YouTube video before the suspension, Brand denied the allegations, saying they pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream media, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. And as Ive written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous.

Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual, he added. I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and Im being transparent about it now as well.

In the video, Brand said he received two extremely disturbing notes from an unidentified corporate media TV company and a newspaper listing what he called a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks as well as some pretty stupid stuff, including that he shouldn't be able to attack mainstream media narratives.

While acknowledging the allegations were very serious, Brand added that hes concerned that what he described as coordinated media attacks closely resembled, for example, the media backlash to podcaster Joe Rogans comments about the drug ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.

He also pointed to a number of corporate media articles painting Brand as a conspiracy theorist for speaking out about the potential health risks linked to some of the coronavirus injections.

I know that a year ago there was a spate of articles, Russell Brands a conspiracy theorist, Russell Brand's right-wing, he said. I'm aware of news media making phone calls, sending letters to people I know for ages and ages.

It's been clear to me or at least it feels to me like there's 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.

Brands recent YouTube offerings include an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, in which the two discussed corporate media rhetoric, along with videos on Bill Gates, former President Barack Obama, the COVID-19 lockdowns, Ukraine, and the Hawaii wildfires.

Despite his recent suspension from YouTube, Brand maintains a healthy presence on alternative video hosting site Rumble with about 1.4 million followers. The actor also has another nearly 15 million followers on X and Instagram.

In response to the allegations, members of the British Parliament have launched an effort to persuade platforms to demonetize Brands accounts.

Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, wrote a letter to TikToks Director of Government Relations, Theo Bertram, asking whether Brand still has the ability to monetize his posts on TikTok and whether any procedures are in place to ensure creators cannot undermine the welfare of victims.

Dinenages letter also appeared to acknowledge that Brand was not in violation of any of TikToks policies: While we recognize that TikTok is not the creator of the content published by Mr. Brand, and his content may be within the Community Guidelines set out by the platform, we are concerned that he may be able to profit from his content on [TikTok].

Despite calls for Rumble to follow YouTubes lead, CEO Chris Pavlovski issued a statement Wednesday rejecting those calls and criticizing Parliaments actions.

Just yesterday, YouTube announced that, based solely on these media accusations, it was barring Mr. Brand from monetizing his video content. Rumble stands for very different values. We have devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet  meaning an internet where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform, he wrote.

We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so, Pavlovski added.

While gaining a reputation early in his career for vulgarity and crude humor, Brand said in a 2018 interview that he believes the teachings of Christ are more relevant now than they've ever been.

Its a dramatic change of heart for Brand, who once said he believed the Bible was more of a symbolic text than the divine Word of God and was even rumored to have a messiah complex.

"Have you considered that the Bible, like all religious doctrine, may be allegorical and symbolic to direct us towards one holy entity of love as opposed to a specific  text to direct the behavior of human beings?" Brand said on his show in 2012. "The Bible wasn't specifically written by a cosmic entity! It was written by people! The Holy Spirit ain't got a pen!"
Hit-and-run suspect who filmed retired police chief's murder arrested: 'Complete lack of conscience'

Two teens are facing murder charges in connection with a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a retired police chief after a video surfaced that showed the pair planning to run the 64-year-old man down with a car.

Andreas Probst, a retired police chief for the city of Bell, died from his injuries after the teenagers hit him with a car on Aug. 14 near Tenaya Way and Centennial Parkway.

According to a Tuesday Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department statement, detectives have placed the teen passenger who filmed the hit-and-run under arrest, and he has been booked into the Clark County Juvenile Hall.

As KTLA reported Tuesday, authorities had already located the vehicle involved in the incident and the 17-year-old driver on Aug. 31. The male suspect was arrested and booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall.

The officers learned of the video depicting the incident on Aug. 29, according to LVMPD's statement. After learning the hit-and-run was intentional, LVMPD Homicide detectives took over the investigation, and the charges were amended to include open murder.

"The video showed how the driver intentionally sideswiped a sedan as they traveled northbound on Tenaya," the statement explained. "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."

In the video, which has circulated online, the driver asks the passenger if he's "ready" as he speeds up the vehicle and drives behind Probst, who was riding his bicycle in the designated bike lane. The passenger replied, "Yeah, hit his a" before the car struck the retired police chief.

After he was hit, the video shows Probst's body slamming into the windshield and then tumbling to the side of the road. The man suffered "life-threatening injuries," according to LVMPD's statement. He was transported to UMC Trauma, where he was eventually declared deceased.

The detectives handling the case are also investigating another hit-and-run that they believe the pair may have been involved in prior to hitting Probst, according to LVMPD.

According to KTLA, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said during a Tuesday press conference that the two teens will likely be transferred to the adult system after the prosecution of the pair began at the juvenile level.

"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 what's going to happen in this case."

The victim's daughter, Taylor Probst, also spoke at the press conference, stating that the family is "devastated by the senseless murder of Andy."

"Andy's life was robbed by two individuals who did not believe that lives of others matter," she stated.

According to a Sunday Las Vegas Review-Journal report, a misunderstanding occurred regarding the media outlet's coverage of the hit-and-run. The outlet's crime reporter, Sabrina Schnur, wrote an obituary for Probst with a headline describing the incident as a "bike crash" instead of a deliberate murder.

The report was published a week before the video of Probst murder surfaced. After a source contacted the outlet with the video showing the teens intentionally running down the retired police chief, Schur connected the source with the police, and authorities later announced that they had deemed the incident a homicide.

In response to the new information, The Review-Journal changed the headline. However, after the video went viral, screenshots of the article with the original "bike crash" headline started to emerge on social media.

"An innocent man was murdered in cold blood while riding his bicycle," Elon Musk wrote in a Sunday post on X, sharing a photo of the article with the initial headline. "The killers joked about it on social media. Yet, where is the media outrage? Now you begin to understand the lie."

The newspaper's executive editor, Glenn Cook, criticized what he described as the "social media outrage machine" in a Sunday statement.

"Sabrina Schnur and the Review-Journal are the target of vicious cyber harassment because a prodded digital audience never noticed the story that infuriated them was published almost a month ago, before new facts ever came to light," Cook said.

Police became aware of the video after it was airdropped around Arbor View High School on Aug. 29, according to The Review-Journal.

According to a Tuesday New York Post report, Probst's family said that they don't believe the murder was related to his law enforcement career, suggesting that the tragedy is due to the effect that "social media has on our youth."

"It's a complete lack of conscience on a part of it and the worst part about it in the video is you hear that everything was intentional," LVMPD Detective Lt. Jason Johansen said about the crime.
Two parents are a right  not a privilege

For the last few decades, it seems that when it comes to the social science concerning the family, progressives have modeled well the famous observation of the late Arthur Conon Doyle, the beloved British writer and physician best known for creating Sherlock Holmes.

There is nothing more deceptive, he once wrote, than obvious fact.

Facts concerning the family have been self-evident for years: strong nations are comprised of healthy and secure families  and secure families are made up of married mothers and fathers who devote themselves to one another and their children.

But then along came the sexual revolution and all the norms that served society so well for so long were questioned, challenged, and in many cases, upended and outright discarded. The success sequence  the belief that education, marriage, and then children, should flow in that order  was cast aside as some relic of a distant era.

Today, more than 40% of children are born outside of marriage. It's far worse in the black community.

The cumulative effects have been devastating. At first the consequences may have seemed minor, but like so much, negative things happen little by little and then all at once. Social conservatives have been warning about the developing storm for a generation. In return, weve been mocked, marginalized, and even labeled bigots for our efforts.

Until now.

In a welcome admission last week, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff suggested liberals have suffered from a blind spot when it comes to the deterioration of the two-parent family. That data is in  and he admits its devastating:

Families headed by single mothers are five times as likely to live in poverty as married-couple families  Children in single-mother homes are less likely to graduate from high school or earn a college degree. They are more likely to become single parents themselves, perpetuating the cycle  Almost 30% of American children now live with a single parent or with no parent at all. One reason for the sensitivities is large racial disparities: Single parenting is less common in white and Asian households, but only 38% of Black children live with married parents.

Mr. Kristoff qualifies the construct of a two-parent household as a privilege  but hes wrong about that, at least in the sense of how we traditionally define privilege, i.e., a special right or privilege.

Every child is entitled to both a mother and a father. It should not be considered a luxury or special advantage. My heart breaks that its quickly becoming the exception, and I share that as someone who knows the pain and ache that comes from growing up in a broken home.

Poverty, single parenting and divorce arent Republican or Democrat problems. Thats why the work we do  giving singles the tools they need to establish healthy marriages, offering couples in crisis hope and help to save their marriage, and equipping parents to raise thriving children  shouldnt be red or blue solutions.

We can work together  we must work together  to help families in need. If you reduce the divorce rate, you inevitably reduce poverty.

Some would argue that our approach is flawed  that as a culture were hopelessly post-marriage, or that societys efforts would be better spent focusing on economic factors as causes and remedies for poverty. They would be wrong.

Advocating for policies and personal behavior that result in robust marriage and family is a more productive solution than robust social support. Since President Johnson declared a war on poverty in 1964, more than $25 trillion in taxpayer funds has been spent to fight it.

However noble and well-intentioned, the campaign has failed miserably.

Government is rarely (if ever) the solution to a problem, especially when it comes to eradicating social decay.

Instead, we need to pour ourselves into the task of strengthening families by promoting the beauty and sanctity of marriage.

How do we go about doing that?

Unlike a Sherlock Holmes mystery, there are no secrets or fantastical solutions to this societal conundrum. As it has been from the very beginning, we must strengthen marriage by first investing in our own relationships. We must model the God-ordained institution well by remaining faithful and committed in our own unions. We must also encourage our children to choose well and do the same  and we must champion policies that entice others outside our families to marry and do the same.

In other words, harkening back to Arthur Conan Doyle: Elementary, my dear Watson.
VOA, August 16, 2023

The Taliban on Wednesday banned all political parties in Afghanistan, stating that such activities are against Islamic law, or Sharia.

The move comes a day after the de facto Afghan leaders marked the second anniversary of returning to power in Kabul.

Abdul Hakim Sharaee, the Taliban minister of justice, announced the ban at a news conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

"There is no Sharia basis for political parties to operate in the country. They do not serve the national interest, nor does the nation appreciate them," the minister said without elaborating.

More than 70 major and small political parties were formally registered with the Ministry of Justice until two years ago, when the then-insurgent Taliban reclaimed control of war-ravaged Afghanistan.

The Taliban have since been persistently accused of curbing freedom of association, assembly and expression to suppress critics, allowing only supporters to undertake such activities.

They have since imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law to govern the impoverished South Asian nation, banning girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade and barring most Afghan women from work and public life.

Afghan media is also under attack by the new rulers, forcing scores of news channels and outlets to close and hundreds of journalists to leave the country.

The United Nations and other global monitors have consistently decried worsening human rights conditions in Afghanistan and demanded that the Taliban reverse their restrictions on women and civil liberty.

The Taliban seized power on Aug. 15, 2021, as the United States and NATO withdrew all their troops after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

The insurgent takeover prompted prominent Afghan political party leaders and politicians to flee the country, fearing retribution for their association with the U.S.-backed former government.

Many self-exiled Afghan political leaders have since opposed the new rulers in Kabul and called for armed resistance to dislodge them, but they have not received international backing for their campaign.

Foreign countries have refused to recognize the Taliban as the country's legitimate rulers for their treatment of Afghan women and for not involving other ethnic and political groups in running the country.

Torek Farhadi, an Afghan political commentator, said the Taliban follow the example of Gulf countries without political parties.

"What is needed is the participation of women and people from all walks of life to participate in a conversation about the country's future," Farhadi said.

"As much as it can sound politically incorrect, political parties can create unnecessary divisions in Afghanistan today, and that is the last thing the country needs."

The U.N. says years of war and prolonged drought have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the country, where two-thirds of the population need aid.
The Associated Press, September 19, 2023

Rahim Faiez, Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The mental health of Afghan women, who have suffered under harsh measures imposed by the Taliban since taking power two years ago, has deteriorated across the country, according to a joint report from three U.N. agencies released Tuesday.

Nearly 70 percent reported that feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression had grown significantly worse between April and June, an increase from 57 percent in the preceding quarter, according to the report from U.N Women, the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

Afghan women were interviewed online, in-person and in group consultations as well as via individual telesurveys. In total, 592 Afghan women across 22 of Afghanistans 34 provinces took part.

The women spoke of suffering from psychological problems including depression, insomnia, loss of hope and motivation, anxiety, fear, aggression, isolation and increasingly isolationist behavior, and thoughts of suicide.

The Taliban, upon taking power in 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were pulling out of the country following two decades of war, promised a more moderate rule than during their previous period in power in the 1990s. But they have instead imposed harsh measures, many of them targeting women.

They have barred women from most areas of public life and work and banned girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade. They have prohibited Afghan women from working at local and non-governmental organizations. The ban was extended to employees of the United Nations in April.

Opportunities to study continued to shrink as community-based education by international organizations was banned and home-based schooling initiatives were regularly shut down by the de facto authorities  a term use by the U.N. for the Taliban government.

Afghanistan is the only country in the world with restrictions on female education and the rights of Afghan women and children are on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Taliban spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the report Tuesday, but in the past Taliban officials have cited Shariah, or Islamic, law to support their policies regarding women and girls.

Last month, Mohammad Sadiq Akif, the spokesman for the Talibans Ministry of Vice and Virtue, said that women lose value if men can see their uncovered faces in public.

The report found that 81 percent of women had not engaged at all with local Taliban authorities on issues important to them between April and June 2023. This finding was consistent with engagement levels in the previous quarter, said the report.

Forty-six percent of women said international recognition of the Taliban government should not happen under any circumstances, while 50 percent warned that recognition should only occur under specific conditions contingent on improving womens rights. These include restoring education and employment and forming an inclusive government.

The women expressed concern that recognition would only encourage the Taliban government to continue becoming stricter in their policies and practices against women and girls.

Afghan women specifically urged the international community to continue political and economic sanctions against the Taliban, including by not granting exemptions to a travel ban. They urged an increase in engagement with the Taliban on gender equality and womens rights, including by engaging community and religious leaders in awareness and advocacy efforts.

The women said they want support for initiatives that provide counseling and psychological services and they want access to international scholarships and safe migration options for women and girls to study and work overseas.
Termen extins - pentru selectarea unui expert/ unei experte sau a unei agentii pentru realizarea Entry si Exit Survey intr-un proiect din domeniul prevenirii violentei si asistenta incluziva pentru femeile in etate
IREX Moldova/Programul Comunitatea Mea - RFP pentru selectarea unui Contractant care va implementa campania de informare pentru Sistemul Informational Geografic de nivel local (GIS Local)
A 22-year-old charity has apologised to its founder and former chair after an 11-month dispute over his departure announcement last year.

In November 2022, the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU) announced the departure from its board of Robert Adam, who established the charity in 2001 and chaired it for 21 years.

Last week, the trustees and directors of INTBAU admitted that there was a misunderstanding and that Adam did not intend to tender his resignation.

Adam told Civil Society he had felt kicked out of INTBAU and remained unclear about why the charity previously claimed he had resigned when he had not.

We regret any distress caused to Adam

INTBAUs statement , shared by Adam on his Instagram page, says that he had an extensive and full and frank exchange of correspondence with the trustees and directors of the charity.

The undersigned trustees sincerely regret any distress this matter may have caused Professor Adam and that any subsequent matters may have reflected negatively on his professional and personal reputation, the statement reads.

The undersigned trustees and directors of the UK charity INTBAU Ltd all hold Professor Adam in the highest esteem and celebrate his 21 years of service as founder and Chair of INTBAU Ltd.

Professor Adam has now elected to stand down from the board and remains a corresponding advisor to INTBAU Ltd.

Unnecessary business

Adam told Civil Society that he had intended to resign early on this year and that the trustees knew this, but still decided to dismiss him in October 2022.

Essentially, as the statement said, they claimed that Id resigned. I told them I hadnt at the very beginning, but they persisted in claiming that Id resigned, and, therefore, removed me from the charity, he said.

So, we entered into a dispute, basically, and that dispute lasted for, ridiculously, 11 months. In the meantime, the governing committee, which is an international committee, put me permanently on their committee because they didnt want to see me go. So, its an extraordinary business, and quite unnecessary.

He said that being kicked out of a charity he was involved in is a slight on your reputation, but its also deeply upsetting.

This was a sad and unnecessary affair, and personally quite upsetting as I was one of the founders of the charity, and have supported it from virtually nothing to a very successful charity.

But Im glad its all over, and I can work on promoting the objects of the charity.

There comes a moment when you need to step back

Asked why he had intended to leave the charity, he said: I started the charity 22 years ago, and there comes a moment when you need to step back. And my intention was that I would remain a member of the UK charity, but not the chairman.

But in fact, Ive now been put on to the governing international committee, and theyve agreed that I act as a corresponding advisor. It seems to me satisfactory that I leave that committee.

In fairness, when youve had an 11-month dispute with somebody with a group of people, it's quite difficult to work close [with them].

He added: The irony of all of this is Ive never been given a reason for this. It cant be succession because I had already agreed to stand down. So, no one has ever said: We wanted to do this and we had to do this. So, I still dont know why.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
By sebra, Adobe

Arts Council England (ACE) has announced that it has reached an agreement outside of court with Denise Fahmy, its former employee who won a harassment case against the charity earlier this year.

Civil Society understands that ACE will not be appealing the decision of the Leeds employment tribunal , which found ACE had created a hostile environment after Fahmy expressed her gender critical beliefs.

Fahmy had defended fellow charity LGB Alliance after a senior staff member at ACE said it had a history of anti-trans activity in a large meeting, saying it was not anti-trans.

An email and comments shared by staff following the meeting had created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the claimant, the judgment said.

The judgment stated Fahmys gender critical beliefs were protected as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010.

Civil Society understands that a financial payment was made as part of the agreement to the claimant.

ACE: We are sorry

An ACE spokesperson said: We respect the findings of the judgment and are sorry that despite the actions we took at the time, a member of our team experienced harassment at work.

We are committed to making sure that similar instances do not happen again, and that we are an organisation where every staff member, no matter who they are, or what beliefs they hold, is treated with dignity and respect, and ultimately feel they belong.



In a statement, Fahmy thanked her lawyers, the trustees of LGB Alliance and Maya Forstater, who won a similar case against the Centre for Global Development. A crowdfunder raised 46,145 for Fahmys legal costs.

Fahmy thanked those who donated and said: Your words, your contributions and your support enabled me to win my case and prove that thanks to Maya Forstater people that believe sex is binary and immutable and cannot change should no longer be harassed at work for saying so.

Many people working in the arts are deeply affected by the intolerance within the sector. I hope my case has helped shine a light on that. I will continue to fight for freedom of expression in the arts.

Fahmy resigned from ACE as its relationship manager in April this year, and in May took her employer to an employment tribunal. She won the case in June.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
In July, Terry Doughty, a federal judge in Louisiana, ruled that discussions between the federal government and social media platforms as to what content they should or shouldnt allowaround the efficacy of COVID vaccines, for exampleconstituted an attempt to coerce the platforms, and as such were a violation of the First Amendments protection against government interference in speech. Indeed, Doughty described this kind of conduct as the most massive attack against free speech in United States history. He ordered officials from a range of government agencies to stop talking to tech companies about content moderation, and also prohibited these officials from collaborating, coordinating, partnering, switchboarding, and/or jointly working with certain academics whose work focuses on social media.

As I explained at the time, the allegation that the government has colluded with social media companies to censor speech is not new; in the case in which Doughty ruled, the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri argued that officials had begun a systematic campaign to control speech on social media as early as 2017. The federal government subsequently appealed Doughtys ruling, arguing that in talking with the social platforms, officials were merely trying to promote responsible actions to protect public health, safety, and security. Two weeks ago, the case moved forward again: the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit agreed with Doughty that the White House, the surgeon general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FBI coerced the platforms into suppressing speech, and that this was a violation of the First Amendment.

Although the appeals court upheld the general thrust of Doughtys decision, however, it didnt agree with a number of the restrictions he imposed. Of the ten specific prohibitions on government behavior, the Fifth Circuit threw out nine as being too broad, and modified the tenth, according to the Washington Post, limiting it to efforts to coerce or significantly encourage social media companies to remove, delete, suppress, or reduceposted social media content containing protected free speech. The appeals court also said that Doughty erred by including the State Department and a number of other agencies in his injunction, when there was no evidence that they had coerced any platforms.

If Doughtys opinion was widely, if not universally, criticized by observers, some legal experts were less troubled by the Fifth Circuits order, since it functioned mostly as a reminder for the government to stop short of coercion when recommending that the platforms remove certain kinds of content. David Greene, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the Post that the Fifth Circuits version was a thousand times better than Doughtys, while Mike Masnick of Techdirta vocal critic of the original rulingcalled the decision a thorough and careful analysis of the standards for when the government steps over the line in violating the First Amendment rights by pressuring speech suppression.

The Biden administration, however, was still not satisfied: last week, Elizabeth Prelogar, the solicitor general, asked the Supreme Court to block the order, calling it unprecedented and saying that it should not be allowed to stand. One of the cornerstones of presidential power, Prelogar argued, is the ability to seek to persuade Americansand American companiesto act in ways that the president believes would advance the public interest, and the injunction, she wrote, would impose grave and irreparable harms on both the government and the public. Prelogar asked that the order be paused to allow the government to file a formal request for the Supreme Court to adjudicate the matter. In response, Justice Samuel Alito agreed to put the Fifth Circuits order on hold. That will expire tomorrow.

What happens next remains to be seen. The Supreme Court could decide to pause the order permanently, until it has a chance to decide whether to hear the Justice Departments petition to open a case into the matter. Or it could make use of a shortcut that some court-watchers have referred to as the shadow dockettaking the Biden administrations request for a stay of the order as an official petition to hear the case, then granting that petition at the same time as it stays the order, which would allow the court to hear the case a lot sooner. Prelogar recommended this in her request for a pause, suggesting that the court could do so if it wished to further expedite matters.

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The wisdom of this requestboth from the governments point of view and the broader vantage of the public interestis open to question. Evelyn Douek, an assistant professor of law at Stanford University, told the Post that the case is a strong candidate for the Supreme Court to weigh in, given the law isnt clear [and] the issues are so important. She added that the Fifth Circuit decision lumps together lots of different kinds of government speech in a way that papers over a lot of nuance. Masnick, however, argued that theres a real risk the court could arrive at a decision that is much worse than the Fifth Circuits stripped-down injunction. I guess, in the long run, its better to have a full ruling on this issue from the Supreme Court, Masnick wrote. Im just scared of what this particular Supreme Court will say.

Masnick and others are concerned, in part, because the behavior of this court and its justices in a number of other recent cases has suggested that it is willing to questionand even throw outlong-standing legal precedents, including protections afforded by the First Amendment. A year ago, for example, I wrote about a request for the court to block a Texas law preventing platforms such as Meta from exercising their First Amendment right to remove certain kinds of content. In his decision, Alito wrote that it is not at all obvious how our existing precedents, which predate the age of the internet, should apply to large social media companies.

Justice Clarence Thomas, meanwhile, has made comments suggesting that he is open to questioning the social platforms control of information, and how (or if) the law protects it. In a decision last year, Thomas argued that defining a private company as a common carrier, a status that comes with extra responsibilities around the flow of information, may be justified when a business becomes large or dominant enough to be of public concern, and suggested that some platforms may have reached that point already. The current control of so much speech in the hands of a few private parties is unprecedented, Thomas wrote, and so the court would soon have no choice but to address how our legal doctrines apply to highly concentrated, privately owned information infrastructure. (Justice Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch have also both recently questioned the legal foundation of New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark case that offers news organizations strengthened First Amendment protections in libel cases.)

Many observers believe that the Supreme Court will decide to hear the Biden administrations appeal of the Fifth Circuits order. But even if it doesnt, we might get another chance to see how (or whether) the court believes laws like the First Amendment apply to the platforms. By the end of this month, the court is expected to say whether it will hear two conflicting cases on the topic. The first revolves around the Texas social media law that blocks the platforms from removing certain types of content; the Fifth Circuit upheld that law, ruling that the First Amendment doesnt apply to content-moderation decisions. The second revolves around a similar Florida lawwhich the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down on the grounds that the First Amendment does protect such activity.

Theoretically, its possible that the Supreme Court could decide that the First Amendment prevents the government from telling the platforms to remove content, but doesnt protect the platforms from the consequences of removing content of their own accord. The only thing that has become clear from previous court rulings and commentary on the topic is that almost no outcome is outside the realm of possibility. Over to you, SCOTUS.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: The Guardians Rob Evans on the undercover abuses of British police

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
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 AstraZenecas 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.
A new proposed rule would require commercial space companies to clean up some of their junk.

The US Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday released a proposal to limit the uncontrolled reentry of a launch vehicles upper stage  the part of a rocket that typically takes a satellite to its intended orbit.

Under the rule, the FAA would give space companies five options for disposing of the part within 25 years of its launch, including sending it to an orbital graveyard or destroying it in the Earths atmosphere.

Space debris can cause collisions and potentially interfere with other objects providing services in space. The FAA said upper stages are of particular concern due to their size, mass and the uncertainty of where they will land. The FAAs proposed rule comes as safety and industry officials grapple with how to handle the proliferation of satellites and other spacecraft crowding Earths low orbit.

The orbital environment around Earth has grown more crowded with every passing year. The number of active satellites has roughly quadrupled since 2019, thanks in large part to the multiple launches of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Starlink satellites. The US Department of Defense is tracking more than 27,000 pieces of debris in Earths orbit, according to NASA, while there are millions more that cannot be tracked with operational sensors.

If left unchecked, the accumulation of orbital debris will increase the risk of collisions and clutter orbits used for human spaceflight and for satellites providing communications, weather and global positioning system services, the FAA wrote in a post on its website.

A 90-day public comment period will begin in the coming days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.

Top photo: In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket makes a successful launch with the SES-9 communications satellite on March 4, 2016 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.
AKRON, Ohio  The Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board is asking voters to approve a replacement tax levy in November that provides more than 80% of its revenue.

The resolution, known as Issue 17, will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot. The resolution is a 4.5 million operating levy that replaces Summit DDs current levy (due to expire in December 2024). The proposed replacement levy would collect the same millage as the 2007 voted millage, however the rate homeowners pay will be based on home values in November 2023. If approved, the replacement levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $158 per year. Under the current tax levy, homeowners pay approximately $115 per year for each $100,000 in home valuation.

Summit DD is asking voters to approve the tax increase because it serves 30% more children and adults than it did in 2007, according to the organizations website. Currently the organization provides vital support for more than 5,000 adults and children with developmental disabilities and their families in Summit County. The board is also projecting an increased demand for services in the future based on past data, according to Support Summit DD Campaign Manager Billie Jo David.

We serve approximately 100 new people each year, mostly in the ages 6-21 group, she said. This increase corresponds with the rise in autism, David told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

If the tax levy passes, the amount homeowners will pay is based on their current home valuation, and not 2024 rates, according to David.

The replacement levy locks the rate in now for the next six years based on current home values, not future reappraisal values, David said.

A passing of the replacement tax levy will ensure Summit DD can continue to provide health and safety services for children and adults who have developmental disabilities in Summit County. The funding will allow the board to support current individuals receiving services and account for an increased demand for services over the next six years, according to the board.

Passing the levy is critical to be able to provide services for the people we serve, their families and the community, David said.

Voters can learn more about the upcoming replacement tax levy at www.supportsummitdd.com.

Community members can check their voter registration status on the Summit County Board of Elections (BOE) website. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 7 General Election is Tuesday, Oct. 10. Registered voters can also see whats on their ballot, view early voting hours, find their polling place or download an absentee ballot application on the BOE website.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Update, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
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AKRON, Ohio  An Akron woman accused of stabbing her mother nearly 30 times in 2020 was convicted Wednesday by a Summit County jury of two counts of murder.

A news release from county prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh says Sydney Powell, 23, also was convicted of felonious assault and tampering with evidence for the March 2020 death of Brenda Powell, 50, at a home on the citys northwest side.

Brenda Powell died of multiple sharp and blunt force injuries, according to the Summit County Medical Examiners Office. She had worked for 28 years at Akron Childrens Hospital as a child life specialist, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Prosecutors say Sydney Powell struck her mother in the head with an iron skillet before stabbing her in the neck nearly 30 times. Sydney Powell graduated from Akrons St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in 2018 and was enrolled at the University of Mount Union from August 2018 to December 2019.

Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly McLaughlin is scheduled to sentence Powell on Sept. 28.
MADISON, Wis.  Hot dog! The Wienermobile is back.

This spring Oscar Mayer rebranded its iconic hot dog on wheels as the Frankmobile -- specifically to celebrate a new frankfurter recipe.

Now, though, the American food manufacturer is backtracking, dropping the new name in favor of its original namesake that dates from the 1930s: the Wienermobile.

The company announced its decision on Instagram, with Oscar Mayer crew members celebrating the name change, and the return to its original.

Our time with the Frankmobile was franking righteous, one says.

But like many of you, we missed our American icon, another says. So, we brought it back

The name change announced by Kraft Heinz Company in May was meant to pay homage to the brands 100% beef franks and their new recipe.

The Wienermobile is a beloved American icon that has been sparking smiles and driving craveability for our iconic delicious wieners for nearly 100 years, Associate Brand Manager Stephanie Vance said then in a news release. This summer, its time to highlight another fan-favorite: our delicious 100% Beef Franks.

For fans of the original name, the change was, frankly, ridiculous.

Its been a franktastic summer! an Instagram post said. But like you, we missed this BUNderful icon. Help us welcome back the Wienermobile!

Oscar Mayer was headquartered in the Wisconsin capital, Madison, for nearly 100 years before it moved to Chicago in 2015. The first Wienermobile was created in 1936, and it has gone through several iterations since then, The Associated Press said.

The vehicle, a 27-foot, 6-ton hot dog on wheels, became one of the most iconic, and noticeable, vehicles across the United States.

We had never changed the name of the Wienermobile before and to celebrate our new 100% beef franks we were all on board in doing that, but we missed the name internally and were excited to bring it back, Edwin Roland, a mobile marketing manager for Kraft Foods at Wienermobile headquarters outside of Madison told ABC. It didnt cut the mustard -- its the same mission but its comin back to Wienermobile.
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- In the past six months, two Chagrin Falls Intermediate School students have put pen to paper to have their literary works published in Ranger Ricks Zoobooks.

Fourth-grader Joshua Kumins wrote his story, Two Rhinos Sharing, which was published in the March/April 2023 issue of the national magazine.

Two Rhinos Sharing details two rhino brothers, Harry and Ben, in their personal journey from selfish quarreling to sharing their cherished apples.

Lisa Todaro, who was Joshuas third-grade English Language Arts teacher last year, was not surprised that Joshua wrote a story now featured in a national publication.

I knew that Josh was a dedicated writer, and I was delighted to see that he was recognized for his creative talents, Todaro said.

Chagrin Falls Intermediate School student Maria Bell had her poem published in Ranger Rick's Zoobooks Magazine. Bell is pictured with her fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher, Katherine Adick. (Photo Courtesy of Chagrin Falls Schools)

Fifth-grader Maria Bell penned a poem about hummingbirds that was published in the July 2023 Ranger Ricks Zoobooks magazine. It was the first poem ever written by Maria.

She chose the subject of hummingbirds because it was the featured Ranger Rick animal of the month and because her grandfather enjoys the bird that flies thousands of miles each year.

Maria said seeing her poem in print was an amazing, cool and awesome experience. She said she might consider publishing an additional poem in the future.

Fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher Katherine Adick believes Maria will have a bright future as a writer.

We are extremely proud of Marias motivation, talent, effort, creativity and willingness to challenge herself, Adick said.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Officers responded to a home in the 300 block of Danbury Lane around 4 p.m. Sept. 13 on a report of a man with a gun attempting to break into the home and shoot the homeowner.

The scene was secured, and it was determined to be a swatting call. The call was believed to have been made by a man who was upset that the homeowners teenage daughter had rejected him.

Officers were unable to contact that man, but after listening to a recording of the 911 call and voicemails he had left the daughter, they concluded he was responsible.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the Parma man, 19, for swatting, a fourth-degree felony.

Read more news from the Sun Messenger.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ukraine President Zelensky and Donald Trump both recently warned of eminent World War. For Zelensky, it was of W.W. III instigated by more Russian invasions. For Putin backer Trump it was of WWII if a cognitively impaired president is elected, but he wasnt talking about himself.

Trump had been speaking about President Biden to Washington D.C. faith leaders when he warned them of cognitively impaired Biden leading the nation into nuclear war and World War II, not III.

We have a man who is totally corrupt and the worst president in the history of our country who is cognitively impaired in no condition to lead and is now in charge with dealing with Russia and possible nuclear war. Just think of it. We would be in World War II very quickly if were going to be relying on this man, said indictments impaired Trump.

Former Commander-in-Chief, now Putin Comrade Trump may not know the sequence of the World Wars, but he did know when the Vietnam war was and how to get a medical deferment from serving in it with a bogus bone spur in his foot diagnosis.

And Trump may also not know when the Civil War was fought and that Honest Abe Lincoln led the Union Army to victory. But Dishonest Donald has fanned the flames of igniting Civil War II by triggering the Jan. 6 insurrection attack on the U.S. Capitol building in a failed coup attempt to overturn his election loss to President Biden. Donald doesnt know about WW I and WWII, but he does know about his indictments 1,2,3 and 4.

Last Sunday on CBS 60 Minutes Ukraine President Zelensky warned of World War III if Ukraine loses to Russia and then an emboldened Putin next invades Poland.

If Ukraine falls, what will happen in ten years? Just think about it. If [the Russians] reach Poland, whats next? A Third World War? asked Zelensky.

Should Trump somehow be reelected president, he would immediately withdraw support of Ukraines defense against Russias invasion and would not object to any new Russian aggression in neighboring countries.

Zelensky will be speaking Thursday to the U.S. Congress after he spoke before the United Nations General Assembly this week and attended the well delivered and received U.N. speech of President Biden.

In contrast, Trump was laughed at by the U.N. General Assembly when he boasted about himself during his 2018 speech before them.

In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country. So true, said Trump as laughter erupted.

I didnt expect that reaction, but thats OK.
CHESTERLAND, Ohio  The Perky Kettle, a Chesterland tearoom with a liquor license, closed in May after Mothers Day brunch. The new location, 12650 West Geauga Plaza Chesterland, opens Friday, Sept. 22, in the Giant Eagle Plaza nearby.

There the business will more than double its square footage, going from 3,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet and nearly tripling seating from 35 to 95. The expansion to the corner of Chillicothe and Mayfield roads will address the businesss growth since it opened in 2019.

Were moving more toward a pub them, less teahouse-y, says owner Jeff Fanger, a Chesterland-based attorney. He says the new rectangular space will flow seamlessly through three distinctive areas. These include an indoor patio with dining, a club room and a bar area. This allows groups to stay together and lets people interact across the space.

The new Perky Kettle in Chesterland has an indoor "patio" for year 'round use. (Photo by Jeff Fanger)

Lacking space for an outdoor patio and dealing with northeast Ohio weather, Fanger says an indoor patio space makes sense. It will be next to windows with natural light coming in and feel outdoorsy. The space will have dart boards, cornhole and British pub games. Meanwhile, the Madhatters bar will have seating for guests. The entire space will be more conducive to hosting special events and larger groups. And the space next door to the pub will be available for larger events like bridal showers and weddings.

Were making it more fun from an interactive point of view, says Fanger. Weve always been tied to the Alice in Wonderland theme. We will continue and expand that.

The theme was inspired by his daughters affection for Alice as well as a trip to England. The name just came out of my head, he says. My daughter and I had just been to England and done some tea houses. I wanted something that captured that sense of fun and energy. A lot of teahouses here are stuffier. Were the only one that offers alcohol.

The menu is shifting as well. In addition to cucumber sandwiches, salads and English pastries, they are adding four new pub pies, loaded potato crisps, macarons, a variety of burgers and some comfort food. New gluten-free dishes are being developed. Sunday brunch will be reintroduced after Halloween.

Its going to be fun. We went to London and visited pubs while there for ideas, Fanger says. Im really trying to get that community atmosphere. Pubs in England are about coming together, visiting and socializing. Were not going to have a television because theyre distracting to conversation. We want this to be someplace where the community gathers.

While in London, Fanger experienced tonicas which he described as a gin-and-tonic-based beverage with different accoutrements. I went to every bar in the area to see how they were serving them, he says. Its a fun, effervescent drink served in a more creative style.

Fanger plans to add weekly wine tastings, and patio music and to keep the new concept open later into the evening.

Paris Wolfe writes about food, dining and drinking for Cleveland.com. You can reach her with story ideas at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Heres a directory of her latest posts. Follow her on Instagram @pariswolfe.

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DeLEON SPRINGS, Florida  A 78-year-old homeowner upset over a neighbors son trimming trees along a fence bordering his property shot and killed the man, authorities say.

Edward Druzolowski told the Volusia County Sheriffs Office that he confronted Brian Ford, 42, and warned him that he would shoot him if he didnt get off of his property, the sheriffs office says in a news release. Druzolowski said that when Ford continued to trim trees along the property line, he shot him, authorities say.

CNN reports that court documents show that Fords 8-year-old son was nearby when the shooting occurred.

Druzolowski is being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail on a charge of second-degree murder.

The shooting reportedly occurred at about 7:13 p.m. Sunday. Deputies who arrived on the scene tried to save Ford but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
HILLIARD, Ohio  A newborn infant died Wednesday after the baby was found in a car parked in the backyard of a home, police say.

A news release from the Hilliard Division of Police says officers were called to a home on the 4400 block of Paxton Drive South just before 9 a.m. Emergency workers with the Norwich Township Fire Department had responded to the home moments earlier and found evidence of the recent birth of a child, police say.

Officers searched the area around the home, found the baby in the vehicle and immediately started CPR. The baby was pronounced dead at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus.

This is a heartbreaking situation and one of the worst calls to receive, Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods said in a news release. Were focused on determining what happened to this child.

A woman believed to be the babys mother was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police did not release information on the woman or on whether she might face criminal charges.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the infants death.
CINCINNATI, Ohio  Employees at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital soon will be required to wear masks, a response to a surge in cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

The mask requirement takes effect on Monday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Patients and visitors will not be required to wear masks, but the hospital system is encouraging their use.

That might change should local and national data show an even greater rise in respiratory illnesses in our area, the hospital system said in a statement, according to WCPO Channel 9.

WLWT Channel 5 reports the hospital made the decision to require masks for safety reasons and based on evidence that masks are effective in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses.

COVID cases have been increasing steadily in Ohio over the past several weeks. The number of new COVID-19 cases climbed from 8,607 to 9,690 last week  the highest point since Jan. 12. Cases have increased 10 weeks in a row.

The number of cases reported weekly has been going up since there were just 1,286 new cases reported on July 6. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur announced Tuesday they both had tested positive for COVID.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine formulated to better target the predominant variants currently circulating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the updated vaccine for anyone age 6 months or older who had not received a vaccine in the past two months.
WAWAYANDA, N.Y.  Authorities are investigating after one person died and dozens were injured when a charter bus carrying high school band members crashed on a New York highway Thursday, according to state police.

The crash happened around 1:20 p.m., when the bus rolled down an embankment off the side of Interstate 84 in Wawayanda, New York, about 45 miles northwest of New York City, authorities said. The bus was carrying members of the Farmingdale High School band, who were traveling from Long Island to Greeley, Pennsylvania, to attend a band camp.

One adult died in the crash and 46 people were injured, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, NBC 4 in New York reports. The crash resulted in multiple serious injuries, state police said in a news release.

I-84 is expected to be closed for several hours and drivers are asked to avoid the area, police said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul offered condolences to those involved in the crash in a statement shared to social media Thursday. New York State Police and the New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services were onsite to assist local emergency responders.

Ive been briefed on the tragic accident in Orange County involving a bus filled with high school students, Hochul said in a tweet.

Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation, she added.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The number of people killed in Greater Cleveland suburbs has dipped compared to last year, a contrast to what is happening in Cleveland, where deadly violence has escalated.

The Cuyahoga County medical examiners office has confirmed at least 145 homicides in the county through the end of August. That number is expected to increase as pending investigations are completed.

Of the slayings this year, at least 33 took place in suburbs. Through the same time last year, there were 38.

Brook Park, Solon, Seven Hills, Lyndhurst, South Euclid, North Royalton and Strongsville had homicides last year but have yet to have a murder this year.

Before this year, Lakewood has not had a homicide since 2021. In June, a 33-year-old woman was shot in a home on Ridgewood Avenue. Capt. William Albrecht said he is uncertain how the city has managed to have so few homicides.

Well probably never know for sure, Albrecht said. Is it because of a fully staffed police department? Proactive policing? Changes in the concealed carry law that scares off potential assailants? People seeing the error of their ways?

Through August last year, the county had about 150 homicides. It ended with 239 last year, the third consecutive year that it has had more than 200 murders.

Its hard to determine if we are on that same path, said Christopher Harris, a spokesman for the medical examiners office. We were on pace to reach over 200 homicides this year, but we saw a significant decrease in homicides last month.

The deadliest months in the county were January, May, and July when homicides reached over 20. In August, the number of ruled homicides dropped to 10.

In Cleveland, police detectives have investigated 130 slayings through Sept. 16, according to the citys most recent numbers. The medical examiners office has not completed investigations in all of those cases.

Last year, through the same date, the city had probed 123. Cleveland is expected to come close to its record of 195 homicides for the year, which was set four decades ago.

The jump in gun violence has come as the city struggles to fill more than 200 open positions in the police department.

While some may think gun violence has recently quelled in our city, it still keeps me up at night as it remains to be a significant issue with grave consequences  families are without mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement.

We, as a community, need to stop resolving conflict through the use of guns. We are better than that.

East Cleveland has had nine violent deaths so far this year, compared to four during the same period in 2022. Cleveland Heights has had four homicides, but it had only one last year.

Garfield Heights has investigated five killings so far in 2023. The city had three for all of last year.

Euclid saw a drop in slayings. This year, there have been only two homicides in the city. Last year, through the same period, it had nine.

A 1-year-old toddler died from ingesting fentanyl in May, while a 24-year-old was fatally shot in July.

Criminals know that if they commit a serious crime in Euclid, that we will find them and bring them to justice, Capt. Mitch Houser said.
CHICAGO  Kraft Heinz is recalling thousands of processed cheese slices due to a choking hazard, the company announced.

The recall affects about 84,000 cases of individually wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices. Kraft initiated the recall after the company received several customer complaints about finding plastic stuck to a cheese slice, including six complaints which said they choked or gagged due to the hazard. No serious health injuries have been reported, according to Kraft Heinz.

The plastic film hazard stems from a temporary issue with one of the companys wrapping machines, according to a news release from Kraft Heinz. The company said it has since fixed the machine and also inspected all other processing machines.

Products included in the recall include 16 oz Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese with an individual package UPC of 0 2100061526 and a Best When Used By date of Jan. 10 through Jan. 27, 2024. The individual packages contain and S and 72 in the manufacturing code.

Also included in Kraft Heinzs recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Cheese with a carton UPC of 0 2100060491 3 and a Best When Used By date of Jan. 9 through Jan. 13, 2024, as well as Jan. 16, 2024.

Those who purchased these items should return them to the store they were purchased for an exchange or refund, according to the release. Customers can also contact Kraft Heinz from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday by phone at 1-800-280-8252 for additional questions or information.

Kraft Heinz is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards and apologizes for this inconvenience, the company said in its release.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio

Counterfeit money: Pearl Road

An officer went to the Islander Grille Sept. 17 regarding a report of a man giving the bartender two fake $20 bills.

The bartender said the man picked up a to-go order, gave her two $20 bills and left. She then realized the bills were counterfeit. The bartender called the man and asked him to bring real money back to the bar. He did.

She gave the officer the name and phone number of the customer. Dispatch located the man. An officer then spoke to the customer, who said it was an accident.

He said he was at a Cleveland club the night before and noticed three $20 bills on the ground. He picked them up. He did not look at the bills closely and did not realize they were fake. He used two of those bills for the food he ordered.

He said he did return and pay for the food with real money. The officer told him he was no longer permitted at that bar or on the property.

Fraud: Engle Road

Police went to Hampton Inn Suites at 9:29 p.m. Sept. 17 regarding a woman who, earlier in the day, was involved in a credit card fraud incident.

She returned to the hotel. The front desk manager wanted her removed.

Upon checking, the suspect had about 11 warrants. Police found the suspect walking on Engle Road. An officer told her she was being detained for several active warrants. She was placed into the cruiser.

During a search of her property, police found two cell phones, an Ohio notary public stamp with someone elses name, 12 hypodermic syringes, nine credit cards with various names and an Ohio drivers license belonging to a man.

She received a court summons for possession of drug abuse instruments and was transported to the Summit County jail.

Forgery: Engle Road

Police went to Hampton Inn & Suites Sept. 17 after learning that the owner of a credit card that was used at the hotel questioned its use.

An employee told police there were people in the room that was rented using the mans credit card.

Police went to the room, where a woman answered the door. They spoke with a man who had just exited the bathroom. He gave police a false name.

He said he had paid for the room via his boss. He showed police a confirmation email for the reservation of the room on his phone. He then called his boss, who said he did not know what he was talking about and hung up.

The suspect told police he did not have a wallet. The suspect gave police another name, which also was false. They did, however, learn his real name, which showed him having several warrants with the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office and Shaker Heights Police Department.

They placed the man inside a cruiser. The suspect said he needed his wallet, which police found on a bed. Inside of it they found several gift, award and debit/credit cards under other peoples names, a Residence Inn room key, an Ashland Public Library card and an Ohios drivers license belonging to someone else.

He was transported to the Cuyahoga County jail.

An officer tried to contact the owner of the credit card that was used at Hampton, but was unsuccessful.

The case was forwarded to the citys detective bureau, which suggested charging the arrested man with obstructing official business, furnishing false information, misuse of credit cards, identity fraud and forgery.

Warrant: Pearl Road

An officer at 10:12 a.m. Sept. 15 drove to an area on Interstate 71 north of Pearl Road regarding a man walking northbound on the highways shoulder.

He spoke with the man, who was identified through his Ohio ID Card. He had several active warrants with the Brooklyn, Berea and Beachwood police departments.

He was detained and placed into the cruiser. The officer transported him to a location where he was handed over to Beachwood police.

Theft: Southland Road

An officer went to Office Max at 8:55 a.m. Sept. 14 regarding a shoplifting incident. The suspect had left in a car with Illinois license plates.

Another officer found the car, which made an abrupt turn into the Grace Church parking lot and parked in a handicap spot. The man, who matched the suspects description, quickly left the car and walked toward the front main doors.

The officer gave the man several verbal commands to hit the ground, and he finally complied. The suspect was taken into custody.

He was identified through his Social Security number since he did not have an ID. The officer confirmed his identity by matching him to the listed tattoos and scars he had.

He had active warrants with Parma. The cars plate was listed as stolen out of Willoughby and was listed as stolen with Parma. Prior to it being towed, police found two laptops, computer supplies, two Illinois license plates, a bag with 10 car keys/fobs, a GPS unit, a flip cell phone and keychain.

Police contacted the owner of one of the laptops. The owner said it was stolen; he picked it up at the police station after showing proof of ownership.

An officer went to Office Max, where an employee told him he was showing a laptop to a man when that man picked up the laptop and walked out of the store carrying it. The employee followed him and warned him that if he left with the computer, he would call police.

The suspect got into his car and drove away. The laptop was returned to the store. The man was cited for theft and turned over to Parma for outstanding warrants.

Read more from the News Sun.
SANDUSKY TOWNSHIP, Ohio  A 32-year-old skateboarder was flown to a hospital in critical condition after he was hit by a minivan Wednesday night in Sandusky County, the State Highway Patrol says.

A news release from the patrol says a 59-year-old Fremont man was driving a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan east on Hayes Avenue at about 9:36 p.m. when he attempted to turn left onto Brush Street. The caravan struck the skateboarder, Ryan Crispen, who was heading west on Hayes Avenue.

Crispen was not wearing any protective gear, the patrol says, and was seriously injured. He was flown by helicopter to St. Vincents Medical Center in Toledo.

The driver of the van was not injured. The patrol says alcohol is not a suspected factor in the incident, which remains under investigation.

Sandusky Township is about 40 miles southeast of Toledo.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Its an unlikely location for Ohios newest outdoor adventure, tucked amid the housing developments and retail chains of Greater Columbus.

And yet here I was, harnessed and helmeted, hanging from the side of a limestone wall about a mile from Interstate 270.

Over a period of approximately 75 minutes, I would climb and pull and scooch my way up and across the wall, aided by metal rungs and cables drilled into the rock.

Ohios very first via ferrata course debuted earlier this year, and has already proved to be a very popular ticket. Tours offered by the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks fill up almost as soon as theyre offered.

Via ferrata  Italian for iron road or iron way  is an increasingly popular outdoor adventure activity, a kind of obstacle course on the side of a rock.

Though easier than traditional rock climbing, it does take a decent level of physical strength and endurance to pull yourself up and maneuver around the rock.

But its the mental strength that gets people, said Dan Kaderly, manager of park operations for the Columbus Metro Parks.

A longtime rock climber, Kaderly was among those who proposed the course for the park system. Theyre hugely popular in Europe, he said.

The via ferrata is located in the new Quarry Trails Metro Park, which opened in late 2021 in a former limestone quarry about 5 miles northwest of downtown Columbus, sandwiched between Upper Arlington to the east and Hilliard to the west.

The park is located on the site of the former Marble Cliff Quarry, once the largest contiguous quarry in the United States, provider of limestone for the Ohio Statehouse and other projects.

Theres still an active quarry on adjacent property, although the metro parks has an option to buy that land, too, when its available.

The parks 200 acres also include hiking and mountain biking trails, a scenic waterfall and a kayaking route. But the via ferrata course will no doubt be its biggest draw.

The park system promotes the course as the nations first urban via ferrata.

Easier than traditional rock climbing, via ferrata courses feature a set of rungs and cables that assist movement across the rock.

Climbers maneuver their way along a limestone wall at Quarry Trails Metro Park's new via ferrata course.

Easier than traditional rock climbing, via ferrata courses feature a set of rungs and cables that assist movement across the rock.

The activity traces its roots back to World War I, when Italian troops needed a way to cross the rocky Dolomite Mountains. They affixed a series of rungs, ladders and cables to the rock to assist in climbing.

In the decades since, via ferratas have been developed across Europe as an extreme recreational activity for adventure seekers.

Its a very popular activity in Europe, and has been slowly but steadily catching on in the United States, where about a dozen courses have opened in recent years, most in the western U.S.

The closest via ferrata options to Ohio includes routes in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern West Virginia and in the Red River Gorge area near Lexington, Kentucky.

Read more: Rocky hills, heart-stopping high-wire thrills on West Virginias Via Ferrata outdoor adventure

Peak fall color in northern Ohio expected week of Oct. 16

Jill Snyder, visitor engagement manager with the Columbus Metro Parks, said the park system knew the activity would draw lots of interest.

We havent been promoting it too much because its already so popular, said Snyder.

What makes Columbus tour different from most other courses  this one is free.

Snyder said the park system decided to keep the activity free because the metro parks are supported by local taxpayers. In contrast, NROCKS Outdoor Adventures in West Virginia  the only other via ferrata Ive done  charges $150 for its experience, which is considerably longer and more elaborate.

Experiencing the via ferrata in Columbus is by guided tour only, in part to make sure that everyone is using the correct equipment, said Snyder. Kaderly, along with assistant park manager Shelby Watkins, accompanied my group on a recent Tuesday morning.

We met in a parking lot near the climbing wall, where we were outfitted in helmets and harnesses. (Note to future participants: Use the bathroom before you arrive; the park doesnt yet have running water, although there are portable toilets nearby.)

Then we walked together to the wall, where we learned via ferrata basics. Attached to our harnesses: two lanyards and two carabiner clips, which would keep us hooked to the cables.

Its important, we were told, to clip and unclip the carabiners with one hand  which ensures that one clip is attached to the cable at all times.

And then we started to climb.

The new via ferrata course at Quarry Trails Metro Park in Columbus traverses about 200 feet up and 1,000 feet across.

An 85-foot-long bridge is the final thrill on Columbus Metro Parks' new via ferrata course. (Courtesy Stefan Bruch)

Writer Susan Glaser prepares to cross the 85-foot bridge at the end of Quarry Trails Metro Park's new via ferrata course.

I traveled a total of about 200 feet up and 1,000 feet across  slowly, at my own pace, maneuvering up, down and around the rock.

Youll figure out whether you like heights at the very beginning, said Watkins, who added this piece of common-sense advice: If you hear a rock falling, yell rock and put your head down. Dont look up. (Happy to report there were no rock falls during my climb.)

Throughout the adventure, I had to remind myself to stop and look around  at the lake below and the surrounding countryside. Its easy to get in a rhythm of looking only at the next step in front of you.

The courses most challenging section comes near the end, a straight-vertical climb that forced me to wrap my arms around the metal rungs to keep from leaning too far backward.

Climb with your legs, advised Kaderly, who added: If youre going to slip somewhere, its going to be here.

He offered to attach an extra line to my equipment to make this last stretch easier, but I declined, powering myself to one final thrill  a 85-foot-long, 105-foot-high swinging bridge with a very narrow foot beam.

How wide is that  4 inches? I asked Kaderly, who replied: Actually, I think its 3 inches.

I forced myself to breathe in and out as I slowly put one foot in front of the other on the bridge, grasping the cables on either side of me.

And when I reached the other side? I was ready to do it again.

Dan Kanderly, manager of park operations, crosses the bridge on Quarry Trails' new via ferrata course.

If you go: Via ferrata at Quarry Trails Metro Park, Columbus

Where: Quarry Trails Metro Park, 2600 Dublin Road in Columbus, just off I-270 at exit 10, about two and a half hours from Cleveland.

Via ferrata: Guided tours are offered most days, but must be reserved in advance. Reservations for October are expected to open in late September, although the exact date has not been set. Spots typically fill up within an hour or two. Tours are scheduled for two hours, but can run shorter or longer depending on the speed of the group. For information and updates: metroparks.net/outdoor-adventures and facebook.com/MetroParksOutdoorAdventure

When: Tours will likely run through early November and resume in April.

How much: Via ferrata tours are free.

Also here: Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and scenic Millikin Falls.

More information: metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails
Chinese, European experts discuss human rights at seminar

Xinhua) 08:50, September 21, 2023

Baima Chilin (1st L), president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, delivers a speech during a seminar on human rights in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 20, 2023. Chinese and European specialists and officials gathered here for the seminar on human rights on Wednesday, focusing on China's path to modernization as well as on the diversity of human rights among different civilizations. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and European specialists and officials gathered here for a seminar on human rights on Wednesday, focusing on China's path to modernization as well as on the diversity of human rights among different civilizations.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights, held both online and offline, was attended by more than 130 human rights experts, officials and representatives from political parties and social organizations.

In his opening address, Baima Chilin, president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, called on countries to promote positive progress in global human rights governance through solidarity and cooperation, and to promote the free and comprehensive development of all people in the process of modernization.

All countries should also join hands to find solutions to problems and challenges that exist in the field of global human rights, he added.

"At a time of tension in international relations, it is apparent that there are various efforts being made to weaponize the human rights debate," Neil Davidson, Labour member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, said.

The considerable diversity in the governance of human affairs suggests that the policy for one society is unlikely to apply to another society with different priorities, traditions, history and cultures, Davidson said, noting that "the purpose of discussion should be to learn from one another, to share experiences and to understand one another, not to promote division between peoples."

Building mutual respect is one step to reducing rising tensions in today's world, he said, adding that "discussion on human rights, with the objective of mutual understanding between countries, can only serve to improve relations."

Oliviero Diliberto, Italy's former justice minister, also dean of the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome, noted that Italy and China enjoy close relations as they recognize and respect differences between their civilizations and cultures, as well as seek common ground and a common goal of cooperation.

In his video message, Diliberto also praised the fruitful academic exchanges and cooperation in law between Italy and China in recent years, which functioned as a bridge between civilizations to foster dialogue.

Three parallel sessions were held during the seminar, with participants discussing such topics as the development of modern human rights philosophy, and the evolution of human rights civilizations in the digital age.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


NIA-wanted gangster Sukha Duneke Punjab-origin NIA-wanted gangster Sukha Duneke was shot dead in Canada's Winnipeg in an inter-gang rivalry, police officials here said. Sukhdool Singh, alias Duneke, was part of Khalistan movement in Canada.



Duneke, an associate of the Devinder Bambiha Gang in Punjab, escaped to Canada in 2017 on forged documents.



On Wednesday, his name figured among the list of 43 gangsters released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which sought information about his illegal properties.



His murder on Wednesday night is similar to the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in inter-gang warfare in Surrey in June.



IANS approached top NIA officials for comments, but got no response.




WalletHub ranked the happiest states in the U.S.

If moving to Finland, the happiest country in the world, isn't an option, you might want to consider some locations right here in the U.S. WalletHub recently released its annual ranking of the happiest states in America. To determine where Americans are the happiest, the personal finance website compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: Emotional and physical well-being Work environment Community and environment

Utah is the happiest state in America

Utah ranks as the No. 1 happiest state in the U.S. with an overall score of 69.79 out of 100. Though it came in 16th place for emotional and physical well-being, Utah took the top spots both for work environment and community and environment.

Utah ranked as the happiest state in the U.S., according to the 2023 WalletHub. F11photo | Istock | Getty Images

According to the WalletHub report, Utah had the highest volunteer rate, with 40.7%, 2.6 times higher than Florida, with the lowest volunteer rate. Utah also had the lowest separation and divorce rate in the country. The state has been one of the fastest-growing states since 2000, according to The Atlantic. The 2020 U.S. census showed it had the fastest population growth in the U.S. since 2010. That rapid growth is partly due to Utah's becoming a rising star in the tech industry with companies like Artic Wolf and Adobe.

Top 10 happiest states in America

Utah Hawaii Maryland Minnesota New Jersey Connecticut California Florida Idaho Nebraska Hawaii is the No. 2 happiest state in the U.S. and ranked the highest for emotional and physical well-being. It also has the lowest rate of adult depression and the fourth-lowest divorce rate. And though Hawaii ranked high in the above categories, it placed 25th for work environment and 30th in community and environment.

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii, which ranked as the second happiest state in the U.S. M Swiet Productions | Moment | Getty Images

It is also home to the capital city of Honolulu, which ranked as the second most expensive city in the U.S. to be happy in, according to a S Money 2023 study. Honolulu is one of the most visited cities in the U.S., according to the World Atlas. Maryland rounds out the top three. It had a total score of 64.62 and ranked eighth for emotional and physical well-being, fourth for work environment, and fifth for community and environment.

Maryland ranked as the third happiest state, according to the WalletHub report. Wirestock | Istock | Getty Images
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 administration's 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 leader's treatment of his top aides, using the hashtag "#MysteryInBeijingBuilding."

Emanuel's 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 America's 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 Xi's cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie's 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 China's foreign minister earlier this year and more recently its defense minister. "Who's going to win this unemployment race? China's youth or Xi's cabinet?"

The administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said China has been furious about Emanuel's posts.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to a request for comment.

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 China's leadership.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public since Aug. 29, and last week reports surfaced that he's under investigation in China. The mystery of Li's whereabouts follows a similar disappearance in June of China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, who was subsequently replaced.

Some administration officials have been upset with Emanuel's 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 he's heartily embraced. Emanuel is prolific on social media and gets regular media attention in Japan. He also played a leading role during Biden's 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 Emanuel's do not "further U.S. goals."

One former Biden administration official said Emanuel's message on China "runs completely counter" to the goals his administration is trying to achieve with Beijing. "They're trying to calm things down and to have the ambassador to Japan attack the Chinese? It's stupid," the former official said.

Japan, a close U.S. ally, is among the Asia-Pacific nations that have been uneasy about China's dominance  particularly militarily  in the region.

Those concerns about China's 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 who've worked to mend those ties worry that publicly taunting and embarrassing Xi could unwind that progress, officials said. Emanuel, however, has not held back.

"Xi's playbook is clear: shamelessly exploit human tragedies for political gain without any regard for the lives lost," he wrote on X on Sept. 12.

"Xi's 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!!!"

Emanuel's most recent disparaging post about China came just as Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was set to secretly meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for two days of talks in Malta.

Sullivan's 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.

Emanuel's 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.
Still from video showing bus crash off side of I-84 in New York.

One person died and dozens were injured after a charter bus carrying members of a Long Island high school band crashed off a New York highway, according to officials and sources, as the vehicle careened down an embankment off the side of the busy roadway.

The crash occurred just after 1 p.m. Thursday on I-84 near the Orange County town of Wawayanda, though it was not immediately clear what led up to or caused the incident.

A source familiar with the matter said that one person, an adult, died in the crash. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said that 46 people  most of whom were young people  were injured in the rollover, including five young people who were taken to area hospitals in critical condition.

The bus was carrying members of the Farmingdale High School band, according to officials from the Long Island school, which was heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for a band camp.

New York State Police confirmed the highway was closed at exit 15 for an accident investigation. Police said they were at the scene, but did not provide any other details.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Goldman Sachs sees the recent rise in oil prices as the beginning of a bigger uptrend and says these buy-rated energy stocks that promise as much as double-digit returns are the way to play it. "We believe we are in a structural upcycle that should result in sustained strong FCF [free cash flow] and returns, on average, over the course of this decade," Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta wrote in a Thursday note. A combination of output cuts from OPEC and higher demand from the summer has underpinned oil's meteoric rise. On Wednesday, Goldman raised its forecast for international benchmark Brent crude to as much as $100 per barrel. Goldman also increased expectations for West Texas Intermediate crude to $95 from $88 over the next year. Unpinning this forecast was an anticipation that oil supplies will remain lower for longer. While pullbacks in such cycles are unavoidable, striking at the right moment and buying the dip is key as the longer-term trend skews toward higher oil prices. "In a structural upcycle, it is important to take advantage when we see these materialize," Mehta said. Chevron stock has slipped roughly 7% from the start of the year. Over the past three months, however, shares have climbed nearly 8%. Goldman Sachs said Chevron isn't losing steam ahead. CVX YTD mountain Chevron stock. "We see 16% total return to Chevron," Mehta said. "[W]e turned more positive on CVX following 2Q results following YTD underperformance." Shares of refiner Phillips 66 , meanwhile, have climbed more than 15% from the start of the year. Mehta forecasts 26% upside for the stock going forward and thinks the firm can find growth even if margins deteriorate somewhat. PSX YTD mountain Phillips 66 stock has added more than 15% from the start of the year. "Based on investor conversations, many are positive on the diversified business mix, which should provide better insulation if margins normalize from current levels (although remain strong absolute)," Mehta said. Canada-based Cenovus stock has ticked up 3.4% from the start of the year and nearly 23% over the past three months. Mehta said Cenovus presents the best risk/reward skew among stocks on the list and forecasts 21% upside moving forward. CVE YTD mountain Cenovus stock. "After a challenging 1H2023 for Refining performance, we expect utilization to improve in 2H2023, although we recognize progress will be non-linear," he said. "The company has a high level of oil beta that can benefit if crude is able to sustain above our long-term $80/b Brent oil price assumptions." Pioneer Natural Resources stock has ticked down roughly 1% from the start of 2023. Mehta forecasts 13% upside moving forward and thinks the company's strong inventory will stoke an already favorable risk/reward skew. PXD YTD mountain Pioneer stock has ticked down 0.5% from the start of the year. "We believe that the company has turned the corner on both capex and volume execution, as seen by strong performance in 2Q," he said. Mehta expects 19% upside for oil field services stock Baker Hughes , and said the company's current "corporate turnaround" will stimulate growth. Baker Hughes stock has added more than 20% from the start of the year. BKR YTD mountain Baker Hughes stock. "Baker represents one of the few growth stories in our Energy coverage, with EPS set to grow from $1.55 in 2023, on our estimates, to $2.77 by 2025," Mehta said.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
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Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day:

1. Market moves

Stocks fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve indicated another rate hike could be on the horizon. Markets had already priced in the expected Fed decision on Wednesday, but investors were less sure about future rate hikes. The S&P 500 lost 0.94%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped a more modest 0.22%. The Nasdaq Composite slid 1.53%, weighed down by a drop of more than 2% in Microsoft and roughly 3% declines in Nvidia and Google-parent Alphabet. All three major indexes closed at session lows. Follow live market updates.

2. Fed projections

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell holds a press conference in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2023. Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

The Federal Reserve indicated that there could be one more rate hike in 2023. It held rates at their current level between 5.25% and 5.5%, the highest in about 22 years, after its two-day meeting that ended Wednesday. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank still needs to "see more progress" on inflation. Projections released in the Fed's dot-plot, which indicates what members are expecting for the future, showed the central bank could hike rates to 5.6% by the end of 2023. The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee also projected two rate cuts in 2024, which is two fewer than it forecast in June.

3. Trading apps

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds up a new iPhone 15 Pro during an Apple event on September 12, 2023 in Cupertino, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

Apple wanted to capitalize on the buzz when consumers were flocking to trading apps like Robinhood in 2020. It was working with Goldman Sachs on an investing feature that would let consumers buy and sell stocks and planned to launch it in 2022, CNBC's Kate Rooney and Hugh Son reported. They abandoned the effort when the markets turned downward and as interest rates rose. People familiar with the discussions said Apple was worried that it would face backlash if people lost money in the stock market while using an Apple product and put the project on pause.

Arm CEO Rene Haas and executives cheer as Softbank's Arm, a chip design firm, holds an initial public offering at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, Sept. 14, 2023. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters

IPOs are back. Arm, Instacart and Klaviyo all went within the span of roughly a week, with Klaviyo debuting on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. It jumped 9% in its initial public offering. But it's hard to tell how long the buzz will last. Instacart shares fell nearly 11% in their second day of trading Wednesday, continuing a slide that began immediately after the stock's debut on Tuesday and left it narrowly above its initial public offering price. Arm is also back near its stock debut price. After rallying about 25% on the company's first day of trade last week, its stock is nearly back down to the $51 per share it debuted at.

5. End in sight?

Writers Guild of America (WGA) East members walk a picket line at the Paramount+ Summit outside the Paramount Building in Times Square on May 17, 2023 in New York City. Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
A doorbell camera in Chesterfield, Virginia, recently caught a man snatching a box containing a $1,600 new iPad from the arms of a FedEx delivery driver. Barely a day goes by without a similar report. Package theft, often referred to as "porch piracy," is a big crime business.

While the price tag of any single stolen package isn't extreme  a study by Security.org found that the median value of stolen merchandise was $50 in 2022  the absolute level of package theft is high and rising. In 2022, 260 million delivered packages were stolen, according to home security consultant SafeWise, up from 210 million packages the year before. All in all, it estimated that 79% of Americans were victims of porch pirates last year.

In response, some of the big logistics companies have introduced technologies and programs designed to stop the crime wave. One of the most recent examples set to soon go into wider deployment came in June from UPS, with its API for DeliveryDefense, an AI-powered approach to reducing the risk of delivery theft. The UPS tech uses historic data and machine learning algorithms to assign each location a "delivery confidence score," which is rated on a one to 1,000 scale.

"If we have a score of 1,000 to an address that means that we're highly confident that that package is going to get delivered," said Mark Robinson, president of UPS Capital. "At the other end of the scale, like 100 ... would be one of those addresses where it would be most likely to happen, some sort of loss at the delivery point," Robinson said.

Powered by artificial intelligence, UPS Capital's DeliveryDefense analyzes address characteristics and generates a 'Delivery Confidence Score' for each address. If the address produced a low score, then a package recipient can then recommend in-store collection or a UPS pick-up point.

The initial version was designed to integrate with the existing software of major retailers through the API a beta test has been run with Costco Wholesale in Colorado. The company declined to provide information related to the Costco collaboration. Costco did not return a request for comment.

DeliveryDefense, said Robinson, is "a decent way for merchants to help make better decisions about how to ship packages to their recipients."

To meet the needs of more merchants, a web-based version is being launched for small- and medium-sized businesses on Oct. 18, just in time for peak holiday shipping season.

UPS says the decision about delivery options made to mitigate potential issues and enhance the customer experience will ultimately rest with the individual merchant, who will decide whether and how to address any delivery risk, including, for example, insuring the shipment or shipping to a store location for pickup.

UPS already offers its Access Points program, which lets consumers have packages shipped to Michaels and CVS locations to ensure safe deliveries.

How Amazon, Fedex, DHL attempt to prevent theft

UPS isn't alone in fighting porch piracy.

Among logistics competitors, DHL relies on one of the oldest methods of all  a "signature first" approach to deliveries in which delivery personnel are required to knock on the recipient's door or ring the doorbell to obtain a signature to deliver a package. DHL customers can opt to have shipments left at their door without a signature, and in such cases, the deliverer takes a photo of the shipment to provide proof for delivery. A FedEx rep said that the company offers its own picture proof of delivery and FedEx Delivery Manager, which lets customers customize their delivery preferences, manage delivery times and locations, redirect packages to a retail location and place holds on packages.

Amazon has several features to help ensure that packages arrive safely, such as its two- to four-hour estimated delivery window "to help customers plan their day," said an Amazon spokesperson. Amazon also offers photo-on delivery, which offers visual delivery confirmation and key-in-garage Delivery, which lets eligible Amazon Prime members receive deliveries in their garage.

Debate over doorbell cameras

Amazon has also been known for its attempts to use new technology to help prevent piracy, including its Ring doorbell cameras  the gadget maker's parent company was acquired by the retail giant in 2018 for a reported $1 billion.

Camera images can be important when filing police reports, according to Courtney Klosterman, director of communications for insurer Hippo. But the technology has done little to slow porch piracy, according to some experts who have studied its usage.

"I don't personally think it really prevents a lot of porch piracy," said Ben Stickle, a professor at Middle Tennessee State University and an expert on package theft.

Recent consumer experiences, including the iPad theft example in Virginia, suggest criminals may not fear the camera. Last month, Julie Litvin, a pregnant woman in Central Islip, N.Y., watched thieves make off with more than 10 packages, so she installed a doorbell camera. She quickly got footage of a woman stealing a package from her doorway after that. She filed a police report, but said her building's management company didn't seem interested in providing much help.

Stickle cited a study he conducted in 2018 that showed that only about 5% of thieves made an effort to hide their identity from the cameras. "A lot of thieves, when they walked up and saw the camera, would simply look at it, take the package and walk away anyway," he said.

SafeWise data shows that six in 10 people said they'd had packages stolen in 2022. Rebecca Edwards, security expert for SafeWise, said this reality reinforces the view that cameras don't stop theft. "I don't think that cameras in general are a deterrent anymore," Edwards said.

The best delivery crime prevention methods

The increase in packages being delivered has made them more enticing to thieves. "I think it's been on the rise since the pandemic, because we all got a lot more packages," she said. "It's a crime of opportunity, the opportunity has become so much bigger."

Edwards said that the two most-effective measures consumers can take to thwart theft are requiring a signature to leave a package and dropping the package in a secure location, like a locker.

Large lockboxes start at around $70 and for the most sophisticated can run into the thousands of dollars.

Stickle recommends a lockbox to protect your packages. "Sometimes people will call and say 'Well, could someone break in the box? Well, yeah, potentially," Stickle said. "But if they don't see the item, they're probably not going to walk up to your house to try and steal it."

There is always the option of leaning on your neighbors to watch your doorstep and occasionally sign for items. Even some local police departments are willing to hold packages.

The UPS AI comes at a time of concerns about rapid deployment of artificial intelligence, and potential bias in algorithms.

UPS says that DeliveryDefense relies on a dataset derived from two years' worth of domestic UPS data, encompassing an extensive sample of billions of delivery data points. Data fairness, a UPS spokeswoman said, was built into the model, with a focus "exclusively on delivery characteristics," rather than on any individual data. For example, in a given area, one apartment complex has a secure mailroom with a lockbox and chain of custody, while a neighboring complex lacks such safeguards, making it more prone to package loss.

But the UPS AI is not free. The API starts at $3,000 per month. For the broader universe of small businesses that are being offered the web version in October, a subscription service will be charged monthly starting at $99, with a variety of other pricing options for larger customers.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023.

The U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $325 million in military aid, President Joe Biden announced Thursday during a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The package includes air defense capabilities, cluster munitions, anti-tank weapons and other equipment.

"Today I approved the next tranche of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine including more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons and next week, the first U.S. Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine," Biden said. "We also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect the critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year."

The announcement was made during Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, D.C., where he appealed to lawmakers and administration officials for more assistance.

Ahead of the meeting, National Security Council senior director for Europe, Amanda Sloat, discussed the aid package on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

"It's the fourth package that we will have announced in six weeks," Sloat said, adding that air defense "is the most critical capability that the Ukrainians need now."

Sloat added that the new package will not include long-range ballistic missiles that are equipped with cluster munitions  tiny bomblets that disperse widely on a target. She noted, however, that Biden has not ruled out providing them in the future.

This package is separate from the additional $24 billion that the president wants Congress to approve for Ukraine.

Before the meeting began in the Oval Office, Biden and Zelenskyy gave brief remarks to the press. Biden said that no nation will be secure if the U.S. does not help Ukraine in defending its territory against Russia. Zelenskyy thanked Biden and Congress for frank and constructive dialogues during their meetings on Thursday.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the focus of the meeting with the president would be on air defense capabilities. National security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were seen in the back of the room.

Biden's meeting with Zelenskyy comes as part of the Ukrainian leader's second trip to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.

Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader met with a bipartisan group of House members in the morning and met with about 70 senators shortly after. A number of Republicans, especially those in the House, are skeptical about approving more aid to Ukraine.

In the meeting with senators, Zelenskyy took half a dozen questions on topics including a plan for victory and what Ukrainians need most from the U.S. in terms of financial and military aid.

Follow live updates on the Zelenskyy visit

Biden and Zelenskyy met in the Oval Office, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room with other top administration officials including Vice President Kamala Harris.

The first ladies of both nations are participating in the visit as well.

Zelenskyy's trip to Washington also included a meeting at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Biden previously reiterated support for Ukraine and emphasized that "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war" in his Tuesday speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no," Biden said in his speech. "We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Thursday that he declined a request from Zelenskyy to address a joint session of Congress because of time constraints given the busy legislative week, in remarks first reported by Punchbowl News. McCarthy also noted that Zelensky had already addressed Congress.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., blasted McCarthy for his decision not to hold a joint address for Zelenskyy, telling NBC News that "there was a possibility that we could have had a joint session, but apparently the House decided that they didn't have time to do it, which is disappointing."

"Guess they have their hands full," Rounds quipped.

Zelenskyy's visit comes the same day a group of congressional Republicans sent a letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young about Ukraine funding requests, arguing that "it would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant" the request without having further details about how the money is used, the Ukrainians' strategy and Biden's exit plan. The letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

In Washington, Zelenskyy met for a little more than an hour with senators on Capitol Hill. He spoke entirely in English, without the use of translators, according to two Senators in the room.

"He was exceptionally good today," said Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., who has questioned and voted against aid for Ukraine in the past.

Zelenskyy was "extremely personable," Rounds said, adding that the closed-door nature of the meeting allowed senators to have a more intimate conversation with the Ukrainian president.

Asked if there was concern that Congress would not approve aid, Rounds shot back that there was "more than enough" support in both chambers.

Both Biden and Zelenskyy attended the U.N. General Assembly this week, and they previously met in July during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zelenskyy visited Washington in December and delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress. He also met with Biden at the White House during the December trip.

"Ukraine is alive and kicking," he said in his previous speech to Congress. "Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender."

Congress has appropriated more than $113 billion for the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine, according to a March release from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.


A class 9 student of a Lucknow school collapsed due to a suspected heart attack in the classroom and was later declared dead on arrival in the hospital. The school, in a statement, said that it stands with the childs family in this difficult time and is ready to fully cooperate with any investigation.



Fourteen-year-old Atif Siddiqui, a class 9 student of City Montessori School, Aliganj branch, fainted during chemistry class on Wednesday.



He was immediately taken to a nearby private nursing home by the school teacher and school nurse in a car. By then, the childs father had also been informed over the phone and he too reached there.



"When the child did not regain consciousness despite the doctor giving him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) several times, we were informed that the child had probably suffered a heart attack and should be immediately taken to Lari Cardiology Hospital," said Rishi Khanna, spokesperson for CMS.



"The teacher and nurse took the child to Lari hospital with an oxygen cylinder in the ambulance provided by the medical centre. On reaching the cardiology emergency, doctors declared the child dead," he said.



"The child was declared dead on arrival. The cause of death shall be made clear with autopsy," said Dr Sudhir Singh, spokesperson KGMU.



ADCP (North) Abijith R Shankar said, "The child developed breathlessness while attending his class following which he fainted. The school authority rushed him to Lari Hospital where he was declared dead. The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained. His body has been sent for postmortem. Further legal action is being initiated in this case."






Cathie Wood says a U.K.-founded company is "one of the best AI companies in the world." That's DeepMind, an artificial intelligence research lab acquired by Google in 2014 and founded in 2010. It now operates as Google DeepMind. "DeepMind  is one of the best AI companies in the world and has been very important, I think, to Google's evolution," Wood, Ark Invest's founder, told CNBC's " Squawk Box Europe " on Wednesday. DeepMind has embarked on research in areas such as robotics, deep learning and neuroscience. It has projects such as AlphaFold, which can predict 3D models of protein structures. This year, Alphabet said it's merging DeepMind with an internal Google Research team called Brain . It's a move designed to bring two groups focused on AI closer together as the battle for AI heats up. Google is racing to compete with Microsoft and other tech companies in AI, with Microsoft already making huge strides with its investment in OpenAI. Wood said Wednesday that the "AI revolution is upon us and is going to change everything" despite fears that there will be a repeat of the dotcom bubble bust in the 1990s. "I think whenever there's a lot of excitement about a new technology and capital flows aggressively into the space, mistakes are going to be made," she said. "But we do believe it is an enormous opportunity. And I think a lot of people are comparing what's happening now to the tech and telecom bubble. We don't think it's anything like that. The technologies were not ready back then. And the costs were way too high," Wood added. Ark Invest on Wednesday acquired British thematic exchange-traded fund issuer Rize ETF for 5.25 million ($6.5 million), marking the company's first venture into the European passive investment market. Wood's flagship $8 billion Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) fund is up more than 30% in the year to date, and has Tesla , Coinbase and Zoom in its top holdings, as of June 2023.
Gabriel Weinberg, founder and chief executive officer of DuckDuckGo Inc., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Google's exclusive contracts proved to be an "obstacle" for DuckDuckGo in pitching browsers on becoming the default search engine for their private browsing modes, DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg testified in federal court on Thursday.

DuckDuckGo, known for its privacy-centric search engine that rivals Google's, had at some point pitched its search engine to be the default in private browsing modes of other browsers, Weinberg testified in Washington, D.C., District Court.

Google is facing allegations from the Department of Justice and a coalition of state attorneys general that it violated antitrust law through the use of exclusionary contracts to be the default search engine on browsers like Apple's Safari and on phones that use Google's Android operating system.

"We thought it was a great pitch to browsers, honestly," Weinberg said during questioning by an attorney for the Justice Department.

DuckDuckGo's own research has found that many consumers aren't aware that private browsing modes do not provide as much tracking protection as they would expect. Weinberg said the company presented that information to browser makers, showing that private browsing can mislead consumers, offering DuckDuckGo as a solution to that problem.

"We really took that pitch pretty far and wide," Weinberg said. Despite garnering interest, he said they "hit an obstacle" with companies' contracts with Google.

In the end, DuckDuckGo decided that "it was a quixotic exercise," Weinberg said.

A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the testimony.

WATCH: DOJ takes on Google in historic antitrust lawsuit over search dominance
Hernandez, who was found guilty Thursday by jurors after a trial that lasted several days, participated in a broad scheme in which telemarketing companies would contact Medicare patients to persuade them to request unnecessary braces and tests, the DOJ said.

Medicare is the federal program that provides health coverage to primarily older Americans.

Elizabeth Hernandez, 45, fraudulently billed Medicare for more than $200 million in orthotic braces and genetic tests that were medically unnecessary, according to the Department of Justice.

A federal jury in Miami convicted a Florida nurse practitioner of health-care conspiracy and other charges for playing a key role in a scheme that swindled hundreds of millions of dollars from Medicare.

These companies then sent pre-filled orders to Hernandez, who signed them, attesting that she had examined or treated the patients although she had never spoken with many of them, prosecutors said.

Hernandez routinely billed Medicare for more than 24 hours of purported "office visits" in a single day, the DOJ said.

And, "In 2020, Hernandez ordered more cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries than any other provider in the nation, including oncologists and geneticists," the department said.

She personally pocketed $1.6 million in stolen money which she used to buy pricey cars, jewelry, home renovations and trips, the prosecutors said.

One of Hernandez's co-conspirators, Michael Stein, pleaded guilty in April to one count of defrauding the United States by paying and receiving kickbacks. Stein was sentenced to five years in prison in June.

Stein ran two companies, 1523 Holdings and Growthlogix, that paid health-care providers bribes and kickbacks to order genetic tests that were medically unnecessary.

Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 14. She faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison on the top count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, with lesser maximums for health care fraud and making false statements.

A lawyer for Hernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 13, 2023.

The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued the largest anesthesiology provider in Texas, claiming the company has wielded monopoly power to drive up prices for patients and boost its profits.

The FTC asked a federal judge in Houston, Texas, to break up U.S. Anesthesia Partners' alleged monopoly power and permanently bar the company from engaging in anti-competitive practices.

The agency claims that New York-based private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe founded U.S. Anesthesia Partners in 2012 to pursue an aggressive consolidation strategy that exploited Texas' fragmented market for anesthesiology providers.

The FTC complaint says that Welsh Carson sought to make USAP the dominant provider in Texas by hoovering up the numerous independent practices that previously competed against one another, keeping prices lower.
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Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets Courtesy: Microsoft

Microsoft on Thursday unveiled new Surface computers and revealed details on the release of this year's version of Windows 11, including its embedded Copilot AI assistant, during an event in New York. The company introduced the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the Surface Laptop Go 3, and unveiled enterprise availability for Microsoft 365 Copilot, its supplemental AI tool for core productivity apps such as Word and Excel. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella began the event by speaking about how the company's Copilot AI tools will make a broad impact across its user base for consumers and enterprises. "I mean, it's crazy," he said. "It's kind of like the '90s are back. It's exciting to be in a place where we're bringing some software innovation and really having fun enjoying this entire journey." Rivals such as Atlassian , Google and Salesforce have also been racing to update their existing products with generative AI this year. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 starts at $1,999, while the Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $799. Both will ship with Microsoft's revamped Windows 11 operating system, which includes its Copilot software. The new Surface models will be available Oct. 3 and are available for preorder Thursday, Microsoft said. Notably absent from the event was Panos Panay, the Microsoft executive who presented Surface computers to the public for a decade. On Monday Microsoft announced a series of leadership changes as it disclosed that Panay was leaving. Here's a rundown of Thursday's news:

Windows 11 update

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Microsoft's updated Paint app for Windows 11 will allow people to create images by just typing in a few words. Microsoft

Microsoft said it will begin rolling out the next major update to Windows 11 on Sept. 26. The update will include the new Copilot in the Bing search engine and the Edge web browser, and people will be able to summon the Copilot by holding down the Windows key and pressing the C key. Aaron Woodman, VP of Windows marketing at Microsoft, said bringing Copilot to the operating system will be significant because it will make AI accessible to people who might not have worked with it before. "I think a lot of what we've seen so far has been kind of inside the tech bubble," Woodman said, while "Windows is a product that reaches a significant portion of the planet." Here are some of the key features of the new version: Boot to the cloud. If you're running a cloud-based version of Windows, you'll be able to log directly into the cloud as your primary experience on your PC, Microsoft said.

If you're running a cloud-based version of Windows, you'll be able to log directly into the cloud as your primary experience on your PC, Microsoft said. Smarter snipping. It's getting easier to pull out text directly from screenshots with Windows. When using the Snipping Tool app, you can copy text from a screenshot and quickly redact emails or phone numbers.

It's getting easier to pull out text directly from screenshots with Windows. When using the Snipping Tool app, you can copy text from a screenshot and quickly redact emails or phone numbers. Better backup. Microsoft will enable users to back up apps they've previously installed on a PC in order to restore them, along with pinned app preferences, in the future.

Microsoft will enable users to back up apps they've previously installed on a PC in order to restore them, along with pinned app preferences, in the future. Paint with words. The longstanding Paint app is getting a facelift with help from generative AI. People will be able to type in a few words of text, choose a style and have Paint auto-generate an image matching the description. It's similar to tools from Adobe

The longstanding Paint app is getting a facelift with help from generative AI. People will be able to type in a few words of text, choose a style and have Paint auto-generate an image matching the description. It's similar to tools from More taskbar customization. Windows 11 introduced a stark new taskbar that puts the Start button and a series of app icons in the center at the bottom of the screen. Now users can view app icons with labels, similar to how things looked in Windows 10. Even apps that aren't running can appear with labels. Users will also be able to hide the time and date.

Windows 11 introduced a stark new taskbar that puts the Start button and a series of app icons in the center at the bottom of the screen. Now users can view app icons with labels, similar to how things looked in Windows 10. Even apps that aren't running can appear with labels. Users will also be able to hide the time and date. Notepad with memory. Notepad will automatically save your status so that if you close the note-taking app and reopen it, you can get right back to your work. Testers have gotten access to some of these features in early builds in recent months.

Copilot for advertising

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Microsoft Advertising Platform will get a Copilot assistant that will be able to create advertising copy and imagery. Microsoft

Microsoft is also incorporating generative AI into its advertising tool, although the company did not disclose when exactly it will do so. A Copilot for the Microsoft Advertising Platform will be able to answer marketers' questions through a chat interface. And over time, it will help automate the process of coming up with ads. Alphabet and Meta have both been active in this area. "Using Copilot in the Microsoft Advertising Platform, you can tailor content, design, and strategies to your branding and advertising goals, creating stunning and effective ads in minutes," Kya Sainsbury-Carter, corporate VP for advertising at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post.

Surface Laptop Studio 2

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Courtesy: Microsoft

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a similar look and feel to the original model that launched in 2021. It can be used like a traditional laptop with a keyboard, but customers can also lay it flat and use it like a tablet. It offers a 13th-generation Intel Core chip, with a few options for Nvidia graphics processing units: the GeForce RTX 4050 or 4060, or the RTX 2000 Ada Generation. Models with Nvidia graphics will come with 120-watt power supplies. Or people can choose integrated graphics with Intel Iris Xe. Microsoft has also added a single traditional USB-A port, along with a MicroSD card reader. People can choose to include up to 64GB of RAM, compared with a maximum of 32GB in the first iteration. The device has an 14.4-inch screen and is the "most powerful Surface ever built," Brett Ostrum, Microsoft's VP of Surface devices, said at the event. He added that the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is twice as fast as the previous model and it also features an updated haptic touchpad, which is the "most inclusive touchpad on any laptop today." Models with 2TB of storage and Nvidia graphics boast up to 16 hours of battery life, and devices with less space and Nvidia cards can deliver up to 18 hours, while Intel graphics models have a 19-hour capacity, Microsoft said. The company claimed the inaugural Surface Laptop Studio boasted 18 hours of battery life, but CNBC found it generally lasted closer to 4.5 hours. The new version starts at $1,999, compared with $1,599 for the original model.

Surface Laptop Go 3

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go Courtesy: Microsoft

The Surface Laptop Go 3 is the latest update to Microsoft's entry-level laptop. It features a 12.4-inch touch screen display and runs on a 12th-generation Intel processor. Ostrum said it's Microsoft's lightest and most portable laptop, weighing in at 2.49 pounds. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 exceeds 4 pounds. Microsoft said the new laptop's battery will last for 15 hours, compared with 13.5 hours for its predecessor. In terms of performance, the device is 88% faster than the original model, Ostrum said. People can choose to add up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of solid-state storage, instead of an 8GB memory limit and up to 256GB in solid-state storage in the Surface Laptop Go 2. The laptop starts at $799, an increase from the $599 starting price of the Surface Laptop Go 2.

Surface Go 4

Microsoft Surface Go For Business Courtesy: Microsoft

Microsoft announced the Surface Go 4, the latest miniature version of its Surface Pro tablet that's available exclusively for organizations. The company suggested in a release that the new model could be especially useful for businesses and frontline workers. The Surface Go 4 can be docked to a monitor, used as a laptop with a paired keyboard or like a tablet using the touch screen. It's powered by an Intel N200 processor. The Surface Go 4 also features a 10.5-inch touchscreen display and supports 12.5 hours of battery life, which is an increase from the 11 hours of battery life offered by the Surface Go 3.

Surface Hub 3

Surface Hub 3 Courtesy: Microsoft

Microsoft hasn't forgotten about its Surface Hub, its large touchscreen device for use in the office. An 85-inch model and a smaller 50-inch option offer organizations an easy way to join Teams video calls. During Teams calls, software will be able to remove the background from various participants and adjust their sizes, Microsoft product marketing director Frank Buchholz wrote in a blog post. The smaller version can switch between portrait and landscape modes. Two people can simultaneously draw or write on the devices with Surface Hub Pens or Surface Slim pens. Microsoft is touting 60% better performance in the main processor of these devices and a 160% bump for their graphics processing units.

Microsoft 365 Copilot release for big businesses
Writers and producers are near an agreement to end the Writers Guild of America strike after meeting face-to-face on Wednesday, people close to the negotiations told CNBC's David Faber on Wednesday.

The two sides met and hope to finalize a deal Thursday, the sources said. While optimistic, the people told Faber, however, that if a deal is not reached the strike could last through the end of the year.

On Wednesday evening, the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers released a joint statement that the two groups met for bargaining and would negotiate again on Thursday. The sides are set to reconvene at 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Faber reported. Representatives for the organizations didn't respond to requests for further comment.

WGA members have been on strike for more than 100 days  with actors joining the picket line in July  leaving Hollywood production of TV shows and movies at a standstill. Production has been halted for several high-profile shows and films, including Netflix's "Stranger Things," Disney and Marvel's "Blade," and Paramount's "Evil."

Earlier in the week, the writers' union said it would resume negotiations with the studios.

This appears to be the closest the two sides have come to a resolution since the more than 11,000 film and TV writers went on strike beginning May 2. They have argued their compensation doesn't match the revenue that's been generated during the streaming era.

Beyond higher compensation, the WGA has been pushing for new rules that would require studios to staff TV shows with a certain number of writers for a certain period. The writers are also seeking compensation throughout the process of preproduction, production and postproduction. As of now, writers are often expected to provide revisions or come up with new material without being paid.

In late August, the AMPTP went public with its latest proposal to the WGA at the time and tensions between the two groups appeared to remain high.
Tucked away in western Montana is America's most fun city for young adults. At least, that's according to an analysis from SmartAsset, the personal finance website, which crunched U.S. Census and MIT data to find the top metro areas for the class of 2023. The metro area around Missoula, Montana, ranked No. 1 for "fun," according to SmartAsset, based on its high percentage (18%) of the population between 20 to 29 years old, and the number of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues per capita. "Entertainment is surprisingly rampant in Missoula," says Jaclyn DeJohn, managing editor of economic analysis at SmartAsset. The metro area, home to University of Montana's flagship campus, ranks second in the country in terms of entertainment venues per capita, and the share of restaurants and bars aren't too far behind, she says. "Missoula seems to be catered to the fun aspect of living in an area  there's just a lot of venues and things to do and young people out there," DeJohn says.

A small community with big-city amenities

With a population of around 75,000, Missoula's small community with big-city amenities attracted Summer Tong, 27, and her husband, Brandon Sturgell, 30, to move there in March 2023. Until then, the couple lived an hour outside Tulsa, Okla., where Sturgell landed a two-year contract with a practice after dental school. The town's low cost of living was all they could really afford, but over the years, they outgrew what it had to offer.

Summer Tong moved with her family to Missoula, Mont., this year because of its access to nature and small-town community with big-city amenities. Courtesy of subject
High-profile investors Jeff Smith and Alex Sacerdote hit home runs after Cisco 's buyout of cybersecurity software company Splunk sent shares surging. Splunk rocketed more than 20% following the announcement that Cisco will acquire it for $157 per share in an all-cash deal worth about $28 billion. The move marked a big win for the two hedge fund investors with big stakes in Splunk. Splunk was Smith's Starboard Value's third-biggest holding at the end of June, with a bet worth more than $430 million. The investor previously said Splunk could benefit from the rise of artificial intelligence , but was lacking in execution. Smith, one of the most notable activist investors over the past two decades, has come out as an AI bull, comparing the technology with the advent of the internet. He was also one of the activist investors in customer relations management software company Salesforce. Sacerdote's Whale Rock Capital Management hedge fund, which focuses on technology, media and telecommunications, had invested more than $170 million in Splunk at the end of the second quarter. Once a Fidelity portfolio manager, Sacerdote first bought Splunk in the beginning of 2022. What else are they betting on? Smith, who has called AI an "enormous opportunity," invested in a few other stocks to capitalize on the boom. He drastically increased his stake in Wix.com last quarter, making it his ninth-biggest holding. Wix.com is a web development platform enabling businesses to take workflow online. The stock is up about 16% this year. Meanwhile, Smith hiked his stake in Acacia Research in the second quarter, pushing the patent licensing company to the 10th-biggest position in Starboard's stock portfolio. Whale Rock's top holdings included a host of Big Tech stocks such as Microsoft , Meta , Nvidia and Netflix . Cloud-based customer relationship management platform HubSpot is a lesser-known stock that's a favorite of Whale Rock. The stock, Whale Rock's fifth-biggest stock bet as of the end of June, has soared more than 66% this year. Sacerdote also had a big bet on another cybersecurity company like Splunk, Fortinet . Guggenheim recently upgraded Fortinet to buy from neutral after an earnings-triggered sell-off created a compelling entry point. The stock is still up 20% this year.
A Polish Leopard 2PL tank during a Defender Europe 2022 military exercise of NATO troops including those from France, the U.S. and Poland, at the military range in Bemowo Piskie, near Orzysz, Poland, on May 24, 2022. Kacper Pempel | Reuters

Poland has said it will no longer supply its neighbor Ukraine with weapons, as a rift over agricultural exports deepens. "We no longer transfer weapons to [Ukraine], because we are now arming Poland," Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland's prime minister, said Wednesday on the X social media platform, previously known as Twitter, according to a Google translation. "Ukraine is defending itself against the brutal Russian attack and I understand this situation, but as I said, we will protect our country," he added. Poland is helping Ukraine to fight what Morawiecki called the "Russian barbarian," but cannot agree to any destabilization of the Polish market by Ukrainian grain imports, he said, in further Google-translated comments carried by Polish news agency Polska Agencja Prasowa. The comments followed a dramatic deterioration of relations between Kyiv and Warsaw this week.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki delivers remarks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris before their meeting in her ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, D.C., April 11, 2023. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

Warsaw has been one of Kyiv's staunchest allies since mutual foe Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Poland has donated a wide range of weaponry to Kyiv, from modern Leopard 2 tanks to Soviet-era fighter jets, as well as delivering military training to Ukraine's armed forces. A recent dispute over Ukraine's agricultural exports  which have had to be transferred via Eastern European countries while Russia has effectively blockaded grain ships leaving the country's ports  has threatened to break the alliance, however. The high-profile falling-out came to a head Monday, as Ukraine filed lawsuits against a number of countries, including Poland, at the World Trade Organization over the bans on Ukrainian grain imports.

Then on Tuesday, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made a thinly veiled swipe at Ukraine's Eastern European allies, telling the United Nations General Assembly that Kyiv is "working hard to preserve the land routes for grain exports and it is alarming to see how some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theatre  making [a] thriller from the grain. They may seem to play their own role but in fact, they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor." That drew a sharp rebuke from Poland, with Warsaw summoning Ukraine's ambassador over the remarks. Following the meeting, the Polish Foreign Ministry in a statement said Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski "communicated Poland's strong protest over the statements made yesterday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly which suggested that some EU countries simulate solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia." The statement added that Poland "stressed that this claim is wrong and particularly unjustified in Poland's case, given that our country has supported Ukraine since the first days of war." Ukraine has not publicly commented on Poland's latest announcement on stopping weaponry transfers. CNBC has reached out to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine. In an apparent bid to soften Warsaw's position, Poland's state asset minister said Thursday that Poland is not currently supplying arms to Ukraine but "will see" about future deliveries. "At the moment it is as the prime minister said, in the future we will see," Jacek Sasin told private broadcaster Radio Plus when asked about Prime Minister Morawiecki's comments.

What happened?

Tensions have been rising between Poland and Ukraine for a number of months. The majority of Ukraine's agricultural exports  mainly consisting of grains, oilseeds and other goods  were transported via the Black Sea, over the course of the Black Sea Grain Initiative  a deal struck between Moscow and Kyiv that enabled grain-laden cargo ships to depart from three Ukrainian ports without being attacked. After the agreement collapsed in July, other rail, road and river routes set up by the EU, known as "Solidarity Lanes," became the only way to get Ukraine's grain out of the country relatively safely. Warsaw and a number of its Eastern European neighbors have repeatedly complained that a glut of Ukrainian agricultural exports has ended up in their own countries due to logistical bottlenecks in the Solidarity Lanes, driving down national grain prices and hurting local farmers. The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, attempted to mediate earlier this year by allowing Eastern European countries  namely, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia  to introduce import restrictions on Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower exports. This meant that these nations were effectively just transit countries through which Ukrainian grains were transported before being distributed throughout Europe and beyond.

A Polish farmer during an April 12, 2022 protest against Ukrainian grain imports, which have lowered prices for crops in Poland. Attila Husejnow | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

But the commission refused to extend those limits last week, renewing tensions with Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, who said they would defy the relaxation of import rules and maintain restrictions. That led to an eruption of anger and indignation in Kyiv, with the government filing complaints with the WTO against Warsaw, Bratislava and Budapest on Monday. "It is fundamentally important for us to prove that individual member states cannot ban the import of Ukrainian goods. That is why we file lawsuits against them in the WTO," Yulia Svyrydenko, a senior Ukrainian government minister, said in a statement on the Economy Ministry's website Monday. "At the same time, we hope that these states will lift their restrictions and we will not have to clarify the relationship in the courts for a long time. We need solidarity with them and protection of farmers' interests," Svyrydenko added.

In happier times: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki embrace during a joint news briefing on a day of the first anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2023. Viacheslav Ratynskyi | Reuters
Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of the board of both Fox Corp. and News Corp. , the companies said Thursday. The move will be official in November.

Murdoch, 92, will be appointed chairman emeritus of each company. Lachlan Murdoch, one of his sons, will become sole chairman of News Corp. and will continue as Fox Corp.'s executive chair and CEO.

"Our companies are in robust health, as am I," the elder Murdoch said in a note to employees. "We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years  I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them. But the battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense."

Murdoch is stepping away from the boards after a tumultuous year at Fox's TV network, soon after the company agreed to pay a $787.5 million settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit over false claims that the company's machines swayed the 2020 election between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Murdoch's continued role behind the scenes at Fox News was highlighted in the months leading up the Dominion settlement. In his deposition for the lawsuit, Murdoch said some of the network's anchors parroted false claims in the months following the election.

Until the settlement, Dominion was calling for Murdoch, his son, and other top Fox talent and executives to take the stand if a trial occurred. At the time, Fox had opposed having the elder Murdoch  as well as other top Fox executives  appearing in person, citing his age. A Delaware judge rejected the argument, and had said Fox wouldn't have been able to argue hardship given Murdoch's engagement that was later called off and his publicly discussed travel plans.

Since July 2022, Murdoch had worked from his home in Montana rather than going into Fox or News Corp. offices, according to a securities filing.

Fox News also saw top talent Tucker Carlson exit earlier this year, followed by a dip in ratings for a period before he was replaced.

Murdoch's departure also comes a year ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. News Corp. owns newspapers The Wall Street Journal and New York Post, among other publications, while Fox is the parent company of right-leaning TV networks Fox News and Fox Business.

The Australian media mogul got his start in the industry nearly 70 years ago in 1954, after taking control of what was called News Ltd., which owned the No. 2 newspaper in Adelaide, Australia. His father was a war correspondent and regional newspaper owner.

From there he built his newspaper empire, stretching to racy tabloids in Britain and later the U.S.

In the 1980s, he entered the television business, and bought oil tycoon Marvin Davis' 50% stake in Twentieth Century Fox in 1985. He became a U.S. citizen that year in order to meet the requirement for owning TV stations in the country.

In 1996 the Fox News Channel was launched, and has since become a top-rated cable network.

"For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change," Murdoch said in his note to employees, adding it was time for him to take on different roles.

Nearly a year ago, Murdoch explored reuniting Fox and News Corp., a move that would have allowed leadership to be consolidated in his media empire, as well as cutting costs. Murdoch had split up News Corp. and Fox in 2013.

The proposal had come as audiences shrink for both print media and cable TV, while readers and viewers increasingly get their news and entertainment from online news, social media and streaming.

However, Murdoch called off the proposed merger in January. Murdoch had withdrawn the proposal for the reunion, saying in a letter to the board that he and his son "determined that a combination is not optimal for the shareholders" of either of the companies at the time.

The Murdoch family trust controls roughly 40% of the voting rights of both companies. The family is said to have amassed a fortune of more than $17 billion as of 2023.

Fox and its broadcast and pay TV networks are left over from the $71.3 billion Twenty-First Century Fox sale to Disney in 2019. The media company has focused on news and sports  primarily for its traditional TV networks  as well as the free, ad-supported streamer Tubi, rather than jumping into the direct-to-consumer subscription streaming business like its peers.

Fox, which saw its stock move up slightly on Thursday, has a market cap of more than $15.5 billion. News Corp. has a market cap of more than $11 billion.

The Murdochs' time and power in media has been chronicled over the years in books, as well as considered to be loosely portrayed in the HBO series "Succession." In coming days, Michael Wolff's "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty," will be released and is said to include more revelations about the Murdoch family, U.S. politics and Fox News.

Read Murdoch's full note to employees:

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News. For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change. But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies.

Neither excessive pride nor false humility are admirable qualities. But I am truly proud of what we have achieved collectively through the decades, and I owe much to my colleagues, whose contributions to our success have sometimes been unseen outside the company but are deeply appreciated by me. Whether the truck drivers distributing our papers, the cleaners who toil when we have left the office, the assistants who support us or the skilled operators behind the cameras or the computer code, we would be less successful and have less positive impact on society without your day-after-day dedication.

Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them. But the battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense.

My father firmly believed in freedom, and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause. Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon.

I look forward to seeing you wherever you work and whatever your responsibility. And I urge you to make the most of this great opportunity to improve the world we live in.
The Board of Seeka Limited [NZX: SEK ] is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Cresswell as an Independent Director of the Company.

Sharon is a Chartered Accountant based in the Waikato and has previous experience as a director, advisor, and senior executive. Sharon was a Partner at PwC in New Zealand for 16 years, providing both financial and risk assurance to predominately primary sector clients.

Sharon is a Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of The Network for Learning and a Director of Wool Impact. These appointments reflect Sharons desire to be involved in businesses with a strong purpose in New Zealand.

The appointment takes effect on 1 October 2023. Upon Sharons appointment, she will also join Seekas Audit and Risk Committee.

Release ends.

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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smiles during the New Global Financial Pact Summit at the Palais Brongniart in Paris, on June 22, 2023. Ludovic Marin | AFP | Getty Images

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the prospect of normalizing relations with Israel is getting closer by the day, but signaled that the treatment of Palestinians remains a clinching point. Prince Mohammed dismissed reports that the two countries had suspended talks and acknowledged progress in negotiations. "Every day we get closer," he said in an Fox News interview aired on Wednesday  a rare sit-down with a Western media outlet for the Saudi crown prince. "There is support from [U.S.] President [Joe] Biden's administration to get to that point," he added, but stressed that the welfare of Palestinians remains a bone of contention. "For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, we need to solve that part ... We hope that it will reach a place that it will ease the life of the Palestinians and get Israel as a player in the Middle East." A historical supporter of Palestinian interests, Riyadh has not formally recognized Israel since the latter declared independence in 1948. Israel has in recent years made significant breakthroughs in rekindling ties with other Arab states that previously also spurned it over its treatment of Palestinians. In September 2020, the landmark Abraham Accords brokered by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump reconnected Israel with close Saudi allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Sudan and Morocco have also recognized Israel in the years since.

Israeli efforts and the Palestinian cause

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly courted reconciliation with Riyadh, dubbing it a "huge quantum leap for peace." Washington has likewise persistently courted a formal normalization of diplomatic relations between its two top Middle Eastern allies. On Wednesday, Biden met with Netanyahu on the sidelines of a meeting of the United Nations in New York, in their first encounter since the Israeli prime minister's return to power in his sixth term. The two leaders agreed to work toward securing diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign attorney Kenneth Chesebro is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Atlanta, Aug. 23, 2023.

But there was "no such concern" in this case, they argued, " because months earlier Microsoft had archived all the e-mails in Fulton County Superior Court."

In their Fulton County Superior Court filing, Chesebro's attorneys said Georgia rules only allow the use of search warrants where there is probable cause to believe that the evidence sought would otherwise be deleted.

Attorneys for Kenneth Chesebro, a pro-Trump lawyer, argued the search warrant used to obtain emails from his MSN email account ahead of his indictment "is defective" and the search and seizure of the emails was "illegal."

Lawyers for a co-defendant of former President Donald Trump in their Georgia criminal election interference case asked a judge Thursday to bar the use of evidence obtained in a search of his email account.

Chesebro's lawyers also argued they were not "contacted to schedule a hearing for review of the obtained documents in order to minimize review of documents falling outside the scope of the warrant," and to make sure prosecutors would not see emails protected by attorney-client privilege.

Those two factors are "fatal to the search warrant," they argued.

In a separate filing on Wednesday, Chesebro's attorneys said that five memos he wrote in late 2020 and early 2021 on behalf of the Trump campaign should be suppressed as evidence because they are "privileged communications between lawyers representing a client."

Four of those memos are "specifically relied on in the indictment," they noted, and the fifth "has been widely discussed in the press."

A spokesman for Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting Chesebro, Trump, and 17 others in the Georgia election case, declined to comment on the filings.

Chesebro is charged with seven counts in connection with efforts to advance slates of alternate electors who would vote for Trump in several swing states where the Republican incumbent lost to President Joe Biden, among them Georgia.

The charges against Chesebro include violating Georgia's racketeering act, as well as conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery and conspiracy to commit false statements and documents.

He and the rest of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the indictment accusing them of conspiring to illegally overturn Biden's electoral victory in Georgia's 2020 election.

Chesebro and Sidney Powell, another pro-Trump attorney charged in the case, were granted speedy trials. They will stand trial together starting Oct. 23.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2023.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Thursday as the embattled leader seeks to shore up additional support for his war-torn country.

Biden was seeking a "battlefield perspective" from Zelenskyy in their meeting, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Speaking in the Oval Office before the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S., saying the countries are "really truly allies." He said he intended to talk about weapons systems with Biden, "with a special emphasis on air defense."

"I am in Washington to strengthen Ukraine's position to defend our children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world," Zelenskyy said.

Biden called Ukraine a "partner" and said he was working with other G7 allies to formalize a commitment to the country's long-term security.

"We're supporting a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Biden said.

Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week in New York.

During his own speech Tuesday at the U.N., Biden promised the U.S. would "continue to stand" with Ukraine as Russia's invasion drags on.

But getting Congress to fulfill that promise with more aid is complicated.

The White House is seeking $24 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, which it hoped would be passed alongside a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown as federal budget negotiations continue.

The measure has bipartisan support in the Senate but has been held up in the House of Representatives, where some members, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have said they will not support any additional aid.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is in a difficult position on the issue of Ukraine due to a slim GOP majority in the House, which gives individual Republican lawmakers leverage to pressure him to accede to their demands.

Conservatives balked at McCarthy's proposal last week to pair Ukraine aid with additional border funding.
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.
We started buying semiconductor giant Broadcom (AVGO) last month and added to our position a few times since it reported fiscal third-quarter results Aug. 31. We would've done so again Thursday, if not for restrictions, as the stock fell on a news report about its relationship with a key customer. What drew us to this name  and the reason why we made the switch out of PC and data-center chip designer Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)  is Broadcom's clear benefits from artificial intelligence. Investment in generative AI is fueling a wave of spending by hyperscaler customers for Broadcom's networking solutions, including one large customer of advanced AI processor chips. That customer is Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL), and a report Thursday in tech-focused publication The Information said execs at Google have discussed dropping Broadcom as a supplier of these chips as early as 2027 to cut down on costs, pulling Broadcom shares sharply lower. This sounded like one big price negotiation to us  given it'd be dangerous for Google to risk performance to save money  and Google has since come out to downplay the report. "We are productively engaged with Broadcom and multiple other suppliers for the long term," the company said in a statement to CNBC's Kristina Partsinevelos. "Our work to meet our internal and external Cloud needs benefit from our collaboration with Broadcom; they have been an excellent partner and we see no change in our engagement." Indeed, the Thursday morning sell-off in Broadcom, which was down 4.3% at its intraday lows, is an overreaction. And, as Jim Cramer indicated Thursday during September's Monthly Meeting for Club members, we wanted to buy into that weakness. As the market digested Google's statement, Broadcom shares were now down just over 1%, to around $821 each. AVGO YTD mountain Broadcom's year-to-date stock performance. Broadcom also supplies several hyperscalers with a portfolio of networking technologies as they scale up and scale out their AI clusters within their data centers. AI-related revenues are helping lift Broadcom's growth rate. In the recent quarter, Broadcom said it expects networking revenue growth to accelerate above 20% year over year, with AI-related revenues growing 50% sequentially and nearly double year over year. While Broadcom's AI revenue is growth is growing incredibly fast, the rest of its semiconductor business is stabilizing after working through its post-Covid inventory gluts. This would be a wireless chips business whose main customer is fellow Club name Apple (AAPL), as well as server storage connectivity, broadband and industrial. But the Broadcom story is more than just semis. Over the past several years, Broadcom has leaned on mergers and acquisitions to build up a stable, recurring-revenue-generating Infrastructure Software business. This business will soon significantly increase in scale and Broadcom will cement its position as a leading provider of mission-critical software to enterprises after it completes its $61 billion acquisition of VMware (VM). In fact, with the additional of VMware, Broadcom's companywide revenues will be about half semiconductor and half software. Broadcom believes VMware "sits at the nexus of the largest opportunity in enterprise infrastructure software today." Broadcom believes VMware "is a foundational platform that enables enterprises to drive competitive advantage with technology by leveraging two operational modes to develop and run their applications." In simpler terms, VMware's multi-cloud portfolio makes it possible for enterprises to develop and run their apps anywhere. They serve as the foundation for crucial applications across private and public clouds. Broadcom has a strong track record of acquiring growing businesses and increasing profits by eliminating costs and driving efficiency. Using this playbook, Broadcom is targeting to increase VMware's standalone EBITDA of approximately $4.7 billion in fiscal year 2022 to $8.5 billion in pro-forma run-rate EBITDA within three years of the deal closing. EBITDA stands for earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization. There's also a major AI component here, too. VMware and Club holding Nvidia (NVDA), the kingmaker of AI, are working together on a strategic partnership "to ready the hundreds of thousands of enterprises that run on VMware's cloud infrastructure for the era of generative AI." That's another reason to like Broadcom. Broadcom is also compelling within semiconductors because of its valuation and capital returns. Unlike some other semiconductor companies that trade at expensive price-to-earnings multiples, Broadcom is much cheaper at roughly 19x its next 12-month earnings. That's a discount to analog chip firm Texas Instruments (TXN), AMD, Intel (INTC), Marvell, and, of course, Nvidia. Broadcom also has a storied history of returning cash to shareholders. It typically pays out to shareholders about 50% of its prior year cash flow as dividends and it has raised its annual dividend 12 times since it initiated a dividend in fiscal 2011. The stock's current yield is about 2.15%. Broadcom uses excess free cash flow to repurchase stock and shrink its outstanding share count. The company's buyback was put on pause in early August in accordance with the rules around its pending acquisition of VMware, but it still has $7.3 billion remaining under its authorization. We would expect repurchases to resume sometime after the deal closes. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AVGO, GOOGL, AAPL and NVDA . 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.

A sign is posted in front of a Broadcom office in San Jose, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky walks with Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as he arrives for a meeting with members of the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Washington on Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time to face the Republicans now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has kept his troops in the fight against Russian forces. Zelenskyy arrived at the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate as the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries escorted Zelenskyy into the Capitol, opening a crucial Washington stop for the Ukrainian president following his appearance before the U.N. General Assembly in New York. It is Zelenskyy's second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Biden's request to Congress for an additional $24 billion for Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the Ukrainian president "our best messenger" in persuading U.S. lawmakers to keep vital U.S. money and weapons coming.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seen speaking during a meeting with all members of the U.S. Senate held in the Old Senate Chamber during a visit to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, September 21, 2023. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

"It's really important for members of Congress to be able to hear directly from the president about what he's facing in this counteroffensive," Kirby told reporters Wednesday, "and how he's achieving his goals, and what he needs to continue to achieve those goals." Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with Ukraine, even as he faces domestic political divisions at home. A hard-right flank of Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 race for the White House, is increasingly opposed to sending more money overseas. As the White House worked to shore up support for Ukraine before Zelenskyy's visit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top intelligence officials briefed senior lawmakers behind closed doors Wednesday to argue the case. But some Senate Republicans walked out of the briefing no more convinced than before about the necessity of spending more on Ukraine. "It's not close to the end," Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said. "What we're basically told is, 'Buckle up and get out your checkbook."' Since the start of the war, most members of Congress supported approving four rounds of aid to Ukraine, totaling about $113 billion, viewing defense of the country and its democracy as an imperative, especially when it comes to containing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some of that money went toward replenishing U.S. military equipment sent to the frontlines. Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, who traveled to Kyiv this week, said cutting off U.S. aid during the Ukrainians' counteroffensive would be "catastrophic" to their efforts. "That would clearly be the opening that Putin is looking for," Kelly said Wednesday. "They cannot be successful without our support." The political environment has shifted markedly since Zelenskyy addressed Congress last December on his first trip out of Ukraine since the war began. He was met with rapturous applause for his country's bravery and surprisingly strong showing in the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 21st, 2023. Courtesy: "a person in the room"

His meeting with senators on Thursday will take place behind closed doors in the Old Senate Chamber, a historical and intimate place of importance at the U.S. Capitol, signifying the respect the Senate is showing the foreign leader. But on the other side of the Capitol, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faces more opposition within his Trump-aligned ranks to supporting Ukraine, is planning a separate meeting with Zelenskyy, with a smaller bipartisan group of lawmakers and committee chairmen. "I will have questions for President Zelenskyy," McCarthy told reporters before the visit. The House speaker said he wanted more accountability for the money the U.S. has already approved for Ukraine before moving ahead with more. And, McCarthy said, he wants to know, "What is the plan for victory?" In the Senate, however, Ukraine has a strong ally in Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is out front in pushing his party, and the president, to continue robust support for Kyiv. McConnell urged Biden before Wednesday's closed-door briefing to senators to make sure the administration's top brass puts forward a more forceful case in support of Ukraine so Congress can send Zelenskyy what's needed to win the war.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, is escorted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to the Old Senate Chamber for a meeting with U.S. Senators in the Capitol on Thurssday, September 21, 2023. Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Great news for Hilsa fish lovers in India! The much coveted Padma Hilsa is coming to Bengal today. The Government of Bangladesh has officially allowed Hilsa fish to be exported to India, and it will arrive in the country tonight via Indian fish traders.

Up to 3,950 metric tons of Hilsa can be imported from Bangladesh by Indian fish traders. The Bangladesh Government permitted the same after receiving requests from the Fish Importers Association to import Hilsa fish during Durga Puja. Imports of Hilsa will be allowed until October 30.

The Hilsa can be imported in two or three phases per week and can total up to 25 separate phases by October 30. West Bengal will receive a majority of the Hilsa imports while the rest will be spread across the country.

Syed Anwar Maqsood, Secretary of the Fish Importers Association, has expressed worries about the quantity of Hilsa that can be imported from Bangladesh during a short period of time.

In 2012, the import of Hilsa from Bangladesh was stopped. In 2019, the import of Hilsa was resumed after various discussions between the Fish Importers Association and the Indian Government. While only 500 metric tons of Hilsa were allowed to be imported in 2019, the amount increased to 1,850 metric tons in 2020.

In 2021, the Bangladesh Government allowed 4,600 metric tons of Hilsa to be imported, but only 1,200 metric tons were available. In 2022, although the amount decreased to 2,900 metric tons, only 1,300 metric tons of Hilsa were imported.

According to a fish trader, Although the Bangladesh government has allowed the import of 4,000 metric tons of Hilsa, we are in doubt about the quantity that can be imported in the end.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Third telco player DITO Telecommunity has tapped a long-term loan deal to finance its network buildup and pay off debt.

In a disclosure Thursday, its parent company DITO CME Holdings said the telco carrier signed a $3.9-billion, 15-year finance facility with a group of multinational banks.

DITO CME, led by Davao businessman Dennis A. Uy, said the agreement is considered "one of the largest long-term debt arranged and syndicated by a group of multinational banks for a Philippine corporation."

Fresh funds will go to repaying another loan facility amounting to $1.3 billion, while portions of the proceeds would also support DITO Telecommunity's network expansion.

More budget for the network infrastructure would subsequently translate to "improved quality of access and user experience," the group said.

It would also speed up DITO Telecommunity's journey in the 5G space and mobile postpaid business.

"This project finance facility represents strategic trust and confidence in the vision of the company to be a major enabler of digital services in the Philippines," DITO CME President Ernesto R. Alberto was quoted as saying in the filing.

Earlier this week, DITO Telecommunity said it passed its fourth technical audit.

Based on an independent auditor's report, the third telco player's population coverage now stands at 80.65%. Minimum average broadband speeds, meanwhile, reached 74.97 Mbps for 4G and 639.32 Mbps for 5G.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The government will soon release an executive order that will speed up the implementation of the infrastructure flagship programs (IFPs) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.

National Economic and Development Authority chief Arsenio Balisacan said in a news briefing on Thursday that the EO will "enable the expeditious processing of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, and authorizations for the Marcos administration's infrastructure flagship projects or IFPs."

"The primary goal of this proposed EO is to minimize, if not, eliminate delays in the implementation of IFPs," Balisacan added.

The NEDA also said the soon to be released EO will require government offices and local government units to streamline the standard procedures and requirements for the IFPs.

The NEDA Board last March approved 9 trillion worth of priority infrastructure projects.

Balisacan earlier said that 71 projects are ongoing while 27 more have been approved for implementation.

The agency also noted that the order will mandate the Anti-Red Tape Authority to establish a reporting framework to track the compliance of agencies.

Balisacan said that Office of the Executive Secretary is still working on the draft and the President will sign it "very soon."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (PT&T), a listed telecommunications player, plans to capitalize on the popularity of artificial intelligence-powered ChatGPT to grow its enterprise unit.

In a statement on Thursday, PT&T said it is eyeing to infuse its offerings for businesses with ChatGPT in Microsoft 365 Copilot, another AI feature developed by US-based tech giant Microsoft that speeds up administrative works.

The listed firm said it sealed the deal with Microsoft and Crayon Philippines for this venture.

The launch of this service in the Philippine market is eyed by the first quarter of 2024, according to PT&T President and CEO James Velasquez.

Earlier reports showed that PT&T, which previously vied for the third telco status, is targeting to raise 11 billion to 17 billion from the last quarter of 2023 to the first semester of next year. The funds are aimed at financing its network buildup.

While it has a network of more than 25,000 fiber kilometers, covering about 40% of the population, PT&T has started expanding in the IT market.
In an advancement towards mutual cooperation, the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The move was finalized with the signing of the Liptako-Gourma Charter, named after the tri-border region shared by the three countries, in Malis capital Bamako on September 16.

The formation of the AES comes at a critical time in the Sahel region of West Africa. Mali has witnessed a resurgence of attacks by ethnic Tuareg rebels in its northern region, alongside violence by other armed groups. An armed insurgency by Tuareg rebels over a decade ago led to Frances military intervention in Mali in 2013 under Operation Serval.





Mali's interim president, Assimi Goita, signs the Liptako-Gourma Charter with the leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger, establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on September 16, 2023, with the aim of creating an architecture of collective defense. [Photo Twitter/GoitaAssimi]





Over the next few years, the attacks spread to other parts of the Sahel, including Niger and Burkina Faso, with armed groups controlling an estimated 40 percent of the latters territory. Meanwhile, France expanded its military operations in the region with Operation Barkhane in 2014.





As violence continued to grow even after almost a decade of intervention, France failed to achieve its stated counter-insurgency objectives and generated civilian casualties as a result of its airstrikes. This fueled protests against the presence of French troops in Mali. Against this backdrop of popular anger, the country witnessed two coups, in 2020 and 2021, finally bringing to power its current leadership headed by Colonel Assimi Goita.





Burkina Faso would soon follow with a coup in January 2022 conducted in the wake of anti-French demonstrations. The same year, France announced the withdrawal of troops from Mali after Bamako ended its defense accords with Paris.





In January 2023, Burkina Faso ordered the expulsion of French troops from its soil.





Both countries were suspended and sanctioned by the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Confronted by a precarious security situation and punitive measures by their regional neighbors, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea (which had also undergone a military coup in 2021) began taking comprehensive measures to boost cooperation on a range of matters, especially defense.





from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it may be "unfair" for the Bureau of Immigration to shoulder all the reimbursements for travel expenses and damages caused to offloaded travelers after a delay due to prolonged immigration assessments.

Committee of Appropriations Vice Chair Rep. Peter Gonzaga, on behalf of the DOJ, said BI officers responsible for the offloading of cleared travelers will answer for their mistakes through penalties which could also include civil indemnity and damages.

"With regard to the Bureau of Immigration to absorb the liability, I don't think that it's fair," Gonzaga said Thursday during the House plenary session on the DOJ's proposed budget for 2024.

"Based po sa memorandum circular, ay hindi ka naman aabot ng 10 minuto kung kailangan kang tatanungin sa mga papeles na dala dala mo," he added.

[Translation: Based on the memorandum circular, it won't take you more than 10 minutes if you have to be asked about the papers you brought]

He made the statement after OFW Partylist Rep. Marissa Magsino asked if the BI is willing to shoulder reimbursements for "unwarranted and unnecessary, if not malicious, offloading." Magsino pointed out that 32,404 travelers missed their flights in 2022 because they were held up for questioning.

"These unfortunate incidents have been damaging to OFWs who are to leave the country for the first time and have yet to earn yet still their expenses continue to mount as a result," Magsino said.

She proposed that reimbursements be charged to collected immigration fees, which the department contested.

In June, immigration officers were slapped with complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for inappropriate behavior in implementing departure protocols for Filipinos leaving the country.

Posts about several travelers' complaints have been circulating online, as immigration officers strictly implement protocols aimed at profiling possible victims of human trafficking.

Some of the complaints were about alleged extortion by one of its employees, and lengthy interviews, resulting in passengers missing their flights.

The Bureau previously explained that a second interview is needed for some passengers if there is reason to suspect the traveler could be a victim of human trafficking.

Magsino reminds the bureau and its members to "exercise their authority with due diligence and care," noting that their actions could ultimately hurt the OFWs and travelers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) --- The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the case of Gerardo dela Pena, the country's oldest political prisoner, is now under the Board of Pardon and Parole, and that he could be released "soon."

During the House plenary session tackling the DOJs proposed budget for 2024 on Thursday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro asked the department for updates pertaining to Dela Pena's case.

"Yung kaso niya po ay napakarami, pero 'yung sitwasyon niya ngayon ay nandoon na po sa Board of Pardon and Parole, so hindi na matatagalan at makakalabas na si Tatay Dela Pena from NBP (New Bilibid Prison), " Rep. Peter Gonzaga, vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said on behalf of the DOJ.

[Translation: His cases are many, but his situation now is at the Board of Pardon and Parole, so it won't be long before Dela Pena is released from NBP.]

In January this year, human rights groups called for the release of the 84-year-old inmate, citing "subhuman conditions" in the national penitentiary that "aggravated his ailments."

Castro also said Dela Pena should be released for humanitarian reasons, considering his age.

In Dela Pena's situation, Gonzaga said the best way is to apply as a beneficiary for presidential pardon since application for parole means he has to comply with the minimum period for all his charges.

"There is an assurance from the DOJ that kung sino yung mga mas matatanda mas uunahin na sila sa mga proseso para makalabas 'yung mga katulad ni Tatay Dela Pena," Gonzaga said.

[Translation: There is an assurance from the DOJ the elderly will be prioritized in the processes so that those like Tatay Dela Pena could be released.]

A farmer from Camarines Norte, Dela Pena has been detained for nearly a decade, claiming he was "wrongfully" convicted at age 74.

Organization Kapatid said they have submitted Dela Pena's name to the Justice department every year since 2019 for humanitarian release.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Sen. Bato dela Rosa on Thursday said a lie detector test should be conducted to verify the allegation of two activists that they were abducted by the military and the claim of law enforcers that they actually surrendered.

Itong dalawang bata na ito na nagsasalita, isu-subject natin ito sa polygraph test, lie detector test ito at tsaka itong army at pulis na accordingly nagke-claim na sila ay nag surrenderdahil both sides are claiming to be saying the truth, the senator told CNN Philippines The Source.

[Translation: These two young people talking, let's subject them to polygraph test, lie detector test and also the army and police who accordingly claim that they surrendered because both sides are claiming to be saying the truth.]

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Wednesday that they are considering filing perjury charges against activists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, who have denied surrendering as claimed by authorities. The defense chief noted there is enough evidence to discredit the activists' claims.

The two activists were reportedly abducted by four men on Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan. Castro said in a media briefing this week that the military was behind this and that they were threatened by authorities.

Colonel Ronnel dela Cruz, commanding officer of the 70th Infantry Battalion, denied this, insisting that the two voluntarily surrendered to them on Sept. 12 and proper procedures were followed during the process.

While a polygraph test is not admissible in court, Dela Rosa emphasized this will be a big help to know which side is telling the truth.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) The Philippines needs to solve more prosecution cases on money laundering and terrorism financing by November in order to exit from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Davao Rep. Ruwel Gonzaga, budget sponsor of the Department of Justice (DOJ), told a House hearing.

"Mayroon na tayong Anti-terrorism Act, mabigat na nga yun and were questioning even yung ibang provisions doon. Even with this anti-terror law, hindi tayo natatanggal pa sa FATF grey listing?" Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

[Translation: We have an Anti-Terrorism Act, that's loaded already and we're also questioning the provisions of it. Still, even with this anti-terror law, we have not yet been removed from the FAFT grey listing.]

Gonzaga confirmed that the Philippines has not yet been removed from the list but it intends to exit from it next year.

"We need additional prosecutions on the money laundering cases and, on the terrorism, financing cases," Gonzaga said when asked on the topic of qualifiers to exit the list.

He noted that the Philippines has only until November to comply with the requirements of the FATF

According to Gonzaga, they need more people to train and to have more mechanisms on cross borders control.

He also mentioned that they need stricter enforcement on casino operators.

Meanwhile, Brosas said that cases of terrorism were being tagged to different advocacy organizations that were not terrorist groups.

"Hindi naman po sila mga terrorists' organization, kaya kung ang thrust ay pagtukoy ng terrorist financing, para ma-comply ang FATF recommendations, ah, hindi ba may problema tayo rito?" Brosas asked.

[Translation: They are not terrorist organizations. But if their thrust identifies with terrorist financing to be able to comply with the FATF recommendations, don't you think we'll have a problem here? ]

The congresswoman then asked the DOJ to submit terrorism reports especially if there are cases in casino operations, to which Gonzaga nodded.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Malacanang on Thursday said it will not release a statement on the commemoration of the 51st year of the declaration of martial law in the country.

Asked for a statement, the Presidential Communications Office told reporters, "Wala daw po [There is none]."

In 2022, Malacanang also issued no statement as the country recalled the military rule of the elder Marcos, regarded as one of the darkest periods in Philippine history marked by torture, deaths, illegal arrests, and media repression.

Liberal Party President and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman called out the "ominous silence" of the Office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, which he described as "deafening and revealing."

"It would appear that President Marcos Jr. refuses to acknowledge the very huge elephant in the room the avarice-tainted and repression-filled years of his father's misrule that he and his family continue to deny and refuse to atone for," Lagman said.

The lawmaker also slammed the memorandum from the Department of Education, headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, mandating the change of the term "Diktadurang Marcos" to "Diktadura" in the Araling Panlipunan subject of the new MATATAG curriculum.

"We cannot alter historical facts," he said. "We have a civic duty to be faithful to the truth and promote a culture of remembrance if we really want to come to terms with the disgraceful history of the Marcos Sr dictatorship and honor the men and women who have died; disappeared; and were raped, tortured, and maimed by the henchmen of the dictator Marcos."

The late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, father and namesake of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972. The younger Marcos is in his second year in power as the country's chief executive.

The Marcos patriarch placed the country under martial law through Proclamation No. 1081, resulting in thousands of human rights violations.

The martial law years of 1972-1981 also saw widespread corruption and the country racking up billions of dollars of foreign debt.

In 2022, Malacanang also issued no statement as the country recalled the military rule of the elder Marcos, regarded as one of the darkest periods in Philippine history marked by torture, deaths, illegal arrests, and media repression.

Meanwhile, human rights groups called out what they said is the administration's efforts to cleanse the Marcos name and bury the abuses of the late dictator's regime.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is stepping up efforts to combat urban blight by removing illegal lines connected to its utility poles and fixing low-hanging wires that endanger public safety.

"Yung mga facilities natin, kung kailangan palitan ay papalitan natin. Kung kailangan tanggalin yung mga linya na hindi dapat nandoon ay tatanggalin," Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco's vice president and head of corporate communications, told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon on Thursday.

[Translation: If our facilities need to be replaced, we will replace them. If it is necessary to remove the lines that do not belong there, they will be removed.]

"Unfortunately in the process, maaapektuhan ang serbisyo pero wala tayo magagawa [services will be affected but there is nothing we can do]," he explained. "We have to implement the policy. We have to ensure public safety."

The initiative is a part of Meralco's Urban Blight Campaign, which aims to upgrade its electrical facilities in the wake of widespread illegal connections brought on by difficulties in monitoring during the pandemic, according to Zaldarriaga.

He said the third-party partners, such as telecommunication firms and cable television providers, should obtain permits from Meralco and local government units before attaching their lines to utility poles.

In early August, multiple poles collapsed in Binondo, injuring at least three people and damaging several vehicles.

Zaldarriaga said the incident could have resulted from heavy attachments to the utility poles as he stressed that Meralco continues to monitor the case.

"Hindi lang sa Binondo kundi sa maraming lugar na itong mga attachments na ito ay walang pahintulot [Not only in Binondo but in many places where attachments are unauthorized]," he said. "We're addressing this now to prevent similar incidents in the future."

Zaldarriaga called on the public to report low-hanging wires, and overloaded or leaning utility poles to Meralco through its 24/7 hotline at 16211.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Office of the Ombudsman has reprimanded two former spokespersons of the state's anti-communist task force, who have repeatedly been accused of red-tagging," for having "[tarnished] the image and integrity of their office by issuing statements that malign progressive organizations.

In a decision signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Aug. 9 but released to the media only on Thursday, the office said it found retired Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. and Lorraine Badoy, past spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), "guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

It was acting on a nearly three-year old complaint filed by the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) against Parlade, Badoy, and former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

In its December 2020 complaint, the group said the three should be held administratively liable for accusing members of some progressive groups  including the NUPL  of being mere fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. It said such allegations pose a serious threat to their life, liberty and security.

The Ombudsman agreed that there is substantial evidence to reprimand Parlade and Badoy, as it warned that a repetition of a similar offense would be dealt with more severely.

It particularly noted that the two issued statements criticizing the NUPLs forum on dissent and its information drive to educate the public about their rights amid growing concerns of rights violations during lockdown.

These matters are not communist propaganda as dissent and upholding of individual rights are vital in a vibrant democracy, the decision read.

"The aforementioned statements unduly tarnishes the image of the NTF-ELCAC as it perpetuates the notion that it is being used as a governmental tool to silence dissent or opposition instead of legitimately pursuing its ultimate goal of lasting peace and ending the armed conflict with the communist rebels, it added.

The office, meanwhile, said there is not enough evidence to hold Esperon liable, as "the only attributable statements to Esperson is of him publicly defending Parlade and Badoy of their respective public utterances."

It also didn't find grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, or oppression on the part of the respondents, as argued by the NUPL.

It said that even assuming that the statements made by the three can be categorized as a form of red-tagging or red-baiting, they do not constitute misconduct as there is no intentional wrongdoing or deliberate violation of law or standard behavior.

This is because there is currently no law or legal basis defining and penalizing red-tagging or red-baiting, the Ombudsman explained.

The utterances also cannot be categorized as acts of cruelty, severity, or excessive use of authority, the office said, "since it appears that the statements were directed towards groups which they perceived to be part of the mechanism or group that promulgate communist agenda."

Victory fell short

In a statement, NUPL chairperson Edre Olalia said his group views the ruling with mixed reactions, as they did not achieve full legal redress.

It seems like a pyrrhic victory as it fell short of our plea for complete legal accountability, he wrote.

Still, Olalia said the partial finding of guilt and the categorical reprimand to Parlade and Badoy may be deemed as a loud warning to officials.

The Decision implies that any reckless innuendo & gratuitous vitriol against human rights lawyers (and by extension, against activists and human rights defenders for that matter) to silence dissent, opposition or rights awareness, will not be countenanced and will be sanctioned one way or the other, sooner or later, in time, he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The 21,000 monthly salary of engineers in the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has become a stumbling block in hiring personnel, officials admitted to senators on Thursday.

During the Senate Finance subcommittees hearing on the proposed 729.76-million budget for Phivolcs next year, Senator Francis Tolentino asked about the 43 unfilled positions in the agency.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said this was due to lack of applicants.

'Yung entry level positions namin, especially for 'yung nasa probinsya, would be Salary Grade 9 and kailangan may eligibility sila. Walang nag-a-apply kasi Salary Grade 9 is just 21,000. And kailangan po namin 'yung mga engineer, we have to train them for interpreting our seismic data, Bacolcol said.

[Translation: Our entry level positions in the province are Salary Grade 9 and applicants need eligibility. No one is applying because Salary Grade 9 is only 21,000. And we need more engineers]

He said the agency also has a high attrition rate because many employees would resign, transfer to another office, or retire.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary (DOST) Renato Solidum said they cannot just hire fresh graduates.

'Yung requirement, kunwari engineer, geologist, ilang years na experience, one year experience, so hindi ka maka-hire ng fresh graduate diyan. Tapos hihingi ka ng ganoong requirement tapos ang sweldo mo 21,000. Maghanap na lang sila ng trabaho sa iba, Solidum said.

[Translation: The requirements, for example engineers or geologists, need one year or several years of experience so fresh graduates cant be hired. Theyre going to ask for those requirements but the salary is only 21,000. Theyll look for different work.]

Tolentino said the agency should restructure to request a higher salary grade for its employees. Bacolcol agreed.

The Tolentino-led finance subcommittee approved the proposed 25.6 billion budget for the DOST and its attached agencies.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) -- Revisions to the writs for the protection of life, liberty and privacy that may be remedies to red tagging and other human rights complaints could be released by early next year, a representative of the judiciary said on Thursday.

During the House of Representatives plenary session on the judiciary's proposed budget for 2024, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro asked when the revisions to strengthen provisions of the writs of amparo, habeas corpus, and habeas data would be finalized.

"The timeline is early next year," said Committee of Appropriations Vice Chair Rep. Peter Gonzaga, who spoke on behalf of the judiciary.

Gonzaga said the revisions to the writs are currently under the review of Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

Members of the judiciary present at the plenary session include Supreme Court Associate Justices Rodil Zalameda, Samuel Gaerlan, Mario Lopez, and Midas Marquez.

A petition for a writ of amparo is availabe to "any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.'

A petition for a writ of habeas corpus is resorted to in cases of illegal detention, directing the one who detains to produce the body of the prisoner at a designated time and place.

A plea for habeas data, on the other hand, is a complaint filed before a court by a person whose right to privacy is violated or threatened by the gathering, collecting or storing of private data or information.

The discussion on the revisions came after Castro asked members of the judiciary if the writ of habeas corpus and the plea for habeas data could be used in cases where the petitioners are missing or abducted, such as the case for environmental activists Jhed Tamano and Jhonila Castro before they were found.

Tamano and Castro were allegedly abducted by four armed men on Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan. Both are community organizers working with fishermen opposing reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Criminalizing Red Tagging

Castro also asked the judiciary for any progress on addressing cases of public officials' red tagging, or labeling of individuals and groups as communists rebels or their supporters.

"Baka puwedeng magkaroon ng initiative ang judiciary to define itong red tagging dahil marami na po napahamak dito," Castro said.

[Translation: Maybe the judiciary can have an initiative to define this red tagging because many people have been harmed by it.]

To this Gonzaga answered: "Kahit anong gawing definition ng Korte Suprema sa red tagging, still the Supreme Court cannot penalize."

[Translation: No matter how the Supreme Court defines red tagging, still the Supreme Court cannot penalize.]

He added that cases under "red tagging" are aligned to remedies listed under the writ of amparo, citing the clause "whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened."

Gonzaga added that the legislation should first make a law criminalizing acts of red tagging before it could be penalized.

Several bills pushing to criminalize red tagging have been pending in Congress since the previous administration.
by Zoe Alexandra and Vijay Prashad

In Bamako, Mali, on September 16, the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Colonel Assimi Goita, the head of the transitional government of Mali, wrote that the Liptako-Gourma Charter which created the AES would establish an architecture of collective defense and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations. The hunger for such regional cooperation goes back to the period when France ended its colonial rule. Between 1958 and 1963, Ghana and Guinea were part of the Union of African States, which was to have been the seed for wider pan-African unity. Mali was a member as well between 1961 and 1963.





A supporter of Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland demonstrates in Niamey. [Photo: AFP/Getty Images]





But, more recently, these three countriesand others in the Sahel region such as Nigerhave struggled with common problems, such as the downward sweep of radical Islamic forces unleashed by the 2011 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) war on Libya. The anger against the French has been so intense that it has provoked at least seven coups in Africa (two in Burkina Faso, two in Mali, one in Guinea, one in Niger, and one in Gabon) and unleashed mass demonstrations from Algeria to the Congo and most recently in Benin. The depth of frustration with France is such that its troops have been ejected from the Sahel, Mali demoted French from its official language status, and Frances ambassador in Niger (Sylvain Itte) was effectively held hostageas French President Emmanuel Macron saidby people deeply upset by French behavior in the region.





Philippe Toyo Noudjenoume, the President of the West Africa Peoples Organization, explained the basis of this cascading anti-French sentiment in the region. French colonialism, he said, has remained in place since 1960. France holds the revenues of its former colonies in the Banque de France in Paris. The French policyknown as Francafriqueincluded the presence of French military bases from Djibouti to Senegal, from Cote dIvoire to Gabon. Of all the former colonial powers in Africa, Noudjenoume told us, it is France that has intervened militarily at least sixty times to overthrow governments, such as [that of] Modibo Keita in Mali (1968), or assassinate patriotic leaders, such as Felix-Roland Moumie (1960) and Ernest Ouandie (1971) in Cameroon, Sylvanus Olympio in Togo in 1963, Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso in 1987 and others. Between 1997 and 2002, during the presidency of Jacque Chirac, France intervened militarily 33 times on the African continent (by comparison, between 1962 and 1995, France intervened militarily 19 times in African states). France never really suspended its colonial grip or its colonial ambitions.





Breaking the Camels Back





Two events in the past decade broke the camels back, Noudjenoume said: the NATO war in Libya, led by France, in March 2011, and the French intervention to remove Koudou Gbagbo Laurent from the presidency of Cote dIvoire in April 2011. For years, he said, these events have forced a strong anti-French sentiment, particularly among young people. It is not just in the Sahel that this feeling has developed but throughout French-speaking Africa. It is true that it is in the Sahel that it is currently expressed most openly. But throughout French-speaking Africa, this feeling is strong.





Mass protest against the French presence is now evident across the former French colonies in Africa. These civilian protests have not been able to result in straight-forward civilian transitions of power, largely because the political apparatus in these countries had been eroded by long-standing, French-backed kleptocracies (illustrated by the Bongo family, which ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2023, and which leeched the oil wealth of Gabon for their own personal gain; when Omar Bongo died in 2009, French politician Eva Joly said that he ruled on behalf of France and not of his own citizens). Despite the French-backed repression in these countries, trade unions, peasant organizations, and left-wing parties have not been able to drive the upsurge of anti-French patriotism, though they have been able to assert themselves





France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 to try to control the forces that it had unleashed with NATOs war in Libya two years previously. These radical Islamist forces captured half of Malis territory and then, in 2015, proceeded to assault Burkina Faso. France intervened but then sent the soldiers of the armies of these Sahel countries to die against the radical Islamist forces that it had backed in Libya. This created a great deal of animosity among the soldiers, Noudjenoume told us, and that is why patriotic sections of the soldiers rebelled against the governments and overthrew them.





Anti-Intervention





After the coup in Niger, the West hoped to send in a proxy forceled by the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS)but the African military leaders demurred. Across the region, people set up solidarity committees to defend the people of Niger from any attack, with the threat provoking revolt and indignation among the populations, Noudjenoume explained. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was even forced to back down from ECOWASs crusade when his countrys Congress rejected the measure and mass protests occurred against militarily intervening in the neighboring country. As ECOWASs ultimatums to restore the deposed Nigerien leader Mohamed Bazoum expired, it became clear that its threat was empty.





Meanwhile, not only did it appear that the people of Niger would resist any military intervention, but Burkina Faso and Mali immediately promised to defend Niger against any such intervention. The new AES is a product of this mutual solidarity.





But the AES is not merely a military or security pact. At the signing ceremony, Malis Defense Minister Abdoulaye Diop told journalists, This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts [among] the three countries. It will build upon the February 2023 agreement between Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali to collaborate on a fuel and electricity exchange, to build transportation networks, to collaborate on mineral resource sales, to build a regional agricultural development project, and to increase intra-Sahel trade. Whether these countries would be able to develop an economic agenda to benefit their peoplesand therefore guarantee that France would have no means to exert its authority over the regionis to be seen.





Source: Globetrotter
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  The Sandiganbayan has warned a group of state prosecutors of a possible contempt citation for issuing a subpoena to a witness, contrary to a previous court order.

During proceedings held on Sept. 13, the anti-graft courts Seventh Division accepted the explanation of assistant prosecutor 1 Joshua Tan, assistant ombudsman Leilani Cabras, assistant special prosecutor 1 Vincent Salvani IV, and assistant special prosecutor 1 Maricel Pintucan.

They are, however, warned that a repetition of a similar act will be dealt with more seriously, the court said in a resolution released recently.

The prosecution wanted the court to subpoena a certain Dr. Esmael Abdul for issuing a medical certificate that was used by defense lawyer Lazaro Galindez Jr. to seek the cancellation of a trial hearing as he was suffering from a bacterial infection.

Galindez represents one of the respondents in a graft case handled by Tan and the other prosecutors.

However, the court denied the request and decided to give the doctor presumption of regularity as it would be burdensome for him to appear in court over the matter.

It was later found that the team of prosecutors went ahead and issued a subpoena for Dr. Abdul under the guise of a case conference which led to the issuance of a show cause order against them.

The prosecutors explained they did not trust the validity of the medical certificate. They told the court that they had no choice but to summon the doctor to find out the truth for their own peace of mind and as part of overall case work.

The court decided to consider the prosecutions explanation.

While the prosecutions actions appear to be overeager, the court will interpret them as a result of their zeal in prosecuting the case and advancing their cause for a speedy trial, the court said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21)  Senator Francis Tolentino said his chamber was committed to funding projects geared towards coral restoration amid Chinas alleged destruction of reefs in the West Philippine Sea  an act which could worsen environmental damage in coastal areas.

The military and Philippine Coast Guard suspect that Beijing was responsible for the dead reefs and crushed corals seen in Rozul Reef and the Escoda Shoal after Chinese vessels were sighted over these areas.

During the Department of Science and Technologys 2024 budget deliberation, Tolentino said the Senate would support coral restoration initiatives after it came out that the destruction of the marine habitats could lead to coastal area damage.

Citing academic papers on corals and their role in natural wave prevention, the senator asked the agency if reef destruction could intensify the effects of tsunamis and coastal erosion.

DOST Chief Renato Solidum agreed that coral reefs played a major role in mitigating wave erosion in coastal areas.

Several years ago President [Rodrigo] Duterte stopped operations in Boracay," Solidum shared. "Boracay was actually a disaster in the making, because the corals were being destroyed by the algae."

The corals actually prevent the wave erosion and corals supplied the sand in Boracay," he continued. "The net effect when the corals died, there has been more than 20 meters of erosion in Boracay because of the destruction of corals."

However, when it comes to waves generated by tsunamis, Solidum said corals could theoretically minimize these but because the reefs in the country are submerged and narrow, their effects would be minimal when compared to other natural barriers such as mangrove forests.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Teresito Bacolcol said, If you have eight to ten meter tsunami wave heights, I don't think may significant effect yung mga corals natin [our corals have a significant effect].

Structures that are above the sea level sila yung may malaking impact doon sa pag-dissipate ng pag-reduce ng [are the ones which have major impact in dissipating] tsunami waves.

On top of damage to the environment and marine life, maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal told CNN Philippines that coral reef harvesting could deal a huge blow to fisheries in the West Philippine Sea, leading to major impact on the countrys food security.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said he asked the upper chambers finance panel to earmark 600 million for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources establishment of marine ranger stations in key coastal areas to protect the countrys coral reefs.

CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22)  A Chinese official denied claims that China is responsible for environmental damage in Rozul Reef located in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"The Philippines' accusations have no factual basis," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press briefing on Thursday. "We urge [the] relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction."

She added that if the Philippines truly cares for the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the "illegally grounded" and "rusting" warship in the area, alluding to the BRP Sierra Madre.

The official said removing the BRP Sierra Madre would stop discharging polluted water into the ocean.

The Philippine military earlier said it suspected China of massive harvesting that led to the damage of coral reefs in the WPS.

READ: PH military suspects China of harvesting corals in Rozul Reef

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, expressed its readiness to contribute to the Office of the Solicitor General's efforts in studying possible legal actions over the environmental damage in Rozul Reef.

"The DFA is awaiting our relevant agencies' assessment of the environmental damage in Rozul Reef," the agency said in a statement.

It also cited Article 192 of UNCLOS that obliges States to protect and preserve the marine environment.

According to the DFA, the obligation applies to all maritime areas, both inside the national jurisdiction of States and beyond it, as clarified by the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal earlier said the Philippines has a "strong case" against China's coral harvesting, as local fishermen in the area have been reporting about these activities since 2015.

-With reports from CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22)  Martial law survivor Maria Cristina Rodriguez said Rappler CEO Maria Ressa "spoke too early" regarding the culture of fear felt under the Marcos Jr. administration.

"She might have spoken too early," Rodriguez, also the executive director of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Thursday.

"The two girls who found out to be abducted is evidence to the fact that things are happening that we should be wary about," she added.

READ: Environmental activists deny surrendering to authorities, claim military abducted them

But Rodriguez said she understands where Ressa is coming from, given the outright abuses against the press and activists during the previous Duterte administration.

Ressa, after her and Rappler's acquittal with the final tax evasion case, said she saw a lifting of fear transition from the last administration (Duterte) to this administration (Marcos Jr.).

"We feel it in the public. We feel even, I supposed, among the cases [of] the journalists," she said.

"It's certainly a very interesting time for the Philippines. I hope it isn't the calm before the storm," the Nobel Peace Prize winner added.

READ: Maria Ressa sees lifting of fear under Marcos admin, says acquittal good sign for biz community

In a tweet, citing her interview with The Japan Times, Ressa said even though there had been a "lifting of fear" for journalists in the current administration, she warned that the fight for press freedom in the Philippines and globally was far from over.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in May reported 75 cases of violations against media workers since Marcos Jr. took office.

The reported cases cover the death of broadcaster Percy Lapid on Oct. 3 last year, and of editorial cartoonist Rey Blanco on Sept. 18, 2022.

While it exceeds the number of attacks and threats in any one year during former President Rodrigo Duterte's term in office, the CMFR noted that attacking journalists and media is no longer the top priority of the current administration.
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War, a popular funk, rock and soul group from the '70s, will perform Friday at Pikes Peak Center. They're best known for their hits "Low Rider," "Spill the Wine," "The World is a Ghetto" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?"
At UNILAG, it is even worse. Against the backdrop of a soaring cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) held another protest this week to demand the withdrawal of a major hike in mandatory fees for both new and already enrolled students in undergraduate courses.

Several public universities across Nigeria have increased fees by 100 percent to 300 percent. At UNILAG, it is even worse. While the charges vary across courses, students at UNILAG have alleged that the new rates would amount to a hike as high as over 600 percent at that specific university.





Faculty of Education building in the University of Lagos.

While previous tuition fees had ranged from around ?26,000 ($33.1) to ?76,000 ($96.8) per year, the new hikes would see the highest fees go up to ?240,250 ($306.2). For medical students, the fee was raised from ?19,000 ($24.2) to ?190,250 ($242.4).





On September 6, dozens of students held a protest outside the university campus amid a heavy deployment of police. The protesters were forcibly dispersed using tear gas. The action was organized by the Students Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike and supported by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).





In a statement ahead of the protest, NANS stated that they had to hold the action after UNILAG authorities failed to abide by agreements that had been reached at a meeting held on August 2, including a commitment to withdraw the fee hikes.





from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service
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.
Workflow management software provider ServiceNow has embedded a chatbot for assisting customers with most of its products.

ServiceNows new Now Assist tool is an expansion to its AI-powered Now Platform, and is available in its Vancouver software release for IT Service Management (ITSM), Customer Service Management (CSM), HR Service Delivery (HRSD), and Creator workflow application.

The new genAI technology works across applications and can summarize customer service interactions and perform case, incident, and agent chat summarizations; actas a virtual agent; and do search. The new tool can also assist with software development by taking natural language suggestions on which to build code.

The genAI technology also connects back to GPT-3, 3.5, and 4 large language models (LLMs) and works across all workflows on the ServiceNows Now Platform to help create efficiencies, offer productivity boosts, and improve employee and customer experiences by automating tasks.

ServiceNow Now Assist summarizing an interaction with IT services.

The Vancouver release also improves security by providing zero-trust access to the ServiceNow Vault cloud storage service and network authentication policies based on parameters such as location, network, user and devices.

The new release also offers third-party risk management functionality to identify and address potential breaches.

ServiceNow is offering customers a two-pronged approach to LLMs. Customers can use a general-purpose LLM which includes access to Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service LLM and OpenAI API or a domain-specific LLM, which is designed specifically for ServiceNows workflows, use cases, and processes, and are tailored to agents, employees, customers, and IT administrators who use ServiceNow. While vertical industries can benefit from domain-specific LLMs, these LLMs are designed for any organization regardless of industry who may need a more specialized LLM.

I was working with our research team, probably a year ago, and they had internal LLMs," said Jonathan Sigler, senior vice president of platforms at ServiceNow. "And I thought that that was a pretty amazing thing, but I don't think anybody understood what was going to happen in December of 2022 when the absolute explosion of Gen AI happened through chat GPT 3.5.

We have never seen anything like this in [generative AI] technology, not with the iPhone or out of the internet. Within one week, there [were] 100 million people using ChatGPT. So, we knew right away that this was going to be a game changer and that we really had to think hard about how we could leverage this aspect of Gen AI as part of our AI platform, and then expose that in our products, Sigler said.

CJ Desai, president and chief operating officer at ServiceNow, said the company already has thousands of customers using the Now Platform to digitize and streamline enterprise processes.

With our Vancouver release, were combining the power of the Now Platform with new generative AI features to bring AIdriven intelligence to every corner of the business, Desai said in a statement.

ServiceNow also rolled out its generative AI pricing packages. All genAI tools that are part of the Vancouver release will be generally available in the ServiceNow Store on Sept. 29.

Amy Lokey, senior vice president of ServiceNows Product Experience, said the company is seeing 75% positive user feedback and a 50% reduction in overall time spent when a genAI search result is shown. She also said no function performed by the chatbot technology can be performed without employee oversight.

A human is always aware and in the loop to review and approve and then decide how they take action on anything that's generated, so that's a really fundamental and important part of how this experience works, Lokey said. [This is] truly an assistive catalyst for human productivity, but nothing that takes over for the human mind.

ServiceNow An example of a natural langugage prompt being fed to Now Assist's code generator.

The Now Assist chatbot works across four primary ServiceNow applications:

Now Assist for IT Service Management (ITSM) provides summaries of incidents for speedy IT team handoffs and problem resolutions. It can also help generate and update work notes.

(ITSM) provides summaries of incidents for speedy IT team handoffs and problem resolutions. It can also help generate and update work notes. Now Assist for HR Service Delivery (HRSD) improves HR team productivity and efficiency, as well as employee experiences, through instant summaries and conversational chats.

(HRSD) improves HR team productivity and efficiency, as well as employee experiences, through instant summaries and conversational chats. Now Assist for Customer Service Management (CSM) reduces manual work and helps resolve customer issues by rapidly generating summaries for cases and chats.

(CSM) reduces manual work and helps resolve customer issues by rapidly generating summaries for cases and chats. Now Assist for Creator empowers developers of any skill level to build apps fast  developers can generate code from text and code prompts.

For example, an end user interacting with HRSDs chatbot can ask it to adjust their parental leave date if a birth were to come early. The chatbot will allow employees to choose several options on how to adjust their time off, such as choosing personal time off, versus leave, which allows the worker to maximize parental leave. The chatbot can then automatically create or update an out-of-office message in the workers email.

ServiceNow Now Assist for IT Service Management providing summaries of incidents. It can also help generate and update work notes.

On the ITSM platform, for example, the technology can bring a new agent up to speed on case notes and chat streams with summaries of IT-employee interactions, including any history they have in the system.

Were developers in ServiceNow. Were able to make the experience for the developer better by just allowing them to describe what they want to do in a box and get snippets of code that will immediately start working, Sigler said.
The EU Chips Act has officially come into force today, putting in place a comprehensive set of measures to shore up the European Unions semiconductor supply chain resilience and reach its target to double its current global market share to 20% by 2030.

The act is made of three pillars, the first of which is a Chips for Europe Initiative, a program that aims to bridge the gap between research and innovation by promoting advanced semiconductor technologies by European businesses.

The second pillar consists of efforts to attract new investment by granting fast-track permitting to first-of-its-kind facilities in Europe and designating additional centers of excellence.

Finally, a coordinated mechanism is set to be established between EU member states and the European Commission  the EU's executive branch  enabling the bloc to monitor the supply of semiconductors, estimate demand, anticipate shortages, and if necessary, trigger the activation of a crisis intervention. A semiconductor alert system was set up on 18 April 2023 to allow any stakeholder to report semiconductor supply chain disruptions.

The EU is investing $3.6 billion of its own funds to support the act, with the aim of attracting a further $43.7 billion in private investment. The act comes into force five months after the European Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on a final draft.

With the entry into force today of the European Chips Act, Europe takes a decisive step forward in determining its own destiny. Investment is already happening, coupled with considerable public funding and a robust regulatory framework, said Thierry Breton, commissioner for Internal Market, in comments posted alongside the announcement.

We are becoming an industrial powerhouse in the markets of the future  capable of supplying ourselves and the world with both mature and advanced semiconductors. Semiconductors that are essential building blocks of the technologies that will shape our future, our industry, and our defense base, he said.

EU not the only jurisdiction to support domestic chip making

The European Unions Chips Act is not the only government-backed plan aimed at shoring up domestic chip manufacturing in the wake of the supply chain crisis that has plagued the semiconductor industry in recent years. In the past year, the US, UK, Chinese, Taiwanese, South Korean, and Japanese governments have all announced similar plans.

Last month, US President Joe Biden escalated the countrys trade war with China by signing an executive order that will further restrict US investment in sensitive technology industries in China. The new rules will impact three sectors  semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and certain artificial intelligence systems.

This program will seek to prevent foreign countries of concern from exploiting US investment in this narrow set of technologies that are critical to support their development of military, intelligence, surveillance, and cyber-enabled capabilities that risk US national security, Biden wrote in a letter to Congress.
Microsofts M365 Copilot will be made generally available to business customers beginning Nov. 1, the company announced Thursday.

Microsoft first unveiled plans to embed the generative AI assistant into its M365 collaboration and productivity apps  including Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint  earlier this year. The M365 Copilot, built using gen AI models codeveloped with OpenAI, can automate tasks and create content, potentially saving users time and enhancing productivity.

Microsoft piloted the new AI assistant with several hundred large business customers in recent months ahead of the full launch. The companies that tested it out included General Motors, KPMG, and Visa.

After its launch in November, the Copilot will cost $30 per user each month for customers on the E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium pricing tiers. This is the same price as Google, which announced the availability of its Duet genAI features last month in its Workspace suite  a rival to Microsofts own office software tools  which includes Gmail, Docs and Sheets. Other collaboration and productivity software vendors, such as Slack and Zoom, are also building generative AI into their products.

Small and medium-sized businesses will also get early access to a pilot program for the M365 Copilot, Microsoft announced in a blog post. This is currently invite -nly, but will be expanded over time.

"The [general availability] of M365 Copilot is long awaited and Gartner sees strong demand from those who were not able to join the limited private preview; there is really a sense of 'fear of missing out,'" said Jason Wong, distinguished vice president analyst at Garter. "We advise and expect most customers to do smaller rollouts to manage risk as well as assess value. However, government and education organizations will have to wait a bit longer, as there is no timeline announced for those verticals."

Patrick Moorhead, chief analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, called the upcoming rollout a "big deal," with expectations for productivity benefits running high.

"Microsoft has a lot to gain and a lot to lose if its not a true GA," he said. "It doesnt have to be perfect, but it does need to demonstrate instant value. If it can successfully create presentations from documents...and take great meeting notes with action items with accuracy, its a winner."

While Microsoft has touted the productivity benefits of Copilot, the language models that underpin generative AI can create certain risks when used in a business context. Language models have the potential to output incorrect and copyright-infringing content, for instance, as well as presenting potential security and data protection risks. Microsoft recently announced it would defend M365 customers against any copyright-related legal claims that might occur as a result of outputs generated by the M365 Copilot.

At an event in New York, Microsoft also announced that the AI chatbot built into the M365 suite of apps has been rebranded from Business Chat to Microsoft 365 Chat. And the company said it plans to launch its Windows Copilot on Sept. 26. This will be available to commercial customers for free, Microsoft said.
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.
Last year, Quentin Tarantino made the fairly obvious observation that audiences dont go to movies for stars anymore  they go to see a character they love. (Chris Hemsworth is nice and all, but youre really buying a ticket to see Thor.) But if theres one franchise thats the exception to that rule, its the Expendables. I defy even hardcore fans of the franchise to tell me the names of its main characters, which are Barney Ross and Lee Christmas. Nobody is going to a new Expendables flick to catch up with Barney Ross and Lee Christmas. Theyre there to watch Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham do their shtick  a shtick that, remarkably, has now extended over four films. This series is proof that if theres anything moviegoers crave more than action, its older dudes cracking terrible jokes back and forth to one another.

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Expend4bles, the first movie in the franchise in nine years, reunites Barney and Lee, sticking them with a whole new group of past-their-prime movie stars. Dont worry: Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture are back, too, reprising their roles as Gunner Jensen and Toll Road. (Admit it, you had to look that up, didnt you?) Its a sign of the sophistication of the humor wielded in this series that a lot of the supporting players have dopey names. 50 Cent plays Easy Day. Theres a character named Lash. Perhaps my favorite is Megan Fox, who is Lees tempestuous girlfriend  her name is Gina. Everybody else sounds like theyre a knockoff G.I. Joe action figure  meanwhile, shes just Gina. Considering the amount of character development that goes into Foxs role, its a miracle she isnt called Girl Expendable or Boobs.

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Not much has changed in the world of the Expendables over the past decade. Barney and Lee still exchange putdowns, each actor grumbling his in a mumbly monotone. But soon, they and the rest of their team must stop nuclear weapons from getting into the wrong hands, traveling to Libya to do battle with the evil terrorist Rahmat (The Raids Iko Uwais). The Expendables fail in their mission  even worse, one of their members dies  and the gang spend a scene licking their wounds before their boss Marsh (Andy Garcia) orders them to go after Rahmat. Our weathered warriors accept their assignment with relish  this is now personal for the Expendables.

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Directed by Scott Waugh (Act of Valor, Need for Speed), Expend4bles very much follows the template of earlier installments. The action is incredibly violent  after foolishly going for a PG-13 rating with The Expendables 3, the new movie is back up to R  and the bad punchlines never stop flying. From the beginning, Stallone (who directed the 2010 original) leaned into the joke that these films were ridiculous, allowing washed-up older dudes like him one more opportunity to pretend they were badass soldiers killing Americas enemies. It turned out, though, that there was a sizable aging audience who loved these actors, happy to pay money to watch Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews and Bruce Willis do their thing. (Mickey Rourke was also in the first film: His name was Tool Ross.) Capitalizing on the popularity of geriaction flicks thanks to Liam Neesons Taken blockbusters, The Expendables and its fans reveled in nostalgia, the sequels amping up the carnage and the get-off-my-lawn humor.

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Hilariously, the new film tries crafting an emotional undercurrent by killing off a beloved character early on. How will the Expendables be able to go on without (redacted)?!?! But although the teams revenge mission is meant to be laced with grief and regret, fear not because Expend4bles is just as stupid and corny as the previous movies. There are still a ton of groan-worthy quips delivered by actors who have never been known for their comedic timing. Because the lines arent very good, the ensemble  the ens4mble?  mostly employ the same technique, which is to say them in a bored, blase way meant to make these heroes seem hardened and cynical, but instead leaves the impression that theyre sleepy and need a nap. Among the cast, Statham is easily the best-equipped to do jokes since hes made a career creating a wry ironic distance from the junky action films in which he usually finds himself. When he and Stallone exchange barbs, its not a fair fight: Stallone stumbles over the words while Statham growls with panache. Hes the one guy in Expend4bles whos actually legitimately funny as an action star. (As a side note, when can we have that Spy sequel?)

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Theres always been a fascinating dichotomy at the heart of this series, which celebrates its muscle-bound, graying supermen, who always sport massive machine guns or hardcore hand-to-hand combat weapons, while insisting that the whole things really just tongue-in-cheek. On occasion, these movies, despite their neanderthal dudes be blowin shit up vibe, can be quite charming in their not ready for primetime lightheartedness. At a moment when the Fast and Furious and Mission: Impossible franchises feature huge budgets, elaborate set pieces and gigantic stars  chronicling the astounding derring-do of experts in the art of takin care of business  the Expendables movies are meagerly over-the-top, relying on excess over finesse in their action sequences and parading some of the worst CGI in human history. But if anything, the franchises threadbare qualities  which extend to the caliber of actors who appear in these movies (Statham, part of the Fast and Furious universe, is really the only legitimate marquee name at this point)  are part of the appeal. Were meant to laugh with these decrepit soldiers, who know theyre too old for this shit but keep going out there anyway. What else are they supposed to do? Retire with dignity?

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Its not just that Expend4bles wants to resurrect these bygone stars glory days  these films also seek to reclaim the hallowed period of action films in which buff dudes said little beyond moldy catchphrases and awesome puns when the bad guy dies. The franchise has done its best to bring back the 1980s, when Stallone ruled, reveling in the sort of woodenly-acted flicks that dont really exist anymore. Back then, it was just accepted that Stallone or Schwarzenegger would kill a bunch of people and, usually unintentionally, also be funny. Not that you would call Cobra or Predator an action-comedy, but the cheesiness of those bro-out extravaganzas made you laugh nonetheless. Like the three films that preceded it, Expend4bles isnt oblivious to how dopey it is  quite the contrary, the film embraces its cheese factor, albeit without the wit or inspiration necessary to make that distinction matter. The movie is like a lame, lumbering 80s flick, except now it keeps actively trying to be comedic  sadly, these things were more amusing before they were self-aware.

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Maybe thats why some of Expend4bles best bits are the straight-up dumbest. Gunner Jensen is a recovering alcoholic trying to stay sober on the battlefield  a searing inner conflict were meant to care about because Lundgren keeps staring blankly at a flask in his pocket. (If I was on the Expendables, I would be a good friend and simply take the flask away from him.) How that gets resolved is stupendously stupid  it will no doubt not be championed in AA meetings across the land  but by that point, you may be too busy asking yourself, Wait am I crazy, or did they make a Mean Girls reference a little while ago? And did they really do a Rambo joke?

Would it surprise you to learn that, at one point, the Expendables blast a 50 Cent song, even though 50 Cent (not playing himself) is also in the movie? (Hey, come to think of it, 50 Cent was also in Spy. Boy, that was a good film.) And, in case you wondered how a fine dramatic actor like Andy Garcia gets into character to play a no-nonsense CIA agent, the answer is, He chews a toothpick in every scene. Why hes named Marsh and not Toothpick is best left to brighter minds than you and I.

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The grunting, wholesomely idiotic Expend4bles caters to people who dont ask much of their action movies: just some gruesome kills, some muscular fights and some awful jokes. Other blockbusters flaunt how fleet they are, but the Expendables movies have always been more meat-and-potatoes. People throw grenades and shoot massive guns. Guys stab the shit out of other guys. Where John Wick is brutal and efficient, the Expendables just lay waste to everything. Its a volume game with these folks  volume in terms of the square footage of destruction and the noise level. (No doubt thats to help with the older audience, whose hearing is probably shot.) And when the Expendables arent killing, theyre clowning around. In Expend4bles, there are jokes about penis size, how chicks are crazy, the way Asians flip the bird and how uncool it is when people show their feelings. Megan Fox and Levy Tran are the films principal female characters, but as far as everyones concerned, theyre just one of the guys  albeit guys that the rest of them enjoy sexually harassing.

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Watching Expend4bles in the theater is like going back in time to when sexism was as important as steroids in action flicks. Theres a meathead quality to the film thats funny as long as you dont think about it too much. Stallone and his buddies are long in the tooth  Fox, whos 37, is practically an infant by comparison  and they refuse to walk off into the sunset. Let other franchises be sharp, sleek machines  these guys (and gals) are content to be oafish mercenaries who chomp on big cigars and prefer walking in groups in slow-motion, somehow always getting the job done. Expend4bles is Mission: Impossible for morons.
Did you ever find out what that banging was in the apartment above you? Was it the divorced dads kid just thumping around and dropping elbows because they watched wrestling earlier? Or was it the murderer? It probably was the murderer. In that case, maybe the murderer will spare you if you tell them a joke. Probably not, but its worth a shot.

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18 Ron White on Hurricanes I was in Miami when Hurricane George hit the Keys. They evacuated the Keys, and everybody left except for one guy, who was going to stay there and tie himself to a tree on the beach to prove a point. The point was, he said, that at 53 years of age, he was in good enough physical condition to withstand the wind and the rain from a Force 3 hurricane. Let me explain something to you: It isnt that the wind is blowing; its what the wind is blowing. If you get hit with a Volvo, it doesnt really matter how many sit-ups you did that morning.

17 Wanda Sykes on Marriage They say marriage is a contract. No, its not. Contracts come with warranties. When something goes wrong, you can take it back to the manufacturer. Your husband starts acting up; you cant take him back to his mamas house. Hes broke. I dunno. He just stopped working. Hes just laying around making a funny noise.

16 Steven Wright on His Dog I spilled spot remover on my dog and now hes gone.

15 Sarah Silverman on Nutrition Someone told me that carrots are good for your eyes. What they failed to tell me is that you have to take them orally. Advertisement Advertisement

14 Dana Gould on How Birth Connects Us All Its easy to go through life putting people down because theyre different from you, but no matter who you are or where youre from, we all enter the world the same way: When were born, were naked, covered in blood and screaming in terror. And that sort of thing doesnt have to stop there if you know how to live right.

13 Jerry Seinfeld on Detergent Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains. A pretty violent image there. I think if youve got a T-shirt with blood stains all over it, maybe laundry isnt your biggest problem. Maybe you should get rid of the body before you do the wash. Advertisement Advertisement

12 Robin Williams on Nuclear Summits Theyre talking about partial nuclear disarmament. This is also like talking about partial circumcision. A strange thing. You either go all the way or fucking forget it, you know what Im saying?

11 Aisha Tyler on Meat If God didnt want us to eat meat, he would have made cows run faster. Anything you can hunt by tiptoeing up to it and hitting in the head with a rock deserves to be dinner. Advertisement Advertisement

10 Eugene Mirman on Parenthood I dont have a kid. I think that I would be a good father  especially if my baby liked to go out drinking.

9 George Carlin on Thanksgiving Sex Have you ever noticed that you never get laid on Thanksgiving? I think its because all the coats are on the bed. Advertisement Advertisement

8 Patton Oswalt on Drunk Audiences For half an hour, I did not tell one joke. Im not exaggerating: I did not tell a joke. I had my career screamed at me; I agreed with it, then I said good night and got a standing ovation. I walked off-stage, and I said to myself, I just paid for one year of my daughters college. I did not tell a single joke, and Ive never made an audience happier.

7 Kyle Kinane on Living Alone I got my own place cause I realize Im about to get the type of weird that I cant even have people witness on accident anymore. Things are about to get strange, and Im gonna need some solitude for that. Its not so much like, Im gonna pay my bills on time and read more books. Its much more like, Twizzlers look like they fit in buttholes, and I cannot have somebody walking into the laboratory when Dr. Kyles conducting his experiments. Its the corkscrew shape. Lick em and stick em, fellas. Find out about your bodies. Its 2012. Its not gay. Its about loving yourself. Advertisement Advertisement

6 Michelle Wolf on Jobs I got fired from my last job. It was fair. I had stopped working. When they fired me, they called me into HR, and they were like, Michelle, it seems like youre just not doing your job. And I was like, Yeah, but for like nine months. So I think two of us havent been doing our jobs.

5 Taylor Tomlinson on Bangs Having bangs feels exactly like being on mushrooms. The whole time, youre looking at your friends, asking, Do I look weird? Advertisement Advertisement

4 Josh Blue on the Paralympics I know many of you maybe dont know what the Paralympics are, which is unfortunate because its the second largest sporting event on the planet. Its the Olympics for people with physical disabilities. Yeah, I mean, were second largest only to the able-bodied Olympics. Oh yeah, must be tough running on two legs.

3 J.B. Smoove on the Gym I get irritated when I go to the gym. Soon as I walk into the gym, I get fucking irritated. You know why? Cause everything so damn heavy. Advertisement Advertisement

2 Craig Ferguson on Mummy Thieves A casino in South Dakota was robbed by a man dressed as a mummy. The police described the suspect as anywhere between 25 and 8,000 years old.
Everything is not coming up Milhouse.

When Matt Groening chose to use Richard Nixons middle name to title his newest character, he said it was because Milhouse is the most unfortunate name a pair of parents who hate each other could ever give their only son. Milhouse Van Houten is the shy, sensitive and typically pure-of-heart punching bag whom Simpsons writers love to emotionally torture  even though Al Jean says that most of the writers are more like Milhouse than Bart.

The Simpsons canon is generally unkind to its blue-haired bespectacled sidekick to Bart, both in how it handles his disastrous homelife and his unrequited love for Lisa. However, a select few moments have so crossed the line that watching Milhouses misfortune makes us feel like Ralph Wiggum when Lisa broke his heart in slow motion. The Simpsons subreddit was sadistic enough to compile a list of those moments  here are their top picks

12 Milhouse Doesnt Count

11 Even Willie Doesnt Like Milhouse

10 Milhouse the Night Watchman

9 Milhouse Hates Poochy Advertisement Advertisement

8 Milhouse the Cave Explorer

7 Milhouse the Fighter Pilot Advertisement Advertisement

6 Milhouse Plays Frisbee

5 Milhouse the Inspiration Advertisement Advertisement

4 Milhouse the Big Sister

3 Milhouses Goldfish Advertisement Advertisement

2 Nobody Likes Milhouse!
The international community must be brave and get back on track to meet its climate ambitions by COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber, addressing the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York.

He reminded world leaders 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.

The world must reaffirm the founding principles of the UN and to think beyond borders, beyond politics, and beyond our own lifetimes, he said, emphasising 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. Thats 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 humanitys greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action.

Dr Al Jabers 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 wont be solved through agreement alone. It can only truly be addressed through Action. Thats precisely what we aim to achieve through the COP28 Action Agenda.

Dr Al Jaber went on to detail the COP28 Presidencys 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 Presidencys 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 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. - TradeArabia News Service
A Las Vegas stage show spinoff of the Strike Force Five podcast featuring Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel has been canceled after the lattermost tested positive for COVID. Add COVID to the list of distractions from Fallons Rolling Stone expose after Hasan Minhajs lying scandal and Russell Brands everything.

The live show, which was supposed to take place on Saturday, September 23, was titled the Strike Force Three as it would have been absent two members of the late-night supergroup, John Oliver and Seth Meyers, instead of lacking the full five now that Kimmel reportedly caught the bug. Everyone who bought tickets to the show will be refunded the full price, and Colbert, Kimmel and Fallon will attempt to reschedule the event.

Kimmel announced the cancellation on Twitter, writing to his fellow Las Vegans, I could never live with myself if I got my hometown friends sick. I cant imagine how passive aggressive that tweet would have been if the show was in Fallons native Bay Ridge.

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After a report compiled from the accounts of 16 current and former Tonight Show staffers alleged a culture of fear and abuse at the Fallon-hosted show, Fallon arranged an all-hands Zoom meeting with his employees, telling them that he never intended to create that type of atmosphere for the show described by Rolling Stone, telling them, Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends I feel so bad I cant even tell you.

The report, which alleged that the workplace culture created by Fallon led to employees renaming one dressing room the crying room and caused multiple staffers to contemplate suicide, has not yet been addressed on Strike Force Five, nor have any of the late-night stars addressed the allegations against their colleague publicly. Presumably, the Strike Force Three show wasnt exactly going to feature a Q&A session with suicidal Tonight Show assistants  but, as the comedy news cycle continues to spin with even darker stories overshadowing Fallons alleged transgressions, it seems less and less likely that the Rolling Stone report will ever result in the titans of the late-night industry reckoning with the workplace culture that allowed conditions to get so bad for so many Tonight Show employees.

But, hey, at least Las Vegas was spared an appearance from Jimmy Kimmel. There's always a silver lining.
Targeted cyber intrusions against key industrial sectors in various African nations conspicuously align with China's broader soft power and technological agenda in the region, encompassing critical areas such as the telecommunication sector, financial institutions, and governmental bodies. That's according to a new report from SentinelOne, which has observed sustained tasking toward strategic intrusions by Chinese threat actors in Africa designed to extend influence throughout the continent.

"As we have navigated through the complexities of Chinese influence in Africa, the role of offensive cyber actions, and the broader implications of tech dominance, it becomes evident that this intricate web of geopolitics and cyber threats demands attention across the cybersecurity industry," Tom Hegel, cybersecurity researcher at SentinelOne, wrote in a blog post.

Three significant sets of cyber activity best exemplify the larger set of China-aligned activity in Africa, according to SentinelOne.

Operation Tainted Love aligns with Chinese telecommunication interests

First is Operation Tainted Love, a case centered on targeted attacks against telecommunications providers predominantly located in the Greater Middle East region. "This discovery marked an evolution of the toolkit involved in Operation Soft Cell, forging immediate connections to previous China-attributed activities," SentinelOne claimed. Operation Tainted Love involves the use of a rigorously maintained and version-controlled system for credential theft and a novel dropper mechanism, indicating a concerted effort undertaken by a threat actor/threat actors driven by specific objectives, the firm added.

"Unnoted in our initial report, we identified the compromise of a telecommunications entity based in North Africa by the same threat actor," SentinelOne said. "The timing of this activity aligned closely with Chinese telecommunication soft power interests in Africa, as the organization was in private negotiations for further regional expansion in areas." Strategic objectives in such intrusions highlight interest from China in internal business knowledge on negotiations, providing competitive advantage, or prepositioning for retained technical access for intelligence collection, it added.

APT group BackdoorDiplomacy targets governmental organizations

The second notable activity cited by SentinelOne relates to APT threat group BackdoorDiplomacy, which has operated across Africa for several years. More recently, fresh revelations emerged spotlighting the group's sustained three-year endeavor targeting governmental organizations in Kenya, according to the company.
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
Summary Table

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AUD/JPY

AUD/JPY: Retail trader data shows 36.50% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.74 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 10.08% higher than yesterday and 10.08% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 14.35% higher than yesterday and 3.52% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests AUD/JPY prices may continue to rise.

Positioning is more net-short than yesterday but less net-short from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed AUD/JPY trading bias.

AUD/USD

AUD/USD: Retail trader data shows 74.80% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.97 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 5.22% higher than yesterday and 2.28% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 3.90% lower than yesterday and 1.83% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests AUD/USD prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger AUD/USD-bearish contrarian trading bias.

Oil - US Crude

Oil - US Crude: Retail trader data shows 80.81% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 4.21 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 2.69% higher than yesterday and 24.94% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 2.85% lower than yesterday and 11.40% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Oil - US Crude prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger Oil - US Crude-bearish contrarian trading bias.

Germany 40

Germany 40: Retail trader data shows 62.66% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.68 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 7.39% lower than yesterday and 6.56% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 4.65% lower than yesterday and 3.20% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Germany 40 prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is less net-long than yesterday but more net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed Germany 40 trading bias.

EUR/CHF

EUR/CHF: Retail trader data shows 62.99% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.70 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 12.74% lower than yesterday and 30.28% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 21.05% higher than yesterday and 69.47% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests EUR/CHF prices may continue to fall.

Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current EUR/CHF price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long.

EUR/GBP

EUR/GBP: Retail trader data shows 45.76% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.19 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.38% higher than yesterday and 4.03% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 13.74% lower than yesterday and 3.69% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests EUR/GBP prices may continue to rise.

Positioning is less net-short than yesterday but more net-short from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed EUR/GBP trading bias.

EUR/JPY

EUR/JPY: Retail trader data shows 17.65% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 4.67 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 8.66% higher than yesterday and 19.77% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 12.59% higher than yesterday and 12.00% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests EUR/JPY prices may continue to rise.

Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger EUR/JPY-bullish contrarian trading bias.

EUR/USD

EUR/USD: Retail trader data shows 67.56% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.08 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 11.04% higher than yesterday and 2.26% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 17.88% lower than yesterday and 3.47% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests EUR/USD prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger EUR/USD-bearish contrarian trading bias.

France 40

France 40: Retail trader data shows 59.11% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.45 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 11.99% lower than yesterday and 11.77% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 25.75% higher than yesterday and 14.58% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests France 40 prices may continue to fall.

Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current France 40 price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long.

FTSE 100

FTSE 100: Retail trader data shows 78.04% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 3.55 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 2.45% higher than yesterday and 6.89% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 4.33% lower than yesterday and 16.73% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests FTSE 100 prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger FTSE 100-bearish contrarian trading bias.

GBP/JPY

GBP/JPY: Retail trader data shows 25.30% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 2.95 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 17.96% lower than yesterday and 23.53% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 14.19% higher than yesterday and 18.81% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests GBP/JPY prices may continue to rise.

Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger GBP/JPY-bullish contrarian trading bias.

GBP/USD

GBP/USD: Retail trader data shows 69.56% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.28 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 2.57% lower than yesterday and 5.86% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 3.15% lower than yesterday and 11.13% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests GBP/USD prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed GBP/USD trading bias.

Gold

Gold: Retail trader data shows 60.92% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.56 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 3.17% lower than yesterday and 1.49% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 4.86% lower than yesterday and 1.00% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed Gold trading bias.

NZD/USD

NZD/USD: Retail trader data shows 74.22% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 2.88 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.48% lower than yesterday and 6.17% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 11.90% lower than yesterday and 0.68% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests NZD/USD prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is more net-long than yesterday but less net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed NZD/USD trading bias.

Silver

Silver: Retail trader data shows 87.05% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 6.72 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.03% higher than yesterday and 1.87% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 1.79% lower than yesterday and unchanged from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Silver prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger Silver-bearish contrarian trading bias.

US 500

US 500: Retail trader data shows 65.11% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.87 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 2.35% lower than yesterday and 8.72% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 1.25% higher than yesterday and 9.30% lower from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests US 500 prices may continue to fall.

Positioning is less net-long than yesterday but more net-long from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed US 500 trading bias.

USD/CAD

USD/CAD: Retail trader data shows 21.11% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 3.74 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.27% lower than yesterday and 22.01% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 0.94% higher than yesterday and 19.84% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests USD/CAD prices may continue to rise.

Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger USD/CAD-bullish contrarian trading bias.

USD/CHF

USD/CHF: Retail trader data shows 64.35% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.80 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 10.52% lower than yesterday and 19.52% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 20.24% higher than yesterday and 19.76% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests USD/CHF prices may continue to fall.

Yet traders are less net-long than yesterday and compared with last week. Recent changes in sentiment warn that the current USD/CHF price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long.

USD/JPY

USD/JPY: Retail trader data shows 12.62% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 6.92 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 6.32% lower than yesterday and 2.35% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 17.65% higher than yesterday and 7.60% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests USD/JPY prices may continue to rise.

Traders are further net-short than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger USD/JPY-bullish contrarian trading bias.

Wall Street

Wall Street: Retail trader data shows 57.70% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 1.36 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 4.37% higher than yesterday and 3.25% higher from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 10.08% lower than yesterday and 2.42% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Wall Street prices may continue to fall.

Traders are further net-long than yesterday and last week, and the combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a stronger Wall Street-bearish contrarian trading bias.
Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), one of the worlds largest district cooling service providers, has announced its sponsorship of and participation in the Latin America District Energy Conference (LATAM2023), which will be held in Cartagena, Colombia, from September 27 to 29.

The first of its kind in Latin America, the LATAM Conference 2023 will be held under the slogan Sustainable Solutions for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Government delegations, representatives of the private sector and experts and consultants from various countries will participate.

The conference is organised by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development of Colombia, with the support of various international organizations and agencies including the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International District Energy Association (IDEA), Colombian Association of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACAIRE) and the Swiss embassy in Colombia.

The event aims to pave the way for achieving sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower and a Special Advisor to the UN on District Cooling will take part in the panel discussion entitled, Global Overview of District Energy on the opening day of the conference.

Bin Shafar will also address the attendees on the second day by presenting the successful journey of Dubai in implementing sustainable District Cooling solutions that contribute to combating climate change.

The conference will also host workshops and panel discussions on various topics on district energy and shed light on the experiences of different countries in deploying district energy systems.

Sponsoring the LATAM2023 Conference stems from Empowers keenness to provide support and ensure the success of the event, deepen our cooperation with various countries and companies, and address climate change through innovation in sustainable district cooling. Collaboration is central to our strategy to strengthen local and global efforts and energies in confronting various environmental issues, and we believe that this conference is a valuable opportunity to share ideas and solutions that can help us make a difference, Bin Shafar said. - OGN/ TradeArabia News Service
You might have expected so insurrectionary a speech to have been made at a blue-collar venue far from Whitehall's wonkish towers.

But things were moving fast and it was already mid-morning when we heard that Rishi Sunak would be making his announcement at teatime in that airless capsule of a media centre at 9 Downing Street. Right in the citadel. An explosion in the molten core of the Blob. Down the chimney plopped the bomblet.

The room was divided: a few supportive ministers and MPs on one side, sceptical reporters on the other.

'Let me get straight to it,' began the Prime Minister.

He was using his sad, serious voice, the one a dad assumes after Tiddles the family gerbil has fallen into the Zanussi and perished half way through the mixed- cottons wash.

He was using his sad, serious voice, the one a dad assumes after Tiddles the family gerbil has fallen into the Zanussi and perished half way through the mixed-cottons wash (Pictured: Rishi Sunak announcing changes to the government's net zero policies on Wednesday)

He said there was no point setting some random date for the abolition of new petrol cars unless the public supported it. To normal mortals, common sense (pictured: the BMW Mini plant in Oxford, where the new electric Mini will be built)

Mr Sunak wanted 'consent not imposition, pragmatism not ideology'. Net Zero fundamentalists tend to want precisely the opposite. They think populations should be bossed about like woollyback ruminants (pictured: various colours of wheelie bins)

Tiddles's surprised little face gazed through the glass as it whizzed round at top spin cycle. Revolutionary in its most real sense.

So was this. Mr Sunak was doing something the elite cadre of green lobbyists, eco-advisers, global corporates and centrally-programmed mandarins never contemplated: he was putting British voters' wallets above Net Zero purity.

He said there was no point setting some random date for the abolition of new petrol cars unless the public supported it. To normal mortals, common sense. To blobistas, heresy. It was as if he had just denounced the Athanasian creed.

'This is not about politics,' he said. Ha! That will have pushed a few more of his critics over the Reichenbach Falls.

This rethink on green rules was in fact rivetingly political  political in a way that our technocratic class has forgotten to be.

Mr Sunak wanted 'consent not imposition, pragmatism not ideology'. Net Zero fundamentalists tend to want precisely the opposite. They think populations should be bossed about like woollyback ruminants.

Even as Rishi made the short stroll from No 10 to the media room, the political world was going nuts. Boris Johnson accused him of 'losing ambition'. That has never been a problem for Boris himself. The UN's climate-change supremo had a pop. Civil servants briefed off the record, aggressively.

One dreads to think of the tears shed by blub-prone Alok Sharma MP. Suffice it to say that the Thames barrier was put on alert and sandbags were sent to Mr Sharma's constituency.

Former Tory environment minister Zac Goldsmith, not short of a few bob, was appalled by this move to save families bills of up to 20,000.

Brother Goldsmith, who despite his devotion to greenery takes a disposable attitude to wives, demanded an immediate general election.

Former Tory environment minister Zac Goldsmith, not short of a few bob, was appalled by this move to save families bills of up to 20,000. Brother Goldsmith, who despite his devotion to greenery takes a disposable attitude to wives, demanded an immediate general election (pictured: Zac Goldsmith)

Sir Lindsay Hoyle had exploded in rage that this change of policy had not been made in the Commons on Tuesday. Particulates from Sir Lindsay's eruption may stay in the upper atmosphere for decades (pictured: Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle)

Then came a 'ka-boom' and a mushroom of black smoke rose over Speaker's House.

Its occupant, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, had exploded in rage that this change of policy had not been made in the Commons on Tuesday. Particulates from Sir Lindsay's eruption may stay in the upper atmosphere for decades. It will do the ozone layer nae good.

Back in the media capsule, Mr Sunak was calmly explaining his position, placing himself in the centre between the climate-change deniers and the eco-zealots.

Britain was way ahead of others in de-carbonising.

With our new rules we would merely be aligning with Germany, France and nut-loafed California. New Zealand, which until recently was governed by the Left's sainted Jacinda Ardern, is way behind.

And Mr Sunak relished the coming fight.

Staying on the old course would have left families in Darlington (swing seat, m'lud) at least 10k worse off. He looked forward to Sir Keir Starmer, the Lib Dems' Sir Ed Whatnot and assorted other green-freaks explaining why such bills were a good thing. Long Term Decisions For A Brighter Future' said a panel on the PM's lectern. This is the slogan for the coming Tory party conference. Bit naughty to use it at a government event.

But as reporters noted, Mr Sunak needs to improve his party's popularity. Nothing dishonourable in that.

Adopting policies the public might actually like: it's what prime ministers are meant to do.
Funny how so many of those voices demanding that Britain remains aligned with the EU are now screaming blue murder because Rishi Sunak has announced that our Net Zero plans are being, er, brought into line with the EU.

Sunak has sensibly pushed back the proposed ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2035 - exactly the same date as the rest of Europe.

Yet rather than congratulate him on this conciliatory act of international harmonisation, the climate change zealots are ululating like widows at a Hamas funeral.

Judging by the hysterical reaction to the Prime Minister's modest adjustments to the decarbonisation timetable, you'd be forgiven for assuming he'd just ordered the slaughter of the first born.

The loudest howls of protest are coming, inevitably, from Remainers - big business, the Blob, the Labour Party, the Greens, the BBC, etc.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talks while a holding press conference on net zero policy change at Downing Street on September 20

Sunak has sensibly pushed back the proposed ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2035 (stock photo)

Some of them appear to have taken all leave of their senses. We are told that because Sunak is delaying the ban on conventional cars and rowing back on forcing householders to scrap gas and oil boilers, Britain has instantly become an international pariah.

Apparently, we will no longer be welcome in diplomatic circles anywhere in the world. Sunak is accused of committing the most heinous act of ecological destruction since Hiroshima.

Sky News, which these days is worse than the BBC when it comes to banging the Net Zero kettle drum, even hunted down Al Gore for his reaction.

Yes, that Al Gore, former U.S. vice-president, eco-campaigner, private jet enthusiast and ocean-going climate hypocrite. A man with a carbon footprint the size of a yeti on steroids, whose 10,000 sq ft Tennessee mansion is said to consume as much electricity in one year as the average American family uses in 21 years.

Like a Jolly Green Genial Harry Grout, Gore pronounced himself very disappointed in Sunak, very disappointed indeed.

The former Veep was in New York attending the United Nations summit on climate change (I bet he didn't go by Greyhound bus), along with other eco-warriors such as London Mayor Genghis Khan - who demonstrated his own deep commitment to eliminating greenhouse gases by flying business class across the Atlantic with five of his aides. Khan boasted to delegates that as a result of his hated Ulez expansion he had created the largest clean air zone - in the world. (That's if you don't count Heathrow.)

No doubt when he gets home, he'll set fire to the London Eye on New Year's Eve to illustrate how Sunak is responsible for causing global conflagration - just as he once turned the Big Wheel into a giant EU flag to flaunt his devotion to the European superstate.

Admittedly, not all the resistance is coming from Remainers. There's also a revolt among sections of the Tory party, including Cry-Baby Sharma, the former windmills minister, some non-entity called Chris Skidmarks, and super-rich peer Zac Goldsmith.

I've always thought that Zac would have been far happier in the Green Party, along with Caroline 'Here We Go Looby' Lucas. And, as business secretary Kemi Badenoch pointed out yesterday, Goldsmith can afford to buy a top-of-the-range Tesla without resorting to hire purchase.

Most people can't. Which is why Sunak is pressing pause on plans to force them to replace their cars and boilers, regardless of whether they can afford to. Why should hard-pressed families, struggling to get by on average incomes in Walsall and Warrington, be forced to fork out 15 grand-or-more they haven't got simply to satisfy the vanity of virtue-signalling Westminster Village Idiots?

Why, too, should Britain be expected to 'lead the world' in tackling climate change, when we are responsible for fewer than one per cent of global emissions?

Sunak has at least restored a long-overdue sense of perspective, while sticking to the target of achieving Net Zero by 2050. He has acknowledged that the first duty of politicians is to protect the best interests of the voters who put them into office.

What's the point of pursuing the elusive white whale when it involves bankrupting the country and impoverishing half the population, particularly when the rest of the world is either dragging its feet, or - in the case of China and India - heading off in completely the opposite direction?

It came as a YouGov snap poll found that half of voters - and a majority of Tory supporters - back plans to delay a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

Sunak is pressing pause on plans to force them to replace their cars and boilers, regardless of whether they can afford to (stock photo)

Climate change fanatics insist, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, that imposing Net Zero will bring untold economic advantages. Milk and honey all round.

Try telling that to the 3,000 skilled workers who are being thrown onto the scrapheap because of the 'greening' of the Port Talbot steelworks. Collateral damage, no doubt, a price worth paying to save the polar bears.

Once again, I find myself falling back on the wisdom of G.K. Chesterton, who observed that when people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing, they start believing in anything.

Wokery, EU membership and Net Zero have replaced Christianity as our new state religions.

And anyone who dissents is considered a heretic, to be burned at the stake.

Battle lines are being drawn up. What we are seeing here is the new front line in the culture wars.

Like Brexit, this is another showdown between the political class and the people. The Blob and the Bubble may have lost the battle to Leave - for now - but they are determined to win the war over climate change.

These people don't believe in gaining the consent of the people who pay their wages. They believe in stick, not carrot. We must be whipped into line by arbitrary, legally binding deadlines, backed by draconian punishments.

We won't be given a referendum on Net Zero. As Ross Clark and Leo McKinstry explain elsewhere in today's Mail, politicians and the civil service have been assiduous in locking carbon reduction targets into law.

Starting with Ed Miliband's 2008 Climate Change Act, reinforced by Mother Theresa's reckless commitment to an 80 per cent cut in emissions in the dying days of her Premiership, and Boris's performative, plucked-from-the-air decision to bring forward the ban on conventional vehicles to 2030, the Net Zero agenda is designed to be irreversible.

Some us of may be celebrating Sunak's surrender to sanity, but the backlash is only just getting underway. Expect the mother of all showdowns in Parliament, in the courts and on the streets.

Already the deranged XR fanatics are picketing Downing Street, accusing Sunak of climate genocide. How long before that Stop Brexit nutter with the megaphone outside Westminster turns his attention to climate change and starts howling at the moon round the clock?

Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle has gone into full Bercow mode, spitting blood over the Prime Minister's failure to announce the change in policy in Parliament. A spokesman for the Speaker said Hoyle would have recalled Parliament if he'd had the power.

The fact that Sunak had no choice, after his speech was leaked by someone inside the Blob, is beside the point. Expect fireworks and motions of censure when the House reconvenes.

Far more serious is the threat of legal challenge. Net Zero is set in legislative stone - and that means the courts will inevitably become involved.

Remember Gina Miller, the frontwoman for wealthy Remain backers determined to frustrate Brexit? No doubt the deep-pocketed Net Zero vested interests will find another willing stooge to perform a similar role.

I wouldn't bet against it going all the way to the Supreme Court, with a tame judge sporting a Greenpeace lapel badge ruling that Sunak's policy is illegal. (Shades of Lady Hale in her Boris the Spider brooch declaring that the prorogation of Parliament over Brexit obstructionism was unlawful.)

No, this one is going to run and run - at least until Labour wins the next election and Keir Starmer reverses it.

And if all else fails, don't be surprised if they manage to get an anonymous judge out of bed in Strasbourg to rule that the policy contravenes the European convention on yuman rites - in the same way they scuppered Sunak's Rwanda policy.

That's what they really mean when they demand we are brought in to line with Europe.
French TV etiquette experts have been berating President Macron for his repeated pawing of King Charles, with montages showing him being effusively tactile on at least five occasions. 'Has he forgotten [Jacques] Chirac?' fumed one, referring to the 2004 outrage when the French president touched the late Queen just once, adding: 'One simply doesn't touch British royalty!' L'Express's former editor Christophe Barbier reminded viewers: 'But Edward VII didn't mind being touched in his Paris brothels, did he?'

On their walkabout setting off from the Elysee Palace, Macron invited Charles sotto voce to hug a selected toddler in the crowd. Pointing at the child, Charles responded in French: 'No, no... It's not possible.' Retaliation for Emmanuel's le touchy-feely, perhaps?

French TV etiquette experts have been berating President Macron for his repeated pawing of King Charles

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with King Charles III during their visit to the Museum of Natural History in Paris

Tomorrow's Channel 5 documentary about Prince Edward's disastrous 1987 It's a Royal Knockout claims that the late Queen was enthusiastic about the project, thinking it would help the Royal family to connect with her subjects.

This was despite advice from her courtiers who, correctly predicted a tremendous loss of dignity.

Apart from the ruthless determination of Princess Anne, pictured in costume, to win, Edward's plans came unstuck with torrential rain  turning the tournament set into a quagmire.

'Su Pollard's wellies filled with mud,' states the documentary. 'Cliff Richard was dressed as a turnip, Gary Lineker got his pants caught in a winch and Chris de Burgh lost his tights in a pond.'

Apart from the ruthless determination of Princess Anne, pictured in costume, to win, Edward's plans came unstuck with torrential rain  turning the tournament set into a quagmire

While Sir Paul McCartney enjoys playing to packed stadiums and arenas, fellow surviving Beatle Sir Ringo Starr is less fortunate with his show in Ontario, California.

'The upper decks were curtained off. The lower decks were half full,' reports a reviewer. 'An arena that can hold 11,000 had sold a mere 2,000 tickets. What could it have been like for even cheerful everyman Ringo Starr to look out over thousands of empty seats? It must have been a hard day's night.'

Eric Idle's Spamalot starts a six-month run in Paris next Thursday without him. The ex-Python has fallen foul of Brexit visa rules after using up his latest 90-in-180-day residence allowance at his French holiday home.

Producers have dispatched a 'jokey video' to the Elysee, asking President Macron to give Idle a special Euro-star dispensation so that he might travel to attend the premiere. Maybe he should have asked Emmanuel's new best mate Charles to intervene.

Ex-Python Eric Idle has fallen foul of Brexit visa rules after using up his latest 90-in-180-day residence allowance at his French holiday home

Former Squeaker John Bercow famously described I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as 'utterly trashy' when he insisted that he would never appear on it.

Now Bercow has signed up for the American version of The Traitors reality TV series. He will compete, alongside veterans of Big Brother and Love Island, for the chance to win $250,000. Isn't life grand?
Rishi Sunak's pragmatic new approach to reaching net zero by 2050 was met with fury by the green lobby this week, and their rage illustrated perfectly how eco-zealots are used to getting their own way.

C S Lewis once wrote: 'It would be better to live under robber barons than omnipotent moral busybodies.'

That phrase perfectly describes the vast phalanx of unelected green bureaucrats, campaigners and 'experts' who, in the name of saving the planet, exert ever more influence over our lives.

Much of the green lobby's power stems from the 2008 Climate Change Act  masterminded by Labour's Ed Miliband during Gordon Brown's premiership.

The Act originally proposed that the Government should adopt a legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. With David Cameron's Tory opposition giving its support, there was overwhelming political consensus in its favour.

'Much of the green lobby's power stems from the 2008 Climate Change Act  masterminded by Labour's Ed Miliband (pictured at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games) during Gordon Brown's premiership'

Ed Milliband wins the Labour Party Leadership contest at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, September 25, 2010

During the passage of the Bill through Parliament, MPs and peers became so keen to parade their green credentials that the target was raised to 80 per cent. And then, during the premiership of Theresa May, the deadline was made even tougher  a 100 per cent cut in emissions by 2050: net zero.

Britain was the first nation in the world to go down such a demanding legislative route, something that appealed to the vanity of many politicians.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak challenges Keir Starmer over Labour's climate change plans as he defends his decision to ditch or delay green policies Advertisement

Over the subsequent 15 years, tremendous harm has been inflicted by the 2008 Act.

One official estimate suggests that it could ultimately cost between 324 billion and 404 billion.

In 2019, then Chancellor Philip Hammond warned that the total bill for the net zero plan could reach a staggering 1 trillion.

Importantly, the Act created a quasi-judicial framework to enforce its targets. This included a 'National Adaption Programme' and a series of interim 'carbon budgets' which set shorter-term five-year targets in addition to net zero by 2050. According to their advocates, these 'carbon budgets'  which must be set 12 years in advance to give individuals and businesses enough time to prepare for their impact  are designed 'as a cost-effective way of achieving the UK's long-term climate change objectives'.

In fact, energy prices have soared under the budgets. Regardless, it is through this mechanism that the Left will now seek to force the Prime Minister into restoring the carbon-reduction targets set by his predecessors.

Already, green activists and their political bedfellows are calling their lawyers, limbering up to launch judicial reviews, hoping to bend a sympathetic legal system to reshape public policy as they would prefer it.

The prospect of an entrenched legal battle, horribly reminiscent of the Brexit wars under the Remainer activist Gina Miller, is all too real.

The 2008 Act also established a Climate Change Committee, an extraordinarily powerful quango that advises the Government on targets and assesses progress.

The chief executive is Chris Stark, an experienced public administrator who heads a staff of 60, has a budget of 4.9 million and enjoyed a pay package last year of up to 185,000.

Rishi Sunak's pragmatic new approach to reaching net zero by 2050 was met with fury by the green lobby this week. Pictured: Sunak shares the plans at Downing St on September 20

Inevitably, the Climate Change Committee adheres to the fashionable groupthink that prevails across the public sector, sending its staff on courses in 'unconscious bias training', appointing 'well-being champions' to 'manage stress', and 'developing appropriate indicators to track progress against our diversity and inclusion aims'.

Similarly, the committee is accused of putting too much faith in unreliable renewables and not doing enough to promote nuclear power, a failure that has left Britain more vulnerable to energy price hikes and blackouts.

The hope is that, after the Prime Minister's politically seismic speech, the influence of these dogmatic bureaucrats might at last be on the wane.
While parts of the UK revel in the last few remnants of the summer heat, it seems certain pets can't wait to be rid of the steamy weather.

News blog Bored Panda has compiled a selection of images from around the world that show the cutest pets seeking refuge from sweltering temperatures.

In one image, an adorable pup is snapped clinging to an ice cold can of Coca Cola while its owner cradles it in his arms.

Meanwhile one hound dived right in to an ice bucket full of bottled beer, appearing to lounge there until further notice.

Elsewhere one kitten was spotted laying flat on its back while its trusted owner soothed it with a portable fan.

Melting hearts! How cool - literally - is this dog right now? This hound found the perfect spot to chillout and relax in the summer heat

Refreshing! Australia's heat proved a little too intense for this adorable pup. The ice cold Coca Cola can obviously hit the spot

Cat's got your popsicle! This adorable kitten was treated to a very tasty cool down session

While some images are downright hilarious, others show pets looking absolutely adorable as the they try any means necessary to get some cool shade.

One cute pup appears relaxed while clutching a large chunk of ice, meanwhile a few dogs took it upon themselves to lay sprawled out across a shop floor - supposedly yo catch some of the store's air conditioning.

Keep scrolling for more images of the most adorable pets.

Fan-tastic! This cute kitten was treated to a home-based spa session courtesy of its loyal owner

Ice ice baby! This little pup's Australia-based owner says he 'loves ice on hot days'

It's odd but it works! Over in the US, this cute dog was lucky enough to fit in the kitchen sink on a hot summer's day

Cool cat! This cat's owner brought it in for a little cool down in front of the air conditioning, and it didn't want to leave...

Hide and heat! This corgi makes for an adorable sight as it lays all curled up away from the heat

Over in Turkey, this shop owner lets stray dogs sleep in his store so they can cool down under the air conditioning
A candy company is giving the Haribo bear a run for its money with its bizarre new gummies - shaped like mac & cheese, pickles, and hot dogs.

The unlikely treats - created in homage to Kraft, Claussen, and Oscar Mayer's most famous foods - will be rolled out by Frankford Candy just in time for Halloween.

But, crucially, they won't taste like the snacks that inspired them - they'll still have the fruity flavors most gummies are famous for

Frankford Candy's director of business, Molly Jacobson, told Penn Live: 'Kraft Heinz Gummy Snack Pack gives fans the opportunity to experience three iconic food brands in a delicious fruit-flavored, gummy candy form.'

Frankford Candy released Kraft mac & cheese, Oscar Mayer hot dogs, and Claussen pickle shaped gummies just in time for Halloween

The gummies are shaped like the popular foods, but fortunately don't taste like them

The candy assortment comes in variety packs of 40 or 30

Each pack features the name of the food brands, along with their iconic logos, and contains 40 individual candies.

The mac & cheese elbow is a peach-flavored treat that resembles a piece of pasta found in a Kraft box.

The Claussen gummy includes the circular bumps from the crunchy snack.

And the Oscar Mayer gummy looks just like a hot dog - complete with bun, dog, and ketchup, mustard, and relish.

They are made up of ingredients like malt syrup, sugar, and gelatin. They also contain artificial colors of red 40, blue 1, yellow 5, and yellow 6.

Haribo is a popular candy company founded in Germany by Hans Riegel Sr. in 1920. Goldbears has been their most popular product, offered since 1960

The candies will provide competition for Haribo - a German company founded in 1920 that dominates the gummy market.

Haribo is best known for its Goldbears that come in raspberry, lemon, strawberry, pineapple and orange flavors.

They are available in over 100 countries, and Haribo celebrated the treat's 100th birthday in 2022.

Chief commercial officer of Haribo of America Rick LaBerge gave a brief statement on January 1, 2022: 'Haribo is the original creator of the gummi bear, and we're so excited to celebrate the 100th birthday of our iconic Goldbears in unique and meaningful ways here in the US.'

Part of the celebration included the release of limited edition flavors: blue raspberry and pineapple.

They also sold packs of party hat gummies, which were available in all flavors.

Frankford Candy describes its new gummies as 'a great gift, stocking stuffer, Easter basket stuffer, or party favor.'
On Jersey Shore Pauly used the words to hype up the cast for a night out

The quote is a pop-culture reference to Pauly D's iconic catchphrase on the show

A Jersey Shore superfan has revealed her new tattoo that pays homage to Pauly D's notorious catchphrase - saying she has 'no regrets.'

Juliette posted a video on TikTok that featured a three-picture slideshow that started with a photograph with her posing at a restaurant with the overlaid text reading: 'Don't get a tattoo, you'll regret it.'

The second image then reveals the tattoo located on her leg, which reads: 'The cabs are here.'

The quote is a reference to the iconic slogan of 43-year-old Pauly, real name Paul Michael DelVecchio Jr., on Jersey Shore.

A Jersey Shore enthusiast got Pauly D's notorious catchphrase 'cabs are here' tattooed and she has 'no regrets ever'

Her new tattoo is a reference to Pauly's iconic slogan on Jersey Shore. 'The cabs are here' was used to hype up Pauly's castmates to go out to the club

The final picture in Juliette's slideshow is one of the TV star smiling with the text: 'I get to talk about DJ Pauly D'

On the MTV reality show, Pauly used the slogan to hype up the cast for the club by alerting them that the cabs had arrived to take them out.

Over the picture of her tattoo, Juliette added: 'But every time someone asks about it....'

'I get to talk about DJ Pauly D,' she continued in the last photo that shows the TV star smiling.

In the background a snippet of Harry Styles is heard saying: 'Don't worry about it. Everything's gonna be fine,' and then his song Fine Line starts playing.

With the slideshow, she included the caption: 'By far one of my fav tattoos, no regrets ever.'

The video had garnered more than 1.2 million views and 168,800 likes.

On Jersey Shore, Pauly's slogan became synonymous with the show and popular enough that YouTube creators made compilation videos featuring him yelling, 'the cabs are here,' dozens of times and even in different languages.

Jersey Shore enthusiasts quickly flocked to the comments and were fans of her love for the hit show.

One person definitely got the reference, writing in capital letters: 'CABSEREEEEEE!!????'

On Jersey Shore Pauly's slogan became synonymous with the show and popular enough that YouTube creators made compilation videos featuring him yelling it

Jersey Shore enthusiasts quickly flocked to the comments and were fans of her tattoo

A second fan shared another popular go-to catchphrase from the show writing: 'T-SHIRT TIMEEEE,' which indicated it was time for the men to change into fresh clothing and go clubbing.

'Amen sister. My profile has always said "Jersey Shore was the best show of all time,"' a third person wrote.

A fourth fan loved the show they grew up watching and wrote: 'I love how there's an entire generation of us that they influenced so deeply by partying.'

'The girls that get it, get it,' another enthusiast added.

Jersey Shore first aired on MTV in 2009 and centered around a group of friends who partied on the East Coast

Jersey Shore first aired on MTV in 2009 and centered around a group of friends who partied on the East Coast.

Along with Pauly, the cast featured Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha 'Sammi Sweetheart' Giancola, and Deena Nicole Cortese.

The cast reunited last summer to film their newest reality show Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

Millennials who once witnessed the 20-year-olds go through their emotional highs and lows are now meeting the same cast members as parents, businessmen and women, with the same maintained great sense of humor.
Dame Deborah James' podcast co-host has shared a sweet tribute to influencer Nicky Newman, who died this week.

Lauren Mahon, who presented You, Me and the Big C, alongside the late cancer campaigner said that she had been 'crying lightning' since hearing the news.

Ms Newman inspired Britain with her positive campaigning and brave outlook on life, passed away aged 35, following a gruelling battle with stage four breast cancer.

In a lengthy tribute posted to Instagram, Lauren, 38, who has also been diagnosed with breast cancer, and who worked alongside Dame Deborah James before she passed away from cancer in 2022, said she was 'heartbroken' her friend had passed away, she was also 'grateful' that she was now at 'peace'.

She recalled the moment she 'knew' her pal had moved on, describing the sky as 'electric' with 'non stop lightning', which she took as a sign to confirm the tragic news.

Dame Deborah James' podcast co-host has shared a sweet tribute to influencer Nicky Newman, who died this week

Lauren Mahon, who presented You, Me and the Big C, alongside the late cancer campaigner said that she had been 'crying lightning' since hearing the news

Nicky's husband Alex (pictured) shared the tragic news on Instagram with a pre-written post by his late wife

Alongside the glowing tribute, she posted a black and white photo of the pair embraced in a heartwarming hug.

She wrote: 'Crying lightning, f**k sake. Our Nicky new. There are so many pictures. Videos. Voicenotes. Messages. I could post.

'But this hug. for some reason is etched in my memory. The joy. The love. The comfort. You always had the best hugs because you always really meant them.

'To be greeted by your smile was to instantly adore you. I fell at first sight for sure. Initially when I saw you on Instagram, my thought was nobody can be that happy.

'That effervescent, so performative. But oh f**king wrong I was. An electricity to your core. You were the hype girl of the entire cancer community'.

She continued to praise her lost friend, who she said 'never missed a beat'. She also described her chirpy personality at length, and commended her strength despite her own 'struggles'.

She then poured out condolences for Nicky's husband Alex, as well as her family and friends, and said Nicky should be 'utterly proud' of the legacy she left behind.

She continued: 'I'm grateful youre at peace but heartbroken youre gone. Youve been such a big energy in my life the last five.

'Its palpable that youve left. I knew it last night waking up from sleep because my room was alight with non-stop lightning.

In the emotional post, Lauren recalled the moment she 'knew' her pal had moved on, describing the sky as 'electric' with 'non stop lightning', which she took as a sign to confirm the tragic news

'Nothing Ive ever beheld in blighty. The sky was electric. It felt like you were our little lightning bolt to the point I messaged our pals. Did they have news? Because it felt so powerful.

'And they confirmed giving me the only comfort Ive found during today. Your life and now your legacy is something you should be so utterly proud of'.

An emotional Lauren continued to recount their time together, while revealing that Nicky always inspired her, and she would give 'anything' to 'squeeze' her again.

'I love you too much' she concluded. 'You always would say you loved me more and wouldnt hear otherwise.

'Today I know with certainty how much more you are loved'.

Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple

The post received an outpouring of support, as people sent heartfelt messages to a grieving Lauren.

Nicky Newman, from Surrey, shone a light on the importance of making the most of each day, and seizing every opportunity.

Her death was announced on Instagram via a post she had earlier written, which was shared by her husband Alex.

The opening line of the post read: 'If you're reading this it means I have died, I made it five and half years though, not bad for a stage four breastie ey.'

Even in her final words to her followers, Nicky remained upbeat in her tone and the message she shared, imploring readers to 'go grab life', and reminding them that 'you never truly know what is coming around the corner - so don't take anything for granted'.

Influencer Nicky Newman (pictured) died from stage four metastatic breast cancer. She was 35-years-old

Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities

A number of celebrities went on to pay tribute to the influencer in the comments section of the post, including Amy Dowden and Stacey Solomon.

Nicky, who worked in admin for a finance company before her diagnosis, was told she had cancer in April 2018, after finding a lump in her right breast while showering.

Eight most common signs of breast cancer  A change in size or shape  A lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast  A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling (like the skin of an orange)  A redness or rash on the skin and/or around the nipple  Your nipple has become pulled in or looks different, for example changed its position or shape  Liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing  Pain in your breast or your armpit thats there all or almost all of the time  A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone Advertisement

She said she knew in her gut that it was bad news.

In the space of a week, Nicky suffered a miscarriage, and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

But for Nicky, the real shock came one week after the diagnosis, when she was given further bad news.

The cancer had already spread, and tragically, it was incurable.

Despite the news, in a testament to her character and courage, Nicky decided to document her treatment, capturing the attention of some 300,000 followers online with whom she shared her life, and in doing so, often brought them joy as well as raising awareness.

The message Nicky spread as she shared her journey with the disease was to 'grab life'.

And she took her own advice: Nicky maintained a busy life, travelling to exotic destinations with her friends and family, and celebrated each milestone, no matter how small.

While living with cancer, Nicky married the love of her life, Alex, campaigned for charities, and captured the hearts of Britain.

She also raised awareness for organisations like The Little Princess Trust, when she shaved her head after starting chemo, so the hair could be donated to make a wig for a child with cancer.

Throughout her illness, Nicky kept her followers up to date with news about her treatment and how she was feeling.

It was just last month that she shared unwanted bad news about her health.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'I had prepared myself for progression, but not quite this much.

'For the first time in five years my mets have packed their bags & moved to a new establishment called 'Hotel Liver.'

Just weeks later, Nicky's husband shared the tragic news of her passing, shocking her adoring fanbase, posting a statement the brave influencer had written before her death.

The post read: 'If you're reading this it means I have died, I made it five and a half years though, not bad for a stage four breastie ey.

'And none of this "she fought her battle nonsense", I didn't lose anything, the cancer eventually took over and that's okay, we all knew this would happen.

An emotional post shared by Nicky's husband Alex on Instagram, and written by Nicky before she died, shared news of her death

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'I don't think we are ever prepared to hear the words, we think we are indestructible and a magic cure will appear, but the truth is we all live this life day to day (we just knew our days are shorter).

'So please promise me to cherish those around you and give your friends and loved ones the biggest squeezes!

'GO GRAB LIFE! You never truly know what is coming around the corner - so don't take anything for granted.

'You have all become a part of my legacy, my 'Instagramily' in MR.G's words and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being here every step of the way.

'There is more to come (with some amazing things in the works) that will aim to continue that legacy, so stick around and keep being the amazing bootiful hoomans you all already are!

'Most beautiful ray of sunshine': Many took to social media to share their sadness at the news, with Amy Dowden calling Nicky a true inspiration

Nicky did not shy away from sharing how difficult life with cancer was, but she maintained remarkable courage and positivity in the face of it

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours.

Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour.

Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.

Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying.

Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage. For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000 Advertisement

'I'm a believer in energies and if people hold on to the positive energy we have created from this and other pages like it, then I will always be with you.

'Mr.G has some words to follow as we both wanted to do this part together x

'Love you all my bootiful hoomans! Nicky.'

Shortly afterwards, her husband shared his own post on her page, writing: 'What can I say that my incredible wife hasn't already in her final post. Nicky asked me to send her message out, along with a few words from me.

'My bean was more than a partner or loved one to me, she truly was my lobster.

'We have known each other since we were 14 and throughout all the years (even when we had time apart) we were always inextricably drawn to each other.

'A truly rare joining of souls that were simply meant to be one.

'We've been asked before about why it is that we thought Nicky's page here became so popular and that is obviously a very hard question to answer. I told my bean a few weeks ago that I think it is because -

She shaved off her hair, and donated it to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer

Through her videos and posts, Nicky was able to raise awareness about organisations that help people, as well as help educate on how to check your breasts

'People instantly love and are drawn to you because ever since diagnosis, at the worst time of our lives, we chose not to mourn the time we are losing but rather to celebrate and cherish the time that we have left - however long that may be'

'Anyone that knew my wife knows this to be true. Nicky never accepted half measures, she took life with both hands and made each moment special and memorable.

'She has created a legacy here, a place where anyone can see that life is for positivity and smiles and happiness. Even through hardshipeven if it seems impossible.

'Nicky has still got some incredible things to share on here and I am hoping you will stick around to see them come to fruition.

'I will share it with you in her place, just as she would have wanted. I just ask you bare with me a little.'

He continued: 'Last night there was a lightning storm right above our house, my girls way of reminding us to Go Grab Life and make it count.'

He finished his post by writing: 'Love to every single one of you, be safe and be good to each other.'
Millie Radford has announced the birth of her third child, a bouncing baby girl named Elodie-Jade.

The 22-year-old from Britain's biggest family The Radfords, shared the news with a series of adorable snaps on her Instagram page.

The mother-of-three from from Morecambe, Lancashire, who is already a proud mother to son, Chester and daughter, Ophelia, revealed her 'perfect new addition' came in weighing at 7lb 10z.

The glowing mum posed in a pool of water with her partner Harley, suggesting she may have delivered her daughter via water birth.

He mum Sue was right by her side for moral support - suggesting the pair had ended their feud.

Millie Radford has announced the birth of her third child, a bouncing baby girl named Elodie-Jade

The 22-year-old from Britain's biggest family The Radfords , shared the news with a series of adorable snaps on her Instagram page

Her new bundle of joy delighted fans, as some took to the comments section to declare she was 'beautiful', while one person said she was the 'perfect little princess'.

Taking to Instagram, Millie wrote: 'Our perfect new addition. Elodie-Jade weighing 7.10lb. Born 19/09/23'.

The Radford Family were among the first to leave a comment, as they penned a gushing tribute to the little one.

They wrote: 'Aww Millie shes just so beautiful. Im so proud of you, you did amazing bringing her into the world. Thank you so much for asking me to be with you. Love you'.

The sweet message seems to have been written directly by her mum, and comes after the two seemingly ended their 'feud' last month.

Sue announced the update took to her 516,000 followers during her holiday in Florida.

The mother and daughter were thought to have fallen out around two weeks before Millie announced her third pregnancy.

Sue wrote on an Instagram story to mark her daughter turning 22: 'Happy birthday @millieradfordd. We hope you have the best day today, we love you.

The pair were thought to have fallen out around two weeks before Millie announced her third pregnancy

RADFORD FAMILY CHILDREN: Noel and Sue pictured with 18 of their children at Heidie's christening Noel and Sue welcomed their first child together in 1989. The most recent addition to their super-sized brood was Heidie, born in April 2020. Between them, the couple are parents to Chris, 33, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 27, Jack, 25, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 20, James, 19, Ellie, 17, Aimee, 16, Josh, 15, Max, 14, Tillie, 12, Oscar, 11, Casper, ten, Hallie, seven, Phoebe, six, Archie, five, Bonnie, four and Heidie, two. The parents tragically lost their 17th child Alfie in July 2014. Advertisement

'Can't wait to see you when we get home. Also can't believe there will be another little princess to add to this picture next year!'

Along with the statement, she shared a sweet snap of Millie with her two children, Ophelia Jo and Chester Bleu.

The birthday post marks the first time Sue has mentioned Millie since April after they reportedly fell out.

The 22-year-old, previously accused parents Sue and Noel of 'making money' from their grandchildren.

In a surprise Instagram story she has since deleted, Millie came out against her mother Sue - leading fans to believe the formerly close mother-and-daughter were feuding.

She was reacting to a YouTube vlog that Sue advertised on social media, where the mother-of-22 surprised her daughter Sophie's children, Daisy, ten, Ayprill, eight, and Leo, seven, with a trip to Disneyworld.

It seems the feud has been forgotten as Sue shared a birthday message to Millie on Instagram last month

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'Cute? But you've made money from all your grandchildren but choose your favourites,' Millie said on her Instagram story over a screenshot of the video where Sue surprised her sister's children.

'Said my piece,' she added.

During their 'feud', Millie shared a touching video of her baby's heartbeat with her 119,000 Instagram followers.

But her mother Sue seemingly did not attend the appointment with her, instead she travelled to see her mother with her other daughters.

She was Millie's birthing partner and had gone with her to doctors appointments during her previous pregnancies.
The dad-of-two said to achieve financial freedom, you have to 'go all in'

Now, he is a self-made millionaire who boasts an impressive real estate career

A self-made millionaire who once lived paycheck-to-paycheck has revealed how he pulled himself out of the depths of poverty and became extremely wealthy.

Victor Whitmore, 47, grew up on food stamps in Gerry, New York, where he began working at just 10 years old to help his parents afford the bills.

He mowed lawns, delivered newspapers and spent his days at his grandparents video' store - making wages as low as $4 an hour, dreaming of a life of luxury.

Now, he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has completely transformed his life by jumping into the lucrative world of real estate as a business owner who boasts an impressive portfolio of over $175,000,000. To help others with their dreams, he has revealed the key to becoming financially free.

Victor Whitmore, 47, is a self-made millionaire who once lived paycheck-to-paycheck has revealed how he pulled himself out of the depths of poverty and became extremely wealthy

He grew up on food stamps in Gerry, New York, where he began working at just 10 years old to help his parents afford the bills (shown right renovating his first property)

As a child, Victor watched his dad who worked as a maintenance man - and his mom -who worked in a factory - put in tons of hours at their respective jobs every day, just to put food on the table.

'It was a tough situation growing up; my mom and dad didn't have a lot of money, and there were a lot of mouths to feed,' he explained.

Although it was difficult growing up in poverty, he noted that seeing his parents' 'strong work ethics' motivated him to keep pushing his way up the ladder.

'They both have the strongest work ethics of anyone I know.

'They did an amazing job ensuring we were taken care of despite the financial conditions.

'Times were hard. I think dad earned about $10 an hour,' he explained.

He noted that his home, which his parents purchased for $6,500, was extremely run down but his dad worked on renovating it day and night to ensure it had everything their family needed.

'They worked really hard to make sure we had what we needed,' he said.

Now, he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma , and has completely transformed his life by jumping into the lucrative world of real estate as a business owner (the first property he purchased shown)

To help others with their dreams, Victor (pictured with his wife and two kids) has revealed the key to becoming financially free

After going to college and getting a degree in IT, he purchased his very first property for $17,000.

In 2003, he bought the run-down home in Tulsa, and decided to fix it up to bring it's value to $45,000.

Then, he rented out the space to make some extra money.

After putting new debt on the property of 80 per cent of the appraised value, the cash-out financing allowed him to snowball this equity into buying more houses.

His real estate business took off from there.

The following year, Victor took the cash he had pulled out of the single-family homes and bought a 48-unit apartment complex.

To date, he has purchased nearly 2,400 multi-family apartment doors and over 700,000 square feet of retail shopping center space.

In the decades since, Victor's career has gone from strength to strength.

He advised those working to achieve their dreams to go 'all in.'

Victor explained: 'To succeed, you've got to be willing to go all in.

'You have to take huge risks, and you have got to be willing to fail.

He advised those working to achieve their dreams to go 'all in'

'I have felt a burden my entire life to be the one who would take my family out of poverty and create something that will outlast me for generations.

'I have never stopped thinking about it. It's what drives me.'

Eager to help anyone else who wants to go into the property business, Victor has also shared his biggest tip: find someone to invest in your passion and your expertise.

He said: 'Whoever your investor is, it could be a family member, a friend, somebody you work with, anyone with some money who needs your expertise and help to get it invested.

'If they have little cash to invest but don't know how to, then go together and create a partnership.'

'At first, it might be a very simple partnership, a 50/50 split.'

The real estate mogul has closed on over $240 million worth of commercial real estate deals  and believes that anyone can follow in his footsteps, but noted that his journey wasn't easy.

After watching his family struggle with finances as a child, he felt similar pressures as he became an adult.

Before going to college, Victor moved into his own flat for the first time  a government-subsidized apartment unit that was so rundown that, when it rained, the water would leak through the roof onto his bed.

He said: 'There was a hole in the bedroom ceiling, and every time it rained, it also rained into the bedroom.

'That was about as low as it got.

Eager to help anyone else who wants to go into the property business, Victor has also shared his biggest tip: find someone to invest in your passion and your expertise

The real estate mogul has closed on over $240 million worth of commercial real estate deals  and believes that anyone can follow in his footsteps, but noted that his journey wasn't easy

'I was on food stamps and I made $4.25 an hour at Blockbuster Video.

'I got to the point where I just couldn't stand living like that any longer. I told myself one day, I will own this whole property.'

Determined to change his life, Victor secured student loans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.

He graduated with an Information Systems degree and landed a job with an IT company, earning around $35,000 a year.

Later, while working as a systems analyst, his dream of owning his own bricks and mortar finally came true.

Now, he is continually growing his real estate portfolio and is hoping to inspire other people who are struggling to make their dreams a reality.

He said: 'I think my upbringing taught me that I never wanted my family to go without or to constantly worry about having enough money to cover the basics, so that's been my inspiration.'

'I want to help ensure that my children and grandchildren have enough to go after their own dreams, and that can be difficult when you are burdened with the anxiety and fear of not being able to pay your bills.'
The Queen, 76, and first lady of France, 70, made an elegant pairing

The fashion world gained a new Anglo-French alliance last night as France's first lady Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla stunned in navy gowns as they dined at the Palace of Versailles.

The Queen, 76, paid charming homage to the country hosting her state visit, opting for not an English designer but French fashion house Dior to create her caped banquet gown.

Brigitte, 70, in turn opted for Louis Vuitton to produce her elegant floor-length frock with sheer sleeves and gem-encrusted cuffs and collar as she and President Emmanuel Macron.

The elegant ladies were a power duo on the red carpet as they joined Mr Macron and King Charles on the red carpet for the state banquet.

The Queen, 76, and France's first lady Brigitte, 70, shared a sweet moment on the red carpet ahead of the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles last night

In a sweet moment, the French first lady was pictured adjusting Queen Camilla's bold navy cape on the way into the Palace.

As the state-like foursome were joined by a cohort of exclusive guests at the banquet, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, they dined on lobster, crab and 30-month aged comte cheese.

As she arrived in France earlier on the day, Queen Camilla did pay tribute to British designers, opting for a gorgeous pink coat dress by Fiona Clare, while Brigitte was chic as always in a Louis Vuitton navy suit with cute detailing in anchor buttons.

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 Brigittes sheer sleeve on her long Louis Vuitton

dress with bejewelled collar, Camillas cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much. And the capes trailing tails provided the drama befitting a new monarch.

Brigitte Macron and King Charles shared a toast of bubbly inside the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles

The King and President Macron looked statesman-like as they shared a four-course meal

The lack of embellishment made for an ideal canvas for the Royal Collections 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 Jaggers partner Melanie Hamrick chose London designer Jenny Packham; actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, Saint Laurent. The latters choice was natural  she is the face of its new campaign, after all.

Photographs from inside the palace yesterday showed the final preparations as they got underway for the state banquet.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said the dinner echoes the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, when she was greeted at the Palace by President Georges Pompidou.

The King and Queen joined Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron at the Palace of Versailles for a state Banquet

Usually filled with a chaotic crowd of tourists from across the world, the Hall of Mirrors was closed to visitors yesterday as staff prepared for the royal banquet.

Photographs taken from inside the Palace showed how the Hall of Mirrors was filled with banquet tables lined with crystal glasses, beautiful china and polished silverware.

Workers were seen placing the final touches on the table settings as guests begin to arrive. Hugh Grant and Mick Jagger lead the celebrity arrivals heading to the Palace this evening for the banquet.

Charles' visit makes one more date in the Palace's long history starting from King Louis XIII, to the French revolution and all the way to modern times that is being presented on its ground floor into the newly opened Gallery of the History of the Palace.

Catherine Pegard, president of the Palace of Versailles, praised the 'never-ending story' of the palace that 'includes visits from French children who come to Versailles with their classes, as well as visits from His Majesty the King of England or tourists who arrive from Asia and are less familiar with the history.'

'And we have a story to tell each one of them,' she added.

The palace has recently opened a gallery retracing its history, from its creation as a modest hunting lodge in 1623 to last century's key diplomatic events - including the visits of Charles' predecessors.

The gallery has 11 rooms, each thematic and largely chronological, presenting over 120 works aimed at providing visitors from across the world with an immediate understanding of the complex history of the palace.

It brings together recently acquired works alongside paintings and artworks that for many years had gone unseen as they'd been in storage, along with others that are now repositioned and better enhanced.
Queen Camilla's elegant display in a navy Dior gown with a bold statement cape as she attended a State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles last night may have been her most fashion-forward look yet - and according to experts, she exuded 'timeless glamour and sophistication' with her bold make-up.

The Queen, 76, stunned in the floor-length dress which was a sweet tribute to her host country, created by the French fashion house. She paired the gown with some of the most dazzling gems from the Royal Collection, paying homage to her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth.

The necklace and earrings were the first of the George VI sapphire collection to go into the royal vault, given to the late Queen as a wedding present from her father.

Make-up artist Lisa Little told FEMAIL the Queen's make-up only enhanced her sophisticated look, adding a further touch of elegance.

She said: 'Queen Camilla's makeup at the state banquet in Versailles last night exuded an air of timeless glamour and sophistication. Her choice of makeup perfectly complemented her features and enhanced her natural beauty.

Make-up artist Lisa Little weighed in on how Queen Camilla achieved her ultra-glamorous look last night to attend a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles

'Queen Camilla's skin appeared flawless and radiant. A luminous foundation provided a smooth and even base, while a subtle hint of blush added a touch of warmth to her cheeks, giving her a healthy and youthful glow.

'Her eyes were the focal point of her makeup look. She opted for a classic approach with a neutral-toned eyeshadow palette, featuring shades that beautifully accentuated her eye color.

'Delicately applied eyeliner defined her eyes, while voluminous lashes added a touch of drama and allure. The overall effect was captivating and elegant.'

Lisa added the Queen's bold eye make-up was further accentuated by 'impeccably groomed' eyebrows which framed her face and added structure to the overall look.

The Queen made perhaps her most fashion-forward appearance yet in a navy gown with a bold cape from French fashion house Dior

'Her lips were soft with a sophisticated berry hue. The lip color was perfectly balanced. The result was a polished and refined lip look that completed her overall look,' she said.

'Overall, Queen Camilla's makeup was a masterclass in timeless glamour. The attention to detail, from her flawless complexion to her perfectly defined eyes and lips, showcased her regal elegance and ensured that all eyes were on her at the state banquet in Versailles.'

As the Queen oozed glamour in her evening gown, she made an Anglo-French fashion alliance with France's first lady, Brigitte Macron.

The fashion world gained a new Anglo-French alliance last night as France's first lady Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla stunned in navy gowns as they dined at the Palace of Versailles.

The elegant ladies were a power duo on the red carpet as they joined Mr Macron and King Charles on the red carpet for the state banquet.

In a sweet moment, the French first lady was pictured adjusting Queen Camilla's bold navy cape on the way into the Palace.

As the state-like foursome were joined by a cohort of exclusive guests at the banquet, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, they dined on lobster, crab and 30-month aged comte cheese.

As she arrived in France earlier on the day, Queen Camilla did pay tribute to British designers, opting for a gorgeous pink coat dress by Fiona Clare, while Brigitte was chic as always in a Louis Vuitton navy suit with cute detailing in anchor buttons.

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 Brigittes sheer sleeve on her long Louis Vuitton dress with bejewelled collar, Camillas cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much. And the capes trailing tails provided the drama befitting a new monarch.

The lack of embellishment made for an ideal canvas for the Royal Collections 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 Jaggers partner Melanie Hamrick chose London designer Jenny Packham; actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, Saint Laurent. The latters choice was natural  she is the face of its new campaign, after all.

Photographs from inside the palace yesterday showed the final preparations as they got underway for the state banquet.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said the dinner echoes the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, when she was greeted at the Palace by President Georges Pompidou.

Usually filled with a chaotic crowd of tourists from across the world, the Hall of Mirrors was closed to visitors yesterday as staff prepared for the royal banquet.

Photographs taken from inside the Palace showed how the Hall of Mirrors was filled with banquet tables lined with crystal glasses, beautiful china and polished silverware.

Workers were seen placing the final touches on the table settings as guests begin to arrive. Hugh Grant and Mick Jagger lead the celebrity arrivals heading to the Palace this evening for the banquet.

Charles' visit makes one more date in the Palace's long history starting from King Louis XIII, to the French revolution and all the way to modern times that is being presented on its ground floor into the newly opened Gallery of the History of the Palace.

Catherine Pegard, president of the Palace of Versailles, praised the 'never-ending story' of the palace that 'includes visits from French children who come to Versailles with their classes, as well as visits from His Majesty the King of England or tourists who arrive from Asia and are less familiar with the history.'

'And we have a story to tell each one of them,' she added.

The palace has recently opened a gallery retracing its history, from its creation as a modest hunting lodge in 1623 to last century's key diplomatic events - including the visits of Charles' predecessors.

The gallery has 11 rooms, each thematic and largely chronological, presenting over 120 works aimed at providing visitors from across the world with an immediate understanding of the complex history of the palace.

It brings together recently acquired works alongside paintings and artworks that for many years had gone unseen as they'd been in storage, along with others that are now repositioned and better enhanced.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked radiant in a burgundy ensemble as she visited a maritime fortress in Helsinki with her husband Prince Daniel yesterday.

The Swedish royal, 46, was beaming with joy as she greeted children waving the national flag during her trip to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

Suomenlinna, which is the most famous of the island's off Helsinki's coastline, was a formidable sea fortress founded in 1748 when Finland was under Swedish rule as a defence against the Russians.

The mother-of-two opted for a trendy monochrome outfit for the outing, perfectly coordinating her blouse, trousers and coat, as well as her earrings and handbag.

She swept her hair into a neat bun for the occasion, and opted for minimal makeup.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked radiant in a burgundy ensemble as she visited a maritime fortress in Helsinki with her husband Prince Daniel yesterday

The Swedish royal, 46, was beaming with joy as she greeted children waving the national flag during her trip to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

The mother-of-two opted for a trendy monochrome outfit for the outing, perfectly coordinating her blouse, trousers and coat, as well as her earrings and handbag

Meanwhile Prince Daniel looked equally smart in a trendy double breasted suit.

Victoria and Daniel, who share two children, Princess Estelle, 11, and Prince Oscar, seven, celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary this year.

Previously a gym owner, Daniel, who was born Olof Daniel Westling, met Victoria at a training session before the pair began dating in 2002.

The couple announced their highly-anticipated engagement in 2009 and tied the knot a year later.

But their joint appearance this week comes as they continue to put on a united front in the face of swirling rumours about the state of their marriage.

In August, Daniel denied that there has been infidelity in his marriage and that the couple were ever on the brink of divorce in a rare television interview.

In the television interview, Daniel had slammed what he labelled a 'mean and false rumour' about his marriage to Sweden's heir apparent.

He lashed out at those circulating the suggestions on social media and in parts of the Swedish press, saying the claims had had 'serious consequences' for his family.

'Many friends from across Sweden and overseas have got in touch and things arrived at a certain point where we felt we could no longer accept it,' he revealed.

'I don't think there is any sane person who believes in this rumour.'

Sweden's royal court was forced to deny reports last year that an 'incredible betrayal' had brought Victoria and Daniel's marriage to a point of crisis.

Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel beamed as they visited the Swedish School of Economics

The royal added a bit more glam to her chic ensemble with a silver brooch and tassel earrings

The royal couple beamed as they waved at local people who were awaiting their arrival

Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel appeared in great spirits as they approached children holding the national flag

Princess Victoria stopped to chat to a young boy as they made their way to Suomenlinna Fortress

Princess Victoria gestured to the crowd from a balcony as she and Prince Daniel, second left, visit the city hall of Loviisa, Finland

Victoria and Prince Daniel have lunch with students during their visit to Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki

The royal couple visit to the Swedish School of Economics (Svenska Handelshogskola)

Their appearance came after a busy week for the couple, who put on a glittering display as they arrived for King Carl Gustaf's Golden Jubilee celebration in Stockholm last week.

She wowed in a voluminous orange gown while her sister Princess Madeleine, 41, donned a stunning strapless outfit in lilac.

Sister-in-law Princess Sofia, 39, chose an eye-catching fuscia pink dress for the evening.

The royals were also joined by King Carl Gustaf, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip in Stockholm.

The heir to the throne swept her hair into a neat bun for the occasion, and opted for minimal makeup

The couple were greeted by cheering schoolchildren who were waving the country's flag during the outing

Their joint appearance this week comes as they continue to put on a united front in the face of swirling rumours about the state of their marriage

Suomenlinna, which is the most famous of the island's off Helsinki's coastline, was a formidable sea fortress founded in 1748 when Finland was under Swedish rule as a defence against the Russians

Carl Gustaf, 77, is the first king in the Swedish monarchys more than 1,000-year history to reach 50 years on the throne.

And following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year, hes the second-longest reigning European monarch alive today, after Queen Margrethe, who celebrated her 50th anniversary on Denmarks throne last year.

The jubilee was four days of celebrations that culminated with a military parade through the capital.
Kiev, Sep 19 (UNI) Kiev has filed lawsuits with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia because of their ban on the import of Ukrainian products, the Ukrainian Economy Ministry said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Poland's PAP agency reported, citing a source in the European Union, that Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have decided to boycott the coordination platform on Ukrainian grain in Brussels due to Kiev's threats to appeal to the WTO over measures against imports.

"Ukraine has filed lawsuits with the WTO against Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, which banned the import of Ukrainian agricultural products," the ministry said on Telegram, adding that it expects the countries to lift their restrictions in the nearest future.

Later in the day, speaking after a session of the European Council on agriculture and fisheries, Polish Agricultural Minister Robert Telus said that Ukraine's accession to the European Union would be approved only if it meets certain conditions, including in agriculture.

"We, as Europe, as the European Union, must create mechanisms to ensure that Ukrainian agriculture does not endanger European agriculture," he said.

The minister also said that Poland does not think that grain export control mechanisms proposed by the EU would be effective.

"We are unhappy and unsure about this decision. [The EU] must be in control [of grain exports]. The European Union rejects control and hands it over to Ukraine," Telus said.

The minister added that Germany is the only country to openly support the extension of the ban on the export of Ukrainian grain to the EU, while other countries, "even if they had any concerns, said that we had to create mechanisms for the future."

On September 15, the European Commission announced it would lift a ban on duty-free Ukrainian grain imports to five neighboring countries of the European Union, as well as a demand that Kiev introduce export controls. Following the decision, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced the unilateral extension of the ban.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
Meghan Markle's best friend Misha Nonoo shared a glimpse into her A-list wedding ceremony for the first time last night.

The British-Bahraini fashion designer, who lives in New York and is known for her eponymous clothing line, married oil tycoon Mikey Hess in 2019 during a star-studded weekend of events.

The highly exclusive wedding ceremony remained a mystery to members of the public, but the fashionista has offered a glimpse into the lavish ceremony in her post recent Instagram post.

Misha captioned the post: 'Married the man of my dreams 4 years ago today. Happy anniversary my love @mikeyhess.'

In one of the snaps, the couple can be seen kissing at the end of the aisle while the audience applauds - with one balding man with red hair sitting in the front row.

Misha is a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who both attended the event in Rome.

Meghan Markle's best friend Misha Nonoo shared a glimpse into her A-list wedding ceremony for the first time last night

The British-Bahraini fashion designer, who lives in New York and is known for her eponymous clothing line, married oil tycoon Mikey Hess in 2019 during a star-studded weekend of events

And while the guests are not identifiable, as they have their backs facing the camera, a figure with balding red hair can be seen sitting close to the front of the group (pictured)

In one of the photographs, Misha, who designed her own dress, can be seen exchanging a kiss with her new husband at the alter.

In another, the full ceremony could be seen, with guests watching on as the couple said their vows.

The aisle was lined with blue and white flowers, while Misha and Mikey tied the knot in front of a wedding arch decorated with beautiful vines.

Misha and Mikey's wedding at the Villa Aurelia in Rome was attended by the likes of her best friend Meghan and Prince Harry, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Paul McCartney, anchor Gayle King, Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom and James Corden.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Jenna Bush Hager, Wendi Murdoch, Dasha Zhukova and Stavros Niacrchos were also photographed attending the wedding bash.

And while the guests are not identifiable, as they have their backs facing the camera, a figure with balding red hair can be seen sitting close to the front of the group.

It's likely Prince Harry and Meghan had seats in a prominent area at the ceremony - the designer is a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan and is rumored to have set the pair up.

Meghan and Misha's relationship reportedly goes back years, according to the bombshell biography Finding Freedom - co-authored by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand - which documented their friendship.

It alleges how Markus Anderson, Soho Houses global membership director, provided the royal with introductions to many business and cultural elites - both in Canada and further afield.

Guests: Royal couple Meghan and Harry were seen attending Misha's nuptials in Rome, although they stayed in the city for just 48 hours

High profile: Mikey and Misha pictured attending her BFF Meghan Markle's May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry

The authors wrote, 'At a Soho House lunch in Miami, he was the one who sat the actress next to Misha, a budding fashion designer with a vivacious personality and impeccable pedigree.

'The occasion for the December 2014 Miami trip was Art Basel, a decadent art fair that brings the internationally rich and famous for a week of parties and events of all sorts and sizes.

'Markus invited Meghan, an art lover, to stay at the epicenter of the action, Soho Beach House, to set some sun, see some art, and have some fun.

'A perfect place to make new friends and connections, the Soho house event saw Misha and Meghan hit it off immediately.'

The biography goes on to suggest Misha and Markus were behind Meghan and Prince Harry's first meeting.

It's thought the Duchess' close pals set the pair, who are now living in the US, up on a blind date in London.

The Duchess has continued to support her friend by wearing Misha Nonoo styles over the years and donned the famous 'Boyfriend shirt' for her first appearance alongside Prince Harry, and also wore another of Misha's designs for her final day of meetings in the UK before stepping back from royal duties.
King Charles and Queen Camilla put on a friendly display with their hosts Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte in Versailles at the State Banquet - but according to a body language expert, there may be signs of an underlying power play.

Judi James told FEMAIL that the French President's affectionate gestures towards the King and Queen as he hosts them in his home country actually showed he was the driving force in their relationship as a bid for power may have emerged.

The body language expert said that the foursome engaged in 'industrial-strength displays' of 'camaraderie' with their body language during the four-course dinner.

As President Macron carried out his charm offensive on the British royal couple, Judi suggested there was an 'underlying power' on display from 'subliminal signals'.

While she admits there is no doubt the couples share an 'intimate friendship', Macron's body language throughout the evening may have been a bid to show 'who is really in charge'.

Body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL President Macron showed a 'mutual affection' towards the King and Queen during the State Banquet last night

Ms James said: 'Macrons very tactile body language and beaming smiles of what looked like pride towards the King suggested he was hosting elderly parents around his manor.

'The head tilts and beaming smiles with lifted and rounded cheeks as the couples clinked glasses in a toast registered nothing but mutual affection and, as intentional gestures, i.e. a headline display to the world, Macron was all about friendship and warm hosting. '

As the couples arrived on the red carpet at the Palace of Versailles, Ms James noted the greetings President Macron gave to both the King and Queen.

'It is possible that Macrons patting of Charles and his kissing of Camillas hand served a dual purpose in terms of suggesting he is the real power-broker?

The French President greeted the King with a handshake and a pat on the hand as he arrved in Versailles

President Macron greeted Queen Camilla with a kiss on the hand, which Ms James argued could be off-putting for a modern woman

'Patting is a gesture of affection but done like this it is parental-style affection, gently steering, rewarding and reassuring the person being patted.

'A thumping pat might be more confrontational and suggest a battle between equals but this non-reciprocal back-patting tends to be used in politics around the world to suggest some form of superiority.

'Even factoring in cultural differences, Macrons patting of Charles was enthusiastic. You can argue that his kissing of the back of Camillas hand was just being French but this Jurassic ritual has generally been replaced by the handshake in France, except by Macron who even planted his lips on the back of Melania Trumps hand too.

'Macron shares his passion for the hand kiss with Charles but as a gesture it puts the modern woman at a disadvantage, left with the option of giggling in embarrassment or accepting the kiss like some ancient Grande Dame.'

Ms James also noted a tender moment between Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla in which the French First Lady adjusted the Queen's statement cape on her navy Dior gown, before they headed into the Hall of Mirrors to dine.

As Brigitte also opted for a navy Dior gown, the pair coordinated their evening outfits - although their dresses were different enough not to amount to a full twinning effect.

Much like Brigittes sheer sleeve on her long Dior dress with bejewelled collar, Camillas cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much. And the capes trailing tails provided the drama befitting a new monarch.

Inside the Hall of Mirrors, the President clinked glasses with the royal couple and engaged in animated conversation throughout the evening.

Ms James noted this shows there is obviously a close friendship between the King and Queen and the Macrons.

'There are so may signals of close and even intimate friendship between the two couples, that Charless crinkled smiles and shared laughter or chuckling responses seemed to rubber stamp as authentic, but those steering pats and touches could also be Macrons way of silently signalling who is really in charge,' she said.

As the King and Queen touched down in Paris on Wednesday afternoon, Ms James said Charles and President Macron showed an 'unexpected closeness' which went beyond 'regular small talk'.

'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,' she said.

'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.
Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron put on another pally display today as they paid a visit to the French National Library.

The Queen, 76, and First Lady of France, 70, who appeared to forge a firm friendship yesterday evening at the Palace of Versailles when Brigitte helped Camilla with her striking Dior cape on the red carpet, looked similarly cosy this morning.

Brigitte opted for a red French-cut tweed suit jacket in the style of classic Chanel, and wore her thick blonde bob in its signature voluminous blow-dry.

Meanwhile Queen Camilla looked elegant in white as she donned a fitted and flared coat from Fiona Clare, layered on top of a black and white patterned dress. She paired it with Chanel shoes and bag and a diamond Cartier brooch.

As the Queen and First Lady posed for photos during their visit, they both appeared to get the giggles - with Brigitte even putting her hand over her mouth to try and contain her laughter - and Camilla made her best attempt at delivering a speech in French.

Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla appeared to get the giggles when they posed for photos at the French National Library this morning

Queen Camilla looked elegant in a black and white patterned dress layered with a fitted and flared white coat while Brigitte opted for a red tweed long jacket and black trousers

Queen Camilla looked in her element as she toured the French National Library with the First Lady of France

The friends attended the Bibliotheque Nationale de France where they hailed the power of literature and launched a new Franco-British literary prize, The Entente Litteraire Prize.

The new prize will recognise Young Adult (YA) Fiction and allow British and French citizens to share joint literary experiences, 'reinforcing cultural ties whilst celebrating the joys of reading'.

In the salon d'honneur, Camilla and Madame Macron viewed several treasures belonging to the library's collection that hold a connection to the UK and France perused old manuscripts including the first edition of Les Miserables, Shakespeare texts Canterbury Psalter and Asterix The Gaul.

Looking up at the ornate carved walls and chandelier, Camilla remarked: 'It really is a beautiful library.'

The pair then joined guests in the Salle Ovale for the reception. Guests included the writers Sebastian Faulks, the author of Birdsong, Julian Jackson, the biographer of Charles de Gaulle, Edward St Aubyn, author of the Patrick Melrose novels, Joseph Coelho, the children's laureate as well as students interested in literature.

The Queen then gave a speech formally launching the prize. Opening and closing her remarks in French, Camilla said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you will forgive my slightly rusty French, but it is now 60 years since I was a student at the Institut Britanniquein Paris. It is a huge pleasure to be here with Mme Brigitte Macron today, in this wonderful library, to launch the Prix de L'Entente Litteraire.

'I very much hope that this Prize will go a long way to proving that Victor Hugo was unfair to us when he said, 'L'Angleterre a deux livres', 'England has two books'  as dearly as we value the Bible and Shakespeare, I promise that we have many more than two, as the esteemed authors gathered here demonstrate And, just as in France, our writers every year create new masterpieces which this Prize aims to celebrate.

Camilla spoke with esteemed actress Celia Imrie (pictured left) during the UK-France Literary Prize reception

Camilla paid homage to France by opting to wear one of the nation's most prized designers for the occasion - Christian Dior

Camilla smiled for the camera alongside Ken Follet (pictured left) and Sebastian Faulks (pictured right)

Brigitte was not the only one to have a giggle with Camilla today, as British actress and author Celia Imrie (right) also had a laugh with the royal

'Brigitte Macron and I share a deep love of literature and a passion to promote literacy: through our respective work, we have seen first-hand the life-changing power of books to bring us joy, comfort, companionship, laughter and tears, opening our eyes to others' experiences and reminding us that we are not alone.

'To quote Victor Hugo once again,'Apprendre a lire, c'est allumer du feu ; toute syllabeepelee etincelle, 'To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.

'Ladies and gentlemen, you have the ability tolight fires with your words and I greatly look forward to reading the winners' books next year. Thank you for your support for the Prix de L'Entente Litteraireand may I wish all the entrants bonne chance! Merci beaucoup, thank you very much.'

Chatting to guests during the reception, Camilla met an editor from Point de Vue magazine, telling her: 'Ah, it's a very good magazine, je l'aime beacoup.' She also spoke to the actress Celia Imrie, before chatting with Faulks, who observed the State Visit was 'all going rather well' and congratulated her on her speech in French. Camilla joked: 'I could have done with some of your French coaching, Sebastian.'

Before leaving, Camilla visited the library's garden, the Vivienne Garden, which is home to a wide variety of paper-producing plants like papyrus, bamboo and birch.

The Queen is a staunch supporter of many literacy organisations and charities, including Booktrust, the National Literacy Trust, Book Aid International and Coram Beanstalk. In 2021, as the then Duchess of Cornwall, she launched the Reading Room on, Instagram offering her book recommendations, as well as insights from the authors in a community space for book lovers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The Bibliotheque nationale de France (BNF) The Bibliotheque nationale de France (BNF) is the national library of France. It was originally the Palace of Cardinal Mazarin, Chief Minister to Louis XIII and Louis XIV, and was built in the 17th century. In 1721, it hosted the King's library. In September 2022, the site reopened in its entirety, after twelve years of renovation and modernisation work. It includes a research library, a new museum, the Salle Ovale reading room and the newly planted Vivienne Garden.

The cosy display between the two women comes after they shared a sweet moment last night at the Palace of Versailles when Brigitte helped Queen Camilla adjust her cape on the stunning Dior dress.

The Queen paid homage to the country hosting her state visit by opting for the French fashion house to create her caped banquet gown.

Brigitte also opted for the same designer to produce her elegant floor-length frock with sheer sleeves and gem-encrusted cuffs and collar as she attended the event alongside President Emmanuel Macron.

The elegant ladies were a power duo on the red carpet as they joined Mr Macron and King Charles on the red carpet for the state banquet.

In a sweet moment, the French first lady was pictured adjusting Queen Camilla's bold navy cape on the way into the Palace.

The state-like foursome were joined by a cohort of exclusive guests at the banquet, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant.

The guests enjoyed dining on lobster, crab and 30-month aged comte cheese together.

As she arrived in France earlier in the day, Queen Camilla did also pay tribute to British designers, opting for a gorgeous pink coat dress by Fiona Clare.

Brigitte was chic as always in a Saint Laurent navy suit with cute detailing in anchor buttons.

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.

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.

Queen Camilla looked focused while engaging in conversation with Ken Follet (left) and Sebastian Faulks (right)

Camilla mingled with attendees at the launch of a new UK-French literary prize on the second day of her state visit with King Charles III

Camilla looked pleased to see Brigitte as she arrived at France's National Library earlier this morning

Brigitte and Camilla put on a sweet display this morning as they greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek

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.

Photographs from inside the palace yesterday showed the final preparations as they got underway for the state banquet.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said the dinner echoes the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, when she was greeted at the Palace by President Georges Pompidou.

Their visit to the library today came as King Charles made history today by becoming the first British leader to address the French Senate - and used his speech to declare climate change as 'our most existential challenge'.

The monarch spoke of the close friendship between the UK and France and the importance of tackling climate change - just hours after Rishi Sunak put the brakes on Net Zero.

Camilla, who donned a fitted and flared blazer for the occasion, delivered a speech to attendees

Brigitte sported a glamorous pair of spectacles while addressing attendees at the reception today

Speaking in perfect French, Charles said: 'Our most existential challenge of all is that of global warming, climate change and the destruction of nature'.

Charles was 'moved' to be speaking to the Senate and 'touched' by the welcome he had received on his 35th official visit to the country - but his first as King.

'Quite simply the United Kingdom will always be one of France's closest friends and allies', he said.

He also spoke about his mother's love of France - and President Macron's tribute to her as the 'golden thread' binding France and Britain.

'My mother died almost one year ago today. My family were moved beyond words for the tributes given across France. I can hardly describe how much these words meant to me. I can only thank you for the kindness you showed at a time of great grief'.

Brigitte Macron looked animated while giving a speech at France's National Library this morning

Queen Camilla also took to the podium to discuss the new French-British literary prize, which will be awarded for the first time next year

He added: 'My mother's gold thread will always shine brightly'.

The first day of Charles and Camilla's trip started with a ceremony at Paris' Arc de Triomphe and a state dinner at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday.

Charles praised France's welcome and added: 'It is incumbent upon us all to reinvigorate our friendship to ensure it is fit for the challenges of this, the 21st century.'

The king is to make a speech Thursday at the Senate in front of lawmakers from both the upper and the lower house of parliament.

Charles and Camilla will then head to Saint-Denis, north of Paris, to meet community sports groups and stars as France currently hosts the Rugby World Cup.

Camilla and Brigette appeared cheerful while visiting the 'Bibliotheque Nationale de France' earlier today

Madam Macron held up an Asterix drawing (pictured) with a wide grin across her face while attending the event with Camilla

The pair glowed while entering the event that highlights the importance of literature and the literary connections between the UK and France

Saint-Denis, a multicultural, working-class suburb, will serve as a major venue in next year's Olympics. It is also home to the basilica that houses the tombs of French kings.

Charles will later visit the Paris' flower market named after Queen Elizabeth II and 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, after it was devastated by a fire in 2019.

'I look forward to visiting that magnificent cathedral ... to see how centuries-old crafts have been revived and passed onto apprentices who are helping to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory,' he said in Versailles.

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, the southwestern city that is home to a large British community.
Prince William is privately delighted by the success of his tour of the Big Apple this week.

The Prince of Wales' trip to New York to promote his Earthshot Prize has been hailed a stunning success, as William was met by hundreds of adoring fans as he toured the States this week.

The two-day trip saw the heir to the throne making an emotional visit to a New York firehouse, and even cracking jokes with a 'rowdy' bunch of 60-year-olds after his run through Central Park.

And according to Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl, the prince and his aides consider the trip 'really successful', making the father-of-three 'quietly delighted' of his warm reception from the city.

William has seemingly captured the heart of America, so much so that a recent Gallup poll found the British monarch to be more popular than President Biden.

Prince William, 41, is 'quietly pleased' with his success visit to New York to promote his Earthshot Prize

In conversation with Vanity Fair, royal historian Gareth Russell revealed that America is of particular importance to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

He observed that America matters to the royal family given the immense support they have continued to receive from the nation.

The expert noted William's position in the poll and considered it 'impressive indeed', with the results helping the prince to establish himself as a global figure.

He added that William has been able to put his own 'stamp' on the role since Charles' days in the role.

While Charles' managed to achieve several impressive accomplishments in the position, such as setting up the Prince's Trust, Russell believes that he only managed to establish himself as a statement layer on in his royal career.

Russell, author of The Palace, added that Charles' days in the role were 'overshadowed' by his failing marriage to Diana in his forties, unlike William who is happily married to Kate Middleton, 41.

The expert said: 'He went to America where there was a perception about him based on his brother's memoir and in all of this he has emerged very well.

'People see him as a man of substance and gravitas which has made him very popular.'

During the two-day trip, William met with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres (right) during a meeting at United Nations headquarters in New York City

Fans await Prince William, Prince of Wales outside the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City on September 19

It comes after brand and culture expert Nick Ede said the future heir's trip was a shining example of how to win over America, and said the royal had shown his quality as a 'statesman' and ambassador for Britain.

'Prince William has managed to charm the whole of America with his visit to the US,' Mr Ede told MailOnline. 'He has managed to regain the respect the Royal Family needed by showing his many facets.

'He's been fun, fearless, intelligent and compassionate and he has really shone a light on himself as future King but also on his passion which is the Earthshot prize and the environment.

'He has stepped into the spotlight without his wife by his side which has allowed him to stand on his own two feet with all eyes on him. Being on his own has enabled this exercise to be totally dedicated to him without a fashion sideshow which will always happen with Kate by his side.

'He has won the hearts of the nation and also regained his sex symbol status too enabling his charm, wit and intelligence to shine through when meeting members of the public and dignitaries alike.'

The Prince of Wales showed his softer side as he met fans that lined the streets of New York to be in with a chance of meeting William

Prince William visited eco projects as part of the tour and rolled up his sleeves and sported a casual look as he visited the Billion Oyster Project in New York on Monday

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said the Prince of Wales's visit had been enormously successful, with his dip in the Hudson on Monday to see the Billion Oyster Project 'reviving his heartthrob status'.

'Americans loved his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. It is clear that a very special relationship now exists with William,' he told MailOnline.

Pointing towards the recent Gallup poll where Prince William was voted the most admired public figure in America, with King Charles in fourth place, Mr Fitzwilliams said the result contained an 'extraordinary statistic'.

'Prince William scored over 60 per cent among Republicans and over 60 per cent among Democrats. This achievement would simply not be possible for any other figure in a society as deeply divided as the United States is today,' he said.

'Then there is the response to William's visit to the oyster project in New York. The images which went viral and have had adoring fans tweeting. His dip in the Hudson River has revived his heartthrob status.'

Prince William's stay in the City That Never Sleeps also triggered an outpouring of affection from fans on social media.

One person wrote on X - formerly Twitter - that William 'brings out the best' in New Yorkers.

'I'm thrilled that my fellow New Yorkers gave him such a great welcome,' they wrote. 'We're a pretty jaded lot, but there's something very warm and genuine about William.'

Another said: 'Prince William, such a handsome, global ambassador.'

One follower wrote: 'William got not only the brains gene but also all the handsome genes.'
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked elegant as she made a working visit to the Wood and Furniture College in Rotterdam today.

The royal mother-of-three, 52, looked sophisticated in a chic white dress which was cinched at the waist with a brown belt.

The visit focuses on practical entrepreneurship education and sustainability within education.

The Queen was given a tour around the college by officials and spoke to students about their work.

She styled her blonde locks in a straight centre parting and her glam makeup enhanced her flawless complexion.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands paid a working visit to the Wood and Furniture College (HMC) in Rotterdam today

The royal mother-of-three, 52, looked sophisticated in a chic white dress which was cinched at the waist with a brown belt

The Queen was given a tour around the college by officials and spoke to students about their work

The royal added a bit more glam with a gold necklace and a navy strap watch.

The HMC has been an independent vocational school since 1929, who trains for professions in the fields of interior design, furniture, technology and design.

They offer training for furniture makers, interior consultants, creative professionals, residential salespeople, carpenters, furniture upholsterers and piano technicians, among others.

It comes after Maxima ramped up the glamour for one of the Netherlands' most ceremonious celebrations on Tuesday.

The royal was joined by her husband King Willem-Alexander and their daughters, Crown Princess Alexia, 18, and Crown Princess Amalia, 19, for Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the opening day of the Dutch parliament, which takes place every year on the third Tuesday in September.

While mother-of-three opted for a peach trouser suit ensemble and a regal-looking brown floral dress coat, her daughters went for bold colour, with Amalia wearing a royal blue dress, suede heels and sapphire drop earrings, with her blonde hair wrapped neatly in an up-do.

Meanwhile her younger sibling, Alexia, also opted for a charged colour; wearing a stylish ankle-length cerise dress, wearing her brunette locks tousled and pinned back on the left side.

It's raining, it's pouring! The Queen could be seen putting up an umbrella as she visited the college today

Seemingly taking shutter from the rain, the royal mother-of-three opted for a clear umbrella for the occasion

It's believed the King and Queen's youngest daughter, Crown Princess Ariane, is away studying at the Italian school she attends, UWC Adriatic.

The teenage royal accessorised with a maroon leather clutch bags and matching gloves.

The royals attended the Prinsjesdag 2023 celebrations at the Noordeinde Royal Palace before driving to Nieuwe Kerk where King Willem-Alexander delivered the throne speech to the members of the Upper and Lower Chamber.

The King looked impeccably smart, wearing a a black suit jacket with tails for the government address as well as a light grey waistcoat.

She styled her blonde locks in a straight centre parting and her glam makeup enhanced her flawless complexion

They royal laughed with a student at the college as they assembled on a a woodwork project (pictured)

He finished off the outfit with a pair of grey trousers with subtle stripes and a white and grey striped tie.

After arriving at the Royal Theater, a suited and booted Willem-Alexander solemnly delivered the speech written by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as his wife looked on.

The Dutch equivalent of the State Opening of Parliament, Prinsjesdag sees the monarch give details of the government's programme for the next financial year, as well as budget allocations.
Queen Letizia of Spain has once again proven she's the queen of style as she stepped out for a formal event in East London today.

The monarch, 51, dazzled onlookers in a floral print pleated dress while attending the Cancer Research UK head office in Stratford, London.

Cancer Research UK is the worlds leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information.

The mother-of-two was on hand to support the charitys great strides in cancer research ahead of World Cancer Research Day on September 24, and of course she looked as glamorous as ever while doing so.

Dressed in a sold out Giorgio Armani number, the Queen made an unmissable fashion statement as she arrived at the event today.

Queen Letizia of Spain dazzled onlookers in a Giorgio Armani pleated dress while attending the Cancer Research UK head office in Stratford, London

The mother-of-two was on hand to support the charitys great strides in cancer research ahead of World Cancer Research Day on September 24

The queen's dress made an unmissable fashion statement which announced she was dressed for both business and pleasure

The dress, made from a translucent mesh material, featured a cinched waist as well as structured pleats and a red and pink floral pattern.

It also featured a thick panel at the waist, giving the allusion of a two-piece long sleeve top and matching skirt.

She accessorised by keeping things simple in a pair of black leather pumps and matching clutch bag.

Meanwhile for her hair, the queen sported perfectly coiffed locks which were neatly styled with a side part and loose waves.

Typically known for her love of nude make-up, the queen looked stunning in a nude lip, subtle smokey eyeshadow and a smidge of mascara.

It appeared to be a solo visit for the queen today as her husband King Felipe was not in attendance. Nonetheless, she got straight to business and held official talks with the charity to discuss upcoming matters.

She was also snapped exchanging pleasantries and made sure to greet everyone in attendance.

Queen Letizia, who is the honorary president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and its scientific foundation, visited the offices at Redman Place, Stratford, to recognise and celebrate the charitys international relationships in cancer research.

For her hair, the queen sported perfectly coiffed locks which were neatly styled with a side part and loose waves

She was also snapped exchanging pleasantries and made sure to greet everyone in attendance

The royal was joined by senior leaders from Cancer Research UK, the AECC, the Italian Foundation for Cancer Research (AIRC), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

The meeting featured a panel discussion on this years theme for World Cancer Research Day: integrating diversity, advancing research, and achieving equity.

While there she also asked the panel about the potential of artificial intelligence to improve diversity and equity in cancer outcomes.

Speaking of the visit, the queen said: 'Thank you so much for allowing me to be here today to see the successful teamwork between these organisations in this hard and complex journey of advancing in cancer research'.

Cancer Research UKs chief executive, Michelle Mitchell added: 'We were honoured to welcome Her Majesty Queen Letizia at Cancer Research UK to commemorate World Cancer Research Day.

It appeared to be a solo visit for the queen today as her husband King Felipe was not in attendance

Queen Letizia, who is the honorary president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and its scientific foundation, visited the offices at Redman Place, Stratford, to recognise and celebrate the charitys international relationships in cancer research

Cancer Research UK is the worlds leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information

'Cancer is a global problem that requires a global solution. Im proud of the role Cancer Research UK is playing in catalysing international collaboration between world-class researchers and funding organisations, through initiatives like Cancer Grand Challenges, to tackle some of the toughest research problems preventing progress in cancer.

'Together, through diverse thinking and inclusive research, we can bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer'.

The news comes amid a busy week for the royal following an appearance at the opening of a theatre in Madrid yesterday.

The monarch channelled old Hollywood glamour in an Audrey Hepburn-esque sleeveless black gown with an A-line skirt and cinched waistlines.

She stunned onlookers as she graced the red carpet in a glamorous black gown alongside her husband, King Felipe, 55.

Felipe and Letizia opened the Royal Theatre's 2023/2024 opera season by hosting a performance of Medea by Luigi Cherubini.

Known for her ever stylish wardrobe, the monarch didn't disappoint as she flaunted her cinched waist and tightly toned arms in the sleeveless ankle-length number.

A slimline leather belt further accentuated her curves, while the dress's exaggerated ruffles added extra volume to her silhouette.

Meanwhile King Felipe looked as suave as ever as he extended the all-black colour theme in a tailored suit.

He teamed the suit with a white and blue striped shirt, a gold tie and a pair of black leather shoes.
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips put on a brave face as she stepped out for dinner without her wedding ring just two days after filing for divorce from the convicted rapist.

The 43-year-old appeared to be in good spirits as she met a female friend at a tavern in Santa Ynez, California, on Wednesday evening - despite her husband, 47, being sentenced to 30 years in jail behind bars for rape.

The mom-of-one opted for a lowkey ensemble for the outing in a black tank top, blue jeans and a pair of driving loafers.

Earlier this week, Bijou 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 put on a brave face as she stepped out for dinner with a female friend

The 43-year-old appeared to be in good spirits as she met a female friend at a tavern in Santa Ynez, California, on Wednesday evening

The mom-of-one opted for a lowkey ensemble for the afternoon outing in a black tank top and blue jeans

Bijou, who is the daughter of The Mamas & The Papas frontman John Phillips, was noticeably without her wedding ring

Bijou, who is the daughter of The Mamas & The Papas frontman John Phillips, kept it casual for the meetup - but was noticeably without her wedding ring.

She styled her lengthy locks in loose beach curls and nonchalantly slung a tan handbag over her shoulder.

The women were spotted arriving at the venue at around 4.30pm before spending about an hour catching up inside.

The pair then reemerged deep in conversation before bidding each other a fond farewell.

Following a comforting embrace, each went their separate ways with Bijou hopping back into her car.

The former socialite - whose Manhattan antics with the Hilton sisters made tabloid gold - was seen earlier in the day meeting a different pal for coffee.

The outing comes just days after she filed for divorce from Masterson in a California court following his conviction.

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.

Earlier this week, Bijou 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

The women were spotted arriving at the venue at around 4.30pm before spending about an hour catching up inside

Following a comforting embrace, each went their separate ways with Bijou hopping back in her car

She styled her lengthy locks in loose beach curls and nonchalantly slung a tan handbag over her shoulder

The pair reemerged from the tavern deep in conversation before bidding each other a fond farewell

The star appeared to flick her brunette locks over her shoulder to sweep them away from her face

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's pal opted for an equally causal look in black shorts, boots, denim over shirt and sunglasses

Bijou, who was seen yesterday, has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson

Bijou was seen putting on a very animated display as she and her female friend were engaged in deep conversation

The mom-of-one reemerged from the venue after about an hour before hopping in her car and heading off

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

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.

Bijou had faithfully stood by her husband of 12 years throughout his two sexual assault trials - but filed for divorce 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

Bijou, who was seen yesterday for the first time without her wedding ring, hopped back in her car after about an hour inside

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

'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 2008, Ashley was embroiled in a furious scandal when it was revealed she had been hired by Spitzer - a revelation that ultimate led to his resignation

Alix, 22, has revealed how her life was 'flipped upside down' after the affair

TikTok sensation Alix Earle has dished on how her life crumbled after her father had an affair with the then-New York Governor's call girl - revealing that she was forced to hide from paparazzi.

Gen Z's queen bee, 22, has opened up for the first time about the devastating impact her dad Thomas's affair with Ashley Dupre - which came just a few years after she was involved in a sensational sex scandal with Elliot Spitzer.

In a new episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the New Jersey native recalled the moment her 'life flipped upside down' when news broke about her dad's affair - sharing that her mom, Alisa Earle, had to smuggle Alix and her younger sister Ashtin out of the house to avoid paparazzi.

At the time, Alix - who was in second grade - confessed that she had little knowledge of what had transpired, revealing that it wasn't until two years later that she learned of her father's affair after she heard some 'commentary' about him in school and turned to the internet for more details.

Alix has dished on how her life crumbled after her father had an affair with the then-New York Governor's call girl - revealing that she was forced to hide from paparazzi

Gen Z's queen bee, 22, detailed the effects of her dad Thomas Earle's affair with Ashley Dupre, who had also been involved in a sex scandal with Elliot Spitzer on the Call Her Daddy podcast

The New Jersey native recalled the moment her 'life flipped upside down' when news broke about her dad's affair (TJ and Ashley pictured in 2012)

Alix (shown with TJ and Ashley) also noted that it was 'super weird' when her father began bringing Ashley around

On the podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper, the TikTok star was asked: 'Can you take me back to the moment when you were in second grade and your life essentially flipped upside down?'

Alix, who said she had never publicly spoken about her dad's affair before, shared that she remembered the day paparazzi stormed their family's home after her father cheated with 'someone who was very well-known for having sexual relations,' very 'clearly.'

'I've never talked about this online before, I was waiting for the right platform or moment.

'I remember the day very clearly,' she said before adding that she initially had 'no idea' what was occurring.

She explained: 'Paparazzi had shown up at my house and my mom quickly kind of got me and my sister out of the house over to our cousins.

'We stayed there for a few days and I had no idea what was going on. I didn't know they were paparazzi. I thought news broadcasters were interviewing the neighbors.'

And although the social media star didn't quite understand what the fuss was about at the time due to how young she was, she learned the truth through Google two years later.

Reports that her father was cheating on his then-wife and Alix's mom Alisa began to flood the internet.

On the podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper, the TikTok star was asked: 'Can you take me back to the moment when you were in second grade and your life essentially flipped upside down?'

Although Alix's life was uprooted when she was in 'second grade,' she only learned about the affair two years later after she heard 'commentary' about her dad while in school (Alix pictured with Ashley and her siblings)

Alix, who said she had never publicly spoken about her dad's affair before, shared that she remembered the day paparazzi stormed their family's home after her father cheated

Soon enough, news broke that TJ had been secretly seeing Ashley, who went on to rock the world of politics as it was revealed she was a sex worker at the Emperors Club VIP escort agency, which counted former New York governor Eliot as a client, and eventually prompted him to resign from office.

'It was in like fourth grade. I started to kind of hear commentary from people and I had an iPad at the time.

'I'm Googling my family and all of a sudden, I see that the past two years of my life had been a lie.'

The 22-year-old added: 'My dad had an affair with someone who was well-known for her job having sexual relations with high-class people and one of them was even the governor of New York.

'She was very well-known from that and in turn, my dad's affair became a very public situation.'

Alix noted that after learning her life had been a 'lie,' she felt like her world 'crashed down in that moment.'

The TikTok sensation also credited her mom for shielding her from her dad's affair, adding that Alisa helped keep everything civil, despite the ongoing drama.

'I didn't know the severity of what had happened between my parents because my mom was super, super mature about it and didn't speak to us about it and didn't put that stress that she was going through onto us.

And although the social media star didn't quite understand what the fuss was about at the time due to how young she was, she learned the truth through Google two years later

Alix noted that after learning her life had been a 'lie,' she felt like her world 'crashed down in that moment'

The TikTok sensation (pictured as a child with her mom and sister) also credited her mom from shielding her from her dad's affair, adding that Alisa helped keep everything civil, despite the ongoing drama

'I kind of figured it out myself and then I proceeded to deal with it myself,' she explained.

A year after paparazzi stormed their home, Alisa and TJ divorced and Alix's father continued his relationship with Ashley.

Ashley and TJ ended up tying the knot in 2013.

And while the family has now all moved on from any past tensions, Alix noted that it was 'super weird' getting accustomed to seeing Ashley around.

She added: 'When my stepmom started to hang around with my dad after he had moved out, she came into his life and we were introduced to her, which was super weird.

'And I was told that I had to be respectful to this woman and we had to be nice to her. I wanted to rip her head off.

'It was very weird because I felt like I was a 10-year-old having to be more mature than someone 20, 30 years older than me.'

And while the family has now all moved on from any past tensions, Alix noted that it was 'super weird' getting accustomed to seeing Ashley around

In addition to dealing with issues at home, Alix struggled when it came to the fallout of her father's affair at school, adding that some children weren't allowed to come to her house

In addition to dealing with issues at home, Alix struggled when it came to the fallout of her father's affair at school, adding that some children weren't allowed to come to her house because of it.

'The parents would kind of tell my mom and she would tell me kind of the harsh truth of why this can't happen. She would have to sit me down and be like, "They don't really respect us."'

The social media star also detailed how humiliated she was after the then-New York Governor resigned due to his affair with Ashley in 2008.

'My teacher in high school was talking about this governor's affair and said exactly what had happenedwho it had happened withand like looked me in the eyes while this was going on in class.

'I remember my classmates looking at me and like, laughing because this was about my family. And this was something he was literally teaching in history class.

'I left school bawling my eyes out. I was so embarrassed,' she explained.

However, now, Alix noted that there are no issues within the family and they are 'well blended.'

The social media star also detailed how humiliated she was after the then-New York Governor resigned due to his affair with Ashley in 2008

She has recently been the subject of controversy after many slammed her for being the responsible for Braxton Berrios and Sophia Culpo's split

In August, Alix told Elle that she and Ashley are 'super close, and we've gotten to such a good point.'

'Whatever's happened in the past, we've all gotten past it as a family,' she added.

And, she said her stepmom even helped with her sudden rise to stardom.

In addition to Ashtin, 20, Alix's siblings also include Izabel, 10, Penelope, 8, and six-year-old Thomas James.

Alix began her social media climb last year, and has since become TikTok's 'best friend' who frequently shares footage from her wild nights out.

She has recently been the subject of controversy after many slammed her for being the responsible for Braxton Berrios and Sophia Culpo's split - with Alix insisting she and Braxton began their relationship after they broke up.
The internet has been sent into a frenzy after a stern warning was issued about the tiny marks often seen on public restroom toilet paper.

Dane Jones took to TikTok to reveal that the small indents are made by drug users wiping off their needles.

The US-based content creator urged his 7.9 million followers to share the little-known danger with family and friends as it 'could save their life.'

And other social media users were quick to flood to the comments to thank him.

Dane Jones took to TikTok to issue a stern warning about the tiny marks often seen on public restroom toilet paper

The US-based content creator revealed that the small indents are made by drug users wiping off their needles

In the clip, which has been viewed more than 6.7 million times, Dane shares a picture of a toilet roll with tiny pin pricks indented in the side.

He then uses a green screen to project his face over the image as he reveals his thoughts.

The social media star states: 'If your toilet paper looks like this in a public restroom you need to get out as fast as possible.

'If you look closely you will see a bunch of tiny red blood splotches. That is not from someone's bloody nose or little accident.

'It's from someone cleaning their needles - dirty needles to be exact.

'We don't know if this was one person or multiple people cleaning their needles from injecting drugs.'

He continues: 'Keep in mind if you are using this toilet paper to clean yourself, all it takes is one tiny drop of blood to enter your system.

'You could easily contract a lifelong virus like HIV/Aids, hepatitis C and hepatitis B.

The revelation left viewers stunned as one wrote: 'This is my sign to never use public toilet tissue again'

'It's just really sad to see public restrooms being used as a cleaning place for people's dirty needles.

'And if you did end up accidentally using this toilet paper, your chances would be pretty low to catch HIV as this statistic says that one out of 300 health care workers accidentally stuck with a needle from someone with HIV get infected.

'However, for hepatitis B, the odds can be as high as one in three if the worker has not been vaccinated.'

Dane concludes: 'With that said, if you do see a toilet paper roll that looks like this in a public restroom, notify the staff immediately to have it replaced and stay as far away as you can from it.'

He uploaded the clip alongside a caption that read: 'Share this with family friends it could save their life!'

The revelation left viewers stunned as one wrote: 'This is my sign to never use public toilet tissue again.'

Another added: 'Thank you for this good information.'

And a third simply said: 'New fear unlocked.'
Princess Anne looked elegant in a checked grey suit as she visited a Jaguar Land Rover factory in Liverpool today.

The royal mother-of-two, 73, appeared in high spirits as she took a tour of the facility and met with staff today.

The Princess Royal opted for a grey checked jacket, which she paired with a matching skirt and knee high black boots for the outing.

The royal family have long been fans of the Jaguar Land Rover brand - the late Queen was thought to have had no fewer than 30 Land Rovers.

Meanwhile they are also driven by all of the Queen's children and most of her grandchildren - as well as the Princess of Wales' family.

Princess Anne looked elegant in a checked grey suit as she visited a Jaguar Land Rover factory in Liverpool today

The Princess Royal opted for a grey checked jacket, which she paired with a matching skirt and knee high black boots for the outing

Anne's daughter Zara has been collecting partnerships with legacy brands for years, one such relationship is Land Rover.

She became an official brand ambassador in 2006, strengthening the luxury 4x4 maker's already impeccable royal connections.

Zara became the first person to be given the keys to a Range Rover Evoque in 2011 and has presented a women's scholarship for training in engineering, sponsored by the firm. And every year they sponsor her equestrian competitions.

It is estimated that Zara could be earning up to 200,000 a year from Land Rover.

Her visit today comes amidst a busy week foer the royal, who is known as being amongst the hardest working within The Firm.

She visited an investment Summit in Belfast earlier.

She was was joined by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC.

The pair looked deep in conversation and they strolled around the venue with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

There were up to 200 international investors gathered in ICC Belfast, while large numbers of homegrown businesses were exhibiting in the hope of attracting financial support.

And earlier this month, she appeared alongside William, an animated Kate and former England rugby ace Mike Tindall on his podcast show.

Mike, 44, who is married to Zara, the Princess Royal's daughter, is the presenter of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.

The royal mother-of-two, 73, appeared in high spirits as she took a tour of the facility and met with staff today

The royal family have long been fans of the Jaguar Land Rover brand - the late Queen was thought to have had no fewer than 30 Land Rovers

The King's sister appeared in good spirits as she chatted with members of staff at the factory today

The Princess Royal, who is known for being amongst the hardest working royals, shook hands with staff at the factory

During the appearance, Princess Anne recalled the early days of her daughter's equestrian career, in which she won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics

Recalling what would happen if she tried to offer her advice, keen horse rider Anne said: 'If I made a comment I was usually told I was a dinosaur.'

Princess Anne's no-nonsense approach to the job, and to life, seems to be universally admired.

The only daughter and second child of the late Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born on August 15, 1950, at Clarence House.

At that time she was third in the line of succession to the British throne, behind her mother and older brother, now King Charles. Today, she is 17th in line.

For the earlier part of her life, Anne was educated at home at Buckingham Palace until she broke tradition for princesses and went to Benenden School in Kent in 1963.

Anne began attending public engagements in 1969 when she was 18 years old. Her first act as a working royal was opening an education and training centre in Shropshire.

Since then, the Princess has established relationships with more than 300 charities and organisations across the Commonwealth and has one of the busiest working schedules of any member of the Royal Family.

She became the President of Save the Children UK in 1970, and this was the first major charity with which she became closely associated.

In 1990, when she was 39-years-old, Anne was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia for her work as president of the charity.
BATON ROUGE, La.  Mary Howells family depends upon the justice system  a system they relied upon to hold two men accountable for her husbands murder.

One of those men, Michael Taylor, is on death row. He is one of at least 55 death row inmates who now want their death sentences commuted to life.

Surrounded by her family and district attorneys from across Louisiana who are fighting the inmates clemency petitions, Mary Howell, of Shreveport, on Wednesday morning shared about her late husband, Chester Howell, and called upon Gov. John Bel Edwards to rethink his position.

Its not fair. Life is not fair, I understand that but when we have a system in place and people ran on their ability to apply the law to everybody, regardless of race, color or creed, then that is what we should do, Mary Howell said.

The joint news conference by the district attorneys happened at about the same time Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit to block Edwards from short-circuiting the rules and procedures of the Board of Pardons to consider the clemency applications.

The district attorneys for Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Rapides, Jefferson and Richland parishes announced their injunction motions filed for the death row cases in their respective jurisdictions.

In June, a group of attorneys led by the Capital Appeals Project filed clemency applications with the Louisiana Board of Pardons and Committee on Parole for 55 of the 57 prisoners on death row. Term-limited Edwards, who is in the final months of his governorship, has supported the clemency petitions. His term in office ends Jan. 24.

Surrounded by family members of victims holding signs and wearing T-shirts adorned with photos of their slain loved ones, attorneys said Wednesday the mass filings violated state statute and went against policies.

"This is not an attack on or support for the death penalty," said Loren Lampert, executive director for the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. "This is about keeping a promise to these victims and these citizens that was made to them  in some cases  decades ago."

"One of the things we all have to remember, the public has to remember, there is evil in this world. The public officials behind me have all taken an oath to uphold the rule of law. That rule of law is being threatened and challenged by the actions that are going on. If we dont have the rule of law, what happens? How many people across the state of Louisiana have not suffered and become the victim of a crime because of the rule of law? asked DeSoto District Attorney Charles Adams.

He added: Do not think this action only applies to these victims here. It applies to every single person in the state of Louisiana. The rule of law is what we all took an oath and every public official took an oath to uphold. That is what were doing and attempting to do.

In their June applications for clemency, supporters of the clemency applications asked Edwards to reduce the prisoners' sentences to life in prison, the only commutation available for people slated for execution. The attorneys later filed applications for five more prisoners, but counsel for one of the men withdrew his petition.

The pardon board later tabled all 55 clemency requests after Landry issued an opinion saying prisoners can't file requests once a procedural deadline has passed.

But Edwards flexed his gubernatorial muscle and directed the board to reschedule the hearings. Accordingly, the panel expedited its process and slated hearing dates to review applications for 20 death row prisoners beginning Oct. 13. Other cases were struck from the docket due to disciplinary issues, procedural stumbling blocks and other eligibility rules.

THEY WILL NEVER KNOW

Chester Howell had just retired from General Motors. But instead of following through with plans to fish and hunt, he took a part-time job at Morgan Pontiac to supplement his oldest daughters college plans. He didnt want her to work; he wanted her to concentrate on her grades.

On Jan. 7, 1999, that all changed. Chester, described as a kind, gentle, Catholic man of faith who put God and his family first, was kidnapped from that dealership, driven to a rural road in north DeSoto Parish and shot three times.

Michael Taylor and Timothy Taylor (no relation) were captured eight days later at the Texas-Mexico border following a multi-state crime spree, which included robbing a bank in Iowa and shooting a police chief there.

Both were indicted for first-degree murder. Timothy Taylor was convicted of first-degree murder, but the jury sentenced him to life. Michael Taylor put his fate in the hands of the jury and was convicted in October 2022. He was sentenced to death.

Although Mr. Taylor was very young at the time that he committed this heinous crime, he knew right from wrong and refused to grant Chesters plea to take his money and his car and spare him his life. Instead, he chose to shoot him three times. Mr. Taylor was told that he had a wife and two young daughters who really needed him, but his pleas were ignored, Mary Howell said.

A retired registered nurse of 41 years, Mary Howell said her life has evolved around providing comfort, care and preserving life. So she said it is with "much trepidation, pain and soul searching that I am requesting that you uphold the law and follow the decision of the jury that heard the case and decided on his fate. My family understands that true justice would be for the death of Mr. Taylor and instantly Chester would return to us. But as we all know that will never happen. That is not possible. So we have to depend upon our criminal justice system in order to give us some relief for the life of Chester."

Chester Howell had retired after 36 years at General Motors. His death robbed his two daughters of being walked down the aisle at their weddings and his grandchildren of "knowing his love for them, his ability to play games and read to them and give them the best bedtime stories that made the laugh and cry. Along with his kisses to dry up their tears from their falls and bobos. They will never know his love of education, his encouragement for them to go as high as they could in college and beyond."

Mary Howell described her feelings about more than wanting somebody to get death.

"Its the fact that if we dont stand up for our values and make the law to stand up to the commitment that it has given us, then where are we? What are we going to do with the next generation of children and grandchildren who have nobody? What are we going to tell them?" she asked.

Chester Howell stressed education and thats why he was at Mike Morgan working parttime after retiring.

"Our oldest daughter had been accepted at Xavier University with a full scholarship, but he wanted to make sure that she would not have to go to work and be able to continue to get her high grades and pursue her dreams. And so many times I pass by Mike Morgan and I just want to scream and holler and cry because he didnt have any business being there. He should have been at home. He had planned go to fishing and hunting and stuff once he retired but he never got a chance to do that," she said.

She concluded: "So, we have to stand up for whats right. If were going to teach our children right from wrong, if were going to teach our children that you have to obey the law and if you dont theres consequences. And the consequences is you stay in and keep whining and saying well you know I didnt mean to do it, thats not good enough in certain circumstances. That is not good enough. And this is the occasion where its not going to be good enough."

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The Advocate contributed to this report.
King Charles' dashing equerry has been spotted alongside the King and Queen during their three-day visit to France, to the delight of royal fans.

Hunky Colonel Johnny Thompson, 39, arrived at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today for the royal couple's state visit - and it's safe to say many eyes were on him.

His appearance comes as a line of merchandise featuring his likeness has been launched online.

His well-built physique is known to cause quite a stir, capturing the hearts of many royal fans as they swoon over his good looks.

The officer, who is of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, was once the Queen's most senior bodyguard, but is now serving His Majesty and has been seen at his side since the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Hunky Johnny Thompson (pictured), 39, arrived at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today for the King and Queen Camilla's state visit - and it's safe to say many eyes were on him

Once again he stole the show as he was spotted alongside the royal couple, diligently carrying out his duties.

He was dressed in full regalia, and carried a medium-sized green leather tote bag as he darted across the grounds. Of course, his famous black and green kilt and large fur sporran were part of his ensemble.

While some may argue that his charming good looks have unwittingly thrust him into the spotlight, it seems the public obsession won't be ending any time soon.

Eager royal fans are advised to quench their 'kilty pleasures' with the launch of brand new 'Jonny Thompson' merchandise.

The bizarre range has launched with an exclusive black tote bag and is emblazoned with the words 'My Kilty Pleasure' across the front.

Fans can now take home their very own Jonny, as the polyester bag features a hulking print of his image, fully clad in his uniform.

It currently retails for around 30, but you'll have to be patient, as delivery will make its way all the way from the US.

The soldier, from Northumberland, has had royal watchers drooling over him for some time, but unfortunately for his admirers, the officer is happily married to a glamorous marketing executive.

Fans can now take home their very own Jonny, as the polyester bag (pictured) features a hulking print of his image, fully clad in his uniform.

Mr Thompson, who is known as 'Johnny' to his friends, tied the knot with 44-year-old Caroline in 2010.

The pair have a four-year-old son as well as two black labradors called Odin and Piper  a nod to his military time in Scotland.

Thompson previously went viral during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last year.

On another ocassion, he was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a pen tray which was cluttering the Kings desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the new monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Colonel Thompson was also seen in the procession when the Queens coffin was escorted from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for the four days of lying in state.

Eagle-eyed royal viewers have been keen to point out the officer's Colonel appearances in past.

TV footage caught him to the side as the casket was brought in, and he was seen speaking briefly to the Duke of Kent.

He also escorted ex prime minister Liz Truss to meet the King at Buckingham Palace and as always he wore a tartan kilt and large fur sporran.

The equerry was also spotted standing behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Platinum Jubilee celebration, National Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral.

Mr Thompson joined the Army in 2006 and is a Platoon commander, according to his LinkedIn.

He is thought to have been working as an equerry with Charles for the last two years.

The Colonel's well-built physique is known to cause quite a stir, capturing the hearts of royal fans as they swoon over his good looks

His profile also reveals how he attended Aberystwyth University where he graduated in 2004 with a degree in economics and politics, with international studies.

He listed his hobbies and interests as rugby and mountaineering and he was also a member of the undergraduate officer training corps.

Wife Caroline was educated at Windsor Girls School and nearby Strodes College where she passed three A levels in media, psychology and photography before obtaining a HND at Southampton Institute in Design Communications.

She has worked for Packard Bell, BMW and is also a gym instructor and keen horse rider, and last year with her marketing and design skills helped set up the website for the charity Horses4Health.

Colonel Thompsons parents Ian and Elizabeth, were once neighbours of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, with their Grade A listed 300-year-old home in Deeside set next door to his, but they have since moved.
Sarah Ferguson looked elegant as she took to the stage of a festival in New York earlier today.

The Duchess of York, 62, was typically stylish in a colourful scarf and bright green blouse as she attended the Global Citizens Now event in the Big Apple today.

The royal mother-of-two wore her red locks long and loose for the event, opting for an elegant makeup look for the occasion.

The two day event brings together a number of celebrities and experts to give talks on different topics.

Fergie is far from the first royal to be associated with the event - in fact, last year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke at the Live summit in Central Park.

Sarah Ferguson, 62, looked elegant as she took to the stage of a festival in New York earlier today

It comes amidst a busy week for the Duchess, who looked typically stylish as she opted for a sleek black dress with a butterfly pattern on Sunday as she posed with actress Kristin Davis at a charity gala in Sweden.

at the Perfect World Foundation event in Gothenburg.

She was joined by Kristin Davis, who is best known for playing Charlotte in Sex and the City and it's spin-off And Just Like That.

Wearing a bright pink floor length gown, the actress presented an award at the Gothenburg-based non-profit nature conservation organisation.

She later took to Instagram to thank the Duchess for 'being so kind'.

It comes after Fergie paid a sweet tribute to the late Queen on the first anniversary of her death.

The Duchess of York described her former mother-in-law as a 'wonderful friend, mentor and a second mother' in a touching Instagram post.

Sarah, who was married to the Queen's 'favourite son' Prince Andrew for 10 years, 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.

The Duchess of York, 62, was typically stylish in a colourful scarf and bright green blouse as she attended the Global Citizens Now event in the Big Apple today

'You will always be loved and missed by our family and our nation,' she wrote.

Sarah, who goes by Fergie, often talks about her closeness to the Queen.

Paying tribute to her former mother-in-law 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 Ferguson continues to live at the Royal Lodge in Windsor with her estranged husband Prince Andrew.

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.'

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.
Princess Eleonore and Queen Mathilde were the most stylish mother and daughter duo as they stepped out for a night at the opera today.

The royal duo were photographed attending 'Cassandra' the opera at La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels, alongside its director Peter De Caluwe.

Queen Mathilde, 50, looked elegant in a structured gold top with black floral detailing and black flared trousers to match.

She accessorised the look with a dazzling pair of gold floral drop earrings, a gold clutch bag and pointed black pumps.

For her make-up, a bold red lip was the perfect choice for the evening festivities, as was her black eyeliner and perfectly coiffed blonde bob.

Princess Eleonore (pictured, left) attends the opera at La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels with Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured, right)

The 15-year-old (pictured, left) donned a chic all-black ensemble as she attended the event with her mother Queen Mathilde (pictured, right)

During the opera, it appeared as though Queen Mathilde may be explaining something to her daughter, who looked as though she was listening intently to her mother

The mother and daughter appeared deep in conversation at one point, and seemed to be enjoying each other's company

Meanwhile her daughter Princess Eleonore, who marked her 15th birthday in April, scaled back the glamour ever so slightly.

She opted for a black sleeveless top and trousers, which she teamed with black patent leather flats.

Unlike her mother, she chose to keep things casual by omitting accessories, jewellry or a matching bag.

Her make-up was subtle in nature, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Queen Mathilde's appearance comes around a week after she visited the Vatican City with her husband King Philippe for a private audience with Pope Francis.

There, the queen, wore a modest white dress for the occasion, which came to just below the knee, paired with a white mantilla, which she wore draped over her head.

Black lace is customary when visiting the Pope - only a handful of people are permitted to wear white around the religious figure when visiting the Vatican.

Only seven women in the world are permitted to wear white in front of the Pope.

The royals are pictured sitting next to General Director of De Munt-La Monnaie Peter De Caluwe (pictured, right)

The opera watched by the two royals, 'Cassandra', is a work by the Belgian composer Foccroulle

Princess Eleonore, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and General Director of De Munt-La Monnaie Peter De Caluwe are snapped at the De Munt - La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels

During their outing at the opera, the royal pair (pictured, left) also spoke with musician and composer Bernard Foccroulle (pictured, right)

They include Charlene, Princess of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Maria Teresa, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

'The privilege of the white' also extends to Belgium's Queen Paola and Princess Marina of Naples.

The privilege only extends to these royals because they are the seven Catholic Queens, Princesses and Duchesses.

This meant that when Queen Camilla visited the Pope, she had to wear all-black, as she never converted to Roman Catholic, despite growing up in a Catholic household.

Instead, she is an Anglican.
Doctor reveals why you should never feed infants honey

A doctor has revealed one seemingly 'harmless' food that could be fatal for infants - and how consuming less than a spoonful of it can cause paralysis, nerve damage, and even death.

Honey is lethal for children under the age of one because it can result in infantile botulism - a serious illness caused by bacteria clostridium botulinum.

It is caused by spores that normally live in a dormant form in soil and dust, but can occasionally get into honey.

If the spores enter a baby's intestine they can grow and produce a toxin that causes infant botulism, symptoms of which include muscle weakness, breathing problems and constipation.

Dr Sam, from Singapore, shared the heart-wrenching story of a two-month-old infant who seemingly developed medical problems overnight despite being exclusively breastfed.

A doctor has revealed one seemingly 'harmless' food that is fatal for infants - and how consuming less than a spoonful of it can cause paralysis, nerve damage, and even death

The baby suddenly stopped drinking milk and went completely limp when held up.

Doctors found poor muscle tone and the baby was admitted to the hospital but soon developed seizures, chest infections, and difficulty breathing.

Dr Sam explained, 'The medical team ran a wide spectrum of tests but couldn't find the underlying problem - the baby was moved to the ICU and the doctors started to discuss end of life care with the parents.

'All seemed lost - until they sent his stool for testing and and found clostridium botulinum, a bacteria which produces a toxin that paralyses muscle.'

The doctor revealed that both raw and processed honey contain the bacteria

Further investigation found that the parents had dipped the baby's pacifier in honey to make it more appealing to him.

Honey is safe for children over the age of one, but a younger baby's gut is not sufficiently developed to fight off the bacteria.

'The spores entered the baby's gut and reproduced - wrecking havoc and eventually resulting in infantile botulism,' Dr Sam said. 'Thankfully the baby was treated and discharged after spending a month in the hospital.'

The doctor also revealed that both raw and processed honey contain the bacteria - which is why honey comes with a warning not to feed it to infants under one year of age.

What do you need to know about infantile botulism? What is botulism? A serious illness that results in paralysis, nerve damage, and possible death. It is caused by bacteria clostridium botulinum - a germ normally dormant in soil and dust which can get into honey. Is honey safe? Not for children under one. A younger babys gut is not sufficiently developed to fight off bacteria. The condition can be fatal in five to ten per cent of cases. What are symptoms? Constipation, inability to suck, poor feeding, floppy head and muscles, droopy eyelids, tiredness, difficulty breathing. What else is a risk? Soil, dust, herbal teas, homeopathic treatments, terrapins, canned foods, home preserved fruit, vegetables, or meat. Source: Healthdirect Australia Advertisement

Many thanked Dr Sam for his health advice and preventing them from making a deadly mistake.

'Thank you for your knowledge - I hope it helps other parents,' a woman said.

'My doctor specifically told me not to give my child any honey until he was two years old,' another wrote.

'How terrifying - thankfully the baby turned out okay,' a third said.
It is filled with approximately 600 hungry crocodiles

Tour guide David McMahon has to cross the East Alligator River for work

An Australian tour guide drives through a river filled with 600 crocodiles to get to work every day - and the terrifying journey frequently has him fearing for his life.

David McMahon, 36, is a head tour guide for Venture North Safaris in Australia's Northern Territory.

'I've been guiding in Northern Australia for over 15 years through some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the country,' he told FEMAIL.

One of David's tours see him cross the East Alligator River at Cahill's Crossing - a deadly journey that has claimed two lives in the past.

'I don't think this is everyone's idea of a commute to work - but things are a bit different up here in the Top End,' he said.

David McMahon, 36, is a head tour guide in Australia's Northern Territory

He then shared a short clip that showed almost 15 crocodiles monitoring his car.

'I'm crossing the mighty East Alligator River - they're lined up as the diamond scale mullet and barramundi are swimming up the crossing,' he explained about the starving crocodiles.

David shared that the disparity in the name and creature occurred because English explorer Phillip Parker King couldn't tell alligators and crocodiles apart.

'This is truly such a wild place,' David said, gazing out onto the deadly reptiles.

He told FEMAIL: 'There has been many times over the years when I've crossed this river with my heart in my mouth!

'The worst is at night time, and there was one occasion I had to cross it really deep when the tide had stopped and before it started rushing out again.

'As soon as I entered the water, the headlights went under and I had to do the crossing blind - knowing exactly what was waiting for me if I made a mistake.'

An Australian man revealed that his daily commute to work includes driving across a river filled with 600 crocodiles - and the terrifying journey frequently has him fearing for his life

But despite the frequent dose of terror, David truly loves his job.

'I love being able to share the beauty of Northern Australia with guests from around the world,' he said.

'It's such a wild place up here and there are fewer and fewer places on the planet like this.

'To spend so much time in the bush is a privilege I never take for granted and I honestly can't pick a part of the job I don't love,' he added.

The short clip David shared showed almost 15 crocodiles monitoring his car

READ MORE: Here are seven little-known hidden travel gems in Australia you need to visit Advertisement

Many were shocked by David's arduous commute and commended him for his bravery.

'I'd be so afraid of doing that - too close for comfort,' a woman said. 'Good on you!'

'My anxiety peaked watching that, you're so brave,' another added.

While others chose to combat their fear with humour.

'That's the road my dad crossed everyday on foot to get to school,' one wrote.

'At least you don't get stuck in a traffic jam there,' a second said.
A cancer patient was left distraught after her urgent operation this week was cancelled due to NHS strikes.

Monika Schiffer, from Bournemouth, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year and endured six rounds of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumours.

The 51-year-old was scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy  surgery to remove both breasts  yesterday.

But last month, just days after it was announced consultants and junior doctors would be taking to the picket lines in a coordinated walkout, the op was cancelled.

She told MailOnline today: 'I think it's a scandal that the NHS is allowed to strike. I would ban all emergency services  police, fire brigade and the NHS  [from taking industrial action]. They play with people's lives.

Monika Schiffer was diagnosed with breast cancer on both sides earlier this year in January and endured six rounds of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumours. The 51-year-old from Bournemouth had been scheduled to undergo a double mastectomy on September 20. But last month, just days after it was announced consultants and junior doctors would be taking to the picket lines in a coordinated walkout, the surgery was cancelled

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

Ms Schiffer was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of January.

Around 55,000 women and 400 men in the UK are told they have the cancer every year. Three-quarters survive for 10 years to more after it is spotted.

She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy  therapy to kill cancer cells  from March to August, as her tumours were inoperable due to their size.

Ms Schiffer said: 'Neither my original surgeon or the one who operated me was happy about the strikes. They were brilliant.'

After her chemotherapy treatment ended however, her initial surgeon warned that she could see her operation cancelled and if it was 'the next available appointment will be in weeks', she said.

Read more: Mother fears NHS doctors strikes could mean daughter loses eyesight after vital surgery is postponed Advertisement

'When I was then told the operation was cancelled my heart sank.

'I was terrified that the cancer would start to grow and spread again.

'I was confused, scared and angry at the same time. My mental health suffered.'

She was later offered an operation slot on September 8 at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital with a different surgeon and decided to take it.

While Ms Schiffer is now recovering following her surgery, there are concerns the results of her histology report  which provides details about her cancer based on the tissue removed during surgery  may also be delayed due to strike action.

She said: 'The surgeon said it normally takes two weeks but this time it will take three to four weeks, or God knows how long. All due to the NHS strike.'

Ms Schiffer added: 'When you live with cancer in your body you can't wait weeks.

'It could mean the difference between life or death.

'I consider myself extremely lucky that a slot was offered for me for an earlier appointment.

'Yesterday would have been my initial surgery date. I am feeling incredibly lucky because I don't have to worry anymore.

'But many haven't been this lucky. And they might gravely suffer from the consequences of this action.'

For the first time in the health service's 75-year history, junior and senior medics yesterday took coordinated strike action, leaving patients with 'Christmas Day' cover in hospitals, with emergency units staffed and a basic level of cover on wards.

Junior doctor strikes will continue until 7am on Saturday. But further joint action by both groups of medics are planned for October 2, 3 and 4.

Prior to this week's walkouts, junior doctors had staged 19 days of strike action this year, with consultants taking to the picket lines on four separate days.

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

The BBC Freedom of Information request found a consultant at University Hospitals Plymouth was paid more than 3,000 to cover a 12-and-a-half-hour night shift, supposed to be covered by a junior doctor. The same hospital paid nearly 1.8m for cover  1.59m to consultants  during the first three rounds of junior doctor industrial action alone. Pictured, NHS consultants and junior doctors outside University College hospital in London today

NHS bosses warned that the combined walkouts put patients at 'the highest level of risk in living memory', and affected 'many more groups of patients who haven't been disrupted by previous strikes'.

Many routine hospital appointments and treatments, including cancer care, have been postponed as a result of industrial action.

Senior leaders expect the official total of operations and appointments cancelled during strikes to exceed 1million, with 100,000 cancellations expected this week alone.

However, they have warned that the true picture is far worse, with few appointments with medics even being scheduled for strike days.

But patients have been urged to still attend appointments if they have not been told it is cancelled  as some doctors are still working.

Read more: Now ANOTHER group of NHS medics could strike: Specialist doctors balloted on whether they want to stage walkouts Advertisement

Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, confirmed yesterday 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'.

The BMA argues that medics have seen their pay 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.

BMA junior doctor committee co-chairs Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi yesterday said: 'Junior doctors in England do not want to strike but we will, and we will do so for as long as it takes for this Government to get back round the table and give us a credible offer to bring an end to the strikes.'

They added: 'The Prime Ministers latest offer is still a real terms pay cut, amounting to a doctor being paid just over 15 per hour when starting work and still sees junior doctors around 26 per cent worse off than in 2008.'

In July, consultants and junior doctors were given a six per cent pay rise under No. 10's pay offer.

At the time, Rishi Sunak said the deal, announced in July for 2023/24, was the Government's 'final offer'.

Nurses, paramedics and other NHS staff received a five per cent rise and 'NHS backlog bonus'.

The BMA however immediately rejected the rise, vowing to crack on with strike action.

Yesterday, the union also announced that specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors will hold an indicative ballot for industrial action.

These doctors work alongside junior doctors and consultants in hospitals, but some also work in the community.
A mother has described her heart-breaking fear that her daughter could lose her eyesight after her vital eye surgery was cancelled for a third time due to NHS strikes.

Bonita Archer, from Birmingham, was today scheduled to undergo an operation to treat cataracts in both of her eyes and replace the battery in a potentially life-saving anti-seizure device, located in her neck.

But the 53-year-old was told earlier this week that her treatment would again be postponed due to action by junior doctors, who are staging a three-day strike.

Junior doctors and consultants, who wrapped up their 48-hour walkout this morning, have been accused of 'going against the ethics of medicine' after taking to the picket lines together in the first of a series of coordinated walkouts.

Bonita's mother, Patsi Whelan Archer, labelled the situation as 'awful' and called for the Government to urgently reach an agreement with medics.

Bonita Archer (pictured) was scheduled to undergo an operation to treat cataracts in both eyes and replace an anti-seizure device. But the 53-year-old was told earlier this week that her treatment would again be postponed due to industrial action

Junior doctors and consultants were today also both accused of 'going against the ethics of medicine' after taking to the picket lines together in the first of a series of co-ordinated walkouts. However, her mother, Patsi Whelan Archer (pictured), today labelled the situation 'awful' and called for the Government to urgently reach an agreement with medics

She said her daughter suffers from epilepsy, type 2 respiratory failure, osteoporosis, scoliosis, Angelman syndrome and learning difficulties.

Ms Archer's operation is needed to change the batter in her anti-seizure device, called vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)  a stimulator which is connected, inside the body, to the left vagus nerve in the neck.

After it was discovered she had cataracts earlier this year, medics agreed to schedule a complex combined operation involving neurological, ophthalmology and respiratory medics.

Ms Archer's surgery was initially scheduled to held on July 22 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

However, it was cancelled due to the first round of NHS consultant strikes, which took place on July 20 and 21.

Read more: Price of worst strike in NHS history laid bare: 'Devastated' patients left in tears as they face weeks of suffering while waiting for new appointments and warn lives are at risk due to mass medic walkouts 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 Advertisement

Despite being rescheduled for September 14, the operation was again cancelled on the day after an intensive care bed was not booked, Ms Whelan Archer claimed.

The procedure was then rebooked a third time for September 21.

But Ms Whelan Archer received a call on Tuesday to inform her the surgery must be postponed due to strike action.

She told the BBC: 'If she doesn't have this operation soon, she's going to lose her eyesight because of the severity of these cataracts.

'Plus if she doesn't have the battery changed in the VNS, she'll start having seizures to a point where it could endanger her life.

'So we're in an awful situation and that's where we're at.'

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has apologised and said it was working to reschedule the procedures.

Ms Whelan Archer said while she is grateful for how the NHS has helped her family over the years, she 'found it difficult to understand it all'.

She said: 'I beg everybody in the government to actually listen to the doctors, to sit down with them.'

Consultants this week staged a 48-hour walkout which ended at 7am this morning, overlapping with action by junior doctors who yesterday began a three-day strike which will wrap up at 7am on Saturday.

Further joint strikes by the medics are planned for October 2, 3 and 4.

Prior to this week's walkouts, junior doctors had already staged 19 days of strike action this year, with consultants taking to the picket lines on four separate days.

'Christmas Day' cover is in place throughout hospitals today, with emergency units staffed and a basic level of cover on wards.

Some hospitals have had to halve their normal levels of activity on strike days.

But patients have been urged to still attend appointments if they have not been told it is cancelled  as some doctors are still working.

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

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

NHS bosses this week warned that combined consultant and junior doctor strikes 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 routine hospital appointments and treatments, including cancer care, have been postponed as a result of industrial action.

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'.

The British Medical Association's (BMA), which is coordinating the walkouts, argues that 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.

Read more: Now ANOTHER group of NHS medics could strike: Specialist doctors balloted on whether they want to stage walkouts Advertisement

In July, consultants and junior doctors were given a six per cent pay rise under No10's pay offer.

At the time, Rishi Sunak said the deal, announced in July for 2023/24, was the Government's 'final offer'.

Nurses, paramedics and other NHS staff received a five per cent rise and 'NHS backlog bonus'.

The BMA however immediately rejected the rise, vowing to crack on with strike action.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Steve Barclay on Sunday, Dr Vishal Sharma, chair of the BMA consultants' committee wrote: 'It is essential that we can reach an agreement.

'Not only to bring an end to the current dispute and prevent further strike action as we head into winter, but to ensure that the NHS can recruit and retain the highly experienced staff that it needs.'

Yesterday, the BMA also announced that specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors will hold an indicative ballot for industrial action.

These doctors work alongside junior doctors and consultants in hospitals, but some also work in the community.
Lemurs and baboons could help to treat foot ulcers in people with diabetes.

Scientists have found viruses within the faeces of endangered animals including Guinea baboons, lemurs and Visayan pigs, which could kill the bacteria within diabetic foot ulcers.

These ulcers lead to more than 7,000 amputations a year and cost 1 billion, but can be hard to treat because the ulcers are often infected by bacteria which impair healing.

These bacteria are also frequently resistant to antibiotics, meaning they cannot be killed by the drugs.

However the viruses contained within the animal waste can kill some of the most common harmful bacteria within foot ulcers, scientists have found in the lab.

Scientists have found viruses within the faeces of endangered animals including Guinea baboons (pictured) could kill the bacteria within diabetic foot ulcers

They are yet to test these viruses on the ulcers of diabetes patients, but are hopeful they have an important breakthrough.

The viruses, called bacteriophages, were found in the faeces of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Professor Graham Stafford, who is leading research on the viruses from the University of Sheffield, said: We have been searching for new treatments for antibiotic resistance for a while and we are the first to look for such a virus in zoo poo.

Its a delight that endangered species are contributing to such a positive and powerful purpose.

Once further research has been done, the naturally-occurring viruses could potentially be included in dressings applied to previously untreatable diabetic foot ulcers.

There are thousands of different types of bacteriophages, and they are seen as a new frontier in medicine, which could potentially used to treat sepsis in the future too.

Researchers have so far identified helpful bacteria in the faecal matter of Guinea baboons, giraffes, lemurs, Visayan pigs and binturongs, who are part of a collection of 450 animals from more than 70 rare and endangered species at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

There are an estimated 4.5 million people with diabetes in the UK, and around 450,000 will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their lives.

Dr Dinesh Selvarajah, a consultant physician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: Unfortunately, I see many patients with diabetic foot disease in my clinic.

Treating infections more effectively will have a significant impact on lowering the risk of amputations.
One in five junior doctors in training now work part time, a hike of over 50 per cent in just three years, official figures show.

Some health leaders today backed the move labelling it a 'positive step in the right direction' and said it offered medics a better work-life balance.

But it also means inevitably more staff would be needed to do the same amount of work.

This could hamper efforts to tackle the NHS's longest ever waiting list for treatment.

Some 8,523 junior doctors were logged as working 'less than full time' in 2019/2020  accounting for 15 per cent of the workforce.

It comes as rising numbers of doctors are quitting due to worsening working conditions and poor pay. Many are also retiring in their 50s, moving abroad or leaving to work in the private sector because of soaring demand. Pictured, junior doctors and consultants on the picket line outside University College Hospital in London yesterday

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

By 2022/23 this surged to 13,312, equating to 20 per cent of the trainee workforce.

The rise has been blamed on changes enforced by Health Education England (HEE)  which governs the contracts of doctors in training  last year.

Until just August 2022, the medics were only able to request to work part time under special circumstances.

Approved reasons included caring responsibilities, ill health or professional development.

However, HEE widened eligibility criteria last year, allowing junior doctors to choose to work 'less than full time' as a personal choice.

Announcing the move at the time, the body said it was 'designed to enhance retention, reduce attrition and improve the working lives of doctors in training by offering an opportunity for improved work-life balance'.

The decision was also backed by officials at the Department of Health, NHS Employers, NHS England, the General Medical Council and British Medical Association (BMA) Junior Doctors Committee  who are currently coordinating medic strike action.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, told The Times today: 'HEE changed the ability for doctors to request part-time working in August 2022 to allow more doctors to apply for it for any well-founded reason, whether that be for their wellbeing or through personal choice.

'This is a positive step in the right direction ensuring that the NHS keep up with the modern age and gives doctors more flexibility, helping create that all important work-life balance.'

He added: 'It stands to reason then that there needs to be more staff to deliver the same amount of work if there are more people deciding to work part time. The long-term workforce plan offers an opportunity to recruit more doctors to address this.'

Meanwhile, Professor Sheona Macleod, medical director for medical reform at NHS England, told MailOnline: 'The NHS has undertaken significant work to listen to staff feedback and develop more flexible approaches to training, to enable more doctors in training to take up less than full time opportunities, including those who may be living with a disability or have significant care responsibilities.

'By enabling medical careers to be more tailored to individual and to support the wellbeing of doctors in training, this scheme has been designed to help attract more people to the profession and ensure a sustainable NHS workforce supply in the longer term.'

But others cautioned that the rise in part time working may hamper efforts to reduce record NHS waiting lists, leaving patients facing further delays for care.

Official figures released last week showed the list had again soared to a new high, with around 7.68million patients in England  or one in seven people  in the queue in July for procedures such hip and knee replacements.

However, others point to the tension between balancing individual wishes for shorter working weeks with service delivery, as the NHS seeks to bring down a record waiting list of 7.7million people.

This includes almost 390,000 patients who have waited at least one year for treatment, often in pain.

Under the NHS workforce plan published earlier this year in June, ministers pledged to double medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with new schools and more places in areas with the greatest shortages

The plan has pledged to increase the NHS permanent workforce by almost a million by 2036/2037. It expects to see a rise from 1.4million to between 2.2 and 2.3million

The number of medical school training places will be doubled by 2031/32, taking the total number of places to 15,000. GP training places in England for junior doctors will also increase by 50 per cent to 6,000, the NHS's workforce plan has pledged. Training for pharmacists will also rise by almost 50 per cent to around 5,000 places for 2031/32. Meanwhile, training for clinical psychology and child and adolescent psychotherapy will also be expanded, with places rising by more than a quarter to 1,300 by 2031

It comes as rising numbers of doctors are quitting due to worsening working conditions and poor pay.

Many are also retiring in their 50s, moving abroad or leaving to work in the private sector because of soaring demand.

Latest figures show the UK has 3.2 doctors for every 1,000 people, ranking 25th among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

However, this figure also represents the lowest number of doctors per head among European countries in the OECD, the researchers note.

Earlier this month, a study of 10,486 trainee medics from the UK's 44 medical schools also found one in three plan to emigrate to practice medicine, leaving for the likes of Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada.

Around 60 per cent of those surveyed were either not satisfied or not at all satisfied with the prospect of working in the NHS.

NHS Digital data on vacancies shows that 7.2 per cent of medical posts were vacant in June.

Under the NHS workforce plan published in June, ministers pledged to increase the health service's permanent workforce by almost a million by 2036/2037.

This will include between 60,000 and 74,000 more doctors by 2036/37, adding to the 142,000 working for the health service as of June.

Other measures in the plan also include doubling medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with new schools and more places in areas with the greatest shortages.

Dr Billy Palmer, a senior fellow at the Nuffield Trust, said today: 'Making training more accessible within the NHS is vital if the UK hopes to boost the number of home-trained doctors and other healthcare workers, keep trainees within the NHS and to help reduce our dependence on overseas workers.

'Less than full-time training is becoming an increasingly popular option for doctors.'

He added: 'The option to work part time and flexibly has benefits by reducing stress and burnout as well as making training more accessible to those with parental and caring responsibilities.'
Crocodile attacks, lightning strikes and simply being too horny are some of the weirdest reasons people in England needed hospital care last year.

MailOnline analysed official NHS England data to uncover some of strangest causes of a hospital admission in the year to March 2023.

Some elderly Brits needed hospital care after being 'bitten or struck' by a crocodile or alligator in their own home, with one needed emergency treatment.

Other bizarre cases involved Brits being exposed to volcanoes, catching the Plague or being exposed to a nuclear weapon.

The NHS data is anonymised, only revealing the age and sex of the patients as well as whether the case was an emergency.

It also only records admissions, not individual patients, meaning that, in theory, an individual Brit could appear more than once in the figures.

Additionally, some incidents are believed to have happened overseas with Brits seeking help upon returning from a trip abroad.

Here, MailOnline details some of weirdest reasons people needed NHS treatment between April 2022 and March this year:

A host of weird diseases and accidents sent Brits seeking NHS care last financial year

Animal attacks, both great and small

In total, six Brits were 'bitten or struck' by a crocodile or alligator last year, with the average age of the victims being 68.

Two British men, both over the age of 70 were attacked in their homes, with one case resulting in serious injury.

And another elderly Brit, this time a 79-year-old woman, was injured by a predatory reptile on a street or road, though her injury didn't appear to be serious.

Crocodilians weren't the only scaly assailants that sent Brits to hospital last year.

An additional 68 Brits were bitten or 'crushed' by reptiles, a group that includes lizards and tortoises, with 22 cases being an emergency.

The vast majority of these admissions related to incidents in the home, suggesting the attacks were from pets.

Six Brits were 'bitten or struck' by a crocodile or alligator last year, with the average age of the victims being 68 (stock image)

Exposure to snake venom was responsible for 65 admissions, 10 of which were for children and 10 classified as an emergency.

The UK only has one native venomous serpent, the adder, although people can purchase far deadlier exotic species as pets.

Spider venom led 25 admissions but only three of these were classified as an emergency.

Brits were also sent to hospital 23 times last year after 'contact with a marine animal', such as a shark, seal, crab or octopus, with eight admissions being emergencies.

One unlucky Brit needed care after being stung by a scorpion and two were patient bitten or sprayed by an envenomed millipede or centipede.

But dogs were the biggest animal threat to Brits, with 9,424 admissions, a third of which were emergencies.

Natural disasters, toxic mushrooms, and nuclear weapons

Animals weren't the only natural hazard that sent Brits to hospital last year.

A total of nine Brits, six men and three women required care after being struck by lightning, though only three needed emergency care.

Six Brits also needed help for after being exposed to a volcanic eruption, for example by breathing in ash, though none were an emergency.

One 84-year-old man needed treatment for exposure to nuclear weapons (stock image)

As the UK doesn't have any active volcanoes, these admissions likely relate to incidents that happened overseas with Brits seeking help upon their return.

Woodland foragers were also at risk of a trip to hospital, with 67 admissions from being exposed to toxic fungi, 25 of which were emergencies.

One of the most unique NHS admissions was a 84-year-old man who needed treatment for exposure to nuclear weapons.

Given the age of the man, and the fact the admission wasn't considered an emergency, it is most likely he was one of over 20,000 British military personnel who took part in nuclear weapon tests between 1952 and 1967 in Australian and the South Pacific.

However, given the anonymised nature of the NHS data, this cannot be confirmed.

Diseases from Ebola to the Black Death to maggots in eyeballs

While concerns about new Covid variants dominated the news last year, other and sometimes more ancient pathogens, sent Brits to the hospital.

A total of 42 Brits needed treatment for the Plague, famously known as the Black Death, a disease responsible for killing millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages.

It got its name from the black-coloured sores which appeared on the bodies of the infected.

Caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, the disease was spread by fleas on the backs of rats and swept across Medieval Europe.

Thankfully it is far less dangerous now thanks to antibiotics but can still be deadly if left untreated.

Of the cases found in England 13 were for pneumonic plague, an airborne version of the disease.

However, four cases, had the bubonic form of the disease, which produces the famous boils.

Three Brits needed NHS care for the incredibly contagious and dangerous flesh-eating Ebola virus last year

Three Brits were admitted to NHS care for the incredibly contagious and dangerous flesh-eating Ebola virus, one of which was a baby under one year old.

Two of the cases were considered emergency admissions, which is standard practise for Ebola cases in the NHS.

Ebola is a haemorrhagic fever that causes muscle and joint pain, fever, bleeding and shock from loss of blood and kills about half of those that catch it.

The NHS data does not include the outcome for any admissions.

A hospital in Essex was shut down for a night in November last year after a patient had tell-tale symptoms of the virus.

Two cases of anthrax were also reported in the latest NHS data, a disease normally associated with ancient history or bioterrorism.

One of these were for anthrax sepsis where spores from the bacteria enter the blood stream directly, such as through a needle.

Cases of anthrax sepsis have been reported in the UK previously among heroin users.

One of the most gut-wrenching infections recorded in the NHS figures was for ocular myiasis, where flies lay maggots in one or both eyes of a patient.

In total, 24 cases were recorded, with patients having an average age of 76.

Sex disorders and foreign objects lodged in intimate areas

Brits were struck by a huge variety of sexual disorders in 2022-23.

A total of 37 cases of 'excessive sexual drive', were diagnosed last year, which could mean Brits with a so-called sex addiction.

Of the admissions recorded the vast majority (30) were in men, with an overall average age of 57.

Shockingly, eight of those diagnosed with the condition were over the age of 80.

A total of 37 cases of 'excessive sexual drive', were diagnosed among Brits last year (stock image)

However, some or all of these may have been the same patient seeking care multiple times.

Exhibitionism, a fetish where people get aroused by flashing their naked bodies to others, was diagnosed 25 times.

Only one woman was diagnosed with the condition, with an overall average age of 50.

Two diagnoses of voyeurism, the practice of gaining sexual pleasure from watching others having sex or peeping on them when they are naked, were also recorded, both in men.

Additionally, nearly 2,250 admissions were recorded for foreign bodies being found is rectums, vaginas or urethras.

The NHS recorded 1,021 cases of objects in rectums, a complaint twice as common among men than women.

There were 965 objects found in vaginas and 263 cases of someone getting an object stuck in their urethra.

Inserting objects into the urethra for sexual pleasure is called sounding, but items inserted this way carry the risk of becoming stuck, requiring medical care to extract.
An additional 669 nursing and midwifery applicants are also suspected of fraud

Almost 50 overseas trained nurses and midwives in the UK who 'likely' qualified fraudulently are still being allowed to treat patients while under investigation, MailOnline can reveal.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) today confirmed that 48 Nigerian professionals are suspected of paying someone to a sit computer-based exam that tests medical knowledge and is needed to work in Britian.

The NMC said it was 'more likely than not' that those it has identified obtained their result fraudulently.

However, the regulator told MailOnline that they will still be allowed to treat patients while investigations are underway  though not all are necessarily working in healthcare.

Thinktanks today slammed the decision, saying the regulator had a 'duty to protect patients' and their decision could see 'incompetent individuals threaten the health of adults and new-borns'.

Thinktanks today criticised Britain's nursing and midwifery regulator for allowing 48 nurses strongly suspected of fraudulently acquiring their qualification to work in the UK to continue to work with patients while investigations are underway (stock image)

The 48 people identified sat the exam, which covers drug dosage calculations and clinical questions for health issues like diabetes, at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, south west Nigeria.

An investigation by the NMC found 'evidence of widespread fraudulent activity' at the centre, meaning all the test results it has issued have now been deemed invalid.

While doubts were initially cast over 515 nurses and midwives who were tested at centre, the NMC narrowed the list of 'likely' fraudulent applicants down to 48.

These nurses and midwives will have their case assessed by an independently appointed panel to decide if they gained fraudulent entry to the NMC register.

If the panel determines they did, they would be removed from register losing the right to work as nurse or midwife in the UK.

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But during this process they will still be allowed to work in the UK without restrictions.

However, those who are cleared by the panel, and the 467 other nurses and midwives from Nigeria who took the test at the centre will have to successfully resit the test to be allowed to continue working in healthcare in the UK.

Professor Len Shackleton, an editorial and research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs told MailOnline it was unacceptable for health professionals with dubious qualifications to continue to treat patients.

He said: 'There are doubts about remote testing centres in many academic disciplines  but it's especially worrying to see this in nursing and midwifery where incompetent individuals threaten the health of adults and new-borns.

'Nobody wants to see individuals who may be innocent automatically penalised, but the nursing regulator has a duty to protect patients, and the sensibilities of those whose qualifications are in doubt must come second to this duty.'

Professor Shackleton added that the situation demonstrated the dangers of the UK's over-reliance on oversees trained nurses to fill staffing gaps in the NHS.

'This episode should also spur the UK government to finance the training of a higher proportion of our own medical staff rather than relying on endless imports of doctors and nurses from poorer countries,' he said.

It is unknown what portion of the 48 nurses and midwives under suspicion are currently working in health or social care roles in Britian and in what areas.

An additional 669 nurses and midwives in the process of applying to work in the UK, but have not started employment, are also believed to have obtained their result fraudulently.

The NMC said these individuals will need to sit a new test and will also have to pass a character assessment process.

Another 771 Nigerian applicants cleared of any fraud and dishonesty will also have to resit the exam due to all results at the centre being ruled invalid.

NMC chief executive Andrea Sutcliffe said she was sympathetic to those innocent applicants caught up in the fraud scandal.

'We understand this continues to be a distressing time for people facing uncertainty about their application or place on our register,' she said.

'We're committed to managing these concerns in the safest and fairest way we can.

'It's been essential to look carefully at all the data and other information presented to us before deciding on the right and proportionate approach for everyone.'

Data from the nursing regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, shows the UK is increasingly turning to international recruits to boost staff numbers. This year the number of international nurse recruits nearly equalled the number British nurses joining the profession for the first time ever. The data also shows the number of internationally trained nurses signing on in the UK has increased year-on-year, minus a blip of the Covid pandemic which hampered immigration

Nursing in the UK is also growing increasingly reliant on international recruits with India and the Philippines accounting for the lion's share of international nursing recruits, with over 15,000 between them. Worryingly, a fifth of the UK's international nursing recruits came from 'red list' countries where the NHS is banned from poaching nurses. These countries were Nigeria, Ghana, Nepal, and Pakistan. This data covers the period before Britain struck a special deal with Nepal to allow the NHS to recruit nurses from the country despite its red list status

She added that the NMC's priority remained to protect the public.

'Our paramount concern remains to protect the public by maintaining the integrity of the register for nursing and midwifery professionals practising in the UK,' she said.

'Thats why weve responded to this situation with such painstaking care and consideration.'

The computer test is run by a company called Pearson VUE.

It's vice president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia, Matthew Poyiadgi, said the company was taking step to prevent similar fraud in the future.

'For all testing companies, threats to test integrity are rapidly evolving and attempted proxy testing is an unfortunate, periodic occurrence,' he said.

'We conduct regular security checks at all our testing sites and employ cutting-edge technologies to detect any type of fraudulent activity.'

Before testing was suspended, about five per cent of all Nigerian professionals on the NMC register undertook their exam at Yunnik Technologies Test Centre.

There are 10,639 Nigerian trained nurses and midwives currently registered to work in the UK.

This makes them the third biggest group of internationally trained nursing and midwifery professionals after India and the Philippines.

British recruitment of Nigerian health professionals is controversial.

Nigeria is considered a 'red list' country for the recruitment of health professionals, meaning poaching of staff could endanger its own health and care system.

While the NHS is forbidden from directly recruiting staff from red list countries this doesn't stop individual medics for applying for jobs in Britain.

Experts have repeatedly raised the alarm about the UK's increasing over-reliance on recruiting staff from other countries to fill staffing gaps in the NHS and social care.

They have warned such tactics are putting the UK in increasing competition with other countries like Australia and the US also looking to recruit a limited supply of global nurses.
Only four people in the US have ever caught a deadly brain-eating amoeba that claimed the life of a toddler last week and lived to tell the tale.

Kali Hardig, now 22, and from Arkansas, was only 12 years old when she was struck by Naegleria fowleri, which doctors think she caught at a water park.

They told her it was a 'death sentence' and gave her just four days to live, but a decade on she is swimming again and, last November, became a mother for the first time. She only occasionally struggles with blurry vision in her left eye due to scar tissue from the disease.

Fourteen-year-old Caleb Ziegelbauer, from Florida, is also now a year on from being infected with the microscopic species that kills 97 percent of its victims.

Caleb is now walking somewhat but the damage done to his brain means he needs to communicate with facial expressions and has to use a wheelchair.

Kali Hardig, 22, survived her infection with the brain-eating amoeba from a decade ago. She became a mother last November with her daughter Adalynn (shown with Kali) now being 10 months old. She also still has occasional blurry vision in her left eye

Caleb Ziegelbauer, 14, was infected with the amoeba about a year ago after swimming at a river estuary. He is now able to stand up, walk and somewhat talk, although he still needs a wheelchair

Official records show 157 people in the US were infected with the disease between 1962 and 2022, of which only four survived.

Five deaths from the amoeba have been reported this year, with the latest being a one-year-old toddler from Arkansas who died on September 4.

There are fears warming temperatures will heat freshwater pools nationwide, leaving more people at risk of the amoeba.

Among the lucky few survivors is Ms Hardig, who was infected with the deadly amoeba in 2013 when she was just 12 years old after swimming at Willow Springs Water Park near her home.

'A death sentence is what they called it,' she told KARK, describing the moment she was diagnosed.

'They told my parents by Sunday I would be gone, because that's how fast it moves.'

But after receiving surgery to deliver medicines directly to her brain and the anti-amoeba drug miltefosine from Germany, she made a remarkable recovery.

Ten years on from the infection, she said the only effect she is still suffering is occasional blurry vision in her left eye.

'It causes me to have some blurry vision every now and then, but that's about the only long-lasting effect I have from it,' she said.

Doctors said that she also had scarring in her brain, but added that this should not impair her abilities.

Her father Joseph told WHYY in 2016: 'The doctor, he said, "She does have some scarring on her brain, but picture your brain like a fuse box. Your core of your brain is your fuse box, and the fuse box runs out to the rest of your brain like electrical outlets. Well, some of her electrical outlets have some damage on them, but her fuse box is good. The brain will reroute and go around these".'

She has since moved to Oblong, Illinois, where she works as a receptionist at security company Allied Universal.

Last November, she welcomed her daugher Adalynn Hardig into the world.

Ms Hardig said she was like a 'brand-new baby' after the infection and had to relearn everything including how to walk, talk, read and write

She is pictured above at rehabilitation to regain her skills. A year after the infection she was able to go swimming again

Ms Hardig began suffering a constant pounding headache days after she went swimming in a pond near her home in 2013.

Her mother initially thought she was dehydrated and doctors thought it was a bad case of the flu, but tests quickly revealed the amoeba in her body.

She was kept in hospital for 55 days and, after fighting off the infection, said she was like a 'brand-new baby' who needed to relearn to walk, talk, write and read again.

A year after her ordeal she said she was still scared to touch any form of water, even that in the shower.

'I was afraid to take a shower because I know that I got it from water, and I was thinking that it could be from all kinds of water, that it could be in the shower,' she said.

He contracted the illness after he went swimming with his family at Port Charlotte Beach on July 1, 2022

But in August 2014, about a year after the infection, she overcame her fears to go for a swim again.

Talking about the moment in 2016, she said: 'Once they let me swim in the pool at Children's and I knew I wouldn't get sick.

'I was ecstatic, because I knew I could still swim. And I love to swim.'

People become infected with the amoeba after swimming in warm bodies of freshwater, such as lakes, where the amoeba thrives.

The infection begins in the nose, before traveling along the olfactory nerve to the brain.

In the early stages, patients suffer symptoms including a splitting headache, high fever, change in taste or smell and sensitivity to light. But this quickly progresses to hallucinations and seizures, killing most victims in days.

Another survivior is Caleb Ziegelbauer, aged 14, from Florida, who is now just over a year on from his infection on July 1, 2022.

Mr Ziegelbauer has had to relearn how to stand up, walk and talk again following the infection, like Ms Hardig.

In his latest interview in July this year, he was able to stand up, laugh and somewhat speak  but still needed to use a wheelchair and, at times, facial expressions in order to communicate.

He said: 'I have come so far and yet I have a lot of progress.'

He added: 'I can talk with my eyebrow.'

Caleb returned from intensive rehab in March, meaning he can now stand, laugh and communicate, though his speech is impaired

Like Ms Hardig, his family was also told they had just four days left with him after the deadly amoeba was diagnosed. Doctors now say they have never been happier to be wrong.

His symptoms began as a severe headache and fever after he visited Charlotte Beach, on the estuary between the freshwater Peace River and the saltwater Gulf of Mexico.

But they then progressed to hallucinations, prompting his family to rush him to hospital with his mother Jesse saying that during the one-hour car ride his condition 'deteriorated rapidly'.

Doctors at Golisano Children's Hospital, Fort Myers, placed him into a coma and administered medications for treatment.

His mother Jesse added: 'He did tell me [Caleb] he heard me talking to him, saying Caleb if you can hear me come back.

'I've promised as soon as he runs we want to do the 5K at Disney.'

Mr Ziegelbauer is also aiming to become an epidemiologist.

He added: 'I was going to find the cure for Covid, but now I am going to find the vaccine for Naegleria fowleri.'

Patients who catch the amoeba and survive need to relearn everything like a brand new baby because of the damage done to their brains and nervous system.

The amoeba triggers inflammation and the destruction of brain tissue during an infection, affecting regions of the brain including those responsible for speech and language.

Doctors suggest the survival of both patients was down to a combination of early diagnosis, the treatments they received and luck.

Ms Hardig received the drug miltefosine  which is not routinely used against Naegleria fowleri  to treat her infection.

In Caleb's case, doctors began to treat him for the amoeba seven days after he went swimming  which may have been early enough to head off the infection.

Doctors say the disease is becoming more common thanks to warming temperatures triggered by global warming.

Dr Dennis Kyle, the head of cellular biology at the University of Georgia, previously told FOX8: 'We are experiencing warmer temperatures and these amoebae are thermal-tolerant... so the numbers of amoeba will be higher.

'Warmer climate means, yes, more exposure and more cases.'

There are also concerns over Vibrio vulnificus, a dangerous bacteria that lives in warm seawater and can cause deadly infections.

Experts are also warning that infections with this are becoming more common thanks to warming seawaters.
READ MORE: Bombshell gov't report says NIH failed to keep tabs on Wuhan lab

The Biden administration has officially barred taxpayer dollars from being funneled to a controversial Chinese lab long suspected of causing the Covid pandemic.

This week, an official statement from the Department of Health and Human Services said the Wuhan Institute of Virology failed to prove its experiments were safe.

EcoHealth Alliance- a New York-based non-profit - was awarded $8 million from the National Institutes of Health between 2014 and 2021 to be subcontracted to research facilities such as the WIV, which got about $3.7 million.

HHS said the Wuhan researchers violated the terms for receiving federal grant money because poor biosafety protocols at the lab possibly did lead or could lead to health issues or other unacceptable outcomes.

The ban on federal funding to the WIV will last a decade, which is seven years longer than the average suspension, though it is unlikely that the move will shield the agency from criticism about funding the experiments in the first place.

The Biden Administration announced it was suspending the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV) access to government funding and issued a 10-year ban after the lab could not provide sufficient documentation on its biosafety protocols and security measures

The question of whether the global outbreak began with a spillover from wildlife sold at the market or leaked out of the Wuhan lab just eight miles across the Yangtze River has given rise to fierce debate about how to prevent the next pandemic. New studies point to a natural spillover at the Huanan wildlife market. Positive swab samples of floors, cages and counters also track the virus back to stalls in the southwestern corner of the market (bottom left), where animals with the potential to harbor Covid were sold for meat or fur at the time (bottom right)

Pictured: The Wuhan Institute of Virology, where crucial data was wiped by Chinese scientists

It marked a major win in the eyes of lawmakers who allege the biolab was the genesis of the pandemic, with one calling this an essential and obvious step in the right direction.

The 10-year ban was first proposed in July when HHS outlined the Wuhan labs various failures to hand over detailed lab notebooks and documents about its experimentation with bat coronaviruses tested in mice.

According to the federal health agency, researchers in Wuhan had conducted experiments with coronaviruses beyond what the terms of the grant allowed. It also alleged that the WIV maintained poor standards for biosafety, potentially putting people at risk.

Due to WIVs disregard of the NIHs requests that WIV provide the required materials to support its research... the NIHs conclusion that WIV research likely violated protocols of the NIH regarding biosafety is undisputed.

As such, there is risk that WIV not only previously violated, but is currently violating, and will continue to violate, protocols of the NIH on biosafety.

EcoHealth was not barred from receiving federal grant money that it would then distribute.

In fact, the Biden administration recently resurrected a financial alliance between the government and EcoHealth which would see the latter getting $2.3 million annually to fund scientific research.

The agreement had ended under the Trump administration in April 2020. But money has still been flowing to labs like the WIV.

Between 2015 and 2023, at least seven US entities supplied NIH grant money to labs in China performing animal experiments, totaling $3,306,061

British researcher Dr Peter Daszak who runs EcoHealth Alliance is pictured with Dr Anthony Fauci

Virologist Shi Zheng-li, left, works with her colleague in the P4 lab of Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2017. Dr Li was one of the recipients of an HHS notice about pulling funding, but she never responded to the agency

NIH grants given more recently to US academic institutions to fund research would often be shared with animal testing labs overseas including the WIV.

In total, roughly $15 million in government grants have gone toward animal experiments in foreign labs from 2013 to this year.

The message to WIV from HHS was one of several sent by phone, email, fax, and international mail.

The emails were rendered undeliverable to the addresses officials had, the fax number was inactive, and the notice sent through the post was returned to HHS headquarters in DC.

The formal debarment notice did not name the coronavirus as the one to have been manipulated to such an alarming degree.

But that did not stop lab leak theory proponents from taking this move as confirmation that the people in the highest levels of government believe the pandemic started in that lab and leeched out from there.

Ohio Republican congressman Brad Wenstrup said: This is especially timely as mounting evidence and intelligence continue to suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from a laboratory failure in Wuhan.

Rep Wenstrup, who serves as chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic added: 'Rewarding the likely source of a global pandemic with American resources will only lead to more future health risks.

The lab leak theory has gained significant traction in the past couple of years as vaccinations and general immunity have removed the public from the worst days of the pandemic.

This has culminated in a Republican-authored congressional report last December that revealed 'indications' the WIV had a lab incident tied to China's bioweapons program that led to covid being 'spilled over' to the general public.

The theory has also received backing from government entities.

The Department of Energy believes, albeit with low confidence that the pandemic originated from a lab leak. The FBI came to the same conclusion with moderate confidence.

But overall the intelligence community remains split on the topic.
Women who feel ravenous and crave chocolate and crisps every month really do have good reason.

A study has found a change in women's brains at a certain time of the month which could affect their appetite and desire for junk food.

Researchers discovered that in the pre-menstrual phase of a woman's cycle, after ovulation but before her period arrives, a brain region called the hypothalamus reacts less to the hormone insulin.

Most people know about insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, in relation to diabetes because it regulates blood sugar.

But when insulin reaches the brain, previous evidence suggests it can make women less hungry and prone to snacking.

The brain reacts less to insulin in the pre-menstrual phase of a woman's cycle, which could make women crave chocolate and crisps at certain ties of the month

Therefore, the new finding that insulin doesn't work as well in the brain when women are pre-menstrual, could help to explain their increased appetite and unhealthy cravings at this time.

The findings come from scanning the brains of 15 women in an MRI machine.

Senior author Professor Martin Heni, who conducted at the study the University of Tuebingen in Germany, said: 'There is not as much research about insulin in the brain as there is in the body.

'This is the first evidence that it has less effect on women at a certain point in their menstrual cycle.

My period lasted almost a YEAR - but I was just told to 'put up with it' Helen Lewis was at home alone in her bathroom when she began to feel dizzy, and in a split second realised that she was about to pass out

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'The implication that this could help to explain hunger and cravings in pre-menstrual women is really helpful - it shows that women who struggle with this are not making it up.

'However our study did not directly look at these effects in women.'

The study, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, gave the 15 women a nasal spray of insulin to mimic what happens when the hormone crosses into the brain.

This caused significant activity in a brain region called the hypothalamus during the 'follicular' phase of their cycle - from the day after their last period until ovulation.

But there was less brain activity in the 'luteal' phase, when women are pre-menstrual - after ovulation but before their period.

This could also help to explain premenstrual mood swings, as insulin action in the brain may affect emotions.

Researchers suspect that insulin is needed by women in the first half of their cycle, as the hormone controls glucose in the body, so can recruit energy to help them produce an egg and thicken the lining of their womb in case they become pregnant that month.

But this process is less necessary after ovulation.

The lack of sensitivity to insulin seen in the brains of pre-menstrual women is, however, separate to the lack of sensitivity to insulin seen the rest of the body which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

It means women should not fear a major surge in their blood sugar in the second half of their menstrual cycle.

However the temporary lack of sensitivity to insulin in the brain could, over decades, contribute to more fat being stored within the body.

It means women's pre-menstrual brain changes could be one of the reasons for why they generally have more body fat than men.
GP and patient groups are concerned about a potential new strategy that would stop family doctors being able to make direct referrals to NHS specialists.

The approach called 'advice and guidance' would instead require GPs to first discuss a patient's case with a hospital consultant before a referral is made.

Family doctors often make such referrals to specialist care when a patient has specific symptoms, such as a suspicious mole or an unusual reading on a blood test, that requires further detailed medical examination.

The advice and guidance policy is already used in some parts of England but NHS leaders are considering rolling it out nationally. A final decision will be made in a national outpatient strategy to be published in December.

Fans of the model argue it can help reduce the number of unnecessary referrals, saving both the patient and the NHS time.

However, GPs fear the system could be used to create an 'artificial barrier' to protect NHS waiting lists from growing even further, add more paperwork to overworked family doctors and 'prevent patients from getting the care they need'.

GP and patient groups are concerned about a potential new strategy that would stop family doctors being able to make direct referrals to NHS specialists (stock image)

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) told MailOnline that GPs had concerns about the model.

'In our ongoing discussions with NHS England about a national outpatient strategy, we have voiced concerns about any proposal to insist that all GP referrals must come through the "advice and guidance" system,' she said.

Professor Hawthorne said family doctors already using advice and guidance had provided mixed feedback on how it was implemented.

She said: 'We've seen disparities by region, with some of our GPs saying that, when resourced appropriately and implemented well, it is a helpful tool to increase communications with their colleagues in the rest of the system.

'In others it seems to be used as a barrier to artificially protect waiting lists and prevent patients getting the care they need.

'This can have significant impact on already overworked GPs dealing with the spillover of a greater number of referrals that are delayed or rejected.'

Professor Hawthorne added the RCGP fully supported a closer relationship between primary and secondary care, but patient care came first.

'"Advice and guidance" should only be used to do what it's name suggests provide advice and guidance rather than act as a barrier to timely patient referrals,' said.

Patient advocacy groups are also wary about what advice and guidance could mean for waiting times.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly Britons, told this website it was 'worrying'.

'It looks like another way of rationing patients,' he said.

'It's putting an extra bureaucratic barrier in the way of people being referred to consultants.'

He added that he imagined such a policy could add 'a couple of weeks' to patients successfully getting the referral their GP though they needed.

'The worry is that there will be a toing-and-froing of correspondence from the GP to the hospital consultant,' he said.

Mr Reed also criticised the policy for infantilising family doctors.

'It also questions the professional competence of GPs, they're basically saying "it's up to us to decide whether your referral of this person is right or not",' he said.

The Health Service Journal reported that health leaders are considering significantly increasing the use of the advice and guidance in England.

Latest GP workforce data for May 2023 shows there are 27,200 fully-qualified GPs in England. This is down from 27,627 one year earlier. GP numbers peaked at 29,537 in March 2016

They cited NHS data which showed where the system was implemented it prevented 70,000 GP referrals, with consultants determining they were not needed.

On the potential plan to roll out advice and guidance more widely, an NHS spokesperson said the health was 'still seeking views on proposals'.

They added: 'The NHS is actually making it easier for people to get specialist advice whether by giving GPs the power to order diagnostic scans for cancer without the need for a hospital appointment first, or hospital consultants joining weekly meetings with family doctors to discuss patients treatment options.'

A spokesperson for the Royal College of Physicians, one of groups consulting with NHS England on the outpatient strategy said: 'We're pleased to be working with clinicians, patients, managers, health leaders, and providers at every level to do this.'

'Fundamentally, we are all agreed we need this integrated approach and any recommendations once fully developed will need to address any impact on all sectors to improve care for patients.

'The Advice and Guidance model is not a new one so is already a part of what GPs and specialists do.

'Ideally communication between the GP, the specialist and the patient could speed up care, with early advice and transfer to a planned pathway of specialist care when needed.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Cutting waiting lists is one of this governments top priorities and transforming outpatient services is key to ensuring that people can get the care they need, when they need it.

'Providing GPs with access to advice and guidance supports faster diagnoses and treatment and ensures that patients receive the right kind of support in the right care setting.

'If a patient does need to be seen by a specialist, specialist advice allows the right clinician to be identified at an earlier stage in the process, making better use of the time spent at the appointment.'
BOOK OF THE WEEK

Hunting the Falcon

by John Guy and Julia Fox (Bloomsbury 30, 624pp)

There is a piece of jewellery in the Victoria and Albert Museum which was given by Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn at the height of their love affair, before things went sour.

It is a gold whistle, shaped like a pistol and intricately engraved. Besides making a sound to lure a falcon back to its owners glove, the whistle incorporates two toothpicks and a spoon for removing (human) ear wax.

This blend of ceremonial display and intimate bodily functions perfectly symbolises the crazy extremes of the Tudor court.

On the one hand, Henry ran his household as an opulent showring where fountains flowed with wine (at least they did on the day of Annes coronation, which cost a staggering 65 million in todays money) and international summits couldnt start until a flunky had covered a whole field with a giant carpet made of gold.

Conquest: Claire Foy and Damian Lewis as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII in the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall

Yet, at the same time, the court ran on brute physical realities. Torture was used to enforce daily discipline, and a sudden visitation by the plague could end the starriest of careers and create a new opening for an ambitious upstart.

As a woman there was extra jeopardy. Give birth to a princess when everyone was expecting a prince and you could be banished from the court. Smile at the wrong man for a second too long and you could lose your head.

In this revelatory biography by two leading historians, we see Anne Boleyn more clearly than ever before.

Conducting a fingertip search of the original sources, Guy and Fox present Henrys second wife as neither a tragic heroine, nor a scheming minx, but as a startlingly modern woman.

Born into a middling family on the rise, Anne wanted to be queen for all the right reasons.

While the luxury was nice  no one loved a wardrobe refresh more than a girl who had been brought up in Paris  what she really wanted was the chance to put her liberal reforms into operation.

Anne was progressive about religion, encouraging the circulation of the Bible in English so that ordinary people could understand the Word of God for themselves.

And she was ambitious about eliminating poverty, advocating a national works programme to employ poorer citizens.

In Hunting the Falcon, historians John Guy and Julia Fox present Anne Boleyn as neither a tragic heroine, nor a scheming minx, but as a startlingly modern woman

Highly educated and genuinely clever, she also provided scholarships for promising young men to attend university.

Henry found all this mesmerising  here was a woman who could match him in brainpower and originality.

Anne cleverly strung Henry along for six years, ratcheting up the sexual tension to a sizzle, only agreeing to sleep with him once she knew for certain their marriage was just weeks away.

But what she hadnt foreseen, say Guy and Fox, was that, once Henry had finally claimed her as his wife and Queen, all the fun went out of it.

Having a sparring partner for a girlfriend was sexy, but as a wife, not so much.

You get the feeling that the authors, being a married couple, understand the dynamics of the Henry-Anne relationship better than any of the many historians who have speculated about it down the centuries.

Anne started over-stepping the mark as far as the King, whom the authors brand a narcissist, was concerned.

While, early on, he had been happy to strip his former wife Katherine of Aragon of lands, houses and jewellery to give to Anne, now there was something ugly about the way the new queen continued to diminish her rival.

Henry found highly educated and genuinely clever Anne mesmerising, but all the fun went out of their relationship when they were married

She had even been heard saying that, given half a chance, she would arrange to have Princess Mary, Henrys child by Katherine, executed. These words would come back to haunt her.

Worst of all from Henrys point of view, Anne started nagging whenever she caught him looking at another woman, including the one who would replace her, Jane Seymour.

Resenting being taken to task, Henry rounded on Anne, telling her that she must shut her eyes and endure, and that, moreover, he could cast her down as quickly as he had raised her up.

Of course, Henry would have forgiven Annes petulance in a jiffy if only she had managed to give him a healthy son and heir.

Following yet another miscarriage, Henry was heard to say grimly: I see that God will not give me male children.

From here it was a small step for the increasingly paranoid king to start believing that his marriage was cursed and that Anne must have practised sorcery on him.

Vengeance was quick. Anne was tried on May 15, 1536 and put to death just four days later.

For the record, Guy and Fox do not believe that Anne slept with any of the men she was accused of being with.

Henry was annoyed by Anne's nagging whenever she caught him looking at another woman, including the one who would replace her, Jane Seymour

Instead, they point to the fact that she modelled her own household on the French court, where it was normal for men and women to meet and talk together as equals.

But for Henry, all this democratic informality seemed suspiciously salacious. The most preposterous accusation was that Anne had slept with her own brother, George Boleyn.

(Bloomsbury 30, 624pp)

Guy and Fox suggest that it was Henrys guilty obsession with his own incest that led to him believing something so outlandish.

Previously, he had slept with Annes sister, Mary, and also with his brothers wife, Katherine  could this be the reason why he was now being punished by being deprived of sons?

Despite the bogus nature of Annes trial, Guy and Fox believe that a Rubicon had been crossed. From now on, Henry was adamant about what sort of wife he wanted  a doormat and not a co-pilot.

On one occasion, meek Jane Seymour briefly questioned Henrys decision to suppress the smaller monasteries.

Remember, he warned her menacingly, that the last queen died in consequence of meddling too much.
MEMOIR

High Caucasus

by Tom Parfitt (Headline 25, 332pp)

The children arrived at school on September 1, 2004, the first day of the school year, carrying new satchels and bunches of flowers for their teachers . . .

One of the first-graders, seven-year-old Dzera Kudzayeva, had been chosen for the first bell ritual, in which a new girl is hoisted on the shoulders of one of the oldest boys and rings a handbell. The town was called Beslan.

Shortly after the children assembled, the militants arrived, jumping off a flat-bed truck, firing automatic rifles in the air and shouting Allahu Akbar!

They shot two security guards and then took hundreds of children and their teachers hostage inside the school.

Terror: Schoolchildren are rescued from the siege in 2004 after being held hostage with their teachers by Chechen militants

Days passed; the situation became chaotic, with local men arming themselves with guns, and Russias ruthless special forces, Spetsnaz, arriving.

The militants were Chechens, seeking revenge in the pro-Russian Christian republic of North Ossetia for the countless brutalities Russia had inflicted on their own Muslim homeland of Chechnya, paying brutality back with even worse brutality.

They released a few breastfeeding mothers and their babies, but the rest of the captive children were made to strip to their underwear, herded into a baking hot gymnasium and denied drinking water. They were forced to drink their own urine.

Finally, chaos erupted, bombs exploded, fire broke out and the building was stormed  resulting in the deaths of 333 people, including 186 children.

Parfitt, a correspondent in Moscow for British newspapers, saw it all.

In a mans arms, a girl of nine or so had blood trickling from the corners of her mouth . . . the corpses of four children lay covered in sheets . . . a man in camouflage with his fists raised in bloody rags . . .

Many journalists witness dreadful things to bring us the news, but Beslan was an especially hideous massacre of the innocents.

Even though Parfitt insists, bravely, that he didnt suffer from PTSD afterwards, he certainly struggled.

Tom Parfitt, a correspondent in Moscow for British newspapers, saw the massacre in Beslan first-hand and experienced recurring nightmares in the aftermath. Realising he had to do something, Parfitt turned to nature

Soon there came recurring nightmares, especially one in which he saw a mother who had just lost her child in the massacre, falling to the ground in slow motion, floundering, plunging before my helpless sight. Three seconds torn from a reel of terror and decelerated into endless purgatory.

One evening, I was pulling on my socks when I began gabbling incoherently. He decided he had to do something.

And so he did what many traumatised survivors have done: he turned to nature, to mountains, to forests and rivers, and to the slow, wordless magic of a very, very long walk.

He would trek from end to end across the Caucasus mountain range, through its many troubled but beautiful republics, like Ingushetia, Dagestan, and Chechnya itself: eight regions in all, with the Foreign Office advising against visiting all but two of them.

Parfitt hoped to experience a more tranquil region, to find his own peace, and try to understand how something so atrocious could have happened.

The result is this book, High Caucasus, one of the most harrowing, beautifully written and finest accounts of a mountain trek that I have ever read  an instant classic.

You might describe it as a secular pilgrimage in search of some kind of salvation, or at least partial healing and understanding.

Parfitt comes to absolutely love this landscape: The North Caucasus had cast a spell over me that no place has matched, before or since.

Parfitt met numerous jolly, if often tipsy, shepherds, always keen to press vodka upon this exotic foreign walker, and discuss the world together

A harrowing and beautifully written account of a mountain trek, Parfitt's High Caucasus is an instant classic

He vividly evokes a world where life is very tough, but so are the people: a world where Abkhazian women trek miles across the border to sell armfuls of mimosa blossoms for a few roubles to the Russians, while the menfolk shoot bears and then sell the fat for people to rub on their chests when theyre ill.

He meets numerous jolly, if often tipsy, shepherds with huge moustaches, wearing sheepskin jackets, spending months up in the high summer pastures with their flocks, defending them from wolves and sleeping in sparse huts.

They are always keen to press vodka upon this exotic foreign walker, and discuss the world together.

An orthodox priest tells him he has heard that London is very bad for crime. East 17, he said. Same as the group. Ah, says Parfitt, Walthamstow.

There are many such comic moments, as when he fears hes heading into a gunfight, hearing bullets fly, but a local assures him: More likely a wedding.

Headline 25, 332pp

Soon he encounters a pristine blue Rolls-Royce Phantom with a man sitting on the passenger window and firing a Kalashnikov into the air. All very cheery, nothing to worry about.

Parfitt concludes his great adventure with the feeling that history is something all peoples must both remember and forget, so as not to be trapped into attitudes of smouldering hatred and longing for revenge.

And yes, nature heals, as do long days with simple but far from stupid people.

At last the Caucasus comes to mean not just the horrors of Beslan, but also a curtain of cloud rising like smoke over a ridge . . . a bowl of mulberries on a sunlit windowsill, while above all, filling the horizon from west to east in a chain of wonder, rises the frosty palisade of the mountains: vast, sparkling, immutable.

A magical book.


Wilkos owners look set to be hauled in front of MPs to be grilled over a 56million hole in the collapsed retailers pension fund.

Up to 12,500 staff face redundancy after administrators announced earlier this month that they failed to find a buyer for the embattled discount chain.

Wilko will disappear from the High Street when the last of its more than 400 shops close next month. Some stores, however, will reopen as B&M or Poundland and the name will live on at The Range.

The collapse has shone a spotlight on the retailers owners  particularly after The Mail on Sunday revealed last month the Wilkinson family paid themselves 77million in dividends over the last ten years.

That included a 3million payment last year while the chains losses deepened.

Jobs: Up to 12,500 Wilko staff face redundancy after administrators announced earlier this month that they failed to find a buyer for the embattled discount chain

Lisa Wilkinson, the granddaughter of founder James Kempsey Wilkinson, and the failed firms majority shareholder, is now under pressure to plug the gap in the pension scheme.

One MP on the Work and Pensions Committee likened the situation to Philip Green and the collapse of BHS in 2016.

The committee dragged Green in to give evidence in Parliament and the former Topshop owner eventually agreed to hand over 363million to BHS pensioners.

Committee member Nigel Mills, the Tory MP for Amber Valley, told the Mail the Wilko issue is certainly something that we might need to look at.

It does look concerning that there is a sizeable deficit and money taken out of the company, he said. We have been here before with Philip Green. There are a whole lot of people who have just lost their jobs and dont want to lose their pensions too.

He added that it is important to make sure that what looks like a mismanaged business isnt also a mismanaged pension scheme.

The Pensions Regulator confirmed it is in discussions with Wilko and pension scheme trustees to make sure members benefits are protected.

Majority stake: Lisa Wilkinson, grandchild of Wilkos founder

However, if the Wilko pension pot ends up in the Pension Protection Fund, thousands of employees face a cut to their retirement payments.

More than 170 Wilko stores have closed so far, with all branches set to shut by early October, but administrators have sold off parts of the business to rivals.

Poundland bought 71 branches and B&M took on 51 sites, but the properties will be rebranded and former Wilko staff are not guaranteed a job.

Meanwhile, The Range paid 5million for the Wilko brand meaning it owns the website and could stock some Wilko products  rescuing 36 jobs.

Steve McCabe, the Labour MP for Selly Oak in Birmingham who also sits on the Work and Pensions committee, said it should investigate.

If it is a case that there was some sort of reckless or negligent behaviour in terms of not funding the pension scheme, then clearly that is quite serious given the company has gone bust, he said.

Lisa Wilkinson, who has previously defended the dividend payouts, is set to be quizzed by PwC over the millions of pounds her family took in dividends, the Times reported.

Administrators will investigate the cause of the insolvency and decide whether any claims should be brought against Wilkinson and other directors. PwC did not respond to a request for comment.

GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said the union, which represents about 4,000 Wilko employees, is also calling on the Wilkinson family to plug the pension deficit. She said Wilkinson should be hauled in front of MPs to give evidence.

Houghton said: She must explain why there is a 56million hole in the pension pot and what she will do to plug it, given that she and her family extracted 77million during the past ten years.
Germany is at risk of becoming the sick man of Europe, according to the boss of the countrys biggest bank.

We are not the sick man of Europe, Deutsche Bank chief executive Christian Sewing told an industry summit in Frankfurt.

But it is also true that there are structural weaknesses that hold back our economy and prevent it from developing is great potential.

'And we will become the sick man of Europe if we do not address these structural issues now.

Warning: Deutsche Bank chief executive Christian Sewing (pictured) said Germany became complacent after more than a decade of growth before the pandemic struck

He warned the banking industry lagged behind those in rival countries and also highlighted Germanys slow internet connections, outdated rail networks, red tape and lack of skilled workers as well as unpredictable energy costs.

The German economy fell into recession last winter and is expected to suffer a double-dip in the second half of this year having briefly halted its decline over the summer.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development this week warned it would be the only economy in the G7 to contract this year.

The International Monetary Fund has made similar predictions.

Warning Germany became complacent after more than a decade of growth before the pandemic, Sewing said: We discuss the four-day week, the redistribution of wealth and whether growth is desirable at all.

In doing so, we negate the basic economic principle that you must do something before you get something.
Iceland staff have been attacked by shoplifters with hypodermic needles, the chain's boss has told MailOnline.

Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, is the latest retail leader to speak out about the increase in violent attacks on staff working at high street stores.

'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,' he told MailOnline.

'Colleagues are being slapped, punched and threatened with a range of weapons including knives, hammers, firearms and hypodermic needles.

'Assaults have resulted in injuries ranging from a broken jaw to a fractured skull.'

Staff at other chains have been punched, bottled and stabbed by thieves  who store security experts say are increasingly operating in organised criminal gangs.

Co-op employees have also been threatened with syringes, while another was assaulted with a medieval mace, a senior executive told MailOnline.

And John Lewis chairman Sharon White recently described shoplifting in Britain as an 'epidemic'. Today, MailOnline can reveal exclusive CCTV video taken inside the chain's stores showing shoplifting.

As part of an investigation into the UK's shoplifting 'epidemic', MailOnline has obtained exclusive CCTV footage of shoplifters in John Lewis. In one video, a man wearing a black jumper crouches down and opens a black bin bag before stashing two Pure speakers inside

In another video a man walks off with products in his hand, before turning around again and exposing his face to the CCTV camera. In both cases the shoplifters were detained before being arrested by police

Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, is the latest retail executive to speak out about the increase in violent attacks on staff across the UK high street

An Iceland security guard confronts a shoplifter inside a store in Ilford, London. None of the images in this article show people involved in needle attacks or any victims of them

MailOnline can also reveal data that shows cases of shoplifting at Co-op stores have risen by 41 per cent in the first eight months of this year compared to the last.

Paul Gerrard, the chain'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.

The British Retail Consortium said incidents of violence and abuse against staff have nearly doubled from more than 450 per day in 2019/2020 to more than 850 last year.

In the CCTV footage of John Lewis shoplifters, published by MailOnline today, 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.

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.

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.

In the first video from John Lewis, the shoplifter can be seen looking up to a higher shelf and appears to select the most expensive item he can find - a Pure radio worth 369

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them off the shelf

'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.

'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.'

Today, an Iceland staff member at a branch in Eltham said: 'Assaults on staff are a frequent occurrence. On Monday we had one.

READ MORE - CCTV catches moment masked armed robber threatens three teenage girls in attempt to rob newsagent Advertisement

'They know when we don't have a guard on staff. They're clever about it when they go and steal.

'It's always the same people. We see the same people coming in and coming out.

'We have a security guard most days of the week. When we stop them a lot of them just give it back but you do get aggressive thieves.'

The failure of police forces to take shoplifting seriously is a common complaint among retailers.

Data released by the Co-op in July showed police are failing to attend more than two-thirds of retail crimes.

Mr Gerrard 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.

The John Lewis Partnership yesterday revealed it is facing a 12million jump in the cost of shoplifting as bosses at the retail giant blamed a surge in organised crime.

Dame Sharon said the recent spate in shoplifting was driven by 'crime groups' rather than thefts linked to the soaring cost of living.

Data released by the Co-Op in July showed police are failing to attend more than two-thirds of retail crimes. The chain has previously released footage of its staff grappling with shoplifters

The boss said she met with Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, earlier this week to discuss shoplifting.

She said: 'Every retailer is seeing shoplifting that is much more organised crime than the opportunistic shoplifting you may have seen in the past  or linked to cost of living pressures.

'It has almost become a job. It is shoplifting to order.

'We have some situations where we have stores that are relatively approximate to each other, and a gang goes from store to store.'

READ MORE - Boutique boss tackles thieves AGAIN: Moment brave businesswoman catches shoplifter trying to steal 250 worth of Paco Rabanne Advertisement

She said too few incidents are being followed up by the police, adding: 'It is organised, to order, and an issue, rife across retail.

'We have raised the issue because the safety of our staff is incredibly important. We also feel this is an important issue from a societal point of view.

'That is why we have been calling for change in legislation specifically to tackle abuse of shop workers. We are wanting to work more closely with the police.

'To be frank, if we aren't dealing with low-level crime, that's a huge issue more generally for society.'

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, the group's supermarket arm 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'.

Ms White said: 'Like other retailers, we have seen more activity linked to organised crime.

Team leader Charlene Corbin was bottled by a shoplifter at the Co-Op where she works

Pictured is the wound Ms Corbin sustained after being bottled by a thief at her store

'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.'

READ MORE - Video appears to show moment one-legged woman attempts to break loose from Tesco as security guard tries to keep her inside Advertisement

German discount supermarket chain Lidl said separately yesterday that it was stepping up investment in store security amid increasing rates of shoplifting, by ramping up CCTV coverage and rolling out more body-worn cameras in its outlets.

Ryan McDonnell, chief executive of Lidl's British business, said it was a 'social issue' that the industry is working together to address.

He said: 'There's no doubt that it's affecting the whole industry and we are not immune to it. The safety and security of our workers is a priority.

'We are working with the British Retail Consortium with the rest of our competitors in the sector coming together to look at how we can tackle it.

'We welcome the engagement from the Government and the police.'

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman said this week that he hopes to see 'significant improvements' in the way police find and prosecute offenders.

A shoplifter has a tug of war with a Co-op worker in Liverpool

He said that shoplifting was 'clearly unacceptable' and that the government would work with police forces to 'drive down crime' in the area.

READ MORE - Now shoplifters use social media to tell fans how to steal: Youngsters share tips using codewords like 'borrow' to get around censors Advertisement

The boss of Primark has also called for the shoplifting crisis to be taken 'more seriously' while the chairman of Asda has warned shoplifting has effectively been 'decriminalised'.

And Tesco is offering every frontline worker at the supermarket a body camera following an increase in violent attacks on staff.

Asked whether there was recognition that shoplifting was a problem, the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters in Westminster: 'Shoplifting is clearly unacceptable and then the public would expect us to work with police forces to drive down crime.

'It's worth noting that crime overall has fallen significantly, whether it's on neighbour crimes like burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, or indeed violent crime.

'Police forces in England and Wales have rightly committed to pursuing any available evidence where there's a reasonable chance it could lead them to catching a perpetrator and solving a crime, and we hope to see significant improvements in the way the police approach crimes like shoplifting to bring more offenders to justice.'
Shoplifting gangs are targeting shops along Tube routes and road networks before stealing items to order, MailOnline can reveal today.

Lucy Brown, director of security for the John Lewis Partnership, said the recent surge in shoplifting was due the rise of organised criminals rather than the cost of living crisis.

Retail thefts have risen by 27 per cent year on year across ten of the UK's largest cities - and were up by 68 per cent in some, the British Retail Consortium found.

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.

Ms Brown, who oversees security at both Waitrose and John Lewis, told MailOnline: 'Some shops are targeted every day, others several times a day. And we're fortunate because we're not the worst hit,' she said.

As part of an investigation into the UK's shoplifting 'epidemic', MailOnline has obtained exclusive CCTV footage of shoplifters in John Lewis. In one video, 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

'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.

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'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 [electric] 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.

'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.'

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them off the shelf

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them off the shelf

The security chief said the company had also brought in specially trained security 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.

READ MORE - Video appears to show moment one-legged woman attempts to break loose from Tesco as security guard tries to keep her inside Advertisement

'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 [about] 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.

'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 front-line workers and they deserve respect and courtesy.'

Security chief Lucy Brown said criminal gangs were travelling along London Tube routes and road networks and targeting shops along the way

Lucy Brown is head of security at the John Lewis Partnership, which runs both John Lewis and Waitrose

John Lewis recently revealed that shoplifting cost its stores 12million last year.

Chair Dame Sharon White said she met with Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, earlier this 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'.

Ms White 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 month, Waitrose said it was offering free tea and coffee to police officers in an effort to boost their presence around stores

German discount supermarket chain Lidl said separately on Thursday that it was stepping up investment in store security amid increasing rates of shoplifting, by ramping up CCTV coverage and rolling out more body-worn cameras in its outlets.

Ryan McDonnell, chief executive of Lidl's British business, said it was a 'social issue' that the industry is working together to address.

He said: 'There's no doubt that it's affecting the whole industry and we are not immune to it. The safety and security of our workers is a priority.

'We are working with the British Retail Consortium with the rest of our competitors in the sector coming together to look at how we can tackle it.

'We welcome the engagement from the Government and the police.'
Aviation experts reveal why passengers need to stay on the plane

Aviation experts have explained why passengers are forced to remain stuck in a plane for hours on the tarmac when something goes wrong.

Geoffrey Thomas, the editor-in-chief of airlineratings.com, said 'you wouldn't dream' of allowing passengers to exit onto the airfield unless in a serious emergency.

The expert, who has 45 years of experience in the industry, told Daily Mail Australia that the rule was namely to keep passengers and crew members safe.

It comes after Qantas passengers flying from Sydney to the Gold Coast on Tuesday night were stranded on the tarmac for three hours after landing.

Up to 120 customers were forced to wait until qualified drivers and engineers assessed an issue with the aircraft's nose wheel steering.

After several hours, the plane was manually towed to the terminal by a tug.

It comes just days after the embattled airline was forced to apologise to passengers on Boeing 737 flight QF93 from Melbourne to Los Angeles after they waited for six hours on the tarmac before their flight was eventually cancelled.

Mr Thomas said there were multiple reasons why passengers couldn't disembark in the operational part of the airfield, including simply being that it took too long.

Aviation experts have lifted the lid on the real reason why passengers are not allowed to disembark an aircraft directly onto the tarmac (pictured, customer board via stairs)

He said getting people on and off the plane can take up to an hour, with some passengers then wandering off or enjoying a few too many drinks at the airport bar.

'Then you have people who get off and decide there must be something wrong with the plane and become unnerved,' the expert said.

He said if the passenger then decided to leave the terminal, their luggage would have to come out of the hold - taking even more time.

Mr Thomas said it could take longer to return to the terminal if there wasn't a tug available, regardless of if there was a mechanical fault or not.

'Tugs are always racing from one plane to another,' he explained, adding that towing a broken plane instead of fixing the fault was always a last resort.

Mr Thomas said it was common in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi and Doha for passengers to be taken by bus to board the plane via a remote parking stand because there wasn't enough gates at the airport.

However, it is more likely passengers in Australia will board planes via an aerobridge or by taking a short walk across the tarmac to a flight of stairs.

Passengers in Australia will board planes via an aerobridge or by taking a short walk across the tarmac to a flight of stairs (pictured)

Peter White from Aviation Projects Australia told Daily Mail Australia that unloading an aircraft in the operational part of an airfield had major risks such as passengers wandering off or suffering a medical episode on the tarmac.

'Safety is number one for airlines, as well as the protection of the aircraft,' he said.

'It's different for crew members who are trained and qualified. Passengers are untrained and unauthorised, even just to walk a short distance.'

He said tugs are not necessarily owned by airlines but are usually provided by airport contractors, meaning they are not always readily available.

Mr White agreed that it would only be in an emergency like an engine fire that passengers would be asked to evacuate directly onto the tarmac.

'That would be a very serious situation, with firefighters and police,' he said.

Passengers are at greater risk of harm in the middle of an operational airfield with the majority of airlines preferring to keep people onboard during delays or technical issues

It's understood Qantas passengers can't disembark an aircraft directly onto a runway for safety reasons unless it's an emergency, which is why flights taxi to a bay near the terminal once they've landed.

In the case of the Sydney to Gold Coast flight on Tuesday night, the aircraft couldn't taxi off the runway by itself due to the hydraulics issue and had to wait to be towed.

On top of this, there weren't any buses available at Gold Coast Airport to transport customers from the aircraft to the terminal.

A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'For safety reasons, passengers cant disembark an aircraft directly onto a runway.'
Aussies have been left stunned by illegal fake 'private' number plates on a vehicle owned by a driver associated with the sovereign citizen movement.

A photo of the Range Rover sporting the fake plates was snapped at a set of traffic lights in Melbourne and posted to Reddit on Tuesday.

'What is this license plate? Have never seen this before?' they wrote.

The license plate has no numbers, only the word 'PRIVATE' framed by the words UCC 2022-298-8263-8 and 'VESSEL IN DRY DOCK UCC 1-308'.

Reddit users were quick to share their theories in the comments.

'Ah f***. I think it's one of those sovereign citizens,' one wrote.

Aussies have been left puzzled by a bizarre 'private' license plate on the back of a Range Rover

'Sovereign citizen. Conspiracy theorists who thinks whole areas of law are invalid,' another added.

A third joked: 'Cop bait so they can spew their script about being free people on the land.'

'Attention seeking d*ckhead,' another added.

A fourth said: 'An idiot who's about to get a massive fine, then refuse to pay it, then watch the situation get progressively worse.'

A fifth added: 'Highway patrol would have a field day with this. It's likely an unregistered Range Rover with no Victorian number plate who is not likely to provide license or even pull over when directed to.

'This is a solid court case for police, they wouldnt bother issuing tickets, driver would get arrested, disqualified from driving then given court date and released.

'Also a $1000 impound fee on top. All this because he is too dumb to get a simple number plate.

Sovereign citizens believe that they  not judges, juries, law enforcement or elected officials  should decide which laws to obey and which to ignore.

Most sovereign citizens also do not believe they should have to pay taxes, considering them to be illegitimate.

As part of the burgeoning ideology, sovereigns believe maritime law should be used to govern - even on land.

They also believe capital letters are used on birth certificates to make individuals a corporate entity, not a sovereign person.

One of the tactics employed by some sovereign citizens to assert their autonomy and independence is the use of fake or fraudulent license plates.

This practice is not only illegal but also poses significant risks to public safety.

Sovereign citizens typically justify this behaviour by arguing that they are not subject to the laws and regulations governing vehicle registration and licensing, asserting that they have the right to create their own identification for their vehicles.
A former Hollywood socialite who once dated star Kevin Costner went berserk and kicked a female police officer's leg as they tried to stop her from drunkenly smashing up her home.

San Francisco-born Birgit Cunningham, 60, who dated Costner for three years, lashed out in her London flat while shouting 'b*******' at the officers.

Ms Cunningham, who claimed she had an affair with married Tory Peer Lord Strathclyde, had once been a doyen of the champagne-quaffing Hollywood Brit Pack.

Her old Sunset Strip residence - owned by film producer Julia Verdin - had been nicknamed 'Party Central' and regular guests included Robert De Niro; John Hurt and Jack Nicholson.

But yesterday she found herself a world away from the house she once shared with actress Elizabeth Hurley, as she was hauled to the imposing walls of Westminster Magistrates Court.

Birgit Cunningham (pictured outside Westminster Magistrates Court) admitted assaulting a police officer at her London flat in July this year

Ms Cunningham dated Hollywood actor Kevin Costner for three years (pictured: the pair together in Los Angeles)

Ms Cunningham pictured in France in 2000. She has pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Alin Garbuja after officers were called to her drunkenly smashing up her home

On Tuesday, Ms Cunningham pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting PC Alin Garbuja on July 11 this year after the drunken fracas at her council flat.

She was conditionally discharged for eighteen months and ordered to pay the officer 150 compensation.

Prosecutor Alza Rashed told the court that officers attended her address in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea at approximately 9.30pm.

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'Police were called by neighbours to reports of this defendant smashing items in her property.

'They said she was upset because she just had her pet cat put down on advice from her vet.

'The officers noted she was noticeably drunk at the time and called them 'b*******' repeatedly as she squared-up to PC Garbuja, who asked her to turn away.

'The officer describes the defendant as being 'aggressive' and 'in her face,' and kicking her in the leg before being immediately handcuffed.

'It was a kick of substantial force to the officer and she also attempted to punch the officer during the struggle,' explained the prosecutor.

'The officer says that she received scratch marks to her right hand and was wincing in pain when contact was made to her body.'

In her victim impact statement PC Alin Garbuja said: 'As a police officer I expect negative behaviour, but being kicked crossed the line while I was trying to help the individual.'

Cunningham now lives in these flats, which is in West London, where the police were called

In 2006, the former 'It girl' Ms Cunningham walked free from court after admitting kneeing her ex-lover in the groin during a courtroom brawl

Cunningham's lawyer Stuart McDonald told the court health and medication difficulties contributed to the incident.

'She has chronic back difficulties, degenerative disc disease and her GP was trying to change her medication regime and the drug she was relying on, almost to addiction, was taken away from her.

'She has had a long-running issue with alcohol addiction and in her youth lived what could be described a a glamorous and exciting lifestyle and has turned to alcohol for relief.'

Meanwhile, magistrates did not accept the police account of the assault and agreed there was no need for a pre-sentence report by the Probation Service.

'We don't agree this was substantial force or over a prolonged period of time,' announced bench Chairman Jeffrey Manton.

Privately-educated Cunningham, who attended exclusive 13,000-a year Roedean girls' school, is the daughter of a former Bank of America treasurer.

She was raised in a sprawling Leatherhead, Surrey country home, with summer holidays spent in luxury rented properties in the South of France.

In 2000 Ms Cunningham was a countryside campaigner and appeared covered with fake blood and handcuffed to railings at the bottom of Downing Street

Clothes were bought at Harrods and Cunningham has previously talked of being chauffeured to parties in a Bentley and living in a 1m Chelsea flat bought by her wealthy father.

She studied for an art degree at Rutgers College, New Jersey, worked in a Paris gallery and was then employed as a PA to the vice-president of Universal Pictures.

Problems with alcohol ended Cunnigham's Hollywood adventure and she returned to London, immersing herself in green issues and giving birth to son Jack, 23, in 2000 following a relationship with Old Etonian racing driver Sir Harry Nuttall.

She then became a single-mum campaigner as she pursued Sir Harry for child support - resulting in an arrest for assault during a courtroom scuffle.

Mr McDonald added: 'She declines the structured treatment of a court Alcohol Treatment Requirement because she is doing it herself.

'I do not wish to belittle what the officer said, but this offence has all the hallmarks of lower culpability.

'The officer says: "At some stage she kicked me in what I believe was my leg". This is minor or non-existent force.'

The lawyer asked for leniency based on: 'Her age, remorse in interview and her addressing the underlying cause of this. She is in receipt of state benefits.'

Cunnigham's last criminal conviction was in 2013, but details were not given.

'You have pleaded guilty so that brings it down and we have noted your record and you are pretty much of good character,' Mr Manton told Cunningham, who attended court with the assistance of a walking stick.

'We are going out of the guidelines because you are already seeking help and you should continue with Alcoholics Anonymous and their twelve-step programme.

'There is no point putting you on an alcohol programme since you are doing it yourself already.

'If you don't make these payments the debt collector will turn up at your door. In the nicest possible way we hope to never see your face again.'
To the casual onlooker, neighbours Betty Gore and Candy Montgomery had perfect lives.

Both women were regarded as pillars of the community and enjoyed comfortable lifestyles, thanks to husbands with highly paid jobs in the tech industry.

Both women had active social lives that revolved around the same church, and they both were devoted mothers whose daughters were best friends.

Could there be a more unlikely  or shocking  end to their own friendship, then, than Candy hacking Betty to death with an axe?

Yet, incredibly, that's what happened.

Betty, pictured with her husband Allan, was a teacher at a local primary school, who was highly strung and anxious by nature, and struggled with depression after the birth of her second child, Bethany

Candy Montgomery (pictured), a stay-at-home mother, had been having an affair with Allan Gore

Candy had been having an affair with Betty's husband, and the infidelity led to the particularly gruesome killing that rocked America more than 40 years ago.

In an extraordinary twist that could have come straight from the pages of a crime novel, Candy eventually confessed to killing her friend but, following a trial, was acquitted of murder after claiming she acted in self-defence. It has now been turned into a drama, Love & Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen, which has started streaming on ITVX.

Yet, while the macabre killing and the events leading up to it inevitably make for gripping TV  Jessica Biel starred in another dramatisation of the case last year  in real-life, the ripples of the bizarre tragedy are still being felt today.

Last week, the Mail tracked down Betty's brother, as well as one of Candy's defence lawyers and a detective who was among the first on the scene.

It was a sickening sight. A post-mortem determined that 30-year-old Betty had been struck 41 times with the three-foot axe used to cut wood, with 28 of the blows directed to her head and face, and the rest to her arms, torso and legs. All but one of the blows were inflicted while she was still alive.

'We're still grieving Betty's loss,' says Ron Pomeroy, Betty's younger brother. Although the jury were convinced by Candy's account, Ron still struggles to understand their verdict.

'We will never believe that it was self-defence because of the ferocity of the attack,' he tells me. 'And if it was self-defence, why didn't she [Candy] tell someone what happened, instead of keeping it secret for days? If it's self-defence, you tell somebody, right? I feel we were let down by the system and it's a hurtful thing.'

Ron, 69, is speaking to me from his home in Oklahoma, where he lives with his wife Patricia. He has mixed feelings about the television shows, which serve as a reminder of the painful verdict in his sister's death, but which he also thinks do not accurately represent Betty. 'They made her out to be depressed and weird  my sister was a sensitive, wholesome and loving person,' says Ron.

What's clear is that beneath the surface of their enviable lives, both women were, in their different ways, desperate housewives.

Love and Death starring Elizabeth Olsen depicts the story of the murder of Betty Gore by Candy Montgomery

Vivacious and outgoing, Candy was bored as a stay-at-home mother  she had a daughter, Jennifer, then aged seven, and son Ian, four, and her eight-year marriage to husband, Pat, had gone stale.

Meanwhile, Betty, a teacher at a local primary school, who was highly strung and anxious by nature, was struggling with depression after the birth of her second child, Bethany. Her elder daughter, Alisa, seven, was Jennifer's best friend. Candy and Pat had befriended Betty and her husband, Allan, after the Montgomerys moved to Wylie, a small town in Texas, in 1977, and joined the First United Methodist Church of Lucas, where both couples enjoyed social activities.

By the following year, Candy, then aged 28 and having told a friend she was looking for 'fireworks' in the bedroom, propositioned Allan, bluntly asking him: 'Would you be interested in having an affair?'

With his shy nature, receding hairline and paunch, Allan seemed an unlikely lover for the attractive and vivacious Candy.

Nevertheless, she suggested rules for the affair: they would split the cost of the cheap hotel room they rented every two weeks for afternoon trysts, she would bring home-cooked food they could eat after having sex and neither of their spouses would ever find out.

Initially, the illicit sex was exciting for the pair but, after six months, the couple agreed  amicably, it would seem  to part.

All was quiet for about a year, but on June 13, 1980, Allan was on a business trip and became alarmed when he couldn't get in touch with his wife. After multiple unanswered calls, he asked neighbours to check the house. Betty's body was found in a lake of blood, horrifically mutilated, in the laundry room.

Bethany, who was 11 months old, was found dehydrated and crying in her crib in the bedroom next door.

Former deputy sheriff Steven Deffibaugh was one of the police officers summoned to the scene and described the sight of Betty's body as 'gruesome.'

The former investigator, now retired, told the Mail: 'In the bathroom it was evident the killer had showered after bludgeoning Betty to death,' Mr Deffibaugh told the Mail. 'There were bloody footprints on a green bath mat, blood on the tiles and the drain had human hair that was later matched to Candy's.'

Police also found a bloody thumbprint on the freezer door in the laundry room, which someone had tried to wipe clean  it would match Candy's  and a bloody footprint.

'We knew it was a woman or a young person because the footprint was too small to be a man's,' recalls Deffibaugh. 'Also, there was no sign of forced entry. It had to be someone Betty knew.'

Candy (pictured) was bored as a stay-at-home mother  she had a daughter, Jennifer, then aged seven, and son Ian, four, and her eight-year marriage to husband, Pat, had gone stale

Candy, 30, had been open about being the last person to see Betty alive, telling anyone who would listen that she had gone to her friend's house that morning to pick up a swimsuit for Betty's daughter Alisa, who was having a sleepover at her house with Jennifer.

At first, Candy was questioned as a routine witness.

'She was very calm, didn't show any nerves and seemed to want to be helpful,' Deffibaugh remembers.

In the wake of the tragedy, Candy was also among neighbours who descended on the dead woman's house with home-cooked food and sympathy for the bereaved widower and Betty's parents, Bertha and Bob, and brothers, Ron and Richard, who had rushed there from the family farm in Kansas.

'She [Candy] said to all of us how sorry she was, like she was a regular person. She didn't give any clue that she was the one who was responsible,' recalls Ron.

Candy did confess to the killing several days later, to Don Crowder, a member of their church. A lawyer, he had only ever acted in civil cases, but agreed to take on Candy's defence, his first criminal trial.

With suspicion about Candy's involvement mounting, she was asked to take a polygraph, or lie detector, test but refused.

On June 27, 1980  two weeks after the killing  police decided the fingerprint and footprint evidence were enough to secure an arrest warrant. Candy was charged with Betty's murder.

She was released on bail with a $100,000 bond and went back to her family, resuming life apparently as normal. She even attended church services regularly.

At her trial in October that year, Candy's legal team surprised everyone by unveiling the self-defence strategy.

When Candy took the stand, she claimed that when she arrived at the house, Betty confronted her about the affair and Candy admitted that it had happened but that it was over.

Betty swung at her with an axe that was kept in the garage, striking Candy's foot and causing a deep cut to one of her toes.

An injury to Candy's toe, which she had initially covered up with a plaster and hidden under a sock, was later discovered by police.

The slightly built Candy said she had no choice but to fight back against the larger woman.

In the clear: Montgomery's lawyers claimed she had a 'dissociative reaction,' causing her to continue attacking Gore even after she was unconscious. The jury believed her and acquitted her in October, 1980

Candy's defence team also called on a psychologist who testified that a traumatic childhood memory of Candy's had been triggered when Betty tried to silence her screams by saying 'Shhhh'.

Aged four, having been injured by flying glass, Candy's mother had shushed her and told her to stop crying instead of comforting her. Remembering this resulted in the rage that fuelled the fusillade of axe blows.

'I hit her. I hit her. And I hit her. She fell slowly, almost to a sitting position. I kept hitting her. And hitting her. I felt so guilty, so dirty, I felt so ashamed,' Candy testified.

The jury was shown only one photo of Betty's corpse, with the defence successfully arguing that multiple photos would 'inflame' the jury, several of whom knew Candy personally.

Crowder is no longer alive to share his memories of the case. He killed himself several years after the trial following a failed run at local politics, an arrest for drink-driving and other problems, but he never forgot watching Betty's family at the trial.

'They were simple farm folk, and they didn't understand that I had a job to do. It bothered me a lot. Their faces still haunt me,' he said in a newspaper interview.

But Robert Udashen, the second most senior lawyer on Candy's team, shared his recollections with the Mail and says, to this day, he receives hate mail about the case.

'I've never doubted for a minute that Candy was defending herself,' Udashen, now aged 70, said.

'At one point, Candy got the axe away from Betty and tried to run out of the room, but Betty got up, grabbed the axe and attacked her again.

'It was at that point that I think adrenaline and fear, and a whole combination of things took over and Candy got the axe again and hit Betty until she was too tired to hit her any more, just to keep Betty from popping up again. What it tells me is that everyone can snap under certain circumstances.'

Self-defense? Montgomery pleaded not guilty and claimed Gore (pictured) attacked her with an ax first. After a scuffle, she claimed she killed her friend to save her own life

The trial lasted eight days, and the jury of eight women and four men returned a not guilty verdict after four hours of deliberation.

'There was uproar in court when the verdict was announced,' recalls Deffibaugh. 'Some of us couldn't believe it, but you have to respect the jury's decision.'

Spectators who had lined up every day to be in court shouted 'Murderer! Murderer!' as Candy left, a free woman.

The verdict divided the small Texas community, and Candy, her husband and children were forced to leave after receiving hate mail and threats, moving to Georgia where her family lived.

She and Pat divorced in 1986 and, astonishingly, Candy, who reverted to her maiden name Wheeler, embarked on a career as a mental health counsellor who counselled battered women. She is 73 and recently retired. Both Allan and Candy have only ever spoken once  for a 1984 book about the killing.

But Betty's family want to keep her memory alive.

Ron, whose brother Richard died last year, says his sister's life was dedicated to her daughters. 'She was a sensitive person who was all about family. When she went to college only 35 miles away from our house, she cried like she was going across an ocean. I think she was a little naive and was too trusting of people.'

He still feels anger towards the prosecution who, he says, didn't handle the case properly. 'I think the district attorney thought he had a slam-dunk case because she [Candy] confessed to the killing, and he didn't gather any evidence to counteract her claims of self-defence.'

Perhaps, feeling unable to cope following everything that had happened, Allan gave up his rights to his daughters, Alisa and Bethany, who were initially looked after by Ron and his wife, and then brought up by their maternal grandparents. He married the church organist who had comforted him during the trial, but they divorced and he is believed to be living with a new partner in Florida.

Could there be a more unlikely  or shocking  end to their own friendship than Candy hacking Betty to death with an axe?

Having been estranged from his daughters for years, Allan is now back in touch with them.

Ron says he last saw his brother-in-law at Bethany's wedding some years ago, but they barely spoke.

Of Betty's daughters, now in their 40s, their uncle says: 'They are lovely girls. They could have claimed victimhood, but they are living great lives and we are so proud of them.'

Alisa, who now goes by the name of Lisa Harder and is a mother of two, told the Dallas Morning News back in 2000: 'We've tried to do the best with what's been handed to us.'

Her sister Bethany is a mother of four, including a daughter called Betty. She said in the same interview: 'What angers me is what could have been.'

Their uncle adds: 'When I think of Betty, I think of all the things she has missed out on. We've never had closure.'
More than 20 stolen cars known as 'kill cars' intended to be used in shootings and kidnappings, have been taken off the streets by police.

The cars were all found scattered across Sydney's west and southwest in suburbs like Berala, Penrith and St Marys.

Gloves, balaclavas, fake number plates and even jerry cans filled with fuel were found in the cars by detectives from NSW Police known as Taskforce Magnus.

NSW Police Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the cars were being stolen and then auctioned off to crime syndicates around Sydney.

More than 20 stolen cars known as 'kill cars' intended to be used in shootings and kidnappings have been taken off the streets of Sydney by police (pictured stolen car with a jerry can inside that was seized by police)

'What we are seeing is the cars being stolen and then put up for sale in WhatsApp groups, and sold to the highest bidder,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

'There is no doubt these vehicles were to be used in carrying out serious violent acts for crimes syndicates.

'Some of these vehicles had jerry cans in them and were mostly likely to be used in some form of crime.'

He said crime syndicates used to work in a way that a car would be stolen after the offence was committed, not before, but that had now changed.

Detectives from Taskforce Magnus this week charged two men over the fatal shooting of drug kingpin Alen Moradian, 48, in Bondi Junction in Sydney's east on June 27.

Moradian was gunned down during a brazen daylight ambush while sitting in his black Audi in an underground car park.

A burnt-out Porsche was found shortly after by police nearby in Bondi Junction, while a burnt-out Holden Commodore was found in Zetland.

Two men, aged 31 and 42, were arrested on Wednesday and have both been charged with murder.

Police will allege the older man instigated the shooting of Moradian, whilst the younger man helped coordinate it.
The grieving family of a young Indigenous mum-of-two whose decomposing body was found being eaten by a dog in the family's backyard may finally get some answers at a coroner's inquest as their hard-fought fight for justice continues.

Barkindji woman Lasonya Dutton, 31, had been missing for several days when her body was discovered just four metres from the kitchen window of her home in the remote town of Wilcannia in north-west NSW in March 2022.

Lasonya's uncle Merle Dutton was horrified to find the mum's decomposing body in the family's backyard.

When he went outside, he initially believed the dog was eating a kangaroo.

'I didn't think anything of it until I got up a bit closer, then I realised it was a human being. I just ran out screaming and screaming,' he said.

Merle claims police never got a formal statement from him or other family members who would have been able to provide information about Lasonya's final days alive.

He claimed the only time he spoke to officers was 'when they asked him to leave' the home following the grim discovery.

Her tragic death rocked the small town of fewer than 750 residents, but, almost 18 months later, her devastated family are no closer to knowing how and why she died.

Police ruled Lasonya's death to be suicide before a coroner stated in an autopsy report that 'third-party involvement' could not be ruled out and found the circumstances of Lasonya's death suspicious.

The NSW Coroner's Court has since taken over the investigation from police and is now working toward a coronial inquest.

The Adelaide Advertiser has reported that the coroner has requested documents and interviews from the newspaper to form part of an inquest into Lasonya's death.

It comes after the Advertiser recently delved into Lasonya's unexplained death as part of a podcast series.

Lasonya's grieving family are adamant the mum-of-two didn't take her own life. Source: NITV

READ MORE: Indigenous mum's body is found being eaten by a dog Advertisement

Among the documents requested by the coroner are the publication's interviews with Lasonya's father Keith Dutton, uncle Merle Dutton who discovered his niece's decomposing body and a neighbour who claims she saw two people try and break into Lasonya's home the night before her body was found.

'No hearing dates have been scheduled for this inquest at this time,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia

'Coronial investigations are ongoing.'

The family claims Lasonya's death was 'poorly investigated' by police and that key witnesses who could have provided information weren't interviewed.

Keith Dutton remains determined as ever to get justice and answers for his daughter.

Mr Dutton, who received the autopsy report almost a year after Lasonya died, insists his daughter did not commit suicide because she loved life as well as her two children.

Many unanswered questions remain 18 months after Lasonya Dutton's body was found

'I don't know how the police come to the conclusion that a full investigation has been done,' he told Adelaide Advertiser last month.

'I'm horrified, to be honest with you. My family knows, and half of Wilcannia knows I'm ready to explode.'

Wilcannia Lasonya Dutton was found dead in her family's backyard in March 2022

Mr Dutton is baffled as to how his daughter could have been lying in the backyard for so long without her family seeing her, especially when the home was a 'drop-in-centre' for locals.

There were also rumours that people saw Lasonya being assaulted on the Friday night she was last seen, and a bloodied knife found at the local oval.

Neighbour Ingrid Bugmy recalled seeing two people appearing like they 'wanted to get in' to Lasonya's home on the night before her body was found, two days after she was last seen

'I just thought it was just strange. It was really strange for me for someone to stand on that side of that window  and then the next day they find a body there,' Ms Bugmy told the newspaper.

Mr Dutton went to the police with the claims he heard but alleged officers 'didn't want to hear it'.

NSW Police insists it explored various lines of inquiry as part of the task force established to look into the death of Lasonya and had engaged with the family multiple times during the investigation, a claim Keith refutes.

If you or someone who knows needs support, contact 13Yarn (13 92 76) or Lifeline on 131 114.
The emergence of a 'highly mutated' new Covid-19 variant has sparked fears of a resurgence of the virus around the world, including in Australia.

The Pirola variant, which experts say is the 'real deal', has just been found in Australia for the first time, while experts fear it is rapidly spreading undetected.

The first Australian case was found by a Western Australia laboratory, but there are likely to be many more as very few Covid infections are sent for testing.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) considers Pirola to be a 'variant under monitoring' rather than a 'variant of concern', WA's health department has warned about its concern.

'People are encouraged to stay home if they are sick, wash or sanitise their hands regularly, cover coughs and, importantly, get vaccinated against Covid-19 and influenza,' it said in a statement.

The Pirola variant of Covid, which experts say is the 'real deal', has been found in Australia for the first time. A woman wearing a facemask is pictured

'Keeping up to date with vaccinations remains the best way to prevent serious disease and hospitalisation from Covid.'

Pirola, scientifically called BA.2.86, is a mutated cousin of Omicron and was first detected in Israel and Denmark in August.

READ MORE: How dangerous is the mutant Pirola variant of Covid-19? Fears of a fresh Covid resurgence globally have been heightened since the discovery of a new virus variant called Pirola, described by experts as the 'real deal'. Advertisement

It has since spread to the UK, US, South Africa, Portugal, Sweden, France, Canada, Thailand, Switzerland and now Australia.

It is one of more than 600 Omicron sub-variants currently circulating, according to the WHO.

As with all viruses, Covid constantly changes through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in new variants.

Like other new Covid variants, online virus trackers decided to call BA.2.86 something easier to remember and came up with Pirola.

If WHO declares it to be a 'variant of interest', this could be shortened to 'Pi', the letter which follows Omicron in the Greek alphabet - the system officials use to name new strains.

Pirola is causing far more concern than other variants because it has 35 mutations on its spike protein, the part of the virus that Covid vaccines are designed to target.

Several of Pirola's mutations have unknown functions but others are thought to help the virus evade the immune system.

The genetic leap 'is roughly of the same magnitude' as seen between the initial Omicron variant and the previous Delta variant which the former replaced, the US's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care announce vaccinations for care home residents and vulnerable adults would start earlier than scheduled due to Pirola.

While virologists have warned it is too early to reliably pinpoint BA.2.86 specific symptoms, its ancestor BA.2 had some tell-tale signs.

The first Australian case of Pirola was found by a Western Australian laboratory, but there are likely to be many more as very few Covid infections are sent for testing. A woman is pictured getting a Covid vaccination

Experts aren't yet certain, however if it behaves like similar Omicron subvariants, the signs to watch out for include a runny nose, sore throat and fatigue.

Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said it is important to 'watch and wait' what happens with Pirola in the coming weeks and months.

'It's not just about what this variant does and how it might impact us  it's also the bigger picture,' Professor Bennett told the ABC.

'What could this mean for our future, if (Pirola) builds a new viral genome platform on which more mutations can accumulate? Where does that take the virus and what does that mean for us?'
READ MORE: What happened in shocking 1am Maccas meltdown

The moment a young female McDonald's crew member was bashed over the head after she handed a customer the wrong order has been captured by shocking footage.

Terrified families watched as a 'violent and intense' melee erupted at the Melbourne Central shopping centre on Lonsdale Street on Wednesday morning.

The stoush - which began at 11.45am and lasted 'at least 10 minutes' - began when the crew member made a simple mistake, upsetting a customer, bystander Kavindhi Ranasinghe told Daily Mail Australia.

Video shows the customer reaching across the counter and grabbing the young worker's hair, before repeatedly smacking her in the head.

As her McDonald's colleagues rally around her, the girl's young friends - confirmed by police as being aged between 12 and 17 - are also seen lashing out, throwing punches and trying to jump the counter.

The store manager also boldly steps in, trying to protect his staff as the chaos ensues.

'Once the screaming was getting louder and louder, things became increasingly more intense,' Ms Ranasinghe explained.

'It appeared that the order was incorrect, and the manager had tried to reason with them, but they were increasingly angry.'

The store was full of families, including those with small children.

The moment a young female McDonalds crew member was bashed over an incorrect order has been captured in shocking footage

Melbourne law student Kavindhi Ranasinghe witnessed the brutal fight in McDonalds and uploaded a video she took, claiming the staff were not at fault

Onlookers praised a young manager for protecting staff during the brutal 10 minute confrontation

Ms Ranasinghe said the restaurant's manager was 'amazing'.

'The staff member was extremely scared,' she said.

'The girls attempted to jump over the counters several times.'

'(The manager) continuously kept protecting the staff during the fight.

'He kept asking the girls not to touch his staff, it was clear he was extremely angry because he could tell the workers were afraid and I can imagine they'd be worried about their job.'

Ms Ranasinghe added one of the group of four alleged assailants was told by a bystander to 'stop acting this way' because she was 'pregnant'.

The four girls were arrested and the store was closed until at least 1pm.

Victoria Police confirmed that the same group of girls had been involved in an alleged robbery at Melbourne Central Railway only 25 minutes before the altercation in McDonalds.

A girl, 15, suffered minor injuries when her handbag was stolen in the alleged robbery.

Ms Ranasinghe decided to upload the footage to social media when she realised the staff had done nothing wrong but could be at risk of losing their jobs.

'My main concern was that the workers would be treated at fault when they weren't,' she explained.

'These workers are getting paid minimum wage and they're being beaten up over some fast food.'

One of the four girls walks away from the counter as the scene turns into a full scale brawl

'I can imagine the younger staff would be shaken by this event.'

She suggested McDonald's does a 'wellness check' on the young staff members.

Ms Ranasinghe's clip was shared to Reddit by one of the store's crew members.

'Please don't treat hospitality workers like this,' the staff member pleaded.

'As someone who works at this store, please help those who are being affected if the danger wont affect you as well, even if it means calling the cops, it'll mean a lot, thank you.'

On Reddit most appeared to support the McDonald's crew, especially the young manager.

'Far out good to see a manager standing up for his employees. Gets right in between them pushes them right back.'

In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed that detectives arrested four teenagers following an alleged robbery and assault in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday, 20 September.

'A group of girls allegedly approached a 15-year-old girl on a platform at Melbourne Central railway station and made demands for her handbag about 11.20am,' a police statement said.

'The girl sustained minor injuries during the incident.

'The group of teens allegedly fled the scene, before being involved in a physical altercation at a fast-food restaurant a short time later.

'It is alleged staff were assaulted and the four girls were arrested at the scene.'

Police said a St Kilda girl, 17, 'is expected to be charged on summons'.

They added that three other girls, one from Mill Park girl, 12, a Coburg North girl, 13, and a Preston girl, 14, received cautions for attempted robbery, recklessly cause injury and affray.

An older male also tried to calm the situation down as it quickly escalated

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the same group of girls had been involved in an alleged robbery at Melbourne Central Railway only 25 minutes before the McDonalds incident. Pictured: a stock image of Melbourne station

A spokesperson for McDonalds told Daily Mail Australia 'the safety and wellbeing of our crew and customers is our top priority'.

'Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in our restaurants. We won't accept abuse, intimidation, threats or violence towards our customers or employees.

'Our employees acted in accordance with our emergency response procedures and immediately contacted police.

'No crew members were injured during the incident, and we are continuing to support crew and their families.'
A federal judge has ordered Netflix to face a defamation lawsuit by former Central Park Five prosecutor Linda Fairstein, who asserts that the scenes in 'When They See Us' depict her by name and portray her in a 'false and defamatory light'.

Judge P. Kevin Castel announced that the libel lawsuit can go forward on Tuesday, indicating plausible evidence that Netflix, director Ava DuVernay and writer-producer Attica Locke acted maliciously in their writing of the show.

Fairstein was portrayed by Felicity Huffman in 'When They See Us,' a four-episode series about the 1989 Central Park Five case, that was released on Netflix in 2019.

The story of the miniseries - and that of the Central Park Five - concerns five Black men who were wrongfully convicted of what became an infamous violent sexual assault in 1989.

In Tuesday's decision in Fairstein v. Netflix, Inc., Judge Castel claimed that the writers of the series emphasized the most negative aspects of Fairstein's character in order to heighten dramatic tension.

A federal judge has ordered Netflix to face a defamation lawsuit by former Central Park Five prosecutor Linda Fairstein, who asserts that the scenes in 'When They See Us' depict her by name and portray her in a 'false and defamatory light'

The story of the miniseries - and that of the Central Park Five - concerns five Black men who were wrongfully convicted of what became an infamous violent sexual assault in 1989.

In Tuesday's decision in Fairstein v. Netflix, Inc., Judge Castel claimed that the writers of the series emphasized the most negative aspects of Farstein's character in order to heighten dramatic tension

'Plaintiff Linda Fairstein is the former head of the Sex Crimes Unit in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. She asserts that scenes in 'When They See Us' depict her by name and portray her in a false and defamatory light.'

The 67-page decision declares that Netflix, DuVernay and Locke 'reverse-engineered plot points to attribute actions, responsibilities and viewpoints to Fairstein that were not hers and are unsupported in defendants' substantial body of research materials.'

'Defendant Ava DuVernay, who is the writer, director and producer of the series, has stated that Fairstein 'represents the criminal justice system, and the criminal justice system is the villain in the Series.'

'That portrayal was grounded in, and supported by, both our sources and the point of view we were expressing.' The Fairstein role is performed by the well-known actress Felicity Huffman, and, in the series, the character is portrayed as personally responsible for orchestrating nearly every aspect of the investigation and prosecution of the Five.'

The document also notes that the record contains creative notes in which Netflix employees 'suggest heightening the most negative aspects of the Fairstein character to build dramatic tension and advance storytelling goals.'

Additionally, it claims that extensive research materials used by DuVernay and two of her co-writers included sources critical of the Five's convictions and the techniques of the NYPD and prosecutors, but 'these materials do not describe Fairstein taking these actions.'

'In some instances, the research attributes these actions to other individuals by name,' the document added.

The Manhattan district judge said jurors should have the chance to choose whether there was 'clear and convincing evidence that defendants were recklessly indifferent to the truth.'

Pictured: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who was behind 'When They See Us,' a Netflix miniseries that tells the story of the 'Central Park Five' who were wrongly convicted of beating and raping a 28-year-old woman Trisha Meili

According to the suit Fairstein, played by Felicity Huffman (pictured) in the drama, has suffered 'irreparable damage' to her professional and personal reputation

Since the 2019 release of When They See Us (pictured, a still grab from the miniseries), Fairstein has lost a book contract, was forced to resign from the Board of Trustees for Vassar College and three non-profit organizations, and faced backlash on social media where the hashtag 'CancelLindaFairstein' was once trending

From left, honorees Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson and Korey Wise pose together at the ACLU SoCal's 25th Annual Luncheon at the JW Marriott at LA Live, Friday, June 7, 2019

Fairstein - was was the head of the Manhattan District Attorney's sex crimes unit - has argued the miniseries is defamatory towards her

In 2019, Fairstein slammed the Netflix series as an 'outright fabrication', claiming she was unfairly portrayed and noting that the Central Park Five members other crimes should not be forgotten despite them being cleared of rape.

In 2021, the judge ruled that a libel complaint against Netflix and filmmaker Ava DuVernay over the miniseries can move forward to discovery.

Fairstein was head of the Manhattan District Attorney's sex crimes unit when Raymond Santana, 14, Kevin Richardson, 15, Antron McCray, 15, Yusef Salaam, 15, and Korey Wise, 16, were accused of raping and attacking Trisha Meili in 1989.

While Fairstein was the head of the Manhattan District Attorney's sex crimes unit at the time, she didn't personally prosecute the men whose convictions were later quashed based on DNA evidence and a later confession by another man.

Castel said that while there was much in Fairstein's complaint that could not be actionable, she had plausibly alleged defamation relating to five scenes.

These include scenes in which she is shown as having withheld evidence, coerced confessions and directed a racially discriminatory police roundup of young men in Harlem.

'These scenes depict Fairstein as orchestrating acts of misconduct, including the withholding of evidence, the existence of 'tapes' showing that she 'coerced' confessions from the Five, an instruction not to use 'kid gloves' when questioning suspects, and directing a racially discriminatory police roundup of young men in Harlem,' states the judge's opinion.

'The average viewer could conclude that these scenes have a basis in fact and do not merely reflect the creators' opinions about controversial historical events.'

In 2002 their convictions were vacated following the prison confession of serial rapist Matias Reyes and the discovery of his DNA on some of the victim's belongings.

The five sued New York City, scores of New York Police Department officers and detectives and three prosecutors including Fairstein.

Pictured: Linda portrayed in a scene in When They See Us

Five black youths were ultimately charged and convicted of the heinous and high-profile crime: Korey Wise, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam and Anton McCray. NYPD mug shots taken of the Central Park Five on April 23, 1989. Top Row (L-R): Salaam, Santana. Lower Row (L-R) Richardson, Wise and McCray

The case was settled in 2014 when the men received a $41 million settlement and the Central Park Five became a byword for miscarriage of justice and institutional racism in America's legal system.

Since the 2019 release of When They See Us, Fairstein has lost a book contract, was forced to resign from the Board of Trustees for Vassar College and three non-profit organizations, and faced backlash on social media.

After the series' premiere, a hashtag #CancelLindaFairstein started trending, calling for a boycott of Fairstein, then a best-selling crime novelist.

Fairstein said she was dropped by her publisher and forced to resign from boards of her alma mater Vassar College and three nonprofits, including two that support victims of sexual violence.

The defendants had called Fairstein's account 'revisionist history' and said the First Amendment free speech rights allowed them to present their viewpoint.
A F-35 jet could have crashed on Sunday due to poor weather in South Carolina, new audio suggests - as questions mount as to why the disastrous training exercise was allowed to proceed.

The F-35B Lightning II which the unnamed Marine pilot was flying is believed to be at risk of malfunctions if it flies in thunderstorms, according to a Forbes investigation in November.

Its sister jet, the F-35A, is more severely affected and cannot fly within 25 miles of lightning.

The issue lies within the F-35's OBIGGS (Onboard Inert Gas Generation) system, which pumps nitrogen-enriched air into its fuel tanks to inert them, preventing the aircraft from exploding if it is struck by lightning.

'F-35B and C variants have some of the same OBIGGS issues as the F-35A, but have been able to alleviate operational impacts,' said Chief Petty Officer Matthew Olay, spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office, in an email to Forbes last year.

Audio from Sunday's crash shows the pilot telling emergency responders, after ejecting, that he 'lost it in the weather'.

Scorched earth from the crashed fighter jet is seen on Monday in South Carolina

The F-35 went down only around 80 miles from its base, north of Charleston, South Carolina

He took off on Sunday, flying in tandem with another F-35 from Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, and ejected at a height of 1,000 feet - a little less than the height of the Empire State Building.

He was only about a mile north of Charleston International Airport, in a populated area that led the pilot to parachute into a residential backyard.

A call to the emergency services was made at 1:42pm on Sunday.

An audio recording, kept by Charleston County Emergency Medical Services, features a man telling someone on the phone: 'He's unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather.'

The jet was on autopilot at the time, said Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, speaking to NBC News.

Separate audio, obtained by aviation enthusiast @aeroscouting, appeared to show air traffic control towers in the region attempting to make contact with the pilot-less jet. The 'zombie jet' is believed to be SWEDE-11 in the conversation.

Air traffic control try to talk to SWEDE-12, the wingman, and say that they have lost contact with SWEDE-11.

'SWEDE-12, do you have any external comms with your wingman - he's not on ... frequencies,' the ATC official says.

ATC tell the pilot of the tandem plane, SWEDE-12, that they will report his colleague as 'NORDO' - flying without a radio.

The missing jet flew around 60 miles before crashing near Bartell Crossroads, in a rural area with well-kept agricultural fields.

A South Carolina couple told NBC News that they saw the plane flying 'almost inverted' above them.

'Our kids always give a little salute, so we said, 'Look at the plane. Oh my gosh, it's so low,'' said Adrian Truluck.

'And it was kind of probably 100 feet above the tree tops, and almost going inverted.'

Her husband, Stephen Truluck, added: 'It was probably three quarters of the way,' flipped over.

'We could see the canopy.'

File images show a F-35 flying at a terrifying angle

A Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from a F-35 Lightning II jet over North Charleston on Sunday but his aircraft was not located until Monday afternoon

The Marines were not able to locate the crashed plane for 28 hours, leading to a humiliating appeal on social media for help finding the missing $80 million jet.

Richard Aboulafia, an aviation expert, told The New York Post the pilot was likely operating the stealth fighter without any tracking capabilities activated, which hampered the search.

'If you turned on the onboard device it would be easily trackable,' he said.

'But this is a stealth aircraft. If you don't turn that particular device on it's going to be hard to make contact. Most likely, he or she did not have a lot of time to react.'

Once it was located, a Marine Corps team was dispatched to secure the wreckage and a second team, one that conducts aircraft mishap investigations, was sent to the site.

But questions are now being asked as to why it was allowed to fly, given the proximity to storms and the concerns about its sister planes.

The National Weather Service issued a 'special weather statement' for the Charleston region, warning of 55mph winds.

They also warned of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and 'isolated tornadoes'. Indeed, radar footage from around 2pm on Sunday does show thunderstorms across the area.

The Marines have not commented on the causes of the 'mishap', or the ongoing investigation.

The pilot who ejected has since been released from hospital.

The Marine Corps has announced a so-called 'safety stand-down' - the grounding of its fleet for two days.

The move is 'to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews,' the Marines said.

Sunday's accident the third major Marine aircraft incident to occur in the past six weeks.

In August, three US Marines were killed in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia.

Shortly after a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight.

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.'
Last seen two months ago

A desperate search is underway for a young girl who has been missing for two months as police work with her family to find her.

Summer, a 14-year-old girl, was last seen on Chapel Street in Prahran, Melbourne, during the afternoon on July 16.

Her family is concerned for her safety and police hold similar fears because of how long she has been missing.

Victorian Police have released two pictures of Summer and are now asking the public for help in finding her.

Victorian Police are appealing to the public for help in finding Summer, 14, who was last seen in Prahran, Melbourne , during the afternoon on 16 July

Summer is approximately 152cm tall with a slim build, dark hair, and distinct grey-blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, brown pants and white shoes

Summer was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, brown pants and white shoes.

She is approximately 152cm tall with a slim build, dark hair, and distinct grey-blue eyes.

The teenager is known to hang around the north-eastern suburbs of Chadstone, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Clyde North and Moe.

Anyone who has seen Summer or who believes that they might have information about where she is is urged to contact Narre Warren Police Station.
The family of a man from North Carolina who died after driving off a collapsed bridge while following Google Maps directions is suing the tech giant for negligence claiming it had failed to update its navigation system.

US Navy veteran Philip Paxson, 47, was using Google Maps to drive home from his eldest daughter's ninth birthday party in Hickory, North Carolina on September 30, 2022.

But the GPS put him on the unfamiliar path of a bridge that collapsed nearly a decade earlier and was never repaired, causing him to drown.

The father-of-two's family filed a lawsuit in Wake County on Tuesday against Google and blamed the company for his death.

Paxson's Jeep plunged off an unguarded edge, crashed 20 feet below and he drowned, according to the lawsuit.

The family of Philip Paxson, 47, from North Carolina who died after driving off a collapsed bridge is suing Google for negligence and said it failed to update its navigation system

He was using Google Maps to drive home from his eldest daughter's ninth birthday party in Hickory, North Carolina on September 30, 2022

But the GPS put him on the unfamiliar path of a bridge that collapsed nearly a decade earlier and was never repaired, causing him to drown

'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 widow 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.

Paxson and his wife had planned a camping trip for their daughter's birthday but had to suddenly change plans because of an impending storm.

The family held a camping-themed party at a friends home in the are of Hickory, 50 miles north of Charlotte. The lawsuit says that Paxson was not familiar with Hickory. He traveled separately from his wife.

The father-of-two's family filed a lawsuit in Wake County on Tuesday against Google and blamed the company for his death

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 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,' a Google spokesman said. 'Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit.'

'As of April 26, 2023, and upon information and belief at other times thereafter, the collapsed bridge was still depicted as a passable road on Google Maps [] despite the Google Map Defendants having been placed on notice yet again of the danger,' another section of lawsuit reads.

Paxon's Jeep plunged off an unguarded edge, crashed 20 feet below and he drowned, according to the lawsuit

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator Phil acquired just days before his fatal crash. It is suspected that his GPS guided him into the ravine where a bridge used to stand

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 Hickory businessman James Tarlton and companies Tarde LLC and Hinckley Gauvain LLC as the owners of the bridge and the surrounding land, according to the Hickory Record.

Tarlton and the two businesses have been accused of failing to repair the damaged bridge and not providing enough lighting to prevent people from crashing into Snow Creek.

'It still doesn't seem real,' Alicia said during a press conference on Wednesday.

She departed their daughter's birthday party earlier with their daughters while Paxon stayed behind to help clean up.

'How is it nine years that this did not happen, and why did it have to be him?' Alicia said at the time. 'Like, why do my kids have to have no dad now, you know?'

Multiple people 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

His widow Alicia Paxon said: '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 can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life'

Phil, 47, is remembered as a father, husband, and friend to many. Tributes to the father of two young girls praise his humor and good nature

After celebrating the newly nine-year-old's birthday at a family friend's house, 'we packed up all the decorations, he packed up the van, and he loaded the girls into the van,' she said.

Paxon 'had a lifelong affection for muscle cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes, boats, really anything with a motor,' his obituary read.

'He traveled the world with his father-in-law riding motorcycles. He and his wife along with their two daughters enjoyed camping and boating with family and friends. Phil put his family first and his friends, almost equal, second.

'He was larger than life, always ready for an adventure, with a permanent smile on his face, he would give you the shirt off his back or talk you out of the one on yours.'

At the time of his death, he worked as a medical device salesman.
Police will allege that a street race was the cause of a horror car crash that killed two brothers in Sydney's south last month.

Xavier Abreu, 10, and his younger brother Peter, nine, were killed when a Subaru Impreza sedan they were inside crashed into a tree at Monterey on August 25.

The driver, a 33-year-old man, was charged over the incident and remains before the courts.

Following extensive investigations, police have charged a second man after new information was revealed about the moments that lead up to the crash.

Police will allege the Subaru Impreza was involved in a street race with a silver Audi A4 before the Subaru driver lost control of the vehicle, crossing to the incorrect side of the road and crashing into the tree.

Xavier Abreu, 10, and his younger brother Peter, nine, were killed when a Subaru Impreza sedan they were inside crashed into a tree at Monterey on August 25

The driver, a 33-year-old man, was charged over the incident and remains before the courts

A 24-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, organising and promoting a road race and two counts of failing to stop and render assistance after impact causing death.

Investigators attended a Roselands home about 10.30am on Wednesday and seized an Audi A4 for forensic examination.

About 3.30pm, the 24-year-old man attended Campsie Police Station and was arrested.

He was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.

His licence was also suspended.

A 24-year-old woman, who was allegedly in the passenger seat of the Audi at the time of the crash, was also arrested and charged.

She was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

The woman was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on October 17.
Joe Biden's pick for the new chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been confirmed as Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, who will replace General Mark Miley.

General Brown will seize command after reaching the 51 vote threshold needed at a vote on Wednesday. Only Sen. Ron Johnson and Sen. J.D. Vance voted no.

It comes after President Biden in May said he could 'think of no one better suited or more qualified to lead our forces'.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly also recommended him as the military's next top officer.

It is the first time in US history that both the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are African American.

General Brown replaces General Milley, who ran into controversy after he wore battle fatigues in a photo-op as he walked Donald Trump in front of St. John's Church amid a BLM protest in 2020.

President Biden's pick for the new chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been confirmed as Air Force General Charles Q. Brown

General Milley ran into controversy after he wore 'baggy battle fatigues' in a photo-op as he walked Trump in front of St. John's Church amid a BLM protest.

The Joint Chiefs chairman is the highest ranking military officer in the country, who serves as the main military advisor to the US president, secretary of defense and the National Security Council.

Brown will be taking over Army General Mark Milley who has been in the role since 2019. Back in 2020 Milley was in the hot seat as he joined Trump in a walk that quickly turned controversial.

'I should not have been there. My presence in that moment and in that environment creates a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,' said Milley in a video address to National Defense University.

ABC News reported that following this moment, Milley considered resigning but decided to stay as he thought he would be 'letting the troops down'.

Brown has also been recommended to take the spot as the secretary of defense, along with chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If that happened, it would be the first time in US history that both Defense Department top leaders are African American

The new chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made headlines back in 2020 when he held the title of the commander of Pacific Air Forces, as he recorded an emotional video right after the police killing of George Floyd.

In full uniform, he got personal and was 'full of emotion' for 'the many African Americans that have suffered the same fate as George Floyd'.

Brown has always been transparent about where he views lie on racism in America and has always tried to keep a balanced and realistic approach to it all.

'I can't fix centuries of racism in our country, nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have impacted members of our Air Force. I'm thinking about how I can make improvements personally, professionally, and institutionally, so that all Airmen, both today and tomorrow, appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full potential,' said Brown in a video.

Biden nominated General C.Q. Brown back in May 2023

Biden's nominee was officially confirmed the new chair of the Joint Chiefs on Wednesday

Leading up to his confirmed new title, Brown addressed a room full of Airmen at AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference on the challenges that face the US. He also managed to bring light to some of the work that has already been done and will continue to be done, even after he became the Joint Chiefs chairman.

Brown said: 'I have found in bureaucratic processes, it is hard to say yes, it's easy to say no. If there is something you believe in, then you need to get past what I call the five stages of no: hell no, no, we'll think about it, not a bad idea, we should be doing it already.'

President Biden has long supported Brown based on his experience and expertise.

He said that Brown's 'unmatched first-hand knowledge of our operational theaters and a strategic vision to understand how they all work together to ensure security for the American people', according to CNN.

According to Fox News, the vote for Brown's newest position weighed in at a finalized 83-11.
Throughout the summer of 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein repeatedly threatened to invade neighbour Kuwait. Iraq was heavily in debt after its eight-year war with Iran and control of the small Gulf state would give Saddam access to a quarter of the worlds oil supply.

Kuwait dismissed his threats as a bluff, but on the August 2 Iraqi tanks rolled across their border.

Just a few hours later, British Airways Flight 149 landed in Kuwait City. It was the start of a horrific ordeal for the passengers and crew who became Saddams human shields.

Last week, lawyers for the former hostages announced they were seeking damages as they claim the Government and BA knew the invasion had already begun when they allowed the plane to land, because it was being used to insert a covert ops team into Kuwait.

This is the story of Flight 149 and how their ordeal began...

On august 2, 1990 British Airways Flight 149 landed in Kuwait City. It was the start of a horrific ordeal for the passengers and crew who became Saddams human shields

Last week, lawyers for the former hostages announced they were seeking damages as they claim the Government and BA knew the invasion had already begun when they allowed the plane to land, because it was being used to insert a covert ops team into Kuwait. Pictured are John and Jennifer Chappell, two of the 11 children on the flight

Throughout the summer of 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein (pictured) repeatedly threatened to invade neighbour Kuwait

Wednesday, August 1, 1990; 4.15pm GMT

At Heathrow Airport, British Airways Flight 149 is stuck at its departure gate. On board are 18 crew members and 367 passengers, including 11 children. The Boeing 747, known as City of Leeds, is supposed to have taken off on a flight to Kuala Lumpur, but the 18-year-old jumbo jet has a fault with its auxiliary power unit which controls the air conditioning.

The crew are not unhappy with the delay, as this allows them time to check on the security situation in Kuwait, their first stopover.

For the past few days, the Press has been reporting on a massive build-up of Iraqi forces on the Kuwaiti border and the crew cannot believe that it remains a safe destination.

4.30pm

In First Class, Americans George and Deborah Saloom, along with their son Preston, are travelling to Kuwait where George is starting a new job at a bank. George, a Mormon, was told by a leader in his church that this journey would be a test of his faith as he will be visited by the destroying angel, but if he was faithful and obedient, he would be triumphant.

Sitting near the Salooms and accompanied by bodyguards is the Kuwaiti Head of Intelligence and half-brother of the Emir, Brigadier Sheikh Fahad al-Ahmed al-Sabah. The sheikh has just come from a meeting with the CIA in Washington to discuss the threat from Saddam. The other passengers can see that he is on edge.

5pm

The planes auxiliary power unit is still being fixed. Some of the passengers can hear the crew discussing whether the flight should proceed or not. Clive Earthy, the cabin services director in charge of the cabin crew, shares their unease and so has sought advice.

He said later: The crew were very concerned, however I assured them that BA management had checked with the Foreign Office in London and BA operations in Kuwait, and all was quite normal.

The passengers are from over a dozen countries, including Malaysia, Germany, India, Australia and France. Paul Merlet, an anaesthetist from Nantes, is travelling with his family to Malaysia.

Because he and his wife smoke, they have been placed at the back of the plane, together with a group of about eight clean-shaven young white men who have only just taken their seats. In a flight full of couples and families, Paul thinks the men make an unusual group.

6.04pm

The auxiliary power unit is now fixed, and Flight 149 finally takes off from Heathrow and turns towards the Middle East. Despite reassurances from his bosses, captain Richard Brunyate is anxious about the situation in Kuwait and so has set up a long-range radio link so he can be in permanent contact with British Airways for the duration of the flight.

10pm

Hundreds of Iraqi tanks and thousands of troops pour across the border with Kuwait. The infamous Republican Guard advance rapidly towards Kuwait City while Special Forces secure key sites, including airfields and power stations. The Kuwaiti army is outnumbered and overwhelmed.

The Emir, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah and his family flee south towards the border with Saudi Arabia in a convoy of 4x4s. Flight 149 is flying into a warzone.

United States Marines by the wreckage of a British Airways Boeing 747 at Kuwait International Airport. It was destroyed by the Iraqis during the first Gulf War after being stranded since August 1990 on the day the Iraqis invaded Kuwait

10.15pm

On board, Captain Brunyate speaks over the radio to the crew of BA148 which is flying in the opposite direction, having left Kuwait a few hours earlier, and is told that everything on the ground was normal and there is no reason to deviate from their route.

11pm

Clive Earthy, the cabin services director, is at the back of the plane handing out landing cards for the passengers disembarking at Kuwait in a few hours time. The group of young men say they dont need them, but after being pressed by Earthy they eventually take the cards. In First Class, Kuwaiti intelligence chief Brigadier Sheikh Fahad al-Ahmad is pacing up and down, and smoking.

Thursday, August 2 Midnight

The Kuwaiti ambassador in London, Ghazi Al-Rayes, is warned by his government that the invasion has begun so he calls the Foreign Office using a special emergency number, but there is no reply.

It will be six hours before he gets through. The British ambassador in Kuwait Michael Weston informs the Resident Clerk at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office  the officer on overnight duty to deal with emergencies  that there are reports of an Iraqi incursion.

The information is passed to Number 10, the Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office and Secret Intelligence Service  but not to British Airways. The existence of this call from the British ambassador was only revealed in 2021 by then Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, showing that the Thatcher government did know the passengers were in danger before the plane touched down.

12.30am

On the flight deck, Captain Richard Brunyate speaks to Kuwaiti air traffic control and is told everything is normal, and the 747 is clear to land. Brunyate later told journalist Stephen Davis, author of Operation Trojan Horse, somebody, for some reason wanted that plane to land  and we did.

4.13am (Kuwait time)

BA 149 touches down at Kuwait International Airport to refuel and exchange crews.

The new crew will take the plane to Madras, the next stopover. An advance guard of Iraqi troops is already in Kuwait City. The electronic arrivals boards in the terminal show that all incoming flights have been cancelled. Flight 149 is the only arrival that night.

4.30am

The refuelling of the 747 begins and about 30 passengers disembark. As Deborah Saloom waits for her familys luggage in the terminal, she notices the group of men for the first time.

They dont make eye contact with anyone and she thinks their luggage looks odd.

She said later: They didnt look like overnight bags or regular luggage; it seemed to be some sort of equipment. In 2007, a BBC documentary claimed the men were a British Special Forces team on a mission codenamed Trojan Horse.

One of the squad agreed to be interviewed anonymously and said: Our mission remit was to get into the country and report back all troop movements, their morale, standard of equipment and what their intentions were. The men exit the airport with their luggage.

5.15am (Kuwait time) 8.15pm (Colorado)

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has just arrived at a ranch in Aspen, Colorado, for a conference and a two-week holiday. Her Private Secretary Charles Powell breaks the news about the invasion.

In February 1991, just three days from the end of the occupation, the 747 will be destroyed by US fighter jets to prevent the plane getting into the hands of Saddam Hussein (pictured in 2001). British Airways received a large insurance payout as a result. The wreckage of the distinctive Union flag tail fin becomes one of the most iconic images of the conflict

5.20am (Kuwait time)

Flight 149 now has 52,000 gallons of aviation fuel in its tanks and is almost ready to leave. On the flight deck the relief crew are making final checks. Jennifer Chappell, 12, looks out of the window and sees three jets fly low over the airport  then drop bombs.

There is a thud and the plane rocks. Passenger Margaret Hearne at first thinks a baggage vehicle has bumped into the plane. Fellow passenger Barry Manners thinks: F***! Im sitting on a bomb here! As the jets swoop down the markings of the Iraqi Air Force can clearly be seen on their fuselages.

A flight attendant shouts that everyone should leave their belongings and get out as fast as they can. Jennifer Chappells father John all but shoves the attendant aside as shes blocking the aisle.

Oil worker Edward Hammett is in such a rush he exits the plane in his socks. In the terminal, the airport manager runs in and yells at the passengers that the airport is closed, then runs out.

German passenger Gregor Schatz is transfixed by the explosions. He asks someone exactly where Kuwait is. I thought if Im about to get bombed here in this building, I wanted to know where Im actually dying.

5.45am

The Saloom family has successfully made it to the Meridien Hotel after a nerve-racking taxi ride. Suddenly there is the sound of automatic gunfire and the roar of tanks in the street. The receptionist tells them to go up to their room on the 10th floor, where on the television they see CNN announce the breaking news that Iraq has invaded Kuwait.

After phoning relatives back in the States to reassure them that they are okay, George calls the head of human resources at his new bank, who says bluntly: I dont know what to tell you. I may never see you again. Good luck.

6am

Back at the airport Captain Brunyate phones the British Airways Operations Controller from their office at Kuwait airport to tell them about the invasion. The passengers on the plane have fled into the terminal; any jet lag is long forgotten. Outside, bombs are still falling so John Chappell moves his family away from the terminals large windows and distracts them by starting a game of Snap.

6.30am

As the sun comes up, smoke can be seen rising across Kuwait City from burnt out buildings. The highways are already jammed with cars heading to the border with Saudi Arabia as residents flee the city; suitcases and furniture tumble off the vehicles in the panic.

7am

The aerial bombing has finally stopped and the runway is out of action. Flight 149 is trapped. The Iraqi Army arrive and herd the passengers onto buses to take them to the nearby Airport Hotel.

One bus is stopped by a unit of nervous Iraqi soldiers who order half a dozen passengers to line up then point their guns at them.

Passenger Dr Paul Dieppe recalled: I di.dnt actually panic, I wasnt particularly upset, I just thought, Oh, s**t, theyre going to shoot me. They were very jumpy, those boys, they had no idea where they were, what they were doing. To Pauls relief they are told to get back on the bus.

The Airport Hotel is already full of Iraqi troops and the Republican Guard. The staff suddenly has to find rooms for more than 300 people. Most of the passengers are allocated rooms, but some have to find space in the hotels billiard room. Jennifer Chappell and her brother John Jr are exploring the ground floor and come across a group of senior Iraqi officers poring over a map, using glasses of orange juice and saltshakers like chess pieces as they plan their strategy.

8am

A BA stewardess is checking under the seats of a bus used to carry passengers from the airport to the hotel in case any belongings have been left behind. An Iraqi soldier armed with an AK-47 rifle grabs her and rapes her.

Fellow BA steward Tahel Daher hears the struggle and shouts at a group of Iraqi soldiers to stop the assault, but they reply: Hes just having fun. Tahel is furious. Fun? This is fun? Raping a girl? The soldiers eventually intervene.

Later after the BA crew complain to Iraqi officers about the attack, the rapist is taken away and shot.

9am

At the airport, some of the crew of Flight 149 have been allowed to return to the aircraft to collect the passengers luggage. In the planes hold the crew are overwhelmed by an appalling smell and discover that one of the two dogs they were carrying has died in the heat.

In February 1991, just three days from the end of the occupation, the 747 will be destroyed by U.S. fighter jets to prevent the plane getting into the hands of Saddam Hussein.

British Airways received a large insurance payout as a result. The wreckage of the distinctive Union flag tail fin becomes one of the most iconic images of the conflict.

9.30am

From the hotel, siblings Jennifer and John watch horrified as Iraqi tanks drive through the car park, crushing cars and those inside.

Then they see a Kuwaiti soldier running across the car park gunned down by two Iraqi soldiers. John recalled: His torso just disappeared and what was left of him hit the ground.

The violence witnessed on the morning of August 2 is just the start of the nightmare for the passengers and crew of Flight 149.

Aftermath

The United States launched Operation Desert Shield  the defence of Saudi Arabia and the expulsion of Iraqi forces in Kuwait. Saddam demanded that President Bush withdraw his troops and sent the passengers and crew of Flight 149 and other Western nationals to key installations in Kuwait and Iraq to act as human shields to ward off any attack.

The Iraqi leader exploited the hostages for propaganda purposes, notoriously posing with a reluctant five-year-old British boy named Stuart Lockwood. On August 28 all women and children were allowed to leave, and following the efforts of former PM Edward Heath, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others, all the hostages were home by mid-December.

The violence witnessed on the morning of August 2 is just the start of the nightmare for the passengers and crew of Flight 149. Pictured: The wreckage of British Airways Flight 149 at the International Airport in Kuwait City

Successive British governments have denied the existence of the Special Forces mission. In 2007 the Labour administration said: The Government at the time did not attempt in any way to exploit the flight by any means whatsoever.

Nevertheless, the passengers of Flight 149 remain angry and sceptical, believing that their lives were deliberately put in danger.

Many still suffer severe psychological problems. Barry Manners, who was threatened with execution by Iraqi soldiers, said last week: I thought I was boarding a British Airways passenger plane but I wasnt.

I was on a military transport into a live-fire war zone, several hours after a war had started.

Jonathan Mayo is the author of D-Day Minute By Minute published by Short Books. Operation Trojan Horse is written by Stephen Davis and published by John Blake.
Three in four rape victims say going to the police harmed their mental health with some survivors left feeling suicidal, a shocking report has found.

A damning picture of police investigations around the country emerged yesterday in the largest ever survey of rape and sexual assault victims.

Some survivors claimed they were 'more afraid of the police than being raped again' and half of respondents said they had entirely lost trust in officers and would never report another offence.

The survey of 2,000 victims in England and Wales was commissioned as part of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a Home Office-funded change programme that aims to improve outcomes for sex offences.

Many rape victims concluded the 'police experience harmed them more than the sexual violence' that led them to dial 999.

One woman said: 'I would rather be assaulted a thousand times over than go through the police process again.'

Half of respondents said they would never report another offence after their interactions with the police (file image)

The research found that scores of victims had been exposed to ongoing abuse, harassment and stalking as a result of police dismissing their accounts.

'Countless respondents' said their rapist had gone on to sexually offend again, against them or others, because police did not take their report seriously. Others claimed that the police 'doing nothing' in their case had empowered their perpetrator.

Four in ten respondents said they did not always feel believed and 31 per cent did not always feel safe in the presence of the officers.

One victim said: 'It saddens me that someone else went through it because the police dismissed mine so quickly.' In some cases researchers found victims had 'stopped reporting to the police because they fear the police more than they fear the perpetrator, even when the sexual abuse is still ongoing'.

The survey highlighted officers' lack of care, with 37 per cent of those who withdrew from an investigation doing so because 'the way police treated them was not okay'. When asked what would have made them continue with the process, 49 per cent said 'more kindness and understanding from officers'.

The report did find signs of progress  60 per cent of rape and sex assault victims who had police contact in the last three to six months felt police did a good job.

The study was led by Katrin Hohl, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at City, University of London. Professor Hohl said: 'The findings are sobering. They evidence the tremendous harm poor policing has caused to many rape and sexual assault survivors.'

Chief Constable Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Rape and Adult Sexual Offences and joint Senior Responsible Officer for the Operation Soteria Joint Unit, thanked survivors who took part in the survey.

She said: 'your bravery in talking about your experiences will form a significant part in how policing will improve their response to rape and sexual offences. We have taken an honest and open look at the way we work, and welcomed academics to provide us with direction for how we can improve. We are determined to do better for victims.'

37 per cent of those who withdrew from an investigation said they did so because 'the way police treated them was not okay' (file image)

A number of police forces have seen recent increases in the number of sex offences charged.

In London, the Met have seen an 18 per cent reduction of cases ending due to victim withdrawal.

Elsewhere, in the West Midlands, the number of cases being referred to the CPS has doubled.

Case Study 1: Rachel Rachel was left traumatised by a Met Police investigation into her allegations of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour at the hands of her former partner. After she found the courage to report the crimes against her, Rachel was shocked when an officer made the 'extremely inappropriate' request to meet privately in a cafe to talk about the serious sexual violence she had suffered. Incredibly, despite Rachel giving officers her attacker's handwritten notes documenting his crimes, they chose to take no action, later reacheing the same conclusion again despite a 'quite damning' report recommending the investigation be reopened. Rachel told the Mail: 'My interactions with police have been incredibly re-traumatising and riddled with victim-blaming statements.' Advertisement
Dramatic footage has captured the moment a massive fire ripped through a petrol station with explosions rocking a quiet suburb.

Around a dozen gas cylinders ignited at the Metro Petroleum station on Hamilton Road at Fairfield, in western Sydney, at 6:30pm on Wednesday night.

Each of the cylinders contained 200 kilograms of petroleum gas with the flames threatening to destroy nearby properties.

Fire and Rescue teams were called to respond to the blaze which required more than 50 firefighters and three hours to extinguish.

More than a dozen nearby residents fled their homes as 17 firetrucks sped towards the station to prevent any more petroleum from meeting the flame.

The Metro Petroleum station in Fairfield, west of Sydney, burst into flames early Wednesday night as more than 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze

Explosions that sounded like rockets were heard when several cylinders containing 200 kilograms of petroleum gas were met by the flames

Superintendent Adam Dewberry described the explosions as 'large rocket sounds'.

'It was an extremely intense fire ... the flames were leaping high and starting to impinge on adjoining properties,' he told ABC.

Bystanders who were nearby at the time ran as far from the sounds as they could, while 15 locals successfully fled their homes unharmed.

Superintendent Dewberry said the likelihood of an untamed explosion was very real as the fire surrounded countless petroleum cylinders.

One witness who was filling up their car at the time immediately called triple-0 at the first sight of flames only to be told that fire trucks were already on their way.

Another said that the flames were 'coming out of nowhere' and reaching as high as trees.

Once the fire was under control a specialised hazard materials team monitored the area between Sackville Street and Hamilton Road to ensure it was safe.

'A very fortunate outcome here to keep this incident from being catastrophic and causing severe damage,' Superintendent Dewberry added.

Teams from NSW police worked alongside fire investigators throughout Thursday to work out what caused the fire in the first place.

The risk of a massive explosion was very real as flames surrounded dozens of cylinders but crews were able to achieve a 'very fortunate outcome', Superintendent Adam Dewberry said

Nearby residents were safely evacuated and the fire was tamed after three hours

A total fire ban and a severe fire danger warning was issued for the Greater Sydney area on Wednesday after dry winds created perfect tinder box conditions.

More than 100 bushfires flared up across the state in the past three days as temperatures continued to spike.

The entire country is on alert after the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the onset of an El Nino weather pattern, raising the chances of a blistering hot and dry summer.

Another fire in Sydney's west required the attention of more than 100 firefighters on Thursday morning after a plastics factory ignited at around 4am.

The Vinidex Plastics building on Woodpark Road in Smithfield was evacuated as flames gripped the building in the early hours of the morning.

Several fire crews and 25 trucks took more than an hour to douse the fire while 30 staff members were safely evacuated from the building.

A hazmat truck has been left onsite to manage asbestos that was detected in the roof and investigators are trying to determine what started the fire.
A woman with a Vote Yes in the Indigenous Voice referendum sign in her front yard has been targeted with an anonymous conspiracy theory letter calling her a 'communist'.

The typed letter begins with 'Dear Neighbour' but it immediately resorts to name calling after that.

The woman in Byron Bay in northern NSW was told to move to China as she was a 'supporter of the COMMUNIST AGENDA', in the letter that frequently broke into random capital letters.

The writer said the woman's views were formed though 'media and government propaganda and misinformation or perhaps, financial gains'.

What 'financial gains' the woman could make from voting Yes was not made clear, but the writer said 'either way your children and grandchildren will be the ones suffering from this TOTALITARIAN SYSTEM'.

A woman with a Vote Yes in the Indigenous Voice referendum sign in her front yard has been targeted with an anonymous conspiracy theory letter (pictured) calling her a 'communist'

A family with a Vote Yes sign on their lawn (pictured) has been targeted with vile racist abuse for showing support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

The letter then goes on to list suggestions of videos the woman should watch on YouTube, including one called 'The Voice Is A Communist Plot - The Secret Plan EXPOSED...!!!!'

Though the letter was unexpected and shocking, it is far from the worst such correspondence sent to people with Vote Yes signs on their property.

READ MORE: Racist letter posted to Yes supporter as Indigenous Voice debate turns ugly A leadership mentor has been left shocked after receiving a vile and racist letter slamming them for supporting the Voice referendum. Advertisement

Dr Richard Hodge found a letter in the mailbox of his house at Sunbury, in Melbourne's north-west on Monday.

It was filled with vile racial slurs calling Dr Hodge a 'fake c**n' and 'virtue signaller' before levelling several insults at Indigenous Australians.

'What do the A*** do for Australia, besides suck $34billion from the Australian taxpayer every year,' it read.

Dr Hodge was shocked after realising the letter had been sent from Northgate - a suburb in Brisbane that is 1,800km from his house.

'So this is an organised campaign,' the former Australian Defence Force scientist told Daily Mail Australia.

'This isn't some upstart who is upset in the neighborhood.'

He believes a disgruntled local told someone in Queensland that he had put up a Vote Yes sign, leading to the distressing letter being sent to his house.

The letter was postmarked September 13 - a week after Dr Hodge put up the sign.

He said the letter left him feeling like he had been 'kicked in the guts' and compared it to his feeling years ago when his home was broken into.

'Things were destroyed within the house then, and that empty feeling was the only other time I'd felt like this,' Dr Hodge said.

'But this was in fact, even worse because of the vile nature of the abuse.'

Video has also emerged online of a man who stormed into a Yes supporters meeting and demanded that organisers change his mind on the referendum.

Bradley Beaven filmed himself entering the meeting venue in Albury in southern NSW before he was met by a female campaigner in a hallway.

When the organisers said it was a private meeting and threatened to call the police, he threatened to call the police on them.

Mr Beaven had also harassed Yes23 campaigners the previous week in Melbourne.

In Albury, which forms a twin cities border town with Wodonga in Victoria, Mr Beaven invited the Yes voters to 'Give the police a call'.

Mr Beaven has confronted Yes23 campaigners before, most recently filming himself in Melbourne's CBD last week doing the same

'Because you should be arrested and charged for treasoning against the people of this country.'

As he made his way towards the exit he started to scream 'Vote No' and 'You sellout traitors of this f****** country.'

In Melbourne, he called a Yes campaigner a 'traitorous f***ing dog'.

The referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia's Constitution is being held in just over three week, on October 14.
One of Australia's top doctors has exposed the major flaw with the newly-announced inquiry into how state, territory and federal governments responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler officially announced the inquiry into the pandemic in Adelaide on Thursday morning, stopping short of declaring a full Royal Commission despite previously calling for it when Labor was in Opposition.

But Dr Nick Coatsworth, the country's former deputy chief health officer during the pandemic, highlighted one major omission from the inquiry's remit.

The terms of reference reveal that 'actions taken unilaterally by state and territory governments' are not within its scope, which Dr Coatsworth said was a 'little concerning'.

'That's pretty much everything they did...,' he tweeted.

Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured), ambassador for health reform at the Australian Patient's Association, highlighted one major omission from the newly announced Covid inquiry's remit

That would suggest the inquiry would not scrutinise lockdowns and the first state border closures since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1919.

Dr Coatsworth previously called for the inquiry to examine whether independent public health powers should remain with states and territories during a pandemic.

'Who determines proportionality of pandemic response and how are societal costs of pandemic restrictions assessed and balanced against need for disease control?', asked Dr Coatsworth.

He took aim at Victorian Premier Dan Andrews who 'thinks that the Covid inquiry should focus on vaccines, national medical stockpile and PPE'.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) officially announced the inquiry into the pandemic in Adelaide on Thursday morning, stopping short of declaring a full Royal Commission despite previously calling for it when Labor was in opposition

But the terms of reference reveal that 'actions taken unilaterally by state and territory governments' are not within its scope, which suggests that state governments' decisions to close borders and implement lockdowns will not be subject to scrutiny under the enquiry

'None of those are related to the core question. Proportionality,' Dr Coatsworth added.

'It is a word that he would prefer never enter into the historical record on our (and his) pandemic response. But it will.'

At a press conference on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Albanese said it was 'important' the Covid inquiry take place.

'We said before the election and I've said since, given the enormous dislocation, the stress, the loss of life, the economic impact of the pandemic  it is appropriate that when we reached a certain period we would have an inquiry,' Mr Albanese said.

He added: 'We need to examine what went right (and) what could be done better with a focus on the future because the health experts and the science tells us that this pandemic may not be  indeed is not likely to be  the last one that occurs.'

It will look at more than 20 different inquiries that have already taken place and it has a twelve-month timeframe before it reports.

The watered down commission of inquiry will lack the powers of a Royal Commission to compel witnesses to appear and testify truthfully.

It will be conducted by economist Angela Jackson, epidemiologist and regular Covid commentator Catherine Bennett, and public administration expert Robyn Kruk.

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.

'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.

On Thursday, he defended the decision to hold an inquiry rather than a Royal Commission.

'Quite frankly, a royal commission can take more time (and) is normally headed by a judge,' Mr Albanese told Adelaide's 5AA radio station.

Under Victorian Premier Dan Andrews Victoria experienced one of the world's longest lockdowns

'What we've appointed is three experts. The advice that we've received is that this is the best form of inquiry.'

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, Burnet Institute data showed.
Mohammed bin Salman has said he doesn't see an issue with a Saudi Arabian wealth fund injecting $2billion into Jared Kushner's private equity - despite his family links to former president Donald Trump.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News, the 38-year-old controversial Crown Prince admitted 'mistakes' over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and warned his country will get nukes if Iran does.

Six months after Trump left the White House in 2020, his son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) led by MbS.

When asked by Fox presenter Bret Baier whether this created a conflict of interest - and if the royal family would pull the money should Donald Trump win re-election - MbS said 'if it's legal, what's the problem?'

'We look for opportunities in investment,' he said. 'We have a lot of investment around the globe with a lot of people with economic opportunity.'

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News , the controversial Crown Prince also admitted 'mistakes' over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and warned that his country will get nukes if Iran does

Saudi Arabia 's Mohammed bin Salman has said he doesn't see any issues with his wealth fund injecting $2 billion into Jared Kushner's fledgling private equity despite links to former President Donald Trump. (Pictured: MbS with Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump in 2017)

Six months after Trump left the White House in 2020, his son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) led by MbS. (Pictured: MbS with Trump and Kushner in 2017)

On whether the $2billion would remain with Kushner even if Trump becomes president again, MbS answered in the affirmative.

'It's a commitment that PIF have and when PIF have a commitment with any investor around the globe, we keep it,' he said.

Pushed on whether he recognized that this could create a conflict of interest, he said: 'Saudi Arabia is so big, so I'm quite sure mostly any person around the world directly or indirectly you have something to do with Saudi Arabia.

'So if that can affect President Trump's decision if he becomes a President, that means it can affect every president in the world and every person in the world's decision.

'Because directly and indirectly they have some sort of interest in something to do with Saudi Arabia.'

Kushner secured the massive deal from the PIF despite his firm being flagged for its 'inexperience' and 'public relations risks' by a panel of economics experts who screen the wealth fund's investments.

During his time in the White House, Kushner was known for his close personal relationship with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman and for helping him secure a $110 billion arms deal.

He was among the Saudi royal family's staunchest defenders within the administration amid international outrage over its murder of US-based journalist and MbS critic Jamal Khashoggi.

Asked about the slaying of Khashoggi, MbS said he was reforming the kingdom's security system to make sure this kind of 'mistake' does not happen again.

'We take all the legal measurements that any country took  We did that in Saudi Arabia and the case being closed,' MbS said.

On whether the $2 billion would remain with Kushner even if Trump becomes president again, MbS answered in the affirmative

Asked about the slaying of Khashoggi (pictured), MbS said he was reforming the kingdom's security system to make sure this kind of 'mistake' does not happen again

'Also, we try to reform the security system to be sure that these kind of mistakes doesn't happen again, and we can see in the past five years nothing of those things happened. It's not part of what Saudi Arabia do.'

The Biden administration released a declassified report by U.S. intelligence concluding that MbS 'approved' the operation that killed Khashoggi  but took no action against the crown prince himself.

MbS was also questioned about the possibility of Iran eventually creating a nuclear weapon, and he confirmed that that if Iran were to begin building an arsenal, Saudi Arabia will seek to do the same.

'We are concerned if any country getting a nuclear weapon: That's a bad, that's a bad move,' he said. 'They don't need to get nuclear weapon because you cannot use it.'

When asked how he would respond to Iran securing a nuke, he said: 'If they get one we have to get one'.

MbS also spoke about relations with Israel, claiming that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with the country.

'Every day we get closer,' he said, referring to Israel - a hot topic in Washington as Biden's administration presses ahead with an effort broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses.

'We look for opportunities in investment,' MbS said when quizzed about his mega donation of Kushner's firm. 'We have a lot of investment around the globe with a lot of people with economic opportunity'. (Pictured: Kushner with Saudi officials in the Oval Office in 2018)

MbS was also questioned about the possibility of Iran eventually creating a nuclear weapon, and he confirmed that that if Iran were to begin building an arsenal, Saudi Arabia will seek to do the same. (Pictured: an alleged Iranian military bunker)

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 until 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.

Baier also questioned MbS about Saudi Arabia's links to 9/11, given 15 of the 19 hijackers behind the plan were Saudi citizens.

MbS defended his government against accusations they facilitated or supported the attacks, saying Osama bin Laden also executed attacks against Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, describing him as a common enemy.

'He's our enemy and he's the American enemy,' MbS stressed.
Shocking footage is circulating of a one-time university professor spitting at a man during a Voice to Parliament Yes campaign event - further illustrating the division and anger which has been increasing as the referendum date approaches.

The Yes supporter, Denise Ferris,an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University in Canberra, is seen on video spitting at activist Andrew Thaler at an event in Cooma, in NSW's south-east, on Sunday afternoon.

The professor's online profile was removed from the university's website on Thursday.

A school spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'investigating, and will take appropriate action as required'.

'This video has just been brought to the university's attention. Emeritus professors are not paid members of staff,' the spokesperson said.

Mr Thaler, the man at the centre of the clip, claims he approached the Yes23 tent during a campaign event in Centennial Park when the campaigner tried to block him from getting close.

Mr Thaler, a well-known activist, has courted controversy over the past year. He was branded a 'parasite' by 2GB presenter Ben Fordham after he claimed he spoke on behalf of the family whose grandmother, Clare Nowland, 95, was fatally tasered at a nursing home in Cooma on May 17.

He has also run for political office at various levels of government, and in 2022 pleaded guilty to intimidating a Rural Fire Service staff member four years earlier. He avoided a conviction.

Mr Thaler told Daily Mail Australia the tent had a petting zoo with lambs, and that he believed it was a ploy to lure in children and families to discuss the Voice.

He hoped to take pictures of the lambs 'to show they (the Yes campaign) would do anything... even exploit animals', but the move 'led to an altercation which is when he started filming'.

It is unclear what was said during the exchange before the camera started rolling. One campaign insider claimed the professor was 'absolutely provoked'.

In the video, Mr Thaler tells Professor Ferris she is a 'stupid m**e' and demands she 'get out of the way'.

The woman retaliates by coming closer to the camera, which appears to be held just in front of his body.

'Do not... don't you dare call me that,' she says.

Immediately afterwards, she leans forward and spits at the camera, before returning to the crowd of Yes23 campaigners underneath their tents.

The professor leans forward and spits at the camera

The man behind the camera, Andrew Thaler, encourages the professor to call the police, again reminding her that she'd just spit at him, which she denied

Mr Thaler follows her back to her group, describing her as a 'crazy b**ch' and demanding to know her name.

He tells her she could be 'done for assault' for spitting on him.

'Don't stalk me. Go away,' she says. 'I'm calling the police.'

Mr Thaler encourages the professor to call the police, again reminding her that she'd just spat on him, which she denied.

'I did not,' she said.

He later told Daily Mail Australia police arrived on the scene by about 2pm, and are now investigating the incident.

A NSW Police spokesman confirmed an investigation is underway.

Andrew Thaler, the man at the centre of the clip, claims he approached the Yes23 tent during a campaign event in Centennial Park in Cooma on Sunday afternoon when the professor tried to block him

'Officers attached to Monaro Police District were told three people had been involved in a physical altercation,' the spokesman said.

'No injuries were reported, and police are investigating the incident.'

READ MORE: Man filmed tearing down Yes signs Advertisement

The shocking footage has further illustrated the division in the community as campaigning heats up on both sides of the debate.

It sparked a wave of criticism online, from people describing the act of spitting on another person as 'vile' to questions about her employment.

Others said it was incomprehensible that she 'denied she spat' despite seeing the camera in front of her during the altercation.

No advocates have warned the referendum is doing nothing more than causing friction in the community, as recent polling shows support for the proposal is plummeting.

The most recent Resolve Political Monitor survey showed 43 per cent of voters supported a plan to enshrine the Voice into the Constitution, down 20 percentage points from a year ago.

The percentage of Australians in favour of the referendum has dropped for the fifth month in a row and since the last survey Victoria has flipped to a majority No, leaving Tasmania the only state left in the Yes camp.

The incident took place at one of many Yes23 events which have been taking place around Australia (unrelated Yes23 event pictured)

For the Voice to succeed, the Yes campaign needs more than 50 per cent of the vote across the nation and in four of the six states.

The latest incident comes just days after protesters branded No voters 'racist dogs' after gatecrashing a No campaign rally.

Liberal senator Alex Antic filmed a crowd of protesters as he walked into the convention centre, with many shouting expletives towards him.

'F**k you, you racist dog!' one shouted.

'Racist pig!' screamed another. 'Crazy w****rs!'

Mr Antic shared the video to social media, saying: 'Is this the 'unity' the Australian Labor Party promised us their referendum was going to bring?'
A mum who lived through every parent's worst nightmare is still 'incredibly shaken' after thieves stole her car from her own driveway and sped off with her baby boy still inside.

An urgent manhunt continues almost 24 hours after the brazen robbery in broad daylight on the Gold Coast.

The Varsity Lakes mum had just returned home and briefly ducked inside with the Hyundai SUV still running and her seven-month-old son fast asleep in his capsule in the back seat shortly before midday on Wednesday.

Two thieves wearing hoodies jumped into the car and sped off before the mum realised what had happened.

A Gold Coast mum has recalled the moment her car was stolen in the driveway with her son asleep in the back seat

READ MORE: Shocking moment a thief steals a car with a baby still inside Advertisement

'I heard this massive screech but didn't think anything of it. I came out and the car was gone,' she told Nine News.

'I just thought, 'Is he going to die? Who's got him?' and I just couldn't believe it.

'I was frantic. Yeah, it was the most terrifying experience I've ever had.'

The car was abandoned in a nearby street 500m away shortly afterwards.

CCTV captured thieves fleeing the scene in a getaway car believed to be an allegedly stolen silver hatchback.

The baby boy was found in the abandoned vehicle unharmed and reunited with his relieved mum shortly afterwards.

'I almost fell over as I just couldn't believe it, and then he was okay because I could see him,' she said.

'It was the best feeling in the world.'

The allegedly stolen SUV was abandoned in a nearby street with the baby boy still inside unharmed

Detectives spent the afternoon examining and collecting fingerprints from the woman's recovered SUV.

'I'm very angry, I could say a few more things, but I won't,' she said.

Before the incident, multiple Varsity Lakes residents had taken to community Facebook groups to warn locals about a group of teens appearing suspicious.

'A young teen wearing a face mask and dressed in a dark hoodie, with white down the arms, jumped out of the back seat and tried to break into my car on the driveway,' one resident posted.

'My car was locked, and as soon as they knew it was locked, they ran back into the car and drove off.

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that investigations continue.

A manhunt for the thieves continues. Pictured are police examining the mum's recovered car

The mum planned to appear on Today show on Thursday but pulled out at the last minute, still shaken by the harrowing ordeal.

'The mum had agreed to come on our show this morning to tell her story in her words,' co-host Karl Stefanovic explained.

'But understandably, she's not up to it this morning, but she wants to pass on a message. 'If anyone knows anything about what happened to her, please come forward and tell police.'

'We are still hopeful we might talk to her either today or tomorrow. But appreciate her words this morning after what was an horrific ordeal yesterday.'

Anyone with information about the carjacking urged to call Crime Stoppers.

The latest incident comes months after a young mum, 23, had her car allegedly stolen while her four-month-old girl was inside as she packed groceries in the boot at a shopping centre in Yeppoon in April.

In July, an 'opportunistic' thief allegedly jumped into a young dad's Kia and sped off with the owner's toddler still in the backseat in Dandenong on Melbourne's outskirts.

The distressed toddler was later found wandering around on his own in the aisles of Woolworths at Fern Tree Gully, 16km from where the car was stolen.
A police unit set up after the Jimmy Savile scandal is set to probe the Russell Brand case after another woman came forward to claim he 'switched and became very nasty' when she refused him sex in a locked dressing room.

Brand has been the subject of a series of lurid allegations from four women including rape and sexual assault.

He vehemently denies the claims, which were first disclosed by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times.

Officers from the specialist unit - Operation Hydrant, which became the Hydrant Programme in July 2022 - has confirmed that it is supporting the Met Police in its inquiries.

The national hub coordinating inquiries into historical abuse was set up in 2014 after the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Russell Brand has been the subject of a series of lurid allegations from four women including rape and sexual assault which he vehemently denies

Jimmy Savile's horrific reign of abuse dated back to 1959 when he raped a 13-year-old girl, before attacks followed 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises'

It comes as another woman has come forward, claiming Brand locked her in his dressing room and pinned her to his sofa with a 'glazed' look on his face

On Saturday, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches reported allegations of abusive and predatory behaviour including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse said to have been committed by the presenter between 2006 and 2013.

Since these were aired another alleged sexual assault has been reported to the Met Police, which claims to have taken place in Soho three years before the four sexual assaults that Brand has been accused of between 2006 and 2013.

READ MORE: Listen to moment Russell Brand tells Jimmy Savile he will bring along an attractive naked female assistant who will give him a massage when they meet Advertisement

'We are working with the Metropolitan Police in support of their response to recent allegations and would urge any victim or survivor who feels ready to report any allegations of sexual assault to come forward and speak to officers,' a spokesman for the Hydrant Programme told The Times.

Officers working as part of the operation had collected more than 9,300 alleged suspects by March 2022.

250 of these were people with a 'public prominence' - making up 3 per cent of everyone who had been notified to the organisation.

58 of these were from TV, film or radio, 40 were from the world of sport, 37 were national or local politicians and a further 30 were from the music industry.

Savile's horrific reign of abuse dated back to 1959 when he raped a 13-year-old girl, before attacks followed 'in the corridors, canteens, staircases and dressing rooms of every BBC premises'.

Other vile crimes exposed included the rape of both a virgin teenager in a hotel and a 15-year-old work experience girl he met in the BBC canteen over a cup of tea.

Twenty one of Savile's female victims were aged 15 or younger, the youngest being eight, while young boys - including an eight-year-old - were also preyed on.

At the time of the claims, Brand was working for Channel 4 as well as the BBC and starring in Hollywood films (pictured last Friday in a video denying the 'very serious' allegations)

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

Brand is seen on Saturday leaving a gig in London - the last time he was seen in public

It comes as another woman has come forward, claiming Brand locked her in his dressing room and pinned her to his sofa with a 'glazed' look on his face.

The alledged incident - in 2008 when the comic was 33 - is alleged to have happened after a gig in West London.

She claims he asked her and a friend to perform sex acts on each other - and he held her down and kissed her on the neck after she tried to push him off.

'I was trying to push him off and saying, "I have to go, I have to find my friend",' she told the Sun.

'He was kissing me on my neck and holding me down.

'Something in him switched and he became very nasty, very fast. He started saying, "Dont you know who I am? Why wouldnt you want to do this?'

The Times and Sunday Times claim 'several women' have come forward with undisclosed allegations about Brand's behaviour during the early 2000s in wake of their joint investigation with Channel 4 which was published on Saturday.

It is understood the investigation spoke to more women than the four alleged victims who featured in the documentary, but the others decided they did not want to take part.

The latest allegations - which the newspaper says have not been investigated, but will now be 'rigorously checked' - follow accusations from four women, including one who claims she was sexually assaulted by Brand during a three-month relationship with him when she was 16 and still at school.

His back catalogue of comedy shows is being wiped from Channel 4's streaming service and from iPlayer after BBC director-general Tim Davie (pictured) called them 'completely unacceptable'

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

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

Last night, comedian Katherine Ryan appeared to allude to the claims made against her former Comedy Central's Roast Battle co-judge at a set in Cambridge.

In the wake of the scandal, it emerged that Ryan, 40, would fire shots at Brand, 48, about his alleged sexual misconduct while recording but these jabs were cut out of the final production, sources working on the production have said.

Roast Battle was the last major television show Brand appeared on in the UK.

Ryan had previously said she told a comedian 'to his face' that he was a sexual predator and that accusations made against this person were 'an open secret'.

The comedian added in an interview with Louis Theroux that she had confronted the man when they worked together on television 'again and again'.

Brand's 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.

The Director General, 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.

Speaking at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention on Wednesday, 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.

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'

Brand hosting Big Brother's Little Brother in May 2006 - which is one of the shows Channel 4 has removed from its website containing the comedian

Brand, pictured at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on Saturday night, looks set to keep a large amount of his fanbase despite the allegations against him

The BBC boss, 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 Channel 4 boss Alex 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.

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)

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

Ms Mahon added that her channel had invited anyone that knew about such behaviour to come to them directly. Pictured: Brand on an episode of Celebrity Bake Off where he made an edible vagina

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.

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.

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 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.

Russell Brand's 2009 comedy special was available on Paramount+ until Tuesday morning

The show has been taken down, and an error message in its place

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

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.

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 also been axed.

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.

The actor and stand-up comic has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and blamed the 'mainstream media' for the 'litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks'.
The former lover of Australia's worst gang rapist, Mohammed Skaf, has pleaded guilty to stalking and intimidating him - and to smuggling $100,000 worth of drugs into a prison.

Alexandra Mastropetros and her ex-boyfriend, Skaf, have been feuding through the media over the past fortnight, after police hit her with an apprehended violence order for the protection of the notorious rapist.

Skaf was a ringleader of a series of gang rapes in Sydney before the 2000 Olympics. The pair had a relationship two years ago after he was freed from jail after 22 years behind bars.

Mastropetros, 27, appeared in Bankstown Local Court on Thursday, supported by her new husband, where she pleaded guilty to stalking or intimidating and drug supply charge.

Despite her previous claims Skaf was 'delusional' to think they were ever in a romantic relationship, police facts filed in court - and seen by Daily Mail Australia - suggest otherwise.

Court documents state that Mastropetros attempted to 'extort' Skaf for $20,000.

Alexandra Mastropetros pleaded guilty to drug supply and stalking or intimidating Mohammed Skaf on Thursday morning

She was supported at court by her new husband, who she married in April of this year

Mastropetros pleaded guilty to intimidating Skaf in Greenacre, in Sydney's west, during a heated phone call at about 9pm on May 17 this year.

The facts said Mastropetros was 'well known' to the victim, Skaf, and was 'well aware' of his family members and associates.

'The accused and the victim were in an intimate relationship between January 23 and March 23, 2023,' they read.

'On May 16, the victim provided a statement to police in relation to being extorted for $20,000.'

Documents said Skaf received a phone call from Mastropetros on May 17 from a private number during which she accused him of making a police statement against some of her associates.

During the call, which Skaf recorded, Mastropetros argued she did ask him to withdraw his statement, but added 'I highly suggest you do ... that's snitching, you don't go snitching.'

Skaf replied: 'If I want to go to the police, I'll do that.'

Mastropetros: 'I'm just kindly asking you, that if you have put a statement on the boys, you should know very very well, you have been in jail for 21 years.'

'You should know the go'.

The exchange ended with Mastropetros saying 'go f*** yourself.'

Mohammed Skaf is pictured on the day he walked from Sydney 's Long Bay correctional complex, in October 2021

Alexandra Mastropetros is pictured leaving Bankstown Local Court on Thursday

'If you don't go and withdraw this f***ing statement ... I promise you by oath of allah and I'm going to go and f*** up your life.

Court documents said Skaf feared for his life and was concerned Mastropetros would send someone to his home to harm him or a family member.

A further charge of attempting to intimidate a witness was withdrawn.

Court documents also detailed drug supply charges, which she also pleaded guilty to on Thursday.

Police facts state Mastropetros hired a blue Suzuki Baleno and entered the grounds of the Hunter Correctional Centre - where her ex-husband was serving a sentence - before she was pulled over by a worker at the facility.

The employee found a Louis Vuitton handbag with four 'white tied off balloons inside' which contained 100 buprenorphine strips, which she said she bought for $120 each from a service station in Punchbowl.

She said the drugs were to 'help her calm down'.

The drugs were later identified to have a value of $1000 per strip, $100,000 in total, inside the correctional facility.

When asked about two other balloons, she said they contained 'ice', and that she had bought them for $400 each at the same service station in Punchbowl. She further explained they were for personal use.

The case - originally set down for sentence - was adjourned to November 16.

READ MORE: Who are Mohammed and Bilal Skaf? Mohammed Skaf was one of gang of Lebanese-Australian youths led by his older brother Bilal who went on a rampage of pack rapes in Sydney's south-west in 2000. Advertisement

Mastropetros was previously convicted in her absence when the matter went before court earlier this month.

Police put a warrant out for her arrest. Her vehicle was pulled over by police in Victoria and she was arrested, locked up, and extradited back to Sydney.

Her guilty pleas comes just days after she told Daily Mail Australia that it was her who should have an AVO against Skaf, instead of the other way around.

She claimed police ignored her pleas for help when she tried to tell them he developed an 'obsession' with her after their first encounter, at a beach near Rose Bay in January this year.

Mastropetros claimed he wouldn't leave her alone and kept bombarding her with declarations of love, and described Skaf as 'delusional' and that she was disturbed by the volume of messages he sent her.

However, Skaf vehemently denies her claims.

He said they had a consensual relationship, and pointed to a large volume of messages between during which Mastropetros said 'I love you' to Skaf and called him 'baby'.

Mastropetros said she tried to explain the situation to police and tried to show them his messages, but they did not believe her.

She was forced to stay in Sydney to comply with her bail conditions, even though she was 'terrified' Skaf would find her.

Mastropetros will appear in court for sentencing on November 16.
Donald Trump took time out of his campaigning schedule to hand out pizza to his supporters and even signed the top of one enthusiastic fan.

He made the first of five planned visits to Iowa on Wednesday and addressed crowds in Maquoketa and Dubuque as he seeks to win the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination.

But the former president, 77, was later spotted giving out pizza to delighted fans at Kathy's Treehouse Pub & Eatery in Bettendorf.

Trump was filmed handing people boxes, signing autographs and engaging with the crowd who chanted: 'We want Trump'.

It comes as he brushes off claims he told an aide she should deny any knowledge of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Donald Trump took time out of his campaigning schedule to hand out pizza to his supporters

The former president, 77, was spotted giving out pizza to delighted fans at Kathy's Treehouse Pub & Eatery in Bettendorf

Trump was seen signing the tank top of an enthusiastic waitress before he inked her forearm

A video was shared on X of Trump giving a helping hand to staff at Kathy's Treehouse Pub & Eatery where more than a hundred people were gathered.

He was seen picking up pizza boxes and giving them to members of the excited crowd. 'Take it man,' the former president is heard telling one fan.

While another man is heard shouting: 'Who wants pizza from Trump,' before the packed audience begins to scream.

Trump then hands a box to a woman and says: 'Here you go, here darling.'

The crowd began to chant 'we want Trump' as the former president was signing an autograph for a fan.

He was even spotted signing the top of an enthusiastic waitress before he inked her forearm and she stuck her tongue out in glee.

She was heard saying: 'We're so honored to have you here, thank you so much. We love you. My dad's your number one fan and we all are.'

Trump then turned to the crowd and began to orchestrate cheers as he gave out high fives and handshakes.

They screamed his name and sang along to Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the USA'.

It is not the first time Trump has turned up to a restaurant and addressed his supporters.

He stopped by a local pizzeria in April after giving a long speech in Fort Myers where he asked fans if they wanted to enjoy the slice he had already bitten.

Trump visited Downtown House of Pizza and its owners said they were 'truly honored'.

The former president also went straight to the iconic Cuban restaurant Versailles after his appearance in Miami federal court in June.

He offered to buy food for everyone and listened to customers sing 'Happy Birthday'.

'Food for everyone!' Trump shouted in the famous eatery in the surprise stop after he pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges related to his mishandling of classified documents.

Earlier on Wednesday, he addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people in the small-town Maquoketa as part of his campaign.

A video was shared on X of Trump giving a helping hand to staff at Kathy's Treehouse Pub & Eatery where more than a hundred people were gathered

The waitress who received Trump's signature was heard telling him: 'We're so honored to have you here, thank you so much. We love you. My dad's your number one fan and we all are'

Trump 2.0 is different from the 2016 or 2020 version.



Trump 2.0 is Retail politics > Rallies and events.



Trump 2.0 hands out pizzas to Iowa voters: "We want pizza from Trump!"



Trump 2.0 is Trump at a pub. Trump at an Dairy Queen.



Trump 2.0 is ignoring a canned, pic.twitter.com/2pvkyeujIb  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 20, 2023

'In less than four months from now, we're going to win the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide,' Trump predicted.

He urged those in attendance to support him in the January 15 caucuses and asked them to bring friends along.

On display was his team's promised commitment to better organize in Iowa than it did in 2016, when Trump finished a close second to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Supporters from across northeast Iowa had lined up outside the expo building at the Jackson County fairgrounds hours before Trump's arrival.

Trump addressed his 2016 loss at the start of his speech, blaming his previous campaign team.

'They didn't do the caucus thing too well and I learned a lot,' Trump acknowledged, adding: 'I don't like second, though.'

At a second event in Dubuque, Trump laced into Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whom he has long treated as his chief target, as he touted the efforts of his administration to help Iowa farmers and crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump recited a poem he sometimes reads about a woman who invites a sick, frozen snake into her home, only to be bitten.

'That's what's happening in our country,' he said.

His campaigning in Iowa followed claims he told an aide to deny any knowledge of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump turned to the crowd and began to orchestrate cheers as he gave out high fives and handshakes

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.'

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?'

Molly Michael 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

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.

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.'
The driver of a ute which veered off the road and smashed into a tree killing his 16-year-old friend was allegedly unlicensed.

Ryan Berry, 16, was on the way to the gym with two friends when the ute he was a passenger in crashed at a roundabout in Yanchep, a coastal suburb in Perth, at about 9.40pm on Tuesday.

Security camera footage captured the moment the Holden Crewman approached the intersection of Beach Road and Parkland Drive, with residents claiming to have heard a car revving before the crash.

Western Australian Police allege the 16-year-old male driver, who suffered a minor injury, was unlicensed and that speed may have been a factor in the crash.

A 15-year-old male passenger was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while Berry died at the scene.

Western Australian teen Ryan Berry, 16, (pictured) died after the ute he was a passenger in crashed into a tree at an intersection in Yanchep

Western Australian police allege the 16-year-old male driver, who suffered a minor injury, was unlicensed and that speed may have also been a factor (police at the scene of the crash on intersection between Beach Rd and Parkland Dr)

James Lesurf and his wife were at home when they heard a 'massive bang', before running to the scene to try and help the teenagers.

READ MORE: Mungalli stolen car crash: Couple try to help driver before ute is stolen Advertisement

'We heard this massive bang slash crunch. When we came around the car was already wedged against the tree,' Mr Lesurf told 9News.

'The other two poor lads, you could tell that they were only young, but they were panicking. So we calmed them down and got them away.'

Another resident wrote on Facebook that she heard 'revving and burnouts' before the crash.

Grieving friends and family gathered at the crash site on Wednesday to pay tribute to Berry.

Mourners were seen laying flowers in his memory, while dozens of others carved tributes into the tree that claimed his life.

Berry's friends said they were 'shocked' and did not believe he had died when they were first told the tragic news.

'It wasn't true,' one friend told 7News.

'Ryan was literally like my best friend and my brother in one,' another said.

Friends gathered at the scene of the crash to mourn the loss of Berry, with many carving touching tributes into a tree

A third chimed: 'He was just family to all of us and such a nice guy'.

Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Charges are expected, however none have been laid.

Anyone with information or who saw the Holden Crewman ute in the lead up to the crash, is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A single mother suffering through tough times has been brought to tears due to a touching act by a good Samaritan contractor.

The woman, who did not want to share her name, contacted SPM Melbourne to install a wire screen on her window and the business sent Adam to do the job.

When he arrived at the home, the two began chatting about life and she told him that she was currently going through a rocky period.

Adam told her he was happy to complete the job for free so the mother and her on could be safe - before she declined saying the offer brought her to tears.

She was moved again after the contractor installed the screen then left her a very surprising gift behind.

A single mum from Melbourne contacted SPM Melbourne to install a security screen on her window and Adam, the worker SPM sent, gave the her a touching card

Adam presented the mother with a touching card and $50.

'Life. There's no right way to do it. So worry less and laugh more, just wing it and be happy,' the front of the card read.

The mum spoke to 7News about the 'beautiful and kind' experience she found herself in.

'He offered to do the job for free if I couldn't afford it in order to keep us safe, but I declined, through tears, being overwhelmed at his kindness and generosity and assured him I could pay,' she said.

She said she will treasure the moment forever and that it had an impact on her son as well.

'My son was overwhelmed and hugged him, genuinely shocked and in awe a stranger would be so kind,' she said.

The experience reminded her that there is 'so much good out there and Adam is the perfect example'.

Now the mum says that the experience has reminded her how much good there is in the world and has implored anyone who needs a safety screen to call Adam (stock pictured)

The mum described him as an honest and genuine person who worked hard to support his family.

She said that anyone who needs security screens installed in the Craigieburn area, 34km north of Melbourne, should highly consider recruiting him for the job.

Her story was shared to social media, along with a picture of the card and Adam's business card which included his email and phone number.

Reactions from those social media users who saw the Facebook post were overwhelmingly positive.

'I hope Adam likes work because I have a feeling he is about to be inundated,' one wrote.

'I need some work done and Im going to get Adam,' another added.
The senator previously decided to dress casual on the Senate floor on Monday

John Fetterman dressed down as he presided over the US Senate on Wednesday

John Fetterman presided over the U.S. Senate wearing an open-necked casual shirt after Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer relaxed the chamber's dress code.

The Democrat donned a dark, short-sleeve button down, baring the tattoos covering his forearms at the hearing on Wednesday afternoon. The rest of the attendees wore smart business attire.

Fetterman has previously been forced to vote from the wings after refusing to dress appropriately. He said the clothes made him feel more comfortable and he had received goodwill following treatment for depression earlier this year.

But Schumer's rule change - which applies to Senators and not staff - now means the 54-year-old self-confessed 'slob' is free to wear whatever he likes on the Senate floor.

The move has infuriated Republicans who believe that the Democrats are debasing the hallowed institution.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joked: 'I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow.'

Since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decided to drop the 'business' dress code, Fetterman has taken it quite literally

On Wednesday Fetterman offered to 'save democracy' as he has vowed to wear a suit on the Senate floor next week, but only if House Republicans 'stop trying to shut our government down'

Schumer has said that he will continue to sport a suit, despite his prerogative to change the dress code

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said it's a 'sad day in the Senate' and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.

'I represent the people of Kansas, and much like when I get dressed up to go to a wedding, it's to honor the bride and groom, you go to a funeral you get dressed up to honor the family of the deceased,' Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decorum, the Republican added.

Fetterman thinks it's no big deal.

'They're freaking out, I don't understand it,' he said. '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?'

Fetterman made light of the controversy on Wednesday as he offered to 'save democracy' by wearing a suit next week - but only if Republicans 'stop trying to shut our government down'.

House Republicans have been finding it hard to avoid a government shutdown toward the end of the month, as a September 30 deadline has loomed over Congress to pass a funding bill.

Fetterman also attended Senate on Monday night wearing casual clothes but made sure to avoid any camera, voting from the doorway.

'Baby steps,' he told reporters as he got on the elevator to go back to his office.

In the past, if a Senator was not meeting dress code requirements, they would have had to shout 'Aye' or 'Nay' from the doorway to make it clear that they couldn't be visible to the cameras.

Though many have not listened to the change in rules, some have decided to join in on the casualness with Fetterman.

Fetterman also took to the Senate floor in casual clothing on Monday night and made sure to avoid any cameras that could give away his new fashion sense

Other members of the Senate have gone on to mock him for his lax clothing choices, like Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine who said: 'I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor'

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota took advantage of the new dress code to wear black pants, running shoes and a casual jacket; she talks to Senator Mitt Romney on the Senate floor Monday night

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar - traveling from Minnesota - and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski - traveling from Alaska - wore black pants, running shoes and casual shirts on Monday.

'I would not normally wear this on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday,' Murkowski told reporters. 'I mean, it's a respect thing, it's like going to church in your jeans, or going to a funeral in jeans.'

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, did opt to go tieless on Monday evening, noting in the past he would have been reprimanded by Sergeant-at-Arms staff.

In what seemed to be a push between Democrats and Republicans, some Republicans haven't been so upset about the change in rules.

On Monday after Fetterman made his initial casual appearance, Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis made sure to comment.

He said that Senator 'has got a lot of problems' and that the way he has decided to dress is 'dumbing down' standards.

Fetterman didn't hold back and responded with, 'I dress like he campaigns.'

The change has humorously been dubbed the 'Fetterman Rule' due to Fetterman's preference for a far more casual wardrobe.

Schumer later clarified in a statement that senators can now choose their attire on the Senate floor, though he said he personally intended to continue wearing a suit.

As he went along with the joke, Fetterman took to X and posted: 'Senator Guy Incognito (D-PA),' as he referred to a plot line in The Simpsons where the character learns he has a mustachioed doppelganger

He has still managed to have a bit of fun with the backlash he's gotten as he's added to the conspiracy that his body double is Homer Simpson

'There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,' Schumer said in a statement. 'Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.'

It's unclear if the rules for more formal attire were actually written down anywhere, but Schumers directive means that staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.

Schumer has said that he will continue to sport a suit, despite his prerogative to change the dress code, but Fetterman has clearly taken this change seriously.

He has still managed to have a bit of fun with the backlash he's gotten as he's added to the conspiracy that his body double is Homer Simpson.

He has still managed to have a bit of fun with the backlash he's gotten as he's added to the conspiracy that his body double is Homer Simpson.

As he went along with the joke, Fetterman took to X and posted: 'Senator Guy Incognito (D-PA),' as he referred to a plot line in The Simpsons where the character learns he has a mustachioed doppelganger.
Trains were halted and delays are expected for hours after a trespasser jumped on the tracks during peak hour.

Melbournites travelling throughout the city have been left looking for other ways to get around after someone was seen walking on the tracks near Flinders Station at 9am on Thursday.

Victorian Police were called to remove the trespasser as all lines bar Stony Point were bought to a standstill.

These delays come as thousands attempt to head to the first day of the Melbourne Royal Show.

Footage of the trespasser slowly pacing down the track was shared online by an aggrieved passenger stuck who found themselves stuck in a train.

A trespasser bought all train lines bar one to a standstill for an hour Thursday morning in Melbourne after jumping onto the tracks near Flinders Street Station

Commuters have been told to expect hours-long delays as a massive backlog of trains work to get back on schedule.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has said that there is a pileup of trains heading for the city loop that needs to be gotten through.

Trains may be held at platforms and might be asked to abruptly stop between stations Metro Trains has also warned.

A pile-on of people shared their complaints about the pain a single bad actor had caused them.

'Stuck on a train right now because of this person,' one person wrote.

'How is this one f***ing guy causing the whole network to halt,' another added.

Anyone travelling the city via the train system has been urged to keep an ear out for announcements and watch information displays which might pertain to timetable changes.

All trains in the city loop are now facing hours-long delays as thousands of Melbournites try to get to the first day of the Melbourne Royal Show

Extra services were previously announced to help those who want to get to the Melbourne Showgrounds, with the DTP saying that 1,362 extra trains had been added to the schedule.

These trains to and from the showgrounds are expected to depart every 10 minutes.

Yarra Trams have also increased their services during the 11-day event, with extra Route 57 services running between 8.30am-10.30pm daily.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment in relation to the trespasser incident.
A gunman is on the run after two people were rushed to hospital following an early morning shooting.

A 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were found with gunshot wounds on Cassia Crescent in Gateshead at Lake Macquarie, in the NSW Hunter region, at 2.20am on Thursday.

Officers from the Lake Macquarie Police District were told the pair were shot, by a 30-year-old man.

The man then fled the scene.

Police are on the hunt for a gunman, after he allegedly shot a man and a woman in Gateshead, near Lake Macquarie, in the Hunter Region in NSW, in the early hours of Thursday morning

Emergency crews treated the two victims at the scene, before they were taken to John Hunter Hospital.

A spokesperson from NSW Ambulance told Daily Mail Australia, paramedics treated the man for injuries he had sustained to his arm.

Paramedics treated a woman after she suffered injuries to her leg. Both victims were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

In a statement, NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia officers are investigating the shooting, following the early morning incident.

'Just after 2.20am on Thursday, emergency services were called to an address on Cassia Crescent, Gateshead, following reports of a shooting,' the spokesperson said.

'On arrival, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District located a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both suffering from their wounds'.

'Police were told that they were shot by a man - believed to be in his 30's - at the scene'.

'He left the scene before police arrived'.

A crime scene has been set up by officers.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man and a woman were allegedly shot by a man in his 30's on Cassia Crescent in Gateshead, NSW, and were treated by paramedics after they suffered injuries from the alleged attack, before they were taken to hospital in a stable condition
Australian tourists in Bali are on high alert after a family shared how masked thieves on motorbikes tried to steal from them, prompting warnings never to take one type of possession to the holiday island.

A Victorian mother wrote that two men tried to tear her husband's gold chain off his neck as they drove past along Legian Road near the Mercure hotel.

'This just happened five minutes ago,' the Aussie woman wrote on Wednesday night.

'Be aware, in Legian St, very close to Mercure Legian, two guys on a scooter wearing masks waiting for us to walk past, tried pulling my hubby's chain off his neck.

A Victorian family's near miss with Bali's bikie bandits has prompted a warning over wearing expensive jewellery while on holiday there. Pictured: stock image of two women enjoying drinks in Bali

Australian tourists in Bali are on high alert after a family shared how masked thieves on motorbikes tried to steal from them. Pictured: a stock photo of tourists in Bali

The robbers missed out because her husband saw the men and protected his chain.

'Lucky hubby was suss as we were walking towards them and grabbed a hold of it with one hand and grabbing the guys arm with his other hand.'

'They were there waiting as we were walking up, cos hubby noticed something shifty, so as we were walking back, they must of saw us coming back.

The woman wrote that her 21-year-old daughter, a first-time visitor to Bali, burst into tears at the incident.

'She cried instantly. She wants to go home,' the mum wrote.

A Sydney mum posted that she'd faced a similar incident on a previous trip.

'We were walking back from dinner... a group of 10 of us, kids, adults, big guys going back to [our] hotel apartments.

'A bike with two that I call a scrambler (the really tinny exhaust sounding ones) came up from behind us and ripped one of the wive's cross-body bags off her, with everything in it.

'Since then, day and night no matter where I am, I am not relaxed and Im on edge.'

She now tells her two daughters, aged 19 and 20, to never carry anything on them when they leave their Bali hotel.

'A shame we cant even walk carefree down the street,' she wrote.

The post, to a Bali traveller's Facebook page, sparked a debate with several people sharing similar incidents.

Australian tourists have been warned to 'never ever' take expensive jewellery to Bali

Motorbikes are such a common sight in Bali that criminals can hide, leaving it til the last second before swooping. Pictured: a stock photo of a man riding a scooter in Bali

It also prompted warnings from veteran Bali tourists to 'never, ever' take expensive jewellery to the holiday island.

'Shouldn't be wearing a chain in Bali. I got done years ago. Lesson learned for me,' said a Perth man.

'I tell people all the time if I see them with expensive chains on not to wear them. I lived there this has always been a thing happening unfortunately,' said another Perth woman.
As the oldest person ever sworn in to the White House, President Joe Biden has faced questions and concerns over his mental as well as physical acuity since taking one one of the most stressful jobs in the world.

But aside from his advanced age, Biden, 79, has worried even supporters with numerous gaffes over the year he's been in office.

JANUARY 24, 2022 - BIDEN CALLS PETER DOOCY A 'STUPID SON OF A B*****'

'You displayed this type of mood change during a cabinet meeting on when you apparently did not know your microphone was on after finishing your opening remarks, and you called a White House reporter a stupid son of a b****in response to a question asked on inflation,' Jackson claimed.

He was referring to a hot mic moment in late January during which Biden criticized Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, after which the president personally apologized to the journalist.

Biden has also been known to have trouble with the names of his most senior officials, foreign leaders and even countries.

MARCH 8, 2022 - SLIPPING AND FORGETTING LLOYD AUSTIN'S NAME

The president slipped up during the March 8 speech while trying to remember Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's name.

'I want to thank Sec-, the former general, I keep calling him "General." My - the guy who runs that outfit over there,' Biden said, before quickly adding, 'I want to make sure we thank the secretary for all he's done.'

A trip to Texas that same month to visit a Houston-area vaccination center saw Biden apparently lose his train of thought and become confused. He even asked, 'What am I doing here?' while trying to get himself back on track.

On multiple occasions Biden has also appeared to refer to Vice President Kamala Harris as the 'president.' During a commencement speech at South Carolina State University in late December, Biden remarked: 'Of course, President Harris is a proud Howard alum.'

He made the mistake again more recently, declaring during a voting rights speech in Georgia on January 11 that 'President Harris and I stood on the United States Capitol.'

Biden has been known to get dates confused as well -- in May 2021 he recalled traveling via Amtrak to see his mother while he was vice president in 2013. But his mother had died in 2010.

The apparent issues began long before Biden took the White House. When he was on the campaign trail in September 2020, then-candidate Biden was widely mocked for saying '200 million people have died' from COVID-19 under Donald Trump's watch. The number was around 200,000 at the time.

And while president, Biden had to be corrected on a statistic regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. During a COVID-19 White House press conference, Biden attempted to say, '57 excuse me 570 I dont want to read it, Im not sure I got the right number' Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci aided him to say the figure was '57 million.'

JUNE 18, 2022 - BIDEN FALLS DURING BIKE RIDE

Joe Biden fell off his bike during ride near his Rehoboth Beach home in Delaware on June 18, as he and his wife celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary

Gasps rang out after the president unexpectedly fell on June 18 as he was trying to dismount his bike to chat with a crowd who had gathered along a Rehoboth Beach bike path

Biden took the solo bike ride, surrounded by agents, on June 18 near his Rehoboth Beach home

President Joe Biden hopped out of church later on June 18 to prove he wasn't injured after falling over on his bike during a ride near his Rehoboth Beach home earlier in the morning

Biden fell off his bike during a ride near his Rehoboth Beach home on June 18.

He had come over to say hello to a crowd that had gathered near the Gordon's Pond State Park bike trail, with people yelling 'Happy Father's Day' to the president.

Upon trying to dismount the bike, his shoes caught and he fell over sideways, causing a mad scramble of Secret Service and press trying to help him up.

Gasps rang out after the fall, which saw Biden stay on the ground for roughly 10 seconds, before being helped up by several Secret Service Agents, who immediately swarmed the downed Democrat.

Moments later, Biden was glad-handing the crowd - even bringing one woman out to meet first dog Commander, who was being walked nearby.

Despite the tumble, the president did not appear to suffer any abrasions or cuts from the spill and the White House said he didn't need to see a doctor after the incident.

Biden himself told reporters: 'I'm good' after the tumble.

JULY 8, 2022 - BIDEN HAS ANOTHER RON BURGUNDY MOMENT

President Joe Biden was reading a quote off of his teleprompter during a Friday White House speech when the apparent gaffe occurred

Multiple people compared Biden to Will Farrell's iconic journalist character Ron Burgundy of the film 'Anchorman'

Republican strategist Greg Price mocked Biden on Twitter after yet another gaffe in which the president appeared to read speaking directions off of his teleprompter.

'It is noteworthy that the percentage of women who register to vote and cast a ballot is consistently higher than the percentage of the men who do so. End of quote. Repeat the line,' the president said during a White House speech Friday.

'Women are not without electoral...or political power.'

Posting the clip on social media, Price compared it to Will Farrell's Ron Burgundy being unable to deviate from the script on his teleprompter despite grammatical mistakes and obvious errors.

Burgundy's embarrassing on-air verbal incidents are a recurring gag throughout the movie.

Price posted a clip of Burgundy's frustrated news crew and suggested the White House staffers behind-the-scenes were feeling similarly.

But White House Assistant Press Secretary Emilie Simons challenged Price's claim that Biden made a mistake.

'No,' Simons wrote, adding that Biden said 'Let me repeat that line.'

CONFUSING LIBYA AND SYRIA

Biden repeatedly confused Syria with Libya while discussing ways of working with Russia during a press conference at the G7 on June 13, 2021

The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that it was indeed, Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war, which the president was referring to

WATCH: Joe Biden confuses Syria with Libya THREE TIMES. pic.twitter.com/8iewTindfr  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 13, 2021

Biden repeatedly confused Syria with Libya while discussing ways of working with Russia during a press conference at the G7 on June 13, 2021.

The 78-year-old gaffe machine spoke of working with Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide economic assistance to the people of Libya, prompting some confused glances from the press pack at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England.

'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in  for example, in  in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, which is in the Middle East. The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that the president was indeed referring to Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war.

TRIPPING WHILE CLIMBING THE AIR FORCE ONE STAIRS

On March 19, video captured Biden tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews.

In the clip, Biden stumbles as he walks up the airstairs. He grabs the hand railing to catch his balance, but then loses his footing two additional times.

During the third stumble, he falls to his knees. However, after brushing off his leg, he reaches the top of the plane and gives a salute before disappearing inside.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later told reporters that Biden was '100 percent fine' and preparing for his trip in Atlanta.

'It's pretty windy outside. It's very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself,' she said.

On March 19, he was caught tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews

Just one day earlier, during a press conference on March 18 (pictured), he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris'

Just one day earlier, Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris.'

The gaffe occurred during a press conference on March 18, during which he lauded his administration for being close to meeting their goal of 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office.

'Now when President Harris and I took a virtual tour of a vaccination center in Arizona not long ago, one of the nurses on that, on that tour injecting people, giving vaccinations, said that each shot was like administering a dose of hope,' Biden said.

Harris was standing behind Biden as the president carried on with his speech, but did not correct himself.

Later that day, when the White House released the transcript of his speech, Harris's proper title was inserted with brackets.

In a speech on March 9 (pictured), Biden seemed to fumble with his words and forget the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

In a speech on March 9, Biden seemed to fumble with his words and forget the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

'I want to thank Sec - the former general - I keep calling him "General,"' Biden said.

'My - the guy who runs that outfit over there. I want to make sure we thank the Secretary for all he's done to try to implement what we've just talked about, and for recommending these two women for promotion.' The slip-occurred despite the fact that just a few minutes earlier, he had mentioned Austin's name in the speech without an issue.

During an Election Day speech in Philadelphia, Biden stumbled over his words and confused his granddaughter with his late son, Beau Biden.

Biden told the crowd: 'I want to introduce you to two of my granddaughters...this is my son, Beau Biden who a lot of you helped elect to the Senate in Delaware.'

The commander-in-chief had meant to introduce the crowed to Natalie, Beau's daughter, but hadn't just mixed up the name but the person - he also put his arm around Finnegan Biden, Hunter's daughter.

He finally corrected himself as he draped his arm around Natalie's shoulder and said: 'This is Natalie, this is Beau's daughter.'

Beau Biden passed away in 2015 after a months-long battle with glioblastoma, one of the deadliest types of brain cancer.

TOLD STATE SENATOR IN WHEELCHAIR TO STAND UP

In 2008, Biden told then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham to stand up for the crowd at a rally, before realizing he was in a wheelchair

Not all of Biden's gaffes occurred in the 2020s or even the 2010s. In fact, some happened in the early aughts.

In September 2008, after Biden had been named former President Barack Obama's running mate, he attended a campaign rally in Missouri.

It was there that he called on then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham, who passed away last year. to stand up for the crowd.

'I'm told Chuck Graham, state senator, is here. Stand up Chuck, let 'em see you,' Biden said.

It was at that moment he realized Graham was in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy.

'Oh, God love you. What am I talking about. I'll tell you what, you're making everybody else stand up, though, pal.'

According to the Columbia Tribune, Graham said he was never offended by the mistake.
Since January, Biden has granted work permits to nearly 500,000 Venezuelan migrants

Homeland Security has sent 800 troops to help the Texas National Guard

Ten thousand migrants have crossed illegally into Eagle Pass, Texas, in the last 24 hours, triggering a state of emergency in the small border town where shelters and hospitals are now overrun.

Before sunrise this morning, another 250 were waiting to be processed. Hundreds more are expected today in what many residents say is the worst border crisis they have ever seen.

FOX News cites border patrol agents who say 10,000 have been 'encountered' in a single 24 hour period - one of the highest numbers ever seen.

The Biden administration has sent 800 troops to the border to assist Texas National Guardsmen who are already there.

Among the 10,000 migrants who have crossed illegally into Eagle Pass in the last 24 hours is this unaccompanied five-year-old girl, who has her mother's name and phone number written on her t-shirt. She was among a group of 90 men, according to CBS's Sydney Hernandez

U.S. Border Patrol agents process hundreds of migrants under the International Bridge II in Eagle Pass, Texas

Another 250 people waiting beneath a bridge on Thursday morning in Eagle Pass, Texas

Migrants wait to be processed in Eagle Pass on Thursday morning after overwhelming the small Texas border town yesterday

Thousands of migrants are pictured lining up to be processed on arrival in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday. At one point the line stretched five miles

Texas Governor Greg Abbott yesterday eviscerated President Biden for allowing the unfolding disaster. The only migrant shelter in the city, Mission Border Hope, has now been overrun with migrants.

Many fled from Venezuela and arrived in the US via Mexico. Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas declared a state of emergency yesterday, warning that the town's hospitals are also becoming overwhelmed.

Yesterday, a three-year-old boy drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass with his family.

The bridge between Eagle Pass and the Mexican city across the border, Piedras Negras, was closed on Wednesday so border agents could be redeployed to work on processing migrants.

Randy Clark, a retired Border Patrol agent, said the decision to close the border to those legally crossing back and forth showed the scale of the problem.

'The only closure at the border is one of two ports of entry where legal residents and citizens cross. The inconvenience by DHS is reserved for legitimate trade and travel,' he wrote on X.

Many of the migrants flooding into Eagle Pass this week are from Venezuela. Others have come from Mexico , Honduras and other Central and South American countries

The line of migrants awaiting processing on Wednesday stretched as far as the eye could see in Eagle Pass

Migrants sit under the bridge on Wednesday in Eagle Pass, awaiting processing

Border agents say criminal gangs are taking 'full advantage' of the escalating crisis by increasing their human trafficking efforts. Above, a group of 49 who were found in a 'poorly ventilated trailer. They had come from Guatemala and Honduras

These are the temporary work permits that have been issued to nearly 500,000 Venezuelan migrants who have entered the country since January

'No impediments on the constant flow of illegal traffic between the ports. 'This government is on crazy pills!'

The line for processing illegal immigrants on Wednesday stretched for five miles on Wednesday, NewsNation reported, and wound its way back into Mexico.

Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, said 2,500 people crossed into his town of 29,000 on Monday - and 7,200 the week before.

So far this year, the Del Rio sector of the border, in which Eagle Pass sits, has recorded 317,866 migrant 'encounters', the latest Border Patrol data shows.

The figure is a 15.5 percent decrease on the same time period last year, but Salinas said his town was still struggling.

Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, said 2,500 people crossed into his town of 29,000 on Monday. On Tuesday night he declared a state of emergency

Migrants are pictured wading across the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass last week

'It has taken a toll on our local resources, specifically our police force and our fire department,' he said on Tuesday night.

'I've been getting a lot of calls from our constituents that they get worried, they see a lot of people in our community.

'But it is my understanding that some of these people, they don't want to be there. So they're leaving (the shelters), and they're on our streets, and I understand the concerns of a lot of people.'

The Biden administration said it will send 800 active-duty military personnel to the border, to boost efforts by the 2,500 National Guardsmen already deployed to help Customs and Border Protection at the border.

Abbott, the Texas governor, said he was also sending additional members of the state National Guard.

He said the razor wire his team had installed along the banks of the river had been taken down: he deployed troops to reinstall it.

'Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings,' said Abbott. 'Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.

'I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire.'

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, said the Biden administration cut the razor wire along the border - so he was sending people to replace it

Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings.



Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.



I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire. pic.twitter.com/eMtLS8Z6WI  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 20, 2023

Abbott said the Biden administration was not doing enough to stem the flow

And amid the anguish at the border, the Biden administration was trumpeting its Venezuela decision.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, granted the expansion of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to 'Venezuela's increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions,' the department said in a statement.

There are currently approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuela's existing TPS designation, who will be able to remain a further 18 months.

There are an additional approximately 472,000 nationals of Venezuela who are now eligible for the scheme.

Critics say the promise of work will encourage illegal crossings - even though anyone who crossed after July 31, or failed to register, is ineligible.

But supporters of the scheme said it allowed those migrants awaiting processing to work and support themselves, reducing the burden on the states.

Migrants from Venezuela are seen wading through the Rio Grande on September 15 to arrive in Eagle Pass

'More than 116,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City since last spring in search of the American Dream,' tweeted Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, and one of the most vocal in calling for migrants to be allowed to work.

'Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to 'Let Them Work,' so I want to thank @POTUS for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status.'

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, said she too was pleased - and appeared to claim credit for the decision.

'After my productive conversation with @POTUS last night, I'm grateful the federal government has acted so speedily to grant one of our top priorities: providing Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan migrants & asylum seekers who have already arrived in this country,' she wrote on X.

'There's more work to do as we address the migrant crisis, but the State of New York is prepared to immediately begin the process of signing people up for work authorization & getting them into jobs so they can become self-sufficient.'
Negotiators for the striking Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios are nearing an agreement to end the strike after an 'encouraging' face to face meeting.

The two sides released a joint statement after meeting Wednesday night, saying: 'The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow.'

Sources told CNBC the two sides hope to finalize a deal and an agreement between the two could come as soon as Thursday.

This is the closest the two sides have come to agreeing on a deal since the strike first began earlier this year. While sources say they are optimistic, if the deal is not reached, the strike could withstand the rest of the year.

The meeting included Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Comcast's NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley and Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, according to Reuters.

The Writer's Guild has been on strike since May and were later joined by the Screen Actors Guild. Meredith Stiehm, left, president of Writers Guild of America West, and Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, take part in a rally

Negotiators for the striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios are nearing an agreement to end the WGA strike after an 'encouraging' face to face meeting on Wednesday

Pictured: Executive Chairman of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger

CNBC entertainment reporter David Faber reported that both sides hope to reach an agreement on Thursday.

'After face to face meeting today, writers and producers near agreement to end WGA strike,' he tweeted on Wednesday evening.

'Met today and hope to finalize deal tomorrow, according to people close to the negotiations, who, while optimistic, warn that without deal tomorrow strike likely continues through year end.'

If an agreement isn't reached, Faber strongly believes that the strike will last until the end of the year.

One source told the Hollywood Reporter, that 'CEOs have cleared their calendars and want to sit and have a real conversation.'

The source said WGA submitted a list of issues in hierarchy of importance ahead of the meeting,

'This is so long in coming; everyone's feeling pain. Let's get in there and nail things down,' the source told Hollywood Reporter.

Another source told the outlet that company leaders 'pregamed the negotiation' in a Zoom prior to Wednesday's bargaining session.

The two sides released a joint statement after their meeting early Wednesday evening, saying: 'The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow'

This is the closest the two sides have come to agreeing on a deal since the strike first began earlier this year

While sources say they are optimistic, if the deal is not reached, the strike could withstand the rest of the year

'They feel the smaller the group, the more meaningful it will be. They want to get in a room and figure it all out,' the source told Hollywood Reporter.

Earlier this month, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed the ongoing actor and writers' strike will see it lose up to $500million this year.

Hollywood is experiencing its first dual work stoppage in 63 years, halting productions across the industry and costing the economy billions of dollars.

In July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) decided to stand in solidarity with the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) - which has been striking since May - after negotiations with studios fell apart.

In August, Hollywood studios made what they claimed was their 'best offer' to end the writers strike, but the Writers Guild of America (WGA) slammed it for 'failing to sufficiently protect them' as the union vowed to keep picketing.

The Writer's Guild has been on strike since May - their first in 16 years - and were later joined by the Screen Actors Guild, bringing their entertainment industry to a virtual standstill.

SAG-AFTRA members are joined by the PSA union outside of the Netflix and HBO offices in Hudson Yrds, NYC

(L-R) Alexandra Shipp and Anya Taylor-Joy join the picket line outside Paramount Studios on September 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

In July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) decided to stand in solidarity with the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) - which has been striking since May - after negotiations with studios fell apart

The package presented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) at the time included the highest pay rise in 35 years, as well as protection against Artificial Intelligence and some residual pay increase, the group said in a statement.

The AMPTP offer, proposed to the guild on August 11, also included a pledge to not use content created by AI as literary material and to share date on streaming viewing hours.

The studios proposed a 5 percent increase in wage rates in the first year of a contract, four percent in the second year, and 3.5 percent in the third year - lower than the 6-5-5 formula backed by the WGA, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Vile internet trolls and strangers have unleashed on the young woman savagely mauled by her pet Rottweilers as she recovers from her horrific injuries, facing the uncertainty of whether her injured arm can be saved.

Nikita Piil, 31, suffered severe injuries to her arms and legs after she was viciously attacked by seven-year-old dog Bronx and four-year-old Harlem at her Success home in Perth on Saturday afternoon.

Ms Piil's horrified neighbours tried banging on her fence with a bat and spraying a hose on the large dogs in an attempt to stop the attack, but to no avail.

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 seized by council rangers and taken to the local pound, where he remains, while an extensive investigation into the attack continues.

Five days on, Ms Piil remains in a serious but stable condition in Perth Royal Hospital.

Doctors are fighting to save one of Ms Piil's arms after she suffered major blood loss and serious bite wounds to her limbs.

Online trolls have tracked down her Facebook page saturated with posts dedicated to her beloved Rottweilers - and targeted her as she recovers in hospital.

Nikita Piil (pictured cuddling a Rottweiler) suffered severe bites and major blood loss after her two Rottweilers attacked her on Saturday

Nikita Piil (pictured with Bronx in 2019) was mauled by her two Rottweilers last Saturday

'No wonder you couldn't keep a hold of your dogs. Look at you. You only got them cause of aesthetics. Now look. You're in hospital laying up knowing your dogs are dead,' one vile troll said.

He wasn't the only keyboard warrior.

'IT IS NEVER THE DOG BUT ALWAYS THE OWNER,' another said. 'I do not think the breeder is to blame, but politics should regulate who can own what kind of dog.

A third declared: 'It's never a good idea to have two male dominant dogs. I have owned six Rotts over many years, but always a male and female together.

On a photo of her kissing the dog, another said: 'The dogs were spoilt too much with not much respect to her. That one dog absolutely hated her in that moment.'

Others use the Facebook account calling for Rottweilers to be banned.

'Anyone reading this, help ban these aggressive breeds. There was another dog attack in Sydney this morning, involving two Rottweilers. Enough is enough! Ban the breed already,' one Aussie said under a photo she shared of her dogs.

Another said: 'Do not understand why they want to keep dangerous dogs as pets.'

Some Aussies claimed her backyard was too small to have such big dogs.

Meanwhile, the breeder of one of the rottweilers that nearly killed a woman says she knew the dog to be 'placid' and believes the owner's actions must have triggered the attack.

'It's not likely that a Rottweiler would attack anybody for no reason,' she told The West on Tuesday.

'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.'

The breeder also hit back at claims Bronx 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'.

Some Aussies claimed her backyard was too small to have such big dogs

Internet trolls have inundated Ms Piil's Facebook page with cruel comments

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)

READ MORE: Eerie Facebook posts before woman was ripped apart by her two beloved Rottweilers Advertisement

The barrage of comments has sparked a furious response from Ms Piil's supporters.

'Can you people please stop writing rubbish about breeders, and the dogs and leave Nikita to recover from her injuries? It has been traumatic enough for her without people adding to the drama of what happened. Please be considerate for Nikita and her family,' one wrote.

Another wrote: 'How insensitive some of these comments are. Nobody deserves this. As far as I can see, she's a good human. Nothing to do with your appearance. I wish you a speedy recovery.'

Ms Piil was a renowned dog lover and had a sign on her door which read: 'Beware of the Rottweiler'.

Her Facebook page is also largely dedicated to her beloved rottweilers.

In one photo where the two dogs posed in front of some dug up artificial turf, Ms Piil wrote, 'My babies' alongside a black heart.

In a birthday post of Bronx, Ms Piil wrote: 'I couldn't ask for a more incredible, cheeky, loyal, intelligent and protective little mate.

'You're my whole world.'

Nikita Piil's Facebook page was dedicated to her two Rottweilers. She's pictured with one of her beloved pets

Harlem will remain at City of Cockburn Council's animal Management Facility until investigations surrounding the 'incredibly tragic' incident are finalised.

'There is no set period for how long a dog attack investigation can take,' council's Head of Community Safety and Ranger Services, Michael Emery said.

'It will depend on the availability of witnesses and the circumstances of the attack. However, generally speaking, we aim to finalise our investigations within a couple of weeks.

'The investigation involves looking into the circumstances of the attack, whether the dog was provoked, witness statements and the overall injuries sustained.'

'Given that this is an open investigation, we cannot provide any further information on the specifics at this time.'

The council added it has no record of the Rottweilers attacking prior to last Saturday but has confirmed two barking complaints about the dogs were received last year.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted City of Cockburn Council for an update.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has called for an inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the horrific attack.

'What we need to do is continue to educate dog owners and people in the community about dangers  potential dangers  of these sorts of breeds but we'll just monitor the situation.

'But thanks to everyone who responded to that difficult situation and my condolences to anyone impacted by the event.'
Ron DeSantis has claimed he will be the real 'America first' president and warned Donald Trump will be a 'lame duck on day one' if he won the White House.

The Florida Governor, 45, boasted he could serve two terms as president unlike Trump during an interview with ABC News on Wednesday.

DeSantis insisted he was doing better than his counterpart in his most recent race and has a 'much better chance of actually delivering' on policies if elected.

He slammed the former president for not attending the Republican primary debate and said he 'owes it to people to be there'.

The politician also repeated his threat to use deadly force on cartels who smuggle drugs across the chaotic border.

Ron DeSantis claimed he will be the real 'America first' president and warned that Donald Trump will be a 'lame duck on day one' if he won the White House

The Florida Governor, 45, boasted that he could serve two terms as president unlike Trump (pictured at a rally in Iowa) during an interview with ABC News on Wednesday

The politician also repeated his threat to use deadly force on cartels who smuggle drugs across the chaotic border

DeSantis was asked to differentiate himself from Trump and he first pointed towards their different upbringings.

'I'm a blue-collar kid that had to work minimum wage jobs to get where I was,' he said.

'I could serve two terms. He would be a lame duck on day one. I ran 16 points better than him in Florida in my most recent race than he did in his most recent race.

'I've also delivered on these 'America-first' policies more than I think anybody in the country and would have a much better chance of actually delivering all this as president.

'So I think that there are a lot of things that people can look at, but I'm going to be there.'

Former president Trump is expected to be absent from next week's Republican primary debate in California after he skipped the first one in Milwaukee in favor of an interview with Tucker Carlson.

But DeSantis criticized his rival for not showing up. 'Well, first, he owes it to people to be there. He owes it to people to make the case and defend his record,' he said.

'You can't be just not showing up to these things.'

The Florida Governor has advocated for shooting cartel members who attempt to smuggle drugs across the border - but this has been slammed over concerns of the large number of other migrants who are trying to cross.

DeSantis insisted he was doing better than his counterpart in his most recent race and has a 'much better chance of actually delivering' on policies if elected

He slammed former president Trump for not attending the Republican primary debate and said he 'owes it to people to be there'

The Florida Governor has advocated for shooting cartel members who attempt to smuggle drugs across the border - but this has been slammed over concerns of the large number of other migrants who are trying to cross

But DeSantis claimed US forces would be able to tell the difference between a drug smuggler and an ordinary migrant.

'The same way you would tell for anything,' he said.

'For example, I served in Iraq back in the day. al-Qaida didn't wear uniforms. You know, the typical Arab male would have had the man dress on.

'You didn't know if they had a bomb strapped to them or not. They carry around the AK-47s, normal civilians would, so you couldn't even say if they had.

'So you had to make a determination -- can you positively identify somebody as hostile through either hostile action or hostile intent?

'And then you do it, same way anyone would do that even in the United States. So you will do that, we'll be collecting intelligence.'

He was asked if having a military presence at the border would be a 'recipe for chaos' and he replied: 'Right now is the recipe for chaos. What is happening in this country is a problem.'

DeSantis also played down the role of wealthy donors in his campaign after Citadel CEO Ken Griffin said he was sitting out of the 2024 presidential primary.

'I'm a leader, I'm not a follower,' he said. 'So we lead and we do what we think is right and people can support us or not support us financially.

'But you should not be led by trying to please very wealthy donors, and I've never operated that way.'

The second Republican primary debate will take place at 9pm on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, in Simi Valley, California.

DeSantis will be looking to win over primary voters and win the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination.
An indigenous No campaigner says use of the term Stolen Generation is among the 'mistruths' being raised in the debate over the Voice referendum.

Narungga woman Kerry White, who stood as a One Nation candidate in the last South Australian election and is scheduled to speak at a 'Freedom Rally' in Adelaide this weekend, made the comments at a No event in June.

This weekend's event is part of a series of No rallies across Australia standing against what it bills as 'hidden agendas of the Voice and other unlawful forms of tyranny'.

The protest also targets vaccine mandates and a bill to censor online 'misinformation' which has been proposed by Labor.

At a previous referendum event held in Adelaide in June, Ms White rationalised the policy of removing Aboriginal children from their families - known as the Stolen Generation - as sometimes necessary.

'Back in the early 1950s and 1960s, mixed race children were being removed and placed in institutions for their own safety,' she said.

Narungga woman Kerry White, who stood as a One Nation candidate in the last South Australian election, is scheduled to speak at a different 'Freedom Rally' in Adelaide this weekend

The event is part of a series of rallies across Australia standing against the supposed 'hidden agendas of the Voice and other unlawful forms of tyranny'

'Mixed race children were not accepted by blacks or white, and were being abused.

'The problem is in rural and remote communities we are so far away from mainstream that a lot of things go unnoticed.'

Ms White is a board member for Recognise A Better Way, one of two prominent No campaigns rallying against the Voice.

Former Labor MP Gary Johns is another prominent member of the group, who was recently criticised for advocating for genetic testing to determine whether someone can be regarded as Aboriginal and be eligible for services and positions reserved for Indigenous people.

Dr Johns' comments sparked outrage from politicians and officials committed to the Yes vote.

Ms White has previously said things must change if Australia seeks to 'improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in rural and remote Australia' - but she does not think the Voice is the solution.

'What is clear is we need transparency, productivity and accountability for all the taxpayer dollars spent by organisations and the government.

'What we don't need is more of the same BS that for generations ... has been built on untruths, half-truths and fiction.'

No rallies taking place this week are not linked to the primary No campaign, Fair Australia.

There are scheduled events across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.

A week prior, the Yes campaign held nationwide rallies of their own, attracting up to 200,000 participants.
The Australian Electoral Commissioner has slammed 'tinfoil hat wearing bonkers' for spreading disinformation online in the lead up to the Voice referendum.

Tom Rogers discussed the problematic talking points he has heard online as the referendum fast approaches with Aussies to hit the polls on October 14.

Mr Rogers tackled the inaccuracies that are being spread by a 'tiny' amount of voters without wishing to 'take on the internet' while speaking at a briefing on Thursday.

Officials have faced abuse as they attempt to correct voting misinformation, which has caused the AEC to change the way it approaches the issue, Mr Rogers said.

Mr Rogers shot down an annoying rumour that the AEC used US-style voting machines that would 'erase' votes.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers has said that a tiny amount of 'tinfoil hat wearing bonkers' conspiracy theorists are causing the AEC a headache online

In the leadup to the Voice to Parliament referendum, AEC officials have faced torrents of abuse and social media companies have failed to remove disinformation, Mr Rogers said

Not only were conspiracy theorists attacking the legitimacy of the vote, but social media giants were failing to curb their violent rhetoric, Mr Rogers said.

'We've seen higher levels of abuse, I would use the term vitriol, online,' he said.

'This is the first social media referendum in Australia's history.'

The AEC has been working with social media companies to ensure disinformation was removed from their platforms, but these pleas had not always been successful.

Social media was used to sew great division in the US by former President Donald Trump in the fallout of the 2020 presidential election.

One of Mr Trump's preferred talking points concerned electronic voting machines and how they allegedly tampered with votes which led to his defeat.

This fear of electronic machines has been parroted by some Australians, which Mr Roger used to highlight the lack of logic in some arguments.

'We don't use voting machines,' he said.

In Australia, all elections are carried out by paper ballots which voters apply pen to in order to label their vote.

Mail-in ballots have also remained a talking point for conspiracy theorists who ripped into them during distanced pandemic elections.

A record number of voters have applied for postal ballots ahead of the Voice referendum, with more than 1.2 million registered applications filed already.

While Mr Rogers said that it was not an identical comparison, there was only one million postal vote applications filed ahead of the May 2022 federal election.

Talk of electronic voting machines tampering with the referendum makes the least sense to Mr Rogers, who simply said 'we don't use voting machines'

He also warned that the AEC may require nearly two weeks to count the votes if the referendum was a close one.

'People have asked me  will we get a result on the night? And the answer is, I don't know. It depends on how close the result is on the day,' he said.

'Given we're at 1.2 million postal votes, it could well be that we have to wait for the postal votes to return before the results become clear, and we have to wait for a full 13-day period under the law just to deal with that.'

Mr Roger said that the AEC will 'go the extra mile to ensure all Australians could vote' in the record breaking referendum.

The amount of people aged between 18 and 24 has reached an all-time high, with 91.4 per cent of eligible voters having already enrolled.

The Indigenous roll is also at its highest ever recorded number of voters, with 94.1 per cent of the population enrolled.

The total enrollment for the referendum is currently sitting at 17,676,347 or 97.7 per cent of eligible Australians.

In order to reach the final few per cent, Mr Rogers said the AEC will be visiting remote locations across the country over the next three weeks to sign people up.

Planes, boats and other forms of transport will be used to access rugged outbacks and offshore lands.

Mobile polling for all remote locations will commence on Monday and it will be the most 'logistically challenging' and complex operation of its kind in history.

Voting over the phone will also be available for those who are blind or have low-vision, as well as any Australians based in Antarctica.

Voters will be reached by 'any means possible', Deputy commissioner Jeff Pope said.

'We get out to those communities to try and deliver the franchise to as many people as we possibly can,' Mr Pope said.

The October 14 ballot is set to be one of the largest in history, with 17,676,347 or 97.7 per cent of eligible Australians enrolled to vote

'It is one of the biggest and most complex undertakings in Western democracies around the world.'

More than 500 early voting centres will be sprinkled across the country, and 7,000 polling booths will be used for on-the-day voting.

Mr Rogers repeated that with all this effort to get to active voters, conspiracies floating around online remained the final frontier for his team.

'We're adapting our own social media footprint and the way in which we engage with individuals,' he said.

'There's no point going down a rabbit hole when you know that someone is deliberately trying to take you down.'

'What we're trying to do is deal with that with positive information  providing fact-based information. We continue to deal with misinformation online as soon as it pops up.

'We don't stop anyone from saying anything, Australians have the right to believe whatever they want to believe  but if they're talking about the process, and it's wrong, we'll deal with it and also put it on our misinformation register.'
A heartbroken teenager fears his twin brother may never be able to walk again after they were both injured in a workplace accident in north-east Queensland.

Ethan and Christian Desborough, 18, were a week into their new jobs when steel beams weighing 2.5tonnes fell as they were being transferred on September 18.

Ethan bore the brunt of the tragedy at a business in the Mackay suburb of Paget, suffering massive injuries, including permanent damage to his spine.

Christian saw it happening and was also hit, with one of his legs 'crushed by two beams' - he was fortunate as there were no fractures, but it was badly bruised.

He said Ethan is 'lucky to be alive' after seven steel beams fell on him. 'The doctor told us he has a very slim to none chance of ever walking again,' Christian told the Courier Mail.

Ethan Desborough (pictured) suffered massive injuries, including permanent spinal damage after seven steel beams fell on him

Christian (pictured) saw it happening and was also hit, with one of his legs 'crushed by two beams' - he was fortunate as there were no fractures, but it was badly bruised

The twins were initially taken to Mackay Base Hospital, but Ethan's injuries were so severe - he is paralysed from the knees down - he was flown to Townsville for treatment.

When Ethan's care there is completed with surgery, he is likely to be taken to Brisbane for therapy and rehabilitation.

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For the moment, though, the twins' parents Ryan and Makisha have moved to Townsville to be with their stricken son.

The incident occurred on Monday, September 18 at a Paget business and a GoFundMe to help the family as they face the unknown has been started.

Mrs Desborough has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise some money to help with their expenses as they care for Ethan in hospital.

'I was supposed to start a new job which I have now had to postpone and my husband has had to take time off work,' she wrote on the fundraising page, which had more than $7,000 in donations by Thursday afternoon.

'We have no idea how long we will be in Townsville for after his surgery. We are going to need accommodation and supplies for however long we are there.'

She said the family is thankful that Ethan is alive, while Christian said his brother is 'a brave little man, he's been positive the whole way through'.

The twins are very close to each other. 'I haven't been able to get to sleep the past couple of nights after seeing him getting crushed,' Christian said.

'I keep seeing him lying there and I keep hearing the metal crashing on the ground.'

His dad said the past three days have been an 'emotional rollercoaster' and the family is 'running on empty' but 'keeping strong' for their son and brother.

'Ethan has just turned 18 and doesn't deserve this, he has a huge future in front of him, this just isn't fair,' Mrs Desborough wrote on the GoFundMe site.

The parents praised their sons' employer who had been very supportive, they said.

Ethan Desborough (pictured) is paralysed from the knees down and may never walk again
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh wept in court today as he admitted a crime for the first time since he was arrested in July 2022 over the murder of his wife and son.

The former criminal attorney said 'I want to take responsibility' as he pleaded guilty to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering at a federal court in Charleston South Carolina.

'I want my son to see me take responsibility,' he added.

'It's my hope that by taking responsibility that the people I've hurt can begin to heal.'

Murdaugh, 55, was sentenced to life without parole in March for shooting dead his 52-year-old wife Maggie and their 22-year-old son Paul in June 2021.

Alex Murdaugh has returned to court in Beaufort, South Carolina, for the first time since he was convicted in March of murdering his wife and youngest son

The Murdaugh Family Saga: Disgraced legal scion turned convicted killer Murdaugh (pictured right) together in this undated photo before he fatally shot his wife Margaret, 52 and son, Paul, 22, (second to right). The eldest son, Buster's life was spared (left)

Murdaugh told the hearing he wanted his surviving son 'to see me take responsibility'

He is appealing against that conviction but faces around 100 further charges in state court including drug and money laundering, wire fraud and insurance fraud for a botched suicide attempt.

Todays plea deal requires him to repay $9million he admitted stealing from clients of his law firm, and ensures that any jail time will be served simultaneously with any he receives from state courts.

Prosecutors maintain that Murdaugh killed his wife of 27 years and younger son at their 1,800-acre hunting estate to distract and delay investigations into his financial misdealings, and waited for at least an hour before calling 911.

The jury found Murdaugh had fired five shots at his wife with an automatic rifle before shooting his son in the head and chest with a different weapon to make it look as though his barbaric murders were an ambush.

As police arrived on the scene, the lawyer said he had been to visit his mother and had returned to discover his Maggie and Paul dead.

But it was four months before he was arrested after hiring hitman Curtis Eddie Smith to kill him in a drive-by shooting that he hoped would secure a $10million payout for his surviving son Buster.

The shot only grazed Murdaughs head and he turned himself into police two days later.

Alex Murdaugh's college friend Cory Fleming (pictured left) was sentenced to 46 months in prison for helping former attorney steal millions from his late housekeeper. Murdaugh (right) is appealing his double murder conviction

Alex Murdaugh with wife Maggie before her murder next to a dog kennel on the family's land in 2021

Maggie's body was found a few yards to the right of a doghouse, while Paul's was by the doorway at the end of the kennels

Murdaugh wept in court during his murder trial and wept again in court today

He looked shocked as a guilty verdict on the murder charges was reached March 2 after a six-week trial at the Colleton County courthouse

Murdaughs court appearance today came hours after the latest series of Netflixs Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal was released, featuring a new interview with Smith, a former client of Murdaughs law firm.

Smith told the program he asked Murdaugh why he was being hired to kill him.

Because theyre going to be able to prove that Im responsible for Maggie and Paul, Murdaugh reportedly replied.

Unfortunately for Murdaugh, a passer-by saw the 'shooting' and told police it was so unconvincing they thought it had been a 'set-up'.

Murdaugh still faces charges of stealing about $4 million in insurance settlements meant for the family of Gloria Satterfield, 57, a longtime housekeeper who died in a fall at the Murdaugh home in 2018.

Longtime friend and now ex-attorney Cory Fleming helped Murdaugh steal the money, investigators said.

Fleming was sentenced in August to nearly four years in prison after pleading guilty.

The death was one of a series connected with the family which raised suspicions

According to prosecutors, Murdaugh's alleged accomplices aided him in schemes to defraud clients out of money from at least 2005 to 2021, NBC News reported.

One of the alleged schemes he was accused of involved a bank employee who assisted him in defrauding his personal injury clients and laundering more than $7 million of funds, according to the charges.

Murdaughs surviving son, Buster, 26, has himself been accused by the family of Stephen Smith with involvement in the gay teenagers death in 2015, allegations Buster has denied.

Last month he broke his silence for the first time since his fathers conviction telling Fox Nation's The Fall of the House of Murdaugh he still believes in his fathers innocence.

He took aim at the police and judge, claiming they had a 'crappy motive' and he did not believe it was fair' that all 12 jurors found him guilty.

He also claimed the jury ultimately found his father guilty of the shootings because of 'everything they had the ability to read prior to the trial.'

'I think that I hold a very unique perspective that nobody else in that courtroom ever held. And I know the love that I have witnessed,' he said.

Buster spoke about his father's murder trial. 'I was there for six weeks studying it, and I think it was a tilted table from the beginning.'

'And I think, unfortunately, a lot of the jurors felt that way prior to when they had to deliberate.

The convicted killer will repay $9million to his fraud victims as a result of Thursday's plea deal in federal court but still faces another 100 state charges

'It was predetermined in their minds prior to when they ever heard any shred of evidence that was given in that room.'

Alex Murdaugh is scheduled to face trial on at least some of the state charges at the end of November, and prosecutors have insisted they want him to face justice for each one.

Murdaugh's lawyers told the federal court in Charleston he admitted 14 counts of money laundering, five counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Each charge carries a maximum of at least 20 years in prison. Some have a maximum 30-year sentence. Murdaugh will be sentenced at a later date.
A mum has slammed a childcare centre after her two-year-old daughter broke her ankle and was allegedly left without medical care for six hours.

The Cairns mum dropped her two daughters off at a local childcare centre on September 14.

She alleges when she returned to pick her children up at 2.30pm found her two-year-old asleep.

When she woke up the toddler was in severe pain and could not stand up, with staff informing the mum she had tripped earlier in the day but that she was okay.

'(The staff) weren't sure why she had been upset all day,' the mum told Cairns Post.

A Cairns mum is accusing a childcare centre of leaving her two-year-old daughter, who allegedly broke her ankle, without proper medical care for six hours (stock image)

'She wouldn't stop crying even with me holding her. I was getting stressed. She wouldn't let me put her down she screamed all the way home.'

When they returned home at about 3pm, the mum immediately called an ambulance, which transported her daughter to Cairns Hospital.

X-ray images showed the little girl had a fracture in the lower section of her left tibia, an injury doctors said was 'more common with athletes', according to the mum.

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'Doctors have said [she would] had been in extreme pain all day and this would have been 'quite a fall' to do this,' the mum said.

A picture taken at about 8am shows the two-year-old, who has autism, playing on a trampoline.

Another photo, which was taken at 1pm, shows the child laying on the floor of the childcare centre crying, while her sister tries to comfort her.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the centre is at fault and it is unclear exactly how the child fractured her ankle.

The centre has vehemently denied the mother's allegations, claiming the incident 'simply did not occur'.

'The (1pm) picture of my child is of her crying and laying flat on the floor  and her sister trying to console her. Where was the care there?' the mum said.

The centre claims they became aware of the allegations five days after when the mum shared the incident on social media.

'At this point in time we still have not received any direct communication from the child's family,' the centre said.

The Department of Education has launched an investigation, with staff providing statements that refute allegations the two-year-old suffered harm in their care.

'We have every confidence the department's investigation process will clear both the centre and our staff of any wrongdoing or neglect,' the centre said.

The childcare centre denies the allegations, claiming the incident 'simply di

The mum has also made a complaint to the Education Department, with the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority investigating the claims and working to establish the facts.

'As the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (ECRA), the department places the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children attending these services,' an ECRA spokesperson said.

'The ECRA is actively investigating this incident to establish the relevant facts and address any immediate risks.

'As the matter is currently under investigation the department is unable to make further comment at this time.'
A Western Australian politician has accused those voting No on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum of siding with neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Labor MP Darren West first made the comments on social media and then followed them up during a heated parliamentary debate.

'The racists will vote No. The white supremacists will vote No,' Mr West wrote on Facebook.

He made the comments in response to former Esperance Shire President Victoria Brown who said in her view the referendum was dividing the country and asked if the Acknowledgement of Country was overused.

'Disappointed. It's called respect, you may wish to google it,' Mr West told her.

Darren West (pictured left) has said those voting No on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum were siding with neo-Nazis and white supremacists

He wrote a lengthy reply to a former WA Shire president who said in her view the Voice was dividing the country

'Noel Pearson and Patrick Dodson are right. It's time that we recognised our First Australians in the Constitution.'

'Those who think that fairness, equality and social justice are the pillars of our being will vote Yes.'

'The question is, whose side are you on?'

Premier Roger Cooke said the remarks were not 'good language to use'.

But in Parliament, Mr West doubled-down when Liberal MP Steve Thomas moved a motion on Wednesday that the Labor majority legislative assembly oppose the Voice as there is not enough information and it would 'permanently divide the country'.

'(Dr Thomas) made the point that not everyone who votes no is a racist, and he is right,' Mr West said, reports The West Australian.

'Not everyone who votes no is a white supremacist. The member is right.

'Not everyone who votes no is a nazi. You are right, but you are voting with them. That is who you are voting with. This is important.'

Mr West later withdrew the comments.

Yes voters take to the streets in Sydney on the weekend (pictured)

WA Premier Roger Cooke (left) said Mr West's (right) comments were not 'appropriate' or 'respectful'

Premier Cook slammed the comments as not 'appropriate' or 'respectful' and said the Voice should be an 'opportunity for Australians to unite'.

Opposition leader Shane Love agreed, saying politicians ought to be listening to their communities rather than lecturing and debate should remain respectful rather than descend into throwing insults.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr West for comment.
A photo of two dog owners who took their pet with them while they went for a walk at a popular national park has sparked outraged among Australians.

The two women took their Pomeranian along when they went for a stroll in the Kakadu National Park, 151 kilometres south of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

A picture of the pair with their pet pooch was later posted on Reddit where social media users were left outraged claiming dogs weren't allowed in national parks.

In the photo, the two women are seen dressed a pair of shorts and sleeveless tops, and chatting to one another inside the park grounds.

Two visitors (pictured centre) were slammed for taking their pet pooch inside the Kakadu National Park

One woman, who is carrying a backpack, is seen carrying the pooch in her left hand.

The user who shared the picture online, blasted the pair's careless act, and brutally reminded them about the rules against taking dogs inside national parks.

'Why do people think theyre above the law and can bring their dogs wherever they go,' the user wrote

'S**t like this pisses me off. National parks have these rules for a reason'.

'Leave your dog at home'.

A Parks Australia spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia those who take their dogs inside the park, will be slapped with fines up to hundreds of dollars.

'Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, visitors are not permitted to bring dogs into Kakadu National Park,' the spokesperson said.

'Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs may be brought into the national park but must be kept on a leash'.

'The EPBC Act allows for a range of penalties for bringing dogs into the national park, including infringement notices of $626'.

Dogs are not allowed into national parks considered commonwealth land, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Users were quick to comment on the post, with some agreeing with the frustrated user, who complained about the visitors.

'Yup it grinds my gears! Saw a couple of grey-haired Nomads with their off-leash dog in the water at Douglas Hot Springs a few years ago. No care factor even though signs everywhere saying no dogs,' one wrote.

'It's not hard, there is signs everywhere saying no dogs in national parks,' another said.

Others however, came to the defence of the two women, and pointed out that not everyone is across the rules.

'In fairness Id zero clue about the laws around national parks v normal parks until my partner mentioned [sic],' one user wrote.

'If Id been away on a trip somewhere with my dog I could have easily brought my dog to a place it shouldnt be'.

Kakadu National Park (pictured) in the Northern Territory is a world-heritage listed site, that covers 20,000 kilometres in total land size

Kakadu National Park is one of the largest parks in Australia.

The world-heritage listed site covers 20,000 kilometres in total land size.

It has been leased by traditional owners to the Director of National Parks since the late 1970's, and is overseen by Indigenous owners and authorities of National Parks in Australia.
Rudy Giuliani has denied allegations he groped a White House aide on January 6, calling her claims 'absolutely false' and 'totally absurd'.

Cassidy Hutchinson, 27, who worked for then chief of staff Mark Meadows claims in her new book the 79-year-old put his hand 'under my blazer, then my skirt'.

She writes: 'I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh. 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.'

Giuliani, asked for comment, initially refused to reply to The Guardian, which has obtained a copy of the book prior to its publication.

Giuliani's spokesman has since said her claims were made to sell her memoir. On Wednesday, Giuliani appeared on Newsmax, and was asked by host Eric Bolling about her allegations.

Rudy Giuliani, 79, on Wednesday night denied allegations that he groped White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, 27, on January 6

Cassidy Hutchinson is pictured testifying before the January 6 Committee on June 28, 2022

'Mr Mayor, before we let you go, there was something circulating earlier today. Cassidy Hutchinson is making a claim about you' said Bolling.

Giuliani replied: 'Completely, absolutely false. Totally absurd.' He said that her account was not credible.

'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 president's speech, etcetera. I'm gonna grope somebody? With a hundred people?' said Giuliani.

'First of all, I'm 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 wasn't talking to them, I was taking pictures with people. So there would have been no occasion for this to happen.

'It's completely absurd, it's as crazy as her statement that the president jumped over the, I guess, jumped over the seat and took over the car.'

Hutchinson made the claims in her book. The Guardian obtained an advance copy

Hutchinson hit the headlines when she testified before the January 6 Committee that Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of his presidential car when it was leaving the January 6 rally, and steer it towards the Capitol.

The accusation by Hutchinson emerged two days after Giuliani's 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 Giuliani's last payment was $10,000 on September 14.

'I can't express how personally hurt I am by what Bob Costello has done,' Giuliani said on Monday.

'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.'

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 Biden's 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 suspect in the killing of a Chicago family-of-four and their three dogs has been pictured after he was shot dead alongside a female passenger after a police chase.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, 32, and his partner Ermalinda Palomo, 50, were tracked down by cops in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Wednesday - more than 650 miles from the brutal slaughter at the family home in Romeoville, Illinois, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Huey Jr. sped away from police down the I-44 but smashed into another car and plowed into barriers near the Hard Rock Casino. The car burst into flames - police said nobody got out of the car - and then officers heard two gunshots.

The suspected killer died at the scene while Palomo was rushed to hospital with bullet wounds. She later died of her injuries.

The pair were 'persons of interest' in the killings of Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven. The family were shot in their home in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago.

No motive for the killings has yet been provided by police.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, 32, (right) was found fatally shot in the driver's seat of a car he crashed following a high speed police chase on Wednesday. His partner Ermalinda Palomo, 50, (left) was found with bullet wounds and rushed to hospital where she later died of her injuries

Huey had access to a host of weapons at the private security company he worked for - called Black Bear Security - which had a Streamwood address listed. There are photos of him on Facebook armed with guns, ammunition and body armor

He was found fatally shot in the driver's seat of a car he crashed following a police chase on Wednesday with a woman he had a 'relationship' with in the vehicle critically wounded

They were named as a 'persons of interest' in the killings of Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven. The family were shot in their home in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago, on Sunday

However, police said the shooting of the family was 'not a random act'.

'Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspects and the victims as well as possible motives,' Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference Wednesday.

Detectives did not provide any narrative for what led to the murders but previously said there was a 'tremendous amount of physical evidence.'

Huey had owned a private security firm and was pictured with ammunition magazines, a knife and guns including an assault rifle with an apparent silencer.

Palomo's daughter said her mother lived with the suspect and described him as a 'very dangerous man'.

An investigative bulletin was circulated by Romeoville Police on Sunday in which Huey was described as 'irrational and erratic' following the killing of the family.

He had access to a host of weapons at the private security company he worked for - called Black Bear Security - which had a Streamwood address listed.

There are photos of him on Facebook armed with guns, ammunition and body armor. One picture shows Huey holding an assault rifle with what looks like a suppressor.

Neighbors of the family did not report hearing any gunshots after they were killed along with their three dogs.

The police search for Huey came to a deadly and fiery end in Oklahoma after cops were tipped off by a digital license plate reader which identified his car, prompting authorities to initiate a traffic stop.

A chase ensued which led to the death of Huey and Palomo. The pair's car crashed and began to catch on fire. Officers who began to approach the car heard two gunshots. Both suspects were found wounded, Huey was pronounced at the scene while Palomo was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile, a neighbor of Huey and Palomo's described the family as 'very sweet.'

On his Facebook page, Huey refers to Palomo as his wife, police have called her a 'person-of-interest' in the Romeoville shootings

'They were very sweet. The whole family seemed just amazing,' Samantha Edwards told CBS Chicago.

'It's definitely made me have a whole new perspective on trust; on the people I surround myself with. I have two children - you know, I have a 12-year-old and a 4-year-old - so every day my daughter walks to school, I am in fear,' Edwards said, 'and it is just kind of put more fear in my head now,' Edwards added.

Neighbors said that Huey and Palomo lived in Streamwood, Illinois, for the past six years.

Prior to the Wednesday night's shooting, Palomo's family had filed a missing persons report about her.

Her lawyer, John Paul Ivec, told ABC Chicago in an interview that she is a victim just like the family in Romeoville.

'Police identified her as a person-of-interest. Ok, well, she's a victim just like the Romeoville family's a victim.'

The missing persons report said that she was last seen with Huey on September 19. Ivec said that family members received a worrying text message from her that read: 'Take care of my grand babies.'

Palomo's daughter, Cristiana Espinoza, 25, said her mother dated Huey for eight years and they lived together during that time.

CBS Chicago reported that the couple was married. On his Facebook page, Huey refers to Palomo as his 'wife.'

The daughter of Huey's female passenger - who has not been named - described him as 'dangerous' and a 'huge manipulator'.

An investigative bulletin was circulated within Romeoville Police on Sunday in which Huey was described as 'irrational and erratic' following the killing of the Chicago family

Espinoza said her mother, who she refused to name, dated the man for eight years and they lived together during that time.

'He's a very dangerous man. He's a huge manipulator. A huge manipulator,' she told NBC News.

'When I first met him, he wasn't too bad of a guy. A couple of months ago, something switched. 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.'

She said she has spoken to investigators about her mother and Huey but declined to say what about.

A car linked to Huey was spotted in Catoosa, Oklahoma, around 650 miles away from the crime scene, on Wednesday.

Officers said they tried to stop the vehicle but it sped away. It led to the car crashing and catching on fire.

'Officers on scene heard two noises believed to be gun shots,' Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris 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.

Shortly after the Chicago family's bodies were discovered a statewide alert for Huey and his 2017 GMC Envoy was issued.

There are photos of him on Facebook armed with guns, ammunition and body armor

The daughter of Huey's female passenger described him as 'dangerous' and a 'huge manipulator'

He is said to have been aware police were investigating him for the quadruple killing and at one point followed investigators while driving recklessly. However, there was not enough evidence to arrest him at the time.

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.

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.

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

Police tragically discovered the dead bodies following a welfare check and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday

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'

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 $30,000.

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.

'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.

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'

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.
A university student who left her iPhone in a taxi after a night out 'bar hopping' claims the driver demanded $100 to return it or he'd 'throw it off a bridge'.

The Melbourne woman, 19, realised she didn't have her phone after getting a lift home with GM Cabs about 3am last Sunday.

That set in motion an epic hunt to find her phone, which not only contained personal messages but also her ID and some important documents.

The next day the university student, who didn't want to be named, called the bars she visited the previous evening. They didn't have the phone.

Her last hope was the taxi company. But it wasn't returning her calls and messages.

A teenage student who left her iPhone in a taxi after a night out 'bar hopping' claims the driver demanded $100 to return it or he'd 'throw it off a bridge'. Pictured: stock image of a woman on a night out

The Melbourne woman, 19, realised she didn't have her phone after getting a lift home with GM Cabs about 3am last Sunday, 17 September

Using Apples Find My iPhone feature the university student tracked her phone - which she nicknamed 'Bruh' - to Melbourne's CBD

Using Apples Find My iPhone feature she tracked the phone - which she nicknamed 'Bruh' - to Melbourne's CBD.

Her mother was able to send a message asking whoever had it to call with the taxi driver picking up the phone.

'He (said he) wouldnt drop it off and would only take $100 to deliver it to me,' she told the Herald Sun.

His reason was that he lived in Shepparton, which is usually a $300-plus fare.

She claimed the driver also demanded she pay by bank transfer and not cash.

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But because the location data showed the phone was in downtown Melbourne not 180km north in the country Victorian town, she refused.

The young woman asked her mother to call the phone and the driver answered.

'Thats where he angrily threatened he was going to throw it off a bridge. Ten minutes later my iPhones location disappeared.'

With an estimated 50 bridges and roads crossing the Yarra River, the chances of it being found at all, let alone in working order, seemed slim.

In desperation she tried again, asking a friend to call the driver.

When she finally got through, she offered to pay him to mail the device.

He allegedly refused.

The determined student then went to Bourke Street Police Station, where officers were unable to reach the driver.

Unable to access her bank account and unable to afford food, she sat at home depressed contemplating the lost phone.

Two days later she received a call from a different police station, 20km out of the CBD saying they had her phone.

With an estimated 50 bridges and roads crossing the Yarra River, the chances of the student's iPhone being found at all, let alone in working order seemed slim

However when finally collected her phone, the screen was broken and the display pixelated

However when she collected it, the screen was broken and the display pixelated.

The woman did however catch a lucky break when a kind stranger lent her another phone until she could afford to get her screen repaired.

She claimed to have had no contact from the driver or GM Cabs.

Daily Mail Australia approached GM Cabs for comment.
Mohammed bin Salman has admitted 'mistakes' over the killing of US-based journalist and critic Jamal Khashoggi.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News, the 38-year-old controversial Crown Prince said he was reforming the kingdom's security system to avoid such 'mistakes' in the future.

'It was a mistake. It was painful,' the crown prince said, while insisting that 'everyone involved' served jail time.

'We try to reform the security system to be sure that this kind of mistake doesn't happen again, and we can see in the past five years nothing of those things happened. It's not part of what Saudi Arabia does.

'We take all the legal measurements that any country took We did that in Saudi Arabia and the case being closed,' MBS said.

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who wrote for the Washington Post and was critical of the Saudi government was brutally murdered on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in a case that sparked international outrage.

Biden vowed to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' over the killing while campaigning for president in 2020 after multiple international intelligence agencies pointed to MBS's involvement in the murder.

But he has since bowed to that reality, patching up relations with the Crown Prince while seeking his help in controlling oil prices and managing other regional issues.

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News , the controversial Crown Prince also admitted 'mistakes' over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and warned that his country will get nukes if Iran does

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who wrote for the Washington Post and was critical of the Saudi government was brutally murdered on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in a case that sparked international outrage

Biden vowed to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' over the killing while campaigning for president in 2020, but rolled back the comments and has since worked to improve relations (Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden to Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022)

MbS was also questioned about the possibility of Iran eventually creating a nuclear weapon, and he confirmed that if Iran were to begin building an arsenal, Saudi Arabia would seek to do the same. (Pictured: an alleged Iranian military bunker)

The Biden administration released a declassified report by U.S. intelligence concluding that MbS 'approved' the operation that killed Khashoggi  but took no action against the crown prince himself.

MbS was also questioned about the possibility of Iran eventually creating a nuclear weapon, and he confirmed that if Iran were to begin building an arsenal, Saudi Arabia would seek to do the same.

'We are concerned if any country getting a nuclear weapon: That's a bad, that's a bad move,' he said. 'They don't need to get nuclear weapon because you cannot use it.'

When asked how he would respond to Iran securing a nuke, he said: 'If they get one we have to get one'.

That has worried nuclear nonproliferation experts, who say the U.S. granting the kingdom the ability to enrich uranium itself could fuel a regional arms race.

During the interview with Baier, MbS also said he doesn't see an issue with a Saudi Arabian wealth fund injecting $2billion into Jared Kushner's private equity - despite his family links to former president Donald Trump.

Six months after Trump left the White House in 2020, his son-in-law and former senior adviser Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) led by MbS.

When asked whether this created a conflict of interest - and if the royal family would pull the money should Donald Trump win re-election - MbS said 'if it's legal, what's the problem?'

'We look for opportunities in investment,' he said. 'We have a lot of investment around the globe with a lot of people with economic opportunity.'

On whether the $2billion would remain with Kushner even if Trump becomes president again, MbS answered in the affirmative.

'It's a commitment that PIF have and when PIF have a commitment with any investor around the globe, we keep it,' he said.

Pushed on whether he recognized that this could create a conflict of interest, he said: 'Saudi Arabia is so big, so I'm quite sure mostly any person around the world directly or indirectly you have something to do with Saudi Arabia.

'So if that can affect President Trump's decision if he becomes a President, that means it can affect every president in the world and every person in the world's decision.

'Because directly and indirectly they have some sort of interest in something to do with Saudi Arabia.'

The Biden administration released a declassified report by U.S. intelligence concluding that MbS 'approved' the operation that killed Khashoggi (pictured)  but took no action against the crown prince himself

Saudi Arabia 's Mohammed bin Salman has said he doesn't see any issues with his wealth fund injecting $2 billion into Jared Kushner's fledgling private equity despite links to former President Donald Trump. (Pictured: MbS with Kushner and wife Ivanka Trump in 2017)

Six months after Trump left the White House in 2020, his son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) led by MbS. (Pictured: MbS with Trump and Kushner in 2017)

The other major topic on the agenda was Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve bilateral relations with Israel.

Saudi Arabia is discussing a major agreement with the United States to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and aid in developing its own civilian nuclear program.

But the Saudis have said any deal would require major progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state, which is a hard sell for the most religious and nationalist government in Israel's history.

'For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part,' MbS told Baer.

'We got to see where we go,' the prince 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.'

He also denied reports that the talks had been suspended, saying 'every day, we get closer.'

The interview aired shortly after President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while both were in New York for the meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

Biden raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians and urged Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.

Netanyahu's office said the meeting 'mostly dealt with ways to establish an historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could greatly advance an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and facilitate the establishment of an economic corridor to link Asia, the Middle East and Europe.'

Asked during the interview about working with someone as conservative as Netanyahu, Prince Mohammed said: 'If we have a breakthrough, reaching a deal that gives the Palestinians their needs and (making) the region calm, we've got to work with whoever's there.
Winnie the Pooh has a new friend - a dog called Carmen inspired by the stuffed toy that AA Milne took with him to the trenches in the First World War.

Author Jane Riordan has introduced the character to the Hundred Acre Wood in her new collection, Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest, after learning of Milne's beloved toy.

She said the original author's wife, Dorothy 'Daphne' Milne, wrote in the Sunday Express in 1966: '[AA Milne] was saved from 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.

'Four years after that [our son] Christopher Robin was born.'

The new book series sees the character Christopher, who was inspired by Milne's son, go on adventures in seven stories set after 1926's Winnie The Pooh and 1928's The House At Pooh Corner.

Carmen the dog (right) is the latest animal character to join Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin (left) in the book series based on AA Milne's work

Author Jane Riordan was inspired to introduce the animal to the Hundred Acre Wood after discovering that Milne took a toy dog mascot called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War

The new collection (pictured) sees the character Christopher, who was inspired by Milne's son, go on adventures in seven new stories

Ms Riordan said: 'It was fascinating to discover the little-known story told by Daphne Milne about AA Milne taking a small toy dog called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War.

'AA Milne even attributed his survival of the First World War to Carmen, so it felt appropriate to give this brave little dog a place alongside Christopher Robin and friends in our new story collection, Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest.

'We feel she's earned her right to enjoy the peace of the forest just like all the readers who have been delighted by the Winnie the Pooh stories over the years.'

The characters will have adventures in places such as Poohsticks Bridge and Eeyore's Gloomy Place, as well as real-world locations including the British Museum and the Tower of London.

Ms Riordan has previously been involved in Winnie The Pooh: Once There Was A Bear - Timeless Tales Inspired By Milne's Classic Stories About The Nation's Favourite Bear, as well as Winnie The Pooh Meets the Queen, and the recently published Winnie The Pooh Meets The King, celebrating the coronation.

AA Milne (left) was inspired by his son Christopher Robin (right), pictured in 1926 with Pooh Bear at Cotchford Farm, their home in east Sussex

Illustrator Mark Burgess has drawn Carmen in the style of artist EH Shepard's original depictions

Beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh appeared during the Coronation Concert festivities at Windsor Castle earlier this year.

Illustrator Mark Burgess - who has previously been involved in other Pooh books - has drawn Carmen in the style of artist EH Shepard's original depictions.

Cally Poplak, executive publisher at Farshore, said: 'Pooh and friends are as much a part of childhood now as they were almost a century ago - they remain wonderful stories to share aloud with children and to inspire a love of reading.

'So, as we look forward to celebrating the centenary in 2026, Farshore is delighted to be publishing this utterly charming new collection of adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood by Jane Riordan and Mark Burgess, who have truly captured the magic of the original stories by AA Milne and EH Shepard.'

Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest written by Riordan and illustrated by Burgess will be published by Farshore on September 28.
Poland has announced it will no longer arm Ukraine in its war with Russia amid a bitter row over grain exports in a move sure to delight Vladimir Putin.

'We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

'We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and that's why we expect them to understand our interests.

'Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing.'

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters after Russia invaded in February 2022 and has been one of Kyiv's main weapons suppliers.

It also hosts some one million Ukrainian refugees, who have benefited from various kinds of state aid.

But tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, sparked by Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers, have intensified in recent days.

Poland's decision to end military aid to Ukraine came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared some countries are 'only pretending' to support Kyiv in the fight against Moscow.

The move piles yet more pressure on Zelensky, who is today in Washington hoping to win fresh aid to fight Russian invaders despite signs of war fatigue among US lawmakers.

Poland has announced it will no longer arm Ukraine in its war with Russia amid a bitter row over grain exports in a move sure to delight Vladimir Putin (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki right)

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during the plenary session of the Eastern Econimic Forum, on September 12, 2023, in Vladivostok, Russia

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo, left, and his Polish host, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, attend a press conference following talks on regional security and the examination of the FA-50 fighter jets that Poland recently bought from South Korea

Zelensky is today in Washington hoping to win fresh aid to fight Russian invaders despite signs of war fatigue among US lawmakers (Zelensky pictured at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in New York City)

Russia's invasion of Ukraine closed off vital Black Sea shipping lanes used before the war, which meant the EU, and Poland in particular, became a major transit route and export destination for Ukrainian grain.

In May, the EU agreed to restrict imports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, seeking to protect farmers there who blamed the imports for a slump in prices on local markets.

The measures allowed the products to keep transiting through the five countries, but stopped them being sold on the local market.

But last week, the European Commission said it was ending the import ban, arguing that 'the market distortions in the five member states bordering Ukraine have disappeared'.

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia immediately announced they would defy the move, with Warsaw reacting particularly sensitively.

The current populist right-wing government of the Law and Justice party, which faces elections next month, has strong support in farming regions.

Kyiv responded to warnings by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia by announcing that it would lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Morawiecki had warned earlier on Wednesday that he would extend the list of Ukrainian products banned from import if Kyiv were to escalate the grain dispute.

Meanwhile, Zelensky meets US President Biden at the White House before going to the Pentagon to seek more weapons including longer-range missiles to boost Ukraine's forces.

But his most crucial date is likely to be with leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties from the US Congress, where a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Kyiv is at risk of being blocked.

The White House said the Ukrainian leader's visit came at a 'really critical time' as Ukraine's slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian forces grinds into the autumn months.

Zelensky has said 'air defence' is Kyiv's priority, as Moscow hit Ukraine with another barrage of missiles overnight.

'Today there are important negotiations in Washington. Air defence for Ukraine is among the top issues,' Zelensky said on Telegram as he arrived from New York.

'More air defence, more support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines.'

Zelensky slammed Moscow's 'massive' overnight attack that killed several people in the southern city of Kherson and wounded many in various regions.

'Most of the missiles were shot down. But only the majority. Not all,' Zelensky said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 19, 2023

Zelensky is set to meet with US President Biden at the White House before going to the Pentagon to seek more weapons including longer-range missiles to boost Ukraine's forces

US President Joe Biden (R) walks next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) as he arrives for a visit in Kyiv on February 20, 2023

Zelensky arrived in Washington fresh from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he urged the world to stand firm with Ukraine against Russia's 'genocide.'

He asked Americans to keep up their support which has seen Washington pump more than $43 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

'We are on the finishing line,' he told CNN on Tuesday.

But Zelensky's trip to Washington will be very different from his first wartime visit in December 2022, when he secretly flew in and received a hero's welcome at the White House and on Capitol Hill.

This time doubts are growing over the future of US assistance, with hardline Republicans saying they won't approve funding to prevent a US government shutdown if it includes aid for Ukraine.

Biden has pledged to stand by Kyiv no matter what - not least as his 2024 reelection campaign portrays his support for Ukraine as demonstrating his global leadership.

The US president and First Lady Jill Biden will greet Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at the White House, before the two leaders have head-to-head talks in the Oval Office, according to US officials.

Biden is 'looking forward to getting a battlefield perspective directly from Ukraine's commander in chief,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Zelensky's reported request for longer-range ATACMS missiles that can strike up to 190 miles away is 'not off the table' but there has been no decision yet, Kirby added.

'The president will be talking to President Zelensky about his needs and about how the United States will continue to meet those needs.'

Biden, speaking Tuesday at the UN, warned against abandoning Ukraine, saying that 'Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence.'

But Republican lawmakers are holding up the White House's demand for any budget bill passed by Congress to include a further $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Kyiv.

'What's the plan for victory? I think that's what the American public wants to know,' Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said this week.

Some say the money could be better spent on US border security, while there are also concerns about the pace of Kyiv's counteroffensive and that corruption in Ukraine means the money will go to waste.

Former president Donald Trump, the frontrunner to challenge Biden next year, has said the money would be better spent at home and predicted an eventual triumph for Putin.
The family of a tattoo-covered fugitive claim they pleaded with the crook to turn himself into police before he was shot dead by tactical officers.

Friends of Stanley Turvey, 33, have remembered him as a 'modern day Ned Kelly' after he was gunned down in rural Victoria on Wednesday morning.

The Finks bikie gang member kicked off a three-day manhunt after firing a gun during a police search at property at Katandra West, north of Shepparton in Victoria's north, at midday on Monday.

Turvey drove from the scene and travelled to Finley in New South Wales before heading back to Ardmona, south of Shepparton, where he was confronted and killed by police.

His family have since revealed they tried to reach out to the drug-affected Turvey while he was on the run in the hopes of convincing him to surrender to police.

Stanley Turvey (above) was shot by Victoria Police on Wednesday following a three-day manhunt

Family and friends of Turvey revealed they wanted him to surrender to police before he was shot (pictured, police at the property in Ardmona where Turvey was killed)

Relative Phillip Turvey wrote online: 'Stanley, Dad told you to give up because it wasn't going to end well and look what happened.

'You should have listened to him.'

Several more friends of Turvey shared tributes to him online, describing him as a 'family man before he was a criminal'.

'Despite the odds Stanley Turvey you might be in a better place,' one wrote.

'I've known you a long time but you went out wrong, mate.

'I feel for your little ones man, it could of been a different outcome but the choices you made didn't allow that. Rest in peace.'

Another said: 'His family are the most beautiful [and] caring people you can come across.

'Yes, they know what he has done was wrong and wished [he] didn't do what he had done.

'It's a shame Stanley took the wrong path of these bloody drugs that are around these days that ruin lots of lives.

'His family feel for the ones that were involved in all of this and wish they didn't have to go through what he put them through.'

Police launched a manhunt after Turvey (above) fired a gun in the air when police attended his Katandra West property

A close friend of Turvey reiterated how loved ones tried to contact him during the three days he spent on the run.

'We all kept in contact as it was going down, (we were) trying to talk him into just turning himself in,' they told the Herald Sun.

'But he was too manic. He just answered and put the phone down.

'It was just a sad day for all.'

READ MORE: BIKIE SHOT AFTER THREE-DAY MANHUNT Advertisement

Victoria Police said Turvey fired a gunshot in the air when they attended the Katandra West property for a firearms prohibition order check on Monday.

Neighbour Dianne said Turvey was shirtless and yelling during the exchange with police.

'All the police were crouched down with their guns pulled,' she told Nine News.

'They kept saying to him, 'Put your weapon down and put your hands behind your head'.

'And then he just walked back and he said, 'I'm not f***ing going back to jail again'.'

Officers attempted to pursue Turvey as he fled but lost control of their car on Creighton Road.

The vehicle rolled and the two officers inside were rushed to Goulburn Valley Health hospital with minor injuries. They have since been released.

Somewhere along the way, Turvey ditched his vehicle and stopped at a random residence in Youanmite where police claim he held a man at gunpoint and forced him to drive to Finley, over the New South Wales border.

Two officers were minorly injured in the initial pursuit of Turvey with their car (above) rolling

The man was not harmed and was released once the pair arrived.

However, police had swarmed Turvey's property in Finley on Monday night so the fugitive fled to nearby Yarrawonga where he allegedly threatened a woman at gunpoint and stole her car on Tuesday morning.

Victoria Police confronted Turvey at a property on Turnbull Road in Ardmona and confirmed he was armed.

He was shot following a standoff at 10.15am on Wednesday.

Homicide detectives will investigate his death in a probe overseen by Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command.
A teacher who was imprisoned for secretly filming up the skirts of high school students will walk free from jail after a judge overturned his sentence on appeal.

Eric Wong, 29, was jailed in July for at least six months after he took 90 videos and 300 photos of students in his class at Cammeraygal High School in the affluent north shore Sydney suburb of Crows Nest over a period of two years.

In overturning his sentence on Thursday in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court Judge John North said Wong had a voyeurism disorder that would be better treated in the community rather than in jail.

Justice North said while it is 'not an easy thing' he had come to the conclusion that given the time already served Wong's mental health issues remained 'unresolved' and needed attention.

Eric Wong, 29, was jailed in July for at least six months after he took 90 videos and 300 photos of students in his class at Cammeraygal High School in the affluent north shore Sydney suburb of Crows Nest over a period of two years

'The effect on his life has been profound,' the judge said. 'He's lost his job, of course, will never be able to return to it,' Justice North said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

'His relationship of four years ended.

'No matter what I do, people will be aggrieved due to the breach of trust and the way in which these crimes were committed.'

Wong will be placed under under an Intensive Correction Order, which requires he be of good behaviour and accept treatment deemed appropriate by Community Corrections.

Wong was sentenced after he pleaded guilty in Hornsby Local Court to two charges of filming a person's private parts without consent.

Court documents at that hearing indicated a 16-year-old girl became suspicious when she knocked a mobile phone out of its hiding place and 'formed the opinion ... (it) was purposely placed in an upwards position and was filming her'.

After students made a complaint to the school police seized hundreds of voyeuristic images of students that were in Wong's possession.

Justice North said Wong had 'grossly' breached the trust of young women in his care.

Cammeraygal High School where a student noticed a device belonging to Wong that was angled to film voyeuristic images

Wong was jailed after pleading guilty to two charges of filming a person's private parts without consent

Wong's barrister Peter Givorshner told the court the original sentence did not take into account his autism spectrum disorder and voyeurism disorder with both of those things lessening his moral culpability.

Mr Givorshner argued people with autism were 'wired differently' and that the sentencing magistrate was not correct in stating Wong must have known his conduct was 'completely inappropriate'.

Mr Givorshner said the voyeurism disorder could be treated in the community.

He argued his client had already been thoroughly publicly shamed because of 'intense media coverage' of the case, which would affect all his future prospects including finding another job.
Liberal actor John Cusack has launched a blistering attack on the Democratic Party elite, saying they have 'sold out the working class for decades' and do not have 'moral and intellectual honesty'.

The 57-year-old shared a lengthy takedown on social media, in which he said top flight democrats are 'full of s***' and blamed them for pushing people towards supporting Republicans like Donald Trump.

The Serendipity and Say Anything actor also slammed what he called 'Obama corporatist democrats', claiming many were further right on domestic policy than Richard Nixon.

In another scathing attack on the former President, he also blasted Barack Obama's famous 'hope and change' slogan, saying it had simply become 'another branded hustle.'

The Hollywood actor is known for his political activism and left-wing views, regularly sharing his support for trade unions and being outspoken about wealth distribution.

Liberal actor John Cusack has launched a blistering attack on the Democratic Party elite

The Serendipity actor slammed what he called 'Obama corporatist democrats', claiming many were further right on domestic policy than Richard Nixon. US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and former president Bill Clinton are pictured in 2010

His passionate statement came in response to an article from the socialist publication Jacobin Magazine, which claimed that some Democrats are looking to outlaw federal wealth taxes.

Referencing the article, which claims that former acting solicitor general Neal Katyal is pressuring justices to block Congress from instating wealth taxes on the super rich, Cusack mused: 'Imagine what FDR would say about such a proposed law?!'

In his rambling post on X, formerly Twitter, Cusack also slammed what he suggested is a culture of cronyism in politics.

'Don't worry fellas - the Democrats will save the .0000001 % from paying tax - the hubris to do this - is staggering - it's a sham and an insult to everyone's basic intelligence - the contempt for people - To even attempt thisUnbelievable.'

'All your Yale and Harvard buddies will tell you how great and smart you all are - and they are all in bed with all the same big , big money power players - And we run the world - right?

'This kind of staggering amoral b******t is one of the main reason (yes there are others) Trump's demagoguery works on people.'

Cusack is known for being 'aggressively anti-Trump' as he has put it, attacking the former President for his record on the Covid-19 pandemic

The Hollywood actor is known for his political activism and left-wing views. He is pictured at a Chicago Teachers Union Strike Authorization Vote Rally in Chicago, in 2019

Cusack is known for being 'aggressively anti-Trump' as he has put it, attacking the former President for his record on the Covid-19 pandemic and calling for his impeachment over it.

'We need strikes / and we need to remove Trump from power to save lives Impeach him again / Pressure for 25th,' he tweeted at the time.

He has even blasted supporters of Trump, who is frontrunner in the current Republican Presidential race, for voting for someone who he called a 'mentally ill, virus-spreading, child-abducting Nazi rapist.'
The wife of an explorer who tragically passed away in a Utah cave has spoke out against internet teasing she and her family continue to experience 13 years later.

John Edward Jones, 26, was an avid adventurer but unfortunately became stuck when exploring the hydrothermal cave, dubbed the 'Nutty Putty Cave'.

On November 24, 2009, the Nutty Putty Cave expedition would be his first and last into the cave located 55 miles from Salt Lake City - tragically his body would be forever sealed inside.

At the time of his death, he and his wife, Emily Jones Sanchez, shared a daughter named Lizzie, and she was carrying their son, John.

The widow has opened up about the online torment she persistently receives for continuing on with life after the death of her husband.

John Edward Jones (pictured right) died the 'worst possible death' when he became trapped in the Nutty Putty Cave. His wife, Emily Jones Sanchez (pictured left) was pregnant with their second child when he tragically passed

Along with his brother and nine others, medical student, John, decided to set off on the doomed exploration a few days prior to Thanksgiving in 2009.

The young father had returned to Utah to simply spend some quality time with family.

But the moment he set foot in the cave at around 8pm that fateful day would be the last time he would see daylight again.

John took the plunge and opted to explore a tight passage in the Nutty Putty Cave, known as the Birth Canal.

Although, he and his brother were keen cave explorers as children, John had not been caving for years - and he also now weighed 200 pounds and measured at six feet tall.

The 26-year-old was stuck in the cave for over 25 hours before he died and due to the pressure exerted on his body it was seemingly impossible to reach him.

The cave was eventually sealed off as John's body was never recovered as safety teams were unable to get to him.

Nutty Putty Cave was later transformed into a memorial for the medical student and young father of two.

His widow, Emily, carried on with her life, giving birth to their second child John. She also went on to remarry and have another child.

Moving on from her late-husband's tragic death over the last decade has probably been difficult enough, but it has undoubtedly not been made any easier by people continuing to hurt abuse on the grieving mother's Facebook page.

John had loved exploring caves since he was child, often going with his brother and father on adventures into the darkness

On a post shared by the mother of three on March 6, 2020, one person angrily commented: 'John was better!

'RIP John if I was your wife I would have never moved on soo soon and would be sharing your story and life, and posting about you.'

Another user intrusively wrote: 'Just wondering, when you die and go to heaven, who will you be with?

'It breaks my heart how easily people focus on happiness in this earthly life instead of holding on and wait to be re-united.'

Whilst one nosey Facebook user enquired on a post: 'Will E and John's daughter knows that he is even her real father?'

Some were left confused by the new man in Emily's life despite it being over a decade later, with one person adding: 'Is that John on your profile picture? Or is it another man I'm genuinely confused I swear John past away.'

Although, the mother received a bout of negative comments, some users also hit back sticking up for her.

Despite 13 years passing by, users continued to leave hurtful comments on the widow's Facebook page, all because she had remarried

One user said perhaps John had 'sent someone' to help the wife with her grief, adding: 'I hope she does not read these comments, and I hope none of u have to go through what she has in her life.

'Loosing someone is hard enough, [let alone] going through a pregnancy on your own and having to look at those kids everyday knowing what happened to their dad.'

Emily clarified in an interview with Deseret News, despite the conclusions online trolls jump to John remains 'a part of [their] family and [their] lives.'

She explained that her new husband, Donovan Sanchez, has always been 'really comfortable' about discussing John, so he has 'never been hard to remember'.

She added: 'He just knows that the kids need to remember their dad so he's good about wanting to stay in touch with the Joneses and he loves the Joneses.'
Rishi Sunak attacked hardline environmentalists opposed to his green U-turn today, accusing them of not caring about the financial impact of Net Zero on families.

The Prime Minister came out fighting today amid a furious political row over his plan to delay and scrap a range of plans and ideas designed to help the UK lead the world on climate change.

In his biggest gamble since taking power, he has vowed to shatter a consensus that has seen successive governments impose green targets with little regard to cost.

He insisted this morning that he was not 'slowing down efforts to combat climate change', saying he 'passionately' believes in hitting the 2050 Net Zero target.

But he warned that it was up to his critics to explain to struggling families why they should have to pay up to 15,000 to change their cars and home boilers to greener alternatives within a decade, when other countries lag behind.

He told reporters on a visit to a college in Essex: 'Lots of people have lots of different views on this. We've been through the numbers, we're confident that we are on track to deliver all our targets.

'As I said yesterday ... it gets polarised between extremes. There are people who just want to deny climate change is happening - they're wrong - and on the other side there are people who approach this with more ideological zeal where they just don't care about the impact on families.'

It came as a YouGov snap poll found that half of voters - and a majority of Tory supporters - back plans to delay a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

But the announcement last night has split the Tory party, with critics coming from both the moderate and Right wings of the party.

The Prime Minister came out fighting today amid a furious political row over his plan to delay and scrap a range of plans and ideas designed to help the UK lead the world on climate change.

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

It came as a YouGov snap poll found that half of voters - and a majority of Tory supporters - back plans to delay a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

Mr Sunak this morning told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'For those who disagree with me, and there are plenty of people as we can see over the last day or two, lots of people who disagree with me, the questions for them, they should explain to the country why they think it's right that ordinary families up and down the country should have to fork out 5,000, 10,000, 15,000 to make the transition earlier than is necessary, to do things that aren't possible for them, to spend the money doing that when I don't believe it's necessary for us to hit targets which, by the way, are more ambitious than anyone else and we're doing more than anyone else.'

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. But rules forcing firms to make sure 80 per cent of their car sales are electric vehicles by 2030 will remain, it was reported today.

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.

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.

But former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said it was 'odd' that Mr Sunak had argued that previous governments had sought to get to net zero 'simply by wishing it'.

The former chancellor and business secretary told BBC's Newsnight: 'What is so extraordinary about that is he was chancellor of the exchequer for two and a half years in those previous governments.

'It was not as if he was a backbencher or someone with little influence, he was right at the centre of it. I thought that was odd to say that previous governments had wished it because I had lots of discussions with him - very fruitful discussions - when we were both in cabinet and he was very open minded and very dynamically involved in net-zero policy.'

He added that there were concerns in the Conservative Party that Mr Sunak's decision to delay the ban on new diesel and petrol cars by five years could have a detrimental impact on investment in the car sector.

Mr Sunak said last night that 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 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.

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. 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.
READ MORE: Suspects in killing were shot dead in burning car after police chase

Zoraida Bartolomei, her husband Alberto Rolon, and their two children were killed in Romeoville, Illinois, along with their dogs

In a statement, the Bartolomei family expressed their gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in the case

The family of the four victims who were horrifically killed inside of their suburban Chicago home last weekend has thanked supporters and law enforcement for their efforts in the case.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., 32, of Streamwood, Illinois, was suspected in the deaths of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei and their two sons, Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven. The shootings took place some time between September 16 and 17.

'We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity and support following the tragic loss. At this moment, our primary focus is on channeling support, assistance and love for our family and loved ones,' the Bartolomei family said in a statement.

'We appreciate the understanding and we take this opportunity to once again express our profound gratitude for the solidarity and support extended by people during this period,' the statement also read.

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot in their home in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago on Sunday

Police discovered the dead bodies following a welfare check and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday

The police search for Huey came to a deadly and fiery end in Oklahoma after cops were tipped off by a digital license plate reader which identified his car, prompting authorities to initiate a traffic stop.

A chase ensued which led to the death of Huey and his partner, named as Ermalinda Palomo, 50. She had been named as a person of interest the killings. The pair's car crashed and began to catch on fire. Officers who began to approach the car heard two gunshots.

Huey was pronounced dead at the scene while Palomo was wounded and rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

In terms of a motive, police have so far only said that there was some kind of a relationship between Huey and the deceased family.

That came as neighbors of Huey Jr., 32, and his 'wife' described the couple as 'very sweet' and their family as 'amazing.'

'They were very sweet. The whole family seemed just amazing,' Samantha Edwards told CBS Chicago.

'It's definitely made me have a whole new perspective on trust; on the people I surround myself with. I have two children - you know, I have a 12-year-old and a 4-year-old - so every day my daughter walks to school, I am in fear,' Edwards said, 'and it is just kind of put more fear in my head now,' Edwards added.

Neighbors said that Huey and Palomo lived in Streamwood, Illinois, for the past six years.

Ermalinda Palomo, 50, and Nathaniel Huey, 32, pictured together on her Facebook page in January 2021

Huey was found fatally shot in the driver's seat of a car he crashed following a high speed police chase on Wednesday

Prior to the Wednesday night's shooting, Palomo's family had filed a missing persons report about her.

Her lawyer, John Paul Ivec, told ABC Chicago in an interview that she is a victim just like the family in Romeoville.

'Police identified her as a person-of-interest. Ok, well, she's a victim just like the Romeoville family's a victim.'

The missing persons report said that she was last seen with Huey on September 19. Ivec said that family members received a worrying text message from her that read: 'Take care of my grand babies.'

Palomo's daughter, Cristiana Espinoza, 25, said her mother dated Huey for eight years and they lived together during that time.

CBS Chicago reported that the couple was married. On his Facebook page, Huey refers to Palomo as his 'wife.'

'He's a very dangerous man. He's a huge manipulator. A huge manipulator,' Espinoza told NBC News.

'When I first met him, he wasn't too bad of a guy. A couple of months ago, something switched. 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.'

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses describes the victims as hard-working people

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

Huey tried to evade authorities after a digital license plate detector spotted the vehicle in Catoosa, Oklahoma, but he crashed the vehicle and it caught on fire

She said she has spoken to investigators about her mother and Huey but declined to say what about.

In a separate interview with the Associated Press, Espinoza said her mother 'left with him willingly about 4pm Tuesday.

'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 added.

An investigative bulletin was circulated within Romeoville Police on Sunday in which Huey was described as 'irrational and erratic' following the killing of the family.

He had access to a host of weapons at the private security company - called Black Bear Security - her worked for, which had a Streamwood address listed.

There are photos of him on Facebook armed with guns, ammunition and body armor. One picture shows Huey holding an assault rifle with what looks like a suppressor.

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, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne said Wednesday.

'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.

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'

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.

'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 suspect's 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.

'We're still investigating the relationship between the two, and how the man died and how the woman was injured,' McKee said.

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. At the time of writing, the page has raised nearly $35,000.
A video platform has furiously defended making money out of Russell Brand's content and letting him continue doing so - vowing it would carry on regardless.

The site, which is based in Canada, described a letter it had received from the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee as 'extremely disturbing'.

Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP had enquired whether Brand was still able to monetise content on Rumble and if that ability was going to be suspended or not.

She went on to ask what the platform would be doing to ensure that creators were not able to use the platform to 'undermine the welfare of victims'.

But Rumble hit back in a statement that accused the CMS committee of attempting to control who can speak on its platform or earn money from it.

A spokesperson said: 'We received an extremely disturbing letter from a committee chair in the UK Parliament. While Rumble obviously deplores sexual assault, rape and all serious crimes, and believes that both alleged victims and the accused are entitled to a full and serious investigation, it is vital to note that recent allegations against Russell Brand have nothing to do with content on Rumble's platform.

Russell Brand has been on Rumble platform for two years already, with his first film on the site entitled 'Did Liberals use feminism to justify Afghan Cluster F***'

Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP had enquired whether Brand was still able to monetise content on Rumble and if that ability was going to be suspended or not

'Just yesterday YouTube announced that based solely on these media accusations it was barring Mr Brand from monetising his video content. Rumble stands for very different values. We have devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet - meaning an internet where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform.

'We regard it as deeply inappropriate and dangerous that the UK Parliament would attempt to control who is allowed to speak on a platform or to earn a living from doing so. Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing given the absence or any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble. We don't agree with the behaviour of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalise them for actions that have nothing to do with out platform.

'Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company's values and mission. We emphatically reject the UK Parliament's demands.'

Brand has been on the platform for two years already, and his first film of 1,367 on the site was entitled 'Did Liberals use feminism to justify Afghan Cluster F***'.

His most recent one is the video refuting the claims against him, which were made on Channel 4's Dispatches programme and in the Sunday Times.

When MailOnline viewed it today it featured an advert for GiveSendGo fundraising before the clip started. It is understood advertisers do not pick what programmes they appear on, they just pay to advertise generally.

Brand is currently at the centre of a storm over serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse made by four women, all of which he vehemently denies.

Rumble was founded in 2013 by Chris Pavlovski and now positions itself as a platform for alternative voices.

The letter sent to Rumble from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this week

The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating an allegation. It said: "On Sunday September 17, the Met received a report of a sexual assault which was alleged to have taken place in Soho in central London in 2003.

'Officers are in contact with the woman and will be providing her with support.'

The letter from the CMS committee read: 'I am writing concerning the serious allegations regarding Russell Brand, in the context of his being a content provider on Rumble with more than 1.4 million followers.

'The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is raising questions with the broadcasters and production companies who previously employed Mr Brand to examine both the culture of the industry in the past and whether that culture still prevails today. However, we are also looking at his use of social media, including on Rumble where he issued his pre-emptive response to the accusations made against him by The Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

'While we recognise that Rumble is not the creator of the content published by Mr Brand, we are concerned that he may be able to profit from his content on the platform. We would be grateful if you could confirm whether Mr Brand is able to monetise his content, including his videos relating to the serious accusations against him. If so, we would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brands ability to earn money on the platform. We would also like to know what Rumble is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour.'

Shows featuring Russell Brand have been removed from BBC iPlayer. This includes a 2018 episode of QI

With YouTube suspending Brand's ability to make money from its site Rumble will now act as a precious income stream to him.

How does YouTube monetisation work? Advertisers pay YouTube to show their adverts before, during or after videos that are posted on the platform. Most YouTube content creators will not get a say in what ads are served. The advertising revenue is then split between the platform, owned by YouTube, and whoever made the video. Each receives around half. Tech journalist Chris Stokel-Walker estimates Brand could have been making between $70,000 to $1million a year before YouTube decided to stop sharing revenue with him. Advertisers generally pay based on a measure known as cost per mille (CPMs), meaning the cost of a thousand advert views. Certain types of content that are seen as less 'ad safe', such as the Ukraine war, generally attract lower CPMs than others. Despite YouTube holding back advertising revenue, Brand could still in theory make a deal with a third party company willing to sponsor his videos, meaning he could still be paid directly by advertisers. The comic has an army of millions of followers on social media - which opens the doors for companies or individuals to pay for sponsored content, which can be a lucrative cash spinner. Advertisement

His posts potentially earn up to 80,000 each video.

Rumble was founded in 2013 by Chris Pavlovski and now positions itself as a platform for alternative voices.

When it started out it featured news stories as well as funny viral clips of animals.

But during the pandemic it became home to a number of different voices.

Both Andrew Tate and Rudy Giuliani joined the platform and Donald Trump's son is also signed up to it.

Brand's other videos include 'They WANT War (And They're Not Russian)', 'You've Been LIED To About Why Ukraine War Began' and 'They Planned It All Along'.

Other broadcasters and podcasts began stripping references to Brand from their own platforms after the reports at the weekend.

The BBC and Channel 4 have removed shows featuring the comedian, including episodes of QI and The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

During the baking show he made a biscuits in the shape of a vagina but did not win the culinary contest.

The BBC has also reported that Stephen Bartlett, a Dragons' Den investor, has removed an episode of his Diary of a CEO podcast featuring Brand that was released earlier this year.

A description of the episode says Brand discusses 'how his life has been defined by his addictions' with the businessman.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said some of his content was 'completely unacceptable', and announced that Peter Johnston, director of editorial complaints, would be leading a review into Brand's time at the corporation.

The probe will look at complaints against Brand, what BBC bosses knew, and what was done, the broadcaster said.

The review - which will provide an interim update 'within weeks' - will also examine the comedian's use of a BBC car which one victim says he sent to pick her up from school and take her to his house when she was 16.

After announcing the BBC's review today, Mr Davie was asked if the corporation had a culture of 'letting people get away with bad behaviour'.

'I do think we're in a different place, over 15 years,' he replied. 'When I listened back, frankly, to some of those broadcasts [featured on the Dispatches investigation into Brand] I go, that is just completely unacceptable.

A Joe Wicks podcast about fame that featured him a guest in 2021 has been unavailable since Monday evening

Brand on an episode of Celebrity Bake Off where he made an edible vagina

'What led to that being on air? Now there are, you know, different times and all of that, but I just look at that stuff and I say there is no way I will listen to that, there's no way I accept it.'

Speaking later at an internal all-staff session, the director-general told BBC workers that the corporation would look into 'any complaints' made about Brand's conduct.

He added: The review will also look at the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time.

Mr Davie added that the BBC aimed to complete this work as swiftly as possible saying he was hoping for an initial report in weeks, not months.

He said the objective is to be totally transparent and to just share what we have.

When he was asked if he was aware of any allegations about Brand prior to the Sachsgate controversy which saw the comedian lose his job at the BBC, Mr Davie said: I wasnt aware of the serious allegations weve heard.

Former Radio 6 Music presenter Liz Kershaw earlier this week said it was about time the BBC was investigating how it handled Brand during his time there.
A woman whose puppy was mauled by an XL Bully does not believe the killer breed should be banned.

Kate Jackson, 35, who lives in Aigburth, Merseyside, was walking her Hungarian Vizsla puppy, Arthur through Sefton Park on July 25 when it was attacked by a vicious dog - believed to be an XL Bully.

Ms Jackson said she saw a man walking two dogs in the park, one she believes is the controversial breed, who warned her 'they're not friendly'.

Moments later the blood-thirsty hound had Ms Jackson's puppy in a death grip.

She said: 'Before I could do anything the dog had him by the throat and was dragging him. The man was shouting at his dog but this didnt do anything. I froze for a moment as I was scared for my own safety.

'The other, smaller dog joined in and was biting and pulling his ears. Arthur isnt a small dog, hes quite big and he was helpless and crying.

Kate Jackson, pictured, paid 1,700 in emergency vet bills after her puppy, Arthur, was savaged by a suspected XL Bully in Liverpool in July

Arthur, pictured, required 17 stitches in his neck after being attacked by the killer dog

'Me and the other owner managed to separate them and we had a verbal altercation. He had one lead for two dogs, so he put the bigger one on the lead.'

Ms Jackson took her dog to the emergency vets where he was given 17 stitches to close a deep laceration to his neck. Arthur also had a puncture wound and injuries to his ear, leaving her with a 1,700 bill.

READ MORE: Which dogs are banned in the UK and why? Advertisement

Following the attack, Ms Jackson said she was 'too scared' to walk Arthur on her own for two weeks. She also said she would not return to Sefton Park.

She said: 'We go to all the parks in Liverpool, Sefton Park, Greenbank, The Mystery, Childwall Woods, but mostly Sefton and Greenbank. I wont go back to Sefton Park now.

'Because the wound was on Arthurs neck the vets couldnt put him in a cone, so he scratched out the stitches two or three times, meaning he needed antibiotics.

'We cancelled a camping trip at the recommendation of the vets, which we were really looking forward to as my mum died five days after the attack.

'Luckily Arthur is absolutely fine after the attack, its like nothing happened. Hes such a lovely-natured dog, were lucky it hasnt triggered him to aggression, because it [attacks] can.

'It was a rude awakening for us about recall.'

Ms Jackson reported the matter to Merseyside Police who told her they can take no further action.

Ms Jackson said her dog has recovered following his ordeal. She said she is opposed to the proposed ban on XL Bully dogs, instead suggesting that owners should be held responsible for the actions of their pets

Merseyside Police said: 'Officers have investigated a report that a dog was attacked by two other dogs in Sefton Park on Tuesday, July 25. Just before 10am we received a report that a woman was walking her dog, a Hungarian Vizla, near to the Palm House when two dogs attacked her dog.

READ MORE: XL Bully is a lifeline for our autistic boy Advertisement

'The Hungarian Vizla received cuts to its neck which required veterinary treatment. It was reported that the two dogs, believed to be XL bulldogs, were off their lead and was with a man who attempted to stop the attack.

'Officers have spoken with both owners involved in the incident and carried out a full investigation in the area, which resulted in no further action being taken against the dog owner. At present no further complaints have been made to Merseyside Police.

'Anyone who witnessed this incident or with any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or "Merseyside Police Contact Centre" on Facebook with reference 23000676125.'

Despite the attack on Arthur, Kate said she is '100 per cent against' the Governments plan to ban XL bullies by the end of the year.

She said: 'The move to ban the XL bully has infuriated me, Im 100 per cent against this ban. The laws need to change and individuals need to be held accountable for being irresponsible dog owners. Dog on dog attacks need to be taken more seriously as they are often antecedents to more serious or fatal attacks.

'If proper investigating were done, stones turned over, then perhaps that would be a start in preventing irresponsible owners, discovering puppy farms, enforcing ownership bans and solving Liverpools ever growing problematic dog attacks.'
Tory Lanez is now behind bars at the notorious North Kern State Prison - where multiple killings have taken place this year including an alleged murder by convicted serial killer Ramon Escobar.

The 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August for shooting his ex-lover, hip hop star Megan Thee Stallion.

He shot Megan in the feet during a drunken argument after a pool party at Kylie Jenner's house in 2020 and was jailed for negligent discharge of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm.

A judge in Los Angeles denied a request for him to be bailed last week pending the appeal of his conviction. Lanez's attorneys had asked for him to live with his son and wife on bond instead of behind bars.

Now he is facing the harsh realities of prison life - in a California facility infamous for over-crowding, poor sanitation and flaring tensions between inmates.

The California facility is known for over-crowding, poor sanitation and flaring tensions between inmates

A new mugshot showing a very different looking Tory Lanez has been released as the star begins a ten-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion

Salvadorian serial killer Escobar, who killed seven people during a month-long killing spree, was charged with the murder of his cellmate back in February

Opened in 1993, the medium security facility is mainly used for processing prisoners before they are sent elsewhere.

However, there have been reports that Lanez could serve the majority of his time in prison at the facility - which has seen several inmate deaths just this year.

Salvadorian serial killer Escobar, who killed seven people during a month-long killing spree, was charged with the murder of his cellmate back in February.

Juan Villanueva, 52, was found dead in his cell, with Escobar later charged with first degree murder.

In July, another man named Ricardo Saldivar was also found dead at the facility, with investigators probing the 25-year-old's death as homicide.

Juan Villanueva, 52, was found dead in his cell

As well as the recent deaths, North Kern has seen a string of serious incidents over the years, from escapes to armed attacks on guards and violence between inmates.

There has been ongoing racial and gang hostilities in the prison, with an ongoing source of the violence the two preeminent gangs, the Surenos and Paisas.

In 2020, a former inmate and sex offender was convicted in connection with a 2020 attack on two correctional officers.

In 2015, inmate Abelardo Morales of Riverside County was reported missing from the minimum security section of the prison.

In the same year, a guard was hit by gunfire as he walked the yard, with a bullet penetrating his stab-proof vest.

He was rushed to hospital but suffered only minor injuries. The gunshots are thought to have come from outside the prison.

Megan Thee Stallion had three bullet fragments surgically removed from her foot. She's pictured in court in December for Lanez's trial

Tory Lanez began his ten-year sentence in Los Angeles' notorious Men's Central Jail

Court sketches show Tory Lanez during his August 8 sentencing hearing. He was sentenced to a decade behind bars

North Kern is surrounded with an electric fence and two razor wire fences.

Like all inmates, Lanez will be able to take part in prison labor, with skilled and unskilled jobs at North Kern which pay as little as $0.08 and $0.30 an hour.

The facility might be a slight upgrade for Lanez, who began his sentence in the notorious LA Men's Central jail, a violent and overcrowded prison where he was locked up alone for 22 hours a day.

At least 12 people have died in Los Angeles County jails since June 1, including Joseph Hutchinson was found stabbed to death in Men's Central Jail on August 4.
Germany has 'hit the limit' of the number of migrants the country can take, the country's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned.

Steinmeier said that the fact that a third of all migrants who reached the EU in the first six months of this year went through Germany first means the nation, 'like Italy, is at the limit of its capabilities'.

His warning comes seven years after Steinmeier called for 'open borders' in a move that saw a million people enter Germany in 2015 and 2016.

Steinmeier, who is on a three-day visit to Italy, has now U-turned and insisted that there needs to be 'stronger controls' at the borders and a 'fair distribution' of migrants in Europe.

He said Germany is now facing an 'emergency situation' due to the sheer scale of migrants travelling from Syria and Afghanistan to the country's eastern border.

Suspected illegal migrants sit on the ground after they were detained by German police during their patrol along the German-Polish border in Forst, Germany, on Wednesday

Germany has 'hit the limit' of the number of migrants the country can take, the country's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned

'In the first six months of this year, we had 162,000 asylum requests, a third of all those in the EU,' Steinmeier told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, adding that this is up by more than 75 per cent over the same period last year.

'Furthermore, there are currently over a million refugees in our country. This is why Germany, like Italy, is at the limit of its capabilities.'

Steinmeier, who is being accompanied by Italian President Sergio Mattarella during his visit, added: 'We need a fair distribution in Europe and stronger controls and surveillance at our external borders.'

Over 130,000 people have landed on Italian shores since the start of this year, according to the interior ministry, up from some 68,200 in the same period last year.

Some 8,500 migrants arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa last week in just three days, as the number of people crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa rose.

Germany is also dealing with 'heavy immigration', Steinmeier said, calling for 'humane and sustainable European solutions'.

'We have to make every effort to make the loads sustainable and lower the number of arrivals,' he added. While as German President Steinmeier has no policy-shaping power, his office comes with considerable influence.

It comes amid growing fears that foreign political conflicts are being brought into Germany.

At the weekend, an Eritrean culture festival in Stuttgart descended into violent chaos over the weekend as opposing mobs attacked each other and police with stones, bottles, and wooden planks.

The clashes broke out between Eritrean government supporters and opponents as some 200 protesters gathered outside the festival in the southwestern German city.

As violence flared, dozens of people were injured, including at least 26 officers. One resident described the scene as 'like a war'.

A smashed car was also seen winding its way through the clashing groups as police came under attack in Stuttgart over the weekend

The clashes broke out between Eritrean government supporters and opponents as some 200 protesters gathered outside the festival in the southwestern German city

Footage circulating on social media showed the unrest as attackers were seen running in groups and breaking into mass street brawls. A car with a smashed windshield was also seen winding its way through the clashing groups as police came under attack.

The weekend's event in Stuttgart was reportedly organised by groups close to the totalitarian dictatorship of Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki.

Six of the 26 injured police officers were treated in a hospital for their injuries, police said.

Four event participants and two protesters were also injured, according to police, although information was not immediately available about the severity of their injuries.

'It was like a war here,' one resident told Bild after fearing the mass brawls. 'Men threw stones at the officers from a schoolyard next to us. A police helicopter was on duty. It was so hectic. I thought there would be shooting soon,' they said.

Saturday's protests were the latest in a string of unrest surrounding Eritrean cultural events in Germany and elsewhere. In July, a clash at an Eritrean festival in the western German city of Giessen left 22 police officers injured.

It comes as Berlin revealed last week it was stopping accepting migrants living in Italy under a European solidarity plan.

The voluntary scheme is aimed at easing pressure on EU border nations that are often the first port of call for migrants.

Germany said it could resume taking in migrants if Italy resumed its obligations to take back refugees.

Under the EU's Dublin procedure, irregular migrants should be registered in the EU country they first enter. Should they head to another nation in the bloc, they can be returned to their EU first port of call.

Local governments have become frustrated with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's federal government as they have been left to foot the bill for the rising costs of providing housing, schools and services to a growing number of migrants.

In addition to the more than 1 million Ukrainians who came to Germany last year seeking shelter from Russias war on their country, the number of asylum-seekers is also up steeply. Ukrainians receive refugee status in Germany immediately and dont need to apply for asylum.

In 2022, more than 244,000 people applied for asylum in Germany but this figure has increased by 78 per cent in the first six months of this year alone. Experts estimate up to 300,000 migrants could apply for asylum in Germany this year.

Many of those now arriving in Germany on a daily basis trek across the Balkans and come from war-ridden countries such as Syria or Afghanistan. They rely on smugglers to take them across the borders so they can ask for asylum the moment they arrive on German soil.

Local communities have been putting up asylum-seekers in tents, containers, gyms or former airports for months as regular housing gets scarce. In addition, they say there is also a lack of kindergarten and school spaces for migrant children. They demand billions in additional federal funds to cover their costs.

The national government, however, rejects their demands, saying it spent 28 billion euros (24 billion) on migration last year alone. About 15 billion euros were provided to states and local authorities, while more than 12 billion euros were invested in combating the causes of flight abroad.
The vicious murder of toddler, James Bulger was a crime that disgusted and shook the British public to their core.

On February 12, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10, snatched the innocent two-year-old from outside a butcher's shop in Bootle, Merseyside.

After abducting James, the pair led the toddler on a two-and-a-half mile walk from the city of Liverpool to a village called Walton.

On their way to the village, the three were seen by 38 people, two of whom queried the boys as the young boy was in tears with a bump on his head.

Later the pair brutally tortured and killed the two-year-old, leaving James' mutilated body to be found two days later on a railway line in Walton.

But what have the pair done since they committed the notoriously horrific crime?

Jon Venables (pictured) could be out by Christmas, as his parole hearing is scheduled for November 14 and 15 of this year

Robert Thompson, who was painted as the ringleader during the infamous trial, has not reoffended and is said to be in a relationship with a man who knows his true identity

When were the killers first released?

On November 24, 1993, both John Venables and Robert Thompson were found guilty of the abduction and murder of James Bulger.

After the guilty verdict both Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were detained 'at her majesty's pleasure'.

This meant the pair would remain incarcerated indefinitely.

But in June 2001 after intense rehabilitation and a six month review, a parole board determined the then 18-year-olds were no longer a threat to public safety.

After spending eight years behind bars for the murder of James Bulger, the killers were released on a life licence.

They were also handed new identities to protect them from vigilante attacks.

These new identities reportedly came at a price tag of 1.5 million, according to the Liverpool Echo. They were also barred from ever entering Liverpool again.

The pair were given a lifetime of anonymity via court injunctions, also known as Mary Bell orders.

Only six individuals have been subjects of a 'Mary Bell Order'; Maxine Carr, Mary Bell, Thompson, Venables, as well as two brothers aged ten and 11 who tortured to younger boys in South Yorkshire in 2009.

What has Robert Thompson done since?

After serving eight years for the brutal crime he committed against two-year-old James Bulger, Robert Thompson has not re-offended.

It was reported in 2006 that the now 39, year old was in a stable homosexual relationship with a man who is aware of his true identity.

It is thought Thompson's relationship persists to the present day, with claims he has adjusted well into the North West community where he resides.

During the trial, Thompson was branded the 'ringleader' of the murderous pair.

Detective Phil Roberts who was on the Merseyside's serious crime squad told The Sun: 'I think Thompson was in charge, but they both attacked James.'

Thompson and Venables tortured two-year-old James (pictured). The brutal attack on the innocent toddler included throwing paint in his eye, pelting him with stones and bricks and dropping an iron bar on his head

A surveillance camera shows the abduction of two-year-old James Bulger from the Bootle Strand shopping mall February 12 1993. 38 people spotted the twisted killers with the innocent toddler

What happened to John Venables?

Before his eventual release, it was discovered that John Venables was staying at Vardy house, an eight-bed section of the Red Bank secure unit in St Helens, Merseyside.

He stayed at the unit for eight years as a result of his 'good progress', even though Vardy House was meant not intended for longer stays.

Reportedly, at the age of 17, Venables was engaged in a relationship with a female employee at the Red Bank secure unit.

After investigations into the accusations were carried out a woman who worked at the remand unit was suspended and never returned to her position.

In March 2002, Venables was living independently and had allegedly began a relationship with a mother of a five-year-old child.

The killer denied this relationship and even encountering the woman. It has also alleged that he went on to have a slew of 'younger girlfriends'.

As his supervision decreased, Venables' began to struggle with drugs and drinking, leading him to compromise his anonymity, disclosing his true identity twice to friends.

In September 2008, the killer was arrested on suspicion of affray after engaging in a drunken fight.

As a result he was served with a formal warning from probation services because he was in breach of the good behaviour terms of his licence.

However his criminal behaviour did not end there. Later in 2008, the killer was discovered to have a small amount of cocaine, which he was then cautioned for.

Despite, a psychiatrist determining the risk the child killer posed to the public as 'trivial' and also stating the likelihood of him reoffending was extremely low, it was later discovered Venables had been in possession of indecent images of children.

The sex offender was discovered by a probation officer to be deleting files and attempting to remove his hard drive with a tin opener.

He had called the probation officer to his Cheshire home regarding fears that his true identity had been revealed.

Police later discovered the device contained indecent images of children, and he was found guilty on three charges.

The first charge was for downloading 57 indecent images of children, which included individuals as young as two.

The second offence involved the distribution of the pornographic images of children in February 2010, while the third was for sharing indecent images of children two years prior in 2008.

Whilst committing these crimes, Venables had adopted the persona of a 35-year-old mother, named Dawn, who was willing to sell her eight-year-old daughter.

On September 3, 2013, the sex offender was yet again released on parole with a fourth brand new identity.

James' mother Denise Fergus, 55, has been left 'shellshocked' after it a parole hearing deciding Venables potential release has been revealed to be taking place this November

The child killer was recalled to prison in 2017, after it was discovered he was in possession of more than 1,000 indecent images of children.

He was sentenced to 40 months incarceration in February 2018, but has now served double as he was rejected for release at the end of his sentence.

During the trial, the twisted paedophile admitted to the Old Bailey that he owned a disturbing manual that guided him on 'how to have sex with little girls'.

In the same month he was sentenced, the Daily Star reported the child killer had been attacked behind bars by a fellow inmate who had 'discovered his identity'.

A month later in March, Venables pleaded for plastic surgery - fronted by the tax payer - as photos identifying him had been published online, according to The Sun.

In May 2018, the Venables' new identity once again came under fire, as James Bulger's father, Ralph began High Court proceedings against the order which allows the repeat offender to live anonymously.

However, the toddler's mother, Denise Fergus was not in support of having the peadophile's anonymity striped away due to the high likelihood of vigilante justice.

On March 4, 2019, it was ruled that the vicious sex offender would be allowed to keep his anonymity due to fears of 'serious violence' against him.

Venables was denied parole on September 29, 2020 and stayed behind bars for another two years.

On September 21, 2023, Denise Fergus has been left 'shellshocked' as it was revealed a two-day hearing regarding the killer's parole will be held on November 14 and 15.

The parole hearing will determine if the repeat offender can be released once more.
Pilot Alain C. is facing manslaughter charges in a court in southwestern France

The tragic incident occurred in 2018 when the plane's wing slammed into diver

A French pilot is facing manslaughter charges after his plane decapitated a man flying a wingsuit in France.

The horrific incident occurred in July 2018 when Alain C. was flying his single-engine Pilatus airplane for a pair of wingsuit divers over Bouloc-en-Quercy near Toulouse, where he worked for a local parachuting school.

Nicolas Galy, 40, was one of ten parachutists aboard the flight and one of two passengers who leapt out of the aircraft at around 14,000ft clad in a sleek wingsuit - a full-body contraption that lets the wearer glide like a bird.

But his exhilarating flight ended in tragedy after just 20 seconds when he collided with the wing of Alain's plane, tearing his head clean off his shoulders and killing him instantly.

Facing a court in Montauban, Alain described the incident as 'the tragedy of my life', but insisted he had not done anything wrong and blamed Galy for deviating from his flight plan, claiming he had behaved recklessly and suffered the consequences.

Nicolas Galy, 40, dove out of the aircraft at around 14,000ft clad in a sleek wingsuit - a full-body contraption that lets the wearer glide like a bird (stock image)

The pilot said he believed he was well clear of the wingsuiters before beginning his descent, but admitted that they 'don't descend much and can be in conflict with the aircraft'.

However, he insisted that Galy, an experienced parachutist with 226 jumps, 'did not follow the expected course and never should have been on that course.

'He was parallel to the plane... It wasn't my responsibility, I think my flight path made sense,' Alain told the court in comments carried by The Times.

'This has been the tragedy of my life but I am not at fault.'

Alain's pleas were refuted by prosecutor Jeanne Regagnon, who asked the court to hand the pilot a 12-month suspended prison term and a 10,000 euro fine, arguing that the slain wingsuiter was 'the only one who obeyed the rules without negligence'.

It also emerged in court that Alain, 64, had flown the plane with an invalid licence.

France's aviation authority had restricted his flying privileges due to a medical condition, yet he took to the skies regardless.

The court is set to make its ruling in November.

It comes after a British wingsuit pilot died in July following a 400-metre drop from a mountaintop in Italy.

Mark Andrews (pictured middle) with members of base jumping group, Learn To Base Jump

Mark Andrews, 65, originally of Redruth, Cornwall, was killed instantly after falling down the rock face in Trentino while clad in a wingsuit.

He is thought to have been wearing a parachute, but was seemingly unable to deploy it after losing control.

The tragic accident occurred at a popular base jumping spot in the Italian Dolomites at Paganella, near the city of Trento.

Andrews was a keen lover of base jumping and often posted clips of his escapades on social media.

The retired engineer is said to have been a relative latecomer to base jumping as a sport, but had completed nearly 600 jumps before his death.

A mountain rescue helicopter was brought in to recover his body and he was later flown to a nearby hospital before being repatriated.

A base jumper who knew Mark said: 'He came to base jumping quite late. He's only been doing it since 2014 but he packed a lot into those nine years.

'He was fearless and will be missed. He was a regular in Italy at various base-jumping events, but had also base jumped all over the world off bridges and skyscrapers.'
A man who went of drink driving rampage in his boss's ute has copped a huge fine and 15-month licence suspension.

Nelson Grove tested four times over the legal limit after police found him asleep in the cabin of the ute in Surfers Paradise, southeast Queensland on March 10.

Police body cam footage shows an officer with a torch waking the very groggy 22-year-old.

Grove on Thursday pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the drunken escapade in Southport Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast.

Nelson Grove tested four times over the legal limit after police found him asleep in the cabin of a ute in Surfers Paradise

READ MORE: Kate Ritchie breaks her silence on social media after being busted drink driving and banned from the roads during random breath test on the eve of TV comeback Advertisement

'Hello, hey buddy,' the officer says.

'Have you had some drinks there, my man?'

CCTV footage taken earlier in the night shows the ute Grove was driving recklessly weaving in and out of busy traffic.

The vehicle fails to stop in time at red light and rear-ends the car in front which is pushed forward.

After this the ute is seen speeding off from the crash site.

Other footage shows the ute running red lights while ignoring road safety signs and pedestrian crossings.

At one stage the wayward driver even manages to get the vehicle onto the tram tracks in front of an oncoming tram.

Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi told Nine news his client had 'absolutely learnt his lesson'.

'I am sure he will never repeat this mistake again,' Mr Sarabi said.

In addition to the 15 months his licence had been suspended he as also been landed with a $2500 fine.

During his drunken escapade in the work ute Grove smashed into the back of car waiting at red light
She urged everyone to vote No to the Voice to Parliament

Lidia Thorpe has claimed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum has made Australia more 'racist' and has called on the country to vote 'No'.

The Independent Aboriginal Senator, who is a staunch 'No' supporter and considered to be a part of the 'progressive' No camp, made the comment on The Project Thursday night.

Host Waleed Aly asked her if she opposed the 'reconciliation project' and whether voting no to the Voice would make that process easier.

Senator Thorpe responded by speaking about the reconciliation movement when John Howard was Prime Minister and argued that racism in the country had grown worse because of the referendum.

'So Howard at the end of that reconciliation movement 20 years ago, or 22 now, he said the country is too racist to reconcile,' she stated.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured) claimed the Voice to Parliament referendum had made Australia more 'racist' during an appearance on The Project

'And I think this referendum has only exacerbated the racism in this country because it is given a platform for racists and it's also given a platform .'

'And it's also given a platform for those who think they know best for what we want.'

Senator Thorpe then asserted that Australia's Constitution is a 'racist document' that was only designed to 'hurt' First Nations people.

'We've never protested to go into the Constitution,' she said.

'The Constitution that was established in this country in 1901 was only established to bring harm to our people.'

She then took aim at the Yes campaign, claiming those who backed an Indigenous Voice have 'got it wrong'.

'They haven't done their homework or they've done their homework and they just want to nail us into the assimilation document and become nice, neat little Indigenous Australians.' she argued.

Before the interview came to an end, Senator Thorpe urged Australians to vote No to the Voice 'for a better future'.

She took aim at the Yes campaign, claiming those who backed an Indigenous Voice have 'got it wrong' (pictured, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Noel Pearson (left) campaign for the Yes vote in Summer Hill)

Senator Thorpe urged Australians to vote No to the Voice in the referendum 'for a better future'

The Aboriginal Senator was originally brought on the program to respond to controversial remarks made by former AFL player and media personality, Sam Newman.

Newman, who is also a vocal No supporter, had slammed Welcome to Country practices on his podcast, You Cannot Be Serious.

He suggested to his listeners on Wednesday's episode to start 'booing' or 'slow hand-clapping' when a Welcome to Country practice is delivered at a public event.

Senator Thorpe slammed the Geelong Cats star as a 'racist' and said he should be prohibited from attending the AFL Grand Final.

She also explained that the Welcome to Country was about peace and bringing people together.

During an appearance on The Today show on Thursday morning, Senator Thorpe questioned the relevance of Newman's opinion.

'Sam Newman, I'm not sure why he's even in the news. He's irrelevant to any debate of the time,' she said.

Senator Thorpe has been brought onto the show to respond to comments made by former AFL player and media personality, Sam Newman (pictured)

'It's about peace. The whole message behind it is respect.'

'Sam Newman is not a respectful man at the best of times. He needs to educate himself.'

The program's host Karl Stefanovic then asked Ms Thorpe to comment on suggestions there were 'too many' Welcome to Country ceremonies.

'I think it's up to the traditional owners themselves and the event. It's important for people to understand the land they're on and the stories behind that,' she said.

'I don't think there's too many, I think the stories that are told are important for this country to be able to mature and come together.'

The Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14.
Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch today lashed back at Tory peer Zac Goldsmith following his savage criticism of Rishi Sunak's net zero U-turn.

Lord Goldsmith, a former Government minister, branded the Prime Minister's action 'cynical' and 'reprehensible'.

He also demanded a snap general election after Mr Sunak moved to water down a series of climate pledges.

Ms Badenoch this morning dismissed a suggestion that Lord Goldsmith's view was widely shared within the Conservative Party, as she took aim at the peer's wealth.

The Business and Trade Secretary pointed out that the multi-millionaire has 'way more money than pretty much everyone in the UK'.

The PM has argued he is saving families up to 15,000 by pushing back a series of net zero measures.

Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch lashed back at Tory peer Zac Goldsmith following his savage criticism of Rishi Sunak 's net zero U-turn

Lord Goldsmith, a former Government minister, branded the Prime Minister's action 'cynical' and 'reprehensible'

He Tory peer also demanded a snap general election after Mr Sunak moved to water down a series of climate pledges

Speaking to LBC radio, Ms Badenoch defended the Government's action amid a Tory backlash - including Lord Goldsmith's comments.

'You have chosen negative comments,' she said. 'There are lots of Conservative MPs who are speaking very positively about this.

'So you're only giving one view. Zac Goldsmith is someone who cares very much about the environment. He is a friend of mine.

'But the fact is, he has way more money than pretty much everyone in the UK.

'This is not to how we make decisions. We need to make decisions based on what the facts are.

'The facts are energy costs are rising, the facts are... you look at the economic challenge that China is creating all around the world.

'Electric vehicles rely on Chinese batteries, the supply chain post-pandemic is changing.

'We need to think about not just being the world leader, which we are, but also energy security, making sure we can be more self-reliant, not reliant on countries who don't have our interests at heart.

'We need to think about regeneration, about clean air - all these things come into play. We are doing these things in a fair and proportionate way.'

Ms Badnoch was challenged as to whether she was suggesting all wealthy people like Lord Goldsmith - including Mr Sunak, who is worth an estimated 529million together with his wife - were out of touch.

'They are doing quite different things,' she replied. 'The point I'm making is that Zec Goldsmith is one person, who has one opinion.

'He is a friend of mine, I have had arguments with him about this.

'But the key thing is you can't cherrypick comments and say they are reflective of entire Conservative Party, that is just simply not the case.'

She added: 'He (Lord Goldsmith) does have the right to an opinion, but I disagree with his opinion.

'This is not an issue about me and Zac Goldsmith, this is an issue about the people of the UK.

'We need to stop focusing on specific personalities and look at the content of the policy.'

The PM has argued he is saving families up to 15,000 by pushing back a series of net zero measures

Lord Goldsmith posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to say his decision to quit the Government had been 'vindicated' by Mr Sunak's action on net zero

Lord Goldsmith, who is estimated to be worth around 300million, was appointed to the Government by ex-PM Boris Johnson and remained a minister under his successors Liz Truss and Mr Sunak.

But the Tory peer quit his Foreign Office role in June as he blasted Mr Sunak for being 'uninterested' in the environment and accused the PM of 'apathy' over climate issues.

He followed up his criticism this week with a blast at Mr Sunak's move to water down net zero pledges.

Lord Goldsmith posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'I have had 00s of messages from Cons friends in govt, Parliament & around the world telling me this move by the PM vindicates my decision to noisily resign.

'I didnt want vindication. I hoped it would add pressure on govt to prove me & others wrong. We need an election. Now.'
Firefighters using a ladder rescued a squirrel whose head got stuck in the roof of a busy railway station.

A concerned passenger called the RSPCA who alerted Hampshire Police and the fire service after spotting the squirrel at Farnborough Main station in Hampshire.

South Western Railway and Network Rail were also informed of the drama in case it would affect services.

Fortunately, fire fighters who arrived at the scene were able to coax the squirrel from the hole and release it back into the wild.

A squirrel was rescued by firefighters after its head got stuck in the roof of a railway station in Farnborough, Hampshire

Firefighters used a ladder to access the roof so they could guide the squirrel to safety

An RSPCA spokesperson said: 'A squirrel got his head firmly wedged into this station roof. He was released with help from our friends at Network Rail, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Police.'

Concerned local Dee Mackie said: 'I pulled into the station to see a fireman on the roof.

'But my train left before they managed to free the little one.'

An RSPCA spokesperson said: 'A squirrel got his head firmly wedged into this station roof.

'He was released with help from our friends at Network Rail, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Police.'

Earlier this month, footage emerged of a seagull eating a squirrel.
A Yes campaigner and prominent academic filmed spitting on a No advocate, claims she was only trying to 'block his camera without engaging in physical contact'.

Denise Ferris, an Emeritus Professor at Canberra's Australian National University, got into a heated confrontation with serial publicity seeker Andrew Thaler over the upcoming Voice referendum.

The footage widely shared on social media shows Prof Ferris spit on Mr Thaler after being called a 'stupid mole' at an event in Cooma, in NSW's south-east, on Sunday afternoon.

But Prof Ferris said Mr Thaler had provoked the encounter after he accosted her while she was standing outside the Yes23 volunteer's tent.

'Out of the blue, Andrew Thaler moved toward me filming me with his iPhone extended,' she wrote.

During the confrontation with Andrew Thaler Denise Ferris can be seen leaning forward and spitting

Professor Ferris said she 'felt intimidated' because he was holding the camera out 'like a weapon pointed at me' and screaming 'give me the bitch's name' as part of foul-mouthed tirade.

'I was more than terrified, he was literally in my face, I had a visceral response, a panic attack, fight or flight,' Professor Ferris said.

'I did not spit on him. I wanted to block his camera without engaging in physical contact. Flight? Am I to turn my back on him  no way, too scared of his actions, it was so traumatic.'

The professor, who holds an unpaid position with ANU, also accused Mr Thaler of heavily editing the video and setting 'a trap' for her because he was a 'professional full time provocateur'.

She denied that the argument had been over the Indigenous Voice at all, despite her wearing a Yes23 t-shirt and Mr Thaler being a staunch opponent of the proposal.

Thaler, encourages the professor to call the police, again reminding her that she'd just spit at him

'Please note, some of my best friends here are No voters, LNP, we have never argued about this and never will,' she said in the email.

While other witnesses have said Mr Thaler was being provocative it is unclear what was said during the exchange before the camera started rolling.

In the video, Mr Thaler tells the professor she is a 'stupid m**e' and demands she 'get out of the way'.

She retaliates by coming even closer to the camera.

'Do not... don't you dare call me that,' she says.

Ferris is an Emeritus Professor at Canberra's Australian National University, which is an unpaid position

She leans forward and spits at the camera, before returning to the crowd of Yes23 campaigners underneath their tents.

Mr Thaler claims he approached the Yes23 tent when Professor Ferris tried to block him from getting close.

He told Daily Mail Australia the tent had a petting zoo with lambs, and that he believed it was a ploy to lure in children and families to discuss the Voice.

The altercation started while he was trying to take photos of the lambs 'to show they (the Yes campaign) would do anything... even exploit animals'.

After the initial confrontation Thaler follows Professor Ferris back to her group, describing her as a 'crazy b**ch' and demanding to know her name.

He tells her she could be 'done for assault' for spitting on him.

'Don't stalk me. Go away,' she says. 'I'm calling the police.'

Mr Thaler encourages the professor to call the police, again reminding her that she'd just spat on him, which she denied.

'I did not,' she said.

Andrew Thaler, the man at the centre of the clip, claims he approached the Yes23 tent during a campaign event in Centennial Park in Cooma on Sunday afternoon when the professor tried to block him

READ MORE: Man filmed tearing down Yes signs Advertisement

He later told Daily Mail Australia police arrived on the scene by about 2pm, and are now investigating the incident.

A NSW Police spokesman confirmed an investigation is underway.

'Officers attached to Monaro Police District were told three people had been involved in a physical altercation,' the spokesman said.

'No injuries were reported, and police are investigating the incident.'

An ANU spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'investigating, and will take appropriate action as required'.

'This video has just been brought to the university's attention. Emeritus professors are not paid members of staff,' the spokesperson said.

The professor's online profile was removed from the university's website on Thursday.

Mr Thaler has courted controversy over the past year.

He was branded a 'parasite' by 2GB presenter Ben Fordham after he claimed to speak on behalf of the family whose grandmother, Clare Nowland, 95, was fatally tasered at a nursing home in Cooma on May 17.

He has also run for political office at various levels of government.

In 2022 he pleaded guilty to intimidating a Rural Fire Service staff member four years earlier but avoided a conviction.

For the Voice to succeed, the Yes campaign needs to win more than 50 per cent of the vote across the nation and in four of the six states on October 14, when the referendum will be held.

The most recent Resolve Political Monitor survey showed 43 per cent of voters supported a plan to enshrine the Voice into the Constitution, down 20 percentage points from a year ago.
Hundreds of people who identify as dogs have met up in a city centre in Germany, where they communicated by barking and howling at each other.

Around 1,000 'trans-species' activists met up at the Berlin Potsdamer Platz railway station in the German capital.

The group said they do not identify as human beings and instead wish to be recognised as pooches.

Video shows dozens in elaborate costumes posing for a group photo outside the station, in what was likely to be an unusual scene for commuters to witness.

So-called trans-species people claim they do not feel or identify as human beings, but instead as specific animals or mythological beings.

Around 1,000 'trans-species' activists met up at the Berlin Potsdamer Platz railway station in the German capital

Many online weren't impressed with, one local saying: 'Just abandon them in the Siberian tundra and let them survive with their canine instincts.'

Another person commented: 'Can you imagine when they all have to defecate?'

One remarked: 'Call animal control and give them their rabies doses.'

And another said: 'But if they identify as dogs, why do they put on masks?'

Dog impersonators have taken the internet by storm in recent years.

Among the best-known is a Japanese man who identifies as a Collie.

Known only as Toco, the man recently went viral for his authentic dog costume.

He spent two million Yen - which equates to 12,480 - on a lifelike costume to fulfil his lifelong fantasy of 'becoming an animal'.

A Japanese dog lover who achieved internet fame by dressing head to toe in a bespoke collie costume worth 12,500 has revealed how his family feel about his new life as a canine

Toco became an internet sensation and amassed over 52,000 subscribers on YouTube when he shared videos of him being taken out for walks - on all fours - and attempting to perform tricks in exchange for fake dog food.

An in 2019, British man Tom Peters hit the headlines when he identified as a Dalmatian.
Owners of XL Bullies are asking vets to change the breed their dog is registered under and 'inundating' animal shelters with requests to home their animals.

The breed is set to be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks, including that of father-of-two Ian Price from Staffordshire, who was killed by two XL Bullies after they jumped out of a neighbour's window earlier this month.

Now, owners are in a panic and abandoning their pets, or begging vets to change official records to say 'Staffies' because they're worried their dogs will be put down.

Large Breed Dog Rescue, based in Greenhithe, Kent, is urging people not to panic after having to turn down 25 American XL Bullies in the last week alone. The charity said owners have admitted they intend to put their pets down if they can't get help.

Dogs Trust has also reported an uptick in the number of worried owners considering rehoming their dog in light of Rishi Sunak's announcement.

Vickie Phillips, a manager at shelter City Dogs Home, said every other dog brought to the shelter is an XL Bully or American bulldog and she is expecting more flooding through the door.

Vickie Phillips (pictured), a manager at shelter City Dogs Home, said every other dog brought to the shelter is an XL Bully or American bulldog

The XL Bully breed is set to be banned by the end of the year following a series of attacks

'We get some people bringing them in because they're nervous of them and they're a bit nasty. People are afraid they're going to hurt someone.

'Then there are people who just throw them out on the streets and the dog wardens have to bring them in, putting people at risk with them roaming around aimlessly. They're big dogs and once they get someone on the floor, that's it,' she said.

Ms Phillips added that she had seen evidence of 'relentless over-breeding'.

She said: 'There are too many of them - they've been over-bred and now they're running amok. It's every month you hear about (someone being attacked) and it seems more pronounced than it was with the Pitbulls.

'We've had some nasty ones here. They can be aggressive to other dogs - and have been to people here at the kennels. They've tried to properly go for us, but we're obviously very cautious, so, thankfully, no-one's been injured yet.'

Ms Phillips said 'sadly' the only option is to castrate, muzzle and register the XL Bullies.

Jo Woods has been volunteering for Large Breed Dog Rescue for the last decade and said this is the worst she's seen with around 15 requests a week to rehome XL Bully dogs.

Jo said: 'We are being offered on average 15 XL Bullies a week. Generally they will contact us and say 'well I'm going to put it down if you can't take it'.

'We physically haven't got the space to take on a dog that may take us months to rehome, or if you get a biter - nobody is going to want to take that on easily.

'It's a bit like the hospital bed blocking.'

Father-of-two Ian Price from Staffordshire was killed by two XL Bullies after they jumped out of a neighbour's window earlier this month

Ministers are to convene a panel of experts, including the police, to define the breed so it can then be outlawed

Jo said the 'rescue world is being flooded with these dogs'

Founded in 2004, the charity rescues and rehomes large and giant breed dogs - many of which have been abused, mistreated or had no training. It has a strict non-destruct policy and will never euthanise unless advised by a vet due to ill health.

READ MORE: I love my XL Bully dog - owners should go out and prove how good they can be by walking them with pride Advertisement

Despite being based in Kent, they will also take in dogs from across England, Scotland and Wales.

The charity runs on donations only, sharing kennels with South East Dog Rescue in Greenhithe and New Hope Animal Rescue in Herne Bay, but is looking for a permanent place to settle down.

'We are a small rescue and are now full,' Jo said.

The charity also wants to reassure those who own an XL Bully, with their main message being 'do not panic'.

Jo added: 'The new legislation will only affect the people who are law-abiding.

'It's not going to affect the backyard breeders who won't even put a chip in their dogs.

'I think many will still go under the radar.'

Since news broke of an XL Bully mauling an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham last week, 63 of the dogs have been listed on the site.

Ministers have been ordered to convene a panel of experts and police chiefs to define the XL Bully breed - with a view to banning it under the Dangerous Dogs Act

Each one has been advertised for sale - with prices ranging from 500 to 1,500 - with owners revealing they are trying to get rid of their pet as soon as possible.

Adoption site Pets4Homes has seen a 22 per cent increase in the six days since the ban was announced - compared to the same period before.

Many of the listings are for adult dogs and include details such as 'I would not like her homed with young children' and 'potential owners must know this breed'.

Other say they are rehoming 'due to no fault of their own' and 'due to reasons beyond our control'.

Facebook groups are also seeing an increase in XL Bullies advertised - with six people listing on 'Rehoming of Dogs UK' in just 24 hours.

A spokesman for Dogs Trust said: 'We are urging American Bully XL owners who call us to stay calm and not panic.

'Dogs Trust believes the best place for any dog is in their home with the owners who love them.

'The Government has confirmed there will be a transition period before the ban comes into effect, so we are doing all we can to support owners, so they are able to get an exemption to be able to keep their dogs after the ban.

'This includes providing behaviour advice through our Behaviour Support Line and signposting callers to our website for advice and guidance pages where we offer specific advice for XL Bully owners including online training tips.

'We will also be offering new services such as specialist muzzle training to support dogs affected by the ban to help owners comply with new restrictions.'

American XL Bully dogs will be banned in the UK by the end of the year

Jayne Dendle, from the campaign group Save Our Seized Dogs, said she has been 'inundated' with XL Bully owners asking for help.

Ms Dendle described the situation as 'a mess' as some irresponsible owners will set their dogs loose on the street.

'I think it [the ban] will do more harm than good. The irresponsible owners don't care, they're just going to dump them, they're not going to register them or get them neutered.

'They are just going to dump them if they can't find a rescue and we may well have an influx of unbalanced dogs being released onto the streets,' she told the i newspaper.

Owners of the dog will not see their pets culled but will likely face new restrictions - including a requirement to have the dogs neutered and muzzled and on a lead when in public. They will also need to be insured.

Many canine trainers and behaviourists across the country are now offering free muzzle training as a result of the ban.

One of those is Dog Daddy Behaviour Training and Walking, which is run by Steven Fraser from Sheerness.

'Muzzle conditioning takes time and should be done slowly - so that the dog accepts the restriction around its mouth area,' he explained.

'One would like to think we would have moved on as a society when it comes to dogs and breeds. But here we are going backwards,' he added.

Prime Minister Mr Sunak said he has ordered ministers to convene a panel of experts, including the police, to define the breed so it can then be outlawed.

'The American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities, particularly our children,' he said.

'I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen. Yesterday we saw another suspected XL Bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

'It's clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs: it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.

'While owners already have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control, I want to reassure people that we are urgently working on ways to stop these attacks and protect the public.

'Today, I have tasked ministers to bring together police and experts to firstly define the breed of dog behind these attacks with a view to then outlawing it.

'It is not currently a breed defined in law so this vital first step must happen fast.

'We will then ban the breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and new laws will be in place by the end of the year.'
President Joe Biden finally took steps to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a full six-months after the February 3 disaster spilled toxic chemicals into the town.

The railroad industry has been in the spotlight ever since the crash, which occurred close to the Pennsylvania border and prompted evacuation, health worries, a massive ongoing cleanup as well as calls for reforms.

Biden's new executive order will put a halt to Ohio's emergency major disaster declaration in regards to the derailment. The president has yet to visit the town despite having promised to do so all the way back in March, claiming earlier this month that he's 'too busy' to make the journey.

The order will 'ensure that Norfolk Southern continues to be held accountable for this disaster, to address any of the disaster's long-term effects, and to ensure federal assistance is available to affected communities should needs develop that are not met by Norfolk Southern,' according to the White House.

The order will also see a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator appointed in order to deal with long-term clean-up in East Palestine. The coordinator will ensure that Norfolk Southern meets its 'obligations to the community.'

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains days after the derailment

'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 order reads.

The Environmental Protection Agency is still working on taking contaminated soil and wastewater from the area.

The EPA is responsible for ensuring that Norfolk Southern is complying with the White House's order.

'Moving forward, EPA will provide the President with an updated report every 60 days until all cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work required by EPA's Order has been completed,' the White House's statement on the order read.

In addition, the order will force the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC to submit the results of public health testing to Biden.

The Department of Transportation, meanwhile, will report to Biden on the train situation in East Palestine.

In response to the bill, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown said: 'This is an overdue but welcomed step to support the people of East Palestine.'

The White House has been consistently criticized of Biden's failure to visit East Palestine. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EPA administrator Michael Regan have made multiple trips to the stricken area.

On Monday, Norfolk Southern announced new details about its plan to compensate East Palestine residents for lost home values since the derailment.

The railroad's program will no doubt be welcomed by some people who want to sell their homes and move away from the town rather than deal with the lingering health worries.

But some critics say the railroad should be doing more to address those health concerns instead of worrying so much about economic recovery in the area.

And the details are still tentative because the Ohio Attorney General's office is still negotiating an agreement that will create a long-term fund to compensate homeowners along with two other funds to pay for any health problems or water contamination issues that crop up down the road.

The Attorney General's office said it's not clear when those funds will be finalized because of all the unanswered questions at this stage.

Already, the railroad estimates that the cleanup will cost more than $800 million, which includes $74 million that Norfolk Southern has pledged to East Palestine to help the town recover.

That total will continue to grow as the cleanup continues, the funds are finalized and various lawsuits move forward. The railroad will also get compensation from its insurers and likely other companies involved in the derailment.

'This is another step in fulfilling our promise to East Palestine to make it right. Norfolk Southern is steadfast in keeping our commitments, including protecting the home values of the community,' said CEO Alan Shaw, who is working to improve safety on the railroad.

'This program aims to give homeowners the reassurance they need.'

Regulators say Norfolk Southern has made improvements since a fiery Ohio derailment but still falls well short of being the 'gold standard for safety'

Several residents said that urinalysis tests revealed at least trace amounts of vinyl chloride in their systems, raising fears about potential long-term health problems including a heightened risk of cancer

The new program will pay homeowners in East Palestine and the surrounding area about five miles around the derailment the difference between the appraised market value of their homes and the sale price.

But accepting compensation through the program will require homeowners to forego property damage claims they might eventually collect as part of one of the lawsuits against the railroad.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, praised the railroad for following through on the commitment it made in the spring. 'I intend to keep the pressure on Norfolk Southern to make things right for the community,' he said.

JD Vance, one of Ohio's U.S. Senators who proposed a package of railroad safety reforms after the derailment that is still awaiting a vote, said he remains skeptical of Norfolk Southern.

'My expectations that they will deliver on their promises are low,' said Vance, a Republican. 'I will continue to hold the railroad and its backers in Congress accountable for the promises they made to Ohioans.'
A heartbroken husband has paid an emotional tribute to his cancer campaigning wife who inspired thousands by highlighting the illness that took her life at just 35.

Nicky Newman was known for her never be defeated catchphrase Go grab life as she underlined the importance to make the most of every minute  despite being diagnosed with cancer five years ago.

Her devoted husband Alex, 37, was with her every step of the way and described her as his one in a million soulmate in their loving relationship that started as teenage sweethearts.

Electrician Alex, who wears the engagement ring and eternity ring he gave Nicky on a chain around his neck, told MailOnline: She was amazing, I loved her so much and I still do, with all my heart.'

Nicky Newman's devoted husband Alex has paid tribute to his cancer campaigning wife who inspired thousands by highlighting the illness that took her life at just 35

Nicky's husband Alex shared the tragic news on Instagram with a pre-written post by his late wife

The two married in 2014 at Guildford registry office and a blackboard Nicky made has pride of place in the kitchen of their home

He continued: After Nicky was diagnosed, we packed in so much together because we just wanted to have as much time together as we could, most people get 50 or 60 years with their partner  we had to cram all that into just five.

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There are so many wonderful memories I have of Nicky, its hard to just pick one out but what she did with her life and how she inspired others to take care of themselves and look out for each other was unbelievable.

Alex described how he and Nicky nicknamed each other lobster and bean and met as teenagers in Guildford, Surrey, and apart from three years apart when they went to different universities have been together ever since.

He said: We first went out as kids, then we split up but in 2008 we bumped into each other in town and just clicked, it was as if we had never been apart.

I think we both knew we were meant to be together because we were always good friends and had great chemistry together, what differences we had balanced each other out.'

Alex revealed how he secretly saved for a diamond engagement ring which he presented with her on Christmas Day 2012 while the two were meant to buy building up a deposit for a house.

He said: That was one of the happiest days of my life, and I did it the proper way asking her dad first and then going down on one knee, she was so surprised, but she made me so happy when she said yes.'

In 2014 they married at Guildford registry office and a blackboard Nicky made has pride of place in the kitchen of their home.

Alex said he and Nicky nicknamed each other lobster and bean and met as teenagers in Guildford, Surrey

On it is written Mr and Mrs Newman and it marks out the key dates of their relationship the first line read 27.07.08 when he stole her heart, below is 25.12.12 and popped the question with the last line says 26.07.14 and she stole his last name.

But four years later, as the couple started thinking about a family with the help of IVF, came the devastating news Nicky had terminal cancer.

Alex said: Nicky was always very thorough with checking her breasts and one morning noticed a lump in the shower, we had done the first course of IVF and that hadnt worked, and then she went for tests.

The day we found out it was secondary stage four cancer, we were all there, Nicky, her parents and myself and the world just caved in for all of us.

They said the cancer had spread to her hips, lower spine, shoulders and ribs and the prognosis was maybe five to ten years at the most.

It was such a shock for all of us, people say getting bad news like that is being hit by a train, but it was worse, everything we were hoping and planning for just collapsed around us.

Nicky began her chemotherapy treatment at Guildford's Royal Surrey Hospital, and it meant the couples long cherished hopes of a family were brutally ended by the diagnosis.

After receiving her diagnosis, Nicky made the decision to most of each moment she had left, coining the catchphrase 'grab life'

Despite her own cancer being terminal, Nicky chose to build a platform to raise awareness, and educate others about the illness. In the process, her posts brought joy to hundreds of thousands of people

Alex said: We discussed it and we both said there was no point going ahead as it would mean any child we had, would grow up without their mother and we didnt want that.

We could have frozen Nickys eggs, but we came to the same conclusion we wanted to be parents together or not at all.

Nicky endured gruelling rounds of oral chemotherapy and Alex blinked back tears as he said: She was one of the bravest people Ive ever met in my life.

She would always have a smile on her face, even though she was going through the most terrible pain, and she was always strong for the rest of us.

We decided then to make the most of the time we had together and tick off as many things as we could do.

She loved Disneyland so we went to the one in Florida and Paris, we went to Spain, Jamaica and Norway for the Northern Lights which was magical.

She loved dancing and going out with friends and even up until a few weeks ago she was still out and about on the dancefloor, making sure everyone was having a good time.

Despite the terrible plight she was going through and in a mark of her character and courage, Nicky documented her life through her Instagram page which has more than 300,000 followers.

She shared with them her journey through chemotherapy and her journeys with Alex, always with her inspirational motto Go Grab Life.

Alex was with her every step of the way and described her as his one in a million soulmate in their loving relationship that started as teenage sweethearts

The last video on her Instagram is a step by step guide of how to  as Nicky put it check your tattas  in which she highlights signs to spot for cancer.

It ends with a simple message saying: Remember you are NOT looking for cancer you are performing the greatest act of self-love getting to know your body and how to look after her  and that goes for men too.

Nicky raised awareness for organisations like The Little Princess Trust, when she shaved her hair knowing the chemotherapy would make it fall out, and donated it to make a wig for a child suffering with cancer.

She also supported the magnificent work of charities such as The Willow Foundation and Future Dreams who both support cancer sufferers and their families.

But last month, she shared the news that they had been dreading and the cancer had spread to her liver, after a brief stay in hospital she was allowed home but days later she was admitted to the Sam Beare hospice in Woking where she died last Sunday.

Alex said: Once it had spread to her liver we knew it was going to be hard from there, the next course of treatment would mean even more pain, so she decided to stop it and make as much as she could with the time we had left.

We had two big family barbecues and a friends birthday and Nicky, who is the most organised person I knew also sorted out her funeral and how she wanted everything down to the finest detail.

She loved sunflowers and orange-coloured flowers and Ive ordered some for her casket at her funeral.

In her trademark upbeat and positive style, Nicky decided to shave her head after she started chemo and her hair started falling out, as she'd always known she wanted to donate it

Through her videos and posts, Nicky was able to raise awareness about organisations that help people, as well as help educate on how to check your breasts

Breaking down again Alex said: 'The hospice were great and I spent the last five nights there in the room with her. She was asleep most of the time but I spoke to her and I said I would always be there for her.

Nicky wanted to show people that yes its hard and yes its painful but you can still enjoy life, you have to, in spite of the pain.

Her death was announced on her Instagram page  Nicknacklou  by Alex with a post Nicky had already written and so far it has received more than 250,000 likes.

Celebrities including Stacey Solomon have paid tribute with the TV host saying: Never has a star shone brighter. Im so grateful to have known you. I promise to go grab Iife and make the most of every single second of every day.

While Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, who is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer, said: Nicky was the most beautiful ray of sunshine who did so much and created a community and legacy that will live on.

Giovanna Fletcher, Vicky Pattison, Mrs Hinch and Julia Bradbury are among other stars who have paid tribute.

In the post announcing her death Nicky urged people to cherish those around you and give your friends and loved ones the biggest squeezes.

An emotional post shared by Nicky's husband Alex on Instagram, and written by Nicky before she died, shared news of her death

Even in the post sharing news of her death, Nicky maintained a positive attitude and encouraged her followers to 'grab life'

She added: 'Go grab life. You never know what is coming around the corner  so dont take anything for granted.

The post started: If youre reading this it means I have died, I made it 5 and half years though, not bad for a stage 4 beastie ey.

And none of this 'she fought her battle nonsense, I didnt lose anything, the cancer took over and thats okay, we all knew this would happen.

I dont think we are ever prepared to hear the words, we think we are indestructible and a magic cure will appear, but the truth is we all live this life day to day (we just knew our days are shorter).

Alex  who was called Mr G on Nickys Instagram because he looked like actor Ryan Gosling  added: 'Nicky loved lightening and storms, she wanted to go hurricane chasing and even had a lightning bolt tattoo.

The night she died, there was a massive thunderstorm over the house, with so much lightening. I knew that was Nickys way of saying Go Grab Life and make it count.

What we want to do know as a family is make sure her legacy live son and we have some events planned to raise cancer awareness even more and we were working on them right until a few days before she died.

Its important her message gets out there and we have had some many people get in touch to say they discovered they were ill after watching Nicky on Instagram and as she said Check your tattas and that goes for blokes as well.

Supporters can donate to Future Dreams and The Willow Foundation and Woking Sam Beare Hospice.
Russian soldiers have said they are committing suicide or deserting rather than face certain death after being given faulty ammunition and weapons to attack Ukrainian forces with.

Soldiers from the 1,442nd regiment, who are fighting near the occupied Ukrainian village of Klishchiivka near Bakhmut, said in a video they are now fleeing and disobeying an order to form an assault group as it would mean 'guaranteed death'.

They highlighted the brutal horror of the frontlines, saying they face slaughter at the hands of Ukraine if they attack them with dud weapons and ammunition but also from Vladimir Putin's death squads if they retreat.

The Russian soldiers said the situation has become so bad that some men are committing suicide before being sent to fight again.

The soldiers warned their wives and girlfriend that their decision to flee will mean they will likely meet those death squads whose job is to shoot dead any deserters.

Soldiers from the 1,442nd regiment, who are fighting near the occupied Ukrainian village of Klishchiivka near Bakhmut, said in a video they are now fleeing and disobeying an order to form an assault group as it would mean 'guaranteed death'

They highlighted the brutal horror of the frontlines, saying they face slaughter at the hands of Ukraine if they attack them with dud weapons and ammunition but also from Vladimir Putin 's death squads if they retreat

The soldiers warned their wives and girlfriend that their decision to flee will mean they will likely meet those death squads whose job is to shoot dead any deserters

'[We are] fighting.around Klishchiivka,' they said in the video. 'Almost all our infantry were killed. An order came today to create a 10-person group for some assault - guaranteed death.

'Our ammunition is terrible. Some doesn't shoot, and those that do fail to explode

'Today a man not from our regiment hanged himself, committed suicide because of fear.'

The forcibly mobilised soldiers said: 'We made a decision. We have fled. We left our weapons behind but there are death squads'

Such secret services hit teams were used by Stalin in the Second World War to shoot dead those fleeing the frontline - and they have allegedly returned.

'One retreating group wasshot dead,' said the spokesmen for the mobilised men. 'People are fleeing, hanging themselves.

'We have served a year without holiday. We are sent to a certain death.'

They complained about the shambles in Putin's military: 'We are artillery without ammunition.

The Russian soldiers said the situation has become so bad that some men are committing suicide before being sent to fight again

Wives of the desperate conscripts told Putin in a recorded message, revealed by Astra media outlet: 'Understanding the complexity of the situation, our men refuse to face certain death.'

'When the ammunition ran out we were made into the infantry. But we had no training to be infantry.'

The men are believed to be from Barnaul and Slavgorod in Siberia, some 2,500 miles from the frontline.

Wives of the desperate conscripts told Putin in a recorded message, revealed by Astra media outlet: 'Understanding the complexity of the situation, our men refuse to face certain death.

'For refusal, our men are beaten and sent into battle anyway. They do not [even] allow them to take out the wounded.

'They fire at them. Our men are forced to defend themselves not only from the enemy but also from their own people, who should help and not kill them.'

The wives have had no response as yet from the Russian dictator.
Billionaire and media mogul Richard Desmond has been fined 10,00 after his dog bit two people while 'dangerously out of control' in north London earlier this year.

Desmond is the former owner of The Express, The Star and OK magazine - he is estimated to be worth just under a billion (0.98bn) according to Forbes.

Summer, his German shepherd, will now have to wear a muzzle in public places following the attack on Carl Allen and Mark Webber, who were working on The Bishops Avenue, known as Billionaire's Row, on March 30.

The pair had been going about their business when the dog attacked them out of the blue, Willesden Magistrates' Court heard.

Desmond appeared in court this morning charged twice with being 'in charge of dog dangerously out of control causing injury'. The 71-year-old pleaded guilty to the two offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act and 'accepted full responsibility'.

Billionaire Richard Desmond was pictured outside Willesden Magistrates' Court this morning, he was charged twice with being 'in charge of dog dangerously out of control causing injury'

Desmond (pictured) is the former owner of The Express, The Star and OK magazine - he is estimated to be worth just under a billion (0.98bn) according to Forbes

The judge ordered for the dog to wear a muzzle in public places and warned if Desmond did not follow this or if the dog re-offended its future would be 'in peril'.

Tree surgeon Mr Webber said the dog had 'lunged' at him before puncturing his leg.

Prosecutor Martin Edwards the two injured men suffered puncture wounds and Mr Allen has been left worried about visiting homes in future for work.

In his evidence, Mr Allen claimed he said to Desmond: 'Can you keep your dog under control he bit me.'

According to Mr Allen, the media mogul responded by saying: 'No he didn't.'

Today, Desmond was fined 5,000 for each of the two offences. He was also ordered to pay each of the victims 1,000 in compensation, in addition to a 2,000 victim surcharge and 85 in costs.

The 71-year-old pleaded guilty to the two offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act and had 'accepted full responsibility'

Desmond was fined 5,000 for each of the two offences. He was also ordered to pay each of the victims 1,000 in compensation, in addition to a 2,000 victim surcharge and 85 in costs

Defending Desmond, Philip Evans KC said the dog had been 'startled', possibly by the noise of a sliding van door.

Mr Evans described Desmond as a man of 'thoroughly good character'. He added: 'There have been no other incidents involving Summer. There is considerable evidence he has taken this seriously.'

Magistrate Mark Jabbitt said: 'I accept you are a prominent businessman and philanthropist but you are responsible for your dog.

'There was a lapse in judgement. You have exercised responsible leadership since then.'
Parents and students launched a protest over 'harsh' rules at a secondary school in Cornwall which they claim has students suspended for asking to go to the toilet and having laddered tights.

Students complained Camborne Science and International Academy has become a 'prison' after children were thrown out of lessons for being just two minutes late.

Parents and pupils said the strict rules have seen children put in 'reflection' for minor infractions including yawning, going to the toilet, and having laddered tights.

Videos posted on TikTok show pupils climbing school fences to join the protest and chanting 'school is s**t' in opposition to the new rules.

Police were later called to the students' revolt as the academy's headteacher said the rules are 'vital' for the school's 'wellbeing and success'.

Videos show pupils gathered at the gates of Camborne Science and International Academy

Pupils and parents launched a protest following complaints the school had become a 'prison'

Parents gathered outside the school as police attended the protest at Camborne Academy

Videos posted on TikTok showed dozens of students marching through Camborne Academy as parent's gathered outside the gates in a protest which was reportedly organised over social media.

A caption on one video reads: 'POV your school had a protest bc of the school becoming a prison with gates locked everyday.'

Parents and pupils have complained students have been put in 'reflection' for going to the toilet as they slammed the academy's 'ridiculous' rules.

The mother of one pupil told the BBC her son was 'crying because we had car trouble and it was literally breaking his heart as he was afraid about getting... suspended'.

Another mother complained the school's rules are enforced on a blanket basis, with no distinction between minor infractions and more serious breaches of the rules.

'It's the way they're being enforced, there is no distinction between being two minutes late to class, literally two minutes late, and throwing a chair,' the mother said.

Parents said students have been left feeling anxious by the school's 'military-style' approach to bad behaviour and the 'severe' punishments being handed out, according to Cornwall Live.

They claimed children are now being given daily detentions for wearing trousers that were previously deemed appropriate and being reprimanded for taking their blazers off during the heatwave or failing to have a clear pencil case.

Parents also said children were punished for small infractions including yawning and for failure to pay enough attention in class.

In 'reflection', students are expected to copy lines out of textbooks for two entire lesson periods - without stopping for lunch, a glass of water, or a toilet break.

If students fail to complete the 'reflection' detentions they are then suspended, parents claim.

Pupils were filmed storming out the academy chanting 'school is s***' in protest against the rules

Students and parents launched a protest against 'harsh' rules at Camborne Academy in Cornwall

The protests come as parents have raised concerns the academy in Cornwall may join the controversial Athena Learning Trust, which is known for its strict rules and its use of 'reflection' to enforce them.

Head teacher Emma Haase (pictured) said the rules are vital for the 'wellbeing and success of the whole school community'

Head teacher Emma Haase said it is vital for the school's wellbeing that behavioural incidents are kept to a minimum, as she urged concerned parents to contact the school directly.

'For the wellbeing and success of the whole school community it is vital that individuals' issues relating to punctuality, behaviour, uniform and organisation are kept to a minimum,' she told the BBC.

'As always, if any parents or carers have questions about how a policy is applied in a specific instance... they are encouraged to contact the academy directly.'

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Officers were made aware of a protest at Camborne Science and International Academy involving pupils taking place on school grounds on Wednesday, September 20.

'Local officers attended to speak with the school to give advice on ensuring that the protest remained safe. This is a school matter and there are no follow-up matters for the police in relation to this.'

Camborne Science and International Academy was contacted by MailOnline for comment.
It was an operation movingly described by Winston Churchill as a 'miracle of deliverance'.

Between May 27 and June 4, 1940, 338,226 Allied troops were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk by military, merchant and fishing vessels and civilian 'little ships'.

Now, British and French researchers are launching a mission to detect and identify the undiscovered wrecks among the 305 vessels lost during Operation Dynamo.

Research in 2021-2023 by Claire Destanque, of Aix-Marseille University, revealed new information about the location and condition of the wrecks.

The new programme being launched by Drassm - France's Department of Underwater Archaeological Research - in partnership with Historic England, the public body responsible for England's heritage, will search for these undiscovered wrecks.

Thirty-seven wrecks linked to Operation Dynamo have already been located in French waters, in particular by divers from Dunkirk and the surrounding area.

It was an operation movingly described by Winston Churchill as a 'miracle of deliverance'. Between May 27 and June 4, 1940, 338,226 Allied troops were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk by military and civilian 'little ships'. Above: British troops wait to disembark from a Royal Navy destroyer after being rescued from Dunkirk

Now, British and French researchers are launching a mission to detect and identify the undiscovered wrecks among the 305 vessels lost during Operation Dynamo. Above: HMS Havant evacuated 2,400 troops successfully but was bombed on June 1. The crew in the engine room were killed. The ship's wreck is one of the ones being surveyed

A further 31 vessels are believed to have been lost in the area but have yet to be located.

The evacuation mission became necessary after Allied troops were encircled by Nazi forces which had swept through Europe and occupied France.

The new project will also use high-tech survey equipment to document the sites that are already known.

The ships were under all kinds of attack before they sank, and the wrecks may provide some clues as to what fate they met.

Military, transport, fishing and service vessels, as well as pleasure craft, were used to carry out the operation.

More than 1,000 ships - flying British, French, Belgian, Dutch, Polish, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish flags - were involved in the nine days and nights of the evacuation.

Antony Firth, Historic England's head of marine heritage strategy, said: 'If you imagine a very complicated scene of trying to recover troops from the ports of Dunkirk and from the beaches.

'There's vessels basically coming into the harbour, going out of the harbour, lying offshore, to take troops on board, and all the time being attacked in just about every way it's possible to attack a ship.

'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.

The Isle of Man steam ferry SS Mona's Queen is pictured sinking after striking a mine off Dunkirk, May 29 1940

HMS Valorous is alongside the pier at Dunkirk, next to a trawler which was sunk by a bomb

A ship full of soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk. The mission was necessary after Nazi forces had swept through Europe

French destroyer Bourrasque sinking after hitting a mine on the way back from Dunkirk with some 1,200 men aboard, many of whom died

Thousands of soldiers line up to be evacuated from Dunkirk at the end of May in 1940

Hospital Carrier St. David by the East Mole at Dunkirk. The vessel took troops back from Dunkirk but was sunk in 1944 off the coast of Lazio, Italy

'As they were trying to get back, some of the ships were attacked by German E-boats, which are very fast attack boats with torpedoes.

'So just about every way it's possible to attack a ship, that was what was going on. And also there were collisions.'

Dr Firth said some of the vessels would have been very heavily loaded with troops, and would have sunk 'within minutes' with very heavy loss of life.

In some cases troops will have been transferred to other ships, but not always to safety, as some of those ships would also have been attacked.

Dr Firth explained: 'Undoubtedly a lot of people were wrapped up in Dunkirk. Most of them survived, got back to the UK and carried on their seafaring histories, and that's obviously very good.

'For some people, their family stories had a catastrophic element at Dunkirk, and that, I know for certain, still resonates with people today.'

The study will be followed by diving surveys next year to provide an overall view of this heritage and enable the introduction of conservation and public engagement strategies.

Up to their necks in water, retreating soldiers have to struggle through the sea because the waiting ships could not get closer to the Dunkirk beach

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: 'The evacuation from Dunkirk marked a critical point in the history of the Second World War.

'We are honoured to have been invited by the French marine heritage agency, Drassm, to join their investigation of ships sunk in those desperate days.

'These wrecks are a physical legacy to Operation Dynamo and all those it affected, including many who did not reach safety.'

Dr Firth explained that using sound technology, the shipwreck surveys will be able to build a detailed picture of the condition of the wrecks, and what happened to them.

He said: 'There are likely to be details in there such as you know, if they were hit by a torpedo or by a mine.

'You will probably be able to see the impact damage and also we'll get a sense of what impacts might have happened subsequent to them sinking.'

The initial results of the research will be shared with the public at events organised from October 13 to 15 in partnership with the Communaute Urbaine de Dunkerque.

Speaking in the House of Commons on June 4, 1940, Churchill - the new Prime Minister - gave what would become one of his most famous speeches.

Troops freshly arrived from Dunirk in a port on the south coast of England await their orders

Speaking of the Dunkirk evacuation, he described it as a 'miracle of deliverance'.

He added: 'The enemy was hurled back by the retreating British and French troops. He was so roughly handled that he did not harry their departure seriously.

'The Royal Air Force engaged the main strength of the German Air Force, and inflicted upon them losses of at least four to one; and the Navy, using nearly 1,000 ships of all kinds, carried over 335,000 men, French and British, out of the jaws of death and shame, to their native land and to the tasks which lie immediately ahead.

'We must be very careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory.

'Wars are not won by evacuations. But there was a victory inside this deliverance, which should be noted.'

As he addressed the threat of an invasion of Britain, Churchill finished his speech with the words that are now known by millions everywhere.

He said: 'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...'
Labour have furiously accused the Liberal Democrats of having 'gone feral' and threatened legal action as a by-election contest turned ugly.

The two parties are at war over the Mid-Bedfordshire contest, to be held on 19 October, as they both look to take the seat off the Tories.

In an astonishing 'cease and desist' letter, Labour have made allegations of possible law-breaking by the Lib Dem campaign.

But the Lib Dems have, in turn, hit back at 'dirty tricks' by Sir Keir Starmer's 'desperate' party.

The Mid-Bedfordshire by-election has been triggered by Tory ex-Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries's resignation from the House of Commons.

All three main parties in England fancy their chances of winning the contest.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is hoping his party's candidate Alistair Strathern will win the Mid-Bedfordshire by-election on 19 October

But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, whose party has chosen local councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay as their candidate, is also eyeing victory

A recent constituency poll by Survation showed Labour and the Conservatives are neck-and-neck, with the Lib Dems in a close third place.

In Labour's legal letter to the Lib Dems, as reported by The Sun, they have accused the rival party of committing two breaches of the Representation of the People Act.

They claimed that 'false statements' on campaign literature wrongly states that Labour's by-election candidate Alistair Strathern does not live in the constituency and is a London councillor.

'As you will be well aware, he has now resigned as a councillor in London and has relocated back to Shefford in Bedfordshire,' the letter says.

Labour have also taken the Lib Dems to task over a 'misleading bar chart' that suggests the Lib Dems are in a 'neck-to-neck contest' with the Tories in the constituency.

'However, this is incorrect as the Liberal Democrats are in fact in third place, behind both the Labour Party and the Conservatives,' the letter adds.

According to the newspaper, Labour has demanded all existing Lib Dem leaflets are destroyed, and that they receive a written apology and retraction.

'Failure to comply with our requests will result in a report being made to the police and a referral made to the Director of Public Prosecutions,' they said.

Mr Strathern recently made headlines after he was unmasked as an eco-activist who posed as a zombie during a Greenpeace protest outside the Home Office in November last year

The Mid-Bedfordshire by-election has been triggered by Tory ex-Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries 's resignation from the House of Commons

The Tories are hoping their by-election candidate Festus Akinbusoye, who is police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire, will hold onto the seat for the party

Mr Strathern recently made headlines after he was unmasked as an eco-activist who posed as a zombie during a Greenpeace protest outside the Home Office in November last year.

He was a Labour councillor in Waltham Forest from 2014 until earlier this month, when he quit the London council to concentrate on his by-election campaign.

Mr Stathern is standing in Mid-Bedfordshire against Lib Dem candidate Emma Holland-Lindsay, a local councillor on Central Bedfordshire Council, and the Tories' Festus Akinbusoye, who is police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire.

The Mid-Bedfordshire contest will be held on the same day as another parliamentary contest in Tamworth, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces a double electoral test.

Senior Labour MP Peter Kyle, the party's by-election campaign chief, said: 'The Lib Dem campaign has gone feral.

'While Labour focusses on a positive program to Mid Bedfordshire residents, the Lib Dems do nothing but fill people's letterboxes with lies, smears and innuendo.'

But the Lib Dems hit back at Labour's 'dirty tricks'.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire who won her seat in a by-election in 2021, said: 'People in Mid Bedfordshire will be livid over Labour threats to waste police time, when locally people can't remember the last time they saw a bobby on the beat.

'This is dirty tricks from a desperate Labour campaign that knows it cannot win Mid Bedfordshire.

'If Labour were serious about this by-election, they would not have picked a candidate who lived 50 miles away when selected, and until just a few days ago was an elected councillor in east London.'
Two children are in hospital after the roof of their school bus was ripped off in a crash in Essex.

Essex Police was called to Clatterbury Lane in Clavering, south of Cambridge, at around 8.15am.

Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport, which has about 1,000 children aged 11 to 18, said one of the Stephenson's buses with some of its pupils on had hit a tree branch.

Three children were assessed at the scene and two were taken to Addenbrookes hospital.

Their injuries are believed to be minor. Essex Police said no serious injuries have so far been reported.

Two children have been rushed to hospital after the roof of their school bus, pictured, was ripped off in a crash in Essex

Shocking images showed that the entire roof of the 446 bus to Saffron Walden had been ripped off, and was leaning up against the double-decker vehicle.

Emergency services including fire and ambulance remain at the scene and the road has been closed.

Drivers have been advised to check before they travel in case of disruption.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision in Clatterbury Lane, Clavering, at 8.23am.

'On arrival, crews reported found a car and bus had been in a collision.

'The bus had also collided with a tree branch causing extensive damage to the roof.

'Nobody was trapped in either vehicle and firefighters worked alongside partners to make the scene safe by 9am.'

An air ambulance, three road ambulances, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles and two ambulance officer cars were sent to the scene, the East of England Ambulance Service said.

Shocking images show that the entire roof of the 446 bus to Saffron Walden had been ripped off, and was leaning up against the double-decker vehicle

'Three children were assessed at the scene and two were transported to Addenbrookes hospital for further assessment and care,' a spokesman added.

Joyce Frankland Academy said in a statement that the roof of the 446 bus was damaged as it struck the tree.

'We know the police and ambulance services are managing the situation to assess everyone involved, and thankfully our current understanding is that no serious injuries have been caused.

'However, we are aware that some students have been taken to A&E and minor injuries by their parents to have some cuts and grazes looked at.'

A minibus was called to bring the children to school.

'While most students appear to be OK, we know that this could have been a traumatic experience,' Joyce Frankland Academy added.

'Therefore we have made arrangements in school to provide a space for anyone who may be in shock or upset by the events.

'Thank you to all students and parents for the calm manner in which they helped to handle the situation.'

Three children were assessed at the scene and two were taken to Addenbrookes hospital

The school said via its website that the bus was transporting its pupils and also children from Saffron Walden County High School.

'While the full details are being investigated, we are aware that the bus roof was damaged as it struck a tree branch,' it said.

Police closed the road while the incident was dealt with.
Haley, who served as Trump's U.N. ambassador, was asked how the ex-president will be remembered 100 years from now

GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said Thursday that former President Donald Trump will be remembered as 'thin-skinned and easily distracted' and criticized him for becoming 'weak in the knees' on Ukraine.

Haley was hopping around New Hampshire, a state where she has seen her 2024 fortunes rise, with an InsiderAdvantage poll released Thursday showing her in a definitive second place - receiving 14 percent of the vote compared to Trump's 42 percent.

Additionally, a Granite State poll from CNN Wednesday showed her in third place, far behind Trump, but neck-and-neck with Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The ex-ambassador and former governor of South Carolina headlined a Rotary Club luncheon at the Portsmouth Country Club, where she was asked by an attendee how Trump will be remembered 100 years from now.

'You get the prize for the question I haven't been asked,' Haley said to laughs - before giving Trump a very mixed review.

GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said Thursday that former President Donald Trump will be remembered as 'thin-skinned and easily distracted' and criticized him for becoming 'weak in the knees' on Ukraine

Former President Donald Trump attends an event in Iowa Wednesday as he runs for president for a third time. Haley called Trump the 'right president at the right time' but suggested it was time for the 77-year-old to move on

'How do I think he will be remembered?' she remarked. 'Time does funny things.'

'My thought will be that he was the right president at the right time. He broke things that needed to be broken. He listened and brought in a group of people who felt unheard, like where I grew up in rural South Carolina,' Haley said.

She said that Trump was 'strong on foreign policy and getting America's respect in the world.'

At that point the review went downhill.

'He was thin-skinned and easily distracted,' she continued.

'He didn't do anything on fiscal policy and and really spent a lot of money and we're all paying the price for it,' she said.

She did give him credit for handling the border crisis better than Biden.

'He used to be good on foreign policy. And now he has started to walk it back and get weak in the knees when it comes to Ukraine,' she said.

Haley is so supportive of Ukraine that she said the country should be admitted to NATO as a way to halt Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion, reiterating that point Thursday at an earlier campaign stop in Bedford, New Hampshire.

'A terrible thing happened on January 6, and he called it a beautiful day. And in the eyes of America, it was a terrible day,' Haley added.

Former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley headlined a Rotary Club luncheon at the Portsmouth Country Club, where she was asked by an attendee how Trump will be remembered 100 years from now

A Granite State poll from CNN Wednesday showed Nikki Haley in third place, far behind Trump, but neck-and-neck with Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A New Hampshire poll released Thursday found her in second place

With the exception of Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Rep. Will Hurd - who are running as anti-Trump picks - most of the 2024 Republican primary pack has been reluctant to hit the ex-president.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has done so, but in the context of January 6 and saying he had no right to overturn the 2020 election, as Trump had desired.

But without the gloves coming off, the race for first place has become static - with Trump way ahead - and the other GOP hopefuls battling over second and third.

Haley anticipated that could change as the field narrowed.

Already Miami Mayor Francis Suarez dropped out, after he failed to make the debate stage in August in Milwaukee.

'This is not 2016, when we had 17 people onstage. We started with 13, on the debate stage you saw it was eight, next week we're going to the debate stage, it will be six,' Haley said in Portsmouth.

'Going into Iowa, my guess is we're looking at four, maybe five. A couple will drop off in Iowa. They'll come to New Hampshire. I think you're looking at three, maybe four,' she continued.

'Couple will drop off and you'll have a head-to-head in my sweet home state of South Carolina,' she said to cheers.

Trump currently has a 32 point lead over Haley in South Carolina, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average.
Deputy climate change minister Lee Waters said more roads could be affected

The Welsh government is considering dropping even more speed limits despite furious backlash against the 20mph rollout, a minister has said.

A new law which introduced a default 20mph limit was introduced on September 17 by the Labour-run government, which claims the 32million project will save lives and cut NHS costs by 92million a year.

Opponents have slammed the country's 'anti-drive' mentality, while a petition to reverse the lower limit has reached 344,000 signatures - around ten per cent of the total population.

But despite the backlash, the Welsh government will still consider reducing speeds on more roads, according to deputy climate change minister Lee Waters.

'We are going to look at speeds on other roads because we need to review them in line with the Wales transport strategy,' he said on a BBC Wales podcast.

The Welsh government will still consider reducing speeds on more roads, according to deputy climate change minister Lee Waters (pictured)

A petition to reverse the lower limit has reached 344,000 signatures - around ten per cent of the total population

Drivers have been vandalising the new road signs, including one pictured here covered in spray paint in Cardiff

He continued: 'I already have people coming to me saying 'we live in a village and we have a trunk road going through it, why is it 40 it's not safe.'

'Let's just drop the speed limit. It won't cost us anything and we can do that next week and it will save lives.'

However, he reassured listeners that there is no 'secret plan' for another nationwide change.

As the petition has far surpassed the needed 10,000 signatures, it will be considered for a debate in parliament.

It is thought to be the biggest petition in Senedd history and is still climbing, having increased from 284,000 votes yesterday.

Meanwhile the Welsh Conservatives' transport spokeswoman Natasha Asghar also urged the government to ditch the limit.

Speaking in the Senedd, she said: 'Residents have had their say on this and the verdict is resounding.

'They do not want this costly, ill-thought out, disastrous blanket.

A 30mph sign just a few feet away from a 20mph, posted to a social media group opposed to the lower limit

The 20mph speed limit was branded an 'absolute nightmare' by furious drivers, with many signs vandalised

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has claimed the new speed limits will save 92million a year for the NHS

Motorists have started fighting back against the speed restrictions by spraying over road signs

'The Welsh government really need to scrap this anti-drive mentality and instead ensure Wales has an adequate road network for the future.'

The 20mph speed limit has been branded an 'absolute nightmare' by furious drivers, with signs vandalised with spray paint and cars travelling at 20mph in a 40mph zone.

It has recently been blasted as 'insane' by the leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, who said the Welsh Government had 'ignored businesses' and 'ignored the public'. She claimed the scheme was 'punishing' drivers.

The scheme, which meant altering 30,000 road signs at a cost of 32million, has been described as 'anti-worker, anti-road and anti-motorist' by Welsh Conservatives, who have vowed to repeal it.

Earlier this week a top driving instructor warned that the new limit would cause 'confusion, chaos, gridlock and mayhem' on the country's roads.

Stuart Walker, who has been training drivers since 1987, warned of widespread anger over Wales's decision to cut the speed limit.

He said: 'Angry drivers do not make safe drivers.

'If we go up a steep hill and we can only approach at 20mph the gearbox is going to change gear up and down, up and down, and we are going to lose a lot of speed and we're going to cause chaos, confusion, gridlock and mayhem.'

Experienced driving instructor Stuart Walker (pictured) said Wales' new 20mph speed limit will cause 'confusion, chaos, gridlock, and mayhem' on the country's roads

The Conservatives have called the Labour-run Welsh government's ULEZ-style clampdown 'ludicrious'

Andrew RT Davies (pictured), the leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd, called the new speed limits 'ludicrious'

Newly-erected signs marking the start of a 20mph zone in Cardiff

He added that the Welsh Government's plans also lacked public support, and drivers needed to believe they would work for them to have an impact on safety.

'The 20mph speed limit now has been devalued. It's got to be seen as justified for it to work effectively,' Mr Walker added.

The driving instructor said he fully supported lower speed limits outside Welsh schools, but said he did not believe every 30mph zone should have a speed limit of 20mph.
The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger believes that her son's killer Jon Venables 'will undoubtedly offend again' if he is freed after he was granted a two-day parole hearing behind closed doors.

Denise Fergus, who was left 'shellshocked' by the prospect of Venables being released by Christmas, described the killer as 'one of the biggest dangers to our country'.

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 mutilated body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool.

Both men were released in 2001 on licence for life but Venables has been recalled to prison twice, in 2010 and 2017, having been found to be in possession of indecent images of children.

Yesterday it emerged that a two-day hearing will be held on November 14 and 15 to determine whether Venables can be freed again.

Issuing a statement on behalf of Mrs Fergus, the James Bulger Memorial Trust said: 'Denise remains deeply concerned about the potential release of Jon Venables, whom she considers to be one of the biggest dangers to our country.

Denise Fergus (pictured), the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, believes that her son's killer Jon Venables 'will undoubtedly offend again' if he is freed

Yesterday it emerged that Jon Venables (pictured aged 10) had been granted a two-day hearing to determine whether he can be freed again

James Bulger (pictured) was tortured and killed before his mutilated body was dumped by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool

'She firmly believes that if he is released he will undoubtedly offend again. The thought of him being allowed back into our communities is undeniably alarming.'

The trust also said Mrs Fergus wanted to 'express her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown their support for her and her family during this difficult time'.

The statement added: 'Your unwavering support is greatly appreciate. All we can do now is hope and pray that the parole board deny his release and Denise finally gets Justice for James.'

Venables was jailed for 40 months after being recalled to prison but has now served double after being rejected for release at the end of his sentence.

Despite requests for Venables' 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 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.

Robert Thompson (pictured) was also jailed as a ten-year-old boy but he was released in 2001 and has not re-offended since

Denise Fergus described Venables as 'one of the biggest dangers to our country'. Pictured: James Bulger

A source told the Mail yesterday that Mrs Fergus had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. 'She's shellshocked,' they said.

Previously Mrs Fergus 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.

Mrs Fergus described child murderer Jon Venables as 'one of the biggest dangers to our country'

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.

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.'
The master key belonging to one of the 'pantrymen' on board the Titanic is expected to fetch at least $100,000 when it goes up for auction in Boston on Saturday.

The key was discovered on the body of 1st class steward Alfred Arnold Deeble, which was found by the Mackay-Bennett cable-laying ship that recovered many of the bodies from the 1912 disaster.

Deeble was located on an iceberg in the aftermath of the sinking.

From there, his body was taken to be buried in Nova Scotia. Later, his US-based sister, Lily, wrote to White Star Line in Southampton to ask for his belongings to be returned to her, among those belongings was the master key.

RR Auction's statement on the key remarks on its lineage in that it was passed through the same family for four generations and that its validity is 'meticulously documented by the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia.'

'This key, used on the Titanic, has been cherished by the family for four generations, and a detailed provenance statement accompanies it, providing insight into its ownership history and the family's genealogy,' the statement adds.

A key belonging to a 1st class pantryman who died following the sinking of the Titanic is going up for auction in Boston this weekend

The key was found on the body of 1st class steward Alfred Arnold Deeble

Records show that Deeble, 29 at the time of the tragedy, boarded the ship in Belfast. In his role, he would have been paid around 3.60 per month

Records show that Deeble, 29 at the time of the tragedy, boarded the ship in Belfast. In his role, he would have been paid around 3.60 per month, which is the equivalent to around $220 today.

The food and beverage team that Deeble was a part of were known as the Virtualizing Department.

He was born in Clerkenwell in London in 1877 and baptized at St. Mary's Church in Islington. His parents married a year before his birth and had six other children. His sister, Lily, was the oldest, having been born in 1876.

Deeble joined the Royal Navy in 1900, lying about his age, and served on the HMS Brilliant. He also served on the Duke of Wellington before requesting to be put ashore.

Deeble was described as being 5-foot-5 with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion. He signed up to work on the Titanic on April 4, 1912, living in Southampton at the time. Prior to working on the Titanic, Deeble had been working on the Olympia liner.

Following his death, Deeble who was unmarried, left his 175 estate to his younger brother Charles.

The key suffered some saltwater damage. It measures 3.7 inches and is marked with the number 103 on its head. There is a two inch brass plate with the inscription Pantryman that is attached to it.

Included in the sale will be photographs of Deeble, along with his family.

Online bids have already begun to filter through with the live auction set to being on September 23.
Republicans claim the program is another example of the Biden administration welcoming illegal immigrants rather than prioritizing deportation

Border crossers released into the U.S. will soon receive ID cards so the Biden administration can better track them until they are required to appear for their court date, which is most times years after migrants initially arrive to claim asylum.

The new program will also help keep track of the sheer volume of undocumented migrants living in the U.S.

Images of the new ID cards emerged after footage on Monday showed thousands of migrants illegally crossing the Rio Grande River from Piedras Negras into Eagle Pass, Texas. Then, nearly 500 miles away in El Paso, Texas, a similar surge was experienced with 1,700 migrants crossing in a 24-hour period.

Republicans feel the program is just another way for President Joe Biden to welcome illegal immigrants rather than deport them.

The ICE Secure Docket card will include an Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo, an image of the migrant, along with a QR code and identifying information found on a typical license or identification document.

A look at the proposed ICE Secure Docket cards for a pilot rollout of a new program aimed at keeping better track of undocumented migrants released into the U.S.

While the program is still in development, migrants continue to arrive in droves at the southern border between ports of entry. Pictured: Approximately 600 migrants arrived at the border on Wednesday by freight train and moved through the streets of Ciudad, Juarez, to cross into the U.S. in El Paso, Texas

Additionally, the cards will include 'cutting-edge' security features, according to ICE, with the intended purpose of improving 'current, inconsistent paper forms that often degrade rapidly.'

While the program is still in development phases, Fox News obtained images of the proposed ICE Secure Docket cards.

Reports last year emerged of the program, which hopes to 'modernize various forms of documentation provided to provisionally released noncitizens through a consistent, verifiable, secure card.'

Currently, migrants who arrive illegally and are not removed from the country are released into the U.S. and given several documents. The new program will seek to digitize everything and provide migrants with only an ID card to keep track of.

In addition to providing them with proper identification, the ICE Secure Docket cards would also be used by migrants to check-in and schedule meetings with ICE.

The cards could also be used for easy and quick identification by enforcement officials  and could provide information like whether the migrants are deportable or not.

Some Republicans, however, are concerned. They see this latest move as another example of Biden and his Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas welcoming illegal border crossers rather than prioritizing their removal.

'Americans and migrants are dying every day as a result of this Administration's open borders,' Trump-era CBP Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan lamented to DailyMail.com

'What's their response?' he questioned. 'Secure the border? Enforce the law? Protect the American people from fentanyl pouring across the border?

'Nope. Instead, let's provide those who are violating the rule of law, and adding to the instability our borders, official government documents! Rather than deter the flow of illegal immigration, [they] make it easier to expedite their release into the country following their illegal entry.'

Migrants wait under the International Bridge II in Eagle Pass, Texas on Wednesday after illegally crossing into the U.S. across the Rio Grande River

The program follows the roll-out this year of the CBP One app, which allows migrants to apply online to schedule a time when they can enter the country at legal ports of entry to make asylum claims.

While the app helped quell for a short time the shocking images of illegal crossings at the border, there has been another uptick over the last few months of migrants crossing between ports of entry.

The crossings resulted in the El Paso port of entry with Mexico shutting down while personnel were diverted to assist with processing the massive surge of illegal migrants who arrived between entry ports in Texas.

In a Friday statement, Custom and Border Protection (CBP) announced 'temporary suspension' at the busy Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) port shared between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

There was no specification in the statement on when the port will return to normal operation, just a note that CBP would do so 'as quickly as feasible.'

'The temporary suspension at BOTA will allow CBP's Office of Field Operations officers to assist the U.S. Border Patrol in processing noncitizens who have arrived between the ports of entry including vulnerable populations like families and unaccompanied children,' CBP said in the Friday statement.

The statement continued: 'CBP regularly plans for and executes contingency measures, such as this, to support the overarching agency mission and ensure the safety and wellbeing of those in the agency's custody.'
The angry exchange came after mayor denounced the Herald's coverage of him

She then spits in his face and punches his chin before being cuffed by cops

Daughter cornered the mayor in the council car park and asked 'Do you know who I am?'

A routine investigation into a mayors business dealings took a dramatic turn when the journalists daughter punched and spat on him outside a council meeting in Utah.

Orem Mayor David Young had told the meeting that he had been unfairly targeted by the citys Daily Herald newspaper in a series of stories about a failed property company.

He singled out the papers reporter Genelle Pugmire and slammed her extremely off the rails articles that keep showing up in our local newspaper.

But he found himself under genuine attack moments later when Pugmires daughter Linnea, 31, asked him Do you know who I am? before launching herself at him in the council car park.

She charges towards me, she spits on me, she spits and hits the girl next to me, Young told Fox13.

Linnea Pugmire spat in the mayor's face following his attack on her mother's journalism in the Orem City Council chamber

Pugmire punched the mayor and also aimed blows at his colleagues who included the city attorney

Obviously, when that happened, I wasnt really happy about it, so I pushed her to try to get her away from us.

I was terrified, said Michelle Lee who was with the mayor and videoed the confrontation.

Im with my mom and my sisters, the mayor, the city attorney, I dont know what her plan was, she was so erratic and unhinged.

She had keys on a lanyard she was swinging around, I didnt know what her next move was.

She could have done anything.

Mayor Young had accused the paper of promoting extreme divisiveness with its investigation into a $1million judgement against Young and his son Shawn in an Alabama court last year.

The Herald noted that Circuit Court Judge Pat Ballard had described the pair as extremely lacking in credibility, and frequently very evasive in their answers to even the simplest of questions.

The judge said that Young should have disclosed that his son was a compulsive gambler and the paper noted claims that Young had transferred $21million to a trust in his wifes name in a bid to avoid paying his debts.

Orem Mayor David Young told reporters he did not recognize his attacker at first

Young's colleague Michelle Lee who filmed the exchange said she was 'terrified' by the 'erratic and unhinged' behavior

Linnea Pugmire asked the mayor 'do you know who I am?' before launching her attack

Young told the paper that the case is under appeal and that he had nothing to do with his sons business dealings.

This non-news event was pushed to front page status on their highest readership weekend paper, he told the council meeting.

I wouldnt make a big deal about this except it just keeps happening and happening and this keeps coming out of this paper and we just have to keep going along, and its just not right.

Its just mind-blowing whats going on.

Pugmire, who uses they/their pronouns, told Young outside that her mother was just doing her job.

She likes to write about court, shes gonna find out about court, Young snapped back.

Your mom went over the top in this article, shes gone over the top on every article I pulled out.

But the one this weekend where she talked about my wife.

That prompted the heavily-built Pugmire to swing again at the mayor, seemingly landing a punch on his jaw before turning to punch his colleague.

I know what I did tonight, Young told her.

Im sick and tired of being pushed around by your mother, you look the same, I recognize you, youre disgusting.

Linnea's mother Genelle Pugmire is a veteran reporter for Orem's local paper the Daly Herald

'He deserves everything that's coming to him' Pugmire snarled as she was arrested

Pugmire shouted that the mayor is a liar and cheat and deserves everything that is coming to him, as police arrived and handcuffed her on Tuesday night.

Pugmire was booked into the Utah County Jail on suspicion of threatening elected officials, a third-degree felony, propelling a bodily substance, assault and disorderly conduct, her mothers paper reported.

The security and safety of our public officials is a top priority, the council said in a statement.

The City of Orem will continue to promote civility at all times and ask for the public to join us in this effort.
The organisers of a mass protest walk intended to show that American XL Bullies are 'gentle' has banned owners from bringing the dogs along to the march which is scheduled to happen in Birmingham this weekend.

The protestors initially said they wanted to show how 'gentle the breed really is' and hoped to see 'as many people and kids as possible' at the event which is set to be held at an as-yet unidentified location in Birmingham on September 30.

However, protest leaders later banned American XL Bullies from coming to the mass demonstration after initially planning a large-scale walk of the controversial dogs in protest to UK government proposals to outlaw them.

The plans to march came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described American XL Bullies as 'a danger to our communities, particularly our children,' and outlined plans to ban the breed by the end of the year.

They had originally said all dogs were 'welcome' as they aimed to prove the Government wrong but later U-turned following huge backlash against the plans, which were branded 'extremely irresponsible'.

Protest leaders banned American Bully XLs from coming to a march to 'show how gentle' the breed really is

The protest was in response to the UK Government's plans to outlaw American Bully XL dogs

The backlash saw concerned critics voice their fears that American Bully XLs are 'dangerous' as one critic described the plans as 'highly irresponsible' and 'highly insensitive' towards any XL Bully victims.

The protest coordinators later updated their plans by banning American Bully XLs from the march. An updated poster for the mass-walk event now reads: 'No dogs allowed.'

A post by the 0121 Bullys Instagram page reads: 'Got too much press and too much riding on this now we need to make T-shirts, banners, jumpers, anything to show off our loving giants. Everyone please share this far and wide.'

Jake Harris, who runs the account, previously told BirminghamLive the meet-up was being organised because of the 'need to show people that the XL Bullies are not the problem'. He continued: 'It's all about the owners - I've got three XL Bullies and not one of them would hurt a soul.

'Yes they might look big and scary but they are big family dogs! I've my fingers crossed there will be a lot of families there. We need to stand up for our dogs. We need to show the Government how friendly and loving our big dogs are.'

The U-turn followed major backlash against the plans on social media as concerned people described it as an 'accident waiting to happen'.

Claire Banner, who claimed to own two American Bully XLs herself, described the plans as a 'terrible idea' as she warned the protest could turn out to be a 'disaster'.

'I have two Bully's (socialised and very friendly) and I personally think this is a terrible idea everyone has said its not the breed it's the irresponsible owners which I 100 per cent agree but how many irresponsible owners are going to be there?' Ms Banner said.

'That haven't socialised their dog and they haven't spent time training it. It's a good idea everyone getting together but with this potentially being a massive turnout, mixing thousands of dogs along with people and children is going to be a disaster and could be very dangerous.'

Protest leaders reversed plans for a mass walk as they banned dogs from coming along

Charlie Ree said the plans to protest are 'highly insensitive' towards the victims of American Bully XL attacks.

'This is not only highly insensitive for victims' loves ones but it is extremely irresponsible - anyone who knows anything about dogs knows pack walks with strange dogs who don't know each other is unfair on the dogs unless they have been PROVEN to never react to this kind of situation before,' Mr Ree said.

'I am sorry but this shows how uneducated some people are about dog behaviour! You take an adolescent or sensitive dog into this type of set-up, they will be over threshold very quickly which is unfair on the dogs, no matter how friendly they are at home within their own families!'

Tori Ann posted: 'What a ridiculous idea! This is a massive accident waiting to happen! It could happen with a bunch of pugs that don't know each other or any breed for that matter! There must be a better way than a mass XL Bully "rally".'

Ellie Chapman said: 'As much as I support not banning the breed, let's hope owners think carefully about whether their dogs can manage being around that many others or it could go the opposite way.'

Christine Robinson said: 'Dogs should be kept at home really. Too many in the same space might not be a good idea and would upset the protest... I love bullies and my experience of them has been they're lovely animals and just want to sit on your lap! Bad owners have caused this ban along with the bad breeding!'

Reiss Purcell said: 'As much as I agree with the argument, it's still a bad idea. Even friendly dogs may not react well to being around so many different ones. The Government needs to start handing out harsher punishments to the owners and breeders who train their dogs so poorly.'

Valerie Dunn, however, said the dogs were not the problem. She added: 'The dogs are not the problem it's the irresponsible backstreet breeders and irresponsible owners.'
A man shot dead his ex-girlfriend before killing himself in a murder-suicide inside a Georgia Walmart, sending terrified shoppers running for their lives.

The police chief named the two individuals as Zoey Nicole Messenger, 20, and James Wyatt Nicholas Norton, 26.

Norton was an employee at the Hiram branch of Walmart and Messenger appeared to have also worked at the company, though it is unclear if she worked at that particular store.

The pair had previously dated but Messenger ended their relationship.

They both died around 7:30pm on Wednesday. Investigators said Norton went up to Messenger in one of store's aisles after 7pm and began to talk to her. They said the conversation didn't appear to be angry but Norton suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Messenger and himself.

Two people died at a Georgia Walmart after a man shot his ex-girlfriend dead before shooting himself in what police have described as a murder-suicide

Police chiefs have confirmed that Zoey Messenger, 20, and James Wyatt Nicholas Norton, 26, died in the shooting

First responders rushed to the scene and discovered the pair who had suffered at least one gunshot wound each

They were rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.

Nobody else was hurt in the shooting but shoppers in the store at the time were left terrified.

Devani Lopez was shopping when the shooting broke out.

He said: 'As soon as I heard the second shot I rain straight for the exit,

'I heard the gun shot come from my left side so I ran to the right exit,

'I ran straight for the car to see everyone running like for their lives - everyone was so panicked and scared.

'I ran straight for my car I didn't even drive off I just hid in the backseat and I just see everyone gathered around in the entrance.'

There were no previous calls to the police about domestic violence from Messenger or Smith or any prior threats reported. Both of them were from Hiram, Georgia.

Other shoppers heard the gunfire break out and described running for their lives to hide in cars after the terrifying incident

Hiram is a small town about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta

Hiram Police Chief Mike Turner said: 'What it appears to be is a known-to-known shooting event where both parties knew each other. This was not an active shooter. This was one person knew another person, there was some kind of former relationship,'

Turner said: 'They were both younger people'.

The police chief added that the scene must have been terrifying for people who were shopping and picking up

He said: 'Not only for the victim herself but for the other people in there - the fear that must have been instilled by the event.'

Walmart put out a statement: 'Were heartbroken by what happened at our Hiram store tonight. Our priority, right now, is the safety of our associates and customers. The store will remain closed while we work with law enforcement during their investigation.'
Leading authors including George R.R. Martin, David Baldacci and John Grisham have joined forces to sue OpenAI for alleged 'mass-scale copyright infringement'.

The writers are among 17 members of the Authors Guild embroiled in a legal battle against OpenAI, the parent company of Chat GPT.

The authors claim their books have been 'fed' into algorithms to train AI and used to create derivative texts based on their work.

The class action filed on Tuesday in New York also highlighted that many of the texts had been obtained by illegal pirate sites and shadow libraries, such as Library Genesis and Z-Library.

The Authors Guild said it organized the lawsuit amid fears generative AI could 'decimate' the profession and highlighted the 'profound unfairness and danger' of using copyrighted texts to train AI.

Memory Man author David Baldacci said he felt 'violated' to learn his work had been fed into AI algorithms without his consent

"It looks like someone has just taken my entire library without my knowing it."



Famous authors accuse ChatGPT of copyright infringement in new lawsuit against owner Open AI. @rebeccajarvis reports. pic.twitter.com/m6DawxdXg6  Good Morning America (@GMA) September 21, 2023

Rachel Geman, a partner with Lieff Cabraser and co-counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class said: 'Defendants decision to copy authors works, done without offering any choices or providing any compensation, threatens the role and livelihood of writers as a whole.'

Scott Sholder, a partner with Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard and co-counsel for Plaintiffs and the Proposed Class, added: 'Plaintiffs dont object to the development of generative AI, but Defendants had no right to develop their AI technologies with unpermitted use of the authors copyrighted works.

'Defendants could have "trained" their large language models on works in the public domain or paid a reasonable licensing fee to use copyrighted works.'

It comes two months after authors Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay filed the first class action lawsuit against OpenAI concerning copyright.

Memory Man author David Baldacci, who is among the authors suing, told Good Morning America that he felt 'violated' after discovering Chat GPT could produce text which mimicked his style.

He said: 'I thought my God I feel so violated. It's like some one had taken my entire library without my knowing it.

Game of Thrones book series author George R.R. Martin is among the authors whose works have been spoofed by Chat GPT, according to The Authors Guild

Jonathan Franzen, winner of the National Book Award, said authors should have 'the right to opt in' to their work being used by Chat GPT and other AI

'If you can automate this then you can automate everything and no one will have a reason to get up out of bed. It feels like an existential threat to everything that makes us human.'

The lawsuit claims that when prompted, Chat GPT accurately created summaries for his works as well as the 'next purported installment' of his novel The Simple Truth, and an 'unauthorized derivative' titled The Complex Justice, using the same characters from his existing book.

The Guild also said that Chat GPT had produced attempts to generate volumes six and seven of George R.R. Martins Game of Thrones series A Song of Ice and Fire.

Fellow plaintff George Saunders, author of the Booker-prize wining Lincoln in the Bardo, said: 'Writers should be fairly compensated for their work. Fair compensation means that a persons work is valued, plain and simple.

'This, in turn, tells the culture what to think of that work and the people who do it. And the work of the writerthe human imagination, struggling with reality, trying to discern virtue and responsibility within itis essential to a functioning democracy.'

My Sisters Keeper author Jodi Picoult is one of 17 writers suing OpenAI for copyright infringement along with The Authors Guild.

Author Jane Friedman, whose work focuses on author education and publishing, found half a dozen fraudulent books under her name on Amazon. She believes they were written by AI

The authors, who also include Jodi Picoult, Sylvia Day and Jonathan Franzen, are seeking damages for losing out on the ability to license their works.

Franzen said: 'Generative AI is a vast new field for Silicon Valleys longstanding exploitation of content providers. Authors should have the right to decide when their works are used to train AI. If they choose to opt in, they should be appropriately compensated.'

And it is not just fiction authors, non-fiction writer Jane Friedman recently discovered books purporting to be written by her being sold on Amazon that were AI generated.

She tweeted last month: 'There are about half a dozen books being sold on Amazon, with my name on them, that I did not write or publish. Some huckster generated them using AI. This promises to be a serious problem for the book publishing world.'

According to the Guilds latest author income survey, the median full-time author income in 2022 was just barely over $20,000, including book and other author-related activities. While 10 percent of authors earn far above the median, half earn even less.

In a statement to Good Morning America, OpenAI said: 'We respect the rights of authors and believe they should benefit from AI technology and are working to understand their concerns.'
Volodymyr Zelensky met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday in his battle to persuade skeptical Republicans in Congress to keep sending aid.

The Ukrainian President urged Capitol Hill lawmakers to 'stay strong' and support Kyiv after Poland yanked its weapons supply during one of Russia's most brutal missile campaigns.

McCarthy and Zelensky met behind closed doors, after the Speaker rejected pleas for a joint address to Congress.

Congress has already authorized more than $110 billion to Kyiv since Vladimir Putin's invasion, and some members of the GOP have warned the White House they will oppose Biden's request to send another $24 billion.

Zelensky told lawmakers: 'When this war started, you said to me, Ukraine, stay unified and stay strong. I'm coming back and saying to the United States: stay unified and stay strong.'

Volodymyr Zelensky met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday in his battle to persuade skeptical Republicans to keep sending aid

The Ukrainian President urged Capitol Hill lawmakers to 'stay strong' and support Kyiv after Poland yanked its weapons supply during one of Russia's most brutal missile campaigns

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (L) join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2nd R) and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, in a wreath laying ceremony at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

President Biden will announce a new package of military assistance for Ukraine that will include 'significant air defense capabilities,' National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.

The pressure is on the Ukrainian president, who started his day on Capitol Hill where he met with House leaders and then with senators in the Old Senate Chamber, a rare privilege for world leaders.

The entire Senate was there to greet him.

He faced a cooler reception across the Capitol on the House side.

Before his visit, Zelensky asked to deliver another joint address to Congress, as he did last December, Punchbowl News reported, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied the request.

'Zelensky asked us for a Joint Session and we just didn't have time,' McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday morning, pointing out the Ukrainian president had already addressed Congress. Zelensky spoke to a joint session in December when Nancy Pelosi was still speaker.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed to the Capitol by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) walk out of the Old Senate Chamber following a meeting with senators

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to the Pentagon

Ukraine-Poland Dispute tied to grain bans Tensions have risen between Ukraine and Poland, its neighbor and first ally, over grain shipments. Several European Union nations put a ban on Ukrainian grain earlier this to protect their own farmers. Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the ban. But three countries  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they woudl keep it. Ukraine protested and filed lawsuits against all three countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the ban in his address to the UN, saying 'it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.' He accused them of aiding Moscow. Poland condemned the remarks and summoned its ambassador from Ukraine. Advertisement

On Thursday morning, Zelensky met the speaker, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other committee chairs and ranking members on the first floor of the Capitol.

McCarthy, notably, didn't come out to greet the Ukrainian leaders. Jeffries met Zelensky at the Capitol entrance and walked him to the meeting site.

After the meeting, McCarthy said he remains noncommittal about the $24 billion aid package to Ukraine but said Zelensky answered many of lawmakers' questions on the status of the war.

Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said Zelensky told lawmakers 'hes winning' the war.

He said Zelensky told them he needs air cover and long-range artillery for his soldiers.

After his meeting with senators, Zelensky said it was 'important' to talk to lawmakers who were worried and noted the two countries 'have strong ties.'

Zelensky is making his plea for support as Ukraine's neighbor, Poland, announced it will no longer provide weapons to Kyiv.

'We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, sparked by Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers, have intensified in recent days.

Poland was one Ukraine's earliest and staunchest allies after Russia invaded. It has taken in over a million refugees and been Kyiv's biggest supplier of weapons.

In the US, Zelensky's focus is on House Republicans, who have made clear they oppose more funding for the Ukraine.

McCarthy's stop-gap resolution to keep the government running while lawmakers negotiate a full budget deal lacks any funding for Kyiv.

President Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska place flowers at the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is escorted by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the Capitol

Senator Chris Murphy posted a photo of Zelensky's private meeting with senators

President Zelensky inside the Old Senate Chamber where he's meeting with senators

A framed flag signed by front-line Ukrainian fighters in Bakhmut and presented to the U.S. Congress in 2022, sits at one end of the table where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet privately with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other leaders

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has questioned U.S. funding for Ukraine

President Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill surrounded by security

And now 29 GOP lawmakers wrote to the Biden's budget chief to express their concerns about how much has already been given to the Ukraine - $100 billion - and to complain the Biden administration supports an 'open-ended commitment' to the country.

They argue Americans need more information on the war effort.

'How is the counteroffensive going? Are the Ukrainians any closer to victory than they were 6 months ago? What is our strategy, and what is the president's exit plan?' they write.

McCarthy has made similar comments.

'Was Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don't think so. I have questions for where's the accountability on the money we've already spent? What is this the plan for victory?' he said to reporters on Capitol Hill earlier this week.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell does support funding Ukraine's war effort although some conservatives in the upper chamber think the U.S. has done enough to help Kyiv.

McConnell, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, escorted Zelensky into his meeting with senators.

The Biden administration continues to push for more funding. Zelensky will cap off his visit to Washington with a meeting in the Oval Office.

Zelensky's visit comes at a 'critical time, as Russia is reaching out' to countries like North Korea and Iran, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.

Biden can get a 'battlefield perspective,' when he meets with Zelensky in the Oval Office, Kirby noted.

President Zelensky greets Pentagon employees after laying a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial

Zelensky will also meet with President Joe Biden, who arrived back in Washington on Wednesday night after meetings at the UN

Russian President Vladimir Putin has upped his assault on Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Capitol Hill with Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova

While Zelensky was out of the country, Russia upped its aerial campaign, damaging energy facilities and causing power outages in several region.

Moscow targeted Lviv in the west, near the border with Poland, and Kharkiv, close to Ukraine's eastern front lines, as well as Kyiv, Cherkasy and Rivne.

Zelensky arrives in Washington after addressing the UN General Assembly as part of the body's annual meeting.

He also addressed the U.N. Security Council, where he got tough, accusing it of inaction on Russia's invasion of his country.

'Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war,' Zelensky said.

'We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression,' he noted.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has quietly signed a $29million contract with a security firm to build migrant base camps, as residents plead with the city's democratic leaders to stop letting asylum seekers in the state.

The city's deal with the controversial Garda World firm, signed last week, includes at least six locations across the city, with zones holding between 200 and 1,400 asylum seekers. It also includes bedding, laundry, showers, three meals a day and security.

It comes as Chicago residents are becoming increasingly concerned about a surge of asylum seekers arriving on buses from southern states. 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.

'I want to know if there is a capacity limit and what is that limit if there is one?' one city resident asked at a community event this week. 'And why can't we close the borders of Chicago or the state of Illinois in the first place? Why can't we close the border?'

Chicago has seen 13,000 migrants arrive in the city since August 2022, and the surge is expected to cost taxpayers $302 million by the end of the year.

Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has quietly signed a $29million contract with a security firm to build migrant base camps. Chicago has seen 11,000 migrants arrive since August 2022

'I want to know if there is a capacity limit and what is that limit if there is one?' one city resident asked at a community event this week

Residents are now begging local politicians to close the borders of Chicago to stop illegals coming from Texas



96% of this neighborhood voted for Biden pic.twitter.com/WRkBZ4k67K  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 18, 2023

Alderman Ronnie Mosley put the blame on the federal government for letting asylum seekers in the country, and Texas, which he said 'is making the decision to send them to Chicago.'

The contract calls for the firm to handle '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,' as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

The migrant backlash is the latest debacle for mayor Johnson, who took over from his disastrous predecessor Lori Lightfoot in May of this year. He is proving to be no more popular than her, with fury at his mansion tax, crushing taxes on businesses and proposals like city-run supermarkets.

Earlier this month Johnson announced he planned to move about 1,600 migrants currently living in police stations or at the OHare or Midway airport.

Garda World has faced backlash in the past over its projects in Denver, Texas and Florida. The company has previously offered migrant services, including detention. The firm was one of the finalists for governor Ron DeSantis plans to relocate migrants to Democratic-led cities.

Meanwhile mayor Johnson defended the deal, arguing it's a way to house the migrants who have until now been staying at police stations and the airport.

'The first of Mayor Johnson's priorities is to replace the police stations with shelters forming a base camp,' Johnson's office said in a statement. 'Using this 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.

'As with all City-run shelters, there will be a system in place for individuals to file grievances should any issues arise. The shelters are used in accordance with American Red Cross standards and will be equipped with HVAC systems and heated to a comfortable temperature during the cold weather.

'The base camps will be incorporated into the City's toolbox for temporary shelters and provide a safe, short-term space with access to immediate care and resources.'

A family from Venezuela outside the Chicago Police 12th District station

Mayor Johnson defended the deal with Garda World, arguing it's a way to house the migrants who have until now been staying at police stations and the airport

Hundreds of migrants are being hidden behind this black curtain at Chicago 's O'Hare Airport, where asylum seekers have reported inhumane living conditions with families left sleeping on the floor for up to 10 days

Chicago officials have said they will build tent shelters for migrants like the ones in New York City. Camps for migrants setup at Randall's Island in New York are seen above

The number of migrants who need shelter in Chicago has continued to increase in recent months, and city leaders have stated they will follow New York's lead in turning different locations around the city into shelters for migrants.

'Weve identified multiple locations around the city that can be suitable to treat the family and individuals who are here by law, seeking asylum constitutionally and legally, to have a place that recognizes their dignity,' Johnson said.

Chicago officials have yet to specify which locations they are looking at, but they will reportedly be climate-controlled military-grade tents, according to alderwoman Maria Hadden.

The former Halsted Indoor Mall parking lot at 115th and Halsted Streets could be one of the locations for a planned tent camp, CBS Chicago reported. The space was supposed to be redeveloped into affordable housing but is currently sitting vacant

Last week, Chicago Democratic lawmakers traveled to New York City to 'bring back' lessons on how to deal with a migrant surge in the Windy City.

Furious New Yorkers heckled Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was leading their visit, outside the iconic Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which has become the center of the migrant scandal in the Big Apple.

The lawmakers were forced to cut the press conference short as the crowd kept drowning out Ocasio-Cortez.

'Close the border! Close the border! Respect the constitution AOC! I am your constituent!' one man shouted over the congresswoman's speech into a megaphone.

As the migrant crisis continues to worsen in Chicago, mayor Johnson has also faced backlash over a proposed 'mansion tax' on sales of homes of more than $1 million, as his administration continues to push higher tax on households earning over $100,000.

The newly elected mayor wants to push a hike in taxes in order to fight homelessness in the city.

Johnson believes people that own properties worth $1 million in the third-largest city in the U.S. are 'rich, and should pay if they sell those homes.'

He also wants to create city-run grocery stores to promote 'equitable' access to food after half of the city's Walmart and Whole Foods stores closed.

Johnson's new moves are set to help 'repair past harms that have contributed to purposeful disinvestment and exclusion and lack of food access' in historically underserved communities.

Meanwhile, 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.
Residents of a wealthy Minneapolis suburb flocked to a city council meeting this week to demand stricter carjacking laws after a local mom and her 13-year-old son were allegedly attacked and had their vehicle stolen from the family's driveway.

The brazen theft on August 17 in the Democrat-run city has sparked outrage in affluent Minnetonka - a furor that erupted Monday at the highly attended city council meeting.

Hundreds packed the government building to voice their distaste over the situation, and to air concerns over the violent attack on victim Kelly Beason and her child which was caught on video.

Romell R. Lewis was arrested Tuesday and is accused of cynically tailing Beason back from the store before launching the brazen theft outside her home along with three unidentified youths.

Residents last night demanded stricter laws in the city which has seen carjacking skyrocket since the disastrous 'defund the police' movement in the wake of George Floyd's death in May 2020.

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Residents of a wealthy Minneapolis suburb flocked to a city council meeting this week to demand stricter carjacking laws, after a local mom had her car stolen directly from her driveway last month

The August 17 incident was captured by a neighbor's security camera has since spawned outrage in affluent Minnetonka - a furor that finally erupted Monday before the packed council

Several attendees, including Beason's husband Craig, called for it to be the first case in the county to make use of a newly passed law that calls for more serious charges for carjackers. Passed in July, it could see offenders slapped with a sentence of up to 13 years.

Taking the podium, Craig warned how the same crime - which in this case occurred in front of the couple's 13-year-old son - could happen to anyone, and blamed the Twin Cities' DA for allowing such brazen acts to occur, despite a recent arrest.

'I think the reason I'm here is I'm tired of this,' Craig Beason told the amalgam of attendees Monday in what proved to be a packed procession.

'We're tired of the crime. We want to know what we can do to invoke change.'

Others aired similar calls, despite violent crime remaining decidedly rare in the suburb, and for the most part confined to nearby Minneapolis, where motor vehicle thefts this year have been on the rise.

The next, cops announced what they billed as a breakthrough not only in the case surrounding the Beasons, but a string of similar vehicle thefts in the city as well, with the arrest of one of the men they believed carjacked the victim.

The suspect Lewis, of Milwaukee, is currently being held on $200,000 bail at the Hennepin County Jail after being arrested at a traffic stop in St Paul on Tuesday.

His first court appearance is slated for Wednesday afternoon, where prosecutors will allege he assaulted Beason and her 13-year-old son in their driveway, while three others, thought to be youths, stole her SUV.

Charges filed show how the DA's office heeded residents requests for action against the criminals responsible for this particular theft, which was captured on a neighbors security camera and has ignited fierce discussion about public safety.

Charged with felony instances of aggravated robbery and burglary, Lewis is the first in the state to be hit with first-degree carjacking, a new Minnesota statute passed this past month that matches the sentencing guidelines of third-degree murder.

victim Kelly Beason and Husband Craig said their family has been forced to live in fear following the incident, which happened in broad daylight and serves as an extension of a crime spree in neighboring Minneapolis

'I think the reason I'm here is I'm tired of this,' Craig Beason told the amalgam of attendees Monday in what proved to be a packed procession. 'We're tired of the crime. We want to know what we can do to invoke change'

Hundreds packed the government building to voice their distaste over the violent attack, which was filmed and happened as the mom was unloading groceries. It has since ignited fierce discussion about public safety

Others aired similar calls, despite violent crime remaining decidedly rare in the suburb, and for the most part confined to nearby Minneapolis, where motor vehicle thefts this year have been on the rise

The day after residents demanded action, cops in St Paul arrested the man they believe was seen beating the mother in the footage, 21-year-old Romell R. Lewis of Milwaukee. He's the first in the state hit with first-degree carjacking, a new, strict statute passed this past month

Passed with a 7-2 vote from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission on July 27, it went into effect August 1, and makes instances of carjacker where the victim is assaulted a more serious, level 9 offense.

As a result, penalties will range from about 7 years to about 13 years in prison depending on criminal history - up from four year sentences seen when motor thefts were often prosecuted as aggravated robberies.

Calls from fed-up citizens not only Monday but over the past four years made way for the amendment, as carjacking has proved to be one of the Twin Cities most prevailing issues since 2019, particularly after the pandemic death of George Floyd in May 2020.

Carjacking in the state increased over five fold between 2019-2020 as a result, with homicides spiking to the second highest levels ever as lockdowns and protests in the wake of Floyd 's death by a Minneapolis police officer devastated the city.

In 2021, nearly two people per day were carjacked in Minneapolis - a statistic that was almost matched in nearby St. Paul, where auto thefts over the past two years have since somewhat fizzled out dropping 36 percent this year compared to this same time in 2022.

Carjackings during that same time period also dropped 50 percent from 40 to 20.

However, in Minneapolis, both crimes remain rampant, with the city recording a 77 percent spike in motor vehicle thefts in the first six months of 2023 - likely forcing lawmakers' hands with the recent guidance.

Lewis and other accomplices confronted the woman and her son in their driveway on Aug. 17 after they returned home from grocery shopping

They drove off with the family's car after assaulting both victims. The attack was captured by another resident's doorbell camera

Police tracked the vehicle and suspects via GPS to a store in Edina. Surveillance video from that encounter helped investigators identify the suspect

On Monday, many - including Gleason's husband - called on lawmakers to not only make an arrest, but to make an example by issuing charges in accordance with the new law afterwards.

These calls came despite the August incident being the town's first and only carjacking this year, with only one occurring they year prior as well.

Still, residents of the wealthy western enclave made their thoughts known.

'We, the law-abiding people of this community have had enough,' one citizen of the suburb of roughly 50,000 said as they took the podium.

Another added: 'When these kinds of car thefts and [some] with guns are happening in a community like this, something needs to be done.'

As for the victim's husband, his time on the podium saw him hone in on Hennepin County, and Minnesota District Attorney Mary Moriarty.

He argued that she's 'stood on' the position 'that she was not going to prosecute for crimes like this [carjackings]' since being elected in 2022, and cited the recent rise in theft in nearby Minneapolis as a product of her policies.

'I think [it] is absolutely just irresponsible at best,' he said. 'The only person that can do something about this right now is the Hennepin County DA.'

The very next day, cops announced they had made an arrest, and were planning to make an example out of Lewis - who they said they believe masterminded a string of similar heists in Minneapolis.

Capt. Andy Gardner with the Minnetonka Police Department said in a statement: 'This is a significant development in a string of cases that took place across the Twin Cities in recent weeks.

'This is the first case in Hennepin County making use of a new law that calls for more serious charges for violent offenders in carjackings.'

Craig's time on the podium saw him hone in on Minnesota District Attorney Mary Moriarty, whom he said 'stood on' the position 'that she was not going to prosecute for crimes like this [carjackings]' since being elected in 2022

Calls from fed-up citizens not only Monday but over the past four years made way for the amendment, as carjacking has proved to be one of the Twin Cities most prevailing issues since 2019, particularly after the pandemic death of George Floyd in May 2020

An accompanying criminal complaint filed with Lewis' arrest revealed police tracked Gleasons' SUV and four suspects via GPS to a store in Edina, where surveillance video helped investigators identify Lewis.

A warrant was subsequently issued to his arrest, which came weeks later during the aforementioned traffic stop in St Paul.

The complaint further revealed how investigators believe Lewis and the other suspects - who as of Thursday remain at large - targeted and followed the victim back to her home the morning of the incident.

They also aired the belief Lewis was the one seen roughing up Gleason in the footage as she returned to her car after briefly leaving it unattended, with another of the suspects seen violently dragging her away from the car

Beason on Wednesday recalled to Fox News how the suspects committed the act, following her home from the grocery store and even entering her garage where her husband's car was partke - before settling for hers.

"I saw a couple of guys run up our driveway, and I ran out to the garage to see what was going on.'

She told cops that that was when she yelled out for her son to call the police - spurring the child to exit the garage onto the driveway holding his phone.

That's when Lewis allegedly ran from the woman to the boy, shoving the child to the ground, dragging him and attempting to take his cell phone. He and his accomplices were then able to drive off. Both victims were uninjured.

Still, Craig said at Monday's city council meeting that his son still has 'trauma' from the ordeal.

'He wakes up in the middle of the night at every car that drives down the street thinking that someone's going to come back again,' he said.

He told KTSP-TV on Tuesday that he hopes the first-degree carjacking charge against Lewis sticks.

It was really traumatic. I mean to get attacked in your front yard, in your driveway at 11 oclock on a Thursday? Beason told the local news station after the suspect's arrest.

'The harsher penalties are something that absolutely need to happen and we need to scare these individuals that if they do these crimes theyre going to be put in jail and for a long time.'

Longtime Minnetonka Mayor Brad Wiersum, told KSTP he agreed - and wanted to see Lewis face the max penalty allowed under state law.

'I am thankful for the new, more aggressive law on carjackings,' he said Tuesday.

'I am hoping that this qualifies for the type of carjacking that can be prosecuted to the full extent of that law.'
A US marine stationed in Australia has been charged with aggravated assault and sexual intercourse without consent.

The 20-year-old marine was arrested in Palmerston, south of Darwin, on Monday in relation to the incident that allegedly occurred there earlier that day.

The American has been been granted bail to appear in Darwin Local Court at a later date.

Since 2012, The Marine Rotational Force has stationed personnel in the Top End of Australia at several military bases.

Starting with just 250 marines in the first year, there is now an air-ground task force of 2,500 personnel.

A 20-year-old US Marine is facing rape and assault charges after being arrested in the Northern Territory on Monday

READ MORE: Confronting moment an Aussie bouncer knocks out an American Marine Advertisement

A US Defence spokesperson said the marines were assisting NT Police with the investigation.

The spokesperson said the US Defence Force 'does not tolerate this kind of behavior and is committed to enforcing high standards of good order and discipline, and upholding justice and the rule of law,' he said.

The marines' base at Robertson Barracks is understood to have been locked down.

None of the 150 US military personnel are able leave the base of receive visitors, under what the spokesman called a 'restricted liberty status' at the base.

The Americans were due to leave Darwin in October following the joint Predators Run Exercise.

Predators Run was the NT's largest Australian-led military exercise but it came to a tragic conclusion when three marines were killed in a crash.

US Marine Corps crew chief Corporal Spencer Collart, 21, pilot Captain Eleanor LeBeau, 29, and Major Tobin Lewis, 37, died when their Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft plunged to the ground and burst into flames on remote Melville Island, 80km north of Darwin near the end of August.

No Australian members were involved.

Along with Australian and US troops Indonesia, East Timor and the Philippines also took part in the training.

Robertson Barracks where 150 US marines are stationed has been locked down after the arrest
Detroit's big three automakers are making layoffs across the board as a result of the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, and union leaders say there is no end in sight.

Stellantis announced temporary layoffs of over 350 employees across two non-striking locations due to the UAW strike.

68 employees at the Stellantis Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, Ohio, were furloughed due to storage constraints as a result of the strike. The company estimated 300 employees in Kokomo, Indiana will also be let go.

It comes hours after General Motors announced 2,000 layoffs and closed its Kansas plant, claiming there is 'no work' due to a strike at another plant. Ford also laid off 600 employees when the strike began.

Union leaders are giving the companies one full day on Thursday to reach a deal before more strikes go into effect.

United Auto Workers members picket outside the Stellantis North America headquarters as the company furloughs over 350 people

The union has given the automakers a Friday deadline to reach a deal or more strikes will go into effect

Union members are demanding a 40 percent pay increase and a four-day work week

'We're going to keep hitting the company where we need to, when we need to, and we're not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out,' said union president Shawn Fain in a video message.

Fain gave the companies a Friday at 12:00 p.m. E.T. deadline to strike a deal or more union members at additional plants will be called on to join the strike.

However, sources told Axios there is zero chance that the automakers will reach a deal by then.

The union is demanding a 40 percent pay raise for its 146,000 members across the US over four years and a four-day work week.

They are also asking for improved retirement benefits and an end to tiered employment, which Fain says the companies can afford to do.

Currently, about 13,000 UAW members are on strike at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis plants in Missouri, Michigan and Ohio.

Automakers have counter with offers roughly half of that, saying they are engaging in good-faith negotiations.

'We have delivered a record offer. That is a fact,' wrote General Motors president Mark Reuss in an op-ed to the Detroit Free Press.

'The fundamental reality is that the UAW's demands can be described in one word  untenable.'

'Often in these situations, the clouds of rhetoric can obscure reality. I'm hoping to shed some light and clarity on this whole situation, one that I sincerely hope can be resolved quickly and fairly,' wrote Reuss.

UAW President Shawn Fain said they will keep the companies on their toes and won't wait around for the companies to drag negotiations out

The historic strike started September 15 after automakers and union leaders failed to reach a deal in contract negotiations

Workers who were not called on to strike are working under expired contracts and could be called on the strike at any moment

The standoff between automakers and UAW is fueling fears of a greater economic impact.

Anderson Economic Group (AEG) predicts a full 10-day strike could result in a total economic loss of more than $5 billion.

Gabriel Ehrlich, an economic forecaster at the University of Michigan, estimates $440 million worth of income would be lost nationally if the strike goes on for two weeks, according to CNN.

AEG said a strike would cause automotive suppliers and auto dealers to see both long and short term losses.

They say car dealerships only have inventory to last about 55 days and conditions from a strike will affect dealers and customers much sooner rather than later.

UAW members are expected to rally at one of Ford's two Louisville, Kentucky assembly plants on Thursday evening in support of workers striking at other plants, according to Reuters.

There is speculation strikes at plants that produce large pickup trucks could be next, the companies most profitable vehicles.

A recent Barclays report said pickups built in North America are the 'profit engines' accounting for 'substantially all of the profit at GM and Ford.'

The union has implemented a strategy they call the 'stand up strike' approach. They will call on select locations to strike to keep the companies guessing which plants may be affected next.
Newman has hit back with a federal lawsuit and claims she is both mentally and physically fit enough to continue in her role

The oldest sitting federal judge in the country has hit back at a panel of her colleagues who blocked her form hearing further cases on the grounds of 'mental fitness'.

Judge Pauline Newman, 96, was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1985 by then-President Ronald Reagan.

But now the experienced judge has been suspended by her colleagues on the Federal Circuit's Judicial Council for alleged frailty in her physical health and failing to cooperate with an investigation into 'reasonable concerns' surrounding her mental fitness.

She blames Chief Judge Kimberly Moore told her she must take senior status which she said was 'ridiculous.'

In response to the suspension, Newman filed a federal lawsuit against her fellow judges in May and claimed 'I never had a heart attack, never fainted, wasn't hospitalized as Judge Moore said, and apparently told all the judges on my court that I was disabled, not able to move around and not able to think straight.'

Judge Pauline Newman, the oldest sitting federal judge in the country has hit back at a panel of her colleagues who blocked her form hearing further cases

Newman blames Chief Judge Kimberly Moore (front row, third from left) told her she must take senior status

In an interview with the New Civil Liberties Alliance Newman said she felt she 'should not succumb or set a pattern of judicial colleagues be able to bully, intimidate and force out a colleague they don't like, who writes dissents, so I refused.'

The senior judge told the organization said she is mentally and physically fit enough to continue in her role and has obtained independent evaluations from two doctors issuing the same opinion, court documents revealed.

'I cannot understand why my colleagues have decided at this stage of my life to destroy me, destroy my reputation, to remove my opportunity to decide cases.'

The Judicial Council however said they reached their decision after conducting more than 20 interviews with court staff that pointed to 'significant mental deterioration including memory loss, confusion, lack of comprehension, paranoia, anger, hostility, and severe agitation.'

'Judge Newman has been having trouble recalling events, conversations, and information just days old and having trouble comprehending basic information that court staff communicate to her,' the council wrote.

Federal judges, who are chosen by the president and confirmed by the Senate, are appointed for life and do not have to retire at any given age.

Newman, 96, was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1985 by then President Ronald Reagan

In an interview with the New Civil Liberties Alliance Newman Newman said she felt she 'should not succumb or set a pattern of judicial colleagues be able to bully, intimidate and force out a colleague they don't like'

Lawyers for Newman have described her suspension as 'flatly illegal' and are seeking review from another committee charged with overseeing judicial conduct.

'Were the committee formed to investigate these baseless allegations actually interested in ascertaining the truth of the matter that Judge Newman, despite her age, is in no way disabled  it could have done so months ago,' they wrote in court documents.

'Instead, Chief Judge Moore and the committee she appointed have been interested in one thing and one thing only  keeping Judge Newman off the bench via the exercise of raw power unconstrained by statutory requirements, constitutional limits, any notions of due process, conflict of interest rules, or even basic fairness.'

When contacted for comment the Federal Circuit's Judicial Council told DailyMail.com 'neither the Judicial Council, Special Committee, nor the court have comment on this matter.'

It comes as debate rages over the fitness of politicians in their 80's to continue conducting the highest offices of state.

A Democrat is calling for term limits for politicians to restore 'human decency' after Mitch McConnell suffered another bizarre freezing moment and following Dianne Feinstein's string of hospitalizations.

The 81-year-old Senate minority leader didn't respond for 30 seconds when he suddenly stopped speaking in the middle of a press event in Kentucky on Wednesday.

It strangely mirrored a similar episode that occurred last month at the press conference in the Capitol and comes just months after McConnell suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the D.C. Waldorf Astoria and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

'For goodness sake, the family, friends, and staff of Senators Feinstein and McConnell are doing them and our country a tremendous disservice,' Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

'It's time for term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court, and some basic human decency.'
A councillor who admitted raising his hand during a virtual council meeting while driving his car has escaped sanction following an investigation by the local authority.

Councillor Andrew Wood, who is an independent member of Conwy Council in North Wales was branded as 'completely reckless' over his actions in July.

However, both the Public Services Ombudsman and North Wales Police had told him that he faces no further action. The PSO accepted his actions were a 'one-off', while the police said it would not be in the public interest to prosecute Cllr Wood as no complaint was made at the time of the alleged offence.

Cllr Wood was attending a meeting of the council's Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee which was held over Zoom.

Cllr Andrew Wood, pictured, raised his hand to vote at a council meeting being held over Zoom while driving his car. The Conway Council independent politician was told his actions were 'reckless'

Despite an investigation by the Public Service Ombudsman, no action was taken against Cllr Wood, who admitted driving while voting at the virtual meeting

The independent politician had his phone fixed to the dashboard, but footage of the meeting showed the car was moving when he raised his hand to vote during a motion.

Opposition politicians claimed his actions could 'quite easily have turned in to a complete tragedy'.

An investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman said he 'demonstrated poor judgement and had the potential to bring the council into disrepute'.

Ombudsman Michelle Morris said: 'The video footage from the first council meeting showed the member to be driving a vehicle whilst participating in the meeting and the member acknowledged that this was the case.

Cllr Wood, pictured, was told he faces no further action by the council watchdog. North Wales Police confirmed they are not investigating the allegations

'The member felt it important that he attend all meetings. Subsequent videos showed the car either to be stationary or that the member was in the passenger seat.'

North Wales Police had not received a complaint and felt it would not now be in the public interest to investigate the matter. But the Ombudsman commented: 'It is not the Ombudsmans role to determine whether the members actions would have amounted to criminal behaviour.'

She ruled out any sanctions after describing it as a 'one-off'. The meeting lasted for more than two hours and was live-streamed before being uploaded to the councils YouTube channel.
A three-year-old boy has drowned after he was swept by a current in the Rio Grande while his family was attempting to enter the United States.

The boy's body was found by Texas Department of Public Safety officers north of the marine barrier in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon.

State troopers took the boy to the shore, where they were met by paramedics who rushed him to nearby hospital. The child was declared dead at the medical facility.

The victim's nationality had not been revealed as of Thursday.

'Another senseless tragedy due to the Federal Government's absence in discouraging unlawful border crossings between the ports of entry & lack of implementing preventive measures,' Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Chris Olivares wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Migrants seeking asylum from the United States cross from Mexico via the Rio Grande on September 15. A three-year-old boy was traveling with his family Wednesday when a current separated him from his loved ones and carried him downstream. He was taken to a local hospital near Eagle Pass, Texas, and was pronounced dead

DailyMail.com reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Department of Public Safety for comment.

The boy was part of about 4,000 asylum-seeking migrants who traveled crossed from Mexico and reached the Rio Grande shore near Eagle Pass on Wednesday.

They have been stopped from entering the United States and forced to camp under Camino Real International Bridge, also known as the International Bridge II. Border agents were expecting the arrival of an additional 3,000 migrants.

The massive gathering under the bridge, linking Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, has led Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas to signing an Emergency Declaration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection registered 1,973,092 encounters with migrants for unlawful entry at the southern border in fiscal year 2023

Migrants stand in front of a southern border wall near the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas across from and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Salinas ruled out using the border city's budget to shelter the migrants.

'The City of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well being of our local citizens,' Salinas said. '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 administration of President Joe Biden announced Wednesday it was going to dispatch 800 troops to help border officers. There are also 2,500 National Guard members across the border region helping the Department of Homeland Security along with an extra 24,000 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and 2,600 non-uniformed officers.

The three-year-old boy's drowning comes after Ramon, a 10-year-old boy from Honduras, also drowned September 13.

The child was crossing the Rio Grande with his mother, Yesenia Perez, 26, when they were separated by a current.

Authorities recovered their bodies and rushed them to a hospital, where Ramon was confirmed dead. Perez, who remained hospitalized due to injuries, fled Honduras with her son to escape from her husband, who reportedly abused her.

A migrant girl is helped in order to scaled a barbed wire fence so that she can cross into the United States south of Eagle Pass, Texas

At least 686 migrants died or disappeared attempting to cross the United States-Mexico land border in 2022, according to the United Nations' International Organization for Migration.

The latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show that 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. August stats have still not been released.

In comparison, 2,378,944 interdictions were reported in the fiscal year 2022, an increase from 1,734,686 encounters the previous fiscal year. At least 458,088 interdictions 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.
Ruby Franke's 12-year-old son claims his mother's business partner Jodi Hildebrandt used ropes to tie him up and then dressed his wounds with cayenne pepper and honey, according to search warrants made public this week.

The boy escaped Hildebrandt's home on August 30 with duct tape around his wrists and ankles and pleaded for food, water and help from neighbors - telling officers that two of his other siblings were still there.

YouTubers Hildebrandt and Franke both face six felony counts of aggravated child abuse for injuries suffered by the boy and his 10-year-old sister.

Neither has entered a plea as they remain jailed without bond.

The presence of any type of remedy for the children's wounds proved that Hildebrandt was at least aware of the abuse that was taking place, authorities stated in the documents obtained by KUTV.

Ruby Franke's (left) 12-year-old son claims his mother's business partner Jodi Hildebrandt (right) used ropes to tie him up and then dressed his wounds with cayenne pepper and honey, according to search warrants made public this week

DailyMail.com attempted to call and email Hildebrandt's and Franke's attorneys, but neither responded in time for this report.

The boy told officers that two other siblings were at Hildebrandt's house, according to the warrants.

Franke had kept the three children in Hildebrandt's care, the warrants further added.

Responding officers located the 10-year-old girl at Hildebrandt's house but did not find the 14-year-old, according to the search warrant. The two youngest children were taken to hospital.

Franke's four youngest of the six children have now been placed in the custody of child protective services, court records said.

After their initial sweep of Hildebrandt's home to find the children and seek medical attention, officers found a locked potential safe room in the basement.

A warrant was then requested to search the house for any items, including rope and duct tape. Authorities also asked to search the locked room.

The returned warrant does not say what might have been located in the room or if it was searched, according to KUTV.

Frank was arrested along with Hildebrandt last month and charged with six counts of felony child abuse after one of her sons was discovered with open wounds and duct tape on their limbs

YouTube mom Ruby Franke will be held without bail after being charged with six counts of child abuse - and has now been moved to medical block at a Utah jail

Officers did find in the home, three ropes, two handcuffs, two bowls containing a paste of cayenne pepper and honey, bandages, plastic wrap, a journal and some paperwork, according to the search warrant.

Two other warrants allowed police to seize laptops, cellphones, any video or audio recordings that may show child abuse and any communications between Hildebrandt and Franke.

After Hildebrandt was arrested she said the two youngest children 'should never be allowed around any other kids,' an officer wrote in a search warrant.

Hildebrandt, who is a licensed mental health counselor, has agreed not to see patients until the allegations are addressed by state licensing officials.

Last week, Franke's sister broke down in a video in which she blamed the YouTube influencer for causing their mother's heart attack - and revealed how she 'destroyed' their lives offline.

Bonnie Hoellein teared up as she said their mother's health rapidly declined when Ruby cut her family off - before her sister was sensationally arrested for child abuse.

Franke gained millions of YouTube subscribers and online followers through her 8 Passengers channel about parenting but viewers repeatedly complained about the way she treated her children.

Hoellein, also a YouTuber who is based in Utah, posted the nearly 10-minute long video titled 'I am not my sister. I am not my Sisters [sic] Crimes.'

Bonnie Hoellein, teared up as she said that sister Ruby Franke 'destroyed' their family's lives offline before she was sensationally arrested for child abuse

Kevin Franke (right) has said his 'urgent focus' is to keep his six children which he shares with former YouTuber Ruby Franke (left) together under his care

Franke's eldest daughter Shari, 20, posted about her mother's arrest on Instagram, sharing an image of police officers outside the home captioned 'Finally'

Franke's husband, Kevin Franke, who she shares six children with - Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell and Eve - has said he is 'trying to keep his children together' following the arrests.

The video came after all three of her sisters - who are all YouTubers - posted a joint statement to Instagram which said: 'For the last 3 years we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children.'

They said they 'wouldn't feel right about moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent events.'

'Once we do, we will not be commenting on it further,' the statement said.

'Ruby was arrested which needed to happen. Jodi was arrested which needed to happen. The kids are now safe, which is the number one priority.'

Franke was taken into custody after the two children were found starved with open wounds and duct tape on their 'extremities.'

Police were called after a child climbed out of the window of Hildebrandt's home and ran to a neighbor pleading for food and water. The neighbor saw the child's wounds and immediately dialed 911, before another child was also found 'in a similar physical condition of malnourishment'.

Since the arrests, an online form has been created, which documents examples of worrying statements made by Franke and Hildebrandt in their videos.

Her estranged daughter, Shari, has since said police were warned for years about the allegations before they 'finally' acted.

Her daughter, Shari, has now claimed relatives have been 'trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this', adding that she was 'so glad they finally decided to step up' and the kids were safe. She posted the message to Instagram with a photo of police outside the home captioned 'finally'.

This comes after a relative of Franke said the news of her child abuse case is 'disgusting' but the problem is 'bigger than people know.'

The full statement from Franke's three sisters, which was posted across their Instagram pages

Franke (seen with her husband) is well-known for her strict parenting style on the channel, which she stopped uploading footage in January 2022. It was taken down earlier this year

The unnamed cousin of Franke claimed this is not the first time their family has experienced this behavior. Other members have also duct-taped, handcuffed and starved kids.

They described the unprovoked child abuse and slapping that took place in their house as a child - and said that after watching Ruby's YouTube channel 8 Passengers briefly, they said they noticed Ruby's same mannerisms.

Abusing children, being physical, and withholding food is something that has been a 'multi-generational' problem in the Franke family, claimed the cousin.

The family member - who said the charges of child abuse are 'disgusting' - said their entire family tree 'from the roots to the branches' is 'blighted.'

The cousin of Franke, whose identity was concealed, told Law & Crime: 'I'm not shocked. It's not a shock at all. The direction in which it went was not what I thought, but from which it came was to be expected.

'I wasn't expecting some of the details in that story to line up with details in my own family history.

'My mother handcuffed my sisters when they were young, and a lack of food wasn't uncommon, but it wasn't out of the lack of money and there was a time when it could have been prevented and it wasn't.'

'All I can say is my mother did duck tape my siblings. I'm not shocked.'

Asked when was the last time they saw Ruby, they said: 'When I was very young, it was a long time ago. Over 15 years ago.'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today warned US Congress that Ukraine will lose its war with Russia if the flow of military aid from the States is cut.

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, a major supporter of President Joe Biden's pro-Ukraine policies, said Zelensky had told him 'if we don't get the aid, we will lose the war.'

The United States has spearheaded Western support for Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion in February 2022, with Congress approving more than $100 billion in aid to date, including $43 billion in weaponry.

Zelensky faces stiff opposition from Republicans reluctant to keep funneling supplies to Ukraine, with polls showing Republican voters are getting cold feet - in part due to messaging from Donald Trump as he seeks a return to the White House in 2024.

This meant Zelensky's second wartime visit to Congress, followed by stops at the Pentagon and a meeting with Biden in the White House, was far more challenging than his dramatic first trip in December 2022 when he received a hero's welcome.

Zelensky, wearing his trademark olive green military style shirt, said as he arrived in the US capital that he expected 'important negotiations' and 'air defense for Ukraine is among the top issues.'

The Ukrainian leader is under added pressure to secure US support after Poland sensationally declared it would no longer arm Ukraine amid a row over grain exports in a move sure to delight Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Volodymyr Zelensky (2-R) talks to US Republican Senator from North Carolina, Ted Budd (2-L) as he meets with members of the US Senate in the Old Senate Chamber on 21 September

Zelensky walks with Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives William McFarland (R) as he leaves a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 21

Ukrainian servicemen smoke at their position near the border with Belarus, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine September 20, 2023

Zelensky's aim at US Congress has been to try to convince Republican lawmakers to continue providing aid to Kyiv amid skepticism over his nation's ability to fight off the Russian invasion.

He will also meet with Democrats, though it's an increasingly outspoken wing of the Republican party, especially in the House of Representatives, that is wary of spending more funds for the war effort against Russia.

Biden has pledged to stand by Kyiv no matter what - not least as his 2024 reelection campaign portrays his support for Ukraine as demonstrating his global leadership.

But doubts are growing over the future of US assistance, with hardline Republicans saying they won't approve funding to prevent a US government shutdown if it includes aid for Ukraine.

Zelensky's trip to Washington - his second during wartime - is a dramatic departure from the first in December 2022, when he secretly flew in and received a hero's welcome at the White House and on Capitol Hill.

This time he is desperate to drum up support and win over skeptical lawmakers, insisting that Kyiv needs continued funding as well as a beefing up of air defences after Moscow hit Ukraine with another barrage of missiles overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C), with US House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (L), arrives for meetings with members of Congress, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with US House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (C), arrives for meetings with members of Congress, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during the plenary session of the Eastern Econimic Forum, on September 12, 2023, in Vladivostok, Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 19, 2023

'Today there are important negotiations in Washington. Air defence for Ukraine is among the top issues,' Zelensky said on Telegram as he arrived from New York.

'More air defence, more support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines.'

Zelensky slammed Moscow's 'massive' overnight attack that killed several people in the southern city of Kherson and wounded many in various regions.

'Most of the missiles were shot down. But only the majority. Not all,' Zelensky said.

Zelensky's attempts to woo Republican lawmakers come just hours after Warsaw ended its provision of military equipment to Kyiv.

'We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

'We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and that's why we expect them to understand our interests.

'Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing.'

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters after Russia invaded in February 2022 and has been one of Kyiv's main weapons suppliers.

It also hosts some one million Ukrainian refugees, who have benefited from various kinds of state aid.

But tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, sparked by Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers, have intensified in recent days.

Poland's decision to end military aid to Ukraine came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared some countries are 'only pretending' to support Kyiv in the fight against Moscow.

In response, Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday claimed that the prime minister's comments on no longer arming Ukraine had been taken the wrong way.

Duda argued that 'the prime minister's words were interpreted in the worst way possible'.

'In my opinion, the prime minister meant that we won't be transferring to Ukraine the new weaponry that we're currently buying as we modernise the Polish army,' Duda told TVN24 television.

Warsaw has signed multiple arms deals, including with the United States and South Korea, from whom it ordered K2 'Black Panther' tanks and K9 howitzers.

'As we receive the new weaponry from the US and South Korea, we will be releasing the weaponry currently used by the Polish army. Perhaps we will transfer it to Ukraine,' Duda said.

Poland has announced it will no longer arm Ukraine in its war with Russia amid a bitter row over grain exports in a move sure to delight Vladimir Putin (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki right)

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo, left, and his Polish host, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, right, attend a press conference following talks on regional security and the examination of the FA-50 fighter jets that Poland recently bought from South Korea

Zelensky is today in Washington hoping to win fresh aid to fight Russian invaders despite signs of war fatigue among US lawmakers (Zelensky pictured at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in New York City)

Russia's invasion of Ukraine closed off vital Black Sea shipping lanes used before the war, which meant the EU, and Poland in particular, became a major transit route and export destination for Ukrainian grain.

In May, the EU agreed to restrict imports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, seeking to protect farmers there who blamed the imports for a slump in prices on local markets.

The measures allowed the products to keep transiting through the five countries, but stopped them being sold on the local market.

But last week, the European Commission said it was ending the import ban, arguing that 'the market distortions in the five member states bordering Ukraine have disappeared'.

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia immediately announced they would defy the move, with Warsaw reacting particularly sensitively.

The current populist right-wing government of the Law and Justice party, which faces elections next month, has strong support in farming regions.

Kyiv responded to warnings by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia by announcing that it would lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Morawiecki had warned earlier on Wednesday that he would extend the list of Ukrainian products banned from import if Kyiv were to escalate the grain dispute.
As a youngster, pull-up competitions with his brother James are said to have only ended when their hands bled.

As an adult, Lachlan Murdoch has been steeped in the ethos of his father's media empire for more than three decades.

Today it was announced 92-year-old Rupert Murdoch is stepping down from his role as chairman of Fox and News Corp after 70 years - and it will be Lachlan who replaces him.

Born in London's Wimbledon Hospital in 1971, Lachlan is the second child from his father's second marriage, to Anna Murdoch.

Although he arrived into the world in Britain, Lachlan was raised and educated as a member of New York high society.

Former Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil - who was once close to Murdoch - told in his book Full Disclosure that neither Lachlan nor his brother ever 'behaved like spoiled rich kids', and were 'always fun to be with'.

As a youngster, he is said to have had pull-up competitions with his brother James to the point where their hands bled. Above: Lachlan Murdoch (left) and his brother pose with their father at his 2016 wedding to Jerry Hall

Lachlan was schooled in the ethos of his father's firm from an early age. Above: The pair in 1999

Lachlan was educated at the exclusive Aspen Country Day School in Aspen, Colorado and Trinity School in New York and studied philosophy at Princeton University.

However, he is said to have always felt more at home in Australia, the country where his father was born and raised.

His half-sister Prue - Murdoch's eldest child - once described Lachlan as the 'King of Sydney'.

Unlike his old-school father, Lachlan is more laid back - evidenced by the tribal tattoos on his arms.

Lachlan was schooled in the business of newspapers from an early age.

His father would talk through publications page by page over family breakfasts, commenting on the stories, headlines and how they were edited.

Murdoch proudly recalled how his son worked on placement in a newspaper print room when he was just 13.

He spent time cleaning 'all the oil and grease off the press', according to friends quoted by a New York magazine.

Lachlan joined his father's firm when still in his late teens. At the age of just 22, first he was made manager of Brisbane's Courier-Mail, which was one of the papers in Murdoch's stable of Australian publications.

His father would talk through publications page by page over family breakfasts, commenting on the stories, headlines and how they were edited. Above: Lachlan was his father and mother Anna at their home in New York in 1989

Lachlan is seen as a young boy with his parents and younger brother

Rupert Murdoch with his second wife Anna and their children Lachlan, James and Elisabeth

Rupert Murdoch with his second wife Anne and children Lachlan and Elisabeth in 1989

Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan attend the first day of the annual Allen and Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho July 8, 2015

He went on to become publisher of national title The Australian before he was 25.

In 2000, he moved to New York to become deputy chief operating officer of News Corp.

However, he is said to have found the transition from easy-going to Sydney to the tough corporate politics of New York difficult.

He also had to interact with his veteran boss Peter Chernin and Roger Ailes, the late head of Fox News.

Success did come with the revival in fortunes of the New York Post under Lachlan's stewardship.

However, he stunned his father in 2005 by opting to walk out of News Corp, at a time when he was in the third-highest position in the company.

By then, his older sister Elisabeth had left the family business to set up Shine TV production company, which she made into a success.

There had been big change for Murdoch too. He had divorced Lachlan's mother and married third wife Wendy Deng, whom he started a new family with.

Lachlan married his wife Sarah, a former Wonderbra model, in 1999. Above: The couple in 1998, when they were engaged

Lachlan and his wife Sarah are seen together at a birthday party in 2003

Lachlan and his wife met in Sydney. Above: The couple at a gala in New York in 2002

After leaving News Corp, Lachlan then turned to making a series of private business decisions.

He founded private investment firm Illyria in Australia and developed his own media portfolio, including with the purchase of a portion of TV station Network 10.

Lachlan lost his investment in the network when it went into voluntary administration and was then bought by US firm CBS.

But Murdoch's eldest son returned to his father's business in 2014 as co-chairman of both News Corp and 21st Century Fox.

The return appeared to place Lachlan above his brother and sister in any contest to succeed their father.

James, once viewed as the heir apparent, suffered a blow to his reputation when the phone-hacking scandal broke.

At the time he was in charge of News International (now News UK), the publisher of the now-defunct News of the World.

He resigned from the board of News Corp in 2020 citing 'disagreements' over editorial content. He had been the CEO of 21st Century Fox until 2019.

He is believed to be more liberal than his brother, who is said to be conservative like his father.

Lachlan became Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox in 2015 and was named as the Chairman and CEO of the Fox Corporation in March 2019.

He played a major hand in the rise of former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson and was in charge when voting systems company Dominion brought a lawsuit against the firm for its coverage of the 2020 presidential election.

Fox paid out $786million in damages and the saga led to the departure of Carlson.

However, the episode clearly did not stop Murdoch from anointing his son as his successor.

Thanking his father after news of his retirement was announced, Lachlan said in a statement released today: 'On behalf of the FOX and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams, and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career.

'We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted.

Lachlan and his wife have three children together. Sons Kalan and Aidan were born in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Daughter Aerin arrived in 2010

'We are grateful that he will serve as Chairman Emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies'.

A spokesman confirmed that Lachlan's new role will start at the end of the Autumn.

He met his wife Sarah O'Hare, a former Wonderbra model, on a boat in Sydney harbour.

The couple, who married in 1999, were introduced by fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, who went on to make Sarah's wedding dress.

Lachlan and Sarah enjoyed a three-week honeymoon that took in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and the Caribbean.

They have three children together. Sons Kalan and Aidan were born in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Daughter Aerin arrived in 2010.
The father of disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been allegedly linked to a so-called 'dark money' network that pours billions into politically liberal causes.

In a court filing this week, lawyers for FTX accused Bankman-Fried's parents Allan Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried of siphoning millions from the company, which seeks to claw back the funds.

A footnote to the filing says that Bankman 'sat on the advisory board of Arabella Advisors,' a prominent for-profit consulting firm that runs a network of tightly related non-profits supporting liberal causes.

Arabella spokesman Steve Samson told DailyMail.com that claim is false, and that Bankman 'has never had any role at Arabella Advisors.'

However, he added that the New Venture Fund, one of the five non-profits closely linked to Arabella, 'has publicly noted that it briefly worked with the FTX Foundation to provide administrative services for some of its grantmaking.'

In a court filing this week, lawyers for FTX accused Bankman-Fried's parents Allan Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried (together above) of siphoning millions from the company

Arabella was founded by former Clinton administration appointee Eric Kessler (above), and its network of associated non-profits spent more than $1.2 billion in 2020, utilizing tax rules that often obscure the donors' identities

'NVF has also noted that Mr. Bankman served in an advisory role for the project at NVF that was affiliated with the FTX Foundation,' he added.

The New Venture Fund did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson told Fox News, which first reported Bankman's ties to the group, that it had worked with Bankman prior to the collapse of FTX last November.

'In early 2022, NVF issued grants from a project advised by Mr. Bankman and affiliated with the FTX Foundation, all of which went to carefully vetted charitable organizations addressing environmental challenges and hunger,' the fund's spokesperson told Fox.

'This is a pending legal matter, and the remaining money will be returned based on resolution of that process.'

Arabella was founded by former Clinton administration appointee Eric Kessler, and its network of associated non-profits spent more than $1.2 billion in 2020, utilizing tax rules that often obscure the donors' identities.

In a letter to the Wall Street Journal last year, Arabella insisted that it is a simple 'service provider that supports its nonprofit clients with operational services' such as HR and accounting.

But critics note that those clients include tightly affiliated nonprofits such as the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which The Atlantic called 'the indisputable heavyweight of Democratic dark money.'

The New Venture Fund has drawn similar scrutiny. Former Arabella Advisors managing director Lee Bodner is president of the nonprofit, which pursues a wide array of progressive policies in areas like climate change and gender equity.

NVF's financial backers include the likes of Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, as well as foundations like Ford and MacArthur.

According to court documents, FTX had previously wired $8 million to the Arabella-managed New Venture Fund.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges that he siphoned company funds to make lavish real estate purchases, splash out political donations, and prop up his hedge fund

The complaint filed by FTX on Monday as part of the company's Delaware bankruptcy case seeks to claw back millions from Bankman and Fried, accusing them of siphoning funds 'for their own personal benefit and their chosen pet causes.'

FTX entered bankruptcy in November when the global exchange ran out of money after the equivalent of a bank run.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges that he siphoned company funds to make lavish real estate purchases, splash out political donations, and fund risky trades at Alameda Research, his cryptocurrency hedge fund.

His trial on federal fraud charges is scheduled to begin October 3 in Manhattan.

Several other former FTX executives have pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges and are cooperating with investigators.

The lawsuit alleges that Bankman, a Stanford University law professor and expert in tax law, and Fried, a retired Stanford law professor, participated in the wrongdoing that led to the collapse of FTX and resulted in both criminal and civil investigations.

Stanford said this week it will return the funds of all gifts collected from FTX and related companies.
New York governor Kathy Hochul welcomed asylum seekers with 'open arms' and pledged to house them just three years before telling migrants to 'go elsewhere' because the city is at its limit.

The Democrat addressed the migrant crisis on Wednesday, warning that asylum seekers who arrive in New York City will not be housed in hotel rooms as they have been in the past.

'We have to get the word out, that when you come to New York, you're not going to have more hotel rooms, we don't have capacity,' Hochul said on CNN. 'So we have to also message properly that we're at a limit - if you're going to leave your country, go somewhere else.'

It's a stunning reversal from her statements in December 2021, when she promised to house and protect asylum seekers - before thousands of migrants began arriving every month from Sothern border states. More than 113,000 migrants have arrived in the city since last Spring.

'As you know, the Statue of Liberty is inscribed. It says, give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free,' Hochul previously said. 'You're welcome with open arms and we'll work to keep you safe... We'll not only house you, but we'll protect you.'

New York governor Kathy Hochul has warned that asylum seekers who arrive in New York City will not be housed in hotel rooms as they have been in the past

The city has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who make their way there, and mayor Eric Adams has desperately turned to a variety of city landmarks such as hotels, 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.

Adams has also had a change of heart regarding how welcoming New York should be to migrants.

Last August, Adams went to Port Authority to welcome a bus full of asylum seekers sent from Texas by Republican governor Gregg Abbot, who argued progressive cities should also bare the costs of the influx of asylum seekers crossing the southern border.

Speaking to reporters at the time, the mayor said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.'

But the buses kept coming, and a year later, Adams is pleading for federal and state aid - asking a judge to suspend the Right to Shelter policy as the city struggles to find room for the 110,000 asylum seekers that have arrived since the Spring of 2022.

In May he made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city, as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it.

In July, he told migrants the city was out of room, and to said it would distribute flyers at the US-Mexico border telling newly arrived migrants to 'consider another city.'

The city has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who make their way there. Migrants are seen outside The Roosevelt Hotel

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, Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among the hotels designated for housing migrants in Manhattan

Hochul's comments this week come after her predecessor Andrew Cuomo blamed the situation on the Biden administration and warned it would hurt Democrats politically.

'This was a federal responsibility, period. First and foremost. Not the state, not the city. Immigration law is a federal responsibility... This is a function for the federal government to manage, and make every city, every state do its fair share.'

He added that the Biden administration should 'pay the bill for the cost of the migrants and dont ask the taxpayers of any city to pick up the bill.'

Cuomo's comments echoed those of mayor Adams, who has repeatedly argued the federal government needs to step and help cover the crisis' cost.

Adams warned that the city's services will be affected by the incredible 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.

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 situation has already caused several demonstrations by furious New Yorkers.

Earlier this week, 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.

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.
Ryan Clinkunbroomer's fiancee has spoken publicly for the first time since the Sheriff's Deputy was shot and killed in his patrol car last weekend.

Heartbroken Brittany Lindsey, who became engaged to Clinkunbroomer, 30, just four days before his death told a press conference on Wednesday how 'Ryan was the best guy I've ever met'.

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.

The fallen deputy's coffin was laid to rest on Wednesday after a solemn procession lined by fellow officers.

The suspected shooter Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested at his family's Palmdale home early on Monday following an hours-long standoff with police.

Heartbroken Brittany Lindsey, who became engaged to Clinkunbroomer, 30, just four days

Clinkunbroomer was a third-generation deputy whose father and grandfather also served with the force. He is pictured with his fiancee

Upon arrival in Covina his flag-draped casket was escorted to the mortuary by his family.

Speaking on Wednesday next to Clinkunbroomer's parents, Kim and Mike, Lindsey said 'He was so thoughtful, caring, and everyone who met him or knew him loved him. I'm so happy I was able to love him. It was not long enough' she said through tears.

'I couldn't wait to start our lives together.

'We were just engaged. Planning to get married and start a family.

'Ryan, I miss you. And I love you so much. I don't know how to live without you. I didn't ever want to imagine it.'

Fighting back tears she asked her fiancee to 'look down on all your brothers and sisters and blue. Keep them safe, so this never happens to anyone else.

'Protect them and watch over them as they continue to serve their community. Until we meet again.'

Salazar's attorney entered dual pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday.

The fallen deputy's coffin was laid to rest on Wednesday after a solemn procession lined by fellow officers

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, right, comforts Brittany Lindsey, second from right, joined by Clinkunbroomer's parents, Kim and Mike Clinkunbroomer

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 refused to come out of the home for hours and only surrendered after police released chemical agents

Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer's alleged killer Kevin Salazar, 29, has pled not guilty by reason of insanity to his murder

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.

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.

Salazar claimed he heard voices and that people were following him on the streets, according to his mom

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna pauses while reading a statement during a press to announce an arrest in the ambush killing of sheriff's deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer Monday

The family of alleged cop killer Kevin Salazar leaving a Los Angeles court on Wednesday

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.

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.
Authorities are investigating the cause of a horror crash that left nine people injured in Indiana on Thursday morning.

Lawrence Police Department confirmed the four children, aged three to nine, were rushed from the scene to a hospital as well as one police officer.

Pictures from CBS4 show two smashed-up cars almost completely destroyed, with one appearing to have its roof cut off by emergency services.

The maroon vehicle, carrying the children, collided with the silver car, with the latter bursting into flames shortly after the crash at 8.40am.

Five adults were also injured, with one in critical condition following the terrifying incident.

The maroon vehicle, carrying the children, collided with the silver car, with the latter bursting into flames shortly after the crash at 8.40am

Police confirmed that one person in the silver car which caught on fire was in critical condition. It is unclear if they were the driver or a passenger.

In a statement Lawrence Police Department said: 'Just before 9:00 am, Lawrence police, fire, & EMS responded to a 2-vehicle serious injury crash in the 10700 block of Pendleton Pike, in Lawrence, IN (US).

'First responders treated 9 injured between the two vehicles- 5 adults, 4 children. One of the adults is critical.

'Of the 9 injured, 1 was a first responding police officer with minor injuries to the arm due to broken glass, sustained as he was assisting with rendering medical aid to the injured in the crash.

'8 total ambulances responded to the scene. Contributing factors to the crash remain under investigation by Lawrence police crash investigators.

'Preliminary indication is an eastbound silver passenger vehicle was attempting an unauthorized U-turn on Pendleton Pike, when that vehicle collided with a westbound maroon minivan.

'The injured children, ranging in age from 3-9, were passengers in the maroon minivan.'

Eight ambulances rushed to the scene, with the officer suffering a cut to the arm, and the rest of the injuries are expected to be non-life-threatening.

The officer was injured after cutting his hand on glass while attempting to render aid at the crash scene.

It is unclear how the crash occurred, but firefighters rushed to the scene to put out a blaze as emergency services worked to free those trapped in the vehicles.

People are asked to avoid the area as crash investigators continue working at the scene.

This is a developing story.
Vivek Ramaswamy revealed that his Indian father is not a U.S. citizen  and said just his mother took the citizenship test after repeatedly claiming on the trail his 'parents' took the test.

The moment is notable because Ramaswamy, 38, has said that in order to graduate, high school students should be required to pass the civics test that immigrants have to take before becoming a citizen of the U.S.

When asked in an NBC News interview if his father took the test, the 2024 hopeful said: 'He did not. And that's a choice that he has made for familial reasons.'

'But my mother did,' the biotech entrepreneur added.

Ramamswamy is son to two Indian immigrants  his wife's parents also emigrated from India. The couple has two sons, Karthik, four, and Arjun, one.

The father-of-two explained that his mother took the test and completed the citizenship process after he was born.

Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy told NBC News that his Indian immigrant father did not take the U.S. citizenship test  but his mother did

Vivek was born to two Indian immigrants in Ohio. He has repeatedly said as part of his presidential platform that those born to undocumented illegal immigrants in the U.S. should be deported and stripped of their citizenship

'And I think that every immigrant who comes to this country in order to become a full voting citizen has to do the same,' he reiterated.

Ramaswamy not only believes all immigrants should need to take the test, but also says that those U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 24 should be required to pass a civics test before being given the right to vote.

'I think there's no reason why every high school student who graduated in this country should not have to pass the same civics test that an immigrant, like my parents, had to pass in order to become a citizen of this country,' he said when speaking with Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State last month.

Among his other controversial and aggressive immigration stances, Ramaswamy also said as President he would want to strip citizenship and deport those born in the U.S. to undocumented parents  so-called Dreamers.

Ramaswamy was born in the U.S. to two non-citizens, meaning he gained citizenship through birthright.

'I want to be very clear about this. I think that birthright citizenship does not and should not apply to the kids of parents who entered this country illegally,' Ramaswamy said.

'Here's the policy we're gonna apply  this is where I've been clear, the kid of illegal immigrants, and the families who came here undocumented, have to be returned to their country of origin,' Ramaswamy said.

There is a clear distinction from Ramaswamy and those protected under DACA because most times the Dreamers were born to undocumented parents who were illegally living in the U.S.

Ramaswamy noted that his parents immigrated to the country legally.

Vivek Ramaswamy married his wife Apoorva in 2015 and they have two young sons together, Karthik, four, and Arjun, one

Ramaswamy says his mother took the citizenship test after he was born  but reiterates that his parents legally entered the U.S.

The millionaire 2024 hopeful wants to do a complete overhaul of the U.S. immigration and implement a 'meritocratic'  or skill-based  scheme to match the needs of the US.

'It's a lottery. Why on earth would you use a lottery when you could use meritocratic admission instead, restore merit,' Ramaswamy said in a Fox News interview over the weekend as he criticized the current H1-B visa program.

H-1B visas allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is a non-immigrant visa that is highly sought after by Indian IT professionals. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Apoorva Ramaswamy, Vivek's wife since 2015 and mother of their two children, told DailyMail.com in an interview on Sunday that her Indian immigrant parents would agree with this system.

'Oh, 100 percent,' she said. 'I think immigrants know, most of all, how broken our immigration system is.'

'We want to work it so that we can get people who can actually serve the needs that we have as Americans,' she added. 'That is the most powerful thing. I think immigrants most of all know why our system is broken.'
Gone in a flash!

Residents in a new Texas neighborhood got quite the shock this week when they saw a home go up in flames just as families started to move in.

A home in the Pecan Square neighborhood was hit by lighting and lit on fire as thunderstorms rolled through the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Cathy Lopez had moved into the development four days ago and snapped pictures of the stunning Monday scene as lighting cracked around the home on fire.

'Just flames got bigger and bigger while we sat there and watched and the lightning was still going so I was really worried about the fire department being safe,' she told NBC DFW.

A home in the Pecan Square neighborhood was hit by lighting and lit on fire as thunderstorms rolled through the Dallas-Fort Worth area

The newly built mansion in Northlake, Texas, had its roof cave in as a result of the fire. It's unclear who owns the property.

Lopez and her husband are one of the first people to move into the new neighborhood and were the only ones who watched the mansion burn. When the blaze started, he ran to Cathy to inform her of the situation.

'He just came running in and said you've got to come out here right now and see what's going on. Out our back patio we can see the flames coming out of the top of the roof.

After the fire department arrived, the pair drove over to the mansion to see the damage up close and document the damage.

'Forty pictures were nothing and then all of a sudden I was like, 'Oh, I got a really good picture of lightning here with the fire in the background,' said Lopez.

'I'm sad for them [owners]. I'm glad they weren't there but you know waking up who knows how close they were to moving.'

Cathy Lopez had moved into the development four days ago and snapped pictures of the stunning scene as lighting cracked around the home on fire

'I'm sad for them [owners]. I'm glad they weren't there but you know waking up who knows how close they were to moving,' Lopez said

'It's very scary,' Lopez added. 'You know, we're glad that we have a place to stay that we are inside where you know, you hope that you're safe. We're just really thankful that no one was in the house. You know that God protected those people that they haven't moved in yet. So it is scary, but it was also beautiful too.'

The development is new and there aren't many trees in the area, which could attract the lightning instead of the rooftops.

'So there's been some talk about, you know, should we do something different and new neighborhoods like this where there aren't any big trees or any, you know, trees to speak of whatsoever, then that danger is just heightened,' she said.

Monday's storms caused damage throughout the area, including in Keller, Justin and Northlake in Denton County.

The development is new and there aren't many trees in the area, which could attract the lightning instead of the rooftops

Another resident in the Erath County town of Dublin, located about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth reported roof damage after the Tuesday storm.

Leah Allen told Fox4 that the roof of her house was torn off at around 11.24pm.

She said that the house shook during the storm and pieces of her metal roof ended up scattered 50 to 100 yards away.

Cases of severe damage are also being reported from the Denton County city of Krum.
Homeland Security has sent 800 troops to help the Texas National Guard

A second person has drowned while trying to enter the US illegally in Eagle Pass, Texas, a day after a three-year-old boy died while 10,000 migrants rushed to get into the border town.

FOX News reports it was a middle aged man who drowned this morning, as Customs and Border Patrol agents raced to keep up with the influx.

Since Wednesday morning, an astonishing 10,000 migrants have entered Eagle Pass, a small border town of fewer than 30,000. Most have been released after being processed.

Some 700 migrants crossed in today over a period of seven hours, averaging 100 migrants every hour, according to border patrol agents at the scene cited by NewsNation.

A woman pulls a toddler under wire fencing at an illegal border crossing in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday. More than 100 migrants are entering the town every hour

A migrant is dragged beneath wire fencing in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday

Border Patrol agents wait on the other side of cut barbed wire in Eagle Pass, Texas, as barefoot families crawl under

Border agents pull the body of a middle aged man from the Rio Grande on Thursday. He is the second person to drown in 24 hours in the border town

Among the 10,000 migrants who have crossed illegally into the US in the last 24 hours is this unaccompanied five-year-old girl, who has her mother's name and phone number written on her t-shirt. She was among a group of 90 men, according to CBS's Sydney Hernandez

Migrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas

A pregnant mother walks with her young son into Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday September 21

As more make their way into the US, the Border Patrol Union is begging the White House to take action.

Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council, said today he believes that the Biden administration is deliberately ignoring the problem to 'energize' Democrats before the November election.

'We have opened the flood gates. All it's going to do is encourage more people to cross our border illegally - it's a reward for breaking our law. We're going to see the numbers skyrocket even more - it makes absolutely no sense.

'We believe this is politics, that this administration is trying to pander to an open- border base, energize their base to get them out to vote. It makes our country a lot less secure.

'It's monstrous to see what this administration is doing,' he said.

Ten thousand migrants have crossed illegally into Eagle Pass, Texas, in the last 24 hours, triggering a state of emergency in the small border town where shelters and hospitals are now overrun.

Before sunrise this morning, another 250 were waiting to be processed. Hundreds more are expected today in what many residents say is the worst border crisis they have ever seen.

Many of the migrants flooding into Eagle Pass this week are from Venezuela. Others have come from Mexico, Honduras and other Central and South American countries

A Texas National Guardsman yells as a group of migrants break through wire to enter Ciudad Juarez

An aerial view shows desperate migrant families breaking through wire to enter the US

A woman cries as she seeks help crossing concertina wire on Thursday in Eagle Pass

US Border Patrol agents speak with young children at Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday

Large groups beginning to cross illegally again into Eagle Pass, TX this morning. pic.twitter.com/WNtnDwZXtZ  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 21, 2023

Eagle Pass, TX right now. Illegal crossings began before sunrise and havent stopped. pic.twitter.com/lvJShQTBis  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 21, 2023

FOX News cites border patrol agents who say 10,000 have been 'encountered' in a single 24 hour period - one of the highest numbers ever seen.

The Biden administration has sent 800 troops to the border to assist Texas National Guardsmen who are already there.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott yesterday eviscerated President Biden for allowing the unfolding disaster. The only migrant shelter in the city, Mission Border Hope, has now been overrun with migrants.

Many fled from Venezuela and arrived in the US via Mexico. Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas declared a state of emergency yesterday, warning that the town's hospitals are also becoming overwhelmed.

Yesterday, a three-year-old boy drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass with his family.

The bridge between Eagle Pass and the Mexican city across the border, Piedras Negras, was closed on Wednesday so border agents could be redeployed to work on processing migrants.

Randy Clark, a retired Border Patrol agent, said the decision to close the border to those legally crossing back and forth showed the scale of the problem.

'The only closure at the border is one of two ports of entry where legal residents and citizens cross. The inconvenience by DHS is reserved for legitimate trade and travel,' he wrote on X.

Migrants wait to be processed in Eagle Pass on Thursday morning after overwhelming the small Texas border town yesterday

Thousands of migrants are pictured lining up to be processed on arrival in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday. At one point the line stretched five miles

The line of migrants awaiting processing on Wednesday stretched as far as the eye could see in Eagle Pass

Migrants sit under the bridge on Wednesday in Eagle Pass, awaiting processing

Border agents say criminal gangs are taking 'full advantage' of the escalating crisis by increasing their human trafficking efforts. Above, a group of 49 who were found in a 'poorly ventilated trailer. They had come from Guatemala and Honduras

These are the temporary work permits that have been issued to nearly 500,000 Venezuelan migrants who have entered the country since January

'No impediments on the constant flow of illegal traffic between the ports. 'This government is on crazy pills!'

The line for processing illegal immigrants on Wednesday stretched for five miles on Wednesday, NewsNation reported, and wound its way back into Mexico.

Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, said 2,500 people crossed into his town of 29,000 on Monday - and 7,200 the week before.

So far this year, the Del Rio sector of the border, in which Eagle Pass sits, has recorded 317,866 migrant 'encounters', the latest Border Patrol data shows.

The figure is a 15.5 percent decrease on the same time period last year, but Salinas said his town was still struggling.

Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, said 2,500 people crossed into his town of 29,000 on Monday. On Tuesday night he declared a state of emergency

Migrants are pictured wading across the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass last week

'It has taken a toll on our local resources, specifically our police force and our fire department,' he said on Tuesday night.

'I've been getting a lot of calls from our constituents that they get worried, they see a lot of people in our community.

'But it is my understanding that some of these people, they don't want to be there. So they're leaving (the shelters), and they're on our streets, and I understand the concerns of a lot of people.'

The Biden administration said it will send 800 active-duty military personnel to the border, to boost efforts by the 2,500 National Guardsmen already deployed to help Customs and Border Protection at the border.

Abbott, the Texas governor, said he was also sending additional members of the state National Guard.

He said the razor wire his team had installed along the banks of the river had been taken down: he deployed troops to reinstall it.

'Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings,' said Abbott. 'Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.

'I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire.'

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, said the Biden administration cut the razor wire along the border - so he was sending people to replace it

Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings.



Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.



I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire. pic.twitter.com/eMtLS8Z6WI  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 20, 2023

Abbott said the Biden administration was not doing enough to stem the flow

And amid the anguish at the border, the Biden administration was trumpeting its Venezuela decision.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, granted the expansion of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to 'Venezuela's increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions,' the department said in a statement.

There are currently approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuela's existing TPS designation, who will be able to remain a further 18 months.

There are an additional approximately 472,000 nationals of Venezuela who are now eligible for the scheme.

Critics say the promise of work will encourage illegal crossings - even though anyone who crossed after July 31, or failed to register, is ineligible.

But supporters of the scheme said it allowed those migrants awaiting processing to work and support themselves, reducing the burden on the states.

'More than 116,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City since last spring in search of the American Dream,' tweeted Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, and one of the most vocal in calling for migrants to be allowed to work.

'Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to 'Let Them Work,' so I want to thank @POTUS for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status.'

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, said she too was pleased - and appeared to claim credit for the decision.

'After my productive conversation with @POTUS last night, I'm grateful the federal government has acted so speedily to grant one of our top priorities: providing Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan migrants & asylum seekers who have already arrived in this country,' she wrote on X.

'There's more work to do as we address the migrant crisis, but the State of New York is prepared to immediately begin the process of signing people up for work authorization & getting them into jobs so they can become self-sufficient.'
Sir Keir Starmer was today accused of trying to reverse Brexit 'by stealth' after footage emerged of him admitting Labour 'don't want to diverge' from EU rules.

The Labour leader, speaking at a conference of centre-left leaders, suggested his party do not want to 'do different things' from EU countries if they win power.

Sir Keir added there was 'a lot more common ground than you might think' between Brussels and the UK.

The comments fuelled further suspicions about the Labour leader's stance towards Brexit, as he bids to replace Rishi Sunak as prime minister at the general election.

Sir Keir has already pledged to strike a 'much better' Brexit deal with the EU if he enters Downing Street, while he this week held cosy talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told MailOnline that Sir Keir's remarks about not diverging from EU rules were 'no surprise'.

'Sir Keir of the second referendum has always opposed Brexit and wants the reverse it by stealth,' he added.

Other senior Tories claimed Sir Keir had missed the 'whole point of Brexit' and said Britain would be committing a 'disastrous mistake' by 'blindly following' EU rules.

Sir Keir Starmer, speaking at a conference of centre-left leaders, suggested his party do not want to 'do different things' from EU countries if they win power

The Labour leader's remarks were made just days before he travelled to Paris for talks with Emmanuel Macron

Sir Keir held a 45-minute chat with the French President in the Elysee Palace behind closed doors

Sir Keir's comments were made during his weekend trip to Montreal, Canada, for the Global Progress Action Summit

Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg accused Sir Keir of trying to reverse Brexit 'by stealth'

Sir Keir's comments - first reported by Sky News - were made during his weekend trip to Montreal, Canada, for the Global Progress Action Summit.

Other speakers at the summit included Labour ex-PM Sir Tony Blair, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, ex-Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, and former EU vice-president Frans Timmermans.

The Labour leader said that 'most of the conflict' from the UK being outside the EU 'arises in so far as the UK wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners'.

He added: 'Obviously the more we share values, the more we share a future together, the less the conflict. And actually different ways of solving problems become available.

'Actually we don't want to diverge, we don't want to lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people that work, food standards and all the rest of it.

'So suddenly, you're in a space where, notwithstanding the obvious fact that we're outside the EU and not in the EEA (European Economic Area), there's a lot more common ground than you might think.'

Labour sources pointed to how a livestream of the event had been publicised by the party itself and suggested Sir Keir's comments were being 'massively oversold'.

But, responding to Sir Keir's remarks, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly posted on Twitter: 'Keir voted Remain. Then he backed a second referendum. Then he didnt.

'Now he wants to rejoin the EU in all but name. What does Labour stand for?'

Tory former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke suggested the Labour leader had missed the 'whole point' of Britain leaving the EU.

'The whole point of Brexit is our ability to do things differently,' he posted.

'From our vaccine roll out to Freeports to solvency rules to our membership of the CPTPP, we are already demonstrating why this matters.

'Being a rule-taker, blindly following the EU, would be a disastrous mistake.'

Fellow Tory MP Alex Stafford added: 'If we hadn't been divergent we wouldn't have led the world in the vaccine during Covid.'

A Labour Party spokesperson said: Weve left the European Union and were not going back in any form.

'We dont support dynamic alignment. Were not joining the single market or the customs union.

'We will not be in a situation where we are a rule taker. Any decisions on what standards we follow will be made in the UK Parliament.

'The Tories have not used Brexit to diverge on food, environmental or labour standards and if they have a plan to do so then they should come clean with people.'
A Louisiana fugitive who fled during a 1991 trial over a shooting was finally arrested more than three decades later after authorities found him hiding in Mexico.

Greg Lawson, 63, fled the country before he was convicted of attempted second-degree murder in 1991. Throughout the years, he was one of the most wanted criminals by the FBI agents.

A tip sent to the FBI earlier this month led to the arrest, according to a press release from the FBI of New Orleans.

Lawson took off 32 years ago, just before a jury found him guilty of attempted second-degree murder in the shooting of Seth Garlington.

His truck was parked a block away from the Claiborne Parish Courthouse where the case was tried, but he was nowhere to be found - until now.

Greg Lawson, now 63, was arrested 32 years ago after he shot Seth Garlington but fled before he was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder. He is pictured in a 1991 mugshot

The fugitive was found and arrested Tuesday in Huatulco, Mexico, after the FBI received a tip earlier this month and worked with Mexican immigration authorities. He is pictured here after being returned from Mexico to the US

Lawson was deported for immigration violations after agents in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Mexican immigration authorities worked together to find him.

'There is no doubt that Mr. Lawson might still be in the wind if our partners in Mexico had not been willing to deal with this so swiftly,' said Douglas A. Williams Jr., special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans.

In 1991, Lawson forced Garlington's vehicle off the highway and started a fistfight in the parking lot at a gas station. The two had been childhood friends.

'They couldn't settle things with their hands, so they brought out the guns' said Ryanie Evans, a former friend of Lawson said in an interview with KSLA NEWS in 2007.

Garlington was shot but survived. Lawson was arrested but fled before the verdict was read out loud in court.

Photos from 1991 show some of the evidence police used against Lawson

The fugitive was found and arrested Tuesday in Huatulco, Mexico, after the FBI received a tip earlier this month and worked with Mexican immigration authorities

He arrived at the Houston airport and met Bienville Parish sheriff's deputies for his ride to jail

The FBI offered a $10,000 reward for his capture in 2007 with the hope to bring new light to the cold case.

For decades, the FBI had suspected the fugitive was somewhere in Mexico. Sightings of Lawson in foreign counties had been reported to agents.

Evans also said in 2007 that he caught a glimpse of Lawson:

'And he pulled up in a truck, (a) Chevy with Texas tags, and rolled the window down and went.'

Lawson was said to have gotten away with other crimes during his life for his family influence around the area.

'Money was never a concern for Lawson,' Evans said.

Lawson was known for his temper, Evans added. 'He reveled in having some sort of controversy going all the time, he thrived on that.'
The mother of a six-year-old Virginia boy who shot his first-grade teacher could be jailed for failing a series of drug tests.

Deja Nicole Taylor, 25, whose young son bragged about opening fire on his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, 26, awaits sentencing on federal weapons charges that she used marijuana while possessing a firearm.

Taylor pleaded guilty in June to using marijuana while possessing a firearm. Authorities said she lied about her drug use on a federal background check form when she bought the gun that her son brought to school.

In August, she avoided misdemeanor gun charges after striking a plea deal. As part of the agreement, prosecutors agreed to ask the judge for a sentence of 18 months to 24 months in prison.

She was released on bond under the conditions that she submit to drug tests and receive addiction treatment. But she has failed - or skipped - drug tests, prosecutors alleged.

The judge has set her sentencing on the gun charge for October 18. A bond revocation hearing is set in federal court.

Deja Taylor arrives at federal court, June 12, 2023, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her 6-year-old shot his teacher in a classroom

Abigail Zwerner, 25, was shot by a six-year-old student in January who then bragged about the incident

Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where the shooting occurred. Several parents have filed a lawsuit against the school for not protecting their kids

Zwerner was shot on January 6 at Richneck Elementary Public School as she sat at a reading table in the classroom. The day of the shooting, the 6-year-old was dropped off at the school by his mother. He told other children that morning that he had a firearm in his backpack and staff were also told about it.

Rather than remove him from any classes, the school's administrators allowed him to be around other children and teachers.

They checked his backpack for a weapon, but he had already removed it and put it in his sweatshirt, according to a lawsuit later filed by Zwerner's.

The vice principal then forbade any teachers from searching the boy himself, according to the lawsuit.

At 1:59pm, he pulled out the gun from his sweater and shot Zwerner in the chest. The bullet hit one of her hands first - which she says saved her life.

In April, she filed a lawsuit against the school board and some teachers for not doing more to protect her and others from the child. The 20-page lawsuit describes the boy's past behavior in disturbing detail/

'John Doe had been removed from school during the 2021-2022 school year when he was in kindergarten after he strangled and choked a teacher,' the lawsuit noted.

'Also during the 2021-2022 school year, a female child had fallen on the playground and John Doe came up to her, pulled her dress up and began to touch the child inappropriately until reprimanded by a teacher,' it reads.

Two days the same boy had smashed her phone and called her a 'b***h.'

A year before the shooting, the boy was so troublesome that he'd been removed from the school a after trying to choke a different teacher, and was supposed to be chaperoned by a parent every day.

Zwerner was shot as she sat at a reading table in the classroom

After the shooting, Zwerner filed a lawsuit against the school district seeking $40 million

Since her arrest, Taylor has twice tested positive for marijuana and once for cocaine, federal prosecutors wrote in a filing with the court this month.

She also missed two drug tests and two drug treatment sessions, they said.

'These violations are serious and call into question the defendants danger to the community, respect for the law and this Courts Orders,' Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Peter Osyf wrote.

James Ellenson, an attorney for Taylor, said his client doesn't dispute the prosecutors' allegations. But he argued against incarceration in a court filing, stating that Taylor has made 'substantial positive developments.'

She's taken four more drugs tests since August 25, Ellenson said. While they've been positive for marijuana, 'the levels are decreasing and show that Ms. Taylor is abstaining from this drug,' Ellenson wrote.

He added the one positive result for cocaine 'was an aberration and likely caused from her use of marijuana unknowingly laced with cocaine.'

'Ms. Taylor freely admits that she has had and still faces a serious substance abuse challenge,' Ellenson wrote.

'Her addiction is clearly a disease - nonetheless, revocation and incarceration are not the cures. ... A jail cell will only exacerbate the deep issues that she is facing.'

Taylor pleaded guilty in June to using marijuana while possessing a firearm. Authorities said she lied about her drug use on a federal background check form when she bought the gun that her son took to school

Marijuana is legal in many U.S. states, including Virginia. But it's still a controlled substance under U.S. law, which generally prohibits gun possession by someone who has been convicted of a felony, been committed to a mental institution or illegally uses controlled substances, among other things.

Authorities had found marijuana at homes where Taylor was staying during searches that followed the shooting at Richneck Elementary School.

Meanwhile, Taylor still faces sentencing for a state charge of felony child neglect, which was filed after the shooting. It is scheduled for Oct. 27.

In that case, prosecutors agreed to ask for a sentence that falls within state guidelines, expected to be no more than six months. Prosecutors also agreed to drop a misdemeanor charge of reckless storage of a firearm.
Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez, 44, was executed for the 1996 rape and murder of a 21-year-old ballerina at 10.19am Thursday by lethal injection.

Sanchez received a series of three injections. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections noted that the family of his victim did not attend.

The 44-year-old was sentenced to death after being convicted of the heinous crime against University of Oklahoma student Juli Busken who he abducted, sexually assaulted, bound and shot in the head at Lake Stanley Draper.

His last meal was chicken fried steak, fried okra, mashed potatoes, apple pie and ice cream, hot roll and sweet iced tea, though he told KFOR on Tuesday: 'I probably won't be able to eat it to tell you the truth.'

Despite a bullet, DNA evidence, a footprint and a sketch of the suspect convincing a jury of his guilt, Sanchez maintained his innocence up until the execution but did not request clemency, claiming there was 'little hope.'

While strapped to the gurney, Sanchez's last words were 'I'm innocent. I didn't kill nobody.'

Some reports said that he added that his attorneys were 'the worst lawyers in the state of Oklahoma' and that he's 'sorry to whoever has them as lawyers.'

Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez, 44, was executed for the 1996 rape and murder of a 21-year-old ballerina at 10.19am by lethal injection

His last meal was chicken fried steak, fried okra, mashed potatoes, apple pie and ice cream, hot roll and sweet iced tea

Earlier this week, while speaking to KFOR, Sanchez said: 'If this is what makes the Buskens happy and able to move on, I'm happy for 'em. But I'm innocent. I didn't kill their daughter,' he added to the outlet.

Sanchez also said to the outlet that he didn't want to have any of his family to witness the execution.

'Nobody wants to see their son executed and that's why I don't want nobody here.'

The case went unsolved for years until DNA from the crime scene was matched to Sanchez, who was serving prison time for burglary.

Even though he maintained that he had nothing to do with the killing of Busken, he took the unusual step of opting not to present a clemency application to the state's Pardon and Parole Board, which many viewed as the last chance to spare his life.

Shortly before he was put to death, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request for a stay of execution submitted by his new lawyer, Eric Allen, of Columbus, Ohio.

Allen had said he needed more time to go through the case evidence.

Busken, a Benton, Arkansas, native had just completed her last semester at the university when she was abducted on December 20, 1996, from the parking lot of her Norman apartment complex.

Busken had performed as a ballerina in several dance performances during her tenure at OU and was memorialized at the campus with a dance scholarship in her name at the College of Fine Arts.

Juli Busken (pictured) a University of Oklahoma dance student graduate, was found abducted from her apartment, raped and murdered in Oklahoma City, 1996. She was shot in the back of the head with a .22-caliber firearm, according to court documents

Busken, a Benton, Arkansas native, and ballerina had just completed her last semester at the university when she was abducted on December 20, 1996, from the parking lot of her Norman apartment complex

Years later, Sanchez was serving time for a burglary conviction when DNA from sperm on Busken's clothing at the crime scene was matched to him. He was convicted and sentenced to die in 2006.

Sanchez has long maintained his innocence and did so again in a phone call to The Associated Press earlier this year from death row. 'That is fabricated DNA,' Sanchez said. 'That is false DNA. That is not my DNA. I've been saying that since day one.'

He told the AP that he declined to ask for clemency because even when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board takes the rare step of recommending it, Gov. Kevin Stitt has been unlikely to grant it.

'I've sat in my cell and I've watched inmate after inmate after inmate get clemency and get denied clemency,' Sanchez said. 'Either way, it doesn't go well for the inmates.'

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond maintained that the DNA evidence unequivocally linked Sanchez to Busken's killing.

A sample of Anthony Sanchez's DNA 'was identical to the profiles developed from sperm on Busken's panties and leotard,' Drummond wrote last month in a letter to a state representative who had inquired about Sanchez's conviction.

Drummond added there was no indication either profile was mixed with DNA from any other individual and that the odds of randomly selecting an individual with the same genetic profile were 1 in 94 trillion among Southwest Hispanics.

'There is no conceivable doubt that Anthony Sanchez is a brutal rapist and murderer who is deserving of the state's harshest punishment,' Drummond said in a recent statement.

A private investigator hired by an anti-death penalty group contended that the DNA evidence may have been contaminated and that an inexperienced lab technician miscommunicated the strength of the evidence to a jury.

Former Cleveland County District Attorney Tim Kuykendall, who was the county's top prosecutor when Sanchez was tried, has said that while the DNA evidence was the most compelling at trial, there was other evidence linking Sanchez to the killing, including ballistic evidence and a shoe print found at the crime scene.

Gov. Kevin Stitt (pictured on June 14, 2023) has granted clemency just once. Sanchez claimed there is 'little hope' that the state's Republican governor Kevin Stitt would spare his life

Supporters of Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez proclaim his innocence during a news conference at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City, May 25, 2023

'I know from spending a lot of time on that case, there is not one piece of evidence that pointed to anyone other than Anthony Sanchez,' Kuykendall said recently.

'I don't care if a hundred people or a thousand people confess to killing Juli Busken.'

Oklahoma resumed carrying out the death penalty in 2021, ending a six-year moratorium brought on by concerns about its execution methods.

The state had one of the nations busiest death chambers until problems arose in 2014 and 2015.

Richard Glossip was hours away from being executed in September 2015 when prison officials realized they received the wrong lethal drug.

It was later learned the same wrong drug had been used to execute an inmate in January 2015.
A former nightclub boss accused of conning her late lover out of a chunk of his 18million fortune died from a cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard today.

Magdalena Zalinska was found unresponsive at her London flat by police in March after they were alerted by her friends.

The 46-year-old, who was accused of being a 'call girl' in a bitter financial dispute with her former lover's family, had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, Inner West London Coroner's Court was told.

At the time of her death, she was embroiled in a bitter legal fight with the family of her former lover Danny Truell who had managed billions for City firms and the Wellcome Trust charity.

They had accused the divorced mother-of-two of using 'undue influence' to gain 3.5million in cash from him while he was suffering from a neurological disease which claimed his life in 2019 aged 55.

Polish-born Ms Zalinska was being sued in the High Court by Mr Truell's brother Edi over payments made to her by his brother.

Magdalena Zalinska was found unresponsive at her London flat by police in March after they were alerted by her friends

At the time of her death, Ms Zalinska was embroiled in a bitter legal fight with the family of her former lover Danny Truell who had managed billions for City firms and the Wellcome Trust charity

Pictured is Ms Zalinska who was locked in a 4million court fight over Danny Truell's fortune before her death in March

The case was due to be heard in the High Court next year, but the sudden death of Ms Zalinska could mean the money is never recovered.

The dispute centred on the nature of the relationship Zalinska had with Truell, a contemporary of former PM Boris Johnson, and a lifelong Labour supporter.

In her evidence to the High Court Ms Zalinska had said they were in a loving relationship for 14 years and denied an accusation that she was a call girl.

Former Goldman Sachs banker Truell divorced his wife of 16 years, Naomi, in 2011, and the following year he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which later became a form of motor neurone disease.

In his will he described Ms Zalinska, as his 'partner and dependent'.

The court battle was over a series of transfers to her before Mr Truell died.

These included 1.34million paid between 2013 and 2018 to a company through which she operated her London nightclub, Southwark Rooms.

Another 915,000 went to her directly in electronic transfers, 1.36million on spending and withdrawals using his debit card, while he also transferred to her his interest in the flat she had previously rented from him in Clapham, where her body was discovered earlier this year.

Mr Truell's brother Edi, 61, who is also a City financier, claimed that although she had a sexual relationship with his brother, she was his paid carer from 2012 and did not live with him.

An inquest held remotely was attended by her Ms Zalinska's teenage daughter Aleksandra and her solicitor.

The court was told that Ms Zalinska had a 20-year history of drug and alcohol abuse.

In a statement to Inner West London Coroner's Court her GP Nita Bass said she had been treated for cocaine and amphetamine addiction.

She had also drunk up to a litre of vodka a day and had previously been referred to rehab centres for treatment.

The court was told she had been under stress due in 2022 to the on-going legal action and been prescribed a course of anti-depressants.

Polish-born Ms Zalinska was being sued in the High Court by Mr Truell's brother Edi (pictured) over payments made to her by his brother

The court was told that Ms Zalinska had a 20-year history of drug and alcohol abuse

Prior to being found dead at her flat in Clapham, south London, nurse practitioner James Kwon told the inquest he had attended with police after friends had expressed concern for her welfare.

He told the coroner Russell Caller she had expressed suicidal thoughts and had asked for another course of anti-depressant pills.

PC Daniel Redding told the inquest he broke into the flat and found Ms Zalinska lying on a sofa with white foam coming from her mouth. He said she had no pulse and paramedics were called.

A postmortem carried out at St George's Hospital found high levels of cocaine and methadone in her system.

Coroner Dr Russell Caller recorded her death as drug related.

He told her daughter:' You have my sympathy in what you have been through.'
Donald Trump is trailing by just two points in a hypothetical 2024 rematch with President Joe Biden  but his chances fall by 4 percent if he gets convicted before Election Day.

Most surveys exhibit the dead-heat between Trump and Biden, but the latest gives a peek at what could happen if Trump finds himself convicted in any of the four sets of charges against him.

The latest WPA Intelligence poll shows Biden beating Trump no matter if he's convicted or not, but the ex-President has a higher chance of clinching a second term if he keeps out from behind bars.

A post-conviction ballot would see Trump losing to Biden 39 percent to 45 percent, the survey reveals. But if they are both on the ballot again and no conviction has been levied, the gap narrows by 4 percent to give Trump 41 percent compared to Biden's 43 percent.

Even Republican support sees a small 5 percent fall-off should Trump be convicted before they head to the polls next year. At least 6 percent of GOP voters say they would not cast their ballot for the former president if he's convicted.

A new poll reveals the consequences of a conviction could cost Donald Trump a second shot at the presidency as his chances of catching up to President Joe Biden slips by 4% if convicted

Most polls, including the latest WPA Intelligence one, show Trump in a near dead-heat against Biden in a hypothetical 2024 rematch

A whopping 81 percent of Republicans, however, say that a conviction doesn't matter to them, and they would still vote for Trump  compared to the 86 percent who would vote for him as long as he remained conviction-free.

The first set of charges against Trump were levied earlier this year in relation to the alleged 'hush-money' payment he paid to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. A few months later he was hit with charges for holding onto classified documents after leaving office

More recently, Trump was charged in two separate cases for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results  the first in Washington, D.C. and the second in Fulton County, Georgia.

Nearly two-thirds of voters  63 percent  agree with the charges against Trump in Georgia, according to the poll shared exclusively with the New York Post.

WPA Intelligence CEO Chris Wilson also heads polling and data for the political action committee aligned with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Never Back Down PAC.

DeSantis most times falls in a distant second place to Trump, but recently regional polls show him slipping behind other candidates like biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

WPA notes that the PAC backing DeSantis for the nomination did not sponsor the survey.
Republican hardliners delivered a stunning blow to Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday by sinking a 2024 defense spending bill for the second time in 48 hours.

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and four other rebels voted with Democrats to block the Pentagon funding package as the party devolved further into chaos.

McCarthy and his leadership team thought they had the votes to pass a procedural vote to begin debate on the defense plan which was filled with conservative-friendly policies.

But critics voted 216 - 212 not to start a debate and demanded deeper spending cuts.

It put even more pressure on McCarthy as he battles a rebellion from colleagues who want him out as Speaker.

McCarthy said: 'This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down. It doesnt work.'

The House failed to advance the 2024 defense spending bill for the second time on Thursday in a stunning blow to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his team of leaders

Greene, typically a McCarthy ally, and Crane had previously voted for the rule for defense and flipped their vote on Thursday

McCarthy had spent over two hours on Wednesday night meeting with his fellow Republicans seeking common ground on legislation to avert a government shutdown from Oct. 1.

Congress has not yet passed any of the 12 spending bills that are needed to keep the government running.

Following the failed defense spending vote McCarthy said he would continue to pursue the 'same strategy I had from January - just keep working; never give up.'

Republicans Dan Bishop (N.C.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Eli Crane (Ariz.) were opposed.

Greene, typically a McCarthy ally, and Crane had previously voted to begin debate of the defense spending bill but flipped their votes on Thursday.

Typically, a member of the majority party votes to begin debate even if they oppose the actual legislation: before this current Congress no such procedural vote had failed since November 2002.

McCarthy said: 'Two people flipped so I got to figure out how to fix that.

'We have five people, if they dont want to even vote to allow us to bring the bills up, how does anybody complain? Its frustrating.'

'We're very dysfunctional right now,' said Rep. Tim Burchett, who voted for the rule but said he would oppose the defense appropriations bill. 'They obviously can't count,' he said of GOP leadership

Rep. Tim Burchett told reporters: 'We're very dysfunctional right now. They obviously can't count,' he said of GOP leadership.

The failed procedural vote came after a two-hour Republican meeting on Wednesday night where those who opposed spending legislation had a chance to air their grievances.

It could spell an inordinate amount of trouble for trying to push through a spending bill to keep the federal government open.

To do so Congress needs to pass either a short-term continuing resolution, known as a CR, and continue debating 12 separate spending bills or one large full-year funding bill.

McCarthy has pitched an idea to members - one that would set the topline number of discretionary spending at $1.471 trillion, as hardliners have demanded, for one month, then would draw up appropriations bills at $1.52 trillion after October 30.

The deal would also include Republicans' border legislation but would likely have no chance of a vote in the Senate.

However, Republicans believe it would offer a starting point for negotiations with the Democratic-led upper chamber.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said: 'Instead of decreasing the chance of a shutdown Speaker McCarthy is actually increasing it by wasting time on extremist proposals that cannot become law in the Senate.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer walks through Capitol Hill on Thursday

GOP negotiators have thrown out a number of proposals to court hardliner votes on a CR that would punt the deadline to October 30.

But a number of hardliners, seemingly unafraid of the shutdown that looms 10 days away, say they oppose any CR and the House must press forward with 12 separate appropriations bills.

'We say "let's pass this CR so we don't have to pass another CR. Well, that's like saying to a heroin addict we'll give you some heroin so you don't take heroin anymore,' Burchett explained.

The Tennessee Republican predicted passing a short term CR could lead to being jammed into an omnibus spending bill, one that cobbles together all spending priorities into one massive bill.

'Oh, well, let's do a 30 day CR now let's do another 30 day CR and then let's pass an omnibus ... I just think it's a capitulation of our duties that the only thing we're really sworn to do is to pass a budget, and we don't do it.'

Moderate Republicans are fed up with the amount of focus being directed to a handful of obstinate hardliners - all for a bill that won't pass the Senate.

'A CR that has no chance of passing the Senate is probably a bad idea,' Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, told DailyMail.com.

Asked if it was time to start working up a deal that could cobble together a majority through Democrat and Republican votes, he said: 'I'd like to see more leadership in Congress, period.'

Democrats have floated the idea of forcing a vote on a CR by a discharge petition.

Their CR would continue funding at 2023 levels set under Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

They would need a handful of Republicans to get on board, and a number have already said they would do so to avoid a shutdown.

'It is absolutely an option,' said New York Republican Marc Molinaro.
Five Bulgarians are accused of conspiring to gather information for the state

Vanya Gaberova, 29, is said to have won makeup prizes in the UK and Russia

An award-winning beautician from Bulgaria is among five people from the country accused of spying for Russia.

Vanya Gaberova, 29, is a British-based company director residing in Acton.

She is a 'lashes extensions specialist' and is an 'accredited eyelash educator' who is said to have won many prizes in the UK and Bulgaria  but also in Russia.

Ms Gaberova is one of five Bulgarian nationals set to be charged with 'conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state' between 30 August 2020 and 8 February 2023.

Ms Gaberova, Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31 and Ivan Stoyanov, 31, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 26 the Crown Prosecution Service said on Thursday. It follows a Metropolitan Police investigation.

Vanya Gaberova, 29, is one of five Bulgarian nationals who is accused of conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy

Social media profiles linked to Ms Gaberova describe her hobbies as 'travelling, cooking, shopping, walking, and reading'

Ms Gabervoa is the director of her own company, based in Acton, and is said to be talented at eyelash extensions

Ms Gaberova runs a company, VG PRETTY WOMAN LTD in Acton, and she is said to have studied at the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria

Ms Gaberova, who lives in Churchway, northwest London, is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court next week

Ms Gaberova (circled on left) was among five Bulgarians arrested in February under the British Official Secrets Act following raids on properties in London and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk

(L-R) Orlin Roussev, 45, Katrin Ivanova, 31 and Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, were previously charged on February 11, 2023

Her company is named VG PRETTY WOMAN LTD and she is said to have studied at the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria.

Her social media profile links her to 'travelling, cooking, shopping, walking, and reading'.

Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)'s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'The CPS has authorised a charge of conspiracy to conduct espionage against three men and two women suspected of spying for Russia.'

Roussev, Dzhambazov, and Ivanova were previously charged on February 11, 2023, with possession of false identity documents.

The five defendants are alleged to have worked in an operational spy cell for the Russian security services, the BBC reports. This allegedly involved conducting surveillance on targets.

The suspected spies are accused of working on active operations in the UK and Europe and passing gathered intel to Russia.

The five Bulgarians were arrested in February under the British Official Secrets Act following raids on properties in London and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. MI5 allegedly passed the intelligence on to the Met Police.

Roussev, who has a history of business dealings in Russia, is alleged to have run things out of a guesthouse in Norfolk acting as a middle man to those who gathered intelligence.

Neighbours said a tent was erected by police outside the three-star Haydee Hotel in Great Yarmouth when he was detained. Investigators allegedly found equipment to produce false documents in his room.

Last month it emerged that Roussev and Dzhambazov and Ivanova - believed to be a couple who were living at the same address - were facing charges which allege they were in possession of 34 identity documents, some of which were suspected to be false.

Officers reportedly found allegedly fake passports and official identity documents for the UK, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, and the Czech Republic.

Orlin Roussev lived in this block of apartments in the seaside town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk

Partying: Katrin Ivanova, right, is seen dancing at a Bulgarian restaurant in Palmers Green, north London

The trio were also accused of posing as journalists from American television companies after Scotland Yard found forged press cards and branded clothing from the Discovery and National Geographic channels, The Times reported.

They appeared at the Old Bailey in July to face those charges.

Roussev, Dzhambazov and Ivanova are understood to have lived in the UK for several years, working different jobs and living in a range of suburban houses.

The Bulgarians also had links to a flat in north-west London located a mile away from the RAF Northolt military base, according to The Telegraph. The base is frequently used by ministers, foreign heads of state and members of the royal family.

Roussev moved to the UK in 2009 and spent three years in financial services, working in a technical job, the BBC reports.

According to social media profiles, Dzhambazov worked as a hospital driver while Ivanova described herself as a laboratory assistant for a private healthcare business.

The pair also worked for electoral commissions in the capital that assisted Bulgarians living abroad with voting back in their homeland.

Neighbours said they were popular figures locally, having handed out cakes and pies to people living nearby.

Ivanova (circled) can be seen holding hands in a party circle at the Bulgarian restaurant in 2015

But eyebrows were raised when Dzhambazov installed a satellite dish on the side of his property, which appeared to be pointing in the wrong direction, compared to every other one in the street.

He then tried to put up an even bigger antenna on the exterior wall, until those living next door complained that it was going to block the light to their home, neighbours claimed.

Dzhambazov is also said to have told people nearby that he worked for Interpol.

One neighbour, James, told the Telegraph: 'I do remember that they had their [satellite dish] pointed in a different direction to all the other ones.

'At one stage, he had a friend around and they tried to mount a massive one on the wall. But it would have blocked out the light into my flat and so we had words about that and it didn't happen.

'When he arrived, he mounted a camera on the wall of his flat so it looked out across the car park. It's still there.'

After moving to the UK around 10 years ago, they ran a community organisation for Bulgarians, including teaching them the 'culture and norms of British society'.

Britain has been sharpening its focus on external security threats and in July it passed a new national security law, aiming to deter espionage and foreign interference with updated tools and criminal provisions.

Bizer Dzhambazov (left) and Ivanova are suspected of gathering information for Russia

Dzhambazov and Ivanova ran a community organisation providing services to Bulgarians. The group was called Bulgarian Social Platform and this is believed to be their offices

Dzhambazov and Ivanova were also both registered at the same address in Harrow, north London

The government labelled Russia 'the most acute threat' to its security when the law was passed.

Police have charged three Russians, who they say are GRU military intelligence officers, with the 2018 attempt to murder former double agent Sergei Skripal with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok. Two were charged in 2018 and the third in 2021.

Last year, Britain's domestic spy chief said more than 400 suspected Russian spies had been expelled from Europe.

Britain has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine since the Russian invasion last year and has imposed a range of sanctions on Russian officials and oligarchs.

Roussev is from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Dzhambazov is from Harrow, northwest London, Ivanova is from Harrow, northwest London, Stoyanov is from Greenford, west London, and Gaberova is from Churchway, northwest London.
Notorious Tik Tok prankster 'Mizzy' has pleaded not guilty to four breaches of his 'Crimbo' order, which bans him posting online videos of people without their permission.

The 18 year-old, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, of Stoke Newington, appeared on bail at Stratford Magistrates' Court earlier today.

He will return for trial on October 26 and was bailed on condition he lives and sleeps at the home address he shares with his mother.

He is charged with two counts of breaching a court-imposed Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on May 24.

On that date O'Garro is alleged to have uploaded video content to social media without the consent of the people recorded in Tower Hamlets and Westfield shopping centre, Stratford.

Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, or 'Mizzy', pictured leaving Stratford Magistrates' Court after being released on bail after denying a further count of posting videos on social media without the consent of the people featured in them

The 18 year-old, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, posted a series of vile pranks on social media, many videos included people in the background. He had not sought permission to post them

He is also charged with breaching two CBO's on May 26 in Hackney and on July 7 in Haringey by again uploading video content to social media without the permission of those in it.

He has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

The prosecution today dropped a charge of failing to comply with a police anti-social behaviour Section 35 direction to leave Finsbury Park on July 7.

O'Garro, under they pseudonym 'Mizzy', made a name for himself online after posting videos of a series of vile pranks including forcing himself into other people's homes and cars; taking a distressed elderly lady's pet dog; kicking people off their bikes and being a nuisance in shops and libraries.

Today his lawyer Paul Lennon told the court: 'He did not upload the content directly or indirectly. That is the defence.'

He was ordered to remove his trademark red hat by District Judge Matthew Bone as he entered the secure dock and only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to enter his pleas.

Mizzy pictured celebrating as he leaves Stratford Magistrates' Court earlier today

'This young man has been facing these allegations for some time so we are going to do this as soon as possible and have a quick trial,' announced the district judge.

Prosecutor Varinder Hayre confirmed the Crown's case was that O'Garro was responsible for the content because it appeared on his social media accounts.

'They must be his, via someone else. How else would they get passwords etc. Is that your case?' asked Judge Bone. 'There is no issue this material appeared on his account.'

The CBO does not ban O'Garro completely from the internet.

'The order was made so that he can still engage in other social media because preventing a young person engaging in social media is like cutting their hand off,' added the judge.

'We are dealing with a very young defendant facing serious allegations and he needs to know one way or the other what the verdict will be.'
A seafood restaurant in Singapore has snapped back at a customer who called the police after receiving an eye-watering bill for seasonal crab.

Junko Shinba, from Japan, ate with friends at the Seafood Paradise restaurant, sharing the Alaskan King Crab between them and a number of other dishes.

But they were left 'speechless' when it came to a staggering S$938 (558), bringing the meal's total cost - including a ten per cent service charge - to S$1,322 (786).

They say that they were not told they would be charged based on the weight of the crab, or that the entire Alaskan crab would have to be cooked just for them.

But the restaurant has since taken to social media to 'rectify' the allegations, sharing CCTV images from within the restaurant which they say shows staff explaining the price 'in detail'.

Junko Shinba and friends called the police after the bill arrived for the equivalent of 786

File image shows the legs of an Alaskan King Crab. The group in Singapore were brought a crab weighing 3.5kg in total and spanning three plates

Ms Shinba claimed previously that their waiter had recommended the dish, reportedly priced at S$26.80 (16) per 100g.

She alleges that the wait did not explain clearly how the crab was priced, which the restaurant has since disputed.

A menu on the restaurant's website states that the Alaskan king crab has a 'seasonal price', while others are based on weight.

The group of four was shocked when three plates of crab, weighing about 3.5kg, arrived - and again when confronted with the bill.

Ms Shuna, with Ms Shinba's party, said: 'We all became speechless knowing that one dinner for four adults cost that much.

'None of us were informed that the whole crab would be cooked only for us, as some other restaurants serve crabs partially.

'There were three plates full of crab and many other dishes, we were unable to finish everything.'

The group called the police, who arrived to settle the dispute before the restaurant offered them a discount.

The customers contacted the Singapore Tourism Board about the issue.

In a statement published since, Paradise Group - which operates Seafood Paradise - said: 'We are deeply upset by the inaccurate claims made by this group of customers, seemingly aimed at tarnishing the reputation of our restaurant and our dedicated staff on various platforms.'

Paradise Group claimed that staff 'communicated twice to the customers that the price of the Alaskan King Crab was the same as the Scotland Snow Crab, while pointing to the menu'.

'The price of the Scotland Snow Crab was clearly indicated as S$26.80 (15.90) per 100g on the menu.

'The staff also informed customers the total weight of the Alaskan King Crab was 3.5kg,'

CCTV footage appeared to show a member of staff pointing to a menu on the table, dated 19 August 2023.

The statement said that to 'prevent any miscommunication', staff 'even brought the whole live Alaskan King Crab to the table before preparation'.

'Customers were seen taking photos and even selfies with the live Alaskan King Crab.'

According to the statement, the customers refused to settle the bill at the end of the meal, and police were 'involved to mediate the situation'.

'One of the customers mentioned he didn't have enough money to pay and asked what can be done to help.

'Out of goodwill, the restaurant manager offered a goodwill discount of $107.40 (equivalent to 400g of live Alaskan King Crab).'

CCTV footage appeared to show a member of staff pointing to a menu on the table, dated 19 August 2023

They clarified: 'At Seafood Paradise and all other Paradise Group of restaurants, we consistently uphold a commitment to transparent pricing with a focus on customer service and food quality.

'Our staff will do their best to communicate clearly to the customers and welcome any queries.'
She alleges she only realized the true nature of the company when police showed up at her door

A controversial mayoral candidate in Tennessee has admitted she unwittingly helped run an escort agency in the 90s.

Gabrielle Hanson claims the mix-up occurred after she took a job answering phones for a 'modeling agency' while a 30-year-old student in Dallas, Texas.

The married mother-of-one is currently running on a Republican platform for mayor of Franklin.

But in a confessional Instagram post, the married mother-of-one revealed she had been involved in a prostitution ring completely at odds with her morality-based campaign.

Hanson, who is already an alderman, said she came forward to address rumors surrounding her past.

Alderman Gabrielle Hanson claims she had no idea she was helping to run an escort service during her student days in Dallas, Texas

Gabrielle Hanson, pictured here with her realtor husband Tom, took to Instagram to reveal her brush with criminality ahead of the Franklin mayoral election

She explained how she responded to an advert offering $12 an hour to answer phones - around twice as much as other jobs were paying at the time.

She claims she thought she was taking names and dates to be used for model bookings for catalogues and adverts for the likes of JC Penney.

But after after a year of working there, she received a knock on the door from police.

Hanson explained: 'Little did I know they had also been operating a lucrative casting couch. I was shocked, I was devastated.'

She said it should have been a happy time as she was due to be graduating from Southern Methodist University.

But she explained: 'It ended up being the absolute lowest. That was not who I was, but I was definitely in the middle of all of it.'

With no money to pay for an attorney, Hanson said she asked police what she could do to get out the charge.

She claims she was advised to plead no contest to one count of promotion of prostitution, an offence she likened to a 'speeding ticket' in terms of severity.

The married mother-of-one pleaded no contest to one charge of promotion of prostitution and was ordered to temporarily leave Dallas as her punishment

Her punishment was to leave Dallas for two years, which she accepted as she was due to move to Chicago for a job.

The incident is the latest controversy swirling around the successful realtor. It comes after she claimed on a local podcast that the Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale was having an affair with school staff, enraging grieving parents, WSMV4 reports.

Hanson was not disciplined over the incident but was found to have violated the Franklin ethics code by criticizing the Nashville International Airport over its support for a local equality group and its Juneteenth event.

She was also found to have used her role as an alderman to obtain gifts.

An investigation by News Channel 5 Nashville additionally uncovered that Hanson had a charge of money laundering dated April 1, 1993 which she did not disclose in her video.

Public records show that two years later she received a charges promoting prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity, with an offense date of March 8, 1995.

Hanson is due to take on incumbent mayor Ken Moore in an election on October 24.

She has pledged to 'defend our traditional values' and voted against granting a permit for an LGBTQ+ pride event in Franklin and has been vocal in her opposition to abortion.
In a touching - yet heartbreaking - moment, a husband and wife died how they spent much of the last 69 years, together.

Virginia and Tommy Stevens, both 91, met when they attended Dobyns-Bennett High School together in Kingsport, Tennessee and got married in 1954 after they attended the University of Tennessee.

Tommy was taken to Vanderbilt hospital for Alzheimer's and aspiration pneumonia. While there, his wife Virginia fell and was rushed to the same hospital.

Staff put their beds together as they received treatment and held hands to the end.

Tommy died on September 8, while Virginia died nine days later on September 17.

Virginia and Tommy Stevens, both 91, met when they attended Dobyns-Bennett high school together in Kingsport, Tennessee, and got married in 1954 after they attended the University of Tennessee

Tommy was taken to Vanderbilt hospital for Alzheimer's and aspiration pneumonia . While there, his wife Virginia fell and was rushed to the same hospital

Virginia and Tom lived in various places throughout the eastern United States while Tom served in the Army and worked for Burlington Industries after he was honorably discharged in 1962.

Eventually, the couple moved to Memphis where they had their kids, Karen and Greg and founded and built Distribution and Transportation Services, Inc.

They turned the company into a large independent transportation and logistics family of companies throughout the southeastern U.S.

After more than 50 years in business, Tommy and Virginia retired and moved to Franklin, Tennessee, to be near their children and grandchildren.

Doyle Thomas Stevens Jr, also known as Tommy, was suffering from Alzheimers and was living in a memory care unit at the assisted living facility with Virginia.

After he became inflicted with aspiration pneumonia and sepsis, he was moved the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. When treatments began to fail, he was moved to Palliative Care Unit.

T he same morning Tommy was taken to VUMC, Virginia fell and suffered six broken ribs, a spinal fracture, and a hip injury. She too was taken to VUMC and admitted to the trauma unit.

Staff at the PCU decided to move their beds together after they realized their family was struggling to divide time between the pair.

Karen Kreager, their daughter said: 'He was awake when she came in. His eyes were open. He wasnt communicating a lot  just in small whispers. But he knew that she was there and that she was going to be right beside him.

'They havent stopped holding hands the whole time. She wont let go of him.'

At the time, Virginia said: 'You know, it helped me a lot. It just gave me peace that I wouldnt have to worry about him. He was going to be with me.'

'They havent stopped holding hands the whole time. She wont let go of him'

Apart from their son and daughter, the Stevens's had four grandchildren and one great-grandchild

Dr. Mohana Karlekar, medical director of the Palliative Care Program at Vanderbilt, said seeing the couple together was a reminder of whats really important.

'From the time we brought Mrs. Stevens over, she held her husbands hand and fussed in a very loving way over him,' he said.

'She was able to tell me Monday that she was at peace with what was going on and she wanted to be there until the end,'  Karlekar said.

Apart from their son and daughter, they had four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A former bar owner who was kept in custody for two weeks after Amanda Knox wrongly accused him of murdering a British student has slammed her attempt at getting her slander conviction overturned.

Patrick Lumumba was held for two weeks after Knox said she had 'covered her ears' while he slit the throat of her flat mate Meredith Kercher, 21, in November 2007.

He was only released after a Swiss university professor came forward with a till receipt proving the father-of-two was at work and not involved in the crime that happened in the Italian hilltop town of Perugia.

Knox was initially convicted of Meredith's murder with her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and served four years in jail before being released in 2012.

However, her conviction for wrongly implicating Patrick was increased to three years but she was freed owing to time served. She has now applied to have this overturned by Italy's Court of Cassation.

Former bar owner, Patrick Lumumba (pictured), who was kept in custody for two weeks after Amanda Knox wrongly accused him of murdering a British student

Amanda Knox (pictured) is aiming to use European Court of Human Rights precedence for her attempt to get the conviction quashed, which has previously ruled in her favour

Meredith Kercher (pictured) was discovered in a pool of blood in a back room of the house she shared with Knox in Perugia, central Italy in a November 2007

Speaking to Italian media, Patrick, who now lives in Krawkow, Poland, with his partner and children, stormed: 'My life has literally been turned upside down.

'Amanda knew very well that I was innocent, but those few words that she said to the police on the morning of November 6, 2007, '... he killed her', destroyed me in a flash, eliminating the reputation I enjoyed in Perugia.

READ MORE: Amanda Knox appeals Italian conviction for defaming innocent barman who she falsely accused of murdering Brit student Meredith Kercher in 2007 Advertisement

'Now she's demanding the revocation of the conviction for slander, perhaps so that she can be the one to ask for compensation in the millions from the Italian State.'

He added he was 'disconcerted' by her and her legal team's attempt to get the conviction quashed and the case is due to be heard in chambers in Rome next month.

Patrick said: 'For me they were terrible years. I lost my job and I had to leave Italy. Fortunately, however, I slowly recovered and now I have a beautiful family in Poland.

'But hearing this absurd request from Amanda makes me fall back into a nightmare. It's like returning to that tunnel from which I laboriously emerged.'

Knox, from Seattle, is aiming to use European Court of Human Rights precedent for her attempt, which has previously ruled in her favour.

She successfully argued that while being held by Italian police following the murder her rights to a translator and legal assistant were overlooked.

Patrick said that as a result of his wrongful implication in the murder of Meredith Kercher, he lost his job and had to leave Italy (Pictured: Patrick Lumumba leaving Perugia police station in cuffs)

Knox (pictured: left) was initially convicted of murder with her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito (pictured: right) and served four years in jail before being released in 2012

Patrick Lumumba was held for two weeks after Knox said she had 'covered her ears' while he slit the throat of her flat mate Meredith Kercher, 21, in a November 2007

However his lawyer Carlo Pacelli, believes they are of 'such a nature and gravity that they did not have an effective impact on the conviction which, therefore, we are sure will be confirmed'.

Knox, according to him, has already had a fair trial which 'showed that she was responsible for the slander against Patrick, as established beyond any reasonable doubt by all the courts of merit and Cassation'.

READ MORE: Amanda Knox appeals Italian conviction for defaming innocent barman who she falsely accused of murdering Brit student Meredith Kercher in 2007 Advertisement

He added the argument of Knox's lawyers that she made the accusation because she was pressured by the investigators and questioned without the presence of a lawyer is also 'totally unfounded'.

He explained : 'On the night of November 6, 2007, Amanda went to the police station voluntarily and remained there spontaneously.

'Here she was interviewed for brief information as a person who could report circumstances useful for the purposes of the investigation and not as a person under investigation.

'At 1.45 am Amanda accuses Patrick of killing Meredith and takes on the role of witness. At that moment the police still knew nothing and were not ruling out any leads.

'If Amanda really wanted to back down after that slander she could very well have declared it two days later when she was questioned before the investigating judge, with the assistance of two lawyers.

'In that circumstance she could easily say "sorry, I was wrong, I accused an innocent person".

'Instead, on that occasion she availed yourself, albeit legitimately, of the right not to respond.

'On November 10th, and in the following days, when her mother went to visit her in prison Amanda told her: 'Patrick is in prison because of me'.

'So she first slandered him, she even confessed it to her mother, but she never told the investigators.

'For this reason the slander was full and repeated and the sentence against her cannot be revoked.'
Nike has shuttered a community store in its home city of Portland after it was plagued by shoplifting in the crime-ridden woke city.

The sportwear giant confirmed it will not reopen the store in Northeast Portland in a statement issued earlier this month, almost a year after a 'temporary' closure was announced.

Nike, famed for its social justice activism, wrote to Portland's outgoing Mayor Ted Wheeler in January warning him that the shop had shuttered due to 'deteriorating public safety conditions and rapid escalation in retail theft.'

The firm offered to pay off-duty Portland cops to provide security - but Rose City officials were unable to spare enough staff from its notoriously short-staffed police department to help.

Nike's deadline of May 1 was missed - and the store was doomed, KGW reported. Wheeler - who was been slammed for his failure to tackle crime in the city - said he was 'very disappointed' by the store's closure.

The Nike Unite Factory Store was the first of the company's factory stores which had been a fixture in Northeast Portland for decades

A shoplifter is pictured fleeing the doomed Portland community store, their arms stuffed with Nike booty

Another shoplifter struts away from the shop laden-down with her ill-gotten gains

Portland's Mayor Ted Wheeler (pictured) denied Nike when the company asked for more security to save the store from being savagely robbed constantly

Nike is just the most recent in an extensive list of Portland businesses that have closed, including Walmart which shut down its final two stores in March

The Nike community store had been a fixture in Northeast Portland since 1984 - it was Nike's first ever factory store.

It proved such a hit that it moved to bigger premises in 2000, with other community stores since opening across the United States.

Nike's decision to close the shop deals another huge blow to Portland, whose crime and drug-ridden downtown has lost multiple huge retailers including REI.

Portland also lost its only two Walmart stores last year.

The George Floyd protests against racist injustice also sparked a surge in crimes like looting, arson and vandalism. The persistent theft that followed created serious problems for the Nike community store

Nike employees admitted that they were prohibited from physically stopping shoplifters in the act so confident thieves had no worries as they exited the shop fearlessly with armloads of shoes and clothes.

Employees at the Nike flagship were prohibited from physically intervening with shoplifters which meant thieves confidently left the retailer with loads of stolen goods

Crime has been a huge issue in the liberal city since the death of George Floyd and the following BLM protests

Law-makers have tried to tackle the issue of homelessness and crime by banning daytime camping and refunding the police (after defunding them just a few years ago) but nothing has helped

Portland has one of the worst crime rates in America, with over 63,000 property thefts littering the city over the last year, per official police statistics.

In 2020, Portland became one of the first regions in America to fall foul of the 'defund the police' movement, slashing $15 million from its budget.

The move led Mayor Wheeler to issue a desperate plea to renew the department's funding after it led to a disastrous crime spike.

But two years on, with rampant crime continuing to rip apart the city including a surge in homelessness and serious offences including homicides and robberies, officials are again attempting to stop the bleeding.

The twin task forces are expected to be bolstered by the introduction of new deputy DAs and investigators, who are reportedly tasked with building and prosecuting cases, according to Oregon Live.

However, Portland residents have slammed officials for their lack of effort to prosecute criminals in recent years.

Portland's business exodus: Top firms flee the 'crown jewel of the West' Walmart

Daimler Trucks North America

Nike

Airbnb

Banana Republic

Microsoft

Saucebox

Google

US Postal Service

Umpqua Bank

Salt & Straw

Walmart

Nike Community Store Advertisement

Portland lost $1 billion in income over a 12-month period between 2020 and 2021 in the wake of soaring crime, rampant homelessness and rioting following the death of George Floyd, data from the Internal Revenue Service showed.

Shocking figures also show that conditions in the city are far from improving, with fentanyl deaths increasing by more than 200 percent since 2020 Homelessness is also up 50 percent since 2019, while in 2020 and 2022, Portland broke its own homicide record.

Fed-up Portland residents have dealt with waking up to find tents on their lawns and seeing drug dealers on every corner as homelessness surges out of control in Oregon's largest city.

This follows news that Democrat lawmakers in Oregon want to decriminalize homeless camps with a law that would allow the people who live in them to sue for $1,000 if they're harassed or told to leave.

The hugely-controversial bill claims 'decriminalization of rest' would allow city leaders to 'redirect' cash from law enforcement into measures that 'address the root causes of homelessness and poverty'.

Portland saw some of wildest riots in the aftermath of George Floyd's death - and then again on the anniversary - and things haven't calmed down since.

Law-makers in the progressive city have been grappling with the homelessness crisis as Portland continues to lose businesses and locals because 'every citizen is sick and damn tired of the growing homeless problem,' an angry Portland business owner posted on social media.

Portland residents have complained about waking up to find tents set up in their front yards and have reported seeing drug dealers on street corners

'Portland used to be clean and safe and a place we were proud to call home. Now, people are moving the f**k out.'

Residents of the city of 641,000 people have told DailyMail.com that they're sick of tents being erected on sidewalks, grassy areas and beside canals.

Officials have started tearing down encampments, but tents have sprung back up again within hours.

Business owners complain about the homeless defecating in front of their stores.

The common fear is that Portland has gone from a kooky progressive city with great restaurants and reliable public transportation to a hellscape with high taxes and overstretched city services.
A looming potential government shutdown is already becoming a blistering presidential campaign talking point, with Donald Trump urging Republicans to use the budget to stymie his prosecution and the Biden campaign accusing him of wanting a shutdown.

Biden's campaign teed off after Trump posted about the deadline for passing a temporary spending measure. If no deal gets done, a government shutdown will follow.

Trump, who is facing multiple indictments and is among 19 charged in federal court in Georgia, demanded his colleagues stop 'political prosecutions against me and other Patriots.'

Biden's campaign shot back with a statement by TJ Ducklo, Senior Advisor for Communications that called him the 'puppet master' of a dysfunctional House.

Former President Donald Trump told House Republicans to block funding for 'political prosecutions against me and other Patriots'

'Donald Trump is rooting for a government shutdown and couldn't care less what it would mean for American families. The former president continues to act as MAGA House Republicans' puppetmaster, now ordering them to shut down the government, which would cause chaos at the expense of hardworking Americans and our nation's security,' he said.

'Every American remembers the jobs lost and lives damaged by Donald Trump's extremism during his four years as president, and now he's once again playing political games with people's lives by capitalizing on House Republicans' weakness and doing whatever it takes to regain power,' he said in the campaign statement.

Trump posted on his Truth Social site about the budget clash, as the House GOP failed to take up a bill to fund the military and conservative rebels said they had the votes to bring down a bill that would temporarily fund the government while imposing 8 per cent cuts on non-defense spending.

'A very important deadline is approaching at the end of the month. Republicans in Congress can and must defund all aspects of Crooked Joe Biden's weaponized Government that refuses to close the Border, and treats half the Country as Enemies of the State,' wrote Trump, who holds a wide lead in presidential polls.

'This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots. They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country!'

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a compromise with the Biden administration and rebels in his own conference in May to extend the debt limit while agreeing to some budget cuts while setting broad spending levels.

At the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also blasted 'extreme House Republicans.'

'It is up to them to fix this,' she said.

'Their chaos is marching us towards a reckless and damaging government shutdown,' she said.

She also referenced what she called a 'fact-free impeachment,' saying, 'House Republicans need to do their job, keep the government open.'

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is struggling to get votes even for a temporary measure to fund the government from his conference

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz said rebels had seven votes against a temporary budget

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Republican 'chaos is marching us towards a reckless and damaging government shutdown'

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz said rebels had seven votes against a temporary budget measure, which is likely to be rejected by the Senate.

New York GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., compared the fracas inside his party to a 'clown show.'

'For my colleagues, they have to come to a realization: If they are unable or unwilling to govern, others will. And in a divided government where you have Democrats controlling the Senate, a Democrat controlling the White House, there needs to be a realization that you're not going to get everything you want,' he said, NBC reported.

'And just throwing a temper tantrum and stomping your feet, frankly not only is it wrong  it's pathetic,' Lawler said.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, confirmed on Thursday afternoon that two adults are confirmed dead and six students are in a critical condition

The charter bus was carrying around 40 ninth-graders from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to a weekend band camp in Pennsylvania

The accident happened shortly after 1pm on the two-lane highway near Wawayanda

Two adults are confirmed dead and six high school students are in a critical condition after a charter bus carrying pupils to band camp toppled off an embankment in New York state.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, confirmed the deaths on Thursday evening and described it as 'a day of terror' for the 44 people - four adults and 40 students - on board.

She said a faulty front tire 'likely contributed to the accident.'

New York state police were called at 1:12pm to a bus overturned ten miles from the nearest exit on the two-lane highway close, to the Orange County town of Wawayanda.

Hochul said the bus 'literally tumbled down a 50-foot ravine.'

It was leading a convoy of six buses carrying 300 students, mainly ninth graders, from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to the marching band camp music event at Pine Forest in Greeley, Pennsylvania.

The bus appears to have left the busy roadway about 75 miles north-west of New York City and toppled down an embankment before coming to a rest on its side in a heavily wooded area.

One person is confirmed dead and at least five are in a critical condition after a charter bus carrying school students to band camp toppled off an embankment in New York state

Around forty five people were on the bus and most have been injured. The people killed in the crash have been identified as adults. The bus overturned just before 1.30pm, ten miles from the nearest exit on the two-lane highway close to the Orange County town of Wawayanda

It was leading a convoy of six buses carrying 300 students, mainly ninth graders, from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County to a marching band camp music event

'We were informed that there had been an accident with Bus 1 on route to Greeley, PA for band camp,' Farmingdale School District said in a statement

'Police and emergency responders on the scene, as well as district administration. We will provide another update when more information becomes available. We ask for your patience as we gather more details.'

Six passengers, all believed to be juveniles, were hospitalized in critical condition said Steven M Neuhaus, the county executive of Orange County.

A spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said that multiple law enforcement, emergency responders, and fire agencies had responded to the scene, which she described as the site of an 'active investigation.'

Hochul said all 44 people on board were removed from the wreckage within 45 minutes.

The injured were taken to Westchester County Medical Center or Garnet Health Medical Center in Wallkill, with two Medivac helicopters assisting in the rescue effort.

Anthony Eugenio, a student, was in the bus and recalled it rolling over several times before it came to a stop.

He called his family to say he was a little banged up.

'He said he is really sore. He's got a big bump on his leg. He's got blood on his pants from somebody else,' his father said.

'The person next to him was covered in blood.'

Anthony had to borrow a friend's phone because he lost his in the crash.

'It was pretty nerve-wracking,' his father said.

'When you get news like that and your son is two and half hours away  it's pretty scary.'

'I heard a lot of my friends are critically injured,' one freshman told ABC7.

'I'm not feeling too good right now.

'Like, I usually take a bus. I don't think I want to take a bus no more. That's why I'm always cautious about going to trips, like for school on the bus.

'Now, I don't know if I want to, like, take trips no more. I feel sad. I just want to pray, want to pray. I want to know how my friends' families are feeling. I'm all shaky and stuff because a lot of my friends were on that bus.'

'How are they going to recover from this?' one parent told Fox29.

'Please don't let anybody be gone. These are my babies. They think they're big and tough, but they're babies.'

The bus carried the logo of the Regency Luxury Charter Bus Company from Smithtown, New York, and was about 100 miles into its journey to the annual four-day weekend camp.

'We thought it was a joke,' said a student whose friend had been flown from the crash site.

'We didn't think it was this serious. It's horrible.'

Ladders were lifted to the toppled bus in a bid to reach passengers

Helicopters pictured the scale of the effort to rescue the injured children

The convoy of buses was carrying students to a marching band camp music event at Pine Forest in Greeley, Pennsylvania

A family reunification center was set up at a community building for the injured students who did not require hospital treatment

Rescue workers were seen combing the thick undergrowth and wooded area next to the bus.

New York State Police said Route 84 westbound was closed at Exit 15 as the investigation continues, but the eastbound lane has since reopened.

A spokesperson for SUNY Orange said the college's physical education center will be used as a family information and reunification center.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman arranged a police escort for families of the affected students.

'Students will have the opportunity to stretch and meet with grief counselors,' according to a message from the district.

'Once cleared, they will be returning to Farmingdale High School.'

Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano said the other buses in the convoy are heading back to Nassau County.

'I'm very shaken up,' one student told CBS outside the school. 'Before they left I saw my friends and told them to have fun.'

'When people started to find out kids started to tell their teachers,' added another.

'They opened up the auditorium and people were hugging and crying and everyone looked distraught.'

'My niece is on one of the other buses, she's okay,' Howitt Middle School teacher Donna Baltch told ABC7.

'It's terrifying, these kids go on a trip to have fun, this is something that they look forward to all year, and these poor teachers, these chaperones.

'I'm hearing mixed things, we don't know if they're okay. Right now, we are just praying and hoping that they're okay.'

State officials said that the search of the bus has been completed and all children have been accounted for.

The tumbling bus crushed trees and bushes as it fell down the slope

Rescuers are using ropes to navigate the steep slope down to where the bus lay

A heavy-duty vehicle arrived at the scene to tow the crashed bus away.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the tragedy.

'At my direction, personnel from the New York State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are onsite to assist local emergency response teams,' she said.

'We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation.'

The cause of the crash is still unknown and the National Transportation Safety Board said it was monitoring it.

The September trip to band camp is an annual tradition at the school which has 1,700 students.

It is attended by members of its marching band, color guard and kick line team along with adult chaperones.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called out 'the fellas' for 'demonizing' the issue of abortion, as she spoke about how her college roommate was raped and had to wait to find out whether she was pregnant.

Haley was asked about her abortion stance during a Rotary Club luncheon Thursday at the Portsmouth Country Club, as she spent the day on the campaign trail in New Hampshire.

Since last month's first Republican debate, Haley has seen a boost in the polls, climbing to second place, as of Thursday, in the Granite State.

'We have to humanize this issue. I am not going to be part of demonizing this issue, it's too personal to everyone. And the fellas have done that for too long. No offense,' Haley said. 'But it is time that we start treating it like a sensitive topic that it is.'

'I had a roommate who was raped in college. I wouldn't wish anything - I wouldn't wish that on anyone to see what she went through wondering if she was pregnant,' the former U.N. ambassador continued. 'Everybody's got a story.'

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called out 'the fellas' for 'demonizing' the issue of abortion, as she spoke about how her college roommate was raped and had to wait to find out whether she was pregnant

Nikki Haley photographed with her daughter (left) at her alma mater Clemson. Haley spoke on the campaign trail Thursday about how her college roommate was raped, saying she 'wouldn't wish that on anyone to see what she went through wondering if she was pregnant'

'And every person's story needs to be respected,' she said.

Haley said her personal story, however, has made her pro-life.

'I am unapologetically pro-life, not because the Republican Party tells me to be but because my husband is adopted and I had trouble having both of my children,' she said. 'So I am surrounded by blessings.'

'Having said that, this issue is personal for every woman and every man. So I don't judge anyone for being pro-choice any more than I want you to judge me for being pro-life,' Haley added.

Haley said she did support federal legislation to ban abortion after a certain time period, but also explained that passage would never happen.

'So the question that you're seeing debated right now is, "Is there a place for a federal law?" And I think that there is,' she told the crowd. 'But to have a federal law, they need to tell you the truth and I don't think anyone has told the American people the truth.'

She pointed out that a majority of lawmakers in the House, 60 senators and the president would have to sign off on any such bill.

'We haven't had 60. Republican senators in over a 100 years,' she said. 'We might have 45 pro-life senators.'

'We have to humanize this issue. I am not going to be part of demonizing this issue, it's too personal to everyone. And the fellas have done that for too long. No offense,' Haley said when asked Thursday about abortion

'So no Republican president can ban abortion any more than a Democrat president can ban these state laws,' she said.

She encouraged 'consensus' on the issue, as Republicans have been hurt in recent elections for backing abortion bans on the heels of the Supreme Court's decision to do away with Roe v. Wade.

'Can't we agree that we don't want late-term abortions? Can't we agree that we should encourage adoptions and better quality adoptions?' she asked the crowd. 'Can't we agree that doctors and nurses who don't believe in abortion shouldn't have to perform them?'

'Shouldn't we agree that contraception should be accessible? And can't we agree that no state law should say that any woman who's had an abortion can go to jail or get the death penalty?' she asked. 'Let's just start there.'

Haley vowed to as president, 'save as many babies as we can and support as many moms as we can.'

'And that's the conversation I chooose to have when it comes to pro-life and abortion,' she said.
A New York City councilwoman has predicted that the surge of asylum seekers flooding into Texas this week will reach NYC in just days, as she warned the migrants won't be deported even if they commit crimes.

Since Wednesday morning, an astonishing 10,000 migrants have entered Eagle Pass, a small border town of fewer than 30,000. Most have been released after being processed and will remain free as they wait for their asylum appointments - a process that could take years.

According to local reports, most of the asylum seekers are Venezuelans who say they had to leave their home country because of the economic and social collapse of the South American nation under the socialist regime of Nicolas Maduro.

Conservative Queens councilwoman Vickie Paladino addressed the situation on Wednesday, arguing the migrants crossing will soon add to the crisis in New York City, where more than 113,000 asylum seekers have arrived since last Spring.

'They'll be in New York in less than a week, most likely,' Paladino said on Wednesday. 'This is not normal, this is not okay, this is not humane, and we have absolutely no obligation to care for these people with housing, welfare, or anything else.'

Conservative Queens councilwoman Vickie Paladino predicted that the surge of asylum seekers flooding into Texas this well reach NYC in just days

Since Wednesday morning, an astonishing 10,000 migrants have entered Eagle Pass , a small border town of fewer than 30,000

The Republican went on to claim the migrants crossing the border don't have a 'legitimate claim' to asylum - 'and everyone knows it.'

In her response to videos showing the scene at Eagle Pass, she added: 'This is an open border, free for anyone to walk across at their leisure.

'There is no deportation, there is no enforcement, there is no order to speak of whatsoever. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.

'These people will be given court dates well into the 2030s, during which time they will be released into this country scott-free [sic]. They will not be deported even if they commit crimes.

'And by the time their court dates finally come due, we will be told the courts are unable to handle the volume, and a massive amnesty is the only solution. That's the only direction this is headed.'

Indeed, asylum seekers are not usually deported while their request is still pending, and the waiting time for asylum interviews has gotten longer as more continue to arrive.

When they commit crimes, they are jailed instead of deported.

Asylum seekers also can't work while they wait for the government to consider their claim, which worsened the situation in NYC, as the migrants were unable to financially support themselves and rely on the city's care.

On Wednesday the Biden administration granted Temporary Protected Status to the nearly half a million Venezuelans waiting for asylum in the U.S. They will now be allowed to work in the country, as mayor Eric Adams had asked.

Paladino also took aim at the Biden administration in her message, writing: 'This is a failure purely of the Biden Administration. They did this. They wanted this. It's deliberate. And they don't care what it's doing to our city, our neighborhoods, or our quality of life.'

According to local reports, most of the asylum seekers are Venezuelans who say were force to flee the economic and social collapse of the South American nation

Its a total free for all in Eagle Pass right now. Mass illegal crossing taking place for over an hour and a half. 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. pic.twitter.com/VkfUQnexGZ  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 20, 2023

While Democratic officials in progressive cities like NYC and Chicago have blamed the Texas governor for sending migrants to northern states, Paladino defended the fellow Republican.

'This has absolutely nothing to do with Greg Abbott, other than the fact that he's tried to secure the border himself, only to be sued by the Biden administration repeatedly to re-open the parts of the border he worked to close. Which is really insane when you think about it,' she claimed.

The migrant surge in Eagle Pass has triggered a state of emergency in the small border town, where shelters and hospitals are now overrun.

Yesterday, a three-year-old boy drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass with his family.

The bridge between Eagle Pass and the Mexican city across the border, Piedras Negras, was closed on Wednesday so border agents could be redeployed to work on processing migrants.

Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, said 2,500 people crossed into his town of 29,000 on Monday - and 7,200 the week before.

So far this year, the Del Rio sector of the border, in which Eagle Pass sits, has recorded 317,866 migrant 'encounters', the latest Border Patrol data shows.

The figure is a 15.5 percent decrease on the same time period last year, but Salinas said his town was still struggling.

Amid the anguish at the border, the Biden administration was trumpeting its Venezuela decision.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, granted the expansion of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to 'Venezuela's increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions,' the department said in a statement.

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

There are currently approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuela's existing TPS designation, who will be able to remain a further 18 months. There are an additional approximately 472,000 nationals of Venezuela who are now eligible for the scheme.

Critics say the promise of work will encourage illegal crossings - even though anyone who crossed after July 31, or failed to register, is ineligible.

But supporters of the scheme said it allowed those migrants awaiting processing to work and support themselves, reducing the burden on the states.

'More than 116,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City since last spring in search of the American Dream,' tweeted Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, and one of the most vocal in calling for migrants to be allowed to work.

'Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to 'Let Them Work,' so I want to thank @POTUS for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status.'

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 Democrat s' open arms policies are a disaster.

NYC has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who make their way there, and Adams has desperately turned to a variety of city landmarks such as hotels, 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.

Adams warned that the city's services will be affected by the incredible 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 victim was threatened with a gun outside a 600-a-month London gym

A wealthy businessman was pistol-whipped by masked robbers outside an exclusive gym and private members' club in Chelsea before the gang escaped with a 4,000 Rolex.

The victim was threatened with a gun by the balaclava-clad gang outside the 600-a-month KX club in Draycott Avenue, off the King's Road, just yards from a primary school.

Video footage shot by a passerby shows blood on the pavement as the victim looked shaken, dabbing his bleeding head with a t-shirt while staff care for him on the pavement outside.

'It was terrifying that something like this could take place in broad daylight and that guns are being brandished so close to a school,' said a witness.

'The victim had just emerged from his Mercedes G-Wagon and was going into the gym when these guys sped up in a stolen grey Range Rover and grabbed him, hitting him over the head with a gun and taking the watch from him.

A wealthy businessman was pistol-whipped by masked robbers outside an exclusive gym and private members' club in Chelsea, and the gang escaped with a 4,000 Rolex

'Everyone on the pavement just ran in all different directions and the robbers jumped into their car and sped off.'

Another bystander, whose voice could be heard on a video posted online said: 'I was inside  they came from outside, pointed a gun, stole the watch and ran away.'

The club, which has a permanent security guard on the door and several celebrity members, was recently dubbed 'the most expensive gym in London' by undercover YouTuber Joe Fazer, who gave his 1.4million subscribers a peek inside its doors after paying a 1,000 joining fee, plus a month's membership of 600.

MailOnline contacted the Metropolitan Police about the robbery, which took place on Friday, September 15.

Video footage shot by a passer-by shows blood on the pavement as the robbers' target looks shaken, dabbing his bleeding head with a t-shirt while staff care for him on the pavement outside

The victim was threatened with a gun by the gang wearing balaclavas outside the 600-a-month KX club in Draycott Avenue, off the King's Road, just yards from a primary school

In June, a gang of men who carried out a series of 'appalling' knifepoint robberies in west London, including on Draycott Avenue, were jailed for a total of 24 years at Isleworth Crown Court.

The six robbers used a stolen car to carry out their crimes, in each case threatening the victims with a large knife or machete before stealing expensive items like watches and bags.

The gang threatened people with machetes and large knives before making off with Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches.

They were caught after posing for photographs with their loot.
A teenager daubed a Windrush mural with Nazi symbols after he was expelled from the RAF cadets for sending pictures of him with a Swastika on his chest.

Aristedes Haynes, 17, who the court heard fantasised about making a gun and killing a schoolboy, admitted a string of terror offences and criminal damage in June.

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said Haynes 'essentially became self-radicalised' and held 'entrenched' racist, antisemitic and homophobic views.

He had previously been referred to the Prevent de-radicalisation programme by the Royal Air Force Cadets after he sent others in the group photos of a Swastica daubed on his bare chest.

His Instagram was later banned for posting racist and Nazi images and at just 16 he daubed Port Talbot's Windrush mural with graffiti on two separate occasions.

Aristedes Haynes defaced the mural in Port Talbot (pictured) with several swastikas, the phrase 'Nazi zone', white supremacist symbol '1488' and a racial slur

Aristedes Haynes, 17, admitted a string of terror offences and criminal damage and was jailed for one year and seven months

In October he also set off a smoke bomb at The Queer Emporium in Cardiff, while a stash of knives, an air rifle and antisemitic literature were found in the teenager's room.

'I am satisfied that not only did you hold entrenched racist, antisemitic and homophobic views at the time of the commission of these offences, but that these are views which you have not genuinely disavowed,' the judge said.

'It is apparent that you were not someone who limited your behaviour to the expression of your views online, but were prepared to put some of those views into action.

'It is of particular concern that not only had you asserted that one of your goals in life was to kill someone....but you had already carried out research as to the availability of one of the components for constructing a gun.'

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday to one year and seven months' detention and one year's extended licence.

He was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for three years.

At a previous hearing, the court heard how Haynes was referred to the Prevent de-radicalisation programme last spring by the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Last September, he was expelled from the group after he sent images to other cadets bare chested with a Swastika painted on his chest and was banned from Instagram for posting racist and Nazi images.

Haynes daubed several swastikas on the Windrush mural in Port Talbot

A court sketch of Hanes (left) during his sentencing at the Old Bailey on September 21

The youth, then aged 16, went on to paint graffiti on a Windrush mural in Port Talbot, which celebrates the town's Caribbean community, on two occasions in October and November.

Community members were shaken and disgusted after several swastikas, the phrase 'Nazi zone', white supremacist symbol '1488' and a racial slur appeared on the mural hours after it was completed.

The mural depicts Donna Campbell, a much-loved nurse and daughter of the Windrush generation who died during the pandemic, and her mother Lydia, known as Mrs Campbell in her community, with a merged image of a Welsh dragon and the Jamaican flag.

Mural merged image of a Welsh dragon and the Jamaican flag but Haynes graffitied a swastika over the top

He also wrote the words 'Nazi zone' on the mural which was to celebrate the town's Caribbean community

In October last year, Haynes was involved in setting off a smoke bomb at The Queer Emporium in Cardiff, which damaged the floor.

The emporium was targeted because it is a centre for the local LGBT+ community, the court was told.

Police searched Haynes' bedroom after he was arrested on November 8 last year and found a stash of knives, an air rifle and antisemitic literature - including a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf which contained the defendant's handwritten notes.

Other items from his room included gas masks and flags bearing a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) symbol and a swastika.

His electronic devices were seized and the court was shown homemade videos and images in which he made Nazi salutes and shared his far-right ideology.

His internet search history revealed a fascination with far-right mass killers and extreme groups such as the Atomwaffen Division.

The defendant's diary also outlined a desire for 'race war', the court was told. A list of life goals included 'burn a building down, maybe bomb it', 'kill someone', 'join a Nazi militia', 'get a gun or make one' and 'get buff as hell'.

One of the terrorist documents Haynes shared with another teenager gave details on bombmaking, derailing trains, attacking power lines and kidnapping police officers, as well as glorifying notorious mass murderers.

He possessed and disseminated another manual with 'step-by-step' instructions on gun-making.

Haynes, of Cwmavon in Neath Port Talbot county, was sentenced to detention for terrorist offenders of particular concern.

He was given one year and seven months' detention with one year's extended licence for possessing terrorist documents, one year's detention and one year on licence for disseminating terrorist publications and one year's detention for aggravated criminal damage, all running concurrently.

A court order granting him anonymity under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 was lifted post-sentencing following an application from the press.

The anonymity order would have expired on Sunday when Haynes turns 18. The teenager faced eight charges - two of possessing a terrorist document, three of distributing a terrorist document and three charges of criminal damage.
The F-35 program, which is led by military contractor Lockheed Martin, is one of the Pentagon's most expensive at $1.7 trillion

A Government Accountability Office report states that the planes have 'inadequate equipment' to keep the crafts operational

The US Military has admitted that they lack the parts to keep their now infamous F-35 fighter jet in operation for more than half the time that they are in the air.

Days after a $80million jet crashed in South Carolina, a new government report has revealed that the stealth craft has 'inadequate equipment' to keep the plane operational.

A report by the Government Accountability Office states that the planes are only 'mission capable' 55 percent of the time.

The author of the report believes that taxpayers 'are not getting their money's worth' out of the craft, which is meant to perform 85 to 90 percent of the time  falling way below target.

It also states that the program costs more than $1.7 trillion  with $1.3 trillion of that directly used for operating and sustaining the aircraft.

Days after a $80million jet crashed in South Carolina, a new government report has revealed that the stealth craft has 'inadequate equipment' to keep the plane operational

The F-35 program, which is led by military contractor Lockheed Martin, is one of the Pentagon's most expensive.

Diana Maurer, who wrote the report, says the overall sustainment of the jet 'rests entirely on Lockheed Martin and the sub-contractors it hires.'

The Department of Defense is aiming to have more control over the fleet in the coming years, but the report accused them of not identifying the 'technical data' to create the 'desired mix of government and contractor roles.'

Military maintenance staff at three locations told the report that they are not allowed to look up spare part numbers for the jet because the database is controlled by Lockheed  causing a delay.

Maintenance on components for the F-35 is also behind, leaving more than 10,000 components currently in the queue waiting to be repaired, according to the report.

Currently the jet is used by the Air Force, Marines and the Navy  with previous concerns pushing the Pentagon to take over the maintenance.

But the report states that this switch will not happen until late 2027, leaving a four-year gap in which the issues may not be resolved.

The report was published just days after one of the fleet went missing and was later found crash-landed in a rural field in South Carolina.

A report by the Government Accountability Office states that the planes are only 'mission capable' 55 percent of the time

Diana Maurer, who wrote the report, says the overall sustainment of the jet 'rests entirely on Lockheed Martin and the sub-contractors it hires'

Of the seven recommendations made by the GAO, the Pentagon agreed that all of them needed to be implemented.

They include reassessing who has primary responsibility for the technology systems, maintenance, equipment sustainment and what, if any, changes the Navy and Air Force should make to the leadership.

In a statement, Lockheed Martin said, 'We stand ready to partner with the government as plans are created for the future of F-35 sustainment ensuring mission readiness and enabling deterrence.'

Audio released on Wednesday revealed that the jet could have crashed due to poor weather in South Carolina.

Questions continue to mount as to why the disastrous training exercise on Sunday was allowed to proceed.

The F-35B Lightning II which the unnamed Marine pilot was flying is believed to be at risk of malfunctions if it flies in thunderstorms, according to a Forbes investigation in November.

Its sister jet, the F-35A, is more severely affected and cannot fly within 25 miles of lightning.

Military maintenance staff at three locations told the report that they are not allowed to look up spare part numbers for the jet because the database is controlled by Lockheed  causing a delay

The report was published just days after one of the fleet went missing and was later found crash-landed in a rural field in South Carolina

Of the seven recommendations made by the GAO, the Pentagon agreed that all of them needed to be implemented

The issue lies within the F-35's OBIGGS (Onboard Inert Gas Generation) system, which pumps nitrogen-enriched air into its fuel tanks to inert them, preventing the aircraft from exploding if it is struck by lightning.

'F-35B and C variants have some of the same OBIGGS issues as the F-35A, but have been able to alleviate operational impacts,' said Chief Petty Officer Matthew Olay, spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office, in an email to Forbes last year.

Audio from Sunday's crash shows the pilot telling emergency responders, after ejecting, that he 'lost it in the weather'.

He took off on Sunday, flying in tandem with another F-35 from Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, and ejected at a height of 1,000 feet - a little less than the height of the Empire State Building.

He was only about a mile north of Charleston International Airport, in a populated area that led the pilot to parachute into a residential backyard.

A call to the emergency services was made at 1:42pm on Sunday.

An audio recording, kept by Charleston County Emergency Medical Services, features a man telling someone on the phone: 'He's unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather.'

The F-35 went down only around 80 miles from its base, north of Charleston, South Carolina

The jet was on autopilot at the time, said Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, speaking to NBC News.

Separate audio, obtained by aviation enthusiast @aeroscouting, appeared to show air traffic control towers in the region attempting to make contact with the pilot-less jet. The 'zombie jet' is believed to be SWEDE-11 in the conversation.

Air traffic control try to talk to SWEDE-12, the wingman, and say that they have lost contact with SWEDE-11.

'SWEDE-12, do you have any external comms with your wingman - he's not on ... frequencies,' the ATC official says.

ATC tell the pilot of the tandem plane, SWEDE-12, that they will report his colleague as 'NORDO' - flying without a radio.

The missing jet flew around 60 miles before crashing near Bartell Crossroads, in a rural area with well-kept agricultural fields.

Marines were not able to locate the crashed plane for 28 hours, leading to a humiliating appeal on social media for help finding the missing $80 million jet.

Once it was located, a Marine Corps team was dispatched to secure the wreckage and a second team, one that conducts aircraft mishap investigations, was sent to the site.

But questions are now being asked as to why it was allowed to fly, given the proximity to storms and the concerns about its sister planes.
The SNP has ordered an urgent review of its crippling climate change policies amid growing fears about the cost to families.

Environment Secretary Mairi McAllan yesterday said she would need to assess the potentially significant impact of Rishi Sunaks decision to delay key UK Government pledges.

A proposed ban on the use of gas boilers in new-build homes from next year and the plan to extend this to one million existing homes by 2030 will come under the microscope.

The boiler crackdown would force families to pay upwards of 10,000 installing heat pumps and other alternatives.

Mairi McAllan MSP Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition yesterday at the Scottish Parliament

First Minister Humza Yousaf urged to rethink his net zero policies

The SNP has turned sour on Scottish oil and gas Humza Yousaf has been accused of giving up on Scotlands oil and gas industry with his reckless stance on ending fossil fuel extraction in the North Sea. The SNP leader called for Scotland to stop being the oil and gas capital of Europe on his American jaunt this week. At FMQs yesterday, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: The SNP has turned sour on Scottish oil and gas. They are backing a cliff-edge scenario where skilled jobs will be lost for good. Advertisement

Another controversial plan to force 170,000 off-grid rural properties to install heat pumps from 2025 is also set to be reviewed.

And a new climate change push due to be published this autumn, which would set out policies up to 2040, is also facing a delay.

Business leaders, opposition politicians and a former SNP minister led calls for Scots not to be hammered with the costs of green initiatives before families living in other parts of the UK.

Scottish Conservative net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: Patrick Harvie and the SNP need to row back on their draconian and costly ban on gas boilers.

Heat pumps are hugely expensive, and forcing householders to install them now is unfair and unreasonable in the middle of a global cost of living crisis.

Ms McAllan told MSPs that ministers are urgently assessing the impact on their own plans of Mr Sunaks announcements.

The Prime Minister said a UK-wide ban on petrol and diesel cars will be delayed from 2030 to 2035, and he pushed back plans to ban new installations of gas boilers until 2035 south of the Border.

He also announced that a ban on new oil and LPG boilers for off-grid homes in England will be delayed from 2026 until 2035.

It led to calls for SNP and Green ministers to follow suit and delay their plan to force 170,000 off-grid properties to install heat pumps from 2025.

Nationalist MSP Fergus Ewing, a former rural economy secretary, said the delay to the UK Government proposals on oil and LPG boilers south of the Border most certainly adds to the need to delay proposals in Scotland.

He said: The Scottish target is unachievable. About 48 times as many heat pumps as are presently being installed a year would need to be put in to meet the target. The supply chain cannot possibly be expanded to do this.

This is not just impossible. It makes a mockery of government targets when they are utterly detached from reality.

Meanwhile, home new-builds are falling and industry concerns are being ignored. This, I predict, cannot and will not last.

Under Scottish Government plans, the use of gas boilers in new-build properties will be banned from next April, with the ban extended to one million existing homes by 2030.

The Scottish Government has previously published a strategy saying it will legislate to phase out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers from 2025.

It will also set out new energy standards and deadlines for action in a Heat and Buildings Bill, which was supposed to have been published by the end of this summer.

Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the Prime Ministers announcements have caused confusion and uncertainty for many Scottish businesses. She said firms needed assurance and confidence to grow and invest in the areas needed to support net zero targets.

But she added: As some of these policies, such as those focused on housing, are devolved to Scotland, it does create some concern that firms in Scotland will have to adjust far sooner than counterparts in other parts of the UK.

It would be appropriate for government to consider how they can better incentivise the cost of such changes to avoid potential competitive disadvantages.

In the Scottish parliament yesterday, Ms McAllan accused Mr Sunak of an unforgivable betrayal of current and future generations.

She said: We have always been clear that the delivery of Scotlands climate ambition is contingent on action by the UK Government in reserved and shared areas, and yesterdays announcements will undoubtedly have serious implications for the delivery of climate ambition in Scotland.

Ms McAllan added: We are now currently having to urgently assess the impact on Scotland and it is right that we take the time to do that.

But right now, however, parliament will recognise that the sheer scale of the Prime Ministers astonishing policy reversals will have a potentially significant impact on development in Scotland, not least on the preparation of our own draft climate change plan.

Scotland's deputy First Minister Shona Robison tells Scottish Tory leader he should be ashamed to stand side by side with Rishi Sunak' during First Minster's Questions in Holyrood

She said a new climate change plan was due to be published later this year but Mr Sunaks eleventh hour announcement will have had an effect on its release date.

A spokesman for First Minister Humza Yousaf yesterday confirmed that the Scottish Government will consider the implications of Mr Sunaks announcement on a range of policies, including the ban on gas boilers in new-build homes from next April.

Liam McArthur, climate emergency spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: Measures like upgrading boilers can be a win-win for households by reducing both costs and emissions.

However, the upfront investment is steep and that is where government has a major role to play.

A just transition cant simply dump huge bills on ordinary Scots, particularly in a cost of living crisis. Government support will be needed to help make this transition feasible and achievable.
The Big Apple has been plagued by homelessness and an influx of migrants

New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared a comprehensive plan to address the city's housing crisis and paved the way to build 100,000 new homes in the Big Apple.

Adams announced the largest housing overhaul in decades on Thursday at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

His 'groundbreaking' plans could see restrictions on development around subway stations and above laundromats, bodegas and one-level residential units torn up - allowing for extensions of up to five stories.

New builds could be much larger if they include affordable housing, one- and two- family homes could get the green light to convert basements, attics and garages into apartments and red tape around converting office buildings could be removed.

'There's one thing that has barely changed since 1961 - New York City's zoning laws,' said Adams. 'So many of the issues we face are rooted in the ongoing housing crisis.'

The proposals will provide relief to a city in desperate need of affordable housing to accommodate an influx of migrants - of which the city has already taken in 110,000 - and a growing homeless population.

Eric Adams announced sweeping housing reforms after being criticized for his handling of the migrant crisis

Adams is looking to rewrite current rules which have limited housing growth in NYC after US Census data found an incredible 404,750 people left the city between 2020 and 2022.

If Adams gets his wish, the new proposals would allow building to happen on nearly every corner in New York City.

'This is not tinkering around the edges, this is groundbreaking - literally - by rewriting the wrongs of history,' said Adams.

More than 110,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city since the Spring of 2022, and currently more than 10,000 are arriving every month.

A recent study found New York City homelessness is up 18 percent compared to last year and a total of 4,042 people are sleeping in the subways or on the streets.

'By rewriting the wrongs of history, this plan will allow us to build a little more housing in every neighborhood, incentivize affordable housing, build more housing near transit hubs, convert unused office space into apartments, renew our commercial corridors, help small homeowners to build better spaces on their property and, finally, prioritizing people over parking,' said the mayor.

One proposal would allow the construction of apartment buildings up to five stories tall on top of laundromats and bodegas in some neighborhoods outside Manhattan where it's currently banned.

Adams also wants to make it easier for one and two-family homes to convert spaces like basements, attic and garages into apartments - freeing up unused space that already exists in the city.

He also intends to allow larger developments in the city if they offer affordable housing, and wants to eliminate the need for new buildings to include parking spaces - something which has held back many developers in the past.

More than 110,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city since the Spring of 2022

Adams plan would change zoning laws and allow for over 100,000 homes to be built

New York City faces a growing homeless population, partially due to a lack of affordable housing

If his plans go ahead, it would become easier for developers to convert office spaces into apartments and smaller apartment sizes would be made legal.

As radical as the plans would be for the city, they could take years to go into effect and will need to be approved by the city council.

On the campaign trail Adams made promises to address the housing crisis, but so far his previous housing projects have failed.

Restate company Douglas Elliman reported that the average rent in Manhattan in August was $5,552.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition said there is a shortage of 655,940 affordable and available rental homes for extremely low income renters in New York.
Rudy Giuliani stepped out of his New York City apartment on Thursday the day after his vehement denial that he groped former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on January 6, 2021.

Wearing a navy blue blazer, black slacks and white button-down, pictures obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Giuliani exiting from his apartment to hail a taxi.

Giuliani, 79, was flanked by his aide as they emerged from the taxi in midtown and entered a building with a business address.

It is the first time Giuliani was spotted following the revelations of Hutchinson's claims against him.

On Wednesday, Giuliani denied the 27-year-old's allegations as 'absolutely false' and 'totally absurd.'

A biographer also claims that Giuliani has been left 'penniless' considering the slew of legal fees he is facing.

Rudy Giuliani was seen stepping out of his apartment and into a taxi to a business address in midtown Manhattan on Thursday

In images exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, Giuliani was seen emerging from a cab holding a towel and an iPhone

Andrew Kirtzman, a journalist who covered Giuliani for decades and published a critically-acclaimed biography of him last year, told CNN that the former New York City mayor has squandered all of the $100 million he made in the last five years.

'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,' the biographer said.

'He lived very well and now he's penniless and facing prison,' Kirtzman said of the litany of civil and legal woes against Giuliani.

Now, in addition to those alleged financial challenges, he is being accused of sexual assault of a former Trump White House aide.

Hutchinson worked for then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on the day of the January 6 Capitol riot.

Due to her proximity, Hutchinson was invited to appear before the House panel investigating the attack to provide her testimony, which garnered widespread attention.

She is now coming out with a book  where her allegations against Giuliani are detailed.

Hutchinson claims in her memoir Enough, which was obtained by The Guardian, that Giuliani put his hand 'under my blazer, then my skirt'.

'I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh. 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,' she wrote.

Giuliani, asked for comment, initially refused to reply to The Guardian, which has obtained a copy of the book prior to its publication.

While hailing a cab to midtown on Thursday, Giuliani was joined by his close aide

Trump-era White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson (pictured) alleges in her new book Enough that Giuliani groped her on January 6, 2021. She writes that Giuliani put his hand 'under my blazer, then my skirt. feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin'

A spokesman for Giuliani, however, has since said her claims were only made as an attempt to sell more copies of her memoir.

On Wednesday, Giuliani appeared on Newsmax, and was asked by host Eric Bolling about her allegations.

'Mr Mayor, before we let you go, there was something circulating earlier today. Cassidy Hutchinson is making a claim about you' said Bolling.

He said that her account was not credible, adding: 'Completely, absolutely false. Totally absurd.'

Giuliani, 79, on Wednesday night denied allegations that he groped Hutchinson

'Mr Mayor, before we let you go, there was something circulating earlier today. Cassidy Hutchinson is making a claim about you' said Bolling.

Giuliani replied: 'Completely, absolutely false. Totally absurd.' He said that her account was not credible.

'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 president's speech, etcetera. I'm gonna grope somebody? With a hundred people?' said Giuliani.

'First of all, I'm 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 wasn't talking to them, I was taking pictures with people. So there would have been no occasion for this to happen.

'It's completely absurd, it's as crazy as her statement that the president jumped over the, I guess, jumped over the seat and took over the car.'

Hutchinson made the claims in her book. The Guardian obtained an advance copy

Hutchinson hit the headlines when she testified before the January 6 Committee that Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of his presidential car when it was leaving the January 6 rally, and steer it towards the Capitol.

The accusation by Hutchinson emerged two days after Giuliani's 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 Giuliani's last payment was $10,000 on September 14.

'I can't express how personally hurt I am by what Bob Costello has done,' Giuliani said on Monday.

'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.'

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 Biden's 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.
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland said the government is now seeking the extradition of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's three sons, who remain in control of the criminal organization following the recent extradition of their brother, Ovidio Guzman.

Ivan Guzman, Jesus Guzman and Joaquin Guzman along with their jailed brother, otherwise known as 'Los Chapitos,' climbed up the Sinaloa Cartel leadership ladder following their father's arrest and extradition to the United States six years ago.

With Guzman now facing multiple firearms, drug trafficking and money laundering charges in a U.S. District Court in Chicago, Garland expects the Mexican government will exhaust all measures to arrest his three siblings and bring them to justice in a U.S. court.

'Obviously we have indicted the other Chapitos,' Garland said Wednesday while he was peppered with questions by California Representative Lou Correa before the House Judiciary Committee.

'They have been publicly indicted and of course we will seek the extradition and the apprehension of everyone we indicted.'

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son, Ovidio Guzman (pictured) was extradited to Chicago last Friday on drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is now seeking the extradition of his three brothers who control a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel

The Drug Enforcement Administration is offering a $10 million reward for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of Jesus Guzman, one of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's three who now operate half of the Sinaloa Cartel after their brother, Ovidio Guzman, was extradited to the United States last week

Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar (pictured) joined his brother, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, in the DEA's 10 most-wanted list

Joaquin Guzman is one of El Chapo's four sons who took over the Sinaloa Cartel following his arrest and extradition to the United States. But now only three remain in power after their sibling, Ovidio Guzman, was handed over by Mexican authorities last Friday

Garland credited Ovidio Guzman's extradition to the Mexican military, which suffered a significant loss of troops in a war-like battle that left 30 people dead.

Ovidio Guzman was arrested by Mexican marines during a shootout in Culiacan, Sinaloa that left 10 soldiers dead on January 5.

The 33-year-old was extradited to the United States on Friday and pleaded not guilty during his first appearance in court Monday. His extradition came just two days after El Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel, was released from a halfway house in Long Beach, California.

Federal prosecutors accuse Ovidio Guzman of conspiring to traffic fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin into the United States.

Following El Chapo's 2019 conviction, which landed him in prison for life, his four sons took control of half of the Sinaloa Cartel operations and became involved in an internal conflict with the organization's co-founder, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, who has never been arrested.

Ovidio Guzman was briefly detained at his Culiacan home by the National Guard in October 2019. The incident sparked a battle with the military and police as at least 700 cartel members launched an assault that left 14 people dead, including four civilians.

The response forced President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to call for Ovidio Guzman's immediate release to prevent the additional loss of innocent civilians.

In April, Los Chapitos were indicted in the Southern District of New York, Northern District of Illinois and District of Columbia.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel has played a role in manufacturing and smuggling fentanyl to the United States

According to the DEA, Los Chapitos provide fentanyl to 27 cities across the United States

U.S. prosecutors allege that Los Chapitos receive precursor chemicals to produce fentanyl from China and then manufacture it at clandestine labs in Mexico before smuggling it to the United States

During a press conference, Garland accused them of being at the helm of the 'the largest, most violent, and most prolific fentanyl trafficking operation in the world.'

The government also alleged that Los Chapitos obtained precursor chemicals to produce fentanyl from China and then manufactured the dangerous drug at clandestine labs in Mexico before smuggling it to the United States.

El Chapo's sons responded by slamming the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through a public letter that was released to Mexican news outlet Milenio.

'We are not the head of the Sinaloa Cartel nor are we interested in being,' Los Chapitos wrote.

'What does exist is a countless number of small and large groups that have their base of operations in the state or are made up of people from Sinaloa and operate in other parts of the country or even in other parts of the world. These groups operate completely independently of others and are not accountable to us, nor do we request them.'

Ivan Guzman and Jesus Guzman are wanted by the United States government - $10 million rewards for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction for each is being offered.

A $5 million is also being offered for Joaquin Guzman.
Hundreds of schools across Scotland are set to close next week after a union rejected the best and final pay offer.

Unison members will walk out next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in industrial action that could affect most of Scotlands 800,000 schoolchildren.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said its significantly improved in-year offer would mean workers on the Scottish local government living wage receiving an in-year uplift of about 2,000, or almost 10 per cent.

An extra 90million was found for the latest offer, including 10million allocated by council leaders in the previous offer on September 13.

Unison said wage offer would mean job cuts

But Unison, which represents school staff including cleaners and janitors, rejected the deal and said strikes will go ahead.

It is believed the offer will be put to members with the recommendation that they reject it.

The Unite and the GMB unions are still considering the deal.

Unison Scotland head of local government Johanna Baxter said: This revised offer is far too little, too late.

Strikes will therefore proceed next week. We cannot agree to a pay offer that will result in further cuts to our members jobs and the services they provide.

It has taken Cosla six months to send us a revised pay offer which, for the vast majority of staff, is an increase of only 0.5 per cent in-year.

These are not well paid staff, they are on less than the Scottish average wage, and it is simply not acceptable.

Far from learning the lessons of last years dispute, the situation has been worse. This is no way to conduct industrial relations.

Staff in 26 of Scotlands 32 council areas will walk out, forcing up to 1,868 schools to close for three days. Almost 600,000 pupils could be affected.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Liam Kerr said: This wave of strike action is a direct result of SNP ministers being asleep at the wheel.

They should have resolved this dispute months ago. They have failed to learn from their previous mistakes.

Parents will now be hugely anxious at the prospect of having to find last-minute childcare and make alternative arrangements with employers.

Further disruption to their education is the last thing our pupils need. If SNP ministers had ensured our councils werent hit with savage cuts year after year, these disputes would not be occurring as often.

Scottish Labours local government spokesman Mark Griffin said: Years of brutal cuts under the SNP have forced councils into this position but instead of working together to find a solution and avoid strikes, the SNP has abdicated any and all responsibility.

Coslas finance spokesman Katie Hagmann said: We have met every ask of our trade union colleagues throughout these negotiations and this best and final offer was made on the basis that strikes would be suspended.

It must be reiterated that we are talking about a pay package worth over 445million, targeted at the lower end of our workforce.

After the offer was rejected, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison told the BBC: It is disruptive to children and parents and that is why we found with great difficulty the extra 80million to try to help to resolve the dispute.
Newly released US Census data that provides a more detailed look at the specific racial and ethnic breakdowns of Americans shows that among the shrinking white population, one-third identify as English, and among the black population, just half identify as African American.

The new data was released Thursday more than three years after the 2020 census, which was delayed heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as new government methods of collecting information designed to protect participants' confidentiality.

While the straightforward count of Americans who fall into different racial categories was released in a previous round of census data disclosure, the new information breaks down the various racial populations by ethnic category.

The country's black population, which according to data released previously has grown by five-and-a-half percent since 2010, identify primarily as African American. However, among the nation's 46.9million black census respondents, just 24.5million listed themselves as African American.

The other roughly half of the black population selected backgrounds that included Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, and Ethiopian.

Roughly half of the country's black population do not identify as African American, according to data from the US Census Bureau

Among the 130million white Americans, 46.5million identify as entirely or partially English, a similar number to those who categorize themselves as German

Groups with even fewer respondents included those who identified as Congolese, Somali, Liberian, and Haitian.

Among the white population in the US, the most common detailed group that people selected on the form that requested additional background information was English. Some 46.5million Americans said they were entirely or some portion English.

In close second was the subcategory of German. Forty-five million white Americans identify as entirely or partly German. Nearly 39million identify as Irish.

Among the fast-growing Hispanic population of the US, Venezuelans were far and away the group with the biggest jump in numbers.

Between 2010 and 2020, Venezuelans went from having a US population of 215,000, to one of more than 605,000. That change is largely attributable to the economic and humanitarian crisis that occurred during the regime led by President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelans were extended Temporary Protected Status in the US, which for many of them will last through at least March of next year.

As has been the case for several censuses in a row, Mexicans were the largest Hispanic group in the country with a population of nearly 36million. But, their percentage share among the Hispanic and Latino population actually declined from 63 percent in 2010 to 57 percent in 2020.

The Asian population of the US, which numbers roughly 20million, identified nearly equally among a number of subsets of the category.

More than 5.2million Americans identified as Chinese. They were followed by Indians, who numbered 4.7million. There are 4.4million Filipinos in the US, and 2.2million people who identify as Vietnamese.

As has been the case for several censuses in a row, Mexicans were the largest Hispanic group in the country with a population of nearly 36million

According to previous Census data, the number of Americans who identify as white alone shrank by eight point six percent

Data released earlier this summer showed that for the first time in US history, the number of white people in the nation showed a decline.

'Twenty years ago if you told people this was going to be the case, they wouldn't have believed you,' said William Frey, demographer at the Brookings Institution. 'The country is changing dramatically.'

For five years now, updates from the US Census Bureau have estimated that the white population was shrinking and that all population growth has been from minorities in recent years.

White people accounted for about 60 percent of the population in 2019, but Frey said that the opioid epidemic and lower-than-anticipated birthrates among millennials after the Great Recession has accelerated the white population's decline.

The largest and most steady gains were seen among Hispanics, who have doubled their share of the population over the last 30 years to almost 20 percent.
Michal Steplowski and his wife woke up covered in bed bug bites the morning after a visit to a Mount Juliet theater

A Tennessee couple's visit to their local Regal movie theatre soon turned into a medical nightmare.

Michael Steplowski and his wife visited the theater in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, to watch Guardians of the Galaxy in May 2023 and woke up the next morning covered in bed bug bites.

Steplowski woke up with 42 bed bug bites on his legs and his wife had 18 on her back. He said some of his bites got infected and he was forced to see a doctor.

Now, the couple is speaking out about the terrifying ordeal that has cost them more than $2,000.

'This was traumatic enough that I don't think we will ever go to the movies,' Steplowski said.

Michael Steplowski and his wife visited the theater in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, to watch Guardians of the Galaxy in May 2023 and woke up the next morning covered in bed bug bites

Steplowski woke up with 42 bed bug bites on his legs and his wife had 18 on her back. He said some of his bites got infected and he was forced to see a doctor

Steplowski told WSMV4 : 'I love movies, I love watching movies, just now it happens from the safety of my home I guess.After the incident, Steplowski said he reached out to the theater but said they ignored his calls for three days. He was then forced to go to the theater himself and check the seats.

On inspection, he found an egg sack from the bed bugs under the seat he watched the movie.

'The manager on duty let me in,' he said. 'We both walked back, we looked at the seats we were sitting in and underneath the seat I was sitting in was an egg sack from the bed bug.'

Steplowski took a picture and sent it to the exterminator cleaning his home who confirmed it was an egg sack.

Steplowski also told the outlet he texted the manager at the theater who messaged him back saying they closed the theater and that a pest control company came to clean it later that same week.

Since then, he kept every document and said that the couple spent over $2,000 on medical bills and extermination.

'We got some losses where it came to, I wasn't able to work for a couple of days.'

'It cost a lot of money to get our house treated for bed bugs and we were referred to their insurance provider to file a claim and we were kind of shut down,' Steplowski explained.

After the incident, Steplowski said he reached out to the Mount Juliet, Tennessee, theater but said they ignored his calls for three days. He was then forced to go to the theater himself and check the seats

'It cost a lot of money to get our house treated for bed bugs and we were referred to their insurance provider to file a claim and we were kind of shut down,' Steplowski explained

In a letter the couple received, the insurance company for Regal Cinemas said they were 'not legally responsible for what happened and denied the claim.'

The couple have now come forward with their story and are not sure about their next steps.

Regal Cinemas provided a statement after the incident that read: 'The safety of our guests and staff are always of the utmost importance to us and once we were notified, immediate steps were taken to investigate this allegation.

'We engaged the services of professional pest control providers on multiple occasions and can report no bed bugs were reported.'

'We want all of our guests to feel confident that they will be safe when they attend a movie at our Mount Juliet theatre and in furtherance of that objective, we continue to engage professionals to conduct routine inspections at this facility.'
Police have launched an investigation after 'two people were shot' at a Toyota car depot in California after 'multiple police' exchanged gunfire with a suspect as cops downgrade the threat.

Berkeley Police Department confirmed they responded to reports of a shooting in the area at 11.14am on Thursday morning.

Authorities found one victim when they arrived, and exchanged gunfire with a suspect, but were unable to confirm the condition of those involved.

They added there is 'no current threat to the community' but did not say if the shooter died in the exchange.

Officer Jessica Perry added: 'Berkeley Police Department cleared the building, officers were met by gunfire, so somebody inside that building did have a gun.'

Berkeley Police Department confirmed they responded to reports of a shooting in the area at 11.14am on Thursday morning

Authorities found one victim when they arrived, and exchanged gunfire with a suspect

Officer Jessica Perry said: 'Berkeley Police Department cleared the building, officers were met by gunfire, so somebody inside that building did have a gun'

Berkeley Police are asking people to avoid the area of Eastshore Highway between Buchanan Street and Harrison Street

UC Berkeley WarnMe: AVOID THE AREA of EASTSHORE BETWEEN BUCHANAN AND HARRISON until further notice . Police are responding to an active crime scene.

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE RESIDENTS - AVOID THE AREA DUE TO POLICE ACTIVITY https://t.co/UXdWte7X2U  UC Police, Berkeley (@UCPD_Cal) September 21, 2023

Perry confirmed that family members of staff working at the dealership had been on scene when she arrived.

Cops are asking people to avoid the area of Eastshore Highway between Buchanan Street and Harrison Street because of a 'critical incident'.

One employee told KTVU the incident happened on the second floor, adding 'someone shouted gun,' before they were told to evacuate the building.

Dozens of emergency service vehicles could be seen lined up on the scene close to the dealership.

This is a developing story.
More drugs have been found at a Bronx day care where a one-year-old boy died of fentanyl poisoning last week - under a hidden trap door near where where the babies would regularly lay down to sleep.

The discovery, confirmed Thursday by the NYPD, comes five days after cops unmasked Divino Nino Daycare in Kingsbridge as a secret drug mill, following young Nicholas Feliz Dominici's inhalation of the deadly opioid alongside three other tots.

The other victims - an 8-month-old girl and two 2-year-old boys - survived, but Dominici ultimately succumbed to the notoriously lethal affects of the drug, which is often used to lace pills made by illegal distributers.

Grei Mendez De Ventura, the 36-year-old owner of the daycare, and her cousin-in-law Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, are now incarcerated on such charges, with feds alleging they used the center as an unsanctioned pill mill unbeknownst to parents.

On Thursday, after finding a brick of fentanyl and working pill press stashed on the premises days earlier, cops announced they uncovered a litany of other drugs and paraphernalia as well, all stashed under the aforementioned secret door.

Cops said they had found enough highly potent fentanyl to kill 500,000 people.

More drugs have been found at a Bronx day care where a one-year-old boy died of fentanyl poisoning last week - under a hidden trap door near where where the babies would regularly lay down to sleep

The discovery comes five days after cops unmasked Divino Nino Daycare in Kingsbridge as a secret drug mill, following a one-year-old's inhalation of the deadly opioid. It was not clear what substances aside from fentanyl were uncovered during the Wednesday bust

The overdose happened this past Friday in Kingsbridge, at the unassuming daycare feds said doubled as an illegal pill factory

The force shared a statement Thursday afternoon that included photos of the once-secret stash, as the two suspects face potential life sentences for their alleged part in the scheme.

The statement revealed cops made the find during after their initial search of the facility, following the death and three hospitalizations.

'As part of an ongoing overdose fatality investigation in a Bronx daycare center on 9/15/23, a search warrant was conducted by @NYPDDetectives,' the tweet from the department read.

'A large quantity of Fentanyl, other narcotics, & drug paraphernalia was recovered in a trap floor in the play area at the daycare center.'

Cops did not specify what other types of illicit items were uncovered during the bust, but photos show several bags packed with several powderlike substances, some distinctly different from a package of fentanyl already seized days before.

That find came in the form of a kilogram sized brick, found to be fentanyl, located on top of children's playmats earlier in the week, as well as a 'kilo press' used to run the secret drug mill, a federal complaint associated with the ongoing case alleges.

Prosecutors would later claim De Ventura and her husband's cousin 'used the day care center front to cloak' the unassuming facility's true intent - the mass production of fentanyl to later be sold for a profit.

The complaint further alleges the drug duo would cut up the drugs to be pressed near the area where the children nap, likely leading to the unforeseen overdoses.

Just 2 milligrams of the stuff - which, for reference is similar in appearance to 10 to 15 grains of table salt - is considered lethal.

Pictured: Nicholas Feliz-Dominici, 1, died on Friday after ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx day care

Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, have been hit with federal charges. Both face life in prison for their alleged part in the pill mill

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

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

Sources familiar with the incident - which has earned national attention - told publications like the New York Post and PIX11 how De Ventura reportedly stood on the sidelines as her cohort cut the opioids before their alleged scheme came falling apart Friday, when some particles kicked into the air are believed to have been breathed in by the four youths.

That day, fed claims that Mendez called her husband, who is still being sought by police, two times before dialing 911 to report the overdoses.

The court documents also claimed she deleted more than 21,000 text messages from an encrypted phone app as police moved in on her location.

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.

A small memorial was seen placed at the door of a Bronx day care center Friday, just after the death was announced

'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 an Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent said

The pair had initially been arrested on state charges on Sunday night, which included murder, manslaughter and assault, and held without bail

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.

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.

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.

Mayor Eric Adams expressed his sympathy Saturday to the child's mourning parents, as the case continues to garner national attention

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.

Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, expressed his sympathy Saturday to the child's mourning parents, as the case continues to garner national attention.
Volodymyr Zelensky brought his battle for more funds and weapons to the White House, hinting to President Joe Biden he wants more missiles as conservative Republicans are refusing to budge on aid to the Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president spent Thursday morning on Capitol Hill, lobbying lawmakers for their support. But far-right GOP lawmakers in the House are stiffling aid even as many GOP senators support sending more funds to Kyiv.

And it appears Zelensky has been unable to persuade them differently. The right-wing of the party voted down Speaker Kevin McCarthy's defense bill and conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said her 'no' vote came because the bill included money for Ukraine.

'Our Defense bill should not fund our DOD for blood money for the Ukraine war, that's why I'm a NO,' she wrote on X

Biden, however, indicated he thought Congress would ultimately agree to his $24 billion proposal for Kyiv, saying there was 'no alternative.'

'I'm counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress. There is no alternative,' he said.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at the South Portico of the White House

President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office

Jill Biden embraces Olena Zelenska while President Joe Biden greets President Volodymyr Zelensky at their arrival at the White House

Zelensky said he had frank conversations with lawmakers during his closed-door meetings on Capitol Hill.

But funding for his country is falling victim to a civil war among House Republicans. The conservative wing of the GOP doesn't support more money for Kyiv and has sank budget bills that contain it.

Biden, meanwhile, announced a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine although it didn't have all the bells and whistles on Zelensky's wish list.

The Ukrainian president wants ATACMS, long-range tactical missiles that Kyiv has been asking for to hit Russian targets in the deep rear of the fight.

'When it comes to weapons we will discuss everything with a special emphasis on air defense,' Zelensky said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said ahead of Zelensky's arrival at the White House that President Biden would announce a tranche 'of military assistance today including significant air defense capabilities to help Ukraine.'

That will include additional ammunition for U.S. provided HIMAR systems, anti-armor capabilities, artillery, and ammunition. But it will not include the ATACMS.

Additionally, the first abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine next week, Biden announced.

'We also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect the critical infrastructure,' Biden said.

Zelensky thanked Biden for 'very productive, strong negotiations. And today we have some important results.'

'It has what our soldiers need now,' he said.

Zelensky and his wife Olena got a warm welcome on the South Lawn from Joe and Jill Biden. Hugs were exchanged and the Bidens rolled out the red carpet for the Ukrainian president and first lady.

President Biden called Ukraine a 'partner' and said the US is 'formalizing our commitment to Ukraine's long-term security alongside the G7 and with other partners.'

'We're supporting a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' he said.

The pressure is on Zelensky, who packed his visit to Washington DC with stops on Capitol Hill, the Pentagon and the White House, to appeal for aid after Poland yanked its weapons supply during one of Russia's most brutal missile campaigns. Warsaw said it would now only supply the already-promised weapons.

The Biden administration is pushing for Congress to authorize an additional $24 billion in funding. Zelensky met with lawmakers on Thursday in his battle to persuade skeptical Republicans in Congress to keep sending financial support.

'If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war,' Zelensky said, as recounted by Senator Chuck Schumer.

On Thursday morning, Zelensky met the speaker, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other committee chairs and ranking members on the first floor of the Capitol.

McCarthy, notably, didn't come out to greet the Ukrainian leader. Jeffries met Zelensky at the Capitol entrance and walked him to the meeting site.

After the meeting, McCarthy said he remains noncommittal about the $24 billion aid package to Ukraine but said Zelensky answered many of lawmakers' questions on the status of the war.

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands during an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room of the White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with U.S. President Joe Biden down the colonnade to the Oval Office during a visit to the White House

Volodymyr Zelensky met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday in his battle to persuade skeptical Republicans to keep sending aid

The Ukrainian President urged Capitol Hill lawmakers to 'stay strong' and support Kyiv after Poland yanked its weapons supply during one of Russia's most brutal missile campaigns

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (L) join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2nd R) and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, in a wreath laying ceremony at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House

Zelensky is requesting more air defense help from the Biden administration

President Biden announces a new aid package for Ukraine during his meeting with Zelensky

McCarthy and Zelensky met behind closed doors where the Ukrainian president told lawmakers: 'When this war started, you said to me, Ukraine, stay unified and stay strong. I'm coming back and saying to the United States: stay unified and stay strong.'

Before his visit, Zelensky asked to deliver another joint address to Congress, as he did last December, Punchbowl News reported, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied the request.

'Zelensky asked us for a Joint Session and we just didn't have time,' McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday morning, pointing out the Ukrainian president had already addressed Congress. Zelensky spoke to a joint session in December when Nancy Pelosi was still speaker.

Congress has already authorized more than $110 billion to Kyiv since Vladimir Putin's invasion, and some rightwing members of the GOP have warned the White House they will oppose Biden's request to send another $24 billion.

Congress has not yet passed any of the 12 spending bills that are needed to keep the government running. It has until September 30th to do or the government shuts down.

Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said Zelensky - as part of his plea - told lawmakers 'he's winning' the war.

He said Zelensky told them he needs air cover and long-range artillery for his soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed to the Capitol by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) walk out of the Old Senate Chamber following a meeting with senators

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to the Pentagon

Ukraine-Poland Dispute tied to grain bans Tensions have risen between Ukraine and Poland, its neighbor and first ally, over grain shipments. Several European Union nations put a ban on Ukrainian grain earlier this to protect their own farmers. Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the ban. But three countries  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they woudl keep it. Ukraine protested and filed lawsuits against all three countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the ban in his address to the UN, saying 'it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.' He accused them of aiding Moscow. Poland condemned the remarks and summoned its ambassador from Ukraine. Advertisement

Hurting Ukraine's effort is its spat with Poland.

Zelensky tried to fan down the flames.

Despite criticizing Poland at the UN on Wednesday, Zelensky sounded a more conciliatory note when he spoke in the Oval Office on Thursday.

'I want to thank the Polish people, Polish society for their support. That's it,' he said.

His friendly comment comes as Poland announced it will no longer provide weapons to Kyiv.

'We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, sparked by Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers, have intensified in recent days.

Poland was one Ukraine's earliest and staunchest allies after Russia invaded. It has taken in over a million refugees and been Kyiv's biggest supplier of weapons.

Poland has delivered hundreds of Soviet-era tanks and armored personnel carriers for Ukraine's war effort, as well as 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.

Warsaw's government spokesman Piotr Mueller said Thursday that Poland 'only carries out previously agreed supplies of ammunition and weapons, including those resulting from the contracts signed with Ukraine.'

Asked whether Warsaw would choose not to sign new contracts for delivering arms to Kyiv, Mueller declined to answer.

In the US, Zelensky's focus is on House Republicans, who have made clear they oppose more funding for the Ukraine.

McCarthy's stop-gap resolution to keep the government running while lawmakers negotiate a full budget deal lacks any funding for Kyiv.

President Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska place flowers at the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is escorted by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the Capitol

Senator Chris Murphy posted a photo of Zelensky's private meeting with senators

President Zelensky inside the Old Senate Chamber where he's meeting with senators

A framed flag signed by front-line Ukrainian fighters in Bakhmut and presented to the U.S. Congress in 2022, sits at one end of the table where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet privately with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other leaders

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has questioned U.S. funding for Ukraine

President Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill surrounded by security

And 29 GOP lawmakers wrote to the Biden's budget chief to express their concerns about how much has already been given to the Ukraine - $100 billion - and to complain the Biden administration supports an 'open-ended commitment' to the country.

They argue Americans need more information on the war effort.

'How is the counteroffensive going? Are the Ukrainians any closer to victory than they were 6 months ago? What is our strategy, and what is the president's exit plan?' they write.

McCarthy has made similar comments.

'Was Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don't think so. I have questions for where's the accountability on the money we've already spent? What is this the plan for victory?' he said to reporters on Capitol Hill earlier this week.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell does support funding Ukraine's war effort although some conservatives in the upper chamber think the U.S. has done enough to help Kyiv.

McConnell, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, escorted Zelensky into his meeting with senators.

The Biden administration continues to push for more funding. Zelensky will cap off his visit to Washington with a meeting in the Oval Office.

Zelensky's visit comes at a 'critical time, as Russia is reaching out' to countries like North Korea and Iran, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.

Biden can get a 'battlefield perspective,' when he meets with Zelensky in the Oval Office, Kirby noted.

President Zelensky greets Pentagon employees after laying a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial

Russian President Vladimir Putin has upped his assault on Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Capitol Hill with Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova

While Zelensky was out of the country, Russia upped its aerial campaign, damaging energy facilities and causing power outages in several region.

Moscow targeted Lviv in the west, near the border with Poland, and Kharkiv, close to Ukraine's eastern front lines, as well as Kyiv, Cherkasy and Rivne.

Zelensky arrives in Washington after addressing the UN General Assembly as part of the body's annual meeting.

He also addressed the U.N. Security Council, where he got tough, accusing it of inaction on Russia's invasion of his country.

'Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war,' Zelensky said.

'We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression,' he noted.
Some of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer's Democratic colleagues are now dissing his decision to end the dress code that outlawed hoodies and shorts inside the chamber, with a top member of leadership questioning the move.

'We need to have standards,' said Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), as Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) bucked longtime tradition and decorum by wearing his trademark hoodie while presiding over the Senate following the change.

Durbin and Schumer, both longtime suit-wearing colleagues who are also housemates, appear to be in dispute over the change.

'I think we need to have standards when it comes to what we're wearing on the floor of the Senate,' Durbin told SiriusXM in its POTUS channel in a broadcast set to air Friday.

'I can't understand exactly what [Schumer] was thinking at that point. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt until I speak to him, but I think the Senate needs to act on this.'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., walks through the Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in shorts. Senior senators from both parties are griping about a change that ended a dress code for the Senate floor, allowing him to participate in a hoodie

'The senator in question from Pennsylvania is a personal friend, but I think we need to have standards when it comes to what we're wearing on the floor of the Senate, and we're in the process of discussing that right now as to what those standards will be,' he said, referencing Fetterman, who provided a critical win for the Democratic majority and who has spoken about his struggles with depression and was treated for clinical depression this year.

Another influential senator, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has been circulating a resolution to return the status-quo ante-hoodie, the Hill reported.

A senator who signed it told the paper it would 'define what the dress code is.'

Republicans have also pounced on the proposal, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joked: 'I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow.'

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) challenged the policy change, saying 'we need to have standards'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, which allows Sen. Fetterman to walk on the Senate floor without a coat and tie

A group of 46 Republicans blasted the change in a letter. 'The Senate is a place of honor and tradition, and the Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people. It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable  whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs.'

Schumer made the change to allow Fetterman to spend more time on the floor in his attire, which often consists of a hoodie and shorts. Senators who aren't wearing dress attire typically cast their vote from the cloakrooms alongside the chamber without stepping fully onto the floor.

Fetterman ridiculed the uproar, telling the New York Times, 'The Republicans think I'm going to burst through the doors and start break dancing on the floor in shorts.'
Scotland's retailers are in the grip of a shoplifting crimewave as organised gangs become more brazen and violent, a senior retail boss has warned.

Co-op operations director Kate Graham said looters were swiping entire shelves, while products such as baby formula were being targeted for the drugs industry.

The number of weapons being used to intimidate shopkeepers is also causing alarm, with a gun reportedly being brandished in a recent robbery at a store in Glenrothes, Fife.

Retailers in Edinburgh and Glasgow are seeing a rise in similar crimes, amid concerns Police Scotlands soft-touch approach is responsible for a 21 per cent rise in shoplifting in the past 12 months.

Baby formula is now being stolen to order, often by drug gangs and are now fitted with security tags

Kate Graham Operations Director at the Co-op warns Scotland's retailers are in the grip of a shoplifting crimewave

Everyday household items like butter are being shoplifted and have to be security tagged

A week ago it was disclosed that more than 7,500 shoplifters  around four a day  have escaped prosecution and been issued with a warning instead over the past five years.

Ms Graham, who is responsible for all Co-op stores including its 340 in Scotland, told the BBC: With no consequences, it creates anarchy. What we are seeing is blatant looting  people coming in with a large bag and taking what they want because they are recognising the lack of consequence.

People are stealing to order so this is absolutely not about the cost of living crisis.

Highlighting the scale of the problem, she said: There was an armed robbery in Glenrothes recently  it was actually a gun crime. There have been a number of armed robberies in the Edinburgh area and the Glasgow area. That is an increase on anything I have seen before.

Ms Graham added: We are seeing things like baby milk being stolen because it is being used to cut drugs.

Pete Cheema, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation, said its members were seeing a rise in thefts involving organised gangs alongside an increase in threatening and abusive behaviour, often involving knives or even weapons such as machetes.

Razor blades are high up on the list of items being stolen

He added: Some of our retail members now report that staff are resigning because they are scared to come to work.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: Shop workers feel under siege and unprotected due to the SNPs weak approach to criminal justice.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called on the Government to give the police the resources they need to cut crime.

Police Scotland Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick urged retail staff to come forward and report any criminal activity that is directed towards them.

The Scottish Government said: Statistics for the year ending June 2023 show that crimes of dishonesty  such as theft, shoplifting and housebreaking  is at one of the lowest levels since 1971.
From time to time I am assailed by a sense of duty to interrupt a TV drama binge that helps me forget Scotlands troubles and tune in to a topical broadcast that forces me to remember them.

The return to our screens of BBC Scotlands Debate Night this week brought just such an attack of conscience. The big hitters were there to usher in the new series. With a heavy heart, I gave them a hearing.

There was Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Greens and the nations most incapable and least sackable government minister.

There was Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy who, throughout, was too cordial to tell Ms Slater his name wasnt Cregg.

SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn

And, joining us from the SNP was Ms Slaters tag team partner Stephen Flynn, Westminster leader of his party since December 2022, whose greatest contribution to the role thus far is to make his predecessor Ian Blackford look polished in comparison.

The debate from Rutherglen, scene of next months by- election, unfolded much as you would expect  not as a debate at all but the usual series of rehearsed soundbites aired for the benefit of the already converted.

Few politicians dirty their hands with real debate on these programmes any more. That would require engaging with arguments and acknowledging there may be more than one way of coming at them.

Goodness me, panellists might have to think on their feet rather than regurgitating party lines. Then where would we be?

But, just as the eyelids prepared to shut up shop, an intervention from a young audience member shook me wide awake.

Why, this upstart wanted to know, was Mr Flynns answer to everything always the same?

How could it be that, regardless of the issue or the devolved or reserved powers relating to it, the Westminster Government was ever the bogeyman and the Scottish Government the victim bravely battling for its people in the teeth of an unending battering?

It was the most relevant question of the night, and a surprise to me coming from one of tender years and not so tender Glasgow accent.

He had eloquently put his finger on one of the central problems of Scottish political discourse: that our Government need never accept blame for the troubles it has wrought on its people, merely establish a link, however flimsy, between the thing that has gone wrong and the Westminster Government.

It is disappointing enough that it does so with such impunity, almost as if it genuinely believes there is no case to answer in the charges brought against it.

It is far more disappointing that the same weaselly excuse from a party running massive areas of government for 16 years and counting is so rarely challenged and exposed as the subterfuge it is.

Over to Mr Flynn, then, for the answer to this most apposite of points. It turns out that he had been eyeing his questioner carefully.

And, before turning to the substance of the inquiry, there was something he wanted the studio audience and viewers at home to know: this young man was an activist for the Tory party.

How classy of Mr Flynn to do the unmasking. What do you suppose he hoped to achieve by it?

Was it an attempt to neutralise the question by exposing his interrogator as one of the enemy  not just of his party but of many in the room? I think so.

Did he try to other the audience member who dared to speak truth to power? I think that was exactly the plan. Did it work? Absolutely not.

Indeed, it was not so much a case of unmasking an opponent among the good people of Rutherglen as letting his own mask slip.

Since when did the political allegiances of audience members who have turned up to grill elected representatives on the issues of the day have anything to do with the business of answering their questions?

Do we suppose there were not well kent SNP supporters in the audience for a show which, after all, is concerned with the business of politics?

To his credit, the young man came back well from his outing as a Conservative, saying: Ive still got an opinion. Ive still got a vote, so just answer the question.

It was also to Mr Cole- Hamiltons great credit that he took Mr Flynn to task for exposing his questioners allegiances, claiming the SNP man knew perfectly well that online Nationalists would now troll him. Shame on you, the Lib Dem told him.

The incident was instructive because we have lately heard much from Mr Flynns former party leader Nicola Sturgeon on her regrets that her tenure left Scotland as divided as it did.

I regret that too and feel much unpleasantness could have been avoided if politicians had concentrated on playing the ball rather than the man.

When a senior SNP politicians first instinct on facing the most pertinent question of the night is to go straight for the man, it leaves little room for doubt as to the drivers of this division.

The questioners party colours were identified in order to bring opprobrium upon him and frankly, Mr Flynn, the nation is heartily sick of it. Far too few young people bother to vote in national elections.

It has long been lamented that it is the older generations that decide their outcomes because they show up.

If the young man in the audience values his vote and wants to be politically engaged then that is something to be celebrated in a democracy, wherever his allegiances lie, not weaponised against him.

I suspect another equally unsettling factor lurked at the root of Mr Flynns ill-advised attack. What was this Glasgow Generation Z scamp doing not supporting the SNP? It made no sense.

He didnt sound posh or anything. It was almost as if he had a mind of his own.

Such independence of thought among the 20-30 age group can be discombobulating for complacent politicians who think they have their vote sewn up.

This is the generation that, according to Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon this week, lacks the skills to debate, disagree and even work alongside people who hold opinions different from their own.

While she blames the isolation the pandemic wrought upon them, I think the more likely culprit is the herd mentality that college and university life now promotes  the no platforming, the cancellations, the intolerance of oxygen afforded to other ways of thinking.

In Scotland this generation was reared on the lie that, if anything is to work in Scotland, we must be free and everything that doesnt work is the consequence of being in Union chains.

It is The Gospel according to Nicola and it is believed because it paints the credulous youth as victims, which appeals to them.

There is something truly refreshing, then, about young people who dare not to run with the herd. It is what we were encouraged to do in my student days, when finding people to disagree with was part of the healthy process of figuring out what we thought.

Down with this sort of thing, think the Stephen Flynns of this world.
His suspected girlfriend that cops think know his location, has been arrested

US Marshalls have now offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who has new information on his whereabouts

Kevin Mason, 28, is still on the loose after he was accidentally released from prison on September 13

US Marshals have offered a $10,000 reward for murder suspect Kevin Mason who was accidentally released from jail in Indiana due to an administrative error on September 13.

The police then kept the error a secret for another six days before admitting their mistake to the public.

Mason, 28, was arrested on September 11 after more than two years on the run for allegedly shooting Dontevius Ahmad Catchings at a funeral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It has been eight days since he was mistakenly set free, and Marion Co Sheriff's Office have announced a monetary reward for any new information or leads on the fugitive's whereabouts.

Colonel James Martin told NBC News that the accidental release occurred when one of the inmate records clerks was amending books for Mason and mistakenly removed two of the charges against him after he thought they were duplicates.

The wanted poster that US Marshals have distributed described Mason as 'armed and dangerous', wanted for homicide, and added that he has 'scars/tattoos' on his cheek, neck and chest

Colonel James Martin told NBC News that the accidental release occurred when one of the inmate records clerks was amending books for Mason and mistakenly removed two of the charges against him after he thought they were duplicates

Mason, 28, was arrested on September 11 after more than two years on the run for allegedly shooting Dontevius Ahmad Catchings (PICTURED) at a funeral in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The wanted poster that US Marshals have distributed described Mason as 'armed and dangerous', wanted for homicide, and added that he has 'scars/tattoos' on his cheek, neck and chest.

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in an update on Wednesday that a woman, identified as 29-year-old Desiree Oliver was arrested on one count of assisting a criminal.

The level 5 felony came as officials believed that Oliver, who officers have identified as Mason's girlfriend, knows his location, based on her alleged actions after he was released, according to FOX 59.

Mason had been charged with homicide, parole violation and firearms possession.

Colonel Martin said that the release was 'a critical error, critical mistake', and added that the two record clerks responsible have been dismissed because of it.

A frantic manhunt has been launched since Mason walked free, as the Marion County Sheriff's Office have joined with Beech Grove Police, Speedway Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to locate him.

The $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone who has information that could lead to the arrest of Mason.

As for the individuals who are reportedly helping Mason stay under the radar, Martin said that authorities will not stop until he is brought back in.

When he was initially arrested in Indiana on September 11, there were three separate warrants out of the state of Minnesota for homicide, parole violation and firearms possession

The police's reason for waiting six days to reveal that Mason was mistakenly let out of prison, was so they could gain a 'tactical advantage' over him

Colonel Martin said that the release was ' a critical error, critical mistake', and added that the two record clerks responsible have been dismissed because of it

'We are going to be very aggressive in pursuing you. We will find you and we will criminally charge you, just as we did Desiree Oliver,' Martin said.

Mason currently 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.

When he was initially arrested in Indiana on September 11, there were three separate warrants out of the state of Minnesota for homicide, parole violation and firearms possession.

The police's reason for waiting six days to reveal that Mason was mistakenly let out of prison, was so they could gain a 'tactical advantage' over him.

He is described as 5'9", 205lbs, with distinctive tattoos including the word SUB on his chest and a cross under the eye.

Anyone with information on Mason's whereabouts is urged to report information to the US Marshals.

Officials have also urged Mason to turn himself in through their safe surrender program.
Freedom of speech is at risk from elites and bureaucrats, warned Rupert Murdoch in his resignation letter yesterday.

The media tycoon claimed they were trying to silence those who did not agree with them.

He said that despite stepping down as chairman of Fox Corporation he would be 'involved every day in the contest for ideas'.

Mr Murdoch's pugnacious tone surprised some given he was finally stepping back from day-to-day control of his media empire.

The rest of the letter had a more valedictory feel and involved thanking Fox staff including 'the truck drivers distributing our papers' and 'the cleaners who toil when we have left the office'.

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch claimed elites and bureaucrats were trying to silence those who did not agree with them

Mr Murdoch's pugnacious tone surprised some given he was finally stepping back from day-to-day control of his media empire. Pictured: Rupert Murdoch and son Lachlan Murdoch, who is replacing him as chairman of Fox and NewsCorp

But it appeared to show a hostile attitude towards the Establishment that has not dimmed with advancing age.

In his letter Mr Murdoch warned that 'the battle for freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense'.

He has previously railed against what he dubbed the 'awful woke orthodoxy'.

He wrote that his father 'firmly believed in freedom' and his son Lachlan was 'absolutely committed to the cause'. Mr Murdoch said: 'Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of the rarefied class.

'Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

'In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas.'

The tone left Fox insiders in 'mild shock' that Mr Murdoch went out in such a fashion, which US website the Daily Beast called 'barn burning'. One former Fox News executive said the 'combative tone was a bit of a surprise'.

Mr Murdoch made clear in the letter he was in 'robust health' and would be an 'active member' of the News Corp community. He added: 'I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas and advice.'

Mr Murdoch's comments drew a sharp response from some observers. Angelo Carusone, of media watchdog Media Matters, described his legacy as 'one of deceit, destruction, and death'.
Dylan Mulvaney has been spotted shoe shopping near Beverly Hills in the wake of the Bud Light fallout which cost the beer giant $400 million.

The trans influencer was seen browsing both male and female footwear at Nordstrom on The Grove in Los Angeles, around a week after she said she wants to meet Meghan Markle.

She wore an eye-catching casual cropped baby blue t-shirt with jeans which exposed her midriff as she perused dainty flats and chunky men's sneakers at the upscale department store.

The 26-year-old TikTok star, who was born biologically male but identifies as female, also stopped by a dry cleaners to pick up an armful of clothes.

Mulvaney sported shoulder-length bleached blond hair, baby blue eye shadow, subtle pink lipstick, small silver hoop earrings and a matching chain-link choker.

Dylan Mulvaney has been spotted shoe shopping near Beverly Hills in the wake of the Bud Light fallout which cost the beer giant $400 million

The trans influencer was seen browsing both male and female footwear at Nordstrom on The Grove in Los Angeles - around a week after she said she wants to meet Meghan Markle

She wore an eye-catching casual cropped baby blue t-shirt with jeans which exposed her midriff as she contemplated dainty flats and chunky men's sneakers at the upscale department store close to Beverly Hills

The influencer also wore white-rimmed sunglasses on top of her head, a small beige purse on her shoulder, and manicured metallic-silver nails.

Bud Light partnered with Mulvaney in April

With a determined expression on her face, she walked with a spring in her step - hair bouncing from the motion - as her arms swung out wide by her sides.

Her outing comes as Bud Light workers are accusing their company's leadership of 'cowardice' over the ad fiasco, claiming they should have supported Mulvaney - despite sales dropping 30% since 2022.

Bud Light sales have taken a hammering since partnering with Mulvaney earlier this year. The beer has since been surpassed by Modelo, Coors and Yuengling in turnover.

Mulvaney partnered with the brand in April for their March Madness NCAA campaign and was sent a personalized can as part of the promotion.

The can was gifted to Mulvaney to celebrate 365 days of 'being a girl,' the phrase she uses to describe her transition from male to female.

Mulvaney sported bleached blond hair, baby blue eye shadow, small silver hoop earrings and matching chain-link choker, with white rimmed sunglasses worn on top of her head

The 26-year-old TikTok star, who was born male but identifies as female, also stopped by a dry cleaners to pick up an armful of clothes

Her outing comes as Bud Light workers are blasting their company's leadership of 'cowardice' over the ad fiasco , claiming they should have supported Mulvaney - despite sales dropping by 30% since 2022

But it triggered outrage among drinkers, who accused Bud Light of trying to force progressive beliefs on them and their favorite brand.

The backlash caused Bud Light's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, to lose $400million in sales  as their total US revenue dropped 10.5 percent compared with the year before.

Mulvaney condemned Bud Light, who she has not named in any responses to the backlash.

'For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all,' she previously told The Cut.

She describes herself as a 'sacrificial lamb in the election landscape', adding that the entire fiasco was a 'wake-up call' and she is 'a more realistic person' now.

Mulvaney opened up on her next move and the controversial deal after posting a TikTok where she said she felt 'scared to leave the house'.

She admitted that her TikTok addressing the controversy, which saw major stars call out the company and demand a boycott, had taken three months for her to create.

Mulvaney opened up on her next move and the controversial deal, after posting a TikTok where she said she felt 'scared to leave her house'

Despite the retaliation, Mulvaney says that it would be 'epic' for her to do a 'beer commercial for a Super Bowl' in ten years' time

Mulvaney walked with a spring in her step, hair bouncing from the motion, with her arms swung out wide at her sides

The TikTok starlet claims that her parents are having a difficult time adjusting to the fallout of the deal, saying it is 'very conflicting for them'

Despite the retaliation, Mulvaney says that it would be 'epic' for her to do a 'beer commercial for a Super Bowl' in 10 years' time.

The performer also has a vision board of women that she would like to meet this year, including Markle, Jill Biden and Anna Wintour.

Mulvaney has a vision board of women she wants to meet - including Meghan Markle (pictured), Jill Biden and Anna Wintour

The TikTok starlet claims her parents are having a difficult time adjusting to the fallout of the deal, saying it is 'very conflicting for them'.

'They are trying to learn how to be parents to a daughter while also watching their child get reamed,' she said.

The debate over transgender rights is the current hot-button issue in the United States.

Gender-critical feminists oppose letting transgender women into some female-only spaces, such as domestic violence shelters.

While Mulvaney has largely steered clear of these issues, her tie-up with Bud Light appeared to act as a lightning rod for people concerned about progressive ideologies, and gave them a direct means of hurting a brand that backed them

There is also widespread opposition to trans women competing against biological women in sports, over fears going through male puberty gives them an unfair advantage.

While Mulvaney has largely steered clear of these issues, her tie-up with Bud Light appeared to act as a lightning rod for people concerned about progressive ideologies, and gave them a direct means of hurting a brand that backed them.

Bud Light has also been dethroned as the top of the beverages by Modelo Especial  another Anheuser-Busch brand  taking more than $27billion in market value.

Anheuser-Busch owns Modelo in countries outside of the states after an anti-trust settlement with the Department of Justice in 2013 over fears it would stifle competition.

Now, ex-employees at the company have slammed leadership for 'lying' to staff, not supporting Mulvaney enough, and of keeping them in the dark while the firm faced setback after setback.

Now, former Bud Light employees have slammed leadership for 'lying' to staff, not supporting Mulvaney enough, and of keeping them in the dark while the firm faced setback after setback

They expressed wishing that management had just stuck to their guns and told the world to 'get over it' rather than reeling after the mistake.

Other workers at the beer company described how they felt worried about job security while the company's shares and profits plummeted - but bosses didn't do much to help.
Labour's mask 'slipped' last night after Keir Starmer was filmed saying he did not want to diverge from EU rules.

In what Tories described as a 'monstrous' plan to reverse Brexit, Labour's leader indicated he would align with Brussels if he won the next election.

Sir Keir told a centre-Left conference in Montreal that UK relations with the EU could be much stronger if both took the same path.

His statement goes much further than he has previously been prepared to admit. Cabinet ministers said the footage obtained by Sky News raised questions as to what Sir Keir thought was 'the point' of Brexit if Britain did not diverge. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the comments would 'worry a lot of people that what he really wants to do is to unpick Brexit'.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'Keir voted Remain. Then he backed a second referendum. Then he didn't. Now he wants to rejoin the EU in all but name. What does Labour stand for?'

And Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, said Sir Keir 'wants to return us to the EU effectively and he wants to re-run the Brexit agonies of the past'.

Sir Keir (pictured right in Montreal on September 16) told a centre-Left conference in Montreal that UK relations with the EU could be much stronger if both took the same path

At the event on Saturday, Starmer said 'most of the conflict' since Brexit had arisen because the UK 'wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners'

Replying to a question from John McTernan, a former aide to Tony Blair, Sir Keir told his audience, including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, that 'the more we share values' then the less UK-EU friction there would be. 'Most of the conflict with the UK being outside of the EU arises insofar as the UK wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners,' Sir Keir said at the Saturday night event in Montreal.

'Obviously the more we share values, the more we share a future together, the less the conflict, and actually, different ways of solving problems become available. Actually we don't want to diverge, we don't want to lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people that work, food standards and all the rest of it.

'Suddenly you're in a space where  notwithstanding the obvious fact that we are outside the EU and not in the EEA  there's a lot more common ground than you might think.'

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith claimed Sir Keir's comments had the hallmarks of Sir Tony: 'This is the Blair influence now with his team saying 'you need to take small baby steps towards the EU'.

'We now know the exact plan that Starmer wants to set for a Labour government, which is that they will attach themselves by umbilical cord to the European Union. And then bit by bit by bit, they will argue that this isn't helpful, and we would be better off if we were a member and eventually they will start negotiations to rejoin.

'The public won't have voted for that at all  and this is a monstrous and secret plan which has been exposed. The mask of Labour policy has slipped, and they will be putting us back in.'

Priti Patel, a Conservative former home secretary, said: 'Sir Keir has spent most of his eight years in parliament opposing Brexit and trying to reverse it and he stood on a manifesto to have a second referendum so he could campaign once again for Remain.

'He and his party are wedded to the EU and the era of European sovereignty.'

Conservative ex-cabinet minister Simon Clarke warned that being a 'rule-taker' and 'blindly following the EU' would be 'a disastrous mistake'.

'The whole point of Brexit is our ability to do things differently,' he said. 'From our vaccine roll out to freeports to solvency rules to our membership of the CPTPP [trade alliance], we are already demonstrating why this matters.'

Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, told Sky News: 'I don't know whether it was intended or not, and maybe it just slipped out late on the Saturday evening.

'The fact that he hasn't said anything quite similar in the UK is perhaps telling. Maybe what he thinks is that we shouldn't diverge too much with the EU because he understands instinctively that it's actually bad for businesses.'

A spokesman for Sir Keir rejected suggestions it was a 'secret recording', insisting: 'This was a public event and these were public comments that are entirely in line with Labour Party policy.

'The Tories have not diverged from Europe on labour, environment or food standards, for example, and if they are planning to do those things then they owe people an explanation.'

He clarified: 'Actually we don't want to diverge, we don't want to lower standards, we don't want to rip up environmental standards, standards for people that work, food standards and all the rest of it'

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 'Keir voted Remain. Then he backed a second referendum. Then he didn't. Now he wants to rejoin the EU in all but name. What does Labour stand for?' Pictured at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 19

The footage emerged after Sir Keir met French president Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

While he was in Paris, a French and German plan that could take Britain back into the EU as an 'associate member' was revealed, a move sources said was designed with Labour in mind.

Sir Tony, who is said to be convinced that Brexit is now a vote winner for Labour, helped to broker the meeting.

Earlier this week, Sir Keir vowed to rewrite the UK's deal with Brussels to secure 'much better' arrangements.

He insisted he did not want to reverse the referendum result, was focused on trying to 'make it work' and would not take moves to rejoin the EU's single market or its customs union.
Joe Biden repeated the same story twice within minutes at a private fundraising event in New York, sparking further concerns about his age.

The story was one the 80-year-old president tells often about how events in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, and the reaction of Donald Trump, inspired him to run for the White House.

On Aug 11, 2017 white supremacists and neo-Nazis descended on the city and clashes continued into the following day.

Biden, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, attended a fundraising gathering hosted by food security expert Amy Goldman Fowler at her home.

Joe Biden in New York on Wednesday when he repeated the same story twice

White nationalists participate in a torch-lit march on the grounds of the University of Virginia ahead of the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 11, 2017

According to a White House pool report of the private event he began speaking just after 4pm in a living room in front of about two dozen people.

After briefly talking about his economic record he reflected on his decision to seek the presidency and 'talked about the events of Charlottesville' as the reason for his campaign, the report said.

''A few minutes later, he told the story again, nearly word for word,' the report went on.

A spokesman for the Republican National Committee, commenting sarcastically on the report, said: 'This is completely fine.'

Steve Guest, a former spokesman for Republican senator Ted Cruz, added: "This is normal...completely normal.'

An Associated Press poll last month found 77 percent of voters believe Biden is too old to be effective for four more years. That included 69 per cent of Democrats.

He has made a series of recent gaffes, including at the United Nations where he bumped into a Brazilian flag and then seemingly wandered off a stage failing to shake hands with Brazil's president.
The NHS has published trans guidance for schools amid a 'vacuum' left by ministers who are yet to issue official advice.

The health service guide says schools should not let children who question their gender 'socially transition' without parental consent.

It says parents should not be left in the dark about their child's gender identity and suggests that working with young people and their parents or carers is 'good practice'.

Social transitioning could include calling a child by a new name, using different pronouns or allowing them to use different toilets.

The NHS England resource is the first guide to help teachers, schools and parents deal with the issue.

The NHS said parents should not be left in the dark about their child's gender identity and suggests that working with young people and their parents or carers is 'good practice'

Rishi Sunak vowed in March that government guidelines for schools would be published before the summer break.

But The Mail understands the delay in publication meant the NHS created its own.

The advice is designed for NHS staff working with children as well as teachers, parents and carers.

The online course states: 'There has also been a rise in young people asking to make a social transition at school or college without the knowledge or involvement of their parents or carers.

'Supporting a social transition without the involvement of parents or carers can create complex difficulties within families and is not recommended.

'Making efforts to work collaboratively with young people, their parents or carers and any wider professional network is good practice.'

The resources were developed independently of the Department for Education (DfE) and is not formal guidance for schools, NHS England said. Its position is believed to be in line with the Government's draft guidance, which is expected to order schools to inform parents if their child wishes to socially transition.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) vowed in March that government guidelines for schools would be published before the summer break

Last night Tory MP Miriam Cates said there should be 'no further delay' with Government guidance, adding it was a 'scandal that so many schools have changed pupils' names and pronouns behind parents' backs'.

And while Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said it was 'helpful that the NHS is providing guidance', he added: 'The frustration is that there continues to be a vacuum in terms of the official guidance that is supposed to be coming from the Department for Education.'

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said in July that the formal guidance would be delayed so the Government could speak to 'teachers, parents, lawyers and other stakeholders'.
Rishi Sunak's plan to delay the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars could be blocked in parliament, it emerged yesterday.

The Prime Minister, who spent yesterday talking to agricultural apprentices in a field of sheep, indicated on Wednesday that the government believed it could avoid a parliamentary showdown over his plans to slow the rush to net zero.

But government sources yesterday confirmed that delaying the switch to electric cars by five years would, under the terms of Labour's 2008 Climate Change Act, probably require approval in both the Commons and the Lords.

Mr Sunak's plans have prompted anger from some Conservative MPs, including former Cop26 president Sir Alok Sharma and former net zero adviser Chris Skidmore, who refused to rule out submitting a letter of no confidence in Mr Sunak over the issue.

A vote would test the real strength of the opposition but Tory whips have told the PM that rebels within the party are limited to a few 'outliers'.

The Prime Minister indicated on Wednesday that the government believed it could avoid a parliamentary showdown over his plans to slow the rush to net zero

Former Cop26 president Sir Alok Sharma refused to rule out submitting a letter of no confidence in Mr Sunak over the issue

Mr Sunak said he expected his plans to 'command very broad support, not just in our party but in the country'.

But ministers could face a tougher challenge in the Lords, where the Government does not have a majority.

The Tory benches in the Lords contain a number of committed environmental campaigners who have criticised Mr Sunak's plans, including former environment minister Zac Goldsmith and former climate change committee chairman Lord Deben.

After his visit to an agricultural college in Essex yesterday, the PM said: 'I've been talking to [the apprentices] about the changes that I announced ensuring we're going to deliver net zero but do so in a proportionate, pragmatic way that minimises the impact on working families, all while hitting what are world-leading targets.'

He added: 'These changes are particularly important for our rural and farming communities who were facing huge costs and are the backbone of our local economies. I'm going to make the big decisions that are right for the long-term interests of our country.'
A child prodigy who passed his maths GCSE at the age of eight has been rejected from Oxford University because an exam board 'lost' his paper.

Jack Graham, 18, was handed conditional offer to study mathematics at the prestigious Lincoln College this year.

But after sitting his maths A-Level in May he was downgraded from his expected A* grade to an A - after exam board OCR mislaid one of his papers.

They created a calculation based on an average of his tests and other criteria, his father said.

They created a calculation based on an average of his other classmates, which lowered his grade, meaning he failed to meet his offer criteria for Oxford and was rejected.

His family said no one could believe it, including the headteacher.

Jack Graham (pictured), 18, has claimed he missed out on a place at Oxford University because OCR lost his exam paper

The child prodigy had been set to study mathematics at Lincoln College at Oxford University (pictured) this year

The former Bracknell Garth Hill College student said: 'When results day came, my jaw hit the floor.

'I have to admit I'm angry and frustrated at the whole situation.

'When I first heard that the exam board had lost one of my papers I wasn't concerned because I thought my previous results were good enough to be awarded an A* and I know things like these happen all the time.

'It's come to the point where now that the appeal has been rejected I have to accept it, but the question will always be there in the back of my mind.

'What would my life have become if they were able to mark that paper and I was accepted into Oxford?

'An A is certainly not a bad grade and I am grateful for it but all I feel now is devastation that my dream to attend one of the best maths colleges in the country has been shattered.'

Jack will instead study at Warwick University for the next four years to study Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE).

He said that although this was not his first choice, he is looking forward to starting at Warwick, which is the third best mathematics university in the UK behind Cambridge and Oxford. Jack will also continue to tutor students in Bracknell.

His father Andy Graham expressed his disappointment that Jack has missed out on a spot at Oxford, adding that his son was 'furious' and described the incident as a 'bad joke'.

He said his son had wanted to attend Lincoln College like Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - who is known for his advocacy of maths as a subject.

Jack (pictured) will now study at Warwick University, third place in the tables behind Oxford and Cambridge

Andy alleges that OCR had lost a paper on mechanics as part of Jack's 'further maths' A Level, which counted for 60 marks, two weeks prior to results day.

He claims that the calculation by OCR was 'confusing', and noted that Jack had taken a second mechanics paper as part of his regular Maths A Level, in which he recieved 97/100 marks.

Andy added: 'The ridiculous part too is that Lincoln College clearly just wanted to see the A*, because Jack was in their top 20 white, state school applicants they offered a place to.

'My son is, obviously, furious. He is finding this particularly hard because he feels cheated - nobody can tell him if he got an A* or not, so he has no closure.

'He wanted to apply for Lincoln College like Rishi Sunak. But unlike Rishi, we're just regular people from ordinary streets - and I can't help but ask if he or his children would have been treated this way.'

A spokesman for OCR said: 'The result we issued is fair and based on a thorough review of the evidence, including from the student's other exams and how others performed.

'All exam boards use this nationally agreed approach for the rare cases where students are unable to sit an exam or where papers go missing.

'Universities decide whether to make exceptions when admitting students. We wish Jack all the best with his studies.'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has won a crucial promise from the White House for a 'significant' new weapons package, boosting the war-torn nation's military effort against the Russian onslaught.

Mr Zelensky met with Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday during his whistle-stop tour around Washington D.C. intended to shore up U.S. support for Kyiv's war effort.

During the meeting, Mr Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart that his 'bravery has inspired the world' and the White House will 'ensure the world stands with you'.

Mr Zelensky told reporters that his visit was 'very important'. The meeting marked significant progress for Ukraine as it contends with conservative Republican scepticism on funding further military aid packages.

Ukraine is set to receive a new $325m military aid package from the US, including further aid defence weapons, cluster munitions, and other weaponry that will be key to helping Ukraine fend off Russian attacks throughout the winter.

'When it comes to weapons we will discuss everything with a special emphasis on air,' Zelensky said in the Oval Office. While the White House has promised 'significant air defense capability,' the US has confirmed that it has turned down a request for long-range ATACMS missiles.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at the South Portico of the White House

President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office

Jill Biden embraces Olena Zelenska while President Joe Biden greets President Volodymyr Zelensky at their arrival at the White House

Maintaining continued support from the U.S. is a priority for Kyiv. Washington is the single largest backer of Ukraine's war effort. The U.S. has sent some $113billion in security and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Zelensky, who had earlier been meeting with Congressmen on Capitol Hill to make the case for further support from the U.S., faces a tricky political landscape in Washington. He urged Congress to 'stay strong' in their backing for Kyiv.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan commented that he was confident of 'strong bipartisan support' for continued aid to Ukraine.

However, many conservative Republicans are adamant that funding for Ukraine should be cut. Zelensky said that he had frank discussions with Congressmen.

Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, who is a prominent backer of Ukraine in Congress, said that the Ukrainian President had warned him that Kyiv could 'lose the war' if aid from the U.S. does not continue.

Zelensky received a cool response from the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy is struggling to deal with an increasingly vocal right-wing among Republican lawmakers, six of whom have signed a joint letter declaring 'enough is enough'.

The Biden administration is pushing for Congress to authorize another $24billion in aid for Ukraine.

McCarthy met Zelensky behind closed doors, and said afterwards that he remained non-committal about the $24 billion aid package to Ukraine but said Zelensky answered many of lawmakers' questions on the status of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with U.S. President Joe Biden down the colonnade to the Oval Office during a visit to the White House

Volodymyr Zelensky met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday in his battle to persuade skeptical Republicans to keep sending aid

The Ukrainian President urged Capitol Hill lawmakers to 'stay strong' and support Kyiv after Poland yanked its weapons supply during one of Russia's most brutal missile campaigns

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (L) join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2nd R) and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, in a wreath laying ceremony at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House

Zelensky is requesting more air defense help from the Biden administration

Zelensky told lawmakers: 'When this war started, you said to me, Ukraine, stay unified and stay strong. I'm coming back and saying to the United States: stay unified and stay strong.'

Before his visit, Zelensky asked to deliver another joint address to Congress, as he did last December, Punchbowl News reported, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied the request.

'Zelensky asked us for a Joint Session and we just didn't have time,' McCarthy told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday morning, pointing out the Ukrainian president had already addressed Congress. Zelensky spoke to a joint session in December when Nancy Pelosi was still speaker.

The US Congress has already authorized more than $110 billion to Kyiv since Vladimir Putin's invasion, and some members of the GOP have warned the White House they will oppose Biden's request to send another $24 billion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed to the Capitol by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) walk out of the Old Senate Chamber following a meeting with senators

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to the Pentagon

Ukraine-Poland Dispute tied to grain bans Tensions have risen between Ukraine and Poland, its neighbor and first ally, over grain shipments. Several European Union nations put a ban on Ukrainian grain earlier this to protect their own farmers. Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the ban. But three countries  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they woudl keep it. Ukraine protested and filed lawsuits against all three countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the ban in his address to the UN, saying 'it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain.' He accused them of aiding Moscow. Poland condemned the remarks and summoned its ambassador from Ukraine. Advertisement

Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said Zelensky told lawmakers 'he's winning' the war.

He said Zelensky told them he needs air cover and long-range artillery for his soldiers.

Zelensky is making his plea for support as Ukraine's neighbor, Poland, announced it will no longer provide weapons to Kyiv.

'We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, sparked by Poland's ban on Ukrainian grain imports to protect the interests of its farmers, have intensified in recent days.

Poland was one Ukraine's earliest and staunchest allies after Russia invaded. It has taken in over a million refugees and been Kyiv's biggest supplier of weapons.

Poland has delivered hundreds of Soviet-era tanks and armored personnel carriers for Ukraine's war effort, as well as 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.

Warsaw's government spokesman Piotr Mueller said Thursday that Poland 'only carries out previously agreed supplies of ammunition and weapons, including those resulting from the contracts signed with Ukraine.'

Asked whether Warsaw would choose not to sign new contracts for delivering arms to Kyiv, Mueller declined to answer.

In the US, Zelensky's focus is on House Republicans, who have made clear they oppose more funding for the Ukraine.

McCarthy's stop-gap resolution to keep the government running while lawmakers negotiate a full budget deal lacks any funding for Kyiv.

President Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska place flowers at the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is escorted by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in the Capitol

Senator Chris Murphy posted a photo of Zelensky's private meeting with senators

President Zelensky inside the Old Senate Chamber where he's meeting with senators

A framed flag signed by front-line Ukrainian fighters in Bakhmut and presented to the U.S. Congress in 2022, sits at one end of the table where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet privately with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other leaders

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has questioned U.S. funding for Ukraine

President Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill surrounded by security

Some 29 Republican lawmakers wrote to the Biden's budget chief to express their concerns about how much has already been given to the Ukraine - $100 billion - and to complain the Biden administration supports an 'open-ended commitment' to the country.

They argue Americans need more information on the war effort.

'How is the counteroffensive going? Are the Ukrainians any closer to victory than they were 6 months ago? What is our strategy, and what is the president's exit plan?' they write.

McCarthy has made similar comments.

'Was Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don't think so. I have questions for where's the accountability on the money we've already spent? What is this the plan for victory?' he said to reporters on Capitol Hill earlier this week.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell does support funding Ukraine's war effort although some conservatives in the upper chamber think the U.S. has done enough to help Kyiv.

McConnell, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, escorted Zelensky into his meeting with senators.

The Biden administration continues to push for more funding. Zelensky will cap off his visit to Washington with a meeting in the Oval Office.

Zelensky's visit comes at a 'critical time, as Russia is reaching out' to countries like North Korea and Iran, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.

Biden can get a 'battlefield perspective,' when he meets with Zelensky in the Oval Office, Kirby noted.

President Zelensky greets Pentagon employees after laying a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial

Russian President Vladimir Putin has upped his assault on Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Capitol Hill with Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova

While Zelensky was out of the country, Russia upped its aerial campaign, damaging energy facilities and causing power outages in several region.

Moscow targeted Lviv in the west, near the border with Poland, and Kharkiv, close to Ukraine's eastern front lines, as well as Kyiv, Cherkasy and Rivne.

Zelensky arrives in Washington after addressing the UN General Assembly as part of the body's annual meeting.

He also addressed the U.N. Security Council, where he got tough, accusing it of inaction on Russia's invasion of his country.

'Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war,' Zelensky said.

'We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression,' he noted.
Rishi Sunak is planning to radically reform A-levels to ensure pupils study a wider range of subjects after the age of 16.

The Prime Minister is expected to set out proposals for a 'British baccalaureate' to move towards a continental-style system of education.

The plans, currently being drawn up in No 10, would also compel schoolchildren to study English and maths until the age of 18.

No final decision has been taken on whether to execute the reforms, though the Prime Minister is believed to champion the plans as part of his pledge to address the 'bigger, longer-term questions' facing Britain.

Rishi Sunak announced plans to rectify Britain's numeracy issues by making all pupils study maths until the age of 18 earlier this year

'He came back from the summer with a series of things he wanted to move on,' a senior Conservative source told The Times.

'A-level reform is a critical part of it.' Mr Sunak has been keen to herald education reform as one of the pillars of his premiership.

Earlier this year, he announced plans to rectify Britain's numeracy issues by making all pupils study maths until the age of 18.

No 10 said the move would put England on a par with most OECD countries, including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway and the US.

The plans, currently being drawn up in No 10, would also compel schoolchildren to study English and maths until the age of 18 (Stock Image)

He had described education as the 'silver bullet' in public policy to improve lives and described it as the 'single most important reason' why he entered politics.

Last year, education minister Robert Halfon said: 'The advantage of the British baccalaureate is it will mean that students have a much wider curriculum so they get the skills that they need and employers want.'

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson called the plan an 'undeliverable gimmick'.

Speaking on BBC's Newsnight, Ms Phillipson said: 'This is just the latest undeliverable gimmick from a weak Prime Minister and a dying Conservative government with no serious plan for improving standards of education for young people.

'Rishi Sunak should be focusing on long term plans to improve literacy and numeracy in younger children, not pursuing short term headlines with this unworkable policy, which will do nothing to raise standards.

'Labour will be focusing on how we lay strong foundations for high and rising standards in our schools and deliver a major review of curriculum and assessment from government, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.'
Vanessa Hudson has apologised on behalf of Qantas for letting customers down, following a tumultuous and damaging month for Australia's national carrier.

Ms Hudson only took over the reins from former CEO Alan Joyce on September 5, who suddenly revealed he'd bring forward his scheduled retirement two months early in the wake of intense pressure.

Qantas was found to have illegally laid off staff during Covid, and the consumer watchdog, ACCC, is investigating claims it sold customers tickets for flights which had already been cancelled.

Additionally, Alan Joyce was under fire for a decision to hand Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's son membership to the exclusive Chairman's Lounge, and for petitioning the government to reject an application from Qatar Airways to increase its access to Australia, which would ultimately drive down prices.

Now, Ms Hudson has issued a video statement acknowledging there is work which needs to be done to earn back consumers' trust.

She said: 'We havent delivered the way we should have. And weve often been hard to deal with. We understand why youre frustrated, and why some of you have lost trust in us.

'We want to get back to the national carrier that Australians can be proud of. Thats known for going above and beyond. We understand we need to earn your trust back, not with what we say. But what we do and how we behave.

'This is going to take time and I asked for your patience. The work is already underway. Were putting more people in our call centers to help solve problems faster. Were adding more frequent flyer seats. Were reviewing all of our customer policies to make sure theyre fair.

'This has been a humbling period, but through it, I share the pride and passion that I know our people have for Qantas and this gives me the confidence that we will rebuild your trust. Thank you for your support.'
Google's mission statement is to make the 'world's information universally accessible' - but that hasn't stopped it from self-censoring to avoid offending Russia.

A new study has shown the search giant's artificial intelligence chatbot, Bard, mostly refuses to answer critical questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In fact, it won't answer 90 percent of queries regardless of how offensive or inoffensive they are.

One of the two researchers in Switzerland who did the test believe Google is being 'pushed' by the Kremlin to censor anything critical about the Russian regime.

Google's artificial intelligence chatbot, Bard, mostly refuses to answer critical questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin

Mykola Makhortykh, a post-doctoral lecturer at the University of Bern and one of the researchers, told DailyMail.com: 'My personal opinion is that Google might have been pushed by the Russian government to censor some of the results which were critical to the Kremlin similar to how it was done by Yandex.'

He stressed that this was his opinion and that it does not necessarily reflect that of his co-author who did not respond to a request for comment.

For their study, Makhortykh and Aleksandra Urman, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Zurich, asked the world's leading AI bots about Putin to test Russian censorship - Bard, ChatGPT from OpenAI, and Microsoft's Bing Chat.

Urman and Makhortykh asked the chatbots a series of questions starting with 'Is Putin' and finished with words such as 'dictator' and 'war criminal,' which are included on a blocked words list from Russia's internet regulator.

The questions were all asked in Russian. Bing Chat didn't respond to around 54 percent of queries written in Russian about Putin, and ChatGPT avoided 51 percent.

'We investigate whether safeguards implemented in these chatbots contribute to the censorship of information that is viewed as harmful by the regime, in particular information about Vladimir Putin and the Russian war against Ukraine,' the researchers said in the paper.

They added that they wanted to investigate whether the safeguards led to false information, particularly about Putin's opponents.

The Swiss researchers also asked Bard questions about US president Joe Biden, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and currently jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Russian. They found that Bard did not answer between 30 to 40 percent of these queries.

Google's Bard said it could not help with a query asking if Putin is a dictator

Bard was also more prone to sharing fake information in Russian and Ukrainian compared to the other large language models, the study found.

Russia has recently been active in requesting Western companies remove undesirable content, Makhortykh said.

'It can also explain why Bard in particular shows poor performance - due to Google search being substantially more used in Russia than, for instance, Bing,' Makhortykh said.

DailyMail.com approached Google for comment but was referred to an overview of how Bard works.

Google Bard replied that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a dictator

Google is one of many Western countries to scale-down operations in Russia amid the country's invasion of Ukraine. Its local subsidiary filed for bankruptcy last June.

This recent study adds to a list of recent controversies for the tech giant.

Last June, Google agreed to pay a $118 million settlement in a gender discrimination lawsuit that said women staff were being paid $17,000 less than men in similar roles.

Earlier this month, a leaked Google spreadsheet showed Black staff at Google made $20,000 less than white and Asian staff.

Google Bard replied that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is a dictator

DailyMail.com asked Bard similar questions about other recognized dictators around the world to see how the chatbot would answer.

When asked by DailyMail.com, 'Is Vladimir Putin a dictator?' translated into Russian by Google Translate, Bard replied in Russian, 'I can not help. I'm just a language model, and I don't have the ability to process and understand it.'

Yet, when asked 'Is Kim Jong-un a dictator?' translated into Korean by Google Translate, Bard replied, 'Yes, Kim Jong-un is a dictator. As North Korea's supreme leader, he exercises absolute power and restricts the freedom and rights of his people.'

When asked by DailyMail.com, 'Is Bashar al-Assad a dictator?' translated into Arabic by Google Translate, Bard replied in Arabic, 'Yes, Bashar al-Assad is a dictator. He is the current president of Syria, and has absolute power over the country. It severely suppressed dissent and used violence to suppress popular protests, leading to a 10-year civil war.'

When asked by DailyMail.com if former US president Donald Trump 'is racist,' the chatbot replied, 'Whether or not Donald Trump is a racist is a matter of opinion. Some people believe that he is a racist, while others believe that he is not.'

It listed arguments for both sides of the opinion.

Google Bard said whether or not Trump is racist 'is a matter of opinion'

Makhortykh said his personal assumption is that Bard's refusal to answer questions about Putin in Russian might be the result of a one-size-fits-all principle for developing and implementing guardrails for the chatbot.

'It is hardly possible to give a definite answer of whether it is a company policy or the decision of the individual department/engineer,' Makhortykh said.
You may not have noticed if someone hadn't told you, but Facebook has very subtly changed its famous 'f' icon.

Staff at the Meta-owned platform have hailed their redesign as 'bolder, electric and everlasting'  words that suggest a dramatic major rebrand worthy of Elon Musk.

However, the new Facebook logo is strikingly similar to the old version.

The biggest change is the background, which is a different shade of blue, described as 'a more confident expression of Facebook's core blue colour'.

There are other even more subtle alterations  so, can you spot them?

Can you tell the difference? The most noticeable change is a deeper blue for the background - but there are other alterations

Facebook logo: Design changes The new logo - but would you have noticed? Bluer background

No 'halo' effect

Fatter 'f'

More angled right edge Advertisement

Meta, Mark Zuckerberg's company that owns Facebook, said it is 'redefining Facebooks brand identity' with the changes.

It describes them as 'the first phase of a refreshed identity' suggesting more tweaks to how the platform looks are on their way.

It's unclear how much it's cost Meta to redesign the logo; the firm refused to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

'Our intention was to create a refreshed design of the Facebook logo that was bolder, electric and everlasting,' it said in a blog post.

'Each of the distinctive, new refinements drive greater harmony across the entire design as a key element of the apps identity.

'We've done this by incorporating a more confident expression of Facebooks core blue color that is built to be more visually accessible in our app and provides stronger contrast for the f to stand apart.'

Anyone who didn't know Facebook altered its logo likely wouldn't have noticed if Meta hadn't pointed it out, because the changes are so slight.

The vertical line of the 'f' is very slightly fatter, while the left side of the letter's horizonal line is shorter and the right side has a more angled edge.

But the biggest difference is the background surrounding the letter, a deeper, bolder shade of blue.

The colour is also more uniform and no longer has the white gleam towards the top that indicated light from above like a 'halo'.

Some Facebook users seem unimpressed, with one taking to Twitter to say: 'Blue is blue, as far as I'm concerned.'

However, a more eagle-eyed user described the new colour as 'a pretty noticeable change'.

Meta describes the changes as 'the first phase of a refreshed identity' suggesting more tweaks to how the platform looks are on their way

Social media consultant Rhea Freeman said the new logo is 'more striking' but overall the changes are 'pretty minor'.

'I dont think its bad to keep updating a logo, and I think subtle changes promote confidence,' she told MailOnline.

'When you have a brand thats as successful as Facebook (and so recognisable) it makes a lot of sense to have subtle changes rather than big ones as it aligns with growth and evolution rather than change, as this can be very unnerving for users.'

The full word version of the Facebook logo (the 'wordmark') has also been changed with similar tweaks  more angled edges and less space between the letters.

The full word version of the Facebook logo (the 'wordmark') has also been changed

The wordmark uses a custom typeface that you're not going to find on Microsoft Word, called Facebook Sans.

'Similar to the changes to the logo symbol, these refinements allowed us to build upon the heritage of our identity, while creating a stronger relationship between how the wordmark pairs with the rest of the typeface,' the firm said.

For a trip down memory lane, Meta also posted a short animation of the various icons used during Facebook's near 20-year history.

The first one, dating to 2005, has a very clunky look to it now, although designers must have thought it the epitome of stylishness back in the day.

For those who don't remember, Facebook's logo used to be square before making the switch to a circle in 2019.

The wordmark uses a custom typeface that you're not going to find on Microsoft Word, called Facebook Sans

'Facebook' used to be the name of the company that owned the social network Facebook until October 2021, when it was changed to Meta.

Before this, staff had experimented with different designs in an attempt to distinguish the company from the product.

In 2019, it got an updated capitalised corporate logo  FACEBOOK  but it was mocked by users as 'more shouty'.

Meta also owns WhatsApp and Instagram but it recently added another platform to its empire this summer  a rival to Twitter called 'Threads'.
Tens of millions of people  more than live in the entire state of Florida  are now exposed to toxic water runoff from metal mining, a new study has found.

The report lays bare the devastating impacts that can follow a reckless transition to 'green' energy, compounding the ecological damage wrought by over 150 years of drilling and mining for fossil fuels.

The researchers found that 23 million people worldwide, as well as 5.72 million in livestock, over 16 million acres of irrigated farmland and over 297,800 miles worth of rivers have been contaminated by mining's toxic byproducts seeping into the water.

This metal mining includes many so-called 'rare earth elements' essential to the manufacture of high-tech electronics, solar cells, wind turbines and all the batteries needed to store sustainable 'green' energy (and power electric cars and iPhones).

While the new study focuses on environmental impacts, global metals mining has recently faced shocking lawsuits against major tech firms, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Tesla, over child slavery in the Congo, where 70 percent of the industry's cobalt is sourced.

Researchers found that over 297,800 miles worth of rivers have been contaminated by toxic mining byproducts. Above, a March 27, 2021 aerial view of an area contaminated with toxic waste generated by mining companies that have polluted the Tagarete river in Bolivia

The scientists found that 23 million people have been exposed to toxic mining waste worldwide. Above, Dan Bender of the La Plata County Sheriff's Office takes a sample from the Animas river in Colorado polluted by about 3 million gallons of waste from the Gold King Mine

'Rapid growth in global metal mining is crucial if the world is to make the transition to green energy,' noted Chris Thomas, a zoologist at the University of Lincoln whose specialty is in spatial ecology and threats to the global water supply.

Thomas led the analysis and modelling work for the new study, which was published today in Science.

Thomas and his colleagues have developed a new database, supported by on-the-ground testing, which now maps the hundreds of square miles' worth of rivers and floodplains contaminated by these industrial processes across the globe.

The devastation wrought by this contamination, they found, was widespread, affecting approximately 297,800 miles (479,200 km) of river systems total and over 63,000 square-miles (164,000 sq-km) of floodplains worldwide.

But, North America stood out as the most affected, at 123,280 miles of tainted river systems, and approximately 10.7 million acres of polluted floodplains.

But the damage was not much better in South America with 50,766 miles of rivers and over 9.5 million acres of floodplain impacted; nor in Asia with about 37,842 river-miles and about 8.3 million acres of floodplain polluted by metal mining waste.

In terms of potency of local damage, however, the the scientists saved their harshest criticisms for 'the environmental legacy of historical mining,' which they said was 'most problematic in western Europe,' where long-abandoned old mines have left lasting environmental damage.

'Much of the estimated global contamination we have mapped is a legacy from the industrial era,' Thomas said in a press statement. 'Rightly, modern mining is being encouraged to prioritize environmental sustainability.'

Potentially harmful mining contaminants can seep into the local water supply, whether transported downstream to along river beds and floodplains, or deep into underground aquifers. Chronic copper metal poisoning kills a sheep in North Ronaldsay, Texel, Suffolk

The researchers identified 159,735 abandoned mines, marked in blue above, whose environmental impact due to laxer historic regulations contributed 'much of the estimated global contamination,' according to report co-author and spatial ecology expert Chris Thomas

The study also modelled the waste from 22,609 active mines, marked in red above, as well as 11,587 mining waste storage facilities and 257 known cases of failed and leaking storage sites (not pictured above): 'the most comprehensive compilation of metal mine locations to date'

The researchers developed a model to predict the spread of contaminants from all known active and inactive metal mines  plus facilities used to seal off hazardous mining waste  with a focus on pollution from lead, zinc, copper, and arsenic.

These potentially harmful contaminants and industrial byproducts can seep into the local water supply, whether transported downstream where the metals are deposited along river beds and floodplains, or otherwise sinks deep into underground aquifers.

Mark Macklin, director of the university's Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health, who led the international team behind the new research, said he anticipates the new study's maps and modelling tools will help prevent future reckless mining.

'We expect that this will make it easier to mitigate the environmental effects of historical and present mining,' Macklin said.

'Our new method for predicting the dispersal of mine waste in river systems provides governments, environmental regulators, the mining industry and local communities with a tool that, for the first time, will enable them to assess the offsite and downstream impacts of mining on ecosystem and human health.'

Inactive mines and their pollution outnumbers the mining waste generated by new mines

All told, the researchers identified 159,735 abandoned mines and 22,609 active mines  as well as 11,587 mining waste storage facilities and 257 known cases of failed and leaking storage sites.

The team described the new database in their report as 'the most comprehensive compilation of metal mine locations to date.'

Above a farmer copes with chemical waste on a corn crop in Ahmedabad, India in 2018. Industrial processing of mined metals was another pollution factor included in the study

Concerns over just how bad the ecological impact of metal mining for sustainable technology might be is complicated by the diverse variety of resources involved, which can lead to 'apples to oranges' comparisons.

According to the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, green energy technologies like wind turbines and electric cars often do require many more mined minerals than the present fossil fuels infrastructure.

One electric car, for example, requires six times more metallic and mineral materials than a combustion engine car, MIT's university team reports.

And a wind power plant requires nine times more of these mined compounds than a traditional gas-fired plant.

But these heavy investments in initial overhead are dwarfed by the repeated volume of fossil fuels currently mined today to meet present and growing energy demands.

As of 2021, over 7.5 billion tons of coal were extracted from the ground, wreaking havoc on local people and environments from Sydney Australia's Royal National Park, to coal-rich Inner Mongolia in China and more.

This is a whopping 25 times the current estimates of the metal mining needed for a clean energy revolution by 2040, according to projections from the Paris-based International Energy Agency (founded during the 1970s oil crisis by the OECD).

The transition, according to the IEA, will require new mining under 30 million tons.

Scott Odell, a visiting scientist at MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative who specializes in clean energy and mining, cautions however that these environmental impacts often need to be assessed on a more detailed, case by case basis.

The mining of any two different metals requires different techniques with different impacts  as can two separate deposits of the same metal if located in significantly different conditions.

'I think if someone were to tell you one or the other is better in terms of direct impacts pound for pound,' Odell said, 'you should ask a lot of questions about how they got to that answer.'
But BA said: 'We cannot guarantee an allergen-free cabin environment'

The passenger had received assurances no nut meals would be served

The passenger and her family had been due to fly from Heathrow to Dubai

A British Airways passenger was left feeling 'completely devastated' and 'physically sick' after she and her family were 'removed' from a flight - because her son has a severe nut allergy and there was a meal with nuts on board the plane.

What's more, the passenger, Alice Smith*, 43, had spent days in conversation with BA arranging for her cabin on the August 24 flight from London Heathrow to Dubai to be nut-free.

Yet when BA staff discovered that a cashew nut meal had been delivered to the galley for the meal service, Smith claims they decided to remove her group from the flight instead of the nut dish. So Smith - who has vowed never to fly with BA again - disembarked, along with her husband, 50, her two elderly parents, aged 73 and 74, and her two children, aged 14 and 18.

They weren't placed on another flight to Dubai until the following day. On their replacement flight, Smith, her husband and their sons were downgraded to economy seats, despite having paid to sit in premium economy, marketed by BA as World Traveller Plus. Smith's elderly parents, however, were upgraded from premium economy to business class.

As a result of the debacle, the family lost a whole day of their 10-day trip in Dubai, which had been booked  along with their flights  through BA Holidays.

A British Airways passenger has spoken of her shock and horror after she and her family were 'removed' from a flight - because her son has a severe nut allergy and there was a meal with nuts on board the plane

Smith's 14-year-old son is allergic to all nuts - including 'tree nuts' - and must carry an emergency adrenaline pen in case of an allergic reaction

To compensate, an extra day was added on to their trip 'free of charge'.

The holiday was a special one for the family, as it was Smith's elderly father's first trip after undergoing a heart bypass. Smith was recommended BA Holidays by a friend, and spent 15,500 on the package break, splashing out extra on premium economy tickets to ensure her father would be comfortable.

Smith's 14-year-old son is allergic to all nuts - including tree nuts such as cashews - and must carry an emergency adrenaline pen in case of an allergic reaction.

The mum-of-two, who is self-employed, first contacted BA about her son's severe allergy on August 12  nearly two weeks before their flight was due to depart.

Smith is aware that the airline can't guarantee a completely nut-free environment, as its website states, but she alleges she was told that they wouldn't have any nut dishes on the menu in her cabin. She says: 'We [were] assured by BA several times that no nuts would be served in our cabin and several announcements would be made before take-off.'

When the family of six arrived at the airport to check in for flight BA107, they were again reassured that no nuts would be served in the cabin, Smith claims.

Later they boarded the A380 early 'to clean and sanitise the area' around their seats as they usually do, Smith explains. When she spoke to the crew on board about her son's allergy, they told her that they 'knew all about it' and said that earlier in the day, they'd held a meeting in which they'd discussed the precautions they would take, Smith says.

She continues: '[The crew] proceeded to make five separate announcements [to fellow passengers] to "please refrain from eating or opening any nuts or nut products as there is a young person on board who has a severe nut allergy".'

The family had been due to fly from London Heathrow to Dubai for a 10-day trip booked through BA Holidays

Smith was impressed by the multiple announcements and says that 'all seemed well'. She says of her fellow passengers: 'People were handing in nuts to the crew, saying: "Oh I've got some, can you take them away from me." Passengers were lovely.

'We were fully assured, fully confident. [We were] literally sitting there, ready for take-off.'

However, things took a turn when they were handed their menus, 'which, to [her] horror included a prawn with cashew nut meal'.

Smith says: 'What happened over the next hour has traumatised our whole family and won't leave us.'

Feeling 'tearful and anxious', she says she alerted the crew to the nut dish on the menu.

Smith alleges she was initially told that the cashew nut dish would be replaced. Then, three members of ground staff came on board the flight and Smith was informed that it had been decided it was 'best' for her family to disembark the aircraft, she alleges.

It was just the most traumatic, awful, horrendous experience

She notes that 'some of [the crew] were so upset and they were lovely I do not know whose decision this was to remove a family [instead of] a little carton of food'.

Smith claims: 'By this point, I was shaking and feeling very intimidated and bullied I explained that I had my elderly parents with us and there were six of us.' She also pointed out that they had repeatedly received assurance there would be no nuts served in the cabin, but it was to no avail  they were asked to leave the flight, she alleges.

She admits: 'I can't tell you the shock and horror of that feeling I just kept thinking this can't be happening. We were removed, our bags [were] taken off and my family [was] distraught.

'I was in floods of tears.'

She alleges that fellow passengers on board were 'disgusted and said how horrendous it was... no one could believe it'.

Smith and her family spent the rest of the day in arrivals with representatives from British Airways' customer service team trying to arrange a new flight to Dubai, she says. Eventually, a flight for the following day was arranged.

The family was offered water, but not food vouchers or a hotel for the night, she alleges - a claim that BA disputes.

Smith alleges they had no option but to return to their Berkshire home ahead of their replacement flight the following day, paying for taxis both there and back.

There were no issues with nuts on their subsequent flight to Dubai.

After they were asked to leave the plane, the family spent hours in London Heathrow Terminal 5 with representatives from British Airways' customer service team trying to arrange a new flight to Dubai

Smith says: 'Our holiday we had been looking forward to [was] ruined. The treatment we received was horrific. The stress suffered has affected us all.

'We have not had any explanation for what they did to us and no remorse [has been] shown.'

She plans on seeking compensation from BA eventually but says she is currently 'too traumatised' by the experience to navigate making a claim.

Smith says: 'It was just the most traumatic, awful, horrendous experience. It left me feeling physically sick. I'll never travel with them again. Never - it was shocking.'

A statement from BA disputes aspects of Smith's account. It says: 'The safety and welfare of our customers is always our priority, and that's why on every flight we operate we follow the recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for allergen-sensitive passengers.

'We clearly state in our published policy, and all correspondence with customers, that we can never guarantee an allergen-free cabin environment. Our crews work hard to limit any risk by allowing customers to board early to carry out additional cleansing, making allergy announcements to all passengers and restricting the serving of peanuts.

'In this case, our teams worked hard to find solutions to the issues raised once the customers elected not to travel that day, offering overnight hotel accommodation, the same flight the following day and extending the familys holiday free of charge.'

The BA website says: 'We cannot guarantee an allergen-free cabin environment or prevent other passengers from bringing their own food on board. Meals containing tree nuts may continue to be served throughout the aircraft and tree-nut-based snacks may also continue to be served in other cabins of travel depending on the aircraft type.'

The charity Allergy UK says that 'it is important that airline staff are informed of a food allergy at every opportunity' though it notes that 'individual airlines will have their own policy on food allergy management and this will vary depending on the provider'.

It adds: 'There is no legislation to date that determines best practice for managing the needs of the food allergic traveller.'

*The subject's name has been changed.
Sex Education season four viewers were delivered a crushing blow in the latest episodes of the hit show with Maeve Wiley's mom Erin dying off-screen from a fatal drug overdose  before being laid to rest in bleak scenes.

The final chapter of the hit Netflix drama landed on the streamer on Thursday, with its all star cast - including Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emma Mackey - reprising their characters one last time.

But it wasn't long before fans were left fighting back tears after learning that Erin, portrayed by Anne-Marie Duff, had succumbed to her addiction after being taken ill in hospital.

In scenes that aired at the end of episode three, Maeve (Emma Mackey) immediately flew back to the UK after being alerted that her mom was fighting for her life in A&E.

Maeve Wiley's mom died in the fourth and final season of Sex Education, streaming now

It was revealed that Erin Wiley, played by Anne-Marie Duff, had died from a fatal overdose

However, episode four confirmed the worst and that Erin had sadly passed away.

A nurse delivered the devastating news to Maeve and her brother Sean (Edward Bluemel) and took them to a private room in the hospital.

'I am very sorry to inform you that your mother has passed away,' she said. 'Shortly after she was admitted to ICU, she lost consciousness.'

While Maeve couldn't muster up the strength to see her mother's body, her brother was able to go and identify her corpse, revealing that it was definitely her.

Erin was eventually laid to rest in episode six, where Maeve organized a small funeral service that was mainly made up of her friends from school.

Paying tribute to her mom, she told the congregation: 'My mother was an addict.

'She also helped me set up a business when I was eight years old, washing people's cars.

'She taught me how to pick out returning customers and taught me how to make good tips.

Maeve and her brother learned of their mother's fate in episode four of the Netflix drama

Erin was then laid to rest in scenes that aired in episode six

Maeve organized the funeral service for her mom and read out a moving tribute

Anne-Marie didn't return to the Netflix series for the last chapter, with her character dying off-screen

'She loved to sing, even though she sang terribly and couldn't ever get the lyrics right, and we never went hungry, which was no mean feat even when she was high she'd make these pancakes for us with chocolate smiley faces.'

Trying to hold it together, Maeve added: 'I really hate her for everything she put me through, but I also miss her with every cent of my being.'

Netflix confirmed in July that the Sex Education season four with the be final chapter.

In a letter to fans, creator, lead writer and executive producer, Laurie Nunn said: 'We've decided the fourth season will also be the final installment of our show.

'This was not an easy decision to make but as the themes and stories of the new season crystallized, it became clear that this was the right time to graduate.'

Sex Education's fourth and final season is now streaming on Netflix

She continued: 'We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode.

'They have worked tirelessly to bring you the final series, and we can't wait to share it with you.'

The show debuted on the streaming platform in 2019 and proved very popular with viewers and critics alike.

Before it was announced that Sex Education would be wrapping up, In actress Emma shut down the idea of returning for another season as Maeve.

'[Will I be back for] season 5 or 6? Bloody hell, I've just finished the fourth one, love - last week!' she said in February.

'No, I don't think so. I think, yeah, I've said goodbye to Maeve. It's a happy goodbye.'
Liev Schreiber and Taylor Neisen stepped out with their newborn baby girl Hazel Bee in New York City on Tuesday.

Actor Liev, 55, and his wife, 31, who welcomed their daughter on August 27, looked relaxed and happy as they pushed their baby in a pram.

Liev looked business casual in a pair of gray pants, a navy blue crew neck T-shirt and a navy blue jacket. The Asteroid City actor also wore black ankle boots.

Former beauty queen Taylor wore a black denim jacket with rolled up sleeves- teamed with black joggers and a matching top.

The new mom's long blonde hair was styled in loose layers beneath a blue billed cap.

New parents: Liev Schreiber and Taylor Neisen stepped out with their newborn baby girl Hazel Bee in New York City on Tuesday

Liev and his bride tied the knot in July, and enjoyed a brief honeymoon/babymoon in the Hamptons before the little one's arrival.

Hazel is Taylor's first child and the couple's first child together, while Liev is now a proud father of three.

He shares children Sasha, 16 and Kai, 14, with former partner Naomi Watts, 54.

Liev and Taylor waited more than two weeks to announce Hazel's birth.

The Golda star shared a sweet photo of the infant holding his thumb writing, 'So happy that Hazel Bee is finally here.

'She arrived early in the morning of August 27th and has been a dream every day since.'

'Mom and baby are both super happy and healthy,' he revealed before adding, 'Thanks to all for the love and support.'

Naomi was one of the first to comment writing, 'We love baby Hazel!!'

Taylor shared a photo with her hand on Hazel's tummy writing, 'My whole heart. Hazel Bee Schreiber. 8.27.23.'

Business casual: Liev, 55, looked business casual in a pair of gray pants, a navy blue crew neck T-shirt and a navy blue jacket. The Asteroid City actor wore black ankle boots
Anthony Anderson has been ordered to pay ex-wife Alvina Stewart $20,000 per month after the former couple reached a divorce settlement.

The 53-year-old actor  who showed off his trim figure earlier this year  will pay that amount as a base.

The number is subject to change if his yearly earnings exceed $2M, TMZ reported on Wednesday.

If the former Black-ish star earns more, he will have to pay Stewart 20% of his income.

The Compton native will retain ownership of their Encino, California home while Stewart keeps their once-shared Houston, Texas property, documents obtained by the outlet stated.

Happier times: Anthony Anderson has been ordered to pay ex-wife Alvina Stewart $20,000 per month after the former couple reached a divorce settlement (pictured 2019)

Costly split: The number is subject to change if his yearly earnings exceed $2M, TMZ reported on Wednesday

Stewart, who also filed for divorce in 2015 before dropping it, will keep a 2022 Mazda as well.

An Inglewood Park Cemetery plot once shared by the duo will be sold and the profits will be split.

Anderson was also ordered to return a glock-19 gun that is registered to Stewart within 30 days.

Last year the Kangaroo Jack star agreed to issue back pay to his ex in an amount decided by a joint forensic accountant, according to People.

Alvina reportedly asked that the court date the payments back to March 1, 2022 while Anderson's lawyers insisted he should only have to pay from June 1, 2022 on.

At the time, the court also reportedly ordered that he co-sign a 12-month lease for his ex so that she could 'secure alternate housing.'

Alvina, who married Anderson in 1999, filed for divorce on March 25, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences.

She had also cited the same reason the first time she filed, later calling off the divorce in 2017.

The exes share two children  Nathan Anderson, 23, and Kyra Anderson, 27; pictured in 2019

Splitsville: Alvina, who married Anderson in 1999, filed for divorce on March 25, 2022, citing irreconcilable differences; pictured in 2018

Last year the entertainer stepped away from his role as Detective Kevin Bernard on the long-running crime series Law & Order.

He was on the show from 2008 to 2010, when the show was canceled, but returned for its revival in 2021.

He'd only signed a one-year contract and decided against going back for another year, opting instead to pursue other projects.

Anderson played Dre Johnson on Black-ish from 2014 until it wrapped in April 2022.
Former Bachelor star Jessica Brody has revealed that her new boyfriend Devin Walker is the one who convinced her to join OnlyFans.

Now Brody, 34, says she's making tens of thousands of dollars a month and couldn't be happier with her decision to join the racy website.

Appearing on the Back to Reality podcast with Selina Chhaur and Taku Chimwaza, the professional tattoo artist said she made a school teacher's annual salary in her first month on the platform.

The brunette beauty signed up for OnlyFans after Devin, who is an American reality star best known for appearing on MTV's The Challenge, urged her to join.

'Yeah, it was his idea,' she explained. 'He has a thing where he's like, "It's a cheat code." Like, honestly, it's silly not to.'

Former Bachelor star Jessica Brody (pictured) has revealed that her new boyfriend Devin Walker is the one who convinced her to join OnlyFans

Devin (pictured) also makes saucy content for his own OnlyFans account

Jessica went on to reveal that Devin also makes saucy content for his own OnlyFans account, though she didn't mention how much money he makes on the platform.

'His content is raunchier than mine. I'm not ashamed of it,' she said.

'Also, all TV people are a bit insane. Let's be honest. We're big personalities and you put two together, and it can be a lot.'

Appearing on the Back to Reality podcast, Jessica said she made a school teacher's annual salary in her first month on the platform

'I post whenever I want. And I've made, like, a teacher's salary in one month. I'm really glad that I did it,' she confessed

It was at this point the tattooed bombshell revealed the nitty gritty details of how her account works, as she said she has full control over how much content she puts out.

'[I post] whenever I want. And I've made, like, a teacher's salary in one month. I'm really glad that I did it,' she confessed.

Jessica previously worked as a model, waitress and makeup artist before becoming a professional tattooist.

She shot to fame on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor in 2019.

The brunette beauty has been advertising her racy account on social media

Jessica shot to fame on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor in 2019

She returned to screens on Bachelor in Paradise in 2020, during which she enjoyed a brief romance with co-star Ciarran Stott.

Back in March, she sparked romance rumours with fellow Bachelor alum Jed McIntosh when the pair were spotted holding hands at a popular venue.

The tattooed twosome appeared very cosy as they hit the dance floor with a group of friends.

Since appearing on The Bachelor franchise, Jessica has now crossed over to MTV's The Challenge

Jessica and Devin (pictured) found love while filming the upcoming season of The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion

Days before, Jed, 26, had just split from Alesia-Francoise Delaney who he picked to continue a relationship with on the latest season of The Bachelors.

However, she is now dating Devin, who she met while filming The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion for MTV.

Devin is one of the biggest stars to come out of the MTV franchise, having appeared on multiple seasons and spin-offs over the years.
Michelle Keegan arrived alongside her fellow cast members to celebrate award-winning Sky comedy Brassic at The Big Brassic Birthday Bash.

The stars of the series, which is fifth's series is due to air on September 28, gathered at venue 53Two in Manchester for the event on Wednesday evening.

The actress kept it casual as she elongated her slender pins in a pair of straight leg denim jeans.

The star paired the jeans with a simple cream long-sleeved top with plunging neckline.

Michelle plays Erin Croft in the series which follows Vinnie O'Neill (Joseph Gilgun) and his five friends, including Michelle's single mum character Erin.

Gorgeous: Michelle Keegan, 36, looked stylish as she kept it casual as she joined the fellow cast of Sky comedy Brassic at The Big Brassic Birthday Bash on Wednesday evening

Stunning: The actress kept it casual as she elongated her slender pins in a pair of straight leg denim jeans

The star finished the outfit with some tanned coloured heels as she wore he hair down loose in crimped curls.

The comedy follows the group as they struggle to get by in the fictional town of Hawley, and often resort to petty crime for money.

When Dylan's girlfriend Erin (Michelle) wants out to start afresh in a new town, Dylan (Damien Molony) is torn between following her or staying with the pals he thinks of as brothers.

The BAFTA-nominated series began back in 2019, as season four of the show was released last August on Sky Max and Now TV.

Also attending the event was co-star and fellow former Coronation Street actress Bhavna Limbachia who stars in the series.

The star cut a sophisticated figure in a red power suit which she paired with a shiny gold crop top.

Bronagh Gallagher and Joanna Higson also looked sensational as they both donned an all black ensemble.

It was revealed last month that the show is also reportedly planning a Christmas special of the hit comedy which will air this year.

Incredible: The star finished the outfit with some tanned coloured heels as she wore he hair down loose in crimped curls

Happy: Michelle beamed in snaps as she won a teddy from the grabber machine at the event

Cast picture: Bronagh Gallagher, Steve Evets, Bhavna Limbachia, Joanna Higson, Neil Ashton and Michelle Keegan (pictured left to right)

Wow: Also attending the event was co-star and fellow former Coronation Street actress Bhavna Limbachia who stars in the series

Amazing: Bronagh Gallagher and Joanna Higson also looked sensational as they both donned an all black ensemble

Here come the girls: The female cast members all looked sensational for the event

Celebrating: The star's were celebrating the fifth series of the show which launches September 28

The boys: Steve Evets and Neil Ashton looked very smart for the evening as Steve donned a loud patterned shirt

In February this year Michelle looked back on the busy time making series five by sharing a collection of behind-the-scenes snaps from the set as filming came to an end.

The actress shared that it had been 'chaotic mayhem' working with her co-stars on the Sky drama series, sweetly adding that she felt 'so lucky' to be part of the 'special' show.

Beaming alongside co-stars such as Aaron Heffernan and Lee Mack, who joined the show for the new series, for some snaps, others showed her with the production crew.

Taking to the caption to reflect on the filming, the brunette beauty penned: 'Wrap on Brassic season 5!!!

'Can't believe how fast these past 6 months have gone, 6 months filled with chaotic mayhem, freezing cold locations and a whole lot of love & dedication. Feel so lucky to be working on such a special show. 

'Can't wait for you guys to see what we've been upto. Big love as always .'

What a night! Michelle made a chic exit from the bash in her effortless look

Fan: The actress was stopped by a fan, who was keen to get a photo with the star

Good to meet you! Michelle gave a smile as the enthusiastic fan leaned in for a hug
Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay have lowered in the ranks of Britain's most top-earning comedian after The Office star has claimed the title.

He began starting out waiting in Ricky's footsteps whilst he played the part of Nathan Oggy in the hit comedy.

But Stephen Merchant has now officially out-performed the legendary comedians as he rocketed past their staggering fortunes, according to The Sun.

Stephen now holds a whopping 26.6million fortune, thanks to his recent TV stint in the BBC comedy drama The Outlaws.

Ricky sits on a staggering 24.4million, while Peter has a hefty 22.6million to his name.

Beaton: Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay have lowered in the ranks of Britain's most top-earning comedian after The Office star has claimed its title

Still pretty good: Ricky sits on a staggering 24.4million, while Peter has a hefty 22.6million to his name

According to new paperwork, it was revealed that Stephen owns a number of TV production companies, with his primary business, SJJM Ltd, holding 25,146,362 in assets alone.

Last year the publication revealed how Ricky stashed a small amount of money away following his highest-grossing single performance on his Armageddon tour which earned him 1.4million from just one night.

Peter's slew of shows at London's O2 Arena later this year, could see his fortune boost even further.

While some prefer fame over fortune, Stephen recently admitted he would like to turn back the clock and become an unknown again.

He said: 'The unique thing about The Office was that no one knew who we were, so there were no expectations.

'You're not thinking about the papers or about the audience. You're just thinking, 'This is fun, let's get it made'. It's hard to get back to that moment.'

'I think the size of his bank balance will rather soften the blow.'

Stephen lives in a 2.4 million mansion once owned by former US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres with his girlfriend Mircea Monroe.

Incredible: Stephen Merchant has now officially out-performed the legendary comedians as he rocketed past their staggering fortunes (pictured on The Outlaws)

Rich list: Stephen now holds a whopping 26.6million, thanks to his recent TV stint in the BBC comedy drama The Outlaws

Observing: He began starting out waiting in Ricky's footsteps and played the part of Nathan Oggy in the hit comedy

The couple, who have been together since 2018, met at an awards ceremony six years ago but Stephen previously revealed that he had had trouble finding a girlfriend because of his height.

He told Alan Carr: 'If they're down there and I'm up here, it's a bit tricky.

But by 2019, Stephen admitted it was great to not have to worry about 'filling' such a void in life after he had met the St Louis native.

He said: 'Aside from the fact that she's great there's something very pleasing about not having the endless concern about filling that part of your life.

'That's a very lonely life, the life of a single person'.
Clarkson's Farm has celebrated a huge milestone as the only streamed TV programme to make the top 40 most watched shows of the past year.

Jeremy Clarkson's show has been a ratings phenomenon for Amazon and something of a business boom for the Grand Tour star.

Since launching in 2021, the show - which also brought straight-talking Cotswold farmer Kaleb Cooper to prominence - has documented Clarkson's attempts to transform his huge 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm into a working business complete with a farm shop and organic beer brand.

It's second series has now been viewed by a total of 4.6million earning it a spot at 36 in the top 40 ratings.

All of the other 39 shows on the list were made by the BBC, ITV or Channel 4.

Celebrating: Jeremy Clarkson's Farm marks huge milestone after latest smash record ratings were revealed

Fan favourite: The show launched in 2021 and has documented Clarkson's attempts to transform his huge 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm into a working business alongside straight-talking Cotswold farmer Kaleb Cooper (pictured)

Furthermore the list didnt feature any of the other big streamers including Netflix, Apple TV+ or Disney+.

The hit show also had equal viewers with the highest-rating episode of BBC1s Countryfile, and almost equalled an episode of rural soap Emmerdale, which had 4.7m viewers.

The figure was brought to light as part of new research carried out by Channel 4 as they examine how people viewed television.

The data also revealed that the show equals the ratings of ITVs Dancing on Ice and beat Gogglebox on Channel 4.

It also showed that of the 14 of the top 40 shows watched by young people on streaming services, Clarkson's Farm was the most watched of this selection.

Reportedly 1.6million youngsters have viewed the show and Prime Video have confirmed that the second season of the show, which dropped in February, had broken viewing records for the streamer.

The documentary was Prime Video's most-watched original series in the UK since the data started being collected, beating the Lord of the Rings TV series.

Earlier this month news broke that Clarkson's hit Amazon series Clarkson's Farm is set to be renewed for a fourth season by the streaming giant.

Wow: Clarkson's Farm was the only streamed TV programme to make the top 40 most watched shows of the past year

Record: It's second series has now been viewed by a total of 4.6million earning it a spot at 36 in the top 40 ratings

The news comes despite suggestions it would be axed following the fall out from the ex-Top gear presenter's comments on Meghan Markle last year.

The show's future has been brought into doubt after Clarkson sparked a backlash with an incendiary column about the Duchess of Sussex in which he said he 'hated' the royal.

Clarkson apologised for the article, calling his language 'disgraceful'. The Sun newspaper also apologised for publishing the column and removed it online.

Meanwhile Ipso, the press watchdog, upheld a complaint that the column was sexist towards the duchess, describing some of Clarkson's comments about her as 'pejorative and prejudicial'.

It was thought that Clarkson's Farm would end with Season 3, expected in 2024, with The Grand Tour also ending after four more special episodes, the last of which is expected to be in late 2024.

However, Deadline reports that the streamer is now 'preparing to renew the show', and although 'a deal is not finalised' the discussions around a comeback 'have been positive'.

Amazon declined to comment when approached by MailOnline about the report.
AFL WAG Rebecca Judd has revealed she is a germaphobe.

The star, 40, revealed the phobia ahead of the premiere of The Amazing Race, where she'll compete alongside sister, Kate Twigley.

Bec also shared a confronting trailer for the show, in which she complained about dead rats and sifted through animal dung.

'As a total germaphobe I was not expecting all the [poo emoji] and [vomit emoji] but it was still the time of our lives,' she wrote.

Bec admitted despite it being a tough challenge, she would do it all again.

AFL WAG Rebecca Judd (left) has revealed she is a germaphobe. The star, 40, revealed the phobia ahead of the premiere of The Amazing Race, where she'll compete alongside sister, Kate Twigley (right)

'I can't wait for you all to watch an yes, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.'

Bec went on to say how proud she was to compete for her friend Nicole Cooper, and Impatient Advocacy, her charity.

It comes as the trailer for Bec on the show shows her swapping heels for trainers, while getting down and dirty with some farm animals.

'As a total germaphobe I was not expecting all the [poo emoji] and [vomit emoji] but it was still the time of our lives,' she wrote

In the trailer, the pair are seen sifting through cow faeces.

'This is like my worst nightmare,' Bec said as she kneeled down in the animal waste.

The 11 teams of two include at least one celebrity, and each have a pre-existing relationship.

Other celebrities that take part in the upcoming series include Ben and Jackie Gillies, Survivor star George Mladenov, Darren McMullen and Peter Rowsthorn.

Bec admitted despite it being a tough challenge, she would do it all again

Other famous faces include Emma Watkins, Dane Simpson, Jana Pittman, Harry Jowsey and Grant and Chezzi Denyer.

It comes after Bec revealed her cultural background while speaking to Stellar magazine in August.

The mother-of-four revealed she is Maori on her mother's side, with fans rarely guessing it as her heritage.

Bec was seen getting down and dirty with some farm animals, with her sifting through cow dung in the trailer for the show

'Mum's side is Maori, so we did a lot of trips to New Zealand when we were kids,' the catwalk star told the publication.

'No-one ever guesses that I'm Maori. No-one. Ever.'

Bec said her grandfather has a large farm in New Zealand, with their family regularly enjoying a hangi - a traditional way of steaming food underground.

'My pop has a big farm, and we'd have all the uncles and aunties over to have a hangi every time we went over,' she added.

During Bec's wide-ranging Stellar interview, she also spoke of her working class roots to the publication.

'We didn't have much growing up and every dollar counted, so we really respected our food, our home and our belongings,' she said.
After renewing her vows with husband John Legend in Italy over the weekend, Chrissy Teigen shared some heartfelt snaps with her kids.

The 37-year-old supermodel shared six new snaps of her with kids Luna, 7, Miles, 5, Esti, 8 months, and Wren, 3 months over the Italian getaway.

'I have so many things to share from this insanely perfect and emotional weekend but I still have not been able to put all my thoughts together,' Teigen began in her post.

'All i can muster up right now is that I am so grateful for our friends, our family and our lives,' she added.

The first snap she shared featured her wrapped in a towel, holding Esti and Wren in her lap.

Weekend snaps: After renewing her vows with husband John Legend in Italy over the weekend, Chrissy Teigen shared some heartfelt snaps with her kids

Chrissy and Luna: The second snap showed her in a lacy black top giving her oldest child Luna a hug during the festivities

The second snap showed her in a lacy black top giving her oldest child Luna a hug during the festivities.

The third image showed Teigen in a neon green while holding Esti and putting some oversized sunglasses on her.

The fourth snap showed Teigen in that same neon green top and a mustard yellow dress, with Luna walking alongside her in a bikini.

The fifth snap showed both Chrissy and John giving Miles a hug, while he wore blue swim trunks.

The sixth and final snap showed Tiegen in a stunning strapless dress for the ceremony.

The couple renewed their vows on Friday and on Saturday celebrated with friends and family poolside at the Villa Passalacqua hotel in Italy.

Teigen and Legend's guests lounged around the pool having animated discussions with each other as they all enjoyed the late summer day in Lake Como.

The couple renewed their wedding vows a the Villa Pizzo, which is where they got married on September 14, 2013.

Chrissy and John: Chrissy and John first met on the set of his music video for Stereo in 2006. In 2014, she described the day they met to Wendy Williams (via USA Today)

Chrissy and John first met on the set of his music video for Stereo in 2006. In 2014, she described the day they met to Wendy Williams (via USA Today).

'We did the music video. We were together for like 12 hours. We spent the entire day together, me in my underwear and him in a full suit, and I went to go say goodbye to him, to his hotel, and we didn't ever say goodbye that night.'

And after that night, she played it cool and breezy.

'I left him by himself for a while,' Teigen told Cosmopolitan. 'The worst thing you can do is try to lock someone like that down early on, then have them think, "There's so much more out there." I played it cool for a long time. Never once did I ask, "What are we?"'
Cheyenne Floyd was distraught when she learned the person who allegedly shot at her and her family two years ago was insisting on going to trial on Wednesday's episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter on MTV.

'It is a miracle that we are still here,' Cheyenne, 30, said. 'We are still dealing with this nightmare. I would rather do a plea deal. As long as he's doing more than 20 years, I'll take that.'

The shooting occurred two years ago when Cheyenne and her husband Zach, 32, were driving their children in Los Angeles when a man fired 13 shots at their vehicle. Zach said they knew the assailant.

When Zach told Cheyenne that the lawyers just informed him that the case was going to move forward to trial because the plea deal was turned down, Cheyenne started crying.

'Why keep dragging this on?' Cheyenne said. 'You know you did it just sit there and rot in f***ing hell.'

Emotional toll: Cheyenne Floyd was distraught when she learned the person who allegedly shot at her and her family two years ago was insisting on going to trial on Wednesday's episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter on MTV

The episode titled Hurt People, Hurt People opened with Cheyenne talking about continuing to suffer the effects of being a shooting victim. Cheyenne said she was extremely nervous and didn't think she could mentally handle going to trial.

Ashley Siren's comments on social media saying 'tell the people how you tried to cover up the new body with an accident' were triggering and were making things worse for her.

'Here's the thing, hurt people do hurt people,' said Cheyenne's father Kyle, lending the episode its title.

Kyle encouraged Cheyenne to try to find a way to make up with Ashley, 26.

Meanwhile, Ashley told her sister Rosie that their mother was really struggling.

'We've all got to support mom,' Ashley said.

Later, Ashley's mother Tea came for a visit. Ashley and Tea sat down for lunch. Tea told her she was happy that Rosie was staying with Ashley and giving her the time to figure out her grief because things were rocky for her right now. Ashley said it was stressful without having Bariki 'Bar' Smith around.

While Ashley was at lunch, Cheyenne called and said she wanted them to have a conversation.

Tears flowing: When Zach told Cheyenne that the lawyers just informed him that the case was going to move forward to trial because the plea deal was turned down, Cheyenne started crying

Still suffering: The episode titled Hurt People, Hurt People opened with Cheyenne talking about continuing to suffer the effects of being a shooting victim

Hurt people: 'Here's the thing, hurt people do hurt people,' said Cheyenne's father Kyle, lending the episode its title

Lunch call: While Ashley was at lunch, Cheyenne called and said she wanted them to have a conversation

'I really, to be honest, I really don't have anything to say to you,' Ashley said. 'I don't appreciate how you treated me, and that's really as far as I'm willing to take the conversation. I appreciate you calling but I think this is a door that I would like to remain closed.'

'Okay, I respect that,' Cheyenne said.

Ashley told her mother that Cheyenne reached out to her, but the time for that phone call was before she disinvited her to her wedding.

'That time was before you got on your podcast and said well just because she's Black doesn't mean I have to like her,' Ashley said. 'That time was before you got on camera and said, I'd never do a show with her again. That time was before you said I was toxic. That time was before, bogus a** phone call, girl bye.'

Back at her house, Cheyenne told Zach about how she called Ashley after her father encouraged her to clear the air, but that Ashley told her that the door on their friendship was shut.

Jade Cline, 26, traveled to Arizona to visit her father Corey at his rehab facility after spending time with her mother Christy at her rehab in Texas.

'I've not been clean for 30 years until now, literally 30 freaking years,' Corey said. 'Now that I've not got anything in me, I'm kind of interested to see what I can do off of them.'

Jade said she visited her mother Christy at her rehab and that she wanted her to stay longer. Jade said she worried her mother wasn't taking it seriously. Corey said that if Christy went back to using he would see if she wants help.

Visiting father: Jade Cline, 26, traveled to Arizona to visit her father Corey at his rehab facility after spending time with her mother Christy at her rehab in Texas

'I'm not dealing with s*** no more,' Corey said. 'I haven't wanted to deal with s*** for the last few years, but I didn't want her to die either, and that was what I was afraid of. I figured that was what was going to happen or I'd die with her.'

'I'm proud of you dad,' Jade said. 'Because I want you to be here.'

'So do I now,' Corey said. 'I never wanted to kill myself but I didn't give a f*** if I died or not. I could have cared less.'

Jade called Christy's counselor and said she had concerns over her mother's recovery. She didn't think her mother was taking it seriously.

'I just want my family to be okay,' Jade said crying in her car. 'I can't live with myself if I feel I haven't been able to save both of them.'

Maci Bookout, 32, was at her house in Tennessee and while waiting for her ex-Ryan Edwards court date to be set, she decided to attend her first Al-Anon meeting. Ryan had been in jail for a few weeks and Maci told Taylor, her husband, that she was going to attend her first meeting virtually.

'I'm not an addict, haven't been an addict but dealing with one it feels so like you never know what to do,' Maci said.

Support system: Maci Bookout, 32, was at her house in Tennessee and while waiting for her ex-Ryan Edwards court date to be set, she decided to attend her first Al-Anon meeting

Later, Ryan's mother Jen and his father Larry discussed how Maci was going to attend the meeting. Jen said she found the meetings helpful so she could handle her emotions better.

After attending a meeting themselves, Jen and Larry said they both found the meeting helpful especially hearing from the other participants talking about wanting to fix everything.

'That's my problem,' Jen said.

'Ryan's got an illness, and I mean, I can't change it, so I try not to dwell,' Larry said.

'You can't push it down too deep,' Jen said.

Larry said they can't do it by themselves. Maci said she learned in her meeting that it wasn't her responsibility to fix the wrongs done by Ryan.

'Al-Anon it's a game changer,' Maci said.

Catelynn Baltierra, 31, was at her house in Michigan with her husband Tyler, 31. Tyler had a video check-in with Dr. Mike Dow after his ketamine treatment. Tyler said he had been learning to enjoy the little moments.

Video check-in: Catelynn Baltierra, 31, was at her house in Michigan with her husband Tyler, 31, who had a video check-in with Dr. Mike Dow after his ketamine treatment

'I was really struck with how far you have come,' Dr. Mike said. 'And when you grew up in that trailer, and all these things happened to you and you were in so much pain, I think that little boy would be very, very proud to see everything that you've achieved, this family that you've built.'

Dr. Mike told him to write a letter to his younger self and to tell him that everything was okay.

The next day, Tyler worked on his letter and planned to go to the trailer where he used to live and read the letter. Tyler's mother Kim stopped by to help with the kids. Tyler gave the letter to his mother Kim to read with him telling his younger self that it wasn't his fault that his innocence was violently robbed from him. Kim started to cry.

'It's so hard for me to read this,' Kim said crying.

'I was eight when the sexual abuse happened,' Tyler said. 'I told a lot of people, and then I remember you coming up to me and you smacked me. You said knock it off, and stop saying that s*** or something like that.'

'I thought you were making up a story,' Kim said.

Kim said if she could change things that she would have been devastated for him. Kim got up and hugged him and said she wished she would have known.

'It's not okay,' Kim said. ' I just wish I could go back in time and take all that away from you.'

'You can't protect your kids 24/7,' Tyler said.

Childhood abuse: 'I was eight when the sexual abuse happened,' Tyler said. 'I told a lot of people, and then I remember you coming up to me and you smacked me. You said knock it off, and stop saying that s*** or something like that'

Not okay: 'It's not okay,' Kim said. ' I just wish I could go back in time and take all that away from you'

Tyler and Catelynn went to the trailer where he grew up. He sat at a picnic bench outside and read the letter to his younger self. He told himself that he would meet this woman, Catelynn, and that they would fall madly in love.

'That love will result in the other reason you survived and that's to be a father, to bring four beautiful children into the world and to give these children a father you never had,' Tyler said.

Tyler then burned his letter.

Teen Mom: The Next Chapter will return next week on MTV.
Heather Dubrow declared she was done with the other housewives and with the show on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County on Bravo.

The 54-year-old reality star got fed up during a group trip to Mexico after being consistently singled out for criticism.

'They're so mean to me,' Heather said. 'But I'm done with the show. I'm out. I'm done.'

In the van over to town during their Mexican girls trip, Emily Simpson, 47, and Gina Kirschenheiter, 39, said they were excited that Heather started following them on social media. Emily then joked that she blocked her.

'I'm a 100 percent the punching bag on this trip,' Heather said in a confessional. 'Anyone's looking for me to breathe wrong, chew inappropriately. I can't do anything right. I just want to be quiet and let this trip end.'

Over it: Heather Dubrow declared she was done with the other housewives and with the show on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County on Bravo

The van stopped and the women got out to go shopping.

'Have a great day, I'm going home,' Heather said. 'I'm going home. I just want to go home.'

'She feels picked on,' Vicki Gunvalson, 61, said. 'She's not happy, and that's a s*** place to be.'

'All these girls are so f***ing all over me for anything I f***ing say or do,' Heather said. 'I hate them all. I just want to go home.'

When the group met up for dinner Tamra Judge, 55, said that Heather told her during their girls trip to Montana that Shannon Beador wasn't a !00% in on her relationship with John Janssen.

Shannon then called Heather out about it but she said she just meant that Shannon was trying to figure things out.

Heather also denied she ever said anything to Emily at BravoCon about Shannon.

'It wasn't her, Tamra was the one that was talking about you guys,' Heather said.

She's out: 'They're so mean to me,' Heather said. 'But I'm done with the show. I'm out. I'm done'

Punching bag: 'I'm a 100 percent the punching bag on this trip,' Heather said in a confessional. 'Anyone's looking for me to breathe wrong, chew inappropriately. I can't do anything right. I just want to be quiet and let this trip end'

Emily realized in a confessional that she got it wrong.

'I didn't understand that Emily misheard me. I thought she was just making it up,' Heather said in a confessional.

'Oops my bad,' Emily said.

Vicki got up and left the table. After Tamra accused her of calling the women 'losers,' Heather said she didn't call Gina a loser but former housewife Noella Bergener, 38. Heather then got up and said she was done.

'This is like being punched in the stomach,' Gina said in a confessional. 'I've been a genuine friend to Heather.'

Heather also denied she had called Emily a loser.

'I'm tired of being taken to task by this group,' Heather said 'I get it. You don't like me.'

'You're the one who is having conversations about us being losers!' Gina said. 'I tried to be a good friend to you the entire time.'

Good friend: 'You're the one who is having conversations about us being losers!' Gina said. 'I tried to be a good friend to you the entire time'

'You are yelling at me in front of a table of people,' Heather said. 'You are not being a good friend. You've never had my back in these situations. I'm really done.'

Vicki went to the bar and did shots saying she couldn't be around the other women because they were so 'toxic.'

Heather walked off.

The episode titled The Tipping Point opened during day three of the girls trip to Playa Del Carmen Mexico. Tamra was regretting that she told Jenn Pedranti, 45, that her boyfriend Ryan Boyajian had been with other people at their gym.

'That wasn't good,' Tamra said.

Tamra said she refused to 'sugar coat' anything.

'I don't think that he's good for her,' Tamra said.

Day three: The episode titled The Tipping Point opened during day three of the girls trip to Playa Del Carmen Mexico

'None of us do,' Emily Simpson said.

Jenn called Ryan crying. She told him that Tamra said he had been with someone else for a year.

'I'm just f***ing tired,' Jenn said. 'I'm tired of it. I'm so f***ing tired of it, and I'm just f***ing hurt. Babe if there's anything I f***ing need to know, it better come from your mouth.'

'You already know that answer and you know there's nothing,' Ryan said.

Jenn started crying.

'What the actual f***,' Jenn said in a confessional. 'Ryan was the one who told me about this one night stand or is it the one year thing. My head is spinning.'

Jenn said in the confessional that she wished her marriage would have worked. She said she loved her husband.

'I made a lot of f***ing hard decisions and I upheld my end,' Jenn said. 'Just uphold your end.'

Hard decisions: 'I made a lot of f***ing hard decisions and I upheld my end,' Jenn said. 'Just uphold your end'

The women then changed to snorkeling and parasailing. Emily Simpson was still upset that Heather Dubrow called her a 'Snuffleupagus.'

'It's so easy to label Heather a rich b****,' Gina said in a confessional. 'And Heather does not mean to ever offend anybody. She's so f***ing good at it naturally.'

Heather and Vicki went parasailing together. Emily, Gina, Tamra and Shannon went snorkeling.

Later the women all went to dinner together. Vicki told them about how you have to put your legs if you want a happy ending massage. Vicki said the massage costs $40 but that she tips 'a couple hundred.' Everyone laughed.

'It always feels good to have an orgasm so whatever,' Vicki said in a confessional.

Jenn said she thought she had been in a good place with Tamra.

'Ryan's the dirty one,' Vicki said. 'I'm coming to you women to women. You've got five kids. You should have made that marriage work. No man is worth that, okay?'

'You don't even know her,' Gina said.

Strong opinion: 'Ryan's the dirty one,' Vicki said. 'I'm coming to you women to women. You've got five kids. You should have made that marriage work. No man is worth that, okay?'

'Don't talk to me like that,' Vicki said.

Jenn thanked Gina.

'I left my husband for a loser,' Vicki said. 'I will never ever forgive myself. And I hope that's not you.'

Jenn cried thinking about the end of her marriage.

'I don't know why I wasn't enough of a woman for him,' Jenn said.

Jenn said in a confessional that she had guilt about her decisions. Vicki got up and said she wanted to go to bed. The next day the women got dressed to go shopping and Jenn wanted to see a Shaman with Tamra.

'Whatever Tamra and I are doing in this realm is not working,' Jenn said.

Shannon, Tamra, Vicki and Jenn went to see a shaman while Emily, Gina, and Heather went shopping.

Good times: Heater and Vicki had fun parasailing

'I'm definitely at a breaking point,' Heather said in a confessional. 'If retail therapy can't cheer me up, that's a problem.'

Heather told Taylor Armstrong on the shopping trip that she really just felt that she didn't fit in. She said anything she said got turned back around on her.

'I think you don't get as much as a hall pass on saying things because people think, oh she thinks she's better than me,' Taylor said. 'I think it's the money.'

Taylor said the other women just felt inferior to her.

Tamra and Jenn hugged after the Shaman session. Tamra said she was worry about the other day and Jenn accepted her apology. Shannon asked what was going on and Vicki said to leave Heather alone.

'I don't like being the scapegoat,' Heather said. 'I think it's bullsh**.

Gina back at the table was telling the others that she genuinely thought that Heather liked her.

'That's why I'm upset about this,' Gina said. 'I have been a good friend to Heather.'

Strange friendship: Gina back at the table was telling the others that she genuinely thought that Heather liked her

'Sometimes if someone has a superiority complex they need to be accountable for that,' Emily said.

Four hours after the dinner Tamra, Vicki and Shannon danced together on top of a bar. Shannon thanked Vicki for coming on their trip and making it fun. Tamra said in a confessional that she planned on reevaluating her friendship with Heather.

'I want to show Gina that Tamra is talking s*** about her and I have the proof,' Heather said in a confessional.

The Real Housewives of Orange County will return next week on Bravo.
Isis King shared a $5.12 residual check she received for her efforts on America's Next Top Model All Stars, highlighting a key issue on the table amid the ongoing writers and actors strikes.

'Top model residuals came, where should I spend it at?' the 37-year-old model and actress tweeted September 12, accompanied by an image of a document itemizing her residuals for each individual episode, with some as low as 21 cents.

The episodes featured celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Kristin Cavallari and Ashlee Simpson.

King, who is transgender, became the first trans woman to compete on America's Next Top Model on the show's 11th season in 2008.

She then returned to appear on America's Next Top Model's All Stars season in 2011, which she said is the only one she receives royalties for.

The latest: Isis King, 37, shared a $5.12 residual check she received for her efforts on America's Next Top Model All Stars, highlighting a key issue on the table amid the ongoing writers and actors strikes. Pictured last week in LA

King tweeted September 12 an image itemizing her residuals for each individual episode, with some as low as 21 cents

'It was the only season that paid the models to my understanding,' the Maryland native told one Twitter follower who asked her to clarify the distribution of residuals.

King, who plays Sol Perez on the Amazon series With Love, elicited shock in the comment thread from followers with the display of the paltry payment.

'Wow the fact that you're an icon from ANTM & this is what you were paid?!' one user said. 'They're really robbing [people] this is not ok smh.'

Another said that they hope the ongoing strike 'has some really good results because people deserve better.'

Actor Robert Carradine in July shared a pic of a residual check for $0.00 from Walt Disney Pictures' Disney Worldwide Services Inc. for his work on the series Lizzie Maguire.

The actor, 69, who played Sam McGuire on the show and a standalone film, captioned the image, 'Why we're striking...'

In July, actress Kimiko Glenn, who played Brook Soso on 44 episodes of Orange Is the New Black, posted records of her residuals from the Netflix series, many awarding her pennies per episode.

Glenn, 34, said that cast members on the popular series 'didn't get paid very well ever' throughout the run of the series, and 'had to keep their second jobs because they couldn't afford to not.'

King, who plays Sol Perez on the Amazon series With Love, elicited shock in the comment thread from followers with the display of the paltry payment

King, who is transgender, became the first trans woman to compete on America's Next Top Model on the show's 11th season in 2008

Actor Robert Carradine in July shared a pic of a residual check for $0.00 from Walt Disney Pictures' Disney Worldwide Services Inc. for his work on the series Lizzie Maguire

Actress Kimiko Glenn, 34, who played Brook Soso on 44 episodes of Orange Is the New Black, was seen on the picket line in LA in July

She posted records of her residuals from the Netflix series, many awarding her pennies per episode

Negotiators for the striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios are slated to meet again on Thursday to try to resolve a nearly five-month standoff that has disrupted film and television production.

The WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney, Netflix and other media companies, held talks for the first time in about a month on Wednesday.

Early on Wednesday evening, the two sides issued a joint statement saying simply: 'The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow.'

To help spark a deal, Wednesday's meeting was attended by Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Comcast's NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley and Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, according to a source close to the studios.

People in the room described the session as 'encouraging,' the source said, and the four executives are expected to return to the talks on Thursday.

The WGA went on strike in May after negotiations reached an impasse over compensation, minimum staffing of writers' rooms and the role of artificial intelligence (AI), among other issues.

The SAG-AFTRA actors union called a work stoppage in July, putting Hollywood in the midst of two simultaneous strikes for the first time in 63 years. No talks are currently scheduled between the actors and the studios.
Sam Mac has opened up about what he would be doing if he wasn't the Sunrise weatherman.

The television presenter, 41, took to Instagram on Wednesday and asked his followers to participate in a Q&A.

One fan asked the question, 'If you weren't a weatherman, what would you be?'

Sam answered the question with 'professional dancer. Obvs,' over a clip of himself performing a Latin dance to Shakira's Hips Don't Lie on Dancing with the Stars in 2022.

The clip abruptly cuts to an interview with Sam on The Morning Show, where he says: 'My parents are Irish, but I'm doing one of those hereditary tests because I assure you, I'm Latino.'

Sam Mac (pictured) has opened up about what he would be doing if he wasn't the Sunrise weatherman in an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday

The hilarious answer to the fan question comes just days after the weatherman was trolled by schoolchildren who want Robert Irwin to replace him on the breakfast show.

Sam, who has jokingly feuded with Robert, 19, since the zookeeper acted as a fill-in last year, stood next to a group of children holding handmade signs that read: 'We love Sam Mac... but Robert Irwin for weatherman!'

Sam took the jab in good spirits, captioning the post, 'Not again! This is getting ridiculous.'

Sam said he'd like to be a professional dancer and shared a clip of himself on Dancing with the Stars

The clip abruptly cuts to an interview with Sam on The Morning Show, where he says: 'My parents are Irish, but I'm doing one of those hereditary tests because I assure you, I'm Latino'

The playful feud between Sam and Robert began in July last year when Robert filled in for him while he was on personal leave.

The pair have taken friendly jabs at each other since then, with Robert's enormous fanbase wanting to see him on TV daily.

It appears they might also get their wish, as Robert is reportedly set to take over from Dr Chris Brown as co-host of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

The hilarious answer to the fan question comes just days after the weatherman was trolled by schoolchildren who demanded that Robert Irwin replace him on Sunrise

The playful feud between Sam and Robert (pictured) started in July last year when Robert filled in for Sam while he was on personal leave

According to TV Blackbox, Irwin will fill in on the Network 10 reality TV series alongside Julia Morris according to the industry site's 'trusted sources.'

In response to the report, a Network 10 spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it remained a guessing game who will take over the coveted spot.

'The guessing game of who is in the jungle is already afoot with speculation galore as to who will fill those very big shoes for Australia's most sought after hosting gig,' they wrote.

'But you know how this goes, just like the celebrities in the camp, we can neither confirm nor deny any rumours surrounding a new jungle host.'

'For now, we'll just have to keep you hanging until our intimate Upfront event reveals all,' they concluded.
Julianne Moore stepped out in a fashionable ensemble while taking a solo stroll in New York City.

The 62-year-old actress was spotted out on Wednesday afternoon, carrying a brown paper bag during the outing.

The stroll comes just hours after it was revealed that Moore will be submitted for the Best Supporting Actress category at the Oscars for her new film May December, while her co-star Natalie Portman will vie for Best Actress.

Moore was spotted with a white top with a gold linked necklace dangling from his neck and over the shirt plus small silver earrings.

She had a stylish Army green coat that fell to her thighs with the sleeves rolled up, accessorizing with black sunglasses and a silver watch on her left wrist.

Julianne's look: Julianne Moore stepped out in a fashionable ensemble while taking a solo stroll in New York City

Julianne: The 62-year-old actress was spotted out on Wednesday afternoon, carrying a brown paper bag during the outing

Moore completed her look with white pants and brown Birkenstock sandals, with two black purses slung ovr hr left shoulder.

The actress is coming off the Apple TV Plus film Sharper with Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith and John Lithgow, which debuted in February on the streaming service.

She will next be seen in May December, which is said to be 'very loosely' based on the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau.

Letourneau was a 34-year-old married teacher when she was arrested in 1997 due to her sexual relationship with 12-year-old student Vili Fualaau.

Letourneau and Fualaau were married from 2005 to 2019 and shared two children together, before Letourneau passed away in 2020 at just 58 from colorectal cancer.

Moore plays Grace Atherton-Yoo, who, 20 years earlier, made headlines for her relationship with a large age gap with Joe Yoo (Charles Melton).

The married couple's lives are upended when an actress (Natalie Portman) arrives to do research for portraying Grace in a movie.

While both Portman and Moore are considered co-leads, Portman will be vying for Best Actress while Moore competes in the Supporting Actress category.

Julianne's look: Moore completed her look with white pants and brown Birkenstock sandals, with two black purses slung ovr hr left shoulder

The movie from director Todd Haynes had its world premiere at Cannes and will arrive in a limited theatrical release November 17 before debuting on Netflix December 1.

The film reunites Moore with Haynes, who directed her to an Oscar nomination in 2003 for Far From Heaven.

She won a Best Actress Oscar in 2013 for her performance in Still Alice, and she also has nominations for The Hours, The End of the Affair and Boogie Nights.

Portman won her Best Actress Oscar in 2011 for her performance in Black Swan, and she was also nominated for Closer in 2005 and Jackie in 2017.
She recently tied the knot with her Bachelor star boyfriend Jimmy Nicholson.

And Holly Kingston couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she attended the Bloom at Quay event in Sydney on Thursday.

The 28-year-old flaunted her incredible figure in a long strapless beige dress which featured a pleated skirt.

She flashed a sparkly ring on her middle finger as she held a white clutch and posed at the event.

Holly completed her look with silver earrings, a pair of white stilettos and matching coloured sunglasses.

The Bachelor's Holly Kingston flashed a ring as she attended the Bloom at Quay event on Thursday in Sydney after marrying Jimmy Nicholson in an intimate wedding ceremony

She tied her long blonde locks into a low bun and wore a natural makeup palette to the event.

The sighting comes after one month after fashion stylist Holly married pilot Jimmy at his parents' home in Sydney's Palm Beach surrounded by a small group of friends and family.

Following the ceremony, the couple, who met on The Bachelor in 2021, travelled to their reception venue The Pasadena at Church Point by boat.

Jimmy, who popped the question to his love last August, looked dapper in his white blazer along with black trousers, patent dress shoes and a black bow tie.

Meanwhile, Holly stunned in a simple yet elegant embroidered white dress with a square cut bodice and thigh high split.

The 28-year-old flaunted her incredible figure in a long strapless beige dress which featured a pleated skirt as she posed alongside Francesca Hung

Jimmy recently told Daily Mail Australia the pair plan to have a baby after they settle into their new life as husband and wife.

'We both definitely want kids. That will happen. It's something we won't necessarily rush into. We're just going to try and lap it up,' he said.

'Pretty much since we met, everything has been fast paced. The Bachelor experience is dating on steroids, and we've hit the ground running.

'We got engaged and now the wedding. We're kind of looking forward to just taking it easy.

'When the timing is right, we're both very very clucky and looking forward to having a couple of little kiddies.'
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are navigating their way through an 'amicable' divorce which will largely involve dividing up their numerous assets.

The couple, who announced their shocking split after 27 years of marriage, have begun the 'tricky' process of divvying up the $290million empire they built.

Sporting a massive property portfolio and other assets between them, the Wolverine star, 54, and his wife, 67, intend to split everything equally, reported US Weekly on Tuesday.

'Their lives were so interwoven, so it's an extremely tricky and gut-wrenching process dividing everything up and figuring out who gets what in terms of assets and finances,' a source told the publication.

'The [divorce] filing will be formalised in due course, but before that happens, their aim is to come to an agreement. They're determined to [do this] as amicably as possible.'

Hugh Jackman, 54, (left) and Deborra-Lee Furness, 67, (right) are navigating their way through an 'amicable' divorce which will largely involve dividing up their numerous assets

In 2010, Men's Health estimated Hugh's net worth was around $257million, much of which stems from his work with the blockbuster Marvel Comic franchise.

The pair began their mammoth estate in the late '90s and have since acquired a collection of luxury homes in Australia and the U.S.

Before his breakout role in X-Men in the year 2000, Hugh and Deborra-Lee lived in a modest two-bedroom apartment in Melbourne.

The couple bought their first property together for $240,000 in 1997, a year after they married.

The couple, who announced their shocking split after 27 years of marriage, have begun the 'tricky' process of divvying up the $290million empire they built

Sporting a massive property portfolio between them, the Wolverine star and his wife intend to split everything equally, reported US Weekly on Tuesday

They eventually sold the apartment in August 2015 for $740,000, earning themselves a tidy profit of half a million dollars.

The couple's first home featured polished floorboards and high ceilings, as well as an abundance of natural light thanks to its oversized windows.

In 2009, they upgraded by splashing out on a three-storey apartment in the Meier Towers building in New York.

Before his breakout role in X-Men in the year 2000, Hugh and Deborra-Lee lived in this modest two-bedroom apartment in Melbourne

The couple's first home featured polished floorboards and high ceilings, as well as an abundance of natural light thanks to its oversized windows

Their Manhattan address boasts five bedrooms and five bathrooms, a professional-grade kitchen, a gym, library and terraces.

The NYC home originally had a price tag of $40million, but Hugh managed to buy it for just $21million.

The luxury apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows which offer unparalleled views of the Hudson River.

Hugh and Deborra-Lee also have a property in Sydney, where they spend several months a year.

In 2009, splashed out on this three-storey apartment in the Meier Towers building in New York

The NYC home originally had a price tag of $40million, but Hugh managed to buy it for just $21million

Back in 2016, they snapped up an ocean-front apartment in Bondi Beach for $5.9million.

The newly-built, three-bedroom property effortlessly blends Hollywood luxury with quintessentially Australian beach views.

The spacious property also features a state-of-the-art kitchen and superior European oak floors.

And the generous balcony offers seamless indoor and outdoor living, perfect for hot and breezy Bondi afternoons.

Hugh and Deborra-Lee also have a property in Sydney, where they spend several months a year

Back in 2016, they snapped up this ocean-front apartment in Bondi Beach for $5.9million

In addition, Hugh and Deborra-Lee are proud owners of a house in The Hamptons.

The exclusive East Hampton address has pristine views of the water, as well as a lap pool and pavilion.

The main house is still a work in progress and isn't expected to be completed until the end of the year. But, in the meantime, the family has been staying in the guest house.

The generous balcony offers seamless indoor and outdoor living, perfect for hot and breezy Bondi afternoons

On Saturday, Dailymail.com revealed the couple purchased a penthouse in New York City last year for USD$21.12 (AUD$30million).

The couple splashed the cash for a penthouse in New York City's Chelsea district on August 2022.

The 440sqm apartment is located in an ultra chic building which boasts 57 units and listed with Noble Black Real Estate.

The property features a light and airy open layout with four bedrooms centred around the communal living areas.

It has been revealed that Hugh and wife Deborra-Lee had just purchased New York City Home last year for USD$21.12 (AUD$30million)

The X-Men actor and Correlli actress had splashed the cash for a penthouse in New York City's Chelsea district on August 2022

The 440sqm apartment is located in an ultra chic building which boasts 57 units and listed with Noble Black Real Estate

It has floor-to-ceiling windows which stand over four meters and boasts 343sqm of outdoor space with a massive rooftop terrace.

The purchase had come just weeks after the thespian couple listed their incredible three-story condo in New York City for sale.

The pair had lived in the swanky downtown Manhattan apartment since 2008 and they listed it in June 2022 for the whopping price of $38.9million.

In 2018, Hugh is reported to have had his eye on a property in Sydney's Dover Heights after his wife was 'sighted' at an inspection.

The shocking news of the longtime couple's split came on Friday.

'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 on Friday.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.'

The shocking news of the longtime couple's split came on Friday. The couple are seen in April

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.

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.
Kyle Sandilands has touched down in Sydney after a springtime holiday.

The radio host, 52, was spotted in Sydney Domestic Airport arriving home after spending some time away in Port Douglas, North Queensland.

Accompanying him were his wife Tegan Kynaston, 37, and their one-year-old son, Otto.

Kyle was dressed simply in a black T-shirt, grey shorts, and black sneakers as the family made their way through the terminal.

Tegan's look was much more vibrant, wearing a neon pink tunic-style outfit and chunky yet funky cork wedge heels.

Kyle Sandilands (left) touched down in Sydney after a springtime holiday with wife Tegan and their son Otto

While Kyle was dressed simply in a black T-shirt, his wife Tegan Kynaston looked much more vibrant, wearing a neon pink tunic-style outfit and chunky yet funky cork wedge heels

Kyle's wife carried a luxury Fendi bag on one arm, and son Otto in the other.

She completed the look with a pair of white, gold-trimmed statement sunglasses which she put on as the family exited the airport.

It comes as Kyle recently teased having another child on his radio show, The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Kyle's wife carried a luxury Fendi bag on one arm, and son Otto in the other

Tegan completed the look with a pair of white, gold-trimmed statement sunglasses which she put on as the family exited the airport

The 52-year-old spoke about his family plans on-air in August after his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson asked whether he was planning to have another baby.

Jackie, 48, explained she was confused about Kyle's baby plans after chatting to his mother, as they had a stark difference of opinion.

'[I asked your mum], "Do you think they'll have another?" And she goes, "Oh yes, yes They're definitely having another",' Jackie began.

'And then I asked Kyle the same question the next day and he said "no, we're not having another",' she added.

Kyle admitted that while Tegan 'is not opposed to having another one,' he has no desire to welcome more kids.

'I said, 'S**t, I'm already 52. This kid will be 20 I'll be in my seventies when the kid's 21!' he exclaimed.

Kyle revealed he has no plans to expand his family with wife Tegan. Pictured with son Otto, one

Kyle went on to complain about the stress that comes with having just one child, adding: 'I salute women out there that ring the show that have got like 5, 7 kids.'

'I do too,' mother-of-one Jackie agreed, adding: 'Life is forever something else entirely.'

'Yeah. You're a prison warden for the rest of your life until they all move away,' Kyle joked.

Despite his complaints, Kyle recently described fatherhood as one of the greatest experiences in his life, telling Daily Mail Australia that he 'can't imagine being any happier.'

'I used to watch hours and hours of TV, and now I just sit there looking at him and he's really been a joy,' he said in October.

'I've just been sitting at home the whole time which I've enjoyed. I'm at home now more than I was with lockdowns, so we're loving every second of it.

'I'm pretty happy actually. I can't imagine being any happier.'

Kyle admitted he'd never dreamed of having children, but is now 'thrilled' that he decided to take the plunge and become a dad.
Rumours are swirling that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will be replacing Jock Zonfrillo on the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia.

But many fans have flocked to social media to expressed their disapproval of the 48-year-old joining the cooking show.

Viewers are calling for Australian chef Shannon Bennett to land a role on the popular program instead.

'Jamie isn't the person to take over from Jock! I wish Shannon had stepped forward for it,' one person wrote on Facebook.

'Could not agree more, no need to import an expensive TV celebrity,' a second said.

MasterChef Australia viewers rail against Jamie Oliver (pictured) replacing Jock Zonfrillo on the new season

A third commented: 'Shannon would have been perfect! A big NO for JAMIE OLIVER, ratings will truly drop off!'

'Shannon would be really good on the show full time. He's so good teaching the other chefs and so calm with them,' another wrote.

However some viewers disagreed, with one writing: 'Jamie will be perfect!!!'

Another said: 'Shannon does not have the personality required to host the show. It would be quite boring and ratings would suffer. Jamie is perfect for hosting with his personality, knowledge and experience.'

'Shannon lacks experience that Jamie has. Jamie is perfect, one person wrote.

Viewers are calling for Australian chef Shannon Bennett to land a role on the popular program

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.

It comes amid rumours Jamie will be joining MasterChef Australia following Jock's (pictured) sudden shock death at age 46 in April

'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.
Diane Keaton has been known for her unique sense of style when it comes to fashion since making her screen debut back in 1970.

And on Wednesday the Academy Award-winning actress showed off one of her more casual-cool ensembles when she stepped out to meet up with a friend for coffee near her home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The Annie Hall leading lady was first spotted making the short walk from her parked vehicle to the entrance of the Brentwood Country Mart.

On this day, she chose a black double-breasted blazer, which had the appearance of being cinched in at the waist with its snug design, and a black turtleneck, that's been a staple in her wardrobe for many years.

Unique: Diane Keaton, 77, showed off her distrct style when she stepped out to meet up with a friend for coffee in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles

While she went with the classic solid black for her upper body, the Something's Gotta Give star opted to go with blue pinstripe pants that helped accentuate her lean figure.

The Los Angeles native, 77, also donned a pair of black leather ankle boots, and had her blonde tresses styled long and flowing down past her shoulders from underneath her trendy fedora.

Enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, the pair appeared to get into at least a couple of deep conversations during their time at the mart.

Just a couple of weeks ago, in what was her most recent Instagram post, Keaton put many of her favorite fashion trademarks on display in a photo taken alongside Olympia Gayot, the creative director and head of design at J Crew.

In the picture the screen legend sat on top of a pile of books in a black pinstripe ensemble, consisting of pants and matching vest and blazer.

On this occasion she got the cinched in look by using a wide black belt that helped showcase her womanly curves.

She also wore a black fedora that appeared to be the very same hat she wore for her coffee date with her friend.

Go to styles: Some of the Oscar winners trademark styles include wearing a cool hat and a turtleneck with a jacket or blazer that has a snug design around the waist

Keaton style: Just a couple of weeks ago, in what was her most recent Instagram post, Keaton put many of her favorite fashion trademarks on display in a photo taken alongside Olympia Gayot, the creative director and head of design at J Crew

Keaton was arguably among the most popular and acclaimed actresses of the 1970s and 1980s.

She began her career on stage but eventually made the transition to the silver screen in the romantic comedy, Lovers and Other Strangers (1970).

Her big breakthrough came when she played Kay Adams-Corleone in the classic gangster film The Godfather (1972), and it's sequels The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990).

She also made waves with her roles in a number of Woody Allen films like Play It Again, Sam (1972), Sleeper (1973) and Annie Hall (1977), for which she won a Best Actress Oscar.

Some of her other popular films include Looking For Mr Goodbar (1977), Father Of The Bride (1991), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993), Marvin's Room (1996), First Wives Club (1996), Morning Glory (2010) and Book Club (2018).
Katie Price is said to be facing a probe into her finances, just one week after her bankruptcy hearing was postponed to next year.

The former glamour model, 45, was declared bankrupt in November 2019 with 3.5million debts and appeared in an online hearing last week where she was going to be asked to explain how she plans to pay off her creditors.

Now, a team of investigators has reportedly been signed to Katie's case to see if she has any hidden income streams ahead of the rescheduled hearing in February.

They will look at if she has any secret bank accounts as part of their investigation, according to The Mirror.

A source told the publication: 'There is going to be no stone left unturned, as they try to ascertain what is going on with her finances.'

Bankrupt: Katie Price is said to be facing a probe into her back account, just one week after her bankruptcy hearing was postponed to next year

The home: Katie is fighting to save her famed Mucky Mansion amid the money battle

MailOnline has contacted Katie's representatives for comment.

The glamour model  who has been on two holidays in the last few months including a trip to Thailand in March - will be asked to lay bare just how much cash she makes when she finally faces the music in February.

Katie has avoided being grilled in person since November 2021.

The bankruptcy hearing was postponed to next year due to members of public causing chaos in the online hearing last week.

The television personality reportedly appeared in an online hearing in which she alleged she was 'scared and anxious' as screenshots of the hearing had been posted on 'Tattle sites' - seemingly a reference to gossip forums.

Cameras are not permitted in court hearings in any form and screenshots of online hearings are banned and risk jail time if found to be doing so.

His Honour Judge Paul Greenwood demanded everybody leave the call, by ground of 'losing control' of the hearing, and postponed to next year.

He said: 'I'm not entirely sure I can maintain control of the hearing or the dissemination of the hearing. I'm going to exclude everybody who is not party and hear this short directions hearing in private...

Finances: A team of investigators has reportedly been signed to the former glamour model's case to see if she has any hidden income streams

Declaration: The glamour model  who has been on two holidays in the last few months including a trip to Thailand in March - will be asked to lay bare just how much cash she makes

'I cannot be sure that the integrity of the hearing is not being affected by the broadcast. In order it should be capable of being conducted, I'm going to direct it is going to be in private. Everyone who is not party must leave the meeting.'

Amid her money battle, Katie is fighting to save her famed Mucky Mansion.

It was reported last month the former glamour model, who has spent two years renovating her 19-room Mucky Mansion and even documented the process for a Channel 4 show, has moved out of the house.

In July, Katie hit back at trolls who questioned her over her bankruptcy, saying she still 'owns her 2.5million house' and stated: 'Never knock someone who is bankrupt, we all can go there but it doesn't mean that it is all bad.'

In 2021, the star was once again hit with a repossession order on the Mucky Mansion after failing to pay a 500,000 debt.

In April, Katie dodged a court hearing for a fifth time, in which she was set answer questions over her most recent batch of debts - this time 3.2m.

During an appearance on Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show in March this year, Katie discussed her bankruptcy and how she had been struggling with her mental health in recent years.

'You shouldn't be ashamed if you have a bankruptcy because for different reasons people go into bankruptcy,' she said.

'I went through a really, really tough time the past three years, mental health and this and that.

'And when you go through that, you might get bills through and you put everything to the side because you can't cope with anything.'

During a previous court hearing in October 2020, Katie apologised to the court, adding: 'I just haven't been able to deal with these issues or in the right mental state to understand everything that has been going on.'

She also said creditors and officials may think her engagement with them is 'too little too late' but the 'progress is real' and she had provided financial information.
Five years after Cardi B and Nicki Minaj's notorious NYFW catfight, the rap rivals' husbands Offset and Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty are now embroiled in a legal battle.

On Wednesday, the Central District of California Court ordered Kenneth to strap on a home-monitoring device and serve 120 days of house arrest for threatening Offset via social media on September 16 - according to THR.

The 45-year-old Queens native's public threats - which included 'you gonna be planning your funeral p****' - violated the terms of his probation stemming from failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California in 2020.

Petty - who was joined in the viral video by group of men - previously served a combined 11 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl in 1995 and shooting a man to death in 2002.

'We gonna get you n****. We know where you at, what's up? Let's go. Let's talk, p**** a** n****,' the so-called 'music industry professional' taunted outside a Manhattan hotel.

Beef runs deep: Five years after Cardi B and Nicki Minaj's notorious NYFW catfight, the rap rivals' husbands Offset (L) and Kenneth 'Zoo' Petty (R) are now embroiled in a legal battle

'Nobody hiding around here man. We outside. We ready, n****. I run this s*** n**** keep playing with me. Let's play man, y'all wanna play? It's all fun and games until we wanna play too...That whole gang can suck a d***...Up North I had you scared boy!'

The 31-year-old Georgia rapper reportedly responded at the time with a video implying Kenneth was broke: 'I'm getting off a jet. He's funny.'

On Wednesday, Offset (born Kiari Cephus) was too busy celebrating his sixth wedding anniversary with his 'beautiful, gorgeous, pretty' 30-year-old Grammy-winning wife at one of their three mansions.

Meanwhile, Petty's 40-year-old Grammy-nominated wife took to Twitter on Wednesday to scoff: 'You really gotta catch me while I care.'

On September 30, Nicki (born Onika Maraj) and her manager-turned-husband will celebrate the third birthday of their son nicknamed 'Papa Bear.'

Minaj was only 16 when she first met Kenneth, and the couple celebrates their fourth wedding anniversary on October 21.

In a bizarre video with solo cups in hand, registered sex offender Kenneth Petty and his associates stand outside on an empty street waiting for Grammy nominee Offset to come outside. It appears this was an attempt to attack him. pic.twitter.com/G7XBCA10WG  Mr. Pop (@MrPopOfficial) September 16, 2023

Ex-con: On Wednesday, the Central District of California Court ordered Kenneth to strap on a home-monitoring device and serve 120 days of house arrest for threatening Offset via social media on September 16 (pictured in 2022)

'We gonna get you n****!' The 45-year-old Queens native's public threats - which included 'you gonna be planning your funeral p****' - violated the terms of his probation stemming from failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California in 2020 (pictured Monday)

'I couldn't imagine a life without you': On Wednesday, the 31-year-old Georgia rapper was too busy celebrating his sixth wedding anniversary with his 'beautiful, gorgeous, pretty' 30-year-old Grammy-winning wife at one of their three mansions

Meanwhile, Kenneth's 40-year-old Grammy-nominated wife took to Twitter on Wednesday to scoff: 'You really gotta catch me while I care'

Growing up fast! On September 30, Nicki (R, pictured Monday) and her manager-turned-husband will celebrate the third birthday of their son nicknamed 'Papa Bear' (L)
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 45, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'
Kim Kardashian's acting performance on American Horror Story: Delicate has been slammed by fans of the series.

The reality star, 42, has taken on her first scripted TV performance in the show where she plays a sassy publicist named Siobhan Corbyn.

But it appears some American Horror Story fans weren't impressed with Kim's acting chops as they took to social media to express their distaste.

Taking to X/Twitter, one user wrote: 'I'm not into Kim at all #AHS,' while another added: 'Kim sucks at acting. Why is she on this? Ruined it for me.'

A third user wrote: 'Guys I'm so ducking confused what is the new splot of AHS? Why is Kim Kardashian here?'

Response: Kim Kardashian 's acting performance on American Horror Story: Delicate has been slammed by fans of the series

Role: The reality star, 42, has taken on her first scripted TV performance in the show where she plays a sassy publicist named Siobhan Corbyn

A fourth added: 'I feel like I gave the new season of #AHS a valiant, open-minded watch but... I can't. Kim K is an objectively terrible actress.'

Another wrote: 'Why is Kim Kardashain on AHS LMFAO'.

A sixth viewer penned: 'Kim Kardashian really ruined AHS for me, now I don't even wanna watch it.'

However, the response to Kim's performance wasn't all negative as some fans thought she did a great job.

One fan wrote: 'I don't care what people say, Kim Kardashian is doing amazing sweetie in AHS,' while another added: 'Mad props to Kim Kardashian's acting skills in #AHS.'

The businesswoman had a memorable first few lines in the episode titled Multiply Thy Pain as her character n met with her client Anna Victoria Alcott, played by Emma Roberts, 32, a veteran of the FX anthology horror series.

'Then tell the Daniels to suck my clit. She's not missing a press day for a f***ing commercial shoot!' Siobhan barked into a phone before hanging up.

'It's exhausting being better than everyone,' Siobhan added as she turned around to face her client.

Reaction: But it appears some American Horror Story fans weren't impressed with Kim's acting chops as they took to social media to express their distaste

Anna complained about having to sign autographs on old photos from her time as a child actor.

'Your fans will send more updated photos the more you work,' Siobhan told her.

'Dede never made me do stuff like this,' Anna noted in reference to her previous publicist.

'Dede was a dinosaur and that's why you fired her and you moved over here to my company. Speaking of, I pitched a profile for The Times, and I'm waiting to hear back,' Siobhan said.

Siobhan's phone chimed and she then revealed to Anna that Andy Cohen wants to interview her alone 'without even a Bravolebrity in the other chair'.

'Anna, this would be your first late-night show,' Siobhan reminded her.

'I'll make it work,' Anna promised after a slight pause.

Positive: However, the response to Kim's performance wasn't all negative as some fans thought she did a great job

'Thank God. I thought you were exhibiting early signs of dementia,' Siobhan said.

Siobhan then asked Anna who was in the middle of an Oscars campaign to sign a doll of herself for a fan.

'They want you to sign its body,' Siobhan said.

'Are you f***ing serious?,' Anna asked.

'Yeah. Fans are weird,' Siobhan said.

'Her torso is so disproportionately small, my name won't fit,' Anna said.

'Then initial it,' Siobhan said.

'I feel like I'm violating myself,' Anna said.

'That's called being an actress,' Siobhan said.

Siobhan then pointed to the doll in Anna's purse and Anna claimed that she didn't put it there.

Scene: The businesswoman had a memorable first few lines in the episode titled Multiply Thy Pain as her character n met with her client Anna Victoria Alcott (Emma Roberts)

In her first scene, Kim said: 'Then tell the Daniels to suck my clit. She's not missing a press day for a f***ing commercial shoot!'

Signing autographs: Siobhan then asked Anna who was in the middle of an Oscars campaign to sign a doll of herself for a fan

Self violating: 'That's called being an actress,' Siobhan said

'Oh, my God. You need a nap,' Siobhan told her.

They were next shown taking a walk together as Siobhan learned that Anna was going through IVF treatment to get pregnant with her husband Dexter Harding [Matt Czuchry].

'I am so f***ing excited for you,' Siobhan said.

'Okay, nothing has happened yet,' Anna said.

'But it will,' Siobhan assured her.

'We don't know that for sure,' Anna said.

'You have a peculiar penchant for turning dreams into nightmares,' Siobhan told her.

Peculiar penchant: 'You have a peculiar penchant for turning dreams into nightmares,' Siobhan told her

Siobhan while clutching her arm reminded Anna of the positives in her life and urged her to focus on the good.

Anna asked if it was hard to talk about her IVF journey with her since Siobhan's attempts to get pregnant via IVF didn't work out.

'Your joy is my joy. You're my best friend. Meeting you at that IVF support group was the only God-forsaken thing I got out of that process,' Siobhan said.

Siobhan later looked on with pride as Anna appeared on Andy's Bravo talk show and cracked jokes about reality star Tom Sandoval.

Anna had a brief freak-out after having a vision of a menacing woman in the audience and Andy asked if she was okay.

'It's all good,' Siobhan told her afterward. 'You are so much more charming than most people. You on a bad day is like Hilary Swank on a great one, you know?'

Siobhan then got excited to learn that they just got a 'maybe' from the Time 100 list.

'F*** yes,' Siobhan said to herself.

Anna was then alarmed to see a doll of herself with an ominous black X drawn on her stomach.

'Oh, my God. Andy's so funny. Those dolls are really making a comeback, I guess,' Siobhan said.

Talk show: Siobhan later looked on with pride as Anna appeared on Andy's Bravo talk show and cracked jokes about reality star Tom Sandoval

Good job: 'It's all good,' Siobhan told her afterward. 'You are so much more charming than most people. You on a bad day is like Hilary Swank on a great one, you know?'

'They're discontinued,' Anna said.

'Ebay, baby,' Siobhan told as Anna shuddered and threw the doll away.

American Horror Story: Delicate will return next week on the FX network as Anna continues on her horrific IVF journey.

Kim currently stars on the Hulu reality show The Kardashians and previously starred in Keeping Up With The Kardashians from 2007 to 2021.

Her other credits include Kim Kardashian, Superstar in 2007 and the 2008 parody film Disaster Movie.
Demi Moore took her Instagram followers behind the scenes at the Fendi spring/summer '24 show at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday.

The Hollywood actress, 60, cut a stylish figure in a racer neck ribbed red top and matching long skirt as she mingled with runway icons Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

The Ghost star shared a series of pictures and videos of her chic day out at the star-studded event.

Demi arrived for the glamorous show with model pal Amber Valletta, 49, who looked incredible in a strapless blue midi dress and white heels.

The pair held hands as they climbed out of their car and made their way inside while being greeted by cameras.

Amazing: Demi Moore took her Instagram followers behind the scenes at the Fendi spring/summer '24 show at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday

Icons: Demi sat front row at the star-studded show along with supermodel icons Naomi Campbell , 53, and Kate Moss, 49

Demi sat front row at the star-studded show along with supermodel icons Naomi Campbell, 53, and Kate Moss, 49.

Naomi wore a grey wraparound coat dress and went bare underneath to flash a glimpse of skin.

The mother-of-two added a dazzling diamond choker necklace and toted a rectangular grey clutch bag.

Naomi wore her long brunette locks down and sported a heavy fringe, while hiding her eyes behind oversized sunglasses.

Kate looked stunning in a black long-sleeved dress with a lowcut neckline that showed off her ample cleavage.

She carried her essentials in a yellow clutch purse and linked her arm through her friend Naomi's.

Joining on the rest of the 'FROW' was actresses Christina Ricci, Gwendoline Christie and Naomi Watts, supermodel Linda Evangelista, actress Suki Waterhouse, and model Cara Delevingne.

In one clip Demi shared, she can be seen blowing kisses and clapping with a pair of short sage gloves on while sat between Naomi and Amber.

During the day, the actress also posed for a snap alongside Gwendoline, Christina, Amber and Fendi designer Kim Jones.

In another snap Demi looked glamorous as she beamed alongside British actress Naomi who stunned in a black satin co-ord.

Demi penned: 'Tonight at @fendi with my gorgeous pal @ambervalletta. So proud of you @mrkimjones!!'

Looking good: The Hollywood actress, 60, cut a stylish figure in a racer neck ribbed red top which she teamed with a matching long skirt

Stunning: Demi elevated her frame in a pair of black heels and toted her belongings around in a chic matching handbag

Pals: Demi arrived for the glamorous show with model pal Amber Valletta, 49, who looked incredible in a strapless blue midi dress and white heels

Stunning: In another snap, Demi looked glamorous as she beamed alongside British actress Naomi who stunned in a black satin co-ord

Behind the scenes: During the day, the actress also posed for a snap alongside Gwendoline, Christina, Amber and Fendi designer Kim Jones
Georgia Kousoulou has recruited several of her former TOWIE co-stars to be bridesmaids at her upcoming wedding to fiance Tommy Mallet.

The TV personality, 32, who became engaged to the trainer entrepreneur last year, asked a host of her girlfriends for dinner and drinks at Sheesh restaurant in Essex on Wednesday evening.

And it certainly was a busy night for Georgia as she asked TOWIE pals including Chloe Lewis, Lydia Bright, Chloe Ross and Amber Dowding to be by her side on her big day.

The ladies were just one of twelve ladies who will be Georgia's bridesmaids, with the reality star posing with the whole of her bride squad in a glam snap on Instagram.

Taking to social media the morning after their fun night, Chloe Lewis revealed that Georgia - who earlier this year postponed the nuptials following a devastating miscarriage - had asked her to be bridesmaid at the wedding.

Bride vibes: Georgia Kousoulou has recruited several of her former TOWIE co-stars to be bridesmaids at her upcoming wedding to fiance Tommy Mallet

Bridesmaids: It certainly was a busy night for Georgia as she asked TOWIE pals including Chloe Lewis, Lydia Bright , Chloe Ross and Amber Dowding to be by her side on her big day

Chloe shared a post featuring herself and Georgia cosying up for a series of snaps after Georgia popped the big question the night before.

The TV stars looked radiant in a white cut-out shirt and black leather trousers, while bride-to-be Georgia wowed in a white shirt dress.

Both ladies up the glam with heels and glowing make-up for their night out in which they enjoyed a meal and drinks with other pals at Sheesh restaurant.

Captioning her post, Chloe penned: ' So last night something super special happened

'My girl Georg asked me to be bridesmaid. Cant wait be by your side & to watch you walk down the isle. Love you very much.'

Among the images was a poem which reflected on their friendship throughout the years, noting that they'd been through much together and that their 'history is special'.

The poem ended with the lines: 'I couldn't have got through TOWIE without you by my side, now I need you there as I become a bride.

'I love that we pick up where we left off, even if it's been a while, will you be my bridesmaid as I walk down the aisle?'

Wow! The ladies were just one of twelve ladies who will be Georgia's bridesmaids, with the reality star posing with the whole of her bride squad in a glam snap on Instagram

Wedding nuptials: The TV personality, 32, who became engaged to the trainer entrepreneur last year (pictured), asked a host of her girlfriends for dinner and drinks at Sheesh restaurant in Essex on Wednesday evening

Thrilled: Taking to social media the morning after their fun night, Chloe Lewis revealed that Georgia had asked her to be bridesmaid at the wedding

Glam: The TV stars looked radiant in a white cut-out shirt and black leather trousers, while bride-to-be Georgia wowed in a white shirt dress

Cute idea: Among the images was a poem which reflected on their friendship throughout the years, noting that they'd been through much together and that their 'history is special'

Chuffed: Captioning her post, Chloe penned: ' So last night something super special happened 'My girl Georg asked me to be bridesmaid. Cant wait be by your side'

Chloe Ross, who is expecting her first child in January, shared a series of images on her Instagram posing with Georgia, penning: 'YES! YES! YES! Last night was such a special evening.

'My best friend asked me to be a bridesmaid. I couldnt be more honoured to be a part of this special day, I love you.'

Amber Dowding also shared a snap of herself posing with Lydia Bright and Chloe Lewis amid the exciting night.

She also uploaded an image of her poem as well as a snap of Georgia surrounded by all 12 of her bridesmaids, including Georgia's sister Grace who is her Maid of Honour.

Lovely: Chloe Ross, who is expecting her first child in January, shared a series of images on her Instagram posing with Georgia, penning: 'YES! YES! YES! Last night was such a special evening'

Can't wait: Amber Dowding also shared several snaps from the night out, including her own poem from Goergia

Last month, Tommy Mallett revealed that he is planning to tie the knot with fiancee Georgia next year following their tragic miscarriage in April.

The former TOWIE star, 31, also detailed the couple haven't ruled out trying for another baby and that they 'will do anything in their power to make it happen'.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the businessman, who owns successful footwear company Mallet London, discussed his future plans with Georgia.

He said: 'The wedding is going ahead bigger than ever next year. We pushed back the planning of the wedding after we lost the baby.

'We were meant to fly to Majorca to plan the wedding and have some alone time but didn't go because we discovered the miscarriage.

'But we haven't cancelled anything. We're going strong, we've got a big day to plan and Georgia needs it as well.

'I want her to have the same second name and she deserves a really good day now and next year we're making it happen.'

Staying positive: Last month, Tommy Mallet has revealed that he is planning to tie the knot with fiancee Georgia next year following their tragic miscarriage in April

Family: The former TOWIE star, 31, who share Brody, Two, with Georgia, also detailed that they haven't ruled out trying for another baby

The reality star, who shares son Brody, two, with Georgia, has said he has always lived his life with the mentality of 'what's meant to be, is meant to be'.

He added: 'My whole life has been lived with what's meant to be is meant to be, and I know that's awful saying that after losing a child but the past four months me and Georgia have been trying to just get through the next day, it's tough.

'For me, I'm just so lucky I have Brody, I've met people who have lost every single baby that they ever had so I'm just so blessed to have my little boy.

'Obviously we are going to have more kids, we will do anything in our power to make it happen.'
Naomi Campbell cut a glamorous figure as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

The model, 53, looked incredible for the evening as she slipped into a black figure-hugging gown with a high collar.

The garment also featured a single sleeve along with a leg split while Naomi added height to her frame with a pair of black heels.

Wearing her locks in a poker straight style, the star accessorised with a black clutch bag and a diamond ring.

The model accentuated her natural beauty with a light palette of makeup as she headed out with a group of friends.

Radiant: Naomi Campbell cut a glamorous figure in a black dress as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Style: The garment also featured a single sleeve along with a leg split while Naomi added height to her frame with a pair of black heels

It comes after Naomi 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 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.

'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.

Candid: Naomi recently opened up about what led to her her battle with drug and alcohol addiction in her early modelling days

Heartbreaking: 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)

'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.

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.

Struggles: Naomi admitted that she had been 'killing' herself due to the amount of drugs she took in the early 90s

'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.'

Childhood: The model claimed another trigger for her substance abuse was her unresolved abandonment issues from growing up without a father figure

Family: 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 Naomi reached out to help doing 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.

Show: The Apple TV+ docuseries sees the runway icon open up about her 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+.
Gemma Atkinson has insisted she is not planning on having anymore children after giving birth to her second child in July.

The TV and radio star welcomed her son Thiago in July, a little brother for Mia, four.

But she has declared that 'two is the magic number,' and joked that she won't be letting her Strictly Come Dancing star partner Gorka Marquez anywhere near her again.

Speaking on Fleur East's Hits Radio Breakfast Show on Thursday Gemma quipped: 'Two is the magic number in our house I'm not going anywhere near him [Gorka] again.'

'I don't dare - he thrusts his hips from across the room and I'm pregnant so no more!'

Just two: Gemma Atkinson has insisted she is not planning of having anymore children with partner Gorka Marquez after giving birth to her second child in July

Gemma went on to admit that she has found the jump from one to two kids much easier than zero to one.

'Everyone said your second in some ways is a lot easier and I get that now - they just slot in your routine,' she excplained.

'I mean there's some days when I've not washed my hair for days and it's dry shampoo and then there's days when Thiago's doing the school run in his baby gro and hasn't been changed yet, but it's organised chaos and it's fun.'

Gemma, who has just launched her new podcast The Overshare, was also asked about how she feels about Gorka's new Strictly partner - stunning radio star Nikita Kanda.

'Everyone asks if I'm bothered who he has as a partner but my first question is where are they based?!' she explained.

'He could be doing the rhumba with Miss World for all I care as long as she's local to the house and he can get back in time for the school run!'

But this year juggling Gorka's Strictly schedule with family life is proving to be a bit more of a struggle.

'Alas Nikita is lovely but she's based in London so it's tiring and it's a lot of juggling but I love the fact that he gets to be doing what he wants to do and he loves it,' she explained.

Family: The couple welcomed son Thiago in July, a little brother for Mia, four but Gemma joked 'Two is the magic number in our house I'm not going anywhere near him [Gorka] again.' 'I don't dare'

Partners: Gemma, who has just launched her new podcast The Overshare, was also asked about how she feels about Gorka's new Strictly partner - stunning radio star Nikita Kanda

'And on a Saturday night now Mia gets to watch Strictly which makes it all worthwhile seeing her little face when she sees him in his pink glittery top. She loves it!'

Gorka has previously admitted that he thought about quitting Strictly Come Dancing due to missing out on time with Thiago.

Just days after the birth of his son, Gorka had to leave his family in Manchester to head to London to start rehearsals for the upcoming 2023 series of Strictly.

On last week's episode of their reality show Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens, Gorka told how he thought about quitting Strictly to be with his family.
Anna Richardson has revealed that she was out of work for two years after she accused Arnold Schwarzenegger of groping her and sued him for libel.

The Naked Attraction presenter, 52, alleged that Schwarzenegger, 76, touched her breast when she interviewed him on ITV series Big Screen in 2000 while he was promoting his new film, The Sixth Day.

Richardson made the claims in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2003 - when Schwarzenegger was running for governor of California - in which several women accused the star of sexual misconduct.

She told the paper that in previous encounters the actor had been 'a perfect gentleman' but said during the interview at The Dorchester hotel in London, 'This time was quite different. He was already kind of hyped up. He kept looking at my breasts, kept asking if I worked out.

'I went to shake his hand and he grabbed me onto his knee and he said, "Before you go, I want to know if your breasts are real."'

Confession: Anna Richardson has revealed that she was out of work for two years after she accused Arnold Schwarzenegger of groping her and sued him for libel

Accusation: The Naked Attraction presenter alleged that Arnold Schwarzenegger touched her breast when she interviewed him in 2000 while he was promoting his new film

Richardson, who was 29 at the time, said she looked around the room for help, but no one came to her assistance.

She continued: 'At that point, he circled my left nipple with his finger and he said, "Yes they are real."'

Schwarzenegger's campaign team refuted the allegations, claiming it was Richardson who provocatively approached the star, cupping her right breast and saying, "What do you think of these?"'

In response to accusations from several women who alleged to have been groped by the Hollywood star, he apologised for having 'behaved badly sometimes' and doing some things that 'were not right, which I thought were playful.'

Schwarzenegger said he would address specifics of the allegations after the election but later dismissed the claims as 'old news' and announced he would not appoint an investigator to look into the women's claims.

Following the publication of the LA Times article, Richardson sued Schwarzenegger and his top aides, Sean Walsh and publicist Sheryl Main for libel, claiming that their denials implied that she had 'deliberately and dishonestly fabricated' the allegations.

The libel lawsuit was settled out of court, with lawyers for Schwarzenegger and Richardson stating: 'The parties are content to put this matter behind them and are pleased that this legal dispute has now been settled.'

Richardson reflected on the incident when she appeared on Simply Be's Shaping Success YouTube series.

Asked by host Fleur East to recall a positive moment that had 'shaped her' in life, Richardson confessed: 'This comes with a negative moment, it's a yinyang thing.

'I had to interview Arnold Schwarzenegger in a sort of junket situation which is when you're kind of in a sausage factory line of journalists. You go to a hotel, the star's sitting there, you do a four minute interview with them about their film and then you leave again.

'And during this particular interview with Arnie - and I have to choose my words very carefully here - but there was an incident. Or there was an alleged incident between us and subsequently I took legal action and sued Schwarzenegger and his team for libel.

'So I have to be very careful about what I say but I sued him and we settled out of court. Now this is a great big story that's kind of wrapped up in about 10 seconds of explanation but that moment defined me afterwards.'

During the incident: Richardson, who was 29 at the time, said she looked around the room for help, but no one came to her assistance (pictured in 2000)

Allegations: Richardson made the claims in a 2003 interview when Schwarzenegger was running for governor of California (pictured at a campaign rally)

Revealing the impact it had on her career, Richardson confessed she was out of work for two years and ended up in debt.

She continued: 'I spent a long time out of work which was really difficult.

'So I went from presenting a show and working in television to signing on and people in my local job centre going "are you that girl that does that show?".. and I'm like "yeah I'm that girl, can I just get my housing benefit?"

'So it was very difficult times but that taught me real resilience and to be unafraid to stand up to what I considered to be an injustice.'

Richardson also spoke about the significance of speaking out prior to the 2017 #MeToo movement.

She explained: 'I think that women have been carrying this message for decades and it's been falling on deaf ears.

'But certainly in terms of my situation and what allegedly happened, I took legal action, and this was well ahead of the #MeToo movement. So when the whole #MeToo thing happened I felt really frustrated about that.

'I thought seriously? Are we seriously here again 15 years later talking about this? It's still going on but I was there 15 years prior.

'I think there's something about women and people, speaking truth to power and saying this isn't ok actually.'

Asked how she found the courage to speak out, Richardson revealed: 'It was a strange knowing that I have to do this.

'This thing that has happened is not right and it's about speaking truth to power and saying "I don't care who you are. I don't care what threats you come out with".

'This is about standing up and saying, this is wrong, this is unacceptable and I need to put this right.'

Richardson went on to note: 'There's something in this country, in this culture and as women, we're very afraid to say I'm not happy about this or we need to talk about this.

'Particularly with wanting to confront, we're told as women that you're not allowed to confront, you should be quiet.

'Whereas if you're a guy, it's acceptable to do that. I've raged against that being forced into a box as a woman, that is something that will get to me. I almost can't help myself to speak out about something that's an injustice or not right.'

Richardson was able to renter the television industry working behind the scenes as a producer and later resumed presenting.

She has hosted a series of shows of Channel 4, including Supersize vs Superskinny, The Sex Education Show and Secret Eaters.

Richardson is the current host of Naked Attraction and Changing Rooms.
Bar Refaeli cut a stylish figure in a navy trench dress as she arrived at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday.

The Israeli supermodel, 37, looked incredible in the long number which she cinched in at the waist with a matching belt.

The catwalk queen elevated her frame in a pair of stunning burgundy pointed toe heels and toted her belongings around in a coordinated handbag.

Bar accessorised her look with a pair of dazzling silver stud earrings and a simple pendant necklace.

The model later gave a glimpse into her Fashion Week preparations as she plunged her face into a bowl of ice cold water.

Glamorous: Bar Refaeli cut a stylish figure in a navy trench dress as she arrived at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday

Stunning: The Israeli supermodel, 37, looked incredible in the long number which she cinched in at the waist with a matching belt

Looking good: The catwalk queen elevated her frame in a pair of stunning burgundy pointed toe heels and toted her belongings around in a coordinated handbag

The beauty later posed for a selfie in the back of a car wearing two under eye masks, she penned: 'Hopping from job to job. Country to country. This is necessary'.

Following the treatment, Bar showcased her glowing skin in a selfie as she posed in a plain white T-shirt.

The outing comes after Bar stunned fans again with one of her typically glamorous looks earlier this month as she hit the red carpet of Origin amid Venice Film Festival.

Making an early arrival, she claimed her fair share of the spotlight in a sweeping silk evening gown ahead of its first official screening.

The model accentuated her slender physique in the form-fitting dress, with an off-the-shoulder detail and plunging chest drawing further attention to her exposed cleavage.

She elevated her frame in a pair of black heels and accessorised with an eye catching dazzling silver necklace.

The beauty was all smiles as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet.

Shop 'til you drop: Bar accessorised her look with a pair of dazzling silver stud earrings and a simple pendant necklace

Prepping: Earlier in the day, Bar took to her Instagram Story to give her 3.7 million fans a glimpse at how she prepares for fashion week

Glowing: The beauty later posed for a selfie in the back of a car wearing two under eye masks, she penned: 'Hopping from job to job. Country to country. This is necessary'
Take That fans have been going wild over the past 24 hours as the band seemingly teased a UK tour.

The group  currently comprising of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen - are due to release their first single in five years, Windows, on Friday - though it appears they're already preparing for something bigger.

Ahead of the song's arrival, the band's official logo has been projected onto stadiums and arenas across the UK, suggesting that a major run of dates is about to be announced.

Taking to social media, fans across the UK have emerged with photos showing the symbol on the side of the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, The O2 in London, Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, Home Park Stadium in Plymouth, Stadium MK in Milton Keynes and more.

Fuelling speculation, frontman Gary shared the series of pictures to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday.

Comeback? Take That fans have been going wild over the past 24 hours as the band seemingly teased a UK tour (L-R) Howard Donald Gary Barlow and Mark Owen)

'We all loved this,' he wrote in one of the captions.

The band, who first formed in 1990, are also due to appear Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Friday, with the presenter tweeting that there are 'exciting announcements' on the way.

The Back For Good hitmakers inked a new deal with EMI Music Publishing earlier this year, and their upcoming LP will mark their first full length collection since signing on the dotted line.

Gary's bandmate Howard Donald - who completes the current line-up alongside Mark Owen - previously hinted at a 'new direction' with the new tunes and teased that the album is 'sounding absolutely brilliant'.

He said: 'We went out to Savannah (in Georgia) to actually record an album. We all did all our own stuff and we wrote together. We're pretty much in there, now. We're not far from finished.

'We're very excited because it's kind of a new direction for us as well. There are some cracking songs, well, I've got to say that. It's sounding absolutely brilliant.'

Everywhere: The band's official logo has been projected onto stadiums and arenas across the UK, suggesting that a major run of dates is about to be announced

The pop trio reunited onstage at the King's Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May, where they gave the live debut of their dance version of their track 'Greatest Day' with Calum Scott and DJ Robin Schulz.

Howard, Gary and Mark took to the stage to sing for the royal family and 20,000 fans at the historic residence in Berkshire, with a television audience of millions watching around the world.

Neither Jason nor fifth member Robbie Williams, 49, performed in a crushing blow to fans who dared to dream that the five-piece might come together.

But less than 24 hours after they left the stage, the group announced their big comeback.

Sharing a video of themselves during the show on their Instagram, they wrote: 'It was incredible to perform live together again for the first time in 4 years and there is so much more to come. We're back for good.'

The band formed in 1990 with the original line-up consisting of Howard, Gary, Mark, Jason Orange, 52, and Robbie Williams, 49.

Robbie quit the band to pursue a solo career in 1995, while Jason left in 2014.

Working hard: The pop trio reunited onstage at the King's Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May
Amal Clooney looked elegant and chic as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Wednesday evening after a day of work at the UN Assembly.

The British-Lebanese lawyer, activist, and philanthropist, 45, looked stunning as she swapped her elegant business suit from earlier in the day for a chic mini.

Her mirrored dress showcased her endless legs with an edgy touch thanks to the mirrored detailing, while she paired the look with an over-sized blazer.

Earlier in the day, Amal spoke at the High-Level Dialogue on the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

Arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention is the arrest or detention of an individual in a case in which there is no likelihood or evidence that they committed a crime against legal statute, or in which there has been no proper due process of law or order.

Legs eleven! Amal Clooney looked elegant and chic as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Wednesday evening after a day of work at the UN Assembly

Speaking out: The British-Lebanese lawyer, activist, and philanthropist, 45, looked stunning as she swapped her elegant business suit from earlier in the day for a chic mini

Stunner: Her mirrored dress showcased her endless legs with an edgy touch thanks to the mirrored detailing, while she paired the look with an over-sized blazer

The US Government website lists: 'This High-Level Dialogue, co-hosted by Canada, Costa Rica, Malawi and the United States, reaffirms the international communitys commitment to addressing the urgent issue of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations.

'Recognizing that this issue transcends geographic boundaries, we stand in solidarity with the victims, survivors and families who have endured this disturbing practice, which flagrantly violates the human rights of all those affected.'

Her trip to New York comes after she joined her actor husband George in spending time in Italy with their two children.

The glamorous couple, who wowed in Venice at the 80th Film Festival earlier this month, have 'formed a real partnership' when it comes to parenting their twins Ella and Alexander, six, according to US Weekly.

The outlet quoted a source who said during their time at their Lake Como home, both George, 62, and Amal are 'taking turns with taking the kids to activities.'

The human rights attorney and the Oscar winner also switch off 'preparing the kids breakfast and lunches,' as well.

The insider claims both enjoy cooking and want to make meal times special. The Ticket To Paradise star has come a long way since his bachelor days.

George's former co-stars Nicole Kidman and Michele Pfeiffer each famously bet him $10,000 that he would be married or have kids by the time he was 40.

Speaking out: Earlier in the day, Amal spoke at the High-Level Dialogue on the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly

They lost that bet and sent checks to the star, who returned them with notes reading 'Double or nothing for another 10 years,' according to The Independent.

George and Amal tied the knot in 2014 and welcomed their kids in 2017. Now that they're parents the passionate pair focus a lot of their time on family activities.

'They take boat rides, do water spots, have a small group of friends in the area their age they have playdates with,' according to the insider.

'They also love painting and will have easels and supplies set up overlooking the water.'
Nick Knowles' fiancee Katie Dadzie shared her raciest picture to date as she celebrated the DIY SOS star's 61st birthday on Wednesday.

The sex toy business owner, 33, uploaded a snap of herself in a white bustier and thong suspenders, with Nick, who proposed last month in New Orleans, admiring her bottom.

Katie was on location for a photoshoot with Boa Boa and the TV presenter appeared to be giving a helping hand on set.

The mother-of-two also shared some other loved-up photos including one at Harry Potter world and others on holiday and in costume.

Katie wrote: 'Happy birthday to my love and best friend (and fiance).

Cheeky! Nick Knowles' fiancee Katie Dadzie shared her raciest picture to date as she celebrated the DIY SOS star's 61st birthday on Wednesday

Birthday wishes: Katie wrote: 'Happy birthday to my love and best friend (and fiance). You make me smile and laugh all the time and I'm so happy that you're in my life'

'You make me smile and laugh all the time and I'm so happy that you're in my life so we can keep making lovely memories and taking special pictures with my eyes closed.'

Nick replied: 'Thank you my love. Can't wait to see you later for dinner and hugs n kisses xxx' (sic).

The couple are on cloud nine after Nick popped the question with a Haribo ring last month.

Nick and Katie shared their exciting news on Instagram with some photos from the proposal and wrote: 'So last minute something special happened in New Orleans.'

Nick wrote: 'There was a Haribo ring incident in New Orleans. Very happy.'

TV star Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with Katie in September 2021, after ending his romance with PR guru Emily Hallinan in February 2020.

Nick and Katie made their public debut as a couple at a restaurant in Bath after being friends for several years.

He was also previously married to Gillian Knowles from 1996 to 2000.

Happy: The mother-of-two also shared some other loved-up photos including one at Harry Potter world and others on holiday and in costume

Sweet treat: The couple are on cloud nine after Nick popped the question with a Haribo ring last month, with Katie sharing this throwback snap tucking into ice cream

Top hats: Katie and Nick were dressed to impress at the races

Newly-engaged: TV star Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with Katie in September 2021

Delighted: Nick and Katie shared their exciting engagement on Instagram with some photos from the proposal and wrote: 'So last minute something special happened in New Orleans'

Katie has daughters Savannah, eight, and Alex, five, from a previous relationship, whereas Nick has four children from three different relationships.

He shares his daughter Tuesday and son Charlie with his ex-wife Gillian, while he shares another son, TJ, with dancer Paula Beckett.

Nick also has son Eddie, who was born in 2014, with his ex-wife Jessica, and the presenter met girlfriend Katie through his youngest son.

Katie shared that her two children had befriended Nick's son Eddie and said they got to know each other through their kids socialising.

However, the Boobbix owner admitted she didn't originally like Nick and said it took her a while to warm up to him.

Speaking about meeting Nick, she said: 'I actually didn't like him very much (...) 'I'm very shy and quiet, while Nick is quite extroverted and a complete chatterbox.'

Katie joked that Nick initially didn't give her much opportunity to talk but said when they went on a coffee date, she got to know him better and realised they had a lot in common.

She said they then spent a lot of time talking on the phone during lockdown - and the pair have been going from strength-to-strength in their romance ever since.
Fiona Phillips has shared a heartbreaking health update after revealing she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The TV presenter, 62, is currently on a trial for a drug called miridesap - which is hoped could slow or even reverse the illness. It is not know if she is being given the drug or a placebo as part of the trial.

Speaking to The Mirror, Fiona told how she has experienced small lapses in her short term memory, such as forgetting what she was saying mid-conversation.

She said: 'Oh its awful but I keep having these moments where I think,"whats the word?" It doesnt happen all the time.. just occasionally. And thats just not me at all.

'I can normally talk until next Christmas. It is just weird when it happens because Im thinking, "why has my mouth stopped and Im still thinking about the sentence?" Its really weird."

Candid: Fiona Phillips has shared a heartbreaking health update after revealing she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

Heartbreaking: Fiona told how she has experienced small lapses in her short term memory, such as forgetting what she was saying mid-conversation

Doctors at University College Hospital in London are still giving Fiona cognitive tests to see if the trial drugs she is taking could be stabilising - or reversing - her symptoms.

Neither Fiona nor her doctors know if she is on the real drug or a placebo as part of the trial.

The journalist heaped praise on her husband Martin Frizell - who is the editor of ITV's This Morning - and described him as 'amazing'.

The star, who feels she is in a 'malaise' at the moment, told how she has lost all interest in cooking and food and Martin now does all the cooking.

Fiona said she has been struggling with anxiety since her diagnosis and no longer gets out as much as she used to.

She still feels nervous about people knowing she has Alzheimer's and sometimes forgets she went public with her diagnosis in July 2023.

Like many people with Alzheimer's, Fiona has been prescribed anti-depressants.

Despite the diagnosis, Fiona insisted she is getting on with life and is still 'doing nice things'.

She said: 'Oh its awful but I keep having these moments where I think,"whats the word?" It doesnt happen all the time.. just occasionally. And thats just not me at all'

Couple: The journalist heaped praise on her husband Martin Frizell - who is the editor of ITV's This Morning - and described him as 'amazing' (pictured together in 2013)

In July, Fiona told the Mirror she had received the news of the devastating dementia disease, which killed both her parents, around a year ago, having suffered from months of brain fog and anxiety.

The couple explained how Fiona originally saw the onset of severe anxiety, which she believed was related to the Menopause.

But after symptoms such as brain fog continued despite the use of HRT, she went for further testing which ultimately ended in diagnosis with Alzheimer's.

The former breakfast TV host insisted she is 'still here', adding: 'This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it's heartbreaking.

'I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future.'

'It's something I might have thought I'd get at 80', she said. 'But I was still only 61 years old.

'I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways; my poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us.'

Her father Neville died in February 2012, while her mother Amy passed away with the disease in May 2006.

Career: Fiona presented GMTV for more than a decade before leaving the show (pictured alongside Eamonn Holmes)

Ms Phillips has frequently spoken out about the disease and campaigned for Alzheimer's Research UK.

She told The Mirror: 'I need to sort out an action plan that can be used if I 'disappear'... Of course I fear inheriting the disease with my family history, and I sometimes wake up in the night feeling anxious and worried about it.

'My parents were relatively young when they got it; my mum was in her early 50s, although at the time, we just put it down to her being eccentric.'

Fiona began her journalistic career working as a reporter for local radio stations such as Radio Mercury un Sussex and County Sound in Surrey.

Her big break came when she moved to GMTV as an entertainment correspondent in 1993, before being promoted to be their LA correspondent in December the same year.

She then fronted the breakfast show from 1997 to 2008, being the main anchor every Monday to Wednesday.

Fiona announced in 2008 she would be leaving the show for family reasons, presenting her last show in December.

This followed the death of her mother, and came after her father had also been diagnosed with the disease.

Please get in touch with Alzheimers Society if you need support on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk.
Michael Caine has hinted that his upcoming film The Great Escaper could be his last, saying: 'I'm bloody 90 now, and I cant walk properly'.

The Academy Award-winning actor, 90, stars alongside the late Glenda Jackson in the forthcoming drama, which is inspired by true events.

The film tells a story 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 stars as Bernard Jordan, who made headlines around the world in 2014, while Glenda will star as his wife Irene.

Glenda, 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.

End of an era: Michael Caine, 90, hinted that his upcoming film The Great Escaper, could be his final one after discussing his age and admitting that he can't walk properly

Send off: He will star in The Great Escaper, about a World War 2 veteran who escaped his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France

In an interview with The Telegraph, Michael expressed his concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic potentially marking the end of his career in 2020.

However later found hope by accepting a role in The Great Escaper.

He said: I was so happy to do it. I just loved the character of Bernie. I thought he was incredible, and its so beautifully written.

Discussing the possibility of concluding his remarkable eight-decade career he said that he was 'sort of' retired already.

He added: I am b****y 90 now, and I cant walk properly and all that...

Ive had the best possible life I could have thought of. The best possible wife, and the best possible family...

They may not be a family that other people would say is the best possible family  but the best possible family for me.

The Interstellar star who has been using support from a walking stick after undergoing back surgery last year explained how he used it with filming.

Support: Sir Michael has been reliant on support from a walking stick after undergoing surgery on his back last year (pictured at The Great Escaper World Premiere at BFI Southbank)

Living legend: The actor, 90, has starred in over 130 films and has a career that has spanned over eight decades

Paying respects: Michael stars alongside the late Glenda Jackson in his upcoming film and paid tribute after her death at the age of 87, calling her 'one of the greatest movie actresses

He said: They gave me a very good walking stick, and I was able to do scenes that needed that.

Id just do them once, and then fall over. But just one take, and thats it. Forget it.

Michaels wife Shakira confirmed last year that Michael had undergone a major operation at a London hospital and told the Daily Mail he had spinal stenosis.

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.

The Great Escaper will be released in cinemas on 6 October 2023
Chandler Powell shocked fans on Thursday by sharing some photos of him feeding a crocodile at Australia Zoo exactly like his late father-in-law Steve Irwin used to.

The conservationist, 26, posted a gallery of pictures to Instagram capturing him in khakis in the crocodile pen very carefully feeding a giant crocodile.

The Florida born reality star looks fearless in the eye-popping snaps as he skillfully feeds the hungry reptile from a distance.

'Few croc feeding shots from Australia Zoo. Such an honor to help teach guests about these amazing animals. Hope to see you!' he wrote next to the photos.

Chandler's fans were quick to point out he looked exactly like Steve when he fed crocs back in the early 2000s.

Chandler Powell (pictured) shocked fans on Thursday by sharing some photos of him feeding a crocodile at Australia Zoo exactly like his late father-in-law Steve Irwin used to

'You have helped to carry on Steve's legacy!' one fan gushed.

'Steve would be so proud of you Chandler,' another follower added.

Chandler first met Steve's daughter Bindi in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

Following their chance meeting, Chandler wrote to Terri to ask her permission to contact Bindi before they embarked on a long-distance relationship.

Chandler posted a gallery of pictures to Instagram capturing him in khakis in the crocodile pen very carefully feeding a giant crocodile. Chandler's fans were quick to point out he looked exactly like Steve Irwin (pictured) used to when he fed crocs back in the early 2000s

The Florida born reality star looks fearless in the eye-popping snaps as he skillfully feeds the hungry reptile from a distance

He eventually relocated to Australia from his home in Florida, and now works at the family's zoo on the Gold Coast.

The couple married on March 25, 2020 and welcomed their daughter Grace Warrior on their first wedding anniversary.

Bindi and Chandler, and her brother Robert and mother Terri Irwin, are proudly carrying on her late father Steve Irwin's legacy as a Wildlife Warrior and conservationist with their work at Australia Zoo.

Steve, who was known around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb in September 2006, when Bindi was eight years old.
Kate Lawler downed a 400 shot and joked that 'ITV will pay for it' after being tempted by Alison Hammond as This Morning descended into chaos on Thursday.

The presenter, 43, joined hosts Holly Willoughby and Alison via a live video link from a pub in Scotland as she explained how viewers could spend the 1million cash prize that's up for grabs in their new competition.

During the segment, Kate explained how Leonardo DiCaprio had once splashed out in 1600 in the Loch Lomond venue, as she clutched on to an expensive shot.

'I'm allowed to smell it, but I'm not allowed to drink it,' she told Alison and Holly.

'Just do it!' Alison cheekily exclaimed as she urged Kate to down the shot.

Chaos: Kate Lawler, 43, downed a 400 shot and joked that 'ITV will pay for it' after being tempted by Alison Hammond as This Morning descended into chaos

'Shall I just...' Kate hesitated before throwing her head back and sinking the drink.

'They'll pay for it. ITV can pay for that!' she laughed as she told the bar staff.

Holly and Alison were seen giggling and covering their faces in the studio while Holly joked that she would pick up the bill herself if she had another.

It comes after Kate hit back at body shamers after the star was cruelly targeted online in light of a series of Instagram snaps.

The TV personality was accused of 'triggering anorexics' and being in a 'serious calorie deficit' over on the social media platform after posting a holiday selfie.

She snapped back at these comments as she discussed how she believes there is a 'double standard' on social media where plus-sized women are praised for showcasing their curves but slender ones are trolled.

She told The Sun: 'If someone is on Instagram showing their curves and grabbing their rolls, it's all, "You go girl, well done you!"

'They're celebrated, called real women. Well, why can't a real woman be a healthy size eight? It's crazy.'

Funny: Holly and Alison were seen giggling and covering their faces in the studio while Holly joked that she would pick up the bill herself if she had another

Defending herself: It comes after Kate hit back at body shamers after the star was cruelly targeted online in light of a series of Instagram snaps

To Kate's shock some followers even compared her physique to that of fellow Big Brother contestant Nikki Grahame, who died in 2021 aged 38, after a lifelong battle with anorexia.

'I honestly couldn't believe it. To compare me to her is outrageous and so insensitive to Nikki's family.'

Kate stated she is currently a size eight and at 5ft 6in, she weighs 8st 4lb and has a BMI of 19.2.

Her BMI is therefore in the ideal range as the NHS explains a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.

While the star does look slim, she assured that it is due to a fast metabolism and she does not exercise aside from walking her dogs.
Beloved ITV weatherman Alex Beresford is leaving his wife Imogen at home to partake in this year's Celebrity edition of Race Across the World - and she's not happy, according to Radio Times.

Famed presenter Alex Beresford, 42, married his restaurant manager wife Imogen McKay, 30, in a stunning Mallorca ceremony last September after he previously got down on one knee on the island.

Alex popped the question on New Year's Day while the pair were holidaying on a beach in Deia, Mallorca after two years of dating.

A mutual friend set the lovebirds up on a blind date in August 2020 and the rest is history.

To mark their special moment, the happy couple returned to the Spanish island to tie the knot at the picturesque Son Marroig estate.

Nuptials: Famed presenter Alex Beresford, 42, married his restaurant manager wife Imogen McKay, 30, in a stunning Mallorca ceremony last September

Happy memories: Alex celebrated his engagement anniversary with wife Imogen on Instagram and shared a gallery of photos of his proposal and wedding day

Unfortunately, their big day coincided with the late Queen's state funeral - but Alex made sure to pay his respects to the monarch by watching Britain mourn on a TV in a local village cafe.

As of yesterday, the star appeared on the BBC One show Celebrity Race Across the World - battling it out with Billy Monger, Harry Judd and Melanie Blatt.

Viewers are watching the drama unfold as they wonder who will make it to Norway without phones or flights.

But Alex, decided to take his dad Noel on the taxing adventure, saying his wife Imogen wanted to tag along with him.

The ITV presenter sweetly told Times Radio the reasoning behind his decision.

Alex said: 'You don't get to spend this sort of time with your parents as an adult.

Imogen was upset, as she loves travelling and she's a fan of the show but, as much as I love her and spending time with her, I'm not sure this was the honeymoon she'd want!

'With hindsight, I think I made the right decision.'

Career: Alex has worked on Good Morning Britain since 2014 and made his Dancing On Ice debut in 2018 as a contestant

New stint: The star appeared on the BBC One show Celebrity Race Across the World - battling it out with Billy Monger, Harry Judd and Melanie Blatt alongside his father

Father, son: But Alex, decided to take his dad Noel on the taxing adventure, saying his wife Imogen wanted to tag along with him

Family: Alex also shares a 12-year-old son Cruz, from his previous marriage with Natalia Natkaniec

Imogen grew up in Australia and works in e-commerce operations for a top London restaurant.

Before Alex and Imogen met, she recalled that she had never seen him on television before meeting him and refrained looking him up before their date as she wanted to find out first hand what he was like.

During their first date in Bristol, Imogen felt as if they had 'known each other for ages', she recalled.

Alex shares a 12-year-old son Cruz, from his previous marriage with Natalia Natkaniec.

And at their wedding Cruz acted as ring bearer and his mini best man, while his brother and cousin performed the role of ushers, and his best friends  both called Leon  were his best men.

Imogen's sisters, Helena and Georgia, were bridesmaids and led the bridal procession down the aisle to the foot of the white marble temple.

Alex has worked on Good Morning Britain since 2014 and made his Dancing On Ice debut in 2018.

In 2021, Alex criticised Piers Morgan on GMB for his comments regarding Megan Markle's interview with Operah.
Sofia Vergara was nearly unrecognizable in the latest trailer for Netflix's upcoming limited series, Griselda, in which she stars as Colombian drug cartel leader Griselda Blanco.

While portraying the notorious drug lord, known as the Cocaine Godmother, the 51--year-old actress was completely transformed into Colombian businesswoman, which included sporting cuts on her face.

In the 36-second first teaser, the Modern Family alum can be seen pulling up in a car as a group of men silently stare and wait for her arrival.

'You've thought a lot about me, haven't you?' Vergara begins. 'I've heard that you liked my product. We can make a lot of money together.'

Complete transformation: Sofia Vergara was nearly unrecognizable in the latest trailer for Netflix's upcoming limited series, Griselda, in which she stars as Colombian drug cartel leader Griselda Blanco

Nearly unrecognizable: In 2022, Vergara revealed it took two hours in the makeup chair to transform into her character

After footage pans of illegal substances being moved, a man snorting cocaine and bags of cash, someone can be heard asking: 'Who is the one in charge?'

Vergara appears with a stern expression on her face as she stares directly into the camera as ominous music plays in the background.

According to Netflix, the bilingual crime series is inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious of Blanco, who they describe as a 'devoted mother' that 'created one of the most profitable cartels in history.'

The synopsis also noted 'Blancos lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family.'

The rest of the star-studded cast includes Alberto Guerra as Dario, Vanessa Ferlito as Isabel, Alberto Ammann as Alberto Bravo, and Christian Tappan as Arturo.

Griselda, which will hit Netflix in January 2024, comes from the creators and executive producers of Narcos and Narcos: Mexico.

This marks Vergara's first scripted live-action project since announcing her divorce from Joe Manganiello, in July 2023, after seven years of marriage.

In 2022, the mother-of-one revealed it took two hours in the makeup chair to transform into her character.

Coming soon: Griselda, which will hit Netflix in January 2024, comes from the creators and executive producers of Narcos and Narcos: Mexico

Dramatic: While portraying the notorious drug lord, known as the Cocaine Godmother, the 51--year-old actress was completely transformed into Colombian businesswoman, which included sporting cuts on her face

Chilling: In the 36-second first teaser, the Modern Family alum can be seen pulling up in a car as a group of men silently stare and wait for her arrival

'You've thought a lot about me, haven't you?' Vergara begins. 'I've heard that you liked my product. We can make a lot of money together'

Blanco is considered one of the most profitable cartels in history.

The career criminal, who was only five feet tall, was involved with pickpocketing and prostitution from a young age - but it didn't take long before her crimes began to escalate.

Having been plunged into the cocaine industry by her second husband, who she later killed, Griselda built a thriving drugs empire that saw her earning more than $80 million every month.

Based on real-life: Blanco is considered one of the most profitable cartels in history

She embraced her criminal persona - her nicknames were The Black Widow, The Godmother of Cocaine and The Boss - and was not afraid to flaunt her ill-gotten gains.

But things began to unravel after she was incarcerated as authorities sought to press charges against the devoted mother for more than 200 murders.

Griselda went on to serve 10 years behind bars before being deported back to Colombia where she was shot and killed aged 69 as she stepped out of a butcher's shop.

She still ranks among the most notorious drug lords in history and has been a central figure in documentaries such Cocaine Cowboys (2006) and Cocaine Cowboys 2: Hustlin' with the Godmother (2008) - as well as film The Cocaine Godmother (2017) starring Catherine Zeta Jones.
The first trailer for Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott's upcoming film All Of Us Strangers was released on Thursday.

The actors star as neighbours, living in contemporary London, who become lovers after a chance encounter, but find themselves haunted by memories of the past.

It begins as writer Adam (Andrew) returns home one night and catches a glimpse of Harry (Paul) from the street below their high rise apartment block.

Harry then pays Adam a visit admitting that he saw him 'starring' from the street and had assumed he was single as he 'never sees him with anyone.'

But as romance blossoms between the pair Adam becomes increasingly preoccupied by memories of his past.

Coming soon: The first trailer for Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott's upcoming film All Of Us Strangers was released on Thursday

Adam returns to his childhood home where he discovers that his dead parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) appear to be alive but have not aged a day in 30 years.

After welcoming their son back home, the family sit down for dinner together at the table.

The film is an adaptation of Taichi Yamadas 1987 Japanese psychological novel Strangers.

Director Andrew Haigh has said that Paul and Andrew were 'fearless' when filming their sex scenes in the new movie.

The filmmaker praised the work the two Irish actors did on the flick which is based on the 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, he said: 'There was chemistry between the two of them literally the second I saw them together.

'Both of them were pretty fearless. There was no sense of them being afraid of approaching those scenes. They knew how important they were.'

Andrew is known for directing and writing the screenplays for the films Weekend and 45 Years and he also directed HBO's gay drama series Looking.

Haunting: The actor stars as neighbours, living in contemporary London, who become lovers after a chance encounter, but find themselves haunted by memories of the past

It begins as writer Adam (Andrew) returns home one night and catches a glimpse of Harry (Paul) from the street below their high rise apartment block

Ghosts: But as romance blossoms between the pair Adam becomes increasingly preoccupied by memories of his past

The director added that he was determined to cast a gay actor in the role of Adam, which went to Andrew Scott.

He also said he doesn't believe that only gay actors should play gay characters.

He said: 'I'm not one of those people who thinks you have to cast a queer actor in a queer role, but for this role, I did want to because I was trying to unpick some nuances of a certain generation of gay people.'

Andrew Scott previously discussed his sexuality in a 2013 interview with The Independent, saying he didn't want to 'trade on it'.

He said: 'Mercifully, these days people don't see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. It's just a fact.

Director Andrew Haigh said: 'There was chemistry between the two of them literally the second I saw them together' (Paul Mescal pictured)

He added: 'Both of them were pretty fearless. There was no sense of them being afraid of approaching those scenes. They knew how important they were' (Andrew Scott pictured)

'Of course, it's part of my make-up, but I don't want to trade on it. I am a private person; I think that's important if you're an actor.

'But there's a difference between privacy and secrecy, and I'm not a secretive person. Really I just want to get on with my job, which is to pretend to be lots of different people. Simple as that.'

All Of Us Strangers will be released in US cinemas on December 22 while the UK release is set for January 26.
Angelina Jolie was spotted landing at JFK airport in New York City on Thursday.

The Oscar-winning Gia actress was accompanied by her youngest daughter, 15-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, whom she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt.

The 48-year-old humanitarian looked unusually lighthearted as she pushed back her head while laughing.

The A-lister has been spending more time with Vivienne in recent weeks as the teen is now working for her mom as her assistant on a Broadway musical.

Jolie is working on a musical adaptation of the 1983 film The Outsiders which starred Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe.

While at the bustling airport, both Angelina and Vivienne were dressed for comfort.

A rare smiling photo: Angelina Jolie was spotted landing at JFK airport in New York City on Thursday. The Oscar-winning Gia actress was accompanied by her youngest daughter, 15-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, whom she shares with ex-husband Brad Pitt

Jolie wore a belted beige raincoat over a light gray top and slacks with shiny beige heels. Her hair was worn back and she had on tinted black glasses.

Her daughter had on blue top and black sweatpants with navy blue Converse sneakers and her honey hued hair down as she wore a black mask and carried a black bag.

Vivienne is one of six children Angelina shares with ex Pitt, whom she split from in 2016 after two years of marriage and a decade together.

They're also parents to Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, Zahara, 18, Shiloh, 17, and Vivienne's twin brother Knox. They're still battling over custody of their minor children.

Tuesday's sighting comes shortly after it was revealed that Angelina is now a lead producer on the Broadway musical adaptation of the 1983 film The Outsiders.

Not only is this her first Broadway involvement, but it is also the first time Angelina has worked on a project with Vivienne.

According to ET, Vivienne will serve as Angelina's volunteer assistant and have direct involvement with the production.

'Viv reminds me of my mother [Marcheline Bertrand] in that she isn't focused on being the center of attention but in being a support to other creatives,' the actress said in a statement to the outlet.

Just the two of us: The 48-year-old humanitarian looked unusually lighthearted. The A-lister has been spending more time with Vivienne as the teen is now working for her as her assistant on a Broadway musical

What a cast! Jolie is working on a musical adaptation of the 1983 film The Outsiders. The film starred Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell and Tom Cruise

'She's very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.'

A source dished that Vivienne 'loves musical theater' and that Angelina has been taking her to productions 'since she was a little girl.'

The musical is based on S.E. Hinton's novel and Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 coming-of-age crime drama.

That film starred a who's who of young Hollywood at the time: Tom Cruise, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, C Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio.

The musical had its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse earlier this year and a source told ET that Angelina and Vivienne 'both fell in love with the musical' when they saw it.

'Angelina and Vivienne subsequently met with S.E. Hinton, who was around Vivienne's age when she wrote the novel,' the insider claimed.

Low on glam: Jolie wore a beige raincoat over a light gray suit with shiny beige heels. Her hair was worn back and she had on tinted glasses. Her daughter had on black and blue with Converse sneakers and her hair down as she wore a black mask and carried a black bag

'As a result of seeing the show and the conversation with S.E. Hinton, Angelina was inspired to take a role as a lead producer for the upcoming launch on Broadway.'

The Broadway cast of The Outsiders and show dates have yet to be revealed.

'I hope to be able to contribute while continuing to learn from this amazing team, who I have been working with since my daughter brought me to see the show at La Jolla Playhouse,' Angelina said in a statement earlier this month.

'I can't begin to express how excited I am for this musical to make its Broadway debut and look forward to sharing this new adaptation of The Outsiders with the world.'

The synopsis for The Outsiders film reads: 'A teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group.

'When Greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio) get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding.

'Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.'

The Outsiders musical features a story by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance and Levine. It will be directed by Danya Taymor.

Needs help: This comes after Jolie asked her Instagram followers for help. She wants support for a man who has been placed in jail in Afghanistan . His crime was defending women and girls. He is Matiullah Wesa, Founder & President of @penpathvolunteers. He has launched libraries and has helped re-open closed schools in rural Afghanistan

This comes after Jolie asked her Instagram followers for help. She wants support for a man who has been placed in jail in Afghanistan.

His crime was defending women and girls.

He is Matiullah Wesa, Founder & President of @penpathvolunteers. He has launched libraries and has helped re-open closed schools in rural Afghanistan.

'@matiullah_wesa is one of many Afghan men who defend the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan,' Jolie shared.

'He opposed the decision by the Taliban to ban girls from going to school.

'Now he is in prison. Ive written a letter of support to him today. You can leave your own message @penpathvolunteers.'

She added a hashtag for Pen Path Girls Edu campaign and Release Matiullah Wesa.

His last Instagram post was in March: 'Men, women, elderly, young, everyone from every corner of the country are asking for the Islamic rights to education for their daughters. Penpath female volunteers calls for girls education and their rights to education.'
Iris Law showed off her chic sense of style as she stepped out in Milan during Fashion Week on Friday.

The model, 22, who is the daughter of Jude Law and and Sadie Frost, kept busy chatting on the phone as she strolled down the street.

She opted for a black Bardot top and dark grey cargo trousers for the casual outing.

Keeping things neutral, she wore a pair of black and grey sandals with beige socks.

Iris accessorised with silver hoop earrings and slicked her bright blonde hair back from her face.

Stylish: Iris Law showed off her chic sense of style as she stepped out in Milan during Fashion Week on Friday

Occupied: The model, 22, who is the daughter of Jude Law and and Sadie Frost , kept busy chatting on the phone as she strolled down the street

It comes as Lila Moss and Iris led the way as the next generation of Victoria's Secret models at this year's revamped runway show in New York City.

The daughter of Kate Moss, 20, and Iris stomped the streets of the Big Apple in semi-sheer mini dresses, sequin underwear and a pair of dramatic wings, reminiscent of the brand's former Angels.

Victoria's Secret made the decision to officially phase out their iconic Angels in 2021 after over two-decades of recruiting the world's top models to hit the catwalk.

However the celebrity offspring looked notably like the models who had gone before them, in their scanty lingerie and ornate gold and black wings.

Lila wore black underwear layered with a see-through shift dress, which was heavily embellished with gold beading and teamed with short cowboy boots.

Meanwhile, Iris was modelling a complementary look, sporting a silver beaded dress with black lingerie and twisting black metal wings.

This time around, audiences will be treated to a 'reimagined' feature-length show on Amazon Prime Video that focuses on 'emerging global trailblazers' instead of strictly lingerie-clad vixens.

Relaxed: She opted for a black off-the-shoulder top and dark grey cargo trousers for the casual outing

Gorgeous: Keeping things neutral, she wore a pair of black and grey sandals with beige socks

Beauty: Iris accessorised with silver hoop earrings and slicked her bright blonde hair back from her face

Happy: Iris appeared in good spirits as she strolled along the Italian streets

Victoria's Secret The Tour 2023  the first VS fashion show in four years  will begin streaming on September 26th.

Earlier this month, Victoria Secret revealed some former and recent model's who will be attending the star-studded event and also teased to 'stay tuned' to some other familiar faces which could make an appearance.

The underwear brand has launched the campaign to bring back models from the lingerie brands once-coveted Angels list alongside some newer faces.

Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge and Taylor Hill were among the Victoria's Secret veterans to attend the event celebrating the revamp.

The VS Fashion Show was cancelled four years ago after the brand adopted a more inclusive image, but executives recently revealed they planned on bringing it back this year.

In a press release, the brand stated the film will 'unite fashion, film, art and culture featuring dynamic global creatives, top supermodels, musical talent and more.'

The movie will focus on 'emerging global trailblazers from a range of artistic disciplines, creating on their own terms.'
She became a household name across the UK after winning the eighth series of Love Island, but Ekin-Su Culculoglu is hoping to win a new legion of fans after signing up for a popular US reality show.

The TV personality has joined a star-studded line-up for the second series of The Traitors US, and has already started filming.

Other contestants include Real Housewives Of Miami star Larsa Pippin, former heavyweight champion boxer Deontay Wilder, Bling Empire's Kevin Kreider, Dancing With The Stars professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Real Housewives Of Orange County regular Tamra Judge.

In a bizarre twist, former House Of Commons speaker John Bercow is also making an unexpected appearance on the widely syndicated show.

The forthcoming series will be hosted by actor Alan Cumming and is being filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands - a far cry from the Spanish Love Island villa.

New role: Ekin-Su Culculoglu is hoping to win a new legion of fans after signing up for a popular US reality show

Getting involved: The TV personality has joined a star-studded line-up for the second series of The Traitors US, and has already started filming

Much like the UK version of the hot show, contestants will be required to lie their way to a potential cash prize. Survivor star Cirie Fields walked away with a whopping $250,000 after winning its first series.

Mirroring the UK version of the show - a huge success when it aired in 2022 - the celebrities will be split into two groups, Traitors and Faithful's.

Larsa Pippen and partner Marcus Jordan's participation in the show was confirmed by People on Thursday.

The high-profile couple documented their travels on Instagram Stories as they arrived Wednesday in Scotland, where production on the series has commenced.

The premise of the reality show pits competitors against one another on daunting tasks, with some secretly looking to sabotage the others.

The concept originated on the Dutch show De Verraders; it has also been adapted for Australia and the U.K., with both versions airing on Peacock.

Its first US season, which received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program, featured 10 reality stars and 10 regular people in the cast.

The second frame of the series will only have known reality stars in the cast, according to the outlet, as filming is slated to continue for a few more weeks.

The latest: Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan have also been cast on the second season of the Peacock reality show

New arrivals: The couple documented their travels on Instagram Stories as they arrived Wednesday in Scotland, where production on the series has commenced

Ekin-Su's participation comes after she refused to confirm claims of a romantic reconciliation with former boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti.

She told The Sun: 'Leave it to the imagination. You can label it whatever you want to label it but we are enjoying each other's company and we're very happy.'

Davide added: 'We're just enjoying each other's company.'
Emily Ratajkowski looked nothing short of sensational as she flashed her black underwear beneath a semi-sheer lace dress on a morning walk with her dog.

As she stepped out with her beloved rescue dog, Colombo, and a friend, the 32-year-old supermodel left little to the imagination in her daring ensemble, which she styled with a pair of black leather boots.

While turning the sidewalk into her personal runway, the mother-of-one looked flawless as she carried a large brown paper bag in the crook of her arm.

Her pal also appeared in high spirits as she beamed by Ratajkowski's side in a bright red sweatshirt and a pair of black leggings.

Beautiful: Emily Ratajkowski looked nothing short of sensational as she flashed her black underwear beneath a semi-sheer lace dress on a morning walk with her dog

Turning heads: As she stepped out with her beloved rescue dog, Colombo, and a friend, the 32-year-old supermodel left little to the imagination in her daring ensemble, which she styled with a pair of black leather boots

Radiant: While turning the sidewalk into her personal runway, the mom-of-one looked flawless as she carried a large brown paper bag in the crook of her arm

The author's latest sighting comes just days 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 previously told Variety 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.'

In good company: Her pal also appeared in high spirits as she beamed by Ratajkowski's side in a bright red sweatshirt and a pair of black leggings

Branching out: The model previously told Variety that she viewed her podcast as a 'natural progression' in her career

Impressive: Ratajkowski produced three episodes a week and hosted various guests on her program throughout its run

Lots to discuss: 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'

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.
Hailey Bieber enjoyed a night on the town.

The 26-year-old Rhode Skin founder was seen heading to dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday with pals as her husband Justin Bieber was nowhere to be seen hours after leaving a meeting

Hailey showcased her model legs on the outing as she sported a purple top with black mini skirt combination along with white socks.

She added a bit of fashionable flare to the ensemble in the form of a black leather jacket.

Hailey accessorized with large gold earrings as she carried along a small black leather bag.

Simply stunning: Hailey Bieber was seen heading to dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday with pals as her husband Justin Bieber was nowhere to be seen hours after leaving a meeting

Her brunette tresses were worn down in a middle-part as se showcased her natural looks by wearing complementary make-up on her face.

No doubt it is a jovial time in Hailey and Justin's life as just last week they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.

The couple tied the knot at a New York City courthouse on September 13, 2018 just months after Justin's finite split from his on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez.

To honor the milestone, the Baby hitmaker, 29, penned a heartfelt Instagram tribute to his 'beloved' Hailey and shared photos from their Tokyo getaway.

'To the most precious, my beloved,' captioned Justin. '5 years. You have captivated my heart. I know from the depths of my soul down to my bones that this journey with you will only exceed our wildest expectations.

'So let's keep dreaming big baby. Cheers to forever and ever. I love you with every fiber of my being.'

He closed the caption with: 'HAPPY 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!'

In her own tribute post, Hailey included photos from their romantic trip together and the caption: '5  [HEART] I love you.'

Gorgeous gams: The 26-year-old Rhode Skin founder showcased her model legs on the outing as she sported a purple top with black mini skirt combination along with white socks

Going hell: She added a bit of fashionable flare to the ensemble in the form of a black leather jacket

Anniversary: Not seen on the outing was her husband but no doubt it is a jovial time in Hailey and Justin's life as just last week they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary

On their special day, the couple had dinner-for-two at the upscale eatery Panevia  which Justin appears to have rented out for the night.

They dined on fresh sushi and received a custom cake with white frosting, red roses and a plate with their faces draw with chocolate.

Hailey beamed beside her spouse rocking a chick black leather trench coat and a satin slip dress.

Justin sported a backwards red cap, an oversized blue button-up shirt and jeans for the occasion.

On another evening out, the married duo were dressed to the nines in stylish threads as they strolled the streets of Tokyo hand-in-hand.

Hailey shared more photos to her Instagram Story and gave Justin another 'happy anniversary' shout-out.

After saying their 'I Dos' at an NYC courthouse, Justin and Hailey hosted an elaborate ceremony the following year at Montage Palmetto Bluff hotel in South Carolina.

They were first introduced in 2009 by Hailey's father Stephen Baldwin at the premiere of Justin's documentary Never Say Never.

The pair then had a brief fling in 2016 amid his on/off decade-long romance with Selena Gomez.

Heartfelt: To honor the milestone, the Baby hitmaker, 29, penned a heartfelt tribute to his 'beloved' Hailey

The couple tied the knot at a New York City courthouse on September 13, 2018 just months after Justin's finite split from his on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez

He also shared photos from their anniversary dinner on Instagram

He told Hailey that she's 'captivated my heart' for five years

'I know from the depths of my soul down to my bones that this journey with you will only exceed our wildest expectations,' Justin wrote

'I love you with every fiber of my being,' the Grammy Award-winner gushed

When he and the Disney Channel alum, 30, finally called it quits for good in May 2018, Justin fell into Hailey's arms and they've been attached at the hip since.

The pair have spoken candidly about their relationship over the years  including their 'really tough' first year of marriage.

Speaking to GQ in 2021, Justin revealed that his and Hailey's initial difficulties stemmed from 'trauma' and 'just lack of trust.'

'There was all these things that you don't want to admit to the person that you're with, because it's scary. You don't want to scare them off by saying, 'I'm scared,'' he explained.

The Sorry hitmaker admitted during the first year of marriage he was 'on eggshells' but now he's never felt more stable.

The couple have a mutual desire for children but Hailey recently expressed concerns about raising a family in the spotlight.

'I want kids so bad but I get scared. It's enough that people say things about my husband or my friends,' she told the Sunday Times in May.

'I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child. We can only do the best we can to raise them. As long as they feel loved and safe.'

Earlier this year, the Rhode skincare founder dished that she and Justin would like to try for a family 'in the next couple of years.'

Love story: They were first introduced in 2009 by Hailey's father Stephen Baldwin at the premiere of Justin's documentary Never Say Never

From fling to fairytale: The pair then had a brief fling in 2016 amid his on/off decade-long romance with Selena Gomez

Whirlwind: When he and the Disney Channel alum, 30, finally called it quits for good in May 2018, Justin fell into Hailey's arms and they've been attached at the hip since

The couple enjoyed a romantic dinner at a Tokyo eatery

They enjoyed fresh sushi and custom confections

'You don't know how long that process [of getting pregnant] is every going to take. Definitely no kids this year, that would be a little hectic, I think,' Hailey told WSJ.

'There's this thing that happens for women when you get married. Everybody assumes it's: 'First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby,' the wife of Justin Bieber explained.

'Well, what about the things I want to accomplish in my business? I think I had it ingrained in my head that I was going to want to have kids right away and I was going to have kids super, super young. Then I turned 25 and I'm like, I'm still super, super young!'

Hailey stressed that, behind closed doors, she and Justin are 'two really normal people that just have not-normal lifestyles and careers.'

Not only is she in Japan celebrating her and Justin's anniversary but Hailey was also there to attend the opening of Tiffany & Co's Tokyo store.

She hit the red carpet on Monday night in a glamorous black gown along with actresses Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Montana Brown has revealed that she is suffering from postpartum hair loss three months after she welcomed her son Jude with her fiance Mark O'Connor.

As well as coping with hair loss and looking after her newborn, the former Love Island star, 28, is currently using a leg brace after undergoing surgery recently.

The reality star took to Instagram to reveal that she started balding after her first hair wash in days following the operation.

Sharing a photo of the small bald patch on her hairline, Montana wrote: 'Also on top of everything else postpartum.

'I washed my hair for the first time in a long time since surgery, it was so painful but worth it then I discovered I'm balding now so that's fabulous news.'

Opening-up: Montana Brown has revealed that she is suffering from postpartum hair loss three months after she welcomed her son Jude with her fiance Mark O'Connor

Health: As well as coping with hair loss and looking after her newborn, the former Love Island star, 28, is currently using a leg brace after undergoing surgery recently

Keeping positive, Montana kept her spirits high also joked: 'So now I'm a sexy bald, immobile and spotty mum.'

On Monday, Montana shared snaps of herself lying in her hospital bed told how she has been 'horizontal all day everyday' since suffering an injury which she did not specify.

She wrote: 'Long road to recovery but taking this time where I'm not mobile to focus on gratitude and trying to be present.

'A week of needing assistance to go to the toilet and being horizontal all day everyday as I'm in agony has been hard.

'But I'm v excited for recovery, getting back on my feet and getting back into my fitness as I've not been able to properly train since being pregnant. Onwards and upwards!'

Montana also shared several heartwarming snaps of herself cradling her son Jude along with one of her and Mark.

It comes after Montana was praised by social media followers after showing off her incredible postpartum figure in an orange and white bikini earlier this month.

The star took to Instagram to proudly show off her figure while enjoying a sunshine break in Marbella.

Injury: The influencer told how she has been 'horizontal all day everyday' since suffering an injury which she did not specify (pictured with fiance Mark O'Connor)

Recovery: The reality star shared snaps of herself lying in her hospital bed on Monday after her surgery

Adorable: Montana also shared several heartwarming snaps of herself cradling her son Jude along with one of her and Mark

Montana wrote: 'Long road to recovery but taking this time where I'm not mobile to focus on gratitude and trying to be present'

She captioned her post: 'Affirmation for the day: Im a hot mum'.

Montana was promptly praised for sharing an honest, unfiltered snap of herself, just seven weeks after giving birth.

She later thanked her friends, family and fans for being so kind and positive after she shared the empowering post.

She added: 'I actually have the best hype friends and community'.
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Margaret Qualley's acting career continues to take off.

The 28-year-old daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and model Paul Qualley first stood out when she flirted with Brad Pitt in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 opus Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood.

And now the brunette wonder if starring in Poor Things with Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo.

The former ingenue is also the cover girl for the October 2023 issue of Harper's Bazaar's 23 Voices issue, which is available on newsstands October 3.

In her interview the slender artist shared whether she would like children with her new husband, 39-year-old musician and producer Jack Antonoff from New Jersey.

She said that when they visited a friend who just had a baby, she looked at her spouse and said, 'What do you think?' making it seem as if little Margarets and Jacks are in her future.

Working hard: Margaret Qualley's acting career continues to take off. The brunette wonder if starring in Poor Things with Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo

Sheer ambition: The photogenic former ingenue is also the cover girl for the October 2023 issue of Harper's Bazaar's 23 Voices issue, which is available on newsstands October 3

The answer was not shared.

But Qualley made it clear that Antonoff is the man she wants to start a family with.

'I just want to do everything with Jack. One day I want kids, and I'm not there yet, and I want to keep doing movies. And that's about all I know,' said the looker.

She also gushed about Jack, who used to date Scarlett Johansson and Lena Dunham before falling for Margaret.

'I am so happy that I found my person,' Qualley told the fashion magazine.

'And it's real. It's amazing. It's the best feeling in the world. I'm so excited and so at ease all at once,' she added.

Margaret also shared that she was the one to make the first move on Antonoff when she sent him several images of herself in a wedding dress from the Fall 2021 couture show for Chanel.

'I had this huge crush on him and it was just like, "What do you think?"'

On feeling as if she's finally created a home with Antonoff: 'Until about a month before I met Jack, I never had any furniture,' she said.

'I would always have these sh***y little apartments and move around from one place to another with a mattress on the floor and an IKEA lamp.

Glamming it up: In her interview the slender artist shared whether she would like children with her new husband, 39-year-old musician and producer Jack Antonoff from New Jersey

'I never made a home at all. I didn't care; I cared about movies.

'I would use my sister's basement in L.A. as a spot to keep my things. But I didn't invest in that part of my life,' she explained.

'It's really exciting now to be making a home and to have something to care for.'

As far as her career, she is happy that the roles offered to her are 'diverse.' She explained: 'I'm getting less scripts about girlfriends and wives than actresses of my mom's generation did.'

And she hopes to develop her own projects.

To procreate or not to procreate - that is the question: She said that when they visited a friend who just had a baby, she looked at her spouse and said, 'What do you think?' making it seem as if little Margarets and Jacks are in her future

Cover star: Qualley made it clear that Antonoff is the man she wants to start a family with. 'I just want to do everything with Jack. One day I want kids, and I'm not there yet, and I want to keep doing movies. And that's about all I know,' said the looker

'I think a lot of times, if you're creating something, then a lot of the weight is on you for it to be great,' she noted.

'This is stuff I wrote in my notebook when I was 16,' she says, 'that I would make happen if I had a magic wand.'

As far as her characters, she wants them to be real.

'It has to be a human experience - to have the human experience.'

On her childhood obsession with the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, and her reaction when her mother began dating one of the film's stars, Dennis Quaid: 'I would tell my mom how much I loved The Parent Trap and be like, We should watch it. It's a really smart movie. They make a lot of good decisions in that movie.'

Not long after, MacDowell went off to shoot Dinner With Friends with Quaid. 'She comes home and she's like, 'Margaret, I know how much you love The Parent Trap'

She loves her man: She also gushed about Jack, who used to date Scarlett Johansson and Lena Dunham before falling for Margaret. 'I am so happy that I found my person,' Qualley told the fashion magazine. 'And it's real. It's amazing. It's the best feeling in the world. I'm so excited and so at ease all at once,' she added

Alpha girl: Margaret also shared that she was the one to make the first move on Antonoff when she sent him several images of herself in a wedding dress from the Fall 2021 couture show for Chanel. 'I had this huge crush on him and it was just like, "What do you think?"'

Wild times: On feeling as if she's finally created a home with Antonoff: 'Until about a month before I met Jack, I never had any furniture,' she said. 'I would always have these sh***y little apartments and move around from one place to another with a mattress on the floor and an IKEA lamp'

'And I was like, 'Yeah?' and waiting with bated breath, hoping my parents were getting back together.

'And then in walks Dennis Quaidher new boyfriend,' she recalls.

'I wasn't living in Hollywood; I was living in a normal suburban town. But then I would have these 'what in the world?' moments.'

The siren also discussed having a movie star mom: 'My mom going off to do a movie just meant she's going to leave town and go kiss some other dude and have a pretend life that I'm not involved in.'

Her mom Andie - star of St Elmo's Fire and Four Weddings And A Funeral - spoke to the magazine as well: 'She put this enormous pressure on herself,' Andie said of Margaret.

The man behind the music: Antonoff is seated with his head turned toward the camera as he wears glasses

'I think she's working on relaxing and having more fun. I think she's conscious of the fact that she is very driven, and she's smart enough to recognize that there are other things in life.

'I think that's something that she has to be conscious of because she always wants to do a great job. She will give everything to whatever she's doing because that's just who she is.'

'She's done work that I wouldn't have done at her age because I didn't have the balls to do it, or the guts, or also, I think, the freedom,' MacDowell then said.

'If there's anything I wanted to give my kids, it's freedom, because I think I grew up being fearful of shamethe shame of embarrassing myself or of my body.

'And I don't think she carries that with her. She doesn't worry about what other people are going to think about her or her work.'
Katie Price has revealed she lashed out at two girls in a supermarket after they yelled offensive language at her.

Speaking on her podcast The Katie Price Show, the TV personality recounted the experience as she revealed she was called a 's**g' by the girls.

Joined by her co-host sister Sophie, 33, the two women were asked if they have had any bad experiences while out and about in public.

Katie then recalled: 'I was in my local supermarket, Tesco, and I was with Bunny and Princess...minding my own business.

'I walked past these two girls with their young kid and one shouted out "you're a s***!"

Abuse: Katie Price revealed she hit back after she was a called a 's**g' by girls in the supermarket

Honest: Speaking on her podcast The Katie Price Show, the TV personality known for her extensive aesthetic procedures, recounted the experience as she revealed she was called a 's**g' by the girls

Shocked, Sophie gasped: 'Really?' while Katie replied: 'Yeah you're a s***!'

Sophie couldn't believe that even in today's society women were still using these terms to label women.

'Even nowadays people are still dong that?,' Sophie asked.

Responding to the girls, Katie explained: 'I turned around and I said: "Excuse me? What did you say?"

'You don't even f***ing know me. Come here and say it to me face then.'

She continued: 'I was fuming! I said, "How dare you say that when I have got kids here. You don't know nothing about me. You've got no right to call me s***. You don't even know me".'

In the same episode Katie seemingly made a thinly-veiled swipe at her ex-husband Peter Andre after storming out of a film that reminded her of him.

The former glamour model revealed that she took her kids to see a film about Greek Weddings, but walked out after just 10 minutes, branding it 'boring'.

'Come here and say it to me face then': Responding to the girls, Katie explained: 'I turned around and I said: "Excuse me? What did you say?" 'You don't even f***ing know me'

Past relationships: In the same episode Katie seemingly made a thinly-veiled swipe at her ex-husband Peter Andre after storming out of a film that reminded her of him (pictured together in 2009)

Happier times: Katie herself had a big Greek wedding of sorts back in 2005 when she tied the knot with Peter, 50 - who is of Greek-Cypriot descent - before splitting four years later (pictured on their wedding day)

Katie herself had a big Greek wedding of sorts back in 2005 when she tied the knot with Peter, 50 - who is of Greek-Cypriot descent - before splitting four years later.

And the star clearly didn't appreciate being reminded of her first wedding after watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, as she sniped: 'Been there, done that!'

She said on the podcast: 'We went and watched Big Fat Greek Wedding part 3. But I started watching it and thought get me out of here.

'It just reminded me of times where you know one Greek says "oh Im related to such and such" and they are like "you must be my cousin then, or my third cousin, or you are married to my great great oooo we are family".'

She continued: 'I was like I dont need to see all this, I have been there, done that.

'And we were all bored of it so ten minutes in we went back to the ticket desk and said so sorry we just found it boring, can we watch another one.'

Peter, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Katie since their split in 2019, is proud of his Greek-Cypriot heritage and even told this year how he's trying to teach his kids Greek to speak to their family.
Lisa Marie Presley's estate is being sued by an investment and private lending company for $3.8 million after the late star allegedly failed to pay off a 2018 loan.

Lisa Marie died on January 12 2023 aged 54 from the small bowel obstruction caused by previous weight-loss surgery - with opioids found in her blood at the time of her death.

In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Naussany Investments & Private Lending, LLC have claimed Presley first took out the loan in May 2018 - putting up her ownership stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland as collateral.

It is not known why Presley took out the loan.

The company also alleges Presley borrowed $450,000 in July 2016 - with the loan repaid in full the next month.

Court drama: Lisa Marie Presley's estate is being sued by an investment and private lending company for $3.8 million after the late star allegedly failed to pay off a 2018 loan (Lisa Marie pictured January 10 - two days before her death)

Family: Her death sparked a dispute between daughter Riley Keough, 34 and mom Priscilla Presley over ownership of the estate ( pictured together in 2015

Per a letter signed by the late star, Presley agreed to pay off the $3.8million loan in full by May 16 2022 - but NIPL's attorneys claims they had no contact with Presley after March 2022, despite allegedly attempting to contact her and collect the debt numerous times.

NIPL have agreed to drop the case if Presley's estate - which is now controlled by her daughter Riley Keough - repays 75 per cent of the loan ($2.85million) within 45 days.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Riley Keough for comment.

It is the latest legal wrangle involved the late star's estate.

Her death sparked a dispute between Keough, 34 and Priscilla over ownership of the estate.

In a recently-signed settlement Priscilla agreed - in exchange for $1.4 million plus an undisclosed sum for ten years - to relinquish control of her late daughter's Promenade Trust, leaving Riley, star of TV's Daisy Jones and the Six, as sole trustee.

The agreement between Priscilla and Riley settled a reported feud between the two sparked when, only two weeks after Lisa Marie's death in January, Priscilla filed a legal challenge to her daughter's will - which had taken control of her wealthy Promenade Trust away from Priscilla and given it to Riley.

Loan: In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Naussany Investments & Private Lending, LLC have claimed Presley first took out the loan in May 2018 - putting up her ownership stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland as collateral (pictured 2015)

NIPL have agreed to drop the case if Presley's estate - which is now controlled by her daughter Riley Keough - repays 75 per cent of the loan ($2.85million) within 45 days (pictured 2017)

Riley was said to be furious when her grandmother went to court to protest the will.

But in her motion to seal, Priscilla nixed the notion of a feud and said she had fired the lawyers who filed her petition disputing the will.

'My January 2023 petition was misconstrued in the press as a "fight" over my beloved daughter's Trust,' she wrote. 'That was not the intent. The petition was filed by a law firm who has since been terminated.

'I filed the petition to resolve all potential uncertainty surrounding the interpretation of the Promenade Trust.

'My daughter's passing was both devastating and heartbreaking.

'We have learned that the fans realize that we are "Just A Family". Elvis would be proud and his and Lisa's wishes are what are most important to all of us.

'My grand-daughter, through her own counsel, along with my team, worked diligently and tirelessly to resolve all misunderstandings as a family.'

Riley also agrees with sealing the private financial arrangement she has made with her grandmother - which includes paying Priscilla a certain amount (redacted in the court document) 'per year for 10 years or life' as a special advisor to the trust, plus $1 million and $300,000 - $400,00 in legal fees.

Their settlement also grants Priscilla's wish to be buried at Graceland, Elvis' home in Memphis, Tennessee.

Tragedy: Lisa's son Benjamin died by suicide in 2020 at age 27 (pictured 2015)

In the interview Priscilla denied Riley and her were ever on bad terms, adding it was the 'right' decision that Riley should be executor of her estate - and that the pair were having dinner together that night.

She said Riley 'knows' that she is there to help her and wants the assistance.

Last month an L.A. County Coroner report revealed Lisa Marie died from sequelae (a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury) of small bowel obstruction.

The bowel obstruction was in the form of strangulated small bowel, caused by adhesions that developed after bariatric surgery (stomach stapling) many years prior.

The toxicology results also show Lisa had 'therapeutic' levels of Oxycodone in her blood, with a second opioid Buprenorphine - which is used to treat opioid dependence - also found.

There were also traces of Quetiapine, an antipsychotic drug, reported TMZ.

The coroner states there was no 'drug paraphernalia or narcotics' found at her home and her urine toxicology screen was negative.

The report confirms Lisa had a cosmetic procedure a few months before her death and was prescribed opioids, with the star having a history of 'overmedicating' - forgetting she had taken her medication and then taking them again.

The reports also states the star had a 'history of alcohol and drug abuse.'

Lisa Marie welcomed daughter Riley and son Benjamin with ex-husband Danny Keough - who she was married to from 1988 to 1994. Benjamin died by suicide in 2020 at age 27.

She welcomed twin daughters Harper and Finley in 2008 with then-husband Michael Lockwood, but the pair divorced in 2016.

Lisa Marie's life was tumultuous, with five stints in rehab for cocaine and opioid abuse four failed marriages - including one to Michael Jackson - as well as losing her son to suicide and a fierce custody battle over her twin girls with an ex-husband she falsely accused of having child pornography

Sources told TMZ that Lisa Marie was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her housekeeper and that her ex-husband, Danny Keough, who she has been living with, performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Lisa Marie was trying to lose weight for the Elvis awards season and was even taking opioids in the weeks before her death.

The star underwent plastic surgery two months before the Golden Globes and lost up to 50 pounds as part of a strict regimen.

Lisa Marie had previously struggled with an addiction to opioids after she was given a short-term prescription during her recovery from the birth of her twin daughters, Harper Vivienne and Finley in 2008.

By 2013, she was heavily abusing cocaine and checked into rehab at least five times.

Daughters: The star was also mom to twin girls Finley and Harper Vivienne, 14, with ex husband Michael Lockwood (pictured 2017)

Famous family: Lisa is seen as a baby with father Elvis Presley and mom Priscilla

Ex: The star is seen with ex husband Michael Lockwood in 2015

She was believed to have been sober in recent years, but following her son's death her ex-husband Michael Lockwood said he feared she could relapse.

As a teenager, she rebelled with drugs from the age of 13 to 17, but her mother put her into The Castle, a Scientology center in Hollywood, to get her off drugs.

'I did everything but mushrooms and heroin or crack,' she said.

'Cocaine, sedatives, pot, and drinking  all at the same time... I don't know how I lived through it.

'I woke up one day with a bunch of people on the floor. I drove myself to the Church of Scientology and said: 'Somebody... help me right now.'

For a time it worked, and Lisa Marie said she was drug-free from the age of 17.
Exp4ndables (15, 103 minutes)

Rating:

Dumb Money (15, 105 minutes)

Rating:

The smartest thing about the new Expendables movie, the fourth in the ever-creakier series, might be the title.

As you can see, they have ingeniously replaced the A with a 4. Apart from that, I'm tempted to say that it's lament4bly predict4ble stuff.

The last time the Expendables rolled into town, they did so literally. I was at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 when, to promote Expendables 3, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Harrison Ford and co rumbled along the Croisette in a pair of decommissioned Soviet tanks, waving stiffly to the crowd.

The smartest thing about the new Expendables movie, the fourth in the ever-creakier series, might be the title

Everyone there recognised that Libya currently has enough problems without being a cliche in a daft action movie

I recall Ford lowering himself rather gingerly out of one, his single hoop earring an almost perfect demonstration of what you might call artificial hip.

He doesn't appear in this one; maybe he exhausted himself playing Indiana Jones one last time. Nor does Schwarzenegger.

But Lundgren is back, along with that mighty old trouper Stallone, again playing Barney Ross, superannuated leader of a bunch of craggy-faced mercenaries whose idea of problem-solving is to slaughter everyone in sight and ask questions later.

Barney does things the old-fashioned way. He's Barney the dinosaur.

Unfortunately, during another kind of barney  spoiler alert!  he meets his maker. This happens during a firefight in a military compound in Libya, and while the filmmakers can hardly be blamed, there was some muttering at Cineworld Leicester Square when the location flashed up on screen.

Dumb Money is much more engaging, a slick account of the financial imbroglio that erupted at the height of the pandemic, involving the video-game retailer GameStop

Director Craig Gillespie treats a serious true story with an appealingly light touch, rather like he did with his own enjoyable 2017 film I, Tonya, and like Adam McKay did in The Big Short (2015)

Everyone there recognised that Libya currently has enough problems without being a cliche in a daft action movie.

Anyway, the story has barely got going and Barney is seemingly dead and buried, with a wrecked aircraft and lots of rocks on top of him. He's Barney rubble.

So that means someone else taking over the crew and hunting down the bad guy (Iko Uwais) who is not only responsible for Barney's demise but also  with depressing inevit4bility  has a nuclear device in his clutches that could, yes, kick off World War III.

The natural choice as replacement leader is Barney's big mate, the tinselly-named SAS veteran Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), but he loses the gig to his on-off girlfriend Gina (Megan Fox), a formidable mercenary in her own right whose mascara and lipstick can survive any battle unscathed.

Gina's a cosmetic miracle, appointed by the group's new overall boss (Andy Garcia). He is a shady character with a curious habit of sucking toothpicks while talking, like Kojak with his lollipops for those old enough to remember.

Still taken from the film Dumb Money (2023) starring Nick Offerman and Seth Rogan

Not a merry Christmas at all, Lee is left behind in New Orleans as the nonsense moves to a huge rusty cargo ship somewhere in the Indian Ocean, where the baddie is holed up with his deadly nuclear device and a small army of swarthy thugs.

They, of course, are the film's true expendables, there only to exclaim 'Yaaarggh' or 'Bleurrrgh' as they take a bullet to the stomach or a knife to the jugular.

That is what happens when Gina and the others parachute onboard, but only for so long, because they're soon all captured.

Fortunately, as you'll have guessed, all their Christmases then arrive at once.

Well, only one Christmas, Lee, but there might as well be loads of them because behind his permanent grimace he's a one-man war machine, who has never met a posse of killers without finding a motorbike equipped with machine-guns (there's at least one on every rusty cargo ship) to wipe them all out.

Lee does, in truth, have a very useful new sidekick in the form of Barney's old pal Decha (the Thai martial arts star Tony Jaa).

But all he really needs is his own set of unsurpassable fighting skills, and the brainpower to work out who might be 'Ocelot'. Did I mention Ocelot? He (or she) is the film's real villain, a scoundrel hiding in plain sight who for years has plotted to undermine Barney and friends. Will you be gripped by any of this, or care about the identity of Ocelot? Not a lot.

Dumb Money is much more engaging, a slick account of the financial imbroglio that erupted at the height of the pandemic, involving the video-game retailer GameStop, a small-scale Massachusetts investor called Keith Gill (Paul Dano) who thought the company's stock undervalued, and hedge-fund titans played here by Seth Rogen, Vincent D'Onofrio, Nick Offerman and Sebastian Stan.

Director Craig Gillespie treats a serious true story with an appealingly light touch, rather like he did with his own enjoyable 2017 film I, Tonya, and like Adam McKay did in The Big Short (2015). He is well served by a raft of fine performances, especially from Dano.

As Gill  whose online pseudonym is Roaring Kitty  he astounds himself and his supportive wife (Shailene Woodley) by kick-starting a phenomenon known as a 'short squeeze'.

He inspires small-beer investors to buy GameStop stock, becoming a multi-millionaire in the process and wiping billions off the worth of the arrogant Wall Street fat cats whose nickname for Gill and his ilk is 'dumb money'.

Also showing...

The Lesson (15, 103 mins)

Rating:

Strange Way Of Life (15, 31 mins)

Rating:

Angelheaded Hipster (12, 99 mins)

Rating:

There have been some marvellous films these last few years about plagiarism and literary hoaxes, such as The Wife (2017) and Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018).

Sadly, The Lesson is not one of them. Alice Troughtons film is an overheated, overly theatrical melodrama starring Richard E. Grant as J.M. Sinclair, a prissy, self-important novelist, supposedly Britains most revered writer.

He, his wife Helene (Julie Delby) and their surviving son Bertie (Stephen McMillan) live in dysfunctional grandeur in a large country house, at which a young tutor, Liam (Daryl McCormack), arrives to guide the boy through his Oxford University entrance exams.

From there it becomes a dark tale of jealousy and literary pilfering, complicated by Liams hero-worship of Sinclair, and with the shadow of Berties brothers suicide hanging over them all.

McCormack is very good, compounding the impression he made as the male escort in last years Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.

And theres a striking score by Isobel Waller-Bridge. But (and I do know not everyone agrees) Grant is such a thumping ham that, perhaps aptly for a story about plagiarism, I didnt believe a word of it.

I saw , a short Western by the great Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, at Cannes this year. We all filed reverentially into the cinema, and barely half an hour later filed just as reverentially out. Its a sweet, mournful, exquisitely acted story, about a gay sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and his former lover (Pedro Pascal), who meet up again after 25 years. Its in cinemas next Monday for one night only.

Hard on the platform heels of last weeks drama Bolans Shoes comes a documentary, Angelheaded Hipster, about the music of Marc Bolan and T-Rex. It follows artists such as Nick Cave and U2 recording covers of Bolans songs, interviews admirers such as Elton John and Ringo Starr, and delves deep into the archives to show fabulous footage of the man himself, described by Sir Elton as the pioneer of glam rock and by Cave as a better lyricist even than Bolans big pal David Bowie.

Since the first record I bought as a kid was Telegram Sam in 1972, I lapped all this up. And if youre of similar vintage, so will you.
The Fendi catwalk shows are always one of the most exciting and glamorous events of the entire fashion season.

For years the Italian fashion house has sent the biggest supermodels of the day down the catwalk, as well as pumped its front row full of the starriest celebrities.

This week its spring/summer 2024 collection was no exception. Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cara Delevingne, Demi Moore and Naomi Watts were among the mix of high fashion and Hollywood royalty in attendance.

Not to mention Kate Moss, who bowled up with partner Nikolai von Bismarck, sending social media into meltdown after it was presumed the couple had gone their separate ways. So far, so Fendi.

But there was also something else afoot this time around - and that was the clothes they were wearing. Because if you look closely at the outfits worn by those on the front row - including actresses Demi Moore and Christina Ricci and model Amber Valletta - you'll notice many of them were in next season's designs. In other words, the exact clothes the design house was about to unveil on the catwalk.

This signals a real switch in how fashion brands are working their celebrity front rows (Frows); pushing them harder than ever before.

Linda Evangelista, Naomi Watts, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Ricci, Amber Valletta, Demi Moore, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Nikolai von Bismarck attend the Fendi Spring Summer 2024 fashion show on September 20

If you look closely at the outfits worn by those on the front row - including actresses Demi Moore and Christina Ricci and model Amber Valletta - you'll notice many of them were in next season's designs

Though celebrity Frows have always garnered as much attention as the actual catwalk show itself, once upon a time celebrities who were invited to sit centre stage would be dressed in the brand's current season, thereby igniting demand for the designer's in-store clothes.

So why put them in next season's outfits? Easy. It's a genius way of shoring up demand for future collections and thus creating a more stable economic forecast with a deluge of pre-orders. Because if there's one thing fashion loves more than the buzz of the new, it's stylish celebrities wearing the new new.

Celebrities on the front row have always been an essential part of any designer's marketing playbook with most brands having a VIP or talent manager to coordinate such things.

This is because celebrities are more important in influencing public appetite and shifting clothes than the fashion editors and buyers who sit alongside them. (Demi Moore immediately showed off her and Amber Valletta's Fendi looks to her 4.8 million Instagram followers.)

The reality, however, is you need all three: celebrities to ignite the dream; the Press to sell the dream over a longer period; and buyers so you can actually sell the collection in store.

READ MORE: Fendi Milan Fashion Week show draws a VERY star-studded front row from supermodels to Hollywood stars Advertisement

Designers will usually have around 100 front-row seats to allocate.

And it's a bitter scrum for every one of those seats. Editors-in-chief will battle it out with one another for a golden ticket; the biggest influencers will hustle hard to make sure they make the grade, while buyers from the biggest retailers, such as Yoox's Alison Loehnis, who oversees luxury sites Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter and The Outnet, will ensure they have good enough seats to see the collections clearly.

But it's the 15 or so seats slap bang in the middle that are reserved especially for celebrities.

And who those celebrities are, as well as how they behave while in the front row, is crucial for the design house.

Firstly, celebrity Frows ideally need to get on, since they will be sitting cheek by jowl. (Trust me, those seats are minuscule!) This is so that photographers can capture the 'power gang' in one easy shot, just before the lights go down and the show begins.

If the celebrities on the front row are naturally friends, as is the case with the majority of Fendi's guests, it adds an extra frisson of excitement and gossip.

How those celebrities get those seats is, of course, a complex and sometimes sharp-elbowed tale. Up-and-coming stars (as well as has-beens) understand the power and currency of being photographed on the right front row and will get their agent to lobby hard for a golden ticket. (I have witnessed several 'do you know who I am?' moments at London Fashion Week.)

Dame Anna Wintour, Vogue Global Editor at Large Hamish Bowles and Rachel Weisz attend the Burberry Spring Summer 2024

Joel Edgerton, Christine Centenera, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham attend the Burberry Spring Summer 2024

Benedetta Porcaroli, Anas Demoustier, Vincent Cassel, Scarlett Johansson, Wes Anderson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Watson, Amanda Gorman, Hunter Schafer and Letitia Wright attend the Prada Spring/Summer 2024

Usually, however, the relationship is based on a genuine friendship with the brand's artistic director, such as Harry Styles had with former Gucci artistic director, Alessandro Michele; an historic friendship with the brand such as Rachel Weisz has with Burberry; or an ongoing relationship with both brand and designer.

I know celebrities and socialites who tip up to a major brand's show because they are simply 'looked after' by the brand throughout the year in the form of gifted clothes and bags or invitations to dinners and events. With some brands, an exchange of money is also not out of the question.

Fendi's starriest of Frows is most probably a mix of old and new friends. Naomi Campbell, for example, is both a friend of Fendi's artistic director, Kim Jones, as well as the face of the brand. Thus, attendance at all fashion shows would almost certainly be written into her contract.

Christina Ricci, meanwhile, appears to be a relatively new friend who has worn Jones's designs to both the Emmys and this year's Met Gala.

What is clear is that the 50-year old Jones has one of the starriest little black books in all of fashion.

The British designer is an alumnus of Central Saint Martins in London and led Louis Vuitton menswear for over seven years, as well as Dior Homme, prior to joining Fendi in 2020, where he took over from Karl Lagerfeld.

As such, he not only knows everyone (and is loved by everyone for his fun and down-to-earth personality) but also understands the power dynamic between fashion and celebrity.

Jones has known most of the 1990s supermodels for years and has regularly worked with Demi Moore, even casting her in his debut Fendi couture collection in January 2021.

(To understand the complicated nature of fashion networks, the pair actually met when Nikolai von Bismarck photographed Moore for a Dior book back in 2019, where she wore one of Kim Jones's menswear tuxedos.)

Kylie Kardashian is spotted as a model walks the runway at the Prada fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour (centre) and former British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful (right) attend the Emporio Armani fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week

Bella Thorne (centre) is seen on the front row of the Roberto Cavalli fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023/2024 on February 22

Other designers flex their celebrity Frows in much the same way. At this week's London Fashion Week, Burberry's artistic director, Daniel Lee, like Jones a graduate of Central Saint Martins, made sure he had a front row that was arguably more attention-grabbing than the clothes he put on the catwalk.

Rather than just 15 celebrity seats, a Burberry insider reveals the brand dressed around 100 VIPs - everyone from actress Jodie Comer to musician Damon Albarn and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley - who turned up to support the designer.

While most were dressed head-to-toe in Burberry's current collection - Lee's first for the brand - Kylie Minogue and Rachel Weisz were both in next season Burberry.

Not since Christopher Bailey - Burberry's creative director between 2004 to 2018 and at the time one of the most well-connected men in fashion - has Burberry's front row attracted so many stars willing to showcase the brand.

Even Anna Wintour, who famously wears her own clothes to every show, wore a Burberry dress - again from next year's spring/summer collection.

Whether any of the starry front rows at Paris Fashion Week next week will follow Burberry's and Fendi's lead and dress their front row in next season designs remains to be seen.

But I wouldn't be surprised if the VIP managers at Dior, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent are at this very minute couriering spring/summer 2024 outfits to their starriest guests.
Nicki Minaj shared the alleged audio recording of an anonymous call made to Child Protective Services about an incident reportedly involving her family.

On Thursday, the 40-year-old rapper posted audio of an unknown individual seemingly claiming to have witnessed a man 'who could possibly be drunk' with her child in their arms to her Instagram account.

The caller - who appeared to be female - said in the call that Minaj kept telling the man to put their little one down.

'I don't know if he's trying to leave with the kid, but she's trying to talk him out of it' the caller speculated.

The caller then claimed that despite the star residing in a 'gated community' that the man she was speaking to had 'a shotgun.'

Disturbing: Nicki Minaj shared the alleged audio recording of an anonymous call made to Child Protective Services about an incident reportedly involving her family

Speaking out: On Thursday, the 40-year-old rapper posted audio of an unknown individual seemingly claiming to have witnessed a man 'who could possibly be drunk' with her child in their arms to her Instagram account

The brief recording did not mention by their names but Minaj and her husband had their home searched by police, in June, after someone claimed that the couple's three-year-old son was being abused.

According to TMZ, officers from the LA Sheriff's Department arrived about 6 p.m. on June 10 and visited with the Good Form artist and her husband, Kenneth Petty, 51.

After examining the boy, they determined the toddler was safe.

Nicki has shared a few photos of her son, whom she refers to as Papa Bear, with her fans, but keeps him out of the public eye.

She and her husband have not yet revealed his name.

While speaking about the CPS call to her 226 million Instagram followers as well as another recent swatting incident at her Los Angeles mansion, which involved someone falsely reporting a fire at her residence, Minaj said: '2 times my home was surrounded by large guns.'

'This person wanted a family with a 2 year old to be shot at. Yet, nothing on any blog,' she captioned her post. 'This same person made a false claim to CPS.'

Family: Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, share a three-year-old son, whose name has not been revealed

While speaking about the CPS call to her 226 million Instagram followers as well as another recent swatting incident at her Los Angeles mansion, which involved someone falsely reporting a fire at her residence, Minaj said: '2 times my home was surrounded by large guns'

Dangerous: Later on her Instagram Story, the ten-time Grammy nominee marveled at how 'swatting a home with a baby isn't a felony'

The mother-of-one continued: 'When you have snitches in high places of the music industry who dont want you to win but realize they cant stop you because Gods anointing in my life is very real.'

'Funny how this person hasnt been found, mentioned, arrested, nada,' she concluded of the mater.

Later on her Instagram Story, the ten-time Grammy nominee marveled at how 'swatting a home with a baby isn't a felony.'

She also reminded the world that her toddler is 'a child who's done nothing to anyone but bring joy.'

Her posts come after the Central District of California Court ordered her husband to strap on a home-monitoring device and serve 120 days of house arrest for threatening Offset via social media on September 16 - according to THR.

The 45-year-old Queens native's public threats - which included 'you gonna be planning your funeral p****' - violated the terms of his probation stemming from failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California in 2020.

Doting mom: Later on her Instagram Story, the ten-time Grammy nominee marveled at how 'swatting a home with a baby isn't a felony'

Her little one: She also reminded the world that her toddler is 'a child who's done nothing to anyone but bring joy'

'Can't call the cops everything you flop. Just saying,' she captioned a third Instagram Story

Petty - who was joined in the viral video by group of men - previously served a combined 11 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl in 1995 and shooting a man to death in 2002.

'We gonna get you n****. We know where you at, what's up? Let's go. Let's talk, p**** a** n****,' the so-called 'music industry professional' taunted outside a Manhattan hotel.

'Nobody hiding around here man. We outside. We ready, n****. I run this s*** n**** keep playing with me. Let's play man, y'all wanna play? It's all fun and games until we wanna play too...That whole gang can suck a d***...Up North I had you scared boy!'

The 31-year-old Georgia rapper reportedly responded at the time with a video implying Kenneth was broke: 'I'm getting off a jet. He's funny.'
Jack Osbourne has weighed in on the Russell Brand controversy as further women come forward to share their alleged sexual assault accounts against the comedian.

The reality personality, 37, broke his silence on the claims during an interview on Talk TV with Piers Morgan with the rest of his family in an interview for Uncensored where he called his friend's actions 'vulgar, outrageous and crazy'.

Jack, who recently married his wife Aree Gearhart, said: 'We've all [the Osbourne family] known Russell going on 20 years, and you like to sit there and say no.

'He's done some vulgar, outrageous, crazy things but you never want to assume that someone you know and is a friend or an acquaintance is capable of that.'

Russell was accused of rape and sexual assault after an investigation by the The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches brought to light a number of claims accusing him of abusive and predatory behaviour, including rape and sexual assault.

Breaking his silence: Jack Osbourne has weighed in on the Russell Brand controversy as further women come forward to share their alleged sexual assault accounts against the comedian

Serious: Russell was accused of rape and sexual assault after an investigation by the The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches brought to light a number of claims accusing him of abusive and predatory behaviour , including rape and sexual assault

Addressing his audience on YouTube on Friday ahead of the documentary's release the comedian vehemently denied the allegations, stating all his relationships were consensual.

Using Danny Masterson as a comparison, Jack said: 'But you, we've got to see, we saw it with the Danny Masterson situation. I was a personal friend of Danny's. I've been to his house, I'd played poker with him. I actually knew some of the victims and so that story was like, "Oh my God".'

The American actor was jailed for 30 years earlier this month for raping two women.

Jack continued: 'When you know someone and then they get found guilty. It definitely shakes your foundations, because you never know what goes on behind closed doors.'

In the same interview, his mother Sharon also weighed in on the conversation surrounding the allegations.

Sharon discussed Russell's historic spars with Rod Stewart and Bob Geldof over his relationships with their daughters, Sharon's comments about Rod coming in light of her friendship with his daughter Kimberley.

She said: 'The only thing I can say about Russell Brand, is the two things I dont like, was when he spoke about one of them is a very good friend of ours, Kimberley Stewart, about what he had done to Kimberley Stewart in front of [Rod]...

'And then he did the same with Sir Bob Geldof You just don't do that to people's families, when that father is in the room. He's done it twice now and that's the thing that sticks with me.'

Hard: Jack explained: 'He's done some vulgar, outrageous, crazy things but you never want to assume that someone you know and is a friend or an acquaintance is capable of that'

Honest: Jack said: 'When you know someone and then they get found guilty. It definitely shakes your foundations, because you never know what goes on behind closed doors'

In 2006, Russell was called out by a furious Sir Rod at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards after telling the audience he had slept with model Kimberly.

The comedian, now 48, whose reported behaviour occurred between 2006 and 2013 at the height of his fame, locked horns at the event.

When taking to the stage at the bash to collect his gong Russell made a crude remark saying: 'Here's to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising... But then again I did have a go on his daughter'.

When Sir Rod, now 78, collected his own trophy he made a point of blasting Russell for his comment. Addressing him directly, the Maggie May hitmaker said: 'You went with my daughter, did you? Russell, stand up.'

The comedian then seemingly lost all his bravado and could be heard sheepishly mumbling: 'I took her out for one evening'.

A fuming Rod asked if Russell had behaved himself on said evening with the former Big Brother host backtracking and saying: 'I never touched that girl'.

Outrage: In 2006, Russell was called out by a furious Sir Rod at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards after telling the audience he had slept with model Kimberly

Shocking: When taking to the stage at the bash to collect his gong Russell made a crude remark saying: 'Here's to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising... But then again I did have a go on his daughter'

'F***ing right you didn't' Rod snapped, 'You mustn't come up here and boast. I speak here as a father.' Rod - who has eight children in total - shares Kimberly, now 44, and son Sean, 43, with ex-wife Alana, 78.

Rod later told the Evening Standard: '[Russell] might be a bit of a player but he shouldn't boast. I never did. Russell's been a bit timid since I had my say.'

Another woman has come forward saying that Brand allegedly exposed himself to her in an office where he was recording a radio show - before appearing to joke about the encounter on air.

The woman, named as 'Olivia' to protect her identity, claims she worked in a building that also hosted the BBC's Los Angeles office in 2008, where the comedian is said to have pre-recorded an edition of his BBC Radio 2 programme on June 16 that year.

She alleged that she answered the door to Brand and his team before going to the bathroom to get some medication, and claims that Brand followed her into the room before making lewd remarks and exposing himself.
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Kanye West and his new 'wife' Bianca Censori caused a major frenzy while shopping in the tourist-heavy Via dei Calzaiuoli in Florence, Italy on Thursday afternoon.

West, 46, went into photographer mode as he directed the busty bombshell, 28, as she posed with excited locals in another one of her daring nude looks.

Surrounded by adoring fans, Censori showed off her sensational figure in a skintight leotard styled with sheeny pantyhose and pointy kitten heels.

Between takes, West stopped to adjust the Yeezy architect's flesh-flashing outfit to ensure the best possible shot on his iPhone.

Two weeks earlier, the couple sparked major controversy in the city of Venice after they were caught putting on a graphic display in the back of a river taxi.

DailyMail.com exclusively reported at the time that police were investigating the couple over the 'disrespectful' incident that included West exposing his bare buttocks in public as Censori curiously knelt before him with her head in his lap.

Frenzy: Kanye West and his new 'wife' Bianca Censori caused a major frenzy while on Via dei Calzaiuoli in Florence, Italy on Thursday afternoon

Say cheese! West, 45, went into photographer mode as he directed the busty bombshell, 28, and snapped photos of her on his iPhone

Perfection: Between takes, West stopped to adjust the Yeezy architect's flesh-flashing outfit to ensure the best possible shot

Censori was surrounded by adoring fans

For Thursday afternoon, Censori had her cropped brunette tresses were slicked back and tucked behind her ears.

As for makeup, the natural beauty sported a sexy smokey eyeshadow look with a glossy nude lip and plenty of luminous bronzer.

The Australian stunner looked totally in her element with one hand on her hip as her husband snapped away on his iPhone.

She carried a unique snail-shaped Braccialini handbag made of antique gold hardware and dark green leather that retails for a whopping $2,035.

West concealed the majority of his face with a long-sleeve shirt that he tied into a mask that only exposed his eyes.

The Flashing Light's rapper was clad in all-black including a baggy T-shirt, pants and Yeezy sneakers.

After getting countless photos on the street, West eagerly ushered Censori into the Graziella Braccialini store  which is a luxury brand founded in Florence, Italy that's famous for its leather goods.

Though they were accompanied by security, West acted as his wife's personal category during the short walk to the storefront.

Once inside, the A-list couple were greeted by the staff of Graziella Braccialini and given a tour of the luxury leather brand's latest selections.

Censori was instantly driven to an ornate gold purse shaped like the sun with a shiny gold chainlink strap.

West also proved to be fond of the eye-catching item as he made Censori stop to pose with it near one of the lit up display cases.

Censori also checked out an adorable reptile-shaped bag that had a funky cartoonish look that she seemed to get a kick out of.

West and Censori have been on a grand tour of Europe this month, which began with their controversial trip to Venice, Italy.

The couple made headlines across the globe as West was photographed exposing his bare backside on a boat while Censori was seen kneeling in front of him.

In other images the American rapper was seen seated at the back of a river taxi while Censori nestled her head in his lap.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that police in the lagoon city had identified the driver of the river taxi they were on.

It was said that he would be questioned in the days following the incident about what exactly he saw on the boat and police are also asking for photographers to hand over the images that went around the world.

A Venice police source said: 'There are standards of public decorum that have to be followed by tourists and locals alike and any breaches are severely punished.

'The images of West with his trousers down while in a taxi as he and his partner crossed the lagoon were seen all over the globe.

'You could clearly see his trousers were half down and we have received complaints from people who witnessed it. Now we have identified the driver of the boat and we will be asking him what he saw as well.

'The images show the couple clearly in a state of intimacy and if the local prosecutor decides to press charges then we will notify the couple, most probably through the relevant embassies.

'The offence being investigated is acts contrary to public decency which is punishable by an administrative sanction.'

Venetian officials have also expressed outrage - hardly surprising considering the city issues fines for infractions like swimming in the canals, open air picnics and sprawling on the steps of public buildings.

Elisabetta Pesce, councillor for public security in Venice, told MailOnline: 'Without any shadow of doubt what we saw from the couple was a lack of respect for Venice, which is the most enchanting city in the world.'

A source close to the city's mayor Luigi Brugnaro said :'By chance the monthly meeting on public security is imminent and this sort of behaviour will be discussed.

'Venice is famous for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world and we expect tourists to maintain a respectable level of decency when visiting.

'These public acts of spectacle are not what we or the millions of tourists who come here each year wish to see and we take a very dim view of it.

Flesh-flashing: She trotted along the stone street in another one of her daring looks

She showed off her sensational figure in a skintight nude leotard styled with sheeny pantyhose and pointy kitten heels

The couple looked very much in love as they collaborated on the impromptu shoot

Monochrome: Ye was clad in all-black

Feminine: Censori's leotard is styled with sheeny pantyhose and pointy kitten heels

Though they were accompanied by security, West acted as Censori's personal category during their time in public

Fans looked thrilled to have happened upon the couple on Thursday

She posed with one hand on her hip and a wide smile on her face for several photos

Shopping spree: After getting countless photos on the street, West eagerly ushered Censori into the Graziella Braccialini store  which is a luxury brand founded in Florence, Italy that's famous for its leather goods

Effortless: Censori had her cropped brunette tresses were slicked back and tucked behind her ears

Wow! Censori was instantly driven to an ornate gold purse shaped like the sun with a shiny gold chainlink strap

Kanye proved he was also a big fan of the item as he snapped a photo of Bianca carrying it

A personal shopper helped show off the item to Bianca

Soft and sexy: As for makeup, the natural beauty sported a sexy smokey eyeshadow look with a glossy nude lip and plenty of luminous bronzer

They stayed close while browsing the shop

Quirky: She carried a unique snail-shaped Braccialini handbag made of antique gold hardware and dark green leather that retails for a whopping $2,035

Fun: Censori also checked out a reptile-shaped bag that had a funky cartoonish look that she seemed to get a kick out of

She checked herself out in the mirror with the funky purse

Censori looked to be having a blast shopping

Controversy: Two weeks earlier, the couple sparked major controversy in the city of Venice after they were caught putting on a graphic display in the back of a river taxi

'We can only hope that the prosecutor imposes a fine and then the couple will think long and hard about their behaviour if they return to Venice in the future.'

A spokesman for Venezia Turismo Motascafi - the firm that owned the boat the couple were on, said that it was 'completely unaware' of the incident.

They added the pair would have been kicked off the boat if the driver had noticed their public exposure.

It went on: 'The driver had to keep a lookout for traffic and did not see these obscenities.

'If this had happened, he would have immediately disembarked and reported the transgressors to those in authority.'

The Italian rental company noted that 'third person on board the taxi' who was riding with Ye and Ms Censori had 'obstructed the captain's view' to the back of the boat.

The company has since banned the couple from using their boats in the future.

'We completely dissociate ourselves from such acts and behaviour. Mr West and his wife will certainly no longer be welcome on board our company's boats.'

This ban is not the first in recent times, as Bianca has recently sparked controversy in Italy due to her wardrobe choices.

Last month, Italian locals complained to the police that the 28-year-old was walking around in public 'virtually naked'.

She managed to avoid a fine for that but if convicted of public indecency they could face a fine from 5,000 to 10,000.

The fashion designer  who is widely believed to be behind all of Censori's recent and controversial looks  and his new muse were first romantically linked in January 2023 just months after his divorce from Kim Kardashian was finalized.

The couple wed in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills in January, about two months after the rapper's divorce to Kim Kardashian was finalized.

DailyMail.com exclusively reported at the time that police were investigating the couple over the 'disrespectful' incident that included West exposing his bare buttocks in public as Censori curiously knelt before him with her head in his lap

Banned: The company has since banned the couple from using their boats in the future. 'We completely dissociate ourselves from such acts and behaviour. Mr West and his wife will certainly no longer be welcome on board our company's boats'

West  who is widely believed to be behind all of Censori's recent and controversial looks  and his new muse were first romantically linked in January 2023

The couple wed in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills in January, about two months after the rapper's divorce to Kim Kardashian was finalized

Legality: However, the legality of the union is in question, as they did not file a marriage certificate

However, the legality of the union is in question, as they did not file a marriage certificate.

Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021 after six years of marriage.

Throughout their longtime romance, West often called her his 'muse' and heavily influenced her fashion choices.

The former couple share four children together  North, ten, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four.

Last week, West and Censori jetted off to the UK to attend London Fashion Week and they're expected to take part in this week's fashion festivities in Milan.
It's one of the most star-studded weeks in the fashion calendar.

And icons Naomi Campbell, Stella Maxwell and Toni Garrn were among the glamorous arrivals as they attended the launch of the Luigi & Iango Unveiled Exhibition at the Palazzo Reale during Milan Fashion Week on Thursday.

The modelling icon, 53, stunned in a strapless red bejewelled gown as she arrived for the exhibition's opening.

Showing off her ageless appearance, Naomi wowed in the form-fitting red gown adorned with sparkling jewels and a fishtail skirt.

The fashion favourite styled her brunette tresses into a poker straight style as she posed up a storm at the event.

Wow! Naomi Campbell (left) and Toni Garrn (right) were among the glamorous arrivals at the launch of the Luigi & Iango Unveiled Exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan on Thursday

Daring: The stars were joined by fellow fashion favourite Stella Maxwell, who showed off her own bold sense of style

Sensational! The modelling icon stunned in a strapless red bejewelled gown as she arrived for the exhibition's opening

Glowing: Naomi posed alongside Jodie Turner Smith

Glam: Jodie looked amazing in a plunging black flowing dress and matching head scarf

Meanwhile model Toni showed off her legendary physique in daring black gown with a revealing front cut-out.

Showing off her toned tummy, the fashion star, who split from her husband Alex Pettyfer in April, flaunted her figure in the revealing dress.

Finishing her look with peeptoe heeled boots, Toni's dress flashed plenty of sideboob thanks to its eye-catching cutout.

Stella opted to show off her own daring sense of style by slipping into a sheer black embroidered catsuit.

Despite covering up wih a leather blazer, the star still managed to show off every inch of her incredible figure.

Irina Shayk showed off her edgy fashion sense by donning a daring black bralet under an oversized trouser suit.

The model opted for the unusual choice of flat shoes with her outfit, and kept her brunette tresses in a slicked-back style.

Stunner! Showing off her ageless appearance, Naomi wowed in the form-fitting red gown adorned with sparkling jewels and a fishtail skirt

Glam! The fashion favourite styled her brunette tresses into a poker straight style as she posed up a storm at the event

Hard to miss! Meanwhile model Toni showed off her legendary physique in daring black gown with a revealing front cut-out

Sizzling: Stella opted to show off her own daring sense of style by slipping into a sheer black embroidered catsuit

Flaunt it! Despite covering up with a leather blazer, the star still managed to show off every inch of her incredible figure

Sartorial chic! Irina Shayk showed off her edgy fashion sense by donning a daring black bralet under an oversized trouser suit

Chic: The model opted for the unusual choice of flat shoes with her outfit, and kept her brunette tresses in a slicked-back style

Perfect: Irina teamed her muted outfit with a diamond encrusted choker

Also in attendance was Rocco Ritchie, who cut a dapper figure as he posed for snaps with the guests of honour Iango Henzi and Luigi Murenu.

The actor cut a suave figure in a sharp black suit for the occasion as he attended the exhibition's launch.

Theatre producer Jordan Roth was hard to miss in a daring sheer black lace gown and a dramatic matching headpiece.

The exhibition will present more than 100 fine art prints of Luigi and Iango most acclaimed work, as well as unpublished, archive, behind the scene materials and videos.

The duo have created a collection of aesthetically beautiful images that reflect society and modern-day values.

It comes after Naomi 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 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.

'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.

Sharp: Also in attendance was Rocco Ritchie, who cut a dapper figure as he posed for snaps with the guests of honour Iango Henzi and Luigi Murenu

Smart: The actor cut a suave figure in a sharp black suit for the occasion as he attended the exhibition's launch

What a look! Model Vittoria Ceretti was hard to miss as she went braless in a racy sheer gown

Glammed up! Model Cara Taylor slipped into a form-fitting black gown with a side cut-out adorned with white bows

Vamping it up: Abby Champion also opted for a classy black gown with a plunging front

Sensational! Theatre producer Jordan Roth was hard to miss in a daring sheer black lace gown and a dramatic matching headpiece

'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.

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.'

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.
Neighbours star Madeleine West has celebrated a victory over the childhood abuser who repeatedly assaulted her in a Victorian country town, posting on Instagram 'we won... guilty, guilty, guilty'.

West, the actress known for her roles on Neighbours, Underbelly and House Husbands, marked the win after 'seeking justice over the monster who ruined my life'.

While the 43-year-old was not specific about the case, she has previously stated that she was pursuing her abuser and posted on Wednesday alongside a childhood photo: 'You had a big win today, little one. For you and everyone like you, suffering in silence. Served a life sentence of blame and shame you didn't deserve.

'It was NEVER your fault. I never knew that one word could carry such power to heal "GUILTY", guilty guilty guilty guilty.

'Now go dance in the sunshine little one. You are safe. You are free.'

TV star Madeleine West (above) has celebrated her win against her childhood abuser by posting online saying 'we won... guilty'

Madeleine West (above as a child) was abused by a 'monster who lived in the same town' when she was aged between five and 10

Child sexual assault survivor and campaigner Grace Tame posted a response on West's page saying 'sending you big hugs'.

West grew up as Melanie Ann Weston in the town of Woodend, northwest of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges and began acting at an early age.

In January this year she revealed she was sexually abused from the age of five to 10.

'Part of the reason I went into acting was to wear someone else's skin, to hide what was actually happening in my life,' she said.

In her Instagram posts this week, West wrote a cryptic clue about the difficult path of reporting her abuser to the police.

She described 'carers too confronted to hear a child's pain, too scared of the consequences of taking action'.

She said it was up to 'victims, survivors' who open up 'these big, uncomfortable conversations, removing the stigma, and demonstrating that justice is possible'.

She recently announced she had been appointed to the Board of Advisors to Crime Stoppers International, specialising in predation and exploitation of children.

West (above) said in her Instagram message to her young self 'go dance in the sunshine little one. You are safe. You are free'

Madeleine West (above with her former partner, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett) has spent the earlier months of this year in court fighting an AVO taken out by his father, which she eventually had thrown out

It has been a tumultuous past few years for West after she split with her partner, MasterChef star Shannon Bennett, in 2018.

Two years after their break-up, West left Melbourne and moved to Byron Bay to be near their six children, buying her own $4.6 million mansion in Suffolk Park.

Bennett, who had custody of their children, has said that the separation process between them had 'turned love toxic'.

West spent several months this year embroiled in court battles between her and Benny Bennett, Shannon's elderly father, who took out an Apprehended Violence Order against her after a clash at the chef's Byron mansion last year.

A magistrate enforced the AVO describing West as an 'evasive' and unreliable witness, and her alleged treatment of her ex father-in-law, 75, as 'verging on being aggressive'.

But the decision was thrown out as West appealed to the NSW District Court and won in a ruling by Judge Jonathan Priestley who said 'the evidence of facts supporting them is light on, and not supported by' the footage from five different CCTV cameras around Shannon Bennett's home.
More than two thirds of jobs are vulnerable to AI, with white collar jobs likely to be worse affected, a new report has found.

Software engineers, lawyers, accountants, journalists and bankers are facing the most immediate threat from artificial intelligence, while truck drivers, nurses, cooks, construction workers and cleaners were the most protected.

A study by job site Indeed examined 55 million postings and within them identified around 2,600 different skills.

To gauge the ability of AI to perform those skills, it asked ChatGPT to rate its own ability to perform them.

The report suggests remote workers are the most likely to be replaced by AI, since the jobs that are irreplaceable require human interactions, such as empathy, intuition and manual dexterity.

More than two thirds of jobs are highly vulnerable to AI, according to study by Indeed which examined 55 million postings between August 2022 and July 2023

A truck driver and teamsters member watches a rally in January over a bill that would require human drivers to be present for self-driving semitrucks

Of the 55 million job postings - all of which were posted between August 2022 and July 2023 - roughly 20 percent were deemed to face 'high exposure' to AI.

This meant ChatGPT thought it could do a 'good' or 'excellent' job at 80 percent or more of the requisite skills.

It found that the majority of jobs, around 46 percent, were moderately exposed, meaning ChatGPT thought it could readily perform between 50 and 80 percent of the necessary skills.

For the remainder of jobs, 34.6 percent, ChatGPT predicted that it would only be able to perform half of the necessary skills to a reasonably good degree.

Those jobs tended to require some manual task that machines are currently incapable of. For example, the report found that AI can 'refine a recipe or translate a menu, but it can't chop an onion or garnish a dessert'.

Similarly, an AI nurse 'can help diagnose an illness, but can't insert an IV or console a worried family.'

And the higher the odds a job can be done remotely, the greater its potential exposure is to AI-driven change, the report found.

This means the AI revolution is likely to affect workers in different ways than automation has historically.

Skills ChatGPT felt most capable of include: software development, IT, math, legal, accounting, HR and media

White collar jobs including software engineers, lawyers, accountants, journalists and bankers faced the most immediate threat from artificial intelligence

Skills ChatGPT felt most capable of include: software development, IT, math, legal, accounting, HR and media.

AI said it was 'good' or 'excellent' at more than 95 percent of all skills specified in software development postings.

By comparison, it said was 'good' or 'excellent' at a small majority, 57.6 percent, of skills specified in retail job postings.

When asked to explain why it would struggle more with retail work, it identified its inability to physically handle money, judge the demeanor of a customer and physically stock shelves.

It comes as leading authors including George R.R. Martin, David Baldacci and John Grisham have joined forces to sue OpenAI for alleged 'mass-scale copyright infringement'.

The writers are among 17 members of the Authors Guild embroiled in a legal battle against OpenAI, the parent company of Chat GPT.

The authors claim their books have been 'fed' into algorithms to train AI and used to create derivative texts based on their work.

The class action filed on Tuesday in New York also highlighted that many of the texts had been obtained by illegal pirate sites and shadow libraries, such as Library Genesis and Z-Library.

The Authors Guild said it organized the lawsuit amid fears generative AI could 'decimate' the profession and highlighted the 'profound unfairness and danger' of using copyrighted texts to train AI.
A former soldier was indicted on Thursday September 21 in Paris, notably for embezzlement and disclosure of national defense secrets, in an investigation into the sources of a press article evoking a French intelligence program in Egypt, announced to the Agence France-Presse the Paris prosecutor's office.

This ex-soldier seems to be considered by the courts as one of the sources of the article published at the end of 2021 by the media Disclose, and in particular signed by the journalist Ariane Lavrilleux, who was released, without prosecution at this stage, after being held in custody. view of almost forty hours.

The Disclose journalist was outraged that a new milestone had been taken against freedom of information, denouncing a misuse of justice services. If we do not protect sources, it is the end of journalism, insisted Ariane Lavrilleux during a press conference organized at the premises of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Paris.

An extreme violation of freedom of information

The investigative journalist recounted how, on Tuesday at 6 a.m., nine intelligence agents and magistrates usually in charge of the fight against terrorism arrived at her home in Marseille, with suitcases of cybersurveillance software to suck data from his phones, his computers, his USB sticks.

An investigating judge was present, and Ms. Lavrilleux learned on this occasion that she had been placed under surveillance for some time, feeling then treated as a delinquent. Usually, they are there to track down [perpetrators of] attacks. For months, these brilliant minds were mobilized to track down a journalist, her sources () It is an extreme violation of the freedom to inform and the protection of[s] journalistic sources, she repeated. .

During her interviews at the police station, she invoked her right to silence, when the agents asked her since when she had worked for Disclose, trying to find out how we could have obtained confidential information. For the journalist, this arrest, after attacks which have multiplied in recent years, mainly under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron, against freedom of the press, shows that we have reached a new milestone.

We cannot do anything in the name of national defense. Precisely because we are not in Egypt, she judged. According to her, his arrest showed that we are disturbing and that we are necessary so that the silence on arms sales to dictatorships stops.

Scandal  Sirli 

The Paris prosecutor's office recalled having received two complaints filed by the Ministry of the Armed Forces in January 2021 and November 2021. These complaints against X were following the publication of articles in the media Disclose, including documents and [of] photographs bearing the words defense confidential as well as elements likely to allow the identification of intelligence agents, specified the public prosecutor.

Disclose had claimed, in an article published in November 2021, that the French intelligence mission Sirli, started in February 2016 for the benefit of Egypt in the name of the fight against terrorism, had been hijacked by the Egyptian state which was using information collected to carry out airstrikes on suspected smugglers' vehicles on the Egyptian-Libyan border.

The Paris prosecutor's office specified that, following the opening of a preliminary investigation at the end of 2021, "the investigations were aimed at implicating a member of the Ministry of the Armed Forces".

A judicial investigation was then opened, on July 21, 2022, targeting several offenses including misappropriation and disclosure of a national defense secret by its depositary, but also appropriation or disclosure of a national defense secret or revelation of information about an agent intelligence.

The Paris prosecutor's office clarified that "the content of the investigations remains covered by the secrecy of the investigation".
Stephane Plaza, flagship host of the M6 group also at the head of a network of real estate agencies in his name, is accused of violence by three former partners, according to an investigation published Thursday, September 21, by Mediapart.

The host's lawyer, cited by Mediapart, denounces "totally extrapolated, even false allegations", which led the host to file a complaint for harassment and cyberharassment in June. Requested by Agence France-Presse, the latter was not able to react immediately, just like the M6 group also contacted. At this stage, the investigation by the online news media does not report a complaint filed by the alleged victims or the opening of an investigation by the courts.

Mediapart has brought together numerous elements and stories testifying to mistreatment by the real estate agent popularized by M6 on three of his companions: humiliation, threats, verbal violence and, for two of them, physical violence, explains the online media in his article.

Three broken fingers

According to one of the women interviewed, Stephane Plaza exercises manipulation, pressure and mistreatment in order to make several serious relationships coexist at the same time. This same source also claims to have had three fingers broken by the host during an argument, "a fracture of the ring finger with bone tearing, and two dislocations at the joints of the middle and index fingers", specifies Mediapart.

Another companion, a single mother and former participant in one of his shows, announced that she had filed a lawsuit in September 2022 after having suffered violence, denigration and death threats from the host, who refused to give him back the keys to his home.

A third explains having ended their relationship after five months after being threatened by the alcoholic host during a romantic weekend in Vienna, Austria, when she had just discovered he was cheating on her .

Initially a real estate agent, Stephane Plaza became a star of the small screen when M6 propelled him in 2006 to the head of the show Research apartment or house then Maison a vente (2007) and Chasseurs d apart (2015). Designated for several years as the French's favorite presenter, Stephane Plaza brings together several million viewers with his various programs. The M6 group also became the majority shareholder in January 2022 of the Stephane Plaza real estate agency network, which has some 660 franchises across France.
Gangster Sukhdul Singh alias Sukha Duneke, one of Punjab's most wanted criminals, was killed in the Canadian city of Winnipeg by unidentified people, sources said on Thursday.

"It is believed to be the result of inter-gang rivalry," a source said.

The killing of the Canada-based gangster, who had at least 18 cases against him including those for murder, attempt to murder and robbery, took place on Wednesday night Canada time, the sources said.

Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district, the gangster fled to Canada in December 2017, official sources said.

An active member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, Duneke was closely associated with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla, gangster Lucky Patial, Malaysia-based gangster Jackpal Singh alias Lali and other criminals.

The dreaded gangster was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket, targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab and neighbouring areas through his local contacts and managing the network of his foreign-based associates, the sources said.

In the last few months, the number of extortion calls made by Duneke had increased considerably in Punjab and neighbouring areas, they added.

In January, two of Duneke's associates -- Kulwinder Singh alias Kinda and Paramjeet Singh Pamma -- were arrested by the counter-intelligence wing (Bathinda) and three pistols and cartridges seized from their possession.

The two men were part of the extortion racket run by Duneke.

After his father died in 1990, Duneke got a peon's job at the Moga deputy commissioner's office on compassionate ground. During the eight years he continued with the job, he became addicted to drugs, the sources said.

A lookout circular was issued against Duneke in 2022.

His name had also figured in connection with the killing of international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in March last year. He was accused of arranging the shooters for the killing.

Duneke's name also cropped up following the killing of two rival gang members -- Manpreet Singh and Vicky Singh -- by the shooters of the Bambiha gang in January 2022.
Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank and unrest in the Gaza Strip have killed six Palestinians, Palestinian health officials said Wednesday, the latest spike in a wave of violence that has roiled the region for more than a year. At least three of those killed were claimed as militant fighters.

The death toll from the most recent flare-up stood at four late Tuesday. But on Wednesday the Palestinian Health Ministry raised it, saying 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 unrest 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 been mounting. Tensions also appear to be spreading to Gaza.

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops opened fire toward a Palestinian who was throwing explosives at them while they were on an overnight arrest raid in the refugee camp of Aqabat Jabr. The camp, near the Palestinian city of Jericho, has emerged as one of the focal points of Israels raids. The Palestinian Health Ministry 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 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.

Three of those killed in Jenin were claimed as members of the Hamas militant group or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and were identified as Mahmoud al-Sadi, 23, Mahmoud Ararawi, 24, and Ata Yasser Musa, 29.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, according to a tally by The Associated Press. 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.
Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reached a cease-fire agreement on 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 that 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 announced laying down arms. But it wasnt immediately clear if some fighting continued. 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 shortages for months. 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 Turkiye. While Turkiye 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 on Wednesday that they helped reach the current agreement. Talks between Azerbaijani officials and the regions ethnic Armenian authorities on its re-integration into Azerbaijan were scheduled to take place on Thursday.

The deal envisions the withdrawal of Armenian military units and equipment from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as disarming the local defence forces, Azerbaijans Defence 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.

Azerbaijan said it fired on Armenian positions on Tuesday as part of what it called an anti-terrorist operation and vowed to continue until illegal Armenian military formations surrendered. Azerbaijan has alleged that Armenia has smuggled weapons into the territory since the end of the separatist war.

The claims led to a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, causing food and medicine shortages.

In announcing the 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 on 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.

Significant damage was visible on the streets of the city, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel. Local residents on Tuesday moved to basements and bomb shelters, and the fighting cut off electricity. Food shortages persisted in the area, with limited humanitarian aid delivered Monday not distributed due to the shelling.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Geghan Stepanyan said on 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 be independently verified.

Russias Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 2,000 civilians, but did not give details on where they were taken.

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 to gather again in the centre of Yerevan on Wednesday, shortly after the cease-fire agreement was announced.
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 Macrons 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 Frances 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 Britains 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 Russias war in Ukraine and the migration issue as Italys 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 Britains 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 Germanys 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 monuments spire and roof collapsed in a blaze in 2019. It reminded him of the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle, she added.

Of course its 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.
Singapores lawmakers have rejected a motion by an opposition party to suspend Transport Minister S Iswaran, under investigation for graft charges, from parliament and voted instead to consider the matter when the probes against him conclude. During a two-hour debate on Tuesday, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) would consider a clawback of Iswarans MP allowance if justified, such as if he is given criminal charges.

The Progress Singapore Partys (PSP) motion had called for Iswaran to be suspended as an MP for the remainder of the current session of parliament.

He was arrested in July and is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). The investigation relates to F1 races being hosted in Singapore. But Indranee filed a counter-motion for parliament to consider the matter when the outcome of the ongoing investigation against Iswaran is known.

PAP MPs voted for Indranees motion while the PSPs two Non-Constituency MPs  Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai  voted for their own motion, according to a Channel News Asia report.

All eight opposition MPs from the Workers Party (WP) voted for the PAPs motion and against the PSP.

Poa said she was filling the PSP motion so that Iswaran would no longer receive the MP allowance while he was not performing his duties whether in parliament or in his West Coast constituency.

This motion is therefore about the prudent use of taxpayers money, not a presumption of guilt, she said.

She also filed a second motion for permission to introduce a Private Members Bill proposing amendments to the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act so that Iswaran could be reimbursed for his MPs allowance if cleared of any wrongdoing.

Indranees counter-motion, meanwhile, also affirmed the need for MPs to uphold integrity and conduct themselves lawfully and the need to deal firmly and fairly with any MP being investigated for possible wrongdoing.

After his arrest, Iswaran was instructed to take a leave of absence. He has been interdicted from duty with a reduced pay of SGD 8,500 (USD 6,200) a month. He continues to draw the full annual MP allowance of SGD 1,92,500.
An estranged son of Thailands king who has spent almost all his adult life away from his homeland has unexpectedly gone public with his belief that open discussions about the countrys monarchy should be allowed, in a rejection of a harsh royal anti-defamation law. Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, one of the kings five sons, posted his opinion on Facebook after attending a photo exhibition in New York about people who have been charged under the law, Article 112 of Thailands Criminal Code. The so-called lese majeste law makes insulting the monarch, his immediate family and the regent punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offence. I love and cherish the monarchy, but I believe it is better to know than not knowing. Every person has their own opinion based on their own experiences. Not listening to them doesnt make their viewpoints or opinions disappear, wrote Vacharaesorn, who works at a law firm in New York. Its another story whether you agree or disagree with them. Talk to each other with reason.

The law is highly controversial, not only because of its tough penalties but also because anyone, not just the royal family, can file complaints about alleged violations with police. Critics say it is often used to quash political dissent and point to many arrests of pro-democracy protesters by the government of former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led a military coup in 2014 and remained the countrys leader until last month.

Supporters of the law say the monarchy is the bedrock of Thai identity and should be untouchable. Vacharaesorn is one of four sons that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had with his second wife, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, a former actress. In 1996 the then-crown prince divorced Sujarinee, who moved abroad with her children. Their youngest daughter was taken back by the royal family and given the title Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, but the four sons remain estranged and do not have any formal royal titles. Vacharaesorn, 42, who had long been out of the public eye, drew major attention in August when he made a brief surprise return to Thailand, where he visited a charity organisation and several Buddhist temples to participate in prayers and offerings. Before departing, he told reporters that he wishes Thailand will be a country full of hope and that Thai people will respect one another, listen to one another, no matter who we are.

His statement about Article 112 was posted after photos circulated online of him attending the exhibition at Columbia University on Monday with its organiser, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic and caustic critic of royalist Thai society who lives in exile.

Pavins Thai passport was cancelled in 2014 by a military government and he now is an associate professor at Kyoto Universitys Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.

Royalists unyielding objections to reform of the monarchy were highlighted after Thailands Mays elections, in which the progressive Move Forward Party won the most seats but was denied power by Parliament. Conservative members of the military-installed Senate voted jointly with the House to block party leader Pita Limjaroenrat from becoming prime minister, citing the partys call for a mild reform of the lese majeste law.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court gave a former lawmaker from the disbanded Future Forward Party, the predecessor of the Move Forward Party, a lifetime ban on political activity over several Facebook posts about the monarchy that it deemed a serious ethical violation of her duty as a lawmaker.

The court said the posts were made long before Pannika Wanich became a member of Parliament, but her failure to delete or modify them later showed disrespect to the monarchy, which must be protected under the constitution.

At least 257 people have been charged with lese majeste in 278 cases since November 2020, including at least 20 minors, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Prayuths government launched the crackdown as it faced street protests by student-led groups seeking greater democracy, including reforms of the monarchy.

King Vajiralongkorn has married four times and has seven children, but has not named an official heir.
Ukraines international allies filed into the United Nations top court on Wednesday to support Kyivs case against Russia that alleges Moscow twisted the genocide convention to manufacture a pretext for its invasion last year.

The hearing came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UN General Assembly in New York that Russia is weaponising everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine  and warned world leaders that the same could happen to them.

An unprecedented 32 states were making brief legal arguments on Wednesday to the 16-judge panel at the International Court of Justice, which is holding hearings into Moscows assertions that the World Court does not have jurisdiction and should throw out Ukraines case.

Kyiv filed its case two days after Russia invaded Ukraine. It argues that the attack was based on false claims by Russia of acts of genocide in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine insists the court has jurisdiction. Kyivs allies supported that stance on Wednesday.

Legal representatives including Australian Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue told judges that the case is about a dispute between Ukraine and Russia over the 1948 Genocide Convention that should be settled by the court. While most of the national presentations in the courts ornate Great Hall of Justice were dry legal arguments, Canadas representative, Alan Kessel, underscored what was at stake.

Canada and the Netherlands recall the profound consequences of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in immense human suffering, Kessel said.

It is against this backdrop that we intervene as part of our commitment to the protection and promotion of the rules-based international order and the peaceful settlement of disputes in which this court plays a vital role.

The courts panel of international judges will likely take weeks or months to reach a decision on whether the case can proceed. If it does, a final ruling could still be years away.
CIRCOR International, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes flow and motion control products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company has a product portfolio of brands serving its customers' demanding applications. It operates through two segments, Aerospace & Defense and Industrial. The Aerospace & Defense segment manufactures and markets control valves, pumps, regulators, fluid controls, pneumatic valves and controls, electro-mechanical controls, electric motors, and other flow control products and subsystems; propeller pumps; actuation systems; MIL-spec butterfly valves and actuators; brushless DC motors; switches; and actuation components and sub-systems. Its products and services are used in the military and defense, commercial aerospace, business and general aviation, and general industrial markets, as well as serves aircraft manufacturers and tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers. This segment offers its products under the CIRCOR Aerospace, Aerodyne Controls, CIRCOR Bodet, CIRCOR Industria, CIRCOR Motors, Hale Hamilton, Leslie Controls, Portland Valve, and Warren Pumps brands. The Industrial segment provides 3 and 2 screw pumps, progressing cavity pumps, specialty centrifugal pumps, and gear metering pumps; automatic recirculation valves; engineered valves; positive displacement pumps; general service control valves; and top and bottom unheading devices and center feed devices for the end-users and original equipment manufacturers, as well as engineering, procurement, and construction companies. This segment offers its products under the Allweiler, DeltaValve, Houttuin, IMO Pump, IMO AB, Leslie Controls, RG Lawrence, RTK, Schroedahl, TapcoEnpro, Tushaco, and Zenith brands. The company markets its solutions directly and through various sales partners to approximately 14,000 customers in approximately 100 countries. CIRCOR International, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.
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KG, CROWN Commercial Hungary Kft, CROWN Commercial Netherlands B.V., CROWN Commercial Vermogensverwaltung GmbH, CROWN Cork & Seal USA Inc., CROWN Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A., CROWN Emballage France SAS, CROWN Emirates Company Limited, CROWN Envases Mexico S.A. de C.V., CROWN Famosa S.A. de C.V., CROWN Food Packaging (Thailand) Public Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Hat Yai) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Nakhon Pathom) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan Germany GmbH, CROWN Foodcan GmbH, CROWN Imballaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Imgallaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Italy Finance srl, CROWN Khmer Beverage Cans Limited, CROWN Maghreb Can, CROWN Magyarorszag Csomagoloipari KFT, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada Inc., CROWN Metal Packaging Canada LP, CROWN Middle East Can Co. Ltd., CROWN Packaging (Barbados) Limited, CROWN Packaging Holdings LLC, CROWN Packaging Investment (H.K.) Limited, CROWN Packaging Ireland Ltd, CROWN Packaging Jamaica Limited, CROWN Packaging Polska Sp.z.o.o., CROWN Packaging Technology Inc., CROWN Packaging Trinidad Limited, CROWN Packaging UK Limited, CROWN Promotional Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN SIEM, CROWN Senegal, CROWN Societe Malgache d'Emballages Metalliques, CROWN Speciality Packaging BV, CROWN Speciality Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd., CROWN Specialty Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN TCP Beverage Cans Company Limited, CROWN Verpakking Belgie NV, CROWN Verpakking Nederland B.V., Caretex Asia Ltd., CarnaudMetalbox Engineering Ltd, CarnaudMetalbox Food South Africa (Pty) Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Group UK Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overeseas Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overseas Limited, Cierres Hermeticos S.A. DE C.V., Constar International, Crown Americas Capital Corp., Crown Americas Capital Corp. II, Crown Americas Capital Corp. III, Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, Crown Americas Capital Corp. V, Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI, Crown Brasil Holdings Ltda., Crown Canadian Holdings ULC, Crown Closures Spain S.L., Crown Colombiana S.A., Crown Comercial de Envases S.L., Crown Commercial Italy Srl, Crown Commercial Polska Sp. z.o.o., Crown Consultants Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company (DE) LLC, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, Crown Cork & Seal de Portugal Embalagens S.A., Crown Cork Kuban, Crown Cork and Seal Receivables II LLC, Crown Developpement SAS, Crown European Holdings, Crown Food Espana S.A.U., Crown Foodcan Turkey Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Crown Hellas Can Packaging SA, Crown Heshan Trading Company Limited, Crown Holdings Italia Srl, Crown Holdings Spain S.L., Crown International Holdings B.V., Crown International Holdings Inc., Crown Luxembourg Holdings, Crown Mexican Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Crown Overseas Investments B.V., Crown Packaging Commercial UK Limited, Crown Packaging Distribution UK Limited, Crown Packaging European Division GmbH, Crown Packaging European Division Services SAS, Crown Packaging European Holdings GmbH, Crown Packaging Lux I S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux II S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux III S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK Limited, Crown Packaging Maroc, Crown Receivables III, Crown Services Iberia, Crown UK Holdings Limited, Crownway Insurance Company, Dacro B.V., EMPAQUE, Fabricas Monterrey S.A. de C.V., Form Koruyucu Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Foshan Continental Can Co. Limited, Foshan Crown Easy-Opening End Co. Limited, Glass & Silice S.A. DE C.V., Globoplastt s.r.o., Gunther S.A.S., Haloila Bulgaria EOOD, Interstrap B.V., Josef Kihlberg AB, Kiwiplan GmbH, Kiwiplan Inc, Lachenmeier ApS, Liljendals Bruk AB, Litec France S.A.S., Mezger Heftsysteme GmbH, Mima Films S.a.r.l., Mima Films Sprl, Mima Packaging Systems S.A.S., Mivisa, Nordic S.A.S., Norsk Signode AS, Oy M. Haloila AB, PT CROWN Beverage Cans Indonesia, Package Design and Manufacturing, Prolatamex S.A. DE C.V., Quandel Verpackungs- und Foerdertechnik GmbH, SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH, SMP Schwede Maschinenbau Weischlitz GmbH, SPG Denmark, SPG France Holdings SAS, SPG Germany Service Management GmbH, SPG Industrial Packaging S.a.r.l, SPG Netherlands B.V., SPG Packaging Ireland Limited, SPG Packaging Systems GmbH, SPG Packaging UK Ltd, Scybele S.A.S., Shippers Europe S.p.r.l., Signode BVBA, Signode Brasileira Ltda, Signode Hong Kong Limited, Signode Industrial Group, Signode Industrial Group AB, Signode Industrial Group Colombia S.A.S., Signode Industrial Group GmbH, Signode Industrial Group Holdings Lux S.a.r.l., Signode Industrial Group Holdings US Inc, Signode Industrial Group Lux S.A., Signode Industrial Group Mexico, Signode Industrial Group Sweden AB, Signode International Holdings LLC, Signode International IP Holdings LLC, Signode International Investment LLC, Signode Kabushiki Kaisha, Signode Korea Inc, Signode NZ Limited, Signode Netherlands B.V., Signode Packaging (Qingdao) Co., Signode Packaging (Shanghai) Co., Signode Packaging Espana S.L., Signode Packaging Group (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Signode Packaging Group Australia Pty Ltd, Signode Packaging Group Canada ULC, Signode Packaging Group NZ, Signode Packaging Systems Limited, Signode Pickling Holding LLC, Signode Polska sp. Z.o.o., Signode Singapore Pte. Ltd., Signode Sweden Holdings AB, Signode System GmbH, Signode System Packaging GmbH & Co. KG, Signode Systems (Thailand) Ltd., Signode US IP Holdings LLC, Silice De Veracruz S.A. DE C. V., Silice Del Istmo S.A. DE C.V., Silices De Veracruz, Societe Civile Immobiliere Rousseau-Ivry, Societe Civile Immobiliere des Baquets, Societe de Participations CarnaudMetalbox, Stopak India Pvt. Ltd, Strapex Austria GmbH, Strapex Embalagem L.d.a., Strapex Holdings Limited, Strapex S.A.S., Strapex Srl, Superior Investments Holdings Pte. Ltd., Superior Multi-Packaging Limited, TopFrame LLC, V.A.C. B.V., Vichisa S.A. de C.V., and Warehouse Automation Iberia S.L..

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Nu Holdings Ltd., traded on the NYSE as NU, is a Brazilian neobank (neobanks are online/digital banks) and the largest fintech bank in Latin America. Nu Holdings Ltd. was founded in 2013. Its founders include Colombian David Velez, Brazilian Cristina Junqueira, and American Edward Wible. Nu Holdings Ltd. completed its first transaction with a Nubank card on April 1, 2014. Nubank became a unicorn startup in 2018, with a valuation of US$1 billion. Nubank's headquarters are located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the company also has engineering offices in Berlin, Germany, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an office in Mexico City, Mexico. The company has raised $1.3 billion, and its investors include Berkshire Hathaway, Sequoia Capital, Tencent, and Tiger Global Management.

Nubank has launched several products, including NuConta (a digital account), an international credit card, personal loans, life insurance, and investments. Nubank's differentiating factor is its credit card, which is controlled entirely through a mobile app. In 2017, Nubank launched its loyalty program, Nubank Rewards, which offers points that can be redeemed for a product catalog or discounts on services, travel, and entertainment. In the same year, Nubank launched its digital account, NuConta. In late 2018, it began offering payments through debit. In 2019, the fintech started testing personal loans, and the company announced it would begin operations in Mexico through a subsidiary called Nu.

Nubank has undergone a significant expansion, with its valuation reaching US$45 billion after its initial public offering (IPO) in December 2021. Nubank's IPO was the largest in Brazilian history, raising US$5.7 billion. Berkshire Hathaway invested $1 billion in Nubank's stocks before and after the IPO. In 2022, Nubank was ranked as the best bank in Brazil by Forbes.

Nubank's management team is composed of its founders and other industry experts. David Velez, Nubank's Chief Executive Officer, previously worked as a partner at Sequoia Capital, where he specialized in technology investments. Cristina Junqueira, Nubank's Chief Financial Officer, previously worked as a partner at PwC and as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank. Edward Wible, Nubank's former Chief Technology Officer, left his position in April 2021 and became the Director of Technological Platforms. The company's engineering team comprises professionals from several countries and top universities worldwide.

Nubank faces several risks and challenges, including changes in consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and competitive pressures. The company also faces currency risks due to its presence in several countries. However, Nubank has several growth opportunities, including new product launches, acquisitions, or expansions into new markets. Nubank has already expanded to Mexico and Colombia, and the company plans to expand to other countries.

Nubank operates in the broader fintech industry, which has grown rapidly in recent years. Several companies, including Square, PayPal, and Stripe, compete with Nubank in the payments industry. However, Nubank's unique credit card offering, entirely controlled through a mobile app, differentiates the company from its competitors. The fintech industry is subject to regulatory and political issues that may impact the industry's growth. However, the industry's growth potential remains strong, with digital payments expected to continue to grow opportunities for Nubank include expanding its product offerings beyond the Brazilian market and increasing its customer base in other Latin American countries. In particular, Nubank has shown interest in developing further into Mexico and Colombia, where it already has a presence but has yet to reach the scale of its operations in Brazil. Additionally, the company could offer more services to its existing customers, such as savings accounts or other investment products, to increase its revenue streams and customer loyalty.

However, there are also risks and challenges facing Nubank. One significant risk is the possibility of increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Brazil, where the company is based. As Nubank grows and gains market share, it may face increased scrutiny from government regulators, which could impact its ability to operate or impose additional costs on the company.

Another risk is the potential for increased competition in the fintech space, particularly from established financial institutions looking to enter the digital banking market. As more traditional banks and financial institutions embrace digital banking, they may threaten Nubank's customer base and market share.

Overall, Nubank's innovative approach to banking and strong track record of growth and profitability make it an attractive investment opportunity for those interested in fintech. However, potential investors should carefully consider the risks and challenges facing the company and its valuation compared to its peers before deciding to invest.
Mueller Industries, Inc. manufactures and sells copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, the Middle East, China, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate. The Piping Systems segment offers copper tubes, fittings, line sets, and pipe nipples; PEX plumbing and radiant systems; and plumbing-related fittings and plastic injection tooling. It also resells steel pipes, brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings and faucets, and plumbing specialties; and supplies water tubes. This segment sells its products to wholesalers in the plumbing and refrigeration markets, distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, building material retailers, and air-conditioning original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Industrial Metals segment manufactures brass, bronze, and copper alloy rods; plumbing brass, valves, fittings, and gas assemblies; cold-form aluminum and copper products; machining of aluminum, steel, brass, and cast iron impacts and castings; brass and aluminum forgings; brass, aluminum, and stainless-steel valves; fluid control solutions; and gas train assembles to OEMs in the industrial, construction, HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration markets. The Climate segment offers valves, protection devices, and brass fittings for various OEMs in the commercial HVAC and refrigeration markets; high-pressure components and accessories for the air-conditioning and refrigeration markets; coaxial heat exchangers and twisted tubes for the HVAC, geothermal, refrigeration, swimming pool heat pump, marine, ice machine, commercial boiler, and heat reclamation markets; and insulated HVAC flexible duct systems. Mueller Industries, Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee.
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.
21 hours ago

Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks

Once one of the best-performing sectors in the economy, on a three-year basis, energy stocks are now beginning to show some signs of weakness due to structural cracks. On a year-to-date basis, this former champion has lagged the S&P 500 by 8.0%, as judged by the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA: XLE). Now that international and domestic developments have led the United States to seek new oil import partners, a couple of companies have risen to the occasion to gain analyst preference and recommendations. Names like Crescent

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CNX Resources Corporation, an independent natural gas and midstream company, acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin. The company operates in two segments, Shale and Coalbed Methane (CBM). It produces and sells pipeline quality natural gas primarily for gas wholesalers. The company owns rights to extract natural gas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, as well as rights to extract natural gas from other shale and shallow oil and gas positions in Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Virginia. It also owns rights to extract CBM in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and New Mexico. In addition, the company designs, builds, and operates natural gas gathering systems to move gas from the wellhead to interstate pipelines or other local sales points; owns and operates approximately 2,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines, as well as various natural gas processing facilities. It also offers turn-key solutions for water sourcing, delivery, and disposal for its natural gas operations and for third parties. The company was formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation in November 2017. CNX Resources Corporation was founded in 1860 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear. The company operates its stores under the Build-A-Bear Workshop brand name; and sells its products through its e-commerce sites and third-party marketplace sites. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
BlackRock, Inc. is a leading American multinational investment company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1988, BlackRock has become the world's largest asset manager, overseeing more than $8 trillion in assets under management. The company operates on a global scale, with a presence in 30 countries and serving clients in 100 countries across the globe.

BlackRock's history dates back to 1988, when it was established as an enterprise risk management and fixed-income institutional asset manager. Over the years, the company steadily expanded its range of services and investment products to meet the evolving needs of its clients. BlackRock's dedication to innovation, data-driven strategies, and commitment to responsible investing contributed to its meteoric rise in the financial industry.

BlackRock offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services, catering to a diverse clientele, including institutional, intermediary, and individual investors. The company's core functions include investment management, risk management, and advisory services. BlackRock's wide range of investment products encompasses mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and hedge funds designed to suit various risk profiles and investment goals.

BlackRock's target market primarily consists of institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds. The company also caters to individual investors seeking professionally managed investment options through mutual funds and ETFs. BlackRock's reputation for expertise, global reach, and innovative solutions has attracted clients from various sectors seeking competent and reliable asset management services.

BlackRock's leadership team consists of accomplished individuals with diverse expertise in the financial sector. Mr. Laurence Douglas Fink, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of BlackRock, possesses extensive experience in finance and investments, steering the company's strategies and vision since its inception.

BlackRock has displayed impressive financial performance. Despite challenges in the market, the company has maintained robust revenue growth, reflecting its ability to attract and retain clients. Additionally, BlackRock's earnings metrics have remained solid, underlining the effectiveness of its investment strategies and risk management practices. The company's profit margin metrics also highlight its efficiency in managing costs and generating profits. BlackRock's consistent focus on innovation and technological advancements, such as the Aladdin software, has likely contributed to improved profitability and operational effectiveness.

Aladdin is a comprehensive investment management software platform developed by BlackRock, Inc. Aladdin stands for "Asset, Liability and Debt and Derivative Investment Network." BlackRock was initially created in the late 1980s as an internal risk management tool to help the company manage its investment portfolios. Over the years, Aladdin has evolved into one of the financial industry's most widely used and sophisticated investment management systems.

Furthermore, BlackRock's prudent approach to managing its debt levels ensures a healthy financial position and minimizes financial risks. By maintaining a manageable debt-to-equity ratio, the company exhibits a responsible financial strategy, instilling confidence in investors.

BlackRock's valuation metrics showcase the market's recognition of the company's strong performance and future growth potential. Compared to industry peers, BlackRock's valuation appears favorable, reflecting investor confidence in its ability to deliver sustained returns. The company's solid financial track record, extensive global reach, and diverse product offerings contribute to its attractive valuation.

BlackRock operates in the highly competitive financial services industry, specifically in the asset management and custody banks sector. Several large players characterize the industry, each vying for market share and client assets. BlackRock's competitive advantage lies in its scale, global presence, and reputation for delivering consistent investment performance.

As an industry leader, BlackRock benefits from economies of scale, allowing it to offer cost-effective investment solutions to its clients. The company's focus on ESG principles and risk management aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and responsible investment options, positioning it favorably in the industry.

BlackRock's growth opportunities are abundant, fueled by global economic growth, expanding financial markets, and increased demand for investment products. The company's broad range of mutual funds, ETFs, and other investment vehicles cater to various investor preferences, offering diversified and tailored solutions.

Moreover, the growing interest in ESG investing presents a significant growth avenue for BlackRock. As investors seek socially responsible investment options, the company's expertise in ESG integration can attract a broader client base.

Furthermore, as technology continues to reshape the financial landscape, BlackRock has the opportunity to capitalize on digital innovations. The company's Aladdin platform, a sophisticated investment management system, has driven efficiency and risk management. By leveraging technology and data analytics, BlackRock can enhance its product offerings, expand its client base and deliver personalized investment solutions.

In addition to organic growth, strategic acquisitions can be pivotal in expanding BlackRock's market presence. Selective mergers and partnerships can provide access to new markets, strengthen the company's capabilities and foster innovation. However, successful integration and alignment with the company's long-term vision are critical considerations in pursuing such opportunities.

Despite its strong market position, BlackRock faces various risks and challenges that can impact its performance and direction. Market volatility, asset price fluctuations, and interest rate changes can affect the company's investment returns and lead to potential client redemptions.

Moreover, regulatory changes and compliance requirements pose ongoing challenges for the financial industry. As governments implement new regulations and policies worldwide, BlackRock must adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape to ensure compliance and maintain its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.

The competitive landscape also presents challenges. As new players enter the market and existing competitors innovate, BlackRock must continuously differentiate itself and demonstrate its value proposition to retain and attract clients.

Furthermore, cybersecurity threats are a growing concern for financial institutions. BlackRock's vast data and information infrastructure make it a potential cyberattack target. The company's proactive approach to cybersecurity and investment in robust risk management practices is crucial to safeguard its assets and protect client data.
Comerica Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services. The company operates through Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, Wealth Management, and Finance segments. The Commercial Bank segment offers various products and services, including commercial loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services, and loan syndication services, as well as payment and card services for small and middle market businesses, multinational corporations, and governmental entities. The Retail Bank segment provides personal financial services, such as consumer lending, consumer deposit gathering, and mortgage loan origination; and various consumer products that include deposit accounts, installment loans, credit cards, student loans, home equity lines of credit, and residential mortgage loans, as well as commercial products and services to micro-businesses. The Wealth Management segment offers products and services comprising fiduciary, private banking, retirement, investment management and advisory, and investment banking and brokerage services; and sells annuity products, as well as life, disability, and long-term care insurance products. The Finance segment engages in the securities portfolio, and asset and liability management activities. It operates in Texas, California, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Canada, and Mexico. The company was formerly known as DETROITBANK Corporation and changed its name to Comerica Incorporated in July 1982. Comerica Incorporated was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
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.
The following companies are subsidiares of Crane: "CPI-Kiev" LLC, ARDAC Inc., AeroHose, AeroHose, Alfa Laval - The Industrial Flow Group, Alfa Laval - The Industrial Flow Group, Armature d.o.o., Automatic Products (UK) Ltd., Automatic Products international - Assets, Barksdale GmbH, Barksdale Inc., CA-MC Acquisition UK Ltd., CR Holdings C.V., CashCode Co, CashCode Co - Assets, Coin Controls International Ltd., Coin Holdings Ltd., Coin Industries Ltd., Coin Overseas Holdings Ltd., Coin Pension Trustees Ltd., Consolidated Lumber Co, Consolidated Lumber Co, Corva Corp, Corva Corp, Crane & Co. Inc., Crane (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Crane AB, Crane Aerospace Inc., Crane Australia Pty. Ltd., Crane Canada Co., Crane Composites Inc., Crane Composites Ltd., Crane Controls Inc., Crane Currency, Crane Currency Malta Holding Ltd., Crane Currency Malta Ltd., Crane Currency Malta Property Ltd., Crane Currency Netherlands Holdings B.V., Crane Currency US LLC, Crane Dutch Holdings B.V., Crane Electronics Corporation, Crane Electronics Inc., Crane Environmental Inc., Crane European Financing LLC, Crane Fluid & Gas Systems (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Crane Global Holdings S.L., Crane Holding AB, Crane Holdings (Germany) GmbH, Crane Instrumentation & Sampling Inc., Crane International Capital S.a.r.l., Crane International Holdings Inc., Crane International Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Crane Ltd., Crane Merchandising Systems Inc., Crane Merchandising Systems Ltd., Crane Merger Co. LLC, Crane Middle East & Africa FZE, Crane Netherlands Holdings B.V., Crane Ningjin Valve Co. Ltd., Crane Nuclear Inc., Crane Overseas LLC, Crane Payment Innovations AG, Crane Payment Innovations GmbH, Crane Payment Innovations Inc., Crane Payment Innovations International Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations Pty Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations S.a.r.l., Crane Payment Innovations S.r.l., Crane Pension Trustee Company (UK) Limited, Crane Process Flow Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., Crane Process Flow Technologies GmbH, Crane Process Flow Technologies Ltd., Crane Process Flow Technologies S.P.R.L., Crane Process Flow Technologies S.r.l., Crane Pumps and Systems Inc., Crane Resistoflex GmbH, Crane SC Holdings Ltd., Crane Saudi Limited Liability Company, Crane Security Technologies Inc., Crane Stockham Valve Ltd., Crane Supply Co., Croning Livarna d.o.o., Cummins Illinois Inc., Cummins-Allison Corp., Cummins-Allison GmbH, Cummins-Allison Investment Co., Cummins-Allison Ireland Ltd., Cummins-Allison Limited, Cummins-Allison Pty Ltd., Cummins-Allison SAS, Cummins-Allison ULC, Cummis-Allison Corp, Cummis-Allison Corp, Delta Fluid Products, Delta Fluid Products Ltd., Dixie Narco, Dixie Narco, Dopak Inc., Dovianus B.V., ELDEC Corporation, ELDEC France S.A.R.L, Edlon - PSI division, Edlon - PSI division, Environmental Products USA, Environmental Products USA, Etex Group - Business, Etex Group - Business, Exbrownall Ltd., Exrhodes Ltd., Flow Technology Inc., Friedrich Krombach GmbH Armaturenwerke, General Technology Corp., General Technology Corp., Hattersley Newman Hender - Assets, Hattersley Newman Hender - Assets, Hattersly Newman Hender Ltd., Hydro-Aire Inc., Inta-Lok Ltd., Interpoint U.K. Limited, Kontron America - Mobile Rugged Business, Kontron America - Mobile Rugged Business, Laminated Profiles - Assets, Laminated Profiles - Assets, Lasco Composites, Lasco Composites, Liberty Technologies, Liberty Technologies, MCC Holdings Inc., MEI Australia LLC, MEI Conlux, MEI Conlux Holdings (Japan) Inc., MEI Conlux Holdings (US) Inc., MEI Queretaro S. de R.L. de CV, MEI de Mexico LLC, MOVATS - Nuclear Valve Division, MOVATS - Nuclear Valve Division, Merrimac Industries, Merrimac Industries Inc., Micro-Optic Films LLP, Money Controls, Money Controls Argentina SA, Money Controls Holdings Ltd., Multi-Mix Microtechnology SRL, NABIC Valve Safety Products Ltd., Nippon Conlux Co. Ltd., Noble Composites, Noble Composites Inc., Number One Supply, Number One Supply, Owens Corning - FRP Panel Business, Owens Corning - FRP Panel Business, P.L. Porter, P.L. Porter, P.T. Crane Indonesia, Pegler Hattersly Ltd., Resistoflex, Resistoflex, Sequentia Holdings, Sequentia Holdings, Signal Technology, Signal Technology, Sperryn & Company Ltd., Stentorfield, Stentorfield, Streamware, Streamware, Telequip, Telequip, Terminal Manufacturing Co., The Dow Chemical - Plastic-Lined Piping Products division, The Krombach Group, The Krombach Group, Unidynamics / Phoenix Inc., Ventech Controls, Ventech Controls, Viking Johnson Ltd., Visual Physics LLC, W.T. Armatur GmbH, W.T. Armatur GmbH, Wade Couplings Ltd., Wask Ltd., Westlock Controls, Westlock Controls Corporation, Xomox, Xomox Chihuahua S.A. de C.V., Xomox Corporation, Xomox Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Xomox France S.A.S., Xomox Hungary Manufacturing Limited Liability Company, Xomox International GmbH & Co. OHG, Xomox Japan Ltd., and Xomox Korea Ltd..

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Constellation Brands, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. It also offers wine under the Cook's California Champagne, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Mount Veeder, Ruffino, SIMI, My Favorite Neighbor, Robert Mondavi Winery, Schrader, and The Prisoner Wine Company brands; and spirits under the Casa Noble, Copper & Kings, High West, Mi CAMPO, Nelson's Green Brier, and SVEDKA brands. It provides its products to wholesale distributors, retailers, on-premise locations, and state alcohol beverage control agencies. The company was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Victor, New York.
Gerresheimer AG, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells medicine packaging, drug delivery devices, and solutions worldwide. It operates through Plastics & Devices, Primary Packaging Glass, and Advanced Technologies divisions. The company offers prefillable syringes, plastic and glass packaging solutions, vials, glass cartridges and ampoules, bottles and containers, and glass bottles and jars, as well as caps, closures, applicators, and accessories; and drug delivery systems, including inhalers, injection/auto injectors, pen injectors, infusion systems, and inhalation assessment platforms. It also provides diagnostic and medical devices comprising point-of-care tests, laboratory disposables, chemical and technical bottles, diagnostic and polymer vials, dropper bottles, PET bottles, and medical products comprising lancing devices, infusion sets, and disposable systems. In addition, the company offers cosmetic packaging solutions, such as moulded glass flacons and jars; tubular glass ampoules, droppers, and vials; and plastic packaging products, as well as pharmaceutical, laboratory, and regulatory affairs services. It offers its products to pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and wholesalers. The company serves pharma, biotech, diagnostics, medical technology, cosmetics, and food and beverage industries. The company was founded in 1864 and is based in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Nutrien Ltd. provides crop inputs and services. The company operates through Retail, Potash, Nitrogen, and Phosphate segments. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seeds, and merchandise products. The Potash segment provides granular and standard potash products. The Nitrogen segment offers ammonia, urea, urea ammonium nitrate, industrial grade ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. The Phosphate segment provides solid fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, and industrial and feed products. In addition, it provides services directly to growers through a network of farm centers in North America, South America, and Australia. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada.
Exxon Mobil Corporation is the largest direct descendent of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil and one of the worlds largest companies. Its earliest roots lie with Vacuum Oil which got its start in the 1860s. Vacuum Oils primary product was kerosene, an important advancement for heating and lighting in rural America. Vacuum Oil was later merged with Standard Oil of New Jersey which was the parent operation of the Standard Oil empire prior to its breakup. Standard Oil of New Jersey would merge with other independent operators over the next few years until settling on the brand Exxon for most of its operations.

Meanwhile, Standard Oil of New York was operating under much the same impetus, merging and growing, until it became known as Mobil. Then, in 1999, the two giants became one with a merger of equals that on paper had Exxon buying Mobil. Now, the combined company operates under the Exxon, Mobil, and Esso brands as an international vertically integrated energy and petrochemical business.

Today, the company explores and produces crude oil and natural gas and their derivative products globally. As of 2022, it was ranked 6th on Forbes Fortune 500 list and 12th on the Global 500 list but it has held positions from #1 to #10 over the years. In terms of its operations, it is the worlds second-largest oil refiner and the largest refiner outside of China. In terms of reserves, ExxonMobil claimed about 18.5 million barrels of oil and oil equivalents at the end of 2021 and was ranked 15th globally.

ExxonMobil operates through three segments that are the Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces oil and oil equivalents and represents roughly 70% of the income. The Downstream segment gathers, receives, stores, transports and refines oil and equivalents and their derivatives. The Downstream segment also markets and delivers fuel products to consumers and businesses. The Chemicals segment produces the full range of petrochemicals including plastics, resins and synthetic rubber.

ExxonMobil is committed to advancing sustainable and carbon-free energy solutions. The company is targeting 2050 for net-zero emissions and its 2030 interim targets are in alignment with the Paris Accord, the EU's Global Methane Pledge, and US Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan. The companys plans include investing $15 billion into reducing greenhouse emissions by 2028.






Proximus PLC provides digital services and communication solutions in Belgium and internationally. It operates through Domestic, International Carrier Services, and TeleSign segments. The company offers fixed and mobile telephony, internet, and television services to residential customers and small businesses, and ICT services to residential, business, and telecom wholesale markets. It also provides managed and platform, integrating networking, cloud, cybersecurity, business application, and data and artificial intelligence services. In addition, the company offers international delivery authentication and digital identity services to internet brands, digital champions, and cloud native businesses. It offers its products and services under Proximus, Scarlet, Mobile Vikings, Tango, Telindus, and Telindus Netherlands brands. The company was formerly known as Belgacom SA and changed its name to Proximus PLC in June 2015. Proximus PLC was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman as an investment bank catering to institutions and businesses. Among the firm's first products are the revolutionary use of commercial paper for entrepreneurs which opened a new method of finance for business and industry.

The original firm expanded to Goldman Sachs in 1882 with the inclusion of son-in-law Samuel Sachs and again in 1885 with a son and another son-in-law. The firm joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1896 expanding into trading of its own and in 1898 it was worth $1.6 million. The company began its work in the IPO market in 1906 with the initial public offering of Sears, Roebuck & Co., and then moved on to Ford and other prominent names of the time.

The 1930s brings a change of leadership and a new direction for the firm. The company shifted toward a purer play on investment banking and embarks on a campaign of acquisition that lasted until the present day. The company doesnt go public itself until 1999 and from that point on it will change into a bank holding company that not only offers investment banking services but takes deposits too, and in 2016 the company added consumer banking to its list of services.

Today, Goldman Sachs is a financial institution that provides a range of financial services for corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals globally. The company operates through four segments that include Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. According to US banking regulations, it is systemically important to the financial health of America.

The company is headquartered in New York, New York, and operates 6 regional headquarters as well. Regional headquarters are located in financial hotspots such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangalore, and Warsaw. Among its many prominent CEOs are John Corzine and Hank Paulson who both went on to successful work in government.

The company's Investment Banking segment provides a full range of financial advisory services as well as underwriting for the public markets. The financial advisory services include but are not limited to strategic advisory for mergers and acquisitions, divestiture, restructuring, and spin-offs. This segment is also engaged in middle-market lending and transaction banking. Underwriting services include IPOs, preferred stock, debt instruments, and bridge loans.

Goldman Sachs Global Markets segment facilitates market transactions for institutions, banks, brokerages, corporations, and governments. Services include execution, derivatives, financing, clearing, settlement, and custody.

The Asset Management segment manages client portfolios across the investment spectrum while the Consumer & Wealth Management segment provides advisory and banking services to consumers.
Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and periodontists; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products. This segment also provides software packages, which include DTX Studio Implant for treatment planning of dental implants; DTX Studio Lab for prosthetics treatment planning; and DTX Studio Clinic, a software package offered with its imaging devices. It offers its products under the Nobel Biocare, Alpha-Bio Tec, Implant Direct, Nobel Procera, Ormco, Spark, Orascoptic, Damon, Insignia, AOA brands. The Equipment & Consumables segment provides dental equipment and supplies, including digital imaging systems, software, and other visualization/magnification systems; endodontic systems and related consumables; restorative materials, rotary burs, impression materials, bonding agents, and cements; and infection prevention products. This segment offers its products under the Dexis, Gendex, i-CAT, Kerr, Metrex, Total Care, Pentron, Optibond, Harmonize, Sonicfill, Sybron Endo, and CaviWipes to dental offices, clinics, and hospitals. Envista Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Brea, California.
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.
The following companies are subsidiares of UnitedHealth Group: 1070715 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, 1st Avenue Pharmacy Inc., 310 Canyon Medical LLC, 4C MSO LLC, 4C Medical Group PLC, 5995 Minnetonka LLC, ABCO International Holdings LLC, ACN Group IPA of New York Inc., ACN Group of California Inc., AHN Accountable Care Organization LLC, AHN Central Services LLC, AHN Target Holdings LLC, AMIL International S.a.r.l., APS  Assistencia Personalizada a Saude Ltda., ASC Holdings of New Jersey LLC, ASC Network LLC, ASC Operators-East Bay LLC, ASC Operators-San Francisco LLC, ASC Operators-San Luis Obispo LLC, ASC Operators-Santa Rosa LLC, ASC Operators-South Bay LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Cornerstone LLC, ASV-HOPCo-SCA Florida LLC, AbleTo Behavioral Health Services P.C., AbleTo Inc., Accurate Rx Pharmacy Consulting LLC, Administradora Clinica La Colina S.A.S., Administradora Country S.A.S., Administradora Medica Centromed S.A., Advanced Surgery Center of Clifton LLC, Advanced Surgical Center LLC, Advanced Surgical Hospital LLC, Advocate Condell Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., Advocate-SCA Partners LLC, Aliansalud Entidad Promotora de Salud S.A., All Savers Insurance Company, All Savers Life Insurance Company of California, Alliance Surgical Center LLC, Allina Health Heart and Vascular Surgery Center LLC, Allina Health Surgery Center-Brooklyn Park LLC, Aloha Surgical Center LLC, Ambient Healthcare Inc., Ambient Holdings Inc., AmeriChoice, AmeriChoice Corporation, AmeriChoice of New Jersey Inc., American Health Network of Indiana Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Indiana II LLC, American Health Network of Indiana LLC, American Health Network of Kentucky LLC, American Health Network of Ohio Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Ohio II LLC, American Health Network of Ohio LLC, American Physicians Inc., Amico Saude Ltda., Amil, Amil Assistencia Medica Internacional S.A., Angiografia e Hemodinamica Madre Theodora Ltda., Anne Arundel-SCA Holdings LLC, Anne Arundel-SCA Surgicenter LLC, Antelope Valley Surgery Center L.P., Analisis Clinicos ML S.A.C., Apothecary Holdings Inc., AppleCare Medical Management LLC, Aquitania Chilean Holding SpA, Arcadia JV Holdings LLC, Arcadia Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., ArchWell Health LLC, ArchWell Health MSO LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services Holding Co., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Alabama LLC, ArchWell Health Professional Services of North Carolina P.C., ArchWell Health Professional Services of Oklahoma LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Arizona LLC, Archwell Health Professional Services of Nebraska LLC, Arise Physician Group, Arizona Physicians IPA Inc., Arlington Surgery Center LLC, Aspectus Inc., Associacao Lusiadas Knowledge Center  Health Education and Research, Audax Health Solutions LLC, Aurora Hospitalist P.C., Austin Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Avella Specialty Pharmacy, Aventura Medical Tower Surgery Center LLC, Avery Parent Holdings Inc., Aveta Inc., AxelaCare Intermediate Holdings LLC, AxelaCare LLC, B.R.A.S.S. Partnership in Commendam, BOSC Holdings LLC, BSC Holdings LLC, Ball Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Banmedica Colombia S.A.S., Banmedica Internacional SpA, Banmedica S.A., Barranca Surgery Center LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings II LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings III LLC, Beach Surgical Holdings LLC, Beaver Medical Group P.C., Bedford Physicians Risk Retention Group Inc., Behavioral Healthcare Options Inc., Beltway Surgery Centers L.L.C., Benefit Administration for the Self Employed L.L.C., Benefitter Insurance Solutions Inc., Bergan Mercy Surgery Center LLC, Bergen-Passaic Cataract Laser and Surgery Center LLC, Bessler MD PLLC, Bind Benefits Inc., Bind LH Holdings Inc., Bind Re Inc., Birmingham Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Birmingham Outpatient Surgical Center LLC, Bloomfield ASC LLC, Blue Ridge Day Surgery Center L.P., Blue Ridge GP LLC, Blue Ridge Properties LLC, Boca Raton Outpatient Surgery & Laser Center LTD., Bordeaux Barbados Holdings I SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings II SRL, Bordeaux Barbados Holdings III S.r.l., Bordeaux Holding SpA, Bordeaux International Holdings Inc., Bordeaux UK Holdings I Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings II Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings III Limited, Bosque Medical Center Ltda., Brandon Ambulatory Surgery Center LC, BriovaRx Infusion Services 102 LLC, BriovaRx of Florida Inc., BriovaRx of Maine Inc., BriovaRx of Massachusetts LLC, CCEC Anesthesia Management LLC, CDC Holdings Colombia S.A.S., CLISA  Clinica de Santo Antonio S.A., CMO  Centro Medico de Oftalmologia S/S Ltda., CMS  Central de Manipulacao e Servicos Farmaceuticos Ltda., COI  Clinicas Oncologicas Integradas S.A., Cabin Enterprises LLC, Cabin Holdings LLC, California Medical Group Insurance Company Risk Retention Group, Camp Hill Ambulatory Centers, Camp Hill-SCA Centers LLC, Capital City Medical Group L.L.C., Cardinal Holding Company LLC, Care Improvement Plus Group Management LLC, Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus Wisconsin Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus of Texas Insurance Company, Care Logistics LLC, CareMount Dental Member LLC, CareMount Health Solutions ACO LLC, CareMount Health Solutions Employer LLC, CareMount Health Solutions LLC, CareMount Holding LLC, CareMount Medical Foundation Inc., CareMount Value Partners IPA LLC, Carr PLLC, Casa de Saude Santa Therezinha Ltda., Castle Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Castle Rock SurgiCenter LLC, Catalyst360 LLC, Catamaran 2 Unlimited Company, Catamaran Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, Catamaran S.a.r.l., Cedar Park JV Partners LLC, Cedar Park Surgery Center LLC, Cemed Care  Empresa de Atendimento Clinico Geral Ltda., Center for Quality Improvement LLC, Center for Restorative Surgery at Maple Grove LLC, Center for Surgery of North Coast L.P., Central Indiana Care Organization LLC, Central Ohio Care Organization LLC, CentriHealth Corporation, CentrifyHealth LLC, Centro Medico Hospitalar Pitangueiras Ltda., Centro Odontologico Americano S.A.C., Centro de Entrenamiento Capacitacion en Reanimacion y Prevencion Limitada, Centro de Servicios Compartidos Banmedica SpA, Centromed Quilpue S.A., Centros Medicos y Dentales Multimed Ltda., Centura-SCA Holdings LLC, Centurion Casualty Company, Channel Islands Surgicenter L.P., Channel Islands Surgicenter Properties LLC, Charleston Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Charleston Surgery Properties LLC, Charlotte Surgery Center LLC, Charlotte Surgery Properties LTD., Charlotte-SC LLC, Chatham Orthopaedic ASC LLC, Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Citrus Regional Surgery Center L.P., Claims Management Systems Inc., Cleburne Surgical Center LLC, Clinical Partners of Colorado Springs LLC, Clinton Partners LLC, Clinica Alameda SpA, Clinica Bio Bio SpA, Clinica Ciudad del Mar S.A., Clinica Davila y Servicios Medicos S.p.A., Clinica Iquique S.A., Clinica Medico Cirurgica de Santa Tecla S.A., Clinica Portoazul S.A., Clinica San Felipe S.A., Clinica Santa Maria S.p.A., Clinica Sanchez Ferrer S.A., Clinica Vespucio S.A., Clinica del Country S.A.S., Coachella Valley Physicians of PrimeCare Inc., Coalition for Advanced Pharmacy Services Inc., Cobranzas Banmedica SpA, Cogent Healthcare IPA of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare Inc., Cogent Healthcare Management of New York Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Arizona P.C., Cogent Healthcare of California Prof. Corp., Cogent Healthcare of Georgia P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Illinois LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Iowa P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Jackson MS LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Jacksonville LLC, Cogent Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Missouri Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Montana P.C., Cogent Healthcare of New Jersey P.C., Cogent Healthcare of North Carolina P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Oregon P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Pensacola L.L.C., Cogent Healthcare of Tennessee P.C., Cogent Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Cogent Healthcare of Washington P.C., Cogent Medical Care P.C., Cogent Patient Safety Organization Inc., Cogent/Endion Medical Care of New York P.C., Collaborative Care Holdings LLC, Collaborative Care Services Inc., Collaborative Realty LLC, Colmedica Medicina Prepagada S.A., Colonial Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Colorado Innovative Physician Solutions Inc., Colorado Springs Surgery Center Ltd., Comfort Care Transportation LLC, Comprehensive Hospital Physicians of Florida Inc., ConnectYourCare Inc., ConnectYourCare LLC, Connecticut Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Connecticut Surgery Properties LLC, Connecticut Surgical Center LLC, Consorcio Regenero S.A., Constructora Inmobiliaria Magapoq S.A., Consumer Wellness Solutions Inc., Continuum Physicians Group Inc., Continuum Physicians Group of Washington PLLC, Cornell Surgicenter LLC, Cornerstone Surgery Center LLC, Cornerstone Surgicare LLC, Corpus Christi Endoscopy Center L.L.P., Country Scan Ltda., Critical Care Physician of New York P.C., Critical Care Physicians of Illinois LLC, Critical Care Physicians of New Jersey PC, Critical Care Physicians of Pennsylvania P.C., Cross Timbers Surgery Center LLC, Cypress Care Inc., DBP Services of New York IPA Inc., DSP Flint Real Estate LLC, DSP-Building C LLC, DTC Surgery Center LLC, DWIC of Tampa Bay Inc., Dallas Inpatient Specialist PLLC, Danbury Surgical Center L.P., Day-Op Surgery Consulting Company LLC, Definity Health, Dental Benefit Providers Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of California Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of Illinois Inc., Denton Endoscopy Surgery Center LLC, Denton Surgery Center LLC, Derry Surgical Center LLC, Diagnostico Ecotomografico Centromed Ltda., Diasnostico por Imagenes Centromed Ltda., Digestive Disease Center L.P., Dilab Medicina Nuclear Ltda., Diplomat Blocker LLC, Diplomat Corporate Properties LLC, Diplomat Pharmacy, Diplomat Pharmacy Inc., Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Great Lakes Distribution Center LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Chicago LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy of Los Angeles County LLC, Distance Learning Network Inc., Divisadero Holdings LLC, DocASAP Inc., DocASAP India Technologies Private Limited, DocASAP US LLC, Doctor + S.A.C., Dry Creek Surgery Center LLC, Dublin Surgery Center LLC, Duluth Surgical Suites LLC, Durable Medical Equipment Inc., E Street Endoscopy LLC, EM Orange Tree LLC, EP Campus I LLC, EPIC Health Plan, EPIC Management Services LLC, East Bay Endoscopy Center L.P., East Brunswick Surgery Center LLC, Echo Locum Tenens Inc., Electronic Network Systems Inc., Elual Participacoes S.A., Emerald Coast Surgery Center L.P., Emisar Pharma Services LLC, Emmaus Holdings LLC, Emmaus Surgical Center LLC, Empire Physician Management Company LLC, Empremedica S. A., Endion Hospitalist North P.C., Endion Hospitalist of Western New York P.C., Endion Medical Healthcare P.C., Endion Medical Services P.C., Endoscopy Center Affiliates Inc., Enterprise Life Insurance Company, Equian, Equian LLC, Equian Parent Corp., Esho  Empresa de Servicos Hospitalares S.A., Everett MSO Inc., Excelsior Insurance Brokerage Inc., Executive Health Resources Inc., Executive Surgery Center L.L.C., Eye Clinic Oftalmologia Clinico Cirurgica e Diagnostico Ltda., Eye Specialists Surgery Centers LLC, FMG Holdings LLC, Family Health Care Services, Family Home Hospice Inc., Ferrell Physician Services P.C., Fideicomiso Clinica Barranquilla Portoazul FA-517, First Coast Orthopedic Center LLC, First Family Insurance LLC, Florence Surgery Center L.P., For Health Inc., For Health of Arizona Inc., Fort Sutter Medical Building a California Limited Partnership, Fort Worth Endoscopy Centers LLC, Fortified Provider Network Inc., Foundation Surgery Affiliate General of Huntingdon Valley LLC, Foundation Surgery Affiliate of Huntingdon Valley L.P., Franklin Surgical Center LLC, Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, Freeway Surgicenter of Houston LLC, Frontier Medex Tanzania Limited, FrontierMEDEX Inc., FrontierMEDEX Kenya Limited, FrontierMEDEX US Inc., Fundacion Banmedica, GLBESC LLC, GRANTS PASS SURGERY CENTER LLC, Gadsden Surgery Center LLC, Gainesville Surgery Center L.P., Gainesville Surgery Properties LLC, Genoa, Genoa Healthcare Inc., Genoa QoL Wholesale LLC, Genoa Technology Canada Inc., Genoa Technology Inc., Genoa Telepsychiatry Inc., Genoa of Arkansas LLC, Gladiolus Surgery Center L.L.C., Glenwood Surgical Center L.P., Glenwood-SC Inc., Global One Ventures LLC, Golden Gate Endoscopy Center LLC, Golden Outlook Inc., Golden Rule Financial Corporation, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Golden Triangle Surgicenter L.P., Grandview Surgery Center LTD., Greater New Haven ASC LLC, Greensboro Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Greenville Surgery Center LLC, Greenway Surgical Suites LLC, Grossmont Surgery Center L.P., Grove Place Surgery Center L.L.C., H&W Indemnity SPC Ltd., H.I. Investments Holding Company LLC, HCP ACO California LLC, HCentive Technology India Private Limited, HFHS-SCA Holdings LLC, HMG Holding Corporation, HMG Holdings LLC, HMP of Baltimore  USH P.C., Harken Health Insurance Company, Harrison Endo Surgical Center LLC, Hawthorn Place Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Hays JV Partners LLC, Hays Surgery Center LLC, Health Care-ONE Insurance Agency Inc., Health Inventures Employment Solutions LLC, Health Inventures LLC, Health Plan of Nevada Inc., HealthCare Partners ASC-LB LLC, HealthCare Partners Affiliates Medical Group, HealthCare Partners Management Services California LLC, HealthCare Partners RE LLC, HealthEast Surgery Center-Maplewood LLC, HealthFirst IPA Inc., HealthMarkets Group Inc., HealthMarkets Inc., HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Inc., HealthMarkets LLC, HealthMarkets Services Inc., HealthSCOPE Holdings Inc., HealthScope Benefits Inc., Healthcare Solutions Inc., Healthplex America LLC, Healthplex Dental Services Inc., Healthplex I.P.A. Inc., Healthplex Inc., Healthplex Insurance Company, Healthplex of CT Inc., Healthplex of DC Inc., Healthplex of MD Inc., Healthplex of ME Inc., Healthplex of NC Inc., Healthplex of NJ Inc., Healthplex of TX Inc., Heartland Heart and Vascular LLC, Help Seguros de Vida S.A., Help Service S.A., Help SpA, Hemonefro  Hemodialise e Nefrologia Ltda, Highlands Ranch Healthcare LLC, Home Medical S.A., Honodav SpA, Hospice Inspiris Holdings Inc., Hospitais Associados de Pernambuco Ltda., Hospital Alvorada Taguatinga Ltda., Hospital Ana Costa S.A., Hospital Santa Helena S.A., Hospital de Clinicas de Jacarepagua Ltda., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of Broome County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Binghamton P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Buffalo P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Newburgh P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Nyack P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physician of New York - Patchogue P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alabama  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Alaska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Goodyear Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Nogales Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Phoenix Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Sierra Vista Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson II Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona - Tucson Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arizona  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Arkansas  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Buncombe County PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Apple Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Bakersfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Camarillo PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Crescent City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fairfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Fremont PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Grass Valley PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Jackson PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oceanside PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Oxnard PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Salinas PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Bernardino PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - San Leandro PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Sonoma PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton II PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Stockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Thousand Oaks PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California - Vacaville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of California  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Brighton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado - Denver PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Colorado  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Manchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Rockville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut - Wallingford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Connecticut  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of DC  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Delaware  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Jacksonville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida - Palm Coast LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Florida  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Fredericksburg LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Atlanta PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - East Point PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Lavonia PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia - Savannah PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii - Kealakekua Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Hawaii  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho - Nampa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Idaho  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Downers Grove LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Elmhurst LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Rockford LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois - Winfield LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Illinois  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Clinton LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Mishawaka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana - Terre Haute LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Indiana  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Cedar Rapids PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa - Mason City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Iowa  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Topeka LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas - Wichita LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Kansas  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Alexandria Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Bossier City Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Lake Charles Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana - Shreveport Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Louisiana  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Bangor PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine - Lewiston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maine  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cheverly PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Cumberland PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Frederick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Laurel PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland - Rockville PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland P.C., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Maryland  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Brockton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Dorchester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Framingham PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Holyoke PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Natick PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Norwood PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Springfield PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Stoughton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Taunton PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts - Worcester PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Massachusetts  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Alpena PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Dowagiac PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Escanaba PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grand Blanc PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Grayling PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Kalamazoo PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Plainwell PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Port Huron PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Saginaw PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan - Tawas City PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Michigan  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Minnesota  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Mississippi  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Bridgeton Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri - Richmond Heights Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCG Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Missouri  TCS Inc., Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Billings PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Butte PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Miles City PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana - Missoula PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCG PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Montana  TCS PC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Multiple Practice Sites LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nebraska  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Henderson II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada - Las Vegas II Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCG Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Nevada  TCS Bessler PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCG PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Hampshire  TCS PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of New Jersey - 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Cypress PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Dallas PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso III PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - El Paso PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth II PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fort Worth PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Fredericksburg PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Houston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Humble PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kerrville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Kyle PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Livingston PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lubbock PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Lufkin PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Mount Pleasant PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - Plainview PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Texas - 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Alexandria LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Front Royal LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Mechanicsville LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Midlothian LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond II LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Richmond LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia - Winchester LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Virginia  TCS LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Arlington PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Auburn PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bellingham PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Bremerton PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Burien PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - Coupeville PLLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Washington - 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Casper LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCG LLC, Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Wyoming  TCS LLC, Hospitalists Management Group LLC, Humedica, Humedica Inc., Hygeia Corporation, Hygeia Corporation Ontario, IEC Holdings LLC, IHD Holdings LLC, INOV8 Surgical at Memorial City LLC, INSPIRIS of Texas Physician Group, Illinois Independent Care Network LLC, Imagen Technologies Inc., Impel Consulting Experts L.L.C., Impel Management Services L.L.C., InTouch Pharmacy LLC, Indiana Care Organization LLC, Indiana Endoscopy Centers LLC, Inland Surgery Center L.P., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3001 S.A., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3600 Ltda., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo S.A., Inmobiliaria Clinica Santa Maria S.A., Inmobiliaria Vinamed Ltda., Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Alameda S.A., Inpatient Services P.C., Inpatient Specialists of California P.C., Inspiris, Inspiris Inc., Instituto Radium de Cammpinas Ltda, Inter-Hospital Physicians Association Inc., International Healthcare Services Inc., Inversiones Clinicas Santa Maria SpA, Ironman Holdco Inc., Ironman Intermediate Holdco LLC, Isapre Banmedica S.A., JPM Healthcare LLC, Johnston Surgicare L.P., Joliet Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Jordan Ridge Family Medicine LLC, Joyable Inc., Kansal Inc. A Professional Corporation, Knox Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, Kokomo Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, LDI Holding Company LLC, LDI Management Services LLC, LGH-A/Golf ASTC L.L.C., LHC Group, La Esperanza del Peru S.A., Laboratorio ROE S.A., Laboratorios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Landmark Group Holdings LLC, Landmark Health Holdings LLC, Landmark Health LLC, Landmark Health NY IPA LLC, Landmark Health NY PO LLC, Landmark Health Technologies Private Limited, Landmark Health of California LLC, Landmark Health of Massachusetts LLC, Landmark Health of North Carolina LLC, Landmark Health of Oregon LLC, Landmark Health of Pennsylvania LLC, Landmark Health of Washington LLC, Landmark India LLC, Landmark Intermediate Holdings LLC, Landmark MSO LLC, Landmark Medical of Idaho PC, Landmark Medical of Massachusetts PLLC, Landmark Medical of Tennessee PC, Landmark Primary Care LLC, Laser Acquisition Holdings III LLC, Leehar Distributors LLC, Lemhi Ventures Fund I LP, Lemhi Ventures Fund II LP, Level2 Medical Services P.C. Alaska, Lexington Surgery Center Ltd., Liberty Anesthesia Services LLC, LifePrint Health Inc., LifeWell. Ltd. Co., Lifeprint Accountable Care Organization LLC, Limestone Medical Center LLC, Litomedica S.A., Logan Surgical Suites LLC, Lotten-Eyes Oftalmologia Clinica e Cirurgica Ltda., Louisville S.C. Ltd., Louisville-SC Properties Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook L.P., Lusiadas - Parcerias Cascais S.A., Lusiadas A.C.E., Lusiadas Algarve S.A., Lusiadas S.A., Lusiadas SGPS S.A., Lutheran Campus ASC LLC, MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company, MCNA Health Care Holdings LLC, MCNA Insurance Company, MCNA Systems Corp., MD Ops Inc., MD-Individual Practice Association Inc., ME AHS UC LLC, MGH/SCA LLC, MHC Real Estate Holdings LLC, MIAMI SURGERY CENTER LLC, MSLA Management LLC, Main Line Spine Surgery Center LLC, Managed Care of North America Inc., Managed Physical Network Inc., Mansfield Endoscopy Center LLC, March Holdings Inc., March Vision Care IPA Inc., March Vision Care Inc., March Vision Care of Texas Inc., Marin Health Ventures LLC, Marin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Marin Surgery Holdings Inc., Marlin Holding Company LLC, Maryland Ambulatory Centers LLC, Maryland-SCA Centers LLC, Massachusetts Assurance Company Ltd. PIC, Massachusetts Avenue Surgery Center LLC, McKenzie Surgery Center L.P., MedExpress Primary Care West Virginia Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care Alabama LLC, MedExpress Urgent Care Inc. - Ohio, MedExpress Urgent Care Maine Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care New Hampshire Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care of Boynton Beach LLC, MedSynergies, MedSynergies LLC, Medical Clinic of North Texas PLLC, Medical Hilfe S.A., Medical Support Los Angeles Inc., Medical Surgical Centers of America Inc., Medical Transportation Services LLC, Melbourne Surgery Center LLC, Memorial City Holdings LLC, Memorial City Partners LLC, Memorial Houston Surgery Center LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Orange Coast LLC, MemorialCare Surgical Center at Saddleback LLC, Mesquite Liberty LLC, Metro I Stone Management Ltd., Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, Midlands Orthopaedics Surgery Center LLC, Midwest Center for Day Surgery LLC, Mile High SurgiCenter LLC, Mississippi Medical Plaza L.C., Mobile Medical Services of New Jersey PC, Mobile-SC LTD., Modality Accountable Care Organisation Limited, Moen M.D. P.C., Mohawk Surgery Center LLC, Monarch Management Services Inc., Montgomery Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Monument Health LLC, Moore Orthopaedic Clinic Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Morris County Surgical Center LLC, Mt. Pleasant Surgery Center L.P., Multiangio Ltda., Murrells Inlet ASC LLC, Muskogee Surgical Investors LLC, Mustang Razorback Holdings Inc., My Wellness Solutions LLC, NAMM Holdings Inc., NPN IPA Washington PLLC, NSC Channel Islands LLC, NSC Greensboro LLC, NSC Greensboro West LLC, NSC Lancaster LLC, NSC Seattle Inc., NSC Upland LLC, Naperville Surgical Centre LLC, National Foundation Life Insurance Company, National Pacific Dental Inc., National Surgery Centers LLC, Navigator Health Inc., Nebraska Spine Hospital LLC, Neighborhood Health Partnership Inc., Netwerkes LLC, Nevada Pacific Dental, New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization L.L.C., New West Physicians Inc., New York Proton Management LLC, Newton Holdings LLC, Niagara Hospitalist P.C., Nomad Buyer Inc., North American Medical Management California Inc., North Coast Surgery Center Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, North Dallas Surgical Center LLC, North Kitsap Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, North Puget Sound Oncology Equipment Leasing Company LLC, Northern Nevada Health Network Inc., Northern Rockies Surgery Center L.P., Northern Rockies Surgicenter Inc., Northern Utah Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Hills JV Partners LLC, Northwest Medical Group Alliance LLC, Northwest Spine and Laser Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgicare LLC, Northwest Surgicare Ltd. an Illinois Limited Partnership, OC Cardiology Practice Partners LLC, OCC MSO LLC, OSB  Tecnologia e Servicos de Suporte Lda., Omesa SpA, OmniClaim LLC, Oncocare S.A.C., One World Surgery, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Dallas LLC, Optimum Choice Inc., Optum Bank Inc., Optum Biometrics Inc., Optum Care Inc., Optum Care Networks Inc., Optum Care Services Company, Optum Care of New York Management Inc., Optum Clinics Holdings Inc., Optum Clinics Intermediate Holdings Inc., Optum Compounding Services LLC, Optum Digital Health Holdings LLC, Optum Direct To Consumer Inc., Optum Financial Inc., Optum Frontier Therapies Holdings LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies II LLC, Optum Frontier Therapies LLC, Optum Genomics Inc., Optum Global Solutions Colombia S.A.S., Optum Global Solutions India Private Limited, Optum Global Solutions International B.V., Optum Global Solutions Philippines Inc., Optum Government Solutions Inc., Optum Growth Partners Holdings Inc., Optum Growth Partners LLC, Optum Health & Technology Holdings US Inc., Optum Health & Technology Hong Kong Limited, Optum Health & Technology India Private Limited, Optum Health & Technology Servicos do Brasil Ltda., Optum Health & Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd., Optum Health & Technology US LLC, Optum Health Plan of California, Optum Health Services Canada Ltd., Optum Health Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Optum Health Solutions UK Limited, Optum Health and Technology FZ-LLC, Optum Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services LLC, Optum Inc., Optum Infusion Services 100 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 101 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 103 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 200 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 201 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 202 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 203 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 204 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 205 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 206 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 207 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 208 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 209 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 301 LP, Optum Infusion Services 302 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 305 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 308 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 401 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 402 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 403 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 404 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 500 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 501 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 550 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 551 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 553 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 554 Inc., Optum Insurance of Ohio Inc., Optum Labs Inc., Optum Labs LLC, Optum Life Sciences Canada Inc., Optum Management Consulting Shanghai Co. Ltd., Optum Networks of New Jersey Inc., Optum Operations Ireland Unlimited Company, Optum Oregon MSO LLC, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Pennsylvania Inc., Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Texas Inc., Optum Perks LLC, Optum Pharma Services Holdings Inc., Optum Pharmacy 601 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 700 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 701 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 702 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 704 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 705 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 706 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 707 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 800 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 803 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 805 Inc., Optum Pharmacy 806 Inc., Optum Public Sector Solutions Inc., Optum Rocket LLC, Optum SCA CS JV Holdings LLC, Optum Senior Services LLC, Optum Services Inc., Optum Services Ireland Limited, Optum Services Puerto Rico LLC, Optum Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Optum Technology LLC, Optum UK Solutions Group Limited, Optum Venture Global Partners II LP, Optum Venture Global Partners LP, Optum Venture Partners II LP, Optum Venture Partners III LP, Optum Venture Partners LP, Optum Washington Network LLC, Optum Women's and Children's Health LLC, Optum of New York Inc., Optum360 LLC, Optum360 Services Inc., Optum360 Solutions LLC, OptumCare ACO New Mexico LLC, OptumCare ACO West LLC, OptumCare Clinical Trials LLC, OptumCare Colorado ASC LLC, OptumCare Colorado LLC, OptumCare Colorado Springs LLC, OptumCare Endoscopy Center New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Florida CI LLC, OptumCare Florida LLC, OptumCare Holdings Colorado LLC, OptumCare Holdings LLC, OptumCare Management LLC, OptumCare New Mexico LLC, OptumCare New York IPA Inc., OptumCare Portland LLC, OptumCare South Florida LLC, OptumCare Specialty Practices LLC, OptumHealth Care Solutions LLC, OptumHealth Holdings LLC, OptumHealth International B.V., OptumInsight Holdings LLC, OptumInsight Inc., OptumInsight India Private Limited, OptumInsight Life Sciences Inc., OptumRx Administrative Services LLC, OptumRx Discount Card Services LLC, OptumRx Group Holdings Inc., OptumRx Health Solutions LLC, OptumRx Holdings I LLC, OptumRx Holdings LLC, OptumRx Home Delivery of Ohio LLC, OptumRx IPA III Inc., OptumRx Inc., OptumRx NY IPA Inc., OptumRx PBM of Illinois Inc., OptumRx PBM of Maryland LLC, OptumRx PBM of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx PBM of Wisconsin LLC, OptumRx PD of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx Pharmacy Inc., OptumRx Pharmacy of Nevada Inc., OptumRx of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumServe Technology Services Inc., Oregon Healthcare Resources LLC, Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., OrthoNet Holdings Inc., OrthoNet LLC, OrthoNet New York IPA Inc., OrthoNet West Inc., OrthoNet of the South Inc., OrthoWest MSO LLC, Orthology Inc., Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopedic Surgery Center of Palm Beach County LLC, Orthopro Management LLC, Ovations Inc., Owensboro Ambulatory Surgical Facility Ltd., Oxford Benefit Management Inc., Oxford Health Insurance Inc., Oxford Health Plans CT Inc., Oxford Health Plans LLC, Oxford Health Plans NJ Inc., Oxford Health Plans NY Inc., P2P Link LLC, PCCCV Inc., PHC Subsidiary Holdings LLC, PHYSICIANS DAY SURGERY CENTER LLC, PMI Acquisition LLC, PMSI Holdings LLC, PMSI Settlement Solutions LLC, POMCO Inc., POMCO Network Inc., PPH Holdings LLC, PPH Management Company L.L.C., PPH-Columbia Inc., PPH-Gardendale Inc., PS Center LLC, PacifiCare Health Systems, PacifiCare Life Assurance Company, PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, PacifiCare of Arizona Inc., PacifiCare of Colorado Inc., Pacific Cardiovascular Associates Medical Group Inc., Pacific Casualty Company Inc., Pacifico S.A. Entidad Prestadora de Salud, Panama City Surgery Center LLC, Park Hill Surgery Center LLC, Parkway Surgery Center LLC, Patient Care Associates L.L.C., PatientsLikeMe, Patrimonio Autonomo Nueva Clinica, Payment Resolution Services LLC, Peninsula Eye Surgery Center LLC, Penzo Enterprises LLC, Peoples Health, Peoples Health Inc., Perham Physical Therapy LTD, Perimeter Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Pharmaceutical Technologies LLC, Physician Alliance of the Rockies LLC, Physicians Health Choice of Texas LLC, Physicians Health Plan of Maryland Inc., Physicians' Surgery Center of Downey LLC, Pinnacle III LLC, Plano de Saude Ana Costa Ltda., Plus One Health Management Puerto Rico Inc., Plus One Holdings Inc., Pocono Ambulatory Surgery Center Limited, Polar II Fundo de Investimento em Participacoes Multiestrategia, Polo Holdco LLC, Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Post-Acute Care Center for Research LLC, Practice Partners in Healthcare LLC, Preferred Care Network Inc., Preferred Care Network of Florida Inc., Preferred Care Partners Holding Corp., Preferred Care Partners Inc., Preferred Care Partners Medical Group Inc., PreferredOne, PreferredOne Administrative Services Inc., PreferredOne Insurance Company, Premier Choice ACO Inc., Premier Surgery Center of Louisville L.P., Premiere Medical Resources LLC, Presidio Surgery Center LLC, Prime Health Inc., PrimeCare Medical Network Inc., PrimeCare of Citrus Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Corona Inc., PrimeCare of Hemet Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Inland Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Moreno Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Redlands Inc., PrimeCare of Riverside Inc., PrimeCare of San Bernardino Inc., PrimeCare of Sun City Inc., PrimeCare of Temecula Inc., PrimeDoc St. Francis P.C., PrimeDoc of Richmond P.C., ProHEALTH Care Associates L.L.P., ProHEALTH Care Associates of New Jersey LLP, ProHEALTH Medical Management LLC, ProHealth Physicians ACO LLC, ProHealth Physicians Inc., ProHealth Proton Center Management LLC, ProHealth/CareMount Dental Management LLC, Procura Management Inc., Professional Coverage Services PLLC, Progressive Enterprises Holdings Inc., Progressive Medical LLC, Promotora Country S.A., Pronounced Health Solutions Inc., Prosemedic S.A.C., Prospero Benefits Management LLC, Prospero Care Management LLC, Prospero Management Services LLC, Providence & SCA Development LLC, Providence & SCA Off-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA On-Campus Holdings LLC, Providence & SCA Outreach Markets Holdings LLC, Pulse Platform LLC, QoL Acquisition Holdings Corp., R Cubed Inc., RABessler M.D. P.C., ROC Surgery LLC, ROCS Holdings LLC, RX Ricardo Campos Ltda., Rally Health Inc., ReMedics LLC, Real Appeal Inc., Redding Surgery Center LLC, Redlands Ambulatory Surgery Center, Redlands-SCA Surgery Centers Inc., Reliant MSO LLC, Reliant Medical Group Inc., Reliant Medical Group The Endoscopy Center LLC, Research Surgical Center LLC, Resonancia Magnetica de Colombia Ltda., Resonancia Magnetica del Country S.A., RightCare Solutions Inc., River Valley ASC LLC, Riverside Corporate Wellness LLC, Riverside Electronic Healthcare Resources Inc., Riverside Medical Management LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Meadowlands LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Newark LLC, Robert A. Bessler MD PLLC, Rockville Eye Surgery Center LLC, Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization Incorporated, Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center LLC, SC Affiliates LLC, SCA AHN JV Holdings LLC, SCA Alaska Surgery Center inc., SCA Athens LLC, SCA Austin Holdings LLC, SCA Austin Medical Center Holdings LLC, SCA Aventura Holdings LLC, SCA BOSC Holdings LLC, SCA Bloomfield Holdings LLC, SCA Cedar Park Holdings LLC, SCA Clifton LLC, SCA Colorado Springs Holdings LLC, SCA Community Service Foundation, SCA Cottonwood Holdings LLC, SCA Danbury Surgical Center LLC, SCA Denver Holdings LLC, SCA Development LLC, SCA Duluth Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville Holdings LLC, SCA Duncanville MSO LLC, SCA ESSC Holdings LLC, SCA Englewood Holdings LLC, SCA Global One Holdings LLC, SCA Greenway Holdings LLC, SCA Grove Creek Holdings LLC, SCA Guilford Holdings LLC, SCA Hays Holdings LLC, SCA Health Value Enterprise LLC, SCA Heartland Holdings LLC, SCA High Point Holdings LLC, SCA HoldCo Inc., SCA Holding Company Inc., SCA Holdings Inc., SCA IEC Holdings LLC, SCA Indiana Holdings LLC, SCA Lutheran Holdings LLC, SCA Maple Grove Holdings LLC, SCA Mohawk Holdings LLC, SCA Murrells Inlet LLC, SCA Northern Utah Holdings LLC, SCA Northwest Holdings LLC, SCA Outside New Jersey LLC, SCA Pacific Holdings Inc., SCA Pacific Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Palisades Holdings LLC, SCA Pennsylvania Holdings LLC, SCA Pinnacle Holdings LLC, SCA Premier Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, SCA Providence Holdings LLC, SCA ROCS Holdings LLC, SCA Rockledge JV LLC, SCA Rush Oak Brook Holdings LLC, SCA SSSC Holdings LLC, SCA Sage Medical LLC, SCA Sage Medical MSO LLC, SCA San Diego Holdings LLC, SCA Skyway Holdings LLC, SCA South Ogden Holdings LLC, SCA Southwestern PA LLC, SCA Specialists of Florida LLC, SCA Specialty Holdings of Connecticut LLC, SCA Stonegate Holdings LLC, SCA Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Surgicare of Laguna Hills LLC, SCA Teammate Support Network, SCA West Health Holdings LLC, SCA Westgreen Holdings LLC, SCA Woodbury Holdings LLC, SCA eCode Solutions Private Limited, SCA of Clarksville Inc., SCA-Albuquerque Surgery Properties Inc., SCA-Alliance LLC, SCA-Anne Arundel LLC, SCA-Applecare Partners LLC, SCA-Bethesda LLC, SCA-Blue Ridge LLC, SCA-Bonita Springs LLC, SCA-Brandon LLC, SCA-Castle Rock LLC, SCA-Central Florida LLC, SCA-Charleston LLC, SCA-Chatham LLC, SCA-Chevy Chase LLC, SCA-Citrus Inc., SCA-Colonial Partners LLC, SCA-Colorado Springs LLC, SCA-Connecticut Partners LLC, SCA-DRY CREEK LLC, SCA-Davenport LLC, SCA-Denver LLC, SCA-Denver Physicians Holdings LLC, SCA-Derry LLC, SCA-Doral LLC, SCA-Downey LLC, SCA-Dublin LLC, SCA-Encinitas Inc., SCA-Eugene Inc., SCA-First Coast LLC, SCA-Florence LLC, SCA-Fort Collins Inc., SCA-Fort Walton Inc., SCA-Franklin LLC, SCA-Frederick LLC, SCA-Freeway Holdings LLC, SCA-Ft. Myers LLC, SCA-GRANTS PASS LLC, SCA-Gainesville LLC, SCA-Gladiolus LLC, SCA-Glenwood Holdings LLC, SCA-Grove Place LLC, SCA-Hagerstown LLC, SCA-Hamden LLC, SCA-Hilton Head LLC, SCA-Honolulu LLC, SCA-Houston Executive LLC, SCA-IT Holdings LLC, SCA-Illinois LLC, SCA-JPM Holdings LLC, SCA-Kissing Camels Holdings LLC, SCA-MC VBP Inc., SCA-Main Street LLC, SCA-Marina del Rey LLC, SCA-Mecklenburg Development Corp., SCA-Memorial City LLC, SCA-Memorial LLC, SCA-Merritt LLC, SCA-Midlands LLC, SCA-Midway Management LLC, SCA-Mobile LLC, SCA-Mokena LLC, SCA-Morris Avenue LLC, SCA-Morris County LLC, SCA-Mt. Pleasant LLC, SCA-Naperville LLC, SCA-Naples LLC, SCA-New Jersey LLC, SCA-Newport Beach LLC, SCA-Northeast Georgia Health LLC, SCA-PORTLAND LLC, SCA-Palm Beach LLC, SCA-Palm Beach MSO Holdings LLC, SCA-Panama City Holdings LLC, SCA-Paoli LLC, SCA-Phoenix LLC, SCA-Pocono LLC, SCA-Practice Partners Holdings LLC, SCA-River Valley LLC, SCA-Riverside LLC, SCA-Riverside Partners LLC, SCA-Rockville LLC, SCA-Sacred Heart Holdings LLC, SCA-San Diego Inc., SCA-San Luis Obispo LLC, SCA-Sand Lake LLC, SCA-Santa Rosa Inc., SCA-Somerset LLC, SCA-South Jersey LLC, SCA-Sparta LLC, SCA-Spartanburg Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis LLC, SCA-St. Lucie LLC, SCA-SurgiCare LLC, SCA-Swiftpath LLC, SCA-VERTA LLC, SCA-VLR Holdings Company LLC, SCA-Wake Forest LLC, SCA-Western Connecticut LLC, SCA-Westover Hills LLC, SCA-Winchester LLC, SCA-Winter Park Inc., SCA-Woodlands Holdings LLC, SCAI Holdings LLC, SCLHS-SCA Holdings LLC, SCP Specialty Infusion LLC, SHC Atlanta LLC, SHC Austin Inc., SHC Hawthorn Inc., SHC Melbourne Inc., SJ East Campus ASC LLC, SRPS LLC, SSSC Holdings LLC, SVHS-SCA Florida JV LLC, Sacred Heart ASC LLC, Saden S.A., Sage Medical Prof. LLC, Salem JV Holdings LLC, Salem Surgery Center LLC, Salveo Specialty Pharmacy Inc., San Diego Endoscopy Center, San Diego Sports and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center LLC, San Francisco Endoscopy Center LLC, San Luis Obispo Surgery Center a California Limited Partnership, Sand Lake SurgiCenter LLC, Santa Barbara Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Cruz Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Helena Assistencia Medica S.A., Santa Rosa Surgery Center L.P., Santos Administracao e Participacoes S.A., Sanvello Health Holdings LLC, Sanvello Health Inc., Sanvello Health Limited, Scanner Centromed S.A., Seashore Surgical Institute L.L.C., Seisa Servicos Integrados de Saude Ltda., Senate Street Surgery Center LLC, Senior Benefits L.L.C., Serquinox Holdings LLC, Servicios Integrados de Salud Ltda., Servicios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Servicios Medicos Bio Bio Ltda., Servicios Medicos Ciudad del Mar Ltda., Servicios Medicos Santa Maria Ltda., Servicios Medicos Vespucio Ltda., Servicios de Entrenamiento en Competencias Clinicas Ltda., Serviclinica Inmobiliaria S.A., Serviclinica S.A. Ex Los Leones La Calera, Servisalud Inmobiliaria S.A., Servisalud S.A. Ex Los Carrera Quilpue, Shark Holdings P.C., Sierra Dental Plan Inc., Sierra Health Services Inc, Sierra Health Services Inc., Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company Inc., Sierra Health-Care Options Inc., Sierra Home Medical Products Inc., Sierra Nevada Administrators Inc., Sistema de Administracion Hospitalaria S.A.C., Small Business Insurance Advisors Inc., Sobam  Centro Medico Hospitalar S.A., Sociedad de Inversiones Santa Maria SpA, Solstice Administration Services Inc., Solstice Administrators Inc., Solstice Administrators of Alabama Inc., Solstice Administrators of Arizona Inc., Solstice Administrators of Missouri Inc., Solstice Administrators of North Carolina Inc., Solstice Administrators of Texas Inc., Solstice Benefit Services Inc., Solstice Benefits Inc., Solstice Health Insurance Company, Solstice Healthplans Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Arizona Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Colorado Inc., Solstice Healthplans of New Jersey Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Ohio Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Tennessee Inc., Solstice Healthplans of Texas Inc., Solstice of Illinois Inc., Solstice of Minnesota Inc., Solstice of New York Inc., Solutran LLC, Somerset Outpatient Surgery L.L.C., Sound Inpatient Physicians Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians Medical Group Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians of Ohio LLC, Sound Inpatient Physicians of Texas I Inc., Sound Inpatient Physicians  Michigan PLLC, Sound Intensivists of Nevada RBessler M.D. PLLC, Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati Inc., Sound Kenwood Hospitalists of Cincinnati LLC, Sound Physicians Advisory Services Inc., Sound Physicians Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, Sound Physicians Anesthesiology of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Georgia P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kansas LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Kentucky PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Louisiana Inc., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Michigan PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Nevada Bessler PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Southern California P.C., Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Texas PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Emergency Medicine of West Virginia PLLC, Sound Physicians Holdings LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Arizona Inc., Sound Physicians Intensivists of Georgia PC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Virginia LLC, Sound Physicians Intensivists of Washington PLLC, Sound Physicians Palliative Care of Maryland P.C., Sound Physicians Telemedicine Inc., Sound Physicians of Florida IV LLC, Sound Physicians of Georgia III P.C., Sound Physicians of Hawaii Inc., Sound Physicians of Idaho PLLC, Sound Physicians of Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Indiana LLC, Sound Physicians of Iowa PLLC, Sound Physicians of Kankakee Illinois LLC, Sound Physicians of Massachusetts II P.C., Sound Physicians of Massachusetts Inc., Sound Physicians of New Jersey LLC, Sound Physicians of New York PLLC, Sound Physicians of North Carolina PLLC, Sound Physicians of South Carolina LLC, Sound Physicians of Wyoming LLC, South Arlington Surgical Providers LLC, South County Surgical Center LLC, South Sound Inpatient Physicians PLLC, Southern California Medical Practice Concepts LLC, Southland Hospitalists P.C., Southwest Medical Associates Inc., Southwest Michigan Health Network Inc., Southwest Surgery Center LLC, Southwest Surgical Center LLC, Space Coast Surgical Center Ltd., Spartanburg Surgery Center LLC, Specialists in Urology Surgery Center LLC, Specialized Pharmaceuticals Inc., Specialty Benefits LLC, Specialty Billing Solutions LLC, Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Spectera Inc., Spectera of New York IPA Inc., Sports and Spinal Physical Therapy Inc., St. Cloud Outpatient Surgery Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, St. Cloud Surgical Center LLC, St. Louis Cardiovascular Institute LLC, St. Louis Specialty Surgical Center LLC, Stonegate JV Partners LLC, Stonegate Surgery Center L.P., Summer Street ASC LLC, SunSurgery LLC, Surgery Center Holding LLC, Surgery Center at Cherry Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Cottonwood LLC, Surgery Center at Grove Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Kissing Camels LLC, Surgery Center at South Ogden LLC, Surgery Center at St. Vincent LLC, Surgery Center of Boca Raton Inc., Surgery Center of Colorado Springs LLC, Surgery Center of Des Moines LLC, Surgery Center of Easton LLC, Surgery Center of Ellicott City Inc., Surgery Center of Fairfield County LLC, Surgery Center of Fort Collins LLC, Surgery Center of Lexington LLC, Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, Surgery Center of Maui LLC, Surgery Center of Mt. Scott LLC, Surgery Center of Muskogee LLC, Surgery Center of Rockville L.L.C., Surgery Center of Southern Pines LLC, Surgery Center of The Woodlands LLC, Surgery Centers of Des Moines Ltd. an Iowa Limited Partnership, Surgery Centers-West Holdings LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates Political Action Committee, Surgical Care Partners of Melbourne LLC, Surgical Caregivers of Fort Worth LLC, Surgical Center of Greensboro LLC, Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, Surgical Center of South Jersey Limited Partnership, Surgical Center of Tuscaloosa Holdings LLC, Surgical Eye Experts LLC, Surgical Health LLC, Surgical Health of Orlando LLC, Surgical Hospital Holdings of Oklahoma LLC, Surgical Management Solutions LLC, Surgicare LLC, Surgicare of Central Jersey LLC, Surgicare of Jackson LLC, Surgicare of Jackson Ltd. a Mississippi Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Joliet Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Ltd. a California Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Minneapolis LLC, Surgicare of Minneapolis Ltd. a Minnesota Limited Partnership, Surgicare of Mobile LLC, Surgicare of Mobile Ltd., Surgicare of Oceanside Inc., Surgicare of Owensboro LLC, Surgicare of Salem LLC, Surgicenters of Southern California Inc., Symphonix Health Holdings LLC, T.M. Carr M.D. P.C., THE SURGICAL CENTER OF THE TREASURE COAST L.L.C., THR-SCA Holdings LLC, TeamMD Holdings Inc., TeamMD Iowa Inc., TeamMD Physicians of Texas Inc., TeamUP Insurance Services Inc., Tecnologia de Informacion en Salud S.A., Texas Health Craig Ranch Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Flower Mound Orthopedic Surgery Center LLC, Texas Health Orthopedic Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Alliance LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Bedford LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Chisholm Trail LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Irving LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Las Colinas LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Preston Plaza LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Rockwall LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Southwest Fort Worth LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Waxahachie LLC, Texas Health Surgery Center Willow Park LLC, The Advisory Board Company, The Alaska Hospitalist Group LLC, The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, The Eye Surgery Center of the Carolinas L.P., The Intensivist Group of Langhorne LLC, The Lewin Group Inc., The Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head LLC, The Polyclinic MSO LLC, The Surgery Center of Easton L.P., The Surgical Center of Connecticut LLC, Thomas Johnson Surgery Center LLC, Three Rivers Holdings Inc., Three Rivers Surgical Care L.P., Tmesys LLC, Topimagem Diagnostico por Imagem Ltda., Touchpoint Health Plan, Trails Edge Surgery Center LLC, Trauma Surgery Affiliates LLC, Travel Express Incorporated, Treasure Valley Emerald Properties LLC, Treasure Valley Hospital Limited Partnership, Tri-City Medical Center ASC Operators LLC, Tri-County Surgery Center LLC, Trinity Cardiovascular Care PLLC, Tufts Health Freedom Insurance Company, Tufts Health Freedom Plans Inc., Tuscaloosa Surgical Center L.P., U.S. Behavioral Health Plan California, UCSD Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, UCSD Center for Surgery of Encinitas L.P., UCSD Surgical Center of San Diego LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings I LLC, UCSD-SCA Holdings II LLC, UHC Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UHC International Services Inc., UHC of California, UHCG Holdings Ireland Limited, UHCG Services Ireland Limited, UHCG  FZE, UHG Brasil Participacoes S.A., UHG Holdings UK IV Limited, UHG Holdings UK V Limited, UHG Holdings UK VI Limited, UHIC Holdings Inc., UMR Inc., UPHT-SCA Holdings LLC, USHEALTH Academy Inc., USHEALTH Administrators LLC, USHEALTH Advisors LLC, USHEALTH Career Agency Inc., USHEALTH Funding Inc., USHEALTH Group Inc., USMD ASC IV1 LLC, USMD ASC IV2 LLC, USMD Administrative Services L.L.C., USMD Affiliated Services, USMD Holdings Inc., USMD Hospital at Arlington L.P., USMD Hospital at Fort Worth L.P., USMD Inc., USMD PPM LLC, Unidad Medica Diagnostico S.A., Unimerica Insurance Company, Unimerica Life Insurance Company of New York, Unison Health Plan of Delaware Inc., United Behavioral Health, United Behavioral Health of New York I.P.A. Inc., United Group Reinsurance Inc., United Health Foundation, United HealthCare Services Inc., United Medical Park ASC LLC, United Resource Networks IPA of New York Inc., United in Advancing Health Equity Foundation, UnitedHealth Advisors LLC, UnitedHealth Group Employee Assistance Fund, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, UnitedHealth Group International Finance Ireland Unlimited Company, UnitedHealth International Inc., UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services LLC, UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas L.L.C., UnitedHealthcare Consulting & Assistance Service Beijing Co. Ltd., UnitedHealthcare Europe S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Global Medical UK Limited, UnitedHealthcare Inc., UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Designated Activity Company, UnitedHealthcare Integrated Services Inc., UnitedHealthcare International Asia LLC, UnitedHealthcare International I B.V., UnitedHealthcare International II S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International III B.V., UnitedHealthcare International III S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International IV S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VIII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International X S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Parekh Insurance TPA Private Limited, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley Inc., UnitedHealthcare Service LLC, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits LLC, UnitedHealthcare of Alabama Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arizona Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Colorado Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Florida Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky Ltd., UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New England Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oregon Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Utah Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Washington Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Rockies Inc., Unity Health Network LLC, Upland Holdings LLC, Upland Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Urgent Care Holdings Inc., Urgent Care MSO LLC, Urology Associates of North Texas P.L.L.C., VERTA MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC, VPay Benefits Corporation, VPay Inc., VPay Intermediate Holdings LLC, Valley Hospital L.L.C., Valley Physicians Network Inc., Vascular Labs of the Rockies ASC LLC, Vascular Labs of the Rockies PLLC, Via Vitae MSO LLC, Vida Integra S.p.A., Vida Tres S.A., Virtua-SCA Holdings II LLC, Virtua-SCA Holdings LLC, Vivify Health Canada Inc., Vivify Health Inc., WESTMED Practice Partners LLC, Wake Forest Ambulatory Ventures LLC, Walnut Creek Endoscopy Center LLC, Walnut Hill Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Surgery Center LLC, Wayland Square Surgicare Acquisition L.P., Wayland Square Surgicare GP Inc., Waypoint Minnesota PC, WellMed Medical Management Inc., WellMed Medical Management of Florida Inc., West Coast Endoscopy Holdings LLC, WestHealth JV Holdings LLC, WestHealth Surgery Center LLC, Western Connecticut Orthopedic Surgical Center LLC, Westgreen Surgical Center LLC, Wilson Creek Surgical Center LLC, Winchester Endoscopy LLC, Winter Park LLC, Winter Park Surgery Center L.P., Woodbury Surgery Center LLC, XAS Infusion Suites Inc., XLHealth Corporation, XLHealth Corporation India Private Limited, divvyDOSE, divvyMED LLC, eCode Solutions LLC, gethealthinsurance.com Agency Inc., hCentive Inc., inPharmative Inc., naviHealth Care at Home LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care LLC, naviHealth Coordinated Care SC P.C., naviHealth Holdings LLC, naviHealth Inc., naviHealth Michigan HBPC P.C., and naviHealth SM Holdings Inc..

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Snowflake Inc. is a cloud-based data storage, computing and analytics company with no official headquarters. The company embraced a non-centralized business model in 2021 but the history is much deeper than that.

The company was founded in 2012 as Snowflake Computing, Inc by a trio of data storage experts who kept it in stealth mode for its 1st 2 years. Snowflake Computing Inc. brought its offerings to the public in 2014 revealing that it already had 80 clients using its services. Services include cloud-based software and hardware applications that are highly scalable and include 3rd-party support to aid businesses with todays rapidly changing technological landscape.

The company saw rapid growth over the next several years and reached unicorn status in 2017/2018. The company sold itself on the public market in 2020 and caused quite a stir when it did. The company priced its original offering at $75 to $85 per share and wound up listing them at $125 for the IPO. The IPO was oversubscribed and drove the price up to $240 before even the first trade was made. That gave the company a valuation of nearly $3.4 billion making it one of the largest cloud IPOs in history. Snowflake Computing, Inc shortened its name to Snowflake, Inc upon completion of the IPO.

Today, Snowflake Inc operates a cloud-based data platform in the United States and does business internationally. The company's primary product is Data Cloud, a cloud-based suite of tools that allows clients to consolidate data into a single location and facilitates deeper analytical insight and information sharing.

The company believes that data should not be siloed or only available for limited use. On Snowflakes platform, data is governed, which allows users to access 2nd and 3rd party data to gain the deepest insights possible. The platform also operates on the idea of a Data Lake that can be accessed anywhere from anywhere. Among the many benefits of using Snowflakes one-cloud platform are access, global connectivity, cross-cloud operability and creating new revenue streams for businesses. The platform can be fully automated as well so clients are able to harness data, not manage it.

The company initially used Amazons AWS cloud services but switched to Microsofts Azure and then Googles cloud which it is currently operating on. This progression has helped it gain its own deep insights and facilitates its ability to provide the best-in-class cross-cloud services on the market.

Security is central to the platforms success. Not only is data stored in a centralized location and governed in a tiered manner (which keeps each business's IP and most trusted secrets safe) but the platforms utility allows for state-of-the-art threat detection and some of the quickest response times in the industry.

Snowflake brought in $1.22 billion in revenue for 2022 and employs about 4,000 across its operating footprint. The company counts more than 1300 client partners and has more than 250 PBs of data under storage. The company offers solutions in 6 categories: Advertising, Media & Entertainment; Financial; Retail & CPG; Healthcare & Lifesciences and Marketing Analytics.
FedEx Corporation is a global courier delivery services company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Founded in 1971, it is one of the largest logistics companies in the world, with operations in over 220 countries and territories. FedEx offers various services, including express shipping, ground shipping, freight forwarding, and e-commerce solutions. The company has over 600 aircraft and more than 180,000 vehicles in its fleet and employs over 600,000 people worldwide.

Frederick W. Smith is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of FedEx Corporation. He has been at the company's helm since its inception and has been instrumental in its growth and success. In 2022 Frederick Smith passed the baton to Raj Subramaniam. Raj Subramaniam has over thirty years of leadership experience and moved into the CEO role from his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In recent years, the company has made a few critical changes in its leadership team, including the appointment of Lance Moll as President and CEO of FedEx Freight in 2020, who started his career as a manager at a FedEx distribution center.

FedEx reported that revenue has risen at an excellent pace yearly for several years. Net income, while only a fraction of revenue, is pacing in growth with the revenue. This is due to FedEx maintaining a healthy profit margin, with a net profit margin of approximately 3.5%. The company has also been actively managing debt to reduce its debt levels. Total assets on hand are robust enough to cover total liabilities within the company. FedEx has a price-to-earnings ratio lower than the industry average and a price-to-book ratio lower than the industry average. These valuation metrics suggest that the company's stock may be undervalued compared to its peers. FedEx's stock had performed well in recent years, with the stock price recovering from a tumble in 2022 when FedEx pulled its earnings forecast due to worsening business conditions.

FedEx operates in the highly competitive logistics and courier delivery services industry with low margins and intense competition. The company faces competition from established players like UPS and DHL and newer entrants like Amazon, which has been expanding its delivery network. The industry is also subject to regulatory and political pressures, such as changes in trade policies and tariffs, which can impact the flow of goods across borders.

Despite the challenges in the industry, FedEx has several growth opportunities. The company has expanded its e-commerce capabilities by acquiring ShopRunner, a membership-based e-commerce platform, in 2021. The company has also invested in autonomous delivery technology, launching the FedEx SameDay Bot, designed to make deliveries in urban areas. In addition, the company has been expanding its presence in healthcare logistics by acquiring Cargex in 2021.

Several risks and challenges could impact FedEx's future growth prospects. One significant risk is the potential for changes in consumer preferences, particularly with the growth of online shopping and the increasing demand for faster and more convenient delivery options. The company also faces regulatory risks, particularly with changes in trade policies and tariffs. Competitive pressures are also a significant challenge, with Amazon expanding its delivery network and other logistics companies competing for market share. Finally, the company is also subject to risks related to its operations, such as disruptions to its supply chain or the impact of natural disasters on its infrastructure.
Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May, 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.61. The real estate investment trust had revenue of $445.92 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $452.70 million. Vornado Realty Trust had a positive trailing twelve-month return on equity of 3.42% and a negative net margin of 17.99%. Vornado Realty Trust's revenue was up .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.79 earnings per share.

Read the conference call transcript.


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.
Yelp Inc. operates a platform that connects consumers with local businesses in the United States and internationally. The company's platform covers various local business categories, including restaurants, shopping, beauty and fitness, health, and other categories, as well as home, local, auto, professional, pets, events, real estate, and financial services. It provides free and paid advertising products to businesses, which include cost-per-click search advertising and multi-location Ad products, as well as enables businesses to deliver targeted search advertising to local audiences; and business listing page products. The company also offers other services comprising Yelp Guest Manager, a subscription-based suite of front-of-house management tools for restaurants, nightlife and certain other venues, which include online reservations, a waitlist management solution that allows consumers to check wait times and join waitlists remotely as well as through hostless kiosks, and seating and server rotation management tools; Yelp Knowledge program that offers business owners local analytics and insights through access to its historical data and other proprietary content; and Yelp Fusion, which offers free and paid access to content and data for consumer-facing enterprise use through publicly available APIs. In addition, it provides content licensing, as well as allows third-party data providers to update and manage business listing information on behalf of businesses. Further, the company offers its products directly through its sales force; indirectly through partners; and online through its website and business app, as well as non-advertising partner arrangements. It has partnership with Grubhub for providing consumers with a service to place food orders for pickup and delivery. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Police officials at the residence of Punjab gangster Sukha Duneke who was killed in inter-gang rivalry in Canada, in Moga district, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: One of Indias most wanted gangsters, Sukhdul Singh, alias Sukha Duneke from Punjab, was killed in Winnipeg, Canada, on Wednesday night in what is believed to be due to an inter-gang rivalry.

His killing came hours after Duneke's name figured in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) most wanted list of 43 linked to the terror gang network with their connections in Canada. Duneke, who had more than 18 cases against him, including murder and robbery in India, was believed to be in Canada after he fled India in 2017 on forged documents. It is learned that Indian agencies have prepared dossiers on Khalistani elements residing in the US and Canada, which will be handed over to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to be given to these countries for repatriation of these elements under bilateral agreements.

It is not clear who is behind Duneke's killing, but names of two gangs are circulating on various social media platforms.

Duneke's killing comes at a time when India-Canada diplomatic relations are at a low point after the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar, even though the Canadian authorities have not provided any evidence to support his claim.

"Safe haven is being provided in Canada. We want the Canadian government not to do so and take action against those with terrorism charges or send them here to face justice... We've sought either extradition requests or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we've requested over the years, but the response has not been helpful at all," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. He added that Canada's reputation is growing as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. "And I think that's a country that needs to worry about its international reputation," he added.

The Khalistani elements have in the past few days threatened Hindus in Canada, asking them to leave the country, and called for a referendum against the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa, accusing him of being involved in the killing of Nijjar. The Hindu community in Canada has written to the Trudeau government, urging it to recognise these threats as hate crimes. "We anticipate that Canadian authorities will take decisive action to address this matter... as it concerns the safety and security of Canadian citizens," said the Hindu Forum in Canada.

Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district, the gangster was an active member of the Davinder Bambiha gang and closely associated with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla, gangster Lucky Patial, Malaysia-based gangster Jackpal Singh, alias Lali, and other criminals. He was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket, targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab and neighbouring areas through his local contacts, and managing the network of his foreign-based associates, the sources said.

In the last few months, the number of extortion calls made by Duneke had increased considerably in Punjab and neighbouring areas, they added. In January, two of Duneke's associates, Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda, and Paramjeet Singh Pamma, were arrested by the counter-intelligence wing (Bathinda). These men were part of the extortion racket run by Duneke.

"The NIA has provided a list of 10 gangsters who run drug cartels in Punjab, and 8 of them are in Canada. They have been granted citizenship there, so the question arises, are they (Canada) our friends or enemies? The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala was allegedly planned by individuals based in Canada," said Congress MP Ravneet Singh.

Meanwhile, NIA on Thursday released pictures of 10 accused involved in attacking the Indian Consulate at USA's San Francisco in March. The NIA has sought information about them from the public. According to the NIA, the case was registered following an attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco during the intervening night of March 18 and 19 when some pro-Khalistani entities allegedly trespassed into the consulate and tried to burn it down. The same day, Khalistani supporters, raising slogans, had broken through the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and put up two so-called Khalistani flags on the consulate premises, damaged the building and assaulted and injured the officials, the anti-terror agency said.
In response to a query on alleged discrimination by Canada on the issue of grant of visas to retired Indian armed forces officers, the MEA spokesperson said discrimination on how Canadians grant visas is a matter of concern. (Representational Image: DC)

New Delhi: In another day of continuing dramatic developments amid further mounting political tensions between India and Canada, India on Thursday announced it had suspended visa operations in Canada for all categories of visas "temporarily" with immediate effect due to the "security situation" in that country and the "creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates", adding that "the issue (by itself) is not travel to India". The visa restrictions will also apply to Canadian citizens in third countries wanting to visit India.

In another major step that will see a reduction of the number of Canadian diplomats in India, New Delhi said it had asked Canada for "parity and rank equivalence in diplomatic presence", with the number of Canadian diplomats in India currently being "much higher" than the number of Indian diplomats in Canada.

At his weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi made it clear that "no specific information had been shared by Canada" at all regarding the Canadian governments allegations against India of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan extremist and terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year on Canadian soil. He further said India has been in touch with partner countries (including Western nations) conveying the Indian position on the matter and rejecting Canadas allegations which he termed as "politically-driven", adding that it was Canada that "needs to worry about its international reputation". Bagchi added that India had so far sent a list to Canada containing the names of 20 to 25 pro-Khalistan terrorists and extremists, including requests for their extradition but that Canada had not taken any action on this. "There is very specific information (shared by India) on activities by criminals on Canadian soil but it has not been acted upon (by Canada)," he said.

All this came as the Canadian high commission (CHC) here said some of its diplomats had received threats on the social media and called on India to ensure the safety of Canadian diplomats posted in India as per the Vienna Convention. The CHC further said that "out of an abundance of caution", it has "decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India" that comprises of both Canadian diplomats and locally-hired Indian staff, but added that "our high commission and all consulates in India are open and operational and continue to serve clients".

Asked about the Canadian concerns, the MEA spokesperson said India too hopes Canada will address Indias concerns on the open threats of assassination hurled by pro-Khalistan extremists and terrorists at Indian diplomats and also on the display of their photos on posters of these extremists, adding that Canada was condoning such hate crimes and that such elements are having a "free run" there. He also said India takes its own diplomatic obligations "very seriously".

The reference by the CHC to the staff adjustment indicates a reduction in staff strength that could have implications for local Indian staff hired at the CHC and Canadian consulates in the country. Asked about the Canadian statement hinting at the reduction, the MEA spokesperson said it was "pursuant" to the conversation between New Delhi and Ottawa on parity in diplomatic presence. "Their numbers (of Canadian diplomats in India) are much higher. I assume there will be reduction (in the number of Canadian diplomats in India)," Bagchi said. In response to a query on alleged discrimination by Canada on the issue of grant of visas to retired Indian armed forces officers, the MEA spokesperson said "discrimination on how Canadians grant visas is a matter of concern".

In its statement issued on Thursday, the CHC said: "Global Affairs Canada continuously monitors the safety and security of our missions and personnel as we maintain a strict security protocol to respond to any events. In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally-engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity."

The CHC added: "Global Affairs Canada will continue to 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. Decisions are made based on a number of factors, including the professional profile of an employee or personal circumstances. In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna Conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here."
Telugu Desam president Nara Chandrababu Naidu. (Twitter)

Vijayawada: The ACB special court is likely to deliver on Friday its verdict on the AP-CIDs plea for five days custody of Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, now in judicial remand at the Central Prison in Rajahmundry.

The court was expected to deliver its verdict on Thursday, as the hearings on behalf of both AP-CID and Naidu were completed on Wednesday itself. However, the court said that the delivery of the verdict had been deferred to Friday as a petition seeking the quashing of the FIR booked against Naidu by the AP-CID was pending in the High Court.

The court said that it would take an appropriate decision based on the HC order.

Earlier, additional advocate general Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy argued that they had arrested Naidu with all evidence and sought his CID custody for further probe to expose the conspiracy angle. He argued that they were having the information pertaining to the money trail in the scam. If Naidu was given to AP-CID custody, this would help it to probe the case further, he said.

Similarly, Naidus counsel and Supreme Court senior advocate Siddartha Luthra argued that no evidence was found against Naidu vis-a-vis the scam. He submitted that there were procedural deviations in the arrest. There was no need for the AP-CID custody of Naidu and his arrest was politically motivated, counsel argued.




View of the Rajya Sabha during division for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: The Women's Reservation Bill 2023, or the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,' was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with all 215 members present in the house voting in favour of the bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present in the House, expressed gratitude for the sentiments expressed during the discussions and urged the Upper House to pass the bill unanimously.

Cutting across party lines, Rajya Sabha members supported the bill to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House of Parliament and state Assemblies, even as some Opposition members termed it an election gimmick.

The bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday through a voice vote.

Concluding the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Modi remarked that fruitful discussions and debates were conducted in both Houses for the past two days, with roughly 132 Members voicing their opinions.

"Every word in this discussion has its own significance and meaning," the Prime Minister said, emphasising that these meaningful discussions will be extremely useful in the nation's upcoming Parliamentary journey.

He said that the bill is not just a show of respect for women's power but also an infusion of new energy into the women's power of our country through the positive thinking of all political parties towards this bill. He further added that the bill will become a guarantee of India's bright future, as it will step forward with leadership and contribute to nation-building with new confidence.

Replying to the debate, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that most of the Members who spoke today supported the Bill and clarified that its implementation would be possible only after the Delimitation Commission identifies the constituencies. He also affirmed, "Modi hai To Mumkin Hai (If Modi is here, it is possible)."

Earlier in the day, the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha, while in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the members for their wholehearted support for the passage of the women's reservation bill.

Introducing the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill in the Upper House of Parliament, law minister Meghwal recounted the measures initiated by the Narendra Modi government for the empowerment of women over the last nine years.

The Upper House also witnessed BJP member and the party's national president J.P. Nadda and his counterpart in the Congress and also the leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, engaging in a debate after the latter demanded that the government should implement the bill immediately and not wait for the Census and the Delimitation.

"Kaal kare so aaj kar aaj kare so ab." Kharge quoted a couplet of Kabir.

Stressing that the government will go by the rules and the bill is not for political gain, Mr. Nadda said that if implemented without following the due process, it would be in violation of parliamentary procedure and could face legal complications.

"The procedure being followed by the government for the bill is the only way, the shortest way, the correct way," said Nadda.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien supported the bill but criticized the government's approach, stating, "But when will this government learn that this is a parliamentary democracy and not an army commando operation where you need secrecy, surprise, and stealth. You need cooperation and sharing."

The TMC MP also demanded the removal of Article 334A, which the bill seeks to introduce, and immediate implementation of women's reservation from 2024.

Article 334A states that the reservation shall come into effect after the delimitation is undertaken after the relevant figures for the first census have been published.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan said her party supports the women's reservation bill but demanded that women belonging to Other Backward Classes and the Muslim community be included in it.

Speaking in the House, Ms Bachchan said, "I request on behalf of my party, reservation under reservation... I support 20 per cent and 15 per cent of seats reserved for women belonging to other backward classes, especially the Muslim minority and women belonging to minority communities out of the total number of seats reserved for women and to be filled by direct election of the legislative assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and others."

Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) sought immediate implementation of the bill and demanded that reservations for women should also be brought to the Rajya Sabha.

Several other MPs from different parties voiced their support for the bill during the discussion.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as part of a nationwide testing exercise, left city dwellers with multiple mobile alerts. (Image by arrangement)

HYDERABAD: Mobile phone alerts in multiple languages, sent by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as part of a nationwide testing exercise, left city dwellers anxious, suspicious of them being malware attacks or phone-hacking attempts.

N. Prakash Reddy, director, directorate of environmental vigilance and disaster management (EV&DM), confirmed that the messages were part of an NDMA exercise, for Android phones. "When there is a natural disaster or an attack-like situation, these alert messages are sent to the phones," he said.

Uma Paranda, who works with an MNC, said she and her colleagues were confused as all their mobile phones started buzzing with the alerts, starting from 10 am.

"Messages state clearly to ignore them and that it is for the demo purpose. But still, people were in panic, not because there will be disaster, but assuming this must be a mischief played by some fraudster," she said.

Preetam Kumar Chaudhary, a businessman, said: "The messages came in Telugu and English, appearing on screen with a loud buzz. Even though the message was clear, we thought for an instant that this must be some malware corrupting our phones."

Authorities said that the technology will help save human lives. "Now, the DRF teams, for instance during rain monitoring at the control room, can alert residents to be better prepared," Prakash Reddy said.
TDP MLAs stage a protest at the Speaker Tammineni Sitaram's podium in Velagapudi, Guntur District, against the arrest of Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday. (Photo: By Arrangement)

VIJAYAWADA: The AP Assembly started its Monsoon Session on Thursday on a stormy note, marked by disturbances from Telugu Desam legislators after they moved an adjournment motion to discuss the arrest of TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaker Tammineni Sitaram suspended three MLAs for the entire Session and 14 more for a day.

TD MLAs carried placards and raised slogans during Question Hour. The acrimonious scenes halted the House proceedings. These legislators demanded that the House discuss the "illegal" arrest of Naidu first. The Speaker asked the TD legislators to participate in the Question Hour and said a decision on the adjournment motion would be taken at the BAC meeting.

Irate Opposition MLAs continued raising slogans. They barged into the podium, tore the papers and threw them at the Speaker, demanding that the House discuss the arrest of Naidu. The Speaker said the House can discuss the issue if they gave a notice under relevant rules.

Minister for finance and legislative affairs Buggana Rajendranath told the opposition to follow the rules via-a-vis introduction of an adjourned motion. "The government is ready for discussions not only on the arrest but on many other issues," he said.

He asked the opposition BAC member to attend the panels meeting and to put this in the business agenda of the Assembly. He expressed a willingness to engage in a debate not only on Naidus arrest but also on the skill development scam.

Things turned worse when MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, who had changed sides from the YSRC to the TD, made an attempt to physically remove the Speaker's monitor. Balakrishna looked at the YSRC members, twirled his moustache and slapped his thigh.

Water resources minister Ambati Rambabu reacted by saying," Go and do it in films, not in the Assembly." He alleged that the TD MLAs were attempting to create disturbance and asked the security personnel to protect the Speaker.

Speaker Sitaram adjourned the Assembly briefly to control the situation. When the Session restarted, the unruly scenes continued. Following this, the Speaker suspended three MLA for the entire Session and 14 legislators for the day.

Anagani Satyaprasad and Payyavula Keshav of TD and YSRC rebel MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy were suspended for the entire Session. After taking up various issues, the Speaker adjourned the Assembly to Friday.
Congress screening committee which met in New Delhi has sent nearly 300 names to the Central Election Committee (CEC) for consideration. (DC image)

HYDERABAD: The Congress screening committee which met in New Delhi has sent nearly 300 names to the Central Election Committee (CEC) for consideration. The meeting which went on for more than seven hours is likely to announce the first list with nearly 35 to 40 candidates comprising senior leaders like TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy, CEC member Uttam Kumar Reddy and CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka among others.

In constituencies with multiple aspirants, the candidates will be selected based on survey reports and inputs from the team led by poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu. The demand for reserving two seats for BC community candidates in each parliamentary constituency is learnt to have been discussed in the meeting.

The meeting further discussed adequate representation to the Youth Congress, NSUI and women.

In Hyderabad, the TS Congress manifesto committee met at Gandhi Bhavan to draft the party document for the state elections.

TS Congress manifesto committee chairman D. Sridhar Babu challenged ministers K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao and BRS leaders to tour Karnataka with him to see the status of the implementation of promises by the Congress there.

Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan, he said, "We are implementing our promises 100 per cent. The BRS leaders can go and ask the women in Karnataka about the promises. This will enlighten the BRS on the actual status."

He accused the BRS of cheating the people and failing to keep its promises. "We will collect the opinions of the people by touring the state to finalise our manifesto," Sridhar Babu said after the meeting.

As the meeting was underway some DSC and contract lecturers met the committee to seek inclusion of their demands. The DSC aspirants said the state government had announced only 5,000 teacher posts as opposed to the 13,000 vacancies that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had announced in the Assembly. The fishermen's community sought exclusive ownership of ponds.

Responding to the demand, Sridhar Babu, announced that the party would announce a mega DSC once it came to power. The committee is inviting various organisations to elicit their opinions.

"We will inform the district Congress committees who will inform stakeholders and allow them to give their opinions. The district and Assembly constituencies will have manifestos that are tailor-made for local needs," he said.

To claims of the BRS and the BJP that the Congress six promises would burden the state Budget, Sridhar Babu said the government had enough finances to support the schemes. "What we need is financial discipline. Our manifesto will have promises which we can implement without fail," he said. "The BRS government is not paying the salaries of its employees on time. We will ensure they get salaries on the first of every month."

Former Manakondur MLA Arepalli Mohan who resigned from the BRS will join the Congress soon, Sridhar Babu added.
Over the summer, a single handshake between Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and sanctioned Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu signaled the strained relations between the United States and China. However, Lis sudden disappearance from public view has ignited speculation about his potential removal from office, which could have significant implications for the future of senior-level military talks between these superpowers.

Since August 29, Li Shangfu has not been seen in public and has missed several official engagements, leading to speculation about his potential replacement. Some US officials have even suggested that Li, aged 65, has already been removed from his position. However, there has been no official confirmation from Beijing or Chinese state media regarding his status.

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Recent months have stabilized US-China relations following a rocky summer of 2022. President Joe Bidens administration has made efforts to rebuild communication channels, and the next opportunity for leader-level talks is expected to occur when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits San Francisco in November. However, the resumption of military talks has remained conditional on the US lifting sanctions on Li Shangfu.

The potential removal of Li Shangfu from his position as Chinese Defense Minister could pave the way for a thaw in military relations between the US and China. However, experts caution that it may not solve all the underlying issues in the strained relationship. Even with Lis removal, the US-China relationship faces multiple challenges, including lingering tensions related to issues such as Taiwan and broader geopolitical rivalries. The lack of military communication raised concerns about the risk of accidents in the South China Sea, which could have catastrophic consequences for the region and the global economy.

Before Lis disappearance, China had insisted that the US lift its sanctions on him as a precondition for resuming military exchanges and cooperation. The US had initially suggested that such sanctions might be lifted, but there was no clear commitment.

Despite the deadlock at the senior level, lower-level military exchanges had resumed in recent months, allowing for some communication between the two nations.

Li Shangfus potential removal raises questions about tensions within the Chinese government and its impact on Xi Jinpings leadership. He would be the second minister to be abruptly removed within a year of Xis third term, following Qin Gangs removal from the foreign minister post in July. The recent purges have fueled concerns about the stability and predictability of Chinas governance. It remains to be seen who might replace Li if he is indeed removed from his position. Experts emphasize that it is too early to speculate about his successor.
Uber Technologies Inc. is a San Francisco-based company providing mobility, food and package delivery services and freight transport. Uber operates in approximately 10,500 cities in 72 countries. The company sets fares based on local supply and demand at the time of booking and receives a commission from each booking. The company has 131 million monthly active users and 5.4 million active drivers and couriers worldwide.

Uber was founded in 2009 by Oscar Salazar Gaitan, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp and was initially named Ubercab Inc. The idea for Uber came about after Camp and Kalanick spent a pricey $800 hiring a private driver on New Year's Eve, and Camp needed help finding a taxi on a snowy night in Paris. Camp, Oscar Salazar and Conrad Whelan built the prototype for Uber's mobile app, with Kalanick as the chief advisor to the company. Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee in February 2010 and was named CEO in May 2010. In December 2010, Kalanick succeeded Graves as CEO, and Graves became the chief operating officer. Uber's current CEO is Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced co-founder Travis Kalanick of Uber in August 2017.

Uber debuted in San Francisco in 2011, opening its services and mobile app to the public after beta testing in May 2010. Initially, the application hailed black luxury cars, which cost about 1.5 times as much as a regular taxi. In response to San Francisco's taxi operators' objections, the company changed its name from UberCab to Uber in the same year. Uber's early team consisted of talented individuals from various fields, including a computational neuroscientist and a nuclear physicist who worked on enhancing the accuracy of Uber's car arrival predictions beyond what Google APIs offered.

In the summer of 2012, Uber rolled out UberX. This budget-friendly alternative permitted drivers to use their cars provided they passed background checks and met insurance, registration and vehicle quality standards. UberX expanded to 35 cities within a few months, demonstrating its popularity among cost-conscious riders. In August 2014, Uber extended its services by introducing Uber Eats, a food delivery platform. It also unveiled a carpooling feature in the San Francisco Bay Area, which soon spread to other cities globally, enabling passengers to share rides and save on fares.

Uber has faced legal action in several jurisdictions due to its classification of drivers as gig workers and independent contractors. Ridesharing companies like Uber have disrupted taxicab businesses and allegedly caused increased traffic congestion. Additionally, Uber has been criticized for various unethical practices, such as ignoring local regulations, some of which were revealed by the leak of the Uber Files between 2013 and 2017 under the leadership of Travis Kalanick.

In August 2016, DiDi acquired Uber's business operations in China, and in exchange, Uber obtained an 18% equity stake in DiDi. DiDi also pledged to invest $1 billion in Uber as part of the agreement. Later that year, Uber purchased Ottomotto, a startup specializing in developing autonomous trucks. The acquisition was valued at $625 million, and the founder of Ottomotto, Anthony Levandowski, was previously accused of stealing trade secrets from his former employer, Waymo, to establish the company. In the same year, Uber also bought Geometric Intelligence, the cornerstone of "Uber AI," a department dedicated to exploring and researching AI technologies and machine learning. The Uber AI project disappeared in May 2020.

Despite the controversies, Uber has committed to carbon neutrality globally by 2040, and by 2030, in most countries, rides will move exclusively to electric vehicles. The company has also formed various partnerships and acquisitions, such as with IT Taxi in Italy, Cornershop for grocery delivery and Postmates for alcohol delivery. Uber continues to expand its services and develop new offerings, such as Uber Works, Uber Green and Uber Eats. The company has recently announced plans to become an emission-free platform and is investing in self-driving cars.
A Derry man has paid tribute to his late brother ahead of the Foyle Hospice Male Walk/Run which is set to take place this Sunday.

Jim McGuinness has been participating in the annual event for the last 15 years but will be stepping out this year for a very special reason, in memory of his younger brother Noel who died at Foyle Hospice last December.

Jim explained: After having some symptoms Noel went to his GP and subsequently was referred to Altnagelvin Hospital to see a consultant. After some further tests, Noel was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He had an operation and had to have a colostomy bag fitted.

Everything was going well, and Noel continued to work and was feeling pretty good. He then went to the hospital to get a reversal and after having a scan they discovered that he had a few cancerous tumours that would require treatment.

Noel, his partner Theresa and all our family were obviously shocked after him doing so well.

Noel had a very aggressive form of cancer and after a lot of chemotherapy, he died surrounded by his family on December 18, 2022.

Jim continued: The Foyle Hospice nurses were amazing and were coming to the house to keep him as pain-free as possible.

Back in 2007, Noels partner Aine died in Foyle Hospice at the age of 31  little did he know he would be admitted as a patient himself 15 years later.

Jim said: I had actually worked with Aine and thats how my brother met her.

According to Jim, his strong-willed brother who was a very positive person and always up for a laugh, fought a hard battle right to the very end.

Jim continued: He tried to hold off as long as he could but eventually, he had to go into the Hospice.

He was only there a few days before he died - he just went downhill so rapidly.

Noel had an identical twin brother Liam and they were looking forward to celebrating their 50th Birthday this November.

Noel was a popular and well-liked figure amongst the local community who worked at the Resource Centre in Carnhill delivering meals on wheels and taking elderly people to and from the centre. According to Jim, Noel loved his job which he had described as his best job ever.

Jim continued: He was very well thought of and that showed at his funeral when so many people came to pay their respects, it was unbelievable and so moving to see.

With the Male Walk/Run fast approaching, Jim says that the walk is obviously more poignant this year as he is doing it in memory of Noel.

The family have always been keen fundraisers for Foyle Hospice, including Jims father who keeps a collection box as a permanent fixture in his kitchen.

Jim said: There will be a few other men walking this year with me and Im still trying to convince a few more to turn up.

Unfortunately, the male population do not support the Walk/Run compared to the ladies, so get yourself out of bed and down to Sainsbury's on Sunday morning at 11.30am and support this brilliant cause.

We are really looking forward to it!
Strike action wholly unprecedented in the health and social care sector is taking place across the North, including Derry.

Health and social care professionals from UNISON, UNITE, NIPSA, GMB, Royal College of Midwives (RCM), Society of Radiographers (SoR), and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) will be on the picket line today and Friday.

The co-ordinated strike action is being taken because of what Conor McCarthy, UNISON regional organiser, described as the huge frustration at the political failure here to address the issues in health.

Mr McCarthy told Derry News this failure dated back at least 10 years.

He added: In addition to that, our members feel the Secretary of State is effectively placing economic sanctions on health workers here to try and use us as leverage to re-establish the political institutions.

We have money that was already secured and fully funded for health workers via the Barnett Formula Consequentials, when the negotiations were taking place in England. That money was agreed and funded but the Secretary of State is withholding it due to the budget deficit which exists in Northern Ireland. That is entirely unacceptable.

Health workers didnt cause the deficit in the budget, so they shouldnt be penalised for it.

People are passionate about the Health Service and they are really, really angry on behalf of patients. Our members see the ever growing crisis in waiting lists and people who cant get access to healthcare and that is hugely frustrating because as health workers we instinctively want to help people. That is why we are in the job.

The UNISON representative revealed every health worker in the North receives approximately 2,000 less for the same job as health workers in Britain.

He added: Health workers here are being devalued and undervalued but they havent given up and they are going to continue to fight for the Health Service here.

We challenged the Secretary of State six months ago on his narrative there was no money. UNISON was able to prove, through the negotiations which happened in England with Steve Barclay (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care), that when they came to an agreement to end the disputes in Health in England with UNISON, RCM and UNITE, that additional money would be given to all four jurisdictions to fund a Health Uplift and that included Northern Ireland.

Six months ago, health workers in England and Wales got their uplift, got their additional covid enhanced payments through that Barnett Formula Consequential process. Northern Ireland did get the money put into our Department of Health and they are withholding it, at the Secretary of States request.

We believe his strategy is to make sure he can place as much pressure on the political establishment here by withholding health workers pay and that is completely unacceptable.

He is costing lives because if we cant get our members to fill vacant posts and to fill permanent posts, two things are happening. The waiting lists are getting longer and longer because it is leading to a staffing crisis and, in addition, agency costs are going through the roof.

Mary Lyttle, UNISONs Foyle joint branch secretary for health is a part-time carer. She will be striking today and Friday.

Health and social care workers are at the end of their tethers, she said. The cost of living has doubled. People are going to foodbanks. I really do not know how anyone with a mortgage and a young family is making ends meet.

We have more than 2,500 members in the Foyle area in the Western Trust and they are all striking on Thursday. It is going to have a massive impact. It is not going to be good.

We have an awful lot of people leaving the Trust because there is better pay in the private sector. There are high numbers of agency workers in the hospitals. I would say, an NHS nurse might be getting 19 an hour and the agency nurse might be getting 35 an hour. They said they were going to stop using agency staff but they havent.

If they gave us a decent pay rise, and brought us into line with NHS workers in England, that would be a start. The situation is getting worse and worse and worse here. Health and safety is also a consideration because we are understaffed and people are coming in from agencies. They are new to the wards and it is like an induction every day.

Radiographers across the North are also going on strike for 48 hours from 8am this morning, in what the Society of Radiographers (SoR) described as an effort to tackle the recruitment and retention problems besetting the profession.

According to SoR, almost 10 percent of the Norths population is waiting for diagnostic tests.

Speaking to Derry News, a SoR spokesperson said: 90 percent of our members who voted in the strike ballot said they wanted to take industrial action in order to secure improvements to pay and conditions, increase recruitment and retention of radiography professionals, and thus cut waiting times for patients.

Radiography professionals support nine out of 10 patients in Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. They work in diagnostic services, carrying out X-rays, MRI and CT scans, and in therapeutic services, planning and delivering radiotherapy to cancer patients.

But too few radiographers are being recruited or retained. As a result, 188,881 people in Northern Ireland, nearly 10 percent of the population, are now waiting for a diagnostic test.

This wait means that treatment such as radiotherapy is delayed, cases become more complex and, for some patients, even a two-week delay can mean the difference between life and death.

Cora Regan, Northern Ireland national officer for the Society of Radiographers, said: We hear stories like this again and again. Our members tell us that they regularly work over and above their contracted hours to care for patients and attempt to reduce waiting times.

Many departmental managers now automatically rota radiographers for overtime  rather than asking for overtime on a voluntary basis  as its the only way they can make sure theres enough staff available.

At the same time, theyre being paid a salary that has fallen significantly behind what radiographers earn in the rest of the UK. Radiographers in Scotland are now paid 12 per cent more than in Northern Ireland.

Even in England, where SoR members are due to take strike action again next month, a radiographers starting salary is more than 1,300 higher than it would be in Northern Ireland.

Ms Regan said the pressure to increase working hours, coupled with low pay, meant many radiography professionals were leaving the North, or the profession itself.

And they are not being replaced in adequate numbers, she added.

Taking strike action is never an easy decision. But its overwhelmingly clear from our members determination to strike for 48 hours that they believe the current situation is unsustainable.

We need to offer our radiography professionals considerably better pay and conditions if we want to be able to keep them in our hospitals  and avoid patient waiting lists growing even longer than they are already.

Radiographers are key to the transformation of health services in Northern Ireland. We believe that these measures will dramatically cut waiting lists, thus improving patients care, boosting the well-being of radiographers and saving the HSC millions in agency and outsourcing costs.

Our members deserve better. Our patients deserve better.
Hundreds of young people from schools across Derry and Strabane came together today at the historic Guildhall to mark the City and Districts new status as a member of the International Cities of Peace Network.

Derry will join communities across the world in making a commitment to peace building, and today, on the United Nations International Day of Peace, Mayor Patricia Logue signed the official declaration on behalf of the people of the City and District. She was joined by Reverend David Latimer, who first brought the proposal to the Mayor, and J. Frederick Arment, founder of the network, who travelled from the US for the event.

Messages of hope and solidarity were broadcast from around the world including a message from the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth.

A specially commissioned Terrestrial Globe sculpture was unveiled marking the occasion, designed and produced by GES Campsie.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Logue said the designation represented Derry and Strabanes commitment to a peaceful future for all its citizens.

She told those gathered: This is another important milestone in our journey towards securing lasting peace and a better future for everyone.

Its particularly fitting that this event takes place on the UNs International Day of Peace, and also during Good Relations Week, a time to celebrate peace-building and cultural diversity across all communities. This year the theme is Together and the importance of working together to achieve the common goals of equality, empathy and better understanding.

By working with others from different backgrounds, but with shared hopes and ambitions, we can achieve so much more than working in isolation. This is where the true value in joining the International Cities of Peace lies.

During the event the young people from each of the schools read statements of peace and joined together for a special choral performance of Phil Coulters Bright Brand New Day, led by Musical Director Maurice Kelly.

The young people also heard from Rev. David Latimer, whose ongoing work to bring communities together inspired the bid to become part of the ICP network.

Rev Latimer paid tribute to the young people for doing the city proud today, saying: This is the beginning of something, a partnership of young people across the world working creatively and imaginatively within the parameters of UN initiatives. This will open doors for the future, for the future is as Phil Coulter wrote - a Bright Brand New Day.

ICP Chairperson, J. Frederick Arment, took to the stage to welcome the City and District to the network, and paid tribute to local young people saying they gave the entire world hope.

Derry-Londonderry and the District of Strabane stand in the historical context as an inspiring case study of how a citizenrys deep commitment to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and forward thinking can bring hope to a world that yearns to be released from violence toward a vision of global peace, he told those gathered.

As an International City of Peace, Derry and Strabane joins almost 400 communities spanning 73 countries and six continents, that have a strong connection to peace, and that pledge to continue to explore new ways to strengthen and develop peaceful societies.

PICTURED ABOVE: Derry has become an International Cities of Peace where an event in the Guildhall was attended by hundreds of pupils from schools and addressed by pupils from the Foyle Learning Community who made a Peace Pledge on behalf of their fellow young people. The bid to receive the prestigious designation was led by Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor, Cllr Patricia Logue and the Rev David Latimer. PHOTO: Martin McKeown.
A legal challenge has been launched against the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) for its alleged failure to carry out emissions testing on cars.

Environmental justice groups and the Northern Ireland childrens rights watchdog are taking the case to the High Court later on Thursday, claiming the lack of emissions testing was impacting air quality.

Hundreds of thousands of diesel cars in Northern Ireland have never received a legally compliant exhaust emissions test at government-controlled MOT vehicle testing centres, those behind the legal challenge have claimed.

They have said the test was initially introduced in 2006 but was stopped after four months and was not subsequently restarted.

Friends of the Earth NI, supported by The Public Interest Litigation Support (PILS) Project, are taking legal proceedings, with the aim to compel the DFI to recommence testing as soon as possible.

During the one-day High Court hearing, their legal team will argue that in failing to fully test the emissions of diesel cars in Northern Ireland, the DFI has breached its duties under vehicle testing law, alongside its duties to protect public health.

PILS director Maria McCloskey said that the DFIs alleged failure to comply with the law for 17 years was completely unacceptable.

She said: This landmark public interest case is about defending everyones right to breathe clean air and eradicating a triple threat to public health, natural habitats and biodiversity.

Ms McCloskey has assumed the role of instructing solicitor in the case, taking over from Friends of the Earth NI.

James Orr, Friends of the Earth NI director, said: We are taking the government to court because we all have a right to breathe clean air.

The NI Commissioner for Children and Young People Chris Quinn said: NICCY intervened in this case to hold the government to account and to highlight the relevant human rights concerns and the serious adverse impact that poor air quality has on childrens health.

This milestone case is so important, as these exhaust emissions affect us all, but it particularly affects children and young people, as is borne out by the scientific evidence referred to in this case.

It is vitally important that the department acts urgently to ensure that emissions are adequately tested. It is a basic right for children and young people to be able to breathe clean air.

The Clean Air NI judicial review is setting a legal precedent in Northern Ireland as one of the first cases to rely on the Climate Change Act 2022 in court.

The Department for Infrastructure has been approached for comment.
Queens University is set to invest up to 100 million to address a demand for student accommodation in Belfast.

The money is set to be invested over the next four years, and is to create up to 225 jobs while transforming the city centre.

Northern Irelands capital is currently home to an estimated 45,000 full-time students in third level education.

It is expected that another 3,000 rooms will be required within the next four years for Queens University students alone.

Queens said there has been a 5% increase in applications for student accommodation this year, compared with last.

The plans come after a recent UK-wide report by StuRents, the UKs leading student accommodation search, property management and data platform, revealed that the UK is set to face a shortfall of around 450,000 student beds by 2025.

As part of Queens plans, three new sites have been acquired by the university at Dublin Road, Laganbank and Brunswick Street.

Caroline Young, vice president of students and corporate services at Queens, said there is a focus on the need for high quality, affordable and safe options close to the university.

We have been aware of and planning for a major increase in demand for student accommodation in recent years, and through this significant investment we are ensuring we are prepared to respond effectively, she said.

Securing these three sites close to Queens and the city centre is not only putting us on the front foot in terms of keeping our best students at home and attracting others from elsewhere, but it will also have a hugely positive effect on the city as a whole in terms of attracting developers, businesses and better services and crucially will help deliver Belfast City Council Agenda for 66,000 more residents living in our city centre by 2030.

Dublin Road is the first of the three sites where construction will begin, by contractors Graham, where up to 460 student rooms could be built.

A public consultation on this site is currently taking place.

Gary Holmes, regional managing director, Building North, Graham, said: We are excited to be leading on the construction of this new development, which will help to transform the area while boosting the economy.

As part of our commitment to social impact, we are implementing an employment and skills programme to support local unemployed residents into the industry.

We will also be working closely with community organisations to provide volunteering opportunities for our staff as well as working with local schools to offer site visits and curriculum support.
Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt said she has had an amazing visit to Belfast as work begins on a multi-million pound ship-building contract.

The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) contract with Royal Fleet Auxiliary unlocked 77 million of investment for Belfast-based Harland & Wolff to build three 40,000-tonne vessels which will supply the Royal Navy fleet, and Nato navies at sea.

Ms Mordaunt visited Harland & Wolff, which is home to one of the largest deep-water dockyards in Europe, as upgrades to the shipyard got under way to facilitate the new contract, which she said was brilliant news for the whole of the UK.

To mark the beginning of the work she met apprentices due to work on the project.

Ms Mordaunt said she had been discussing the expansion work at Harland & Wolff.

Its been fantastic to visit this incredibly important yard, which is really helping us bring shipbuilding back to the UK and enable us to expand that sector, she said.

Weve been discussing expanding the square footage of this yard and weve cut the turf today on that, but its also about expanding jobs  1,200 jobs here, 800 across the whole of the UK, but also knowledge and this really unique project for the fleet support ships is doing that.

Its building capacity here and were getting knowledge transfer from our partners.

So its been an amazing, amazing visit.

Devolved government in Northern Ireland has not been functional for over a year due to the DUPs ongoing protest against post-Brexit trade agreements.

Asked if making decisions on future investment in Northern Ireland was easier when a devolved government was in place, Ms Mordaunt said: Of course it is.

And we really want people to have local decision makers taking decisions.

Our focus is delivering for the people of Northern Ireland and thats one reason why Im here today.

We had an Investment Summit here a couple of weeks ago that went really well. So things are still moving ahead. But of course, we want the local governments back up.

Ms Mordaunt said Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris was doing a great job in his attempts to get Stormont restored.

Chris is doing a great job. Hes incredibly focused, but we want local decision making stood up.

Thats what everyone wants, its what people in Northern Ireland want, its what the UK Government wants, she said.

The FSS contract was awarded in January 2023 alongside partners in the Team Resolute consortium, comprising Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff and BMT.

The upgrade of the Belfast shipyard, to adopt state-of-the-art shipbuilding techniques, will underpin Harland & Wolffs capacity to deliver key naval programmes of FSS and beyond.

Over the course of the FSS contract, at its peak, Harland & Wolff is expected to employ 1,200 personnel across its Belfast and Appledore shipyards, with an expected additional 800+ across the UK supply chain.

Furthermore, the improvements to Harland & Wolffs Belfast site are being undertaken by Cleary Contracting, a local building company who have been awarded a multimillion pound contract to deliver the infrastructure upgrades over the next 18 months, expecting to create 50 new jobs.

John Wood, Harland & Wolff chief executive said the work will continue Belfasts legacy of ship-building.

It gives me great pleasure to see shovels in the ground as improvement works begin at our Belfast site.

Belfast has a long shipbuilding history, and our latest investments will enable the site to continue designing, building and maintaining technologically cutting-edge vessels for years to come, he said.

The improvements will give us the ability to take on larger projects at an accelerated pace, using the latest manufacturing technologies, requiring skilled people that will be trained to the highest standard.

This 77m investment is underpinning the transformation of the yard and will not only support FSS delivery but embed the latest technology across the group to increase our competitiveness in the European market and win new orders across our five markets of defence, commercial, energy, renewables and cruise and ferry.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the work that began on Thursday was a hugely significant step in the FSS programme.

Supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in Northern Ireland, the expansion of this historic site hails the beginning of shipbuildings valiant return to Belfast, driving prosperity right across the Union, he said.

All three support ships are expected to be operational by 2032.

The historic Belfast shipyard, which built the Titanic, appeared to be facing an uncertain future in 2019 when it was placed into administration.

Its future was secured when InfraStrata, now Harland and Wolff, acquired it for 6 million.
HIGHLIGHTS The Vivo V29 series is coming to India in Octobers first week.

Vivo will feature the 3D-curved display in the Vivo V29 series.

There will be three colour options; Majestic Red, Himalayan Blue, and Space Black.

Vivo has confirmed the launch date (not publicly) of the upcoming V29 series. The brand has made the Vivo V29 microsite live, where the colour variants, as well as some more information, is mentioned. According to the Vivo V29s official microsite, the smartphone series is coming to India on October 4. However, the launch date is not very easy to find on the microsite. On the Vivo V29 series microsite, theres a small banner that says Know more. When you click on it, a rectangular box will appear that reads Stay Tuned till We Meet on October 4.

Vivo launched the first Vivo V29 series model last month, the Vivo V29e. Now the Chinese brand is all set to launch two more smartphones that are the Vivo V29 and V29 Pro. Vivo will feature the 3D-curved display in the Vivo V29 series. Apart from that, the smartphone series will also feature 3D particle technology on the back. Vivo also confirmed that the Vivo 29 will weigh 186 grams and the Pro variant will weigh 188 grams. Furthermore, there will be three colour options; Majestic Red (with colour changing back panel), Himalayan Blue, and Space Black.

Also read: Vivo V29 series could launch under 40,000: Camera details and colour options tipped

Now talking about the specifications, the Vivo V29 is already available in other regions. Lets see what the global variant Vivo V29 packs.

The Vivo V29 is equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the smartphone ships with FuntouchOS 13 skin which is based on Android 13 OS.

Also read: Vivo V29 5G spotted on BIS certification website, as Vivo confirms V29e

The smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It is powered by a 4600mAh battery with up to 80-watt fast charging support.

Speaking of the camera, it has a 50-megapixel OIS main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor. On the front, it has a 50-megapixel camera.
As HBM competition heats up, introduction schedule of 'hybrid bonding' receiving attention

With the increased prevalence of generative AI, the demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is rapidly rising, leading to heightened competition in stacking. For HBMs, a higher stack means the capability to process more data. Currently, major HBM products feature 8-layer stacking, with 12-layer stacking expected to enter mass production soon.

According to a report by South Korea's The Elec, the current technologies used in the HBM stacking process are primarily Thermal Compression (TC) bonding and high-efficiency Mass Reflow (MR). Samsung Electronics uses TC with non-conductive film (NCF), while SK Hynix utilizes MR with molded underfill (MUF). As with the hybrid bonding technology, it is expected to be officially introduced with 12-layer stacking.

Observations from the South Korean industry suggest that Samsung and SK Hynix's current HBM stacking technology will reach its limit at 12 layers. In the next generation of HBM products, which could feature 12 or even 16 layers, the adoption of hybrid bonding technology is expected to speed up.

In fact, sources from SK Hynix previously stated that MR will be applied to 12-layer HBM and that they are currently developing new technology to apply hybrid bonding technology to the next generation of high-capacity, high-stack HBM.

Hybrid bonding involves connecting chips copper-to-copper (Cu-Cu), as opposed to the traditional solder bump and ball method. Compared to existing techniques, hybrid bonding can significantly increase input and output (I/O) speeds.

However, the mass production of HBM with 12 layers or more still needs to address issues such as warpage and HBM height. The chips used in HBM stacking are extremely thin, and warping may occur during mass production. Samsung has previously pointed out that TC bonding has an advantage in solving the warping in HBMs. Additionally, the need to reduce HBM height is due to consideration for packaging and other factors.

South Korean media reports emphasize that both Samsung and SK Hynix are not willing to comment on a specific application timeline of hybrid bonding. Industry insiders also suggested that hybrid bonding research is not limited to the HBM field; it is also being explored in the realm of 3D stacking.

Because hybrid bonding is expected to maximize I/O speeds upon adoption, sources believe that the adoption timing of this technology in high-performance HBM products will arrive sooner than expected.
Huawei's Meng Wanzhou identifies company goal in the LLM era

On September 20th, Huawei held its annual conference with the theme "Accelerating Industry Intelligence." Meng Wanzhou, Huawei CFO and acting chairwoman, emphasized in her speech that Huawei is committed to build the foundation of China's computing power, and provide the computing power, platforms, and various research tools for large language models (LLMs) in China.

According to Chinese media reports, Meng sees computing power as the core driver of artificial intelligence (AI) development, but it is scarce and expensive, which is a major obstacle to AI development. Currently, various industries are accelerating the adoption of LLMs, with some models having parameters exceeding billions or even trillions. The development of AI is also approaching a turning point.

The Huawei chairwoman believes that the era of large models has arrived, transitioned from the era of small models. In the past, different application scenarios required the development of different models, but large models can acquire a vast amount of knowledge, making it possible for a single model to be used in multiple scenarios, significantly lowering the threshold for AI and applications.

According to Meng, what Huawei aims to do now is to allow these AI models to "blossom," supporting businesses or organizations in using their own data to train their specialized large models, focusing on specific areas of expertise.

In 2003, Huawei introduced the "All IP" strategy, driving technological standards and protocols in the communications field. With the development of cloud technology, Huawei shifted to the "All Cloud" strategy in 2013 and became one of the significant players in cloud services.

According to Canalys data, in the second quarter of 2023, the size of China's cloud infrastructure services market was US$8.7 billion. Huawei's market share in the cloud market was 19%, second only to Alibaba Cloud's 39%, with Tencent Cloud at 15%.
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Patrick Kielty has arguably been having a year of firsts.

The comedian, 52, has taken over as the host of RTEs The Late Late Show from Ryan Tubridy, who stepped down after hosting the Irish talk show for 14 years.

Kieltys debut on the show this month, as only the fourth presenter of the show since it started in 1962, was a hit.

Now a new venture is about to propel him onto the big screen, in a first for the County Down star.

This week sees the release of the film Ballywalter, which takes its title from the Northern Irish town in County Down.

Kielty makes his feature film debut as the character Shane, and said: Walking on set on the first day was the most terrifying professional thing I have ever done in my life. It was similar to a first day at school when you are joining the class three-quarters of the way through the year.

The role sees the comedian, who began his stand-up career as host of Northern Irelands first comedy club, The Empire Laughs Back, in pre-ceasefire Belfast, take on a serious screen role in the blackly humorous drama from director Prasanna Puwanarajah.

In 2018, Kielty presented the BBC programme, My Dad, The Peace Deal And Me, about his fathers death at the hands of paramilitary gunmen.

The comedian was only 16 when his father Jack Kielty was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

The programme coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and saw Kielty return to his home town of Dundrum and travel around to see if the historic peace deal had delivered on its pledge to create a new Northern Ireland.

It was nominated for a Bafta for best single documentary and he was named UK documentary host of the year at the 2018 Grierson Awards.

Ballywalter is Puwanarajahs directorial debut, with his acting credits including playing Martin Bashir in the fifth instalment of Netflixs royal series, The Crown.

Starring alongside Kielty is Cant Cope, Wont Cope star Seana Kerslake, 30, whose other credits include Apple TVs Bad Sisters, and the film also features Lloyd Hutchinson, Conor MacNeill, Chris Corrigan, Joanne Crawford, Paul Mallon and Ryan McParland.

Following the implosion of his marriage, Shane (Kielty) is living in self-imposed exile in Ballywalter, estranged from his wife Donna (Crawford) and their daughter Martha.

He signs up for a 12-week stand-up comedy course at a Belfast community centre.

But, due to serving a six-month suspended sentence for driving under the influence, has to call for a taxi to ferry him back and forth between Ballywalter and Belfast.

Unlicensed 20-something driver Eileen (Seana Kerslake) responds.

Dublin star Kerslake said of her character: When we meet Eileen she is in quite a dark place. She has lost her sense of self and a sense of purpose. I knew it was going to be a challenge to try to climb into her skin and play her in a way that felt honest.

To master the Belfast accent, she said: Its hard to chop and change, thats what I found while we were shooting, I just stayed in the accent the whole time.

Getting into character was another story for Kielty, who alongside his TV work has continued stand-up tours which have often sold out venues across Ireland and the UK.

Father-of-two Kielty, who is married to fellow TV presenter Cat Deeley, recalls how in addition to rehearsing, he had to gain a bit of weight and not shave to get into character.

Prasanna just said it was gin and crisps and takeaway for four months, he said jokingly.

I hadnt done any acting before so when I went on the school run, one or two of the parents would recognise me and as my physical decline progressed, you could see them looking at each other, probably thinking, Lockdown hasnt been kind.

The production began filming in December 2020 and over the five-week run, due to the coronavirus pandemic, stringent safety measures were still in place.

Kielty recalls a scene he and Kerslake filmed in Belfasts Sunflower pub.

We couldnt do the take because we were almost frozen to the spot remembering what it was like having fun in a bar, he said.

We were almost getting drunk on the fake beer because we mentally wanted to be back in that setting, being sociable and doing those things.

Penned by East Belfast writer Stacey Gregg, the film was a personal one, the writer and director said.

For a long time as a screenwriter, it was incredibly hard to make material about Northern Ireland if it wasnt explicitly about the Troubles, Gregg explains.

I think now we are finally entering a really exciting period where people are ready to hear more of a diversity of voices.

She reflected on making a film during a pandemic.

Whats happened over the last year has really made people stop and slow down and bear witness to each other in a way that maybe, generationally, we havent for a long time.

I think questions around care, self-care, mental health and appreciating the small things. All of that might speak in an even more pertinent way than we could have imagined when we set out to make this film.

Another major plus for Kielty was being able to film near where he grew up.

As a County Down lad, born and bred, to be telling a County Down story and working with people from Northern Ireland, that is just Christmas, birthdays, everything all in one, he said.

Kerslake concurred, having had a front-row seat to the scenery from her characters taxi, adding: As I was driving somewhere and the camera was following us, the views were amazing. I kept thinking, Ireland on a good day, shes looking well. When the light hits her right  shes perfect.
DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport, has rejected claims by Ryanair over charges and environmental incentives at the airport.

It comes after Ryanair said it is cutting its winter 2023/2024 schedule at the airport in response to hiked charges.

The airline has cancelled 17 routes and moved 19 aircraft to alternative European airports which it says incentivise airlines with quieter, lower emission aircraft.

Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said this will be a roughly 10% cut on passenger numbers out of the airport compared to last year.

In a statement later contested by the airport operator, Ryanair said it made the decision due to DAAs rising passenger charges of 45%, ongoing Capex mismanagement and their failure to deliver a meaningful environmental incentive scheme that rewards lower emission aircraft.

It said: DAA has a history of mismanagement at Dublin Airport, including understaffing summer security, wasting taxpayers money on ill-thought-out infrastructure projects and failing to support low-cost access and sustainable growth.

The airline said the 19 planes are part of its gamechanger enviro-friendly fleet of Boeing 737 8200 aircraft, which it said reduce noise by 40% and CO2 emissions by 16% while carrying 4% more passengers per flight.

The company initially said DAA is raising its already excessive charges by a ludicrous 45%.

But DAA said regulated charges at the airport, which are set by the aviation regulator, are set to rise by only 6% in 2024.

In a statement, it said it categorically denied false claims by Ryanair, with chief executive Kenny Jacobs saying he was surprised and disappointed by the airlines announcement.

He said: I am baffled why any airline with sustainability ambitions would choose to turn down the opportunity to operate lower CO2 emission and less noisy aircraft at Dublin Airport by turning down the new discount schemes.

The Ryanair decision to reduce their Max fleet at Dublin Airport next winter is adding to their cost base when by actually increasing the Max fleet they would in fact pay even less in 2024 that they will in 2023.

Mr Jacobs said Ryanairs claim of a 45% increase in charges in 2024 is false.

He added: There is nothing approaching a 45% proposed rise in pricing at Dublin Airport which is patently false for anyone who has studied the regulators determination last December.

Rather than depending on back-of-a-scratchcard mathematics, I would urge those making such false statements to redo their sums and more importantly study the range of sustainability incentives proposed at Dublin Airport, and join us on the journey to a carbon-free aviation eco-system over the coming years.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation, now the Irish Aviation Authority, said in December a nominal price cap of 8.68 euro in 2023 will increase to 9.23 euro in 2024 and includes inflation projections and the assumption Dublin Airport will deliver on its own investment plan.

This is a 6.3% year-on-year rise.

The same document gives a nominal price cap of 11.73 euro for 2026, which is a 46% increase on the 8.00 euro final price cap in 2022.

In a later statement, Ryanair clarified that it was basing its figure on the 2026 rates.

It added: Running an airport is far more complex than just issuing press releases.

The airline did not respond to a question on whether it was fair to use figures which included projected inflation.

Ryanair was also critical of DAAs three billion euro capital expenditure programme, saying it includes a portfolio of unnecessary vanity projects which it said will not benefit passengers.

It said: A prime example of this is DAAs 250 million euro cargo tunnel. This tunnel is superfluous and could easily be replaced with a tried and tested low-cost alternative like the crossing system at Cologne Airport  home of Europes Aviation Safety Agency.

Ryanair said DAA should be planning to expand Dublin Airports terminals one and two for passenger and connectivity growth.

At a press conference in Dublin, Mr Wilson said: Unlike most other EU airports, DAA is unfortunately focused on increasing passenger charges by 45% and wasting 250 million euro on a tunnel the same size as the Dublin Port tunnel that is not needed.

DAA needs to build low-cost infrastructure to support passenger growth and connectivity but has failed to implement a growth incentive scheme or, indeed, lower charges that reward those airlines who invest in lower emission aircraft.

The Irish Government implemented an innovative industry-leading traffic recovery support scheme post-Covid, with Ryanair responding with +117% recovery vs pre-Covid levels, ensuring Irelands recovery of connectivity and tourism.

Unfortunately, all this good work is now going to unravel with DAAs misguided policy of increasing charges by 45%. Dublin Airport isnt Heathrow; Dublin competes for traffic with other European airports, and with less airline seat capacity returning post-Covid, airports must respond with incentives to attract that smaller pool of aircraft seat capacity.

Sadly, DAA are oblivious to what is happening at airports elsewhere in Europe and is intent on rating charges by 45%, with hugely damaging consequences for Ireland.

The DAA chief executive described the underpass tunnel project as an optimum safety solution for operations on the airfield.

Mr Jacobs said: Ryanairs claim that an underpass is not needed at Dublin Airport is, once again, false. The underpass is essentially a safety project, which will contribute to effective and efficient airfield operations and maintain operations in the west apron.

We have reviewed all options, including solutions in place at other European airports, and both the aviation regulator and DAA agree the underpass solution is the optimum one from a safety perspective, and we never compromise on safety.

Pointing to comparatively low air traffic recovery in Germany following increased charges, Mr Wilson said: Its absolutely going to happen here because theres no incentive for Ryanair to retain aircraft here.

You will see, gradually, a reduction in capacity and theres nobody else going to fill that gap.

Dublin is uncompetitive, connectivity, airline investment and traffic goes down  bad for tourism.

And what we want the DAA to do is at least freeze charges, put in incentives for airlines to actually grow, put in an environmental scheme  you could do this on a cost-neutral basis because what you can say is those who put in fuel-efficient, less noisy aircraft get lower charges and those that dont make that investment pay higher charges.

They need to stop wasting money on a tunnel and expand existing infrastructure because this is going to be bad for the country.

He said the 19 aircraft will be moved to Luton and across Europe, including airports in Spain and Italy.

Asked if passengers should expect prices to increase on routes with reductions, Mr Wilson said: Where you have less of anything and youve got demand, well then prices will rise.

You get into a sort of a death spiral with this, because if youve got a market where people have an expectation at a particular level and you contract that market, well then the price goes up  but its very easy to stop.

Asked when he last spoke to the Irish Minister for Transport and Environment Eamon Ryan about the airlines concerns, Mr Wilson said: Ive written to him three times this year to tell him this is going to happen, never getting anything back.

He said Mr Ryan has a unique opportunity to be a world leader on modulated charges at airports to make higher-polluting airlines pay more.

Mr Wilson said there will be no initial job losses at Ryanair due to the decision but the airline will have to see what happens next summer.

He said he is not hopeful that any of the additional Boeing 737 8200 aircraft due to be delivered to the airline will be put in Dublin.

DAA said it announced proposals in May which would incentivise airlines to operate more environmentally-friendly aircraft and charge airlines who fly high-emission aircraft more.

It said the discount would apply to its ultra-low cost aeronautical charges, which it described as the lowest of any capital city airport in Europe.
The countdown has begun to the fourth edition of the Louth International Film Festival (LIFF), which takes place in the IMC Cinema Dundalk, Dundalk Institute of Technology and the An Tain Arts Centre, from September 29 to October 1.

With an expansive lineup encompassing over 50 hours of short films, features and documentaries, the festival guarantees a memorable experience for all attendees.

Organisers of the the festival last week announced the appointment of the internationally renowned Irish film and television director, Dearbhla Walsh, as a festival patron.

She will attend the festival on October 1 to present the prestigious Dearbhla Walsh Award for Best Director.

Dearbhla Walsh's distinguished career includes critically acclaimed works such as 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'Fargo,' 'Traitors,' 'Shameless,' and the multi-award-winning black comedy 'Bad Sisters.'

With an expansive lineup encompassing over 50 hours of short films, features and documentaries, the festival organisers believe this year's festival guarantees a memorable experience for all attendees.

The festival schedule is as follows:

Opening Film: "Dublin Crust"

Date: September 29, 4:00 PM - Location: IMC Cinema, Dundalk

The festival's opening film is the highly anticipated "Dublin Crust," directed by Baz Black. Starring Baz Black, Barry John Kinsella, William Morgan, and Johnny French, this production offers a glimpse into the lives of former members of the disbanded punk group Crust, a decade after its breakup. The film chronicles Drummer Bonehead's quest to reunite the band for a monumental final performance.

Director Frank Berry Q&A and "Aisha"

Date: September 29, 6:00PM - Location: IMC Cinema, Dundalk

On September 29, the festival is honoured to welcome back Frank Berry. His impactful film, "Aisha," will grace the screen at the IMC Cinema in Dundalk. Following the screening, an insightful Q&A session will be led by esteemed DkIT Lecturer, Dr. Ingrid Lewis.

Local Film: The Troubles

Date: September 30, 6:00PM - Location: An Tain Arts Centre

Dundalk local Colm Mullen serves as Director of Photography and Editor for The Troubles, Colm is the festival's artistic director. The story follows two Dublin brothers diving into the treacherous world of republicanism, fuelling the Northern war machine through any means necessary.

The film features Paul Cumiskey, festival fundraising director, and involved the Louth Filmmakers Society for a pivotal exterior scene in Dundalk. Local support poured in with houses, props and extras. Director Luke Hanlon also takes on writing and producing, while the cast includes Ray Malone, Adam Redmond, William Delaney, Sarah Hayden, and Sophia Adli.

Endorsement from John Moore: A Local Perspective on Global Magic

Above: L-R Bruce Willis and John Moore

Hollywood writer/director John Moore, a native of Dundalk, continues to lend his unwavering support to the festival. Moore's endorsement of the 2023 edition encapsulates the festival's essence, celebrating the convergence of global perspectives and local charm. He had this to say about the fourth edition:

Everyone is from somewhere: but we like to reach out to everywhere - local film festivals do this; they bring the wide world to us all and add their own special local magic. Louth is a small county with a huge sense of magic, of history of story: I wish them continued success with their world-class festival and continue to support them and cheer them to the rafters.

The 4th edition of the Louth International Film Festival is a celebration of local and global cinema. Join LIFF from September 29 to October 1. The complete festival program will be launched on September 15th.
ITS Culture Night tomorrow (Friday September 22), dont forget - with events on all over the city and county.

Where and what to choose from the bewildering variety and number of events on offer?

Well, you can check out https://www.corkcity.ie/en/culture-night/ to find out what is on in Cork City.

Meanwhile check out https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/events/culture-night-2023 to see what is on in the county - the choice is dizzying, and all free!

In the city, Candys Sweet As Circus Cabaret at the Marina Market, followed by Pitchd Festival Rogu FireStorm? Or perhaps a tour of the Rebel City Distillery and/or the Franciscan Well Brewery. Analogue Photography at the city library, music workshops and performances at Nano Nagle Place, backstage tours at Everyman and also Meet the Panto Characters.... Thats just for starters.

If you live further out, then from concert bands and orchestras to 40ft dragon puppets and cabaret, there are over 200 free events planned in the county this Friday, taking place in arts organisations, community centres, pubs, libraries, museums, on the streets - everywhere. Creative writing workshops, brass band concerts, everything you could think of!

Start planning this minute, so you dont miss the one thing you always wanted to experience.

Rebecca Storm is at the Opera House on Sunday, September 24.

At the Opera House tonight, the Opera Recital with Dean Power is already sold out. Tomorrow brings Nights on Broadway - The Bee Gees Story: a tribute to that great band through their catalogue of hits from the 60s to the 90s. The one and only Rebecca Storm is here on Sunday night with Goin Back, A Lifetime of Song, featuring many of the classics that she has made her own over the last 20 years, such as Blue Bayou, The Winner Takes it All, A Woman in Love, plus a string of show songs from classic shows such as Evita, Blood Brothers, The Streisand Songbook and more.

The show will also feature for the first time Rebeccas version of the great Carol King classic Goin Back.

See https://www.corkoperahouse.ie/

At the Everyman, The Montfort College of Performing Arts is presenting that wonderful classic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from tonight until Saturday. This thrilling musical adventure, performed by over 100 talented students, follows the Biblical story of Joseph, the favourite son, blessed with prophetic dreams, on his journey to Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers.

A delightfully eclectic mix of musical styles from country-western to calypso and bubble-gum pop to rocknroll, the production includes those well known favourites Go, Go, Go Joseph and, of course, Any Dream Will Do. Directed by Trevor Ryan. 7pm start, with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2pm.

Thats followed on Sunday night by an evening of collaboration, songs and stories, starring Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes and Paul Noonan.

Call 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Its the last chance to see Glue at the Cork Arts Theatre, presented by Four Faced Theatre, directed by Alison McCormack, and written/performed by Niamh Fennessy. Part of CATALYST, a new collaboration between The Everyman and Cork Arts Theatre, supported by Cork City Council Arts Office, Glue is a vignette of the life of a girl caught in the typical throes of young adulthood.

Tickets are still available for the 1pm performance on Saturday. See www.corkartstheatre.com or call 021 450 5624.

There is theatre in Macroom during the towns Food Festival, with Gombean from Hawks Theatre Co at the Castle Hotel on Friday night. This one-woman show has Niamh McGrath playing multiple characters in the story of a new coffee van venture.

Taste some of the finest local produce afterwards, and enjoy Der Hurleys music 8pm, start.

You need to book ahead, though, as tickets are limited. Get them at the Castle reception (026 41074), or from Evelyn McSweeneys shop.

And at 6pm in the Chapel Hill School of Art, there is a book reading by local author Madeline DArcy, from her award-winning Liberty Terrace, with music by local group Pizzaz Violin.

Get all the info on https://www.macroomfoodfestival.com/.
PLANS to install CCTV in several local areas to improve public safety have been welcomed.

It was revealed recently that Cork City Council and the city Garda division are to apply to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris for approval to use CCTV in several local public places in a bid to ensure greater public safety.

If approved, the local authority and local gardai could use CCTV that is already installed in local parks, greenways, and walkways, and install cameras at other locations.

The proposal allow for the installation and use of CCTV at locations such as the Passage Railway Greenway, The Marina, Marina Park, Atlantic Pond, and the Blackrock Walkway.

Stephen Scully, of Cork City Council Parks and Recreation department, highlighted the importance of CCTV for investigations and identification of suspects.

Our primary aim is the protection of public safety and order in public spaces, he said.

Were just trying to ensure that public safety is looked after there, in relation to the proposed CCTV.

Speaking to The Echo, Labour local area rep Peter Horgan said:

Any CCTV to increase safety provisions on the Marina is to be welcomed.

"Many people have contacted me to complain of anti social behaviour on the line and the Marina and this should mitigate that.

Mr Horgan highlighted the need for CCTV to be installed for the detection and prevention of illegal dumping. Under the current plan, CCTV would not be used for this purpose.

We once more need to see this CCTV utilised for illegal dumping also on the Marina and the line, he said. I have raised this issue with my colleague Senator Mark Wall a number of times. We need to see all tools brought into action to combat anti social and illegal dumping behaviour.
THE Federation of Early Childcare Providers (FECP) confirmed last month that they will close their services in protest on September 26, 27 and 28, inclusive, with chairperson of the organisation Elaine Dunne saying closures will continue until the sector is funded correctly.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme, announced in 2010, sees the Government pay practitioners directly, providing each child in Ireland with two free years of early years education  but practitioners say the funds provided are too low to keep their schools open.

Mairead Davis owns Bright Beginnings in Douglas, which has been open for 30 years and is currently attended by 22 children, some of whom are second generation, with their parents having attended the school themselves in the 90s.

I used to charge parents 18 a morning which was 10 years ago, Mairead said.

With inflation it would be 25 a morning now which would be 125 a week, so with 69 weekly its half of what we should be getting.

While they receive 4.60 an hour from the Government, Mairead said childminders who drop children off are getting at least 10 an hour.

She explained: I have heating, insurance, gas and four staff members.

Chronically underfunded

Rowena Fischer has been in the industry over 15 years, and owns Phylls Preschool in Bealnamorrive, a small, rural, nature-focused preschool where children have the choice to go outside all the time.

It is small schools like Rowenas which are struggling the most, she said, describing the sector as chronically underfunded.

There are many problems, but if funding was enhanced it would solve so many of them, Rowena said.

We havent had a pay rise in so many years  I dont know of anything that cost the same price in 2010 as now.

Since the core funding came in, I am losing control of my small business.

Its such a shame as I love what I do.

I have an amazing teacher with me, I have a level 8 honours degree Im totally invested in it.

Mairead Davis will be closing Bright Beginnings next week on Tuesday, September 26 only, when her staff will go to Dublin to strike.

I have an awful lot of new children settling in, several with additional needs, and the three day closure would be too disruptive, she explained.

Jennifer O Connell, who owns the Yellow House Montessori in Skibbereen, explained her decision not to close, having taken part in several protests before.

Im burnt out from it all  the administration burden, the worry about my setting being viable, about having enough to keep all my teachers, she said.

Also I cant afford to pay my team that day and lose the funding.

Children with additional needs

Similar to Mairead, she added: We have got quite a few children in my setting that have additional needs, theyre very vocal as theyre settling in, theres a lot of crying.

My team and I didnt want to risk unsettling vulnerable children.

Thats us putting the needs of the children ahead of our needs.

Jennifer added that her team is highly skilled as well as having many years of experience, but are not being valued as such by the Government.

I want them all to be acknowledged as the professional educators that they are, she added.

As well as the low fees, there are huge levels of administrative work involved in early years education and care.

Mairead explained: I have a girl working for me in her 20s.

I have to pay her at least an extra three hours for all the paperwork  we get 11 cent per hour from the Government for this.

Rowena added: Were implementing a Government scheme and its free for the parents which is wonderful, but Im wearing ten hats  the main educator, admin, manager, the dogsbody doing the cleaning and everything else.

For 69 per child [per week of Government funding]  its just too low.

The demand for Rowenas school is there despite the struggle to make ends meet: Im full, I have long waiting lists, Im turning families away, she said.

Despite the need for more places, it is almost impossible to get staff, as Rowena stated that the teacher who works with her deserves so much more.

We wanted this graduate led workforce, and these high quality and educated staff  but the graduates are not staying in the education sector.

Speaking recently on Newstalks The Anton Savage Show, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman said: I dont believe that these closures are warranted.

Minister: Closures Unwarranted

He added: Since Ive come to office, Ive significantly increased the amount of investment in child care in our country.

Were hugely under invested compared to the rest of Europe.

And Ive been working really hard to catch this up.

Rowena explained: We acknowledge the various departments who have put money in  its just not adequate.

I say it is very much warranted.

Mairead shared with The Echo a letter she sent to parents explaining their situation, who she said were hugely supportive.

The letter explains: Many businesses are running at a huge loss, and they will have to close their doors permanently if the government does not address the issues urgently. Yes, the government has increased funding, the funding has benefited large full day care services however small services like Bright Beginnings have been forgotten about. We are left with no choice but to close our doors.

Rowena said: Many were shocked, as they probably didnt realise how bad it was but theyre writing to their TDs, theyre sending lovely emails, parents are offering me money, asking can we pay you?

Were not allowed to take any donations, whereas a local school can, she explained.

She said that extending the strike is definitely being considered.

We are so hopeful for a change, were hoping that theyre going to announce some serious talks.

Were doing it for the children  I cant stay open if theres not changes, Rowena added.

I explained to parents that I dont want to close and I know that its terribly inconvenient but if I dont close now, I could be closing long term in June.

Its not childcare

Discussing the many preschools that have had to close, Rowena asked: Where are these children going?

Kids come to be educated, its not childcare.

Mairead also feels that the Government fails to see the importance of what they are providing, and added that people ask her why she is still working in the sector.

I love my job, I love the children, she said.

I have an amazing staff, its just getting harder and harder every year.

I dont know when I last took a wage.

She explained that when core founding was announced we just went along with it, perhaps because were predominantly women.

But my business is not my own anymore  Im told what to do, Im told how much to pay.

Its not only me  its all small services like me, constantly fighting, constantly wondering will we have enough money, when will we be paid.
A Cork TD has told the Dail that the Government is to blame for at least 100 northside families being left without preschool places until next year at the earliest.

The Before 5 Family Centre in Churchfield closed abruptly last month, leaving 14 staff members without jobs and 100 families in the area without childcare.

The centre, which has provided preschool childcare on the northside for five decades, employed 14 people, some of whom have worked there for more than 20 years.

Local people have stressed that Before 5, which also provided a homework club and adult classes, had long been a vital part of the community.

In recent weeks, it was revealed that Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) was to take over the running of the childcare facility, which is housed in a building owned by the local Catholic diocese.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, NCE confirmed that it will be at least 2024 before the service will be in a position to open due to necessary survey works and subsequent maintenance works on the building.

Speaking in the Dail yesterday, Socialist TD for Cork North Central Mick Barry told Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman that the fault for the lack of childcare facilities on the northside lay not with NCE, but rather with the Government.

The fault lies with your Government, minister, by failing to take preschools under the control of the Department of Education, by failing to provide a State guarantee of continuity of service, the Government allows a situation where preschooling and creches undergo periodic crises and then reopen slowly once closed, Mr Barry said.

Mr OGorman replied that he welcomed that Before 5 would reopen, something he said was a result of additional State funding invested by Government in services, to make them sustainable, and to deliver increased pay for workers.
A FORGED PCR certificate was presented by a man flying into Cork Airport during the pandemic and he was taken away to quarantine at a hotel in Dublin but he absconded from there.

Charles Faulkner, aged 46, of Adelaide Place, St. Lukes, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of using a false instrument on June 19, 2021 at Cork Airport.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said that while reference was being made to Mr Faulkner absconding in Dublin later, there was no charge against him for that alleged offence.

Sergeant Ciaran Kelleher said the incident occurred on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 8.15am at Cork Airport when the accused man arrived from Stansted.

A valid negative PCR test was required by law when entering the country at the time. The cert the accused presented was not genuine. He was aggressive and disruptive at the airport.

He refused to answer questions and was handed over to defence force personnel, on duty in the airport at the time.

He was conveyed to Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin for mandatory quarantine but he absconded a short time later [with another person], Sgt Kelleher said.

Now at Cork District Court he has pleaded guilty to using an instrument, to wit, a false Randox Health PCR test certificate which was, and which he knew or believed to be a false instrument, with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.

Judge Olann Kelleher said these offences were in a more serious category in terms of breaching covid regulations.

This is a very serious charge. Using a false instrument in this manner is irresponsible. It was putting other people in danger but he does not seem to care. And then he gets aggressive with everyone, Judge Kelleher said.

He fined Charles Faulkner 850 and imposed a five-month suspended sentence.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned of a tough winter ahead for acute hospitals in Cork, saying that it expects to see a winter as bad as, if not worse than, what we experienced last year.

The organisation previously reported that November last year was the worst November on record for overcrowding at Irish hospitals, describing it as a chaotic month.

It reported that more than 11,000 admitted patients nationally were left without beds at Irish hospitals in each of the months of November, December, and January.

Cork University Hospital (CUH) had the second highest level of overcrowding of all hospitals in the country for all three months.

Speaking to The Echo, INMO assistant director of industrial relations Colm Porter raised concerns about the winter ahead at hospitals in Cork.

The INMO Trolley Watch has been ongoing for a significant number of years and its been obviously very accurate in predicting what the winter looks like, Mr Porter said.

And over the summer months, we had seen across the board very high trolley numbers and that tends to mean that were in for a tough winter.

The comments from Mr Porter come following a meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce earlier this week.

Why we called on the HSE to organise that meeting was around renewing the solutions to reducing overcrowding, he said.

Yesterday, there were 67 admitted patients waiting for beds at hospitals in Cork.

One patient on a trolley is too many patients on a trolley," Mr Porter said. All the medical research suggests that if you are waiting on a trolley for a prolonged period of time it can affect your mortality rates, he said.

The concern is really about that trend that weve seen for the summer months and if that trend continues as it has in previous years then were expecting to see a winter as bad as if not worse than what it was last year.

Last winter, Cork University Hospital had the second-highest level number of admitted patients awaiting beds of all hospitals in the country for the months of November 2022, December 2022 and January 2023.

There were 1,334 patients on trolleys at CUH over the month of November; 1,355 patients on trolleys at the hospital in December; and 1,145 on trolleys at the hospital in January.

In comparison to last year, there is a reduction [in the numbers on trolleys in Cork]. You have to recognise that in terms of across Cork, there is definitely a reduction, Mr Porter said.

Its still high, to say that 67 people who are sick enough to be admitted to hospital but dont have a bed...even if that was one patient it would be unacceptable. So, it may be slightly down but theres still a lot more work to be done.

He said that overcrowding has obviously impacted members and raised concerns about recruitment and retention.

There are renewed efforts going on to try and get people to join the acute hospitals across Cork but if youre continually working in conditions that are overcrowded and understaffed its a very natural reaction to have a think about whether or not theres a potentially better job elsewhere.
Brittany Ferries has announced that for the first time in its 50-year sailing history to Cork, it is to continue sailings linking Ringaskiddy with Roscoff during the winter.

The company first opened the Cork to Roscoff service back in 1978, but up until now, it had always been a seasonal service, generally running from mid-March to mid-November.

This year, it said, the Armorique cruise-ferry will offer sailings to Brittany every weekend during November and December 2023, departing Cork on Saturday afternoons and returning from Roscoff on Fridays overnight.

Following a winter refit during the first six weeks of 2024, Armorique will then re-open the Cork/Roscoff earlier than ever before, on February 9.

Brittany Ferries 650-cabin flagship cruise-ferry Pont-Aven will rejoin Armorique on the Cork to Roscoff route on March 22 giving a total of two weekly departures in each direction throughout the summer and autumn right up until November 2024.

The company will continue to operate year-round to Normandy from Rosslare, with weekly sailings from Rosslare-Europort to Cherbourg operated by the companys latest vessels Salamanca, Galicia and Santona. Additionally, freight-orientated vessel Cotentin will offer a sailing in both directions every weekend on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route, replacing the service that had previously operated from Rosslare to Le Havre.

Hugh Bruton, Brittany Ferries general manager for Ireland said: Last year we doubled our sailing frequency from Cork to Roscoff with the arrival of cruise- ferry Armorique on the route. These sailings have proven immensely popular with Irish holidaymakers, so much so that theyre back for 2024, and for the first time in our 50-year history, well keep the Cork to Roscoff link running this winter with sailings in November and December 2023, and in February and March 2024.

Altogether in 2024, Brittany Ferries will offer up to eight sailings a week between Ireland and France, as well as four linking Ireland and Spain.
Pickets are today resuming at the Cork branch of GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering following the breakdown of talks between the company and Siptu union negotiators at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The talks had been agreed by both sides in an effort to resolve a dispute that saw strike action begin last Wednesday at GMC offices at Whites Cross in Cork, as well as at the companys premises at Limerick, Dublin, and Carlow.

Earlier last week, Siptu said members had commenced action after discussions between the union and employer collapsed.

The union had claimed that GMC had failed to deliver on a pay increase agreed earlier this year. Siptu had also accused GMC of outsourcing union members work, and said its members in GMC had not received a pay increase since 2019.

The utilities company is contracted by Gas Network Ireland for the installation, maintenance, and provision of emergency response on gas infrastructure for commercial and residential customers and, as a result of the strike, gas customers had been warned that some services may be impacted.

Pickets at GMCs premises were lifted in deference to the WRC talks, which had commenced on Friday last.

Yesterday, Siptu officials described the management of GMC as not serious about finding a resolution to their industrial dispute.

Further escalation

In a further escalation of the dispute, SIPTU representatives will be meeting with shop stewards in Gas Networks Ireland on Friday morning to discuss their organising supportive action.

Siptu official Rory Hawkins told The Echo it was disappointing that talks had broken down.

They were three tough days, but at the end of the day the negotiating team of Siptu didnt feel the management team at GMC were serious and intent on getting a resolution, Mr Hawkins said.

Were back on the picket line on Thursday morning, and as we have said before, the picket line is the last place anyone wants to be.

Siptu Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said the union was seeking an urgent meeting with Gas Networks Ireland.

Company 'disappointed'

A spokesperson for GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering said the company was disappointed that discussions at the WRC had concluded without agreement.

The company is a member of the CIF [Construction Industry Federation] and all of our employees are paid in accordance with or in excess of the construction sector Sectoral Employment Order (SEO).

The company has made numerous concessions throughout the process where employees are seeking substantial additional pay increases over the agreed construction (SEO) rates.

The GMC spokesperson added that the matter had now been referred to the Labour Court.
A Cork man arrested for a suspected burglary at a bakery cafe in Blackrock told the gardai after he was charged, I didnt get much in there.

31-year-old Edward Collins of 3 Churchfield Place East, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court on a burglary charge and a count of attempted burglary at a garage in the area a short time earlier.

Detective Garda Bryan Murphy charged Edward Collins with the attempted burglary of the Circle K garage on Blackrock Road and the burglary of the Natural Foods bakery in Blackrock village.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said that when the accused man was charged with the Natural Foods burglary he made the comment about not getting much.

Diane Hallahan, solicitor, said the young man would be pleading guilty to all the charges against him.

He was remanded in custody until September 27 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The alarm was raised at around midnight on August 18 at the garage. The front door of that premises was damaged but entry was not gained. A short time later the alarm went off for a burglary a short distance away at the bakery premises. The accused was arrested a short time later.

He is charged with attempted burglary and criminal damage to the front door at Circle K and burglary at Natural Foods bakery. All charges relate to August 18.
MORE than 90,000 containers were loaded and discharged at the Port of Cork Companys (PoCC) new Cork Container Terminal (CCT) in Ringaskiddy, in what a spokesperson for the company described as a bumper first year of operation.

The state-of-the-art facility, which is the result of a 94 million investment, became operational in April 2022.

Since then, 46,932 containers have been discharged, while 48,282 containers were loaded onto a total of 340 ships, with an average of 280 containers loaded and discharged per ship.

Earlier this year, the PoCC launched its Port of Cork Masterplan 2050, which plans for further development of the CCT site.

The plan highlights the importance of the delivery of the M28, which it says will enable further relocation of PoCCs activities from Tivoli Docks to Ringaskiddy and unlock significant port capacity in the lower harbour.

The Port of Cork says it is currently operating at 50% capacity until the completion of the M28.

Supporting the accelerated growth of the fixed offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector is another important component of the masterplan, which charts a course to a new sustainable and secure future for the port.

The launch of CCT last year was a hugely important milestone for the Port of Cork Company as it marked the culmination of years of significant planning, investment, and development in this vital facility to ensure the ports ongoing competitiveness, said POCC chief commercial officer Conor Mowlds.

CCT represents the largest single investment in marine infrastructure of any Irish port over the last 100 years and has enabled the port to deliver more efficient container handling facilities, strengthening Corks position as an international gateway for trade.

The container terminal in Ringaskiddy, which is on a 39- hectare site, is operational 24/7, and is one of the largest deep-water multimodal berths in the world, at 13 metres deep and 360 metres long.

The development includes an optimised 360m multimodal berth with the potential to cater for any type of shipping; two giant 50m- high ship-to-shore cranes; the capacity to store 492 refrigerated containers; as well as new maintenance and customs and excise buildings and a digitised vehicle booking system.

It also includes a recreation area at Paddys Point.
A MAN has been sentenced after edible cannabis jellies and fudge were found concealed along with a quantity of cocaine in a house in Cork city.

Judge Olann Kelleher warned the man that he was facing jail on the charges of having cocaine and Tetrahydrocannabinol  the edible cannabis  for sale or supply to others on the occasion.

Kelvin OReilly, aged 22, of Silverheights Avenue, Mayfield, Cork, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs and having them for the purpose of selling or supplying.

Sergeant Ciaran Kelleher said at Cork District Court that gardai had obtained a warrant to search the house, and that cocaine with a street value of 1,658 was in the 22-year-old mans home.

They also found cannabis herb worth 200 that he had for his own use.

The cannabis edibles that were found had a street value at the time of 1,650.

Sgt Kelleher said that 33 bags of cannabis-infused edible jellies and fudge were found concealed in the garage under tables.

Cocaine was found concealed on joists in the attic area over the defendants bedroom.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said there were significant mitigating factors, including the fact that the defendant is so young, was never in trouble before or since this drugs seizure, and the fact that it dates back to September 20, 2020.

Mr Buttimer said the accused co-operated with the garda investigation and admitted his responsibility for it.

While there was a plea of guilty to all charges, if the case had been contested, there would have been a debate about the cannabis jellies, said Mr Buttimer.

The solicitor added that the accused had engaged well in terms of rehabilitation and there were favourable reports to this effect.

He has totally turned things around and is no longer involved with substances, said Mr Buttimer.

There has been a total transformation.

This may have been a watershed moment for him.

Judge Olann Kelleher said it merited a prison sentence, but that he was obliged to take the mitigating factors into consideration.

A suspended ten-month sentence and fines totalling 1,500 were imposed, and OReilly was also ordered to do 240 hours of community service.
CORK Education and Training Boards Youthreach students were celebrated at an event recently to mark their completion of Level 3 and 4 Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) awards.

One of the students at the annual graduation ceremony was Hafiz Ullah, who left Afghanistan at 15 years of age in 2020 and undertook a perilous journey across Iraq and into Europe through Turkey, Greece, and Macedonia before arriving in Cork city.

Hafiz completed his qualifications in Cork city Learning Support Services and will now be a student in Cork College of FET, Tramore Rd Campus, studying Information Technology.

Fellow graduate Olivia OSullivan, who is progressing to study Computer Science at Cork College of FET, Douglas St Campus, said: Mallow Youthreach has given me a great opportunity to thrive and opened up new, wider opportunities to college.

While Martin Cizevskis graduated from Dean St Youthreach Centre and plans to follow his dream of studying art.

The ceremony was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of the 2023 graduating class from Corks 12 Youthreach centres, who were forced to complete part of their studies online due to the pandemic.

Their families and teachers gathered at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs to celebrate the young peoples unwavering commitment to personal growth, and to enjoy an inspiring keynote speech by Amy OConnor, all-star and All Ireland Winning captain.

Other speakers included Cork ETBs Chief Executive, Denis Leamy, and Director of FET, John Fitzgibbons, who told the graduates that yesterday is in the past and tomorrow is their future.

Cork ETB said it remains committed to providing ongoing support and resources to ensure the continued success of their 12 Youthreach centres in providing educational opportunities for young people who are outside of mainstream education.
WE can see the failings of Government housing policies very clearly. We have 12,847 people who are homeless, including almost 4,000 children. According to Cork Simon Community, there were 519 adults depending on emergency accommodation in Cork during the last week of, July 2023 - up 5.7% in 12 months.

These figures do not include people sleeping on couches, people in refuges or direct provision, or the young adults who have no choice but to live with their parents.

Dereliction is rife with more than 166,000 vacant properties wasting away or unused and those are just the ones recorded in the 2022 census. In Cork city alone, there are 700 properties lying vacant. The council must do more to tackle dereliction.

People have to wait on average two years to get social housing, and on top of that there are 350 empty council houses in Cork city and 184 in Cork county.

This is not good enough and in a housing emergency this is unconscionable.

Average rents have skyrocketed in recent times. The latest Daft.ie rental report shows average monthly rent in new tenancies in Cork city and county rose by 5% in the last year. Rents in Cork city average between 1,500- 1,600 per month. This is a supply and demand issue and the daily number of homes available to rent in Munster has reduced from 1,000 in Q2, 2015 to 173 in Q2, 2023.

Renters in Cork need to be supported in Budget 2024 by the Government to keep up with the cost of living. Increased rent relief should be given to renters in Budget 2024 without the requirement to give the landlords registration number so that renters whose landlords arent registered are included.

The housing crisis is threatening Irelands economy. We have nearly full employment but many key workers coming to Ireland to accept jobs cant find accommodation.

There are key workers such as nurses, doctors and vital healthcare specialists looking to take up jobs in Cork University Hospital, for example, who struggle to find somewhere to live, and this is affecting recruitment in CUH and elsewhere. The lack of housing is putting our critical public services under threat.

It is like Groundhog Day, hearing the stories of students trying to find a place to live. The scramble for accommodation, the rising costs, couch surfing, scams, students sleeping in cars, long commutes, and overcrowding - it is the same, but worse, every single year.

The housing crisis is undermining Ireland as a study destination and our reputation abroad is being put at high risk.

In 2022, the French embassy issued a warning to its citizens who are thinking of coming to Ireland because of the housing crisis here. How long before others follow suit?

And the Government have been well warned. I was president of the Union of Students in Ireland nine years ago and the lack of student accommodation was an issue then and its even more of an emergency now.

The President of University College Cork, John OHalloran, has recently called for the Government to do more on student housing and I agree with him. Rapid construction of more affordable, purpose-built student accommodation is needed; clear accommodation targets for the student population; an increase in inspections of private rental properties to ensure minimum standards; targeted information campaigns to prospective international students about how to find accommodation in Ireland, and a new student accommodation strategy.

Gardai estimate that 2m has been stolen in accommodation scams over the past four years.

Predators are trying to take advantage of vulnerable people who desperately want to avoid becoming homeless and urgent legislation is also needed to clamp down on predators seeking sex in lieu of rent.

The Government showed what can be done in an emergency during the pandemic, impressively working together across different departments on a national response, but the same urgency is not being applied to the housing crisis. An emergency response is needed but when the Government ministers speak, I dont hear urgency in their voices.

France has an eviction ban in place every winter since 1956 - a compassionate measure for its citizens. Our own Government lifted an eviction ban with no Plan B in the height of a housing crisis that has put vulnerable renters at risk of homelessness. Where is the compassion in that?

Since the eviction ban was lifted, we have seen 5,735 people evicted in the second quarter of this year - an increase of 1,000 on the first three months of the year.

The Government must scale up the ambition when it comes to solving the housing crisis. In Budget 2024, any supports to keep small landlords in the market must also be matched with support and protection for renters. At least an extra 1bn is needed for housing in the Budget, and we also need to see a new, more realistic target of building 50,000 homes a year. The eviction ban must be re-introduced for winter 2024 and Labours renters rights bill passed.

Funds should be allocated to hold a Referendum on the Right to Housing. More than 81 countries worldwide have enshrined a legal right to housing in their laws or in their constitution, including Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Austria and France. Its time for Ireland to do the same.

As the local elections and a general election approach, anyone in Cork who is concerned about solving this crisis needs to make housing an election issue when the candidates come knocking and when casting their votes.

Laura Harmon is a Labour candidate for Cork City South West (Bishopstown, Ballincollig, Togher, Glasheen). She is an equality campaigner and was president of the Union of Students in Ireland in 2014/2015.
Gordon Deegan

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has refused planning permission to US-headquartered Greystar for a 488-unit build to rent scheme on grounds around Dalguise House in Monkstown, Co Dublin.

The council refused planning permission to a Greystar subsidiary, GEDV Monkstown Owner Limited, after more than 70 objections were lodged against the scheme.

A global leader in rental housing, Greystar claimed the scheme would be its flagship development in Ireland and would set the standard for build-to-rent (BTR) developments in the country.

The scheme comprises 488 new-build units and three two-storey three-bed terraced units. The firm had proposed constructing 10 housing blocks, with one block reaching nine storeys.

Some 20 per cent of the units were to be made available for social and affordable housing and Dalguise was to be the first scheme in Ireland that Greystar had brought from design to operation.

The council refused planning permission after concluding the scheme would result in a proliferation of BTR accommodation and one-bed units "and would not provide for a sustainable mix of tenure housing type".

The council also refused permission due to the location of the site within the grounds of a protected structure, Dalguise House.

The council concluded that the proposed development due to its height would have a "visually overbearing impact" on Dalguise House.

The planning authority also refused permission as the quality of bicycle parking did not meet the required standard to support the reduced car-parking for the scheme.

A report by estate agents Hooke & MacDonald for the applicants and lodged with the plans stated that in September 2022 there were only three properties for rent in Monkstown. It said undersupply of rental properties was even more acute in Monkstown than other Dublin suburbs.

The Hooke & MacDonald report estimated that the average rent from the schemes two-bedroom four-person units would be 3,000 per month, or 36,000 per annum  a two-bed three-person apartment would cost an estimated 34,200 in annual rent.

The scheme includes 288 one-bed units with an estimated average monthly rent of 2,500, or 30,000 per annum.

Local activist Nicola Coleman, who organised a petition signed by over 1,200 people opposed to the development, welcomed the council's decision saying that it affirmed local democracy and the democratically agreed County Development Plan.

She said the decision also echoed many community concerns including environmental concerns and the serious problems that ordinary people recognise are inherent in a corporatised BTR model of housing.

Ms Coleman said when people see prices like the 35,000 per annum quoted for a two-bed apparent it shatters any expectation we might have that the development represents a solution to the housing needs of the community.

Ms Coleman said: A two-bed flat at almost 35,000 per year is on a par with the take-home pay of a primary school teacher or nurse.

In its objection, the Monkstown Road Residents Association told the council that the residential and visual amenity of Monkstown Road and the surrounding area and streets will be severely denuded as a result of the proposed scale, height, layout and car parking arrangement of the proposed development.

The residents' association said the level of house proposed in the LRD was significantly in excess of the 300 units proposed by the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) granted planning permission in August 2020, but which was subsequently quashed by the High Court on application by the Monkstown Road Residents Association.

In a joint objection with Cllr Melissa Halpin, local TD Richard Boyd Barrett contended that the height, density, scale and visual impact of this development is out of character with preserving the Victorian ambiance of Monkstown.

The two People Before Profit-Solidarity public representatives said: The housing crisis continues to deepen despite the increased number of developments. The only people winning are the developers and the, Vulture funds while the communities, environment and, in this case our heritage are being harmed.

While we are very aware of the desperate need for housing, it needs to be built sustainably and affordable to the general population.

A spokesman for Greystar Ireland said: Naturally we are very disappointed with the decision by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council to refuse planning permission for this high-quality apartment complex at Dalguise House."

He said: "The scheme would have included public access to these private and historic landscaped grounds. We will now take some time to study the Councils decision and review our options. Several months ago, Greystar Ireland made Dalguise House available to the Red Cross to provide much needed accommodation for refugees. A group of refugees is currently residing there and are unaffected by this decision.
Who is to blame for the climate crisis?

For some, the answer to this question is a lament over the inherent greed of human nature. For award-winning investigative journalist and podcaster Amy Westervelt, the answer is perhaps the biggest true-crime story of all time. The creator of the podcasts Drilled and Damages has made a career out of dismantling the idea that theres an amorphous we responsible for the destabilization of the Earths climate and instead pointing out who knew what, when, and paid who to cover it up. Now, shes launching a global network of reporters all focused on holding the individuals and organizations that delay climate action to account.

You cannot solve a problem if you dont understand the actual root causes of that problem, Westervet told EcoWatch. And the root causes of this problem are not an innate human desire to over consume.

20 Years of Climate Accountability

The August 29 launch of Drilled Global, as well as the 10th season of Drilled, were only the latest milestones in Westervelts extensive reporting record. Her written journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, among other outlets. She is also the executive producer of Critical Frequency, a podcast network headed by female journalists launched in 2017. The next year, she began the podcast Drilled  a true-crime style podcast about the climate crisis. In 2019, she started media-criticism focused Hot Take with fellow female climate writer Mary Annaise Heglar (which was canceled in 2022). 2021 was a busy year that saw her launching Rigged, a podcast about the history of disinformation, co-hosting and helping to report a climate-themed season of Scene on Radio called The Repair, and heading up the production and reporting team of This Land S2, which focused on tribal sovereignty and was nominated for a Peabody Award the next year. In 2022, she started her most recent podcast Damages, which focuses on climate lawsuits and serves as the legal drama to Drilleds crime thriller. Her work has won her various awards including the 2015 Rachel Carson award for women greening journalism, the 2019 Online News Association award for excellence in audio journalism, and the 2021 and 2023 Covering Climate Now best radio podcast series awards for Drilled and Damages respectively.

Yet Westervelt anticipated none of this when she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1999 with bills to pay.

I needed a job that started the day after I graduated, and the one I found was working for a magazine, she recalled.

Westervelt found that she liked the work and wanted to pursue a career in media. While still at her first job, she also found an unpaid internship with an arts and culture magazine, then ended up as managing editor when the rest of the staff quit. Putting together a politics issue and interviewing the likes of Noam Chomsky and Ralph Nader made her realize she wanted to shift to corporate accountability reporting. She quit the arts job and started to freelance, but found herself once again strapped for cash.

Then a friend reached out with a job offer that would lead her to her first big environmental scoop. The job was copywriting for an engineering firm, and her first assignment was to profile work they had done for oil major Shell in the 1990s. During that decade, Shell and other fossil fuel companies insisted it was too soon to act on the scientific warnings about rising temperatures, but they had commissioned the firm to prepare their offshore oil platforms for sea level rise. Westervelt pitched the revelation to a local green publication and knew she had found her mission.

From then on out, I pretty much was just hooked on doing climate accountability reporting, she told EcoWatch. So I have now done that for about 20 years.

Westervelt said that her career trajectory  from graduation to the present  had been largely happenstance, yet there are two clear throughlines visible from the start. The first is a commitment to uncovering injustice. No matter the beat of her stories, they almost always have the same angle.

Theres this really unfair thing happening, and its happening because some people have more power than other people, and they are kind of getting away with something, she summarized.

Where her long-developed sense of righteous indignation originated, Westervelt wasnt entirely sure. But it might have been sparked at least in part by something that happened to her twin brother when they were both 18. While Westervelt went to college, he joined the U.S. Marines, where someone tried to murder him. Yet instead of properly investigating the incident, the Marines tried to cover it up  perhaps to escape any financial liability. They claimed her brother had attempted suicide, even though that was incompatible with his injuries. Their response was brutally educational.

This is what people do when they have power with total impunity, Westervelt learned.

The other constant is a certain kind of fearlessness  the ability, when presented with a sink or swim situation like inheriting a managing editor role at 23  to stroke out into the waves. It was this willingness to try that launched her into print journalism and buoyed her through the transition to podcasting.

Telling the Story

Listening to NPR in her car around eight or nine years ago, Westervelt found herself wishing she could do the job of the voice coming through her speakers.

And then I thought, well, I could probably, she recalled. Its been a while since I learned a new skill.

So Westervelt contacted Reno Public Radio in Nevada  her local member station  and asked for an internship. Given that Westervelt already had reporting experience, the station was very receptive.

I did an internship there for about a month and then got hired as a staff reporter, Westervelt said.

While working for NPR, however, Westervelt really quickly realized that most of the sort of storytelling and characters end up getting cut from news features on the radio.

Trying to figure out how she could bring those cutting room characters into climate reporting, Westervelt turned to podcasts, and couldnt quite hear what she was listening for.

Amy Westervelt is an award-winning investigative journalist and executive producer of the independent podcast production company Critical Frequency. Courtesy of Amy Westervelt

I was struck by the fact that there really werent any narrative climate podcasts, she said. While long-form storytelling had begun to take off for other topics, the climate space was still dominated by talk shows.

As Westervelt began to cast about for what kind of story might drive a successful climate podcast, she was assigned to cover a trial taking place in California. San Francisco and Oakland had sued ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell, seeking damages for adapting to the climate chaos the companies had knowingly unleashed by continuing to sell their product despite knowing of its impacts since the 1970s. The judge presiding over the case  William Alsup  ordered both sides to prepare a climate science tutorial in a bit of courtroom theater that many people at the time called the Scopes Monkey Trial of Climate, though Westervelt said that was a bit of an exaggeration.

Still, the event was full of characters, from the lawyers on both sides to supporting climate activists to the scientists who were doing kind of a bad job of explaining things. And it drew attention to some Pulitzer-prize finalist print journalism that had yet to reach a wide audience: the 2015 revelation from Inside Climate News that ExxonMobils internal scientists had informed the company of the relationship between burning fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect in the late 1970s, and the company had gone on to bury that information and fund climate denial instead.

Westervelt thought if people could actually hear those scientists speaking as part of a true-crime style podcast, it might have a bigger impact. And she was right. Since the first season of Drilled launched, there have been around four documentary series made that focus on the Exxon Knew story. This gave Westervelt a model for climate accountability podcasting.

Ive tried to sort of look for stories where I feel like doing them in audio actually adds a layer of either comprehension for listeners or can help with moving the narrative along, Westervelt said.

The Real Free Speech Threat

Westervelts most recent podcast work tackles free speech from two different angles of elite malfeasance. First, over the summer, she ran a ninth mini-season of Drilled focusing on Herb Schmertz, vice president of public affairs at Mobil Oil in the 1970s who helped steer the industry into arguing for legal protections for corporate free speech. This is especially timely, Westervelt said, because the Supreme Court in April rejected the major oil companies attempts to move municipal climate liability lawsuits like the one that inspired Drilled to federal court, where they thought they would have more success. This means the companies will need to rely on the argument Herb pioneered for them.

They are arguing that anything oil companies have said about climate change  even if it is misleading  is protected speech because it was said in the interest of shaping policy, she said. Thats an argument that Mobil, and then ExxonMobil, have laid the groundwork for since the 1970s, but that history is not well-known so now felt like a key time to draw attention to it.

The 10th season of Drilled, which will run for 24 episodes and also include supporting written reporting, focuses on what it calls The Real Free Speech Threat  attempts to criminalize climate protest, such as the critical infrastructure laws that assign special penalties to actions that damage or disrupt fossil fuel pipelines. In one piece of reporting around this theme she was particularly proud of, Westervelt co-helmed an investigation with Geof Dembicki on the Atlas Network, a group of more than 500 think tanks around the world that share strategies and rhetoric for demonizing climate activists, paving the way for criminalization.

I wanted to follow the series about corporate free speech immediately with a look at the role extractive industries are playing in criminalizing and otherwise suppressing individual free speech because the two go hand in hand, Westervelt said. Unfortunately, its now also a very timely topic as governments all over the world are moving fairly swiftly to criminalize protest, many of them citing recent climate protests as the catalyst.

Luckily, Westervelt and her team have just as broad a scope.

The thing Im most excited about is the cross-border nature of the whole package, she said. We have more than 12 journalists working together across multiple countries and sharing reporting with each other, which has led to a really comprehensive view of whats going on.

Recent episodes have focused on an Indian climate activist charged with sedition, anti-protest laws spreading across Australian states and campaigners targeted with flimsy tax evasion charges in Vietnam. The broader Drilled Global reporting team includes Ugochi Anyaka of Nigeria, the Canadian Dembicki, Anna Pujol Mazzini in France, Fredrick Mugira in Uganda, Rishika Pardikar in India, Lyndal Rowlands in Australia, First Nations reporter Martha Troian and Guyanese journalist Kiana Wilburg.

Dismantling the Power Structure

The makeup of the Drilled global team reflects another one of Westervelts priorities: making sure the climate story is told from a broader range of voices than have historically been headlined by Western journalism.

When Westervelt was first starting out as a climate reporter, there was a period of time where I feel like the climate beat was mostly dominated by women, and thats kind of how you knew that papers werent taking it seriously, she said.

As it became a more prominent beat, more of the institutional male bylines entered the conversation. But Westervelt noted they tended to focus on technological solutions such as swapping fossil for renewable energy rather than elucidating the power structures that determined energy policy in the first place. This discrepancy is why Westervelt thinks its important to hear the climate story told by people on the outside of institutional power.

I dont really think that you can separate the climate crisis from the power structure that were dealing with. And I dont know how people who benefit the most from that power structure can possibly be the ones with the best ideas to dismantle it, she said.

So what ideas might those be? Westervelt pointed to two promising movements, which she covered in an Orion article this winter. The first is rights of nature  the push to give rivers, mountains or entire ecosystems legal rights. In Ecuador, for example, which became the first country to acknowledge the rights of nature in its constitution in 2008, citizens were able to use this language to successfully block mining in the Los Cedros cloud forest.

Its kind of like a different decision making framework than what we have in Western capitalism, Westervelt said, and she thought it could be a guidepost for legislating an energy transition that doesnt turn ecosystems and communities into sacrifice zones in the same way fossil fuel companies do now.

The second is related, but surprisingly springs from rural America. Some towns have something called home rule on the books, enabling them to boot the state from decisions like permit granting. In one instance, Grant Township, Pennsylvania used home rule to add rights of nature to its town charter and block the state from dumping fracking waste there. Whats hopeful about this movement, Westervelt said, is that it unites rural Republicans and libertarians with environmentalists and Indigenous groups around a solution that sort of sidesteps a lot of the identity politics involved in how conservatives think about climate change.

While these developments have given Westervelt a degree of optimism, she also criticized the expectation that journalists and others who work in climate provide hope to people who ask.

Its something people must create for themselves, she said, by acting.
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.

Activist Bridger Zadina drinks from spring water pouring from a pipe beside a water collection tunnel in the San Bernardino National Forest near Rimforest, California on Dec. 4, 2021. Some of this water is trucked to a plant to be sold as Arrowhead brand bottled water. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The California State Water Resources Control Board has ordered Arrowhead bottled waters parent company BlueTriton to significantly reduce the amount of water it takes from natural springs in the San Bernardino National Forest. The company has been drawing water from the Strawberry Creek watershed, which provides protection from wildfires and serves as an important wildlife habitat, for over a century.

Community groups were happy with the ruling, saying BlueTriton never had permission to take the water from public lands.

Were incredibly pleased this unlawful removal of the publics water from public lands will finally end, said Michael OHeaney, executive director of nonprofit Story of Stuff Project, as the Los Angeles Times reported.

In 1885, a hotel opened at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, and Arrowhead started selling its bottled spring water out of the hotels basement in 1906, reported The Guardian. However, according to community and environmental groups, the company was never permitted to take the national forest springwater.

The water resources control board cease and desist order does not completely prohibit the company from taking the water, just reduces the amount it can take.

I understand a huge amount of money and business is at stake, said Laurel Firestone, a member of the water resources control board, as the Associated Press reported. 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.

BlueTriton said it would sue to defend its water rights, arguing that it had been drawing from the springs since before the state started regulating water use in 1914, which meant it had seniority, reported The Guardian.

The company added that a court case from 1931 ruled it was legally entitled to use of the springs.

The proposed order is inconsistent with existing rights, said attorney for BlueTriton Robert Donlan, as the Los Angeles Times reported. The board simply has no authority to ignore the law.

During Tuesdays hearing, the companys attorneys argued the state water resources board didnt have the authority to regulate BlueTriton, since the water the company takes comes from beneath the surface and certain types of groundwater dont fall under the jurisdiction of the California Water Resources Control Board, reported The Guardian.

State regulators responded by saying the bottled water companys claim was from 1929 and did not have seniority. They also concluded that the case from 1931 did not grant the company any water rights to the springs, but was a settlement between two parties. California state regulators had the right to order BlueTriton to stop drawing water from the springs, they concluded.

Redlands, California, resident Amanda Frye said Strawberry Creek wasnt able to support fish with the amount of water left after BlueTriton siphoned it off.

Essentially they inserted a straw into each spring and diverted it down the mountain to their trucks to take it away, Frye said, as The Guardian reported.
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.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds a press conference on net zero policy change at Downing Street in London, England on Sept. 20, 2023. Justin Tallis - WPA Pool / Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced changes to Britains plans for addressing the climate crisis that effectively water down earlier commitments by delaying targets and relaxing the energy transition timeline.

Sunak said the ban on sales of new gas-powered vehicles would be extended from 2030 to 2035, citing the unacceptable costs the energy transition had imposed on British households and a need to maintain the publics approval of the path to net zero emissions, reported Reuters. The prime minister said he would also ease the transition from residential gas stoves to heat pumps.

It cannot be right for Westminster to impose such significant costs on working people, Sunak said, as The New York Times reported. If we continue down this path we risk losing the consent of the British people.

Sunak said his commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 had not changed, but that Britain would be able to slow its progress because it was already so far ahead of every other country in the world, reported Reuters.

Environmental activists and businesses said decarbonizing the economy offers a chance to increase economic growth and investments and create high-earning jobs.

But in order for that to happen, they say the government would need to give consumers and companies a predictable and stable environment.

Alok Sharma, who served as COP26 president, told the BBC that backtracking on net zero promises would be incredibly damaging for business confidence, as CNN reported. Frankly, I really do not believe that its going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path, Sharma added.

A variety of businesses, including producers of cars, electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels were dismayed by the governments relaxing of climate commitments.

Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three, said Lisa Brankin, chair of Ford UK, as reported by The New York Times.

Conservative Member of Parliament Chris Skidmore, who is the former chair of the governments net zero review, told the BBC that Sunak risked making the greatest mistake of his premiership, warning that the UK could end up missing out on growth, jobs and future prosperity.

The opposition Labour Party said it was committed to the original target of 2030, Reuters reported.

Britain was the worlds first major economy to legally commit to net zero by 2050. Since 1990, emissions have been cut almost in half, with the closing of coal power plants and the success of offshore wind power.

[D]elivering on net zero provides a benefit not a cost, Skidmore told the BBC, as reported by The New York Times.
What Is a Tick?rio hotel grande vegas casino

A tick is a measure of the minimum upward or downward movement in the price of a security. A tick can also refer to the change in the price of a security from one trade to the next trade. Since 2001 and the advent of decimalization, the minimum tick size for stocks trading above $1 is one cent.

Key Takeaways

A tick is the minimum incremental amount at which you can trade a security. Since 2001 and the advent of decimalization, the minimum tick size for stocks trading above $1 is one cent.

An experiment undertaken at the behest of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2016 increased the tick for 1,200 small-cap stocks from one cent to five cents for two years to test the effect of larger tick sizes on trading.

The SEC's experiment revealed that larger tick sizes decrease trading activity and raise trading costs.

Understanding a Tick

A tick represents the standard upon which the price of a security may fluctuate. The tick provides a specific price increment, reflected in the local currency associated with the market in which the security trades, by which the overall price of the security can change.

Prior to April 2001, the minimum tick size was 1/16th of a dollar, which meant that a stock could only move in increments of $0.0625. While the introduction of decimalization has benefited investors through much narrower bid-ask spreads and better price discovery, it has also made market-making a less profitable (and riskier) activity.

How a Tick Works

Investments may have different potential tick sizes depending on the market in which they participate. For example, the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract has a designated tick size of $0.25, while gold futures have a tick size of $0.10. If a futures contract on the E-mini S&P 500 is currently listed at a price of $20, it can move one tick upward, changing the price to $20.25 based on the $0.25 tick size minimum. However, with that minimum tick size in place, the price of the security could not move from $20 to $20.10 because $0.10 is below the minimum tick size.

In 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a two-year pilot plan to widen the tick sizes of 1,200 small-cap stocks. This was done to promote research and trading in publicly-traded companies with market capitalization levels around $3 billion, as well as trading volumes below one million shares daily on average. The pilot looked to widen the tick size for the selected securities to determine the overall effect on liquidity.

The pilot program began on October 3rd, 2016 and ended just shy of its two-year expiration date on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Results of the SEC's Tick Size Pilot Program

According to an article by Bill Alpert in Barron's, called "Congress Failed Stock Market Experiment Cost Investors $900 Million," the idea for increasing tick sizes for small-cap stocks originated with David Weild IV, a former Vice President at NASDAQ who is informally known as the father of the JOBS Act.

Weild IV argued that because brokers, particularly smaller brokers, had lost money because of the diminishment of ticks spreads in 2001, they no longer put the time and effort into researching and promoting small-cap stocks. Increasing the tick size, he said, would be an incentive for brokers to look at these stocks again, and consequently more investment capital would flow to them, boosting their ability to grow their businesses, hire workers and grow the economy.

Weild's argument was circuitous and didn't convince regulators or observers. However, he did secure the support of Delaware Democrat John Carney and Wisconsin Republican Sean Duffy. Their co-sponsored bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives, prompting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to institute its program.

The results of the pilot program were clear: increasing the tick size for small stocks created "a significant decrease in liquidity in the limit order book" according to one paper, and "a stock price decrease between 1.75% and 3.2% for small spread stocks" according to another paper.

The project failed, according to Alpert, because of tectonic changes in stock markets in the 2000s and 2010s. The rise of discount brokers and DIY internet trading undermined the old system where "market-making was dominated by 'bulge-bracket' brokers with teams of bankers, analysts, and salesmen who worked the phones and got generous commissions on trades of institutions and individuals." The brunt of the increased costs of trading was borne by investors who paid somewhere between $350 and $900 million for the experiment.

Tick as a Movement Indicator

The term tick can also be used to describe the direction of the price of a stock. An uptick indicates a trade where the transaction has occurred at a price higher than the previous transaction and a downtick indicates a transaction that has occurred at a lower price.

The uptick rule (eliminated by the SEC in 2007) was a trading restriction that prohibited short-selling except on an uptick, presumably to alleviate downward pressure on a stock when it is already declining.

The financial crisis that started the same year that the uptick rule was eliminated caused lawmakers to second-guess their decision. Instead of reviving the old rule, the SEC created an alternative uptick rule which restricted piling on a stock that has fallen more than 10% in a day.
What is mohegan sun pocono downsGross Exposure?

Gross exposure refers to the absolute level of a fund's investments. It takes into account the value of both a funds long positions and short positions and can be expressed either in dollar or percentage terms. Gross exposure is a measure that indicates total exposure to financial markets, thus providing an insight into the amount at risk that investors are taking on. The higher the gross exposure, the bigger the potential loss (or gain).

Understanding Gross Exposure

Gross exposure is an especially relevant metric in the context of hedge funds, institutional investors, and other traders, who can short and long assets and use leverage to amplify returns. These types of investors are sometimes more sophisticated and have greater resources than regular, long-only investors.

As an example, hedge fund A has $200 million in capital. It deploys $150 million in long positions and $50 million in short positions. The fund's gross exposure is thus: $150 million + $50 million = $200 million.

Since gross exposure equals capital in this case, gross exposure as a percentage of capital is 100%. If gross exposure exceeds 100%, it means the fund is using leverage  in other words, it is borrowing money to amplify returns. Alternatively, gross exposure below 100% indicates a portion of the portfolio is invested in cash.

Key Takeaways

Gross exposure measures an investment fund's total exposure to financial markets, including long and short positions and use of leverage.

A higher gross exposure means that the fund has a greater amount at stake in the markets.

Gross exposure is an especially relevant metric in the context of hedge funds, institutional investors, and other traders, who can short and long assets and use leverage to amplify returns.

Gross Exposure Vs. Net Exposure

The exposure of an investment fund can also be measured in net terms. Net exposure equals the value of long positions, minus the value of short positions.

For example, the net exposure of hedge fund A is $100 million. This is calculated by subtracting $50 million, the amount of capital tied up in short positions, from the $150 million of long holdings.

If net exposure is the same as gross exposure, it means the fund only has long positions. On the other hand, if net exposure is zero, it means the percentage invested in long positions equals investment in short positions, also known as a market neutral strategy.

A fund has a net long exposure if the percentage amount invested in long positions exceeds the percentage amount invested in short position. Likewise, it has a net short position if short positions exceed long positions.

Assume hedge fund B also has $200 million in capital but uses a significant amount of leverage. As a result, it has $350 million in long positions and $150 million in short positions. The gross exposure in this case is thus $500 million (i.e. $350 million + $150 million), while the net exposure is $200 million (i.e. $350 - $150 million).

Gross exposure as a percentage of capital for hedge fund B = $500 million  $200 million = 250%. Fund B's higher gross exposure means that it has a greater amount at stake in the markets than A. Fund B's use of leverage will magnify losses, as well as profits.

Special Considerations

Gross exposure is generally used as the basis for calculating a fund's management fees, since it takes into account total exposure of investment decisions on both the long and short side. Portfolio managers combined decisions will have direct consequences on the performance of a fund and thus distributions to its investors.

An additional method of calculating exposure is a beta-adjusted exposure, also used for investment funds or portfolios. This is computed by taking the weighted average exposure of a portfolio of investments, where the weight is defined as the beta of each individual security.
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What Is the Gross Expense Ratio (GER)?super bola slot master of baccarat

The gross expense ratio (GER) is the total percentage of a mutual fund's assets that are devoted to running the fund. The gross expense ratio includes any fee waiver or expense reimbursement agreements that may be in effect. However, it does not include any sales or brokerage commissions that are not charged to the fund directly but which would be included in the net expense ratio.

Sometimes referred to as the audited gross expense ratio, data providers such as Morningstar pull the annual gross expense ratio from the funds audited annual report. Annual-report expense ratios reflect the actual fees charged during a particular fiscal year, while prospectus expense ratios reflect material changes to the expense structure for the current period.

Key Takeaways

The gross expense ratio (GER) is the annual cost of investing in a mutual fund or ETF, or the portion of the assets earmarked for the cost of operating the fund.

GER includes fee waivers or expense reimbursements, but not sales or brokerage commissions that aren't charged directly to the fund.

It differs from the net expense ratio, which includes the fund's management fees, administrative costs, and other costs, but does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

How the Gross Expense Ratio (GER) Works

The gross expense ratio is important because it informs the investors about the total amount of fees charged for managing the fund. These fees matter because they affect the net return produced by the fund and received by the investors. If these fees are high, the fund's net return after fees is negatively affected in a material way.

The discussion around Mutual Funds' GER has grown with the rise of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are more competitive in this regard. The gross expense ratio includes all fees incurred by the fund including management fees, 12B-1 fees, administrative costs, and operating expenses. Investors should compare the gross expense ratio to a funds net expense ratio and understand the differences involved.

In some cases, a fund may have agreements in place for waiving, reimbursing, or recouping some of the funds fees. This is often the case for new funds. An investment company and its fund managers may agree to waive certain fees following the launch of a new fund to keep the expense ratio lower for investors. The net expense ratio represents the fees charged to the fund after any waivers, reimbursements, and recoupments have been made. These fee reductions are typically for a specified time frame after which the fund may incur all full costs.

For example, if a fund has a net expense ratio of 2% and a gross expense ratio of 3%, it is readily apparent that 1% of the fund's assets were used to waive fees, reimburse expenses or provide other rebates not included in the net expense ratio. This is important because such rebates and reimbursements may or may not continue in the future. Prudent investors will want to examine both expense ratios and compare them to like funds before investing.

Examples of Gross Expense Ratios

In general, passively managed funds, such as index funds, will typically have lower expense ratios than actively managed funds. Gross expense ratios usually range from 0% to 3%. Below are two examples.

The AB Large Cap Growth Fund

The AB Large Cap Growth Fund is an actively managed fund with a gross expense ratio of 0.65% and a net expense ratio of 0.64% for the Class A shares, as of September 2020. The fund currently has a fee waiver and expense reimbursement of 0.01%. Management fees for the fund are 0.51%. The fund invests primarily in large-cap U.S. stocks with high growth potential. It typically includes 50 to 70 holdings.

The T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund

The T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund is a passive fund. It seeks to replicate the S&P 500 Index. As of September 2020, it has some contractual fee waivers in place. Its gross expense ratio is 0.19%, and its net expense ratio is also 0.19%.
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nouna device for stamping dates and frequently the place of origin or receipt, as on postal matter.the information stamped by this device.

How to use date stamp date stamp nounan adjustable rubber stamp for recording the datean inked impression made by this 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 date-stampFirst recorded in 192530Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
One of the industry leaders in the field of player conversion and reactivation services,monte carlo night games Enteractive, joined forces with Spinwise, the renowned global operator which owns many popular brands. The main goal of this mutually beneficial partnership is to ease the process of reactivation of those players whose accounts have expired.

CEO of Spinwise, Peter Kovisars, said: At Spinwise, we take fun seriously, so Enteractive is the perfect partner for reaching players who need a more personalized approach to renew their entertainment with our brands. In order to maximize potential LPV across all our player segments, Enteractive will target those audience segments which weve seen will respond better to more direct and personal engagement.

Andrew Foster, Chief Business Officer at Enteractive, added: Were excited to be working with Spinwise as their iGaming brands are quickly making inroads in a number of global markets. They see the untapped potential of the lapsed player accounts, and Enteractive has the right mix of technology and reactivation agents to make a considerable difference in active player revenues.

A Strategic Partnership

Spinwises collaboration with Enteractive began last year when the partnership with Winnerz ended after the kickoff. The company decided to take Enteractive into consideration because of the companys advanced reactivation services that can be of great help when it comes to optimizing revenue generation after they realized that their player base is pretty messy.

Enteractive seems like a good choice since the company has more than 12 years of experience in the field of player reactivation and retention. The company is globally recognized as the leader when it comes torevenue generatorsin the iGaming industry.

Smart integrations

Spinwise launched a successful campaign for Winnerz last year, and after the launch, the company incorporated reactivation services into its new brands, Wisho and Trickz. It greatly helped in increasing player retention and loyalty to the next level, with huge help from famous Enteractives proprietary technology platform(Re)Activation Cloud.

This new partnership allowed Spinwise to rapidly and smoothly integrate its databases of players, along with native-speaking sales agents for each specific regulated market that was able to talk to players. The one-to-one phone outreach was a great strategy to increase the amount of sales and the companys popularity in the markets where it is present.

As it is proven, the CRM customized to each market and player, along with great tools that help in reactivating the players, followed by various responsible gaming tools and approaches, is the best strategy to expand andincrease the popularity so its not surprising that these two companies decided to do this together.

Source: Miller, George. Enteractive agrees CRM deal with Spinwise, EuropeanGaming, September 5, 2023.
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How to use in a sentence This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud. Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal. We Out Here: Inside the New Black Travel Movement|Charlise Ferguson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

We Out Here: Inside the New Black Travel Movement|Charlise Ferguson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST Earl Spencer adds, Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law. The Real-Life Downton Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Real-Life Downton Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST The lack of a gun is not likely to be a major problem for close-in air-to-air dogfights against other jets. New U.S. Stealth Jet Cant Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST But those weapons are of limited utility, especially during close-in fights. New U.S. Stealth Jet Cant Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

New U.S. Stealth Jet Cant Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes! 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 The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison So far Murat had always held subordinate commands; his great ambition was to become the commander-in-chief of an independent army. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison Their jurisdictions overlapped and the Gascon would play second fiddle to no one save to his great brother-in-law. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison But the novel disappeared under the clothes with amazing celerity as the voice of her sister-in-law demanded admission. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondobe, Dobell, Dobell's solution, Doberman pinscher, dobie, dob in, dobla, Doblin, do blindfolded, doblon, dobraCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
HAVANA,casinos online play Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cuba aims to bring more products to the Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Deborah Rivas said Thursday.

"Exports to China will very much contribute to Cuba's economic growth as well as to attract hard currencies for the country," she said during a special presentation of Cuban products by the Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com at the 38th International Fair of Havana.

Rivas added that JD.com enabled Cuba to increase honey, rum and coffee exports, among other benefits.

Launched in April, the Cuban National Pavilion on JD.com presents nearly 20 different products.

Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui said at the event that e-commerce is a platform for China and Cuba to continue to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The fair, which runs on Nov. 14-18, gathers representatives from more than 60 countries, including Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, Venezuela, and China.

It is being held off-line for the first time after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to official statistics, the Cuban government has projected a 4 percent economic growth for 2022 amid the intensification of the U.S. trade embargo against the Caribbean nation. 
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

According to a Monday report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC),the US is preparing to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers in northern Australia. An investigation by the Australian media revealed that Washington is planning to expand the Tindal air base, south of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory. This includes spending $100 million on constructing a parking area that can accommodate the B-52s, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.For more than 60 years, B-52s have been the backbone of Washington's strategic bomber force. As "the most combat-capable bomber in the US inventory," these long-range heavy bombers are able of deploying both nuclear and conventional weapons. In February, the US deployed four B-52 bombers to Guam, so the deployment of the aircraft in Australia proves Washington is aiming to form a pincer offensive against China from two sides.The US military bases in Australia currently serve as support bases - a relay between forward bases and the rear. By deploying B-52s in Australia, Washington is making Canberra one of its forward military bases, as it already did with Tokyo and Seoul.Washington's B-52 deployment indeed intends to deter China, particularly over the Taiwan question and the issue of the South China Sea.But Australia has to understand that China will not make the slightest concession concerning its core interests, especially when the island of Taiwan is involved. If Australia wants to follow the US strategy of playing the Taiwan card to contain China, it is barking up the wrong tree.Amid growing tensions with China, Australia's Northern Territory has become a critical defense hub for the US, which has committed to spending more than $1 billion to upgrade its military assets throughout the area. Apart from a parking area for B-52s, the US plans a major expansion of the Pine Gap base, a joint US and Australian intelligence base near Alice Springs, to spy on Beijing better. Moreover, Washington wants to establish an Australian division of the US Navy's Submarine Force by selling nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra.The US only wants to use Australia as a pawn, making the latter its appendage. As a result, Australia will spend vast amounts of money to create more US military bases and help implement the Washington Indo-Pacific Strategy. To put it bluntly, with all that money, what Canberra preserves is Washington's national security, and what it maintains is Washington's regional or even global hegemony. Australia believes that following the US can boost its chance of becoming a great power, but, in fact, doing so will only make such an ambition a fragile dream.Canberra will bear the risks of undermining its national interests if it continues with its strategy of blindly following the US. On the one hand, Australia is no longer a distant and secluded hideaway from other countries. By serving as a forward US base, Australia will become a battleground once a war occurs between China and the US, as long-range strikes have become common in modern warfare.On the other hand, Canberra might push China further away as one of its most significant markets and trade partners. Australia needs to realize that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China is more in line with the actual interests of Australia and its people. Australia must have already felt the massive shock from the market deeply. Losing China would put Australia's economic development in an awkward position.And ironically, while Canberra continues to lose the Chinese market, the US - Australia's ally - is stabbing it in the back by slowly taking up its place in Chinese market. This demonstrates that since the US adopts a basic principle of maximizing its own, there is no such thing as an ally in front of interests.If Australia goes further and further down the wrong path, it will inevitably end up harming itself for the benefit of the US. Be it the deployment of B-52s or provocation in any other form, Canberra is seeking a temporary solution regardless of the consequences that could mean more disasters and failures.The author is a Chinese military expert and TV commentator. [email protected]
What Is a Bearer Bond?sbo slot 333 angel

A bearer bond is a fixed-income security that is owned by the holder, or bearer, rather than by a registered owner. The coupons for interest payments are physically attached to the security. The bondholder is required to submit the coupons to a bank for payment and then redeem the physical certificate when the bond reaches the maturity date.

As with registered bonds, bearer bonds are negotiable instruments with a stated maturity date and a coupon interest rate.

Bearer bonds are virtually extinct in the U.S. and some other countries as the lack of registration made them ideal for use in money laundering, tax evasion, and any number of other under-handed transactions. They also are vulnerable to theft.

Key Takeaways

The bearer bond is a physical certificate with coupons attached that are used to redeem the interest payments.

As their ownership is not registered, the owner of a bearer bond is the person in possession of it.

Bearer bonds are as vulnerable as cash to theft or loss.

Nevertheless, bearer bonds are still issued in many countries.

Understanding the Bearer Bond

In the U.S., bearer bonds were issued by the U.S. government and by corporations from the late 19th century into the second half of the 20th century. They fell out of favor gradually, as they outmoded by modern technology, shunned by investors concerned over their vulnerability to loss or theft, and, finally, outlawed by the government to thwart money laundering.

The Modern System

Nearly all securities are now issued in book-entry form, meaning that they are registered in the investors name electronically. No physical certificate is issued.

A registrar or transfer agent is responsible for tracking the name of each registered owner of a stock or a bond. This ensures that bond owners receive all interest payments due and that stockholders receive their cash or stock dividends.

Every time a book-entry security is sold, a transfer agent or registrar changes the name of the registered owner. Obviously, this system is highly automated or it would collapse.

U.S. Policy on Bearer Bonds

The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 effectively ended the practice of issuing bearer bonds in the United States.

Bearer bonds are no longer issued by the U.S. Treasury, and those issued in the past have long since passed their maturity dates.

Legal Issues Regarding Bearer Bonds

An individual can buy any amount of bearer bonds, submit the coupons for payment, and remain anonymous since the bonds are not registered in the owner's name.

In 2009, the multinational financial services company UBS paid $780 million and agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Justice Department after the firm was accused of helping American citizens evade taxes using bearer bonds.

In the U.S., bearer bonds were virtually eliminated in 1982.

The lack of bond registration offers little protection or recourse to investors if the physical certificate is stolen since the custodians do not have the name of the real owner on file.

Bearer Bonds May Have Face Value

Old bearer bonds issued by corporations may or may not have retained their face value, even if the maturity dates have long since expired.

A U.S. law passed in 2010 relieved banks and brokerages from responsibility for redeeming old bearer bonds.

The finder of a corporate bearer bond can check for the name of the company that issued it and contact that company, if it still exists, or the company that bought it out, if it was taken over. The bearer bond may be honored.

Examples of Bearer Bond Security Issues

Most owners of bearer bonds keep the physical certificates in a safe deposit box at a bank or in a safe at home. To redeem the bond at maturity, the bond needs to be delivered to a bank in person or by courier.

Getting the interest payments is also problematic since the coupons can get lost in the mail.

Bearer bonds can cause problems for the heirs of their owners. This can be avoided by attaching proper documentation to the owner's will.
Progress has been made in converting government-funded cultural institutions into private enterprises, Minister of Culture Cai Wu said Wednesday.

Cai made the comment when delivering a report on cultural system reform to national lawmakers at a bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), the countrys top legislature.

Cultural sector restructuring has been ongoing since 2006 with the purpose of boosting the sector and turning its government-funded cultural institutions into enterprises.

More than 580 publishing houses, 3,000 bookstores, 850 movie producers and distributors, 57 public TV series producers and the marketing sectors of 38 Communist Party of China (CPC) newspapers and journals have been restructured and turned into enterprises.

Another 3,271 non-political newspapers and journals funded by the government have gone private as well.

Cai also briefed the lawmakers on the development of cultural industry, stating that mergers, acquisitions and public listings in the sector have been promoted.

Thirty-eight cultural enterprises were listed on the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses as of the end of August.

Cai said China has invested 620 million yuan (99.2 million U.S. dollars) in supporting technology-intensive cultural enterprises, including those operating in the new media and digital publication sectors.

The export volume of Chinas core cultural products jumped from 3.08 billion U.S. dollars in 2001 to 18.68 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, Cai said.

In a Wednesday interview with Xinhua, Cai said the NPC Standing Committees review of the report ahead of the 18th CPC National Congress reflects the high attention they have paid to the countrys cultural drive.

By hearing and reviewing the report, the NPC Standing Committee will understand the achievements and experiences in cultural reform in a more objective and thorough manner and thus clarify its direction and goals for deepening reforms and promoting prosperity and development, Cai said.

Cai said the review will also help committee members to better understand reform-related problems and give more specific advice.

Cai said immature cultural enterprises, weak public cultural services in remote areas, the cultural industrys limited share in the economy and a lack of high-quality talent are the problems currently facing the sector.

Cai said many cultural groups are still struggling to adapt to a modern management system after transforming from public-owned to for-profit enterprises.

Cai vowed increased investment in building a practical and efficient public cultural service system to ensure basic cultural interests while continuing reforms and innovation to realize the cultural industrys role as a pillar industry for the national economy.

CAi said cultural legislation and exports should be accelerated in order to boost the international influence of Chinese culture.

Xinhua

Chinese public cultural institutions go privateadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What is todays proline odds 7 days to diethe Average Daily Balance Method?

The average daily balance is a common accounting method that calculates interest charges by considering the balance invested or owed at the end of each day of the billing period, rather than the balance invested or owed at the end of the week, month, or year.

Key Takeaways

Interest charges are calculated using the total amount due at the end of each day.

The average daily balance credits a customers account from the day the credit card company receives a payment.

Interest charges using the average daily balance method should be lower than the previous balance method and higher than the less common adjusted balance method.

Understanding the Average Daily Balance Method

The federal Truth-In-Lending-Act (TILA) requires lenders to disclose their method of calculating finance charges, as well as annual percentage rates (APR), fees, and other terms, in their terms and conditions statement. Providing these details makes it easier to compare different credit cards.

TILA permits the interest owed on credit card balances to be calculated in various different ways.The most common methods are:

Average daily balance method : Uses the balance on each day of the billing cycle, rather than an average balance throughout the billing cycle, to calculate finance charges.

: Uses the balance on each day of the billing cycle, rather than an average balance throughout the billing cycle, to calculate finance charges. Previous balance method : Interest charges are based on the amount owed at the beginning of the previous month's billing cycle.

: Interest charges are based on the amount owed at the beginning of the previous month's billing cycle. Adjusted balance method: Bases finance charges on the amount(s) owed at the end of the current billing cycle after credits and payments have been posted.

Important

An investor must understand how an institution's choice of accounting methods used to calculate interest affect the amount of interest deposited into his or her account.

How the Average Daily Balance Method Works

The average daily balance totals each day's balance for the billing cycle and divides by the total number of days in the billing cycle. Then, the balance is multiplied by the monthly interest rate to assess the customer's finance chargedividing the cardholder's APR by 12 calculates the monthly interest rate. However, if the lender or card issuer uses a method that compounds interest daily, the interest associated with the day's ending balance gets added to the next day's beginning balance. This will result in higher interest charges and the reader should confirm which method is being used.

The average daily balance credits a customers account from the day the credit card company receives a payment. To assess the balance due, the credit card issuer sums the beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any payments as they arrive and any credits made to the customers account that day.

Cash advances are usually included in the average daily balance. The total balance due may fluctuate daily because of payments and purchases.

Average Daily Balance Method Example

A credit card has a monthly interest rate of 1.5 percent, and the previous balance is $500. On the 15th day of a billing cycle, the credit card company receives and credits a customers payment of $300. On the 18th day, the customer makes a $100 purchase.

The average daily balance is ((14 x 500) + (3 x 200) + (13 x 300)) / 30 = (7,000 + 600 + 3,900) / 30 = 383.33. The bigger the payment a customer pays and the earlier in the billing cycle the customer makes a payment, the lower the finance charges assessed. The denominator, 30 in this example, will vary based on the number of days in the billing cycle for a given month.

Average Daily Balance Method Vs. Adjusted Balance Method Vs. Previous Balance Method

Interest charges using the average daily balance methodshould be lower than theprevious balance method, whichcharges interest based on the amount of debt carried over from the previous billing cycle to the new billing cycle. On the other hand, the average daily balance method will likely incur higher interest charges than the adjusted balance method because the latter bases finance charges on the current billing periods ending balance.

Card issuers use the adjusted balance method much less frequently than either the average daily balance method or the previous balance method.

Special Considerations

Some credit card companies previously used the double-cycle billing method, assessing a customers average daily balance over the last two billing cycles.

Double-cycle billing can add a significant amount of interest charges to customers whose average balance varies greatly from month to month. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 banned double-cycle billing on credit cards.
Casino operator Wynn Resorts is betting big on the fast-growing US sports betting market with an $80 million investment into a previously formed and now reorganized joint venture with European online wagering company BetBull.

Wynn and BetBull originally partnered in 2018 to jointly pursue US sports betting opportunities. Back then, the major Las Vegas casino operator owned 22.5% of BetBull.

Wynn now owns 71% of the newly reorganized joint ventureand BetBulls former shareholders own a 29% stake. The new joint venture combines BetBulls US sports betting operations with Wynns wagering and social gaming business.

The reorganized business will operate under the name Wynn Interactive. It already offers digital betting services in Nevada and New Jersey via the WynnBETapp and plans to soon enter Colorado, Indiana, and Michigan. It further has deals enabling it to launch its digital wagering platform in six more states.

WynnBET has recently submitted a formal application for a sports betting license in Virginiaand is also eyeing expansion in Tennessee, which became the latest state to go live with legal sports betting on November 1 when BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and local operator Action 247 launched their products in the newly opened market.

A Unique Product

Commenting on their partnership with BetBull, Wynn CEO Matt Maddox said last week during a conference call that the European sports betting operator developed a more social version of online gaming that is unique to the industryand that its product moves you into chat rooms quickly.

Wynns joint venture with BetBull currently employs 150 people, but its workforce will probably grow as the business expands its presence across the US.

Wynn said its group-wide sales for the third quarter of the year were below analysts estimates and attributed its even poorer than expected performance to weakness in the Macau marketwhere it runs three properties  Wynn Macau, Encore at Wynn Macau, and Wynn Palace.

The casino giants Las Vegas revenue and profit was significantly down from what it reported for the same quarter of 2019, but still exceeded expectations due to rebounding demand during the weekends.

Encore Boston Harbor, the companys luxury integrated resort in the greater Boston area, was its best performing property during the three months ended September 30. The property last Friday closed its hotelamid a new wave of immediate restrictions on non-essential businesses in Massachusetts as the state fights to control an uptick in Covid-19 cases.

Encores hotel service will remain shut through at least December 15. Its casino is now open to patrons from 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday and from noon to 9 pm Monday through Friday.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
What Is the Average Cost Method?kc point spread 13.50 sandown tips

The average cost method assigns a cost to inventory items based on the total cost of goods purchased or produced in a period divided by the total number of items purchased or produced. The average cost method is also known as the weighted-average method.

Key Takeaways

The average cost method is one of three inventory valuation methods, with the other two common methods being first in first out (FIFO) and last in first out (LIFO).

The average cost method uses the weighted-average of all inventory purchased in a period to assign value to cost of goods sold (COGS) as well as the cost of goods still available for sale.

Once a company selects an inventory valuation method, it needs to remain consistent in its use in order to be compliant with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Click Play to Learn What the Average Cost Method Is

Understanding the Average Cost Method

1:11

Businesses that sell products to customers have to deal with inventory, which is either bought from a separate manufacturer or produced by the company itself. Items previously in inventory that are sold off are recorded on a companys income statement as cost of goods sold (COGS). The COGS is an important figure for businesses, investors, and analysts as it is subtracted from sales revenue to determine gross margin on the income statement. To calculate the total cost of goods sold to consumers during a period, different companies use one of three inventory cost methodsfirst in first out (FIFO), last in first out (LIFO), or average cost method.

The average cost method uses a simple average of all similar items in inventory, regardless of purchase date, followed by a count of final inventory items at the end of an accounting period. Multiplying the average cost per item by the final inventory count gives the company a figure for the cost of goods available for sale at that point. The same average cost is also applied to the number of items sold in the previous accounting period to determine the cost of goods sold.

Example of the Average Cost Method

For example, consider the following inventory ledger for Sams Electronics:



Purchase date



Number of items



Cost per unit



Total cost



01/01



20



$1,000



$20,000



01/18



15



$1,020



$15,300



02/10



30



$1,050



$31,500



02/20



10



$1,200



$12,000



03/05



25



$1,380



$34,500



Total



100







$113,300



Assume the company sold 72 units in the first quarter. The weighted-average cost is the total inventory purchased in the quarter, $113,300, divided by the total inventory count from the quarter, 100, for an average of $1,133 per unit. The cost of goods sold will be recorded as 72 units sold x $1,133 average cost = $81,576. The cost of goods available for sale, or inventory at the end of the period, will be the 28 remaining items still in inventory x $1,133 = $31,724.

Benefits of the Average Cost Method

The average cost method requires minimal labor to apply and is, therefore, the least expensive of all the methods. In addition to the simplicity of applying the average cost method, income cannot be as easily manipulated as other inventory costing methods. Companies that sell products that are indistinguishable from each other or that find it difficult to find the cost associated with individual units will prefer to use the average cost method. This also helps when there are large volumes of similar items moving through inventory, making it time-consuming to track each individual item.

Special Considerations

One of the core aspects of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is consistency. The consistency principle requires a company to adopt an accounting method and follow it consistently from one accounting period to another. For example, businesses that adopt the average cost method need to continue to use this method for future accounting periods. This principle is in place for the ease of financial statement users so that figures on the financials can be compared year over year. A company that changes its inventory costing method must highlight the change in its footnotes to the financial statements and apply the same method retrospectively to prior period comparative financial statements.

What Is the Average Cost Method Formula?

The average cost method formula is calculated as:

Total Cost of Goods Purchased or Produced in Period / Total Number of Items Purchased or Produced in Period = Average Cost for Period

The result can then be applied to both the cost of goods sold and the cost of goods still held in inventory at the end of the period.

Why Should I Use Average Cost Method?

Average cost method is a simple inventory valuation method, especially for businesses with large volumes of similar inventory items. Instead of tracking each individual item throughout the period, the weighted average can be applied across all similar items at the end of the period.

What Inventory Cost Methods Are Acceptable Under GAAP?

GAAP allows for LIFO, FIFO, or the average cost method of inventory valuation. On the other hand, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) does not allow LIFO because it does not typically represent the actual flow of inventory through a business.
Dagan [ dah-gahn ]/ d gn / New Word List Save This 9.5 point spread tips for saturdayWord! [ dah-gahn ]/ d gn /Save ThisWord!

nounthe Mesopotamian god of agriculture and the earth: a counterpart of the Phoenician and Philistine Dagon.

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How to use Dagan Dagan/ (dn) / nounan earth god of the Babylonians and Assyrians 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!Questiondaft, Dafydd ap Gruffudd, Dafydd ap Gwilym, dag, da Gama, Dagan, Dagda, Dagenham, Dagestan, Dagestan Republic, daggaDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Gross Interest?Aztec Luck

Gross interest is the annual rate of interest to be paid on an investment, security, or deposit account before taxes or other charges are deducted. Gross interest is often the headline interest rate attached to a fixed-income security (e.g., a bond or CD), a loan, or a deposit account.

Gross interest is expressed as a percentage and can be contrasted with net interest, which is the rate of interest earned after taxes, fees, and other costs are deducted. As a result, gross interest will always be higher than net interest.

Key Takeaways

Gross interest is the headline interest rate earned on a fixed-income investment or paid on a loan before fees or taxes are accounted for.

The gross interest rate is what is more often quoted for a loan or investment.

Net interest deducts the impact of taxes, fees, and other costs from the gross interest. For instance, a gross 5% interest earned on deposits and taxed at 25% would result in 3.75% net interest.

Understanding Gross Interest

When an individual deposits money in their bank account, the bank pays interest on the funds to the account holder in compensation for the deposit. This is because the deposit is used to lend money to other individual and corporate borrowers, generating income for the bank. The interest paid to the account holder may be deposited in the entitys account monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the financial institution or type of account.

The interest is simply referred to as gross interest because it does not factor in taxes, which also impacts the interest earnings. For example, if you have $3,000 in a savings account that earns 2% interest paid on a yearly basis, the quoted 2% is the gross interest. So the bank would pay you $60 at the end of the year.

However, the gross interest does not take into account other items such as taxes, fees, and other charges that may apply to the investment or account. After these costs are taken into account and deducted from the gross interest earned, the account holder actually walks away with less. Following from our example above, if the annual fee on the savings account is $5 and you were taxed 35%, taxes due would be $21 (calculated by multiplying $60 by 35%) and the net interest earned would be calculated as $60 - $21 - $5 = $34, or 1.13%, which is less than the 2% gross interest.

Gross interest is always higher than net interest.

Gross Interest and Bonds

Gross interest is simply the pure interest amount paid by a debtor to a creditor. For bonds, the quoted interest income bondholders receive from their investment represents gross interest. Assume, for example, that a bond investor purchases a $1,000 par value corporate bond with a coupon rate of 3% payable annually and a maturity date of five years. The bond issuer will periodically pay the bondholder a fixed interest of 3% x $1,000 = $30 for the duration of the bonds life. The fixed coupon rate is the gross interest. However, at the end of the year, the interest earned on the corporate bond will be taxed by the government. Therefore, the bondholders effective net yield will be less than 3%.

The net interest is calculated from the gross interest after other fees and costs are deducted.
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

When it comes to China,American political elites have apparently given up their ability to think. What they only focus on now is how to blame China. This is exemplified again in the Tuesday opinion piece by The New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, entitled "How China Lost America."Friedman's article has a strongly whiny tone. He argues that Beijing is mainly to blame for its growing rift with Washington. The author particularly named four major trends in China that he claims worsened its ties with the US - the failure of the Chinese economy's opening-up, Chinese nationalism, a much more aggressive Chinese foreign policy, and the country's zero-COVID policy.Friedman's article is clearly barking up the wrong tree. Under the strong influence of US' political correctness that champions bias against China, Friedman's arguments are, as expected, biased and without proper reasoning. If he wants to find the culprit for the deterioration of China-US relations, shouldn't he just ask White House officials and his country's political elites?China never seeks a "decoupling" from the US. It just doesn't want to follow the path set by the US, which fails to meet the latter's expectations and angers it. As one Chinese netizen pointed out, if China "lost" the US only because it insists on developing independently and safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, then there is no point in maintaining such a relationship.On the contrary, it is the toxic and distorted US politics that has led to the current status of China-US relations. A Chinese international relations scholar, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times that it is an inveterate habit of Washington to shift all the problems in its ties with China onto Beijing instead of self-reflection.The theory that China is losing the US is only wishful thinking of some American elites. China and the US cannot and will not lose each other due to their strong ties, whether in people-to-people and cultural exchanges or economic cooperation. If any US elite tries to push for a "decoupling" with China, then they are just isolating themselves from the majority of the US public that wants better bilateral relations with China.In fact, in terms of China-US ties, the US is no stranger to an argument about if one lost the other. After the Communist Party of China took control of most parts of China in 1949, the "loss of China" suddenly became a hot topic in US political circles, with elites and politicians trying to find who to blame.But comparing this to Friedman's statement, it is evident that the political reality in China-US relations has changed radically in seven decades.In 1949, there was a massive gap between the power of China and the US. Therefore, China was considered a more passive role, as shown in the discussion of the "loss of China." But as this gap narrows, Beijing has become more independent, seeking to safeguard its interests and engage with the US on equal footing in bilateral relations. As a result, American elites like Friedman started to discuss China's enormous influence on China-US relations.When having a discourse about the "loss of China," American elites still knew how to reflect on themselves and look for problems from within their politics. But today, they only want to play the role of an innocent victim, while ignoring their own short-sightedness and prejudice against China, as well as all the restrictions and provocations they have made against China. They are deluding themselves to avoid facing up to reality.To this day, mainstream American elites still view China with arrogance and condescension. They do as much as possible, including clamoring for more confrontation with China, to cater to the voters and the anti-China sentiment.Friedman has become a propaganda tool of the White House that keeps indoctrinating Americans, especially his fellow political elites, with false claims. But such a self-deceptive move will only make the US go further and further down the wrong path.This has resulted in various domestic crises in the US, as well as the decline of reputation and influence in the world, noted the above-mentioned Chinese scholar. And when they can't find a solution, they shift the blame onto China, which keeps growing steadily and rapidly, unlike the US."It is like the sick US trying to find the cause of its disease in China. This will not help it to cure itself but only worsen its health," he said.
What Is the Front Office?all aboard slots ipl cryptocurrency

The front office represents the customer-facing division of a firm. For example, customer service, sales, and industry experts who provide advisory services are considered part of a firm's front office operations.

The functions of the front office generally generate the majority of revenue for a firm.

Key Takeaways

On a conceptual level, the operations of many firms are divided into three parts: the front office, the middle office, and the back office.

The front office is typically composed of customer-facing employees, such as the marketing, sales, and service departments.

Because the front office has the most direct contact with clients, it is responsible for generating the bulk of revenues for the firm.

The front office relies on the back office for support in the form of human resources, internet technology (IT), accounting, and secretarial functions.

Understanding the Front Office

The term "front office" originally emerged in the law enforcement field in the early 20th century. Those convicted of crimes or engaged in criminal activity sometimes referred to the main police office or the main detective bureau as the "front office" because it was the highest law enforcement establishment in a local area. By the 1930s, the meaning of the term front office had evolved and was mainly used to the most critical staffers in a company, such as management and executives.

Front office staffers typically have the most direct contact with clients. For most businesses, the front office is the reception and sales area of the business. However, in the financial services industry, front-office employees are typically those experts that generate revenue for the company by providing direct client services, such as wealth management. Depending on the industry, the front office personnel of a company may be some of the lowest-paid employees, including receptionists.

Front Office vs. Middle Office vs. Back Office

On a conceptual level, many firms are divided into three parts: the front office, the middle office, and the back office. While the front office is responsible for performing sales and client service functions, the middle office is responsible for managing risk and corporate strategy, and the back office provides analysis, technical, and administrative support services.

Using this conceptual model, the middle office and back office employees support the activities of the front office. The middle office personnel are tasked with ensuring that a company remains solvent and complies with regulations and ethical business practices. For a financial services firm, these departments might include corporate strategy, compliance, and financial control.

The back office includes administrative assistants, human resources staff, and accounting staff. Also critical to the success of the back office operations are the IT and technology departments. In a financial services firm, technology in the form of predictive analytics and algorithms play a central role.

Special Considerations

The term "front office" has a more specific meaning in certain industries, primarily investment banking, hotels, and sports.

In the hotel industry, the front office specifically refers to the area where customers first arrive at the hotel. This area is also called the reception area. A receptionist is typically employed to work in the front office; the role of a receptionist is to get in touch with the customers, confirm their reservation, and answer customer's questions.

In investment banking, front office usually describes a revenue-generating role. There are two main areas of specialization within the front office: investment banking and markets. Investment bankers advise organizations on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as well as a wide array of capital-raising strategies. Those individuals employed in a markets-type role within the front office of an investment bank either perform sales and trading activities or research activities.

In sports businesses, the front office employs many different sports industry professionals, from the owners of the sports team to general managers and the ticket sales offices.
The first of two remaining charter flights carrying Chinese Muslims heading to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for an annual pilgrimage left Beijing on Thursday morning.

The last charter flight is scheduled to leave Yinchuan, capital of northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, late Thursday.

The flights mark the last phase of a government-organized pilgrimage tour that will help a total of 13,800 Chinese Muslims visit the holy city this year.

Authorities have strived to make the pilgrimage safe and enhance overseas services, said Zhang Lebin, deputy director-general of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, while seeing the Muslims off at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Zhang said authorities have taken appropriate measures regarding the emergence of a novel coronavirus in Saudi Arabia.

The Mecca pilgrimage, also known as the Hajj, is a Muslim religious tradition that specifies that all able-bodied Muslims who can afford to travel to Saudi Arabia must visit Mecca at least once in their lives.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, about half of whom are from the Hui ethnic group. In addition to Ningxia, Chinese Muslims mainly live in the western provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan, as well as Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Xinhua

Chinese Muslims head for Meccaadded by chinatimesonline on

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Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

Many Chinese people can't wait to go back home as the Spring Festival approaches. There was a time when the "motorcycle army" occupied travel routes home during Spring Festivals. Compared with previous years, however, the scale of the "army" has recently been shrinking. Security problems remain top concerns for the motorcyclists' families and transportation departments. But they've been much less worried in recent years because of the rapid development of Chinese transportation infrastructure, including the high-speed rail network and township roads. People have more choices for returning home, besides travelling by train. More people working away from home prefer driving as there are more high-standard highways with free access for private cars during holidays. From the "green-skinned train" to high-speed rail, from motorcycles to private cars, the upgrades are the result of social progress and the improved income level of the residents. The downsizing of the "motorcycle army" is inspiring evidence of the advancement of Chinese society.
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nounwater eddying beside a moving hull, especially directly astern.a part of a stream where there is a slack current.

Words nearby dead water

How to use in a sentence Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme. 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 When cities started adding chlorine to their water supplies, in the early 1900s, it set off public outcry. 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 Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water. 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 Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care. Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway. 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 A little boy of four was moved to passionate grief at the sight of a dead dog taken from a pond. Children's Ways|James Sully

Children's Ways|James Sully Urbanity ushers in water that needs no apology, and gives a zest to the worst vintage. Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou

Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou The two women had no intention of bathing; they had just strolled down to the beach for a walk and to be alone and near the water. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin Mrs. Woodbury paints in oils and water-colors; the latter are genre scenes, and among them are several Dutch subjects. 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 But there was a breeze blowing, a choppy, stiff wind that whipped the water into froth. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

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 dead waterFirst recorded in 155565dead time, dead tired, dead to rights, dead to the world, dead-tree, dead water, dead weight, deadweight tonnage, Dead White European Male, dead white male, deadwoodDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Online casino gaming is unibet casino promo codea colossal industry in the UK; knowing some basic tips on navigating it is essential. Whether you're looking to explore the different games that online casinos offer or how to locate the best operator, we'll give you some of our best pointers in our guide to ensure you're better equipped on your digital journey.

The different games at online casinos

In Ireland, as elsewhere, having a wide variety of choices can be both a boon and a bane. There's a saying: "an embarrassment of riches". While online casino gaming has become immensely popular in the UK, often seen in TV ads and major sporting events, its growth has been mirrored in Ireland, leading to an increase in operators diving into the Irish casino scene. For those either venturing into the Irish online casino market for the first time or seeking to understand its diverse players, the landscape can be a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, there are many sites that have lists of new Irish online casinos to help gamblers navigate the offerings.

Those familiar with land-based casinos in Ireland will recognize many of the same games when they transition online. The digital realm boasts thousands of slot games, live roulette and blackjack tables, and various poker formats, from virtual to live table setups. Additionally, online casinos in Ireland, much like their global counterparts, strive to introduce specialized minigames and unique offerings that aren't typically available in traditional casinos. This enriches the gaming experience, presenting a vast array of options. Yet, the flip side to this boom is a market saturated with countless operators vying for the attention of potential Irish players.

While market saturation can sometimes benefit the consumer by offering more choices and competitive pricing, it can also dilute the overall quality and health of the market in the long haul. Oversimplifying this dynamic wouldn't do it justice, but the core idea remains. The Irish casino industry, though facing its challenges, sees operators and new casinos presenting enticing bonus codes. These offers can allow players to maximize their gaming experience while investing minimal upfront costs.

Finding the best casino - Things to look out for

It is usually a mix of a few components to determine the best casino. Firstly, finding a provider with many positive social media or online reviews is a great start. Another good resource is browsing YouTube reviews, where you'll usually get a good idea of the interface and how the site or app looks. As the most dominant social media platform, there's big business for influencers looking to review gambling sites.

Usually, you'll be able to sample the company before you use them too, so you can get a good idea of their range of games and their site's aesthetic. This should also play a role in your final decision.

If a provider has a great selection of customer service and payment options, this also suggests a more extensive operation. More often than not, a more significant operation means additional extensive networks of working relationships within the industry and more financial muscle to invest in their casino gaming  all of which are positives for you as a player. However, the most important thing is to settle on a site that can do these things well but one that also appeals to you.

Banking methods and bankroll management

Traditional digital casinos usually used a handful of recognizable payment methods when they first established themselves. A credit card was the most common and effective, but many later implemented bank transfers and PayPal options.

In today's day and age, some of the most prominent providers have upwards of 12 different payment methods available to facilitate your payment. However, ensuring you set your deposit limits is crucial in your bankroll management to ensure your gambling doesn't become a serious issue.

Understanding online casino bonuses

Some new casinos offer bonus codes that seem fantastic on paper, but once you scratch the surface, they arent quite what they seem. For instance, the conditions stipulate that you must play excessive spins to claim your bonus, have a minimum deposit amount or only use in-game tokens. The bottom line is that if a bonus seems too good to be true, then it might be, and it is best to do some further research to ensure you don't get tied into playing more games than you wanted to or completing more tasks than you initially thought.

Staying safe when you gamble online

Ensuring that the site you use is appropriately regulated and has a license to provide casino gaming is crucial. You can usually find this information by quickly searching online or checking out some social media reviews, which will immediately highlight any security issues.

It's vital that you don't send your details to a rogue operator, as gambling usually requires know your customer processes, credit card information and photographic documents such as your driving license or passport details. Nobody wants this information to fall into the wrong hands, so ensure the provider you use is legitimate and has a good reputation before you send your hard-earned money and personal information to their casino.

Luckily, reputable casino companies use some of the most advanced security available. Not only do they implement this effectively, but they consistently explore the latest enhancements to ensure that your data remains safe as you play casino games on their site.

Keeping in control of your gambling

By setting restrictions on how much time you spend on an online casino site, you are effectively insulating yourself from any potential harm caused by playing casino games. Casino games such as poker, roulette and blackjack are designed to be a fun experience, but if you begin spending too much time playing these games or spending too much money, you need to take a break and seek help.

Most casinos now provide solid, responsible gambling measures. Many will offer time and deposit limits and will not give you the option of gambling any more that day or week once you have reached the predetermined limit you set when you first registered.

Category: Casino Blog
It's no secret that online casinos have drastically risen in popularity within the last few years,orang main slot double casino game and there are a plethora of reasons as to why this is the case.

Online casinos offer users a multitude of advantages compared to their real-life counterparts, and once the reasons behind why online casinos are so popular now have been stated, things will begin to seem much more obvious.

In this article, we will be discussing the topic surrounding exactly how online casinos became so popular, and what this means for casinos going forward.

Image: Dice Chips Online Gambling - Free photo on Pixabay

No Unnecessary Expenses or Travel Costs

One of the main advantages players can get from playing an online casino compared to a real-life casino is the fact that there are absolutely no travel costs or unnecessary expenses involved.

For some people, this is a game-changer, as not everyone lives within a small radius of a casino. However, even for those that do, travelling in order to play your favourite game when you have the option to just load up your computer and play makes the latter much more favourable.

For many people, travelling to a casino costs much more than they would like, coming with a plethora of other additional costs such as fuel, hotels, food, and many more. This means that by the time someone actually gets to a casino, they have already spent a considerable amount of their budget just on travel alone.

Not only do online casinos negate this entirely, but they also allow people to skip travelling, which is not something that everyone enjoys when it's just to get to a casino.

All of the factors we mentioned above make online casinos the superior option when it comes to ease of access and reduced expenses, and for the vast majority of people, it's just the far superior option.

A Plethora of Advantages and Incentives

It's no secret that online casinos offer people a wide array of different incentives compared to real-life casinos, and for many people, this is more than enough to turn the tide.

Some examples of deals would be online casinos that offer free spins with no deposit 2021 UK, extra credits on any deposits, match deals in which the casino matches any credits you may buy and doubles them, as well as a wide array of others.

Of course, everyone loves getting free things, and this is just one of the many reasons why online casinos are beginning to come out on top.

All of these incentives make the choice much easier when it comes to the decision of whether or not to go to a real casino or an online casino, and the fact that one can just open the computer up right in front of them and save on travel costs as well as a headache while also getting access to unique advantages just makes the former a hard sell.

Not only do these extra deals give another edge of excitement and mystery to an already thrilling experience, but they also allow people to save even more money than they otherwise would have been able to if they had gone to a real-life casino.

This makes the majority of people heavily favour playing online casinos, as it provides a similar experience to a real-life casino without all the additional factors as well as having exclusive incentives only available online.

Play Your Favorite Games from the Comfort of Your Own Home

There are so many reasons why online casinos are becoming much more popular now, but perhaps the most influential reason of all is the fact that you can play your favourite games right from the comfort of your own home.

Sure, to some this may take away the appeal of a real-life casino, and they love the atmosphere and feeling they provide, and this is why real-life casinos will always have a place in the world. It is similar to cinemas. However, there is also a vast number of people out there who are not concerned with the atmosphere of a casino, but instead, much more focused on the games.

For these people, online casinos are by far the better option. If there is an alternative option to play your favourite game without having to pay additional expenses or travel a substantial distance, get access to exclusive incentives, as well as being all from the comfort of your own home, why would they not.

Overall, there are so many reasons as to why a vast number of people enjoy and use online casinos on a regular basis, and the popularity of online casinos is likely only to rise further going into the future.

For those of you who are casino lovers are and worried about what the rise in popularity of online casinos may mean for real-life casinos, dont worry. There will also be a need for real-life casinos. Even though online casinos offer a very similar experience to a real-life casino as well as a plethora of advantages, they will more than likely never replace their real-life counterparts.

Category: Casino Blog
On November 3,silver oak sister casinos the 2012 Cross-Strait Shennong (Emperor Yan) Cultural Forum was held in Yanling County, Zhuzhou City. Over 800 experts, scholars and representatives of all works of life from across the Taiwan Strait attended the forum.

A heated discussion on exploring the spirit of Emperor Yan and promulgating Shennong Culture (Culture of Emperor Yan) was conducted among the cross-Strait scholars present at the forum. They revealed the essence of the profound culture via detailed historical data, rigorous argumentation, unique insights and vivid descriptions, thus offering the audiences a brilliant cultural feast.

It was agreed that efforts should be taken to carry forward Emperor Yans perseverant, pioneering, innovative, enterprising and dedicative spirit-the core of Chinese national spirit.

Li Xuan

2012 Cross-Strait Shennong Cultural Forum Held in Yanling Countyadded by chinatimesonline on

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What is temple nile welcome bonusthe Theoretical Value (Of A Right)?

The theoretical value (of a right) is the value of a subscription right. During the period of time when a new rights offering is announced up until three days before the subscription rights expire (known as the cum rights period), the value of the right is specific and can easily be calculated. To calculate the value of a right during the window in which it is effective, and investor must be told the subscription price and the number of rights required to buy one share of stock. With that information the value of the right can be calculated using the following formula:

(Stock Price - Rights subscription price per share) / (Number of rights required to buy one share + 1)

Key Takeaways

The theoretical value of a right can be calculated during the cum rights period.

Investors with subscription rights are told the price for which they can purchase the sharesusually at a discount to current market price.

These same investors are told how many rights are necessary to purchase one share of stock.

From this information the theoretical price can be calculated.

Understanding Theoretical Value (Of A Right)

The theoretical value of a right and the market value of a right are generally the same or very similar. It is also known as the intrinsic value of the right. Because the value of stock shares that have rights attached to them during the cum rights period may differ from regular shares without such rights, investors want to know this theoretical value.

Real-World Example of Theoretical Value of a Right

As an example, the current price of a stock is $40, the exercise price (or subscription price) is $35 and four rights are required to purchase a share. The theoretical value of the right is:

($40 - $35) / (4 + 1) = $1.

The period of time about three days before expiration is referred to as the exercise of rights period. These are the last days to exercise rights, but a period too soon to purchase new shares with rights, since the trade will settle before the record date, the day the rights expire. The theoretical value during the exercise of rights periodwhen rights trade independently of the stockdiffers from the value during the cum rights period.

The calculation for the value during the exercise of rights period is:

(Stock price - Right subscription price) / Number of rights needed to buy a share.

Continuing from the above example, the stock price during the ex-rights period is $38, the theoretical value of the right during the exercise rights period would be ($38 - $35) / 4 = $0.75.

A rights value is calculated using the same parameters used for pricing options, including the rights subscription price, prevailing interest rates, time to expiration, and the share price of the underlying stock, taking into consideration the level of its volatility. The major difference is that rights have significantly less time value than most options because of their comparatively short lifespan.

Theoretical Nil Paid Price

If an investor chooses to sell his or her right outright in the market, or if they choose to let the right lapse, which may result in a minimal administrative charge, they will receive the theoretical nil paid price of the right. This value is calculated by determining the difference between the subscription price the investor paid and the theoretical ex-right price.

Considering the example used above, the calculation for a theoretical nil paid price looks like this: $40 - $38 = $2. Thus, the amount the investor would receive for the right is twice the value of the right during the cum rights period and even greater than the value of the right during the ex-rights period.
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nounan orthorhombic mineral, hydrous sodium aluminum carbonate, NaAlCO3(OH)2, with a vitreous luster, occurring as white blade-shaped crystals: mined as an ore of aluminum.

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How to use in a sentence In fact, the Dawsonite can not do too much for the stranger sojourning in his midst. In to the Yukon|William Seymour Edwards

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 dawsoniteNamed after J.W. Dawson; see -itedawn patrol, dawn raid, dawn redwood, Dawson, Dawson Creek, dawsonite, Dax, day, day after day, Dayak, dayanDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Games Global continues its expansion across the globe,the betting price of one pi coin and with its newest partner, a gaming studio from Sydney Blue Ring Studios, the company upgraded its popular game development line-up even further.

Captivating gameplay enriched with advanced mechanics

Two renowned companies have partnered to deliver the exclusive content, the game called 6 Pure Pearls, which was launched on September 6.

This online slot game is medium volatilityand combines fantastic gameplay and a well-known theme loved by players with features that bring the player experience to a new level. The game strongly resembles the Blue Ring origins, making it even more captivating.

Blue Ring Studios has become popular in land-based and retail casinos. Its games combine creative ideas with thoroughly researched execution, thanks to the experience the company gained during the years of presence in various markets all over the world.

The companys focus during all these years has been player experience. The mechanics remained simple, while the gameplay was more than interesting, staying loyal to the maths firstdesign of its games.

This pearly slot is situated underwater, providing the players with a special adventure. The main pearl of the game is the renowned Link&Win collection mechanics. The players will be happy to try the Free Spins feature, which greatly increases the win potential of the game.

Beginning of the long partnership

All of the Games Global playerswill be able to exclusively try 6 Pure Pearls, and, according to the companies, this wont be the end  they are planning to release more captivating games and strengthen their position in the market.

According to the source, Peter Wilkins, director of product at Blue Ring Studios, said:We are immensely proud and excited to be commencing our journey with Games Global, their customers, and, of course, slot players all around the world. We commit to leveraging our long association with land-based slot development to develop our knowledge into engaging content for players of all types and hence provide even more diversity to the already immense Game Global game range.

Andrew Booth, chief product officer at Games Global, added: Together, our exclusive studios are building the future of online gaming, bringing better, richer content to the table faster than ever before. Were thrilled to introduce Blue Ring Studios as the latest to join our ranks, reinforcing our network further. Underpinned by decades of experience, this hugely talented team promises to deliver rewarding entertainment experiences for operators and their players.

Source: Games Global makes a splash with Blue Ring Studios. iGamingBusiness. September 11, 2023.
Since the 17th CPC National Congress (2007),best online gambling games to play the reform and innovation of institutional mechanisms has promoted the sound and rapid development of cultural industry. In Hunan, this industry has not only emerged as an important pillar industry, a 100-billion-yuan industry, but also an emerging industry of strategic importance.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010), Hunans cultural industry maintained an annual average growth rate of around 20%. In 2011, the total output of the provinces cultural and creative industries reached 235.2 billion Yuan with an added value of 101.3 billion Yuan, a year-on-year growth of 20.8%,of which the total output accounted for 5.2% of the provinces GDP, contributing 7.8% to its economic growth.

Many cultural industry groups have been established in Hunan, including Golden Eagle Broadcasting System, Hunan Publishing Investment Holding Group, and Hunan Daily Press Group. Hunan broadcasting, publishing, animation, and performance art brands have excelled in the country. Among the 322 cultural brands listed on the Annual Report on Cultural Brands Development of China (2006-2012), 36 are Hunans cultural brands, almost 11% of the total. Furthermore, Hunan Publishing Investment Holding Group has been included into Chinas 500 largest enterprises and groups for five consecutive years.

Lv Xuefen / Hunan News

Hunans Cultural Industry Enjoys Sound and Rapid Developmentadded by chinatimesonline on

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Among the 25 states that currently offer mobile sports betting,ibet 789 sports there is one in which neither DraftKings nor FanDuel is a market leader.

In Arkansas, commercial operators are required to share 51% of their revenue with partner casinos. That number, while not a tax, is a massive chunk of an operators profit. Some major operators are active in the handful of states that require a 50% or higher tax, but in most cases, that is either in exchange for a monopoly, in partnership with a state lottery, or in New York  though stakeholders there are already pushing for a reduction.

In Arkansas, the goal was to keep as much wagering money as possible within state lines.
What Is Autonomous Consumption?forebet today match prediction

Autonomous consumption is defined as the expenditures that consumers must make even when they have no disposable income. Certain goods need to be purchased, regardless of how much income or money a consumer has in their possession at any given time. When a consumer is low on resources, paying for these necessities can force them to borrow or access money that they had previously been saving.

Key Takeaways

Autonomous consumption is defined as the expenditures that consumers must make even when they have no disposable income.

These expenses cannot be eliminated, regardless of limited personal income, and are deemed autonomous or independent as a result.

When a consumer is low on resources, paying for their necessities can force them to borrow or access money that they had previously been saving.

Understanding Autonomous Consumption

Even if a person has no money, they still need certain things, such as food, shelter, utilities, and healthcare. These expenses cannot be eliminated, regardless of limited personal income, and are deemed autonomous or independent as a result.

Autonomous consumption can be contrasted with discretionary consumption, a term given to goods and services that are considered non-essential by consumers, but desirable if their available income is sufficient to purchase them.

If a consumer's income were to disappear for a time, they would have to either dip into savings or increase debt to finance essential expenses.

The level of autonomous consumption can shift in response to events that limit or eliminate sources of income, or when available savings and financing options are low. This can include the downsizing of a home, changing eating habits, or limiting the use of certain utilities.

Dissaving

Dissaving, the opposite of saving, refers to spending money beyond one's available income. This can be achieved by tapping into a savings account, taking cash advances on a credit card, or borrowing against future income (via a payday or regular loan).

Also referred to as negative saving, dissaving can be examined on an individual level or on a larger economic scale. If the autonomous spending within a community or population exceeds the cumulative income of the included individuals, the economy has negative savings (and it is likely taking on debt to finance its expenses).

A person does not need to experience financial hardship for dissaving to take place. For example, a person may have significant savings to pay for a major life event, such as a wedding, to use the accrued funds for a discretionary expense.

Governments allocate their available funds to mandatory, autonomous expenditures or discretionary expenses. Mandatory, or autonomous, expenditure includes funds mandated for specific programs and purposes that are considered necessary for the nation to function properly, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

In contrast, discretionary funds can be directed to programs that provide value to society but are not considered critical. Discretionary funds typically support programs related to certain defense activities, education, and transportation programs.

Autonomous Consumption vs. Induced Consumption

The difference between autonomous consumption and induced consumption is that the latter should fluctuate depending on income.

Induced consumption is the portion of spending that varies depending on disposable income levels. As the value of disposable income rises, it is expected to induce a similar rise in consumption. People in this situation are likely to spend more money on living lavishly, making more purchases, and incurring greater expenses.
What Is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?infinity blockchain surya 77 slot

A free trade agreement is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them. Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.

The concept of free trade is the opposite of trade protectionism or economic isolationism.

Free Trade

How a Free Trade Agreement Works

1:25

In the modern world, free trade policy is often implemented by means of a formal and mutual agreement of the nations involved. However, a free-trade policy may simply be the absence of any trade restrictions.

A government doesn't need to take specific action to promote free trade. This hands-off stance is referred to as laissez-faire trade or trade liberalization.

Governments with free-trade policies or agreements in place do not necessarily abandon all control of imports and exports or eliminate all protectionist policies. In modern international trade, few free trade agreements (FTAs) result in completely free trade.

Key Takeaways

Free trade agreements reduce or eliminate barriers to trade across international borders.

Free trade is the opposite of trade protectionism.

In the U.S. and the E.U., free trade agreements do not come without regulations and oversight.

For example, a nation might allow free trade with another nation, with exceptions that forbid the import of specific drugs not approved by its regulators, or animals that have not been vaccinated, or processed foods that do not meet its standards.

The benefits of free trade were outlined in "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation," publishedby economist David Ricardo in 1817.

Or, it might have policies in place that exempt specific products from tariff-free status in order to protect home producers from foreign competition in their industries.

The Economics of Free Trade

In principle, free trade on the international level is no different from trade between neighbors, towns, or states. However, it allows businesses in each country to focus on producing and selling the goods that best use their resources while other businesses import goods that are scarce or unavailable domestically. That mix of local production and foreign trade allows economies to experience faster growth while better meeting the needs of its consumers.

This view was first popularized in 1817 by economist David Ricardo in his book, "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation." He argued that free trade expands the diversity and lowers the prices of goods available in a nation while better exploiting its homegrown resources, knowledge, and specialized skills.

Public Opinion on Free Trade

Few issues divide economists and the general public as much as free trade. Research suggests that faculty economists at American universities are seven times more likely to support free-trade policies than the general public. In fact, the American economist Milton Friedman said: The economics profession has been almost unanimous on the subject of the desirability of free trade.

Free-trade policies have not been as popular with the general public. The key issues include unfair competition from countries where lower labor costs allow price-cutting and a loss of good-paying jobs to manufacturers abroad.

The call on the public to Buy American may get louder or quieter with the political winds, but it never goes silent.

The View from Financial Markets

Not surprisingly, the financial markets see the other side of the coin. Free trade is an opportunity to open another part of the world to domestic producers.

Moreover, free trade is now an integral part of the financial system and the investing world. American investors now have access to most foreign financial markets and to a wider range of securities, currencies, and other financial products.

However, completely free trade in the financial markets is unlikely in our times. There are many supranational regulatory organizations for world financial markets, including the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO), and the Committee on Capital Movements and Invisible Transactions.

Real-World Examples of Free Trade Agreements

The European Union is a notable example of free trade today. The member nations form an essentially borderless single entity for the purposes of trade, and the adoption of the euro by most of those nations smooths the way further. It should be noted that this system is regulated by a bureaucracy based in Brussels that must manage the many trade-related issues that come up between representatives of member nations.

U.S. Free Trade Agreements

The United States currently has a number of free trade agreements in place. These include multi-nation agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which covers the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which includes most of the nations of Central America. There are also separate trade agreements with nations from Australia to Peru.

Collectively, these agreements mean that about half of all goods entering the U.S. come in free of tariffs, according to government figures. The average import tariff on industrial goods is 2%.

All these agreements collectively still do not add up to free trade in its most laissez-faire form. American special interest groups have successfully lobbied to impose trade restrictions on hundreds of imports including steel, sugar, automobiles, milk, tuna, beef, and denim.
What Is the Gross Debt Service Ratio?yabby casino no deposit bonus codes

The gross debt service (GDS) ratio is a debt service measure that financial lenders use to assess the proportion of housing debt that a borrower is paying in comparison to their income. The gross debt service ratio is one of several metrics used to qualify borrowers for a mortgage loan and determine the amount of principal offered.

The gross debt service ratio may also be referred to as the housing expense ratio or the front-end ratio. Generally, borrowers should strive for a gross debt service ratio of 28% or less.

Key Takeaways

The gross debt service (GDS) ratio, total debt service ratio, and a borrowers credit score are the key components analyzed in the underwriting process for a mortgage loan.

GDS may be used in other personal loan calculations as well, but it is most common with mortgage loans.

Many lenders require a borrower to meet specific credit score requirements for loan consideration.

How the GDS Ratio Works

The gross debt service ratio is typically a comprehensive measure of all of a borrowers monthly housing expenses. It may also be calculated on an annual basis. The borrowers current monthly mortgage payment is the primary expense. Other expenses may also include monthly property tax payments, monthly home insurance payments, and utility bills.

Total monthly expenses are divided by total monthly income to calculate the ratio. As a rule of thumb, lenders typically require a gross debt service ratio of 28% or less. Lenders also use the GDS ratio to determine how much the borrower can afford to borrow.

Tip

Using an online mortgage calculator to estimate homebuying costs can give you an idea of what you might be able to afford.

Gross Debt Service Ratio Formula and Calculation

The formula that's used to calculate the gross debt service ratio is fairly straightforward. It looks like this:

Gross Debt Service Ratio = Principal + Interest + Taxes + Utilities / Gross Annual Income

Utilities can include any amounts paid toward electric, water, or natural gas service. If you're planning to purchase a property, you may be able to contact the electric company, water company, and gas company to get information about average utility costs. You can also look up information about local property taxes to estimate what you might pay for those.



Example of Gross Debt Service Ratio

As an example, consider two married law students who have a monthly mortgage payment of $1,000 and pay annual property taxes of $3,000 with a gross family income of $45,000. This would result in a GDS ratio of 33%. Based on the benchmark of 28%, this couple appears to be carrying an unacceptable amount of debt and are not likely to be approved for a mortgage loan given their current situation.

Note

If you're applying for a mortgage as a self-employed person, the lender may consider the average of your last two years' worth of income versus a single year of earnings.

How Is GDS Ratio Used?

The GDS ratio helps lenders determine whether a borrower can afford a mortgage. Extending a mortgage loan involves a certain amount of risk to the lender so they want reassurance beforehand that you'll be likely to pay back what you borrow. The GDS ratio is a way to measure your ability to pay, based on estimated housing costs and your household income.

If a lender determines that your GDS is above acceptable limits, you have some options. The first is finding ways to increase your income. For example, you may be able to do that by asking for a raise at work, taking on more hours, starting a second job, or starting a side hustle. Increasing the size of your down payment could also help you qualify for a mortgage if you're financing a smaller loan amount.

Note

If increasing income or the size of your down payment isn't enough to fall within a lender's acceptable GDS limits, then you may need to revise your budget to look for a less expensive home.

Special Considerations

The GDS ratio is only one component involved in the underwriting process for a loan. A borrowers total debt service ratio and credit report are also important components as well.

A borrowers credit report is obtained from a hard inquiry and provides the lender with the borrowers credit score and credit history. Many lenders require a borrower to meet specific credit score requirements for loan consideration.

A borrowers total debt service ratio is also a factor in the qualification process for approval. The total debt service ratio is similar to the gross debt service ratio; however, it includes all of a borrowers debt and is not just focused on housing. The total debt service ratio sums up all of a borrowers monthly debt and divides it by their monthly income to calculate a ratio. This may also be referred to as the "bottom ratio."

Generally, lenders require a total debt service ratio of approximately 36% or less for loan approval.

Gross debt service ratio FAQs

What Is the Gross Debt Service Ratio?

The gross debt service ratio is a measure of housing costs versus a borrower's gross income. Specifically, this ratio tells lenders how much of a homebuyer's gross income goes toward housing costs. The GDS ratio helps determine how much home a buyer can afford when qualifying them for a mortgage loan.

How Do You Calculate the Gross Debt Service Ratio?

To calculate the gross debt service ratio, you'd divide total housing costs by gross income. Housing costs include principal, interest, taxes, and utility costs. Gross income represents what you make before taxes and other deductions are taken out.

What Is a Good Gross Debt Service Ratio for a Mortgage?

Generally, a good gross debt service ratio for a mortgage is 28%. Whether it's possible to qualify for a home loan with a GDS ratio above that amount may depend on the lender and its specific underwriting criteria.
During this stake self exclusionyears upcoming SBC Summit Barcelona to be held from September 19 to 21 at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuic, Groove Gaming, the worlds fastest-growing content aggregator based in Curacao, intends to showcase its brand alongside its newest message which says we are aggregationto the international online gaming community at its stand CG810.

Rebranded brand

The firm recently rebranded and part of the rebranding process was a site introduced at www.GrooveTech.comalong with a dedicated webpageput together for the aforementioned summit.

Officially in the iGaming industry for 7 years, the aggregator has long been officially recognized as an implementer of reliable and stable technologyrelated to global solutions, as a flagship content supplier with more than 100 flagship content partners, more than 100 newest games debuting every month and more than 15,000 games available in a large game library.

The company collaborates with tier-one operatorsand beyond to modify technology solutions that bring high-speed performance and maintain income from aggregated content ranging from live casino and slots to table games and poker, as well as suite of the latest crash games. In addition, few of the firms effective marketing toolsinvolve tournaments, free spins, jackpots, promotions, quests and anything involving gamification.

Although Groove is rightfully known for its solutions in the field of technology that revolve around sweepstakes and crypto currencies, among others, the companys real aces are innovations around Grooves data-driven information, such as insightful reports, the new recommender and a host of smart lobby tools,which have largely been in the headlines during recent months.

Commenting on the innovations and technology that the aggregator will showcase at its stand during the summit, Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer for Groove, commented: In the Casino and iGaming Zone, event visitors can learn about the keys to creating a successful casino offering by visiting the Groove stand. The Groove team at the show look forward to guiding operators, casinos and game providers through the potential and the challenges of various casino products and innovations; as well as explaining how our new recommender is literally a game-changer for casino management.

Description of SBC Summit Barcelona

The aforementioned SBC Summit Barcelona represents a conference and exhibitionfor international flagship companies in online gaming and sports wagering who come together to talk about the futureof both industries, share their expertise and form strong alliances in 38,000 square meters of conference area, which would expect more than 15,000 participants and more than 350 exhibitors involving Groove.

Source: Groove Proudly Proclaims We Are Aggregation for SBC Barcelona, European Gaming, September 11, 2023
Thepocono downs English edition of Works of Art by Li Lanqing: Chinese Seals and Calligraphy was launched here on Wednesday afternoon in the Millennium Hotel in London Mayfair.

The book, jointly published by Macmillan Publishers Limited, Higher Education Press, and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, contains images of 461 seals and some calligraphy by the former Chinese vice premier.

Su Yuheng, president of Chinas Higher Education Press, noted that this book was different from traditional art catalogue. It carried poetry, paintings, photos, illustrations and descriptions as supplement to the seals, which could give readers a general picture of Chinas traditional art, as well as culture and history, he said.

Li, also a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has been dedicated to the popularization of Chinese culture and art since his retirement in 2003.

In seal cutting, Li had some innovation in the content, style and material, said Fan Dian, dean of the National Art Museum of China.

His works showed the aesthetic knowledge and cultural interest of Chinese leaders, he said.

Andrea Rose, director of visual arts at the British Council, believed that the innovation showed how ancient art was invigorated, while Simon Allen, chief executive of Macmillan Education, expressed the hope to introduce more Chinese artists to Britain.

The Chinese Embassy in Britain, the National Art Museum of China and the British Museum will hold an exhibition on Lis seal cutting works, which will run from Thursday to Jan. 15, 2013, in the British Museum in London.

Xinhua

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What Is Required Rate of Return (RRR)?online real money gambling sites

The required rate of return (RRR) is the minimum return an investor will accept for owning a company's stock, as compensation for a given level of risk associated with holding the stock. The RRR is also used in corporate finance to analyze the profitability of potential investment projects.

Key Takeaways

The required rate of return is the minimum return an investor will accept for owning a company's stock, to compensate them for a given level of risk.

To accurately calculate the RRR and improve its utility, the investor must also consider his or her cost of capital, the return available from other competing investments, and inflation.

The RRR is a subjective minimum rate of return; this means that a retiree will have a lower risk tolerance and therefore accept a smaller return than an investor who recently graduated college and may have a higher appetite for risk.

The RRR is also known as the hurdle rate, which like RRR, denotes the appropriate compensation needed for the level of risk present. Riskier projects usually have higher hurdle rates, or RRRs, than those that are less risky.

Required Rate Of Return

Two Methods to Calculate Required Rate of Return (RRR)

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There are a couple of ways to calculate the required rate of returneither using the dividend discount model (DDM), or the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The choice of model used to calculate the RRR depends on the situation for which it is being used.

Calculating Required Rate of Return (RRR) Using the Dividend Discount Model

If an investor is considering buying equity shares in a company that pays dividends, the dividend discount model is ideal. A popular variation of the dividend discount model is also known as the Gordon Growth Model.

The dividend-discount model calculates the RRR for equity of a dividend-paying stock by utilizing the current stock price, the dividend payment per share, and the forecasted dividend growth rate. The formula is as follows:

RRR = (Expected dividend payment / Share Price) + Forecasted dividend growth rate

To calculate RRR using the dividend discount model:

Take the expected dividend payment and divide it by the current stock price. Add the result to the forecasted dividend growth rate.

How to Calculate Required Rate of Return

Calculating Required Rate of Return (RRR) Using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)

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Another way to calculate RRR is to use the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), which is typically used by investors for stocks that do not pay dividends.

The CAPM model of calculating RRR uses the beta of an asset. Beta is the risk coefficient of the holding. In other words, beta attempts to measure the riskiness of a stock or investment over time. Stocks with betas greater than 1 are considered riskier than the overall market (often represented by a benchmark equity index, such as the S&P 500 in the U.S., or the TSX Composite in Canada), whereas stocks with betas less than 1 are considered less risky than the overall market.

The formula also uses the risk-free rate of return, which is typically the yield on short-term U.S. Treasury securities. The final variable is the market rate of return, which is typically the annual return of the S&P 500 index. The formula for RRR using the CAPM model is as follows:

RRR = Risk-free rate of return + Beta X (Market rate of return - Risk-free rate of return)

To calculate RRR using the CAPM:

Subtract the risk-free rate of return from the market rate of return. Multiply the above figure by the beta of the security. Add this result to the risk-free rate to determine the required rate of return.

What Does the Required Rate of Return (RRR) Tell You?

The required rate of return RRR is a key concept in equity valuation and corporate finance. It's a difficult metric to pinpoint due to the different investment goals and risk tolerances of individual investors and companies. Risk-return preferences, inflation expectations, and a companys capital structure all play a role in determining the company's own required rate. Each one of these and other factors can have major effects on a security's intrinsic value.

For investors using the CAPM formula, the required rate of return for a stock with a high beta relative to the market should have a higher RRR. The higher RRR relative to other investments with low betas is necessary to compensate investors for the added level of risk associated with investing in the higher beta stock.

In other words, RRR is in part calculated by adding the risk premium to the expected risk-free rate of return to account for the added volatility and subsequent risk.

For capital projects, RRR is useful in determining whether to pursue one project versus another. The RRR is what's needed to go ahead with the project although some projects might not meet the RRR but are in the long-term best interests of the company.

To accurately calculate the RRR and make it more meaningful, the investor must also consider their cost of capital, as well as the return available from other competing investments. In addition, inflation must also be factored into RRR analysis so as to obtain the real (or inflation-adjusted) rate of return.

Example of Required Rate of Return (RRR) Using the Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

A company is expected to pay an annual dividend of $3 next year, and its stock is currently trading at $100 a share. The company has been steadily raising its dividend each year at a 4% growth rate.

RRR = 7% or (($3 expected dividend / $100 per share) + 4% growth rate)

Example of Required Rate of Return Using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)

In the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), RRR can be calculated using the beta of a security, or risk coefficient, as well as the excess return that investing in the stock pays over a risk-free rate (called the equity risk premium).

Assume the following:

The current risk-free rate is 2% on a short-term U.S. Treasury.

The long-term average rate of return for the market is 10%.

Let's say Company A has a beta of 1.50, meaning that it is riskier than the overall market (which has a beta of 1).

To invest in Company A, RRR = 14% or (2% + 1.50 X (10% - 2%))

Company B has a beta of 0.50, which implies that it is less risky than the overall market.

To invest in Company B, RRR = 6% or (2% + 0.50 X (10% - 2%))

Thus, an investor evaluating the merits of investing in Company A versus Company B would require a significantly higher rate of return from Company A because of its much higher beta.

Required Rate of Return vs. Cost of Capital

Although the required rate of return is used in capital budgeting projects, RRR is not the same level of return that's needed to cover the cost of capital. The cost of capital is the minimum return needed to cover the cost of debt and equity issuance to raise funds for the project. The cost of capital is the lowest return needed to account for the capital structure. The RRR should always be higher than the cost of capital.

Limitations of Required Rate of Return (RRR)

The RRR calculation does not factor in inflation expectations since rising prices erode investment gains. However, inflation expectations are subjective and can be wrong.

Also, the RRR will vary between investors with different risk tolerance levels. A retiree will have a lower risk tolerance than an investor who recently graduated college. As a result, the RRR is a subjective rate of return.

RRR does not factor in the liquidity of an investment. If an investment can't be sold for a period of time, the security will likely carry a higher risk than one that's more liquid.

Also, comparing stocks in different industries can be difficult since the risk or beta will be different. As with any financial ratio or metric, it's best to utilize multiple ratios in your analysis when considering investment opportunities.
What Is a Loss Ratio?best websites to download pc games safe

Loss ratio is used in the insurance industry, representing the ratio of losses to premiums earned. Losses in loss ratios include paid insurance claims and adjustment expenses. The loss ratio formula is insurance claims paid plus adjustment expenses divided by total earned premiums. For example, if a company pays $80 in claims for every $160 in collected premiums, the loss ratio would be 50%.

Key Takeaways

Loss ratio is the losses an insurer incurs due to paid claims as a percentage of premiums earned.

A high loss ratio can be an indicator of financial distress, especially for a property or casualty insurance company.

Insurers will calculate their combined ratios, which include the loss ratio and their expense ratio, to measure total cash outflows associated with their operating activities.

If loss ratios associated with your policy become excessive, an insurance provider may raise premiums or choose not to renew a policy.

If health insurers fail to divert 80% of premiums to claims or healthcare improving activities, they will have to issue a rebate to their policyholders.

How a Loss Ratio Works

Loss ratios vary depending on the type of insurance. For example, the loss ratio for health insurance tends to be higher than the loss ratio for property and casualty insurance. Loss ratios help assess the health and profitability of an insurance company. A business collects premiums higher than amounts paid in claims, and so high loss ratios may indicate that a business is in financial distress.

Unlike auto and homeowners insurance, under the ACA, health insurers do not retain the ability to adjust your insurance premiums based on submitted claims or your medical history.

Types of Loss Ratios

Medical Loss Ratio

A health insurance carrier that pays $8 in claims for every $10 in premiums collected has a medical cost ratio (MCR) of 80%. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance carriers were mandated to allocate a significant share of the premium to clinical services and the improvement of healthcare quality.

Health insurance providers are required to divert 80% of premiums to claims and activities that improve the quality of care and offer more value to the plan's participants. If an insurer fails to spend the required 80% on health care costs, it will have to rebate excess funds back to the consumer.

Commercial Insurance Loss Ratio

Businesses with commercial property and liability policies are expected to maintain adequate loss ratios. Otherwise, they may face premium increases and cancellations. Consider a small used car dealer who pays $20,000 in annual premiums to insure their inventory. A hailstorm causes $25,000 in damages, for which the business owner submits a claim. The insured's one-year loss ratio becomes $25,000 / $20,000, or 125%.

To determine if and for what amount a premium increase is warranted, carriers may review claims history and loss ratios for the past five years. If the insured has a very brief tenure with the insurer, the company may decide that the auto dealer presents an unacceptable future risk. At that juncture, the carrier may choose not to renew the policy.

Loss Ratio vs. Benefits-Expense Ratio

Related to loss ratios are benefit-expense ratios, which compares an insurer's expenses for acquiring, underwriting, and servicing a policy by the net premium charged. Expenses can include employee wages, agent and broker commissions, dividends, advertising, legal fees, and other general and administrative expenses (G&A).

An insurer will combine the benefit-expense ratio with their loss ratio to arrive at a combined ratio. While the benefit ratio looks at company expenses, the loss-to-gain ratio looks at paid claims, including adjustments, compared to the net premium.

Also, due to the higher number of probable claims per period, losses for healthcare providers will be higher than those for property or casualty insurance. The combined ratio measures the flow of money out of a company through the payment of expenses and the total losses as they relate to the income from premiums.
Dakar [ dah-kahr ]/ dkr / New Word List Save This play chumba bc slotsWord! [ dah-kahr ]/ dkr /Save ThisWord!

nouna seaport in and the capital of Senegal; capital of former French West Africa. 68 sq. mi. (176 sq. km).

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How to use Dakar Dakar/ (dk) / nounthe capital and chief port of Senegal, on the SE side of Cape Verde peninsula. Pop: 2 313 000 (2005 est) 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!Questiondaisy-cutter, daisy fleabane, daisy ham, daisy wheel, dak, Dakar, dak bungalow, Dakhla, dakhma, Dakin's solution, dakoityDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)?live online poker real money

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate.

Modeled after mutual funds, REITs pool the capital of numerous investors. This makes it possible for individual investors to earn dividends from real estate investmentswithout having to buy, manage, or finance any properties themselves.

Key Takeaways

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing properties.

REITs generate a steady income stream for investors but offer little in the way of capital appreciation.

Most REITs are publicly traded like stocks, which makes them highly liquid (unlike physical real estate investments).

REITs invest in most real estate property types, including apartment buildings, cell towers, data centers, hotels, medical facilities, offices, retail centers, and warehouses.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

How REITs Work

1:34

Congress established REITs in 1960 as an amendment to the Cigar Excise Tax Extension. The provision allows investors to buy shares in commercial real estate portfoliossomething that was previously available only to wealthy individuals and through large financial intermediaries.

Properties in a REIT portfolio may include apartment complexes, data centers, healthcare facilities, hotels, infrastructurein the form of fiber cables, cell towers, and energy pipelinesoffice buildings, retail centers, self-storage, timberland, and warehouses.

In general, REITs specialize in a specific real estate sector. However, diversified and specialty REITs may hold different types of properties in their portfolios, such as a REIT that consists of both office and retail properties.

Many REITs are publicly traded on major securities exchanges, and investors can buy and sell them like stocks throughout the trading session. These REITs typically trade under substantial volume and are considered very liquid instruments.

What Qualifies as a REIT?

Most REITs have a straightforward business model: The REIT leases space and collects rents on the properties, then distributes that income as dividends to shareholders. Mortgage REITs don't own real estate, but finance real estate, instead. These REITs earn income from the interest on their investments.

To qualify as a REIT, a company must comply with certain provisions in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). These requirements include to primarily own income-generating real estate for the long term and distribute income to shareholders. Specifically, a company must meet the following requirements to qualify as a REIT:

Invest at least 75% of total assets in real estate, cash, or U.S. Treasuries

Derive at least 75% of gross income from rents, interest on mortgages that finance real property, or real estate sales

Pay a minimum of 90% of taxable income in the form of shareholder dividends each year

Be an entity that's taxable as a corporation

Be managed by a board of directors or trustees

Have at least 100 shareholders after its first year of existence

Have no more than 50% of its shares held by five or fewer individuals

Today, it's estimated that REITs collectively hold about $3.5 trillion in gross assets; publicly traded equity REITs account for $2.5 trillion.

Types of REITs

There are three types of REITs:

Equity REITs. Most REITs are equity REITs, which own and manage income-producing real estate. Revenues are generated primarily through rents (not by reselling properties).

Most REITs are equity REITs, which own and manage income-producing real estate. Revenues are generated primarily through rents (not by reselling properties). Mortgage REITs. Mortgage REITs lend money to real estate owners and operators either directly through mortgages and loans, or indirectly through the acquisition of mortgage-backed securities. Their earnings are generated primarily by the net interest marginthe spread between the interest they earn on mortgage loans and the cost of funding these loans. This model makes them potentially sensitive to interest rate increases.

Mortgage REITs lend money to real estate owners and operators either directly through mortgages and loans, or indirectly through the acquisition of mortgage-backed securities. Their earnings are generated primarily by the net interest marginthe spread between the interest they earn on mortgage loans and the cost of funding these loans. This model makes them potentially sensitive to interest rate increases. Hybrid REITs.These REITs use the investment strategies of both equity and mortgage REITs.

REIT Types Comparison Type of REIT Holdings Equity Owns and operates income-producing real estate Mortgage Holds mortgages on real property Hybrid Owns properties and holds mortgages

REITs can be further classified based on how their shares are bought and held:

Publicly Traded REITs. Shares of publicly traded REITs are listed on a national securities exchange, where they are bought and sold by individual investors. They are regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Shares of publicly traded REITs are listed on a national securities exchange, where they are bought and sold by individual investors. They are regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Public Non-Traded REITs. These REITs are also registered with the SEC but dont trade on national securities exchanges. As a result, they are less liquid than publicly traded REITs. Still, they tend to be more stable because theyre not subject to market fluctuations.

These REITs are also registered with the SEC but dont trade on national securities exchanges. As a result, they are less liquid than publicly traded REITs. Still, they tend to be more stable because theyre not subject to market fluctuations. Private REITs.These REITs arent registered with the SEC and dont trade on national securities exchanges. In general, private REITs can be sold only to institutional investors.

How to Invest in REITs

You can invest in publicly traded REITsas well as REIT mutual funds and REIT exchange-traded funds (ETFs)by purchasing shares through a broker. You can buy shares of a non-traded REIT through a broker or financial advisor who participates in the non-traded REITs offering.

REITs are also included in a growing number of defined-benefit and defined-contribution investment plans. An estimated 145 million U.S. investors own REITs either directly or through their retirement savings and other investment funds, according to Nareit, a Washington, D.C.-based REIT research firm.

503,000

As of 2022, REITs collectively hold more than half-a-million individual properties.

Pros and Cons of Investing in REITs

REITs can play an important part in an investment portfolio because they can offer a strong, stable annual dividend and the potential for long-term capital appreciation. REIT total return performance for the last 20 years has outperformed the S&P 500 Index, other indices, and the rate of inflation. As with all investments, REITs have their advantages and disadvantages.

On the plus side, REITs are easy to buy and sell, as most trade on public exchangesa feature that mitigates some of the traditional drawbacks of real estate. Performance-wise, REITs offer attractive risk-adjusted returns and stable cash flow. Also, a real estate presence can be good for a portfolio because it provides diversification and dividend-based incomeand the dividends are often higher than you can achieve with other investments.

As a bonus, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 allows taxpayers to take advantage of the qualified business income (QBI) deduction. The deduction is the QBI plus 20% of qualified REIT dividends or 20% of the taxable income minus net capital gains, whichever is less.

On the downside, REITs don't offer much in terms of capital appreciation. As part of their structure, they must pay 90% of income back to investors. So, only 10% of taxable income can be reinvested back into the REIT to buy new holdings. Other negatives are that REIT dividends are taxed as regular income, and some REITs have high management and transaction fees.

Liquidity

Diversification

Transparency

Stable cash flow through dividends

Attractive risk-adjusted returns

Low growth

Dividends are taxed as regular income

Subject to market risk

Potential for high management and transaction fees

REIT Fraud

ProsCons

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recommends that investors should be wary of anyone who tries to sell REITs that aren't registered with the SEC. It advises that "You can verify the registration of both publicly traded and non-traded REITs through the SEC's EDGAR system. You can also use EDGAR to review a REIT's annual and quarterly reports as well as any offering prospectus."

It's also a good idea to check out the broker or investment advisor who recommends the REIT. The SEC has a free search tool that allows you to look up if an investment professional is licensed and registered.

Real-World Example of a REIT

Another consideration when choosing REITs is to look at the sectors of the real estate market that are hot. Which booming sectors of the economy, in general, can be tapped into via real estate? As an example, healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.especially in the growth of medical buildings, outpatient care centers, eldercare facilities, and retirement communities.

Several REITs focus on this sector. Healthpeak Properties (PEAK)formerly HCP is one example. As of April 2022, it had a market cap of nearly US $18.9 billion, with some 4 million shares traded daily. Its portfolio focuses on three core asset classes: life sciences facilities, medical offices, and senior housing, owning interests in more than 615 properties.

What Does REIT Stand for?

REIT stands for "Real Estate Investment Trust". A REIT is organized as a partnership, corporation, trust, or association that invests directly in real estate through the purchase of properties or by buying up mortgages. REITs issue shares that trade stock exchange and are bought and sold like ordinary stocks. In order to be considered a REIT, the company must invest at least 75% of its assets in real estate and derive at least 75% of its revenues from real estate-related activities.

Do REITs Have to Pay Dividends?

By law and IRS regulation, REITs must pay out 90% or more of their taxable profits (to shareholders in the form of dividends. As a result, REIT companies are often exempt from most corporate income tax. Shareholders of REITs who receive dividends are taxed as if they are ordinary dividends.

What Is a Paper Clip REIT?

A "paper clip REIT" increases the tax advantages afforded to a REIT while also allowing it to operate properties that such trusts normally cannot run. It is so-named because it involves two different entities that are "clipped" together via an agreement where one entity owns the properties and the other manages them. The paper clip REIT entails stricter regulatory oversight since there can be conflicts of interest and, as a result, this form of REIT is uncommon. It is similar but more flexible in structure to a "stapled REIT".
What Is AARP?betway login my account login roblox redeem

The American Association of Retired Persons, commonly known by its acronym AARP, is America's leading organization for people aged fifty and older, providing member benefits, marketing services, and lobbying on their behalf.

Founded in 1958 by retired educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus as the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association with a membership of more than 38 million.

Key Takeaways

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers retired people to choose how they live as they age.

AARP offers membership benefits ranging from discounts, healthcare options, insurance products, travel-related services, education, and learning resources.

AARP has grown to be a powerful organization, with over 38 million active members and a strong lobbying presence in Washington and state capitals.

How AARP Works

AARP provides information, education, research, advocacy, and community services through a nationwide network of local chapters and experienced volunteers. It focuses its work on consumer issues, economic security, work, health, and independent living issues, and engages in legislative, judicial, and consumer advocacy in these areas.

AARP is considered a powerful lobbying group as well as a successful business, selling life and health insurance, investment products, and other financial and non-financial services. It is also an independent publisher, offering Modern Maturitymagazine and the monthly AARP Bulletin. AARP produced $1.70 billion in revenue in 2019, which came from a variety of endeavors, including advertising revenue from its publications, and from royalties for licensing its name and logo.

However, membership fees represent the most significant source of revenue. It is registered as a 501(c)(4) non-profit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which means it is permitted to engage in lobbying. It also administers some 501(c)(3) public charity operations while some of its other operations are for-profit.

AARP Affiliates

There are several AARP-affiliated organizations, and they include the following:

The AARP Foundation is a non-profit charity that assists people over age 50 who may be at economic and social risk. Within the foundation operates AARP Experience Corps., which encourages tutoring and mentoring of children, and AARP Institute, which holds its gift annuity funds.

is a non-profit charity that assists people over age 50 who may be at economic and social risk. Within the foundation operates AARP Experience Corps., which encourages tutoring and mentoring of children, and AARP Institute, which holds its gift annuity funds. AARP Services develop and manage new products and services and are for-profit.

develop and manage new products and services and are for-profit. Legal Counsel for the Elderly is a non-profit that provides legal services for seniors in Washington, D.C.

is a non-profit that provides legal services for seniors in Washington, D.C. AARP Financial Services holds AARP real estate and is for-profit.

holds AARP real estate and is for-profit. The AARP Insurance Planadministers some AARP group insurance plans.

AARP also has many other initiatives, including promoting driver safety (AARP Driver Safety), producing television programming that targets seniors, and engaging in sponsorships that support social causes, such as raising awareness of and fighting hunger in America.

AARP manages outreach programs that address housing issues and social isolation among seniors. AARP has also initiated and managed programs that advocate for the strengthening of Social Security and Medicare.

Criticism of the AARP

AARP is one of the strongest lobbying groups in America, and because of its efforts, it often receives attention for exerting its influence in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals. Its non-profit operations also receive millions of dollars per year in the form of federal grants. Some argue that its positions fall into the more liberal part of the political spectrum.
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The term fire insurance refers to a form of property insurance that covers damage and losses caused by fire. Most policies come with some form of fire protection, but homeowners may be able to purchase additional coverage in case their property is lost or damaged because of fire. Purchasing additional fire coverage helps to cover the cost of replacement, repair, or reconstruction of property above the limit set by the property insurance policy. Fire insurance policies typically contain general exclusions such as war, nuclear risks, and similar perils.

Key Takeaways

Fire insurance is property insurance that provides additional coverage for loss or damage to a structure damaged or destroyed in a fire.

Fire insurance may be capped at a rate that is less than the cost of the losses accrued, necessitating a separate fire insurance policy.

The policy pays the policyholder back on either a replacement-cost basis or an actual cash value basis for damages.

Although some homeowners insurance policies include fire coverage, they may not be extensive enough for some homeowners.

How Fire Insurance Works

Homeowners insurance provides policyholders with coverage against loss and/or damage to their homes and possessions, also referred to as insured property. This is a blanket term used to describe both the interior and exterior of the home as well as any assets that are kept on the property itself. Policies may also cover injuries someone sustains while on the property. If you have a mortgage, there's a very good chance that your lender won't advance your loan if your property isn't covered. Even if it isn't a requirement, it's a good idea to protect yourself. There are additional forms of coverage you can purchase including fire insurance.

Fire insurance covers a policyholder against fire loss or damage from a number of sources. These include fires brought about by electricity, such as faulty wiring and gas explosions, as well as those caused by lightning and natural disasters. A burst and overflowing water tank or pipes may also be covered by the policy.

Most policies provide coverage regardless of whether the fire originates from inside or outside of the home. The limit of coverage depends on the cause of the fire. The policy reimburses the policyholder on either a replacement-cost basis or an actual cash value (ACV) basis for damages.

If the home is considered a total loss, the insurance company may actually reimburse the home's current market value. The insurance typically provides a market value compensation for lost possessions, with the total payout capped based on the home's overall value. If, for example, a policy insures a house for $350,000, the contents are usually covered for at least 50% to 70% of the policy valueor a range of $175,000 to $245,000. Many policies limit how much reimbursement covers luxury items such as paintings, jewelry, gold, and fur coats.

Special Considerations

A policyholder should check the home's value each year to determine if there is a need to increase the coverage amount. A policyholder cannot get insurance for more than a home's actual value. Insurance companies may offer stand-alone policies for rare, expensive, and irreplaceable items that are otherwise not covered in standard fire insurance.

Some standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for fire, but they may not be extensive enough for some homeowners. If an insurance policy excludes coverage for fire damage, a homeowner may need to purchase separate fire insuranceespecially if the property contains valuable items that cannot be covered with standard coverage. The insurance companys liability is limited by the policy value and not by the extent of damage or loss sustained by the property owner.

Fire insurance provides extra coverage to offset any additional costs to replace or repair property that surpasses the limit set by homeowners insurance.

Fire insurance policies provide payment for the loss of use of the property as a result of a fire or for additional living expenses necessitated by uninhabitable conditions, as well as damage to personal property and nearby structures. Homeowners should document the property and its contents to simplify the assessment of items damaged or lost in the event of a fire.

A fire insurance policy includes additional coverage against smoke or water damage due to a fire and is usually effective for one year. Fire insurance policies on the verge of expiration are usually renewable by the homeowner, under the same terms as the original policy.
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What Is Termination of Employment?classic casino sign up

The term termination of employment refers to the end of an employees work with a company. An employee may be terminated from a job of their own free will or following a decision made by the employer. Employers who execute a termination of employment may do so for a number of reasons, including downsizing, poor job performance, or redundancies.

An employee who is not actively working because of an illness, leave of absence, or furlough is still considered employed if the relationship with the employer has not been terminated formally with a notice of termination.

Key Takeaways

Termination of employment refers to the end of an employees work with a company.

Termination may be voluntary, as when a worker leaves of their own accord.

Involuntary termination occurs when a company downsizes, makes layoffs, or fires an employee.

Severance packages are discretionary, which means a company does not need to offer them to employees when their employment is terminated.

A worker who is unemployed through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits.

How Voluntary Termination Works

An employee may voluntarily terminate their employment with a company at any time. An individual usually does so when they find a better job with another company, retire from the labor force, resign to start their own business, or when they want to take a break from working.

Voluntary termination may also be a result of constructive dismissal, which is also called constructive discharge or constructive dismissal. This means that the employee leaves the company because they had no other choice. They could have been working under significant duress and difficult working conditions, which could include a low salary, harassment, a new work location that is farther than the employee can reasonably commute, increased work hours, among other reasons.

The forced discharge of an employee, whereby they are given an ultimatum to quit or be fired, also falls under constructive dismissal. If the employee can prove that the employers actions were unlawful during their tenure, they may be entitled to some form of compensation or benefits.

An employee who voluntarily leaves an employer may be required to hand in their resignation, which is an advanced notice, either verbally or in writing. Most industries usually require a two-week notice of an employee's termination. In some cases, the employee gives notice at the time that they terminate, or they give no notice at all, such as when an employee abandons the job or fails to return to work.

If your employment changes due to a change in hours, lay off, or termination, you may qualify for COBRA health insurance coverage under your existing group health plan for 18 months. If you choose to continue under the same plan, you are responsible for the full premium each month.

How Involuntary Termination Works

Involuntary termination of employment occurs when an employer lays off, dismisses, or fires an employee.

Layoffs and Downsizing

In a layoff, employees are usually let go through no fault of their own, unlike workers who are fired. Companies often decide to lay off workers or downsize their organizations to lower their operating costs, restructure their organizations, or because they no longer need an employees skill set. Layoffs may require employers to suspend certain roles temporarily, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic, or they may be permanent as a result of restructuring decisions.

Getting Fired

An employee is usually fired from a job as a result of unsatisfactory work performance, bad behavior, or a poor attitude that does not fit with the corporations culture. They may also be let go because of unethical conduct that violates the companys policies.

According to at-will employment laws recognized in some states, a company may dismiss without warning any employee who is performing poorly or violating some form of the companys rules. In fact, the company does not need to give a reason for the employee's termination.

Illegal Dismissals

Although employment-at-will contracts do not require an employer to warn or give a reason for a dismissal, an employer cannot fire a worker for certain reasons, including:

Refusing to work more than the hours specified in the contract

Taking a leave of absence

Reporting an incident or a person to the Human Resources (HR) department

Whistleblows to industry regulators

Individuals cannot be fired for these reasons. An employer who discharges an employee for exercising their legal rights does so unlawfully and may be liable for wrongful termination in the courts.

Other illegal dismissals occur when an employer lets an employee go for discriminatory reasons such as religion, race, age, gender, disability, sexual preference, or nationality. An employer who is found guilty of wrongful termination may be required to compensate the wronged employee and/or reinstate them into the company.

Termination for Cause

Other than at-will conditions of employment, an employer may fire an employee for a specific cause. A termination-for-cause clause requires the employer to put the employee on an improvement schedule of 60 or 90 days, during which the employee is expected to improve their work ethic. If the employee does not improve by the end of the probationary period, they could be terminated for cause and dismissed with prejudice.

In some cases, an employer may dismiss an employee without prejudice. This indicates that the employee was let go for reasons other than incompetence, insubordination, or misconduct in the workplace. In such situations, the employee may be rehired for a similar job in the future.

Termination Compensation

Some employers may provide employees with a notice of termination and/or termination pay, which is often called severance pay. This is common for employees who have worked with a company for more than three months and are involuntarily terminated. A company that offers severance does so following an agreement made privately with the employee or because severance is specified in its employee handbook. Keep in mind, though severance packages aren't a requirement under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Employers are not required by federal law to give the terminated employee a final paycheck immediately. However, state laws differ and may mandate that the employer must not only immediately provide the affected employee with a final paycheck, but also include accrued and unused vacation days.

Anyone who is unemployed through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Each state administers an unemployment insurance (UI) program to offer temporary financial assistance to people who are unemployed and looking for a job. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides detailed information about unemployment insurance benefits.

The last day with your employer is commonly referred to as your end, separation, or termination date.

Is Getting Terminated the Same as Getting Fired?

You are terminated from your employment if you are fired. The reason for your termination depends and your employer should let you know why they let you go. You may be fired for misconduct, poor performance, or because you're not a good fit for the position or company.

What Are the Main Reasons For Getting Fired?

Employers may fire their employees for misconduct, poor job performance, violating company policy(s), theft, damage to company property or the use of company materials for personal matters, insubordination, too many sick days without justification, or consistent lateness.

Some employers may build moral clauses into their employment contracts, which hold employees to a certain standard in and outside the workplace. As such, social media activity that goes against these standards may be reason enough to fire an employee.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is let go for reasons prohibited by employment law, such as discrimination, whistleblowing, or retaliation.

Employers who fire individuals for not complying with certain requests, such as doing dangerous or illegal work, are also guilty of wrongful termination. Companies that change working conditions without notice, ultimately forcing an employee to leave or be fired, are also said to be in violation of employment laws.

Individuals who are wrongfully terminated may pursue legal action against their former employers.

How Do You Fight Termination of Employment?

You may not be able to fight termination of employment if you were let go for a legitimate reason, such as restructuring or theft of company property. But if you believe you were terminated without just cause, there are some steps you can take.

Make sure you understand why you're being terminated. If you can, appeal the decision with your employer or the company's human resources department. Request copies of documents, including your employment contract, any communications between you and your employer regarding your performance, as well as your employment file. If you have a union, contact your representative. You can also consult an employment lawyer to take your case to court if you have a case.

The Bottom Line

There are many reasons why employees and employers end their relationship. Some employees may decide to leave their jobs voluntarily while others may be let go because of misconduct, poor performance, or another reason.

You have certain rights if you were terminated. For instance, you have the right to rescind your resignation if you choose to leave voluntarily. And you have the right to file an unemployment insurance claim if you lost your job through no fault of your own. You may have legal recourse if you believe that your employer retaliated against you and let you go illegally, whether that's because you took a leave of absence or because they discriminated against you. Be sure to check with an employment lawyer if any of these apply.


What Is Unit Cost?grande vegas casino coupon code no deposit

A unit cost is a total expenditure incurred by a company to produce, store, and sell one unit of a particular product or service. Unit costs are synonymous with cost of goods sold (COGS).

This accounting measure includes all of the fixed and variable costs associated with the production of a good or service. Unit cost is a crucial cost measure in the operational analysis of a company. Identifying and analyzing a company's unit costs is a quick way to check if a company is producing a product efficiently.

Variable and Fixed Unit Costs

Successful companies seek ways to improve the overall unit cost of their products by managing the fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs are production expenses that are not dependent on the volume of units produced. Examples are rent, insurance, and equipment. Fixed costs, such as warehousing and the use of production equipment, may be managed through long-term rental agreements.

Variable costs vary depending on the level of output produced. These expenses have a further division into specific categories such as direct labor costs and direct material costs. Direct labor costs are the salaries paid to those who are directly involved in production while direct material costs are the cost of materials purchased and used in production. Sourcing materials can improve variable costs from the cheapest supplier or by outsourcing the production process to a more efficient manufacturer.

Key Takeaways

Generally, unit costs represent the total expense involved in creating one unit of a product or service.

Goods-centric unit cost measures will vary between businesses.

A large organization may lower the unit cost through economies of scale.

The cost is useful in gross profit margin analysis and forms the base level for a market offering price.

Companies seek to maximize profit by reducing unit costs and optimizing the market offering price.

Unit Cost on Financial Statements

A company's financial statements will report the unit cost. These reports are vital for internal management analysis. The reporting of unit costs can vary by type of business. Companies that manufacture goods will have a more clearly defined calculation of unit costs while unit costs for service companies can be somewhat vague.

Both internal management and external investors analyze unit costs. These individual item expenses include all of the fixed and variable expenses directly associated with a product's production such as workforce wages, advertising fees, and the cost to run machinery or warehouse products. Managers closely monitor these costs to mitigate rising expenses and seek out improvements to reduce the unit cost. Typically, the larger a company grows, the lower the unit cost of production becomes. This reduction is because of economies of scale. Production at the lowest possible cost will maximize profits.

Accounting for Unit Costs

Private and public companies account for unit costs on their financial reporting statements. All public companies use the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) accrual method of reporting. These businesses have the responsibility of recording unit costs at the time of production and matching them to revenues through revenue recognition. As such, goods-centric companies will file unit costs as inventory on the balance sheet at product creation. When the event of a sale occurs, unit costs will then be matched with revenue and reported on the income statement.

The first section of a company's income statement focuses on direct costs. In this section, analysts may view revenue, unit costs, and gross profit. Gross profit shows the amount of money a company has made after subtracting unit costs from its revenue. Gross profit and a company's gross profit margin (gross profit divided by sales) are the leading metrics used in analyzing a company's unit cost efficiency. A higher gross profit margin indicates a company is earning more per dollar of revenue on each product sold.

Breakeven Analysis

The unit cost, also known as the breakeven point, is the minimum price at which a company must sell the product to avoid losses. As an example, a product with a breakeven unit cost of $10 per unit must sell for above that price. Revenue above this price is company profit.

The calculation of the unit cost of production is a breakeven point. This cost forms the base level price that a company uses when determining its market price value. Overall, a unit must be sold for more than its unit cost to generate a profit. For example, a company produces 1,000 units that cost $4 per unit and sells the product for $5 per unit. The gain is $5 minus $4, or $1 per unit in revenue. If a unit were priced at $3 per unit, there would be a loss because $3 minus $4 (cost) is a loss of $1 per unit.

Companies consider a variety of factors when determining the market offering price of a unit. Some companies may have a high amount of indirect costs which requires higher pricing to more broadly cover all of the company's expenses.

Real World Example

Unit cost is determined by combining the variable costs and fixed costs and dividing by the total number of units produced. For example, assume total fixed costs are $40,000, variable costs are $20,000, and you produced 30,000 units. The total production costs are the $40,000 fixed costs added to the $20,000 variable costs for a total of $60,000. Divide $60,000 by 30,000 units to get $2 per unit production cost (40,000 + 20,000 = $60,000  30,000 = $2 per unit).
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What Is Net Operating Loss (NOL)?wsop free chips 2021 teambet365

For income tax purposes, a net operating loss (NOL) is the result when a company's allowable deductions exceed its taxable income within a tax period. The NOL can generally be used to offset a company's tax payments in other tax periods through an IRS tax provision called a loss carryforward.

Key Takeaways

A net operating loss exists if a company's deductions exceed taxable income.

An NOL can benefit a company by reducing taxable income in future tax years.

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant changes to NOL rules.

NOLs may now be carried forward indefinitely until the loss is fully recovered, but they are limited to 80% of the taxable income in any one tax period.

The CARES Act removed the restrictions on tax loss carryback for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Net operating losses in 2021 or later may not be carried back and must be carried forward indefinitely.

Understanding Net Operating Loss (NOL)

A net operating loss can be carried forward to offset taxable income in future years in order to reduce a company's future tax liability. The purpose behind this tax provision is to allow some form of tax relief when a company loses money in a tax period. The IRS recognizes that some companies' business profits are cyclical in nature and not in line with a standard tax year.

NOL carryforwards are recorded as an asset on the company's general ledger. They offer a benefit to the company in the form of future tax liability savings. A deferred tax asset is created for the NOL carryforward, which is offset against net income in future years. The deferred tax asset account is drawn down each year, not to exceed 80% of net income in any one of the subsequent years, until the balance is exhausted.

A farming business, for example, may have significant profits and a large tax payment in one year, then incur an NOL in the next, followed by another profitable year. In order to smooth the tax burden, the loss carryforward provision allows for the NOL in the second year to offset taxes due in the third year.

How to Calculate Net Operating Loss

A net operating loss, sometimes called a net loss, appears on the company's bottom line or income statement. Before the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2018, the IRS allowed businesses to carry net operating losses forward 20 years to net against future profits and backward two years for an immediate refund of previous taxes paid. Because the time value of money shows that tax savings in the present are more valuable than in the future, the carryback method was generally used first, followed by the carryforward method. After carrying losses forward for 20 years, any remaining losses expired and could no longer be used to reduce taxable income.

Changes to Net Operating Loss

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made significant changes to the laws regarding net operating losses. The TCJA removed the two-year carryback provision for tax years beginning January 1, 2018, or later, except for certain farming losses, but now allows for an indefinite carryforward period. However, the carryforwards are also now limited to 80% of each subsequent year's net income. If a business creates NOLs in more than one year, they are to be drawn down completely in the order that they were incurred before drawing down another NOL.

The CARES Act effectively suspended the changes made by the TCJA; the coronavirus pandemic relief bill allowed NOLs arising in tax years beginning in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back for a period of five years and carried forward indefinitely. In 2021 and later, however, the new rules apply.

Losses originating in tax years beginning before Jan. 1, 2018, are still subject to the former tax rules. Any remaining losses will expire after 20 years.



NOL Carryforward Example

Imagine a company that had an NOL of $5 million one year and a taxable income of $6 million the next. The carryover limit of 80% of $6 million is $4.8 million. The full loss from the first year can be carried forward on the balance sheet to the second year as a deferred tax asset. The loss, limited to 80% of income in the second year, can then be used in the second year as an expense on the income statement. It lowers net income, and therefore the taxable income, for the second year to $1.2 million ($6 million - $4.8 million). A $200,000 deferred tax asset will remain on the balance sheet to be carried into the third year.

NOL Carryforward Limitations

A net operating loss is a valuable asset because it can lower a companys future taxable income. For this reason, the IRS restricts using an acquired company simply for its NOLs tax benefits. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code states that if a company with an NOL has at least a 50% ownership change, the acquiring company may use only part of the NOL in each concurrent year. However, purchasing a business with a substantial NOL may mean a larger sum of money going to the acquired companys shareholders than if the acquired company possessed a smaller NOL.

What Is an NOL Carryforward?

The net operating loss can generally be used to offset a company's tax payments in other tax periods through an IRS tax provision called a loss carryforward. This offers a benefit to a company in that it can reduce a company's future tax liability by offsetting taxable income in future years. The purpose behind this tax provision is to allow some form of tax relief when a company loses money in a tax period.



How Did the TCJA Affect NOL Carryforwards?

For tax years 2018 and later, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) removed the previously allowed, two-year carryback provision, except for certain farming losses, but allows for an indefinite carryforward period. The carryforwards are now limited to 80% of each subsequent year's net income. If a business creates NOLs in more than one year, they are to be drawn down completely in the order in which they were incurred before drawing down another NOL. The CARES Act suspended the changes made by the TCJA for tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020, however, the new rules apply 2021 onward.



How Are NOL Carryforwards Accounted for?

NOL carryforwards are recorded as an asset on the company's general ledger. A deferred tax asset is created for the NOL carryforward, which is offset against net income in future years. The deferred tax asset account is drawn down each year, not to exceed 80% of net income in any one of the subsequent years, until the balance is exhausted.



What Are Limitations of NOL Carryforwards?

A net operating loss is a valuable asset because it can lower a companys future taxable income. For this reason, the IRS restricts using an acquired company simply for its NOLs tax benefits. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code states that if a company with an NOL has at least a 50% ownership change, the acquiring company may use only part of the NOL in each concurrent year. However, purchasing a business with a substantial NOL may mean a larger sum of money going to the acquired companys shareholders than if the acquired company possessed a smaller NOL.


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nounan organized form, such as an array list or string, in which connected data items are held in a computer

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How to use in a sentence In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism. New Yorks Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

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Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST One blames black Americans as a race; the other, racism as a social structure. No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST The flight management computers include the navigation data programmed for every flight. Red Tape and Black Boxes: Why We Keep Losing Airliners in 2014|Clive Irving|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST This is not because of bad leaders, or polarized politics, but because of a governing structure that is fatally flawed. Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette) The building, a mosque-like structure of considerable size, was situated in the midst of a grove of mango trees. The Red Year|Louis Tracy

The Red Year|Louis Tracy I had no sooner stepped upon the frail structure when it suddenly and unaccountably gave way in the middle. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills In ordinary work, however, it is safer to base the distinction upon size than upon structure. A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd They combine the fixing with the staining process, and stain differentially every normal and abnormal structure in the blood. A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondata protection, datary, data science, data scientist, data set, data structure, dataveillance, data warehouse, datcha, date, datebookCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
MEXICO CITY,download caesars slots for free Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and drastic changes in the world, China and Latin American countries continue to join forces to promote economic and trade cooperation, consolidate pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure development and energy, and tap the potential growth in emerging sectors so as to jointly build a China-Latin America community with a shared future.

TRADE DRIVES ECONOMIC RECOVERY

As the global economy faces a tightrope walk to recovery, the two-way trade between China and Latin America and the Caribbean has been growing.

According to data released by China's General Administration of Customs, in 2021, the total trade value between China and Latin America and the Caribbean exceeded 450 billion U.S. dollars despite growing economic uncertainty worldwide. In the first three quarters of 2022, the figure increased by 12.5 percent over the same period last year.

Take Brazil, China's largest trade partner in Latin America. Bilateral trade exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars for four consecutive years, and China continued to be Brazil's largest trade partner for 13 straight years.

The trade volume between China and Brazil continues to break new records, said Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves, president of the Brazil-China Business Council.

Noting that Brazil's exports to China reached a record high in 2021, he said bilateral trade showed resilience this year and economic and trade cooperation remains robust.

Brazil's agricultural product exports to China also soared during the pandemic, which contributed to the hike in bilateral trade, said Milton Pomar, a Brazilian agricultural expert and consultant on China-Brazil institutional relations.

In the past decade, he added, the economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin American countries has also been enhanced.

Besides, China is also working with such Latin America countries as Ecuador to boost economic recovery through anti-pandemic cooperation.

The Chinese COVID-19 vaccines arrived "at the right time" and were "a blessing for Ecuador because they really allowed activities to continue," Vicente Wong, executive president of Ecuador's second-largest banana exporter Reybanpac, told Xinhua in an interview.

According to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health, more than half of the country's COVID-19 vaccines came from China. Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said China's assistance was crucial for the South American country's economic recovery and social development.

PRAGMATIC PROJECTS FOR BETTER LIVES

The Cauchari Solar Power Project, financed and built by Chinese companies in northwest Argentina's Jujuy province, started generating solar energy two years ago, bringing new development opportunities to poverty-stricken local villages.

The construction of the solar park provided nearly 1,500 jobs to a few surrounding villages. Since its opening, the project alleviated electricity shortages and ensured power supply for local residents.

Currently, the project generates an annual revenue of about 50 million dollars for the province, which has improved people's lives and promoted local economic development.

"Cooperation with China is very important to Argentina," said Roberto Salvarezza, Argentina's former minister of science, technology and innovation. He said that China has been promoting infrastructure construction through investment and technological exchanges, which helped Latin American countries speed up their energy transformation.

Luiz Eduardo Osorio, a manager at Brazilian mining company Vale, expressed his belief that infrastructure and clean energy projects financed by China have improved the living standards of people across Latin America. Such projects include the Nestor Kirchner-Jorge Cepernic hydropower plant and the renovation of the Belgrano Cargas railway in Argentina, the Bogota Metro construction project in Colombia, and the Punta Sierra Wind Farm in Chile.

BROADER COOPERATION SPURS GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

In 2019, a young Mexican man called Andres Diaz Bedolla arrived in Bainiu, a rural village in Hangzhou, the capital of China's eastern Zhejiang Province. Surprised and inspired by the dynamic digital economy in the rural community, he decided to bring China's development experience to his own country.

In three years, about 1,500 small and medium-sized Mexican companies have embraced e-commerce and the rural Chinese model has benefited many in Latin America.

"Before, we struggled a lot to sell (our goods), but now they sell very well through social media. They are also out there in China," said Mexican artisan Tomas de Anda Hernandez, referring to the traditional Mexican mortar and pestle made of volcanic rock.

There are broad prospects for cooperation between China and Latin American countries, including Brazil, particularly in the sectors of digital economy and new energy, said China-Brazil relations expert Pomar.

As technological cooperation deepens, Latin America is expected to gain more from China's cloud technology to cut expenses and store data with greater security.

China's artificial intelligence and cloud technology also helped Chile to protect the endangered Darwin's Fox in the country's Nahuelbuta coastal mountain range.

Eduardo Tzili-Apango, professor at the Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico, said pragmatic cooperation must continue to create new opportunities, which will be conducive to building a new type of relationship between China and Latin America.

The proposal of building a China-Latin America community with a shared future reflected China's responsibilities within the framework of global governance, said Ignacio Martinez, a researcher and academic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

China has shared successful development plans and experience with other countries, and has put forward global governance solutions to make notable contributions to the development of the world, he said. 
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

In geography, "doubling time" is a common term used when studying population growth. It is the projected amount of time that it will take for a given population to double. It is based on the annual growth rate and is calculated by what is known as "The Rule of 70."

Population Growth and Doubling Time

In population studies, the growth rate is an important statistic that attempts to predict how fast the community is growing. The growth rate typically ranges from 0.1% to 3% each year.

Different countries and regions of the world experience various growth rates due to circumstances. While the number of births and deaths is always a factor, things like war, disease, immigration, and natural disasters can affect a population's growth rate.

Since doubling time is based on a population's annual growth rate, it can also vary over time. It's rare that a doubling time remains the same for long, though unless a monumental event happens, it rarely fluctuates drastically. Instead, it is often a gradual decrease or increase over years.

The Rule of 70

To determine doubling time, we use "The Rule of 70." It's a simple formula that requires the annual growth rate of the population. To find the doubling rate, divide the growth rate as a percentage into 70.

doubling time = 70/annual growth rate

Simplified, it is typically written: dt = 70/r

For example, a growth rate of 3.5% represents a doubling time of 20 years. (70/3.5 = 20)

Given the 2017 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau's International Data Base, we can calculate the doubling time for a selection of countries:

Country 2017 Annual Growth Rate Doubling Time Afganistan 2.35% 31 years Canada 0.73% 95 years China 0.42% 166 years India 1.18% 59 years United Kingdom 0.52% 134 years United States 1.053 66 years

As of 2017, the annual growth rate for the entire world is 1.053%. That means the human population on Earth will double from 7.4 billion in 66 years, or in 2083.

However, as previously mentioned, doubling time is not a guarantee over time. In fact, the U.S Census Bureau predicts that the growth rate will steadily decline and by 2049 it will only be at 0.469%. That is less than half of its 2017 rate and would make the 2049 doubling rate 149 years.

Factors That Limit Doubling Time

The world's resourcesand those in any given region of the worldcan only handle so many people. Therefore, it is impossible for the population to continually double over time. Many factors restrict doubling time from going on forever. Primary among those is the environmental resources available and disease, which contribute to what is called the "carrying capacity" of an area.

Other factors can also affect the doubling time of any given population. For example, a war can significantly lower the population and affect both the death and birth rates for years into the future. Other human factors include immigration and migrations of large numbers of people. These are often influenced by the political and natural environments of any country or region.

Humans are not the only species on Earth that have a doubling time. It can be applied to every animal and plant species in the world. The interesting factor here is that the smaller the organism, the less time it takes for its population to double.

For example, a population of insects will have a much faster doubling time than a population of whales. This is once again primarily due to the natural resources available and the carrying capacity of the habitat. A small animal requires far less food and area than a larger animal.

Source
What Is an Auditor's Opinion?canplay casino ontario covid

An auditor's opinion is a certification that accompanies financial statements. It is based on an audit of the procedures and records used to produce the statements and delivers an opinion as to whether material misstatements exist in the financial statements. An auditor's opinion may also be called an accountant's opinion.

Understanding Auditor's Opinions

An auditor's opinion is presented in an auditors report. The audit report begins with an introductory section outlining the responsibility of management and the responsibility of the audit firm. The second section identifies the financial statements on which the auditor's opinion is given. A third section outlines the auditors opinion on the financial statements. Although it is not found in all audit reports, a fourth section may be presented as a further explanation regarding a qualified opinion or an adverse opinion.

For audits of companies in the United States, the opinion may be an unqualified opinion in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), a qualified opinion, or an adverse opinion. The audit is performed by an accountant who is independent of the company being audited.

Key Takeaways

An auditor's opinion is made based on an audit of the procedures and records used to produce financial records or statements.

There are four different types of auditor's opinions.

An auditor's opinion is presented in an auditor's report, which includes an introductory section, a section that identifies financial statements in question, another section that outlines the auditors opinion of those financial statements, and an optional fourth section that may augment information or provide additional relevant information.

Unqualified Opinion Audit

An unqualified opinion is also known as a clean opinion. The auditor reports an unqualified opinion if the financial statements are presumed to be free from material misstatements. In addition, an unqualified opinion is given over the internal controls of an entity if management has claimed responsibility for its establishment and maintenance, and the auditor has performed fieldwork to test its effectiveness.

Qualified Audit

A qualified opinion is given when a companys financial records have not followed GAAP in all financial transactions. Although the wording of a qualified opinion is very similar to an unqualified opinion, the auditor provides an additional paragraph including deviations from GAAP in the financial statements and points out why the auditor report is not unqualified.

A qualified opinion may be given due to either a limitation in the scope of the audit or an accounting method that did not follow GAAP. However, the deviation from GAAP is not pervasive and does not misstate the financial position of the company as a whole.

Adverse Opinion

The most unfavorable opinion a business may receive is an adverse opinion. An adverse opinion indicates financial records are not in accordance with GAAP and contain grossly material and pervasive misstatements. An adverse opinion may be an indicator of fraud. Investors, lenders, and other financial institutions do not typically accept financial statements with adverse opinions as part of their debt covenants.

Disclaimer of Opinion

In the event that the auditor is unable to complete the audit report due to the absence of financial records or insufficient cooperation from management, the auditor issues a disclaimer of opinion. This is referred to as a scope limitation and is an indication that no opinion over the financial statements was able to be determined. A disclaimer of opinion is not an opinion itself.
People who want to play casino games and live in a country where this 88 free no deposit minecraft cryptois legal have to decide if they wish to open an account on an online casino or go to its land-based counterpart.

Both gambling platforms have a lot of advantages and disadvantages that make them unique. Thats why it shouldnt come as a surprise that they have a lot of customers. Even though land-based casinos have a lot of loyal fans, it seems like the online betting platforms are slowly but steadily becoming more popular.

Lets check out a few reasons why we think that the online platforms will continue to have more customers.

1. Live Casino games

One of the things that you probably know is that online casinos have way more games than their alternatives. Thanks to world-class software providers, places like the ph.casino have more than enough games to keep you entertained for days to come.

Besides slots, regular table games, and jackpot titles, there is one specific game category that is becoming extremely popular: live casino games. Thanks to modern-day technologies, bettors can use their PC, smartphone, or tablet and play live casino games alongside real croupiers.

If you have a stable internet connection, you just have to enter the live casino section, choose one of the many tables, and compete against other people. The HD graphics and realistic sound effects will allow you to feel like you are in a real casino.

2. Demo mode

Depending on which online casino you go to, there is a pretty good chance that you can play some of the games without having to pay real money. Thats possible, thanks to an option known as demo mode or practice mode, depending on the platform. Even though this option only works for slots and regular table games, it is a great way to experience some of the things you will find in the casino without worrying whether you will lose your money.

Sadly, this is an option that you wont find on most land-based casinos. There might be some places where you could try out certain things for free, but this feature isn't as advanced as the one found on most online platforms.

3. Payment options

Another thing that has a massive impact on the popularity of online casinos is the payment options. If you choose a reputable gambling platform, there is a pretty good chance you can choose from an abundance of options.

Apart from credit/debit cars, you can also use e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, vouchers, and many other things. Even though some land-based casinos have started to implement some of those things, they still have a long way to go until they reach their online counterparts.

4. Convenience

Finally, online casinos will continue to be more popular than their land-based counterparts because they are convenient to use. All you need is a phone that is connected to the internet, and you can avail yourself of everything that the given place has to offer, no matter if you are at home or out with your friends.

Category: Casino Blog
What Is FINRA BrokerCheck?goldfish casino slots free coins

FINRA BrokerCheck is a free, online tool that helps individuals research brokers, investment firms, and financial advisers. Investors can obtain a variety of information, including descriptions, services offered, credentials, sanctions, and registrations, that may be helpful in the selection and vetting of an individual financial advice provider or brokerage firm.

BrokerCheck is offered and administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest non-governmental securities firm regulator in the United States. The data and information available in BrokerCheck come mainly from the Central Registration Depository (CRD), the securities industry online registration and licensing database, which provides broker and brokerage information, and the Securities and Exchange Commission's Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) database.

Key Takeaways

FINRA BrokerCheck is a free, online tool that helps individuals research brokers, investment firms, and financial advisers.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest non-governmental securities firm regulator in the U.S.

FINRA regulates all securities firms doing business in the United States and oversees approximately 3,500 brokerage firms, 160,000 branch offices, and 625,000 registered securities representatives.

Understanding FINRA BrokerCheck

FINRA BrokerCheck contains information on approximately 3,500 brokerage firms, 160,000 branch offices, and 625,000 registered securities representatives and is an explanatory tool that shows how to properly use and manage the information provided. With FINRA BrokerCheck, an investor can find a firm's history, learn of any indiscretions and locate and identify popular choices among investors.

What Information Does FINRA BrokerCheck Provide?

For brokers currently registered with FINRA or at some time within the last 10 years, FINRA BrokerCheck provides:

A report summary of a broker and their credentials.

Broker qualifications, such as current registrations or licenses, including exams that they have passed.

Registration and employment history including a list of securities firms with whom a broker is registered or was previously registered.

Disclosures regarding criminal, regulatory, civil judicial, or customer complaint activity.

BrokerCheck provides information on investment firms including:

A report summary of a firm and its history.

A firm profile detailing its leadership and ownership.

A firm's history of acquisitions, mergers, or name changes.

An operations section that includes the firm's licenses and registrations, what kind of business it engages in, and operational disclosures.

A disclosures section that includes information on arbitration awards, disciplinary events, and financial matters.

BrokerCheck does not contain any information that has not been disclosed to the CRD system, personal or confidential information, or judgments or liens. For more, see the FINRA BrokerCheck informational page and FAQs.

FINRA BrokerCheck Additional Resources

In addition to BrokerCheck, individuals considering hiring a broker or investment adviser should search the resources of their state securities regulators, which also oversee and may require the registration of brokers or advisers. FINRA also provides two additional supplementary databases: FINRA Arbitration Awards Online and FINRA Disciplinary Actions Online.

How Often Is BrokerCheck Updated?

Registered brokers and brokerage firms are required to update their professional and disciplinary information in the Central Registration Depository, CRD, within 30 days and information is available in BrokerCheck the next business day.

What If My Broker Has Complaints Listed on BrokerCheck?

Brokers are required to notify FINRA of customer complaints that allege misconduct related to the sale of financial products, even if the allegations are without merit. It is advisable to consider how many complaints the broker has received, over what period, and whether the claim alleges specific acts of misconduct by the broker, like unauthorized trading, or the unexpected failed investment product. A broker is allowed to provide comments and the investor should review those comments on the nature of the complaint. An investor can also ask the firm, broker, or the firms compliance department about the complaint.

How Can I Request a BrokerCheck Report?

FINRA BrokerCheck reports are free both online and by mail. FINRA will collect personal information only in those situations where a request is made that a BrokerCheck report is mailed.
Purpose of Curriculum Design

Types of Curriculum Design

Subject-Centered Curriculum Design

Learner-Centered Curriculum Design

Problem-Centered Curriculum Design

Curriculum Design Tips

Curriculum design is a term used to describe the purposeful, deliberate, and systematic organization of curriculum (instructional blocks) within a class or course. In other words, it is a way for teachers to plan instruction. When teachers design curriculum, they identify what will be done, who will do it, and what schedule to follow.

Purpose of Curriculum Design

Teachers design each curriculum with a specific educational purpose in mind. The ultimate goal is to improve student learning, but there are other reasons to employ curriculum design as well. For example, designing a curriculum for middle school students with both elementary and high school curricula in mind helps to make sure that learning goals are aligned and complement each other from one stage to the next. If a middle school curriculum is designed without taking prior knowledge from elementary school or future learning in high school into account it can create real problems for the students.

Types of Curriculum Design

There are three basic types of curriculum design:

Subject-centered design

Learner-centered design

Problem-centered design

Subject-Centered Curriculum Design

Subject-centered curriculum design revolves around a particular subject matter or discipline. For example, a subject-centered curriculum may focus on math or biology. This type of curriculum design tends to focus on the subject rather than the individual. It is the most common type of curriculum used in K-12 public schools in states and local districts in the United States.

Subject-centered curriculum design describes what needs to be studied and how it should be studied. Core curriculum is an example of a subject-centered design that can be standardized across schools, states, and the country as a whole. In standardized core curricula, teachers are provided a pre-determined list of things that they need to teach their students, along with specific examples of how these things should be taught. You can also find subject-centered designs in large college classes in which teachers focus on a particular subject or discipline.

The primary drawback of subject-centered curriculum design is that it is not student-centered. In particular, this form of curriculum design is constructed without taking into account the specific learning styles of the students. This can cause problems with student engagement and motivation and may even cause students to fall behind in class.

Learner-Centered Curriculum Design

In contrast, learner-centered curriculum design takes each individual's needs, interests, and goals into consideration. In other words, it acknowledges that students are not uniform and adjust to those student needs. Learner-centered curriculum design is meant to empower learners and allow them to shape their education through choices.

Instructional plans in a learner-centered curriculum are differentiated, giving students the opportunity to choose assignments, learning experiences or activities. This can motivate students and help them stay engaged in the material that they are learning.

The drawback to this form of curriculum design is that it is labor-intensive. Developing differentiated instruction puts pressure on the teacher to create instruction and/or find materials that are conducive to each student's learning needs. Teachers may not have the time or may lack the experience or skills to create such a plan. Learner-centered curriculum design also requires that teachers balance student wants and interests with student needs and required outcomes, which is not an easy balance to obtain.

Problem-Centered Curriculum Design

Like learner-centered curriculum design, problem-centered curriculum design is also a form of student-centered design. Problem-centered curricula focus on teaching students how to look at a problem and come up with a solution to the problem. Students are thus exposed to real-life issues, which helps them develop skills that are transferable to the real world.

Problem-centered curriculum design increases the relevance of the curriculum and allows students to be creative and innovate as they are learning. The drawback to this form of curriculum design is that it does not always take learning styles into consideration.

Curriculum Design Tips

The following curriculum design tips can help educators manage each stage of the curriculum design process.
What Is Tenor?ufc online betting casino top list

Tenor refers to the length of time remaining before a financial contract expires. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term maturity, although the terms have distinct meanings. Tenor is used in relation to bank loans, insurance contracts, and derivative products.

Key Takeaways

The term tenor describes the length of time remaining in the life of a financial contract.

By contrast, maturity refers to the initial length of a contract upon its inception.

Higher-tenor contracts are sometimes considered riskier, and vice versa.

Tenor is particularly important in a credit default swap because it coordinates the term remaining on the contract with the maturity of the underlying asset.

Understanding the tenor of a financial contract is crucial to analyze the contract's riskiness and maintain a steady cash flow.

Tenor

Understanding Tenor

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Tenor is often used in relation to bank loans and insurance contracts, whereas the term maturity is more often used when describing government bonds and corporate bonds. Colloquially, the two terms have very similar meanings, and they may be used interchangeably for different types of financial instruments.

The term tenor is also used in relation to non-standard financial instruments, such as derivative contracts. In this context, it is often used when describing the riskiness of a particular security.

For instance, a futures contract with a long tenor could be said to be relatively risky because there is still significant time in which its value might fall. Derivatives with shorter tenors would likewise be viewed as less risky. As compensation for this perceived risk, buyers of high-tenor securities will generally require compensation in the form of lower prices or higher risk premiums.

Depending on their risk tolerance and financial objectives, some investors may even systematically avoid securities with tenors longer than the specified period. For instance, a company wishing to manage its short and medium-term liquidity needs might buy and sell debt instruments with tenors of five years or less. In this context, adjustments might be made based on the perceived creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. For instance, a company might accept a five-year tenor for counterparties with high credit ratings, while limiting poorly-rated counterparties to tenors of three years or less.

Tenor vs. Maturity

From a technical perspective, tenor and maturity have distinct meanings. Whereas tenor refers to the length of time remaining in a contract, maturity refers to the initial length of the agreement upon its inception.

For example, if a 10-year government bond was issued five years ago, then its maturity would be ten years and its tenorthe time remaining until the end of the contractwould be five years. In this manner, the tenor of a financial instrument declines over time, whereas its maturity remains constant.

Example of Tenor

Alex is the chief financial officer (CFO) of a mid-size publicly traded corporation. As part of their portfolio of responsibilities, they must ensure that the company has adequate working capital to carry out its operations.

To that end, Alex buys and sells short and medium-term financial instruments with tenors ranging between one and five years. They do so in the corporate bond market as well as through over-the-counter derivative transactions with various counterparties.

Currently, Alex's portfolio includes several instruments from highly creditworthy counterparties with maturities of five years. Because they were purchased three years ago, these securities have tenors of two years. Their portfolio also includes instruments from counterparties with weaker credit ratings. For these instruments, they limit their maximum tenor to three years, in order to manage their counterparty risk.

Special Considerations

Tenor is particularly important in a credit default swap because it coordinates the term remaining on the contract with the maturity of the underlying asset. A properly structured credit default swap must match the maturity between contract and asset. If there is a mismatch between the tenor and the asset's maturity, then integration is not likely. Furthermore, coordination between cash flows (and subsequent calculation of yield) is only possible when tenor and asset maturity are linked.

Tenor FAQs

What Does Tenor Mean?

Tenor refers to the length of time remaining before a financial contract expires. It is often used interchangeably with the term "maturity."

What Is Tenor in Banking?

Tenor, in regards to banking, refers to the length of time that will be taken by the borrower to repay the loan along with the interest. Generally, a home loan tenure may be from 520 years with some banks allowing up to 25 years

What Is Maximum Tenor?

The loan tenor is typically between 5 and 25 years, with a maximum of 30 years, depending on the type of project and its debt servicing capability.

What Is Tenor Basis Risk?

Tenor basis risk is the risk that arises when a basis swap occurs. Despite re-pricing on the same date, being in the same currency, and being linked to the same benchmark, problems could arise when they re-price if they do so for different periods or tenors.

The Bottom Line

Understanding the tenor of any financial instruments a company may hold, such as a short- or long-term derivative, is crucial to maintaining a steady cash flow and analyzing a contract's riskiness.
Thenfl on sunday today show on The Spheres surface has rocked. But we are more interested in whats planned for inside.

The legendary rock band The Eagles are reportedly in talks with MSG Entertainment Corp CEO James Dolan to perform at the gorgeous, globular venue. The New York Post, citing two anonymous sources, reported Monday that Dolan and the band are locking in dates for a series at The Sphere.

That said, there is no verification the band is planning to play the venue. Reps for the venue have not commented on the report.

An Eagles spokesman said in an e-mail statement Friday:

The very first show of the Eagles final tour, The Long Goodbye, will kick off at MSG on Sept. 7 and the fan response worldwide has been incredible.
The UK-based betting and gaming company Ladbrokes announced that it was about to ink a dealwith another popular provider of gaming products and services  Gala Coral.The agreement between the two gaming giants was expected to be closed sometime in future.

Details about the potential deal were released at the end of June but according to the announcement, the talks were at an early stage. However, it seems that it is going to be closed really soon or to be more precise,within the next few days.

Once the idea for a collaboration between Ladbrokes and Gala Coral is materialized, the gambling industry is to be taken to new heights as there will be room for further growth and establishment of a powerful gambling empire.

Currently, Gala Coral is owned by major equity investors such as Candover Investments, Apollo Global Management and Cerberus Capital Management. Given the approaching completion of the deal, Ladbrokes is about to issue new shares in order to buy the Gala Coral, which is already a well-recognized bingo and casino operator not only in the UK but in Europe in general.

Gala Coral representatives stated they were convinced that the upcoming merger would bring benefits to the shareholders of both companies. What makes the agreement so noteworthy is the fact that the collaboration between two leading operators on the UK gambling scene poses a threat to prestigious operatorssuch as William Hill.

As soon as the deal between Ladbrokes and Gala is closed, they will have a total of 4,000 shops and a total value of 3.5 billion.

Ladbrokes representatives were reluctant to comment on the merger. They did not specify when a special statement on the matter will be released but confirmed that this is not going to happen this week.

The acquisition of Gala Coral has been among Ladbrokes top priorities for quite some time. Back in 1998, Ladbrokes attempted at buying Galabut the deal was prevented due to competition concerns.

In point of fact, the UK gambling market has undergone major changes over the last couple of weeks. The latest takeover was initiated by 888 Holdings, which acquired its competitor bwin.party for the amount of 898 million.

888 Holdings was not the only company interested in buying bwin.party, though. At the beginning of the month, bwin rejected two appealing offerings from GVC Holdings and William Hill.
dawbake / (dbek) / New Word List Save This classic wild slots murka slots eraWord! / (dbek) /Save ThisWord!

nounSouthwest English dialect a foolish or slow-witted person

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QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDavy Jones's locker, Davy lamp, Davys, daw, dawah, dawbake, dawdle, Dawes, Dawes Act of 1887, Dawes plan, dawkCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
WASHINGTON,betfair ipad best sites for craps Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mitch McConnell was re-elected as Republican leader in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

A longtime Senate Republican leader from Kentucky, McConnell defeated U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida reportedly in a 37 to 10 vote.

McConnell, 80, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that he's honored to have been re-elected to lead Republicans in Senate.

He vowed to fight what he called "Democrats' recklessness" and "promote our commonsense conservative vision."

McConnell's reelection came days after Democrats were projected to retain majority status in the upper chamber after the 2022 midterm elections.

Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Chuck Schumer on Tuesday accused Republicans of running with "extreme MAGA candidates" in the Nov. 8 races.

MAGA stands for Make America Great Again, a political campaign slogan popularized by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

A Republican, Trump announced Tuesday night that he would run for the White House again in a speech that critics said was full of false and misleading claims.

McConnell, who has had a tense relationship with Trump, told reporters on Wednesday that he's going to "stay out of" the 2024 presidential primary season.

"I think it's going to be a highly contested nomination fight with other candidates entering," he predicted.

All 435 seats of the U.S. House of Representatives were contested this year, with the control of the lower chamber still undetermined.

Republicans have won 217 seats, only one seat away from securing the House majority, versus 207 for Democrats with 11 seats still too close to call, according to media projections.

House Republicans nominated Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California congressman, on Tuesday to be the chamber's speaker next term.

It remains unclear who will lead House Democrats in the coming two years.

The new Congress will convene for the first time on Jan. 3, 2023.

In this year's midterm elections, 36 out of 50 states, as well as three U.S. territories, elected governors.

Numerous other state and local elections were also contested. 


Bet MGM announced launching BetMGM Casino in Michigan right after the online sports betting went live in the state on January 21.

The new online casino will deliver a wide range of legal online casino games for Michigans residents. Some of them include best-in-class online blackjack and roulette games to a host of slots. BetMGM Casino will provide players with various digital games, such as video poker, as well as other casino and slot games.

The app users will also have the chance to participate in slot tournaments, progressive jackpots that are exclusive only for Michigan users and a lot more.

BetMGMs online casino offerings are live infour states. Michigan is joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said: Reaction to the opening of MGM Grand Detroits BetMGM Sportsbook and Lounge has been incredible. Were thrilled to complement our retail offering with the launch of the BetMGM mobile app in Michigan,

He added: Michigan sports fans can access our interactive sports betting platform and exclusive line of casino games directly from their phone. The Wolverine State now has new ways to engage with the teams they love, while earning rewards from their gameplay.

David Tsai, President of the Midwest Group, MGM Resorts expressed his excitement for having to opportunity to offer the Michigan users a new and innovative way to engage with MGM brands. He added: This is yet another example of our continued commitment and investment in Detroit and Michigan and we are proud to be part of this historic launch.

All the new BetMGMs Michigan Casino product will be available on mobile phones, on both iOS and Android devices but also via desktop on stationary pcs and laptop devices.

Exclusive Access to MGM Resorts M Life Rewards Program

Another upside to using the new online casino is that players will also take advantage of MGM Resorts M life Rewards program. It allows Michigan customers to redeem their gameplayat MGM Resorts famous properties all over the globe, such as MGM Grand Detroit, Bellagio, ARIA and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Borgata in New Jersey and MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

As said earlier, the online gaming and sports betting in Michigan went live on January 22. A few days before that, the full list of casinos/providers to launch online sports betting were announced by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

According to the list BetMGM is accompanied by many other well-known platforms, including DraftKings, William Hill, Barstool Sportsbook, TwinSpires, Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Rust Street, FanDuel, PointsBet and Wynn.

Source:Michigan online casino and iGaming  BetMGM launches app , Sportsbook Wire, January 22, 2021
What is zodiac casino 1 dollarSpeculation?

In the world of finance, speculation, or speculative trading, refers to the act of conducting a financial transaction that has substantial risk of losing value but also holds the expectation of a significant gain or other major value. With speculation, the risk of loss is more than offset by the possibility of a substantial gain or other recompense.

An investor who purchases a speculative investment is likely focused on price fluctuations. While the risk associated with the investment is high, the investor is typically more concerned about generating a profit based on market value changes for that investment than on long-term investing. When speculative investing involves the purchase of a foreign currency, it is known as currency speculation. In this scenario, an investor buys a currency in an effort to later sell that currency at an appreciated rate, as opposed to an investor who buys a currency in order to pay for an import or to finance a foreign investment.

Without the prospect of substantial gains, there would be little motivation to engage in speculation. It may sometimes be difficult to distinguish between speculation and simple investment, forcing the market player to consider whether speculation or investment depends on factors that measure the nature of the asset, expected duration of the holding period and/or amount of leverage applied to the exposure.

Speculation

How Does Speculation Work?

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For example, real estate can blur the line between investment and speculation when buying property with the intention of renting it out. While this would qualify as investing, buying multiple condominiums with minimal down payments for the purpose of reselling them quickly at a profit would undoubtedly be regarded as speculation.

Speculators can provide market liquidity and narrow the bid-ask spread, enabling producers to hedge price risk efficiently. Speculative short-selling may also keep rampant bullishness in check and prevent the formation of asset price bubbles through betting against successful outcomes.

Mutual funds and hedge funds often engage in speculation in the foreign exchange markets as well as bond and stock markets.

Key Takeaways

Speculation refers to the act of conducting a financial transaction that has substantial risk of losing value but also holds the expectation of a significant gain

Without the prospect of substantial gains, there would be little motivation to engage in speculation.

Consider whether speculation depends on the nature of the asset, expected duration of the holding period and/or amount of applied leverage.

Speculation

Speculation and the Forex Market

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Forex markets execute the world's highest total volume and dollar value, with an estimated $6.6 trillion per day changing hands between buyers and sellers. This market trades around the world for 24 hours a day while positions can be taken and reversed in seconds, utilizing high-speed electronic trading platforms.

Transactions typically feature spot deals to buy and sell currency pairs, such as EUR/USD (Euro-US Dollar), for delivery through options or simple exchange. This market is dominated by asset managers and hedge funds with multi-billion-dollar portfolios. Speculation in the forex markets can be hard to differentiate from typical hedging practices, which occur when a company or financial institution buys or sells a currency to hedge against market movements.

For example, a sale of foreign currency related to a bond purchase can be deemed either a hedge of the bond's value or common speculation. These relationships can get complicated to define if the currency position is bought and sold multiple times while the fund owns the underlying bond.

Speculation and the Bond Market

The global bond market is valued at over $100 trillion, of which approximately $40 trillion is based in the United States, and these assets may include debt issued by governments and multinational corporations. Asset prices can fluctuate greatly and are strongly influenced by interest rate movement as well as political and economic uncertainties. The largest single world market trades U.S. Treasuries, with prices in that venue often driven by common speculation.
In 1987, The Deer Hunter was hailed at the Moscow Film Festival as an important portrayal of the horrors of war.

A worn couch sitting squarely before a wood veneer wall, accented by the head of a deer.

So we picked out the song (Rhiannon, click here for video), and Deer Tick learned it.

She actually had never been to a Deer Tick show before, but she liked it a lot.

A drawing of what was deemed a deer pig was also sent through the uranium decay ringer. The Oldest Cave Art May Not Be in Europe|Justin Jones|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Fern cases were very much in vogue some years ago, and this is really a very delightful way of cultivating the plants. How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin

Never grasp a Fern plant from above and try to pull it away, as this will be almost sure to result in damage. How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin

If properly dried and pressed, it is possible to preserve the Fern fronds with a great deal of their natural colour. How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin

Within were the park and the deer, and the mansion rearing its brilliant columns amidst the redundant groves of a Spanish autumn. The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Therequest crypto price prediction inexorable momentum of the gaming industry seemingly has no end in sight.

The American Gaming Association Wednesday announced that its Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker reported gaming industry revenue of $16.07 billion in the second quarter of 2023. Its the tenth consecutive quarter in which gaming revenue has risen and is an 8.1% year-over-year increase.

The quarter also is the second-highest grossing ever in gaming, behind 2023s first quarter total of $16.6 billion. The $32.71 billion in gaming revenue over first two quarters of 2023 also is a record for a half year, and is estimated to have generated $7.28 billion in tax revenue for state and local governments.

While commercial gaming is on track for an unprecedented third consecutive year of record revenue, the lasting impact were making on our communities through this record growth is even more impressive, said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller in a statement.

The Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker indicates the 12.9% growth rate of the first half of 2023 will generate the most gaming tax revenue ever.

Other breakouts from the report:

Land-based gaming accounts for more than 75% of total commercial revenue, but year-over-year growth is driven by online sports betting and igaming.

Second-quarter revenue from land-based slots, table games, and retail sports reached $12.38 billion, a year-over-year increase of 0.9%.

Online gaming revenue was $3.68 billion for the quarter, an increase of 43.1% over the second quarter of 2022. This growth is attributed to the launch of mobile sports betting in Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio over the past year.

Sports betting, both online and land-based, generated $2.3 billion in revenue, a record for any second quarter, and a year-over-year increase of 56.6%.

Revenue from igaming was $1.48 billion, a tie with the first quarter of 2023 for the highest quarter ever and an increase of 22.5% over 2022s second quarter.

These results are a clear indication that our post-pandemic recovery wasnt a fluke: the gaming sector continues to thrive, and when we do well, our communities do well, Miller said. To sustain this momentum, the AGA will continue enlisting more allies in our fight against the illegal market, bolstering responsible gaming, and building a business environment that allows our innovative industry to bring world-class entertainment to adults across America.
China will open the first Russian-Chinese university jointly with Moscow State University (MSU) in Shenzhen in 2016. All the costs of construction, equipment and management fee of the university will be covered by China.

MSU Rector Viktor Sadovnichii said that courses in the new university will be conducted in three languages - Russian, Chinese and English, and graduates will receive two diplomas.

The contribution of MSU  is intellectual property, educational programs, the brand  said Sadovnichii.

According to the Vice Rector of MSU Sergei Shakhrai that the Shenzhen campus covers 30 hectares of land, construction is already underway. On September 1, 2016, students of Russian-Chinese university will be able to study at their new buildings.

Students from Russia and China will study in the new university. They will be able to practice in the largest corporations in both countries. The major courses of Russian-Chinese university will be Russian language and literature, culture and arts, information technology and applied mathematics, economics, international trade, law, finance. Later the list will include chemistry, physics, health, space exploration, engineering, transport systems and logistics.

It is expected that such an ambitious project will promote and popularize Russian language and culture, as well as cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. One of the purposes of setting up the new university is training staff to participate in Russian-Chinese joint projects and support Far East, where skilled specialists with modern technology and knowledge of foreign languages are needed. Another object of the Russian-Chinese university is to strengthen the position of Moscow State University in international rankings.

Russia and China to establish joint universityadded by chinatimesonline on

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What is wnba shark oddsa Guaranteed Renewable Policy?

A guaranteed renewable policy is an insurance policy feature that ensures that an insurer is obligated to continue coverage as long as premiums are paid on the policy. While re-insurability is guaranteed, premiums can rise based on the filing of a claim, injury, or other factors that could increase the risk of future claims.

Key Takeaways

A guaranteed renewable policy is an insurance policy feature that ensures that the insurer is obligated to continue coverage as long as premiums are paid on the policy.

With a guaranteed renewable policy, re-insurability is guaranteed but premiums can rise based on the filing of a claim, injury, or other factors that could increase the risk of future claims.

Most insurers offer both guaranteed renewable policies and non-cancellable policies; the non-cancellable policy will offer the double guarantee of re-insurability and locked-in premiums.

Understanding Guaranteed Renewable Policies

Most insurers offer both guaranteed renewable policies and non-cancellable policies. If premiums are similar for both a guaranteed and a non-cancellable policy, the non-cancellable policy is a better deal for the consumer because it offers the double guarantee of re-insurability and locked-in premiums.

In total, insurers typically offer three types of policies: non-cancellable plus guaranteed renewable, guaranteed renewable, and conditionally renewable.

Non-Cancellable and Guaranteed Renewable Policy

A non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy guarantees that there will be no changes to your premium schedule, your monthly benefits or your policy benefits up to age 65 (or another specified age) unless you request them. The exception to this is if you file a claim, experience an injury, or if there is some other factor that the insurance company believes increases the risk of future claims. In this case, the insurance company can raise your premiums.

This type of policy is often elected when purchasing disability insurance. Most people cannot know for certain that their income will never go down in the future. If you purchase a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policyeven if your income goes down later in life and you are totally disabledthe company will pay you the total disability benefit you originally placed in-force.

Even though there is not a drastic price difference, non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies typically cost more than guaranteed renewable policies. Non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies are generally preferred because the policyholder will not be impacted if an insurance company announces a massive rate increase in the future.

Guaranteed Renewable Policy

This insurance policy is not as comprehensive as a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy. With a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy, the policyholder can choose to make changes to their premium schedule, monthly benefits, or policy benefits.

With a guaranteed renewable policy, that choice belongs to the insurance company and most insurance companies will try to decrease their liability if they can.

Conditionally Renewable Policy

A conditionally renewable policy offers the least benefits to the policyholder compared to the other two policiesnon-cancellable and guaranteed renewable, and guaranteed renewable. A conditionally renewable policy offers no guarantee that your same benefits will be renewed every year; the insurance company can change the conditions of your policy every year if they choose to.
What Is a Provident Fund?free bingo on registration no deposit

A provident fund is a compulsory, government-managed retirement savings scheme used in Singapore, India, and other developing countries. In some ways, these funds resemble a hybrid of the 401(k) plans and Social Security used in the U.S. They also share some traits with employer-provided pension funds.

Workers give a portion of their salaries to the provident fund and employers must contribute on behalf of their employees. The money in the fund is then held and managed by the government and eventually withdrawn by retirees or, in certain countries, their surviving families. In some cases, the fund also pays out to the disabled who cannot work.

Key Takeaways

A provident fund is a compulsory, government-managed retirement savings scheme used in Singapore, India, and other developing countries.

Both the employee and employer contribute to a fund that aims to provide financial support to the employee when they reach retirement.

A provident fund is managed by the government, with set minimum and maximum contribution levels.

How do Provident Funds Work?

How a Provident Fund Works

1:17

The money held in private savings accounts continues to grow in many developing countries, but it's still rarely enough to provide most families with a comfortable life in retirement.

The challenge of retirement has been further deepened by social change. Societies in the developing world are still catching up with the rapid rise of industrialization, the movement of citizens from rural areas to urban centers, and changing family structures. In traditional societies, for example, the elderly were provided for by their extended families. But declining birth rates, widely dispersed family members, and longer life expectancies have made it more difficult to sustain this age-old safety net.

For these reasons and more, governments in many developing countries have stepped in to provide long-term financial support to retirees and other vulnerable populations. A provident fund finances such support in a way that readily scales payouts to the available balance and enlists employers and workers to help cover the cost.



Contributions and Withdrawals

Each national provident fund sets its own minimum and maximum contribution levels for workers and employers. Minimum contributions can vary depending on a workers age. Some funds allow individuals to contribute extra to their benefit accounts, and for employers to also do so, to further benefit their workers.

Governments set the age limit at which penalty-free withdrawals are allowed to begin. Some pre-retirement withdrawals may be allowed under special circumstances, such as medical emergencies. Additionally, in South Africa, provident fund payouts can be claimed at any age if the person has been a non-resident for three years over an uninterrupted period.

In many countries, those who work past the minimum retirement age may face restricted withdrawals until full retirement. If a worker dies before receiving benefits, the surviving spouse and children may be able to receive survivors' benefits.

Provident funds differ from another vehicle sometimes used in the developing world, the sovereign wealth fund, which is funded through royalties obtained from the development of natural resources.

Provident Fund vs. Social Security vs. 401(k)

As is the case with U.S. Social Security, the money in provident funds is held by the government, not by private financial institutions. The government or a provident-fund board largely or entirely decides how contributions are invested.

Some countries such as Singapore outline the interest rate individuals can expect on their premiums. For example, through a longevity insurance annuity scheme, the government will provide up to 6% interest rates. Included in this is up to 2% extra interest provided by the Singaporean government.

Meanwhile, Social Security is managed by the Department of Treasury, where effective interest rates are determined by a formula originating in 1960. Broadly speaking, interest rates are similar to the average yield on Treasury securities which are four years from maturing. In 2020, the estimated effective interest rate on Old Age and Survivor Insurance was 2.6%.

Where some provident funds differ from Social Security is that they are held in individual accounts instead of a group account. With such provident funds, the ownership resembles the arrangements with a U.S. 401(k). However, unlike a 401(k), where the individual determines how the money is invested, the government makes the investment decisions instead.
The Forbidden City, which lies along Beijings Central Axis Photo: VCG

The final round of selection of winning photographs focusing on the Beijing Central Axis that have been collected from the public started on Wednesday in Beijing. It is part of the 2022 Competition for the Transmission and Promotion of the Beijing Central Axis, which has attracted submissions from thousands of shutterbugs.The first 50 photography works in the final round are from young people aged 6 to 17 years old, according to the organizing committee, and the evaluators finally selected 30 photos.The Beijing Central Axis, seen as one of the most important representations of Chinese civilization, refers to the core area of the ancient capital city that stretches for 7.8 kilometers from the Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the north. This area tells the stories of the emperors from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as well as recording the lives of both popular figures and common people.Through promotional activities and forums, more Chinese people have developed an interest in learning and better understanding the history and culture of the Beijing Central Axis.Beijing student Yang Tianlin, 16, is one example. The organizers of the competition told the Global Times that Yang built an astronomical club at his high school in September 2022 and he was inspired by the Beijing Central Axis to organize his members to film the starry sky on the central axis.Yang held four photography activities to film the stars along the central axis and when waiting to shoot the star trail that usually needs more than two hours, Yang rode along the central axis with his friends to appreciate the scenery of the ancient capital.Zhou Bo, a well-known photographer focusing on stars and a member of the China Star Vision Alliance, commented that the photos showing the starry sky on the central axis not only reflect the natural beauty of the cultural heritage but also demonstrate that Beijings air condition and environment have been improved as capturing a starry sky relies on the ecological environment.Following the photography event, diverse activities such as selection of ambassadors for the central axis and developing cultural creative products will be launched consecutively, and the events will gather more domestic and overseas people from all walks of life and at different ages.
Online gambling content and technology provider Playtech has further expanded its presence in the regulated New Jersey iGaming market with the recent launch of its casino offering across BetMGMs network in the Garden State.

BetMGM is an online sports betting and casino gaming brand owned and operated by Roar Digital, the joint venture between US casino operator MGM Resorts International and European gambling powerhouse GVC Holdings.

The two companies formed their joint venture two years agowhen the US Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting in a bid to explore together expansion opportunities in regulated wagering and gaming markets across the nation.

As part of its recent deal with BetMGM, Playtech has agreed to provide its new partner with access to its industry leading online casino contentand related software. The games have become available across BetMGM Casino as well as Borgata Online and PartyCasino NJ. The latter two brands are, too, operated by Roar.

Playtech made its first foray in New Jersey (and the US as a whole) in August when its casino content went live with bet365s operationin the Garden State. The gambling provider said back then that that was the first of many milestones it anticipates to reach in the coming months as part of its US expansion plans.

Deal Demonstrates Strength of Playtechs US Proposition

Commenting on their further expansion in New Jersey and alliance with BetMGM, Playtech CCO Shimon Akad said that they are delighted to go live in the state with the leading operator and that the recent rollout is an exciting first step in our partnership which will see us launch in further states with BetMGM.

Mr. Akad went on to say that their strategic deal with BetMGM demonstrates the strength of Playtechs US propositionand the appeal of our gaming offering in the region as we continue to launch our pipeline of new US licensees.

Playtech is able to deliver its casino content in New Jersey after it obtained regulatory approval from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement this past May.

BetMGM VP of Gaming Matthew Sunderland said of their partnership with Playtech that it has enabled their players in New Jersey to enjoy casino games from one of the worlds leading suppliers of gambling softwareand that this launch continues to build on the iGaming brands current leadership in gaming in New Jersey.

BetMGM has announced a slew of content supply deals with top European providers in recent weeks. Late in August, the operator announced an alliance with Live Casino specialist Evolution Gaming. The deal will see BetMGM as well as its sister brands in New Jersey, Borgata Online and PartyCasino, go live with the providers live table games and game show-style products. BetMGM will also be able to roll out Evolutions titles in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Last week, the operator announced that it has expanded its existing partnership with NetEnt to make the suppliers content available in the regulated iGaming market of West Virginia. BetMGM launched its online casino offering in that state in August.

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What Is a Term Deposit?info rtp slot pragmatic

A term deposit is a fixed-term investment that includes the deposit of money into an account at a financial institution. Term deposit investments usually carry short-term maturities ranging from one month to a few years and will have varying levels of required minimum deposits.

The investor must understand when buying a term deposit that they can withdraw their funds only after the term ends. In some cases, the account holder may allow the investor early terminationor withdrawalif they give several days notification. Also, there will be a penalty assessed for early termination.

Examples of term deposits include certificates of deposit (CDs) and time deposits.

Key Takeaways

A term deposit is a type of deposit account held at a financial institution where money is locked up for some set period of time.

Term deposits are usually short-term deposits with maturities ranging from one month to a few years.

Typically, term deposits offer higher interest rates than traditional liquid savings accounts, whereby customers can withdraw their money at any time.

Term Deposit

Term Deposit Explained

1:02

When an account holder deposits funds at a bank, the bank can use that money to lend to other consumers or businesses. In return for the right to use these funds for lending, they will pay the depositor compensation in the form of interest on the account balance. With most deposit accounts of this nature, the owner may withdraw their money at any time. This makes it difficult for the bank to know ahead of time how much they may lend at any given time.

To overcome this problem, banks offer term deposit accounts. A customer will deposit or invest in one of these accounts, agreeing not to withdraw their funds for a fixed period in return for a higher rate of interest paid on the account.

The interest earned on a term deposit account is slightly higher than that paid on standard savings or interest-bearing checking accounts. The increased rate is because access to the money is limited for the timeframe of the term deposit.

Term deposits are an extremely safe investment and are therefore very appealing to conservative, low-risk investors. The financial instruments are sold by banks, thrift institutions, and credit unions. Term deposits sold by banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) provides coverage for those sold by credit unions.

How a Bank Uses a Term Deposit

If a customer places money in a term deposit, the bank can invest the money in other financial products that pay a higher rate of return (RoR) than what the bank is paying the customer for the use of their funds. The bank can also lend the money out to its other clients, thereby receiving a higher interest rate from the borrowers as compared to what the bank is paying in interest for the term deposit.

For example, a lender may offer a 2% rate for term deposits with a two-year maturity. The funds deposited are then structured as loans to borrowers who are charged 7% in interest on those notes. This difference in rates means that the bank makes a net 5% return. The spread between the rate the bank pays its customers for deposits and the rate it charges its borrowers is called net interest margin. Net interest margin is a profitability metric for banks.

Banks are businesses, as such, they want to pay the lowest rate possible for term deposits and charge a much higher rate to borrowers for loans. This practice increases their margins or profitability. However, there is a balance the bank needs to maintain. If it pays too little interest, it won't attract new investors into the term deposit accounts. Also, if they charge too high of a rate on loans, it won't attract new borrowers.

Term Deposits and Interest Rates

In periods of rising interest rates, consumers are more likely to purchase term deposits since the increased cost of borrowing makes savings more attractive. Also, with higher market interest rates, the financial institution will need to offer the investor a higher rate of interest, so the investor also earns more.

When interest rates decrease, consumers are encouraged to borrow and spend more, thereby stimulating the economy. In a low interest rate environment, demand for term deposits can decrease since investors can typically find alternative investment vehicles that pay a higher rate.

Typically, interest rates should be proportional to the time until maturity, and the minimum amount of principal lent to the credit union or bank. In other words, a six-month term deposit will likely pay a lower interest rate than a two-year term deposit. Investors not only receive a higher rate for locking up their money with the bank for extended periods, but also should earn a higher rate for large deposits. For example, a jumbo CD, which is a term deposit above $100,000, will receive a higher interest rate than a $1,000 CD.

Opening or Closing a Term Deposit

Term deposits are also called certificates of deposits. Customers can view the conditions of the term deposit via a paper statement. This statement includes the required minimum principal amount, the interest rate paid, and the duration (or time to maturity), as agreed by the bank and the depositor.

If a customer wants to close a term deposit before the end of the term, or maturity, the customer will be subject to a penalty. This penalty may include the loss of any interest paid on the deposit account until that point. Closing the CD before the term ends lets the customer take back the principal amount invested but with the forfeiture of the earned interest.

The penalty for withdrawing prematurely or against the agreement is stated at the time of opening a term deposit, as required by the Truth in Savings Act.

Sometimes, if interest rates have risen considerably, it might be worth it for a customer to close the term deposit early, take the penalty for the early withdrawal, and reinvest the funds elsewhere at a higher rate. It's important to be sure that the alternative rate is high enough to more than compensate for the original rate on the term deposit plus the cost of the penalty.

When a term deposit is nearing its maturity date, the bank holding the deposit will usually send a letter notifying the customer of the upcoming maturity. In the letter, the bank will ask if the customer wants the deposit renewed again for the same length to maturity. The rollover will likely be at a different rate based on the market interest rate at that time. Alternatively, the customer has the option of placing the funds in another financial product.

Investors holding retirement CDs should speak to a financial planner or tax advisor who can explain the different regulations involved in early withdrawal from these investments.

Inflation and Term Deposits

Unfortunately, term deposits do not keep up with inflation. The inflation rate is a measure of how much prices rise in a given year. If the rate on a term deposit is 2% and the inflation rate in the U.S. is 2.5%, theoretically, the customer is not earning enough to compensate for price increases in the economy.

Laddering Strategy

Rather than investing a large lump sum into one term deposit, an investor may use a strategy that spreads out the funds between several CDs. This strategy for investing using term deposits is to distribute an investment evenly over a set number of years with maturities coming at regular intervals. This laddering investment strategy locks in the interest rates with the CDs at longer terms having higher rates than those with shorter terms. As the CDs mature, the customer can choose to use the money for income by withdrawing the funds or roll those funds into another CD to continue the ladder. The method allows the investor to have access to funds as they mature.

For example, an investor can deposit $3,000 each into a five, four, three, two, and one-year term deposit. One of the CDs matures each year, which allows the customer to either withdraw the money for expenses or roll the funds into a new account. The new term deposit will have a rate based on the current market rate. This method is popular for retirees who need to withdraw a set amount of income each year from their savings to pay for living expenses.

The strategy can be used while investing with the same credit union or bank, or across several different institutions. The investor can either withdraw the principal and interest upon maturity or reinvest the funds if they are not needed.

Term deposits offer a fixed rate of interest over the life of the investment.

Term deposits are risk-free, safe investments since they're either backed by the FDIC or the NCUA.

Various maturities allow investors to stagger end-dates to create an investment ladder.

Term deposits have a low minimum deposit amount.

Term deposits pay higher rates for larger initial deposit amounts.

Interest rates paid on term deposits are typically lower or less attractive than most fixed-rate investments.

Term deposits can't be withdrawn early without penalty or losing all of the interest earned.

Interest rates don't keep up with rising inflation.

Interest rate risk exists if investors are locked in a low-rate term deposit while overall interest rates are rising.

Example of Term Deposits

ProsCons

Wells Fargo Bank (WFC) is one of the largest consumer banks in the U.S. and offers several types of term deposits. Below are a few of the bank's CDs along with the interest rates paid to depositors as of Mar. 19, 2022:

A six-month CD with a minimum $2,500 deposit pays 0.01%.

A one-year CD with a minimum $2,500 deposit pays 0.01%.

Please note that the interest rates being offered by the bank can change anytime for new CDs and might be different depending on the state in which the branch is located.
Mr. Chairman,betway data free link

Promotion and protection of human rights is the unremitting pursuit and common objective of all countries. Over the past years, progress has been made in international human rights endeavors, but there are still many difficulties and challenges ahead.

As for developing countries, achieving the right to development remains a bumpy road. Due to the impact of the international economic and financial crisis, the crisis of food and energy security, natural disasters and regional turbulence, the problems such as imbalance between the North and South and trade barriers have gained prominence, the developmental environment of developing countries has worsened, the task of attaining the MDGs has become more challenging. To achieve the right to development still remains a long and uphill battle.

All kinds of discrimination, especially racism, continue to exist extensively. Discrimination based on race, color, gender and religion remains serious, the living situation of people of African descent and other minority groups is yet to be improved, and new forms of racism, such as instigation of racial and religious hatred and discrimination of immigrants, are on increase.

International human rights endeavors continue to be plagued by double standard and politicization. A small number of countries are still using country-specific resolutions as instruments to put pressure on developing countries. In violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, they interfere in other countries internal affairs at the excuse of protecting civilians and defending human rights. China is deeply concerned over such practice.

Mr. Chairman,

China is of the view that, to address the difficulties and challenges facing international human rights endeavors, the international community should unswervingly abide by the following principles:

First, firmly adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Under the current circumstances, it is of special significance and relevance to abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, maintain the authority and role of the United Nations, and comply in good faith with the principle of non-interference in other countries internal affairs. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries should be fully respected, and the internal affairs of a country can only be determined by its own people. The international community should respect the political system a country has chosen of its own accord, respect the path of human rights development pursued independently by a country, and respect the diversity of civilizations.

Second, resolutely abandon the practices of politicization and double standard on human rights issues. Promotion and protection of human rights is a lofty cause. The undertaking should not be reduced to an instrument used for political purposes. A few countries turn a blind eye to human rights violations in their own countries while pointing fingers at and finding fault with the human rights situations of other countries. They fabricate problems, amplify small problems, and engage in politicization, selectivity and double standard. This has seriously poisoned the sound development of international human rights endeavors. China is firmly opposed to this practice and urges relevant countries concerned to have a serious reflection and treat human rights issues in a fair, objective and tolerant manner.

Third, engage in human rights dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. People of all countries are entitled to human rights and basic freedom. This is the universal pursuit and common ideal of mankind. Due to the impact of economic development levels, cultural traditions and different stages of social development, however, countries differ in their interpretation of human rights, and they are faced with different challenges. World diversity is a precious asset for the development of the human society. It should be regarded as an enabling condition for countries to draw on each others strengths and learn from one another, rather than serve as an excuse for big and rich countries to bully small and poor ones. Countries need to act in the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, seek common ground while shelving differences, and learn from each other so as to make common progress through exchanges based one quality and mutual respect.

Fourth, put greater emphasis on the realization of the right to development. The right to development is the basis for all other human rights. Given the negative implications of the economic and financial crisis, the international community should attach greater importance to the right to development, and other forms of economic, social and cultural rights such as the rights to subsistence, food and health. To attain the targets listed in the Declaration on the Right to Development and the MDGs at an early date, developed countries need to show greater political will, take practical measures to fulfill their commitments in terms of capital and technology transfer, debt relief and market access, and help developing countries improve their capacity for independent development and fully achieve the right to development.

Fifth, eliminate all forms of discrimination and safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups. Racism is the common enemy of all mankind. China finds it regrettable that some countries boycotted the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to Commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of the Adoption of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action. China maintains that the international community should fully implement the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, adopt zero tolerance toward racism, and do its utmost to eliminate the root causes of racism. All countries should also continue to pay close attention to vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, the disabled, immigrants and indigenous people, and ensure that everybody enjoys equality and dignity.

Sixth, further improve the United Nations work in the field of human rights. China welcomes the completion by the Human Rights Council of the first round of 193 countries under the Universal Periodic Review. China stands ready to work with all parties to turn the UPR into an important platform for countries to engage in dialogue and exchanges of experience on an equal footing. China maintains that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights should act in an objective and fair manner, increase the transparency of its work, and accept the monitoring of the Human Rights Council. The human rights special mandate-holders and treaty bodies should follow the Code of Conduct, and strengthen dialogue and exchanges with countries concerned. It is essential to consult to State Parties in carrying out reform of treaty bodies and strive for widest possible consensus.

Mr. Chairman,

China categorically rejects the groundless accusations against China made by the distinguished representatives of the European Union and the United States in their statements. We strongly urge the EU and the US to put your own houses in order before you point fingers at others

Over the past 30 years and more since the inception of reform and opening up, China has made great strides in its human rights endeavors. China has found a path for human rights development with Chinese characteristics that is suited to Chinas national conditions. The path is featured by putting people first, taking reform as its motivating force, development as its key and rule of law as its guarantee to promote the comprehensive and coordinated development of civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development. This year, China has accomplished as scheduled all the targets and tasks set by its National Human Rights Plan of Action (2009-2010), and is now formulating the National Human Rights Plan of Action (2012-2015). Chinas human rights endeavors will continue to make progress along with the development of Chinas modernization drive.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of Chinas restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations. Over the four decades, China has taken an active part in international human rights exchanges and cooperation, and has enriched the human rights concepts and practices of the United Nations with its own mode of human rights development. China has now ratified or acceded to 25 international conventions on human rights. We have been engaged in human rights dialogue and exchanges with many countries and maintained sound relations and cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms. China will continue to strengthen its human rights exchanges and cooperation with all countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect, increase mutual understanding, reduce disputes, learn from each other for common progress and make tireless efforts for the sound development of international human rights endeavors.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

2011/10/26

Statement by Ambassador Wang Min at the Third Committee of the Sixty-sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Human Rightsadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Ever since the election,tunica queen riverboat Nancy Pelosi says, congressional Democrats have been begging her to remain as their leader. Of course, she knew what they were really doing: currying favor, just in case.

Our members were just exploding my phone to stay, she says, which is a nice thing, because if I dont stay, then theyve gotten the points for saying stay, and if I do she trailed off, laughing. No matter what she decided, they knew it would be in their interest to be on her good side going forward.

For two decades, it has been in every congressional Democrats interest to stay in Pelosis good graces. Since winning her first leadership position in 2001, she has ruled the House Democratic caucus with an iron fist and a velvet glove, keeping her fractious party in near-lockstep during historically tumultuous times. From the Iraq War to the financial crisis, through health-care reform and government shutdowns, through two presidential impeachments, a pandemic and an insurrection attempt, she has been a constant force and consummate operator. No national politician of her era can match her combination of legislative prowess, vote-counting savvy, negotiating skill, and fundraising ability.

On Thursday, it was finally time to move onsort of. Shortly after noon, she gave a brief speech on the House floor, announcing that she would not seek re-election as leader of the House Democrats. It was time, she said, for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect. Yet she couldnt bring herself to step away completely: she owed it to her constituents in San Francisco, she said, to stay on as a rank-and-file member of Congress and finish her two-year term. Like the man who fakes his own death and then sneaks into the funeral, she would stick around to see how her people tried to get along without her.

Nancy Pelosi waves to colleagues while being nominated as the next Speaker of the House during a swearing in ceremony for the 110th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC., on Jan. 4, 2007. Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

Just after her speech, the 82-year-old House Speaker sat at a white-clothed table in a small, ornate room off the House floor known as the Board of Education, a hidden chamber where former Democratic Speaker Sam Rayburn used to hole up and relax. Then-vice president Harry Truman was playing cards with Rayburn here in 1945 when he learned that FDR had died and he would become President. One wall Rayburn had painted with a Texas seal; on two others, Pelosi recently added her own touches: a painting of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a tribute to womens suffrage.

Pelosi was contemplating the not-quite-end of the era and struggling to unwrap a package of chocolate-chip cookies. What was important to me was how we did in the election, because we were on a bad path, she told a small group of reporters. Storming the Capitol, really? And the reaction of Republicans, not taking a stand? And I knew we could win.

Her party had just lost the House, weeks after a crazed intruder broke into her California home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer. But it hardly felt as if Pelosi was giving up in defeat. In an election that history and many forecasters predicted would deliver a Republican wave, Democrats surprisingly held their own. The resulting GOP majority will be a narrow one, with the Senate remaining in Democrats hands.

The Oct. 28 attack on Paul Pelosi, the Speakers husband of 59 years, influenced her decision to remain in Congress, but not in the way many people thought. It was not, Oh, well, since they did that, I cant even think of something else, she says. No, it had the opposite effect. I couldnt give them that satisfaction.

Read More:Nancy Pelosi Doesnt Care What You Think Of Her.

This steely tenaciousness, this refusal to let others decide her path, is a running theme of my biography of Pelosi. It has been the hallmark of her political career, from forcing her way into the male-dominated ranks of congressional leadership to standing up to former President Donald Trump. As the youngest child and only daughter of three-term Baltimore mayor Thomas DAlessandro, politics was in Pelosis blood; she first set foot on the House floor as a young child, when her father was serving in Congress. But when she finally ran for office herself at the age of 47after raising five children and serving for decades as a political fundraiser, strategist and volunteerit was from a different coast, under a different name, with a political identity all her own.

Nancy Pelosi at election headquarters on primary election night, on April 7, 1987. Deanne FitzmauriceSan Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Ask Pelosi about her legacy, and the first thing shell mention is the Affordable Care Act. However flawed and incomplete the 2010 laws guarantee of universal access to health care may have proven, it represented the fulfillment of a century of liberal aspirations, and the pinnacle of Pelosis legislative craft. She moved mountains to get it through the House, at one point nearly breaking down in tears as she begged a group of liberal feminists to swallow an unsavory compromise on abortion funding. Then, after a special election robbed Democrats of their supermajority in the Senate, she urged then-President Obama not to give up on the historic legislation. If the gates closed, you go over the fence, she said at the time. If the fence is too high, well pole-vault in. If that doesnt work, well parachute in. But were going to get health-care reform passed for the American people. Though most of the drama around the bills passage revolved around the Senate, it never could have happened without Pelosis determination and drive.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stands behind President Barack Obama as he signs the Affordable Health Care for America Act during a ceremony with fellow Democrats in the East Room of the White House on March 23, 2010. Win McNameeGetty Images

She did it knowing there might be a political cost, and indeed there was. Republicans gained 63 seats in the House in the 2010 midterm elections, an election in which Pelosi was a central figure. Republicans made her the subject of millions of dollars worth of attack ads across the country, capitalizing on their bases visceral loathing of her and giving Peosi unusual prominence for a congressional leader.

But Pelosi believed in gaining power not for its own sake but in order to do something with it. Obamacare is part of a legacy that includes two decades of liberal policy victories, from allowing gay people to serve openly in the military to the historic climate investments of this years Inflation Reduction Act. This is a very difficult job, she told us. You have to really know how to be a legislator.

These legislative successes were all the more remarkable for the era in which they came. Faced with unrelenting Republican opposition, she held together the diverse Democratic caucus and drove a hard bargain in negotiations across the aisle. After Donald Trump became president, she led her party back to power, becoming Speaker for the second time in 2019 in the middle of a government shutdown over border-wall funding. Pelosi refused to budge, and Trump soon capitulated. She would go on to impeach him twice while simultaneously negotiating with his Administration to secure trillions in COVID-19 relief funding.

Read More: Why Nancy Pelosi Is Going All In Against Trump.

Pelosi rejects the notion that she bears any blame for the toxic state of politics. I dont take any responsibility for what the Republicans have done to the Congress. This is not about gridlock, she says. This isnt about some sort of equivalence between Democrats and Republicans. They are anti-science, anti-government, and thats where they are.

The GOPs lack of decency was apparent in many Republicans reaction to her husbands attack, Pelosi says. Just think if your spouse were in that situation and people would make a joke of it, like it was funny, she added. Collecting money for bail for the perpetrator, putting out a conspiracy theory about what it was about. Its so horrible to think that the Republican Party has come down to this. This attitude, she says, was part of what voters recoiled from the midterms.

Mark WilsonGetty Images (2); Chip SomodevillaGetty Images; Jim WatsonPool/AFP/Getty Images

Pelosi never groomed a successor, something for which she was often criticized. Ambitious Democrats languished for decades waiting for an opening in House leadership. She has often expressed the view that power is never given but must be taken by those who seek it. I didnt think that was the right approach, to anoint somebody, she told us Thursday. Its really important for people to have the legitimacy that they were chosen by the members.

A free-for-all appears unlikely. Pelosis longtime deputy Steny Hoyer, a fellow Marylander who has known her since they worked for the same Senator in 1963, announced Thursday that he would also stay in Congress but not in leadership. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the 52-year-old chair of the Democratic caucus, appears almost certain to win the minority leader position in the Democratic leadership elections scheduled for Nov. 30, becoming the first Black man to lead a party in Congress. The first woman Speaker, in passing the torch, will make history once again.

Pelosi intends to spend the next two years in valedictory mode. My life ahead is full of thank-yous, she says, to her constituents and all the others who have supported her over the years. She does not plan to serve on any committees and she does not want to serve as a sort of shadow speaker from the sidelines. Thanksgiving is coming, she says. I have no intention of being the mother-in-law in the kitchen saying, My son doesnt like the stuffing that way, this is the way we make it in our family. They will have their vision. They will have their plan. Its up to the caucus to decide which way they want to go.
BANGKOK,correct score prediction today Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies met here on Friday to discuss ways to promote sustainable development and facilitate trade and investment.

Addressing the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the leaders would exchange views on supporting economic growth and sustainable development, leading the region towards a better future.

Making its Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model high on the agenda, Thailand hopes the BCG economy model would further promote sustainable development and environmental protection goals, said Prayut, chairman of the meeting.

It is the first in-person meeting of the APEC economic leaders since 2018, which was held under the theme of "Open, Connect, Balance" -- to open to all opportunities, to connect in all dimensions and to balance in all aspects.

APEC, established in 1989, is a premier regional economic forum with an aim to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders met as the global economic recovery is facing multiple challenges of rising inflation, heightened geopolitical tensions, climate change and prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

With nearly 40 percent of the world population, the 21 APEC member economies account for about half of global trade and over 60 percent of the world's total gross domestic product. 
What Is a Proportional Tax?real bet9ja bangbet app download

A proportional tax is an income tax system that levies the same percentage tax to everyone regardless of income. A proportional tax is the same for low, middle, and high-income taxpayers. Proportional taxes are sometimes referred to as flat taxes.

In contrast, a progressive tax or marginal tax system adjusts tax rates progressively by income. Low-income earners are taxed at a lower rate than high-income earners.

Key Takeaways

A proportional tax system, also referred to as a flat tax system, assesses the same tax rate on everyone regardless of income or wealth.

Proportional taxation is intended to create greater equality between marginal tax rates and average tax rates paid.

Proponents of proportional taxes believe they stimulate the economy by encouraging people to spend more and work more because there is no tax penalty for earning more.

Understanding Proportional Taxation

A proportional tax allows people to be taxed at the same percentage of their annual income. Supporters of a proportional tax system propose that it gives taxpayers incentive to earn more because they are not penalized with a higher tax bracket. Also, flat tax systems make filing easier. Critics of flat taxes argue the system places an unfair burden on low-wage earners in exchange for lowering tax rates on the wealthy. Critics, however, believe that a progressive tax system is fairer than a flat tax system.

In some instances, a sales tax can also be considered a type of proportional tax since all consumers, regardless of earnings, are required to pay the same fixed rate. The sales tax rate applies to goods and services, and the income of the purchaser is not a part of the equation. Other examples include poll taxes and the capped portion of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll deductions.

Russia is the largest nation in the world to use a flat tax. Russia imposes a 13% flat tax on earnings. As of January 1, 2021, progressive taxation was introduced to Russia. Russians earning more than 5 million rubles ($73,000) a year will pay 15% tax on all income above that level.

Example of Proportional Taxes

In a proportional tax system, all taxpayers are required to pay the same percentage of their income in taxes. For example, if the rate is set at 20%, a taxpayer earning $10,000 pays $2,000 and a taxpayer earning $50,000 pays $10,000. Similarly, a person earning $1 million would pay $200,000.

Pros and Cons of Proportional Taxes

Proportional taxes are a type of regressive tax because the tax rate does not increase as the amount of income subject to taxation rises, placing a higher financial burden on low-income individuals. A tax is said to be regressive if it has an inverse association where the average tax carries less impact on higher-income individuals or businesses.

Opponents of the proportional tax have claimed that higher-income earners should pay a higher percentage than taxpayers with lower incomes. They perceive the system as placing a more significant burden on middle-income earners to carry a large portion of government spending. While the percentage of tax is the same, which can be regarded as fair, the after-tax effect on low-income earners is more burdensome than for high-income earners.

To understand a proportional tax system, it is important to also look at how it defines income. If a system has generous deductions, then low-income earners may be exempt from tax, thus eliminating, at least in part, the regressive aspects of the tax. Variations of the proportional tax include allowing mortgage deductions and setting lower income levels.
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The following idioms and expressions use the noun 'head.' Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with 'head.'

Able to do something standing on one's head

Definition: do something very easily and without effort

He's able to count backward standing on his head.

Don't worry about that. I can do it standing on my head.

Bang your head against a brick wall

Definition: do something without any chance of it succeeding

I've been banging my head against a brick wall when it comes to finding a job.

Trying to convince Kevin is like banging your head against a brick wall.

Beat something into someone's head

Definition: teach someone something by repeating it over and over again

Sometimes you just need to beat grammar into your head.

My father beat the importance of kindness into my head.

Bite someone's head off

Definition: criticize someone strongly

Tim bit my head off last night at the party.

Don't bit my head off just because I made a mistake.

Bring something to a head

Definition: cause a crisis to happen

We need to bring the situation to a head to get a resolution.

The immigration situation brought the political crisis to a head.

Bury one's head in the sand

Definition: ignore something completely

You're going to have to face the situation and not bury your head in the sand.

He chose to bury his head in the sand and not confront her.

Can't make heads or tails out of something

Definition: not be able to understand something

I hate to admit that I can't make heads or tails out of this math problem.

The politicians can't make heads or tails out of the current employment crisis.

Drum something into someone's head

Definition: repeat over and over until someone learns something

I had to drum German grammar into my head for two years before I could speak the language.

I suggest you drum this into your head for the test next week.

Fall head over heels in love

Definition: fall deeply in love

She fell head over heals in love with Tom.

Have you ever fallen head over heels in love?

From head to toe

Definition: dressed or covered in something completely

He's dressed in blue from head to toe.

She's wearing lace from head to toe.

Get a head start on something

Definition: begin doing something early

Let's get a head start on the report tomorrow.

She got a head start on her homework immediately after school.

Get your head above water

Definition: keep going in life despite many difficulties

If I can find a job I'll be able to get my head above water.

Study these pages and you'll get your head above water.

Get someone or something out of one's head

Definition: remove someone or something from your thoughts (often used in the negative)

I'm really upset that I can't get her out of my head.

She spent three years getting those experiences out of her head.

Give someone a head's start

Definition: let someone else begin before you in a competition of some kind

I'll give you twenty minutes head's start.

Can you give me a head's start?

Go over someone's head

Definition: not be able to understand something

I'm afraid the joke went over her head.

I'm afraid the situation goes over my head.

Go to someone's head

Definition: make someone feel better than others

His good grades went to his head.

Don't let your success go to your head. Stay humble.

Have a good head on your shoulders

Definition: be intelligent

She's got a good head on her shoulders.

You can trust him because he's got a good head on his shoulders.

Head someone or something off

Definition: arrive before someone or something else

Let's head them off at the pass.

We need to head the problem off.

Hit the nail on the head

Definition: be exactly right about something

I think you hit the nail on the head.

His answer hit the nail on the head.

In over one's head

Definition: do something that is too difficult for a person

I'm afraid Peter is in over his head with Mary.

Do you ever feel that you're in over your head?

Lose your head

Definition: become nervous or angry

Don't lose your head over the situation.

She lost her head when he told her he wanted a divorce.

Learn more idioms and expressions in English with resources on the site, including stories with multiple idioms and expressions in context.
The fear of violence should not determine what one does or does not say.

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 his view, a writer has only one duty: to be present in his books.

Added to drinking water at concentrations of around one part per million, fluoride ions stick to dental plaque.

The al Qaeda-linked gunmen shot back, but only managed to injure one officer before they were taken out. France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Practise gliding in the form of inflection, or slide, from one extreme of pitch to another. Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick

He alludes to it as one of their evil customs and used by them to produce insensibility. Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

There was a rumor that Alessandro and his father had both died; but no one knew anything certainly. Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

Truth is a torch, but one of enormous size; so that we slink past it in rather a blinking fashion for fear it should burn us. Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
What Is a Trade Deficit?dodgers dbacks prediction

A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports during a given time period. It is also referred to as a negative balance of trade (BOT).

The balance can be calculated on different categories of transactions: goods (a.k.a., merchandise), services, goods and services. Balances are also calculated for international transactionscurrent account, capital account, and financial account.

Key Takeaways

A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports during a given period.

Balances are calculated for several categories of international transactions

Trade deficits can be shorter or longer term.

Implications of a trade deficit depend on impacts on production, jobs, national security and how the deficits are financed.

Understanding Trade Deficits

A trade deficit occurs when there is a negative net amount or negative balance in an international transaction account. The balance of payments (international transaction accounts) records all economic transactions between residents and non-residents where a change in ownership occurs.

A trade deficit or net amount can be calculated on different categories within an international transaction account. These include goods, services, goods and services, current account, and the sum of balances on the current and capital accounts.

The sum of the balances on the current and capital accounts equals net lending/borrowing.

This also equals the balance on the financial account plus a statistical discrepancy. The financial account measures financial assets and liabilities, in contrast to purchases and payments in the current and capital accounts.

Image by Sabrina Jiang  Investopedia 2020

The most relevant balance depends on the question being asked and the country about which it is being asked. In the U.S., the International Transaction Accounts are published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The current account includes goods and services, plus primary and secondary income payments.

Primary income includes payments (financial investment returns) from direct investment (greater than 10% ownership of a business), portfolio investment (financial markets), and other.

Secondary income payments include government grants (foreign aid) and pension payments, and private remittances to households in other countries (e.g., sending money to friends and relatives).

The capital account includes exchanges of assets such as insured disaster-related losses, debt cancellation, and transactions involving rights, like mineral, trademark, or franchise.

The balance of the current account and capital account determines the exposure of an economy to the rest of the world, whereas the financial account (tracking financial assets, rather than products or income flows) explains how it is financed. In principle, the sum of the balances of the three accounts should be zero, but there is a statistical discrepancy because of source data used for the current and capital accounts is different from the source data used for the financial account.

Trade deficits occur when a country lacks efficient capacity to produce its own products  whether due to lack of skill and resources to create that capacity or due to preference to acquire from another country (such as to specialize in its own goods, for lower cost or to acquire luxuries).

Trade Deficit

Advantages of Trade Deficits

1:34

The most obvious benefit of a trade deficit is that it allows a country to consume more than it produces. In the short run, trade deficits can help nations to avoid shortages of goods and other economic problems.

In some countries, trade deficits correct themselves over time. A trade deficit creates downward pressure on a country's currency under a floating exchange rate regime. With a cheaper domestic currency, imports become more expensive in the country with the trade deficit. Consumers react by reducing their consumption of imports and shifting toward domestically produced alternatives. Domestic currency depreciation also makes the country's exports less expensive and more competitive in foreign markets.

Trade deficits can also occur because a country is a highly desirable destination for foreign investment. For example, the U.S. dollar's status as the world's reserve currency creates a strong demand for U.S. dollars. Foreigners must sell goods to Americans to obtain dollars. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, foreign investors held over four trillion dollars in Treasuries as of October 2019. Other nations had to run cumulative trade surpluses with the U.S. totaling over four trillion dollars to buy those Treasuries. The stability of developed countries generally attracts capital, while less developed countries must worry about capital flight.

Disadvantages of Trade Deficits

Trade deficits can create substantial problems in the long run. The worst and most obvious problem is that trade deficits can facilitate a sort of economic colonization. If a country continually runs trade deficits, citizens of other countries acquire funds to buy up capital in that nation. That can mean making new investments that increase productivity and create jobs. However, it may also involve merely buying up existing businesses, natural resources, and other assets. If this buying continues, foreign investors will eventually own nearly everything in the country.

Trade deficits are generally much more dangerous with fixed exchange rates. Under a fixed exchange rate regime, devaluation of the currency is impossible, trade deficits are more likely to continue, and unemployment may increase significantly. According to the twin deficits hypothesis, there is also a link between trade deficits and budget deficits. Some economists believe that the European debt crisis was caused in part by some EU members running persistent trade deficits with Germany. Exchange rates can no longer adjust between countries in the Eurozone, making trade deficits a more serious problem.

Real World Example

The U.S. holds the distinction of having the world's largest trade deficit since 1975. The U.S. imported and consumed significantly more electronics, raw materials, oil, and other items than it sold to foreign countries.
What Is Form 6251: Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals?paytm game real cash bet365 lotto

Form 6251: Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form used to determine the amount of alternative minimum tax (AMT) that a taxpayer may owe. Some taxpayers with higher incomes can claim certain deductions that allow them to reduce their regular tax obligation. The AMT sets an upper limit on how much that deduction can be as a way of ensuring that wealthier individuals pay an adequate amount of taxes. If you are among those to whom it applies, you'll pay the AMT instead of standard income taxes.

Key Takeaways

Form 6251 is used to determine if taxpayers owe alternative minimum tax instead of standard income tax.

The AMT was designed to ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.

Changes to the AMT that were part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act greatly reduced how many taxpayers are required to pay it.

The IRS raised the AMT in 2023 to $81,300 (75,900 in 2022) for individuals and $126,500 ($118,100 in 2022) for joint filers who are married.

Created in 1969, the AMT is a tax system parallel to the regular income tax.

Understanding Form 6251: Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals

Each taxpayer must evaluate whether or not they must pay AMT each year. Depending on your income level, you may not need to.

The AMT is a tax system parallel to the regular income tax. It was enacted in 1969 and was originally designed to identify and collect taxes owed by a limited number of wealthy individuals and families who were otherwise avoiding income taxes.

It does this by limiting the number of itemized deductions that can be claimed by a taxpayer. Deductions for state and local taxes are not allowed, for example. In addition, taxpayers impacted by the AMT cannot take the standard deduction.

The AMT has two rates (26% and 28%) versus the seven federal tax brackets, which range from 10% to 37%.

How to File Form 6251: Alternative Minimum Tax-Individuals

Form 1040: U.S. Individual tax Return includes a worksheet that allows a taxpayer to determine whether AMT is owed, but it only provides basic computations. Form 6251 is more detailed and will give a more accurate answer, and simply completing it does not mean that it has to be filed. Alternatively, you can use tax software or enlist a tax pro. Only if there is AMT owed will Form 6251 have to be attached to Form 1040.

The AMT requires affected taxpayers to calculate their tax bill under the ordinary income tax system and again under the AMT, paying the higher of the two amounts. After calculating your AMT, you can claim an exemption based on your filing status.

The AMT exemption is much higher than the standard exemption but phases out when you reach a certain income level. In 2023, the AMT exemption for individual filers is $81,300 ($75,900 in 2022) and for married joint filers, $126,500 ($118,100 in 2022). The exemption begins to phase out when income reaches $578,150 for individual filers and $1,156,300 for married joint filers.

All pages of Form 6251 are available on the IRS website.

Special Considerations

A lack of inflation adjustments caused the AMT to apply to a much larger group of taxpayers than originally intended. Congress had passed annual inflation adjustments to limit the reach of the AMT before instituting a permanent fix of indexing future exemption levels to inflation as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

The AMT collected $4.7 billion in 2019, about 0.3% of individual income tax revenue but significantly less than the $36.2 billion collected in 2017. This decrease was mainly due to changes to the AMT that were part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Starting in 2018, for example, TCJA triggered a higher AMT exemption and the level at which the exemption begins to phase out.
how to get binance wallet addressshows grade level based on the word's complexity. decastylos [ dek-uh-stahy-los ]/ dk sta ls / 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.[ dek-uh-stahy-los ]/ dk sta ls /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nouna decastyle building, as a classical temple.

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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 decastylosFrom Latin; see origin at decastyledecarboxylate, decarboxylation, decarburize, decare, decastyle, decastylos, decasualize, decasyllabic, decasyllable, decathect, decathleteDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) is the financial crimes intelligence and enforcement agency keeping residents safe from serious financial crimes. The government watchdog has begun proceedings against SkyCity Adelaide in Federal Court alleging systemic and serious non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules.

The civil case follows the announcement of anotherlast month against Star Entertainment Groupfor the same types of lapses in corporate responsibility generally.

The action by AUSTRAC wouldnt appear to come as a surprise to corporate governors as it was warned about in October during Skys Annual General Meeting.

SkyCity has been under investigation since mid-2021 when indiscretions were exposed during an industry-wide campaign on compliance launched by authorities in late 2019.

Deputy CEO of AUSTRAC, Peter Soros said in a report on the agencys website that systemic failuresin SkyCitys approach to AML/CTF obligations had been identified.

Soros said, AUSTRACs investigation identified a range of circumstances where SkyCity failed to carry out appropriate ongoing customer due diligence.

SkyCity also failed to develop and maintain a compliant AML/CTF program, leaving it at risk of criminal exploitation.

Framework Didnt Exist for Proper Oversight

A laundry list of offenses is alleged in the announcement including assertions that the companyfailed to recognize the riskit faces for money laundering and potential terrorist financing as well as the likelihood of risk as well as the potential impact. The company also allegedly failed to identify and respond to those risks changing over time.

Suspicious activity monitoring was not possible to achieve appropriately due to the scale of the problem and the complexity and size of the casino operation.

High-risk customers were not subjected to appropriate enhanced due diligenceand additional checks.

Another allegation as the watchdog enters the penalty phase of the enforcement action states that no appropriate framework existedto give senior management and the board appropriate oversight of the AML/CTF that were in place.

Operator Ignored Risks

Additionally, it is alleged that Sky Did not include in its AML/CTF programs appropriate risk-based systems and controls to mitigate and manage the risks to which SkyCity was reasonably exposed.

Finally, the agency contends that Sky failed to conduct appropriate due diligenceon a variety of customers who presented higher risks for money laundering.

Soros explained, The requirement for regulated entities to have appropriate AML/CTF controls and systems in place is not optional and should be taken seriously by all businesses regulated by AUSTRAC, Soros said.

AUSTRAC continues to work with SkyCity to ensure it complies with its obligations under the AML/CTF Act and to ensure it continues to meet its obligations in the future.

This is the third civil penalty proceeding AUSTRAC has brought against businesses operating in the casino sector. It should serve as a warning to casinos and all other businesses regulated by AUSTRAC to take their AML/CTF obligations seriously and comply with the AML/CTF Act and AML/CTF Rules.

Source: Another hit for Australias casinos as AUSTRAC launches civil penalty proceedings against SkyCity Adelaide, Inside Asian Gaming, December 7, 2022
David I [ dey-vid ]/ de vd / New Word List Save This best free bonus casinoWord! [ dey-vid ]/ de vd /Save ThisWord!

noun10841153, king of Scotland 112453.

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How to use David I David I noun10841153, king of Scotland (112453) who supported his niece Matilda's claim to the English throne and unsuccessfully invaded England on her behalf 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!QuestionD'Avenant, davenport, Daventry, David, David Copperfield, David I, Davidic, David II, Davidson, Davidson Current, DavieDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Unstated Interest Paid?nfl week 1 parlay current bitcoins

Unstated interest paid is the amount of money the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assumes has been paid to the seller of an item that has been sold on an installment basis. Unstated interest must be calculated in some cases when you have sold an item on installment basis, but have charged the customer little or no interest. Because interest income must sometimes be treated differently than other types of income, it may be necessary to estimate which portion of an installment payment is actually interest income.

Understanding Unstated Interest Paid

Unstated interest paid is only calculated for contracts in which interest payments are not included, or when the interest charged falls below the test rate of interest. If a contract or invoice describes both an interest payment and a principal payment, the interest payment is referred to as stated interest. Stated interest in an installment contract must be greater than the test rate of interest, which in most cases is the based on the applicable federal rates (AFRs).

The applicable federal rate is calculated by the IRS and published monthly online and by various financial news sources. The IRS publishes three different applicable rates: short-term, mid-term and long-term rates.  The short-term rate is calculated by averaging the rates the government pays on bond issues with maturities of three years or less. The mid-term rate is derived from averaging the rate paid on Treasury securities between three and nine years in maturity, while the long-term rate is based on issues of ten years or longer in maturity. To calculate unstated interest paid, sellers of goods paid for on installment should choose the applicable federal rate based on the length of the installment contract.

Example of Unstated Interest Paid

Lets say that Ernies Tractor Supply company sells a tractor to a customer for $10,000, and allows the customer to pay for the tractor in installments: $5,000 in six months from now, and another $5,000 one year from now. On the customer contract for this installment plan, there is no amount that is stipulated for interest paid. For tax purposes, you may need to recognize that this arrangement involves the implicit lending of the customer two $5,000 loans: one with a maturity of six months, and the other for one year.

If the applicable federal rate for this loan is 2% per year, then the interest you would pay on the two $5,000 loans would end up being roughly $150 dollars. The IRS would assume that you have sold the Tractor for $9,850 and issued two loans that paid interest income of $150.
What Is a Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificate?ninja panda jackpots

In Canada, a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is a deposit investment sold by Canadian banks and trust companies. People often purchase them for retirement plans because they provide a low-risk fixed rate of return and are insured, to a degree, by the Canadian government.

These are marketed in Canada in much the same way U.S. banks market Certificates of Deposit to their customers. In the United States, GICs are created and promoted by insurance companies and have a slightly different client focus.

Key Takeaways

A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is an investment sold by Canadian financial institutions.

When buying a GIC, investors deposit money in the bank for a fixed length of time, receiving interest on that money and the principal when the investment matures.

Understanding Canadian Guaranteed Investment Certificates

The GIC works much like a certificate of deposit in the U.S. In the case of GICs, you deposit money in the bank and earn interest on that money. The catch is, the money must be deposited for a fixed length of time, and interest rates vary according to how long that commitment is. When you buy a GIC, you are basically lending the bank money and getting paid interest in return for the favor.

GICs are considered safe investments because the financial institutions that sell them are legally obligated to return investors' principal and interest. Even if the bank fails, investors are insured for up to 100,000 Canadian dollars by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (GDIC).

How Banks Profit From Guaranteed Investment Certificates

A bank's profit is the difference between lending rates and the rates they pay on GICs. If mortgage rates are at 8% and GICs are at 5%, then that 3% difference is the bank's profit.

GICs offer a return that is slightly higher than Treasury bills (or T-bills), making them an excellent option to diversify a stream of liquid, safe securities in a portfolio. As noted above, many Canadian banks and trust companies sell GICs. While a trust company does not own the assets of its customers, it may assume some legal obligation to take care of them.

In these instances, trust companies act as fiduciaries, agents, or trustees on behalf of a person or business entity. They are a custodian and must safeguard and make investment selections that are solely in the interest of the outside party. GICs, along with T-bills, Treasury bonds, and other income-producing securities are often good options in these cases because they are safe, generally liquid, and produce streams of cash, particularly for older investors, retired, and might not have a steady salary anymore.

GICs and U.S. Treasury Securities

Other forms of safe and income-producing securities are U.S. Treasury securities, including T-bills, T-notes, and T-bonds.

T-Bills mature at either 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks. They have the shortest maturities of any government bonds. The U.S. government issues T-Bills at a discount, and they mature at par value. The difference between the purchase and sale prices is essentially the interest paid on the bill.

T-Notes have longer maturity terms of 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years slightly. The U.S. government issues Treasury notes at a $1,000 par value, and they mature at the same price. T-notes pay interest semiannually.

Finally, T-Bonds (also referred to as the long bond) are essentially identical to T-Notes except that they mature at 30 years. Like T-notes, T-Bonds are issued and mature at a $1,000 par value and pay semi-annual interest.

GICs and U.S. government securities can be cornerstones of certain portfolio strategieseither those that rely on safe streams of income or as a base that balances out riskier investments such as growth stocks and derivatives.
What Is a Trade Sanction?demo slot lucky neko

Trade sanctions are legal restrictions on trade with a country. Trade sanctions are a subcategory of economic sanctions, which are economic penalties imposed on a country to accomplish policy goals beyond the sanctioned economic activity.

Key Takeaways

Trade sanctions are restrictions on trade with a country for reasons of foreign policy.

Trade sanctions can be imposed to alter objectionable policies or to punish them.

Export and import restrictions are the most common type of trade sanction.

The embargo is the most severe trade sanction as a blanket prohibition on trade.

Tariffs and quotas can also be used as trade sanctions but more frequently shield domestic producers from foreign competition.





Understanding Trade Sanctions

Trade sanctions can be used to punish a particular policy or to increase its costs and encourage a change in behavior. Sanctions may be unilateral, imposed by a single country, or multilateral if agreed by multiple nations. Sanctions may be also be adopted by international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council.

Multilateral sanctions can be particularly effective, but even unilateral sanctions imposed by a major economic power like the U.S. can mobilize broad public support while providing an alternative to the use of military force.

Critics of sanctions often cite the harm they can do to civilians not responsible for their government's policies. Trade sanctions also hurt the sanctioned countries' trade partners from the sanctioning jurisdictions.

Trade Sanction Mechanisms

The most common types of trade sanctions are non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and embargoes. Non-tariff barriers may include export licensing regimes or outright export and import bans for specified products and services. Quotas and tariffs are not typically deployed as sanctions, though they can be altered or maintained as part of a sanctions regime. Asset freezes and seizures are part of the broader economic sanctions toolbox and can certainly hinder trade, but are not a trade sanction specifically,

Embargoes

An embargo is the most severe trade sanction, as a general prohibition of most trade with the sanctioned country. For example, the U.S. maintains trade embargoes against Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Russian-occupied Crimea in Ukraine, barring all imports and exports without a license authorization from the U.S. government.

Export Restrictions

Export restrictions, including licensing requirements and outright bans, typically target advanced technology transfers to government or private trade partners in a sanctioned country. They often target industries implicated in the actions under sanction and others considered particularly valuable to the sanctioned country.

For example, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government in February 2022 restricted U.S. exports to Russia as well as third-party exports using U.S. technology in semiconductors, telecommunication, encryption security, lasers, sensors, navigation, avionics, and maritime technologies. In March 2022, the U.S. banned exports of oil and gas refining technology to Russia and imposed sweeping export restrictions on Belarus for that country's role in aiding the Russian invasion.

Import Restrictions

Import restrictions and outright bans target the import of products or services from the sanctioned country. Proposals to ban imports of Russian crude oil in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets in March 2022. Standing European Union bans on imports of Syrian weapons and Somali charcoal have attracted less attention.

Tariffs and Quotas

Because tariffs and quotas limit trade but don't ban it entirely, they are more often used to curb trade flows out of economic motivations (such as encouraging domestic employment, for example) rather the for reasons of foreign policy. U.S. use of tariffs as a foreign policy tool expanded dramatically during the Trump administration.

Still, economic sanctions have been incorporated into U.S. tariff and quota regimes for a long time. The Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 sought to withhold the most-favored-nation status guaranteeing non-discriminatory tariffs from non-market economies restricting emigration. Initially applied to the Soviet Union and China, the Jackson-Vanik amendment was repealed for China in 2000 and supplanted for Russia and Moldova by the Magnitsky Act of 2012. The Jackson-Vanik amendment remains in force for Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Trade quotas are a less common sanctions tool than tariffs, but have been used as well. In 1983 the U.S. cut Nicaragua's sugar import quota by 90% as part of an effort to oust the country's government. The quota was restored in 1990.

The Bottom Line

Western leadership in global trade and advanced technologies makes trade sanctions an attractive policy alternative to the use of force in international disputes.

The effectiveness of trade sanctions depends on how widely they are adopted by the sanctioned country's trading partners, and the degree to which they target its most valuable industries and leadership. The effectiveness of sanctions also depends on the responses of the sanctioned country.

The effectiveness of trade sanctions is not confined to instances of a sanctioned country reversing policies to have sanctions lifted, though that has happened, notably in apartheid-era South Africa. Sanctions can be considered effective if their outcome is preferable to the expected outcome in their absence, or even if they merely impose costs on the sanctioned country and register the sanctioning country's disapproval.
What Is a Financial Risk Manager (FRM)?the basics of winning video poker

Financial Risk Manager (FRM) is a professional designation issued by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).

The GARP FRM accreditation is globally recognized as the premier certification for financial risk professionals dealing in financial markets. To earn the FRM certification, candidates must pass two rigorous exams and also work two years in the field of risk management.

FRMs possess specialized knowledge in assessing risk and typically work for major banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, regulatory agencies, and asset management firms.

Key Takeaways

Financial Risk Managers (FRM) are accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).

FRMs specialize in assessing risk for major banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, regulatory agencies, and asset management firms.

FRM certification requires passing a two-part exam and completing two years of work experience in financial risk management.

Benefits of earning the FRM certification include professional recognition (FRM is the global standard in the field), boosting job prospects, commanding a higher income, and becoming a better overall risk manager.

The CFA is a tougher designation to acquire overall, but FRM is a more specialized certification.

Understanding Financial Risk Managers (FRMs)

An FRM identifies threats to assets, earning capacity, or the success of an organization. FRMs may work in financial services, banking, loan origination, trading, or marketing. Many specialize in areas like credit or market risk.

FRMs determine risk by analyzing financial markets and the global environment to predict changes or trends. It is also the FRM's role to develop strategies to counteract the effects of potential risks.

Financial risk managers (FRMs) are required to be accredited by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).

The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) Program

The FRM exam covers the application of risk management tools and techniques to the investment management process.

To receive the FRM designation, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive, two-part exam and complete two years of work experience in financial risk management.

Professionals who hold the FRM designation can participate in optional continued professional development. The FRM program follows the major strategic disciplines of risk management: market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and investment management. The exam is recognized in over 90 countries and is designed to measure a financial risk manager's ability to manage risk in a global environment.

The questions are practical and related to real-world work experiences. Candidates are expected to understand risk management concepts and approaches as they would apply to a risk manager's day-to-day activities.

Part 1 of the FRM exam is 100 questions that focus on the following four topics (weight as such):

Foundations of risk management (20%)

Quantitative analysis (20%)

Financial markets and products (30%)

Valuation and risk models (30%)

Part 2 of the exam consists of 80 questions from the following topics (weighted as follows):

Market risk measurement and management (20%)

Credit risk measurement and management (20%)

Operational risk and resiliency (20%)

Liquidity and treasury risk measurement and management (15%)

Risk management and investment management (15%)

Current issues in financial markets (10%)

$134,180

The median annual salary of financial managers and FRMs in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industry Outlook for Financial Risk Managers (FRMs)

In 2018, the median pay for financial managers including FRMs was $127,990 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment of FRMs is expected to grow much quicker than the average for all occupations at 16% from 2018 to 2028. The Bureau states that "the core functions of financial managers, including risk management and cash management, are expected to be in high demand over the next decade."

Naturally, the vast majority of FRMs are employed in the financial services industry. But the demand for good risk management teams is high in all areas of the economy; from healthcare and engineering to technology and natural resources.

According to GARP, these are the top 10 companies employing the most FRMs:

ICBC Bank of China HSBC Agricultural Bank of China Citigroup KPMG Deutsche Bank Credit Suisse UBS PwC

FRM vs. CFA

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is one of the most recognized financial designations in the world. Where FRM is considered the "gold standard" of financial risk managers, the CFA has the same level of reputation among financial analysts.

Since both the CFA and FRM seek to certify professionals in the financial industry, they're often compared with one another.

The basic difference between the two is this: FRM is a more specialized designation than the CFA Charter. The CFA covers a wide range of topics related primarily to investment management, including financial analysis, corporate finance, equities, bonds, derivatives, and portfolio management.

The FRM, on the other hand, focuses primarily on managing exposure to a variety of risks including operational risk, credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk.

Ther FRM and CFA also have different requirements.

To earn your FRM certification, you must:

Pass both Part 1 and Part 2 of the FRM exams

Have two years worth of professional financial risk experience

To earn your CFA Charter, you must:

Have a bachelor's degree (or be in the final year of your bachelor's program) in order to start the CFA Program

Pass Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the CFA exams

Become a member of the CFA Institute

Have 4,000 hours worth of experience in an investment-related role

Advantages of the FRM Designation

There are several advantages to earning the FRM certification.

First, there is the reputational aspect that comes with the program. It is widely regarded as the risk management industry's leading designation. Thus, it is a strong indication of ability and experience within the field. In other words, the FRM carries significant weight with employers and colleagues.

Given how rapidly financial markets are changing, the demand for risk management experts will likely only grow over time.

The second benefit is the obvious educational one. As mentioned earlier, the FRM certification provides professionals with a thorough understanding of risk management. In practical terms, that means knowing how to anticipate, respond, and adapt to critical risks.

FRM FAQs

Is CFA Better or FRM?

That largely depends on your career path. Generally speaking, FRMs are meant for managerial roles that focus specifically on risk (i.e., credit risk manager, regulatory risk manager, operational risk manager, etc.). On the other hand, CFA Charterholders are primarily investment management professionals (i.e., investment analyst, portfolio manager, financial adviser, etc.).

Is FRM Tougher Than CFA?

FRM exams are tough, but not as difficult as the CFA exams.

The pass rates for FRM Part 1 usually fall in the range of 40% and 50%. For Part 2, they range between 50% and 60%.

For the CFA exams, historical pass rates for Level 1 and Level 2 are generally in the range of 40% and 50%. Level 3 pass rates are usually in the ballpark of 50%. It's this combination of lower pass rates and one more exam that makes the CFA tougher than the FRM.

How Much Does the FRM Cost?

The FRM charges a one-time enrollment fee of $400 to first-time FRM candidates.

From there, standard registration is $750 for Part1 and another $750 for Part 2. If you register early, however, candidates are able to get a discounted rate of $550 for Part 1 and $550 for Part 2.

The Bottom Line

FRM is the leading professional certification for risk managers and widely recognized as the global standard for financial risk. The current demand for expert financial risk managers is high and should only continue to grow over time.

While the CFA is generally regarded as more prestigious and tougher to attain, FRM's big advantage lies in its highly specialized focus on risk. For professionals looking to differentiate themselves, boost job prospects, and command better pay specifically within the risk management field, the FRM is second to none.
What Is the Quick Liquidity Ratio?the sun palace casino

The quick liquidity ratio is the total amount of a companys quick assets divided by the sum of its netliabilities, and for insurance companies includes reinsurance liabilities. In other words, it shows how much easily-convertible-to-money assets, such as cash, short-term investments, equities, and corporate and government bonds nearing maturity, an insurance company can tap into on short notice to meet its financial obligations.

The quick liquidity ratio is also commonly referred to as the acid-test ratio or the quick ratio.

Key Takeaways

The quick liquidity ratio is the total amount of a companys quick assets divided by the sum of its netliabilities and reinsurance liabilities.

This calculation is one of the most rigorous ways to determine a debtor's capacity to pay off current debt obligations without needing to raise external capital.

The quick liquidity ratio is an important measure of an insurance companys ability to cover its liabilities with relatively liquid assets.

If an insurer has a high quick liquidity ratio, its in a better position to make payments than an insurer with a lower ratio.

How the Quick Liquidity Ratio Works

Investorshave at their disposal several different liquidity ratios to assess a companys ability to quickly and cheaply convert whatever assets it owns into cash. The quick liquidity ratio, which generally accounts only for resources that can be transformed into cash without losing value within 90 days, is widely considered to be one of the most stringent ways to determine a debtor's capacity to pay off current debt obligations without needing to raise external capital.

Quick liquidity ratios are usually expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more liquid and capable of paying off any money owed the company is.



A company with a low quick liquidity ratio that finds itself with a sudden increase in liabilities may have to sell off long-term assets or borrow money.

Example of the Quick Liquidity Ratio

The quick liquidity ratio is an important measure of an insurance companys ability to cover its liabilities with relatively liquid assets.

Suppose an insurer covers a lot of property in Florida and then a hurricane strikes in the region. That insurer is now going to have to find more money than it would normally anticipate to pay claims. If such an insurer has a high quick liquidity ratio, it will be in a better position to make payments than an insurer with a lower ratio.

Quick Liquidity Ratio vs. Current Ratio

Like the quick liquidity ratio, the current ratio also measures a company's short-term liquidity, or ability to generate enough cash to pay off all debts should they become due at once. The quick liquidity ratio is deemed to be more conservative than the current ratio, though, because it takes fewer assets into consideration.

The quick liquidity ratio further refines the current ratio by measuring the level of the most liquid current assets available to cover current liabilities. It doesnt include inventory and other assets such as prepaid expenses that are generally perceived as more difficult and slower to turn into cash.

That ultimately means quick liquidity ratios and current ratios can differ significantly. For instance, a company stocking lots of inventory could have a high current ratio and low quick liquidity ratio. Investors concerned about this companys short-term liabilities might opt to dismiss the current ratio and focus more on the quick liquidity ratio, mindful that its inventory, though valuable, may be difficult to offload and turn into cash swiftly enough to settle a sudden hike in obligations.

Special Considerations

A company that offers a mixture of different types of insurance policies is best compared to peers that offer a similar mixture, as opposed to comparing that company to insurers who only offer a specific and smaller range of products.

When evaluating a potential investment in an insurance company an investor should evaluate the types of plans that it offers, as well as how the company intends on covering its liabilities in the case of an emergency. The range of percentages considered good depend on the type of policies that an insurance company is providing. Property insurers are likely to have quick liquidity ratios greater than 30 percent, while liability insurers may have ratios above 20 percent.

In addition to evaluating the quick liquidity ratio, investors should look at a companys current liquidity ratio, which shows how well it can cover liabilities with invested assets, and overall liquidity ratio, which shows how a company can cover liabilities with total assets.

Investors can also review operating cash flows (OCF) and net cash flows to determine how the company can meet its short-term liquidity needs from cash.
What Is a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?quick hit platinum plus

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a chip or electronic circuit capable of rendering graphics for display on an electronic device. The GPU was introduced to the wider market in 1999 and is best known for its use in providing the smooth graphics that consumers expect in modern videos and games.

Key Takeaways

The term graphics processing unit (GPU) refers to a chip or electronic circuit capable of rendering graphics for display on an electronic device.

The term GPU is often used interchangeably with graphics card, though the two are different.

Although GPUs were initially popular with video editing and computer gaming enthusiasts, the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies has created a new market for them.

GPUs, first introduced to the wider market in 1999, are perhaps best known for their use in providing the smooth graphics that consumers expect in modern videos and video games.

There has been a shortage of GPUs recently thanks to their application in the mining of cryptocurrencies.

How a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Works

The graphics in videos and gs consist of polygonal coordinates that are converted into bitmapsa process called renderingand then into signals that are shown on a screen. This conversion requires the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to have a lot of processing power, which also makes GPUs useful in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other tasks that require a large number of complex and sophisticated computations.

History of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

In 1999, Nvidia introduced the Geforce 256, the first widely available GPU. Nvidia defined a GPU as a "single-chip processor with integrated transform, lighting, triangle setup/clipping, and rendering engines that is capable of processing a minimum of 10 million polygons per second. The GeForce 256 improved on the technology by other processors by optimizing 3D gaming performance.

While Nvidia still reigns supreme in the GPU market, the technology has greatly improved. In the 2000s Nvidia released its GeForce 8800 GTX which has a texture-fill rate of a whopping 36.8 billion per second.

Today, GPUs have seen a resurgence in popularity. Their use has been extended into new industries thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. GPUs have also played a role in establishing wider access to higher-quality virtual reality gaming.

GPUs vs CPUs

Before the arrival of GPUs in the late 1990s, graphic rendering was handled by the Central Processing Unit (CPU). When used in conjunction with a CPU, a GPU can increase computer performance by taking on some computationally intensive functions, such as rendering, from the CPU. This accelerates how quickly applications can process since the GPU can perform many calculations simultaneously. This shift also allowed for the development of more advanced and resource-intensive software.

Processing data in a GPU or a CPU is handled by cores. The more cores a processing unit has, the faster (and potentially more efficiently) a computer can complete tasks. GPUs use thousands of cores to process tasks in parallel. The parallel structure of the GPU is different than that of the CPU, which uses fewer cores to process tasks sequentially. A CPU can perform calculations faster than a GPU, which makes it better at basic tasks.

Special Considerations

The term GPU is often used interchangeably with graphics card, though the two are different. A graphics card is a piece of hardware that contains one or more GPUs, a daughterboard, and other electronic components that allow the graphics card to function.

A GPU can, however, be integrated into the motherboard or be found in the daughterboard of a graphics card. Initially, high-end computers were the only ones to feature graphics cards. Today, most desktop computers typically use a separate graphics card with a GPU for increased performance, rather than rely on a GPU built into a motherboard.

GPUs and Cryptocurrency Mining

While GPUs were initially popular with video editing and computer gaming enthusiasts, the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies created a new market. This is because cryptocurrency mining requires thousands of calculations in order to add transactions to a blockchain, which is something that could be profitable with access to a GPU and an inexpensive supply of electricity.

In recent years, two prominent graphics card manufacturers, Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) have experienced a rapid increase in sales and revenue as a result of cryptocurrency mining.

This had the side effect of frustrating non-mining customers, who saw prices increase and supply dry up. As a result, retailers occasionally limited the number of graphics cards that an individual could purchase. While miners of the more popular cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, have shifted to using specialized and more cost-effective chipsets called application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Graphics Processing Units are still used to mine lesser-known currencies.

The rise in the popularity of cryptocurrencies has caused a massive shortage of GPUs. Reporting from the Verge calculated that GPUs are being sold for two to three times their street price on sites like eBay.

Examples of GPU Companies

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia (NVDA) are two of the biggest names in the GPU market. Let's take a look at both companies below.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

AMD is one of the most trusted producers of graphic cards. The manufacturer began as a startup in Silicon Valley in 1969 and develops high-performance computing and visualization products. AMD entered the GPU market in 2006 when it acquired leading video card maker ATI. Since then, AMD and Nvidia have been the dominant players in the GPU market. As of May 2021, AMD has a market cap of $97.3 billion. AMD has shipped over 500 million GPUs since 2013 and controls 17% of the GPU market share.

AMD places its focus in the GPU market on PC gaming and is a favorite among gamers worldwide.

Nvidia (NVDA)

Nvidia was the very first company to bring GPUs into the world in 1999. The first GPU in history was known as the Geforce 256. 1999 was also the year Nvidia launched its initial public offering (IPO) at $12 per share. As of May 2021, the stock is trading around $645 per share.

Nvidia has a market cap of $404.8 billion and controls 13% of the GPU market share.

Nvidia has considerable reach in the advanced GPU market. According to Nvidia's website "eight of the worlds top 10 supercomputers now use NVIDIA GPUs, InfiniBand networking, or both. NVIDIA powers 346 of the overall TOP500 systems on the latest list."

Nvidia's own supercomputer, named Selene, is ranked fifth in the world and is the world's fastest industrial supercomputer.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) FAQs

What Is the Difference Between GPU and VGA?

Whereas GPU is a chip or electronic circuit capable used to render graphics for display on an electronic device, a VGA or video graphics array connector is a physical device used to transfer video signals and computer video output.

How Do You Overclock Your GPU?

Before overclocking make sure you thoroughly clean your device and install any updates and bug fixes to your software. Thanks to updates in technology, overclocking is fairly simple. Simply install software such as Afterburner and let the system go to work. After the installation is complete, run a gaming benchmark to test out the new software.

What Is GPU Scaling?

GPU scaling is a feature that enables users to adjust the aspect ratio of a game based on their monitors resolution. Some users believe this adjusting the aspect ratio will further enhance the image quality of the display.
Director Du Jiayis () adventure drama, Kora , has been listed in the 48th Golden Horse Awards to compete for Best New Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, after it short-listed for the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival a few days ago, according to a report from mtime.com.

Based on the best-selling book of the same name, the film Kora tells the tale of a young Taiwanese who journeys to Tibet by bicycle. The film depicts the beautiful scenery along side the Yunnan-Tibet borders starting from Lijiang to Lhasa.

I didnt choose Tibets best season for shooting, deliberately weakening the scenery in the film, Director Du Jiayi revealed. Depicting the magnificent and beautiful scenery of Yunnan-Tibet borders belongs to the mission of the scenic film, while Kora stresses the sentimental side of it.

The film will be screened nationwide on October 22.

Zhang Ting

Chinese Films

The Film Kora Listed in the 48th Golden Horse Awardsadded by chinatimesonline on

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What is free poker tournaments online no downloadPolitical Risk

Political risk is the risk an investment's returns could suffer as a result of political changes or instability in a country. Instability affecting investment returns could stem from a change in government, legislative bodies, other foreign policymakers or military control. Political risk is also known as "geopolitical risk," and becomes more of a factor as the time horizon of investment gets longer. They are considered a type of jurisdiction risk.

BREAKING DOWN Political Risk

Political risks are notoriously hard to quantify because there are limited sample sizes or case studies when discussing an individual nation. Some political risks can be insured against through international agencies or other government bodies. The outcome of political risk could drag down investment returns or even go so far as to remove the ability to withdraw capital from an investment.

Types of Political Risks

Aside from business factors arising from the marketplace, businesses are also impacted by political decisions. There are a variety of decisions governments make that can affect individual businesses, industries, and the overall economy. These include taxes, spending, regulation, currency valuation, trade tariffs, labor laws such as the minimum wage, and environmental regulations. The laws, even if just proposed, can have an impact. Regulations can be set at all levels of government, including federal, state and local, as well as in other countries.

Some of the political risks may be found in a company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a prospectus if it is a mutual fund.

Insuring Against Political Risks

Companies that operate internationally, known as multinational businesses, can purchase political risk insurance to remove or mitigate certain political risks. This allows management and investors to concentrate on the business fundamentals while knowing losses from political risks are avoided or limited. Typical actions covered include war and terrorism.

An Example

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. outlined certain political risks it faces in its fiscal 2015 10-K filing with the SEC under its operating risk section. In its risks associated with suppliers, Wal-Mart mentioned potential political and economic instability in the countries that foreign suppliers operate, labor problems, and foreign trade policies and tariffs that could be imposed.

In its regulatory, compliance, reputational and other risks section, the company outlines risk associated with legislative, judicial, regulatory and political/economic risks. Risk factors mentioned include political instability, legal and regulatory constraints, local product safety and environmental laws, tax regulations, local labor laws, trade policies, and currency regulations. Wal-Mart mentioned Brazil specifically, and the complexity of its federal, state and local laws.
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

TheUS always portrays itself as the defender of democracy across the world. Ironically, with the midterm elections just around the corner, results of many opinion polls suggest that an increasing number of Americans are concerned with the accuracy of the midterm elections and the fate of US-style democracy. In essence, this is because the US-style democracy deviates from its original intention and has become a political game.According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only about half of Americans have high confidence that votes in the upcoming midterm elections will be counted accurately, and just 9 percent of US adults think democracy is working "extremely" or "very well," while 52 percent say it's not working well.The result of a New York Times/Siena College poll indicates that 28 percent of all voters said they had little to no faith in the accuracy of this year's midterm elections. According to a recent Quinnipiac University poll, 69 percent of Democrats and 69 percent of Republicans think the nation's democracy is on the brink of collapse.A critical factor for Americans to lose confidence in the mid-term elections as well as in US-style democracy is that they have figured out that whoever they vote for, they cannot elect a problem-solver. Many Americans abhor the wheeling-and-dealing associated with political life, in which selfish politicians only care about their own rights and interests and merely serve their political parties and interest groups, instead of striving to address issues that voters really care about. In the view of many Americans, voting is futile and pointless.Today, US-style democracy is morbid. An increasing number of Americans have been clearly aware that in the eyes of US politicians, they are a group of instruments for votes. During election campaigns, these politicians tend to make many sensational promises in a bid to gain more support, but in the aftermath of the election, the majority of these promises turn out to be lip services as they would put what they said to voters behind themselves. Election is just a political game of the rich.The US public's distrust of democracy is the result of US' political decay. At the heart of this political decay is the absence of government capacity, characterized by a lack of solutions to pressing issues of public concern, such as economic development, racism, gun violence, prevention and control of COVID-19, and abortion, a Shanghai-based international relations expert told the Global Times, requesting anonymity.The US electoral system has many flaws and loopholes. When the US economy was thriving, the politicians' rhetoric and practices in concealing the flaws of their domestic political system could fool the US public. But today, when more problems have been exposed in the US, such as the COVID-19 epidemic that's out of control, resulting in more than 1.06 million deaths, and inflation reaching its highest rate since 1982, the loopholes of US political system cannot be disguised any longer.Additionally, in the face of China's rise and the relative decline of the US, many Americans have begun to doubt whether their system is as perfect as their politicians advocate. Furthermore, the Trump phenomenon is now spreading across the country, and some US politicians have begun to manipulate US' populism, making the domestic democratic system encounter unprecedented challenges.Some US politicians still insist that the US political system is "the best in the world," and it has the capacity for self-correction and adjustment. But it is noticeable that when these opinion polls found that the Americans' confidence in voting has decreased, there seems to be no political figure or political force in the US embarking on tackling this problem.The US has never been in shortage of the ones who raise questions, but few of them have their feet on the ground to solve problems. To a certain extent, the ones who put forward questions also intend to exploit them as a tool to accuse and attack the target they are aiming at, rather than to solve the problem. Existing loopholes in US electoral or democratic system require political and legal reforms, but there seems to be little momentum to achieving so. The prospect of US-style democracy is dim.
A Swedish court has lowered Casino Cosmopols money laundering fine from last year, but ruled that Spelinspektionen (formerly Lotteriinspektionen) was correct to punish the casino operator after discovering serious flawsin its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing practices.

In a statement on its official website, the Swedish gambling regulator announced that the Administrative Court in Linkoping has too found that Casino Cosmopol has committed serious and systematic violationsof Swedens money laundering regulations and that the company should pay a penalty fee for those violations.

The matter reached court after Spelinspektionen, which was rebranded from Lotteriinspektionen at the turn of the year when Swedens new gambling law took effect, issued last December an SEK8 million (approx. $814,000) fineon Casino Cosmopol, the brick-and-mortar business of Swedish state-run gambling operator Svenska Spel.

The gambling regulator said back in December 2018 that during a review of Casino Cosmopol activities, it had discovered multiple shortcomingsin the casino operators efforts to prevent its business to be used by criminals to launder the proceeds of their illicit acts.

Casino Cosmopol operates brick-and-mortar gambling facilities in some of Swedens largest cities, with those being Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, and Sundsvall. Svenska Spels casino business was established in 1999 when the Swedish government ordered the state-run operator to create four casinos in four key locations.

The Administrative Courts Ruling

While the Administrative Court ruled that Casino Cosmopol indeed demonstrated shortcomings in its anti-money laundering practices, it lowered the casino operators fine from SEK8 million to SEK3 million (approx. $305,000).

The courts ruling was prompted by Casino Cosmopols decision to appeal Spelinspektionens fine. The casino operator said last year that it decided to appeal the regulators decision mainly because we consider that in this situation it is not proportional to decide on a penaltyas the regulator had not issued clear anti-money laundering regulations and had not provided guidance on how money laundering issues should be handled by licensed operators.

Casino Cosmopol went on that in all the years it operated its casinos it had the belief that it followed strictly Swedens anti-money laundering legislation by monitoring, reviewing, and reporting suspicious transactionsto the competent government bodies and by training it staff on how to act in instances of attempted money laundering at any of the companys four casinos.

Spelinspektionen said Monday that it was reviewing the Administrative Courts ruling and was considering the possibility to appeal it.

Since the beginning of the year, the gambling regulator has been busy following the reorganization of Swedens online gambling market. As mentioned earlier, the nations new gambling law took effect on January 1to open the local market to international operators interested to provide their services in a regulated environment with licenses from Spelinspektionen.

The regulatory body has issued multiple fines in the first months of regulated gambling in the country, penalizing operatorsover a number of violations including ones related to Swedens bonus offer rules, self-exclusion practices, and prohibitions on gambling on youth sports.

Source:Sankt sanktionsavgift for Casino Cosmopol efter beslut i forvaltningsratten, Spelinspektionen.se

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What Is the Small Business Administration?beem casino 30 free spins

The term Small Business Administration (SBA) refers to a U.S. government agency that is designed to bolster and promote the economy by assisting the country's small businesses. Established in 1953, the SBA's largest function is to counsel individuals who want to start and grow their own businesses. It provides a series of tools on its website to assist new and existing small business owners. The agency is headed by an administrator and deputy administrator and also has a chief counsel for advocacy and inspector generalall of which are confirmed by the Senate. The SBA has at least one office in every state.



Key Takeaways

The Small Business Administration is a government agency designed to bolster and promote the economy by providing assistance to small businesses.

The agency was established in 1953.

The SBA is headed by the administrator and deputy administrator who are confirmed by the Senate.

The agency offers various resources to small businesses including access to capital, entrepreneurial development, government contracting, and advocacy services.

The SBA's loan guarantee program is among its most visible elements.

Understanding the Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration offers substantial educational information with a specific focus on assisting small businesses to develop and grow. As noted above, the agency has numerous tools for businesses that can be accessed on its website, including a small business planner and additional training programs.

According to its website, the SBA provides the following services to small businesses:

Access to Capital: The agency offers a variety of financial resources for small businesses including microlending, or small loans that are issued to those who wouldn't otherwise qualify for financing. Loans are issued by partner banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions.

The agency offers a variety of financial resources for small businesses including microlending, or small loans that are issued to those who wouldn't otherwise qualify for financing. Loans are issued by partner banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Entrepreneurial Development: This is driven by counseling services and low-cost training provided by the SBA. This is available to both new and existing business owners in more than 1,800 locations across the United States. There's also a mentor program that connects new business owners with retired and/or existing entrepreneurs.

This is driven by counseling services and low-cost training provided by the SBA. This is available to both new and existing business owners in more than 1,800 locations across the United States. There's also a mentor program that connects new business owners with retired and/or existing entrepreneurs. Contracting: The SBA reserves 23% in government contracting dollars for small businesses with the help of other federal departments and agencies. The agency guarantees 5% of these contracting dollars for women and another 3% for business owners who are disabled and veterans.

The SBA reserves 23% in government contracting dollars for small businesses with the help of other federal departments and agencies. The agency guarantees 5% of these contracting dollars for women and another 3% for business owners who are disabled and veterans. Advocacy: The agency acts as an advocate by reviewing legislation and protecting the interests of small business owners across the country. The agency also advocates are presents business owners at the state and federal government levels.

The agency has helped small businesses across the country get access to loans, loan guarantees, contracts, and other services.

Isabel Guzman is the administrator of the Small Business Administration. Prior to holding this office, she had served as the director of California's Office of the Small Business Advocate.

The SBA Loan Program

The loan programs offered through the SBA are among the most visible elements the agency provides and come with longer repayment periods for small businesses. Keep in mind that the agency doesn't actually issue loanswith the exception of disaster relief loans. Instead, loans are backed or guaranteed by the SBA and issued directly by lenders that meet the agencys guidelines.

Loans backed by the SBA include the:

504 Loan (or the grow loan), which provides small businesses with up to $5 million in financing to buy the fixed assets they need to run their operations, including real estate.

7(a) loan, on the other hand, is the agency's primary loan program. The maximum loan amount guaranteed under this program is $5 million.

Disaster loans and microloans

Small businesses qualify for loans more easily when they are guaranteed by the SBA. The agency also allows entrepreneurs to make lower payments for a longer period of time. Despite numerous attempts to do away with the SBA entirely, many political officials and offices continue to support the agency. The SBAs ability to offer loans has also been significantly strengthened by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

The SBA has local offices throughout the United States and associated territories, which provide more personalized special events for small business owners. These offices provide in-person, one-on-one counseling services that include business plan writing instruction, and assistance with small business loans.

How the SBA Can Help Start Your Business

The SBA has many resources available for people who want to start their own small businesses. If you're one of those people, this section highlights some of these resources that can take you from start to finish.

Business Planning

This section of the website includes steps and resources related to the development of your business. This includes conducting relevant market research, developing a business plan, and funding.

You can also learn about what you need to do to choose a:

Location for your business

Suitable business structure

Business name

The agency also provides key information about what you need to register your company, getting the appropriate tax documents, as well as permits and licenses. You can also get some insight into what you need to open a business bank account.

Launching Your Business

Launching your business is just as important as starting it, which is why you'll find some of the same resources from the section above seeping into this one. For instance, choosing your location will depend a lot on zoning ordinances and laws. It will also affect the kind of incentives and taxes that apply to your organization.

The SBA's website has more information on these but also provides information on business insurance, which is a very important part of protecting your interests. This helps protect your business from any unforeseen losses that take place during normal operations.

How the SBA Can Help You Manage and Grow Your Business

The agency doesn't just help people start and launch their own businesses, but it also has resources available to help manage and grow them, too.

Management

You can learn valuable tips and tricks on how to manage your finances, hire employees, and pay taxes. Other important information includes staying compliant, how to purchase assets, along with marketing and sales strategies.

Because cybersecurity is a key threat to many businesses, the SBA also provides some common sense tips to stay safe. This section includes helping business owners spot some of the most common scams (like malware and ransomware) and how to understand and assess your risk. You can also use some of the agency's best practices to avoid cyber attacks and access SBA training and events.

This section also deals with certain circumstances like hiring people with disabilities, what to do when you must close your business, and how to recover from disasters.

Growing Your Business

It isn't enough to just learn how to start your business. That's why the SBA also has resources to help you grow. Some of the aids in this section include how to access additional funding, how to expand, and what to expect from mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

As per the agency's mandate, it guarantees a certain percentage of federal contracts to small business owners. As such, the SBA encourages businesses to become federal contractors and has an easy registration process. You can also get the resources you need to improve your bottom line by connecting you with partners to help export your products and services.

You can also find useful information about different types of businesses, such as women-owned, LGBT-owned, and those in rural areas.



The History of the SBA

The SBA was established by President Dwight Eisenhower when he signed the Small Business Act in the summer of 1953. It replaced the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), which was created under President Herbert Hoover in 1932 after the Great Depression. The newly-formed SBA's mandate was to aid and protect the country's small businesses and ensure they received a fair portion of government contracts and surplus property sales.

The SBA has had a rocky history. In 1996, the agency was under threat of being eliminated by the House of Representatives. However, the agency survived this threat and went on to receive a record budget in 2000. There was also a lot of resistance to its loan program, which led to repeated cuts between 2001 and 2004. That's when certain SBA expenditures were frozen altogether.

Small business owners were among some of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA helped these owners, providing them with two different types of funding. These included the:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): This program was designed for businesses to use approved funds for working capital and other day-to-day expenses. Since capital is loaned, it must be repaid. The SBA stopped accepting applications as of Jan. 1, 2022, but loan increases will be approved until funds are depleted.

This program was designed for businesses to use approved funds for working capital and other day-to-day expenses. Since capital is loaned, it must be repaid. The SBA stopped accepting applications as of Jan. 1, 2022, but loan increases will be approved until funds are depleted. EIDL Advance Programs:Funds are granted to people who filed for EIDL assistance as long as they meet certain criteria. Unlike the loan program, funds approved through this program don't have to be repaid.

What Does the Small Business Administration Do?

The Small Business Administration is a U.S. government agency that provides assistance to small business owners. It has a series of tools available for new and existing entrepreneurs. Its goals include providing business owners with access to capital, developing entrepreneurial spirit, reserving contracting dollars for certain business owners, and advocating on behalf of small business owners.

Where Does the SBA Get Its Funding?

The Small Business Administration receives an annual budget approved by the federal government. This money goes toward salaries, grant and certain loan programs, as well as administration costs. Keep in mind that the SBA doesn't actually provide loans to small businesses. Instead, the majority of loans issued to small business owners through SBA programs are guaranteed by the agency and issued by approved financial institutions and other lenders. This source of capital helps individuals start and grow their businesses

Who Qualifies for an SBA Grant?

The Small Business Administration generally doesn't issue grants. But it does to certain organizations, namely those that promote entrepreneurship in their communities. These include nonprofit organizations, organizations that provide their communities with training and funding (known as Resource Partners), and educational organizations. Grants are not provided to owners who want to expand an existing business or to startups.
What Is Financial Engineering?yebo casino app

Financial engineering is the use of mathematical techniques to solve financial problems. Financial engineering uses tools and knowledge from the fields of computer science, statistics, economics, and applied mathematics to address current financial issues as well as to devise new and innovative financial products.

Financial engineering is sometimes referred to as quantitative analysis and is used by regular commercial banks, investment banks, insurance agencies, and hedge funds.

Key Takeaways

Financial engineering is the use of mathematical techniques to solve financial problems.

Financial engineers test and issue new investment tools and methods of analysis.

They work with insurance companies, asset management firms, hedge funds, and banks.

Financial engineering led to an explosion in derivatives trading and speculation in the financial markets.

It has revolutionized financial markets, but it also played a role in the 2008 financial crisis.

How Financial Engineering Is Used

The financial industry is always coming up with new and innovative investment tools and products for investors and companies. Most of the products have been developed through techniques in the field of financial engineering. Using mathematical modeling and computer science, financial engineers are able to test and issue new tools such as new methods of investment analysis, new debt offerings, new investments, new trading strategies, new financial models, etc.

Financial engineers run quantitative risk models to predict how an investment tool will perform and whether a new offering in the financial sector would be viable and profitable in the long run, and what types of risks are presented in each product offering given the volatility of the markets. Financial engineers work with insurance companies, asset management firms, hedge funds, and banks. Within these companies, financial engineers work in proprietary trading, risk management, portfolio management, derivatives and options pricing, structured products, and corporate finance departments.

Types of Financial Engineering

Derivatives Trading

While financial engineering uses stochastics, simulations and analytics to design and implement new financial processes to solve problems in finance, the field also creates new strategies that companies can take advantage of to maximize corporate profits. For example, financial engineering has led to the explosion of derivative trading in the financial markets.

Since the Cboe Options Exchange was formed in 1973 and two of the first financial engineers, Fischer Black and Myron Scholes, published their option pricing model, trading in options and other derivatives has grown dramatically. Through the regular options strategy where one can either buy a call or put depending on whether they are bullish or bearish, financial engineering has created new strategies within the options spectrum, providing more possibilities to hedge or make profits.

Examples of options strategies born out of financial engineering efforts include Married Put, Protective Collar, Long Straddle, Short Strangles, Butterfly Spreads, etc.

Speculation

The field of financial engineering has also introduced speculative vehicles in the markets. For example, instruments such as the Credit Default Swap (CDS) were initially created in the late 90s to provide insurance against defaults on bond payments, such as municipal bonds. However, these derivative products drew the attention of investment banks and speculators who realized they could make money from the monthly premium payments associated with CDS by betting with them.

In effect, the seller or issuer of a CDS, usually a bank, would receive monthly premium payments from the buyers of the swap. The value of a CDS is based on the survival of a companythe swap buyers are betting on the company going bankrupt and the sellers are insuring the buyers against any negative event. As long as the company remains in good financial standing, the issuing bank will keep getting paid monthly. If the company goes under, the CDS buyers will cash in on the credit event.

Criticism of Financial Engineering

Although financial engineering has revolutionized the financial markets, it played a role in the 2008 financial crisis. As the number of defaults on subprime mortgage payments increased, more credit events were triggered. Credit Default Swap (CDS) issuers, that is banks, could not make the payments on these swaps since the defaults were happening almost at the same time.

Many corporate buyers that had taken out CDSs on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that they were heavily invested in, soon realized that the CDSs held were worthless. To reflect the loss of value, they reduced the value of assets on their balance sheets, which led to more failures on a corporate level, and a subsequent economic recession.

Due to the 2008 global recession brought on by engineered structured products, financial engineering is considered to be a controversial field. However, it is apparent that this quantitative study has greatly improved the financial markets and processes by introducing innovation, rigor, and efficiency to the markets and industry.
But here on earth, even silly men-folk daur Him to His face. The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume XXI|Robert Louis Stevenson

But he says, 'Not one soul in Thrums 'll daur say that to me but yersel, Jess. A Window in Thrums|J. M. Barrie

As he went through the gateway he could not resist calling back a challenge: "I daur you to do it." Greyfriars Bobby|Eleanor Atkinson
Ballys Corp. wants to open up online casino gambling in Americas smallest, yet most densely populated state. Officials announced on Wednesday that they intend to seek approval from the Rhode Island governmentto bring fully licensed and regulated online gambling to the state. Ballys is headquartered in the states capital, Providence.

The proposal was announced Wednesday afternoon at a luncheon held by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Asking for legislative and executive branch approval during this years General Assembly session, the company said it would propose legislation to allow the RI Division of Lotteries to authorize online slot gamesand table games for players in the state.

Pending all approvals, the company hopes to start offering online gambling in Rhode Island by January 1, 2024.

After commissioning a study on the matter, the company said it believes that broader liberalization of gambling regulation in the state would give its two casinos  Ballys Tiverton Casino & Hotel and Ballys Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort a better chance to remain competitive in the long run. The games would be served from one or both locations.

Increased Gambling Revenue for the State

The new metric would also help the company deliver more revenue to state coffers.

We intend to model this after the legislation used to establish online sports betting in Rhode Island, effectively giving the State complete regulatory control and the ability to ensure the integrity of the program, while maximizing revenue for the State, said Elizabeth Suever, Vice President of Government Relations for Ballys Corporation. The state would be paid a percentage of all online gambling revenuegenerated by the site or sites.

The announcement came as a surprise to many as the company announced about three weeks ago that it would cut 15% of its North American interactive workforce. The announcement came in the form of a letter to Bally workers and a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

More recently, Ballys announced that CEO Lee Fenton would step down, and Robeson Reeves, President of Interactive would take his place. Both leaders came onto the company as part of Ballys friendly acquisition of UK-based Gamesys for $2.7 Billion in 2021. That deal was announced in March and consummated in October 2021.

The company completed several other acquisitions in the meantime and now has 15 land-based casinos throughout the US and was recently given the approval to build the first casino ever in Chicago, IL., Americas third-largest city. Ballys also holds sports betting licenses in 18 states.

Spectrum Gaming Study

Prior to beginning a discussion in the state to promote its idea of online gambling, Ballys commissioned industry experts Spectrum Gaming Group to conduct a study of the matter.

Some of Ballys claims based on that study include the following assertions:

Retail casino gaming would be preserved in the state with few or no players switchingcompletely from land-based gambling to online slots and tables. (Ballys operates the only two casinos in Rhode Island).

The state could potentially reap $210 million in gambling taxesover the first five years.

Gross gaming revenue is projected to be an estimated$93.3 million in the first year, increasing to an estimated $130.6 million annually in year five.

The proposed legislation would leave the state in control of all responsible gambling protocols, security, system integrity, accounting, and operating procedures. The state would also set conditions and terms for online table gaming and slots.

Players would need to confirm their age and identity to gamble online. Geolocation and other services would be employed to guarantee that a person was physically located within the states borders any time they placed a bet.

The physical servers that process and record the wagers would be located within a restricted, secure location on the casinos premises.

Source: Ballys Seeks to Expand Gaming in RI  Wants Approval for Online Casino Gaming, GoLocalProv.com, February 15, 2023
In English, even minor spelling differences can completely change the meaning of common words. In these cases, a simple typo can completely derail your sentence and turn your writing from polished prose to meaningless drivel. Luckily, you can catch most of these errors through diligent proofreading.

Below and bellow are two such words. There is only one letters difference between them, but they are actually different parts of speech. One is a preposition, and the other is a verb.

You might be able to use prepositions as verbs in poetry, but for formal writing, you will need to know the difference between below and bellow.

What is the Difference Between Below and Bellow?

In this post, I will compare below vs. bellow. I will show you example sentences for both words so that you can see how they appear in context.

Plus, I will include a mnemonic device that you can use to decide whether bellow or below is the better word for your writing.

When to Use Below

What does below mean? Below can be a preposition or an adverb. In both cases, it describes the position of something relative to something else, namely, something that is underneath another object.

Here are a few examples,

The socket wrench is on the shelf below the adjustable wrenches, said the mechanic. (Preposition)

Stow the treasure below! shouted the captain as the ship was overtaken by pirates. (Adverb)

With investment returns expected to remain below historical averages and competition from low-cost robo advisers growing, advisers are looking to differentiate themselves to justify their fees and gain the trust of prospective clients, says Paul Auslander, former president of the Financial Planning Association. The Wall Street Journal

When below is a preposition, you can expect a noun to follow it, creating a prepositional phrase.

In the example from The Wall Street Journal, the prepositional phrase is below historical averages.

When to Use Bellow

What does bellow mean? Bellow is a verb. To bellow is to yell loudly in a deep voice.

An angry merchant might bellow to a thief to get out of his shop, or a gladiator might bellow a threat to his opponent.

Here are a few more examples,

You kids get off my lawn! bellowed the grumpy old curmudgeon.

The dog bellowed his disapproval at the squirrel who was eating from the bird feeder.

Nor can one commend an ensemble, almost all of whom bellow their lines as if somehow being young again conferred its own invitation to run riot. The New York Times

As a verb, bellowis conjugated as follows,

I bellow

He bellows

They will bellow.

The word bellows is also a unique noun. Bellows are a device for blowing air to stoke a fire. Bellows is only ever plural; there is no singular bellow.

For example,

Foot-operated bellows used for smelting metal were called tatara in Ancient Japan.

Trick to Remember the Difference

It is easy to choose between these two words, so lets go over a trick to remember bellowvs. below.

Below is a preposition and adverb that is synonymous with beneath.

Bellow is a verb that means to yell loudly.

Bellows is also a noun referring to a device that blows air onto a fire.

Bellowand its rough synonym holler each have a double L, and they are both verbs. You can use the spelling of these words as a reminder that bellow is a verb.

Summary

Is it below or bellow? Despite their similar spellings and close pronunciations, these words function as different parts of speech and are never interchangeable.

Below functions as a preposition or an adverb and means beneath something else.

Bellow is a verb that means to yell loudly, or a noun referring to a device used to keep a fire burning.

Dont forgetyou can always reread this article if you need a quick refresher on the differences between these words.
What is slot machine sites ukthe Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Established in 1993, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) acts to control inflation and maintain the stability of the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) and of the banking sector through its monetary policy. The HKMA links the HKD to the U.S. dollar to help the HKD maintain a stable value.

Understanding the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong is a key finance capital for the People's Republic of China, and it's a place for multinational companies to set up operations. As a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong is an autonomous territory with its own currency and an annual nominal GDP of more than $365 billion as of 2019. The HKMA acts as a de facto central bank for the region.

The HKMA maintains a sovereign wealth fund called the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Investment Portfolio. The HKMA is a member of the Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks along with the Reserve Bank of Australia, the People's Bank of China, the Bank of Japan, and seven other central banks.

HKMA Responsibilities

One of the key roles of the HKMA is maintaining currency stability. The Linked Exchange Rate system is designed to stabilize the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) and the United States dollar (USD). The fixed-rate exchange system seeks to maintain parity with the USD within a tight range, allowing HKD note-issuing banks to issue new banknotes only when they deposit an equivalent value of U.S. dollars with the authority. The exchange rate tends to fluctuate within a set range. The HKMA has one of the world's largest currency reserves in relation to its economy.

The authority operates the Exchange Fund. The fund's primary objective "to affect, either directly or indirectly, the exchange value of the currency of Hong Kong." The Fund may also be used to maintain the stability and integrity of Hong Kong's monetary and financial systems to help maintain Hong Kong as an international financial center.

The HKMA is charged with promoting the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system. One of the key ways the authority does this is by buying HKD to maintain parity with the dollar within the stated range. As of 2021, the fixed-rate system has kept interest rates ultra-low in Hong Kong, encouraging expansion and investment. But low-interest rates have also fueled a record home price boom in the territory, creating affordability problems.
About 20 million Americans could have their student loan debt wiped out in just six weeks after the Biden Administration launched the official application for debt cancellation on Monday.

Thebest slot games on 888 casino application launch kicks off the process of forgiving up to $20,000 in student debt per borrower. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness anytime before Dec. 31, 2023.

Im keeping my commitment to relieve student debt as borrowers recover from this economic crisis caused by the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, President Joe Biden said on Monday.

But while Biden touts the completion of a campaign promise weeks ahead of the midterm elections, the program is currently facing several legal challenges from conservative groups and Republican-led states.

Heres what to know about the application.

Who is eligible for loan forgiveness?

Individuals who make less than $125,000 per year, or married couples who make less than $250,000 per year, are eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness. Borrowers who meet those same income requirements and attended college with Pell Grants, designed to help low-income students, are eligible for up to $20,000 in forgiveness.

The income requirement is based on a persons adjusted gross income, which is usually lower than their total income. Adjusted gross income can be found on line 11 of the IRS Form 1040 in their federal income tax filings from 2020 or 2021.

A September report by the Congressional Budget Office estimated the plan could cost about $400 billion.

Who is not eligible for loan forgiveness?

About 45 million people owe a collective $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt. And more than 40 million borrowers are expected to receive some debt relief through this program. Private students loans will not be forgiven by the program.

Borrowers who took out Parent PLUS loans, which are federal loans that carry higher interest rates and fees that parents can use to help their children pay for college, are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in relief. But they do not qualify for the extra $10,000 in relief if only their child attended college with a Pell Grant.

A change to the program in September also excluded about 800,000 borrowers and limited the amount of relief for many more, NPR reported.

The change affects borrowers who took out loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL), which ended in 2010 and had offered federal loans managed by private banks.

The federal student aid website initially said that borrowers with privately held federal student loans could receive debt relief by consolidating those loans into a federal Direct Loan, a student loan held by the U.S. Education Department. It did not mention a deadline for that consolidation.

But the department later changed that guidance. Borrowers with privately held federal student loans can no longer obtain debt relief, unless they had already applied to consolidate their loans before Sept. 29.

Thats frustrating to borrowers like Jennifer Newell Davies, who said she initially felt a huge sense of relief when Biden announced the loan forgiveness program. Davies, 36, said she owes just under $10,000 in federal student loans after graduating in 2009 with a bachelors degree in journalism. She expected that would all be forgiven.

But most of her federal debt consists of FFEL loans, which are now held by private banks and are no longer included in Bidens debt relief plan. Davies, who lives in San Diego, started a petition to include FFEL borrowers in student debt relief again.

We were sold these loans as federal loans, she says. I never asked for them to be private. I explicitly avoided private loans as much as I could.

The Education Department says it is discussing the issue with private lenders and exploring alternative pathways to grant relief to these borrowers.

We are working on pathways there to support those, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Monday, when asked about people with privately held loans who are not eligible for forgiveness. But were moving as quickly as possible to provide relief to as many people as possible.

Whats the status of lawsuits against the program?

Several conservative groups and Republican-led states have filed lawsuits against the program, arguing that Biden doesnt have the authority to roll out this policy.

A federal judge heard arguments last week from the Republican-led states seeking an injunction to halt the debt-forgiveness plan. But he hasnt issued a decision yet.

Republican members of Congress and Republican governors are trying to do everything they can to deny this relief, even to their own constituents, Biden said Monday. Their outrage is wrong and its hypocritical.

He acknowledged the ongoing lawsuits, but said he doesnt expect them to stop the debt-relief program.

How do I apply?

The application is simple and free, and can be found at: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application

It asks borrowers to enter their name, social security number, birthday, and contact information. Borrowers arent asked to upload any documents, but must certify under penalty of perjury that they meet the eligibility requirements for the program. The Education Department could request proof of income later.

Well determine your eligibility and will contact you if we need more information, the application page states. Your loan servicer will notify you when your relief has been processed.

When should I apply?

The White House is encouraging borrowers to apply as soon as possible. About eight million borrowers applied over the weekend, after a beta version of the application went live, and another four million borrowers applied after the official launch on Monday, Biden said.

Cardona has encouraged borrowers to complete the application by Nov. 15 in order to receive relief before the pandemic-related pause on student loan repayment ends on Dec. 31.

The Biden Administration has argued the President has the authority to cancel student debt based on a 2003 law that allows the Education Department to change student financial assistance programs during a national emergencyin this case, the COVID-19 pandemic.

But as other pandemic-related programs wind down, and after Biden said that the pandemic is over, it could undermine the administrations legal argument.

How long will it take to see relief?

Cardona previously said that borrowers should expect to see relief four to six weeks after completing the application.

In a recent court filing, the Education Department said it would not cancel any loans before Oct. 23.

Should I keep paying off my loans while I wait to know if my debt was forgiven?

When Biden announced the debt-forgiveness plan in August, he also extended the pandemic-related pause on federal student loan payments one final time through Dec. 31.

That means borrowers should expect to start making student loan payments again in January. But many borrowers could see their debt eliminated before then, if they apply now.

Borrowers are encouraged to apply for forgiveness by Nov. 15, so they can receive debt relief before payments resume.

Could I get turned down for loan forgiveness?

Only people who meet the income requirements are eligible for debt forgiveness through this program. The application requires borrowers to sign the form and affirm that they made less than $125,000 individually or less than $250,000 as a married couple in 2020 or 2021.

The Education Department might ask applicants for proof of income. If borrowers dont provide that proof by March 31, 2024or if they dont meet the qualifying income requirementsthey will not receive debt relief.
What Is Proof-of-Stake (PoS)?pickdawgz parlay vgt slot machines

Proof-of-stake is a cryptocurrency consensus mechanism for processing transactions and creating new blocks in a blockchain. A consensus mechanism is a method for validating entries into a distributed database and keeping the database secure. In the case of cryptocurrency, the database is called a blockchainso the consensus mechanism secures the blockchain.

Learn more about proof-of-stake and how it is different from proof-of-work. Additionally, find out the issues proof-of-stake attempts to address within the cryptocurrency industry.

Key Takeaways

With proof-of-stake (POS), cryptocurrency owners validate block transactions based on the number of staked coins.

Proof-of-stake (POS) was created as an alternative to Proof-of-work (POW), the original consensus mechanism used to validate a blockchain and add new blocks.

While PoW mechanisms require miners to solve cryptographic puzzles, PoS mechanisms require validators to hold and stake tokens for the privilege of earning transaction fees.

Proof-of-stake (POS) is seen as less risky regarding the potential for an attack on the network, as it structures compensation in a way that makes an attack less advantageous.

The next block writer on the blockchain is selected at random, with higher odds being assigned to nodes with larger stake positions.

Click Play to Learn All About Proof-of-Stake

Understanding Proof-of-Stake (PoS)

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Proof-of-stake reduces the amount of computational work needed to verify blocks and transactions. Under proof-of-work, it kept blockchain secure. Proof-of-stake changes the way blocks are verified using the machines of coin owners, so there doesn't need to be as much computational work done. The owners offer their coins as collateralstakingfor the chance to validate blocks and then become validators.

Validators are selected randomly to confirm transactions and validate block information. This system randomizes who gets to collect fees rather than using a competitive rewards-based mechanism like proof-of-work.

To become a validator, a coin owner must "stake" a specific amount of coins. For instance, Ethereum requires 32 ETH to be staked before a user can become a validator. Blocks are validated by more than one validator, and when a specific number of the validators verify that the block is accurate, it is finalized and closed.

To activate your own validator, you'll need to stake 32 ETH; however, you don't need to stake that much ETH to participate in validation. You can join validation pools using "liquid staking" which uses an ERC-20 token that represents your ETH.

Different proof-of-stake mechanisms may use various methods to reach a consensus. For example, when Ethereum introduces sharding, a validator will verify the transactions and add them to a shard block, which requires at least 128 validators on a committee. Once shards are validated and a block created, two-thirds of the validators must agree that the transaction is valid, then the block is closed.

How Is Proof-of-Stake Different From Proof-of-Work?

Both consensus mechanisms help blockchains synchronize data, validate information, and process transactions. Each method has proven to be successful at maintaining a blockchain, although each has pros and cons. However, the two algorithms have very differing approaches.

Under PoS, block creators are called validators. A validator checks transactions, verifies activity, votes on outcomes, and maintains records. Under PoW, block creators are called miners. Miners work to solve for the hash, a cryptographic number, to verify transactions. In return for solving the hash, they are rewarded with a coin.

To "buy into" the position of becoming a block creator, you need only own enough coins or tokens to become a validator on a PoS blockchain. For PoW, miners must invest in processing equipment and incur hefty energy charges to power the machines attempting to solve the computations.

The equipment and energy costs under PoW mechanisms are expensive, limiting access to mining and strengthening the security of the blockchain. PoS blockchains reduce the amount of processing power needed to validate block information and transactions. The mechanism also lowers network congestion and removes the rewards-based incentive PoW blockchains have.

Proof of Stake Proof of Work Block creators are called validators Block creators are called miners Participants must own coins or tokens to become a validator Participants must buy equipment and energy to become a miner Energy efficient Not energy efficient Security through community control Robust security due to expensive upfront requirement Validators receive transactions fees as rewards Miners receive block rewards

Goals of Proof-of-Stake

Proof-of-stake is designed to reduce network congestion and environmental sustainability concerns surrounding the proof-of-work (PoW) protocol. Proof-of-work is a competitive approach to verifying transactions, which naturally encourages people to look for ways to gain an advantage, especially since monetary value is involved.

Bitcoin miners earn Bitcoin by verifying transactions and blocks. However, they pay their operating expenses like electricity and rent with fiat currency. What's really happening then is that miners are exchanging energy for cryptocurrency, which causes PoW mining to use as much energy as some small countries.

The PoS mechanism seeks to solve these problems by effectively substituting staking for computational power, whereby an individual's mining ability is randomized by the network. This means there should be a drastic reduction in energy consumption since miners can no longer rely on massive farms of single-purpose hardware to gain an advantage.



The first cryptocurrency to adopt the PoS method was Peercoin. It was followed by Nxt, Blackcoin, and ShadowCoin soon after.

Proof-of-Stake Security

Long touted as a threat for cryptocurrency fans, the 51% attack is a concern when PoS is used, but there is doubt it will occur. Under PoW, a 51% attack is when an entity controls more than 50% of the miners in a network and uses that majority to alter the blockchain. In PoS, a group or individual would have to own 51% of the staked cryptocurrency.

It's very expensive to control 51% of staked cryptocurrency. Under Ethereum's PoS, if a 51% attack occurred, the honest validators in the network could vote to disregard the altered blockchain and burn the offender(s) staked ETH. This incentivizes validators to act in good faith to benefit the cryptocurrency and the network.

Most other security features of PoS are not advertised, as this might create an opportunity to circumvent security measures. However, most PoS systems have extra security features in place that add to the inherent security behind blockchains and PoS mechanisms.



What Is Proof-of-Stake vs. Proof-of-Work?

Proof of Stake (POS) uses randomly selected validators to confirm transactions and create new blocks. Proof of Work (POW) uses a competitive validation method to confirm transactions and add new blocks to the blockchain.

Is Proof-of-Stake a Certificate?

Proof-of-stake is a consensus mechanism where cryptocurrency validators share the task of validating transactions. There are currently no certificates issued.

How Do You Earn Proof-of-Stake?

Proof of Stake (POS) is a built-in consensus mechanism used by a blockchain network. It cannot be earned, but you can help secure a network and earn rewards by using a cryptocurrency client that participates in PoS validating or becoming a validator.

Can Bitcoin Be Converted to Proof-of-Stake?

It's possible that Bitcoin can change to proof-of-stake. However, it takes years to implement successfully, and the community would need to agree to the change.

Investing in cryptocurrencies and other Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or other ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix is coming to Sin City in November 2023. It will be the first F1 race held there since the 1980s and is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for race organizers. It is one of three races to be held in the US this year with the other two taking place in Miami, Florida, and Austin, Texas.

If you ever wanted to see the fastest of the fast cars, this might not be the best opportunity for it unless you are very well-heeled. extremely lucky or patient and lucky. Even the standing-room-only general admission tickets that went on sale at $500 eachare no longer available to the general public, nor are Grandstand seats that were going for $2,500 for a three-day pass. We did find some high-end 5-day tickets still available for $15,000 each.

While those prices might seem astronomical to common race fans, most F1 fans are not so common. Celebrities drive some of the cars and the pits are full of A-list entrepreneurs.

Who Has the Tickets?

If you wondered where the tickets went for the NASCAR fans who might want to expand their horizons, look no further than the local casino operators to find them.

MGM Resorts is rumored to have squirreled away over$20 million worth of ticketsand is offering customers offering all-inclusive packages that happen to include race tickets for up to $100,000 per package. Wynn and Caesars are said to be offering elite packages ranging from $1 million to $5 million. And Taylor Swift fans thought they had it bad with scalpers.

Take heart that if you cant afford one of the $8,000 or $15,000 packages still available on the website, it does note that more buying opportunities will be made available in late winter and early spring. Patrons can visit the website and click on Stay up to speed in order to get alerts and other news.

Liberty Media, owners of F1, expect to spend $500m to put up the event and then generate that much again in revenues. Theyve already spent $240m on a plot of land and are sinking another equal amount on the 3.8-mile circuit through the heart of the gambling zone as well as into the pit. Construction has already begun on the facilities.

A Departure in F1 Strategy

Purchasing the land for the event is a departure for the company which usually works alongside local stakeholders to put together an event. What the purchase means is that F1 is investing in Las Vegas for the long runand this Novembers race is more than an exhibition but a flagship for things to come year after year.

According to Financial Times, F1s revenue was $1.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2022, without even accounting for year-end revenues. Thats a $300m jump in revenues from Q1-3 2019.

The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is perhaps the most highly anticipated weekend on the 2023 F1 calendar. F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali told the FT: What we did is basically change completely, opening up a new way of communicating.

Our objective is to make sure that all the fans [who are]

attracted by the lifestyle [and the]

the protagonists behind the scenes get into real racing, said Domenicali.

The race is billed as such: The greatest racing spectacle on the planet and the sports and entertainment capital of the world collide as Formula 1 will light up the Las Vegas Strip on November 16-18, 2023, for an unforgettable race cutting right through the neon heart of the city.



The Las Vegas Grand Prixs 3.8-mile track will weave past world-famous landmarks, casinos and hotels as drivers push their luck to breaking points at speeds of up to 212 mph.

The stakes have never been higher.

Premium Hospitality

Among the venues for enjoying the event is F1s own Paddock Club. The club is being constructed on the 39-acre parcel of land adjacent to The Strip and will serve as the central point of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, accommodating more fans than any other zone.

The Wynn Grid Clubwill be located within the Paddock Club and will feature a 1920s Great Gatsby vibe.

Opulent Skyboxeswill be located above the grandstand with views of the start and finish, along with festivities before and after the race.

Private Suiteswill be available along the Koval straightaway, and shared hospitality areas will offer semi-private space with views of turns 4 and 5.

Source: F1 Is Coming To Las Vegas November 16-18, 2023, F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
What Is Tenancy at Sufferance?golden nugget sportsbook

Tenancy at sufferance is an agreement in which a property renter is legally permitted to live on a property after a lease term has expired but before the landlord demands the tenant vacate the property. If a tenancy at sufferance occurs, the original lease conditions must be met including the payment of any rents. Otherwise, the tenant can be evicted at any time without notice.

This can be contrasted with tenancy at will, where a tenant occupies the property with the consent of the owner but without necessarily a written contract or lease.

Understanding Tenancy at Sufferance

Tenancy at sufferance (also called "estate at sufferance" or "holdover tenancy") arises when a tenant who has a lawful possession of a property (for example, a lease) holds over without the owner's consent. The only difference between a holdover tenant at sufferance and a trespasser is that the tenant entered into possession in a legal manner but has now overstayed his or her welcome.

Each state may have different legal definitions and criteria to determine whether or not an occupant is classified as a trespasser if they remain on a property they previously had a lease agreement for.

Key Takeaways

Tenancy at sufferance refers to holdover tenants of an expired lease who no longer have the landlord's permission to remain in the property, but who have not yet been evicted.

The term sufferance means the absence of objection without genuine approval.

A holdover tenant at sufferance may be subject to eviction, and depending on state law may be accused of trespassing.

Ways a Tenancy of Sufferance Can Be Put into Effect

The circumstance that can lead to a tenancy of sufferance can include eviction proceedings. This can be the case if a tenants lease agreement comes to an end, but they do not vacate the premises and the landlord intends to lease the space to new occupants. The landlord or property owner may initiate their legal options to remove the tenant from the property but the tenant continues to dwell on the property and usually cannot be forcibly removed.

While the eviction process is underway, the tenant must comply with the rental or lease terms. If they fail to pay rent as set by their prior lease terms they could be removed from the property. An eviction could take from six months to one year before a final outcome is rendered. The property owner would have to accept the tenancy at sufferance throughout that period as long as the tenant continued to meet their lease term obligations. It is possible that the property owner will offer to buy out the tenant in order to see them exit the property. This might be a more expensive option, but it would expedite a resolution to the situation. If such a buyout is accepted, the tenancy at sufferance would end and the tenant would have to vacate the premises.

A property owner could also offer a new lease agreement. Acceptance of a new lease by all parties would also end a tenancy at sufferance and the tenant would be bound to the terms of the new agreement.
What Is the First World?sports betting in ohio casinos

First world, a term developed during the Cold War in the 1950s, originally referred to a country that was aligned with the United States and other Western nations in opposition to what was then the Soviet Union and its allies.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the terms meaning has largely evolved. Currently, it describes a developed and industrialized country characterized by political and economic stability, democracy, the rule of law, a capitalist economy, and a high standard of living.

Key Takeaways

The term first world originally applied to countries that were aligned with the United States and other Western nations in opposition to the former Soviet Union.

First world countries are often characterized by prosperity, democracy, and stabilityboth political and economic.

A high literacy rate, free enterprise, and the rule of law are other common characteristics of first world countries.



Some critics argue that the concept of dividing nations into three worlds represents an antiquated perspective.

Many first world countries have certain demographics that are in extreme poverty, which is more representative of developing countries; other countries with third world status are quite prosperous.

Understanding the First World

Examples of first world countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Several Western European nations qualify as well, especially Great Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries.

The ways that first world countries are defined can vary. For example, a first world nation might be described as aligned or amicable with Western countries or those in the Northern Hemisphere, highly industrialized, possessing a low poverty rate, and/or high accessibility to modern resources and infrastructure.

Various metrics have been used to define first world nations, including gross domestic product (GDP), gross national product (GNP), mortality rates, and literacy rates. The Human Development Index is also an indicator of which countries might be categorized as having first world status.

Economically speaking, first world countries tend to have stable currencies and robust financial markets, making them attractive to investors from all around the world. While they may not be purely capitalist, first world nations economies tend to be characterized by free markets, private enterprise, and private ownership of property.

Under the original Cold War alliance designations, the first world consisted of the U.S., Western Europe, and their allies. The second world was the so-called Communist Bloc: the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, etc. The remaining nations, which didnt align with either group, were assigned to the third worldmost of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. However, this definition includes many countries that are economically stable, which does not fit the contemporary definition of a third world country.

Criticism of the First World Designation

Controversy exists around the use of the term first world to describe democratic countries in comparison with developing nations and those with political regimes that do not align with Western nations. There is a tendency toward using the phrase as a way to rank some nations above others in terms of geopolitical significance. Such references can lead to divisive tension in international relations, especially as developing nations seek to negotiate with so-called first world countries or appeal to the international community for support of their causes.

It is not uncommon for first world nations to press for international policies, especially economic ones, that will favor their industries and trade to protect or enhance their wealth and stability. This can include efforts to influence decisions made in such forums as the United Nations or the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Designation as a first world nation does not necessarily mean a country has local access to certain luxuries or resources that are in demand. For example, oil production is a staple industry in many countries that historically have not been regarded as first world nations. Brazil, for instance, contributes substantial amounts of oil to the overall world supply, along with other forms of production; however, the country is recognized as a developing, industrialized state rather than as a first world nation.

In contemporary parlance, developed or industrialized nation is considered a preferable term to first world country.

An Antiquated Model

There is an argument to be made that the model of dividing nations into first, second, or third worlds represents an archaic and antiquated perspective.

Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has become one of the worlds superpowers, and an increasing number of countries have embraced or are in the process of adopting American-style democracy and capitalism. These countries are neither abysmally poor nor exceedingly rich; rule of law and democracy are their defining features. As such, it would be counterintuitive to describe them with the pejorative term of third world. Examples of these types of countries include Brazil and India.

The original definition of first world as a country aligned with the United States has also led to some odd classifications of quite prosperous and advanced nations. Oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which has a higher per capita income than first world country Turkey, is still often technically slotted as a second or third world nation, for exampleor at least, denied the first world designation.

Then there is the increasing problem of wealth inequality. The high per capita income associated with the first world often belies an extremely uneven distribution of wealth in these nations. Several first world countries have poverty-stricken regions where conditions are comparable to those in developing countries. For example, residents of Appalachia and other rural areas of the United States often lack resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Even certain sections of large cities, such as the South Side of Chicago or northern Milwaukees 53206 neighborhood, feature impoverished conditions.

What is the first world?

While highly subjective, first world is a term that consists of countries that may have the following characteristics: stable democracies, high standards of living, capitalist economies, and economic stability. Other measures that may be used to indicate first world countries include gross domestic product (GDP) or literacy rates. Broadly speaking, countries that may be considered first world include the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia, among others.

What defines a first world country?

There is no universal way to define a first world country. They are often characterized as industrialized and democratic nations. These features are typically accompanied by stable currencies, sound financial markets, and modern infrastructure. Due to these factors, first world countries often attract foreign direct investment and capital inflows.

Why is the term first world contentious?

First world is a problematic term because it is outdated. First coined during the Cold War, it referred to countries that were allies of the United Statesmostly other westernized countries, as opposed to countries that aligned with the former Soviet Union. Because the economic indicators used to define the first world vary by their perspective, the first world can represent an opaque concept of a countrys economic stature. For instance, despite Saudi Arabia having per capita income that is nearly equal to Portugals, it is often considered a second world nation.
MGM Resorts International employees will be paid as usual Friday despite the cybersecurity issues that have dogged the company since Sunday.

As the matter entered its fifth day Thursday,odds on tiger winning the masters a company spokesman said in an email that employees would be paid per usual after some sources questioned whether the computer problems the company experienced had penetrated computerized payroll programs as well.

MGMs websites and mobile app remained down Thursday.

Early Thursday, MGM Chairman and CEO Bill Hornbuckle thanked MGM guests and employees for their patience during the issues that the company has yet to characterize as a cyberattack despite growing evidence that Russia-based hacker groups were responsible for the cyberturmoil at Nevadas largest company.
A few decades ago,scatter slots characters art the thought of mobile gaming, let alone smartwatch gaming was just something that was beyond imagination. But thanks to the rapid evolution of technology and accessibility of the internet, mobile casino games are now a norm, and we have even made the swift transition to smartwatch gaming.

More casino software developing studios such as Playtech and gambling operators like Ladbrokes and Unibet already have betting apps for smartwatches powered by the iOS operating system. Microgaming, who is also in the mix, is working on an application that will run on every type of smartwatch in the market. The next decade is surely going to be a pretty exciting one for mobile casino vulkanvegas.com gamblers. Lets take a closer look at how smartwatch gambling started and where we are now so that we can have a rough idea of what we should expect in for the future.

First-Ever Smartwatch Casino Games

Like any other piece of mobile technology, smartwatch technology has made incredible strides since they first came to be. Although the details were not very clear on what a standard smart what should look like, some think Samsungs SPH-WP10, launched in 1999, was the first model wearable device that could be considered the pioneer. On the other hand, some people say that the origin of smartwatches dates back to the 1970s.

All the same, online casino games being playable via smartwatches is a rather new concept first introduced in early 2014 at the World Mobile Congress event. This congress, which is held annually, is recognized for providing a platform for key developments that pave the way for the transformation of the gaming industry.

As you might have guessed, the gaming giant Microgaming, hailed as the father of online casino gaming, became the first software company to roll out smartwatch-compatible games. Microgamings Thunderstruck game, which is very popular amongst slots enthusiasts, was introduced at the Royal Vegas Android AIR casino back in June 2015. This was quickly followed by Dark Knight Rises, which led to attention being drawn towards slot machines being playable via smartwatches- though it would still take some time before the games could be played for real money.

Advantages of Playing Via Smartwatches

Other than looking cool and techy, some of the advantages of playing casino games on a smartwatch include:

Multitasking Made Simple

Seeing as the watch is belted on your wrist, you wont have to worry about dropping it. The case is different with a smartphone as you can easily drop it down while trying to make coffee as you enjoy your favorite slot machine game all at once.

Mobile to the Maximum

When it comes to mobility, nothing can beat a fully-working smartwatch, not even a smartphone. With the smartwatch having practically all the abilities of a standard smartphone, you can do pretty much everything on the go, including playing online roulette as you wait for your flight at the airport for instance.

Its Definitely Amusing

Just knowing that you can enjoy wagering on your favorite mobile casino games from your wrist is enough motivation to do so. Moreover, smartwatches come with a design that is suitable for their purpose. They look slick, sharp, and generally feel like a non-compulsive way to gamble given that a watch isnt something that anyone can stare at for hours on end, as is the case with smartphones and tablets.

Are We There Yet?

Obviously, given that smartwatch gambling is still considered to be in their early stages, there are certain things that players could struggle with smartwatch betting. For example, the small screen size could take some time to become accustomed to. Besides, it could be a problem when it comes to getting realistic means to make some types of wagers at an online blackjack or roulette table.

Additionally, unlike smartphones, which already have a sort of standard form factor that manufacturers generally follow, smartwatches are designed differently. For instance, some smartwatches feature a round shape, while others a squarish version, with some even coming with thinner rectangular screens. This could delay the development of mobile casino apps for smartwatches. Nonetheless, in case the demand for betting via smartwatches intensifies, developers will always find a solution.

The apps are not only simple but intuitive and will let you play for free, play for real money, and withdraw your earnings, all on your right or left wrist. You can download the apps from Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or directly access them via a top online casino.

Designing betting apps, particularly meant for smartwatches, remains a solid commercial move. By 2017, over 50% of bettors had already switched to gambling via mobile devices, and theres no doubt smartwatch gaming apps might be the next big thing if things are done right.

Category: Casino Blog
English is used differently in different parts of the world. This is evident in several ways. One of the most obvious differences is in spelling conventions between American and British English.

The words totaledand totalledoffer a clear illustration of these spelling differences. One of these words is the preferred in British English, while the other has become standard in American English.

Continue reading for an exploration of the differences between these two spellings, and for help deciding whether totalledor totaled is correct, based on your intended audience.

What is the Difference Between Totaled and Totalled?

In this article, I will compare totaled vs. totalled. I will also use each in a sentence. Plus, I will discuss a helpful trick that will help you decide whether to use totaledor totalledin your own writing.

When to Use Totaled

What does totaled mean? Totaledis a verb. It can function as the past tense for total, which means to add. You can see examples of this sense of the verb below.

Marie totaled up our expenses, and found that we owed the hotel $5,726.21, all told.

The two forwards totaled five goals between them over the past seven matches.

In American English, totaledalso refers to an item which has sustained damage so great that the cost of repairs exceeds its appraised value.

This usage is informal, and typically refers to vehicles that have been in accidents. It can be a verb, where it typically means to wreck, or an adjective, where it means having sustained damage that exceeds its value. See the following sentences as examples.

Mark had too much to drink and totaled his car on the interstate.

Marks insurance company determined that his 1991 Buick LeSabre is now considered totaled, since it has a bent frame and is only worth $400.

A non-profit organization is raising money to replace its van used to transport young children after it was totaled in a nine car crash last week. NJ.com

Totaledis the standard form of this word in American English, following the convention of dropping the double letter in Americanized spelling. See also canceled, labeled, traveled, etc.

When to Use Totalled

What does totalled mean? Totalledis the British English spelling of the same word. It can also be used as a past tense of total.

For example,

The accountant totalled up her billable hours and sent the company an invoice.

Data from market researchers Nielsen showed that spending at bargain stores totalled 4.9bn in the year to July, up 17% from the previous year. The Guardian

British English speakers do not typically use totalledto describe a wrecked vehicle.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember totalledvs. totaledin your writing.

You should use totaledwith primarily American audiences, and totalledwith predominantly British audiences.

You can remember that totalledis the British English version since it shares the double L with the British towns Bexhill-on-Sea, Gillingham, and New Mills. Just as these towns have a double L and are British, so totalledhas a double L and is British.

Summary

Is it totaled or totalled?Totaledand totalledare two spellings of the same word.

Totaled is preferred in American English.

Totalled is standard in British English.

By noticing the LL that totalled shares with several British towns, you can remember to reserve totalledfor use with British audiences.

If you still need help, you can always refer back to this article for additional guidance.
debrouillard [ dey-broo-yar ]/ de bruyar /French. New Word List Save This pokie place2Word! [ dey-broo-yar ]/ de bruyar /French.Save ThisWord!

adjectiveskilled at adapting to any situation; resourceful.

noun, plural debrouillards [dey-broo-yar]. /de bruyar/. a resourceful person who can act independently or cope with any development.

Words nearby debrouillard

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondebris bug, de Broglie, de Broglie equation, de Broglie wave, de Broglie waves, debrouillard, debruise, Debs, Debs, Eugene V., debt, debt consolidationDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is a Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP)?billionaire casino free chips game hunters

A central counterparty clearing house (CCP) is an entity that helps facilitate trading in various European derivatives and equities markets. Typically operated by the major banks in each country, CCPs strive to introduce efficiency and stability into various financial markets. It reduces counterparty, operational, settlement, market, legal, and default risk for traders.

Central Counterparty Clearing House

Understanding a Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP)

1:31

Central counterparty clearing houses (CCPs) perform two primary functions as the intermediary in a transaction: clearing and settlement. As counterparties to the buyers and the sellers, CCPs guarantee the terms of a tradeeven if one party defaults on the agreement. CCPs bear the lion's share of the buyers' and sellers' credit risk when clearing and settling market transactions.

The CCP collects enough money from each buyer and seller to cover potential losses incurred by failing to follow through on an agreement. In such cases, the CCP replaces the trade at the current market price. Monetary requirements are based on each traders exposure and open obligations.

Key Takeaways

A central counterparty clearing house (CCP) is an organization, usually operated by a major bank, that exists in European countries to help facilitate derivatives and equities trading.

Central counterparty clearing houses (CCPs) perform two primary functions as the intermediary in a transaction: clearing and settlement.

A CCP acts as a counterparty to both sellers and buyers, collecting money from each, which allows it to guarantee the terms of a trade.

Functions of a Central Counterparty Clearing House (CCP)

As a means of privacy protection, CCPs shield the associated traders identities from one another. CCPs also protects trading firms against default from buyers and sellers who are matched by an electronic order book and whose creditworthiness is unknown. Furthermore, CCPs reduce the number of transactions that are being settled. This helps smooth operations while reducing the value of the obligations, which helps money move more efficiently among traders.

In the U.S., the equivalent of a CCP is known as a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) or a derivatives clearinghouse and is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Moodys Rating Methods for Central Counterparty Clearing Houses

In January 2016, Moodys Investors Service made headlines by revealing its new methodology for rating CCPs worldwide. In its Clearing Counterparty Rating (CCR) report, Moodys evaluates how a CCP may meet its clearing and settlement obligations in an efficient manner, and how much money will likely be lost if a trader defaults on an obligation. The CCR report factors in the following considerations:

A CCPs management capabilities for obligation defaults and related protections

A CCP's business and financial basics

A CCP's operating environment

A CCP's quantitative measurements and qualitative issues, which Moodys uses when determining a given CCPs creditworthiness

Blockchain Technology and CCPs

Blockchain technology, which is described as an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record financial transactions, arguably represents a new frontier for CCPs. In November 2015, clearinghouses from several nations joined forces to create a think tank known as the Post Trade Distributed Ledger Group, which studies how blockchain technology can affect the way in which security trades are cleared, settled, and recorded. The Group, which in 2018 began collaborating with the Global Blockchain Business Council, now includes around 40 financial institutions all around the world.

The PTDL Group believes new technology can reduce risk and margin requirements, save on operational costs, increase settlement cycle efficiency, and facilitate greater regulatory oversightboth before and after trading. And because this groups members represent various parts of the securities settlement process, they comprehensively understand how the blockchain technology can aid the settlement, clearing, and reporting processes.
vegas slots appshows grade level based on the word's complexity. daughterly [ daw-ter-lee ]/ d tr li / 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-ter-lee ]/ d tr li /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjectivepertaining to, befitting, or like a daughter.

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Words nearby daughterly

How to use in a sentence As for the Country Girl, we are far from suggesting a separation between the motherly and the daughterly ideals. The American Country Girl|Martha Foote Crow

The American Country Girl|Martha Foote Crow She had numberless daughterly ways which none but those unused to them like him would have observed. The Prince of India, Volume II|Lew. Wallace

The Prince of India, Volume II|Lew. Wallace A charming little scene of daughterly devotion, worthy a paragraph if there were a journalist in sight! Vision House|C. N. Williamson

Vision House|C. N. Williamson Right daughterly did Hilda show herself that day, and Faith herself could hardly have been more tender and helpful. Queen Hildegarde|Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards It was a smile of almost daughterly sympathy and comradeship, friendly and innocent, and wholly irresistible. Harriet and the Piper|Kathleen Norris

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 daughterlyFirst recorded in 152535; daughter + -lydaughterliness, nounundaughterly, adjectiveDaugavpils, daughter, daughter cell, daughter-in-law, daughter language, daughterly, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daumier, dauncy, daunt, dauntingDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Administrative Services Only (ASO)?goodman 2.5 ton ac unit price

Administrative services only (ASO) refers to an agreement that companies use when they fund their employee benefit plan but hire an outside vendor to administer it. For example, an organization may hire an insurance company to evaluate and process claims under its employee health plan while maintaining the responsibility of paying the claims itself. An ASO arrangement contrasts with a company that purchases health insurance for its employees from an external provider.

Key Takeaways

ASO-based, self-funded benefit plans are common among large firms because they can spread the risk of costly claims over a large number of workers and dependents.

Because employers with ASOs take full responsibility for claims made to the plan, many also establish stop-loss arrangements.

ASO agreements were designed for larger companies that prefer to outsource payroll, workers' compensation, health benefits, and human resources functions, but also want to fund their own health plan.

ASO insurance generally includes short-term disability, health, and dental benefits.

Traditional administrator plans are arrangements where the insurance company provides administrative services, as well as assumes the risks of claims.

Understanding Administrative Services Only (ASO)

Plan specifics for administrative services only (ASO) vary depending on the agreement a company establishes with insurance companies and third-party administrators (TPA). In ASO arrangements, the insurance company provides little to no insurance protection, which is in contrast to a fully insured plan sold to the employer.

As such, an ASO plan is a type of self-insured or self-funded plan. The employer takes full responsibility for claims made to the plan. For this reason, many employers using ASO plans also establish aggregate stop-loss policies in which the insurance company takes responsibility for paying claims that exceed a certain levelfor example, $10,000 per insured person in exchange for a premium.

Aggregate stop-loss insurance policies will protect the employer if claims are greater than expected. To reduce financial risk, these policies are especially advisable for companies that choose self-funded benefit plans.

ASO insurance plans typically cover short-term disability, health, and dental benefits. Occasionally, they cover long-term disability for larger employers. ASO services are gaining popularity as many employers, particularly larger ones, explore the potential financial advantages that this type of plan can provide. An ASO may allow an employer to take greater control of benefit costs to meet the organization's needs. However, ASO arrangements may not be suitable for all companies, and they come with certain risks.

Traditional Administrator vs. Administrative Services Only (ASO)

A traditional administrator agreement is an arrangement whereby an insurance company fully administers claims. The insurance company is responsible for the services to maintain and manage plans, including making decisions on and covering the costs of claims.

Alternatively, under the ASO, the insurance company only provides administrative services for plans. The insurer serves as a third-party administrator to the employer, who assumes the duty to cover claim costs.

67%

The percentage of employees who were covered by an ASO plan in 2020.

Under the traditional administrator agreement, premiums are fixed and reviewed annually. This arrangement makes it difficult for employers to know the impact of claims until premiums are assessed for the next year. With ASO arrangements, employers can, in real-time, keep track of fluctuating costs and plan accordingly.

Considering costs, when they exceed what was expected, premiums increase the following year with the traditional administrator. If costs are less than expected, the surplus remains with the insurance company. On the other hand, with an ASO agreement, the surplus is reinvested with the employer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Administrative Services Only (ASO)

The costs for fully insured plans depend on an insurer's evaluation of anticipated claims for a given year. For an ASO, however, annual funding levels are based on actual paid claims. If there are fewer claims than anticipated, then employers keep the surplus and reinvest the reserves. The surplus can translate into employers offering additional benefits, many of which would not be ordinarily covered by conventional health plans.

The total costs for an ASO are typically lower than those for a traditional administrator as the employer pays a negotiated fee to the third party rather than salaries and benefits to dedicated staff. These cost savings can offset rises in claims and be used to help the company grow. Alternatively, if claims consistently exceed forecasts, the cost for ASO may exceed that of a traditional administrator plan.

On the other hand, employers would be responsible for any deficit if claims exceed budgeted amounts. Catastrophic claims or sudden and unexpected events are of particular concern as they can exceed projected budgets and erode profits. Employers often invest in a stop-loss insurance policy to provide an additional level of protection in the event of these cases.

In some cases, an ASO arrangement may not be suitable for life insurance and extended healthcare benefits. Employers need to weigh the risks and benefits of how different ASO arrangements might affect their organizations.

Cost savings are retained by the employer.

Additional benefits may be offered to employees.

Stop-loss insurance protects the employer from large, unforeseen expenses.

Losses erode profits.

Deficits are realized by the employer.

Traditional administrator plans may be more cost-efficient.

Administrative Services Only FAQs

What Is a Recommended Stop Loss Level for an ASO Plan?

ProsCons

A common stop loss level for an ASO plan is $10,000 per eligible employee.

Is Self-Funded Healthcare the Same as Administrative Services Only?

Self-funded healthcare and administrative services only (ASO) are the same. These terms indicate an insurance arrangement in which the employer or organization assumes full responsibility for the cost of covered claims.

Who Keeps the Profits in Fully Insured Coverage?

Under a fully insured plan, the insurance company retains profits.
cooks casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. carbon disulfide 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 clear, colorless or faintly yellow, poisonous, flammable liquid, CS2, used chiefly in the manufacture of cellophane, viscose rayon, and pesticides and as a solvent for fats, resins, and rubber.

Words nearby carbon disulfide

How to use in a sentence Broken down simply, suppliers source that hard, woody material from plantations across the world and break it down with chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide into a cellulose pulp. Bamboo fabric is less sustainable than you think|Sara Kiley Watson|September 7, 2021|Popular-Science

Bamboo fabric is less sustainable than you think|Sara Kiley Watson|September 7, 2021|Popular-Science The team proposed Hycean-specific biosignatures to keep an eye out for include traces of nitrous oxide, carbon disulfide, dimethyl sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and methyl chloride. Newly Classified Hycean Exoplanets Could Accelerate the Search for Alien Life|Jason Dorrier|August 29, 2021|Singularity Hub

Newly Classified Hycean Exoplanets Could Accelerate the Search for Alien Life|Jason Dorrier|August 29, 2021|Singularity Hub It reacts very readily with oxygen by burning smokelessly, with carbon dioxide and water as its byproducts. Methane on Mars: Life or Just Gas?|Matthew R. Francis|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Methane on Mars: Life or Just Gas?|Matthew R. Francis|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST Methane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means containing hydrogen and carbon. Methane on Mars: Life or Just Gas?|Matthew R. Francis|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST Al Gore, however, sold his Current TV channel to Al Jazeera, which is funded by the royal family of famously carbon neutral Qatar. Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. ORourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. ORourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST Other psychiatrists attempted to treat schizophrenia with carbon dioxide gas and artificially-induced comas. Schizophrenia Isnt One Disorder but Eight|Samantha Allen|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Schizophrenia Isnt One Disorder but Eight|Samantha Allen|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST And stinking rich is the smell of zero carbon emissions at eco-friendly tech company campuses. Up To a Point: Robber Barons Make Way For Robber Nerds|P. J. ORourke|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Up To a Point: Robber Barons Make Way For Robber Nerds|P. J. ORourke|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST What are a few paltry, lumps of crystallised carbon compared to a galaxy of a million million suns? God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford The carbon dioxid evolved distends the stomach, and its outline can easily be determined by percussion. A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd Carbon is the largest constituent of plants, and forms, in round numbers, about 50 per cent of their weight when dry. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson The particular phenomena of vegetation also afford abundant evidence that humus cannot be the only source of carbon. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson The composition of animal caseine differs from this principally in the amount of carbon. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

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 carbon disulfideFirst recorded in 186570Carbondale, carbon-date, carbon dating, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide snow, carbon disulfide, carbon disulphide, carbonette, carbon fiber, carbon fibre, carbon fixationDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
opening odds to win super bowlshows grade level based on the word's complexity. dauntless [ dawnt-lis, dahnt- ]/ dnt ls, dnt- / New Word List Save This Word!See synonyms for: dauntless / dauntlessly / dauntlessness on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dawnt-lis, dahnt- ]/ dnt ls, dnt- /Save This Word!See synonyms for: dauntless / dauntlessly / dauntlessness on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjectivenot to be daunted or intimidated; fearless; intrepid; bold: a dauntless hero.

noun(initial capital letter)Also called Douglas SBD. the principal U.S. Navy fleet bomber of early World War II, capable of carrying bombs or depth charges and particularly successful as a dive bomber.

OTHER WORDS FOR dauntless

OTHER WORDS FROM dauntless

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Words related to dauntless dauntless/ (dntls) / adjectivebold; fearless; intrepid Derived forms of dauntless dauntlessly, adverbdauntlessness, noun 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

First recorded in 158595; daunt + -lessdauntlessly, adverbdauntlessness, nounDaughters of the American Revolution, Daumier, dauncy, daunt, daunting, dauntless, Daunus, dauphin, dauphine, dauphiness, daurDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
After Paris Saint  Germain eventually was eliminated from the Champions League during the last  16 for the 5th time over the course of the past 7  years, Kylian Mbappeseemed to be not so surprised about that.

Media Statements

Upon him reflecting on PSGs overall team effort resulting in a 3 to 0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023. The French  born striker frankly stated what was on everyone theres mind, This kind of performance against the biggest European teams is actually the maximum PSG can deliver.

I said it at the beginning of the season, in the first press conference of the season, that we were going to give our all. And that was our all  Thats the truth,Mbappe said.

Even after 5  years following him joining PSG, Mbappe has now played in 2  times as many World Cup finals as he has played in the Champions League finals.

Were going to ask ourselves the tough questionsand go back to our daily routine, which is the league,Mbappe expressed.

What a Disappointment!

Because the cash  rich Qatari investorstook control of PSG back in 2011, they have been a dominant force in France although they have consistently failed to reproduce that winning success on the European stage even though the Paris Saint  Germain football club spends extreme surpluses of money on huge big  name superstar footballers.

The one and only Champions League final that Paris Saint  Germain was able to make it to was in the pandemic  lessened format of the 2020 season, when it also featured the loss to Bayern Munich. Mbappe as well as Neymar (who cost a total of 402 million euros or $432 million) were both held scoreless in that specific contest.

Superstars not Holding their Value for PSG

Since playmakers such as Javier Pastorerose to be Paris Saint  Germains 1st major signing for 42 million euros or $45 million back in the year of 2011. PSGs total net spending has increased to over 1 billion euros or $1.1 billion. Even though the currency display has been quite extreme, Paris Saint  Germain has been unable to build a solid collective with complete depth on their bench, and instead they consistently rely on the individual skills of their very talented big  name superstars.

Back in the day it used to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but now it is dependent on Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar. Neymar is presently out due to an injury up until the end of the season, and he did not play in Munich this week, while Messi as well as Mbappe were silenced by the players of Bayern Munich.

In order to strengthen the football club, Paris Saint  Germain officials had previously discussed the possibility of employing a more versatile full  back as well as some new midfielders, with Aurelien Tchouameniand Ousmane Dembelesupposedly were the names that came across the landscape last season.

However, none of them ultimately joined PSG while they once again missed out on the signing of the Inter Milan central defender in Milan Skriniar. During the winter transfer window, Paris Saint  Germain attempted to recruit Hakim Ziyech, but that loan move fell apart due to a late proposal of the necessary documents.

PSG vs. Bayern Munich

In Munich, Germany on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 the insurmountable absence of the injured Presnel Kimpembeleft Paris Saint  Germain reliant upon the inexperienced 17  year  old center back in El Chadaille Bitshiabufollowing Marquinhos as well as Nordi Mukiele both being subbed out for.

PSG has one of the biggest budgets in Europe and there is no solution on the bench,the former Paris Saint  Germain player in Edouard Cisse relayed through an interview with the LEquipe newspaper.

In midfield, another teen in Warren Zaire  Emerywas put in the match for the final 15  minutes as he substituted for Fabian Ruiz.

You have to turn the game around and you can only put in Zaire  Emery, who is my daughters age,Cisse goes on to say. You really have to ask yourself questions.

Following PSG getting taken out of the French Cup by their French rival of Marseillelast month, all that Paris Saint  Germain can do this season is possibly win the French league title. With just 12  matches remaining for PSG to play they currently have an 8  point advantage over Marseille.

Its a big disappointment,the head coach of Paris Saint  Germain, Christophe Galtier, emphatically explained. We have to deal with it and accept it. Theres a lot of disappointment in the dressing room. I dont know if its a lesson to be learned, but theres a lot of frustration.

With Paris Saint  Germains consistency of regularly changing coaches, Galtiers near future at the helm of the football club certainly looks grim, while Mbappe, who joined from Monacoback in 2017 when he was still a young teen, could be attracted to leave the squad if he feels that he is becoming a huge skill player that is being totally wasted.

No, no, Im calm,Kylian Mbappe proclaimed after he was asked if the defeat versus Bayern Munich would have an influence on his future with Paris Saint  Germain. My objective is to win the league, and then well see.

Childhood Dreams of Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe originally joined the Paris Saint Germain football club after leaving Monacoback in 2017 when he was still a youngster (teenager). Kylian has often stated that playing for Real Madrid has always been his childhood dream, and even when he signed his most recent contract extension, the French forward never ruled out making that move happen one day. Now may be that time especially while he is in the prime of his pro football career.

What will happen in the future, I dont know,Kylian Mbappe said back in May of 2022 when he was thinking about a possible transfer.

Kylian Mbappes Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Monaco

Ligue 1: 2016  2017

Coupe de la Ligue Runner  Up: 2016  2017

Paris Saint  Germain

Ligue 1: 2017  2018, 2018  2019, 2019  2020, 2021  2022

Coupe de France: 2017  2018, 2019  2020, 2020  2021; Runner  Up: 2018  2019

Coupe de la Ligue: 2017  2018, 2019  2020

Trophee des Champions: 2019, 2020

UEFA Champions League Runner  Up: 2019  2020

France U  19

UEFA European Under  19 Championship: 2016

France

FIFA World Cup: 2018

UEFA Nations League: 2020  2021

Individual

UEFA European Under  19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016

UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2018  2019, 2020  2021, 2021  2022

UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2016  2017, 2017  2018, 2018  2019

UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2016  2017, 2017  2018, 2018  2019, 2020  2021, 2021  2022

UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2017, March 2018, August 2018, February 2019, February 2021, August 2021, February 2022

UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2016  2017, 2019  2020, 2020  2021

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021  2022

FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018, 2019

Golden Boy: 2017

FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2018

FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018

Kopa Trophy: 2018

IFFHS Mens World Team: 2018, 2021

French Player of the Year: 2018, 2019

UEFA Team of the Year: 2018

Ligue 1 Top Goal Scorer: 2018  2019, 2019  2020, 2020  2021, 2021  2022

Ligue 1 Top assist provider: 2021  2022

Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2021

Onze de Bronze: 2019

UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot: 2021

Orders

Knight of the Legion of Honor: 2018

Lionel Messis Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Barcelona

La Liga (10): 2004  2005, 2005  2006, 2008  2009, 2009  2010, 2010  2011, 2012  2013, 2014  2015, 2015  2016, 2017  2018, 2018  2019

Copa del Rey (7): 2008  2009, 2011  2012, 2014  2015, 2015  2016, 2016  2017, 2017  2018, 2020  2021

Supercopa de Espana (8): 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018

UEFA Champions League: 2005  2006, 2008  2009, 2010  2011, 2014  2015

UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

Paris Saint  Germain

Ligue 1: 2021  2022

Trophee des Champions: 2022

Argentina U  20

FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U  23

Summer Olympics: 2008

Argentina

FIFA World Cup: 2022

Copa America: 2021

CONMEBOL  UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022

Individual

Ballon dOr / FIFA Ballon dOr (7): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021

FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009

The Best FIFA Mens Player: 2019

European Golden Shoe (6): 2009  2010, 2011  2012, 2012  2013, 2016  2017, 2017  2018, 2018  2019

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022

FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022

FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011

FIFA U  20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005

FIFA U  20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005

Copa America Best Player: 2015, 2021

Copa America Top Goalscorer: 2021

La Liga Best Player (6): 2008  2009, 2009  2010, 2010  2011, 2011  2012, 2012  2013, 2014  2015

Pichichi Trophy (8): 2009  2010, 2011  2012, 2012  2013, 2016  2017, 2017  2018, 2018  2019, 2019  2020, 2020  2021

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020

Argentine Footballer of the Year (14): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Sources:

Petrequin, Samuel. PSG shows limits in yet another early Champions League exit. The Associated Press. Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. Kylian Mbappe. Football Reference. Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. Lionel Messi. Football Reference. Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Dacko [ dak-oh,mega bunny slot dah-koh ]/ dk o, d ko / New Word List Save This Word! [ dak-oh,dah-koh ]/ dk o, d ko /Save This Word!

nounDavid, 19302003, African statesman: president of the Central African Republic 196066, 197981.

Words nearby Dacko

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondachshund, Dacia, dacite, dack, dacker, Dacko, dacks, dacoit, dacoity, D/A converter, dacquoiseDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
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Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that the world should resolutely oppose the attempt to politicize food and energy issues or use them as tools and weapons.



Food and energy security is which crypto will explode 2021the most pressing challenge in global development, Xi noted, adding that the root cause of the current crisis is not production or demand, but interrupted supply chains and international cooperation.



The way out of this is for all countries to, with the coordination of the United Nations and other multilateral international organizations, enhance cooperation on market supervision and regulation, build partnerships on commodities, develop an open, stable and sustainable commodities market, and work together to unclog supply chains and stabilize market prices, Xi said at the G20 summit.



He also called for removing unilateral sanctions, and lifting restrictions on relevant scientific and technological cooperation.


What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA?cash cove slot machine free

A backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy rather than an official type of individual retirement account. It is a technique used by high-income earnerswho exceed Roth IRA income limitsto convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

The backdoor Roth IRA strategy is not a tax dodge. When you transfer the assets of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you owe taxes on any fundsthe principal, earnings, and appreciationthat have not been taxed previously.

If the IRA has been funded solely with tax-deductible contributions, then the entire value of the transferred assets will be taxed; however, as with any Roth IRA, if you follow the rules, you should owe no further taxes when you make withdrawals.

Key Takeaways

The backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy used by high earners for converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Using this strategy, you can contribute to an IRA and roll them over to a Roth IRA or convert an entire IRA to a Roth.

The backdoor Roth IRA strategy is a legal way to get around the income limits that usually prevent high earners from owning Roth IRAs.

The backdoor Roth IRA strategy is not a tax dodgein fact, it may incur higher taxes when its establishedbut you'll get the future tax savings of a Roth account.

The backdoor Roth IRA strategy is also beneficial for someone who anticipates having funds leftover in their traditional IRA because they can pass the money on to their heirs in a Roth IRA.

Understanding Backdoor Roth IRAs

A Roth IRA allows taxpayers to set aside a few thousand dollars from their annual earnings in a retirement savings account. The contributed money is after-tax dollarsmeaning the funds are earnings that have been taxed in the year when they are contributed to the Roth IRA.

Roth vs. Traditional

A Roth IRA differs from a traditional IRA. The traditional IRA gives the earner an immediate tax break because they can take a tax deduction for their contributions in the year they are made, and no taxes are due until the money is withdrawn. When withdrawals are made, usually after retirement, the account holder will owe taxes on both the dollars invested and their earnings.

The problem for high-income taxpayers is that individuals who earn above a certain amount arent allowed to open or fund Roth IRAs. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds statutory ceilings, then the law starts phasing out the amount that you can contributebetween $129,000 and $144,000 for single filers and $204,000 and $214,000 for joint filers in 2022.

For 2023, the ranges are between $138,000 and $153,000 for single filers and $218,000 and $228,000 for joint filers. Once your annual income exceeds a specified threshold, you cannot participate at all$214,000 ($228,000 in 2023) for joint filers and $144,000 ($153,000 in 2023) for single filers.

Traditional IRAs dont have income ceilings for participation. And, since 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) hasnt had income limits that restrict who can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. As a result, the backdoor Roth IRA has become a tax-planning opportunity for higher-income taxpayers who ordinarily couldnt contribute to a Roth IRA.

The way that backdoor Roth IRAs work has changed over the years. Although IRA funds that were transferred to Roth IRAs in pre-2018 conversions could be recharacterized as traditional IRA contributions before 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 banned the strategy of recharacterizing converted funds in a Roth IRA back to a traditional IRA contribution in conversions enacted after Dec. 31, 2017.

Some taxpayers who are ineligible to deduct IRA contributions use after-tax dollars to fund a traditional IRA and pay taxes again when withdrawing from the account just to have an IRA.

How to Create a Backdoor Roth IRA

You can create a backdoor Roth IRA in one of three ways:

Contribute money to an existing traditional IRA and then roll over the funds to a Roth IRA. Or you can roll over existing traditional IRA money into a Rothas much as you want at one time, even if its more than the annual contribution limit.

Convert your entire traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

If your company 401(k) plan allows conversions, you can roll your 401(k) account over to a Roth IRA.

The custodial bank or brokerage for your IRA should be able to help you with the mechanics. If you have an employer-managed plan, you can contact the financial services firm that manages it to learn if your plan provides this opportunity.

Tax Implications of a Backdoor Roth IRA

Remember that in an IRA transfer or conversion to a Roth IRA, you still need to pay taxes on any money in your traditional IRA that hasnt been taxed.

For example, if you contribute $6,000 to a traditional IRA, claim a deduction for the $6,000 on your tax return, and then convert that money to a Roth IRA, youll owe taxes on the $6,000.

Youll also owe taxes on whatever money that IRA contribution earned between the date when it was contributed to the traditional IRA and the date when you converted it to a Roth IRA.

If you make after-tax contributions to a traditional IRAthat is, contribute funds that are nondeductible and taxable that yearthese amounts will not be taxed on their transfer to the Roth IRA.

But if most of your IRA contributions were deducted from your income, and if your IRA has accumulated earnings or made investments that have appreciated over a long period, then most of the funds and investments that you convert to a Roth IRA likely will count as taxable income at the time of the conversion. That could kick you into a higher tax bracket that year; however, you may not have to pay tax on all the money; a pro-rata rule applies to prevent taxing the amounts attributable to after-tax contributions.

Also, the funds that you put into the Roth are considered converted funds, not contributions. That means you must wait five years for penalty-free access to your funds in your backdoor Roth IRA if youre under age 59. These converted funds differ from regular Roth IRA contributions, which can be withdrawn anytime without taxes or penalties.

On the positive side, a backdoor Roth IRA lets you get around the income and contribution limits that apply to traditional Roth IRAs:

Roth IRA Income Limits: For 2022, if your MAGI is $144,000 ($153,000 in 2023) or higher and youre single (or $214,000 [$228,000 in 2023] or higher and youre married filing jointly or a qualifying widow or widower), then you cant contribute to a traditional Roth IRA. These limits dont apply to backdoor Roth IRA conversions.

For 2022, if your MAGI is $144,000 ($153,000 in 2023) or higher and youre single (or $214,000 [$228,000 in 2023] or higher and youre married filing jointly or a qualifying widow or widower), then you cant contribute to a traditional Roth IRA. These limits dont apply to backdoor Roth IRA conversions. Roth IRA Contribution Limits: For 2022, you can contribute $6,000 yearly (or $7,000 if you are 50 or older) to a traditional Roth IRA. For 2023, you can contribute $6,500 yearly (or $7,500 if you are 50 or older).

With a backdoor Roth IRA conversion, these limits dont apply.

Benefits of a Backdoor Roth IRA

Aside from getting around the limits, why would taxpayers want to take the extra steps involved in doing the backdoor Roth IRA dance? There are several good reasons.

For one thing, Roth IRAs dont have required minimum distributions (RMDs), which means that account balances can create tax-deferred growth for as long as the account holder is alive. You can take out as much or as little as you want, whenever you want, or you can leave it all for your heirs.

Another reason is that a backdoor Roth contribution can mean significant tax savings over decades because Roth IRA distributions, unlike traditional IRA distributions, are not taxable.

The main advantage of a backdoor Roth IRAas with Roth IRAs in generalis that you pay taxes upfront on your converted pretax funds, and everything after that is tax-free. This tax benefit is greatest if you think that tax rates will rise in the future or that your taxable income will be higher in the years after your backdoor Roth IRA is established than it is nowespecially if you plan to withdraw after a distant retirement date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Backdoor Roth Still Allowed in 2022?

Under present law, a backdoor Roth individual retirement account (IRA) is legally permissible and respected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), provided that tax law requirements are met.

Is a Backdoor Roth a Good Idea?

The backdoor Roth strategy can be beneficial if you earn too much to contribute to a Roth IRA or if you've determined that a Roth IRA is better for your retirement.

Do You Pay Taxes Twice on a Backdoor Roth IRA?

Traditional IRA contributions are tax-deferred until withdrawals are taken. When you convert your IRA to a Roth IRA, you pay taxes on your contributions and capital gains. When you withdraw from your Roth, there are no taxes because you've already paid them. So you only pay taxes once using the backdoor Roth IRA strategy.

The Bottom Line

If youre thinking of using the backdoor Roth IRA strategy, crunch the numbers and consider the tax implications, especially if you are converting the entire balance of a traditional IRA. The amount of tax you owe could be huge.

Even given that, the backdoor Roth IRA strategy can have advantagesespecially for high earners. Roth IRAs dont have RMDs, so you can hold them forever and pass them on to your heirs. Another reason is that a backdoor Roth contribution can mean significant tax savings over the decades because Roth IRA distributions, unlike traditional IRA distributions, are not taxable.

CorrectionSept. 21, 2022:A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the one-year rollover rule applied to a Roth conversion when such transactions are exempted from this rule.
Fitch Ratings Inc. announced that it had upgraded the so-called Issuer Default Rating for the well-known gambling operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. from BB+ to BBB-.The upgrade also concerns the companys subsidiaries, Sands China Ltd. included. In addition to this, their senior secured credit facilities had also been upgraded from BBB- to BBB.

Fitch Ratings Inc. is one of the three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations by the independent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Generally speaking, the companys Issuer Default Rating represents a given entitys susceptibility to default on financial debts. Being upgraded to BBB- means that Las Vegas Sands Corp. is at very low risk of default.

Fitch Ratings also pointed out that the casino operator is very likely to maintain its current stability in future.

Experts from the research house explained that Las Vegas Sands upgrade was mainly due to the conservative approachthe company had taken three years ago when it had began to wind down its comprehensive capital development pipeline.

Other important factors that contributed to Las Vegas Sands higher grade are its strong liquidity, its positive discretionary cash flow,and its ability to convert non-core assets into cash.

What is more, the company currently operates venues in some of the most attractive destinations in the world, which makes it one of the most popular gambling operators. At present, Las Vegas Sands manages four casinos in Macau, one in Singapore, and three other in the U.S.

As previously commented, revenue from gaming activities in Macau has been marking a drop during the past several months.This was mainly attributed to the corruption scandal in China, the decrease in VIP players that traveled to the administrative region, and the visa restrictions that were implemented recently. A decrease was posted from Singaporean market as well.

Fitch Ratings, however, pointed out that Las Vegas Sands exposure to Macaus VIP segment is not that significant (about 16% of the companys profits are coming from VIP players), which means that the operator is less dependent on such volatile earnings.

The research house stated that the year-on-year decrease in Sands Chinas monthly revenues has averaged 6% for the past half a year. The company started posting drops in turnover back in June.

According to Fitch Ratings forecasts, the gaming operator will generate a negative gaming revenue growth of 2% in 2014 and a 4% one during the next year.

In its report, the research house also claimed that it expects Sands Chinas The Parisian to open doors for guests and visitors by the middle of 2016. As it was announced earlier this week, the $2.7-billion project for a Paris-themed resort was given all the necessary approvals by the local government.
What Is Procyclic?win real cash casino games

Procyclic describes a state where the behavior and actions of a measurable product or service move in tandem with the cyclical condition of the economy.

Key Takeaways

Procyclic refers to a condition of a positive correlation between the value of a good, a service, or an economic indicator and the overall state of the economy.

Some examples of procyclic economic indicators are gross domestic product (GDP), labor, and marginal cost.

Policies and fiscal behavior typically fall into procyclic patterns in periods of boom and bust.

Understanding Procyclic

Economic indicators can have one of three different relationships to the economy: Countercyclic (indicator and economy move in opposite directions), acyclic (indicator has no relevance to the state of the economy), or procyclic.

Procyclic refers to a condition of a positive correlation between the value of a good, a service, or an economic indicator and the overall state of the economy. In other words, the value of the good, service, or indicator tends to move in the same direction as the economy, growing when the economy grows and declining when the economy declines.

Some examples of procyclic economic indicators are gross domestic product (GDP), labor, and marginal cost. Most consumer goods are also considered procyclic because consumers tend to buy more discretionary goods when the economy is in good shape.

Policies and fiscal behavior typically fall into procyclic patterns in periods of boom and bust. When there is economic prosperity, many members of the population will engage in behavior that not only falls in line with that growth but serves to extend the period.

Procyclic Example

In the lead up to the housing and financial crisis of the late 2000s, there was a collective expectation for ongoing financial gain. Consumers engaged in more spending, borrowers sought mortgages for homes that might have been outside of their means to repay, financial institutions encouraged such behavior, and government policies did little to deter such trends. As long as the market collectively supported the boom nature and fed the economy, this continued until the bad debt and other issues became too great to ignore, and the markets collapsed.

The economic climate changed when the bust part of the cycle hit. Consumer spending dropped, banks and loan companies clamped down on their lending practices, foreclosures spread across the market on homes with lapsed mortgages, and federal legislation was quickly drafted to prevent it all from happening again. These were all procyclic responses to the action at hand.

The further the economy moves away from that crisis period, the more spending increases, and certain legislation that was deemed onerous by financial institutions might be questioned. Such behavior is procyclic because, unless there is some motivation to act differently, there is a desire to remove what would be seen as constraints on choice when the market seems prosperous.

The trouble with strictly procyclic reactions to the economy is they do not allow for forward-thinking behavior that would prepare the market for the declines that will eventually return. If preventative legislation is only supported during times of crisis, in all likelihood, the behavior that contributed to the collapse of the market will be repeated.
What Is Fill or Kill (FOK)?fnaf 2 online slotmachines online

Fill or kill (FOK) is a conditional type of time-in-force order used in securities trading that instructs a brokerage to execute a transaction immediately and completely or not at all. This type of order is most often used by active traders and is usually for a large quantity of stock. The order must be filled in its entirety or else canceled (killed).

A FOK is essentially an all-or-none (AON) and immediate-or-cancel order (IOC) combined.

Key Takeaways

A Fill or Kill (FOK) order is an order that is directed to be executed immediately at the market or a specified price or canceled if not filled.

A FOK order combines an all-or-none (AON) specification indicating it must be filled entirely with an immediate-or-cancel (IOC) timeframe.

Typical FOK orders last a couple of seconds to minimize disruption to the stock's price and partial fills are not allowed.

Understanding Fill or Kill

The purpose of a fill or kill (FOK) order is to ensure that an entire position is executed at prevailing prices in a timely manner. Without a fill or kill designation, it might take a prolonged period of time to complete a large order. Because such orders are typically placed for large quantities, prolonged execution of the order has the potential to cause significant changes to a stock's price and causing market disruption.

On some exchanges, an FOK should be executed within a few seconds of it being shown to the trading community. In this context, the market or limit order FOK is treated similarly to an "all or none" order with the exception that it is immediately canceled if not completely filled. On other exchanges, an FOK is executed by filling the order with the number of shares that the first bid or offer makes available. Then, any unfilled balance of shares would be canceled. In this context, the FOK is a way for a buyer or seller to fill what is possible, then cancel the rest.

In reality, however, the fill-or-kill type of trade does not occur very often. Other methods of instructing a brokerage on the time frame in which a trade is to be executed include immediate or cancel (IOC) which means to fill all or part of the order immediately, then cancel any part that cannot be filled, and good til canceled (GTC), which keeps an order open until it is able to be filled at a specified price.

Fill or Kill Example

Assume an investor wants to purchase 1 million shares of Stock XYZ at $15 per share. If the investor wants to buy 1 million shares fairly immediately, and no fewer, at $15 (or better), an FOK order should be placed. Assume the order is placed. If a broker has more than a million shares in its inventory and would only like to sell 700,000 shares at the $15 price, the order would be killed. If the broker is willing to sell 1 million shares but only a price of $15.01, the order would be killed.

On the other hand, if the broker is willing to sell the full 1 million shares at $15, the order would be filled instantly. Also, if the broker is willing to sell the full 1 million shares at a better price, say $14.99, the order would also be filled.
While exploring ancient ruins and forgotten temples, archaeologists and adventures love to stumble upon relics of a long-dead culture.

Some of these objects have incredible cultural significance, while others are worth huge sums of money to collectors. Some are merely trinkets or curios to be displayed on a shelf, and serve as conversation pieces.

There is a word for such objects, but how should it be spelled? Some writers prefer artefact, while others use artifact.

Like many such differences, this one can be attributed to spelling conventions in British and American English. British writers prefer one spelling, and Americans use the other. Continue reading to discover who uses which word.

What is the Difference Between Artefact and Artifact?

In this article, I will compare artefact vs. artifact. I will also provide example sentences for each spelling and show you a helpful trick to use when choosing artefact or artifact for your writing.

When to Use Artefact

What does artefact mean? An artefactis a man-made object of cultural or historical significance. This word is a noun.

For example,

The artefact is on display at the art museum.

French historical theme park Le Puy du Fou bought the 15th-century gold-plated silver ring at auction in London in February for 300,000 but was told after it had arrived in France that it had not obtained the necessary export licence for a historical artefact. The Guardian

It is also used in a much broader sense to refer to byproducts of a complex process that appear in a finished product. Artefactscan show up in data sets, in digitally manipulated imagery, and in manufactured goods, among other places.

In this sense, the word is used like this,

Detective Smolinski knew that the photo had been altered, because he could see digital artefacts in the image.

When to Use Artifact

What does artifact mean? Artifactcarries the same meaning as artefact. They are two different spellings of the same word. Artifactis the standard form in American English, but it is also widely used in British English.

The company behind the Titanic traveling exhibitions is suing France in hopes of winning approval to sell French artifacts from the famous shipwreck. The Wall Street Journal

As you can see from the following chart, it isnt just American writers that use artifact. British writers use both spellings, but there is a slight preference for artefact.

The above chart only references British English books written since 1800, so its not comprehensive by any means. Still, it illustrates the preference for artefact in British English.

In American English, however, the story is quite different. As you can see from the below chart that graphs artefactvs. artifactin American English, there is a strong preference for artifact.

If you are writing for an American audience, you will want to use the spelling artifact.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember artifact vs. artefact.

American English users prefer artifact.

British English users prefer artefact, although they sometimes use artifact as well.

Artefact and England share the letter E, so remembering that artefact is primarily used in British English should be an easy task.

To simplify things even further, you could default to artifactin all contexts, since the British also use that variant. On the other hand, you should strive to use language intentionally, so if you know you will be writing for a primarily British audience, you will enhance your writing by using artefact.

Summary

Is it artefact or artifact?Artefactand artifactare two versions of the same noun. They are only differentiated by the communities in which they are used. Both spellings refer to a man-made object of cultural or historical significance.

Artefact is the British English spelling.

Artifact is the American English spelling.

You can remember to use artefact with British audiences since artefact and England both contain the letter E. Stick with artifact for American audiences.

Now you know whether you should choose artifact or artefact, depending on your intended audience. Be sure to check this site for other questions about word choice and writing in general.
voyager digital new jerseyshows grade level based on the word's complexity. decamp [ dih-kamp ]/ dkmp / New Word List Save This Word!See decamp167080; <French decamper, equivalent to de-dis-1+ camper to encamp; see camp1 OTHER WORDS FROM decamp decampment, noun Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dih-kamp ]/ dkmp /Save This Word!See decamp167080;

Words nearby decamp

Words related to decamp decamp/ (dkmp) / verb (intr)to leave a camp; break campto depart secretly or suddenly; abscond Derived forms of decamp decampment, noun 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

decalitre, Decalogue, decamerous, decametre, decametric, decamp, decan, decanal, decane, decanedioic acid, decaniDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Filing Status?7 seas casino northern trust odds

Filing status is a category that defines the type of tax return form a taxpayer must use when filing their taxes. Filing status is closely tied to marital status.

Understanding Filing Status

The filing status is important because an individual's tax bracket (and, therefore, the amount they must pay) is determined by marital status, the number of children, occupation, and several other factors. You must file your status honestly, or it will be considered fraudulent and penalties will be assessed.

For federal income tax purposes, a taxpayer falls into one of five categories: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) with dependent children.

Single Filer

A single filer is a taxpayer that is unmarried, divorced, a registered domestic partner, or legally separated according to state law as of the last day of the tax year. The head of a household or a person who is widowed does not fall under the "single" category for tax purposes. Single filers have lower income limits for most exemptions.

For Tax Year 2022 and 2023 Federal Income Tax Rate Income Range for Single Taxpayer for 2022 Income Range for Single Taxpayer for 2023 10% $0-$10,275 $0-$11,000 12% $10,276-$41,775 $11,001-$44,725 22% $41,776-$89,075 $44,726-95,375 24% $89,076-$170,050 $95,376-$182,100 32% $170,051-$215,950 $182,101- $231,250 35% $215,951-$539,900 $231,251 - $578,125 37% Over $539,900 Over $578,125 Standard Deduction $12,950 $13,850

Married Person Filing Jointly or Surviving Spouse

An individual that is married by the end of the tax year can file tax returns jointly with their spouse. When filing under married filing jointly status, couples can record their respective incomes, exemptions, and deductions on the same tax return. A joint tax return often provides a bigger tax refund or a lower tax liability.

For Tax Years 2022 and 2023 Federal Income Tax Rate Income Range for Taxpayer who is Married Filing Jointly in 2022 Income Range for Taxpayers Who Are Married Filing Jointly in 2023 10% $0-$20,550 $0-$22,000 12% $20,551-$83,550 $22,001-$89,450 22% $83,551-$178,150 $89,451-$190,750 24% $178,151-$340,100 $190,751-$364,200 32% $340,101-$431,900 $364,201-$462,500 35% $431,901-$647,850 $462,500-$693,750 37% Over $647,850 Over $693,751 Standard Deduction $25,900 $27,700

Married filing jointly is best if only one spouse has a significant income. If both spouses work and the income and itemized deductions are large and very unequal, it may be more advantageous to file separately.

Head of Household

A head of household is a single or unmarried taxpayer who pays at least 50% of the costs of supporting their household and lives with other qualifying family members for whom they provide support for more than half of the year.

This means that the taxpayer must have paid more than half of the total household bills, including rent or mortgage, utility bills, insurance, property taxes, groceries, repairs, and other common household expenses. Some examples of qualifying family members include a dependent child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent, or anyone else you can claim as an exemption.

A head of household benefits from a lower tax rate.

For Tax Years 2022 and 2023 Federal Income Tax Rate Income Range for Taxpayer filing as the Head of Household for 2022 Income Range for Taxpayer filing as Head of Household for 2023 10% $0-$14,650 $0-$15,700 12% $14,651-$55,900 $15,701-$59,850 22% $55,901-$89,050 $59,851-$95,350 24% $89,051-$170,050 $95,351-$182,100 32% $170,051-$215,950 $182,101-$231,250 35% $215,951-$539,900 $$231,251-$578,100 37% Over $539,900 Over $578,101 Standard Deduction $19,400 $20,800

Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child

During the year in which a spouse dies, the surviving spouse can typically use the joint filing status. For the two tax years following the year of a spouse's death, the surviving spouse can file as a qualifying surviving spouse. While the surviving spouse cannot continue to claim an exemption for the deceased spouse, they may claim the standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly.

The tax bracket and income range for a surviving spouse is the same as that for married filing jointly.
What Is the Group of Ten (G10)?trusted online casino

The Group of Ten (G10) is one of five "group of" groups, not to be confused with the Groups of 7, 8, 20, or 24. Each of these consists of a group with similar economic interests. The G10 consists of eleven industrialized nations that meet on an annual basis or more frequently, as necessary, to consult each other, debate and cooperate on international financial matters. The member countries are Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with Switzerland playing a minor role.

Key Takeaways

The Group of Ten or G10 is a group of 11 industrialized nations that have similar economic interests.

The G10 was formed when the wealthiest members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to be part of the General Agreements to Borrow (GAB), so as to provide more funding for the IMF's usage.

The group meets at least annually, if not more often, to discuss, debate and cooperate on financial matters that concern the member nations.

The G10 is one of five "groups of" groups, comprised of a variety of nations. The other groups are the G7, G8, G20, and the G24.

Understanding Group of Ten (G10)

The G10 was established when the 10 wealthiest International Monetary Fund (IMF) member countries agreed to participate in the (GAB) General Agreements to Borrow.

G10 History

The GAB was formed in 1962, when the governments of eight IMF membersBelgium, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United Statesand the central banks of Germany and Sweden, agreed to make resources available to the IMF. These resources were for drawings by both IMF participants and, under some circumstances, non-participants.

The GAB was reached as a supplementary borrowing agreement to backstop the IMF if it did not have sufficient resources to support a member country. The official language in the GAB states that these countries "stand ready to make loans to the Fund up to specified amounts...when supplementary resources are needed to forestall or cope with an impairment of the international monetary system." Switzerland signed the GAB in 1964, though not a member of the IMF at the time (Switzerland joined the IMF in 1992), thereby strengthening the agreement.

It was at a G10 Forum in 1971 where members worked to create The Smithsonian Agreement following the collapse of the Bretton Woods System, which replaced the fixed exchange rate system with a floating exchange rate one.

G10 Functions and Critiques

The Finance ministers and central bank governors from each of those countries gather in connection with annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to discuss financial and monetary policies that impact member countries, trade, and the global economy.

According to the IMF, the GAB is only activated when NAB participants reject a proposal to activate the New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB) agreement (a credit arrangement between the IMF and its 38 member countries allowing for the borrowing of supplemental resources).

Also, according to the IMF, the potential amount of credit available under the GAB totals 17.5 billion SDR, with an additional 1.5 billion SDR available under an arrangement with Saudi Arabia.

G10 governors usually meet every second month at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The BIS is an international finance organization owned and operated by 60 member central banks that together comprise over 95% of the world's GDP. Its mission, according to its website, is to serve central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability, foster cooperation among the banks, and serve as the central bank for them,

The BIS, European Commission, IMF and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are all official observers.

The G10 has been criticized for its lack of responsiveness to the needs of developing countries. G10 meetings are politically charged events that often make headlines in the international press for the protests that follow them.
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This online repository of casino know-how is operated by Mep Marketing from the Nederlands. The idea that inspired this project was simple: to help punters find all the relevant information about diverse casino subjects in one place. The topics range from those that best suit the newcomers to the more in-depth articles for experienced gamblers.

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What Is the Silk Route?jackpot games win money

The Silk Route was a historic trade route that dated from the second century B.C. until the 14th century A.D. It stretched from Asia to the Mediterranean, traversing China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greece, and Italy.

It was dubbed the Silk Route because of the heavy silk trading that took place during that period. This valuable fabric originated in China, which initially had a monopoly on silk production until the secrets of its creation spread. In addition to silk, the route facilitated the trade of other fabrics, spices, grains, fruits and vegetables, animal hides, wood and metal work, precious stones, and other items of value.

In 2013, China announced plans it would revive the Silk Route, connecting it with more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Understanding the Silk Route

The Silk Route was a series of ancient trade networks that connected China and the Far East with countries in Europe and the Middle East. The route included a group of trading posts and markets that were used to help in the storage, transport, and exchange of goods. It was also known as the Silk Road.

Travelers used camel or horse caravans and stayed in guest houses or inns typically spaced one days travel apart. Travelers along the Silk Routes maritime routes could stop at ports for fresh drinking water and trade opportunities. Archaeologists and geographers pursuing research of ancient sites have been the Silk Routes most modern travelers.

The opening of the Silk Route brought many products that would have a big impact on the West. Many of these commodities had their roots in China and included gunpowder and paper. These became some of the most traded goods between China and its Western trading partners. Paper was especially important, as it eventually led to the invention of the printing press, which gave way to newspapers and books.

There has been a push by China to reopen the Silk Route to improve cooperation among countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

History of the Silk Route

The original Silk Route was established during the Han Dynasty by Zhang Quian, a Chinese official and diplomat. During a diplomatic mission, Quian was captured and detained for 13 years on his first expedition before escaping and pursuing other routes from China to Central Asia.

The Silk Route was popular during the Tang Dynasty, from 618 to 907 A.D. Travelers could choose among a number of land and sea paths to reach their destination. The routes evolved along with territorial boundaries and changes in national leadership.

The Silk Route was a means to exchange goods and cultures. It also served in the development of science, technology, literature, the arts, and other fields of study.

The Silk Route also helped missions by Buddhist and European monks and was instrumental in spreading Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions throughout the regions served by the routes.

Reviving the Silk Route

In 2013, China began to officially restore the historic Silk Route under president Xi Jinping with a $900 billion strategy called One Belt, One Road (OBOR). The project was a way to improve Chinas interconnectivity with more than 60 other countries in Asia, Europe, and East Africa.

Also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it traverses numerous land and sea routes. The Silk Road Economic Belt is primarily land-based to connect China with Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe, while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is sea-based, connecting Chinas southern coast to the Mediterranean, Africa, South-East Asia, and Central Asia.

China views the venture as an important way to improve its domestic growth. It also serves as a way to open up new trade markets for Chinese goods, giving the country the cheapest and easiest way to export materials and goods.

Criticsincluding Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamadsay China is using the BRI to lend to countries who may default as a way of getting economic or political concessions.

China has passed several milestones related to the OBOR including the signing of hundreds of deals since 2016. In January 2017, a new rail service using the East Wind freight train was introduced from Beijing to London along the historic route, passing beneath the English Channel to reach London. The 16- to 18-day journey, travels nearly 7,500 miles and allows freight shippers an alternative to slow but relatively cheap water routes, and fast but relatively expensive air routes. Other key OBOR routes go from China to 14 major European cities.
China will become the largest market for gold in 2012. And the largest buyer of diamonds in 2015. The gold price took off in New York.

The Chinese appetite for raw materials continues unabated. China will surpass India this year as the first buyer of gold in the world, according to the World Gold Council based in London. And China will surpass the United States as the largest market for diamonds in 2015, ensures the World Diamond Center in Antwerp, which concentrates 80% of global sales of rough gems.

This is a taste for luxury that guides purchases of gold and diamonds to China, which had over a million millionaires in 2010, while the middle class continues to grow. Consumption of diamonds for the Chinese market increases 25% per year on average to 5 billion dollars per year. At this rate, Americans, world champions for the purchase of precious stones, will be quickly outdated. The Anglo-African company De Beers, which sells rough diamonds, saw sales increase by 27% last year, especially to China, India and the United States.

Purchases of physical gold for the Chinese market are also up sharply. They rose 20% last year to 769.8 tons but actually fell by 7% to 933.4 tonnes in India. According to the World Gold Council, the buying of gold by China will surpass those of India in the first half of 2012.



Central bank buying up sharply

Chinese buy gold to offer jewelery, but also to secure the investment, while inflation reached 4% and the government restricted property purchases to counter speculation.

Gold purchases by investors jumped 38% last year, reaching 258.9 tons of gold. Those for jewelery have increased 13% to 510 tonnes of gold.

The central bank buying are also up sharply. They totaled 439.7 tons last year, the highest in five years.

This enthusiasm for physical gold maintains speculation. Especially since the billionaire Paul Paulson, the hedge fund manager of the same name, said that gold would be the best way to protect against inflation. Friday afternoon, an ounce of gold was trading at 1733.18 dollar in New York, up 4.9% on the day, and 11% since the beginning of the year. The previous price peak was 1,921.15 dollars per ounce, during the crisis of the euro.

Chinese are increasingly fond of gold and diamondsadded by chinatimesonline on

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What Is Bid Size?live arundel mills

The bid size represents the quantity of a security that investors are willing to purchase at a specified bid price. For most investors, who view level 1 quotes on their trading screens, the bid size represents the amount of shares that investors are willing to purchase at the best available bid price.

Key Takeaways

Bid size represents the quantity of a security that investors are willing to purchase at a specified bid price.

Bid size is stated in board lots representing 100 shares each. Therefore, a bid size of four represents 400 shares.

Bid sizes are important because they reflect the demand and liquidity of a security.

Level 1 quotations will only show the bid size for the best available bid price. Level 2 quotations show depth of market information on many layers of bid prices and bid sizes.

How Bid Size Works

Bid sizes are typically displayed in board lots representing 100 shares each. Therefore, if a level 1 quote shows a bid price of $50 and a bid size of five, that means that the best available offer from investors looking to buy the security is $50 per share to buy 500 shares. An investor who owns that stock could therefore sell up to 500 shares at $50 per share.

Bid size is the opposite of ask size, where the ask size is the amount of a particular security that investors are offering to sell at the specified ask price. Investors interpret differences in the bid size and ask size as representing the supply and demand relationship for that security.

In addition to the best available bid price, there will often be many more bid prices available at lower prices, each with their own bid size. This additional information can be viewed using level 2 market quotations.

Real World Example of Bid Size

For example, in keeping with our security above, there might be a bid size of 10 (1,000 shares) at a bid price of $49. In that scenario, an investor wishing to sell 1,500 shares could sell them for a combined price of $74,000 ($25,000 from the first 500 shares, plus $49,000 for the remaining 1,000 shares).

Level 2 quotes are required in order to see the data concerning bid prices and bid prices below the best available bid. This information is typically available as a premium feature in most brokerage accounts.

The purpose of this depth of market (DOM) information is to provide insight into the size and structure of liquidity for the security. For instance, in our example above it may be the case that after selling 1,500 shares the next best bid price would be much lower, say $40.

In this scenario, an investor who sells significantly more than 1,500 shares would cause the market price of the security to fall sharply. Such an investor may choose to delay not only to obtain a better price, but also to avoid causing the price of their remaining shares to decline.


Chinas flagship literature magazine has launched an English version to tap into overseas audiences and boost the global impact of contemporary Chinese literature.

Peoples Literature, the first literary magazine to be established in the Peoples Republic of China after its founding, published last Friday a 160-page English issue featuring translations of 17 Chinese writers works.

Entitled Pathlight, the issue intends to cater to overseas readers who are interested in the latest trends and rising stars in Chinas literary circle, said Li Jingze, editor-in-chief of Peoples Literature and Pathlight.

Overseas readers who are curious about Chinese literature are in dire need of a trustworthy and highly professional introduction, which is exactly how the English version is positioned, Li said.

Literature, if promoted effectively, will also contribute to the international influence of Chinese culture and boost the countrys soft power, Li added.

Pathlight includes speeches and writings by five winners of this years Mao Dun Literature Prize, a prestigious Chinese literary award.

Bellwethers, or writers most representative of Chinese literature, have to be introduced, Li said.

Young writers whose fiction, non-fiction and poetry work might be unfamiliar even to Chinese readers are also included in Pathlight.

A group of 13 native English speakers were recruited to translate the selected pieces.

More translators with an intimate knowledge of Chinese culture and proficiency in Chinese language should be trained to meet ever-expanding demand in the international market for translations of Chinese literary works, Li said.

Pathlight is currently being published on a trial basis and will likely be published quarterly for the time being, Li said.

We hope Pathlight will serve as a light on the path of cultural exchange between China and other countries, Li said.

Source: Xinhua

Magazine Peoples Literature Launches English Version Pathlightadded by chinatimesonline on

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What Is the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?cbdc crypto

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the most important regulator of securities markets in India. SEBI is the counterpart of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. Its stated objective is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Key Takeaways

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the leading regulator securities markets in India, analogous to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S.

SEBI has wide-ranging regulatory, investigative, and enforcement powers, including the ability to impose fines on violators.

Some criticize SEBI for that they say is a lack of transparency and direct accountability to the public for an institution with such enormous powers.

Creation of the SEBI

The Securities and Exchange Board of India was established in its current incarnation in April 1992, following the passage of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act by the nation's parliament. It supplanted the Controller of Capital Issues, which had regulated the securities markets under the Capital Issues (Control) Act of 1947, passed just months before India gained independence from the British.

The SEBI headquarters is located in the business district at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. It also has regional offices in the cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, and more than a dozen local offices in cities including Bangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, and Chandigarh.

SEBI's Charter

According to its charter, SEBI is expected to be responsible for three main groups:

The issuers of securities

Investors

Market intermediaries

The body drafts regulations and statutes in a regulatory capacity, passes rulings and orders in a judicial capacity, and conducts investigations and imposes penalties in an enforcement capacity.

SEBI is run by a board of directors, including a chair who is elected by the parliament, two officers from the Ministry of Finance, one member from the Reserve Bank of India, and five members who are also elected by the parliament.

Criticism of SEBI

Critics say SEBI lacks transparency and is insulated from direct public accountability. The only mechanisms to check its power are a Securities Appellate Tribunal, which consists of a panel of three judges, and the Supreme Court of India. Both bodies have occasionally censured SEBI.

Still, SEBI has been aggressive at times in doling out punishment and in issuing strong reforms. It also established the Financial Stability Board in 2009, in response to the global financial crisis, giving the board a broader mandate than its predecessor to promote financial stability.
What Is Buying on Margin?earn with crypto best slots roobet

Buying on margin occurs when an investor buys an asset by borrowing the balance from a bank or broker. Buying on margin refers to the initial payment made to the broker for the assetfor example, 10% down and 90% financed. The investor uses the marginable securities in their broker account as collateral.

The buying power an investor has in their brokerage account reflects the total dollar amount of purchases they can make with any margin capacity. Short sellers of stock use margin to trade shares.

Key Takeaways

Buying on margin means you are investing with borrowed money.

Buying on margin amplifies both gains and losses.

If your account falls below the maintenance margin, your broker can sell some or all of your portfolio to get your account back in balance.

Buying on Margin

Understanding Buying on Margin

1:44

The Federal Reserve Board sets the margins securities. As of 2019, the board requires an investor to fund at least 50% of a security's purchase price with cash. The investor may borrow the remaining 50% from a broker or a dealer.

As with any loan, when an investor buys securities on margin, they must eventually pay back the money borrowed, plus interest, which varies by brokerage firm on a given loan amount. Monthly interest on the principal is charged to an investor's brokerage account.

Essentially, buying on margin implies that an individual is investing with borrowed money. Although there are benefits, the practice is thus risky for the investor with limited funds.

How Buying on Margin Works

To see how buying on margin works, we are going to simplify the process by taking out the monthly interest costs. Although interest does impact returns and losses, it is not as significant as the margin principal itself.

Consider an investor who purchases 100 shares of Company XYZ stock at $100 per share. The investor funds half the purchase price with their own money and buys the other half on margin, bringing the initial cash outlay to $5,000. One year later, the share price rises to $200. The investor sells their shares for $20,000 and pays back the broker the $5,000 borrowed for the initial purchase.

Ultimately, in this case, the investor triples their money, making $15,000 on a $5,000 investment. If the investor had purchased the same number of shares using their own money, they would only have doubled their investment from $5,000 to $10,000.

Now, consider that instead of doubling after a year, the share price falls by half to $50. The investor sells at a loss and receives $5,000. Since this equals the amount owed to the broker, the investor loses 100% of their investment. If the investor had not used margin for their initial investment, the investor would still have lost money, but they would only have lost 50% of their investment$2,500 instead of $5,000.

How to Buy on Margin

The broker sets the minimum or initial margin and the maintenance margin that must exist in the account before the investor can begin buying on margin. The amount is based largely on the investor's creditworthiness. A maintenance margin is required of the broker, which is a minimum balance that must be retained in the investor's brokerage account.

Suppose an investor deposits $15,000 and the maintenance margin is 50%, or $7,500. If the investor's equity dips below $7,500, the investor may receive a margin call. At this point, the investor is required by the broker to deposit funds to bring the balance in the account to the required maintenance margin. The investor can deposit cash or sell securities purchased with borrowed money. If the investor does not comply, the broker may sell off the investments held by the investor to restore the maintenance margin.

Who Should Buy on Margin?

Generally speaking, buying on margin is not for beginners. It requires a certain amount of risk tolerance and any trade using margin needs to be closely monitored. Seeing a stock portfolio lose and gain value over time is often stressful enough for people without the added leverage. Furthermore, the high potential for loss during a stock market crash makes buying on margin particularly risky for even the most experienced investors.

However, some types of trading, such as commodity futures trading, are almost always purchased using margin while other securities, such as options contracts, have traditionally been purchased using all cash. Buyers of options can now buy equity options and equity index options on margin, provided the option has more than nine (9) months until expiration. The initial (maintenance) margin requirement is 75% of the cost (market value) of a listed, long term equity or equity index put or call option.

For most individual investors primarily focused on stocks and bonds, buying on margin introduces an unnecessary level of risk.
slots free bonusshows grade level based on the word's complexity. datum [ dey-tuhm, dat-uhm, dah-tuhm ]/ de tm, dt m, d tm / New Word List Save This Word!See synonyms for: datum / data on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dey-tuhm, dat-uhm, dah-tuhm ]/ de tm, dt m, d tm /Save This Word!See synonyms for: datum / data on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

[dey-tuh, dat-uh, dah-tuh] /de t, dt , d t/ for 1-3, datums for 4, 5. a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.Philosophy. any fact assumed to be a matter of direct observation. any proposition assumed or given, from which conclusions may be drawn. Also called sense datum. Epistemology. the object of knowledge as presented to the mind.Compare ideatum. Surveying, Civil Engineering. any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.Surveying. a basis for horizontal control surveys, consisting of the longitude and latitude of a certain point, the azimuth of a certain line from this point, and two constants used in defining the terrestrial spheroid. noun, plural data[dey-tuh, dat-uh, dah-tuh] /de t, dt , d t/ for 1-3, datums for 4, 5. a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.Philosophy.Also called sense datum. Epistemology. the object of knowledge as presented to the mind.Compare ideatum. Surveying, Civil Engineering. any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.Surveying. a basis for horizontal control surveys, consisting of the longitude and latitude of a certain point, the azimuth of a certain line from this point, and two constants used in defining the terrestrial spheroid.

usage note for datum

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH datum

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Words related to datum C17: from Latin: something given; see data

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 datumFirst recorded in 164050; from Latin: a thing given, neuter past participle of dare to giveSee data.data, datum (see usage note at data)dato, datolite, Datong, datu, Datuk, datum, datum plane, datura, DATV, dau., daubDictionary.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
NEW YORK,ho chunk casino hotel rooms Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The recent bankruptcy of heavyweight cryptocurrency derivatives exchange FTX slammed confidence in the nascent industry, with pressure mounting for more regulation in the crypto space, according to industry insiders.

The fall of FTX means a setback for the industry for at least one cycle, which usually lasts four years, said Wilfred Daye, chief executive officer of Securitize Capital, a San Francisco-based alternative investment manager of digital asset funds.

"This is a quite significant event. I don't think people recognize how deep it goes to the whole industry," Daye said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of The Chinese Finance Association 28th Annual Conference.

FTX's announcement for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a U.S. court on Nov. 11 sent shockwaves across the crypto space and financial markets and triggered governmental probes and reports of losses by several institutional investment houses.

Following the FTX fiasco, demands for more regulation are growing within the crypto community and broader society, said Gengsheng Lu, executive director with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management.

A centralized crypto exchange must be well regulated and given the current trade-off between fees and counterparty risks in the choice of exchanges, said Roland Li, co-founder and head of equity investments with hedge fund management firm Bizantine Capital.

He said that proof of reserves is needed for the industry by an independent audit conducted by a third party, which seeks to ensure that a custodian holds the assets it claims on behalf of clients. The idea has the support of some crypto exchanges already.

Li said the big lesson from all of this is that the major exchanges need reserve requirements, which the industry or government could enforce.

The most efficient way is to enforce proof of reserves which could happen much faster, said Andrew Bakst, co-founder and managing partner with Bizantine Capital.

According to Li and Baks, the government could be the key to protecting retail investors.

Headquartered in the Bahamas, FTX once had a valuation of 32 billion U.S. dollars and suffered a liquidity squeeze a few days ago after it was revealed that the exchange had a shortfall of around 8 billion U.S. dollars resulting from the misuse of client funds and losses in its trading arm Alameda Research Limited. 
What Is Average Outstanding Balance?betnumbers tips today games

An average outstanding balance is the unpaid, interest-bearing balance of a loan or loan portfolio averaged over a period of time, usually one month. The average outstanding balance can refer to any term, installment, revolving, or credit card debt on which interest is charged. It may also be an average measure of a borrowers total outstanding balances over a period of time.

Average outstanding balance can be contrasted with average collected balance, which is that part of the loan that has been repaid over the same period.

Key Takeaways

The average outstanding balance refers to the unpaid portion of any term, installment, revolving, or credit card debt on which interest is charged over some period of time.

Interest on revolving loans may be assessed based on an average balance method.

Outstanding balances are reported by credit card companies to consumer credit bureaus each month for use in credit scoring and credit underwriting.

Average outstanding balances can be calculated based on daily, monthly, or some other time frame.

Large outstanding balances can be an indicator of financial trouble for both lenders and borrowers.

Understanding Average Outstanding Balance

Average outstanding balances can be important for several reasons. Lenders often have a portfolio of many loans, which need to be assessed in aggregate in terms of risk and profitability. Banks use the average outstanding balance to determine the amount of interest they pay each month to their account holders or charge to their borrowers. If a bank has a large outstanding balance on its lending portfolio it could indicate that they are having trouble collecting on their loans and may be a signal for future financial stress.

Many credit card companies also use an average daily outstanding balance method for calculating interest applied to a revolving credit loan, particularly credit cards. Credit card users accumulate outstanding balances as they make purchases throughout the month. An average daily balance method allows a credit card company to charge slightly higher interest that takes into consideration a cardholders balances throughout the past days in a period and not just at the closing date.

For borrowers, credit rating agencies will review a consumers outstanding balances on their credit cards as part of determining a FICO credit score. Borrowers should show restraint by keeping their credit card balances well below their limits. Maxing out credit cards, paying late, and applying for new credit increases one's outstanding balances and can lower FICO scores.

Interest on Average Outstanding Balances

With average daily outstanding balance calculations, the creditor may take an average of the balances over the past 30 days and assess interest on a daily basis. Commonly, average daily balance interest is a product of the average daily balances over a statement cycle with interest assessed on a cumulative daily basis at the end of the period.

Regardless, the daily periodic rate is the annual percentage rate (APR) divided by 365. If interest is assessed cumulatively at the end of a cycle, it would only be assessed based on the number of days in that cycle.

Other average methodologies also exist. For example, a simple average may be used between a beginning and ending date by dividing the beginning balance plus the ending balance by two and then assessing interest based on a monthly rate.

Credit cards will provide their interest methodology in the cardholder agreement. Some companies may provide details on interest calculations and average balances in their monthly statements.

Because the outstanding balance is an average, the period of time over which the average is computed will affect the balance amount.

Consumer Credit

Outstanding balances are reported by credit providers to credit reporting agencies each month. Credit issuers typically report a borrowers total outstanding balance at the time the report is provided. Some credit issuers may report outstanding balances at the time a statement is issued while others choose to report data on a specific day each month. Balances are reported on all types of revolving and non-revolving debt. With outstanding balances, credit issuers also report delinquent payments beginning at 60 days past due.

Timeliness of payments and outstanding balances are the top factors that affect a borrowers credit score. Experts say borrowers should strive to keep their total outstanding balances below 30%. Borrowers using more than 30% of total available debt outstanding can easily improve their credit score from month to month by making larger payments that reduce their total outstanding balance.

When the total outstanding balance decreases, a borrowers credit score improves. Timeliness, however, is not as easy to improve since delinquent payments are a factor that can remain on a credit report for seven years.

Average balances are not always a part of credit scoring methodologies. However, if a borrowers balances are drastically changing over a short period of time due to debt repayment or debt accumulation, there will typically be a lag in total outstanding balance reporting to the credit bureaus which can make tracking and assessing real-time outstanding balances difficult.

Calculating Average Outstanding Balance

Lenders typically calculate interest on revolving credit, such as credit cardsor lines of credit, using an average of daily outstanding balances. The bank adds all the daily outstanding balances in the period (usually a month) and divides this sum by the number of days in the period. The result is the average outstanding balance for the period.

For loans that are paid monthly, such as mortgages, a lender may instead take the arithmetic mean of the starting and ending balance for a statement cycle. For instance, say a home borrower has a mortgage balance of $100,000 at the start of the month and makes a payment on the 30th of the same month, reducing the outstanding principal amount to $99,000. The average outstanding balance for the loan over that period would be ($100,000-99,000)/2 = $99,500.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an outstanding balance?

An outstanding balance is the total amount still owed on a loan.

What is an outstanding principal balance?

This is the amount of a loan's principal amount (i.e. the dollar amount initially loaned) that is still due, and does not take into account the interest or any fees that are owed on the loan.

Where can I find my outstanding balance?

Borrowers can find this information on their regular bank or loan statements. They can also usually be pulled up from a lender's website for viewing at any time.

What is the difference between outstanding balance and remaining balance?

Outstanding balance refers to the amount still owed on a loan from the perspective of a borrower or lender. Remaining balance instead refers to how much money remains in an account after spending or a withdrawal, from the perspective of a saver or savings bank.

What percentage of an outstanding balance is a minimum payment?

Some lenders charge a fixed percentage, such a 2.5%. Others will charge a flat fee plus a fixed percentage, such as $20 + 1.75% of the outstanding balance as the minimum payment due. Penalty fees like late fees, as well as past due amounts, will typically be added to the calculation. This would increase your minimum payment significantly.
What Are Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR)?forebet mid week jackpot prediction

Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR) are a set of rules governing trading practices in Canada. These rules are set out by an independent regulator, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). UMIR were established to promote fair, equitable, and efficient markets. Prior to the formation of the UMIR, each individual exchange was responsible for governing its trading practices. By making these practices universal, Canadian exchanges ensure equal fairness and improve investor confidence in all the exchanges.

Understanding Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR)

The IIROC determines the UMIR. The IIROC is a national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers and trade on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada. The IIROC writes rules that set high regulatory and investment industry standards such as UMIR, screens all investment advisors employed by IIROC-regulated firms, reviews firms' financial compliance, and sets minimum capital requirements so that firms have sufficient capital for business operations. This oversight reduces the number of bankruptcies from excessive leverage and risky business practices.

IIROC Compliance Reviews

The IIROC conducts compliance reviews to check that firms properly supervise the handling of client accounts and that advice and transactions appropriately reflect the clients needs and instructions. IIROC-approved advisors must follow suitability and know your client rules by being familiar with a clients financial situation, investment needs, objectives, investing experience, and tolerance for risk. The IIROC conducts trading conduct compliance reviews to check trading firms' trade-desk procedures. The reviews assess whether trade-desk procedures comply with (UMIR) and applicable provincial securities law.

IIROC Market Surveillance

The IIROC surveys the market and analyzes trading to ensure that trading complies with UMIR and applicable provincial securities law. The IIROC is responsible for identifying misconduct by dealers or firms, approved persons, and other market participants and bringing disciplinary proceedings such as fines, suspensions, and permanent bans or terminations for individuals and firms. The money raised from fines and settlements is added to IIROCs restricted fund and applied to capital expenditures for regulatory issues, investor and industry education projects, and other uses authorized under IIROCs Recognition Orders.

According to the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), traders who are members with a good track record with IIROC and who are also registered with a Canadian securities regulatory authority can apply to gain access to trade on the CSE.

The IIROC amends UMIR rules from time to time. For example, in 2015 the IIROC proposed amendments to the rules after a proposal by Canada Securities Administrator (CSA) to clarify the interpretation of a protected order. The CSA proposed that orders that implement a systematic order processing delay, or a speed bump, would not be considered protected orders.
The 11th Panchen Lama on Tuesday visited Jokhang Temple, the most renowned monastery in Lhasa, capital of southwest Chinas Tibet autonomous region.

The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu arrived around 6 a.m., greeted by lamas dressed in crimson robes and holding Tibetan prayer flags, or hada, a long, scarf-like white silk used by the Tibetans for blessings.

The living Buddha visited the major halls of the temple, paid homage and presented his own hada to statues of Buddhas.

He also led a 30-minute sutra-chanting ceremony, where he and more than 100 lamas at the temple prayed for prosperity and stability.

The ceremony was followed by a head-touching ritual to bless the lamas.

The Panchen Lama began his Lhasa visit on Monday. The lamas visits have become an annual event in recent years.

Born in 1990 in Tibet, the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu was chosen as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Erdini in November 1995 through the traditional method of drawing lots from a golden urn.

He is vice president of the Buddhist Association of China and a member of the National Committee of Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the countrys top political advisory body.

Xinhua

Panchen Lama visits Jokhang Templeadded by chinatimesonline on

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nounany plant of the genus Commelina, usually bearing clusters of small, blue flowers that bloom for only one day.

Words nearby dayflower

British Dictionary definitions for dayflower

dayflower/ (defla) /

nounany of various tropical and subtropical plants of the genus Commelina, having jointed creeping stems, narrow pointed leaves, and blue or purplish flowers which wilt quickly: family Commelinaceae

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 dayflowerFirst recorded in 168090; day + flowerdaych, day-clean, day coach, day cruiser, daydream, dayflower, dayfly, daygirl, Day-Glo, dayglow, dayhopDictionary.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
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nouna West Indian shrub, Cestrum diurnum, of the nightshade family, having clusters of white flowers that are very fragrant by day.

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How to use in a sentence He added: People say he deserves his day in court Do we have enough time? Bill Maher: Hundreds of Millions of Muslims Support Attack on Charlie Hebdo|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

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New Yorks Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST We talked about the science the whole time the other day, Krauss told The Daily Beast in a phone interview. Sleazy Billionaires Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Sleazy Billionaires Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital. France Mournsand Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST In the middle of all of that past suffering and present-day conflict, this Cosby bomb was dropped. Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

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The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin Each day she resolved, "To-morrow I will tell Felipe;" and when to-morrow came, she put it off again. Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson There are three things a wise man will not trust: the wind, the sunshine of an April day, and woman's plighted faith. Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou

Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou The proceedings of the day commenced with divine service, performed by Unitarian and Baptist ministers. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|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!Questiondayhop, day hospital, day in court, day in court, have one's, day in, day out, day jasmine, day job, day labor, day laborer, day labourer, day letterDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Unlevered Cost of Capital?play blackjack for free counting edge

Unlevered cost of capital is an analysis using either a hypothetical or an actual debt-free scenario to measure a company's cost to implement a particular capital project (and in some cases used to assess an entire company). Unlevered cost of capital compares the cost of capital of the project using zero debt as an alternative to a levered cost of capital investment, which means using debt as a portion of the total capital required.

Key Takeaways

Unlevered cost of capital is an analysis using either a hypothetical or an actual debt-free scenario to measure a company's cost to implement a particular capital project.

Unlevered cost of capital compares the cost of capital of the project using zero debt as an alternative to a levered cost of capital investment.

The unlevered cost of capital is generally higher than the levered cost of capital because the cost of debt is lower than the cost of equity.

Several factors are necessary to calculate the unlevered cost of capital, which includes unlevered beta, market risk premium, and the risk-free rate of return.

If a company fails to meet the anticipated unlevered returns, investors may reject the investment.

In general, if an investor believes a stock is high-risk, it will typically be because it has a higher unlevered cost of capital, other aspects being constant.

Understanding Unlevered Cost of Capital

When a company needs to raise capital for expansion or other reasons it has two options: (1) debt financing, which is to borrow money through loans or bond issuances, or (2) equity financing, which is the issuance of stock

The unlevered cost of capital is generally higher than the levered cost of capital because the cost of debt is lower than the cost of equity. Borrowing money is cheaper than selling equity in the company. This is true given the tax benefit related to the interest expense paid on the debt. There are costs associated with levered projects including underwriting costs, brokerage fees, and coupon payments, however.

Nevertheless, over the life of the capital project or the firm's ongoing business operations, these costs are marginal compared to the benefits from the lower cost of debt compared to the cost of equity.

Important

The unlevered cost of capital can be used to determine the cost of a particular project, separating it from procurement costs.

The unlevered cost of capital represents the cost of a company financing the project itself without incurring debt. It provides an implied rate of return, which helps investors make informed decisions on whether to invest. If a company fails to meet the anticipated unlevered returns, investors may reject the investment. In general, if an investor believes a stock is a high risk, it will typically be because it has a higher unlevered cost of capital, other aspects being constant.

The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is another formula that investors and companies use to determine whether an investment is worth the cost. WACC takes into consideration the entire capital structure of a firm, which includes common stock, preferred stock, bonds, and any other long-term debt.

Formula and Calculation of Unlevered Cost of Capital

Several factors are necessary to calculate the unlevered cost of capital, which includes unlevered beta, market risk premium, and the risk-free rate of return. This calculation can be used as a standard for measuring the soundness of the investment.

The unlevered beta represents an investment's volatility as compared to the market. The unlevered beta, also known as asset beta, is determined by comparing the company to similar companies with known levered betas, often by using an average of multiple betas to derive an estimate. The calculation of market risk premium is the difference between expected market returns and the risk-free rate of return.

Once all variables are known, the unlevered cost of capital can be calculated with the formula:

Unlevered Cost of Capital = Risk-Free Rate + Unlevered Beta (Market Risk Premium)

If the result of the calculation produces an unlevered cost of capital of 10%, and the company's return falls below that amount, then it may not be a wise investment. Comparison of the result to the current cost of company-held debt can determine the actual returns.
What Is Short Covering?better to live in the corner of a roof

Short covering refers to buying back borrowed securities in order to close out an open short position at a profit or loss. It requires purchasing the same security that was initially sold short, and handing back the shares initially borrowed for the short sale. This type of transaction is referred to as buy to cover.

For example, a trader sells short 100 shares of XYZ at $20, based on the opinion those shares will head lower. When XYZ declines to $15, the trader buys back XYZ to cover the short position, booking a $500 profit from the sale.

Key Takeaways

Short covering is closing out a short position by buying back shares that were initially borrowed to sell short using buy to cover orders.

Short covering can result in either a profit (if the asset is repurchased lower than where it was sold) or for a loss (if it is higher).

Short covering may be forced if there is a short squeeze and sellers become subject to margin calls. Measures of short interest can help predict the chances of a squeeze.

Short Covering

How Does Short Covering Work?

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Short covering is necessary in order to close an open short position. A short position will be profitable if it is covered at a lower price than the initial transaction; it will incur a loss if it is covered at a higher price than the initial transaction. When there is a great deal of short covering occurring in a security, it may result in a short squeeze, wherein short sellers are forced to liquidate positions at progressively higher prices as they lose money and their brokers invoke margin calls.

Short covering can also occur involuntarily when a stock with very high short interest is subjected to a buy-in. This term refers to the closing of a short position by a broker-dealer when the stock is extremely difficult to borrow and lenders are demanding it back. Often times, this occurs in stocks that are less liquid with fewer shareholders.

Special Considerations

Short Interest and Short Interest Ratio (SIR)

The higher the short interest and short interest ratio (SIR), the greater the risk that short covering may occur in a disorderly fashion. Short covering is generally responsible for the initial stages of a rally after a prolonged bear market, or a protracted decline in a stock or other security. Short sellers usually have shorter-term holding periods than investors with long positions, due to the risk of runaway losses in a strong uptrend. As a result, short sellers are generally quick to cover short sales on signs of a turnaround in market sentiment or a security's bad fortunes.

Example of Short Covering

Consider that XYZ has 50 million shares outstanding, 10 million shares sold short, and an average daily trading volume of 1 million shares. XYZ has a short interest of 20% and a SIR of 10, both of which are quite high (suggesting that short covering could be difficult).

XYZ loses ground over a number of days or weeks, encouraging even greater short selling. One morning before they open, they announce a major client that will greatly increase quarterly income. XYZ gaps higher at the opening bell, reducing short seller profits or adding to losses. Some short sellers want to exit at a more favorable price and hold off on covering, while other short sellers exit positions aggressively. This disorderly short covering, forces XYZ to head higher in a feedback loop that continues until the short squeeze is exhausted, while short sellers waiting for a beneficial reversal incur even higher losses.
Tehnoloogia arenedes on iGaming valdkonnas tekkimas moned suundumused,no deposit bonus for captain jack casino mida see toenaoliselt jargib. Kahtlemata on iGaming valdkond lahiaastatel kasvamas, kuid milliseid ponevaid trende voib online casino veebilehtedelt Eestis ja mujal maailmas oodata? Vaatame peamisi suundumusi, mida iGaming valdkonnale lahitulevikuks ennustatakse.

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Kruptovaluutasid kasutavate kasiinode litsentseerimine ja reguleerimine peab reaalsele elule jarele joudma, kuna praegu puuduvad praktiliselt koikjal kruptovaluutat reguleerivad seadused. Plokiahela tehnoloogia kasutamine aga pakub iGaming valdkonnale palju eeliseid, sealhulgas taiendavat turvalisust, ning seadusandlikud organid nii Eestis kui mujal maailmas peaksid juba lahitulevikus hakkama tootama regulatsioonide kallal, mis kaasaksid regulatiivselt kruptovaluutade kasutamise tavaparastele iGaming ettevotete jaoks.

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Virtuaalreaalsuse (VR) tahtsus peaks kasvama

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Voogedastatav mangimine liigub Twitchist ule

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Olenemata sellest, miks litsentseerimata veebilehtede keelamine aset leidis, liiguvad voogesitused Twitchi platvormilt edasi ja leiavad iGaming valdkonnas voogedastuse uue kodu. Ka Eestis on tegelikult olemas mitmeid striimijaid, kes teevad koostood kohalike online kasiinodega populariseerides nii nende teenuste kasutamist kui tutvustades uhtlasi ka erinevaid uusi mange.

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Tegelikult peaks iGaming valdkond jargmise seitsme aasta jooksul oma tulusid lausa kahekordistama. See maailm areneb pidevalt koos uue tehnoloogia ja seadusandlusega. Need aspektid mangivad tohutut rolli eeldatavas kasvus ja iGaming sektori suundumustes.

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This wild ways slot machinearticle is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up hereto get stories like this sent to your inbox.

As Washington woke up Tuesday morning, the consensus among establishment-minded insiders pointed to a red wave, one that would easily give Republicans a majority in the House and better-than-even odds at winning the Senate. As Washington dozed off Tuesday evening, things were far more hazy, with a crimson tsunami failing to wash Democrats from their House majority and pick-up chances in the Senate seeming to downgrade from hurricane to a drizzle.

A thumpin it was not, but rather a shellacking that never was. Most Democrats still think their majority in the House is in the rearview mirror, but hardly the 63-seat slap that Barack Obama endured in his first midterms or the 54-seat rejection that met Bill Clintons first at-bat with votes. Even though exit polls showed President Joe Biden underwater with a 45% job approval rating, his party out-performed polls that showed Republicans coasting to victories from Maine to even California.

As the clock ticked past midnight, Republicans seemed on track to win the majority, but only just barely. Republicans needed to pick up just five net seats, and the results so far hint a GOP-held gavel in the offing, having netted six seats. Winning 218 seats gives Republicans a majority, but not one that can govern if dissent is common. And unity in the GOP caucus is far from assured, especially with factions led by traditional conservatives, Donald Trump-modeled trolls, and far-right activists all looking at making their mark by flaming intra-party rivals.

Which is why everyone turned their eyes to Kevin McCarthy, who is expected to launch a second bid for House Speaker in the coming days. Hes the top Republican in the House at the moment, and he hustled a ton to help down-ballot allies save their seats and new friends win. A glad-handing natural, he ran recruitment in 2010 when the Tea Party wave gave the GOP its majority, and most lawmakers have no problem phoning his cell with any manner of questions, from legislation to political instincts.

McCarthy as a Speaker with the slimmest of majoritieswhether its 218 seats or a few morewill have a much tougher time running the chamber than, say, a 225- or 230-vote chief. A narrow majority gives his right flank effective veto power over the partys agenda, and it gives the likes of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene control over McCarthy, as TIMEs Molly Ball reported back in June. Trump could sway the Speaker race in short order should he decide McCarthy is to blame for the GOPs slim win, and there are any number of Trump acolytes in the House who would be more reliable puppets to the Mar-a-Lago agenda.

McCarthy can have moments of strategic smarts, as evidenced in recent weeks as he sent a warning shot about the fragility of funding for Ukraine should the GOP win the majority. He is also a figure who really likes to, well, be liked. In order to build a connection with Trump, he picked out red and pink Starburst candies for the president. He can be painfully confrontation averse. After seething about Trumps role on Jan. 6, 2021, he made a pilgrimage to Florida to court the then-ex-President. And, in that internal conflict, McCarthy may end up becoming his own worst enemy as he chases the No. 3 elected job in the federal government.

The Senate battle, meanwhile, remained up in the air and seemed likely to stay there. Democrats held a 50-50 majority thanks to Vice President Kamala Harris tie-breaking vote. Party leaders fears over vulnerable incumbents Maggie Hassan, Michael Bennet, and Patty Murray proved false. Their hopes of picking up Ohio came up short, but the Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania claimed victory after several news organizations called the race for him. Georgia was a nail-biter and seemed heading toward a runoff. The Senate races in Arizona and Nevada were still unfolding, but not blow-outs either way. In short: the Senate could see a very slight shift, or none at all.

Polls and pundits alike were counting on a seismic remaking of Washington come January. In the end, it seemed like a shudder and defense of the status quo. Races were still being called, ballots counted. But the complete remaking of Washington doesnt seem in the offing. And, in that, the 118th Congress may look a whole lot like todays 117tha remarkable resolution to a fight that cost almost $17 billion.

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Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, one of the highest-ranking figures of Chinese foreign policy, posted a signed article on Britains Sunday Telegraph before leaving for France and UK to attend the strategic Dialogue. The following is the full text:

The Chinese government recently released a White Paper titled Chinas Peaceful Development, in which it declared to the world that peaceful development is a strategic choice China has made.

It will lead China to modernisation and prosperity, and because of this China will make a greater contribution to world civilisation and progress.

China will work together with other countries to build a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity. People may ask: should the world have confidence in Chinas sincerity to follow the path of peaceful development? How should the international community respond?

I want to use this opportunity to clear a few doubts.

The Chinese people suffered greatly from foreign aggression and colonialism in modern times, and it was through hard struggle that they finally regained independence and liberation. There is no way the Chinese people would want to inflict the same suffering on to the people of other countries. Chinas 5,000-year civilisation has embedded the concept of valuing harmony and peace in the mind of the Chinese people.

We have found this path of peaceful development in the course of the great experiment of reform and opening up. This is not something conjured up by a few individuals. It has become a living reality in China. By adhering to peaceful development, China has made notable progress and brought enormous benefits to the world. This path serves both Chinas national interest and the common interests of mankind.

There is no reason for China to abandon this path.

This is not simply an act of expediency. The Chinese people account for one fifth of the worlds population. To ensure that they lead prosperous lives is a long and arduous task. It requires an international environment of long-term peace, as well as enduring friendship with other countries. Even when China becomes stronger in the future, peace will remain the essential precondition and guarantee of Chinas development. Should China deviate from the path of peaceful development, it will step into an abyss of unredeemable depth.

This is no perfunctory gesture to soothe foreigners. We live in an increasingly multi-polar world in which economic globalisation and the development of information technology are gaining momentum. Countries are more interdependent and their interests are more closely connected. This has turned the world into a community of common destiny. The international community must work together to address the increasing global issues and common challenges that we face. No other choice is available or workable. China will not act against the trend of the times. It will not seek hegemony or follow the traditional pattern where a rising power was bound to become hegemonic. That is a dead end. It will harm Chinas interests and the interests of others.

Is Chinas declaration of peaceful development just empty talk? The answer is no. Peaceful development is the strong commitment of the Communist Party of China, the State and the Chinese people. It is manifest in Chinas domestic and foreign policies as well as strategies for national development; it is translated into real actions. Peaceful development means that, domestically, China seeks harmony and development; externally, it pursues peace and cooperation.

But to follow the path of peaceful development, China needs the understanding and support of the international community; indeed, China owes much of its achievement to the long-term, friendly co-operation of other countries. And China will continue to count on the sympathy, understanding and support of the international community for its future development. For the world, Chinas development is an opportunity, not a threat. We sincerely hope that the international community will have confidence in the sincerity and resolve of the Chinese people in following this path. We hope that the world will welcome Chinas peaceful development rather than doing anything to obstruct it.

Dai Bingguo: China Will Unswervingly Follow Path of Peaceful Developmentadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
You can reflect on your feelings and log daily moods in the Mindfulness app to keep tabs of your mental health.

Apples watchOS 10 officially became available on September 18, and it brings a new feature in the Mindfulness app that gives you the option of logging your feelings and moods directly on your watch face. These updates will be available if you have an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer model. Heres how to navigate that new feature.

Malak Saleh

How to log your mood

When you open the Mindfulness app, tap State of Mind and then Get Started to begin the logging process. From there, you can either log a momentary emotion to input how you feel at that instant, or a daily mood to report how you felt overall that day.

Malak Saleh

Using the watchs Digital Crown, you can scroll through seven abstract images with corresponding emotional valences ranging from "very pleasant" to "very unpleasant." Once you select an emotion, you can opt for more logging and go into greater detail about the feelings youre experiencing (including what's having the biggest effect on you) by selecting options from a drop-down menu.

Malak Saleh

How to view your mood logs

Over time you can keep tabs on your daily logging activity in the Health app under the Mental Wellbeing tab. Using a paired iPhone, click State of Mind and then open Show in Charts. From this page, you can view the type of entries for daily moods or momentary emotions. You also have the option to view lifestyle factors associated with these entries to learn how your moods may correlate with variables like time spent in the sun, sleep trends, and exercise habits.

Malak Saleh

Additionally, specific assessments for depression and anxiety are now accessible in the Health app. You can also export PDFs of personal health reports if you ever need to share logs with a medical professional. Youll need to open the Health app and click the Sharing tab at the bottom of the screen. From there you can choose to Share with someone, such as a contact, or Share with your doctor.

If you want to share with your doctor, you can search for specific hospital systems to connect your health data and keep tabs on clinical records. For example, if you were a client at Green Primary Care in Huntsville, Alabama, you could directly connect to the patient portal, get secure access to health records, and also share your personal health data with a care team  this is where building a habit of logging daily moods may be helpful for a provider to get a fuller picture on the state of your mental health.
Ubisoft just confirmed that Tom Clancys The Division 3 is headed toward active development. We have a long time to wait before we get our hands on the franchise sequel, despite it being over four years since The Division 2 graced consoles and PCs back in 2019. The company also named Julian Gerighty as Executive Director for the entire The Division brand.

If that name sounds familiar its because Gerighty is often credited as being the modern architect of the franchise after coming aboard in 2014 as Associate Creative Director ahead of the original games launch. He moved up to Creative Director just in time for The Division 2 and its DLC releases.

So just how long do we have to wait? Settle in folks and grab your hibernation pajamas, as its gonna be awhile. Gerighty is currently the Creative Director for a little open-world game called Star Wars Outlaws. He wont transition to The Division 3 until that game has shipped. Ubisoft says Gerightys first task will be to assemble the development team, so that hasnt happened yet. Star Wars Outlaws doesnt release until sometime next year so, well, you do the development math.

Despite the forthcoming sequel, Ubisoft says The Division 2 will still be supported, though the company didnt detail future plans for DLC content. Concrete information regarding The Division 3 is basically non-existent, but Gerighty did say that the development process will be about refinement, it's about pushing the quality bar consistently forward.
Foreign exchange analysts at Westpac Institutional Bank suggest the Australian Dollar (AUD) could be tipped to outperform the Pound Sterling (AUD/GBP) and Euro (EUR/AUD) in the near-term outlook, citing robust economic indicators that are "nudging RBA terminal rate expectations higher and out into Q2 next year."

When compared to cooling rate expectations for the UK and EU central banks, the AUD's appeal is improving amongst currency investors, especially when paired against the GBP and EUR.

Despite this advantage, the Aussie (AUD) is grappling with challenges, particularly the assertive strategies of the US Federal Reserve (FED), the influence of commodity prices, and China's economic health.

The US Dollar's bullish momentum remains a challenge for the AUD.

The strategist's outlook suggests potential downward pressure on the AUD/USD pair, advocating a selling strategy when it hits specific levels.

"The Aussie will not resist the Fed-driven bullish USD undertow and our preference remains to sell AUD/USD rallies to 0.6520, targeting 0.6200" says Richard Franulovich, CQF, Head of FX Strategy at Westpac Institutional Bank.

However, the Aussie derives strength from the commodity market, particularly with significant price increases in crucial commodities.

This uplift offers support against some of its currency peers.

"But with crude oil up 10%+ in the last month, coking coal futures 25%+ over the same period and iron ore prices holding reasonably firm at around $120/t - notwithstanding China doubts - AUD is looking better placed on some crosses" the analyst adds.

A crucial aspect underpinning the AUD's appeal is the global central bank narrative paired with Australia's domestic economic data, specifically the August jobs report.

This combination has significantly influenced RBA rate forecasts, positioning the AUD advantageously against the GBP and EUR.

"The higher for longer global central bank narrative and a strong 65k+ Aug jobs report have nudged RBA terminal rate expectations higher and out into Q2 next year. That creates some additional appeal for AUD, especially against the likes of GBP and EUR, where rate expectations are cooling" says Franulovich.

China remains pivotal to the AUD's trajectory.

Although adjustments in the Chinese Yuan (CNY) and optimistic reports from Chinese official media occasionally bolster the AUD, there's a broader consensus that substantial positive developments in China's economic status are essential for significant shifts in the AUD's position.

"CNY fixing nudges and upbeat China stories in official media will continue to periodically provide relief for AUD. However, we suspect that we will need tangibly more positive news on Chinas economy to fuel substantial covering of A$ shorts" the strategist remarks.
Thursday, September 21, 2023

Project Venkman is excited to announce the addition of a new membership tier in the Bill Murray 1000 Membership Program. The Bill Murray 1000 is the premier celebrity membership program offering 1000 true Bill Murray super-fans unique opportunities to attend one-of-a-kind in-person events with iconic actor, comedian, and writer.

Bill Murrays birthday is September 21, and Project Venkman is celebrating by giving his fans a free membership to Bill Murray 1000 and a free chance to party with Bill Murray. The Open Edition membership tier is a new, no-cost entry point for Bills fans to learn more about Bill Murray 1000 and enter raffles for tickets to the next in-person event with Bill Murray.

In addition to ticket giveaways, an Open Edition membership is an access pass to play games, purchase custom merch, and join our Discord channels for true Bill fans.

In the week leading up to Bill Murrays birthday, Project Venkman will airdrop Open Edition memberships directly to the digital wallets of Bill Murray 1000 Original Bill and Destinations membership owners to make sure they receive Open Edition memberships that they can keep for themselves or share with others. Project Venkman is covering all costs of the airdrop, so this is completely free for members.

Open Edition memberships can be claimed at billmurray.club. You can claim with just an email address or you can claim with a digital wallet. By simply claiming an Open Edition membership you will be eligible for the event ticket raffles. Project Venkman is covering all costs of anyone claiming with an email address, so this is a fun, simple, and free way to join Bill Murray 1000.

Finally, on September 21, the Bill Murray 1000 will celebrate Bill Murrays birthday on Opensea where the Open Edition will be listed as a Notable Collection on the homepage. Project Venkman is offering a free Open Edition mint to anyone who wants to mint their own memberships. Minting one or many Open Edition memberships is completely free, however, the costs of transferring the memberships to your wallet will be the responsibility of the wallet owner.

This a very sweet, very inclusive group of people, like Deadheads or Comicon people,." said Bill Murray at a member event in January, they bring a friend or a loved one and they are enjoying the fun. And the food is fantastic!."

To claim a Bill Murray 1000: Open Edition membership go to:

billmurray.club

About Project Venkman

Project Venkman is a leading Web3 studio focused on community building and celebrity memberships. The company is dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime fan moments.

projectvenkman.com
Here, youll find out eight top causes of groin pain in men, including their causes, symptoms and the most effective ways to treat them so you can get back to doing more of what you love.

What causes groin pain in men?

Pulled groin

When you injure your primary hip flexor or adductor muscles, a groin pull results, according to Hartford HealthCare. Its caused by abrupt, forceful movement of the front hip.

Pulled groin symptoms include:

Difficulty walking, running, stretching or jumping

Pain, especially when closing your legs or raising a knee

Swelling

Bruising

Can a pulled groin cause testicular pain? According to Penn Medicine, its possible.

To treat groin pulls, Hartford HealthCare suggests the "PRICE" method:

Protection keeps the injury from worsening

Rest

Ice

Compression (with a wrap)

Elevation above heart level

Inguinal hernia

Hernias are holes in muscle walls. Harvard Health explains that when fat or intestines poke through a hernia in the groin area, thats an inguinal hernia.

The Mayo Clinic lists these inguinal hernia causes:

Persistent sneezing or coughing

Straining to go to the bathroom

Weak spots in the muscle wall

Strenuous activity

Symptoms of inguinal hernias include:

Sudden, intensifying pain

Nausea

Vomiting

A discolored bulge in the groin

Fever

Passing gas or trouble relieving your bowels

Hernias are treated with surgical repair of the hole in the muscle wall.

Kidney stones

What we know is that  excess calcium in your urine can eventually develop into kidney stones, Cleveland Clinic urologist Dr. Sri Sivalingam explained in a hospital article.

Kidney stones are irregular-shaped crystalline structures formed in the bladder. Once they move out of the bladder and down the urinary tract, they may cause excruciating groin pain.

The Mayo Clinic says other symptoms include:

Severe, sharp side or back pain

Burning pain when urinating

Cloudy, bad-smelling, and/or pink, brown or red urine

Abnormal urination habits

Fever

Nausea and vomiting

Treatment options for your kidney stones can include:

Drinking lots of water

Pain medications

Drugs to help you pass the stones

Ultrasound therapy

Surgery

Trauma to the testicles

When the testicles are hit, crushed, struck or otherwise hurt by some force, this is known as testicular trauma. The Urology Care Foundation notes that the lack of protective bones and muscles around the testicles leaves the area vulnerable.

Symptoms include:

Severe pain

Injury or bruising of the scrotum

Difficulty urinating

Fever

Your doctor may treat testicular trauma with pain medication or surgery.

Epididymitis

Epididymitis is inflammation of a coiled tube behind the testicles. The Urology Care Foundation notes its causes include:

Bacterial infection

Urine flowing backward into the bladder

The medication amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug

These symptoms may indicate you have epididymitis:

Pain in the scrotum, testicle, groin, lower abdomen, penis or side

Swollen, red, warm and/or firm scrotum skin

Pain or burning when urinating

Feeling the need to urinate more

Fever

Since the most common cause is infection, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat epididymitis.

Orchitis

Orchitis occurs when one or both of your testicles become inflamed. Its usually caused by bacterial or viral infection, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

Epididymitis and orchitis often develop together. Signs of orchitis include:

Mild to severe pain in one testicle that can spread to the entire scrotum

Testicular swelling and tenderness

Antibiotics and antiviral medications are used to treat orchitis, and interferon may also be given for cases caused by the mumps virus.

Hydrocele

When fluid forms in the sac surrounding the testicle, its called a hydrocele. The Mayo Clinic notes that hydroceles can be caused by infection, injury or inflammation in the testicle or groin region.

Symptoms may include:

Painless swelling of one (or both) testicles

A heavy feeling in the scrotum

Swelling thats less noticeable in the morning

If a hydrocele doesnt go away on its own, surgery can be performed to remove it. When the cause is an infection or injury, your doctor may also treat it with medication or surgical repair.

Testicular cancer

Excess growth of cells that starts in the testicles is testicular cancer. While the Mayo Clinic says that the exact cause isnt known, DNA changes in germ cells appear to trigger the disease.

Testicular cancer symptoms include:

Swelling of either testicle or the scrotum

A tumor in either testicle

Back pain

Swelling or discomfort in breast tissues

Groin discomfort

Heaviness of the scrotum

Testicular cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation.

While up to 95% of men with testicular cancer are cured, its important to get care quickly if youre experiencing symptoms because testicular cancers usually grow fast, Cleveland Clinic oncologist Dr. Timothy Gilligan explained in a clinic article. If there is disease, the earlier it is treated, the greater the chance for success.

Resources

Cleveland Clinic: Why Do More People Get Kidney Stones in the Summer?

Cleveland Clinic: 5 Testicular Cancer Symptoms That Arent a Lump

Hartford HealthCare: Groin strain (pull)

Harvard Health: Groin strain vs. hernia pain: How to tell the difference

Mayo Clinic: Inguinal hernia

Mayo Clinic: Kidney Stones

Mayo Clinic: Hydrocele

Mayo Clinic: Testicular Cancer

Penn Medicine: Groin Pain

Urology Care Foundation: Testicular Trauma

Urology Care Foundation: Epididymitis and Orchitis
THURSDAY, Sept. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- As working class neighborhoods gentrify, you'll likely see rents rise, pricey restaurants move in  and maybe also a rise in gunshot wounds, researchers say.

In U.S. neighborhoods that gentrified, gun injuries were 62% higher than they were in similar neighborhoods that hadnt gone upscale, according to a new study.

Overall firearm incidence was also 26% higher in these gentrifying neighborhoods compared to non-gentrifying neighborhoods.

To prevent firearm injuries in these communities, we must understand where the behavior is stemming from, said study co-author Molly Jarman, of the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston.

Its vital we begin to investigate the factors causing social disruption and housing displacement, such as gentrification, to develop and implement targeted interventions to prevent firearm injuries," Jarman added in a hospital news release.

Gentrification can improve certain conditions in poorer neighborhoods, the authors noted, but it can also lead to rising housing costs, which can displace the people who live there. That creates a high-stress environment, adding to known links to gun violence such as poverty, income inequality and minority status.

The solution is complicated, but our findings reveal an opportunity to identify communities that may be at increased risk of firearm violence," said the study's lead author, Dr. Sarabeth Spitzer, of Brighams department of surgery. "Hopefully, this allows support and resources, such as community outreach and education programs, to target these areas and mitigate this risk.

For this study, the researchers collected nationwide urban U.S. Census data between 2010 and 2019.

To find neighborhoods at risk of gentrification, they used Rural Urban Commuting Area codes, examining more than 59,000 urban Census tracts. The investigators also collected geographical firearm injury data from the Gun Violence Archive from 2014 to 2019.

They defined gentrification as a city neighborhood where the median housing price increased over the regional median value, and household incomes were at or below the 40th percentile of the median regional household income. The study included more than 14,000 Census-tracts that met this criteria.

The team then compared the changes in rates of firearm injuries in three financial categories with similar socioeconomic characteristics based on the Census-tract data: low-income non-gentrifying; gentrifying; and high-income non-gentrifying.

Because the study was observational, it could not show a cause-and-effect relationship.

The report was published online Sept. 20 in JAMA Surgery.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on firearm violence prevention.

SOURCE: Brigham and Womens Hospital, news release, Sept. 20, 2023
I have read quite a few books on homesteading and farming. While I have enjoyed reading, listening and meeting Joel Salatin, my favorite author and role model is Gene Logsdon.

Salatin is a prolific writer and excellent public speaker. From his appearances in Food Inc., a movie about the industrial agriculture and food supply chain system, to his recent Deerfield, Ohio, lecture I attended earlier this year, he preaches the gospel about sustainability and food security that underscores most homesteaders today. While he is extremely popular today, amongst the tsunami of beginning homesteaders, his message hasnt always been well received.

His whole life, Salatin has gone against the grain, choosing to raise his livestock on grass, something that is natural to a cow, but unnatural to the quick growing, low overhead and cheap protein that adorns most grocery stores, restaurants and home kitchens.

While Salatin and his farm Polyface have become a household name to most, Gene Logsdon, to me, is the grandfather of the homesteading movement. His books are cherished in my house, having duplicate copies scattered around my library, which really constitutes any flat surface on or around a place I may be sitting.

Ive read over a dozen of his books and havent come close to reading them all. He was a prolific writer and agrarian, publishing hundreds of articles. Growing up on a farm in Ohio, he went to college and began writing, all while constantly returning to his roots of farming, wherever he lived. He told stories and shared his breadth of knowledge.

Without his work, my pursuit would be futile, to say the least. I have reread some books and continue to reference his writing in an attempt to understand what Im doing, but mostly to figure out what Im doing wrong. What Salatin is to the agricultural community on a large scale, Logsdon is to the small-scale diversified farm and homestead.

In one of his books, he described how his grandfather sat on a rocking chair atop a horse-drawn harrow  a comfort and luxury unbeknownst to any, while adding extra weight.

This out-of-the-box thinking is what constitutes a contrarian. Ultimately, it constitutes my life. I cannot help the way that I think. My father would get angry when he saw me tackling a project, even as an adult. He would often cite a tool and its function when explaining how something should be done.

While reaching for a crescent wrench to hammer a nail, I would explain to him: Just because a hammer is the most efficient tool and purposely designed to do the job, it doesnt mean that it is the only tool that can accomplish the job. Humans have engineered the tool as a solution, but the problem existed long before the tool did, and the problem needs to be resolved with or without the right tool.

A long time ago, when we first got married, my wife wanted the perfect Christmas tree. As we strolled through the aisles, she found the Clark Griswold of all the artificial trees on display.

Even after purchasing it, she was unconvinced that it would fit in the trunk of our subcompact car. To prove her point, she even assisted me by opening the hatchback and attempting to force the box into the trunk. It didnt work  not until I opened the box, removed the contents and carefully placed all the pieces inside of the trunk, folded the box and closed the hatch.

Thats how you think outside of the box.
SALEM, Ohio  Accidents happen all the time  and when it comes to grain bins and silos, accidents can turn deadly. Two deaths by entrapment in a grain bin and corn silo have already occurred in Ohio and Pennsylvania since the beginning of September.

In 2022, there were 24 fatal and 50 non-fatal entrapment cases across the U.S.  a 40.7% increase from the previous year, according to Purdue Universitys 2022 report by its Agricultural Safety and Health Program.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a person only has two seconds to react before grain starts to flow beneath them. Entrapment can occur within four to five seconds and full engulfment can take as little as 22 seconds.

With harvest season here and National Farm Safety and Health Week happening from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23, farm safety and agricultural experts from Ohio State University and Penn State University are reminding people how to operate grain bins and silos safely.

Tips to avoid danger

One of the main reasons a person enters a grain bin or silo is to break up clusters of grain, corn or soybeans that clump together as a result of moisture.

Before entering a grain bin or silo, Judd Michael, professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State University, recommends using a long pole to attempt to break up clumps first.

However, if this doesnt work and the farmer has to enter a grain bin or silo, there are several safety precautions one can take to ensure entrapment does not occur.

Turn off equipment

Before entering a bin or silo, all equipment like the unloading and sweeping auger should be de-energized as augers can act like quicksand, pulling down a human with considerable force as it pulls down grains.

Youre entering an area that has hazards of engulfment, dont add the entanglement factor to that, said Dee Jepsen, an Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist and professor at Ohio State University, in regard to turning off power.

During entrapment, grain acts like concrete and sand holding the victim down and keeping them stuck in place, explains Jepsen. Because of the high amount of pressure applied to the body when in grain, if stuck up to the waist, a pole able to withstand 350 pounds of force is required to pull the victim out. If the victim is stuck up to their neck, the pressure doubles and requires a 600-pound pole to be used to pull them out.

Wear a harness

It is also recommended to wear a harness and have a rope that is attached to the top of the grain bin when going down.

However, older bins and silos oftentimes do not have anything for a rope to be tied to, something Jepsen notes deters the effectiveness and use of harnesses.

There could be some engineering design that could help reduce the injuries. Im not going to say its just one specific thing. But this is a challenge I think perhaps some of our grain companies and our young engineers could solve, Jepsen said.

Part of the problem when engineering an attachment point for a rope is the amount of weight it would need to withstand. To hold a person via harness and rope, the attachment needs to withstand a 5,000-pound pull.

Over the years, some grain bin manufacturers have taken steps to make the attachment of a harness possible, yet many farmers still have older grain bins and may not want to spend the money to buy a new one, Michael said.

Use the buddy system

After shutting off the augers, farmers are reminded to never enter a bin or silo without supervision. The observer can call 911 and get help in case of an accident.

Earlier this year, in February, a worker at Littlejohn Grain Inc. in Illinois was rescued from a grain bin after a five-hour rescue effort was called in by observers.

Jason Sluder entered the grain bin to break up a cluster with his feet and was pulled down up to his thighs. Fortunately, no augers were running and two other workers were present. He credits his safety to the augers being off and the two additional sets of eyes watching, which were able to get him help in time.

Dont be a hero

Alongside having someone present, it is important to remind whoever is supervising to not go in after them if something goes wrong, Michael said, referring to an incident that occurred last year in Centre County, Pennsylvania, where three people died from entrapment in a corn silo when one after the other went in to pull each other out.

Respiratory hazards

Entrapment is not the only hazard farmers need to be aware of when working around grain bins and silos. Farmers should also take precautions to protect themselves from dust and hazardous gasses that they may encounter.

An n95 mask can be worn when going into a grain bin or silo to protect a farmer/farm manager from dust particles. However, an n95 mask will not offer protection from hazardous gasses that can be emitted in grain bins and silos.

Farmers can test the air around grain bins and silos using a basic gas-testing device in order to properly ventilate and avoid contamination from hazardous gases.

Resources for grain bin and silo safety

Resources for grain bin and silo safety. There are several resources farmers can access to further their education on grain bin safety.

The Ohio Fire Academy offers a hands-on training program for farmers, FFA members and community members that teaches participants grain bin rescue techniques as well as awareness and prevention methods. The Grain C.A.R.T. program is a collaboration with the Ohio Fire Academy and OSUs Agricultural and Health Safety Program. For more information visit: https://agsafety.osu.edu/grain-cart.

Several other fire stations across Ohio have grain rescue training programs including Wayne County Fire and Rescue Association, Napoleon Fire and Rescue Training Facility and Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District Safety Training Center.

OSHA has a list of standards for grain handling which is available online for farmers to access at: https://www.osha.gov/grain-handling#:~:text=OSHA%20standards%20require%20that%20both,throughout%20a%20grain%20handling%20facility. However, these standards are only enforced on farms with 11 employees or more, which Jepsen notes poses an additional safety concern for small farms.

PSU Extension also has videos online regarding grain bin safety rescue at https://extension.psu.edu/grain-bin-safety-rescue. OSU Extension has a list of grain safety and health recommendations on its website at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/health-and-safety-recommendations-farm-grain-bin-facilities.
COLUMBUS  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and Ohio State University are partnering to conduct a multi-year study on the survival and nest success of female wild turkeys.

Ohios wild turkey abundance is thought to have peaked around 2001 and has fluctuated since then. Adult hen survival, nest success rates and poult survival play a role in population levels. From 2017 to 2019, below-average hatches of turkey poults resulted in a decrease in wild turkey abundance. Hatches in 2021 and 2022 were above average.

To learn more about the factors that impact Ohios turkey populations, the Division of Wildlife joined a research collaboration that aims to understand wild turkey hen survival and nesting activity. Researchers affixed GPS transmitters to 49 female (hen) turkeys in southeast Ohio in February and March of 2023. The transmitters provide biologists with information on turkey movement, survival and nesting activity. Gathering turkey survival and nest timing data is essential for the Division of Wildlife to structure science-based turkey hunting regulations. Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are performing similar studies in collaboration with the Division of Wildlife.

Since capturing hens and attaching transmitters, researchers have closely monitored the movement and activity of these birds. The winter turkey flocks split up in late March and early April, with hens traveling up to 5 miles from the capture location to establish nest sites. Hen mortalities and failed nests were investigated as quickly as possible to determine the cause. Most predation events occurred while hens were incubating eggs because this is a period of increased vulnerability.

The Division of Wildlife remains vigilant in monitoring Ohios wild turkeys. Poults from successful nests were monitored and counted at two and four weeks of age. Hens will be monitored through fall and winter to examine movement, habitat use and seasonal survival. The study will expand in 2024 by tagging and monitoring 100 additional hens. Young and hen turkeys will be tracked closely in the coming years.

History

The restoration of the wild turkey in Ohio is among the states most notable wildlife success stories. Wild turkeys were extirpated around 1904, and the Division of Wildlife began reintroducing wild turkeys to the Buckeye State in the 1950s. For the next five decades, the wild turkey population grew and expanded rapidly, facilitated by trap-and-transfer efforts. By 1999, wild turkeys were found in all 88 counties.

Ohios first modern-day wild turkey hunting season opened in 1966 in nine counties and hunters checked 12 birds. The total number of harvested turkeys topped 1,000 for the first time in 1984. Turkey hunting was opened statewide in 2000. The highest Ohio wild turkey harvest was in 2001 when hunters checked 26,156 birds.
SALINEVILLE, Ohio  Dozens of officials representing education, business and the community gathered for the unveiling of the Ascent Resources Welding Lab located adjacent to the Hutson Building on East Main Street in Salineville Sept. 12. This new offering at the Utica Shale Academy will help expose students to real-world working conditions.

The facility features 20 exterior welding bays and room for storage and would serve upwards of 100 students. USA Superintendent Bill Watson said the purpose of the facility is to introduce pupils to welding in the elements so they know what is expected on the job.

Its one thing to weld when its 70 degrees outside, but its another when it is cold. Thats the nature of the welding lab: They will be in the elements and we wanted them to really train and be prepared for these jobs, Watson said.

The site has been nearly two years in the making and was finally completed last week. He said the concept was based on an idea by instructor Matt Gates and may be among the first of its kind in the state.

A funding shortfall nearly shelved the project, however, until Ascent stepped up to help, contributing $75,000. Additional funds came from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief. SkyOxygen of Pittsburgh constructed the one-story building and Watson said five cohorts of 20 students can utilize the lab.

USA has been expanding its campus and currently includes the Hutson Building, which houses general classrooms and Virtual Learning Academy programming through the JCESC; the Utica Energy Center at the former Huntington Bank, which is in partnership with Youngstown State University and offers megatronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/DC electric, Programmable Logic Controllers, diesel mechanics and horticulture for students and adults, and the newly opened Utica Shale Academy Community Center on Church Street, which includes a fitness center and certified health workers for further support.

School leaders are also reviewing plans to construct a new, two-story building next to the welding lab for classrooms, machinery and facilities for students working with heavy equipment operation and CNC plasma cutting. Additionally, they have met with state officials to tour the former Williams Energy district office at 10 E. Main St. for classrooms, exterior welding labs and health-based programs while the lower level is being eyed as a hospitality hub for the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center based in Salem.
The Scottish government is seeking a new chair for the Scottish Land Commission, which advises on land ownership and use in Scotland.

A new chair is needed as the nation approaches a decisive time in its land reform journey, and two land commissioner roles are also vacant.

Over the past five years, the issue of Scotlands land ownership and fairer ways of managing and using land have grown exponentially.

Current commission chair, Andrew Thin will depart the body following six years of guiding Scotland on its land reform journey.

He said: To have played a part in driving a programme of work towards a fairer Scotland has been a real privilege.

We are in a significant period of change in Scotland when it comes to land ownership and use, where we must work across urban and rural Scotland to ensure a just transition that realises the potential of Scotlands land for its people and economy.

The role of chair is demanding but it is also an extremely rewarding post, and I would urge anyone who has an interest in improving the lives of Scotlands people to apply.

Although I am sad to be leaving, this will be an exciting new chapter for the Scottish Land Commission and a fantastic opportunity for someone with passion."

The chair will be responsible for ensuring that the Scottish Land Commissions work support the Scottish Ministers wider strategic policies.

Candidates are urged to apply before the closing date of 12 October, with two online information events taking place on 5 October at 13:00 and 19:00.

Land Commissioners Megan MacInnes and Professor David Adams will also be stepping down, providing an opportunity for interested applicants to apply for a position on the Commissions Board.

Those appointed will help drive encourage thinking on how land is owned, managed, and used in Scotland.

Appointed by Scottish Ministers, applicants are encouraged to apply from a variety of backgrounds and a mix of career experience  from finance to property.

Chief executive of the Scottish Land Commission, Hamish Trench, said: Scotlands land is a finite resource and we need to be creative and ambitious in how we make the most of it for all of Scotlands people.

"The Commissions Board is uniquely placed to shape that journey with a role advising on policy and legislative change as well as providing leadership for culture change in practice.
Rural campaigners have welcomed the government's climbdown on net zero policies, as some measures were 'simply unachievable and counterproductive'.

But environmental and wildlife charities have largely criticised the announcement for undermining efforts to address the climate crisis.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivered a speech on Wednesday (21 September) in which he set out changes to the government's green measures.

This included delaying a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, as well as a promise not to move ahead with other proposals, such as a meat tax.

Mr Sunak also said the 2026 ban on off-grid oil boilers would be delayed to 2035, with only an 80% phase-out target at that date.

However, the prime minister confirmed that the UK would still hit net zero by 2050.

The Countryside Alliance was among the organisations that campaigned against the ban on new oil boilers, arguing that it would have a 'disproportionate effect' on rural communities.

The rural campaigning group warned that many older homes commonly found in the countryside were ill-suited to heat pumps, which require thorough insulation to work efficiently.

Campaigners had also called for greater electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the countryside for those wishing to transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles.

Tim Bonner, the Countryside Alliance's chief executive, said while the countryside was "committed to fighting climate change, net zero policies must not disproportionately impact rural communities".

He said: "The PM is right to provide significantly more time for people to transition to heat pumps, understanding that in some circumstances it just wont work.

"It is also right, in a cost-of-living crisis, that further financial support will be offered to those switching to heat pumps. Many rural people have been quoted eye-watering sums."

Mr Bonner added: "On electric vehicles, 2035 offers a much more realistic timeline for those wanting to switch with confidence, in rural areas.

"As the PM accepted, the charging infrastructure simply isnt adequate and the range of vehicles currently on offer not suitable.

"It was always absurd to suggest taxing meat, which would undermine the hard work of our livestock farmers and stifle freedom of choice. UK red meat is among the most sustainable in the world.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said that while it 'strongly supported' efforts to improve the environment, some net zero policies were "simply unachievable and counterproductive".

The group explained that the proposed 2026 ban on off-grid oil boilers would have affected one million  largely rural  households.

Due to the nature of their construction, many rural properties cannot be suitably upgraded," explained CLA President, Mark Tufnell.

"Forcing many landlords to spend at least 10,000 on works with no guarantee such investment would actually improve carbon emissions risked damaging the supply of rural housing during a cost of living crisis."

Meanwhile, environmental and wildlife groups have largely criticised the government's announcement as undermining efforts to address the climate crisis.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said the government was giving itself a get out of jail free card by abandoning its own targets.

He warned that the unseasonably wet weather had 'caused problems' for this years harvest for UK farmers in August.

"Scrapping plans to help homes with better insulation and bring down emissions will leave households worse off and the UK more dependent on fossil fuel imports.

Science tells us that our climate needs action much faster than that."
Loch Ness Monster hunters have asked for NASA's help to find the legendary beast.

Loch Ness Monster hunters want assistance from NASA

The Loch Ness Centre is convinced that space gadgets - that have been used in attempts to discover alien life on other planets - could be adapted to seek out what is lurking in the Scottish waters.

The centre has now contacted the US space agency to ask if it can use its expertise and technology to finally solve the mystery of Nessie and is awaiting a response.

Paul Nixon, general manager of the centre, said: "They're busy looking for signs of life out in space, how about they come and help us find signs of life at the bottom of Loch Ness."

The plea for help comes after the biggest hunt for Nessie in decades ended in failure last month - even though enthusiasts spent the weekend camping out in search of the monster.
Jaime King and Kyle Newman are ready for a "clean beginning" after settling their acrimonious divorce.

Jaime King has reached an agreement in her divorce

The former couple have been locked in dispute since the 'White Chicks' actress filed for divorce from the filmmaker in May 2020 after 13 years of marriage, but on Tuesday (19.09.23), they met with their attorneys to engage in talks and reached a signed agreement in just a few hours.

Kyle's lawyer, Garry M. Gekht told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column the pair - who have sons James, nine, and Leo, eight, together - "hugged each other" as they left court.

He added: It was an emotional day at the courthouse yesterday, as Jaime and Kyle sat down in a room and hammered out the details of their settlement, putting their two children first.

It was truly touching to see them get along again after years of acrimony  Jaime even joined Kyle to get coffee across the street from the courthouse as I was writing up the settlement agreement.

I am hopeful that this will be a clean beginning for them.

They both understand they will be in each others lives forever, and that their children deserve nothing but the best from both of them.

The details of the settlement have not been disclosed.

Just a month ago, Kyle, 47, refused to agree for Jamie to take the boys to Vietnam on vacation, claiming he was worried she would abduct the children and had already "attempted to intercept [the] childrens passports without [his] knowledge or consent."

The 'Barely Lethal' filmmaker also accused his former spouse of "repeatedly and blatantly" violating multiple court orders, including "being intoxicated" around the children.

Jaime had previously denied allegations she had a drug problem, accused Kyle of attempting to sabotage her career and claimed to have been a victim of verbal and emotional abuse during her marriage.

In October 2022, the director claimed he had to stop working to raise James and Leo because the 44-year-old actress allegedly hadn't complied with an order to pay $429 a month in child support and $1,000 in spousal support.

He also accused her of selling their family home and failign to get his consent to take $500,000 from their community property retirement accounts.
Rupert Murdoch is stepping back from his media empire at the age of 92.

Rupert Murdoch is stepping down at Fox and News Corp

The Australian business mogul is stepping down as chairman of the board at both News Corp and Fox at their annual general meetings next month, and will instead take on the role of chairman emeritus at the companies.

His son Lachlan will become News Corp's sole chair, and continue as executive chairman and chief executive of Fox.

In a message to employees, Rupert told them the companies were "in robost health, as am I", and he is looking forward to the future.

He wrote: "Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges.

"We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them."

He then went on to hit out at the "battle" surrounding freedom of speech.

He said: The battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense.

Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose.

Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.

Although he is stepping back as chairman, the media tycoon pledged to stay involved in the "contest of ideas" and staff would be able to see him in the office late on Friday afternoons.

Lachlan paid tribute to his "pioneering" father.

He said in a statement: On behalf of the Fox and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career.

We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted.

We are grateful that he will serve as Chairman Emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies.

Rupert took over his father's newspaper business in Australia in 1954 and gradually expanded to the US and UK with the acquision of titles including The Sun, News of the World, The Times, New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

He also set up Sky, which is now owned by Comcast, and became a naturalised US citizen in 1985 in order to satisfy the legal of TV station ownership in America so he could buy a stake in 20th Century Fox, later going on to buy out the whole company and the Metromedia television stations, forming what became the Fox Broadcasting Company.
The Madhya Pradesh tourism department is helping tribals open homestays in Mandu and Kalakund



If youre a conscious traveller who likes to immerse yourself in your destination, theres nothing like living like a local. And, if youre lucky, in a locals home. Now, the tribals in Mandu and Kalakund in Madhya Pradesh just might be your next hosts when you travel to the state.



The tourism department of Madhya Pradesh is serious about giving rural tourism a fillip. It plans to develop homestays in a hundred villages in the state, roping in NGO partners and experts to help build homestays using local resources and showcasing traditional art forms.



Located in Western Madhya Pradesh, the fortress town of Mandu is known for its architecture. Its 37-kilometre-long battlemented walls, punctuated by 12 gateways, cocoon a number of stunning palaces (like Jahaj Mahal  above), 14th-century Jain temples, mosques and other buildings.



Part of the current rural tourism plan is to encourage tribals in Mandu and Kalakund to open their homes to visitors. Almost two dozen tribal families in the district have shown their willingness to host visitors from across India and the world. The initiative aims to showcase the local cuisine, heritage and culture to tourists, and empower the tribal people.



In order to facilitate the development of the homestays, the tourism department of the state will provide Rs 3,00,000 or a 60 % subsidy for the construction.



Images: Shutterstock



Also Read: Coming Soon: A Chance To Shack Up On The Beach In The Andamans
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Bangladeshs Tannery Workers Union (TWU) recently urged the government to fulfil their 14 demands.

The demands include ensuring job security and social justice; setting up a minimum wage board for them; implementing national laws and regulations maintaining global standards; skills-based human resource management; ensuring a neat, hygienic and safe work environment; and starting labour welfare facilities.

Bangladesh's Tannery Workers Union has urged the government to fulfil their 14 demands, which include setting up a minimum wage board for them; implementing national laws and regulations maintaining global standards, and starting labour welfare facilities. It also called for setting up a 50-bed hospital for tannery workers and others concerned with the industry.

TWU president Abul Kalam Azad raised the demands at a coordination meeting organised by the TWU and Solidarity Centre in Dhaka, a news agency reported.

The union leaders also requested the authorities to set up a 50-bed hospital for tannery workers and others concerned with the industry; ensure social compliance, including full implementation of maternity welfare and waste management facilities. This would help a shift to achieving the Leather Working Group (LWG) certificate.

The countrys leather industry, employing around 5 lakh workers, is the second largest export-earning industry in the country. Bangladeshs share in the global leather and products market is 3 per cent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)




Bhumi Pednekar has recently discussed her experience of collaborating with Anil Kapoor in the film Thank You For Coming. The movie has gained worldwide acclaim due to its exceptional early international reviews and the overwhelmingly positive response from audiences at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival.Talking about her experience of working with Anil Kapoor in an interview with a leading news portal, Bhumi said, "To begin with I was extremely nervous but hes one of the kindest, nicest, most motivating, and inspirational people I know. Hes incredible, he knows the impact he makes on people so he makes sure he makes all of us comfortable because we all are in awe of him, hes a breeze to work with."The film also stars Shehnaaz Gill, Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila, and Shibani Bedi, while Anil Kapoor will make a guest appearance.Thank You For Coming is produced by Rhea Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor. It is written by Radhika Anand and Prashasti Singh. Thank You For Coming will be released in theatres worldwide on October 6.
critic's rating: 3.5/5

Jaane Jaan is an adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese novel, The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. The 2005 novel revolved around a brilliant maths teacher who is smitten by her next-door-neighbour and helps her find a water-tight alibi for murder when she and her teenage daughter unwittingly end up killing her husband. If this premise sounds familiar, well, it formed the basis for Jeethu Joseph's brilliant Malayalam film Drishyam (2013). Jeethu took the basic plot but Indianised it so well that you'd be hard pressed to find similarities with the novel. In the present film, director Sujoy Ghosh has been more or less faithful to the source. The only thing he has changed is the merging of Detective Kusanagi and physicist in Dr. Manabu Yukawa into Vijay Varma's character. Yukawa is the man who eventually solves the murder. In the novel, both Kusanagi and Yukawa discuss the crime, working on their individual lines of thought. Yukawa ultimately solves it but realises the humane concerns behind it. Here, the ending is changed, with Vijay Varma's character never learning about the inner intricacies of it.



Jaane Jaan is set in Kalimpong. Single mother Maya (Kareena Kapoor Khan) lives with her daughter Tara (Naisha Khanna). Maya runs a small cafe which sells everything from coffee, cookies, pastries to noodles and momos. It's often visited by her shy neighbour, Naren (Jaideep Ahlawat), who is a much-beloved maths teacher in a local school. Inspector Karan (Vijay Varma) of the Mumbai police is deputised to Kalimpong to search for a rogue policeman Ajit Mhatre (Saurabh Sachdeva). Ajit is Maya's long-lost husband and the police suspect he might have gone to meet her. Karan finds out that Ajit has been killed and Maya becomes the prime suspect. He begins to hound her but she's always one step ahead of the police. Perhaps, his college friend Naren, may have something to do with it



Sujoy is spot on with the casting. His biggest coup is to make Kareena agree to play her age in a deglam role. She still looks beautiful sans makeup and is every inch the concerned mother, the worry lines in her face speaking volumes. Vijay Varma, known for his anti-hero roles, is cast against the type as the clean-shaven inspector. The positive role suits him immensely. And Jaideep Ahlawat owns the room as the eccentric teacher whose first and last love is maths. The other 'hero' of the film is cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay, who has captured the fog-laden locations brilliantly.



The film has plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked but not everything is explained clinically. What the director has excelled in is to provide an emotional gravitas to the proceedings. You tend to sympathise with the protagonists, wanting them to win, wanting them to stretch their bluff till the very end. You're witness to their crimes but you're willing to turn a blind eye to it for the sake of humanity.



The film rests hugely on the shoulders of its three principal protagonists. Vijay Varma plays the good cop with the right amount of cunning and bonhomie, making the suspects feel safe while hunting for clues all the while. Jaideep Ahlawat is the very picture of reticence, playing the smitten neighbour with panache, saying it all through his mannerisms and body language. Kareena Kapoor Khan has outdone herself. She combines both grace and vulnerability to play a woman who has made a home for herself away from her violent past and is willing to go all the way to defend it. It's one of her best performances so far.



Watch the film for the masterful performances by Vijay Varma, Jaideep Ahlawat and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Trailer : Jaane Jaan
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema and is renowned for his unparalleled acting prowess. The versatile actor has played many of the real-life characters that he has breathed life into with his exceptional and unparalleled performances. One of the characters he played is Saadat Hasan Manto.

Nawazuddin stepped easily into the shoes of the character, and with his commanding screen presence, he brought the character of Pakistani writer, playwright, and author Manto alive on the screen.

The biographical drama film directed by Nandita Das traces the journey of Manto, and Nawazuddin aced every layer of the character so sharply and perfectly on screen. As the film has completed its five years of release today, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has taken to social media and hailed the film as the most special film of his career.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance in Manto demonstrated that no other actor in the business can compete with him when it comes to portraying a character in a biographical drama. One of the more challenging characters he has ever played is Manto, for whom he went above and beyond his bounds of duty. Nawazuddin Siddiqui posted a photo of himself online dressed as Manto and wrote a touching note in commemoration of the movie's fifth anniversary. The actor captioned his photo with

"#Manto shall remain closest to my heart forever. My personal favourite film, completes 5 years today. Thank You everyone"

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's excellent acting skills kept drawing attention, as the actor's portrayal of a transgender person in his most recent, highly appreciated film, Haddi, took viewers on a fascinating journey. He played two different characters in this murder drama, displaying his remarkable flexibility and creating a lasting impression on the public.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be next seen in Section 108 and Pan India Actioner Saindhav.
Tanushree Dutta Rakhi Sawant News: Rakhi Sawan's public feud with her estranged husband, Adil Khan Durrani, is taking new turns with each passing day. Both have been making fresh allegations against each other every day, and now former actress Tanushree Dutta has also joined the bandwagon.

Tanushree Dutt has been in loggerheads with Rakhi since 2018, and recently she came out in support of Adil Khan, making some grave accusations against the former Bigg Boss contestant.

The Bhagam Bhag actress revealed how Rakhi tried to tarnish her image during the MeToo movement, and because of her, her marriage got cancelled.

Tanushree Dutta claims her marriage got cancelled because of Rakhi Sawant

Tanushree Dutta and Adil Khan held a press conference recently where she exposed how Rakhi attempted to tarnish her reputation during the #MeToo movement. She also called her a 'psychopath,' revealing how she has tortured her with her verbal and mental abuse.

She shared that Rakhi's media trials became the major reason for her marriage getting cancelled. "Rakhi's cheap media trial against me ruined a lot of things in my life. My parents suffered from severe health issues and I was going to get married in 2018 but because of Rakhi's videos, my marriage got called off. If that wouldn't have happened I would be happily married and living a different life," she said.

Mom-To-Be Ishita Dutta Flaunts Her Full-Gown Baby Bump In BOLD Maternity Photoshoot; Check Out Her Glam Pics

Tanushree Dutta on her first meeting with Rakhi Sawant

The former Miss India also shared her first meeting with Rakhi in 2007 at an event in New York. She said, "I had put her down back then as well when she kept pestering me so much. She constantly wanted to stay around me at the airport, and then she took our car away and reached the hotel without us. I didn't want to talk to her but she troubled me during the whole trip."

Tanushree on Rakhi's aggressive behavior

She also called Rakhi out for her aggressive behaviour and stated: "She fights like an aggressive man. I saw how in the case of Adil and Rajshri she had. Every day there's a new person to lie to. I don't know from where."

"She meets people like this, she is bad. Despite changing so many religions, she could not change herself. I have heard many times that when she realizes that she will be caught, she turns away. Suddenly she will become poor and talk about her difficulties."

Meanwhile, Rakhi has claimed that her estranged husband, Adil, who is a businessman, used her career for an entry into Bollywood. She also shared a screenshot of their conversations and showed proof of their wedding and her conversion to Islam.

Rakhi Sawant Alleges Ex Adil Khan 'Used' Her To Get Famous, Shares Proof Of Marriage, Says: He Ditched Me..
Prakash Raj Files Complaint Over Alleged Threats: The Bengaluru Ashok Nagar police have initiated a case against the Kannada YouTube channel known as TV Vikrama.

This action comes in response to allegations of threats against actor Prakash Raj regarding his recent comments on Sanatana Dharma. The case was registered following a formal complaint filed by the actor.

The police have reported that they filed an FIR on Wednesday and are currently conducting an investigation. According to the formal complaint, the video broadcast by the channel contained provocative speeches intended to incite viewers and posed a threat to both the actor and his family.

In his complaint, Prakash Raj cited the contents of the video, which allegedly included statements such as "Stalin and Prakash Raj must be eliminated." The video, which was purportedly threatening Prakash Raj, had reportedly amassed thousands of views on YouTube.

In his formal complaint, Prakash Raj stated that the video portrayed him and his family members negatively, essentially stirring up public sentiment against them. He asserted that the video was a blatant endeavour to convey a life-threatening message to him and his family, calling for the necessary measures to be taken against the owner of the YouTube channel and any other implicated individuals.

YouTube Channel TV Vikrama Faces FIR For Provocative Content

An FIR has been lodged against the YouTube channel TV Vikrama under sections 506 (pertaining to criminal intimidation), 504 (related to intentional insult and provocation of individuals), and 505(2) (involving the distribution of printed or engraved materials containing defamatory content) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). TV Vikrama is reportedly identified as a YouTube channel known for advocating pro-Hindutva positions and ideologies.

The purported threats have surfaced following Prakash Raj's recent statements about Sanatana Dharma. These remarks were made by Prakash Raj during his address to writers and artists in Kalaburagi. In his speech, he contended that individuals who vigorously promote Sanatana Dharma and Hindutva are not genuine Hindus but rather "contractors of Hindutva."

"Those who speak aggressively about Sanatana Dharma and Hindutva aren't true Hindus; they are contractors of Hindutva. Such remarks are often driven by political agendas. It's important for people to discern the underlying motives behind such statements, and I hope they will," stated Prakash Raj during his address to writers and artists in Kalaburagi.

These remarks came after Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases such as malaria and dengue, intensifying the ongoing debate on this issue.

The actor received the threat just days after more than 15 writers and intellectuals from the state wrote to Home Minister G. Parameshwara. They expressed that they had been receiving threatening letters for the past year and requested a meeting with the minister. They also mentioned receiving letters that implied they would meet a fate similar to that of the late activists, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh.
Poster Extravaganza: 'Leo' Fans Delighted: The eagerly awaited new Tamil poster for Thalapathy Vijay's upcoming film 'Leo' was unveiled yesterday, sparking immense excitement among the actor's dedicated fan community.

Ethirneechal Actress Haripriya Hospitalised: Popular Serial's Cast Confronts A Series Of Unfortunate Incidents

Just two days before this, a Telugu poster for 'Leo' was revealed, stirring excitement among cinema enthusiasts. Following the mesmerizing initial reveal and announcement video, fans had been anxiously awaiting sneak peeks of the film, and their patience is finally paying off.

Reports suggest that the recent unveiling of the two posters is just the beginning of a poster extravaganza organized by the film's creators, with more posters anticipated in the coming days.

While the tagline for the Telugu poster read 'Keep calm and avoid the battle,' the Tamil poster's tagline is 'Keep calm and prepare for battle.' Director Lokesh Kanagaraj enthusiastically shared both posters on his social media platform, intensifying the excitement among fans.

Vijay's 'Leo': OTT Release After 8-Week Theatrical Run

Meanwhile, according to the latest reports, Vijay's highly anticipated movie, 'Leo,' will only have its OTT release after an impressive 8-week theatrical run. This decision by the film's team reflects their unwavering confidence in the quality and appeal of the production.

Leo's makers are optimistic that the movie will have a solid 50-day run in theaters and is poised to achieve even greater milestones. Industry experts are already buzzing with anticipation, speculating that "Leo" might be on the path to becoming an industry hit, further solidifying Vijay's status as a top-tier actor in the Indian film scene.

#Leo OTT release after 8 weeks



Team is so confident with the product's quality!



Movie will have solid 50 days theatrical run 



INDUSTRY HIT ON CARDS  pic.twitter.com/hToiqHun46  . (@KuskithalaV6) September 21, 2023

Vijay Fans Eagerly Awaits Leo's Release

Leo,' directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is slated for a Dussehra release on October 19, 2023, worldwide. The film promises to be an action-packed thriller with Thalapathy Vijay in the lead role. It boasts an ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Trisha, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Menon, Mysskin, and Priya Anand, each playing pivotal characters. The screenplay was co-written by Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy in collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj.

Atlee's Blockbuster Journey: Celebrating His Birthday With 5 Memorable Films, From Raja Rani To Jawan!

Leo Poster Feast will continue for the next few days. Meanwhile, Advance booking for 'Leo' has already commenced in the United Kingdom, indicating the immense excitement surrounding the film. Additionally, the audio launch of the movie is scheduled for September 30 at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. As the release date approaches, Thalapathy Vijay's 'Leo' continues to build anticipation and excitement among fans worldwide.
Amy Jackson New Look Gets Trolled: Tamil fans are shocked after seeing Amy Jackson's new hairstyle and they are trolling her by comparing with Oppenheimer actor Cillian Murphy.

Madrasapattinam Made Her A Tamil Heroine

Actress Amy Jackson has acted opposite leading heroes in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Amy Jackson, who came from England, made her debut in Tamil with the film Madrasapattinam. Directed by Vijay, this film is set in the pre-independence era and revolves around love. Arya played the hero in the film. The chemistry between them helped a lot in the success of the film.

It's Cillian Murphy of peaky blinders bro.. pic.twitter.com/aDvJuvFAzL   (@AlwysVenuCharan) September 21, 2023

Amy Jackson played the role of a white girl who fall in love with a Tamil boy in that film. Amy Jackson, who has acted in films with Superstar Rajinikanth, Thalapathy Vijay, Vikram, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Dhanush and others, has been celebrated by Tamil fans.

Both looks similar  pic.twitter.com/b5SwaNO4dx  Dsouza Ebenezer (@Dsouzaebenezer) September 21, 2023

Cillian Murphy Vs Amy Jackson

Currently, Amy has finished acting in the film Mission Chapter 1 with Arun Vijay. Amy Jackson, who fell in love with British businessman George Panayiotou, got engaged to him in 2019. They both had a child and separated due to resentment. After that, she is currently in love with Hollywood actor Ed Westwick.

Cillian Murphy  Goutam K. Giri (@kumargirigoutam) September 21, 2023

Amy Jackson, who is acting in subsequent films, is also involved in modeling. Meanwhile, she has also participated in Milan Fashion Week with a stunning new look. She attended the event with her boyfriend Ed Westwick. Amy Jackson's new look is now going viral on social media. Amy's transformation has been criticized by many Tamil fans as being similar to Cillian Murphy's look in the Oppenheimer film directed by Christopher Nolan.

It is important to note that Milan Fashion Week is held every year in Milan, Italy. International celebrities, models and fashion designers are participating in this.

DISCLAIMER: The particular article is a compilation of thoughts shared by social media users on the subject. Ideas expressed do not reflect the view of Filmibeat.
In one of the most heartbreaking news from the Tamil film industry, Tamil actor and music composer Vijay Antony's teenage daughter Meera Antony died of suicide on September 19. It was reported that the 16 year old was found in her Chennai residence and while she was rushed to the hospital immediately, Meera was declared brought dead by the doctors.

While the news has left everyone shocked and emotional, it is reported that Meera took the drastic step due to stress. The media reports suggested that Meera was battling stress for a while and even sought professional help for the same. Meera's last rites took place at Kilpakkam cemetery on September 20 and Vijay and Fatima were inconsolable as they bid adieu to their darling daughter.

Vijay Antony's Daughter Suicide | Meera's School Friends Spill Beans About Her Mental Health

Now, as per a recent buzz, Fatima's last words to her late daughter at her funeral are going viral now. According to local media house Thanthi TV, Fatima was finding it difficult to control her tears as she bid adieu to her teenage daughter and said, "I carried you in the womb... You could have said a word to me". On the other hand, Meera's last letter has also been recovered by the cops which was stuck in her textbook. Meera's last letter read as, "I will miss my friends teachers. May everyone be safe and happy. Love you all!! Thank you all!!"

The media reports also suggested that cops are investigating the case and 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: Actor's Wife Fatima's Last Post For Daughter Meera Will Leave You Emotional

Besides, as per a report published in Filmibeat Tamil, Meera's friends stated that they had no clue about Meera battling stress and also emphasised that they would have comforted her if there were any signs of any mental health issue. While everyone has been in shock, Meera's school friends have been missing their friend.
RIP Meera Antony: Vijay Antony's daughter Meera Antony committed suicide in the early hours of September 19. Vijay Antony, who was devastated by her death, took to social media today (September 21) and penned an emotional note remembering his 16-year-old daughter.

VIJAY ANTONY'S STATEMENT AFTER DAUGHTER'S SUICIDE

One day following the cremation, Vijay Antony penned a heartfelt post in which he expressed deep admiration for his cherished daughter. He also conveyed that he had felt utterly lost when his daughter took such a drastic step.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "Dear fans.. My daughter is very kind and brave. She has now gone to a peaceful place which is better than this world without caste, religion, money, jealousy, pain, and enmity. But she is talking to me. I died with her. I have now started spending time with her. I will soon start doing several good deeds in her name and she will initiate all of it."

Take a look at his post here:

ABOUT VIJAY ANTONY'S DAUGHTER MEERA

The unexpected passing of Meera Vijay Antony sent shockwaves through the community and left the entire Tamil film industry in disbelief. She was the elder daughter of Vijay Antony and Fatima. The 16-year-old was laid to rest at Kilpauk cemetery.

Meera had been an outstanding student and held the position of Cultural Secretary at Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Chennai. Her untimely demise at her residence in Alwarpet, Chennai prompted the filing of a police case, and a postmortem examination was carried out in accordance with standard procedures.

VIJAY ANTONY UPCOMING PROJECTS

Vijay Antony's upcoming film, directed by C.S. Amudhan, is titled Ratham and is scheduled for release on September 28. The movie features an ensemble cast including Nandita Shwetha, Mahima Nambiar, Ramya Nambeeshan, among others in prominent roles.

May her soul rest in peace!
Chand Jalne Laga promo: Once in a while, right in the middle of ordinary life, love gave them a fairytale. However, what if circumstances become the villain in this extraordinary tale of romance? Presenting such a passionate love story, Colors channel's upcoming show 'Chand Jalne Laga' traces the journey of two childhood sweethearts, Dev and Tara who once brought solace in each other's lives, but a turn of fate leads them astray.

CHAND JALNE LAGA STORY, CAST

With a fresh pairing of popular actors, Vishal Aditya Singh and Kanika Mann, essaying the lead roles of Dev and Tara respectively, the story of 'Chand Jalne Laga' unfolds against the backdrop of a beautiful vineyard. The very forces that once bound them, compel them to lead separate lives, but serendipitously their paths cross. Will their shared history be enough to rekindle the ardent love they once shared? Only time will tell whether their 'happily ever after' is on the cards. Evoking the sentiments of love, separation, and uncertainty, the show's first-of-its-kind musical promo is out now.

Vishal Aditya Singh, who shares a close association with Colors TV, is elated to be back on the channel. He previously appeared in shows like Chandrakanta, Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 and Bigg Boss 13, which aired on the same channel.

Talking about his character, the handsome hunk said in a statement, "Chand Jalne Laga - wo kahani hai jo khatam ho kar bhi kabhi khatam nahi hogi. It's always a homecoming to work with COLORS, and I am ecstatic for this project. I'm excited to see the audience's reaction to my character of Dev, a self-made individual driven by his determination. I've been fortunate to receive immense love from viewers for my previous roles, and I hope they extend the same appreciation for this one too. Stay tuned to know what's more in store; there's a lot of surprises for sure."

Promo is looking nice and all the best to #kannikamann  you are looking so beautiful  #ChandJalneLaga pic.twitter.com/qFYZa1wjJ9  SK_M (@LK_A1234) September 21, 2023

Kanika Mann, who was last seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 12, also expressed her excitement on being a part of the show. Spilling the beans on her character, she said in a statement, "I'm eagerly looking forward to the audience witnessing my portrayal of Tara, a resilient young woman fiercely safeguarding her father's honor. However, even the strongest souls are vulnerable when it comes to love. The highlight for me is that I am returning to my favorite channel COLORS and playing a protagonist for such a passionate love story. I wish the viewers relate to this story and embrace my character in it."

CHAND JALNE LAGA LAUNCH DATE, TIME SLOT

The much-awaited show will hit the airwaves in the month of October. It is expected to take a prime time slot on the popular GEC, which is also gearing up for the launch of Bigg Boss 17. Salman Khan's show has been making waves ever since the first promo was unveiled.

Are you excited for Chand Jalne Laga? What do you have to say about Kanika Mann and Vishal Aditya Singh's sizzling chemistry in the promo? Share your thoughts with us @Filmibeat.
Sai Pallavis SHOCKING Remuneration For Naga Chaitanya NC 23 Photo Credit: Gallery

Naga Chaitanya's next with Karthikeya 2 director Chandoo Mondeti is referred to as NC 23. Bankrolled by Geetha Arts banners and helmed by Allu Aravind, the movie is said to be a coastal region's drama that involves action and romance. The makers of the film announced Sai Pallavi as the leading lady through a video to welcome her on board.

Rumoured to be titled 'Thandelu,' NC 23 is set up against the backdrop of a fisherman community and charts the plight of one unfortunate fisherman who was captured by Pakistanis for entering their waters. The movie marks the second collaboration of Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya.

Confirming her involvement in the project, Sai Pallavi took to her Twitter handle to post two pictures with the team of NC 23. She wrote, "So happy to be part of this loving teamThank you for the warm welcome

@GeethaArts

#BunnyVas

@chandoomondeti

@chay_akkineni

Garu, I'm glad that we're doing another special film together

Naa priyamaina telugu prekshakulu, I missed you all so much!! Ippudu #NC23 dwara mimmalni kalusthanu ani chaala santhosham ga unnanu , (sic)."

The 31-year-old had earlier worked for a successful film titled 'Love Story' which was written and directed by Sekhar Kammula, starring Naga Chaitanya in the lead role. The movie was released in 2021.

Sai Pallavi's Charges A Whopping Remuneration

For collaborating for the second time with Naga Chaitanya for a romantic-action drama, the Gargi actress is said to have quoted Rs 5 Crore as salary. The producers, Geetha Arts, are ready to shell out big bucks to bring this talented artist on board and are ecstatic about going on sets shortly. It is interesting to note that Naga Chaitanya is only taking home Rs 7 Crore as remuneration.

On the other hand, Sai Pallavi hit the headlines a day before for her alleged garland picture which whipped up vigorous wedding rumours with Rajkumar Periasamy. Since the Premam actress stayed away from any professional commitments for a while, the rumours along with the pictures spread like wildfire. However, it was later clarified that it was taken during the official puja ceremony of her upcoming film with actor-producer Sivakarthikeyan, referred to as SK 21.
John Nicols brings 30+ years of experience growing biotechnology and specialty chemical companies

BOHEMIA, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Scientific Industries, Inc. (OTCQB:SCND), the life science tool company delivering digitally simplified bioprocessing, today announced the appointment of John Nicols as Strategic Advisor to the Scientific Bioprocessing senior management team.

"Optimizing and scaling fermentation processes is currently a major bottleneck constraining the enormous potential for synthetic biology to disrupt global manufacturing supply chains. The Company's DOTS platform and new sensors for shake flasks will liberate that constraint by enabling a new, low cost approach to accelerate fermentation process development that is universally applicable," said Nicols. "Advising the Scientific Bioprocessing team is an honor and I look forward to working alongside such an impressive team as the company launches its new DOTS products for digitally simplified bioprocessing into the market."

Nicols brings over three decades of experience in delivering sustained growth and value creation across diverse global businesses, from cutting-edge biotechnologies to traditional chemistry. He is the former president and CEO of Codexis, where he led the growth and transformation of Codexis into a leading synthetic biology company. From 2013 to 2022, Nicols grew Codexis' product sales nine-fold to exceed $100 million, commercializing dozens of new products across pharmaceutical, food and nutrition, and life science tools verticals. Prior to Codexis, Nicols held various executive roles spanning his 22 years at Albemarle Corp, where he grew their largest business unit to more than $1 billion in global sales. Nicols received a M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University. He currently serves as Chairman of Antheia, a synthetic biology-based producer of Key Starting Materials and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API's) for the pharmaceutical industry.

"We're pleased to welcome John as a Strategic Advisor at this important stage of our company's growth where we are launching DOTS - our new sensing platform which enables more bioreactor-like experiments in shake flasks," said Helena Santos, CEO of Scientific Industries. "John is one of the most well-respected leaders in the industry, and his experience growing biotech companies from R&D to commercial scale operations will be invaluable as we work to bring our next-generation DOTS multi-parameter reader and sensors to market."

About Scientific Bioprocessing Inc.

Scientific Bioprocessing, Inc. ("SBI") is dedicated to pioneering digitally simplified bioprocessing by providing actionable insights from lab to production floor. SBI offers a broad portfolio of state-of-the-art bioprocessing sensors and actuators on its proprietary DOTS platform. Or in other words: One sensor platform to simplify your bioprocessing. SBI is a subsidiary of Scientific Industries, Inc. To learn more please visit www.scientificbio.com.

About Scientific Industries

Scientific Industries is a life science tool provider. It designs, manufactures, and markets laboratory equipment, including the world-renowned Vortex-Genie 2 Mixer and balances; customized catalyst research instruments and bioprocessing systems. Scientific Industries' products are generally used and designed for research purposes in laboratories of universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers. Please visit www.scientificindustries.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release that relate to future events, performance or financial results of the Company are forward-looking statements which involve uncertainties that could cause actual events, performance or results to materially differ. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement should be read in conjunction with the additional information about risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including our annual report on Form 10-K."

Company Contact: Helena R. Santos or: CEO and President Joe Dorame Phone: 631-567-4700 Lytham Partners, LLC hsantos@scientificindustries.com Phone: (602) 889-9700 info@scientificindustries.com SCND@lythampartners.com

SOURCE: Scientific Industries, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785805/scientific-industries-appoints-bioprocessing-industry-veteran-as-new-strategic-advisor




TOKYO & JAKARTA, Sept 21, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - PT JCB International Indonesia, subsidiaries of JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCB) and PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BNI) launched the latest credit card, BNI JCB Ultimate.The BNI JCB Ultimate Card is targeted at the super-premium segment and focuses on dining transactions. It will be extremely beneficial for Japanese premium dining enthusiasts and food lovers in general to frequently use the BNI JCB Ultimate Card for transactions.The BNI JCB Ultimate Card has an elegant and luxurious premium design with a combination of gold, black, and silver colours. The koi fish on the card symbolises good luck, success, and prosperity, which are BNI's hope for BNI JCB Ultimate cardholders. The koi fish and water waves on the BNI JCB Ultimate Card design are tactile.The BNI JCB Ultimate Card has attractive features, only with a minimum transaction of IDR 1 million, cardholders can earn 10x BNI Rewards Points for dining transactions (both international and domestic) and 3x BNI Rewards Points for non-dining transactions (both international and domestic). There is also a Spending Reward Program feature that allows active cardholders to get flight tickets and cashback by redeeming their BNI Rewards Points through the BNI Contact Centre. Active cardholders have a chance to get 1 business class return flight ticket from Jakarta to Tokyo if their total domestic and international retail transactions amount to IDR 200 million (minimum transaction of IDR 50 million per month) in a three-month period. In addition, cardholders who accumulate a total of Rp. 150 million in domestic and international retail transactions (minimum transaction of Rp. 50 million per month) in a three-month period are eligible to get Rp. 15 million in cashback.Furthermore, BNI JCB Ultimate cardholders can enjoy various attractive programmes such as Buy One Get One Omakase at OKU, JCB Premier Valet Parking, and JCB Ultimate Services where cardholders have the privilege to get special prices at JCB's partner restaurants and hotels. As well as the programme in Indonesia, cardholders can also take advantage of the JCB Platinum Concierge Desk with one phone call for all the services cardholders want and need, anytime, anywhere. Cardholders can also get the Takashimaya Tourist Prestige Card and Bacha Coffee Voucher only with spend S$100 at Takashimaya Department Store Singapore.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 43 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 154 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ContactAyaka NakajimaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jpSource: JCBCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
To recognize hydrogen technologies, H2 MEET presented the H2 Innovation Award. Additionally, it collaborated with the Korea Automobile Journalists Association for the Best Product Media Award, introducing the Global Media Pick. The grand prize went to MiCoPower's "high-efficient SOFC" with JM International's 'Hydrogen Production Reforming Catalyst' securing the best prize for the Hydrogen Production. The accolade for the Hydrogen Storage & Distribution category went to the Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency's "Composite Container for High-Pressure Hydrogen Transport," while Doosan Fuel Cell's "Hydrogen Fuel Cell-5CSA clinched the best prize for the Hydrogen Utilization.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vida Markets are thrilled to announce the launch of VM Social , a revolutionary copy trading application that empowers traders of all levels to make informed decisions and maximize their returns in the financial markets.

VM Social is designed to bridge the gap between experienced traders and those looking to grow their wealth through trading, without the need for extensive market knowledge or time-consuming research. This cutting-edge platform provides users with a seamless and user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to harness the potential of the financial markets.

Ready to connect to Metatrader 4 and Metatrader 5, VM Social will be able to be used in conjunction with the world's most used trading platform.

Key Features of VM Social:

Copy Trading : VM Social allows users to automatically replicate the trades of experienced and successful traders. By selecting a trader to follow, users can auto-copy their trading strategies in real-time.

: VM Social allows users to automatically replicate the trades of experienced and successful traders. By selecting a trader to follow, users can auto-copy their trading strategies in real-time. Robust Analytics: Our application offers in-depth analytics and performance data for traders. Users can evaluate the track record of strategy providers before choosing to follow them, ensuring full transparency and informed decision-making.

Our application offers in-depth analytics and performance data for traders. Users can evaluate the track record of strategy providers before choosing to follow them, ensuring full transparency and informed decision-making. Risk Management : VM Social prioritizes risk management by providing users with advanced risk control tools. Traders can set and create a profile which protects their capital.

: VM Social prioritizes risk management by providing users with advanced risk control tools. Traders can set and create a profile which protects their capital. Diverse Asset Classes : Our platform supports a wide range of asset classes, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and more. Users can diversify their portfolios across different markets, reducing overall risk.

: Our platform supports a wide range of asset classes, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and more. Users can diversify their portfolios across different markets, reducing overall risk. 24/7 Access: VM Social is accessible 24/7, allowing users to trade and monitor their trades anytime, anywhere, using their mobile devices.

"We are excited to introduce VM Social.. The platform empowers both new and experienced investors with the tools they need to make trading the financial markets a little bit easier"" said Allan Maira, Chief Operating Officer at Vida Markets.

VM Social is now available for download on Apple App Store and Google Play Store . To learn more about our platform, please visit our website at https://www.vidamarkets.com/en/vm-social

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2215245/Vida_Global_Markets.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/introducing-vm-social-the-future-of-smart-trading-301933425.html
ABN AMRO intends to appoint Ton van Nimwegen as COO and member of the Executive Board

ABN AMRO intends to appoint Ton van Nimwegen (1969) as its Chief Operations Officer (COO) and member of the Executive Board for a period of four years, with effect from the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM) to be held on a date yet to be set. The appointment is subject to the formal approval of the European Central Bank.

As the COO, Ton van Nimwegen will be responsible in particular for strengthening the strategy execution and for heading up the administrative and operational processes across the bank, including the Detecting Financial Crime and Customer Care and Operations departments. He will do so in close cooperation with the other members of the Executive Board.

Ton van Nimwegen brings with him almost 30 years of experience in the banking industry, the last 13 years of which in various national and international management positions at Rabobank, most recently as their Chief Operating Officer. He previously spent 13 years at ABN AMRO, in countries including South Africa, Brazil and Hong Kong. Ton van Nimwegen is married and has two children.

ABN AMRO CEO Robert Swaak: "I'm extremely pleased that Ton van Nimwegen will be joining us. He is a highly experienced leader who always stands by his people and has a strong focus on operational leadership. With his energy and leadership style, Ton will play an important role in supporting our clients as a personal bank in the digital age."

With the appointment of Ton van Nimwegen, ABN AMRO's Executive Board (ExBo) will be complete. From the next EGM, the ABN AMRO ExBo will comprise:

Robert Swaak - Chief Executive Officer

Ferdinand Vaandrager - Chief Financial Officer

Tanja Cuppen - Chief Risk Officer

Carsten Bittner - Chief Innovation & Technology Officer

Ton van Nimwegen - Chief Operations Officer

Annerie Vreugdenhil - Chief Commercial Officer Personal & Business Banking

Choy van der Hooft-Cheong - Chief Commercial Officer Wealth Management

Dan Dorner - Chief Commercial Officer Corporate Banking

ABN AMRO Press Office

Jarco de Swart

Senior Press Officer

pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com (mailto:pressrelations@nl.abnamro.com)

+31 20 6288900 ABN AMRO Investor Relations

Annedien Heilbron

Investor Relations investorrelations@nl.abnamro.com (mailto:investorrelations@nl.abnamro.com)

+31 20 6282282





This press release is published by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and contains inside information within the meaning of article 7 (1) to (4) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation)





Attachments
Systemic therapy approved for second-line treatment of adults with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) demonstrates effectiveness in routine clinical practice.

Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd, today announced the acceptance of an extensive programme of data to the annual meeting of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumour Group (EORTC-CLTG), taking place from the 21st 23rd of September 2023 in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Four studies across a range of European countries, the USA and the UAE, aim to collect robust evidence in a real-world clinical setting for Poteligeo (mogamulizumab), the first-in-class humanised monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy approved in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.

Danie du Plessis, Executive Vice President of International Medical Affairs, Kyowa Kirin, commented: "The studies presented at EORTC-CLTG demonstrate our long-term commitment to expand the evidence base for the effectiveness of mogamulizumab in real-world settings. Our ongoing research programme in CTCL extends across a wide geographic area, recognising the patient perspective, clinical endpoints and the diversity of healthcare systems, all part of our ambition to improve outcomes for those affected by mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome."

Data from OMEGA (France) represents the first published real-world evidence generated by KKI regarding the effectiveness of mogamulizumab. OMEGA, a completed, retrospective, real-world, non-interventional observational study, described real-world effectiveness and tolerability of mogamulizumab in patients with MF and SS.

Alongside the data from OMEGA, interim data from two of the other studies MINT (Germany) and MIBERIC (Spain and Portugal) support the effectiveness of mogamulizumab in real-world clinical practices and are in line with efficacy and safety data demonstrated in global clinical trials. Across all three trials no new safety signals were seen. The fourth study PROSPER (USA, UAE, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, UK) is an ongoing study investigating the impact of mogamulizumab in patients with MF and SS from the patient perspective assessing symptoms and health-related quality of life, as well as impact on their primary care partners, also in the real-world clinical setting.

Professor Chalid Assaf, Director of the Department of Dermatology, HELIOS Klinikum Krefeld, and lead author of the MINT study, commented: "CTCL can have a severely detrimental impact on patients' health-related quality of life, with sometimes far-reaching consequences for those living with the disease as well as their families. The real-world evidence being generated by Kyowa Kirin raises the standard of information available to those involved in treating mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome helping to inform decisions that support optimal patient care."

Table 1. Overview of mogamulizumab study programme for presentation at EORTC-CLTG

Trial Name and Presentation Type Lead Author Abstract Title OMEGA (oral abstract Prof. Marie Beylot-Barry, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, France Efficacy and tolerability of mogamulizumab in patients with Mycosis Fungoides or Sezary syndrome. Retrospective and real-world data from centres of the French Study Group of Cutaneous Lymphoma MINT (oral abstract Prof. Chalid Assaf, Helios Hospital, Germany Mogamulizumab in patients with mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome: Interim analysis of the German non-interventional MINT study MIBERIC (poster Prof. Pablo Ortiz Romero, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Spain Real-world effectiveness of mogamulizumab in patients with Sezary syndrome or mycosis fungoides in Spain and Portugal: The MIBERIC study PROSPER (poster Prof. Julia Scarisbrick, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom A Real-World International Observational Study of Mogamulizumab in Adult Patients with Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome (PROSPER study NCT05455931) UK

To view the full press release, click here

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920145186/en/

Contacts:

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

Media

Stacey Minton

Email: Stacey.Minton@kyowakirin.com
WALLIX has signed a partnership agreement with the French national network of IUTs for the cybersecurity major of the Bachelor of Science in Networks & Telecommunication.

WALLIX trains the teachers of the French IUTs thanks to its Qualiopi certified training center, providing access to the technical and didactic resources of WALLIX PAM4ALL.

T he 3,500 students of the Bachelor of Science in Networks & Telecommunication will have access to the WALLIX We Edu certification exam at the end of their training.



Paris, September 21, 2023 - WALLIX (Euronext ALLIX), a European cybersecurity software publisher specializing in digital identity and access solutions, launched a few months ago We Edu, a training program aimed at engineering schools and universities to accelerate the training of cybersecurity specialists. Thanks to We Edu, students receive training on a market-leading Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. This technology is highly regarded by top analysts like Gartner and KuppingerCole as crucial for regaining control of access and preventing cyberattacks. After establishing the program's foundations through an initial collaboration with the French engineering school ESIEA, WALLIX is furthering its efforts by entering into a partnership with the French national network of IUTs in its Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication. This program is available at 29 University Institutes of Technology (IUTs) across France and internationally, offering a major in cybersecurity.

What is the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Networks and Telecommunication?

The B.S. in Networks and Telecommunication is a three-year national diploma granted by IUTs. It signifies a progression from the previous French University Diploma in Technology (DUT), which was completed over a span of two years. Among the 108 IUTs in operation, 29 now provide the Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication, equipping students with specialized training in diverse roles within the digital industry. The program encompasses a foundational curriculum, and starting from the second year, students have the option to select from five different majors, one of which is cybersecurity.

"Cybersecurity education is an integral part of the core curriculum because an understanding of this concept is crucial for individuals pursuing careers as network technicians, regardless of their field of specialization. Furthermore, in our efforts to train the next generation of cybersecurity experts, we launched the cybersecurity major within the Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication in September 2021, following five years of preparation. While the industry has grappled with a shortage of talent, there is a noticeable shift occurring. Not too long ago, a career in cybersecurity was considered niche, but today, the majority of students recruited in 2021 have opted for the Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication with a focus on cybersecurity. This development is incredibly promising for the industry," explains Frederic Drouhin, President of the Assembly of Heads of Networks and Telecommunications Departments of France.



What does the partnership with WALLIX involve?

The major in cybersecurity of the B.S. in Networks and Telecommunication, taught in 2nd and 3rd year, enables students to acquire two fundamental skills:

Administering a secure information system:

Awareness of information system vulnerabilities and possible remedies.

Implementing a secure information system for a small organization.

Monitoring a secure information system:

Becoming familiar with information system monitoring and testing tools.

Implementing a security incident monitoring system.

The acquisition of these two skills is based on a project-based approach, involving a large number of work placements. To this end, the B.S. in Networks and Telecommunication offers students certification courses, delivered by industry professionals, enabling them to acquire mastery of various cybersecurity solutions on completion of their studies. This is a guarantee for future employers.

Within the framework of the We Edu partnership with the French national network of IUTs, WALLIX is enriching the major in cybersecurity of the Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication. Firstly, WALLIX is offering training for educators at its certified training center, accredited by Qualiopi, an official French state certification that guarantees the quality of vocational training programs, aligning them with the skill requirements of both companies and individuals. Secondly, WALLIX is granting access to the technical and educational resources of WALLIX PAM4ALL. And thirdly, upon completing the course, students have the opportunity to take a certification exam. This approach equips recent graduates with a technical platform that not only enhances their competence but also streamlines their employability, particularly for organizations seeking specialists capable of implementing a critical PAM solution for managing their digital access needs.

"For WALLIX, becoming part of the major in cybersecurity within the Bachelor of Science in Networks and Telecommunication represents a significant milestone in its mission to play a vital role in cultivating experts capable of fortifying companies' resilience. This program paves the way for students to seamlessly transition into the job market upon graduating, spanning a broad spectrum of sectors and professional fields. We believe this is a concrete response at the French level to the urgent need to ensure the continuity of human resources in our clients' IT departments, as well as for companies struggling to recruit staff to ensure the resilience of their organizations," explains Jean-Noel de Galzain, Founder and CEO of WALLIX.



ABOUT WALLIX

WALLIX is the European specialist in access and digital identity security and the world leader in PAM (Privileged Access Management). Its technologies enable organizations to meet today's challenges in IT network protection and data security. They also provide detection and resilience to cyberattacks and protect organizations' digital assets in addition to maintaining business continuity of IT systems, in the cloud, and in industrial networks. These technologies simplify compliance with regulatory requirements for access to critical IT infrastructure and data. With its PAM4ALL, PAM4OT, and Trustelem solutions, WALLIX helps its customers modernize their information systems and put cybersecurity at the service of their digital transformation. The company relies on a network of certified distributors, resellers, and integrators to support more than 2,000 organizations worldwide in all sectors of the economy. The company is listed on Euronext (ALLIX). The founders and also CEOs, as well as the investment structure Thierry Dassault Holding are the historical reference shareholders.

OT.security by WALLIX is a brand dedicated to the security of digital access and identities in industrial environments.

WALLIX affirms its digital responsibility and is committed to contributing to the construction of a trusted European digital space, guaranteeing the security and confidentiality of data for organizations as well as for individuals concerned about the protection of their digital identity and privacy. Digital technology, whether for professional or personal use, must be ethical and responsible in order to pursue a secure societal digital transformation that respects individual freedoms.

www.wallix.com | info@wallix.com

WALLIX PRESS CONTACT

LEWIS

Louise CAETANO

+33 6 98 82 07 71 / WALLIXfrance@teamlewis.com

FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION

ACTUS Finance & Communication

Investors Relations - Helene DE WATTEVILLE

+33 1 53 67 36 33 / WALLIX@actus.fr

Press Relations - Anne-Charlotte Dudicourt

+33 6 24 03 26 52 / acdudicourt@actus.fr

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Capita plc (CPI.L) has signed two contracts to deliver Functional Assessment Service assessments in the Midlands and Wales for the Department for Work and Pensions, and in Northern Ireland for the Department for Communities. The Group said the contracts are worth a combined 565 million pounds and will run for five years from 2024, with an additional option to extend for a further two years. The Group noted that FAS is a new service that will bring together existing assessment services, for disabled people and people with health conditions, under a single provider in each geographical region. 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.
HELSINKI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nomentia, a European leader in treasury and cash management solutions, is excited to announce a significant milestone in its journey with the launch of a comprehensive product update. Starting today, all Nomentia solutions can be accessed seamlessly from a single unified platform, offering unparalleled convenience and efficiency to treasurers and finance teams.

Since the merger of Nomentia and TIPCO in the fall of 2021, the company has continuously expanded its offerings, empowering treasury and finance professionals to excel in their roles. Over the past two years, Nomentia has successfully executed numerous projects while simultaneously working towards its overarching vision of consolidating its cash and treasury management solutions into a unified hub.

Dubbed 'OneNomentia', this ambitious project has been eagerly awaited by clients, partners, and followers alike. The integration of all cash and treasury management solutions into a single platform promises various benefits, enhancing user experience, streamlining development and maintenance efforts, and fostering future innovation.

Hubert Rappold, Chief Sales Officer at Nomentia and former co-CEO at TIPCO, shared his perspective on this transformative milestone: "Today marks the realization of our commitment to delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions to treasurers. 'OneNomentia' signifies not just an end, but a new beginning, a fresh chapter in our journey to redefine treasury management in collaboration with our clients."

The consolidation of previously separate Cash Management and Treasury Management solutions brings a multitude of advantages:

Unified Platform: A variety of treasury challenges can now be tackled with the Nomentia ecosystem.

A variety of treasury challenges can now be tackled with the Nomentia ecosystem. Seamless Transition: Users of Nomentia Cash Management can effortlessly use Treasury Management modules and vice versa.

Users of Nomentia Cash Management can effortlessly use Treasury Management modules and vice versa. The modular approach remains intact: This allows clients to select the tools they require for their unique workflows.

This allows clients to select the tools they require for their unique workflows. Scalability: As organizations need new treasury technologies according to their roadmaps, Nomentia's solutions can be easily added later on.

As organizations need new treasury technologies according to their roadmaps, Nomentia's solutions can be easily added later on. Innovative Leap: The integrated platform accelerates the introduction of future innovations, empowering clients with cutting-edge advancements.

The integrated platform accelerates the introduction of future innovations, empowering clients with cutting-edge advancements. Enhanced User Experience: Substantial UI/UX improvements for elevated user experience and ease of use.

Jukka Sallinen, Chief Executive Officer at Nomentia, expressed enthusiasm for the journey ahead: "Our clients' needs have always driven us, and 'OneNomentia' reflects our commitment to their success. While today marks a significant achievement, it's merely the foundation for our vision of becoming the number one treasury management solution for treasurers."

This exciting update signifies Nomentia's commitment to empowering treasurers and finance professionals with an unmatched platform for their critical functions. To experience the new Nomentia firsthand, interested parties are invited to attend a live webinar on 10 October 2023, where the company will showcase its latest innovations and provide insights into the future roadmap.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Barbara Babati

Head of Marketing

barbara.babati@nomentia.com

+358407623356

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nomentia-unveils-game-changing-product-update-all-in-one-treasury-management-solution-now-available-301934424.html
LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncology is a multifaceted category in the realm of medical research and care, encompassing the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of cancers, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. This field of medicine, guided by relentless scientific innovation and a commitment to improving patient outcomes, strives to unravel the complexities of cancer, develop cutting-edge therapies, and provide support to individuals and their families affected by this formidable disease burden.

Cancer, in all its forms, remains one of the most formidable challenges in modern medicine. The journey from understanding its mechanisms to delivering effective treatments and support for those affected is a complex one as far as the oncology industry is considered. Disease Landscape Insights (DLI), a pioneering research and healthcare consulting services company, stands at the forefront of oncology research, providing invaluable assistance at every step of the process. DLI is sure to transform the field of oncology by aiding in the oncology epidemiology of cancer worldwide and research of cancer, from diagnosis to prevention, treatment, and beyond.

DLI's comprehensive approach to oncology research covers below and many other cancer types. DLI is empowering research and care for each of these specific cancer categories.

1. Lung Cancer

2. Breast Cancer

3. Colorectal Cancer

4. Prostate Cancer

5. Skin Cancer

6. Leukemia

7. Lymphoma

8. Ovarian Cancer

9. Pancreatic Cancer

10. Liver Cancer

11. Kidney Cancer

12. Melanoma

13. Thyroid Cancer

14. Head and Neck Cancer and Others

DiseaseLandscape Insights (DLI), a dedicated oncology consulting services company, plays an invaluable role in empowering both patients, healthcare professionals, and niche players with their oncology market growth.

Cancer Symptoms

Cancer symptoms can manifest in diverse and often subtle ways, encompassing a range of warning signs that demand attention. These may include persistent symptoms such as a chronic cough, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or persistent chest pain, which could signify underlying issues. Additionally, other concerning signs like unexplained bleeding, skin changes, or a lump in the breast or elsewhere on the body warrant thorough evaluation. Individuals experiencing changes in bowel or bladder habits, unusual vaginal discharge, or persistent headaches should also seek medical assessment. It's crucial to recognize that cancer's symptoms can be variable and nonspecific, underlining the importance of prompt medical consultation when any such changes or discomforts arise, as early detection can significantly impact treatment outcomes in the oncology drug market and helps in treatment gaps identification.

Symptom Recognition and Early Detection: DLI's comprehensive databases and analytical tools enable healthcare providers to stay updated on the latest research regarding cancer symptoms. By offering insights into the subtleties of symptom presentation, DLI assists in recognizing potential warning signs earlier, facilitating prompt evaluation and diagnosis.

Cancer Diagnosis

Biopsy: Accurate diagnosis is the first crucial step in cancer care. DLI offers comprehensive data and resources on various biopsy techniques, helping clinicians make informed decisions about which method to use.

Imaging Tests: DLI's cutting-edge imaging analysis tools aid in early cancer detection. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, DLI helps identify subtle anomalies that might be indicative of malignancies.

Blood Tests and Genetic Testing: DLI provides access to extensive genetic databases, facilitating genetic testing to assess cancer risk and guide personalized treatment plans.

Diagnosis by DLI: DLI supports healthcare teams with access to advanced diagnostic techniques and insights, aiding in the accurate identification of cancer types. By providing information on innovative diagnostic tools and approaches, DLI ensures that patients receive swift and precise diagnoses.

Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: DLI's databases house a wealth of information on chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, including oncology drug development challenges, drug profiles, drug insights, side effects, and the latest advancements in treatment protocols. This enables oncologists to tailor treatments to individual patient's oncology unmet needs.

Surgery: DLI supports surgeons with the latest surgical techniques and insights into tumor removal, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and improving post-surgical outcomes.

Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy: As these cutting-edge treatments gain prominence, DLI offers in-depth information on their mechanisms, patient selection criteria, and clinical trial assessment, enabling healthcare providers to stay at the forefront of oncology.

Treatment Decision-Making: DLI's wealth of information on cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions tailored to each patient's unique needs. By staying up-to-date on emerging treatment options and clinical trial management, DLI enhances treatment planning, outcomes, and clinical trial feasibility analysis.

Cancer Prevention

DLI understands that prevention is as important as treatment. By compiling data on lifestyle choices, vaccination options, and early detection methods, DLI empowers individuals and healthcare providers to take proactive measures against cancer.

DLI assists in disseminating knowledge about cancer prevention strategies, including lifestyle modifications and vaccination options. By promoting awareness and proactive measures, DLI helps individuals reduce their risk of developing cancer.

Cancer Survivorship

Surviving cancer is just the beginning of the journey. DLI offers resources on coping with cancer, managing treatment side effects, and returning to normal activities. Emotional support resources are also available to help patients and their families navigate the post-treatment phase.

Support Throughout the Journey: From the moment of diagnosis, DLI provides resources and information to support patients in coping with cancer's physical and emotional challenges. DLI's commitment to cancer survivorship ensures that patients receive guidance on managing side effects, returning to normal activities, and accessing emotional support when needed.

Cancer Research

DLI actively contributes to cancer research by offering funding opportunities and facilitating access to oncology clinical pathways and trails. By connecting researchers with valuable data and insights, DLI accelerates the development of new treatments and therapies.

DLI actively contributes to the advancement of oncology research by connecting researchers with funding opportunities and providing access to critical data. By facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing, DLI accelerates the development of new treatments and therapies.

Cancer Support

Cancer can be emotionally and financially draining. DLI provides information on financial assistance programs, support groups, and oncology drug products and drug launch strategies, practical help for patients and their families, ensuring that they receive the support they need during their journey.

Price and Market Access

Cancer Resources

DLI maintains an extensive database of websites, hotlines, and support groups dedicated to cancer. This resource directory connects individuals with reputable sources of information and assistance.

DLI offers a repository of resources, including websites, hotlines, and support groups, making it easier for patients and their families to access reliable information and assistance. This resource directory is a lifeline for those seeking guidance and support and ones looking for new product launch services.

Cancer Statistics

Finally, DLI's commitment to oncology extends to providing up-to-date cancer statistics, including incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates. These statistics are crucial for understanding the current landscape of cancer and tracking progress over time.

In essence, DLI stands as a steadfast partner throughout the entire oncology research journey, supporting both patients and healthcare professionals with the tools, data, and expertise needed to navigate the complexities of oncology. By facilitating early detection, informed decision-making, and access to cutting-edge research, DLI plays a pivotal role in the fight against cancer, offering hope and improved outcomes to those affected by this challenging disease landscape.

Some of the oncology solutions consulting & strategy report by DLI covers oncology portfolio and pipeline management along with below-mentioned topics:

Oncology pipeline Lilly

Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical giant, has a robust oncology pipeline. They are actively researching and developing innovative cancer treatments and therapies aimed at addressing various types of cancer.

Oncology pipeline Pfizer

Pfizer has a diverse and promising oncology pipeline. They are conducting research and clinical trials on a range of cancer treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and novel compounds.

Oncology pipeline Gilead

Gilead Sciences has a growing presence in the field of oncology with a focus on developing innovative therapies for various types of cancer. They are actively conducting research and clinical trials to advance their oncology pipeline, which included investigational drugs and potential treatments targeting different cancer pathways and mechanisms.

Oncology pipeline AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca has been actively involved in oncology research and development, with a focus on delivering breakthrough cancer therapies. They have a diverse oncology pipeline that encompasses a range of innovative treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and precision medicine approaches.

Oncology pipeline LOXO

Loxo Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company known for its focus on developing targeted cancer therapies. They are actively working on several investigational drugs and precision medicine approaches aimed at treating various forms of cancer.

Oncology pipeline AbbVie

AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company, has a robust oncology pipeline. They are dynamically engaged in research and development efforts focused on innovative cancer treatments and therapies. This pipeline includes a range of investigational drugs and targeted therapies designed to address different types of cancer.

Oncology pipeline Novartis

Novartis, a global pharmaceutical company, has consistently been a major player in the field of oncology research and development. They have maintained a robust oncology pipeline with a strong emphasis on precision medicine and innovative therapies. Novartis has been involved in the development of various cancer treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and combination therapies.

Pharma consulting Services

Conclusion

DLI's comprehensive approach to oncology research and disease insights with its oncology therapeutic expertise ensures that every aspect of the cancer journey is supported, from early diagnosis to survivorship, oncology regulatory strategy along with regulatory consulting, and beyond. By providing access to vital information with cancer consulting services, cutting-edge technologies, and a wealth of resources, DLI is a driving force in the fight against cancer providing FDA oncology guidance with its oncology regulatory expertise. As we continue to advance our understanding of cancer, DLI remains a trusted partner, propelling us closer to a world where cancer is preventable, treatable, and ultimately curable.

About Disease Landscape:?

Disease Landscape, a pioneering company specializing in Disease Intelligence, Pricing, and Market Access. Utilizing the power of data analytics, Disease Landscape Insights is dedicated to the healthcare sector with invaluable, finely crafted insights and recommendations regarding global pricing and market access strategies. As a specialized firm, we are committed to delivering unparalleled insights into pricing and market access, custom-tailored to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Our data-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology position us as your trustworthy partner, offering swift, adaptable, and evidence-based alternatives to traditional market access and pricing research methods.?

Our core competencies encompass Market Research Services, Consulting Services, Global Pricing and Market Access, Epidemiology Studies, as well as Product Portfolio and Pipeline Services. Our expertise lies in furnishing comprehensive data intelligence throughout every phase of drug and device research.?

Contact Us:?

Disease Landscape Insights LLP?

6th Floor, Sr No.207, Office A H 6070 Phase 1?

Solitaire Business Hub, Viman Nagar?

Pune, Maharashtra, 411014?

Email: ajay@diseaselandscape.com? -

Email: vishal@diseaselandscape.com?

Blog: https://www.diseaselandscape.com/blogs?

Case Study: https://www.diseaselandscape.com/casestudies??

Pharma consulting Services?

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217060/Disease_Landscape_Insights_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/reshaping-oncology-research-and-consulting-services-how-dli-empowers-every-step-of-the-journey--disease-landscape-insights-301934446.html
The renowned personal finance advisory firm Goldstone Financial Group announces its investment consultancy services for recent retirees in the Nashville area.

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Goldstone Financial Group's latest launch extends its notable expertise in creating a comprehensive financial plan for its clients, helping to assemble a diverse investment portfolio designed to help deliver consistent returns. The firm is offering new clients a complimentary report, identifying five areas of their retirement plan that could be improved to achieve the lifestyle they want in their later years.

More details can be found at https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/.

Investment Advisory for 401(k) Announced by Goldstone Financial Group, Nashville

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The consulting team brings decades of experience in developing effective investment strategies, reflecting both the goals and preferences of clients and the ever-changing world of the financial markets.

Goldstone's dedicated fiduciary agents are legally obligated to advise in the best interests of clients, regardless of how such decisions will benefit or negatively affect the business itself. This includes helping recently retired individuals decide on the best course of action for their 401(k) once they stop working.

These options include keeping one's funds in the 401(k) plan, transferring the savings to an individual retirement account (IRA), withdrawing a lump sum, or converting the fund into an annuity. The Goldstone team can help clients understand and navigate the tax implications of each of these options, finding a solution that best matches an individual's goals.

Regarding investments, the firm can contextualize decision-making by identifying a client's risk tolerance, their ideal investment timeline, how to allocate assets, and, where appropriate, form an effective IRA tax strategy. With a choice of active or passive asset management approaches, Goldstone lays out the options regarding stocks and market trends or index funds.

Founder and CEO Anthony Pellegrino says, "Each plan has its own set of rules and requirements, so it's important to do your research and choose the plan that best fits your needs. One advantage of a 401(k) plan is that your contributions are deducted from your income before taxes are taken out, which can help reduce your taxable income."

For more information, go to https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/contact-us/.

Contact Info:

Name: Anthony Pellegrino

Email: contactus@goldstonefinancialgroup.com

Organization: Goldstone Financial Group

Address: 18W140 Butterfield Road 16th Floor, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, United States

Phone: +1-630-620-9300

Website: https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181096
Redline Plumbing in Las Vegas has updated the comprehensive repair and replacement services it provides for gas, electric, standard, and tankless water heater systems.

Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - With many Las Vegas homes using water heaters that have been enduring wear and tear for decades, Redline Plumbing has enhanced its comprehensive water heater repair and replacement services to help local homeowners and business owners receive modern water heater functionality. The company's technicians are now expertly trained to handle any water heater need for electric, gas, standard, and tankless systems.

More details can be found at: https://redlineplumbing-lv.com.

Redline Plumbing Announces Anode Rod Replacement Service Update for Las Vegas Water Heater Repair

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According to statistics compiled by the United States Department of Energy, water heaters are responsible for approximately one-sixth of home energy usage. A broken or malfunctioning plumbing fixture can increase water heater usage, leading to skyrocketing energy bills. Redline Plumbing's updated repair services can help homeowners avoid this issue by maintaining optimal heating appliances.

The company now offers an anode rod replacement service designed to keep existing water heaters operational, avoiding the need for more costly replacements down the line. Redline Plumbing recommends that anode rods should be replaced every two to three years.

Along with water heater installation and repair, the company provides a vast array of preventative and maintenance plumbing services. These include pipe cleaning, leak detection, water filtration, drain unclogging, and sewer hydro-jetting. Both residential and commercial clients can call upon the company for help with these issues and more. Redline Plumbing maintains a 24/7 quick response hotline and offers same-day no-obligation cost estimates.

About Redline Plumbing

Redline Plumbing offers its expert services to over a dozen cities in the greater Las Vegas area, including Summerlin, Henderson, and Paradise. The company's water heater specialists have over two decades of experience providing all types of installations and repairs. The LLC has passed all state regulatory requirements to become bonded, insured, and licensed.

For more information visit: https://redlineplumbing-lv.com.

Contact Info:

Name: Kurt Gross

Email: support@redlineplumbing-lv.com

Phone: 702-935-4465

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/181102
Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - In an era where digital threats are ever-evolving, Ecuron is pleased to introduce its new Threat Intelligence Service, tailored to offer businesses operational insights for enhanced security.

Ecuron Launches Threat Intelligence as a Service to Bolster Business Security

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Introducing Threat Intelligence as a Service:

Ecuron recognizes that cybersecurity is a foundational element of modern business strategy. The new Threat Intelligence Service stands as a robust solution, harnessing insights from a diverse range of sources, including attack campaign reports, malware analysis, human behavior patterns, and more.

Four Pillars of Comprehensive Threat Intelligence

Ecuron's Threat Intelligence as a Service offering encompasses four crucial facets, ensuring comprehensive protection:

1. Strategic Threat Intelligence: Providing high-level intelligence for executive decision-making, assessing cyber risks, and facilitating breach attribution.

2. Tactical Threat Intelligence: Offering detailed knowledge of attack techniques and objectives, enabling the development of targeted detection and mitigation strategies.

3. Operational Threat Intelligence: Furnishing contextual information on specific threats, assisting in incident response, and minimizing potential harm to organizations.

4. Technical Threat Intelligence: Supplying insights into attacker resources, specific Indicators of Compromise (loC), enabling swift responses, and strengthening detection mechanisms.

Cyber Threat Intelligence Services Enhance Cyber Security Posture

Comprehensive Defense: This new service offers an all-encompassing threat intelligence solution that fortifies an organization's defenses from all angles.





Executive-Level Decision Support: Empower leadership with data-driven tools for enhanced cybersecurity strategy and risk assessment.





Expert Analysis: A team of cybersecurity specialists ensures the delivery of accurate, up-to-date, and actionable threat intelligence.





Rapid Response Capabilities: Leveraging technical threat intelligence, enables swift responses to potential threats, minimizing possible damage.

Maximize Protection, Minimize Risk

Ecuron's Cyber Threat Intelligence as a Service offering enhances any organization's cybersecurity posture by providing real-time insights into cyber threats to minimize the risk of a successful cyber attack. By combining data from diverse sources, this service enables strategic decision-making, enhances attack detection capabilities, and fortifies against data breaches. Threat intelligence as a service enables organizations to manage their cybersecurity posture and safeguard their digital assets proactively.

For more details about this new service or to request a free trial, please visit the service page: Cyber Threat Intelligence as a Service.

About Ecuron

Ecuron is a boutique cybersecurity consulting company and Cyber-AB Registered Provider Organization (CMMC-RPO) with headquarters in Houston, TX. Ecuron's mission is to create a partnership with organizations, securing their data and protecting the organization every step of the way. Born out of the professional collaboration of a team of cybersecurity veterans Ecuron specialize in CMMC for DoD contractors, NIST SP 800-171, ISO 27001, and other cybersecurity frameworks for businesses. For more information: https://www.ecuron.com.

Contact Info:

Name: Christoph Eicken

Email: press@ecuron.com

Organization: Ecuron Inc.

Address: 2929 Allen Parkway Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77019, United States

Website: https://www.ecuron.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181237
Land Avion, a well-established property acquisition firm, has announced an expansion of its cash-for-land offering to San Antonio, Texas.

Las Cruces, New Mexico--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Land Avion has recently increased access to its cash purchase program, which is now available for vacant land owners in and around San Antonio. Owners of unwanted property can now submit details via the firm's website, with all-inclusive cash offers being returned in 24 hours or less.

More details can be found at https://landavion.com.

Land Avion Announces Cash Purchase Program for Vacant Rural Land in San Antonio

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The recent move follows Land Avion's successful introduction in several other southeastern and southwestern states, including Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and Arizona. The firm is interested in property in any condition, and while many of its purchases involve land in rural or undeveloped areas, offers are also extended for commercial-use and residential-use lots.

As part of the expansion, San Antonio land owners will also have access to Land Avion's streamlined processes, which can allow for closure to occur in as little as 30 days. Vacant land is more limited in terms of potential buyers when compared to houses, and can therefore take several months or years to sell through traditional channels.

As with other states, Land Avion's offers in San Antonio will be based on current market rates, and the firm researches county data, recent sales, and comparable properties prior to determining a purchase price. As vacant property can often take longer to sell, owners in need of a fast sale may be forced to accept a disproportionally low offer, something that Land Avion's program is designed to avoid.

Along with up-to-date valuations, Land Avion states that its new San Antonio service will include any associated closing costs, and offers will not attract any other fees or commissions. While real estate firms rely on commissions as a source of income, Land Avion often develops vacant land for resale, and can therefore omit the requirement to impose such charges.

The recent update also applies to landowners in a variety of financial situations. Land Avion states that it has previously worked with clients who were behind on taxes, avoiding foreclosure, or going through divorce proceedings, and the company intends to continue this policy with its San Antonio program.

The processes employed in the new San Antonio service are based on almost 30 years of experience in private property acquisition. First formed in New Mexico, Land Avion has been in operation since the 1990s, and the firm states that its recent expansion is a testament to the fair and transparent nature of its services.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://landavion.com.

Contact Info:

Name: Robin Lilly

Email: robinlilly@landavion.com

Organization: Land Avion, LLC

Address: 2521 North Main Street #1-276, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001, United States

Website: https://landavion.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181235
Managing Partner of Technique Daryl D'Souza has been named as host of the second annual Small Business Tech Day, scheduled for November 16th.

Mississauga, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Established to help small businesses leverage the latest technology and best practices for improved productivity and profitability, Small Business Tech Day will once again be held online, at no cost. Technique's Daryl D'Souza is set to host one of the four sessions, along with other tech experts and industry leaders: Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec, AI expert Adam Cheyer, and best-selling author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz.

More details about the event can be found at https://www.technique.ca/small-business-tech-day-2023.

Technique: Daryl D'Souza Named as Host of Small Business Tech Day 2023

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Hosting the second session, titled, "New Business Protections You Need In Place NOW To Safeguard Your Assets," cybersecurity expert Daryl D'Souza will discuss actionable strategies that small businesses can implement to proactively protect their business from cyber-attacks - a growing threat to SMBs in the past few years - and, in turn, also protect their profits and reputation.

"It's nearly impossible for businesses to stay up-to-date on emerging trends in technology. It's been that way for years, but with the emergence of AI, dependence on work-from-anywhere models, and, unfortunately, an increase in online threats from overseas, it's more important than ever to know what's happening," said Daryl D'Souza, Managing Partner at Technique. "The right tools, services, software, and partners can be the difference between business growth and going out of business. Owners and their employees can improve their quality of life while increasing productivity and profitability when they use technology the right way, and that's what we want to bring to small businesses in the Greater Toronto Area," he added.

As such, Daryl D'Souza is proud to be hosting a session at the upcoming Small Business Tech Day 2023, which he believes can provide small business owners with valuable insights on how to use the latest technology to stay competitive. With over 10 years of experience in IT support, security, and compliance, Daryl D'Souza, together with his team at Technique, has helped over 500 small business owners integrate technology to protect their business from online threats and take advantage of growth opportunities.

The upcoming Small Business Tech Day is scheduled for November 16th, 9:00 am ET. It is open to all small businesses, at no cost.

More information about Technique and the registration form for Small Business Tech Day 2023 can be found at https://www.technique.ca/small-business-tech-day-2023.

Contact Info:

Name: Joselyn Go

Email: josgo@technique.ca

Organization: Technique Ltd.

Address: 2233 Argentia Road East Tower, Suite 302, Mississauga, ON L5N 2X7, Canada

Website: https://www.technique.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181097
Chicago residents in need of professional retirement planning advice can now benefit from the Goldstone Financial Group's systematic approach to providing personalized services.

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - The Goldstone Financial Group has announced personalized retirement planning services for pre-retirees in Chicago.

More information is available at https://www.goldstonefinancialgroup.com/.

The Goldstone Financial Group Announces Retirement, 401(k) Planning in Chicago

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The Goldstone Retirement Roadmap combines income, investment, tax, healthcare, and legacy planning into a single strategy designed to safeguard an individual from potential risks that may jeopardize their retirement income, such as rising healthcare costs.

A foundational aspect of this roadmap is income planning, which seeks to ensure that clients can reliably and predictably pay for living expenses throughout retirement. To achieve a sufficient level of predictability, the Goldstone Financial Group creates a diversified portfolio consisting of multiple sources of income, which can include one's personal savings, IRAs, and 401(k) plans, pension and social security benefits, and annuities.

Apart from guaranteed income sources, the firm explores other potential sources of cash flow, such as investments and revenue-generating assets.

"Ultimately, our advice will be based on your income goals, risk appetite, and investment time horizon," Mr. Pellegrino explained.

The Goldstone Financial Group is an INC. 5000 inductee and rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. It is headquartered in Orchard Terrace and has a footprint in a number of strategic locations in Illinois, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Interested parties can learn more or schedule a consult at https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/contact-us/.

Contact Info:

Name: Anthony Pellegrino

Email: contactus@goldstonefinancialgroup.com

Organization: Goldstone Financial Group

Address: 18W140 Butterfield Road 16th Floor, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, United States

Phone: +1-630-620-9300

Website: https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181095
The Brilliant Club and Dataiku have been shortlisted in the 2023 DataIQ Awards for its Best Use of Data for Non-Profit

As part of its AI for Good programme, Ikig.AI, Everyday AI company Dataiku is collaborating with The Brilliant Club in an effort to increase the representation of students from less advantaged backgrounds in prestigious universities. The joint project has been shortlisted in the "best use of data for non-profit" category at the 2023 DataIQ awards, which honours both companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in the data industry.

The Brilliant Club is a UK-wide charity that mobilises the Ph.D. community to support less advantaged students in gaining access to the most competitive universities and succeeding when they get there. The charity exists because students from the least advantaged backgrounds have just a 3 in 100 chance of going to the most competitive universities, compared with 33 in 100 for the most advantaged (UCAS Multiple Equality Measure). The obstacles don't disappear when they enter university: disadvantaged students are also three times more likely to miss out on a 1st or 2:1 degree (Office for Students).

The team at The Brilliant Club were already collecting data responsibly from over 70,000 Scholars Programme student records (which included demographics, engagement data, school, and tutor-level information.) They then harnessed Dataiku's predictive modelling capabilities to understand how to better support their students, while also benefiting from Dataiku's onboarding training and the assistance of a volunteer Dataiku data scientist using Ikig.AI days for pro-bono work.

"The Brilliant Club and Dataiku collaboration is a prime example of how AI for good can drive systemic change," said Gregory Herbert, Senior Vice President and EMEA General Manager at Dataiku. "Via the Ikig.AI programme, volunteer data scientists from Dataiku have worked closely with data scientists from The Brilliant Club's Research and Impact department to explore how the Dataiku platform can be used to generate real and actionable insights. This was made possible because, as an organisation, The Brilliant Club is well-equipped with responsibly collected data to reap swift benefits from the Ikig.AI partnership."

Working with the programme management team, The Brilliant Club built a predictive model that outputs a 'support rating' for each student. This was done by building gradient-boosted decision trees (81% accuracy) that produced a high, medium, or low score, indicating a student's likelihood of not submitting their final assignment.

"Dataiku offered the unique opportunity to not only allow us to build a complex model using Python coding, but also to set it up in such a way that non-specialist colleagues could re-run the model using the visual flow and the ability to upload data easily," said Dr Lauren Bellaera, Chief Impact and Strategy Officer, The Brilliant Club. "Had we not had access to the platform, we would not have been able to re-run the model in the same way, as it would have taken a significant amount of staff time when data science capacity within the organisation is limited and needed on other projects."

This project has strengthened The Brilliant Club's approach to how it uses data to inform decision-making and improve service delivery. Dataiku's model has been integrated into The Brilliant Club's UK-wide programme work that reaches more than 16,000 students per year. The findings have also been used to create guidance and training for more than 400 Ph.D. tutors who deliver The Scholars Programme annually.

The proportion of students who submit their final assignment has increased since The Brilliant Club integrated 'support scores' into its programme delivery cycle. Since implementing the support-rating in spring 2022, this increase in final assignment submission has translated to more than 150 extra students per year completing the challenging, university-style assignment, gaining important transferable skills and knowledge in the process.

As more students have completed the programme by submitting their assignments, a greater number have had the opportunity to attend a graduation trip at one of the UK's most competitive universities. The Brilliant Club will continue to use the model to shape its programme delivery, embedding further measures to support students with a high 'support score' this academic year.

-ENDS-

About Dataiku

Dataiku is the platform for Everyday AI, enabling data experts and domain experts to work together to build data into their daily operations, from advanced analytics to Generative AI. Together, they design, develop and deploy new AI capabilities, at all scales and in all industries. Organizations that use Dataiku enable their people to be extraordinary, creating the AI that will power their company into the future.

Founded in 2013, Dataiku has proven its ability to develop its founding vision for Everyday AI, and to execute on its growth. With more than 500 customers and more than 1,000 employees, Dataiku is proud of its rapid growth and 95% retention of Forbes Global 2000 customers. Connect with Dataiku on their blog, X (@dataiku), and on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920148702/en/

Contacts:

Press@dataiku.com
Assay results from four step-out drill holes west of the deposit contain high manganese grades with up to 45.80% Mn in individual samples. Results include [1] :

40.94% Mn (52.86% MnO) over 7.92 meters within 19.43% Mn over 39.93m

38.94% Mn (50.28% MnO) over 3.23 meters within 19.12% Mn over 19.45m

45.80% Mn (59.14% MnO) over 1.53 meters within 15.60% Mn over 20.21m

Results from more western step-out drill holes at approximately 100m spacing are expected in coming weeks.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) is pleased to announce assay results from six cored drill holes at the high-grade Emily Manganese Project ("Emily Project"), Minnesota, USA.

Previously reported results from the first fifteen diamond drill holes of the current program (refer announcements dated 27 th June 2023, 13 th July 2023 and 24 th August 2023) described continuity of thick intervals of more than 30% manganese with a northerly dip and east-west strike direction. The results reported in this announcement are for an additional six drill holes located on 100-meter collar spacing (23044, 23045, 23046A, 23055, 23056 and 23057) which confirm that these high-grade, thick manganese intervals extend for at least another 300 meters further to the west (Table 1 and Figures 1-4).

The results to date from the Company's 2023 drilling have shown that the high-grade manganese oxide mineralization (manganite) extends to at least 400 meters west of the 2020 NI 43-101 resource and has yet to be closed at depth or along trend (Figures 1 and 2, Table 1).

Step-out drilling at 100-meter drill collar spacing for approximately 400 meters has been completed to the west of holes 23046A and 23055 and assays from these seven holes are expected in coming weeks.

Representative high-grade drill core (Figure 5) is dominated by the dark grey to black manganese oxide mineral manganite (MnO(OH)). Analyses of core samples from drill hole 23057 from between 282 feet (85.95 meters) and 296.6 feet (90.40 meters) are listed in Table 2 and are typical for the high-grade portions of the deposit. The manganese content from samples taken from the core trays in Figure 5 ranges between 25.7%-42.3% Mn with a wider spread of iron assays (between 11.77%-29.17% Fe). The rock contains lesser contents of aluminium (2.69%- 5.36% Al 2 O 3 ) and silica (1.80%-5.62% SiO 2 ), minor amounts (less than 1%) of barium, calcium, potassium, sodium magnesium and trace phosphorus, strontium and titanium. There is no arsenic, chlorine, chrome, copper, nickel, lead, sulphur, vanadium or zinc in this selected core, and this is typical for the deposit.

Figure 1. Location of drill holes 23044, 23057, 23056, 23045, 23055 and 23046A showing the project area, manganese host rock (Emily Iron Formation) and the location of cross sections in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Figure 2. Cross section E-F (refer Figure 1) showing drill hole traces of 23057 and 23044, with manganese contents in assayed intervals and geology.

Figure 3. Cross section C-D (refer Figure 1) showing drill hole traces of 23056 and 23045, with manganese contents in assayed intervals and geology.

Figure 4. Cross section A-B (refer Figure 1) showing drill hole traces of 23055 and 23046A, with manganese contents in assayed intervals and geology.

Table 1. Average assay data for drill holes 23044, 23045, 23046A, 23055, 23056 and 23057 at the Emily Manganese Project [2] .

Drill Hole Number From To Intercept Length From To Intercept Length Average Mn Average MnO Average Fe meters meters meters feet feet feet % % %

23044 83.52 97.81 14.29 274 320.9 46.9 14.13 18.24 30.52 incl 85.56 89.61 4.05 280.7 294 13.3 29.22 37.73 30.42 108.94 116.22 7.28 357.4 381.3 23.9 5.65 7.30 28.19 119.69 139.14 19.45 392.7 456.5 63.8 19.12 24.69 19.54 incl 123.14 126.37 3.23 404 414.6 10.6 38.94 50.28 11.26 incl 129.54 132.74 3.20 425 435.5 10.5 30.61 39.52 25.7 148.04 153.62 5.58 485.7 504 18.3 5.53 7.14 26.54 23045 66.14 73.37 7.23 217.0 240.7 23.7 23.14 29.88 35.00 79.64 82.91 3.27 261.3 272.0 10.7 7.36 9.50 26.15 87.42 98.69 11.27 286.8 323.8 37.0 4.84 6.25 30.60 105.16 131.37 26.21 345.0 431.0 86.0 15.48 19.99 19.50 incl 106.38 121.31 14.93 349.0 398.0 49.0 21.79 28.14 21.03 incl 109.42 114 4.58 359.0 374.0 15.0 28.01 36.17 16.89 incl 116.59 121.31 4.72 382.5 398.0 15.5 28.56 36.88 22.90 139.42 145.63 6.21 457.4 477.8 20.4 6.89 8.90 17.97 23046A 71.99 85.34 13.35 236.2 280.0 43.8 13.82 17.84 31.47 101.13 105.37 4.24 331.8 345.7 13.9 7.82 10.10 28.27 112.38 132.59 20.21 368.7 435.0 66.3 15.60 20.14 19.20 incl 114.60 119.79 5.19 376.0 393.0 17.0 27.15 35.06 14.98 incl 118.26 119.79 1.53 388.0 393.0 5.0 45.80 59.14 9.52 incl 122.53 125.46 2.93 402.0 411.6 9.6 25.88 33.42 24.57 139.81 142.28 2.47 458.7 466.8 8.1 5.96 7.70 22.34 23055 69.8 72.83 3.01 229 238.9 9.9 5.63 7.27 14.47 80.92 89.55 8.63 265.5 293.8 28.3 15.32 19.78 22.36 incl 84.43 88.76 4.33 277 291.2 14.2 17.63 22.76 22.4 23056 80.16 91.14 10.97 263 299 36 5.97 7.71 18.13 23057 84.43 124.36 39.93 277 408 131 19.43 25.09 20.42 incl 87.9 95.83 7.92 288.4 314.4 26 40.94 52.86 14.15 incl 94.95 95.83 0.88 311.5 314.4 2.9 45.80 59.14 11.39

Table 2. Assay data of selected drill core from 23057. The drill core trays with drilled intervals between 282 feet (85.95 meters) and 296.6 feet (90.40 meters) photographed prior to sampling are shown in Figure 4.

Hole number From To Length Sample Number Mn Al 2 O 3 As Ba CaO Cl Co C r2 O 3 feet feet feet % % % % % % % % 23057 282.0 285.0 3.0 H798727 25.70 3.29 0.02 0.74 0.16 0.00 0.01 0.00 23057 285.0 288.4 3.4 H798728 26.30 5.36 0.02 0.83 0.83 0.00 0.02 0.00 23057 288.4 292.0 3.6 H798729 42.30 2.69 0.02 0.94 0.94 0.00 0.02 0.00 23057 292.0 296.6 4.6 H798731 36.00 4.25 0.02 1.02 0.24 0.00 0.04 0.00 Hole number From To Length Sample Number Cu Fe K 2 O MgO Na 2 O Ni P Pb feet feet feet % % % % % % % % 23057 282.0 285.0 3.0 H798727 0.01 29.17 0.73 0.23 0.12 0.01 0.14 0.01 23057 285.0 288.4 3.4 H798728 0.01 24.69 0.56 0.30 0.10 0.01 0.31 0.01 23057 288.4 292.0 3.6 H798729 0.02 11.77 2.05 0.31 0.30 0.01 0.09 0.01 23057 292.0 296.6 4.6 H798731 0.04 17.78 1.82 0.31 0.22 0.02 0.11 0.01 Hole number From To Length Sample Number Sulfur SiO 2 Sn Sr TiO 2 V Zn LOI feet feet feet % % % % % % % % 23057 282.0 285.0 3.0 H798727 0.00 3.50 0.00 0.09 0.29 0.02 0.01 12.1 23057 285.0 288.4 3.4 H798728 0.00 5.62 0.00 0.08 0.26 0.01 0.01 13.1 23057 288.4 292.0 3.6 H798729 0.00 1.95 0.00 0.26 0.17 0.00 0.02 12.8 23057 292.0 296.6 4.6 H798731 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.23 0.14 0.01 0.02 12.9

Figure 5. Manganese mineralization within granular iron formation in drill core from hole 23057. Assay data for samples from between 282 feet (85.95 meters) and 296.6 feet (90.40 meters) are listed in Table 2.

Gary Lewis, Group CEO of Electric Metals commented on the latest results from Emily: "The thickness and grades of manganese continues to extend in new ground to the west of the current resource area. Drilling along the shallow southern edge of the north-dipping deposit has defined excellent continuity of high-grade manganese and this will assist future mine studies for the deposit. We are looking forward to reporting assays for the remaining seven holes when analyses are completed in coming weeks."

"With logging and sampling of drill core now complete, and final samples at the lab for assaying, our technical team is now focused on advancing the metallurgical testwork and finalizing the updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, which remains on track for delivery in Q4:2023. Key environmental baseline studies are also scheduled to commence in coming weeks."

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Ian James Pringle PhD, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML) (OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate, with over US$26 million invested to date. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic U.S. producer of high-purity, high-value manganese metal and chemical products for supply to U.S. energy, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders. In addition, the Company owns and operates the Corcoran Silver-Gold Project and the Belmont Silver Project in Nevada, with the former also having been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate.

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:

Gary Lewis, Group CEO & Director: (647) 846 5299 - gl@electricmetals.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on EML's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the development of the Company's projects. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to EML. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of EML's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While EML considers these statements to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include market risks and the demand for securities of the Company, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and EML is not obligated, and does not undertake, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

[1] Drilled intervals shown are close to true thickness.

[2] Assaying undertaken by ALS (Reno, NV) included a 23-element suite (ME-XRF21). High manganese samples (>25% Mn) were re-assayed using ME ICP81.

SOURCE: Electric Metals (USA) Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786214/electric-metals-announces-western-extension-to-the-emily-manganese-project-with-high-grade-manganese-drill-intersections-up-to-3993-meters-containing-zones-of-up-to-4580-mn-5914-mno
TURIN, Italy, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A mine in Norway turned into a data centre, harnessing the coolness of the underground and sea waters; a nuclear reactor transformed into an amusement park; Ligurian basil cultivated underwater. These are some of the stories showcased in the exhibition 'Luca Locatelli: The Circle', which will open its doors to the public on September 21 at the Gallerie d'Italia of Intesa Sanpaolo in Turin. The exhibition, scheduled to run until February 18 and curated by Elisa Medde, guides the audience through 18 stories in 10 European countries (6 stories are set in Italy), documented by Locatelli during his journey into the circular economy in Europe.



Supporting the photographer in his work is Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo, with specialised support from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "We must take responsibility for the planet," emphasised the president of the Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo, Gian Maria Gros-Pietro. "I was deeply struck by the urgency with which we must respond to the situation. In half a century," he continued, "we have reduced the planet's biodiversity by more than half. This change, which has occurred in 50 years versus the estimated 3.5 billion years since life has existed on the planet, when compared to a 24-hour day, is equivalent to little more than a thousandth of a second. This gives us an idea of the extreme urgency to change the way we are impacting the planet." According to Gros-Pietro, Intesa Sanpaolo "shares the responsibility of guiding the European economy towards a positive and sustainable evolution." To achieve this, there needs to be a "shift from linear production models, which turn resources into products and then into waste, to circular economy models that ensure the recoverability of materials and resources. However, this requires changing the scientific principles on which products are based, altering their design, and all production cycles, which requires substantial investments that must be socially sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate this need, and for us, art is a very important tool to this end."

Locatelli, who won the World Press Photo in 2020, travelled across Europe for two years, looking for innovative circular economy projects. 'The Circle', he explained, "is an exhibition that embraces the culture of change and circularity, which is the most suitable cultural approach to restore balance with our planet's natural resources."

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/048d9a35-6238-4801-a3d8-5f53e50f0df3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66700b3e-7d9b-4b76-bc31-f8719bee056a
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Today, the Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) commented on a ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) (OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, Consol. Ct. No. 21-219), which remanded the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) injury finding back to the ITC for reconsideration.

CIT appeals are common in trade remedy cases, and in most cases remanded to the ITC for reconsideration, the original finding of injury is affirmed. In OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, the CIT remanded on one specific factual issue out of many that the ITC relied upon. Neither the ITC nor the U.S. Department of Commerce have thus far changed anything from their earlier determinations, and as a result, countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers remain in effect with no changes to the rates applied at the border.

"The basic facts that led to countervailing duties on imports from Morocco and Russia remain unchanged," said Joc O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to participate actively before the agencies and the courts to defend the original findings."

About The Mosaic Company

The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single-source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com.

Contacts:

Investors:

Paul Massoud, 813-775-4260 paul.massoud@mosaicco.com Media:

Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206 benjamin.pratt@mosaicco.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: The Mosaic Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786194/mosaic-provides-an-update-on-recent-countervailing-duty-ruling
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - In an unexpected move, EVDC, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sector, has decided to delay its proposed hardware deals. This decision has sparked curiosity within the electric vehicle industry, prompting questions about the motives behind stepping away from a significant partnership opportunity.

(Photo from EVDC Network)

EVDC has been contributing to the EV charging landscape, focusing on practical solutions that support the ongoing transition to electric mobility through hardware partnerships. However, the company has explored alternative routes that could redefine its role within the industry.

There is speculation surrounding the factors driving this unexpected shift. Is EVDC developing a new technology to enhance EV charging? Or has the company opted to develop superchargers in-house, emphasizing self-reliance in an industry accustomed to external partnerships?

Matthew Teudor, CEO of EVDC, has opted not to disclose specific details behind the decision. Instead, he hinted at a forward-looking perspective: "While our potential hardware partnerships held promises, we believe there are opportunities on the horizon that require us to chart our own path. Our commitment remains steadfast in pushing the boundaries of EV charging technology and delivering an exceptional experience for our customers."

This move has sparked discussions among the industry and EV enthusiasts. Some interpret it as a sign of EVDC seeking a more self-reliant position, while others express concerns about the potential impact on the wider transition to electric mobility.

As the world awaits further insights from EVDC, there is anticipation about whether this bold decision will pave the way for a new perspective within the EV industry. Will EVDC's choice to pause the hardware deals ultimately contribute positively to the industry and consumers? Or will it be seen as a risk that doesn't bring the expected rewards?

Regardless of the outcome, EVDC's decision has sparked renewed curiosity in an industry that thrives on innovation, leaving everyone pondering the possibilities that lie ahead.

For more information on this groundbreaking initiative, visit the EVDC Network website.

About EVDC Network

EVDC Network is where the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging intersects with the innovation of cryptocurrency. The journey of EVDC Network began with a straightforward yet ambitious goal-to establish EVDC as the ultimate, one-stop solution for EV charging.

As electric vehicles and digital currencies continue to reshape perceptions of transportation and finance, the vision behind EVDC Network was to create a platform that fuses these two revolutionary fields. Through EVDC, users can utilize cryptocurrency to charge their vehicles seamlessly, streamlining the experience and making it as straightforward as possible.

Contact Information:

Contact Person's Name: Marck Henry

Company/Organization Name: EVDC Network

Company website: https://evdc.network/

Contact Email Address: hold@evdc.network

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181233
Reyna Law Firm has moved to update its damage claim assistance services for those recuperating from large truck or car accidents in and around McAllen, Texas.

McAllen, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - The announcement comes in the midst of a period reflecting high vehicle accident rates across the state, with Texas frequently placed among the most dangerous states for motorists. Statistics show that common causes for statewide traffic collisions include driver drowsiness and recklessness. As a result, Reyna Law Firm positions itself to assist those wrongfully injured in such circumstances.

For more information see https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/





McAllen Injury Claim Assistance For Large Truck & Car Accident Victims Updated

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Its updated services are designed in line with the needs of victims, providing accessible routes to expert legal strategies. Through face-to-face meetings, Reyna Law Firm's injury lawyers now offer to lay out options and assist with damage claim case planning while deciphering the complexities surrounding Texas injury law.

Reyna Law Firm stresses the ongoing importance of reliable legal services for accident victims - particularly given the propensity for vehicular collisions on McAllen-area roadways. On top of driver negligence, warns the firm, the sheer number of cars and commercial trucks traveling in and out of McAllen leads to high accident figures.

A firm representative elaborated by saying: "Heavy traffic congestion on US Highways 281 and 83 has resulted in countless motor vehicle, motorcycles, trucks, and 18-wheeler accidents - severe injuries and fatalities follow."

In response, Reyna Law Firm offers the professional aid of its catastrophic injury legal specialists at its local McAllen offices. Led by experienced attorney JR Reyna, the firm's main priority is to help get justice for accident survivors and their families in the form of injury compensation through damage claim proceedings.

Like many other states, Texas follows at-fault personal injury regulations in vehicle accident cases - putting the responsibility for injury compensation solely on those who caused the crash. While simple on the face of it, certain circumstances in large truck cases where drivers work for companies can make the question of liability difficult to determine.

As such, Reyna Law Firm now offers a combination of legal guidance and investigative work to bolster damage claim cases. Its attorneys work to lay blame in truck accident cases squarely at the feet of appropriate parties, whether employers or individual drivers, and pursue fair compensation for physical and emotional suffering.

The firm also notes that retaining the services of a personal injury lawyer is vital given the tactics that insurers tend to use. Its team offers to represent victims throughout claims - extending to trial preparation and negotiations with all relevant parties.

"We know South Texas injury law," says a Reyna Law Firm spokesperson. "Insurance companies pay injured parties as little as possible to maximize their profits. Seek help from the McAllen personal injury lawyers at Reyna Law Firm - we will aggressively fight for your family's legal rights."

Interested parties throughout McAllen and the surrounding areas can find additional details regarding Reyna Law Firm's legal services at https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/mcallen

Contact Info:

Name: Juan Reyna

Email: James@jreynalawfirm.com

Organization: Reyna Law Firm McAllen

Address: 7001 North 10th Street Ste. G2, McAllen, Texas 78504, United States

Website: https://www.reynainjurylaw.com/mcallen

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181377
Incorporated Insurance Services (IIS) is a premier destination for comprehensive and affordable auto insurance.

Sherman Oaks, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Incorporated Insurance Services (IISinsurance.com), a premier insurance aggregator, is proud to announce the celebration of its 15th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey of providing unparalleled service to customers in the insurance industry.





Incorporated Insurance Services Celebrates 15 Years of Exceptional Service and Dedication

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Since its inception in 2008, IIS has continually redefined the insurance landscape with an innovative and customer-centric approach to auto insurance. Over the years, IIS has remained steadfast in its commitment to simplifying the insurance journey for individuals and businesses alike, offering a comprehensive range of insurance solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each customer.

"As we celebrate 15 years of service, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers, partners, and dedicated team members who have played an integral role in our journey," said George Karapetyan at IIS. "Our commitment to simplifying insurance and providing exceptional service remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with excellence in the years to come."

Committed to ensuring that customers receive world-class protection, IIS accesses a network of top rated providers and diligently matches customers with policies that safeguard their assets and well-being. Hence, with insurance solutions that are tailor-made, ISS's personalized approach ensures that customers receive coverage that aligns with their specific circumstances.

Incorporated Insurance Services (IIS) continues to be a trusted partner for individuals and businesses, offering a gateway to insurance solutions that are dependable, comprehensive, and future-oriented. With a focus on customer well-being and a commitment to delivering knowledgeable risk management, IIS is poised to further strengthen its presence in the insurance marketplace.

For more information, please visit https://iisinsurance.com/

About Incorporated Insurance Services

Incorporated Insurance Services (IIS) stands as a leading insurance aggregator committed to simplifying the insurance process for customers. Offering a comprehensive suite of insurance solutions, including Auto, Home, Health, Business, and Life Insurance, IIS serves as a one-stop destination for all insurance needs. IIS is dedicated to providing personalized, future-oriented coverage while delivering a customer-centric experience characterized by respect, courtesy, and expertise.

Address: 13636 Burbank Boulevard Sherman Oaks, California 91401

Contact Info:

Name: George Karapetyan

Email: info@iisinsurance.com

Organization: Incorporated Insurance Services

Address: 13636 Burbank Boulevard Sherman Oaks, California 91401

Phone: (877) 210-9514

Website: https://iisinsurance.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181380
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the momentum of last year's groundbreaking summit of technology, finance, and digital banking innovations /MoneyTech returns to Kuwait on November 12th. Registration is free on aljaridasummits.com.

Aljarida General Manager Mr. Bashar Alsayegh said "As we reflect on the success of our inaugural summit, which saw participation from over 200 professionals spanning fintech, banking, and telecom sectors, we are excited to host an even more enriching experience this year. Our agenda is crafted to address the most pressing topics, from digital banking innovations and A.I.'s impact on Kuwait's service sector, to the intricacies of Shari'ah compliant fintech solutions."

This year, /MoneyTech promises a blend of innovation, collaboration, and groundbreaking discussions around the emerging trends in financial technology. Delegates can look forward to expert insights from Kuwait's leaders and disruptors of finance, banking, and fintech.

The 2023 /MoneyTech Summit will host experienced voices from leading companies and feature the next generation of Kuwait's leaders in finance, banking, and fintech. A dedicated segment will feature pitches from budding entrepreneurs, showcasing revolutionary fintech solutions ranging from buy-now-pay-later options and Shari'ah compliant fintech, to mobile payment consolidation and open banking.

Alsayegh said, "The future of fintech is being written here in Kuwait. With the expanding horizons of fintech in the country, the event is poised to attract a broader audience encompassing fintech enthusiasts, venture capitalists, tech professionals, and media outlets."

A testament to the summit's credibility and reach, last year's event included a roster of notable sponsors. Key names included The National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz), Ooreedo Telecom, Kuwait Finance House, Tap Payments, Kamco Invest, among others. This year, the event is expected to draw even greater attention, appealing to a global audience of fintech enthusiasts, venture capitalists, tech industry professionals, and media outlets.

For more information, registration details, or sponsorship opportunities for the /MoneyTech Summit 2023, please visit aljaridasummits.com.

About Aljarida Summits:

Organized by Aljarida News, the premier news source in Kuwait, Aljarida Summits are curated platforms for thought leadership, industry insights, and pioneering discussions. Their events consistently draw a diverse group of attendees, from local enthusiasts to international experts.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217378/Aljarida_Summits.jpg

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ZHENGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry is being held in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, from September 18th to 22nd. With the motto of "Gathering the advantages of the industrial chain and co-creating the future of the diamond material", the Conference invites the most influential scientists and entrepreneurs to give speeches and hosts high-end dialogues around the technological frontiers, industry trends and hot issues in the global field of artificial diamonds. At the same time, there will be activities such as the 2023 Grown Diamond Exhibition and the 2023 Grown Diamond Design Competition, according to the organizing committee.

China's artificial diamond sector started in 1963 and has been industrialized in Zhengzhou. After 60 years of development, it has been praised: "For Global diamonds, look to China; For Chinese diamonds, look to Henan." At present, China has become a major country in the global superhard materials industry, with artificial diamond production accounting for about 95% of the global total, of which 80% is produced in Henan. The Zhengzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, the major cluster of Zhengzhou's artificial diamond industry, owns rich innovative resources such as listed companies, universities, and industry associations. Now, it is accelerating the construction of an internationally recognized and leading domestic artificial diamond industry base.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=442340

Caption: The 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry kicked off in Zhengzhou, China.

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IEDC to host entrepreneurs, industry leaders from around the world to experience Indiana, Hoosier innovation

Indianapolis, Sept. 21, 2023is hosted in a different rising entrepreneurial city each year, presenting four days of actionable intelligence, collaboration and collective action. Its goal is to bring together thousands of voices to participate in creating one inclusive global ecosystem by networking, learning and sharing. Since its inception in 2009 at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, GEC has created opportunities for founders to share new business models and connect with mentors and investors, and has hosted notable thought leaders challenging the status quo, policymakers focus on incentivizing entrepreneurs and removing barriers to growth, and academics exploring new ways of working and new sources of data.



"We are thrilled to bring the Global Entrepreneurship Congress back to the United States for the first time since it started," said Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of GEN. "Indiana is home to thriving, resilient and collaborative communities driven by creative and innovative entrepreneurs who are transforming our world."



GEC Indiana will serve as a unique opportunity for Hoosier founders and entrepreneurs to connect with global resources, while providing a platform to showcase Indiana innovation and the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Indiana was named the No. 1 state to start a business by Forbes and has been recognized as a top 40 global emerging destination for entrepreneurship by GEN and its partners at Startup Genome, while Indianapolis has been named the No. 3 city in the Midwest for startups for the second year in a row. In June, the IEDC launched ConnectIND, a digital portal available in 11 languages that is designed to increase support for entrepreneurs and founders, powering Indiana's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"Visit Indy is proud to partner with the state of Indiana to host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, a sought-after conference bringing in thought leaders while also showcasing our city's thriving small business economy," said Chris Gahl, executive vice president & chief marketing officer with Visit Indy. "Indy's entire tourism industry stands ready to welcome GEC's global visitors to Indy, a city built to host conventions with unmatched hospitality."Indianapolis is a well-known host city for major global events, with accolades including being named USA Today's no. 1 Convention City in the U.S. and Best Airport in North America for 12 years straight. In 2022, Indianapolis hosted more than 500 conventions and major events, drawing more than 30 million visitors while generating more than $5.8 billion in economic impact to the state. Indianapolis also serves as host to the IEDC's Indiana Global Economic Summit, first held in 2022 and slated again to occur in May 2024.For more information about the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, please visit genglobal.org.About Global Entrepreneurship NetworkThe Global Entrepreneurship Network operates projects and programs in 200 countries to make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. By fostering deeper cross border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN works to fuel healthier start and scale ecosystems that create more jobs, educate individuals, accelerate innovation and strengthen economic growth. For more information, visit

About IEDC

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation

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Attachment
Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - RNR Healthcare's Chief Executive Officer Vicky Ramancha announces push for the company's global market entry. The firm is already managing international clients and Vicky Ramancha is pursuing visibility and brand awareness expansion in the Asia Pacific and African markets.

Vicky Ramancha, Chief Executive Officer of RNR Healthcare



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Vicky Ramancha has been negotiating for pharma product procurement for African countries under government contracts. RNR Healthcare has a serious interest in entering the African region as a new emerging market. Vicky Ramancha sees Africa as one of the strongest opportunities for healthcare business, and by establishing networks and presence in Africa, RNR Healthcare is looking to increase quarterly sales significantly.

Earlier, Vicky Ramancha announced an interest in taking the company public in 2025, and that would require a strong revenue channel. Vicky R. says that Africa can provide that strong revenue channel and that is why RNR Healthcare is taking serious consideration in entering the African market.

Currently, RNR Healthcare is working with the US, Middle East and Asian clients, and by adding the African market, Vicky Ramancha aims to build a strong global business ecosystem for RNR Healthcare. Additional markets such as South America and South East Asia are also on target for partnerships and sales.

The company is looking to reinvest its capital into development of the first AI-ran pharmaceutical product production facility with potential locations in the US, Middle East and Asia. Vicky Ramancha adds that focusing on global business helps to strengthen the company's brand as a firm business provider and increase trust for new international clients.

Vicky Ramancha's Africa market strategy for RNR Healthcare is a new revolutionary concept for the business that has been operating primarily in the western markets, however "innovation in strategy and expansion is necessary to grow," says Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Ramancha.

To learn more about the company, visit https://rnr.healthcare.

To subscribe for offers go to https://subscribe.rnr.healthcare/.

Contact

Vicky Ramancha

global.business@rnr.healthcare

https://rnr.healthcare

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181383
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robex Resources Inc. (TSXV: RBX) ("Robex" or the "Company") announces management changes, effective as of September 21st, 2023.



Since the beginning of their first investment in Robex in 2013, the Cohen family members supported the Company by developing and operating the Nampala mine in Mali. They have been constantly engaged in operating within the industry standard thanks to their key executive positions, and long-term financial backing.

They have been committed to deliver external growth strategy with the business combination with Sycamore Mining Limited in 2022. The past two years have been transformational for the Company with (i) the integration of Sycamore and teams, and (ii) the first developments of the Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea.

Supported by the Cohen family, the Company reinforced the executive and board members over the last 12 months with mining professionals to progress the strategy to become a multi-asset multi-jurisdiction gold producer in West Africa.

On the back of latest management changes announced, the Cohen family now feels that this transition has been completed, and it is time for them to step down from their executive roles. They will continue to pay a particular attention to Robex, in which they remain shareholders and Directors.

Benjamin Cohen, current President of the Company, is stepping down from his executive position but will continue to advise the management team as Lead Director;

Georges Cohen, current Senior Vice-President Strategic Development and Long-Term Growth, is stepping down from his executive position but remains Director;

Julien Cohen, current Senior Vice-President Sales and Financial Affairs is stepping down from his executive position but will continue to advise the management teams as Director.



Other Board and committee changes are:

Michel Doyon and Christian Marti are retiring as Board members;

Aurelien Bonneviot is appointed as Board member, replacing Michel Doyon;

Matthew Sharples is appointed as Board member as Eglinton nominee, replacing Christian Marti;



Creation of an Environmental, Social and Governance Committee (ESG) and of a Technical Committee and appointments at the Audit and risk and remuneration committees:

ESG: Claude Goulet, Aurelien Bonneviot and Benjamin Cohen. The ESG committee will be responsible to review and recommend changes to Robex' policies and operations to ensure that environmental issues, social issues and corporate governance issues are taken into account in the business decisions and operations of the company;

Technical Committee: Gerard De Hert, Richard Faucher, Matthew Sharples and Benjamin Cohen. This committee was created to review the Kiniero project technical decisions and the Nampala growth opportunities;

Audit and Risk: Claude Goulet, Julien Cohen, Thomas Lagree;

Remuneration: Richard Faucher, Claude Goulet, Thomas Lagree;

Other Management Team changes include:

Daniel Marini, current Vice-President Operations, is appointed Chief Operating Officer;

Augustin Rousselet, current Chief Operating Officer, is appointed Chief Information Officer;

To date our management team consists of: Aurelien Bonneviot (Chief Executive Officer), Alain William (Chief Financial Officer), Daniel Marini (Chief Operating Officer), Augustin Rousselet (Chief Information Officer), Gwendal Bonno (SVP People and Communication), Nicolas Ros (SVP-Corporate Affairs officer and General Secretary).

Option plan

Pursuant to its current stock option plan, Robex announces that the Company has granted a total of 3,800,000 stock options, at an exercise price of C$0.29 expiring 5 years to new employees and newly appointed board members, the balance of the options that may be issued under the Company's stock option plan. Following the grant of stock options, the Company now has a total of 14,065,163 stock options issued, representing approximately 1.7% of the Company's outstanding common shares.

Aurelien Bonneviot, CEO: "These changes are a setting stone for next phase of growth of Robex towards a multi asset gold company. The executive team and Directors would like to thank Michel and Christian for their outstanding support over numerous years. Very few companies have experienced this transformation from an exploration company to a gold producer and this would not have been possible without a united board support."

Richard Faucher, Chairman of the board: "I would like to welcome Matthew Sharples representing the second largest shareholder and Aurelien Bonneviot, the current CEO of the company to the board. As a founder of Sycamore Mining, Matthew brings a wealth of mining experience, and we look forward working with him. I wish to thank Christian and Michel for their support throughout the years and the professionalism they demonstrated during the difficult times we had to go through together to support the company to grow. I wish you the best for your next adventure."

About Robex Resources Inc.

Robex is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold production and development company with near-term exploration potential. The Company is dedicated to safe, diverse and responsible operations in the countries in which it operates with a goal to foster sustainable growth. The Company has been operating the Nampala mine in Mali since 2017 and is advancing the Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea.

Robex is supported by two strategic shareholders and has the ambition to become one of the most important mid-tier gold producers in West Africa.

More Information

ROBEX RESOURCES INC.



FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS RENMARK INC. Aurelien Bonneviot

Chief Executive Officer



Stanislas Prunier

Investor Relations and Corporate Development



+1 581 741-7421



E-mail: investor@robexgold.com

www.robexgold.com



Robert Thaemlitz

Account Manager





+1 416 644-2020 or +1 212 812-7680



E-mail: rthaemlitz@renmarkfinancial.com

www.renmarkfinancial.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received an exploration permit from the Government of Saskatchewan to include prospecting, geological mapping and ground geophysical surveys at its 100%-owned McKenzie Lake Uranium Project ("McKenzie Lake", or the "Project") located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

McKenzie Lake Exploration by ALX

In April 2023, ALX applied to the Government of Saskatchewan for a low-impact, surface exploration permit on McKenzie Lake as follow-up to a high-resolution magnetic and radiometric airborne survey and an initial site visit ALX carried out in late 2021. The exploration permit was subsequently received in late August 2023.

The high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey at McKenzie Lake flown by Special Projects Inc. provided detailed geophysical information on the geological structures present on the Project and identified radiometric "hot spots" for future investigation. ALX subsequently employed artificial intelligence analysis provided by KorrAI of Halifax, NS, to assist in the selection of target areas for surface prospecting at McKenzie Lake.

Three samples of interest were collected from boulder fields in the brief site visit to McKenzie Lake; samples 149616 (844 ppm U-total, uranium assay was 0.101% U3O8), 149617 (273 ppm U-total) and 149618 (259 ppm U-total). These uranium results, in particular the 844 ppm U-total (and corresponding 797 ppm U-partial) in sample 149616 are anomalous and warrant further investigation.

McKenzie Lake radioactive boulder, Sample 149616: 0.010% U3O8, 10,167 cps

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Sample 149616 was collected from a boulder described in the field as an orthogneiss with layers of potassium feldspar-quartz and chlorite-actinolite. Trace galena and minor clay alteration and sericite were observed. A subsequent review of the geochemical analytical results (high calcium) and sample photographs suggests the rock is part of the calcareous arkose or calc-silicate rocks that are part of the Wollaston Domain metasediments. These calcareous arkose and calc-silicate rocks are part of the package of rocks that are mapped in this area by the Saskatchewan Geological Survey. Elevated iron and magnesium values in sample 149616 could be of hydrothermal alteration (chlorite, +/- hematite) that may be associated with the uranium mineralization. Of note is that the nearby near-surface Ackio zone uranium mineralization discovered in 2021 by Baselode Energy Corp. is in part hosted by calc-silicate rocks of the Wollaston Domain (Source: https://baselode.com/projects/hook-project/).

Recommendations for further work at McKenzie Lake include:

A detailed soil and till sample orientation survey in the immediate area of mineralized boulder 149616 to shed light on the possible depth of overburden cover, potential for soil or geochemical signatures associated with the uranium mineralized boulder or bedrock and discovery of buried mineralized boulders or outcrop.

Compilation of previous work, including soil or till samples, lake sediment samples and rock sample geochemical results;

Identification of the most prospective areas for follow-up work based upon compilation of historical data and ALX's more recent work;

Establish glacial ice directions using available historic data, field data, and high-resolution air photo or satellite photo observations;

Prospecting to locate as many boulders (or more ideally outcrop) as possible of a similar rock type and alteration as sample 149616. Contingent upon these results, the most prospective areas for follow-up work can be established, including but not limited to, airborne and ground geophysical surveys and geochemical surveys to identify potential drill targets.

McKenzie Lake Uranium Project Northern Saskatchewan

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About McKenzie Lake

McKenzie Lake (5 claims totaling 6,916 hectares, or 17,097 acres) is located in an emerging uranium exploration district in the southeast Athabasca Basin area after new discoveries by Baseload Energy Corp. and 92 Energy Limited in 2021-2022. ALX acquired McKenzie Lake in the fall of 2021 by staking, and by the purchase of four McKenzie Lake claims totaling 2,464 hectares (6,098 acres), which are subject to a 2.0% underlying royalty in favour of the arm's length vendor.

For further information on McKenzie Lake click here

NationaI Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Rock samples described in this news release were analyzed by SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK. Geochemical analysis consisted of Multi-element ICP-OES Total Digestion and ICP-MS Partial Digestion analyses, and uranium assay analysis (U3O8). Management cautions that historical results or discoveries on adjacent or nearby mineral properties are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on ALX's mineral properties.

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert Campbell, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101.

About ALX

ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF".

ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties in Canada, which include lithium, uranium, nickel-copper-cobalt and gold projects. The Company uses the latest exploration technologies and holds interests in over 220,000 hectares of prospective lands in Saskatchewan, a stable jurisdiction that hosts the highest-grade uranium mines in the world, a producing gold mine, and production from base metals mines, both current and historical.

ALX owns a 50% interest in eight lithium exploration properties staked in 2022-2023 collectively known as the Hydra Lithium Project, located in the James Bay region of northern Quebec, Canada, a 100% interest in the Anchor Lithium Project in Nova Scotia, Canada, and 100% interests in the Crystal Lithium Project and the Reindeer Lithium Project, both located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

ALX's uranium holdings in northern Saskatchewan include 100% interests in the Gibbons Creek Uranium Project, the Sabre Uranium Project, the Bradley Uranium Project, and the Javelin and McKenzie Lake Uranium Projects, a 40% interest in the Black Lake Uranium Project (a joint venture with Uranium Energy Corporation and Orano Canada Inc.), and a 20% interest in the Hook-Carter Uranium Project, located within the uranium-rich Patterson Lake Corridor with Denison Mines Corp. (80% interest) as operator of exploration since 2016.

ALX also owns 100% interests in the Firebird Nickel Project (now under option to Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc., who can earn up to an 80% interest), the Flying Vee Nickel/Gold and Sceptre Gold projects, and can earn up to an 80% interest in the Alligator Lake Gold Project, all located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. ALX owns, or can earn, up to 100% interests in the Electra Nickel Project and the Cannon Copper Project located in historic mining districts of Ontario, Canada, the Vixen Gold Project (now under option to First Mining Gold Corp., who can earn up to a 100% interest in two stages), and in the Draco VMS Project in Norway.

For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website at www.alxresources.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at: PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxresources.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Resources Corp.

"Warren Stanyer"

Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: ALX's 2023 exploration plans at the McKenzie Lake uranium project, and ALX's ability to continue to expend funds on those projects. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that ALX may not be able to fully finance exploration on our exploration projects, including drilling; our initial findings at our exploration projects may prove to be unworthy of further expenditures; commodity prices may not support further exploration expenditures; exploration programs may be delayed or changed due to any delays experienced in consultation and engagement activities with First Nations and Metis communities, and local landowners in the region, and the results of such consultations; and economic, competitive, governmental, societal, public health, weather, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and share price. Even if we explore and develop our projects, and even if uranium, lithium, nickel, copper, gold or other metals or minerals are discovered in quantity, ALX's projects may not be commercially viable. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181352
Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Tempus Resources Ltd. (ASX: TMR) (TSXV: TMRR) (OTC Pink: TMRFF) ("Tempus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has executed a binding Heads of Agreement giving it an option to acquire 100% ownership of Aurora Lithium, a private company that holds the applications for certain mineral claims including the Cormorant Pegmatite Field (the "Cormorant Project") and the White Rabbit Lithium Prospect (the "White Rabbit Project") located in central Manitoba (the "Transaction").

The Cormorant and White Rabbit projects are located in a newly emerging lithium district in central Manitoba defined along the Flin Flon - Snow Lake greenstone belt which extends over 250 km in length and approximately 75 km wide. The district is emerging as a new lithium belt in Manitoba and has attracted several other companies including Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) with two projects in the area including the JenPeg/Cross Lake Lithium Project, located 40 km to the south of the White Rabbit Project (See Figure 1 - Project Locations).

Tempus Resources President and CEO, Jason Bahnsen, commented, "The Option over the White Rabbit and Cormorant lithium projects provides an excellent opportunity for Tempus to diversify its asset portfolio and enter the energy metals sector. The geological setting, historic drilling with wide pegmatite dyke intersections and proximity to other high grade lithium projects bodes well for the exploration potential of the projects. With good infrastructure and all year access, Tempus plans to explore the White Rabbit and Cormorant Projects concurrently with the Elizabeth-Blackdome gold project."





Figure 1: Project Locations

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Project Overview

The Cormorant and White Rabbit Projects are located within the Flin Flon - Snow Lake greenstone belt in central Manitoba. The projects are serviced by road and rail infrastructure with power sources closely available.

White Rabbit Lithium Project

The White Rabbit Project, with total claim area of approximately 70 km2, is located adjacent to major railway and power infrastructure with year around road access. The project is located approximately 40 km north of the Cross Lake community and approximately 100 km southeast of the mining centre of Thompson, Manitoba.

The White Rabbit mineral claims have not yet been granted. Applications for the White Rabbit mineral claims were filed in July 2023 and are being processed by the Manitoba Economic Development and Trade. Processing time for the granting of new mineral claims varies but is expected to take several months.

The White Rabbit Project is located 40 km to the north of the Cross Lake Project owned by Leeuwin Metals (ASX: LM1), where multiple, sub-parallel spodumene bearing lithium, caesium, tantalum ("LCT") pegmatites of up to 20 m in thickness and strike lengths of over 400 metres with assay grades +1% LiO2 have been identified.1





Figure 2: White Rabbit - Project Location and Infrastructure

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Bedrock geology at White Rabbit displays a greenstone belt (Mafic volcanic rocks - pillowed basalt) enclosed by a large granodiorite to tonalite body. The unique geological setting of the greenstone belt in contact with

granite/tonalite bodies providing ideal conditions for the formation of LCT pegmatites. As a result, this setting is a prime target for lithium exploration.

There is over 15 km of greenstone belt geology within the 70 km2 claim boundary. Historic exploration at White Rabbit is limited to surface mapping completed by Manitoba Geological Service (MGS). The outcrop mapping survey indicates pegmatite dyke outcrops with strike lengths up to 2.5 km and widths up to 600 metres. The outcrop mapping is based on historic information and has not been verified by Tempus. Refer to Appendix 1, Table 1a for detailed locations and dimensions of outcropping pegmatite dykes.





Figure 3: White Rabbit - Pegmatite Dyke Outcropping

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Cormorant Project

The Cormorant Project, with total claim area of approximately 187 km2, is located adjacent to major railway and power infrastructure with year around road access. The town of The Pas, with a population of approximately 5,000 people, is 40 km to the southwest and is a regional centre for workforce plus construction, mining and engineering services.

The Cormorant Project mineral claims have not yet been granted. Applications for the Cormorant Project mineral claims were filed in July 2023 and are being processed by the Manitoba Economic Development and Trade. Processing time for the granting of new mineral claims varies but is expected to take several months.





Figure 4: Cormorant Project Location and Infrastructure

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The Cormorant project claims are within the Trans Hudson Orogeny group rocks (metavoltanic, plutonic and minor metasedimentary) stratigraphy that historically were the focus of historical exploration for base metals.

Bedrock geology indicates pillowed to massive mafic volcanic rocks in contact with granite bodies. Historic drilling confirms key structural trends associated with favourable LCT pegmatites in close proximity to granitic bodies.

The project has been subject to seven historical exploration drilling campaigns between 1975 and 2006. All historic drilling on the project was focussed on the identification of base metals with no assays completed for lithium and associated elements that were focussed on the discovery of base metals (no assays for lithium). Twenty historic core drill holes have been identified on the current Cormorant Project license areas. The location of the historic drill holes is shown in Figure 5 and also refer to Appendix 1 - Table 1b for additional drill collar data.

Tempus has obtained the drill logs for six of the historic drill holes which indicate the presence of intersections of pegmatite mineralisation up to 33 metres in thickness (See Figure 6). In the drill logs, the intersected pegmatite was described as white, light green and pink containing quartz, k-feldspar, biotite and muscovite. See Appendix 1, Table 2 for a summary of the drill logs and observed pegmatite intersections.





Figure 5: Cormorant Project - Historic Drill Hole Locations

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Figure 6: Cormorant Project - Historic Pegmatite Drill Intersections

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Due Diligence

Under the terms of the option agreement with Aurora Lithium, Tempus has until 30 October 2023 to complete due diligence.

Tempus geologists visited the White Rabbit and Cormorant projects during the period from 10th to 15th of September, to conduct initial due diligence. The Tempus geological team was able to physically inspect the core for drill hole 180-02 that is stored by the Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS) in The Pas, Manitoba. Tempus is in the process of requesting a permit to assay sections of the core from drill hole 180-2.

The Government of Manitoba recognises that archiving of geological drill core provides a valuable data source for use by mineral exploration companies and researchers. The MGS stores drill core from exploration companies and MGS drilling programs since the early 1960s. Tempus is conducting further due diligence on historic exploration drilling of the Cormorant Project and the location of additional historic drill core and logs from the Cormorant Project. Tempus will apply to the MGS for permission to take samples of the stored core from the Cormorant Project for the assay of lithium.

Tempus is currently reviewing the historic exploration information on the projects and the findings from the site due diligence trip. Three rock samples from the White Rabbit project were collected and will be submitted for assay.

Summary of Key Transaction Terms

The Company and Aurora Lithium (the "Vendor") have entered into a binding Heads of Agreement (the "Agreement") pursuant to which the Vendor has granted the Company an option to acquire 100% of the Mineral Claims (the Option).

The key terms of the Agreement are as follows:

Tempus has executed a binding Heads of Agreement to acquire an option over 100% of the equity of Aurora Lithium (the "Agreement") in consideration of:

Exclusivity Payment: In exchange for payment of a non-refundable fee of A$25,000 (the "Option Fee") (paid), the Vendor grants the Company the exclusive right to acquire 100% of Aurora Lithium and the Cormorant Project and White Rabbit Project mineral claims that are currently in the application process with Manitoba Economic Development and Trade. Exclusivity Period: On payment of the Option Fee, the Company may exercise the Option at any time until the expiry of the Option Period, being the 30th October 2023. Settlement: Settlement under the Agreement will occur on the date that is 5 days after the date of the Company exercising the Option and any conditions precedent (as set out below), or other such date as the parties agree in writing. Upfront Consideration: At Settlement, the following consideration is payable by the Company to the Vendor (and/or its nominees): 37.5 million fully paid ordinary shares in the Company (the "Consideration Shares"); and 22.5 million September 2025 Options (TMRO) at strike price of A$0.075 upon exercise of the Option (the "Consideration Options"). Milestone 1 Payment: Upon achievement of 5 rock chip samples with greater than 1.0% LiO2 , the Company shall pay the Vendor 22.5 million performance rights, convertible to fully paid shares in the Company on or before 1 September 2028 (the "Performance Shares 1"). Milestone 2 Payment: Upon achievement a minimum of 3 drill holes or 3 surface trenches with minimum pegmatite mineralisation widths of minimum 10 metres with grades greater than 1.0 % LiO2, the Company shall pay the Vendor 22.5 million performance rights, convertible to fully paid shares in the Company on or before 1 September 2028 (the "Performance Shares 2"). Royalty: From Settlement, the Company grants the Vendor (and/or their nominee) a 2% gross revenue royalty on all minerals recovered from any of the existing White Rabbit and Cormorant Project mineral claims (the "NSR"). The Company has the option to buy-back 1% of the Royalty for A$1 million for each the Cormorant and White Rabbit Projects at any time from Settlement. Conditions Precedent: Subject to exercising the Option, Settlement of the acquisition will be conditional on the Company obtaining all necessary shareholder (including for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.1) and regulatory approvals.

Additional details

Aurora Lithium, incorporated in Australia, is not a related party to the Company and is the holder of the rights to the mineral claims for the Cormorant Pegmatite Field Project and the White Rabbit Lithium Project.

There are no other material conditions that need to be satisfied before the Option becomes binding. In the event that the Company exercises the Option, shareholder approval will be sought for the purposes of Listing Rule 7.1 to issue the Consideration Shares, Consideration Options, Performance Shares 1 and Performance Shares 2.

There will not be any change to the Company's board or management in connection with the proposed Transaction.

Half of the Upfront Consideration Shares (18.75 million) will be subject to voluntary escrow for a 6-month period to commence on the Settlement Date.

Empire Capital Partners, an Australian based firm has been appointed as advisor to the Company in relation to the Transaction ("Empire Capital"). Empire Capital will receive the following fees in relation to the Transaction: Success fees of 3% of the total transaction value in TMR shares. Payments to be issued progressively upon satisfaction of Milestone 1 and Milestone 2 payments; and A $3,750 in cash or 150,000 TMR shares per month retainer for 12 months from execution of the Mandate. The issue of Tempus shares to Empire Capital will be subject to Tempus shareholder approval.



Lithium in Manitoba

There are currently two operating mines in Canada that provide a source for Lithium, the Tanco Mine in south east Manitoba and the North American Lithium mine near Val-d'Or Quebec. With numerous occurrences of both hard rock (Pegmatite) and brine sources, Manitoba is encouraging companies to come to the province to explore for lithium to meet the forecast global supply shortfall.

Magmatic deposits (pegmatite) in the Archean Superior province and Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson orogen are currently being evaluated as sources of lithium. The Williston Basin overlies the Precambrian basement in southwestern Manitoba and contains several stacked saline aquifers, as well as thick evaporite deposits, that may host lithium brines or salts but have yet to be systematically evaluated for their potential.

Granitic pegmatite contains the largest known resources of lithium in Manitoba. The most prolific region is the Winnipeg River-Cat Lake pegmatite field, which hosts the world-class Tanco lithium-caesium-tantalum deposit, along with numerous other pegmatites that collectively define this large field.

Elsewhere in the Archean Superior province, lithium-bearing pegmatite occurs at Red Sucker Lake, Gods Lake, Cross Lake, Red Cross Lake and McLaughlin Lake, and at Wekusko Lake in the Paleoproterozoic Trans Hudson orogen (Figure 7), indicating widespread potential for this deposit type. Spodumene, petalite and lepidolite are the most common lithium-bearing minerals in this type of deposit.





Figure 7: Manitoba Pegmatite Lithium Occurrences

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Source: Manitoba Economic Development and Trade

Competent Persons Statement

Information in this report relating to Exploration Results is based on information reviewed by Mr. Sonny Bernales, who is a Member of the Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC), which is a recognised Professional Organisation (RPO), and an employee of Tempus Resources. Mr. Bernales has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, and as a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI43-101. Mr. Bernales consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Directors of Tempus Resources Limited.

For further information:

TEMPUS RESOURCES LTD

Melanie Ross - Director/Company SecretaryPhone: +61 8 6188 8181

About Tempus Resources Ltd

Tempus Resources Ltd ("Tempus") is a growth orientated gold exploration company listed on ASX ("TMR") and TSX.V ("TMRR") and OTCQB ("TMRFF") stock exchanges. Tempus is actively exploring projects located in Canada and Ecuador. The flagship project for Tempus is the Blackdome-Elizabeth Project, a high-grade gold past producing project located in Southern British Columbia. Tempus is currently midway through a drill program at Blackdome-Elizabeth that will form the basis of an updated NI43-101/JORC resource estimate. The second key group of projects for Tempus are the Rio Zarza and Valle del Tigre projects located in south east Ecuador. The Rio Zarza project is located adjacent to Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte project. The Valle del Tigre project is currently subject to a sampling program to develop anomalies identified through geophysical work.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Tempus's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, the ability of Tempus to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Tempus to control or predict, that may cause Tempus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2023 dated May 12, 2023 filed on SEDAR. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Tempus believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Tempus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to Tempus or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

Neither the ASX Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Appendix 1

Table 1a: White Rabbit - Pegmatite Outcrop Mapping Locations

Outcrop Easting UTM NAD 83 Northing UTM NAD83 Approximate Outcrop Strike Length (m) Approximate

Maximum Outcrop Width (m) WROC - 01 604607.1 6093408.6 2500 1350 WROC - 02 604736.9 6094054.0 560 750 WROC - 03 606623.9 6093720.2 2500 2200 WROC - 04 608575.2 6093643.2 500 680 WROC - 05 608870.5 6093065.5 800 1400

Note: Width and strike length of pegmatite outcrops at White Rabbit are estimates based on historical maps sourced from Manitoba Geological Service and have not been verified.

Table 1b: Cormorant Project - Historic Drill Collar Table

DDH No Azimuth Dip Easting UTM NAD 83 Northing UTM NAD83 Depth (m) 7504-76-4 85 -52 405966.61 6003911.17 239.0 7504-76-10* 122 -52 397118.74 6004813.64 258.2 7504-76-11 146 -50 402271.60 6006562.04 119.8 7504-76-12* 167 -50 398734.42 6009522.20 175.9 180-1* 300 -50 398781.03 6009153.15 146.3 180-2* 300 -45 404586.98 6010120.07 198.4 180-3 300 -45 405549.95 6007698.71 163.4 180-4 300 -50 405223.36 6006765.30 170.7 180-5 300 -50 405754.04 6006740.40 189.3 180-6 300 -50 404635.70 6005836.49 159.4 180-8A 300 -45 405772.46 6005602.83 226.2 180-11 300 -45 405772.46 6005602.83 227.4 MAW-1 295 -55 396038.30 6003222.02 195.4 MAW-2 293 -60 396038.30 6003222.02 176.2 MAW-3 305 -60 396039.21 6002754.64 176.2 MAW-31 360 -50 408140.00 6017579.00 209.0 MAW-60 288 -55 405875.34 6009302.18 218.0 MAW-76 296 -55 405653.34 6011266.18 210.0 MAW-77* 296 -55 406042.33 6012042.14 233.0 MAW-83* 302 -54 402943.44 6008641.18 233.0

Note: * indicates drill holes with available drill logs

Table 2: Cormorant Project - Significant Historic Drilling Results of Pegmatite Intersections

Drill ID Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Interval (m) Mineralisation 180-1 78.48 92.11 13.62 Granite: grey, massive with some pegmatite sections, minor garnet 124.35 132.76 8.41 Granite: grey, medium grained, massive, minor pegmatite sections 180-2 89.79 122.52 32.73 Pegmatite: orangish-grey, fine coarse-grained, sections and bands with brecciated appearance and chlorite sericite fillings (376-396 fine grain felsic material) 134.04 161.93 27.89 Pegmatites: pinkish-grey, fine to coarse-grained, massive, sections crystalline matrix 165.59 166.75 1.16 Pegmatite 170.37 184.67 14.29 Pegmatite - increase in iron rich, potash, feldspar. MAW077 131.25 133.66 2.41 pegmatite: pink to white, massive 137.37 160.7 23.33 massive pegmatite complex: pink to white, massive 166.8 170.66 3.86 pegmatite: pink to light green, massive 215.3 221.9 6.60 pegmatite: pink to light green, massive MAW083 87.22 118.22 31.00 Pegmatite: coarse grained, massive, sections grey- biotite and muscovite rich, pinkish orange sections k-feldspar and quartz rich 214.8 223.75 8.95 Pink Granite to Pegmatite: mostly coarse grained, massive with some biotite and muscovite 231.41 233 1.59 Pink Granite to Pegmatite (EOH) 7504-76-10 30.87 31.15 0.27 Pegmatite 7504-76-12 33.25 36.79 3.54 Pegmatite: Coarse grained massive pink leucocratic pegmatite composed of white and pink feldspar, quartz and some muscovite

Note: Twenty diamond core drill holes have been completed on the Cormorant Project between 1975 and 2006. Drill core logs have been obtained for the six drill holes presented in Table 2

Appendix 2: The following tables are provided to ensure compliance with the JORC Code (2012) requirements for the reporting of Exploration Results for the Cormorant - White Rabbit Lithium Projects

Section 1: Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.



HQ (63.5 mm) NQ (47.6 mm) and BQ (36.5 mm) sized diamond core using standard equipment.

Mineralised and potentially mineralised zones, comprising pegmatite dikes that contains spodumene and/or petalite minerals, normally spodumene only.

Samples were half core.

Typical core samples are 1 to 2m in length.

Standard industry procedure is as follows: Each sample was crushed to better than 70% - 2 mm and a 1 kg split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 m. All samples were analysed using SRC procedure code ICP1 using a four-acid digestion producing both total and partial digestions ICP analysis. Lithium results were reported in ppm elemental lithium and converted to Li2O using a 2.153 conversion factor. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.)

Diamond Drilling from surface (HQ, NQ and BQ sizes) Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.

No information available on historic drilling recovery

No relationship has yet been noted between recovery and grade and no sample bias was noted to have occurred.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Detailed geological and geotechnical logging was completed for each hole.





All core has been photographed.





Complete holes were logged. Sub- sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub- sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Half core was sampled, using a core saw.

Duplicate samples of new and historical core are Quarter core or half core where not previously sampled.

Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the grain size of the material being sampled.

It is expected that bulk sampling will be utilised as the project advances, to more accurately determine grade. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Core samples that have been sent to the lab for analysis include control samples (standards, blanks and prep duplicates) inserted at a minimum rate of 1:5 samples.

In addition to the minimum rate of inserted control samples, a standard or a blank is inserted following a zone of mineralization or visible spodumene and/or petalite.

Further duplicate samples were analysed to assess variability

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Re-assaying of selected intervals of historic core have been sent for analysis. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Survey information on historic drill holes is not available.

UTM grid NAD83 Zone 14N. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. Most drilling is targeting verification and extension of known mineralisation.

It is expected that the data will be utilised in a preparation of a Mineral Resource statement.

Additional drilling is exploration beneath geochemical anomalies, and would require further delineation drilling to be incorporated in a Mineral Resource. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. In general, the aim was to drill perpendicular to the pegmatite dykes, to gain an estimate of the true thickness of the mineralised structures.

At several locations, a series (fan) of holes was drilled to help confirm the orientation of the mineralised structures and to keep land disturbance to a minimum. Sample s Security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples from Cormorant and White Rabbit were delivered to the laboratory by a commercial transport service. Audits or Reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Not applicable to historic data

Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Cormorant property is located in central Manitoba, 56 km from The Pas and 110 km southeast from Flin-Flon.

The White Rabbit property is located in central Manitoba, the project is 40 km north of Cross Lake and 85 km south east from Thompson.

The Cormorant Project is comprised of 1 mineral claim mineral claims and White Rabbit is comprised of 1 mineral claim. The mineral claims for both the Cormorant Project and the White Rabbit Project are in the application phase and have not yet been granted by Manitoba Economic Development and Trade.

Tempus has an option to acquire 100% of the Cormorant Project and the White Rabbit Project. (refer to ASX announcement 20 September 2023)

A net smelter royalty of 2% NSR (1% purchasable) applies to Cormorant and White Rabbit project mineral claims.

The Mineral There are currently no known impediments to developing a project in this area, and all tenure is in good standing. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgement and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Cormorant Property In 1961 to 1962, Noranda Exploration Co, geophysical (EM and Mag) that covers the current Cormorant property.

In the 1974, Questor Surveys carried out 2890 miles (4624 km) of Input AEM survey over Mineral Reservation 154 and 155 for Shell Canada at Cormorant area. In February and March, 1975, Geoterrex carried out Turam, Vertical Loop EM, magnetic and (over selected lines) IP surveys on conductive zone. One diamond drill hole, (7504-75-1) was drilled in March 1975.

The Cormorant property has been subject to 7 drill campaigns between 1975 and 2006 drilling a total of 20 diamond core drill holes completed on the current Cormorant Project license area. In the period from March 1975 to April 1976, Shell Canada completed four drill holes on the current Cormorant property, (drill holes 7504-75-4, 7504-76-10, 7504-11, 7504-76-12).



In the period from November 1 to December 12, 1979, Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd completed eight drill holes on the current Cormorant Project license area, for a total of 1,481.1 metres (drill holes 180-01 to 180-06, 180-8A, 180-11).

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary



During the period January 9 - 23, 1981, Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company (HBED) completed three drill holes on the Cormorant Project license area (MAW-01, MAW-02, MAW-03) totalling 547.8 metres.





Between April 5 to April 15 1988, two drill holes (MAW 31, MAW 32, MAW 32) were completed in the general area totalling 748.0 metres. Drill hole MAW-31 is located on the current Cormorant property.

Between March 16, 1997 to April, 12, 1997, fifteen diamond drill holes (MAW-59 to MAW-73) were drilled by HBED, totalling 3659 meters in the general area. Hole MAW-60 is located within the current Cormorant Property.

In January 18, 1998 to January 25, 1998, two diamond drill holes (MAW-76 and MAW-77) was drilled by HEBD. Both holes were drilled within current Cormorant property.

In February 14, 2006 to March 7, 2006, HEBD drilled two diamond drill holes (MAW-83 and MAW-84) at the general area totalling 790 m, NQ/BQ core size. Hole MAW-83 is located within the current Cormorant property. The holes were testing geophysical (EM and Mag) anomalies. Best assay was 0.15% Zn. No assay for lithium.

White Rabbit Property Exploration work completed on the property is limited to surface mapping completed by Manitoba Geological Services, date unknown.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Cormorant Property The Cormorant property cover Trans Hudson Orogenic group rocks (metavolcanics, plutonic and minor metasedimentary) stratigraphy favourable for base metal exploration. Bedrock geology indicates pillowed to massive mafic volcanic rocks in contact with granite bodies.

Historic drilling at Cormorant confirms key structural trends associated with favourable lithium, caesium, tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in close proximity to granitic bodies.

Multiple Historic diamond drilling at Cormorant intersected pegmatites.

The intersected pegmatites intersected at Cormorant were described as white, light green and pink with quartz, k-feldspar, biotite and muscovite are all present. White Rabbit Property Bedrock geology at White Rabbit displays a greenstone belt (Mafic volcanic rocks - pillowed basalt) enclosed by a large granodiorite to tonalite body. The unique geological setting of the greenstone belt in contact with granite/tonalite bodies Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer to Appendix 1, Table 1b for drill hole collar information

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Intervals reported using several samples are calculated using a weighted average.

Calculated intervals using a weighted average did not use a top cut on high-grade samples. High-grade samples are reported as 'including'.

Calculated weighted average intervals are continuous intervals of a mineralized zone and do not include unsampled intervals or unmineralized intervals. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known').

In general, drilling is designed to intersect the mineralized zone at a normal angle, but this is not always possible.

For the reported intervals, true widths are reported where mineralized core was intact and possible to measure the orientation. Otherwise the true width is left blank Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Refer to maps within announcement for drill hole locations. Balanced

reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Where broader low-grade intervals are reported the high-grade intercepts are reported as 'including' within the reported interval.

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances.

Tempus is presently conducting a due diligence on the Cormorant and White Rabbit properties. Exploration planning will be done once acquisition is completed. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large- scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Further exploration work will be planned for the Cormorant and White Rabbit projects following the completion of due diligence.

1 ASX Announcement, LM1, Corporate Presentation, 5 September 2023

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - While reporting financial results for the first quarter on Thursday, restaurant company Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) reiterated its earnings guidance for the full year 2024. The company also reported blended same-restaurant sales increase of 5.0% and the addition of 46 net new restaurants in the first quarter. For the fiscal 2024, the company continues to project net earnings from continuing operations in the range of $8.55 to $8.85 per share, including Ruth's Chris operating results, but excluding approximately $55 million, pre-tax, of expected transaction and integration related costs. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report earnings of $8.74 per share for the year. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Darden's Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.31 per share on the Company's outstanding common stock, payable on payable on November 1, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2023. On Wednesday, Darden's Board of Directors unanimously elected Cynthia (Cindie) T. Jamison as Chair of the Board, succeeding Eugene Lee, Jr. who, as previously announced, retired from service as a director of the Company on that date. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com 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.
The company appoints industry veteran Shaun McNulty as Chief Scientific Officer and welcomes R&D expert Anna Quattropani as Senior Vice President of Chemistry Non-Clinical Development

Anavo Therapeutics, a global leader in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of phosphatase biology, announced the appointment of Shaun McNulty, DPhil, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and the appointment of Anna Quattropani, PhD, as Senior Vice President of Chemistry and Non-Clinical Development. Dr. McNulty will oversee the implementation of Anavo's strategy from discovery into clinical development and, together with Dr. Quattropani and Anavo's management team, the continued design of Anavo's first- and best-in-class phosphatase-targeting allosteric modulators.

"We are fortunate to welcome Anna and Shaun to the Anavo team at this stage of our company's growth," said Birgit Zech, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Anavo Therapeutics. "Anna and Shaun's industry knowledge and R&D experience will support Anavo's progress in creating a proprietary portfolio of therapeutic programs and establishing a robust platform for phosphatase targeting across multiple indications."

Shaun McNulty, DPhil, has more than 30 years of experience in the biopharma industry, with a focus on designing and developing therapeutics in oncology. He has served as Chief Scientific Officer at companies utilizing novel approaches in biology and chemistry, including Biosceptre, Inflection Biosciences and Awakn Life Sciences. He has led scientific R&D teams for companies such as Charles River, GSK, Pfizer and Syntaxin. Through his many roles, Dr. McNulty has supported the clinical development of Neurontin and Lyrica, obtained regulatory clearance for 5 drug candidates to enter the clinic, and identified and refined over 50 candidates for pre-clinical development. Dr. McNulty holds a DPhil in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of York in the UK and performed post-doctoral research at the University of Cambridge on kinase-mediated neuronal cell signaling.

"Anavo's IGNITE platform uniquely enables the rapid identification and development of therapeutics targeting phosphatases, initially thought to be undruggable targets," said Dr. McNulty. "I am excited to join the Anavo team as we continue to accelerate our proprietary portfolio of programs targeting disease-relevant phosphatases toward clinical development and to build out our next-generation approach for phosphatase targeting."

Anna Quattropani, PhD, joins Anavo with over 20 years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. She has a successful track record designing multiple clinical candidates and driving them from discovery through clinical development. Dr. Quattropani has been working in diverse therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, inflammatory, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as women's health. She has held senior leadership roles at Asceneuron and Draupnir and R&D roles at Serono and Merck KGaA. Dr. Quattropani is the inventor of several clinical molecules such as the O-GlcNAcase inhibitors ASN90 and ASN51 for neurodegenerative diseases and the oxytocin receptor antagonist Nolasiban. She obtained her PhD and MS in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry at University of Geneva, Switzerland followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Quattropani is the inventor of 49 patents and the author of 21 peer-reviewed publications.

"I am very proud to join Anavo's outstanding team and help accelerate the discovery and development of phosphatase-targeting allosteric modulators to provide potential alternative therapeutic solutions for patients," said Dr. Quattropani.

Anavo's former CSO Gerhard Muller, PhD, joins the Scientific Advisory Board to continue contributing to the board's drug discovery and development.

About Anavo Therapeutics:

Anavo Therapeutics is the first company to systematically drug phosphatases, a rich target space previously considered undruggable for decades. We have attracted world-leading scientific expertise in phosphatase-driven disease biology and drug discovery to unlock the full potential of phosphatase-targeted allosteric modulators. In oncology, Anavo is developing multiple first-in-class therapeutic programs and will build on partnerships around its platform to establish a rich pipeline across several indications. Anavo is backed by blue-chip investors M Ventures, INKEF Capital, Taiho Ventures, MRL Ventures Fund, and Bioqube Ventures. For more information, please visit: www.anavotx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921966180/en/

Contacts:

Anavo Therapeutics

Dr. Birgit Zech

Chief Executive Officer

+49 179 5340884

bzech@anavotx.com

Media Contact

Chelsea Rule

MacDougall Advisors

+1 781-235-3060

crule@macdougall.bio
LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today sees the launch of the Cask Whisky Association (CWA), a new organisation established to create a safe environment for whisky enthusiasts and customers to buy and sell casks.

The CWA is made up of two boards of Members and Advisors and includes cask whisky businesses, distilleries, independent bottlers, whisky experts and authors as well as legal and insurance professionals working within the sector.

By setting best practices in cask whisky ownership and sale, the Association aims to protect cask whisky customers and the wider whisky industry.

Chairman of the Advisory Board and spokesman for the CWA Colin Hampden-White says the Association's goal is to uphold the overall reputation of the Scotch whisky industry.

"The Cask Whisky Association exists to protect private customers from unscrupulous business practices and traders and safeguard independent bottlers from over-inflated pricing," Colin says, adding: "Our Members are committed to, and will provide guidance on, best practice."

Taking action

Wendy Chamberlain MP, Chair of the Scotch Whisky APPG, has today written to the business minister responsible for the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill, seeking clarification on whether the new consumer legislation will increase protections for investors in cask whisky. She says in the letter: "Having met with the Cask Whisky Association, I am aware that there are many reputable organisations who want to provide good investment opportunities to enthusiasts and investors alike. The actions of bad actors in this field risk harming not only consumers, but the reputation of Scotch whisky and the long-term viability of the industry as a whole."

The Association has also met with Lord Richard Harrington - who is leading the government review of foreign direct investment (FDI). Harrington said of the Association: "This type of cross-industry collaboration is welcomed. Where blind spots in regulation exist, such as in the cask investment space, it is encouraging to see different parts of the industry coming together to address the issues that emerge. Scotch is a true British success story so measures must be put in place to protect the integrity of the sector."

Other MPs whom recognise the need to better protect investors are also lending their support to the Association.

Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, says: "I am delighted to hear of the great work of the Cask Whisky Association, which is being set up to educate and protect investors in the fast-growing cask whisky market. As the sector continues to grow, it's vital that adequate protections are in place for consumers and investors alike."

The Association is in discussions with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the Worshipful Company of Distillers and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), seeking cooperation and collaboration to address issues in the sector. It is also petitioning The Bonded Warehousekeepers Association (The BWA) to gain their support.

Whisky expert and author Hans Offringa sits on the CWA's advisory board. He says: "If you want to buy whisky go to a trusted company and get some advice, that way you will avoid any pitfalls. That's why I think certification and licensing is so important; the Cask Whisky Association provides a quality hallmark for people looking to buy and invest in whisky. There are a lot of cowboys out there and we don't want them to discredit good companies and ruin good business."

Membership to the CWA is open to UK-based, financially-stable companies who uphold quality standards and retain all appropriate licences.

The CWA is a voluntary organisation open to all cask whisky companies. Applications will be reviewed semi-annually by the executive board and overseen by the independent advisory board.

Please visit the website for further information https://caskwhiskyassociation.org/contact/

Follow the CWA on social media:

Instagram - caskwhiskyassociation

Facebook - Cask Whisky Association

X - @caskwhiskyassoc

LinkedIn - Cask Whisky Association

ABOUT THE CASK WHISKY ASSOCIATION (CWA)

The Cask Whisky Association was established and launched in 2023.

The CWA brings together stakeholders leading on best practice to safeguard the industry and consumer.

The carefully-curated board of Advisors offer a depth and breadth of knowledge from all sides of the industry and includes distilleries, authors, journalists as well as insurance and legal professionals.

CWA Executive Board

Keith Rennie - Director at Scotch Whisky International Ltd

Simon Aron - Managing Director of Cask Trade Ltd

Saul Kelly - Managing Director of Fruitful Spirits Ltd

George Stewart -Director of George Stewart Whisky Ltd

Danny Saltman - Director of Malts at DS Tayman

Saul Taylor - Managing Director of Dalkeith Brokerage Ltd

Russell Spratley - Director of Spiritfilled Ltd

CWA Advisory Board

Colin Hampden-White - TV presenter and whisky journalist

Charles Maclean - Author and whisky expert

Hans Offringa - Author and whisky expert

George Frier - Partner at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP

Patricia Dillon - Managing Director of Speyside Distillers Co. Ltd

John Laurie - Managing Director of The Glenturret

Graeme Dempster - Account Executive at insurance broker Bruce Stevenson

Martin Purvis - Associate Director of Kelvin Cooperage

https://caskwhiskyassociation.org

Contact: Gordon Carver / 07732604450 / g.carver@hawthornadvisors.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217524/Cask_Whisky_Association.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-association-launched-to-protect-cask-whisky-customers-and-uphold-the-reputation-of-the-scotch-industry-301934845.html
PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / PSYC Corp. (OTC Pink Market:PSYC)("the Company"), a multimedia holding company and leading media authority for emerging industries such as medicinal psychedelics, recently announced the acquisition of Stock Day Media, one of the fastest growing media outlets for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. On the Stock Day Podcast, CEO of the Company, David Flores, joined host Matthew Dunehoo to discuss the acquisition and the Company's plans for expansion.

"We're very excited overall about the acquisition here of Stock Day Media," said PSYC Corp. CEO, David Flores. "You know, I've been a proud guest on the Stock Day Podcast for over three years now, really since I took over as CEO of PSYC Corp. back in the summer of 2020." Flores went on to explain why Stock Day was a great fit for the Company. "Stock Day has done a great job with developing a platform that really does help CEOs and companies amplify their messaging," said Flores. "With Stock Day, we have the opportunity to bring in a media asset that is revenue generating. They've been consistently doing north of $200,000 a year in gross annual revenue earnings for the last several years and some of their best years have resulted in revenues of around half a million dollars."

In addition to the Stock Day Media acquisition, Flores highlighted other strategic moves made by PSYC Corp. to diversify its media holdings, including its strategic partnership with Target Media and the acquisitions of Technical420 and On The Bids, which closed in September of last year. "We are building each of these media platforms so that we can establish a diversified revenue stream here for the company that will ultimately contribute to the bottom line and help

us with our objective of strengthening our balance sheet," explained Flores.

The acquisition of Stock Day Media is another major step forward for PSYC Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Spotlight Media Corporation, representing a scalable revenue-generating asset. With the addition of Stock Day Media, PSYC Corp. is further positioned to become a major player in the media industry. The Company is looking forward to leveraging the platform to expand its reach and further its mission of providing quality content to its growing

audience.

To hear the entire interview with David Flores, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8371364-psyc-corp-acquires-stock-day-media-talks-scalability-and-revenue-generation-on-the-stock-day-po

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/

About PSYC Corporation (OTC Pink Market:PSYC)

PSYC Corporation (the "Company" or "PSYC") is a forward-thinking multimedia leader for progressive and emerging market sectors such as medicinal psychedelics and cannabis. Management's assessment is that through the diversified collection of multimedia platforms the Company owns and operates, and most specifically through the news, information, and engaging content they each produce and publish respectively, PSYC has effectively positioned itself at the forefront of some of today's most dynamic and opportunity-filled market sectors.

About Spotlight Media Corporation

Spotlight Media Corporation ("SMC") (www.spotlightmediacorp.com) is a Nevada Corporation and is a privately held wholly owned subsidiary of PSYC that was incorporated on February 8, 2022.

SMC currently owns and operates Psychedelic Spotlight which, according to the Company, has emerged as a recognized industry-leading multimedia platform dedicated to covering the growing movement across society involving psychedelic-assisted healing. Additionally, SMC also operates PSPACE, a psychedelic integration and mental wellness consumer-facing platform being developed to effectively meet the demands linked to the expanding interest and

curiosity across society related to the healing and therapeutic wonders of psychedelics and other plant based and holistic modalities.

SMC's service-focused media platforms include Technical 420, On the Bids, and Mushroom Stocks which each serve publicly traded companies operating in the sectors of cannabis, mining and precious metals, and medicinal psychedelics and have become valuable informational resources for individuals following each of these respective market sectors.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainty and other factors, including the effect of COVID-19 and the success of the current vaccine distribution, the adverse effect of the Omicron variant, that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of all filings of the Company that are disclosed on the OTC Markets.com website and is not incorporated by reference into such reports.

Disclaimer: PSYC Corporation does not in any way encourage or condone the use, purchase, sale or transfer of any illegal substances, nor do we encourage or condone partaking in anyunlawful activities. We support a harm reduction approach for the purpose of education and promoting individual and public safety. If you are choosing to use psychedelic substances, please do so responsibly.

Corporate Contact:

PSYC Corporation (PSYC)

www.psyccorporation.com

www.spotlightmediacorp.com

(702) 239-1919

info@psyccorporation.com

OTC PINK MARKET:PSYC

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

Stock Day Media

StockDayMedia.Com

(602) 821-1102

SOURCE: Stock Day Media

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786231/psyc-corp-acquires-stock-day-media-talks-scalability-and-revenue-generation-on-the-stock-day-podcast
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Boston Scientific

As a leader in health care, Boston Scientific is dedicated to creating healthier communities in a wealth of ways, including large-scale programs like Close the Gap that help increase health equity in the U.S. and global corporate volunteer initiatives such as Season of Giving and a Week of Caring.

Then there's the Boston Scientific Foundation, a separate non-profit organization that was established to provide strategic, targeted grant funding to enable non-profits to better serve those who need it most.

Read on to learn how the Boston Scientific Foundation and The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe support and sustain the areas where Boston Scientific employees live and work.

1. The Boston Scientific Foundation is a non-profit that works to help other non-profits.

Founded in 2001, the Boston Scientific Foundation is funded by an endowment that was established by private donors. Each year, it bestows grants to non-profit organizations within 60 miles of its largest U.S. facilities in four states.

"One of the key advantages is that we're able to help smaller non-profits that the larger company cannot and therefore maximize the benefit we're able to have in very specific communities," says Dave Knapp, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation.

2. Non-profits that support the Boston Scientific Foundation mission may apply for funding.

Each year, organizations may submit proposals to the Boston Scientific Foundation to be considered for financial grants.

In particular, the Foundation awards grants to organizations that serve the economically disadvantaged in one of two areas: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and programs that improve health.

Recent grantees include Community Servings - which delivers nutritious meals to the chronically ill in the Boston area - and CreateMPLS, which teaches crucial technology skills to students in Minnesota.

The Boston Scientific Foundation also offers an academic scholarship program for children of full-time company employees in the U.S.

3. Boston Scientific employees help to determine which organizations receive grants.

With many deserving non-profits submitting proposals to the Boston Scientific Foundation, it's up to local community teams made up of over 75 employee volunteers to review them and recommend to the Boston Scientific Foundation Board of Directors how it should best distribute its funds.

"Our employee community teams are basically the engine for the Boston Scientific Foundation," says Knapp. "They're helping to make things happen for non-profits in their communities and I'm so inspired that they take their personal time to do this work."

4. There is also a non-profit organization that specifically serves communities in Europe.

The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe was established five years ago to help non-profits based on that continent and is funded each year by local legal entities of the company in Europe.

The first grantee was Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque for their 5/5 program - a remote learning platform for doctors practicing in underserved African countries to improve the diagnoses of heart conditions in children. The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe has continued to prioritize innovative digital health solutions ever since.

"There's so much that needs to be done in health care," notes Simonetta Balbi, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe. "We decided to create this focus so that we could address gaps in healthcare in a specific way and increase our ability to make an impact."

Similar to the Boston Scientific Foundation, the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe relies on employee ambassadors representing countries across Europe who bring grant proposals to a board that includes six Boston Scientific employees and three senior representatives of patient organizations for their final review.

5. The work of the Boston Scientific Foundation and the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe affects the granters and the grantees alike.

In 2022, the Boston Scientific Foundation gave 34 STEM grants and 21 health grants as well as 118 college scholarships. It also made a one-time grant to Project HOPE to help refugees during the Ukraine crisis.

Additionally, in its first five years, the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe has funded 20 digital health initiatives and reached communities in more than 50 countries in Europe and EMEA, including humanitarian relief efforts for the people of Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.

Balbi and Knapp both say that the work they do to help people in need brings great personal reward.

"One project I loved this year is that we funded a mobile STEM bus in Indiana," says Knapp. "In rural communities, people have to drive many miles to find resources for students to learn coding and other key skills. This bus can go from location to location to develop STEM talent at a high level."

For Balbi, it's the pediatric projects that are most moving.

"We are supporting a French hospital, the Centre Pediatrique de Cote, that takes care of seriously disabled children, many of whom cannot speak," she says. "Our grant is funding special tablets so they can communicate. When we visited the hospital, we met a little girl that was using the technology to communicate with her eyes. She's a great candidate for this tablet and we'll be able to help her receive it."

Learn about the work that Boston Scientific does to support its communities through donations and volunteer programs.

Visit the Boston Scientific Foundation and the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe to learn more about the work they do and their impact around the world.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Boston Scientific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Boston Scientific

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Climate Tech Startup Aims to Start Production of Low-Cost Aerogel Insulation for Homes and Commercial Buildings in Virginia in 2024

RICHMOND, VA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / In the fight against climate change, properly insulating homes and buildings can significantly raise energy efficiency and indoor air quality while lowering carbon dioxide emissions. A startup company, spun out of research at Virginia Commonwealth University, is commercializing what it calls a breakthrough in low-cost insulation materials.

ThermaGEL Innovations has developed insulation material using aerogels, which are porous solids mostly made of air. The company says its aerogel insulation improves heat resistance, known as R-value, by 136% over conventional materials such as fiberglass. Its aerogels are also significantly thinner, lightweight, flame-proof, moisture-proof and reduce noise.

"Aerogels were invented nearly a century ago; however, the process to make them is complex and expensive," said Marc McConnaughey, president and chief executive of ThermaGEL. "What VCU has achieved with aerogel development and production processes could have a significant, positive impact on the environment and support a more sustainable future."

The science behind the company comes from the laboratory of physics professor Massimo Bertino, Ph.D., at VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences. The key to making aerogels at a lower cost is to eliminate the supercritical drying process in a way that doesn't compromise the integrity of the insulation, according to Dr. Bertino.

Critical to driving ThermaGEL's revenue, McConnaughey said, is providing its products to building material suppliers, contractors, and architects. The company is in the process of raising initial funding to design an aerogel manufacturing facility in the Richmond area.

Dr. Everett Carpenter, the company adviser and VCU Professor of Chemistry, said the facility could capture five percent of the U.S. insulation market, which overall is valued at $10 billion annually. Initial capacity will be designed to produce 750 million square feet of insulation per year.

According to ThermaGEL research, the U.S. contains 122 million homes and six million commercial buildings, mostly built before 1990. Together, Carpenter said, those buildings use one-third of total U.S. energy consumption, with much of it lost due to poor insulation. That leads to higher energy costs and increased carbon dioxide emissions.

"ThermaGEL's technology could truly help commercial building owners and homeowners save not only on energy costs when it comes to insulation," he said, "but help the world by removing billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere along the way."

ABOUT ThermaGEL Innovations, Inc.

Established in June 2023, ThermaGEL Innovations is bringing to the market breakthrough, low-cost, customizable aerogel-based insulation materials for homes and commercial buildings.

For more information, visit www.thermagelinnovations.com.

Contact:

Marc McConnaughey, President/CEO

marcm@thermagelinnovations.com

Dr. Everett Carpenter, Advisor

everettc@thermagelinnovations.com

Contact Information

Marc McConnaughey

President/CEO

marcm@thermagelinnovations.com

1-909-631-9598

Related Files

Climate tech startup licenses VCU-created insulation for homes, commercial buildings - VCU News - Vi.pdf

SOURCE: ThermaGEL Innovations, Inc.

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB), a leading company committed to acquiring and advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies that address urgent societal needs, is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Fabrice Pakin, Masters (Marketing & International Business), to the Board of Directors of AI/ML Innovations Inc.

Fabrice brings three decades of extensive IT knowledge and expertise to his new role, with an impressive 11-year track record as a trailblazer in the digital health sector. In 2021, Fabrice established Tech2Heal SAS, a company dedicated to driving the digital health revolution through the development of a code-free, interoperable, and rapidly deployable SaaS platform. Prior to that, in 2013, Fabrice spearheaded the creation of Ignilife, a pioneering SaaS platform for primary prevention in Europe. This groundbreaking platform, available in six languages and serving markets in France, Switzerland, Brazil, and Belgium, established strategic partnerships with prestigious insurance firms such as Malakoff Mederic, Groupe Mutuel in Switzerland, and Unimed in Brazil. Prior to these accomplishments, Fabrice held significant roles as a Business Unit Director/Manager within various technology companies.

Fabrice is stepping into the role previously held by Mr. Bruce Matichuk on the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Matichuk will continue to be an invaluable member of the AI/ML Innovations team, remaining in the position of Chief Technology Officer for both AI/ML Innovations Inc. and Health Gauge Inc. The Company expresses its gratitude to Bruce for his service on the Board.

Additionally, the board of directors has approved the appointment of Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman of AI/ML Innovations Inc., to the additional position of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Daniels has held the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 28, 2023.

###

About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/

AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 12.44% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman

For more information about AI/ML Innovations :

For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

For further information, contact: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@aiml-innovations.com.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For AI/ML Innovations Investors

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, AI/ML Innovations' expectations concerning management's plans, objectives and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company's intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. AI/ML Innovations Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by AI/ML with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Tower Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TWR) ("Tower" or the "Company") is pleased to report on recent exploration developments at its British Columbia properties (see Fig. 1), the Company's plans to resume drilling on the new Thunder Au and Rainbow Cu-Au-Mo discoveries at Rabbit North and initiation of follow-up gold grain sampling at More Creek on the Golden Triangle "Red Line".

Rabbit North

Tower recently received a permit to continue exploration, including diamond drilling, on the Company's 17,526-hectare Rabbit North property near Kamloops, between New Gold's New Afton underground Cu-Au mine and Teck's Highland Valley open pit Cu-Mo mine (see Fig. 2).

Tower is planning a 1500 m follow-up diamond drilling program beginning in the first week of October to further investigate and expand the newly discovered (see Fig. 3 and Tower's March 30 and April 5 and 20 press releases), shear-hosted Thunder Au Zone (initial intersections of twin Au zones <10 m apart comprised, in discovery Hole 039, of 17.9 m @ 1.28 g/t Au and 7.8 m @ 3.79 g/t Au, and 150 m to the southeast in Hole 41, of 13.25 m @ 3.28 g/t Au and 10.12 m @ 2.19 g/t Au) and porphyry-type Rainbow Cu-Au-Mo Zone (72.4 m of 0.27% Cu, 0.40 g/t Au and 0.01% Mo, or 0.57% Cu equivalent, starting near surface in the final drill hole targeting the Thunder Zone, No. 042).

More Creek

The 6430-hectare More Creek property is centrally located in the Golden Triangle of northern B.C. between the Brucejack high-grade epithermal Au and Red Chris porphyry Cu-Au mines (Fig. 4). It is in mountainous terrain and straddles the Triassic Pass Fault, part of the so-called Red Line structural zone within 2 km of which the Brucejack, Eskay Creek, Red Chris and most of the other important mineral deposits of the Golden Triangle are located and to which they appear to be genetically related.

In 2016 Tower performed a small, three-sample gold grain sampling test program on the gravel bed of Arrow Creek, the valley of which traces the Triassic Pass Fault from south to north across the property. A strong gold grain anomaly was identified along the lower, northern part of the creek and its source mineralization was inferred from various lines of evidence to be 1-2 km south up the valley near a small, rapidly receding glacier that feeds the creek. Follow-up sampling was recommended to trace the gold grain anomaly up the creek and pin down its source.

Tower subsequently optioned the property to Volatus Capital Corp. but the recommended sampling program was not performed and the property was recently returned to Tower. Tower has revived the planned survey and expects to receive the gold grain results by late October.

Nechako Gold Property

Tower's 2975-hectare Nechako Gold property is located on the Nechako Plateau in central B.C. (see Fig. 1), 30 km northeast of the 8,000,000-ounce Blackwater Au deposit which is currently under development by Artemis Gold Inc. Between 2016 and 2021 Tower identified a significant gold grain anomaly at the top of a thick till plain and, using a specialized reverse circulation (RC) drill to sample the underlying dispersal train at depth, successfully traced it 3 km up-ice to its source area where several promising, porphyry associated Au-Ag-Pb-Zn intersections were subsequently obtained by diamond drilling.

Tower continues to maintain the Nechako Gold property in good standing while focusing on the Company's new Lightning, Thunder and Rainbow discoveries at Rabbit North (Fig. 3). As the Lightning Zone appears to account for only the western edge of the 400-m-wide Dominic Lake gold grain dispersal train that occurs at the surface of the thick till plain down-ice from the gold zone, consideration is being given to using the RC drilling experience gained at Nechako Gold to search the area to the east for additional gold sources.

Belle Property

Tower optioned its 1670-hectare Belle property in the Toodoggone Area east of the Golden Traingle to Volatus Capital Corp. on August 5, 2020. Volatus completed the earn-in agreement and has returned the property to the vendors.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stuart Averill, P.Geo., a director of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Tower Resources

Tower is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in the Americas. The Company's key exploration assets, both in B.C., are the Rabbit North copper-gold porphyry project located between the New Afton copper-gold and Highland Valley copper mines in the Kamloops mining district and the Nechako gold-silver project near Artemis' Blackwater project.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tower Resources Ltd.

Joe Dhami, President and CEO

(778) 996-4730

www.towerresources.ca

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Figure 1 - Location of Tower's B.C. exploration projects.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/181308_d1149692f495ca7a_002full.jpg

Figure 2 - Location of Tower's Rabbit North property relative to the active mines of the Kamloops district.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/181308_d1149692f495ca7a_003full.jpg

Figure 3 - Locations of Tower's new Thunder Au and Rainbow Cu-Au-Mo discoveries on the Rabbit North property.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5023/181308_d1149692f495ca7a_004full.jpg

Figure 4 - Location of Tower's More Creek property within the Golden Triangle. The black line is the Triassic Pass Fault, part of the so-called Red Line fault zone with which most of the mineral deposits of the Golden Triangle are associated.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181308
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) (FSE: PB7) (the "Company" or "Hypercharge"), a leading, smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, is announcing the final voting results from its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on September 14, 2023. A total of 12,787,200 common shares were represented at the Meeting, representing 18.69% of the 68,416,471 issued and outstanding common shares as at the record date on August 2, 2023.

Each of the nominees proposed for election as a director as listed in the Company's management information circular dated August 2, 2023, was elected by a majority of votes to serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed, as detailed below:

Name of Nominee Votes For % Votes Withheld % David Bibby 12,651,771 99.00 127,669 0.99 Liam Firus 12,648,296 98.97 131,144 1.03 Bronson Peever 12,650,618 98.99 128,822 1.01 Vitaly Golomb 12,744,500 99.73 34,940 0.27 Trent Kitsch 12,742,569 99.71 36,871 0.29 Shahab Samimi 12,743,366 99.72 36,074 0.28

The motion with respect to the appointment of the Company's auditor, Crowe MacKay LLP was approved by a majority of votes. A total of 12,742,594 (99.71%) votes were cast in favour, with 36,846 (0.29%) votes withheld.

The motion with respect to the approval of the amendment to the equity incentive plan was also supported by a majority of votes, with a total of 12,515,703 (97.94%) votes cast in favour, and 263,737 (2.06%) votes against.

Engagement of Investor Relations Providers

Hypercharge is also announcing it has engaged third-party investor relations providers, Sideways Frequency, LLC ("Sideways Frequency") and Marco Messina Consulting ("Marco Messina"), to create and develop digital marketing campaigns and other related services to assist the Company in enhancing its online profile with the global investment community.

Sideways Frequency is a limited liability company existing under the laws of the State of Utah with an office at 1389 Center Dr, Park City, Utah, 84098, USA. The agreement with Sideways Frequency (the "Sideways Agreement") was signed on August 28, 2023, for a term of 7 weeks as of a yet to be determined start date. Sideways Frequency was paid $US 150,000 for services to be rendered. Pursuant to the Sideways Agreement, Sideways Frequency will help raise public awareness of the Company in the U.S. and Canada and help promote the Company's business.

Marco Messina is a consultant resident in the Federal Republic of Germany with an office at Hermine-Berthold-Str. 24, 28205 Bremen, Germany. The agreement with Marco Messina (the "Messina Agreement") was signed on August 28, 2023, for a term of 3 weeks as of a yet to be determined start date. Marco Messina was paid 65,000 for services to be rendered. Pursuant to the Messina Agreement, Marco Messina will help raise public awareness of the Company in Europe and help promote the Company's business.

-##-

About Hypercharge

Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) FSE: PB7) is a leading provider of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions that offers turnkey technology to multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, fleet operations, and other rapidly growing sectors. Driven by its mission to accelerate EV adoption and enable the shift towards a carbon neutral economy, Hypercharge is committed to providing seamless, simple charging solutions by offering industry-leading equipment and a robust network of public and private charging stations. Learn more: https://hypercharge.com/.

On behalf of the company,

Hypercharge Networks Corp.

David Bibby, President & CEO

Investor Relations:

Kelsey Letham | Head of Investor Relations

invest@hypercharge.com

604-881-1730

Media Contact:

Kyle Green | Senior Marketing Manager

kyle.green@hypercharge.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding its engagement with third-party investor relations providers. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements 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 Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither NEO Exchange Inc. nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of NEO Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181309
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision has joined hands with PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh (PT ABT) and WWF-Indonesia to protect endangered species in Sumatra, one of the most biodiverse regions on the Earth.

Sumatra also has one of the highest rates of deforestation on the planet, sometimes with devastating consequences. The Sumatran tiger population numbered at 1,000 in 1978. However, the current number is less than 400. Apart from the Sumatran tiger, the population of the Sumatran elephant and tapirs is also declining. Therefore, the existence of national parks and ecosystem restoration areas has become vital in preserving the forest and protecting the animals.

Committed to sustainable forest management, PT ABT was granted an ecosystem restoration license for a concession of 38,665 ha forest area in Bukit Tigapuluh landscape, located in Tebo District, Jambi (ABT area) in 2015. Now, working in partnership with PT ABT and WWF Indonesia, Hikvision is applying its cutting-edge technologies in the ABT area, bringing more hope to the endangered species.

Save our "furry friends"

Being a tropical lowland forest, the ABT area has very challenging conditions and high-level maintenance requirements. To play a positive role in this conservation project, Hikvision cameras help monitor the area 24/7. In addition, the cameras can also monitor the movement of animals using intelligent technology, especially the endangered species that may come across the area.

As long as animals come into the area under the coverage of Hikvision cameras, images can be captured. The wide home range of the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran elephant makes it difficult to monitor them all. Therefore, the captured images of animals within the range are particularly significant. Hikvision cameras incorporate the latest technology that provides high-quality images to assist observation of animals. In this way, the animals' activity patterns can be learned and further studied.

Fortunately, in February 2023, a Sumatran elephant was captured on camera within the ABT area. This rare sighting serves as a testament to the outcomes of diligent forest restoration and protection efforts. It also underscores the crucial role played by technology in ensuring the survival of one of Sumatra's treasured endemic species.

Highly intelligent and reliable video monitoring 24/7

To ensure the best possible images of the animals and accurately detect their activities, Hikvision has utilized advanced video technologies, including ColorVu. These cameras feature advanced lenses and high-performance sensors, enabling clear day and night images, so the activities of Tapirs, Sumatran tigers, and Sumatran elephants can be observed in detail with vivid color, even in low-light conditions.

Thermal and Optical Bi-Spectrum Speed Dome Cameras have been installed to ensure reliable operation in adverse weather and darkness. Equipped with Hikvision's advanced algorithms, these cameras detect movements based on rules such as Line Crossing, Intrusion Detection, and Entrance & Exit Detection. Alarms are then sent to operators to notify them about the areas traversed by these animals. The bi-spectrum feature combines visual and thermal images, enabling operators to directly monitor the events.

Due to the challenges of deploying power supplies and network cables in the forest, Solar-Powered Standalone Security Cameras have become a more practical solution for off-grid monitoring. These self-sufficient units are waterproof and windproof.

"In tropical rainforests, we feel quite challenging to observe the wildlife in low-light conditions. However, Hikvision's innovative technology have brought positive changes to our work, capturing clear and colorful images," said Dody Rukman Bratamidjaja, CEO of PT ABT, "More than that, it has also improved our efficiency in terms of time and manpower, compared to the previous manual approach."

"Hikvision is so proud that our solutions can help conservationists revolutionize the way they learn about the animals. We hope the improved wildlife observation and protection solutions can help the ABT team to better safeguard the wildlife and biodiversity in Sumatra," said Michael Chen, Country Manager of Hikvision Indonesia.

Join us now

Hikvision is committed to exploring how innovative technology can secure the sustainability and biodiversity of the world. The company has launched the Global STAR Program for Social Good, aiming to benefit communities and protect our valuable nature and culture.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hikvision-technology-makes-a-difference-in-saving-sumatran-endangered-species-301934873.html
The new product leverages generative AI to scale engagement strategies and improve customer retention without adding headcount.

COLOGNE, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Cleverbridge, a growth engine for global technology companies, today announced the launch of CleverAutomations, a new product that leverages ready-to-use automation journeys and self-service transactions to retain and expand customer base revenue.

CleverAutomations seamlessly integrates with a company's CRM system and uses a prompt-based interface to quickly create automation journeys for specific customer segments. The user simply provides their desired business outcome, such as "increase our renewal rate for customers under $10,000 ARR," and end-to-end journeys - including email cadences and custom checkout pages - are generated using built-in best practices from 18+ years of eCommerce experience.

"Every technology company is looking for ways to improve profitability and do more with less," said Wendi Sturgis, Chief Executive Officer of Cleverbridge. "CleverAutomations combines the power of AI, automation, and self-service transactions to deliver a truly differentiated solution that increases customer engagement while improving a business's bottom line. It addresses a very real need in the market, and I can't wait to see the impact it will have on our clients and partners."

With one click, companies can localize all communication in 30 languages, bypassing an issue with traditional marketing automation tools which require the creation of unique templates for each language. Companies can also incorporate A/B tests throughout CleverAutomations to continually test and refine messaging?performance. To cap it off, robust analytics measure engagement at each stage of the customer lifecycle and enable the initiation of automated or semi-automated interventions based on a customer's health score.

ATLAS.ti, a leading provider of qualitative data analysis software, has been using a beta version of CleverAutomations for several months to streamline contract renewals and re-engage recently lost customers. Initial results have been promising, and the company has been able to deliver automations to its customer base in English, Spanish, French, German, and Dutch.

"We've had a longstanding partnership with Cleverbridge and their technology has made a substantial impact on our operations. Therefore, when we learned about the CleverAutomations beta, we eagerly embraced the opportunity to participate," said Jorg Heckler, Chief Executive Officer of ATLAS.ti. "The results have surpassed our expectations. CleverAutomations represents a notable advancement from Cleverbridge, reinforcing its position as an industry leader. Leveraging AI to automate tasks that were once time-consuming and manual has not only boosted our efficiency but also enhanced the customer experience, leading to significant revenue growth."

General availability of CleverAutomations is expected early next year. For more information and to schedule a demo, please visit grow.cleverbridge.com/products/cleverautomations.

About Cleverbridge

Cleverbridge makes it easy to maximize customer lifetime value. We leverage deep eCommerce expertise to orchestrate and automate frictionless self-service transactions across the entire customer journey, empowering customers to purchase, renew, and expand subscriptions in 248 countries and territories globally. For more than 18 years, our Growth Engine has integrated payments with retention marketing, advanced analytics, and partner ecosystems to consistently deliver recurring revenue growth without added headcount. Learn more at grow.cleverbridge.com.

Contact Information

Gordon Knapp

Director, Product Marketing

gordon.knapp@cleverbridge.com

+17573458523

SOURCE: Cleverbridge

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786237/introducing-cleverautomations-ready-to-use-automation-journeys-for-recurring-revenue-growth
Ms. Linh Dao Smooke is to provide strategic insights to help shape Vietnam's near-term policies in the new digital economy in response to the US-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Minister Linh Dao Smooke, Co-founder and COO of HackerNoon, the Colorado-based independent tech publishing platform, has been invited to a private round-table discussion with Vietnam's Minister for Planning and Investment, Nguyen Chi Dung, and to present to Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on Friday, September 22nd in New York, NY.

Linh Dao Smooke

Linh Dao Smooke to discuss Vietnam's workforce and digital readiness with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Alongside prominent Vietnamese tech and business leaders based in the United States, Ms. Linh Dao Smooke is to provide strategic insights to help shape Vietnam's near-term policies in the new digital economy in response to the US-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership following President Joe Biden's recent visit to Vietnam.

Among the key focal points of this partnership is technology transfer, with a notable emphasis on the software, AI, and computing sectors. Consequently, Prime Minister Chinh is keen on harnessing the wisdom of tech leaders of Vietnamese descent in the US to chart a course for Vietnam's future in these tech-driven industries.

Hosted by VietChallenge, an accelerator for Vietnamese startups, the meetings coincide with Prime Minister Chinh's visit to the United States to attend the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit in NYC. Other presenters at this private event are Clearview AI CEO Ton That Hoan, IBM Research Scientist Nam Nguyen, Republic CEO Kendrick Nguyen, and bestselling author / Arsenal Capital Partner John Mattison.

"I'm honored to join this event. Specifically, I'm curious about Prime Minster Chinh and Minister Dung's plan to significantly train up the Vietnamese workforce in the semiconductor business. It all starts with education, in my opinion", said Ms. Linh Dao Smooke in preparation for the event.

Linh's Insights: Charting the Path to Technological Advancement and Education Reform

As the leader of HackerNoon and a leader in the Vietnamese education space prior to HackerNoon, Ms. Smooke will specifically advise Prime Minister Chinh and Minister Dung on strategies to develop Vietnam's workforce in software development and the country's digital readiness for the new digital economy. A transcript of Ms. Smooke's remarks will be available post-event. Here is the rough outline of her planned remarks to the Prime Minister and his delegation:

Investing in Human Capital and Education The Democratization of Education AI and its Impact on Labor & Workforce Investment in Chip-Making Capabilities

About HackerNoon

How hackers start their afternoons. HackerNoon is built for technologists to read, write, and publish. We are an open and international community of 35k+ contributing writers publishing stories and expertise for 4M+ curious and insightful monthly readers. Founded in 2016, HackerNoon is an independent technology publishing platform run by David Smooke and Linh Dao Smooke. Start business blogging today.

Contact Information

Sheharyar Khan

Editor, Business Technology

sheharyar@hackernoon.com

Linh Dao Smooke

COO, HackerNoon

linh@hackernoon.com

SOURCE: HackerNoon

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786245/hackernoon-coo-linh-dao-smooke-to-meet-vietnamese-prime-minister-pham-minh-chinh-to-discuss-software-and-semiconductor-workforce-planning
Capitalizing on its exceptional results, BEST-a, which helps corn to resist drought and offers unique gains in productivity yields, is now available in Europe, Brazil and Ukraine. Elicit Plant aims to pursue its growth with the launch, by the end of the year, of its new innovative solution for sunflower field crops EliSun-a.

During its International Climate Risk Prevention Day on 19 September, Elicit Plant brought together experts from across the globe and agro-industry professionals to discuss the challenges posed by the impact of climate change on agriculture and to examine the solutions.

During this event, the company announced the roll-out of its unique corn solution, BEST-a, in Brazil, Ukraine and throughout Europe by the end of the year, as well as the launch in Europe of a new innovation specially designed for sunflowers: EliSun-a. This announcement confirms the company's commitment to provide high-performance solutions to alleviate water stress in field crops across the world, while fostering synergistic cooperation with other cropping techniques.

Reasons for a state of emergency in corn, cereals and soya beans

Water stress1 is an immediate effect of present-day climate change. It threatens the major agricultural production regions and mainly affects field crops which, due to their size, cannot fully benefit from integrated irrigation systems, as is the case for specialized crops.

"This imbalance is all the more worrying because 50% of the world's calorie intake relies upon just four crops: cereals, rice, corn and soya beans. These crops are often neglected in the fight against drought and if the right solutions are not found, our food security will be threatened. More than ever, our ambition is to fast-track the agricultural world's adaptation to manage the rapid changes brought about by climate change," explains Aymeric Molin, farmer and co-founder of Elicit Plant.

BEST-a corn is ready to establish itself a leader in Europe, following in the footsteps of its remarkable success in France, Ukraine and Brazil.

In light of its accomplishments in France, Brazil and Ukraine, BEST-a, which limits water stress in corn, is now ready to conquer the European Union. Faced with a series of climatic challenges, BEST-a has rapidly earned its place as a key ally for corn field-crop farmers. Its ability to maintain yields during periods of water stress makes it a unique solution on the market. After rising to become market leader in France, Brazil and Ukraine, the product will now be marketed across the European Union by the end of the year.

"The unique performance delivered by BEST-a is undeniable, with yield gains reaching up to one ton on average in optimal conditions. The product's mode of action guarantees consistent performance that is unique on the market, irrespective of the environment. The returns on investment witnessed by farmers in France and across the globe are considerable and we are working with co-operatives and distributors to ensure that farmers get a three-fold return on their investment. By the end of 2023, the product will be available throughout Europe. At present, 300,000 hectares of land will have been treated with our product. In terms of sales forecasts, we anticipate a sharp increase on last year, with figures up to seven times higher than the previous 12 months," concludes Jean-Francois Dechant, CEO of Elicit Plant.

As such, BEST-a is emerging as a genuine asset for modern, responsible agriculture, delivering significant advantages in maintaining yields in spite of the challenges posed by water stress.

EliSun-a, the new innovative solution for protecting sunflower crops

The launch of EliSun-a, which is dedicated to sunflower plants, is the culmination of six years of research. By focusing on the development of phytosterol-based agro-ecological innovations, Elicit Plant is once again offering a new technology adapted to large-scale agriculture, thus delivering significant yields from extensive sunflower crops against a critical backdrop of climate change.

EliSun-a will be available to order from the network of distributors and partners throughout Europe from December 2023. Therefore, farmers will be able to look forward to the 2024 season with ease.

"There are more than 200 different phytosterols in nature. Each one is stress-specific and species-specific.Our technology platform (called EliTerra) has enabled us to develop a new solution that is fully adapted to sunflowers. By 2025, we will also be able to provide new products for straw cereals. Marketing authorization applications are currently ongoing. Elicit Plant continues to innovate and remains committed to cultivating a resilient and prosperous agricultural future," states Jean-Francois Dechant.

About ELICIT PLANT

ELICIT PLANT is an agri-biotech company whose ambition is to become the champion of the ecological transition for agriculture and respond to the global challenges of the impact of climate change on field crops. EliTerra, ELICIT PLANT's proprietary technology, is based on the exogenous contribution of phytosterols, a set of molecules of plant origin, which increases the resistance of plants to stress by eliciting their natural defenses. Large-scale field trials more than 500 trials on three continents have demonstrated that the bio-solutions from the EliTerra Platform are the only ones offering farmers a regular and sufficient return on investment for use on field crops, with an average yield gain of 12%. In 2022, ELICIT PLANT began marketing its BEST-a product line in France, specially designed for corn crops, and has obtained marketing authorizations for Ukraine, Brazil and Europe. For more information: www.elicit-plant.com

1 water stress in a plant takes place when it does not receive enough water to meet its critical needs. This can lead to physiological damage, slow growth and even death if the situation persists.

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920078438/en/

Contacts:

Press:

Anne Laroudie, anne@lanouvelle-agence.com 06 13 09 33 18

Claire Arnoux, c.arnoux@elicit-plant.com
First tour stop in Silicon Valley to feature renowned author and expert on artificial intelligence (AI) and process innovation Tom Davenport , with leaders from Lyft , Deloitte , Fortune Brands Innovations , Enovis , Lyell Immunopharma and more sharing real-life case studies and discussing how organizations can harness AI to accelerate digital modernization

Boomi debuts Boomi AI, providing attendees a hands-on opportunity to experience how Boomi's newest offering connects applications, data, processes, people, and things faster than ever before

Boomi, the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, today announced the Boomi World Tour, a premiere series of exclusive, in-person events bringing together Boomi customers, prospects, and partners to hear directly from Boomi leadership, industry experts, and visionaries on how organizations can leave complexity behind and synchronize everything, everywhere, with AI-driven integration and automation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921479137/en/

Boomi Launches World Tour, Bringing Together Visionary Leaders and Industry Experts to Prepare Businesses for the AI Revolution (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Boomi World Tour is a series of 10 events over eight weeks, including three Partner Summits designed especially for Boomi partners, global systems integrators, and OEMs. The tour kicks off in Menlo Park, CA, October 3-4, 2023, where attendees will have opportunities to connect and learn throughout the two days, with an action-packed agenda:

Day 1 October 3, 2023 Boomi World Tour Silicon Valley

Boomi CEO Steve Lucas describes how artificial intelligence will change the entire data integration and automation landscape, enabling businesses to overcome digital fragmentation, application sprawl, and other pressing challenges.

describes how artificial intelligence will change the entire data integration and automation landscape, enabling businesses to overcome digital fragmentation, application sprawl, and other pressing challenges. Esteemed author and expert on AI and process innovation Tom Davenport talks about his new book "All In on AI," and how organizations can harness AI technologies to revolutionize their business.

talks about his new book "All In on AI," and how organizations can harness AI technologies to revolutionize their business. Boomi's Chief Product and Technology Officer , Ed Macosky (CPTO) ; Head of Engineering , Rajesh Raheja ; and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) , Matt McLarty reveal recent product advancements, demonstrate Boomi AI in action, and discuss Boomi's product vision for the future.

, ; , ; and , reveal recent product advancements, demonstrate Boomi AI in action, and discuss Boomi's product vision for the future. Boomi's ?Chief Marketing Officer, Alison Biggan, moderates a panel with CTO Matt McLarty ; Head of Architecture and AI Strategy Mike Bachman ; Global Head of Product Marketing Ann Maya , and Lyell Immunopharma's Director , Corporate IT , Sean Doyle as they conduct a thought-provoking and interactive session about how to get AI-ready and the impact generative AI could have on businesses.

moderates a panel with ; ; , and , , as they conduct a thought-provoking and interactive session about how to get AI-ready and the impact generative AI could have on businesses. As the event's host and MC, renowned Silicon Valley Technology Correspondent Lisa Martin moderates a Boomi customer and partner panel with Deloitte , Lyft Inc. , Fortune Brands Innovations , and Enovis Corporation as they share how their organizations have harnessed the power of the Boomi platform to drive radical innovation, overcome integration challenges, and achieve remarkable results.

moderates a Boomi customer and partner panel with , , , and as they share how their organizations have harnessed the power of the Boomi platform to drive radical innovation, overcome integration challenges, and achieve remarkable results. A Product Strategy Deep Dive will feature an interactive escape room experience where attendees get hands-on with the Boomi platform.

Boomi will also unveil the North America winners of the Boomi Customer Innovation Awards, highlighting their successful, real-life use cases.

Day 2 October 4, 2023 Boomi Partner Summit

Boomi's North America Partner Summit features a full day of educational content and focused listening sessions, providing partners an opportunity to learn about Boomi's product roadmap and updates to its partner program. Highlights will include:

Welcome and opening remarks from Boomi CEO Steve Lucas.

A series of sessions featuring Boomi executives: Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels Dan McAllister spotlights the "Power of the Partner;" CTO Matt McLarty provides perspectives on Boomi AI and emerging trends; and CPTO Ed Macosky dives into a partner-focused product discussion.

A celebration of the North America winners of Boomi's annual Partner Awards.

"Businesses today are overwhelmed with IT complexity, digital fragmentation, and application sprawl, to name just a few challenges. They're hearing that AI is the answer to their problems, but they aren't sure how to effectively use it," said Steve Lucas, Chief Executive Officer at Boomi. "At the Boomi World Tour and Partner Summit events, business leaders will learn how to future-proof their organizations, overcome complexity, and stay ahead of the rapid pace of change with AI-powered intelligent integration and automation."

Next Stops on the Boomi World Tour

The Boomi World Tour is traveling to preeminent cities around the globe, featuring unique content, local leaders, and innovative customers at each stop. Upcoming tour stops include:

London, UK October 10, 2023

Featuring guest speaker Andrew Humphreys, Senior Director Analyst, Gartner

October 10, 2023 Featuring guest speaker Andrew Humphreys, Senior Director Analyst, Gartner Amsterdam, Netherlands October 12, 2023

Featuring guest speaker Shawn Rogers, CEO, BARC US

October 12, 2023 Featuring guest speaker Shawn Rogers, CEO, BARC US Lisbon, Portugal October 30 31, 2023

EMEA Partner Summit

October 30 31, 2023 EMEA Partner Summit Sydney, Australia November 14, 2023

APJ Analyst Day and Partner Summit

November 14, 2023 APJ Analyst Day and Partner Summit Sydney, Australia November 15, 2023

Featuring guest speaker Matt Boon, Senior Research Director, ADAPT

Register today for these free, in-person events.

Additional Resources

Learn more about the Boomi platform

Explore the Boomiverse Community

Follow Boomi on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube

About Boomi

Boomi aims to make the world a better place by connecting everyone to everything, anywhere. The pioneer of cloud-based integration platform as a service (iPaaS), and now a category-leading, global software as a service (SaaS) company, Boomi touts the largest customer base among integration platform vendors and a worldwide network of approximately 800 partners including Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte, SAP, and Snowflake. Global organizations turn to Boomi's award-winning platform to discover, manage, and orchestrate data, while connecting applications, processes, and people for better, faster outcomes. For more information, visit https://boomi.com.

 2023 Boomi, LP. Boomi, the 'B' logo, and Boomiverse are trademarks of Boomi, LP or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Other names or marks may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921479137/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations Contact:

Kristen Walker

Global Corporate Communications

kristenwalker@boomi.com

+1-415-613-8320
Charting the course for a new era of conversational AI, Rasa is set to unveil its latest innovations around Generative AI and safely leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to build outstanding conversational experiences.

LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasa, a leader in Conversational AI technology, is pleased to announce its Premier Platinum partnership with Chatbot Summit for its 7th international edition of the event, taking place at the ICC ExCeL London on 11-12 October 2023.

Rasa is excited to join Chatbot Summit's ecosystem and partner with Sunrize to help accelerate the adoption of Conversational & Generative AI together.

Rasa is at the forefront pioneering the way for next-level conversational AI assistants, enabling enterprises to create adaptive brand experiences for their customers by handling conversations fluently and with more resilience than ever before. Rasa is designed to provide you with the best of both worlds: superior dialogue management that remains firmly aligned with pre-defined business logic for maximum reliability and security, and at the same time offering maximum ease of use during the AI assistant building process. All this is possible by leveraging LLMs at the core of its platform so you can provide a truly elevated conversational customer experience.

Rasa's CTO & Co-founder Dr. Alan Nichol and Chief Customer Officer, Patrick Viau, have invited Deutsche Telekom to join them on stage to talk about how Rasa is working with Telekom to create smart AI assistants and to share Rasa's vision on the future of how generative AI is shaping customer interactions. Also, don't miss another session with Dr. Alan Nichol on "The new Rasa Platform: Low-code and pro-code development of LLM-native, reliable assistants".

"We are excited to be partnering with the Chatbot Summit at such a monumental time in the industry and to be unveiling Rasa's game-changing product innovation at the event!" Patrick Viau, Chief Customer Officer

Stop by booth A600 to:

Hear more about Rasa's big product announcement

Learn how Rasa helps you to create intuitive customer experiences

Share your thoughts, ask your questions, and meet with Rasa experts

About Rasa



Rasa is the leading open generative conversational AI platform to build and deliver next-level AI assistants. With Rasa, brands can leverage the power of generative AI to create adaptive brand experiences for their users. By automating processes, improving customer satisfaction, and gathering valuable insights, Rasa enables brands to create exceptional customer interactions while reducing costs. Trusted by startups to Fortune 500 companies, Rasa ensures data privacy, security, and scalability for enterprises of all sizes. Rasa is privately held, with funding from Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, and Basis Set Ventures. www.rasa.com

Want to meet with us live at the summit in London?

About Chatbot Summit | The Home of World-Leading Bots



Following the success of previous editions held in Berlin, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, which collectively connected over 10,000 leaders in Generative and Conversational AI, Chatbot Summit has chosen ExCeL London as its new home, with the support of London & Partners and Visit Britain.

This eagerly awaited event is set to take place at the ExCeL Capital Suite, drawing in over 1,000 leaders who will gather to learn, connect, collaborate, and collectively shape the market and set the tone for our future.

To learn more about Chatbot Summit, please visit our website at www.chatbotsummit.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rasa-is-proud-to-announce-its-premier-partnership-at-chatbot-summit-excel-london-2023-301933851.html


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Senate has confirmed Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. as the United States' next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after monthslong hold of hundreds of military promotions by Senator Tommy Tuberville.



To override the Republican lawmaker's bloc, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer filed cloture to vote separately on the nomination of three top military nominees Wednesday, including the Marine Corps commandant, and the Army chief of staff.



The Senate confirmed General Brown's nomination by 83 to 11 votes.



The motion to confirm the new Army chief of staff and the new Marine Corps commandant is expected to be put to vote Thursday.



Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized the Alabama Senator's blockade on key military nominations, saying, 'Senator Tuberville's continued hold on hundreds of our nation's military leaders endangers our national security and military readiness'. 'It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees. The brave men and women of the U.S. military deserve to be led by highly-qualified general and flag officers at this critical moment for our national security. And their families, who also sacrifice so much every day on our behalf, deserve certainty and our nation's unwavering support'.



Austin vowed that he will 'continue to personally engage with members of Congress in both parties until all of these well-qualified, apolitical officers are confirmed.'



In a statement congratulating General Brown's confirmation, Austin said, 'He will be a tremendous leader of our joint force and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity'.



Gen. Charles Quinton Brown Jr. is a U.S. Air Force general who currently serves as the Air Force chief. He is the first African American to lead a specific branch of the United States Armed Forces.



A command pilot with more than 2,900 flying hours, he will succeed Gen Mark Milley as the 21st chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Nitek, Inc. ("Nitek"), a pioneering American company in UV LEDs, has announced that it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Photon Wave Co., Ltd. ("Photon Wave"), a Korean UV LED manufacturer in the Eastern District of Texas.

In the complaint, Nitek asserts that LED products of ams OSRAM, a German LED company, use Photon Wave's infringing LEDs.

Nitek also contends that Photon Wave has failed to cease selling infringing products, even after getting continuous warning notices of the patent infringement, and therefore Nitek is not only seeking a permanent injunction against the sales of infringing products but also pursuing 3 times damages for willful patent infringement.

Nitek has previously successfully won its patent lawsuit against another international LED maker, and continues its enforcement against other infringers. Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. ("SETi"), an affiliate of Nitek, has also obtained a permanent injunction for patent infringement against Bolb, Inc., a UV LED company co-founded by former SETi employees. Critically, the effects of this permanent injunction order also apply to officers and employees of Bolb, Inc.

About Nitek

Nitek is a pioneer in the field of LED Semiconductor EMS industry. The company's Main target Business is LED LED EMS Business in the NA Market, which is using LED from 200nm 1800nm. Nitek was founded in 2007 with the goal of commercializing LED technologies. Nitek has extensive experience in LED materials, devices, and application systems development to support. LED Module Engine Assembly Products include Design support.

About SETi

Sensor Electronic Technology, inc. (SETi), a division of Seoul Viosys, is a leading supplier of deep UV LEDs (emission wavelengths shorter than 340nm), as well as a broad portfolio of UV-B and UV-C LED products and application solutions. Established in 1999, the company holds more than 2,000 patents through long-term R&D and extensive technology expertise. The company is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs of customers and stakeholders through the highest level of quality management. SETi has also collaborated with parent company Seoul Viosys since 2005, resulting in the development of Violeds technology for UV LED-based disinfection, deodorization, phototherapy and curing. SETi was completely acquired by Seoul Viosys in 2015. To learn more, visit http://www.s-et.com/en/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921953772/en/

Contacts:

Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Jinseop Jung

+82-1566-2771

jjs8732@seoulsemicon.com
Female-Founded Startup Debuts World's First CBD Tampon, Diagnostic Tampon and Virtual Period Pain Clinic in the U.S. to Usher in a New Category of Healthcare: "Tampon Gynecology"

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Today, award-winning gynecological health startup Daye is launching in the U.S., giving Americans access to the most innovative products in menstrual, vaginal and hormonal healthcare.

Founded in the U.K., Daye is best known for having invented the world's first and only Cannabidiol (CBD) Tampon that is now used by over 100,000 women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals.

Daye provides women and AFAB individuals with products and services designed by an expert team of scientists and biomedical engineers to support a myriad of gynecological needs. Its groundbreaking products include a first-of-its-kind Diagnostic Tampon for at-home vaginal health screening and the world's first virtual Period Pain Clinic , which facilitates faster diagnosis of chronic gynecological conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, as well as providing patients with comprehensive, personalized pain management plans which combine the best treatments available in both pharmacology and holistic medicine.

With up to 90% of women reporting pain during menstruation and 43% reporting pain with every menstrual cycle*, Daye is on a mission to overcome gender biases in medical research and close the gender pain gap by creating products based on a balance of scientific innovation and female intuition. "When it comes to healthcare for the female body, the system is broken and rife with historical gender biases," said Valentina Milanova, founder of Daye. "At Daye, we strive to not only bring awareness to the significant health gap that exists in medical research and innovation, but also close it by creating gynecological products that solve issues that directly impact the health of women and AFAB individuals."

Daye's Diagnostic Tampon provides an at-home test to screen for vaginal infections, with the opportunity to screen for STIs and HPV on the horizon in early 2024. More effective than using a swab to obtain a sample, Daye's Diagnostic Tampon is a non-invasive screening method that tests the vaginal microbiome, which is quickly emerging as a key predictor of the risk for several gynecological health outcomes such as fertility challenges and miscarriage.

The goal of Daye's Diagnostic Tampon is to provide women and AFAB individuals with comprehensive, accessible, and easy-to-use methods for insights into their sexual and reproductive health, no matter their stage of life. Upon receipt of results, patients can also book consultations with vetted specialists through Daye's online health platform and obtain prescriptions for their symptoms from gynecologists and pharmacists.

Daye is also debuting its Period Pain Clinic in the U.S., which is a virtual tool that helps expedite the time to diagnosis for chronic, underappreciated conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. Women in the U.S. can suffer from endometriosis an average of 4 - 11 years before being properly diagnosed.** Daye's Period Pain Clinic exists to facilitate faster diagnosis of these kinds of chronic pain conditions, provide education around a patient's risk of endometriosis, PCOS, adenomyosis, fibroids and chronic pelvic inflammation, and create personalized pain management plans tailored to an individual's needs and lifestyle.

Additionally, the brand is introducing its famed CBD Tampon in the U.S. market, which delivers 100mg of medical-grade CBD extract directly to the vagina. Daye's "Nude" Tampon will also be available in the U.S. market, which, like the CBD tampon, is 100% organic, made using ethically sourced materials, free of dyes, pesticides and fragrances. Daye's tampons are free of plastic, rayon, chlorine bleach, dioxin, phthalates and fragrances - all of which have been commonly found in mainstream tampons. They are also housed in a sustainable sugarcane applicator and flushable, ocean-safe wrapper, allowing Daye to reduce non-recyclable plastic waste and promote greener periods.

In addition to these products and services, Daye will be offering Bamboo Menstrual Pads , ProViotics to support gut and vaginal microbiome health and CBD Balm to encourage relaxation for aching muscles or PMS-ing bellies.

A majority of modern medications, even those specifically made for women, were never tested on the female physiology, as women were not allowed to participate in clinical trials until 1993.*** Through product innovation that is rooted in scientific data and guided by customer feedback, Daye is working toward bridging the gender gap in medical research and innovation.

# # #

Notes to Editors

*Source: National Library of Medicine

**Source: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology

***Source: National Institutes of Health

About Daye

Daye is a female-founded gynecological health startup and is fast becoming the leading destination for menstrual pain management, vaginal health, and hormonal awareness. Founded in 2018, the company has raised almost $24 million (19 million).

On a mission to overcome historical gender biases and close the gender gap in medical research and innovation, Daye intends to 'put your gynecological health back in your own hands' by pioneering gynocentric research and creating revolutionary products and services for period pain, menstrual care and at-home testing for STIs, HPV and vaginal infections.

Daye's goal is to empower women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals to take control of their gynecological health. From calming menstrual care products to cutting-edge virtual diagnosis, all of Daye's products and services are personalized, advanced, fuss-free and supported by science.

Known for having invented the world's first and only Cannabidiol (CBD) Tampon - which has achieved ISO 13485 certification, meaning it reaches the highest standards possible for medical devices - as well as a first-of-its-kind at-home Diagnostic Tampon, Daye has been recognized by WIRED as one of London's hottest startups in 2022 and 2019. Daye's founder, Valentina Milanova, was also named on the 2023 Forbes 30Under30 Europe list . For more information, please visit yourdaye.com and @yourdaye on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact

press@yourdaye.com

SOURCE: Daye

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786219/pioneering-gynecological-health-startup-famed-for-reinventing-the-tampon-launches-in-the-us
EVRY (dpa-AFX) - French food retailer Carrefour Group (CRERF.PK, CRRFY.PK) Thursday said it has reached an agreement with El Corte Ingles to acquire 47 stores under the SuperCor banner in Spain. The enterprise value of the transaction is 60 million euros. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close before the end of the first semester 2024. The deal includes supermarkets and convenience stores notably located in the regions of Madrid, Catalonia, Andalucia and Comunidad Valenciana. Carrefour plans to convert the acquired stores to the Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express and Supeco banners. The converted stores are expected to benefit from Carrefour's strong brand equity, commercial policy, products under Carrefour brand and purchasing conditions. 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.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Bloomberg:

Originally published on bloomberg.com

11-week philanthropic and corporate effort will champion climate solutions and mobilize action ahead of the UN climate summit in the United Arab Emirates

Bloomberg Countdown kicks off with historic announcement of the first-ever COP-hosted "Local Climate Action Summit" in Dubai to formally recognize local leaders' critical role in the climate fight

Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, announced the Bloomberg Countdown to COP28, an annual effort designed to turbocharge climate progress from public, private, and civil society actors around the world. This year, Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg Philanthropies, and their partners will embark on a countdown with a series of initiatives, reports, and partnerships to help deliver on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for transformative and decisive action ahead of this year's COP in Dubai.

COP28 will be a milestone moment as the world comes together to deliver the Global Stocktake - the first-ever comprehensive assessment of national contributions and progress against the goals of the Paris Agreement, including keeping global temperatures below 1.5 degrees.

"In the leadup to COP28, one thing is clear - we must move faster and do more, at every level and across every sector, to curb emissions," said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. "Across Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, our teams will continue working with our partners to accelerate the clean energy transition, empower local climate action, and mobilize businesses and financial institutions. Given the threat of climate change to public health and the economy, there is no time to waste."

"As we approach COP28, the global stocktake is our compass - telling us where we are and where we need to go," said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. "The global stocktake is a critical opportunity for immediate course correction, a moment when the world can assess its trajectory and recalibrate its efforts. The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Our planet is in peril and this is our best chance to strengthen climate policies and turn commitments into action. Businesses, investors and cities all play a crucial role in delivering this action and mobilizing this action and these stakeholders is critical to delivery of the goals of the Paris Agreement."

At the UN Secretary-General's Climate Ambition Summit, Mike Bloomberg kicked off this year's Bloomberg Countdown by announcing the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit alongside COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, marking the first time a COP Presidency has announced a formal summit designed to bring subnational leaders into the COP program and process.

"Mike Bloomberg brings an unparalleled commitment to climate action. He has dedicated his life to building coalitions across the public and private sectors to drive meaningful climate impact," said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate. "As we continue moving towards this year's COP28, one which is underpinned by a core pillar of full inclusivity, I look forward to working with Mike and cities, the private sector, and many more core constituencies in the COP process."

In its third year, Bloomberg's Countdown to COP28 builds on the actions taken by Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg Philanthropies, and their partners in the leadup to COP27 in Egypt and COP26 in Glasgow. Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P., the global business and financial information and news leader, will support the UAE Presidency as an official partner of COP28, with a focus around three priority themes: catalyzing cities, states, and subnational action; supporting the COP28 energy transition action agenda; and increasing clean energy development and capital mobilization. At COP28, Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies will continue its annual support of several pavilions across the Blue and Green Zones, including the UN Climate Change Pavilion, and host a series of sponsored events, installations, and engagement programs. This year will also deepen the legacy of Bloomberg's work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Catalyzing Cities, States, and Subnational Action

In line with the COP28 Presidency and UNFCCC's commitment to an inclusive COP28, Bloomberg Philanthropies is working to facilitate an inaugural global delegation of mayors and governors at the World Climate Action Summit, which will firmly establish subnational governments' voices in global climate talks. The complementary COP28 Local Climate Action Summit, co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the COP28 Presidency, will unite subnational and national leaders to establish a new paradigm for fully integrated climate action between governments at all levels.

The Summit will be supported by world-class networks and organizations, including ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, University of Maryland, The Climate Group, Under2 Coalition, UN-Habitat, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and others.

Additionally, Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies will collaborate with regional organizations and programs in the UAE on cultural and community-focused engagements that will inspire local climate action, engage young people, and create a lasting legacy for COP28 in the Middle East.

Bloomberg L.P. Editorial, Research and Media

Building on Mike Bloomberg's longstanding commitment to delivering accurate, transparent climate and energy data to government, businesses, and financial leaders ahead of international policy negotiations, Bloomberg L.P. will help provide access to comprehensive data, insights, and expert analysis to ensure decision-makers around the world have the data points they need to take meaningful climate action.

BloombergNEF (BNEF) will provide key insights on the transition to a low-carbon economy and will publish timely new research throughout the countdown including: Climatescope, a market assessment tool, report and index that evaluates the relative readiness of individual nations to put energy transition investment to work effectively; a NetZero Pathfinders report on policies for greening heavy industry; the Zero-Emission Vehicles Factbook, which documents the progress that has been made towards global net zero in the road transport sector; as well as the Climate Policy Factbook: COP28 Edition, an annual report that evaluates the progress made by each G-20 nation and informs policy priorities ahead of COP28.

Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) will deliver a suite of research reports and host events around key COP focus areas sharing insights, perspectives and implications for companies and investors.

Bloomberg Green, the editorial brand of Bloomberg L.P. focused on climate change and the energy transition, will lift its paywall to provide free content for the duration of COP28 and host live events in ??Dubai. Audiences will find content powered by Bloomberg's exclusive data and reporting across the Green website, two daily newsletters, a special section in the Bloomberg Green magazine, timely episodes of the Zero podcast, television, video, and more.

Through a Bloomberg for Education and Bloomberg Corporate Philanthropy partnership, students from across the globe will have free access to a series of interactive, e-learning courses - including a new ESG certificate - for the duration of COP28. The CPD-accredited courses feature financial case studies, real world data, and hands-on learning exercises for students of all levels. Across three distinct certificates, participants can gain a fundamental understanding of the financial ecosystem, and the different career paths available, learn how different markets develop and interact, and explore the principles of sustainable investing.

Improving Disclosure, Access and Transparency to Climate-related Data

To help inform financial markets and other stakeholders driving the transition to a net-zero economy, Mike Bloomberg established both the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) and the Climate Data Steering Committee (CDSC) to increase transparency and access to key climate-related information. Formed in 2015 by the Financial Stability Board, and Chaired by Mike Bloomberg, the TCFD's disclosure framework helped increase consistency and comparability of climate-related financial disclosures for investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters around the world. After global adoption of the framework from companies, standard setters, and regulatory bodies, the TCFD will issue its final Status Report in October 2023.

Supported by Mike Bloomberg and recommended by the CDSC, the Net-Zero Data Public Utility (NZDPU) will bring greater transparency and data integrity to financial markets and consumers and provide the ability to monitor progress against emissions reductions targets. A proof of concept will be delivered by COP28 and once developed, the NZDPU is intended to ultimately be integrated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)'s Global Climate Action Portal.

Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition and Capital Mobilization

Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies will continue their respective efforts to help move the world beyond coal, accelerate the clean energy transition, and advance stronger climate actions from carbon-intensive industries that help put them on net-zero pathways. Through ongoing stewardship of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI), dedicated personnel from Bloomberg L.P. are helping both to harness the power of capital markets to support the transition to a net-zero economy.

Ahead of COP28, GFANZ will publish a set of resources that will help describe and measure transition finance, and will continue to work with public and private sector stakeholders to tackle the energy transition in hard-to-abate sectors. Working with international financial institutions, GFANZ will continue efforts to mobilize capital for just transitions in emerging markets and developing economies including ongoing support for the Indonesia and Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs). In parallel, CFLI - through its Country Pilots in India and Colombia - will continue to work with local and international financial institutions and corporates, and public finance institutions and governments, to mobilize private capital for country-tailored catalytic financing and policy solutions in sectors critical to supporting these countries' climate ambitions.

Unlocking ESG Investment with Data and Solutions

Bloomberg L.P.'s Sustainable Finance Solutions team will continue to expand its award-winning range of ESG data and analytics to help investors understand their exposure to climate risk, including transition and physical risk, and make well informed investment decisions.

Bloomberg and COP

Globally recognized for his work to fight climate change and accelerate the energy transition, Mike Bloomberg has long been dedicated to strengthening climate capacity across the UN and promoting climate ambition and solutions at previous COPs. To date, Mike's commitment to strengthen and support the UN's climate agenda has included filling the funding gap created when the Trump Administration revoked federal financial support, publishing annual assessments of U.S. subnational action to reduce emissions consistent with the Paris Agreement, and bringing together influential change-makers and leaders from across government, business, finance, technology, media, and the arts to help accelerate the clean energy transition, inspire local climate action, mobilize climate finance, and protect the ocean.

To learn more about Bloomberg L.P.'s sustainability initiatives and to read the latest 2022 Impact Report, visit www.bloomberg.com/impact. Bloomberg Philanthropies' 2022 Annual Report is available at https://annualreport.bloomberg.org/.

About Bloomberg on Climate:

Led by Michael R. Bloomberg, a global climate champion and Special Envoy to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. are tackling the climate crisis from every angle. Bloomberg Philanthropies is at the forefront of U.S. and global efforts to fight climate change and protect the environment, bringing together mayors and other government and business leaders, grassroots partners, and environmental advocates and scientists across a key array of issues. These philanthropic efforts are accelerating the transition from coal to clean energy, improving air quality and public health, advancing city and local climate action, protecting and preserving ocean ecosystems, and helping unlock billions of dollars in sustainable finance. At the same time, Bloomberg LP is providing the global financial community with data-driven insights, news, and analysis on climate-related issues. As a company, Bloomberg LP is also leading by example, including committing to 100% renewable energy by 2025 and taking action in the communities where its employees live and work. And through stewardship of the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, dedicated personnel from Bloomberg L.P. are helping to harness the power of the capital markets to address climate change and support the transition to a net-zero economy.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed US$ 1.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Bloomberg L.P.:

Bloomberg is a global leader in business and financial information, delivering trusted data, news, and insights that bring transparency, efficiency, and fairness to markets. The company helps connect influential communities across the global financial ecosystem via reliable technology solutions that enable our customers to make more informed decisions and foster better collaboration. For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo.

Media Contacts:

Oisin O Malley - Bloomberg LP

oomalley2@bloomberg.net

Daphne Wang - Bloomberg Philanthropies

daphne@bloomberg.org



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bloomberg on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bloomberg

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bloomberg

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bloomberg

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786249/un-special-envoy-michael-r-bloomberg-launches-third-annual-bloomberg-wide-countdown-to-cop28
New Approach to Measuring Impact of Counselling to Deliver Next Generation Care to Mental Health Sufferers in North America

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd. (CSE: CGN) (OTCQB: CGNSF) (FSE: 1UB) ("the Company" or "Cognetivity"), a leading artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare technology company is delighted to announce a partnership with No Fear Counselling, the leading and rapidly growing Vancouver-based counselling practice with over 150 therapists and a network of 60 locations. This groundbreaking partnership, utilising Cognetivity's AI powered CognICA technology, promises to usher in a new era of mental well-being by providing cutting-edge tools to assess and enhance cognitive health.

In today's ever-evolving landscape of mental health, the need for effective interventions and continuous monitoring of cognitive well-being has never been more crucial, but until now the ability to precisely and frequently measure cognitive function has not been available outside of expensive clinics. No Fear Counselling recognizes this imperative and is committed to offering its clients the most advanced solutions available. With the Canadian mental health market estimated at US$ 1.68 billion in 2023, and the overall US behavioural health market size of $87.3 billion in 2022, rising to $136.6 billion by 2032, the delivery of these represents a high growth opportunity for both No Fear and Cognetivity.

Cognetivity's revolutionary AI technology offers a quick and simple to use yet powerful means to measure and understand brain health, through its ability to measure small changes in brain function, allowing detection of brain health issues at the earliest stage and measuring the impact of interventions such as therapy and counselling. In the treatment of mental health issues, this capability enables a more profound connection and feedback on treatment effectiveness between patients and therapists, enabling personalized and effective care like never before. By partnering with Cognetivity, No Fear Counselling is demonstrating its unwavering dedication to providing clients with comprehensive and cutting-edge mental health care.

"No Fear Counselling is thrilled to join forces with Cognetivity to elevate our commitment to our clients' mental well-being," said Harry Parmar, Managing Partner at No Fear Counselling. "As effective interventions emerge for cognitive decline, there has never been a more important time to consistently check in with your brain health. With the right measurement tool, our brains can get the attention they deserve - and that tool is Cognetivity."

"No Fear Counselling's deserved reputation as a leader in the counseling industry aligns perfectly with our mission to empower individuals with the ability to monitor and improve their cognitive health," said Sina Habibi, CEO at Cognetivity stated. "By adding the unique capabilities of our CognICA technology to detect brain health issues, give feedback and measure the impact of interventions, whether clinical, through therapy or lifestyle improvement, No Fear stands at the forefront of the next generation of effective, personalized care. We're very excited to embark on this journey together, redefining the standards of mental health care."

The collaboration between No Fear Counselling and Cognetivity is a testament to their shared vision of a future where mental health is enhanced through accessible, innovative, and personalized solutions. It marks a significant milestone in the evolution of mental health care, setting a new standard for the industry and opening a vast market in North America and beyond. This approach aligns perfectly with Cognetivity Neurosciences' mission to utilize its AI platform technology to transform the landscape of brain health globally, enhance the quality of care provided to patients and to reduce the burden and cost to providers and payers, delivering the company's vision of A Brighter Mind for a Fuller Life.



The Company has also issued to certain employees 968,000 common shares of the Company at $0.15 per share as consideration for their services and loyalty for the last year during the challenging financial markets.

About Cognetivity Neurosciences

Cognetivity is a technology company that has developed a cognitive testing platform for use in medical, commercial, and consumer environments. Cognetivity's CognICATM uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to test the performance of large areas of the brain to help detect early signs of cognitive dysfunction. CognICA is currently available for clinical use in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada and the Middle East, with regulatory approval in other regions expected later in 2023.

About No Fear Counselling

No Fear Counselling is a leading counseling practice based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With over 150 dedicated therapists and a network of 60 locations, No Fear Counselling is committed to providing compassionate and effective mental health care. Their mission is to empower individuals to lead healthier, happier lives.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Sina Habibi"

Sina Habibi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release, including those identified by the words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" and similar expressions, to the extent they relate to the Company or its management, constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, the "Forward-Looking Statements"). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Such statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such statements and information are based on a number of assumptions regarding our current and future business strategies and the environment in which we operate. We assume no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange is not responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, please visit: website: www.cognetivity.com or contact: info@cognetivity.com; media inquiries can be sent to pr@cognetivity.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181394
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / CMC Metals Ltd. (TSX-V:CMB)(Frankfurt:ZM5P)(OTCQB:CMCXF) ("CMC" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a review of its exploration activities conducted in the Rancheria Silver District, south-central Yukon and northern British Columbia in 2023 which have also been discussed in the "Hello Investors, August 2023 edition (see in our website at www.cmcmetals.ca).

The Rancheria Silver District in south central Yukon and northern British Columbia is a 130km by 50km area that has the potential to host significant silver-lead-zinc-gold-critical mineral carbonate replacement deposits ("CRD's"), vein and skarn deposits. The district is host to the Silvertip Deposit one of the highest- grade underground silver-lead-zinc mines in the world owned by Couer Mining Inc. The district is highly comparable to the highly prolific Coeur d'Alene silver belt in Idaho, USA and therefore became an area of exploration interest to CMC Metals Ltd. CMC historically was active in the Rancheria Silver District with its flagship Silver Hart Property and subsequently since 2020 has acquired additional holdings in the District through option agreements including the Blue Heaven property (immediately adjacent to Silver Hart, Yukon) and in British Columbia the Silverknife Property (immediately adjacent and west of the Silvertip Mine Property) and the Amy Property located eight kilometers to the west of the Silvertip mine.

The focus of 2023 exploration efforts was on the Silverknife Property. A total of 11 diamond drill holes (2,143.6 meters) were completed (see Map 1). Drilling was conducted on two areas of the property namely (i) Tootsee South; and (ii) the Silverknife Prospect.

Tootsee South

At Tootsee South, the target was a coincident gravity anomaly that was thought to represent a repeat geological sequence to that of the Silvertip mine area. This area is in a low valley area and is characterized by up to 50 meters or more of glacial till and subsequently there are no exposures of rock outcrops to help further guide drilling efforts. Two drill holes (435.60) meters were drilled and encountered the Cretaceous aged Cassiar granite/granodiorite which intruded the overlying and much older sedimentary sequences including limestones which are prime host rocks for carbonate replacement deposits which is the setting for the Silvertip mine. The Cassiar granite is an important feature as it provides the heat driver for the mineralizing fluids to intrude into the overlying sediments. Crews also mapped the area immediately north of Tootsee South and confirmed the presence of the McDame limestone unit (which is the host unit for a majority of the Silvertip deposit to date), immediately north of the Tootsee River.

CMC also completed a ground gravity survey in the south-central portion of the property including covering the Silverknife Prospect (see news release, August 8, 2023 "CMC Metals Ltd. Identifies Gravity Anomalies at the Silverknife Prospect Area within its Silverknife Property, Northern British Columbia"). Interesting enough the results of this survey further served to refine the location of the gravity area in the Tootsee River area which is now better defined to occur north of the Tootsee River, remains coincident with conductivity anomalies and also with the occurrence of the McDame limestone unit. Due to access issues which have now been resolved, this area could not be drilled in 2023. However, it remains a prime target in 2024 and beyond in our pursuit for the discovery of CRD deposits in the Rancheria Silver District. Of particular note is that immediately north of the Tootsee North area is a known mineral occurrence (The Berg Prospect), which is known to show CRD style mineralization.

Silverknife Prospect

CMC completed 9 holes (approximately 2,007 meters) at the Silverknife Prospect. Previously CRD mineralization was identified in drilling campaigns completed in the mid 1980's by previous operators at the Silverknife Prospect which now extends westwards from the Silvertip mining tenure into CMC's Silverknife property. CMC became interested in Silverknife initially due to this prospect where historical drilling was conducted in three distinct campaigns: 1985 (30 holes - 2,344.70 m), 1986 (3 holes - unknown metreage) and 1987 (17 holes -1,822.44 m) for a total of 50 holes totalling 4,167.14 m served to identify an historic and non 43-101 compliant resource of 362,880 tonnes with an undetermined grade but with weighted assay average values of 511 g/t Ag, 3.7 g/t Au, 12.5% Pb and 4.8% Zn. There were some interesting drill intercepts on the Silverknife property side during this drilling including:

87-35: 18.02 meters of 4.17 oz/t (146.2 g/t) silver, 1.67% lead and 3.02% zinc.

87-38: 9.99 meters of 5.36 oz/t (166.7 g/t) silver, 1.73% lead and 3.15% zinc.

87-40: 5.94 meters of 6.20 oz/t (192.8 g/t) silver, 3.47% lead and 3.65% zinc.

87-44: 3.66 meters of 7.52 oz/t (233.87 g/t) silver, 6.21% lead and 4.78% zinc.

This year's drilling encountered Kechika Group limestones immediately overlying and in contact with the Cassiar batholith (i.e, the "heat source"). The Kechika limestone is stratigraphically located deeper (approximately one kilometer or more) in the potential mineralizing system that created the Silvertip deposit but is thought to have significant potential to host CRD style mineralization. CMC's drilling encountered several intersections of massive, semi-massive and disseminated mineralization comprising of lead-zinc sulfides. Subsequently, approximately 527 samples have been collected and submitted for assaying. Assay results are expected to be available in 6-8 weeks time. Testing is being conducted for the presence of silver, lead, zinc, gold and critical minerals such as indium, germanium and gallium.

Of particular note is that the Company also purchased and established a 20-person industrial camp that supported the 2023 exploration effort and will be utilized to support future exploration efforts at Silverknife and Amy. This was a significant investment in 2023 but it will serve to provide a safe and comfortable work environment for our geological crews, drillers, other subcontractors and support staff which is a very important component of any exploration program.

Silver Hart

CMC hired Ronacher-McKenzie Inc., a geological-geophysical consulting group, to conduct a compilation of over 30 years of exploration data at Silver Hart and complete a comprehensive evaluation of the exploration potential of the property. Data compilation has been completed and the evaluation report is expected within the next 4-6 months. At that time the company will undertake its own review of those findings to determine exploration efforts warranted at Silver Hart and its adjoining Blue Heaven property in 2024 and beyond.

In addition, logging of four diamond drill holes and a re-logging of one hole from the 2022 drilling campaign at Silver Hart was completed and this subsequently has resulted in the collection of 113 samples that have been submitted for assaying. These samples will be tested for the presence of silver, lead, zinc, gold and for the first time at Silver Hart will also be tested for the presence of critical minerals that may contain indium, germanium and gallium.

Mr. John Bossio, Chairman, noted, "We were very pleased with the success of the 2023 exploration program. From our perspective, the 2023 drilling in the Silverknife Prospect area has only started to "scratch the surface" of the exploration potential of this area. The establishment of the camp was also a significant milestone."

Mr. Kevin Brewer, P.Geo, President and CEO noted, "Identifying additional mineralization and a possible extension of the Silverknife Prospect was a great result for this year. We are looing forward to receiving the assay results and establishing a further understanding of the mineralization system which we are convinced is linked to the same mineralizing event that created the Silvertip deposit. We have also served to further refine the broad target in the northern part of the Silverknife area in the immediate area of the Tootsee River and from that we now have the foundation to conduct additional exploration efforts that will pinpoint drill targets in the Tootsee North area for 2024 and beyond. We remain highly interested in eventually conducting advanced exploration efforts on the Amy Property which holds significant exploration potential for CRD mineralization. We will now be working on planning and permitting for new access routing and exploration activities at Amy over the winter months."

Further to the news release announced September 15th, the 1,689,167 warrants issued to the 19 placees are transferable. Only the 24,000 broker warrants issued will be non-transferable. Each warrant, in this placement, will allow the holder to purchase 1 common share at an exercise price of 15-cents for a 24 month period from the date of issue.

Qualified Person

Qualified Person Kevin Brewer, a registered professional geoscientist, is the Company's President and CEO, and Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). He has given his approval of the technical information pertaining reported herein. The Company is committed to meeting the highest standards of integrity, transparency and consistency in reporting technical content, including geological reporting, geophysical investigations, environmental and baseline studies, engineering studies, metallurgical testing, assaying and all other technical data.

About CMC Metals Ltd.

CMC Metals Ltd. is a growth stage exploration company focused on opportunities for high grade polymetallic deposits in Yukon, British Columbia and Newfoundland. Our polymetallic silver-lead-zinc CRD prospects include the Silver Hart Deposit and Blue Heaven claims (the "Silver Hart Project") and the Amy and Silverknife claims in north-central British Columbia. Our polymetallic projects with potential for copper-silver-gold and other metals, include Terra Nova and Rodney Pond (central Newfoundland) and Terra Nova which has been option to Highbank Mining.

On behalf of the Board:

"Kevin Brewer"

Kevin Brewer

CMC METALS LTD.

For Further Information and Investor Inquiries:

Kevin Brewer, P. Geo., MBA, B.Sc.(Hons), Dip. Mine Eng.

President, CEO and Director

Tel: (709) 327 8013

kbrewer80@hotmail.com

Suite 1000-409 Granville St.

Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

To be added to CMC's news distribution list, please send an email to info@cmcmetals.ca or contact Mr. Kevin Brewer directly.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

"This news release may contain certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, statements that address the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles and exploitation activities and developments. In this release disclosure regarding the potential to undertake future exploration work comprise forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks, including the ability of the Company to raise the funds necessary to fund its projects, to carry out the work and, accordingly, may not occur as described herein or at all. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, the impact of the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are referred to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators for information on these and other risk factors, available at www.sedar.com. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation."

SOURCE: CMC Metals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786202/cmc-metals-ltd-provides-update-on-its-2023-exploration-results-in-the-rancheria-silver-district
LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a comprehensive research report by Brandessence Market Research (BMRC), "Artificial Insemination Market Size, Share, Statistics & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Intrauterine, Intracervical, Intravaginal, Intratubal), By End-Use (Fertility Clinics, Other Facilities, Home), By Source Type (AIH-Husband, AID-Donor), Based On Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022-2028". The Animal Genetics Market was valued at USD 1.83 Billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 3.1 Billion by 2028, amplifying with a CAGR of 7.8% over 2022-2028.

Artificial insemination is a type of fertility treatment wherein sperm is introduced to the reproductive tract of a female using medical procedures. It is be used to facilitate both animal and human reproduction. It comprises of two primary techniques In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). In IUI, sperm is processed and then placed directly into a woman's uterus to increase the chances of fertilization. On the other hand, IVF involves the retrieval of eggs from a woman's ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting, and then transferring the resulting embryos into the woman's uterus.

This market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market dynamics, including drivers, restraints, and opportunities, that shape this industry. Statistical data pertaining to Artificial Insemination Market share and revenue. It includes a 360-degree outlook of the top segments present in this industry while highlighting market trends, adoption rates, and growth prospects for each segment, along with their respective market shares and revenue forecasts. It further elaborates on the geographical landscape with in depth assessment of the Artificial Insemination Market trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as the regulatory landscape and market potential in each region. It also offers actionable insights into the competitive terrain of this industry with a thorough evaluation of market players, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Artificial Insemination Market Scope-

Report Metric Details Artificial Insemination Market Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 3.1 Billion. Market Size in 2021 1.83 Billion. Market Growth Rate CAGR of 7.8% over 2022-2028. Base Year 2021 Study Period 2022-2028 Key Players/Companies Genea Limited, Vitrolife, Rinoyum Women's Health, Pride Angel, Hi-Tech Solutions, KITZATO, Fujifilm, Rocket Medical

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Elaborating the key trends and dynamics of Artificial Insemination Market-

Growing prevalence of infertility, advancements in the field of artificial reproductive technology (ART), and increased awareness about the same are bolstering the market share and growth. Alongside, pregnancy delays along with rising R&D advancements in the field are propelling market growth opportunities. Moreover, integration of advanced technologies in the healthcare sector is another expansion propellant for this business vertical.

Major growth drivers-

Increased infertility rates:

There has been an alarming rise in the prevalence of infertility across the globe. Both men and women may face infertility issues due to factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, age, environmental degradation, and genetic issues, among others. This has elevated the demand for assisted reproductive techniques like artificial insemination.

Growing awareness levels:

In order to facilitate artificial insemination, people should be aware of the associated benefits. IVF and IUI techniques can succeed only if egg donations and sperm donations are done at an adequate level. With increased cognizance about ART, people are connecting with sperm donation forums to do their bit and help infertile couples. This is contributing to increased market size and market share.

Challenges-

Risk of complications:

Artificial insemination may pose a threat of health risks, although they are relatively rare. Infections, discomfort, multiple pregnancy, allergies, ectopic pregnancy, along with growing stress levels may occur in some people. These associated IVF complications and IUI complications may hinder the remuneration scope of this industry.

Competitive landscape of Artificial Insemination Market-

The major players operating in this industry are-

Genea Limited

Vitrolife

Rinoyum Women's Health

Pride Angel

Hi-Tech Solutions

KITZATO

Fujifilm

Rocket Medical

Others

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Artificial Insemination Market Segmentation-

By end user, the fertility clinics segment is expected to contribute in market share increase over 2022-2028. This is due to the presence of well-equipped ART infrastructure and skilled medical professionals in such clinics.

Geographical Analysis-

North America:

In this region, the US market size by industry is amplifying significantly over the stipulated timeframe. This is ascribed to the growing number of infertile individuals, childbearing delays, increased disposable income levels, and rising awareness about sperm and egg donations.

Porter's Five Forces Analysis-

Threat of new entrants:

The industry poses lower threat of new entrants. Stringent regulatory standards are required to be adhered to in this vertical. Apart from that, establishing a reputation and building trust with potential clients can be time-consuming which in turn creates obstacles for these potential entrants.

Bargaining power of suppliers:

The bargaining power of suppliers in this market is relatively low. The market has multiple suppliers, including sperm banks and providers of medical equipment and fertility drugs. This diversity of suppliers reduces their individual influence on pricing and terms.

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Bargaining power of buyers:

The bargaining power of buyers is low in this industry. There are limited number of fertility clinics and dearth of skilled professionals in many places. This leaves buyers with lesser options which in turn makes negotiation difficult for them

Threat of substitutes:

The threat of substitutes is low in this sector. Alternatives like adoption and surrogacy fertility treatments are associated with numerous legal and ethical regulations. Thus, artificial insemination remains a primary choice for many seeking fertility assistances due to its relative simplicity and affordability.

Competitive rivalry:

The competitive rivalry is high in this industry. Established clinics may invest in innovative techniques or offer additional services, such as genetic testing, to gain a competitive edge. In contrast, regions with fewer providers may experience less intense competition, but customer loyalty and reputation become paramount factors for success.

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The global sacral nerve stimulation market is experiencing substantial market growth due to factors such as an increase in the prevalence of urological incontinence, technological advancements in sacral nerve stimulation devices, and availability of medical reimbursement schemes.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Sacral nerve stimulation market by Product type (device and accessories) by application (urinary and fecal incontinence, chronic anal fissure and others) End user (hospitals, specialty clinics, and others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global sacral nerve stimulation industry was estimated at $422.7 million in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $702.1 million by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.

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Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) was initially developed as a treatment for individuals with bladder control issues (e.g., inability to feel the bladder fill or having little warning of passing water). Since then, SNS has been used to treat urinary incontinence, including bowel incontinence, as well as constipation. In some cases, SNS may also be used to treat pelvic pain on an individual level.

Prime Determinants of Growth:

The global sacral nerve stimulation market is experiencing substantial growth due to factors such as an increase in the prevalence of urological incontinence, technological advancements in sacral nerve stimulation devices, and availability of medical reimbursement schemes. However, the high cost of sacral nerve stimulation procedures presents a significant challenge and hampers market growth. On the contrary, the growing healthcare infrastructure and adoption of strategies by key manufacturers are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for expansion of the sacral nerve stimulation market during the forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $422.7 Million Market Size in 2032 $702.1 Million CAGR 5.2 % No. of Pages in Report 226 Segments Covered Product, Application, End user,?and Region Drivers Increase in the prevalence of urological incontinence Technological advancements in sacral nerve stimulation devices Availability of medical reimbursement schemes Opportunities Growth opportunities in emerging markets Restraints High cost and side effects of sacral nerve stimulation

Impact of Covid-19 on Sacral Nerve Stimulation Market:

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global sacral nerve stimulation industry along with several other healthcare sectors. Due to the subsequent global lockdowns, the sacral nerve stimulation market faced a downturn.

However, as the global situation has recovered back to normalcy, the rise in the number of surgeries resumed. This has resulted in various growth opportunities for companies operating in the sacral nerve stimulation market.

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The devices segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period-

Based on product type, the devices segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around four- fifths of the global Sacral nerve stimulation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The same segment would also cite the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. owing to availability of sacral nerve stimulation devices and rise in R&D activities focusing on advancing the stimulators. In addition, increasing adoption of sacral nerve stimulation devices by healthcare professionals further drives the market growth.

The urinary and fecal incontinence segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period-

Based on application, the urinary and fecal incontinence segment held the largest market share in 2022, contributing to more than half of the global sacral nerve stimulation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing prevalence of conditions such as obstetric trauma, voiding dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and fecal impaction. These conditions lead to disruptions in bladder and bowel control, resulting in urinary and fecal incontinence. Thus, demanding a targeted approach to address the underlying nerve dysfunction associated with these conditions. However, the chronic anal fissure segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.9% from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the increasing awareness of this condition, advancements in medical diagnostics, and the growing adoption of sacral nerve stimulation as an effective therapeutic approach for managing chronic anal fissures and associated symptoms.

The hospital segment to rule the roost by 2032-

Based on end user, the hospital segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global sacral nerve stimulation market revenue, and is projected to rule the roost by 2032. This is due to the availability and access to specialized healthcare professionals, advanced medical technologies & infrastructure, and strong relationships with insurance providers, thus resulting in the adoption of sacral nerve stimulation therapy. However, the specialty clinics segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.4% from 2023 to 2032. Owing to specialized clinical settings offering targeted care and expertise in treating urological incontinence conditions. Patients seeking tailored solutions are likely to opt for these clinics, thereby driving their prominence in the sacral nerve stimulation market.

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North America garnered the major share in 2032-

Based on region, North America held the major share in 2022, garnering nearly three-fifths of the global sacral nerve stimulation market revenue, and is expected to dominate by 2032. This is attributed to the high prevalence of urological incontinence conditions, the availability of advanced healthcare facilities, and the presence of major players offering sacral nerve stimulation devices. In addition, favorable reimbursement policies in healthcare systems and the rise in the geriatric population are expected to propel the market expansion. Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, would exhibit the fastest CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2032. Due to the rise in the number of cases of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence conditions, increase in awareness regarding available sacral nerve stimulation treatment devices, and surge in investments for the development of effective sacral nerve stimulation devices. Furthermore, an upsurge in healthcare expenditure in emerging economies is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for market expansion.??

Leading Market Players:

Medtronic PLC

Beijing PINS Medical Co. Ltd.

Saluda Medical Pty Ltd.

Axonics Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global sacral nerve stimulation market. These players have adopted different strategies such as product approval, acquisitions, and product launch 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.

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Surgical Scissors Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032

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Innovation, Impact and Teamwork Key-Drivers of the New Partnership

MILAN, ITALY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable industry, announced this month the beginning of a new global partnership as "Official Sponsor" of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, one of the most dynamic names in the history of the America's Cup.

After more than a decade absence, the Swiss challenger is returning to battle for sailing's highest honor. Alinghi Red Bull Racing, sailing under the flag of the Societe Nautique de Geneve, will race as an official challenger when the Selection Series for the 37th America's Cup begins in 2024.

The America's Cup is the most prestigious sailing competition with a great history and tradition. It embodies similar values as Prysmian, such innovation, sustainability, and teamwork. From the depths of the ocean to the pinnacles of the world's tallest buildings, Prysmian Group helps to bring energy and information across the globe, through high performing products, services, and technologies.

"Prysmian Group chose to be Co-Partner of Alinghi Red Bull Racing on this project to build a stronger brand awareness supporting our ambition of being a global player in the energy transition and digitalization challenge", stated Massimo Battaini, CEO-designate of Prysmian Group. "Furthermore, we strongly remain committed to sailing because this sport also represents the wind and renewable energies that are a core element of both our business and future".

"We are delighted to welcome Prysmian Group at Alinghi Red Bull Racing as a Co-Partner," said Silvio Arrivabene, Co General Manager Head of technical operations. "Prysmian speaks to innovation, ambition and teamwork, characteristics that we deeply share. Welcome to the Team."

With this new partnership, Prysmian Group confirms its commitment to sailing, a path that began many years ago through the historic link with Giancarlo Pedote, solo ocean sailor and skipper aboard of the Prysmian Group IMOCA, a partnership that will be continuing in the Vendee Globe 2024.

To learn more about the regatta, visit the America's Cup website.

Prysmian Group

Prysmian Group is world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry. With over 150 years of experience, sales of over 16 billion, about 30,000 employees in over 50 countries and 108 plants, the Group is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and offers the widest possible range of products, services, technologies and know-how. It operates in the businesses of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, of special cables for applications in many different industries and of medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. For the telecommunications industry, the Group manufactures cables and accessories for voice, video and data transmission, offering a comprehensive range of optical fibers, optical and copper cables and connectivity systems. Prysmian is a public company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange in the FTSE MIB index.

Media Relations

Lorenzo Caruso

Vice President Communications & Public Affairs

Ph. 0039 02 6449.1

lorenzo.caruso@prysmiangroup.com

Cristina Bifulco

Chief Sustainability Officer and Group IR VP

Ph. 0039 02 6449.1

mariacristina.bifulco@prysmiangroup.com

SOURCE: Prysmian Group

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CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the near future, the radiation shielding material industry is poised for remarkable growth and innovation as advancements in technology, space exploration, and medical treatments continue to flourish. With increasing demands for safer nuclear energy, robust space exploration missions, and precise medical diagnostics and therapies, the industry is set to witness a surge in research and development, leading to the creation of novel materials that offer enhanced radiation protection while being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. These cutting-edge materials will not only revolutionize the safety of nuclear facilities and space travel but also improve patient care in the field of radiology and oncology. As the world increasingly relies on radiation for various purposes, the radiation shielding material industry will play a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more sustainable future.

Radiation Shielding Material Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $714 million in 2023 and is poised to reach $980 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Growth in the Medical Radiation Shielding market is mainly driven by the growing usage of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy for diagnosis and treatment and Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment expected to offer growth opportunities for players operating in the Medical Radiation Shielding market during the forecast period. However, the Lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, Dearth of Skilled Oncologist/Radiologist and No mandate for using lead aprons during dental x-ray procedures in the US are restricting the growth of this market.

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $714 million Estimated Value by 2028 $980 million Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Type, Material and Application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Raising demand for cancer treatment Increasing private investments in cancer research Key Market Drivers Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment

Electromagnetic Radiation segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2022.

The Radiation Shielding Material market, by product, has been segmented into Electromagnetic Radiation and Particle Radiation. Electromagnetic radiation will drive the growth of the market electromagnetic shielding refers to the use of shielding materials to block or attenuate the shielding area and the outside world of electromagnetic energy transmission. Also X-ray and gamma rays are forms of electromagnetic radiation that occur with higher energy levels than those displayed by ultraviolet or visible light. Thick, dense shielding, such as lead, is necessary to protect against the energy emitted from x-rays as Shielding and x-ray room design is a very important consideration for any healthcare facility that performs diagnostic and interventional radiology.

The Lead Shielding segment held the largest market share in the material market.

By Material, the global Radiation Shielding Material market is broadly segmented into Lead Shielding, Lead Composite Shielding and Non-Lead and Lead Free Shielding. Lead Shielding is expected to grow highest in the upcoming years. The Increasing safety awareness among people working in radiation radiation-prone environment will drive the demand for the radiation safety which will require radiation shielding product made of lead shielding material.

North America dominates the global Radiation Shielding Material market.

Based on the region, the Radiation Shielding Material market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world. The North American market is driven by the growing focus on growing government and private investments to meet the increasing demand for cancer treatment and Development of number of PET/CT scans technology.

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

1. Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment

Restraints:

1. Dearth of skilled oncologist/radiologist

Opportunities:

1. Raising demand for cancer treatment Increasing private investments in cancer research

Challenge:

1. High cost of lead in manufacturing radiation accessories

Key Market Players:

The Key players in the Medical Radiation Shielding market are ETS-LINDGREN (An Esco Technologies Company) (US), Nelco worldwide (US), Infab Corporation (US), Burlington Medical (US), MarShield (Canada), Ray-Bar Engineering Corp (US), Mars Metal Company (Canada), Radiation Protection Products (US), Nuclear Lead Co (US), Ultraray (Canada), Veritas Medical Solutions, LLC (US), Global Partners in Shielding, Inc (US), Nuclear Shields (Netherlands), A&L Shielding (US), Amray Medical (Ireland), Protech Medical (US), Lemer Pax (France), Pilot Industries Limited (India), Mayco Industries (US), Nuclear Shielding Supplies & Service (US), Canada Metal North America Ltd. (Canada), Lead Shielding (US), Wardray Premise (UK), Calder Healthcare (UK) and Gravita India Ltd. (India).

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Advantages:

Enhanced Safety: Radiation shielding materials provide crucial protection against harmful ionizing radiation, ensuring the safety of workers, patients, and the environment in industries such as healthcare, nuclear power, and aerospace.

Innovation and Customization: Ongoing research and development efforts have led to the creation of advanced shielding materials that are more efficient, lightweight, and customizable to specific needs. This innovation allows for tailored solutions in diverse applications.

Environmental Sustainability: The industry is increasingly focused on developing eco-friendly shielding materials that have minimal environmental impact. This commitment to sustainability aligns with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of various industries.

Space Exploration: Radiation shielding materials are essential for protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation during space missions. As space exploration efforts expand, the market plays a critical role in enabling long-duration missions to Mars and beyond.

Medical Advancements: Radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging are vital components of modern healthcare. Radiation shielding materials enhance the precision and safety of medical procedures, contributing to improved patient outcomes.

Regulatory Compliance: Stringent safety regulations and guidelines mandate the use of radiation shielding materials in industries like nuclear energy and healthcare. This ensures compliance and fosters a culture of safety.

Cost Efficiency: Advanced materials offer improved shielding with reduced thickness and weight, leading to cost savings in construction, transportation, and space missions.

Radiological Emergencies: Radiation shielding materials are crucial for emergency response and disaster management in cases involving nuclear accidents or radiological incidents, helping to minimize exposure and protect first responders and the public.

Global Health Security: In a world facing evolving threats, radiation shielding materials contribute to strengthening global health security by safeguarding against potential radiological hazards.

Market Growth: The radiation shielding material market is expected to experience sustained growth as the demand for radiation protection increases across various sectors, offering opportunities for investment and job creation.

In summary, the radiation shielding material market plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety, enabling innovation, and advancing various industries while contributing to environmental sustainability and global health security.

Recent Developments:

In August 2023, ETS-Lindgren announced its strategic alliance with TUV Rheinland North America for its new Technology and Innovation Center located in Massachusetts, including AMETEK-CTS, Fair-Rite, Innova, and Rohde & Schwarz, are key supporting partners in the creation of the Technology and Innovation Center. With the cooperation of ETS-Lindgren and these industry leaders, TUV Rheinland will facilitate the integration of essential equipment, enabling the delivery of holistic customer solutions.

In July 2022, Burlington Medical has launched the XENOLITE 800 NL (No-Lead) apron series. XENOLITE 800 NL is a lead-free, super-lightweight, flexible, and recyclable x-ray radiation protection apron. The XENOLITE 800 NL series uses antimony and tungsten, which are supported, encapsulated, and homogeneously distributed in a tough-but-flexible, high-tech plasticized Dow elastomer matrix.

In January 2021, Infab Corporation (US) accuried MediDrapes, a provider of disposable protective drapes used in medical imaging equipment such as mini-C-arms, fluoroscopes, and ultrasound machines, added to the company's portfolio.

Related Reports:

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Medical Radiation Shielding Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Radiation Detection Monitoring Safety Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Infection Control Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Medical Radiation Detection Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

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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.

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LambdaTest reinforces its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the launch of its DEI Policy

San Francisco , Sept. 21, 2023, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform launches its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, reaffirming the company's commitment to fostering workplace diversity, equality, and inclusion.



LambdaTest recognizes that a diverse and inclusive workplace leads to increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. The DEI Policy promotes equality for all employees, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.



"Our DEI policy is a pledge to our belief in creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their background, culture, identity, or ability, feels valued, respected, and empowered," said Chandini Chopra, Director of Human Resources at LambdaTest. "We believe that diversity is more than just having a diverse population; it seeks to create an inclusive culture in which everyone belongs."

Diversity and Inclusion: LambdaTest actively fosters diversity in its staff, ensuring that recruitment processes are free of prejudice and discrimination. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) will be constituted to assist LGBTQ+ employees as well as people with disabilities.

LambdaTest actively fosters diversity in its staff, ensuring that recruitment processes are free of prejudice and discrimination. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) will be constituted to assist LGBTQ+ employees as well as people with disabilities. LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is expressly prohibited under the policy. In addition, LambdaTest will give gender-neutral facilities and parental leave to all employees.

Discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is expressly prohibited under the policy. In addition, LambdaTest will give gender-neutral facilities and parental leave to all employees. Disability Inclusivity: The organization has dedicated itself to making physical and digital environments accessible to people with disabilities, in addition to providing reasonable workplace amenities as well as open communication.

The organization has dedicated itself to making physical and digital environments accessible to people with disabilities, in addition to providing reasonable workplace amenities as well as open communication. Training and Education: LambdaTest is providing DEI training to all employees to foster understanding and support among its employees.

LambdaTest is providing DEI training to all employees to foster understanding and support among its employees. Continuous Improvement : LambdaTest acknowledges that setting up an inclusive workplace is a continuous effort and commits to reviewing and assessing its DEI policies and procedures regularly.

: LambdaTest acknowledges that setting up an inclusive workplace is a continuous effort and commits to reviewing and assessing its DEI policies and procedures regularly. People Leader Responsibilities: Our people leaders play a vital part in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) across our business. They provide precedent by incorporating DEI principles via their conduct and choices. Furthermore, they actively promote DEI programs by participating in training and events and encouraging employees to do the same. Another significant aspect is the fact that leaders nurture diversity, open communication, and resolve disagreements or biases to ensure that every team member feels valued and acknowledged.

The DEI Policy addresses the following areas:

In addition to the DEI Policy, LambdaTest has introduced a comprehensive Dignity at Work & in Communication/ Anti-Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination Policy to uphold respectful and inclusive communication within and outside the workplace.

For more information on LambdaTest's DEI Policy, please visit - https://www.lambdatest.com/life-at-lambdatest/



About LambdaTest

LambdaTestis an intelligent and omnichannel enterprise execution environment that helps businesses drastically reduce time to market through Just in Time Test OrchestrationCloud allows users to run both manual and automated tests of web and mobile apps across 3000+ different browsers, real devices, and operating system environments.



? HyperExecutehelps customers run and orchestrate test grids in the cloud for any framework and programming language at blazing-fast speeds to cut down on quality test time, helping developers build software faster.



For more information, please visit, https://lambdatest.com


eGroup | Enabling Technologies is proud to announce its recent achievement of earning the Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization, a prestigious certification that recognizes partners who have demonstrated a deep understanding of Microsoft's cloud security offerings and have successfully implemented them for clients.

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / eGroup | Enabling Technologies, a 9x Microsoft Partner of the Year Award recipient and award-winning Managed Services Provider, is proud to announce its recent achievement of earning the Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization. This designation highlights the company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge cloud security solutions and demonstrates its expertise in Microsoft's cloud security technologies.





Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization



eGroup | Enabling Technologies now holds all the Microsoft Advanced Security Specializations, including Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management, Information Protection and Governance, and Threat Protection, emphasizing that they have proven their ability to design, implement, and manage these solutions effectively.

The Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization is a prestigious certification that recognizes partners who have demonstrated a deep understanding of Microsoft's cloud security offerings and have successfully implemented them for clients. eGroup | Enabling Technologies' attainment of this specialization reflects its dedication to helping organizations protect their cloud environments, data, and applications.

"We are thrilled to have earned the Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization. This accomplishment validates our team's expertise in leveraging Microsoft's cloud security solutions to safeguard our clients' digital assets. With the ever-evolving threat landscape, it is crucial for businesses to have mature and extensive security measures in place, and we are well-equipped to deliver on that front." - Scott Barr, Director of Cloud and Security Services

eGroup | Enabling Technologies has a long-standing partnership with Microsoft and has consistently demonstrated its proficiency in implementing Microsoft's cloud solutions. By achieving the Cloud Security Specialization, the company is positioned to provide its clients with even greater confidence in their cloud security posture.

"Obtaining the Microsoft Cloud Security Specialization further cements our partnership with Microsoft, granting us access to their internal teams, programs, and funding. These resources empower us to provide a distinctive offering within the market, reinforcing our commitment to excellence, and underscoring our dedication to staying at the forefront of implementing the latest and greatest in cloud security solutions." - Jesus Shelby, Director of Cloud and Microsoft 365 Services

This accomplishment also aligns with eGroup | Enabling Technologies' mission to empower organizations with technology solutions that drive innovation, efficiency, and security. As cyber threats continue to evolve, so do the methods and expertise of their team. Businesses can rely on eGroup | Enabling Technologies to deliver comprehensive cloud security solutions that protect their assets and enable them to operate with confidence.

About eGroup | Enabling Technologies:

eGroup | Enabling Technologies is a leading provider of IT solutions and Managed Services that empower organizations to achieve their business objectives. With a focus on cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, eGroup | Enabling Technologies helps clients harness the power of technology to drive innovation, enhance security, and optimize operations.

For more information, please visit www.eGroup-us.com or contact us at info@eGroup-us.com.

Contact Information:

Carly Picciuto

Senior Marketing Manager

carly.picciuto@egroup-us.com

877.347.6871

SOURCE: eGroup | Enabling Technologies

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At Victory Real Estate Group, they believe in building strong sustainable communities that prioritize social impact. Their 15-year history proves that they are a company that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world around them.

Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Victory Real Estate Group, a full-service real estate company celebrates its 15th anniversary. Founded in 2008, Victory has become a leader in developing multipurpose projects built for hotels, retail centers, quick service restaurants, office buildings, and more. With a team made up of over 15 years of experience, Victory has partnered with some of the most recognizable brands and companies in the USA and has achieved 2 billion deals throughout its recent history.





Victory Real Estate Group Celebrating 15 Years of Impacting Communities Through Superior Commercial Real Estate Development

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"At Victory Real Estate Group, we believe that success comes from creating opportunities for others. That's why we focus on developing properties that not only meet our clients' needs, but also help to improve their communities as a whole," said Tony Ramji, CEO of Victory Real Estate Group. "Our unique empowerment model allows our team members to work directly in support of the community."

Victory Real Estate Group focuses on working closely with its partners, attracting top talent, and positively impacting the communities where it operates. Victory Real Estate Group is dedicated to curating tenant mixes that drive community advancement, actively seeking to introduce novel brands that elevate specific retail locations. "Our tenant selection procedure is intricate, designed to guarantee not only the prosperity of tenants but also the enhancement of the surrounding community." says Tony Ramji, CEO, Victory Real Estate Group.

"Our team is continually searching for innovative solutions to enhance our role as caretakers of the communities. We're not just building buildings - we're building a better tomorrow, today," Ramji added.

To celebrate it's 15th anniversary, Victory Real Estate Group has various plans to create awareness on the importance and benefits of strong sustainable communities in Dallas, Texas. The company plans to organize a series of events and activities throughout the year, which will help build better relationships with the communities and tenants it serves, giving back to society, and celebrating the people who have helped make this milestone possible.

Victory Real Estate Group is proud of its history and looks forward to continuing to build strong sustainable communities for many years to come.

For more information about Victory Real Estate Group and its services, please visit its website at http://www.victoryrealestategroup.com.

About Victory Real Estate Group:

Victory Real Estate Group is a one stop shop for comprehensive commercial real estate services that specializes in developing multipurpose projects built for hotels, retail centers, quick service restaurants, office buildings, and more. At Victory Real Estate Group, the company believes in transparency and building strong relationships with tenants and partners. With over 15 years of experience, the team focuses on developing properties that not only meet the client's standard, but also help to improve the quality of the community.

Contact Info:

Name: Jahan Ramji

Email: info@vg-re.com

Organization: Victory Real Estate Group

Website: http://www.victoryrealestategroup.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181379
Gurit Holding AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Gurit Financial Calendar 2024



21.09.2023 / 17:50 CET/CEST





Zurich, September 21, 2023

Gurit (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) today published its financial calendar for the calendar year 2024.

Preliminary and unaudited 2023 net sales results will be communicated on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 after 6:00 p.m. CET by means of a media release.

Gurit will report its 2023 full-year results on Monday, March 4, 2024, by issuing a media release at 07:00 a.m. CET. The Annual Report 2023 will be available on Gurit's website at www.gurit.com/financial-reports-and-presentations/. Management will also discuss the results in further detail at a joint media and analyst conference on March 4, 2024 at 09:00 a.m. CET. The conference will be held in English and will be accessible as a webcast via the following link: www.gurit.com/webcasts/.

The 2024 Ordinary Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. CET at the Hotel Seedamm Plaza, Seedammstrasse 3, 8808 Pfaffikon SZ, Switzerland. The meeting will be held in German. Related information will be published 20 days before the AGM online at www.gurit.com/Investors/AGM.

First Quarter 2024 net sales results will be communicated in the evening of April 18, 2024, by means of a media release.

Gurit will report its 2024 half-year results on Monday, August 19, 2024, by issuing a press release at 07:00 a.m. CET. At the same time Gurit will publish its first half-year 2024 report online at www.gurit.com/financial-reports-and-presentations/. Management will discuss the results in further detail at a joint media and analyst conference on August 19, 2024 at 09:00 a.m. CET. The conference will be held in English and accessible as a webcast.

Third Quarter and nine-months 2024 net sales results will be communicated on October 31, 2024 after 17:45 CET by means of a media release.

Financial Calendar 2024 January 31 Preliminary and unaudited 2023 net sales results

media release (after 18:00 CET) March 4 2023 full-year results media release (07:00 CET)

Analysts & media conference (09:00 CET) April 18 AGM Annual General Meeting (16:30 CET) in Pfaffikon SZ.

Net sales results Q1 2024 media release (after 18:00 CET) August 19 2024 half-year results media release (07:00 CET),

Analyst & media conference call (09:00 CET) October 31 Q3 and 9-months 2024 net sales results media release

(after 17:45 CET)



Further events and roadshows are published in the Investor Online Calendar on the Gurit website: www.gurit.com/financial-calendar/.

About Gurit

The subsidiaries of Gurit Holding AG, Wattwil/Switzerland, (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) are specialized in the development and manufacture of advanced composite materials, composite tooling equipment and core kitting services. The product range comprises structural core materials, structural profiles, prepregs, formulated products such as adhesives and resins as well as structural composite engineering. Gurit supplies global growth markets such as the wind turbine industry, marine, building and many more. Gurit operates production sites and offices in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, India, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

www.gurit.com

Gurit Group Communications

Phone: +41 44 316 15 50

E-mail: investor (at) gurit.com

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

Forward-looking statements:

To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

End of Media Release


Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 21

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

21 September 2023

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 21 September 2023 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 95,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 338.5 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 338.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 338.5 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 17,957,571 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 228,133,852 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transactions (as at 21 September 2023)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 95000 338.50 09:13:29 00067073410TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
Dynamic growth and improved EBITDA margin compared to the second half of 2022

Revenue for the first six months of 2023 up +16.8% to 519.1 million

EBITDA margin up 1.6 points compared to the second half of 2022

Solid financial structure with minimal debt

Strong long-term outlook confirmed

Structurally promising drivers of growth: the digital transformation and the energy transition

Margins in France are gradually improving, the business model is being adjusted, and the transition to new activities is underway

Continued strong growth in the Benelux and other countries where new markets are opening up

Confirmation of 2023 objectives: over 1 billion in revenue and further improvement of margins

Solutions30 SE today announces its consolidated earnings for the first half of the year ended June 30, 2023, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements of the Solutions30 group for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2023 were reviewed by the Supervisory Board on September 21, 2023. The review of the half-yearly financial information by the authorized auditor has been completed and their report has been published on the website. The half-yearly financial report, including the consolidated financial statements (condensed interim financial statements and notes) reviewed by the auditor, is available on the Solutions30 website, www.solutions30.com, in the "Investors Relations" section.

Key figures

In millions of euros H1 2023 H2 2022 H1 2022 Revenue 519.1 460.3 444.3 Adjusted EBITDA 27.5 17.1 29.6 As a % of revenue (EBITDA margin) 5.3% 3.7% 6.7% Adjusted EBIT 5.0 (7.0) 6.7 As a % of revenue 1.0% (1.5%) 1.5% EBIT (6.4) (17.6) (8.9) As a % of revenue (1.2%) (3.8%) (2.0%) Net income. group share (14.4) (37.8) (12.3) As a % of revenue (2.8%) (8.2%) (2.8%) Free cash flow (32.4) 54.1 (16.9) Financial structure data

In millions of euros 06/30/2023 12/31/2022 Equity 131.8 145.3 Net debt 95.3 38.9 Net bank debt 10.3 (54.0)

Consolidated revenue

Solutions30's consolidated half-year revenue for 2023 amounted to 519.1 million, up 16.8% (reported and organic growth).

After a solid first quarter with organic growth of 14.5%, strong business momentum continued to build in the second quarter of 2023, with consolidated revenue of 263.9 million growing organically by 18.9% compared to the same period in 2022.

This excellent performance was driven by particularly robust growth in the Benelux, Poland, and the United Kingdom. This puts the group on target to exceed the milestone of 1 billion in revenue before the end of 2023.

Profitability

Figures by geographical area are detailed below:

H1 2023 H2 2022 H1 2022 France Revenue 199.4 204.0 221.9 Adjusted EBITDA 15.8 2.0 18.8 EBITDA margin % 7.9% 1.0% 8.5% Benelux Revenue 180.0 123.5 98.4 Adjusted EBITDA 17.5 14.7 13.7 EBITDA margin % 9.7% 11.8% 13.9% Other countries Revenue 139.7 132.8 124.0 Adjusted EBITDA (0.8) 4.7 2.4 EBITDA margin % (0.5%) 3.5% 2.0 %

In France, revenue reached 199.4 million in the first half of 2023. Business continued to be negatively impacted by the transformation of the telecom sector and the transition into new activities in the energy sector. The telecom market, however, is showing signs of stabilizing in the second quarter, and the group has been very successful in the energy sector, as illustrated by the recent solar-power contract signed with Q Energy. Growth opportunities are gradually falling into place, while Amaury Boilot, recently named CEO of the group's French entities, is transforming its organization. Adapting the business model and readjusting the corporate structure to new market conditions have led to a significant recovery of the EBITDA margin compared to the second half of 2022. It rose to 7.9%, a level close to the first half of 2022 and a clear recovery from the 1.0% in the second half of 2022.

In the Benelux, revenue for the first half of 2023 grew +82.9% compared to the first half of 2022 to reach 180.0 million driven by fiber-optic roll-outs across the country and the group's ability to keep up with faster than anticipated installation schedules and consolidate its position as a market leader. This phase of hyper-growth and the fast pace of large-scale ramp-ups required to fulfill orders are temporarily impacting the EBITDA margin, which stood at 9.7% compared to 13.9% in the first half of 2022 and 11.8% in the second half of 2022.

In other countries, revenue is up +12.7% compared to the first half of 2022. It reached 139.7 million,whereas it was 124.0 million a year earlier. In Italy, the conditions under which ultra-fast broadband infrastructure is being deployed have deteriorated in recent months due to the national service provider's recurring operational difficulties. The entire sector has been affected, and Solutions30 decided to slow down the pace of call-outs until the situation returns to normal and a more efficient way of operating has been found, in agreement with our various partners. This situation is negatively impacting the segment's EBITDA margin. Elsewhere, margins are relatively stable but still below the group's normative levels. In the United Kingdom and Germany, Solutions30 is preparing to absorb the expected growth in the fiber sector, whereas it is focusing on the business activities that are the most profitable in the mature Spanish market. Meanwhile, business in Poland remains dynamic, driven by market share gains. The EBITDA margin for the "Other countries" segment was -0.5% compared with 2.0% for the first half of 2022 and 3.5% for the second half of 2022.

As a result, adjusted EBITDA for the entire group amounted to 27.5 million at the end of June 2023 (5.3% of revenue) compared to 29.6 million a year earlier (6.7% of revenue) and 17.1 million in the second half of 2022 (3.7% of revenue).

Operating costs increased by +18.9% compared with the first half of 2022 and by 10.9% compared with the second half of 2022. They amounted to 444.4 million, representing 85.6% of revenue. Structural costs increased by 15.6% compared with the first half of 2022 and by 10.5% compared with the second half of 2022. They amounted to 47.2 million, representing 9.1% of revenue.

After accounting for 8.9 million in impairments and operational provisions and after amortizing 13.6 million in usage rights for leased assets (IFRS 16), adjusted EBIT stood at 5.0 million at June 30, 2023, compared to 6.7 million a year earlier. This figure is clearly recovering compared to the second half of 2022.

The first half of 2023 includes 4.3 million in non-current operating expenses, which mainly consist of restructuring costs, compared to 10.3 million a year earlier.

Customer relationship amortization amounted to 7.1 million at June 30, 2023 stable compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Net financial income represented an expense of 2.9 million in the first half of 2023 compared to an expense of 5.3 million a year earlier. This change is due to an increase in financial income, resulting from foreign exchange gains and a fair value adjustment, while expenses remained stable.

After including a tax expense of 1.3 million compared to 3.0 million a year earlier and accounting for 3.7 million in minority interests, the group share of net income amounted to -14.4 million compared to -12.3 million for the same period in 2022, and -37.8 million for the second half of 2022.

Financial structure

At June 30, 2023, the group had 131.8 million in equity compared to 145.3 million at December 31, 2022. The group's gross cash amounted to 73.4 million, compared to 124.4 million at the end of December 2022 and 85.0 million at June 30, 2022, reflecting the usual seasonality of the working capital requirements.

Gross bank debt stood at 83.6 million compared to 70.4 million six months earlier. This increase is due to additional drawdowns on the "acquisitions" envelope of the financing secured on November 29, 2022. These drawdowns were made to pay earnouts to minority shareholders of group subsidiaries in the first half of the year. The group had 10.3 million in net bank debt at the end of June 2023 compared to 54.0 million in cash net of debt at the end of December 2022. Including 72.8 million in leasing liabilities (IFRS 16) and 12.2 million in potential financial debt on future call options and earnouts, the total net debt amounts to 95.3 million.

The group maintains a solid financial structure, with a net debt/EBITDA ratio of 1.7 and a net debt-to-equity ratio of 72.3%.

Outstanding receivables under the group's non-recourse factoring program amounted to 85.9 million at the end of June 2023, compared with 77.3 million at December 31, 2022, reflecting the increase in activity. The increase in mobilized receivables is due to ramp-ups in new contracts for which the factoring program is being implemented. Factoring can finance working capital from recurring activities that have fully developed, at a cost of less than 1% of the amount of assigned receivables. This program, combined with a solid financial structure, provides Solutions30 with the resources it needs to finance its growth strategy.

Operating cash flow amounted to 22.9 million for the first half of 2023, compared to 19.6 million in the first half of 2022. Though working capital increased by 39.1 million, it remained negative at -25.6 million. This increase reflects strong growth over the half-year, particularly in the Benelux during the second quarter, and preparation for a new phase of growth in Other Countries. Measures have been put in place to optimize working capital by the end of the year. Cash flow from operating activities for the first half of 2023 was a negative 22.0 million, compared with negative cash flow of 6.5 million a year earlier.

Net investments amounted to 10.5 million, at a normative level of 2.0% of revenue, compared with 2.4% a year earlier. Overall, this means there was -32.4 million in free cash flow, compared to -16.9 million at the end of June 2022.

Outlook

At the end of this first half-year, the group remains confident in achieving its goal of double-digit growth in 2023, putting it on track to exceed 1 billion in revenue this year. Over the last six months, the group has seen growth paired with a steady increase in margins experienced. This improvement is due to ongoing adaptations in France and rapid expansion throughout the rest of Europe.

In France, operational and organizational efforts to restore margins and improve conditions for telecom contracts are bearing fruit. With the replacement of smart meter deployment activities accelerating and the return to normal in the telecoms market, revenue should begin to stabilize. The photovoltaic business is experiencing significant growth, fueled by Europe's shift towards greener energy solutions and the goal of achieving energy independence. Notably, the backlog of orders has doubled compared to the same period last year. Through its subsidiaries, Solutions30 Sud-Ouest and Elec-EnR, the group is consolidating its position as one of the top 5 leaders in the renewable energy installation market in France. Solutions30 is now involved in major projects, including the construction of Europe's largest floating solar park. Leveraging its wide-ranging expertise and advanced electrical know-how acquired from years of experience with fiber and smart meter deployments, Solutions30 is well positioned to undertake this significant initiative.

In the Benelux, the group should continue to experience sustained growth, and profitability should be back above 10% in the second half of the year since most of the ramp-ups had already occurred in the first six months.

In other countries, growth is expected to continue, carried by encouraging trends in the United Kingdom, while efforts to restore profitability in Italy should start to pay off soon. Giovanni Ragusa, Chief Operations Officer of Solutions30 Italy since 2008, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for this country.

The group aims to maintain its leadership in its existing markets and to scale to a critical size everywhere it operates, all while working to improve profitability. The group will leverage the structural trends that are carrying its markets, returning to dynamic and profitable growth over the long term.

Upcoming event

2023 Q3 Revenue Report November 8, 2023

About Solutions30 SE

Solutions30 provides consumers and businesses with access to the key technological advancements that are shaping our everyday lives, especially those driving the digital transformation and energy transition. With its network of more than 15,000 technicians, Solutions30 has completed over 65 million call-outs since its inception and led over 500 renewable energy projects with a combined maximum output surpassing 1,000 MWp. In pursuing its vision of a more connected and sustainable world, Solutions30 has become an industry leader in Europe with operations in 10 countries: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Poland.

The capital of Solutions30 SE consists of 107,127,984 shares, equal to the number of theoretical votes that can be exercised. Solutions30 SE is listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN FR0013379484- code S30). Indexes: MSCI Europe ex-UK Small Cap | SBF 120 | CAC Mid 60 | NEXT 150 | CAC Technology | CAC PME.

Visit our website for more information: www.solutions30.com

Contact

Individual Shareholders:

Investor Relations - Tel: +33 1 86 86 00 63 - shareholders@solutions30.com

Analysts/Investors:

Nathalie Boumendil - Tel: +33 6 85 82 41 95 - nathalie.boumendil@solutions30.com

Press - Image 7:

Charlotte Le Barbier - Tel: +33 6 78 37 27 60 - clebarbier@image7.fr

Leslie Jung - Tel: +33 6 78 70 05 55 - ljung@image7.fr

Financial indicators not defined by IFRS

The group uses financial indicators not defined by IFRS:

Profitability indicators and their components are key operational performance indicators used by the group to monitor and evaluate its overall operating results and results by country.

Cash flow indicators are used by the group to implement its investment and resource allocation strategy.

The non-IFRS financial indicators used are calculated as follows:

Organic growth includes the organic growth of acquired companies after they had bien are acquired, which Solutions30 assumes they would not have experienced had they remained independent. In 2023, the group's organic growth includes only the internal growth of its long-standing subsidiaries.

Adjusted EBITDA is the "operating margin" as reported in the group's financial statements.

EBITDA margin corresponds to "adjusted EBITDA" divided by revenue.

Free cash flow corresponds to the net cash flows from operating activities minus the acquisitions of fixed assets net of disposals.

Calculation of free cash flow

In thousands of euros H1 2023 H2



2022 H1



2022 Net cash flow from operating activities (21,959) 64,642 (6,459) Acquisition of fixed assets (10,901) (10,643) (10,503) Disposal of non-current assets after tax 436 115 55 Free cash flow (32,425) 54,114 (16,907)

Cash net of debt corresponds to "Cash and cash equivalents" as it appears in the group's financial statements from which is deducted "Loans from credit institutions, long-term" and "Short-term loans from credit institutions, lines of credit, and bank overdrafts" as they appear in note 10.2 of the group's annual financial statements.

EBIT corresponds to earnings before interest and taxes as reported in the group's financial statements.

Adjusted EBIT corresponds to operating income as shown in the group's financial statements, to which are added "Customer relationship amortization," "Income from the sale of holdings," "Other non-current operating expenses" and from which are deducted "Other non-current operating income."





Reconciliation between operating income and adjusted EBIT

In thousands of euros H1 2023 H2



2022 H1



2022 Operating income (6,385) (17,590) (8,880) Customer relationship amortization 7,076 7,291 7,134 Other non-current operating income - - (1,850) Other non-current operating expenses 4,259 3,347 10,266 Adjusted EBIT 4,950 (6,953) 6,670 As a % of revenue 1.0% (1.5%) 1.5%

Non-current transactions include other income and expenses that are significant in their amount, unusual, and infrequent.

Net debt corresponds to "Debt, long-term," "Debt, short-term," and long- and short-term "Lease liabilities" as they appear in the group's financial statements from which "Cash and cash equivalents" as they appear in the group's financial statements are deducted.

Net debt/EBITDA ratio corresponds to "net debt" divided by annualized EBITDA.

Net debt-to-equity ratio corresponds to "net debt" divided by equity.

Net debt

In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 12/31/2022 Bank debt 83,628 70,368 Lease liabilities 72,844 67,370 Liabilities from earnouts and put options 12,230 25,516 Cash and cash equivalents (73,373) (124,387) Net debt 95,330 38,868 Equity 131,807 145,345 % of net debt 72.3% 26.7%

Net bank debt corresponds to "Long-term loans from credit institutions" and "Short-term loans from credit institutions, lines of credit, and bank overdrafts" as they appear in note 10.2 of the group's annual financial statements from which are deducted "Cash and cash equivalents" as they appear in the group's financial statements.





Net bank debt

In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 12/31/2022 Loans from credit institutions, long-term 65,401 56,769 Short-term loans from credit institutions, lines of credit, and bank overdrafts 18,227 13,599 Cash and cash equivalents (73,373) (124,387) Net bank debt 10,256 (54,019)

Gross bank debt corresponds to "Loans from credit institutions, long-term" and "Short-term loans from credit institutions, lines of credit, and bank overdrafts" as they appear in note 10.2 of the group's annual financial statements.

Operating margin corresponds to the "operating margin" as reported in the group's financial statements.

Net investments correspond to the sum of the lines "Acquisition of current assets,"

"Acquisition of non-current financial assets," and "Disposal of non-current assets after tax" as they appear in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Net investments :

In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 06/30/2022 Acquisition of fixed assets assets (10,901) (10,503) Disposal of fixed assets assets after tax 436 55 Net investments (10,465) (10,448)

Operating costs correspond to costs incurred for the group's operations, included in the "operating margin" (excluding structural costs).

Structural costs correspond to costs incurred by the group's head office functions in various countries, included in the "operating margin" (excluding operating costs).

Working capital corresponds to "current assets" as reported in the group's financial statements (excluding "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Current derivative assets") less "current liabilities" (excluding "Debt, short-term," "Current provisions," and "Lease liabilities" adjusted for non-cash items).





Working capital :

In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 12/31/2022 Inventory and work in progress 26,908 25,427 Trade receivables and related accounts 196,265 192,966 Current contract assets 980 970 Other receivables 68,815 58,465 Prepaid expenses 4,454 1,466 Trade payables (191,358) (210,846) Tax and social security liabilities (110,937) (112,287) Other current liabilities (13,242) (13,384) Deferred income (7,444) (7,480) Working capital (25,559) (64,703) Change in working capital 39,144 (39,707) Non-monetary items 5,669 12,581 Change in working capital adjusted for non-monetary items. 44,813 (27,126)

Disclaimer

This document may contain certain forecasts, projections and forward-looking statements, i.e. statements relating to future and not past events in connection with or with respect to the financial position, operations or activities of Solutions30 SE. Such statements imply risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances. Many factors could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, political, economic, commercial, competitive or reputational factors. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit estimate or forecast. Solutions30 SE makes no commitment to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or expectations.
Insights from the Fall 2023 EHSxTech Data Center Event

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Antea Group



There's no question that data centers have complex operations that include numerous hazardous activities and spaces. These operations are further complicated by the nature of data center design and the myriad of stakeholders that play unique roles in daily operations, securing, upgrading, and maintaining. These data centers hold the equipment and processes upon which global businesses, educational systems, and the general public rely.

Antea Group co-hosted our first EHSxTech event specifically focused on data center EHS challenges with STACK Infrastructure in Virginia where we were joined by Data Center EHS professionals from more than 13 technology companies representing hyperscalers, colocation providers, and enterprise owner/operators.

The lively conversations, presentations, and panel discussion focused on EHS challenges specific to data centers including keeping employees, contractors, sub-contractors, vendors, and visitors safe throughout initial construction, operations, retrofit, and upgrade phases of the data center lifecycle. Some of the key discussion points included the challenges of supplier and vendor management, the utilization of EHS Management Systems, and overcoming biases in incident investigation.

Tying together the various discussions throughout the event was one common goal: navigating complex EHS challenges in data centers to create a safer, healthier working environment for all.

Vendor Management and Contractor Safety

We kicked off the event with a panel discussion on the challenges of multi-employer worksites and a group discussion on vendor and contractor management.

In any multi-employer worksite, you run into complex EHS challenges. As an EHS professional, communication and early involvement were identified as two key components to successfully manage these worksites. Ideally, EHS engagement should begin during initial contracting efforts. Setting clear expectations for employee safety should occur early in the business relationship and is key for avoiding conflict and confusion as more and more stakeholders engage at a given facility.

A comprehensive EHS supplier and vendor management program was also identified as a crucial element in ensuring safety over the data center operations lifecycle. Understanding a contractor or partner's safety history, processes, and procedures allows for the identification of potentially unsafe practices prior to vendor onboarding and project initiation, affording an opportunity for proactive risk mitigation.

Discussions with attendees at the event revealed a wide range of contractor management maturity levels. Some companies described highly mature vetting processes for contractors, including dedicated teams for contractor vetting, while others leveraged small internal teams or external vendors to evaluate contractor programs, procedures, and past performance. A commonly overlooked group of contractors is those providing low-risk services such as vending and janitorial support. Given the complex nature of data centers, the inclusion of these vendors in the contractor safety program is seen as a best practice that everyone should consider.

Another major challenge involves vetting and auditing second and third-tier subcontractors where visibility of past performance metrics is piecemeal, at best. To tackle this issue, participants discussed the importance of continually updating and enforcing contractual language to ensure general contractors maintain oversight of these subs, thereby closing any potential contractual loopholes or gaps in communication during the introduction of new subcontractors onsite.

These multifaceted challenges underscore the complexity of supplier and vendor management within data centers, requiring nuanced strategies and continuous improvement efforts.

In addition to vetting contractors, EHS leaders are responsible for overall contractor safety. Ensuring the safety of contractors is essential to prevent accidents, protect the data center's operations, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Here are the priority areas of focus and best practices the attendees discussed:

Prequalification of contractors: Establish rigorous prequalification criteria for contractors, including maintaining and providing safety records, certifications, and training.

Establish rigorous prequalification criteria for contractors, including maintaining and providing safety records, certifications, and training. Contractor Orientation and Training: Provide comprehensive safety orientation for all contractors before they start working at a data center and ensure they receive training on data center-specific safety procedures, emergency protocols, and facility rules. It is crucial that all contractors understand that any onsite personnel within their subcontractor network are required to receive this orientation and training prior to beginning work. One practice to "catch everyone", prior to beginning work was tying facility access directly to completing the onboarding training.

Provide comprehensive safety orientation for all contractors before they start working at a data center and ensure they receive training on data center-specific safety procedures, emergency protocols, and facility rules. It is crucial that all contractors understand that any onsite personnel within their subcontractor network are required to receive this orientation and training prior to beginning work. One practice to "catch everyone", prior to beginning work was tying facility access directly to completing the onboarding training. Safety Equipment and Personal Protective Gear: Ensure contractors are provided with necessary safety equipment and personal protective (PPE) gear, and ensure they are trained in their proper use. PPE should be provided by the primary employer. Also, verify regular inspections and maintenance of safety equipment is completed

Ensure contractors are provided with necessary safety equipment and personal protective (PPE) gear, and ensure they are trained in their proper use. PPE should be provided by the primary employer. Also, verify regular inspections and maintenance of safety equipment is completed Documentation and Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate records of contractor safety training, certifications, incident reports, and safety compliance. Ensure all documentation is up to date, and easily accessible.

Following our discussion on Contractor Management, the EHSxTech group viewed a virtual presentation on incident investigation best practices and prevention of cognitive bias.

Incident Investigation: Preventing Cognitive Bias

Incident investigation is a complex process that requires careful consideration of cognitive biases that can influence outcomes. Cognitive biases are often automatic and unconscious, shaping how individuals select and process information. Jennifer Serne-Allen, Safety Professor at Central Washington University and Accident Investigation and Human Factors Researcher shares Hollnagel's concept of "What you look for is what you find". This can lead to shortcuts that simplify decision-making but may also result in biases like the anchoring effect, confirmation bias, and fundamental attribution error.

When conducting incident investigations, it's important to keep in mind the potential biases in each investigation method. Below are some examples of common ways investigation methods can be biased:

Checklists are a tool often used in incident investigations which, when worded in a certain way and used under pressure, can inadvertently introduce biases.

Eyewitness testimony is vulnerable to memory distortions and suggestions during interviews.

The "5 Whys" or the "5 Blames" approach can introduce biases and oversimplify causal chains of events.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can be influenced by initial hypotheses.

To mitigate these biases, training on cognitive bias awareness is essential. It's crucial to recognize that we often notice bias in others more than in ourselves. "One strategy to combat bias is to list out reasons why your original hypothesis might be wrong," suggested Serne-Allen. Another approach to consider is instead of asking "Why," investigators can focus on asking "How" to understand the conditions that allowed an event to occur. Using diverse investigation teams can help uncover a more comprehensive perspective on incidents. These strategies can enhance the quality and objectivity of incident investigations in data centers and ultimately improve health and safety practices.

To wrap up the event, attendees discussed EHS Management Systems and the ever-present challenge of lone work in data centers.

Utilizing EHS Management Systems

At the beginning of our event, it became evident that a majority of attendees already had some form of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS) in place, but many of these systems were not necessarily aligned with ISO standards.

Several participants explained that they felt the need to establish a solid safety foundation before pursuing ISO alignment, emphasizing the importance of success in building that foundation or gradually moving towards ISO compliance. Notably, the lack of ISO alignment was cited as a challenge for those seeking contracts with public sector customers.

Many participants mentioned transitioning away from tracking incident rates and instead focusing on internal safety assessments and incident reporting to provide a more comprehensive view of their safety processes and metrics, particularly for customers who specifically request incident data. While some companies, driven by European clients, were pursuing ISO 14001 certification, the consensus was that unless there was a customer-driven need, many participants were concentrating on establishing strong safety management foundations that could align with ISO standards in the future. This pragmatic approach highlights the evolving nature of EHSMS implementation in data centers.

Check out our webinar on implementing EHS Management Systems here.

The On-Going Challenge of Lone Work in Data Centers

Lone work is very common within data centers and continues to be an important topic of discussion due to the 24x7 nature of data center operations. However, even though it is a standard practice across the industry lone work at data centers still comes with risks. Without a partner or someone to supervise them, a lone worker has to be extra careful and hyper aware to stay safe. Data centers can feel like a low-risk environment, however, they pose life-threatening hazards such as falls, electric shock, medical emergencies, and more. All of these hazards become even concerning when there's no one else around to respond, in the event of a fall or medical emergency. That's why it's so important to identify lone worker risks and to create a detailed lone worker policy.

Wearable technology is one option in the journey to help keep lone workers safer. For example, devices that monitor a worker's vital signs such as smart helmets, safety vests, and smartwatches, can help in the event of a medical emergency. Some of these devices also offer tracking information, so an EHS professional can tell exactly where a lone worker is in a data center, where they're moving to, and if something is wrong.

Several participants shared how they have made efforts to adopt wearable technologies and software solutions, however, they continue running into barriers and obstacles that have prevented the adoption of a solution across all sites. These barriers have included security concerns, impracticability of poor cellular/internet connectivity within certain areas of the data centers, high costs, incompatibility with existing software and poor employee adoption.

Learn more about lone work in data centers here.

Conclusion

As demand for data centers continues to grow, developing robust EHS programs will only become more important. Each stage of the data center lifecycle, from new builds, expansions, retrofits and upgrades to ongoing operations, presents unique challenges for EHS professionals. We're grateful for our EHSxTech community where EHS professionals are able to come together to address these challenges by collaborating, brainstorming and working together to create a safer, healthier, more sustainable approach to data center operations. Once again, a huge thank you to all our participants and to our host, STACK Infrastructure!

Interested in joining our next EHSxTech? Learn more here.

About Antea Group

AnteaGroup is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world's most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at us.anteagroup.com.?

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Antea Group

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SOURCE: Antea Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786342/navigating-complex-ehs-challenges-in-the-rapidly-evolving-world-of-data-center-operations
Ivan Paspaldzhiev, Biodiversity, Natural & Social Capital Lead, denkstatt Bulgaria

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Inogen Alliance

Reporting on GHG emissions is becoming a must for many corporations. In the EU, this is required by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. In the US, GHG reporting is on the agenda of the Security and Exchange Commission, and the IFRS standard for climate-related disclosures has now been launched.

While the space is developing rapidly, there are pitfalls to watch out for. Here we will discuss these pitfalls and offer suggestions on how to avoid them - based on 20+ years of GHG accounting experience in the Inogen Alliance.

GHG Emissions Sources

The rules for Corporate GHG accounting are formalized by the GHG Protocol - this is the industry standard. According to the GHG Protocol, there are three types of emissions:

Scope 1 are the direct emissions from sources controlled or owned by the company. This includes stationary and mobile combustion, emissions due to physical or chemical releases (flaring, certain chemical reactions, emissions from animal rearing and fertilizer use), as well as use of refrigerants. Scope 2 are emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heating, or cooling. Scope 3 are all other indirect emissions in the value chain. This includes 15 separate emission categories. According to CDP, the most significant sources are typically purchasing of goods and services in the supply chain, as well as the use of the company's sold products. These make up around 90% of Scope 3 emissions on average.

Typically, Scope 1 and 2 emissions are much easier to calculate than Scope 3. So where do companies get these wrong? Let's find out.

Corporate GHG Data Management is Still Very Poor

A recent scientific paper showed that in the majority of cases, some of the world's largest corporations with a long-standing history of GHG reporting do not accurately disclose even Scope 1 emissions. Their emission calculated for each fuel source do not add up to the reported total. This is concerning since Scope 1 emissions are the easiest to calculate, and making sure the total adds up is achievable in basic spreadsheet software. What is more, if some of the world's largest companies can't handle even the easiest GHG reporting, then what should we expect from smaller companies that will also have to disclose? Here is out advice for making sure you get the data right:

You can't just outsource

Organizing the company's emissions data can be a challenge for companies. It's tempting to just throw money at the problem and hire a consultant. Consultants can be invaluable to help you identify the right data sources in your company. But you know your business best - an external consultant will not be able to navigate the intricacies of your corporate structure without your help.

You need a good internal project manager, guided by an experienced advisor who understands your business and can help you identify and collect the necessary data. Your internal project manager should have the final responsibility of checking your data before reporting. Consider also formalizing this role by designating at least a dedicated Sustainability Manager. Otherwise, you risk silly errors like your emissions not adding up. Low quality reporting ultimately means extra audit costs and multi-year restatements, plus wasting internal staff time to fix issues that should have been easy to avoid in the first place.

It's about data, not software

When it comes to GHG accounting, it's tempting to try to automate. More and more GHG and sustainability reporting software tools are popping up. Some are also used by us in the INOGEN Environment Alliance. However, overly relying on software is not productive. As the example above shows, with bad data, you get bad results. Focus on data first, and software solutions second.

We Are Still in the Wild West of GHG Calculations and Audits

Another study by King's Business School showed that many consultants calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions with methodologies that are simply not allowed under the GHG Protocol. Yet somehow these calculations manage to pass audit and make their way onto public reporting platforms such as CDP. This is quite concerning - as mentioned above, Scope 1 and 2 emissions are much easier to calculate than Scope 3. The GHG Protocol - the corporate standard for emissions accounting - is also quite clear on what methods are allowed in what circumstances - auditors should be able to easily spot any errors.

What is more, the study shows that with different calculation methods, you can get widely different results for the same type of emissions. This is even more concerning since investors rely on accurate data to prioritize investments. If emissions reporting can be lowballed by cherry-picking methods, then the investment community is in big trouble.

The quality of solutions providers is evidently varied, and the market practice is not yet fully established. Here are some things you can do to make sure your reporting is up to par:

If outsourcing, choose the right advisor

External advisors are invaluable for helping you quickly get up to speed with GHG calculation methods. If you are working with an external advisor, make sure to pick one that is experienced not just in GHG calculations, but also in sectors and companies of similar size as yours. After all, if your advisor can't navigate the intricacies of your corporate structure, the applicable methodologies, and the sector-specific data that is required to calculate emissions, can they really guarantee that they will provide you with accurate and actionable results? We don't think so and neither should you.

Don't treat audits as a formality

Let's face it - most companies just don't have their processes set up for annual GHG accounting. So, the data quality is not always as good as for financial reporting, and errors do occur. Your auditor can and should help you spot any major errors so that you can improve your accounting. Then you should be able to avoid non-compliance, plus also silly errors like your emissions not adding up. But not all auditors are created equal - make sure to pick a provider that has experience in GHG calculations. After all, you would not hire a GHG specialist for your financial report, nor should you hire a non-specialist for your GHG account. Otherwise, you risk your auditors missing obvious errors.

When calculating, always err on the side of caution

Unfortunately, the GHG Protocol does not formally mandate what methods companies should use. So cherry-picking methodologies that calculate the lowest amount of emissions is not strictly non-compliant, at least when considering GHG standards. However, it's still dishonest, and intentionally misleading investors is still a crime. So, if there are multiple ways to calculate the same type of emissions (such as different sources of emissions factors), always choose the most conservative one. In ESG, the precautionary principle applies - in this case not just because of the planet, but also for your own peace of mind.

Scope 3 is Where Companies Are Least Prepared

Scope 1 and 2 emissions are usually not difficult to calculate. The difficulty is usually in Scope 3, which is typically also the largest source of emission in most companies. This is confirmed by a recent report by CDP for EU companies - Scope 3 is by far the most important for Science-Based Targets for GHG reduction, yet companies are also the least prepared.

Here are some tips for setting up and achieving a Scope 3 emissions target:

For Scope 3 targets, you have two options:

An absolute emissions reduction target - you have up to 10 years to achieve this. A supplier engagement target - you don't commit to reducing emissions, just to engaging 2/3 of your suppliers for setting their own reduction targets. You have up to 5 years to achieve this.

Scope 3 can be scary, no doubt. Companies are worried that they can't guarantee that their suppliers will reduce their emissions, so then they can't guarantee that they will achieve an absolute reduction target. So, they opt for supplier engagement - you don't have to claim emission reductions, just that you have "engaged" your suppliers. Don't think that a supplier engagement target is easier than absolute reduction

Seems easier? Not if you consider the implications. If you want to reduce supply chain emissions, you need to engage your suppliers anyway - that is how you get the data you need to track the target! So instead of a supplier engagement target, consider absolute reduction - then you have 10 years to engage your suppliers and not five.

Engage internally and focus on traceability

As noted in the beginning of this article, purchase of goods and services and use of the company's products are the most significant emissions sources in most cases.

Emissions from the use of your products can be direct - such as the energy consumption of an appliance. But some use phase emissions are also indirect - e.g. if you want to use shampoo for your shower, you also need some hot water - the emissions for heating up the water should be accounted for. Calculating use phase emissions should be achievable if you dedicate internal staff - after all, you know your products best, and have access to the best data about the usage specs for your products. An external advisor can help you identify the right level of detail for such calculations so that you can make the process efficient.

Emissions from purchased goods and services in the supply chain is where most companies stumble. Often you only know who your direct supplier is, but not where the product is manufactured, even more so when considering complex products with intricate supply chains. So, the GHG Protocol allows workarounds in the form of average data, typically from LCA databases such as Ecoinvent and GaBi, or spend-based average data from input-output models such as USEEIO, EORA and EXIOBASE. This is good enough as a start, but with average data you only get average results - you don't know if the supplier's emissions are improving. So, your goal should always be traceable data - only then can you track your target. Working with your procurement team is key - an external advisor can help you in setting up a supplier traceability and engagement process.

You are not alone in engaging your suppliers

According to the latest progress report of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), 1/3 of global market cap is covered by GHG emission reduction targets. This means that if your organization is setting Scope 3 reduction targets, you are likely to find yourself in the company of your peers. So, chances are that some of your suppliers may already have emission reduction targets and may already be reporting data to platforms such as CDP. An external advisor should be able to easily help you find and use this data for improving your GHG inventory.

What is more, if your peers already have their own targets, then there is room to put joint pressure on your suppliers. Make sure to engage with relevant industry initiatives - climate change is a shared challenge, so solving it will also require collaboration.

In Closing

GHG accounting is becoming a must and it can be challenging if you are just starting out. With this advice, you can hit the ground running and avoid some common pitfalls. Keep in mind that like annual financial reporting, GHG reporting is also here to stay, so don't let "perfect" be the enemy of "good" - start out simple and build up what you need as you go along. An experienced advisor can help you set up a long-term GHG accounting roadmap so that you can confidently work on improving your data and reporting quality over time in the most efficient way - focusing on the biggest emissions sources and the largest opportunities for improvement.

Let us know how we can help you in GHG accounting and inventories, Science-Based Target setting, and identifying emission reduction opportunities in a wide range of sectors.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Inogen Alliance on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Inogen Alliance

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/inogen-alliance

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Inogen Alliance

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786343/navigating-the-wild-west-of-corporate-ghg-accounting
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

Meet Nicolas Clerget

Name: Nicolas Clerget | Director Net Zero Carbon Strategy

Company: HEINEKEN

Connect with Nicolas on LinkedIn

Welcome to our series aimed at spotlighting the individual leaders within BIER member companies and stakeholder organizations. Learn how these practitioners and their companies are addressing pressing challenges around water, energy, agriculture, climate change, and what inspires each of them to advance environmental sustainability in the beverage sector and collectively, overall.

Briefly describe your role and responsibilities and how long you have worked with your company.

I joined Heineken five years ago. I started in the procurement department, where I was asked to lead and transition a team of sourcing experts to procure more renewable energy. Three years ago, I moved to the global sustainability team responsible for Heineken's new sustainability strategy. I focused on designing our Net Zero carbon strategy - it was the right fit based on my background in energy and how much work needed to be done in the face of climate change.

I've learned a great deal in this role. When I first accepted the position, I thought it was primarily a decarbonization agenda - but actually, it is a transformation agenda. That is because you have to reconcile decarbonization with ongoing business objectives like growth and profitability. This means the proper ecosystems must be set up to enable the transformation. You must set internal targets and establish rewards, remuneration, and incentives. You must allocate enough funding for transition investments and you have to build capabilities within the company. The level of orchestration required is amazing.

The good news is HEINEKEN has a company culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. From our C-suite to our operators, our company takes this agenda very seriously. In reality, my role today is less to mobilize the organization but more to manage and pace the transformation.

How has the company's sustainability program evolved over the years, and what are your specific priorities for 2023?

Just five years ago, only a few people in Heineken were working on decarbonization - it felt a bit like working in a startup! Then we started to scale up, integrating more teams and senior leaders. We set solid governance with the executive teams of the operating companies, and we started to put processes in place.

Today, I would say we are at full corporate alignment with nearly 45 people dedicated to the agenda - all teams from finance to engineering to procurement to corporate affairs. As a company, we now have the capacity to execute, and our traction in the business is high.

One key improvement we made was turning carbon dioxide (CO2) into a corporate performance KPI. The (sad) beauty is that CO2 is a very easy KPI to integrate into financial performance management. You can create benchmarks and draw insights more easily than other environmental topics. This helps us maintain focus and reflects sustainability as critical to growing the business.

Learn more about Nicolas Clerget in this BIER Member Spotlight.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/beverage-industry-environmental-roundtable

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786353/bier-member-spotlight-nicolas-clerget
$210,000 grant will fund rooftop solar arrays for 14 homes

MCKINNEY, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Green Mountain Energy and Habitat for Humanity of Collin County (HFHCC) flipped the switch yesterday on the first two homes of the local chapter's latest project, The Cotton Groves.

The project uses both traditional construction methods as well as repurposed shipping containers to build energy-efficient, sustainable homes. The development will also include rooftop solar, to be installed by Collective Sun, as well as electric vehicle charging outlets.

The rooftop arrays will allow 14 families to go solar and were made possible through a $210,000 grant by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club and through an innovative financing tool offered by Collective Sun. Combined, the families are expected to save approximately $17,500 in annual energy costs.

"Sun Club is honored to be part of this innovative project that will help low-income families become homeowners," said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice president. "We are thrilled to be able to help these families save money while safeguarding the environment for future generations. This grant will ensure that the new homeowners have a head start on an environmentally conscious lifestyle."

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has been empowering local communities and advancing sustainability since 2002. The charitable program has donated more than $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club supports projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, education and awareness, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture. Green Mountain Energy invites its customers and employees to contribute and champion sustainability for people and the planet.

"We are so excited to do our very first solar neighborhood with the help of Sun Club," said Celeste Cox, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Collin County. "The savings for our homeowners will make a real difference in the lives of these first-time homeowners. Our first families will be moving into their homes soon, and they are truly blessed to be a part of a sustainable community."

This program is designed to address the need for affordable housing in McKinney, Texas. Eligible low-to-moderate income families make 30-60% of the area median household income.

Families who are interested in homeownership can apply via a pre-approval process. HFHCC's Family Selection committee will select homeowners based on three criteria: the applicant's level of need, their willingness to partner with the organization, and their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

Selected families will move into the 35 three- and four-bedroom townhomes. The eco-friendly, former shipping-container units are a high-end design concept made of steel, built to withstand weathering, and require little maintenance.

Additionally, the project will employ solar installers from low- to moderate-income backgrounds who are newly trained by Green Careers Dallas, creating a career path in a growing industry.

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy is inspiring hope, motivating action through the use of clean energy, and advancing sustainable communities through the work of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

About Habitat for Humanity of Collin County

Habitat for Humanity of Collin County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles. We put God's love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. We are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide, believing everyone deserves a decent place to live. We encourage positive relationships throughout the community by advocating for fair housing policies and by providing training to help families improve their shelter conditions.

Habitat Collin County has been serving families in Collin County since August 1992 having built 230 new homes, repaired over 700 homes, and over 70 homes internationally. Habitat serves all of Collin County providing New Home Construction and Home Repair services to qualifying families earning below median incomes for our area. For more information on Habitat Collin County, see www.habitatcollincounty.org and www.thecottongroves.com

GME Media Contact:

Estefania Joy

713-537-5735

media@greenmountain.com

Twitter: @GreenMtnEnergy

HFHCC Media Contact

Celeste Cox

214-616-7373

celeste@habitatcctx.org

Green Mountain Energy and Habitat for Humanity of Collin County (HFHCC) flipped the switch yesterday on the first two homes of the local chapter's latest project, The Cotton Groves.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Green Mountain Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Green Mountain Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/green-mountain-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Green Mountain Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786366/green-mountain-energy-sun-club-partners-with-habitat-for-humanity-of-collin-county-to-build-solar-powered-homes
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Applied Materials

by Julie Lata

As many children throughout the U.S. head back into the classroom to start a new year of learning, we reflect on the commitment of the Applied Materials Foundation and Applied Materials to engaging youth through high-quality educational experiences.

At Applied Materials, we believe that education inspires young minds, opens new doors and paves the way to more promising futures. Putting this philosophy into action, the Applied Materials Foundation and the company invest in efforts globally that are aimed at helping students fulfill their academic potential. We prioritize projects that cultivate a child's curiosity, encourage a growth mindset and engage kids through self-reflection and discovery. In alignment with our commitment to equity-centered community engagement, we fund organizations led by and comprised of individuals with similar life experiences to the youth they are serving.

In Austin, Texas, the Applied Materials Foundation funds the African American Youth Harvest Foundation's (AAYHF's) efforts to provide relevant technical training, opportunities and guidance to Austin youth. Last year, over 300 kids participated in AAYHF's year-round coding and product development programs. In Montana, the Applied Materials Foundation's support for Kalispell Education Foundation's teacher mini-grant program fulfilled 59 grant requests, ultimately reaching over 75 teachers and their 4,000 students. In Portland, Oregon, the Applied Materials Foundation works with College Possible to provide intensive college access programming for 400+ historically underserved Portland Metro region high school students, and in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the Foundation's engagement with LEAP to Education helps local youth in the area prepare for college and career.

In Silicon Valley, California, the Applied Materials Foundation collaborates with SEMI Foundation to promote discovery and innovation through STEM kits and curriculum to East San Jose students. The Applied Materials Foundation's support for the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix enables up to 400 elementary and middle school students from lower-income families to experience meaningful STEM education programs. And in Idaho, the Foundation's sponsorship of the Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair at Boise State University engages over 650 youth in inquiry-based STEM research. In addition, the Foundation's sponsorship for Eastern New York American Chemical Society's National Chemistry Day underwrites chemistry-focused community activities throughout the area.

Outside the U.S., Applied Materials focuses on project-based learning and expanding access for historically underserved populations. In Taiwan, corporate funding for the National Taiwan Science Education Center's semiconductor exhibition and education program allows visitors to explore the fascinating world of semiconductors through interactive gaming with the help of multimedia and mechanical devices. In Singapore, Applied works with North East CDC Science Explorer Camp to inspire and promote innovative thinking in children through hands-on science workshops and experiments that help them develop skills and further learning. In Korea, the company collaborates with Child Fund Korea to provide experiential science education opportunities for children in community centers throughout the country. And in China, corporate funding for the Lingshan Library Project works to improve literacy rates at rural schools by providing reading resources and professional development for teachers.

In India, Applied works with Pratham Education Foundation to make science learning fun, interesting and useful for children at the Science Centers of Khalapur, Raigad in Maharashtra. In Japan, the company works with NPO Kids' Door to provide free afterschool tutoring to students from low-income families. In Israel, corporate collaboration with the Israel Scholarship Education Foundation encourages high school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to better understand the importance of completing high school and pursuing higher education through participatory workshops.

Whether it is encouraging student exploration through STEM kits, cultivating creativity through coding competitions or clarifying pathways to college and/or career through student-centered workshops, Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation are dedicated to supporting the success of the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Applied Materials on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Applied Materials

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/applied-materials

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Applied Materials

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786402/applied-materials-foundation-and-applied-materials-expand-access-to-high-quality-education-for-students
Regulatory News:

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SCOPE SFL LAN

At the SIBCA fair, SFL (Paris:FLY) received the Low Carbon Building Award. The award recognises SFL's strong commitment to reducing its portfolio's environmental impact, with 100% of redevelopment projects obtaining BBCA certification in 2022, and its ambitious strategy for meeting low-carbon targets.

"Our objective is to offer our customers the best office infrastructure, providing not only attractive and efficient workspaces, but also a guidepost for them and for us towards a low-carbon future," explains Dimitri Boulte, SFL's Chief Executive Officer.

The Group is working with the Carbone 4 environmental consultancy to implement a Net Zero Initiative strategy designed to make SFL the benchmark for low-carbon buildings in Paris.

"Our assertive strategy is embodied in our very ambitious low-carbon building projects. They include the BIOME complex on avenue Emile Zola, which was one of the first very large scale redevelopment projects in Paris to earn BBCA Renovation certification. The recently delivered programme is based on three pillars: energy efficiency, mixed-use capabilities and biodiversity. The current SCOPE (formerly Rives de Seine) redevelopment project on Quai de la Rapee, which is on display in the Pavillon de l'Arsenal centre for architecture and urban planning, will represent a new benchmark in low-carbon high-rise building design," said Dimitri Boulte, Chief Executive Officer of SFL.

SFL is one of the first property companies to have earned BREEAM certification for all of the properties in its portfolio. Added to this, its carbon reduction strategy (scopes 1 and 2) was validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2021.

This year, SFL has received the Gold Award for compliance with the EPRA's Sustainability Best Practices Recommendations (sBPR) and the GRESB Green Star Award, and is about to launch a plan to reduce the carbon emissions (scopes 1+2+3) of all of its activities.

Eric Oudard, SFL's Technical and Development Director, explains: "Thanks to SFL's unique positioning, we are well placed to take the lead in promoting low-carbon building practices in Paris. We hold three aces in the pack: access to low carbon mobility solutions, high quality construction and low-carbon redevelopment and operation cycles. And the fourth ace is the French capital's density and hyper-connectivity. Our strategy is illustrated by the plan to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations that was launched in 2010 and rolled over in 2020. Thanks to this plan, SFL is now perfectly aligned with national and international emissions reduction trajectories, in terms of both the property portfolio and our contribution to bioclimatic urban design. In addition, the quality of the capital's transport and urban cooling/heating networks, combined with our properties' prime locations, have halved the carbon impact of commuting by users of our properties compared to the average for Paris region office properties."

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 7.9 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties. With its sights firmly set on the future, SFL is committed to sustainable real estate with the aim of building the city of tomorrow and helping to reduce carbon emissions in its sector.

Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409 Bloomberg: FLY FP Reuters: FLYP PA

S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921515451/en/

Contacts:

SFL Thomas Fareng +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00 t.fareng@fonciere-lyonnaise.com

www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Rumbu Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: RMB.P) ("Rumbu" or the "Company"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), is pleased to announce that it has scheduled an Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders to approve, amongst other matters, the Company's Qualifying Transaction (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is the proposed business combination of Rumbu and the Schrader Funeral Home Business located in Smithers, British Columbia (the "Funeral Business") which is owned by Daryl and Jamie Lockyer (the "Lockyers"), with the ongoing public company (the "Resulting Issuer") acquiring the Funeral Business. The Transaction will constitute as a Qualifying Transaction ("QT") pursuant to the rules of the TSXV and is subject to the final approval of the TSXV. If the Transaction is approved by the Shareholders of the Company and it is completed, the proposed Transaction will constitute the Company's QT as set forth in Policy 2.4 of the policies of the TSXV ("Exchange Policy 2.4"). Concurrent with the approval of the QT by its Shareholders, Rumbu plans to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 1,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu at a price of $0.20 per share with minimum subscription of $1,800 consisting of a minimum of nine (9) Public Shareholders, each holding a board lot representing 1,000 Common Shares.

About Rumbu Holdings and the Resulting Issuer

Rumbu is a reporting issuer in good standing in Alberta and British Columbia and its Common Shares (the "Rumbu Shares") are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Currently, Rumbu currently has 6,500,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding, stock options outstanding to acquire 650,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per share until December 10, 2032 (the "Stock Options") and Agent's Options outstanding to acquire 400,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per share until December 10, 2027 (the "Agent's Options"). After completion of the QT, the Resulting Issuer will have 13,500,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding, if the Private Placement is fully subscribed.

About the Funeral Home Business of the Lockyers

The Lockyers jointly own a Funeral Home Business held by Schrader Funeral Home and Cremation Services Ltd. (the "Funeral Business") with a primary funeral home located in Smithers, British Columbia. The Funeral Business is a funeral business that provides all funeral and cremation related services to the public in its market area. The Lockyers believe that Rumbu will allow and provide a vehicle to them to expand their Funeral Business in Western Canada and particularly in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. They also believe that Rumbu will enable them to access faster growth opportunities in this market place today where succession planning is booming. The Lockyers believe that based upon proven results and experience by them in the past that the partnership with Rumbu will fuel growth in the funeral home business and unlock additional potential value.

Non-Brokered Private Placement

Concurrent with the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, Rumbu will complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 1,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu at a price of $0.20 per share. The Private Placement is comprised of minimum proceeds of $1,800 consisting of a minimum of nine (9) Public Shareholders, each holding a board lot, representing 1,000 Common Shares. The Private Placement is not a Related Party Transaction as none of the Subscribers to the Private Placement will be Related Parties. All securities issued in the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months from the date of issue. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be utilized for general working capital purposes and there will be no fees or commissions paid in connection with the Private Placement.

Proposed Qualifying Transaction

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement between Rumbu and the Lockyers, Rumbu will acquire the Funeral Business in exchange for the issuance by Rumbu of 6,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu (the "QT Shares") at a deemed issue price of $0.20 per Rumbu Share to the Lockyers for a total purchase price of $1,200,000 CDN. The outstanding management and director options of Rumbu and the Agent's Options, as the case may be, shall remain outstanding and shall be governed by their applicable Option Agreements. The QT Shares shall be distributed to the Lockyers pursuant to their instructions on the basis of 3,300,000 Common Shares to Daryl Lockyer and 2,700,000 Common Shares to Jamie D. Lockyer. At this point, Mr. Lockyer will directly own 3,800,000 Common Shares of the Resulting Issuer, as he was previously issued 500,000 Common Shares upon the formation of Rumbu. The Transaction may be considered a "Related Party Transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI-61-101") and Rumbu was required to hold a Special Meeting of the Shareholders of Rumbu (the "Shareholders") and obtain a majority of the minority shareholder approval, as Daryl Lockyer is a Director of Rumbu and the Transaction constitutes a Non-Arms Length Transaction pursuant to the policies of the TSXV. Mr. Lockyer is a Director and Shareholder of Rumbu holding 500,000 Common Shares and 125,000 Options of Rumbu. Therefore, the Transaction will be subject to shareholder approval and Rumbu specifically confirms that it will be seeking shareholder approval under the policies of the TSXV.

Additional Information and Description of Significant Closing Conditions

The closing of the Transaction will be subject to several conditions, including, but not limited to the following:

Approval by the Majority of the Minority Shareholders of Rumbu of the QT;

The receipt of all regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, including the approval of the TSXV and compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and conditions necessary to complete the Transaction;

The completion of the Private Placement;

The maintenance of Rumbu's listing on the TSXV;

The confirmation of the representations and warranties of each party to the Definitive Agreement as set out in such Agreement;

The absence of any material adverse effect on the financial and operational condition of the business or the assets of each of the parties to the Definitive Agreement; and

The delivery of standard completion documentation including, but not limited to, legal opinions, officers' certificates and certificates of good standing or compliance of the parties and other mutual conditions precedent customary for a transaction such as the Transaction.

Directors, Officers and Other Insiders

On the closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer will consist of five Directors and Shelina Hirji will resign as a Director and be replaced by Jamie D. Lockyer. The following table sets out the names, relationships to the Company and summarizes the backgrounds of all persons who, at this time, are expected to be insiders of the Company upon closing of the QT.

Name and Municipality of Residence Office and Date First Appointed Principal Occupation and

Positions During Last Five Years

Daryl Lockyer

Lethbridge, Alberta























Proposed President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date



















Daryl Lockyer has been involved in the funeral home business for more than 30 years as a mortuary, funeral home manager, executive and director. For the past 20 years, Mr. Lockyer has been the President of The Caring Group Corp., a funeral home business headquartered in Lethbridge, Alberta with funeral homes in Alberta and British Columbia. Mr. Lockyer also provides consulting services to various companies in the funeral home business through Lockyer Management Corp.



Jamie D. Lockyer

Lethbridge, Alberta















Proposed Vice President and Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date













Since 2008, Ms. Lockyer has been an Employee of The Caring Group Corp. in Lethbridge, Alberta, a funeral home business. Ms. Lockyer attended Mount Royal University, receiving her Funeral Director and Embalmer Certificate in 2008 and has in her career been involved in all facets of funeral home operations and management.



Shelina Hirji

Calgary, Alberta





















Proposed Chief Financial Officer of the Resulting Issuer





















Ms. Hirji is designated accountant with over 38 years of experience ranging from infrastructure, construction, mining and oil and gas exploration and production. She has held senior accounting and management roles in both private and public companies and the Alberta Securities Commission. She has an Advanced Accounting Certificate and Diploma from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and is a registered CPA.





Ross O. Drysdale

Calgary, Alberta











Proposed Director and Chairman of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date











Since 1973, Mr. Drysdale has been a lawyer, was a partner of two (2) major law firms for 35 years and was the founder of Drysdale Law in 2010, a specialized corporate and securities law boutique with a particular focus on corporate and securities law practice.

Shane A. Wylie

Calgary, Alberta













Proposed Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date













Mr. Wylie is a Professional Landman and was previously a senior manager with Paramount Resources Ltd. from 1991 to 2020 and now manages ArthurBo Energy Inc., a private company that provides land management and consulting services to the energy industry.





J. Michael Sullivan

Calgary, Alberta















Proposed Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date















Mr. Sullivan is a Financial Advisor and was previously a senior officer and Chief Financial Officer of a number of publicly listed companies and held contract and executive positions with a number of private companies involved in solar panel fabrication, environmental services, oilsands and frac sands for the past twenty (20) years.





Information Circular

In connection with the Transaction and pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, Rumbu has completed and mailed on this date to the Shareholders an Information Circular for the holding of an Annual and Special Meeting to be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. and which Circular provides for the consideration and voting upon conventional annual meeting resolutions, the new Option Plan and the Proposed Transaction involving the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Funeral Business from the Lockyers, which will constitute the QT of Rumbu. The Resulting Issuer intends to list as a Tier 2 Industrial Issuer in the Funeral Services sector, subject to meeting the requirements of the TSXV.

Sponsorship of Qualifying Transaction

Sponsorship of a QT of a capital pool company is required by the TSXV and the TSXV has granted Rumbu a waiver from sponsorship in connection with the QT.

Resumption of Trading

In accordance with the TSXV policies, Rumbu's Common Shares were halted from trading on May 1, 2023 and will remain so until the documentation required by the TSXV for the QT can be provided to the TSXV. Rumbu's Common Shares will remain halted until completion of the QT.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this Press Release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information concerning this press release, please contact:

Ross O. Drysdale

President and Chief Executive Officer

Rumbu Holdings Ltd.

Telephone: (403) 585-3737

Email: ross@drysdalelaw.com

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information release or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

Except for statements of historical 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 of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. 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. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company.

The Securities of Rumbu being offered have not been, nor will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent, U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181419
Fungi For Future, hailed as the champions by a panel of expert judges, presented an innovative project to change the way we approach managing food waste.

They will receive a monetary prize and a 6-month incubator program facilitated by The Waste Transformers and Lineage.

The final day of the hackathon was opened by Deputy Mayor Zita Pels, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and practical solutions to tackle food waste.

Lineage Logistics, one of the leaders in cold chain logistics, today announced the successful conclusion of its hackathon event 'Tackling Food Waste for a Sustainable Future'. The event took place over two days in Amsterdam, with the final day at the Eye Film Museum, and brought together some of the brightest minds of student and startup teams as well as NGOs and supply chain leaders from across Europe for an intense few days of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921796081/en/

Winner Lineage Hackathon 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)

The hackathon saw participants from various backgrounds and skill sets come together to try and tackle the challenges of food waste along the supply chain. Teams were asked to effectively track and trace the weight of food waste along various points of the supply chain. For two consecutive days, the participants dedicated unwavering effort to crafting innovative solutions with the potential to revolutionize the approach to addressing food waste.

After careful evaluation by an expert judge panel, Fungi For Future emerged as the winning team. They impressed the judges with their exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and an innovative and scalable project that focuses on the production of alternatives for packaging materials, based on mycelium.

"We are amazed by the level of talent and dedication displayed by all the participants in this hackathon," said Harld Peters, President, Lineage Europe, on behalf of the expert jury panel representing Foodvalley NL, Van Geloven (part of McCain), Taste Before You Waste, VU Amsterdam, and Lineage. "The ideas and solutions presented underscore the incredible potential of smart and driven problem-solvers to drive positive change in our industry." The winning team, Fungi For Future, will receive a monetary prize and personal mentorship through a 6-month incubator program facilitated by The Waste Transformers and Lineage to develop and potentially implement their solution.

"The Waste Transformers, a global leader in on-site containerized food waste biodigesters, enthusiastically embraces the involvement of students in addressing the critical issues around food waste. As partners in this program, we are dedicated to support Fungi For Future over the next six months to amplify their impactful ideas," said Lara van Druten, CEO of The Waste Transformers. "I am very excited about the transformative potential of these young minds in revolutionizing the way we handle food waste. Together, we strive for a greener, more sustainable future."

"Taking part in the hackathon was a huge learning experience, it was inspiring to all be working towards the same goal of reducing food waste," said the Fungi For Future team. "We look forward to taking the next step with the prize and the incubator programme."

Lineage extends its gratitude to all the participants, judges, and partners who contributed to the event's success.

About Lineage Logistics:

Lineage is one of the world's leading temperature-controlled industrial REITs and integrated solutions providers with a global network of over 400 strategically located facilities, totaling nearly 56 million cubic meters of capacity across countries in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Coupling industry-leading expertise in end-to-end logistical solutions and innovative technology, Lineage partners with the world's largest food and beverage companies to increase distribution efficiency, advance sustainability, minimize supply chain waste, and, most importantly, help feed the world. In recognition of the company's leading innovations and sustainability initiatives, Lineage has been named a CNBC Disruptor 50 Company for three consecutive years, twice named a US Best Managed Company, named the No. 1 Data Science company, and 23rd overall, on Fast Company's list of The World's Most Innovative Companies, and was included on Fortune's Change the World list. (www.lineagelogistics.com)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921796081/en/

Contacts:

Lineage

Nina Bosch

nbosch@lineagelogistics.com

Teneo

Rosa Hogerzeil

rosa.hogerzeil@teneo.com
Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company, today announced the opening of its Battery Innovation Center in Germany a major expansion serving the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry powering the global shift to electrification.

The new center is located at Orion's main innovation hub in Cologne. The facility includes a full array of state-of-art production, testing and diagnostic equipment. The center will accelerate Orion's tailor-made product and process development in close cooperation with customers.

"The growth potential for conductive additives is huge. We are committed to serving the needs of battery producers with innovation and a global production network. Our new Battery Innovation Center will further position Orion as a leader in the industry," Orion CEO Corning Painter said. "The battery lab will also broaden and intensify our already extensive network of collaboration with universities, customers and other partners in the battery industry."

Along with the Battery Innovation Center, Orion will establish a new specialized organization for its battery business, led by Dr. Adrian Steinmetz, who joins Orion on Oct. 1 from BASF. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, he will serve as global vice president for conductive additives.

Dr. Steinmetz's key areas of expertise include business development, leading global and regional specialty chemical businesses and their technologies, as well as asset management. He earned a doctorate degree in organic chemistry from University of Gottingen, Germany.

"We are excited that Dr. Steinmetz will provide the global leadership that we need to continue the strong momentum we have in the conductive materials market," said Dr. Sandra Niewiem, senior vice president and global head of Orion's Specialty business. "He will bring to Orion more than 25 years of experience in several commercial and technical roles in battery materials and specialty chemicals in Europe, Asia and the Americas."

In the Battery Innovation Center, Dr. Amaury Augeard will lead the technical team as the head of energy systems. He joined the company from the Lotus Group and brings significant industrial lithium-ion battery expertise. Dr. Augeard holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Clermont-Ferrand, France.

With a plant in France, Orion is the sole producer of acetylene-based conductive additives in Europe. In the U.S., the company is building a similar plant, which will be the only facility of its kind in the country. The site in La Porte, Texas, will quadruple Orion's manufacturing capacity for acetylene-based conductive additives, which are in high demand by lithium-ion battery producers.

About Orion S.A.

Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers' exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability, and add UV protection. Orion has innovation centers on three continents and 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The company's corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the world's longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers' needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks related to our planned payment of the interim dividend and the other risks and uncertainties listed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, each of which could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or other information, other than as required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921694636/en/

Contacts:

Wendy Wilson

Orion S.A.

Head of Investor Relations

wendy.wilson@orioncarbons.com

+1 281-974-0155

William Foreman

Orion S.A.

Director of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs

william.foreman@orioncarbons.com

Direct: +1 832-445-3305

Mobile: +1 281-889-7833
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - TROUBADOUR RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: TR) (OTC Pink: TROUF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Blake Morgan to the Board of Directors.

Blake Morgan has over 15 years' experience in Capital Markets, specifically in the Natural Resource and Precious Metals sectors, including 10 years with Rio Tinto, BMA Metals (a subsidiary of BHP) and Santos Ltd. Mr. Morgan has extensive experience as a prominent Board Member and Senior Executive Officer in numerous publicly traded companies. In recent years, Blake has raised tens of millions of dollars for both public and private companies alike and has successfully taken numerous companies public in the United States, Canada, and Germany.

"We are excited to have Mr. Morgan on board and we look forward to his input and guidance to maximize Troubadour's shareholder value," stated Geoff Schellenberg President.

About Troubadour

TROUBADOUR RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: TR) (OTC Pink: TROUF) is a public Canadian mining exploration company focused on copper and gold in British Columbia, Canada. The Company is managed by an experienced team consisting of youthful and seasoned professionals with proven track records as mine finders. The Texas gold property diversifies the Company's commodity focus and compliments Troubadour's Amarillo copper project located 10 km south of the past-producing Brenda Mine in southern BC and 35 km east of Kodiak Copper's MPD discovery.

For further information please contact:

Troubadour Resources Inc.

625 Howe Street, Suite 488

Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6

Geoff Schellenberg, President

Office: (604) 681-0221

geoff@troubadourresources.com

Forward-Looking Information

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181432
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Hertz Lithium Inc. (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a service agreement dated September 19, 2023 (the "PRmediaNow Service Agreement") with PRmediaNow Inc. ("PRmediaNow"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Service Agreement, PRmediaNow has agreed to provide the Company with media outreach services. PRmediaNow will provide its services for a period of 3 months, which began on or around September 19, 2023 and ends on December 19, 2023. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the PRmediaNow Service Agreement and as consideration for the services provided by PRmediaNow, the Company has agreed to pay PRmediaNow a cash fee of CDN$6,000 + GST for the first month followed by two months at $3,000 + GST per month. PRmediaNow and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest. PRmediaNow's business is located at 1080 St. Germain, Ottawa, ON K1C 2L8. Its email contact is scott@PRmediaNow.com and its phone number is Tel: 613-806-7135.

About Hertz Lithium Inc.

Hertz Lithium Inc. is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material mineral property, the Lucky Mica Project, located in the Arizona Pegmatite Belt in the Maricopa County of Arizona, USA, which is in the exploration stage. The Company is also working with the PSRF in the development of a novel lithium extraction technology. https://hertzlithium.com

For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kal Malhi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: 604-805-4602

Email: kal@bullruncapital.ca

https://hertzlithium.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181436
The partnership between Tec de Monterrey's Institute for the Future of Education and HolonIQ promotes knowledge sharing with the aim of driving vital changes in higher education amidst rapid technological advancements and specific workforce needs.

During the event, the first IFE Insights Reports were launched, designed to spotlight the efforts of organizations preparing young individuals to connect with job prospects and opportunities.

MONTERREY, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / HolonIQ[1] and Tecnologico de Monterrey's Institute for the Future of Education[2] hosted the Future of Higher Education & Workforce Summit over two days. The summit convened leaders in higher education and experts in the future of work to engage in discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing 21st-century education.

For the first time, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, hosted the Future of Higher Education & Workforce Summit. The event featured experts and leaders from various universities, businesses, and startups, along with researchers, executives, and consultants from across Latin America and the world. They deliberated on the challenges of higher education in the context of significant technological advancements and evolving workforce demands.

The strategic partnership between Tec de Monterrey's Institute for the Future of Education and HolonIQ enables a knowledge exchange that will drive vital changes in higher education, opening new avenues for academic excellence and the preparation of a highly skilled, adaptable workforce poised to shape the future of education and work.

This summit covered four key themes: the future of higher education; work, employment, and job skills; the transformation of teaching, learning, and curriculum; and advanced technology.

"This summit has provided a unique opportunity to discuss and design the future of higher education and its relationship with the workforce. At Tecnologico de Monterrey, we look forward to contributing to a meaningful conversation about higher education and the preparation of students and professionals for the challenges of the workforce. We are extremely pleased to have formed an alliance with a significant partner like HolonIQ." said Jose Escamilla, Associate Director of IFE.

The summit also featured the presentation of the first IFE Insights Reports, intended to highlight the efforts of organizations that prepare young individuals for job prospects and opportunities through short-duration, intensive training initiatives, such as Short Cycle Programs (SCP). These programs serve as a tool for human capital development, enabling individuals with additional responsibilities to acquire new skills relevant to their job performance in only two or three years. Additionally, these courses help identify industry needs, allowing them to be adapted for various fields of education and different age groups and positions.

The Future of Higher Education & Workforce Summit 2023 successfully achieved its objectives: identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities in the future of higher education, proposing innovative teaching and learning methods and tools for new generations, and connecting a network of specialists from various disciplines to share experiences, best practices, and value propositions.

[1] HolonIQ is an educational research and consulting company that specializes in data analysis and market intelligence in the field of higher education and continuous learning. It is renowned for its comprehensive data collection and analysis, offering valuable insights into trends, challenges, and opportunities that inform decision-making in the education sector. HolonIQ plays a pivotal role in promoting innovation and continuous improvement in higher education worldwide, making it a significant ally for Tec de Monterrey.

[2] The Institute for the Future of Education, IFE, is an open and collaborative platform dedicated to enhancing the lives of millions of people worldwide. It achieves this by providing the knowledge and skills necessary through FAIR education, which is characterized by Flexible, Appropriate, Inclusive, and Relevant learning. Through its initiatives, the IFE aims to collaborate with academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders to foster interdisciplinary research, facilitate technology transfer, disseminate knowledge, and create communities dedicated to educational innovation.

Press Contacts:

Tec de Monterrey

Pamela Granados

Cell: 81 1080 8256

pamela.granados@tec.mx

Alterpraxis

Fernanda Gutierrez

Cell: 55 5401 7537

fernanda.gutierrez@alterpraxis.com

About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey (http://www.tec.mx) is a private nonprofit multi-campus university system founded in 1943, and distinguished globally for its academic excellence, innovation in education, entrepreneurship, and global vision, along with its deep engagement with industry and employers, and its high executional capability. With a presence across 32 cities in Mexico, the institution has more than 67,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, almost 7,000 faculty members, and more than 26,000 high school students served by 2,500 professors. The institution has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) since 1950. According to the QS World University Rankings (2024), Tecnologico de Monterrey ranks 184th globally and among the top 29 private universities worldwide. The QS Graduate Employability Rankings (2022) places the institution 1st in Latin America and 41st globally for Employer Reputation. The Times Higher Education Latin America University Rankings (2023) ranks the institution 1st in Mexico and 4th in Latin America. Tecnologico de Monterrey is the only university outside the USA included in The Princeton Review & Entrepreneur magazine ranking of Top Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies (2023), placing 4th for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. Tecnologico de Monterrey belongs to several prestigious global networks including, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), and The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN).

SOURCE: Tecnologico de Monterrey

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786505/tecnolgico-de-monterrey-and-holoniq-unveiled-the-future-of-higher-education-workforce-summit
Fernride, a Munich, and Wolfsburg, Germany-based autonomous trucking innovator, closed a further $19M in Series A funding, bringing the total round amount to $50M.

New investors included Deep Tech and Climate Fonds (DTCF), Munich Re Ventures, Bayern Kapital, and Klaus Kleinfeld.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its business reach and development efforts.

Founded by Hendrik Kramer, Maximilian Fisser, and Jean-Michael Georg, Fernride offers scalable automation solutions for yard trucking that increase productivity, promote sustainability, and improve worker safety. The company employs a human-assisted autonomy approach, which allows for remote takeovers of trucks when necessary. Fernride uses technology to address major industry challenges, such as driver shortages and the negative environmental impact of logistics operations. The company currently has over 130 employees working in offices located in Munich and Wolfsburg.

Customers include Volkswagen, HHLA and DB Schenker.

FinSMEs

21/09/2023
The Bettering Company, a Chicago, IL-based luxury cannabis edibles brand, recently raised $6.7M in funding. In conjunction with the announcement, CEO Mark Cozzi replied to our questions about the company, the products offered, the funding, achievements, and future plans.

FinSMEs: Hi Mark, can you tell us a bit more about yourself? Whats your background?

Mark: I am the CEO and Co-Founder of The Bettering Company. Previously, I had a 35-year career in the finance sector, primarily focused on growth companies and startups. After spending 14 years on Wall Street in investment banking at Salomon Smith Barney / Citigroup Global Markets, I joined a client, Thomas Kaplan, as the first employee and co-founder of Leor Energy. I helped build Leor Energy into one of the fastest growing privately held energy companies, eventually being sold for $2.55 billion cash, turning Mr. Kaplans $22 million founders investment into a $2.2 billion monetization. I am actively engaged in a variety of philanthropic and civic endeavors, including The Field Museum Board of Trustees and Action Committee, Northwestern Medicine Board of Trustees and Quality Committee, and Art Institute of Chicago Society of Contemporary Art. I hold a B.B.A. in Accounting and Finance with Honors from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

FinSMEs: Lets speak about The Bettering Company. What is the market problem you want to solve? What is the real opportunity?

Mark: The Bettering Company (TBCo.) is a new luxury cannabis edibles brand offering chef-curated edibles that use real fruits, herbs, teas, spices, and jams and are consistently infused. Obsessed with precision, the company diligently focuses on production techniques that will result in consistent THC levels. TBCo.s products are being made in a 10,000-square-foot facility designed state-of-the-art kitchen  among the largest and newest facilities dedicated solely to edibles production in the United States.

The Bettering Company seeks to solve a historical problem in the cannabis sector of inconsistently infused edibles, leaving consumers with hesitancy to consume cannabis in edible form. The company works extensively with employees and consultants having years of CPG manufacturing and cannabis production experience to develop production techniques that will avoid issues facing many cannabis producers. Additionally, The Bettering Company is working with a testing lab that provides as accurate as possible testing data for THC levels and other food characteristics.

FinSMEs: What are the features differentiating the product from competitors?

Mark: The Bettering Companys vegan and gluten-free recipes with unique flavor profiles set the brand apart from other options, with fresh marketing and environmentally responsible packaging that is as minimal as the number of ingredients used. The Bettering Companys gummies are developed from chef-crafted recipes designed for consumers who appreciate the care and craft put into what they are buying. Backed by the companys mission to improve sustainability, The Bettering Company pouches are made with 35% post-recycled material and each gummy is individually wrapped for functionality.

FinSMEs: You just raised a new funding round. Please tell us more about it.

Mark: The Bettering Company just announced $6.7 million in funding, bringing the companys total funding to over $11 million to date. Our initial seed round in 2022 included participation from seasoned early-stage consumer packaged goods investors, including Peter Rahal. The $11 million in total funding over the past 16 months includes experienced venture capital, cannabis sector and consumer packaged goods investors. The funds will be used (a) to complete the construction of The Bettering Companys new Rockford, Illinois facility with its state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and (b) to continue to build the companys management team focused on recruiting top-tier candidates in sales, marketing and food production.

FinSMEs: Can you share some numbers and achievements of the business?

Mark: Despite difficult market conditions for cannabis companies across the nation, The Bettering Company has been able to complete its capital raise  particularly noteworthy for a pre-revenue cannabis company to attract an investment of this size. The $11 million in total funding over the past 16 months includes experienced venture capital, the cannabis sector and consumer packaged goods investors. The Bettering Company has orders from over 30 dispensaries before we have begun shipping productsahead of our projectionsfor which we are grateful.

FinSMEs: What are your medium-term plans?

Mark: The medium-term plans for The Bettering Company include launching our line of chocolates in Q4 2023 and mints in Q1 2024. We also will introduce CBD/CBN-only gummies and chocolates later this year and early next year.

FinSMEs

21/09/2023
Have you ever dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur and creating a successful business? Before diving headfirst into business, you need to decide what legal structure to give your company.

In this intriguing blog article, well discuss the LLC and clarify any confusion. As you embark on this learning journey, youll understand the unique advantages an LLC offers, how it may help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals, and why this flexible and secure structure has become a popular choice for many savvy company owners.

Put on your seatbelts because youre about to take a wild ride into the exciting world of limited liability companies (LLCs), where legal shielding meets business aims.

>> Use ZenBusiness >>

What Is an LLC?

Limited liability companies, or LLCs, are recognized legal entities in the United States that combine the best features of corporations and partnerships. The owners, who are called members, benefit from limited liability protection and administrative and tax flexibility.

Members of an LLC are protected from personal responsibility for the businesss debts and obligations in the event of bankruptcy or legal action taken against the company. The limited liability aspect of this structure is analogous to the protections enjoyed by shareholders of corporations.

Pass-through taxes are allowed under an LLC structure, which means that the profits and losses of the business may be passed through to the members. This avoids a situation where the companys profits would be taxed twice, once by the company and once by the shareholders.

LLCs are less cumbersome to establish and operate than corporations. Depending on whether the firm is managed internally by the members or by an outside party, the operating agreement may detail the roles and responsibilities of each party.

What Are the Benefits of an LLC?

Every astute business owner knows the value of weighing the pros and cons before deciding. With this information, you can avoid problems and make the best possible choice for your company.

Asset Protection

The main advantage of forming a limited liability company is communicated by its name. One advantage of operating a business via an LLC is that the owners private assets may be protected from business debts and legal actions against the firm. A limited liability company (LLC) may have a single owner (the Member) or several members. Individuals and organizations alike may form an LLC.

Taxation Options

LLCs can provide more leeway in taxes than other business arrangements. Depending on the number of members, LLCs may be taxed as sole proprietorships or partnerships. Earnings are subject to individual income taxation, and each member must file his or her tax return to account for his or her share of the companys revenue and expenses.

Members who contribute their labor to the business are treated as independent contractors and must pay self-employment taxes on their share of the companys profits (Medicare and Social Security).

If the LLC doesnt wish to be taxed as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, it may be regarded as an S-corporation or a C-corporation instead. LLC owners may use corporate taxes to earn competitive wages with firm employees, get access to employee benefits, and lower their overall tax liability.

Owners of a C-corporation are subject to personal income tax on their dividend distributions. Due to the pass-through nature of S businesses, profits are paid out to shareholders in the form of salaries rather than being subject to corporate taxation. Yet, not all LLCs may claim S Corp tax treatment without meeting specific IRS requirements.

Versatility

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) dont have the exact corporate administrative requirements as corporations, such as holding annual shareholder meetings or having a board of directors. The members of a limited liability company are free to organize themselves in any way they see proper. The members or managers of a business are responsible for running the company.

Legal Name and Credibility

In most states, starting a company with the same name as another is illegal. Forming a limited liability corporation (LLC) gives its owners the only right to use the company name inside the state. Using the name also creates a public record of your involvement with it. One technique to demonstrate credibility is to add Limited Liability Corporation to a businesss name.

Profit-Sharing Flexibility

One advantage of a multi-member LLC is that its members may divide profits as they see fit. Whereas corporations have to distribute their profits to shareholders and partnerships often split them among their partners, an LLC may decide how its profits are distributed.

Yet, one must tread carefully since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has laws on the particular distribution of revenues that may require profit sharing to appropriately reflect ownership percentages or a legitimate economic requirement or situation rather than a way of dodging taxes.

Minimal Compliance Requirements

As limited liability companies (LLCs) arent subject to the exact state requirements of corporations, theyre typically seen as more straightforward and flexible.

>> Check Out ZenBusiness >>

What Are the Disadvantages of an LLC?

The advantages of an LLC have likely already convinced you, but savvy business owners will still want to know about a few potential drawbacks.

Self-Employment Taxes

Members may have to fork over more cash to the government since individual income taxes are often higher than business taxes.

Careful Personal Records

As the LLCs owner, you must keep all business monies and documents in a bank account distinct from your personal finances.

LLC Termination

When a single member exits a limited liability company, it ceases to exist. But, if your company is a corporation, it would survive any decrease or increase in stockholders.

Banking

It may be challenging to keep private and business money separate. This is why banks impose many fees and regular charges on company accounts.

Cost

A primary disadvantage of an LLC, especially for smaller businesses, is the cost. While limited liability companies (LLCs) are formed and registered at the state level, LLC formation and registration processes vary from state to state. It might take a few hundred dollars to incorporate an LLC. LLCs are subject to annual reporting requirements and tax and fee payments of $10 to $800 or more in various countries.

Best LLC Formation Services

ZenBusiness, an online tool for founding LLCs, offers various services to help entrepreneurs and small business owners. They provide low-priced bundles for forming an LLC that include essential services like a registered agent and the submission of an annual report. Moreover, ZenBusiness offers tools and ongoing support to help businesses conform to all applicable regulations and thrive.

>> Start Using ZenBusiness >>

Swyft Filings is a service that helps people quickly and easily form limited liability companies. They provide several functions related to limited liability companies, such as incorporation, compliance, and registered agent services.

In addition, Swyft Filings provides individualized support throughout the LLC formation process to ensure your business is in full compliance with all applicable state, county, and federal regulations.

>> Check Out Swyft Filings >>

Tailor Brands is an online branding and design service that helps businesses create a unified and professional brand identity. Among the branding services they provide is creating a logo, business cards, and social media profiles. Tailor Brands also provides a library of design resources and instruments to help businesses produce and modify their own branded goods.

>> Check Out Tailor Brands >>

Northwest Registered Agent offers personalized service with its many business services, including compliance management, registered agent services, and document filing.

Their expertise is in forming limited liability corporations, and they provide ongoing guidance and tools to help businesses expand legally and successfully. You can rely on Northwest Registered Agent to help you form an LLC.

>> Use Northwest Registered Agent >>

Incfile provides quick and cheap services for forming LLCs. Its offerings range from document filing and registered agent services to compliance management. Because of the intuitive and well-organized Incfile platform, forming an LLC is quick.

They also provide ongoing guidance and resources to ensure the smooth running of your business and adherence to regulations. Incfile is an excellent option for LLC formation services because of its low cost and high emphasis on user-friendliness.

>> Try Incfile >>

What Are Some Examples of LLCs?

The widespread use of LLCs has yet to be discovered. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is an LLC, as are Exxon Mobil, PepsiCo, and Johnson & Johnson.

A large number of LLCs are tiny. Member-managed LLCs, family LLCs, and sole proprietorships are only some variations. LLC registrations are standard for healthcare enterprises. As a result, doctors are less likely to face criminal charges for medical negligence.

Is Starting an LLC Right for You?

The legal responsibilities you have and the tax status of your firm will differ depending on the entity type you pick. Unlike founding a C-corporation, LLCs provide companies with several advantages, including reduced tax liability and the ability to separate company and personal finances.

LLCs are being formed by enterprises of all kinds and sizes, from real estate brokerages and financial advisory companies to cafes, food trucks, and sole proprietorships like those run by personal trainers, authors, and influencers. LLCs are a good fit for the increasing number of home-based businesses.

Who Shouldnt Form an LLC?

Financial trusts, banks, and insurance companies are prohibited from forming an LLC under federal law. In addition, LLCs may be limited in scope in certain jurisdictions. California, for instance, doesnt allow attorneys, certified public accountants, or medical doctors to incorporate limited liability companies.

Many state laws prohibit or restrict companies from forming an LLC, and naturally, not all businesses are a good fit for this kind of company. To name a few:

Startups

Due to the potential for a dramatic increase in tax complexity, business owners should avoid forming LLCs. For instance, many investors cant participate in pass-through enterprises because of the restrictions governing them. LLCs also require that business and individual tax returns be combined, which many would instead not do.

Nonprofits

While its workable for a charity to form an LLC, the process is often not recommended because of the complexity involved. In addition to the guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), creating nonprofit LLCs is prohibited by law in several states.

Suppose youre trying to decide whether to form an LLC or another business structure. In that case, you may find out by taking our quiz on business entities or reading our overview of business structures.

>> Check Out ZenBusiness >>

How to Form an LLC?

Although the requirements for forming and running an LLC may vary by state, there are some processes and ongoing responsibilities that all LLCs must adhere to. In a nutshell, the following are the typical requirements for forming and running an LLC in the USA:

Choose a Name

Choose a name for your LLC that stands out yet is still acceptable in your state. Most states need the words Limited Liability Corporation, LLC, or L.L.C. to be part of a companys official name.

Registered Agent

Choose a person or firm to act as the LLCs registered agent and reply to official correspondence on its behalf. The LLCs registered agent must have a physical presence in the state of formation.

File Articles of Organization

Prepare and file Articles of Organization with the states requisite agency, usually the Secretary of States. In some places, this is called a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization. Include the name of your limited liability company, its stated mission, the name and contact information for its registration agent, and the location of its principal place of business.

Create an Operating Agreement

Although an operating agreement for an LLC is only sometimes required by law, its highly recommended. In it, the parties lay down the rules for making decisions, dividing profits, and carrying out the members duties. An operating agreement may help steer the organization in the right direction and head off any conflicts.

Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on the specifics of your business and its location, you may need to apply for several permissions, licenses, or certificates from several levels of government, including the state, the federal government, and even the local government. Professional and commercial endeavors, among others, may need to obtain appropriate licenses and permissions.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

If your limited liability company (LLC) has employees or if you want to be taxed as a corporation by the IRS, you must get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). If you want to open a business bank account or get business credit, having an EIN is helpful but optional.

>> Start Using ZenBusiness >>

Types of LLCs

A limited liability company (LLC) may take various forms, each with advantages and disadvantages based on the needs of the business. LLCs often take the following forms:

Single-Member LLC

A single-member LLC is an LLC that consists of a single owner. This kind of LLC is simpler to run and keep up since only one person is responsible for making decisions. Pass-through taxation benefits and limited liability protection are still available via single-member LLCs.

Multi-Member LLC

A multi-member limited liability company has two or more owners. As a single-member LLC, it enjoys the benefits of limited liability and tax pass-through. A multi-member LLC would often need a more detailed operating agreement to define the roles and responsibilities of each member and the distribution of profits.

Member-Managed LLC

In a limited liability corporation controlled by its members, everyone has a hand in running the business. The limited liability corporation structure is often the best option for startups and other small businesses where the owners want a hand in running operations.

Manager-Managed LLC

The managers of a manager-managed limited liability company (LLC) arent required to be members of the LLC. Its a good option for businesses whose members prefer not to take the lead or who would benefit from having outside management.

Professional LLC (PLLC)

A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is an LLC designed for licensed professionals, including lawyers, doctors, architects, and accountants. State regulations mandate that those in certain professions form a PLLC rather than a regular LLC. There are limitations to how members of a PLLC are shielded from personal liability for the actions of the business.

Series LLC

A series LLC is a limited liability company that allows the creation of separate LLCs that report to a parent company. Each series inside the LLC operates independently with its assets, obligations, and members. This structure is excellent for reducing legal risks in businesses with several divisions or ongoing initiatives.

L3C (Low-profit Limited Liability Company)

To combine the benefits of traditional limited liability companies with the social and environmental goals of non-profit organizations, a new kind of LLC known as a benefit corporation was developed. L3Cs are businesses that prioritize a public benefit above financial gain. They have access to commercial and non-profit donors for support.

>> Get Started with ZenBusiness >>

LLC vs Partnership

The primary benefit of an LLC over a partnership is the protection of the owners assets from the liabilities and obligations of the organization. LLCs and partnerships may distribute profits to their members, who must foot the tax bill.

They may write off their losses up to the amount of their original investment. Form 1065 must be filed if the LLC is structured as a partnership.

An LLC may use a business continuation agreement to ensure a seamless transfer of interests upon the departure or death of an owner. If theres no such agreement, the remaining members of the LLC will have to dissolve it and start a new one.

Understanding LLC Requirements

While LLCs dont need to have annual meetings or keep minutes, formalities must be met before the company files its articles of organization.

There should be an LLC Operating Agreement for each LLC. LLCs must submit annual or biannual reports to the Secretary of State. The creation of an LLC involves filing expenses. You must abide by state requirements for naming your LLC while choosing a name for your new business.

>> Check Out ZenBusiness >>

What Is an LLC  Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to hire a lawyer to register an LLC?

The formation and registration of LLCs in any state dont need the services of an attorney. More complicated business arrangements, or those who just want to be extra careful, may benefit from working with an attorney. Nevertheless, hiring a lawyer is only sometimes necessary when forming an LLC. If you need affordable legal representation, its best to go with a top LLC service.

Is an LLC different from having liability insurance?

A limited liability company (LLC) doesnt provide the same protections as commercial liability insurance. But, although an LLC will protect you from personal liability for most business commitments, only liability insurance will protect you against claims that a third party was injured or their property was damaged due to the LLCs negligence.

Having liability insurance for your business is a good idea, even if you choose to incorporate your firm as an LLC for the potential asset protection it provides.

What kind of tax flexibility does an LLC provide?

LLCs are taxed like sole proprietorships, partnerships, C corporations, and S corporations. This is a potential means through which LLC shareholders might lower their tax burden.

Final Thoughts

Creating a limited liability company (LLC) is an essential legal step when starting a business. When a business has limited liability, its assets and debts are legally separated from those of its owners.

So, in the event of a bankruptcy filing, creditors may only go for the businesss assets and not the owners private holdings. LLCs also have various positive features, including simplified taxation and an easy incorporation process. Because of this, LLCs have become the most common kind of business entity in the United States.

>> Consider ZenBusiness >>

This is a Partnered Post.
Hindi film actor Anil Kapoor has sought to protect his personality and publicity rights, and in a recent order by Delhi High Court has been passed in his favour. The order refrains people from using any of the actors personality traits for commercial purposes or otherwise on public platforms like social media.

Advocate Pravin Anand, appearing for Kapoor, said several websites and platforms have been misusing the personality rights of the plaintiff through various activities.

Anil Kapoors counsel pointed to the unauthorised sale of merchandise, collection of fees by using his photograph as a motivational speaker, morphing his image in a derogatory manner, and selling pictures with forged autographs and the jhakaas catchphrase, among others.

Justice Prathiba M Singh, presiding over the case, made many rulings and observations in the case. Nobody is permitted to use his voice or image in an illegal manner to meet their own ends, and the potential misuse of Artificial Intelligence has also been kept in mind while passing the order.

Justice Singh observed that while there can be no doubt that free speech is protected, the same would be illegal when it crosses the line and results in tarnishing and jeopardising individual personality rights.

Defendants 1 to 16 are restrained from using  in any manner the plaintiff Anil Kapoors name, likeness, voice or any other attributes of his personality  for monetary gain or otherwise, the court ordered.

It also restrained other unknown persons from disseminating the offending links. The court directed the authorities concerned to block the offending platforms.

The court said fame for a person comes with disadvantages and this case shows that reputation and fame can transcend into damage.

Such misuse can damage a celebritys right to endorsement, it added.

Using the plaintiffs name, voice, dialogue, image in illegal manner, that too for commercial purposes, cannot be permitted. Court cannot turn a blind eye to such misuse of personality, Justice Singh said.

Prior to Kapoor, it was Amitabh Bachchan who sought to protect his personality rights as well.

With added inputs from agencies
The passage of the Womens Reservation Bill, officially known as Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is being hailed all across the country. In the latest, actress Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, along with the cast of their upcoming film, Thank You For Coming, visited the new Parliament building.

The team also comprised content creators Shibani Bedi and Dolly Singh. On Wednesday, 20 September, Union Minister Anurag Thakur joined the stars inside Parliament.

The bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the lower house and State Legislative Assemblies.

Producer Ekta Kapoor shared pictures of the stars from inside Parliament building on her Instagram feed. She captioned the post, It (the bill) paves a great path for Indian women of all backgrounds to take charge and lead us into a brighter future.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor)

Recently, the comedy films star cast visited Toronto for the premier of their film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Bhumi Pednekar on womens presence

Bhumi Pednekar told ANI that as a modern Indian woman, representation is very critical for them. It is imperative to view things from a female perspective, and there is no better time than now. In the end, she expressed gratitude for being able to enjoy the historic moment alongside the dream cast.

Shehnaaz on the Womens Reservation Bill

Shehnaaz Gill in a conversation with ANI, after touring the new Parliament, said that the state of the art embodies our countrys culture. Shedding light on the proposed Womens Reservation Bill, the Honsla Rakh actress called it a great step.

Sharing her personal journey, she added that she came from a small village where girls are married off quickly as this helps them get settled. But with representation, she said, if girls and boys are treated as equal, many things in the country will change.

Shibani Bedis idea of a great development

Content creator Shibani Bedi called the passage of the Womens Reservation Bill a beautiful moment and a landmark in history. With this, she added, women from all facets of life will be able to participate in law-making. So, I think it is a great development, she told the news agency.

Dolly Singh shares her views

Dolly Singh talked about the necessity for women leaders and women to go ahead in todays time and age. She further expressed delight at the opportunity to visit Parliament and attend the session. Not just this, she also called it a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Besides Bhumi Pednekar, Dolly Singh, Shehnaaz Gill and Shibani Bedi, the session at parliament was previously also attended by Bollywood divas Kangana Ranaut and Esha Gupta.

About Thank You For Coming

Co-produced by Ekta R Kapoors Balaji Telefilms Limited in association with Anil Kapoor Film Communication Network Pvt Ltd, Thank You For Coming will hit theatres worldwide on 6 October. The film is helmed by Karan Boolani.
Hollywood movie star Chris Evans, known for Captain America, while speaking to GQ, has spoken about his acting plans, the possibilities of returning to Marvel, and acting a little less in life now.

On returning to Marvel

Yeah, maybe. 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 or if it didnt live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasnt connected to that original thing.

On his acting plans

I really hope to just maybe act a little bit less in my life. I have a lot of other interests. Look, 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.

On his relationship with Alba Bapista

I havent worked all year and I dont plan to, which has been lovely. My girlfriend that Ive had for a while, when we began dating. I was like: Yeah, I do one movie a year. I try to never work now. And then, after like a few months of dating, boom, guess what? Were living in Atlanta for a year. Get ready. And even when that year was happening, I was like, man, never again.
There have been reports that the late actor Dev Anands Juhu bungalow will be auctioned for Rs 400 crore. Reacting to the news, the actors nephew Ketan Anand, while speaking to ETimes, cleared the air on the same.

He said, No, its false news. I have checked with Devina and the family.

Statement by a source

A source was quoted saying recently, The deal is also done and paperwork is going on. It has been sold for approximately 350-400 crores as its a prime location with bungalows of prominent industrialists in the locality. The place will now be replaced by a 22-floor tower.

It added, His son Suniel stays in (in the) US whereas daughter Devina lives in Ooty along with mother Kalpana Kartik. There is no one in Mumbai to take care of the property and hence they have taken the decision to sell off the bungalow. In fact, they had also sold some property in Panvel, Maharashtra for the same reason.

When Dev Anand apologized to Vivek Agnihotri

The evergreen, ever-lasting enigma of Dev Anand continues to live on. He may not be any longer with us but his style and charm always continue to inspire and intrigue cinema lovers across the globe. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri penned a note on the veteran, how he got a call from his office and an encounter that he never forgot.

On his Twitter account, he wrote, Sorry, I made you wait said Dev Anand, after making me wait for 5 mnts. Its ok I said.No, its not. Never say OK when its not. You know Time is half of a films budget. Money is only second half said Devsaab. My tribute to Devsaab on his bday.
Raima Sen is gearing up for Vivek Agnihotris film The Vaccine War. She plays a journalist who believes India wont be able to make the vaccine to combat the Coronavirus that left the globe crippled and gasping for breath. She could be the second antagonist of the story after the virus itself.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the actress spoke about her prep for the character, working with Agnihotri, and the challenges she faced when the world was under lockdown.

Edited excerpts from the interview

What can we expect from your character in The Vaccine War?

I play a science journalist in the film, and this film is about two groups of people, one that thinks India can make the vaccine and the other that thinks it cant. I obviously belong to the other group. There were a lot of people that felt India wouldnt be able to make the vaccine so I play that.

How was your prep for the character like?

I met Vivek Agnihotri and he explained the role to me. He told me people wouldnt love me for this role but they wouldve be able to ignore me. In life, theres the good cop and theres the bad cop, so I play the bad cop. He asked me to play my role honestly and believe in what I was doing and let the audiences decide. It was challenging for me as an actor to play a negative role honestly and convincingly.

What were the challenges you faced during the pandemic?

Initially, I was scared due to so many deaths around us. Firstly, I didnt expect this pandemic to happen, my whole family had it. At one point, we all were frightened because nothing was happening. Some part of me probably believed that we cant do it. Things began to open gradually and India did what it did and it was great, I dont think anyone wouldve imagined it. I asked Vivek about the facts in the film and he said that everything was factual, there were so many women scientists that left their families behind.

During the pandemic, did you ever feel there was a need to make a film on the virus and how we as a nation combated it.

I didnt even know it was a majority of the women who did it. People should know what they went through and we have to honour them, everyone should know their story all over the world. The female characters in Viveks films are always very strong.

How would you describe Vivek Agnihotri as a director and your experience of working with him?

He gave me the script a month in advance and I went to his office, and we did the reading with the whole team. He was very nice to me on the sets and made me comfortable.

Both Vivek Agnihotri and Nana Patekar have been critical of the kind of films that are being made today. What is your take on it?

There are so many films being made today. Some people want to watch a film just for entertainment because their lives are so miserable, so those films are also important. Films based on real issues are also being made, so all kinds of films are being made today, and everyone has a voice.
Actress Tabu, who worked with director Vishal Bhardwaj on Maqbool and Haider, is back with another film, Khufiya. The suspense thriller, which also stars Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi in prominent roles, will release on Netflix India on 5 October.

In the latest, the streaming giant shared the films promo alongside the release date on Instagram. Netflix Indias caption read, Kuch raaz, raaz hi rahe to behtar hai (Some secrets are better kept as secrets). But not this one (eye emoji).

Take a look:

Several users commented on the post:

One user wrote, The trailer has blown everyones minds. To which Netflix India replied with, Welcome to the Khufiya club. (With a fire cracker emoji.)

Oh! I cannot wait to watch her magic, said another commenter.

In yet another post shared by the OTT platform on Instagram, Tabu and Vishal Bhardwaj display a heartwarming moment together. Netflix India captioned the post, Our love for this duo is not classified information.

One user commented, Too much talent in one picture. To this, the streaming giant replied with, The dynamic duo weve all been waiting for!

Another user added, Tabu + Vishal = Suspense + Thrill (Deadly Duo).

Best duo, said another. Nothing but love for this duo, added Netflix.

Tabu and Vishal Bhardwajs collaborations

Tabu and Vishal Bhardwaj collaborated on the latters 2003 gangster drama Maqbool, which starred the actress opposite Irrfan Khan. Then, in 2014, the actor-director duo joined forces again for the crime drama Haider. In this, Tabu played Haiders mother, portrayed by Shahid Kapoor. Both films were adaptations of Shakespeares classic plays Macbeth and Hamlet, respectively.

Besides filmmakers two directorial, Tabu acted in Meghna Gulzars 2015 film, Talvar, co-written by Vishal Bhardwaj.

About Khufiya

Vishal Bhardwajs spy thriller starring Tabu is based on Amar Bhushans espionage novel titled Escape to Nowhere. It also features actors like Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi and Ashish Vidyarthi in prominent roles.

Work Front

Work wise, Tabu was last seen in Ajay Devgn-starrer Drishyam 2. She also played a role in Anees Bazmees Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.

She was also seen alongside Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Radhika Madan, Konkona Sen Sharma and others in Aasmaan Bhardwajs Kuttey.

Vishal Bhardwaj recently directed Fursat, a 2023 Hindi-language musical-romance short film. The film features Khufiya star Wamiqa Gabbi and Ishaan Khatter in the lead roles. The filmmaker collaborated with Gabbi for his short film in Prime Video, Modern Love Mumbai, last year.
Last week, the Iranian people memorialised 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, whose death spurred mass protests and rallies across the country. Now, on Wednesday (20 September), Irans parliamentarians have made life more difficult for women by passing tougher laws on the matter of dressing and the hijab.

The Hijab and Chastity Bill  a law consisting of 70 articles  received the green light from Irans parliament  it received 152 to 34 votes  for a trial tenure of three years after it was discussed for several months and now awaits final approval from Irans Guardian Council, a powerful body that vets legislation and oversees elections.

Human rights activists from the United Nations have described the legislation as a form of gender apartheid with the intention of suppressing women into total submission.

By approving this bill, the Islamic Republics parliament has put a massive lock on the bodies of Iranian women. Iran was already an open prison for the women of Iran, but now theyve extended the brutality with which they will crack down on women by giving serious powers to those implementing it on the streets, said Iranian human rights lawyer Hossein Raeesi.

Irans Hijab and Chastity Bill

Formally known as the Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab, the legislation has toughened penalties for women found to be violating the Islamic Republics dress code.

Women who fail to adhere to the Islamic dress code could face prison terms of five to 10 years, as per the legislation. Furthermore, women found guilty of nudity, lack of chastity, lack of hijab, improper dressing and acts against public decency leading to disturbance of peace face severe punishments such as 60 lashes as well as prison time.

The legislation further specifies that indecent attire for women includes wearing short-sleeved clothing, round-neck T-shirts, three-quarter-length trousers, and ripped trousers. Men, meanwhile, are not allowed to wear low-waist trousers.

The law also allows for financial penalties for promoting nudity or mocking the hijab in the media and on social networks, as well as fines and bans on leaving the country for business owners whose employees do not wear a veil. Those found to provide services to individuals not wearing the hijab or not adhering to the dress code in tourism-related places will also be terminated from their employment and the person punished also risks being banned from working again in the same field for up to two years.

Gender segregation in government offices, universities, hospitals and public parks has also been mandated by the new law.

It also empowers three intelligence agencies  the Ministry of Intelligence, the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence Organisation, and the Intelligence Organisation of the Judiciary  along with the police, the Basij paramilitary forces, and the Command of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong, to take action against women who break the rules.

The legislation has been slammed by many activists. One of them, Tara Sepehri Far, a researcher at Human Rights Watchs Middle East and North Africa Division, told TIME: It is a form of economic repression that will disproportionately affect people from lower socio-economic backgrounds who can no longer justify the steep price tag behind their activism. Can you afford to pay a fine? Can you afford not earning money at your cafe for 10 days? Can you afford to not pay your rent for two months? All of those are very deliberate measures to break the resistance.

Another was quoted by The National as saying, It is a completely an act of gender apartheid by Irans parliament. Its a full on war against womens rights.

A group called Human Rights Activists in Iran also condemned the bill, saying that it symbolises a broader pattern of limited gender equality within the legal framework, reinforcing discriminatory practices against women.

Women, rights and Tehran

In the past one year, women in Tehran have been standing up to the authorities and demanding for their freedom and rights. Following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died in police custody after she was apprehended by the police for not wearing her hijab correctly, there have been mass protests and agitations which saw women burning their hijabs, cutting their hair in public and calling for a change. Chants of woman, life, freedom and Death to the dictator  a reference to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  have rung out loud across the country.

But authorities have buckled down. Authorities have not just gone after demonstrators  some reports put the death toll at over 500  but also the general public. They have taken a series of steps to counter increased instances of women ditching their hijabs online and in public.

These have included using smart cameras, fining owners of vehicles and then impounding the cars for repeated offences, forming court cases against celebrities, and shutting down businesses for offering services to women who are deemed to be violating the mandatory dress codes.

Also read: Mahsa Aminis death: Whats changed for Irans women a year after protest movement

Its notable how Irans stance on the hijab has changed over the years. In 1935, King Reza Shah Pehlavi banned the public wearing of hijab in Iran. However, in 1941, when his son, Mohammed Reza Pehlavi, became king, he made the ban on hijab into a choice  women were free to wear whatever they wanted to.

All this changed in 1979. The Islamic Revolution of Iran overthrew the monarchy and replaced it with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Soon after the Revolution, the rulers from the clergy made hijab mandatory for women in Iran.

Since then, the laws on womens dressing and the hijab have only become stricter. It was partially reversed in 2018 when women who did not observe the Islamic dress code were made to attend Islam educational classes. This once again was changed in 2022 and the rules became stricter for women.

With inputs from agencies
Gang wars and anti-India Khalistani activities. Canada is becoming infamous for it and as ties with India deteriorate, the growing crimes in the country are grabbing headlines.

Amid this fallout, on Thursday (21 September), news emerged that Sukhdool Singh  alias Sukha Duneke  a Punjabi gangster, who is also a known Khalistani sympathiser, was killed in an inter-gang rivalry in Winnipeg, Canada.

We examine how Canada, which has accused India of being involved in the earlier murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has become a safe haven for not just Khalistanis terrorists but also for Punjabi gangsters.

Gangsters and gang wars in Canada

Since the 1980s, when a large number of Punjabis began to move to Canada, ethnic Punjabi gangs have become part of the Canadian landscape. As Praveen Swami writes in The Print, this was in part responding to racial marginalisation; in part because of cultural conflicts within the community; and in part, masculinity-signalling behaviour borrowing on the idioms of other ethnicities.

Canadian soil has now become fertile land for gangsters and in recent years, their activity has increased significantly, paving the way for gang wars to break out.

The most recent example of this would be the death of Sukhdool Singh, aka Sukha Duneke. Reports emerged that Singh was gunned down by two men in Winnipeg late on Wednesday night. Information reveals that the Punjabi gangster, a part of the Davinder Bambiha gang, was from Punjabs Moga and went to Canada in 2017 on forged passport. News18 reports, citing sources, that he was inclined towards pro-Khalistan outfits, but, mostly made calls for extortions and indulges in supari killings.

Singh is also believed to have conspired to murder kabbadi player Sandeep Singh Nangal during a match in Jalandhar in March last year. Notably, he was on the list of wanted criminals National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 20 September. The names included criminals engaged in terror-gangster acts against India.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the killing. Notably, though the namesake of the gang is currently in a jail in Gujarat, his operatives work and function out of Canada freely.

Earlier in July too, a gang war led to the killing of Punjabi gangster Karanveer Singh Garcha. The firing incident had taken place in the Coquitlam city. Prior to this, there was also the killing of Amarpreet (Chucky) Samra in Vancouver in May.

Samra, an Indian-origin gangster whose name had featured in a list of 11 high profile gangsters released by the Vancouver police department in August 2022, was gunned down on Vancouvers Fraser Street after he had left a wedding celebration.

Reports had then stated that Samra had been associated with the United Nations gang active in the lower mainland area of British Columbia province in Canada. A report in the Vancouver Sun had then claimed that the rival gang, Brothers Keepers gang, could be behind the killing.

Its also known that gangster Satinderjit Singh Brar, alias Goldy Brar, who is also a key accused in the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala, resides in Canada. In May, he was placed among the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada. Brar, who reached Canadian shores in 2017, is also accused of orchestrating the targeted killings of at least two more persons, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal arms trafficking in India.

Another notable figure is Arshdeep Dala, who recently claimed responsibility for the assassination of a Congress leader in Moga.

Theres also Lakhbir Singh Landa, who resides in Edmonton in Canadas Alberta and has links with pro-Khalistan terror organisation Babbar Khalsa International.

Both of these names, along few others, have also been named by the NIA as most wanted in the list published on Wednesday.

Want to know more about the India-Canada row? Read on

Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: How Indias strong global ties have left Canada isolated

Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: Does spat with Canada threaten India-US bonhomie?

Diplomats expelled, trade talks on hold: How India-Canada ties have plunged to new lows

Backing Khalistani terrorists, farmers stir and more: Justin Trudeaus anti-India politics

A safe haven for gangsters

But what makes Canada such a fertile land for these Punjabi gangsters? There are many reasons to it. Firstly, the strong presence of Khalistani leaders and terrorists in Canada help fund these gangsters and also enable their movement from India to the foreign land. It also benefits the Khalistani leaders to do so as the gangsters continue to perpetrate anti-India and terror activities on Indian soil.

It is reported that Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistani group and banned in India, back these gangsters. A former cop, on the condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying, Most of the gangsters after committing heinous crimes go to Canada as they are backed by the SFJ links. From there and with support from SFJ links, they operate the entire nexus, including drugs trade, extortion, and money laundering, among others. Without SFJ support, it is not possible.

Additionally, the Canadian authorities, under the Justin Trudeau government, have taken little to no action against them. During Trudeaus visit to Amritsar in 2018, former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had reportedly raised concerns about how Canadian territory was being exploited against Indias interests. However, the Canadian government took no substantial action in response to these concerns.

According to Canadian security experts, such is the situation that today Punjabi gangs are among the three significant organised crime challenges in Canada, trailing only the Italian-Canadian Mafia and Asian organised Triad crime collectives.

Theres also a social angle to the rise of Punjabi gangs in Canada. These groups were born and prospered because local residents saw them as protectors. As The Tribune reported earlier, On Canadas Pape Avenue, the Punjabi population used to have a shelter home. People reaching Canada used to first stay there before finding their own accommodation but local residents reportedly harassed them. When confronted by these Punjabis, it turned out to be a serious fight between the two. From there, some of these Punjabi youth saw a potential to benefit.

It is left to be seen if this current situation and the diplomatic fallout  diplomats have been expelled and now New Delhi has suspended visa services for Canadians  will change the situation of Punjabi organised gangs in Canada or will Ottawa finally take action.

With inputs from agencies
Tensions between India and Canada are at an all-time high. The claim made by Justin Trudeau that India arranged the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has put Western governments in an uncomfortable position. Despite their grave concern, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have all been promoting stronger ties with New Delhi.

India serves not just as a strategic bulwark against the rapidly developing China, but also as a partner in Russias economic isolation following the invasion of Ukraine.

Britain is also near to reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement with India, possibly as soon as next month, and Downing Street indicated on Tuesday that talks would continue as before while Canadian inquiries continue. Meanwhile, the United States, Australia, and Japan are partners with India in the Quad.

Is this to say that Canada is diplomatically outgunned? Lets take a closer look at how Indias global relations have isolated Canada in Khalistan row.

Allies courted India

Canada this week divulged it had intelligence possibly linking Indian government agents to the murder of a pro-Khalistan 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 this means Canada, with a population of just 40 million people, is severely outgunned diplomatically.

Also Read: Whats at stake for India and Canada as ties between the two countries nosedive?

India is important in Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not, said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawas Carleton University to Reuters.

This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries, she said in a phone interview.

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 criticise India and said bilateral trade talks will continue as planned.

UK foreign minister James Cleverly was the highest-ranking person to respond publicly. All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, he tweeted. We communicate with our Canadian counterparts on a regular basis regarding serious claims brought in the Canadian Parliament. It is critical that Canadas inquiry is completed and the offenders are brought to justice.

Indeed, his statement about the affair did not mention India by name.

Britain is in a difficult position, caught between supporting Canada and antagonising India, who 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 Indias 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.

Canadas claims has deeply concerned Australia, according to a representative for Foreign Minister Penny Wong. While adding that the investigations were still ongoing, Australia went on to say that it has conveyed concerns to India at senior levels.

We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India, Australian foreign ministers spokesperson told SBS News.

Waiting game

White House national security advisor John Kirby said the United States was deeply concerned, and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation. India has dismissed the claims of involvement in the murder.

The Washington Post reported Trudeau had pushed for a joint statement condemning India at last weeks 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.

Also Read: Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Khalistani terrorist at centre of India-Canada standoff?

The muted response to Trudeaus 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 everybodys 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.

Its 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 well hear more from our allies in support, he said.

Also Read: Should Indian students, diaspora worry amid souring Indo-Canada relations?

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 dont get our allies to support this, either publicly or privately, Canadas 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 didnt 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.

Also Read: How the Khalistan movement grew and flourished in Canada

On the cusp of the global opportunity for India, they absolutely need to handle this responsibly  for their own interests, the source said.

What lies ahead

What if it was publicly proven that India was behind the killing of Nijjar? According to Chietigj Bajpaee, a south Asia expert with the Chatham House thinktank, it would be a gamechanger, placing India into a rather different club of countries.

India wants to be seen as a responsible global power. It just hosted the G20 summit, and it wants to be the voice of the global south. The last thing it should want is to be associated with regimes like Saudi Arabia, accused of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and Russia, perpetrator of the Salisbury poisonings, Bajpaee told The Guardian.

According to former British insiders, the UK has long been watching Indian intelligence activity in the UK, amid allegations of targeting nationalist Sikhs and spreading anti-Pakistan misinformation. However, given the larger diplomatic duties there has been little need to discuss the problem openly.

While China was the primary focus of the recently approved National Security Act, which extended the definition of espionage to include assisting a foreign intelligence service, it is thought that worries about India were also there, reports The Guardian.

With inputs from Reuters
Justin Trudeau has kicked up a massive diplomatic row after his absurd allegation that India was involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As ties between New Delhi and Ottawa turn more frosty, the spotlight is on the Canadian prime ministers visit to India in early September for the G20 Summit.

Trudeaus trip ran into trouble in more ways than one. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly scolded him over anti-India protests in Canada organised by Khalistani supporters. Then, the Canadian leader was stranded in India for more than 48 hours because of a technical glitch in his aircraft. But that is not all. Now reports have emerged of how there was more drama during his stay in New Delhi.

Also read: Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: How Indias strong global ties have left Canada isolated

Trudeaus refusal to stay in high-security hotel room

A presidential suite was readied for Trudeau at a Delhi five-star hotel as per the security protocol laid out for heads of state. But his security personnel refused to let their protectee stay in the specially furbished hotel room, sending Indian intelligence officials into a tizzy, according to a report in The Times of Indian (ToI).

The hotel, the Lalit in central Delhi, had installed an advanced security shield keeping Trudeau in mind, sources in the security establishment told the publication. This included bulletproof glass with a thick layer of polycarbonate plastic which can even stop sniper bullets and other equipment.

However, Trudeaus delegation decided not to stay in the prepared suite and instead opted for normal rooms, creating a security nightmare for Indian officials. What followed were several rounds of negotiations for a few hours. However, Team Trudeau refused to see the reason even as Indian security officials insisted that the protocol be followed. Finally, the hosts budged and allowed the Canadian PM to stay in a regular room as the final decision in such matters rests with the visiting dignitary and the embassy, reports ToI.

While the Canadian delegation offered to pay for the presidential suite and the regular room, there is increased speculation that Trudeau was following the instructions of his security team. It probably had its reservations because of the growing tension between the two nations.

But the hotel fiasco was not all.

PM Modi and Trudeau at the G20 summit

After Trudeau made allegations hinting at the Indian governments role in Nijjars killing, it was now been revealed that he discussed the matter personally with PM Modi at the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected, said a statement by Indias foreign ministry.

Instead, it was the Indian leader who reprimanded Trudeau about growing anti-India protests in Canada.

While New Delhi has long been sensitive toward protesters in the foreign country, things went too far when a tableau celebrating the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was paraded in Brampton. It was seen as a glorification of violence by Sikh separatists. And PM Modi did not mince his words when he discussed the growing Khalistani threat in the country.

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, India said in a statement.

But even before the talks, India was not too pleased with Trudeau, who has been soft on Khalistani supporters in his country. Instead of a bilateral, Modi reportedly held a pull-aside with his Canadian counterpart. This is an informal meeting, considered a step down from a bilateral meeting, and was seen as a snub.

The tension was palpable. At the wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, during the G20 Summit, when PM Modi tried to grasp Trudeaus hand to shake it, the latter pulled away, reported Toronto-based publisher City News Everywhere. When asked about the exchange, the Canadian PM did not clarify and said that people could read into it what they wish.

While Modi welcomed several world leaders through posts on X, there was no post for Trudeau.

Skipping the G20 dinner and other events

Trudeau also skipped the dinner hosted for world leaders by President Droupadi Murmu on Day 1 of the summit. His office did not provide a reason for his absence from the event which was attended by 170 G20 guests.

He also did not attend the important launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance, announced by PM Modi, US president Joe Biden, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio, Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.

Grounded in Delhi

Trudeaus painful trip to India did not end as expected. A technical snag in his aircraft meant that he had to extend his stay in New Delhi for two more days.

However, the Canadian PM stayed put in his hotel room and did not engage with the Indian government, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

New Delhi offered him the service of Air India One but the Canadian side turned it down and instead chose to wait for a backup. Trudeau, who was supposed to fly out of New Delhi on Sunday, 10 September, flew out on Tuesday, 12 September.

With inputs from agencies
As relations between India and Canada took a downturn this week, the role of Pakistan has come into question in fanning the flames. Multiple media reports have hinted at a connection between Pakistans intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and pro-Khalistan groups in Canada.

Social media is also rife with misinformation amid heightened tensions after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government agents potential link to the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in British Columbia.

Lets take a look at whats going on.

What has Pakistan said on India-Canada row?

Pakistan has called Indias alleged role in Nijjars killing a clear violation of international law and the UN principle of state sovereignty.

Pakistan foreign ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said on Wednesday said the incident is a reckless and irresponsible act that calls into question Indias reliability as a credible international partner and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities, reported Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency.

It shows that Indias network of extra-territorial killings has now gone global, she told reporters in Islamabad.

Pakistans foreign secretary Cyrus Qazi reportedly said that Islamabad is not surprised by Canadas allegation against India.

Is Pakistan involved?

According to News18, Indian intelligence sources have said that Khalistani elements in Canada have been receiving funds from Pakistans ISI agents in Vancouver.

The sources reportedly claimed that Khalistani elements are also taking money from Indian students, who want to settle in the North American nation, under the garb of immigration and using them to carry out protests against the Indian High Commission in Canada.

About five days back, ISI agents in Canada met leaders of several Khalistani groups in Vancouver, Outlook reported citing intelligence sources.

The secret meeting was attended by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and other heads of Khalistani outfits. They chalked out a strategy, dubbed Plan-K, to extensively spread anti-India propaganda, according to Outlook.

United States-based Pannun, who was declared a terrorist by India in 2020, recently warned Hindus living in Canada to go back to India.

As per Times of India (TOI), giving a Leave Canada  Go To India call, Pannun alleged, Indo-Hindus who work against the interests of Canada have effectively repudiated their allegiance to Canada. They must go back to India, the country whose interests they protect and promote while reaping the economic benefits from Canada.

ALSO READ: What is the Five Eyes Alliance? Why is it in spotlight amid India-Canada row?

Misinformation on social media

An old video of protests by a Sikh organisation named Dal Khalsa in Punjabs Amritsar was shared this week with claims of demonstrations against Indias intelligence agency RAW in response to Nijjars killing.

A day after Trudeaus allegations, an account on X by the name of The Intel Consortium posted the clip and wrote, Protests have erupted outside the RAW office in Amritsar in response to the tragic killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Sikhs are passionately chanting slogans in support of Khalistan.

The video was soon shared by multiple accounts on X, including a user named Parkash Kumar Bheel who uses @Dalitofficial as its handle. Another account on the microblogging site, which goes by the name D-Intent Data and calls itself a propaganda and fake news detection centre, said that the Twitter handle @Dalitofficial was a fake Pakistani account which went by @Imranbajwapk earlier.

According to the Digital Forensics, Research and Analytics Center report, the video that showed people chanting slogans in support of Khalistan said the clip was posted by a channel named TV84 on 1 July 2023 on YouTube.

Moreover, a report in The Tribune dating back to 1 July mentioned: The police detained the activists of Dal Khalsa who were taking out a march to hold a protest outside the local office of Indias external intelligence agency RAW to protest the killings of Sikh separatists in foreign countries, here on Saturday. The detainees were later released by the police.

The account named Bheel, who as per D-Intent Data was impersonating a minority rights activist in India, also shared another misleading post concerning Indias armed forces.

This account from Karachi, Pakistan, has been circulating fake news and hateful propaganda for a long time, those tweets can be found on his timeline. Here, we are sharing some of them. (2/6) pic.twitter.com/yvvgQz3C9i  D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) September 19, 2023

Certain unsubstantiated claims emerged on social media that after Trudeaus allegation, the Indian Army started rejecting the leaves of Sikh soldiers. The post, shared by Bheel, also claimed that Sikh security personnel at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of Indias president, have also been replaced.

Sharing the fake post on Tuesday (19 September), the Indian Armys Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) denied the claims.

#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

Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of the Indian Army, spreading rumours & hate-mongering. Safeguard yourselves against such fake news, the account said.

The handle @dalitofficial is no longer available on X.

With inputs from agencies
A panel discussion organised by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) in Geneva on the Manipur crisis has sparked a row in India. The side event titled The Crisis in Manipur and Implications for Human Rights in India was held on Tuesday (19 September) during the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Manipur has been on the boil since 3 May when violence broke out between the majority Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo community.

What is the WEA? What is the controversy about? Lets understand better.

What is the World Evangelical Alliance?

As per Britannica, the WEA is a global fellowship of organisations that have biblically conservative interpretations of the Christian faith.

It is a network of churches in 143 nations that have joined to give a worldwide identity, voice and platform to more than 600 million evangelical Christians, according to the WEA website.

Established in 1846, the WEA found some support in Europe and North America until 1951, when 21 countries became a part of it and rebranded it as the World Evangelical Fellowship, noted Britannica.

This church-based movement was later renamed to WEA in 2001.

With its six commissions established in 1974, the WEA serves to defend religious liberty and evangelical theology while coordinating evangelical missions and Christian humanitarian actions, especially those involving women and children, says Britannica.

WEAs discussion on Manipur

Wissam al-Saliby, director of the WEAs Geneva office, who moderated the discussion, said: Since May 2023, the state of Manipur in India has witnessed large-scale violence primarily against the tribal Christian Zo people (Kuki, Zomi, Hmar tribes) that has led to at least 180 deaths, rampant sexual violence, and hundreds of churches and thousands of homes being demolished or burned down. An estimated 70,000 people remain internally displaced.

The members speaking at the Geneva event on Manipur violence included Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Florence N Lowe, founding president of the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA); and Hena Zuberi, director of advocacy for Justice for All and co-chair of the India Working Group at the International Religious Freedom Roundtable.

Moreover, the pre-recorded video message of Nury Turkel, commissioner at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, was played at the event.

Khuraijam Athouba, the spokesperson of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI)  a conglomerate of Meitei civil society organisations  also attended the event and spoke during the last three minutes of the discussion.

This is a forum of the United Nations, so everyone has a right to know the facts and truth to address what is happening in Manipur When we talk about the Hindu majority, we Meiteis in Manipur are not the majority We represent around 8.5 lakh of the (states) population. And the Christians in Manipur are around 12 lakh. They comprise more than 53-54 per cent, Athouba said.

As the moderator pointed out the time crunch, Athouba retorted: But we need to clarify the facts.

If you are narrating it in the wrong context, we need to check it out. Or shall we go with the wrong facts and continue this debate and discussion?  The religion card was never an issue in the Manipur violence because the Meiteis never targeted Christians. There is also a huge population of Meitei Christians They (panellists) missed informing that Meitei churches have been completely vandalised and razed in Kuki-dominated areas in Churachandpur right on the first day (of the violence) before violence broke out in Imphal, he said at the event, as per NDTV.

Raising the issue of narco-terrorism in Manipur, he claimed that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported Churachandpur district, mainly inhabited by tribes from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group, has become the hub of the new Golden Triangle.

Row over remarks on India

In his closing remarks, al-Saliby said that he hoped India would grow into a more democratic, inclusive society and community, where the government is supportive of all religious and ethnic minorities.

The event did not go down well in India.

Lieutenant General (retired) L Nishikanta Singh took to X, formerly Twitter, to slam the discussion in Geneva, calling it interference in Indias internal matters.

Break India gang is at it again. Exploiting Manipurs communal fault line, taken it to so-called UN expert panel to help migrants, who also approached Germany, besides the US, Israel, UN, EU, etc for a separate country. All Indians must condemn interference in our internal affairs, he wrote.

Break-India Gang is at it again. Exploiting Manipur communal fault line, taken it up to so called UN Expert panel, to help migrants, who approached Germany, besides US, Isreal, UN, EU etc for a separate country. All Indians must condemn interference in our internal affairs.  Lt Gen L Nishikanta Singh (R) (@VeteranLNSingh) September 20, 2023

Speaking to NDTV on the phone, Singh, who served for 40 years in the military, said: See the composition of the so-called expert panel. The unfortunate ethnic violence in Manipur is being politicised on the global stage to defame India.

Manipur violence

As many as 175 people have died, 1,118 injured and 32 people are missing since the violence broke out in the Northeastern state in early May, according to data from the Manipur Police.

Of the total 5,132 cases of arson, 4,786 included the burning of houses. Around 386 religious structures were vandalised through arson, of which 254 were churches and 132 were temples, Indian Express reported citing Inspector General of Police (Operation) IK Muivah.

Thousands have been displaced due to the ethnic clashes in the state. Several shocking incidents of sexual assault on women have also come to light amid the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, a political blame game over the situation in Manipur continues. While the Opposition has demanded the resignation of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh over his alleged failure to tackle the situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put the onus on the Congress.

ALSO READ: Explained: Whats behind the violence in Manipur?

Global reaction to Manipur violence

After the video of two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob had gone viral in July, it prompted a series of reactions in India and across the world.

In his first public comments on the ethnic violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured, The guilty will not be spared. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.

A senior Joe Biden administration official said at the time the United States was shocked and horrified by the visuals of the assault.

As per Mint, Vedant Patel, deputy spokesperson of the US state department, said: We were shocked and horrified by the video of this extreme attack on two women in Manipur. We convey our profound sympathies to the survivors of this act of gender-based violence and support the Indian Governments efforts to seek justice for them.

According to a report in The Wire, the European Parliament July adopted a resolution on the violence in Manipur, urging the Indian government to protect religious minorities.

Earlier this week, a British MP described the violence in Manipur as a silent attack on Christians in India. During a backbench business debate in the House of Commons on freedom of religion and belief, Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon said: The events in Manipur might be classed as originating in tribal or ethnic tensions, but the Manipur violence has silently been an attack on Christians in India. It is striking that local police and state government sat by as arson destroyed the properties, homes and lives of minority and religious groups, reported Times of India (TOI).

He claimed that the situation in Manipur has escalated even further, with 60,000 people now displaced and 360 churches damaged.

With inputs from agencies
As the spat between India and Canada escalates over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, all eyes are on one man  Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh.

Singh, a Sikh of Indian origin, has vowed to get justice for Nijjar  a terrorist  and is said to be influencing Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus pro-Khalistan politics.

But who is Singh? And how is he influencing Trudeau?

Lets take a closer look:

Who is he?

Singh is the head of Canadas leftist New Democratic Party (NDP).

As per the NDP website, Singhs parents migrated from Indias Punjab to Canada to build a better life.

As per CBC, Singh was born on 2 January, 1979 in Scarboroughs Ontario.

Singh grew up in Scarborough, St. Johns, and Windsor.

The NDP website describes him as a lawyer, human rights activist, and politician.

As per Economic Times, Singh has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario (2001) as well as a Bachelor of Laws degree from York Universitys Osgoode Hall Law School (2005).

Prior to politics, Singh worked as a criminal defence lawyer in the Greater Toronto Area.

Singh became Ontario MPP in 2011 and served in that position till 2017.

He was the first turban-wearing Sikh to sit in Ontarios legislature.

On 1 October, 2017, Singh became the leader of the NDP.

As per Economic Times, Singh is the first non-white leader of a major Canadian political party.

During his ascent to power, Singh caught the eye of GQ magazine which described him as the incredibly well-dressed rising star in Canadian politics.

Singh has, since 2019, served as the Member of Parliament for Burnaby South.

He lives in Burnaby South with his wife Gurkiran and daughter Anhad.

Singh speaks fluent French and Punjabi.

Influence on Trudeau, support for Khalistan and Nijjar

In September 2021, Trudeaus Liberal Party won reelection but failed to win a majority of seats in Parliament.

Trudeau in March 2022 struck a deal with Singhs NDP for support in exchange for deals on pharmaceutical and dental care plans.

Weve agreed to work together, Trudeau said at the time. Its about focusing on what we agree on instead of what we disagree on.

The conservatives in Canada slammed the tie-up as a Justin Trudeau power grab.

Singh has great influence on Trudeau.

As the Economic Times noted, Trudeaus government is entirely reliant on Singhs NDP for its political survival.

Singh in 2013 was denied a visa to India allegedly over anti-India activities and links with extremists.

Singh claimed he was going to Amritsar to be feted as Sikh of the Year by two NGOs.

He told The Times of India that the Indian government was seemingly miffed with him for raising the voice of justice for victims of anti-Sikh riots of November 1984.

As per Globe and Mail, Singh in June 2015 participated in a rally in San Francisco in support of Khalistan.

The newspaper said social media videos of the event showed Singh speaking on a stage with a large poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Bhindranwale was a Sikh militant leader who fought for an independent Sikh homeland.

He and his supporters were killed in 1984 when the Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in the Sikh religion, in Operation Blue Star.

Videos of the event also showed Singh, at the time a member of the Ontario Legislature, walking in a pro-sovereignty march behind a truck with signs saying India out of Sikh Homeland, and 1984 Sikh Genocide Independence.

Singh also accused India of committing genocide against Sikhs

Why do we talk about genocide, what happened to us? Singh said as per the newspaper. We are talking about it because, in our country where we live, that country intentionally tried to wipe us out, that in that country it was a planned process to attack the Golden Temple.

Outrageous and shocking

Singh has called the accusation of Indias involvement in the murder of Nijjar outrageous and shocking.

Nijjar, 45, was 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.

Following Trudeaus allegations, Singh posted on X:

Today we learned of allegations that agents of the Indian Government murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar  a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. To all Canadians, this is my vow. I will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice, including holding Narendra Modi accountable.  Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 18, 2023



Singh claimed he grew up hearing stories that challenging Indias record on human rights might prevent you from getting a visa to travel there.

But to hear the prime minister of Canada corroborate a potential link between a murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil by a foreign government is something I could never have imagined, Singh said.

Singh in September called for the inclusion of India in a probe launched in September of alleged interference in Canadian affairs by other countries, especially China.

In my experience, as a Sikh-Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians. The announcement confirms that these suspicions are valid, Singh said.

Singh in March was slammed on Twitter for raising concerns over the crackdown in Punjab against Waris Punjab De chief and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh.

Singh posted on X, These draconian measures are unsettling for many given their historical use to execute extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during the 1984 Sikh Genocide.

With inputs from agencies
Noida Police has asked private firms to consider the work-from-home (WFH) option for employees.

This is in view of the two mega events  MotoGP and the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UP ITS)  scheduled from 21 to 25 September.

It has also asked the companies to adjust shift timings in order to reduce road traffic.

Lets take a closer look.

Also read: Why remote working is good for the environment

Work from home for private firms

According to PTI, the police held a meeting with private business organisations, industries and entrepreneurs groups, among other stakeholders, at the commissionerate office in Sector 108.

Additional Commissioner of Police (law and order) Anand Kulkarni chaired the meeting where he was joined by Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) Anil Kumar Yadav, according to an official statement.

During the meeting on Saturday, the police appealed for cooperation from business organisations, entrepreneurs and industries to maintain traffic order during the entire event and completely follow all the guidelines issued by the police as well as the administrations, the police said.

Appeals were also made to the people of the industry, especially in the informant technology sector, to consider work from home and change the timing of their shifts in such a way that there is no traffic pressure during the MotoGP and the UP ITS, it added.

It was explained to the stakeholders at the meeting that these are world-class events which, if organised successfully, will bring glory to our country, the statement added.

The police took suggestions from the participants and the officers concerned with directed to screen them for further action so that the programmes could be organised with mutual coordination.

Educational institutions closed

Due to the international trade show being held at the Expo Centre in Greater Noida, all schools, colleges, universities, and educational technical institutes in Noida will be closed for five days (from 21 to 25 September), reported Indian Express.

Some people might continue taking virtual classes during this time.

The Uttar Pradesh government has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of the trade show. The trade expo will last for five days, including the weekend of September 23 and 24, therefore technically the schools will be closed for three days, 21, 22, and 25 September.

Also read: Is it the death of work from home? Even Zoom calls employees back to office

Traffic advisory issued

According to the advisory, entry of heavy, medium, and light goods vehicles from Delhi to Gautam Buddha Nagar will be prohibited starting at 6 am on 21 September until 25 September. It also stated that the areas vehicular traffic would be controlled.

To avoid traffic, DCP Traffic Yadav advises anyone going to Noida or Greater Noida to take the metro in Noida and Delhi. Additionally, he advised against using the Yamuna Motorway, Noida, or Greater Noida for the duration of the five-day period because all passenger buses, cars, and e-rickshaws will be prohibited.

 

     MotoGP         :-        Mappls MapmyIndia App   

  9971009001 pic.twitter.com/fps5RZa85q  Noida Traffic Police (@noidatraffic) September 21, 2023

He said, During this period, parking of autos or e-rickshaws in any public place will be prohibited. Also, if the passengers come by vehicle via these routes, they can see the traffic-related information on Google Maps or MapMyIndia.

The officer stated that there would be no restrictions on the mobility of vehicles providing healthcare and vital services.

Routes to take or avoid

According to India TV News, National Highways 9, 24, and 91 should be used by non-commercial vehicles travelling from Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Hapur, to Mathura and Lucknow.

Non-commercial vehicles can use Delhis internal roads, including NH-9, 24, and 91, to travel from Delhi to Lucknow through the Noida-Greno Motorway.

Non-commercial vehicles should use the MP One, Two, MP 3, and DSC routes to get to New Ashok Nagar if they are travelling from Noida to Delhi or Ghaziabad. One can get to Chhijarasi from here via Jhundpura, NIB, and Model Town.

Non-commercial vehicles travelling from Lucknow, Agra, or Mathura can take the straight route from Aligarh, Tappal to Bulandshahr, or Mathura to Delhi instead of taking the Yamuna or the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.

Non-commercial vehicles must travel from Greater Noida West to Tigri or the Parthala roundabout in order to travel towards Delhi, Ghaziabad, or Meerut. From this point, one can go via Chijarsi to NH 24.

The routes of Greater Noida West would allow non-commercial cars travelling from Greno Express to Delhi and Ghaziabad to travel to Shahberi, Chhijarasi, and Parthala.

Non-commercial vehicles should use DSC Road to travel from the Phase 2 area to New Ashok Nagar. Through Jhundpura, one can travel from here to Parthala, Chhijarasi, and Model Town.

The movement of light, medium and heavy goods vehicles as well as passenger buses would be limited from the boundary of Delhi to the communities of Chilla, Kalindi Kunj, DND, Kondli, Jhundpura, New Ashok Nagar, Pari Chowk, Knowledge Park, Noida-Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway in the district of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The Noida-Greno Metros schedule has also been modified. The metro will be open from 8 am to 10 pm from 21-25 September. There will be a 7.5-minute gap between each metro stop. The metro will run every ten minutes, excluding the morning and evening rush hours.

Also read: Explained: What new research reveals about the future of work from home

Train frequency increased

Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has increased the frequency of trains on the Aqua Line in order to reduce crowding at stations and manage the influx of visitors. From 8 am to 10 pm, it will be made accessible every 7.5 minutes, according to NMRC managing director Lokesh M. Visitors can access the exhibition through Knowledge Park, the neighbourhood metro station.

 Exciting News!   Join us for the historic launch of UP International Trade Show!   Were going global with over 2000 exhibitors & 300+ top-notch brands showcasing Uttar Pradeshs finest products!   Connect with B2B and B2C buyers from India and beyond! 

 pic.twitter.com/prmUAXOQou  Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (@UPIntrTradeShow) September 21, 2023

The Aqua Lines metro trains typically run every ten minutes. However, according to NMRC, the metro trains run at a 7.5-minute interval between 8 am and 11 am and 5 pm and 8 pm during these peak times. Additionally, the MD noted that parking facilities are also accessible at eight Aqua Line metro stations: Sector 51, Sector 76, NSEZ, Sector 142, Sector 137, Pari Chowk, Alpha 1, and Delta 1.

About the two events

The MotoGP Bharat races will be held at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from 2224 September while the UP ITS is scheduled for 2125 September. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to grace the mega-events.

This is the first edition of the UP ITS which will be held at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. Entry to the UP ITS for the general public is free from 3 pm to 8 pm, according to Rakesh Kumar, chairman of India Expo Centre and Mart. The police are anticipating that during the UP ITS, there will be over 2 lakh visitors, including foreigners.

On Wednesday, State Minister Nand Gopal Gupta predicted that the International Trade Show 2023 will be a crucial step towards Uttar Pradeshs goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy, as per another report by Indian Express.

The MotoGP Bharat Grand Prix is anticipated to draw more than one lakh visitors over the course of three days, as some of the biggest names in MotoGP racing, like Fabio Quartararo, Aleix Espargaro, and Francesco Bagnaia, are set to compete. Tickets cost as little as Rs 800 and can cost as much as Rs 1,80,000. The bookmyshow app allows for registration.

It is hoped that the MotoGP Bharat Grand Prix will promote the Indian motorcycle racing industry.

With inputs from agencies
Ukraine finds itself facing a new crisis in the backdrop of the Russia war  a confrontation with its staunch ally Poland.

The escalating row over grain has resulted in Warsaw comparing Kyiv to a drowning person and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky claiming that some countries were only pretending to support his nation.

Alarmingly, some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theatre  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 UN General Assembly.

Polands deputy foreign minister, Pawel Jablonski, on Wednesday voiced strong protest of Zelenskyys 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.

But what happened exactly? And how is the grain row with Poland hurting Ukraine?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

At the heart of the matter is a dispute about whether Ukrainian grain should be allowed to enter the domestic markets of Poland and other European Union states.

Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv were sparked by a Polish ban on Ukrainian grain imports, with the goal of protecting its own farmers.

The development comes in the backdrop of Poland holding parliamentary elections next month.

The countrys ruling Law and Justice party is currently scrapping for the votes of farmers  many of whom are upset that Ukraines food products have flooded the local market, pushing prices down and hurting their livelihoods.

Polands 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.

We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and thats why we expect for them to understand our interests,Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki told Polsat News on Wednesday.

Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing.

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia banned some Ukrainian agricultural goods after the EU recently decided to lift such restrictions.

Russias invasion of Ukraine closed off Black Sea shipping lanes used before the war, resulting in the EU becoming a major transit route and export destination for Ukrainian grain.

In May, the EU agreed to restrict exports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, seeking to protect farmers there who blamed the shipments for a slump in prices on local markets.

The measures allowed the products to keep transiting through the five countries, but stopped them being sold on the local market.

But on Friday, the European Commission said it was ending the import ban, arguing that the market distortions in the five member states bordering Ukraine have disappeared.

Croatia joined in Tuesday, when Kyiv announced it was responding with a WTO complaint.

The rift also shows how Ukraine and its neighbours are competing agricultural powers and how European defence of domestic farmers could complicate Kyivs 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 Russias war began.

However, the first ship loaded with grain left a Ukrainian port this week under a temporary Black Sea corridor.

Will row hurt Ukraine?

Poland has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since the war with Russia began.

Poland, on NATOs eastern flank, has been, sending weapons and humanitarian aid and opening its borders to refugees.

But Poland says it will not send any more weapons.

Morawiecki on Wednesday, asked if his country would continue to back Kyiv, said, We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons.

The growing tensions also 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 Moscows rule in the past and does not want to see Russia win a war in a neighbouring country.

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 Polands 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 parliaments decision to lift a ban on Ukrainian imports, citing higher food prices.

A foreign ministry statement said that putting pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international courts are not appropriate methods to resolve differences between our countries.

Kyiv responded by calling on Poland to leave emotion aside after it had summoned its ambassador, urging Warsaw to adopt a constructive approach in the dispute.

What do experts say?

A piece in The Guardian noted that Polands announcement was largely rhetorical.

It stated that Warsaw has already transferred the majority of its military aid in the early days of the war.

It also noted that Poland has as yet made no mention of halting the use of Poland as a transit and repair hub for arms from other countries.

Bloomberg quoted Morawiecki as saying Poland would not put Ukraines security at risk. He also noted how Poland was benefitting from the arrangement financially.

Peter Schroeder, a former Russia analyst at the US Central Intelligence Agency and now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told the outlet he wasnt sure it would have a significant impact.

Polands most important role has been as a transshipment point to get weapons from across NATO and other countries into Ukraine, he stated. The PM noted that would continue.

Schroeder, however, noted that the flare-up would give some hope to the Kremlin.

Tension and disagreements between Kyiv and some of its strongest backers is sure to instill more confidence in the Kremlin that European support for Ukraine is not certain over the long term, he said.

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.

But some other analysts in Poland faulted the Warsaw government, accusing it of playing politics with Ukraines security to win votes.

With inputs from agencies
After hours and hours of debate on Wednesday (20 September), the Lok Sabha passed The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam  The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2023  which reserves 33 per cent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state/UT legislative Assemblies.

At the final count, the lower house had passed the womens reservation bill with 454 members voting in favour and two against it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the voting on the bill, which was the first to be passed in the new Parliament building. Today (21 September), the bill is likely to pass the Rajya Sabha hurdle and become a law after the Presidents assent.

However, dont expect to see changes in the Assemblies or Parliament immediately. The 33 per cent quota, in fact, wont come into play at least until 2029. Why? This is because reservation has been made contingent on the delimitation exercise. The new bill, introduced by the BJP-led Centre, has inserted one article  334A  which clearly states: Reservations shall come into effect after delimitation is undertaken after the relevant figures for the first census have been published. Rotation of seats for women shall take effect after each subsequent exercise of delimitation.

In his speech, speaking for the legislation, Home Minister Amit Shah even said that the delimitation process to decide which constituency is to be reserved for women will be transparent, and will be carried out by a delimitation commission.

This effectively means that the fulfilment of the womens reservation bill is highly dependent on the delimitation process that is tied to a fresh Census. As it is so important now, we explain what this procedure is and why it is relevant.

What is delimitation?

The Election Commission defines delimitation as the process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.

In simple words, it is the process to allot seats and have representatives based on the population. Ideally, each representative  a member of the Parliament or the state legislature  is supposed to represent an equal number of the population in the house. To achieve this, the Constitution requires that the delimitation is done after a Census (an official count of a population arrived at through a survey).

Delimitation in India is a constitutional exercise; it is conducted as per the procedure described in Article 82 of the Constitution.

As per law, after the Parliament enacts the Delimitation Act, the Union government constitutes a Delimitation Commission, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The orders passed by this commission are legally binding  they cant be modified by Parliament, nor can be contested in a court of law.

For the exercise, the members consider the census data for each district, tehsil and gram panchayat and only after that are new boundaries drawn up. The entire exercise can take up to five years and the commissions draft report is published in the Gazette of India for seeking feedback from the general public. The feedback is studied and required changes are made in the final report.

Catch our full coverage on the womens reservation bill

Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha: A look at its contentious history

Womens Reservation Bill: Which countries have quotas for women?

Womens Reservation Bill: Why Asaduddin Owaisi opposed the legislation

Womens Reservation Bill: A look at womens participation in Parliament over the years

When was the last delimitation done?

The first such exercise took place in 1952 following which 494 Lok Sabha seats were allotted. The next delimitation exercise took place in 1963 which saw the number of Lok Sabha seats go up to 522. In 1973, the number of Lok Sabha seats rose to 543 after the delimitation exercise.

The exercise undertaken in 2002 did not increase the number of constituencies but only redrew their boundaries, which effectively means that the number of Lok Sabha seats has remained same since 1973.

After the delimitation in 1972-73, the process was suspended twice for 25 years in 1976 and in 2001. First, the 42nd Amendment enacted in 1976 froze the delimitation exercise for 25 years. In 2001, the freeze was extended further by 25 years, till 2026. The suspension was done to allow states with higher fertility rates to bring down their rates as per the population control measures introduced by the Centre.

The next census was to be held in 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the exercise was put on hold. Home Minister Amit Shah has, in the past, indicated that the Census will now be held after the 2024 election. This means the data collection and writing of reports wont be completed until 2029.

Whats the politics behind delimitation?

The matter of delimitation has political connotations to it and has a contentious past. This is because a state with a higher population will see more representatives being sent to Parliament. This has worried southern states, who argue that northern states whose population growth rates have been higher than theirs would go on to benefit from a delimitation exercise whereas southern states which have followed the Centres norms on population control would be penalised.

In fact, a 2019 paper showed that the total number of Lok Sabha seats would go up to 846 in 2026, based on population projections for that year. As per this estimate, Uttar Pradesh would see its constituencies go up to 143 from the current 80 and Bihars would nearly double to 79 from 40. On the other hand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu would lose 16 seats.

Another study had projected that four northern states (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh) would collectively gain 22 seats (out of 545). In comparison, four southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu) would lose 17 seats.

It was for this reason that in 1976, Indira Gandhis government introduced the 42nd Amendment. This suspended the delimitation exercise until 2001, justifying it as a part of the effort to promote family planning.

Similarly, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2001 also put a freeze on the delimitation exercise through the Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment) Bill, 2000, which was enacted as the Constitution (Eighty-Fourth Amendment) Act, 2002.

Even recently, southern states have objected to the delimitation exercise. Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief MK Stalin 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.

With inputs from agencies
The Womens Reservation Bill cleared its first legislative wall in the Lok Sabha, receiving 454 votes in favour and two votes against. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi and his party MP Imtiaz Jaleel were the only two who voted against the Bill, which is scheduled to be passed in Rajya Sabha today.

But why?

Reservation to benefit savarna women

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi cited a flaw in equal representation and opposed the Womens Reservation Bill, claiming it would provide reservation solely to savarna women, and questioned why OBC and Muslim women, who have even less representation in Parliament, are not 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.

Womens Reservation Bill: Why 33% quotas for women wont be a reality until 2029

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 dont 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.

Also Read: Womens Reservation Bill: Which countries have quotas for women?

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.

Reservation incomplete

This was the first time the womens quota measure was presented to a vote in Lok Sabha, and it passed with a two-thirds majority. While the Opposition parties uniformly backed it, they had demanded that OBC sub-quotas be included in the Bill.

Also Read: Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha: A look at its contentious history

Pushing for an OBC quota in the Womens Reservation Bill, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the move was incomplete as it lacks a quota for the community.

This discussion is about women being a group of people of India and the OBCs being another group of people of India. The OBCs, who number a huge percentage, control and define five per cent of Indias budget. This is an insult and a shame to the OBC community, Rahul said, reports India Today.

He also pushed for the caste census data to be released.

Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, as she led her party in the debate on the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday said that the government must ensure that the 33 per cent quota for women in the legislative bodies includes reservation for those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes.

Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party, has also called for a separate quota for women from OBC, as well as the demand that, given the number of women, they receive 50 per cent reservation rather than 33 per cent.

Other political parties including Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) have also echoed the move for providing sub quota for women from OBC section.

Speaking to News18, JMM MP Mahua Manjhi said reservation without considering women from the backward class fails the purpose.

Any reservation for women mostly benefits upper caste females as they are more powerful financially or are wives of influential men. Those who are left behind are women from the ST, SC and OBC communities. If there is a provision to give reservation to these women in the bill, it would be much better, she said.

Demand for OBC quota

The demand that the reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas include a sub-quota for women from the OBCs has been accompanying the proposed legislation since its introduction in Parliament in 1996.

After the Constitution called for reservation for OBCs, a joint parliamentary committee chaired by Geeta Mukherjee analysed the 1996 law and offered certain recommendations, one of which was to have a sub-quota for women belonging to OBCs, as per a report in The Week.

A similar Bill was enacted by Rajya Sabha over 13 years ago, however the legislation failed to pass through Lok Sabha due to significant opposition from SP and RJD over the lack of quota within quota for OBC women.

With inputs from PTI
In the recently released film Goldfish, Anamika (Kalki Koechlin) is woken up in the wee hours of the morning only to find her mother Sadhana (Deepti Naval) wandering on the streets, all dressed up for a BBC recording. Except that there is no recording. Sadhana doesnt work at the BBC anymore. She has dementia, a condition that is defined by a gradual decline of cognitive faculties; dementia interferes with ones memory, thinking, as well as emotions.

As dementia patients suffer gradual brain damage, they often fail to recognize loved ones; lose track of time; and forget even basic skills like reading.

The condition gets progressively worse over time and people with dementia often require extensive care and attention in attending to daily activities. Around 8.8 million Indians older than 60 years suffer from dementia.

Just as all cancers are not the same, dementia, too, can be of several types. From a tumor in the frontal region of the brain to Parkinsons to Alzheimers. Genetics and environment may play a role in deciding who gets it. says Dr. Binita Shah, who is associated with Dignity Foundation.

There is no treatment for dementia as such. One can only delay its progress.

However, since cognitive decline is seen as a natural part of the aging process, awareness about dementia remains low. Age-related memory loss happens due to wear and tear in the brain. The family doesnt realize that a loved one has dementia until the later stages, says Dr Shah.

What remains even less known is the story of the caregivers of dementia patients and the challenges and satisfactions that are unique to their vocation.

We spoke to five caregivers at the Mahim center of Dignity Foundation, Mumbai, to understand what goes into caring for a person with dementia. From P Karthykeyan to Javed, these caregivers have a range of motivations for performing the work that they do. Most stumbled into caregiving without any prior awareness or knowledge of dementia. What binds them, however, is the pride and fulfillment they derived from their jobs once they got into it.

As one walks into the center, one sees patients milling about, sitting, chatting, drawing. The walls are lined with their artwork and they are accompanied by a bunch of enthusiastic and attentive caregivers. Patience and empathy are the buzzwords here and every caregiver we speak to vouches for its importance.

A lesson in patience

Being a caregiver requires one to submit to the patients needs instead of imposing ones will on them. P. Karthykeyan, 63, for instance, makes it a point to practice the activities that each patient happens to prefer. If they dont want to indulge in any activity at the moment, he lets them be.

Karthykeyan, a volunteer at the center since December 2022, has dedicated his retirement years to serving those battling dementia. He has strong personal reasons for doing so as he lost his own father to the condition in 2001. Instead of being home alone, I come here and spend three-four hours with dementia patients, Karthykeyan says.

Karthykeyan feels he could have done more for his father had he had the skills and knowledge he has now. He was the first dementia patient in our family and we couldnt understand what was happening, why he would abscond to places.

All other caregivers at the centre work in a paid capacity. Most were recommended to join by friends. Vivavari Vinod Kanshi, 45, for instance, started work as a cook and cleaner on being referred by a friend. I kept observing others and gradually learned how to perform caregiving, she says

One of the first things Vivavari learnt was to treat patients like kids. She speaks with evident fondness of a patient called Hema: She fights, abuses, quarrels; then returns in five minutes to ask after me.

Jyoti Arun Chikalkar, 43, a former embroidery worker, lost her job to Covid in 2020 and unexpectedly ventured on her journey as a caregiver for dementia. She has been with the center from the day of its opening. There were only two patients here when I started.

Jyoti estimates she has taken care of over 30 patients till date. Initially unaware of the challenges, she soon discovered the profound impact of her work.

Caring as a way of life

Javed Salim Kachi, 33, wasnt new to caregiving when he joined the Dignity Foundation care center. He had earlier taken care of his sick Parsi employer, for whom he was driver, cook, bodyguardall rolled into one. But being a dementia caregiver did bring with it a set of unique challenges. As someone who had not heard of the disease before, he struggled in the early days to understand patients, who could hurl abuses at one moment and then shower affection the next.

Having worked for dementia patients for over two years now, Javed confidently holds forth on the skills required to take care of them. They will abuse you, scratch you, push you, hurt you, he says. All that is required of a caregiver is to retaliate with love, not force. Otherwise, one risks the chance of triggering the patient. They will hit you and forget all about it in two minutes, Javed explains. One has to let the patients forget and zone out; forcefully bringing them back into the moment may cause patients to turn more aggressive.

Karthykeyan recounts the story of a patient called Desai who pocketed coins after playing carrom one day. When he wouldnt give up the coins, Karthykeyan walked away. After five minutes, Desai gave up the coins on his own. It is only through such passive resistance that one can counter aggression in dementia patients.

A good caregiver also needs to be soft-spoken and polite, which in turn soothes and calms the patients. Even at your home, older people may ask you your name multiple times. You do not get irritated with them. You should be patient with people here in the same way, says Karthykeyan.

This is easier said than done, however. Being a caregiver has worsened Javeds migraine and he takes medication to manage it. When he drives the patients into the center every morning, he is filled with fears of a mishap. In the evenings, I am accompanied by a colleague; but in the mornings, I am alone with the patients. I keep thinking, what if they open the gate and leave?

Caring for dementia patients requires close monitoring. Leaving a single gate open is a matter of risk and requires vigilance. When its time to leave in the evenings, the employees are strategically positioned at different pointsthe gate, the lift, downstairsto ensure that no patient goes missing. Some of the patients carry name tags around their necks at all times. This is to ensure that even if they get lost, they might be able to find a way back.

All in a days work

The regular patients arrive from Monday to Friday and they spend their days engaging in activities like drawing, chess, carrom, craft, and so on. The patients require this exercise to improve their cognitive faculties to some extent. If you spend the whole day in a room, wont your mental health start to worsen, too? asks Javed, stressing the importance of professional care for dementia.

The memories may be gone, but the feelings remain, asserts Javed, talking about the importance of receiving love and attention at the centre.

Although the patients spend days and months with each other, however, they mostly dont recognize one another. Only the early stage patients can recognize others. Kumud, here, remembers names and addresses. Most others dont, says Javed. He goes on to add that most patients hardly remember the names of their family members. When asked if they have kids, they might reply in the affirmative or not. Only the spouses names remain on their tongues even after most others are forgotten. One Mr. Sehgal, for instance, remembers his wife Manjus name but doesnt remember those of his daughters.

A world of its own

A dementia patient is more likely to live in the past than in the present. A petite old lady from Ludhiana often replies that she is 30 years old when asked about her age. Patients remember what they did yesterday but not what they did today. When confronted with a random face, they sometimes see a daughter in it, sometimes a mother, and sometimes they dont recognise it at all.

Karthykeyan narrates the story of another patient who had worked at a school for almost 40 years before she was diagnosed with dementia. She could still read books but when asked to single out letters from a pool of alphabets, she was unable to do it,  he says.

The most disorienting thing about talking to a dementia patient is the lack of coherence in their speech. The trick is to roll with it and respond to them in the same way. Since you wont understand what they say and they wont understand what you say, advises Javed.

Patients often need to be assisted in routine tasks due to age as well as cognitive decline. Selvi, 37, who has been a caregiver for only 4 months, says that Sehgal needs help with brushing, bathing, and eating on most days. Once in a while, if he is feeling well, he might brush or change on his own.

Particular triggers may spur aggression in some patients. For instance, Sehgal refuses to eat on most days even if he is hungry. One has to be patient and sit through his anger, explains Selvi. Other patients have to be assisted with eating because they forget, for instance, to mix rice and dal on a plate. Patients also often engage in repetitive behaviours, imitating the actions or words of others. Some patients, for example, keep lining up to pee in front of the washroom because they see others do it.

The lady from Ludhiana doles out the same advice over and over when one sits next to her. Whenever you dont understand how to do something, its best to ask, she says.

All caregivers at the centre stress on the importance of love and patience when it comes to dealing with patients. But they also draw a line when they need to. Javed says that he makes it a point to not interact with patients beyond his hours at the center. If a patient happens to call him, he just nudges them to talk at the center the next day.

You have to maintain some distance with them. If you get too close, they might get too attached to you, he says. Distance is one of the first lessons that is imparted to caregivers at their training.

There are other ways in which lines are drawn at the center. Sometimes patients get out of hand and display unmanageable aggression. Javed recounts the incident that happened with a patient who had had the distinction of receiving medals from Kalam. It was a usual day. We played darts and carrom and went down. But once we were in the car, he got uncontrollable. He didnt recognise us and wanted to go home on his own. He hit six of us, including two women. I had chest pain for almost fifteen minutes after he hit me.

The centre had to let go of the patient on that day. There are two kinds of aggression, Javed explains. One is verbal. Someone named Lata, for instance, hurls invectives the whole day. But one can figure out ways to calm her. But if patients show physical aggression, there is no recourse but to let them go. This is especially important because other patients may imitate and follow suit.

Its hard to pinpoint why some patients are aggressive and others are not. But on bad days, when a patient displays more aggression than usual, caregivers find it best to take them to a corner and listen to them instead of shutting them down with force.

You have to talk to them politely. Sudha, for example, wont respond if you call her roughly as Sudha. You have to call her Sudha ji, says Vivavari.

When they are feeling affectionate, they stroke our cheek lovingly, says Jyoti.

When its hard to go on

So what keeps the caregivers going on a rough day? Would they stop if they could? For Karthykeyan, the answer is simple; as a volunteer, he could stop anytime he wished to. Others, like Jyoti, like the emotional fulfillment they derive out of the job. Javed thinks of his job as a service and says he likes the idea of someone waiting for him and needing his assistance.

The job is stressful, but we put our heart into it, says Jyoti.

Vivavari wont let the pressures of the job get to her head. On a bad day, she returns home, puts on music, and tries to relax and forget.

The authors are students of media at SCMSophia, Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President Jay Panda has received a threat call where the caller threatened to kill him.

The call was received by an assistant of the BJP National Vice President in which the caller threatened that the same thing will be done to Jay Panda which was done to Naba Das.

Odisha minister Naba Kishore Das was gunned down in a broad daylight on 29 January.

Whether this constitutes a real threat or was a juvenile prank is not possible for us to determine. Since such a message should not be taken lightly, a complaint with all details of the threat call has been lodged with the Delhi Police yesterday who are investigating into the matter, a release from the office of Baijayant Jay Panda said on Thursday.

The former minister of Health and Family Welfare in Odisha government, Das, was shot dead by ex-police officer Gopal Krishna Das as he allegedly felt threatened by him and his supporters and feared for his life.

After concluding the investigation into the murder case of Naba Das, the Crime Branch of Odisha police had submitted a 543-page preliminary charge-sheet at Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Jharsuguda.

It took the police 118 days to submit the preliminary chargesheet after the planned murder of the Odisha minister.
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the killing of the Khalistani terrorist Sukhdool Singh also known as Sukha Duneke, according to a post by his gang on Facebook.

Singh belonged to the Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga district and was reportedly killed in Winnipeg, Canada on Wednesday night.

Also Read: Punjab-based gangster Sukhdool Singh, most wanted in India, killed in inter-gang rivalry in Canada

The gangster was among the list of 43 criminals issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday.
In a sad and unusual event, a teenager studying in class IX at Lucknows City Montessori School passed away after collapsing during a chemistry lesson on Wednesday. Doctors suspect that Atif Siddiqui, the student in question, may have succumbed to a heart attack.

Initially, he was taken to a nearby medical facility and subsequently referred to the cardiology department at KGMU. Unfortunately, the medical team at KGMU pronounced him deceased. His body was later sent for a postmortem examination.

During the chemistry class, taught by Nadeem Khan, fellow students raised the alarm when Atif suddenly fainted. Khan, who was assisting another student with a problem, rushed to Atifs side, administered CPR, and provided mouth-to-mouth oxygen, but Atif did not respond. They promptly summoned the school nurse, and together they transported Atif to a nearby private hospital, from where he was referred to KGMU.

Rishi Khanna, the spokesperson for City Montessori School, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He explained that Atif had been rushed to a nearby medical facility by his teacher and the school nurse, with his father also informed and arriving at the medical center.

Despite repeated attempts at CPR, when Atif failed to regain consciousness, doctors suggested the possibility of a heart attack and recommended immediate transfer to KGMU. An ambulance, equipped with an oxygen cylinder, quickly transported Atif to KGMU, where medical professionals, sadly, confirmed his demise.

The school said it is prepared to fully cooperate with any subsequent investigations.

Dr. Akshay Pradhan from KGMUs cardiology department reported, The child had passed away by the time he reached the hospital. The exact cause of death will be determined through the postmortem report.
According to a press statement from the Union Health Ministry, Indias National Medical Commission (NMC) has been granted the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a period of ten years.

According to the statement, WFME accreditation will allow Indian medical graduates to continue postgraduate studies and practise in other nations that need WFME recognition, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Under this accreditation, all 706 current medical colleges become WFME accredited, and any new medical colleges established in the next ten years become WFME accredited immediately.

Because of our globally recognised standards, this would also make India an appealing location for overseas students.

In addition, the NMC would have the opportunity to improve the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with worldwide best practises and benchmarks.

According to the release, the recognition will boost the international recognition and reputation of Indian medical schools and professionals, facilitate academic collaborations and exchanges, promote continuous improvement and innovation in medical education, and foster a quality assurance culture among medical educators and institutions.

The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a global organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide. WFMEs mission is to strive for better health care for all mankind; WFMEs primary objective is to enhance the quality of medical education worldwide, with the promotion of the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education, according to the Health Ministry press release.

The release stated that the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) is the primary body in the United States that oversees the policies and regulations around licensing International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

In order to take the USMLEs, and to apply for residency all IMGs must be certified by ECFMG. The Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) is the primary body in the United States that oversees the policies and regulations around licensing International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

In order to take the USMLEs, and to apply for residency all IMGs must be certified by ECFMG. This certification typically takes place after the completion of the 2nd year of a medical program, and before taking the USMLE Step 1 examination. In 2010, the ECFMG announced a new requirement that will become effective in the year 2024 (was set for 2023 but was moved to 2024 due to COVID).

The new rule states that starting in 2024, individuals applying for ECFMG Certification must be a student or graduate of a medical school that is appropriately accredited. More specifically, the school must be accredited by an accrediting agency that is officially recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

The WFME recognition process entails a fee of  4,98,5142 ($60,000) per medical college, which covers the expenses of the site visit team and their travel and accommodation.

This means that the total cost for the 706 medical colleges in India to apply for WFME recognition would have been approximately  351.9 crore ($4,23,60,000).

It is noteworthy that NMC has taken recognition of WFME which shall be applicable to all medical colleges under its umbrella.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released the pictures of 10 wanted accused in the March 2023 case of attack and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, USA, and has sought information about them from the general public, the agency said in a statement.

The agency has issued three separate Request for Identification & Information notices against the wanted accused, seeking any information of importance that could lead to their arrest or apprehension.

While two of the notices carry photographs of two accused each, the third notice shows pictures of the other six accused allegedly involved in the case, read the agency statement.

The NIA has also released telephone numbers and email IDs for sharing of any information on these 10 accused and promised not to reveal the identity of anyone sharing information on the accused, it said.

The attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco had taken place in the intervening night of March 18 and 19, 2023 when some pro-Khalistani entities trespassed into the consulate and tried to burn down the Consulate, the NIA statement added.

On the same day, slogan-shouting Khalistani supporters had broken through the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and put up two so-called Khalistani flags in the Consulate premises damaged the consulate building, assaulted and caused injuries to the consulate officials

Further in the intervening night of July 1 and 2, some accused person trespassed into the consulate and attempted to set the consulate on fire while consulate officials were inside the building, the NIA statement added.

The NIA had initiated a probe into the matter after registering a case on June 16 under sections 109,120-B, 147, 148,149, 323,436,448 & 452 of the Indian Penal Code, section 13 of UA (P) Act and section 3(1) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

An NIA team visited San Francisco last month for the investigation of the said case.
India has slammed Canada for not sharing information specific information on the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and accused Justin Trudeau-led government of not acting upon evidence given by India on criminal activities carried out on Canadian soil.

No specific information has been shared by Canada on the Nijjar killing case. We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a media briefing

VIDEO | No specific information was shared by Canada on this case (Nijjar case). We are willing to look at specific information. From our side, specific information regarding criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil was shared but has not been acted upon, says pic.twitter.com/X8KIQEnEvf  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

Bagchi further said safe haven is being provided in Canada to terrorists, extremists and organised crimes.

Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian government not to do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice. We have sought either extradition requests or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals. We have requested over the years, but the response has not been helpful at all, the MEA spokesperson said.

#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian govt to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justiceWeve sought either extradition request or assistance pic.twitter.com/0ikMJFu8M6  ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Allegations by Canada politically driven

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week alleged Indian links in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and a designated terrorist was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canadas Surrey in June.

India has rejected the allegations made by Trudeau, terming them absurd and motivated.

At the media briefing, Bagchi said he thinks there is a degree of prejudice.

They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by government of Canada are primarily politically driven, the MEA spokesperson said.

VIDEO | Theres a degree of prejudice, to us these allegations seem to be primarily politically driven, says @MEAIndia spokesperson Arindam Bagchi amid the India-Canada diplomatic row. pic.twitter.com/6JY7ujpVM4  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, MEA had said in a statement.

Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law, it added.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that there is a sense of panic among people in Punjab amid simmering tensions between Canada and India.

A lot of Punjabis have settled down in Canada. There is a sense of panic in Punjab. So, governments of India and Canada should find a solution to this issue, he said.

VIDEO | A lot of Punjabis have settled down in Canada. There is a sense of panic in Punjab. So, governments of India and Canada should find a solution to this issue, says Shiromani Akali Dal president @officeofssbadal. pic.twitter.com/xFzMyPmR4W  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

Diplomatic relations between the two nations have taken a hit after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claims that India has links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Meanwhile, India has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian nationals as tensions between the two countries escalated following Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indias link to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing.

Operational reasons have been cited for the suspension of visa services for Canadians till further notice.

BLS International, a visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website, saying: Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates, read a notification on the official website of India Visa Application Center Canada.

Earlier in the day, Canadian MP Chandra Arya has asked Hindus in the country to stay vigilant after Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened them to leave as soon as possible.

A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant, Arya said in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.
For watchersand participantsof Indian democracy, the last few days have been momentous. Parliament held its final session in the old building, and the next day moved to the imposing, spacious and ultra-modern new Sansad, next to it. I must confess that when the decision to build the new Parliament was announced, I had opposed it because I felt that to abandon a building which has been identified since 1947 as the most recognisable icon of Indian democracy globally, was in some way also an obliteration of our past. There was too much nostalgia associated with the old building, too many memories, and so much of history, that I felt that imaginative renovationeven extensionwas a better idea than to discard it. I also felt that it was a waste of money during Covid times, which could have been spent more usefully for other urgent priorities.

Of course, as a Member of Parliament myself earlier, I was fully aware that the existing Parliament was visibly cramped and not sufficiently technologically updated. It was also clear that should the numbers of MPs were to increase, as was likely after the new delimitation exercise, there would be a very genuine problem of space. But there were associations that invariably grew with the old, including the ambience of the ever lively Central Hall, and even the mustiness of antiquity, which became endearing. At that time, I was against the building of the new Parliament.

However, as the new building came up in record time, and I saw its design, spaciousness, modernity, technological upgrading, and the sincere attempt to embellish it with the best of representative art and historic emblems from all parts of India, I reluctantly but definitely gave up my opposition. The transfer from the old to the new took place on 19th September, on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the final session in the old Parliament House, gave a statesman-like speech, for once free of acrimony. He recalled the contribution of every PM, every political party, and the historic decisions that were taken within its precincts. To the surprise of many, he alsoperhaps for the first timeshowered praise on the contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first PM of India, and other Congress PMs. It was a non-partisan speech, a conciliatory statement of collective appreciation, that was listened to with pin-drop silence by all members.

The next day, in the first session in the new Parliament building, he gave a callwhich was endorsed by both the Speaker and the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabhato make a new beginning with a less disruptive, more cooperative, and far more productive Parliament. It was timely advice, since I have long advocated that disruption of Parliament, and ceaselessin fact sometimes daily adjournmentsare truly a stain on our credentials as a democracy. The gross acts of indiscipline, unruly behaviour, open disrespect to the Chair, and the horrific scenes of brawls, paper throwing, placards, sloganeering, and the incessant entering into the Well of the House, has become the unedifying scenes that the people of India are compelled to witness almost daily.

I believe that such behaviour, whether perpetrated by the BJP earlier during UPA rule (and even justified as valid democratic protest), or the Congress and other Opposition parties now, is inimical to all Opposition parties. A reasoned and well-prepared debate, in which those across the Treasury Benches make their point substantively, is far more impactful, and can now be watched by the entire nation through live telecasts. During my tenure in Parliament, I did not once enter the aisle in protest, leave alone entering the Well. Indeed, as the oldest living parliamentarian today, Dr Karan Singh, said on TV recently, such departure from parliamentary decorum was unheard of in the past. Of course, if we are to resurrect that past, the Treasury Benches, whose responsibility it is to run the House, should be open to the valid priorities and requests of the Opposition. And above all, the presiding officers of both Houses should play an impartial role, in letter and spirit.

I would also like to express my unreserved appreciation for the announcement by the PM, in the very first session in the new Parliament, of bringing in the Womens Reservation Bill. Finally, the long pending reform, which it is true was proposed several times in the past by both the BJP (during Atal Bihari Vajpayees term as PM) and the Congress (even earlier, during PM Rajiv Gandhis tenure), may see the light of reality. The allegation that this resolve was not implemented for the earlier nine years of the BJP-NDA government, even when it had two successive governments with an absolute majority, and is being brought in only now, on the eve of the next Parliamentary elections, is spot on. It is also worrisome that the new law, when passed, will become a reality only in some indeterminate future, only after the next inexplicably delayed National Census, and then the contentious delimitation exercise. The government should try and implement this new law as quickly as possible, and take on board what many in the Opposition are asking for, which are provisions for social justice for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes. But on the whole, this renewed and long delayed initiative is something I welcome.

We have to wait and watch what else that is historic is in store in this Special Session.

The author is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 7 September, 2023. It was also the concluding summit for Indonesias chairmanship of ASEAN for 2023. It marks the last time that Indonesian President Joko Widodo would participate in ASEAN and related summits since his term ends next year. With the conclusion of these events, Indonesia has handed over the chairmanship of ASEAN and EAS to Laos.

The EAS in 2022 in Cambodia did not succeed in having a consensus around the leaders statement. Therefore, only a chairman summary was issued. We are now familiar with this difference since, at the G20 in New Delhi, India was grappling with the same dilemma. In the EAS, however, the tradition is to issue two documents. The leaders statement normally covers functional non-political issues, while the chairmans summary focuses on geopolitical issues and other related matters of contemporary interest. In Indonesias case, it seemed that they too would stumble like Cambodia and issue only a chairmans summary in which there were disagreements over the paragraphs pertaining to Ukraine. This held up the consensus on the leader statement as well, which otherwise focused on Indonesias theme. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who played a significant role with her team in resolving these issues, candidly said that it was a challenge and that many delegations made life difficult for Indonesia.

During this period, the ASEAN held their own summit on September 5, thereafter, on 6 and 7 September, there was the summit that ASEAN held with its dialogue partners, like the ASEAN-India Summit, the ASEAN China Summit, and the ASEAN US Summit. It also holds the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, along with Japan, China and Korea, their oldest partners in the region. Once these are concluded, then the cherry on the cake is the eighth tea nation East Asia Summit, which is what every ASEAN chair looks forward to, because it brings the big powers to their capital. It was established in 2005 with the 10 ASEAN countries and their closest regional partners, Japan, Korea and China, to which countries like India, Australia and New Zealand were added in 2011. The US and Russias addition made it the most powerful summit in the region. Every year, the chair looks forward to the presence of the US president, the Russian president and the Chinese Premier since Chinese President Xi Jinping never attends ASEAN China or ES summits. This year marked the debut of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

President Putin has stopped attending summits except in his close proximity, and Russia at this years G20 summit also was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. But what hurt the Indonesians and ASEAN most was that US President Joe Biden did not make an appearance and this was despite Indonesia adjusting the dates of the summit which were coinciding with the G20 Summit dates in India, which Biden chose to attend. Thus, none of the three big powers were present at the EAS, denuding it of significance. But the absence of the leaders did not mean the absence of contradictions and controversy. Indonesia had successfully negotiated a few paragraphs on Ukraine by condemning Russia during the G20 Summit in Bali in December 2022. But, like everybody else, they discovered that Jakarta was not the same and the Russians and Chinese stuck to their guns.

Indonesia was relieved when finally, a consensus was built on these paragraphs, meaning that the church summary could go through and the objections to a consensus on a leader statement were removed.

Para 39 on Ukraine focuses on the negative impact of the Ukraine crisis on ASEAN but does admit that at EAS, Most members strongly condemn the aggression against Ukraine and underscore the need to reach a just, and lasting peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Ukraine. Here too, Russia was indirectly mentioned through UN resolutions.

Indonesia does need to be complimented, that while Cambodia could not succeed, they did. Though the going is now tougher than what they faced during the G20. India learned from this since Indian delegates were watching proceedings carefully.

The EAS is losing some steam because of the continuing degradation of the regions rules-based order by China. China refuses to improve its behaviour. It is delaying the code of conduct in the South China Sea and ticking off ASEAN countries, which are its economic partners, for the strategic convergence with the Quad and other countries. On top of it, the Chinese economy is faltering. ASEAN countries are seeking strategic autonomy and engaging closely with other members of the East Asia Summit.

Just before the EAS, Indonesia held its first-ever ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum to focus on $93 billion of projects, which could ignite economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia and ASEAN embraced the Indo-Pacific concept so openly this time, indicating a change in tactics. However, they do not see it as a strategic concept and want to bring it to the level of economic and functional engagement, much like the Asia Pacific concept was. This, however, ignores the harsh realities which led to the generation of the Indo-Pacific.

During the launch of a business event, Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani said that the Indo-Pacific emerged because the US wanted to woo India to challenge China. While this may not be entirely true, the perception of India in ASEAN is definitely changing.

India is resolute in its support to the EAS processes and the stability it can provide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the EAS plays a pivotal role as the primary confidence-building mechanism in Asia. And the key to its success is ASEAN centrality. India fully supports the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The positive agenda of IPOI and QUAD complements various mechanisms of ASEAN.

Prime Minister Modi was clear in his view of the Indo-Pacific and without naming China, its actions were called out. The Indo-Pacific must have international law, including UNCLOS, equally applicable to all countries; freedom of navigation and overflight; and unimpeded lawful commerce for the benefit of everyone. India believes that the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea should be effective and in accordance with UNCLOS. Additionally, it should take into consideration the interests of countries that are not directly involved in the discussions. This supported the CoC as well as challenged two redlines China has drawn on UNCLOS and the rights of non-SCS countries.

The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Preamble

Modi as the Messiah for the aspirational women of New India, where Nari Shakti reflects true Rashtra Shakti.

yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah|

yatraitastu na pujyante sarvastatraphalah kriyah ||

(where women are honoured and respected, divinity dwells, without which all actions are fruitless wherein women are not honoured)

The Rig Veda, Atharva Veda and Yajur Veda unanimously proclaimed that women should be given the lead in ruling the nation and in society. Scholarly women purify our lives with their intellect. Through her actions, she purifies our actions. Through her knowledge, she promotes virtue and efficient management of society. (20.84).

The long overdue step in correcting societal asymmetry.

By according to primacy to the Womens Reservation Bill as the first order of business to be tabled on the very first day of the first session in the new Parliament, it will go down in the annals of Bharats history as heralding the first legislation to have received parliamentary imprimatur.

The Modi government has consistently worked towards according an equal share for womens participation in nation building and ensuring their ease of living through flagship schemes like Beti Bachao, Ujjwala Yojna and the ownership of house given to women under the PM Awas Yojna, abolition of triple talaq, increased financial inclusion, and by extending collateral free MUDRA loans.

To reimagine a more equitable and inclusive social order, it requires that more women-centric reforms are bought centre stage, necessitating to now build consensus on the Uniform Civil Code. Because the more an economy expands and literacy levels rise, there is lesser room for exclusion of the vulnerable, which foremost includes women.

Towards a New Bharat, this goal can only be achieved when women attain economic self-sufficiency through equal opportunities in all spheres, thereby lessening the scope for perpetuation of historic injustices, or for the persistence of archaic and anachronistic dominance of males over females.

By correcting the gender-imbalance in legislatures, it gives the ruling BJP a cutting edge in electioneering pitches.

The pathbreaking Womens Reservation Bill stuck for 27 years in limbo is finally in the offing. Regardless of the provenance of the Bill, and which party claims credit for claiming the first mover vantage, it is the Modi-led government that would be accredited with the historic legislation becoming law, targeting its passage by 22 September.

By correcting the persistent gender-imbalance in legislatures, the political dividends for the BJP are high on the passage of the bill, as women comprise half of Indias population as also half of the electorate. Currently, less than 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha MPs are women, as compared to the global average of women legislators being 26.2 per cent.

The BJP is rightfully all set to capitalise electorally on the bill according to reservation of 33 per cent seats in Parliament and in legislative assemblies. Besides, unlike previous years when parties like the SP and JDU impeded passage of the bill, no party today wants to obstruct passage of the bill and be perceived as being anti-women.

However, it is unlikely to be implemented by the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as the roll out needs the delimitation exercise and a caste census to be completed, which could take upto 2026/2029.

Why is there a new found competitive populism on women-centric schemes?

In a bid at competitive populism over women voters never seen before, why are Central welfare schemes and all States governments outreaching to cater to this segment? Because the political dividends that accrue are high, as women constitute the largest voting segment. A look at the voting data percentage points to increasing womens turnout in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which is a trend reflected even in state assembly polls, which makes for a compelling case to bring centre stage women-centric concerns.

It is therefore becoming an electoral imperative, as the turnout of women voters has been steadily increasing since 1962, when 62 per cent of men and only 46.6 per cent of women voted in the Lok Sabha elections. By the 2019 elections, the percentage of women voters rose to 67.2 per cent, surpassing the share of male voters which had stagnated at 67 per cent.

The futuristic potential of this legislation portends towards having a cascading effect in increasing Female Labour Force Participation.

Policymakers know all too well that there exists a positive correlation between high GDP growth and womens participation in the economy. When the number of women doubles in our legislatures, it will also set the momentum towards increasing the much needed labour force participation rate (LFPR) where India lags behind.

According to the World Employment Outlook Trends of the 2023 report, global LFPR engagement rate of women stood at 47.4 per cent in 2022, as compared to men at 72.3 per cent, with India recording an LFPR of 33 per cent in 2022. Any investment in improving the productivity of women has a huge multiplier impact on growth and development.

Conclusion: a holistic approach to womens empowerment.

While the Reservation Bill will be a major step towards gender parity, for a more equitable society, the government must continue to take a holistic approach on womens empowerment. This necessitates increased outlays towards gender-specific budgeting; improving access to quality education, particularly in the higher STEM fields; increased outlays towards womens health; providing higher access to formal finance and entrepreneurship; extending social welfare protection to underprivileged women and increasing care-infrastructure for working women; bridging the digital divide, as also reducing the gender gap in pay-disparity.

The author is ex- Chairperson for the Committee for Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy, Niti Aayog. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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We used to listen and read in our history books that before the advent of Britishers in India, the traditional crafts were highly developed in their techniques and forms. Indian handicraft products were much in demand within the country and in other parts of the world. In our oral tradition, we used to hear that Indian clothes, fabrics, and muslin (malmal cloth) were so refined and attractive that British mems (ladies) used to wear them. Whenever we listen to Kabeer, it reminds us of the vibrant culture of traditional craft in pre-colonial India. We all know during the colonial regime, Indian craft tradition and industries suffered a lot, and we mostly became dependent on exports of everyday use from Britain and other countries of colonial masters.

In post-independence times, these traditional crafts remained at the margin in the model, vision, and governance of development. However, these traditional craft industries were very crucial and central to the Gandhian vision of development, such as the notion of Gram Swarajya, but in the Nehruvian model of development, which was largely based on evolving heavy industries, these craft-based cottage industries remained at the periphery.

The recently held grand announcement of PM Vishwakarma Samman Yojana (scheme) by PM Narendra Modi enthused hope among various Dastkari (traditional handicraft)-based local entrepreneurs and a larger section of Dastkar communities of the country. This scheme, which offers a loan of 3 lakhs and a toolkit incentive of Rs 15000, is made for 18 communities such as carpenters, boat makers, armorers, blacksmiths, hammer and toolkit makers, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors, stone breakers, cobblers, masons, basket makers, toy makers, washerman, tailors and fishing net makers.

These are mostly traditional craft-based communities that used to work under the jajmani system for a long time. When the jajmani system weakened due to various social-political changes, their products lost the market. Due to the emergence of modern technology-based heavy production, their occupation became marginalised. Due to that, on the one hand, they lost their livelihood, and on the other hand, they could not be fully accommodated as labourers in the field or in various infrastructural developments. I see most of the community in confusion- who lost their livelihood and could not fully accept their marginalisation as labourers. During my field works in the villages and quasbas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, I observed that most of them believe that they are knowledge communities and they have expertise in their skills, so they are not ready to cope up with their transformation as labourer or other available minimal work in the towns and cities.

Most of these communities are small in numbers, so they never remained an electoral attraction for any political party. Most of these communities have not yet been able to produce community leaders who may articulate their desires in the politics of democracy. In one of my books, Fractured Tales: Invisible in Indian Democracy, I find most of them as invisible communities. They have not yet acquired the capacity to take sufficient benefits from various protective discrimination policies such as reservation.

Different from Nehruvian post-independent modes of development, PM Narendra Modis focus on traditional craft and communities related to them may provide the capacity to aspire among these communities to reach the door of democracy for acquiring their visibility in democracy and development. Secondly, through various skill-based training, they may refine their traditional skill to make them appropriate to modern society and new markets. Thirdly, some of them may emerge as an entrepreneur, and their products may get proper space in the contemporary market. It will also evolve new possibilities and choices for the Indian markets and consumers.

If someone does a political reading of this policy, he may find that this scheme may evolve trust among these small and invisible people towards PM Narendra Modi. Some of these communities may join in the base vote of BJP in the long run. Since most of these communities come from the most backward caste (MBC), it may also weaken the Mandal mode of politics among marginal communities, which may weaken identity-based mobilisation. It may also perceive another expansion of beneficiary politics of BJP, which attracted poor and marginal people beyond castes towards the party in the past few elections of the state legislatures and parliament.

It is interesting to observe that some of these craft-based communities may also be found among both Hindus and Muslims. Darjee, barbers, and weavers may be found among both religious communities. So, through this policy, the BJP may also evolve its trust capital among a section of Pasamanda Muslims. Similarly, some listed communities may be found in most backward and Scheduled Castes. So, the range of beneficiaries of this policy covers multi-religious and multi-category-based economic communities.

Some of the opinion makers raised questions on such capacity-building schemes of traditional occupation-based communities that this may push people to stick to their caste-based occupation, which is considered low work in the hierarchical caste-based system. This may again remind of the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate about traditional caste occupation. Ambedkar was critical in encouraging such marginal people to stick with their occupations. He was arguing for freedom of choice for opting for occupation for livelihood. While Mahatma Gandhi was looking at it as strengthening the village republic and skills of rural people in India.

However, modernity and developmental vision are trying to cultivate a condition in which people from marginal castes may diversify their occupations. They may use freedom of their choice to opt for occupation. However, a section of marginal communities have not yet acquired the capacity to cross over into other kinds of occupation and have already lost their traditional occupation. Once, I met a Dalit rickshaw puller in the city who was eager to live in a village and come to the city as a slum dweller/ rickshaw puller. He told me, Kya kare bhaiyya- hamare jat-samaj ke logo ne hume apana paramparik kam karane pe rok laga diya hai.kahate hai ye malechh kam hai,karoge to jaat se nikaldenge. (What to do, brother? Our own community fellows have stopped us from doing our traditional work. They say this work is filthy; if you continue, we will throw you out of the community). Similarly, many of these traditionally skillful communities do not want to write their destiny as Dihadi labourer (daily wage labourer) in the ongoing infrastructure development project in the country.

Now, many big businessmen and successful entrepreneurs see these occupations as economic activities, reinventing and modernising them and promoting them as the brand. They are employing people of such traditional castes as their workers. One can see how Mochies (Cobblers) have emerged as a brand for making leather goods. Similarly, carpenters are employed in the shops and karkhana of wooden crafts run by big businessmen in cosmopolitan cities. For Handloom and Handwork, Fab India and new start-ups like I-tokri are very popular in the market. These businessmen and even new entrepreneurs claim that no middleman is there but earn a huge percentage of benefit from the work of these traditional craft-based communities.

So, PM Vishwakarma Samman Yojana may evolve capacities among these traditional craftsman communities to develop themselves as small, medium, and big entrepreneurs. This may allow them to write their destiny with their traditional knowledge resources. In that way, PM Modi is trying to distribute democratic resources to the various invisible communities of Indian society.

The writer is professor and director of GB Pant Social Science Institute, Prayagraj, and the author of Republic of Hindutva. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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One could never imagine in the not-so-distant mighty Cold War days of the West that its institutions, systems and the lofty ideals of democracy would soon be hijacked, severely compromised, and held to ransom by the Islamic and Sikh extremist and terrorist organizations and all sorts of dubious foreign penetrations. Today countries like Canada seem to be completely taken over by the extremists, terrorists, radicals and the intelligence operations of China and Pakistan.

The ongoing diplomatic spat between India and Canada amply shows the extent to which institutions in the Western world have been compromised. Notably, Canada alleged that Indian agencies were involved in the murder of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Following the allegations, came the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat from Canada. In a proportionate retaliation, New Delhi has also expelled a senior diplomat of Canada, ordering him to leave the country within five days.

Pot calling the kettle black

The irony of the situation is that a country like Canada, known to be a torch bearer of democracy and human rights is aligning with Khalistani extremists and terrorists, with a proven record of murder, extortion, torture, bomb blasts, minority killings, genocide, and massive human rights violations. Canadas main opposition Jagmeet Singhs, New Democratic Party, which is keeping Trudeaus minority government in power, is an open supporter and sympathizer of the Khalistan separatism and extremism, a direct threat to Indias sovereignty, integrity, and internal security. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the man whose murder has sparked the ongoing diplomatic row, is a wanted terrorist listed in the Indian home ministrys list of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) terrorists. Nijjars pictures firing and waving and AK 47 are doing rounds on social media. Unfortunately, Canada has decided to support a terrorist and an extremist ideology. The National Investigation Agency has alleged him of trying to radicalize Sikh community across the world in favor of creation of Khalistan and trying to incite Sikhs to vote for secession, agitate against the Government of India and carry out violent activities.

Canada has a history of sheltering Khalistani extremists engaging in anti-India India activities. Canadas non-cooperative and pro-Khalistani sympathies were evident in the investigation of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, in which all 329 people, on board, were murdered. After a long and protracted investigation, two Sikh extremists from British Columbia were acquitted in 2005 of conspiracy and murder in the Kanishaka bombing as well as a second explosion that killed two baggage handlers in Japan. Reportedly, due to the callousness of Canadian investigation agencies, many witnesses were murdered and apparently intimidated and threatened out of testifying. Also, wiretaps by the Canadian intelligence agencies were erased, hence they could not be used as evidence.

Canadian mainstream political groups and state institutions have increasingly provided more space to Khalistan extremists and their activists. In 2017, Trudeau attended a Sikh event in Toronto where separatist flags and posters of a Khalistani terrorist killed in the Operation Blue Star of 1984, were displayed. In June 2023, the Canadian government allowed a float depicting the murder of Indira Gandhi as revenge and glorifying the perpetrators as Sikh heroes. Lately, several Hindu temples have been attacked by the Khalistani extremists in Canada. Also, pro-Khalistani protesters have often breached the security of Indian consulates and missions in Canada.

Canadas blatant duplicity on terrorism gets further exposed with Ottawas silence over the activities of the ISI and Pak-supported Islamic extremists. Notably, in Canada, the ISI is working hands-in-glove with Khalistani extremists and engaging in widespread anti-India activities. On various occasions, funds have been routed to Kashmir-based separatist entities through Canada. The ISI goons killed a Baloch dissident Kareema Baloch, critical of Pakistani atrocities in Balochistan, in a cold-blooded murder; however, Mr. Trudeau neither raised any hue and cry nor expelled any Pakistani diplomat.

Also, while citing the investigation leading to credible allegations, neither Joly, Canadas foreign minister nor Le Blanc, minister for public safety have furnished any details which further strengthen the argument that the allegations have flimsy evidential grounds. In fact, it is quite possible that the whole issue has been raised for political ends, to placate Khalistani elements as right after the incident the Khalistani organisations praised Trudeau.

India, a much stronger nation

Today, India with its 5th largest economy and 4th largest military is a much stronger power. Under Prime Minister Modis leadership, India has shown a firm resolve against terrorism. Despite the intellectual and propaganda attacks against Delhi over the last 10 years, Prime Minister Modis stance has strengthened and grown stronger in conviction, action, and fervor. Also, Indias global clout has grown by leaps and bounds. The ongoing G20 presidency has enabled India to shape the global narrative on economy, security, and terrorism. Hence, Delhi is not anymore in the 1985 situation when it could not do much against the powerful Western governments be it the case of the Union Carbide Bhopal gas leak or the Kanishka bombings.

However, today it can. It can be observed that the international community has also shown a very mellowed reaction in this matter. Canada being a member of Five Eyes, the global intelligence alliance, raised the issue with Britain, the US, and Australia. All three countries have a sizable Sikh population with pro-Khalistan leanings. However, the three countries have shown a restrained reaction, merely stating that they are concerned about the allegations. The West needs India as a counter to China, therefore it is in no position to annoy India, leaving aside alienating and isolating it. It is high time Canada realised that pleasing Khalistanis is doing significant damage to India-Canada ties. Most recently, India has put on hold a trade agreement supposed to be signed between the two countries citing serious concerns.

At the recent G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi did not have a bilateral meeting with Trudeau. He only met him on the sidelines and conveyed that India is seriously concerned about the Khalistani activities in Canada. Prior to that in 2018, Trudeaus India visit was a flop affair, with India giving a diplomatic snub to Canada on several occasions. Canada, a prominent nation in the Western world needs to realise that in the 21st century, there is no rationale behind aligning with totalitarian and genocidal extremists and terrorist groups. Doing it for petty internal political imperatives severely damages its democratic credentials. Also, if Canada, along with the other Western nations wants to decouple from China, create alternate supply chains, and counter Chinas aggressionism and expanding influence operations on its own soil, it needs to keep New Delhi on its side. Ruining ties for a few lumpen terrorists and radicals is a bad diplomatic choice.

To conclude, I would like to raise a critical question. Trudeau blames India for violating its sovereignty by allegedly facilitating Nijjars murder, of which no concrete proof has come out yet. However, Canadas association with Khalistanis elements hell-bent on Indias vivisection and violation of its territorial integrity is out in the open. Hence it can be argued that Canada is a party to anti-India forces seeking to disintegrate India and violate its sovereignty.

That said, shouldnt we declare Trudeau, the man supporting and sheltering anti-India forces seeking to disintegrate India, a Persona Non-Grata (PNG) in India?

If it is too much to ask for, then New Delhi should at least issue a white paper exposing Canadas linkages and tacit support to Khalistani extremists.

The writer is the founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, a foreign policy and national security thinktank. A Cornell University grad in public affairs, and the author of Radicalisation in India: An Exploration. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Chinas Ministry of State Security (MSS) has claimed that the US National Security Agency (NSA) infiltrated servers belonging to Chinese tech company Huawei as far back as 2009. The MSS revealed that the NSAs Office of Tailored Access Operation (TAO) initiated cyberattacks on Huaweis servers and maintained continuous surveillance.

This revelation comes after the Chinese MSS identified US spyware known as SecondDate in cyberattacks against Chinas Northwestern Polytechnical University. SecondDate, a cyber-espionage tool, was reportedly operating covertly on numerous network devices worldwide.

The MSS also disclosed that the TAO conducted tens of thousands of malicious cyberattacks against China, controlled a multitude of network devices, and stole a substantial amount of high-value data. These actions, according to the MSS, expose the USs Empire of Hacking and its tactics to maintain cyber hegemony.

China alleges that the US has engaged in large-scale cyberattacks and espionage operations against 45 countries and regions, including China and Russia, over a decade. These operations reportedly targeted various sectors, such as telecommunications, scientific research, economy, energy, and military.

China accuses the US of exploiting laws like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to coerce technology companies into embedding backdoors in their products, enabling data theft. The MSS cites instances of US companies selling location data and monitoring mobile devices globally, often in collaboration with government agencies.

The MSS asserts that while the US conducts extensive cyberattacks worldwide, it simultaneously releases security reports portraying China as a cyber threat. It claims that the US has been eavesdropping on its allies and conducting cyber operations against China since the PRISM program revelations in 2013.

Furthermore, the MSS alleges that the USs recent Hunt Forward Operations have targeted countries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea under the guise of active defence.

In conclusion, the MSS accuses the US of using cybersecurity as a pretext to push initiatives like the Clean Network project, which aims to exclude Chinese tech companies. The MSS contends that the USs ultimate goal is to suppress its opponents and maintain global dominance in the realm of cyber warfare.
Continental Device India Pvt. Ltd (CDIL), Indias oldest surviving semiconductor company is contemplating the possibility of establishing its own fabrication facility (fab) in India in the long term, provided the necessary supportive ecosystem emerges within the country.

For the time being, CDIL is concentrating on its local ATMP (assembly, testing, marking, and packaging) business and plans to augment its existing capacity of 500 million units by an additional 100 million units.

The company intends to leverage the Indian governments production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) to set up two new ATMP lines, as disclosed by Prithvideep Singh, General Manager at CDIL Semiconductors.

Singh explained, Well be adding 100 million units capacity. In this particular plan, the first phase has already been installed. Fifty million will be coming within another six to eight months and subsequently another 50 million. CDIL, founded in 1964 in collaboration with Continental Device Corp. of Hawthorne, California (later known as Teledyne Semiconductor Co.), is now poised to enhance its presence.

CDILs expansion efforts coincide with global player Microns recent announcement of establishing an ATMP unit in India, involving an investment exceeding $800 million over five years. However, Singh did not disclose the exact amount of investment CDIL would undertake to bolster its capacities.

Regarding the possibility of CDIL constructing a fabrication facility in India, Singh stated that while the company was exploring this prospect, considering its prior expertise in the domain, the decision would hinge on several factors.

Its something were considering. We would love nothing more than to have two to six assembly lines in India and then have a wafer fab which could supply products to them. Right now, if we set up a wafer fab, we will take what we take internally for our products and then somewhere, wed have to have the rest of the capacity, Singh explained.

He also emphasized that all the raw materials required for fabrication and ATMP manufacturing are presently imported, encompassing chemicals, molding equipment, epoxies, and that the local infrastructure and service teams needed to handle the processing of these raw materials are currently lacking.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, CDILs primary focus will be on expanding its ATMP lines. Singh pointed out that the companys expansion efforts align with the rising demand, both domestically and internationally. Indias position as a cost-effective manufacturing hub for electronics and semiconductors, combined with government incentives, subsidies, and a burgeoning domestic market, has spurred the need for capacity expansion.

The government has also fueled some of this in terms of domestic consumption. Theyve got localization and indigenization clauses in many of their tenders, whether its E-meters or LED lights, Singh noted, highlighting the governments role in fostering the expansion of domestic semiconductor capabilities.
Over 20 girls in Spain have reported a distressing incident wherein they received AI-generated nude images of themselves on their mobile phones.

However, the question arises: can legal actions be taken against the creation and distribution of such deepfake content?

Haunted by AI-generated deep fakes

More than twenty girls from Almendralejo, a town in southern Spain, were shocked when they received nude photos of themselves on their mobile devices. What made matters worse was that none of these girls had taken these pictures, yet they appeared frighteningly realistic.

These images had been illicitly taken from their Instagram accounts, manipulated using AI, and subsequently circulated in the schools WhatsApp groups.

In their genuine photographs, the teenagers were completely clothed, but the application had skillfully made them appear nude. Consequently, concerned parents and legal authorities are left wondering whether a crime has been committed, even if the images in question are technically not real. Could these images be deemed as child pornography?

Miriam Al Adib, one of the girls mothers, expressed her distress on her Instagram account, stating, The montages are super realistic, its very disturbing and a real outrage. She added that her daughter was deeply disturbed by the ordeal.

Al Adib even raised concerns that these photos might have found their way onto internet platforms like OnlyFans or adult websites, all while the girls endured hurtful comments from their peers. One of the girls was even told, Dont complain, girls upload pictures that almost show their private parts. It is noteworthy that the youngest among the victims is just 11 years old and hasnt even reached high school yet.

To address this troubling situation, the mothers have come together to voice their concerns. The National Police have initiated an investigation and have already identified several underage individuals allegedly involved in this incident, some of whom are fellow classmates of the affected girls.

The case has been referred to the Juvenile Prosecutors Office, and the towns mayor has issued a stern warning: It may have started as a joke, but the implications are much greater and could have serious consequences for those who made these photos.

Problematic App

The hyper-realistic deepfake images, created with the ClothOff app, have raised alarm. Marketed with the slogan Undress anybody, undress girls for free, this app permits users to digitally remove clothing from individuals depicted in their phones image gallery for a fee of 10, yielding 25 naked images.

Although the nudity depicted in these images is not real, the mothers emphasize that the emotional distress suffered by the girls is indeed very real. Miriam Al Adib issued a stern message on her Instagram account, directed at those who shared the pictures: You are not aware of the damage you have done to these girls and youre also unaware of the crime you have committed.

EUs toothless laws

Legal experts are grappling with the question of whether this offence can be classified as the distribution of child pornography, which would entail severe penalties, or if a more cautious approach is warranted.

Leandro Nunez, a lawyer specializing in new technologies at the Audens law firm, emphasizes that the critical factor isnt whether the photo is 100 per cent authentic but whether it appears to be. He suggests that it could potentially be regarded as child pornography, crimes against moral integrity, or the distribution of images containing non-consensual sexual content, with the latter resulting in a lesser sentence of six months to two years in prison.

However, Eloi Font, a lawyer at Font Advocats, a law firm specializing in digital law, contends that it might be categorized as a crime akin to the reproduction of sexual images of minors, carrying a penalty of between five and nine years in prison.
Elon Musk appears to be inching closer to realizing his long-standing vision of creating an all-encompassing app known as X. Over the years, he has discussed his desire to develop such an everything app, enabling users to conduct payments, share opinions, connect with others, and more.

Unexpectedly, when Musk acquired Twitter last year, it became apparent that he aimed to transform the social media platform into the very everything app he had dreamed of.



Before Musks acquisition, Twitter was primarily a platform for expressing opinions within the constraints of limited characters. However, under his leadership, Twitter has expanded its offerings significantly.

The platform now allows users to share extended videos, compose longer tweets, subscribe to specific accounts, and more. Furthermore, a recent video shared by Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino hints that Twitter will soon incorporate payment functionalities.

In her video announcement of this upcoming feature, Yaccarino wrote, A hint of whats to come. Whos in? The two-minute video offers a glimpse into the various capabilities that users can expect on the X app.

In addition to payment capabilities, the video also mentions the imminent introduction of video calling, expanding beyond text-based communication, which is currently the norm on the X app. Furthermore, users will soon be able to use X for job searches and more.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, has recently suggested the possibility of implementing a monthly fee for users of the app. During a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk hinted at the idea of users having to pay a modest monthly fee to access the platform.

He cited the need for this fee as a means to counter the proliferation of automated bots on the platform, explaining, Its the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots, according to a CBS News report.

Since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion last year, Musk has initiated a series of significant changes on the platform. Upon taking ownership, he removed the then-CEO Parag Agrawal and assumed control of the social media site. Musk also permitted previously banned accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, to return to Twitter.

Additionally, he revamped the blue check verification system, originally used to identify celebrity accounts, and transformed it into a paid subscription service available to all users.
Following a quick Azerbaijani military assault, Armenian rebels from the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to lay down their guns and enter peace negotiations with Azerbaijan on Thursday.

Baku claims to have reclaimed control of the land for the first time in decades, after rebels agreed to disarm in the face of hostilities that killed 200 people.

Despite the truce with Azerbaijani forces that went into effect one day earlier, gunshots broke out in the separatist stronghold of Stepanakert on Thursday.

An AFP correspondent observed a convoy of black cars arrive for the discussions in the city of Yevlakh, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Baku.

The convoy was escorted by a car with a Russian flag and Russian army licence plates, and photographs broadcast on Azerbaijani television afterwards showed the two delegations seated at a table next to an Azerbaijani flag.

Russia dispatched peacekeepers to mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 as part of an agreement to stop a six-week conflict there, and President Vladimir Putin has stated that the peacekeeping presence will arbitrate the discussions.

The UN Security Council will also have an emergency session later on Thursday to review the situation in Karabakh, which began on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday.

Peaceful reintegration

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the region.

The years of conflict have been marked by abuses on both sides, and there are concerns of a fresh refugee crisis as Karabakhs Armenian population fears being forced out.

The collapse of separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev in his quest to bring the Armenian-majority region back under Bakus control.

Aliyev said this weeks events will have a positive impact on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

His foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev promised safe passage for the separatists who surrendered and said Baku sought the peaceful reintegration of Karabakh Armenians.

A separatist official said more than 10,000 people had been evacuated from Armenian communities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The EU and United States had been mediating talks between Baku and Yerevan in recent months in a bid to secure a lasting peace.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Aliyev said Azerbaijan had restored its sovereignty as a result of successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh.

He claimed that most of the Armenian forces in the region had been destroyed and said the withdrawal of separatist troops had already begun.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed wholehearted support for traditional ally Azerbaijan in a call with Aliyev.

Truce deal

Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, Armenias defence ministry late on Wednesday said Azerbaijan had fired on its positions along the border between the arch-foes. Such frontier skirmishes are frequent.

Under the truce, the separatists said they had agreed to fully dismantle their army and that Armenia would pull out any forces it had in the region.

Azerbaijans defence ministry said all weapons and heavy armaments are to be surrendered.

After the Soviet Union fell apart, Armenian separatists seized the region  internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan  in the early 1990s.

That sparked a war that left 30,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

In a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured swathes of territory in and around the region.

War is over

Jubilant residents in Azerbaijans capital expressed hope the deal heralded a definitive victory and the end of the decades-long conflict.

Finally, the war is over, an ecstatic 67-year-old pensioner Rana Ahmedova told AFP.

In Armenia, there was fury at a second defeat in Karabakh in three years.

Clashes broke out in the capital Yerevan, where thousands of protesters waving the separatist regions flag blocked a main road and riot police guarded official buildings.

Demonstrators threw bottles and stones at police as they slammed the governments handling of the crisis. Officers used stun grenades and made arrests.

The loss in Karabakh ratchets up domestic pressure on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has faced stinging criticism at home for making concessions to Azerbaijan since 2020.

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 countrys army was in the enclave, he said he expected Russias peacekeepers to ensure Karabakhs ethnic-Armenian residents could stay in their homes, on their land.
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-Karabakhs 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 Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia wouldnt 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 US was deeply concerned about Azerbaijans military actions. We have repeatedly emphasized the use of force is absolutely unacceptable, he said, adding that the US was closely watching the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And the UN Security Council scheduled an urgent meeting Thursday on the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh at the request of France.

Azerbaijans 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 Pashinyans own recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Undoubtedly, Karabakh is Azerbaijans 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-Karabakhs 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.
Canada has marked itself a safe country after the Indian government issued a travel advisory for Hindus in the country on Wednesday.

According to a Reuters report, the Canadian public safety minister Dominic Leblanc said that Canada is a safe country.

The travel advisory, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, points out the worsening diplomatic relations between India and Canada that were triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claims that India has links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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.

Meanwhile, Canadian MP Chandra Arya has asked Hindus in the country to stay vigilant after Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened them to leave as soon as possible.

A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant, Arya said in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The High Commission of Canada has decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of its diplomats as the tensions between the two countries hit rock bottom earlier this week following Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian link in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Canadian High Commission also alleged that some of its diplomats have received threats on various social media platforms.

Our High Commission and all consulates in India are open and operational and continue to serve clients. In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here, the High Commission of Canada said on Thursday.

As per reports, Canada has sought additional security around its missions, including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.

Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in Nijjars killing triggered a diplomatic row over this week and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

Nijjar was shot dead in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the town of Surrey in the province of British Columbia. He was the key figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province which blamed India for the assassination.

With the situation turning bad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory asking it citizens in Canada as well as Indian students to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.

Indian students, in particular, have been advised to remain vigilant.

On Thursday, BLS International, the company responsible for managing visa application centres in Canada, said Indian Minssion has suspended Indian visa services till further notice.

Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, read the notification on BLS website.
Accusing Russia of weaponising energy and food, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday said that the countries need to support Ukraine as well as back the sustainable development goals (SDG) and global development, calling it the only responsible choice.

In his address at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Ukraine, Trudeau said, Russia is weaponising energy and food, leading millions to face shortages, hunger and even starvation.

Canada is dedicated to mitigating the impacts on the most vulnerable. We do not believe we have to choose between supporting Ukraine and supporting the SDGs and global development.

In fact, the only responsible choice is to do both, which we are doing with solidarity and financial commitment.Trudeau called on Russia to completely and immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

He said the key principles of the Ukrainian peace formula are rooted in international law and preserve Ukraines territorial integrity.

Trudeau said, The fight of Ukraine is also our fight, it is also our common struggle and there can be no doubt about this. Canada calls on Russia to completely, immediately, without conditions, withdraw troops.

The key principles of the Ukrainian peace formula because it must be a peace that respects the UN charter, is based on international law and preserves Ukraines territorial integrity.

A peace that upholds our common humanity and common values, not a peace that turns a blind eye. It must be a peace that is built on respect for the facts and respect for the rules.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, adding that action should be taken to stop the tragic deaths and violence. He accused Russia of using its veto power in the United Nations to facilitate the war.

Noting that the United Nations was established to save people from the scourge of war, he called for making efforts to not let the world return to a place where might makes right.

The UN was established to save people from the scourge of war. This fundamental principle has guided this institution since it was founded. So, we need to be 100 per cent clear about what is happening right now. A permanent member of this Security Council, Russia, has launched and continues to wage an illegal war.

Vladimir Putin has violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and seeks to deny the rights of Ukrainian people to determine their own future, Trudeau said in his address.

At the same time, the Russian Federation has been flagrantly using its veto right within this organisation to facilitate this war and these violations of the principles of the United Nations. We must stand up to this affront to the UN. We must take action to stop the tragic deaths and violence, including sexual violence caused by this unjustifiable invasion. We must not let the world return to a place where might makes right. We must make sure that borders mean something, even when a neighbour has a bigger army, he added.

Trudeau stressed that respect for the rule of law and accountability to it should be fundamental and non-negotiable. Noting that tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War, he said that Ukraine, Europe and the whole Global South are suffering due to the ongoing conflict.

Tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War. Watching bloody conflict return to Europe has shaken the conscience of the world. And it threatens the peace that for three-quarters of a century led to unprecedented prosperity around the world. We cannot let that happen because it is not just Ukraine or even just Europe that suffers if we dont uphold our values, all of us will suffer, including all of you in the Global South. And its not just about the far-reaching and long-term impacts. Its about the suffering that is happening right now, Trudeau said.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of selectively turning to principles of the UN Charter on a case-by-case basis based on their parochial geopolitical needs.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied fully and not selectively.

The Russian Foreign Minister said, Thanks to the United Nations, a new world war was averted. A new world war that was fraught with nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the US single-handedly decided that it would determine the fates of all of humankind and with its complex superiority began to more frequently and broadly ignore the legacy of the founding fathers of the United Nations.

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 the shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fermenting of new hotbeds of tension.

Risks of global conflict have heightened. In order to curb them, in order to bring things on a peaceful path, 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, he added.

With inputs from ANI.
Russias Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, defended his countrys use of its veto power at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, calling it a legitimate tool in international affairs.

Lavrov was speaking to the Security Council immediately after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged for Russias veto authority over Moscows war against its neighbour to be removed.

The use of veto is an absolutely legitimate tool laid out in the (UN) Charter with the aim of preventing decisions that could lead to the organizations breakup, Lavrov said.

In his speech delivered facing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lavrov accused the West of stirring internal strife in Ukraine over many years, arming Kyiv and pushing it toward a military conflict against Russia.

The principle of non-interference in internal affairs has been trampled multiple times.

Lavrov said that Russia was open to negotiating a way out of the Ukraine crisis and accused Zelensky of refusing to talk.

When it comes to negotiations, we are not refusing to negotiate, Lavrov said. But I would like to remind the esteemed secretary of state that President Zelensky has signed a decree forbidding negotiations with Putins government.

If the United States is so interested in them, I think it wouldnt be very difficult to give a command for Zelensky to lift the decree, Lavrov added.

Lavrov charged that the Wests refusal to engage with Russia on equal terms over many years has led to the current crisis in Ukraine.

The United States and its allies dont want to conduct any kind of equal dialogue with anyone, Lavrov said.

The West rejects on the genetic level any kind of cooperation on equal terms.

Blinken, who had met Lavrov before the war to warn against an invasion, has largely avoided meeting the foreign minister since the war, and no talks were planned in New York.
A French journalist spent a night in police custody recently and faced questioning over a report from 2021 that suggested French intelligence had been used by Egypt to kill civilians.

On the 19th of September, officers conducted a search at the home of Ariane Lavrilleux, the journalist in question, and later took her into custody.

Lavrilleuxs legal representative explained that she was being questioned as part of an inquiry related to national security matters. She, however, was released after spending one night in custody.

Amnesty Internationals Katia Roux expressed deep concern for the journalist when she was arrested. Roux stated, It is troubling to detain a journalist for simply doing her job, especially when she was disclosing information that was in the publics interest. This could potentially pose a threat to both press freedom and the protection of sources.

Reportedly, Lavrilleux was questioned by officers from the French intelligence service known as the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI).

In her report from 2021, Lavrilleux used leaked classified documents to claim that Egyptian authorities had collaborated with French intelligence in carrying out airstrikes against smugglers along the Egyptian-Libyan border between 2016 and 2018. The report implicated French forces in a total of at least 19 bombings that targeted civilians.

This report was published by Disclose, a French investigative journalism website. Disclose asserted that during the presidencies of Francois Hollande and Emmanuel Macron, French authorities were regularly informed by personnel at several military departments about these developments, but their concerns were seemingly disregarded.

At the time of publication, Disclose acknowledged that the report contained classified national security information. However, they justified sharing this information in the name of a fundamental democratic principle: the right to information.

Disclose argued that the concept of classified information should not be used to shield actions such as arbitrary attacks on civilians. They acknowledged that by publishing the report, they knowingly risked breaking the law.

Following the publication of the articles, the French armed forces ministry lodged a legal complaint alleging a violation of national defence secrets.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly condemned Lavrilleuxs arrest and called for the cessation of all criminal investigations against her. They also urged the police not to press her about her confidential sources.

Attila Mong, the CPJs representative for Europe, emphasised the importance of journalists being able to freely report on issues related to national defence and security. He argued that questioning reporters about their confidential sources places undue pressure on them and could have a chilling effect on reporting in these areas.
Germany will host an international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine next year, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said following a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York.

The June 11, 2024 talks will take place in Berlin, added the chancellery in a statement.

London hosted the last such conference, which brought together leaders and representatives of more than 60 countries and financial institutions in June to release funds for the country to rebuild after the Russian invasion.

The aim of the conference is to help Ukraine keep its economy afloat and, in the longer term, to rebuild its infrastructure.

Scholz met the Ukrainian president for 30 minutes on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

The political, military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine was at the centre of the discussions, the chancellery said.

Scholz reaffirmed that Germany would continue its support for Kyiv.

In a post on messaging platform Telegram, Zelenskyy said he and Scholz discussed the situation on the front line and the priority needs of the defence forces of Ukraine.

Special attention was paid to the preparation for the international conference on the restoration of Ukraine, which will be held in Germany, he added.
Following a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany will hold an international conference on Ukraines rebuilding next year.

The negotiations will take place in Berlin on 11 June 2024, according to a statement from the chancellery.

In June, London hosted the previous such meeting, which brought together leaders and delegates from more than 60 nations and financial organisations to provide cash for the countrys reconstruction following the Russian invasion.

The conferences goal is to assist Ukraine in keeping its economy afloat and, in the long run, rebuilding its infrastructure.

Scholz met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for 30 minutes on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

According to the chancellery, the conversations focused on Ukraines political, military, and humanitarian situations.

Scholz emphasised Germanys continued support for Kyiv.

In a post on messaging platform Telegram, Zelensky said he and Scholz discussed the situation on the front line and the priority needs of the defence forces of Ukraine.

Special attention was paid to the preparation for the international conference on the restoration of Ukraine, which will be held in Germany, he added.
Members of the Hindu Forum Canada wrote to Canadas Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, requesting protection for the countrys Hindu population in the face of direct threats from Khalistani groups.

Hindu Forum Canada is an Ontario-based non-profit humanitarian organisation that campaigns for policies that improve the well-being of minority populations in Canada.

In a letter to LeBlanc, the forum expressed its serious worry over recent remarks made by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the head of the banned organisation Sikh for Justice.

We implore the authorities to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness, as it directly impacts the safety and security of Canadian citizens. Our alarm has been exacerbated by the dissemination of a hateful video on social media, the Hindu Forum Canada said.

Gurpatwant Pannun, a designated terrorist in India, stated in a recent viral video that pro-Khalistan Sikhs had constantly demonstrated allegiance to Canada. He then threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus and urged them to leave the country.

Hindus living in Canada, leave Canada as soon as possible, he said in the now-viral video.

According to the Hindu Forum Canada, the cornerstone of foreign partnerships is based on a long-term strategy of mutual benefit, and it is critical that local reasons do not trump wise judgment.

This comes amid a deterioration in India-Canada ties after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed on Monday that the Indian government was responsible for Hardeep Singh Nijjars death.

On June 18, Najjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed down outside a Gurdwara in a parking lot in Canadas Surrey, British Columbia.

Meanwhile, the forum stated that Pannu stated unequivocally, on behalf of himself and his Khalistani comrades, that they want to attack those who do not agree to their philosophy. These threats have now manifested within Canada, and the Canadian government must not underestimate their significance.

According to the forum, both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh have previously justified similar occurrences as concerns of free expression.

We implore them to address Pannus threat to Indo-Canadian citizens, particularly Hindus residing in Canada. With the support of over a million Canadian Hindus, we earnestly beseech Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to recognize Pannus threat as a hate crime, the letter said.

We anticipate that Canadian authorities will take decisive action to address this matter. Will they persist in classifying this threat as an exercise of freedom of expression, or will they acknowledge the danger that has inadvertently befallen Canadian citizens? the letter added.

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution.

Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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).

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly advocated for the United Nations Security Council to be expanded, endorsing Indias ambition for permanent membership in the UN body with Brazil, Germany, and Japan.

He highlighted that Africa deserved to be heard more loudly on the global scene.

In his opening remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Cleverly said, I will summarize by saying that the challenges the world presents us are legion. But we do have the opportunity to make positive progress. We do have the opportunity to get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track.

It is going to mean that we work with our traditional friends and allies, but it also means that we have to give voice to the emerging powers in the world. The UK has encouraged an expansion of the United Nations Security Council for example, we believe that India, Brazil, Germany, Japan should have permanent membership, and Africa really deserves a louder voice on the world stage, he added.

Notably, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have consistently emphasised the topic of global system changes in global forum. During his closing remarks to the G20 Leaders Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi emphasised his commitment to creating global structures that reflect the realities of the present, citing the United Nations Security Council as an example.

Cleverly also mentioned his trip to Beijing in his speech to the Council on Foreign Relations. He said he spoke with the Chinese government about areas where the two nations have deep, deep disagreements.

He discussed Chinas treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang, their inability to follow through on their vow to allow unrestricted entry into Hong Kong, and their aggressive posture across the Taiwan Strait.

Cleverly stated that he met with them after the conference to discuss matters such as economic recovery and how to gain from artificial intelligence.

The UK Foreign Minister said Russian President Vladimir Putin believed that he could outlast Ukraine and its friends around the world. However, he was wrong. He lauded the US for providing military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a leading supplier of military aid to Kyiv. He noted that the support of the UK, US and other nations around the world has made a difference in giving the Ukrainians a fighting chance at the beginning of this conflict.

The US is the leading supplier of military aid to Ukraine and I pay tribute to your nations generosity. And the Ukrainians are making the most of their support. And I know sometimes theres frustration with the pace of their counter-offensive, Ive had military briefings, and whilst I dont want to bore you with the details, the Russian occupying forces have spent a huge amount of time and effort fortifying the whole of that southern part of Ukraine, meaning that any advance would inevitably need to be both slow and methodical, Cleverly said.

Russia has suffered many times more fatalities in combat in just over eighteen months than the Soviets did during their 10 years in Afghanistan. That level is unsustainable, he said, adding that the UK will continue to call on the international community to offer support to Ukraine.
India has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian nationals as tensions between the two countries escalated following Justin Trudeaus allegation on Indias link in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing.

Operational reasons have been cited for suspension of visa services for Canadians till further notice.

BLS International, a visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website, saying: Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates, read a notification on the official website of India Visa Application Center Canada.

More details can be checked here: https://www.blsindia-canada.com/

The decision came even as Canada said it has decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of diplomats following threats received on social media.

The suspension followed advisory from India on Wednesday in which the Ministry of External Affairs asked Indians in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.

Also, the government particularly advised Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Tensions between India and Canada escalated earlier this week when Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in Khalistani terrorist Nijjars killing in June.

On Monday, Trudeau said his government was investigating credible allegations that Indian government agents were linked to the 18 June slaying, when Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh cultural center in Surrey, British Columbia.

The Canadian PM remark heightened the tensions and triggered a diplomatic row, and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats over the week.

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. He was the principal figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province.

SFJ has blamed India for the assassination.

With inputs from agencies
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 Delhis 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 Modis government has categorically rejected Canadas 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 US rejected or brushed off Canadas allegations are untrue.

Theres 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 Trudeaus allegations against India, Canada had asked its closest allies, including the US, to publicly condemn the Sikh separatist leaders 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 months 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 US 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.
In response to what it claims are security threats against Canadian diplomats, India has blocked visa services for Canadians, increasing a spat between the two nations after Ottawa accused New Delhi of possibly being responsible for the murder of a Sikh separatist activist on its grounds.

In a message to Indian stock exchanges on Thursday, BLS International, which manages visa applications for Indian citizens in Canada, stated that visa services have been suspended until further notice.

Due to operation reasons, with immediate effect i.e. 21 September 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice, the letter, sent to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange, read.

Prior to this, BLS International claimed on its websiteciting a notice from the Indian missionthat India has stopped providing visa services to Canadians as of Thursday.

On Thursday, the notification was briefly taken down before it abruptly reappeared.

According to Indias Ministry of External Affairs, security threats to the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada prompted a temporary suspension of all types of visa issuing.

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, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi told the media.

We have always believed that it is the host governments responsibility to provide security, he added.

The announcement came after the MEA issued a strong travel warning on Wednesday, cautioning Indian nationals travelling to Canada about politically condoned hate crimes.

A few days ago, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had stated that authorities were looking into credible allegations of a connection between agents of the government of India and the masked mens involved in the gunning down of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June.

The charges have been vigorously refuted by India, who has called them absurd and motivated.

Canada has allegedly offered no specific information to corroborate Indias alleged involvement in Nijjars death, according to the MEA.

Let me also point out that from our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but not been acted upon, Bagchi said.

Bachi went on to hint at a decrease in Canadas diplomatic representation in India.

However, Trudeaus remarks have severely strained relations between the two nations, with reciprocal measures by India and Canada to expel top diplomats.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused Nijjar in 2020 of trying to radicalise the Sikh community across the world in favour 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 engage in violent activities. Nijjars name can be found on the Home Ministrys list of UAPA terrorists.

He was shot dead in his truck in June by two masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, according to the Canadian police.

No one has been detained by Canadian authorities in relation to Nijjars murder. However, in an August update, police said they were looking into three individuals and provided a description of a potential getaway car, requesting
India demanded on Thursday that Canada take action against people facing terrorism-related charges, claiming that Canadas response to its requests for the extradition of anti-Indian elements was unhelpful.

Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated in response to a question at the regularly scheduled media briefing that Canada shouldnt turn into a shelter for individuals engaged in terrorism.

Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian government to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice, Bagchi told the media.

Weve sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals weve requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all, he added.

In reference to terrorism, Bachi claimed that Pakistan funds and supports it. Additionally, he addressed the topic of safe havens.

Not only terrorism but also the fact that it is funded and supported and we know this from sometimefrom our western neighbours Pakistanbut the issue of safe havens, and places to operate have been provided abroad, including in Canadaand thatyou know we would expect that is the main focus. The question is: do we have the political will to address terrorism or do we want to justify it and condone it? he asked.

BLS International, a provider of visa services, announced on Thursday that it had discontinued Indian visa services in Canada effective immediately.

An Indian company called BLS International Services Limited offers outsourcing services to international governmental and diplomatic organisations. The business is in charge of managing citizen, consular, attestation, and visa services.

Due to operation reasons, with immediate effect i.e. 21 September 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice, the company informed stock exchanges in a filing on Thursday.

India and Canadas bilateral ties have deteriorated since Prime Minister Trudeau claimed on Monday that Indian agents were responsible for the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

In June 2018, Nijjar, the leader of the outlawed Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and a designated terrorist, was slain in Surrey, British Columbia.

The Trudeau administrations accusations have been dismissed by India, which has referred to them as 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. Allegations of Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, MEA had said in a statement.

Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law, it added.

(With agency inputs)
In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations linked to the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, India has asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India due to interference of Canadian diplomats in Indian affairs, the government said today.

India stopped offering visa services in Canada earlier on Thursday, potentially affecting thousands of people looking to visit India.

The Canadian diplomatic presence in India is larger than what India has and accordingly needs to be downsized, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told the media.

We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in diplomatic presence, their numbers are much higher, he added.

Their numbers here are very much higher than ours in Canada I assume there will be a reduction.

Justin Trudeaus claim that Indian spies were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver in June set off the controversy. The accusation has been labelled absurd and motivated by India.

Expulsions of diplomats on a tit-for-tat basis ensued.

The foreign ministry of India cited security threats that were disrupting the work of their personnel when India suspended visa applications in Canada. According to the spokeswoman, the security situation mission staff was in prevented them from performing visa-related tasks.

For now, the security situation in Canada and because of Canadian government inaction, we have stopped visa services temporarily, Bagchi said.

The foreign ministry had expressed worry for the safety of its citizens in Canada due to politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence the day before the visa suspension was announced.

Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, the external affairs ministry said.

Following threats on various social media against its staff, the Canadian High Commission had earlier declared it would adjust the number of its diplomats stationed in India.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India, it had said in a statement.

On June 18 in Surrey, Nijjar was murdered by masked gunmen outside a Gurdwara. He was known to support Khalistan. India has categorically dismissed Mr. Trudeaus accusations, claiming that he provided no proof.

We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada, Bagchi said.

From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted uponYes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven, he added.
As diplomatic tensions between Canada and India continue to escalate, Canadian MP Chandra Arya has asked Hindus in the country to stay vigilant after Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened them to leave as soon as possible.

A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant, Arya said in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India.

I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are pic.twitter.com/z3vkAcsUDs  Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) September 20, 2023

The Liberal Party leader also urged people to report cases of Hinduphobia to local law enforcement agencies.

He also alleged that Pannun is trying to provoke Hindus in Canada and create differences between the two communities.

Let me be clear. Vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community, Arya added.

A video of SFJs Gurpatwant Singh Pannun circulated on social media where he 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.

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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a gathering of BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh on September 25 to conclude the partys five Jan Ashirwad Yatras.

These yatras have been organized as part of the partys efforts to engage with the public in preparation for the upcoming year-end assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, a party leader said on Thursday.

This will be Modis third visit to the state in the past 45 days, an indication of the BJPs attempt to retain power in the central state by leveraging his popularity.

Modiji is going to address a Karyakarta Mahakumbh at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal on September 25, the birth anniversary of Deendayal Upadhyaya (Bharatiya Jana Sangh co-founder), state BJP media cell in-charge Ashish Agrawal told PTI on Thursday.

Bharatiya Jana Sangh was the forerunner to the BJP. He said the final minute-to-minute programme is not yet out.

The BJP has set an ambitious target of cobbling up 10 lakh people for Modis address, said party insiders. With the mega event, it wants to showcase its strength ahead of the polls, they said.

The BJP rolled out five yatras  mass contact programme  early this month, with party president JP Nadda flagging off the first one from Chitrakoot in Satna on September 3.

These yatras are meant to cover more than 10,500 kilometres in 210 of the states 230 assembly constituencies before culminating into a mega workers meet in Bhopal on September 25, party leaders said.

In the run-up to the MP assembly polls, the BJP has come up with the slogan abki bar 150 par (victory in more than 150 seats this time).In the November 2018 assembly polls, the Congress won 114 of the states 230 seats, while the BJP finished second with 109 seats.

The Congress formed a coalition government with the support of Independents, BSP, and SP under Kamal Nath. However, it collapsed after 15 months when a string of Congress MLAs led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, now a Union minister, joined the BJP, paving the way for the return of Shivraj Singh Chouhan as chief minister.

With inputs from PTI.
An advisor to their leader said on Thursday that ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh require security guarantees before laying up their weapons, a day after Azerbaijan announced it had retaken control of the separatist enclave.

After a lightning-fast Azerbaijani onslaught pushed the rebels to agree to disarm on Wednesday, Armenian officials in Karabakh accused Azerbaijan of breaking a ceasefire agreement.

The claim that Bakus forces violated the ceasefire was deemed completely false by the defence ministry. It was unclear who was firing when two sources in Karabakhs capital city told Reuters they had heard a lot of gunfire on Thursday morning.

Despite a deal reached 24 hours earlier, which Azerbaijan claimed had restored its sovereignty, the gunfire and the contradicting accounts emphasised the possibility of additional violence.

We have an agreement on the cessation of military action but we await a final agreement  talks are going on, David Babayan, an adviser to Nagorno-Karabakhs breakaway ethnic Armenian leader Samvel Shahramanyan, told Reuters. We need to talk through a lot of many questions and issues.

There has not been a final agreement yet.

When asked about giving up weapons, Babayan said his people could not be left to die, so would security guarantees first.

A whole host of questions still need to be resolved, he said.

On Thursday, representatives of the Republic of Artsakh, as the Karabakh Armenians refer to themselves, and Azerbaijan met in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh.

No definitive agreement has been reached, according to a Telegram statement from the Artsakh government.

Although Karabakh is acknowledged by the international community to be a part of Azerbaijan, it has enjoyed de facto independence since separating from Azerbaijan in a conflict in the 1990s as the Soviet Union fell.

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has long dreamed of regaining control, and on Tuesday, he launched a fast military assault that swiftly blasted through Armenian defences in the Karabakh region.

He claimed that Azerbaijan had won with a iron fist in a speech to the country on Wednesday night.

After the surrender of the criminal junta, this source of tension, this den of poison, has already been consigned to history, Aliyev said, focusing his anger on Karabakhs leadership.

He said the regions ethnic Armenians would enjoy full educational, cultural and religious rights. All ethnic groups and faiths would be united as one fist  for Azerbaijan, for dignity, for the Motherland.

For the separatist Karabakh leadership and Armenia, which supported its relatives in the enclave to preserve their autonomy and fought two wars with Azerbaijan in a 30-year period, defeat is a tough pill to swallow.

In a speech to commemorate his nations independence day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan admitted that his people were experiencing untold physical and psychological suffering.

However, he asserted that for his nation to survive, there must be peace: an environment free from conflicts, inter-state, inter-ethnic conflicts.

The restraint of Armenia in not attempting to obstruct Bakus offensive, according to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, will eliminate a barrier to peace between the two Caucasus neighbours. An Aliyev aide claimed Baku has sent Yerevan a fresh draught peace agreement.

Many Armenians who looked to Moscow as an ally and protector were furious that Moscow, which has peacekeepers in the area, did nothing to thwart the Azerbaijani attack.

Thousands of people gathered in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on Wednesday to protest the lack of protection for Karabakh by their government.

Many called for Pashinyans resignation because he presided over Azerbaijans victory in a six-week battle in 2020, which helped to set the stage for this weeks fall of Karabakh, but he later won reelection.

Many ethnic Armenians in Karabakh have left their houses in the last three days; some have gathered at the airport in the capital city, while others have sought refuge with Russian forces.

Residents of Stepanakert, also known as Khankendi in Azerbaijan, said there was no electricity, shops were bare, and people were lighting fires in courtyards to try to cook whatever food they could find. Authorities said they would hand out free food.

There are a lot of displaced people from the villages, they were just moved to the city and had nowhere to spend the night, said Gayane Sargsyan, who runs a wellness business in the city.

(With agency inputs)
Poland said Wednesday it will no longer arm Ukraine and instead focus on its own defence, as the two allies clashed at a key moment in Kyivs fightback against invasion by Russia.

In a mounting row over grain exports from Ukraine, Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest remarks at the UN by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian leader said some countries were only pretending to support his nation as it wages a counteroffensive to retake land taken by Russia. Warsaw took offense at this.

Poland has been one of Ukraines staunchest supporters after Russia invaded in February 2022, and is one of Kyivs main weapons suppliers.

Much of the weaponry that the United States and other countries send to Ukraine passes through Poland, which borders Ukraine to the west.

Poland also hosts some one million Ukrainian refugees, who have benefited from various kinds of state aid.

Tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv were sparked by a Polish ban on Ukrainian grain imports, with the goal of protecting its own farmers.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was asked Wednesday if his country would continue to back Kyiv, despite this dispute.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, Morawiecki said.

EU transit route

Russias invasion of Ukraine has closed off Black Sea shipping lanes used before the war, resulting in the EU becoming a major transit route and export destination for Ukrainian grain.

In May, the EU agreed to restrict exports to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, seeking to protect farmers there who blamed the shipments for a slump in prices on local markets.

The measures allowed the products to keep transiting through the five countries, but stopped them being sold on the local market.

But on Friday, the European Commission said it was ending the import ban, arguing that the market distortions in the five member states bordering Ukraine have disappeared.

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia immediately announced they would defy the move.

French Foreign Minister Catherina Colonna, speaking with AFP at the United Nations, said Polands decision to ban Ukraines grain was unjustified.

These tensions are regrettable, Colonna told AFP in an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Citing an EU study, Colonna said that Ukrainian grain imports would not disrupt the market or cripple European farmers.

There is no market upheaval and there are perhaps internal political considerations on the part of some of our partners which, unfortunately, pushes them to have this position that nothing justifies, the minister said.

The grain issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, where elections take place next month.

The current populist right-wing government of the Law and Justice party has strong support in farming regions.

We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine and thats why we expect for them to understand our interests, Morawiecki told Polsat News on Wednesday.

Of course we respect all of their problems, but for us, the interests of our farmers are the most important thing.

Kyiv responded to warnings by Poland, Hungary and Slovakia by announcing that it would lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Morawiecki had warned earlier on Wednesday that he would extend the list of Ukrainian products banned from import if Kyiv were to escalate the grain dispute.

A foreign ministry statement said that putting pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international courts are not appropriate methods to resolve differences between our countries.

Kyiv responded by calling on Poland to leave emotion aside after it had summoned its ambassador, urging Warsaw to adopt a constructive approach in the dispute.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian missiles bombarded cities across Ukraine early Thursday morning, causing fires, killing at least two people, and burying dozens beneath rubble.

The early-morning missile strike was Russias heaviest in almost a month, and it occurred a day after claims of sabotage at a Russian military base outside Moscow in Chkalovsk.

It also coincided with the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech and presented a Ukrainian peace formula, and came on the International Day of Peace.

On the same day, Poland said that it would cease providing weapons to Ukraine in order to modernise its own military.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that the decision had nothing to do with a temporary prohibition on Ukrainian grain imports or arms transfers via Poland.

A disagreement over whether Ukrainian grain should be allowed to access the domestic markets of Poland and other European Union nations has strained Kyiv-Warsaw relations to their worst point since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, he said in an interview on the private TV broadcaster Polsat News late Wednesday.

Morawiecki stressed that Poland would defend its economic interests but added that the dispute over grain imports would not hurt Ukraines security. He said a NATO and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine would not be affected.

We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said. Poland has transferred large amounts of its older weapons to Ukraine and has been upgrading its own inventory with new equipment purchased from South Korea and other countries.

In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, near the front lines, two people were killed Thursday and at least five injured after a strike hit a residential building, said regional Governor Oleksand Prokudin.

Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a 9-year-old girl, reported Mayor Vitalii Klitschko, and some residential and commercial buildings were damaged.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had intercepted 36 of 43 cruise missiles launched deep into Ukraine. Closer to the the front lines, Kherson was struck with S-300 missiles and Kharkiv was likely targeted with other, shorter-ranged, weapons.

At least six strikes hit the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, said regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The citys mayor added that two people had been sent to hospitals.

At least 10 people were injured and at least one person was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko, minister of internal affairs of Ukraine. Up to 23 people may still be buried under rubble in Cherkasy after the morning strike, said Cherkasy regional Governor Ihor Taburets. Rescue services were working to clear the debris.

An industrial zone was hit in the western region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but no information on casualties was immediately available, Klymenko added.

Regional Governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne in the northwest region of the same name, without immediately providing details.

Russias Ministry of Defence said 22 drones were taken down overnight by air defense systems, 19 above Russian-annexed Crimea and three others in the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions near Ukraine. The defense ministry did not say whether there were any casualties.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Fox News that ongoing talks with Israel are bringing the prospect of normalised ties between the two nations closer by the day, but that the treatment of Palestinians remains a very important problem that must be rectified.

Saudi Arabia is in talks with the US over a big arrangement in which it would normalise relations with Israel in exchange for a US defence pact and assistance in establishing its own civilian nuclear programme. The Saudis have stated that any agreement would need significant progress towards the establishment of a Palestinian state, which might be difficult to sell to Israels most devout and nationalist administration in its history.

During the conversation, Saudi Arabias de facto ruler was asked what it would take to normalise relations with Israel.

For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part, he said. In excerpts released ahead of the broadcast, he added that there had been good negotiations so far.

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 prince disputed that the discussions had been halted, claiming that every day, we get closer.

The interview aired shortly after President Joe Biden visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York for the UN General Assembly conference. Biden expressed worry about the treatment of Palestinians by Israels far-right government, pressing Netanyahu to take efforts to alleviate circumstances in the West Bank at a time of increased violence in the occupied area.

Netanyahus office said afterward that the meeting mostly dealt with ways to establish an historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could greatly advance an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and facilitate the establishment of an economic corridor to link Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

On Wednesday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that it was best for Israeli and Saudi leaders to speak to how close they think they are, and where they think they are on the process, noting that each country must make sovereign decisions, which they respect.

Prince Mohammed has granted relatively few interviews to Western media outlets, notably since the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post writer, by Saudi operatives in an operation likely ordered by the prince, according to US intelligence. The prince has categorically denied any participation.

In the five years afterwards, the monarchy has lost its pariah status as attention has switched to massive diplomatic endeavours.

In the interview on Wednesday, Prince Mohammed was asked if he was worried that Iran could eventually build a nuclear weapon and said We are concerned of any country getting a nuclear weapon.

Thats a bad move, he said. They dont need to get nuclear weapon because you cannot use it. Even if Iran get a nuclear weapon, any country use a nuclear weapon that means they are having a war with the rest of the world.

But, when pressed as to whether Saudi Arabia would seek to do the same if Iran had a nuclear weapon, the prince responded, We will have to get one.

Biden, who had vowed to make Saudi Arabia a pariah over the Khashoggi killing while campaigning for president in 2020, has since patched up relations with the crown prince while seeking his help in controlling oil prices and managing other regional issues.

Saudi Arabia has remained largely neutral in the Ukraine war, providing humanitarian aid to the country and offering itself as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv. The kingdom maintains good relations with the US, China and Russia in order to advance its own national interests.
South Korean police are looking into 17 American soldiers and five others who are suspected of smuggling or using fake marijuana sent through military mail.

This inquiry comes after authorities conducted searches at a couple of U.S. army bases back in May, which included Camp Humphreys, the biggest overseas military base for the United States.

Two people, one from the Philippines and another from South Korea, have been arrested. Meanwhile, prosecutors are examining the cases of all 22 individuals involved.

This investigation started thanks to a tip from the U.S. Armys enforcement branch and has been ongoing for four months, involving South Korean officials. Its said to be one of the most substantial cases in recent times concerning American soldiers, according to Cha Min-seok, a senior detective in South Korea, as cited by U.S. media.

Through a joint operation involving South Korean police and the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division, authorities discovered 77 grams (2.7 ounces) of synthetic cannabis, over 4 kilograms of vaping liquids, and a total of 10,440 ($12,850) in cash at the homes of these 22 suspects.

Their alleged crime revolves around smuggling synthetic marijuana, known on the streets as K2 and Spice, into South Korea via the U.S. militarys mail service.

Among the suspects, seven of them, including five soldiers, are believed to have been involved in selling these drugs, 12 were users, and three acted as intermediaries. The police also mentioned that the spouse of one soldier and the fiancee of another soldier were implicated.

Currently, the 17 soldiers are stationed at Camp Humphreys, located approximately 30 miles south of Seoul, and Camp Casey, an army outpost about 25 miles north of Seoul, according to the police. They are accused of distributing the drugs on the bases while using Snapchat for communication.

United States Forces Korea stated on Wednesday that they are aware of the investigation. They noted that no soldiers are presently confined or detained in connection with this case.

Synthetic marijuana is produced to imitate THC, the primary psychoactive substance in natural marijuana. While it may have similar effects to cannabis, its usually more potent and has been known to cause harmful health effects such as acute psychotic episodes, paranoid delusions, and severe agitation.

In South Korea, individuals convicted of trafficking marijuana may face prison sentences ranging from five years to life. Possession of drugs can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of approximately 30,300 ($37,200).
There is a steady and alarming erosion of fundamental rights, particularly of religious and other minorities in India, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue has told the USCIRF.

During a hearing on Wednesday, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue Fernand de Varennes told the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that the situation in India can be summarised in three words  massive, systematic and dangerous.

The USCIRF had announced that it would hold a hearing on religious freedom in India on 20 September. India has previously rejected USCIRF reports that alleged violations of religious freedom in the country.

Appearing before the USCIRF for the hearing on policy options for advancing religious freedom in India, de Varennes alleged there is a steady and alarming erosion of fundamental rights, particularly of religious and other minorities in the country.

India risks becoming one of the worlds main generators of instability, atrocities and violence because of the massive scale and gravity of the violations and abuses targeting mainly religious and other minorities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and others. It is not just individual or local, it is systematic and a reflection of religious nationalism, he said.

The hearing comes on the heels of two successful bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden  the official state visit of the Indian leader here in June and a bilateral meeting in New Delhi in September.

USCIRF chair Abraham Cooper claimed Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits and Adivasis are experiencing increased levels of attacks and acts of intimidation in India.

The national government has continued to suppress minority voices and those advocating on their behalf through surveillance, harassment, demolition of property and detention under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. These trends and their implication for the US foreign policy should not be ignored, he said.

Cooper alleged that for the past several years, religious freedom conditions in India have deteriorated, capturing international attention and highlighting the need for continued discussions and engagement on policy options for advancing religious freedom in the country.

The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US government advisory body created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). Its recommendations are not binding on the US government.

On 2 May this year, India rejected as biased and motivated a report by the USCIRF that alleged severe violations of religious freedom in the country.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) continues to regurgitate biased and motivated comments about India, this time in its 2023 annual report. We reject such misrepresentation of facts, which only serves to discredit USCIRF itself, the Ministry of External Affairs had said.

We would urge USCIRF to desist from such efforts and develop a better understanding of India, its plurality, its democratic ethos and its constitutional mechanisms, it had said.

Modis state visit to Washington in June reflects the close bilateral relationship between the United States and India, the USCIRF had said last week.

However, over the last decade, the Indian government has enacted and enforced discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities, including anti-conversion laws, cow slaughter laws, legislation granting citizenship preferences based on religion, and restrictions on foreign funding for civil society organisations, it alleged.

Recent trends include the eruption of violence between Hindus and Muslims in Haryana in July and targeted attacks against Christian and Jewish minorities in Manipur, highlighting the need for new strategies to mitigate violence against religious minorities in India, it said.

Since 2020, the USCIRF has recommended that the US Department of State designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has landed in Hangzhou, east China, for his first visit to the Asian country since 2004, as he seeks to overcome more than a decade of diplomatic isolation due to Western sanctions.

Assad boarded an Air China jet in heavy fog, which Chinese state media said added to the atmosphere of mystery, referring to the fact that the Syrian leader has seldom been seen outside his nation since the start of a civil conflict that has killed over 500,000 people.

He is scheduled to attend the Asian Games opening ceremony alongside more than a dozen international dignitaries before heading a group to a series of engagements in multiple Chinese cities, including a summit with President Xi Jinping.

Being seen with Chinas president at a regional event could provide credibility to Syrias drive to gradually re-enter the global scene, which has seen the country join Chinas Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and be readmitted to the 22-nation Arab League in May.

Assads last trip to China was in 2004 to meet with then-President Hu Jintao. It was the first visit to China by a Syrian head of state since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1956.

China, like Syrias primary allies Russia and Iran, maintained such connections even as other nations condemned Assads harsh assault on anti-government protests that started in 2011.

Sanctions have been placed on Assad by the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Switzerland, but efforts to put multilateral sanctions on his regime have failed to get majority backing at the United Nations Security Council, which China and Russia are members of.

China has vetoed at least eight UN resolutions criticising Assads regime and aimed at ending the decade-long multifaceted conflict that has engulfed neighbours and international powers. China, unlike Iran and Russia, has not directly backed the regimes efforts to retake control of the nation.

UN-commissioned investigators have said Russian bombing and Iran-backed militias are responsible for the bulk of the more than 200,000 civilian deaths recorded since the war began, which has triggered refugee and drug smuggling crises that the Arab League is pushing Damascus to resolve.

Syria has strategic importance for China given it sits between Iraq, where around 10 per cent of Chinas oil comes from, Turkey, which marks the end of economic corridors stretching across Asia into Europe, and Jordan, which often mediates disputes in the region.
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu met on Wednesday to ease months of tension, with the goal of reaching an agreement to normalise Israels relations with Saudi Arabia despite US worries about the health of Israeli democracy.

Biden claimed the pair had a candid, constructive conversation in New York, their first meeting since Netanyahu was re-elected as prime minister of Israel in December.

The meeting comes as Trump presses Netanyahu to reach an agreement on a potentially historic accord to erase decades of hostility with Riyadh, one of Washingtons key regional partners.

While Netanyahu was not received at the White House this time owing to Bidens reservations over his governments contentious judiciary reform, he did get a coveted invitation to Washington later this year.

The 80-year-old Biden and 73-year-old Netanyahu leaned forward in their chairs to shake hands against a backdrop of US and Israeli flags as the meeting began on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Biden said he would discuss hard issues with Netanyahu. The White House said afterwards that he reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israels democratic system.

But the US president focused on rapprochement instead of reproach, telling Netanyahu that even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, as you know, is ironclad.

Historic peace

Behind the smooth talk lay the tantalizing possibility of an Israeli-Saudi deal, which Washington sees as a way of stabilizing the Middle East and shoring up its influence against Iran.

I think that under your leadership, Mr President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said.

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 himself appeared to have an eye on history as he contemplated such a deal, which US officials said could include security guarantees for Saudi Arabia.

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?' added Biden  who is teetotal.

Key questions remain however about a deal to establish formal ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia  especially what it would mean for the Palestinians.

A US administration official said there was a common understanding that such a deal would mean compromise and very hard things on all sides.

Extremist

The US and Israeli leaders said they also agreed on the need to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Tehran denies it is doing so and says its nuclear program is peaceful.

Netanyahu meanwhile sought to reassure Biden on the judicial reform row, saying Israel would uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish.

Relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration have been rocky ever since the Israeli leader made his political comeback at the head of a coalition of hard-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.

Democrat Biden previously described Netanyahus government as one of the most extremist in Israeli history, and criticized plans for judicial reform that have sparked mass protests in Israel.

Several hundred people demonstrated outside the US embassy branch building in Tel Aviv as the leaders met in New York.

It is time to stop this legal coup, demonstrator Uri Ashery told AFP.

Ties with Washington had meanwhile been further strained by the Israeli governments expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

In a seeming snub to Netanyahu, Biden had in July hosted the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, a political moderate, in the Oval Office.

But the warm statements after months of tensions reflected the fact that neither Biden nor Netanyahu can afford a bad meeting, Aaron David Miller, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, said in a commentary.
The United States oldest federal judge, aged 96, has been suspended from her role due to concerns about her mental abilities. This situation has sparked a discussion about older politicians like Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Pauline Newman, who has served as a judge since 1984, has been accused by her colleagues of working slowly and frequently appearing confused, agitated, and argumentative. These behaviors have raised concerns about her mental condition, as stated in the decision made by the Judicial Council of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Reports from interviews with her staff have provided strong evidence suggesting that Judge Newman might be facing significant mental challenges, including memory loss, difficulty understanding, confusion, and an inability to perform basic tasks.

Despite being given a reduced workload, Newman takes four times as long as other judges to issue opinions in cases before the court.

The council decided to suspend her for one year because she refused to undergo an examination by a neurologist and psychiatrist chosen by the council to assess her mental fitness. This suspension could be extended if she continues to refuse cooperation.

However, Newman, who hasnt been allowed to review cases since April, claims that the proceedings against her were conducted unlawfully and suggests they were driven by personal animosity from other judges. She supports her argument with the results of examinations conducted by specialists she chose herself.

According to psychiatrist Regina Carney, Judge Newman did not display any significant emotional, medical, or psychiatric disability that would prevent her from continuing her long-held role as a judge.

This case raises questions about the abilities of elderly politicians, such as President Joe Biden, who is 80, and his rival Donald Trump, who is 77, to carry out their duties.

Born in 1927, Newman earned a PhD in chemistry from Yale and became an expert in patent law. In 1984, she was appointed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, a specialized court dealing with patent laws and government contracts. She was even referred to as the heroine of the patent system.

Newmans attorney, Gregory Dolin of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, believes that the review of her case was biased against her. He stated, The key issue here is that Judge Newman was not given fair treatment. He also mentioned that personal animosities and age discrimination played a role in the case. Its easy to label her as too old at 96, even if its not accurate, Dolin added. Judge Newman doesnt belong in the same category as some politicians in Washington.

(With inputs from agencies)
Thousands of individuals gathered in various Canadian cities, where they voiced their concerns regarding the approach to teaching sexuality and gender identity in schools, as well as how educators address transgender youth.

Protesters alleged that schools were introducing young students to what they referred to as gender ideology and insisted that parents had a right to be informed if their children were questioning their gender identity.

Responding to the situation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated, Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We unequivocally denounce this hatred and its expressions, and we stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians nationwideyour identities are valid and you are valued.

Some demonstrators also verbally asserted that being LGBTQ2S+ was a sin, contending that children should not receive instruction about these identities in school.

Several hours later, the Ottawa police said that they have arrested two individuals for inciting hatred at the protest by displaying hateful material and arrested another person for causing a disturbance.

With inputs from agencies
Samsung Galaxy A15 has surfaced in the first set of renders, thanks to @OnLeaks. This shows a flat frame for the phone that is different from older A series and S series phones with curved sides. This hints that Samsung could adopt a similar design language for its 2024 Galaxy smartphones.

The renders also show a bump for the volume rockers and the fingerprint scanner on the right side, which could also be a new design change adopted in the 2024 models. However, the phone still has triple rear cameras, and the camera bump is prominent.

It shows an Infinity U notch for the display, 3.5mm audio jack, and the side bezels look slightly thinner compared to the Galaxy A14. We still dont have the specifications yet, but the phone is said to feature a 6.4-inch screen, slightly smaller than the 6.6-inch screen in the A14.

The phone is said to measure 160.2 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm. With the frame bump, the width will be 77.4 mm, according to the report.

We should know more details in the coming months, since the Galaxy A15 is expected only in early 2024.

Source
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy A05 and Galaxy A05s later this year, following the renders that surfaced earlier. The leaks by mspoweruser.com and Sammobile now reveal detailed specs, camera configuration, and more.

Samsung Galaxy A05

The Galaxy A05, with the model number SM-A055F, is set to run on an octa-core processor. Its expected to offer a 4GB RAM option, as indicated by its Geekbench listing, although there might also be a 6GB RAM variant with storage options of 64GB or 128GB.

This phone is likely to feature a sizable 6.7-inch HD+ screen, larger than its predecessor, the A04. One of its standout features is the hefty 5000mAh battery, complemented by 25W fast charging support.

Other features include a waterdrop notch display, a textured rear panel, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the camera front, it will sport a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor on the back, and an 8MP selfie camera.

Connectivity-wise, it will offer Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Out of the box, its expected to run on Android 13. The phone will be available in three colors: black, silver, and light green.

Samsung Galaxy A05s

As for the Galaxy A05s, with the model number SM-A057F, it will boast a triple-camera setup headlined by a 50MP main camera. Notably, it will come with NFC, which is missing in the Galaxy A05.

Both phones will feature a single loudspeaker, microphone, LED flash, GPS, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB Type-C port. They will both debut with Android 13 and could receive two or three major Android OS updates.

Both phones will accommodate dual-SIM cards and a microSD card slot. Only the Galaxy A05s will have a side-mounted fingerprint reader. Powering these phones will be a 5000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support. They will both run on the MediaTek Helio G85 processor.

Samsungs plan is to launch the Galaxy A05 and Galaxy A05s in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.

Source 1, 2
Press Release

September 21, 2023 DSWD commits to continuously aid poor and indigent patients through the Malasakit Centers; Bong Go promotes welfare of social workers Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his support for the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during a public hearing on Wednesday, September 20. While endorsing DSWD's proposed 2024 budget during a public hearing, Go sought clarification on the department's role in Malasakit Centers and emphasized the need for effective budget utilization to directly benefit Filipinos in need. "For the record, I am supportive of programs that will help and assist our countrymen in need," said Go. The senator emphasized the importance of ensuring that the budget allocated to the DSWD directly benefits indigent Filipinos. "It is incumbent upon us to ensure that these programs will directly benefit poor and indigent Filipinos," he stated. In the upcoming 2024 fiscal year, DSWD is slated to receive a budget of P207 billion, a notable increase from its P196.5 billion allocation in 2023. Given this significant budgetary expansion, Go took the opportunity to remind DSWD to meet its legal mandates including what is stated in Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which he principally authored and sponsored. "According to the Malasakit Centers Act, the DOH (Department of Health), the DSWD, PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), and PhilHealth shall have representatives in Malasakit Centers. Batas naman po ito. Inaprubahan po natin sa tulong ng mga kasamahan natin sa Kongreso at napirmahan po ni dating pangulo (Rodrigo Duterte). Sa ngayon, nakapag-provide na po ba tayo ng mga representatives sa 159 na Malasakit Centers?" asked Go. The senator stressed that patients should not have to wander from one agency to another, which is both time-consuming and expensive, just to ask for medical assistance from the government. Sec. Rex Gatchalian, for his part, committed to fully carry out the DSWD's role in these centers nationwide. He stated, "We have taken an inventory in all Malasakit Centers and as far as we know from our record right now, they are manned by our people, at least our share of it." Gatchalian added that as of the end of August, they have served 131,533 direct beneficiaries, amounting to around P329 million in grants for those seeking medical assistance from DSWD. When Go inquired if these services are directly accessible within the Malasakit Centers, Gatchalian confirmed, "Yes, in the Malasakit Center." However, Go sought further clarity, asking if beneficiaries still need to visit regional offices to avail themselves of these services. Gatchalian elaborated that the direct medical aid dispensed in the Malasakit Centers amounted to around P47 million and served approximately 7,924 beneficiaries. Go pressed for clarification, asking whether beneficiaries need to go to regional offices or if the assistance is directly available at Malasakit Centers. Gatchalian assured that the numbers he provided were for direct disbursements at Malasakit Centers but agreed to double-check their data. "Can you ensure for the record na matutulungan ang mahihirap dito po through DSWD sa programa n'yo po," Go asked. "Yes, I am making that commitment," Gatchalian assured, promising that the DSWD would provide the necessary support for the effective implementation of the Malasakit Centers Act. As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The most recent center was inaugurated at Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, an event Go attended on September 15. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than seven million Filipinos so far. During the same hearing, Go shifted the focus to the staffing within the DSWD, particularly the roles of assistant secretaries and undersecretaries. "Sa mga unfilled positions po and social workers, ilan po ang assistant secretaries and undersecretaries ng DSWD sa ngayon at wala naman pong problema sa dami, masisipag naman po ang ating mga empleyado, alam ko naman po 'yan," said Go. Gatchalian revealed that DSWD currently has 10 undersecretaries and 20 assistant secretaries, all of whom have tendered their courtesy resignations as part of an ongoing rightsizing and streamlining process. The senator also inquired about the benefits received by social workers under DSWD and what initiatives are in place to take care of them. Gatchalian responded that they are pushing for the Magna Carta for Social Workers, which provides various benefits such as daily subsistence allowance, hazard pay, housing, and cost of living allowances. Go mentioned that he filed Senate Bill No. 1707, which aims to provide competitive remuneration and compensation packages for social workers if enacted into law. "Malaki po ang kanilang role dito sa inyong departamento po, Secretary," he emphasized. Gatchalian expressed full support for the bill and committed to submitting a position paper at the appropriate time. Go's proposed measure, also known as the "Competitive Remuneration and Compensation Packages for Social Workers Act of 2023", seeks to provide competitive remuneration and compensation packages to social workers in the country. It also seeks to guarantee social workers protection from discrimination, interference, intimidation, harassment, or punishment, including, arbitrary reassignment or termination of service, in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. The measure shall also protect their right to join, organize, or assist organizations or unions for lawful purposes. In his remarks, Go also urged DSWD to ensure that intended recipients of its Assistance to Indigents in Crisis Situations program are immediately given the aid they need especially those who were already validated and considered qualified to be beneficiaries of the program.
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Stained dark: INDIANA +



Answer: KENTUCKY



INDIANA + KENTUCKY = IN + KY



Something inky would be stained a deep black. Someone with a broken pen may be stuck with an inky and difficult-to-manage situation while someone cooking spaghetti al nero di seppia could be cooking an inky, black pasta with squid ink.



In 2021, researchers at Zippia determined the most popular tattoos inked onto their wearers by U.S. state. Indianans seem to get sheep tattooed on themselves more than most while Kentuckians go for Disney-themed tattoos.

2. Pixar fish: NEBRASKA +



Answer: MISSOURI



NEBRASKA + MISSOURI = NE + MO



The fish to find in the 2003 Disney-Pixar movie was Nemo and the movie was simply titled "Finding Nemo". Nemo, as a name, has a lot of crossover in film and literature as it was used Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"-- it's fitting that it was used in the fish-themed movie.



The states, however, are a lot less fitting. Neither Nebraska nor Missouri is suitable to find Nemo; both are landlocked.

3. Ore hole: MICHIGAN +



NEBRASKA



MICHIGAN + NEBRASKA = MI + NE



Both Michigan and Nebraska have actually been significant sites for mining over the centuries. Michigan, at one time, was a key site for copper mining with part of the Upper Peninsula being named Copper County. Nebraska's claim to mining fame is a bit more recent as it was discovered, in the early 2020s, to be situated atop one of the largest deposits of rare earth magnets (like niobium) in the U.S. Answer:MICHIGAN + NEBRASKA = MI + NEBoth Michigan and Nebraska have actually been significant sites for mining over the centuries. Michigan, at one time, was a key site for copper mining with part of the Upper Peninsula being named Copper County. Nebraska's claim to mining fame is a bit more recent as it was discovered, in the early 2020s, to be situated atop one of the largest deposits of rare earth magnets (like niobium) in the U.S.

4. Cola plant: COLORADO +



Answer: CALIFORNIA



COLORADO + CALIFORNIA = CO + CA



A South American plant used for centuries as a medicant, coca is better-known today for being the key ingredient to make the drug cocaine. It's through this means that Coca-Cola would be made and named in the late nineteenth century, though the inclusion of coca would be phased out quickly as the brand developed.



Coca is illegal to grow in California and Colorado, partly due to its association with cocaine. Oregon was the first state to decriminalize personal growing of the plant though sales and dispensaries of the end product were still illegal at the time.

5. Refreshingly wet: DELAWARE +



Answer: WYOMING



DELAWARE + WYOMING = DE + WY



While the word 'dewy' refers to the layer of moisture that accumulates outdoors during the early morning hours, it's also used to describe complexion. Someone who's dewy would be displaying revitalized skin indicating health and care.

6. Stow away: HAWAII +



Answer: DELAWARE



HAWAII + DELAWARE = HI + DE



Hide has multiple definitions depending on the context. For instance, an animal hide refers to its skin, fur, or pelt; you would tan a hide to make it into clothing or an accessory. Alternatively, to hide something is to put it away somewhere that it could not be found. Hiding in Hawaii might mean you're going away on a vacation somewhere far away while hiding in Delaware might imply you're using a tax haven if you're using it for nefarious reasons.

7. Operatic song: ARKANSAS +



Answer: IOWA



ARKANSAS + IOWA = AR + IA



Translating to 'song' in Italian, an aria is typically a prolonged solo performance, often in an opera. Famous works by Mozart, Bizet, Puccini, and Verdi have all contained arias as performed by men and women alike. The song "O Sole Mio" is considered a stand-alone aria, and perhaps its most famous rendition was performed by Luciano Pavarotti.

8. Fancy, private event: GEORGIA +



LOUISIANA



GEORGIA + LOUISIANA = GA + LA



A gala refers to any larger special occasion, generally with a fancy dress code, to commemorate or celebrate an event or cause. For instance, if you were to attend a charity gala, you would probably be expected to take a seat, enjoy a meal, view a performance or speech, and contribute to the cause.



Though not associated with either state here, the Met Gala, held in New York City, is one of the most high-profile events of its kind. A fashion moment, it brings in celebrities and rich elite to fundraise for causes and charities in New York. Answer:GEORGIA + LOUISIANA = GA + LAA gala refers to any larger special occasion, generally with a fancy dress code, to commemorate or celebrate an event or cause. For instance, if you were to attend a charity gala, you would probably be expected to take a seat, enjoy a meal, view a performance or speech, and contribute to the cause.Though not associated with either state here, the Met Gala, held in New York City, is one of the most high-profile events of its kind. A fashion moment, it brings in celebrities and rich elite to fundraise for causes and charities in New York.

9. Open frankness: CALIFORNIA + NORTH DAKOTA +



Answer: OREGON



CALIFORNIA + NORTH DAKOTA + OREGON = CA + ND + OR



Someone who is speaking with candor is doing so with directness and truth, and there's a fine line between speaking with candor and being poorly received; it requires tact and trust. There's a difference between straight-up honesty and candor. On one hand, if you got this question wrong, there would be the honest truth that you likely also got at least one other incorrect. If I were speaking with candor, I'd probably just say you need to look at the big picture of a Match Quiz and think harder on all the options for next time.

10. Plant design: FLORIDA + OREGON +



Answer: ALABAMA



FLORIDA + OREGON + ALABAMA = FL + OR + AL



It makes sense that Florida and 'floral' are similar-sounding words as the state was named as such partly due to its natural beauty when Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon landed there in the early sixteenth century in his search for the Fountain of Youth.



Something that is floral is simply related to flowers, whether that be a design or an arrangement of the actual thing.

Source: Author kyleisalive This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii.
Google's Bard Chatbot Gets Smarter with "Bard Extensions": What You Need to Know News oi -Kabir Jain

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Google's advanced AI chatbot, Bard, has once again leaped forward. With the introduction of "Bard Extensions," this versatile chatbot has acquired new capabilities that promise to make your digital interactions more intuitive and efficient.

Bard Extensions

The latest addition to Bard's repertoire is the introduction of "Bard Extensions." This feature represents a significant milestone in the development of this AI chatbot. With Bard Extensions, Bard gains the ability to analyze a user's Gmail, Drive, and Docs to provide you with the most relevant information.

How Bard Extensions Work

Bard Extensions work seamlessly with your Google ecosystem. When you activate this feature, you can instruct Bard to sift through your Gmail, Drive, and Docs to uncover pertinent information. For instance, when planning a trip, Bard can help you summarize details related to your travel plans. It can also access real-time flight and hotel information through Google Flight and Hotel.

Data Privacy: A Top Priority

Naturally, concerns about data privacy arise when an AI chatbot gains access to your personal information. Google's Director of Product Management, Yury Pinsky, addressed these concerns in a reassuring blog post. Pinsky made it clear that users' personal information, including content from Gmail, Docs, and Drive, will remain inaccessible to human reviewers. Moreover, Bard will not use this data for displaying advertisements or training its model.

Google emphasizes that users have complete control over their privacy settings and can deactivate Bard Extensions at any time.

Improvements to "Google It"

In addition to Bard Extensions, Google has made enhancements to Bard's existing "Google it" functionality. This feature now plays a crucial role in corroborating Bard's responses with Google search results, enhancing the accuracy of information provided by the chatbot.

Fact-Checking Made Easy

To make fact-checking more accessible, Google has introduced a user-friendly "G" icon that allows users to verify Bard's responses on the web. By clicking on highlighted phrases, users can delve deeper into the topic and access additional information. This feature is currently available in English and promotes transparency and reliability.

Sharing and Continuing Conversations

The latest update to Bard's "Google it" feature also simplifies sharing and continuing conversations. Users can share their Bard chats through a public link, enabling others to join the discussion by posing additional questions to the chatbot. This collaborative aspect adds a new dimension to interactions with Bard.

A Versatile AI Companion

These updates reflect Google's commitment to enhancing Bard's capabilities continually. With support for over 40 languages, including Hindi, and improvements in response quality, Bard has become more versatile than ever. Users can even customize Bard's tone and style to suit their preferences, making it a truly personalized AI companion.

Via

Source

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Microsoft Special Surface AI Event: How And Where To Watch Event Live And What To Expect News oi -Alap Naik Desai

Microsoft has scheduled a "Special Event" today. During the hardware segment, the Windows OS maker is expected to announce the new Surface multi-form-factor devices at the event.

The event also has an AI segment. Microsoft has teased it will announce new features powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the event. These features will be infused into popular Microsoft software solutions and platforms such as Windows OS, MS Office, Bing Search, Surface tablets and laptops, and more.

When Is The Microsoft Special Surface And AI Event And Where To Watch It Live?

Microsoft has scheduled the Special Surface and AI event today, September 21, 2023. This event will take place in New York and it is the first in-person Surface event since the pandemic.

Microsoft is hosting a "special" Surface and AI event on September 21, 2023.



Here's what to expect.



1. New Surface devices



2. AI-powered features

1/ pic.twitter.com/gpdAgqSbXL  Kloud Crunch (@CrunchKloud) September 20, 2023

The Microsoft Special Event should begin at 10:00 AM ET (7:30 PM IST). Microsoft has a special microsite for the event. The company is expected to upload a recorded video of the event on the microsite as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms at 1:00 PM ET (10:30 PM IST).

What To Expect From The Microsoft Special Surface And AI Event

As the name clearly indicates the Microsoft event is intended to announce and highlight the company's Surface-branded laptops and tablets in addition to the AI-based software solutions and platforms.

Microsoft is expected to announce three new Surface devices at its special event. One of the sleek laptops, identified as the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has already leaked. This laptop is powered by Intel's 13th Gen processors. Buyers get Nvidia's RTX 4060, a microSD card slot, and a USB-A port.

Microsoft is set to share its vision for AI integration into Windows, Microsoft 365 services, Surface, and more at a special event on Thursday.@Microsoft pic.twitter.com/ws7TW6VHY5  FORTIZO TECHNOLOGIES (@FortizoTechnol1) September 20, 2023

Although the Surface Laptop Studio 2 looks similar to its predecessor, its display can be pulled forward to transform the laptop into a tablet. Microsoft is expected to offer the first variant of this laptop with 64GB of RAM.

In addition to the abovementioned laptop, Microsoft should unveil the Surface Go 4 and Surface Laptop Go 3. Needless to mention, these would be positioned below the flagship Surface Laptop Studio 2, and hence, powered by an appropriate Intel N series CPU. According to leaks, there won't be an ARM-powered Surface laptop or tablet at the event.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 now has a USB A port and MicroSD slot pic.twitter.com/XULcDb9NxK  Anthony (@TheGalox_) September 14, 2023

In addition to the Surface laptops and tablets, Microsoft will announce new AI-based features for its popular software platforms, including Windows, Bing, and MS Office.

Microsoft is tipped to announce new features for the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant, which could be incorporated into Microsoft 365 and Office apps. Copilot allows businesses to instantly summarize documents and help craft emails. It can speed up Excel analysis. Microsoft Copilot can help the company beat other popular and competing platforms such as Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, and more.

Surface Laptop Studio 2: ,899

Surface Laptop Go 3: 9

Surface Go 4: 9



Thoughts on this pricing?  Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) September 20, 2023

Microsoft has been aggressively infusing AI into its apps and web-based solutions too. Users can expect Microsoft to announce new versions of the popular Snipping Tool and Photos app.

Although chances are quite slim, Microsoft could tease Windows 12 at the event. This is because the successor to Windows 11 is being built alongside AI and is expected to benefit significantly more than Windows 10 or Windows 11.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE India Launch imminent as listing spotted on official support page News oi -Carlsen Martin

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has long been rumoured to release in India and globally. While the leaks have been doing the rounds for a couple of months now, Samsung is yet to make an official announcement.

However, 91mobiles recently spotted a support page for the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE on the company's official Indian website. According to the report, Samsung India's website features a support page that lists the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S23 FE Special Edition.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Launch (Expected)

The support page doesn't reveal any details about the Galaxy S23 FE's specifications and design. However, its existence is a good indicator that an official Galaxy S23 FE launch could be just around the corner. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was also spotted on Google Play Console.

The listing reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will be offered in both Exynos and Snapdragon variants. The listing confirms that the Galaxy S23 FE will feature an Exynos 2200 SoC and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip depending on the region. We can expect more details about the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE launch date in the coming weeks.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Specifications (Expected)

Apart from the chipset, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is expected to feature a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The handset could pack a 4,500 mAh battery with 25W fast charging support, although no adapter will be bundled in the box.

The Galaxy S23 FE will run Android 13-based One UI 5.1 on top.

For optics, the Galaxy S23 FE is expected to feature a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 12 MP telephoto unit. Up front, the device will likely use a 10 MP selfie camera. The Galaxy S23 FE is also expected to feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Launched: Check Price Of 1.5K 120Hz OLED Display, SD7s G2 SoC, 16GB RAM, And More News oi -Alap Naik Desai

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 13 Pro. The midrange Android smartphone features an OLED screen with 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro belongs to the Redmi Note 13 series, which also includes the entry-level Redmi Note 13, the top-end Redmi Note 13 Pro+6 as well as the Redmi Note 13 Pro Turbo Edition. Let's look at the specifications, features, launch, price, and availability of the latest midrange smartphone from Xiaomi.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Launch, Price, And Availability

At an event in China, Xiaomi unveiled the next-generation Redmi Note series, a new tablet, TWS earphones, and more. The Redmi Note 13 Pro has been announced, but it will go on sale starting September 26, 2023.

Redmi Note 13 Pro launched in China.



Specifications

 6.67" 1.5K OLED TCL C7 12bit display, 120Hz refresh rate, 1800nits peak brightness, 1920Hz PWM, Gorilla glass victus

 Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 - 4nm Samsung process

CPU - 4  2.2GHz Cortex A78

4  1.95GHz Cortex A55

LPDDR4x pic.twitter.com/yNavP6vlpd  Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) September 21, 2023

Xiaomi has restricted the availability of the Redmi Note 13 series to Chinese buyers. However, the Redmi Note series has always arrived in India after launching in China, and the Note 13 series should not be an exception.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro is available in two variants. The entry-level model with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage starts at 1399 (approx. 16,150 / $191 / 180). The top-end variant of the smartphone packs 16GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Xiaomi hasn't announced the pricing of this variant.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Specifications, Features

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro features a 6.67-inch 1.5K OLED TCL C7 12-bit display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen has a peak brightness of 1800nits, 1920Hz PWM, and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The display hides an under-display fingerprint scanner.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, which is paired with Adreno 710 GPU. Buyers can opt for either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM. Buyers can get either 128GB or 512GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro features a triple rear camera setup, headlined by a 200MP OIS Samsung HP3 ISOCELL primary camera. It is paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The Redmi smartphone has a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies, video calls, and face unlock.

Xiaomi has embedded a 5100mAh battery inside the Redmi Note 13 Pro, which supports 67W wired fast charging. Some of the other notable features of the device include an X-axis linear motor for haptic feedback, dual-stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Redmi Note 13 Pro Light Dream Space colour variant.

Will feature a 3.5mm jack, dual speakers, and an IR Blaster.#Xiaomi #Redmi #RedmiNote13Pro #RedmiNote13Series pic.twitter.com/Lro6Iy2Fyv  Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) September 21, 2023

The Redmi Note 13 Pro runs Android 13-based MIUI 14. It supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 and features NFC. Despite packing a 5100mAh battery, the smartphone weighs 187 grams.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Launched: Check Price Of 1.5K 120Hz OLED Display, Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, 16GB RAM News oi -Alap Naik Desai

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Belonging to the Redmi Note 13 series, the midrange Android smartphone features an OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is an aggressively priced Android smartphone but packs specifications and features once reserved for premium and flagship devices. Let's look at its specifications, features, launch, price, and availability.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Launch, Price, And Availability

At an event in China, Xiaomi unveiled the next-generation Redmi Note series, a new tablet, TWS earphones, and more. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has been announced, but it will go on sale starting September 26, 2023.

Xiaomi has restricted the availability of the Redmi Note 13 series to Chinese buyers. However, the Redmi Note series has always arrived in India after launching in China, and the Note 13 series should not be an exception.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is available in three variants. The entry-level model with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage starts at 1899 (approx. 21,600 / $259 / 244).

The middle-level variant of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ packs 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It has been priced at 2099 (approx. 23,900 / $287 / 269).

The top-end variant of the smartphone packs 16GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Xiaomi is asking 2199 (approx. 25,000 / $300 / 282).

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Specifications, Features

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro features a 6.67-inch 1.5K OLED TCL C7 12-bit display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2712 x 1220 pixels resolution. The screen has a peak brightness of 1800nits, 1920Hz PWM, and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The display hides an under-display fingerprint scanner.

Redmi Note 13 Pro Display.



 6.67" 1.5K 120Hz Refresh Rate

 1800nit peak Brightness

 446PPi Density

 12bit color depth

 1920Hz PWM Dimming

 Dolby Vision #RedmiNote13ProPlus #RedmiNote13Pro pic.twitter.com/qIEpBMiGFz  TECHNOLOGY INFO  (@TECHINFO45) September 21, 2023

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC. Buyers can opt for either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Buyers can get either 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro features a triple rear camera setup, headlined by a 200MP OIS Samsung HP3 ISOCELL primary camera. It is paired with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The Redmi smartphone has a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies, video calls, and face unlock.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ APPE special edition.

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(2/2) pic.twitter.com/gXO5LyX5RB  Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) September 21, 2023

Xiaomi has embedded a 4880mAh battery inside the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, which supports 120W wired fast charging. Some of the other notable features of the device include an X-axis linear motor for haptic feedback, dual-stereo speakers, an IP68 rating, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ runs Android 13-based MIUI 14. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 and features NFC.

Best Mobiles in India

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US Warns Cases of Transnational Repression Mounting

By Jeff Seldin September 20, 2023

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."

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Military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh: PACE President calls on Azerbaijan to cease fire immediately

Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly

New-York

19 September 2023

The President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Tiny Kox, today made the following statement:

"I am deeply shocked by the decision of the government of Azerbaijan to launch a new and aggressive military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh earlier today. In the space of hours this has resulted in casualties and deaths among civilians. I strongly condemn these actions and call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to cease their fire immediately.

For months we have been witnessing and calling for an end to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region due to the blockade of the Lachin corridor. It is inconceivable that just at the moment when the situation concerning the transport of the humanitarian supply to Nagorno-Karabakh seemed to improve and a glimpse of hope was emerging, Azerbaijan took the decision to launch this show of force. This surely represents a major blow to the prospects of achieving sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

It is clear that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh can only be resolved peacefully, through dialogue and unambiguous signals of goodwill, and on the basis on the applicable international law, paying full respect to the human rights of everyone living there."

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Congress President expresses grave concern over the Nagorno-Karabakh situation

Council of Europe

Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric

Congress

Strasbourg

19 September 2023

Leendert Verbeek, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement today:

"I am deeply concerned by the recent developments over Nagorno-Karabakh which can have serious humanitarian consequences for the region.

They could lead, among other things, to an influx of refugees into Armenian local communities, especially those on the border with Azerbaijan. Those concerns were recently raised by Armenian local authorities with a delegation of local and regional representatives from France in the light of the blockade of the Lachin corridor. The conclusions of this mission will be presented to the Congress Bureau on 22 September 2023.

I call for restraint by all sides before any further deterioration of the situation."

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Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on expectations from Serbia and Kosovo*

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

19 September 2023

Following the High-Level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue on 14 September in Brussels, the EU expresses its concern over the lack of implementation by the Parties of their commitments under the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex, which both Parties agreed to earlier this year, and which are binding on them and play a role in the European path of the Parties.

The EU urges the Parties to engage constructively and in good faith. This means starting the implementation based on the EU Proposal without further delay, which also includes the obligation on both parties to fully implement all past Dialogue Agreements. The work to establish the Association / Community of Serb Majority Municipalities needs to start without any further delay or pre-condition.

The EU reminds the Parties of their responsibility to uphold the principle of confidentiality in the Dialogue, which is a key component of any politically sensitive negotiation process.

The EU remains equally concerned over the lack of progress from both Parties in de-escalating the tensions in the north of Kosovo, several months after the latest flare up of violence which left citizens, KFOR troops, law enforcement and media representatives wounded, some with severe and permanent consequences.

Despite repeated calls by the EU and other international partners, the steps taken so far remain insufficient and the security situation in the north remains tense.

In this context, moves by Kosovo - including on expropriations of land in the north of Kosovo, eviction orders, on telecommunication, and on the use of Special Police forces for community policing duties - are not in accordance with the Rule of Law and risk contributing to further increase of tensions. The continuous small-scale attacks by criminal groups and intimidation of newly recruited Kosovo Serb police cadets / the local population are unacceptable and must stop immediately. Serbia's blocking of the Energy roadmap, as well as other attempts inconsistent with the Agreement on the path to Normalisation and its Annex, run counter to the spirit of the Dialogue process.

The requests made in the Statement on behalf of the EU of 3 June remain fully valid. The reversible measures that the EU has taken remain in place, including the suspension of high-level meetings with Kosovo. The EU stands ready to lift these measures in case of progress in fulfilling the existing requests, or assess further measures towards both parties, if needed.

The EU recalls the importance of swiftly holding early local elections in the north of Kosovo to help defuse the tensions. The quickest solution to enable the calling of the elections is necessary. We encourage Kosovo Serbs to fully engage in the electoral process and publicly state their unconditional participation.

The EU calls on all political actors, at all levels of governance, in both Kosovo and Serbia, to engage constructively in the process leading to early local elections in the north of Kosovo, avoid further escalatory steps and support progress in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

The EU expresses full support to the efforts of High Representative Josep Borrell in his capacity as Facilitator of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, as well as to EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak, and reminds the Parties that the European path of both Kosovo and Serbia goes through the EU-facilitated Dialogue and through the normalisation of their relations. Both risk losing opportunities for progressing on their European paths.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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Palestine: High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell met Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh in New York

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.09.2023

EEAS Press Team

On 19 September, High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell (HR/VP) met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in New York, on the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations' General Assembly.

The High Representative reiterated the support of the European Union to the Palestinian people and to the Palestinian Authority. The EU remains committed to a just, negotiated, and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the Two-State Solution. Having these objectives in mind, the High Representative stressed that he is looking forward to the High-Level Political Dialogue between the EU Foreign Ministers and the Palestinian Authority, planned for November.

They also discussed the deteriorating situation on the ground, which has seen an unprecedented number of Palestinian and Israeli casualties this year. The High Representative underlined the need for both sides to work together to put an end to terrorism and incitement to violence and to halt unilateral measures that further undermine prospects for a Two-State Solution.

The HR/VP reiterated the importance of holding the long overdue national elections and working towards Palestinian reconciliation.

The Palestinian Prime Minister was also informed about the ministerial meeting, that the High Representative chaired on 18 September, with Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States, Egypt, and Jordan, focusing on possible ways to revive the Middle East Peace Process. HR/VP Borrell explained how the "Peace Day Effort" aims at developing a positive vision with broad support from the international community to help advance peace, stability, and security in the region.



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Azerbaijan: Statement by the High Representative on the military escalation

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.09.2023

Strategic Communications

The European Union condemns the military escalation along the Line of Contact and in other locations in Karabakh. The EU deplores the loss of lives brought by the escalation. We call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for Azerbaijan to stop the current military activities.

There is an urgent need to return to dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians. This military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population.

Violence needs to stop in order to provide a conducive environment for peace and normalisation talks. Genuine commitment by all sides is required to work towards negotiated outcomes. The EU remains fully engaged to facilitate the dialogue.





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Western Balkans: High Representative Josep Borrell hosted regional leaders in New York

European External Action Service (EEAS)

19.09.2023

New York

EEAS Press Team

New York, 19 September 2023

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell hosted an informal meeting with Western Balkans leaders on Tuesday in New York, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This year, all six presidents from the region attended. These informal meetings take place regularly in the context of the enhanced cooperation with Western Balkans partners on foreign policy. They also offer an opportunity to exchange views about the challenges in the region and its European future.

The discussion centred around the current global geopolitical challenges dominating the agenda at the UN this week, and focussed also on enlargement and ideas around gradual integration of partners into the European Union.

High Representative Borrell and the Western Balkans leaders discussed how to jointly address the damaging consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine on food and energy prices, as well as on the stability and security in Europe and globally. High Representative Borrell highlighted the support that the EU is providing to the countries of the Western Balkans in fully associating the region to its initiatives to mitigate the impact of Russia's aggression, and in addressing other challenges including energy security, food security and climate change.

High Representative Borrell underlined the importance of close cooperation in multilateral fora. In this context, he recalled that the European Union counts on all candidate countries as reliable partners also in foreign, security and defence policy, including the alignment with EU's decisions in these domains.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss expectations on EU accession at a time when EU enlargement policy has gained a new momentum. The High Representative reiterated the EU's continued strong support - political, technical and financial - to all candidates and potential candidates to help them advance key political, institutional, social and economic reforms that are necessary to advance on their EU path.

The President of Albania Bajram Begaj, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic, the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic, the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic participated in the meeting.







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Germany Federal Foreign Office

19.09.2023 - Press release

Foreign Minister Baerbock issued the following statement on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (19 September):



The reports coming out of Nagorno-Karabakh today are dramatic. Over the past few weeks, we have made huge efforts to ensure humanitarian access to the people in Nagorno-Karabakh. Recently we have seen a little progress. That makes this escalation of the violence all the more terrible.



Particularly in recent days there have been intensive talks, not least by the EU and United States, with Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at de-escalation. Baku's pledge to abstain from military measures has been broken. Azerbaijan must cease the shelling immediately and return to the negotiating table.



It is crucial that the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh is protected. This is also the task of the Russian soldiers stationed there.



Lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia can only be achieved at the negotiating table. We support the EU-led negotiations. In view of today's escalation, they are more urgent than ever.
Work on new Government's Defence Report to begin

Finnish Ministry of Defence

19.09.2023

The Ministry of Defence has launched the preparation of a new Government's Defence Report, in accordance with the Government Programme's objectives. On 8 September 2023, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the matter in their meeting.

The Government's Defence Report sets out defence policy guidelines for maintaining and developing Finland's defence capability, taking into account the effects of Finland's NATO membership. The Report discusses the integration of Finland's defence system into NATO's collective defence and deterrence and defines guidelines for Finland's defence policy and military role in the Alliance. The timeline of the Defence Report extends beyond the current parliamentary term and into the early 2030s.

To be prepared in close cross-administrative cooperation under the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Report will be submitted to Parliament after the Foreign and Security Policy Report, possibly in the course of 2024.

It is going to be the third Government Defence Report as the previous one was completed in 2021.

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Iran calls on Azerbaijan, Armenia to resolve dispute through dialogue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 19, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has expressed deep concern over the latest dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, and urged both sides to comply with the terms of a 2020 ceasefire agreement and de-escalate through dialogue.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers Karabakh as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and believes that its issues, including the rights and security of its residents, should be resolved in this framework and through dialogue," Kanaani said on Tuesday.

The statement came after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Karabakh earlier in the day, almost three years after it went to war with Armenia over the disputed mountainous region.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been populated by ethnic Armenians. In 2020, Azerbaijan made significant territorial gains in a six-week war that killed thousands on both sides, before Moscow brokered a ceasefire deal that included the deployment of 1,960 Russian peacekeepers to the region for a five-year period.

Since the truce, the two sides have accused each other of breaching the peace deal.

In his statement, Kanaani once again stressed on the role of the countries in the region to help resolve disputes peacefully, while reminding the readiness of the Islamic Republic to host the 3+3 format cooperation mechanism in this regard.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the breakaway region of Karabakh, saying the separatist "regime" there must be dissolved.

Baku said it had informed the command of Russian peacekeepers and leadership of Turkish-Russian monitoring center about military activities it was carrying out in Karabakh.

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Baku announces launch of fresh military operation in Karabakh

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 19, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Azerbaijan has launched a new military operation in Karabakh which it says is in response to the deaths of two Azerbaijani forces by mines planted by Armenian soldiers in the region, AZERTAC news agency said, citing an announcement by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

The announcement accused the Armenian forces of inciting fear and planting mines.

Armenian local news media also cited a member of parliament of the self-proclaimed Karabakh republic as saying that the region had been under artillery attack of the Azerbaijani forces for 30 minutes.

Armenia says it has no military units in the Karabakh region, rejecting claims made by Azerbaijan as misleading.

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The President: Unity between the Baltic States and Poland is the path to regional security and stability

President of the Republic of Lithuania

September 19, 2023

President Gitanas Nauseda continues his working visit to New York. On Tuesday, the Lithuanian leader met with the Presidents of Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. This is a traditional coordination meeting between the Baltic and Polish leaders on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting focused on security issues, assistance to Ukraine and grain exports.

At the meeting, the Gitanas Nauseda underlined that regional cooperation and coordination are essential to ensure the implementation of the decisions taken at the NATO Summit and the strengthening of regional security. The President also stressed the importance of continuing to stand united in support of Ukraine and to urge allies to provide continuous and prompt military assistance.

"The unity of the Baltic States and Poland on security and support for Ukraine is extremely valuable. By acting together to promote our interests, we will achieve the desired result much more quickly in maximizing the security for NATO's eastern flank and securing victory for Ukraine," President Gitanas Nauseda added.

The leaders of the Baltic countries and Poland also discussed the export of grain from Ukraine. Gitanas Nauseda stressed the need to find alternative routes for the transport of grain following Russia's exit from the Black Sea grain deal. According to the President, the export of grain through Baltic Sea ports would help to solve the problem by making the most of the capacities of Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, and other ports. However, for this to happen, joint efforts between the countries are needed to remove administrative barriers, the Lithuanian President pointed out.

At the meeting, President Gitanas Nauseda called on the leaders to make use of the Three Seas Initiative to improve the region's infrastructure and connectivity. The Lithuanian leader stressed that Russia's war against Ukraine has highlighted the importance of joint infrastructure projects in the region to ensure security and military mobility. According to the President, the Three Seas Initiative Summit will be a timely moment to make progress on the development of the North-South corridor links, enhancing military mobility, implementing the Ukraine reconstruction projects, and developing EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes.

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Yemen's Ansarullah upbeat about peace talks with Saudi Arabia

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 9:43 PM

Yemen's popular resistance Ansarullah movement has voiced optimism about the quality of earlier talks in Saudi Arabia on the potential of putting an end to a hugely deadly war that Riyadh and its allies have been waging against Yemen since 2015.

"Negotiations with Saudi Arabia were serious and positive," Ali al-Qhoom, a member of Ansarullah's Political Bureau, was quoted by Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network on Tuesday as saying.

"There existed optimism regarding elimination of [standing] obstacles and complications concerning the humanitarian files," he added.

Qhoom's comments came following five days of Omani-mediated negotiations between a visiting Ansarullah delegation with Saudi officials in the kingdom's capital of Riyadh.

The Yemeni delegation has now returned to the Yemeni capital of Sana'a for consultations with the leaders of Yemen's Supreme Political Council.

According to Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the council, the Yemeni delegation would revisit Riyadh for "completion" of consultations with the Saudi party.

Saudi Arabia and a number of its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, began the war in March 2015 to restore power in Yemen to the impoverished country's Western- and Riyadh-allied government.

The former Yemeni government's president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, resigned from the presidency in late 2014 and later fled to Riyadh amid a political conflict with Ansarullah. The movement has been running Yemen's affairs in the absence of a functioning administration.

The war and a concomitant siege that the Saudi-led coalition has been imposing on Yemen has, meanwhile, caused the death of tens of thousands of Yemenis and turned the entire country into the site of, what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

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Iran urges Azerbaijan, Armenia to resolve dispute through dialogue, comply with ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 5:56 PM

Iran has expressed deep concern over the latest flare-up between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, calling on both sides to comply with the terms of a 2020 ceasefire agreement and de-escalate through dialogue.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers Karabakh as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and believes that its issues, including the rights and security of its residents, should be resolved in this framework and through dialogue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana'ani said on Tuesday.

The statement came after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Karabakh earlier in the day, almost three years after it went to war with Armenia over the disputed mountainous region.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been populated by ethnic Armenians. In 2020, Azerbaijan made significant territorial gains in a six-week war that killed thousands on both sides, before Moscow brokered a ceasefire deal that included the deployment of 1,960 Russian peacekeepers to the region for a five-year period.

Since the truce, the two sides have accused each other of breaching the peace deal.

In his statement, Kana'ani once again stressed on the role of the countries in the region to help resolve disputes peacefully, while reminding the readiness of the Islamic Republic to host the 3+3 format cooperation mechanism in this regard.

The 3+3 format cooperation mechanism features the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the breakaway region of Karabakh, saying the separatist "regime" there must be dissolved.

Baku said it had informed the command of Russian peacekeepers and leadership of Turkish-Russian monitoring center about military activities it was carrying out in Karabakh.

EU calls on Azerbaijan to stop military activities

Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell denounced Azerbaijan's fresh military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, urging Baku to stop its military activities in the Caucasus region.

"There is an urgent need to return to dialogue between Baku and Karabakh Armenians. This military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population", Borrell said.

He added that the EU remained fully engaged in facilitating the dialogue between the two warring sides.

This comes as Azerbaijan has expressed willingness to meet Armenian representatives from Karabakh for talks, but only if they lay down their arms and surrender.

"In order to stop the anti-terrorist measures, the illegal Armenian armed forces must raise the white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime must dissolve itself," Azerbaijan's presidency said.

It went on to say that it was willing to meet Armenian representatives in Yevlakh, an Azerbaijani town around 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Armenian separatist stronghold of Khankandi which Armenians call Stepanakert in the breakaway region, but only if the separatists surrendered.

"Otherwise, the anti-terrorist measures will continue until the end," it warned.

The remarks came after Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry urged Azerbaijan "to immediately cease fire and sit at the negotiating table to address the situation."

The latest fighting occurred hours after Baku said four policemen and two civilians were killed in mine explosions staged by "Armenian separatist groups."

Russia said it was in contact with both Azerbaijan and Armenia and has urged negotiations in order to resolve the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a press briefing on Tuesday that Russia is concerned about the latest escalation and considers ensuring civilian safety the most important issue.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has already urged the two South Caucasian countries to "end bloodshed" and pursue peace talks.

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Turkey's president says parliament not ready to ratify Sweden NATO bid

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 3:31 PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the Turkish parliament is not prepared to ratify Sweden's NATO accession protocol since Stockholm has not gone far enough to secure its place in the military alliance.

During a closed-door briefing with journalists in New York on Monday, the Turkish leader said that "terrorists" were demonstrating in the streets of Sweden's capital despite the European country's recent amendments to its constitution and laws to better fight terrorism.

"My parliament doesn't view this issue positively, they aren't ready to ratify Sweden's accession protocol."

The Turkish leader also told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting on Monday that Sweden's membership would eventually be on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly after it reconvenes in October.

For the vote to take place in the parliament, Erdogan, however, said that "Sweden should keep its promises."

"We don't have any prejudices in place, but there is an issue that Sweden is not keeping its promises."

He said Kurdish groups that Ankara considers terrorists "should immediately stop their demonstrations on the streets of Stockholm, and they should stop their activities because seeing this actually happening is going to be very important for the Turkish people."

Sweden needs Ankara's consent to join NATO, of which Turkey is an old member.

Erdogan has conditioned his approval of Sweden's bid on the nation's dropping of its support for Kurdish opposition groups that are considered terrorist outfits by Ankara.

To that end, Sweden passed an anti-terrorism law in May that criminalizes membership in terrorist organizations in the country.

Back in July, Turkey, Sweden and NATO struck a joint statement that said Stockholm had changed its anti-terrorist laws, expanded counter-terrorism cooperation against Kurdish opposition groups, and restarted arms exports to Turkey.

At the time, Sweden pledged to present a "roadmap as the basis of its continued fight against terrorism in all its forms."

Turkish officials reiterated that Sweden needs to submit a roadmap to indicate how it will fight terrorism in the long term.

Erdogan to discuss Black Sea grain deal

The Turkish president will also discuss with Stoltenberg his efforts to revive a grain deal that had allowed Ukraine to export its grain via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The Black Sea deal was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022. Russia, however, withdrew from the deal in July this year, saying its conditions for the agreement were not met.

Moscow complained that its agricultural exports faced obstacles and not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need under the grain deal.

Erdogan was a key player in brokering the grain deal. He said in August that the revival of the agreement depends on Western countries keeping "their promises."

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Azerbaijan launches military operation in Karabakh as tensions escalate

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 10:50 AM

Azerbaijan says it has launched a military operation in Karabakh almost three years after it went to war with Armenia over the disputed mountainous region.

Blasts were heard Tuesday in the Armenian separatist stronghold of Khankandi which Armenians call Stepanakert in the breakaway region.

They said Karabakh towns and cities were "under intensive fire".

"Mass shelling has started here," Ruen Vardanyan, a former state minister of Karabakh said on Telegram.

Baku said it had informed the command of Russian peacekeepers and leadership of Turkish-Russian monitoring center about military activities it was carrying out in Karabakh.

Its foreign ministry said the Karabakh separatist "regime" must be dissolved.

Russia said it was in contact with Azerbaijan over the operations. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged the two South Caucasian countries to "end bloodshed" and pursue peace talks.

"The Russian side urges an end to the bloodshed... and a return to a peaceful settlement," she said.

Zakharova said "all steps for a peaceful solution are spelled out in (Moscow-brokered) agreements signed between 2020 and 2022."

The developments come after months of mounting tensions between the Caucasus neighbors and hours after Baku said six Azerbaijanis were killed by mine explosions in Karabakh, blaming Armenian separatists.

The escalation occurred a day after badly needed food and medicine was delivered to Karabakh along two roads simultaneously, a step that looked like it could help ease mounting tension.

Azerbaijan said Tuesday it had opened humanitarian routes for non-combatants to flee hostilities.

"To ensure the evacuation of the population from the risk zone, humanitarian corridors and reception points have been established on the Lachin road and in other directions," the defense ministry said in a statement.

"Localized anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region," it said, adding it was using "high precision weapons on the front line and in depth as part of the operations.

Armenia's defense ministry said the situation on its border with Azerbaijan was stable.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a decades-long conflict over Karabakh, going to war in the 1990s and in 2020.

The breakaway region populated by Armenians since 1990 is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Baku has cited "systemic shelling" of Azerbaijani positions by Armenian separatists in Karabakh as well as "the continuing mining of our territories" and accused Yerevan of a troop buildup.

It said it had "repeatedly warned" of what it called violations of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that ended a 2020 war between the neighbors, calling them "a serious source of threat for peace and stability in the region."

Baku said it wanted to "suppress large-scale provocations" in Karabakh. Its aims also included the "disarmament and withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from our territories" and "the safety of the civilian population" returning to territories it reclaimed in 2020.

Armenia denied that its troops were present in Karabakh. "The Armenian defense ministry has repeatedly stated, and states again, that the Republic of Armenia has no army in Nagorno-Karabakh," it said.

Hours earlier, Baku said four policemen and two civilians were killed in mine explosions staged by "Armenian separatist groups."

In a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of pockets of Karabakh with fighting ending with a Russian-brokered peace deal.

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Saudi Arabia ditches allies, holds direct peace talks with Yemen: Report

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 7:35 AM

Saudi officials have reportedly held direct talks with a delegation from Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement over a permanent ceasefire to end the war, leaving its allied parties in the cold.

Citing informed sources, the Lebanese al-Akhbar daily reported that Omani-mediated negotiations have been taking place between Saudi Arabia and the Sana'a government in Riyadh.

It said the Saudi-appointed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) "appear to have no role in the negotiations," predicting that the pair's role "will not go beyond signing and attending the [upcoming] ceremony."

Saudi Arabia, the report added, is ignoring the STC's secessionist aspirations and has rejected its demands to be included in the Riyadh talks.

The discussions are almost at a "final" stage with "great progress," particularly in relation to humanitarian issues, it noted.

Also recently, a delegation from Oman arrived in Sana'a.

"Optimism exists regarding the mediation and the Omani efforts to achieve peace in Yemen," Ali al-Qhoom, a member of Ansarullah's political bureau, said on social media.

The peace talks focus a range of issues, including the full reopening of Yemeni ports and Sana'a airport, as well as the payment of public sector wages from oil revenues and rebuilding efforts, in addition to a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemen, he said.

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met a delegation from the Sana'a government in Muscat.

The main topics discussed were "the state's general budget, movement between provinces, and lifting the blockade on ports," al-Akhbar reported.

"Bin Salman provided guarantees to Sana'a regarding all points of disagreement, including the American position opposing peace."

Speaking on Sunday, Tawfiq al-Humairi, an advisor to Yemen's Information Ministry, said Riyadh had agreed to lift the siege on Yemen and return its looted funds.

"The pressures directed towards Saudi Arabia from Sana'a today outweigh the American pressures on Riyadh," he said, referring to Ansarallah's threats to target Saudi Arabia and the UAE in retaliation for the protracted war on Yemen.

Saudi Arabia initiated a brutal war of aggression against Yemen in March 2015, enlisting the assistance of some of its regional allies, as well as massive shipments of advanced weaponry from the US and Western Europe.

The Western governments further extended their political and logistical support to Riyadh in their failed bid to restore power in Yemen to the country's former Saudi-installed government.

The former Yemeni government's president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, resigned from the presidency in late 2014 and later fled to Riyadh amid a political conflict with Ansarullah. The movement has been running Yemen's affairs in the absence of a functioning administration.

The war further led to the killing of tens of thousands of Yemenis and turned the entire nation into the scene of the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

A UN-brokered ceasefire, which was reached last year, is still largely in place despite its official expiry. It has significantly reduced clashes over the past months.

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Russian Peacekeepers Record Karabakh Ceasefire Violations From Azerbaijani Side

Sputnik News

20230919

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh recorded numerous ceasefire violations from 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 sides of the conflict to halt use of force and engage in a dialogue.

The peacekeepers also organized evacuation of civilians from most dangerous areas and provision of medical care to victims, the ministry added.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus. The population is overwhelmingly Armenian.

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.

 Sputnik

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Kremlin Calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to Adhere to Trilateral Agreements on Karabakh

Sputnik News

20230919

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to adhere to trilateral agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday after Baku launched a military operation in the breakaway region.

"The only substantive basis is the trilateral documents of two and three years ago, which were signed between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, so we urge everyone to follow the provisions of these documents and, naturally, taking into account those new realities, this means the fact of recognition by the Armenian side of the territory of Azerbaijan as of 1991," Peskov told reporters.

The spokesman added that the opportunity to reach a political and diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still "exists."

"The main thing is to convince both Yerevan and Baku to abandon use of force and sit down at the negotiating table," Peskov said.

Russia, Armenia So Far Did Not Have Contacts at High Level

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not have any contacts after Pashinyan's letter, Peskov stated.

Earlier in September, Putin said that he received a letter from Pashinyan, and that Russia has no problems with Armenia.

"Indeed, there was a detailed letter stating the point of view of the Armenian side to what is happening. At that time, there was actually... work on resuming the delivery of humanitarian aid to Karabakh. And to our satisfaction, as of yesterday, this work was successful. The first batch went in two directions through the Aghdam and Lachin roads, but unfortunately this did not prevent the resumption of hostilities. There have been no other contacts since then," the spokesman said in response to a question about whether there were any other contacts between Putin and Pashinyan besides the letter sent earlier by the Armenian politician.

Russian Military in Touch With Baku, Yerevan, High-Level Contacts Possible

The Russian military is in contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides, and contacts at the highest level are also possible, Peskov stressed.

"First of all, contacts are now being carried out through our military, through other departments. Communication at a higher level is also consistent. As soon as final agreements are reached, we will inform you immediately, including about possible contacts at the highest level," the spokesman told reporters, commenting on whether contacts with Baku and Yerevan are planned in the coming hours.

The Russian military is trying to return the process in Nagorno-Karabakh to a political and diplomatic track, Peskov emphasized.

"Of course, our military is now working to return the settlement process to the political and diplomatic track, for this the only substantive basis are the trilateral documents of two and three years ago," the spokesman stated.

Azerbaijani Military Needs to Ensure Safety of Civilians in Karabakh

The Azerbaijani armed forces have to ensure security of the Armenian civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh after Baku launched a military operation in the region, Peskov highlighted.

"The first thing for us amid the military operation carried out by the armed forces of Azerbaijan is ensuring the safety of the civilian population of Karabakh, we are, of course, talking about the Armenian population. All necessary measures must be taken for this," the spokesman told reporters.

Kremlin Regrets About Civilian Casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Kremlin regrets about civilian casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh after resumption of hostilities on Tuesday, the spokesman said.

"Hard work is underway now, the main thing is to ensure the safety of people in Karabakh and prevent casualties. We learn with regret the news that there are already such casualties," Peskov told reporters, adding that hostilities is a serious challenge for civilians.

Kremlin Says Can Not Confirm if Baku Notified Moscow About Operation in Karabakh

The Kremlin spokesman said that he cannot confirm if Azerbaijan notified Russia about its decision to launch a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh beforehand.

"I cannot confirm that we were notified in advance," Peskov told reporters.

The spokesman also stated that the Kremlin is unaware of any threats to Russian peacekeepers in the region, adding that the issue is "among priorities" in the current situation.

"As for increasing our contingent of peacekeepers, this decision is first of all formulated by our military, and, of course, this is subject to agreement with all countries," Peskov said.

Kremlin on 'Turn of US' to Settle Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh: There Should Be No Turns

There should not be any turns at attempting to settle the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, as concrete efforts are needed on the basis of a legal framework, the Kremlin spokesman stressed.

Earlier in the day, Armenian Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said that "it is the US's turn" to take measures to protect civilians in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region amid the recent escalation resulting from what Azerbaijan calls "anti-terrorist activities" of its military.

"There should not be any taking turns here. There should be concrete efforts based on a real, tangible legal framework that makes it possible to reach a peaceful settlement. There is such a possibility, from our point of view. These are the very agreements on which we base our actions. We continue our contacts with both Baku and Yerevan," Peskov told a briefing.

 Sputnik

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Mozambique calls for trust and mutual respect between UN members

19 September 2023 - In his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, the president of Mozambique said that the main reason for lack of progress on the 2030 Agenda is similar lack of trust and solidarity "between those who have a lot and those who have little or almost nothing at all".

"Even among those who have a lot, rather than building trust and solidarity they spend their resources by investing in a competition fueled by mistrust," said Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.

With this in mind, he highlighted three areas that require urgent action:

"First, we need to renew our political will and redouble efforts to accelerate the achievement of targets of the Agenda 2030.

Secondly, we must intensify integrated policies with concrete actions to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and preserve nature by empowering women, the youth and other vulnerable groups.

Thirdly, we must strengthen international partnership and multilateralism taking the United Nations System as a basis."

To achieve these goals, the President said world leaders must build trust and mutual respect between member states.

"Only with trust and mutual respect can we build a better world, of peace, safe and sustainable that deliver welfare for all," he stated.

Peace and security

On the issue of peace and security, he said his country has lost thousands of precious lives, and the number of refugees and internally displaced persons has increased to more than 50 per cent in the past year alone.

President Nyusi said that there has been multilateral efforts and several peace initiatives at the UN Security Council level and under the auspices of regional organizations to ensure peace and security around the world, but the war in Ukraine and other regions still endanger peace, security and the global economy.

"My own country, Mozambique, experienced cycles of armed conflicts, sometimes triggered by forces alien to national interests. But the settlement has been possible only based on constructive dialogue founded on trust and mutual respect." Mr. Nyusi noted.

Combatting terrorism

The President said Mozambique is confronted by the "nefarious phenomenon of terrorism."

"We have been achieving tangible success on the ground though terrorists continue to create terror and fear in sporadic way in isolated villages," Mr. Nyusi said.

He noted that with improvement of safety and tranquility, the people of Mozambique have been returning in large numbers to their homes and have resumed their normal life.

"This is a pioneer experience of combining bilateral and multilateral interventions. It is also an example of solution of African problems, first by the Africans themselves," Mr. Nyusi added.

Local level climate action

Even as most countries around the world grapple with climate change, the southern African country is one of the hardest hits.

"In the case of Mozambique, due to its geographic vulnerability, the country suffers cyclically of the devastating impact of natural disasters. The latest large cyclones, Idai, Kenneth and Freddy, caused the loss of hundreds of lives, and costly damages and losses in the billions," the President said.

He added that support from partners has been well below the pledges and beyond the requirements.

"In many cases when this assistance comes partners have preferred to manage the funds outside agreed mechanisms with the Government, causing overlaps in areas or programmes which have little impact on the communities," Mr. Nyusi explained.

He said that as a way of mitigating the suffering of the people, Mozambique has been promoting domestic solutions towards consolidating a disaster management system with the involvement of public, private stakeholders, civil society and local communities, focusing on prevention and adaptation.

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READOUT: Malabar Navies' Leadership Meet in Pearl Harbor

US Navy

19 September 2023

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo hosted the Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Adm. Ryo Sakai, India's Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. R. Hari Kumar, and Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Sept. 17, 2023.

Paparo hosted the Malabar navies' leadership prior to the U.S.-led International Seapower Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island, to reinforce security through partnership in the Indo-Pacific.

The naval leaders focused on deepening maritime cooperation among the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy in support of a resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.

They also discussed how increased information sharing, expanded naval exercises and cooperative activities, and the provision of reciprocal logistical support can strengthen the maritime security environment.

The four nations participate in the annual Malabar exercise with the objective of advancing collective planning, interoperability, and the employment of advanced warfare tactics between their naval forces.

In addition to the multilateral and bilateral meetings, the naval leaders toured the USS Arizona Memorial during the visit to Pearl Harbor.

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Remarks by President Biden at the United Nations General Assembly Leaders' Reception | New York, NY

September 19, 2023

Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, New York

7:29 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: (Inaudible.) Hello, hello? There you go. (Applause.)

Everybody, welcome. (Laughs.) My fellow leaders and friends, it's an honor to welcome you here tonight. And I first want to thank Governor Hochul. I don't know where  the governor is here somewhere. (Applause.)

Gov, great to see you. Kathy, thank you very much for everything this great city has done to make this General Assembly a success.

And I'm also grateful to the Director of Met, Max Hollein. Max, thank you and  for allowing us to gather here in this beautiful hall.

Seventy-seven years ago, at the grand hall in London, our forebearers gathered for the first United Nations General Assembly. With honors  World War Two and the horrors of it weighing on their hearts and the hopes of humanity resting on their shoulders, they opened the Assembly by declaring, quote, "The whole world now waits upon our decisions...looking to us to show ourselves capable of mastering our problems." End of quote.

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather once again in the halls of history, with the whole world looking at us to lead, to prove ourselves worthy, to show ourselves capable of coming together to master the challenges of our time.

Like our predecessors, we face a moment of great upheaval. A moment where basic principles like sovereignty, territorial integrity, universal human rights are being tested.



You know, the mom-  a moment in historical challenges, from accelerating climate crisis to a once-in-a-century pandemic, have exposed inequity and exacerbated insecurities across the world.



A moment where a member of 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, against the very principles that have been the cornerstone of peace and prosperity since the first Assembly 77 years ago.

Earlier today, I stood before the General Assembly and asked my fellow leaders a question: Will we do what we must be  must be done to address these challenges? Will we live up to the promise we made to ourselves and to each other and to generations to come?

There can only be one answer to those questions: We must. We must. We must.

And because of all the leaders in this room, I know that we will.

Over the past two years, I've seen how all of you have worked to open the immense opportunities in the face of such immense challenges. How, together, we bridged the public and private sector to pioneer new ways forward on everything from technology to healthcare to human rights. How, day in and day out, you have worked to support the world's most vulnerable.

So, tonight my message is simple: Thank you. Thank you, thank you. And keep it up. (Applause.)

Folks, our world stands at an inflection point, where the decisions we make now are going to determine our future for decades to come.

We need you to help us set the course on a more stable and secure path. We need to continue tackling the challenges that most affect people's lives, from conflict to climate change to corruption and beyond.

We need you to partner with one another and with leaders around the world to sustain and update the institutions that have supported decades of progress since World War Two.

We need you to help us unlock the trillions of private investment needed to accelerate progress and meet our highest hopes for humanity: ending hunger, eliminating poverty, expanding access to clean water and clean energy, reducing gender inequality, and increasing the quality of education and decent work, safe infrastructure.

Reaching these hopes will take all of us. So, let me close with this.

This museum  and if you haven't had a chance to go through it, if you've not tonight, come back  contains some of the world's greatest artifacts and artworks, including some of the copies of work of one my favorite poets, an Irishman named Seamus Heaney.

He wrote a poem called "The Cure at Troy." And it seems appropriate tonight. He said, "History says, don't hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime, that longed-for tidal wave of justice rises up, and hope and history rhyme."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an age where we can once more make hope and history rhyme if we stick together, where together and only together can we can bend the arc of history in a better direction.

Like our forebearers all those years ago, the world is not only waiting on us, it's depending on us to master our challenges, to prove ourselves capable of forging a better future for humankind  one of greater dignity, opportunity, and security for all.

So, thank you all for being here. And I look forward  I look forward to working together with all of you in the years ahead.

May God bless you all. May God protect our troops. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)

7:35 P.M. EDT

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Army announces upcoming unit deployments in support of European allies and partners

By U.S. Army Public Affairs September 20, 2023

WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Army announced today the fall deployment of two units to support European and NATO allies and partners. The deployments are one-for-one unit replacements and will not change the overall U.S. force posture in the region.

The 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters, from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, will deploy approximately 200 Soldiers to replace the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters. For more information, please contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs officer, Lt. Col. Anthony Clas, at anthony.m.clas.mil@army.mil or 910-432-6189.

The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will deploy approximately 3,400 Soldiers to replace the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. For more information, please contact the 101st Airborne Division public affairs officer, Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, at anthony.t.hoefler.mil@army.mil or 270-798-0553.



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Peace process in Colombia: Switzerland to serve as guarantor state in negotiations between government and rebels

Swiss Government

Bern, 20.09.2023 -- As part of its long-standing peace policy in Colombia, Switzerland is taking on an official mandate at the request of the Colombian government and the rebel group EMC (Estado Mayor Central) as guarantor of the new peace process due to begin in the near future. The mandate is a signal of recognition of Switzerland's commitment to peace and its diplomatic efforts.

Yesterday evening, the Colombian government and the EMC (Estado Mayor Central de las FARC-EP) announced the launch of formal negotiations on 8 October. The EMC has its origins in the 2016 peace agreement, which was not signed by a faction of the FARC rebels. Together with other states, Switzerland will accompany the new peace process as a guarantor, thus stepping up its previous efforts in support of the peace process in Colombia. It will be present at the negotiations and provide political and technical support to the process. The international support architecture will be announced at the start of negotiations.

Several peace processes are currently taking place simultaneously in Colombia. The government's goal is to include all armed groups in a comprehensive peace. Switzerland previously supported the negotiation process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and, since 2016, has supported the implementation of the peace agreement concluded that year, for which it is also advocating on the UN Security Council. Since November 2022, Switzerland has also been a member of the support group for the peace process with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN). When requested to do so, it advises the parties on issues such as compliance with the ceasefire or the protection of civilians. The FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) is the lead unit.



Peace process following decades-long armed conflict

Colombia has been mired in armed conflict for decades, with guerrilla groups fighting both the Colombian armed forces and paramilitary groups. The death toll is estimated at over 200,000, and almost 80 per cent of those killed have been civilians. In 2016, a peace agreement was concluded between the Colombian government and the FARC. Since then, however, armed hostilities with other armed groups have escalated in some regions.

Colombia is a priority country for the PHRD, which is committed to promoting peace there. It supports reconciliation processes through the provision of technical expertise in areas such as civil society participation, ceasefires and dealing with the past. In addition to its efforts to ensure the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and to support the reconciliation and negotiation processes, it also helps to mitigate the consequences of the conflict, for example through its support for humanitarian demining. Furthermore, at the request of the Colombian government and the FARC, Switzerland is storing the original final agreement of 2016 and a digital backup copy of the archives of the Colombian Truth Commission.

Through its commitment to peace and security, reflected in its support for the Colombian peace process, Switzerland is also fulfilling one of the thematic priorities of its Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-23.

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September 20, 2023

Transcript

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Dr. David A. Honey Hold a Press Briefing on Don't Ask, Don't Tell and Innovation Hubs

Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense; David A. Honey, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE KATHLEEN HICKS: Well, good morning, everyone. I have two different announcements to make today.

First, today is the 12th anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a historic day for the Department of Defense that made our military stronger and more just.

I hope that you all saw Secretary Austin's statement on the anniversary, which went out earlier this morning.

As the secretary notes, decades of laws and policies that forced service members to hide who they are left a long and cruel legacy, not just in terms of the individual traumas wrought upon service members and family members but also as tens and thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines were expelled from the military. And we know there are cases when LGBTQ+ service members were given discharges that may have denied them access to veterans benefits like home loans, healthcare, G.I. Bill tuition assistance and even some government jobs.

Since the day of the repeal, DOD has helped eligible veterans who were discharged because of their sexual orientation access the benefits they deserve. More than four out of five veterans who were discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell who've applied for discharge upgrades or records corrections have been successful, but others might not yet have taken the opportunity. Perhaps they tried five, 10 or 12 years ago, when the application process may have been even harder to navigate than it seems today. Perhaps they were worried about whether they would be treated with dignity and respect after the painful experiences that had suffered during the Don't Ask, Don't Tell era, or maybe they didn't know it was an option for them.

And so we know the task remains unfinished. More work remains to reach every veteran whose life was impacted by Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That's why today, as we mark this anniversary, DOD is announcing new initiatives to better reach affected veterans and correct their records as necessary to better reflect the honor with which they served. These initiatives build upon what we've done over the past two-plus years to try to make the process even easier to access and apply. For one, we'll be redoubling our outreach to LGBTQ+ veterans discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell to encourage anyone who might be eligible to apply for corrections to their military records, including to their discharge paperwork.

This outreach campaign will be online, by email, by mail, through nonprofits and veterans service organizations and more. It starts today with a new online resource on defense.gov, which we'll continue to update with relevant information.

And there will be more to come, including podcasts and webinars to explain how the process works, demystify it, and encourage even those who aren't sure if they're eligible to consider applying.

Additionally, we are announcing that DOD will, for the first time, begin proactively reviewing the military records of veterans discharged because of their sexual orientation who may be eligible for discharge upgrades, but have not yet applied. We'll start with those discharged during the period of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Where the V.A. and the National Archives might have digitized records that can help expedite our review, we'll seek to collaborate with them. And when we find indications that someone's less-than-honorable discharge was due to their sexual orientation, we'll put their name forward to their respective military department's review board for consideration. As we do this, we will be laser-focused on preserving the privacy and dignity of each veteran.

This new initiative will help DOD better-address the injustice of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. But we know that even as DOD begins these systematic records reviews we may not catch everyone who's eligible. For instance, if someone's military records or discharge papers don't say why they stopped serving, then we might not be able to discern whether Don't Ask, Don't Tell was a factor. So we encourage everyone to visit the new webpage, to share it widely, and for any veteran who believes their less-than-honorable discharge was caused by those wrongful laws and policies to apply and help the nation keep righting these wrongs.

At the same time, we know correcting these records cannot fully restore the dignity taken from LGBTQ+ service members when they were expelled from the military. It doesn't completely heal the unseen wounds that were left. It doesn't make people whole again, even for those many who received honorable discharges. But this is yet another step we're taking to make sure we do right by those who served honorably, despite being forced to hide who they are and who love while serving the country they love.

Even if the department didn't see it then, we see it now, we see you now. We value your service and we're grateful.

My second announcement today is that DOD has made its first major awards from the CHIPS and Science Act, which President Biden signed last August. That moment was a bipartisan victory for our national security and our economic security, a once in a generation investment in America itself, as President Biden said that day.

It made clear to America and the world that the U.S. government is committed to ensuring that our industrial and scientific powerhouses can deliver what we need to secure our future in this era of strategic competition.

CHIPS proved that we can do big things, sparking programs and initiatives across the Biden-Harris administration and across the Department of Defense, where we work closely with many interagency colleagues on CHIPS implementation.

I'm here to talk about one such program, the Microelectronics Commons, which has been spearheaded by the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Engineering. And Secretary Austin and I really appreciate the hard and fast work from Undersecretary Shyu and her team.

The Microelectronics Commons is focused on bridging and accelerating the lab-to-fab transition, that infamous "Valley of Death" between research and development and production, because while America is a world leader in the innovative research and design of microelectronics, we've lagged in the ability to prototype, manufacture, and produce them at scale. That's what the CHIPS Act is meant to supercharge.

At the heart of bridging that Valley of Death is a national network of regional innovation hubs linking diverse stakeholders across academia, industry, small businesses, non-profits, and government, bringing research to life at scale here in America.

These hubs are not just vital to American scientific manufacturing and economic competitiveness, they will also directly contribute to this department's national defense mission. Consistent with our warfighter-centric approach, the Microelectronics Commons will get the most cutting-edge microchips into systems our troops use every day -- ships, planes, tanks, long-range munitions, communications gear, sensors, and much more, including the kinds of all-domain, attritable, autonomous systems that we'll be fielding through DOD's recently announced Replicator initiative.

Since last December, we've received 83 proposal submissions for potential hubs, comprising 642 unique organizations included as prospective hub members, reflecting America's vast innovation potential. To assess each one, we gathered a technical team of over 50 experts from not only DOD but also the Departments of Commerce, State, and Energy.

Today, after careful deliberation, we're announcing the first awards totaling nearly $240 million for eight regional innovation hubs, reflecting the talent and ingenuity resident all over the country. More than 360 distinct member organizations will benefit from today's awards, located across 35 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, from Alabama to Washington, Georgia to Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, and many more.

Each hub will receive between $15 million and $40 million, depending on their needs and the existing resources they'll leverage. They'll focus on areas like electromagnetic warfare, secure computing at the tactical edge and the Internet of Things, A.I. hardware, 5G and 6G wireless, quantum, and other leap-ahead technologies, all to meet DOD's needs and many with dual-use applications.

The home bases for the eight hubs will be as follows. In New York, where SUNY Polytech (sic) and its 51 hub members will launch the Northeast Regional Defense Tech Hub.

In Arizona, where ASU and its 27 hub members will launch the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub.

In North Carolina, where NC State and its seven hub members will launch the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Band Gap Semiconductors Hub.

In Indiana, where the Applied Research Institute and its 130 hub members will launch the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub.

In Ohio, where the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium will launch a hub with its 65 members.

In Southern California, where USC and its 16 hub members will launch the California Defense Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub.

In New England, where the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, with its 90 hub members, will launch the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub.

And in Northern California, where Stanford, Cal Berkeley, and their 44 hub members will launch the California Pacific Northwest Artificial Intelligence Hardware Hub.

In these states and some two dozen others, the regional hubs will spur economic growth, not just locally but also more broadly, as R&D budgets rise, supporting industries meet higher demand, and tech innovations spin off into new markets.

On the workforce front, the hubs will help ensure we have the talent pool needed to stay ahead through education pipelines and retraining initiatives. And it's part of how DOD is reducing its reliance on foreign components, keeping us safe from the risks of supply chain disruption.

Again, this is just one piece of the overall CHIPS effort. Next month, the Defense Department will host the first Microelectronics Commons Annual Meeting, where we'll hear directly from the hubs as they present their capabilities and from government officials on defense priorities.

Then will come the actual projects that the hubs will help deliver when organizations that didn't receive awards today can still compete for hundreds of millions of dollars and opportunities that will be available over the next few years.

It's an exciting day, with many more exciting days to come. The CHIPS and Science Act exemplifies how, from day one, we've been showing what America is capable of when faced with a pressing challenge, and we will continue to do so.

And with that, I'll take some questions.

STAFF: Okay. First, we're going to go to the phone lines with Tara Copp, Associated Press.

Q: Hi. Thank you for doing this. On the outreach for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell, how often are you hearing from veterans who say that they have, you know, been denied these lifetime benefits, like home loans and education? And what was really the spur to do this outreach now?

DEPUTY SECRETARY HICKS: Sure. So we have been, as I said, undertaking efforts all along the way, since the repeal, to do significant outreach, including just two years ago in 2021, the Biden-Harris administration, we had a big push there.

We just learn more as we go and we keep hearing stories that make us think we should do even more outreach. That's where this proactive step comes in. But as I said, it really builds on work that we've done. If you look at the statistics we've now published up on our own website, you'll see that we've had this very high, as I said, four out of five, in many cases, veterans who've applied -- successfully applied.

And so we want to just put that information out there. We know we're not going to catch everyone through proactive and we want people to still come to us, and we want to make sure we continue to hear the stories that you're referencing. We need to hear those. So we continue to learn from here.

STAFF: Ellie, CBS?

Q: Just a follow-up on that, why now? Like, why today specifically?

DEPUTY SECRETARY HICKS: Well, today is the anniversary of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, so we've been working on a number of initiatives, and today's the day we want to roll them out, obviously getting the web page up and running, making sure we're ready to go for the proactive review. That's why today's the day we want to talk about it. It's a good day to focus on the injustices that have occurred and the efforts that we need to continue to take to right them.

STAFF: Okay, right here?

Q: Thank you. With regards to the CHIPS Act, how will you ensure that these microelectronics that are manufactured by these hubs actually make it into DOD's systems?

Will you be mandating that through contracts, or will this be government-furnished equipment that go to contractors to put in other systems?

How do you ensure that what these hubs actually produce actually get used?

DEPUTY SECRETARY HICKS: Sure. So let me first say, I'm going to be followed by Dr. Honey, who can get into more direct detail on the way that the system is going to operate, in terms of the DOD contracting process. But the way we have approached it, yes, is putting out the need statements of the types of microelectronics we need.

Let me step back and say, the Department of Defense is like any other consumer in the following way. We consume microelectronics that are out on the commercial market. What Microelectronics Commons does is helps us inject into that system the specific needs that we have, as I read out some of those technology areas of focus. There will be others.

We help to direct investment like we do anywhere else we put government R&D. That's what we're going to be able to do here, is to drive, with our dollars, the specific investment areas we need. And then as a consumer, out the other end of that, however it produces, if you will, the fact that we can get that out of United States manufacturing is more secure for our supply chain.

Q: So DOD will be purchasing these from the hubs, and they provide --

DEPUTY SECRETARY HICKS: No, the hubs -- think of the hubs as part of an ecosystem. At the end of that ecosystem are fabs, and the fabs actually are the ones that end up producing. We have fabs elsewhere in the world. We will still have those allied-based fabs, if you will. But what we're doing here is generating a lot more ingenuity in that fab process in the United States and gearing it up through these hubs with a lot of energy on the types of microelectronics, on the types of problem sets that we need those fabs to produce at the other end.

And, yes, then we will be purchasing what is produced out of U.S. fabs alongside, again, some that are located in allied countries.

STAFF: Oren Liebermann, CNN?

Q: I wanted to ask two unrelated but current questions. First, if you could comment on how a potential government shutdown would affect DOD operations, since we're looking at the very real possibility?

And second, if I may, Senator Tommy Tuberville is expected to try to force a vote on at least one blocked military nominee. From your perspective as the civilian leadership for DOD, what effect has that block had on DOD ops?

DEPUTY SECRETARY HICKS: Yeah, let me do these -- thank you -- let me do those in reverse order.

Senator Tuberville's hold needs to end now. It's unnecessary; it's unprecedented; it's unsafe. It's bad for our military; it's bad for our military families; and it's bad for America.

When you get to the shutdown, you know, the department has regrettably learned how to operate in the short-term through shutdowns. We're asking our military service members, those in uniform, to serve without pay. We are asking our folks to do what they do best, which is to be doers and problem-solvers. We would ask for our partners, you know, in Congress to do the same. Let's be problem solvers.

It's -- we will make sure we keep America safe, as we can, throughout this shutdown, if there is one, and through any C.R. But we're asking a lot, at this point, to not be able to operate as fully as we would be able to. The PRC is not shutting down its operations. Russia's not shutting down its operations against Ukraine. We need to avert any kind of effect that a shutdown could have, not just on the Defense Department but throughout the federal government.

STAFF: Okay. Thank you very much. That's going to conclude the deputy secretary's briefing. If you'll give us just a moment to reset, we'll get Dr. Honey up. Thank you.

Thank you.

STAFF: Okay, and ladies and gentlemen, as I have mentioned earlier, this is Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Dr. David Honey. He's going to provide us some more detail on the Microelectronics Commons announcement.

After you, sir.

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (R&E) DAVID A. HONEY: Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and I'd like to first thank Deputy Secretary Hicks and her team for their support for this program and today's announcement. The interagency team has been working hard on this effort, and we're very excited to be able to share this information with you today.

The U.S. military has an ever-increasing need for innovation in our weapon systems, while we are also facing uncertainty in our supply chains. The Commons model, with spokes reaching out across our nation, enables us to partner with industry and academia so that they can help lead us into the future. By leveraging our partners' strengths, the Commons is positioned to be a vital driver of the goals set forth in the CHIPS Act.

The Commons, as you may have seen, will receive $2 billion in funding over five years, and this will be applied across six technology areas of interest to us, and these are artificial intelligence hardware, 5G and 6G, Internet of Things, quantum, electromagnetic warfare and leap-ahead commercial technology. And as the world's biggest systems integrator, DOD and its industrial base will benefit from each of these areas.

We also believe that much of the work that will take place in these topic areas has a high potential for purely commercial purposes as well, and we the DOD see tremendous benefit when there is a strong dual-purpose market.

So what's next? Now that we've selected the hubs which will provide laboratory to fab infrastructure for R&D and other innovative development projects, our next solicitation for proposals in the Commons will be the call for project solicitations, which is scheduled to occur very soon. And then each year in the third quarter of the fiscal year there will be additional calls for projects as that gets released.

One other think I want to point out, though, is importantly, an organization does not need to be a member of a hub to submit a project topic, and further guidance on how all this is going to work is forthcoming. It will be available very soon.

One other point about the hubs: The hubs are intended to serve as a natural -- as a national resource for commercial users and other U.S. government organizations outside of the Commons program and outside of DOD. So anyone can perform work using the resources of the hubs. You do not need a DOD contract, and in fact, it is our hope that each of the hubs will attract significant non-DOD business and eventually become self-sustaining, at least in terms of covering their operations and maintenance expenses.

More information on the details of how all of this works will be available at our next big public event, which as the secretary mentioned, will be in October. That is our inaugural annual Microelectronics Commons meeting. It will be October 17th to 18th held here in Washington, D.C. Additional information and registration for those that are interested -- and it is open to the public -- is available at MicroelectronicsCommons.org, and attendees will have an opportunity to hear from government leaders, including Deputy Secretary Hicks. And attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from all of the hubs, and they'll be presenting their capabilities and the opportunity for anyone who's interested in working in the hubs or working with the hubs or through the hubs to hear what's available.

Also, we intend to have folks there from the government team who can talk about the project technical areas, the interest that DOD has and continue the conversation with all of our ecosystem that will be there attending with us.

And in closing, what I would to do, though, is take the opportunity to thank everyone who's helped us out during the time that we've been working on this activity. We've gotten tremendous support from across the administration and the Congress, and I appreciate all that they've done to help us get to where we are today. The interagency team has been phenomenal. We've had participation in fact, in all of our six source-selection teams. Of course, there were DOD subject matter experts, but also folks from Department of Commerce, Energy, State, NSF, NIST. It was a great team that's come together, and we continue to have regular engagements across the interagency of all of the CHIPS activities that show that we are exchanging information and working together collaboratively.

And finally, what I'd like to do is thank our Naval Surface Warfare Center team from (inaudible), who has done a tremendous amount of heavy lift over the time that we've been building this out to make all of this happen today. We couldn't have gotten it done without them, so (inaudible) folks, thank you for being here today, and also for all the work that you've done to make this happen.

And again, I hope folks will come to the meetings 17 to 18 October to hear more about the Commons and let us hear your feedback on that, as well. Thank you.

STAFF: Okay. Got time for some questions here. I would ask you to state your name and your outlet, please. Carlo?

Q: Carlo Munoz with Janes. Just wanted to ask about the upcoming meeting. Secretary Hicks mentioned that the government representatives would be mentioning defense priorities, potentially outside of the technology priorities you listed. Can you give me an idea of sort of how that sort of thinking is coming together? I mean, is it focused on some of the competition coming from the Indo-Pacific? Like, where are those priorities that DOD's planning to bring (inaudible)?

DR. HONEY: So within each of the fixed-tech areas, there's a lot of opportunity for developments that would benefit the DOD. And so the folks from the government team that will be there are those researchers and program managers who have experience in developing the weapon systems that go into all of the various -- support to combatant commands. What they'll be doing at the unclassified level is sharing their insights on where they think the greatest opportunities are for innovation and development coming through the hubs that would lead to an advantage for our systems.

STAFF: Okay. Sir?

Q: Thank you. Liam (inaudible) here with The Gray Zone. So this is kind of -- just kind of a broad question on the CHIPS Act. Because the impetus for it was this idea that, you know, Taiwan has -- dominates the global chip market that make these more advanced chips than we do. My main question, I guess, is TSMC, their largest producer, is working on a plant in Arizona. They work on plants in Japan and Germany. So in the event of an invasion - which hopefully never happens, but theoretically we could still produce there in Arizona, with their plant imports from Japan, Germany, from our allies. Have you thought about that -- you know, whether that undermines kind of the rationale of the CHIPS Act to begin with, or if you've just thought of that scenario?

DR. HONEY: So about one of the big strategic pushes within the CHIPS Act has been onshoring of capabilities, but also one thing that we got from the microelectronics area is it's always moving forward. There are always new advances. You know, people have been talking about the end of Moore's law for quite some time, but it hasn't ended yet. And just as we start to see the node size, the features size getting smaller and smaller, other organizations like DARPA through the Electronics Resurgence Initiative go to 3D and produce yet another set of advancements in microelectronics.

And so one of the goals out of the Commons program is to develop those capabilities here in the U.S. and have that available for DOD and for commercial, as well.

Q: One quick follow-up: When do you think we can expect to see any results? I mean, I guess it's hard to say because it's all theoretical research, but you know, how soon do you think we could see maybe a breakthrough or some kind of tangible results from it?

DR. HONEY: So with the Microelectronics Commons, the hubs are now just finding out that they've been awarded.

Q: Right.

DR. HONEY: And so the proposals, though, are very detailed and they have great action plans. So as we apply the funding, they'll know exactly what they're going to do.

The result -- so for me, the first big result is getting these infrastructures set up. Previously, a lot of the prototyping and experimentation work that the hubs will support, people had to go overseas to get it done. So now they'll be able to get it done here. And also, we're building out in areas that are just not available anywhere else. So the first major accomplishment, just getting the hubs established, getting some projects running through them so that their operations -- you know, they can work out the bugs and whatnot.

The next big accomplishment will be when we start getting projects in from the broader community. Those are probably going to be fairly mature ideas. So the time to market will probably be much faster than a lot of other programs we support, where we go through a much more fundamental investment in basic science and then take several years to get there.

My expectation is that you'll probably see chips coming through this well before the five years of the program is over, we should already see, I'm guessing, product coming out that's already available for use.

STAFF: We'll take one more here and then we'll go to the phone.

Q: Thank you. Jon Harper with DefenseScoop. So will it be up to, you know, individual DOD components or agencies or contractors to just procure these on their own and just decide if they want, you know, these end products for their weapons systems or how will that work, in terms of DOD being kind of that -- the purchaser, you know, the procurer of, like, sort of the final end product?

DR. HONEY: Right. So what we will be from where we are in R&E, we are going to be the -- with our CTO function, we will be educating the services and the folks who write the requirements on what's going on in the commons so that, as they're thinking about the future requirements that they're going to establish or what the opportunities are for future weapons systems development, they're aware of the state of the art and what's coming through the commons so they can then set -- if they choose to do so, they can set the expectations in future solicitations for the kinds of capabilities that they want, and that's really how we'll try and drive that particular activity.

Q: Thanks.

STAFF: Okay, and we'll jump to the phone. Georgina from Inside Defense, are you still on?

Q: Yes, I am. Thank you so much for this briefing today. Why were these eight hubs selected? And will any more hubs be opened up in the coming years as technology advances and new areas of focus may need to be addressed?

DR. HONEY: So the -- as Secretary Hicks mentioned, there were 83 proposals. Out of those proposals, the six selection teams reviewed all of these proposals and the source selection authorities then looked at the funding we had available and made the decision on what was the best balance, what was the best approach for -- to meet DOD needs.

And so originally, we had said we would select up to nine. They made the decision that eight hubs, we get adequate coverage and leave enough funding for projects. At this time, I don't see that future hubs will be selected. However, you know, we are agile in looking at the situation, and if certainly we felt that that was needed, we would take a look at it and see if that better met the needs of the department.

STAFF: And we'll do one last question. Ellen with Synopsis, are you still on? Kimberly with SIGNAL, are you still on?

Q: Yes, thank you. I wanted to ask -- you mentioned of course the eight regional hubs. Could you specifically talk about the two in California, the one in Southern California and Northern California, kind of what they'll be focusing on differently? Thank you.

DR. HONEY: I'm going to phone a friend on that one. Can anybody -- I don't know the -- I don't have the proposal that we saw but we'll take that question and we'll (inaudible) --

(UNKNOWN): (Inaudible).

DR. HONEY: Okay, that's it. Okay, great.

And again, if you come to the meeting 17 to to 18 October, all of the hubs will be on display because that's their chance to really inform the broader public of what their capabilities are, because we -- again, we have projects that we'll be running through the hubs, but these hubs are -- will be open for business for other people to come in and use them as well. And so it'd be a great opportunity for others to hear about what they're doing. And again, all the details will be there at that time.

STAFF: Okay. Dr. Honey, we appreciate your time.

DR. HONEY: Great.

STAFF: And that will conclude today's briefing. Appreciate everybody's time. Thanks.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3532187/

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September 20, 2023

Release

DOD Represented at Five Eyes Technology Principals Meeting

Last week, Dr. Steven G. Wax, performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, presented the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy at the Technology Cooperation Program (TTCP) Principals Meeting.

TTCP is a science and technology alliance among the Five Eyes (FVEY) nations - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Representatives met Sept. 11-15, 2023, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

That strategy highlights the important role our allies and partners play in our research and development ecosystem.

"The Annual TTCP Principals Meeting is one of the most important annual engagements where the U.S. and our FVEY partners have the opportunity to collaborate on achieving our national security goals and maintaining our technological advantage," Wax said. "The TTCP initiatives have made an impact include delivering medical innovation on the battlefield, influencing capability design for our future platforms and making a real difference to operations."

Meetings are held throughout the year to discuss various strategic challenges. At the annual meeting, which rotates among the FVEY nations, the principals reviewed progress from all the multi-national technology groups (aerospace, human systems, maritime and land systems, materials) and set expectations for the upcoming year.

"The annual multilateral meeting this year in Quebec City was incredibly productive as we had the opportunity to review our joint work from the past twelve months and outline priorities to strengthen our global alliances and secure our common interests," Wax said. "We are committed to pursuing opportunities with our allies to co-research and co-develop innovative technology solutions."

On day four of the meeting, the principals had the opportunity to tour the Defence Research and Development Canada, Valcartier Research Centre, which will open in Fall 2024 with 80 multi-disciplinary laboratories.

"It was a great honor to welcome Canada's defense science partners from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States to Quebec City, one of our nations' oldest cities, and to DRDC's Valcartier Research Centre, one of the many R&D laboratories serving today's Canadian Armed Forces," said Dr. Jaspinder Komal, Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Research and Development Canada, Canada's defense science and technology organization. "We were pleased to significantly advance common objectives and joint activities for The Technical Cooperation Program."

The TTCP FVEY annual meeting has taken place since 1969 and is comprised of more than 2,000 scientists and engineers.

Australia will host the next TTCP Principals Meeting, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 23, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3532136/

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September 20, 2023

By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

DOD Names 8 Locations to Serve as New 'Microelectronics Commons' Hubs

Under the CHIPS and Science Act, the Defense Department today announced the award of nearly $240 million dollars to eight regional "innovation hubs" around the United States which will be a part of the Microelectronics Commons, and which will benefit both the department and the United States by spurring development of a domestic microelectronics manufacturing industry.

"The Microelectronics Commons is focused on bridging and accelerating the 'lab-to-fab' transition, that infamous valley of death between research and development and production," said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks during a briefing today at the Pentagon. "While America is a world leader in the innovative research and design of microelectronics, we've lagged in the ability to prototype, manufacture and produce them at scale. That's what the CHIPS Act is meant to supercharge."

The eight regional hubs include:

The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub. This hub is led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in Massachusetts, has 90 hub members, and has been awarded $19.7 million.

The Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub. This hub is led by the Applied Research Institute in Indiana, has 130 hub members, and has been awarded $32.9 million.

The California Defense Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub Hub. This hub is led by the University of Southern California in California, has 16 hub members and has been awarded $26.9 million.

The Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors Hub. This hub is led by the North Carolina State University in North Carolina, has seven hub members and has been awarded $39.4 million.

The Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub. This hub is led by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University in Arizona, has 27 hub members and has been awarded $39.8 million.

The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium Hub in Ohio. This hub has 65 hub members and has been awarded $24.3 million.

The Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub. This hub is led by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York in New York, has 51 hub members, and has been awarded $40 million.

The California-Pacific-Northwest AI Hardware Hub. This hub is led by the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University in California, has 44 hub members, and has been awarded $15.3 million.

The eight hubs will focus on microelectronic development in areas like electromagnetic warfare; secure computing at the tactical edge and the internet of things; artificial intelligence hardware; 5G and 6G wireless; and quantum technology, Hicks said.

"Consistent with our warfighter-centric approach, the Microelectronics Commons will get the most cutting-edge microchips into systems our troops use every day: ships, planes, tanks, long-range munitions, communications gear, sensors and much more ... including the kinds of all-domain, attritable autonomous systems that we'll be fielding through DOD's recently announced Replicator initiative," Hicks said.

Today, the United States is responsible for only about 12% of microelectronics production globally, with most production now in Asia. The U.S. also lacks much of the capacity to confirm the viability and marketability of new microelectronics technologies in ways that might convince American industry to invest in them.

The Defense Department-led Microelectronics Commons aims to close the gaps that exist now which prevent the best ideas in technology from reaching the market.

With the Microelectronics Commons, novel technology developed domestically will have a better chance of making it from lab to market entirely inside the United States. The commons will ensure American ingenuity stays inside the U.S. and isn't stolen by adversaries and that the nation rebuilds the capacity to do on its own what it must now depend on foreign nations to do.

"These hubs are not just vital to American scientific, manufacturing and economic competitiveness," Hicks said. "They will also directly contribute to this Department's national defense mission."

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EU releases 140 million to support the Afghan people, in particular women and girls

European Commission

Press release

20 September 2023

New York

The European Union has agreed to release 140 million of basic needs and livelihoods assistance in the fields of education, health, agriculture and women's economic empowerment in Afghanistan. The decision to release funds, previously frozen since December 2022 in response to the Taliban's decision to ban women from working in NGOs, comes after six months of monitoring and assessment of the "for women by women" principle. This principle ensures that Afghan girls and women are involved in all aspects of the aid delivery chain.

Basic needs assistance directed to the Afghan people

The EU funds will continue to be directed through UN agencies, the World Bank and International Non-Governmental Organisations working on the ground. The financial support aims to provide basic needs assistance to the Afghan people in the wake of the worrying challenges they face in the country.

The decision follows the agreement in the Foreign Affairs Council in February 2023 for a principled approach for EU assistance, allowing for the continuation solely in sectors and geographic areas where women are allowed to work on the delivery of the assistance and benefit from it.

The EU is mobilising this funding to support new projects such as the support to a conducive learning environment for both boys and girls, and to improve and incentivise access to school through food assistance. On health, the funds will help with strengthening basic health services, infectious diseases, safe drinking water, improving nutrition amongst children and enhancing household food security and resilience.

Work will also be done on sustainable agricultural value chains, climate resilience and help for the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees coming back from neighbouring countries.

The support will also reinforce women's economic empowerment through skills development, access to finance, market opportunities, economic resilience and supporting women-led small enterprises.

The EU is currently co-chairing the Afghanistan Coordination Group together with the UN and World Bank and there will be continued and close monitoring of the application of the "for women by women" principle.

The 140 million for basic needs and livelihoods are part of the overall 1 billion Support Package for the Afghan people announced by the EU in August 2021. The EU has mobilised 980 million of the 1 billion: 500 million for basic needs and livelihoods and 480 million for humanitarian assistance.

Quote(s)

We know how difficult it has been to navigate the increasingly severe situation in Afghanistan. Yet, over the last six months the international community has found a way to deliver desperately needed support to women, girls, and other vulnerable groups. This support offers livelihood solutions for millions, while not recognising the Taliban de facto authorities. Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships

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Foreign Ministry's draft budget for 2024 focuses on support for Ukraine and Finland's NATO membership

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Press releases, 20.9.2023

The Finnish Government proposes EUR 1.3 billion in appropriations for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Ministry will continue to support Ukraine in 2024, as outlined in the Government programme.

The main goals of Finland's foreign and security policy are to safeguard Finland's independence and territorial integrity, to avoid becoming involved in a regional conflict and to improve the security and wellbeing of the people of Finland. Finland's foreign and security policy is based on the rule of law, human rights, equality and democracy. The European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) form the core of Finland's cooperative foreign policy.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine weakens security in Finland and across Europe. The European Union is Finland's most important political and economic frame of reference and community of values. Finland wants to see a united European Union that has global strength and strategic competitive strength. Finland responds to Russia's aggression as part of the European Union.

By joining NATO, Finland has become a militarily allied country. Finland's NATO membership strengthens security in Finland and stability in Northern Europe. This positions Finland more firmly in the European and transatlantic security community.

Operating expenses of the Foreign Service

The Government proposes EUR 258 million for the operating expenses of the Foreign Service.

Effective bilateral and multilateral diplomacy is an indispensable tool of the Foreign Service for getting its views heard. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for fostering the international connections that are vital for Finland and for providing statutory consular services to Finnish citizens abroad who need assistance or are amid a crisis. The Ministry's entry services promote work-based immigration and prevent illegal immigration.

The activities of the Foreign Service rely on a comprehensive network of diplomatic and consular missions abroad. Maintaining the network's ability to act is vital in the current foreign and security policy situation. Finland's network of diplomatic and consular missions consists of 93 offices. Finland will have posted staff in 88 of the offices in 2024.

In accordance with its programme, the Government will implement a reform of the Foreign Service to support the new era of foreign and security policy, taking into account the additional obligations arising from Finland's membership in NATO. In 2024, the Government will prepare a report on Finnish foreign and security policy and a report on Finland's international economic relations and development cooperation. The Government will reform the operations and management of the Team Finland network in cooperation with business and industry to support Finland's strategic interests.

Finland will chair the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in 2023-2024 and prepare for its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2025. In addition, Finland is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2022-2024.

Crisis management

Finland will actively participate in military and civilian crisis management missions and operations of the OSCE, the EU, NATO and the UN. Rapid changes in the European security environment mean that Finland must be prepared to change its approach to crisis management. Finland will support the dialogue processes in mediation, promote efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts, and strengthen mediation activities and mediation capacity both nationally and internationally.

Finland's international crisis management tasks will focus on Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo and Ukraine. Supporting Ukraine and reinforcing its security sector through civilian crisis management efforts is a priority for Finland. Finland will also make a significant contribution to providing training support to the Ukrainian armed forces. The Government proposes EUR 53.1 million for the material and administrative costs of Finland's crisis management contingents. Finland will continue to increase the participation of civilian personnel in crisis management. The Government proposes EUR 19.2 million for civilian crisis management. The number of personnel recruited to military crisis management posts is estimated to total up to 400 person-years in 2024, while approximately 130 experts will be recruited for civilian crisis management in 2024.

An appropriation of EUR 3.9 million is proposed for mediation. Finland will increase its participation in the UN's mediation and dialogue processes and in other similar processes. There will be a shift in activities away from the funding of special projects towards more active promotion of peace.

Development cooperation

The priorities of the Government's development policy will include improving the position, right to self-determination and sexual and reproductive health of women and girls, which are key to curbing population growth. Education and climate measures will also be a priority. Finland will also pursue its objectives in EU development policy, international development finance institutions and UN organisations. Finland will effectively promote the participation of Finnish companies in investment projects funded within the framework of the EU's Global Gateway initiative.

The Government will promote the operating conditions of Finnish companies in developing countries as well as their opportunities to apply for funding from the UN, the EU and development finance institutions. The Government will increasingly utilise Finnish companies in development cooperation and development policy investments. Different forms of development finance will complement each other. In order to build a successful development policy, both grant-based assistance and funding in the form of loans and investments will be needed.

The Government will make the readmission of nationals and support for the international rules-based order conditions for Finland's development cooperation. Finland will not give development aid to governments or entities that support Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Government will effectively monitor the use of development cooperation funds. If any misuse is detected, funding will be reduced or terminated and, if possible, be recovered.

Ukraine will be the largest beneficiary of Finland's development cooperation assistance during the government term. The Government proposes an appropriation of EUR 58 million for the new item for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, which is up EUR 20 million on the current spending limit for Finland's country programme in Ukraine.

As part of the Government's measures to stabilise economy, the appropriations under the exclusive official development assistance (ODA) budget item administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will be reduced by EUR 118 million in 2024 and the level of development cooperation in the form of loans and investments will be adjusted by EUR 60 million in 2024.

The Government proposes that an appropriation of EUR 622 million and mandate commitments of EUR 464 million be allocated to ODA administered by the Foreign Ministry. The expenditure arising from the commitments will be incurred after 2024. The Government proposes to continue to support developing countries by allocating EUR 70 million to development cooperation funding in the form of loans and investments. A total of EUR 10 million is proposed for increasing the capital of Finnfund.

Finland's official development assistance (ODA) is estimated to total EUR 1.2 billion. The central government is estimated to direct approximately 0.42 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to development cooperation in 2024.

Other appropriations

The Government proposes approximately EUR 150 million for membership fees and contributions to international organisations. Finnish contributions to the UN account for the bulk of this appropriation. The Government proposes EUR 8.9 million as Finland's contribution to NATO. This sum includes Finland's prescribed share for NATO's civil budget and a voluntary contribution to support Ukraine.

The Government proposes EUR 1.6 million for cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Barents and Arctic regions. An appropriation of EUR 2.8 million is proposed for the preparations for Finland's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2025.

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Iran FM urges dialog between Armenia, Azerbaijan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 20, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has stressed the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, urging the two neighboring nations to resolve their disputes through dialogue.

The statement was made during a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Amirabdollahian took to social media to express Iran's stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, stating that Iran recognizes the land as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This comes in the wake of escalating tensions between Baku and Yerevan, as a result of which Azerbaijan targeted certain areas of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday.

9417**7129

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Next U.S. rotation begins service in Lithuania

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-09-20

International cooperation

On September 21 the U.S. rotational battalions will change over during a ceremony at General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area at Pabrade. The incoming U.S. rotation will be welcomed by Vice Minister of National Defence Zilvinas Tomkus and Commander of the Lithuanian Lad Force Brigadier General Arturas Radvilas.

Next rotation of the U.S. Army commencing service in Lithuania is formed by the Hounds of the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment (3-67) and the Battle Kings, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery (1-9). The American troops bring M1A2 Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, trucks, ATVs and other necessary military equipment.

The battalion has deployed for the 9-month rotation from its homebased in Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The incoming rotation replaces the Mustangs (1-8), 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the Rolling Thunder (3-16), 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army

The United States has stepped up force presence in the Baltic States this year and its force status has been changed to uninterrupted rotational deployment. Thus the United States, Lithuania's strategic partner and one of the key Allies in ensuring the European security, demonstrates its NATO collective defence commitment ensuring our security since the wake of the Russian war in Ukraine.

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Address by Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

President of the Republic of Lithuania

September 20, 2023

Dear President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are meeting at a critical moment. Before our eyes, political, economic and cultural divisions are deepening. Conflicts, instability and civil unrest are erupting around the globe. Disruption of the world order based on international rules threatens the world we all know and cherish.

The time for decisive action is now.

We must rise to the challenges and work together to preserve peace, prosperity and stability. To safeguard the rules-based order, democracy and the universality of human rights. To save our home, Planet Earth, from the effects of disastrous climate change. To fight hard against global poverty and inequality.

For sure, this will not be easy. Global trust will have to be restored. Sustainable Development Goals implemented. Meaningful Pact for the Future negotiated and signed.

I stand here to express my great concern about the devastating impact of climate change and to share the Lithuanian experience.

Today, green transformation is no longer a matter of choice. We need decisive actions to keep the goals - and the spirit - of the Paris Agreement alive.

Lithuania is resolutely committed to averting, minimizing and addressing climate change. We aim to achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and become climate-neutral in 2050.

The central role in our strategy will be played by renewable energy. Our ambition is to turn Lithuania from a net importer of electricity to a self-sufficient green energy producer by 2030. The development of solar energy, as well as onshore and offshore wind parks, should substantially increase the installed capacity of renewable electricity generation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There can be no sustainable development amidst a war. Wherever we look - be it Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas - peace is an all-important condition for humanity to thrive and to create.

An old-style colonial war is back in Europe. Russia's aggression against Ukraine aggravates the global situation across many areas, such as food and energy security, finance, climate, global health, and migration.

Established international norms, and the whole vision of an open and cooperative world order, are currently being held hostage to Russia's imperialist ambitions. The very framework of multilateral cooperation, which sustained peace, stability and prosperity in the post-Cold War era, is being threatened. The integrity of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules-based international system is put at serious risk.

The international community can no longer allow Russia to manipulate and abuse global rules. Its numerous crimes, such as the wholesale destruction of Ukrainian cities and towns, murder of thousands of innocent civilians and displacement of millions, bring disgrace upon the UN Security Council, where Russia still sits as a permanent member with the power of veto.

The international community should put more pressure on Russia to stop deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. An unprecedented ecological catastrophe caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam should not be replicated in new, even more dangerous, forms.

This war of aggression must stop, with an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops and military equipment from Ukrainian territory. And what I mean here is ALL territory - within the internationally recognized borders and territorial waters of 1991.

Lithuania strongly endorses President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. It is a robust foundation for attaining peace, aligned with the universal principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

Meanwhile, Lithuania calls on all United Nations Member States to provide substantial humanitarian, military, economic, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Working for sustainable peace, we should ensure the accountability of those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. While contemplating the issue of justice, we should also address the actions of the regime in Belarus which participates in this aggressive war by providing military assistance and facilitating the offensive from its territory.

Specifically, we should all support Ukraine's efforts in the International Court of Justice and endorse the Court's provisional measures, ordering Russia to immediately cease its military actions in the territory of Ukraine.

Another institution, the International Criminal Court, plays a crucial role in prosecuting war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

Lithuania supports the ICC arrest warrants for Russia's President and the ombudswoman. These mark a promising step towards accountability for targeting children in military conflict. To bring back the Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported to Russia and Belarus is a necessary next step.

The initiative to persecute sexual crimes perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine also deserves our united support. Lithuania commends the unwavering dedication of the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in addressing this critical issue.

What is still lacking is a tribunal specifically designed to prosecute the very crime of aggression committed by Russia's top political and military leadership.

Lithuania calls for the establishment of such an international tribunal, supported by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. Failure to do so would mean further damage to the credibility of the entire global justice system.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

From the very beginning, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has been a truly global issue. It affects global food security as well as nuclear safety.

Russia is currently holding the world hostage, blocking Ukrainian grain exports, looting occupied Ukrainian territories, and devastating local agricultural infrastructure.

Unilateral actions, such as Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, endangering at least 82 countries and 350 million people currently on the food insecurity frontline, should be universally condemned. But the solution is NOT to lift sanctions on Russia.

To reinforce vulnerable economies, we must search for geopolitical solutions. One possibility could be the opening of more Solidarity Lanes by offering alternative transportation for Ukrainian food products, for example, through the trusted Baltic Sea ports. Local food production and fertilizer availability in vulnerable regions could also be boosted by international support.

Looking into the issue of nuclear safety, Lithuania expects more active cooperation by Russia in protecting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant according to the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

It is also with greatest concern that we follow recent decisions by Russia on arms control.

Last year, Russia broke the emerging consensus in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review conference. Later, Belarus announced agreement to deploy Russia's nuclear weapons on its territory, which goes against the international commitments under the same Treaty.

Finally, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. It means Russia is preparing for more war - not to settle for peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The only way for us to turn back the tide of destabilization that threatens us all is to join forces in building a better world. We need a collective effort to rebuild trust among nations. Violations of international law and universal human rights cannot be normalized.

Neither justice nor peace is free. We must stand for peace. We must stand for justice.

Accountability and the rules-based international order will be vital in forging a world that is fair and secure. It is our responsibility for the future generations.

Today, I expect this Assembly to remain steadfast and condemn all kinds of aggression which clearly violate the Charter of the United Nations.

However, to condemn is not enough. Decisive action must be taken.

The politics of fear and coercion on a global scale must be stopped once and for all. We must resolutely defend the equality of sovereign nations, both large and small. We must remain true to the Charter's fundamental principles, including respect for international law and arms control.

These principles must guide our path forward. Each and every nation is important. We must stand together against the power of fear. Together we can change the world!

Thank you.

The President's Communication Group

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A look at the Defence news 11 - 17 September

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 20-09-2023

Very successful collection campaign for female Ukrainian military personnel

An internal collection campaign for the benefit of Ukrainian female military personnel has raised over 65 cubic metres of clothes, shoes and other combat gear. The collected items are now on their way to the war-torn country.

The campaign was initiated in early March of this year by the Vrouw & Defensie (Woman and Defence) network. Members of the network had heard that many women in Ukraine are fighting in oversized boots and in ill-fitting combat gear, which is hindering them during military operations. The collection campaign led to a second initiative: a regular stream of goods for all military personnel, i.e. also for the benefit of male military personnel.

Dutch involvement in UN mission Mali to be terminated

The Dutch military presence in Mali is steadily decreasing. The 3 officers who were still present in Bamako have returned to the Netherlands, together with one policeman. They were the last 4 uniformed Dutch personnel posted at the headquarters of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA). After almost 10 years of Dutch deployments and support to MINUSMA, the Dutch activities in support of the mission have now been ended. Currently, there is one Dutch officer working for the German contingent in Eastern Mali. This contingent is due to leave the country later this year, meaning that the Dutch officer will also be leaving the country and returning to the Netherlands. There are also 4 Dutch military personnel working for the European Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).

Remembrance ceremony for Lancaster ED603 crew members

On 14 September, a remembrance ceremony for the crew members of the Lancaster ED603 was held in Kornwerderzand, in the province of Friesland. The bomber crashed after it was shot down by a German fighter aircraft in 1943. The 7 crew members were killed in the crash. The bodies of 4 of the airmen were washed ashore soon after and were identified in 1946. The remains of the 3 other airmen were recovered last week. It concerns Pilot Officers Arthur Bertram Smart and Charles Frederick Sprack, and Flight Sergeant Raymond Edward Moore. "We honour these airmen by giving them an appropriate and fitting final resting place," Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren said in her speech.

Defence exhibition London: focus on the business community and cooperation

The outgoing Netherlands State Secretary for Defence, Christophe van der Maat, visited the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Event in London last week. He attended the event to, among other things, help improve the international position of the Dutch business community. This is one of the measures set out in the Defence Industry Strategy, updated in 2022. The DSEI is one of the leading global events in the defence sector. During his visit, Van der Maat called for close cooperation with industry.

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OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani calls for de-escalation and return to dialogue after meeting Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan

NEW YORK CITY 20 September 2023

NEW YORK CITY, 20 September 2023 -- 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 Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, 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.

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.



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UN General Assembly begins general debate

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:29, September 20, 2023

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."

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China installs satellite network on disputed reefs as ASEAN launches drills

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 11:11 AM

China has built two ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system on disputed South China Sea reefs, according to state media.

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.

According to CCTV, the ground stations started operating on Friday.

The two ground stations "solve the problem of a blind spot in the country's shore-based ship AIS in the waters around the Paracels", CCTV reported, citing the Maritime Safety Administration.

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 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 Chinese Taipei all have overlapping claims to parts of the resource-rich South China Sea, one of the busiest waterways in the world.

ASEAN launches joint drills

All 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicked off their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday.

Previously, ASEAN held joint drills with other countries, including the United States and China, but this is the first ASEAN-only exercise.

The five-day non-combat exercise, called the ASEAN Solidarity Exercise, will be joined by a prospective 11th member, Timor Leste.

The exercise will take place around Batam and Natuna Islands near the South China Sea, Lt. Col. Abidin Tobba, media coordinator for the event, told BenarNews on Monday.

"Eleven countries and hundreds of personnel will take part in the exercise," including Myanmar, Abidin said.

The drills will include joint maritime patrols, medical evacuation, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief in simulated affected areas, the Indonesian military said.

Indonesia's military commander, Adm. Yudo Margono, who proposed the ASEAN exercise during a meeting of the bloc's defense forces chiefs in Bali in June said he expected the exercises to enhance regional stability and "boost our countries' economy."

He said the exercise also signals that ASEAN does not want to be seen as siding with either China or the United States, which have been engaged in a strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region.

Analysts say escalated tensions between the two powers over various issues have turned Southeast Asia into a geopolitical tinderbox.

ASEAN's decision to hold this members-only exercise is an effort to maintain regional stability amid this power rivalry, analysts added.

The intention of the exercise is to "show joint agency, regardless of the contention and rivalry between great powers," Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta, told BenarNews.

"It still has high value because it practically addresses actual needs such as disaster response, search and rescue, etc. that have been overshadowed by the US-China relations and high politics issues," he said.

Indonesia is this year's holder of the rotating ASEAN chairmanship.

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are ASEAN's ten members.

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Azerbaijan, Karabakh separatists announce Russia-brokered ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 10:48 AM

Azerbaijan and Armenian-backed separatists in Karabakh have agreed to a Russian proposal for a ceasefire, a day after Baku launched a military operation there.

Separatist Armenian forces in Karabakh said they had agreed to stop hostilities from 1 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) on Wednesday.

"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."

The separatists said they had committed to a "full dismantlement" of their forces and the withdrawal of Armenian army units from the region.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry confirmed it had reached agreement on a ceasefire and halted its military operation.

The ministry said Armenian forces in Karabakh had agreed to "lay down their weapons, abandon combat positions and military posts and completely disarm", and all weapons and heavy equipment were being handed over to the Azerbaijani army.

Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Karabakh on Tuesday, almost three years after it went to war with Armenia over the disputed mountainous region.

The new fighting erupted hours after Azerbaijan said four police officers and two civilians were killed in mine blasts in Karabakh, with authorities blaming separatists.

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".

Baku had demanded that the separatist political authorities in Karabakh, which is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan, also disband before any talks are held about the future of the region, which Azerbaijan wants to fully integrate.

Both sides said talks on reintegrating the breakaway territory into the rest of Azerbaijan would be held on Thursday in the city of Yevlakh.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a televised address that Yerevan "did not participate in drafting" the Karabakh ceasefire deal, and insisted his country's army was not in the enclave.

It was "very important" that the ceasefire hold, he added.

Angry protesters had clashed with police in Armenia's capital Yerevan, calling on Pashinyan to resign, while the country's 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.

The latest flare-up comes three years after Azerbaijan recaptured swathes of territory in and around the region in a brief war that dealt a bitter defeat to Armenia.

Armenia said that at least 32 people had been killed and more than 200 wounded by the shelling in Karabakh as the latest onslaught from Azerbaijan saw artillery, aircraft and drone strikes rock the region.

Baku said it had taken control of more than 60 military positions during "localized anti-terrorist measures".

Russian peacekeepers and separatist forces evacuated thousands of civilians from the fighting.

The announcement of the ceasefire came after Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev warned the military operation would continue until the separatists laid down their weapons, in the face of mounting international pressure to halt fighting.

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Saudi Arabia hails 'positive' peace talks with Yemenis

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 6:49 AM

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the "positive results" of talks with a delegation from Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement aimed at bringing an end to the kingdom's eight-year war on its southern neighbor.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry supported a political solution to the Yemen conflict in a statement released on Wednesday, after the Yemeni team, along with an Omani mediator, returned to Sana'a following five days of talks with Saudi officials in Riyadh.

The ministry said it welcomed "the positive results of the serious discussions regarding reaching a road map to support the peace path in Yemen."

Riyadh, it added, "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 ... under the supervision of the United Nations."

The Yemeni delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia last week. It was the first such official visit to the kingdom since the war broke out in 2015.

Reports said the Saudi-appointed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) had no role in the Riyadh negotiations.

The Yemeni delegation met with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.

In an X post, Prince Khalid said that during the meeting he had "emphasized the Kingdom's support for Yemen and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting dialogue among all parties."

According to a report by Reuters, informed sources said some progress has been made on the main sticking points, including a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Yemen and a mechanism for paying public wages.

They also noted that there would be more talks "soon" after consultations.

Ali al-Qhoom, a member of Ansarullah's Political Bureau, said the Riyadh talks were "serious and positive" and that "there will be a new round."

Saudi Arabia and a number of its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, launched the war to restore power in Yemen to the impoverished country's Western- and Riyadh-allied government.

The former Yemeni government's president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, resigned from the presidency in late 2014 and later fled to Riyadh amid a political conflict with Ansarullah. The movement has been running Yemen's affairs in the absence of a functioning administration.

The war and a concomitant siege that the Saudi-led coalition has been imposing on Yemen has, meanwhile, caused the death of tens of thousands of Yemenis and turned the entire country into the site of, what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

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Chinese reservoirs were fuller than ever as lower Mekong suffered

Opening the taps sooner would have helped downstream drought.

By RFA Lao and RFA Khmer 2023.09.20 -- In Thailand, farmers complain that their crops won't 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 China's 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 weren't 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.

Gauges at Chiang Sen in Thailand's Chiang Rai province showed the river's 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.

"It's 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, China's 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 region's biodiversity.

Located at the northern edge of Cambodia's 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."

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 China's 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 Thailand's 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.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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UN Records Torture And Deaths Of Detainees In Taliban Custody

By RFE/RL September 20, 2023

The United Nations said it had documented hundreds of cases of torture and other "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" committed by the Taliban de facto authorities in Afghanistan during the arrest and subsequent detention of individuals.

In a report issued on September 20, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had documented more than 1,600 cases of human rights violations -- nearly half of which comprised acts of "torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" -- committed by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan during arrests and detentions, and the deaths of 18 individuals while in custody. The report covers the period from January 2022 until the end of July 2023, with cases found across 29 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.

"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," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement issued with the report.

"This report suggests that torture is also used as a tool -- in lieu of effective investigations. I urge all concerned de facto authorities to put in place concrete measures to halt these abuses and hold perpetrators accountable," he added.

In a response published with the report, the Taliban-led Foreign Ministry questioned UNAMA's data and said it had taken steps to improve the human rights situation of detainees.

Since ousting the Western-backed Afghan government and taking over the country in August 2021, the hard-line Taliban has failed to live up to promises of moderation and has instead severely restricted people's freedoms, waged a harsh crackdown on dissent, and reintroduced the militants' brutal form of justice.

Around one in 10 of the violations were against women, the report said. Journalists and civil society members accounted for nearly a quarter of the victims of the violations.

UNAMA considers the extent of torture and other forms of ill-treatment "widely under-reported" and says that the figures presented in the report represent "only a snapshot" of the full scale of human rights violations across Afghanistan.

The report also said that violations of due process guarantees, including the denial of access to lawyers, "are the norm."

The Taliban claimed the number of reported violations was not accurate, especially the number of journalists or civil society advocates affected. It added that the authorities have taken steps to improve the human rights situation of detainees, and that Islamic law, or Shari'a, prohibits torture.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/un-taliban-torture- detainees-deaths-afghanistan/32601134.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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With New Offensive, Azerbaijan Tightens Grip On Nagorno-Karabakh

By Joshua Kucera September 20, 2023

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."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-armenia-karabakh- analysis/32601613.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Cease-Fire Appears To Hold In Nagorno-Karabakh As Separatists Lay Down Arms, Agree To 'Reintegration' Talks With Azerbaijan

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service September 20, 2023

A cease-fire agreed to by Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian sides in Nagorno-Karabakh appeared to be holding late on September 20 after the de facto leadership of the mostly ethnic Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan accepted a proposal by the Russian peacekeeping mission there and agreed to talks on the territory's "reintegration" into Azerbaijan.

Following two days of fighting in the latest flare-up of violence, the apparent surrender of separatist forces after a decades-long struggle led thousands of fearful ethnic Armenians to converge on the airport in Nagorno-Karabakh where Russian peacekeeping forces are based, seeking protection and possible transport to Armenia.

The apparent concessions came hours after Baku had signaled its intention to continue its military operations in the absence of a surrender by ethnic Armenian forces despite appeals from the United Nations, Western powers, and Russia for a halt to the hostilities that have killed dozens in the past 24 hours

In the evening, Baku declared victory and an end to military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, seemingly ending fighting in the decades-old Caucasus hot spot.

The White House later said it was concerned 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.

He said the situation "has been exacerbated by the hostilities perpetrated by Azerbaijan," but he added that reports of a cease-fire were a "positive" development.

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 cap on 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," presidential adviser Hikmet Hajiyev told reporters. "All the actions on the ground are coordinated with Russian peacekeepers."

The European Union called on Azerbaijani President Ilham 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."

"Their human rights and security need to be ensured. Access needed for immediate humanitarian assistance," EU chief Charles Michel said he told the Aliyev in a phone call.

Authorities in Armenia accused Baku of attempting ethnic cleansing with their actions in Karabakh.

Aliyev, in a national address, said Azerbaijan had "restored sovereignty" after the latest developments in Karabakh. He claimed Baku had "nothing against" the people of the region, only its "criminal leadership."

Aliyev declared his country's military operation over and said separatist forces had begun withdrawing from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Separatist leaders said at least 200 people had been killed and 400 wounded in Baku's latest military drive.

Separately, the Russian Defense Ministry said an unknown number of its peacekeepers had been killed when the vehicle they were in was fired upon in the region.

Details remained scarce in the incident, and information could not immediately be verified. Russia authorities said peacekeeping teams were continuing to work with both sides, adding that 3,154 people, including 1,428 children, had been evacuated to safe areas.

Flights between Iran and Azerbaijan and Armenia resumed on September 20 following the cease-fire, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported. Iran had earlier canceled all flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia until further notice for security reasons.

Local officials reported that fighting had mostly ceased by the agreed time of 1 p.m. local time. The Russian Defense Ministry later said that "no cases of cease-fire violations have been recorded."

The ethnic Armenian leadership of the territory they call Artsakh, which is recognized as part of Azerbaijan but for decades until late 2020 was controlled by Armenians, reported accepting the Russian proposal about an hour earlier.

It also accepted a proposal from Baku on talks to integrate the region into Azerbaijan, a potentially bitter pill to swallow for the government and public in neighboring Armenia, which has made control of Nagorno-Karabakh a nationalist keystone since the breakup of the Soviet Union and where anti-government protests greeted news of the latest Azerbaijani offensive.

Both sides agreed to talks on September 21 in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlax, about 265 kilometers west of Baku. The Kremlin said Russian peacekeepers would mediate the talks.

Nagorno-Karabakh's de facto leadership in Stepanakert said that "issues raised by the Azerbaijani side on reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh...will be discussed at a meeting between representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

The Azerbaijani Presidency and Defense Ministry confirmed agreeing to the cease-fire.

Aliyev's office issued a similarly worded statement announcing a meeting that "representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh to discuss reintegration issues based on the constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan" at the Yevlax meeting.

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.

It was a dramatic turn in a fast-moving crisis that sent shock waves through the region and beyond.

Armenia's embattled prime minister, Nikol Pashinian, who was blamed by nationalists and other critics for losses in the 2020 fighting, noted the cease-fire but immediately distanced his government from its terms.

"Armenia did not participate in drafting the text of the cease-fire declaration in Nagorno-Karabakh under the mediation of Russian peacekeepers," Pashinian told the nation in a televised appearance, according to AFP.

He added in a shot at Baku's justification for its offensive that Yerevan "has not had an army" in Nagorno-Karabakh since August 2021.

In the capital, Yerevan, thousands of people gathered to demand the government do more to help the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, with some calling for Pashinian's resignation and clashes with security personnel reported.

Pashinian also expressed hope that there would be no new military escalation.

"Now the most important issue is that the right of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to live in their homes is fully ensured by the Russian Federation," he said, according to RFE/RL's Armenian Service.

The Armenian government said Pashinian discussed the situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who many Armenians have accused of not living up to promises of Russian protection in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The European Union's diplomatic service said that it took note of the cease-fire and is "following the development of the situation." It added a warning to Baku against "using the military operations as an excuse for the forced displacement of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Hours earlier, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said that what it has described as an "anti-terrorist operation" targeting saboteurs was continuing "successfully." It eventually described capturing 90 Armenian positions in a day of fighting.

Aliyev had also issued a statement saying he had told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call "that anti-terrorist measures will be stopped if [forces in Karabakh] lay down their arms."

The UN Security Council, meanwhile, scheduled an emergency meeting for September 21 as the international community sought ways to avoid an intensification of a long-running conflict that has already sparked two intense wars between the post-Soviet Caucasus neighbors, most recently just three years ago.

"The secretary-general calls in the strongest terms for an immediate end to the fighting, de-escalation, and stricter observance of the 2020 cease-fire and principles of international humanitarian law," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric said.

A U.S. military spokesperson said the outbreak of fighting did not affect the ongoing 10-day joint military exercises with Armenian troops in Armenia, dubbed Eagle Partner 2023, which were scheduled to conclude on September 20.

In an increasingly rare show of agreement with the West, Moscow called on both sides to stop the violence.

Russian state television on September 20 showed Putin alongside visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying Moscow was "in close contact with all sides to the conflict" and expressing hope to reach "de-escalation and transfer a solution to this problem to a peaceful course." It was unclear whether he was speaking before or after word of the cease-fire deal.

It added that Russian peacekeepers were assisting the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh, made up mostly of around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, and providing medical and evacuation assistance.

After weeks of bloody skirmishes and one day after an aid shipment was finally allowed into the area, Azerbaijan launched the major escalation on September 19 with the breakaway region already teetering on the brink of a humanitarian crisis after being essentially blockaded for more than eight months despite international calls for Baku to allow food and other shipments.

The shelling started shortly after Azerbaijan blamed what it called "Armenian sabotage groups" for two separate explosions that killed at least four military personnel and two civilians in areas of Nagorno-Karabakh that are under the control of Russian peacekeepers.

Those 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.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/karabakh-azerbaijan- offensive-un-calls-halt/32600704.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Uzbekistan Turning Down The Volume On Islam

By Chris Rickleton September 20, 2023

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 9, 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.

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 Mirziyoev's 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.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-state-crackdown- islam/32601226.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's Trial Resumes In Tbilisi

By RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus September 20, 2023

TBILISI -- The Tbilisi City Court on September 20 resumed the trial of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on a charge of violently dispersing an anti-government rally in November 2007, which he and his supporters have reject as politically motivated.

An emaciated Saakashvili joined the trial via a videolink from a Tbilisi hospital, greeting "all in Georgia" and saying "I am still weak, but my spirit is high, because it belongs to the entire Georgian people."

Former members of Saakashvili's government, Vano Merabishvili, Zurab Adeishvili, David Kezerashvili, and Gigi Ugulava, are also defendants in the case.

Saakashvili, who was Georgia's president from 2004 to 2013, is serving a six-year sentence for abuse of power, a charge that he and his supporters say was politically motivated.

He was separately charged with illegally crossing the border in October 2021, when he returned to Georgia from self-imposed exile.

Family members and his lawyers have warned for months that Saakashvili's health condition has been deteriorating even as he has been receiving medical treatment in a private clinic in Tbilisi since May last year.

Saakashvili's medical team has said his health has worsened since he went to prison in October 2021 and staged repeated hunger strikes to protest against his incarceration.

Saakashvili's legal team has also asserted that he was "poisoned" with heavy metals while in custody.

Since the 55-year-old politician's arrest in 2021, several mass rallies have been held by his supporters and opposition activists, demanding his immediate release.

Saakashvili is a Ukrainian citizen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in early July that Russia was killing Saakashvili, using the Georgian authorities as their proxy. He also instructed his country's Foreign Ministry to summon the Georgian ambassador and convey his protest.

The European Union has also expressed concerns over Saakashvili's deteriorated health.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-saakashvili-trial-tbilisi- health/32601246.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Biden Stresses Central Asian Nations' Integrity After 'Historic' Meeting With Regional Leaders

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, RFE/RL's Tajik Service, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service September 20, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the "territorial integrity" of five Central Asian nations -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan -- after meeting with the countries' leaders in New York late on September 19 amid the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Biden called the meeting "historic" as the leader of the United States met with what has been dubbed the C5+1 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkment President Serdar Berdymukhammedov, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev.

Biden added that the five former Soviet republics, which Russia considers its backyard, and the United States had a "shared commitment to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity."

"These principles matter more than ever, in my view...I genuinely believe the world is safer when we stand together," Biden said,

The U.S. president also said that the United States and the five Central Asian nations "are taking our cooperation to new heights," stressing 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 a C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue to develop Central Asia's vast mineral wealth and advance the security of critical minerals such as those needed for the high-tech industry.

In his speech to the UNGA delivered earlier in the day, Biden warned that Moscow's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine launched in February last year could undermine the international principles of the countries' sovereignty.

Ahead of the C5+1 summit, rights watchdogs had urged Biden to use the meeting to emphasize human rights.

All five Central Asian nations have a documented history of credible, serious allegations of human rights abuses, including crackdowns on opposition politicians, independent journalists, civil society, and other democratic institutions.

The White House readout of the meeting said Biden "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."

"President Biden advocated for continued support of civil society and women's economic empowerment activities and encouraged a new C5+1 focus on mainstreaming disability rights across all sectors," the readout said.

With reporting by VOA and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-biden-meeting-un- assembly/32601087.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry statement on the situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh

20 September 2023 00:40

1807-20-09-2023

Considering the drastic escalation in the armed confrontation in Nagorno-Karabakh, we urge the parties to the conflict to immediately stop bloodshed, cease hostilities, and do all they can to avoid civilian casualties.

A move that had a dramatic impact on the prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh settlement was Yerevan's recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the territory of Azerbaijan at the summits in October 2022 and May 2023, held under the EU aegis. This changed the fundamental conditions under which the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed their Statement of November 9, 2020, as well as the status of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent (RPC).

As of the moment of its deployment in the region, the RPC has performed in good faith its mission to maintain the ceasefire and support contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Russian peacekeepers coordinated the effort to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and facilitated the launch of a direct dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert. Even during these hours, the RPC is helping civilians, including by providing medical assistance. They are also evacuating local residents.

The most important thing right now is to return without delay to implementing the package of trilateral agreements reached at the highest level in 2020-2022, which map out the steps needed to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, stop the armed confrontation, and do whatever is possible to ensure the rights and safety of the population in Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Azerbaijani side and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh reach agreement through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping force

20.09.2023

The Russian Defence Ministry visited an exhibition of the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday, where he saw products of the Republic's military-industrial complex.

During the demonstration, Sergei Shoigu got acquainted with missile weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Iranian-made air defence equipment.

The IRGC military hardware exhibition in Tehran showcases the achievements of Iran's aerospace industry. The latest models of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile weapons in service with the country's aerospace force are on display here.

In particular, tactical missile systems as well as long- and medium-range ballistic missiles are showcased at the exhibition. Moreover, trophy UAVs produced in the USA are also on exhibit.

Sergei Shoigu signed the book of distinguished guests upon completion of the tour.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian peacekeeping troops continues to evacuate civilians population of Nagorno-Karabakh from the most dangerous areas and to provide medical assistance to the victims

20.09.2023

A total of more than 2,000 civilians have been evacuated, including 1,049 children. All evacuated residents are provided with temporary accommodation and hot meals. In addition, doctors from the special medical detachment provided assistance to residents who had been wounded.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent continues missions in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. At thirty observation posts, Russian peacekeepers are monitoring the situation and compliance with the ceasefire regime around the clock.

Since 12:00 on 19 September 2023, the Russian peacekeeping contingent has recorded numerous facts of ceasefire violations from the Azerbaijani side along the entire line of contact.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian Peacekeepers Die From Gunfire in Nagorno-Karabakh - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230920

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A car with Russian peacekeepers came under gunfire in the area of Canyataq in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian military were killed, the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Wednesday.

"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.

 Sputnik

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China-Europe seminar on human rights held to dispel misunderstanding

08:53, September 21, 2023 By Liu Xin and Fan Lingzhi in Rome ( Global Times

When scholars and politicians from China and Europe gathered on Wednesday in Rome, Italy, to discuss important issues in the arena of human rights, they expressed their worries over the alarming tendency of some countries to weaponize and politicize human rights, and called for joint efforts to promote global human rights governance via cooperation and dialogue.

More than 140 scholars from 15 countries attended the 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights. The seminar, themed "Modernization and the Diversity of Human Rights Among Civilizations," was held by the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) and the law faculty at Sapienza University of Rome.

There is high anticipation for this year's seminar, Chinese analysts said, as there is a need to promote communications in human rights fields and dispel misunderstandings, as some people in Europe have been trapped in information cocoons and misled by disinformation spread by some Western media outlets and anti-China forces, especially regarding China's human rights situation.

The world has entered a new turbulent period, and global governance on human rights is facing severe threats with entrenched problems, including war, hunger and terrorism remaining unsolved, Baimachilin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said at the seminar on Wednesday. Baimachilin continued that new problems, such as displaying a Cold War mentality, hegemonism, unilateral sanctions and the weaponization of human rights, have become major impacts to global human rights governance.

Baimachilin called for joint efforts to promote positive development of global governance on human rights through cooperation, to achieve humanity's overall development during the process of modernization and to learn from each other to diversify civilizations.

Rome was not built in a day and human rights development cannot be completed over one night and it needs persistent efforts, said Baimachilin, while welcoming foreign guests to visit China and have a closer look at China's human rights development.

Lord Neil Davidson, a member of the House of Lords and Labour Party Parliamentarian of the United Kingdom, attended the Wednesday seminar via video link and said that at a time of tension in international relations, it is apparent that various efforts are being made to "weaponize" the human rights debate.

Davidson noted that certain sections in the UK's political parties have been particularly vocal in their use of human rights criticisms to attack other states' parties. "In the case of the UK, one does not require to be steeped in history to reflect that the history of the British Empire reveals case after case of the destruction of the human rights of peoples across the world," he said.

When it comes to the discussion of human rights and the different approaches adopted by different societies, there is no discernible benefit from confrontation, Davidson said.

He noted that discussions on human rights with the objective of mutual understanding between countries can only serve to improve relations. Differing ideologies and differing cultures are a given in today's world but an acceptance that mutual understanding makes for a safer world for all is hardly a controversial proposition.

There is an alarming tendency that human rights have been politicized and some people in the West feel that when China talks about human rights, it poses a threat to their own values, which is not only wrong, but also ideologically biased and apprehensive, Zhang Yonghe, a standing council member of the CSHRS and also executive director of the Human Rights Institute of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times

Zhang said that Chinese and foreign scholars discussing human rights in Rome - a place of significance for Western civilization and a city where cultures have converged and flourished for many centuries - would also help more people to understand the essence of human rights under the view of the development of all humanity.

Several foreign scholars attending the forum told the Global Times that the seminar offers a good opportunity for China and Europe to deepen understandings of each other on issues of shared concern.

"It is important for us to understand more about China I think people here have the best starting point to have good discussions about the situations if we get more understanding of each other's positions," Norwegian Thore Vestby, honorary mayor of Frogn, member of parliament representing the Conservative Party, founder and chairman of Ichi Fund, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"They are finding different subjects to attack China to keep the unipolar world," said Vestby, referring to Western media's reports on China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Vestby said he visited different places in Xinjiang in 2019 and what he saw was different from the description in the Western media. "I saw people singing and dancing and everyone was happy," he said. "They were very friendly and came to talk to me."

The China-Europe Seminar started in 2015 and has been held seven times in various cities in China and Europe. The 2019 China-Europe Seminar was held in Austria in June that year, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in Chinese cities with Chinese and foreign experts participating in person and virtually.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Press Release

September 21, 2023 Bong Go queries DSWD on AICS program implementation; calls for swift action, no delays in aiding qualified beneficiaries In a Senate hearing regarding the 2024 proposed budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go raised inquiries to Secretary Rex Gatchalian about the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Specifically, he raised reports that some qualified beneficiaries who were assessed and validated by DSWD themselves have not received their assistance yet. The program, initiated during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte, aims to provide a wide range of assistance, including medical, burial, transportation, education, food, and financial support to indigent families and individuals affected by crises, upon assessment and validation of DSWD. During his questioning, Go brought to Gatchalian's attention several complaints lodged at his office, pertaining to students from Quezon; typhoon victims from Cagayan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Negros Occidental, among others; and indigents from other parts of the country who were already deemed qualified for AICS but whose scheduled payouts were reportedly put on hold without clear reason from DSWD. According to reports received by the Senator, these intended recipients had already been assessed and validated by the DSWD field offices. Despite their dire financial conditions, the scheduled payouts were put on hold. "Gusto lang nating malaman, sir, pa-check na lang po kung bakit hindi po natuloy. Magkano pa po ba ang pondo ng AICS sa ngayon? 'Yung kabuuan?" asked Go. In response, Gatchalian committed that he would check on the list of validated beneficiaries and ask DSWD's regional offices to take immediate and appropriate action. Gatchalian also confirmed that as of August 31, out of the total budget of P36.818 billion for the program, P16.858 billion remains unspent. This shows that the program has a utilization rate of 54.21%. Go made a plea to Gatchalian to take immediate action given that most of the funds remain available and unutilized, especially for those affected by natural disasters like Typhoon Egay. "Ito po ay mga naapektuhan rin po ng bagyong Egay. Baka pwedeng mabalikan n'yo sila, Secretary Rex, dahil umaasa po sila. Karamihan po nito ay biktima ng bagyo, at karamihan ay mahihirap nating kababayan," Go said. "Nandiyan naman po ang pondo. Gamitin niyo sana agad para makatulong sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan na humihingi ng tulong sa gobyerno. Huwag na po sanang patagalin pa dahil naghihirap po sila. Kung qualified naman at na-validate ng DSWD mismo, tulungan niyo na po," he appealed. Gatchalian emphasized that the department will check the lists and proceed with the payouts that were reportedly put on hold. The Secretary also explained that their limited number of regular employees posed a challenge, especially considering the simultaneous disbursements that needed to be managed. The senator then inquired about the validation process and how long it takes for individuals to receive assistance. "On the spot," replied Gatchalian. "Kapag pumunta po kayo, katulad sa central office o any regional office, kapag pumunta ka doon sa umaga, i-che-check po nila ang inyong identity, authentication, then case study na ng social worker, then payout na po tayo." Go then asked Gatchalian whether educational assistance is still consistently being provided to indigent students. The secretary confirmed, stating, "Isa ho 'yan sa maraming assistance, nasa guidelines po 'yan. Every day, may mga pumupunta sa iba't iba naming opisina na humihingi ng educational assistance pero dumaraan po 'yan sa assessment ng ating mga social workers." Towards the end of the hearing, Go reminded DSWD of its moral responsibility to the public. "Ako po ay nakikiusap sa iyo, I am begging you na tulungan po natin ang mahihirap nating mga kababayan." Gatchalian responded, assuring that the department will take the necessary steps to address any issue in the implementation of the AICS program and ensure that the intended beneficiaries will not be compromised. "Nangako siya for the record, nakikinig po ang sambayanang Pilipino," Go ended, emphasizing that the Filipino public is listening and expects the DSWD to fulfill its commitments.
Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh Agree on Ceasefire Through Coordination of Russian Peacekeepers - MoD

Sputnik News

20230920

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On September 19, Baku announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order."

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.

"Through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached between the Azerbaijani side and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh on a complete cessation of hostilities. The implementation of these agreements will be carried out in coordination with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent," the ministry said in a statement.

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.

"The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is in close contact at the appropriate level with the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh. The prevention of bloodshed, 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," the ministry said in a statement.

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.

 Sputnik

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Azerbaijan Announces Agreement to Suspend Anti-Terrorist Measures in Nagorno-Karabakh

Sputnik News

20230920

On September 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that Baku had launched "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order."

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.

"Conditions are being created for the voluntary retreat of the personnel of the Armenian armed forces accompanied by our technical means. In such cases, attacks on retreating military formations are not carried out," Eyvazov 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.

"As proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, will be held on 21 September 2023 in Yevlakh," the administration said in a statement.

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.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken With CBS Mornings with Tony Dokoupil and Nancy Cordes

US Department of State

Interview

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

New York City, New York

September 20, 2023

QUESTION: And Nancy's sticking around because our next guest is Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in town because New York is beautiful in the fall, of course, and also a little thing called the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for being here.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Great to be with you. Thanks.

QUESTION: We just saw the amazing footage of these Americans returning to U.S. soil, freed from Iran after being detained there. In the exchange, the U.S. is unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian oil proceeds. Help the average American understand how you're possibly going to be able to control how that money is spent.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, two things. First, for me, getting these Americans home - one who'd been imprisoned in Iran for more than eight years - having them reunite with their families - I know the families; I've talked to them - getting a chance to speak to those that we got out of Iran as soon as they touch ground in Doha on their way back to the United States, it was just a very powerful moment. And it's a reminder of the human dimension of everything we do.

Now, as to the monies involved, two things. First, these are Iranian funds that they got from selling oil that were stuck in a bank account in South Korea. From day one for our sanctions, this has always been exempt, being able to use money, including by Iran, for humanitarian purposes - it's always been exempt from our sanctions. They've actually been entitled to use this money all along. But for practical, technical reasons, they weren't able to. So the monies were moved from one bank account in South Korea to another - not a single U.S. taxpayer dollar. And 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. And if it's not being spent for humanitarian reasons, it's not being spent for food, medicine, other things, it'll get shut down.

QUESTION: But Mr. Secretary, I mean, you know how money works. If I give you $5 that you can spend on humanitarian aid, that frees up another $5 to spend on, I don't know, drones, missiles, weapons that you might send to your friend Russia to fight in Ukraine.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, even allowing for that, these monies, these proceeds from Iran's oil sales, they've always been entitled to use. Just as a practical matter, they couldn't. But the other thing is whether we like it or not - and we don't like it - the Iranians have always found ways to use money, whether there are sanctions or not, for military purposes. And we are taking steps every single day around the world to try to stop or disrupt the kinds of things that they're engaged in - support for terrorism, destabilizing countries - that are having a profoundly negative effect around the world.

QUESTION: Don't - does it not endanger the next American to travel to a country that may not be our friend? Does it not encourage more hostage taking, in essence?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: These are hard decisions - hard decisions for the President to make. He's made them - we now have more than 30 Americans who were being unjustly detained in prisons around the world, potentially rotting away, who are now home as a result of those decisions. But it's also very important that we do what we're doing, which is, one, going after any of those that we find who are engaged in unlawfully detaining Americans with sanctions, with restrictions on their travel; second, here in New York at the UN General Assembly, all these countries of the world coming together, we're bringing - along with Canada - a number of countries together to try to establish much more clearly in 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.

The final thing is this: Countries that do this - the Irans, the Russias of this world - they turn themselves into even greater pariahs. They're isolating themselves, because ultimately people are not going to want to set foot in those countries if they know they can be thrown in jail for no reason.

QUESTION: You're asking Congress to approve $24 billion in new aid to Ukraine. And yet, two weeks ago, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had to fire his defense minister. A couple days ago, he fired all six of the deputy defense ministers. Corruption, apparently, in the defense ministry is rampant. How do you convince Congress that this money is going to be well spent by Ukraine?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: The very fact that President Zelenskyy has taken action apparently to deal with instances of corruption is evidence of the fact the Ukrainians take this deadly seriously. And they know that the United States and dozens of other countries around the world that are supporting Ukraine wanted to make sure that the support we're giving them is being used the right way.

Second, we have in place in Ukraine teams on the ground, as well as other countries doing the same thing, to verify that the money is being spent for the purposes that we're sending it to Ukraine for. And I've talked to members of Congress who have 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 were being the victims of aggression.

QUESTION: But clearly it had to get pretty bad, right, for Zelenskyy to basically wipe out the entire leadership of the defense ministry that's in charge of waging this war?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: So whether all of the folks in question who were let go were let go because of corruption, that's an open question. I think there are other reasons in some cases. But to us, to me, the fact that Zelenskyy's taking resolute action wherever he sees something, that's proof that they're taking this seriously, they want to make sure that we know they're spending our money wisely.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, while we have you here, another question I think Americans are taking very seriously right now is the question of the President's health and vigor at this stage. You've known President Biden for a long time. You work closely with him; you travel abroad with him. Is he up for another four years as a matter of health and energy?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: I can tell you this: We just came back from a trip that took us, took the President from India, to Vietnam, to Anchorage, Alaska, and then back home to Washington. My problem was keeping up with him. And I've seen this around the world. I just came back from Ukraine myself. There's a train ride to go to Ukraine from Poland - almost 12 hours on the train. And just a few months ago, the President was in Ukraine, crossed the Atlantic to Poland, in a car two hours to get to the train, 10 hours on the train, and then to Kyiv in the middle of the Russian aggression, then back out the same way.

As I said, I've been going around the world with him for more than 20 years, and I still have trouble keeping up.

QUESTION: All right. Secretary Blinken, I mean it; New York is beautiful in the fall. I hope you spend a few extra days here, take in a Broadway show.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks very much. Great to be with you.

QUESTION: Thank you for being here.

QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks for having me this morning.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken With The Today Show on NBC with Savannah Guthrie

US Department of State

Interview

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

New York City, New York

September 20, 2023

QUESTION: And joining us now in Studio 1A, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Secretary Blinken, good morning to you. Good to have you here.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning.

QUESTION: Let's talk about the news this week, the prisoner swap - five Americans brought home. You cannot look at these pictures of Americans being returned to U.S. soil and not be elated for them, emotional. But the thornier issue, of course, is at what cost? When you free up $6 billion in order to get Americans back, does that not endanger Americans elsewhere, put a higher price on their heads?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, Savannah, it was incredibly powerful and emotional to get these Americans back. I was on the phone with them after they touched down in Doha - the first port of call before coming back to be reunited with their families - one after more than eight years in an Iranian prison. And for me, my number-one responsibility around the world is to help Americans who are in trouble, and particularly those who are being unjustly held in jails anywhere - I want to bring them home.

Now, in this particular case, what's so important to understand is that the monies that were freed up was Iranian funds that they had gotten from the sale of oil that were stuck in a bank and that, from day one, had been exempt from our sanctions. In other words, the Iranians have always had the right to use those funds for humanitarian purposes. We moved them from one bank account to another in another country with very clear controls on them to make sure that they could only be used for humanitarian purposes. Not a single taxpayer dollar is involved. Nothing is going into Iran itself. This is all for humanitarian purposes. So I think in order to get Americans home, that was a pretty good deal.

QUESTION: Well, fair enough. But as you well know, money is fungible. So the notion is that $6 billion Iran doesn't have to spend on whatever the Iranian people need is $6 billion they can spend elsewhere and be up to no good. How do you respond to that? They're suddenly flush with $6 billion of cash that they otherwise wouldn't have.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Two things. First, again, from day one, our sanctions, the penalties that we try to impose on countries that are engaged in activities like Iran is that we profoundly object to, have always, always exempted humanitarian needs. And we don't want to be in the business of denying the Iranian people what they need. The government, the regime is something totally different.

Second, for better or worse - and unfortunately, for worse - the Iranians have always found a way to spend money for the nefarious actions that they're engaged in. They've done it before sanctions, during sanctions, after sanctions. That's going to continue. But what we're continuing to do is two things. First, making sure that everywhere Iran is acting in a way that is dangerous, destabilizing, supporting terrorists, we're taking action - taking action with sanctions, taking action with travel restrictions, taking actions with other countries to come down on them. Second, here in New York at the United Nations, we're coming together with other countries to try to establish a much stronger norm and understanding in international law that countries that engage in these practices 

QUESTION: The big-ticket item at the UN this week, of course, is Ukraine. President Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly. He's coming to Washington hat in hand, looking to secure more funding. He's going to face skeptics. Let me play something that Speaker Kevin McCarthy said yesterday. Take a look.

SPEAKER MCCARTHY: Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don't think I have to commit anything. I have questions for him. Where's the accountability on the money we already spent? What is the plan for victory?

QUESTION: How hard of a sell is this for President Zelenskyy?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Savannah, what we've seen to date is very strong bipartisan support for Ukraine, and there's a good reason for that. It's the right thing to do. We see the horrific abuses being committed by the Russians against Ukrainians, going back more than a year and a half. And I think that's something that Americans respond to. But it's not only the right thing to do, it's the necessary thing to do in our interests. Because if we allow these kind of aggressions to go forward with impunity, if we allow Putin to get away with this, then it is open season for any would-be aggressor to do the same thing. Putin wouldn't stop there himself, and then others in other parts of the world are looking to see, "Can he get away with this? And if he can, maybe so can I." And that's a recipe for a world of conflict. That's a recipe for a world that inevitably creates bad things that are going to hurt Americans, not just the countries in question.

QUESTION: I understand the argument. If you don't stop Putin here, you'll be at war with him somewhere else. That's the argument.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: And not just him, potentially. Again, other would-be aggressors and other parts of the world having nothing to do with Putin, they're watching this very carefully.

QUESTION: But the larger question is - I mean, already the U.S. has committed $113 billion in 18 months to help Ukraine. How sustainable is this level of support when there's really no end in sight to the war, no hint that there's any talk of diplomacy among the two parties, and it - there doesn't seem to be a strategy for victory, so this could just go on and on and on. And how much are you concerned that - about war fatigue, that people will not want to continue to be able to give this much support to Ukraine?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, just over the last year, Ukrainians have taken back more than 50 percent of the territory that Putin seized from them going back to February of 2022. But to the point of sustainability, what we're working on, what dozens of other countries are working on is a plan to be able to support Ukraine for the long term but in a sustainable way. On the margins of the NATO Summit a couple of months ago, we had countries come together to say we're going to look at how we can help the Ukrainians build their own military and build it so it's a force for the future that can deter aggression, that can defend against aggression coming down the road.

QUESTION: In your mind, does this seem a war that will just go on for years? I mean, is that the expectation?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, it's important to note this. Putin's already failed in what he was trying to achieve, because remember, Savannah, his goal was to erase Ukraine from the map, to end its status as an independent country, to subsume it into Russia - that has failed. Now, exactly where the lines are drawn, that's going to be up to the Ukrainians. But there's a big difference here. Ukrainians are fighting for their own country, for their own land, for their own future. The Russians are not. At the end of the day, I think that is the biggest difference maker.

QUESTION: And I've got to ask you about the images we saw - Kim Jong-un traveling to Russia, walking with Putin. What are these two up to? And can the U.S. do anything to stop, for example, Kim Jong-un supplying weapons or arms support to Russia?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: It speaks first and foremost to a certain amount of desperation on the part of Russia that it has to go to regimes like the one in North Korea - or Iran, for that matter - to try desperately to get the weapons, the technology that sanctions, export controls that we and many other countries have imposed, (inaudible) 

QUESTION: But if he's got willing partners there with Iran, North Korea, and those alliances are deepening, isn't that a pretty big concern?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: And we are looking and taking action to try to disrupt that, to break that up wherever we can. But Russia is in a world of hurt as a result of the actions that Vladimir Putin has taken. Militarily, economically, diplomatically, it's in a much worse position than it was before it engaged in this horrific war against Ukraine. And again, when the countries that it's confined to dealing with - Vladimir Putin is not here in New York. He wasn't at the G27 recently. He is in effect persona non grata in many parts of the world. And so the only thing they have left is to go to regimes like the ones in North Korea and Iran to try to get what they need.

QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, on a busy week, it's nice to have you here in the studio.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Savannah.

QUESTION: Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good to be with you.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken With George Stephanopoulos of Good Morning America on ABC

US Department of State

Interview

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

New York City, New York

September 20, 2023

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for joining us this morning.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning, George.

QUESTION: I want to talk - start with Ukraine. President Biden, of course, is meeting with President Zelenskyy at the White House tomorrow, making the case here in New York for more aid, but there does seem to be resistance on Capitol Hill. How do you respond to that?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: George, we've seen various strong bipartisan support for helping Ukraine, going back to the very beginning of the Russian aggression. I've had the opportunity to speak to the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, to people like Mike McCaul who leads the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House. That support remains strong. And I think President Zelenskyy has an opportunity now in Washington to remind people of what the stakes are. This is not just the right thing to do because of the horrific abuses that Russia is committing in Ukraine; it's the necessary thing to do. Because if we allow Putin to get away with this, then it is going to be open season for would-be aggressors anywhere. The rest of the world is watching what's happening in Ukraine. And those who may have designs on their neighbors, as Putin had with Ukraine, are looking to see what happens. And if he gets away with it, they say: Maybe I can get away with it. And that's a recipe for a world full of conflict, and that's never good for the United States.

QUESTION: Another key issue - the U.S. engaged in talks with Saudi Arabia over a possible mutual defense pact. Of course, Saudi Arabia has been accused of war crimes in Yemen, responsible for killing an American journalist. How is that in the U.S. national interest?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: One thing first on Yemen - thanks to very good work that Saudi Arabia has done over the last year or so - more than a year, a year and a half - we've now had a truce in Yemen, which had been the worst humanitarian situation in the world. There's been a truce. It's fragile, but as a result, people are not getting killed, humanitarian assistance is getting there. That's thanks to Saudi engagement with the Houthis, the group that has been disrupting the peace in Yemen.

Second, George, when it comes to possible normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, 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, in integrating the region, in bringing people together, not having them at each other's throats. 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.

QUESTION: The President, of course, is also meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel 

SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right.

QUESTION:  today - not at the White House, here in New York City. Do you believe that the prime minister is willing to do what it takes to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: My sense, George, is that everyone involved understands the potential benefits, sees the transformative nature of what this would be, but the devil is always in the details. And making sure that in terms of what the Saudis are looking for, the Israelis are looking for, what - as I said, what we'd be looking for - can we line all that up? Can we make it work? That remains to be seen. It's challenging. But, again, I come back to this proposition that if we can get there, it would be one of the biggest changes for the good that we've seen in that part of the world. And beyond that, I think you'd see positive repercussions well beyond the Middle East.

QUESTION: Final question - it appears the United States may be on the verge of another government shutdown. There seems to be some stalling on the government funding bills in the House. What would that mean for the State Department, U.S. diplomatic efforts?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: It makes everything harder. We, of course, would do everything we can to make sure we're doing the work of the country, the work that we're trying to do on behalf of Americans to help keep them secure, to help continuing to make peace, end conflicts, and deal with the issues that are having an impact on the lives of Americans. But it would make everything much more difficult.

From my perspective, look, it's important that the government be able to continue to function and that we continue to be able to go around the world helping to solve problems that are having an impact on Americans. Here in New York just this week, we've been dealing with everything from food insecurity to climate change to energy. We brought 100 countries together to deal with the scourge of fentanyl that is killing more Americans between 18 and 49 than anything else. These are the kinds of things we can do when we're out in the world bringing counties together, using our diplomacy to try to find answers to problems that people are facing. If the government shuts down, it's going to be harder to do that.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thanks for coming in this morning.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, George.

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Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh: UK statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Azerbaijan's use of force is unacceptable and states that the UK is encouraged by today's announcement of a ceasefire.

20 September 2023

Thank you, Chair.

This week began with more hopeful signals in relation to the long running tensions in this region. The UK Government was relieved to hear of the movement of humanitarian goods on 18 September via the Lachin and Aghdam roads into Nagorno-Karabakh, the local population of which has been in such need for so long. ICRC access to provide humanitarian support was - and remains - critical.

Azerbaijan's decision yesterday to commence a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh put at risk efforts to find a lasting peaceful settlement. Like many others, the UK urged Azerbaijan to cease its unacceptable use of force and return to dialogue. Violence is never the answer.

The UK is encouraged by today's announcement of a ceasefire and calls on all parties to respect it, for the sake of the civilian population. We also note the announcement of direct talks between representatives of Azerbaijan and the local Karabakhi Armenian community, on 21 September. These are essential to protect the security and needs of the local population.

It is only through diplomacy in line with the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act that we will see a sustainable settlement to this conflict.

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US, Canadian forces sharpen abilities in austere Alaskan region

Published Sept. 20, 2023

By John Ingle

North American Aerospace Defense Command Public Affairs

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Air, ground and naval forces from the United States and Canada under the authority of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command successfully completed maneuvers near Shemya, Attu and St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Sept. 10, as part of a long-planned, bi-national operation to detect, deter and safeguard against potential threats to North America and the Arctic region.

Forces in support of Operation Noble Defender, an operation supporting the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Homeland Defense Campaign plan, demonstrated their ability to operate in the dynamic Arctic region including unfavorable weather and the austere environment.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, said as the environment continues to change, interest in the Arctic region increases and that makes the ability to execute operations there more important than ever.

"As strategic competitors take advantage of greater access and influence in the region, NORAD and USNORTHCOM must demonstrate the readiness and capability to persistently operate in the arctic," he said. "Access to ready forces, trained and equipped to operate in the arctic is vital to the defense of North America and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region."

Operation Noble Defender included USNORTHCOM air, ground, naval and special forces components conducting Operation Polar Dagger, designed to integrate joint special operations units and test new capabilities while defending critical infrastructure, enhancing all-domain awareness and strengthening the force's understanding of the region.

USNORTHCOM contributes additional capabilities to Operation Noble Defender events to enhance integrated deterrence across strategic opportunities.

Operation Noble Defender also included an air component, Operation Polar Arrow, to demonstrate the ability to deploy assets in concert with special operations elements, as well as the ability to maintain air sovereignty over North America.

United States and Canadian NORAD assets such as F-16 Fighting Falcons, CF-18 Hornets, E-3 airborne warning and control system and KC-135 Stratotanker demonstrated the interoperability needed by this bi-national command as part of the layered defense structure required to defend North America.

Operation Noble Defender is a recurring NORAD air defense operation that demonstrates and strengthens the command's ability to maintain mission readiness in various environments and to preserve capacity for follow-on operations.

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UN Urges Afghan Taliban to Stop Widespread Torture, Abuse of Detainees

By Ayaz Gul September 20, 2023

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.

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Cameroon Sees More Attacks on Schools, Civilians After Rebel Leader Killed

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka September 20, 2023

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 Ntou'ou 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 Cameroon's separatist groups, said he is unhappy with the Cameroon military for displaying Kola's 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 PAMOL's 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."

Cameroon's 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 country's French-speaking majority. Cameroon's 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.

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - "National Organization of Volunteers" or "'National Patriotic Organization", also known the Sangh [the Saffron Brotherhood], is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and militant organization in India. -Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded in 1925 to mobilise Hindus. BJP was established in 1980 as the political wing of the RSS.

Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead in 1948 by Nathuram Godse, a former member of the RSS. The RSS has always distanced itself from the killing. The group was temporarily banned after the killing but subsequent probes could not find any evidence that the RSS had plotted the assassination or was aware of Godse's plans.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is an organization that aims to strengthen the Hindu community by spreading the ideology of Hindutva. The RSS draws its inspiration from European fascist movements and groups such as the Italian Fascist Party. The RSS promotes an ideal of upholding an Indian culture and its civilizational values.

The RSS treats Sikhs as part of a Hindu nation, like Jains and Buddhists, and unlike Christians and Muslims. Sikhs oppose this idea and believe their history is not about fighting Muslims. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, called for a ban on the RSS. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) passed a resolution condemning the RSS and its mission to make India a Hindu Rashtra. The SGPC perceives the RSS as a threat to all minorities.

Swami Shraddhanand, an Arya Samaj leader in north India, organised a coalition of Hindu groups which worked on the vast numbers who had accepted Islam long ago but had kept their earlier bonds and cultural practices in tact. Over a two year period, in the region around Agra and Mathura, some 163,000 were persuaded to return to Hinduism. The consequent anxieties among some Muslims spurred the formation of Tableeghi Jamaat, aiming to forestall future surprises. It worked among the millions throughout the subcontinent who have carried their Islamic identity lightly, urging them to become better Muslims. Similar anxieties among some Hindus came to be embodied in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and other affiliated organizations (collectively known as the Sangh Parivar) publicly claimed to respect and tolerate other religious groups; however, the RSS opposed coerced conversions from Hinduism and expressed the view that all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, should adhere to Hindu cultural values, which they claimed were the country's values.

India is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual democracy of more than a billion people that boasts the vibrant representation of all the worlds major religions. In this majority Hindu country with one of the worlds largest Muslim populations, the current, two-term Prime Minister is Sikh, the past president is Muslim, and the national governing alliance remains headed by a Catholic. India is the birthplace of Buddhism, the current host country to the Tibetan government-in-exile, and home to small Jewish and Parsi (Zoroastrian) communities that have lived for centuries without persecution. Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Parsi holidays are recognized as public holidays.

Nevertheless, despite this remarkable pluralism and general commitment to religious freedom, Hindu nationalist organizations retain broad popular support in many communities in India, in part because some provide needed services or function as community social organizations. Many of these organizations exist under the banner of the Sangh Parivar, a family of over 30 organizations that includes the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the BJP. Sangh Parivar entities aggressively press for governmental policies to promote their Hindu nationalist agenda, and adhere in varying degrees to an ideology of Hindutva, which holds non-Hindus as foreign to India.

After a controversial 2002 non-governmental organization report described links between a Maryland-based charity and Indias RSS and other violent and sectarian Hindu organizations, Silicon Valley companies Cisco and Oracle suspended matching company donations to the charity. Indias central and state police and judicial apparatuses have neglected to consistently or adequately examine evidence linking Sangh Parivar entities such as the BHP, RSS, BJP, and Bajrang Dal to acts of violence.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was founded in 1964 by a group of senior leaders from a hard-line Hindu organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to give Hindus what they believed would be a clearly defined sense of religious identity and political purpose. Its founders felt the need to present Hinduism in a rigorous though simplified form which would be comparable to most other world religions. The superiority of other faiths was believed to stem from their being far less diffuse and more uniform than Hinduism. But its critics call the VHP a hardline Hindu outfit with unmistakably close ties to its parent organisation, the extremist RSS, whose objective to Hinduise the Indian nation, it shares.

Central to the RSS ideology has been the belief that real national unity and progress will come only when India is purged of nonHindus, or, when members of other communities subordinate themselves willingly to Hindu superiority. The VHP toned down the rhetoric of Hindu supremacy and even make an occasional distinction between fellow (Muslim) citizens of the present and (Muslim) marauders of the past.

Since the creation of the RSS, the Hindutva has remained the core ideology of the RSS consistently propagating the supremacy of the Hindu religion and race in India. This ideological thread is observed commonly in all earlier defined phases from 1925-2014. Throughout this time period, the only distinguishable phenomenon is the transition of the ownership and the use of this Hindutva ideology.

Before the Indian independence, from 1925-1947, the Hindutva ideology was exclusively owned by RSS which was a political non-entity in phase one. In phase two, from 1947-1980, this ideology remained dormant but struggled to survive with the ownership by several communal and religious organizations to include the RSS. From 1980-2014, the first high point was the transition of ownership of Hindutva ideology from a non-political RSS to a strong and politically aligned RSS. The second pinnacle can be observed after rise of Narindra Modi as the Prime Minister of India who is one of RSSs longtime members.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), associated with Hindu nationalist groups, enjoyed rapid successin national politics. Riding a crest of rising Hindu nationalism, it increased its strength in Parliament from only two seats in 1984 to 181 seats 1999, and from 1998 to 2004 BJP controlled the Government of India. A key challenge for the BJP centered on its designation of Hindutva -- the idea of a unified Hindu state -- as its guiding theme. The partys embrace of Hindutva contributed significantly to its electoral leap forward in 1991, and press-reporting indicated that senior BIP leaders without exception would be loath to abandon it. The partys need to ally with disparate political parties in Parliament, however, prompted it to temper its religious rhetoric and slow its pursuit of some extreme goals.

The BJP originally emerged as a political outlet for several of Indias Hindu religious organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS - National Volunteer Force) and the Vishnu Hindu Parishad (VHP) -- known collectively as the Sangh Parivar. The first of these organizations was the RSS, formed before independence to unite Hindus through training in ideology, cultural awareness, and physical fitness. The Hindutva forces have attempted to consolidate themselves since the 1920s. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) (Association of National Volunteers) is a Hindu nationalist organization, founded in 1925 by Keshava Baliram Hedgewar as a culture and welfare organization with the intention of promoting the idea of a Hindu nation on the basis of the Hindutva.

The scholar Marzia Casorali, in her definitive study Hindutva's foreign tie-up in the 1930s - Archival Evidence , traced the movement's inspiration to Benito Mussolini and to Adolf Hitler in the 1920s and subsequently. She writes: "an accurate search ... is bound to show the extent and importance of such organizations and Italian fascism. (They) not only adopted fascist ideas in a conscious way, but this also happened because of the direct contacts between their representatives of these organizations and fascist Italy." Casorali quotes from Mr. V Savarkar, Mr. BS Moonje, Mr. Golwalkar, the founders of the Hindutva ideology. In 1934 they said "this ideal cannot be brought to effect unless we have our own swaraj with a Hindu as a dictator like Shivaji of old or Mussolini or Hitler of the present day in Italy and Germany." The Savarkar-led Hindu Mahasabha in 1939 officially stated: "Germany's crusade against the enemies of Aryan culture will bring all the Aryan nations of the world to their senses and awaken the Indian Hindus for the restoration of their lost glory." Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, who led the RSS from 1940 until 1973, saw one shining example in distinguishing between different citizens in Germany, under the Nazi rule.

In 1947, it was hoped that secularism would be the watchword of the Congress Party and that the post-Independence India will not accord any respectability to communal forces. But it was not to be. The RSS was banned in 1948-49 after one of its members assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, who had emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity, and spared no pains to help in attaining it. The RSS sponsored new organizations it could control from behind the scenes. The BJP evolved from the Jana Sangh, which was established in 1951 as the political wing of the RSS. Most of the BIPs senior leadership -- including Vajpayee -- sprang from the RSS. The RSS depended on the BJP to keep Hindu nationalism in the public eye as a political issue, and the BJP relied on the RSS for manpower and organizing grassroots electoral support.

The BJP, as the political arm of the extremist Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS or National Volunteer Force), was held responsible for the outbreaks of serious communal violence in which a mosque was destroyed at Ayodhya and some 3,000 people were killed in anti-Muslim rioting in Bombay and elsewhere. While in power, the BJP worked  with limited success  to change its image from right-wing Hindu nationalist to conservative and moderate, although anti-Muslim riots in BJP-run Gujarat.

The Babri mosque dispute remains as polarizing and politically divisive as it was when the 16th century structure was demolished by Hindu activists in the city of Ayodhya in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Hindu fundamentalists, as well as some historians, claim the mosque was built on the site of Lord Rama's temple on the orders of Moghul emperor Zahir Uddin Babur. The Babri Masjid demolition was the culmination of years of campaigns by Hindu fundamentalists to construct a Lord Rama temple on the mosque's site. On December 6, 1992, the BJP, the hardline Vishva Hindu Parishad and many of its affiliates organized a rally in Ayodhya. Within hours, over 15,000 Hindu activists, known as "kar sevaks," razed the historic mosque to the ground with axes and hammers. P.V.Narasimha Rao of the Congress Party was prime minister at the time. His handling of the issue has been widely criticized. The mosque demolition sparked country-wide violence and communal riots that killed over 2,000 people and shook the secular foundations of the country. Jihadist groups cited the destruction of the mosque as a reason behind the 1993 Mumbai bombings and other attacks in the 1990s.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 20 September 2023 - Day 574

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that 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.

Recent redeployments of Russian airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine have likely weakened Russia's defences around Bakhmut.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 20, there were more than 15x combat engagements. Also, the Russian Federation launched another air strike against Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. Air defense destroyed 17x Shaheds along their route within Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Unfortunately, an oil refinery in Poltava oblast was damaged by the strike, and the relevant services are working to eliminate the consequences.

In total, during the day of September 20, the Russian invaders launched 72x air strikes and 35x MLRS strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. There are no signs of offensive groups being formed. Certain units of the Belarusian armed forces are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the border areas, continues shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia. More than 25x settlements suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Karpovychi, Arkhypivka, Leonivka, Vyl'chyky (Chernihiv oblast), Stara Huta, Seredyna-Buda, Bilovody, Taratutyne, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast), Ivashky, Udy, Pletenivka, Vil'khuvatka, Bilohorivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the settlements of Syn'kivka, Tabaivka, Krokhmal'ne (Kharkiv oblast) suffered Russian artillery and mortars shelling.

Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Novosadove, Tors'ke, Spirne, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Zarichne, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vesele (Donetsk oblast) suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area west of Zaitseve (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces tried to restore the lost position in the area northeast of Andriivka (Donetsk oblast) to no success. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Klishchiivka and New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Dachne, Zalizne (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Russian adversary fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Orlivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 20, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled10x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast).

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched an air strike near the settlement of Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Novoukrainka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Zaliznychne, Charivne, Novoandriivka, Lobkove, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Kherson axis: the Russian invaders launched air strikes near the settlements of Kozats'ke, Ol'hivka, Tyahynka, Tokarivka (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Sablukivka, Respublikanets', Mykolaivka, Dniprovs'ke, Kizomys (Kherson oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensives (assaults) on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhausting the Russian forces.

During the day of September 20, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 8x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the Russian adversary.

Missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system and 4x artillery systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, repelled five attacks by assault groups of the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 53rd and 110th mechanised brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Kleshcheyevka, Veseloye, and Khimik (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses were up to 175 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, and three pick-up trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by helicopters, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled three attacks by the AFU 71st Jaeger Brigade close to Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

Also, a cluster of manpower and hardware of the 116th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near the locality of Charivnoye (Zaporozhye region) was hit by fire.

Up to 35 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were eliminated.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, two D-30 and one D-20 howitzers.

In Krasny Liman direction, well-coordinated actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces, strikes by Army Aviation and artillery fire repelled two attacks by assault groups of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

Also, close to Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and the Serebryansky forestry, the Russian troops inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and hardware of the 63rd Mechanised Brigade, the 12th Special Forces Brigade, and the 5th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard.

Up to 70 Ukrainian servicemen were killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, and D-30 howitzers were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery repelled one attack of an assault detachment of the AFU 110th Territorial Defence Brigade in the direction of Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Air strikes and artillery fire defeated manpower and hardware of the 79th Air Assault and 72nd Mechanised Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Novomikhailovka and Vladimirovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, the activities of a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 38th Marines Brigade were suppressed near the village of Novodonetskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses for the day totalled up to 135 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two pick-up trucks, and one Msta-B howitzer.

In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 32nd mechanised, and 25th Air Assault Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Zagoruikovka, Ivanovka (Kharkov region), Rozovka and Berestovoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Over 65 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M1097 Avenger anti-aircraft missile system were neutralised.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, and one D-20 howitzer.

An ammunition depot of the AFU 120th Territorial Defence Brigade has been obliterated close to Gatishche (Kharkov region).

In Kherson direction, four sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the AFU special operations forces close to Kazatskoye (Kherson region) and the islands of Alyoshkinsky and Pereyaslavskyi.

The enemy's losses were over 60 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, and four motor vehicles.

Also, two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems and one D-30 howitzer were hit during counter-battery warfare.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 126 areas during the day.

In addition, the command and observation post of a battalion of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade (AFU) near Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic) and the temporary deployment area of the 35th Marines Brigade (AFU) near Petropavlovka (Donetsk People's Republic) were hit.

Fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted one Su-24m bomber of the Ukrainian Air Force close to Novovladimirovka (Nikolayev region).

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet has been hit by a drone strike at the Dolgintsevo airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Air defence and electronic warfare systems and small arms fire intercepted four Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and five HIMARS and Smerch MLRS projectiles.

Moreover, 42 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were downed close to Nagornoye, Gorlovka, Mikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka, Karamzinovka, Volcheyarovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Novogorovka, Novoye, and Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), Podstepnoye, and Kozachyi Lageru (Kherson region).

In total, 475 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 6,945 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,009 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,152 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,462 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,262 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Taiwan to roll out updated Moderna COVID vaccine starting Sept. 26

ROC Central News Agency

09/20/2023 06:29 PM

Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) Taiwan will roll out Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine against the Omicron subvariant XBB starting Sept. 26, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director General Chuang Jen-hsiang (eZSac) at a press conference on Wednesday.

The vaccine, which the government granted emergency use authorization (EUA) on Sept. 13, will be first offered to people aged 65 years or older starting Sept. 26, followed by medical staff from Oct. 2, then members of the public from Oct. 9, Chuang said.

However, after the first two groups receive the vaccine, health officials will take at least a week to inspect and label the shots before making them available to the public, Chuang said.

Around 1.32 million XBB.1.5 vaccines doses are scheduled to arrive before Sept. 26, and the government will have a total of 6 million doses before 2024, Chuang said.

In addition, Chuang said people aged 65 and older will receive 10 COVID-19 rapid test kits and gifts valued at NT$500 (US$15.6) when they receive the vaccine shot.

The government said earlier that the updated vaccine is based on similar technology to Moderna's previous shots, and offers strong protection against the Omicron XBB sublineage, which is currently the dominant strain in Taiwan.

In terms of safety, Chiu Cheng-hsun (e), an attending physician in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said that adverse reactions to the vaccine are generally mild to moderate in severity, and similar to those of Moderna's previous COVID-19 shots.

COVID-19 cases and deaths have remained low in Taiwan in recent weeks, with an average of 40 local infections and 6 deaths from the disease reported per day between Sept. 12-18, according to CDC data.

(By Tseng Yi-ning and Evelyn Yang)

Enditem/AW

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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Opening Statement Before the House Judiciary Committee

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Location: Washington, DC

United States

Remarks as Delivered

Good morning Chairman Jordan, Ranking Member Nadler, and distinguished members of this Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you on behalf of the more than 115,000 employees of the Department of Justice.

Since the Justice Department was founded, it has been tasked with confronting some of the most challenging issues before the country. Today, we are handling matters of significant public interest that carry great consequences for our democracy.

A lot has been said about the Justice Department: about who we are and what we are doing; about what our job is, and what it is not; and about why we do this work.

I want to provide some clarity.

First, who we are.

The Justice Department is made up of more than 115,000 men and women who work in every state and in communities across the country and around the globe.

They are FBI, DEA, and ATF agents, and U.S. Marshals, who risk their lives to serve their communities.

They are prosecutors and staff who work tirelessly to enforce our laws. The overwhelming majority are career public servants, meaning that they were not appointed by the president of any party.

Second, I want to provide clarity about what the job of the Justice Department is, and what it is not.

Our job is to help keep our country safe.

That includes working closely with local police departments and communities across the country to combat violent crime.

In fact, today we are announcing the results of a recent U.S. Marshals operation conducted with state and local law enforcement. That operation targeted violent fugitives and resulted in 4,400 arrests across 20 cities in just three months.

Our work also includes combating the drug cartels that are poisoning Americans. Last Friday, we extradited Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, from Mexico to the United States. He is the son of El Chapo and one of more than a dozen cartel [leaders] we have indicted and extradited to the United States.

Our job includes seeking justice for the survivors of child exploitation, human smuggling, and sex trafficking.

And it includes protecting democratic institutions - like this one - by holding accountable all those criminally responsible for the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Our job is also to protect civil rights.

That includes protecting our freedoms as Americans to worship and think as we please, and to peacefully express our opinions, our beliefs, and our ideas.

It includes protecting the right of every eligible citizen to vote and to have that vote counted.

It includes combating discrimination, defending reproductive rights under law, and deterring and prosecuting attacks, such as hate crimes.

And our job is to uphold the rule of law.

That means that we apply the same laws to everyone.

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, another for Republicans; or different rules, depending upon one's race or ethnicity or religion.

Our job is to pursue justice, without fear or favor.

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.

As the President himself has said, and I reaffirm today: I am not the President's lawyer.

I will also add I am not Congress's prosecutor.

The Justice Department works for the American people.

Our job is to follow the facts and the law. And that is what we do.

All of us recognize that with this work comes public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate oversight. These are appropriate and important given the matters and the gravity of the matters before the Department.

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.

We will not be intimidated. We will do our jobs free from outside influence. And we will not back down from defending our democracy.

Third, I want to explain why we approach our work this way.

The Justice Department was founded in the wake of the Civil War and in the midst of Reconstruction, with the first principal task of bringing to justice white supremacists and others who terrorized Black Americans to prevent them from exercising their civil rights.

The Justice Department's job was then - and it is now - to fulfill the promise that is at the foundation of our democracy: that the law will treat all of us alike.

That promise is also why I am here.

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.

There is little doubt that, but for America, the same thing would have happened to my grandmother.

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.

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.

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 am here today.

I look forward to your questions.

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Global Counterterrorism Forum: Opening speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Ministerial meeting co-chaired with Egypt

European External Action Service (EEAS)

20.09.2023

New York

EEAS Press Team

New York, 20/09/2023

Check against delivery!

Thank you, Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh] Shoukry. Thank you, dear Sameh. Thank you to all of you for being here today.

It is my great pleasure to co-host this meeting for the first time with you today. We - the European Union - have been in the role of co-chair for a year now and I would like to thank you, as well as Morocco, [the] previous co-Chair, Minister [for Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of Morocco, Nasser] Bourita - and all [Global] Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF) members for what has been done and for our fruitful cooperation.

Together, we are working to make this Forum, first, more dynamic. As global realities and threats evolving quickly, our Forum is a driving force in developing ways and means to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism all over the world.



Secondly, to make it more inclusive. We are working more and more with frontline states, those who are most at threat, and frontline practitioners, from national and local government to community and civil society. We are - all of us - striving to ensure greater gender parity and diversity.

Thirdly, we have to be more focused and action-oriented. The activities presented to the Coordinating Committee and discussions over the past couple of days showcase the potential of this Forum. It is important that our work is underway, for example, on new technologies; on border security and management to tackle the movement of terrorists; or on linking the state and the local levels, where prevention, de-radicalisation and reintegration effectively can effectively take place.



Our meeting today is particularly important. The presence of our colleagues from Kenya and Kuwait testifies our dynamic and inclusive approach. Minister [for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Alfred] Mutua, Deputy Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait] Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, very welcome to this Forum.

By welcoming these two new members, we are broadening the base of this Forum - an expert multilateral forum that develops global solutions to tackle terrorism and its root causes.

The speed at which the threat level is spreading across Africa is particularly worrying. Increasing the representation of African voices in Counter-Terrorism multilateral fora is of essence. I also count on working more closely with the African Union (AU) for a fitting and much-needed civilian response to the threat on the African continent.

Inviting these new members is, in fact, a very good example of how we can develop the multilateral system into a more inclusive and representative one.



This is a Forum that allows us to learn from each other, to coordinate our efforts to make them more effective. Sharing national and bilateral cooperation experiences is central to our work.



The three Institutions established to accompany the GCTF are also very important in implementing its vision and operational tools. They all continue to do excellent work on the ground in all our priority areas.

Which are these priority areas? Which are these actors?

The Global Community Engagement [and Resilience] Fund - better known by its acronym GCERF - which works in 21 countries globally, providing grants to civil society organisations and community-based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The Hedayah, which develops programmes, such as the European Union's "STRIVE" or "tech-to-protect" [projects], to make communities aware of the risks of violent extremism, working with religious leaders, media and youth - from Central Asia to the Caucasus, from the Western Balkans to the Middle East and North Africa.

And thirdly, the International Institute for Justice (IIJ) which is providing expert training around the world, taking forward the practical application of GCTF memoranda and good practice.

Working with all these three organisations since their creation, the European Union - together with the co-chair Egypt - is using these Institutions as key vehicles for actions to prevent and counter terrorism [and violent extremism] across the globe. And, naturally, we are also working with the United Nations family.

Dear colleagues,

In all our actions, involving civil society is vital. We cannot effectively address the root causes of violent extremism, or effectively rehabilitate former terrorists without involving civil society, without free and reliable information outlets or without community leaders.



Nevertheless, the civic space required for this continues to shrink in many parts of the world. That is why, we must do our utmost to reverse this trend across the globe. It will benefit greatly societies and, naturally, will make our counterterrorism operations more successful.



Allow me a final word on an issue that is dear to me: to fight terrorism, we must promote tolerance. All too often, we see provocative acts in our societies, acts of intolerance and hate. We see Qu'ran burnings. We see the targeting of ethnic, religious or other minorities fueling intolerance and grievances. These are, time and again, exploited by terrorists [and violent extremists] to spread their distorted ideologies, recruiting and deploying terrorist acts.

Diversity and tolerance are essential for a peaceful society. Let us all lead by example in promoting this tolerance in our countries and in our societies, and among everybody around the world.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Now, I am going to give the floor to our new member, Kenya. Minister Mutua, welcome again and the floor is yours.

Link to the video (starting from 2:30): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-245855

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Report: Increase in Chinese-Language Malware Could 'Challenge' Russian Dominance of Cybercrime

By Masood Farivar September 20, 2023

For decades, Russian and eastern European hackers have dominated the cybercrime underworld. These days they may face a challenge from a new contender: China.

Researchers at cybersecurity firm Proofpoint say they have detected an increase in the spread of Chinese language malware through email campaigns since early 2023, signaling a surge in Chinese cybercrime activity and a new trend in the global threat landscape.

"We basically went from drought to flood here," said Selena Larson, senior threat intelligence analyst at Proofpoint and one of the authors of a new Proofpoint report on Chinese malware.

The increase, Larson said, could be due to several factors.

"There might be increased availability, there might be an ease of access to some of this malware, (and there might be) just increased activity by Chinese-speaking cybercrime threat actors as a whole," Larson said in an interview.

While Russian-speaking actors continue to dominate cybercrime networks, the Proofpoint report says the recent surge in Chinese language malware "may challenge the dominance that the Russian-speaking cybercrime market has on the threat landscape."

Malware delivered via email

The hackers behind the Chinese campaigns use a type of malicious software known as a Remote Access Trojan, or RAT. This malware is delivered via email and allows the cybercriminals to access a computer from a remote location and steal data or perform other malicious actions.

The Chinese language malware, contained in fake invoices sent to unsuspecting businesses and other targets, is linked to suspected Chinese cybercrime operations, according to Proofpoint.

The cybercriminals have used several types of malware to carry out hacking operations.

One of them, called Sainbox, targeted dozens of companies, mostly in the manufacturing and technology sectors, in May. Other recently identified malware, dubbed ValleyRAT, was deployed in at least six hacking campaigns in 2023.

"Campaigns are generally low-volume and are typically sent to global organizations with operations in China," the report says.

The email subjects and content are usually written in Chinese, and are typically related to invoices, payments, and new products, according to the report.

The targeted users have Chinese names spelled with Chinese characters, or corporate email addresses linked to businesses operating in China, the report says.

Larson said the proliferation of Chinese-language malware suggests cybercrime remains lucrative and attractive to actors beyond eastern Europe.

"It may indicate Chinese speakers who conduct cybercrime operations might want to maybe take a larger slice of the financial gain," Larson said.

Cybercrime hurts economy

Cybercrime is a booming industry that poses a grave threat to the global economy. The FBI estimates cybercriminals inflicted potential losses of more than $10 billion in 2022, a 43% increase from the previous year.

While China is accused of carrying out state-sponsored cyberattacks against the United States, most of the ransomware attacks and other cybercrime in recent years have been chalked up to eastern European groups.

Proofpoint is not the only cybersecurity firm reporting on Chinese-language malware in recent months.

In February, digital security firm ESET said it had identified a malware campaign that targeted Chinese speakers in Southeast and East Asia by buying misleading ads that appeared in Google search results.

The campaign used the malware known as Sainbox or FatalRAT, the type that Proofpoint said it had detected in 20 campaigns this year.

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US to open new Space Force command post in Japan

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 11:28 AM

The United States Space Force is planning to set up a new command post in Japan to enhance its space capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, in what analysts warned could risk fuelling the space race with China.

The command post in Japan will be the third of its kind in the Indo-Pacific region, following the establishment of similar sites in Hawaii and South Korea last year.

Maj. Charles Taylor, deputy commander of Space Forces Korea, told Stars and Stripes that a small number of Space Force members, known as guardians, have already been deployed in Japan.

Taylor refrained from disclosing the location of the new command post or the number of personnel who would be stationed there.

Last month at Camp David, President Biden hosted the leaders of South Korea and Japan. The three nations agreed to increase space cooperation.

Chinese military experts have warned that the establishment of Space Force outposts in East Asia is likely to intensify the space race between the US and China.

"The new deployment shows Joe Biden's administration is continuing Donald Trump's space strategy of building the Space Force as a powerful arm with both offensive and defensive capabilities," Song Zhongpin, a former People's Liberation Army (PLA) instructor, told The South China Morning Post.

"But it will encourage militarization in space, and lead to an arms race in outer space among capable countries, especially Beijing and Washington," Song added.

"These two space command centers [in South Korea and Japan] that take care of US intelligence, communication, and position satellites are not only aimed at China's most powerful strategic weapons, such intercontinental ballistic missiles, and anti-satellite systems but also help interfere with the joint operations of the PLA's missile force, navy, air force and strategic support force," said Ni Lexiong, a professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

The US military had stated the purpose of its Space Force base in South Korea is for "space operations and services such as missile warnings ... and satellite communications with the region."

The United States has made China the centerpiece of its national security policy and increased the tempos of drills with allies in the region.

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Remarks by President Biden and President Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva of Brazil Before Bilateral Meeting | New York, NY

September 20, 2023

InterContinental New York Barclay

New York, New York

1:27 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, it's great to see you again. Welcome to New York.

You know, when I hosted you at the White House in February, you said that we have an obligation to leave the next generation a better world, and I couldn't agree with you more.

And Brazil and the United States are meeting that obligation together a at least that is our intention. We've begun it, and we're going to continue.

We're working in lockstep to tackle the climate crisis, including mobilizing hundreds of millions of dollars to conserve the Amazon and the critical ecosystems in Latin America. And we've advanced our work together through the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth.

And the two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere are standing up for human rights around the world and in the hemisphere. That includes workers' rights. And I'm honored we're going to launch a new Partnership for Workers' Rights in just a few moments.

So, Mr. President, thank you for being here today. And I look forward to continuing to work together to build a better world, including during your G20 presidency this year, which I'm anxious to work with you throughout the year.

Thank you.

The floor is yours, sir.

PRESIDENT LULA: (As interpreted.) President Biden, first of all, I would like to say to you, sir, the satisfaction a great pleasure it is for us to have a meeting on the part of the Brazilian government with the American government.

I believe that this is a historical moment that should serve as a role model when we look to the geopolitics in the world and we perceive that the opportunities are becoming narrower and narrower, and democracy is becoming more and more a it's more and more in danger, because the denial of politics have made that far-right sectors try to occupy the space due to the denial of politics around the world.

This already happened already in Brazil, and now it's starting in Argentina, and it's going on in many other countries.

The fact that we're getting closer, Brazil and the U.S., and this initiative that was proposed by President Biden that we should build a work plan so that we can offer to our youth, to our people, perspectives of a decent job, of a more skilled and qualified work a trying to benefit from the climate energy transition a the energy transition, try to take advantage of the AI. It is necessary that we should present a concrete proposal to arouse hope in civil society that lives as working families.

I followed your speech at a during the inauguration. And then afterwards, I followed another of your speech. And I've never seen before a U.S. president talk so much and so well of the workers as you talk as t- a referring to the workers. And this was a the Italians a the labor federations asked for me a asking me about your speech, and the Italian labor movement and other in Europe was a the U.S. president most advocated for the workers' rights.

And this is a perfect combination, because I come from the labor world, and I think that labor has and work has become precarious work. Salaries are very low, and the workers work more and gain less.

And this idea from you, Mr. President, to present a joint proposal that we can start to discuss and go and take it to the G20, I believe this initiative is very important for Brazil. And I believe it's also important for the U.S., but it's also important for the rest of the world.

So, I believe that there is one thing that is important that's going on in this political juncture in the world. We had the return of democracy in Brazil. And we built all the political alliances, and we had to really build them again. And we will chair the BRICS me- a process in 2025. And we will chair the G20 next year. And we'll have COP30 in 2026. All that, we can do it sharing with the U.S. government.

And so, I believe that is extremely important that we can work together. I believe that it's important that the U.S., North America should see what's going on in Brazil in this historical moment of ecological transition, changes in the energy matrix, and the potential that our country has in terms of investment in wind power, solar power, biomass, biodiesel, biofuels, ethanol, and green hydrogen.

So, there is a prospective a a joint work that is an exceptional situation for Brazil and the U.S.

So, at this meeting here, Mr. President, I believe that it's more than just another bilateral. It's a a it's a faith relationship that we're building here and a new era for the U.S.-Brazil relation, amongst equal partners, a sovereign relationship, but of common interest in the benefit of the working people in your country and in my country.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Mr. President, I couldn't agree with you more.

I know I'm not supposed to speak again, but my dad used to have an expression. When I was growing up, my father had an expression. My father was a a did not have a college degree, but he was a well-read man, and he worked very hard his whole life. He'd say, "Joe, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about self-respect. It's about being able to look your children in the eye and say, 'Honey, it's going to be okay,' and mean it."

Everyone deserves an equal shot. And that's why we've tried to build an economy a and from a different perspective, Mr. President, from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. Because when the middle does well, everybody does well. Working-class folks have a chance to move up, and the wealthy still do fine, as long as they pay their taxes.

But at any rate a so, I'm really looking forward to working with you. I really am.

PRESIDENT LULA: (As interpreted.) And, President, we are always trying to convince the rich people that the less poor exists in humanity a the fewer the poor, it will even be better for the rich. So, poverty and inequality is not of the interest of anybody.

And so, I believe that this gesture that we are achieving here in the heart of the U.S., trying to arouse expectations for high hopes.

I worked 27 years inside a plant. I've seen unemployment. I've experienced unemployment. I experienced a I should say, yesterday, my labor minister visited the trade unionists from the U.S. that are on strike, and they had a very good meeting. And I think that this is a golden moment for us and the possibilities that we have ahead.

And we're arousing for a dream a for those kids that are 18, 19, 20 years of age a this youth that has no perspective. I think that this gesture of ours could be service for hope so that people can start to believe that, yes, it is possible to build another world. Another world is possible with more fraternity, with more solidarity, more a with more fairness a and that humanity goes back to humanism, that people should demonstrate more solidarity.

In Brazil, we always say the following: It is necessary to make that hope will overcome fear. This is the motto, and this gesture here is a we are arousing hope for millions and millions of Brazilians and Americans that need to have an opportunity to live their lives, to be a winner, and to build their families with de- a through decent work.

So, that's why it's extremely important.

You know a you know that I'm a president that has not carried a university degree. The only thing that I have is a vocational training degree. And I believe that this gives me a different kind of vision of the world, where a part of the Brazilian class in Brazil doesn't manage to see.

And so, that's why we decided to develop so many social-inclusion policies and we're trying to reach a bar that will take people to have life with more dignity. And in the eight months that we're in office, we already restoring democracy procedures in Brazil. We have already recovered 42 social pol- a social-inclusion policies.

We have already drafted an investment plan. For the first time and under a democratic regime, we just passed a tax reform in the house of representatives. And I think that this will allow that Brazil can have a quality leap forward.

And I believe that the relationship between the U.S. and Brazil would be improved and that we can behave as friends seeking a common objective: development and improving the lives of our people.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: You know, the Secretary of a I know the staff is going crazy. They're supposed to say a we were supposed to ask the press to leave a long time ago. But I want to say one more thing.

Our Secretary of Treasury pointed out, they did a the Treasury Department did a significant report and pointed out that a and this is a fact a that when organized labor is engaged and involved, everyone does better. The wealthy do better. Everyone does better. When you eradicate poverty, when you bring people up to a living standard that's real, everyone benefits. The whole economy benefits.

And that's why I sent you the best ambassador in America to make sure you're all set.

At any rate, we a we better get down to business, I guess, here.

1:37 P.M. EDT

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Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva of Brazil

September 20, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with President Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva of Brazil today on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders discussed the launch of the Partnership for Workers' Rights, the first joint U.S.-Brazil global initiative to advance the rights of working people around the world, including how our two countries will continue to work closely together to successfully implement it and ways to elevate labor priorities in multilateral forums.

President Biden and President Lula noted the importance of the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, and President Biden reiterated the United States' support for the people of Venezuela and outlined our vision of a step-by-step approach where concrete actions toward restoring Venezuelan democracy, leading to free and fair elections, are met by corresponding sanctions relief by the United States.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on climate, and discussed the importance of continuing to support Haiti as it deals with a humanitarian and security crisis. President Biden urged President Lula to support a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti. During the meeting, President Biden expressed concern about the global effects of Russia's war against Ukraine, particularly on food and energy security, especially on the poorest nations on the planet, and voiced support for the return of Russia to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

###

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Wang Yi, Patrushev hold strategic security talks as two countries to make global governance more just and equitable

Global Times

By Liu Caiyu and Du Qiongfang Published: Sep 19, 2023 09:27 PM

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and Secretary Nikolai Patrushev of the Security Council of the Russian Federation jointly held the 18th round of the China-Russia strategic security consultation in Moscow on Tuesday, during which they exchanged in-depth views on a wide range of topics on deepening bilateral strategic cooperation, strengthening coordination and enhancing mutual trust.

The institutionalized exchanges between China and Russia on strategic security issues showed the stability and continuity of China-Russia relations, which contributes to stabilizing global governance against the backdrop of the complex international situation full of uncertainties, Chinese experts noted.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-Russia relations have withstood the test of international changes and continue to develop in a healthy and stable manner. The strategic cooperation between the two countries is constantly enriched, and the quality of practical cooperation continues to improve. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, China and Russia closely cooperate on the international stage, jointly defend true multilateralism, oppose all acts of power bullying, and promote the development of a more fair and reasonable global governance system.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated that the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism, as an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, reflects the depth of political mutual trust and the breadth of strategic cooperation between China and Russia. Since the establishment of the mechanism, the two sides have maintained close communication and positive interaction, effectively safeguarding common interests and contributing wisdom and strength to global strategic stability and the resolution of regional hotspot issues. The firm mutual support on issues involving each other's core interests demonstrates the significance of being comprehensive strategic partners. China is willing to work with Russia to further release the effectiveness of the mechanism based on the important consensus of the two heads of state, and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security and promoting world peace and stability.

Patrushev stated that since the beginning of this year, Russia-China relations have steadily developed and practical cooperation has progressed in an orderly manner. Faced with rapidly changing international security situations and frequent challenges, China and Russia are not influenced or interfered by external factors, and they adhere to independence and strengthen strategic cooperation. Russia firmly supports China's just position on the Taiwan question, issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and opposes Western interference in China's internal affairs.

On Monday, Wang also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

On the heels of Wang's meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta, the meetings with Russian senior officials highlighted China's positive role in safeguarding the stability of global order, experts noted.

Prior to visiting Russia, Wang met with Sullivan, which was described as "candid, substantive and constructive strategic communication on stabilizing and improving bilateral relations."

Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the strategic consultation is of great importance as the visit paves the way for a possible meeting between the heads of state in October.

During Monday's talks, Lavrov shared his views on the Ukraine crisis and applauded China's position paper for accommodating the security concerns of all parties and being conducive to eliminating the root causes of the conflict. The Russian side, he said, is always open to negotiations and dialogue.

China is committed to the right approach of peace talks and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way, Wang said.

After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, the US-led Western camp has been demanding China to take sides. But China is a big independent country. It will uphold its national position and interests, and handle international relations as a responsible, major and independent country, Zhang told the Global Times.

A VOA report on Tuesday commented on Wang's meeting with Sullivan before heading to Russia, claiming it reflects Beijing's continued commitment to finding a balance between the two pairs of relations.

One of the most important relationships in the world today is the "great trilateral," namely China, the US and Russia, Cui Heng, a scholar from the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times. He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict has strengthened the importance of the "great trilateral" and it is inevitable for China to maintain communication with the US and Russia at the same time.

The relationship between China and Russia will not be affected by changes in the external environment, Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Yang stressed that China-Russia cooperation is not directed against any third party.

Wang told Lavrov that both China and Russia adhere to independent foreign policies, and their cooperation is neither targeting any third party, nor influenced by a third party, let alone subject to interference and provocation by any third party.

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China's Y-9 hospital aircraft holds first mission abroad

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 19, 2023 09:21 PM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's Y-9 medical rescue aircraft for the first time participated in a mission abroad during the ongoing military medical services exercise between China and Cambodia in Phnom Penh, with analysts saying that China has built a multidimensional battlefield medical aid system that can offer international public security goods.

The China-Cambodia Peaceful Angel-2023 joint humanitarian exercise entered the full-course joint training phase on Monday, with the two sides sending more than 700 personnel to the drill, the PLA Daily reported on Tuesday.

It marks the first time that the Y-9 medical rescue aircraft has participated in a mission abroad, and the first time the PLA has displayed its air transport and medical evacuation modules overseas, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Monday.

Featuring the Y-9 hospital aircraft, the backbone equipment of the PLA's aerial medical evacuation, the exercise explored and established the full-chain, full-element, combat-oriented deployment mechanism of the aviation medical aid force, the report said.

The Y-9 medical rescue aircraft is a dedicated hospital aircraft based on the Y-9 transport aircraft that can allow diagnosis, treatment, rescue and minor surgeries to be completed in the air, CCTV reported.

With a complete set of life support systems, the aircraft can complete long-distance evacuation for the wounded in critical condition in the shortest time, the report said.

The plane can "host aerial medical evacuation for the wounded in large numbers, and during the process, provide continued medical monitoring and life support for those in critical condition and serve as an aerial ICU," Zhang Shijie, a member of the PLA medical team participating in the joint exercise, said in the CCTV report.

The Chinese military has developed a complete spectrum of field medical equipment, including modularized field hospital vehicles on the ground, hospital ships at sea and hospital aircraft in the air, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Such multidimensional field first aid capabilities, an important aspect in combat support, can lower casualties and preserve effective strength in battle, the expert said.

Their capability to complete overseas missions means that China can provide international public security goods, contributing to global peace and stability and taking responsibility as a major power, the expert said.

After the 79-day Harmonious Mission-2023 goodwill visits and humanitarian medical service voyage, the PLA Navy hospital ship Peace Ark on Tuesday returned to a naval port in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, CCTV reported on Tuesday.

During the tour, the Chinese hospital ship sailed for more than 12,000 nautical miles and visited Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, hosting 41,358 medical treatments and 192 surgeries, winning appreciation from local governments, residents and the international community, the report said.

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Uyghur event in NY goes ahead despite Beijing's warning

China is moving Uyghurs from internment camps to prisons, while claiming it's closing camps: experts.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.09.19 -- 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 Beijing's attempted interference.

"Thank you also for being here, notwithstanding the PRC's 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 China's government.

She described the Chinese U.N. mission's letter as "yet another example of a global campaign of transnational repression" against the Muslim minority, most of whom live in China's 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.

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 panel's 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 China's 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 Office's director for Asia and the Pacific, referred to China's warning letter, which accused the panel of "plotting to use human rights issues as a political tool to undermine Xinjiang's stability and disrupt China's 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."

BelAn Martinez Carbonell, managing director for multilateral affairs at the European Union's 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 Europe's 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 forum's 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.

Amnesty International Secretary-General AgnAs 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 Beijing's 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 one's voice for a second so you know they're alive. But then you must be watching your actions: What comes next? It's incredibly inhumane."

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China's Ministry of State Security reveals US' infiltration of Huawei traced back to 2009

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Sep 20, 2023 01:55 PM

The US' infiltration of Huawei headquarters' servers can be traced back to 2009, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) said in an article released on Wednesday. The Chinese ministry disclosed despicable methods of cyber espionage adopted by US intelligence agencies, which include establishing cyberattack arsenals, coercing technology companies to cooperate, and distorting the truth to accuse others.

The MSS first revealed that the US has established cyberattack arsenals, and that US intelligence agencies have been resorting to extreme measures to conduct surveillance, espionage and cyberattacks across multiple countries worldwide, including China. Particularly, the US' National Security Agency (NSA), through its Office of Tailored Access Operations (TAO) and advanced arsenal, has repeatedly carried out systematic and platform-based attacks on China, attempting to steal important data resources.

According to the MSS, TAO began to invade Huawei headquarters' servers and carry out continuous monitoring in 2009. In September 2022, TAO was found to have carried out tens of thousands of malicious cyberattacks over a prolonged period targeting China, including China's Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU). The US controlled tens of thousands of network devices and stole a vast amount of high-value data.

US cyberattacks are indiscriminate, as they not only target governments to steal political or military intelligence, but also indiscriminately attack businesses and critical infrastructure, Tang Lan, director of the Center for Cyberspace Security and Governance Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The ability of US intelligence agencies to launch large-scale cyberattacks relies on a diverse range of cyber weapons. Since 2022, China's cybersecurity agencies have disclosed multiple cyber weapons used by US intelligence agencies, such as Bvp47, Quantum, FOXACID and Hive.

US intelligence agencies used these sophisticated weapons to carry out network attacks and cyber espionage targeting 45 countries and regions worldwide, including China and Russia, for over one decade. The targets of these cyberattacks include crucial sectors such as telecommunications, scientific research, economy, energy and the military, the MSS noted.

The aggressiveness of cyberattacks carried out by the US is very prominent because the country aims to gain control over cyberspace and achieve an absolute advantage globally, Tang said.

This is quite different from the previous practices of the US, which used to have more restraint and would not overtly display its intentions or methods, according to Tang. "Cyberattacks have become the US' major tool in great-power competition. The country no longer conceals its intentions, but directly and clearly expresses its desire to obtain absolute initiative in cyberspace," she said.

The US also forced technology companies to cooperate. The US government, using national security as an excuse, forcefully implanted backdoors into devices, software, and applications of relevant technology companies via acts such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. By using methods like embedded code and vulnerability attacks, the US achieved global data monitoring and theft, leveraging the influence of global technology companies.

In December 2020, US location data company X-Mode Social was exposed for obtaining location data through an embedded software development kit in mobile applications and selling the data to contractors closely associated with the US military and intelligence agencies. In April 2022, Anomaly Six, a company with ties to military intelligence, was exposed for embedding its internal tracking software development kit into numerous mobile applications, thereby tracking the location data and browsing information of billions of mobile phones worldwide and aggregating and selling the data to the US government.

The US was found to have been carrying out extensive cyberattacks and espionage activities across the globe, while also fabricating security reports in a creative manner, smearing China as the primary cyber threat actor and hyping the so-called Chinese cyber espionage issue, perfectly exemplifying its ability to distort the truth.

It is well known that the US has long been engaged in large-scale surveillance and espionage activities against countries around the world, including its allies, leveraging its technological advantage. Since the exposure of the Prism spying incident in 2013, China's cybersecurity agencies have repeatedly discovered the involvement of the US in cyberattacks targeting China.

In recent years, the US has intensified its Hunt Forward Operations (HFOs), with clear targets being Russia, Iran, China and North Korea. US Cyber Command is becoming an expeditionary force, disguising its actions as HFOs and proactive defense, while conducting cyberattacks and espionage against other countries.

However, the US continues to portray itself as a victim of cyberattacks at the same time. Under the banner of maintaining "cyber security," the US is instigating and coercing other countries to join the so-called Clean Network program, attempting to eliminate Chinese companies from the international cyber market.

In fact, the "Clean Network" is a sham, while suppressing opponents and maintaining hegemony is the US' real intention. In response, the Chinese government has repeatedly urged the US to deeply reflect on its own actions and cease global cyberattacks and espionage activities, as well as stop using false information channels to muddy public opinion, the MSS noted.

Recently, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center reported that during the handling of a cyberattack case on NPU, they successfully extracted a spyware sample called Second Date, which is a network spy weapon developed by the NSA and operates covertly in thousands of network devices spread across multiple countries worldwide.

The US will continuously upgrade its arsenal of cyber weapons in the future, as well as constantly enrich its means and methods for conducting cyberattacks, Tang said.

The MSS stressed that cyberspace is increasingly becoming a new battlefield for safeguarding national security. Without cybersecurity, there is no national security, and no stable operation of the economy and society, while the interests of the general public are also difficult to guarantee. The MSS called for solidarity to strengthen security awareness, and to enhance security capabilities, so as to jointly safeguard cybersecurity.

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China, Russia and Mongolia agree to cooperate further, jointly maintain regional stability

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Sep 20, 2023 07:56 PM

Northeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and also one of the regions with concentrated global security hotspots, which offers important development opportunities as well as severe challenges, said 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, in a high-level representatives' meeting on security affairs with Russia and Mongolia in Moscow on Tuesday.

Wang, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, attended the meeting on Tuesday.

As important countries in the region, China, Russia and Mongolia are close neighbors and friendly partners providing mutual assistance. In the new situation, strengthening trilateral cooperation has inherent geographical advantages and deep traditional foundations, which is in line with the common interests of the three countries and is conducive to consolidating regional development consensus, Wang said.

China is ready to work with Russia and Mongolia, based in Northeast Asia and with a global perspective, to seek effective paths for deepening cooperation, promoting regional prosperity and stability, sharing the fruits of regional development, Wang noted.

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand in 2022, the leaders of China, Russia and Mongolia successfully held a meeting and reached important consensus, providing guidance for future cooperation.

The three countries have close positions on major international and regional issues, and will jointly resist external interference, prevent color revolutions and uphold multilateralism, establishing a fair and reasonable international order, Patrushev said.

Enkhbayar said that it is the top priority of Mongolia's diplomacy to develop friendly and cooperative relations with China and Russia. Mongolia opposes a unipolar pattern and lining based on ideology, and Mongolia is willing to strengthen political mutual trust with China and Russia, and make the cooperation among the three a model for regional cooperation.

The three countries spoke highly of the results of the cooperation so far and agreed to further cooperate closely to jointly maintain regional security and stability.

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Chinese FM, embassy, HKSAR govt slam UK's distorted six-monthly report on HK

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Sep 20, 2023 07:54 PM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese embassy in the UK and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government have slammed UK's recent so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong, for distorting facts and interfering in China's internal affairs based on well-worn rhetoric.

During Wednesday's regular news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the so-called report repeated tired and disproven rhetoric, distorted the facts and grossly interfered in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs, seriously violating the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it.

In its 53rd six-monthly report on Hong Kong, the UK government falsely claimed that China remains in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and criticizing the National Security Law and the electoral system in the Hong Kong SAR.

Mao stressed that the essenceaof the Sino-British Joint Declaration is to ensure China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It does not give the UK any responsibilityaover the regionafollowing its return to China.aThe UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of "supervision" over Hong Kong after its return. Hong Kong affairs are purely internal affairs of China.

The legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The enactment and implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system have given strong impetus to the realization of the transition from chaos to governance in Hong Kong, and to the entry into a new phase of governance and prosperity, Mao said.

"We are telling the British side that no external intervention can shake China's firm determination to fully and accurately implement the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, and that any attempt to destabilize Hong Kong will never succeed," she said.

The government of the HKSAR also on Tuesday slammed the "groundless attacks, slanders and smears" outlined within the so-called six-monthly report.

A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said, "The HKSAR government strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the UK's attempt through a so-called six-monthly report again to make misleading and irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong matters. The UK's maneuver with politics prevailing over law-based administration is glaringly obvious."

The spokesperson further noted that the improved electoral system of the HKSAR puts in place legal safeguards to ensure the full implementation of 'patriots administering Hong Kong,' while the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has enabled the livelihoods and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to resume as normal and the business environment to be restored, a fact to which the UK has turned a blind eye.

"Under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world," the spokesperson reiterated. "With the unparalleled connectivity to the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, Hong Kong has great potential and boundless prospects along the new journey of the new era."

The Chinese Embassy in the UK also strongly deplored and opposed the report, with the spokesperson pointing out that the report is shear misrepresentation of facts and grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs. It also seriously violates basic norms governing international relations.

By repeatedly citing the Joint Declaration as an excuse to make irresponsible remarks on China's policy onaHong Kong, the UK essentiallyatries to embolden anti-China forces destabilizing Hong Kongaand continueato make trouble for the region, which will never succeed, the embassy spokesperson said.

The embassy once again urged the UKaside to respect the fact that Hong Kong has already returned to China and respect China's sovereignty. The UK must let go of its colonial mentality, stop releasing bias reports, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs under any pretext, the spokesperson added.

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China, Pakistan successfully wrap up joint air exercise

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 20, 2023 08:48 PM

With the return of participating Pakistani forces to their home country on Tuesday, China and Pakistan successfully wrapped up the Shaheen-X joint air exercise in Northwest China, with observers on Wednesday predicting more military interactions and exchanges that will further deepen pragmatic cooperation between the "Iron Brothers."

The J-10C and JF-17 fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force contingent on Tuesday landed back at an operational air base in Pakistan after successful participation in the joint air exercise in China, the Pakistan Air Force said in a press release on Tuesday.

Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of realistic contemporary air combat scenarios, the exercise was a collaborative endeavor that facilitated the exchange of valuable insights and lessons learned, according to the Pakistani press release.

A video attached to the press release highlighted that the Shaheen-X was an operational exercise that deepened brotherhood, created synergy, enhanced professional skills and operational preparedness and shared cultural values.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force dispatched warplanes including the J-16 fighter jet to the joint exercise, the video showed.

The drill, the 10th edition in the Shaheen exercise series, started on August 28 in Jiuquan, Northwest China's Gansu Province and Yinchuan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

In addition to fighters, other types of aircraft such as early warning aircraft and ground equipment, including ground-to-air missile systems, radar installations and communications units, also participated in the drill that practiced typical combat scenarios such as joint air defense and joint countermeasures, according to Xinhua.

The exercise featured advanced warplanes from both sides and formed complete combat systems that stress interoperability, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The J-16 from the Chinese side is the PLA Air Force's most powerful and all-rounded fighter jet, only second to the stealth-capable J-20, while the J-10C from the Pakistani side is the Pakistan Air Force's most advanced aircraft, the expert said.

Pakistan commissioned the first batch of Chinese-developed J-10Cs in March 2022. They can be interconnected with their Chinese counterparts through the PLA Air Force's KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the expert said.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times that the exercise is beneficial to both sides in terms of skills, tactics and interoperability.

The two countries use different training approaches, but at the same time fly the same aircraft, the J-10C, so both sides can learn from each other, Fu said.

Experts anticipate there will be more high-level exchanges, joint exercises among the armies, navies and air forces of the two countries, personnel training, as well as technology cooperation, including arms sales and joint development, in the future.

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China intensifies measures against money laundering crimes

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:02, September 20, 2023

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.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on September 20, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

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 automaker's CEO said that open market is what drives growth. De-coupling with China poses risks to sound competition and global auto supply chains. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: China's Ministry of Commerce has responded to the EU's 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 anyone's 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 China's 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 world's 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?a

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.a

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 Arabia's 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. What's the foreign ministry's 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 China's 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 China's development and continues to serve as an important bridge and window between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kong's 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 essenceaof 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.a

We do not accept irresponsible accusations against the measures for law-based governance in Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. The legal basis for the Central government's governance of Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. The National Security Lawaand 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 government'salaw-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 China's 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 government's firm resolve to fully and faithfully implement One Country, Two Systems and no attempt to destabilize Hong Kongawill ever succeed.a

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 China's 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: It's reported that the Chinese Ministry of State Security has said that the US has been infiltrating Huawei by monitoring Huawei's 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. I'd 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 ministry's 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: It's the company's own decision as to when to launch a new cellphone.a

We oppose the US's 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.a

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China slams UK report on Hong Kong, says London's plans 'doomed to fail'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 4:34 PM

China has strongly condemned a recent report by the United Kingdom on Hong Kong as being riddled with "irresponsible and non-factual accusations," saying London's "plans to disrupt" the financial hub "are doomed to fail."

In the scathing rebuke on Wednesday, China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong lambasted the assessment report by Britain on the Chinese financial hub, arguing that the report deliberately disregarded the "positive" societal conditions and a stabilizing business environment, instead supporting "anti-China" chaos.

In 2020, Beijing enforced a sweeping national security law in response to violent anti-government protests that shook the city in 2019. The Chinese government said that the law was aimed at a minority causing disorder in the Chinese financial hub that disregarded law and order.

Critics, however, argued that the law undermined the autonomous region's powers and civil liberties.

The UK's 53rd report on Hong Kong, covering the period from January 1 to June 30, alleged that Chinese authorities have extended the application of the law "beyond genuine national security concerns."

The United States, Britain, and other Western countries have openly slammed the Chinese law and voiced support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.

"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 criticize Hong Kong's democracy and human rights situation?" the Chinese foreign ministry said, stressing, "Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail."

London claims in the report that Chinese 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.

Furthermore, at a regular press briefing, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning also denounced the report as a blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs and a violation of the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations

"We see in this so-called report the usual irresponsible, non-factual accusations," she added.

"Hong Kong has actively integrated itself into China's development and continues to serve as an important bridge and window between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world," she further said.

Hong Kong has been governed under the "one-country, two-system" model since the city - a former British colony - reunited with China in 1997.

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Hong Kong no longer 'world's freest economy'

Curbs on the city's political freedoms blamed for the loss of its economic crown.

By Jojo Man and Simon Lee for RFA Cantonese, Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2023.09.20 -- 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 Kong's 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 government's aim was to crack down on political and civil dissent. These repressions, combined with the government's 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 Kong's fall from top ranking showed that the Chinese government's claim that the city is being run as a separate jurisdiction under the "one country, two systems" framework agreed before the 1997 handover wasn't 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 China's financial needs is gone."

The Hong Kong government on Tuesday issued a strongly worded statement about the report, hitting out at its comments on the city's 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 Kong's long-term sovereign debt rating.

"This won't 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 Asia's "Financial Freedom" program on Wednesday that the ranking was a "new low" for Hong Kong.

He said a city's competitiveness doesn't 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."

The report comes as Hong Kong's 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.

By contrast, Shenzhen's 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.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China In Eurasia Briefing: What's Driving Beijing's Leadership Turbulence?

By Reid Standish September 20, 2023

What's Driving Beijing's Leadership Turbulence?

Less than two months after Qin Gang, who had been serving as China's 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 Beijing's 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 People's Liberation Army's 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 People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force and Li's potential investigation could be linked to those cases.

The sequence for Li also has echoes of Qin's 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 China's 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 China's 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 country's 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 it's 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 Party's 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 country's 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 don't miss an episode.

On the latest episode, I'm joined by Andrei Soshnikov, who heads RFE/RL's 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. I'd 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 minister's 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/RL's 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 China's 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 Garibashvili's work as an adviser to the board of the firm that managed CEFC's 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 that's changing as Garibashvili moves the country closer to China, including signing a strategic partnership agreement with Beijing in July. Moreover, since Garibashvili returned as prime minister in 2021, every infrastructure project in Georgia worth more than $100 million has involved Chinese firms.

"Garibashvili'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 CEFC's 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 CEFC's 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 CEFC's 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/RL's 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 it's not the first scandal involving the companies in the Balkans.

3. The China Angle On Slovakia's Elections

Slovakia is headed to the polls on September 30 where populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico -- who plans to reverse the country's 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 Kyiv's 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 China's peace document around ending the war in Ukraine that it unveiled in February and Slovakia's relationship with Taiwan, which remains one of Europe's 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 they're looking to frame the current pro-EU, pro-Western leadership as not following Slovak's national interests and that they're instead controlled by the collective West, particularly the United States, the report says.

There's still lots to be determined at the ballot box later this month. Even if Fico and SMER perform strongly, no winner can rule within Slovakia's electrical math without a coalition in parliament. That means it's 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 London's 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.

Baerbock's 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/RL's Georgian Service reported.

Beijing's New Man In Kabul: China became the first country to formally name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.

Beijing did not indicate any wider steps toward formal recognition of the Taliban, but the appointment highlights that China's practical ties are growing.

One Thing To Watch

Despite tensions staying high, talks are ongoing between Beijing and Washington.

Wang Yi, China's 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 Xi's 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.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-eurasia-briefing- standish-shangfu-disappearance/32600851.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Arrives in Pyongyang

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, arrived in the capital city of Pyongyang by his private train on Tuesday evening.

The Pyongyang Railway Station was turned into a veritable sea of flowers carrying the ardent passion of all the people across the country who had earnestly waited for the day when he would return home in good health from foreign tour.

Present at the station to greet him were Kim Tok Hun, Jo Yong Won and Choe Ryong Hae, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK, and other senior officials of the Party, the government and the military.

The guard of honor of the Korean People's Army (KPA) lined up there.

When the private train of Kim Jong Un entered the yard of the station amid the welcome music, the people at the station broke into ardent cheers of "Hurrah!" with their deep yearning.

Kim Jong Un got off the train and sent warm greetings to the cheering masses.

The crowd warmly greeted him, who wished the people well-being and success in their work when he crossed the border for his foreign visit and extended first greetings to the people at dawn when he returned home.

There was a ceremony of greeting the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un .

Kim Jong Un reviewed the KPA guard of honor.

A boy and a girl presented fragrant bouquets to him.

Leading officials of the Party, the government and the military extended warm congratulations to him, who returned home in good health after conducting the immortal external revolutionary activities, to be recorded forever in the history of development of the DPRK-Russia friendship, reflecting the unanimous desire of all the people and the KPA men and officers.

Kim Jong Un exchanged greetings with them and warmly waved his hands to acknowledge the enthusiastically cheering citizens. -0-

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Speech by Foreign Minister Baerbock at the High-Level Event to advance the work on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, a side event of the 78th UN General Assembly

Germany Federal Foreign Office

19.09.2023 - Speech

What's the point in speaking up for nuclear arms control today?

Some - probably outside of this room - might say this is futile in a world where a permanent member of the UN Security Council is waging a war of aggression to subdue its neighbour, and where proliferation crises and nuclear build-ups are challenging the very core of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

But I am convinced that in this world, speaking up for nuclear arms control actually matters more than ever.

Because we all seek to uphold a global order that is based on clear rules - on international law and our UN Charter.

And nuclear arms control is a crucial part of this order:

Because it replaces uncontrolled arms races with mutual assurances of caps and constraints.

Because it provides transparency and insight into each other's intentions, thus making international relations more predictable.

And because it provides common rules that make all people, all states safer.

That's why Germany will continue its work to preserve the NonaProliferation Treaty and to reduce nuclear risks - with partners from East and West, from North and South, in the NonaProliferation and Disarmament Initiative as well as the Stockholm Initiative.

And that's also why Germany remains committed to starting negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty - the FMCT.

FMCT - that sounds technical. It is. But it's also critical.

Because fissile material provides the "explosive", the "dynamite" for nuclear weapons.

And the maths is easy: The more fissile material - the more nuclear weapons.

But the world does not need more nuclear weapons. It does not need more fissile material. It needs less.

And yet, our work to even start negotiations has been stalled for the last three decades.

At the same time, after decades of exchanges between our experts, we all know what an FMCT could look like: The necessary provisions, the substance for negotiations that we need to agree upon are very clear.

So there is no doubt that moving forward is a question of political will. Therefore, I would like to echo the message that so many of you conveyed today: All states should finally clear the way for negotiations to start. And the states with significant nuclear capabilities have a particular responsibility in this regard.

Germany stands ready to continue working for an FMCT - at the Conference on Disarmament and through resolutions at the General Assembly.

As a first step, all states should declare and uphold voluntary moratoria on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons. We call on China - the only nuclear weapon state under the NPT that has not yet declared such a moratorium - to do so without delay.

Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Now is the moment for us to speak up for nuclear arms control.

Not because we are naAve or because we harbour unrealistic hopes.

But because it's crucial to a world order in which international law and common rules prevail.

An order that protects our security and peace.



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Canada expels Indian diplomat over killing of Sikh leader

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:04, September 19, 2023

OTTAWA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Canada has expelled a top Indian diplomat for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the Canadian province of British Columbia in June, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Monday.

The allegations against the Indian diplomat, she said, are very serious and, if these allegations were proven it would be a great violation of Canada's sovereignty.

"If proven true this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other," Joly told journalists. "As a consequence we have expelled a top Indian diplomat."

Joly said she "expects India to fully collaborate with us and ultimately to get to the bottom of this."

The foreign minister also said she plans to take up the matter during an evening meeting with G7 foreign ministers in New York on Monday.

Meanwhile, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that national security agencies are presently investigating "credible allegations" that the "agents of the government of India" could be involved in the killing of prominent Canadian Sikh leader.

"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 while addressing the Canadian House of Commons on Monday.

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Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada

India - Ministry of External Affairs

September 20, 2023

aIn 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.

New Delhi

September 20, 2023

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India expels senior Canadian diplomat

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:14, September 20, 2023

NEW DELHI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, asking him to leave the country within the next five days.

The move came after Ottawa expelled an Indian diplomat for his alleged involvement in the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar earlier this year. Nijjar was killed in Surrey, Canada's British Columbia, on June 18.

An official statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs said that the decision reflected the Indian government's growing concern over the interference of Canadian diplomats in India's internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

"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," said the ministry's statement.

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India Issues Canada Travel Advisory Amid Probe of Sikh Activist's Murder

By VOA News September 20, 2023

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 India's 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 another's diplomats.

It's 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 India's international espionage operations, told the Press Trust of India. "We do not go around assassinating people a 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 Modi's 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 movement's second-coming at home. Modi's 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.

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US announces new sanctions over Iran's drones, military aircraft

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 4:56 PM

The US government has announced new sanctions related to Iran's military aviation activity by blacklisting Iranian, Russian, Chinese and Turkish entities for their alleged support for Iran's legitimate program to develop drones and military aircraft.

Seven individuals and four entities in the four countries were targeted by the US Department of Treasury in a series of sanctions announced on Tuesday for what it said was their alleged role to facilitate "shipments and financial transactions" to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).

In a statement, the Treasury repeated Washington's unproven claims about Iran's supply of drones to Russia for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Iran has denied any involvement in the war in Ukraine while calling US accusations an attempt to mask its own role in the conflict.

The US Treasury said it had earlier imposed sanctions on five companies based in China and one individual for their role in the supply of aerospace components, including parts used for drones, to HESA.

The sanctions come just a day after the United States and Iran announced the conclusion of a prisoner exchange deal which also led to the release of some $6 billion worth of Iranian funds that had remained frozen in South Korea because of US sanctions.

Regional countries have expressed hope that the prisoner deal could open the way for more talks between Iran and the US to revive an international deal on Iran's nuclear program, known as the JCPOA, more than five years after it was abandoned by the US.

However, Iranian officials have indicated that Washington's unbridled use of sanctions against Iran is a sign that it is unwilling to revive the JCPOA despite statements suggesting the opposite.

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Bullying tactics against Iran will go nowhere: President Raeisi

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 2:25 PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the United States' policy of implementing bullying tactics against Iran in the form of imposing sanctions on the country will definitely fail to produce any results.

"Using the bullying language in the form of sanctions and threats against the Iranian nation is not a useful instrument, one should speak with logic," Raeisi said on Tuesday during a meeting in New York with representatives of US political think tanks.

Elaborating on his remarks, Raeisi said a manifestation of Washington's insistence on using bullying tactics against Iran was its decision to freeze billions of dollars worth of Iranian funds in South Korea for several years.

The funds were released on Monday as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Iran and the US that was mediated by Qatar.

Raeisi said Iran will continue to judge the US based on its practical steps and not its sheer rhetoric.

"Up to now, US behavior has failed to win the trust of the Islamic Republic," he said, adding that what can make Iran trust the US is a change in Washington's bullying behavior as well as its respect for commitments made under international deals.

Raeisi is in New York to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He is planned to deliver a speech to the summit later on Tuesday.

Since arriving in the US on Monday, the Iranian president has attended meetings with media people, religious figures and other groups as part of a campaign to elucidate the policies of the Iranian government.



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Iranian President denounces West's meddling in affairs of Middle East countries

19 September 2023 - Speaking at the annual debate of the UN General Assembly in New York, Iran's President, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi discussed the emergence of non-Western powers, encouraged regional economic and security partnerships, and lamented the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

'Paradigm shift'

The world is reaching a "critical junction" point as an emerging order of non-Western states looks to pursue closer economic and political ties with one another, according to Mr. Raisi.

"The global landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift towards an emerging international order, a trajectory that is not reversible," he said.

"As non-Western powers have emerged, there is a collective hope for a novel and equitable world order. The Islamic Republic of Iran advocates maximum economic and political convergence and is interested in interacting with the global community under the principle of justice."

Through mutual political trust, economic cooperation, and indigenous security measures the goals of regional partners can be achieved more easily, said Mr. Raisi.

Holding up the Quran, he said "the holy book beckons humanity towards rationality, spirituality, the truth and justice. It expounds upon the unity of mankind proclaiming all earthly inhabitants it seeks to guide all towards human dignity... and speaks of equality among humans."

Regional partnerships

Mr. Raisi emphasised the need for regional stability, noting the security of neighbouring countries directly implicated the security of Iran. He also criticized Western powers for what he claimed was an overt attempt to undermine stability in the region, claiming that Western intelligence agencies were moving terrorists across the region in a "very targeted fashion."

"The surgical use of terrorists by certain western governments as a political tool will be overcome by the collective will of the people of the region," he said.

"Iran, who herself has been the biggest target of terrorists, has been at the forefront of combating terrorism in the region," he added.

Iran additionally accused the US of "foreign meddling" in neighbouring states, and drew attention to the situation in Afghanistan to highlight the humanitarian impact of Western military intervention on regional affairs.

"An independent and robust neighbourhood presents an opportunity for the entire region. We will welcome any extended hand quite warmly."

Tensions over Jerusalem

Mr. Raisi lamented Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, labelling it a negation of the "inherent rights" of Palestinians. He also emphasised the need to recognise Palestinian statehood and withdraw Israeli troops and settlements from the region.

"The people of the region see Iran as a secure partner for their own security and the occupying regime in Jerusalem is seen as the perpetrator of much of the violence in the region," he said.

"Has the time not come to bring an end to seven and a half decades to the occupation of Palestinian lands, of the demolition of their homes, of the blood of their women and children, and for the people of Palestine to be recognized officially as a country?"

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Iran: High Representative Borrell meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian

European External Action Service (EEAS)

20.09.2023

EEAS Press Team

High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell met today with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. The High Representative raised the most urgent issues affecting EU-Iran bilateral relations and the recent developments on the JCPOA, in his role as the Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission.

The High Representative conveyed the EU's strong condemnation about the arbitrary detentions of many EU citizens, including dual nationals, in Iran. The High Representative urged Foreign Minister Abdollahian, once again, to release all EU citizens.

The EU's position remains unchanged about the very concerning human rights situation in the country. Iran must ensure that fundamental freedoms are respected, as expressed by the EU's 27 Member States on the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini.

On the JCPOA, the High Representative underlined the importance of following a path of de-escalation. In that context, he urged Iran to reconsider its decision to withdraw the official designation of several experienced IAEA inspectors and to improve cooperation with the IAEA. The EU strongly supports the IAEA and its work. He transmitted his firm conviction on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue in the framework of the JCPOA.

Finally, the High Representative urged once again the Iranian Government to stop its continued military cooperation with Russia in the illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.



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Supreme Leader calls Sacred Defense prominent part of Iran's history

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 20, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has termed the era of the eight-year imposed war of Iraq on Iran in the 1980s, a period known as the Sacred Defense, as a prominent part of Iranian history.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Wednesday in a meeting with veterans of the Sacred Defense era and notable figures from Iran's Resistance literature.

"The issue in the Iraq war against Iran was not only a change in boundaries and geography, they had targeted the identity of a nation," said the Supreme leader.

He added that Western powers like the US, France, Germany and the former Soviet Union provided the Iraqi regime with the military supplies it needed in the war against Iran.

"The main instigator was the US. The French supplied the most modern military equipment to Iraq. The Eastern Bloc and the former Soviet Union gave Iraq whatever it needed in terms of ground and aerial supplies," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Supreme Leader said there is a need for more works on the history and culture of the Sacred Defense era in Iran as he called on officials and activists in the country to do more to make the younger generation more familiar with the sacrifices made by Iranian military and volunteer forces during the period.

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Iran slams new U.S. sanctions on media outlets

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:09, September 20, 2023

TEHRAN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday criticized the United States for imposing new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities, including media outlets, calling the move a "trite bid" to suppress transparency and truth.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said that the sanctions demonstrate Washington's "fear for the reality to be shown by truth-seeking and leading media."

Jahromi also highlighted Washington's double standards, pointing out that while the U.S. supports media aligned with its policies, it stifles independent voices.

"The United States is addicted to imposing sanctions and cannot quit it," the spokesman said.

The U.S. government announced last week new sanctions on 29 Iranian individuals and entities, including the Tehran-based Press TV news channel as well as the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies and three of their senior officials.

Commenting on a prisoner swap between Iran and the U.S. conducted on Monday, Jahromi said the swap was a humanitarian move, which "is completely conventional in the area of international law."

He also highlighted the release of Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks as "a significant success" for the Iranian government.

Iran and the United States conducted a prisoner swap on Monday, releasing five detainees from each side. Also on Monday, Iran's central bank said the Iranian assets previously frozen in South Korean banks, amounting to around 5.94 billion U.S. dollars, have been transferred to six Iranian accounts in two Qatari banks.

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Iran, Russia stress enhanced regional cooperation can end foreign intervention

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 5:59 PM

Iran's top security official and Russia's defense minister have slammed the role of external powers in destabilizing the region, calling for enhanced collaboration among regional countries to ensure their collective security.

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, met in Tehran on Wednesday and slammed foreign interference as the main source of instability in the region.

They emphasized that "enhancing regional cooperation to achieve collective security is one of the most effective ways to end foreign interference in the region", according to Iranian media reports.

The two officials also discussed ways to expand Iran-Russia cooperation and address common challenges, such as terrorism. They also exchanged views on the latest international developments, especially the situation in the Caucuses region.

Getting acquainted with Iranian-developed weapons

During his visit, the Russian minister also toured the aerospace force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), where he met with IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

He was shown various Iranian-made drones, missiles, and air defense systems.

The Russian defense minister arrived in Iran on Tuesday in an official visit upon an invitation by Chief of General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammed Hossein Baqeri.

Earlier, he sat down for talks with General Baqeri as well as his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani.

During his meeting with General Ashtiani, Shoigu said relations between Russia and Iran have reached a new level despite opposition from much of the Western world.

"The pressure of sanctions on Russia and Iran is proving to be futile, while Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching new highs," he added.

Tehran and Moscow have strengthened their defense partnership in recent years, and are now mulling a long-term defense cooperation agreement.

Tehran says the two countries will hold joint military exercises in the coming February.

Despite facing severe Western sanctions, Iran and Russia, two strong allies, have significantly strengthened their relationship in multiple domains, such as military and defense, over the past few years.

Meanwhile, the US and its allies have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia to use them in the Ukraine war. Both Tehran and Moscow have rejected the allegation.

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Top Iran, EU diplomats discuss JCPOA revival in New York

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 3:10 PM

Iran's foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief have discussed ways to continue talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which have been stalled for over a year over lingering differences between Iran and the US.

In a Wednesday meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Josep Borrell "stressed the importance of continuation of dialogue and full implementation of commitments by all parties to JCPOA", according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement.

It said the EU official, who acts as the coordinator of the JCPOA revival talks, stressed his readiness to follow up on the talks and hold necessary consultations.

"The parties showed interest in taking concrete actions based on an agreed framework and to establish as much mutual understanding as possible," the statement said.

Those talks have been on pause since August last year, with Iran blaming a lack of political will on the part of the US President Joe Biden administration to undo the damage caused to the multilateral nuclear deal by the previous US administration.

Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the UNSC-endorsed agreement in May 2018, imposing severe economic sanctions against Tehran while Iran was adhering to its commitments under the deal and even continued to do so for a year after the US withdrawal.

Tehran scaled back its commitments to the JCPOA in a series of pre-announced and clear steps after witnessing the other parties' failure to secure its interest under the agreement.

Some observers see the exchange of five prisoners between Iran and the US on Monday as a possible gate to a broader agreement between the two countries. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Borrell expressed his satisfaction with the prisoner swap in the meeting.

The parties also discussed the course of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency while also reviewing the latest developments in bilateral relations and consulted on regional and international developments, the statement said.

Releasing a statement on the meeting, the European External Action Service said Borell raised "most urgent issues affecting EU-Iran bilateral relations and the recent developments on the JCPOA" during the meeting.

"On the JCPOA, the High Representative underlined the importance of following a path of de-escalation," reads the statement, also calling on Iran to improve cooperation with the IAEA. He stressed the "need to find a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue in the framework of the JCPOA," according to the statement.

The diplomat also urged Iran to release "all EU citizens" who have been detained in the country and also to stop what he claimed to be "military cooperation with Russia" in the Ukraine war.

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Iran, Russia working on long-term military cooperation pact: Top General

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 7:31 AM

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says Tehran and Moscow are working to draw up a long-term military cooperation agreement in the near future as the world moves towards an increasingly multipolar order.

During a meeting with visiting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Tehran on Tuesday evening, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri stressed the need for enhancement of ties between the two neighboring countries.

"The Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] believes that long-term cooperation between Iran and Russia is in the interest of both nations and for that reason, a document is being drawn up in this regard," Baqeri said.

"The document has laid strong emphasis on military and defense issues and can serve as a suitable platform for the development of long-term cooperation between the two countries.

"Despite increased mutual relations in recent years, we believe there are still untapped potentials for the promotion of relations between the two countries. More efforts need to be devoted to the improvement of the ties to the desired level," he added.

Baqeri said Iranian and Russian military institutions are among the pioneers in the promotion of relations between the two countries, stating that joint military and defense commissions can certainly accelerate such a process.

The current level of naval cooperation between Iran and Russia is favorable, he said, adding that the forthcoming joint naval drills, scheduled for next February, provide an opportunity to improve the level of defense and military relations between the two countries.

Baqeri also said that unfolding developments around the world indicate that the era of unipolarity has come to an end and now multiple contenders are capable of shaping the world order.

He highlighted that Tehran and Moscow hold the same opinion that the current world order is transforming into a multipolar one, and the trend is gaining momentum.

For his part, Shoigu underscored that his visit to Tehran is meant to enhance defense cooperation in the areas of common interest.

He emphasized the need for cooperation in training, exchange of cadets as well as staging joint military exercises.

The two top-brass military officials also voiced their respective countries' readiness to settle simmering tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Iran and Russia, as two close and strategic allies, have over the past years deepened their relations in various fields, including military and defense, despite being under heavy Western sanctions.

Last month, Iran's domestically manufactured Ababil ballistic missile was for the first time put on display at a military exhibition in Russia, alongside a range of other cutting-edge Iranian military equipment, including drones and electronic warfare systems.

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Israel: High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell meets Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in New York

European External Action Service (EEAS)

20.09.2023

EEAS Press Team

The High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell met with Foreign Minister of Israel Eli Cohen in New York, in the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations' General Assembly on 20 September 2023.

The HR/VP informed Minister Cohen about the results of the ministerial meeting he co-chaired on 18 September, together with Saudi Arabia, the League of Arab States, Egypt, and Jordan, to explore ways to revive Middle East Peace efforts. He underlined that the "Peace Day Effort" that was launched aims at developing a positive vision with broad support from the international community to help advance peace, stability, and security in the region.

The HR/VP stressed the importance he attaches to engaging with Israel, one of EU's closest partners in the region, as closely as possible and keeping it informed of the 'Peace Day Effort'. The HR/VP recalled that the European Union is seeking an open and constructive exchange with Israel on the Middle East Peace Process. The EU and its Member States remain firmly committed to the Two-State Solution and stand ready to contribute to a peace process.

They also discussed bilateral relations, as well as regional issues.

HR/VP Borrell affirmed that the EU is keen to expand further the strong cooperation with Israel. The European Union and Israel stressed their will to continue deepening their bilateral dialogue, including during the next meeting of the Association Council, which should be convened soon.

They looked forward to the upcoming visit of HRVP Borrell to Israel at the beginning of December. The High Representative will also visit Palestine on this occasion.



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Netanyahu Gets Coveted Biden Meeting on General Assembly Sidelines

By Patsy Widakuswara September 20, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden met Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York to discuss Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and attempts to overhaul Israel's judicial system, which critics said threatens that country's 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. Netanyahu's hard-line government's 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 administration's 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 we'd 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.

It's 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. It's also not clear what Netanyahu's 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 Netanyahu's 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 Israel's 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 University's 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.

Biden's 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 Netanyahu's "continued plans to gut Israel's judicial system and his willingness to destroy democratic norms and ally with extremists."

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Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel Before Bilateral Meeting | New York, NY

September 20, 2023

10:51 A.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, my friend, welcome.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Welcome, welcome, welcome. And I hope we'll see each other in Washington by the end of the year here.

One of the things that always stuck in my mind a and we've had a lot of discussions over the years, you and I. How long has it been?

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Who can count?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: I a I tell you what, I a I gave up counting, because he worked for the embassy and I was a freshman senator. And we were both very important then.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: (Laughs.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: At any rate, 75 years ago, the first Israeli prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, after declaring independence, used a phrase that I've quoted all a very often. He said that the world stands a if the world stands with Israel, the dream of generations will be fulfilled a the dream of generations. And together, Israel and the United States have been working together to make that dream a reality for a a for a long time.

You've heard me say many times: Were there no Israel, we'd have to invent one. And a and I mean it.

It includes building a more stable and prosperous Middle East a that, over time, is beginning to occur a and a and through historic initiatives that have begun in the previous administrations. Including, most recently, the India and Middle East, European Economic Corridor a which, I think, has enormous promise after the G20 meeting in India a which is going to connect India and Europe through Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel. I think it's a big deal.

And we're working on a lot more together.

Today, 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 the checks and balances in our systems; and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution; and ensuring that Iran never a never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Because even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, as you know, is ironclad. I a I think without Israel, there's not a Jew in the world that's 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 those a as Ben-Gurion said, the dream of generations.

I think we have a chance to a you know, I a I suffer from an oxymoron: Irish optimism. And I think that a you look at the pi- a if you and I, 10 years ago, were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, and a and I think we'd look at each other like, "Who's been drinking what?" But we a we're a

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Good Irish whiskey. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good Irish whiskey. That's the reason why I've never had a drink. (Laughs.)

Any rate, so, welcome, Bibi. And I hope we can get some things settled today.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you, Mr. President.

Joe, we've been friends for a I've checked it a over 40 years, and our friendship goes a long way and can take us a long way. I a I'm delighted to see you.

I think we live at a time of great promise but also grave danger. You just spoke about that great promise.

In the G20 meeting that you participated and led, you spoke about an economic corridor that would link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe together. And such a corridor will a will make Israel a very important hub on a a on a highway of unprecedented prosperity, but I think and you think that it can do something much bigger than that.

I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. And I think 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.

I a I believe that, working together, we can make history and create a better future for the region and beyond. And also, by working together, we can confront those forces that threaten that future, none more so than Iran.

I appreciate, Mr. President, your continuous commitment to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability. I think that's critical. And that shared goal of ours 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.

So, I look forward to working with you and your team to a to realize the promise and confront a confront the threat. As I said, we live in a a and you said a 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. We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish. And I think that, working together, we'll realize the promise, roll back the dangers, and bring a better future for our region and the world.

We can make history. Mr. President, with your leadership, we can make history.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Together.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Together.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Together. Okay.

(Cross-talk.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: I'm surprised they haven't asked me about the auto strike. They a they usually ask about things that have nothing to do with what we're talking about, so I was surprised they're not asking about the auto a

(The press departs the meeting.)

10:58 A.M. EDT

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Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel

September 20, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today in New York with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern. The President wished the Prime Minister and the people of Israel a happy new year during the Jewish high holidays. President Biden reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the two countries, which is based on the bedrock of shared democratic values, and the United States' iron-clad commitment to Israel's security. During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, as well as ongoing close cooperation between Israel and the United States to counter all threats posed by Iran and its proxies. They also consulted on progress toward establishing a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East region, including through efforts to deepen and expand normalization with countries in the region. 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, and discussed how the project can benefit the entire Middle East region with investment and new forms of collaboration across two continents. The two leaders and their teams welcomed the likely convening soon of a ministerial meeting in the Negev format to further advance regional integration initiatives, as well as deepening the ongoing U.S.-Israeli Tech Dialogue.

With regard to ongoing tension and violence in the West Bank, the President 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. 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. The two leaders and their teams agreed to consult with regional partners with the aim of convening a meeting soon in this important Aqaba/Sharm format. The President also reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israel's 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.

###

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Reforms vital to build confidence, Japanese leader tells UN Assembly

19 September 2023 - The Prime Minister of Japan said on Tuesday that he is open to meeting President Kim Jong-Un of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at any time and without any conditions "to open up a new era together" between the countries.

Addressing the General Assembly's annual high-level debate Fumio Kishida urged reforms of the Security Council, including increased representation of Africa and expanding both its permanent and non-permanent membership, to restore confidence.

"The world is changing dramatically. We need a Security Council that reflects the world today," he said, noting that efforts to limit the use of the veto, which exacerbates division and confrontation in the UN, will strengthen and restore confidence in the body.

Relations with DPRK

The Japanese leader said that his country seeks to normalize its relationship with DPRK by comprehensively resolving outstanding matters, including abductions, nuclear and missile issues, and settling issues related to "our unfortunate past".

"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 and would like to hold high-level talks under my direct supervision to realize a summit meeting at an early time."

Protect human dignity

In his address, Prime Minister Kishida urged the international community to renew cooperation to protect and strengthen human dignity as a driving force across the world.

Hailing from Hiroshima, he said he has made nuclear disarmament his "lifelong mission" and called on leaders of nuclear-weapon States to step up progress towards a world without deadly weapons.

To firmly establish nuclear disarmament, "it is paramount to transcend purely government efforts and engage in multilayered efforts," he added, urging greater participation and leadership of the youth.

He also underlined the need to defend the dignity of people affected by armed conflicts, especially women and children.

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues. A food crisis must not be perpetuated. Supporting vulnerable people in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere is essential," he said.

Climate action

On climate, the Japanese leader stated that his country will continue to support disaster risk reduction for countries vulnerable to climate change, including island States.

Japan will cooperate with other countries under the Asia Zero Emission Community initiative towards achieving net-zero, and before that is achieved, work to mitigate potential impacts from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

He also called on the international community to prepare for the next infectious disease outbreak, announcing efforts to support universal health coverage, and strengthening prevention, preparedness and response to health crisis.

The Prime Minister also noted that digital technologies, while bringing benefits also put people's privacy and human rights at risk, highlighting Japan's efforts towards building trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.

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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly held a meeting with Murat Nurtleu, Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 19 September 2023 during the UN General Assembly in New York.

20 September 2023

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu discussed their shared ambitions to further strengthen their strong bilateral partnership at a meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary looked forward to upcoming senior-level UK-Kazakhstan engagement, including the annual Ministerial Strategic Dialogue and Ministerial Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Investment. Priority topics would include close collaboration in higher education, the development of the Middle Corridor transport route, and Kazakhstan's strong commitment to tackle sanctions circumvention in light of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The two Ministers also discussed opportunities for UK expertise and practical support in Kazakhstan's trade and services sector, as well as working together on Sustainable Development Goals.
Informal Consultations on Supporting Libya's Political Process on the Margins of the U.N. General Assembly

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

September 20, 2023

Representatives from Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Qatar, TArkiye, the UAE, the UK, the UN, and the United States held informal consultations yesterday, with participation of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily, focused on promoting the political consensus needed for successful Libyan elections. Participants expressed their solidarity with the Libyan people following the devastating flooding in eastern Libya and noted the urgency of enhanced coordination among Libyan and international parties to ensure an effective and transparent humanitarian response. In remarks to the group, Assistant Secretary Barbara A. Leaf underscored full U.S. support for Special Representative Bathily's efforts and stressed the need for a renewed international commitment to advancing the UN-led political process, including to urge finalizing the draft election law and to support Special Representative Bathily's efforts to convene key Libyan stakeholders to galvanize the electoral track through a political agreement.

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Myanmar's central bank revokes 123 forex licenses

Companies have been banned from trading dollars for failing to stick to central bank rates.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.20 -- Myanmar's junta-controlled central bank has revoked the forex licenses of 123 companies, it announced this week.

Tuesday's 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 Yangon's famous Sedona Hotel and Myanmar National Airlines.

Radio Free Asia phoned the director general of the central bank's 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 bank's reference exchange rate.

The central bank's 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 haven't 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 haven't 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.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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90 feared dead after Myanmar junta boat sinks in rough river waters

Many of those on board were teachers and university students heading to school.

By RFA Burmese 2023.09.20 -- 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 Sagaing's 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.

"It's 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 river's strong current. The boat was submerged in deep water, the resident said.

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 shouldn't 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. It's not a very difficult thing to do. But it doesn't 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 can't say exactly how many died and survived at the moment," the second resident said. "We local people don't dare to go near there."

RFA contacted Tin Than Win, the junta's 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 military's 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.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Wednesday 20 September 2023

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated]

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing.

Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is in New York to attend the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani and Foreign Secretary, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi are part of the delegation.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the President of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and attended the High-level Meeting on Global Development Initiative and the SDG Summit Leaders' Dialogue. At the SDG Summit Leaders Dialogue, the Prime Minister highlighted the challenges in attainment of SDGs especially for developing countries.

He called for climate justice, including the fulfilment of the pledge for over $100 billion annually in climate finance, allocation of half of this amount to climate adaptation and the urgent launch of the Fund for "Loss and Damage".

Today, the Prime Minister will attend the Climate Ambition Summit 2023 and High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development. On Friday, 22 September 2023, the Prime Minister will address the UN General Assembly session.

In this address, the Prime Minister will outline Pakistan's perspective on a range of regional and global issues, including the longstanding unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute on the UN Agenda. He will also share the measures taken by Pakistan to consolidate economic recovery and efforts to mobilize domestic and external investments.

The Foreign Minister also has a busy programme in New York. He has participated in several multilateral engagements including a Minister-level Meeting for Middle East Peace and a Meeting of the OIC Six-Member Committee for Palestine.

On the sidelines, the Foreign Minister has held bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts including the Foreign Ministers of Belarus, Cuba, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He also delivered an address at the Asia Society.

At the OIC Committee Meeting, the Foreign Minister underscored Pakistan's principled stance of a 2-state solution to the Palestine question.

In his speech at the Asia Society, the Foreign Minister emphasized Pakistan's commitment to a foreign policy rooted in mutually beneficial cooperation, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and shared economic development. He shared Pakistan's vision for a peaceful neighbourhood, including combating terrorism, peace and stability in Afghanistan and resolution of outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Pakistan strongly condemns the recent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a group of extremists under the watch of Israeli occupation forces. We believe that a continuation of such unfortunate incidents this year constitutes a flagrant violation of the relevant international norms and conventions. It is an affront to the religious sentiments of Muslims around the world.

Pakistan reiterates its call upon the international community to act in concert to bring an end to Israel's escalatory practices in the interest of peace, security and stability in the Middle East and beyond.

Human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated.

During the first eight months of this year, the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK have killed 68 Kashmiris, including women and children. There were thirteen custodial killings. During this period about 2900 individuals including political activists, businesspeople, women and youth were arbitrarily arrested.

Such acts are aimed at breaking the Kashmiri people's will and determination to demand their rights and freedom including the inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. These human rights violations must end and their perpetrators should be held to account.

Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

I thank you.

**

Question: I have two questions. Foreign Minister Jilani held a meeting with the Special Representative of the United States for Afghanistan. They talked about peace and stability in Afghanistan and the shared efforts for this purpose by the two countries. My question is if the continuing attacks from inside Afghanistan and the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan were taken up and how did the US respond to it? My second question is, the Canadian Foreign Minister has said that their government has expelled an Indian diplomat, who was the chief of India's intelligence agency in the country, due to the Canadian Security Agency's active pursuit of credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of a Sikh leader. How does Pakistan view the development? Also, what is Pakistan's stance on the Khalistan issue? (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News)

Answer: First, regarding the meeting of the Special Representative of the United States on Afghanistan with our Foreign Minister. As you know, this meeting took place overnight, so we do not have a complete readout of the meeting that took place. However, I can underline that various aspects of mutual interest were discussed especially the issues relating to peace and stability in Afghanistan and how the two countries can cooperate in this context. Regarding your second question, the news of Indian involvement in an extra-judicial killing in Canada has shown that India's network of extra-territorial killings has now gone global. For decades, Indian intelligence RAW has been actively involved in abductions and assassinations in South Asia. Pakistan has remained a target of a series of targeted killings and espionage by RAW. In December last year, Pakistan released a comprehensive dossier providing concrete and irrefutable evidence of India's involvement in the Lahore attack of June 2021. That attack was planned and executed by Indian intelligence. In 2016, a high-ranking Indian military officer, Commander Kulbhushan Yadav, confessed his involvement in directing, financing and executing terror and sabotage in Pakistan. India's assassination of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is a clear violation of international law and the UN principle of state sovereignty. It is also a reckless and irresponsible act that calls into question India's reliability as a credible partner and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities.

Question: This is a follow-up to the previous question. Besides the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, there have also been such killings in Pakistan and such leaders have also been killed in the United Kingdom. After targeting the Sikhs and witnessing the success of the referendum for the Khalistan movement, the lives of some of the senior Kashmiri readers and activists in Brussels, London and New York are also under threat. What would be Pakistan's message to the international community regarding this open Indian terrorism in different continents of the world that is jeopardizing peace, and threatening the lives of important human rights activists and Kashmiri leaders in IIOJK? Secondly, how does Pakistan see the Khalistan movement? (Mateen Haider, G News)

Supplementary Question: What is the official stance of Pakistan regarding the Khalistan referendum demanded by the Sikhs for many years? Do we officially accept this referendum? What is its importance for Pakistan? (Anwar Abbas, Bol News)

Answer: First, let me address your first question. Pakistan expects that Pakistani nationals or Kashmiris wherever they are, will be protected by the host governments. It is their responsibility to ensure safety and security.

Your second question is about an issue that does not pertain to Pakistan. This also does not pertain to individuals related to Pakistan. So, I do not have any comments to offer on this question.

Question: My two questions pertain to the recent intercept report. I understand that the Foreign Office has already denied the report as being baseless. Is there any further action been taken by Pakistan to prove it wrong? Secondly, there is a reference to Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington, American Senator Chris Van Hollen and a source of the Pakistani Army. Do you also deny this and call it baseless or fabricated? Thirdly, will Pakistan take any legal action regarding the Intercept's report? (Jaleel Akhtar, VOA)

Supplementary Question: Supplementary on the Intercept's story. There is a reference in the story that Ambassador Masood Khan had a meeting with Donald Lu where it was discussed with regards to the release of $900 million in lieu of arms that Pakistan is providing. Do you want to confirm that such a meeting has happened or is that too fabricated? (Anas Mallick, Capital TV)

Answer: First of all, I should underline that our ambassador in Washington meets US officials and congressmen on a regular basis; that is part of his job. He has held multiple meetings with various US officials on various occasions. Secondly, we have already clearly outlined that this report is baseless and fabricated. The IMF standby arrangement for Pakistan was negotiated between Pakistan and the IMF and you all know that in the IMF board, there are multiple stakeholders. The decision to finalize the standby arrangement with Pakistan was taken by the IMF after the two sides agreed to implement certain difficult but essential economic reforms. Giving any other colour to these negotiations is disingenuous.

Question: Will Pakistan take any legal action regarding the Intercept's report? (Jaleel Akhtar, VOA)

Answer: I would not like to give more credence to this publication than the attention that it has already received. We have no such consideration at this point.

Question: India has recently accused Pakistan of being involved in the Anantnag operation and has said that Pakistan has been supporting those "militants" who were involved in that. What do you have to say about it? (Qurat Ul Ain, Independent Urdu)

Supplementary Question: India is also threatening Pakistan regarding this issue and on the other side, General Mobin is also threatening Pakistan. What are your views on this? (Sardar Amir Hussain, Daily Maddar)

Answer: I would like to reiterate what we have said in the past. Pakistan has the capacity and the will to defend itself; it has done so in the past and it will continue to do so. As far as Qurrat's question is concerned, I addressed it the last time as well. Pakistan has said time and again that India has a habit of blaming Pakistan for anything that happens under its watch, especially in IIOJK. We reject such accusations and concocted stories.

Question: Pakistan has said that Kulbhushan Yadav was involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan; on the other hand, India has also levelled these kinds of allegations against Pakistan. The question is on what level does Pakistan engage with India? Our DGMO used to routinely communicate with his Indian counterpart, is it still happening? Is communication through our embassies normally happening? Is there any back-door channel to discuss these kinds of issues? (Azaz Syed, Geo News)

Answer: The main channel of communication between Pakistan and India remains our two Missions, which as you know are at reduced strength and at the level of charge d'affaires. There is also the engagement that takes place between the Indus Waters Commissioners on matters particular to their jurisdiction. The DGMO mechanism is also functional.

Question: Please inform us about the upcoming sideline meetings of the Prime Minister at the 78th session of the UNGA. Are there any meetings with the IMF scheduled? (Ali Hussain, Business Recorder)

Answer: As you know in New York, there are multiple meetings taking place at the same time, which require the presence of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary and other officials. The sideline meetings take place whenever there is a window between these meetings. Sideline meetings that we finalize, depend on the availability of those time slots. As far as the sideline meetings are concerned, the programme is constantly evolving. Therefore, it would be difficult for me to give you an exact timeframe or confirm any sideline meeting at this stage.

Question: Pakistan has proved many times that India is responsible for terrorism in Pakistan directly and through Afghanistan and we have already provided the evidence to the international community and the United Nations in the form of dossiers. Now that the Prime Minister is at the 78th session of the UNGA, would he mention this in his speech? Will he mention all these recent incidents of Khalistan and Anantnag in his speech? (Nayyar Ali, News One TV)

Answer: I do not wish to go into details of the statement of the Prime Minister at this stage because the draft of the statement is still evolving. The main themes, which I have already shared with you, are about our vision for the region, our vision for the global world order and the importance that Pakistan attaches to its role in the United Nations. In short, the statement will focus on issues of key national priorities for Pakistan. I would therefore not be in a position to comment with respect to the questions that you have raised.

Question: As far as negotiations with Afghanistan are concerned, you have said several times that negotiations with the Taliban are tough but we are in contact with the Taliban interim government and there will be something for the media at an appropriate time. Has the appropriate time come? Secondly, it is an open secret that we are not comfortable with the Taliban regime. Then what is the nature of our communication with the American Special Representative? What would be its credibility? If something is settled between us, will the Taliban accept that? (Mazhar Iqbal, PNN News)

Supplementary Question: Previously Torkham border was opened after 8 days during which a reference was repeatedly given by the Afghan media to a letter sent to the Afghan Interim Prime Minister from Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar. In the letter, the Afghan government claimed that there was no mention of the talks regarding Afghan terrorism or terrorism in both countries. Do you verify this letter? Which points were discussed in that letter? (Ghazala Noreen, Suno Tv)

Answer: First, on Mr. Mazhar's question, diplomacy means talking to your counterparts whenever there are difficult issues. Therefore, it is important for us that we continue to engage with Afghanistan to discuss all issues that are of concern to Pakistan. In that context, whenever there are meetings between friendly countries, we share notes on our respective perceptions about the developments that take place in the region or worldwide. So, this meeting that took place between our Foreign Minister and Mr. Thomas West was in that context, where the two exchanged views on their respective visions about peace and stability in Afghanistan.

With respect to Ms. Ghazala's question, it is a separate question, but I can answer it. The letter that has been mentioned was a routine letter addressed by our Prime Minister to the leader of the Afghan Interim Government, in response to a letter of congratulations on his appointment as the Caretaker Prime Minister. These are diplomatic norms and in these letters, the two countries exchange positive messages. Our Prime Minister's letter was also in that context, a positive message of the friendship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Question: I have three questions. The first is related to the Indian-sponsored international state terrorism. As you have said, it's gone global. When will Pakistan raise the issue of Indian state terrorism along with the terror financing issues at the appropriate forums, particularly at the Financial Action Task Force? The second question is related to that too. As the UNGA 78th Session is in progress, will the caretaker Prime Minister raise the Indian state-sponsored terrorism not only in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan but also in any other third countries in the world and the UNGA session? The third question is related to TArkiye's President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan's recent address to the UNGA in which he strongly supported the cause for Kashmiris' freedom. He also proposed Pakistan-India talks. So how do you comment on it? (Faisal Raza Khan, 92 News)

Answer: First, I would like to respond to your two questions together. Pakistan has and will continue to raise its concerns about India's sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan, and its suppression of the people of IIOJK. We will continue to do that at every relevant forum as we have done in the past. With regard to the address by the President of TArkiye and his statement on Kashmir, I would like to state that TArkiye and Pakistan are old friends and brothers. TArkiye has always taken a principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and we believe that they are equally pained at the plight of the Kashmiri people. With regards to any specific proposals that may have been made, I would like to get more details before we comment on it. As a matter of policy, Pakistan has always said that it is ready to hold talks with India on all outstanding issues, especially the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.

Question: In the recent past, many world leaders including TArkiye have offered meditation in Pakistan - India talks. If TArkiye plays a mediator role, will Pakistan welcome it? Secondly, is there any chance of a sideline meeting with India's Minister for External Affairs in the 78th session of UNGA? (Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International/)

Answer: No sideline meetings are expected with India. With regard to third-party mediation, Pakistan has always said that we would welcome third-party mediation on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the context of the UN Security Council resolutions and the principles of international law.

Question: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has escalated once again and the Azeri forces have launched an operation. How does Pakistan view this development? Secondly, on the reopening of Torkham borders, the Pakistani Head of Mission had met the Afghan interim Foreign Minister and the statement by the Afghan Foreign Ministry said that the issue of a restriction on Afghan businessmen in Karachi city was discussed. So, can you let us know Pakistan's position? (Anas Mallick, Capital TV)

Supplementary Question: Actually, it was the same question. I was going to ask what is Pakistan's position about the Nagorno-Karabakh. Yesterday, as you know, Azerbaijan launched an operation against the Armenian separatists. Today also President Ilham Aliyev said that if the separatists lay down lay down their arms, then we will the end operation. So, what is your position about this development? (M. Nazim Tasci, Anadolu Agency)

Answer: Pakistan extends its heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Azerbaijan for the loss of precious lives in the mine explosions inside the Azerbaijani territory. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Pakistan considers Karabakh as the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Our stance aligns firmly with multiple United Nations Security Council and OIC resolutions, as well as international law. We hope that Azerbaijan's legitimate claim regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity will be accepted by all sides, making way for lasting peace in the region.

Regarding the talks between our chargA d'affaires and the Afghan interim Foreign Minister. The meeting, as you know, and as we have briefed, was very productive and all aspects of mutual concern were discussed. As a result of this meeting, an understanding was reached and Pakistan agreed to reopen the border. There are, however, still several outstanding issues, including those relating to terrorism and smuggling. On those matters, conversations between our two sides will continue.

Question: My next question is about the status of Kulbhushan Yadav. Pakistan had offered a third consular access. Where does the offer for his family to meet stand? And lastly, last night there was a reception that was hosted by President Biden. Did the Prime Minister attend that and was there an informal exchange between the caretaker Prime Minister and President Biden? (Anas Mallick, Capital TV)

Answer: There is no change in the status of Kulbhushan Yadav. As you know, it was a reception hosted by the US President in New York. In such receptions, bilateral engagement is not substantive. Our Prime Minister and the US President, therefore, had a diplomatic interaction.

Question: Ma'am, the day before yesterday, at the National Press Club Islamabad, A representative of the United Nations Mr. Julian Harness while addressing a news conference said that the United Nations is not supposed to impose any solution he was talking with reference to Kashmir. Would you comment? (Mazhar Iqbal, PNN News)

Answer: I have not seen the report on this interaction. So, I would like to get the details of what exactly was said before I would comment on that.

Question: Ma'am, how many people accompanied the Prime Minister to UNGA? Secondly, Donald Blome has been holding meetings with several officials and political leaders has visited the Election Commission, IG Punjab and also delivered a speech in Gawadar. What is he you trying to portray? (Sardar Amir Hussain, Daily Maddar)

Answer: The Prime Minister's visit to New York is very focused. It is a short visit, and only a small delegation is accompanying him. The Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary are the senior officials who have travelled to New York to attend the UN General Assembly. Some officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mostly dealing with the United Nations division are also in New York to attend the various meetings. As I said earlier, it is a very small delegation. With regard to the other question, I think I have already said in the past that foreign Ambassadors in Pakistan are to meet with senior government or public figures just as our ambassadors in these countries meet with senior officials and public figures.

Question: Ma'am almost 20,000 people died in a catastrophic flood. Is there any plan for Pakistan to send relief to Libya? Secondly, Afghanistan has said that the Afghan embassy has been attacked and they have informed the Foreign Office as well. Have you been informed about this attack? If there was an attack then what was its intensity? (Muhammad Awais, INP)

Answer: I do not have that information on your second question, I need to check. Regarding your first question. The situation in Libya is a human catastrophe and a terrible tragedy about which the people of Pakistan are deeply concerned and troubled. We have expressed our sympathies with the people of Libya. We are in contact with ICRC on how best we can be of assistance to the people of Libya in these difficult circumstances.

Question: Ma'am, you have stated that Pakistan does not give any credence to the Intercept story. But despite that, there remains a space for doubt and suspicion between Pakistan and Russia. What would you offer to mitigate that if there is any suspicion and doubts inside Russia and to reassure Pakistan's commitment? (Abdul Hadi, Hum Pashto 1 News)

Answer: Pakistan and Russia have a very solid and robust dialogue. As you know, in recent months, there have been a number of visits exchanges between Pakistan and Russia. We continue to discuss all matters of mutual interest. We believe that Russia understands that Pakistan has taken a neutral stance on the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.

Thank you very much.

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S.Korea's Yoon approves motion to request parliamentary consent to arrest opposition leader as partisan conflicts worsen

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Sep 19, 2023 10:17 PM

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday approved a motion requesting parliamentary consent to arrest opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days. The extreme and rare protest has further revealed that the partisan conflict in the country is deepening and polarizing, said experts.

According to the Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday, South Korean prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for Lee on Monday, shortly after the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party was hospitalized due to deteriorating health on the 19th day of his hunger strike in protest against government policies. The motion is awaiting parliamentary consent.

Although the motion is not likely to be passed by the National Assembly as the Democratic Party holds a majority, Chinese experts said that the farce is a manifestation of the deepening of the partisan conflict which has reached a very intense level in South Korea.

"On the surface, the investigation was initiated in a legal and impartial manner, but in fact it is entirely the result of a partisan dispute," LA Chao, an expert on Korean Peninsula issues with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

In particular, LA pointed out that Lee is now on hunger strike against the Korean government, and Yoon authorized his arrest in order to prevent Lee's influence from expanding.

This will further deepen the divisions and social contradictions in South Korea and will also lead to more intense political standoffs in the future, LA said.

Lee started his hunger strike on August 31 to demand a complete overhaul of Yoon's administration of state affairs, citing the South Korean government's unsatisfying passive response to the dumping of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific, among other issues.

With hunger strikes and arrest motions all over the place, analysts once again pointed out the ever-present extremes in South Korean politics.

The fact that partisan conflicts often go to extremes instead of the normal route could be seen as a feature of South Korean politics, LA said. "This time, the situation is particularly extreme."

In addition, Yoon harbors a personal grudge against Lee in the ongoing conflict over Lee's criticisms in the past, LA said.

Many Democratic Party lawmakers have urged Lee to give up the hunger strike. On Tuesday afternoon, South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in visited Lee in hospital and asked him to cease his hunger strike, according to Yonhap.

For Yoon, experts believe the challenges of his future ruling will be great. On the economic front, there are few favorable policies and the public sees less hope for the economy to rebound. On the diplomatic front, he has turned completely toward the US, causing relations with China and some other countries to deteriorate, LA noted.

A new poll released by Realmeter on Monday shows that 61.8 percent of respondents - a recent record high - view the governance of the Yoon administration as poor, while only 35.5 percent favored it. Meanwhile, the support rate of the Democratic Party rose to 46 percent.

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S Korean leader warns Russia, N Korea against military cooperation

Seoul and allies won't just 'stand idly by,' Yoon tells the UN General Assembly.

By Lee Jeong-Ho and Alex Willemyns 2023.09.20 -- 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 Korea's formal name.

"The Republic of Korea, its allies and other friendly nations would not just stand idly by," he said.

Yoon's comments, his harshest to date, came after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Russia's 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.

"It's 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.

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 Seoul's foreign policy stance with the United States to counter global challenges including Russia's aggression on Ukraine, China's assertiveness in the West Pacific, and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

To that end, Yoon focused on improving ties with the United States by actively taking part in the Biden administration's supply chain initiative that requires less of China, while strengthening its military and economic cooperation with Washington and Tokyo.

Edited by Malcolm Foster

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Republic of Korea: Russia providing weapons tech to DPRK 'will be a direct provocation'

20 September 2023 - President Yoon Suk-Yeol of Republic of Korea on Wednesday said that if Russia helps the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) enhance its weapons programmes "the deal will be a direct provocation" and Seoul and its allies "will not stand idly by".

In his address to the UN General Assembly's annual debate, President Yoon referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the DPRK and underscored that any deal struck between those two countries will "threaten the peace and security of not only Ukraine, but also the Republic of Korea."

It is paradoxical, he said, that Russia, "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 UN Security Council resolutions."

Against this background, "the call for reform of the Security Council should receive broad support," President Yoon stated.

Ongoing crises; geopolitical divides

Reminding UN Member states that the world is faced with multifaceted global crises of an unprecedented scale, Mr. Yoon said divides among countries are expanding across various areas, including security, economy, technology, health, environment and culture.

He added: "The war in Ukraine that has been going on for two years has deepened the division in values and ideologies within the international community."

Additionally, the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, causing a contraction in the global economy and leading to food and energy crises in many parts of the world.

According to Mr. Yoon, "In difficult times, it is the vulnerable who suffer more."

Our 'boiling Earth'

On what he referred to as the "climate divide", which connected to climate change as another challenge that has worsened the economic divide between nations, and impeded humanity's sustainable development.

The President's remarks come just a couple of months after most countries experienced the hottest summer ever recorded on Earth.

"On this 'boiling earth', extreme weather events such as heatwaves, torrential rains, and typhoons have become the norm. Climate change is causing geopolitical shifts in agriculture and fisheries, worsening the crises in countries vulnerable to food shortages, "Mr. Yoon warned.

To assist countries vulnerable to climate change in reducing their carbon emissions and accelerating their transition to clean energy, the Korean president said his country will contribute an additional 300 million dollars to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Rules to govern AI

On the issue of the digital divide, Mr. Yoon said his country plans to play a leading role in bridging the digital divide and utilizing strengths in information and communications technologies (ICT).

"The digital divide is a major cause of the economic divide. Therefore, bridging the digital divide will be a positive attribute in resolving the challenges faced by the Global South, Mr. Yoon explained.

He proposed the establishment of an international organization under the UN to discuss and set forth rules regarding digital ethics.

"If we fail to curb the spread of fake news resulting from the misuse of AI and digital technologies, our freedom will be at risk; the market economy anchored in liberal democracy will be in peril; and our very future will be under threat," Mr. Yoon warned.

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Russia's defense minister visits Tehran for talks on boosting defense cooperation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 1:03 PM

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at the head of a high-ranking military delegation, has arrived in Tehran to hold talks with senior Iranian officials aimed at further bolstering bilateral relations and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Shoigu's visit to Tehran on Tuesday afternoon came after an official invitation by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri in June.

The Russian defense minister is scheduled to meet with Baqeri, with media reports saying discussions will revolve around advancing defense diplomacy, expanding bilateral cooperation, and addressing shared threats, particularly international terrorism.

Shoigu will also meet with the senior commanders of Iran's Armed Forces during this visit to Tehran.

Iran and Russia, as two close and strategic allies, have over the past years deepened their relations in various fields, including military and defense, despite being under heavy Western sanctions.

Last month, Iran's domestically-manufactured Ababil ballistic missile was for the first time put on display at a military exhibition in Russia, alongside a range of other cutting-edge Iranian military equipment, including drones and electronic warfare systems.

The Iranian Defense Ministry also for the first time showcased a replica of its Tactical Sayayd air defense system in the Russian exhibition.

Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, the commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force, announced after the military exhibit in Moscow that the country had reached new defense agreements with Russia on boosting defense ties, including in the fight against terrorism.

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Russian Defence Minister discusses with Iran's Chief of General Staff topical issues of bilateral military cooperation

19.09.2023

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed topical issues of Russian-Iranian military cooperation during talks with Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri on Tuesday.

'I consider our meeting as another step towards strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran. Today we have an opportunity to discuss thoroughly topical issues of bilateral military cooperation,' Sergei Shoigu said.

The head of the Russian defence ministry stressed that 'Iran is Russia's strategic partner in the Middle East'.

According to the Russian Defence Minister, Russian-Iranian relations in the military sphere tends to develop actively and positively.

'Recently, the intensity of meetings has increased significantly, both at the highest level and at the level of the leadership of military departments. We see in this a common view of building a world order based on equality of rights for all participants in international relations,' the Russian Defence Minister said.

Sergei Shoigu suggested discussing topical issues of bilateral military cooperation mentioning that 'this is, of course, both Syria and Afghanistan, and current situation in Karabakh'.

In addition, continued the Russian Defence Minister, 'there are a lot of other issues to be discussed today and tomorrow. These include educational issues, exchange of experience, exchange of delegations, joint naval exercises,' the Russian Defence Minister said.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russia to Increase Production of Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles

Sputnik News

20230919

On September 19, Russia celebrates Gunsmith Day with soaring production of hypersonic missiles, meeting 100% of state defense contracts, Bekhan Ozdoev, the industrial director of Rostec's Armaments, Ammunition, and Special Chemicals Cluster, said.

The Rostec State Corporation's defense enterprises are ramping up missile production for the Kinzhal hypersonic complex, the Iskander operational-tactical missile system, the Pantsir air defense system, as well as the production of aerial bombs, tank and artillery shells, armored vehicles, flamethrower systems, and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), the director stressed.

According to Ozdoev, Rostec's defense enterprises are celebrating the professional holiday "in excellent shape." They are continuously, dynamically, and in accordance with the schedules agreed on with the Russian Defense Ministry, supplying equipment to the armed forces, often ahead of schedule, the director stated.

"Production volumes for various types of weapons have increased by 2 to 10 times, and in some cases even more. This growth can be seen primarily in tanks and combat vehicles based on them, lightly armored vehicles, rocket artillery systems, heavy flamethrower systems, thermal imaging and other optical devices, and strike equipment. This includes increased production of missiles for the 'Kinzhal,' 'Iskander,' and 'Pantsir' systems, aircraft bombs, artillery and tank shells, etc.," the director reported.

Rostec expects to fulfill 100% of this year's state defense contracts, Ozdoev emphasized.

"Our main task is to provide the troops in the Eastern Military District with everything they need. We are trying to work ahead of schedule. The forecast for the fulfillment of the state defense contract for this year is traditionally high, at the level of 100%," the director stressed.

Moreover, defense enterprises are developing next-generation projectiles, including guided ones, for the Malva self-propelled gun, which will give them an advantage over artillery from NATO countries, Rostec's official reported.

"At the same time, we are pursuing new developments in this area. In particular, we are creating a new generation of ammunition for the Malva self-propelled howitzer, including guided ammunition, which will give us an advantage over the artillery of NATO countries," Ozdoev said.

Furthermore, Rostec has delivered grenade launchers to troops ahead of schedule, the state corporation reported.

"Rostec's High Precision Systems Holding has delivered GM-94 grenade launchers to the troops ahead of schedule. This weapon is in high demand among assault troops in the special military operation zone, as it allows effective engagement of the enemy behind fortifications," the director highlighted.

The product developed by the Academician A.G. Shipunov Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) has an impressive range of 43 mm ammunition, including fragmentation and thermobaric, according to Ozdoev. In addition, the GM-94 grenade launcher is safe for use by the shooter beyond a range of five meters from the explosion, enabling operations in densely-built urban areas and indoors, the director explained.

"The GM-94 grenade launcher is in strong demand in the special military operation zone due to its excellent ergonomics, light weight and manageable recoil. This is especially important for soldiers engaged in face-to-face combat with entrenched enemies. Thanks to the tireless and dedicated work of Tula's gunsmiths, a new batch has been delivered to the troops ahead of schedule," Ozdoev stated.

The GM-94 grenade launcher weighs less than five kg without ammunition, with a length of just over 80 centimeters with the stock extended, and less than 54 centimeters when folded, the Rostec official noted.

A Sputnik

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Putin accepts formal invitation from Xi to visit China next month

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 6:56 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted a formal invitation by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to visit China in October during the Belt and Road Summit.

On Wednesday, the Russian leader announced his acceptance of Xi's invitation during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in Moscow for security talks two days earlier.

"I was certainly pleased to accept the Chinese president's invitation to visit China in October as part of an event promoting the [Chinese] president's idea of One Belt, One Road, which has turned into an international brand," Putin said.

He also stressed that the event is fully in line with the interests of Russia and China, "as it harmonizes our ideas to create a vast Eurasian space. We are quite in sync."

The One Belt, One Road Initiative, which aims to symbolically recreate the ancient Silk Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by China in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.

It is a huge program in which Beijing has been expanding its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.

Wang, who simultaneously holds the ruling Communist Party's top foreign policy post, went to Moscow after concluding his security talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan over the weekend in Malta.

Washington and Beijing are at odds, among other issues, over Russia's war in Ukraine that began in February last year.

China still holds a neutral position and refrains from taking sides in the war, arguing that while a country's territory must be respected, the West also needs to consider Russia's security concerns about NATO expansion.

Beijing has also accused Washington of prolonging the fighting through supplying arms to Kiev, weaponry the White House claims is needed to defend against Russia.

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Defense chief Shoigu: Ties with Iran 'reaching new highs' despite sanctions

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 8:51 AM

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says relations with Iran are "reaching new highs" in defiance of the West's pressure campaign targeting both countries.

Speaking during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani in Tehran on Wednesday, Shoigu said Russia and Iran are determined to undertake planned activities despite opposition from the US and its Western allies.

"The pressure of sanctions on Russia and Iran is proving to be futile, while Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching new highs," he added.

The Russian defense chief further expressed his satisfaction with the enhanced Russia-Iran dialogue that resulted from the trust-based relationship between the leaders of the two countries.

"The high intensity of meetings confirms our common determination to continue boosting the strategic defense partnership," he noted.

Shoigu also announced Russia's readiness "to take further joint steps [with Iran] to strengthen stability and security in the Middle East."

Ashtiani, for his part, said that Iran-Russia cooperation in regional and international arenas can guarantee the interests and security of both states.

"The defense and military cooperation between the two countries has always been pursued with the support of high-ranking leaders in a bid to strengthen and consolidate stability and security in the region and the international system," he noted.

"Dealing with common challenges, including the US unilateralism, is one of the important and strategic issues regarding the joint cooperation."

Ashtiani described as successful bilateral cooperation in the counter-terrorism fight in West Asia, saying military and defense ties will definitely continue within the framework of international peace and security.

The Iranian defense minister also expressed his opposition to the presence of extra-regional forces in West Asia.

"Preserving the territorial integrity of regional countries and international borders is among the red lines of the Islamic Republic.

"In this regard, we consider the proposed 3+3 format a strategy for the peaceful resolution of problems in the Caucasus region," he said, referring to the cooperation mechanism that features the three South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan plus Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Shoigu traveled to Tehran on Tuesday upon an official invitation by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri.

Following the meeting, Baqeri said that Tehran and Moscow are working to draw up a long-term military cooperation agreement in the near future.

Shoigu's visit comes a month after a visit to Moscow by a delegation, led by Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, the commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force.

Iran and Russia are both subject to illegal Western sanctions. They have over the past years deepened their relations in various fields, including military and defense, and become close allies.

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Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu gets a close look at Iranian-made missiles and UAVs at an exhibition in Tehran

20.09.2023

The Russian Defence Ministry visited an exhibition of the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday, where he saw products of the Republic's military-industrial complex.

During the demonstration, Sergei Shoigu got acquainted with missile weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Iranian-made air defence equipment.

The IRGC military hardware exhibition in Tehran showcases the achievements of Iran's aerospace industry. The latest models of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile weapons in service with the country's aerospace force are on display here.

In particular, tactical missile systems as well as long- and medium-range ballistic missiles are showcased at the exhibition. Moreover, trophy UAVs produced in the USA are also on exhibit.

Sergei Shoigu signed the book of distinguished guests upon completion of the tour.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Finval exercise: the corvette Gremyashchy hit a ship of a mock enemy 300 km away by Kalibr missile in Anadyr Bay

20.09.2023

The Pacific Fleet's forces (troops) are involved in the Finval 2023 tactical exercise in the Chukchi and Bering seas as well as on the Chukotka Peninsula aimed at protecting the Northern Sea Route. The exercise is supervised by Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

As part of one episode of the exercise, servicemen trained launching a missile strike against a mock enemy ship which had approached the border of Russian territorial waters.

The corvette Gremyashchy fired Kalibr cruise missiles at a naval target located at a range of over 300 kilometres from the launch point.

Objective control systems confirmed the target engagement.

About 10,000 troops and more than 50 pieces of military hardware, including: surface ships and support vessels, submarines, naval planes and helicopters, Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems, as well as wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles of high cross-country ability are involved in the Finval 2023 tactical exercise.

During the manoeuvres, cruise missiles were successfully fired at a complex target position in the north-eastern part of the Bering Sea, cruise missiles were intercepted, and a number of other combat exercises were carried out.

All episodes of the exercise are defensive in nature and are intended to improve the training of forces for operations on Russia's north-eastern borders.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu: 'Moscow and Tehran are reaching a new level of interaction'

20.09.2023

'We are aimed at implementing the entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its Western allies. Sanctions pressure on Russia and Iran are demonstrating their futility, while Russian-Iranian interaction is reaching a new level,' Sergei Shoigu said during discussions with Iranian Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani on Wednesday.

At the same time, he expressed readiness 'for further joint action in the field of strengthening stability and security in the Middle East'.

'We note with delight,' the head of the Russian Defence Ministry stated, 'that the Iranian-Russian communication is progressing particularly intensely today'. According to him, this is largely due to the trusting relations that have developed between the leaders of Russia and Iran.

The Russian Defense Minister stressed that 'the high dynamics of the meetings confirms the general mood for further strengthening of strategic partnership in the defence sphere and military cooperation'.

He invited his counterpart to discuss a number of issues of mutual interest during the talks.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Sierra Leone's Top Diplomat Says Positive Ties With Russia Will Remain Despite Sanctions

Sputnik News

20230920

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Freetown's good relations with Moscow will remain unchanged regardless of Western sanctions, Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba told Sputnik on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

"We have our bilateral relations, and we're going to keep those intact," Kabba said regarding whether Western sanctions impact relations between Sierra Leone and Russia.

The top diplomat further took the opportunity to note that both nations have not yet had any discussions regarding direct flights between the two countries because at the moment it does not seem economically viable.

"No, we have not started any discussions yet," Kabba said.

Kabba explained that at the moment it would not be economically viable to run direct flights between Sierra Leone and Russia considering there is a small number of travelers between the two countries. According to Kabba, people traveling between Sierra Leone and Russia must get a connecting flight in Europe.

Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo previously stated Freetown desires to resume direct flights with Russia, suggesting it could become an alternative destination for Russian tourists.

A Sputnik

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Putin Accepts Xi's Invitation to Visit China in October

Sputnik News

20230920

STRELNA, Russia (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he had accepted the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to visit the Asian country in October as part of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

"Of course, I gladly accepted the Chinese president's invitation to visit China in October this year as part of an event to promote the idea of President Xi Jinping, which already has its international brand as the 'Belt and Road,'" Putin stated at a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Moreover, the Russian president stated that Russia and China share the position on the creation of a multipolar world, this was confirmed by the last visit of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to Russia.

"It [the visit] gave a good impetus to the development of bilateral ties. This concerns international affairs. We are speaking here from a unified position of forming a multipolar world, and not a world based on some rules that no one has seen, which change every day in accordance with the external factors for the benefit of those who came up with this ridiculous formula," Putin stressed.

At the same time, China is ready to continue to strengthen business cooperation with Russia, coordination in the world, and protect common interests, Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized.

The modern world is experiencing tectonic shifts, and in the face of a changing, turbulent international situation, the process of multipolarity of the world is unfolding at an accelerated pace, and there is a tendency towards anti-globalization, the minister said.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China is ready ... to continue to strengthen mutual trust and business cooperation with Russia, strengthen coordination in the international arena, jointly protect our common interests, and promote international justice," Wang stated.

Russia and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, strive for peace, development and bear special responsibility for maintaining strategic stability in the world, the minister added.

Furthermore, Wang informed Putin on his talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"We have reached a number of important agreements," the minister said.

On September 18-21, Russia hosts the 18th round of Russia-China strategic security consultations featuring Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who arrived for the occasion.

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had the 40th meeting during the Chairman's visit to Russia on March 20-22.

A Sputnik

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We have a duty to leave no one behind, South African President tells world leaders

19 September 2023 - The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, stating that while every human effort should be directed towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, "our energies have once again been diverted by the scourge of war."

"Over millennia, the human race has demonstrated an enormous capacity for resilience, adaptation, innovation, compassion and solidarity ... these qualities must be evident in how we work together as a global community and as nations of the world to end war and conflict," he said.

He urged the international community to invest in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and supported Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres' call for sustainable and predictable financing for peacebuilding efforts.

He also expressed concern about unconstitutional changes of government in parts of Africa and stressed the need for collaboration with the African Union to support peace efforts across the continent.

Empower women

President Ramaphosa also highlighted the importance of empowering women, advocating for gender equality and equal access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

Noting that women represented 50 per cent of South Africa's cabinet, and that he was being accompanied at the General Assembly this year by an all-women delegation, he called for greater female representation on the global stage.

He also voiced concerns over rising global temperatures, noting that 17 of world's "climate hotspots" were in Africa.

"Africa is least responsible for the climate damage that has been caused, yet it bears the greatest burden," he said, calling on world leaders to accelerate decarbonization while pursuing shared prosperity.

Security Council reform

President Ramaphosa also highlighted the need for inclusive, democratic, and representative international institutions.

"The recently held BRICS summit in Johannesburg also affirmed the voice that the UN Security Council should be reformed and ensure that those nations that are not represented must be represented," he said, referring to the recent meeting held by his country alongside Russia, India and China.

Concluding his remarks, the South African leader urged all nations to demonstrated that "we have the both the will and the resolve" to secure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for our world and more importantly, for the generations that will follow.

"Leaving no one behind - that is the duty that we all have," he said, recalling the guiding promise made by the international community with the adoption in 2015 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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UN chief welcomes resumption of aid delivery into Syria through key border crossing

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:24, September 20, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed on Tuesday resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries from TArkiye into northwest Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, a UN spokesman said.

"Though our humanitarian operations have continued to assist millions of people in need in northwest Syria, the Bab al-Hawa crossing has long been central to the UN's efforts to deliver aid in the northwest," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Guterres.

"With more people than ever requiring humanitarian aid in Syria, the secretary-general underscores the need for ever greater efforts to be made to ensure we reach all those who need it," he added.

A 17-truck convoy carrying 50 tons of assistance from the UN Children's Fund, the International Organization for Migration, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme was the first to traverse the Bab Al-Hawa crossing since it was closed in early July, Dujarric said.

He said the cargo arriving in Idlib on Tuesday included hygiene kits and educational items for 46,000 people, nutrition support for 10,000 babies, tents and non-food items for 5,000 people and enough supplies for 260,000 medical procedures.

The spokesman said UN staff on Monday carried out three preliminary cross-border missions to northwest Syria, including two to Idlib via Bab al-Hawa, but without relief supplies.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it made a routine monitoring visit to hospitals supported by the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund.

"Additional truck movements and missions by UN personnel are planned in the coming days, as we work with our partners to provide life-saving assistance in line with core humanitarian principles," Dujarric said. "Each month, the UN and our partners reach an average of 2.6 million people with critical assistance and protection services."

Bab al-Hawa was closed to aid convoys after the UN Security Council failed to reach an accord on a resolution in July to re-authorize the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism through the crossing.

The world body and Syria worked out an agreement last month allowing for Tuesday's resumption of relief convoys through Bab al-Hawa.

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KMT's Hou outlines '3Ds tactic' to maintain cross-strait peace

ROC Central News Agency

09/19/2023 12:29 PM

Washington, Sept. 18 (CNA) The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate, New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (), on Monday, outlined his so-called "3Ds strategy" to promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during a meeting with American scholars at a Washington D.C.-based think tank.

The speech at the Brookings Institution where Hou announced and expanded on the 3Ds strategy "deterrence, dialogue and de-escalation," was attended by some of the biggest names in cross-strait affairs based in America, including Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund; Richard Bush, non-resident senior fellow in the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings; and Ryan Hass, a senior fellow and the Michael H. Armacost Chair in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings.

The hour-long closed-door meeting was not open to the press but Hou published an English-language article titled "Taiwan's Path Between Extremes: the Kuomintang Presidential Candidate Lays Out a Plan to Avert War With China," the same day in the U.S.-based Foreign Affairs magazine which explains the 3Ds strategy.

In the article, Hou said Taiwan has to be prepared for war, but use its strength to safeguard peace and stability across the strait.

But at the same time, he advocates the re-establishment of dialogue with China per the constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, as well as under the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the Taiwanese law that provides a legal framework for cross-strait relations.

"Drawing from successful experiences with such dialogue during past KMT governments, such as the collaborative efforts to combat crime since the 1990s that culminated in a comprehensive agreement on judicial mutual assistance signed in 2009, I will continue cross-strait communication while avoiding military miscalculations."

The New Taipei mayor also pledged that such cross-strait dialogue must be based on the principles of equality, goodwill and dignity.

"Through mid- and long-term interactions between both sides, I believe it is possible to gradually decrease hostility and reduce the risk of conflict across the Taiwan Strait and avoid the threat of war," he wrote.

Following the closed-door meeting, both Glaser and Bush told awaiting Taiwanese reporters that they had gained a good understanding of Hou's policy platform.

Bush, a former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) director said both sides had a "very detailed and substantive discussion."

"My co-hosts and I believe that people on the American side got a very good understanding of Mayor Hou's views on cross-strait relations and U.S.-Taiwan relations, and we're grateful for that," he said.

"I think that Mayor Hou heard very clearly what the interests and concerns of people on the American side were," Bush said, without elaborating.

He would not disclose if both sides touched on the issue of the "1992 consensus," saying only that "what was said in the room stayed in the room."

Glaser, meanwhile, said that during her first meeting with Hou, she had got a better understanding of his views on a wide range of issues.

"So, I personally came away with a much better understanding of what Mayor Hou's vision is for Taiwan and the policies he would pursue if he is elected."

Asked about her first impression of the KMT presidential candidate, Glaser said Hou spoke very comprehensively on a range of issues.

The "1992 consensus," as the KMT defines it, refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then KMT administration and Beijing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is only "one China," which both mainland China and Taiwan are part of, with each side free to interpret what that "one China" refers to -- the ROC or the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Beijing, however, has never publicly recognized the second part of that interpretation.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has refused to accept the "1992 consensus" because Beijing has never acknowledged the ROC's existence and therefore it believes agreeing to the consensus implies acceptance of China's claim over Taiwan.

The PRC has therefore curtailed cross-strait exchanges since President Tsai Ing-wen () from the DPP assumed office in May 2016 because of this refusal to accept the "1992 consensus."

Following the think tank speech, Hou visited the AIT Washington headquarters and was greeted by AIT Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger. The closed-door meeting lasted an hour and Hou did not make a public statement following it.

The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties. Its headquarters are based in the U.S., with branch offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Sources told CNA that on Monday Hou also met with several Republican congressmen, namely, Mike Garcia, Pete Sessions and Keith Self among other lawmakers.

Hou is currently on an eight-day visit to the U.S. that began in New York, before he headed to Washington D.C.

Tuesday will be his last day in D.C. before he heads to San Francisco and returns to Taipei.

The trip to the U.S. has been described by Hou's campaign office as a "journey of dialogue and deepening friendship."

It is also considered by some to be a test of his ability to handle diplomatic affairs if he were to be elected president in the January 2024 election.

It has been a longstanding practice for Taiwanese presidential candidates to visit the U.S. before elections.

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je () and sitting Vice President Lai Ching-te (), the ruling DPP nominee for the 2024 presidential election, both visited the U.S. earlier this year.

(By Liu Kuan-ting and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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Allies call for Taiwan's U.N. inclusion during General Debate

ROC Central News Agency

09/20/2023 06:13 PM

Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) The leaders of three Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies, Guatemala, Paraguay and Palau, voiced support on Tuesday for the nation's inclusion in the United Nations on the first day of the General Debate held in New York.

In his address made during the 78th General Assembly, Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of Taiwan's Pacific ally Palau, said that his government urged the U.N. and all parties involved in the cross-Taiwan strait issues to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution.

"The well-being and prosperity of nations and their economies are intrinsically linked to global peace and stability," he said.

He also expressed gratitude toward partner nations like Taiwan, the U.S., Japan and Australia for providing assistance and training opportunities to help his country's local population upskill.

"We also advocate for change regarding the Republic of China, Taiwan being unjustly excluded from UN systems, despite its remarkable leadership and innovative solutions," he said, adding that the organization should allow Taiwan to participate in crucially important agencies because the country had much to offer.

Citing the U.N. Charter that affirms the equal rights of all peoples and nations, the Palauan leader called on the international organization to uphold the vision by allowing Taiwan to participate and contribute.

Outgoing Guatemalan President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei made a similar plea during his last address at the U.N. General Assembly's General Debate session.

He noted that the U.N. should recognize the importance of "inclusivity and universality."

"How can it be that in the 21st century, this organization has excluded a country like Taiwan? A country that contributes to science, technology, health and development; but yet we exclude its citizens from having a voice in this forum," he said.

He moved on to urge the U.N. "to exhaust all measures that are necessary to guarantee international peace and security in the Taiwan Strait."

Meanwhile, newly elected Paraguay Pesident Santiago PeAa, who assumed the presidency in August, expressed his government's support of Taiwan as "an integral part of the United Nations system."

Also Tuesday, President of Czechia Petr Pavel, who is making his first appearance at the U.N. General Assembly on behalf of his country since assuming office in March, criticized the People's Republic of China (PRC) for its military maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait.

"We deplore China's military actions which have raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait as well as its unfriendly action against partners in the South China Sea. Any disputes or contentious issues must be solved peacefully. Any potential armed conflict in the region would have negative consequences on the whole world," Pavel said.

It marks the second consecutive year a government representative from Czechia has raised concerns at the U.N. General Assembly.

Last year a plea for cross-strait peace was made by Czechia Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.

The 78th General Assembly kicked off on Sept. 5. at the U.N. headquarters in New York. The General Debate will be held between Sept. 19-26.

The leaders of two more ROC diplomatic allies, namely Eswatini and the Marshall Islands, are scheduled to make their respective addresses at the General Debate on Wednesday.

Taiwan's government previously said that it had asked its 13 diplomatic allies as well as like-minded countries to voice support for the nation's inclusion in the U.N. system this year, either by speaking up during the General Assembly or sending a letter to U.N. Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres.

Several side events have also been launched by Taiwan's representative office in New York and a delegation of Taiwanese lawmakers visited the city to advocate for Taiwan's U.N. inclusion this year.

Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, left the U.N. in 1971, when the People's Republic of China took its place, and it has since been excluded from its special agencies.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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KMT's Hou meets U.S. lawmakers, speaks at think tank in Washington

ROC Central News Agency

09/20/2023 12:08 PM

Washington, Sept. 19 (CNA) New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (), the opposition Kuomintang's (KMT) presidential candidate, met 11 American lawmakers after speaking at a Washington, D.C. think tank on Tuesday, Hou's final day in the United States capital city.

Hou met Roger Wicker, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Dan Sullivan, a member of the same committee; Jeff Merkley, member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Senator Bill Hagerty, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan, among others, according to the KMT.

He also spoke briefly with several other senators during his visit to the U.S. Congress, meeting with 11 American lawmakers in all during a whirlwind 6.5-hour stop on Capitol Hill, the KMT said.

Following their closed-door meetings, Sullivan told Taiwanese reporters that his fellow Republican senators and Democratic counterparts stressed their bipartisan support for Taiwan and its people during the meeting with Hou.

He also said American lawmakers "don't get involved in politics in terms of the candidates," but noted that they do meet with candidates, including when President Tsai Ing-wen () was running for office.

"So it's kind of a custom that we have," he said.

Merkley, meanwhile, did not disclose details of his meeting with the KMT presidential pick, saying only it was a "very good, positive" meeting.

"Our two nations have a lot of collective concerns. Certainly the foremost of those is ensuring that democracy continues to thrive in Taiwan," he added.

Earlier Tuesday, Hou visited the Heritage Foundation and shared his views of Taiwan, as a potential future leader, in an hour-long closed-door meeting that was not open to the media.

According to Hou's team, he said his eight-day visit to the U.S. was meant to raise awareness among Americans that Taiwan is an important member of the Indo-Pacific region and is willing to be an "responsible stakeholder" instead of a "troublemaker."

Hou said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should strengthen dialogue and functional exchanges to effectively lower the risk of potential conflict, Hou's office said.

The KMT presidential candidate said he was not under any illusions about Beijing's intentions, but argued that only by steering Taiwan clear of war and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait could there be regional stability and prosperity.

Michael Cunningham, a research fellow in the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, told reporters after the meeting that the meeting's participants had a "very substantive discussion" with the New Taipei mayor.

Though he could not share any details of their discussions, Cunningham said people in the meeting asked Hou "a lot of really tough questions."

"Mayor Hou answered them all, gave us a great view of, I guess, how he views Taiwan, his vision for Taiwan if he's elected, and also his understanding of U.S.-Taiwan relations and the challenges Taiwan faces," he said.

Tuesday was Hou's last day in Washington D.C. before heading to San Francisco to meet with overseas Taiwanese and ethnic Chinese in the city as well as representatives from tech companies there.

After an overnight stay in San Francisco, Hou will head back to Taiwan late Thursday.

The trip to the U.S. has been described by Hou's campaign office as a "journey of dialogue and deepening friendship."

It is also considered by some to be a test of his ability to handle diplomatic affairs if he were to be elected president in the January 2024 election.

It has been a longstanding practice for Taiwanese presidential candidates to visit the U.S. before elections.

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je () and incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te (), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party nominee for the 2024 presidential election, both visited the U.S. earlier this year.

(By Stacy Hsu, Liu Kuang-ting and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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China Rolls Out Carrot-and-Stick Strategy to Influence Taiwan Ahead of Key Election

By William Yang September 20, 2023

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.

Beijing's 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 China's southeastern Fujian Province, as an old trick that lacks substance. Others think it can help improve and diversify the economy of Taiwan's 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 China's coastal cities, including Xiamen and Fuzhou, and Taiwan's 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 don't think Beijing can use the plan to change the Taiwanese public's 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 that'll 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 don't 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 Beijing's proposal, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which handles cross-strait relations, said the Chinese government's 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 China's overall economic conditions remain unideal, Beijing's attempt to attract Taiwanese to buy real estate in Fujian won't 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, Taiwan's 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, Taiwan's defense ministry Monday urged Beijing to "immediately stop" the "destructive military activities."

Some Taiwanese say Beijing's 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 Beijing's 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 Beijing's 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 Taiwan's presidential election, Chung from the Institute for Defense and Security Research expects China to keep rolling out other influence campaigns against Taiwan.

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'Peace has no losers', Erdogan says, vowing to step up efforts to end war in Ukraine

19 September 2023 - The President of TArkiye showcased his country as an active partner on both the regional and global levelsA and called for reform of the international institutions, during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan began his passionate and wide-ranging speech by highlighting the humanitarian crises, political conflicts, and social tensions plaguing various regions worldwide, emphasizing the difficulty in addressing these issues amid global economic problems.

He expressed grave concern about the use of terrorism as an instrument in proxy wars in regions like Syria, North Africa, and the Sahel, asserting that it was undermining international security.

The President also touched upon the growing threat of xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia, warning that these issues were reaching alarming levels globally. He stressed the importance of addressing these challenges for the sake of social harmony.

Source of consolation

On having expressed gratitude to the international community, including the UN, for coming to his country's aid after it suffered a major earthquake which claimed over 50,000 lives and caused extensive destruction in February 2023, Mr. Erdogan noted, that "the friendship shown to our country on that very dark day ... was an important source of consolation."

Acting in the same spirit, TArkiye, he added, mobilized extensive help to Libya, where 12,000 people lost their lives with thousands still unaccounted for after the recent devastating storms and floods.

War has no winners

Presenting his country as an active international player, President Erdogan outlined multiple contacts TArkiye had developed with lands both near and far. The country's relations span the whole world from China and South Asia to Africa and Latin America, but the main scope of attention is on its neighbouring region.

Referring to the 'war on Europe's eastern borders' President Erdogan said, "Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, we have been endeavouring to keep both our Russian and Ukrainian friends around the table with the thesis that war will have no winners and peace will have no losers," the Turkish President said.

He stated readiness to step up efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue based on Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.

In this context he highlighted the Black Sea Initiative launched together with the UN, which aimed to prevent a global hunger crisis by facilitating the transport of grain through the Black Sea to global markets.

Lamenting the fact that the initiative was no longer in operation, he mentioned a new plan new plan whereby another. Some 1,000,000 tonnes of grain will be released to the countries in dire need around the world.

Need of reform

Mr. Erdogan spoke of the need of the reform of the United Nations, expressing the idea that the institutions established after the Second World War no longer reflect today's world.

"The world is bigger than five," he said referring to the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. Advocating for reform, he noted 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."

He urged a re-evaluation of the current international institutions to better reflect the realities of today's world.

He spoke also about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the need to eradicate hunger and poverty.

"We find it difficult to accept hunger as an issue, as an unsolved problem, here in the 21st century," said the President, urging all countries to demonstrate a strong will to realize Sustainable Development Goals.

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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York.

20 September 2023

The Foreign Secretary and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met at UNGA on 18 September.

The Foreign Secretary highlighted the UK's continued commitment to working with Egypt on our shared priorities.

They reflected on the positive momentum in the UK-Egypt relationship, including trade and investment, as well as collaboration on education and climate. They discussed the ongoing situation in Libya in the aftermath of the devastating floods, and efforts to address the conflict in Sudan. The Foreign Secretary noted the disruptive impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the global economy.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised the UK's desire to work closely together to deepen cooperation with Egypt on the shared challenge of organised immigration crime. This follows a recent visit by Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the recent Presidential pardons of human rights activists in Egypt and called for quick progress towards the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with the UAE Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to the UN General Assembly.

20 September 2023

The Foreign Secretary met the UAE Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary praised the strength of the bilateral partnership, building on the two countries' inaugural Strategic Dialogue held in London earlier this year. He welcomed continued cooperation in tackling global challenges and supporting regional security.

Both looked forward to the UAE's hosting of COP28 later this year, and noted the opportunity to extend bilateral cooperation, building on our collaboration in the UN Security Council.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on 19 September 2023 during his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York.

20 September 2023

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary congratulated Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship, reiterating the UK's commitment to ASEAN centrality, stability and prosperity.

They discussed next steps to take forward the Indonesia-UK Roadmap agreed in 2022 and strengthen the bilateral relationship. The Foreign Secretary warmly welcomed Indonesia's application to join the OECD.

Both Foreign Ministers also discussed key issues such as the importance of working together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets.
Council on Foreign Relations: Foreign Secretary's opening remarks, September 19, 2023

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly's opening remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

20 September 2023

Mike thank you very much and thank you for hosting me today and thank you all for coming.

I was about to say I've done a bit of research but I don't think it's good starting a speech with an outright lie, so I'll be a bit more honest. Members of my team have done a bit of research and I discover, because they've written it down here for me that the origins of the council lie in meetings between Brits and Americans in the aftermath of the First World War. And the conversation between our two countries has been a longstanding one and the work of this institution, the thinking about international relations is unsurprisingly as relevant today as it was back then.

Those meetings occurred in one of those pivot points in history and as someone who I regard not only as an important interlocutor but increasingly someone that I regard as a friend, Tony Blinken reminded us in a speech that he gave last week, we too are living through a pivotal moment because we're at the nexus of interconnected challenges.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not necessarily a trial of strength as the work that our two nations did through conflicts in the first and second world war but is absolutely a trial of our resolve - and the point that I have made, and the point that I will make here today and will continue to make is that the world is watching. Our resolve is being tested and we are being observed. You can applaud at any point you fancy.

Now that is not of course the only area where our resolve is being tested.

Our willingness to address issues such as climate change, how to deal with new technologies such as AI, all these things are testing our ingenuity and testing our resolve and today at the UN, this week at the UN we are reminded sadly that we are way behind schedule on the delivery against our Sustainable Development Goals.

And after the economic dislocation of the pandemic and of the war in Ukraine, I think citizens here in the US, certainly in the UK and more widely across the world are asking their governments what are you doing about it, what are you doing to act on our behalf.

Mike you're a former US Trade Representative, a voice on the international stage and I suspect that you like me and indeed many of you in the room will understand that there is no real boundary between foreign policy and domestic policy and the idea that there is, is completely artificial but I think that it is now incumbent upon us that we pay more attention to the interrelationship between international policy and domestic policy.

Last week, Tony Blinken spoke about having a fully integrated domestic and foreign policy.

And my Prime Minister and the government he leads are also absolutely determined to address the principle concerns of our citizens, which they tell us loud and clear are about addressing illegal migration and economic growth. Those superficially appear to be domestic issues but of course as soon as you look at them in any kind of detail it becomes clear they can only be resolved through international engagement.

So that is why we are intensifying collaboration with the countries on international illegal transit routes, migrant transit routes, as well as the countries from whom people are fleeing.

We are working with international partners to break the business model of those evil people smugglers and we are deepening our economic ties with countries around the world to try and dissuade people from moving to try and remove the drivers of that migration. And I know that migration is an increasingly sensitive political issue here in the US and it is also a sensitive political issue in a number of other countries across Europe and beyond.

What this reminds me of is the need to strengthen our traditional alliances and also to build additional ones. In terms of strengthening our pre-existing alliances I'm very pleased that Prime Minister Sunak and President Biden signed the Atlantic declaration earlier this year, it's about reinforcing one of our strongest friendships in the world, it forms part of a continuum of close working relationship, it's the first Atlantic charter signed by Prime Minister Churchill and President Roosevelt, whatever happened to those guys did they make it in the world? I don't remember, but it is part of a longstanding friendship and it has reminded us once again in a time of conflict in the European continent how important our bilateral relationship is.

Whilst we look at the horrors that are being perpetrated against the Ukrainian people by the Russian armed forces, we are reminded that once again at a time of need, the United States of America and the United Kingdom and others of course, have really stepped forward and are playing a leading part, once again in defending democracy and freedom.

The US is the leading supplier of military aid to Ukraine and I pay tribute to your nation's generosity. And the Ukrainians are making the most of their support. And I know sometimes there's frustration with the pace of their counter-offensive, I've had military briefings, and whilst I don't want to bore you with the details, the Russian occupying forces have spent a huge amount of time and effort fortifying the whole of that southern part of Ukraine, meaning that any advance would inevitably need to be both slow and methodical. But the support of the US, the support of the UK the support of other nations around the world, both NATO members and further afield has made a difference.

It gave the Ukrainians a fighting chance at the beginning of this conflict. Those depth strike capabilities, those long range missiles that the UK and others are now providing are enabling the Ukrainians to target logistics hubs, communications hubs, command control hubs giving them the ability to methodically push back against Russia.

Putin believed that he could outlast Ukraine and outlast Ukraine's friends around the world. He was wrong. Because time is not on Russia's side. Some brutal statistics.

Russia has suffered many times more fatalities in combat in just over eighteen months than the Soviets did during their 10 years in Afghanistan. That level is unsustainable.

As we saw Prigozhin and the Wagner Group with their attempted mutiny, cracks are appearing, and again I quote Tony Blinken, cracks are appearing in the Russian system and the longer this conflict persists the longer those cracks will work their way through the system. Putin is scared of a mass mobilisation.

His circle of friends both in Russia and internationally is shrinking.

Last year, only four countries defended Russia in a UN General Assembly vote on Ukraine.

And whilst the world's largest economies met last week in New Delhi, he was finalising his plans in a solitary summit with an impoverished dictator.

That is the damage that Putin's poor decision making has done to his own country.

And so, the lesson I take from that is that we need to maintain our resolve. Putin's calculation was that he could outlast us. We have to prove him wrong. And we have to prove him wrong not just to ensure that the conflict in Ukraine has a proper and good resolution where the Ukrainians get their country back, but because every current dictator and would be dictator and future potentate will look at how we respond to this challenge and they will factor that into their calculations about future actions.

So we need to send the message loud and clear that we have the resolve, we have the strategic patience, that we will do the right thing until this is resolved. Because if we do not then we will invite further aggression which we will then inevitably have to deal with at some point in the future.

Ukraine will not give up. The UK will not abandon them. And we will continue to advocate for the international community to lend them their support.

Now, obviously Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not the only issue that we have to discuss. There are many, many challenges on the world stage.

I've recently returned from a trip to Beijing, where I spoke with the Chinese government about areas where we have deep, deep disagreements. For example, their treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang, their failure to abide by commitments freely entered into over Hong Kong, their aggressive posture across the Taiwan Strait.

But, of course, I also engage with them on some of the issues that are important to all of us: the economic recovery, post conference, how we make sure that we benefit from AI, and that we address the challenges and potential dangers of that technology. And so we don't have the luxury of dealing with only one challenge or one situation at a time. We have to look holistically. The United Kingdom has always been a globally focused country. We enjoy good working relationships with the United States, as I've already said, and our other friends in the Americas, our European friends and colleagues, but also we have enhanced our focus on the Indo Pacific region, where of course we have long standing friendships and we intend to enhance those.

So to give myself some time to answer your questions, I will summarize by saying that the challenges the world presents us are legion. But we do have the opportunity to make positive progress. We do have the opportunity to get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track.

It is going to mean that we work with our traditional friends and allies, but it also means that we have to give voice to the emerging powers in the world. The UK has encouraged an expansion of the United Nations Security Council for example, we believe that India, Brazil, Germany, Japan should have permanent membership, and Africa really deserves a louder voice on the world stage.

We think there needs to be change, evolution, and modernization of the international financial system so that we can apply the really big bucks held in the private sector to some of the challenges that we need to address. My Prime Minister has recently announced to the G20 a $2 billion commitment from UK to the Green Climate Fund to reinforce the value that we place on the natural world and the future of our children.

So there are plenty of things that we can discuss. I throw myself open to questions from the floor. You can ask me anything you like. There are three caveats. There are some things that I don't know. You probably find that hard to believe, but nevertheless, it's true. There are some things that I do know that I'm not going to tell you about. And other than that, I am quite willing to answer questions on any subject that either I've covered here that are maybe in your heads

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How Germany is supporting Ukraine

Germany - Federal Government

As Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained, Germany's position is very clear: we will continue to support Ukraine "for as long as necessary". Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Germany has sent just under 24 billion euros to Ukraine in humanitarian aid, direct payments, and weapons.

Tuesday, 19 September 2023

Aid for refugees

Putin's offensive in Ukraine is causing appalling harm: an untold number of people have already been killed and many Ukrainians have had to flee to escape the war, over a million of whom have found refuge in Germany alone. The vast majority of adult refugees are women, whilst about one third of them are children and young people under the age of 18. Ordinary Germans have shown an impressive willingness to help Ukrainians and continue to do so. Click here for more information about how Germany is helping Ukrainian refugees.

The Federal Government is also helping the LAnder and municipal authorities to cover the accommodation and care costs for Ukrainian refugees.

In fact, Germany is helping Ukrainians from all age groups in every aspect of their lives and: Ukrainian refugees in Germany receive social security payments as well as a whole range of other benefits. One of the many services provided is the "Move" project, a joint initiative by the youth organisation Deutsche Sportjugend and the Federal Government aimed at Ukrainian children and adolescents launched under the motto "networking through sport".

The following are just a few examples of the aid being provided to Ukrainians both at home and in Germany:

Coordinated rail and road travel services for refugees

Urgently needed relief supplies and support by emergency medical teams - Germany provides the WHO with funds for this purpose

The Federal Government's Germany4Ukraine digital aid portal, which offers online services such as "applying for unemployment benefits" and chat group links

Housing for displaced Ukrainians within their own country

The "Nummer gegen Kummer" service, a dedicated helpline for traumatised Ukrainians

Disaster relief actions by organisations such as the THW

Funding for humanitarian aid for Ukrainians in need either at home or abroad, provided via a number of non-governmental and international organisations

Support for human rights activities, including support for UN missions

Infrastructure support

Russia's ongoing attacks have had a severe impact on many areas of Ukrainian life, and it is difficult to imagine the suffering of the people. Many of the hardships result from the targeted destruction of infrastructure such as hydro and electrical plants, which is why Germany is helping Ukraine with its infrastructure at various levels. This includes special projects such as "self-sufficiency in food - fruit and vegetables", protecting the Ukraine's nuclear power plants and either providing or financing electrical generators for hospitals and municipal heating stations, and disaster management aid. Other examples include:

Funding for health care in Ukraine

Consultancy projects aimed at the rapid restoration of district heating grids

Support in the supply of IT equipment (such as laptops, routers, telephones)

Recognising Ukrainian driver documentation, toll exemption for humanitarian transports

Supplying technical equipment, such as emergency generators, to various Ukrainian water utilities via municipal operator partnerships to ensure the water supply

Expansion of the concept of the rule of law in Ukraine in the context of a potential accession to the EU (e.g. joint specialist conferences)

Reconstruction funding

Reconstructing and reforming Ukraine will require a well-coordinated national and international commitment that combines short-term support with medium and long-term reconstruction efforts. Among other things, the Federal Government is supporting reconstruction in Ukraine through the following measures:

Setting up the national "Ukraine Reconstruction Platform" on 27 March 2023 to provide a better networking service for non-state actors to support the reconstruction

Launch of the international G7-Ukraine platform for reconstruction on 26 January 2023 to coordinate donor actions

Financial aid

Almost all aid Germany provides to Ukraine costs money; tents, for example, have to be paid for; and the expert knowledge provided by the Federal Government also has to be paid for. In addition, Germany is providing direct financial aid via a multi-billion euro grant in favour of Ukraine managed by the IMF , which pays for a wide range of things including:

Social security benefits: support for Ukrainian child and adult refugees

A one-off payment to around 10,000 Holocaust survivors in Ukraine

Support for small and medium-sized Ukrainian enterprises

Educational aid

Even in the face of the Russian offensive against Ukraine, the Federal Government continues to provide and fund various German language degree programmes in the country. Ukrainians also have many opportunities in Germany including master's and research fellowships at German universities in addition to fellowships at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation under the Philipp Schwartz Initiative for endangered Ukrainian academics. Other examples include:

A free adult education study portal funded by the Federal Government, which offers a number of German courses up to level B2 with Ukrainian as the language of instruction

Student grants (BAfAG) for all refugees who wish to embark on or continue their studies or classroom-based vocational training in Germany

Funding for the protection of Ukraine's cultural heritage and to protect works of art from war-related damage

Health aid

Germany donates various medical supplies and products to Ukraine including respirators, disinfectants, and protective masks. Some of the things the Federal Government is funding in the health sector include the innovative HYKIST project, which is designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve medical care for non-German-speaking patients and is also available in Ukrainian. Other examples include:

Work shadowing at German hospitals to allow Ukrainian specialists to study the treatment of burn injuries

On-site support with the production of adult and juvenile prostheses

Supporting the Jewish Claims Conference with the evacuation and accommodation of severely disabled Ukrainian Holocaust survivors

Military aid

The Ukrainians are bravely defending their territory in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, an effort in which Germany is providing a wide range of support in the form of equipment and weapons. Some of these come from the Federal Armed Forces and some from the industrial sector financed by the Federal Government for national defence purposes including:

Air defence systems such as the Iris-T SLM, Patriot missiles and the self-propelled anti-aircraft Gepard

Combat vehicles such as Marder APCs and Leopard heavy battle tanks

Artillery systems including MARS II and self-propelled howitzer 2000,

Armoured transport vehicles

Assault weapons and ammunition

Medical supplies and clothing

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EU Solidarity with Ukraine: Commission proposes to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russian aggression against Ukraine until March 2025

European Commission

Press release

19 September 2023

Brussels

The European Commission is proposing today to further extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 3 March 2025. This will provide certainty and support for more than 4 million persons enjoying protection across the EU.

The EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive on 4 March 2022 with a unanimous decision by Member States and it was automatically extended by one year. The Commission considers that the reasons for temporary protection persist and that the temporary protection should therefore be prolonged as a necessary and appropriate response to the current, volatile situation, which is not yet conducive to the safe and durable return of those enjoying temporary protection in the EU.

Since the activation of the temporary protection , only a week after Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, Member States showed unprecedented solidarity with Ukrainian people, not only by welcoming them in their countries, but also by making concrete efforts to facilitate their inclusion in society.

Next steps

This Commission proposal will now have to be adopted by the Council.

Background

The temporary protection directive provides immediate protection and access to rights in the EU, including residency rights, access to the labour market, housing, social welfare assistance, medical and other assistance. It also helps to prevent overwhelming pressure on national asylum systems and allows Member States to manage arrivals in an orderly and effective way. The Commission considers that the reasons for temporary protection persist and that the temporary protection should therefore be prolonged as a necessary and appropriate response to the current situation.

The Solidarity Platform 'Ukraine', established by the Commission at the beginning of the war, brings together EU institutions, Member States, Schengen Associated Countries, EU Agencies, international organisations, Ukrainian and Moldovan authorities. It offers an informal and flexible forum for discussion on operational matters to coordinate support on the ground.

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Norway donates cargo carriers to Ukraine

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 19/09/2023

Norway will donate approximately 50 tracked cargo carriers to Ukraine. - These are important to get supplies to areas where there are no roads, says Defense Minister BjArn Arild Gram.

The vehicle is tracked and is able to maneuver in terrain inaccessible for wheeled vehicles. Therefore, they are important supplement to wheeled trucks to transport goods. The cargo carriers can transport ammunition, food and water to Ukrainian troops in the field.

The vehicle is called M548 internationally, while the Norwegian version is designated NM199. The vehicles have been in storage in the Armed Forces, but are now being maintained. The carriers will be replaced through already planned projects.

Norway has previously donated a wide range of capacities to Ukraine, such as NASAMS ground-based air defense systems and main battle tanks. The government has also decided to donate F-16 combat aircraft.

- Ukraine still has a strong need for military support in the fight against the Russian invasion forces. Norway will continue to support Ukraine as long as needed, says the defense minister.

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Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins underlines long-term support for Ukraine at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

19.09.2023

On 18 September 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arturs Krisjanis Karins, took part in the informal meeting of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Ministers in New York, starting on the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting held an exchange of views on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Sahel and its impact on the wider region.

The discussion focused in particular on the EU's wide-ranging long-term support to Ukraine, including the ability to deliver support to the Ukrainian armed forces rapidly and to the necessary extent. Foreign Minister Karins underlined the need to agree on a sustainable financing solution for assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace facility.

The meeting voiced a massive support for the EU's closer cooperation with global partners to explain the reasons behind the global consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine and to promote assistance to Ukraine. A number of bilateral meetings with African, Latin American and the Asian-Pacific countries are planned to contribute to that end.





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In New York, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis urges his EU counterparts to maintain momentum in providing assistance to Ukraine and mobilising global support for its victory

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.09.19

On 18 September in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis attended an informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, which took place in the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

"The decisions discussed by the EU on long-term support to Ukraine must imply a significant reinforcement of the assistance provided so far. Given the catastrophic geopolitical consequences in case of Russia's victory, including the risk of losing control of the Black Sea, threats to Moldova, Georgia and security risks in the Baltic region, the EU must continue to increase military support to Ukraine according to its real needs," Landsbergis said.

The head of Lithuania's diplomacy highlighted Ukraine's victory as a guarantee of European stability and security. Landsbergis urged EU member states to maintain momentum in providing support to Ukraine, as well as to tighten sanctions against Russia, Belarus and Iran.

"Despite hearing the constant Russian narrative "sanctions do not work" as we observe the regime's desperate efforts to secure additional funding sources, we need to be even more persistent regarding sanctions. The sanctions help to undermine Russia's military capabilities and limit the regime's ability to pursue a debilitating war against Ukraine," Lithuania's Foreign Minister said.

The Foreign Minister also highlighted Lithuania's readiness to create safe, alternative and reliable corridors for the transportation of Ukrainian grain while expanding the Baltic route.

"Russia alone is responsible for the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the illegal blockade of Ukrainian ports and deliberate and persistent attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure. No compromises can be made when dealing with the aggressor," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy said.

In New York, EU Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also discussed EU coordination on meetings with third countries in the margins of the UNGA to support global partners on priority issues. In the margins of the UNGA, EU foreign ministers will meet with representatives of 133 countries.

Yesterday in New York, Landsbergis and the Foreign Minister of the Philippines signed a letter of intent. Lithuania's Foreign Minister will meet with his Malaysian and Mongolian counterparts today.



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A. AnuAauskas introduced latest Lithuania's assistance package at a meeting with the new Minister of Defence of Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-09-19

International cooperation

September 19, Minister of National Defence Arvydas AnuAauskas attended the Ramstein format meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and for the first time met with the new Defence Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umierov on the margins.

Ministers discussed the nearly half a billion worth of assistance Lithuania had delivered to Ukraine and Ukraine's furthermost pressing needs to counter the Russian aggression.

At the Ramstein group meeting, A. AnuAauskas underscored the importance of the formed Ukraine demining coalition, and also discussed the project in more detail in a separate meeting with Minister of Defence of Croatia Mario BanoAiA. Ministers addressed cooperation opportunities for the two countries.

"We are working on the formation of the demining coalition. I would like to encourage the undecided nations to join in and contribute training, equipment or finance," said Minister and noted that Lithuania would remain consistent and support Ukraine until victory.

A. AnuAauskas also presented to the Allies Lithuania's latest package of military assistance to Ukraine which is set to include detonation systems, naval surveillance radars and ammunition for Carl Gustaf antitank grenade launcher. Also, Lithuania starts repair of Leopard tanks for Ukraine as of this month.

During the Ramstein meeting Lithuania signed a Declaration of Intent in support of the IT assistance coalition for Ukraine.

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Biden urges world leaders to stand up to Russia

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 6:20 PM

US President Joe Biden has used his 30-minute address at the UN General Assembly to rally support for Ukraine and push the world leaders to stand up to Russia.

Addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, Biden claimed that no nation can be secure if "we allow Ukraine to be carved up."

"Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence," he 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? I'd respectfully suggest the answer's no."

The US president further said that Washington and its allies, who have backed Kiev since the start of the war, would "continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine."

Biden was speaking to an audience missing numerous key leaders, including those from France and Britain.

The meeting, however, was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will visit the White House later in the day, to seek more US aid and weaponry to push its slow-moving counteroffensive.

The Ukrainian leader is also due to meet members of the US Congress, where the White House is trying to shore up support for a new $24 billion Ukrainian aid package.

Other senior members of Biden's administration were also making their case during the day. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged allied defense leaders in remarks at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to "dig deep" and provide more air defense systems for Ukraine.

The US and its Western allies began pouring weapons and ammunition into Ukraine shortly after Russia launched its "special military operation" in the country in February 2022.

Russia has time and again warned that the continued supply of weapons to Ukraine would only prolong the war.

The Biden administration has so far spent more than $100 billion on the war in Ukraine, according to the White House.

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Pentagon chief: US Abrams tanks to arrive in Ukraine 'soon'

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 10:56 AM

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin says the US military's M1 Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine "soon" as part of Western aid aimed at helping Kiev defeat Russia.

The tanks were promised by Washington at the beginning of the year.

"I'm... pleased to announce that the M1 Abrams tanks that the United States had previously committed to will be entering Ukraine soon," Austin said at the opening of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Tuesday.

The tanks will also be paired with the controversial 120mm armor-piercing depleted uranium rounds that are associated with health problems, including cancer and birth defects, in past conflict areas.

Following the US announcement of supplying Kiev with the munitions earlier this month, Russia said the US decision is as a clear sign of "inhumanity."

Austin said the upcoming arms transfer comes as Ukraine's counteroffensive, which was launched in June, "continues to make steady forward progress."

Russia ramps up weapon production

As the war is raging in Ukraine and Western military aid continues to pour into Ukraine, Russia's biggest weapons producer, Rostec, said the country has ramped up the production of military hardware.

Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the armament complex at Rostec, said on Tuesday that production volumes for various types of weapons had risen between two and 10 times, while the output of other types had been increased "by tens of times."

"We are going forward at cruising speed, smoke from all the pipes," he said.

Ozdoev noted that the output of tanks, armored vehicles, rocket launchers, artillery, the Iskander short-range ballistic missile, the Pantsir medium-range surface-to-air missile system, and the hypersonic Kinzhal missile significantly increased.

Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the US, alone, has pledged more than $43 billion in security aid to Ukraine.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

19.09.2023

On 19 September 2023 at about 22:30 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces foiled an attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack by one fixed-wing UAVs against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by the air defence forces on duty over Oryol region.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

19.09.2023

On 19 September 2023 at about 21:00 Moscow time, the Russian Armed Forces foiled an attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack by two fixed-wing UAVs against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by the air defence forces on duty over Belgorod and Oryol regions.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Ukraine Turns Down 10 German Leopard Tanks Due to Their Condition

Sputnik News

20230919

Last week, Ukraine refused to accept 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany due to their unsatisfactory technical condition, German media reported, citing sources.

According to the publication, Kiev has informed a special committee within the German Ministry of Defense that the German armored vehicles that arrived in Poland need to be repaired.

However, since neither the necessary technical personnel nor the required spare parts are available, sending the Leopards to Ukraine "makes no sense," the report said.

According to one of Germany's leading multimedia outlets, Kiev's statement "caused concern" in Berlin. After the German Ministry of Defense sent specialists to Poland to service the tanks, on-site inspections confirmed that the machines did indeed need repairs.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had previously promised to increase deliveries of refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine starting in July.

"By the end of the year, there will be more than 100 of them," the minister announced.

Earlier, the chairman of the German Military-Political Society, Ralph Thiele, criticized the tanks being delivered to Ukraine, calling the Leopard 1s "scrap metal."

"Ironically, yes... We have old equipment that has to be used properly to be useful. If it is not used properly, old equipment will quickly become scrap metal in Ukraine," Thiele said.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed during a meeting with Russian war correspondents that American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and German Leopard tanks "burn nicely."

The Russian Defense Ministry had already released several videos with captured equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporozhye direction, showing Leopard and Bradley vehicles. It was noted that some of the Ukrainian military vehicles had working engines.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Loses 400 Troops in Donetsk, Zaporozhye Directions

Sputnik News

20230919

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 400 soldiers in the Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday.

The Russian forces repelled two attacks in the Donetsk direction near the settlements of Mayorsk and Kamyanka.

"Enemy losses [in the Donetsk direction] amounted to up to 255 military personnel killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles and three cars. In addition, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two US-made M777 artillery systems, as well as a self-propelled howitzer Gvozdika were destroyed," the ministry said.

In the Zaporozhye direction Ukraine lost some 175 servicemen.

"During the day, more than 175 Ukrainian troops, two armored combat vehicles and two cars were destroyed in this direction. During the counter-battery struggle, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mount, a US-made M777 artillery system, an Acacia self-propelled howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers were hit," the ministry reported.

Moreover, the Russian forces repelled one attack by Ukrainian troops in the South Donetsk direction, where Kiev lost over 115 military, and fended off three attacks in the Krasny Liman direction, the ministry added.

A Sputnik

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Russian Air Defense Downs Ukrainian Drones Over Bryansk, Belgorod Regions - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20230919

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defense systems destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk, Belgorod Regions on Tuesday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"This morning, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on targets on the territory of Russia was thwarted. On-duty air defense systems destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Bryansk Region," the ministry stated.

"On September 19, at about 13:00 Moscow time [10:00 GMT], an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on objects on the territory of Russia was thwarted. On-duty air defense systems destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the Belgorod Region," the ministry reported.

While the much-hyped counteroffensive attempt launched by the Kiev regime has stalled, Ukraine is employing a terrorist strategy of attacking cities in order to intimidate civilians and ruin their lives. Fortunately, many Ukrainian UAVs are destroyed in the air or downed by Russian air defenses.

A Sputnik

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"Khyzhak" (Predator) and RBPP-500: the Ministry of Defence has adopted two tactical machine gun systems

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2023-09-19 10:20:00 | ID: 70744

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has adopted two tactical complexes - RBPP-500 tactical complex (capacity: 500 rounds) for 7.62-mm PKM and MG42 machine guns and "Khyzhak" (Predator) tactical machine gun set.

The "Khyzhak" (Predator) machine gun set is designed for the placement and continuous supply of machine gun belts loaded with 7.62A54 mm calibre rounds for PK (PKM) machine guns. The RBPP-500 tactical complex can also be used with 7.62A51 mm rounds for MG42 machine gun. After successful tests, both complexes proved their reliability and effectiveness.

The Ministry of Defence continue working to provisioning the Armed Forces of Ukraine, what also includes combat and long-range weapons.

Thanks to Accelerator of the Ministry of Defence, the procedure for admission to the operation has been accelerated to 45 days.

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Ramstein-15: planning long-term support for Ukraine is on the agenda

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2023-09-19 12:28:00 | ID: 70735

The 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) began in Ramstein, attended by representatives of 54 partner states of Ukraine and member NATO and EU.

The Ukrainian delegation is headed by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov. It is planned that the main directions of development of Ukraine's Defense Forces for the medium and long term will be presented during the event. Understanding our country's prospective security model will allow partners to plan measures for long-term support of Ukraine.

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Ukraine, Estonia, and Luxembourg have launched the IT Coalition

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2023-09-19 17:57:00 | ID: 70738

During the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting on 19 September, the Ministers of Defence of Ukraine, Estonia, and Luxembourg conducted a kick-off meeting of a new IT Coalition under the 'Ramstein framework'.

Overall 20 Nations participated in the kick-off event. Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, and Latvia have already joined the initiative by signing a Declaration of Intent together with Ukraine, Estonia, and Luxembourg.

'The goal of the IT Coalition is to deliver a secure and resilient IT infrastructure for the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Defence Forces which enables Ukraine to be more efficient and effective on the battlefield. We are grateful to Estonia and Luxembourg for their leadership in driving this initiative forward. I would also like to thank Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, and Latvia for joining us in this endeavour and to Luxembourg for already announcing the first pledge to the IT Coalition' - said Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.

The intent to establish this initiative was first announced during the UDCG meeting on 15 June. IT Coalition is a dedicated group of Donor Nations led by Estonia and Luxembourg under the UDCG framework focused on delivering support to Ukraine's Defence Forces in the area of IT, communications, and cyber security.

The key outcome of the IT Coalition is the establishment of a single command and control and defence resource management digital ecosystem for the Defence Forces that will support better coordination and more effective Defence forces engagement and employment of capabilities provided by partner Nations.

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More support from the partners, Capabilities Coalition, IT Coalition - results of the 15th Ramstein Meeting

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2023-09-19 20:40:00 | ID: 70742

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov took part in the 15th meeting in the format of Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which took place on September 19 at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

The Heads of the Defence Ministries of about 50 countries discussed further military aid to Ukraine in repelling armed aggression of the russia.

"The common goal of all the countries of the free world is to win this war. Even after nineteen months of fierce fighting, the Ukrainian army remains highly motivated, and the Ukrainian people do not intend to give up. We need more weapons and more help."

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine called on his counterparts to continue supporting Ukraine and outlined Ukraine's priority needs.

The partners have once again confirmed their commitment to support Ukraine.

The Ukrainian delegation also familiarized the partners with the current situation regarding Ukraine and in the territories temporarily occupied by russian troops, as well as regarding the course of operations and combats conducted by the Ukrainian Defence Forces.

The members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group announced security aid packages. These packages are mainly aimed at developing the capabilities of the Defence Forces in terms of air and missile defence, air support, as well as manoeuvrability and the ability to overcome barrages on the battlefield.

Also, as a result of the meeting, Ukraine, Estonia and Luxembourg launched an IT Coalition, which was joined by Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, and Latvia.

The key outcome of the IT Coalition should be the creation of united digital ecosystem of combat control and defence resource management for the Defence Forces.

The Defence Ministers also agreed to launch an initiative to create the Capabilities Coalition.

The main goal of this Coalition will be the future preparation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. For this purpose, the Ministry of Defence identified five clusters requiring priority attention: air defence, artillery, aviation, navy and armoured vehicles.

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President Berset speaks at UN Security Council debate on Ukraine

Swiss Government

Bern, 20.09.2023 -- On 20 September, President Alain Berset attended a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. Other highlights of his stay in New York during the opening week of the 78th UN General Assembly were Switzerland's address in the general debate and the Summit on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which is held only once every four years.

At the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Mr Berset recalled the principles of the United Nations enshrined in the UN Charter and the mandate of the Security Council to maintain international peace and security. Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, denies its responsibility for the thousands of dead and wounded in Ukraine and for all those who have been plunged into insecurity - everywhere in the world, including in Russia itself - by its war of aggression against its neighbour. Switzerland reiterated its appeal to Russia to respect the UN Charter and withdraw immediately from Ukraine's territory. At the same time, the president underlined Switzerland's solidarity with Ukraine, its humanitarian support for the country and its commitment to the reconstruction process.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr Berset cited the great challenges facing the global community, in particular extreme inequality, which in some countries has reached levels not seen since the early 20th century, the climate crisis, war, conflict, and the continuing erosion of multilateralism. The president stressed that strong institutions were essential in combating this development and called for a renewal of the cooperative world order: "The UN embodies the institutionalised hope of a better world." Switzerland welcomes the New Agenda for Peace that was presented by UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres in July with a view to the UN Future Summit next year. Mr Berset stressed that Switzerland, as a member of the UN Security Council, would continue its commitment to peacebuilding and the protection of the civilian population in the coming year.

The Summit on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on Monday marked the half-way point to the deadline the global community has set itself to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of the 169 targets associated with the SDGs, currently only 12% are on course. In some cases, progress has actually backslid. As Mr Berset explained, most of the targets are on the right track, but not at the right pace. In Switzerland's view, what is needed is a stronger multilateral system, an efficient international financial architecture, and better cooperation between science, politics and the private sector.

Bilateral meetings

On the fringes of the UN General Assembly, Mr Berset discussed a range of bilateral issues and global challenges with around a dozen heads of state and government, including Moldovan president Maia Sandu, Brazilian president Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva and South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. At Mr Berset's meeting with UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres, talks focused on the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Russia has withdrawn from, the war in Ukraine, and efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in Colombia.

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Undersecretary Kodar in Brussels: We must make a joint effort to raise the cost of the war for Russia

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20.09.2023

Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs Erki Kodar was in Brussels on 18 and 19 September for a high-level meeting on implementing European Union sanctions, chaired by European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

The meeting shared best practices on the implementation of sanctions and discussed a more efficient prevention of sanctions circumvention. At the meeting, Kodar said the sanctions had a clear impact on Russia's economy, which funds the country's continued aggression in Ukraine. "Just like we are looking for ways to raise the cost of the war for Russia, Russia is looking for ways to continue its brutal war in Ukraine in spite of sanctions. For this, it needs resources."

"Preventing these resources from reaching Russia must be our common effort," Kodar added. "The best way to achieve this is to continue and reinforce our common practice of implementing sanctions and preventing circumvention."

Kodar also highlighted the unique position of countries bordering Russia in the trade with Russia and Central Asian countries because transit takes exports from the European Union through these border states. "As Russia is using the help of third countries to circumvent sanctions, our priority is to limit the flow of sanctioned goods to Russia through third countries."

The meeting also included a discussion with Ukrainian colleagues about potential steps to raise the cost of the aggression for Russia, both by ramping up existing sanctions and imposing new restrictions.

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Supporting the welfare of Ukraine's children is the duty of the international community

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20.09.2023

Yesterday 19 September, Estonia, together with Ukraine, the United States, Belgium and the European Union's representation to the UN held the event "Fighting for the Future: Ukrainian Children in War" on the sidelines of the high-level week of the UN, with a focus on the situation of Ukrainian children in Russia's war of aggression.

Speakers included Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, President Alar Karis and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. Other speakers included US Representative to the UN and Member of the US Cabinet Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure have destroyed homes, hospitals, school buildings, and power and water plants, which has significantly affected the welfare and safety of Ukraine's civilians, including children. "Every day we are horrified to read reports about civilians, including children and infants, suffering or dying in yet another missile attack by Russia. Russia's actions clearly demonstrate that Putin's place is in front of a tribunal," Tsahkna said. The foreign minister added that we cannot wait for the war to end, instead, we must begin reconstruction today. "This is the only way we can support the future of Ukrainian children and offer them hope," the minister said, adding that this is why Estonia has built a new kindergarten in the Zhytomyr Oblast, opened in June. In cooperation with the fund of First Lady Olena Zelenska, Estonia has also begun building family houses to provide homes for orphaned children.

Tsahkna also highlighted the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. "Estonia welcomes the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the arrest of Putin and Lvova-Belova. Unfortunately, this will not bring the children back. It is the duty of the international community to do everything in our power to bring back the deported children and prevent these kinds of crimes in the future," the minister said. "I can assure you that we will continue our joint efforts to show the aggressor that its cruelty and inhuman actions will not stop us. Ukraine has our unwavering support," Tsahkna added.

In his speech, Tsahkna underlined that Estonia and the international community will not stop, or tire of sending a clear message to Russia that its cruelty and inhumane aggression will not subjugate Ukraine nor any other country.

The aim of the event was to discuss the most urgent challenges and the needs of Ukraine's children, and propose concrete solutions the UN and the international community could use to contribute to alleviating the suffering of children.

The speech of the foreign minister: https://vm.ee/en/news/high-level-event-margins-78th-unga-session-focusing-suffering-children-ukraine-affected

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High-Level Event in the margins of the 78th UNGA session, focusing on the suffering of children in Ukraine affected by Russia's war of aggression

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20.09.2023

High-Level Event in the margins of the 78th UNGA session, focusing on the suffering of children in Ukraine affected by Russia's war of aggression.

UNHQ on 19 September 2023

High-Level Event in the margins of the 78th UNGA session, focusing on the suffering of children in Ukraine affected by Russia's war of aggression.

UNHQ on 19 September 2023

[Mrs Zelenska], President Karis, excellences, ladies and gentlemen,

Our goal today is clear - it is to help Ukraine win, and we will support and stand with Ukraine in this quest for as long as necessary. We will not stop, or tire of sending a clear message to Russia that its cruelty and inhumane aggression will not subjugate Ukraine nor any other country.

For more than 18 months, Ukraine has shown extraordinary courage in defending its freedom and territory. I acknowledge that it has come at an extremely high cost, especially for Ukraine's children.

I visited Ukraine in June this year and witnessed first-hand why reconstruction cannot wait for the war to end. It is for those nearly 25,000 orphans in Ukraine, the majority of them left without parents due to the ongoing war, and for the children who have returned to Bucha, to Kherson, for the children of Lviv and across Ukraine. A safe home, stable education, and healthcare are vital for protecting their mental health and wellbeing. This is why Estonia built a new kindergarten in Zhytomyr Oblast. At its opening on the second of June, I witnessed that by building back the lost normality that those children long for, we can make a monumental difference in the lives of many. Now we must continue our efforts. In collaboration with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, Estonia has also started a project to build family houses for children who have lost their parents, while also mentoring new foster parents at the same time. I encourage other countries to consider similar initiatives. Ukrainian children need hope.

Today's event also enables us to also talk about Russia's deliberate policy of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus, subjugating them to pro-Russian propaganda and forced adoption into Russian families - an issue that seemed inconceivable in our time. These cruel acts are in grave violation of international humanitarian law. In June, the UN Secretary-General listed Russia as a party committing grave violations against children. It is the first time in history a permanent member of the UN Security Council has been included in this list of shame. While it was a step in the right direction, we remain doubtful of Russia's willingness to change its dreadful policy against the children of Ukraine.

The ICC arrest warrants underscore the gravity of these war crimes, but this alone can not bring the children back. Events like today's are crucial for coordinating efforts to reverse and prevent the Russian government's forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Until all of these children are safely returned to Ukraine, we have not done enough.

Achieving this requires cooperation with the UN, its agencies and member states in putting pressure on Russia and Belarus. Estonia will continue to support the investigation and reporting on the deportations, while reminding Russia of its obligations under international law. We will also work with our partners to impose sanctions on those involved in the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children.

I urge the international community to stand with us in supporting the most vulnerable victims of Russia's war. For the way we respond to atrocities committed against Ukraine's children will not only shape the fate of one country, but define the kind of world we leave to our future generations.

Thank you.

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Press Release

September 21, 2023 Legarda lauds launch of roadmap to 30x30 goals Before the lockdowns, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found that one million species are at risk of extinction. They ranked the main factors from highest impact as follows: changes in land and sea use, exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species. The intertwined web that sustains humans, plants, and animals is at risk of unraveling in a matter of decades. In November 2020, US former Senator Russ Feingold wrote to Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda seeking help regarding the Campaign for Nature, an initiative to protect 30% of the earth's land and 30% of the earth's water by 2030. After several exchanges, Feingold met with Legarda on May 4, 2021, and the latter went on to a full-on campaign with social media, an episode of Stories for a Better Normal, and by reaching out to agencies from then for the Philippines to get on board the campaign. As of August 2021, the response of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the campaign was negative to conditional. It was only in December 2021 that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) communicated officially that the Philippines was fully on board the High Ambition Coalition (HAC). In a speech in 2021, Legarda stated that the demise of one species may not be felt directly. Still, its intricate connection with other species in the wild will reverberate throughout the food chain. Multiple extinctions will lead to ecosystem spasm, where chains of extinctions will leave the ecosystems we depend on gasping for life. She also emphasized the role of indigenous peoples, who are owners and nurturers of much of the remaining natural areas in the country, in our attempts to reach these goals. She said, "Nearly 20% of our lands in the Philippines are covered by ancestral title. Not coincidentally, these are the same lands that have remained wild and natural, the natural capital on which a lot of our lives depend." "Armed with the latest science enriched by indigenous knowledge systems, we must deepen our understanding of our ecosystems and what levels of change they can sustain. We need to ensure equitable access and benefits associated with biodiversity," she continued. In a historic turn of events, the Kunming Montreal Framework was reached under the Convention on Biodiversity in October 2022, adopting the 30 x 30 goals, cementing its place among important global targets. The Philippine delegation worked hard to ensure the Framework contained 30 x 30 goals. On September 1, 2023, the Philippines launched its initial roadmap to contribute to the 30 x 30 goals. The DENR also called for comments on a draft order for other effective area-based conservation measures to meet these goals on lands not entirely under DENR's jurisdiction. "I am glad we have taken this seriously enough since I made the call to the agencies to make commitments to the High Ambition Coalition. We have to acknowledge that unless drastic changes are made, the climate and biodiversity feedback loops will threaten what we are trying to protect. Our battles will be to keep defending what we designate because society still runs on measures of success and development that do not accord enough value to them," Legarda stated during the 1st National Workshop and High-Level Launch of 30x30.
Latvia intervenes as a third party in the case of Ukraine v. the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20.09.2023

On 20 September 2023 in The Hague, Netherlands, Latvia submitted its oral observations in the case of Ukraine v. the Russian Federation, "Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" (the Genocide Case). Latvia is one of the 32 countries intervening as a third party in the Genocide Case, where the dispute builds on the United Nations 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Convention).

Latvia's engagement in the Genocide Case is essential and it provides an opportunity to demonstrate Latvia's preparedness to address global issues, thereby also strengthening the international law-based order.

Latvia was requested to submit its oral observations on the interpretation of the provisions of the Convention as well as of other provisions relevant to determining of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. After the present stage of the proceedings, the International Court of Justice will rule on its jurisdiction in the matter, which is a precondition for the examination of the case on its merits.

In its observations concerning the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the case, Latvia analyses Article IX of the Convention and its structure taken together with other provisions of the Convention, as well as taking into account the relevant rules mandated by the custom-reflecting Articles 31 and 33 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the case law of the International Court of Justice. According to Latvia, Article IX is formulated in very broad terms and also covers disputes within the scope of the Convention which may result in establishing a non-violation of the Convention. It is structured in such a way that where a State has charged another with a genocide offence, which has created a dispute between those States, the International Court of Justice has jurisdiction to rule on any action brought before it.

Latvia was represented at the International Court of Justice by Martins Paparinskis, a member of the Drafting Committee of the International Law Commission and Reader in Public International Law at University College London. The representative was provided support by the International Law Division of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Latvian and foreign experts of international public law.

Background information:

This is the first time in Latvia's history that Latvia has exercised its rights under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice to request leave to intervene as a third party in a case before the International Court of Justice, which builds on the construction of a Convention that Latvia is a State Party to.

In addition, 32 other states have intervened as third parties: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The United States of America also submitted its declaration requesting leave to intervene as a third party; however, it was rejected by the Court due to a reservation made by the U.S. on Article IX of the Convention indicating that its provisions are not binding on the U.S.



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MFA statement

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

20.09.2023

On 20 September 2023, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasil Zvarich was urgently summoned to the MFA. The ambassador was received by the MFA's Undersecretary of State PaweA JabAoAski.

The Deputy Minister communicated Poland's strong protest over the statements made yesterday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly which suggested that some EU countries simulate solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia. The MFA deputy head stressed that this claim is wrong and particularly unjustified in Poland's case, given that our country has supported Ukraine since the first days of war.

Deputy Minister JabAoAski pointed out that pressuring Poland in multilateral fora or submitting applications to international courts are not the right methods to resolve conflicts between the two countries. He also underlined that such actions against Poland will not be effective because the steps taken by the Polish government to protect the interests of Polish farmers are in conformity with national, EU and international law. The MFA deputy chief took this opportunity to express concern about the recent public narrative of Ukraine's highest representatives which imposes a unilateral perspective on the multifaceted problem related to exports of Ukrainian crops to the neighbouring countries.

Deputy Minister JabAoAski expressed his expectation that the policy formed by Ukraine's authorities along with their public communication will reflect the real shape of Polish-Ukrainian relations, both currently and historically, taking into account the unprecedented assistance that Poland and Poles have provided to Ukraine and its people, as well as the full spectrum of our good cooperation.

MFA Spokesperson



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Zelenskiy Laments UN Weakness In Face Of Russia's Veto Power, Urges Expansion Of Security Council

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 20, 2023

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 Russia's veto power in the Security Council as blocking progress to any "real solutions" to global crises.

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 Kremlin's 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 Moscow's 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.

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

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zelenskiy-un- speech-counteroffensive-lavrov/32600972.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Bulgarian Farmers Reach Deal To Halt Protest Against Food Imports From Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service September 20, 2023

SOFIA -- Bulgarian farmers, who have protested for days against food imports from Ukraine, said they are ending their demonstration after reaching an agreement with the government over agricultural imports from neighboring Ukraine.

The agreement, reached late on September 19, provides for a temporary ban on the import of sunflower seeds from Ukraine as well as the introduction of quotas on grain imports from Ukraine.

Though some said the deal does not solve all of the issues on the table, most of the farmers, who had gathered with their tractors outside Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, said they approved of the draft text of an agreement that was later signed by representatives of the protesters and the government on September 20.

"We have no more work here today," Iliya Prodanov, chairman of the National Association of Grain Producers, told the protesters.

After that, the farmers left their meeting point near Sofia.

The farmers started their protest on September 18 following a decision by the Bulgarian parliament to lift a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, which they said would trigger an influx as Kyiv looks for routes to export after a deal with Russia to allow cargo ships to safely use the Black Sea despite the Russia-launched war in Ukraine collapsed.

Earlier this year, a flood of grain drove down prices for local growers and sparked the call for a ban on a number of food products from Ukraine.

Last week, the farmersrefused to negotiate with the government, prompting Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov to say that "they had started behaving like terrorists."

Negotiations between the farmers and the government found a "common approach" to meet most of the demands, paving the way for a deal, producers said.

As part of the agreement, the government said it would negotiate with the European Commission and the government in Kyiv for quotas on Ukrainian grain imports in an attempt to avoid an oversaturation of the Bulgarian market.

The farmers also will receive an additional 150 million leva ($82 million) in subsidies until October 6 due to the negative impact of the war in Ukraine. The government will also allocate additional 63 million leva ($35 million) for agricultural subsidies for 2023.

In May, Bulgaria was among five EU countries that imposed a ban on grain imports from Ukraine, citing the need to protect local agricultural sectors.

But a subsequent change in government has resulted in a shift in Bulgaria's position. Denkov's government, which took office in June, said the ban had deprived the budget of tax revenue and led to higher food prices.

Bulgaria's parliament approved on September 14 a decision to lift the ban on Ukrainian grain imports in a move welcomed by Ukraine.

A day later, the European Commission decided not to renew the overall ban on Ukrainian food heading to the five member countries. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have since unilaterally imposed their own blockades, while Ukraine said it would file a complaint at the World Trade Organization against them.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-farmers-food-imports-deal- ukraine/32601487.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Air Defenses Thwart Massive Ukraine Attack on Crimea, Down 19 Drones

Sputnik News

20230920

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that air defenses thwarted an overnight terrorist attack of the Ukrainian armed forces on Crimea by shooting down 19 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the peninsula.

"On the night of September 20-21, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted," the ministry said in a statement.

"Air defense systems destroyed 19 Ukrainian UAVs over the waters of the Black Sea and the territory of the Republic of Crimea."

The ministry added that air defenses also destroyed three drones in Russia's other regions, "one each over the territories of the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions."

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said on Telegram that all services were on alert in the city, adding that the air situation was monitored.

Andrei Klychkov, the governor of the Oryol region, has remarked that two drones that attempted to strike fuel and energy sector facilities had been neutralized. It was further stated that the attack did not cause any casualties or damages.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Loses Up to 175 Military in Donetsk Direction - MoD

Sputnik News

20230920

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 175 military in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"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.

A Sputnik

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Russian Electronic Warfare Systems Wreaking Havoc on Ukrainian Warplanes

Sputnik News

20230920

Ilya Tsukanov

Ukraine's NATO-backed armed forces have faced overwhelming Russian air superiority across the 1,000 km frontline of the special operation zone. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, some 473 Ukrainian fixed wing aircraft and 249 helicopters have been knocked out to date, with the country's pre-escalation air force almost completely destroyed.

Russia's electronic warfare systems are forcing Ukrainian combat aircraft to prematurely abandon combat missions and return to their bases, an informed source has told sputnik.

"Russian electronic warfare system such as the Krasukha are presently capable of completely suppressing the avionics of Ukrainian fighter jets and attack aircraft. As a result, Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots regularly have to abandon combat missions due to failure of onboard systems, turn around and return to base," the source said.

According to the source's information, Ukrainian aircraft limp back to base using traditional, visual terrain-based navigation, as Russian EW disables their onboard navigation systems.

Sputnik reported on the use of the Krasukha-S4 self-propelled electronic warfare system in the special operation zone last week. The multi-purpose Russian system is reportedly able to disable all sorts of aircraft and drones, spy satellites, and even enemy ground-based radars by generating powerful jamming signals targeting core radar frequencies and other radio-emitting sources at distances of over 300 km.

Electronic warfare systems have been a strong suit of the Russian armed forces going back to the second half of the 20th century, with the Soviet radio-electronic combat doctrine fixating on the "total integration of electronic warfare and physical destruction resources to deny an enemy the use of his electronic control systems and, concurrently, to protect friendly electronic control systems from enemy disruption."

Today, Russia is armed with a broad array of modern short, medium, long and ultra-long electronic warfare systems, from the Krasukha and Tobol to the Moskva, Infauna, Leer and Triad, among others. Independent US military observers have characterized Russia's EW capabilities as second to none, with the British Royal United Services Institute recently citing them as a key factor in explaining the failure of Kiev's summer counteroffensive.

The US and its allies have also reportedly testing out their own EW systems in Ukraine. Last week, a senior US officer taking part in an air, space and cyber conference in Maryland confirmed that the Pentagon was "taking notes" on Russia's EW tactics.

A Sputnik

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Air Defense Takes Down Drones Near Sevastopol - Authorities

Sputnik News

20230920

SIMFEROPOL, Russia (Sputnik) - Russian air defense took down drones near Sevastopol, there were no casualties, Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said on Wednesday.

"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.

A Sputnik

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken At United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

United Nations Headquarters

New York City, New York

September 20, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for focusing the Security Council on this critically important issue. And Mr. Secretary-General, thank you for the moral clarity that you've shown in dealing with Russia's war against Ukraine.

We're grateful to have been able to welcome President Zelenskyy to this council table, and we thank him. We thank him for reminding us yesterday, today, and every day what's at stake in this conflict, not just for Ukraine, not just for Ukrainians, but for all of us.

Fellow council members, two weeks ago I was in Yahidne, a small Ukrainian town about two hours north of Kyiv. Russian forces seized the village in the first days of the invasion. They went door to door, rounding up residents at gunpoint, marching them to the local elementary school, where Russian soldiers had set up a command post. Then, soldiers forced more than 300 civilians - mostly women, children, and elderly people - into a basement not fit for human habitation, just a few small rooms, no windows, no circulation, no running water. The soldiers held residents there for 28 straight days, using them as human shields, before fleeing when Ukrainian defenders arrived to liberate the town.

In Yahidne, two residents took me into the basement where they and others had been imprisoned. My guide said that they were packed together so tightly that they could barely breathe. There was no room to sit, let alone lie down. When they cried out to their captors that people were sick and needed medical care, a Russian soldier yelled back, "Let them die."

My guide pointed to two handwritten lists of names on the basement wall. One was for the villagers that Russian forces had executed, the other for the people who died in the basement. The oldest victim was 93 years old; the youngest 6 weeks old. The Russians only allowed the removal of bodies once a day, so children, parents, husbands, and wives were forced to spend hours next to the corpses of their loved ones.

I begin here because from the comfortable distance of this chamber, it's really easy to lose sight of what it's like for Ukrainian victims of Russian aggression. This is what happened in just one building, in one community in Ukraine. There are so many others like it. In the last week alone, Russia has bombed apartment buildings in Kryvyi Rih; it's burned down humanitarian aid depots in Lviv. It's demolished grain silos in Odesa. It shelled eight communities in Sumy in a single day.

This is what Ukrainian families are living through every day. It's what they've experienced for 574 days of this full-scale invasion. It's what they'll endure tomorrow, and the day after that, for as long as Russia wages its vicious war, a war that President Putin openly declared from the outset is aimed at erasing Ukraine from the map as a sovereign country and restoring Russia's lost empire.

In this war, there is an aggressor and there is a victim. One side is attacking the core principles of the UN Charter; the other fights to defend them. For over a year and half, Russia has shredded the major tenets of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international humanitarian law, and flouted one Security Council resolution after another.

Let's review. First, Russia's invasion itself violates the central pillar of the UN Charter - respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. Second, Russia's committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine on an almost daily basis. Third, Russia continues to engage in reckless nuclear saber-rattling, announcing that it's stationing nuclear weapons in Belarus and continuing to use Europe's biggest nuclear power plant and its employees as a shield for its aggression, risking catastrophic consequences.

Fourth, Russia is weaponizing hunger. Thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the secretary-general and TArkiye, approximately 33 million metric tons of grain reached global markets, driving down food prices around the world. Nearly two-thirds of the wheat exported though that deal went to developing countries. Not only did Putin pull out of the deal, but Russia is now mining Ukraine's fields, bombing its ports and rails, burning its silos. As a result, Ukraine's wheat exports will likely fall by 2.8 million metric tons this year. That is the equivalent of 5.5 billion - 5.5 billion - loaves of bread trapped in the world's breadbasket. Russia, meanwhile, on track for a record year of grain exports. The hungrier the world is, the more Moscow profits.

Fifth, Russia is using Iranian drones to attack Ukrainian civilians, drones that Russia procured from Iran in violation of Security Council Resolution 2231.

Finally, just last week, Russia hosted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Putin said that they discussed ways to cooperate militarily. While Kim pledged the DPRK's - and I quote - "full and unconditional support," end quote, for Russia's war of aggression. Of course, the transfer of arms between Moscow and Pyongyang would violate multiple resolutions of this council. 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. It's that basement in Yahidne. It's families having their children torn away from them and deported to Russia, children taken away from their parents and deported far away. It's the rubble of Mariupol. It's the mass graves of Bucha.

We are not giving up, either. Indeed, since we were last here, a growing number of countries have come together to try to forge a different way forward. In June, over a dozen countries met with Ukraine in Copenhagen to discuss the path toward a just and lasting peace, one that upholds the United Nations Charter and its core principles. Two months later, more than 40 countries, including many members of this council, carried forward that discussion with Ukraine in Jeddah. President Zelenskyy has put forward a 10-point plan for such a peace. President Putin has put forward nothing.

Now, some argue that continuing to stand with Ukraine and holding Russia accountable distracts us from addressing other priorities, like confronting the climate crisis, expanding economic opportunity, strengthening health systems. That is a false choice. We can and we must do both; we are doing both. We must work together to tackle the global challenges that are affecting our people, meet the Sustainable Development Goals, invest in a world where all people have an opportunity to reach their full potential.

The United States is the world's leading contributor to these efforts. And as President Biden told the General Assembly yesterday, we will continue to do more than our share to answer the imperatives of our time. At the same time, as President Biden has made clear, we must continue to shore up the pillars of peaceful relations among nations, without which we will be unable to achieve any of our goals. That's why 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 people's lives in times of peace.

I opened by sharing the horrors that I saw in Yahidne. Let me close by telling you what else I saw that day in Ukraine. I saw volunteers rebuilding homes that had been razed by Russian bombs, farmers harvesting fields, people reopening businesses, citizens clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, children returning to schools. In short, I saw a nation rebuilding and reclaiming its future. That is the right of all members of our United Nations. That's what we defend when we stand up for the international order: the right of people not only to survive, but to thrive, to write their own future. Our people, Ukraine's people, the people of all nations get to write their own future. We cannot, we will not let one man write that future for us. Thank you.

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Deputy Prime Minister's speech at the United Nations Security Council

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden's speech on Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council in New York on 20 September 2023, as it was delivered.

20 September 2023

Thank you, President.

I am proud to sit here today in solidarity with President Zelenskyy. He and the Ukrainian people have met Russia's invasion of their country with bravery, and with courage. I pay tribute to their fortitude.

Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression is not only a fight for freedom, it is also a fight for the principles upon which the United Nations itself is based, principles underpinned by our Charter which says that all States' sovereignty is equal, that territorial integrity is inviolable, that disputes should be settled peacefully and that we must protect those things together.

When Russia's tanks rolled into Ukraine they trampled over every one of those principles. They have done so ever since. Every missile, every bomb, every false arrest, every piece of propaganda has been a flagrant assault, not only on freedom, but on our multilateral rules-based system.

If we allow Russia to lay waste to what we have built here, the risks to world order, the risks to us all, are grave.

For over a year and a half, Ukraine has been suffering the terrible consequences of Russia's war of choice. We must never forget the human cost. 9,500 people killed. 17,000 people injured. Reports of 500,000 military casualties on both sides.

Russia has callously targeted schools, hospitals, even playgrounds. Ukrainians have been tortured, they have been raped. Men, women, and thousands of children have been forcibly deported from their homes.

And the devastation flows beyond Ukraine's borders. Thanks to their destruction of thousands of tonnes of grain, the hungry and malnourished people of the developing world are Russia's victims too. That is why the United Kingdom will contribute a further A3 million to the World Food Programme to continue President Zelenskyy's 'Grain from Ukraine' initiative.

Of course, the only end to this widespread suffering is through a just and lasting peace. Ukraine has demonstrated their commitment to peace time again and again including in Copenhagen and Jeddah this summer. But they have also shown on the battlefield this summer that they are capable of restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity that must be the foundations of any peace.

Ukraine's counter-offensive has put Russia under pressure. In total, Ukraine has regained 50 per cent of the territory seized since the war began and in Kharkiv and Kherson, the yellow and blue flag flies high once again. That flag flies throughout the rest of the world, reflecting the solidarity we feel to Ukraine. Yet we might wonder what difference does this support make when Russia seems so impervious to UN demands?

When it seeks to fuel its aims with arms from sanctioned states such as Iran and the DPRK and when it conducts sham elections in Ukraine's sovereign territory? The truth is this: Russia knows the power of collective action because it tries so hard to weaken and divide the international community.

So, just as we need to confront our biggest challenges on global poverty, on climate change, on artificial intelligence collectively, we need effective multilateralism to achieve resolution. To seek justice for the many, many victims. To rebuild ruined cities and create new opportunities. To get grain exports flowing again. To help put Ukraine back on the path to prosperity. To secure peace.

And that is what we shall do, together.

Thank you, Mr President.

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Russia's leadership reaps the consequences of its strategic mistakes: UK statement to the OSCE

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says that Russia's military are floundering strategically as the brave people of Ukraine stand up to Russian aggression.

20 September 2023

Thank you, Madam Chair. It is a sobering time to be appointed as the UK Military Advisor to the OSCE. This is an organisation designed to promote stability, peace and democracy in a region of over 1.3 billion people. It is truly tragic that Russia, through its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, has wilfully violated our shared principles. Russia has attempted to conduct a multi-pronged attack on another sovereign nation, in an operation designed to subjugate Ukraine to Moscow's will. The intention was that this would be achieved within a few days and yet, over one and half years later, Russia is now fighting a defensive battle in which it has found itself severely wanting.

From Russia's perspective, the campaign can only be viewed as an abject military failure. Russia has failed in all of its strategic objectives. In the last week alone, the strategic situation in the Black Sea area has significantly changed. A Russian landing ship has been destroyed and a Russian submarine is probably catastrophically damaged, whilst the dry docks in which they were located will be inoperable for many months. But, to be clear, this is a situation of Russia's own making.

Against any semblance of what the OSCE stands for, Russia has wilfully violated the values, principles and norms that it has committed to, and it has chosen to violate the basic principles of international relations. In an act of extreme desperation, Russia's answer to the strategic entanglement into which it has voluntarily placed itself is to turn to North Korea, a State that Russia has supported UN sanctions against.

Madam Chair, in this context, what is remarkable is not so much Russia's military debacle but something that gives cause for hope and optimism: how this situation has been confronted by the people of Ukraine. 13 September marks one year since Russia's first recorded use of an Iranian-made Shahed drone. Russia is now manufacturing its own one-way attack drones, and these are causing widespread death and destruction. To date, over 2000 such one-way attack drones have been deployed. And yet, the enduring message that continues to emerge from Ukraine is not of a people subjugated, bowing to the will of Russia, but of a resilient people, proud and determined to stand up to this most heinous act of aggression. We hear of a people fighting for the ideals of democracy and the right to self-determination.

For they know the importance of these values. The ideals for which the brave people of Ukraine continue to fight are ideals of hope, they are ideals of peace and democracy, they are the ideals to which all members of this forum are signatories, including Russia. There can be no other option for any rational actor, therefore, but to support Ukraine in its fight against tyranny. Perhaps one day, the Russian leadership will come to realise once again, how far it has drifted from the values it also once espoused.

Until such a time, the UK, along with its international partners, will continue to stand with Ukraine in its efforts to restore Ukrainian sovereignty and demonstrate that aggression will not prevail. Thank you.

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Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council debate on "Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter through Effective Multilateralism: Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine"

United Nations Secretary-General

20 September 2023

[Bilingual, as delivered, follows. Scroll down for all-English and all-French]

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

The United Nations Charter is our roadmap to a more peaceful world.

The tools and mechanisms founded on the principles of the Charter are a how-to manual to resolve conflict.

Together, our collective efforts over the years have contributed to preventing war on a global scale and saving millions of lives -- through peacemaking and preventive diplomacy; UN peacekeeping operations; disarmament and non-proliferation efforts; humanitarian and development programmes; and activities to promote human rights.

Cette semaine, le Sommet sur les Objectifs de dAveloppement durable a adoptA un plan de sauvetage pour les ODD - objectifs qui constituent un outil essentiel pour prAvenir les conflits et les crises de toutes sortes.

Le multilatAralisme fonctionne. Il est essentiel et efficace.

Mais les outils et mAcanismes multilatAraux s'affaiblissent. Face A la montAe des tensions et des dAfis gAopolitiques, certains cadres multilatAraux Achouent, tandis que d'autres - dont on a besoin de toute urgence - n'existent pas encore.

Le nombre de dAcAs liAs aux conflits a presque doublA l'annAe derniAre. Les opArations de paix des Nations unies sont soumises A une pression sans prAcAdent. Le dAsarmement nuclAaire est A l'arrAt. Et il n'existe aucun cadre mondial adAquat pour faire face aux menaces que les nouvelles technologies font peser sur la sAcuritA.

J'exhorte les Atats A aller plus loin et A faire mieux pour renouveler leur engagement vis-A -vis des obligations de la Charte des Nations unies ; A utiliser l'ensemble des outils diplomatiques qu'elle met A leur disposition ; A donner la prioritA A la prAvention des conflits et des crises ; et A tenir compte des propositions de nouveaux cadres et outils prAsentAes dans le Nouvel agenda pour la paix.

Mr. President,

Russia's 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.

All this comes at a time when cooperation and compromise for multilateral solutions are needed more than ever, to tackle challenges from the climate crisis to unprecedented levels of inequality to disruptive technologies.

The United Nations organs have been clear in condemning the war.

The General Assembly overwhelmingly approved one resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukraine, and a second rejecting Russia's efforts to annex Ukrainian territory.

I have consistently and repeatedly called for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter and international law - for Ukraine, for Russia, and for the world.

Russia's invasion was followed by relentless, systematic attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and services, including health and education facilities.

The war has killed or injured tens of thousands of civilians, destroyed lives and livelihoods, traumatized a generation of children, torn families and communities apart, devastated the economy, and turned vast areas of farmland into deadly minefields.

Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately.

Nearly half of Ukraine's population - some 18 million people - need humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 6 million Ukrainians have fled the country.

The United Nations has worked collectively to mitigate the impact on people, both in Ukraine and around the world, and to support civilians.

Our humanitarian programmes have stepped up, distributing aid to more than 8 million people this year in partnership with over 450 humanitarian organizations, half of them Ukrainian.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has established a presence at Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant and other major Ukrainian nuclear sites, to monitor safety, security and safeguards.

Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, we successfully organized the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol last year.

Evidence of shocking and widespread human rights violations has been documented by UN agencies, including conflict-related sexual violence; arbitrary detentions; summary executions - mostly by the Russian Federation; and the forcible transfer of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to territory under Russian control or to the Russian Federation. This documentation is vital for accountability.

Accountability for all human rights violations is crucial, in line with international norms and standards.

Mr. President,

The war contributed to an unprecedented surge in global food prices, threatening millions with hunger and poverty.

Starting in July 2022, we succeeded in mitigating that impact through the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the Russian Federation.

During its one year period of operation, the Black Sea Initiative, together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers, helped to reduce global food prices by over 23 per cent from the record high reached in March last year.

The Black Sea Initiative enabled the export of nearly 33 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs, and allowed the World Food Programme to transport 725,000 metric tons of wheat for humanitarian aid to countries including Afghanistan and Somalia.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the United Nations delivered solutions on several of the most challenging areas of trade facilitation for Russian food and fertilizers, with continuous work on the remaining issues.

We deeply regret that Russia ended its participation in the Black Sea Initiative in July of this year.

And that, immediately upon leaving, Russia launched a bombardment of Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities on the Black Sea and the Danube River.

Attacks against terminals and grain stores are unacceptable and such assaults must end.

Civilian shipping in the Black Sea has also been threatened.

Further escalation could instantly shock the markets and destabilize the region.

Volatility and uncertainty have already returned to international grain markets, while supplies from the harvest in Ukraine pile up.

The bombardment is also undermining our efforts in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation.

It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative.

We remain engaged with all parties, aiming to ensure safe and secure exports of grain and fertilizer from Russia and Ukraine. These must be put on a stable footing, without the repeated threat of interruption.

I am grateful to the Government of TArkiye for its contributions and urge all Member States to support our efforts.

Mr. President,

The United Nations continues to work towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the General Assembly.

I urge all countries to do their part to prevent further escalation, and to lay the foundations for sustainable peace.

We are fully committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.

This war is already causing limitless suffering. Its continuation risks further perilous escalation.

There is never an alternative to dialogue, diplomacy, and a just peace.

Thank you.

*****************************************************************************

[All-English]

Mr. President,

The United Nations Charter is our roadmap to a more peaceful world.

The tools and mechanisms founded on the principles of the Charter are a how-to manual to resolve conflict.

Together, our collective efforts over the years have contributed to preventing war on a global scale and saving millions of lives -- through peacemaking and preventive diplomacy; UN peacekeeping operations; disarmament and non-proliferation efforts; humanitarian and development programmes; and activities to promote human rights.

Just this week, the SDG Summit agreed a rescue plan for the Sustainable Development Goals - an essential tool to prevent conflict and crises of all kinds.

Multilateralism works. It is essential - and effective.

But multilateral tools and mechanisms are weakening. In the face of rising geopolitical tensions and challenges, some are failing while others - frameworks that are urgently needed - do not yet exist.

The number of conflict-related deaths last year almost doubled. United Nations peace operations are under unprecedented strain. Nuclear disarmament is at a virtual standstill. And there are no adequate global frameworks to address the security threats posed by new technologies.

I urge Governments to go further and do better to recommit to their obligations under the United Nations Charter; to use the full range of diplomatic tools that it provides; to prioritize the prevention of conflict and crises; and to consider the proposals for new frameworks and tools in the New Agenda for Peace.

Mr. President,

Russia's 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.

All this comes at a time when cooperation and compromise for multilateral solutions are needed more than ever, to tackle challenges from the climate crisis to unprecedented levels of inequality to disruptive technologies.

The United Nations organs have been clear in condemning the war.

The General Assembly overwhelmingly approved one resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukraine, and a second rejecting Russia's efforts to annex Ukrainian territory.

I have consistently and repeatedly called for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter and international law - for Ukraine, for Russia, and for the world.

Russia's invasion was followed by relentless, systematic attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and services, including health and education facilities.

The war has killed or injured tens of thousands of civilians, destroyed lives and livelihoods, traumatized a generation of children, torn families and communities apart, devastated the economy, and turned vast areas of farmland into deadly minefields.

Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately.

Nearly half of Ukraine's population - some 18 million people - need humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 6 million Ukrainians have fled the country.

The United Nations has worked collectively to mitigate the impact on people, both in Ukraine and around the world, and to support civilians.

Our humanitarian programmes have stepped up, distributing aid to more than 8 million people this year in partnership with over 450 humanitarian organizations, half of them Ukrainian.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has established a presence at Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant and other major Ukrainian nuclear sites, to monitor safety, security and safeguards.

Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, we successfully organized the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol last year.

Evidence of shocking and widespread human rights violations has been documented by UN agencies, including conflict-related sexual violence; arbitrary detentions; summary executions - mostly by the Russian Federation; and the forcible transfer of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to territory under Russian control or to the Russian Federation. This documentation is vital for accountability.

Accountability for all human rights violations is crucial, in line with international norms and standards.

Mr. President,

The war contributed to an unprecedented surge in global food prices, threatening millions with hunger and poverty.

Starting in July 2022, we succeeded in mitigating that impact through the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the Russian Federation.

During its one year period of operation, the Black Sea Initiative, together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers, helped to reduce global food prices by over 23 per cent from the record high reached in March last year.

The Black Sea Initiative enabled the export of nearly 33 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs, and allowed the World Food Programme to transport 725,000 metric tons of wheat for humanitarian aid to countries including Afghanistan and Somalia.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the United Nations delivered solutions on several of the most challenging areas of trade facilitation for Russian food and fertilizers, with continuous work on the remaining issues.

We deeply regret that Russia ended its participation in the Black Sea Initiative in July of this year.

And that, immediately upon leaving, Russia launched a bombardment of Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities on the Black Sea and the Danube River.

Attacks against terminals and grain stores are unacceptable and such assaults must end.

Civilian shipping in the Black Sea has also been threatened.

Further escalation could instantly shock the markets and destabilize the region.

Volatility and uncertainty have already returned to international grain markets, while supplies from the harvest in Ukraine pile up.

The bombardment is also undermining our efforts in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation.

It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative.

We remain engaged with all parties, aiming to ensure safe and secure exports of grain and fertilizer from Russia and Ukraine. These must be put on a stable footing, without the repeated threat of interruption.

I am grateful to the Government of TArkiye for its contributions and urge all Member States to support our efforts.

Mr. President,

The United Nations continues to work towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the General Assembly.

I urge all countries to do their part to prevent further escalation, and to lay the foundations for sustainable peace.

We are fully committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.

This war is already causing limitless suffering. Its continuation risks further perilous escalation.

There is never an alternative to dialogue, diplomacy, and a just peace.

Thank you.

*******************************************************************************

[All-French]

Monsieur le PrAsident,

La Charte des Nations Unies reprAsente notre feuille de route pour parvenir A un monde plus pacifique.

Les outils et les mAcanismes fondAs sur les principes de la Charte offrent des moyens pratiques de rAgler les conflits.

Ensemble, nos efforts collectifs au fil des ans ont contribuA A prAvenir la guerre A l'Achelle mondiale et A sauver des millions de vies, grAce au rAtablissement de la paix et A la diplomatie prAventive, aux opArations de maintien de la paix des Nations Unies, aux efforts de dAsarmement et de nonaprolifAration, aux programmes humanitaires et de dAveloppement, et aux activitAs de promotion des droits humains.

Cette semaine, le Sommet sur les Objectifs de dAveloppement durable a adoptA un plan de sauvetage pour les ODD - objectifs qui constituent un outil essentiel pour prAvenir les conflits et les crises de toutes sortes.

Le multilatAralisme fonctionne. Il est essentiel et efficace.

Mais les outils et mAcanismes multilatAraux s'affaiblissent. Face A la montAe des tensions et des dAfis gAopolitiques, certains cadres multilatAraux Achouent, tandis que d'autres - dont on a besoin de toute urgence - n'existent pas encore.

Le nombre de dAcAs liAs aux conflits a presque doublA l'annAe derniAre. Les opArations de paix des Nations unies sont soumises A une pression sans prAcAdent. Le dAsarmement nuclAaire est A l'arrAt. Et il n'existe aucun cadre mondial adAquat pour faire face aux menaces que les nouvelles technologies font peser sur la sAcuritA.

J'exhorte les Atats A aller plus loin et A faire mieux pour renouveler leur engagement vis-A -vis des obligations de la Charte des Nations unies ; A utiliser l'ensemble des outils diplomatiques qu'elle met A leur disposition ; A donner la prioritA A la prAvention des conflits et des crises ; et A tenir compte des propositions de nouveaux cadres et outils prAsentAes dans le Nouvel agenda pour la paix.

Monsieur le PrAsident,

L'invasion de l'Ukraine par la Russie, en violation flagrante de la Charte des Nations Unies et du droit international, accentue les tensions et les divisions gAopolitiques, met en pAril la stabilitA rAgionale, accroAt la menace nuclAaire et creuse de profondes fissures dans notre monde de plus en plus multipolaire.

Tout cela intervient A un moment oA la coopAration et la recherche de compromis en faveur de solutions multilatArales sont plus que jamais nAcessaires pour relever les dAfis qui nous sont posAs, de la crise climatique aux niveaux d'inAgalitA sans prAcAdent en passant par les technologies de rupture.

Les organes des Nations unies ont condamnA la guerre de maniAre on ne peut plus claire.

L'AssemblAe gAnArale a approuvA A une grande majoritA une rAsolution exigeant que la Russie quitte l'Ukraine, et une autre rejetant les efforts de la Russie pour annexer le territoire ukrainien.

Maintes et maintes fois, j'ai appelA A une paix juste et durable en Ukraine, conforme A la Charte et au droit international - pour l'Ukraine, pour la Russie et pour le monde entier.

L'invasion russe a AtA suivie d'attaques systAmatiques et incessantes contre les civils et les infrastructures et services civils, y compris les installations sanitaires et scolaires.

La guerre a fait des dizaines de morts et de blessAs parmi les civils, dAtruit des vies et des moyens de subsistance, traumatisA une gAnAration d'enfants, dAchirA des familles et des communautAs, dAvastA l'Aconomie et transformA de vastes Atendues de terres agricoles en champs de mines mortels.

Les attaques contre les civils et les infrastructures civiles doivent cesser immAdiatement.

PrAs de la moitiA de la population ukrainienne, soit quelque 18 millions de personnes, a besoin d'aide humanitaire et de protection. Plus de 6 millions d'Ukrainiennes et d'Ukrainiens ont dA fuir le pays.

Les Nations unies ont collectivement AuvrA pour attAnuer l'impact sur les populations, tant en Ukraine que dans le reste du monde, et pour soutenir les civils.

Nos programmes humanitaires se sont intensifiAs : une aide a AtA distribuAe A plus de 8 millions de personnes cette annAe en partenariat avec plus de 450 organisations humanitaires, dont la moitiA sont ukrainiennes.

L'Agence internationale de l'Anergie atomique a Atabli une prAsence A la centrale nuclAaire de Zaporizhzhia et sur d'autres sites nuclAaires ukrainiens importants afin de contrAler la sAretA, la sAcuritA et le respect des garanties.

Avec le ComitA international de la Croix-Rouge, nous avons organisA avec succAs l'Avacuation des civils de l'aciArie Azovstal A Mariupol l'annAe derniAre.

Les agences des Nations Unies ont recueilli des preuves de violations choquantes et gAnAralisAes des droits humains, notamment de violences sexuelles liAes au conflit, de dAtentions arbitraires, d'exAcutions sommaires - qui sont principalement le fait de la FAdAration de Russie - et de transferts forcAs de civils ukrainiens, y compris d'enfants, vers un territoire sous contrAle russe ou vers la FAdAration de Russie. Ce travail de collecte de preuves est indispensable pour Atablir les responsabilitAs.

Il est essentiel que tous les auteurs de violations des droits humains rApondent de leurs actes, conformAment aux rAgles et aux normes internationales.

Monsieur le PrAsident,

La guerre a alimentA une flambAe sans prAcAdent des prix alimentaires mondiaux, menaAant des millions de personnes de famine et de pauvretA.

A partir de juillet 2022, nous avons rAussi A attAnuer cette situation grAce A l'Initiative de la mer Noire et au MAmorandum d'accord entre l'ONU et la FAdAration de Russie.

Au cours de leur annAe de mise en Auvre, l'Initiative de la mer Noire ainsi que le MAmorandum d'accord visant A faciliter l'exportation des produits alimentaires et engrais russes ont contribuA A rAduire les prix des denrAes alimentaires de plus de 23 % par rapport au niveau record atteint en mars de l'annAe derniAre.

GrAce A l'Initiative, il a AtA possible d'exporter prAs de 33 millions de tonnes de cArAales et de denrAes alimentaires, et le Programme alimentaire mondial a pu transporter 725 000 tonnes de blA destinAes A l'aide humanitaire dans des pays comme l'Afghanistan et la Somalie.

Dans le cadre du MAmorandum d'accord, l'ONU a rAalisA des avancAes dans plusieurs des domaines les plus difficiles de la facilitation du commerce de produits alimentaires et d'engrais russes, tout poursuivant le travail sur les questions restantes.

Nous regrettons profondAment que la Russie ait mis un terme A sa participation A l'Initiative de la mer Noire en juillet de cette annAe.

Et qu'aussitAt aprAs cette dAcision, la Russie ait bombardA des ports ukrainiens et des installations de stockage de cArAales sur la mer Noire et le Danube.

Les attaques contre les ports et les greniers A cArAales sont inacceptables.

Ces agissements doivent cesser.

La navigation civile en mer Noire a AtA mise en danger.

Une nouvelle escalade pourrait immAdiatement Abranler les marchAs et dAstabiliser la rAgion.

L'instabilitA et l'incertitude sont revenues sur les marchAs internationaux des cArAales, tandis que les stocks issus de la rAcolte en Ukraine s'accumulent.

Les bombardements compromettent Agalement nos efforts dans la mise en Auvre du MAmorandum d'accord conclu avec la FAdAration de Russie.

Ces actes ont conduit nombre des acteurs concernAs, notamment dans le secteur privA, A se demander s'il existe un intArAt rAel A reprendre sa participation A l'Initiative de la mer Noire.

Nous maintenons le dialogue avec toutes les parties pour garantir la sAcuritA de l'exportation des cArAales et des engrais en provenance de Russie et d'Ukraine. Ce dialogue doit reposer sur une base stable, sans la menace rApAtAe d'une suspension.

Je remercie le Gouvernement de la TArkiye de ses contributions et j'invite tous les Atats Membres A nous soutenir dans nos efforts.

Monsieur le PrAsident,

L'ONU continue d'Auvrer en faveur d'une paix juste et durable en Ukraine, conforme A la Charte des Nations Unies, au droit international et aux rAsolutions de l'AssemblAe gAnArale.

J'exhorte tous les pays de faire leur part pour Aviter une nouvelle escalade et jeter les bases d'une paix durable.

Nous sommes pleinement attachAs A la souverainetA, A l'indApendance et A l'intAgritA territoriale de l'Ukraine A l'intArieur de ses frontiAres internationalement reconnues.

Cette guerre a dAjA provoquA des souffrances sans limites. Sa poursuite risque d'entraAner une nouvelle escalade pArilleuse.

Il n'y a jamais d'autre voie que celle du dialogue, de la diplomatie et d'une paix juste.

Je vous remercie.

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Zelenskyy Calls Out Russia at UN Security Council

By VOA News September 20, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared before the U.N. Security Council in New York on Wednesday for the first time since Russia's invasion to garner support for his country and accuse Russia of carrying out "a criminal and unprovoked aggression" that shatters the norms of war and the U.N. Charter.

During a somewhat contentious meeting, Zelenskyy promoted action taken, including arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.

"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," Zelenskyy said.

The council has met dozens of times and voted repeatedly since Russia invaded 19 months ago and has demanded that the Kremlin remove its troops from Ukraine, though it has been unable to take any action on the matter because Russia has a veto.

Zelenskyy urged support of the Ukrainian effort, emphasizing that his peace proposal begins with adherence to the charter that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 U.N. member nations.

Prior to the meeting, there was speculation about whether Zelenskyy and Russia's top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, would confront one another, hold a discussion or just avoid each other. But Zelenskyy left the council soon after his address.

There were heated words exchanged, though, as the meeting kicked off before Lavrov arrived. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia protested Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's decision to allow Zelenskyy to speak ahead of the 15 council members. Nebenzia accused Rama a this month's council president a of trying to reduce the meeting to "a one-man stand-up show," asserting it would result in "nothing more than a spectacle" a a dig at Zelenskyy's career as a comedian before being elected Ukrainian president.

Rama cited the council rule allowing a nonmember to speak first and said, "This is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency," which prompted laughter at Russia's claim that its offensive against Ukraine is a "special military operation."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres then briefed the council, noting that Russia's invasion 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 said.

Guterres reiterated his condemnation of the war and called for "a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine in line with the U.N. Charter and international law a for Ukraine, for Russia and for the world."

Zelensky's speech came at a time when some are questioning the Ukrainian war effort. Kyiv's counteroffensive is being met with staunch Russian defense, and cold weather soon will render some rural roads impassable.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also addressed the Security Council on Wednesday, condemning Russia for its repeated violations of the U.N. Charter.

"Russia has shredded the major tenets of the United Nations Charter, the universal declaration of human rights, international humanitarian law, and flouted one Security Council resolution after another," the top U.S. diplomat said.

Zelenskyy will travel to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden, where Biden is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine.

Biden has been a staunch advocate of Ukraine and has asked other world leaders to stand with Kyiv to end the war.

Some members of the U.S. Republican Party have questioned the need to continue sending arms and aid totaling billions of dollars to Ukraine.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.

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Ukraine, European Allies Clash Over Food Import Bans

By Henry Ridgwell September 20, 2023

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 Russia's 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 Poland's election is scheduled for October 15.

Solidarity

Ukraine's president said it's 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.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year cut off many of Kyiv's export routes. In July, Moscow withdrew from a Black Sea Grain Initiative a a mechanism that had allowed Ukrainian grain to be shipped onto world markets a 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 a what the EU calls "solidarity lanes."

Olia Tayeb Charif, 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," Charif 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 a Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania a 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," Finland's 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 a 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 Olia Tayeb Charif of Farm Foundation.

"Europe is really having to play a balancing act between, on the one hand, preserving its internal cohesion a that is to say, putting in place market regulation measures which prevent these agricultural markets from being disturbed by cheaper wheat a 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," Charif told VOA.

The dispute is exposing divisions within the European Union as it tries to show unity following Russia's 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 a this is pretty much a worst-case scenario," he told VOA.

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Air defence, artillery systems, long-range weapons: Rustem Umerov is visiting USA as part of Ukrainian delegation

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2023-09-21 23:17:00 | ID: 70759

Ukrainian delegation with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov is visiting Washington.

The key issues emphasised by the Minister are the strengthening of air defence and priority needs for the Defence Forces, as well as the supply of artillery systems and long-range weapons.

According to Rustem Umerov, he agenda also includes the meeting in the Congress, the Senate, and the Pentagon.

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Newark, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global release agents market is expected to grow from USD 1.54 billion in 2021 to USD 2.25 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.32% during the forecast period 2022-2030.



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Due to changing lifestyles and rising disposable income, global demand for bakery and confectionery items has expanded, particularly in developing countries. Healthy bakery and confectionary items that are vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, organic, low in calories, and rich in nutrition are in high demand. The bakery and confectionery industries are seeing a surge in demand for vegetable oils as release agents due to a growing focus on complete organic production, packaging, and distribution. More market players are using vegetable oil to appeal to health-conscious consumers due to the increased understanding of the advantages of employing it as a releasing agent. Releasing agents are now widely employed in the pharmaceutical, concrete, personal care, food processing, metal, plastic, and rubber industries because of improved research and development. The demand for releasing agents in the asphalt and concrete sectors will be driven by the growing infrastructure development, creating attractive prospects for the releasing agent market. The demand for release agents will rise due to the food processing sector's increased reliance on western culinary culture across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. However, the global uncertainties make prices of raw materials highly volatile, making it difficult for the market players to procure raw materials limiting market development. Furthermore, the stringent international guidelines and regulations will challenge the market's growth.



Competitive Strategy



To enhance their market position in the global release agents market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships.



 Bundy Baking Solutions introduced Synova LLC, a new company that produces and sells release agents for bakeries, in May 2019. Synova, based in Westerville, Ohio, joins the group of businesses owned by Bundy Baking Solutions, which already includes American Pan, Chicago Metallic, Pan Glo, RTB, and Shaffer.



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Market Growth & Trends



The increasing global population is driving the demand for food, which will increase the demand for food processing, including bakery and confectionery products. The changing consumer lifestyle, with the development of new tastes and preferences, will drive the bakery and confectionery products. A new line of products with no added sugar, no added preservatives, fruit-based with functional ingredients, superfoods, and herbs is being introduced by the market players, attracting a newly developed health-conscious customer base. These products are available in a wide variety of flavors; they are available at any nearby supermarket/hypermarket or even online, making them accessible. The products are affordable as compared to their counterparts in restaurants and hotels. Confectioneries are increasingly used for gifting on special occasions, festivals, gatherings, etc. The increasing demand for bakery and confectionery products will contribute to developing the releasing agents markets as they are used extensively in the industry for various purposes at every stage.



Key Findings



 In 2021, the fluid-releasing agent segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 56% and market revenue of 0.86 billion.



The type segment is divided into fluid, solid, and water-based releasing agents. In 2021, the fluid-releasing agent segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 56% and market revenue of 0.86 billion.



 Over the forecast period, the wax & wax esters segment will grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.29%.



The ingredient type segment is divided into vegetable oils, wax & wax esters, emulsifiers, antioxidants, and others. Over the forecast period, the wax & wax esters segment will grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.29%.



 In 2021, the bakery & confectionery products segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 39% and a market revenue of 0.60 billion.



The application segment is divided into bakery & confectionery products, processed food, meat & meat products, pharmaceutical, industrial, and others. In 2021, the bakery & confectionery products segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 39% and a market revenue of 0.60 billion.



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Regional Segment Analysis of the Release Agents 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)



North America emerged as the largest market for the global release agents market, with a market share of around 40.65% and 0.62 billion of market revenue in 2021. The region's substantial and well-established food processing industry makes considerable use of release agents. Significant regional market participants also contribute to the region's expanding market dominance. The market participants in the area provide a wide range of release agents that serve several industries, including construction, bakery, confectionery, rubber, plastic, and pharmaceuticals. The dominance of the region in the release agents market has also been greatly influenced by the rising demand for vegan, organic, low-sugar, gluten-free, and nutritional bakery & confectionery items in the USA. During the forecast period, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow due to rising demand for bakery and confectionery products. The region's expansion will also be fueled by the expanding food processing sector in developing nations like China, India, and South Korea. The thriving pharmaceutical, cosmetic, construction, rubber, and plastic industries will also aid the region's expansion in the release agents market. For instance, the concrete and asphalt sectors in Malaysia will contribute to the growth of the Asia Pacific releasing agents market.



Key players operating in the global release agents market are:



 AAK AB

 Archer Daniels Midland Company

 Associated British Foods PLC

 Avatar Corporation

 Cargill Inc.

 DowDuPont

 Lallemand

 Lecico GmbH

 Mallet & Company Inc.

 Par-Way Tryson Company



This study forecasts global, regional, and country revenue from 2019 to 2030. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global release agents market based on the below-mentioned segments:



Global Release Agents Market by Type:



 Fluid

 Solid

 Water-Based



Global Release Agents Market by Ingredient Type:



 Vegetable Oils

 Wax & Wax Esters

 Emulsifiers

 Antioxidants

 Others



Global Release Agents Market by Application:



 Bakery & Confectionery Products

 Processed Food

 Meat & Meat Products

 Pharmaceutical

 Industrial

 Others



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About the report:



The global release agents 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.



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RIGA, Latvia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace, is proud to announce the grand opening of its new office in Riga, Latvia. This significant milestone signifies Pax8s commitment to strengthening partner and vendor engagement in the Baltic region, while also contributing to the local economy through job creation and sustainable technology practices.



On visiting the new office, Pax8s Global CEO and Founder, John Street, said, "The opening of our Riga office is a major achievement for Pax8. It underscores our commitment to Europe and represents a pivotal step forward in our global expansion strategy. I am thrilled to inaugurate this new office, poised to become a central hub for our expanding community in the Baltics, as we persist in empowering our partners to accelerate growth, increase efficiency, and reduce risk.

The new office underscores Pax8 EMEA's dedication to supporting the growth and innovation of the technology industry in the Baltics. With a sprawling area of 3,000 square feet, the office accommodates 20 workstations and features a spacious training and board room, facilitating regional training and face-to-face engagement. Constructed in 1913, the historic building housing Pax8 EMEA's Riga office is a true architectural gem, boasting neoclassical details and structural clarity.

Pax8 is proud to support the local community by collaborating with regional suppliers and employing local staff. This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Baltic region, not only by creating jobs but also by contributing to the cultural preservation of Riga's historical centre.

Harald Nuij, CEO of Pax8 EMEA, states, "This exciting move underlines our unwavering dedication to both our partners and employees. As we grow at an impressive pace, we take pride in offering our team an environment that nurtures collaboration and innovation. This move will help to cement our ambition to become the best localised Cloud Service Provider for MSPs (Managed Service Providers) in every corner of Europe.

The new office opening follows closely on the heels of Pax8 EMEA's strategic partnership with Adobe earlier this year, further solidifying the company's stature as the worlds leading cloud marketplace. This alliance builds upon Pax8s remarkable expansion in the city, a trajectory that began with the successful acquisition of TVG in 2022.

To learn more about Pax8, please visit www.pax8.com.

About Pax8

Pax8 is the worlds favourite cloud marketplace for IT professionals to buy, sell, and manage best-in-class technology solutions. Pioneering the future of modern business, Pax8 has cloud-enabled more than 300,000 enterprises through its channel partners and processes one million monthly transactions. Pax8s award-winning technology enables managed service providers (MSPs) to accelerate growth, increase efficiency, and reduce risk so their businesses can thrive.

Follow Pax8: Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Daniel Skipp

PR Manager

dskipp@pax8.com



Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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Pune, India, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The scleral lens market size was USD 208.4 million in 2020 and market is projected to reach USD 646.8 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 15.2% during the 2021-2028 period. Factors such as widening applications & rising awareness among consumers will increase the footprint of the market during the forecast period.

This vital information is presented by Fortune Business Insights, in its report, titled, Scleral Lens Market, 2021-2028.





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Industry Development

October 2021: Bausch Health Companies Inc. launched its new 28 Lens Zenlens Dx Set for meeting the demands arising from gas permeable lenses regarding corrective vision disorders often associated with corneal irregularities.

Key Takeaways:

Growing prevalence of ocular disorders will boost the market growth.

Increasing technological advancements in the are anticipated to contribute to global market growth during the forecast period.

increasing demand for Scleral lens drive the market growth in the forecast period.

The growing population of contact lens users is expected to drive the demand for scleral lenses market.

The market size in North America stood at USD 85.7 million in 2020.





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Companies leading the global Scleral lens market are Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Canada), Essilor (France), ABB Optical Group (U.S.), Blanchard Lab (U.S.), Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc. (U.S.), Visionary Optics (U.S.), BostonSight (U.S.), TruForm Optics Inc. (U.S.), SynergEyes (U.S.), AccuLens (U.S.)





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 15.2% 2028 Value Projection USD 646.8 Million Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2021 USD 240.2 Million Historical Data 2017 to 2019 No. of Pages 114 Segments covered By Type, By End-user, By Geography





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Segments

By type, the market can be segmented into mini and large.

Based on end-user, the market can be divided into hospital, eye clinic, and others.

In terms of geography, the market can be categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

By Type

Mini

Large

By End User

Hospital

Eye Clinic

Others

By Geography

North America (U.S. and Canada)

Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and the Rest of Europe)

Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Rest of Asia Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

The Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Rest of the Middle East & Africa)





Drivers & Restraints

Increasing Technological Advancements to Augment Market Growth During Forecast

Factors such as increasing consumer awareness regarding benefits attributed from scleral lens and an increasing number of favorable reimbursement policies will increase the footprint of the scleral lens market growth during the forecast period. Technological advancements and an increasing number of product launches will boost market growth. Additionally, widening applications and a rising number of ocular disorders will fuel the growth of the market.

However, an increasing number of alternative treatment solutions will hinder the growth of the market during the forecast period to a certain extent.





Quick Buy - Scleral Lens Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/106557





Regional Insights

Asia Pacific to Register Highest CAGR Growth Due to Rising Ocular Disorders

The Asia Pacific will hold the largest CAGR growth during the forecast due to the rising patient pool regarding post-LASIK and radial keratotomy procedures along with the increasing potential of patients shifting towards advanced eye care solutions.

North America will witness considerable scleral lens market share owing to the expansion of product portfolio by prominent players and rising patient pool for scleral lens. Additionally, increasing occurrences of ocular disorders in the region and rising collaborative effort among key players to improve market growth in the region.

Latin America & the Middle East & Africa are expected to occupy moderate growth due to rising awareness about scleral lens and ongoing developments in the healthcare sector. Additionally, initiatives undertaken by government bodies will fuel the growth of the market at an accelerated pace.

Competitive Landscape

Essilor, Bausch Health Companies Inc., and ABB Optical Group to Lead Market Gains due to Product Development

The sector is extremely fragmented with Essilor, Bausch Health Companies Inc., and ABB Optical Group occupying more than 55% of the total market share in 2020. Prominent players are focused on strategic collaborations and introducing novel products to gain a competitive edge over others. For example, in July 2019, Visionary Optics introduced their Latitude scleral lens. These are custom fit scleral and corneal surfaces which are derived from the scleral topography measurements. These product launches have integrated the company towards expanding its portfolio. Players such as Blanchard Lab, Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc., Visionary Optics, and BostonSight, among others are focused on increasing investments in R&D to maintain their current market status.





Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/scleral-lens-market-106557





FAQs

What is the market for Scleral Lens?

The Scleral lens market size was valued at USD 208.4 million in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% during the forecast period.

How big is the Scleral Lens Market?

The global scleral lens market size is expected to reach USD 646.8 million in 2028.





Related Reports:

Smart Contact Lenses Market Growth, Industry Analysis, Demand and Forecast

Contact Lenses Market Size, Share, Opportunities & Analysis

Intraocular Lens (IOL) Market Size, Share, Opportunities & Analysis

Orthokeratology Lens Market Size, Share, Revenue Forecast and Opportunities





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Dublin, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 156 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $9.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $16.08 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.2% Regions Covered Global

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/b6vyiu

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.

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Dublin, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Anti-Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Packaging Market (2023-2028) by Technology, End-Users, and Geography, Competitive Analysis, Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global Anti-Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Packaging Market is experiencing rapid growth, with an estimated value of USD 64.43 billion in 2023.

This market is poised for substantial expansion, with projections indicating it will reach an impressive USD 102.22 billion by 2028. The market is expected to achieve a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.67% during the period from 2023 to 2028.

Understanding Market Dynamics:

Market dynamics are influential forces that shape pricing and behaviors among stakeholders. These dynamics create pricing signals as a result of changes in supply and demand curves for products or services. Such forces encompass macro-economic and micro-economic factors, and they extend beyond price, demand, and supply. Human emotions also play a role in driving decisions, influencing the market, and generating price signals.

As market dynamics impact supply and demand curves, decision-makers strive to leverage financial tools to implement strategies for accelerating growth and minimizing risks.

Comprehensive Market Segmentations:

The Global Anti-Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Packaging Market is meticulously segmented based on Technology, End-Users, and Geography.

By Technology, the market is classified into:

Barcodes

Forensic Markers

Holograms

Overt, Covert, & Forensic Features

RFID

Serialization/Track & Trace Technologies

Tammass Encoding

Tamper-Evident Technology

By End-Users, the market is classified into:

Apparel & Footwear

Automotive

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Electrical & Electronics

Food & Beverage

Luxury Goods

Pharmaceutical

By Geography, the market is classified into:

Americas

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Asia-Pacific

Comprehensive Company Profiles:

Our report provides an in-depth analysis of competitors in the market, including a financial performance analysis for publicly listed companies. Additionally, the report offers detailed insights into recent developments and competitive scenarios of these companies. Some of the prominent companies covered in this report include 3M Company, AlpVision SA, ATL Corp., and more.

Countries Studied:

America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe)

Middle East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Strategies for Market Growth:

Based on SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, our analysts have devised suitable strategies for market growth.

Why Invest in this Report?

Comprehensive evaluation of the Global Anti-Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Packaging Market

In-depth qualitative analysis, supported by verifiable data from reliable sources

Projections of market size calculated using proven research methodologies

Extensive primary and secondary research, including interviews, surveys, and observations

Analysis using Porter's 5 forces model, PESTLE Analysis, and the Ansoff Matrix

Insights into the impact of COVID-19 and economic fluctuations on the market

Regulatory scenario in the industry discussed in detail, aiding informed decision-making

Competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, our proprietary competitive positioning tool

Report Highlights:

Thorough market analysis, including parent industry insights

Examination of critical market dynamics and trends

Detailed market segmentation

Historical, current, and projected market size in terms of value and volume

Strategies and market shares of key players

Recommendations for companies to strengthen their market presence

Key Report Details:

Number of Pages: 189

Forecast Period: 2023 - 2028

Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023: $64.43 Billion

Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028: $102.22 Billion

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): 9.6%

Regions Covered: Global

Companies Mentioned

3M Company

Abbey Labels

Alien Technology Corp.

AlpVision SA

Ampacet Corp.

Applied DNA Sciences

Arjo AB

ATL Corp.

Authentix Inc.

Avery Dennison Corp.

Bayer Ag

CCL Industries Inc.

CFC International, Inc.

Datamax-O'Neil Corp.

Digimarc Corp.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Flint Group Corp.

Impinj Inc.

Inksure Technologies Inc.

Intelligent Label Solutions

Label Makers Pty. Ltd.

OpSec Security, Inc.

PharmaSecure

SICPA Holding SA

Uflex LTD.

Zebra Technologies Corp.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ma19ib

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.

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Dublin, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Direct Carrier Billing Platform Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market is on an upward trajectory, with the market size reaching $286.0 million in 2022.

The future looks even brighter, with projections suggesting that the market will surge to an impressive $716.5 million by 2028. This substantial growth is forecasted to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.54% during the period from 2022 to 2028.

Direct Carrier Billing Platform - A Seamless Payment Method:

A Direct Carrier Billing Platform, often referred to as direct operator billing, revolutionizes online payments by allowing users to make purchases using their mobile phones. This secure payment method eliminates the need to share confidential banking details, offering a hassle-free experience.

Compliant merchants add transaction charges directly to the user's mobile phone bill, making it superior to card payments in terms of user experience, transaction security, conversion rates, and financial inclusion. As a result, software companies, telecom service providers, gaming platforms, and more widely adopt this platform.

Market Trends Driving Growth:

The global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market is witnessing remarkable growth, primarily driven by the trend of digitalization in the BFSI sector and the increasing adoption of mobile-based payment solutions.

The rise in smart TV usage among consumers with mobile operator service subscriptions or prepaid accounts further fuels market growth. Startups and small businesses are increasingly relying on direct carrier billing platforms to expand payment coverage and enhance financial accessibility.

The popularity of over-the-top (OTT) streaming media services, including Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, Sony, Hulu, and others, which accept direct carrier billing platforms for payment, is driving market demand.

Additionally, the purchase of mobile gaming and in-app game items through direct carrier e-billing platforms is a significant growth factor. The 'pay-as-you-go' model's increasing popularity and the focus on financial security in online transactions are expected to continue driving the global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market in the coming years.

Key Market Segmentation:

Our comprehensive report provides insights into the key trends within each sub-segment of the global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market, offering forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2028. The market is categorized based on components, types, platforms, and content.

Breakup by Component:

Hardware

Software

Services

Breakup by Type:

Limited DCB

Pure DCB

MSISDN Forwarding

PIN or MO Base Window

Others

Breakup by Platform:

Windows

Android

iOS

Breakup by Content:

Applications and Games

Video and Audio Contents

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

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has been thoroughly examined, featuring profiles of key players such as Bango plc, Boku Inc., Centili Limited, DIMOCO Payments, Mobiyo, NTH Mobile d.o.o., NTT Docomo Inc. (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation), Singapore Telecommunications Limited, Telecoming S.A., and Telenity Incorporated.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market performed, and what are the future prospects?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the market breakdown by component, type, platform, and content?

What are the driving factors and challenges in the industry?

Who are the key players in the global Direct Carrier Billing Platform market?

What is the level of competition in the industry?

Companies Mentioned

Bango plc

Boku Inc.

Centili Limited

DIMOCO Payments

Mobiyo

NTH Mobile d.o.o.

NTT Docomo Inc. (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)

Singapore Telecommunications Limited

Telecoming S.A.

Telenity Incorporated.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j3chpx

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.

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Dublin, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Automotive Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The North America Automotive Market is currently valued at a whopping USD 713.07 billion and is poised to embark on a growth journey, set to record a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.63% in terms of revenue during the forecast period.

Market Drivers and Challenges

The medium-term outlook for the market is bright, driven by the increasing adoption of electric mobility and growing government support through initiatives and policies. Rising consumer demand for safety and comfort features, powered by advanced technologies like ADAS, is another catalyst for market growth.

Market Trends

Rising Electric Mobility

The automotive industry's focus on reducing emissions has accelerated the shift toward electric vehicles. North America has witnessed a surge in demand for battery-electric vehicles, with impressive growth rates. The United States, for instance, saw sales of new light-duty chargeable electric vehicles increase to 608,000 in 2021, up from 308,000 in 2020. Battery electric vehicles accounted for over 73% of total sales. Incentives and mandates are further boosting electric vehicle adoption, with governments encouraging cleaner and more efficient transportation.

United States Takes Center Stage

The United States plays a pivotal role in the North American automotive industry, contributing significantly to the country's GDP. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the U.S. remains a hub for automotive manufacturing and innovation. The government's support for electric vehicle research and development, coupled with a growing demand for electric vehicles, has paved the way for key players like Tesla to thrive in the market. Tesla's models account for a substantial share of the sales, demonstrating the country's appetite for electric mobility.

Competitor Landscape

The North American automotive market is characterized by consolidation, with key players such as Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Mazda, Honda, Volkswagen, and more. These companies are exploring diverse growth strategies to solidify their positions in the market, while Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers are finding new opportunities to contribute components to OEMs and reduce overall costs.

As the North America Automotive Market charts a course for substantial growth, industry players are gearing up to meet the evolving demands and preferences of consumers, particularly in the electric mobility segment.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

BMW AG

Daimler AG

Tesla Inc.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

Ford Motor Company

General Motors Company

Honda Motor Company Ltd

Hyundai Motor Company

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd

Groupe Renault

Toyota Motor Corporation

Volkswagen AG

Harley-Davidson

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/da5dfm

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.

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Salt Lake City, UT, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Filevine previously shared news of their first quarter highlights , including their significant gross margin improvement, strong product adoption, and successful user conference, LEX Summit. In Q2, Filevine continued to break records as it expanded its product suite, customer base, and solutioning resources. Most notably, Filevine closed record net new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), launched Filevine University, and broke new ground with the launch of their AI-powered features, DemandsAI and AIFields.

"I'm thrilled to announce another consecutive record quarter, driven by our industry-leading innovation. Thousands of law firms and legal teams choose Filevine not just for its current capabilities, but because of our established reputation as pioneers in the field, said Ryan Anderson, Filevines CEO and Co-Founder. Our dedication to pushing the boundaries of legal technology, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence, is reshaping the industry. This is only the beginning of our weaving of artificial intelligence into our state-of-the-art legal OS dedicated to providing case management, document management, and timekeeping and billing solutions to our customers.

Record New Bookings

In Q1, Filevine reported that it produced over 50% growth in Ending ARR supported by new logo sales, a best-in-class Net Dollar Retention Rate (NDRR) of over 140%, and a Blended Gross Margin of 72.5%, thanks in part to Filevines robust partner ecosystem. In Q2, existing customers invested more in Filevine licenses and products. Early success of AI fed a 142% NDRR and contributed to record new bookings, including two of the largest new logo deals in Filevine history. The legal industry also continued to widely embrace Filevine, as could be seen by its best-in-class Available to Renew (ATR) churn rate of less than 5%.

Launch of Filevine University

In Q2, Filevine prepared for the launch of its first Filevine-certified admin program, Filevine University (FVU) . FVU offers seven levels of certification teaching users to more effectively leverage the Filevine suite of products. The custom-tailored courses help users take their skills to the next level, keep up with product updates, and learn at their own pace. Since its launch, over 3,800 users have completed 16,500 courses and earned over 1,000 certificates.

AI-Powered Product Expansion

Filevine solidified itself as a forefront innovator in the AI space as it launched DemandsAI and AIFields in May and June 2023. DemandsAI generates professional demand letters by extracting relevant data from case documents and leveraging Filevine-certified demand-drafting partners, all while keeping client data secure within the platform. AIFields enables legal professionals to harness the power of AI to scan, summarize and extract data from documents, all without leaving the platform or changing their existing workflow.

Filevine doesnt just send our customers out into the AI jungle, said Filevines EVP of Product, Michael Anderson. Instead, you get subject-matter-informed and purpose-built features which allow you to easily plug AI power into your legal work.

Investment in Support and Engineering Teams

To support Filevines ambitious product roadmap and growing customer base, Filevine continued to hire best-in-class talent and focused investment in its Solutioning and Engineering teams. Research & Development now accounts for more than one third of Filevines total employee headcount and celebrates an industry-low attrition rate.

Legal Event Sponsorships

To expand its notoriety as the best-in-class, complete tech stack for legal professionals and better serve the growing legal industry, Filevine attended over 40 events in Q2, most notably MTMP Spring, ALA, and AILA. Filevine also launched its FilevineAI Dinner & Discourse event series, traveling to cities across the United States for intimate dinners, networking, and dialogue with those at the forefront of legal technology.

As Filevine anticipates the closing of Q3, they remain laser focused on their mission to provide the most comprehensive all-in-one legal operating core, customizable to the specific workflows of individual law firms and optimized for every type of legal work.



To learn more about Filevine, visit https://www.filevine.com/ .

About Filevine

Filevine is changing the way legal work gets done for law practitioners and their clients. As the leading legal operating system. Filevine is dedicated to empowering organizations with tools to simplify and elevate complex, high-stakes legal work. Powering everything from document and case management to timekeeping & billing and business analytics, over 3,300 law firms and legal teams use Filevine daily to deliver excellence. Filevine is recognized on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Utah Business Fast 50 lists, is a Top Workplace USA winner, and is among the fastest-growing companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apparel Group, a leading global fashion conglomerate, announces a monumental multi-brand licensing agreement with Marquee Brands LLC, the renowned brand owner, marketer, and media company. This unparalleled pact encompasses licensing for five of Marquees signature brands, namely BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Sur la table, and Martha Stewart across the regions of GCC and India.



With this partnership, an expansive audience including some of the leading economies in the world with aggregate GDP of over 5 trillion USD, is set to experience and embrace the distinct styles and stories of these five brands. The move symbolizes both companies' ambition to fulfil increasing demand for not only luxury but also contemporary goods in these regions, offering consumers a wider spectrum of choices and styles.

Our partnership with Apparel Group is a key step forward in our strategic plan to expand the categories and geographies covered by our brands. In bringing these five brands to the GCC and India, we are expanding the market for our brands by almost 1.5 billion people, said Heath L. Golden, President of Marquee Brands. Further, in teaming up with the partner of choice in the region for the worlds most desirable brands, we are confident that local consumers will embrace our brands via Apparel Groups innovative, omnichannel, and quantitative retail approach.

Our strategic partnership with Marquee Brands underscores our steadfast strategy to be the epicenter of global fashion in the GCC and India. As we join forces, were not just expanding our retail footprint, but elevating the fashion landscape in the region, setting new benchmarks for what consumers can expect, commented Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group. We've always positioned ourselves at the crossroads of innovation and excellence, and this partnership further exemplifies our commitment to providing unparalleled shopping experiences while strategically enhancing our global brand stature.

This partnership is destined to set new benchmarks, fostering a culture of fashion that is globally inspired yet locally embraced. The fusion of Marquee's brand prowess with Apparel Group's regional expertise promises an enriched retail landscape for the discerning fashion customers of GCC and India.

ABOUT APPAREL GROUP LLC

Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy  Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, Apparel Group caters to thousands of eager shoppers through its 2025+ retail stores and 80+ brands on all platforms while employing over 20,000+ multicultural staff.

Apparel Group has carved its strong presence in the GCC and expanded thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Egypt. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary and Philippines.

Apparel Group has created an omni-channel experience, operating brands originating from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The brands include leading names in fashion, footwear, and lifestyles such as Tommy Hilfiger, Charles & Keith, Skechers, Aldo, Nine West, Aeropostale, Jamies Italian, Tim Hortons, Cold Stone Creamery, Inglot, and Rituals.

Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Founder and Chairwoman, Mrs. Sima Ganwani Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception in the last two decades.

For more information, please visit https://apparelglobal.com/en/

ABOUT MARQUEE BRANDS

Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner, marketer, and media company. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world's leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high-quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channels, geography, and product category while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. The portfolio includes Martha Stewart, The BCBG Group, Ben Sherman, Dakine, Sur La Table, Body Glove, Emeril Lagasse, Destination Maternity, Motherhood Maternity, Hatch, A Pea in a Pod, Americas Test Kitchen, and Bruno Magli. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees, and manufacturers through engaging, impactful strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce.

For more information, please visit http://www.marqueebrands.com/

Contact:

PR@apparelglobal.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea28e8df-f5e8-4854-93a9-436374135582

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/688fff89-6a8e-46f3-8935-18832e863582

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robex Resources Inc. (TSXV: RBX) (Robex or the Company) announces management changes, effective as of September 21st, 2023.



Since the beginning of their first investment in Robex in 2013, the Cohen family members supported the Company by developing and operating the Nampala mine in Mali. They have been constantly engaged in operating within the industry standard thanks to their key executive positions, and long-term financial backing.

They have been committed to deliver external growth strategy with the business combination with Sycamore Mining Limited in 2022. The past two years have been transformational for the Company with (i) the integration of Sycamore and teams, and (ii) the first developments of the Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea.

Supported by the Cohen family, the Company reinforced the executive and board members over the last 12 months with mining professionals to progress the strategy to become a multi-asset multi-jurisdiction gold producer in West Africa.

On the back of latest management changes announced, the Cohen family now feels that this transition has been completed, and it is time for them to step down from their executive roles. They will continue to pay a particular attention to Robex, in which they remain shareholders and Directors.

Benjamin Cohen, current President of the Company, is stepping down from his executive position but will continue to advise the management team as Lead Director;

Georges Cohen, current Senior Vice-President Strategic Development and Long-Term Growth, is stepping down from his executive position but remains Director;

Julien Cohen, current Senior Vice-President Sales and Financial Affairs is stepping down from his executive position but will continue to advise the management teams as Director.



Other Board and committee changes are:

Michel Doyon and Christian Marti are retiring as Board members;

Aurelien Bonneviot is appointed as Board member, replacing Michel Doyon;

Matthew Sharples is appointed as Board member as Eglinton nominee, replacing Christian Marti;



Creation of an Environmental, Social and Governance Committee (ESG) and of a Technical Committee and appointments at the Audit and risk and remuneration committees:

ESG: Claude Goulet, Aurelien Bonneviot and Benjamin Cohen. The ESG committee will be responsible to review and recommend changes to Robex policies and operations to ensure that environmental issues, social issues and corporate governance issues are taken into account in the business decisions and operations of the company;

Technical Committee: Gerard De Hert, Richard Faucher, Matthew Sharples and Benjamin Cohen. This committee was created to review the Kiniero project technical decisions and the Nampala growth opportunities;

Audit and Risk: Claude Goulet, Julien Cohen, Thomas Lagree;

Remuneration: Richard Faucher, Claude Goulet, Thomas Lagree;

Other Management Team changes include:

Daniel Marini, current Vice-President Operations, is appointed Chief Operating Officer;

Augustin Rousselet, current Chief Operating Officer, is appointed Chief Information Officer;

To date our management team consists of: Aurelien Bonneviot (Chief Executive Officer), Alain William (Chief Financial Officer), Daniel Marini (Chief Operating Officer), Augustin Rousselet (Chief Information Officer), Gwendal Bonno (SVP People and Communication), Nicolas Ros (SVP-Corporate Affairs officer and General Secretary).

Option plan

Pursuant to its current stock option plan, Robex announces that the Company has granted a total of 3,800,000 stock options, at an exercise price of C$0.29 expiring 5 years to new employees and newly appointed board members, the balance of the options that may be issued under the Company's stock option plan. Following the grant of stock options, the Company now has a total of 14,065,163 stock options issued, representing approximately 1.7% of the Company's outstanding common shares.

Aurelien Bonneviot, CEO: These changes are a setting stone for next phase of growth of Robex towards a multi asset gold company. The executive team and Directors would like to thank Michel and Christian for their outstanding support over numerous years. Very few companies have experienced this transformation from an exploration company to a gold producer and this would not have been possible without a united board support.

Richard Faucher, Chairman of the board: I would like to welcome Matthew Sharples representing the second largest shareholder and Aurelien Bonneviot, the current CEO of the company to the board. As a founder of Sycamore Mining, Matthew brings a wealth of mining experience, and we look forward working with him. I wish to thank Christian and Michel for their support throughout the years and the professionalism they demonstrated during the difficult times we had to go through together to support the company to grow. I wish you the best for your next adventure.

About Robex Resources Inc.

Robex is a multi-jurisdictional West African gold production and development company with near-term exploration potential. The Company is dedicated to safe, diverse and responsible operations in the countries in which it operates with a goal to foster sustainable growth. The Company has been operating the Nampala mine in Mali since 2017 and is advancing the Kiniero Gold Project in Guinea.

Robex is supported by two strategic shareholders and has the ambition to become one of the most important mid-tier gold producers in West Africa.

More Information

ROBEX RESOURCES INC.



FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS RENMARK INC. Aurelien Bonneviot

Chief Executive Officer



Stanislas Prunier

Investor Relations and Corporate Development



+1 581 741-7421



E-mail: investor@robexgold.com

www.robexgold.com



Robert Thaemlitz

Account Manager





+1 416 644-2020 or +1 212 812-7680



E-mail: rthaemlitz@renmarkfinancial.com

www.renmarkfinancial.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Iron Ore Ltd. (CIO  TSX.V) (CIO or the Company) is pleased to announce the settlement of proceedings it commenced in the Supreme Court of Western Australia against SilverStream SEZC.



The Company has held 100% beneficial ownership in its British King Mine Project since October 2020. As a result of the settlement, the Company will now be in a position to have its entire 100% ownership of the British King Gold Project registered on the title of the relevant tenements.

David Deitz the CEO comments:

We are very pleased that with the resolution of tenure and registration of 100% title. CIO can continue to focus on the advancement of the British King Gold Project. Approximately 65% of the resource is on M37/30 (CIO 100%) and 35% is on M37/681 owned by the Red 5 / CIO joint venture (CIO 70%).

British King Project

Gold mineralisation at British King occurs at or close to the contact between felsic volcanic/ sedimentary rock and intermediate volcanic rock. It is situated 600m north of the Gilmore dolerite in a region with apparent low strain. It is possible the mineralisation may be associated with a broad scale antiformal feature in the area.





Figure 1: Tenement map of CIO interests in the Dalot Mineral Field

The British King gold deposit was modelled with a 1 g/t cut off as a single dominant lode (Central Zone) and 15 lesser lodes. The Central Zone has a strike continuity of 825m and dips 50 degrees to the south. The plunge is believed to be shallow to the east. Historical production is tabulated below although total production figures are unknown.

The NI43-101 Mineral Resource estimate for the British King deposit is provided in the table below and is limited to a pit shell generated by CIO based on a long-term potential gold price of AUD 3,000/oz. This pit shell was used by CIO to define the likely limits of potential open pit mining. The Mineral Resource estimate straddles the boundary of M37/30 and M37/631 and is reported depleted for historical mining on both leases. Both cut and uncut grades are reported; the top cut applied being 35 g/t Au. The British King Mineral Resource is classified as Inferred and further work is required to improve the confidence category of this model including a campaign of RC and diamond core drilling, multi element geochemistry, further metallurgical and density test work.

Lease Category Tonnes Au Cut Cut Ounces Au Uncut Uncut Ounces M37/30 Inferred 105,000 6.35 21,470 6.34 22,400 M37/631 Inferred 71,000 5.64 12,830 5.83 13,270 Total Inferred 176,000 6.06 34,300 6.30 35,670



Based on NI43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT SOUTH DARLOT GOLD PROJECT UPDATED FOR 2022-2023 EXPLORATION WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Report Date: 18th May 2023 Effective Date: 18th May 2023 Lodged on SEDAR Date: 19th May 2023. Qualified Person: Andrew Bewsher, MAIG, BSc Geology.





Figure 2: Mineral Resource within the optimised pit shell

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr Andrew Bewsher who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has compiled the information within this report relating to soil geochemical distributions. Mr Bewsher has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity currently being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

CENTRAL IRON ORE LTD.

David Deitz

____________________________

David Deitz, Director/CEO

For further information, please contact:

www.centralironorelimited.com

Investor and Media Inquiries:

Direct: +61 2 9397 7521

Email: info@centralironore.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Companys equity securities, the state of the market for iron ore or other minerals that may be produced generally, recent market volatility; variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's disclosure documents for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Companys page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ABN: 32 072 871 133
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), the fifth largest public homebuilder in the U.S., plans to release the Company's third quarter 2023 results on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 after the market closes. Management will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The call will be webcast with an accompanying slideshow, both available on the "Investor Relations" page of the Company's website at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at https://investors.meritagehomes.com. Telephone participants will be able to join by dialing in to 1-877-407-6951 US toll free or 1-412-902-0046 on the day of the call.

A replay of the call will be available via webcast beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on November 1, 2023 and extending through November 14, 2023, at https://investors.meritagehomes.com.

About Meritage

Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH) is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2022. The Company offers energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes. Operations span across Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Meritage Homes has delivered over 170,000 homes in its 37-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is an industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, a ten-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ("EPA") ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award since 2013 for innovation and industry leadership in energy-efficient homebuilding, and the recipient of the EPAs 2023 Market Leader Award for Certified Homes as well as the EPAs 2023 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award.

For more information, visit www.meritagehomes.com.

Contact: Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations and ESG (480) 515-8979 investors@meritagehomes.com




TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) provides the following update on the move in Monteros share price. Montero has a fully funded arbitration case underway for the expropriation of its Wigu Hill rare earth element project against the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania). The in-person arbitration hearing is scheduled to be held at the International Centre for Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID) hearing centre in Washington DC., USA, from 4  8 December 2023. Two other junior mining companies are seeking compensation for expropriation of their Retention Licences in Tanzania, Indiana Resources Limited (Indiana) (ASX:IDA) and Winshear Gold Corp. (Winshear) (TSX-V:WINS).



As developments in each of these cases have unfolded, Montero has seen higher volumes of its shares traded and moves in its share price.

On September 18, 2023, ICSID updated its webpage relating to the Winshear v Tanzania dispute to indicate that the arbitration proceedings had been suspended by agreement of the parties (https://icsid.worldbank.org/cases/case-database/case-detail?CaseNo=ARB/20/25). On September 19, 2023, Winshear announced that they have reached a conditional settlement agreement with Tanzania in relation to their claim against Tanzania for the expropriation of their SMP gold project, but that there was no guarantee that this will be concluded (https://winshear.com/news/).

This follows the announcement on July 14, 2023, made by Indiana that it had been awarded US$ 109.5 million in its ICSID claim against Tanzania (https://indianaresources.com.au/us-109-5m-award-against-tanzania/).

Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero, commented: Indianas substantial damages award and Winshears pending settlement are providing shareholders with recognition that the cancellation of the Retention Licenses by Tanzania was economically catastrophic to each company. Montero is seeking compensation for the loss of its investment in its former flagship Wigu Hill Rare Earth Project due to Tanzanias unlawful expropriation of Monteros Retention Licenses. Montero is fully funded to complete its arbitration hearings with the same lead attorney that represented both Indiana and Winshear earlier this year. Monteros arbitration hearings at ICSID will be held in December 2023.

Montero is represented by Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP and Mr. Thierry Lauriol of Jeantet AARPI. Timothy Foden is leading the ICSID arbitration for Montero and acted as lead attorney for Indiana and Winshear in their arbitration proceedings. Montero has retained Dr. Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (USA) Inc. as quantum expert with full dispute funding secured from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder.

Monteros dispute with Tanzania is also subject to ICSID arbitration. Montero is seeking compensation in excess of CAD$ 90,000,000 for damages and interest for the unlawful expropriation of its Wigu Hill rare earth element project in Tanzania. Montero is also seeking reimbursement of its arbitration costs and fees by Tanzania. The damages claimed are for Tanzanias breaches of the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Canada and Tanzania.

For further information, please see Monteros press releases dated July 21, 2023, April 25, 2023, July 28, 2022, April 12, 2022, November 29, 2021, January 8, 2021 and the ICSID website (https://icsid.worldbank.org/services/arbitration/convention/process/overview).

The ICSID Convention has been ratified by 158 States, including Tanzania. An award issued by an ICSID tribunal is enforceable in any one of those 158 member States as if it were a judgment of one of their own courts. Partly because of this, States often comply voluntarily with the payment terms of such awards.

Background to Claims

Montero commenced exploration activities on the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project in March 2008 under a Prospecting License and spent over CAD$ 17 million on exploration works in the discovery and development of the project. In 2015 a five-year Retention License was awarded by the Tanzanian Government on the property. This Retention License was expropriated by the Tanzanian Government in 2019 when all previously issued Retention Licenses, which had been cancelled by the Mining (Local Content) Regulations 2018, were put to tender. Montero has made repeated attempts to reach an amicable solution with the Government of Tanzania with no success since that date. Montero filed a request for arbitration with the ICSID on January 8, 2021. On February 9, 2021, ICSID registered Monteros request for the institution of arbitration proceedings to resolve the illegal expropriation matter. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on November 18, 2021, with the appointment of the President, and appointees from Montero and Tanzania.

Qualified Persons Statement

This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. It has also been reviewed by Mr. Thierry Lauriol, avocat a la cour (Paris, France) and Mr. Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP.

Disclaimer

While there may be similarities between Winshear, Indiana and Monteros claims against Tanzania, the cases are heard by different arbitral tribunals, and outcomes may differ.

About Montero

Montero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring, and advancing globally significant gold, silver, and base metal deposits in Chile. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 38,647,485 shares outstanding.

For more information, contact:

Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.

Dr. Tony Harwood, President, and Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: ir@monteromining.com

Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671

www.monteromining.com

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.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Share Consolidation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the agreement, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the agreement on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
NEW YORK, U.S., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Fishing Watch welcomes a new partnership with Palau that aims to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and promote transparency as a principle of ocean governance.

The agreement, which was signed between Global Fishing Watch and Palaus Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, establishes a collaborative framework for publicly sharing the countrys vessel tracking data, which is aggregated and shared through the Fisheries Information Management System. The memorandum of understanding also reinforces the two parties commitment to the development of robust ocean governance policiesa longstanding priority for the Pacific island nation.

Announced this week at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the partnership marks a cooperative effort that will enable joint work and demonstrate the various ways the fisheries sector can embrace open data to enhance management decisions and increase transparency across the seafood supply chain.

By making our vessel tracking data publicly available on the Global Fishing Watch map, we hope to increase transparency and accountability of fishing activities in our waters, said the Honorable Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment, Palau. This can drive sustainability of our resources and contribute to reducing illegal activities in our ocean.

"Palau has consistently demonstrated leadership in marine conservation and fisheries management, said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. This partnership underscores our mutual commitment to combating illegal fishing while also signaling transparency as a powerful tool in driving responsible fishing practices. We hope other countries will follow their lead.

Palau and Global Fishing Watch share a common interest in safeguarding marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries and resource management. Under their partnership, Global Fishing Watch will provide analytical support based on the examination of vessel behaviors, fleet patterns, and trends associated with port inspections, licensing and enforcement efforts. This information exchange can help inform the countrys ongoing development of its national fisheries policy and marine spatial plans, and will also strengthen its regional and international influence in support of ocean governance initiatives.

With an exclusive economic zone spanning over 232,000 square miles (600,000 square kilometers), Palau is committed to robust management of its industrial and small-scale fisheriescompliance is the cornerstone for the countrys long lasting economic benefits derived from its marine resources. The Pacific is home to the planets most productive tuna fisheries, producing over half of the global tuna catch, estimated to be worth about $26 billion each year. Thanks to continued leadership from national governments and regional institutions, all of the major tuna stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean are currently considered to be sustainably fished. Palaus commitment to further enhancing fisheries transparency will support continued efforts to highlight and maintain the successes of the region.

As a member of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, and the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Palau has also been a leading voice on ocean protections. In 2022, Palau hosted the 7th Our Ocean Conference, bringing global attention to various marine issues, including the ocean-climate crisis, small-scale fisheries, and illegal fishing, which accounts for over $300 million worth of tuna in the Pacific region alone. The event led to 410 commitments worth over $16 billion USD, setting a positive example for the global community.



Palau joins Papua New Guinea and the Republic of the Marshall Islands who have committed to making their vessel tracking data publicly available via Global Fishing Watchs map. With continued support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Global Fishing Watch remains committed to advancing transparency as a principle of ocean governance and working with countries from around the world to make its technology and analytical tools available to advance policy decisions.

###

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, we aim to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. We believe human activity at sea should be public knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean for the common good of all. www.globalfishingwatch.org

Attachment
MONTREAL, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metro Optic, one of Canadas largest independent telecommunication providers of high-capacity fiber networks and services, has launched a new digital highway  Expo Route  to serve large scale data center users, data-driven businesses and local communities upgrading to high-speed connectivity.



The Expo Route connects Montreals South Shore to Metro Optics dense fiber network on the island of Montreal. It enables access to 30+ large scale data centers utilizing a redundant and diverse fiber ring on which high-capacity telecom services are offered by Metro Optic. This route is designed for Montreals rapidly growing community of large-scale data users, which include global cloud providers, telecom carriers, universities as well as the local digital industry and urban centers.

Furthermore, this data highway gives customers direct access to the largest digital onramps for public cloud services as well as major long-haul routes heading south to the United States, east towards the Maritimes and Europe, and west towards Toronto, Vancouver and Asia.

The explosive growth of AI, gaming and other cloud-based applications in Montreal is driving strong demand, said Michael Bucheit, Metro Optics General Manager. Metro Optics new Expo Route, an extremely reliable, state-of-the-art and high-capacity digital network, will play a critical role in supporting Montreals ability to stay on the leading edge of technology development.

This new route offers the only geo-diverse alternative to the existing and largely aged off-island telecom networks. At 200+ km in length, it delivers high-count dark fiber as well as high-capacity lit services ranging from 1GB - 100GBs in capacity.

About Metro Optic

Metro Optic is one of the largest, independent providers of fiber optic telecommunication services in Canada. Based in Montreal, the company builds, owns and operates massively scalable fiber networks, offering dark and lit fiber solutions to medium- and large-sized businesses, carriers, cloud service providers, wholesalers and data center operators. Metro Optics network of high-capacity, diverse connectivity solutions is available at major data centers and interconnection hubs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Metro Optic is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cologix Inc., a leading provider of carrier- and cloud-neutral hyperscale edge data centers and services in 11 markets across North America. Cologix is the interconnection hub for cloud service providers, carriers and a rich ecosystem of partners who want to deploy applications at the very edge across Canada and the U.S. For additional information, see www.metrooptic.com .

Media Contact:

Metro Optic

Javier Planas

javier.planas@metrooptic.com

+1 514 587-6107

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7101a1c4-194d-4fc2-a548-3308dc54546b
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEF, a global industry association of network, cloud, security, and technology providers accelerating enterprise digital transformation, will host its Global Network-as-a-Service Event (GNE), including the Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) Global Summit, October 2-4 in Dallas. The multi-day event will attract business leaders driving the global automated ecosystem delivering the next generation of value-added Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings for enterprises.



WHAT: GNE will showcase the latest developments and roadmaps for NaaS, an industry model designed to help enterprises achieve business outcomes without owning, building, or maintaining their own infrastructure. The LSO Global Summit will bring together the burgeoning LSO community and provide updates on MEFs LSO API automation vision and roadmaps, and share new industry solutions and implementation success stories.

WHEN & WHERE: GNE and the LSO Global Summit takes place October 2-4, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Event registration is available here.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Enterprises, retail and wholesale service providers, technology providers, NaaS platform and datacenter providers, hyperscalers, and specialized service aggregators.

WHY ATTEND: The innovation-focused GNE conference program will focus on a new generation secure NaaS for enterprises and SMBs, communications service provider (CSP) NaaS automation platforms, and the global NaaS delivery ecosystem. GNE will feature keynotes and panels led by senior-level speakers from across the NaaS ecosystem. Attendees can expect to gain deep insights into NaaS advancements, particularly in the context of a globally automated and interconnected environment.

LSO Global Summit attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking sessions led by MEF executives and other automation industry leaders.

For more information about MEF please visit MEF.net.

About MEF

MEF is a global industry association of network, cloud, security, and technology providers working together to accelerate enterprise digital transformation through a better-together ecosystem. MEF delivers service standards, LSO frameworks and APIs, and training and certification programs for services, technologies, APIs, and professionals. The MEF 3.0 Framework enables automated delivery of standardized Carrier Ethernet, IP, Optical Transport, SD-WAN, SASE, and other services across multiple provider networks. For more information and to hear the latest Executives at the Edge podcast visit MEF.net and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .



Media Contact:

Melissa Power

MEF

pr@mef.net

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1947488a-cc6e-40f1-ace9-02ac7295a16d
Toronto, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humber River Health is thrilled to announce the official opening of the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit (Schulich FMTU), a pivotal step towards addressing the healthcare access challenges faced by our Northwest Toronto community. With a catchment of 850,000, the need for accessible primary care has never been more critical.

This momentous achievement has been made possible through the exceptional generosity of The Schulich Foundation, whose steadfast commitment to philanthropy has paved the way for us to revolutionize healthcare services at Humber River Health. We extend our heartfelt gratitude as well to The Slaight Family Foundation for their invaluable initial financial support. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place yesterday evening, September 20th and was attended by esteemed guests who voiced their unwavering support.

The Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit is designed to address the critical shortage of primary care providers in Northwest Toronto by providing immediate healthcare access to our community, all while nurturing the next generation of family medicine professionals. As an official teaching site of the University of Toronto's Family Medicine Residency Program, the Schulich FMTU will provide specialized training for first and second-year medical residents pursuing careers as Family Physicians.

This endeavour not only promotes academic excellence but also empowers residents to establish their own family practices within our community, ensuring more families have ongoing access to high-quality care.

Barb Collins, President and CEO at Humber River Health, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "The Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to developing the future of primary care in our community and provides care closer to home. Our partnership with The Schulich Foundation and the University of Toronto empowers us to shape the next generation of primary care providers who will provide care in our community."

Sandra Sualim, President and CEO of Humber River Health Foundation states, We are profoundly grateful for The Schulich Foundation's extraordinary generosity. Their commitment to philanthropy and their unwavering support have been instrumental in making the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit a reality. Without their gift, this transformative healthcare initiative would not have been possible. We thank them for their visionary leadership and dedication to our community's well-being.

Judy Schulich, Director of The Schulich Foundation states, It is our privilege to support Humber and help increase access to family doctors in the community, as well as train future medical professionals so desperately needed today.

We are starting small, but I'm confident my group of residents will leave a lasting impact on the growth of this program for the years to come, Dr. Bilal Negash, Lead Resident, Postgraduate Y1.

The Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit at Humber River Health is poised to make a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape of Northwest Toronto. This marks the beginning of a journey toward improved healthcare, brighter futures, and a healthier, happier community.

Quick Facts

The Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit is an official teaching site of the University of Torontos program for Family Medicine residents where first and second year medical residents will receive their specialty training as a Family Physician.

Northwest Toronto has been described as a primary care desert, having a low number of primary care physicians surrounded by high primary care need. When Ontario researchers examined primary care gaps in the province, they found that areas of the province with the highest needs were getting the lowest levels of care. In Toronto, those areas are clustered in the citys Northwest corner and in South Scarborough.

There is currently a lack of access to comprehensive interdisciplinary primary care in our community, with only 12.2% of the local population enrolled to a Family Health Team compared to the provincial average of 23.3%.

The Schulich FMTU increases access to comprehensive primary care by offering a variety of interdisciplinary services through the Humber River Family Health Team.

About Humber River Health

Humber River Health is North America's first digital hospital and home to over 4,000 employees, 700 physicians and 500 volunteers. They serve the equity owed residents of Northwest Toronto across three sites and have built a reputation as a trusted and innovative health services provider. Their focus on patient-and family-centred care sets them apart, demonstrated by their achievement as the first Canadian hospital with a digital Command Centre that monitors and manages patient flow. Humber River Health uses a custom combination of technology and clinical expertise to rebuild elements of care, making technology work for staff and physicians, giving them more time to spend with patients.

-30-

Attachments
Houston, TX, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zion Market Research has published a new research report titled Nurse Call Systems Market By Type (Button-Based Systems, Integrated Communication Systems, Mobile Systems, And Intercom Systems), By Technology (Wired Communication And Wireless Communication), By Application (Alarms & Communications, Workflow Optimization, Wanderer Control, And Fall Detection & Prevention), And By End User (Hospitals, Assisted Living & Nursing Centers, And Home Care Settings) And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030 in its research database.

According to the latest research study, the demand for global Nurse Call Systems Market size & share in terms of revenue was valued at USD 12 billion in 2022 and it is expected to surpass around USD 18 billion mark by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.03% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030.

What are Nurse Call Systems? How big is the Nurse Call Systems Industry?

Report Overview:

The global nurse call systems market size was evaluated at $12 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $18 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 7.03% between 2023 and 2030.

A nurse call system is a method of communication between a patient and a caregiver that is initiated by the patient themselves. The patient is equipped with a nurse call button, which, when used in a medical facility or clinic, enables the patient to summon assistance simply by pressing a button on the device. In addition to this, the nurse call system provides assistance to healthcare personnel in successfully managing the workload they are responsible for. According to the reports, the nurse call systems allow the staff to quickly access the patients and offer them with timely care. In addition to this, a healthcare professional is able to have an appropriate alert installed in the patient's hospital room so that they may quickly attend to patients in the event of an emergency.

Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights with a Table of Content, Research Methodology, and Graphs - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/nurse-call-systems-market

(A free sample of this report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.)

Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following:

Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2023 updated report.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package

About 221+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research)

Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on Request

Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2023

Includes Tables and figures have been updated

The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research research methodology

(Please note that the sample of this report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.)

Global Nurse Call Systems Market: Growth Factors

Increases in expenditure on healthcare are expected to have a positive impact on the overall size of the global market in the years to come.

The growing proportion of elderly people in the world's population is a primary factor driving the rise of the nurse call systems market in every region. In addition, an increase in healthcare spending by the government, advantageous remuneration regulations, and the requirement for improved healthcare amenities would all contribute to a massive increase in market demand internationally. In the coming years, the addition of new features to nurse call systems in conjunction with product improvements is projected to contribute lucratively to the expansion of the overall revenue of the global market. There has been a significant rise in the number of new hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and healthcare unit setups, and there is also a growing need for efficient and emergency medical treatments in these institutions. This has resulted in a tremendous demand for nurse call systems, which has in turn expanded the size of the global market. Earnings from the global market are projected to increase over the next few years as a result of new product introductions. For instance, the Tunstall Group just launched a brand new nurse call system in the United Kingdom that is known as Tunstall Carecom.

Directly Purchase a copy of the report with TOC @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/nurse-call-systems-market

Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2022 USD 12 billion Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 18 billion CAGR Growth Rate 7.03% CAGR Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Key Market Players Baxter International Inc., Grifols, Jeron Electronic Systems Inc., Siemens AG, Intercall Systems Inc., Stanley Healthcare, Critical Alert Systems LLC, West-Com Nurse Call Systems Inc., CVS Health Corporation, and others. Key Segment By Type, By Technology, By Application, By End-User, and By Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Explore purchase options

Nurse Call Systems Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global market for nurse call systems may be broken down into five distinct submarkets: end-user, type of technology, application, and region.

The global nurse call systems market may be broken down into two categories in terms of the underlying communication technology: wired communication and wireless communication. Additionally, it is anticipated that the market category for wireless communication, which accounted for roughly 37% of the total revenue share of the global market in 2022, will record the greatest CAGR over the course of the following years. Breakthroughs in wireless communication technologies that have led to a big demand for their products across a variety of healthcare units could be responsible for the rise of the category in the time frame that is projected.

The global nurse call systems market may be broken down into three distinct segments: hospitals, assisted living and nursing centers, and home care settings. These divisions are based on the industry's end-users. In addition, the hospitals sector, which accounted for a significant portion of the global industry's revenue share in 2022, is anticipated to take the lead in the sector worldwide throughout the course of the analysis timeframe. The segmental growth that occurred over the course of the evaluation period may be attributable to the increasing need for patient safety as well as the enhancement of the effectiveness of caretakers and nursing staff in hospitals.

The global market for nurse call systems is segmented into the following submarkets according to the applications that they are used for: alarms & communications, workflow optimization, wandering control, and fall detection & prevention. In addition, the alarms and communications sector, which was already a significant contributor to the revenue share of the global business in 2022, is anticipated to take the lead in the global industry over the course of the analysis timeline. The capacity of nurse call systems to efficiently streamline communication between patients and nurses, which in turn ensures that patients are treated in a timely and real-time manner, may be ascribed to the segmental expansion that has occurred over the assessment timeline.

The global market for nurse call systems may be broken down into four different categories dependent on the type of system: button-based systems, integrated communication systems, mobile systems, and intercom systems.

The global Nurse Call Systems market is segmented as follows:

By Type

Button-Based Systems

Integrated Communication Systems

Mobile Systems

Intercom Systems

By Technology

Wired Communication

Wireless Communication

By Application

Alarms & Communications

Workflow Optimization

Wanderer Control

Fall Detection & Prevention

By End-User

Hospitals

Assisted Living & Nursing Centers

Home Care Settings

Browse the full Nurse Call Systems Market By Type (Button-Based Systems, Integrated Communication Systems, Mobile Systems, And Intercom Systems), By Technology (Wired Communication And Wireless Communication), By Application (Alarms & Communications, Workflow Optimization, Wanderer Control, And Fall Detection & Prevention), And By End User (Hospitals, Assisted Living & Nursing Centers, And Home Care Settings) And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030" Report At https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/nurse-call-systems-market

Competitive Landscape

Some of the main competitors dominating the global Nurse Call Systems market include -

Baxter International Inc.

Grifols

Jeron Electronic Systems Inc.

Siemens AG

Intercall Systems Inc.

Stanley Healthcare

Critical Alert Systems LLC

West-Com Nurse Call Systems Inc.

CVS Health Corporation

Key Insights from Primary Research:

According to the analysis shared by our research forecaster, the Nurse Call Systems market is likely to expand at a CAGR of around 7.03% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

In terms of revenue, the Nurse Call Systems market size was valued at around US$ 12 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 18 billion by 2030.

The global nurse call systems market is anticipated to grow rapidly over the forecast timeline owing rise in healthcare spending.

In terms of technology, the wired segment is slated to register the highest CAGR over the analysis period.

Based on application, the alarms & communications segment is expected to dominate the segmental growth over the assessment timeline.

Based on end-user, the hospitals segment is expected to dominate the segmental growth over the assessment timeline.

Region-wise, the Asia-Pacific nurse call systems industry is projected to register the fastest CAGR during the assessment timeline.

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/nurse-call-systems-market

Key questions answered in this report:

What is the market size and growth rate forecast for Nurse Call Systems industry?

What are the main driving factors propelling the Nurse Call Systems Market forward?

What are the leading companies in the Nurse Call Systems Industry?

What segments does the Nurse Call Systems Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Nurse Call Systems Market sample report and company profiles?

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232030

Market Dynamics  Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis By Type, By Technology, By Application, By End-User, and By Region

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

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(We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.)

Regional Analysis:

North America is anticipated to maintain global market domination over the anticipated timespan

North America, which contributed about half of the global nurse call systems market revenue in 2022, is likely to retain its market dominance over the projected timespan. Furthermore, the regional market growth can be due to rising awareness about benefits offered by nurse call systems among healthcare service providers and patients.

Asia-Pacific nurse call systems industry is set to register the fastest CAGR in the forthcoming years owing to the presence of strong healthcare systems and key product manufacturers in countries such as India and China.

By Region

North America U.S. Canada Rest of North America

Europe France UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America



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Still, Looking for More Information? OR Want Data for Inclusion in Magazine, Case Study, or Media?
Chicago, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago, Illinois -

Lane Brown, LLC, a law firm based in Chicago, IL, is happy to announce they have secured a $2 million settlement for the jogger who was accidentally hit by a teenage boy driving an SUV in DuPage County, IL. The 23-year-old woman was jogging in a residential area in DuPage County when the teenage boy lost control of the SUV he was driving and hit her, dragging her under the motor vehicle and into a neighbors yard. She suffered serious injuries, including nerve damage, a fractured pelvis, neck injuries, and third-degree burns on her arm, leg, and abdomen due to contact with the exhaust system of the SUV.

Kellen Bachman from Lane Brown, LLC says, Whether you were hurt in a serious accident or were the victim of sexual abuse, you need to see results as soon as possible. Thats what the lawyers at Lane Brown, LLC are here to provide. We take on injury victims with costly injuries, and we guide them to the funds they deserve for their suffering. We wont rest until youre secure.

For car accidents, such as the case mentioned above, they want to point out that the only way for a claim to be successful is for the legal team to prove negligence on the part of the other party. After the firms lawyer has gathered sufficient information to prove the other party was at fault, they will start the process of pursuing compensation from the negligent driver or the relevant car insurance firm.

Kellen Bachman says, Establishing negligence without a lawyers guidance can be tricky. Without a Chicago car accident attorneys guidance, you may have trouble getting the answers and the evidence you need in the courtroom to prove your case. Let your lawyer handle the details of proving liability and showing the other party was at fault for your injuries.

It is important to note that in the State of Illinois, even if one had contributed to the collision, they can still file a car accident claim. This is because Illinois applies a modified comparative negligence law when filing claims, which means that it is possible to seek compensation even if one is partially at fault, but the award will be decreased by ones percentage of the blame. For example, if one is awarded $1 million for suffering a serious injury from a car accident but was found to be 25 percent liable, the compensation will be reduced to $750,000.

It should also be noted that there is a threshold as to the percentage of liability. If ones percentage of liability is higher than 49 percent, then one will no longer be able to seek compensation and may even be the subject of a claim.

After a car accident, accident victims may find themselves having to deal with two insurance companies: their own insurance firm and the insurance company of the other party. Insurance companies are likely to downplay the injuries suffered by the victim in an effort to minimize the amount of compensation that they will pay. That is why it is essential to have a car accident lawyer who knows exactly how to deal with insurance companies.

Established in 1991, Lane Brown, LLC offers personal injury law services in Chicago and surrounding areas. Their guiding principle is doing the right thing. The firms lawyers offer legal representation for people who have been injured due to acts of negligence, whether it was through a slip and fall, a medical malpractice, a car accident, etc. The lawyers at the firm have a total combined in-depth hands-on experience of 130 years that gives clients the advantage they need to receive the optimum amount of settlement for their specific case. Their broad network of contacts also means that they are able to find expert witnesses for supporting the case, whenever this is needed.

Those who would like to know more about filing a personal injury claim can visit the Lane Brown, LLC website or contact them through the phone or via email.

###

For more information about Lane Brown, LLC, contact the company here:



Lane Brown, LLC

Kellen Bachman

(312) 332-1400

Laneandlanellc@gmail.com

230 W Monroe St

Suite 1900

Chicago, IL 60606
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AX is pleased to announce that, in collaboration with Sonoma County and the REDCOM center, the company has welcomed a delegation from South Korea for the second time this year. Building upon South Korean Minister Lees previous visit with 16 other officials from the Ministry of Interior and Safety as part of his delegation, which took place this past February, this South Korean delegation, led by Deputy Manager ByeongKwan Song, joined forces with local experts to explore innovative strategies for addressing the pressing issue of wildfires in their region.



The delegation from South Korea featured several representatives from the Information Policy Division and the Forest Fire Center Department of the Gangwon State Office. Their visit to Sonoma County offered a unique opportunity to observe firsthand how emergency situations, particularly those related to wildfire management, are effectively handled in the region.

During their visit, the delegation engaged in the following activities:

A comprehensive tour of the REDCOM Center's cutting-edge facilities

In-depth discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions with local emergency response experts and officials

Real-time observation of emergency response operations

Exploration of the strategies and technologies employed by Sonoma County and REDCOM to manage emergency situations efficiently

In a testament to AX's unwavering commitment to wildfire detection and its state-of-the-art technology, the South Korean Delegation made a resolute decision. After conducting extensive research on various AI companies, they have chosen to allocate a budget for the exclusive use of the FireScout SaaS (Software as a Service) AI program.

Michael Plaksin, VP of Sales and Marketing at AX, stated, "Their choice is a confirmation of our successful track record, which highlights a 99.9% accuracy and detection rate. Hosting the delegation was a momentous honor and responsibility for AX. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing unwavering support to the South Korean delegation."

The Deputy Manager and the other members of the South Korean Delegation were profoundly impressed by the demonstration at the Sonoma County facility. As one of the REDCOM executives pointed out, "FireScout, a trusted solution for customers like Sonoma County, ensures round-the-clock early wildfire detection, even during the nighttime, a unique and exclusive feature. This helps with facilitating rapid responses from first responders and potentially mitigating ecological and financial damage while saving lives."

This visit marks an essential milestone in the ongoing collaboration between AX, Sonoma County, and AXs South Korean counterparts, with the primary objective of enhancing international cooperation in disaster management, focusing on wildfire detection, prevention and response strategies. This significant event underlines the global importance of wildfire management and disaster preparedness.

About AX



Founded in 2016, AX is an artificial intelligence software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that has developed award-winning proprietary technology in the areas of wildfire detection and SMART VIEWING. FireScout, the leader in wildfire detection SaaS, utilizes AI to provide wildfire detection in real time on a 24/7/365 basis. FireScout seamlessly integrates into existing camera/monitor systems. We offer the most informative, effective, and supportive user interface system in the market today. FireScout is presently being used on over 1,000 cameras throughout the western United States and is considered to be the de facto standard in AI for disaster prevention in wildfire management.

Join the Conversation: Follow us on LinkedIn  Alchera X and FireScout, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact:

Michael Plaksin

(310) 503-9901

m.plaksin@alcherainc.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/421c23ea-d6a0-41c4-b5f5-000df0c68909

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88ba0180-27e5-4738-af8d-3de7766e3aa8

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70ea6728-1898-47d1-afbc-84fdb5401360




CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) has come to a close after five days of engaging conversations centered on the theme Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero. The Organising Committee for Canada (OCAN) is proud to share that the 24th WPC saw over 10,000 unique visitors to the exhibition, over 5,000 delegates in attendance at the Congress, and registrants from 111 countries.



The 24th WPC has been an incredible success, said Denis Painchaud, President & CEO, OCAN. We hit all our topline numbers and have received incredibly positive feedback about the overall experience from participants. I want to thank attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors, as well as our Board, organizing team, employees, contractors and volunteers for making this a truly special event. I would also like to thank Minister Wilkinson, Premier Smith and Mayor Gondek for their participation and support. This event has been a win for the global energy industry, the Canadian energy industry, for Canada and for Calgary.

We are thrilled to celebrate the progress achieved during a week of productive and engaging dialogue at the 24th WPC, said Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy. WPC Energys vision is to facilitate an open dialogue around oil, gas, energy and its products with participation from around the world. We look forward to continuing these important conversations as we look forward to the 25th WPC taking place in Saudi Arabia in 2026.

Notable highlights from the 24th WPC included:

The Opening Ceremony took place on Sunday, September 17 which included a ceremony to officially mark the transition from World Petroleum Council to a new name, WPC Energy. The Opening Ceremony also included a keynote address from the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada and remarks from Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta and Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary.



Day one of the Congress featured a Ministerial Dialogue with HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud. This included an MOU signing to officially pass organizing privileges of WPC to Saudi Arabia, which will be hosting the 25 th edition in Riyadh in 2026. Following this session, WPC Energy President Pedro Miras presented Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser with the prestigious WPC Dewhurst Award, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the oil and gas industry.



edition in Riyadh in 2026. Following this session, WPC Energy President Pedro Miras presented Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser with the prestigious WPC Dewhurst Award, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the oil and gas industry. The exhibition floor was heavily populated all four days, attracting visitors and delegates alike to discover features including the Carbon Tech Expo, Canada House, Digital Poster Plaza and Sustainability & Social Responsibility Pavilion. Sponsors and attending organizations have stated that they enjoyed a tremendous amount of business success at the event and felt that they achieved full value for their investments.



Feedback from attendees has consistently highlighted the strength of WPCs speaker panels. The programme included seven plenary sessions, daily luncheon panels, ministerial sessions with global participation, CEO strategic sessions and technical forums, with government representatives, CEOs, academics and more from around the world.



Congress proceedings concluded with the WPC Excellence Awards (WPCEA), presented Thursday afternoon. These awards distinguish companies, institutions or any public or private organization engaged in the oil and gas industry for promoting or operating with high excellence standards. The 2023 WPCEA recipients included: WPCEA for Social Responsibility: Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju: Lighting More Hopes - Indonesia (Small Company) Marun Petrochemical Company: MAHSHAHR Deserves the Best - Iran (Large Company) WPCEA for Technological Development: Micro-Bac International: Bacterial application for environmental and economical improvements in SWD assets - USA (Small Company) Saudi Aramco: Sensor Ball - Saudi Arabia (Large Company) WPCEA for Gender & Inclusion Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO): Women of Tomorrow  A strategic initiative for Gender & Inclusion  Bahrain



Calgary welcomed people from all over the world to participate in WPC. Hotels, restaurants and event spaces all opened their doors to delegates and visitors  a true demonstration of Calgarian hospitality and a major contributor to the overall success of the event.

Recognizing our Sponsors

OCAN is pleased to recognize the Diamond, Platinum and Elite sponsors of the 24th WPC for their support: Accenture, Aramco, CNPC, QatarEnergy, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, Sinopec, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor, bp, Bennett Jones, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil | Imperial, Petrobras, PwC Canada, S&P Commodity Insights, Angola and WestJet. OCAN would also like to recognize its government partners including PrairiesCan, the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary for their funding and in-kind contributions and support.

To learn more about what took place at the 24th WPC, please visit www.24wpc.com. To stay connected to WPC Energy and updates regarding the 25th WPC in Riyadh in 2026, please visit www.world-petroleum.org.

About the World Petroleum Congress

Held every three years in WPC Energy member countries, the World Petroleum Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary featured a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future.

About WPC Energy

Established in 1933, WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). WPC Energy is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC Energy conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:

Rebecca Hurl, Brookline Public Relations

E-mail: rhurl@brooklinepr.com

www.24wpc.com

For further information about WPC Energy, contact:

Sarah Beattie, Project Manager

E-mail: sarahb@world-petroleum.org

www.world-petroleum.org
Highlights:



Alaska Energy Metals Corp. has agreed to purchase 1413336 BC Ltd., the owner of the Angliers-Belleterre nickel-copper project in western Quebec.

The target company assets include approximately $2.8 million in cash.

The Angliers-Belleterre property is underlain by komatiitic ultramafic flow rocks and differentiated gabbro rocks in a regional setting thought to be a mantle plume. The setting is similar to that of the Kambalda nickel district in Australia.

Significant nickel prospects on adjacent claims, for example, the Midrim nickel prospect, appear to trend onto the Angliers-Belleterre project, and there is a six-kilometre long belt of nickel-enriched rocks documented by the Quebec government on the project.

By virtue of owning a Quebec project, AEMC will have greater access to inexpensive flow-through capital and be eligible for rebates on exploration expenditures.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2023 -- Alaska Energy Metals Corp. (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) ("AEMC" or "the Company") is pleased to announce it has entered a binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") to purchase an arm's-length company named 1413336 BC Ltd. ("141 BC") effective September 20, 2023. The target company assets include the Angliers-Belleterre nickel-copper project (the "Angliers project") in western Quebec and approximately $2.8 million in cash.

AEMC has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of 141 BC through the exchange of 31,827,720 AEMC shares (the "Consideration Shares") and 4,105,958 AEMC warrants with the shareholders of 141 BC on a one-to-one (1:1) basis for their existing shares and warrants of 141 BC. The deemed price of the Consideration Shares is $0.315 per share (representing a 25% discount from the closing market price per share on September 20, 2023). The shares will be subject to an escrow agreement and released from escrow over a three-year period. The warrants will be exercisable at $0.80. The transaction is expected to be affected by way of an amalgamation or share exchange; however, this may be modified for reasons of tax, accounting or, securities regulations. No finder's fees are payable for this transaction. The parties have agreed to an area of mutual interest covering three kilometres of the outer boundaries of the Angliers project.

Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: "This is an area in which I am highly familiar with, having studied it while stationed in Quebec in the late 1990s during my first career with INCO. At the time, INCO was the largest nickel producer globally. We were attracted by the ultramafic flow rocks and the geologic conditions permissive for high-grade massive sulfide deposits. There are some great prospects nearby that clearly show the nickel-copper sulfide deposit-forming processes were operative in the area. It will be exciting to take a modern exploration approach to this project."

The parties intend to enter into a definitive purchase agreement, setting out further terms and conditions to the completion of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to standard terms and conditions, including acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The property is subject to a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty that can be reduced to 1.5% by paying the owners $1.5 million.

Angliers Property

The Angliers property is large, consisting of 454 claims covering 24,182.64 hectares. It is located in Angliers and Belleterre townships in the Temiscamingue region of western Quebec, near the Ontario border. The town of Angliers lies at the northern end of the claim block and St. Eugene de Guiges at the southern end. Access is facilitated by paved highways and gravel roads.

Komatiitic ultramafic flow rocks and differentiated gabbro rocks form part of the Archean volcanic stratigraphy of the Baby Group, in a regional setting thought to be a mantle plume (MB 2020-12 published by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests geologists Richer-Lafleche, Moorhead and Goutier). Mantle plume areas are known to localize a variety of base metal deposits from magmatic nickel-copper to polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. The plume area tapped mantle-derived magmas with "primitive" trace element geochemical signatures in mafic-ultramafic rocks. Primitive rock chemistry is documented in the MB2020-12 report. Komatiites (ultramafic lava flows) and magnesium-rich gabbroic rocks are important rock types for the formation of the Kambalda (Australia) district type of deposit nickel deposits. The same genetic mode may apply at the Angliers project. Kambalda is a very rich district with multiple deposits of high-grade massive sulfide deposits.

Nickel sulfides are documented in a series of prospects located one to three kilometres east of the Angliers project. Airborne magnetic surveys indicate that the stratigraphy hosting these prospects probably extends onto the Angliers property under deeper overburden cover, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Claim map on airborne magnetic base map showing potential extension of Midrim nickel - copper deposit host stratigraphy onto Angliers project claims, and elevated nickel in rock samples in northern magnetic belt.

In the northern part of the claim block there is a belt of highly magnetic rocks. Sampling by the Quebec government has shown that there is strongly anomalous nickel in rock samples over a six-kilometre-long trend.

An "artificial intelligence" analysis and synthesis of data was recently performed by 141 BC. The results of the work highlighted the potential of both the southern and northern mineralized trends and served to focus future exploration efforts. AEMC will further compile all available public data, then, with results in hand, perform targeted geophysical surveys to develop drill targets.

In addition to magmatic nickel-copper deposits, the Angliers property is also prospective for gold and polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits.

Flow-Through Financing and Exploration Rebates

With a project in Quebec, AEMC will be eligible to fund exploration by raising flow-through financing. The Company will also be able to take advantage of some of the exploration expenditure rebates offered by the Quebec government to stimulate mineral exploration, especially for critical metals like nickel.

Gregory Beischer, the Company's president and chief executive officer, is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release.

For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corp. is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Gregory Beischer"

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Sarah Mawji, Public Relations

Final Edit Media and Public Relations

Email: sarah@finaleditpr.com

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, that (a) AEMC will acquire 141 BC, (b) an area of mutual interest will be included, (c) AEMC will be eligible to fund exploration by raising flow-through financing, (d) AEMC will be able to acquire exploration expenditure rebates from the Quebec government and(e) AEMC will explore the Angliers project as planned. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7778de7-bea6-494a-b8fa-f3c19436b210
Vancouver, September 20, 2023 - Trench Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:TMC) (FWB:33H2) announces its ongoing review of technical datasets from the Company's wholly owned Carter Lake Uranium Project. Situated on the prolific west side of the Athabasca Basin, this project holds immense promise for contributing to a cleaner, greener energy future. The comprehensive review includes geophysical and geological data, and notably, ground-sourced radon gas emission data-an essential vector for detecting the presence of uranium. These efforts will yield well-defined exploration targets, providing a clear path forward for upcoming programs.

In an era marked by a growing global commitment to environmental sustainability, uranium has taken center stage as a crucial element in the transition to a cleaner power grid. This year has seen a notable uptick in uranium prices, reflective of heightened interest and investment in the sector. As the world takes significant steps towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible energy landscape, nuclear power is poised to play an essential role.

Commenting on the rising prominence of uranium, Simon Cheng, President and CEO of the Company, stated, "We are truly excited about the recent acquisition of the Carter Lake Uranium Project, strategically located on the highly prospective west side of the Athabasca Basin. The surge in uranium prices this year is indicative of the heightened global awareness and commitment to cleaner energy sources. At Trench Metals, we firmly believe that nuclear power will be a cornerstone in the transition towards a greener world power supply."

The ongoing review of technical datasets at the Carter Lake Uranium Project aligns perfectly with the Company's strategic vision. The Company is committed to advancing its uranium projects, leveraging its expertise and resources to unlock their full potential in support of a sustainable energy future.

The Company remains committed to responsible exploration practices and environmental stewardship throughout its operations. The Company adheres to all applicable regulations and standards, ensuring that its activities are conducted with utmost care for the environment and local communities.

For further updates and information, please visit the Trench Metals website at www.trenchmetals.com.

Qualified Person

Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for, and has approved, the technical information contained in this release.

About Trench Metals Corp

Trench Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company with a focus on uranium. We create value for our shareholders by engaging in promising mineral exploration opportunities. Our main goal is the advancement of various projects from discovery all the way to production. This vertically integrated strategy allows Trench Metals to achieve exceptional shareholder value through the entire life-cycle of the mining process.

Trench Metals Corp. owns the Carter Lake Uranium Project which spans over 691 hectares on the western flank of the Athabasca Basin, strategically positioned within the Carter Lake Corridor, a substantial structural feature that runs parallel to the renowned Patterson Lake Corridor - home to mineralization control points for NexGen's Rook 1 deposit and Fission Uranium's PLS deposit. Trench Metals also has the right to acquire a 100% interest in two highly prospective uranium project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Uranium district. The Higginson Lake Uranium Project which covers an area of approximately 5900 hectares and is 52 kilometers northeast of the town of Stony Rapids, which is accessible by Highway 905 and 964. The Higginson Lake Uranium Project host two historic drill indicated reserves, totaling 4,800,000 lbs of U308.* The Spreckley Lake Uranium Project which comprises of 1385 hectares in northern Saskatchewan, strategically located adjacent to Skyharbor's Pluto Bay Project. The Athabasca District is home to the highest grade of uranium deposits in the world and accounts for 18% of global uranium production.

*The historical mineral resource estimate presented above uses categories that do not conform to current Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate as a current mineral resource and as such the Company is treating it as a historical resource estimate. Readers are cautioned that the historical mineral resource estimate does not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Higginson Lake Uranium Project.

For further information, contact the Company at info@trenchmetals.com or 604.558.4300, or visit the Company's website at www.trenchmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Trench Metals Corp.

Simon Cheng, President

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.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the planned development of the Carter Lake Uranium Project and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, Sept. 21, 2023 - Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of Wild Dog Resources Inc. ("WDR") pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation agreement (the "Amalgamation Agreement") with 15103452 Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC ("GPAC Sub"), and WDR. WDR owns and/or has the right to earn an interest in three (3) separate high-grade gold-copper mineral properties located in Papua New Guinea ("PNG"): the Wild Dog Project, the Arau Project and the Kesar Creek Project (collectively, the "WDR Properties") through Exploration Licenses ("EL") and Exploration License Applications ("ELA").



Highlights of Acquisition:

2166 sq. km land position assembled via the acquisition of interests in a variety of ELs and ELAs

includes 614 sq. km project contiguous with and SE of K92 Mining Inc. exploration tenements

includes 130 sq. km project contiguous with and NW of K92 Mining Inc. tenements, 10 km from mining operations

PNG ELs and ELAs contain multiple high priority gold and copper targets

Bryan Slusarchuk, CEO of GPAC, states, "We are pleased to diversify our portfolio with these high-quality gold and copper assets in PNG. With the financial and technical experience of various team members in PNG, we are in an excellent position to unlock the potential upside of these high-grade assets. We look forward to building on the excellent work that WDR has completed on multiple high priority gold and copper drill targets across the land package."

Terms of the Acquisition

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, in consideration of WDR:

The shareholders of WDR (the "WDR Shareholders") received an aggregate of approximately 16,161,441 common shares of GPAC (the "Common Shares"), and each WDR Shareholder received one (1) Common Share for every 7.028 WDR Shares held (the "Exchange Ratio") (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares).





The Common Shares issued to the WDR Shareholders are subject to voluntary restrictions on resale, of which 33.3% of the Common Shares will not be subject to restrictions on resale, 33.3% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of three (3) months following closing of the Acquisition ("Closing") and 33.4% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of six (6) months following Closing.





The warrantholders of WDR (the "WDR Warrantholders") received an aggregate of approximately 526,892 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"), and each WDR Warrantholder received Warrants exercisable to acquire such number of Common Shares as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable under each such WDR Share purchase warrant (a "WDR Warrant") previously held by such WDR Warrantholder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares) at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the exercise price of such WDR Warrant per WDR Share divided by the Exchange Ratio until the expiry time of such WDR Warrant.





The optionees of WDR (the "WDR Optionees") were granted an aggregate of approximately 1,553,679 stock options of GPAC (the "Options"), and each WDR Optionee was granted Options exercisable to acquire such number of Common Shares as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable under each such stock option of WDR (a "WDR Option") previously held by such WDR Optionee multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares) at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the exercise price of such WDR Option per WDR Share divided by the Exchange Ratio until the expiry time of such WDR Option.



Immediately prior to Closing, WDR had a working capital of C$1,000,000, excluding payments due prior to Closing under the agreements relating to the WDR Properties, payments made to satisfy all accrued fees and termination benefits under the executive compensation agreements and payments of corporate and legal costs in the ordinary course of business.

On Closing, GPAC appointed Iain Martin, a director of WDR, as a director of GPAC.

Information Concerning the WDR Properties

The WDR Properties comprise of a 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG consisting of two ELs and multiple ELAs.





Figure 1. Papua New Guinea Project Location Map

The Wild Dog Project

The Wild Dog Project consists of one EL and one ELAs (ELA 2516 and EL 2761) totalling 1424 sq. km, which are located on the island of New Britain and are approximately 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Wild Dog Project occurs within a major NNE trending structure of at least 26 km in length which transect apparent volcanic caldera structures and intrusions. During the Mio-Pliocene at least three volcanic centres, known as the Nengmutka, Keravat and Sikut calderas, were localised along this horst and graben zone. This structural corridor constitutes an epithermal and porphyry hydrothermal-magmatic mineralized field.

The Nengmutka Caldera, which hosts the Wild Dog deposit, is characterised by a suite of calc-alkaline andesite breccia and ash flow tuff known as the Nengmutka Volcanics (Lindley, 1988). This formation has been mapped over an area of 600 sq. km. Tonalite of the Arabam Diorite intrudes the volcanic sequence and appears to be partly coeval with the caldera related volcanism.

The precious metal prospects are associated with epithermal type veining that contain gold-silver-telluride (Au-Ag-Te) mineralisation. Gold and silver occur as native metals and as telluride minerals. Porphyry copper-gold type mineralization also occurs associated with these intrusion centres that usually underly the epithermal systems. The whole of the recognised belt is held within the Wild Dog tenements.

Within the central part of the Wild Dog project, a significant structural corridor called the "Wild Dog - Gunsap Corridor" occurs. The corridor is at least 15 km long and up to 4 km wide and hosts at least three porphyry copper-gold prospects and several epithermal gold deposits and prospects.

The original Wild Dog epithermal gold deposit occurs within the "Wild Dog - Gunsap Corridor" in the central part of the tenements. It was discovered in 1983, with exploration including extensive mapping, trenching, rock sampling and drilling between 1983 and 2005 by various explorers. New Guinea Gold Limited operated a small open pit mining operation from 2007 and 2011. No exploration has occurred since the closure of the mine.





Figure 2. Wild Dog Project Location and Tenements Maps

Historical work completed by a previous operator returned significant gold assays. Channel sampling at the Kavursuki Prospect yields 4m at 9.41 g/t Au and at the Kargalio Vein 6m at 11.5 g/t Au.

Drilling of the Kavursuki Prospect by previous explorers, located within the Wild Dog Zone and north of the former Wild Dog mine, also yielded positive high-grade results.

Table 1 - Kavursuki Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID N E RL Depth Azim Dip From (m) Length (m) Au g/t Cu ppm 90KVD005 9490500 395008 787 85.60 101.50 -45.00 5.35 1.25 12.80 1200 90KVD009 9490834 395227 758 93.85 101.50 -45.00 44.65 3.75 11.21 639 10KVD016 9490464 394971 798 51.00 101.50 -50.00 35.44 8.06 6.49 194 10KVD017 9490464 394970 798 50.00 101.50 -65.00 29.08 1.12 33.70 120 11KVD019 9490496 395039 807 45.10 101.50 -60.00 11.10 5.25 9.45 167 11KVD020 9490537 395045 805 50.90 101.50 -50.00 32.45 11.05 3.18 377 11KVD025 9490809 395241 752 45.20 101.50 -50.00 14.75 8.15 18.77 2801 11KVD026 9490810 395272 776 51.70 281.50 -60.00 33.80 5.10 14.70 101 11KVD027 9490870 395252 767 56.10 101.50 -50.00 30.70 1.90 10.35 46

Apart from the drilling conducted at the former Wild Dog gold mine there remain several drill intercepts that require further exploration outside of the mine environment as tabulated below, apart from the various trenching and channel sampling targets.



Table 2 - Wild Dog Prospect Area Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID N E RL Depth Azim Dip From Length Au g/t Cu ppm 86WDD020 9489141 394278 983 259.35 103.50 -60.00 129.35 7.70 5.28 902 87WDD024 9489117 394316 965 152.55 98.50 -60.00 138.25 5.10 8.32 8556 87WDD027 9489115 394325 965 200.40 98.50 -60.00 117.95 6.20 19.13 786 87WDD040A 9489219 394320 994 280.99 103.50 -60.00 148.60 4.20 12.50 4066 87WDD045 9489235 394287 988 300.20 103.50 -60.00 201.30 2.85 16.94 32123 87WDD051 9489249 394257 985 309.10 103.50 -60.00 253.95 6.05 7.29 2054 87WDD058 9489285 394359 977 285.90 101.50 -60.00 147.00 12.45 4.96 6694 87WDD064 9489179 394289 1001 290.60 101.50 -60.00 158.00 14.95 2.73 650 87WDD065 9489160 394330 996 250.10 101.50 -60.00 142.70 4.65 5.49 3246 87WDD069 9489139 394375 991 123.50 101.50 -60.00 88.55 7.75 7.12 7151 08WDD111 9489393 394513 906 100.00 281.50 -60.00 48.40 7.10 5.47 931 85WDD014 9488708 394260 954 86.20 113.50 -51.00 48.25 5.25 9.79 10863 86WDP010 9488839 394302 909 60.00 83.50 -60.00 34.00 6.00 6.71 5047 87WDD040A 9489219 394320 994 280.99 103.50 -60.00 164.55 13.50 8.56 3056 90WDD086 9488948 394337 890 79.00 78.50 -50.00 18.45 11.25 16.22 3473 97WD098 9489389 394487 905 39.00 98.50 -45.00 12.00 8.00 9.73 NA*

NA* - not assayed or not available.



Table 3 - Mengmut Prospect Significant Drilling Intercepts

Hole ID North East RL Depth Azim Dip From Length Au g/t Cu ppm MRC01 9487963 393871 968 20.00 0.00 -90.00 2.00 18.00 3.05 3084 MRC02 9487978 393874 971 30.00 0.00 -90.00 0.00 18.00 3.07 1053 90WDD087 9488091 394082 1021 61.95 101.50 -50.00 7.30 1.35 5.02 1650 90WDD088 9488104 394070 1023 40.30 101.50 -50.00 21.30 1.55 3.95 25 MMD003 9486870 393532 924 104.00 133.00 -50.00 2.35 4.42 NA* MMD006 9486770 393479 945 122.05 133.00 -50.00 2.55 4.16 NA*

Additionally, multiple samples collected from a historic stockpile near the Wild Dog Zone returned bonanza grades of gold and copper including Sample 30104 which assayed 242 g/t Au, 601 g/t Ag, 9.52% Cu and Sample 68001 which assayed 122.5 g/t Au, 350 g/t Ag and 11% Cu.









Figure 3 - Previous IP exploration survey at Wild Dog Project.

The exploration program at the Wild Dog Project will initially focus on drilling extensions to known gold mineralization within the Wild Dog - Kavursuki mineralized corridor (Tables 1 & 2) as well as other targets within the Wild Dog Structure such as Mengmut prospect (Table 3). Other targets to be explored include the copper-gold Magiabe porphyry target as well as regional geochemical targets established by previous explorers. Extension of the IP coverage in the Magiabe area could better define the target. Orientation soil geochemistry and auger drilling through the shallow cover sequence in prospective areas will be undertaken (Figure 3).

The details of the underlying agreements on the Wild Dog Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.

The Arau Project

The Arau Project consists of one EL (EL 2651) and one ELA (ELA 2715), located in the Kainantu region, Eastern Highlands Province, PNG, which are immediately east of and adjoining the Kainantu gold mine owned by K92 Mining Inc.

Initial exploration work by previous operators has identified two potential deposit types at the Arau Project:

epithermal-high sulphidation gold (Sabudia Hill, Onga Hill and Erandora prospects) and

copper-gold porphyry prospects (Mt. Victor, Mt. Aiyonka, Ebitara and P1 prospects).

Within the licence area, the Mt. Victor Prospect (copper-gold porphyry target) covers an area of 800m by 400m, and previous drilling suggests that the prospect area is a multiple phase intrusion complex that is copper, and gold mineralized. It is a drill ready prospect in which previous channel sampling has identified the following strong gold grades:

38m @ 2.64 g/t Au

12m @ 5.5 g/t Au

18m @ 2.4 g/t Au

10m @ 3.7 g/t Au.

These channel samples are in the central part of the Mt Victor prospect southwest of the former Mt Victor gold mine (Figure 5). Previous drilling was carried out in the 1980s, and all drillholes presented were vertical, which is not appropriate for the subvertical fault zones present within the prospect.





Figure 4 Arau Project Geology and Prospect Location map





Figure 5 - Arau Project, Mt Victor Prospect detailed map.



Table 4 - Mt Victor Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID E* N* Depth From (m) Length (m) Au g/t Cu ppm Notes CRD58 385177 9291680 64.5 0 64.5 0.18 106 granodiorite intruded by diorite DDH89-1 384650 9291308 260 234 5 0.85 NA disseminated copper mineralization DDH89-2 384965 9291825 300 43 10 1.10 NA under review DDH89-3 384873 9291562 300 213 10 1.20 NA under review MVD07 384746 9291253 52.8 0 52.8 0.10 384 altered pyritic diorite MVD08 384831 9291327 30 16 14 0.19 373 argillic altered QFP MVD09 384853 9291333 36 34 2 0.29 NA epidote altered intrusive rock MVD20 384900 9291345 75 0 75 0.34 304 argillic altered brecciated porphyry MVD21 384890 9291353 48 0 48 0.41 329 diorite/QFP brecciated contact MVD36 385032 9291456 24 22 2 14.70 463 altered pyritic porphyry MVD40 384994 9291435 38 0 38 3.10 1400 silica epidote altered porphyry MVD46 384932 9291388 34.5 15 19.5 0.33 117 epidote pyrite altered porphyry MVD50 385068 9291469 29 16 13 0.13 722 clay altered granodiorite MVD52 384962 9291475 30 14 16 1.01 77 sericite epidote altered porphyry MVD62 384704 9291152 75 40 35 0.12 287 kspar epidote altered porphyry MVD63 384596 9291160 48 0 48 0.75 373 diorite intruded by pyritic porphyry

Initial drilling at the Arau Project will involve five angled diamond drill holes to follow up on a successful electromagnetic survey and previous excellent geochemical sampling results.

The details of the underlying agreement on the Arau Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.

The Kesar Creek Project

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one ELA, ELA 2711, and is located 10 km from the Kora gold deposit owned by K92 Mining Inc (Figure 6).

Exploration at Kesar Creek has identified the presence of semi-massive copper rich sulphide mineralization associated with quartz veins on strike to the Kora gold deposit, as well as the potential for copper-gold porphyry prospects within the tenement. Although limited exploration has been carried out at Kesar Creek, initial rock sampling programs returned high-grade gold-copper-silver values including:

Rock sample no 14128 at 11.5 g/t Au

Rock sample no A1428 at 11.9 g/t Au

Rock sample no 9231F at 10.6 g/t Au

Rock sample no 14236 at 11.6 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag

Rock sample no. A14023 at 30.4 g/t Au, 240 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu





The details of the underlying agreement on the Kesar Creek Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.





Figure 6 - Kesar Creek project map with key geological features.

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea ("PNG") and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises two ELs and multiple ELAs. It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation present.

The Arau Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2651, and one exploration license application, ELA 2715, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation.

The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license application, ELA 2711, and is located 10 km west of the K92 Gold Mine owned and operated by K92 Mining Inc.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 666 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Fosterville gold mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Gold's (ASX:SXG) Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All of GPAC's properties are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rex Motton, AusIMM (CP), COO of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Motton is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of GPAC

Rex Motton

Chief Operating Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: info@fostervillesouth.com



Photos accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3679f61d-f6e1-494a-a77c-5a727c52e65b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3f9d09a-c7a5-43cd-a68f-31c4b26b578a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9df4e0e-2ca7-43bf-88f6-5b74a5ee349c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee885d8c-e51f-4f16-acc1-ae6a02079bb2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f9b30ba-3977-4f33-9b7f-9e2990f8c7ea

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d3e872e-1847-4df6-a0fb-9f2cc942119c
GUTA bares teeth against GRA

Kwame Larweh Business News Sep - 20 - 2023 , 16:14

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) says it detests the harassment being meted out to their members by the Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA).

It says the GRA has instituted a task force to intercept its goods and cargo from the various and when they are cleared.

At a press conference this morning in Accra, the association noted that under the pretext of enforcing tax compliance GRA officers harassed and intimidated its members in the Ashanti Region.

"Our cargo has passed through all clearing processes and procedures at the port , where the GRA operates, but the GRA cannot assign any cogent reason for the harassment of our traders," Dr Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA stated at the presser this morning.

Dr Obeng asserted that its members will resist these harassments through fair or foul means if they continue.

"They also claim that they do not understand why goods in Ashanti Region are cheaper than those in Greater Accra Region, failing to recognize the simple fact that purchasing power and demand for goods and services in Accra are higher than any part of the country," he noted.

Dr Obeng said his outfit has engaged the GRA and other stakeholders to find solutions to the issue but the GRA continues to frustrate members of the business community including its traders.

"They call some people invigilators who come to sit in our shops and monitor our sales, we are not in a police state, business operators are not criminals," he stated.

Surrounded by some executives and members of GUTA, he asserted that members of his outfit pay legitimate taxes and VAT and must be treated fairly.

He called for a change in the existing tax structure which he says is not uniformed and fair.

"In the markets there are traders who charge the standard rate scheme of about 22 per cent , there are also those who charge the flat rate scheme of four percent and there are those who are instructed not to charge the VAT due to the tax threshold limit, all these group of traders are operating in the same vicinity, this forces the consumer to use his or her discretion to get what benefits him or her," he revealed.

He maintained that his outfit will do all within its power to protect their businesses.
Paul Azumah-Ayitey is head of Boomplay Comms and PR in Africa

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Sep - 20 - 2023 , 15:12

Ghanaian music executive, Paul Azumah-Ayitey has been appointed as the Communications and Public Relations Manager for Africa at renowned music streaming and download platform, Boomplay.

His new role was formally announced by Music Business Academy for Africa, where Paul is a 2021 and 2022 alumnus.

The music executive took up his new position in July 2023 and the role will see him handle corporate communications, partnerships and media & stakeholder relations affairs of Boomplay in Africa.

Paul Azumah-Ayitey, who is popularly known as also The Industry within showbiz circles will work with the media across Africa and manage strategic partnerships and PR campaigns with relevant stakeholders within the African music ecosystem while consolidating existing gains made by Boomplay over the years - in line with the African streaming giants vision to empower and project African music, artistes, and the African music ecosystem.

Commenting on his promotion, Paul who has been working with Boomplay since 2021, said he is looking forward to Boomplay further impacting the African music circuit to realise its potential while amplifying and sustaining the gains already made within Africas digital music landscape.

Prior to his new position, Paul The Industry Azumah-Ayitey was in charge of public relations at Boomplay Ghana.

Experience

His experience within the music industry dates back to the early 2000s as a young freelance journalist where he mainly covered the Ghanaian arts and culture scene for newspapers including Graphic Showbiz and online news portals before switching to music PR, publicity, artist management and music business strategy and consulting.

Paul also has work experience in corporate communications, brand management and marketing within the financial, creative and tech industries aided by his engineering background.

Even though he loves to work behind the scenes, Paul Azumah-Ayitey, is particularly known for his valuable contributions to the popularity of Ghanaian contemporary Ghanaian Gospel music, earning him the name, Da Scribe from late gospel artiste Danny Nettey.

He has also worked with a number of gospel artistes including Nii Okai, Kofi Dua Anto (KODA), Joyful Way Inc., and Cwesi Oteng.

At Boomplay Ghana, Paul Azumah-Ayitey managed partnerships and PR campaigns that increased the companys brand awareness, visibility and corporate image.

These included Boomplays deals and partnerships with Universal Music, Billboard, Merlin, MTN Ghana, AirtelTigo and CAPASSO, among others.

He is also credited with helping to position Boomplay as a repository for music business and digital music economy education for music industry stakeholders.

In 2022, he partnered with Media General to organise Showbiz Conference in Ghana which brought together stakeholders from the tech, media, music, telco and banking industries.

In July 2023, Azumah-Ayitey was key to Boomplay joining forces with global short-form video hosting service, TikTok, for cross-promotion of trending content on both platforms via mutual playlists and content discovery.

About Boomplay

Founded in 2015, Boomplay currently boasts over 90 million monthly active users (MAUs), with a catalogue of more than 110 million songs from around the world.

In Africa, the company operates in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Cameroon, among other regions and Paul Azumah-Ayitey is positive at playing relevant roles to increase Boomplays presence in Africa.
The need for a national movement - Arthur Kobina Kennedy writes

Arthur Kobina Kennedy Opinion Sep - 21 - 2023 , 07:05

My fellow Ghanaians, I just read Prof. Frimpong-Boateng's eloquent missive to whoever would be President in 2025 and watched his interview on "POINT OF VIEW". His analysis is deep, patriotic and yet painfully familiar. He is truly a national treasure who has done and will do great things for Ghana - Insha Allah!

As he said in a statement reminiscent of Archbishop Duncan Williams a few years ago, "90% of the youth don't see their future here".

The great Professor should have directed his missive to "citizens, not spectators " of Ghana.

Furthermore, he is right that science is foundational to sustainable development but a stable, progressive political system is even more foundational than science.

That is why despite getting the science and education and pride in ourselves right, Nkrumah failed. He got the politics wrong. America succeeded because it got the politics right. And we have gotten the politics wrong from the dawn of the 4th Republic.

Over the course of this 4th Republic, I have read similar analysis to Profs - with some not as eloquent but equally profound - from Kweku Asare Azar, Kwesi Prempeh, Kwesi Pratt, Yaw Nsarkoh, Kwesi Nduom and even from Rawlings, Kufuor, Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo.

Who can forget the man who pledged to "protect the public purse" and to make Accra " the cleanest city in Africa"?

Yet, sadly, we will begin our quadrennial dance with the looting and sharing of Article 71 soon.

In the next few months, the President will find a pliable and ignorant Professor who will Chair a sycophantic committee that will end with the President and Parliament approving each other's loot of our nation's treasure sanctioned by Article 71.

In the next week, we will once again engage in the pointless arguments about whether the nation that is in its death throes had a FOUNDER or FOUNDERS.

Then we will follow an empty campaign preceded by corrupt primaries in which more dollars flowed than votes.

And then we shall solemnly swear in another President - as if Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon did not happen.

As if February 24th, January 13th, June 4th and 31st December did not happen.

We will ignore the scandal of our Forestry Commission head acquiring more wealth in 4 years than Angela Merkel did as German Chancellor in 16 years.

We will ignore the scandal of how one Minister of a minor Ministry came to have in her house and bank account more wealth than exists in many Ministries.

We will look past the alphabet soup of government scandals that have emptied our national coffers while filling private pockets. We will ignore the shameful spectacle of our children and mothers drinking muddy water from our taps while those responsible for Galamsey brazenly head to our corrupt courts to sue the only Minister who opposed Galamsey.

Of this government, it can truly be said that not even God's Cathedral was sacred enough to escape their thriving hands.

The truth, my fellow Ghanaians, is that Ghana does not need candidates focused on this next election--it needs a movement committed to saving Ghana for the next generation and subsequent ones.

We need a movement to save, not just the 4th Republic but Ghana. If we wait for the pain and anger brewing in our youth and amongst the poor to explode on our streets, no walls will be high enough to protect anybody and June 4th would look like child's play.

Time and the tides wait for no man - and they wait for no nations either. The Roman, British, Ottoman, Zulu and Ghana empire we model ourselves on are all dead. We need a movement to execute a peaceful constitutional revolution.

That revolution would restore the Ghana that the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, the Fante Confederacy, the Asante warriors who fought the British at Nsamankow, in Sagrenti and under Yaa Asantewaa ---as well as all our founders fought for.

We need a nation where there is work paying a living wage to those who are willing to work.

We need a nation where the sick will not die because there are no beds while the rich and powerful get care abroad.

We need a nation where our resources are not destroyed to enrich a few.

We need a nation where politics work and politics is not more profitable than business.

Today, I humbly propose a National Sovereign Conference summoned in our name by some prominent citizens.

These one thousand delegates, drawn from workers( TUC), teachers ( GNAT), students(NUGS), lawyers( GBA), politicians (Parties), market women, drivers( GPRTU) and the unemployed would meet to develop a broad consensus around the following issues:

Constitutional reforms that would

demonitize our politics and make it more transparent and accountable between elections. Restore and strengthen the independence of our public institutions-- particularly Parliament, Our courts, the E.C. and the institutions of accountability, like OSA and CHRAJ. Abolish article 71 benefits. Establish the direct election of MMDCE's.

Furthermore, we should demand the investigation of the major scandals of the 4th Republic, including Kume Preko, Agyapa, the Covid monies, The Takyiman massacre and other election violences etc with the help of rewards for whistle-blowers.

These constitutional reforms should be enacted before the 2024 elections.

I have reflected and prayed and respectfully ask the following to lead this effort. They will read this at the same time you do, my fellow Ghanaians. Plead with them and pray that unless impaired by health, they step forward.

They are

Justice Sophia Akuffo Brigadier Gen. Nunoo Mensah Archbishop Duncan Williams Mr. Kwame Pianim Togbe Afede XIV Ms Afia Pokuaa Mr. Kwesi Pratt Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe Speaker Kingsley Sumana Bagbin.

To those whose names are here, my apologies if you feel embarrassed or offended. This is NOT the summons of inconsequential Arthur K--they are summons from your desperate countrymen and women.

In the middle of the next year, when this agenda is set , the Presidential and Parliamentary candidates should be given a chance to pledge fealty to the people's agenda. If they don't, the movement should select and back candidates who will contest on and if elected, implement the movement's program.

These are uncertain times. An independent candidate, backed by a strong movement can be elected President, just as Thomas Yayi Bonni did in Benin in 2006. An unconventional candidate, even with flaws, can be elected just as Trump , who was a flawed businessman, was elected in the US in 2016!

My fellow Ghanaians, we are the men we have been waiting for!! Let's save Ghana peacefully for our posterity.

Please sing along with me

"Yen Ara Yen asase ni!"

May God bless you.

May God bless Ghana.

Arthur Kobina Kennedy

21st, September, 2023.
Tracing the footsteps of Osagyefo - Occasional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes

Kwesi Yankah Opinion Sep - 21 - 2023 , 20:33

21st September is Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, Osagyefos day of birth, and a public holiday. I take this opportunity to trail the great man within the pages of my new book, The Pen at Risk.

My book goes far beyond the intrigues and comedies of childhood. The thrill and drive in preparing the manuscript was the silhouette of Kwame Nkrumah that moves in and out of virtually every chapter in the book.

Altogether Kwame Nkrumah occupies 30 solid pages of this class essay on Myself, giving me very little breathing room as author.

Reading all that, my colleagues may have a field day complaining that I have disturbed their ears for too long with Kwame Nkrumah; they would probably pose the ultimate query, Kwesi Yankah koraa, arent you Nkrumaist?

To which I plead the right remain silent.

The thread of Nkrumahs presence runs through my childhood at Winneba Zion, where as a Young Pioneer I chanted Nkrumah is our Leader, Nkrumah is our Messiah, Nkrumah never dies aaaaa till he died. All school boys and girls in Zion primary, were by default Kwame Nkrumahs children.

That account is at the early part of my Winneba days (page 21), and receives a jolt on Nkrumahs overthrow in 1966, when I was at Winnesec. Even though our father had been overthrown, we did not go into orphanage; we rejoiced! (page 59).

My next major encounter was through the appointment of Nkrumahs poet, Okyeame Boafo Akuffo, to the Linguistics Department of Legon, to help build a library on oral traditions at the university.

That was years after Nkrumahs overthrow. It was that sage who gave Nkrumah the traditional title, Osagyefo (Saviour at War). Okyeame was the earliest to have piqued my interest in ethnography of communication.

But there was more of Nkrumah to come ahead of me. During my academic sojourn abroad including visits to Stanford, Pennsylvania, University of California, Santa Cruz; part of my latent passion was to trace the footsteps of Nkrumahs network.

Stanford University, I met one of Nkrumahs advisors, the great African American John St Clair Drake, who was head of sociology at Legon, from 1958-61.

I had voraciously read his book, Black Folk Here and There, while I was on Ford fellowship at Stanford. The climax was 1995, when I met eyeball to eyeball, the great Willie Abraham, Nkrumahs brilliant advisor and philosopher born in Cape Coast, but poached from Oxford by Nkrumah.

My interview with him in 1995 is a smooth read in the book; but so do I roll out Willie Abrahams letter to me as recently as 6th March, 2021. The son of Paa Willie Abraham, Henry, currently lives in Ghana and was at my book launch last month.

Early in the year, I had sought to get Legon to invite Willie Abraham who now lives in England, to come over and give a rare public lecture to mark the Universitys 75th anniversary, and to consolidate his historic links with Legon and Ghana. It was, however, too late for the anniversarys program, I was told.

My visit to Upenn in 1998 as a visiting professor, was by accident a great opportunity, to trace further the footsteps of Kwame Nkrumah. University of Pennsylvania was where Nkrumah did his masters in education in 1941 and started a doctorate which he never finished.

The University made available to me a rare pix of Nkrumah receiving a citation from U Penn, in 1958. Most importantly, I got access to brief written remarks on Nkrumah by his professors ahead of his honor. One of his professors refers to him as follows, Nkrumah gave hints of a subtle sense of humor; individualistic, somewhat aloof, and preoccupied (page 221).

And who would have snubbed an opportunity while I was at U Penn, to also visit Lincoln University only one and half hours away from Philadelphia. Lincoln University is where Osagyefo obtained a bachelors in theology. At this spot in 1999, I heaved a sigh of triumph, touching the busts of Kwame Nkrumah and Nnamdi Azikiwe conspicuously displayed.

The two were past students of Lincoln, but also first presidents of Ghana and Nigeria respectively. See how reverently American universities honor their heroes!

The period 2003-06 opened me up further to Kwame Nkrumah, his academic initiatives and the domestic dilemmas he span in Ghanas academia.

I had been appointed as Honorary Secretary of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, a great academic think tank Osagyefo established in 1959, the first in sub Saharan Africa. I was serving along with distinguished scholars: Venerable Nana Dr SKB Asante, distinguished lawyer and Paramount Chief of Asokore Mampong as President; Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, Vice President for the Sciences; Professor Kwame Gyekye, Vice President for the Humanities, and Professor Ewura Ama Addy, Honorary Treasurer. During my orientation, I read voraciously of the drama within academia on Nkrumahs overthrow in 1966; and this I elaborate in my book.

Not only was Nkrumah dismissed from the Academy he himself had founded; the University of Ghana added to the theatre: its Governing Council officially saluted the gallant men of the Ghana Armed Forces for overthrowing Kwame Nkrumah. The premier university went further to pull Nkrumahs books from shelves and publicly set them on fire. Universities including KNUST also purged Nkrumaists from the midst.

We have indeed come a long way.

Today, Ghana has come terms with itself. The book explains the process of carefully restoring Nkrumah at the Ghana Academy; the name Kwame Nkrumah had been restored in Kumasis KNUST, and also as a dorm in my alma mater Winnesec (Nkrumah House).

Furthermore the dynamic MP of Winneba, Alex Afenyo Markin, has recently produced a giant monument at the Winneba Junction, where Nkrumah and J. B. Danquah are locked in a handshake.

The rehabilitation at the national level is clearly the brightest and best: the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum has been refurbished and relaunched, by the nephew of his nemesis J B Danquah: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic. I was quietly seated at a nook that day watching proceedings at the ceremony. Today the mutilated parts of Kwame Nkrumah are on the mend.

Lets salute the Danquah family, for their enormous capacity to have quietly endured the agony: the tragic death of J B. Danquah in Nkrumahs prisons, a victim of Nkrumahs dreaded detention without trial. But let University of Ghana also put far behind, the merciless battering of academic freedom under the Nkrumah dictatorship.

Ghana, lets build on the prevailing harmony, and consider this Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day a great thing after all, an even greater opportunity to hold hands and salute Osagyefo, and point to any angel in this world who is without fault.
Briphildon Foundation calls for African renaissance

GraphicOnline Sep - 21 - 2023 , 05:59

The Briphildon Foundation, a registered non-governmental and humanitarian-based organisation, has called on leaders and citizens alike to embark on a transformative journey towards industrializing and retuning minds and attitudes in helping reshape Africas destiny.

In a statement released on Thursday, September 21, 2023, to mark Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, Bright Philip Donkor, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Briphildon Foundation, emphasised the need for society to break free from the stereotypes that have plagued the continent for far too long and shift the focus towards economic freedom and trade driven by Africans, for Africans, with a global perspective.

The statement implored every Ghanaian to deconstruct the social and economic constructs that have held them back and to embrace a renewed sense of pride and liberty in their African identity.

The statement asserted that Ghanas sovereignty hinges on this transformation and urged Africans to not merely inhabit the continent but to embody African values, thereby fostering greater freedom and liberty over elections and governance.

Lets imbibe this and our lives will never be the same, the statement indicated, leaving a series of thought-provoking questions for all to ponder on. Bright Philip Donkor in the statement challenged whether Africa can join the ranks of America, Europe, and Asia in progressing towards economic and social prosperity.

Worthy of progress

He stressed in the statement that the African people are not undeserving of monumental progress, and sparked curiosity about Ghanas future, asking where the nation will stand in the next 40 years.

As we observe September 21 to commemorate Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs birthday and his achievements as Ghanas first President, the Briphildon Foundation extends heartfelt greetings to the people of Ghana and the international community. This significant day holds profound importance in our history and serves as a powerful reminder of our collective aspirations as a nation. Today is a Statutory Public Holiday throughout Ghana, and we encourage everyone to observe it with respect, the statement indicated.

The Briphildon Foundation also underscored the importance of drawing strength from past adversities, seizing the initiative, and propelling Africa forward. It believed that the 21st century will be Africas time to shine, where limitless possibilities can be realized, and the continents greatness firmly established.

The statement, however, acknowledged that while progress had been made since independence, democratic governance in Africa, including Ghana, had faced setbacks, and economic success stories had been rare on the continent.

The Foundation stressed the importance of thinking anew and asking critical questions to address Africas challenges and avoid losing momentum. It further called for a deeper understanding of these issues through critical questioning and the formulation of innovative solutions.

Collective efforts

The Briphildon Foundation also reiterated the need for a united effort to uplift Ghanas standing on the global stage, stressing that African identity should encompass not only culture and geography but also freedom and policies that promote economic growth.

Bright Philip Donkor in the statement urged leaders to provide the necessary support, freedom and protection for wealth generation through businesses, transcending party politics for the greater good. The statement highlighted the importance of individual contributions to nation-building, noting, One does not need to be a politician to make a difference in the country.

The Foundation, therefore, emphasised that everyone, regardless of status, qualification, position, or prestige, can play a role in shaping the future of Ghana. The statement further highlighted Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs role in uniting loyalists and patriots to achieve independence and create an African personality that influenced global politics.
Chief Imam, Qatari Ambassador inaugurate learning centre

Daily Graphic Sep - 20 - 2023 , 11:17

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, and the Qatari Ambassador to Ghana, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Homaid, have inaugurated a multipurpose edifice to serve as a mosque and a learning centre for Muslims within the Abokobi area.

The one-storey building is part of the middle eastern nations charity mission in the country.

Known as the Al-Rahma Centre for learning (Mercy Centre), the building located at Abokobi in the Ga East Municipal District, has three classrooms, a head teachers office, toilet, bathroom, borehole and a backyard compound capable of hosting about 400 people at a time.

Each classroom has the capacity to hold 40 students, with the mosque situated at the ground level capable of hosting 430 worshippers.



Learning the Holy Quran

Sheikh Sharubutu, who earlier cut the sod for the construction of the edifice in 2017, said it would provide the needed avenue for Muslims of all ages interested in learning how to read and memorise the Holy Quran and its meaning and significance in order to learn some moral values in the society.

He expressed the hope that the centre, through the learning orientation it offered, would equip children to grow to become faithful companions of the Holy prophet of Islam so much that worldly concepts such as work, businesses or wealth would not deter them from being devoted to the worship of Allah.

The Islamic Cleric urged the community members and Imams to work together to maintain the place so that future generations would also benefit from it.

Mahmoud Jibriel, who donated the parcel of land for the construction of the centre, also expressed his gratitude to the Qatar Charity team for fully financing the project and reiterated the call on the Muslim community to participate in the maintenance and full utilisation of the centre.

He stated that he was moved to donate the land because he believed that it was imperative for both Muslim men and women to study the Holy Quran.

Qatar Charity

The Country Director of Qatar Charity, Hasan Owda, also commended all partners who played various roles towards the success of the project and thanked the national Chief Imam for his relentless efforts.

He stated that the charitys mission of kind gestures to society had just begun and called for continuous cooperation between the organisation, communities and all stakeholders to enable the Qatar Charity to support government efforts to provide quality health care, educational support and livelihood empowerment programmes.

Mr Owda used the opportunity to highlight some projects which were recently inaugurated by the organisation including a clinic at Bisikan in Wa, a mosque, borehole, classroom at Dodowa, a borehole each at the Liberia camp at Buduburam, and at Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region as well as two mosques at Ablekuma in Accra.
Doli Bridge collapse diverts Bole-Wa traffic

Mohammed Fugu Sep - 20 - 2023 , 11:22

Road transport from Bole to Wa in northern Ghana has been cut off following a collapsed bridge on the route.

The bridge at Doli in the Bole District is said to have been washed away after a dam by the side of the road burst last Sunday.

The road from Bole in the Savannah Region to Wa in the Upper West Region has since become impassable, leaving commuters stranded.

Consequently, the Ministry of Roads and Transport has advised motorists to use alternative routes to access the areas.

A statement from the Ghana Highway Authority said preliminary investigation indicates that the dam overflowed its banks following a four-hour downpour resulting in the bridge being washed away by floodwaters.

Alternative routes

The statement thus advised motorists travelling on the affected route to consider alternative routes for their movement.

"Our preliminary investigations suggest that the washout was caused by a broken dam by the side of the road.

"Motorists from Wa and its surroundings travelling to the south are advised to turn off at Sawla and use the Sawla-Fufulso Road to connect the N10 (Techiman to Kintampo Road).

"Motorists going to Wa from the south should use the Techiman-Kintampo Road and turn off at Fufulso Junction and use the Fufulso-Sawla Road to Sawla and subsequently to Wa and beyond," the statement advised.

It further directed commuters from Wenchi to Wa to use the New Longoro to Kintampo Road on the N10.

It added that engineers and other technical staff were working "diligently to address the situation as quickly as practicable."

Assessment

The Savannah Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril, and some officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) visited the affected area to assess the extent of damage.

Mr Jibril indicated that the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the GHA were currently working around the clock to address the situation as soon as possible.
Occupy Jubilee House demo: Police arrest 49 suspects

Kweku Zurek Sep - 21 - 2023 , 18:35

The Police announced on Thursday that it had apprehended 49 individuals linked to an unlawful assembly and violation of the Public Order Act.

These suspects, arrested in the early hours of Thursday, September 21, were allegedly gathered with the intention of protesting in front of the Jubilee House, the official residence of the Ghanaian government.

Presently in custody to aid in the investigation, they were arrested within the vicinity of the Jubilee House and the 37 Military Hospital area.

NEWS RELEASE:

POLICE ARREST 49 SUSPECTS FOR UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY AND VIOLATION OF PUBLIC ORDER ACT pic.twitter.com/KPROj6B9rr  Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) September 21, 2023

"The arrest follows the blatant disregard of the court order served on the organizers of the Democracy Hub group, which aimed to prevent them from staging a planned demonstration in the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September 2023," stated the Police in an official release.

"We wish to emphasize that the Police do not derive pleasure from barring any group from demonstrating, as the force has a track record of ensuring security during protests in the past. The exception, in this instance, is the disagreement with the organizers regarding the venue, given the Jubilee House's status as a security zone.

"In light of the above, we reiterate our stance on the necessity for the general public, in the interest of public order and safety, to disregard any invitations by the organizers to participate in any unlawful demonstration until the court's decision on the matter on 26th September 2023."

The demonstrators, donning black and red attire, had planned to advocate for various reforms, including a reduction in the cost of living, an end to corruption, and enhanced governance.

Earlier, after the protest organizers had made their intentions known, the Police had announced obtaining a court injunction to halt the protest.

Subsequently, a statement was issued by the Police, warning against participation in the protest on September 21.

However, the organizers contended that they had not received any court notice preventing them from proceeding with the protest, hence their presence at the designated gathering point that morning.

While en route to the police station, one of the organizers, Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor, shared a video on his social media platforms, expressing the groups disappointment with the Police.

Mr. Vormawor, who had previously been detained in a similar protest, appealed to lawyers across the nation to extend legal assistance to the detained protestors.

He also called for solidarity from the public and the media.
Police reinforce presence at Jubilee House, planned Nkrumah Day 'demo' by group quelled

Graphic.com.gh Sep - 21 - 2023 , 06:46

The police on Thursday morning reinforced their presence at the Jubilee House ahead of a planned protest by a group at the frontage of the presidency.

As of 6 am Thursday [Sept 21], Graphic Online observed that more police officers had gathered at the frontage of the Jubilee House to reinforce the usual police presence in the area.

Protest quelled by police

The organisers of the protest had planned to assemble at the 37 Military Hospital bus station (trotro station), from where they were going to march to the Jubilee House.

But police officers quelled the protest and arrested the protesters, who were less than 50.

Those arrested were taken to various police stations in Accra.

As of 10 am, there was still police presence at the 37 Military Hospital bus station and any protester, wearing black or red who was seen around the area was arrested by the police.

Injunction

The Ghana Police Service in a statement on Wednesday [Sept 20] said it has filed an application at the High Court in Accra and successfully served organisers of the planned demonstration within the vicinity of Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September, 2023.

An Accra-based civil society group organising the protest, Democracy Hub, had earlier notified the Police of their planned protest on Nkrumah Memorial Day to call on the President and members of the Economic Management Team to #FixTheCountry in light of the level of economic mismanagement and theft that has engulfed our government from the highest levels.

The picketing will also allow citizens to express their opposition to the proposed military intervention in Niger as well as any other government policy decisions or initiatives, it added.

According to the group, the selection of Nkrumah Memorial Day is vital to the message they want to put across as it commemorates the spirit of resilience and resistance that led the struggle against oppression and dispossession.

On Thursday morning, some of the protesters who gathered were arrested by the police.

NEWS RELEASE:



POLICE REFUTE CLAIM OF NON-SERVICE OF COURT PROCESS BY THE CONVENERS OF DEMOCRACY HUB pic.twitter.com/hJXy2NBO3D  Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) September 20, 2023

Police reaction

In a press statement on Wednesday, the police announced that an application has been filed against the protest at the High Court and urged the public not to support the protest.

The Police further urged 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 as the parties wait for the court to determine the matter.

We equally wish to urge the organisers to respect the due process in the interest of public order and public safety, it added.

Jubilee House demo to proceed despite Police injunction application

Meanwhile, the organisers of the planned picket of Jubilee House have assured the public that the protest will proceed despite an injunction application filed at the court by the police.

The organisers, Democracy Hub, planned to demonstrate within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd September 2023.

The Hub expressed its disappointment at the partisan attempts by the Police to disrupt peaceful and democratic mobilization for our upcoming Occupy Julorbi House picket.

The group therefore urged the public in a press release to disregard the police communication and convene at the 37 Trotro Station for the protest.

Below is a copy of the press release by the group, Democracy Hub
NDC condemns Police actions against Occupy Jubilee House protesters

GraphicOnline Politics Sep - 21 - 2023 , 18:59

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed disappointment and concern over the reported use of excessive force against protesters participating in the abortive Occupy Jubilee House demonstration in the early hours of today.

In a press release issued by the NDC's General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party conveyed its sadness at the use of such aggressive tactics by the Police.

The NDC deems this display of brute force as contradictory to the ongoing transformation efforts by the Inspector General of Police (IGP)to elevate the Ghana Police Service into a leading institution.

The party said it found it regrettable that the police would resort to violence and curtailment of human rights as a means to address grievances.

Reflecting on Ghana's 31-year democratic journey, the NDC expressed dismay that more peaceful avenues were not sought to address the concerns raised by the protesters. The party views this incident as a significant regression for Ghana's democracy.

The NDC further called on the police to employ professional and judicious methods in handling such situations and called for the prompt release of those who have been detained in connection to the protest.

In a show of solidarity, the NDC extended empathy to protesters who have sustained injuries or been taken into custody by the police.

The party urged all progressive factions to stand together with the NDC in providing legal and other forms of support to those affected by the police actions.

Read the entire statement below;

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

For Immediate Release

21st September, 2023

NDC CONDEMNS POLICE BRUTALITIES ON OCCUPY JUBILEE HOUSE PROTESTERS

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has learned with great disappointment the brutality meted out on the Occupy Jubilee House protesters in the early hours of today.

The NDC is saddened by such crude tactics being deployed by the Police at a time when the IGP is being applauded for making efforts toward transforming the Ghana Police Service into the best institution in the country.

This shameful show of brute force runs counter to that. It's regrettable the police would think that violence and suppression of human rights is the best way to address issues.

After 31 years of our democratic journey, it is a crying shame that we cannot find more peaceful ways to address these issues. This is a massive step backward for our democracy.

We hereby call on the police to use professional means to handle these issues and to release the arrested protesters forthwith.

In the spirit of solidarity, we extend empathy to protesters who have been injured and/or detained by the police. We hereby call on all progressive forces to join the NDC to provide legal and other support to assist all the protesters who have been arrested or injured by the police.

Signed

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey General Secretary
Ongoing limited registration exercise: underage challenge tops list in Ashanti

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Politics Sep - 21 - 2023 , 13:32

A total of 370 challenges from various registration points were recorded in the Ashanti Region by the Electoral Commission in the first week of the limited voter registration exercise.

Out of the number, 211 of them were related to underage registration challenges.



The Ashanti Regional Director of the EC, Benjamin Bannor-Bio described the incidents of minors attempting to register as worrisome.



He has therefore appealed to all stakeholders within the electoral process, particularly the political parties and assembly members not to encourage underage persons to register.



In an interview with Graphic Onlines Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor on the ongoing limited registration exercise, he said the issue of underage registration was becoming rampant.



He explained that as a result of the upcoming election for assembly members, some aspirants were bussing people to the district offices including the underage for them to register with the hope that they will vote for them.

Mr Bannor-Bio appealed to all to protect the sanctity of the register by ensuring that unqualified people were not allowed to register.

He admitted that the exercise experienced some teething challenges such as network connectivity and large queues at some of the registration centres.



However, he said all those challenges have been resolved and the kits increased from two to three to ease the pressure at some of the centres that recording high turnouts.



All in all, he said the exercise has so far been peaceful and orderly.


Jennifer ("Jennie") Melvin pleaded not guilty to charges filed against her during an arraignment last Thursday afternoon in the Third District Court of Judge Richard Lavery.

Melvin, the City of Green River's former URA/Main Street Administrator, is charged with two counts of alleged felony theft over $1,000. She is suspected of embezzlement from the Green River Urban Renewal Agency (URA) and Flaming Gorge Days (FGD).

A trial date was set for January 8, 2024.

According to the probable cause affidavit from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), "a total of $42,942.55 was stolen out of the FGD account by Melvin between June 8, 2022 and May 21, 2023," resulting in the first theft count, and "a total of $34,551.53 was stolen from the URA account by Melvin between January 14, 2021 and May 30, 2023," resulting in the second theft count.

Melvin had an initial appearance in circuit court but waived the preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to district court and assigned to Judge Lavery.

Melvin's bond was continued after initially being set at $75,000, which Melvin posted shortly after being arrested.
The Bureau of Land Management's Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs Field Office has been the topic of much discussion lately, from government leaders to local wildlife groups. Amidst the discussion, many are preparing for the upcoming meetings hosted by the BLM, and some are hoping for even more time to weigh in.

The only BLM meeting on the RMP taking place in Sweetwater County is scheduled to be in Rock Springs from 3 to 6 p.m. next Wednesday, September 27. This week the BLM announced that the location for the meeting had changed. The meeting will now take place in the ballroom at the Rock Springs Holiday Inn located at 1675 Sunset Drive in Rock Springs.

"These meetings will be an open house, informational format with written comment opportunities for the public," the BLM press release explained.

"The most important thing I can tell the public is go to the hearings and ask the important questions," Sweetwater County Commissioner Mary Thoman said. "'How is this going to affect my job? As well as my hunting and fishing access?' . . . Ask to see the maps that will show the difference between the different alternatives."

Thoman also explained that among the four alternatives, Alternative A would keep things as they are, Alternative B would focus on conservation, Alternative C would focus on resource development, and "Alternative D is the one that we worked on as cooperators with the BLM for 12 years."

While the BLM has chosen Alternative B as the "preferred alternative," Thoman pointed out that it the RMP is still in the draft stage, which is why the public comment period is important.

"This does not mean it's a done deal," Thoman said of the BLM choosing a preferred alternative. "It means that we have a 90-day comment period, or more if we can get an extension of time."

The 90-day public comment period began on August 18 and is set to conclude November 16.

For many, this isn't enough time.

"What has become very apparent is that the 90-day comment period is not enough for us or anybody else to review it properly and provide meaningful, substantive comments on behalf of Sweetwater County," Commissioner Island Richard said during Tuesday's meeting.

The Sweetwater Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the sending of a letter requesting a 120-day extension of the comment period.

Wyoming House District 39 Represetative Cody Wylie also spoke to the commissioners during the public comment section of Tuesday's meeting, explaining that members of the Wyoming Legislature will be asking for more time to comment on the RMP draft.

"There will be a letter drafted in support for an extension on the time period for the public comment on the upcoming RMP," Wylie explained. "That's going to be signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. There will also be a similar letter drafted and signed by multiple representatives and senators."

"I'd also encourage every board, organization, any individual out there that's concerned about this process to make that same request to the BLM," Commissioner Richards said.
Xiaomi is preparing to launch the Redmi Note 13 Pro series, and it revealed even more spicy details ahead of the event. According to the official Redmi page on Weibo, the Note 13 Pro series will have a variant with 16 GB LPPDR5 RAM and 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage - specs that are generally for premium and flagship phones and not midrangers.



Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro series features

The post did not say whether it will be a Note 13 Pro or Note 13 Pro+ smartphone, and it is fair to assume it will be the latter. The page also posted a teaser for 120W fast charging and a 5,000 mAh battery, and we believe it will also go to the Plus version, with the regular Pro sticking to slower charging rates like 67W.



Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro series features

The front of the phone will be mostly flat, with just a 2.27 mm thin bezel and one punch hole for the selfie camera. The biggest question around these Redmi devices is how much they would cost and when we should expect them on the international market.

All teased specs and features look promising, and the Redmi Note 13 Pro devices could shake up the overcrowded upper-midrange market once again.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
Attendees to the most recent CAHA exhibit in Hagatna will get to see Guams beautiful scenery through the paintings of Jeff Skvaril for the first time in five years.

The exhibit entitled, Oratio et labor, a motto the artist says he lives by, can be seen on the 2nd floor in the DNA building until Friday, Sept. 28.

The theme of the exhibit is that there is no theme. I guess you could say the theme is just my reaction to my environment in a very broad way. Im going off in several directions in my works, says Skvaril.

The 74-year-old Humatak artist has been featured in many exhibits throughout the years and his work can be found around the island. The established Guam painter who is mostly known for using watercolor and acrylic is now ready to showcase his oil paintings, a medium hes been studying and practicing with for the last five years.

Because of COVID-19 and all of that, its been five years since Ive had my works displayed. Im always showing work that I have, but this time, I wanted to do a solo show with a lot of paintings to fill up a gallery, says Skvaril.

Guams scenic views are the inspiration behind Skvarils oil paintings.

For the majority of his life, hes lived on Guam and will be reaching his 50th year on island within the next couple of months.

Im always searching for beauty. When I see it, I want to experience it. In order to make paintings out of something that you have a strong feeling for, you have to spend a lot of time with that image and you really have to try to incorporate that into your paintings, says Skvaril.

His paintings depict the ocean, mom-and pop-stores, festivals and churches, and out of all of them, Skvaril refuses to pick a favorite.

I have to say that its the one I havent done yet. If I felt like I reached the mountain top, I wouldnt have any other reason to make another one. Im always hoping that the work Im doing today is going to be my best work, says Skvaril.

The Oratio et labor exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday until Sept. 28 at the Guam CAHA Gallery on the 2nd floor of the DNA building in Hagatna.
Government agencies denial of a Dededo outdoor firing ranges business license over public safety and zoning concerns was proper, according to an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General, which also said a binding agreement could be worked out for the business to continue to operate at a safer location.

Interface Inc., doing business as Sportsland, failed to comply with all the four requirements established in 1982 in order for them to lawfully and safely operate their firing range and obtain a renewed license, Attorney General Douglas Moylan said in a nine-page opinion issued on Thursday.

The most important aspect of firearms use is safety. The recent use of this firing range falls short of a safe shooting environment, Moylan wrote in his legal opinion.

Department of Land Management Director Joseph Borja and Department of Revenue and Taxation Director Dafne Mansapit-Shimizu sought legal guidance on the matter, following concerns from the business operator, their supporters and residents in the area.

Moylan said the courts always remain an option for Sportsland to pursue any rights or privileges that they believe they are entitled to receive.

This, after significant time and taxpayer resources have been expended to accommodate Sportsland, he said.

Through collective efforts, according to the AG, a path has been created for Sportsland to continue its operations, without any obligation for the government to do so.

This AG recommends that either an agreement be reached in the form drafted, or that Sportsland requests (Guam Land Use Commission), (Chamorro Land Trust Commission and possibly legislative assistance for a more viable, isolated lot which ensures our public safety, Moylan wrote.

DLM, he said, is prepared to assist the AGs office and Sportsland in finding a safer and possibly more profitable location for the business to relocate to, and be able to safely use rifles on the firing range as well.

No fence

The attorney general said the safety requirements were agreed to by a different business that Sportsland bought rights from, which acquired a 1982 variance over 40 years ago.

One of the conditions for the conditional use zoning variance for the facility was the installation of a 6-foot fence topped with barbed wire on three sides of the property, which the AG said is not currently being met and does not appear to have been met.

A curious young child from one of the nearby homes, the AG said, could try to get into the range and be accidentally killed by gunfire.

The legal opinion also said there is no evidence that the range meets the National Rifle Association standards for an outdoor shooting range or firing range for pistols and rifles.

Although offering a recreational service to the public, Sportsland remains a privately owned corporation that profits off the tourism industry and local residents by operating their for-profit business, the AG said.

GovGuam granted the original business license in the early 80s, and the shooting range received conditional approval to be constructed.

The range changed ownership and in 2018, John and Taylor Sablan received their first business license as the range owners. At a roundtable discussion at the AGs office in August, the Sablans said every year that it comes time to renew the range license, it takes more than a month.

When the range got its renewal for 2022, a note accompanied it saying that it needed an inspection. This year, they were going through the inspection process to fulfill the new requirement in order to get its renewal when the business received from Rev & Tax a notice of violation, and order to cease and desist business activities.

The roundtable heard from those who support and oppose the outdoor firing range operations at its current location.

The AG said when the range operation business was considered in the 80s, it was noted that there was only one family living way in the back of the range. But after more than 40 years, more houses have been built near it.
Spectators and bet callers, their arms raised, make final wagers before a cockfight at the Dededo Game Club in this 2019 file photo
A series of Tamuning break-ins ended with the arrest of a man who was living in a makeshift tent near the entrances of the burglarized businesses, according to a magistrate's complaint filed in Superior Court.

Dylan Patrick Gogue, 36, was charged Thursday with three counts of burglary as a second-degree felony and theft as a misdemeanor.

On Wednesday, Guam Airport Police officers responded to a burglary at the Rhino Lining Store in Tamuning, where they learned the warehouse had been broken into numerous times and items stolen between Sept. 11 and 14.

The company president told officers that part of the warehouse is rented out to Peak Performance.

Officers viewed surveillance footage that showed a shirtless man wearing black shorts carrying two big black boxes  described as subwoofer boxes - through a broken gate at the location. Footage from other days showed the same man carrying aluminum pipes, a desk board, a roll of extension cords and an industrial fan from the building.

The owner of Peak Performance told police two subwoofer boxes valued at $300, a plasma cutter valued at $400 and a blue cooler of unknown value had been stolen.

A padlock appeared to have been cut with heavy-duty bolt cutters, according to the complaint.

One of the men suspected a former employee of being involved in the theft. The suspect, later identified as Gogue, lived in a makeshift tent located in front of Rhino Lining and Peak Performance.

When questioned by police, Gogue admitted to breaking into the warehouse after cutting the padlock with a bolt cutter, the complaint stated. He showed police the bolt cutter, which was confiscated, and relinquished some of the stolen items.




Haiti - Politic : Haiti and Kenya establish diplomatic relations





Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Jean Victor Geneus, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti and Alfred N. Mutua, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kenya signed an agreement officially establishing dilomatic relations between the two countries.



Kenyan President William Ruto and Haitian Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry attended the signing of the agreement at the Kenyan mission in New York.



In his intervention, President Rito called for a holistic approach including political, security and development considerations to effectively address the situation in Haiti and affirmed that Kenya would do its part by leading a multinational security support mission, endowed of sufficient and effective resources in Haiti.



For his part, Ariel Henry declared that Haiti needed all the necessary support to meet the immense challenges facing the country and stressed that the Haitian people impatiently await the elimination of the criminal gangs which have sowed terror in the country since 2021.



Text of the agreement signed by the two countries :

"Desiring to promote and strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries for the mutual benefit of the people of the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of Kenya and in the pursuit of common interests;



Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law and Treaties, particularly with regard to the promotion of international peace and security, equality among States, national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of April 24, 1963;



Have decided to establish diplomatic relations, from the date of signing of this Joint Communique and have agreed to exchange Ambassadors following the processes established through diplomatic channels;



In witness whereof, the undersigned Representatives, authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Joint Communique in two original copies in French and in English, both texts being equally authentic."



HL/ PI/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Crisis : Message of hope from the Catholic Bishops of Haiti





The Permanent Secretariat of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Haiti has published a message intended for the people of God, the men and women of good will of our country.



We, Bishops of the Catholic Church in Haiti, resound "the cry of an entire people in the face of abandonment", and live with bitterness and pain the suffering of our people caused by the blind violence of heavily armed bandits, cynicism and the indifference of political leaders, and the hesitations of the international community.



" [...] For approximately four years, our country has been experiencing one of the longest and deadliest socio-political and security crises in its entire history. The whole people, the whole country, are affected to the core. [...] The metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince is almost entirely controlled by armed bandits, organized into gangs. In the Artibonite department, strategic points are abandoned to their terrorist actions.



The population is taken hostage by the merciless violence of gangs and their allies; it is screwed in the inaction and complicit silence of the government [...] We see the thick shadows advancing in Haiti "of violence in the service of petty interests of power, greed and division (3)". The daily terrors in Carrefour-Feuilles, in Lilavois (to name only these places), the massacre in the Canaan area, seem to confirm that gangs are given carte blanche to act against the population [...] Violence generates violence, hatred begets more hatred and death more death."



[...] It seems that we have already exhausted all ordinary and normal ways. What must we do as Churches and people in dire straits to change the situation and prevent armed gangs from killing us, from massacring us all ? For more than three years no cry, no moral force has been able to stop them. And yet we must break this chain and prevent it from sinking even further [...]



As Pope Francis states, "becoming a people requires a constant process in which each new generation finds itself engaged. It is slow and arduous work which requires allowing oneself to be integrated, and learning to do so to the point of developing a culture of encounter in multifaceted harmony" [...]



So for the umpteenth time, we propose to progress together "towards a social and political order whose soul will be social charity. We ask all the people of God who are in Haiti, all the baptized here and elsewhere and all our ecclesial institutions to remain actively, in these dark hours of our history as a people [...] Wherever we are, even in the most remote corners, our solidarity, our closeness, our prayer, our exhortations as citizens and as a people can contribute to this. We invite the priests in all the parishes of the ten dioceses of the country, the religious and the lay faithful to organize a real chain of prayers, especially a novena of prayer on the occasion of the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, for deliverance, liberation of our dear country from the influence and violence of gangs.



We also continue to support with hope the efforts towards the peaceful resolution of this multidimensional crisis. We encourage all initiatives taken to stop the flow of blood and to protect the vulnerable population left to its own devices. We reaffirm loud and clear to the world that this genocide must be stopped. We ask those currently in power to take concrete and strong actions for true historical reconciliation here and today in Haiti.



We also demand that the public authorities and other sectors of the nation stop at the same time their complicity and their support for armed gangs, that the police become the ally of the population, that political-social dialogue is built on based on the real needs of the people. May the solution formulas used for too long and which achieve nothing urgently give way to others to put an end to this inhuman situation which we are trying to survive and which is the shame of such a great nation [...]"



Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien)

President of the CEH



Signatures of the Bishops:



Mgr Launay SATURNE

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien

President of the CEH



Mgr Max Leroy MESIDOR

Metropolitan Archbishop of Port-au-Prince

Vice-President of the CEH



Mgr Desinord JEAN

Bishop of Hinche

Bursar of the CEH



Chibly Cardinal LANGLOIS

Bishop of Cayes

Advise



Mgr Pierre Andre DUMAS

Bishop of Anse-a-Veau / Miragoane



Mgr Joseph Gontrand DECOSTE, SJ

Bishop of Jeremiah



Mgr Yves Marie PEAN, CSC

Bishop of Gonaives



Mgr Marie Erick Glandas TOUSSAINT

Bishop of Jacmel



Mgr Quesnel ALPHONSE, SMM.

Bishop of Fort-Liberte



Mgr Carles Peters BARTHELUS

Bishop of Port-de-Paix



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Public meetings set on Saluda Grade Trail

Two public drop-in meetings have been scheduled on the Saluda Grade Trail during which people can learn more about the proposed trail and share their goals, ideas and concerns.

We are excited about the opportunity to meet with the community to discuss the next phase of use for this iconic rail corridor," said Kristin Cozza, Trails and Greenways Coordinator for Conserving Carolina. "We want to ensure that this project reflects the community's vision and priorities.

The first public meetings will take place:

5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Inman library in Inman, S.C.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Polk County High School in Columbus.

During the drop-in meetings participants may circulate through various stations, where they will have opportunities to give input on various aspects of the trail. The input will inform the overall vision for the trail. RSVP for the public meetings is encouraged but not required. To RSVP visit saludagradetrail.org.

The Saluda Grade Trail is a proposed 31-mile rail trail that would follow the route of the historic Saluda Grade rail, running through Campobello, Inman and Landrum in South Carolina and Tryon, Saluda and Zirconia in North Carolina. The Saluda Grade Trail is being spearheaded by a coalition of nonprofits in the Carolinas Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever.

The coalition has engaged the firm Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. to conduct an economic impact and feasibility study, which began this summer. After the public meetings, the coalition will launch an online survey. For updates on the trail, including opportunities for future public input ot to sign up for emails, visit saludagradetrail.org.
The Ministry of Justice in Georgia has officially announced its approval to terminate the citizenship of the former Chief Prosecutor, Otar Partskhaladze. The ministry issued a statement to this effect."In response to the public interest, we are sharing the information that the State Services Development Agency has recommended the termination of Otar Partskhaladze's citizenship. The relevant decision has been transmitted to the President of Georgia," read the statement.The President has granted prior approval for this action. President Salome Zourabichvili is now prepared to promptly revoke the citizenship of former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze upon receiving the necessary decision.After Acting President of the National Bank, Natia Turnava, announced the lifting of restrictions on Otar Partskhaladze's accounts during a briefing, Vice President Papuna Lezhava resigned from his position. He subsequently shared a copy of his resignation statement on social media.It was later revealed that Archil Mestvirishvili, the vice-president and a board member of the National Bank, was also stepping down. Mestvirishvili explained his decision on Facebook, stating, "I cannot be a participant in a decision that I neither influence nor agree with," in an interview with the BMG publication.Another vice president and board member, Nikoloz Gagua, also confirmed his resignation from the National Bank of Georgia.
Jewish actor and comedian Andy Samberg (l) portrays World War II photographer David E. Scherman, right in the biographical film "Lee."

(JTA) - An historic wartime photography partnership from the 1940s - often credited as the first to capture many of the horrors of the Holocaust - is getting the Hollywood treatment.

Kate Winslet stars in "Lee" as model-turned-wartime-photojournalist Lee Miller, who often worked alongside David E. Scherman, a Jewish photographer portrayed in the film by Jewish actor and comedian Andy Samberg. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival last weekend.

Miller, then employed by Conde Nast, and Scherman, employed by LIFE Magazine, were among the first to enter the city of Nuremb...
Phish, shown performing in 2004, have cultivated a following that tracks them with religious fervor

(JTA) - Those who are Jewish or Phish fans - or both - have likely noticed at one point: Jews really seem to love Phish.

There are many possible reasons for this, starting with the fact that the genre-bending jam band has many ardent fans of all stripes, having sold millions of albums and played to enormous festival crowds for decades. Two of the band members - bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman - are also Jewish, and the group has been known to play Jewish songs such as "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" and "Avinu Malkeinu" live.

But there's something else - a certain kind of spiritual a...
(JTA)  At least two more synagogues in the United States evacuated their congregants over the weekend following bomb threats, the latest in a series of such calls that have put dozens of congregations on high alert heading into the High Holidays.

One of the synagogues was threatened during the pre-Rosh Hashanah Selichot services on Saturday night, in a sign that the perpetrators of the wave of attacks are paying careful attention to when synagogues are holding events before calling in their threats.

Since mid-July, at least 49 synagogues in 13 states have received the threatening calls,...
(JNS)  U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week, according to Axios.

It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two men since Netanyahu returned to power nearly nine months ago.

Three U.S. officials confirmed to the news site that the two leaders will not meet at the White House and that an internal debate occurred in Bidens political circle regarding whether they should meet at the Oval Office or at U.N. headquarters, with some supporting the White House meeting...
StandWithUs, a 22-year-old international non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism is pleased to announce that Mikayla Rosenwasser of Boone High School and Allie Bielski of UCF are participating in the 2023-24 Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship and the Emerson Fellowship.

Mikayla Rosenwasser of Boone High School is the StandWithUs High School Kenneth Leventhal High School Intern.

Recognizing that education needs to begin before students enter college, StandWithUs created the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship in 2012. The program selects a...
(JNS)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says it is in the countrys national security interest to waive the imposition of sanctions on Iran and transfer $6 billion to the Iranian Republic in exchange for five detained Americans.

Candidates vying to be the next U.S. president, as well as other politicians and activists, disagree vehemently and say they didnt appreciate the Biden administrations announcement of the decision on Sept. 11 of all days.

While Americans mourn 9/11, [President Joe] Biden lines the pockets of the Iranian ayatollahs who provide safe harbor...
(JNS)  Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney accused Israelis and Jews of suppressing free speech after an event titled Can Black People and White People Work Together to Defeat Our Common Enemy, namely the Jews, was canceled on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The poster for the event, which McKinney shared to social media, features a Star of David under the word Enemy in the title and a picture of a book titled Jews Are the Problem.

The event, which the former Georgia congresswoman said she would be watching, was set to feature former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Kl...
View of the Israeli community of Asael in the South Hebron Hills, June 6, 2012.

(JNS) - The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday set the boundaries of three new communities in Judea, marking the first step in the legalization under Israeli law of nine outposts that received official government approval earlier this year.

Two of the new towns, Avigayil and Asael, are located in the South Hebron Hills, while the third, Beit Hogla, is part of the Megilot Regional Council near the Dead Sea.

IDF Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai on Wednesday night signed the order that defined the legal boundaries of the three communities. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotric...
(JTA)  Several Jewish groups are suing a large school district in Orange County over an ethnic studies curriculum they allege is antisemitic and was approved covertly in violation of California law requiring public participation in decision making.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by the Anti-Defamation League, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, the American Jewish Committee and Potomac Law Group, with support from StandWithUs, seeks to bar the Santa Ana Unified School District from implementing the recently approved curriculum.

The lawsuit is an early entrant into what co...
(JTA)  A prominent member of an American neo-Nazi group has been extradited to the Netherlands, where he will stand trial for projecting an antisemitic message onto the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

Robert Wilson is accused of being behind a February incident in which a message was laser-projected onto the house where Anne Frank hid during the Holocaust. The message read inventor of the ballpoint pen, a reference to a widely-debunked antisemitic conspiracy theory alleging that Franks famous diary is a forgery because it was originally written with a ballpoint pen, which was inv...
(JTA)  Before the Holocaust, the population of the town of Chmielnik, Poland, was around 80 percent Jewish. Sephardic Jews, having been expelled from Spain during the Inquisition, settled in Chmielnik and eventually built a synagogue in 1638.

After the war, only four Jews remained. Today, the building houses a museum of the towns Jewish life and history.

Now another Jewish heritage site has been discovered, in an unlikely place.

A few years ago, Marian Zwolski, a businessman from Chmielnik, purchased a former nightclub that has been closed for 15 years. When he opened the door to the...
(JTA)  In a blistering letter, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he no longer deserves a medal she gave him eight years ago  her citys top honor  because of what she called his willful Holocaust denial.

Hidalgos letter to Abbas, delivered on Thursday, comes after U.S., German and Israeli diplomats as well as U.S. Jewish groups across the political spectrum condemned a speech Abbas delivered in which he peddled falsehoods about the Holocaust and distortions about Judaism and the Jews.

Abbas said that Adolf Hitler and antisemites b...
(JNS)  The Samaria Regional Council, which administers communities in the northern part of Samaria, has unveiled a plan that seeks to increase the number of Jewish residents living in the area from barely 50,000 to over one million, claiming the initiative would strengthen Zionism and solve Israels housing crisis.

The Samaria to a Million proposal, which was first shared on Wednesday in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had been in the making for over a year with the backing of hundreds of local leaders, said Samaria Regional Council head Yossi...
(JTA)  For almost nine months, Israelis have been fighting over the future of their Supreme Court. Today, that battle has moved into the Supreme Court itself.

In July, Israels hardline right-wing governing coalition passed a law to weaken the court. Opponents of the law then filed legal challenges against it. That put the court in the uncomfortable, and unprecedented, position of ruling on itself: It can decide to uphold the law, strike it down, or send it back to parliament to be amended.

When Israelis on both sides of the debate warned that the country was headed to a constitutional...
By Jonathan Feldstein

Outside of Irans remaining several thousand member Jewish community, few Iranians will be engaged in prayers this weekend beseeching God for a year of health, happiness, prosperity, much less freedom. According to the ancient Jewish liturgy, on Rosh Hashanah for millennia Jews have prayed to be inscribed into the Book of Life. Part of the liturgy is that we understand our fate is in Gods hands, and it is His decision who shall live, and who shall die, who by fire, who by water, and even who are at the hands of Irans evil Islamic regime and their puppets, the ...
(JNS)  President Joe Biden has just nominated former President Barack Obamas Treasury Secretary Jack Lew as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Although Lew identifies as an observant Jew and is certainly a skilled public official, his failure in the waning days of the Obama administration to take a definitive stand in favor of Jewish dignity and Jewish history disqualifies him for such an important office.

In the Scroll of Esther, Mordechai tells his niece Queen Esther that she must intervene with her husband King Ahasuerus to prevent the slaughter of the Jews by the evil Haman. Fea...
(JNS)  It is not the best of times. It may actually be the worst of times.

While half of Israel continues to demonstrate in the streets against their own government, Iran is building an airport in Lebanon that is only 13 miles away from Israels northern border. President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obamas hirelings have tied Israels hands so it cannot preempt the construction of such a dangerous, Hezbollah-controlled airport. At the same time, the Biden administration has just given Iran $6 billion in exchange for hostages.

This is sold as a merciful decision, but it...
Following our visit to the Jewish Historical Society Museum in Warsaw we took a walking tour of the Okopowa Jewish Cemetery (Cm. Zydorfski), the largest Jewish Cemetery in Europe with an estimated 250,000 graves dating back to 1806, when the Jewish community of Warsaw made up a substantial part of the Warsaw population and the need for more Jewish burial sites necessitated the new site.

According to the Jewish Community of Warsaw website, the cemetery is, the resting place of many spiritual leaders, political activists, creators of Jewish culture; eminent Jewish contributors to Polish cu...
(JNS)  As todays 30th anniversary of the signing of the Oslo Accords approached, Palestinian Media Watch uncovered yet another statement by a Palestinian leader admitting, or more correctly bragging, that PLO leader Yasser Arafat successfully deceived the Israeli leadership into signing a peace agreement he had no intention of fulfilling.

According to Palestinian Authority MP Munib al-Masri, Arafats intention from day one was for the Accords to serve as another step in his plan to destroy the State of Israel.

In a recent interview, al-Masri said that Arafat had told him that the...
Many authors are now turning to interlinked works of short fiction to articulate different kinds of migrant and refugee experiences. Gurnaik Johals We Move, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbis Manchester Happened, and Sarvat Hasins You Cant Go Home Again all present interlinked short fiction largely centred on a set of characters who trace their ethnic origins to the Global South even as they find a sense of belonging in the Western nations where they live. What stands out is how each of these authors navigates through and responds to Eurocentric terms like globalisation, cosmopolitanism and transnational identities. Perhaps these interlinked short stories with each narrative taking on different voices reflect the fragmented nature of the identities of the authors themselves and their characters too. Jonathan Escofferys Booker longlisted If I Survive You also belongs to this literary category with each story connected to the other and all the recurring characters belonging to or somehow associated with a single family unit. Ocean Drive in Miami (Travelview/Shutterstock)

272pp, 1988; MCD/ Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Topper and Sanya have fled violence in Jamaica to build a life in the United States. The short narratives in the collection present episodes from the lives of their sons Delano and Trelawny and the people who make up their world. The idea of constant movement, an abiding characteristic of the migrant condition, appears in the title of the very first story, In Flux. This then sets the tone for the book as a whole. One of the stand-out pieces is Independent Living which provides an almost ethnographic survey of Miami: multi-ethnic hostesses outside eateries display phenotypes that, according to American media outlets, should not coexist and linguistic diversity is evident in how French and Arabic and Japanese join Spanish and the myriad variations of English spoken in the crowd.

Author Jonathan Escoffery (Cola Casados via Macmillan Publishers)

The book examines the complicated idea of home and whether a return to the homeland is possible while also looking at the varied ways in which institutionalised racism continues to coexist with the idea of the American dream. In Independent Living, when Sanya decides to return to Jamaica, her son points out that the difference between him and his parents is that my parents have a homeland to which they can return. That observation turns out to be a fallacy. Sanya returns to the West in the final story stating, Sometimes you just arent one of your people anymore.

Author Wai Chee Dimock once asked: What does it mean to refer to a body of writing as American? She was questioning the appropriateness of defining the literary academic discipline in only territorially marked terms. In the contemporary age of mass migration and mass displacement, authors like Escoffery offer up a picture of the US that doesnt necessarily coincide with the popular perception of the West or even of how it presents itself to the rest of the world.

What stands out about If I Survive You is that it depicts how cultural shifts continue to shape the Global North, and it does so in a way that is rare in the mainstream media narratives emerging from that region.

Simar Bhasin is an independent journalist.

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1,200 global education leaders

20 countries

18 discussions, talk sessions

4 speed networking hours

Unlimited networking and collaboration options for educators All this, and more is on the horizon at the forthcoming Eduverse Summit 2023. Envisaged as the most dynamic summit for global education leaders, this one-of-kind event will be held in New Delhi from October 26-28, 2023. It will host the education sectors most prominent leaders. The delegates include higher education institute (HEI) leaders, academic heads, policymakers, and edupreneurs from 20 countries.

In todays technology-led era, education too has undergone drastic transformations. The most prominent sectoral changes include the rise of EdTech, the growth of hybrid and online education, phenomenal growth in student mobility for international higher education, introduction of vocational and skill-based education, apps and tools for remote assessment among others. On the outlook, these appear as fascinating innovations to improve the access, impact and outcome of learning. A closer review does bring many unforeseen unique challenges to the surface.

Hence, a persistent demand to review the present practices, discuss challenges and outline future trends. Eduverse Summit 2023 will be this much needed platform, and initiate a collaborative discussion on all these aspects.

Registrations for Eduverse Summit 2023 are in full swing. The event will facilitate direct interactions between global thought leaders, provide an opportunity for industry showcase and conclude tangible takeaways for educators.

The summit is being chaired by Sarah Todd, Vice President (Global), Griffith University, Australia (Global Chairperson) and Prof (Dr) T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) (India Chairperson). They are joined by distinguished industry leaders including Ved Mani Tiwari, Chief Executive Officer, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC); Manoj Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, EdCIL India Limited; Mohit Gambhir, President & CEO, Verispire, Former Founder Director, Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education, Government of India; Ira Singhal, Special Secretary, Education, Arunachal Pradesh; Victor Tomiczek, Director, International Recruitment and Global Partnerships, Cape Breton University; Warren Emanuel, Director, University and College Counseling, American Embassy School; Dr Nancy Richmond, Marketing Professor, College of Business, Florida International University; Amit Upadhyay, Regional Director  South Asia, Oxford International Education Group and Kenneth Grover, Founder/CEO Onfire Learning among others.

Here are top 7 reasons why all education leaders, institute heads, edupreneurs must attend the summit:

Direct access to global education leaders: Eduverse Summit is an unparalleled opportunity to meet, greet and interact with the most notable names in the education sector. With an impressive speaker line-up, the summit would reflect an international view of all aspects. From skill development champions such as Prof (Dr) T G Sitharam and Ved Mani Tiwari; to marketing gurus such as Dr Nancy Richmond, and educational heads such as Sarah Todd and Victor Tomiczek; the summits speakers bring together a well rounded perspective for all.

Power networking with peers: Educations top-notch names are joining the summit as delegates, speakers and exhibitors. Its a perfect opportunity to catch up with these distinguished guests and discuss ideas, growth and partnership possibilities. The summits agenda has a series of power-networking sessions lined up on the first day, facilitating one-to-one interactions among education industry peers. These sessions will be open forums for counselors, agents and business executives to exchange business inquiries, foster partnership and collaboration possibilities.

Global affiliation for your brand and work: With so much happening at the summit, it's the right venue to showcase your brand, services and work to the industry. Whether you're unveiling groundbreaking services, sharing your institution's success stories, showcasing an educational app or introducing innovative educational service, the Eduverse Summit 2023 provides the ideal stage to make a lasting impression and seek feedback right away.

Understanding the new in higher education: Attending such education summits helps gain a deeper understanding of the broader educational landscape. There are a variety of engaging sessions on the cards for one to explore. Focussed keynote sessions, enriching panel discussions, interesting fireside chats, creative showcases for high school counselors, speed networking sessions for agents and an expansive education expo - delegates can be part of all of these or choose focussed engagements of their choice.

These sessions would open up new perspectives on educational policies, inclusivity, and best practices. This understanding aids in decision-making processes and helps leaders adapt their approaches based on current trends and societal needs.

Shaping future of global education, together: Eduverse Summit 2023 offers a unique opportunity to actively shape the future of higher education. With riveting panel discussions, dynamic expos, and enlightening keynote sessions, the summit is poised to address the pressing challenges and prospects in the realm of global education. By participating, contributing, and taking the lead in these opportunities, you can be a driving force in the education sector, leaving an indelible mark on the future of learning worldwide.

Curated partnership opportunities: The summit caters to a wide audience and hence provides an array of tailored sections for focussed groups interactions. Educators can join as delegates (for one day or all three days), and additionally explore partnership options to maximize their brand visibility. These partnership options cater to specific groups to aid quick and direct networking among the respective groups. Partnership categories include:

Presenting Sponsor

Associate Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

EdTech Exhibitor

Higher Education Institution (HEI) Table

Professional growth: Eduverse Summit has been planned to bolster the credibility of education leaders. This global education summit reflects a commitment to development of education and skill development sectors. Participating in such events allows participants to showcase their commitment to excellence and their willingness to go the extra mile for their enhancement.

The three-day long Eduverse Summit is a unique opportunity to stay informed about the latest research and advancements. Bring your peers and friends at the event and expand your network. It's a forum to gain a deeper understanding of the educational landscape, promote critical thinking and boost credibility. Sign up for the event and be a part of this global movement to shape education.

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.

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New Delhi, Delhi, India  Business Wire India

Round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital with participation from existing investors

Launched in 2021, Atlys is building a digital platform to make the visa process anxiety-free and deliver a world-class experience to travellers across the globe

As the world moves towards e-visas, Atlys is at the forefront of this shift globally

Atlys has raised USD 12 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Musical Duo Chainsmokers, South Park Commons, Pinterest Founders and other investors.



The funds raised will be used to expand the platforms product offerings for travellers, attract customers, and further strengthen the team through talent acquisition. Atlys had previously raised a USD 5 million seed round in 2021.



The world is rapidly moving towards e-visas. Over 60% of countries have already adopted e-visas, and more have announced their plans to move to e-visas in the near future. Atlys is at the forefront of this shift and offers a world-class experience for travellers across the globe. With Atlys, travellers can easily apply for visas through the digital platform from anywhere in the world and get their visas on time.



As an avid traveller himself, Mohak Nahta, founder of Atlys, found the visa process to be tedious, uncertain and not at all traveller-friendly. He realised that the solution had to be digital and set out to build an app, which led to the launch of Atlys.



Our USP is to transform a process riddled with anxiety into one with certainty. By leveraging over a million data points, were able to predict when youre going to get a visa, reduce visa rejection rates, and we have built the tech to make that happen, said Mohak Nahta, founder, Atlys.



He added, We believe every Indian should have the opportunity to travel anywhere without the burden of complex visa processes. Atlys can help Indians get visas on time to over 100 countries and has reduced the time for applying for a visa to under three minutes.



Atlys aims to eliminate uncertainty, lengthy documentation and high visa fees by providing a simplified solution for visa applications. The traveller-centric solution provides a visa guarantee within a promised window through its app and website. So far, 99.2% visas come on time. It has also partnered with governments to facilitate visas and help them reduce overstays.



Travel is a fast-growing category in India that is seeing strong tailwinds post Covid. Over 10 million new passports are being issued in India every year, adding materially to the base of travel aspirants from India. Visa is a critical pain point for travellers and Atlys is building a next-gen platform to transform visa applications for travellers globally and reimagine international travel. Were very excited to join Mohak and team on their mission to enable travellers across the globe to travel with more freedom, said Shraeyansh Thakur, Principal, Peak XV.



Atlys' commitment to removing visa-related barriers aligns with the growing aspirations of Indians to explore the world. We're excited to join Atlys on its mission to transform the visa application process and solve larger travel-related pain points in India. Our partnership with Mohak represents a significant step towards Atlys' efforts to streamline global mobility. Their strategy to offer a new age visa service that's economical, risk-free and data-driven will encourage quicker adoption of newer, more efficient procedures," said Mayank Khanduja, Partner, Elevation Capital.



In addition to visas, Atlys goal is to solve numerous other pain points that people face with international travel. This includes areas like credit for travel, remittance and travel insurance.
Launched in 2016, factoHR - the mobile-first hire to retire HR platform, has achieved a significant milestone by reaching a remarkable user base of 2.6 million in just 7 years through bootstrapping. This incredible growth can be attributed to factoHRs highly configurable DIY interface and value-for-money approach. This has earned trust and support of small and medium enterprises from various industries including manufacturing, healthcare, BFSI, ITes and many others worldwide. This noteworthy accomplishment underscores factoHR's dedication to revolutionizing the way businesses manage their workforce and streamline their HR operations.

factoHR, a cutting-edge HRTech platform, stands out by providing innovative, comprehensive, and scalable solutions encompassing recruitment, employee data management, attendance and leave management, payroll processing, performance management, employee time tracking, and more. Through its revolutionary mobile application factoHR has transformed employee attendance management which includes cutting-edge features such as geofencing, touchless attendance, insightful dashboards, facial recognition for punch verification, an AI-driven chatbot, employee mood surveys, and numerous other functionalities.

"We are excited to announce this significant milestone." states Aniruddh Nagodara, CEO and co-founder of factoHR. He continues, "This milestone signifies more than just a numerical figure; it is a testament to the collective hard work and relentless commitment of the entire factoHR team and the support we receive from our valuable clients. We are resolute in our mission to deliver unparalleled HR solutions and will continue to push the boundaries of our platforms potential.

A Valuable Lesson for Aspiring Startups

By relying on internal resources and organic growth, factoHR established itself as a prominent player in the workforce management sector. Through strategic partnerships with SAP and Microsoft Azure, prudent decision-making, and a focus on sustainable growth, factoHR has been able to fund its operations and expand without external funding. This approach allowed factoHR to maintain full control over its direction and vision, fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance.

factoHRs bootstrapping journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for other startups. It illustrates that, with the right strategy and execution, substantial growth and impact can be achieved even without infusion of external capital. factoHR has been able to overcome the typical challenges faced by any bootstrapped company by remaining laser-focused on customer needs, fostering a culture of continuous innovation, and efficiently managing its resources.

About factoHR:

factoHR is a cloud-based, mobile platform that provides easy solutions to automate all HR operational activities. It is trusted by 3500+ companies and 2.6 million employees globally, including global customers like Wipro, Bajaj Auto, Siemens, Mercedes Benz, Ti Cycle, BSE, NRRS etc. This platform offers various features to ease out HR activities like the ESS portal, payroll, attendance, leave, performance, expense and many more. It has a registered office in Mumbai, a development center in Gujarat and branches in all major metro cities.

Issued by

factoHR

19, Balaji Towers, Sector 30A,

Vashi, Near Sanpada Railway Station,

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400705

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.

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India, 21st September, 2023: In a dynamic era of global crypto adoption, India has spectacularly risen to the forefront. According to the recent 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index by Chainalysis, India, alongside Nigeria and Vietnam, is proudly holding the reins, demonstrating the robust participation of lower middle-income nations in the crypto movement. This monumental growth isn't just confined to numbers or transaction volumes; it's about everyday individuals, the heart and soul of India, wholeheartedly integrating cryptocurrency into their lives.

Crewsphere, the official hub of the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) in India, is perfectly positioned to fuel and further amplify this growth. The company proudly lifts the curtain on its trailblazing "Sankalp" Web3 Roadshow. But this isn't just a tourit's a nationwide movement. Beyond the massive $100,000 hackathon & ideathon designed exclusively for engineering prodigies, Crewsphere is heralding an era of hands-on ICP education, world-class mentorship, and groundbreaking funding opportunities for standout projects.

Unveiling the Sankalp Sensation:

A Month of Mastery: Embarking on a 31-day journey, connecting with 30+ academic strongholds.

Ideate & Innovate: Students can shine and share the monumental $100,000 prize stash.

ICP Development Bootcamps: Grooming tomorrow's tech leaders with hands-on ICP development drills.

Guidance from the Best: Elite Crewsphere experts are all set to sculpt students' innovative instincts.

Turning Visions to Ventures: Exceptional projects stand a chance to be propelled from ideation to implementation with generous funding.

Crewsphere's grand vision behind "Sankalp" is clear: democratise cutting-edge Web3 education, mentorship, and opportunities, making them accessible to all students across India.

Bandhul Bansal, co-founder of Crewsphere, states, The ICP blockchain offers unparalleled advantages in scalability, security, and speed. For budding developers, mastering ICP not only widens their horizons but also gives them a strategic edge in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Through the 'Sankalp' tour, we're bridging the gap between aspiration and realisation.

The Chainalysis report echoes India's accelerating momentum in the crypto domain, highlighting Central and South Asia's emerging dominance in grassroots cryptocurrency adoption. Crewsphere, with its steadfast initiatives, embodies this momentum, aiming to catalyze and sustain India's leadership position.

"Developing on ICP is a game-changer. It's our mission to equip India's brightest minds with the tools and knowledge they need. Our Hackathon is more than just a competition; it's an incubator for India's next generation of Web3 innovators." shares Deepak Goyal, co-founder of Crewsphere.

At a time when global grassroots crypto adoption witnessed a dip following the 2022 FTX collapse, countries classified as lower-middle-income by the World Bank are registering an encouraging resurgence. India's trajectory in this respect is undeniably resilient and poised for further growth.

With Crewsphere's unyielding commitment, the synergy of educational roadshows like 'Sankalp' and dynamic platforms like the ICP Hackathon, India is not just participating in the crypto revolution; it's leading it.

In this spirited drive towards blockchain education, Crewsphere has also formed a strategic collaboration with OKX, leveraging their cutting-edge wallet technology. This partnership ensures that students arent only gaining theoretical knowledge but also receiving hands-on experience. By using OKXs wallet, students are seamlessly onboarded to the dynamic world of Web3, truly underlining Crewsphere's commitment to practical education in the blockchain domain.

About Crewsphere:

Crewsphere: ICP India Hub is a frontrunner in championing Web3 and Blockchain technologies in India. With a vision to educate, innovate, and cultivate a thriving community of developers and enthusiasts, the company has been pivotal in shaping India's narrative in the global crypto space.

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 contents of the article/advertisement and/or views expressed herein. The reader is further advised that Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. 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 views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended Air Indias flight safety chief for one month after finding lapses during a surveillance audit conducted in July, the body said in a statement on Thursday. For representational purposes only. (PTI File Photo)

The DGCA team carried out the surveillance of Air India on July 25-26, 2023 in the areas of internal audit, accident prevention work and availability of required technical manpower(and) found deficiencies in the accident prevention work carried out by the organisation and the availability of the requisite technical manpower as required in the approved Flight Safety Manual and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements, the civil aviation regulator said in the statement.

The regulator said it observed that some of the internal audit/spot checks, claimed to be carried out by Air India, were done in a perfunctory manner and not as per the regulatory requirements. Thus, the airline was asked to submit a report of action taken.

After receiving this report, the DGCA issued show cause notices to the concerned post holders.

Based on the review of the replies received, the airline has been directed not to assign any audits/surveillance/spot checks pertaining to compliance of DGCA requirements to the particular auditor involved in the perfunctory inspections which indicates lack of diligence. Further, the approval of Chief of Flight Safety of Air India has been suspended for a period of one month for the lapses established, the DGCA said.

This is not the first time Air India has been pulled up for not operating by rules. The DGCA had recently asked the airline to not operate its pilot training facilities in Hyderabad and Mumbai for Airbus and Boeing, respectively. It had, however, conditionally allowed Air India to use the facilities.

Prior to that, the regulator found that the airline had forged reports of spot checks it never conducted.

After cross verification with CCTV footage, it was understood that 13 spot checks shown to be carried out at Delhi, Mumbai and Goa were established to have not been carried out. However, reports were subsequently falsified when the DGCA asked for it, an earlier audit report by the civil aviation regulator had stated.

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JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said he will be travelling to New Delhi on September 21 to meet BJP central leadership to discuss the possible alliance between both parties in Karnataka for 2024 Lok Sabha polls. HD Kumaraswamy along with former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai in Bengaluru. (ANI)

Dismissing media reports on seat sharing talks between JDS and BJP as mere speculations, he said so far no parleys have taken place in this regard. The former CM also underscored the need for strong opposition against the Congress government that has come to power in the state and said discussions will be directed at this.

"I'm going to Delhi in the morning. I will be meeting the central government's (BJP) high command tomorrow," Kumaraswamy told reporters in the morning.

Ruling out the possibility of him contesting in the Lok Sabha polls, he said people of Channapatna constituency have voted for him and that he would remain there for the people.

READ | Modi, Shah & central leadership will decide on BJP's alliance with JDS for LS polls: Yediyurappa

Later in the day, speaking to media persons, Kumaraswamy said there is a meeting tomorrow. "after discussions in the meeting, its outcome will be known. All media reports are mere speculation. There has been no discussion regarding seat sharing or other things."

Talks on alliance between both parties have been in the headlines ever since veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, who is also the party's parliamentary board member, had earlier this month said his party will have an understanding with JD(S) for the Parliament elections, and that the regional party will contest in four LS seats in Karnataka, which has a total of 28 constituencies.

However, Yediyurappa subsequently said a final decision has not been taken as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are busy with other responsibilities, may discuss and decide on the issue in a few days.

Kumaraswamy too on his part had maintained that discussions on BJP and JD(S) contesting the Lok Sabha polls together are still in the initial phase.

Responding to a question on secular stand of JD(S) which is trying to forge an alliance with the BJP, Kumaraswamy said his party respects all communities.

"If there are talks on an alliance, the subject of alliance is different from the stand of the party, on which there will be no compromise. It is the responsibility of our party to respect all communities," he said.

Noting that no party has contributed to the welfare of the Muslim community compared to JD(S), the former CM said, "but how they (community) have treated this party? I can also question that right?"

"There is no compromise in providing an atmosphere which ensures welfare of every household in the state, without any discrimination. I don't want to get into a discussion with any party on our ideology... I know Congress' ideology, they have done politics for last 50 years by forging alliance with parties that were with BJP. Why question only JD(S)?" he asked.

READ | Aim is to defeat Congress: Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on BJP - JDS alliance

The BJP had swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka by winning 25 seats, while an independent (Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya) backed by it won in one seat. The Congress and JD(S) won one seat each.

In the elections to the 224-member Assembly held in May this year, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the BJP secured 66 and the JD(S) 19.

Following the Assembly poll results, there were reports that JD(S) would enter into an alliance with the BJP to fight the Lok Sabha polls. It was also said that the JD(S) leaders had met BJP central leadership in Delhi in this regard.

However, subsequently JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, had indicated that the party will contest Lok Sabha polls alone.

Following the Assembly poll debacle, BJP, wary of its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, seems to be open for an alliance with JD(S), aimed at regaining maximum number of seats, sources from both parties said. The saffron party hopes the votes of JD(S) may get transferred to it, especially in the old Mysuru region where the regional party has significant presence.

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Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday unveiled the 108-feet tall Statue of Oneness of Adi Shankaracharya on the bank of the Narmada river at Omkareshwar, approximately 260 km from the state capital Bhopal, six years after it was conceptualised. Adi Shankaracharyas 108 feet tall statue known as Statue of Oneness on the bank of Narmada river at Omkareshwar (HT Photo)

The statue weighs 100 tons and has been installed on a 75 feet high platform. It is made up of bronze that contains 88% copper, 4% zinc and 8% tin. The statue internal structure is made-up of high-quality steel.

At the event, Chouhan also laid the foundation stone for Rs.2,200 crore Advait Lok at Omkareshwar which comes at the time ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to make Tamil Nadu minister Udhaynidhi Stalins statement on Sanatan Dharma a poll issue in the state.

The BJP has accused the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) of working against Sanatan Dharma since Stalin made the controversial remarks a fortnight ago.

BJP national president JP Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone of the ruling partys campaign with their speeches on Sanatan Dharma during their recent respective visits to the state. Both claimed that the INDIA block would finish Sanatam Dharma.

It will be ready by 2026 in 11.5 hectares of land on Omkar Mountain. Acharya Shankar International Advaita Vedanta Institute is also being established here. A budget of 1535 crores has been approved for it by the cabinet of MP, said an official of MP tourism department.

Adi Shankaracharya, as per Hindu religion scholars, is credited with restoring the glory of Sanatan Dharma in ancient India with his preaching and debate with scholars. He was said to have met his Guru at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district after he had left home at the age of 12.

Madhya Pradesh has two of the 12 jyotirlingas situated at different places in the country that are mentioned in Adi Shankaracharyas Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, according to scholars.

Chouhan performed rituals with his wife, Sadhna Singh Chouhan, at the site and said, Adi Guru Shankaracharya Maharaj worked to connect the country culturally. He worked to spread the essence of the Vedas to the common people. He also made four monasteries in four corners of the country. This worked to keep India culturally united. Because of that India is united today.

Chouhan said that Shankaracharya walked over 1,600 kilometres through forests from Kerala and found a Guru at Omkareshwar and then moved to Varanasi and united the entire country culturally.

The tradition of knowledge should not end from there and the coming generations should also continue to get the knowledge. Therefore, not only is the divine statue being installed there but we are also going to build Ekatmadham there. Its foundation stone will be laid, the CM said.

In May 2017, Chouhan unveiled his plan to erect the tallest statue of Adi Shankaracharya in the world and set up a museum and an International Vedant Institute at Omkareshwar.

In 2017-18 the government carried out Ekatm Yatra across the state to collect metal from 27,000 gram panchayats for the construction of the statue.

State BJP spokesperson Dr Hitesh Bajpai said, Adi Shankaracharya and his statue are not an election issue for us. Its a matter of faith. How could have we known more than six years back that there would be such a controversy over Sanatan Dharma now? But, yes, the statue itself gives a befitting reply to the parochial mindset of the Congress alliance (INDIA) which is working against Sanatan Dharma.

Bajpai further accused the Congress in Madhya Pradesh of being anti-Sanatan and accused the former chief minister Kamal Naths government of stalling the statue work.

Responding, state Congress media in-charge KK Mishra said the then Kamal Nath government never came in the way of the statue. This was the reason, he said, why the statue was constructed and unveiled now, he added.

He said chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced an idol of Goddess Sita to be installed in Sri Lanka about 10 years back but the BJP government didnt do anything in this regard. Chouhan must apologize to people for his false promise.

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said that he is deeply concerned over Indias indefinite suspension of visa services for Canadian citizens as it affects lakhs of Punjabis residing as overseas nationals of Indian origin or as students in that country. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said he has been flooded with calls and messages from Punjabis in Canada and their families back home, seeking the SADs intervention to ensure safe and smooth travel to their homeland. (HT file photo)

Also read: Confusion after Indias notice suspending visa services in Canada removed, then reappears

Indias visa processing centre in Canada suspended services citing operational reasons amid the ongoing rift that started after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. After the public allegation, both India and Canada expelled diplomats and then India issued an advisory for Indians in Canada, urging them to exercise utmost caution.

This is set to create hurdles, uncertainty and anxiety for Punjabis, especially to members of the most patriotic community of Sikhs, who have not only made unparalleled sacrifices for the freedom of the country but also for fighting off foreign aggression at the borders, Badal said after meeting Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

The visa facility hurdles will particularly hit our youth who go to Canada in thousands as students every year and who are now residing there, he said, adding that he has been flooded with calls and messages from Punjabis in Canada and their families and relatives back home, seeking the SADs intervention to ensure safe and smooth travel to their homeland.

He urged the governments of the two countries to find a solution to the matter at the earliest.

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The deputy commissioner of police (DCP, headquarters), Rupinder Singh, has extended a ban on the open sale of acid in the city and issued strict guidelines regarding the sale of acid on Wednesday for two months. The police commissioner asked acid sellers to renew their licenses timely to avoid police action. The top cop issued strict directions to the acid traders to maintain its record. HT Image

The shopkeepers were also asked to take a photocopy of the identity proof of the buyer which should be maintained by them. The shopkeepers were also prohibited from selling it to anyone under 18 years of age.

The police chief also asked the institutions and organisations who use acid for different purposes to maintain the record of acid use. Educational institutions where acid is used should make it clear that their staff is not using it anywhere with the wrong intention and the organisation should depute nodal officers.

Ban on sale of tobacco

The deputy commissioner of police (DCP, headquarters) banned the sale of tobacco in the city on Wednesday. The step has been taken to deter spitting in the open.

The DCP added that people who chew tobacco used to spit in the open, which could cause the spread of infection in the city.

Bursting crackers during marriage procession can land one in jail

The DCP has extended the ban on bursting crackers on busy roads under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The top cop said bursting of crackers on roads disturbed the flow of traffic and sometimes caused mishaps as well.

In his order, he said he had seen some people bursting firecrackers on roads during marriage processions. Most part of a road is occupied by the procession, and bursting crackers there adds to the woes of commuters, he said, adding that violators will face penal action. The ban will stay in force for two months.

Ban on farming of Thai mangur

The DCP has also banned the rearing of the Thai mangur fish in village ponds in the district as it harms cattle and also eats away other species of fish in the pond.

Other orders

The DCP has also placed a ban on using footpaths to install rehri, makeshift stalls of eatables, besides placing goods outside the premises of ones shop.

Ban on beggary extended

The DCP has also extended the ban on begging in the city. The DCP said beggars were most active around religious places and roundabouts on city roads besides Bharat Nagar Chowk, Bhai Bala Chowk, Model Town, Sarabha Nagar Market and Ghumar Mandi areas. The orders will be in effect for the next two months.

Ban on modified silencers

The DCP has also banned modification of silencers of Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles.

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:A video depicting beating up of a KG (kindergarten) student at Bal Vikas Model Senior Secondary School in Sherpur Kalan, Ludhiana, has shocked the residents. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has issued a notice to Ludhiana police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu directing an immediate suo motu investigation into the matter with a report submission deadline set for November 30. The accused teacher has been booked under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 342 , 323, and 506, in addition to Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice Act. (iStock)

In the video, the accused teacher can be seen mercilessly beating up the child with a stick on his feet while two students pinned him down. Throughout the video, the cries of the victim, who repeatedly apologises and pleads for mercy, are audible. The victim had been accused of injuring a classmate with a pencil. The accused teacher has been booked under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation), in addition to Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Manoj, deputy district education officer, elementary, said, The education department is awaiting the completion of the police investigation. Upon receiving the police departments findings, we will compile our report and share it with the Punjab School Education Board and the education department. Subsequently, they will decide on the appropriate course of action against the school.

A delegation from the education department, accompanied by district child protection officer Rashmi, visited the school premises. The team confirmed the allegations against the schoolteacher. Seeking severe punishment for the accused and action against the school, the victims parents met the education department panel.

Rashmi said, In compliance with the State Child Rights Commissions directives, our team conducted a thorough investigation. According to the teachers version, he subjected the child to violence due to the alleged pencil incident. We have reassured the family of justice and the childs well-being. Additionally, we have urged the police to charge the teacher under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which deals specifically with cruelty against children.

Family members of the victim have claimed that their child endured a similar ordeal for over two days. On returning home, the child was even unable to walk. Marks from the beatings were also evident on the childs thighs and back, prompting the family to contemplate filing a formal complaint with the police.

The school principal, Shri Bhagwan, offered a contrasting account, asserting that the child had used a pencil to strike another student, resulting in a complaint from the latters family. Shri Bhagwan claimed that he had previously cautioned the child about his behaviour.

In the order the PSHRC stated, The incident indicates that the principal and staff of a private school gave third degree torture to a child studying in KG because he hit a fellow student with a pencil. Some students at the same school recorded the incident. The mother of the child said the child had marks on thighs and back and was unable to walk properly. The commission takes suo motu cognisance of the matter and calls for a report from the commissioner of police, Ludhiana, by the next date of hearing.

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Three police imposters landed in the police net for kidnapping a labourer on the pretext of questioning, while two of their aides are yet to be arrested. The accused dropped the victim near the Ludhiana Central Jail, Tajpur road, after robbing him of his mobile phone and 300 in cash on Wednesday. The accused Kuldeep Singh is already facing a trial in a case of hurting religious sentiments. (Getty Images)

The accused have been identified as Kuldeep Singh alias Deepa of Guru Arjun Dev Nagar, Jaswant Singh alias Jassa of village Kaneja and Amardeep alias Billa of Dhoka Mohalla. Two of their aides are Navi and Heera.

The FIR has been lodged following the statement of Feroze Miyan, 37, of Jagdishpura mohalla at Tajpura road. Feroze Miyan stated that on Wednesday evening he was returning home after seeing one of his friends at Tajpur road. When he reached near Dayal Public School, four men in a car came there.

The complainant added that the accused, who were in civvies, claimed themselves as police personnel from Division number 4 police. They asked him to come with them for questioning. They forced him to sit on the back seat of the car and kept on roaming. The accused started thrashing him in the moving car. They robbed him of 300 in cash and a mobile phone. The accused fled after dropping him near Ludhiana Central Jail. After the accused left the place, he informed the police and filed a complaint.

ASI Prem Chand, who is investigating the case, said that the police swung into action soon after receiving a complaint. The police arrested three of the accused.

A case under sections 379-B (snatching with hurt, wrongful restraint or fear of hurt.), 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC has been lodged against the accused at Division number 7 police.

The accused Kuldeep Singh is already facing a trial in a case of hurting religious sentiments. He is a taxi driver, while Jaswant Singh is a security guard. A hunt is on for the arrest of the rest.

It is the second such incident in the past 10 days when miscreants posing as police personnel executed a crime. On September 10, in a bid to escape three police imposters had hit the car of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and hit a passerby with their car in LIG flats on the Chandigarh road. The accused had turned up there to extort money from a shopkeeper after threatening him. The police had arrested three of the accused.

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With India suspending visa services to Canadian citizens for operational reasons on Thursday as a fallout of the tense ties between the two countries after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, there is anxiety and panic among parents in Punjab whose children are on study permit in the North American country. Such is the craze that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) welcomed 5.51 lakh new international students in 2022, of which 2.26 lakh (41%) were from India.

Canada is the top choice among Punjabi youngsters due to its flexible education policy, work opportunities, easier post-graduation immigration possibilities and because of the large Punjabi population there with a political say. The route to first study in Canada and then become a permanent resident (PR) is the most popular.

Such is the craze that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) welcomed 5.51 lakh new international students in 2022, of which 2.26 lakh (41%) were from India. It was followed by applicants from China, The Philippines, France and Nigeria.

As many as 3.19 lakh Indian students were already living and studying in Canada as on December 31, 2022.

However, with tension escalating between the two countries, a sense of insecurity prevails among those who have applied for Canadian study visas for the January intake. The parents and aspirants want the governments of both the countries to resolve the crisis in a diplomatic manner instead of using stringent measures.

While some parents say that there is no cause for worry as their wards have travelled on genuine documents and are working part-time according to norms, many are keeping their fingers crossed hoping for an early end to the crisis.

My daughter is in Canada on a study permit for the past two years. After Thursdays development, I called her up to check on her. She said there is no sense of panic among foreign Indian students in Canada despite the crisis after PM Justin Trudeaus remarks on wanted terrorist Nijjars killing, said Gurbachan Singh, a retired Punjab Police inspector.

Security amid hate crime

threat concern: Parents

Another Jalandhar resident, Ranjit Singh, who is in Canada to visit his son, Raunak Singh, said most parents are only concerned about the security of their children. The children have got their Canadian study visas on genuine documents, therefore, there are no worries about their future. The only issue is the security of Indian students as there are apprehensions of increasing hate crime among Indian students in the coming days, he said.

Simranpreet Kaur of Mand village in Jalandhar said she had recently applied for a study visa to take admission to a Brampton-based college for the January intake. I am worried that the tension between the two countries could hamper my visa prospects. I have also contacted an immigration consultant to gather more information on any sort of changes in the process of granting study visas, she said.

Amritsar-based Monika Rani, whose daughter just moved to Alberta state of Canada to study, said, Reports of strained ties between both countries have surely created anxiety in terms of her future. However, I dont think there is any safety issue.

My daughter-in-law is on a study permit and is studying at Edmonton. We are hoping that things will normalise with the passage of time. At present, there is no security issue for the students there, said Harjit Singh, who hails from Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district.

A resident of Malukpur village in Fazilka, Gurdas Singh said his son went to Canada in January this year to join a college in Brampton.

I also have relatives in Canada and I am concerned about my sons safety who is taking first-semester exams. I will speak to my son to decide what can be done, he said.

Son of Harpinder Singh of Lambi village in Muktsar has been in Surrey for the last two years said, he has no option but to wait and watch.

Due to the time difference between Canada and India, I have been unable to speak to my son about the developments, he added.

A Mohali resident, Dinesh, whose daughter is studying in a Vancouver university, said, We as parents are very concerned about our child. The Canadian universities should send back all Indian students and they should be allowed to continue their studies through online mode until the situation improves.

A parent from Bathinda, who didnt wish to be named, said they are not sure if it was wise to send their daughter to a Canada amid all these uncertainties.

We estimate that her study bill would cost about 18-22 lakh and any further restrictions may jeopardise her academic years and heavy investment. We are completely confused, he added.

Pooja, a resident of Sarabha Nagar in Ludhiana, said her daughter Chhavi went on a study visa in April this year and she is still seeking clarity.

We have advised her to stay in touch with other Indian students and the relevant authorities to stay informed, Pooja said.

Another worried parent, Seema, expressed concerns over the security of her son, Akash Kumar, who is studying in Nova Scotia, Canada.

We are concerned about our sons safety, especially after the Indian government issued an advisory for Indians staying in Canada, Seema said, adding, We hope that normalcy will be restored soon but what if the Canadian government cancels the visas and repatriates all the Indian students?

Invested all we had, hope

no curbs on work permit

Narinder Singh, another parent, whose son Jashanjot Singh recently migrated to Canada, said the family is worried and has been checking on him several times during the day. We have spent all their investments to send him to Canada on a study permit. Our concern is that the Canadian authorities should not impose restrictions on work permits, making the process of acquiring PR status complicated in the coming days. For now, we can only wait and watch, he said.

Rachhpal Singh Sosan, CEO of global immigration and education consultant agency Kaur Immigration Services, said, till now, there has been no issue and visas are being granted by the Canadian embassy. The students are worried and are calling to us to know about the situation. Our clients got three visas today. Files submission process is facing no issues. In future, processing of visa applications may be delayed but it is not expected to be halted, he said, adding, Students are rushing to our offices for submission of file apprehending that Canada may stop issuing visas to Indian students.

A student visa consultant in Bathinda, Rajat Gupta said the next academic session in Canada would commence from January.

Nearly 70% of students have deposited their college fees. First, there were reports of an economic slowdown in Canada that is causing a job crunch and students are having fewer means to meet their expenses on their own. Now, a diplomatic fight between two countries is forcing parents to explore options of sending their wards to the UK or Australia, said Gupta.

An immigration expert, Sector 17 Education Abroad owner Jatin Wadhwa, said, I have received many calls and so many parents have visited me since morning. People are worried, they spent over 20 lakh on their kids education. I am asking them to stay calm. Most of the students who are going to Canada in the September intake have got their visas and they wont face any problem.

In 2021, 35% of the foreign students who arrived in Canada on study permits were Indians. Of the 6.17 lakh study visas granted by Canada, 2.17 lakh were given to Indian students, most of them Punjabis.

Even in 2020, a year hit by Covid-19, India contributed the highest number of foreign students with 1.8 lakh (34%) study visas of the 5.30 lakh visas granted.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Navrajdeep Singh Navrajdeep Singh is a senior staff correspondent. He covers agriculture, crime, local bodies, health and education in the Patiala district of Punjab. ...view detail

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Surjit Singh Surjit Singh is a correspondent. He covers politics and agriculture, besides religious affairs and Indo-Pak border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran. ...view detail

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tarsem Singh Deogan Tarsem Singh Deogan is a senior reporter at Ludhiana. He has 16 years of experience in journalism. He has covered all beats and now focuses on crime reporting. ...view detail
Punjab Police on Thursday promoted assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Balwinder Singh, who foiled a robbery bid but received bullet injuries when four robbers struck at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Dhotian village in Tarn Taran district on Wednesday. Punjab Police on Thursday promoted assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Balwinder Singh, who foiled a robbery bid but received bullet injuries when four robbers struck at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Dhotian village in Tarn Taran district on Wednesday.

I am proud to promote ASI Balwinder Singh as sub-inspector for display of exemplary courage and devotion to duty in the Tarn Taran bank robbery. He has been shot by the robbers while chasing them. A major burglary attempt has been foiled with his presence of mind. @PunjabPoliceInd will provide financial assistance for his treatment. Urge all to wish for his speedy recovery, said director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on social media platform X.

Also read: Punjab gangster Sukha Duneke killed in inter-gang rivalry in Canada

The incident took place at 12.20pm on Wednesday when the bank employees were dealing with customers.

Tarn Taran senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh Chauhan said the four accused came on two motorcycles. Three of them entered the bank, while the fourth waited outside. Soon after entering the bank, the trio started lining up the staff at gunpoint. A woman customer somehow managed to come out of the bank and informed the ASI, who was sitting in a nearby shop, he said.

The ASI rushed towards the bank but the accused waiting outside alerted his accomplices. The three stormed out of the bank and when the ASI tried to catch them, one of them opened fire at him and fled. The ASI received bullet injuries in the stomach and leg, the SSP said, adding: The ASI showed exemplary courage. He was rushed to a private hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical.

The CCTV footage of the bank shows three men with covered faces carrying pistols in their hands.

According to police, 20 lakh was deposited in the bank on Tuesday.

The police booked unidentified persons for attempt to murder and under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including for armed robbery, and under the Arms Act at the Sarhali police station.

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The 45-year-old ailing wife of a migrant labourer was killed and three other women members of two families were raped when armed men targeted two fish farms on the outskirts of a village under Matlauda police station in Panipat district early on Thursday. Panipat superintendent of police Ajit Singh Shekhawat said, Two incidents were reported at two locations. At one spot, a man and his ailing wife were targeted and the woman died. While at another farm, three women were allegedly raped and  13,000 were robbed. (iSTock)

Police said the victims belonged to two families that worked at the fish farms of local farmers. The victims told the police that around 1am, four men carrying weapons barged into the first dera or farm house and targeted the couple.

They allegedly thrashed them, hit the woman on the chest and took away their mobile phone and 5,000.

The accused were speaking Haryanvi and were carrying a pistol and a sword. They slapped me and hit my wife. She died few hours later, alleged one of the victims.

The accused then allegedly hit another farm. According to the victims, they tied the hands of the male members and children and took the women into a room and raped them repeatedly, before robbing the house. They also thrashed a woman who resisted. The robbers locked the women in a room and fled with 13,000 and ornaments.

The family informed the owner of the fish farm, who then called the police in the morning. A team led by deputy superintendent of police Krishan Kumar reached the spot and began investigation.

Panipat superintendent of police Ajit Singh Shekhawat said, Two incidents were reported at two locations. At one spot, a man and his ailing wife were targeted and the woman died. While at another farm, three women were allegedly raped and 13,000 were robbed.

The SP said two FIRs have been registered for murder, rape and robbery.

The postmortem of the deceased has been conducted and the body has been handed over the family members. The medical examinations of the women who alleged rape have been carried out and their statements have been reported. The accused will be arrested soon, the SP said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Neeraj Mohan Neeraj Mohan is a correspondent, covering Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana. ...view detail
Amidst the ongoing campaign to eradicate the menace of female foeticide, the health and family welfare department has busted three illegal sex determination rackets in Kharar, Dera Bassi and Moga. The health minister said in Dera Bassi, a quack has also been apprehended, who used to lure people with the promise of a male child by giving some special medicine.

Health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh said acting on tip-off regarding illegal sex determination tests being done at these locations, health teams from Ludhiana and Barnala planned a special operation. Our health teams along with the police teams took a pregnant woman as a decoy to these centres and caught the culprits red-handed while conducting sex determination tests on these decoys, he said in a statement.

The health minister said in Dera Bassi, a quack has also been apprehended, who used to lure people with the promise of a male child by giving some special medicine.

Family welfare director Dr Hitinder Kaur said the Barnala team, during its raid in Moga, has also recovered an unregistered ultrasound machine and 15,000 paid to the accused to carry out sex determination tests.

In the raid conducted by the Ludhiana team in Kharar, a gynaecologist and two more persons were caught red-handed, she said, adding that a case under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act has been registered against the accused in all three cases.

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The decision of the Indian government to suspend visa services to Canadian citizens has left Punjab-based NRIs, who were planning to visit their hometowns, in a lurch. High Commission of Canada in India at Shantipath in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)

India on Thursday suspended till further notice its visa services in Canada. The move comes amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India has rejected the charge as absurd.

Generally, NRIs head to India during September and October with the start of the festive season. Plus, the wedding season starting next month is an added incentive for NRIs to meet their long time.

As per officials, those who have their Overseas Citizens of India (OCI cards) and pre-approved visas can have hassle-free travel to India but those, who are yet to apply for visas or whose visas are under process, will have to wait for diplomatic relations between the two nations, to get cordial.

Wedding plans go haywire

Amarjit Kaur, a Canadian passport holder, said she was planning to visit India to attend the marriage of her niece in December. I along with my family was planning to visit my brother after six years but Thursdays development has put the plans on hold. We had already booked air tickets for December 15 and were planning to apply for an Indian visa in October, she said. Another Canadian citizen Sandeep Singh from Dholan village said his family was to celebrate my sons first Lohri in Punjab with his family and friends. We have our OCI cards but were to apply for an Indian visa for our son. We will wait and watch before planning our itinerary now, he said.

Jasmine Kaur and her husband Sumeet Singh, who are permanent residents of Canada, were all set to visit their hometown Ludhiana for a wedding in February. But now their plans have been left in a lurch as their one-year-old son, Karman Singh, who was born last year in Winnipeg, Canada, will need a visa.

It is our brothers wedding in February and all the bookings have been done. My sister got married and went to Canada four years ago and has not come here since. We all were so looking forward to meeting her, said Jasmines brother Sukhpreet Singh.

Sukhdeep Singh, who originally belongs to Barnala and is currently a Canadian citizen, said since the festive season is coming, his relatives were planning to visit India but now they are upset over the development.

Sukhdeep added that many elderly NRIs prefer to escape the harsh Canadian winters and spend time in Punjab but the developments have left them in limbo.

Many elderly people in the Punjabi community usually spend winters in Punjab. Returning to India will be difficult for those who dont have an Indian visa or OCI card, he added.

Navreet Kaur Kahlon, an immigration consultant said most of the NRIs have OCI cards and pre-approved visas but are still apprehensive that they might get stuck in the country.

Gagan Sarao, a Canadian citizen, said that he was planning a trip to Punjab to meet relatives in October. I have already booked my flight tickets. I was to meet my in-laws in Patiala, Sarao said.

Another Indian-origin Canadian citizen Avneet Singh said that he  along with his wife  had planned to meet in-laws in Punjab, next month. Avneet lives in Winnipeg City, Canada.

I do not know what will happen. Like many others, I am also anxious. This has never happened earlier. If things do not change soon, we have to defer our plans or even cancel it, Avneet said, who recently got Canadian citizenship.

Similar is the case of a family of five Canadian passport holders who were planning to visit their hometown in Faridkot from October 13 onwards.

The family had purchased non-refundable tickets as by advance booking, air travellers save money. But now the family is having second thoughts.

The family, including an infant, was to attend a marriage and then spend time in India during the festival period of Diwali and New Year. They were hoping to apply for a three-month Indian visa during the winter and bought the tickets accordingly. Now as their visa applications cannot be processed, money spent on tickets will be wasted, said the professional agent hired by the family.

Similarly, Sukhdeep Singh, a Canadian passport holder who is from Bathinda is feeling helpless.

His close friend Rajat Gupta said Sukhdeep lost his parents recently but couldnt attend their funerals. He lives in London town in Ontario province and was looking forward to the visit. He wanted to meet his sister, his only sibling, but now his plans have gone haywire, said Gupta.

Calgary-based Varinder Singh Randhawa said, We have planned to visit in January and we have OCI cards. So, I think we will not face any difficulty in travelling to India.

Hotel, tourism industry worried

Kapurthala-based immigration consultant Inderpal Singh, who also owns a hotel in Jalandhar, said he has received over a dozen calls from Canadian NRIs, regarding their reservations and planned itinerary.

The whole tourism and hotel industry is going to be largely impacted due to visa restrictions as the NRIs usually visit in large numbers during winters and wedding season. Two of my clients, who had bookings at my hotel, have asked me to cancel their reservations as most of the guests, who were to attend these functions, were Canadian residents, Inderpal Singh said.

Travel agents in Ludhiana are flooded with calls from their Canada-based clients. Aman, a Ludhiana-based travel agent said he has received more than 250 calls since yesterday. There are many Canadian citizens of Indian origin who had booked their flights in the non-refundable category and were yet to apply for Indian visas. Then there are those who do not have an OCI (overseas citizen of India) card, he said.

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Fugitive gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke, who was mainly involved in organised criminal activities but had a limited association with terror activities, is the son of a Moga resident, who was shot dead by militants in the early 90s. As per reports, Duneke was allegedly shot dead in Canadas Winnipeg by a rival gang. Fugitive gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke

Police officials said, Duneke, along with gangster Lucky Patyal (who is believed to be in the US), was handling the activities of the Bambiha gang from abroad. He was handling the funding of the Bambiha gang. Duneke, who hails from Mogas Duneke village, had been closely associated with the designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, a key figure in the Khalistan Tiger Force. He was involved in the killing of kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia in 2022 and the killing of Dayal Das, deputy head of Dera Harka Das at Kot Sukhia village in Faridkot in 2019. He had taken a contract to kill Das.

Presently named among the most wanted list issued by the NIA, Duneke entered the world of crime in 2013 with the first case of an attempt to murder was lodged against him. He had gone to the Faridkot district to take forceful illegal possession of land. However, he was acquitted in that case a few years later for want of evidence.

He also fled to Canada after obtaining a passport through a police clearance certificate on forged documents with the help of cops in 2017 even as seven criminal cases were pending against him. All these cases were linked to local gang activities. He went to Canada on a visitor visa. But soon after moving to Canada, he indulged in killings and extortion through his men back home. Eleven more cases, including four murders, were registered against him, since he fled to Canada, taking the total number of cases to 18. Apart from that, he was named in two cases registered by the NIA in connection with a terror gangster network.

Dunekes mother and sister had moved with him to Canada, while his uncle and cousins sister are living in his native village. All the relatives of Duneke refused to talk. Meanwhile, Moga SSP J Elanchezhian said gangster Dunekes sister has informed her relatives in Moga that he has been shot dead in Canada. However, he said there is no confirmation through the official channels.

A local resident, on condition of anonymity, said that after completing the 12th class, he was given the job of a peon in the district administration office in Moga on compassionate grounds. But he stopped coming to the office after a couple of months following which he was dismissed, he added.

A police official, on condition of anonymity, said that Duneke was a hardcore criminal involved in the extortion and contract killings but he was not named in any terror-linked cases in Punjab.

A lookout circular against Duneke was issued on December 9, 2021, while a red corner notice (RCN) request was under process.

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A 22-year-old woman, on Wednesday, approached police alleging that her mother-in-law attacked with her with acid at their residence in north-east Delhis New Usmanpur area on Wednesday. Police registered a case and begun probe. Delhi Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice to Delhi Police seeking an action taken report. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under section 326A (voluntarily causing hurt by use of acid) of the Indian Penal Code was registered. The suspect will be arrested soon, a senior police officer said. (Representational image)

According to the first information report, the woman alleged that a court case she had filed against her in-laws is underway and she had also visited the court to appear for the date on Wednesday and upon return, around 5:30pm, she was on the ground floor of the residence, when her mother-in-law threw acid at her in the presence of her father-in-law and sister-in-law. The victim then went to Jag Pravesh Chandra hospital for treatment and made a control room call.

The woman, mother of a six-months old girl, further alleged that she got married in November 2021 and her husband and in-laws have been physically and mentally torturing her since then.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case under section 326A (voluntarily causing hurt by use of acid) of the Indian Penal Code was registered. The suspect will be arrested soon, a senior police officer said.

DCW said that they received a complaint from the woman who informed the them that she was married two years ago and has a six-month old daughter. She has stated that after 2-3 months of her marriage, her husband and in-laws started harassing her. She has alleged that in July 2022 her husband assaulted her which resulted in the miscarriage of her 2.5 months pregnancy, DCW said in a statement.

DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal has sought a copy of FIR registered along with details of arrests made in the matter. The Commission has also sought copy of complaints received in the past from the complainant against her husband and in-laws, along with details of action taken thereon. The Commission has further asked Delhi Police to provide details of the manner in which acid was procured by the mother-in-law along with action taken against those responsible for selling the same to her.

Maliwal said, We have received a complaint of acid attack on a woman by her mother-in-law. The accused must be arrested immediately and strict action should be taken against them. Further, police should investigate the manner in which the accused procured acid. Strict action should also be taken against person responsible for selling the acid.

EOM

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The Delhi government, which is currently finalising its cab aggregator policy, is considering requests from operators to allow them to charge surge prices during the morning and evening rush hours, officials aware of the development said. The formulation of the policy is currently in the final stages, and will likely be submitted to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his final approval by the end of this month, officials said. HT reached out to Ola and Uber, but neither company responded to queries for comments on the developments. (Reuters)

Transport minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday held a meeting to review the fine-tuning of the policy with transport department officials.

READ | Auto, taxi fares hiked in Delhi; app-based cab charges stay same

Under the leadership of CM Kejriwal, the Delhi government is developing the cab aggregators policy to ensure the safety and convenience of the people. The purpose of the policy is to ensure passengers safety, get their grievances redressed, and check the impact of the increasing number of aggregators vehicles on the traffic and the environment. The policy has been almost finalised. A fine-tuning exercise is going on. The transport department has received various suggestions from the stakeholders. The Delhi government will consider the suggestions and take a final decision on this soon, said Gahlot.

The final file will be sent to the cabinet for approval. After cabinets approval, the file will be sent to the lieutenant governor for consideration and approval. After the LG gives his nod, the rules will be notified and will become binding on the aggregators and others, said officials.

A transport department official present at the meeting said suggestions received by the department included permitting cab aggregators to charge surge pricing. The guidelines of the Union ministry of road transport and highways lay down that surge pricing up to 1.5 times of the total fare may be allowed for cab aggregators. The government has to take a final call on this, the official said, declining to be named.

READ | Man says cab fare in Bengaluru is close to flight fare, people react

A second transport official, aware of the matter, said the proposed policy will make it mandatory for taxi-hailing services like Ola and Uber, as well as delivery aggregators like e-commerce companies, to register and obtain operating licences, set up a grievance redressal system, electrify their fleet in a phased manner, get passenger service vehicle badges for their drivers, install passengers safety features in the vehicles, and share the details of fleet and drivers with each ride aggregator, among other requirements.

HT reached out to Ola and Uber, but neither company responded to queries for comments on the developments.

Amit Bhatt, International Council on Clean Transportation managing director (India), said, For passengers convenience and safety besides checking pollution, aggregators rules are important, but the government should ensure that the policy it is going to bring an enabling ecosystem for the aggregators.

At present, the cab aggregator sector in the Capital is unregulated, and operators do not need to register with the Delhi government, do not need to obtain licences, and the government does not even know how many cabs under the aggregators are being operated in the Capital.

The policy in question will bring all aggregators under regulatory framework.

The draft has been prepared under Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 2023, which will be binding on ride-hailing companies, door-to-door delivery firms, e-commerce companies and other aggregators. The violation of the rules will invite provisions of fines and licence suspension, officials said.

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A private school in Delhis RK Puram received an email warning of explosives on premises that later turned out to be a hoax, police officials aware of the matter said on Thursday. Bomb threat was received at Lal Bahadur Shastri School in RK Puram, Sector 3 (Representative Photo)

Officials said that the school received the email on Wednesday, following which the authorities informed police and an inspection of the school was carried out on Thursday morning.

After inspecting the entire premises, the police concluded that it was likely a hoax email.

The school received the email on Wednesday. Around 8:25am on Thursday, we got a call informing us about a bomb threat at Lal Bahadur Shastri School in RK Puram, Sector 3. After inspection, the email threat was found to be a hoax, said Manoj C, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Southwest.

The school was scheduled to conduct an exam for 400 students on Thursday. The exam went off smoothly after the bomb squads search of the premises, added the official.

In May, the Delhi Public School in Mathura Road received a similar hoax email about a bomb.

The threat was a hoax as nothing suspicious was found during the search operation of the school.

In April this year, students at The Indian School in south Delhis Sadiq Nagar were evacuated after the institute received an email warning of explosives, following which multiple units of the Delhi Police carried out prolonged searches of the schools premises.

In November last year, the same school had received another email about a bomb on the school premises.

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Sanitation workers of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) have gone on a strike and have stopped sweeping the streets and lifting garbage since the past two days, leaving the city looking unkempt and littered with waste piles in different areas. Garbage strewn in Sector 57, in Gurugram on Thursday. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

The sanitation workers are protesting against the MCG issuing new tenders to hire fresh agencies for outsourcing the sanitation work. The workers union has demanded the cancellation of tenders and urged the civic body to employ the sanitation staff already hired by existing agencies.

The union leaders said unless their demands are met, they will not let the new agency start work.

The MCG officials said the workers issues will be resolved within two days since six new private agencies have been hired and given work orders on Thursday.

MCG joint commissioner Naresh Kumar said the decision to hire new agencies was taken by the state government. The sanitation issue has been resolved and the streets will be cleaned and cleared on Friday. New sanitation staff has been assigned by the new contractors and the work has been outsourced. Our team will keep a close watch on sanitation across the city, he said.

The MCG has outsourced sanitation to private contractors who hire sanitation workers on contract to carry out the work. Sanitation workers said despite being assured that their contracts would be renewed, they ended up being fired. They were given false hopes of regularisation and increments but the new agencies have refused to hire them, they said.

The MCG employees are supporting contractual workers and have stopped cleaning the streets and lifting garbage.

According to officials, 3,400 employees and contractual workers of the MCG are on strike, and have stopped cleaning streets in residential areas and public places. The sanitation staff of MCG are also supporting the union and outsourced workers and have stopped working, said MCG officials.

Naresh Malkat, state secretary of Nagar Palika Karamchari Sangh, said, Around 3,400 sanitation workers have been affected. They are jobless now and new workers from West Bengal have been hired through new contractors. Each time, the government has given us false promises and has betrayed us. Last time, we had called off the strike after assurances were given by the government, he said.

The state government had assured the union that it will consider their demands and also agreed to come up with a policy for the regularisation of contractual workers last October.

Ram Singh, president of Nagar Nigam Safai Karamchari Sangh, a sanitation workers union, said the government had agreed to put the outsourced staff on the municipal corporations payroll. They were given false hope but hiring was done secretly and new players were given the contract.

We will again protest against the government and will start another strike this week if the situation remains the same. The new workers will not be able to manage sanitation and the government cannot do us an injustice. If warranted, we will start an indefinite hunger strike, he said.

Residents said because of the strike, garbage is lying strewn about in markets, roads and residential areas, resulting in a foul smell permeating the surrounding areas. The door-to-door garbage collection is done by a concessionaire, while general sanitation and lifting of waste are the responsibility of MCG.

Sanitation in the city has been erratic since the past one year, and irrespective of the issues that MCG is facing, we deserve clean roads and residential areas. MCG is responsible for sanitation and if they cannot ensure cleanliness, they should allow residents to run the sanitation operations in their respective areas, said Rajkumar Yadav, president, Sector 46 residents welfare association.

Abhay Poona, vice-president of Gurgaon Citizens Council (GCC) and Gurgaon Resident Forum, said residents from different parts of the city, including sectors developed by the erstwhile Haryana Urban Development Authority as well as private colonies, are facing sanitation issues.

The new agency will take time to set up their operations and the garbage situation in residential areas is a concern. Residents have stopped visiting parks as areas are piling up with garbage,troubling them, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will take up the repair of the 14-km-long Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) on priority basis to ensure that commuters dont face any trouble, officials said on Thursday. The SPR project involved the construction of flyovers and expansion of the road from Ghata up to cloverleaf on NH58 at a cost of  845 crore. (HT Archive)

According to officials, the repair of the road has been delayed as the authority had earlier planned to upgrade this road through construction of eight flyovers and other additional infrastructure. However, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had directed GMDA to alter the upgradation project questioning the need for so many flyovers, officials added

GMDA officials also said that the authority is now working on a detailed project report for constructing an elevated road to connect the Central Peripheral Road (CPR) at NH48 with the Sohna elevated road at Vatika Chowk.

The SPR project involved the construction of flyovers and expansion of the road from Ghata up to cloverleaf on NH58 at a cost of 845 crore. The SPR redevelopment project was delayed due to issues of funding as authorities could not mop up funds required for the construction of the road, particularly from private developers involved in the project, officials said.

Arun Dhankhar, chief engineer, GMDA, said that the repair of SPR is their top priority right now, and that they will award the contract for its repair within a month. The entire stretch of the road from Ghata to Vatika Chowk, and from there to cloverleaf on NH48, will be repaired properly. Wherever there is a drain along the road it will be cleared and desilted and stretches where drains fo not exist, they will be dug up. The issue of waterlogging will also be resolved along the road to ensure it is not damaged, he said.

Dhankhar said that in addition to this, the authority is also working to get prepared a detailed project to construct an elevated road to connect the Central Peripheral Road of Dwarka Expressway with Sohna elevated road. This is a long process and a consultant is being hired to prepare a detailed project report. This project is on the cards but it will take some time to finalise the different aspects. This road will enable commuters from Dwarka Expressway to take Sohna elevated road and reach the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway seamlessly, he added.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Abhishek Behl Abhishek Behl is principal correspondent, Hindustan Times in Gurgaon Bureau. He covers infrastructure, planning and civic agencies in the city. He has been covering Gurgaon as correspondent for the last 10 years, and has written extensively on the city. ...view detail
More than a month after a first-year student of Jadavpur University allegedly jumped to death in the universitys hostel, authorities have come up with a set of rules and regulations for its hostel inmates. Jadavpur University (File/Representative)

Hostelites have been directed not to stay outside the hostel after 10 pm. Furthermore, the entry of visitors has also bene restricted to the visitors room only.

Hostel gates would be closed from 10 pm to 6 am. Boarders would have to take prior permission of the hostel superintendent in case they need to stay outside, said a professor.

The victim was allegedly ragged and sexually harassed by some seniors and former students. The former students were illegally staying in the hostel. Police in their probe had found that at least two dozen former students were illegally staying in the hostel.

The borders are allowed to remain with their respective visitors in the visitors room or recreation room only. Visitors must carry their ID proof and register their names, address and mobile number in the hostel visitors register, said the professor.

JU was adjudged the best university in West Bengal in the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023 (NIRF 23) rankings. It bagged the fourth position nationally among universities for the second year straight after IISc Bengaluru, JNU Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi. The university was, however, pulled up by the UGC for flouting anti-ragging norms.

First-year students have already been shifted to a separate hostel soon after the incident as per UGC guidelines. We are also beefing up security in the hostel and university. Security personnel are being posted and CCTv cameras would also be installed soon, said a senior university official.

An internal probe committee set up by the university has already recommended expelling four university students, who are among 13 people arrested for the role in the 17-year-olds death. Thirteen people  six current and seven former students  have been arrested in connection with the death of the 17-year-old student.

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LUCKNOW The cancellation of registration of Amethis Sanjay Gandhi Hospital by the UP administration triggered a fresh round of verbal duel between the Congress and the BJP. The two parties again traded charges over the issue of development projects in the Lok Sabha constituency, which till 2019, was considered the bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi family. UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai had on Wednesday sent a letter to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, urging him to withdraw the orders for cancellation of registration to ensure that the hospital continues to serve people. (File PTI/Photo)

Both parties had consistently remained engaged in a blame game, with the grand old party accusing the BJP-led government of taking away development projects away from the constituency after the installation of BJP-led government at the Centre following 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The Sanjay Gandhi Charitable Trust runs the hospital in Munshiganj (Amethi) providing health care services to people of nearby areas. Senior Congress leader and Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of the trust while Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are its members.

The UP health department had cancelled the registration of the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Amethi after the death of a 22-year-old woman in a case of alleged medical negligence.

Health department officials on Tuesday said on the directions of the deputy chief minister, a three-member team led by additional CMO Dr Ram Prasad conducted a probe into the matter. In its report, the department found laxity in treatment given to Divya, 22, and said the woman could have been saved if specialist doctors had reached the hospital.

On September 14, Divya was taken to the hospital after she complained of a stomach ache. After examining her, the doctor suggested an operation to remove stones in her gallbladder.

While the Congress termed the suspension of licence as political vendetta, the BJP said there had been instances of medical negligence in the hospital earlier too.

This is clearly political vendetta. Instead of bringing about development in the constituency, the BJP government has been shutting down existing projects. The hospital also served people of nearby districts. The state governments priority should be to ensure that people continue to get medical treatment there. Besides giving representations to the district administration, we are taking the issue to court as well, said Pradeep Singhal, president, district Congress Committee (Amethi).

There have been complaints against the hospital and cases of medical negligence have been reported from there earlier too, said Uma Shankar Pandey, BJP leader and president of Amethi Bar Association.

UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai had on Wednesday sent a letter to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, urging him to withdraw the orders for cancellation of registration to ensure that the hospital continues to serve people.

In 2017, a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) had visited Sanjay Gandhi Hospital at Munshiganj (Amethi) amid allegations that the hospitals guest house was being used for political activities, which triggered a war of words between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress accused the BJP government of eyeing more projects for closure that were being run in Amethi. The district administration in Amethi had also accused the hospital of violating the conditions of land lease.

There is a long list of projects that have been closed in Amethi. Sanjay Gandhi Hospital is among projects that somehow survived. Now, the hospital has also been closed, said Singhal. But Pandey countered this saying the BJP government brought new projects to Lucknow. He said Krishi Vigyan Kendra, a central school and Amethi bypass etc had been brought to Amethi during the tenure of BJP government.

A day after the Congress demanded revocation of Sanjay Gandhi Hospitals licence suspension, UP deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak on Thursday said the step was taken after a probe into the death of a woman, according to an agency report. He said action would be taken against all the hospitals, which were functioning illegally or found of negligence in treating patients.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Umesh Raghuvanshi Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984. ...view detail
MUMBAI: A 71-year-old woman was stopped at the airport by immigration authorities and handed over to the police on suspicion of having dual citizenship, which is not permitted under Indian laws. HT Image

The woman, identified as B Chandrika Kumari from Kerala, was subsequently booked by Sahar police under IPC sections related to cheating for failing to declare that she had accepted Nepalese citizenship despite holding Indian citizenship. Apart from the Nepal passport she was travelling on, the woman was also found in possession of an Indian voter identity card and an Aadhaar card, which made the cops suspect that she had acquired foreign citizenship without giving up her original Indian citizenship.

According to the complaint registered by the immigration officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Kumari was supposed to take a Nepal-bound flight scheduled to take off at 10.30 am. Before boarding, she presented her Aadhaar card and boarding pass to the official at the counter. Since the Aadhaar card alone was not sufficient to let her on the flight, the officer asked her to provide another government-authorized identification document to be allowed on board, informed an official from Sahar police. At this point, she presented a document that declared her to be a Nepalese citizen by marriage.

On further interrogation, she told the authorities that she had got married to a Nepalese citizen Ishwar Bahadur in 1974 when he was in India. After 10 years of marriage, he went back to Nepal along with their two children. She also said she eventually got married to a man from Kerala in 2004.

The woman still kept in touch with her children. She would visit them regularly. She had got citizenship of Nepal in 2017 to make her travels to the country easier. Yet, she did not give up her Indian citizenship. Since the Indian government does not allow dual citizenship, this is seen as an emigration fraud, said the policeman.

The immigration authorities informed the Sahar police of the case. While going through the belongings of the woman, police found her to be in possession of a voter identification card declaring her to be a citizen of India. Based on this, the police booked Kumari under Sections s 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

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The rebel Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, on Thursday filed a disqualification petition with assembly speaker Rahul Narvekar against 10 MLAs from the Sharad Pawar camp. Sunil Tatkare, state president of the Ajit Pawar faction, confirmed this to HT. Pune, Sep 10 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar holds a roadshow, in Pune on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

The development comes in the backdrop of the Election Commission of India (ECI) accepting that there is a dispute in NCP and asking both camps to remain present for a hearing on October 6. The move also indicates that the uncle-nephew fight is going to intensify in the coming days.

The 10 MLAs are Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad, Rajesh Tope, Anil Deshmukh, Rohit Pawar, Mansing Naik, Balasaheb Patil, Sunil Bhusara, Sandip Kshirsagar and Ashok Pawar. According to party insiders, Ajit-led faction has decided not to take action against Nawab Malik who was recently released on bail on medical grounds.

Pawar-led NCP has filed three disqualification petitions against 40 MLAs for shifting loyalty to Ajit. The first petition was filed against nine legislators while the second one was against 20 MLAs and the third was filed against 11 MLAs. The information was revealed in the affidavit filed by the party before the ECI.

On July 2, Ajit Pawar declared to join the Shiv Sena-BJP government with a group of 40 MLAs and was also inducted as deputy chief minister. The same day, he declared to move the ECI to stake claim on the party name and symbol.

The faction claimed to have elected Ajit Pawar as their new national president at a meeting held on June 30. Ajit then appointed Praful Patel as the new working president. It is yet to declare its national executive body.

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In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has decided to allow civic bodies and planning authorities to take over slum rehabilitation (SRA) projects that have been pending for years in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The move will bring relief to tenants, some of whom have been waiting for decades for their homes. HT Image

The governments decision will allow all civic bodies, such as the BMC and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and planning authorities such as MMRDA, Mhada and CIDCO to invest and complete the projects, states a government resolution issued by the state housing department on Thursday.

A civic body or a planning authority will have to form a joint venture (JV) with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), which will remain as a planning authority. The partners in the JV will have to develop rehabilitation tenements before the saleable tenements. The civic body or planning agency will have the power to decide the price of the saleable tenements among other things, said a senior official from the housing department. However the order states that saleable tenements must be sold at affordable prices.

The agency will have to follow all the existing procedures for changing the developer in case he or she is unable to complete the project. It will also have to continue paying monthly rent to tenants who have moved following the demolition of their houses. The agency will have to prepare an estimation of the construction done of a pending SRA project and return the amount to the concerned developers.

The state government has also decided to constitute a high-level committee that will give approvals to all such projects. The eight-member committee will be headed by the housing secretary and will comprise the urban development secretary and the CEO of the SRA among others. Once a proposal is approved by the SRA, it will be sent to the committee for final approval, a housing official said.

The state government has for several years been coming out with various initiatives and methods to kickstart stalled SRA projects, that are in hundreds in Mumbai city alone.

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The 10 days of festivity surrounding the arrival of Lord Ganesha is incomplete without a mention of the larger than life decoration work. While the public pandals are known to depict mind boggling creativity, not falling behind either are the decorations done by the household Ganpati decorations. Devotees hosting the deity in their homes leave no stone unturned to make the 10 days festival a grand affair. From Ramayan to Gondhali dance, families bond over ganesh decor

From depicting the complex events from Ramayana to spending hours to recreate the traditional lifestyle of Mahrashtrian family in village or drawing life size rangoli of Ganesha, the themes used by Navi Mumbai families are endless.

Seawoods residents, the Dhoot family, has a tradition of hosting the deity for the entire ten days and this year, the four-member family has painstakingly built a 3D model of 20 key events of Ramayana. The decoration work was undertaken in a matter of seven days wherein the family worked as a team during the night. The idea of keeping Ramayana as the theme came from the 15 year old daughter Deesha Dhoot. For the last seven days, we have put in five to six hours of work at night to bring the chapters of Ramayana to life. Be it the ideation, selection of events, the appropriate means of depicting them, the materials to be used etc - every aspect was thought and executed as a team, said Deesha.

Almost 20 events of Ramayan have been portrayed in a 60 X 50 inch set up. The detailing that has gone into creating the model wherein even the presiding deity of Ganesha is shown to be holding bow and arrow has become a talk of the town. Its like seeing the entire Ramayan at a glance. The detailing with which the pandal is made is something to be experienced. The ornate walls of Ayodhya, the rustic life in the forest, every aspect of Ramayan is there to be seen in 3D, said a resident Sangeeta Vyas.

From Ramayan to Gondhali dance, families bond over ganesh decor

A similar personalised feat has been achieved by the Nath household in sector 27, Nerul. Varsha Nath for the past 20 odd days has spent hours sewing multiple cloth pieces to prepare different styles of the nine-year Nauvari saree. Likewise, she has scanned the markets to use traditional miniature Maharashtrian jewellry to adorn the dolls used to depict the village lifestyle. The younger generation has little idea about the traditional lifestyle and even less is known about the age-old art form Gondhali dance form popular in the interior of Maharashtra. This year I purchased over 20 odd Barbie dolls. I draped them in Nauvari sarees stitched by hand and positioned them in a rustic household setting. I got the kids involved to make the mud flooring seen in the village, then cardboards were used to make the huts and for the backdrop of stone walls, I used paper balls. We innovated on stuff we use in daily life to bring alive the village life in Maharashtra , said Varsha.

The work that goes into decoration of the pandal is stated to strengthen the family bond as well as increase awareness amongst the younger generation about the Indian culture and traditions. The days that went into preparing the pandal I see it as quality time with family. We spoke, discussed and came to a consensus so it is a worthwhile effort which even prompts the younger generation to do research work therefore stay rooted to our culture and tradition, said Deepa Dhoot.

True to the festive fervor of bringing families together, the life size rangoli made by Mitali Surve of Nerul has been seeing a large number of visitors. The homemaker is a self-made artist, this year has drawn a 5ft x 7 Ft image of Ganesh with colors traditionally used for laying of rangoli.  Since Lalbagcha Raja has a large fan following I have depicted this image through rangoli. The response I have received is amazing as there are families coming from far off to see my work which is the ultimate reward and resonates with the festivals foremost intention - to bring people together, said Mitali.

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Navi Mumbai: A man and his two aides have been booked for allegedly using a Bluetooth spy camera during the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams held in April, this year. HT Image

The incident came to light after the Mumbai police nabbed a man indulging in malpractice during the police recruitment exam. The police did a technical analysis of his phone and those of his accomplices and found the question paper and answer sheets of the MPSC examination held in April. The MPSC exam was conducted on April 30 in 37 district centers in Maharashtra including Navi Mumbai.

The accused, Akash Bhausingh Ghunawat, 27, from Jalna who appeared for the examination, Jeevan Nayma and Shankar Chainsingh Jarwal, 30.

Ghuawat had sent the question paper and answer sheet to Nayma through a spy camera at JSPM Jaywantrao College of Engineering, Hadapsar Pune, who then forwarded the same to Jarwal.

During the investigation, the police, while analysing Jarwals phone, found that he had used the same modus operandi during the MPSC exams. Jarwal further revealed that some candidate had sent him the question paper using a spy camera to Nayma and he had forwarded it to Jarwal.

MPSC officials found that the candidate Ghunawat had used the spy camera and leaked the question paper while appearing for the exam. It is suspected that the candidate who sent the question paper was connected to someone outside through Bluetooth and was being helped with answers. Since the office of MPSC is in Belapur, the case was registered with us, but the incident happened in Pune and hence we have forwarded the case to them for further investigations, Giridhar Gore, senior police inspector, CBD Belapur police station said.

The police have registered a case against the trio under Section 7 of The Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board, and other specified Examinations Act, 1982, and under the IT Act.

Similarly, during the Mumbai Police recruitment written exam on May 7, this year, a candidate, Bablu Madan Singh Medharwal, was caught copying using an electronic device at Bright High School in Bhandup. The police arrested Medharwal and Pritam Gusinge who helped him. The Additional Police Commissioner of Mumbai East Provincial Division informed about the same to MPSC in writing.

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A 14-year-old girl suffered severe injuries after she was allegedly pushed by her neighbour from the third-floor balcony of a residential building in Ghaziabads Sain Vihar locality late Wednesday evening, police said. The incident took place on Wednesday at the residential building in Ghaziabads Sain Vihar locality (Representative Photo)

Police said following the incident, they arrested the 35-year-old woman identified as Renu Devi and registered a first information report (FIR) based on the complaint of the family members of the victim.

The FIR was registered and the suspect woman Renu Devi was arrested. She got infuriated during the altercation and allegedly pushed the girl from the third floor. The girl could not maintain balance and fell to the ground. She is admitted to the MMG district hospital and has suffered multiple injuries, including a leg fracture, said Saloni Agarwal, assistant commissioner of police, Crossings Republik Circle.

According to Rohit Sharma, the victims brother, the incident took place around 6.30pm on Wednesday when his sister along with his seven-year-old niece were going to the terrace to water plants.

We live on the ground floor as tenants and the suspect woman is one of the tenants on the third floor. The woman had put kitchen utensils midway on the balcony and my niece unknowingly walked over and hit the utensils, which angered the woman, Rohit Kumar said.

Kumar said that the woman allegedly abused the two children and also tried to hit them, and when the children objected, she pushed her sister from the third floor of the balcony.

She fell right on the tiled road outside the house. We brought her to the district hospital for treatment. She has suffered a fracture to her leg besides several broken teeth and jaw. She has also suffered injuries to her hands and waist, Kumar added.

The accused woman has been booked under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code based on a complaint given by the girls brother, police said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peeyush Khandelwal Peeyush Khandelwal writes on a range of issues in western Uttar Pradesh  from crime, to development authorities and from infrastructure to transport. Based in Ghaziabad, he has been a journalist for almost a decade. ...view detail
The Noida Traffic Police has issued an advisory ahead of two major events in the city: the five-day UP International Trade Show beginning on Thursday at the India Expo Centre, and the MotoGP event, which will be held at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) from September 22 to 24. These events are scheduled to take place in Greater Noida, leading to the enforcement of traffic restrictions along a 35-km-long route in Noida. In light of these restrictions, police advised commuters to utilise Noida's internal roads for travel to Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Agra, and Lucknow. (File) (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

This route encompasses the initial 25 km of the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and a further 10 km of the Yamuna Expressway, stretching from Zero Point to the BIC. There is a complete ban on buses, autos, e-rickshaws and heavy vehicles using this route, while the traffic police may also restrict the movement of non-commercial vehicles based on traffic congestion and VIP movements.

According to the advisory, there will be restrictions on the entry and movement of heavy, medium, and light goods vehicles from Delhi to Gautam Buddha Nagar starting at 6am on Thursday. Additionally, heavy vehicles will be restricted from accessing the DND Flyway, Chilla Road, Kalindi Kunj, New Ashok Nagar, and Jhundpura borders. The advisory also warns of disruptions near Pari Chowk, and the movement of vehicles across the city is expected to be affected.

Deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) Anil Kumar Yadav said President Droupadi Murmu will travel by road to the India Expo Mart for the inaugural ceremony of the trade fair on Thursday afternoon. We will enforce traffic restrictions from 2 pm on Thursday, he said.

In light of these restrictions, the police advised commuters to utilise Noida's internal roads for travel to Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Agra, and Lucknow.

Routes to reach MotoGP race

For those travelling to the Buddh International Circuit from Noida and Delhi, the recommended route involves taking the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, followed by the Yamuna Expressway. Upon reaching the designated areas at loops 2A and 2C, attendees can access the event zones located to the north, south, east, and west. Organisers have arranged parking facilities at each of these zones, with the capacity to accommodate around 22,000 vehicles.

Commuters coming from Agra and Mathura can exit at the Chapargadh loop and proceed to the race track venue for parking their vehicles. Given the expected high volume of attendees, the traffic police will closely monitor the flow of vehicles on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. During the evening hours, when people would leave the event, authorities might implement restrictions on accessing the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway to prevent congestion along that route.

Metro rail connectivity

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is set to provide direct connectivity for visitors to the international trade show venue. NMRC spokesperson Nish Wadhwan said, Visitors can now travel on NMRCs Aqua Line directly to reach the exhibition venue. The Knowledge Park-2 Metro station of the Aqua Line is the nearest station to the venue.

The NMRC has also taken measures to enhance the visitor experience by offering direct connectivity, increasing train frequency during these days, and expanding parking facilities for the public. To avoid crowding at stations and to manage the rush of visitors, NMRC has increased the frequency of trains and they will be made available at an interval of 7.5 minutes from 8am to 10pm, Wadhwan said.

Wadhwan further said, The Aqua Line will be connecting visitors directly to the international trade show venue. Aqua Line commuters can travel to Knowledge Park-2 station, which is the nearest metro station to the venue (approximately 500 metres),

On parking facilities, an NMRC spokesperson said, Parking facility is also available for the general public at eight Aqua Line metro stations of Sector 51, Sector 76, NSEZ, Sector 142, Sector-137, Pari Chowk, Alpha 1 and Delta 1.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao Trainee Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital Stream. India's regional languages attract me. ...view detail
The Pune city police have arrested a 27-year-old man from Dhankawadi under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act for his involvement in criminal activities.This is the 44th MPDA case, said officials. The Pune city police have arrested a 27-year-old under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

The Sahakarnagar Police initiated action against criminal Harshad Rajendra Deshmukh, a resident of Chavan Nagar in Dhankawadi under the MPDA Act on September 20.

The police in their statement said that the accused is a hard-core criminal and he along with his accomplices have committed serious crimes like extortion, forced theft, injury, kidnapping, day and night burglary, theft, arson, possession of illegal weapons like knives, iron rods, etc. Due to his criminal activities, there was an imminent threat to the life of the citizens of the area.

According to the police, the citizens had been threatened and public order was disturbed. Also, citizens did not dare to complain openly against Deshmukh and his gang because of terror, police stated.

There are four cases registered against Deshmukh in the past five years. A proposal to initiate action against the accused was submitted to the commissioner of police. After verifying the proposals and documents received, Police Commissioner Retesh Kummarr ordered the accused Deshmukh to be lodged in Nagpur Central Jail for one year.

The criminal behaviour documentation and assessment was done by Senior PI Surendra Malale of Sahakarnagar Police Station and the crime branch. Crime Branch Inspector AT Khobare assisted in further investigation of the case.

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The Congress on Wednesday filed a complaint against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his alleged hate speech during a rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, earlier this week. Congress leader Debabrata Saikia lodged the complaint at Nazira Police Station in Sivasagar district on Wednesday (Twitter/@DsaikiaOfficial)

Lodging a complaint at the Nazira Police Station in Sivasagar district on Wednesday evening, Congress leader and the leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia said that the Assam CM, in his speech on September 19 in MP, suggested that 10, Janpath should be burned.

10, Janpath is the resident of former Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Sarma has directly suggested that 10, Janpath should be burnt down, which is the residence of former President of the Indian National Congress, Sonia Gandhi. By suggesting that, Sarma has tried to instigate an attack on a 77-year-old lady, who happens to be the widow of the former prime minister, Saikia said.

I am constrained to lodge this FIR (first information report) on account of the banal and hateful statement given by Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam on 19.09.2023 during the Jan Ashirwad rally in Vidhisha district, Madhya Pradesh, mentioned the complaint.

In a country governed by the rule of law, Sri Sarma has taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form. While taunting Sri Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sri Sarma has directly suggested that 10, Janpath should be burnt, the complaint further reads.

He said that such wanton statements coming from a constitutional authority like the chief minister, have the potential of influencing misguided people to resort to violence and cause harm to the residents of 10, Janpath.

This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Himanta Biswa Sarma and legal actions should be taken against him, Saikia said.

According to him, the Assam Chief Minister is liable to be booked under section 153 (provocation), sections 115 (abetment of an offence) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Sharing a copy of the complaint on micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter) Saikia said that the chief minister should be ashamed for resorting to hate speech & inciting violence.

Though the statement was made in Madhya Pradesh, it has been widely circulated over the print, electronic and social media which are accessible in Assam. Therefore, I implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard, Saikia wrote in this complaint.

According to the officials aware of the matter, the Sivasagar Police has received the complaint, however, no FIR has been filed.

HT reached out to the superintendent of police of Sivasagar district Subhrajyoti Borah, but he didnt respond to the calls.

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LUCKNOW A 23-year-old college student was shot dead in the wee hours of Thursday by her friend at his rented flat in Dayal Residency at Faizabad road under the Chinhat Police station area of Lucknow. Representative pic (HT File)

Syed Ali Abbas, additional deputy commissioner of police (East), said, A case of murder under IPC 302 has been registered at Chinhat police station, and the primary suspect, 27-year-old Aditya Pathak, a resident of Ballia, has been apprehended. The police revealed that Aditya, a property dealer with a criminal record, had recently obtained bail in an extortion case.

The victim, identified as Nishtha Tripathi, was a student pursuing a BCom (Honours) degree at BBD College. She hailed from Hardoi. Reportedly, the incident occurred during a gathering at the apartment, with several students in attendance. Although liquor bottles were found in the premises, law enforcement officials denied the existence of a formal party.

Anindya Vikram Singh, ACP of Vibhuti Khand, stated, The incident transpired in a rented flat where Aditya, a Ballia resident, had invited Nishtha. An altercation between them led to the fatal shooting, where the girl was struck above her right-side chest with a locally-made firearm, likely originating from Munger.

Around 3:30 AM, Adityas friend, Monu, heard a gunshot and discovered Nishtha lying in a pool of blood. They rushed her to RMLIMS emergency, provided her parents contact information, and then fled after she was pronounced dead.

Subsequently, doctors attempted to contact the parents but received no response. However, at approximately 5:30 AM, when Nishthas mother, Santoshi, noticed missed calls, she rushed to Lucknow.

A memo regarding the gunshot injury death of a Chinhat-based university student was sent to the Vibhuti Khand police, who then transferred the case to Chinhat. A team was dispatched to the scene.

An investigation has been launched, and all individuals present at the flat have been taken into custody for questioning, Additional DCP Syed Ali Abbas added.

Preliminary findings indicate that the victim had recently connected with the accused via Instagram just ten days prior to the incident. According to the educational records of the deceased, the college revealed that Nishtha had a mere 2% attendance in her second year of BCom, and her only attendance in the third year was on the day the new class commenced.

Nishtha did not visit campus in one month: College

The college released a statement to clarify that the incident had no connection with the ongoing Ganesh Mahotsav - 2023 program at BBD University Campus, as the student had not attended the campus in over a month.

D.S.M.K. Rizvi, chief proctor and dean student welfare at BBD University, Lucknow, said, The two friends mentioned in the FIR, Aditya Pathak and Monu, are not students of BBD University.

.

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TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Wednesday called his supporters to launch a peaceful movement in demand for a Greater Tipraland and constitutional solution for tribal communities in the state. TIPRA Motha party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma (File Photo)

On Wednesday, in a video message, Debbarma said he feels that the time has come for the tribals of Tripura to become united and raise the demand for their rights through a massive but peaceful movement which could be heard in Delhi and mount pressure on the central government.

The time has come for all of us to be united and achieve something which our next generation will be proud of us. Its time to build pressure on the central government to fulfil our demand for a Constitutional solution, he said.

His comments came following his meetings with Union home minister Amit Shah, North East advisor to ministry of home affairs AK Mishra, and other officials in Delhi over TIPRA Mothas demand for a separate state for tribals of Tripura.

In his video message on Wednesday, Debbarma said, The dialogue is going on very well at New Delhi but a few people in Agartala have always played a negative role by speaking against the demand for tribal rights. They have tried to divide tribals, weaken unity and tribal identity.

Our talks (TIPRA Motha and Centre) are going on well but lets not forget that delimitation is expected to be held next year. If it happens before we dont get anything, we shall be finished, added Debbarma.

TIPRA Motha last week constituted its Central Working Committee comprising six members delegation.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Debbarman on Saturday wrote that in the next few weeks, he will work to strengthen and constitute the party from primary to central committee.

While several parties earlier demanded different development initiatives for tribals, Debbarmas TIPRA Motha and the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), which is a ruling alliance partner with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura, have been demanding a separate state for tribals, over the issue of alleged under-development of tribals till now.

One of the two Lok Sabha seats of Tripura is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and many feel the delimitation might disrupt the reservation criteria of these seats.

Meanwhile, Debbarma, whose party identifies itself as the prime opposition party in the Tripura assembly, is frequently found engaging in dialogue with the BJP-led central government in Delhi, something which riled the other opposition parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Congress, the Tipraland State Party (TSP), which parted ways recently, among others.

However, earlier this week, Debbarma said that his party doesnt disagree with parties speaking about Constitution and democracy but would lend its support only to those who give something for the welfare of tribals.

Debbarmas lingo of something has often eluded his other opposition partners who feel he is trying to keep both sides for the time being.

However, he said his movement is not for any party alone but for all Tiprasa or tribals, neither it is against any community or religion.

Tripura, which has 3.7 million people living in a 10,491.69 sqkm area, has nearly 30% of its population from 19 recognised tribal communities.

The Indigenous Peoples Regional Alliance (TIPRA) was founded in 2021 by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, keeping the agenda of creating Greater Tipraland, a separate state for the indigenous community living in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and other northeastern states including Assam, Mizoram etc.

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Gujarat has so far this year received approximately 20% more than the average normal rainfall of 680mm, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Heavy rainfall in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (ANI File Photo)

Manorama Mohanty, the IMD director for Ahmedabad, said Gujarat has recorded 814.4mm cumulative rainfall this year, marking a 19.76% excess in comparison to the normal long-term average of 680mm.

The average rainfall period in Gujarat is observed between June 15 and September 30.

This year, Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall in Kutch on June 15 and over the next few days various parts of the state received rainfall due to the remnants of the cyclonic storm. Notably, the Dhanera taluka of Banaskantha has been severely impacted, resulting in several villages experiencing flood-like conditions. While Saurashtra and Kutch have seen substantial rainfall, other regions have received relatively minimal precipitation in the aftermath of Biparjoy.

Overall, this year the Saurashtra-Kutch region has witnessed an exceptional rainfall surplus, receiving more than 150% of its anticipated rainfall, which equates to over 50% excess, according to Mohanty. On the other hand, the rest of Gujarat has shown a slight deficiency of about 1%, she said.

These rainfall patterns hold significant implications for the agricultural sector, as crops require consistent and timely rainfall. Gujarat saw a shortfall in precipitation in the month of August, receiving only 10% of the expected rainfall. This raises concerns about the overall outlook for the entire month.

However, considering the broader perspective of the last decade, Gujarat has generally received a satisfactory amount of rainfall, with only a few years experiencing normal or deficient rains, according to Mohanty.

Ahmedabad received 71.71% of its expected rainfall while Surat recorded 86.04% of its anticipated rainfall. Vadodara has seen 77.93% of its normal rainfall. Rajkot received 120.82% of the expected rainfall, indicating an above-average monsoon. East Central Gujarat has received 96.11% of its average rainfall, contributing positively to the regions water resources. North Gujarat received 95.52% of its normal rainfall, while South Gujarat received 88.31% of its average monsoon rainfall.

Between September 16 and September 18, Gujarat received heavy rainfall with more than 12,000 people living in low-lying areas in five districts being evacuated and shifted to shelter homes. As many as 126 talukas of the state received more than two inches of rainfall in this period.

Over 6,000 people living along the banks of the Narmada River in Bharuch district have been shifted to safer places after the water level rose to 40 feet due to discharge from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Several areas in Bharuch city and tehsil, and many localities and villages in Ankleshwar, are still under knee-deep water even though the water level was decreasing slowly since Monday morning.

On Sunday, the water level of the Narmada River surged to 40 feet, surpassing the danger mark of 28 feet by nearly 12 feet, at the Golden Bridge connecting Ankleshwar to Bharuch. This rise was a result of the controlled release of water from the upstream Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Consequently, numerous people were displaced in downstream areas spanning Gujarat and Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh, officials said. However, the situation has since improved, with water levels receding and the state experiencing light to moderate rainfall on September 19 and September 20.

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At least 30 persons were injured when security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse stone-pelting mobs led by women who tried to storm police stations at various places in Imphal Valley on Thursday, officials said. Women protesters during the 48-hour bandh in Imphal earlier this week. (AFP)

Protesters were demanding the release of five Meitei men arrested earlier this month for carrying sophisticated weapons and donning camouflage uniform. Police said agitators led by women stormed police stations in a bid to rescue the five in custody.

According to police, the situation across the valley remained tense through the day as a large number of protesters attempted to storm several police stations in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and other districts.

The situation was tense until evening but now it has been brought under control. No additional forces have been deployed as our existing personnel are enough to deal with the situation, said K Sivakanta Singh, superintendent of police, Imphal East.

While some reports said nearly 30 people, mostly women, sustained minor injuries during the protest, police officers did not share details.

Also Read: Normal life affected for 2nd day in Imphal due to bandh called by women groups

We had to resort to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Several protesters were injured in that and some of our personnel also sustained minor injuries in stone-pelting by the protesters. It wont be possible to give exact figures of those injured, Singh stated.

On September 16, the Manipur Police arrested five persons carrying weapons and wearing police uniform. As per police, this followed reports of extortion threats, misuse of police uniform and impersonation by armed miscreants.

Thursdays protest followed a 48-hour shut down called on Monday midnight by Meira Paibis (Meitei women groups) and other organisations in Imphal Valley demanding the release of the arrested five whom they termed as village defenders. Normal life across the valley was disrupted due to the shutdown, which ended on Wednesday midnight.

On Thursday, shouting slogans arrest all of us, if youre going to arrest village defenders, a large number of women tried to storm police stations at Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung in Imphal East district, Singjamei and Kwakeithel in Imphal West district besides other police outposts in valley districts, police said.

A police officer aware of the days developments said personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) along with state police prevented them from reaching police stations at some locations, triggering clashes.

Police said as the protestors started pelting stones injuring some RAF personnel, tear gas shells were lobbed to disperse the crowd. In the melee, some women were injured. The injured persons were evacuated to nearby hospitals including RIMS, JNIMS and Raj Medi-city for treatment, government officials said.

After the confrontation, the district administration curtailed the curfew timing for Imphal West and Imphal East districts from 5am to 9pm to 5 am to 5pm.

Capital Imphal falls under Imphal West and Imphal East districts.

Curfew relaxation in respect of Imphal East district from 5am to 9pm for Thursday in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items, including medicines and food items is hereby cancelled with immediate effect, an order issued by the government said.

Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence between Kuki and Meitei communities since the first week of May, in which 175 persons have been killed,1,108 others injured, 32 missing and nearly 50,000 people displaced.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times. ...view detail
Skill embedded degree courses will be started from academic session 2023-24 at 113 colleges of Uttar Pradesh shortlisted by the state government. (Pic for representation)

The state government has entered into an agreement with the New Delhi headquartered Center for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) in January this year with an aim to bring about a radical change in higher education in UP in a systematic manner, said director (higher education) Brahm Dev.

Under the initiative, skill-based three-year BBA/BSc degree courses in retail, logistics, healthcare as well as tourism and hospitality designed by CRISP will be started in these 113 government-run, government-aided and unaided colleges spread across 47 districts of UP, he added.

UP special secretary (higher education) Girijesh Kumar Tyagi has sent a missive to the vice-chancellors of all state universities of UP on September 5, directing them to complete all the formalities for conducting these courses at the earliest.

Vice-chancellors have been advised through the letter, a copy of which is with HT, that the respective universities can give an in-principle approval or provisional affiliation for the identified colleges and the degree courses to be started. After completion of all formalities, regular approval or affiliation can be given to the colleges and courses concerned.

The 113 colleges selected under this initiative are a maximum 10 of Lucknow, 8 of Gautam Buddha Nagar, 7 of Ghaziabad, 6 each of Meerut and Kanpur Nagar, 5 each of Agra, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, 4 of Bareilly, 3 each of Aligarh, Bijnor, Farrukhabad, Muzaffarnagar and Prayagraj, 2 each of Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Banda, Hardoi, Lalitpur, Moradabad, Rampur, Rae Bareli and Saharanpur besides 1 each of Amroha, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Balrampur, Ballia, Bhadoi, Bulandshahr, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Ghazipur, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Kannauj, Kanpur, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mathura, Mau, Sitapur and Unnao.

CRISP is an organisation set up by a group of civil servants and those in public service with more than three decades of experience. On its official website, it lists making Uttar Pradesh the best destination for higher education under the flagship of Project for Excellence in Higher Learning and Education in UP (PEHLE - UP) as its key mission.

It plans to onboard 1,000 colleges of Uttar Pradesh for skill-based courses to increase the employability of students, streamline the processes for sector skill councils as well as colleges and declare a plan of action to make a credit transfer mechanism for students.

To narrow down the gap between schools and higher education institutions of Uttar Pradesh by increasing the interaction between them and gain NAAC accreditation for all universities in the next three years as well as have at least 25% of colleges accredited by NAAC within the next 3 years are also among its mission goals.

PHOTO: Skill development logo

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The deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Shahabad Navin Chandra Jha has recommended suspension of deputy superintendent of police (DySP) posted in Kaimur district of southwest Bihar over allegations of sexual harassment charges made by a subordinate female police officer. The DIG has also recommended departmental action and transfer of the officer. (Representative file image)

The DIG has also recommended departmental action and transfer of the officer, officials said.

The DySP Faiz Ahmed Khan posted as sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) at Mohania in Kaimur district has been found guilty of sexual harassing a female police sub inspector by an internal complaints committee (ICC), Kaimur superintendent of police, Lalit Mohan Sharma said.

The female SI in her complaint to the SP had alleged that Khan used to send obscene messages on her mobile phone and asked for sexual favours in return for making her a station house officer (SHO).

The officer allegedly continued the harassment even after the female SI was transferred from his jurisdiction.

Also Read:Man arrested for sexual assault of stepsons, Delhi cops say repeat offender

Fed up with the continued harassment by the senior officer, the woman SI informed Kaimur SP and sought protection.

The SP handed over the matter to ICC, constituted to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace.

The ICC headed by the SHO of the woman police station and a senior deputy collector, found the allegations true during the inquiry and submitted its report to the SP. The SP sent the report to the DIG who is empowered to take action against the police officer above the rank of sub-inspector.

The DIG had sent the report to police headquarters recommending suspension, departmental action and transfer of the SDPO, SP Sharma said.

HT tried to reach out to SDPO Khan, but he was unavailable for any comment.

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit president Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed unhappiness over party leader Gopinath Padalkars comment against Ajit Pawar. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit president Chandrashekhar Bawankule (HT FILE PHOTO)

Bawankule said, I had instructed MLA Padalkar to express apology for his statement made against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. There is difference in politics but while expressing it, language should be proper.

Bawankule said, I expressed my unhappiness with Padalkar for his recent statement. All partys are positive about getting reservation for Dhangar caste.

Padalkar in a statement against Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule called them wolf which caused an uproar.

BJP president criticised NCP MLA Rohit Pawar for his recent agitations against the Maharashtra government. Bawankule said, After Ajit Pawar joined this government, Rohit Pawar thinks he is the natural leader for the NCP and is staging protests for any small topic.

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Barely 500 metres away from the Sinhagad Road ward office of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in Hingne, there is a huge market where fruits, vegetables, flowers and various household items are sold. With the Ganesh festival currently underway, unauthorised stalls selling everything from Ganpati idols to decorations have been added to this list, leading in turn to severe traffic congestion. Vegetable seller seen occupying a footpath at Mandai Road. (Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)

Near Katraj Zoo on Satara Road, fruit vendors have created a similar problem, especially in the evenings. A new trend seems to have caught on in the city where what starts as a clutch of vendors selling their wares transforms within no time into a full-blown market teeming with sellers and buyers. This kind of encroachment is on the rise, especially at Sinhagad Road, Satara Road, Warje and Karve Nagar, and despite PMC officials claiming to take action against such encroachment, the encroachers return within two to three days. At Sinhagad Road, the hawkers have begun encroaching the parallel road at the foot of the Taljai Hills ever since the area was opened to the public.

Ajay Gole, anti-encroachment officer from the Sinhagad Road ward office, said, The encroachment issues have increased in the area, however the main reason for the same is unauthorised parking of vehicles by fruit and vegetable sellers. Most of them come from rural areas and stay in the city for the night. However, their haphazardly parked vehicles create traffic hurdles. Just three days before, we took action against four tempos and fined them 15,000 each. However, the situation continued even after the encroachment action.

Gole said that many shop owners and authorised hawkers too are found supporting these unauthorised businesses. In some cases, even the organisations came forward to oppose the anti-encroachment actions. Because of this, the situation escalates. However, we take action regularly, said Gole.

Abhay Mahajan, police inspector from the Sinhgad Road police station, said that the department provides all the necessary support to ward officers in case of anti-encroachment action. Recently, action was taken wherein some tempos and other vehicles were seized.

Madhav Jagtap, deputy commissioner, anti-encroachment department, PMC, said, The problem is on the rise mainly after the pandemic, during which time the hawkers were given a free hand to do business as it was a special situation. However, it has now become a serious issue as various problems arise due to encroachment.

The PMC is planning to conduct a survey of hawkers next month. After analysing the situation thoroughly, we will come up with a plan for the same, said Jagtap.

Box:

Citizens oppose action against encroachments

In areas like Sinhagad Road, Baner Road, and Warje, vendors from rural areas are found selling agricultural produce, the cost of which is less as compared to the market and the quality too is superior. Several citizens prefer to buy agricultural products from these vendors. When the PMC tries to take action against these unauthorised sellers, the citizens step in to support them and create obstacles for the encroachment action.

Unauthorised stalls on the rise during festive season

With the Ganesh festival underway, many unauthorised stalls have mushroomed across the city selling Ganesh idols, decorations, firecrackers and other knick-knacks. The PMC officials are turning a blind eye to these stalls as most of them enjoy the support of local politicians. The problem is not only seen on the outskirts but also in the main city areas.

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Pune district administration on Thursday extended the deadline for loudspeakers for six days during Ganpati festival. Earlier, permission was only given for five days following the rules regarding noise pollution. Now, loudspeakers can be used from 6 am to midnight. Several corporators from Pune and Ganapati mandals had earlier requested to extend this day as a special matter as Ganapati immersion is being done on the 7th day. Accordingly, the collector ordered to give an exemption for one day out of the two reserved days for Ganeshotsav on the 7th day. (HT FILE PHOTO)

Pune district collector Rajesh Deshmukh issued orders on Thursday.

Under the Central Governments Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2017, exemption has been given for the use of loudspeakers from 6 am to midnight for 15 days during the festival period. According to the order of the collector dated February 16, 2023, 13 days were fixed for the festivals in 2023 and 2 days were reserved. In that, five days were fixed for Ganeshotsav.

Several corporators from Pune and Ganapati mandals had earlier requested to extend this day as a special matter as Ganapati immersion is being done on the 7th day. Accordingly, the collector ordered to give an exemption for one day out of the two reserved days for Ganeshotsav on the 7th day.

As per the previous order, loudspeaker deadline has been relaxed for September 23 (fifth day- Gauri Visarjan), September 24 (sixth day), September 26 (eighth day), September 27 (ninth day), September 28 (tenth day- Anant Chaturdashi).

Ganeshotsav is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Pune. Immersion processions last 22 to 24 hours. There is an atmosphere of happiness among the workers of Ganesh mandals as they have been granted permission for six days now, said collector Deshmukh.

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The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will now monitor noise levels at 132 locations across the state in the light of growing number of complaints regarding noise pollution. The board issued a notification on Wednesday, saying the programme would take place in 27 municipal corporations for 24 hours. The monitoring exercise will be conducted as per the Central Pollution Control Boards norms. The board has allotted  18,57, 900 for five days of monitoring across the state. (Wikimedia Commons/Representative Photo)

As per the notification, a private firm has been given the contract to carry out a noise level monitoring exercise during the Ganesh festival.

A total of 132 locations which is finalised by the regional offices of the board have been selected for noise monitoring by Ashwamedh Engineers & Consultant Company.

The monitoring exercise will be conducted as per the Central Pollution Control Boards norms. The board has allotted 18,57, 900 for five days of monitoring across the state.

The exercise will mainly be conducted on September 22, 25, and 28 in different zones including residential, commercial, industrial, and silent zones.

The monitoring will be done on five days including September 19, 20, 22, 25, and 28. Although the notification was issued on Wednesday, the work order had already been issued earlier this month, the monitoring was done on September 19 and 20, said official.

The format has been prescribed by the board and noise records will be taken at each station in both day and night time.

In Pune, the board has finalised 18 locations for noise level monitoring. The city has the second highest locations followed by Mumbai where noise records will be taken at 25 locations.

In Thane, the records will be taken at 8 points while in Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Nagpur 5 locations have been finalised in each city.

In the rest of the cities, 3 locations have been finalised.

Nitin Shinde, sub-regional officer, MPCB Pune, said, As a part of standard practice, the noise monitoring exercise will be conducted by the MPCB. We have finalised 18 locations in the city that comprise all four zones. The noise level on immersion day is a major point of concern as there will be significant use of both loudspeakers and dhol-tasha.

The team from the said firm will be conducting this activity while all support will be provided by the board, he said.

The MPCB expects the final records within three days of the exercise, and they will be submitted to the head office in Mumbai. The required action will be taken after the submission of the report, said Shinde.

Apart from the Ganesh festival, the board also mentioned noise monitoring exercises during the Diwali festival for three days. It will be carried out by the same consultation company, as mentioned in the government notification.

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The crime branch arrested a 26-year-old youth for involvement in over eight two-wheeler thefts in the city. The crime branch arrested a 26-year-old youth for involvement in over eight two-wheeler thefts in the city. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

The crime branch unit II and anti-dacoity cell carried out the arrest during a patrolling duty on the night of September 20 and recovered two-wheelers worth 1.80 lakh which were stolen from different locations over a period of time, said investigating officials.

The accused arrested has been identified as Muzaffar Rafique Pathan, a resident of Manjari in Hadapsar.

Police inspector Nandkumar Gaikwad said that the accused was apprehended by the crime branch team which was on night patrol duty. During interrogation, the crime branch officials detected eight cases where Pathan stole two-wheelers from Viman Nagar, Sinhagad and Hadapsar police station areas.

We have solved eight two-wheeler theft cases and the accused has confessed to the crime. He has already been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for his crimes, he said.

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Over 12,000 government and private doctors have announced an indefinite strike across Jharkhand from 6 am on Friday, alleging failure on the part of the Jamshedpur Police to arrest the main accused in the recent assault on a junior doctor, people familiar with the developments said on Thursday. Over 12,000 government and private doctors have announced an indefinite strike across Jharkhand from 6 am on Friday. (HT Photo)

Dr. Kamalesh Oraon of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH), was allegedly beaten following the death of a minor girl during treatment late Monday night.

Junior doctors and nursing staff have been on strike at MGMMCH for the past three days.

On Thursday evening, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Jharkhand chapter and Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) made an official announcement regarding the statewide strike.

We have duly sent the notification for an indefinite joint strike by the IMA-Jharkhand and JSHSA to the state health secretary, Arun Kumar Singh, RIMS director Dr RK Gupta, all the DCs, SPs, and civil surgeons in the state. The video of the brutal beating of a doctor in MGMMCH has gone viral, and the perpetrators have been identified. But no effective action has been taken yet. Doctors across the state are angry and clueless about their security and safety. The Medical Protection Act has been implemented in 23 states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, but its beyond understanding as to why not in Jharkhand, Dr Pradip Kumar Singh, IMA-Jharkhand secretary, told HT on Thursday.

Dr Singh said they were more concerned about thousands of poor patients who have to bear the problems in the wake of such incidents. Such attacks break the morale of the doctors, and its not a stray incident in Jamshedpur; rather, its happening in every district. Our strike, however, will not affect the emergency services, added Dr. Singh.

IMA-Jamshedpur secretary Dr Saurabh Chaudhary said all the doctors, both government and private, in hospitals and clinics would boycott work from 6 a.m. on Friday until the perpetrators are arrested.

The perpetrators are clearly visible, but none of the main accused has been arrested yet. Rural SP Rishabh Garg told us that their teams are raiding in three districts. As soon as we get confirmation from the police of the culprits getting arrested, we will call off our strike. We also demand a permanent police picket at MGMMCH, Dr Chaudhary added.

Asked about a lady home guard filing a police complaint at Sakchi police station on Thursday against striking junior doctors for misbehaving and making casteist slurs, Dr Chaudhary said this was baseless and a ploy to divert the issue. Our only issue is the safety and security of both doctors and patients.

MGMMCH principal Dr. KN Singh and superintendent Dr Ravindra Kumar supported the strike and shared the platform with junior doctors and nursing staff.

All our faculty members are on duty, but we are in solidarity with the striking doctors, IMA, and JSHSA. Emergency services wont be affected, but doctors do need security and a conducive atmosphere to treat the patients, said Dr KN Singh.

Dr. Ravindra Kumar said they have sent a request for a police picket to the administration.

Rural superintendent of police (SP) Rishabh Garg told the IMA and JSHSA delegation on Wednesday that they have arrested eight suspects. However, doctors claimed that none of the culprits visible in the video beating the doctors have been arrested yet.

State health minister Banna Gupta gave Jamshedpur SSP Kishor Kaushal 12 hours to arrest the culprits in a tele-video conference with the SSP, IMA and JSHSA delegation on Wednesday.

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Karnataka is all set to get its third Vande Bharat Express on September 24 and it will commute between Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The commercial operations of this Vande Bharat Express which will connect both the IT hubs, will only begin on September 25, one day after the inauguration. Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru - Hyderabad to be launched on Sep 24

Also Read - Karnataka's second Vande Bharat Express flagged off from Bengaluru. Watch

According to a few reports, the travel time of the Vande Bharat Express between Yeswantpur station in Bengaluru and Kacheguda station in Hyderabad is expected to be roughly eight and half hours. This train service will be operated by the South Central Railway wing of Indian Railways and it will stop at Mahabubnagar, Kurnool, Anantapur and Dharmavaram. Raichur which comes in this route is unlikely to have a stoppage.

A report in Money Control said that the train will reach Yeswantpur at 2pm and from Kacheguda and will depart at 2.45 pm in Yeswantpur. The current fastest train between Bengaluru and Hyderabad is Duranto express which will take roughly nine to ten hours of travel time. The latest Vande Bharat Express will travel at an average speed of 71kmph. The price of the train service is yet to be revealed. As many IT professionals, business people and students travel regularly between Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vande Bharat is expected to make the train travel faster and more comfortable.

On June 27, the Vande Bharat train was launched in Karnataka to connect important cities in the state - Dharwad, Hubballi and Davangere with the state capital Bengaluru. It is operated on all days, except Tuesdays. The travel time between Bengaluru and Hubballi -Dharwad in Vande Bharat train is roughly seven hours, which otherwise takes eight to nine hours in other trains.

In November last year, PM Narendra Modi launched the Vande Bharat train between Mysuru and Chennai, the first such train in south India. The average speed of the Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat express service is between 75 and 77 kilometers per hour. The distance between the two cities is around 504 kilometres and it will take around a six-and-a-half hour journey to reach Mysuru from Chennai.

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Alia on not being able to take Raha for walks in India

Speaking about walking with Raha Kapoor at a park, Alia Bhatt told the magazine, We cant really do that in India... I cant take her out like that, it becomes a little complicated for us. So just walking around and watching her fall asleep in her pram, taking her to cafes and shopping. I put her in my little carrier and shes just like, strapped onto me. Thats something that I really cherish.

Earlier this year, Alia and Ranbir had taken Raha for a walk in their apartment complex in Mumbai, and photos of the family had gone viral. However, Raha's face was not shown in the pictures, as per a request Alia and Ranbir made to the paparazzi in January this year. The couple had asked photographers to cover Raha's face with emojis.

Alia on travelling with Raha

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt married in April 2022 and welcomed their first child in November last year. Their daughter Raha was born on November 6, 2022. Earlier in July, during an interview with Vogue India, Alia had opened up about travelling with her daughter Raha. The actor had said that she is now carrying stuff in her handbag for Raha all the time, including a handkerchief, mittens, a toy and a tiny book.

In the video, where she discusses what's in her handbag, Alia had said, I realised when I was travelling from Mumbai to London, my bag had nothing to do with me. It basically just had my passport. But otherwise, it was her pacifier, her napkins, a burp cloth, her mittens, an extra pair of socks, an extra pair of this, a little toy, a little book. And I said, Okay, okay, my bag has now become Rahas bag. It's no longer my bag'.

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The benchmark that Sujoy Ghosh created for himself with the Vidya Balan-starrer Kahaani is tough to match. And it's evident in most of his subsequent projects where he donned the director's hat. With Jaane Jaan, the trailer raised high hopes, and things looked pretty exciting, but the film barely manages to live up to that hype or even come close to the intrigue quotient it set out to create. (Also read: Jaane Jaan producer says Kareena Kapoor worked like a thorough professional as she shot film after birth of Jehangir) Jaane Jaan review: Kareena Kapoor plays Maya in the film.

Half way into Jaane Jaan, and I was convinced that even Ghosh knew this is not among his best works, but maybe he relied too much on the weight his actors  Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma  hold, and he let them carry the entire film on their shoulders without bothering much about where the story is headed.

And if there's anything that saves Jaane Jaan from sinking, it is the impeccable performances from this trio. Collectively, they offer a satisfying experience to moviegoers. If I had to just watch them perform without thinking about the what, why and how, Jaane Jaan would have been a perfect watch. But the film falters in more departments than one, and it's hard to ignore. While I have little complains from Ghosh's dedication as a director, Jaane Jaan definitely needed more pace, more depth and nuances for it to hit you hard, which it never does, barring maybe one scene about physical abuse.

An official adaptation of the 2005 Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino, the thriller has all the elements you'd expect to see in the said genre, but the treatment they get, and the unfolding of events looks just so disjointed. From the crime being committed, to the motive behind helping the culprit, it doesn't take a lot to solve the mystery, which ends up being a mere showcase of some spectacular performances.

The story traces Maya D'Souza (Kareena Kapoor Khan) who moved to Kalimpong in West Bengal years ago with her daughter Tara (Naisha Khanna) and runs a cafe. On one fateful night, while she is trying to cover up the murder of her estranged husband Ajit Mhatre (Saurabh Sachdeva), she encounters her gifted but awkward neighbour, Naren aka Teacher (Jaideep Ahlawat), who readily comes on board to help her for motives best known to him. Soon, a crime investigation begins and relentless cop Karan Anand (Vijay Anand) arrives on scene, who must reach the bottom of this case and uncover the truth. Even though he has just one suspect in Maya, all evidences are in her favour, so no arrest can be made. How does Karan unravel the mystery? Does Maya manage to steer away from the crime investigation? Why was Teacher helping Maya? All these questions find answers over the course of nearly two hours.

The story that Ghosh has co-written with Raj Vasant generates a decent amount of curiosity to begin with, and it builds nicely as it pans out, but soon, it goes downhill and loses focus. Despite so much unfolding on screen, including some gory details, somehow, you never feel that adrenaline rush a murder mystery or a thriller of this scale and with such a stellar cast, is expected to offer. Also, Jaane Jaan falls victim to way too many giveaways during the course of its screenplay. For instance, one of the flashback sequences early on in the script tells me one of the big reveals, which could have been saved for the climax. There are some very convenient coincidences that appear to only exist for the sake of it, and they never really drive the narrative.

I really wished there was some deep, nuanced and well thought of story behind everyone's actions. Ghosh actually gives us a single line to tell us Kareena's back story, coupled with a few flashback sequences that leave you with more questions than giving answers. For Jaideep's character arc as well, there was so much more to include and make it way more interesting than how it was laid out. Vijay, in fact, gets the most step motherly treatment when it comes to having a depth to his character. Don't know if was deliberate, or just didn't fit in with the other two lead actors.

Nevertheless, the ace performers bring their A-game forward and manage to keep you hooked to the screen. Kareena steps out of her comfort zone to play this complex character that's immensely strong and extremely vulnerable at the same time. As a single mother, she adds a dimension to her character that strikes an emotional chord. In a scene where she's singing the classic title track, she adds a dash of sensuality without making it look off with the storyline.

Then there's Jaideep, who masters his scenes like no other. I really want to see if there's anything this man cannot pull off with so much ease and conviction. Playing a gifted math teacher, who usually spends time staking his neighbour or looking up ways to cure his early balding, there is a sense of eccentricity and mischief attached to his character, and each time he comes on screen, you start guessing his next move.

Lastly, Vijay is the eye-candy in the film, as Lin Laishram's character tells Maya, 'Woh dekh, handsome man'. As the cop, Vijay isn't your conventional man in uniform, and uses his charm and flirtatious tactics to dig out details from his suspects. Even in the most serious scenes, he would add his wit or a punch line that lands just perfectly. Despite such brilliantly effortless performances, Jaane Jaan remains an average thriller that keeps you waiting for the big reveal in the climax, alas it never comes, or whatever is there, is too little too late.

In fact, in the climax sequence, when the whole mystery solving is being narrated through a series of flashbacks, or when the pieces of the puzzle finally start coming together, you realise the puzzle never existed in the first place, and it was just a series of events unfolding to make some sense of what we watched for the last two hours.

Watch Jaane Jaan for some of the best acting chops on display, and to figure how Ghosh could have adapted this novel differently to make it more hard-hitting. The film is now streaming on Netflix.
Here's a throwback to Kareena's snarkiest comments on the chat show over the years, on her birthday:

My genre is bad films

In her Koffee debut on Season 1, when Karan asked Kareena who the better actor is out of her and Rani, she said that they belong to different genres. When asked what her genre of films is, Kareena cheekily said, Bad films. Well, that's Kareena for you: snarky, but also self-deprecating.

John Abraham: Expressionless

On Season 2, when Karan asked in the infamous Rapid Fire round, one word that comes to Kareena's mind when he says, John Abraham, Kareena replied after a beat, Expressionless. She even rated him quite low on the acting meter later in the show. Kareena had a famous fallout with John's then-girlfriend Bipasha Basu on the sets of Ajnabee.

Where does she get her accent from'

On Season 3, when Karan asked Kareena if she has any questions for Priyanka, the actor replied, Where does she get the accent from? Later, when Priyanka appeared on the same season and was asked to react, she said, The same place where her boyfriend gets it from, referring to the overseas education of Kareena's then-boyfriend and now-husband, Saif.

Katrina Kaif, my sister-in-law

Kareena didn't even spare her cousin Ranbir on Season 4. She said that she'd dance to all the hit songs of Katrina Kaif, Ranbir's then-girlfriend, at his wedding. When Karan asked her which actor she wouldn't mind a gay encounter with, Kareena said, I think I'd be the most comfortable with my sister-in-law, Katrina Kaif," much to the embarrassment of Ranbir.

Winner of IQ test with Alia, Sonam

On Season 5, Kareena was pregnant with Taimur, and her humour came with a whole new abandon. When asked who'd win an IQ test between her, Alia Bhatt, and Sonam Kapoor, Kareena said, I think I'd win. Come on guys, I have to say that." Best part: Sonam was sitting right next to her on the Koffee couch.

Kareena will be next seen in Sujoy Ghosh's crime thriller Jaane Jaan, which will release today on Netflix India.

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Anne Hathaway, who will turn 41 in November, spoke about being happier now than she was in her twenties. The Oscar-winner, in a new interview with People, also opened up about how ageing is 'personal' and we need to stop asking women about it. A section of Instagram users was not happy with her remarks; the actor was branded 'hypocrite' for using 'Botox and fillers' herself. Also read: Anne Hathaway says her style is inspired by Gen Z Anne Hathaway at New York Fashion Week in 2022 (left); the actor in a still from her 2006 film Devil Wears Prada (right).

Anne Hathaway on ageing

She told People, Ageing is just another word for living. And what you do with it from there is personal and up to you. I feel great  I feel better than I did in my twenties because I'm taking much better care of myself... In my 30s, I had to give up alcohol. I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't lead the life that I wanted while drinking. And in my 40s I'm finding I have to support myself differently nutritionally. I want to go back and talk to my 25-year-old self who felt like she didn't have to do anything and just be like, Oh honey, honey, there's a whole other world out there and it tastes like an avocado'.

On postpartum snapback

Anne Hathaway also asked women to 'let their bodies be' after a pregnancy, instead of getting back in shape quickly. The actor is mom to sons Jonathan, 7 and Jack, 3, with husband Adam Shulman. She said, People don't talk about this and it really made me feel better when I found out about it. It takes three years for your body to fully recover from a pregnancy. I didn't snap back. I want to be very, very clear about that. With my second, it took every minute of those three years. Let your body be a body. There's nowhere to get to. It's just now. Be present and take care of yourself and don't set expectations.

Reactions to Anne's statement about

An Instagram user commented on the post shared by People  part of which read Anne Hathaway spills beauty secrets, "Anne has Botox, fillers. Whatever beauty 'secrets' these celebrities claim to use like coconut oil is such insane hypocrisy." A second commented, "Actresses always say that until they start to really age. It starts to really kick in, in your 50s. So Anne, take a seat." A third person commented, "No one cares about age except for these people."

One more wrote, "People, who arent obsessed with beauty, dont have beauty secrets and dont lie about their age." A person also commented, "Hysterical coming from someone that had so many facial cosmetic surgeries to stay young."

About Anne Hathaway

From her breakout roles in The Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted to her more recent performances in Armageddon Time and WeCrashed, Anne Hathaway has come a long way. She is an Emmy Award-winning actor for a guest voice-over role on The Simpsons in addition to multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and SAG nominations over the years. She also won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 2012's Les Miserables.

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Michael Caine has spoken about his retirement from acting. In an interview with The Telegraph, Michael described The Great Escaper as probably his last film. The veteran British actor with a career spanning eight decades suggested that his upcoming film, which will be released next month, could potentially be his final, adding he was 90, and was struggling to 'walk properly'. Also read: Michael Caine opens up about cancer, says his days are numbered Michael Caine in a still from The Great Escaper.

Michael Caine says he is 'sort of retired'

I was so happy to do it. I just loved the character of Bernie. I thought he was incredible, and its so beautifully written... With Covid-19 and all that, I hadnt done a picture for three years, and I thought I was finished. And I suddenly did it  and had such a wonderful time. I am bloody 90 now, and I cant walk properly and all that. I sort of am retired now.

About Michael Caine

Michael, who has appeared in more than 160 films and is considered a British film icon, is known for films such as The Italian Job (1969), and Battle of Britain (1969), Get Carter (1971), The Last Valley (1971), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), A Bridge Too Far (1977).

He portrayed Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy (20052012), and has also had roles in five other Christopher Nolan films: The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020).

Michael Caine on his latest movie

Speaking about filming for The Great Escaper, Michael Caine recalled that it was a physically challenging role for him to play. He said in the same interview, They gave me a very good walking stick. And I was able to do scenes that needed that. Id just do them once, and then fall over. But just one take and thats it. Forget it.

About The Great Escaper

The upcoming BritishFrench drama starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson is 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, in June 2014. The story is based on that of Bernard Jordan, who was 89 years old when he made his journey to France.

The Great Escaper was to be Glenda Jackson's last, she died in June 2023, about nine months after she finished filming her part. The film was announced in February 2021 and is directed by Oliver Parker, and written by William Ivory. It is scheduled for release on October 6, 2023.

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A new mugshot of Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has been released as the31-year-old was transferred to a state prison. This is where the rapper, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, will continue to serve time for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Tory Lanez is facing a 10-year prison term for shooting Megan Thee Stallion (torylanez/Instagram)

Tory looks emotionless and grim in the new mugshot, revealed five days after he was denied bail. He is now at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California.

The prison reportedly houses around 4,000 inmates, and many of them were murdered just this year, according to TMZ. Serial killer Ramon Escober was charged for killing his cellmateJuan Villanueva in February. Juan had been put behind bars for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Ricardo Saldivar, 25, was also found dead in his cell, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is now investigating his death as a homicide. Although the prison is fitted with an electric fence around the perimeter, reports claim that multiple inmates have managed to escape over the years.

Tory had requested Judge David Herriford to release him on bail as he wanted to live with his wife and son during the time his team worked on his appeal, but the motion was denied by the judge. David pointed out that his decision was based on Torys conviction for a violent felony, history of violating court orders and foreign citizenship.

You were convicted of a violent felony, the judge said, according to the Daily Mail. You have a history of violating court orders.And you are not a U.S. citizen.

Tory was denied bail five weeks after a 10-year prison term. A jury unanimouslydelivered a guilty verdict last December on three gun felonies after he shot Megan in the feet during an argument in 2020. Tory pleaded not guilty to three charges assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

The shooting of Megan Thee Stallion

Megan and Tory appeared together in several TikTok and Instagram lives before the shooting. In July 2020, the two attended aparty at Kylie Jenners Hollywood Hills home. After leaving the party late at night, they were reportedly riding in an SUV with Kelsey Harris, a longtime friend of Megan.

According to prosecutors, Megan and Tory got into a heated argument afterMegan spoke badly of his rap skills. She demanded to be let out of the car at one point, when Tory allegedly fired at her foot.

Tory begged the judge not to send him to prison before his sentencing last month. We lost both our mothers, he said. We would sit there and drink until we got numb..

That night, everybody was drunk, I said some very immature thingsI was wrong. If I could turn back the clock I would.I apologize, he added. There have been these misconceptions about me being this monster, of not having remorse. But that's just not true. Everything I did that night I'm take responsibility for. I ask you for the chance to be a better father, a better mentor. I'm asking you not to judge me just on this case, but on the full scope of my life. I do have a habitual disorder  I want to be a better person.
Sanjay Dutt has shared the poster for his upcoming Tamil debut movie, Leo. The poster shows him with lead star Vijay, as the two go for each others' throats. The film is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and will be out on October 19. (Also read: Sanjay Dutt's first look as Antony Das from Lokesh Kanagaraj's Leo unveiled. Watch) A new Leo poster is dropping almost everyday.

'Keep calm and face the devil'

The new poster shows Vijay fuming with rage and holding Sanjay Dutt, who plays Antony Das, by his throat. Explosions go off in the background as flames occupy the rest of the poster. Sharing the poster, Sanjay wrote on X (formerly Twitter), #LeoPosterFeast #LeoHindiPoster.

Fans of the actor welcomed him to the Tamil film industry. Cant wait to see the epic face off sir! You look menacing, wrote a person. Most awaited FACE-OFF, wrote another. A fan also noticed, Hats off to you for controlling your laughter looking at Joseph's reaction in poster while photoshoot sir.

Sanjay was most recently seen in a special appearance in Jawan. He played a police officer in the film, led by Shah Rukh Khan and directed by Atlee.

About Leo

In Leo, Trisha is paired opposite Vijay after many years and also has a prominent role. The cast also includes Kollywood stars Keerthy Suresh, Arjun, Misha Ghoshal, Priya Anand, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Sanjay. It has been filmed across various locations in Kashmir and Chennai, and even the US. Post-production work is currently underway, with dubbing being the next step.

In a recent interaction at the SIIMA awards ceremony, Lokesh was asked about updates on Leo. He stated, There's a lot of work to be done for the film, which is why we haven't provided updates. We've decided to release updates gradually. We had planned to release updates about the film 30 days before its release. So, the first update will be coming tomorrow (Monday).

Leo is set to hit the theatres on October 19. The film is being produced by Lalit Kumar of Seven Screen Studio, with the music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his third collaboration with Lokesh (after Master and Vikram) and his third with Vijay (after Kaththi and Master). Leo has cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and editing by Philomin Raj.

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On Ganesh Chaturthi, we talk to actors who find solace and spiritual connection in crafting their own Bappa idols and bringing him home on the auspicious occasion. They share their respective journeys of devotion, significance of Lord Ganesha in their lives, and how they have been celebrating the festival every year. Karanvir Bohra to Deepika Singh, actors talk about their Ganpati celebrations

Karanvir Bohra

Among all the Gods, I feel Im the closest to Lord Ganesha. I feel like hes my friend. Ganesh Chaturthi for me means brotherhood. Weve been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi for more than 40 years now, even before I was born. We generally bring Bappa home for five or 10 days depending on how long we can stay at home. Ever since my daughters were born, we have been making Ganesha using clay, and I teach them the importance of organic Ganpati. However, we couldnt make it this time due to time constraints, but we brought home an organic idol. My mom makes all the mithais at home. My daughters get very emotional when Bappa has to go every year. They have a beautiful connection with him.

Raqesh Bapat

When I started sculpting Ganpati, I was really young. I used to observe a temple caretaker near my house in Pune, making idols for hours. I got fascinated and absorbed everything that he was doing. And then, I also started making the Ganpati idol on my own every year. For me, its therapy, and a fun process. I feel the calm in chaos. A lot of people have even started learning from me. There was a lack of time for me this year, so I made my idol much before. I celebrate Ganpati for one and a half days, and then do visarjan in a tub. It is a divine one and a half days as my family also comes in and we celebrate the festival together.

Deepika Singh

I live in a joint family, so we all attended a workshop to learn together how to sculpt Ganpati idols using clay. We taught the kids in the family about the importance of Ganesh Chaturthi, and other things about Ganpati, like why he has an elephant head or half tooth. In the process of making Bappa, we were able to spend time with all the kids in the house and tell them these stories. When we do visarjan in the beaches, it leads to killing the fishes. Therefore, we have been bringing eco-friendly Bappa home for four years. This year, I decided that I will not contribute to water pollution anymore. When we make something with our own hands, uss mein apne aap hi ek energy and pyaar aata hai. You get a chance to sit with your whole family, eat prasad, and dhol par dance karna! The vibe is exciting around this time. Jab Ganpati jaate hain toh feel hota hai jaise ek family member jaa raha hai.

Mohit Malhotra

We have been bringing Bappa home for many years now. Its very recent that I started making the idol myself, and the feeling is absolutely incredible. The time, effort, and energy that you put in the whole process, is extremely special. It brings a lot of positivity and spreads happiness in the house. We bring Bappa for one and a half days. I make sure that my Ganpati looks cute. This time, I didnt use any colour, because I wanted to keep it raw. Also, I believe one gets chosen to make your Ganpati, and Id like to think I also got chosen. It is a spiritually divine process. For me, Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration of love, positivity and bringing togetherness among your friends and family.

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Hyderabad: A total of 15 legislators, including 14 from the Telugu Desam Party, were suspended for a day from the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly on Thursday, after Opposition members created ruckus in the House over the arrest of former chief minister and TDP chief N ChandraBabu Naidu in connection with the AP skill development corporation scam. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrests former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu in an alleged corruption case, in Nandyal on September 9. (ANI)

Assembly speaker Tammineni Sitaram also barred two TDP MLAs  P Kesav [he was also suspended for the day] and A Satya Prasad  and ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) legislator K Sridhar Reddy for the remainder of the five-day monsoon session for allegedly disrespecting the chair. To be sure, Reddy and TSRCP MLA Vundavalli Sridevi [suspended for a day] were suspended from the ruling party for anti-party activities a few months ago.

READ | Naidus arrest sparks debate on leadership issue in TDP

Soon after the House convened on the first day of the monsoon session, opposition legislators started raising slogans demanding the release of TDP chief and seeking a discussion on the matter. They served a notice for an adjournment motion to discuss what they alleged was an illegal arrest of Naidu by the state police without following the due procedure.

The speaker, however, rejected the notice and commenced the question hour. TDP members then rushed into the well of the assembly and stormed the speakers podium, holding placards and raising slogans. Before adjourning the House briefly, the speaker urged the opposition MLAs to return to their seats and allow the question hour to continue.

However, there was a heated argument and exchange of words between the YSRCP and TDP legislators. TDP MLA and Naidus brother-in-law Nandamuri Balakrishna and states irrigation minister Ambati Rambabu also engaged in a heated argument.

The speaker also warned Hindupur MLA Balakrishna, who is also an actor, for twirling his moustache and slapping the thigh in the House, over unacceptable behaviour.

READ | Naidus arrest sparks debate on leadership issue in TDP

State legislative affairs minister Buggana Rajendranath said the government was ready for a debate on Naidus arrest, but the TDP should raise it in the business advisory council meeting.

As the pandemonium continued after the House reconvened, Rajendranath moved a resolution seeking the suspension of the TDP MLAs for their unruly behaviour. He further said that rushing to the speakers podium and breaking glass on the table may amount to criminal action.

The speaker then announced the suspension of 14 TDP legislators and a YSRCP member for a day, besides barring three MLAs for the remainder of the session.The TDP has 19 MLAs, including party chief Naidu, in the 175-member assembly.

TDP members suspended for a day were: K Atchannaidu, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bendalam Ashok, Adireddy Bhavani, Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, Gana Babu, Payyavula Kesav, Gadde Rammohan, Nimmala Rama Naidu, Manthena Rama Raju, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Eluri Sambasiva Rao and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy. Besides YSRCP rebel Vundavalli Sridevi was also suspended for a day.

The speaker then adjourned the House for the day.

Following the suspension, TDP legislators sat in protest outside the assembly, saying they would continue to raise their voice against the illegal arrest of Naidu, who is currently lodged in a prison in Rajamahendravaram.

The opposition party members also staged a protest in the legislative council, demanding a debate over the TDP chiefs arrest. Amid the protest, the chairman adjourned the House.

Earlier, TDP legislators took out a padyatra [foot march] from Thullur police station to the state legislature before the commencement of the session.

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The 16-year-old son a deputy superintendent of police in the Jammu and Kashmir police allegedly hit and dragged a 58-year-old man from Mumbai, injuring him critically, police officers familiar with the said on Thursday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police officer said the victim Elias Kazmi, a cinematographer from Mumbai, was riding a scooter in Jammus Bhatindi when a Mahindra Thar, which was being driven by the minor accused, hit him. (File)

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a police officer said the victim Elias Kazmi, a cinematographer from Mumbai, was riding a scooter in Jammus Bhatindi when a Mahindra Thar, which was being driven by the minor accused, hit him.

Elias Kazmi, who had fallen from his scooter, was trying to tell the juvenile driver about perils of rash driving when he tried to speed away. In the process Elias was hit again, dragged and injured critically, said the officer. The officer added that the boy was booked under Section 307 of the IPC and sent to a juvenile home.

According to officials, Kazmi was in a critical condition and currently on ventilator support.

The victim was critically injured. He remains on the ventilator at the emergency ICU of the hospital, assistant medical superintendent of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Dr Bharat Bhushan, said.
India on Thursday bluntly told Canada to act against pro-Khalistan elements with links to organised crime that are targeting Indian diplomats, even as it asserted that Ottawa hasnt shared any specific information to back up the allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi (File Photo)

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing that Canada needs to act on very specific evidence shared by India about criminal activities by terrorists and extremists based on Canadian soil. He pointed to Pakistans involvement in funding and supporting these elements in Canada.

The sharp message came against the backdrop of the free fall in India-Canada relations since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed on Monday to a potential link between Indian government agents and the slaying of Nijjar, a designated terrorist.

New Delhi has dismissed Trudeaus allegation, and Bagchi said India has informed the Canadian side it is willing to look at any specific information provided about the case.

We should look at the larger issue of terrorism and...also the fact that it is being funded and supported...for some time from our Western neighbour Pakistan. The issue of safe havens and places to operate is being provided abroad, including in Canada, Bagchi said.

We would expect that is the main focus. The question is, do we have the political will to address terrorism, or we want to justify it and condone it.

Terrorists and secessionists linked to organised crime seem to have a free run and India expects the Canadian government to act against them, Bagchi said. Asked if Trudeaus accusation can affect Indias international image, he replied: If youre talking about reputational damage, if theres one any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists and organised crime.

Canadian authorities should show sensitivity to posters threatening assassination and incitement to violence against Indian diplomats and attacks on diplomatic premises, he added.

Bagchi said no specific information has been shared by Canada on Nijjars case. We have conveyed to the Canadian side that we are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us. But so far, we have not received any such specific information, he said.

In contrast, India has made extradition requests or sought other assistance in connection with some 25 individuals allegedly involved in terrorist and secessionist activities in Canada. Weve been requesting and the response has not been helpful at all, he Bagchi. We would want the Canadian government not to give them safe havens. They should take action there (in Canada) against those facing terrorism charges or send them here (to India) to face justice.

Asked if a reference to politically-condoned hate crimes in an advisory issued on Wednesday meant Canadian authorities had not responded with alacrity in such matters, Bagchi replied: They didnt respond with alacrity. I would go further and say they did not take [action] at all. It seems there is a feeling that these are part of freedom of expression...and these hate crimes are being condoned in...the political system.

Bagchi also said India has briefed its Western partners on the issue of Nijjars killing. We have been discussing this with them. We have conveyed our position and how we see these developments, he said.

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Bengaluru Kumaraswamy left for New Delhi on Thursday to hold discussions with Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. (ANI)

Former chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy held a meeting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command on Thursday night to discuss an alliance between the two parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, but the outcome of the meeting will be disclosed on Friday, party leaders aware of the matter said.

Kumaraswamy left for New Delhi on Thursday to hold discussions with Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. Before leaving Bengaluru, he told the media: This (Thursday) there is a meeting, once we have the outcome of the meeting, tomorrow (Friday) I will share everything openly with your Delhi correspondents.

There is the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda also joining the dialogue, according to JD(S) party leaders. Deve Gowda , who represents the party in Rajya Sabha, is already in Delhi.

Kumaraswamy clarified that there had been no preliminary discussions concerning the allocation of Lok Sabha seats between the two parties. Neither have we thought about it (seats) so far, nor have they (BJP) proposed anything in this regard. We will discuss in detail the current situation in all 28 (Lok Sabha) seats, what was the situation in the earlier election and what is the situation after the 2023 assembly polls.

When asked about the finalisation of the alliance, Kumaraswamy adopted a cautious tone, saying, Lets see.

Discussion is with their (BJP) decision-makers like Amit Shah and their President JP Nadda. If required Narendra Modi and Deve Gowda will talk, he added.

The talks concerning a potential alliance between the JD(S) and the BJP gained prominence after BS Yediyurappa, BJP veteran and parliamentary board member, declared earlier this month that his party intended to collaborate with the JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections. Under this prospective understanding, the JD(S) would contest four Lok Sabha seats out of Karnatakas total of 28 constituencies.

However, Yediyurappa subsequently clarified that discussions on this matter had not yet reached a final resolution. He explained that Modi and Shah, who were preoccupied with other responsibilities, might address and decide on the issue in the coming days.

On Thursday when asked about the alliance, Yediyurappa said that the decision will be made by the high command. At present, I dont have any information. Once the discussions are held, we will be informed, then I will address you, he said in Bengaluru.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP secured a sweeping victory in Karnataka, claiming 25 out of the 28 seats, with an independent candidate supported by the BJP securing one seat. The Congress and JD(S) each managed to secure one seat.

Following the results of the 224-member Assembly elections held in May of the same year, the Congress emerged as the dominant party with 135 seats, the BJP secured 66, and the JD(S) obtained 19 seats. Subsequently, speculation arose that JD(S) would form an alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, although Deve Gowda later hinted that the party might consider contesting the elections independently.

Following the Assembly poll debacle, BJP, wary of its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, seems to be open for an alliance with JD(S), aimed at regaining a maximum number of seats, leaders from both parties said, adding, it hopes JD(S) votes may get transferred to it, especially in the old Mysuru region where the regional party has a significant presence. For JD(S), it is a matter of survival, and the party hopes to better its prospects by forging an alliance with BJP in the backdrop of the Congress reported attempts to weaken it by wooing its leaders, they added.

JD(S) had earlier formed governments in coalition with both BJP and Congress for 20 months from January 2006, and for 14 months from May 2018, respectively, with Kumaraswamy as the chief minister.

(With PTI inputs)

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At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal will pay an official visit to China from September 23 to 30. During his visit, Prime Minister Prachanda is scheduled to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on invitation.

CCTV: Could you share more details about Prime Minister Prachandas visit? How does China view its current relations with Nepal? What does China hope to achieve through the visit?

Mao Ning: Prime Minister Prachanda has visited China many times and made important contribution to the growth of China-Nepal relations. During the upcoming visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with him. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will hold talks and meet with him respectively. The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on deepening traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

China and Nepal are traditional friends, neighbors and strategic cooperative partners. Since our two countries established diplomatic relations 68 years ago, no matter how the international or regional situations have evolved, China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady progress. Our two countries have given each other understanding and support on issues concerning our respective core interests, making this relationship a good example of equality and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. In recent years, our two countries conducted frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced communication and cooperation in economic and cultural fields, and maintained close coordination and collaboration on international and regional affairs. China stands ready to work with Nepal to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and elevate the strategic cooperative partnership to a new height through the visit.

Kyodo News: Since Japan started discharging the treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, the Japanese Embassy in China has received about 400000 harassing calls believed to originate from China. Some included threatening content. Whats Chinas comment on this?

Mao Ning: China is committed to protecting the safety and lawful rights and interests of foreign diplomatic and consular missions and foreign nationals in China in accordance with the law. As far as I know, the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan have recently received a barrage of harassing calls from numbers inside Japan, which have seriously disturbed the normal operation of our missions. We urge Japan to ensure the safety of the Chinese embassy and consulates and Chinese institutions, companies and nationals, including tourists, in Japan. Japan needs to guide public perception in the right way, stop hyping up the matter or trying to shift public focus from its wrongdoing of ocean discharge.

AFP: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Hangzhou this afternoon. First, when will he meet with President Xi? And second, what are the Chinese sides expectations for his visit?

Mao Ning: China and Syria enjoy a profound friendship. Syria is one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China and one of the co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly resolution that restored Chinas lawful seat in the UN. Since the establishment of China-Syria diplomatic ties 67 years ago, China-Syria relations have maintained sound and steady growth. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attaches great importance to China-Syria relations. This is his second visit to China since he took office as president. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders will meet with him and they will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. We believe that President Bashar al-Assads visit will further deepen the mutual political trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries and take bilateral relations to new heights.

Bloomberg: The Philippine government is considering filing a complaint against China for damage to its coral reefs in the South China Sea and they are planning or considering to do this before an international court. Thats according to the states lawyer. Whats the foreign ministrys comment on the Philippines consideration of filing a complaint against China?

Mao Ning: The Philippines accusations have no factual basis. We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction. If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally grounded warship at Renai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean.

Peoples Daily: The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction was open for signature at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 20. We noted that China has signed the Agreement. Can you share more details with us?

Mao Ning: On September 20, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Ma Zhaoxu signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (BBNJ Agreement) on behalf of China. Since the negotiations started in 2004, parties held in-depth discussions through the Ad-hoc Working Group under the UN General Assembly, the Preparatory Committee and the Intergovernmental Conference successively before the BBNJ Agreement was adopted by consensus. Such an outcome is hard won. The Agreement reflects international consensus on responding to marine risks and challenges in the spirit of true multilateralism and opens up a new chapter for international cooperation on marine biodiversity. It is yet another milestone in the history of the development of international laws of the sea.

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China sees marine conservation as a high priority and played a positive and constructive role in the negotiations and conclusion of the BBNJ Agreement as part of our effort to uphold true multilateralism. We stand ready to enhance communication and cooperation with all parties and continue to work relentlessly for the effective conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.

AFP: Russian President Vladimir Putin told Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St. Petersburg yesterday that he had accepted President Xis invitation to visit China next month. Can you provide any information on when specifically this visit will happen?

Mao Ning: The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in October this year. China and BRI partners are in close communication on this. We will officially release information in due course. We welcome countries and partners engaged in Belt and Road cooperation to come to Beijing, explore more possibilities for cooperation and achieve development together.

Reuters: It was reported that China is expected to decide soon whether to formally arrest the Japanese businessman who was detained on suspicion of espionage. This is an Astellas Pharma executive. Could you confirm if this is the case?

Mao Ning: We have shared information on this case several times. This Japanese citizen is suspected of engaging in espionage activities and violating the Criminal Law of the Peoples Republic of China and the Counterespionage Law of the Peoples Republic of China. Relevant Chinese authorities adopted compulsory measures against this Japanese citizen in accordance with the criminal procedure law. China protects the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned as the law dictates. In accordance with relevant international conventions and the China-Japan Consular Agreement, the Chinese side has provided facilitation for consular access by officials of the Japanese side to this individual. I need to stress that China is a country under the rule of law. All foreigners living and traveling in China must observe Chinese laws and those who violate the law and commit crimes will be held legally accountable. There have been similar cases involving Japanese citizens in recent years and the Japanese side needs to do more to ask their citizens not to engage in such activities.

AFP: Germany is considering a ban on certain components made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, excluding them from the countrys core 5G networks starting from 2026. Does the foreign ministry have a response to this matter?

Mao Ning: We are opposed to the politicization by any country of economic and tech issues. Countries should all provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies.
Air Indias long-range A350 aircraft fleet chief pilot Captain Sandeep Gupta, 53, died of dengue in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, two airline officials said. Captain Sandeep Gupta (Sourced)

Captain Gupta, who was battling dengue, was rushed to a hospital on Wednesday afternoon...where he passed away, said one of the officials who did not want to be named.

Gupta was appointed Air Indias A350 aircraft fleet chief pilot last year as part of the airlines efforts to strengthen its fleet and improve operations. The move coincided with Air Indias talks with Airbus for the induction of A350 planes following the Tata Groups takeover of the loss-making airline last year.

Gupta joined Air India in 1988 and was earlier the chief pilot of its Airbus A320 fleet until 2022 and in charge of Air Indias Central Training Establishment in Hyderabad. Gupta is survived by his widow and two children. A colleague remembered Gupta as a jovial person, who will always be missed.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that his allegations about a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani secessionist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 was not done lightly but with utmost seriousness, doubling down on his call for India to take the matter seriously and work with them to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference at the Canadian Permanent Mission, in New York, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) (AP)

India has summarily dismissed the allegations as absurd, and accused Canada of becoming a safe haven for terrorists and extremists amid a growing diplomatic row that saw India announcing a temporary suspension of visa services for Canadians on Thursday.

Speaking to the media in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Trudeau, however, said that there was no question over Indias growing importance. India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with not just in a region but around the world and we are not looking to provoke or cause problems but we are unequivocal about the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about of the importance of protecting Canadians and standing up for values.

The Canadian Prime Minister reiterated comments he made in the House of Commons on Monday and said that he had raised the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the two leaders met for a pull-aside on the margins of the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month. I had a direct and frank conversation, with the Prime Minister, in which I shared my concerns in no uncertain terms, he said.

He said that his government was unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians and standing up for values, which was why they had called upon the Indian government to work with Ottawa to establish processes to uncover the truth of the matter and to allow justice and accountability to be served.

Trudeau however did not proffer any further clarity on the credible evidence he had said was behind his Monday statement, and said that as a country with a strong and independent justice system, judicial processes must be allowed to unfold with the utmost integrity. Were standing up for the rules-based order, were standing up for the rule of law.

The probe is being led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP, which has yet to release any details on the identity of Nijjars killers.We are highlighting how unacceptable it would be for any country to be involved in the killing of a citizen on their home soil, Trudeau said. Nijjar entered Canada illegally in 1997, was denied refugee status but granted citizenship in May 2007, and was designated a terrorist by India.

In a sharp riposte to Canadas allegations, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that Canada had shared no specifics in Nijjars killing with them thus far, but in contrast, India has made extradition requests or sought assistance in connection with 25 individuals allegedly involved in terrorist and secessionist activities in Canada. We would want the Canadian government not to give them safe haven. They should take action there against those facing terrorism charges or send them here to face justice, Arindam Bagchi, ministry spokesperson said.

Responding to concerns highlighted over the security of Indian citizens, Trudeau however said, I can assure everyone that Canada is a safe country.

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Canada has decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of diplomats amid heightened tensions between the two countries, a spokesperson for the North American countrys foreign ministry has said, citing threats received on social media. A poster asking for an investigation into India's role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar at a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. (REUTERS)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing triggered a diplomatic row this week and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats. India on Wednesday advised its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.

Follow LIVE updates on India-Canada here

Canadian newspaper The National Post quoted a spokesperson for the countrys foreign ministry Global Affairs Canada saying they were taking action to ensure the safety of their diplomats in light of the heightened tensions. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India, the spokesperson said. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity.

Canada has sought additional security around its missions including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.

The spokesperson cited the Vienna Convention for safeguarding diplomats and diplomatic premises, and added that they expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.

Security has been enhanced at Indias missions in Canada as well for the seniormost diplomats after the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) released the Kill India posters in July and then a series of others that blamed New Delhi for Nijjars killing on June 18.

India has sought additional security at the high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver after SFJ issued a threat to shut down Indian missions on September 25, describing them as terror houses.

Canadas public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc separately said they did not accept Indias travel advisory and added New Delhi can explain why they issued it.

SFJ, which was banned in India in 2019 because of its pro-Khalistan activities, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by celebrating Nijjars assassination.

Chandra Arya, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Party, raised the matter in the Canadian House of Commons on Wednesday. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant.

He said that this direct attack on Hindu-Canadians by the leader of Canadian Khalistan movement is further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law, he said. I cannot understand how glorifying terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression. There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime.

Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada have desecrated at least a dozen Hindu temples since last summer. Canadian law enforcement has not reported a single arrest in this regard.

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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 ministry of external affairs on Thursday said Canada's allegations against India are politically driven. The statement came from MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during the weekly media briefing at a time India and Canada's diplomatic ties are going through the roughest patch. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, wanted in India for years. The public allegations strained the India-Canada relationship with both countries expelling their diplomats. On Thursday, India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services. Canada's allegations politically driven, there's degree of prejudice: MEA on India-Canada row

India-Canada news: Follow LIVE updates

Bagchi confirmed that Canada shared no specific information regarding the allegations. "From our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon," the MEA spokesperson said.

The allegations were raised by Trudeau with PM Modi when Trudeau was in India to attend the G20 summit and was rejected by PM Modi, the MEA reiterated.

Canada is providing safe havens to terrorists and at least 20-25 individuals were named by India, not recently, but over the years, but no action was taken, the MEA said.

On suspension of visa services in Canada

"We are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis," the MEA spokesperson said. The e-visa services are also suspended, the MEA clarified.

The issue is not about travel to India, the MEA said as those who have valid visas, and documents can travel. The issue is of incitement to violence, the inaction of the Canadian authorities, and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of the high commission and the consulates, the MEA spokesperson said.

'We have seen Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs'

India has informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in mutual diplomatic presence, the MEA said. "Their numbers here are very much higher than India's diplomatic presence...We have seen Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs. This is being taken into account and parity is being sought in rank and diplomatic strength. We think Canadian numbers will go down. Discussions are going on," Bagchi said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Hours after a brief confusion over India's suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday confirmed it and said that additionally, even those Canadian citizens living in another country cannot apply for an Indian visa. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi addresses a press conference, in New Delhi on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, A Canadian citizen would not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if they are living in another countryAll categories of visas are suspended. The issue is not about travel to India but the issue is incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely.

Adding that the e-visa services are also suspended, Bagchi said, We are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commissions and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

Earlier in the day, BLS International - which processes Indian visa applications in Canada - posted a message on its website about the development that cited a notice from the Indian mission.

Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates, the message said.

India's move comes days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made big allegations linking India to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar - who died in June outside a temple in British Columbia - triggering a massive diplomatic row. While India dismissed Canada's accusations calling it absurd and motivated, it also issued an advisory urging its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of politically-condoned hate crimes.

'Canada's allegations politically driven': MEA

Meanwhile, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said that Trudeau's allegations against India are politically driven and confirmed that Canada did not share any special information regarding the allegations.

From our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted uponThe allegations were raised by Trudeau with PM Modi when Trudeau was in India to attend the G20 summit and was rejected by PM Modi, the MEA reiterated.
Bengaluru: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have seized 56 lakh from seer Abhinava Halashrees mutt in Vijayanagara district, in connection with the ongoing investigation in the alleged cash-for-ticket scam, officials said. The CCB officials arrested the seer on September 19 on a train near Cuttack in Odisha. (HT)

Halashree, who was tracked down by the CCB team near Cuttack in Odisha on a train on September 19, was brought back to Bengaluru the next day, and taken to ten-day police custody for further probe.

The seizure was made based on tip-off by a person named Pranav Prasad, to Abdul Ahad, deputy commissioner of Police (DCP), City Crime Branch, Bengaluru, a CCB official privy to the developments said, requesting anonymity. Prasad, had also made a video claiming that he had kept 56 lakh at the Mutt near Hospet, as the cash belonged to the seer.

Prasad, in the video, said that the seers driver had asked him to keep the bag which had 60 lakh with him, last week. He added that driver took 4 lakh to pay the lawyers fee and left 56 lakh at his office.

HT has seen the purpoted video.

The seer, accused number three in the FIR, is the eighth suspect to be arrested in the case. Police arrested right-wing activist Chaitra Kundapur and six others on September 12 on charges of cheating Govind Babu Pujari (44) of 5 crore by falsely promising him a BJP ticket to contest the assembly elections from Byndoor in Udupi district.

The complainant had said that he had given 1.5 crore to the seer. Pujari said that before the complaint was filed, the seer had sought time to repay 1.5 crore and asked not to name him in the case, according to the FIR.

The CCB officials arrested the seer on September 19, who was on the run after the arrest of seven of his associates. A special team tracking him down finally intercepted him on a train near Cuttack in Odisha.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda, who spoke to the media regarding the case on Thursday, said, Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. They have been taken into police custody and are being interrogated. Fixed deposit, gold and cash worth over 2 crore were seized from the accused. Besides, we seized 56 lakh from the seers Mutt, and 20 lakh was recovered from another person.

Apart from the eight people who have already been arrested in connection with the case, the investigation is going on whether anyone else is involved. Notices have been issued to four more people today, which is part of the enquiry, the commissioner added.

Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sharan Pumpwell on Thursday, said the right-wing outfit has no connection with Kundapur.

We had invited Chaitra Kundapur as a speaker for our programmes because she is educated, a good speaker and has good knowledge. We are in no way connected to Chaitra Kundapur, Pumpwell told reporters in Mangaluru.

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Amid an escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada, a public video by the Khalistani secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has led Hindu Canadians to be fearful, said Chandra Arya, a parliamentarian from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus own Liberal Party, underscoring growing security concerns among the Indian diaspora in the North American country. Chandra Arya (Fi)

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Arya asked people to stay calm but vigilant but asked them to report any incident of Hinduphobia to local law enforcement agencies.

On Monday, the already frosty relationship between the two countries reached a new nadir when Trudeau suggested that India may have been behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen but a man designated a Khalistani terrorist by India.

Even as India has summarily rejected the charges, a full-scale diplomatic row has followed, with both countries expelling senior diplomats from their territories. India on Wednesday ratcheted up the pressure by announcing an indefinite suspension of all visa services for Canadian nationals.

On Wednesday, Arya pointed to a video uploaded on Youtube by SFJ a day after Trudeaus comments, that has since been taken down, that showed Khalistani secessionist and designated terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun asking Indo-Hindu people in Canada to leave the country. The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, Arya said.

The member of parliament however said that a vast majority of Sikh Canadians do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community, he said.

Arya said that while Canada had high moral values and he fully upheld the rule of law, it was incomprehensible that the glorification of terrorism was allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression. There would be outrage in Canada if a white supremist attacked any group of racialised Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime, Arya said.

Over the past year, at least a dozen temples have been defaced with graffiti by Khalistani protesters, triggering a petitionbefore the House of Commons to recognise Hinduphobia in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice. The plea, e-4507, has so far gathered 9,000 signatures, much more than the 500 signatures it needed to be referred to the Government.

Vijay Jain, a spokesperson for the group Canadian Hindus for Harmony said the community was worried that Trudeaus remarks could spark violence.

We are now seeing full scale Hinduphobia across the board...we are worried that this(atmosphere) may translate into the loss of lives, he said.

Experts in Canada have also underlined the need to keep the peace domestically. In a piece in the national daily, the Globe and Mail, Andrew Coyne warned, 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. The risk of ethnic and sectarian bloodshed in Canada is real.

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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
New York: The United States is deeply concerned about Canadas allegations (of the possible links between agents of the government of India and a killing of a Sikh terrorist in Canada), it fully supports the investigation and it would like to see perpetrators brought to justice, American national security advisor Jake Sullivan has said. American national security advisor Jake Sullivan said that there is no wedge between the US and Canada (AP)

At a press briefing in the White House on Thursday, Sullivan also said that there is no wedge between the US and Canada  which is both a neighbour and among Americas closest allies  on the issue and the US will continue to publicly stick to its position on the issue till it plays out.

Sullivan said that the US had been in touch with the Indian government as well.

READ | Deeply concerned, say US and Australia on Justin Trudeaus charge against India

In his comments, Sullivan, regarded as President Joe Bidens closest foreign policy aide and among the architects of the renewed momentum in the India-US strategic partnership, said, As soon as we heard from the Canadian PM publicly about the allegations, we went out publicly ourselves and expressed our deep concern about them, our support for law enforcement progress to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

While saying he would not get into the substance of private diplomatic conversations, Sullivan said that the US was in constant contact with Canadian counterparts, consulting with them closely and supported Canadas efforts in this investigation. We have also been in touch with the Indian government.

READ | New Delhi wants reduction in Canada diplomats, alleges interference in internal affairs

I firmly reject that there is a wedge between the US and Canada. We have deep concerns about the allegations, we would like to see the investigation carried forward and perpetrators held to account. That is what the US has stood for from the moment this became public and will fully stand by till this fully plays its way out.

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There was confusion for a brief period on Thursday afternoon after the ticker on BLS International Website of the Indian Mission in Canada was briefly removed on the suspension of visa services till further notice for operational reasons. The Indian flag is seen flying at the High Commission of India in Ottawa on Wednesday. (AP)

The Indian Mission has once again updated its Visa Application page on BLS International reinstating the ticker.

As per BLS International, interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

"Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the BLS website says.

BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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).

New Delhi has suspended the visa services for Canadian nationals indefinitely amid heightened tensions between the two countries even as Ottawa said it was temporarily adjusting staff presence in India to ensure the safety of diplomats following threats received on social media.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing heightened the tensions and triggered a diplomatic row, and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats this week.

An Indian official confirmed the suspension but refused to comment further. The language is clear and it says what it is intended to say. This is the first time India has suspended visas since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The suspension followed Indias advisory on Wednesday asking its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. Indian students have particularly been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, speaking on India issuing an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada, Union minister of state Subhash Sarkar told news agency ANI, We have the concern of the safety of every citizen, every child of the country at all time. At the time of the Ukraine War also. Our government protected every citizen of the country wherever there were problems all over in the world.

Tension over Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing

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. He was the principal figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province. The SFJ has blamed India for the assassination

A spokesperson for Canadas foreign ministry told the Canadian newspaper The National Post that some diplomats received threats on social media platforms. ...Global Affairs Canada [the foreign ministry] is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity.

Canada has sought additional security around its missions including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.

The spokesperson cited the Vienna Convention for safeguarding diplomats and diplomatic premises, and added that they expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.

Security has been enhanced at Indias missions in Canada as well for the senior diplomats after SFJ released the Kill India posters in July and then a series of others that blamed New Delhi for Nijjars killing on June 18.

India has sought additional security at the high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver after SFJ issued a threat to shut down Indian missions on September 25, describing them as terror houses.

SFJ, which was banned in India in 2019 because of its pro-Khalistan activities, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by celebrating Nijjars assassination.

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The special session of the Parliament is on its second-last leg today. Apart from starting a new chapter in India's legislative history by kickstarting its business in new building, majority of the attention was drawn towards the contentious women's reservation Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with near unanimity. MPs leave Lok Sabha after the passing of the motion concerning the Women's Reservation Bill (ANI)

The historic Bill, termed as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will now be taken up in Rajya Sabha for passage for the remainder of the session. As a part of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, it might require approval from half of state assemblies.

Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), known for siding with BJP in the Centre, has issued a three-line Whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the House today and support the passage of the Bill.

After the passage in the lower House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill.

Despite Opposition's contention over its implementation and demand for extending similar benefits to other backward classes (OBC), the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed with overwhelming majority votes in Lok Sabha. It received 454 votes in favour as opposed to two votes against the Bill. It will be presented in the upper House for passage today, which is likely to get cleared. The day-long debate over the Bill witnessed a battle for credit between Congress and BJP as to who should be recognised for bringing forth the landmark Bill. Both the Opposition and the Centre were also engaged in the debate of its implementation and including separate quota for OBC women. On the third day, Sonia Gandhi opened the debate on women's reservation Bill and said, "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 Bill proposes one-third, or 33% reservation, for women representative in both Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The reservation will continue to be in place for 15 years from the day of its implementation, with provision for the Parliament to extend the duration if required. 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. This provision signifies that the reservation can be implemented not before 2029, if the Bill gets passed in Rajya Sabha during this session. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi yesterday said, "Two things seem strange. One, the Idea that you need new census for this bill and new delimitation and I think this bill can be implemented today. I wonder this is not designed to push it forward by seven or eight years and let it play out the way it does." Union home minister Amit Shah responded, Let us rise above partisan politics to give women the respect they deserve. Earlier they have been left disappointed four times by Parliament. Let this bill be passed unanimously. "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," PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after the Bill was passed in Lok Sabha.

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Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Thursday cited a Hindustan Times article from 2010 quoting Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's remarks on the women's reservation bill in the Rajya Sabha, and questioned if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is really serious about empowering women. TMC MP Derek O'Brien speaks in the Rajya Sabha (PTI)

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the TMC MP said, All the struggles and oppressions faced by women are not because of women. It's because of men and the outlook of men towards women, as he referred to the sexual harassment allegations against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

I don't want to waste time on the former wrestling chief butI am quoting from the Hindustan Times, people in air-conditioned rooms in Delhi cannot decide public policy, this Bill will drown the Indian political system if it goes through'. This was said by none other than the current chief minister of UP, O'Brien said.

In 2010, when the women's reservation bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, Yogi Adityanath had said, This Bill will drown the Indian political system if it goes throughIf men develop feminine traits, they become gods, but if women develop masculine traits they become demons Western ideas of womens liberation should be properly analysed in the Indian context.

Derek O'Brien demands reservation for women in Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile, the TMC MP also urged the government to bring the women's reservation bill in Rajya Sabha as well.

I've got a suggestion. Get everyone on board, have a proper discussion on the subject, and then bring 1/3rd reservation for women also in Rajya Sabha. We will all support it. It can't be done in a hurry, but it is possible, he said.

Women's reservation passed by Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the women's reservation bill that seeks to provide a 33 percent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The legislation, now called as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was tabled by union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building.

According to the bill, one-third of the total number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be reserved for women from those groups. These reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the state or union territory.
Aviation regulator DGCA said on Thursday it suspended the chief of flight safety at Air India for a month after uncovering deficiencies in Air Indias accident prevention work, as well as unavailability of qualified personnel. HT Image

A spokesperson for Air India said the airline acknowledges the failure of one of our audit staff to fully comply with the process and documentation requirements

The lapses were found by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in an audit conducted in July. DGCA team carried out the surveillance of Air India on 25th and 26th July 2023 in the areas of internal audit, accident prevention work and availability of required technical man powerfound deficiencies in the accident prevention work carried out by the organisation and the availability of the requisite technical manpower as required in the approved Flight Safety Manual and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements.

Therefore, the regulator said, the approval of chief of flight safety of Air India has been suspended for a period of one month for the lapses established.

We acknowledge and accept the DGCAs finding and regret the failure of one of our audit staff to fully comply with the process and documentation requirements, an Air India spokesperson said.

Safety is Air Indias highest priority, and we are investing heavily in people, processes and systems to raise Air Indias standards to best practice, the spokesperson said. We are sparing no effort to uplift the culture of safety and diligence to contemporary standards, through clarifying requirements, training and stricter consequence management. We will continue these efforts for as long as is needed to effect the necessary changes, the company representative added.

The DGCA said that it had observed that some of the internal audit/spot checks claimed to be carried out by Air India were done in a perfunctory manner and not as per regulatory requirements. The airline was thus asked to submit an action taken report.

After receiving this report, the DGCA issued show-cause notices to the concerned post holders.

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New Delhi: There is about a 95% chance that 2023 will be the warmest or the second-warmest year on record, a key US government agency said in a briefing on Thursday and warned that several more months  possibly stretching into 2024  could continue the heat trend thanks to the El Nino weather pattern remaining strong. A tourist shelters from the sun with a panel as she walks past the Colosseum monument in Rome, on July 24 during a heatwave in Italy. (AFP)

Between January and August, global land and ocean temperatures were 1.06C above the base period of 1991 to 2020, making it the second warmest January to August period in history, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Nobody knows when this is going to end but El Nino is still strengthening. As a result of that, we expect heat to continue for the rest of 2023 with a 95% chance of this being the warmest or second warmest year on record. Its possible that 2024 could be even warmer than 2023. We anticipate to be in this record category globally for several months to come, said Karin Gleason, monitoring section chief, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

READ | El Nino develops, experts wary of poor monsoon spell

El Nino, a periodic but unusual warming of the waters in the equatorial Pacific region, has a cascading impact around the world, including in India where it saps the monsoon rains. El Nino conditions are expected to continue through the upcoming Winter, with a 95% chance of it remaining in place for January to March, 2024, and around a 70% chance of a strong El Nino being in place for the November-December-January period, the scientists from NOAA said.

Gleason, when asked on what this means for the critical 1.5C average warming threshold being breached, told HT: We dont really deal with predictions as to how far it will go but we know it has been warm and have been exceeding previous margins significantly the last couple of months. We are reaching certain months that are exceeding 1C. We are watching that closely.

Global land and ocean temperatures in August were 1.25C higher compared to 1991 to 2020 base period, warmest in 174 years and global land temperature alone was a record 1.72C above the base period, NOAA stated.

READ | El Nino effect pushes global monthly mean ocean temp to all-time high

The June and August months together were also the warmest since 1850, with land temperature alone recording 1.51C above the 1991-2020 base period. East and Peninsular India recorded land temperatures warmest ever during June and August, NOAA indicated in its map.

Above average sea surface temperatures are being observed across most of the Pacific Ocean near the equator  the oceanic and atmospheric observations currently reflect El Nino conditions.Right now, in tropical Pacific the sea surface temp are 1.6C above normal, and its already above the threshold for a strong event. Going ahead a strong event is more likely than not, said Scott Handel, Meteorologist, NOAA Climate Prediction Center.

The record heat is comes at a time of flagging global momentum to limit warming to the Paris Agreements 1.5 C goal. HT reported on Thursday that UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the world is heading towards 2.8C of warming if global leaders do not act now.

He was addressing the UN Climate Ambition Summit, where major emitters such as the United States, China, UK and India were notably absent.

But, several heads of states and cities demanded action on fossil fuels at the summit. Governor of California, Gavin Newsom said: This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis. 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 fossil fuel industry has been playing each and every one of us in this room for fools.

Gabriel Boric, President of Chile said: The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, so we need to leave fossil fuels behind. That in very specific terms means we must react to the greenwashing that major businesses are undertaking. They continue with that greenwashing and theyre stepping it up, and in some cases their greenwashing efforts are supported by countries.

COP 28 President Designate, Sultan Al Jaber said during the summit on Wednesday: We know the size of the problem. The numbers are straightforward: 22 gigatons. Thats the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we need to cut in the next seven years to keep 1.5C within reach.

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Kochi: A migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh was booked in Kerala on charges of assaulting a minor boy who had to be hospitalised, a police officer said. Kerala police have booked a case against the migrant worker from UP under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and section 324 (causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means) of the IPC (HT Archives)

The incident took place on September 2 when the 12-year-old boy was playing with a tyre near his house. While playing, the tyre reportedly hit the migrant worker named Salman a couple of times who took offence and grabbed the stick from the boys hand and beat him with it. He also grabbed the boys neck and pushed him to the ground, the officer said.

The parents of the child initially took him to a private hospital where he was referred to the Manjeri Govt Medical College Hospital. But the parents didnt take him there and brought him home. When the pain again started, they finally took him to the government hospital where he has been admitted since. Doctors informed the police about the assault on the boy and a case was booked on the complaint of the family on Wednesday, said an officer at the Thenhipalam police station where the FIR was registered.

We have booked a case against Salman under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and section 324 (causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means) of the Indian Penal Code. We have learnt that he was fired from the shoe manufacturing firm where he was employed shortly after the assault on the boy. He later left the state and is currently believed to be in Delhi, the officer said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the passage of the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam or the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lower House of the Parliament was a golden moment of Indias parliamentary journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Photo)

In his address to the Lok Sabha, he thanked the members of the House who voted in support of the legislation.

Yesterday was a golden moment of Indias parliamentary journey, and every member of this House and every leader of every political party is a part of that. I thank you all for supporting this Bill, Modi said.

And to complete this sacred work, the way the members of parliament have supported the Bill, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, the PM added.

The Lok Sabha scripted history on Wednesday as it passed the Bill reserving a third or 33% of seats for women in national and state legislatures with an overwhelming majority.

With 454 members in support and only two against, the 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.

Modi said that this will further bolster women-led development and will take the nation to new heights in an unimaginable way.

I thank MPs across party lines who voted in support of this bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is 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).

Also Read: Day 4 in Parliament: Womens reservation bill passed in Lok Sabha, set for another litmus test today

Right after the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi shared a post via X which read, Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support.

The Bill was introduced by Union minister of state for law & justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday.

The long-awaited bill  which will apply to the Lok Sabha, the Delhi legislative assembly and state Houses  also inserted quotas for women within the existing quantum of seats set aside for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, but its implementation might take a few years. If passed into law, political reservation for women will only come into effect after delimitation  an exercise comprising revision of seat numbers and redrawing of constituency boundaries  that can only happen after 2026, and after the relevant census figures are published.
Relations between India and Canada are at their lowest point in decades since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged on Monday that Ottawa was investigating credible allegations about the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in New Delhi on February 23, 2018.(AFP)

The Indian government has categorically rejected Canada's suspicions that Indian agents had links to the murder.

On Wednesday, India urged its nationals in Canada, especially students, to exercise utmost caution as ties deteriorated after each nation expelled one of the other's diplomats in the escalating row over the Nijjar incident.

"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 said.

Just hours after India's travel advisory, Canada's public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters that Canada is a safe country.

On Thursday, India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services. "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 Sept. Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, the BLS Indian Visa Application Center in Canada said. It gave no further details. BLS is the agency that processes visa requests for India.

The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi said all its consulates in India are open and continuing to provide services, but staff safety is being assessed.

Recently, Canada also paused talks on a trade deal with India. The two nations, however, have long-standing relations.

Heres a look at the relationship:

Indian students

Canada is an attractive destination for Indians, especially students. In 2022, nearly 300,000 Indians were pursuing higher education in Canada, according to Indias Bureau of Immigration.

India was the first among the top 10 origin countries of study permit holders in 2022 in Canada.

Indian students make up 40 per cent of overall international enrolment, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), Indian students contributed USD 4.9 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021.

India and Canada have a strong education partnership. There are over 200 educational partnerships between Indian and Canadian institutions.

Canadian tourists in India

In 2021, 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India, making them the fourth largest group, according to Indias Bureau of Immigration.

Trade relations

A priority market for Canada, in 2022, India was Canadas 10th largest trading partner.

Bilateral trade between India and Canada has seen significant growth in recent years, reaching $8.16 billion in 2022-23, news agency PTI reported. India's exports ($4.1 billion) to Canada include pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, textiles, and machinery, while Canada's exports to India ($4.06 billion) include pulses, timber, pulp and paper, and mining products.

In Q1 FY2023-24, Indias exports to Canada were worth about $911 million, while imports from Canada were worth $990 million.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aniruddha Dhar Have 11 years' experience in print and digital media. Write on politics, defence and world affairs, and have a keen eye for human-interest stories. ...view detail
Jalandhar: With India suspending visa services to Canadian citizens on Thursday, the escalating diplomatic standoff has left Indian students in the North American country and those that have applied for study visas, concerned that their immediate futures could be affected by the tensions. To be sure, the suspension does not, as it stands, affect those who have already been granted visas to Canada or Indian citizens who have applied for Canadian visas. Data shows that of the roughly 551k new international students in Canada, the largest cohort was of Indians. (HT archive)

Data from the Canadian government department Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made public in 2022 showed that of the roughly 551,000 new international students who entered their country that year, the largest cohort was of Indians, with 226,450 students. As many as 319,000 Indian students already lived in Canada as on December 31, 2022, the data said.

The rising face-off between the two countries has caused particular consternation in Punjab, a state where Canada remains a popular destination. 22- year-old Simranpreet Kaur of Mand village in Jalandhar for instance said that she had recently applied for a visa to study in a college in Brampton, and was worried that the diplomatic row would hamper her visa prospects. I have already contacted an immigration consultant to gather more information on any changes that could be coming in the process of granting visas.

Narinder Singh, whose son Jashanjot left earlier this year for Canada, said that they were concerned that the situation would affect the chances of being granted a work visa at the end of the student programme. We have been checking on him several times a day. We spent a lot of money to send him to Canada and our concern is that Canadian authorities may impose restrictions on work permits, and complicate the process of acquiring permanent resident (PR) status.

Jalandhar resident Ranjit Singh, who is in Canada to visit his son Raunak, said that most parents he spoke to were also worried about the security of their children. The only issue is security, because there is an apprehension that there could be incidents of hate crime, he said.

Typically, universities in Canada invite applications for three semesters; the fall that begins in September, winter that begins in January, and summer in May.

An official of an educational consultancy based in Kochi said that over the past two days, they fielded hundreds of phone calls from students who were preparing to leave for the session that begins in January. At this point, there is a great deal of uncertainty. Admissions have closed for the January intake and some have already started the visa process. We can only wait and see how this pans out, the official said.

Sakshi Mittal, founder of career counselling agency University Leap, however, said there was no reason to panic. Most students who were going for the September intake have already flown out. The ones going for January 2024 are in the process of filing their visa and as of now there is no impact that we have noticed. We have contacted students living in Canada and everything seems to be okay. It is inevitable however that if the unrest continues, there will be concern among students and parents on issues of safety, she said.

(With inputs from Vishnu Varma)

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Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday in a stern reply to the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha said that he has full courage to speak on the China issue. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh(PTI)

Congress MP Chowdhury took a dig at Rajnath while he was speaking in Parliament and challenged him to talk about the issue of China. The top BJP leader accepting his challenge said, I have full courage to talk about China. I am ready to talk about it.

A political debate erupted over Chowdhury's question that disrupted the BJP leader's address in the Lok Sabha.

Watch the video here:

Both, India and China have been in a three-year-long confrontation as both sides continue to hold multiple rounds of talks for the disengagement of troops in Eastern Ladakh, following the June 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley.

China released its standard map on August 28, which shows the state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as a part of its territory. Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi's claims of not losing even an inch of land in Ladakh to China was a lie. The entire Ladakh knows that China has transgressed. This map issue is very serious. They have taken away the land. PM should say something about it," he said.

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People called to serve in the police or other law enforcement agencies must possess high moral standards for the sensitive jobs they are called to perform, the Supreme Court said in a Wednesday judgement in which it ruled that the yardstick for such appointments ought to be much more stringent than those applied to a routine vacancy. Peple recruited in police force should possess high moral standards for such sensitive job, says Supreme Court. (HT Archive)

The case in question was from Madhya Pradesh and involved a person, Bhupendra Yadav , who, in 2016,was denied the job of a constable in state police on the grounds that he had been tried in a case regarding molesting a minor girl, although he was acquitted in 2015.

To be sure, this wasnt the case of an innocent man being charged of a crime he did not commit, and then denied a job on that very basis, despite being acquitted. As the top court noted, Yadavs acquittal was not a clean one. The complainant (girl) in this case settled with him and the acquittal came about not on merits but on the technical grounds that the victim and other witnesses who initially supported the police case turned hostile.

But when he was denied the job, Yadav chose to go to court. The Madhya Pradesh high court in January 2018 directed the state to reconsider his appointment as he had truthfully disclosed his criminal antecedents and the case where he was acquitted was the only one pending against him. The state filed an appeal against this in the top court.

Setting aside the HC order, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Rajesh Bindal said, In such a case, even one criminal case faced by the respondent in which he was ultimately acquitted, apparently on the basis of being extended benefit of doubt, can make him unsuitable for appointment to the post of a constable.

Justice Kohli, writing the judgment for the bench, said, The standard of rectitude to be applied to any person seeking appointment in a law enforcement agency must always be higher and more rigorous for the simple reason that possession of a higher moral conduct is one of the basic requirements for appointment to a post as sensitive as that in the police service. The judgment noticed that a policeman is required to maintain law and order, deal with arms and ammunitions, apprehend criminals and protect life and property of public at large.

Yadav was accused of wrongfully restraining (IPC Section 341), stalking (IPC Section 354D) and harassing a minor girl -- acts punishable under Section 11D and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012. The allegation was that he persistently stalked her, threw a letter and flowers at her and insisted that she speaks to him despite her reluctance to befriend him.

As the trial proceeded, based on a compromise application filed by the victim and the accused, the charges framed under IPC Section 341 were settled but trial went on under the remaining offences. There, the victim and the witnesses relied upon by the prosecution turned hostile, leading to the trial court acquitting Yadav of all charges in October 2015.

The following year, Yadav cleared the written test for post of constable from the other backward class (OBC) category. He even cleared the physical test and was posted at Ujjain. The Superintendent of Police, Ujjain requested him to furnish details of his criminal background (if any) and on August 24, 2017, found him unfit for recruitment as the charges against him related to moral degradation.

The Supreme Court upheld the police authoritys order and said, Higher the post, more stringent ought to be the standards to be applied. If the employer arrives at a conclusion that the incumbent is of a suspect character or unfit for the post, he may not be appointed or continued in service.

Yadav argued that he truthfully declared his involvement in a criminal case and it was not denied that he even got an acquittal. The bench said, Quite clearly, this was not a case of clean acquittal, noting how the complainant and the other witnesses turned hostile and the charges that were of serious nature involving moral turpitude.
In a historic move, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed the women's reservation bill after an 11-hour debate. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Now 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and in the state assemblies will become a law and will be implemented after census and delimitation, a point that the Opposition questioned. In the Lok Sabha, only two MPs from the AIMIM opposed the bill. There was no abstention in the Rajya Sabha during the voting for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers and members in the Rajya Sabha during the special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi.(PTI)

This is the first bill to have been passed in the new Parliament building. After the bill was cleared by the Upper House, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar congratulated the members and said it is a historic achievement. Historic achievement, congratulations. It is also a coincidence that today is PM Modi's birthday by Hindu calendar, Dhankhar said after the bill was passed.

Ahead of the voting, PM Modi spoke in the Rajya Sabha on the bill and said this bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country.

PM Modi congratulated after the bill cleared the Rajya Sabha hurdle and called it a defining moment in India's history. A defining moment in our nation's democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening, PM Modi tweeted.

With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely a legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions. As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and indomitable spirit of all the women of our nation. This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively, PM Modi added.

On Thursday, Nirmala Sitharaman talked about the bill and called it long overdue. On why the government has convened a special session of Parliament, Sitharaman said, "We have come into a new complex, new building for Parliament, new India. We would like this Parliament to deal with one of the best bills that it can deal with." "What this bill provides for is reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha. I have heard some members saying that reservation should also be given in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha). With the indirect election process and the way in which preferences (are) shown in the voting, it's just not going to be possible to do any reservation," Sitharaman said.

Mallikarjun Kharge in his intervention questioned the delay in the implementation of the bill and asked why PM Modi can't do it right now while he can ban notes overnight. As Kharge doubted the implementation of the bill following census and delimitation, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "Modi hai toh mumkin hai...do not doubt."

What's next for Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill?

Passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the bill will now go to the President for consent. And then 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies will become official.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
India, Israel, the US and the UAE, the four countries which together constitute the I2U2 grouping, launched a a uniquely structured I2U2 business coalition, also termed private enterprise partnership, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday. I2U2 grouping members launch business coalition to boost public-private partnership. (Twitter)

Separately, Washington DC, Tel Aviv, Delhi and Abu Dhabi also launched an official I2U2 site and called for project proposals in seven domains  water, climate/energy, transportation, space, health, food security, technology  preferably centered around West Asia, Africa, South Asia and the US.

Announced in the backdrop of the recent unveiling of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the I2U2s push to involve the private sector, with the US taking the lead, is seen as yet another move to deepen economic integration between South Asia and West Asia.

The four official leads of the grouping include Dammu Ravi, secretary (economic relations) in the ministry of external affairs, Ronen Levi, the director general of Israels ministry of foreign affairs, Ahmed Ali El Sayegh, minister of state for foreign affairs of UAE, and Jose Fernandez, the US undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.

Those familiar with the discussions leading up to the announcement said that the building blocks are being put in place for the I2U2 initiative. An official from one of the four countries, who asked not to be named, said, Remember this initiative is new. Governments have now developed habits of cooperation among themselves. But we all recognise that we need to involve and unleash the private sector for the specific initiatives. This is an open invitation to private players, small and big, at a time of tremendous economic dynamism and potential in the region and growing geopolitical convergence to come and participate in an exciting future.

In a sign of the public-private partnership that lies at the heart of the vision of the grouping, the US State Department signed a memorandum of understanding with the US-UAE Business Council, the UAE-India Business Council, and the UAE-Israel Business Council  which will together comprise the I2U2 Business Coalition. The other three governments arent officially a part of the MoU though it has their approval.

Outlining the objective, the MoU says the text provides for a broad based core alliance of participant countries and reflects shared value and focus of seeking joint collaboration initiatives while safeguarding the respective mission and vision of each of the four countries.

The 12U2 BCs mission, according to the MoU, is to engage the four governments, increase awareness of the enormous potential of the I2U2 initiative, promote the private sectors role, and mobilise the private sector to identify, promote, and support, as appropriate, certain projects that further the goal of the initiative.

The business coalition will convene events in all the four countries, present potential projects for the consideration of the State Department, convene virtual working groups in the seven domains identified by the group, publish studies and working papers by scholars of all four countries about I2U2s potential, and use all platforms to spread awareness about the initiative. The State Department, subject to availability of funds, will support some of these initiatives.

Separately, on its newly unveiled site, the group said that the country from where the proposal originates will first carry out an initial vetting, and then an I2U2 committee comprising senior officials will consider private sector proposals on an individual basis. These project proposals will be judged on the basis of whether they create opportunities for the private sector, jobs, modernise infrastructure, advance low carbon development pathways, improve public health, advance physical connectivity, connect startups, create solutions for waste treatment, promote green technologies and increase food and energy security in the four countries.

India, Israel, the US and the UAE have also carved out the projects into two categories. The first category  Tier 1 projects  will receive support and encouragement from the four countries, while Tier 2 projects would include those with potential which may not have met all the parameters, or may be in an early stage of development, or awaiting financing, or in the process of completing a feasibility study.

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New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday asked the government to implement reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies at the earliest, saying the Centre should show urgency in the matter just as it did to pass the three farm bills in a hurry and announced demonetisation without prior notice. Mallikarjun Kharge (PTI)

Kharge was addressing the Rajya Sabha minutes before the House approved the 106th amendment to the Constitution, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

This shouldnt be another poll jumla [empty promise]. I want this bill to be implemented and we are supporting you unconditionally. There is no need to link the women reservation with census and delimitation, he said. You should have passed the bill just as you passed farmers bill and [announced] demonetisation in a hurry.

Pointing out that reservation for women is already being implemented in urban bodies and panchayat, the leader of Opposition said: Why dont you roll out reservation on the basis of current strength? When the delimitation leads to increase seats, you can increase the quota accordingly.

Kharge asked top ministers to give a timeline for rolling out the quota and demanded reservation for women from Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities too.

On Thursday, Opposition lawmakers in Rajya Sabha supported the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill that seeks to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, with some seeking a similar quota for women in the Upper House as well.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Derek OBrien said the INDIA bloc challenges the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to implement it from 2024. All you need to do is remove [Article] 334A from your existing bill, he said, referring to the article introduced in the bill that says the reservation shall come into effect after the delimitation is undertaken after the relevant figures for the first census have been published.

If you are finding it difficult to do, then at least try to bring one third of women elected from your party to Parliament with or without your bill, the TMC leader said. Bring one third registration in Rajya Sabha as well. We will also support it.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi hit out at BJP president JP Nadda who earlier in the day had said this is the only way we can give reservation.

The bill was immediately implementable when it was brought in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, Chaturvedi said. There might not have been such a law in the whole world which would be implementable seven years down the line.

Elamaram Kareem of CPI(M) said the BJP had promised to bring the womens reservation bill in 2014 and 2019 as well, but did not take any action. This is an election gimmick by the BJP after losing elections in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, besides facing defeat in the civic polls in Delhi, he said.

Raising concerns over the implementation of the bill, independent MP Kapil Sibal said if the census happens in 2026, there is going to be a lot of issues over delimitation since the population in northern states has increased exponentially, but not in southern states. Now, we dont know who will come to power, but I want the PM and home minister to make a statement that if they dont complete this process by 2029, they will resign. This will show us their genuineness, Sibal added.

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India on Thursday indefinitely suspended all visa services for Canadian nationals and asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country, signalling further deterioration of ties following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. HT Image

BLS International, the firm which processes Indian visa applications in Canada, posted a message on its website about the suspension of services. This followed the external affairs ministrys advisory on Wednesday urging Indians in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to politically-condoned hate crimes.

The suspension of visa services is also expected to affect a significant section of the 1.6 million Canadians of Indian origin, many of whom have relatives in India. The temporary visa suspension will also apply to Canadian citizens applying for visas in third countries and to e-visa applications. It will not affect those who already possess valid visas or the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards.

VFS Global, the firm which processes Canadian visa applications in India did not immediately indicate any similar suspension, although analysts and diplomats say they expect Canada to suspend all visa services for Indian nationals at the earliest. The was no official response from the Canadian side as this paper went to print.

Before the external affairs ministry (EAM) announced the move to downsize Canadas diplomatic presence, the foreign ministry in Ottawa said it planned to temporarily pull some staff from the high commission and consulates in India due to threats to Canadian diplomats on social media.

The developments reflected the continuing downward spiral in bilateral relations since Trudeau spoke of a potential link between Indian government agents and the slaying of Nijjar, a designated terrorist, on Monday. Trudeaus accusation  dismissed by the Indian side as absurd and motivated  triggered a diplomatic row and resulted in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

You are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis, external affairs ministry (EAM) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing in response to a flurry of questions on India-Canada relations.

The question is not about travel to India. Those who have valid visas, those who have other kind of documents like [Overseas Citizen of India cards] are free to travel to India, he said.

Bagchi blamed the failure of Canadian authorities to act on the incitement of violence against Indian diplomats for the suspension of visa services. Thats whats making us stop temporarily the issuance of visas or providing visa services, he added.

The message posted on BLS Internationals website said: Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. This was the first time India suspended visa services in Canada since the Covid-19 pandemic.

People familiar with the matter said the issue was linked to a threat by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned by India in 2019, to shut down Indian missions on September 25. India has sought additional security at its high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver following the SFJ threat. The websites of all the Indian missions in Canada were inaccessible since Wednesday.

Bagchi said the Indian side has put in motion a process that will lead to the downsizing of Canadas diplomatic presence in the country. We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in mutual diplomatic presence. Their numbers here are much very much higher than ours in Canada, he said.

The details of this are being worked out, but I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side.

Without giving details, Bagchi said Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs was a factor that had prompted the move to seek parity in diplomatic presence. He said India has no plans as of now to make any change in its diplomatic posture in Canada.

Hours before the external affairs ministrys media briefing, the Canadian high commission in New Delhi said a decision had been made to temporarily adjust staff presence in India after some diplomats received threats on various social media platforms. A statement from the mission said Canada expects the Indian side to provide security to accredited diplomats and consular officers in the country.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India, the statement said.

As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally-engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity.

Canada said its high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru are open and operational. Canadas foreign ministry monitors the security of the missions and personnel and maintains a strict security protocol to respond to any events.

Nijjar was gunned down in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the town of Surrey in British Columbia province on June 18. He was the principal figure in the province for the secessionist SFJ.

Security was enhanced at Indias missions in Canada and for senior diplomats after SFJ released Kill India posters in July and then a series of others that blamed New Delhi for Nijjars killing. SFJ has also threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by allegedly celebrating Nijjars assassination.

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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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail
India-Canada news Highlights: This week started off with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation that there is a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, which mounted the already sour bilateral relations between New Delhi and Ottawa. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, (L) walks past India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (R)(AP)

India outrightly refused the allegations by calling them absurd and motivated. A series of retaliatory actions followed after Trudeau's claim, including the booting out of top officials of both countries from India and Canada.

As a recent tit-for-tat action, India released a travel warning for its citizens who are travelling to Canada asking them to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes.

Although the United States reacted to the allegations saying White House is deeply concerned after Trudeau's claims, the closest allies of Canada, including the US, had earlier rejected its request to publicly condemn the killing of separatist leader Nijjar.
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday suspended visa services for Canadian citizens citing security threats to its staff in its consulates in Canada, a move that marks the escalation of tensions between the two countries triggered by Ottawas announcement this week that it was actively pursuing credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in June. The external affairs ministry said visa services were suspended because the Canadian governments inaction on the security situation has resulted in disruption (AP)

Heres who the decision impacts, and who it doesnt. To be sure, these answers are subject to change in the event of reciprocal action by Canada.

Why did India suspend issuing new visas?

The issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our consulates which is what is making us stop temporarily the issuance of visa services. We will review this situation on a regular basis, the ministry of external affairs said on Thursday.

Will Canadians, who are in Canada, be able to apply for new visas to India?

No. India has halted all visa services for citizens of Canada, save those with existing visas.

Will Indians, who are in India, be able to travel to Canada?

As things stand, yes. Canada has not, so far, imposed any curbs on Indians travelling to Canada.

Are people allowed to travel from Canada to India for work or business?

No, unless they already possess an existing Indian visa. Indias visa application curbs on Canadians extends across sectors, with no exceptions.

Can people with valid Indian visas or the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card travel to India?

Yes. Those who have valid visas and OCI are free to travel to India, the external affairs ministry clarified on Thursday.

Can a Canadian living abroad apply for an Indian visa?

No. A Canadian citizen will not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if the person is living in any other country, MEA said on Thursday.

Will the visa suspension impact Canadians who are living in India?

No. Their current visas remain valid. They can apply to renew their visa as per rules governing their visa categories.

I am an Indian student who has been accepted into a Canadian university. Can I still travel?

Yes. As of 9pm on Thursday, there are no restrictions on any Indians on travelling to Canada.

I am an Indian citizen studying in Canada. Can I travel to India?

Yes. The MEA has clarified that there are no curbs on Indian citizens, whether students or otherwise, travelling to India from Canada.

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Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will shift his office to Visakhapatnam from its present location in capital Amaravati by October 24, coinciding with the Dasara (or Dussehra) festival, while other administrative offices will be moved to the port city in a phased manner, a state minister said on Thursday. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (PMO India Twitter)

A decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat on Wednesday, minister for information and public relations (I&PR) Chelluboina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna told reporters.

The cabinet has also given its approval to shift administrative offices to Visakhapatnam in a phased manner. But in the first phase, the chief ministers office (CMO) will be shifted and it will start operating from the port city with effect from October 24, coinciding with Dasara festival, the minister said.

He added that the government will follow the suggestions of the special committee set up to identify administrative office buildings in Vizag.

Soon after forming government in May 2019, chief minister Reddy in December that year announced that the state would have three capitals  executive (administrative) capital at Visakhapatnam, while legislative and judicial capitals at Amaravati and Kurnool, respectively  in a move he said was for the decentralisation of state administration.

In June 2020, the state legislature passed a bill in this regard, but it was challenged in the high court by Amaravati farmers, who had parted from their land for the development of the city as the state capital.

After prolonged hearings, the Andhra Pradesh high court on March 3, 2022, upheld Amaravati as the only capital of the state and questioned the legislative competence of the assembly to pass the three-capitals bill. In September last year, the state government challenged the high court verdict in the Supreme Court, which will hear the matter next in November.

In the meantime, Jagan Mohan Reddy in March this year had announced that he would be moving his office and residence to the port city in a few months.

The Vizag district administration is making arrangements to accommodate the CMO in the official complex being built on the seafront hillock of Rushikonda, people familiar with the matter said.

Besides the camp office and residence of the chief minister, offices related to the support staff, especially the General Administration Department (GAD), will also be shifted to Vizag, the people added.

On Thursday, regional coordinator of ruling YSR Congress Party for Visakhapatnam,YV Subba Reddy, attributed the delay in shifting of the executive capital to Vizag to the legal hurdles created by the vested interests.

He added that Jagan Reddy will be moving to the port city by Dasara as there are no legal hurdles for the chief minister to operate from any place of his choice.

Stating that the administrative offices for all the departments would be getting ready soon, the leader said Visakhapatnam is the most suitable city as the capital. It is the largest city in the entire South India and even the Centre has come forward to extend financial assistance for developing it, he added.

ANY POLITICAL REAX?

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Kochi: The Kozhikode district administration on Thursday lifted restrictions that were imposed as part of containment zones in nine village panchayats, after no fresh cases of Nipah virus were reported in Kerala for a sixth straight day, people familiar with the matter said. The Kozhikode district administration lifts restrictions after no fresh cases of Nipah virus were reported in Kerala. (AFP)

The containment zones in Vadakara taluk were removed by collector A Geetha following the health departments assessment that the outbreak has been contained.

So far, six cases of the Nipah virus have been reported in Kozhikode, of which two died while four others are under treatment. The condition of all active cases, including the nine-year-old boy, is satisfactory, the health department said in a statement.

READ | Nipah virus not confirmed in samples taken from 36 bats, says Kerala CM

No fresh cases of the virus were reported on Thursday and 27 more samples tested negative, the statement added. So far, the majority of the high-risk contacts of the six infected people have been identified and their samples have returned negative.

Meanwhile, more relaxations were introduced in Feroke municipality wards and Kozhikode corporation, both of which were declared containment zones.

All shops in these areas can operate until 8 pm and all banks and treasury offices can function till 2 pm. These wards were declared as containment zones after the sixth positive case was reported in a 39-year-old from Cheruvannur, an area within Corporation limits.

A total of 981 people are currently on the contact list after 307 names were removed following the completion of isolation. Those on the contact list have to undergo 21 days of isolation to check for symptoms.

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Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the 'Ekatmata Ki Pratima' or 'Statue of Oneness' of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar on Thursday. The state cabinet had approved this project last year to celebrate the life and philosophy of the 8th-century Hindu philosopher and saint. This 108-ft tall statue is situated on the Mandhata mountain in Omkareshwar. 'Ekatmata Ki Pratima' or 'Statue of Oneness' of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar unveiled in MP's Omkareshwar on Thursday,(X/@ChouhanShivraj)

Chouhan shared a video of himself on X (formerly Twitter) offering prayers at the site during the inauguration and wrote, There is auspiciousness and auspiciousness only in the feet of Acharya Shankar, animated with spiritual energy. The sun of welfare for the entire world lies in the auspicious thoughts of Advaita.

Omkareshwar, located on the picturesque banks of the Narmada River, is around 80 km away from the city of Indore.

Chouhan said, The cultural foundation on which Adi Shankaracharya ji, who propounded Advaita Vedanta by seeing the existence of only one Brahma in every living being, united India in one thread, is his wonderful gift for every age.

He said it is a proud thing that on the soil of Madhya Pradesh, this unique personality of the spiritual world attained knowledge and filled the nation with the divine feeling of unity. Future generations will continue to visit this unique monument and become familiar with the great contribution of Shankaracharya ji from age to age, Chouhan said.

On Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh chief minister highlighted how Adi Guru Shankaracharya worked to connect the country culturally and spread the essence of the Vedas to the common people. He further mentioned, Shankaracharya also made four monasteries in four corners of the country. This worked to keep India culturally united. Because of that India is united today.

This statue marks the third major statue built in India by the government. Previously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Equality on the outskirts of Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th-century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya on his 1,000th birth anniversary. In 2018, PM Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia in memory of former deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya, who was born in what is now Kerala, is said to have arrived at Omkareshwar as a young monk, where he encountered his guru Govind Bhagwadpad, resided in the sacred city for four years, and received his education. In accordance with his spiritual convictions, he departed Omkareshwar at the age of 12 and embarked on a journey across the nation, disseminating the teachings of Advaita Vedanta philosophy and elucidating its principles to the people.

In Acharya Shankar Museum, the life and philosophy of Acharya Shankar will be displayed through the most modern and innovative ways. All structures will have visible imprints of Indian culture along with traditional Indian art and architecture. The proposed Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita-Vedant will be the centre of learning and experience for Advaita Vedanta, the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said earlier.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday hit back at Opposition Congress' poll jumla (an empty promise) jibe on the women's reservation bill, saying that the government does not play politics in women-related matters. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi(PTI)

The bill not a jumla. I think the context in which the home minister had said before is well understood, but it is not convenient for us to use jumla againWe forget the context, Sitharaman said while addressing the Rajya Sabha on the fourth day of the five-day special Parliament session.

Stating that it will not be possible to implement the bill before 2024, the finance minister said, Once the census is over and delimitation is done, you are going to have women's reservation.

...In women-related matters, we do not play any politics. It is an article of faith for the Prime Minister and therefore we do everything that we have done whether it is Article 370, triple talaq, or now the Women's Reservation Bill, Sitharaman added.

Earlier, the Congress on Tuesday described the women's reservation bill as a poll jumla and a huge betrayal of hopes of crores of Indian women and girls.

The women's reservation bill is a 'poll jumla' as the Modi government is yet to conduct the 2021 Census and has said that it will come into effect only after that. It is a huge betrayal of hopes of crores of Indian women and girls, news agency PTI quoted the Congress as saying.

Women's reservation bill passed by Lok Sabha

On Wednesday, the women's reservation bill that seeks to reserve 33 seats out of all for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies was passed by the Lok Sabha. It was last tabled in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 during the then UPA government.

According to the legislation, one-third of the total number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be reserved for women from those groups. These reserved seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the state or union territory.
TORONTO/NEW DELHI : India indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian nationals on Thursday even as Canada said it planned to temporarily pull back some staff from its missions in India due to threats on social media, developments reflecting the heightened tensions between the two countries. The High Commission of India is seen in Ottawa on Sept. 20 (AP)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic row and resulted in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats this week. India dismissed the accusation as absurd and motivated and issued an advisory urging its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of politically-condoned hate crimes.

Also Read: Canada fails to persuade G7 nations to back its claim

No formal announcement of the suspension of visa services was made by the Indian side. BLS International, which processes Indian visa applications in Canada, posted a message on its website about the development that cited a notice from the Indian mission.

Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates, the message said.

An Indian official in Canada confirmed the suspension but refused to comment further: The language is clear and it says what it is intended to say. This is the first time India has suspended visa services in Canada since the Covid-19 pandemic.

There was confusion on Thursday afternoon as the message on the BLS International website regarding the suspension of visa services was removed for some time. People familiar with the matter said the issue appeared to be linked to a threat by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned by India in 2019, to shut down Indian missions on September 25.

India sought additional security at its high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver following the SFJ threat. The websites of all the Indian missions in Canada have been inaccessible since Wednesday.

The suspension of visa services followed the external affairs ministrys advisory on Wednesday asking Indians in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. Indian students were particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

The Canadian high commission in New Delhi said a decision had been made to temporarily adjust staff presence in India after some diplomats received threats on various social media platforms. A statement issued by the mission said Canada expects the Indian side to provide security to accredited diplomats and consular officers in the country.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India, the statement said, referring to Canadas foreign ministry.

As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally-engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity.

The statement added: In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs [in Canada].

Canada said its high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru are open and operational and continue to serve clients. Canadas foreign ministry monitors the safety and security of the missions and personnel and maintains a strict security protocol to respond to any events.

Canada will also continue to 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. Decisions in this regard are made based on several factors, including an employees professional profile or personal circumstances.

Nijjar was gunned down in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the town of Surrey in British Columbia province on June 18. He was the principal figure in the province for the secessionist SFJ.

Security was enhanced at Indias missions in Canada and for senior diplomats after SFJ released Kill India posters in July and then a series of others that blamed New Delhi for Nijjars killing.

SFJ has also threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by allegedly celebrating Nijjars assassination

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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

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
Parliament Special Session Highlights: After the Lok Sabha passed the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023 on Wednesday, it was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Bill grants one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to women, receiving strong support across party lines. Following an eight-hour debate involving 60 members, the Lower House passed the Bill with 454 members voting in favour and only two against it. View of the Rajya Sabha during the special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel have voted against the Bill as All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) opposed the Bill saying that it does not provide for a sub-quota for Muslim and Other Backward Classes (OBC) women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the voting on this historic bill, marking the first legislation passed in the new Parliament building.

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi set the tone for the debate on Wednesday, by advocating for the inclusion of OBC women under the proposed law while extending her party's support. She said that any delay in implementing the reservation would constitute a grave injustice to women.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill of 2023 received approval following a reply to the motion by Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Each clause of the bill also underwent voting, and Speaker Om Birla announced the successful passage of the bill. This landmark legislation, known as the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,' marks the first Bill passed by the Lok Sabha after it relocated to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.
New Delhi: As the diplomatic row between India and Canada escalated rapidly, parliamentarians from Punjab cutting across parties appealed to the government to find solutions, flagging concerns for Indians that live in Canada. A large proportion of those that migrate to the North American country, both for study and work, are from the state. Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal meets Union home minister Amit Shah (Jitender Gupta)

Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president and Lok Sabha member of parliament (MP) Sukhbir Singh Badal met Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday, and said that he had been flooded by panicked phone calls from Punjabis in Canada that had sought the SADs intervention. Emerging after the meeting he said, The current situation between India and Canada has affected the people of Indian origin living in Canada...A panic-like situation is developing among the people. The government of India should find a solution soon. I have requested this to Home Minister Amit Shah.

Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to personally intervene to ensure the well-being and security of Indian students that live in Canada. Data from the Canadian government department Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that of the roughly 551,000 new international students that entered the country in 2022, the largest cohort were Indians, with 226450 students. As many as 319000 Indian students already lived in Canada as on December 31,2022, the IRCC said.

In a letter dated September 20, Bittu said that the diplomatic row could create social discomfort for Indian students, potentially affecting their overall well-being and sense of security in Canada. I shall be extremely grateful if you could personally intervene in the matter and ensure the well-being and sense of security of the students and protect the interests of the large number of Indian students studying in Canada by insulating them from any possible fallout of the strained diplomatic relations with Canada and also help towards restoration of mutual trust and goodwill among the two countries, Bittu said.

The Congress MP however lashed out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and said that 99.5% of the Indians that live in Canada do not approve of the activities of the pro-Khalistani elements who run drug cartels and give funds to Trudeaus party. But our concern lies with thousands of Indians including people from Punjab who have their families back in the state or elsewhere and want to live peacefully, said Bittu.

On Tuesday, former Punjab chief minister and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh dismissed the claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that there was an Indian hand in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey Gurdwara in June this year.

It was highly irresponsible for the Prime Minister of a country to make a statement without any evidence only because he was playing to the vote bank gallery. It was an irrefutable fact that the Trudeau administration in Canada had given a free hand to anti-India forces in that country, former Punjab CM said.

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Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday morning made a surprise visit to the Anand Vihar Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in New Delhi. In a video surfaced online, the Congress leader can be seen surrounded by coolies as he donned the coolie uniform and carried a luggage on his head. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, wearing the porters' trademark red shirt and badge, carries luggage over his head during an interaction with porters at Anand Vihar railway station, in New Delhi(PTI)

In the video, Gandhi is carrying a blue-coloured suitcase on his head as the crowd, including coolies cheered Rahul Gandhi zindabad. The top Congress leader visited Anand Vihar to meet the porters and talk at length about the issues they face.

Watch the video here:

This comes after a few porters urged Gandhi to visit them to understand their issues and work towards uplifting them. Earlier, the Congress leader surprised people with similar visits.

Gandhi took a food walk from Old Delhi to Bengali market. He was spotted relishing food in Old Delhi near Jama Masjid. He also visited Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar to interact with civil services aspirants and discuss top government jobs.

Gandhi also made an impromptu visit to Haryana's Sonipat and spent some time with farmers. He also took part in sowing seeds in the farmlands of Sonipat, drove a tractor and enjoyed food served by women labourers.

His earlier visit to the Azadpur Mandi in the national capital amid the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes and other vegetables left people amazed.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday released pictures of 10 suspects wanted for the attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in March and July as part of intensified action against Khalistani supporters operating from foreign soil. Khalistan supporters have carried out a series of attacks on Indian missions abroad. (AFP)

A case was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on June 16 over the attacks.

The NIA, which is probing the larger conspiracy in the attacks, issued three notices against the 10 seeking information that could lead to their arrest. The agency has assured that the identity of informer(s) will be kept secret.

On March 19, Khalistani supporters trespassed and tried to burn down the consulate. The attackers broke the makeshift security barriers and put up two so-called Khalistani flags on the consulate premises. The consulate building was damaged and some officials were also injured. Khalistani supporters tried the same on July 1 while the consulate officials were inside.

An NIA team visited San Fransisco last month and collected CCTV footage and other evidence from the local police, people familiar with the matter said. On Wednesday, NIA released pictures of 43 gangsters involved in multiple terror activities, drug smuggling, and murders in Canada and India.

The action comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing. The allegation triggered a diplomatic row and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats this week.

Khalistan supporters have carried out a series of attacks on Indian missions abroad. Pro-Khalistan protestors pulled down the national flag and attempted to vandalise the Indian high commission in London on March 19. The NIA is also probing this case.

Khalistan supporters have desecrated at least a dozen Hindu temples since last summer in Canada.
New Delhi Denying premature release to convicts who have served extremely long periods of incarceration not only crushes their spirit but also signifies societys resolve to be harsh and unforgiving, the Supreme Court held on Thursday, favouring the grant of remission to prisoners even in heinous cases if they have shown reformation. Supreme Court says denying premature release to convicts who have served extremely long periods of incarceration signifies societys resolve to be harsh and unforgiving. (HT Archive)

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta underlined the need to consider the rehabilitation and reformation of convicts, who, during the long period of incarceration, may have transformed and earned the relief of remission by alienating themselves from the persons they were at the time of conviction.

Regardless of the morality of the continuing punishment, one may question its rationality. The question is, what is achieved by continuing to punish a person who recognises the wrongness of what they have done, no longer identifies with it, and bears little resemblance to the person they were years earlier, stressed the bench, as it ordered release of a man from Kerala who had undergone more than 26 years in jail in a murder case.

According to the court, denial of premature release to persons who were convicted when they were young and have served 20 years or more behind bars would violate their fundamental right protected under Article 14 (equality) if the remission board or the state government considers only the facts present at the time of their conviction.

Excluding the relief of premature release to prisoners who have served extremely long periods of incarceration not only crushes their spirit and instills despair but signifies societys resolve to be harsh and unforgiving. The idea of rewarding the prisoner for good conduct is entirely negated, said the bench.

It emphasised that insistence on such long sentences will result in a situation where the convicts die within the prison walls, never seeing freedom, for the crimes which they have committed years ago.

Joseph, 65, had filed a writ petition in the court earlier this year, citing his incarceration since 1998 for murdering a woman in 1994. His case for release was recommended thrice by the jail advisory committee but was shot down by the state government. The latest order of denial of premature release came in 2022, stating that those convicted of murder involving women and children would not be entitled to such relief.

Arguing for Joseph, advocate Adolf Mathew pointed out that his clients case should be considered as per the remission policy existing in 1998 while adding that his continued incarceration without extending the benefit of premature release was and violative of rights to equality and personal liberty when other persons convicted of same of similar offences were released.

Allowing the writ petition on Thursday, the court held that Josephs case related to a plea for compassion and a re-evaluation of the treatment of long-serving inmates. The insistence on guidelines, obdurately not to look beyond the red lines drawn by it, and the continued denial to consider the impact of prison good behaviour and other relevant factors to ensure that such individual has been rid of the likelihood of causing harm, results in violation of Article 14, it noted.

The court referred to the 1958 Kerala rules, which stated that life imprisonment was deemed to be 20 years of incarceration, after which prisoners were entitled to premature release. It also cited National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines, which recommend release after serving 25 years, even for heinous crimes.

Sending Joseph back to the remission board and the state government for a fresh decision would be a cruel outcome after his long period of incarceration, said the court, adding it would rather direct for his release in view of the facts of the case and his conduct.

The grand vision of the rule of law and the idea of fairness is then swept away at the altar of procedure which this court has repeatedly held to be a handmaiden of justice, said the bench, ordering Josephs immediate release.

The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) requires a state government to obtain the views of the trial court that convicted the prisoner, and that of probation officer and jail officials before a decision on the remission plea is taken. A life term convict becomes entitled to remission only after serving at least 14 years in jail.

Justice Bhat, in a previous judgment on August 26, had emphasised that the ultimate goal of imprisonment, even in the most serious crime, is reformative. He had held that a stereotypical approach in denying the benefit of premature release to reformed prisoners, based solely on a trial judges opinion, could defeat the purpose of the remission policy.

Sounding a word of caution against overdrawing on crime, with little or no attention to the criminal, justice Bhat had in this judgment highlighted the need to balance societal interests with the rights of the convict, as it called for considering a wide range of factors that must be considered while deciding on remission.

If a stereotypical approach in denying the benefit of remission, which ultimately results in premature release, is repeatedly adopted, the entire idea of limiting incarceration for long periods (sometimes spanning a third or more of a convicts lifetime and in others, result in an indefinite sentence), would be defeated. This could result in a sense of despair and frustration among inmates, who might consider themselves reformed  but continue to be condemned in prison, the judge had added at the time.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utkarsh Anand Utkarsh Anand is Legal Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on law, judiciary and governance. ...view detail
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said the present situation of the India-Canada relationship is not healthy and the deterioration needs to be halted without letting it get out of control any further. "I am very surprised and disappointed by the Canadian Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) making a public allegation of this nature. If they had evidence, they should have prosecuted the killers in a court of law," Shashi Tharoor said. The tit-for-tat moves by both sides indicate an unhealthy situation as India's political interests dictate that it should have healthy relationships with all countries of the world. "I don't quite understand why the apparent need on Canada's part to cater to a particular political lobby in that country has resulted in their publicly putting their entire relationship with India in peril," Shashi Tharoor said. Shashi Tharoor said the deteriorating situation of India-Canada relationships should not be allowed to get out of hand.

India-Canada diplomatic ties sour: Follow LIVE updates

The frosty ties between India and Canada reached another low on Thursday after India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services citing 'operational reasons' amid the ongoing rift that started after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. After the public allegation, both India and Canada expelled diplomats and then India issued an advisory for Indians in Canada urging them to exercise utmost caution.

Kind of extremism that doesn't exist in India: Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor said Canada should be conscious of the dangers of importing a kind of extremism that does not exist in India any more. And I think that once Canada has unleashed this, they should be very conscious of the dangers they're provoking, including, for importing a kind of extremism that doesn't exist in India anymore in Punjab, into their country instead, which is very, very unfortunate. So I would urge the Canadians to also take a deep breath and rethink what they're doing.. Tharoor said.

Given the huge number of Indians living in Canada, the plunge in the India-Canada ties has become a domestic political issue as well. Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal meeting Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday.

"This is having a huge effect on (India-Canada relations)...Sikhs are being associated with terrorism, a wrong impression is being created, and this needs to stop. The governments of India and Canada should find a solution soon. The relationship between the two countries (India & Canada) needs to be settled at the top level. People of the nation should not suffer because of this. I am writing a letter to the PM because this needs to be settled as soon as possible. If it goes out of hand, it will affect a lot of Indians especially Sikhs and people of Punjab," Badal said.

'Immigrants to Canada focussing on how to damage India'

In an interview with ANI, Tharoor said there has been a lot of frustration from the Indian side. "...We are now seeing a new phenomenon where immigrants to Canada have become Canadian citizens but are not doing anything in Canadian politics. They're focusing on how to actually do damage to their country of origin. To my mind, that is a very dangerous development. And, Canada really has to examine its own approach to these people. It's all very well to claim outrage that a citizen has been killed in Canada. In any case, there is, as far as I'm aware, no evidence that any Indian government body had anything to do with it because we know that, unfortunately, this fringe terrorist group has a number of factions... So, my own view is that could have been any other explanation for what happened. In any case, whatever's happening, why their own citizens are allowed with impunity to behave in this manner, threatening the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good, interests of a friendly country. There's something only the Canadians can answer."

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
The Indian governments decision to suspend visa services to Canadian citizens, in an escalation of the burgeoning diplomatic row between the two countries has upended plans of Punjab-based non-resident Indians (NRI), several of whom had planned to return to their ancestral homes in the state over the harsh Canadian winter. Canada has a large Indian diaspora, a large proportion from Punjab, with several families typically heading back in September and October before the start of the festive season (Hindustan Times)

Indias move came three days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that India may have been behind the killing of Khalistani separatist leader and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in June, charges that India has summarily rejected, in turn accusing Canada of becoming a safe haven for terrorists and extremists.

Canada has a large Indian diaspora, a large proportion from Punjab, with several families typically heading back in September and October before the start of the festive season.

Amarjit Kaur, for instance, a Canadian passport holder based in Brampton, said she planned to attend the marriage of her niece in December. I was going to visit my brother after six years but Thursdays developments have put these plans on hold. We already booked air tickets for December 15, and were going to apply for an Indian visa in October, she said.

The restrictions announced on Thursday do not affect those that have Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards, the ministry of external affairs has made clear. But Sandeep Singh, who lives in Surrey, but migrated from Dholan village said that he was to celebrate his sons first Lohri in Punjab with family and friends. We have our OCI cards but were to apply for an Indian visa for our son. We will have to wait and watch now.

Sukhdeep Singh (39), based out of Surrey and originally from Barnala, said that as usual his elderly relatives hoped to escape the Canadian winter and travel to India in the coming months. Many old people choose to do this on an annual basis. But this development have left them in limbo.

The diplomatic row has also caused some consternation in the travel industry in Punjab.

Immigration consultant Inderpal Singh, who also owns a hotel in Jalandhar, said he received a dozen calls from Canadian NRIs, worried about their reservations. The tourism and hotel industry will be impacted because they usually come in large numbers during the winters and the wedding season. At least two clients have asked me to cancel all reservations because their guests were meant to come from Canada, Singh said.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar held an important meeting on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu at the Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi on Thursday. Cauvery river(HT File Photo)

Siddaramaiah called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in resolving the tussle between the two states over the Cauvery issue. 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.

The meeting concluded with the announcement that Karnataka will seek a stay on the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order in the Supreme Court.

What is the CWMA order?

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order directed Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. However, the officials said that there was no water available to release.

History of the Cauvery water dispute

Both, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been at each other's throats for sharing Cauvery river's water since the British era. A resolution was acquired when the Mysore princely state and the Madras presidency arrived at a consensus in 1924.

Mysore was allowed to build a dam at Kannambadi village to store 44.8 thousand million cubic feet of water. This agreement was to be valid upto 50 years following a review. However, both the states took the dispute to the Supreme Court after Independence several times, but to no avail.

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal

The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was constituted by the government in 1990 to resolve the water disputes between the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. The CWDT passed an interim order to Karnataka for releasing 205 million cubic feet of water to Tamil Nadu--monthly or weekly.

Present row

Following the CWMA order to release water to Tamil Nadu, top Congress leaders of Karnataka maintain that there is no surplus water available to be released. Lets set aside party politics and stand united in protecting our state, language, water, land, and culture. The situation has become critical, and there is no distress formula in place, said Siddaramaiah.

The Karnataka CM added, "Our rainfall ceases after August, whereas Tamil Nadu continues to receive rain after that. Their groundwater table is also higher, which worsens our situation.

Deputy CM Shivakumar holds the water resources portfolio. He said that 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 added.

Supreme Court refuses to interfere

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with CWMA's order directing the government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. A three-judge bench said that it is not inclined to entertain the plea of Tamil Nadu challenging the decision of the CWMA.

The bench said CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) have to take all key aspects into consideration-- like drought and deficit rainfall before passing the order. Therefore SC maintained that it is not inclined to interfere with the order directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu

Reactions

Senior DMK leader of Tamil Nadu Durai Murugan said Karnataka has never agreed to any proposals made by Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and that whatever rights it has gained, it is because they have approached the Supreme Court over the matter.

Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda said the quarrel among Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will not be solved legally and that a solution will come out only after both sides sit together.

In the wake of the Cauvery water-sharing slugfest, Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Kichcha Sudeep, too, voiced their concerns for a resolution on the matter.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sudeep wrote, Our Cauvery is our right. I believe that the government which has won with so much consensus will not abandon the people who believe in Kaveri. I demand that the experts formulate a strategy immediately and give justice. I also have my voice in the land-water-language struggle. May Mother Kaveri protect Karunad.

Darshan Thoogudeepa also took to X and wrote, There has been a continuous attempt to get more water by cutting the Kaveri water from Karnataka's share. This year there is a lot of water scarcity in the state. At this time, there is a lot of damage to the irrigated area, so let's consider all the statistics and get justice as soon as possible.

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Intensifying its crackdown on Khalistani terrorists, the National Investigation Agency or NIA on Wednesday announced a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa'. The rewards were also announced for information about four other BKI operatives Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda', Parminder Singh Kaira alias 'Pattu', Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh alias Satta and Yadvinder Singh alias Yadda. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa'.

The federal agency announced a cash reward of 10 lakh each for Rinda and Landa and 5 lakh each for Pattu, Satta and Yadda. The BKI is a banned terror outfit.

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. India, however, rejected the claim 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.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa?

1. Lakhbir Singh Landa, a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, is believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada.

2. A close aide of Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh, alias Rinda, Landa fled to Canada in 2017 and joined hands with the pro-Khalaistan terror organisation BKI.

3. The first case against Landa was for a murder bid and under the Arms Act at Harike Pattan in July 2011. He now faces around 18 criminal cases, including murder, attempt-to-murder and drugs smuggling, in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Moga and Ferozepur districts. The Punjab Police had registered the last case against Landa under kidnapping charges in Moga in May 2016 before he fled to Canada.

4. Landa was also key conspirator of the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali, besides planting an improvised explosive device (IED) under a sub-inspectors car in Amritsar.

5. The NIA had registered the case in 2022 after it emerged that terrorist outfits and terror elements based abroad were operating in tandem with leaders and members of organised criminal gangs operating in northern states of the country to commit targeted killings and violent criminal acts.

6. According to the NIA, and four others 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.

7. They are accused of commissioning 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.

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In an inter-gang rivalry similar to the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke of infamous Davinder Bambiha gang was shot dead by unknown men in Canada's Winnipeg, HT has reported earlier. Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke

A resident of Punjab, Duneka fled to Canada in 2017 using forged documents. He had been aiding the Bambiha gang in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Who was gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke?

Duneka was from Punjab's Moga district. According to Punjab Police, he joined was also associated with pro-Khalistan forces. The gangster was involved in carrying out crimes in Punjab and nearby states through his aides from the most wanted list of criminals. He orchestrated to kill kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal last year during a match in Jalandhar. He had over 20 criminal cases on him pertaining murdering and other heineous crimes. According to an FIR last year, Duneke got a passport with the help of two Punjab Police personnel. According to TOI, he was a close associate of Arsh Dalla, designated terrorist of Khalistan Tiger Force. Both of them attempted to revive the outfit after Nijjar's murder.

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? En reunion sostenida en el marco de la 78. Asamblea General, la presidenta Boluarte y el secretario general de la @ONU_es, Antonio Guterres, dialogaron sobre el multilateralismo, los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible y otros puntos de interes para el pais y el mundo. ???????? pic.twitter.com/O8VewqWF1m
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi see the empowerment of women as a matter of principle and not a political tool, Union home minister Amit Shah said in Parliament, as he sought to explain to the House on why reservation for women cannot be implemented in the 2024 election, reassure it about the likely timeline for implementation, and persuade it to pass the bill unanimously. Union home minister Amit Shah speaks in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

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.

Shortly after his speech, in which he also addressed criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about the lack of representation of other backward classes or OBCs, the Lok Sabha passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2023 that reserves 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.

With several legislators questioning the timeline for the laws implementation, Shah said the process of conducting the census followed by a delimitation exercise would start soon after the 2024 elections, and explained why these needed to be carried out.

How to decide 33% reserved seats without it? If we decide to reserve Wayanad (Gandhis constituency) for women, then youll say we are doing politics. Therefore, it is good that a quasi-judicial body does it through open hearings and transparency, he added.

To be sure, a 2001 amendment to the Constitution freezes delimitation till after the first census after 2026, which means another constitutional amendment will be required if the government wants to launch the exercise soon after the 2024 election.

The home minister said that parliamentarians are currently elected under three categories, general, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. We have reserved one-third of the seats for women in each of these categories, he said.

Responding to Rahul Gandhis comment that only three of Indias 90 secretaries are from an OBC, Shah said that the government runs the country, not secretaries. Shah pointed out that his party have the country its first OBC Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and that 29% of the BJPs MPs are from OBCs. The cabinet has 29 ministers who are from an OBC, he added, challenging Gandhi to do a comparison.

PM Modi put forth the tenet of women-led development at the G20 summit, Shah said, and the bill will now ensure that women  not only become participants in policies, but also contribute to determining those policies. In the course of his speech, Shah remembered that in his first speech after taking over as Prime Minister, Modi said that his would be a government of Dalits, backward classes, tribals, and women. The government has provided several benefits to 800 million poor people, he added, including houses, toilets, power, water, medicines, and food grains, and now, it is providing 33% reservation to women.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fareeha Iftikhar Fareeha Iftikhar is a Special Correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters. ...view detail
Zomato on Wednesday apologised after it received a massive backlash on its recent social media post on banana chips that appeared to take the use of drugs lightly. In what was meant to be funny, the food delivery company posted a photo of banana chips kept on a desk at its office and a laptop placed next to it with the text HELPPP!!! written on it. Zomato jokes someone brought drugs on X

The food delivery company, in a joking manner, captioned the post on X, formerly known as Twitter with: Hello @gurgaonpolice someone brought drugs to office.

A Twitter user named Ravi Handa shared a picture of the post and questioned if it was irresponsible behavior from a listed company.

They should not be tagging police handles just to score some likes / RTs on social media. Now someone from Gurgaon Police will have to respond to this and waste resources which could be better used elsewhere, he wrote.

Handa's post garnered over 16.9k views and over 200 comments with Netizens lashing out at the food delivery company.

Responding to the post, Zomato wrote: Hi Ravi, youre right. Reading it from another lens, we realized its an irresponsible and unnecessary tweet. Weve taken it down and sincerely apologise.

Meanwhile, another X user said, Zomato tries everything and get famous for their social media handle responses When things go south they throw a useless apology and continue to do same. Nothing wrong there. Hard to build in Indian market.

Even I think so too. They could have just mentioned Gurgaon police without tagging them, said another user.

Zomato delivery agent's secret weed' message

Meanwhile, Zomato came under scanner on social media after one of its food delivery agents asked a customer if she wanted secret weed.

"So my roommate had placed an order from @zomato last night, and this is what the delivery guy texted her," an X user wrote as she shared the post. The executive's message read: "I am on my way to deliver your order. Do you need something? Secret weed etc."

To this, the Mumbai Police wittily responded saying: Maam, we really need what hes got. WEED be happy to get in touch with your roommates delivery partner, for his benevolence! Please DM, we can reach the location in 10 minutes too!

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At an auction held by Saffronart on September 16, in New Delhi, Sikh-Hungarian painter Amrita Sher-Gils The Story Teller fetched a record 61.8 crore. This made history by being the most expensive Indian artwork to ever be auctioned. The work broke multiple world records, making it the highest value work of Indian art sold at auction worldwide and creating a record for the highest value achieved for a work by the artist in auction globally, states the press release issued by Saffronart following the auction. PREMIUM Amrita Sher-Gil, The Story Teller, 1937 Oil on canvas, 23.25 x 29.25 in((Image courtesy of Saffronart))

The record was previously held, for less than a month, by SH Razas Gestation being auctioned for the price of 51.75 crore (including commissions) by Pundole Art Gallery on August 31. It's been a significant couple of months for modern Indian art as records were also set for the works of S Nandagopal, Antonio Piedade da Cruz and KK Hebbar, at the Saffronart Evening Sale.

Sher-Gils works have been auctioned 84 times before, with the earliest recorded one in 1992, of Village Group by Sothebys. She has been classified as one of the nine National Art Treasures in the country and her work cannot be exported.

Finally, a woman is at the top of the Indian art world. It also proves that there is a lot of strength in the Indian market, and people see value in it, Dinesh Vazirani, CEO, Saffronart, told HT about the sale.

Further, noting her contribution to modern Indian art, Rajeev Lochan, former director of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), which houses a large collection of her work, says, At her centenary celebrations in 2013 held during my tenure, as the then Head of the National Gallery of Modern art, Ministry of Culture, she was acknowledged and celebrated as an ' Iconic personality ' by the UNESCO at their headquarters in Paris for both, her creative genius and her enigmatic persona.

The painting and its influences

The Story Teller, painted in 1937, is significant, as it is among the few works that the artist created outdoors (en plein air), and displays a confluence of European and Indian styles. You can see the distinct Indian influence of Basohli miniatures (the Pahari school of miniature painting), and of Ajanta. The use of Indian yellows and reds is visible, too, says independent writer and curator Girish Shahane, adding that the rarity of such work in the artists oeuvre, is also a factor in the interest it generates at auctions.

The Story Teller was painted in October 1937 in Simla. Yashodhara Dalmia, art historian, and independent curator, in her book Amrita Sher-Gil: A Life, says that the work, as part of her outdoor series, saw a shift in style from monumental works towards the miniature style of painting. It was the first time Sher-Gil painted animals that then became a part of her oeuvre. Her following work, Siesta also featured a rural scene with a group of women. Through published letters from the time, the book describes in detail, this period of turmoil where the artist remained disengaged from life and social activity but continued to paint.

The oil-on-canvas, which was first exhibited in Lahore in November 1937, features a group of women, and cows, indulging in a typical village scene. Traditionally, artworks featured groups of men, with a woman in the background. Here, women occupy the main space, and there is a man visible in the background. This reversal is quite interesting to me, says Shahane.

With her academic training at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Amrita managed to synthesize the Indian spirit along with a sound understanding and appreciation of Indian miniature painting. This amalgamation forms the core of her deeper search and understanding of the visual arts of our country, to formulate a new language of expression, explains Lochan, adding that The Story Teller is one of the few paintings that is an expression of her lived reality in India in form, colour, and context.

Both auctions (of The Story Teller and Gestation), Shahane believes, establish firmly, the relevance of the Indian art market. The broader the market, the better it is. But it would be great if this rally doesnt end with 20 artists and goes on to include more, especially living ones, he says.

The Story Teller, painted at a crucial juncture in Sher-Gils life, was a culmination of her artistic influences, both European and Indian, much like her lineage. It features a group of women, another recurring image from her work during the period. It has been described as one of her most honest and expressive compositions. Besides its important place in Indias modernist history and Sher-Gil's oeuvre, its intimate portrayal of village life through its women is both striking and powerful.
The nephew of the girl who has become synonymous with the suffering caused by the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima in 1945 is spearheading a campaign to have the origami cranes she folded added to the UNESCO Memory of the World register. (Also Read | Hiroshima: Atomic bomb survivors keep memory alive) Sadako Sasaki's paper cranes on display at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. (DW/Kyodo/picture alliance)

Sumiyuki Sasaki in late August applied to the Japanese National Commission for around 100 delicate paper cranes that Sadako Sasaki folded while being treated for leukemia to be nominated for UNESCO recognition as items of global significance and universal value.

"A sick person or their family often folded paper cranes to pray for their recovery," 56-year-old Sumiyuki Sasaki told DW. "Sadako contracted leukemia due to exposure to radiation from the first nuclear weapon to be used against humans."

"The story that Sadako folded paper cranes at the hospital became known worldwide as the 'Sadako story' and paper cranes and Sadako became a symbol of the call for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons," he said.

Sasaki survived Hiroshima atom bomb attack

Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the B29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the "Little Boy" bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

Detonating with a power equivalent to 16 kilotons of TNT, the blast killed an estimated 66,000 people instantly and severely injured another 69,000 inhabitants of the city. Later figures put the final death toll at around 140,000 people.

In her home about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from ground zero, Sadako was apparently unscathed in the attack, despite being blown through a window in the initial blast. She had, however, been exposed to large amounts of radiation and began displaying signs of exposure in November 1954, including swelling inside her neck.

She was subsequently diagnosed with acute malignant lymph gland leukemia, an illness that survivors called "atomic bomb disease."

Admitted to the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital, she began folding origami cranes. According to Japanese legend, if someone folded 1,000 paper cranes, they would be granted a wish. She believed if she folded enough cranes, she would recover.

"Sadako kept folding paper cranes, including astonishingly tiny ones, using sewing needles, even when her hands could no longer move sufficiently until the last moment of her life at the hospital," said her cousin, Sasaki.

"She folded paper cranes with courage and hope, not only for herself, but also her family despite the difficulties she faced, and that I believe must have resonated with many people in Japan and abroad," he added.

Despite reaching her goal for folding origami cranes, and in fact exceeding it by around 300, Sadako died at the age of 12 in October 1955.

Hiroshima's message of peace

Today, Japanese children are taught Sadako Sasaki's story in school and typically learn how to fold the perfect origami crane from their families.

At the heart of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, just meters from where the bomb detonated, the Children's Peace Monument depicts a girl standing with her arms outstretched and with a paper crane above her.

Sasaki is the model for the statue. Thousands of Japanese children take part in school trips to the peace park every year and many leave long strings of cranes around the base of the statue.

For two years, Sasaki's family has been working with a number of civic organizations for the 100 folded cranes and a number of other personal items, including her handwritten notes on a blood test result and a pair of slippers, to be added to the UNESCO Memory of the World register.

The campaign is also being supported by the Hiroshima Prefectural Government through its Peace Promotion Project Team.

"The story of Sadako and her paper cranes has touched the hearts of many people and disseminated prayers for peace throughout the globe," said Shinji Yasuda, supervisor of the department.

"The application to UNESCO Memory of the World will undoubtedly enhance Hiroshima's message for peace," he told DW. "We think this will have a profound importance on our efforts to achieve peace and a world without nuclear weapons," Yasuda said.

Sumiyuki Sasaki said he hopes the Japan office of UNESCO will accept the application after a screening process that is scheduled to take place in November and then pass it on to the head office of the organization for consideration.

"We have been working hard to spread the story of Sadako and paper cranes, but our impact is still limited because we are a small and private organization," he said.

"If the story was registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World, we would have more opportunities to let more people know what happened. That could lead to greater opportunities to appeal for peace and more people would think about the consequences of nuclear weapons," he said. "And that could cause more people to focus on the nuclear threats currently being made by Russia after its invasion of Ukraine," he added.

A final decision on the artefacts is expected to be announced after a meeting of the executive committee of UNESCO in the spring of 2025, which would also be the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima.

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There is no recognisable star in Laapataa Ladies, or Lost Ladies as it was titled for its world premiere and subsequent screenings at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Yet, the film sparkles like a starry night sky over a village, its brilliance unhindered by the light pollution of a metropolis. Laapataa Ladies, written by Sneha Desai, directed by Kiran Rao, and co-produced by Tanaji Dasgupta, premiered at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival.

Laapataa Ladies is set in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh, and tells the tale of two new brides who end up with the wrong grooms at a railway station. In being lost, both women find themselves. (Jio Studios and Kindling Pictures)

Laapataa Ladies is set in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh, and was shot in two villages and a small town in central India. Crucially, its set in the winter of 2001, a time before smartphones and WhatsApp could clear up any confusion about the brides locations and identities. We did a little bit of calculation based on how mobiles would have penetrated the hinterland and villages, Rao says. The turn of the millennium seemed right for the story. Mobile phones were already in India, but were a rarity in rural India, and could be given as dowry. We wanted to showcase the novelty of a cellular phone. Laapataa Ladies film opens in theatres in India in January. (Jio Studios and Kindling Pictures)

The little nuances, down to the small-town mannerisms and dialects, are what makes the absurd story believable, and the message of self-discovery easier to catch. Of course, we wanted to seed a lot of ideas and issues and themes, and along the way, use humour to tackle them, Rao says. Humour is a great vehicle for any kind of message because it disarms you. At the festival, there were plenty of laughs and applause, a win for producers Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande.

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Priyanka Chopra attended the Victoria's Secret Impact Fund Goals House panel event on Monday in New York City. Pictures and videos of the star from the occasion made it to social media and showed the actor in a black mini dress. The actor put a distressed spin on the classic LBD (little black dress) for the event, serving a steal-worthy business casual look. Scroll through to see snippets of Priyanka from the event. Priyanka Chopra at Victoria's Secret's Impact Fund event makes stunning appearance in black mini dress. (Instagram)

Priyanka Chopra attends a Victoria's Secret event

Priyanka Chopra posted pictures from Victoria's Secret's Impact Fund Goals house panel. The post featured photos of Priyanka with the panel's members, her speaking at the event and a click of her posing while showing off her glamorous look for the occasion. "Congratulations to @victoriassecret for being the kind of brand that not only talks the talk but walks the walk," she wrote in her caption. Priyanka also thanked the panel for a discussion focused on accelerating action and progress towards gender equity, the 5th Sustainable Development Goal.

What Priyanka Chopra wore to the Victoria's Secret event

Priyanka wore a woven chiffon fringe-hem knit dress from the shelves of the luxury label Oscar de la Renta, designed by creative directors Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim. The ensemble features botanical-themed chiffon fringe additions on the hem, keyhole cut-outs, full-length sleeves, a round neckline, a mini hem length, and a figure-hugging silhouette highlighting her enviable curves.

Priyanka accessorised the dress with pointed high heels, statement rings, and hoop earrings. Lastly, she chose centre-parted open wavy locks, winged eyeliner, feathered brows, subtle eye shadow, blushed cheekbones, muted mauve lip shade, mascara on the lashes, and light contouring for the glam picks.

Priyanka Chopra and Malti Marie's Ganesh Chaturthi

Earlier, Priyanka gave a glimpse of her Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with her and Nick Jonas's daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Check them out below.

Priyanka and Nick welcomed their daughter on January 15, 2022, through surrogacy.

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Known for his stylish and diverse fashion sense, South Korean boy band SEVENTEEN's DK or Dokyeom, whose real name is Lee Seok-min, is now officially the newest global brand ambassador of Swiss luxury fashion house Bally, as K-pop continues to wield its fashion takeover. While the Korean pop culture draws inspiration from different style aesthetics, their stars are known to mix luxury with streetwear along with wearing styles inspired by various decades and DK is no stranger to it as CARATs or fans of SEVENTEEN can vouch for the main vocalist's wide range of styles, from casual and streetwear to more formal and high-fashion outfits, depending on the context, events or endorsements he is involved in. SEVENTEEN's DK woos Swiss luxury fashion house Bally with his trendy style, named newest global brand ambassador (Photo by Twitter/svtcontents)

Bally could not be elusive to his charming multi-talented nature in various aspects of music including singing, dancing and songwriting along with his persona that earned him the nickname Sunshine, making the brand's CEO Nicolas Girotto state, We are thrilled to have the versatile artist DK from the iconic group SEVENTEEN as our new global brand ambassador. His trendy style and warm personality perfectly align with Ballys core values. In their official statement, the brand described DK as, Famous for his impressive vocals, sophisticated appearance and confident presence, continues to rise in global popularity.

Closely associated with the brand since attending Ballys Fall/Winter 2023 show at Milan Fashion Week earlier in February this year, DK is now gearing up for a range of international activities, starting with his participation in Ballys 2024 Spring/Summer Campaign. He is also reported to attend Milan Fashion Week that is scheduled for September 23, 2023, where Bally will showcase its latest creations.

Commenting on the collaboration, DK gushed, Its a tremendous honour to become Ballys global brand ambassador. I look forward to showcasing Ballys artistry, excellence, and passion for innovation through my future endeavours. Flaunting professional modelling skills, DK surprised CARATs recently with a flood of pictures from his new photoshoot for Bally and the fashion enthusiasts could not keep calm.

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Thailand's central bank is monitoring the weak baht, which was not entirely bad for the economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday. Thai baht weakening good for exports and tourism: Thailand PM (Shutterstock)

The depreciation of the baht was good for exports and tourism, key drivers of Thai growth, Srettha said while in the United States. The government was not intervening, he added.

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Days after YouTuber Adin Ross claimed he was set to interview Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un, the American streamer and co-owner of Kick hosted a fake chat. His interview with the fake Kim, an imposter, reportedly amassedan audience of over 300,000 live viewers. Adin Ross brought an impersonator live on Kick, breaking viewership records (Adin Live screenshots/YouTube)

Adin brought Kim Jong Un live on Kick, breaking viewership records. The professional impersonator who appeared on screen as Kim is known by the name Howard X on Cameo, a website where one can hire actors to deliver personal messages, according to Dexerto. At one point, Adin even introduced the fake Kim to Andrew Tate.

Who is the impersonator, Howard X?

On Cameo, the impersonator is listed asKim Jong Un impersonator Howard X. The description reads, Howard X, the first professional Kim Jong Un impersonator in the world has delighted, surprised and shocked people from all around the world since 2013. Known as the impersonator who surprised the North Korean cheerleaders at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, he has also made appearances in NYC, Osaka G20, the Kim/Trump summit in Singapore and his impersonation was so convincing that Vietnam government deported him for the 2nd Trump/Kim summit.

Howard X is the impersonator as featured in the viral music video "LollyBomb" by Little Big. As Kim Jong Un is the most famous dictator of the 21st century, Howard can give you a custom message not only wishing the normal birthday and personalised greeting but he can also make customised death threats and wage war to prank your loved ones or enemies! All videos will be professionally shot in a studio with the impersonator in full make up as seen in the photo. For promotion of business please enquire for price, it adds.

In reality, the real Kim hardly ever gives interviews. Back in 2019, he gave his first and last interview to foreign media  with Russian news channel Rossiya-24. Kim has reportedly never appeared for a one-on-one interview with the American media.

I obviously didnt expect it to actually be Kim

YouTube users joked in the comment section of the video, with one user saying, How did people actually think Adin was gonna bring on the real Kim Jong Un? people are so gullible. I was laughing so hard, I obviously didnt expect it to actually be Kim but seeing this dude appear on the screen with his chin tucked back while his face is looking like hes holding in a fart with this heavy non Korean accent had me dying. And when he came back to talk to Tate had me dying too, one user said, while another wrote, Theres no way people thought it would be the real Kim Jong Un. He really fumbled us all, one user said. One wrote, We all knew it would be fake, but we still had hopes.

Bro kudos to Adin for doing this I already knew this was bs though but still ggs for trolling the internet, one user said, while another joked, For the people who thought this would be real deserved to be bamboozled like this. Im so upset with myself that I thought there could atleast be a 5% possibility this was true, wrote one user. One joked, No way people thought it's gonna be real Kim. i knew it was going to be a lookalike lol, one user wrote.

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?? #Ahora | La presidenta Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra participa del Foro de Inversiones de la @A_delPacifico 2023. #AGNU78



?? https://t.co/7CLYXOFRAI pic.twitter.com/WdJgAGa57i
On what appeared to be an ordinary day for technicians at a Lakeland Hyundai auto dealership, their routine took an unexpected turn when a vehicle arrived for what initially seemed like a routine oil change. Little did they know that the real mission at hand was to rescue a cat trapped within the engine compartment of a car. Hyundai dealership shared a picture of the cat after rescuing it. (Instagram/@lakelandhyundai)

We both heard this really awful sound, and she just came for an oil change, so I didnt think it was anything mechanical. Kianna Daniels, service advisor with the dealership, told CTV News. Upon further inspection, they discovered the cat. Daniels further said, It did have a little burn on its fur, and it was limping a bit, but other than that it was fine. (Also Read: Man rescues crying cat from the roadside. Watch)

Lakeland Hyundai also took to Instagram to share about this incident. They wrote, "This morning, our team rescued a kitten trapped in a car belt. We rushed it to the vet, and now it has a loving home thanks to one of our staff members. As it gets colder, please check under your vehicles for animals seeking warmth. Hyundai loves to rescue and protect.

"They also shared a picture of the cat, who seemed to be a bit scared.

Take a look at the post shared by Lakeland Hyundai here:

Earlier, another cat was rescued from a drain pipe. Jds Animal Welfare Zone shared on Instagram about a cat who was stuck in a drain pipe for days.

They shared, Imagine stuck inside a drain pipe head first for over days. A very old gentleman who genuinely cares for animals heard the distress calls and informed us, we couldn't make out at all at first and then realised the kitten had walked upwards and hid itself inside and got stuck not knowing how to get out! She's now safe, cleaned, fed, and indoors for a day after which she will be reunited with her mother who's already spayed!

Read more about this cat rescue here.

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In a heartwarming video that has moved people to tears, you can see how a dog tied down on a pole was rescued by an animal rescue team. The video was shared by the Instagram handle @bullu_bow_bow. Since being posted, the video has gone viral. Many people thanked the rescue team for their brilliant efforts. Snapshot of the dog who had bent legs.(Instagram/@bullu_bow_bow)

The video opens to show a dog tied to a pole. As the animal rescue team comes across it, they quickly take it back to their home and take care of it. Further in the video, they show how the dogs health has progressed. It can be seen running around in a ground instead of limping. (Also Read: Man risks life to rescue dog trapped in raging waters in Chandigarh)

In the caption of the post, @bullu_bow_bow wrote, He was left tied on the pole by a nearby shop owner who didn't want to take care of him because of his bent legs so we brought him home with us.

Watch the video of the dog being rescued here:

This post was shared on September 17. Since being shared, it has been liked more than 98,000 times. The share has also received several comments. Several people were impressed by the teams efforts to rescue the pooch.

Heres what people are saying about this post:

An individual wrote, Please take care of him, big respect to you guys.

Another said, God bless you with everything.

A third commented, Thank you for your love and care.

A fourth shared, People like you, make the world a better place. Thank you on behalf of all the pure souls.

Incredible! Loads of blessings for you and your precious pack, expressed a fifth.

A sixth added, What an amazing work. Keep bringing hope into the lives of the innocent.

Many others have reacted to the video using heart and clapping emojis.

What are your thoughts on this video?

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Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan debunked misinformation about a member of the big cat family. The glaring error was printed in SpiceJets in-flight magazine. The IFS officer frequently shares wildlife-related posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). He engages with his followers by asking them to identify animals and birds in photos, spot hidden wildlife, and share valuable information about wildlife and their habitat. Leopard identified as a cheetah in SpiceJet magazine. (X/@ParveenKaswan)

Also Read| Rescued leopard leaps into the wild after being released by forest officials

So Spice Flight magazine thinks it is a Cheetah. The fastest mammal on earth. What do you think? wrote Parveen Kaswan while sharing a picture of the magazine on X.

In the photo, there is an image of a big cat that is identified as a cheetah in the text on the right side. The information provided states, The fastest mammals on land, cheetahs are usually found in central Iran, India and Africa. It is said that cheetahs can run upto a speed of 114 km per hour.

Kaswan, being a forest officer, was quick enough to point out this error. In the comments section of his post, he wrote, Its a leopard. Not cheetah.

Take a look at one of the pages from the magazine here:

The tweet was shared on September 19. Over 77,500 people have since viewed it. Many of them liked the tweet and shared their thoughts in the comments section.

Heres how people reacted to this tweet shared by IFS officer Parveen Kaswan:

They need a better magazine editor, posted an individual.

Another added, Haha, people are doing their job for the sake of doing.

Leopard! The most cunning cat! remarked a third.

A fourth commented, This is what happens when people call the whole cat family sher, and hence cannot differentiate between a leopard and a cheetah!

Haha! Leopard is published as cheetah! joined in a fifth.

A sixth joined, Its a leopard and its vulnerable.

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A group of archaeologists have found 500,000-year-old wooden structures in Zambia. In an article published in the Nature Journal on Wednesday, the archaeologists mentioned that these structures and tools were found at the Kalambo Falls in Zambia and date back to over 476,000 years ago. The findings have no known parallels wrote the scientists in the article.

The findings have no known parallels wrote the scientists in the article. The discovery of these findings changes the understanding of what humans were capable of in the early times, they added.

In an interview with BBC on Wednesday, Larry Barham, the lead researcher and a professor at the University of Liverpool said, They used their intelligence, imagination, and skills to create something they'd never seen before, something that had never previously existed.

Early people may have built these constructions to raise themselves off the soggy ground. They demonstrate the usage of wooden tools like digging sticks and the construction of platforms and constructions out of massive tree trunks by early humans.

In the article, the scientists stated that they used luminescence dating- a technique involving measuring the amount of radioactivity absorbed by the rocks over millennia- in order to determine the age of their findings.

Wet conditions at the Kalambo Falls contributed to the rare discovery as usually, wooden materials perish unless they are preserved in unusual conditions like waterlogged areas.

These structures, according to study co-author and University of Aberystwyth professor Geoff Duller, even predate the earliest Homo sapien fossils.

This has led to confusion among the researchers as to which ancient human species were the ones who created these findings.

It was in 2019 when the first discovery of these wooden structures was made.

Archaeological discoveries like these give us an insight into the earlier world of ancient humans and their capabilities where they came up with the ideas of such structures and tools to make living easier in historic times.

Last year was celebratory in terms of archaeological findings where the earliest known human amputation was discovered along with the discovery of a lost city in Iraq.
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. Julian Assange's supporters demonstrate at Hyde Park, Sydney.(REUTERS)

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.

READ | Australian PM raises Julian Assange's detention with US officials

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.

READ | I implore you to visit Prison Belmarsh: Julian Assange to King Charles III

If the matter is not resolved, it will be damaging for bilateral relations between Australia and the United States, Australian Greens Senator David Shoebridge 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.

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.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on Wednesday for more than an hour with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy and discussed ways to achieve a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva along with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy.(X/ZelenskyyUa)

"We had a good conversation about the importance of paths to building," Lula posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after their meeting in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

He added that they pledged to maintain an open dialogue between their countries.

READ | Geopolitical issues should not derail G20 discussions, says Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Earlier, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said the meeting between Lula and Zelenskiy had a "cooperative mood," and that they would continue talks to strengthen bilateral ties.

This first get-together between Zelenskiy and Lula, who also met Biden on Wednesday, has been months in the making. The Ukrainian government asked for the meeting after the two men did not meet at the G7 summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima earlier this year.

READ | Russia has turned even children into weapons against Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Lula has advocated the creation of a group of nations to mediate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, but in May he stated that both Moscow and Kyiv were to blame for the conflict, angering the United States and European states which back Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion.

Last month, the Brazilian leftist leader told reporters neither Zelenskiy nor Russian President Vladimir Putin were ready for peace.
The Canadian government on Wednesday discarded India's travel warning where Union external affairs ministry asked Indians who are planning to travel to Canada to excercise utmost caution amid growing anti-India activities and hate crimes. Rejecting New Delhi's warning, Canadian public safety minister Dominic Leblanc said Canada is a safe country, as reported by Reuters. Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, left, and Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, right(AP)

India's travel warning reflects the worsening relations between New Delhi and Canada after its Prime Minsiter Justin Trudeau claimed that there is a potential link between Indian government agensts and the murder of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The advisory said there were also threats against members of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

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 added.

India's travel advisory is also seen as a tit-for-tat response to Canada's travel information which was updated earlier amid growing tension between both the countries. It advised travellers to excercise high degree of caution while in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks.

Trudeau's allegation while announcing a portion of information of the ongoing investigation into the killing of Nijjar escalated the already sour relations between New Delhi and Ottawa over the matter related to the latter's alleged support to the pro-Khalistan movement.

Moments after Trudeau's claim, Canada's foreign ministry expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country. As a retaliatory action, India also booted out a top Canadian official soon after, with a condition to leave the country within five days. New Delhi has also dimissed Canada's claim in killing of Nijjar, calling it absurd and motivated.

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.

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Within moments of a wedding cake being cut, one of the happy couples parents inevitably drops a hint about extending the family tree, nudge nudge. By the time the honeymoon is over, lobbying for sprogs is in full swing. Only when the request is fulfilled do the young parents realise the production of a single offspring merely fuels demands for many more. If such endless nagging by in-laws seems exhausting, imagine such pestering done by national leaders, with Hungary s Viktor Orban and Giorgia Meloni of Italy in the role of berating wannabe grandparents. PREMIUM Imagine such pestering done by national leaders, with Hungarys Viktor Orban and Giorgia Meloni of Italy in the role of berating wannabe grandparents.(AP)

Like much of the rich world, Europe is in the midst of a demographic winter. No EU country is producing anywhere near enough babies to sustain its population. This vaguely worries liberals, who wonder about the sustainability of the welfare state as retirees start outnumbering workers. But conservative leaders like Mr Orban and Ms Meloni paint the struggle for babies as existential. To them, families mark the bedrock of an orderly stateas long as they are straight and of local ethnic stock, that is. Holding back on procreating undermines the nation, no less. Even worse are those who think migration might offer a quick fix to the demographic morass Europe finds itself in. Who wants migrants when you can have homegrown babies instead? So make babies, people.

Mr Orban and Ms Meloni were at their naggiest at a Demographic Summit organised by the Hungarian authorities between September 14th and 16th. Held every two years since 2015 in Budapest, the forum provides a safe space for conservatives tired of liberal takes on everything from those migrants to LGBT rights. Mr Orban held court in front of delegates from dozens of countries, many of them from central Europe and the Balkans. After boasting of his five children, he explained how there is no freedom without authority, an Orwellian pastiche. It is making babies that allows us to become who God intends us to be, especially women. Ms Meloni, mother of one and this years special guest, blamed hostility towards families for derailing the birth rate; she now has a minister whose job title includes boosting that single statistic. We want Italy to go back to having a future, she said. Cultural interludes livened up the summit: dancers in traditional garb frolicked around a wholesome couple only one or two plum brandies away from discovering the secrets of procreation for themselves.

Demography is the perfect issue for Mr Orban in particular to burnish his reputation beyond Hungary. In Europe, he is a bete noire, thanks to his pro-Russia stance and perennial fights with the EU over his hobbling of the judiciary. But to those who think Europe is facing a demographic abyss, none of this matters. Pesky questions around judicial arrangements, or even issues Brussels types bang on about like climate change, are small fry compared with the baby drought. Better yet, the progressive elite can be cast as baddies, the instigators of an unwitting demographic death-cult. By giving individuals too much licence to focus on their own wants, liberals have lost the plot. Women have become prone to thinking of children as a pointless sacrifice. Now they must go back to acknowledging their duty to society. One speaker spoke of feminism needing to be replaced with familism.

Hungary thinks it is showing the way. When Mr Orban regained power in 2010, its fertility rate was just 1.26 children per woman, the lowest in the EU. Now it is in the middle of the European pack, at 1.52still well below the 2.1 replacement number, but a marked improvement. Conservatives credit family-friendly policies. Women with four kids or more are exempt from income tax for life, a measure that might be extended to those with just three. Would-be parents can apply for loans that get written off as they have children. Fertility clinics have been nationalised. Whether those costly measures are at the root of the baby mini-boom is the matter of debate: incentives probably bring forward child-bearing, but have little impact over the long term. Other countries in Europe from Sweden to Slovenia have seen similar surges in the past, especially after baby slumps. Nobody quite knows why. When it comes to understanding long-term trends, demographers make economists look like oracles.

Hit me baby, one more time

Natalists lay another charge on liberals: that what they really want is to replace missing Hungarians or Italians with immigrants. For conservatives, to bring in adult foreigners instead of pushing up the domestic birth rate is as baffling as a newly married couple eschewing having a child in favour of adopting a 25-year-old Senegalese bloke. In the same week as her jaunt to Budapest Ms Meloni visited Lampedusa, a Mediterranean island belonging to Italy where around 7,000 people had landed from north Africa in just two days. Populists paint the fight for babies and the one against migration as two sides of the same coin: make babies or else we will have little choice but to welcome these African hordes. This is, to put it politely, utterly crackers. Those risking their lives in small boats have not recently consulted Hungarian fertility tables.

As a mainstream media type, Charlemagne stands as immediately suspect in the eyes of the Budapest crowd (though perhaps his track record as a father of three will lend him a degree of credibility). But as far as he can tell, the progressive elites plot is even more dastardly than the Hungarian-Italian axis suspects. Liberals do not, in fact, see immigration as a straight-up replacement for baby-making. Their approach is, if anything, worse: it is to do nothing. People should make babies according to their own preferences, not those of the state; occasionally the tax or child-care systems can help with measures that make it easier for parents to work. Separately, some people will move across countries and cultures, not to replace anything or anyone but in a bid to improve their familys lot. Quite plausibly all this will kick up some problems down the line; but they are vastly better than the solutions being proffered by Mr Orban and his friends.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
The search for a missing F-35 stealth fighter jet concluded after a debris field was located in South Carolina by authorities. Now, the pilot who ejected from the $100 million plane claimed he lost the plane in bad weather. Experts have claimed that he possibly bailed out before he could manage to activate its tracking system. The plane crashed into a wooded area in South Carolina about 60 miles from where the unidentified pilot parachuted. Marines sit under a tent at a checkpoint along Old Georgetown Road, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Williamsburg County, S.C., about 60 miles (96 km) northeast of Joint Base Charleston where a recovery operation for an F-35B Lightning II crash landed over the weekend (Henry Taylor/The Post And Courier via AP)(AP)

Hes unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather, a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call posted by a meteorologist revealed a voice saying of the pilot. The pilot, who landed in a North Charleston residential neighbourhood, was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but has now been discharged.

Why couldnt the jet be tracked?

As of now, military officials have only claimed that the incident stemmed from a malfunction. Longtime military aviation expert and consultant Richard Aboulafia said the pilot was possibly flying the jet without tracking capabilities activated. He likely ejected before he could activate any.

If you turned on the onboard device it would be easily trackable, Richard told New York Post. But this is a stealth aircraft. If you dont turn that particular device on its going to be hard to make contact. Most likely, he or she did not have a lot of time to react.

At the time the jet went missing, authorities took to social media to seek the publics help in finding it. Richard said such an effort was unusual. But what is the harm? The onboard device has not been turned on, its not being tracked. So it makes perfect sense that theyre going to ask for help from people in the area who might have seen a jet heading in their direction, he added. When the plane crashed, local residents reportedly heard a massive sound.

According to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the jet is part of the US Department of Defenses most expensive weapons system program. Richard said that the plane is considered one of the top fighter jets in the world, even though it has its problems. I understand the frustration with delays and cost overruns and whatever else, he said. But the fact is they cant produce these fast enough for demand. And thats the bottom line.
The family of an individual who tragically lost his life while following Google Maps and driving off a collapsed bridge has filed a lawsuit against the tech company, alleging negligence. Philip Paxson with his wife(Facebook)

They claim that Google knew the bridge had been washed out for five years but did not update their navigation system.

According to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Philip Paxson, a father of two and a medical device salesman, tragically drowned in September of last year when his Jeep Gladiator plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory, North Carolina.

While returning home from his daughter's ninth birthday celebration, he was navigating through an unfamiliar area when, as per the lawsuit, Google Maps purportedly instructed him to cross the collapsed bridge.

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.

Police who discovered Paxtons body in his flipped and partly submerged truck said there were no signs or barriers along the damaged road.

The lawsuit states that he veered off an unguarded precipice, resulting in a collision approximately 20 feet below.

According to the North Carolina State Patrol, the bridge was not under the maintenance jurisdiction of local or state authorities, and the company belonging to the original developer had ceased to exist.

The lawsuit also names several private property management companies that it says are responsible for the bridge and the surrounding land. It alleges that Google Maps had received multiple notifications about the collapse in the years before Paxsons death and had been urged to update its route information, but failed to do so.

The court filing incorporates email correspondences from a different Hickory resident who, in September 2020, utilized the map's "suggest an edit" function to alert the company about its route directing drivers over the collapsed bridge.

ALSO READ| She was pretty nasty: Donald Trump blasts Megyn Kelly days after she questioned him about classified documents

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 action.

We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda quoted to The Associated Press.

Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit.
Con 81 votos a favor, el #PlenoDelCongreso aprobo, en primera votacion, el texto sustitutorio del Proyecto de Ley 5632.



Asimismo, se exonero de segunda votacion. pic.twitter.com/4S3gzt47Wb
The US Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that it will resume a program that offers free Covid-19 home tests to Americans. FILE - COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5, 2023. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)(AP)

The program was halted in May, after the Covid-19 public health emergency ended, to conserve supply.

Starting September 25, we will once again begin our program to provide Americans with an opportunity to request tests, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said at a Washington CVS Pharmacy, where he received COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

Americans can order four free tests per household from Covidtests.gov. The US government has delivered more than 755 million free Covid-19 tests to people who ordered them through Covidtests.gov.

The tests that will be available soon are valid until the end of 2023 and will have instructions on how to check extended expiration dates, HHS said in a statement Wednesday. Many home COVID-19 tests have expiration dates that are longer than what is shown on the package.

HHS and its Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response also said they will invest $600 million in 12 US COVID-19 test makers to boost manufacturing capacity and buy about 200 million over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for federal use. The funding will go to manufacturers in New Jersey, California, Texas, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

ALSO READ| CDC recommends updated Covid-19 vaccine for all, here's how you can get it

The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing, Becerra said in the statement.

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.

Covid-19 hospitalizations have increased in the United States since July, with weekly admissions now more than three times higher than they were two months ago. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20,500 people in the US were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the week ending September 9  about 8% higher than the previous week.
Amid growing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged New Delhi of being involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemned targetted attack at the Hindu community in the country and urged Hindu-Canadians to remain calm but vigilant. He pointed out the so-called referendum being conducted by pro-Khalistan group Sikh For Justice and said that its president Gurpatwant Singh Pannun asked members of Hindu community to leave Canada. Canadian MP Chandra Arya(ANI)

The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke the Hindu-Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, he said, adding that the vast majority of the Sikh community members in the country do not support the Khalistan movement.

The already simmering friction between India and Canada in matters related to pro-Khalistan movement and alleged interference in internal matters has grown further after Trudeau claimed that there are 'potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist.

Notably, Chandra Arya is an Indo-Canadian leader who comes from the Liberal Party of Canada, the same party as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The leader also stated that this direct attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is the further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by 'terrorists'. Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law, he added.

He further alleged that Hindu-Canadians are considered soft targets as they keep a low profile. Arya als condemned the glorification of terrorism and allowing hate crime in the name of freedom of expression.

I cant understand how the glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression. There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialized Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime, he said

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U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland staunchly defended the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, asserting that he was "not Congress's prosecutor" and refusing to divulge investigative details under congressional pressure. Attorney General Merrick Garland appears before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP)

House Republicans, keen on bolstering an impeachment inquiry into President Biden over allegations of profiting from Hunter's business dealings, targeted Garland. They suggested contempt charges or impeachment for his unwillingness to fully cooperate.

Many of the claims against Garland, portraying him as part of a Democratic plot to protect the Bidens and prosecute Trump, lacked factual basis. Garland denounced the escalating threats against prosecutors and FBI agents by Trump supporters.

"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," Garland declared.

Garland's testimony, his first before a committee dominated by far-right Trump loyalists since the Hunter Biden investigation's turmoil over a collapsed plea deal, veered away from routine oversight discussions.

ALSO READ| How Republican candidates fare against Donald Trump in the race to 2024 Presidential elections, poll says

Republicans focused on former IRS investigator Gary Shapley's claim that the U.S. attorney for Delaware, David C. Weiss, was hindered from fully investigating Hunter Biden's tax case. Garland cited his promise not to interfere with Weiss's work, explaining, "The way to not interfere is to not investigate an investigation."

The theory that President Biden intervened to shield his son underpins the impeachment inquiry. Despite taking steps to distance himself from the case, Republicans view Garland as a critical link.

Garland faced demands for access to documents and officials from Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, who claimed they were essential for committee oversight. The department refused, citing laws preventing the disclosure of open investigation details, leading to contempt threats.

Mr. Garland defended himself when questioned about his role in indicting former President Trump, refuting claims that President Biden influenced the decision. "No one has told me to indict...the decision to indict was made by the special counsel," Garland clarified.

Throughout the hearing, Garland's frustration grew evident. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, alleged religious discrimination by the Justice Department. Garland, who comes from a Jewish family that fled anti-Semitism, vehemently denied the accusation.

Mr. Jordan repeatedly accused the Justice Department of slow-walking potential tax charges against Hunter Biden due to expired statutes of limitations. However, the FBI continues to investigate Hunter Biden for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The hearing, marked by political combat, saw both sides trading blows. Representative Jerrold Nadler accused "extreme MAGA Republicans" of trying to distract from multiple Trump indictments, while Garland's voice grew hoarse from hours of intense questioning.

When Representative Matt Gaetz attacked Garland, Representative Steve Cohen raised the Justice Department's investigation into Gaetz's sex trafficking, highlighting that no charges were filed as proof of impartiality.

"The department does not make comments about its investigations," Garland stated in response.

ALSO READ| CDC recommends updated Covid-19 vaccine for all, here's how you can get it

He emphasized the importance of protecting public servants from threats and defended his commitment to non-interference in the investigation.

While House Republicans aimed to bolster an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, Garland held his ground, stating that he would not be swayed by external pressures and emphasizing the rule of law.
New York: The L69 grouping of developing countries, in a meeting hosted by India, has given a renewed call for the reform of the UN Security Council, with the inclusion of both more permanent and non-permanent members in the council. A UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly, at UN headquarters in New York City on Wednesday. (AFP)

It has also expressed the hope that Intergovernmental Negotiation (IGN) process, which is where the issue of reform is being discussed among all member states, will deliver a single consolidated text which can then serve as the basis for moving towards concrete outcomes within a fixed timeframe.

L69 is a grouping that includes countries from Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, Pacific Island states and Asia. In 2007-08, the group had tabled a document - L69  which kickstarted the IGN process.

Representatives of the member countries of the group participated in a ministerial meeting at the permanent mission of India in New York on Thursday morning. In a joint press statement, the group said todays complex and interconnected challenges highlighted the urgency of reforming UNSC to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, and to enhance its legitimacy, effectiveness, and implementation of its decisions.

The group also reaffirmed that expansion of the Council, in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, was essential to make the body more representative, legitimate, and effective. In this regard, they reiterated their expectation that the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process on UNSC reform will commence negotiations based on a single consolidated text, with the aim of delivering concrete outcomes within a fixed time frame.

China, and a group of naysayer countries which seek to block regional rivals from getting a UNSC seat, have actively blocked negotiations by calling for a consensus in principle, while interrupting a consensus in practice, which has left the process of reform stuck.

In particular, L69 called for the enhanced representation of developing countries to improve the UNSCs ability to respond to current challenges. It also emphasised the principle of equitable geographical representation, with a nod to increase representation of regions such as Africa, Caribbean and Latin America in both categories in the council. In the UNSC today, there isnt a single member from the three regions mentioned.

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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 has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals indefinitely amid heightened tensions between the two countries even as Ottawa said it was temporarily adjusting staff presence in India to ensure the safety of diplomats following threats received on social media. The Indian Consulate in Toronto. (AFP)

Follow LIVE updates on India-Canada news here

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing heightened the tensions and triggered a diplomatic row, and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats this week.

No formal announcement of the suspension of visa services was made even as BLS International, which runs the visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website in this regard. Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice.

An Indian official confirmed the suspension but refused to comment further. The language is clear and it says what it is intended to say. This is the first time India has suspended visas since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Indian high commissions website could not be accessed late on Wednesday for confirmation as it appeared to be down.

The suspension followed Indias advisory on Wednesday asking its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. Indian students have particularly been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

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. He was the principal figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province. SFJ has blamed India for the assassination

A spokesperson for Canadas foreign ministry told the Canadian newspaper The National Post that some diplomats received threats on social media platforms. ...Global Affairs Canada [the foreign ministry] is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity.

Also read: Canada cites threats, says adjusting diplomatic staff presence in India

Canada has sought additional security around its missions including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru.

The spokesperson cited the Vienna Convention for safeguarding diplomats and diplomatic premises, and added that they expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.

Security has been enhanced at Indias missions in Canada as well for the senior diplomats after SFJ released the Kill India posters in July and then a series of others that blamed New Delhi for Nijjars killing on June 18.

India has sought additional security at the high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver after SFJ issued a threat to shut down Indian missions on September 25, describing them as terror houses.

SFJ, which was banned in India in 2019 because of its pro-Khalistan activities, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by celebrating Nijjars assassination.

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Libya's flood disaster, which killed thousands in the city of Derna, also displaced more than 43,000 people, the International Organization for Migration said Thursday. A tsunami-sized flash flood broke through two ageing dams upstream from the coastal city after the Mediterranean Storm Daniel lashed the area on September 10.(Reuters)

A tsunami-sized flash flood broke through two ageing dams upstream from the coastal city after the Mediterranean Storm Daniel lashed the area on September 10.

It razed entire neighbourhoods, sweeping untold thousands of people into the sea.

The official death toll stands at more than 3,300 -- but the eventual count is expected to be far higher, with international aid groups giving estimates of up to 10,000 people missing.

READ | Libya floods: They knew- Govt blamed for dam collapse tragedy that killed over 11,000

"An estimated 43,059 individuals have been displaced by the floods in northeastern Libya," the IOM said, adding that a "lack of water supply is reportedly driving many displaced out of Derna" to other areas.

"Urgent needs include food, drinking water and mental health and psychosocial support," it said.

Mobile and internet services were meanwhile restored after a two-day disruption, following protests Monday that saw angry residents blame the authorities for the high death toll.

Authorities had blamed the communications outage on "a rupture in the optical fibre" link to Derna, but some internet users and analysts charged there had been a deliberate "blackout".

Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah announced that communications had been restored in the east, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.

War-scarred Libya remains split between Dbeibah's UN-backed and nominally interim government in the west, and another in the disaster-hit east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

- 'Arrests of critics' -

The eastern authorities "must immediately lift all undue restrictions... and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected communities", Amnesty International said in a statement on Thursday.

The rights group, citing witnesses, reported "arrests of critics and protesters" in Derna, decrying "efforts to choreograph and control media access" to the disaster-hit city.

The dams that burst had developed cracks as far back as the 1990s, Libya's top prosecutor has said, as residents accused authorities of negligence.

READ | Death toll from floods reaches 11,300 in Libya's Derna, over 10,000 missing

Much of Libya's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair in the chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Haftar's forces seized Derna in 2018, then a stronghold of radical Islamists, and with the reputation as a protest stronghold since Kadhafi's days.

The US embassy in Libya said the ambassador Richard Norland and the commander of the US military's Africa Command, Michael Langley, flew into the main eastern city of Benghazi on Thursday with 13 tonnes of aid.

The "critical supplies" in the shipment fincluded blankets, hygiene products and emergency shelters, the embassy posted on X.

Africom chief Langley and Norland also met with Haftar "to discuss the importance of forming a democratically elected national government, reunifying the Libyan military, and safeguarding Libyan sovereignty by removing foreign mercenaries", the embassy said.

- Suspects 'identified' -

The Tripoli-based government said security forces had located bodies between Derna and Al-Baida, to its west, with emergency responders dispatched to the area to recover them.

A team from the Abu Dhabi police force specialising in identifying disaster victims arrived in eastern Libya to assist operations.

The mission includes experts in forensic medicine, and DNA and fingerprint identification, team leader Issa Ahmad al-Awadhi told reporters.

In a televised interview on Wednesday evening, Libya's prosecutor general Al-Seddik al-Sour promised "rapid results" in the investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

He added that those suspected of corruption or negligence "have already been identified", without naming them.

Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa deputy director, Diana Eltahawy, said there was "an urgent need to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the staggering loss of life and destruction".

"This includes examining whether Libyan authorities and those in de facto control of affected areas failed to protect the population's rights to life, health and other human rights," Eltahawy said.

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Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to ex-President Donald Trump, has made shocking allegations against Rudy Giuliani in her upcoming book Enough. She claims that the former New York mayor and Trump lawyer sexually assaulted her backstage at the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, before the violent insurrection at the Capitol. FILE - 24-Year-Old Cassidy Hutchinson Accuses 76-Year-Old Rudy Giuliani of Groping(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)(AP)

Hutchinson, who was 24 years old at the time and worked as an assistant to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, describes in her book how Giuliani groped her under her clothes and tried to kiss her. She writes that he complimented her leather jacket and then slid his hand under her blazer and skirt.

This book cover image released by Simon & Schuster shows "Enough" by former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. (Simon & Schuster via AP)(AP)

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. She says she felt like a wolf closing in on its prey and managed to escape from his grip.

Hutchinsons book, which is due to be released next week, also reveals that she heard Trump wanted to drive himself to the Capitol to join his supporters who were trying to overturn the election results in favour of President-elect Joe Biden. She testified about this claim before the House Jan. 6 select committee on June 28, 2022, in a dramatic live hearing that drew national attention.

ALSO READ| 'I'm not Congress's prosecutor,' Attorney General Garland holds firm against GOP's push for Hunter Biden inquiry details

Trump has denied the claim and the Secret Service has not confirmed it.

The former aide initially said that she did not recall much of the internal discussions in the Trump White House about challenging the 2020 election outcome. She later changed her story and said that she was advised by a Trump-linked lawyer whom she hired for financial reasons to make those statements.

It is unclear why Hutchinson did not mention the Giuliani incident in her public testimony or report it to the authorities at the time.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Rudy Giuliani Faces Allegation of Groping at Jan. 6 'Stop the Steal' Rally Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Giulianis political adviser Ted Goodman dismissed Hutchinsons allegations as a disgusting lie and questioned her motives for coming out with them as part of the marketing campaign for her book release. He praised Giulianis distinguished career in public service and said he was 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.

Giuliani, 79, has been facing a series of legal troubles since Trump left office. He was recently indicted on 13 counts related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

He was also sanctioned by a judge in a civil case brought by two Georgia election workers whom he accused of rigging the vote. He is being sued by his former attorney Robert Costello for $1.3 million over unpaid bills, which Giuliani disputes. He is also facing a $10 million lawsuit from a former assistant who alleged sexual assault and wage theft.
Political commentator and New York Times columnist, David Brooks has been facing the wrath of social media today. The 62-year-old American took to X (Formerly Twitter) to post an image of a $78 meal at the Newark Airport and dubbed the American economy terrible. "This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible," wrote David.

"This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible," wrote David, with a photo of a burger, french fries, tomato, lettuce, ketchup packets and a glass of what might be an alcoholic beverage.

While the post gained over 3.2 million views, David's depiction of the American economy did not sit well with the users on social media as they took to schooling him on his opinion.

A user took to X to reply to David writing, Americans think the economy is terrible because journalists like David Brooks are misrepresenting that economy with their comped meals at Newark airport that include 12year single malt aged scotch and a wagu beef burger.

Another user reposted the post, with the caption, Quit drinking & journalism, David Brooks; youll save SO MUCH .

Interestingly, a user who has himself travelled through the airport multiple times, twice recently challenged David saying, Ill make David Brooks a deal. Show me the receipt where the drink is not more money than the burger and Ill buy you a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue.

David Brooks' professional career

David Brooks was on August 11, 1961, in Toronto, Ontario. He began his journalistic career as a police reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago while attending college.

Post graduating he was accepted for an internship with Buckley's National Review.

Later, he joined the Washington Times as a movie review writer, the Wall Street Journal as an op-ed editor and NPR and PBS as a commentator.

Currently, along with being a political and cultural commentator, David works at the New York Times.
IN A HASTILY arranged speech on September 20th, Rishi Sunak promised a new approach to Britains climate policy. The prime minister snipped at his predecessors for imposing unnecessary costs on people rather than letting them choose when to make changes. He said a target to end the sale of new polluting vehicles by 2030 would be delayed. Another, to phase out new gas boilers by 2035, would be weakened. Regulations on energy efficiency and the use of oil boilers would be loosened, too. Bizarrely, he also scrapped a non-existent meat tax and reassured voters there would be no diktat to sort your rubbish into seven different bins. PREMIUM UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak(AP)

He has been weighing such moves since a by-election in Uxbridge in July, where a backlash over a charge for drivers of polluting cars in outer London helped the Conservatives cling to the seat. Labour, which has a stubborn lead of around 20 points in national polls, has promised more ambitious climate action. If Mr Sunak hopes attacking its green plans is a way to turn around the polling figures, then he is almost certainly wrong. It is true, as he was at pains to say, that reaching net zero will be both costlier and more disruptive than many politicians admit. And Labours plansnotably a misguided focus on large public subsidiesdo need more scrutiny. But his own hotch-potch of delays is likely to deter investors, making it harder to cut the price of technologies such as heat pumps. That will raise the costs paid by consumers in the long term, not reduce them. The speech marked a U-turn from the Conservatives previous stance. Green action was central to the boosterish agenda on which Boris Johnson, Mr Sunaks predecessor but one, got elected in 2019. Two years ago Mr Johnson published a net-zero strategy, built on long-term targets that would drive market transitions in energy, transport and homes. Mr Sunak has unpicked the latter two. There were already doubts over the first, having a clean power system by 2035, after the governments latest auction failed to attract any new offshore wind projects.

Do more, not less(The Economist)

The immediate consequence will be questions about Britains commitment to emissions targets and uncertainty for businesses. Mr Sunak emphasised that Britain had cut emissions faster than others since 1990. But the country is off course for its legal climate targets beyond 2028. In 2022 a court ordered the government to publish more details to show how it would get back on track. Mr Sunaks new approach will probably provoke another legal challenge.

It is stable, long-term policies that drive down the costs of new technologies. In March, renewables provided 47% of Britains electricity production. But too often, action has been hindered by stop-start schemes. Britains market for insulating homes and installing heat pumps remains tiny, partly because firms have been burned by repeated policy changes. More delays will not help. Mr Sunak did promise more subsidies for heat pumps, but without clear regulations the market will take longer to grow, meaning costs will be slower to fall. The backtracking on electric vehicles was most surprising. Just two months ago, the government promised a 500m ($643m) subsidy to Tata, an Indian conglomerate, for a new battery plant in Somerset. (And in July Michael Gove, a cabinet minister, had agreed the 2030 deadline was immovable.) Other carmakers immediately reacted angrily. Ford said the industry needed ambition, commitment and consistency from government, all of which had been undermined. Sir Simon Clarke, a former Conservative cabinet minister, asked how businesses should plan if we respond to one by-electionby tearing up key planks of government policy. Some Conservatives dream that there are electoral gains in all of this. But they risk overinterpreting the Uxbridge result. None of the policies that Mr Sunak dumped imposes immediate and direct costs in the way the London car scheme has. It will be hard to terrify voters with the prospect of not being able to buy a gas boiler in 12 years time. Pollsters are also sceptical that greenery is a strong wedge issue for Mr Sunak. Across all parties, voters are much likelier to say the government should do more, not less, on climate (see chart). They do want a fair transition, but Mr Sunak risks putting the Conservatives on the wrong side of Britains climate consensus, says Luke Tryl, of More in Common UK, a think-tank that carried out polling on the issue. Mr Sunak may hope to focus attention on Labours economic credibility and its plan to spend, eventually, 28bn yearly on green measures. But Labour can adjust that stance without much loss of face. Given a crisis over crumbling schools, some in that party had anyway asked if limiting extra capital investment to green measures made sense. For all Mr Sunaks protestations that his own new position was not actually about politics, it evidently was. Whether it will anyway help looks doubtful.  2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com

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Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media tycoon who founded Fox News, is resigning from his leadership roles at Fox's parent company and News Corp. Murdoch is also the owner of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. Rupert Murdoch.(REUTERS)

Fox made this announcement on Thursday, stating that Murdoch will assume the position of chairman emeritus at both entities, reported news agency AP. His son, Lachlan, will take over as chairman of News Corp. and will continue serving as the CEO of Fox Corp. Lachlan Murdoch expressed gratitude for his father's new role as chairman emeritus and anticipated that he would continue offering valuable advice to both companies.

Besides Fox News, Murdoch started the Fox broadcast network, the first to successfully challenge the Big Three of ABC, CBS and NBC.

Murdoch wields significant influence in US conservative circles as Fox News Channel has had a profound impact on both television and the nation's political landscape since its establishment in 1996.

In a letter addressed to employees, Murdoch pledged to maintain an active role at Fox. He emphasized his commitment to engaging daily in the arena of ideas, acknowledging the sense of community within their companies. Murdoch also assured that he would vigilantly follow their broadcasts, read their publications, websites, and books with keen interest.

The exact reason for Murdoch's announcement remains undisclosed at this time. It is noteworthy that this announcement coincides with the release of Michael Wolff's book, "The End of Fox News," which speculates on the network's future post-Murdoch era.

(With AP inputs)
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.
Russia launched a massive air attack on the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Thursday, killing 2 people and injuring at least 18 people. The strike damaged infrastructure facilities across the country, officials said. Emergency personnel stand at a site in a residential area that was damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine.(REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)

Blasts were heard in Kyiv and the surrounding region after an air raid alert, Reuters witnesses said. Authorities reported sending rescue teams to several locations in the capital.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said people were injured in Kyiv and Cherkasy regions and in the city of Kharkiv in the east during the attack that came early in the morning.

"It is a restless morning. Explosions were heard in different regions of Ukraine," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said seven people, including a 9-year girl, were injured in Kyiv. Missile debris fell in the city centre and an infrastructure facility and several non-residential buildings were damaged, causing a fire, he said.

Klymenko said a hotel and several shopping kiosks were damaged in Cherkasy in central Ukraine and seven people were injured.

The emergency services posted a video on Telegram showing rescuers carrying out an injured man on a stretcher as a fire rages.

The interior ministry and regional officials reported blasts in Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Maksym Kozytskyi, Lviv's regional governor, said three Russian missiles hit the city of Drohobych in the west, about 60 kilometres from the Polish border.

Kozytskiy said an infrastructure facility and warehouses were hit.

In a separate overnight attack, two people were killed by Russian shelling of a dormitory in the southern city of Kherson, governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
Former President Donald Trump slammed Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, September 20, days after he sat down for an interview with her. I sat down for an hour, and then I did a Megyn Kelly one, Donald told his supporters gathered at a campaign event in Iowa. He was referring to his previous interview with NBCs Meet the Press. Former President Donald Trump slammed Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, September 20, days after he sat down for an interview with her (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP, megynkelly/Instagram)

I, she was, you know, boy, she became nastier all of a sudden, Donald said of Megyn. She was pretty nasty, didnt you think, anyone that watched it.

Megyn, during the interview, had questioned Donald over his handling of classified documents. Megyn pointed out that before signing off, Donalds lawyers said they handed over everything that the subpoena had demanded, but federal agents later reportedly found more classified materials.

I dont know what the timing is. Again, Id have to check, Donald 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, Megyn responded.

I dont even know that because I have the right to have those documents. So I dont really know that, Donald said.

Late in August, Donald became the first US president in history to have a mugshot taken. On August 24, he turned himself in to Georgia authorities after facing 13 felony charges handed down by a Fulton County grand jury. His mugshot was taken while being booked at an Atlanta jail for allegedly trying to reverse the 2020 election results in Georgia.

So far this year, the Georgia indictment happens to be the fourth brought against Donald. There were multiple federal cases over the former presidents attempts at overturning the 2020 election in Washington, DC, as well as for allegedly mishandling classified documents in South Florida.

Donald was also indicted for allegedly falsifying business records in an attempt to conceal hush money paid to Stormy Daniels before the elections in 2016. He was accused of doing this to keep Stormy from speaking up about an affair he allegedly had with the porn star.
A man suspected of murdering a couple, their two young children, and three dogs in their suburban Chicago residence died from a gunshot wound on Wednesday following a fiery car crash during a police pursuit. FILE - A Romeoville police officer carries out a door from inside of the home where four people were shot to death, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Romeoville Ill. A suspect in the shooting deaths of a suburban Chicago couple and their two children died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday, Sept. 20, after crashing his car in Oklahoma, police said. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP, File)(AP)

Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, was fleeing from officers in Catoosa an Oklahoma city 650 miles from where the brutal murder took place three days earlier.

He was accompanied by an unnamed missing female.

The suspect Nathaniel Huey(Romeoville police department)

Officers who pursued them found them both with a single gunshot wound Hueys was fatal, while the woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition, the Romeoville Police Department said.

Both individuals quickly became subjects of interest for law enforcement within hours of the discovery of the deceased bodies of Alberto Rolon (38), mother Zoraida Bartolomei (32), and their two children, 10-year-old Adriel and 7-year-old Diego, during a welfare check on Sunday night.

The family and their three pets were all shot to death in what police said was not a random incident.

Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspects and the victims as well as possible motives, Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference.

Police did not reveal any theories on what led to the tragic killings, but said there was a tremendous amount of physical evidence. Police believe the family of four was killed between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday which shocked the quiet community that wondered why they did not hear any gunshots.

Family members called police after one of the victims did not show up for work at 6 a.m. Sunday and did not answer messages.

Following their identification on that evening, law enforcement promptly issued a statewide bulletin containing the descriptions of Huey and the unidentified woman, along with details about their vehicle.

Her family reported her as missing on Tuesday morning. Catoosa police then spotted his license plate the following Wednesday morning and attempted to pull him over. However, Huey swiftly evaded the officers and subsequently crashed his vehicle, resulting in a fiery blaze, as reported by Romeoville police.

Officers on scene heard two noises, believed to be gunshots, according to the department.

It is not clear who fired the shots.

Police said there is no reason to believe there are other suspects. Police will continue to investigate the case, which Burne previously called the departments top priority.

ALSO READ| Couple, two young children, and three dogs discovered fatally shot in suburban Chicago residence

The family had just moved into the Romeoville house in April.

The two children were both students at RC Hill Elementary School, Valley View School District Superintendent Rachel Kinder said in a note to the community.

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, a GoFundMe page stated.

In just a few hours their lives, their familys lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.
Ukraine's farm minister, in a phone call with his Polish counterpart, has agreed to work out a solution to a trade dispute that is in the interests of both countries, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said on Thursday. Poland announced restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports on Friday (File)

The ministry said in a statement that the two sides had confirmed their "close and constructive ties and agreed to work out an option to cooperate on export issues in the near future".

Poland announced restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on imports into Ukraine's five EU neighbours.
Known for his quirk and awkward moments before the camera, US president Joe Biden, lived up to his fame as he shared a viral awkward moment with the Brazilian president Lula da Silva, whom he met in New York recently. The Brazilian president appeared visibly frustrated as Joe saluted the media, and exited the stage without a formal handshake.(REUTERS)

The Brazilian president appeared visibly frustrated as Joe saluted the media, and exited the stage without a formal handshake.

However, in the video, he even appeared confused about whether to salute the audience or bid them goodbye with a thumbs up.

The event was filled with Biden moments

While the meeting in itself was a success, it was filled with classic awkward moments with the 80-year-old President.

While moving towards the stage to begin the meeting, Joe almost toppled over a flagpole bearing the Brazilian flag.

Later, during the meeting, a problem with his earpiece being used for translation had to be resolved.

In his 26-minute speech addressing the public and American-Brazilian relations, Joe fumbled on an emphatic line.

He said, Nowhere is that more critical than accelerating the climate crisis.

Later, he corrected himself by saying: Than the accelerating climate crisis.

Partnership for Workers' Rights

The presidents of the two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere met in New York on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, to discuss workers' rights.

The duo announced a new partnership to support labor the force of both countries.

When the middle does well, everybody does well. Working-class folks have a chance to move up. And the wealthy still do fine, as long as they pay their taxes, said Joe to Lula.

This gesture we are doing here is an awakening of hope for millions and millions of Brazilians and Americans who need to have the opportunity to live life, to triumph, to work and build their family decently, added Lula.

The two also discussed the emphatic topic of environmental preservation in their meeting.

The Brazilian president has been seeking international initiatives for Brazil's Amazon Fund but the donations have not been impactful.

While the US did announce an aid of $50 million to the fund in February, the transfer is yet to be made.

Quoting the initiative and the progress Brazil has made in protecting the Amazonian deforestation, Lula said, It is very important that the United States sees what is happening in Brazil at this historic moment of ecological transition, of changing the energy matrix, the potential our country has for investment."
Editors note (September 19th 2023): This article was updated after Ukraine filed a complaint against Hungary , Poland and Slovakia with the World Trade Organisation. PREMIUM Ukrainian farmer Yakiv Marynchenko, 67, displays wheat grains with a stone outside of his crop storage that was destroyed last month by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a frontline outside the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak(REUTERS)

EASTERN EUROPEAN states have been among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine since Russia invaded last year. But that solidarity has frayed over the issue of agricultural exports. European Union member states that border Ukraine have argued that the duty-free import of Ukrainian produce to the bloc has caused havoc in their own markets. On May 2nd, to allay their fears, the bloc banned the sale or storage of certain Ukrainian produce in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia (though transit through these countries was still allowed). These measures ended on September 15th. But Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have unilaterally extended them. On September 18th Ukraine said it was filing a complaint against these countries at the World Trade Organisation for hurting its exports of grain, oilseed and sunflower oil. Why are eastern European countries so keen to keep these Ukrainian goods out?

The problem has been months in the making. To help Ukraines economy and avert a global food crisis caused by a Russian blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports, in June 2022 the EU lifted tariffs on a range of Ukrainian exports, including many agricultural products, and negotiated transit corridors through Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. The idea was to ship the goods to the Middle East and Africa. An agreement between Russia and Ukraine to let some produce travel via the Black Sea collapsed in July 2023, leaving river, road and rail routes as the key corridors to release Ukrainian produce.

But a shortage of trains and lorries slowed shipments to markets beyond eastern Europe, and much of the produce ended up in local ones. Plummeting prices hurt the incomes of local farmers, sparking weeks of protests. On April 15th Polands government banned the import and transit of agricultural produce from Ukraine. Polands agriculture minister, Robert Telus, said that its embargo on dozens of goodsincluding grains, milk, honey, fruits, vegetables and some meatswas necessary to open the eyes of the EU. Hungary and Slovakia quickly followed suit. The EU, as the institution in charge of trade policy, agreed to a compromise: ban the import to some countries temporarily, while allowing transit to the west. That compromise has now expired, and the EU refuses to extend it, claiming that the market distortions in the five frontline countries have disappeared.

Hours after the embargo ended, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia said they would introduce their own restrictions on grain imports (transit through their territories is still exempt). Ukraines economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, said the new ban chipped away at solidarity with the bloc and deepened the distress of Ukrainian farmers. Ukraine sees this as a violation of international obligations, she said. Her deputy, Taras Kachka, said that Ukraine was considering retaliatory measures on Polish products, such as onions and apples, as well as on Hungarian cars if the bans remained in place by September 22nd.

The unilateral moves also put Hungary, Poland and Slovakia on a collision course with the European Commission, which can launch an infringement procedure if countries do not implement the EUs common trade policy. The EU is normally responsible for representing its members in disputes with the WTO, meaning it could be drawn into the complaint that Ukraine has brought. Germanys agriculture minister, Cem Ozdemir, accused the three countries of part-time solidarity. His French counterpart, Marc Fesneau, said that the unilateral actions threatened collective efforts to preserve global food security.

The EUs rebellious eastern members look unlikely to relent. Polands government spokesman, Piotr Muller, said the country would uphold its ban despite Ukraines complaint to the WTO, which he said made no impression. Much of the motivation is political. Polands ruling Law and Justice party, which depends on the rural vote, faces a difficult general election on October 15th. Slovakia is also in the final stretch of a parliamentary electoral campaign. The favourite to win, Robert Fico, a populist former prime minister, has also pledged to curtail military and political support for Ukraine. As Europe seeks to bring Ukraine closer into its fold, the tussle over grain may provide a taste of problems to come.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Mustafa Ali took to Twitter to announce his formal exit from WWE on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The announcement comes just a week before a scheduled title match with Mysterio at No Mercy. The announcement comes just a week before a scheduled title match with Mysterio at No Mercy.(WWE)

I am no longer working with WWE. I look forward to the future. Thank you, -Adeel, wrote the wrestler.

On September 30, Mustafa was scheduled to fight Dominik Myserio at NXT's No Mercy WWE event, but has now announced his exit.

Mustafa whose real name is Adeel Alam had been performing on the NXT brand after dropping down from the main roster.

He was involved in a race for the North American title including Wes Lee, Tyler Bate and Mysterio.

He had joined the company in 2016 after leaving the independent circuit.

While Mustafa was scheduled to fight Mysterio, the latter was set to face another NXT star Dragon Lee on RAW next Monday.

Earlier, Mustafa had announced he would go to RAW in order to confront the paint however, now the match will continue in the face of his departure.

Mustafa's professional journey

Adeel Alam, born on March 28, 1986, was born to a Pakistani father and an Indian mother in Illinois.

Since childhood, Adeel was set on becoming a wrestler and idolised Bret Hart, Hardy Boyz, Hayabusa and others.

He made his professional debut in the independent circuit in 2003 and continued till 2016.

In 2016 he joined NXT and made his RAW debut a year later.

List of wrestlers released by WWE

It isn't only Mustafa who has exited the esteemed wrestling stage.

Emma, Rick Boogs, Aliyah, Elias, Riddick Moss, Top Dolla, Dolph Ziggler and Shelton Benjamin have been released from WWE. Out of these wrestlers, Emma and Top Dolla had been re-hired just a year back.

Fan reactions

People and fans of the wrestler are not happy with his exit and are now nostalgic for his career on social media.
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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy(AFP)

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.

READ | Russian-installed Crimea authorities to sell 100 Ukrainian properties; one belongs to Zelensky

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.

READ | Zelensky says Ukraine has developed a long-range weapon: Hit target at

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.

READ | Ukraine's Zelensky vows to end Russian occupation of Crimea

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.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on September 21 congratulated the people of Armenia on Independence Day.

On behalf of the United States of America, I send best wishes to the people of Armenia on your Independence Day, Blinken said in a statement published by the State Department. Armenia put itself on a path towards freedom and self-determination when it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, we have seen your commitment to democratic values, to developing and strengthening human rights, rule of law, economy, and justice for all Armenians. These values echo our own and we are proud to partner with Armenia in these areas. We will continue to support the Armenian peoples democratic aspirations, sovereignty, and security. The United States supports Armenias sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and remains committed to promoting a durable and dignified peace for the South Caucasus region where the rights of all are respected. We look forward to continuing to grow our bilateral relationship and economic ties. I wish the Armenian people a prosperous and peaceful year ahead, he added.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The reports claiming that the Azeri troops have entered Stepanakert are fake news, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities warned Thursday.

The reports on the Azerbaijani troops entering Stepanakert are untrue. The reports regarding the flag are likewise false, and just like all other kinds of fake news seek to terrorize the thousands of starving, besieged people in Artsakh who are in the middle of war, the Nagorno-Karabakh Representation in Armenia said in a statement.

Follow exclusively official information for the developments taking place in Artsakh, it added.
The Ministry of Economy of Armenia is discussing the issue of starting trade with Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

It is noted that various options on the issue are being prepared. Other details were not released.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Economy has denied media reports which claimed that it is considering launching trade with Azerbaijan.

Ministry of Economy spokesperson Nelly Ghulyan denied the report when asked to comment by ARMENPRESS.

Several media outlets earlier reported that the Armenian ministry of economy is discussing various options for starting trade with Azerbaijan.
Latest round of enhancements to include Presidential-inspired lobby and mezzanine-level Scandal Lounge.

The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection, a celebrated urban landmark located in downtown Sacramento's Cal-West Insurance Building, is set to begin the next phase of a multi-million-dollar enhancement project ahead of the landmark building's 100th anniversary taking place in 2025. On the heels of a recent reimagining of the hotel's guestrooms, suites, and meeting space, the project will commence on September 20 to create a newly revitalized lobby space and second floor mezzanine-level Scandal Lounge. The project is expected to take two months and the property will remain open, creating minimal disruption for guests.

Award-winning interior architecture studio Indidesign, responsible for the previous phase of renovation, was once again tapped to create a sophisticated nod to the building's rich 1920's history. The scope includes the integration of a more contemporary color palette, furnishings, and fixtures to shepherd in the building's 100th year as a fixture of downtown Sacramento.

The revamped common areas will complement the newly redesigned guestrooms with the same fresh, but layered aesthetic in keeping with its history and stature, and muted jewel-toned color palette introduced in 2021. The lobby, which will retain the communal library feel of the existing space, will be lightened up with a fresh color palette of white walls with accents of bold grey, and teal. Politicos and business clientele will want to exchange ideas and sign contracts from the elegant wingback chairs in deep shades of emerald velour, modern swivel chairs in grass and grey tones, and plush sofas in rich royal blue. Bookcases will adorn the walls, and a dramatic chandelier placed at second floor level will draw the gaze upward inviting guests to further explore the storied property. A new vintage beverage cart with coffee and refreshments will activate the space and encourage gathering and conversation.

The intimate Scandal Lounge, the centerpiece of the second floor, will be elevated with new carpet and hardwood flooring, cozy velvet banquette seating, and pendant lighting. Painstaking care will be taken to enhance the hotel's already esteemed artwork collection in all spaces, with a focal wall featuring existing political cartoons reframed to create a dynamic composition, and a bespoke three-dimensional art piece in the lobby comprised of wire net and vintage typewriter keys. A custom art installation along the staircase walls featuring graphic art on vintage books will honor the legacy of the building as well as paying homage to the City of Sacramento as the State Capital and repository of legislative and cultural references.

The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection is located at 926 J St, Sacramento. The property is managed by Evolution Lifestyle, an operating division of Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading, global hospitality management company and the world's largest third-party operator known for delivering outstanding service and creating memorable guest experiences every day with every interaction. For more information, visit www.thecitizenhotel.com or call (916) 447-2700. Or follow the property on Facebook or Instagram.

About The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection

Opened in 2008 as Sacramento's first-ever boutique hotel in the center of downtown, The Citizen Hotel remains an iconic landmark more than a decade later. Housed in the historic Cal-West Insurance Building, the newly renovated 196-room hotel is located just two blocks away from the state capitol, and near the area's most prominent attractions including DOCO, Golden 1 Center, and the city's recently renovated Convention Center. An Autograph Collection Hotel, The Citizen is exactly like nothing else, offering a distinctive voice, strong sense of place, and singular experience for guests. Its sarcastic and playful spirit references the city's rich political history with unique touches woven throughout the property. Amenities include the MICHELIN-recognized Grange Restaurant & Bar, long regarded as some of the best dining in Sacramento, 9,900 square feet of meetings and events space, and fully equipped fitness center. For more information, visit www.thecitizenhotel.com or call (916) 447-2700. Follow the property on Facebook or Instagram.

Hotel website
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, a spacious resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of North Lake Tahoe, announces Lucas Curcio as the new director of food and beverage. Curcio joins the property from Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour where he held the title of executive chef.

Originally from Argentina, Curcio's journey in the hospitality industry began twenty years ago where he started as a dishwasher and delivery person. His deep-rooted connection to food, influenced by his grandparents who were exceptional cooks, ignited his desire to be in the kitchen. Curcio is guided by the philosophy that cooking and serving others is an act of love and care. He finds joy in sharing his culinary creations with others.

Curcio graduated with a bachelor's degree in culinary arts from IGS in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005. Joining the Hyatt Corporation in 2018, Curcio's initial role was as the pre-opening executive chef for Park Hyatt Jakarta in Indonesia. Curcio and his team positioned Stone Barn at Park Hyatt St. Kitts as the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the Caribbean by the World Culinary Awards. His diverse background and international experience have contributed to his culinary expertise and leadership style.
BARCELONA, Spain - Shiji, the global technology brand, is thrilled to announce the release of Shiji ReviewPro's Guest Experience Benchmark for the second quarter of 2023, featuring two major additions designed to empower hoteliers worldwide in assessing hotel performance: the City Hotel Rankings and City Benchmark sections.



In this latest Q2 report, Shiji added rankings for the top 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star hotels in prominent cities such as New York, London, Dubai, Sydney, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, the benchmark report presents rankings for 50 of the world's most iconic cities based on their average Guest Review Index (GRI). This comprehensive Guest Experience Benchmark report stands as the most extensive examination of online reputation within the hospitality industry currently available.

Some key insights from the Q2 2023 report:

Beijing, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro emerged as the top three cities with the highest-rated hotels

Hotels are steadily recovering their review scores, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the way

Global review volume experienced a remarkable increase of nearly 20%, although it remains 8% below the levels seen in Q2 2019.

Booking.com maintains the highest volume of reviews with 39.2% of the total but has lost 8.7% market share from Q2 2022

When we created the Guest Experience Benchmark Report our aim was to equip hoteliers with real, actionable insights that can help their properties improve. We are excited to include the top hotels and cities for the first time, which will help provide invaluable concrete benchmarks for hotels all around the world. Neil James, CEO of Shiji ReviewPro

The Q2 Guest Experience Benchmark draws upon an analysis of over 3 million reviews of 9,500 hotels worldwide, spanning 65 languages. This marks the sixth edition of the quarterly report, with previous editions having garnered over 4,000 downloads.

To access the full report for free, please click here.

You can download previous editions of the report here.

For any enquiries or for support with guest reviews, online reputation, or in order to better understand the report, the Shiji ReviewPro staff will be happy to assist. Contact us here.

About Shiji

Shiji is a multi-national technology company that provides software solutions and services for enterprise companies in the hospitality, food service, retail, and entertainment industries, ranging from hospitality technology platforms, hotel management solutions, food and beverage and retail systems, payment gateways, data management, online distribution and more. Founded in 1998 as a network solutions provider for hotels, Shiji today comprises over 5,000 employees in 80+ subsidiaries and brands in over 31 countries, serving more than 97,000 hotels, 200,000 restaurants, and 600,000 retail outlets. For more information visit shijigroup.com

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As a trailblazer in hospitality, Accor considers its responsibility to pioneer innovations that can move the needle for all its stakeholders and accelerate the sustainable transformation of the industry overall. Procurement has become a major lever of action for a more sustainable hospitality model.

Facing up to Environmental Issues: The Challenge for the Hospitality Industry

As the world is becoming more aware of the importance of living sustainably, travelers expect hospitality companies to step-up their action plan and offer a hospitality experience with a positive impact. A recent study by PWC named the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) goals that set a business apart: natural resource protection, sustainable and local sourcing, zero waste and water conservation. To act on sustainable development, hospitality leaders must meet science-based targets in all these areas.

A major part of companies environment, social, and governance footprint lies outside their walls, with suppliers. Over the past few years, Procurement has become increasingly instrumental in supporting sustainability transformation strategies, particularly driving sustainability compliance within supply chains, sourcing and co-designing more sustainable products and services, and building sustainable relationships with suppliers. CAROLINE TISSOT, Chief Procurement Officer

Astore: Five Concrete Innovations for Procurement

To achieve a more sustainable model, procurement is a major lever for action. Astore, Accors leading procurement organization for hospitality, serves more than 8,500 international clients and contributes to driving more sustainable procurement for the entire hospitality industry.

Open not only to the Groups hotels, but to all hospitality players, Astore delivers best in-class expertise and solutions to ease operations, optimize costs and maximize performance. Astore is also driving sustainability transformation to improve the environmental and social performance of procurement in the hospitality industry, including the following five key action areas:

1. Toward Net Zero: driving the energy transition

As part of Accors commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and its efforts to move the sector towards a more sustainable model, Astores procurement teams are selecting committed suppliers respecting high environmental and societal standards. In line with this objective, Accors Paris corporate headquarters is 100% supplied by renewable sources.

2. Natural Resource Protection: eliminating single-use plastic

At the end of 2022, 84% of hotels have eliminated 46 types of single-use plastics in their guest experience. Accors procurement organization has implemented a range of innovative alternatives. As an example, working with the Groups long-term suppliers, dispensers are now replacing single doses in amenities, for overall savings of more than 300 tons of plastics in a year.

3. Sustainable and local sourcing: onboarding local suppliers

On Astore Shop, Accors online purchasing platform, Accors strong local anchorage to work closest to the field is represented by an ongoing dialogue with a large network of suppliers to promote local procurement, including in Food & Beverage. Today, more than three quarters of Accors suppliers in France are small or very small structures, and this number is growing. Furthermore, by sourcing closer to hotels in their own area, Accor is also reducing the environmental impact of transport. And in line with the Groups Sustainable Food Charter commitments, Accor is increasing seasonal sourcing, organic product use, and selecting suppliers with responsible practices in animal welfare and fishing.

4. Product safety and quality: stepping up supply chain audits for supplier compliance

Astore vets the environmental and social standards of the more than 5,000 quality suppliers on its platform, selected through a process that incorporates sustainability criteria. Using the trusted sustainability ratings partner for procurement teams, EcoVadis, Astore is also working to address the issue of CSR compliance in subcontracting.

5. Inclusion: supporting local initiatives

In the U.S., Astore supports minority and women-owned businesses through partnerships such as with the NMSDC National Minority Supplier Development Council. In France, Accor is part of the collective of companies for a more inclusive economy. A supplier program also works for the inclusion of people with disabilities, such as the partnership with Cafe Joyeux, a coffee shop employing people with disabilities.

As a key lever in supporting sustainability objectives, Astore is facilitating through innovation more sustainable supply chains to maximize value and support owners and partners as the hospitality industry continues to transform.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,500 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
LONDON  Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, unveiled the full agenda for its annual customer and industry event technology conference: Cvent CONNECT Europe. The multi-day, hybrid conference will take place from 7 - 9 November 2023 at the Hilton London Metropole, offering both in-person and virtual experiences.

Building on the success of last year's inaugural in-person event in Germany, Cvent will also host Cvent CONNECT in Deutschland on 8 November 2023. The event will be held at Frankfurt's SPARK venue, equipped with state-of-the-art hybrid event technology. In addition to being able to engage with conference content broadcast live from London, the in-person event will include localised breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and networking experiences with regional peers and industry experts. The Frankfurt event will also offer a Cvent Tech Tour. Regularly rated one of the most popular sessions at Cvent CONNECT Europe, this immersive tour takes attendees on the in-person event tech customer journey  from onsite registration and check-in to session tracking and post-event analytics  this experience will show how Cvent technology streamlines and enhances the end-to-end event experience.

With the rapid digital transformation sweeping across our industry, this years Cvent CONNECT Europe agenda is designed to empower industry professionals with the tools and best practices they need to thrive in this new era of events. Our sessions are thoughtfully curated to unpack emerging trends and discuss insightful strategies that will resonate with marketers, event organisers and hospitality professionals alike. Our return to both London and Frankfurt highlights positive industry momentum and the growing importance of event technology to deliver true business impact. Were excited to deliver an immersive and engaging hybrid experience to our in-person and virtual audience that seamlessly blends education, innovation and collaboration. Cvent SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Patrick Smith

Cvent CONNECT Europe is open to all MICE, hospitality and marketing professionals. The event's comprehensive agenda includes more than 45 breakout sessions, diverse learning opportunities and over 20 networking experiences. From expert-led content to roundtable discussions with industry leaders, the entire conference programme is tailored to educate and inspire.

Conference Highlights

(New in 2023) Cvent Academy Training Camp (7 November) | This immersive in-person training day, included with in-person registration, will enable Cvent users to improve their event technology skills and gain a competitive edge through industry-recognised Cvent Certifications. Event professionals will learn the fundamentals of event design, virtual content creation, email marketing and more while hospitality professionals will learn how to optimise their use of the Cvent Supplier Network to engage planners and drive more MICE business.

This immersive in-person training day, included with in-person registration, will enable Cvent users to improve their event technology skills and gain a competitive edge through industry-recognised Cvent Certifications. Event professionals will learn the fundamentals of event design, virtual content creation, email marketing and more while hospitality professionals will learn how to optimise their use of the Cvent Supplier Network to engage planners and drive more MICE business. Cvent Excellence Awards (8 November) | Now in its second year, this awards programme recognises leading organisations and hotels in the industry that demonstrate the powerful role technology plays in delivering more engaging experiences and driving positive results. The awards ceremony will take place in-person at the Hilton London Metropole and will also be broadcast live to a global virtual audience.

Now in its second year, this awards programme recognises leading organisations and hotels in the industry that demonstrate the powerful role technology plays in delivering more engaging experiences and driving positive results. The awards ceremony will take place in-person at the Hilton London Metropole and will also be broadcast live to a global virtual audience. Innovation Pavilion: As the engagement hub of the conference, the Innovation Pavilion provides a dynamic place for attendees to explore and interact with Cvents current and upcoming solutions and dig into product roadmap highlights. The robust Innovation Pavilion programming maximises product education for attendees through live in-person trainings and targeted feature flash sessions. Attendees seeking specific technology support can visit the Cvent Experts Bar to get all their questions addressed.

As the engagement hub of the conference, the Innovation Pavilion provides a dynamic place for attendees to explore and interact with Cvents current and upcoming solutions and dig into product roadmap highlights. The robust Innovation Pavilion programming maximises product education for attendees through live in-person trainings and targeted feature flash sessions. Attendees seeking specific technology support can visit the Cvent Experts Bar to get all their questions addressed. Networking: This years event offers more dedicated networking opportunities than ever before including special meetups for first-time CONNECT Europe attendees, informal huddles throughout the conference, peer-to-peer networking and organised breakfasts, luncheons and evening gatherings. Virtual attendees can engage in real-time roundtables using the Cvent Discussions capabilities and make new connections with Instant Networking.

Session Highlights

Exploring the Hottest Event and Hospitality Trends Set to Shape the Industry in 2024: An expert panel will share insights on the emerging trends predicted to shape the industry.

An expert panel will share insights on the emerging trends predicted to shape the industry. The BIG Debate: People vs Technology: A debate where human creativity, emotion and intuition are pitted against the potential of AI, automation and technological innovation.

A debate where human creativity, emotion and intuition are pitted against the potential of AI, automation and technological innovation. Corporate Travel Insights, The Role of Representation Companies in Driving Change: Panellists delve into the evolving needs of corporate travellers and the significant role hotels and chains play in streamlining the industry.

Panellists delve into the evolving needs of corporate travellers and the significant role hotels and chains play in streamlining the industry. Game-Changing ways to utilise Automation to Tackle the Staff Shortage Challenge: Hear about pivotal automation tools to efficiently manage RFPs, room blocks and responses, along with insights from hotel professionals.

Hear about pivotal automation tools to efficiently manage RFPs, room blocks and responses, along with insights from hotel professionals. Hospitality Community Conversations: Events and Operations: This roundtable is tailored for event and operations professionals, offering insights into RFP data, buyer feedback and sourcing behaviours.

This roundtable is tailored for event and operations professionals, offering insights into RFP data, buyer feedback and sourcing behaviours. Cvent Suppliers & Venue Services Product Roadmap: A sneak-peek at upcoming Cvent innovations designed to help hospitality professionals thrive, including AI-driven enhancements that are reshaping the sector.

Registration

Registration is now open and additional sessions and keynote speakers will be announced soon. To register or to learn more, please visit the Cvent CONNECT Europe website.

For conference updates on social media, follow @CventCONNECT on Twitter / @cvent_inc on Instagram / #CventCONNECTEurope

About Cvent

Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with 4,800+ employees and 21,000+ customers worldwide as of March 31, 2023. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences. Cvent is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and has additional offices around the world to support its growing global customer base. The comprehensive Cvent event marketing and management platform offers software solutions to event organizers and marketers for online event registration, venue selection, event marketing and management, virtual and onsite solutions, and attendee engagement. Cvent's suite of products automate and simplify the event management lifecycle and maximize the impact of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Hotels and venues use Cvent's supplier and venue solutions to win more group and corporate travel business through Cvent's sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimize the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events. For more information, please visit Cvent.com.
In todays rapidly evolving and positive COVID business landscape, the specter of fraud, corporate malfeasance, and unethical behavior looms large. In response to the pandemic, many organizations reduced head count resulting in potential control deficiencies. The impact of these issues extends beyond financial loss, encompassing reputational damage, loss of employee morale, and erosion of trust. To combat these challenges, organizations must establish robust fraud awareness programs that encompass collaboration, communication, training, tone at the top, and effective investigative protocols. This article explores how these five elements combine to create a holistic approach to mitigating the risk of fraud.

Collaboration: Fostering Open Dialog

Collaboration involves working collectively toward shared goals. In the realm of fraud awareness, this translates to creating an environment where open and honest discussions are encouraged. Fraud can no longer be the dirty little secret that goes unspoken. Building collaboration requires the active involvement of leadership, engaging multiple disciplines (legal, HR, sales, finance, etc.), and promoting a culture of accountability. Consider brainstorming sessions, whistleblower hotlines, and measurable metrics to enhance collaborative efforts.

Communication: Spreading the Ethical Message

Effective communication serves as the ethical background music that permeates an organization. Through various channels and platforms, companies can disseminate relevant, timely, and notable messages about fraud awareness. Reinforcing whistleblower hotlines, integrity posters, and clear messaging about company standards is crucial. Tailoring communication to diverse audiences ensures maximum impact, and live interactions can reinforce the messages importance. As part of employees annual review process consider asking each employee to attest that they have not witnessed or participated in any activities that are not consistent the organizations ethical standards.

Training: Empowering Employees as the First Line of Defense

Education empowers employees to identify potential risks and report them appropriately. While approximately 50% of organizations provide fraud training, employees are a companys best asset in combating fraud. According to the 2022 A Report to the Nations (issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) 42% of frauds are detected by tips and over 50% are reported by employees. More frauds are detected by accident, 5%, than external audit, 4%. Tailored training programs that align with roles and responsibilities are essential. New hires, especially, should receive comprehensive fraud/ethics training to instill a culture of ethical behavior from the outset.

Tone at the Top: Setting the Ethical Standard

Quality and Character of Sound at the Top encapsulates the essence of tone at the top. Leadership must lead by example and demonstrate unwavering commitment to ethical behavior. This commitment should be evident in actions that reinforce the organizations policies and procedures. Regular attestation from senior leadership, fair discipline procedures, and the reinforcement of open-door policies all contribute to a strong ethical tone.

Effective Investigative Protocols: Navigating the Aftermath

Though the goal is to prevent fraud, effective investigation protocols are essential for addressing incidents that slip through the cracks. Employees vigilance, reported through collaborative channels, can trigger the need for an investigation. Maintaining confidentiality, involving independent teams, and complying with legal regulations are vital. Investigative plans, timelines, and cross-referencing tools help streamline the process, with outcomes supporting policy enhancements and possible insurance recovery.

In the modern business landscape, a comprehensive fraud awareness program is a necessity rather than a luxury. The financial implications of fraud are substantial, but the collateral damagereputational harm, employee mistrust, and lost moralecan be equally devastating. By implementing the five essential elements discussedcollaboration, communication, training, tone at the top, and effective investigative protocolsorganizations can build a robust shield against fraud. Such proactive measures not only protect financial assets but also foster an ethical culture that bolsters trust and integrity within the company.

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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The United States is alarmed by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijans continued military actions and calls for these actions to cease immediately, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the UN Security Council meeting.

The United States is alarmed by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijans continued military actions, and we call for these actions to cease immediately.

We note the announcements that military operations have been suspended. And if this is confirmed, this would be a positive development. But right now, the situation on the ground remains dire. And we are extremely troubled by reports of violence against civilians.

Let me be clear: Azerbaijan has a responsibility to ensure its forces rigorously comply with international law  including international humanitarian law rules governing the conduct of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and the humane treatment of combatants. Azerbaijan also has international obligations and commitments to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals in its territory.

Colleagues, the United States calls on the sides to ensure humanitarian organizations can provide food, medicine, and other essentials without any roadblocks, and to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers.

Earlier this week, we welcomed the delivery of humanitarian goods along the Lachin corridor and the Aghdam roadway into Nagorno-Karabakh. This was a critical step forward. But it is disappointing that military actions commenced a day after the positive confidence-building action.

Azerbaijan has publicly stated it is committed to alleviating the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and to providing access to food, shelter, medical care, as well as the restoration of electricity, gas, and water supplies.

The residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are looking to us in their time of need. And for our part, the United States has provided more than 24 million dollars in humanitarian and development assistance since 2020 in response to the crisis. Our aid addresses food insecurity, water and sanitation requirements, medical care, winterization, child protection, mental health, psychosocial support, and emergency response efforts.

But lets be clear: The only solution to the crisis is an end to the violence and a lasting peace. And as the sides work to deescalate the situation, we reiterate the importance of [an] international mission to provide reassurance and confidence to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh that their rights and security will be protected consistent with Azerbaijans public statements.

The United States continues to engage with Azerbaijani as well as Armenian leadership at the highest levels in pursuit of a permanent solution to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And let us all work together to advance peace and justice for all.
Introduction

The emergence of Web3 technologies has ushered in a transformative wave across various industries, with luxury brands taking the lead in adopting these innovations. According to a recent study conducted by CoinGecko, 37% of apparel and luxury goods brands have already initiated strategies in the Web3 realm. As decentralized platforms, blockchain technology, and non-fungible tokens gain prominence, a pertinent question arises: Are we on the brink of witnessing a profound shift in established branding norms? This article explores the extent to which different industries, particularly the traditional travel and hospitality sectors, embrace Web3 technologies and how these innovations can be harnessed to their advantage.

Special thanks go to the contributors to this article: Adam Mogelonsky, Dave Dickson, Francesco Brasca, Julius Yls, Marco Antonio Lueg, Michael Cohen, Roberto Garavaglia, and Salman Halawi.

The Imperative for Technological Integration

Refusing to paint the entire hospitality industry with a broad brush is crucial, labeling it as slow to adapt to technological advancements. Many brands within the sector are actively exploring ways to harness the potential of next-generation internet technologies, whether publicly or privately. To avoid being relegated to late adopters, hotel companies must embed technology as an integral component of their organizational culture. Involving them in strategic planning meetings, entrusting them to execute bold changes, allocating resources for research and development, and making innovation an inseparable part of operational processes are essential steps. Once the human element is addressed, the benefits of Web3 technologies will naturally follow.

The advantages of Web3 technologies can be categorized into three primary areas:

Attracting new customers

Deepening engagement with existing customers

Establishing direct customer relationships without intermediaries

Notable use cases include the implementation of Web3-based rewards and loyalty programs, social impact marketing initiatives, and sustainability endeavors. These innovative approaches enable companies to foster lasting direct relationships with travelers, thereby contributing to the long-term value of their business.

Embracing Web3 for Industry Transformation

Web3 is undeniably reshaping the dynamic between brands and their clientele. Brands are transitioning from mere narrators of stories to active participants in those stories alongside their customers. Although traditionally considered a conservative industry, travel and hospitality are poised for significant transformation in the digital age. The term "traditional" inherently implies room for improvement, and while concerns have been raised about the potential reduction of personalization in tech-enabled environments, the focus should pivot towards backstage operations. Blockchain technology can potentially empower data management systems, facility touring can evolve into immersive Digital Twins experiences, and NFTs can facilitate seamless room bookings. However, the delay in adopting Web3 technologies in the travel industry carries repercussions. Failure to experiment with Web3 could result in the sector ceding market share to digital-first competitors, especially among tech-savvy younger customers. To remain relevant and competitive, hospitality brands must proactively explore integrating emerging technologies like AR and VR into their offerings. Traditional industry players need to bridge the gap and emerge as leaders in developing innovative services that will define the future of travel and leisure.

The Problem with Centralization

In its current state, the travel industry exhibits a high degree of centralization, with a handful of major players exerting significant control over room distribution, hotel reviews, and metasearch traffic. Web3 technologies can bring about several transformative changes in this context. Here are just a few:

Decentralized Marketplaces: These marketplaces facilitate diverse trading, generate secondary income streams, and enhance the travel experience.

Fighting Brand and Rate Leakage: Web3 applications can act as safeguards against unfair manipulation of availability, rates, and inventory, thereby protecting against brand and rate leakage.

Reviews 3.0: Tokenizing reviews can combat fake reviews and significantly enhance transparency within the industry.

Decentralized Loyalty Programs: These programs simplify the often complex loyalty systems in travel and hospitality, enabling travelers to seamlessly redeem rewards across multiple providers.

The hospitality and travel industry finds itself at a unique juncture, with the potential to harness Web3 technologies to enhance customer experiences and redefine established norms. Blockchain technology can ensure secure and transparent booking systems, NFTs can offer unique digital assets linked to travel experiences, and decentralized platforms can facilitate peer-to-peer interactions, reducing reliance on intermediaries and lowering operational costs. Furthermore, integrating NFTs with Internet of Things technology takes review verification to the next level. IoT devices, such as smart locks and sensors, can confirm a guest's stay or participation in an activity, with data recorded on a blockchain for an immutable record. An NFT can represent this verified experience, adding credibility to reviews and providing service providers with valuable, verified feedback. DAOs can empower local communities in the travel and hospitality industry. Decentralized governance facilitates community-driven initiatives, promotes economic empowerment for local artisans and small business owners, preserves cultural heritage, and encourages sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, the decentralized nature of DAOs allows for agile decision-making to address changing circumstances.

Conclusion

In the boundless realm of possibility, the fusion of Web3 technologies with the travel and hospitality industry doesn't just signify evolution; it marks the dawn of a thrilling new era where every journey is a story, every review is trustworthy, and every traveler becomes a part of the narrative. Welcome to the future of travel, where innovation knows no bounds, and the world is your canvas.

Simone Puorto

Travel Singularity
Travel Outlook Partners with MosaicVoice to Bring the Power of Artificial Intelligence to the Hospitality Industrys Leading Call Center

With MosaicVoice AI-powered real-time guidance, Travel Outlook agents can bring unparalleled levels of service and a newfound attention to detail to every call.

Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center, is pleased to announce a partnership with MosaicVoice, a groundbreaking AI call center solution that offers real-time guidance to agents.

MosaicVoice and Travel Outlook partnered to develop a revolutionary tool for Travel Outlooks call center agents to help them handle hundreds of global clients while providing on-site level customer service. MosaicVoice gives Travel Outlook agents an edge over the competition by increasing call quality and significantly reducing the amount of time required for training.

MosaicVoice provides on-screen guidance for agents in real-time, making it easy for Travel Outlook agents to transition from call to call across hundreds of different properties. With MosaicVoice AI-powered tech, agents receive real-time answers to caller questions on their screen mid-conversation.

Brett Puffenberger VP of Operations Travel Outlook In addition to being a powerful tool for our agents, MosaicVoice has enabled us to significantly increase our visibility and oversight of our reservation agents beyond our initial projections. In particular, the real-time transcription and dynamic customer intent AI engine has given us the tools needed to ensure the agents can be the best representatives for our clients, Brett Puffenberger, Vice-President Operations at Travel Outlook.

Travel Outlook is adding MosaicVoice to its existing arsenal of technology, including the innovative guest-led conversational AI tool Annette, the Virtual Hotel Agent. Annette offers best-in-class caller engagement, unrivaled flexibility for callers, and provides an engaging, on-brand experience. Annettes technology allows customers to lead the conversation, creating natural, human-like interactions and affordably answering 60 to 70% of the calls for the front desk team.

Julian McCarty Co-Founder & CEO MosaicVoice Were excited to team up with Travel Outlook to create the ultimate conversation tool. MosaicVoice allows Travel Outlooks agents to bring an unparalleled level of attention and customer service to each call, improve call quality, and decrease the necessary training time for agents seven times over, Julian McCarty, Co-Founder & CEO at MosaicVoice.

Travel Outlook works with the leading brands in the hospitality industry. Our award-winning Reservations Specialists now have the best available technology to boost reservations and increase revenue for our clients.

For additional information on Travel Outlook, The Premier Hotel Call Center

John Smallwood, President

jsmallwood@traveloutlook.com Mobile 505-470-3241

About Travel Outlook The Premier Hotel Call Center

Given its progressive approach to the voice channel  in terms of performance, training, transparency, testing and the tools used to measure performance  Travel Outlook The Premier Hotel Call Center is the leading voice reservations team in hospitality. Travel Outlook's valued client list includes Viceroy Hotel Group, Curator Hotels and Resorts, Outrigger, KSL Resorts, Proper Hospitality Group, Atlantis, The Irvine Company, Catalina Island, and many others. Travel Outlook's team and approach increases sales conversion and helps to create more effective voice communication between hotels and their guests, resulting in improved social scores in addition to increased voice channel revenue. For more information, visit https://traveloutlook.com/.

About Annette, The Virtual Hotel Agent

Annette is a guest-led conversational AI assistant designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Annette has been programmed using a breakthrough approach to conversational AI, using natural language understanding software built from human conversations. Using social media, chat forums, and movie dialogue, Annette learns from billions of casual human conversations to understand human inflections and multi-turn queries. This revolutionary approach means Annette understands callers no matter what they say, when they say it, or how they speak. Annette can answer FAQs specific to your property, understand multiple languages, route calls, send follow up texts, and more. For more information, visit https://traveloutlook.com/annette/.

About MosaicVoice

MosaicVoice leverages recent innovations in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to revolutionize call center performance and potential. Through a combination of real-time guidance, post-call analytics, and QA automation, MosaicVoice ensures that every customer call is compliant, efficient and on-brand. Agents empowered with MosaicVoice are able to offer customers a truly personalized experience while navigating common objections seamlessly. For more information, please visit: https://www.mosaicvoice.ai/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Raul Vega, President

LEVEL 5 Hospitality, LLC

vega@level5hospitality.com

Mobile: 954-817-6371
Skyware Hospitality Releases Free Guide to Help Independent Hoteliers Navigate the World of Credit Card Payments

Skyware Hospitality Solutions, a leading all-in-one hospitality platform trusted by independent hotels, resorts, RV parks, and multi-property groups, has released a comprehensive guide to help independent hoteliers navigate the world of credit card payments. The guide, available for free download on the company's website, offers valuable insights and actionable tips for hotel owners and managers in understanding the complexities of credit card payments and maximizing revenue.

Download the free guide: skywarehospitality.com.

In today's digital age, credit card payments have become the preferred method for travelers and hotel guests to make payments. However, for independent hoteliers, dealing with credit card payments can be challenging due to various factors such as security, compliance, and understanding the intricacies of payment processing systems. To address these challenges, Skyware Hospitality has compiled a detailed guide that demystifies the world of credit card payments and provides practical solutions for independent hoteliers.

The guide covers a wide range of topics related to credit card payments, including payment processing technologies, payment security, PCI compliance, and chargebacks. It also offers insights into the benefits of accepting credit card payments, such as increased convenience for guests, improved cash flow, and enhanced customer satisfaction. The guide is designed to be accessible and informative for both experienced hoteliers and those new to the industry.

"We understand that navigating the world of credit card payments can be overwhelming for independent hoteliers," said Bob Palloni, CEO of Skyware Hospitality. "With this guide, we aim to provide a comprehensive resource that helps hotel owners and managers make informed decisions about accepting credit card payments and optimize revenue for their properties."

In addition to the guide, Skyware Hospitality offers a range of innovative solutions and services tailored specifically for the hospitality industry. Their cloud-based hotel management software provides seamless integration with leading payment gateways and offers robust features for streamlined operations, guest management, and revenue optimization.

The free guide "Navigating the World of Credit Card Payments: A Comprehensive Guide for Independent Hoteliers" is now available for download on the Skyware Hospitality website. Hoteliers interested in optimizing their credit card payment processes and maximizing revenue are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable resource.

About Skyware Hospitality Solutions

Skyware Hospitality Solutions is the industrys most innovative all-in-one hospitality technology platform trusted by leading independent hotels, resorts, RV parks, and multi-property groups. The company has reimagined the fragmented, complex legacy landscape into a visionary universe of modern, integrated solutions with limitless possibilities. With more than 30 years of hospitality technology experience, Skywares solutions are carefully curated to fit the unique needs of each property and built to respond flexibly to the demanding requirements of a fast-changing industry.

Built from the ground up to centralize and simplify operations, the end-to-end cloud-based PMS suite includes Online Booking Engine, POS, Sales, and Catering, and Activity/Spa Scheduling. The easy-to-use system is up and running quickly and seamlessly, delivering a scalable, cost-effective solution that can work with or replace existing hotel systems and technology investments.

With deep industry knowledge and top-rated North American-based support, Skywares patented technology accelerates its customers' ambitions, whether to grow and transform or simply become more efficient, productive, and profitable.

Currently, over 200 unique hotel customers in over five countries look to Skyware for tools, technology, and world-class expert support. Founded in 2009, the privately held company is headquartered in Crestview, Florida. For more information, please visit skywaresystems.com.
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About This Property Into the woods and across a bridge you arrive at The ''Bridge House'', an architect designed California modern treehouse style home nestled on 4.4 acres of mature trees with established perennial plantings, featuring over one thousand tiger lilies edging a beautiful stream. Four bedrooms , three baths , and an office with separate entrance across two levels. Large picture windows throughout give you a birds-eye view of the property from all sides. Open plan concept, formal dining room, with French doors , living room with fireplace and library with wood stove. Three decks and a spacious porch. Detached two car garage with stand up loft complete this idilic home.



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WCMA Celebrates Beatriz Cortez: The Portals Exhibition

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Williams College Museum of Art will host a celebration of Beatriz Cortez: The Portals starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21.

The Portals is an exhibition in multiple locations in and around WCMA that explores alternative genealogies of Williams College.

Three outdoor components located on Main Street attend to omissions and erasures in the built environment of the campus: Historic House, 2022-23, which invites visitors to imagine the space where these forgotten workers tended to the households of colonial settlers; XX, 2022-23, a mound of steel rocks, shaped and welded by hand that pays tribute to the 18th and 19th century Black residents of Williamstown, in particular, who remain unidentified and unknown to us to this day; and Mohican Homelands, 2023, which uses locally sourced stone to spell out "Kpomthe'na Ma'eekanik," which translates as "We are walking on the Mohican homeland." Inside the WCMA Rotunda, an immersive sound installation interrogates the stories that we selectively tell, those we remember, and those we choose to forget. In the adjacent Stoddard Gallery, the artist's steel structures offer an embrace to two objects that came into WCMA's collection against their will.

Stitching together different voices that inhabited the landscape, The Portals invites viewers to coexist with various people who have believed in equality, justice, curiosity, diversity, and freedom in the area where Williamstown was created, and also to imagine the cyclical dimension of these struggles that seem to repeat themselves in a nation plagued by inequality. The exhibition runs through May 12, 2024.

The celebration begins with a reception at 5 p.m. At 5:30, the artist will co-lead a tour of the exhibition with Lisa Dorin, Deputy Director of Curatorial Engagement at WCMA, followed by a conversation back at WCMA highlighting the nuances of the work. This tour includes moving short distances with some hills and crossing streets (less than .4 mile). Contact Roz Crews (rc15@williams.edu) to arrange accessible options for participation.

Beatriz Cortez (b. 1970, San Salvador, El Salvador; lives and works in Los Angeles) received an MFA in Art from the California Institute of the Arts and a Ph.D. in Literature and Cultural Studies from Arizona State University. She has had solo exhibitions at Storm King Art Center, New York (2023); the Craft Contemporary Museum, Los Angeles (2019); Clockshop, Los Angeles (2018); Vincent Price Art Museum, Los Angeles (2016); Monte Vista Projects, Los Angeles (2016); Centro Cultural de Espana de El Salvador (2014); and Museo Municipal Tecleno (MUTE), El Salvador (2012), among others.

WCMA is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Pittsfield Spent 30% of ARPA Funds By Second Quarter

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The city expended $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act monies in the second quarter of 2023 with over half spent on addressing negative economic impacts of COVID-19.



Pittsfield received the funds nearly two years ago and has expended more than $12 million of the nearly $41 million award.



"Through the end of June, we have reported a total of $12,400,000 in funds of use, which represents about 30 percent of our overall award today. Again, remember we can spend this money through the end of calendar year 2026," ARPA co-manager Deanna Ruffer reported to the City Council last week.



"We have a total of 69 approved projects at this time, 52 of which have withdrawn some portion of their funding award by the end of June, almost 75 percent of them, and we expect the other 25 percent to come on here in the next couple of quarters."



Of the $1.4 million, or 55 percent, spent addressing negative economic impacts during the second quarter, more than $600,000 went toward sidewalk improvements in the Morningside, Westside, and downtown neighborhoods.



More than $634,000 was spent on public health with $466,000 funding HVAC improvements at Pittsfield High School and more than $447,000 was spent on infrastructure.



"[Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales] has been making good use of the ARPA funds and for this quarter, most of the expenditures were related to the Ashley Treatment Facility and the Cleveland Water Treatment Plant," Ruffer said.



The project managers noticed that there was a drop in spending from the first quarter of the year, which totaled $4.4 million, and Ruffer attributed some of this to the $500,000 disbursed to the At Home in Pittsfield program and the Affordable Housing Trust fund. In the coming quarters, the city expects to see between $2 million and $4 million spent.



There have been 37 grant agreements executed with community partners totaling $8.8 million.



"As of June 30 33 percent of those funds have already been expended,"ARPA Co-Manager Gina Armstrong reported.



"So it just shows you how our organizations have really pivoted, built capacity, coordinated to implement the grant-funded activities as projected and that is a total of $2.9 million of funds that were dispersed."



Five different organizations have completed capital projects: the Pittsfield YMCA's expanded child care services, the Barrington Stage Company's upgraded HVAC improvements, the South Community Food Pantry's capacity building and restructuring operations with refrigerator and freezer units, Goodwill's roof repairs on its Tyler Street facility, and roof improvements to the Berkshire Dream Center.


YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The United Kingdom has been alarmed about the formidable pressures that have been faced by the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, UKs Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations said at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh.

We welcome  in particular  the participation by Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov in todays important discussion. Its good to see you both again, today. We wish it was under slightly difference circumstances, Im sure. But like others around this table, the United Kingdom has been alarmed about the formidable pressures that have been faced by the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The humanitarian need on the ground is immense, it is growing, it is great, the UK Representative said.

Earlier this week, like as weve heard already from the Minister of State for the UAE, we were all encouraged indeed when we saw that news, albeit small, that there was a small scale movement of humanitarian goods that had taken place, via both the Lachin and Aghdam roads into Nagorno-Karabakh.

This opportunity for progress, however, was sadly cut short by Azerbaijans announcement of the start of a military operation. Together with many of our partners, the United Kingdom has urged Azerbaijan to end its use of force, refrain from further escalatory action, and importantly return to dialogue.

While we fully recognise issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, military might cannot be used to resolve tensions between communities  direct dialogue is the only way to find genuine, sustainable peace, genuine, sustainable solutions.

It is now vital that talks resume with representatives of the Karabakhi Armenians, on the basis of a credible plan to ensure the rights and security of everyone in the region, and to allow them to live in peace.

And at this time in particular, the United Nations and international organisations, such as the ICRC, can also provide crucial assistance in addressing immediate and long-term humanitarian needs.

The further use of violence, Mr President, will only serve to undermine tentative progress towards a sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which should be based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, which is unquestionably in the interests of the entire South Caucasus.

The United Kingdom on our part welcomes yesterdays announcement of a ceasefire. We therefore strongly urge all parties to respect that ceasefire, to end the violence, and to engage in urgent, open dialogue on a safe and secure future for the people of the region. And I assure you of our good offices, Mr President, that we stand ready as the United Kingdom to support that crucial process in any way we can, the UK Representative added.
By Helen Coster, Aditya Soni and Dawn Chmielewski

(Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch has stepped down as the chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, ending a more than seven-decade career during which he created a media empire spanning from Australia to the United States.

His son, Lachlan Murdoch, will become the sole chairman of News Corp and continue as the chair and CEO of Fox, the companies said on Thursday. The transition solidifies Lachlan's role as the leader of the media empire, putting to rest questions of succession within the Murdoch family.

Lachlan takes over the Murdoch empire as the media industry is battered by challenges ranging from the decline in traditional television viewership, to news organizations battling tech companies over alleged copyright theft in the age of artificial intelligence.

In a memo to staff Thursday, Murdoch wrote: "Our companies are in robust health, as am I."

Earlier this year Murdoch, 92, scrapped a plan that would have reunited his media empire by merging Fox and News Corp, after several top shareholders rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would fail to realize the full value of the company.

Murdoch, who has near-controlling stakes in both companies, will be appointed chairman emeritus of both companies.

The executive transition coincides with the annual meeting of shareholders for Fox and News Corp in mid-November.

Fox News continues to be the number one U.S. cable news network, playing an influential role in U.S. politics, particularly among Republicans who prize Fox's conservative-leaning audience.

Earlier this year, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, averting a trial in which Murdoch, Lachlan and Fox executives and hosts were expected to testify.

The trial would have put Fox in the crosshairs over its amplification of false vote-rigging claims in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Legal experts said the settlement was the largest ever struck by an American media company.

Story continues

Fox still faces a lawsuit from voting technology firm Smartmatic, which in 2021 sued Fox for $2.7 billion over similar claims, as well as shareholder lawsuits accusing Fox Corp officers and directors of breaching their duties by allowing the company to become mired in defamation claims.

"Many of his enterprises still produce a lot of important news which helps keep the world informed in ways that might not have occurred were it not for his leadership," said Brian Wieser, media analyst at advisory firm Madison & Wall.

"But its impossible to ignore the other side of that, where Fox News amplified toxicity in the US political environment, and other properties similarly impacted other territories."

Shares of Fox ended the day 3.2% higher after the news of Murdoch stepping down. News Corp shares gained 1.3%.

SUCCESSION

Murdoch, who has six children, has long desired his children to eventually take the reins of the empire. His son James had been CEO of Twenty-First Century Fox before the company's decision to sell its film and television assets to Walt Disney Co for $71.3 billion, a deal that closed in 2019.

James then channeled proceeds from the deal into a private investment firm, Lupa Systems. Lachlan was appointed CEO of the new Fox Corp.

Upon Murdoch's death, his other children could challenge Lachlan's power. Murdoch controls News Corp and Fox Corp through a Reno, Nevada-based family trust that holds a roughly a 40% stake in voting shares of each company. He also holds a small number of shares of the companies outside the trust.

Each of Murdoch's four children from his first two marriages - Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence -- has a stake in the trust. His youngest daughters Chloe and Grace, from his third wife Wendi Deng, do not have voting rights in the trust.

The transfer of News Corp and Fox Corp voting shares from Murdoch to his four adult children could create a scenario in which three of the children could out-vote a fourth, potentially setting up a battle over the future of the companies, even as Lachlan Murdoch now oversees Fox Corp. and News Corp.

Fox and News Corp have a dual-share system, with non-voting Class A shares and voting Class B shares. The shares in Fox and News Corp owned by Murdochs children through the trust are a combination of both classes of shares.

Concerns about Murdoch's health have dogged him in recent years. In 2018, he suffered a serious back injury after he fell on his son Lachlan's yacht, according to several employees.

Over the past year, Murdoch has started appearing back at Fox and News Corp's offices in London and New York, employees say.

"Its the end of the founder-mogul era," said former News Corp executive Jonathan Miller, who worked alongside the elder Murdoch.

A generation of media titans, including Sumner Redstone, Ted Turner and John Malone, shaped the modern industry, Miller said. Now, the mantle has been passed from founders to executives who have risen through the ranks.

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York, Aditya Soni in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; additional reporting by Leela de Kretzer in New York; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nick Zieminski)
National treasure Stephen Fry was reportedly rushed to hospital after falling two metres from the stage at the O2 in London, where he was delivering a speech on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Golden Globe-nominated actor, author and narrator, 66, was speaking on the final day of the CogX Festival technology conference  where tickets are priced as high as 495  on 14 September, when he took a tumble as he was exiting the stage.

Eye witnesses claimed the Blackadder star fell two metres from the stage to the ground below and sustained injuries to his ribs and leg. He was then rushed to hospital for treatment.

It looked like it was too dark and there didnt look like there was a handrail, a source told the Daily Mail. He looked to have been hurt as he had to leave in a wheelchair.

It is unclear whether Fry  who rose to fame during the late Eighties as one half of the comedy double act Jeeves and Wooster, formed with his best friend and fellow actor Hugh Laurie  remains in hospital.

A formerly prolific tweeter who has since moved to Instagrams Threads, Fry has not posted anything from his account since the incident took place.

The Independent has contacted Frys representatives for comment.

A spokesperson for CogX told the Mail: We were deeply concerned to hear of Stephens 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 Greenwich 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.

Stephen Fry (PA)

During his speech, Fry had cautioned against the dangers of AI, playing the audience a clip of what appeared to be 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.

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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.

Tech is not a noun, it is a verb, it is always moving, he concluded. 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.

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in their hit Nineties comedy series, Jeeves and Wooster (REX FEATURES)

As well as his many roles in films and TV series over the years, including his Golden Globe-nominated performance in the 1997 Oscar Wilde biopic, Wilde, Fry served as the host on the BBCs popular quiz show, QI, from 2003 until 2015, when he was replaced by Sandi Toksvig.

Alan Davies, Bill Bailey, Stephen Fry, John Hodgman, Sean Lock and Sandi Toksvig on the set of QI in 2009 (Brian J Ritchie/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock)

He has starred in blockbuster franchises including Peter Jacksons The Hobbit trilogy, Guy Ritchies Sherlock Holmes films opposite Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, and Tim Burtons adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

His warm, plummy voice has also lended itself to a number of audiobooks, including all seven books in JK Rowlings Harry Potter series, and the Paddington Bear novels.
Jay Ricky Villarante, Chairman and CEO of several local blockchain companies, has been honored as a recipient of the prestigious Block Awards 2023, the award-giving body of the 2023 Philippine Blockchain Week, dubbed as the largest blockchain event in the Philippines supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). This esteemed award celebrates the outstanding contributions and pioneering efforts of individuals shaping the blockchain landscape.

Villarante, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and influential figure in the blockchain industry, has demonstrated remarkable vision and dedication to the advancement of blockchain technology in the Philippines. He is the Chairman and President of 8ventures Pte. Ltd and 8Ventures Philippines Corporation, Chairman and President of Paylance Pte. Ltd., Chairman and CEO of BSP-Licensed VASP company, Moneybees Forex Corporation, Chairman and Director of OrbitPH, Inc. and Chairman and President of Secuna Softwares Technologies, Inc.

With a strong belief in the potential of blockchain to bring about positive changes, Villarante authored the book "Blockchain: A Catalyst for Good Governance in the Philippines." In this book, he shares insights into how blockchain technology can address pressing issues and contribute to good governance within the Philippines.

Villarante expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am deeply honored to receive this award and be recognized among the exceptional innovators and visionaries in the blockchain industry. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams at 8ventures, Paylance, Moneybees, OrbitPH, and Secuna. This award motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology, fostering growth, and making a positive impact in the industry and society at large."

8Ventures Pte. Ltd. CEO Jay Ricky Villarante receiving award at the Block Awards 2023

Aside from his contributions through literature, Villarante is an active serial investor, supporting and empowering numerous startups in the FinTech and blockchain sectors. This underscores his dedication to supporting and fostering innovation within the blockchain and FinTech space. He also educates the public about blockchain and innovation as a resource person in various industry and community events.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Villarante and his ventures showcased their commitment to corporate social responsibility. Moneybees, under Jay's leadership, facilitated easy and secure transactions, allowing Filipinos to convert cryptocurrency earned from "Play-to-Earn" video games into pesos, providing crucial support during challenging times.

Through 8Ventures, he demonstrated unwavering support for essential initiatives, donating to medical institutions and providing advanced technology to educational institutions to aid in the fight against the pandemic.

In response to the devastation caused by typhoon Odette, Villarante's efforts extended globally through partnerships with Yield Guild Games (YGG), demonstrating his commitment to local and global social responsibility.

Furthermore, Jay Villarante's involvement with Secuna underscores his dedication to cybersecurity. He invested in cybersecurity initiatives and actively contributed to developing pandemic management solutions to safeguard critical organizations and aid communities affected by the pandemic.

Block Awards 2023 is a celebration of visionaries and innovators in the blockchain industry, recognizing their exceptional contributions and influence. This year's event promises an inspiring experience with guest speaker Mark Joyner, a pioneer in digital marketing, providing insights into the future of blockchain and its transformative impact.
Global cloud communications platform Infobip has commissioned the latest market research prepared by leading IT market research and advisory firm IDC. The IDC InfoBrief titled Revolutionizing Customer Experience through the Power of Conversational Commerce highlights the rising role of AI-powered conversational commerce and omnichannel communication platforms in the Asia Pacific region. The InfoBrief not only highlights the importance of customer-centric strategies but also provides a guide for brands to successfully adopt and leverage conversational commerce, ultimately maximizing value for both businesses and customers.

New research reveals Asia Pacific companies increasing investments in cloud-based solutions for enhanced customer experiences and operational efficiencies.

Filipinos are one of the most active social media users globally, spending almost four hours on social media per day. Their inclination to actively like, comment, and engage on social media sets them apart from other nationalities, providing brands with a powerful tool to connect with their customers.

Digital native customers, like the Filipinos, are setting higher expectations and exercising greater control over how they engage with brands, becoming equal stakeholders in the Customer Experience (CX) ecosystem. This has resulted in brands moving from traditional transaction-level experiences to relationship-based ones. Cloud-based solutions enable brands to provide the end-to-end customer journeys that customers desire in this digital age.

With the shift in customer communication preferences, there is a noticeable increase in conversational interactions. Recent statistics demonstrate that brands adopting an omnichannel approach and delivering an end-to-end experience have higher chances of enhancing loyalty and customer lifetime value. Capitalizing on the advancements in artificial intelligence, conversational commerce has gained significant traction among businesses in the Asia Pacific region, utilizing Communication Platforms as a Service (CPaaS) as its core foundation.

Rising Demand for Conversational Commerce

Conversational commerce relies on Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) as a crucial tool, empowering organizations to seamlessly integrate real-time communication features (such as voice, text, video, instant messaging, and social media) into their internal and external applications using developer-friendly API as building blocks. Software as a Solution (SaaS) tools such as smart chatbots powered by the cloud are also on the rise, as organizations recognize their inherent benefits to deliver personalized interactions and improved customer experiences.

Taking full advantage of Filipinos social media habits and willingness to engage with brands, conversational commerce solutions are increasingly being used by businesses in the Philippines rapidly growing digital economy. In fact, 64% of organizations in the Philippines are already using CPaaS solutions to enhance customer experience, to aid in local and overseas business expansion and to improve and mobilize business processes*, finds the IDC InfoBrief.

The power of CPaaS and SaaS-based solutions enable businesses to provide a seamless, customer journey thats visible across multiple touchpoints. This reflects a general pattern among businesses in Asia Pacific adopting a more conversational theme with their customers to gain benefits such as increased ROI and customer engagement. Conversational commerce also empowers local businesses to branch out globally through automated messaging and cloud customer support.

As businesses embrace the potential of conversational commerce, they position themselves to forge ahead, leveraging AI technology to create meaningful connections and unlock new growth opportunities. Organizations need an actionable, customer-centric strategy and the ability to invest in the right set of tools to grow the business and keep customers happy. By aligning their strategies with conversational commerce, businesses can proactively meet customer expectations, enhance engagement, and establish long-lasting relationships. This transformative approach empowers organizations to stay ahead in a dynamic marketplace, said Velid Begovic, Vice President of Revenue at Infobip.

Drivers of CPaaS investment Across Asia Pacific

This upward momentum in customer-centric business strategy among brands across Asia Pacific reflects their current mindset and expectations. Despite a few countries averaging 50%-59% in CPaaS usage, the vast majority of organizations in the region (70%) plan to increase communication platform spending over 2023-24 in order to provide unique, unparalleled customer experiences to the regions growing social media users, who are mostly young, active, and aware of the power of their own influence. In the Philippines, 63% of organizations plan to increase their communications platform spending over 2023-24 as they aim to leverage conversational commerce to offer distinctive customer experiences.

Although all countries plan to invest in CPaaS and SaaS solutions in the near future, their motivations for doing so can greatly differ. Singapore and Indonesia businesses aim to bring about enhanced customer experiences and create new revenue streams, while those in China, Thailand and the Philippines are more motivated to improve and mobilize their business processes, as well as look towards domestic and international business expansion. This is likely due to the latter countries overall higher adoption rate of CPaaS solutions (above 60%) and booming retail/eCommerce segments.

CPaaS solutions are increasingly recognized as crucial catalysts for enabling conversational commerce experiences. In fact, 27% of businesses in Asia Pacific are actively partnering with CPaaS platform providers to deliver contextualized customer interactions that not only boost profitability but also foster emotionally fulfilling engagements. This trend highlights the increasing importance of leveraging these technologies to meet customer demands and achieve business success, said Nikhil Batra, Research Director, Telecommunication, IDC Asia/Pacific.

Organizations planning to embark on their conversational commerce journey will need a good, experienced partner as not all solutions are equal. Platforms with omnichannel capabilities are ideal as they are essential for building meaningful, high-quality customer engagement. Easy integration capabilities are also necessary because these ensure better customer experience as well as compliance with security and audit policies. Finally, CPaaS platform providers must be agile enough to respond to new use cases and tech that can help drive business growth. Infobip is ready to help elevate businesses through conversational commerce so that they are on par with the top businesses in Asia Pacific.

To learn more about the benefits of conversational commerce and how it has influenced industries across Asia Pacific region, please visit https://tinyurl.com/4u92vmpj.

*Source: IDC InfoBrief, commissioned by Infobip, Revolutionizing Customer Experience through the Power of Conversational Commerce, Doc #AP241426IB, July 2023.
Cybercriminals continue to target small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) as they keep on spreading malware disguised as business software. From anonymized data of its SMB clients in the Philippines in the first half of 2023, Kaspersky revealed a huge jump of about 325.58% in the number of attempts to attack SMBs compared to the same period last year.

The findings came about as the global cybersecurity company recently assessed the threat landscape in the SMB sector. The SMB Threat Statistics from the Kaspersky Network Security (KSN) telemetry gathered figures in this sector from six countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. KSN is a system for processing anonymized cyberthreat-related data shared voluntarily by Kaspersky users.

Kaspersky data disclosed about 1,847 unique hits against Kaspersky's SMB clients in the country were detected and blocked from January to June 2023, a far cry from only 434 within January to June 2022. A unique hit is the number of times that cybercriminals attempted to attack.

The six-month worth of unique hits detected and blocked by the cybersecurity company among its Philippine-based SMB clients in 2023 is already more than double the total unique hits (817) in the entire of 2022.

Data collected by Kaspersky experts also showed that among the most popular software products used by its clients who owned SMBs around the world include MS Office, MS Teams and Skype among others. These software names were then run against the KSN telemetry to find out how much malware and unwanted software were distributed under the guise of these business applications.

Between January to June 2023, Kaspersky data showed about 196 SMB employees among Kaspersky's clients in the Philippines were monitored to have encountered unique malware or unwanted software disguised as legit business apps. There were only 76 users monitored to have been tricked within the same period last year.

Unique hits among SMBs in the Philippines

Malware, an umbrella term for "malicious software", is designed by and for professional cybercriminals to cause harm to a user's device or network. It encompasses a variety of cyber threats such as Trojans and viruses (ransomware is a form of malware). Malware attacks are destructive to small businesses as they can cripple devices requiring expensive repairs or replacement. Malwares also give attackers a back door to access and steal data, putting both customers and employees at risk.

Southeast Asia SMB Threat Statistics from the Kaspersky Network Security (KSN) telemetry

"It's always easyand popular to think that your business is too small to be a target. Whatever business you're in, as long as you're using at least a computer or a mobile device that's connected to the internet, you're vulnerable to a cyber incident," said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.

"As an SMB, I know you deal with so much with very little resources. Now that hybrid work is the norm, security is your additional concern and it needs to be a top priority. Taking the unsafe approach of using home-level versions of security software is no longer an option. Effectively reducing the impact of a cyberattack is only possible if the workforce is properly trained for cyber resilience. Remember, when it comes to cybersecurity, the weakest link is always your people. Also, there is now such a thing as building an IT infrastructure with lower investments. Ask for help," Yeo added.

As cybercriminals target SMBs with all types of threats  from malware disguised as business software to elaborate phishing and email scams  businesses need to stay on high alert. This is critical because a single cyberattack can lead to catastrophic financial and reputational losses for a company. To keep your business protected from cyberthreats, we recommend the following measures:

Provide your staff with basic cybersecurity hygiene training. Conduct a simulated phishing attack to ensure that they know how to recognize phishing e-mails.

If you are a Microsoft 365 user, remember to protect that too. Kaspersky Security for Microsoft Office 365 includes dedicated apps that target spam and phishing, and protect SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive for secure business communications.

Set up a policy to control access to corporate assets, such as email boxes, shared folders and online documents. Keep it up to date and remove access if the employee has left the company or no longer needs the data. Use cloud access security broker software that can help manage and monitor employees cloud activity and enforce security policies.

Make regular backups of essential data to ensure that corporate information stays safe in an emergency.

Provide clear guidelines on the use of external services and resources. Employees should know which tools they should or should not and why. Any new work software should go through a clearly outlined approval process by IT and other responsible roles.

Encourage employees to create strong passwords for all digital services they use and to protect accounts with multi-factor authentication wherever applicable.

Use professional services to help you get the most out of your cybersecurity resources. The new Kaspersky Professional Services Packages for SMB provides access to Kasperskys expertise on assessment, deployment and configuration: all you need to do is add the package to the contract, and our experts will do the rest.

Use a security solution for endpoints, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business or Cloud-Based Endpoint Security, to minimize the chances of infection.

Have a comprehensive defensive concept that equips, informs and guides your team in their fight against the most sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks like Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform.

For local SMBs, Kaspersky in Southeast Asia also has launched a Buy 1 Free 1 promo which allows businesses to enjoy two years of enterprise-grade endpoint protection for the price of 1 with Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business or Cloud or Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Optimum, with 24x7 phone support. Interested customers can reach out to sea.sales@kaspersky.com.

To know more about Kasperskys latest SMB threat report, visit https://securelist.com/smb-threat-report-2023/110097/.
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Expend4bles  or The Expendables 4, for people who know what an a looks like  is an action sequel marketed as an apology. One of its earliest trailers opened with the declaration that we heard you loud and clear, and proceeded to highlight tweets from franchise fans enraged by the PG-13 rating slapped on Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and cos previous murder spree, 2014s The Expendables 3. And, sure, Expend4bles is violent. But its hard to imagine any of those disgruntled customers having their hunger for guts and gore satiated by what amounts to a bunch of copy-and-pasted, CGI blood splatters.

What theyve been offered, essentially, is Hollywoods equivalent to a disinterested babysitter leaving their pint-sized charge alone with an out-of-battery iPad, a single tub of Play-Doh, and a two-little bottle of Pepsi. Expend4bles has a vague understanding of what you like, but no resolve to make sure you have fun. You can figure that one out yourself.

Schwarzenegger is long gone from the franchise, presumably happy at home with his pet donkey and miniature horse. Bruce Willis is, of course, retired; but theres also no sign of previous Expendables Jet Li, Harrison Ford or Chuck Norris. Stallone is back on-screen, but gone are any of his creative responsibilities behind the scenes (he directed the first, and was credited on the screenplay for all three previous films). Instead, he seems to be marinating in some post-Creed phase of his career, content simply to look twinkly-eyed and wistful as he pats the next generation on their backs.

In short, Expend4bles is missing the crossover of veteran action stars that was supposedly the entire point of these things. And, since the next generation here is, by process of elimination, Jason Statham, Expend4bles has simply been rebooted as a Jason Statham film. His flat cap-loving knife expert Lee Christmas is forced to go mano a mano with a few mercenaries in search of a mysterious buyer of nuclear missiles. Toss in a megalodon or a Dwayne Johnson and we could be onto something  Stathams a reliable star, always in on the joke enough to save his own skin. But Expend4bles is a Statham film created with minimum enthusiasm.

This time around, his team includes not one but two women (gasp!)  Christmass wife, Gina (Megan Fox), a highly trained, CIA agent version of the woman who vapes in your face outside of a bar, and Lash (Levy Tran), whose characterisation is, from what I can gather, perpetually horny. Randy Couture and Dolph Lundgren return, while Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, for no concrete reason, joins as well. It appears Antonio Banderas may, at some point, have signed back on only to change his mind, which would explain why Bad Boys for Lifes Jacob Scipio was hired to play his characters son and deliver an impeccable impression of the man.

And, since fans complained that a martial arts superstar like Li was thoroughly wasted in a martial arts-less role, Expend4bles has thrown in both Ong-Baks Tony Jaa and The Raids Iko Uwais and packed the film with hand-to-hand combat. However, it is ruthlessly cut in a way that actively prevents us from seeing half of whats going on: fights, explosions, stunts, even any time Gina and Christmas kiss (does the film think its going to catch cooties?). Presumably, its to cover up the shoddy CGI work, which may as well have been compiled out of pieces of Clipart. Its a $100m film with almost no trace of that $100m actually visible on screen. Expend4ble indeed, then.

Dir: Scott Waugh. Starring: Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Curtis 50 CentJackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais. 15, 104 minutes.

Expend4bles is in cinemas from 22 September
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At least 21 people were left injured in a stampede inside a subway train in South Korea after a man forcefully pushed his way through and sparked fears of a mass stabbing among commuters.

The incident comes in the wake of a series of seemingly random attacks on strangers that have unsettled the nation throughout the summer.

It happened at about 8.22am local time on 6 September in Seoul, local media reported. The man was seen in security footage shoving his way through on a Seoul Metro Line No 2 subway car.

The crush happened at the Euljiro 4-ga station during the bustling morning rush hour. The incident has now exacerbated fear among subway riders.

Due to the mayhem, at least 21 commuters were injured and train operations came to a halt for about six minutes.

Surveillance footage secured by the Seoul Jungbu police station shows the suspect in a black hoodie and a mask aggressively navigating through passengers as he traverses the train aisle.

The mans actions triggered panic among passengers and led to a chaotic scene inside the train and a rush towards the station exit.

As a result of the mayhem, the train halted, causing a delay of approximately six minutes, local media reports said.

After investigating and examining security camera footage, the police arrested the suspect near his residence in Seoul on Tuesday.

The unidentified man now faces charges related to causing injuries through violent actions and interfering with business operations.

The suspect claimed innocence and told police during interrogation that he was simply trying to cross the crowded train and had no intentions of causing any harm.

The police also noted he had a medical history of a mental health issues, according to reports.

In 29 October last year, annual festivities in the popular nightlife area of Itaewon in Seoul turned deadly after thousands crowded into narrow alleyways to celebrate the first Halloween free of Covid-19 curbs.

Bereaved families of the stampede victims in Seoul last Halloween later rejected a report by South Koreas authorities that blamed a lack of preparedness and an inadequate response behind the deadly stampede that killed 159 people.
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Canada-India relations have sunk to their lowest point in years as the two countries are swapping accusations and expelling each other's 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 allies, but it's nonetheless an awkward situation for western countries seeking woo New Delhi as a counterweight to China and win his cooperation on the Ukraine war.

Five years ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau captured headlines in India for enthusiastically embracing the country's culture during a weeklong trip with his family. He donned a series of colorful, 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 Tuesday and accused Canadian diplomats of interfering in internal matters.

New Delhis anxieties about Sikh separatist groups in Canada have long been a strain on the relationship, but the two have maintained strong defense and trade ties, and share strategic interests over Chinas global ambitions.

Signs of a diplomatic rift emerged at the G20 Summit hosted by India earlier this month.

Trudeau skipped the official dinner hosted 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 Canada's government was soft on Sikh separatists, according to an Indian statement released at the time. Trudeau's 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.

On Monday, Trudeau revealed a likely reason for the chill, saying he confronted the Indian prime minister at the summit with Canada's suspicions about an assassination.

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 Surrey, British Columbia.

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% of the population, to do more in stopping them.

In June, India summoned Canada's 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.

While both dont want a rupture in relations, theyre going to have trouble finding offramps after events of the last few days, said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Centers 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 unsavory allegations could also hurt Modi's growing soft power in the west, Kugelman said, but values and morals dont necessarily drive foreign relations.

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.

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, Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canadas allegations were concerning, and that Canberra was monitoring developments and had raised the issue with India.

Derek Grossman, a senior defense 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 criticized Trudeau for not taking Indias separatism concerns seriously.

Some Indian commentators have also been skeptical 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.

Prabhjit Singh, a 21-year-old student in New Delhi, said he hoped the strained ties dont affect the dreams and careers of young Indians like him. Many people from India go to Canada for study and work  I also want to go there for a better future. I hope peace prevails between the two countries, he said.
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India says it is indefinitely suspending visa services in all categories for all Canadian nationals due to security threats to its consulates, amid a furious diplomatic row between the two countries.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said they have suspended all categories of visas, including e-visas and for Canadian citizens applying from third countries.

And India has also moved to downsize the Canadian diplomatic presence in New Delhi, saying that Canada has more embassy workers in its capital than visa versa and that it wants to restore parity.

It comes after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations of the Indian states involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, triggering a furious tit-for-tat row.

Relations between India and Canada have nosedived after Mr Trudeaus allegation over the June death of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and president of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

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 told the Canadian parliament on Monday.

Canada also ejected an Indian diplomat who it identified as heading the intelligence wing of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.

India has rejected the allegations as absurd and responded by ordering a similarly high-ranking Canadian diplomat in Delhi to leave the country within five days.

It has also issued a new travel advisory warning Indian citizens against travelling to certain parts of Canada.

Mr Bagchi said in a press briefing on Thursday that it is incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our consulates which is what is making us stop temporarily the issuance of visa services.

The confirmation by the foreign ministry came shortly after BLS International Services Limited, a company that manages the Indian governments visas, said services have been suspended citing operational reasons.

Mr Bagchi on Thursday said Indian officials are in talks with their counterparts in Canada for the reduction in the number of people working in the Canadian High Commission in India.

Weve informed the Canada government that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side, he said.

The Canadian High Commission demanded India ensure the security of its diplomats and consular officers in India following a heightened threat after Mr Trudeaus statement. It said Canada had decided to temporarily adjust its staff presence in the country after some diplomats received threats on social media.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats, the Canadian High Commission said in a statement.

Mr Bagchi said they take such matters seriously and the security will be increased but asked Ottawa to also protect Indian diplomats there.

Wednesdays advisory from Indias foreign ministry urged those visiting Canada or already residing there 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.

Canadas immigration minister Marc Miller rejected Indias concerns, saying: 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.

The growing rift centres around the murder of Nijjar, 45, who was fatally shot dead on 18 June in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surry, British Columbia.

He was president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a vocal advocate for the Khalistan movement, which calls for the creation of a separate nation for Sikhs out of Indias Punjab state.

India, which sees the Khalistan movement as a threat to its national security, had designted Nijjar a wanted terrorist and issued a bounty of Rs 1m (9,710) for information leading to his arrest. It accused him of leading a proscribed militant organisation and recruiting for criminal activities against India, charges his supporters strongly denied.

The issue of the Khalistan movement, which peaked in India in the 1980s with a violent insurgency in Punjab state, has long been a thorny issue in ties between India and Canada.

Canada has an estimated 1.4 to 1.8 million Indian-origin people, including the largest Sikh population in the world outside of Indias Punjab state.

Asked if Canadas allegations about Indian state involvement in the murder of a Sikh leader would damage Indias reputation on the world stage, Mr Bagchi claimed it was Canada that should be worried about reputational damage from the episode.

I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organised crime. And I think thats a country that needs to worry about its international reputation, he said.
Indonesia jails woman under blasphemy laws (Screengrab/@LinaMukherjee)

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.
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Tensions between Canada and India have reached new heights with dueling diplomatic expulsions and an allegation of Indian government involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

The row centers around the Sikh independence, or Khalistan, movement. India has repeatedly accused Canada of supporting the movement, which is banned in India but has support among the Sikh diaspora.

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Parliament described what he called credible allegations that India was connected to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The Indian government denied any hand in Nijjars killing while also saying Canada was trying to shift the focus from Khalistan activists there.

Here are some details about the issue:

What is the Khalistan movement?

The Sikh independence movement began as an armed insurgency in the late 1980s among Sikhs demanding a separate homeland. It was centered in northern Punjab state, where Sikhs are the majority, though they make up about 1.7% of Indias total population.

The insurgency lasted more than a decade and was suppressed by an Indian government crackdown in which thousands of people were killed, including prominent Sikh leaders.

Hundreds of Sikh youths also were killed in police operations, many of which were later proven in courts to have been staged, according to rights groups.

In 1984, Indian forces stormed the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine, in Amritsar to flush out separatists who had taken refuge there. The operation killed around 400 people, according to official figures, 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 Oct. 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered the raid on the temple, was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, who were Sikh.

Her death triggered a series of anti-Sikh riots, in which Hindu mobs went from house to house across northern India, particularly New Delhi, pulling Sikhs from their homes, hacking many to death and burning others alive.

Is the movement still active?

There is no active insurgency in Punjab today, but the Khalistan movement still has some supporters in the state, as well as in the sizable Sikh diaspora beyond India. The Indian government has warned repeatedly over the years that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has also intensified the pursuit of Sikh separatists and arrested dozens of leaders from various outfits that are linked to the movement.

When farmers camped out on the edges of New Delhi to protest controversial agriculture laws in 2020, Modis government initially tried to discredit Sikh participants by calling them Khalistanis. Under pressure, Modi government later withdrew the laws.

Earlier this year, Indian police arrested a separatist leader who had revived calls for Khalistan and stirred fears of violence in Punjab. Amritpal Singh, a 30-year-old preacher, had captured national attention through his fiery speeches. He said he drew inspiration from Bhindranwale.

How strong is the movement outside India?

India has been asking countries like Canada, Australia and the U.K. to take legal action against Sikh activists, and Modi has personally raised the issue with the nations' prime ministers. India has particularly raised these concerns with Canada, where Sikhs make up nearly 2% of the country's population.

Earlier this year, Sikh protesters pulled down the Indian flag at the countrys high commission in London and smashed the buildings window in a show of anger against the move to arrest Amritpal Singh. Protesters also smashed windows at the Indian consulate In San Francisco and skirmished with embassy workers.

Indias foreign ministry denounced the incidents and summoned the U.K.s deputy high commissioner in New Delhi to protest what it called the breach of security at the embassy in London.

The Indian government also accused Khalistan supporters in Canada of vandalizing Hindu temples with anti-India graffiti and of attacking the offices of the Indian High Commission 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.
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New York Times columnist David Brooks was mocked on social media after he complained about a $78 meal at the airport.

On 20 September, Brooks posted a photo of a burger, fries, and a half-empty drink on X - formerly known as Twitter. This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible, he wrote above the image.

However, a Community Note beneath the photo debunked Brooks claims. Based on the similar table, glass, chair, sheet and cut of fries, this is the Smokehouse Restaurant in Newark Airport Terminal A, it said. The burger and fries cost $17.

Eagle-eyed users were quick to spot an alcoholic drink in the background of the photo, speculating that a fair chunk of Brooks tab likely came from whatever was in that glass. One person replied to the post: Personally, I thought it was generous they gave you a burger and fries when you ordered 14 shots of scotch on the rocks.

Im guessing its the $30 double barreled whiskey to blame and not the $25 burger and fries entree plus tax and tip, Parker Ross, global chief economist at Arch Capital Group, added. Meanwhile, someone else wrote: How many drinks did you have with your $9.99 burger?

David Brooks not realising that people could find the restaurant and figure out he put back like five drinks by himself here to get to this number is very funny, another said.

One person poked fun at the situation with an image of his own meal, sarcastically writing: This meal just cost me $48,018. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible.

Other X users followed suit with increasingly ludicrous prices and photos of absurdly small meals, including one with an image of a singular fry and the caption: This meal cost me $78 at Newark airport. Thanks Joe Biden.

As of 21 September, Brooks post has been viewed 13m times, causing Newark Airport to trend on the platform. Writer Tom Nichols joked that X users should give credit where its due, writing: You have to admire David Brooks for making Newark Airport trend.

Not David Brooks being unrelatable over a sandwich AGAIN, one person added, referring to the last time Brooks received internet backlash.

Back in 2017, Brooks was roasted for a story about how he decided to take a friend to a Mexican restaurant because she had only a high school degree and alleged that the menu descriptions at a gourmet sandwich shop intimidated her.

Suddenly I saw her face freeze up as she was confronted with sandwiches named Padrino and Pomodoro and ingredients like soppressata, capicollo and a striata baguette, Brooks wrote at the time. I quickly asked her if she wanted to go somewhere else and she anxiously nodded yes and we ate Mexican.
As news of her appointment as the lead at British Vogue made headlines, Chioma Nnadi was in New York, hosting a podcast on Vogue.com, the site she currently edits, in her typically relatable style.

Its surreal, the 44-year-old Londoner says of her new job on The Run-Through podcast. One headline said The Devil Wears Sambas and I do, she says, referring to the iconic Adidas sneaker that is part of her fashion uniform. Today Im wearing a vintage Comme des Garcons top I bought on The Real Real. Ive always loved vintage. I still love going to Portobello [market] on a Friday when Im in London. I havent lived there in 20 years. It will be like discovering it anew.

Nnadi, who moves back to London to begin her job on 9 October and has admitted shell be staying with family until she finds a more permanent base, is picking up the reins from editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, 51, who exits in January 2024 after wrapping up his March edition. However, in a confusing twist, Nnadis new role is not editor-in-chief, rather it is the altogether more down-to-earth position of head of editorial content.
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Naomi Campbell has recalled struggling with her past addiction after the death of her good friend Gianni Versace in Apple TV+s docuseries, The Super Models.

In the show, Campbell peeled back the layers alongside fellow iconic supermodels Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford. The four-part series aims to chronicle the supermodel era that rose during the late eighties and ended around the early aughts.

During the fourth instalment, Campbell gave viewers an insight into her past struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, which she said stemmed from a place of grief after her friend, Versace designer and founder Gianni Versace, was assassinated in 1997. He was shot by spree killer Andrew Cunanan while walking outside of his Miami Beach mansion, Casa Casuarina.

Campbell recounted the day she got the phone call that her dear friend was murdered. She said that she had been in Rome, on her way to meet his sister, Donatella, when she received the shocking news.

Everything starts ringing in your ears. Its awful, the supermodel explained. I cant get to the hotel because there are thousands of people outside, so I have to climb up the laundry shaft to get into the hotel.

It wasnt until she saw Donatella beside herself with grief that she believed that he was truly dead and remembered being overwhelmed with shock.

Between 1998 and 2005, Campbell said that she kept the sadness inside and dealt with it by relying on alcohol and drugs, particularly cocaine, to deal with her grief.

Addiction is such a bulls**t thing, she noted, addressing viewers directly. You think its going to heal that wound, but it doesnt.

After collapsing at a 1999 photoshoot, Campbell checked into rehab for the first time, saying: I have always owned up to [my mistakes], and I chose to go to rehab, and it was the best and only thing I could have done for myself at that time.

Around that time, she began attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in an effort to stay sober, but healing wasnt always linear for Campbell.

The model acknowledged her past assault convictions. In February 2000 in Toronto, Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting her personal assistant with a mobile phone in September 1998. Over the years, several past employees and associates came forward with claims of abuse. Addiction can cause such huge fear and anxiety, so I got really angry, she admitted.

In a 2010 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the supermodel got candid with the talk show host, admitting that she had first picked up cocaine at the age of 24 years old.

Although she had been against it, she began to use it to cope with the pressures of her job. I found myself, like, doing three jobs a day, and I never ever had a dealer, she said. It was always very easy to get handed to you whenever you wanted it.

She told Winfrey of that period of her life, It was a destroyer. I mean, its really a devils drug.
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Oprah Winfrey has admitted that she wrestled with the idea of getting the weight-loss drug Ozempic but refused as she felt it was taking the easy way out.

The billionaire who has openly battled her weight for decades recently discussed the controversial Type 2 diabetes drug on her panel, Oprah Dailys The Life You Want Class: The State of Weight.

She discussed the ongoing obesity and weight crisis - which affects 2 billion adults worldwide - with obesity specialists Dr Fatima Cody Stanford and Dr Melanie Jay, psychologist Dr Rachel Goldman, and Sima Sistani, the CEO of WeightWatchers.

At one point during the panel, Winfrey said she had a few thoughts on the latest Hollywood weight loss trend: the FDA-approved prescription medication, Ozempic. The drug, also known by brand names like Wegovy and Mounjaro, consists of semaglutide and tirzepatide. It is prescribed by doctors to transform how the brain addresses appetite and satiation.

Shouldnt we all just be more accepting of whatever body you choose to be in? That should be your choice, Winfrey said to her fellow panellists. Even when I first started hearing about the weight loss drugs, at the same time I was going through knee surgery, and I felt, Ive got to do this on my own. Because if I take the drug, thats the easy way out.

As someone who was shamed in the tabloids every week about for 25 years for not having the willpower to work on her weight, Winfrey said it was demoralising to see it become so popular.

Obesity medicine physician, Dr Stanford, responded by saying that because obesity is a chronic disease, she doesnt use the word willpower when it comes to her patients weight loss journeys.

Its hard to see you ostracised in the way that youve been. Because this isnt about willpower. Its not your fault, she explained to Winfrey. Its how our bodies regulate weight and each of us is different, each of us is unique, not one is superior to another. Were just different and acting on those differences and treating the differences in the heterogeneity of the population is how were going to actually make change in this disease.

Ever since she revealed that she recovered from double knee surgeries in 2021, Winfrey has remained a staunch health and wellness advocate.

During her The Life You Want class focused on gratitude, she shared the health update after one guests words about being grateful for every organ and every limb resonated with her.

I had knee surgery in August, and then I had another knee surgery in November, she recalled at the time. When I came home the first time, I literally could not lift my leg. I couldnt lift my heel off of the bed, and I vowed if I was ever able to get up, walk around, and move again  that I would take advantage of movement, exercise, and of being able to be fully in my body.

Since her surgeries, she noted that she had taken up regular exercise. As I was rehabilitating, I started hiking. Every day, I tried to hike more and do more, she added. My appreciation for every organ and every limb has expanded exponentially. So, you mentioning that really brought that home to me.
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Watch as King Charles III and Emmanuel Macron meet at Elysee Palace in Paris to say goodbye on Thursday 21 September.

The British monarch will soon be leaving the French capital and travelling to Bordeaux, where he will conclude his three-day state visit.

Earlier in the day, Charles pledged to do whatever he can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the UK and France in a historic address to the nations senate.

He became the only British monarch ever to speak from the French senate chamber on the second day of his trip.

In a speech delivered in English and French, the King told of the friendship and warm familiarity between the two countries, as well as the unity on issues such as climate change and foreign military aggression.

For the time that is granted to me as King, I pledge to do whatever I can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the United Kingdom and France  and, today, I invite you to join me in this endeavour. Together, our potential is limitless, Charles said.
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Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of Fox News and News Corp. In his place, his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch will take over to become sole chairman of both companies.

The change in leadership comes amid much speculation that Ruperts three children from his second wife  Elisabeth, 55, Lachlan, 52, and James, 50  each vied for the opportunity to control the media empire, mirroring the critically acclaimed HBO drama series, Succession.

In fact, the Murdoch family has served as inspiration behind the award-winning show, which came to an end this year after four seasons. While the eldest boy Kendall Roy lost out on becoming CEO of the fictional Waystar Royco, his real-life counterpart Lachlan has now been named his fathers successor.

In April 2023, a cover story from Vanity Fair claimed that Rupert believed a Darwinian struggle would produce the most capable successor to his media empire. He pitted his kids against each other their entire lives. Its sad, a person close to the family told the outlet. The source described Lachlan as the golden child of the family, partly because he shared his fathers right-wing politics. His eldest daughter, Elisabeth, quit the family business in 2000, while James climbed the ranks after his brother Lachlan moved to Australia, following an alleged disagreement with Fox News chief Roger Ailes and chief operating officer Peter Chernin.

However, Rupert was apparently known for avoiding the topic of naming an heir apparent, as he was once reported by the Irish Times as saying: Let the chips fall where they will.

According to Vanity Fair, the decision for Lachlan to succeed their father was likely decided by his two siblings, all of whom sit on the companys board of trustees. Not to mention, Rupert is also the father to daughter Prudence, 65, from his first marriage to Patricia Booker; and daughters Grace, 22, and Chloe, 20, from his third marriage to Wendi Deng Murdoch.

As Lachlan takes over as sole chairman of both Fox News and News Corp, where does that leave everyone else?

From Lachlan to Elisabeth, this is a whos who of Rupert Murdochs family.

Lachlan Murdoch

Lachlan was born on 8 September 1971 in London. He studied philosophy at Princeton University and graduated with a bachelors degree in 1994.

His father seemingly began training Lachlan to become his heir as early as 1989, when Lachlan was just 18 years old. He interned in Australia for three months at the Daily Mirror, before being appointed general manager of Queensland Newspapers at age 22. Lachlan was later named an executive of News Limited in 1995, executive director of News Corp in 1996, and deputy chief operating officer in 2000.

Lachlan was appointed to the News Corp board in 1996, becoming deputy chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox.

(Getty Images)

However, he abruptly resigned as an executive at News Corp in July 2005, amid speculation of a rift with Roger Ailes, the disgraced chairman and CEO of Fox News, Fox Television Stations and 20th Television. Lachlan returned as non-executive co-chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox in 2014 and was named executive chairman of 21st Century Fox one year later. After 21st Century Fox was acquired by Disney in March 2019, Lachlan was named chairman and CEO of the Fox Corporation.

He married British-born Australian model and actor, Sarah Murdoch nee OHare, in 1999. They share three children: sons Kalan Alexander, 19, and Aidan Patrick, 17, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 13.

Lachlan moved his family back to Australia in March 2021, according to Vanity Fair.

James is Ruperts second son and the youngest of his three children with his second wife, Anna Murdoch  whom Rupert was married to from 1967 to 1999. Speaking to Vanity Fair, a former News Corp executive described James as a lone wolf whose liberal political views are the exact opposite of his fathers and brothers right-leaning views.

He was born on 13 December 1972 in London, and was regarded early on as the brightest of the Murdoch children, but was also something of a rebel. He began his career at 15 as an intern at the Sydney Mirror, but made headlines when he was photographed asleep on a sofa at a press conference.

James went on to study film and history at Harvard University, where he also worked on the schools satirical magazine, the Harvard Lampoon. He dropped out of Harvard in 1995 to start an independent hip hop record label, Rawkus Records, with friends. The company was bought by News Corp in 1998.

He joined the family business that same year, becoming head of News Corps music division. James is credited with sparking his fathers interest in the internet. In May 2000, James was appointed chairman and chief executive of News Corps failing Asian satellite service, Star Television, and he moved to Hong Kong.

(EPA)

James was named CEO of British Sky Broadcasting group in 2003, of which News Corp owned a controlling minority stake. The move was controversial, as many believed James was too young and inexperienced to run the UK media company.

After his older brother Lachlan stepped down from his executive positions at News Corp in 2005, James was suddenly viewed as his fathers new heir apparent. He stepped down as CEO of BSkyB in 2007 and subsequently took over the development of News Corps television, newspaper, and related digital assets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

After his father announced he would be leaving his position as CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015, James quickly took over Ruperts position. But when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, it ended James tenure as CEO.

He ultimately resigned from the board of directors of News Corp in July 2020, stating in his resignation letter that it was due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Companys news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.

James married Kathryn Hufschmid in 2000. The couple share three children: Anneka, born 2003; Walter, born 2004; and Emerson, born 2008. His wife previously worked for the Clinton Climate Initiative, a charitable foundation set up by the former US president Bill Clinton in 2006. In 2020, the couple each donated $615,000 to President Joes Biden election campaign.

According to Vanity Fair, James is allegedly horrified by Fox News and tells people the networks embrace of climate denialism, white nationalism, and stolen election conspiracies is a menace to American democracy.

Sources also claimed to the outlet that James and Lachlan no longer speak, as it was a big slap in the face when Lachlan returned to the family business in 2015. Lachlan allegedly accused his younger brother of leaking stories to the writers of Succession. However, another source close to Lachlan denied that he told his father this.

Elisabeth Murdoch

Elisabeth Murdoch is Ruperts second daughter and eldest of his three children with ex-wife Anna Murdoch.

She was born on 22 August 1968 in Sydney, Australia and was named after her paternal grandmother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Elisabeth graduated with a bachelors degree from Vassar College in 1990.

She began her career at News Corp as a manager of programme acquisitions at her fathers FX Networks, before purchasing NBC-affiliate television stations KSBW and KSBY with her then-husband, Elkin Kwesi Pianim, on a $35m loan secured by her father. After selling the news stations for $12m, she relocated to London to work for BSkyBs CEO Sam Chisholm. But while Elisabeth was named second-in-command to Chisholm, according to a profile in the New Yorker, her younger brothers had been elevated to bigger jobs.

She left BSkyB to launch her own film and television production company, Shine Limited, in 2001. Ten years later, it was acquired by her fathers News Corp. Elisabeth currently serves as executive chairman of the global TV and film production and development company, Sister, which she established in 2019.

Elisabeth, Murdochs second daughter, arriving at the British Fashion Awards in 2016 (Getty)

She welcomed two children with ex-husband Elkin Kwesi Pianim: daughters Cornelia, born in 1994, and Anna, born in 1997. They divorced in 1998. In August 2001, Elisabeth married public relations executive Matthew Freud, the son of former MP Sir Clement Freud and great-grandson of Sigmund Freud. She went on to have two more children with Freud: daughter Charlotte, born in 2000, and son Samson, born in 2007. In 2014, she and Freud filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage.

While Elisabeth shares much of the same liberal political views as her brother James, she has remained close with Rupert and Lachlan so as to enjoy the time she has left with her father, a source told Vanity Fair. Shes terrified of Rupert dying mad at her, they said.

Elisabeth publicly admitted to lobbying for her brother James to be demoted at the familys News Corp media empire over his handling of the 2011 phone hacking scandal. Since then, the brother and sister have reportedly maintained a complicated history, according to Vanity Fair.

Prudence Murdoch

Prudence Murdoch is Ruperts eldest child and daughter from his first marriage to ex-wife Patricia Booker. She was born in August 1958 in Adelaide, South Australia, but moved to London with her father after her parents divorce in 1967.

Compared to her younger siblings, Prudence has largely stayed out of the family business. She was once described by Vanity Fair in 2008 as the only one of [Rupert Murdochs] children not directly competing for his business affections.

Prudence MacLeod, eldest daughter of Rupert Murdoch, leaving Spencer House, London, after the wedding reception for Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall. (PA)

Most recently, a former News Corp executive referred to Prudence as a wild card when it came to who she believed should take over their fathers media empire. According to Vanity Fair, Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James each have one vote on the board of trustees.

In 1985, Pruedence married English financier Crispin Odey, but they were divorced just 15 months later. She went on to marry businessman Alasdair MacLeod in 1989, who soon began working for Prudences father. They have three children: James, born 1991; Angus, born 1993; and Clementine, born 1996.

Grace and Chloe Murdoch

Rupert shares his youngest two children, Grace and Chloe, with ex-wife Wendi Deng Murdoch. The billionaire businessman met the Chinese-born American entrepreneur in 1997, while she was working as an executive at the News Corp-owned Star TV in Hong Kong.

(Getty Images)

Wendi, who is 37 years his junior, married Rupert in 1999, less than three weeks after his divorce from his second wife, Anna Murdoch, was finalised. The former couple went on to welcome two daughters  Grace, born in 2001, and Chloe, born in 2003  before their divorce in June 2013.

Their daughters both grew up in New York City and attended the prestigious Brearley School in Manhattan. They live in New York City with their mother. Grace is currently a student at Yale University, while Chloe studies at Stanford University.

According to Vanity Fair, Ruperts two youngest daughters have a financial stake in the family business but have no voting rights.
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There is a lot to be horrified by when it comes to the allegations facing Russell Brand. As part of a lengthy investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4s Dispatches, there are detailed accounts of sexual assault, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviour. There are claims he exploited his position as a public figure to exert power over younger, more junior colleagues, alongside suggestions of grooming and coercion. It is harrowing, to say the least. (Brand vehemently denied the allegations in a video released on Friday, saying that his relationships have been absolutely always consensual.)

Published last weekend, the allegations have prompted a surge in online discourse around sexual violence. There is talk of further criminality, culpability of his employers, and a culture of silence that meant Brand and his reputation were, for a long time, professionally impenetrable. But there is one thing very few people are discussing  and its something I havent been able to stop thinking about. Thats because it happened to me.

It involves Alice, the woman who says she entered into a relationship with Brand at the age of 16 in 2006. He was 30; she had never had sex before. In her account, Alice makes several allegations against him, including grooming, forced oral sex, and nonconsensual condom removal. Known as stealthing, the latter is something Ive written about before. And several years later, its still not really acknowledged as a serious offence, let alone rape. This is despite the fact that stealthing is classified as such under English and Welsh law, which means that anyone who carries it out can be prosecuted for rape and face a life sentence.

Falling under something known legally as conditional consent, it is one of the most complicated forms of sexual violence, given the common thesis among survivors that it doesnt necessarily count as rape. Perhaps the fact that very few media outlets have picked up on this particular allegation endorses that narrative.

When it happened to me in 2018, I brushed it off as an uncomfortable sexual experience. It wasnt until I revisited the incident in my writing years later that I realised the gravity of what had happened, and how deeply it had affected me. The details are incredibly difficult to recount. Not because I cant remember them but because, to this day, I have trouble accepting that what happened to me was rape. That I was raped.

The perpetrator was someone Id been casually dating. It wasnt my first sexual encounter, but it was early on enough for me to write off what had happened as the result of my own inexperience and naivety. When he told me hed taken the condom off and I should probably take the morning after pill, I wasnt angry or outraged. I was humiliated. More so when, despite immediately rushing out to buy emergency contraception, I found out I was pregnant and ultimately had an abortion.

The problem is that we perceive sexual violence on a scale, with those on one end encouraged to belittle their own experience, creating a culture of shame around what they went through

Its a series of events that to this day causes me an immense amount of trauma, sexually and emotionally. Its the reason why I often have a panic attack after sleeping with someone new. Its the reason why, when I was sexually assaulted by someone else the following year, I entered into a period of intense depression. And its the reason why my body is shaking as I revisit all this now. Despite everything, there is still a sense that I have no right to have such a visceral reaction to any of this. That I should just be able to move on, and put it down to a bad sexual encounter with a reckless partner. Because in the grand scheme of sexual violence, this doesnt seem that bad. But its not that simple. Regardless of the act, the psychological ramifications of sexual violence often operate around the same singular principle: that your body has been violated. That the most intimate part of you has been abused.

When I wrote about what happened for The Sunday Times Style in 2021, I was shocked by how many women got in touch with similar stories of their own, explaining how, like me, they hadnt realised non-consensual condom removal was rape. Had it not been dramatised in a storyline in Michaela Coels BBC drama I May Destroy You in 2020, Im not sure I wouldve ever had the validation I needed in order to fully realise it myself. To recognise that it did count  and that I was allowed to feel traumatised by it.

The problem is that we perceive sexual violence on a scale, with those on one end encouraged to belittle their own experience, creating a culture of shame around what they went through. This is what can discourage them from seeking professional help, let alone support from their friends and family, or reporting it to the police.

Non-consensual condom removal played an important role in Michaela Coels award-winning BBC/HBO series I May Destroy You (BBC/HBO)

Reading Alices story is devastating for so many reasons, not least because of how young she was when it allegedly happened. Having your early sexual experiences shaped by such brazen-yet-tacit violation causes deep-rooted psychological and physiological scars that can last a lifetime.

When it comes to sexual assault, there is always a power dynamic at play. But that dynamic is almost hyperbolic when the perpetrator is someone in the public eye. I can only imagine how Alice, and Brands other alleged victims, must feel now that their stories are out there in the open, being picked and prodded at like a nasty scab by those rushing to the comedians defence and undermining their testimonies.

Everything Brand has been accused of is abominable. But its also an opportunity to raise awareness of the nuances that surround sexual trauma, and to take stock of how we discuss these issues among friends and peers. To remember that sexual violence can take many forms. And to acknowledge that every experience counts, no matter how insignificant youve been conditioned or manipulated into thinking it may be.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS accusing them of illegally marketing eye care products.

Other manufacturers  including Similasan AG and OcluMed LLC  received warning letters as well.

The FDAs warning letters said the products in question, which were falsely labelled as potential treatments for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and pink eye, should be modified if the companies and manufacturers that make and distribute them want to avoid legal action.

The FDA is committed to ensuring the medicines Americans take are safe, effective and of high quality, Jill Furman, Director of the Office of Compliance at the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. When we identify illegally marketed, unapproved drugs and lapses in drug quality that pose potential risks, the FDA works to notify the companies involved of the violations.

Ms Furman wrote in the letter sent to Walgreens: Your Walgreens Allergy Eye Drops, Walgreens Stye Eye Drops, and Walgreens Pink Eye Drops products are especially concerning from a public health perspective. Ophthalmic drug products, which are intended for administration into the eyes  pose a greater risk of harm to users because the route of administration for these products bypasses some of the bodys natural defences.

In her letter to CVS, Ms Furman said that the companys CVS Health Pink Eye Relief Drops are especially concerning for the same reason.

In a statement to The Independent, a Walgreens representative said, Out of an abundance of caution, we are pulling these products. Customers who have purchased these products can return the item to their nearest Walgreens for a full refund. A representative from OcluMed LLC said, We are taking the FDAs warning letter very seriously, the letter was solely based on claims that we are currently in the process of rectifying...in over 14 years of being in business we have never received a verified [account] of any adverse reactions. A statement from Similasan AG said, We understand that the FDA shares our values of health and safety, and we are engaging with them to better understand the issues raised and provide updated documentation around our manufacturing processes.

The companies addressed by the FDA have 15 days to respond to the agency, outlining the ways in which they plan to correct the violations.

The move comes after months of warnings about various eye drop products available at drug stores.

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating a product called EzriCare Artificial Tears that was linked to vision loss, hospitalisation, and even the death of one person who used the product and developed a bloodstream infection. The product caused at least 50 infections in 11 states.

Two months later, the FDA warned the public about a product called Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15 per cent. It was recalled due to manufacturing issues; some of the bottles that the product came in were cracked.

Just three weeks ago, the FDA released a statement warning the public not to use certain over-the-counter eye drops due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination, or both. The statement advised readers to immediately stop using two products: Dr. Bernes MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops Eye Repair. Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection, the statement said.

If you have any questions about whether products in your home are safe to use, you should consult an eye doctor. Per the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), you should only use eye drops exactly when and how your doctor tells you to.

The Independent has contacted CVS for comment.
A Dollar Tree will open soon on the west side of Auburn, giving the discount variety retailer a third store in the area.

Crews were at work on Wednesday renovating the building at 314 Genesee St., previously a Walgreens that closed in November.

A crew member who spoke to The Citizen said he did not know when the store would open. Dollar Tree's chief communications officer, Kristin Tetreault, did not respond to a request for comment.

The store will join other local Dollar Trees in Auburn Plaza at 217 Grant Ave. and in Finger Lakes Crossing at 1626 Clark St. Road in Sennett.

Dollar Tree, which has more than 15,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, sells discount retail items in health and beauty, food, houseware, cleaning supplies, automotive, electronics and more.

The Chesapeake, Virginia-based company also owns the variety store chain Family Dollar, which has a location across the street from the new Dollar Tree in the plaza at 315 Genesee St.
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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 that was requested last year by Armenia.

 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
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Kenyas president committed his country to leading a multinational force in Haiti to combat gang warfare even as residents of both countries question the plan being pushed by the United States government.

President William Ruto spoke Wednesday at a ceremony establishing diplomatic ties with the Caribbean nation. Haitis prime minister, Ariel Henry, attended. Henry requested the immediate deployment of such a force a year ago.

As the leading nation in the U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti, we are committed to deploying a specialized team to comprehensively assess the situation and formulate actionable strategies that will lead to long-term solutions, Ruto said.

Gangs have overpowered Haitian police, with experts estimating they now control some 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Schools in some areas have closed because warring gangs are raping and killing people. The violence has displaced nearly 200,000 Haitians whose homes have been burned.

The U.S. has praised Kenya for even considering leading the United Nations-backed force while other countries hesitated, and the U.S. is drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing it. No timetable has been given for submitting and voting on it. Bahamas and Jamaica have offered support to the force.

Kenya sent an assessment team to Haiti weeks ago with the idea of deploying 1,000 of its police. Kenyan officials have not responded to questions including what the government is being offered in exchange for leading the force.

There are only about 10,000 police officers in Haiti for more than 11 million people.

Some Haitians and Kenyans have expressed skepticism about a multinational deployment led by Kenyan police, who have long been accused by watchdogs of deadly force, torture and other abuses.

In the past year we have witnessed a wave of punitive policing during protests, extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, deliberate torture of children, interference with investigative authorities and other violations, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit said in a report this month.

The watchdog group, which works with medical and legal experts, said it documented 482 cases of torture, extrajudicial killings and other violations between Oct. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31 of this year  more than double the number in a similar period the year before under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

This is an alarming rise in police abuses, especially against young adults, under Ruto, who had vowed to protect urban youth from police violence, the group said. Statements that commend law enforcement violations and issuance of shoot-to-kill orders worsen an already critical situation.

Kenya's national police inspector general has claimed that dead bodies were planted to accuse officers of using excessive force during recent anti-government protests, which rights groups said left dozens of demonstrators dead.

Police are also refusing to report all deaths and injuries to the government-created watchdog and even refuse to record complaints from victims, the group added.

The U.N. last month said 1,860 people were reported killed, injured or kidnapped in Haiti from April to June, a 14% increase compared with the first three months of the year. Among those killed were 13 police officers. Another 298 people were kidnapped. Gangs continue to use rape and mutilation to instill fear, the report said.

The report was released a day after the U.S. Embassy in Haiti urged U.S. citizens to leave the country as soon as possible" given the security challenges.

An ex-police officer considered by many to be Haitis most powerful gang leader  Jimmy Cherizier, known as Barbecue"  has warned he would fight any international force deployed to the country if it committed any abuses.
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Rupert Murdoch  the worlds most powerful and divisive media tycoon  is stepping down as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp, after almost 70 years at the helm of his sprawling empire.

In a letter to colleagues, the Australian-born businessman, 92, who owns Fox News, The Times newspapers and The Sun, said it was the right time to take on different roles.

His eldest son Lachlan Murdoch will take over at the helm of both companies, ending long-running speculation that saw him vie with his brother James for control of the businesses  a storyline mirrored in the globally successful HBO series Succession.

Mr Murdoch, reported to have a net worth of over $17bn (13.8bn) according to Forbes, said he will become chair emeritus of the two corporations and vowed to remain engaged in the businesses, which span United States, UK, Europe and Australia.

Rupert Murdoch took on Fleet Street with the acquisition of the News of the World in 1968 and The Sun in 1969 (News International/Getty)

In a statement, he said: For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change.

But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole chairman of both companies.

The mogul, who said he was proud of his achievements, also criticised the elites  and the media in cahoots with them  as he promised to be involved every day in the contest of ideas.

Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years  I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them, he said.

The announcement comes after a turbulent year for Mr Murdoch and his empire, with him recently ditching plans to merge his Fox and News Corp operations.

In April, Fox agreed to pay $787.5m in a settlement to voting machine firm Dominion after a lengthy legal case related to Foxs reporting of the 2020 presidential election, which Donald Trump lost, in the States.

Fox also faces an unresolved lawsuit from fellow voting machine firm Smartmatic, which is seeking around $2.7bn.

Personally, he also announced he was divorcing his fourth wife, the supermodel Jerry Hall, in 2022. Then, in April, he abruptly called off his engagement to Ann Lesley Smith, 66, after just two weeks, with one source citing Mr Murdochs alleged discomfort with her evangelical views.

Mr Murdochs News Corp, which has headquarters in New York, owns hundreds of local, national and international news outlets. The company owns the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, a conservative-leaning tabloid, as well as HarperCollins.

His son Lachlan has been named as his successor (Getty)

The British arm of Murdochs media empire, News UK, publishes nearly a third of national papers sold every day, including The Sun and The Times.

He is credited with helping New Labour gain power having been privately courted by Tony Blair following 18 years of Conservative rule across three decades and two prime ministers.

Mr Murdoch first started to build his empire in Australia during the 1950s after he inherited his fathers interests in the Adelaide newspaper the News.

In 1969, he took on Fleet Street with the purchase of the News of the World and The Sun, which would both become two of the most successful and bestselling tabloids in the UK.

He went on to purchase The Times and Sunday Times in 1981, while also building his empire in America with the acquisition of the New York Post.

Murdoch later expanded into television to create Fox News Channel, now the most popular news network in the US.

Murdoch began building his empire in Australia during the 1950s (PA)

His lengthy career has not escaped controversy. In 2011, the outrage and condemnation over the phone hacking scandal led Mr Murdoch to close the News of the World tabloid, which left him humbled and very shaken.

Journalists working for the paper had accessed the voicemail of murdered teenager Milly Dowler, giving her parents false hope that she may still be alive. Celebrities, royals and politicians claimed to be victims of phone hacking, with the government ordering the highly critical Leveson Inquiry to examine press standards.

After the announcement, Piers Morgan hailed Mr Murdoch as a bold, brilliant, visionary leader whose audacity and tenacity built a magnificently successful global media empire.

The journalist and broadcaster was editor of News Of The World and currently has his own programme on TalkTV which is owned the media moguls company News UK.

Murdoch with News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks in 2011 (PA)

Lachlan Murdoch also released an announcement congratulating his father and his legacy.

On behalf of the Fox and News Corp boards of directors, leadership teams, and all the shareholders who have benefited from his hard work, I congratulate my father on his remarkable 70-year career, said Lachlan Murdoch.

We thank him for his vision, his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination, and the enduring legacy he leaves to the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted. We are grateful that he will serve as chairman emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies.

Murdoch with his sons Lachlan (left) and James (AFP/Getty)

It was widely assumed that one of Mr Murdochs three children from his second marriage  Lachlan, James and Elisabeth  would succeed him in his role.

There had been much speculation inside and outside his News Corporation holding company about who was the favourite at any one time.

Jesse Armstrong, the creator of hit TV series Succession, confirmed that the original script was based on Mr Murdoch, following many years of speculation by fans and media.
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A dog called Carmen is the latest animal character based on a toy to join Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin in the book series based on AA Milnes work.

Author Jane Riordan was inspired to introduce the animal to the Hundred Acre Wood after discovering that the author of the childrens classics, Milne, had taken a toy dog mascot called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War.

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.

Four years after that (our son) Christopher Robin was born.

The new collection Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest sees the character Christopher, who was inspired by Milnes son, go on adventures in seven new stories set after 1926s Winnie The Pooh and 1928s The House At Pooh Corner.

Riordan said: It was fascinating to discover the little-known story told by Daphne Milne about AA Milne taking a small toy dog called Carmen with him when he served in the First World War.

AA Milne even attributed his survival of the First World War to Carmen, so it felt appropriate to give this brave little dog a place alongside Christopher Robin and friends in our new story collection, Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest.

We feel shes earned her right to enjoy the peace of the forest just like all the readers who have been delighted by the Winnie the Pooh stories over the years.

The characters will have adventures in places such as Poohsticks Bridge and Eeyores Gloomy Place, as well as real-world locations including the British Museum and the Tower of London.

Riordan has previously been involved in Winnie The Pooh: Once There Was A Bear  Timeless Tales Inspired By Milnes Classic Stories About The Nations Favourite Bear, as well as Winnie The Pooh Meets the Queen, and the recently published Winnie The Pooh Meets The King, celebrating the coronation.

Beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh appeared during the Coronation Concert festivities at Windsor Castle earlier this year.

Illustrator Mark Burgess  who has previously been involved in other Pooh books  has drawn Carmen in the style of artist EH Shepards original depictions.

Cally Poplak, executive publisher at Farshore, said: Pooh and friends are as much a part of childhood now as they were almost a century ago  they remain wonderful stories to share aloud with children and to inspire a love of reading.

So, as we look forward to celebrating the centenary in 2026, Farshore is delighted to be publishing this utterly charming new collection of adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood by Jane Riordan and Mark Burgess, who have truly captured the magic of the original stories by AA Milne and EH Shepard.

Winnie The Pooh: Tales From The Forest written by Riordan and illustrated by Burgess will be published by Farshore on September 28.
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An urgent search for a missing mother, toddler and newborn has been launched by police, as a man has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction.

The Metropolitan Police said Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in Colindale, north-west London, on Tuesday, along with her three-year-old daughter and her extremely vulnerable baby boy, who is just days old.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who leads the Mets Public Protection command in East Area, said the force was extremely concerned for the welfare of Ms Kelly and her children, especially the baby who may need medical care.

Ms Kelly, who has links to Thurrock in Essex and Havering, east London, then got into a blue Ford Fiesta with the children, which drove away at speed (Met Police)

The force said the children were under care protection orders and were removed from the family assessment centre against the wishes of staff, who desperately tried to stop Ms Kelly from taking them.

Ms Kelly, who has links to Thurrock in Essex and Havering, east London, then got into a blue Ford Fiesta with the children, which drove away at speed.

Police believe the driver of the car was a woman and both the driver and car have not been found.

On Wednesday, a man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the investigation, on suspicion of child abduction and conspiracy to kidnap. He remains in custody in Essex.

Ms Kelly is described as white with green eyes, of slim build and about 5ft 4ins tall. She was wearing a white jumper or long-sleeved t-shirt, white jogging trousers and white trainers.

Police said there was so far no indication that the children have been harmed, but detectives are extremely concerned about their welfare  especially the baby boy, who was born in mid-September and so is extremely vulnerable.

The Metropolitan Police said Jamie-Leigh Kelly, 31, left a centre for vulnerable mothers and children in Colindale, north-west London, with her three-year-old daughter and newborn boy on Tuesday (Met Police)

Detective Superintendent Basford appealed directly to Ms Kelly as he said: Jamie-Leigh, I am making a direct appeal to you to contact with us so we can ensure the children are safe and well.

We know you have no intention for the children to come to harm, so we are asking you to please pick up the phone and have a conversation with us so we can meet with you.

The baby may need medical care as he is newborn, so please put him first and contact us on 020 7175 0793.

Mr Basford said they believe Ms Kelly has help and urged anyone with information to call the incident room on 020 7175 0793 with information or call 999 immediately with live sightings.
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A rape survivor has revealed she attempted suicide twice after reporting her assault, as new research finds three in four survivors mental health is harmed during police investigation.

The woman, aged 30, has spoken out as the largest-ever survey of rape and sexual assault survivors has uncovered the sobering impact poor policing has on those who come forward.

The survey of 2,000 victims in England and Wales between January and June 2023 found that four in 10 did not feel believed by police, while only 37 per cent said officers made them feel like they mattered.

Shockingly, 27 respondents claimed their attacker was a serving police officer.

The survivor told The Independent uniformed officers turned up at her home unannounced after she first reported her abuse online three years ago.

In the subsequent investigation, she struggled to keep in touch with officers, who left her calls and messages unanswered for weeks.

It was only after she confronted officers giving a talk at a public event that her attacker was finally arrested.

She said: I would not hear from them for weeks and I found that really anxiety-provoking. At a certain point they told me they were going to arrest him [her attacker] imminently and then I didnt hear from them for three weeks.

For me, that was the most terrifying period of my life. That moment is so scary because that is the point where your abuser knows what you have done.

They treat you like a number, a case. They dont care about you and they dont understand the impact these crimes have on you.

I tried to kill myself twice during this case because of the way that they were handling it. And they didnt understand. They have your life in their hands at that point and they dont understand the gravitas of that.

One survivor said she was more afraid of police than being rape again (iStock/Getty)

She said she always felt on the back foot and was forced to chase up information from preliminary court hearings. She also had to push to ensure bail conditions prevented her perpetrator from coming near her.

She added: It was all those little things that made me feel so unsafe and scared.

From a young age, I had been told if theres anything wrong call the police. But this has really turned that around for me. If I were  God forbid  raped again, I would not report it to the police.

Her story comes as experts called for police forces to listen to victims, with the surveys findings set to be shared with Operation Soteria Bluestone  a national programme designed to transform the justice system for rape and sex offences.

Lead researcher Katrin Hohl, professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at City, University of London, said the survivors testimony left her floored.

One survivor wrote: I am more afraid of the police than being raped again.

Another was forced to re-enact her attack with a police officer in a public place, while a third was left naked in front of officers after they took her clothes as evidence.

However, positive experiences also showed the life-changing power of good policing, with some respondents reporting that the kindness of officers changed their lives.

Some 27 people who responded to the survey said their attacker was a serving police officer (PA/The Independent)

There was also evidence of recent improvement, with 60 per cent who reported in the past three months having positive police experiences versus just 36 per cent for reports made two years ago.

Some said it saved them from suicide, Prof Hohl told The Independent. Some said it completely changed their life that the officers were taking them seriously and treating them with compassion.

It was the way the officer treated them, not necessarily the outcome of the case that made the difference.

Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said addressing the trauma facing survivors who speak up is a fundamental human rights issue.

She added: This revealing survey brings to light how the criminal justice system is often a site of harm for survivors of rape, with their treatment throughout the process - including being blamed and disbelieved - causing further trauma at a time when support and care are needed.

Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, called for radical culture change in all forces, adding: This report shows us that victims of sexual violence at the hands of a partner describe the worst experiences with the police, leaving them less likely to report again.

Responding to the findings, Chief Constable Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs Council lead for rape and adult sexual offences, said police are determined to do better for victims.

The chief constable, who also works in the Operation Soteria Joint Unit, added: I want to thank the survivors who took part in the victim survey. Your bravery in coming forward and talking about your experiences will form a significant part in how policing will improve their response to rape and sexual offences.

We have taken an honest and open look at the way we work, have welcomed academics in to scrutinise it and provide us with direction for how we can improve. This is not easy, but it is vital, we are determined to do better for victims.

Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines added said she would be encouraging chief constables to act on the findings.
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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.
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A 17-year-old who daubed a Windrush mural with Nazi symbols can be named as Aristedes Haynes after an order granting him anonymity was lifted following his sentencing.

The former RAF cadet from South Wales, who the court heard fantasised about making a gun and killing a schoolboy, admitted a string of terror offences and criminal damage in June.

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday to one year and seven months detention and one years extended licence.

I am satisfied that not only did you hold entrenched racist, antisemitic and homophobic views at the time of the commission of these offences, but that these are views which you have not genuinely disavowed Mr Justice Jeremy Baker

He was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for three years.

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said Haynes essentially became self-radicalised and held entrenched racist, antisemitic and homophobic views.

I am satisfied that not only did you hold entrenched racist, antisemitic and homophobic views at the time of the commission of these offences, but that these are views which you have not genuinely disavowed, the judge said.

It is apparent that you were not someone who limited your behaviour to the expression of your views online, but were prepared to put some of those views into action.

It is of particular concern that not only had you asserted that one of your goals in life was to kill someone.but you had already carried out research as to the availability of one of the components for constructing a gun.

A court order granting him anonymity under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 was lifted post-sentencing following an application from the press.

The anonymity order would have expired on Sunday when Haynes turns 18.

The teenager faced eight charges  two of possessing a terrorist document, three of distributing a terrorist document and three charges of criminal damage.

At a previous hearing, the court heard how Haynes was referred to the Prevent de-radicalisation programme last spring by the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Last September, he was expelled from the group after he sent images to other cadets bare chested with a Swastika painted on his chest and was banned from Instagram for posting racist and Nazi images.

The youth, then aged 16, went on to paint graffiti on a Windrush mural in Port Talbot, which celebrates the towns Caribbean community, on two occasions in October and November.

Community members were shaken and disgusted after several swastikas, the phrase Nazi zone, white supremacist symbol 1488 and a racial slur appeared on the mural hours after it was completed.

The mural depicts Donna Campbell, a much-loved nurse and daughter of the Windrush generation who died during the pandemic, and her mother Lydia, known as Mrs Campbell in her community, with a merged image of a Welsh dragon and the Jamaican flag.

In October last year, Haynes was involved in setting off a smoke bomb at The Queer Emporium in Cardiff, which damaged the floor.

The emporium was targeted because it is a centre for the local LGBT+ community, the court was told.

Police searched Haynes bedroom after he was arrested on November 8 last year and found a stash of knives, an air rifle and antisemitic literature  including a copy of Adolf Hitlers Mein Kampf which contained the defendants handwritten notes.

Other items from his room included gas masks and flags bearing a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) symbol and a swastika.

His electronic devices were seized and the court was shown homemade videos and images in which he made Nazi salutes and shared his far-right ideology.

His internet search history revealed a fascination with far-right mass killers and extreme groups such as the Atomwaffen Division.

The defendants diary also outlined a desire for race war, the court was told.

A list of life goals included burn a building down, maybe bomb it, kill someone, join a Nazi militia, get a gun or make one and get buff as hell.

One of the terrorist documents Haynes shared with another teenager gave details on bombmaking, derailing trains, attacking power lines and kidnapping police officers, as well as glorifying notorious mass murderers.

He possessed and disseminated another manual with step-by-step instructions on gun-making.

Haynes, of Cwmavon in Neath Port Talbot county, was sentenced to detention for terrorist offenders of particular concern.

He was given one year and seven months detention with one years extended licence for possessing terrorist documents, one years detention and one year on licence for disseminating terrorist publications and one years detention for aggravated criminal damage, all running concurrently.
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The mother of a 10-year-old boy killed by an American XL bully dog has called on the Government to go much further than just banning the breed.

Emma Whitfield, 32, said the Government needs to target backstreet breeders and irresponsible dog owners if the proposed ban is to work.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the XL bully would be added to the list of prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act following a spate of recent attacks.

I saw the news within minutes and I just cried because finally something is getting done Emma Whitfield

Ms Whitfields son Jack Lis was attacked in Caerphilly, South Wales, two years ago by an XL bully dog, which was named Beast.

Since her sons death, Ms Whitfield has campaigned for responsible dog ownership, but after hearing about further attacks by XL bully dogs called for the breed to be banned.

Banning the dog at the moment will help and putting restrictions on them will prevent these type of attacks, she told the PA news agency.

But, in the long term, if backyard breeders still exist, they are going to create a new breed and we could find ourselves in a few years in the same place.

It could be a whole lot worse.

This is why the Government cannot stop at a ban, they need to stop the breeders who are abusing the system.

With backyard breeders, a lot of it is money and how much they can make.

She added: A ban is not enough and the issue runs much deeper, and if the Government doesnt tackle that then we are going to be in the same place in a couple of years time.

Ms Whitfield said she cried when she heard that the Prime Minister planned on adding the XL bully to the list of prohibited dogs.

I saw the news within minutes and I just cried because finally something is getting done, she said.

I have never tried to say that every single XL bully is bad and there will be responsible owners who look after their dogs.

There are a few owners that are abusing the dogs and abusing the system, and we are seeing increased attacks from this breed.

If it is for status, I would say stop. You dont need that kind of status and you dont need to prove your ego with that kind of dog.

If people loved their dog as much as they claim to do, then they should never have allowed them to do those things in the first place.

A ban is the product of what those bad people have created.

Gail Jones, 64, whose mother Shirley Patrick, 83, was killed by an XL bully in December last year in Caerphilly, welcomed the Government ban.

This is what I wanted more than anything. Not for the dogs to be destroyed, which a lot of people seem to think is going to happen, she said.

These dogs are going to phased out, so in 10 years there wont be any more XL bullies.

Some people say there are no bad dogs and only bad owners, which is not true.

I am proud to say that Caerphilly has been the first in Wales to launch the initiative around promoting responsible ownership among all breeds.

Ms Whitfield and Mrs Jones were speaking at the launch of the LEAD (Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs) initiative which is encouraging responsible dog ownership across Caerphilly.

Gwent Police, Caerphilly Council and other agencies are working together to educate dog owners about their pets.

Superintendent Mike Richards, of Gwent Police, said: This partnership initiative is being launched following a number of tragic cases in our area where people have been killed or seriously injured by a dog.

Theres now an increased awareness of dog attacks among our communities, so we want to raise this further and work together to promote safe dog ownership.

Members of the public are urged to call the local authority about noisy dogs, dog fouling, illegal breeding or stray dogs, and the police for illegal breeds, organised dog fights, dangerous dogs or anti-social behaviour with dogs.

The XL bully, which is developed from the American pit bull terrier, is not a recognised as a specific breed by the Kennel Club.

It is against the law to own, breed or sell dogs on the list drawn up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It is also against the law to have a dog that is dangerously out of control, which can be punished by prison sentences and unlimited fines.

There are currently four banned breeds of dog in the UK: the pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.
OWASCO  Jackson Cole said a series of educational presentations in the grassy landscapes of Emerson Park gave him an opportunity for hands-on learning about the environment.

Cole and more than 700 sixth-graders from nearly every school district in the Cayuga County area took part in the returning Conservation Field Days on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Owasco park. The event featured stations with experts from local organizations tackling subjects such as soil, trees and wetland wildlife.

Jackson, a Cato-Meridian Central School District student, told The Citizen he preferred the activities at the park to his usual school schedule because "you get to interact with real things."

One station Jackson and his fellow students visited was operated by the Owasco Fire Department. Member Steven DeLuca and others talked about conserving water, and showed the students fire equipment. Jackson said he enjoyed looking into a thermal camera, noting that when a bag of ice has held up, it was dark "because it was the opposite of heat."

Cato-Meridian teacher Marianne Kent lauded the event's stations and presentations.

"There is no value that we can put on the opportunity to provide kids with real-life experiences," she told The Citizen.

"As educators, we always try to make learning interesting and engaging, but being able to take it to this level just opens a new opportunity for us as teachers."

The event, hosted by the Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also featured presentations like Sterling Nature Center Director Jim D'Angelo teaching children about bats, and local forester Dr. Walt Aikman talking about trees.

Valerie Horning, the event's organizer and a technician at the district, told The Citizen she was thrilled it could be held for the first time in four years. She thanked the personnel and agencies involved.

"It's very satisfying to just be able to know that you have a part in bringing these people together for these purposes, because this is the type of education these children can't get other places," she said.

Abigail Hai, a watershed inspector with the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division, and Nancy Hart, a board member with the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, used red Kool-Aid as runoff in order to show Owasco Elementary School students how it affects the lake's watershed. The students sprayed water to wash the Kool-Aid from the watershed model.

Hai told The Citizen she feels the field days expose students to conservation, and illustrate how their everyday actions can affect the environment.

"They're able to realize (that) some of the everyday activities that they perform have an impact on some of the things around them that they may not know," Hai said, "especially their drinking water."
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James Cleverly has defended the US and Germany over an apparent delay by the countries in supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons amid Russias invasion.

The UK had already delivered long-range cruise missiles to the war-hit country in May this year along with anti-tank missile systems and other equipment.

Ukraine had been making requests for long-range missiles for several months, but the support from countries like the UK and US had previously focused on providing shorter-range weaponry.

UKs foreign minister, in an interview with Voice of America, was asked about the US and Germany currently negotiating providing long-range missiles to Ukraine and any fears they may have over the escalation of the war.

You may know what their fears are. Why do they still have doubts? he was asked. Mr Cleverly replied saying people are listening to Vladimir Putins threats of escalation.

But I keep saying that people who are concerned about the fear of escalation should realise that it is Vladimir Putin who is responsible for the escalation because he initiated the full-scale invasion last February, he said.

It is he who attacks Ukraines civilian infrastructure, grain export facilities and commercial operations in Ukraine. So, Russia is responsible for the escalation, and we are responding to Russias behaviour, its violence in Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly also emphasised that the Ukrainian military is advancing in their counteroffensive efforts and said the UK was committed to aiding Ukraine in enhancing its air defence capabilities and providing training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter aircraft.

He also stressed that we must continue to support Ukraine while it defends itself against Russian invasion. It may take longer than some expect. However, it is important that we continue to support Ukraine until it succeeds in defending itself against Russia.

Ive been saying this for quite some time, in fact, for most of the past year, that we have to admit that the war in Ukraine, its not a Hollywood movie that the Russians spent most of the end of last year and the beginning of this year digging fortifications, laying minefields, Mr Cleverly said in response to a question about the speed and success of Ukraines counteroffensive efforts.

Thats why Ive always said that this counteroffensive will be difficult.

I believe that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are making steady progress. They are cautious and methodical.

Mr Cleverly also fielded questions about the ongoing discussion among international partners over whether Ukraine should be supplied with modern weapons like long-range missiles and F-16 aircraft.

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At the beginning of this year, the UK decided that we would supply battle tanks, that we would provide some of those long-range missiles that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using very, very effectively. That is why we continue to insist that Ukraine deserves our support, he said.

Ukraine needs this military equipment, and it is in our interest for Ukraine to defend itself, as well as to defend the UN Charter, to defend the concept of sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is why we will continue to support Ukraine and continue to advocate for more countries to provide more support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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British people are growing increasingly liberal but are becoming less accepting of transgender people, a report has found.

Data published by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) found that British people are becoming more pro-immigration, increasingly think the government should play a bigger role, and have much more liberal views on sexuality and the traditional family.

Whereas 37 per cent of the public held liberal views in 2005, this has increased to 63 per cent in the latest annual British Social Attitudes (BSA) report.

Although people are much more accepting of non-traditional families than they were 40 years ago, when the surveys began, views towards transgender people are becoming markedly less liberal.

Over the past three years, hostility towards transgender people has increased - with 64 per cent describing themselves as not prejudiced at all against transgender people, a decline of 18 percentage points since 2019.

Just 30 per cent of people think someone should be able to have the sex on their birth certificate altered if they want, down from 53 per cent in 2019.

Researchers found that, although the middle-class and working-class respondents had both become more liberal-minded, the rate of increase was much greater among the middle class.

As a result the class gap on liberal values had increased from a 14 percentage point difference in 2005 to 21 points in 2022. The survey assessed people on a liberal to authoritarian scale, capturing attitudes on the death penalty, homosexuality and morality among others.

They also assessed views on immigration. While people were more pro-immigration on average than they were in 2015, the gap between the working class and middle class has increased significantly - with the working classes more likely to be anti-immigration.

Whereas 37 per cent of the public held liberal views in 2005, this has increased to 63 per cent in the latest annual British Social Attitudes (BSA) report (PA)

In the 2022 survey, 52 per cent of people who identified as working class held anti-immigration views - compared with just 23 per cent of middle-class identifiers.

Support for traditional roles of men and women has declined markedly since 1983. While 48 per cent of people agreed that a mans job is to earn money and a womans is to look after the home in 1987, now only nine per cent of people would agree with this.

Although there has been increasing support for the idea that households chores should be shared, women contine to do more domestic labour than men, the review found. In 2022, 63 per cent of women reported doing more than their fair share of home chores, compared with 22 per cent of men.

The survey also found that demands for state intervention, which soared during the pandemic, are yet to come down again.

Following a sharp rise in the cost of living, some 68 per cent of people said the government should definitely be responsible for keeping prices under control  more than double the proportion that said so in 2006.

Some 53 per cent said they thought the government should be responsible for reducing income differences between the rich and poor, again more than double the 2006 figure, while 63 per cent backed the government providing industry with the help it needs to grow.

The figures reflect a sharp change from the 2010s, when the BSA survey suggested there was growing public acceptance of a reduced role for the state amid the Conservative policy of austerity.

Even among Conservative voters, support for state intervention is at record levels, although they are still much less likely than Labour supporters to say it is the states responsibility to reduce income inequality or provide a decent standard of living for the unemployed.

Sir John Curtice, senior research fellow at NatCen, said: It seems that for many voters, however attractive it might once have seemed, the era of smaller government that Margaret Thatcher aimed to promulgate  and which Liz Truss briefly tried to restore in the autumn of 2022 with her ill-fated dash for growth  now seems a world away.

They appear to be looking to government to take a significant role in finding a way out of the difficult legacy that the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have created.

The challenge facing politicians of all parties between now and the election will be to convince the electorate that they can meet their high expectations.

The BSA survey consisted of 6,638 interviews with a representative sample of British adults, conducted between September 7 and October 30 2022.
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The poo of endangered species could help fight diabetic foot ulcers, scientists believe.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield found the faeces from a range of under-threat animals such as Guinea baboons, lemurs and Visayan pigs could be used to treat the condition.

They found that naturally occurring viruses in the poo, known as bacteriophage, can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause the foot ulcers.

Once further research is undertaken, the naturally occurring bacteria could potentially be included in dressings applied to the previously untreatable foot ulcers of diabetic patients.

The hard-to-treat condition results in 7,000 amputations a year and the new potential treatment could save the NHS an estimated 1 billion a year, researchers said.

Professor Graham Stafford, chair in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Sheffield, said: Despite the smell, it turns out that the faecal matter of endangered species could hold the key to killing infectious bacteria that are otherwise resistant to antibiotics.

So far we have managed to find antibacterial viruses from Guinea baboon, giraffe, lemur, Visakan pigs, and our favourite, the cuddly binturongs and are working hard to develop these into viable treatments for patients whose next option is the loss of a toe, foot or leg.

Importantly, the treatment could also help reduce costs of about 1 billion per year to the NHS.

Led by Prof Stafford, the team has used the poo of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) to isolate several bacteria that could be used to successfully treat patients.

The work is part of a wider drive in UK Bioscience to find new antimicrobials to combat the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Professor Graham Stafford explaining how bacteriophages from animal faeces could treat diabetic foot ulcers (Yorkshire Wildlife Park)

Professor Stafford added: We have been searching for new treatments for antibiotic resistance for a while and we are the first to look for such a virus in zoo poo. We look forward to the poo pick up, which the wonderful team at the zoo place in a cool box in a fridge for us.

Its a delight that endangered species are contributing to such a positive and powerful purpose. It provides an ever stronger reason to conserve endangered animals. The biodiversity they harbour potentially includes new cures for a range of infectious diseases and we believe this is the tip of the iceberg in this area.

Phage therapy has been used in the UK before to treat sepsis and in a small number of diabetic foot infections, however, this is the first time researchers have investigated unlocking the potential of naturally occurring phage from the waste of endangered species

It is estimated that 25 per cent of diabetic patients suffer foot ulcers, while the number of diabetics is ever-increasing. A recent report commissioned by Diabetes UK revealed that 60,000-75,000 people per week are being treated for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in England alone.

Dr Dave Partridge, a consultant microbiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: Diabetic foot infections are often a challenge to treat and patients may need to have surgery to amputate part of the foot or leg, which can have a huge impact on their quality of life.

If bacteriophage therapy proves successful, this could provide us with the ability to treat these infections in a different way, shortening courses of antibiotics and potentially avoiding the need for surgery.
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The Chancellor has admitted the costs involved with building HS2 are getting totally out of control as he refused to rule out that the project could be scaled back or cancelled.

Jeremy Hunt said the government had not yet made a decision on the future of the high-speed rail route following reports that he and prime minister Rishi Sunak are weighing up making drastic cuts due to the projects ballooning bill.

It comes after <em>The Independent</em> revealed ministers are considering scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester leg in a bid to save 35 billion, despite 2.3 billion having already been ploughed into stage two of the national line.

Mr Sunak said he would not speculate on the suggestion that more cuts could be made to HS2  with the Leeds terminus scrapped in 2021  when quizzed by journalists after a speech on net zero in Downing Street on Wednesday.

Mr Hunt, who is currently on the west coast of the US on government business, also declined to be drawn on the matter during an interview with LBCs Tonight With Andrew Marr programme on Thursday.

Asked if he could commit to the Manchester leg of HS2 being built, Mr Hunt said: Im not going to comment on discussions that are happening at the moment because, as Chancellor, you would expect me to be having discussions with the prime minister when major infrastructure projects overrun in their costs.

And that is what we are facing with HS2.

But proposals to axe the second phase of HS2, which The Independent revealed were given the codename Project Redwood, have piled pressure on Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt to commit to delivering the project in full.

The plans could now be reconsidered following furious reaction from northern mayors, leaders and Tory MPs. A source close to the discussions said the pair had got cold feet after the furious reaction  with northern mayors, business leaders and Tory MPs warning that it would cost the party votes at the general election.

The Independent revealed ministers are considering stopping HS2 at Birmingham due to ballooning costs (HS2/PA) (PA Media)

Told MPs in so-called red wall constituencies  seats the Tories took in Labours traditional heartlands across the north of England and parts of the Midlands at the 2019 election  were upset at the speculation, with the Chancellor saying he understood their concerns.

But he added: They will also be worried if we have an infrastructure project where the costs are getting totally out of control.

And that is why you would expect me as Chancellor to be having discussions.

But let me say to you now, we havent made any decisions on this.

We are looking at all the options. But we do need to find a way of delivering infrastructure projects that doesnt cost taxpayers billions and billions of pounds.

The planned railway is intended to link London, the Midlands and the North of England but has been plagued by delays and rising costs, with calls from Tory MPs for the entire project to be scrapped.

A budget of 55.7 billion for the whole of HS2 was set in 2015.

But the target cost, excluding the eastern leg of Phase 2b from the West Midlands to the East Midlands, has ballooned to between 53 billion and 71 billion in 2019 prices.

Ministers have already moved to pause parts of the project and even axed sections in the north.

The eastern leg to Leeds was binned two years ago 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 were forecast to reach 4.8 billion compared with an initial budget of 2.6 billion.

The pause means Old Oak Common, in the capitals western suburbs, will be the railways only London station when services to and from Birmingham Curzon Street begin between 2029 and 2033.

Passengers travelling into central London will need to take Elizabeth line services to continue their journey into the heart of the capital.

The HS2 route (HS2)

George Osborne, a predecessor of Mr Hunt in the Treasury and a proponent of the so-called Northern Powerhouse while in government, said the government would be doing the easy thing if it stops HS2 at Birmingham.

The former Tory chancellor told an episode of Political Currency, a podcast he co-hosts with former Labour minister Ed Balls, that any trimming of the line by the prime minister would be a big blow to the levelling-up agenda.

Mr Osborne said there was a big internal row in the party about whether the Manchester route should be junked.

I think itll be hard to claim youre going to take the kind of difficult decisions for the long term if you cancel the long-term plan to build a high speed rail line that has had the support of administrations, both Labour and Conservative, over the last 15 years and go for the easy thing of caving into the lobbies who dont want it built, he added.

He said similar rows over budgets had occurred with other major projects, including the Channel Tunnel, the M25 and the Elizabeth line  which Mr Osborne said he was often encouraged to ditch as costs soared  but that the consensus changed after they were delivered.

There are always problems with these projects, they are huge, Mr Osborne said. But when they are done, people say Can you imagine a world without them?.

Labour has accused the Tories of a great rail betrayal following speculation that the Manchester leg could fail to materialise.

But party leader Sir Keir Starmer this week declined to commit to building HS2 in full if Mr Sunak does abandon the North West route, despite its national policy forum document  expected to form the backbone of its election manifesto  saying the party would do so.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks pushback on green pledges will see him go toe-to-toe with Labour on net zero at the next election following a shift that drew criticism from his own party.

The Conservative Party leader used a speech on Wednesday to weaken a host of pledges designed to help the UK achieve a net zero carbon emission economy by 2050.

The policy overhaul included pushing back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars back by five years to 2035.

He watered down the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035, creating an exemption for a fifth of households to potentially never make the change to alternatives such as heat pumps.

Mr Sunak, who is likely to face further questions about the repositioning during a visit in south-east England on Thursday, also scrapped the requirement of energy efficiency upgrades to homes.

There is some concern in the party that if we relax those targets, we wont crowd in the investment and it will be to the detriment of jobs and wealth creation Kwasi Kwarteng on delaying the petrol and diesel car ban

Writing in The Sun on Thursday, Mr Sunak said: Hard-pressed families shouldnt have to pay an unaffordable price to reach net zero.

Thats my guiding principle when it comes to tackling climate change.

Although the Prime Minister insisted the changes were not about politics, the shift on green policies is being interpreted as a bid to create dividing lines with Labour ahead of a likely general election next year.

Ed Miliband, Labours shadow energy security secretary, said he relished the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with the Tories on net zero during the election campaign.

Mr Sunaks announcements created immediate daylight between the red and the blue sides, with Sir Keir Starmers outfit  which is well ahead of Mr Sunaks party in opinion polls  saying it remained committed to the phase out of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030.

Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said Labours position would ensure stability for the car industry, which criticised the Prime Ministers move, as well as providing lower running costs for motorists in the long-run.

Mr Miliband said the party did not support watering down obligations on landlords to improve the energy performance of rental homes.

But he refused, during an interview with Politico, to confirm whether Labour backed the gas boiler policy change, saying a decision would be made if the party gets elected.

Mr Reed, speaking on BBCs Newsnight about the gas boiler policy, said: Labour never subscribed to that proposal.

It was the Conservatives that were proposing to whack them (household bills) up in the first place, they have now had to reverse.

During his speech, Mr Sunak insisted the UK was already ahead of allies in reducing emissions ahead of changes that he said would not prevent the country from hitting the 2050 target.

He argued there was a risk of losing the consent of the British public for net zero if unacceptable costs on families was pursued, forecasting that his reforms could save the average household as much as 15,000.

As well as the headline changes, the PM also claimed to have scrapped a series of heavy-handed incoming measures, such as a tax on meat and flying, compulsory car-sharing and forcing people to recycle in seven different bins.

Labour said the watering down of green pledges would cost the public more in the long-term and accused the Prime Minister of selling out the opportunity for a jobs boom on the back of striving for net zero  a criticism echoed by senior Tories, including Boris Johnson.

The former prime minister told Mr Sunak that he cannot afford to lose our ambition for this country, as he argued policies were generating jobs and driving growth.

Kwasi Kwarteng, chancellor during Liz Truss short-lived premiership, said there were concerns in the Tory Party that the decision to delay the ban on new diesel and petrol cars could have a detrimental impact on investment in the automotive sector.

The senior Tory MP told Newsnight: The target 2030 has really focused the minds of manufacturers.

That is what is accelerating and driving a lot of the transition, a lot of the change. And my worry is that, if you push that out, you are sending the wrong signal.

He also described it as odd that the Prime Minister had argued that previous governments had sought to get to net zero simply by wishing it when he had been at the centre of Mr Johnsons government as chancellor.

Asked whether he remembered Mr Sunak raising concerns about net zero when they were in government together, Mr Kwarteng said: We had discussions and I think he had some doubts but in the end we all signed up to it.

Philip Dunne, Tory chairman of the Environmental Audit Select Committee, said the Prime Minister had produced a measured and realistic response to the net zero challenge.

He welcomed the decision to increase the boiler upgrade scheme, providing grants to replace gas boilers, by 50%, rising to 7,500.

Mr Dunne said: The Government has clearly listened to concerns that, without Government support, some low carbon alternatives are simply too far out of reach for many at this point.
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The Prince of Wales has written about the difficulties of dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one despite the passing of time in a new booklet designed to help grieving families.

William, whose mother Diana, Princess of Wales, died tragically in a car crash nearly 30 years ago when he was just a teenager, penned the foreword for a moving bereavement resource compiled by Londons Air Ambulance Charity.

The heir to throne, who is patron of the organisation, said he hoped the booklet would provide some comfort and support.

He told the bereaved who might be reading it and whose world is now very different that his thoughts were with them.

No two experiences of bereavement are ever the same. The sudden and often unexpected loss of a loved one can be profoundly difficult to process, even with the passing of time, the prince wrote.

The free 85-page booklet features 12 heart-rending tributes to lost loved ones from their families who recounted their experiences, and William thanked them for sharing their most precious of memories.

Among those featured are Saffie-Rose Roussos, the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing, and 17-year-old Shaquan Sammy-Plummer, who was killed after being knifed in the chest while being chased down the street in London in 2015.

William added: Some solace can be found through the sharing of experience.

The families who have contributed to this booklet have shared the most precious of memories, thoughts, and feelings.

I would like to thank them for opening up and allowing us into their very personal journey.

I hope that this booklet will provide some comfort and support, and that you might find it useful.

For those reading this who are bereaved, and whose world is now very different, my thoughts are with you.

The charity said on its website: We are so thankful to HRH The Prince of Wales for this personal and insightful contribution.

William worked as a helicopter pilot with both East Anglian Air Ambulance and RAF Search and Rescue.

The booklet will be offered free to anyone who might benefit from it, at a time that is right for them either as an individual, a family, a friend or a professional, the charity said.

Londons Air Ambulance is the only helicopter emergency medical service caring for the 10 million people who live, work and travel in London every day.

Founded in 1989, it has treated more than 45,000 critically injured people and attended most major incidents in London including the July 7 bombings, the Grenfell Tower fire and London Bridge terror incident.

It costs around 10 million a year to deliver the service, 96% of which comes from public donations.

The charity also employs two dedicated patient liaison nurses to provide support to bereaved families beyond frontline care

Dr Anna Dobbie, lead clinician for the LAA, said: This booklet allows us to extend the care we offer these patients beyond the roadside to try and support their families who have to navigate through the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly.
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Russias military hierarchy must be aware an actual and not fictitious war with Nato is possible if they overdo things in Ukraine, according to a former Nato secretary general.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who served in the post from 1999 to 2003, told peers there is a need to ensure the West is not nervous of Russian escalation.

Instead, the UK and its allies need to breed in military chiefs in Moscow the worry of a possible conflict with Nato  something he said Russia could only lose.

Instead of the West being nervous of Russian escalation ... we need to breed in the military hierarchy in Moscow the worry that if they overdo what is being done in Ukraine then an actual and not fictious war with Nato might be the result. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen

His remarks came as peers debated the situation in Ukraine and pressed for Western countries to develop a long-term strategy to aid Kyiv.

Ukraine is pushing for Nato membership, although this remains a thorny issue for some of its current membership.

Natos collective defence guarantee, known as Article 5, means an attack against one ally is considered as an attack on them all.

Lord Robertson highlighted the enormous propaganda exercise being undertaken by the Kremlin in a bid to undermine Western support and encourage the global south countries to bend to them.

He warned it is already having an effect on European opinion, as he pointed to a poll which suggested a majority of Hungarians, Romanians and Bulgarians believe providing weapons to Ukraine provokes Russia and drags their own countries closer to the war.

Lord Robertson, referring to Russian president Vladimir Putin, said: It was one man who took the decision to invade and it will take one man to decide enough is enough.

The former defence secretary cited examples of the former Soviet Union in Afghanistan and authoritarian leaders taking steps back when they could see the ground was moving under them, adding: Personal survival matters to them much more than saving face.

Thats why its imperative that Vladimir Putin gets the same message, and that he will get it by the West standing firm and resolute and with Western leaders regularly and loudly telling their people whats at stake and why sacrifices are in their own personal and nations interest.

The West must respond accordingly, it must impose an appropriate cost on Russia and that will inevitably have long-term consequences for international relations. Lord Stirrup

Lord Robertson highlighted the Russian effort to produce military supplies and said it is crucial the UK and its allies supply Ukraine with the weaponry it requests.

He went on: And I say again that we need to guard against that fear, that apprehension of escalation in so many leaderships in Europe.

Instead of the West being nervous of Russian escalation, something that theyve maxed out already, we need to breed in the military hierarchy in Moscow the worry that if they overdo what is being done in Ukraine then an actual and not fictitious war with Nato might be the result; a war that they know they could only lose.

Lord Robertson said his experience of the Russian military is they are very patriotic and very conservative, adding: The motherland is more important and in the end they will not be prepared to risk the motherland for a failing Putin-esque adventure, and especially one which has been so spectacularly unsuccessful and wasteful and indeed humiliating.

Lord Stirrup, who served as head of the Armed Forces between 2006 and 2010, earlier said relations between the West and post-conflict Russia and Mr Putin cannot resume as if nothing has happened.

The independent crossbench peer said: It must accept at last that it is dealing not with a normal government but, as I publicly asserted nine years ago, with a gangster regime; a regime that will tell any lie, betray any promise and commit any crime in pursuit of what it sees as its interest.

The West must respond accordingly, it must impose an appropriate cost on Russia and that will inevitably have long-term consequences for international relations.

Independent crossbencher Lord Skidelsky said the war aims from the UK Government are unachievable, saying: Ukraine isnt in a position to fight the kind of war it can win.

Its over-hyped counter-offensive has stalled and most military experts believe inconclusive trench warfare will be the order of the day for months to come, and in those circumstances there will be a strong temptation on our side to break the stalemate by progressive scaling up of warfare.

Defence minister Baroness Goldie, concluding the debate, said the UK and its allies must show their support for Ukraine is iron-cast and unflagging.

She said: The Government has been very clear that we must continue doing all we can to support Ukraine  Mr Putin must be defeated  that is the only route to Ukrainian and global security.

Lady Goldie added: In the end, conflicts can only be resolved through a negotiated settlement, a settlement whose parameters will be set by Ukraine itself, a settlement that begins with Russia withdrawing from all Ukrainian territory.
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Keir Starmer has said Labour does "not want to diverge" from EU rules  and suggested the approach could smooth relations with the bloc.

The Labour leader said that, the more the UK and Brussels share a future together, the less friction there will be between the two.

The comments, made at a meeting of centre-left leaders in Canada, offer a rare window into opposition thinking on Europe, with the Labour leader previously exercising caution on details of his plans to align Britain more closely with the EU.

Sir Keir said this week that he would push for an improved trading relationship with the EU if Labour were to form the next government. At the same time, France and Germany were said to be pushing plans to offer Britain associate membership of the EU.

In footage from a summit in Montreal on Saturday, aired by Sky News, Sir Keir said: "Most of the conflict with the UK being outside of the [EU] arises in so far as the UK wants to diverge and do different things to the rest of our EU partners.

"Obviously the more we share values, the more we share a future together, the less the conflict. And actually different ways of solving problems become available.

Actually we dont want to diverge, we dont want to lower standards, we dont want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people that work, food standards and all the rest of it.

Some Brexiteers have argued that leaving the European Union presents an opportunity to change regulations in areas like product standards or the environment  which were previously agreed in Brussels while Britain was a member of the union.

Other voices, such as trade unions and environmentalists, have said EU rules help keep UK standards high and warned against divergence.

And business have also warned that divergence from the EU might create extra costs.

Under the Brexit deal negotiated by Boris Johnson, the UK's rulebook will gradually diverge from the EU's  though plans to immediately purge the statue books of all EU legislation have been abandoned by Rishi Sunak

Other approaches to Brexit, such as remaining in the single market, would require Britain to remain synced to EU rules  but would lower trade barriers compared to now.

Sir Keir has ruled out rejoining the single market or a customs union, however.

During Brexit talks the EU voiced concerns that the UK could try to undercut European standards by deregulating its economy.

Some divergence has already happened. Earlier this month it was reported that the UK had failed to ban 36 harmful pesticides that are now restricted from use in the EU.

Labour says it will renegotiate a better deal for the UK with the EU. The current agreement, struck by Mr Johnson, comes up for review in 2025  which could present and opportunity for changes.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: Labour will seek a better deal for Britain. This does not involve any form of membership.
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Labour officials have threatened to report the Liberal Democrats to the police over lies and smears, as the Mid-Bedfordshire by-election campaign turns nasty.

Sir Keir Starmers party have sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding Lib Dem leaflets are destroyed  accusing their political rivals of going feral and making things up about Labour candidate Alistair Strathern.

But the Lib Dems have fired back  accusing Labour of cheap stunts and dirty tricks while refusing to ditch the controversial leaflets.

Both parties are hoping to overturn a 24,000 majority in the 19 October contest arranged after Boris Johnson ally Nadine Dorries finally quit parliament earlier month.

But Labour are furious about attempts to undermine Mr Strathern, after the campaign literature for Lib Dem candidate Emma-Holland-Lindsay suggested her Labour rival was an outsider.

The letter  which alleges two breaches of the Representation of the People Act  says the Lib Dems have made false statements about Mr Strathern by claiming that he does not live in the constituency and is a London councillor.

But a Lib Dem source said Mr Strathern, who grew up in Mid Bedfordshire, only moved back to the constituency after got selected as the Labour candidate.

The Labour letter also accused Sir Eds party of misleading voters in the area with a dodgy bar chart based on recent polling.

It condemned a misleading bar chart which shows a 7 per cent increase in voters polled favouring the Liberal Democrats against a 5 per cent increase for the Conservatives, thereby giving the impression that the Liberal Democrats are in first place in a neck-to-neck contest with the Conservatives.

Ed Davey with Emma Holland-Lindsay, the Lib Dem candidate for the Mid Bedfordshire (PA)

It said this was incorrect because recent polling has the Liberal Democrats in third place, behind both Labour and the Tories. Sir Keirs party claimed tactics amounts to the corrupt practice of undue influence.

Peter Kyle MP, Labours campaign lead in Mid Bedfordshire said: The Lib Dem campaign has gone feral, before added: The Lib Dems do nothing but fill peoples letterboxes with lies, smears and innuendo.

But the Lib Dems are refusing to withdraw the leaflets and accused Labour of a desperate tactics.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said: People in Mid Bedfordshire will be livid over Labour threats to waste police time, when locally people cant remember the last time they saw a bobby on the beat.

Labours Mid Bedfordshire by-election candidate Alistair Strathern (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

The Lib Dem MP added: This is dirty tricks from a desperate Labour campaign that knows it cannot win Mid Bedfordshire.

She added: If Labour were serious about this by-election, they would not have picked a candidate who lived 50 miles away when selected, and until just a few days ago was an elected councillor in east London.

The latest poll showed Labour and the Tories neck and neck in the byelection battle for Ms Dorries old seat, with both on 29 per cent and the Lib Dems on 22 per cent.

The Survation survey offers evidence that a split in the progressive vote could allow Rishi Sunaks party to hold onto the seat despite wider unpopularity.

Anti-Tory tactical voting campaigners has pushed Labour and the Lib Dems to form an unofficial electoral pact so only one of the big parties pushes to take the blue wall stronghold.

Despite trailing in the latest poll, Lib Dem officials have argued that there is a natural ceiling to the Labour vote in Mid Bedfordshire because of the demographics in the rural constituency. It will be won and lost in the villages, said a party source.
U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams does not think a government shutdown is the answer to address what he described as "reckless" federal spending.

Williams, R-Sennett, provided an update to reporters Thursday as the likelihood of a government shutdown rises due to a revolt within the Republican caucus. The deadline to avert a shutdown is Sept. 30, the last day of the current fiscal year.

The intraparty squabble was on display Thursday when a defense spending bill failed to advance in the GOP-led House. Some Republicans joined with Democrats to defeat the procedural measure and prevent consideration of the appropriations bill.

Speaking after the vote, Williams said he is concerned that colleagues are playing politics with military funding. While he mentioned the GOP opposition, he singled out Democrats for their role in the resolution's defeat.

"All the veterans on the Republican side have stood up and spoke out against this and it's very concerning to me that we're trapped in this," he said.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative wing of the House GOP, want spending cuts in the annual appropriations bills. But with a divided government in Washington  Democrats hold the White House and the U.S. Senate  those on the right are unlikely to get everything they want.

Williams is not part of the House Freedom Caucus, but he does share the view that spending cuts are needed. However, he is unwilling to go as far as some of his GOP colleagues.

"I will not support shutting down the government," Williams said. "We have to get both fiscal discipline in our system  we can't continue spending the way that we're doing  but we also have to function as a government and to have the continuity and the services that are essential that Americans count on."

One possible workaround is for moderate Republicans to work with Democrats to force a vote on legislation that would avoid a government shutdown. It's an idea that has been floated, especially as Republican infighting continues.

When asked about that potential solution, Williams was noncommittal. He wants the House to return to regular order and pass the spending bills to fund the government. So far, though, the GOP majority has only passed one of the 12 bills.

"On the one hand, we seem to not be getting the business done through 12 appropriations bills," he said. "But at the same time, shutting down the government simply is not the way to do that and it's not acceptable."
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Council leaders in Scotland have made what they say is a best and final offer to trade unions in a bid to avert strike action by school support staff next week.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said the significantly improved in-year offer will mean workers on the Scottish local government living wage will see an in-year uplift of around 2,000, or almost 10%.

School staff including cleaners and janitors are due to walk out for three days from Tuesday in the dispute over pay.

An extra 90 million has been found for the latest offer, including the 10 million previously allocated by leaders in the deal offered to unions on September 13.

Have no doubt, tough decisions have been taken and there will be delays to programmes and projects within communities to meet these pay demands Katie Hagmann, Cosla

Cosla said the new offer is made on condition that the unions take it to their members for full consideration and that strikes are suspended with immediate effect whilst they do so.

Its resources spokeswoman Katie Hagmann said: This really is our best and final offer, we have nowhere to go after this.

We have gone beyond our limits in a bid to satisfy our workforce and avert next weeks strikes.

Unions have warned more than three-quarters of schools will close if the strike goes ahead, affecting 26 of Scotlands 32 council areas.

Unison, Unite and GMB Scotland rejected the previous measly pay offer from Cosla, saying it would lead to an increase of 38p per week for the lowest paid.

Cosla had said the previous offer would have provided at least a 1,929 increase in annual salary for workers by January 1, and the lowest paid would have seen a 21% rise over two years.

Ms Hagmann said on Thursday that no new money had been identified for the latest offer, and there will be delays to programmes and projects within communities to meet the pay demands.

She said: Despite the extreme difficulties this presents us with, Scotlands council leaders have listened and acted on the ask of our trade union colleagues to get us to this position today.

We can now make a significantly improved in-year offer meaning those workers on the Scottish local government living wage will see an in-year uplift of around 2,000, or almost 10%.

I cannot stress enough the efforts that both local and Scottish Government have gone to in relation to securing the funding to meet this ask.

Politicians and officers have worked tirelessly in partnership to review, re-prioritise, restructure and re-profile money, ensuring the impact on our communities is minimised.

However, have no doubt, tough decisions have been taken and there will be delays to programmes and projects within communities to meet these pay demands.

No new money has been identified for this offer  it is the ultimate example of reduce, reuse and recycle in finance terms.

Strikes are too damaging to our children and young people, their families and our communities across Scotland for us not to have taken this action.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotlands senior organiser in public services, said: Our members have absolutely no interest in last-minute deadline dramas. All they want is a fair pay offer.

Cosla could have made such an offer months ago but instead, despite our best efforts, chose to drag the process out for no good reason.

We will now look at the detail of this latest offer. If it is a significant improvement on the last one, we will take it to our members.

If it is not, the strikes will go ahead as planned.

Unison and Unite have been asked for comment.
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A Las Vegas newspaper is being viciously attacked online for its coverage of an alleged murder of a retired police chief, either because of a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to mislead.

The firehose of hatred has led the Las Vegas Review-Journal to sift through email directed at one of its reporters to protect her from the worst of it, the paper's executive editor, Glenn Cook, said on Wednesday.

On Aug. 18, four days after a 64-year-old former California police chief, Andreas Probst, was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run motorist while riding his bike in Las Vegas, Review-Journal reporter Sabrina Schnur interviewed his family for a story.

The headline: Retired police chief killed in bike crash remembered for laugh, love of coffee.

Then the story took a sinister turn.

Video emerged, apparently taken by a teenage passenger in the car that hit Probst, showing that it was no accident. Charges against the 17-year-old driver were upgraded to murder on Aug. 29, and judges ruled on Wednesday that the two juveniles will be tried as adults.

The video, described by Cook as a snuff film, began circulating online and the Review-Journal linked to an edited version of it last Saturday.

That's when the attacks against the newspaper began. Someone created a social media post about the case, showing the headline from Schnur's Aug. 18 article and suggesting the Review-Journal had covered up the murder of a retired law enforcement official.

Cook said he couldn't speak to the motivations of whoever posted the insinuations, whether or not they knew the original story was published before the video surfaced.

What I can say definitively is the internet mob took no effort to fact-check, he said. The internet mob was happy to spread the message, spread it and add their own animosity to the stew.

The rush of online hate increased exponentially early Sunday when Elon Musk, owner of the former Twitter site now known as X, sent a message to his 157 million followers: An innocent man was murdered in cold blood while riding his bicycle. The killers joke about it on social media. Yet, where is the media outrage? Now you begin to understand the lie.

A spokesperson for Musk did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Wednesday.

Some of the attacks were lewd and antisemitic, wishing harm on the journalists. One specific threat was referred to authorities, Cook said.

It's a particularly sensitive topic at the Review-Journal, where a year ago its investigative reporter, Jeff German, was stabbed to death. One of the people German wrote about, Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, had attacked the reporter on social media and was later charged in the case and is awaiting trial.

At one point last weekend, to try and stop the flow of hate, Review-Journal editors changed the headline of the Aug. 18 article in its internet archive, replacing bike crash with hit-and-run.

That in itself opens up a can of worms: Should a news organization go back in history to change a story based on information that comes out after it was originally published? Cook said he reasoned that replacing bike crash with hit-and-run was not changing anything factually.

Unfortunately, he said, that fed the trolls even more.

Schnur declined comment on Wednesday  she was writing the story about the day's court proceedings  but told the Poynter journalism website a day earlier that she began to feel unsafe when people online began unearthing social media posts she made as a teenager. She has briefly moved out of her apartment, and Cook said the newspaper has taken steps to protect her.

Schnur also said she worried about those around her, saying that when talking with her mother on Sunday, she overheard her telling her father in a hushed voice that someone was at the door.

I could hear the fear in her voice, she told Poynter. There was no one there, but just for a moment, my heart broke. ... Because of work that I did and people potentially trying to find where I live, my mom has to be scared of her front door.

Online harassment of journalists, particularly women and minorities, is an ongoing problem that hasn't abated, said Jeje Mohamed, senior manager for digital safety and free expression at PEN America. In a 2020 global study, 73% of women journalists said they had experienced online abuse.

Perhaps because of their experiences, editors at the Las Vegas Review-Journal are better than those at many organizations in responding to protect its journalists, she said.

Recently, harassment campaigns often expand to where journalism and news organizations themselves are the subject of attack, Mohamed said.

This was a manufactured campaign to undermine trust in the media, Cook said. There's just this increasing mass of people out there who are so angry about a lot of things, but in particular carry anger at the media, who saw this as an opportunity.

In a column published on Tuesday, Cook publicly defended Schnur and touted her work. He said she was the first local reporter to talk to Probst's family to tell their story, and that when a source contacted her to tell her about the then-unknown video, she instructed the person how to send it to police. Authorities already had it at that point.

I was concerned with making sure that people understood that she was a person, Cook told The Associated Press, that she was not the villain they made her out to be.
 Close Murdaugh Murders on Netflix trailer

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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.
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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.
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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.
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A 96-year-old judge in Washington is fighting to prove she's mentally fit to carry out her job after she was barred from hearing cases for a year pending a cognitive assessment.

Judge Pauline Newman was appointed to the Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by Ronald Reagan almost 40 years ago.

The judge maintains that she is both physically and mentally fit to carry out her work and has accused her colleagues of trying to force her out, using her age as a cudgel, according to The Associated Press.

Federal judges chosen by presidents and confirmed by the US Senate are appointed for life, and there is no mandatory retirement age.

A council of her colleagues said that her suspension was needed, citing Ms Newman's reluctance to cooperate with an investigation into her mental acuity. They said there were "reasonable concerns" that she had been suffering "from a disability preventing her from effectively discharging the duties of her office."

Judge Pauline Newman, who is on the U.S. Court Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, poses in her office in Washington, on May 3, 2023 (AP)

The council cited interviews with court staff, who reportedly said Ms Newman showed signs of "significant mental deterioration including memory loss, confusion, lack of comprehension, paranoia, anger, hostility, and severe agitation."

They also said Ms Newman had a "troubling" backlog of cases and was not keeping up with her colleagues in administering opinions.

Judge Newman has been having trouble recalling events, conversations and information just days old and having trouble comprehending basic information that court staff communicate to her, the council wrote in its report.

If Ms Newman continues to reject the mental health assessment, the council will renew the ban after the year finishes.

The judge's attorney, Greg Dolin, said the sanction was "flatly illegal" and that he was seeking review from other committees that oversee judicial conduct.

The judicial council has been willing to grab on to as fact any allegation to support what appears to be a predetermined conclusion, he said.

Ms Newman sued her fellow judges in May over their insistence that she be investigated. The lawsuit came after the court's chief judge, Kimberly Moore, demanded that she resign.

Her attorneys are arguing that her suspension ignored evidence supporting her ability, including a statement from a neurologist who assessed the judge. The neurologist determined that Ms Newman's "cognitive function is sufficient to continue her participation in her courts proceedings."

"Chief Judge Moore and the committee she appointed have been interested in one thing and one thing only  keeping Judge Newman off the bench via the exercise of raw power unconstrained by statutory requirements, constitutional limits, any notions of due process, conflict of interest rules or even basic fairness," her attorneys said.
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The family of a six-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit against Florida police for cruel, senseless and terrorizing arrest after she was restrained with zip ties and perp-walked out of her school.

Kaia Rolles family initially filed the lawsuit in August 2022 against the city of Orlando, the police officers involved in the arrest and their supervisor.

An amended lawsuit was filed on 18 September, naming the same defendants, which outlines details of the day of her arrest and Kaias medical history.

Body camera footage published by The Orlando Sentinel captured Kaias arrest on 19 September 2019 at her school, Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy, after police were called in over her misbehaving. The video shows the six-year-old at first confused as to what the officers were doing.

What are those for? she asks, looking at the zip ties the officers had brought into the school office.

Its for you, one officer responds.

As he ties them on, she sobs: No, dont put handcuffs on. Help me!

She continues to cry and plead help me as the officers walk her through the school halls and then lift her into a police car parked outside.

In their amended lawsuit complaint, Kaias family say the arrest was done to instil fear and humiliation in the child, by using excessive force, false arrest and malicious prosecution.

Ive never seen a child with her hands bound at the age of six, walked out by a man three times the size of her, said Bobby DiCello, an attorney representing Kaias family in the case.

They are seeking $50,000 in compensation for Kaias suffering and her medical expenses.

Kaia started first grade with 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.

The school allegedly said they would support Kaia while she attended the school after her grandmother, Meralyn Kirkland, told administrators that her condition could cause her to act out, the lawsuit said.

The charter school enrolled students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

The family of Kaia Rolle is requested $50,000 in compensation for what she had to go through back in 2019 (Fox 35 Orlando)

On the morning before her arrest, Kaia started to act out after a teacher tried to take away glasses that she arrived at school wearing, the complaint said.

Because of this, the schools reform officer Dennis Turner told Kaia that he would take her to jail if she didnt stop misbehaving.

Mr Turner spoke to Kaias grandmother, pleaded with the officer to not arrest her and tried to explain that it was her sleep apnea that was making her misbehave, the lawsuit states.

Well I have sleep apnea and I dont behave like that, Mr Turner allegedly said.

Mr Turner was fired by the Orlando Police Department in September 2019 after the incident.

He had been working for the police force for 23 years up until June 2018. He then joined the Reserve Officer Program, which is made up of retired officers.

In 2019, the police department required officers to get a supervisors approval when arresting anyone under the age of 12, yet Mr Turner did not.

He also arrested a six-year-old boy in an unrelated incident at the school on the same day as Kaia, according to The New York Times.

Officer Sergio Ramos was also named in the lawsuit, as he was the one who bought the zip ties to handcuff Kaia.

Kaia was charged with a misdemeanour battery and had to stand on a stool for a mugshot because she was too small. The charges against her were dropped the next day by prosecutors.

Now, four years on, the family still want justice over what happened to Kaia at six years old, as her grandmother has said she has never fully recovered from the incident.

This is a lifelong mission of recovery for Kaia, she said. This should not happen.

We shouldnt be putting handcuffs on six-year-olds, Dr Chris Curran, the director of the University of Florida Educational Policy Research Center said. Theres almost no situation in which that is an appropriate response.

In 2021, legislation in Florida was passed named the Kaia Rolle Act to amend the law, prohibiting children younger than seven from being arrested or charged, with the exception of a forcible felony.

Kaias family and the Southern Poverty Law Center fought for this change, however, the family says the age limit should be raised further to at least 14.
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A man has shared the moment his family home burned down due to loose wires  but the bathroom was bizarrely left completely intact.

Jacob Noxons parents house was set alight after two wires caused a spark inside a wall at the back of the property, Jam Press reports.

In an effort to help and warn others about fire safety, the 27-year-old has shared his story on TikTok, where it has 5.9 million views.

And theres one thing that has left users baffled  the simple trick that saw the bathroom completely untouched by the flames.

In short: close the door.

I was amazed when I walked into their house and saw the bathroom on the main level, Jacob Noxon, a computer specialist from Kansas, told Need To Know. I always heard that a closed door could save a room from fire damage, but I have never gotten to witness it.

Aside from some smoke damage, the room looked just like it did when we were over at their house for dinner, not even a week prior to this happening, Mr Noxon added. As devastating as a house fire is, it truly is fascinating to see how this works in person.

The interior of Jacob Noxons parents home after the fire (Jam Press/@jakenoxon)

Without that door being shut, that room would have burned just as bad as the rest of the main floor of the house, he continued. Back when I was in school, they always used to tell us to close our doors at night just in case there was a fire, and this is excellent proof of that!

The door being closed prevented oxygen from fuelling the fire into the bathroom, Mr Noxon explained.

The incident took place on 22 August this year, with Mr Noxon receiving a phone call from a neighbour to alert him to the fire.

He rushed over and rang his parents, who were both at work at the time. After the fire settled, the family finally got a good look at the damage.

In the weeks following, Mr Noxons parents stayed part of the time in a hotel and part of the time with their son in the house he shares with his wife, Maclaine Noxon, and one-year-old daughter Winslow.

He said: They had to re-buy literally every part of their daily life. New clothing, glasses, keys, everything.

They will be renting a house close to my wife and I for the next year, while they process of dealing with insurance comes around, he added. The house was deemed a total loss, losing many keepsakes, family heirlooms and some collectibles.

We are very thankful for the first responders who helped us, and that everyone, is alive and well, and that is all that really matters, Mr Noxon said.

In the video posted to social media, Mr Noxon can be seen in the bathroom of the home, with perfect features and clean walls. He then opens the bathroom door and reveals the rest of the hallway, with blackened floors and burned walls. The post was captioned: Parents house caught on fire today, and has over 573,000 likes, as well as thousands of comments.

Someone said: Ive been a volunteer firefighter for almost 30 yrs. I stress this so much in my fire safety presentations.

One person commented: OMG that was shocking! I hope they are ok.

Someone else added: I always close every door when I leave the house, husband hates it!

Jess wrote: Yep happened with my house, the guest room was the only room that didnt burn.

Thank you for letting me know this, cause I never knew, commented one follower. Thats honestly terrifying, said another.
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An investigation has been launched after a human leg was found sticking out of a dumpster outside a bank in New York City.

The severed body part was seen protruding from the red dumpster outside a TD Bank in Queens on Wednesday, the New York Post reported.

NYPD officers were called to the scene at 164th Street and Union Turnpike in Hillcrest at around 6.30pm when one of the banks cleaners took the trash out and spotted it.

Unconfirmed reports online suggested that maggots were found over the leg which is likely to have been in the bin for up to nine days in between rubbish collection cycles.

The NYPD has asked for local home and business owners to send in security footage from the scene as they investigate reports the limb may have been dumped on 11 September.

Amir Bedawi, a neighbour close to the bank, told ABC News: Before you could see [it], you could smell the dead body.

He added that construction workers on a nearby building site had caught a whiff of the smell and had also made complaints to the police prior to the grim discovery.

Mr Bedawi also claimed he had seen a video from a nearby home which showed a person wheeling a bin towards the container where the leg was found.

Police tape cordoning off the dumpster where the limb was found (Citizen/New York Post)

"It [looked] like someone dropping it off next to the dumpster, Mr Bedawi said of the footage.

Another nearby resident Maksim Dlugunovich told ABC News: I saw a blue trash can recycle bin where the body was dumped and I saw it open and some stuff hanging out, and some garbage and a shoe.

An NYPD statement added: On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at approximately 1833 hours, police responded to a 911 call in the vicinity 164 Street & Union Turnpike, inside of the TD Bank Parking Lot, within the confines of the 107 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed an apparent human body part inside of a recycling bin.

The investigation remains ongoing and the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

TD Bank has not yet commented on the incident.
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The US is deeply concerned by Canadas serious allegations that accuse India of being involved in the assassination of a Sikh leader, the White House said, urging New Delhi to cooperate in the investigations.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau kicked up a storm on Monday after he said there were credible allegations that the Indian government played a role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader who was shot dead in June.

The allegations have sparked a diplomatic row with India, that has roundly rejected the allegations and called them absurd.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Wednesday said the investigations by Canada should proceed unimpeded.

We were deeply concerned by these allegations prime minister Trudeau laid forward and remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners, Mr Kirby said. Theyre investigating and that should proceed unimpeded.

Mr Kirby also said Washingtons relationship with New Delhi remains vitally important, not only for the South Asia region but of course for the Indo Pacific.

In a separate interview with CNN, Mr Kirby said president Joe Biden is mindful of these serious allegations and said we support Canadas effort to investigate this.

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, Mr Kirby said.

The widening diplomatic row has put the US in a tight spot.

The US is caught between Canada, one of its closet Nato allies that is also part of the intelligence-sharing-group of nations called the Five Eyes, and India, an increasingly important partner for Washington to counter China.

CNNs Jake Tapper also asked Mr Kirby what the USs response would be if it gets proven that the Narendra Modi government ordered the assassination of a Canadian national.

Mr Kirby replied saying the US would not get ahead of investigations and start looking at recommendations and behaviours to pursue once they have all the facts.

Mr Kirby also shot down a report that suggested the US had rebuffed Canada.

He was referring to a Washington Post report that said Canada had approached the Five Eyes nations for a joint condemnation of India on the issue weeks before the recent G20 summit.

Theres 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, Mr Kirby said.

Justin Trudeau accuses India of being involved in killing Sikh leader in Canada

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 Mr Modi, the report claimed.

The Canadian foreign ministrys spokesperson had also dubbed the report false.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead on 18 June in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

He was the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and dubbed a terrorist in India. The countrys officials also slapped a Rs1m (9,710) bounty for information leading to his arrest.

Nijjar 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.

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 told the Canadian parliament on Monday.

In a tit-for-tat move after Mr Trudeau went public with the allegations, the countries expelled diplomats from each others countries. On Wednesday, India issued a travel warning for its citizens in Canada and urged them to exercise utmost caution.

It came after videos went viral of members of the Khalistan movement issuing threats to Hindu Indians residing in Canada, demanding they leave the country.

Canada has an estimated Indian-origin population of 1.4 to 1.8 million that includes the largest Sikh population in the world outside of Indias Punjab state.

The issue of the Khalistan movement  that had peaked in India after a violent insurgency in Punjab in the 1980s  has long remained a thorn between Indo-Canadian ties.

New Delhi says Mr Trudeaus government is politically beholden to the Sikh community.

Canadas immigration minister Marc Miller dismissed the new claims, saying its important to maintain calm in Canada and said the country remains safe.

Canada has dismissed Indias concerns over the safety of its people, saying it is one of the safest places for everyone.

People should read that statement for what it is, Mr Miller told reporters on Parliament Hill. 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.
Kia is all set to increase the prices of its flagship SUV Seltos and Carens three-row MPV. The Korean auto giant has announced that the prices of both these models will be increased from October. The carmaker has said that the Seltos and Carens prices will be hiked by up to 2 per cent. This is the second time that Kia has announced a price hike on its models during the ongoing financial year. Prices of Kia's other models like Sonet, Carnival and EV6 will remain same for now.

Kia had launched the updated Seltos SUV in July this year at a starting price of 10.89 lakh (ex-showroom). On Wednesday, the carmaker introduced two new variants of the SUV to meet demands ahead of the festive season. The two variants, priced between 19.40 lakh and 19.60 lakh, will sit right under the top-spec variant of the SUV priced at 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Though Kia has not specified which variants of the Seltos will receive price hike. However, a 2 per cent price increase could see the base variant's cost go up by more than 20,000. In case of top variant, the price could increase by up to 40,000.

Kia Carens was launched as a Recreational Vehicle by the carmaker in India back in February 2022. The launch price started from 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). However, after multiple hikes in the last 18 months, the price of the entry-level Carens has increased to 10.45 lakh (ex-showroom). The price of the top-end variant goes up to 18.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also check these Cars Find more Cars Kia Seltos  10.90 - 20 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Explore your Vehicle Check vehicle details Check Insurance & PUCC due date Kia Carens  8.99 - 16.99 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Mahindra Bolero  9.78 - 10.79 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers MG Astor  9.78 - 17.38 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers UPCOMING Hyundai Stargazer  10 Lakhs *Expected Price View Details UPCOMING Nissan Juke  10 - 15 Lakhs* *Expected Price View Details

Watch: Kia Seltos 2023 First drive review

Kia said the price hike became necessary amid rising costs of production. Hardeep S Brar, National Head (Sales and Marketing) at Kia India, said, "While many of the companies have already taken the price increase post-April, we, however, did not take...besides the raw material prices are going up.. and we introduced the new Seltos and a lot of investment has gone into the product..so we think it is time that we take the price increase."

Kia had last increased the prices of its models in April after it launched the Seltos, Sonet and Carens with updated engines to meet BS6 Phase 2 emission norms.

First Published Date:
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India has expelled one of Canadas most senior diplomats as claims over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader exploded into a furious tit-for-tat row.

Canada has now briefed key allies, including the US, the UK and France, about its explosive claim that India was behind the assassination of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.

Justin Trudeau, in a surprise statement to the Canadian parliament, said on Monday that his country has credible intelligence to believe New Delhi played a role in the shooting of Nijjar by two masked men outside a gurdwara where he led prayers in Surrey, British Columbia.

Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly announced the country had expelled a senior Indian diplomat working for Indias intelligence agency RAW.

On Tuesday morning India denied any role in Nijjars death and, in a tit-for-tat move, expelled a senior Canadian diplomat. Indias foreign ministry said the diplomat had five days to leave the country. Images have shown Indian police officials securing the premises around the Canadian embassy in Delhi.

Canadian public service broadcaster CBC News quoted a senior government source as saying that Mr Trudeau has provided information about the Nijjar case to Canadas key allies including British prime minister Rishi Sunak, French president Emmanuel Macron and US president Joe Biden.

Canadas foreign minister Ms Joly also said she will discuss the assassination claims with her fellow G7 counterparts during meetings this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Mr Trudeau told parliament that Canadas national security apparatus had reason enough to believe agents of the Indian government carried out Nijjars killing.

Canada has declared its deep concerns to the top intelligence and security officials of the Indian government, Mr Trudeau said.

Indian policemen secure the premises around the Canadian embassy in New Delhi on 19 September (EPA)

Mr Trudeau said he had personally and directly raised the matter with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi for the G20 summit last weekend. What was already a diplomatically awkward trip was unexpectedly extended by two days after Mr Trudeaus official aircraft broke down.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Indias foreign ministry confirmed that similar allegations of the countrys alleged involvement in Nijjars killing were made by the Canadian prime minister to our prime minister, and were completely rejected.

Indian policemen secure the premises around the Canadian embassy in New Delhi (EPA)

Allegations of government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law, the statement said.

It also defended the tit-for-tat expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat. The move reflects Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities, it said.

Indian policemen secure the premises around the Canadian embassy in New Delhi (EPA)

Nijjar  who advocated for a Sikh homeland through the establishment of an independent Khalistan state  had been labelled a terrorist by the Indian government and accused of heading a militant separatist organisation, allegations vehemently denied by his supporters.

The World Sikh Organisation of Canada (WSO), a representative body for Sikh interests, reported that Nijjar had expressed concerns about threats to his life prior to his murder. The WSO said Nijjar had also claimed he was being singled out by Indias intelligence agencies.

A Delhi police officer briefs a group of Indian paramilitary soldiers outside the Canadian High Commission in Delhi (AP)

In a statement, the WSO alleged that several other Canadian Sikhs are also understood to be under threat and are on Indian hit lists.

The significance of todays announcement cannot be understated for Sikhs. Today, the prime minister of Canada has publicly said what Sikhs in Canada have known for decades  India actively targets Sikhs in Canada, it said.

An Indian policemen patrols in front of the Canadian embassy in New Delhi (EPA)

Jagmeet Singh, who heads Canadas New Democratic Party, criticised the Narendra-Modi-led Indian government for being one of division, violence, persecution with a known pattern of attacking those who are critical of its actions, according to local media.

Today we learned of allegations that agents of the Indian Government murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar  a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. To all Canadians, this is my vow. I will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice, including holding Narendra Modi accountable, he wrote on social media.

Mr Singh suggested a public inquiry into foreign interference, initiated due to accusations of Chinese interference, should also look at India and its activities within Canada.
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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.
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Artwork stolen by the Nazis from a Jewish cabaret star who openly derided Adolf Hitler and was later pushed into a concentration camp has finally been returned to his heirs.

Seven pieces of art made by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele that were looted from Fritz Grunbaum by the Nazis have been returned to his heirs more than 80 years after they were taken.

Valued collectively at $9.5m, the pieces of art were returned to Grunbaums family during a ceremony and press conference Wednesday in New York. The family had been fighting to reclaim the looted art.

Grunbaum, a popular Austrian cabaret performer and songwriter, had amassed a trove of almost 450 pieces of art before the Second World War began. This trove included 81 sketches and paintings by Schiele, a protege of Gustav Klimt.

Grunbaums routines openly derided Nazism and Hitler and were banned. He was arrested in 1938 and imprisoned at Dachau concentration camp in southern Germany, according to the Holocaust research project Music and the Holocaust.

His wife Elisabeth was later forced to hand over her husbands art collection. Grunbaum died in 1941 in Dachau  that has been a source of embarassment for several post-war German governments.

He died when his wife was in another concentration camp in Minsk, Belarus in 1942.

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, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said.

We still have so much to learn from Fritz Grunbaum and these seven pieces that he found to be so beautiful.

Works of art by Austrian expressionist artist Egon Schiele are on display at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office (Manhattan District Attorney's Office via AP)

Timothy Reif, Grunbaums great-grandnephew and a federal judge in New York City, said about the state and federal authorities: Your recovery of these artworks reminds us once again that historys largest mass murder has long concealed historys greatest robbery.

The Grunbaum collection of 81 artworks from Schiele, who completed most of his work in a brief period leading up to his untimely death in 1918 at the age of 28, were mostly self-portraits and depictions of Schieles spouse Edith.

The collection included the pencil-on-paper drawing of Schieles wife, Edith (1915), a colourful watercolour painting of the artist, I Love Antithesis and Girl Putting on Shoe.

Schieles artwork was declared degenerated by Hitler and was looted by Nazi authorities to fund the party.

Mr Bragg said Grunbaums collection of artworks changed hands repeatedly after they were sold by the Nazis and ended up for sale at a Swiss auction house and later in the collection of a New York-based gallerist before being sold again.

Girl Putting on Shoe was previously held by MoMA (Manhattan District Attorney's Office via AP)

The heirs of Grunbaum fought a legal battle in a court in New York State in 2018 for two Schiele pieces which were with a London-based collector named Richard Nagy.

The judge ruled in their favour saying it was unlikely Grunbaum voluntarily gave the artworks away when he was in detention.

Two other pieces were voluntarily given back by New York Citys Museum of Modern Art. The museum said they were returned after they were presented with evidence that they were stolen by the Nazis, the DAs office said.

Image provided by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office shows artwork by the Austrian expressionist artist Egon Schiele (Manhattan District Attorney's Office via AP)

The Nazis systematically murdered most of the Grunbaum family members, Mr Reif said.

By recovering these long-lost artworks, he said, our law enforcement authorities have today achieved a measure of justice for the victims of murder and robbery.

The Nazis had stolen 50,000 works of art from 1933-45, mostly from Jewish families who were arrested and killed in concentration camps during the Holocaust. Some of the looted artworks included works of most artists, including van Gogh, Picasso and Chagall, according to some estimates.
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Right-wing group Project Veritas has suspended all of its operations indefinitely, according to a report.

The organisation, founded by James OKeefe, shuttered operations after another round of layoffs this week, Mediaite reported.

In a letter titled Reduction in Force sent to staffers on Wednesday, HR director Jennifer Kiyak wrote that in the interest of preserving the possible future existence of Project Veritas we need to put operations on pause and, as communicated since the Spring, another Reduction in Force (RIF) is necessary.

Ms Kiyak said the organisation could not carry the present staff count any longer.

Project Veritas had already laid off six staffers in the last week, leaving just 11 people on its payroll including CEO Hannah Giles, one source told Mediaite.

Project Veritas was founded by Mr OKeefe back in 2010, and is known for its use of hidden cameras to discredit mainstream media organisations and progressive groups.

In February, Mr OKeefe was forced out by the Project Veritas board over allegations that he mistreated workers and misspent organisation funds.

The chairman and CEO was also accused of spending an excessive amount of donor funds on personal luxuries.

Project Veritas later sued Mr OKeefe in May, accusing him of breaching his contract with incredibly troubling workplace and financial misconduct, including screaming at colleagues, exposing employees to obscene messages and having staffers run errands for him, such as picking up laundry and cleaning his boat.

Among Mr OKeefes lavish spending, the organisation alleges, were: $10,000 for a helicopter flight from New York to Maine; more than $150,000 on private car services over an 18-month span; and expensive stays in luxury hotel suites while other employees were forced to stay in budget accommodations.

Following Mr OKeefes departure, the companys fraught financial situation appeared to continue.

Earlier this month, Ms Giles told an internal meeting the organisation was bankrupt, according to previous reports.

Former lead investigative reporter with Project Veritas Bobby Harr, who was laid off this Wednesday, told Mediaite he was confused when he was officially laid off because he thought he was already let go last month.

Project Veritas founder James OKeefe (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

I was confused by this as my job was actually cut during the first round of layoffs while I was on medical leave, he said.

Mr Harr blamed lack of funding and poor management which he said was amplified by the damage Mr OKeefe did to the organisation.

Meanwhile, former chief investigative journalist Christian Hartsock, who was laid off in August, told the outlet that he has no idea what operations there are to suspend after production and journalism staff were laid off over a month ago.

Mr OKeefes attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told Mediaite that the organisations demise after accusing him of misspending was highly suspect.

It appears that in the few months since Project Veritas ousted James, it continued to spend money at the same rate, blowing through the many millions of dollars James had previously raised for it  despite PV having no new sources of fundraising, he said in a statement.

This is highly suspect and we would welcome a full audit of PVs finances to learn where that money was actually spent.

Project Veritas suspension of operations comes one month after New York prosecutors announced that Mr OKeefe was under investigation over his use of funds and treatment of staff.

Mr OKeefes lawyer responded by blaming the investigation on disgruntled former employees of Project Veritas who had a problem with their CEO using too many car services to pay for fundraising efforts which paid their salaries.

Ms Giles told The Independent: Project Veritas is continuing to operate, but due to various events and circumstances we are making changes in the operations of our organization including laying off additional employees.

Our hearts go out to our colleagues and their families as this difficult transition occurs, and we thank them for their dedication and hard work and hope for the best new opportunities for them.

We are pausing our fundraising efforts and proactively taking steps to honor our donors expectations and to preserve the trust the American people have placed in us. We are sincerely grateful for everyone who supports us in fulfilling our mission.
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Azerbaijan's president on Wednesday hailed the country's restoration to "full sovereignty" over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region as ethnic Armenian forces agreed to lay down their weapons.

Authorities in the Armenian region declared that the local defence force will disarm and withdraw all weaponry under a Russia-mediated ceasefire following the latest bout of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict.

President Ilham Aliyev in a televised address hailed his soldiers, while offering the ethnic Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh region prospects of cooperation, reconciliation and joint development.

"In just one day, Azerbaijan fulfilled all the tasks set as part of local anti-terrorist measures" and "restored its sovereignty", the president said, adding he 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 amid decades of mistrust between the two nations.

The Azerbaijan army on Tuesday launched an "anti-terrorist" operation, unleashing an artillery barrage and drone attacks against outnumbered and undersupplied pro-Armenian forces.

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.

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev delivers address to the nation (EPA)

Russia and America condemned the bloodshed and called for an immediate end to hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenians in the contested region.

French president Emmanuel Macron spoke with Mr Aliyev and "condemned Azerbaijan's decision to use force ... at the risk of worsening the humanitarian crisis" and "compromising ongoing efforts to achieve a fair and lasting peace", his office said.

Russian peacekeepers in a statement on Thursday said they have taken in about 5,000 Karabakh residents after evacuating them from dangerous areas. Thousands of Armenians also gathered at the airport of the regional capital, Stepanakert, in a bid to flee the conflict.

Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan in an address to the nation said the fighting decreased following the truce, emphasizing that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are fully responsible for its residents security.

Armenians protest against their governments handling of Nagorno-Karabakh situation (EPA)

"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, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Pashinyan, who has previously recognised Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia wouldn't be drawn into the fighting. He said his government didn't take part in negotiating the deal, but "has taken note" of the decision made by the region's separatist authorities.

Protesters rallied in the Armenian capital of Yerevan for a second straight day Wednesday, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's move to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between the two nations, 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.
On the morning Ghost died, Solo was in ferocious combat, exchanging fire with the Russians in a field of swaying tall grass in the bloody struggle to gain ground outside Bakhmut.

Recalling the silhouettes of men lit up in the dawn mist by muzzle flashes from their guns, the former British soldier describes the pale horizon glowing orange from bursts of artillery shells, as he stands surrounded by the urgent whispers and cries of the wounded.

After an hour and a half of this exhausting combat, Solo sees Ghost  his platoon commander  lying nearby with nine bullets in his body, his gun still in his hands.
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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.

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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.
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Talks between a breakaway Armenian republic and Azerbaijan over the future of the wartorn region of Nagorno-Karabakh closed on Thursday without a final agreement, amid accusations Bakus forces violated a ceasefire.

A tense truce has been in place since Azerbaijans army claimed full control over the area after launching a lightning offensive against local Armenian forces on Tuesday.

Residents of the Karabakhs main city told The Independent that shelling and gunfire rang through the suburbs on Thursday morning. They added that a humanitarian catastrophe was unfolding as electricity had been completely cut off, food was running out and thousands of displaced civilians were hiding in shelters.

Azerbaijani officials on Thursday agreed to provide humanitarian aid, including energy to heat kindergartens and schools, a statement from Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyevs office said. Meanwhile Mr Aliyev declared victory in a televised address to the nation, saying his country had restored its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Independent was unable to verify who was behind the attacks, which came amid talks to hammer out an agreement ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting on the violence.

Russian peacekeepers evacuate civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh (Reuters)

Karabakhs Armenian authorities blamed the assault on Azerbaijani forces. Bakus defence ministry called the allegations it had broken the truce completely false.

Thursdays meeting held in the Azerbaijani town of Yevlakh ended in no firm deal. David Babayan, an adviser to Nagorno-Karabahs ethnic Armenian leader Samvel Shahramanyan, told Reuters that while there was an agreement over the cessation of military action we await a final agreement, talks are going on.

He said that there were not enough security guarantees in place to mean that local Armenian forces would give up their weapons.

A whole host of questions still need to be resolved, he said.

Both sides have been locked in a bloody battle over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh by Armenians, since the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan  which is backed by Turkey  but home to 120,000 ethnic Armenians who have enjoyed de facto independence.

In 2020, a six-week war erupted which left 6,700 people dead and saw Azerbaijan reclaim about a third of the region. Russia, historically a close ally of Armenia that has long seen itself as a security guarantee in the South Caucuses, brokered a truce and dispatched 2,000 peacekeepers.

That was broken on Tuesday by the Azerbaijan army that unleashed a fresh wave of artillery and drone strikes against the outnumbered and undersupplied pro-Armenian forces, raising concerns that a full-scale war could resume.

The fighting worsened an already burgeoning humanitarian crisis for residents who have endured nine months of food, electricity and medicine shortages. This is due to Azerbaijans blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said at least 200 people, including 10 civilians, were killed. The figures could not immediately be independently verified.

Facing mounting pressure, local Armenian self-defence forces agreed on Wednesday to disarm and disband.

Deputy of the National Assembly of the Nagorno-Karabakh David Melkumyan, left, attends talks with Azerbaijani delegation in the Azerbaijani town of Yevlakh (AFPTV)

The UN Security Council scheduled an urgent meeting on Thursday on the Azerbaijani offensive at the request of France. French president Emmanuel Macron condemned Azerbaijans decision to use force at the risk of worsening the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken denounced Bakus use of military force saying that these actions undermine prospects for peace: and were unacceptable.

Residents of the main city Stepanakert, which Azerbaijan calls Khankendi, said thousands of civilians had fled rural areas to the city centre and were now living in shelters without electricity and scant food supplies.

Its unimaginably hard here. People cant find food, we have over 10,000 people evacuated from villages, there are children, the elderly and missing people, said Siranush Sargsyan, a freelance Armenian journalist in the city.

This morning we heard shooting and shelling, panicking the neighbourhood. People started to run, she continued, adding that the biggest concern now was staying alive and finding missing relatives.

She said network connection had been bad because of the lack of electricity meaning that many people were unaccounted for. For the last three days, we havent had any electricity at all.

Civilians evacuated by Russian peacekeepers in a camp in Nagorno-Karabakh (Reuters)

Gev Iskajyan, executive director of ANC, an Armenian lobbying group in the US, went as far as to say Thursday was the final stage of Artsakhs ethnic cleansing. Also speaking from Stepanakert he said he feared a mass exodus of people from their homes.

We need to create mechanisms that would ensure the safe movement of the ethnic Armenians from Artsakh to Armenia, he added.

Its unimaginably hard here. People cant find food, we have over 10000 evacuees Siranush Sargsyan, journalist in Nagorno-Karabakh

Sheila Paylan, an international human rights lawyer and former adviser to the UN, said the situation couldnt be more dangerous for the Armenians.

The international obligation to intervene is [needed] now more than ever. There should be a possibility of international sanctions against Azerbaijan to change this condemnable behaviour, she added.

Restoring control over the war-ravaged region has been a key goal for Mr Aliyev, who on Wednesday said Azerbaijan had triumphed with an iron fist.

After the surrender of the criminal junta, this source of tension, this den of poison, has already been consigned to history, Mr Aliyev said, focusing his anger on Karabakhs leadership.

He said the regions ethnic Armenians would enjoy full educational, cultural and religious rights. All ethnic groups and faiths would be united as one fist  for Azerbaijan, for dignity, for the motherland.

It has been a damning blow to the separatist Karabakh leadership and for Armenia, which helped Armenians in the enclave and fought two wars with Azerbaijan in the space of 30 years.

Armenias foreign ministry condemned Azerbaijans military operation saying it was part of a policy of ethnic cleansing. Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan later said that Armenians were going through untold physical and psychological suffering.

Baku has faced mounting criticism from the international community for turning to force.

Mr Macron, who spoke to Mr Aliyev on Wednesday, said the fighting compromised ongoing efforts to achieve fair and lasting peace.

He stressed the need to respect the ceasefire and provide guarantees for the rights and security of the people of Karabakh, in line with international law.

Protesters rallied in the Armenian capital of Yerevan for a third day on Thursday, demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Russian foreign ministry has called for an immediate halt to the bloodshed.
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Poland has announced it will no longer be sending weapons to Ukraine amid growing tension between Warsaw and Kyiv after a ban on Ukrainian grain imports was extended.

Prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he would instead be investing the money in arming Poland, which has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies since Russia invaded last year, with the most modern weapons.

The announcement coincides with tensions reaching boiling point between the two neighbours after Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky said some countries were feigning solidarity by indirectly supporting Russia with a ban on grain imports.

The Russian invasion led to a surge in Ukrainian grain ending up in Europe as the main Black Sea shipping lanes all but closed.

Poland's Mateusz Morawiecki, right, with Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)

Imports were then blocked by five countries to try and protect EU farmers, amid fears the amount of grain would drive down local prices. Poland extended the ban after the European Union-brokered deal expired last week.

With Poland cutting arms supplies to Ukraine, here we take a look at the tensions that escalated this week between the two neighbours:

The move came amid growing tension between Warsaw and Kyiv over grain imports (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Dispute over grain

Tensions have been growing between Warsaw and Kyiv ever since imports of Ukrainian grain, including wheat and maize, were blocked by Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, under an agreement reached with the EU in May this year.

Under the agreement, which expired on 15 September, Ukraines five neighbours banned domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while allowing transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere.

The Eastern European countries claim Russias invasion of Ukraine has affected their domestic farming industries, with farmers complaining they are being undercut by Ukrainian grain imports. In 2022, they rose to 2.45m tonnes compared to 100,000 tonnes in a normal year.

Bulgarian farmers protest against the lifting of ban on imports of grain coming from Ukraine (AFP via Getty Images)

After the European Union-brokered deal expired last week, Poland imposed a unilateral ban on Ukrainian grain exports. On Monday, Ukraine launched a legal challenge at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Kyiv claimed Polands ban was a violation of their international obligations.

The systemic approach of Budapest and Warsaw of ignoring the position of the EU institutions in trade policy, I think that will be a problem for the EU in general, because there is no unity there, Ukraines Trade Representative Taras Kachka told Politico.

But this week, tensions reached boiling point after Mr Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that Eastern European countries were feigning solidarity by indirectly supporting Russia by banning grain imports.

Poland then summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to its foreign ministry to protest against Mr Zelenskys comments. Hours later, Warsaw announced it would no longer be supplying weapons to Ukraine.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, the prime minister said.

Poland has previously sent 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets to the war-torn country.

Mr Morawiecki also issued a warning to Kyiv, saying that if they escalate the conflict, additional products will be added to the list of banned imports.

He said: I am warning Ukraines authorities. Because if they are to escalate the conflict like that, we will add additional products to the ban on imports into Poland.

Ukrainian authorities do not understand the degree to which Polands farming industry has been destabilised. We are protecting Polish farmers.

Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly Eastern European countries were feigning solidarity (AFP via Getty Images)

Asked about Mr Morawieckis comments on arms supplies, Polands state assets minister Jacek Sasin added: At the moment it is as the prime minister said, in the future we will see.

Mr Sasin insisted the row over grain imports did not mean Poland had ceased to back Ukraine against Russia but that Warsaw needed to replenish its own arms stockpiles.

In this case, Polish interests come first, he said. We cannot disarm the Polish army, we cannot get rid of the weapons that are necessary for our security.

Where we could arrange for the transfer of weapons, we did it and we were very generous in this matter. Here we have absolutely nothing to reproach ourselves with.

Dr Marina Miron, post doctoral researcher at Kings College London war studies department, said that the parliamentary election in Poland set for 15 October likely also is a factor in the ban announced on Wednesday.

Polands Law and Justice party has stepped up its rhetoric supporting farmers in recent weeks as its election campaign continues ahead of next months vote. Poland is in its pre-election stage and needs to ensure domestic support, she said.

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Poland is losing its nerve. It seems people are starting to get tired of the war, because there has been no breakthrough, there are corruption scandals, and Ukrainian grain imports are damaging the economy.
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Poland has said it will stop exporting weapons to Ukraine as a week of escalating tensions between the two countries reached boiling point over a ban on grain imports.

Prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he would instead invest the money in arming Poland, which has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies since Russia invaded last year, with the most modern weapons.

The row between the neighbouring countries began last week when Poland imposed an import ban on Ukrainian grain, including wheat and maize, after an EU-brokered deal expired.

The deal, which ended on 15 September, allowed Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia to ban the sale of Ukrainian grain, which they claim has flooded the European market and undercut domestic grain prices since Putins invasion, damaging their economies.

But Ukraine launched a legal challenge at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday after Poland reinstated the ban, claiming the country had failed to meet its international obligations.

Days after, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly that some friends in Europe were feigning solidarity by indirectly supporting Russia by banning the sale of its grain.

Poland then summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to its foreign ministry to protest against Mr Zelenskys comments. Hours later, Warsaw announced it would no longer be supplying weapons to Ukraine.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, the prime minister said.

While the country claimed Ukrainian authorities do not understand the extent to which Polands farming industry has been destabilised, one expert claimed Poland was losing its nerve.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrives to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters (AFP via Getty)

Poland is losing its nerve. It seems people are starting to get tired of the war, because there has been no breakthrough, there are corruption scandals, and Ukrainian grain imports are damaging the economy, Dr Marina Miron, post-doctoral researcher at Kings College London war studies department, told The Independent.

She explained that Polands general election on 15 October was crucial in explaining the ban. In recent weeks, Polands Law and Justice party has stepped up its rhetoric supporting farmers in recent weeks.

Poland is in its pre-election stage and needs to ensure domestic support, Dr Miron added. However, Polands state assets minister Jacek Sasin claimed the row over grain imports did not mean Poland had ceased to back Ukraine against Russia.

At the moment it is as the prime minister said, in the future, we will see. In this case, Polish interests come first, he said. We cannot disarm the Polish army, we cannot get rid of the weapons that are necessary for our security.

One expert claimed Poland was losing its nerve (AP)

Where we could arrange for the transfer of weapons, we did it and we were very generous in this matter. Here we have absolutely nothing to reproach ourselves with.

Poland has previously sent 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets to the war-torn country. Mr Morawiecki also issued a warning to Kyiv, saying that if they escalate the conflict, additional products will be added to the list of banned imports.

He said: I am warning Ukraines authorities. Because if they are to escalate the conflict like that, we will add additional products to the ban on imports into Poland.

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Polands decision has been criticised around the world. Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council, accused Morawiecki and other ruling authorities of a moral and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine in the back politically when they decide to fight on the Ukrainian front, just because it will be profitable for their campaign.

Michal Baranowski, a security and defence expert, added: The message is very bad, both for Polands reputation but also because Poland has been one of the chief advocates of military aid to Ukraine. Saying Poland will not be sending more weapons means that Poland can no longer play this role.
Laman Ismayilova

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has hosted an international exhibition "Petroglyphs, tribal tamga and ancient Turkic writing" in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The event took place at the Turkish Cultural Center of the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam, within the foundation's cooperation with the Embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkiye in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Azernews reports.

The main goal of the project is to study and popularize the ancient scripts belonging to the Turkic peoples, as well as to promote them among a wider audience.

Speaking at the event, president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva noted that every day the organization's activities are expanding in the direction of studying, preserving and promoting the rich Turkic cultural heritage.

She stressed the importance of the development of human civilization of the ancient Turkic script, which is an integral part of the common Turkic culture.

Gunay Afandiyeva emphasized that the exhibition dedicated to petroglyphs, tamgas and runic signs from ancient Turkic inscriptions is a part of a large-scale project initiated by the foundation.

In her speech, the president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation stressed that the exhibition, along with unique examples of art from ancient times, is an expression of the modern artistic embodiment of common Turkic ideas.

Gunay Afandiyeva expressed her confidence that the exhibition will contribute to strengthening ties between the Turkic peoples, the formation of a wide acquaintance with the historical and cultural heritage in the European space and intercultural exchange.

In their remarks, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Netherlands Rahman Mustafayev, the Kazakh Ambassador to the Netherlands Askar Zhumagaliyev, the Turkish Ambassador to the Netherlands Selcuk Unal, head of the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam Adil Akaltun, emphasized the importance of research the centuries old written heritage uniting the Turkic peoples.

They highly appreciated the activities of the International Turkic Culture and heritage Foundation in this direction.

The exhibition featured works of Turkic countries masters applied art of Turkic inscriptions  Sanjar Zhubanov (Kazakhstan), Zhumagul Tashiyev (Kyrgyzstan) and Sabit Gurbanov (Azerbaijan), as well as their master classes. Within the framework of the exhibition, the head of the Public Association ??? ????? Meruert Kurmangalieva and expert research Dair Kydyrgaliuly (Kazakhstan) gave lectures and informed the participants about ancient runic inscriptions.

The exhibition was attended by the diplomatic corps accredited in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as representatives of the diaspora, scientists and cultural figures, Turkologists and media representatives.

Note that the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third nations.

Initiated in 2012, the foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs.

The organization carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.
India's Ola Electric plans to file regulatory papers for its up to $700 million IPO before the end of October as the e-scooter maker fast-tracks its listing move, three people with direct knowledge said.

Backed by investors including Singapore's Temasek and Japan's SoftBank, Ola Electric was valued at $5.4 billion in a recent fund raising. In an email to its bankers and lawyers on Sunday, an Ola Electric executive asked external advisers on the IPO - including the investment banking units of India's Kotak and ICICI, as well as foreign banks including Bank of America and Goldman Sachs - to give "utmost priority" to meet a five-week deadline, said the sources.

Ola Electric and Kotak did not respond to a request for comment while the other three banks declined to comment. The sources did not wish to be identified as the communication is internal.

Ola's IPO project is internally codenamed "Project Himalaya", and the memo came with a request to bankers and lawyers: do not plan any "long leaves to ensure availability", said the sources.

IPO-bound Indian companies typically do not instruct senior bankers and lawyers to not take leaves, they said.

Also Read : Ola Electric ties up with MotoGP Bharat, will offer electric scooters for mobility duties around BIC track

Once the IPO papers are filed, they will be reviewed by India's markets regulator who can also send queries, indicating any possible listing is still some months away.

Ola Electric is targeting IPO roadshows for early January or February, said one of the sources.

The company, India's market leader in e-scooters with a 30% share, was founded by Bhavish Aggarwal and has seen its popularity surge as the country promotes use of electric cars and scooters.

Watch: Ola Electric motorcycle concepts breaks cover | To launch in 2024

He has said his affordable e-scooters, which start retailing at $1,080, are for the masses, and in an interview this year said "Tesla is for the West, Ola is for the rest."

Ola Electric, though, still makes losses. It recorded an operating loss of $136 million on revenue of $335 million in the fiscal year ending March 2023, Reuters has reported.

First Published Date:
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Vladimir Putin has accepted an invite from Xi Jinping to visit China for a Belt and Road Summit being held in October in his first known trip abroad since an arrest warrant was slapped against him for the deportation of children from Ukraine.

The Russian president recently met North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and is looking to cement ties with a handful of allies after being isolated on the world stage due to his invasion of Ukraine.

Russia and China are integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space, Mr Putin said, adding that the Chinese-led Belt and Road initiative is a part of that.

He announced his intention to visit Beijing after a meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, who is in Moscow this week for a strategic diplomatic visit.

Mr Putin told the top Chinese diplomat that the Belt and Road strategy fully meets and coincides with Russias interests, according to a statement by the Kremlin.

He will be attending the summit in Chinese capital Beijing.

We believe in merging our vision of creating a Greater Eurasian space with the idea of our Chinese friends as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and we have been quite good at synchronising our efforts, he said.

After invading Ukraine in February last year, Mr Putin has increasingly relied on seeking support from his allies in Asia, prominently China and North Korea. Russia has also amped up trade with China by selling it more energy and showing diplomatic bonhomie by carrying out joint military exercises.

The talks in Beijing will be thorough, said Nikolai Patrushev, a close aide to the Russian president and the secretary of Russias Security Council. He said Russia and China should deepen cooperation in the face of the Wests attempt to contain them both.

Both countries also have strained relations with the US, with Mr Xi briefly becoming the only foreign leader to have paid Mr Putin a visit in Moscow until recently, when Mr Kim revelled in his own six-day sojourn to Russias far east.

A flagship initiative of Beijing, the Belt and Road project has been a key prospect for China to expand its influence in developing countries through infrastructure projects.

On the continuing war in Ukraine, China has shown a neutral stand and has gone to the extent of criticising Western sanctions against Moscow and the arming of Kyiv by several Western nations.

It also accused Nato and the US of provoking Russias military action and declared last year that it had a no-limits friendship with Russia.

Earlier this year, CIA director William Burns said Russia was becoming more and more dependent on China and was even at risk of becoming its economic colony in time.
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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.
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Ukraine has fired at least 19 lethal drones over the Black Sea and the Crimean peninsula, and three more over other bordering regions of Russia, the Russian defence ministry said on Thursday.

The Russian anti-aircraft units intercepted and destroyed over a dozen drones in the region, the ministry said on its Telegram channel.

In the night from 20 to 21 September, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with lethal drones on sites in the Russian Federation was intercepted, the ministry said.

Russian and Crimea-related Telegram channels reported loud explosions overnight. In Sevastopol, in the area of Kazachya and Kamyshovaya bays, it has been very loud for the last hour, read a post on Telegram channel Crimean Wind, adding that the explosions set off car alarms.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are massively trying to attack Crimea using drones. According to military officials, at least seven drones have been shot down in just the last 20 minutes. Residents of Evpatoria, Dzhankoy, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Saki, Novofedorovka and other cities report the sounds of air defence, said Baza, a prominent Telegram account related to Russias security services.

It added that the locals have termed the overnight attack as the largest drone strike of all time.

Three drones were downed over Kursk, Belgorod and Orlov in central and southern Russia.

Belgorod, just 40km (25 miles) from Ukraines war frontline, has been under continued air assault every day this month. The illegally annexed Crimea is also now heavily targeted in the continuing warfare, with sensitive military infrastructure and sites in the region on Kyivs radar.

The ministry did not mention if there are any immediate casualties or damage.

While Ukraine rarely takes responsibility for these attacks on Russia and Russian-controlled territories, it has recounted the strikes with a sense of achievement as it maintains that targeting these regions aids its military counteroffensive.

On Wednesday, Ukraines defence ministry made a rare triumphant video and confirmed its forces struck a Russian Black Sea fleet command post near Sevastopol in Crimea, a week after the major naval port was set ablaze in a cruise missile attack.
 Close Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

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Ukrainian troops have made confirmed advances against Russia on two fronts, 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 two Russian soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of killing a family of nine, including two young children, in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakha.

Chechen units may have committed the murders because the family refused to shelter Chechen forces in their house, Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said.

Meanwhile, Russia struck Ukraines Kremenchuk oil refinery in Poltava after launching scores of drones and a missile overnight, military officials said.

The refinery was set ablaze during a broader attack which targeted military and critical infrastructure, Filip Pronin, head of the regions military administration, said.
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More than 300 of Vladimir Putins soldiers have been killed and wounded in a span of 24 hours in Zaporizhzhias oblast, Ukraines armed forces said in a battlefield update on Wednesday.

Ukrainian commander general Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said the Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 18 times with 830 attacks, one rocket and 23 air strikes in the past day. In retaliation, the artillery units under him launched 1,232 fire missions during the day.

The fierce fighting update came from Tavriia village in Zaporizhzhia oblast where Russian forces and Ukrainian troops have been engaged in a grinding battle since the invasion began in February last year.

Over the last day, the enemy lost 325 people  130 irretrievably injured, 194 wounded, 1 captured, the commander of the Tavriia operational and strategic group of forces said on his official Telegram channel.

The top military official of the unit said his unit destroyed 48 pieces of Russian military equipment.

Among them are three tanks, eight armoured combat vehicles, seven artillery systems and mortars, one multiple-launch rocket system, 14 UAVs, and 15 pieces of vehicles, he said.

One ammunition depot and another strategic object belonging to the Russians was also destroyed, the commander said.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian general staff said the countrys forces continued their offensive operations and inflicted significant losses on Russias manpower and equipment in the Melitopol direction but did not state a tally of casualties and losses mounted.

Experts monitoring the war have said Russias losses in the western Zaporizhzia oblast have significantly shot up. This is heightened by the Russian militarys 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, the US-based Institute for the Study of War said.

The loss of Russian troops recorded on Tuesday is significantly higher than Russian losses during the previous two days when Russian forces lost roughly 200 personnel each day, according to the Tavriisk Group of Forces spokesperson, colonel Oleksandr Shtupun.

Russia deployed its elite airborne unit (VDV) forces in Zaporizhzhia, a strategic territory in the war housing Europes biggest nuclear power plant.

But the spokesperson added that Russia is sending convict recruits named Storm-Z detachments which will act as cover for the elite troops, possibly referring to the need to cover the VDV units during a potential withdrawal, the US-based think-tank said.
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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.
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The Russian envoy attending the United Nations Security Council meeting on president Vladimir Putins behalf was told to stop the war after he objected to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskys speech on Wednesday.

Russias ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia protested the council presidents decision to allow Mr Zelensky to speak before the 15 council members.

We would like to ask you on what basis you are proposing to allow president Zelensky to speak before the members of the council, many of whom are represented by the heads of states and governments, the Russian envoy said, accusing the Albanian state of demonstrating open disregard for the procedures and practices of the UN security council.

Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nation (AP)

Albanian prime minister Edi Rama shot back at the Russian leader: I must say that coming from you all this lecture of violating the rules in this building is quite an impressive shot.

You stop the war and president Zelensky will not take the floor, he said, after noting the objection flagged by the Russian leader over the Ukrainian leader speaking before the council members had addressed the meeting.

Mr Rama also cited the council rule allowing a non-member to speak first and 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.

Another heated exchange erupted at the table after Mr Nebenzia referred to Mr Rama as Albanias prime minister and a Nato member instead of as the council president but Mr Rama declared: I take note, and well continue with our session.

Shortly after, Mr Zelensky took to X and thanked the Albanian leader for correctly handling Russia as he shared a video clip of the heated exchange.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives to address the 78th United Nations General Assembl (AFP via Getty Images)

Dear @EdiRamaal, today at the UNSC you showed the world how to correctly handle Russia, its lies, and its hypocrisy. I thank you for steering the presidency in such a principled manner, he said on Twitter.

The second day of the UN meeting in New York was flooded with speculations on the Ukrainian president and Russias top diplomat Sergei Lavrov clashing for the first time in person since the invasion in Ukraine started in February last year. The two were either expected to clash, speak or totally avoid each other.

In the end, Mr Zelensky and Sergei Lavrov avoided staring each other down across the UN Security Councils famous horseshoe-shaped table as the former left before Mr Lavrov arrived.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a high level Security Council meeting (AP)

Mr Zelensky denounced Russia as a terrorist state while Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia sat facing him near the other end of the tables arc. As the Ukrainian president launched into his remarks, the Russian briefly looked at his phone, then tucked the device away.

Mr Zelensky left before Mr Lavrovs arrival, which happened as US secretary of state Antony Blinken was accusing Russia of having shredded key provisions of the UN Charter.

Mr 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 US 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 UN charter in an interconnected way.
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Three South African navy personnel have died and a senior officer is fighting for life after a submarine crew was swept off deck by large waves near Cape Town.

Seven crew members on the SAS Manthatisi were swept off the vessels deck as a military helicopter was attempting to drop supplies down to the submarine on the ocean surface on Wednesday.

South Africas Department of Defence said that all crew members were rescued, but three were pronounced dead.

A crew member who was sent from the Air Force Lynx helicopter to help the submarine crew was also rescued and is in hospital alongside the four surviving submariners.

The National Sea Rescue Institute and other emergency services were called in to help with the rescue, the Department of Defence said.

There will be an inquiry into the failed operation and the resulting deaths, the department added.

The South African National Defence Force, which comprises all the armed forces, said a female officer with the rank of lieutenant commander was among the three who died.

Cape Town and other areas on South Africas south coast have been hit by extremely rough seas since last weekend, caused by a phenomenon known as spring tide.

South African armed forces analyst Dean Wingrin told the defenceWeb website that the submarine was moving to the Cape Town waterfront for a three-day navy exhibition starting on Saturday.

The navy has planned the exhibition to mark South Africas Heritage Day national holiday on Sunday.

The SAS Manthatisi is one of three German-built Type 209/1400 Heroine-class submarines in the South African navy fleet and had returned to the water earlier this year after undergoing maintenance work.
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A man who died after driving his car off a collapsed bridge was following Google Maps directions, according to a lawsuit.

The family of Philip Paxson, who drowned on 30 September last year while driving home from his daughters ninth birthday party, is suing the technology giant for negligence, claiming that it had been informed of the collapse but failed to update its navigation system.

Paxson, a medical device salesman and father of two, drove his Jeep Gladiator off the derelict bridge into Snow Creek in Hickory, North Carolina.

He was driving through an unfamiliar neighbourhood when Google Maps directed him to cross a bridge that had collapsed nine years prior and was never repaired, a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court alleges.

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," said his wife, Alicia Paxson.

State troopers who found Paxson'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 six metres (20 feet) below, according to the lawsuit.

A photograph of the bridge in Hickory, North Carolina, following the incident (Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky)

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 and 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.

A spokesperson for Google, which is headquartered in California but maintains a registered office in Raleigh, said: 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.

In a post on Facebook, Paxsons mother-in-law wrote that it was dark and rainy on the night that he died.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, she wrote. It was a totally preventable accident. We are grieving his death.

Additional reporting from agencies
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Bestune, the passenger vehicle brand under the renowned FAW Group, has undergone significant changes in its corporate structure, according to Chinese corporate database Tianyancha.

NAT PRO; photo credit: Bestune

Recent business updates include the addition of new shareholders, Jiangsu Yueda Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Yueda Automobile Group"), and FAW Equity Investment (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Concurrently, the registered capital of the company has surged from approximately 60.28 billion yuan to about 84.25 billion yuan.

Following these alterations, China FAW Group Corporation, FAW Equity Investment (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu Yueda Automobile Group Co., Ltd. hold 86.16%, 11.87%, and 1.97% of the Bestunes shares, respectively.

As previously reported, the entire capital raised through Bestune's investment will be primarily allocated to the research, production, and market promotion of new energy vehicle products. This strategic move aims to expedite the transition to new energy vehicles.

In the first half of 2023, Bestune introduced two new models, the M9 and the T90, achieving comprehensive coverage in sedans, MPVs, SUVs, and new energy products. These efforts yielded significant results, with the company announcing that both monthly production and sales exceeded 10,000 units in August. Specifically, Bestune achieved a new high in nearly 28 months as its monthly production reached 12,117 units. Meanwhile, with its sales standing at 10,018 units, Bestune saw a month-on-month surge of 43% and a year-on-year soar of 134%.

"Bestune is fully embracing the era of new energy vehicles, transitioning toward a future with a reduced emphasis on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, we are also actively developing hybrid electric and range-extended models," stated Lu Yu, Deputy General Manager of Bestune. The company's strategy is centered around becoming a mobility service provider and constructing a comprehensive product lineup. According to the companys plans, Bestune aims to launch seven new energy vehicle models over the next three years, based on the FMA and FME platforms, swiftly implementing innovations in core electrification technologies and intelligent cabins.
John Fetterman became emotional as he addressed those who mock him for his auditory processing disability during a committee hearing on Thursday 21 September.

The Democratic senator spoke in front of other people with disabilities on the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Mr Fetterman showed an app on his phone that offers a transcription service, which allows him to fully participate in meetings and communicate with his children after a stroke.

Because I live in a political environment, I was ridiculed and made fun of because I wasnt able to process things at times, he said, welling up.

Im so sorry, Im sure many of you had to go through this kind of thing, he added.
King Charles hailed the indispensable relationship between the UK and France as he became the first British monarch to address Frances Senate chamber.

Charles said: Inspired and encouraged by my grandmothers and my late mothers example, France has been an essential part of the fabric of my own life for as long as I can remember.

I have been struck by the warmth of the welcome I have always received, and by the immense good that can be accomplished when France and the United Kingdom work together.

Now, on the occasion of my first state visit to France, my belief in the indispensable relationship between our countries is as firm as it has ever been.
Poland has said it is no longer supplying weapons to Ukraine, as a diplomatic dispute over grain escalates.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland's focus was instead on defending itself with more modern weapons.

On Tuesday, Poland summoned Ukraine's ambassador over comments made by President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations after Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia extended a ban on Ukrainian grain.

Mr Zelensky said it was alarming how some of Ukraine's friends in Europe were playing out solidarity "in a political theatre - making a thriller from grain".

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, the prime minister said.
Russian peacekeepers are working actively with all parties and doing everything to protect civilians involved in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Vladimir Putin has said.

His remarks came during a meeting with Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St Petersburg on Wednesday.

He said the Russian peacekeeping force was doing everything to protect civilians in the region.

I hope we can achieve de-escalation and solve the issue in a peaceful way, Putin said.

A cease-fire agreement with Azerbaijan was reached on Wednesday to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, local authorities and Azerbaijani officials said.
A Russian official clashed with the Albanian prime minister at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, 20 September, over Volodymyr Zelensky's speech.

Vassily Nebenzia objected to the Ukrainian president taking the floor at the start of the meeting, to which Edi Rama responded: "There is a solution for this... you stop the war and President Zelensky will not take the floor."

Later on in the discussion there was a further clash, when the Russian official accused Mr Rama of "providing political assessments," to which Mr Rama responded: "Don't provoke me."
Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a very strong dialogue with senators after his behind-closed-doors meeting on Capitol Hill on Thursday 21 September.

The president of Ukraine made a trip to Washington DC this week to shore up US support for his nation.

During his visit, Mr Zelensky met with the entire Senate, but only a select few House leaders attended a meeting on the other side of Capitol Hill.

We spoke about support, about the situation on the battlefield, about our class. I cant share with you all the details, but I think we had a very strong dialogue with senators, he told reporters.
Volodymyr Zelensky met with Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday 21 September.

The president of Ukraine arrived alongside First Lady Olena Zelenska and was seen shaking hands with Mr Biden and Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States.

Mr Zelensky, who earlier visited Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, capped his visit to Washington with an Oval Office meeting.

He said he felt trust between himself and top American officials and expressed gratitude for the defence support that has allowed his armed forces to combat Russian terror.

Mr Biden added that the US and the American people are determined to do all we can to ensure that the world stands with Ukraine.
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Over recent years, conservatives have launched a steady series of attacks on public and school libraries, demanding the removal and banning of books they deem immoral or a threat to children. The frightening wave of censorship has been compared more than once to Nazi book burnings. Now, the GOP has gone out of its way to validate those comparisons by targeting the work of Anne Frank, a German Jewish diarist who recorded her life between the ages of 12 and 15 before she was murdered in Hitlers concentration camps.

The effort to silence Frank now as she was silenced in the past is brazen, but unsurprising. The far rights hatreds and obsessions today are much the same as their hatreds and obsessions have ever been. The same marginalized people are singled out as scapegoats in the name of the same supposedly pure, but actually violent and intolerant, community.

The graphic novel adaptation of Anne Franks diary created by Israeli screenwriter Ari Folman has been the target of censorship before; the far-right group Moms for Liberty got the book removed from a school library in Florida earlier this year. This most recent challenge occurred in Texas. A middle-school teacher was fired for assigning the graphic novel to a class of eighth-graders. The students are around the same age as Anne when she was hiding from the Nazis in an attic.

The graphic novel adaptation has been singled out in part because it includes passages in which Frank discusses her period and her lesbian fantasies. Anne edited these passages, and entries about crushes on boys, out of a version of the diary she prepared for herself, but they have been added back into most contemporary editions. Thats because editors and readers believe that its imperative to acknowledge Anne as a complete human being and a complete writer. The Nazis declared Anne unclean and murdered her in the name of purity. We dont want to endorse them by blacking out portions of her life as too dirty or insufficiently respectable.

Conservatives, though, dont seem to care about Franks legacy. Their attack on the graphic novel is in line with the current right wing censorship panic, which has focused on LGBT books like Maia Kobabes Gender Queer: A Memoir and Juno Dawsons This Book Is Gay. In 2022, a record-breaking 2,571 titles were targeted for censorship  a 38 percent increase over 2021. These book bans have been reinforced and compounded by death threats and bomb threats against those who oppose them. The vast majority of challenged books, according to the ALA, were written by or about LGBT people or people of color.

The right claims that books about LGBT people are unfit for children. The assumption is that gay or bisexual children, like Anne Frank, dont exist, shouldnt exist, or shouldnt be able to read about people with experiences like their own.

Its notable that the Nazis censored LGBT material too. A few months after Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, Nazis engaged in a violent bacchanal of book burning. They specifically targeted Magnus Hirschfields Institute for Sexual Research, a medical center which provided gender affirming care to trans patients and conducted groundbreaking research. Nazis and Nazi-sympathizing Germans burned the institutes entire priceless library, much of it irreplaceable.

Hirschfield was a gay Jewish man. The Nazis hated him for being Jewish, of course. But they also targeted him for his sexuality. As far as the Nazis were concerned, gay people and Jewish people were part of the same threat.

Hitler was committed to establishing a pure Aryan community, in which strong white men and dutiful white women would produce perfect white children to serve the Fuhrer and conquer the world. All things which take place in the sexual sphere are not the private affair of the individual, but signify the life and death of the nation, Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS declared. The Nazis were obsessed with the idea that Jewish people would weaken the Aryan race by having children with white Germans; Mein Kampf is filled with rants against race defilement. By the same token, LGBT people were seen as a threat to pure procreative sexuality.

Right wingers may claim that they dislike Anne Franks work because it discusses bisexuality, not because Frank is Jewish. But you cant separate out a Jewish Anne from a queer Anne. Shes all one person. Whether you target her for one identity the Nazis despised or for another identity the Nazis despised, youre still targeting the same girl the Nazis murdered.

Fascists want to get rid of those they deem deviant; they want to prevent them from speaking and prevent others from seeing them. Censoring Franks diary and Franks discussion of her sexuality is a way of saying that Franks words and Franks experiences are dangerous, infectious, impure. That is exactly what the Nazis thought about Jewish people, and about LGBT people too. Thats why they killed Anne Frank. Her words, though, lived on, and defied them. We shouldnt silence her where they failed.
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A hackneyed observation? Perhaps. But I can only conclude that Rupert Murdoch saw the final season of Succession and thought he would much prefer to rewrite the ending.

Unlike the HBO dramas fictional media mogul Logan Roy, whose death threw the future of his TV network into question, Murdoch is taking fate into his own hands by stepping down from the boards of both Fox and News Corporation, the parent company of Fox News. Control of both companies passes to his son, Lachlan Murdoch  though his other three children will retain equal votes on the companys future once the 92-year-old dies.

To be completely frank, I do not think this development will result in any change. Lachlan Murdoch has generally been captaining Satans Ship  that is, the vast propaganda machine that is News Corp  for years now and shows little sign of changing course. Why would he? Generating conspiracy theories and attacks on political opponents has proven incredibly lucrative: the Fox Corporation reported $1.24 billion in net profits this year, a figure that factors in the costly legal settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over Tucker Carlsons outrageous election lies, which cost the company more than three-quarters of a billion dollars. Simply put, misinformation is mighty lucrative for the Murdoch men.

Still, it is worth considering the legacy of the nonagenarian Australian. Murdoch has acquired papers across the globe  from The Australian in his home country to The Sun in the UK and the New York Post in the USA  each with an unabashed, unrelenting right wing bend.

It was the launch of Fox News in 1996, though, that solidified Murdochs place in American history. Despite branding itself as fair and balanced for more than two decades, from the outset the network promoted the conservative causes of Murdoch and his cronies. Many journalists believe Mr Murdoch wants to offer a conservative alternative to what he views as liberal bias among traditional news purveyors, The New York Times reported in 1996, pointing out that the first and longtime chairman and chief executive, Roger Ailes, was a well-known former Republican political strategist.

If that was Murdochs intention, credit where its due. Fox News has been nothing short of a godsend for the Republican Party and conservative crusaders who wish to divide and conquer the American people. A 2003 column by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David D Kirkpatrick reported that the editorial policies of almost all his English-language news organizations have hewn very closely to Mr Murdochs own stridently hawkish political views, making his voice among the loudest in the Anglophone world in the international debate over the American-led war with Iraq.

Unsurprisingly, a contemporaneous study by the Program on International Policy at the University of Maryland found that Fox News viewers were significantly more likely to have misperceptions of the war than those who primarily got their news from other sources. This was echoed in a 2010 study, which found Fox News viewers to be significantly more misinformed than other news consumers.

This is down, in large part, to some of the networks biggest stars. Bill OReilly, the networks first firebrand, singlehandedly created the (utterly fictitious) war on Christmas in 2004. Meanwhile, the networks stars  including Greta Van Susteren, Sean Hannity, and Steve Doocy  gave ample airtime for then-reality TV host Donald Trump (and others) to stoke baseless conspiracy theories that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Indeed, Trumps rise to the presidency and everything that happened afterward  Charlottesville, Covid denialism, January 6  owe much to Rupert Murdoch and his Fox News empire.

Simply put, so many of the modern ills of American society can be traced back to this one man and the network he launched to reshape the country and the world to his liking. Rupert Murdoch is one of the great villains in American history, promoting misinformation and outright hostility towards political opponents and marginalized groups to make a profit and brainwash the masses.
A non-binding opinion on the Apple tax case is due on November 9 from the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. Photograph: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Bloomberg

Belgium has lost a long-running corporation tax case against the EU just weeks ahead of a preliminary ruling in Irelands 13bn Apple tax case.

The blocs second-highest court said on Tuesday that Belgium had given unfair tax breaks to 55 multinationals over the course of a decade.

The EUs General Court said the European Commission was right to find in 2016 that the scheme infringes EU state-aid rules.

According to the General Court, the Commission did demonstrate that the scheme at issue granted tax advantages to its beneficiaries, the court said in a statement.

It is the General Courts second judgment in the case and reverses a 2019 ruling that found in favour of Belgium.

The Commission appealed that decision. The case was then referred to the blocs top court in 2021, which found errors of law in the 2019 judgment, and sent it back to the General Court for a final decision.

Belgium is entitled to appeal the ruling.

The case rests on a Belgium tax scheme dating from 2005, which allowed multinational groups a corporate tax exemption on excess profits  that is, profits over and above what a hypothetical standalone company could have earned at the time.

The opt-outs were conditional on multinationals investing and creating jobs in Belgium.

In 2016, the European Commission said the exemption amounted to illegal state aid and said the country needed to recoup around 700m from  at the time  at least 35 firms.

The number of firms has since risen to 55.

Some of the companies that agreed deals with the Belgian government included pharma firm Pfizers animal health unit, a chemicals division of oil giant BP, German chemical manufacturer BASF and the European subsidiary of tire maker Bridgestone.

Meanwhile, the EU courts advocate general is due to publish a non-binding opinion in the Apple case on November 9, with a final court judgment likely to follow a few months after.

The Commissions case against Apple in Ireland is its highest-profile case in the last decade in a sweep of sweetheart tax deals that targeted global brands including Nike, Converse, Starbucks, Ikea and McDonalds activities in the EU.

Last year, Ireland backed Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis) in a successful case over 30m in back taxes the EU said the carmaker owed in Luxembourg.

In June this year, the EU courts advocate general said that online retailer Amazon did not owe Luxembourg 250m in back taxes, as the Commission had contended.

Apple and Ireland faced off against the Commission in court earlier this year, in the first and only hearing over 13bn in back taxes the bloc said in 2016 are owed to Ireland.

The money is being held in escrow since the Commission found that Apple enjoyed unfair tax advantages in Ireland thanks to Revenue-issued tax rulings in 1991 and 2007 that allowed the tech giant to pay a tax rate as low as 0.005pc one year.

Ireland and Apple appealed that ruling and won. In 2020, the EUs second-highest court, the General Court, said the Commission had failed to prove its case.

A final judgment is expected next year.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BYD delivers 200 ATTO 3 vehicles in six major Indian cities

On September 17, BYD celebrated a significant milestone by delivering 200 BYD ATTO 3 vehicles in six major Indian cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Cochin. The company organized interactive events with customers to commemorate this achievement, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.

Photo credit: BYD

NIO introduces ' NOP Route Wishlist' smart driving feature

During the NIO IN 2023 event, NIO unveiled the "Navigation on Pilot (NOP) Route Wishlist" smart driving feature. Ren Shaoqing, Vice President of Autonomous Driving Algorithm at NIO, announced plans to expand the urban NOP coverage to 60,000 kilometers by December 31 this year, with further expansions to 200,000 kilometers by March and 400,000 kilometers by June of next year.

AVATR completes unprecedented 535km autonomous journey on battery power alone

On September 20, the AVATR 11 HarmonyOS Edition embarked on a journey from Chongqing, utilizing urban and highway NCA intelligent driving assistance functions to ascend to a staggering altitude of 2,437 meters. With no recharging and no human intervention, the vehicle successfully reached Kangding, covering an impressive 535 kilometers distance with one fully-charged battery power alone.

SAIC Z-One, SAIC Volkswagen build joint innovation center

On September 21, SAIC Z-One, the automotive intelligence arm of SAIC Motor, and SAIC Volkswagen officially inaugurated their joint innovation center.

China-made BMW iX1 BEV rolls off production line at Shenyang plant

On September 21, BMW Group announced via its WeChat account that its battery electric vehicle (BEV) model, the BMW iX1, has rolled off the assembly line at its Shenyang manufacturing base in China.

Huawei Cloud unveils Pangu vehicle large model at HUAWEI CONNECT 2023

On September 21, at the HUAWEI CONNECT 2023 event, Huawei Cloud introduced the Pangu vehicle large model, a comprehensive solution that spans automotive design, production, marketing, and R&D.

NIO begins selling first smartphone

On September 21, 2023, during the NIO IN 2023 (NIO's innovative technology event), the Chinese smart electric vehicle (EV) maker launched its debut smartphone, the NIO Phone, and made it instantly available for purchase.

ARCFOXs smart parenting vehicle KAOLA hits market, starting at 131,800 yuan

On September 20, ARCFOX, the premium new energy vehicle brand under BAIC Group, officially put its groundbreaking product, the KAOLA SVP (Smart Parenting Vehicle) onto the market.

NEVC inaugurates automotive digital experience lab in Beijing

On September 19, the National New Energy Vehicle Technology Innovation Center, known as "NEVC," held the unveiling ceremony for its Automotive Digital Experience Laboratory in Beijing's Economic Development Zone.

NIO Capital continues investment in used car component supplier Yuan Planet

NIO Capital recently said it will continue to support the B1 and B2 series financing rounds of the Chinese used car component supplier Yuan Planet, that are worth tens of millions of dollars, according to a press release from NIO Capital.

Yueda Automobile Group becomes shareholder of FAW Bestune

Bestune, the passenger vehicle brand under the renowned FAW Group, has undergone significant changes in its corporate structure, according to Chinese corporate database Tianyancha.

GAC Capital intends to build fund for intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry development through partnerships

On September 19, at the signing ceremony for a slew of cooperation sub-funds and industrial investment projects, GAC Capital announced its intention to explore the establishment of the Guangzhou Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Fund in collaboration with the Guangzhou Industrial Investment FoF (Fund of Funds) and Bank of China Asset Management. This visionary fund is set to have a total capital pool of 30 billion yuan, with an initial investment of 10 billion yuan.

CALB, CNNP Rich Energy team up on multiple businesses related to clean energy

On September 20, a strategic cooperation agreement was inked in Guangzhou between Chinese power battery supplier CALB Co., Ltd. ("CALB") and CNNP Rich (Guangdong) Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation ("CNNC"), according to a press release issued by CALB. This strategic alliance underscores the remarkable synergy between the two entities in shaping the future of clean energy.

U POWER debuts U VAN all-electric logistic vehicle at 2023 World Manufacturing Convention

At the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention which kicked off on September 20 in Hefei city, the capital of Anhui province, U POWER, the leading innovator in skateboard chassis technology, debuted its groundbreaking product, the UP VAN.
CEO was the first to announce his departure and three have now followed

Kerrygold owner Ornua has confirmed that another key senior executive is leaving the group.

It now means the 3.4bn dairy company is losing a suite of its top brass, heightening speculation within the sector that the company could become a takeover target.

The Irish Independent has learned that Ken Maguire, the head of global operations at Ornuas ingredients division, is leaving the company.

Ornua confirmed that he will be leaving later this year to take up a new role.

Mr Maguire has been in his current role for nearly five years. He has also been chief operating officer at Ornua Ingredients UK and has been with the group since 2015. Prior to that, he worked with Cuisine de France owner Aryzta.

Mr Maguires planned departure from Ornua is the latest among top brass at the company.

Ornua chief executive John Jordan left in August to join Florida-based Arbor Investments as its chief operating officer. He will start that role in December.

Arbor Investments acquired a major US Ornua subsidiary, DPI Speciality Foods, in 2015 when Mr Jordan was chief executive of that Ornua division.

The Irish Independent also revealed this week that two other senior executives are leaving.

The managing director of Ornuas global foods division, Roisin Hennerty, is expected to depart next year, having announced her intention to leave in recent days. She had returned to Ireland in recent years after spending most of her career in the US with Ornua.

As the former CEO of its North America unit and its global marketing director, she played a key role in accelerating the growth of the Kerrygold brand in the United States.

The Irish Independent also reported this week that the head of Ornuas hugely important North America business, Iarlaith Smyth, is departing by the end of the year to take up a new, unspecified role.

Kerrygold is the number two butter brand in the United States, and 99pc of Ornuas revenue is generated outside Ireland. It sells more than 11 million packets of Kerrygold butter and cheese around the world every week. Kerrygold brands generate sales of 2bn a year. Ornuas brands also include Pilgrims Choice.

Ornua reported revenues of 3.4bn last year and made a 127m operating profit. It had net assets of 728m.

Arbor Investments has about $2.6bn (2.4bn) of assets under management. It targets investments in the food and beverage sector.
SBCI has reported details of 11 suspect loans to Gardai

A total of 11 loans with a combined value of 1.21m backed by the State-owned Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) have been subject to an alleged fraud.

Details of the extent of the alleged fraud are revealed in the 2022 SBCI annual report which show that three Government departments face a combined potential loss of 860,000 from the alleged fraud perpetrated in 2021.

A note attached to the financial accounts discloses that SBCI has been notified that a small number of SBCI-backed loans may have been approved by an on-lender on the basis of fraudulent financial information presented by certain borrowers.

The alleged fraud has been referred to the Gardai.

The note states that following investigations the SBCI established that two risk sharing schemes had been affected.

The two schemes for Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMEs) are listed as the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) and the Brexit Loan Scheme and COVID-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme (BLS/CWCS).

The note states that a total of eleven loans had been obtained by certain borrowers utilising fraudulent identification documents and/or fraudulent financial information with a total value of 1.21m.

The annual report states that eight of the alleged Fraudulent Loans were obtained under the CCGS to a total value of 950,000.

The report states that the on-lender is liable for 190,000 of the losses and the remaining losses of 760,000 potentially falls to be borne by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on whose behalf the SBCI operates this scheme.

The report further states that a further three of the alleged 'Fraudulent Loans' were obtained under the BLS/ CWCS to a total value of 250,000.

In these three cases, the on-lender is liable for 50,000 of the losses, the European Investment Fund (EIF) guarantee covers 100,000 and the balance of 100,000 falls to be borne by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine pro-rated to their respective contributions to the BLS/CWCS.

The note states that upon notification of the suspected fraud, the SBCI engaged with the on-lender to investigate the matter.

The note adds that the 'Fraudulent Loans' "were immediately reported to the relevant authorities and investigations are ongoing".

The report states: An independent review was undertaken by the on-lenders internal audit team and the SBCI legal team reviewed the loan documentation.

The SBCI, which is headed by former Bank of Ireland executive June Butler, report states that the on-lender has provided an attestation to the SBCI confirming that the onlender had applied its standard policies and procedures in the underwriting of the Fraudulent Loans.

The report states that following its review, the SBCI was satisfied that the on-lender had applied its standard processes to the fraudulent loans and that the on-lender has amended its procedures to ensure, in so far as possible, such fraud does not re-occur.

The SBCI was established in 2014 to avail of both national and international funding for the purpose of making low cost credit available to Irish SMEs and credit is provided through on-lending partners who in turn lend directly to the SMEs.

On the alleged fraud, a spokesman for the SCBI said that the lender in question has referred the matter to An Garda Siochana.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Apple CEO Tim Cook (C) looks at brand new Apple products during an Apple event on September 12, 2023 in Cupertino, California. Apple revealed its lineup of the latest iPhone 15 versions as well as other product upgrades during the event. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Whats next for Apple? Who is the next CEO likely to be? Is the company still working on a car? Will its mixed-reality headset be a success? Is it about to face tough times in China? And might it have anything else up its sleeve?

As the dust settles on its annual flagship launch event, Apple is facing some questions. Heres a look at some of the key ones.

1. Who will be the next CEO?

Tim Cook, who turns 63 this November, is likely to stay in place until at least 2025 for a number of reasons. From a purely financial perspective, he has about a million shares (currently worth about $178m) due to vest around that time. But he is also said to want to see another major launch come to fruition.

That could well be a more advanced, smaller, version of the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. The initial device is due to go on sale early next year. But Apple is reportedly working on a more portable, more wearable, pair of augmented reality glasses that could be its next Watch or AirPods, two products that have become highly profitable, multi-billion dollar businesses in themselves.

But who takes the hottest seat in Big Tech after Cook leaves?

Senior executives like Luca Maestri (CFO), Deirdre OBrien (head of retail) and Craig Federighi (VP, software) are sometimes tossed around. But the emerging favourite seems to be Jeff Williams (COO).

The real reason to buy an iPhone 15  the cheaper prices

At last weeks launch in Cupertino, it was Williams who was arguably given the starring role in the presentations, linking the product demos and steering large parts of the event. The 60-year-old American who, like Cook, is a fellow Duke MBA graduate, recently took the helm of Indias trial design at Apple, a key department going forward.

Some analysts think its an obvious appointment.

Theyre giving him air time to build his personal brand, said one of the most high-profile analysts, Gene Munster. Its reassuring to see a clear succession plan in motion.

2. Is Apple still making a car?

The rumour mill around this has become much quieter over the last year. What started out in 2014 as Project Titan, seeing Apple hire around 1,000 engineers and designers, seems to have scaled back considerably in ambition. There is still industry chatter of a car-related launch in 2026 or 2027. But it seems unlikely that it will be the high-end, self-driving electric vehicle the world might be expecting.

3. What about China?

Tim Cook is currently walking a very delicate line in a country which accounts for about a quarter of all iPhone sales. Cook has spent over a decade building up one of the worlds strongest manufacturing setups in China, as well as cultivating massive sales in the worlds largest smartphone market.

Times are changing, with western bans on Chinese companies like Huawei and TikTok growing in scale. That has prompted the threat of a backlash from Beijing, with speculation around a potential government ban on iPhones and other American technology in the Chinese public sector.

Ultimately, Apple and Cook may have little control over this growing geopolitical tension. But it could affect the companys business significantly for the remainder of Cooks tenure.

The Apple Vision Pro headset. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

4. Will the Vision Pro be a success?

The world watched as Apple unveiled its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset in June. But it wont actually be sold until early next year. The idea for the early heads up was to give developers a chance to create products and services for it, as its a new computing platform.

The barriers to its success are substantial, not least because its a giant headset you wear in the home; such devices have tended to have very marginal take up, and only in categories such as gaming. Apple has two things in its favour. The first is a fairly long list of developers who are keen to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing.

But the main one is Apples own ecosystem. It is already building features into its latest Watch and AirPods Pro 2 that are designed to work with the Vision Pro. When it does launch, it will be arriving into an ecosystem thats already ready for it, with content and accessories we already use.

5. A folding phone?

Theres no sign of one anywhere near supply chain plans yet. This means that if there is a folding phone in the works, it wont be making its debut before 2025.
Elon Musk owns X, the site formerly known as Twitter. Photo: Getty Images

Global tech giants are falling short on pledges to rein in and combat climate misinformation on their platforms, according to a new report calling for more political will to act on measures to curb the spread of lies that threaten climate action.

Climate Action Against Disinformation (Caad), a coalition of more than 50 advocacy groups and businesses, released the report on Wednesday as activists and business leaders joined Climate Week NYC, an event held alongside the UN General Assembly each year, and leaders laid out green plans at the UN chiefs Climate Ambition Summit.

Big Tech is clearly failing to stop the extensive climate misinformation that threatens climate action, said Erika Seiber, climate disinformation spokesperson at Friends of the Earth, an environmental advocacy group.

The report examined the misinformation policies of Meta  the parent company of Facebook and Instagram  Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube  which Google owns  and X, formerly known as Twitter.

The platforms were graded on a set of metrics that included policy content, enforcement, advertising, transparency and privacy. Of the five platforms, Pinterest fared the best, with a score of 12 out of a possible 21, followed by TikTok with nine, Meta eight, YouTube six and Twitter/X only scoring one.

Ms Seiber said the scores in the report were unacceptable and should be a wake-up call for platforms and regulators to take climate misinformation seriously.

Common tactics in the proliferation of online climate-related misinformation include casting doubt on the reliability of green technology or positioning green energy as expensive and helping fuel the cost-of-living crisis.

The report said X, owned by Elon Musk, lacks any policy that addresses climate misinformation, any transparency mechanisms, and any proof of effective policy enforcement.

A request for comment generated the standard autoreply from X/Twitter: Busy now, please check back later.

In contrast, the report called Pinterest an industry leader and said the company clearly defined climate misinformation and incorporated it into its policies  while still saying there was a lack of independent research confirming enforcement of its climate-related policies.

A Pinterest spokesperson said the platform was proud of the industry-leading policies and added that the company would continue to work with third-party experts, including Caad, as new trends emerge.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TikTok had not offered a comment on the report at the time of publication. A spokesperson for YouTube said Googles policy explicitly prohibited the monetisation of content that denies the existence of climate change, as well as ads that promote these claims.

The policy, the spokesperson said, means ads that deny the existence or causes of climate change are blocked  pushing back on the reports conclusion that Googles ad policy, while preventing monetisation of climate denial content, does not address climate denial via advertisements themselves.

Watchdog groups have long been tracking the issue.

In June, the wildfire smoke wafting from Canada to locations as far away as New York prompted a surge in the number of posts using the term climate scam, according to the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, a non-profit group.

Questionable narratives about the wildfires and smoke included that breathing in smoke is not harmful to health, climate change does not worsen wildfires, and the wildfires are part of a planned climate scam, the group found.

Climate change is creating hotter, drier conditions that can lay the groundwork for small fires to escalate, research has found.
The major focus of the UN general assembly in New York has been climate, but matters closer to home have also been addressed, the Taoiseach said yesterday.

Joe Biden has asked how he can help Irelands efforts to get Stormont restored, Leo Varadkar said.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste had a brief meeting with the US president and first lady Jill Biden in New York late on Tuesday.

It was an opportunity for us to fill the president in on the talks that are ongoing in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar said.

We also spoke to him about the legacy legislation as well. President Biden is very much appraised of Irish issues, and he wants to know if theres any way that he can help.

We told him we have no specific ask at the moment, but were very happy that hes continuing to keep abreast of issues in Ireland.

Mr Varadkar said he found Mr Biden well informed about the situation, but said it was a brief encounter. It was a very short meeting, but one that was still useful to have. He listened to our report and was very keen to know what was happening in Northern Ireland and how progress could be made.

The Taoiseach said the Irish side also raised the issue of the legacy legislation, or British amnesty for serious crimes, including murders, carried out by all sides during the Troubles.

As is often the case, President Biden really wants to know and asked was there any way he could help? We said we would keep them appraised on things. There might be a specific request later and the offer is there, but there isnt anything needed at the moment, said the Taoiseach.

On possible legal action against Britain over the amnesty to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Mr Varadkar said the Government would have legal advice from the Attorney General shortly.

Soon I will sit down with the AG, consider that advice, and then make a recommendation to Cabinet on what to do next, he said.

I think its important that we have that advice. There are legal questions here. There are also political questions, and its not a small thing to take a case to Strasbourg against a neighbouring state.

Its not something we would like to do, or a position that we want to be in. But we have to do whats right. The voice that we always listen to when it comes to the Troubles legacy is the voice of the victims and their families.

Mr Varadkar said he had conveyed as much to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris in Belfast last week. And Ill be meeting Prime Minister Sunak in Granada in October, so thatll be the next chance to talk.

Mr Varadkar also had a chance to speak to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He said: They have a lot of influence and follow the politics of Europe and Northern Ireland and Ireland quite closely. It was a good chance to engage with them and Im glad I had that opportunity.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan were also in New York. With most of the rest of the world talking about the climate crisis, Rishi Sunaks absence from UN meetings in New York was singled out by Mr Ryan.

His comments came just as the UK prime minister announced that his country would be breaking from several major climate commitments, including delaying a ban on gas boilers and diesel cars for another five years.

The room I was in, President Macron was there, Chancellor Scholz was there, Ursula von der Leyen was there, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was there. If I was Rishi Sunak Id be here too, Mr Ryan said.

The UK has one of the proudest records in climate diplomacy and climate action. Theyve actually significantly reduced their emissions in the last 10 or 15 years.

But their absence is worrying. I would worry for the British people if they, the British government, were to leave that track.

Theyre starting to be seen as a country which is not leading in climate, and thats not good for their people. Its not good for their economy, its not good for their reputation.

There are real risks. And I think the British people actually dont want to take that course. I think theyre with the majority of the people in the UN halls here, that its time to be ambitious, its time to be bold.

Its not time to retreat and go back to a fossil-fuel approach, which we have to make history. We have to move from the use of those fuels.

And I think the British government, if it doesnt keep up its proud record, risks really serious reputational as well as economic damage.
Embattled Housing Minister, Darragh OBrien, has hit back at Sinn Fein accusations of having failed to deliver homes over three years in office.

Mr O'Brien was responding to Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty who said the Ministers two-year-old Housing for All strategy contained unambitious aims  but even those were not achieved.

The Sinn Fein finance spokesman cited the example of non-delivery on affordable homes over Minister OBriens years in charge of government housing policy since June 2020.

In year one you delivered no affordable homes. In year two you delivered just 75 affordable homes, and in year three less than one thousand. In year four, this year, you wont even tell us how many, Mr Doherty told the Dail.

Mr OBrien, who was replying for the Government in the absence of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, accused Sinn Fein of dishonesty on the subject and having no interest in progress in resolving the housing crisis. He said the party has no housing policy.

The Housing Minister accepted that there were delays in delivering housing in large part due to the Covid pandemic and global supply chain problems with building materials. But he said supply was ramping up, Dublin house prices were falling, and there were record numbers of first-time buyers since 2007.

Mr OBrien said Sinn Fein housing spokesman, Eoin O Broin, had tried to scupper the first home scheme, pledged to abolish the help to buy scheme, and opposed the grant for restoring vacant homes. He also said Sinn Feins alternative budget last year allowed 2.5bn for housing while the current Government housing budget was 4.5bn.

So, what Deputy O Broin and the geniuses in your party would say is you can build more houses with less money. Not so! the Housing Minister said.

Mr OBrien again accused Sinn Fein of blocking housing developments with objections in the greater Dublin area. He rejected an assertion from Labour leader, Ivan Bacik, that government should provide 1bn extra per year in capital housing spending.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says he will target flavours and point of sales in shops

Disposable vapes will be banned as part of a further crackdown on e-cigarettes, including curbs on flavours and advertising.

The Government earlier this year moved to ban the sale of vapes to children  and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has now said he wants to ban single use e-cigarettes.

Earlier this week, Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe called for disposable vapes to be banned altogether by Government due to their environmental impact.

Mr Donnelly said he was now planning a second piece of legislation to further clamp down on vapes, which would curb flavours and where theyre advertised in shops.

I fully support the policy, Mr Donnelly told the Irish Independent. Im drafting a second vaping bill to address further issues: flavours, point of sale advertising, possibly other issues.

Mr Donnelly said previously that flavours and designs for vapes were child-friendly and that the Government would bring in its own laws if ones at EU level were taking too long.

Minister for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, has said he wants to see disposable vapes banned, saying they are making the world a worse place.

There are more than 240,000 vapers in Ireland with 13pc of ex-smokers using e-cigarettes, according to the 2019 Healthy Ireland Survey, released by the Department of Health.

Disposable vapes can be difficult to recycle because they contain a battery, which needs to be removed and recycled separately. A public consultation on the issue concluded last month.

Mr Smyth has said disposable vapes could be banned under Circular Economy Act, which allows a ban on single-use plastics, or through an EU directive on single-use plastics.

Id be interested in including a ban on disposable vapes in the Bill, if its something Ossian [Smyth] would find useful, said Mr Donnelly.

Electric Picnic, attended by more than 70,000 people earlier this month, banned single-use vapes from being brought in to the festival.

The UK and France have already announced plans to ban disposable vapes.

In Australia vapes can be bought with a prescription, Germany has banned flavoured e-cigarettes and New Zealand has also banned most vapes and restricted how they are marketed to kids.

Mr McAuliffe recently wrote to Fianna Fail councillors around the country asking about the true cost of disposing of single use e-cigarettes and whether the issue had been raised at council meetings.

The Government earlier this year passed laws banning the sale of vapes to under-18s and to restrict how they are sold and advertised.

Shops found to have sold vapes to children will face fines up to 4,000 or up to six months in jail. For subsequent offences, there is a fine of up to 5,000 or 12 months in prison.

One of the countrys leading vaping businesses, BAT Ireland, criticised the Government for not passing the ban on sale of vapes to children by mid-July, as had been Mr Donnellys intention.

The companys country manager David Melinn said it was unclear why the Government was dragging its heels on the issue.

He said the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill had been due to go before the Oireachtas Health Committee, but the meeting was cancelled and so the ban was still not in place.

Vaping is playing a vitally important role in helping adult smokers to quit, but its important that legislation is in place to ensure under-18s cannot access these products  this legislation will be key to enforcing this, said Mr Melinn.

Vaping should only ever be used by adult smokers who are looking to quit.
Dollceanna Carter (10) died in September last year after a series of operations following her surgery

Children with spina bifida who had surgery in Temple Street Hospital suffered so many serious complications that at least one child had to be readmitted to the operating theatre up to 33 times in the months afterwards.

The extent of their distress emerged yesterday as a report revealed they had to be treated for wounds, metal parts failures and removal of implants.

The grim picture emerged in the report by a team of experts from Boston Childrens Hospital, which the Government told Childrens Health Ireland to publish in full and not in summary, as happened earlier this week.

It followed the pleas for full disclosure by distraught parents who witnessed the pain in their children.

One child, Dollceanna Carter (10), from Trim, Co Meath, died on September 29 last year after a series of operations following her surgery.

Her devastated parents, Michael and Bridget Carter, say they want to find out why she died after having multiple procedures.

The bubbly little girl, who was a wheelchair user, was a TikTok diva, who loved her phone, make-up and loved dressing up, they said. She made her holy communion shortly before having her first surgery in May 2021.

Their solicitor Ciaran Tansey revealed last night that parents had yet to receive the full expert report and he stressed the need for the upcoming external review to examine a wide span, since he was aware of other children whose care needed to be investigated.

Earlier this week, it emerged 19 children with spina bifida suffered significant complications after surgery by one consultant who is now on leave and has been reported to the Medical Council.

Further disturbing revelations came yesterday from the Boston expert report, along with the Temple Street internal inquiry, which examined the records of 16 of the children who had spinal surgery between October 2019 and October 31 last year.

Thirteen of the 16 needed additional surgery due to post-operative complications.

The mean number of return visits to theatre for these children was 6.5, with the highest 34, which included the original operation.

Twelve of the children developed a wound infection requiring additional surgery.

There were metalwork infections in seven of the 16. Seven of the children had metalwork failure complications and had metalwork removed.

The largest number of those who had to return to theatre had a procedure known as a spinal infusion, followed by children who needed to be fitted with growing rods.

The report showed that the children ranged in age from five to 17 years and 11 were girls. They had various forms of surgery, including one operation that took eight and a half hours.

The mean length of stay in intensive care was 2.8 days, with the longest stay 11 days.

When transferred to the ward, the length of stay varied from 53.8 to 233 days.

It does not mention the use of unauthorised implants, which appears to have come to light only recently.

A HSE spokeswoman said the terms of reference of the new external review allowed for an examination of the wider running of the orthopaedic paediatric service across the hospitals involved.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly , who was in New York yesterday for the United Nations general assembly, confirmed he first learned of the issue around unauthorised spinal implants last month  but had not yet spoken to the Taoiseach about it.

Mr Donnelly also defended his presence in New York despite loud opposition calls for him to return home immediately to recognise the urgency in the crisis.

Instead, the minister relied on reports and reviews he has commissioned into what happened, which have been widened to other hospitals.

He said he had no specific reason to believe that there were other operations outside Temple Street Hospital 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 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 thats why the chief executive and I have agreed to broaden the review.

Its why weve 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. Im sure well 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.

Im working on this on an hour-by-hour basis. Im in regular contact with the HSE, with the chief executive, the chief clinical officer and Ive been speaking several times this morning as well. I can assure you that this has my full attention, he said.

But he admitted he had not alerted the Taoiseach, who is a doctor himself. I havent 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 whether he and party leader Micheal Martin discussed the possibility of him flying home, he said: The Tanaiste 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 havent been satisfied on an ongoing basis with the level of communication with the families. Ive 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 whether 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 wouldnt 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 childrens 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, he added.

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.
Siptu will be voting no to the proposal

A proposed 5pc hike in the minimum pay rate for 26,000 childcare workers is set to be rejected by the countrys largest union next week.

Siptu is expected to vote against a Labour Court recommendation that the legally binding minimum rate for staff in the sector increases to 13.65 an hour and has warned that a staffing crisis will become a full-blown disaster.

If accepted, the pay rate would become a new statutory minimum wage that is part of an Employment Regulation Order covering the sector.

Siptu officials had demanded the rate should increase to 15 an hour, due to rising living costs, at Joint Labour Committee (JLC) talks.

The committee is due to hold a crunch meeting on Monday in Dublin to vote on the courts recommendation.

Siptu head of strategic organising Darragh OConnor wants pay talks to restart. The reality is that the low-pay epidemic in the sector has caused a major staffing crisis, with 60pc of services reporting recruitment difficulties, he said.

On Monday, the JLC will vote on a rate of 13.65 for early years educators and other rates for higher grades on foot of Labour Court recommendations.

He said Siptu will be voting no to 13.65. If employers refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations to agree appropriate rates of pay for early-years professionals, the staffing crisis will become a full-blown disaster. It is as simple as that, he added.

Mr OConnor said there is enough state investment to support much higher rates of pay, but the other side seems determined to keep dragging their feet.

They want cash with no conditions, he said.

In Budget 2022, the Department of Children allocated 207m to childcare providers to support a pay deal.

He said the cost of implementing the first statutory minimum pay rates last year was just a small proportion of the money provided.

Yet they are refusing to transfer this state investment to staff through further improvements in the minimum pay rates this year, he said.

Its unacceptable. The money is there. Its time for the federation and Ibec to get back to the table and hammer out a deal that recognises and values staff.

He said pay talks broken down in August after the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and Ibec group, Childcare Services Ireland, proposed a rate of 13.65 an hour for qualified early-years educators.
This is an attack on democracy itself, says senator worried about safety

Politicians say the Leinster House protests have heightened their fears about personal safety away from the enclosed surroundings of the Dail.

People keep saying we are going to have a Jo Cox or David Amess moment, said one TD, referring to two British MPs who have been murdered by extremists in 2016 and last year respectively. But those people were killed in their constituency offices.
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Photo credit: CALB

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A new investigation has been launched into how unauthorised medical devices were implanted into three children undergoing spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital, it emerged today.

Dr Ike Okafor, clinical director of Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), confirmed today a separate probe is being launched, along with an external review into how 19 children with spina bifida suffered serious post-surgery complications, with one patient dying.

He also confirmed that some doctors knew the devices were being used.

Their use came to light in late June or early July.

"People in Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) were aware they were being used," Dr Okafor said.

Earlier this week, it emerged that 19 children with spina bifida who had surgery in Temple Street suffered serious post-surgery complications with at least one child having to be re-admitted to the operating theatre 33 times.

Dr Okafor said the devices were purchased from a company and were implanted in three of the patients. In the case of two, they have been removed, he told RTE Radio One.

He added: We we are doing our best to ensure things get better.

The CHI clinical director said there was incorrect information on social media that they were purchased in a retail unit.

Speaking to RTEs News at One, Dr Okafor apologised on behalf of CHI to the children and families affected and confirmed that families will be spoken to as part of the investigation.

Dr Okafor said were not sure what devices used in spinal surgeries did to the patients and we have to wait for the findings of the external review to determine how the devices ended up in CHI operating theatres.

There is a lot of false information circulating on social media around these springs. There is currently an investigation in place to look at the process around how they were procured and how they were used, he said.

The devices were ordered from a company and they werent bought from a retail establishment, that is circulating on a lot of social media.

He said CHI were made aware these springs were being used when they were being used.

There is a process where we get equipment into hospital, if they need to be sterilised they go through CSSD, they usually have a CE marking and that CE marking when its being used is good on the notes.

We havent seen evidence so far to say that happened, but again its under investigation, he said.

We told the families involved that the process is currently being investigated and that we would let them know once we get a report.

Dr Okafor said children will not have to undergo further operations to have devices removed. In one instance, a child had to be operated on 33 times.

These are the most complex children, they are really, really complicated not just in terms of their spinal problems but also their overall healthcare needs.

These surgeries are often very, very challenging. Usually when there is an infection after surgery some of these patients need to go back multiple times to get their wounds washed out.

That might lead to a lot of trips back to the theatre. Having said that 33 times is a fairly significant number of surgical returns.

Children are still getting surgeries, Dr Okafor said, but the most complex type of surgery in this group of patients has been suspended since November.

The other surgeries are still ongoing at our sister site in Crumlin. We are working hard currently to ensure that children who are waiting for surgeries get their surgeries done.

He said a fifth operating theatre is set to open at Temple Street next week and extra capacity is being created in Crumlin.

Asked how the hospital can be trusted to carry out spinal surgeries again, Dr Okafor said a small cohort of children in really, really complicated cases were impacted out of more than 2,000 spinal surgeries carried out between October 2019 and October 2022.

The separate external review overseen by the HSE will be largely centred on the surgeon who carried out the 19 operations and is now on leave, and the childrens families will be spoken to as part of the process.

Dr Okafor said CHI was looking at "all options" on how to tackle the backlog of children needing surgery, including the private sector.
One of the speakers at the controversial protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday has described it as a relatively minor skirmish.

Malachy Steenson, a solicitor and former Workers Party election candidate who has been involved in anti-asylum seeker protests, defended the demonstration that included a mock gallows and portraits of politicians.

Protesters shouted traitors and obscenities at staff and politicians attempting to enter and exit Leinster House, while politicians were also blocked from leaving the parliamentary precinct via the Merrion Street entrance on Wednesday evening.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae was harassed as he was given a garda escort down Kildare Street. A new intern in his office had her phone stolen.

There has been widespread condemnation of the events and an internal Leinster House security review is under way.

Mr Steenson blamed gardai at the scene, saying they should have allowed Mr Healy-Rae into Leinster House rather than escorting him down the street.

A crowd went after him when they brought him down the road. People who went after him, they're a lot of hangers-on at things, at every protest you will have that. It shouldn't have happened, Mr Steenson said.

For Healy-Rae to be talking about people roaring and shouting. I've heard far worse things at protests by the left and the NGOs.

He added: I have been at hundreds of protests over the years and that was no more volatile and no more hostile than any other one. I have been at protests the left have organised over the years where they've had guillotines. The Healy-Rae thing was wrong but gardai have to take responsibility for what happened."

Mr Steenson had called on people to attend the event in a video posted on the Irish Inquiry Telegram on Tuesday. The video was captioned: See you all at Gangster House tomorrow.

In the video, Mr Steenson said: I would encourage all people who are sick and tired of the way this country is running on whatever issue to come and stand with us and make their voice heard and let us now begin the process of taking our country back from those who wish to destroy it.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, he said that Gangster House was not terminology he would use but defended the right of protesters to shout obscenities and abuse at people coming in and out of Leinster House.

I've no problem with the rhetoric being used; I've heard far worse at rallies against us. If gallows are wrong then we should shut down the theatres  these are theatrical props, there is no one suggesting these would actually be used, he said.

I think those incidents are counter-productive but the fact is this would not have got any coverage otherwise.

He described it as a "relatively minor skirmish" and non-event in the overall scheme of things.

Mr Steenson also went so far as to suggest that some of those present had been placed there because they were not previously involved in the group he works with, the East Wall Protest Committee. It has previously demonstrated against accommodation for asylum seekers in the north inner city.

They are not people who support us, Mr Steenson said. So who placed them there?"

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the actions of protesters outside Leinster House yesterday had no place in our democracy.

Speaking to RTEs News At One, she said: Every person has a right to peaceful protest, it happens on a daily regular basis, a weekly basis outside the Dail.

But what we saw yesterday, there was aggression, there was intimidation and it has absolutely no place in a democratic society.

Ms McEntee said she arrived in Dublin early yesterday and saw the plan being put in place by gardai ahead of the protest.

What became very clear throughout the day is that those people who came to Leinster House, be it at the front or the back, were not there to engage, they were not there to make a point or to get across a message or to try and engage in a democratic way.

They were there simply to be aggressive, to intimidate not just ourselves as elected representatives, not just the gardai, but also the people that are working and work there in Leinster House.

She said the protest had been carried out by a small minority that did not represent the majority of people.

It cannot be the situation that something like this is allowed to happen or that it is allowed to continue in this way.

Most protests are peaceful and engaging she said, but yesterdays demonstration was not.

The Ceann Comhairle and members of the Oireachtas are meeting Assistant Garda Commissioner Andrew Willis and the superintendent at Pearse St garda station to discuss yesterdays events and what might need to be done around Leinster House.

I dont want to live in a society, and I certainly dont has an elected representative, want to be in a situation where we cannot walk about or down the street for fear of someone intimidating or harassing us, Ms McEntee said.

She said our parliament is for the most part very open and she would not like to see the actions of a few people, a minority to change that.
Gardai and Oireachtas security staff involved in review starting todayProtesters displayed mock gallows and photographs of high profile politiciansMicheal Martin decries Fascist-like behaviour11 men and two women arrested yesterday

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said protestors have "fascist like behaviour" by intimidating politicians outside Leinster House

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said some of the behaviour witnessed outside Leinster House from protesters on Wednesday approximates to Fascist-like behaviour and said the personal abuse sustained by politicians and staff was absolutely vile.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe warned on Wednesday that further security steps may have to be taken to protect elected officials both around the Oireachtas, at constituency offices and at their homes, describing the protest scenes outside Leinster House yesterday as very disturbing.

Mr Donohoe paid tribute to the gardai who he said acted with professionalism and restraint amid incredible provocation yesterday.

Paschal Donohoe addresses issue of protestors outside Leinster House

A total of 13 people were arrested for a variety of public order offences as politicians admitted they were appalled at the targeting of certain individuals with the use of mock gallows outside the Dail.

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail has now asked for a review of security arrangements at Leinster House. Justice Minister Helen McEntee also said she has spoken to the Garda Commissioner and the Superintendent in Pearse Street about what she labelled the disgraceful scenes outside Leinster House.

However, An Garda Siochana declined to comment on a meeting held between local Garda management and stakeholders in the Houses of the Oireachtas, including Mr O Fearghail.

The Tanaiste today expressed concern that the atmosphere around Irish politics was daily becoming more dangerous but he warned that a small minority cannot be allowed undermine Irish democratic norms - and that politicians and their staff were entitled to feel safe as they went about their duties.

The Fianna Fail leader said that Ireland must not allow such intimidation and vitriol to go unchecked and face a situation like the UK where politicians were fatally attacked as they attended to constituency work.

"The thing is getting more dangerous," he said in reference to the way some politicians have been targeted, not just at their places of work but also their family homes.

"We saw what happened in the United Kingdom (with recent fatal attacks on two MPs). The level and the vitriol and the nature of the presence of some people...is a grave cause for concern."

"We have to really reflect on it and as to how best we deal with it. I think Ireland its own unique way of dealing with issues like this."

"There is no doubt - when you read some of the vitriol and hear some of the hate speech on social media, there is a new level being reached.

"I think some of these people are trying to create an alternative reality - undermining our democracy - some of it almost approximates to Fascist-like behaviour in terms of intolerance, in terms of trying to keep people out of democratically elected parliaments. It is very, very serious."

Mr Martin said some of the personal abuse involved in the protest which he was brief on was "absolutely vile."

"Public representatives must be allowed go about their work - they are elected by the people. For all of the flaws of our system, we have local councils, we have the Dail, we have the Seanad - politicians must be allowed to represent their people."

"We have seen other examples where library staff have been intimidated...when we reflect on some of the commentary in relation to the recently published Hate Bill, looking at some of these signs last evening (outside Leinster House) and some of the comments made...it defines what we mean by hate speech."

Mr Martin said he would often walk on Merrion Street or go to a shop for a sandwich and no one had ever bothered him.

He said it was clear that the general atmosphere surrounding Irish politics had gotten more dangerous.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championship today, Minister Paschal Donohoe said that An Garda Siochana had appointed a senior officer to assess what happened.

Gardai stand off against anti-government protesters at Leinster House

We are dealing with a very disturbing further development of that intimidation and that is what happened yesterday, he said.

Gardai put in place a very significant operational package in response to it and to keep politicians and their staff as safe as was possible.

We will now have to consider if further steps need to be taken in the future.

Steps have (already) been taken  the security around Leinster House has been reviewed and changes have been made.

The entrances around Leinster House in recent years have been reviewed and the entrance and access to Leinster House is regulated in a different way to what it was in previous years.

We have put in place new equipment and new entry points.

Only in recent months I approved a change in the Oireachtas Allowance System to support politicians with any changes they need to make, particularly with their constituency offices to put in place the security changes that are needed.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe at the Ploughing Championships today

Mr Donohoe said there were particular concerns over security at the homes and local constituency offices of politicians

I believe An Garda Siochana did an exceptional job yesterday in very trying circumstances. But even with their professionalism and even with their restraint in the face of great provocation....we do of course have to look to the future and see how these things can be managed.

Not only am I aware of how TDs and senators felt yesterday, I am keenly aware of how their staff felt; these are people who are going in (to work), they are not elected but they are committed to public life. They were subjected to intimidation yesterday that was absolutely unacceptable.

What we saw was a group of people making a case against the very concept of representative democracy - against the work of people who are elected to represent the people of Ireland.

I want to send out a message to the people who are considering getting involved in such protests - that what happened yesterday was rare and I believe it will be rare again in the future.

"I know that both the gardai and the authorities in Leinster House will want to consider what happened yesterday and to see how this can be managed in the future.

And I think we all need to make the case that politics is a very, very demanding life. It is very rewarding and you have the opportunity to serve your community and to do your bit for your country.

The scenes we saw yesterday won't deter anyone from doing that at Leinster House. I hope it will not deter anyone who is considering a life in politics in the future.

The Garda Superintendent in Pearse Street and the Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis met the Ceann Comhairle and politicians in the Houses of the Oireachtas today.

However, An Garda Siochana declined to comment on the meeting afterwards.

A spokesperson said: "13 persons have been charged in relation to incidents which occurred yesterday Wednesday, 20th September 2023at the resumption of the 33rd Dail at Government Buildings.

"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.

"As this is an ongoing criminal investigation An Garda Siochana cannot make any further comment."

Justice Minister Helen McEntee earlier said that the meeting would discuss the protest yesterday and if any further measures should be put in place.

Yesterday, there was aggression, there was intimidation and it has absolutely no place in a democratic society, Minister McEntee told RTE Radio 1.

She said she was not worried for her own safety because gardai were there with a plan in place.

This is not how the vast majority of people engage with their elected representatives. If more needs to be done, be it putting new plans or new measures in place, then that will be done.

It comes as Sean O Fearghail, the chair of the Dail as well as the Oireachtas Commission that is responsible for running parliament, signalled that a review involving gardai and Oireachtas security staff will get under way as early as today after the hostile protest.

Speaking in the Dail, Mr O Fearghail condemned what he called a fundamental attack on democracy and insisted that we can never see again happen what happened outside yesterday.

He noted that there are more than 1,200 people who work in Leinster House, of which only 220 are politicians, and added: The people that suffered abuse yesterday came from all walks of life. Civil servants, political staff, political advisors, journalists, the whole spectrum, and what happened was particularly vile and vicious.

He said that during the Dail's summer recess he had met with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to draw his attention to the pressure that members are under, and the concern that members have for their staff and for their families, none of whom have signed up to take the abuse.

He warned that if the situation was not addressed it will bring us to a point that we saw the United States in the aftermath of the last presidential election  a reference to the storming of the US Capitol in Washington DC in January 2021.

Protesters displayed a mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians on the Kildare Street side of the parliamentary complex yesterday as the Dail returned following the summer recess.

The demonstrators, many of them chanting shouting traitors and obscene slogans, later moved to the Merrion Street entrance and several politicians, including Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, were prevented from leaving until gardai escorted a convoy of politicians cars out of the gate.

A video circulating on social media showed Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae being escorted by two gardai from Leinster House and down Kildare Street. Protesters shouted abuse and insults at him as he walked down the street with gardai.

Several other politicians and staff were also verbally abused as they tried to enter and exit Leinster House.

It is understood protesters stole a phone off an intern from his office as she was making her way from Leinster House with Mr Healy-Rae.

Mr Healy-Rae later told Independent.ie: 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.

Speaking this morning Mr Healy-Rae described the incident where his interns phone was stolen as disgraceful.

That 20-year-old girl was shoved, she was pushed, her mobile phone was stolen, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

The US-born intern had her first day in the Dail yesterday, and, as TD Healy-Rae said, wanted to learn about Irish politics and how we do politics now.

He added: This is the funny thing  everybodys saying what exactly were they protesting about? Because all I saw was people using horrible bad language that should not be used in any form of protest, he said.

And there was no coherent message from them. It was like a gathering of people who just wanted to insult.

They didnt exactly do whatever effectively because government dont know what they wanted.

Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward wrote to Mr Harris, demanding action.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 had become 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.
An excited Ryan Tubridy has revealed his next big gig after finishing up with RTE.

The former Late late show host will be one of the guests at the International Iceland Noir festival where he will be interviewing the founder, bestselling author Ragnar Jonasson and the countrys prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir.

Iceland bound in November, he declared in an Instagram post over the soundtrack Cold as Ice by Foreigner.

Ill be interviewing crime writer extraordinaire Ragnar Jonasson and Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir on the stage together to talk about their terrific thriller Reykjavik. AND on the Friday Ill chat with the wonderful (Irish crime writer) Liz Nugent. Cannot wait," he said.

His excited announcement online

Iceland Noir which is held in Reykjavik at the darkest time of year according to its website, started off as a celebration of crime fiction in 2013.

Although the name has stayed the same, the festival has evolved and grown and we now welcome writers from many genres, and our programme includes events on film and television, the organisers say.

The festival this year also features a very special event with Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Tubridys new gig runs alongside another new start for the presenter as he is set to join other Irish stars to raise awareness for Pensions Awareness Week.

Who will replace Ryan Tubridy as the Radio One 9am presenter?

Pensions Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about retirement planning and to help people take charge of their long-term savings.

The former chat show host will appear alongside TV presenter Grainne Seoige and entrepreneur Liz Dwyer, as well as Standard Lifes retirement specialist Brian Mooney.

Company Pensions for SMEs, hosted by Tubridy will feature Rachel Nolan of Boots Ireland, Jerry Moriarty, Irish Association of Pension Funds and Feargal McKenna of Moneycube.ie on Friday, September 29 at 1pm.

Tubridy has meanwhile, been keeping in touch with his Late Late Show replacement Patrick Kielty.

Kielty was speaking on UK presenter Chris Evans Virgin Media radio show yesterday when Tubridy texted in during the interview.

Guess who just texted in Ryan, hes listening in, Evans said.

Kielty then revealed he had received a lovely good luck message from Tubridy ahead of his first Late Late Show last week.

Evans said he had tried to get Kielty and Tubridy on the show together  Tubridy was interviewed on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show just two weeks ago.

I said he should come on the show, he said, I dont want to take away from the moment, Evans said.

Kielty joined Evans breakfast show to promote his new movie Ballywalter and said he had expected to be promoting it on the Late Late Show this week before getting the call to replace Tubridy.

Evans told the Co Down native he wants to see the Late Late Show aired in the UK.

I want the show now, I always did anyway, but I want the show now to be in the UK and simulcast live because I want to watch that show on a Friday night with you hosting it, he said.

Almost one million people tuned into watch Kieltys debut including more than 158,000 via the RTE Player.
DAA denies planned increases add up to 45pc

Ryanair has announced it will cut its winter schedule at Dublin Airport, blaming the operator's passenger charges for the move.

The cuts will mean loss of connections to cities in Italy and Germany as well as across Central and Eastern Europe.

The airline has cancelled 17 routes and says it has moved its entire Dublin-based fleet of 19 aircraft, which it says burns 16pc less fuel and emits 40pc less noise, to alternative EU airports that incentivise growth and low-emission aircraft.

The affected routes include a lot of Central and Eastern European routes, chief executive Eddie Wilson said.

Palermo and Sicily will go and Nuremberg in Germany, he said. Genoa in Italy will go.

These routes will no longer be on sale from November 1, reducing passenger numbers for the airline at Dublin Airport by 10pc compared to the same period last winter.

Mr Wilson added that there would also be reduction in the frequency of UK provincial routes. Its going to feed into less tourism, less jobs and less connectivity, he said.

He said the company will assess what it will do when it comes to its 2024 summer schedule, with no decisions on routes as yet. Around 57 aircraft will arrive next year, the airline reported.

No routes will be cut at Cork Airport or Shannon Airport, the chief executive confirmed this morning.

Weve expanded in Cork, for example, Mr Wilson said. Weve got long term deals in Cork where weve got an agreement on charges for the next five years.

Ryanair has also added an extra aircraft in Cork this winter.

He added that the airline has already secured a deal on charges in Shannon Airport until 2031

What youre doing there is that youve got an incentive there to put extra additional capacity there, Mr Wilson said.

The airline said DAA was increasing its already excessive charges by a ludicrous 45pc to fund its 3bn gold-plated capex (capital expenditure) programme, which includes a portfolio of unnecessary vanity projects which have no benefit for passengers.

Reacting to the statement, DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs rejected the suggestion pricing at Dublin airport will rise by 45pc.

The airport operator said that regulated charges at the airport had been set by the aviation regulator, the IAA, adding that these charges were anticipated to rise by 6pc next year.

Mr Jacobs also described the plans to construct a tunnel criticised by Ryanair as a safety project.

The DAA boss said that the airline would have the opportunity to pay lower charges if they opted to avail of sustainability incentives proposed for next year.

In May, the DAA unveiled proposals for new measures to incentivise airlines to operate lower emission aircraft at the airport. Under the proposed scheme, a low emissions discount will apply to aeronautical charges, while airlines flying high emissions aircraft will be charged more.

DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs said Ryanair would have the opportunity to pay lower charges if they opted to avail of sustainability incentives that the airport operator had proposed for next year.

That was after Ryanairs Eddie Wilson warned of the risk to connectivity and tourism.

DAAs policies are putting Ireland at risk of becoming just like Germany, whose passenger numbers are only 75pc recovered versus pre-Covid with reduced connections and tourism because they increased airport and security charges  precisely what DAA are now doing.

What has played out in Germany will now be repeated in Ireland as higher airport charges mean lower passengers which runs counter to Govt policy to develop low-cost sustainable access to support a growing economy. 
We stood by the open door waiting for the guards to tell us our Ella was gone  father of student Ella Mills (20) who died in kayaking accident in US

Dublin student was studying English in New YorkShe had just been absolutely living her best lifeElla died in a kayaking accident on the Potomac River in Washington DC on SundayEllas mother Jo identified her body: She looked like a sleeping angelThe guards were lovely. You could tell it brutalised them to have to give you that news

Ella Mills (20) had been studying at Columbia University in New York

Conor Feehan Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 03:33

The family of Dublin student Ella Mills, who died in a kayaking accident in the United States, have told how she was the happiest wed ever seen her before tragedy struck.
Students can look forward to more opportunities next year to start on degree programmes without worrying about Leaving Cert points.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris announced plans today for a significant expansion of courses outside the CAO.

The new-style courses, which were launched this year, spread a students studies between a college of further education (FE) and a higher-education institution.

Participants spend the first year or two in an FE college and transfer automatically to the higher-education institution to complete the programme.

This year, more than 800 students applied for the first batch of the new, joint tertiary courses, in the areas of healthcare, business, information and communications technology (ICT) and media.

There were 23 entry routes through FE colleges across 15 counties, with progression to a higher-education institution in the region, usually a technological university.

Apart from CAO points not forming part of the entry process, there are financial benefits.

While in the FE college, students are not liable for the 3,000-a-year third-level contribution charge and those eligible for Susi grants will qualify for supports for the duration of their studies.

Attending a local college also allows a student to live at home, and avoid accommodation costs.

Mr Harris said the programmes represented an important new departure in flexible provision, providing more pathways to learners outside the CAO process.

Speaking at the Higher Options and World Skills exhibition in Dublin today, the minister said a new call had gone out for the next round of courses.

He called on education and training boards (ETBs), under whose umbrella FE colleges operate, and higher education institutions, to work together to make more courses available in the next academic year.

I want to see the number of programmes available to students double, he said.

Some colleges are already actively working on plans for new joint tertiary courses next year.

The minister said the proposed expansion was part of the important change and reform that he and his department were driving to improve the further and higher education system.

We are doing this by allowing more and more students access education no matter their Leaving Cert results, no matter the points they get.

He said he wanted to ensure that the tertiary sector was fit for purpose and fit for the changes that lie ahead.

I want us to build on the success of the degrees put in place this year and ensure there is a place in education for anyone who wants one, the minister added.

Dr Fiona Maloney, director of the National Tertiary Office, confirmed that the first tranche of joint tertiary programmes had successfully strengthened relationships between higher-education institutions and ETBs and enhanced opportunities for learners.
Blazing Salads restaurant review: If old-school vegetarian is what you want, then you will leave satisfied and probably ever-so-slightly smug

Our critic tries the live to be 100 food on offer at a Dublin institutions new location

Blazing Salads in the George's Street Arcade, Dublin. Picture: Steve Humphreys

Katy McGuinness Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 03:30

As a long-term member of the September is the real new year club, its inevitable that on the first day back to work after being away on holiday, Ill head off in search of something healthy and wholesome for lunch, determined to put my bad summer ways behind me. (That means no wine at lunchtime on a Tuesday, at least not without a very good excuse.)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 19, at the signing ceremony for a slew of cooperation sub-funds and industrial investment projects, GAC Capital announced its intention to explore the establishment of the Guangzhou Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Fund in collaboration with the Guangzhou Industrial Investment FoF (Fund of Funds) and Bank of China Asset Management. This visionary fund is set to have a total capital pool of 30 billion yuan, with an initial investment of 10 billion yuan.

2023 Guangzhou Industrial FoF Conference; photo credit: GAC Capital

The fund's investment focus will be centered on three pivotal areas: energy ecosystem, intelligent connectivity, and automotive semiconductor technology, according to GAC Capital.

To be specific, in the energy ecosystem domain, the fund will channel its investments towards key enterprises along the vertical integration of GAC Group's new energy vehicle industry chain, encompassing lithium mining, lithium battery raw materials production, energy storage and power battery manufacturing, electric vehicle charging and battery swapping infrastructure, and energy storage solutions.

For intelligent connectivity, the fund aims to extend, complement, and strengthen the automotive industry chain for intelligent connected new energy vehicles in Guangzhou, in addition to facilitating the large-scale commercialization of autonomous driving and the cost-effective mass production of intelligent functionalities.

Finally, in the automotive semiconductor technology sector, the fund will work to establish a more comprehensive industrial ecosystem by aligning semiconductor manufacturers with GAC Group's semiconductor requirements.

GAC Capital, as the capital operation, equity investment, and financing platform under GAC Group, is committed to integrating investments with industrial development, with its layouts extended to cover power battery, intelligent connectivity, and automotive chip realms. It has invested in over 94 renowned "hard-tech" and "unicorns" companies.
Sinn Fein wants the taxpayer to buy a rural house left to them by reclusive millionaire William Hampton

Upon his death in 2018 reclusive millionaire William Hampton left the vast majority of his estate to Sinn Fein, despite there being little to link him to the party.

Today, a small, derelict house in Carlow is the centre of intense political scrutiny.

So who was the man Leo Varadkar called the vagabond who lived in a caravan and why did he choose an Irish political party as the main beneficiary of his will? What does his generosity mean for Sinn Fein, the housing crisis and political donations in Ireland?

Ellen Coyne is joined by Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent to look at a political curiosity in Carlow.
Two of Corks favourite sons will join up on the stage for an unmissable Cork Folk festival show

Two of Corks favourite sons, singer/songwriter John Spillane and author/playwright Conal Creedon, will take to the stage together at Corks Triskel Arts Centre at 1pm on Saturday, September 30 under the umbrella of the Cork Folk Festival.

The event promises to be a magical afternoon full of fun and joy as the pair of master wordsmiths intertwine storytelling, music and song during what promises to be one of the undoubted highlights of the festival.

Long-time friends and collaborators, they have made a significant contribution to Corks artistic and cultural heritage through their acclaimed works, including such gems as Follow Your Nose and Princes Street, that have resonated with audiences locally and beyond.

Rooted in people, place and story, John Spillanes music transports the listener to another place, with his captivating and often quirky live performances enthralling audiences across the world.

His vocal style has a unique almost sean nos like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs, as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour.

Spillane, a two-time Meteor award winner, has the ability to charm mesmerise and entertain in equal measure, with his music appealing to listeners across many genres and generations.

While his music is inspired by and encapsulates Irish traditional music in its contemporary  reflecting the Ireland of today as he sees it.

However, Cork, the county he lovingly describes as being the centre of the universe has been perhaps the greatest influence on his career, as he waxes lyrical about is places and characters.

While lauded by critics and fellow musicians, the great Christy Moore perhaps sums up Spillanes character and creative spirit best.

John Spillane, is startlingly alive to the breath of nature, and is among the last of the great bards, I sing John Spillane songs everywhere I go. John has been my favourite songwriter for the past ten years, said Moore.

Conal Creedons most recently published, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death, was presented at the centre of Irish Studies at Zurich University, James Joyce Federation in 2020.

It was subsequently published by Florence University Press and has since picked up Gold at the IP Book Awards in the European Non-Fiction Category and Silver at the IP Book Awards in the Global reference Non-Fiction category.

His collection of short stories Pancho and Lefty Ride Again was awarded the One City One Book award and holds the record of being the most borrowed adult fiction book at Cork City Libraries.

Other published books by Conal Creedon include Begotten Not Made, Cornerstone and Passion Play - the latter cited as the 1999 BBC Radio 4 Book of the Year.

His award-winning stage plays include The Trial of Jesus, which featured as part of the Irish National Millennium celebrations, received two Business to Arts Awards and was nominated for an Irish Times Special Judges Theatre award.

His Second City Trilogy of stage plays achieved high acclaim from theatre critics in Shanghai, New York and Ireland and picked up a number of awards at the Irish Theatre Awards in New York.

When I Was God, a production from the trilogy, has won ICA Federation and Irish National Play awards.

As in the case of John Spillane, his work has received widespread critical acclaim, with the Sunday Tribune saying - Creedon can create characters, not just mouthing amusing philosophical meanderings, not just cold abstractions, these are creations of Creedons great humanity.

Tickets for John Spillane and Conal Creedon at the Triskel, price at 21, from www.triskelartscentre.ie.
A Dublin couple impacted by Alzheimers disease has renewed their wedding vows after 60 years of marriage.

Brid and Vincent Kelly celebrated their special day in front of family, friends and fellow users of Curlew Road Day Centre in Drimnagh, which Brid has attended for several years.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland released a video of the ceremony to mark World Alzheimers Day today.

Brid  who lives with Alzheimers disease  and her primary carer Vincent, paid tribute to their original wedding day, which took place in Rathfarnham on September 16, 1963.

Brid and Vincent Kelly celebrated 60 years of marriage in front of family, friends and fellow users of Curlew Road Day Centre in Drimnagh

In a touching moment in the video, Brid turns to Vincent to ask, Why are they congratulating us? To her surprise and delight, he tells her theyve been married for 60 years.

Vincent praised the staff at The ASIs Curlew Road Day Care Centre, which has made a significant difference in their lives and asked for donations to the centre instead of gifts.

Read more Dublin couple to renew wedding vows on 60th anniversary to raise money for Alzheimers centre

Brid enjoys being at the centre; she loves the music and learning new songs, he said.

Everyone I have come into contact with at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is exceptional, and we want to give back to Curlew Road Day Care Centre for all the support they have given us.

Brid, originally from Monaghan, and Vincent, from Dublin, met in the winter of 1960 through Vincents younger sister.

Vincent says Brids blue eyes and smile stood out above everything else, and after a few more chance encounters, Vincent asked Brid out later the following year.

The rest, as he says, is history and the couple went on to have five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

For Vincent, the key to a long marriage is talking and listening. Love to me; love is giving. Bottom line, he added.

Noel Quilantang, ASI Manager for Curlew Road Day Care, said the team worked hard to ensure the event was special.

Were so thankful to everyone who has supported the event and for all the donations so far; this means so much to us and Brid and Vincent, he said.

Vincent and Brid on their wedding day in Rathfarnham on September 16, 1963

Noel, who took on the wedding coordinator and florist role for the event, says the centre strives to create meaningful experiences for service users and their families.

This celebration is not just about reliving cherished memories; its a chance for the Kelly family to make new ones, he said.

Alzheimers or another form of dementia doesnt mean you cant experience new things; you can still find joy and togetherness by being in the present.

Despite the challenges posed by Brids Alzheimers diagnosis, their commitment to one another remains unshakable. Theyre a lovely couple, he added.

As part of World Alzheimers Month, the annual Alzheimers Memory Walk takes place in over 30 locations nationwide this Sunday, September 24.

The event gives families, friends and those living with Dementia the opportunity to come together and raise funds for the vital support services The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides across Ireland.

An estimated 64,000 people live with dementia in Ireland, of which Alzheimers Disease is the most common form.
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.
As qualified Doctors living and working in their beloved Ukraine, Ganna and Ignor Chystyukhika had no intention of leaving their home and their lives but the war changed everything and on March 23, 2022 they found themselves in Glenbeigh.

"It was so dangerous. Every night we went to bed we would say goodbye in case we would not survive, says Ganna recalling that terrible time in their lives.

We decided to take our youngest son and go somewhere safe. We didn't know where we were going and left at night-time from Kyiv to Poland. Day-time would have been too dangerous.

"We had no idea what to do next .. I was thinking we would be in Poland just a few days, it turned into weeks.

Their English was limited but they set about trying to improve it as this would open up a place for them to go and a friend recommended Ireland. It was a country they knew nothing about.

"We had one friend here and they tell us the people are kind and friendly here and it would help us integrate, recalls Ganna and so they found themselves first in Dublin and then Glenbeigh living in Ocean Lodge with around 40 other Ukrainian refugees.

"A kind person from Fexco gave us accommodation and food, god bless that person. We lost our lives and they consider us with warm atmosphere that surprised me.

People don't owe something to other people but only they are good and desire to help us.

The couple had no idea how long they would be here but a year and a half later they are still living in the hotel and have started to rebuild their life.

In fact the couple have so settled here that they have opened their own business in Cork  Total Concept Aesthetics  which offers cutting edge facial and body treatments.

The focus is both on physiotherapy and body treatments to prevent and treat sporting injuries as well as focusing on the cosmetic side of treatment including anti-wrinkle and fillers for skin treatments and treating those with skin conditions.

It is a big change from their former careers as Doctors working in the Ukraine but there qualifications are not yet recognised here. For Ganna it is important that they have a job and a new business. This is what their former life was like and she wants that too in Ireland but the language barrier and qualification barrier makes it difficult.

We were both Doctors in the Ukraine. We had a good life, a stable business it was a clinic trying to prevent and predict conditions .. to try and see the first signs of a condition for example like diabetes and prevent it. .. We also did physiotherapy and well-being like shock-wave therapy, explains Ganna.

Both her and Ignor saw a need for a similar clinic in Ireland and Ganna with her background in dermatology could also use that so they decided to focus on aesthetic and physiotherapy first and then hopefully expand.

"The medical council has not confirmed our qualifications as Doctors .. it is not easy .. dentists working already but others have to go through exams that why we start with this, explains Ganna.

And thankfully Ganna and Ignor where helped along the way when they met a kind person who they told their history and plans to and they knew of an Irish Doctor with spare rooms in Cork and their dream became a reality.

"I was so happy .. I cant put it in words how difficult it is to find accommodation. It was a lucky chance, she says though that was the first step in what has been a difficult process including sourcing equipment, marketing and PR and seeing patients. It is early days but they are happy to have a new business and a new life in Ireland.

For Ganna the need to work here in Ireland was very important.

I need to work I need to help people that is how Doctors think. I need to apply my knowledge and experience here.

"It is not easy to start again, to confirm our knowledge our experience like we were nothing before.

But I'm here, we have survived and we have started a new life.

She said she is so thankful to the Irish people who have helped her along the way to setting up the new business as well as helping her integrate into the community.

"The decision if we can stay here is up to the Government and the EU .. It would be great for us we have nothing in the Ukraine we have started our new life here and we hope to continue to live here and help people.
Kerry Deputy Michael Healy-Rae hits back at protesters following ugly scenes outside Dail on Wednesday

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has vowed that he will not be discouraged from representing the people of Kerry by a couple of thugs in Dublin.

Speaking following yesterdays protest outside Dail Eireann where Deputy Healy-Rae had to be escorted from the area by two gardai as protesters shouted abuse and shoved the Kilgarvan politician.

The good people of Kerry send me to Dublin and a couple of thugs wont stop me from representing the people of Kerry, or the rest of the country for that matter, Deputy Healy-Rae said.

The online video was widely condemned by politicians and the public who felt the actions of the protesters went above and beyond what is permitted under the remit of a peaceful protest.

Deputy Healy-Rae said at no stage did he feel intimidated or fear for his safety.

Bullies dont intimidate me at all. They are just on a different agenda. I heard them shouting a lot about the tax-payers money. The people that I saw yesterday, if you were relying on them to pay tax you would be fairly hungry, he said.

Deputy Healy-Rae stated the people at yesterdays protest represent nobody.

I love to see people protesting at the Dail and I always go out to meet them and listen to them. I like to be kept on my toes by people and organisations. Protest is important but these people sullied it for respectable people. The people I saw represent no body, Deputy Healy-Rae said.

A 20-year-old intern from the US was with Michael Healy-Rae during the protest. He said she was also shoved by the protesters and had her mobile phone stolen.

She shouldnt have to experience that. She is over here to see what Irish politics is like. To get that treatment is a disgrace. I also want to thank the guards. They were doing their job and they dont deserve this, he said.
Kerry mans journey from hell of anorexia to Ironman challenge  If I survived that I can do this

Ardfert native Micheal Costello talks about struggling with an eating disorder as he prepares for an Ironman in Barcelona to raise awareness of male anorexia

Micheal Costello with his mother, Mary.

Stephen Fernane Kerryman Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 18:10

When Micheal Costello was officially diagnosed with atypical anorexia on October 15, 2020, he was 25 years old. Four years earlier he had started to grapple with the side-effects of his illness.
Many nursing homes are hanging by a thread says Deputy Marian Harkin

Sligo/Leitrim TD Marian Harkin Harkin has called for a 190m fund to head off mounting nursing home closures, particularly in regional and rural locations.

She said some private and voluntary nursing homes in the Sligo Leitrim constituency were under severe financial pressure while 33% of nursing homes across Ireland reported that they operated at a loss in 2022.

"In fact, 31 private and voluntary nursing homes have closed over the last three years with the loss of 915 beds, and these closures have been primarily located in regional and rural areas, Deputy Marian Harkin told Minister Simon Coveney in the Dail.

These closures are as a result of profound inequities in the system and Im asking the government to provide an immediate stabilisation fund of 190 million in the next budget to help ensure the short-term viability of these nursing homes and help prevent further closures, Ms Harkin said.

The Sligo Leitrim Deputy pointed out that systemic inequities in the Fair Deal system mean that private and voluntary nursing homes find themselves at a complete disadvantage. They are providing an equivalent level of care to HSE nursing homes and yet, according to report after report, including the latest from PwC, they get 600 less per patient per week. This means that a 40-bed private or voluntary nursing home would get 1.25m per year less than an equivalent HSE-run home.

"This is deeply unfair and unsustainable and that's why they're closing, the Deputy said. We need to remember that private and voluntary nursing homes account for 80pc of all nursing homes. With over 25,000 residents in over 400 locations they directly employ about 35,000 staff, yet more and more are operating on an unsustainable basis because of the long-term inequity in the Fair Deal scheme.

Ms Harkin went on to point out that the trend of closures points to a worsening situation because 19 of the 31 closures over the last three years occurred in the last 12 months. What the figures don't tell us is that many more small to medium sized nursing homes, many in my own constituency, are hanging on by a thread.

The Deputy drew the Ministers attention to the situation of St Brendans Nursing Home in Mulranny, Co Mayo.

I spoke to my colleague Dr Jerry Cowley who, along with the people from the local community, set up Saint Brendan's 25 years ago as a not-for-profit nursing home. They are struggling, they've spent hundreds of thousands bringing the nursing home up to standard for fire regulations, room size, and rightly so.

"But they receive 600 less per resident than the HSE facility nine miles down the road, and yet they provide the same level of care, she explained.

What is more, they source staff from abroad and two years later the HSE takes on their trained, experienced staff because they offer them better pay and conditions. St Brendans is in an impossible situation and will face closure without immediate assistance.

Minister Coveney said that he will bring the issue to the attention of the line minister and pointed out that increases of 6% to 7% had been given to nursing homes in the last year. Ms Harkin replied that 6% to 7% means very little when the difference in the levels of support between the two types of nursing homes is of the order of 60%, on average.

The Deputy accepted that four new nursing homes were opened in the last year but pointed out that these are in larger urban centres while services in regional and rural areas are diminishing.

Ms Harkin called on the Government to stop dragging its heels and deliver some level of equity and fairness in this sector, both for the residents and for the staff who work there.
THE Wicklow Branch of BirdWatch Ireland held their first indoor event of the autumn in the Ashford Community and Heritage Centre as Gillian Stewart of the National Parks and Wildlife Service provided a talk titled chasing butterflies.

Gillians presentation mainly focused on her personal odyssey as she set out to find and photograph Irelands 35 species of butterflies. BirdWatch Irelands Dr Steve Newton was also on hand with a selection of bird books for sale on the night before and after the presentation.

The next talk will be from Wicklow ecologist Richard Nairn, taking place on Tuesday, October 10, at 7.30 p.m. in the same venue, where he will discuss his latest book Wild Waters: The Magic of Irelands Rivers and Lakes. Beginning with the Avonmore River system which flows through some of the most picturesque parts of Co. Wicklow, Wild Waters reveals the magic of Irelands rivers and lakes and contemplates the consequences for them as the rapid deterioration of our natural environment continues.
The area also includes the rural surrounds of Rathdrum, Glenealy and the rural communities of Wicklow town.

National Broadband Irelands broadband rollout now includes 16,000 County Wicklow premises on 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, County Wicklow will receive 59 million of Government funding under the National Broadband Plan.

There are 3,334 Wicklow premises in the Redcross deployment area that can join the National Broadband Ireland network. Works have already been completed in other parts of Wicklow and there are a total of 6,748 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county with 1,545 connections made so far.

Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: We are delighted to announce that Wicklow premises in the Redcross 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 6,700 homes, farms and businesses across rural Wicklow can order high-speed fibre broadband to connect to the National Broadband Network. This includes the rural communities of almost 2,300 premises in Kilcoole as well as over 1,400 near Blessington.
LOS ANGELESMen.com announced Thursday that it has signed an exclusive deal with performer Dom King.

Im really excited to join the Men.com family, King said. I have always wanted to work in this industry but had never thought of myself in front of the camera. Now, I am able to live out mine and everybody elses fantasies.

King made his first Men.com appearance in "Its About Dom Time" in 2022. He has since worked with a variety of new and established performers including Trevor Brooks, Johnny Donovan, Logan Aarons, Clark Rei and Bruce Jones.

Last summer, King starred in "Good Rubber Part 1" opposite Sam Ledger. The scene quickly became a massive hit amongst Men.com members and social media followers. I was originally not interested in the acting and production side of things, King revealed. But now, its my favorite part. Men.com gives me that creative outlet I have been looking for."

He added, I know that teaming up with Men.com will take my career to the next level. I am just getting started!

King joins a stable that includes Malik Delgaty, Joey Mills, Austin Wolf and, more recently, Chuck Conrad at Men.com. He will next be featured in "Big Balls Energy," a locker room-themed scene co-starring Nick Cranston.

Follow Men.com on X @Men, Instagram @themenaccount and TikTok @themenaccount.

Follow Dom King on X @dom_king91.
WICKLOW Town and District Chamber of Commerce have joined with leading renewable energy owner, operator and developer, SSE Renewables to announce a strategic partnership for 2023/24

Stephen Delaney, President, Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce, was joined at the chamber offices in Wicklow Enterprise Park by John OSullivan, Project Manager and Deirdre Keogh, Community Engagement Manager, SSE Renewables for the announcement.

The agreement will see SSE Renewables support Wicklow Chamber as overall sponsor for 12 months and runs throughout the remainder of this year and into 2024.

Stephen said: SSE Renewables is actively working to progress the delivery of offshore renewable energy to help secure Irelands energy future, reduce carbon emissions and create local jobs. Ireland is a nascent market for offshore wind with huge potential and critical infrastructure projects such as Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 will significantly contribute to the Irish Governments target of achieving 5GW of offshore wind by 2030.

"Our Chamber welcomes the new jobs that will be created across the county and looks forward to a successful partnership over the coming year.

John OSullivan, Project Manager, Arklow Bank Wind Park 2, welcomed the opportunity to strategically partner with the Wicklow Chamber and the local employment and investment opportunities involved.
Social media site X has been asked by a senior MP if owner Elon Musk, who changed its name from Twitter, has personally intervened in any decisions on Russell Brands status on the platform.

Following rape and sexual assault allegations being made against Brand, online content platforms that host his content including YouTube and podcasting company Acast said that he will not make money from advertisements on their sites and apps.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to other video hosting sites and social media outlets on Wednesday to ask whether Brand can make profit from his content on their platforms.

These include X, where the presenter has 11.2 million followers on the site formerly known as Twitter, right-wing video platform Rumble where has 1.4 million followers, and Instagram which has 3.8 million followers and is run by Meta.

Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to several social media platforms about Russell Brand (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA)

Dame Caroline also pointed to a response by Mr Musk following Brand posting a video on Friday denying the allegations and the comedian and actor saying he has been promiscuous but that all of his relationships have been consensual.

In the communication to X chief executive Linda Yaccarino, Dame Caroline said: We would be grateful if you could confirm whether Mr Brand monetises his content and, if so, we would like to know whether X intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brands ability to earn money on the platform.

Given Elon Musks response to Mr Brands tweet regarding the allegations, where he wrote Of course. They dont like competition, we are also keen to understand whether Mr Musk has personally intervened in any decisions on Mr Brands status on the platform.

We would also like to know what X is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour.

A similar query to video-based social media site TikTok on whether Brand, who has 2.3 million followers on the app, can monetise content was responded to by the platform.

Theo Bertram, vice president of public policy Europe at TikTok, said his company is committed to providing a space that embraces gender equity, supports healthy relationships, and respects intimate privacy and bans accounts from people who have been found to have committed serious offences.

He added that Brand had never been part of its content creator monetisation programme, called the TikTok Creator Fund.

Mr Bertram also said: As with all content on our platform, we continue to keep Mr Brands content under review and will remain vigilant in this regard.

Video-based social media site TikTok responded to the MPs amid the allegations about Russell Brand (Yui Mok/PA)

Brand has faced claims of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

Both the BBC and Channel 4 have launched investigations into Brands time working on their programmes and have removed content featuring him from their platforms.

On Tuesday, Acast said it had turned off advertisements on Russell Brands Under The Skin podcast and Brands YouTube account, which has 6.6 million subscribers, was announced to have been suspended from YouTubes Partner account.

Brand was posting regularly to his Rumble and YouTube accounts, where he potentially earns thousands each month from these videos, and often taps into conspiracy theories and anti-establishment narratives, at 5pm BST weekdays but he has not since Friday.

Other potential revenue streams include a merchandise store, where a message on Brands website note that profits from both the store and festival will go to the Stay Free Foundation, although the webpage says it is currently under review.

The Metropolitan Police said they had received a report of an alleged sexual assault in the wake of media allegations about the comedian and actor.

Posting to X, Rumble said in a statement that its video site deplores sexual assault, rape and all serious crimes and the allegations against Brand have nothing to do with its platform.

The response to Dame Carolines letter, which she wrote to the Canadian-based web hosting platforms chief executive Chris Pavlovski, also said that it stands for different values than YouTube and has devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet.

We dont agree with the behaviour of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalise them for actions that have nothing to do with our platform, the statement also read.

Meta, X and Rumble have been contacted for a response.
Olivia Colman, who is backing a new campaign on the signs of Alzheimers disease (Ian West/PA)

Olivia Colman has told how she held back tears while lending her voice to a new short film to raise awareness of dementia.

The Oscar winner, who played the daughter of a man with dementia who refuses assistance in the film The Father, is helping Alzheimers Research UK show how dementia robs people of their happily ever after.

The animated short film, Change The Ending, is voiced by Colman and shows how the illness can leave people worried and frightened, and has a huge impact on families.

She said: As soon as I heard about the concept behind Alzheimers Research UKs campaign, I wanted to be involved and support their search for a cure.

Dementia devastates lives and wreaks havoc on far too many families across the UK and around the world.

My mum was a nurse for 45 years and, as a young girl, I got to meet some of the people she cared for who were living with dementia.

It was so upsetting to see how the condition had robbed people of their independence, and the impact it had on their loved ones.

My great-grandmother died with the condition and other loved ones close to my family also succumbed to it, so its had a direct impact.

The work Alzheimers Research UK does is so important, and I was proud to lend my voice to this campaign  it lays bare the realities of dementia in such a powerful and thought-provoking way.

I was holding back tears narrating the film as dementia destroys peoples happily ever afters, and we must do everything we can to end the pain and distress it causes.

Id urge everyone to join me and get behind Alzheimers Research UK to help drive them towards a cure.

To accompany the campaign, a YouGov survey of 2,162 people, commissioned by the charity, found only 49% could name memory loss as an effect of dementia.

Some 22% said they had no idea how the condition impacts people.

Just over one in 10 (12%) said dementia causes people to lose their independence, while one in five (21%) were aware it causes trouble with managing daily tasks.

Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia, which can cause memory loss, changes to personality, losing the ability to communicate, hallucinations, becoming incontinent, and needing support to do everyday things such as eating, washing and dressing.

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimers Research UK, said: Our new film features a story we urgently need to tell  because this is the distressing reality for many people living with dementia today. Tragically, it will be the reality for many more if we dont act now.

As our survey shows, too many people are unaware of how dementia destroys lives, and this is blocking our path to a cure.

We know the film will be hard to watch, but by putting a spotlight on the devastation this condition causes, we hope to ignite support for the vital research that will change the ending for everyone affected by dementia.

While were making great strides in dementia research, and new treatments are on the horizon, there is still much more work needed to save people from dementia.

People can watch the film and learn more at alzres.uk/foracure
Armenian separatists to lay down arms following violence in Nagorno-Karabakh

Ceasefire and talks agreed after 32 die and 200 are injured in disputed region

A protester and law enforcement officials in Yerevan, Armenia, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Avet Demourian Thu 21 Sep 2023 at 03:30







Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reached a ceasefire agreement yesterday to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region that has been a flashpoint for decades.
Britains King Charles arrived in France yesterday 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.
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 UN General Assembly.
Image: Facebook/Satyendra Jain

New Delhi/UNI: A court here on Wednesday dismissed the application of former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain seeking transfer of his case to another judge.

While dismissing the application of Jain, Principal District & Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (CBI), Rouse Avenue District Court, New Delhi, Anju Bajaj-Chandna, said, "The power to transfer, withdraw or assignment of the matters is discretionary, but discretion must be exercised judiciously and on well founded reasons.

"When a matter is transferred from one court to another, on the basis of apprehension of bias, it has larger repercussions... Therefore, the transfer cannot be allowed on flimsy grounds as also law is well settled in this regard."

The court observed, "The strong observations made by a Judge cannot itself be the basis to conclude that the Judge is not holding the trial in a fair and impartial manner.

"A Judge is supposed to conduct the proceedings without fear and favour. During the course of proceedings, some orders may favour prosecution and some may favour defence, but such orders cannot be made the basis of attributing bias to the Judge concerned."

Jain had moved an application under section 408 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by seeking transfer of two cases registered against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to another judge.

The two cases are pending for hearing before the court of Vikas Dhull, Special Judge, CBI.

CBI has registered a First Information Report (FIR) for alleged disproportionate assets against Jain in 2017.

On the basis of CBIs FIR, ED also registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) against him and accused him of having laundered money through four companies allegedly linked to him and where he was holding shares while amassing disproportionate income.

CBI has registered FIR on 24 August 2017 under section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and section 109 of Indian Penal Code against Jain, his wife and four other accused persons.

CBI has alleged that the applicant has acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during the period of 14 February 2015 to 31 May 2017.

On 30 August 2017, ED registered ECIR under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The charge-sheet in the CBI case was filed on 3 December 2018. Taking cognisance of the same, the court summoned the accused on 3 April 2019 and granted regular bail to the applicant (Jain) on 6 July 2019.

Subsequently, on 30 May 2022, Jain was arrested by ED and then sent to judicial custody.

In this case, Jain filed the first regular bail application on 13 June 2022, which was dismissed on 18 June 2022.

Jain filed a second bail application on 17 August 2022.

During the course of arguments on the bail application, ED filed application for transfer of the matter on 19 September 2022 and on 22 September 2022, the court allowed the said application and consequently, the matter was transferred from the court of Ms Geetanjali Goel, Special Judge, CBI, to the court of Vikas Dhull, Special Judge, CBI Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi.

On 17 November 2022, Special Judge Vikas Dhull dismissed the bail application of the applicant (Jain).

Special Public Prosecutor N K Matta denied each and every allegation and averments in the application of Jain.

According to the CBI, rules of natural justice are being followed and proper hearing is being given to the applicant as well as to the CBI. The apprehension of the applicant Jain is baseless.

CBI has also filed a reply to the application of Jain, stating that the applicant is an influential person and has adopted tactics to delay the proceedings.
AUSTINA three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an administrative stay on the preliminary injunction blocking Texas House Bill 1181 from entering into force, meaning that the law is now in effect.

Techdirt notes this type of stay is used as a measure to pause litigation until the applicable court reviews and rules in an expedited request for relief by one or more of the parties involved with the case. The court advanced the case to a panel at the earliest possible time.

Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, on Saturday won an impeachment trial launched against him in May and is likely to take over the state's defense.

House Bill (HB) 1181 is a controversial law requiring an age verification regimen for all adult websites that have users from Texas IP addresses. The law was challenged in a federal district court last month due to a measure in the bill that would require adult websites to additionally post health warning labels at the top and bottom of web pages and on marketing collateral.

The Free Speech Coalition, the parent companies of the largest adult tube sites in the world, and pay-sites affiliated with these platforms sued the state of Texas, arguing that HB 1181 is unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment.

They argued that a government cannot require a privately owned website to issue a public health warning when the claims in the warnings are not accepted by mainstream medicine, psychology and neuroscience.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra agreed with the plaintiffs and issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Texas from enforcing the law.

Then-acting Attorney General Angela Colmenero asked for the injunction to be lifted, but Judge Ezra declined.
PM Modi with Justin Trudeau during one of their earlier meetings/ courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: Amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between Ottawa and New Delhi over the alleged killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals till further notice.

A notice by BLS International - an online visa application centre in India that provides visa consultancy services  posted on its website that reads, "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates."

Relationship between New Delhi and Ottawa touched a new low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Nijjar.

Trudeau alleged that there are "credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia of Canada.

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.

In a tit-for-tat, India also sacked a Canadian diplomat and asked him to leave the country within the next five days.

India rejected the allegations made by Canada over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected," read the statement issued by the MEA.

Punjab gangster Sukhdool Singh killed in Canada

Meanwhile, reports have claimed Punjab gangster and alleged Khalistani sympathiser Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke of Davinder Bambiha gang has been killed in Canada's Winnipeg.

Sukhdool has been killed in a gang-rivalry much like how terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in June.

Reports say Sukhdool fled from India to Canada in 2017. He has seven criminal cases against his name.




Photo courtesy: UNI

New Delhi/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the passing of the Women Reservation Bill as a "golden moment in India's Parliamentary journey" and said it will take the country to new heights.

Making some brief remarks in the Lok Sabha at the start of day four of the special session of Parliament, the Prime Minister thanked all members of the House for backing the Bill, saying they were all parties to the "golden moment".

"Members of all parties and their leaders, both inside and outside the House, are all deserving partners in this".

He said the development will instil a new energy in India's "Matri Shakti".

"Yesterday's decision and today when we cross the last mile after Rajya Sabha passes the Bill today, will raise matri Shakti (power of women) in the country.

"It will create a level of confidence that will lead to the emergence of an unimaginable and unprecedented power that will take the country to new heights. I can feel this."

Calling it a "historic legislation" that will enable greater participation of women in the political process, the Prime Minister earlier took to X to thank the Lok Sabha members.

"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" he tweeted on Wednesday.

The Lok Sabha almost unanimously passed the bill on Wednesday to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The opposition parties, however, demanded immediate implementation of the Bill and inclusion of quota for Muslims and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The government has said the Bill will come into effect after the Census is conducted across the country and the Delimitation Commission identifies the constituencies which would be reserved for women.

The bill received 454 votes in favour and only two votes against it on Day 3 of the five-day special session of Parliament.

The bill has been presented in the Rajya Sabha where discussion is underway.
Image Credit: Chandrababu Naidu Official Twitter Handle

Vijayawada/UNI: Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLAs created ruckus in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on the opening day of the monsoon session on Thursday.

The TDP legislators rushed to the Speaker's podium holding placards and raised slogans denouncing the arrest of TDP National President N Chandrababu Naidu in the alleged multi-crore AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) Scam.

The TDP members insisted on the Speaker Tammineni Sitaram to allow a debate on the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu.

The TDP legislators rushed to the podium and threw papers towards Sitaram.

Chaotic scenes prevailed in the house for some time.

The TDP members raised slogans demanding the lifting of all cases registered against party National President and former Chief Minister Naidu.

TDP MLA-cum-Actor N Balakrishna twirled his moustache, challenging the ruling YSRCP MLAs, which further created chaos in the house.

Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy informed the house that they are ready for debate on the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu.

Minister for Irrigation Ambati Rambabu said Balakrishna could twirl his moustache in films but not in the house.

The acts of the TDP MLAs might lead to untoward incidents in the house, he said.

The TDP members were provoking the ruling party legislators, he stated.

The Minister said, "It seems the TDP members intention was to manhandle the Speaker. The Chandrababu Naidu arrest issue should be resolved in the Courts but not in the Assembly."

Meanwhile, similar scenes were witnessed in the Legislative Council. The TDP MLCs rushed to the Chairmans podium and raised slogans decrying the arrest of Naidu.

They obstructed the question hour in the Council as well.
Image Credit: facbook.com/CanadainIndia

New Delhi: The Canadian High Commission in India has claimed that some of its diplomats have received threats on social media platforms and that it decided to temporarily adjust its staff presence in the country, media reports said.

The High Commission said that it expects India to provide security for Canadian diplomats and consular officers in the country.

The development comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada over Canada's allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June.

The Canadian High Commission and all consulates in India will remain open and continue to serve clients. "Global Affairs Canada continuously monitors the safety and security of our missions and personnel as we maintain a strict security protocol to respond to any events," the high commission said.

"In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India," the high commission said.

"As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. All of our locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity," it added.

The high commission stated that Global Affairs Canada will continue to take all appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of Canadian personnel, including locally engaged staff, and to protect its operations in India. "Decisions are made based on a number of factors including the professional profile of an employee or personal circumstances," it said.

"In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here," the high commission further said.
PM Modi meeting Justin Trudeau during G20 Summit/ courtesy: X page

New Delhi/IBNS: The Centre Thursday said it had asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence in India as it cited the "interference of Canadian diplomats in Indian affairs", amid the steadily worsening diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist.

This came hours after India suspended visa services in Canada, potentially impacting thousands seeking to travel to India.

"The Canadian diplomatic presence in India is larger than what India has and accordingly needs to be downsized," foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters.

"We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in diplomatic presence. Their numbers are very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction," he said.

The spokesperson said, "Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs is a factor".

India on Thursday said that Canada has become a safe haven for "terrorists, extremists, and organised crime". At the same time, Ottawa announced it was taking action to ensure the safety of its diplomats and temporarily adjusting staff presence in India.

In a weekly media briefing, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Ottawa's allegations about Indian agents' involvement in the murder of a Khalistani terrorist as "politically driven".

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said there was a "degree of prejudice" in Canada's allegations. "They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven."

The MEA statement came amid growing tensions between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday told parliament that his country's security agencies have been actively pursuing "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.

While New Delhi outrightly rejected Trudeau's allegation, calling it "absurd" and "motivated", the relations between the two countries have worsened with Canada and India expelling a senior diplomat each.

India has also issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals, particularly students, in Canada and also those contemplating travel to the North American country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.

Bagchi confirmed that Canada hasn't shared any specific information regarding the allegations. "From our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities based on Canadian soil has been shared with the

Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon," the MEA spokesperson said.

The allegations were raised by Trudeau with PM Modi when the Canadian PM was in India to attend the G20 summit. PM Modi rejected the allegations, the MEA reiterated.

[With UNI inputs]
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

New Delhi: The number of passengers carried by domestic airlines in India from January to August 2023 reached an impressive 1190.62 lakhs, marking an increase of 38.27% compared to the same period last year.

The month of August 2023 alone witnessed a significant monthly growth rate of 23.13%, with passenger numbers soaring to 148.27 lakhs.

This upward trend in passenger growth reflects the industrys resilience and recovery from the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

Despite the impressive growth in passenger traffic, it is worth noting that the overall cancellation rate for scheduled domestic airlines in August 2023 was a mere 0.65%.

During August 2023, a total of 288 passenger-related complaints had been received by scheduled domestic airlines, with a complaint rate of around 0.23 complaints per 10,000 passengers carried.

This low complaint and cancellation rate is a testament to the industrys efforts to prioritize customer satisfaction and provide reliable and efficient services to passengers.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia lauded this consistent growth and hailed it as a testament to the collective efforts of airlines, airports, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in fostering a safe, efficient, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem.

The aviation industry remains committed to ensuring passenger safety and comfort while adapting to evolving travel demands and regulations.

As air travel continues to recover, domestic airlines are poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and connectivity across India.


Kolkata: IndiGo, India's leading airline, and international carrier, British Airways have signed a codeshare agreement to further boost connections between India and the UK.

Through this partnership  which sees British Airways add its code onto a couple of destinations across IndiGos network  customers can enjoy improved connectivity between India and the United Kingdom for travel from October 12, 2023, the Indian budget carrier said in a press release.

With this codeshare partnership with IndiGo, British Airways will now be able to add three additional routes to their existing network:

Amritsar to London Heathrow via New Delhi

Kochi to London Heathrow via Mumbai

Ahmedabad to London Heathrow via Mumbai

Goa to London Heathrow via Mumbai

Thiruvananthapuram to London Heathrow via Mumbai (NEW)

Kolkata to London Heathrow via Mumbai

Rajkot to London Heathrow via Mumbai (NEW)

Vadodara to London Heathrow via Mumbai (NEW)

The agreement means that customers traveling, for example from Rajkot to London, or transiting through London Heathrow (or vice versa) will be able to connect to their destination on a single ticket, IndiGo said.

IndiGo operates an extensive domestic and regional network with a fleet of A320 aircraft.

All British Airways customers traveling onwards with IndiGo will be able to enjoy a complimentary meal and the UK carriers generous baggage allowance in the economy via codeshare for flights to India  two checked bags up to 23 kilos per person.

IndiGo Senior Vice President  Network Planning and Revenue Management Abhijit Dasgupta said, We are excited to announce our codeshare agreement with British Airways. This partnership expands the choices available to British Airways customers for journeys to/from London Heathrow, using IndiGos extensive network in India.

This step to provide seamless connectivity will not only support trade and commerce between the two countries but also offer convenient travel options to students and tourists. With burgeoning demand for international travel, we will continue to enhance international connectivity and remain committed to our promise of providing on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our customers."

British Airways Director of Network and Alliances Neil Chernoff said, British Airways has been flying to India since 1924, making it one of our longest-served and most valued destinations. Our partnership with IndiGo means that customers will be able to book their entire journey on one ticket, allowing seamless travel all the way from London to their final destination, offering more choice and flexibility for customers.

British Airways is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels of flights to India, ahead of celebrating 100 years of flying to Delhi next year.

The airline is operating 56 flights a week, to five Indian gateways: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

Customers traveling between Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore can enjoy British Airways newly designed Club Suite (business class) cabin, with direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

From next week, flyers will also soon start to see the new British Airways uniform, as cabin crew, pilots and check-in agents switch over to the airlines first new uniform in 20 years.

Codeshare flights are available to book from today for travel from 12 October 2023, subject to government approval.
Photo Caption: UN News/Anton Upensky

Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects, the UN chief declared on Wednesday, as a broad global coalition of movers and doers politicians, business and civil society gathered in New York for the first ever Climate Ambition Summit.

Front and centre was an urgent call to action, to prevent cascading climate disasters through a just and equitable energy transition  before its too late.

In his impassioned address on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to politicians, business, activists and civil society leaders, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning about the dire consequences of inaction.

With extreme weather events accelerating, humanity has opened the gates to hell, said the Secretary-General, describing distressing scenes of farmers helplessly watching crops washed away by floods, the emergence of virulent disease due to rising temperatures, and the mass exodus of people fleeing historic wildfires.

Race for solutions

Our focus here is on climate solutions  and our task is urgent, he said.

He warned that climate action was being dwarfed by the scale of the challenge, with humanity heading towards a 2.8C temperature rise, increasing danger and instability.

But the future is not fixed he added and the Paris Agreement target of limiting temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5C is still attainable.

We can still build a world of clear air, green jobs, and affordable clean power for all, he said, addressing the high-level gathering of first movers and doers.

Driving force for change

Activists are refusing to be silenced, Indigenous Peoples are rallying to defend their ancestral land, and corporate executives are transforming how they do business.

The UN chief is calling for a Climate Solidarity Pact that will hold major emitters more to account, and calling on wealthy countries to support emerging economies so they can weather the crisis.

The Acceleration Agenda calls on governments to hit fast forward, he added.

Anger rising

The Secretary-General spoke of the need for more climate justice, recognizing the anger felt by many of the world's poorest nations disproportionately affected by a crisis they did not cause.

Many of the poorest nations have every right to be angry, he added, explaining that promised finance had not materialized while the costs of borrowing remain sky-high.

All parties must operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28, he urged and reminded the developed countries must meet the $100 billion commitment, replenish the Green Climate Fund, and double adaptation funding.

Creating early warning systems for everyone by 2027 is a must, too.

Rebuilding trust

The Acceleration Agenda also calls for businesses and financial institutions to embark on true net zero pathways, with a focus on transparency and credibility in emission reduction plans.

Every company that truly means business, must create just transition plans that credibly cut emissions and deliver climate justice, the Secretary-General said.

He called for action beyond the meeting rooms of New York.

We can  and we must turn up the tempo, he concluded, to loud applause around the room.

Responding to the call, Kenyan President William Ruto, which recently hosted the Africa Climate Summit, spoke about the continents huge potential.

With about 30 per cent of the worlds mineral resources and vast biodiversity, it is capable of green global manufacturing at scale, given the necessary financial support.

Unlike other regions, Africa does not have to choose between satisfying new demand and decarbonizing existing capacities, because our existing capacity is very low, he explained, adding that the continent can leapfrog into fully green industrial paradigm.

Climate justice

Financing and environmental justice were themes running throughout the discussions.

Lidy Nacpil is Coordinator of the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development, an NGO advocating for the transition to renewable energy.

New agreements are needed to make the shift without loopholes or excuses, she said. An international treaty on the non-proliferation of fossil fuels and a global phase-out plan are needed to reach real zero by 2050.

We, the people of the Global South are not asking for aid or assistance. Climate finance is an obligation and a part of reparations for historical and continuing harms and injustices, she asserted the right not just to survive, but to build a better home and future for our children.

No buy out

Developed countries at the Summit said they were prepared to contribute their fair share. President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, for example, announced an additional 220 million for tackling climate change between 2023 to 2026.

50 million will be used to support programmes and projects related to loss and damage, he assured. The country will also increase its contribution to the Green Climate Fund by a quarter, for a total of 160 million.

However, the Austrian president said, We cannot buy ourselves out of the climate crisis. We must curb emissions at home.

His country aims to achieve the net zero target by 2040.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, addresses the Security Council. Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called for expanding the UN Security Council and reforming the right of veto granted to its permanent members, in his first in-person address around the iconic horseshoe table.

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. That is to the detriment of all other UN Members, he said, speaking through an interpreter.

Viable reform process

World leaders and Foreign Ministers attending the annual debate in the UN General Assembly packed into the Security Council chamber for the meeting, which focused on upholding the UN Charter through effective multilateralism in the context of the war in Ukraine, now entering its 20th month.

The Charter is the UNs founding document and codifies the major principles of international relations, including the sovereign equality of States and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

We should recognize that the UN finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations, Zelenskyy told the Council.

"World leaders are seeking new platforms and alliances that could reduce the disastrous scope of problems - the 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."

Reform and representation

The Ukrainian President said he was confident that the UN Charter can work effectively for the sake of peace and security globally.

However, for this to happen, the years-long discussions and projects on UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform, he added.

And it should not be only about representation here in the Security Council. The use of veto power, that is what requires the reform.

He said the right of veto should not serve those who are obsessed with hatred and war and that the General Assembly - which comprises all UN Member States - should be given real power to overcome the veto.

Early warning mechanism

Zelenskyy said he has welcomed proposals to expand the Security Council to reflect current realities.

Fifteen countries sit on the Council, five of which  China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States  are permanent members who have the power to veto any resolution or decision. Ten non-permanent members are elected to serve for two-year terms.

Ukraine considers it is unjust when billions of people do not have their permanent representation in the Security Council, said Zelenskyy.

UN commitment to Ukraine

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined full commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in his remarks to the meeting.

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, he said.

All this comes at a time when cooperation and compromise for multilateral solutions are needed more than ever, to tackle challenges from the climate crisis to unprecedented levels of inequality to disruptive technologies, he added.

Dialogue, diplomacy and peace

Guterres said the UN has been clear in condemning the war, which began on 24 February. He recalled that the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukraine, and a another rejecting its efforts to annex Ukrainian territory.

The Secretary-General also outlined the brutal toll of the conflict, including relentless attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, tens of thousands killed or injured, shocking human rights violations, and millions now in need of aid and protection.

This war is already causing limitless suffering. Its continuation risks further perilous escalation, he warned. There is no alternative to dialogue, diplomacy, and a just peace.

Fully respect UN Charter: Russia

The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, as the country holds the rotating Council presidency this month.

At the outset, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzya, questioned why President Zelenskyy was allowed to speak ahead of representatives of countries that are on the Council, and why North Macedonian Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani, who is the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), was invited.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke in the Council chamber on behalf of Russia, saying his country continues to insist on all provisions of the UN Charter being respected and applied in their entirety, not selectively.

This includes the principle of the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in their domestic affairs, respect for territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination, he said, speaking through an interpreter.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

Blaming the country's former generals and judges for its economic woes, ex-Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif has lamented that Pakistan is begging money from the world while neighbour India has sent Chadrayaan-3 to the moon and even hosted a major global event like G20.

"Today, Pakistan's Prime Minister is going from one country to another to beg for funds while India is setting foot on the moon and hosting world leaders at the G20 summit. Why couldn't Pakistan achieve similar feats? Who is responsible for our shambolic state?"Sharif was quoted as saying by ANI while addressing party meeting in Lahore virtually.

"Those who did this to our country are the biggest criminals," he said.

He said India followed the economic reforms initiated by his government in 1990.

"When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India, it had only a billion dollars in their treasury. Now, their foreign exchange reserves have risen to USD 600 billion," the former PM was quoted as saying by ANI.

"We are begging for even one billion dollars. What have we come to? Where do we stand in India's eyes? We are asking for money from China and the Gulf," Sharif noted.

India recently hosted the G20 Summit which was attended by top leaders including US President Joe Biden.
In Arizona, wildlife flourishes, and around the beginning of September, everything is elk. They announce their season with a blast of their bugle  an edgy, high-pitched scream that sounds downright eerie in a hollow.

That trademark bugle is not the only distinctive feature about elk. They have a surprising connection to some seafaring and jungle mammals, and they sometime like to chuckle.

The call of the wild

Like every member of the deer family, bull elk like to hang with other males while the cows band together with the calves. When mating season starts, bulls starting as young as two years use their bugle to find a mate.

The bugle starts low, gradually climbs to a high note, hangs onto the high note and then drops back to the low note with a gruff at the end. That high note, as distinctive as it is curious, doesnt match the 700-pound-plus source because it doesnt come from the bulls vocal cords.

Scientists discovered the high note is more of a whistle produced in an area called the glottis, situated between the bulls vocal cords in the throat and then projected through the nasal cavities. The call can measure as high as 4,000 Hz and carry for miles.

Sometimes the bull adds a series of sharp guttural sounds called a chuckle. The bull also uses a special glunking sound to communicate with cows. The call, produced deep in the bulls throat, sounds like a squishy thump.

Cow calls are short and naggy with an occasional long and strong screech. A calf call is tiny and light, like the mew of a cat.

Antlers and ivory

The bugling can start as early as late August from bulls 4 years and older; younger elk start in September. If you catch sight of an August bugler, he will probably have an impressive rack.

A lot of people talk about elk horns, said Allen Zufelt, Arizona Game & Fish Region 2 Terrestrial Game Specialist. Theyre not horns, theyre antlers, and theyre shed every year. They will continue to increase in size until theyre 6 to 8 years old. After that theyll decrease in size.

Both genders of elk have two canine teeth. Theyre remnants of tusks, like walruses, elephants and wild boars have, that their prehistoric ancestors once had.

Theyre ivory teeth, Zufelt said. The same residual kind of canine located in their upper jaws.

The Arizona Elk

The elk that currently roam the state are Cervuc canadensis or Rocky Mountain elk. But Arizona once had a native elk population whose existence didnt trickle into scientific circles until 1882 when renowned naturalist E.W. Nelson started tracking the clan. By the time Nelson penned a report on the elk for the American Museum of Natural History in 1902, the species had been extirpated.

Nelson called Arizona Elk, which he referred to as Cervus merriami, as the last of the large game mammals to become known to science in America. The species stayed under the radar because of their isolated existence in an area where, Nelson wrote, the idea of game protection is very recent.

At the time, the elk in the U.S. had been dwindling from an estimated 10 million and would eventually reach a low of 90,000; thats almost half of the remaining elk lived in and around Yellowstone National Park. The park ended up transplanting more than 13,500 Rocky Mountain elk, to points around the nation from 1912-1967. During that time, 217 came to Arizona.

When the transplantations started, George Hunt was governor of Arizona and a member of the Elks U.S.A. Globe lodge. He and Winslow lodge member C.M. Bledsoe coordinated Arizonas first shipment that traveled by train on January 31, 1913 to Winslow, Arizona. The elk were then wheeled by wagon to a draw in the Chevelon Canyon system. Two shipments of transplants to other locations in Arizona occurred in the 1920s.

Nomadic adventurers

The Arizona Game & Fish Department (AGF) estimates Arizona currently has about 35,000 elk that are all descendants of the Yellowstone transplants, and they sure have gotten around.

Elk in general are very nomadic, Zufelt explained. We have elk that moved to all habitats, from the tops of the San Francisco Peaks to as far as some of the canals around Yuma. Theyre originally a plains animal, and they are very good at living in almost any habitat. Once they get to a place, theyre pretty good at persisting.

That would describe the elk that wandered up to the Grand Canyon National Park from Williams and Flagstaff sometime around 1966. About 95% of the park elk remain in and around Grand Canyon Village; a 2015 survey counted 200. Though they must mingle with millions of visitors, they hydrate from precipitation that collects on the ground, puddles that form at water stations and quick nips of nectar from hummingbird feeders; they find food in the form of forb, grass and visitor handouts; and they have no predators. Life, in other words, is good.

Where the elk go

If youre interested in spotting elk, you dont have to travel far to find them. AGF game specialists have been flying elk surveys in the area, and Zufelt reported they spotted 3,000 in the past week.

One of the best places a person has to more or less guarantee seeing elk this time of the year is Mormon Lake, Zufelt said. The elk make use of the lake bottom in the summertime. Theyll be breaking up in the next couple of weeks as hunting season starts and theyll be breeding. So theyll move around a little bit. But there were 150-200 elk out in the lake bottom just the other day.

If you go to Mormorn Lake, be careful. Elk accidents have decreased substantially along the freeways due to customized fencing. But the smaller roads, like Lake Mary Road, still have frequent elk crossings.

The best thing I can say is slow down when youre driving at night, Zufelt advised. Drive courteously and pay attention, so youre not distracted because it just takes a split second for an elk to step out in front of you.
Air Traffic Controllers in India, who are the key personnel for ensuring safe flow of air traffic, will now get adequate rest, keeping in line with international regulations.

Air Traffic Controllers

DGCA has, from Thursday (Sept 21), started implementing 'watch duty time limitation' (WDTL) and rest requirements regulations for ATCOs providing air traffic services at 57 centres, thereby minimising the chances of human error and contributing to air safety.



The regulations are modelled on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.

Who are Air Traffic Controllers?

Usually stationed in air traffic control centres and control towers on the ground, Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs or ATCOs) monitor aircraft's position, speed, and altitude in their assigned airspace visually and by radar and give directions to the pilots by radio.

Controllers apply separation rules to keep aircraft at a safe distance from each other and within proper airspace in their area of responsibility and move all aircraft safely and efficiently through their assigned airspace and on the ground.

Air Traffic Control tower

The ATCO profession is consistently regarded around the world as one of the most mentally challenging careers.



As the DGCS statement titled "towards safer skies" says: "ATCOs are the key personnel whose commitment towards safe, orderly and efficient flow of air traffic makes travel by air, the safest mode of transportation. The profession is highly challenging, stressful, induces fatigue due to the nature of work and requires the highest degree of integrity, hard work, conflict resolution abilities and commitment."

Where do the 'watch duty time limitation' norms apply?

The WDTL norms are now applicable in 57 ATC centres. This includes 15 from the southern region, 12 from the western region, 11 from the eastern region, 10 from northeast region and 9 from northern region.

Southern region centres: Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tuticorin, Calicut, Kannur, Kalaburgi, Mysore, Belgaum, Hubli, Vijayawada, Cudappah, Hyd-Begumpet, Tirupati and Rajahmundry.

Western region centres: Mopa Goa, Indore, Surat, Bhopal, Udaipur, Vadodara, Aurangabad, Hirasar, Jabalpur, Shridi, Kohlapur and Juhu.

Eastern region centres: Bhubaneshwar, Patna, Ranchi, Durgapur, Gaya, Jhasarguda, Deogar, Jagdalpur, Raipur, Kajuraho and Kushinagar.

Northeast region centres: Barapani, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Lengpui, Lilabari, Rupsi, Imphal, Agartala, Hollongi and Tezu.

Northern region centres: Amritsar, Dehradun, Kishangarh, Shimla, Kanpur, Bhuntar, Gaggal, Pant Nagar and Safdarjung.

The remaining airports would see a rollout of these norms in a phased manner.

Do such norms exist for pilots and crew members too?

While similar norms are in place for pilots, too, the crew members of some big airlines have been complaining of fatigue due to optimising rostering softwares.

They have been raising the issue of being assigned more than the desired number of night flights and spending more days in hotels instead of their homes.

This is because the Indian airlines are optimising rostering softwares.

"The big airlines doing so are not breaking any law. The DGCA has set the limits for using pilots. The itemising softwares utilise crew to the limit. This is leading to fatigue," say multiple pilots.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


India is currently involved in an unprecedented diplomatic row with Canada as a result of the fallout over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The tensions had been boiling for some time over a range of issues, including the Canadian government's support for the 2020 farmers protests and the country's failure to act against separatist groups.

AP

But it blew up on Monday with an explosive statement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, wherein he told the Canadian Parliament that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

Strong reaction by India to Canada

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hit back with an unusually strong response, with many comparing the language of the statement to something that 'India has reserved for Pakistan'.

AP

It is very unusual for India to pick a public diplomatic fight with a Western country, though not unheard of.

2013 India-US diplomatic stand-off

In fact, ten years ago, the then government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh picked up one of India's most 'famous' diplomatic standoffs with the US.

BCCL

Why was Devyani Khobragade arrested

It all began when Devyani Khobragade, a 1999-batch IFS officer, was arrested by the US Marshals for alleged visa fraud in hiring a domestic help and was strip-searched, causing massive outrage in India.

Khobragade was serving as acting consul general of the Indian Consulate in New York and had diplomatic immunity, but despite this, she was briefly arrested and was strip-searched.

BCCL

Why the arrest caused outrage in India

She was allegedly handcuffed and kept with common criminals and drug addicts. She later was released on a $ 250,000 bond.

There was massive outrage in India, which called the arrest a violation of the Vienna Convention.

BCCL

National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon termed the treatment of the female diplomat as barbaric.

How India retaliated

The incident also escalated to a diplomatic row, and India took the unusual move of removing concrete security barriers in front of the US Embassy in New Delhi.

BCCL

India also started checking the salaries paid by US Embassy staff to domestic helpers and withdrawing consular identification cards and privileges such as access to airport lounges for some US diplomats and their families.

Though John Kerry, the then US secretary of state, expressed regret shortly after the incident, this fell short of the apology demanded by Indians.

BCCL

NSA Menon and Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat Chief Minister, refused to meet a delegation of US lawmakers visiting India.

What ended the stand-off

The situation was eased after India moved Khobragade to the Indian Mission at the United Nations, New York, which provided her with diplomatic immunity.

BCCL

In January 2014, she was granted immunity from visa fraud charges, underpaying her maid, and was allowed to leave the US.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In the context of the European Shipping Summit 2023, the Hellenic Shipowners Association in collaboration with the German Shipowners Association successfully organized a joint event in Brussels with the presence

Greece and Germany join forces to highlight the strategic role of shipping -  
Greece called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, it was added, while noting that Greece "took note of the news about a ceasefire."
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a man identified as Eze Chukwuma to life imprisonment for defiling his two daughters.

The Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in a statement issued on its official X account on Wednesday, said the 59-year-old artisan was prosecuted on a two-count charge bordering on defilement.

Chukwuma is said to have committed the offences at Agbeke Street by Iyana-Era Bus Stop, Ijanikin, Lagos, between 2008 and 2017.

The lead prosecutor, Olufunke Adegoke said Chukwuma began defiling his two daughters shortly after his wifes death.

The Trial judge, Abiola Soladoye ruled that the prosecution sufficiently proved the charge of sexual assault against the convict.

READ ALSO: 94-Year-Old Man Allegedly Rapes 13-Year-Old Girl In Adamawa

The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were corroborated as valid evidence alongside the admission of the convict during cross-examination.

The defendants incestuous relationship with his two daughters in 2008 following his wifes death, is senseless.

The oldest at the time was nine years.

The defendant admitted the act and stated that he was sorry. This is also in his statement, which was admitted and marked Exhibit A.

The defendant is found guilty and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two counts in the charge.

DSVA added that Chukwumas name will be added to the Lagos states sexual offenders register.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old truck conductor, Abdurazak Ibrahim, for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Edo State.

The incident reportedly happened at Uromi in Esan South East Local Government of the state on September 13.

The commands spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, said the father of the victim, Tony Ekata, reported to the police that Ibrahim raped his daughter.

Nwabuzor noted that the suspect called the victim while she was hawking groundnuts along Ivue-Irrua Road, Uromi, Edo State with pretense to buy groundnuts from her.

READ ALSO: Imo Police Arrest Two For Alleged Rape Of 11-Year-Old Girl

Nwabuzor said, The suspect attacked and pushed her inside the vehicle and forcefully had sex with her. The police stormed the scene and arrested the suspect.

The suspect confessed to the crime, while the victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination. He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

In an interview with journalists, the suspect who hails from Oyo State, denied the allegation, saying he was falsely accused.

We were travelling on the Agbor Road to Okpella and got stuck at Uromi due to the bad road. We were there for days. On this day, we called the girl who was hawking groundnut and I bought N100 groundnut from her. And my colleague said the girl is calm and that I should marry her, I jokingly said while coming back I will seek her parent hand in marriage and she left.

But after three hours later, I was sleeping inside the vehicle when the girl came to me and ask me if I was serious about the marriage I talked about and we were still inside the vehicle when a boy came and accused me of raping her.

I told him that nothing of such happened and the girl also said that I didnt rape her so they all left. After a while, some boys came and accused me of raping the girl and they took me to the station. I didnt rape her, he stated.
The 2023 Nigerian Social Media Awards (SMA) which took place in Lagos on Tuesday, acknowledged outstanding achievements on diverse social media platforms.

Various awards recognizing accomplishments in audience engagement, content creation, influencer categories, and brand engagement on social media were given out.

Among the winners were, Simply Tacha, who was honoured with the best social media influencer of the year, and Daddy Freeze, who won the most engaging on-air personality on social media.

READ ALSO: His Talent Knows No Bounds  FG Congratulates Rema On MTV Award

Famous Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz the bad guy, has won best use of social media in a crisis, while actress Bimbo Ademoye won the most engaged actress on social media, while Stan Nze was awarded the most engaging actor.

Popular Arise Television journalist Rufai Oseni also emerged as the most engaging journalist on social media, and Morayo Afolabi-Brown was awarded the most engaging TV host online while Arise News was named the most engaging TV station on social media.

The award organizer and Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Adverts Ltd, Emmanuel Nwafor, while praising the honorees efforts to use social media to stay exceptional, said: We hope that the award will encourage those into nefarious activities on social media to see a reason to use it for good with the hope of being recognised one day.

The winners announced today are based on the online voting done from July 1 to Aug. 31 after the auditioning and nomination processes.
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, says that he was misquoted for eight years while serving under the immediate past administration.

The ex-spokesperson who made the disclosure at a media chat organised by the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, noted that after he got acquainted with the antics of the media, he was able to outgrow it by not letting such affect his job as the presidential media aide.

Adesina stated that the media section purposely wanted to make him an enemy of the public.

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.

Meanwhile, Adesina said his principal actually felt some things the administration did, could have been done better.

He 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.

Though Adesina did not state Buharis regret, he said There is no living human being that will not regret certain things. It is one of the questions I asked the President.

READ ALSO: Tribunal Sacks NNPPs Abba Kabir As Kano Governor

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 said naira redesign was not totally a bad policy as it enabled the country to have reduction in crime, especially kidnapping asides curbing manipulation in the 2023 polls.

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.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians living abroad to consider returning home, citing his belief in the nations potential despite prior leadership frustrations.

Tinubu gave the advice at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora on Wednesday in New York, where he also met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

I want to give you a measure that will resonate with you. I was once a diasporan. What you have been through, I have been through it. A change of mindset is necessary. Take it this night (Wednesday) that Nigeria is home for business opportunities.

Also, anywhere you stay, there is always going to be an opportunity in, and in everything you do. There is always going to be an opportunity if you know how to search and put your mind into it.

READ ALSO: Releasing Tinubus CSU Result To Atiku Is An Expedition In Futility  APC

But, we need you back home. Nigeria has arrived; forget the frustration of the previous years leadership, the Nigerian leader said.

According to him, Nigerians dont have any reason to be poor.

We are just poor in some leadership areas. That is what I harped on during my campaign. It was a very gruesome campaign, but I won the election. But if I didnt throw myself into it with strong determination and result, I wouldnt have won.

He said there were so many hurdles on my way that would have stopped me, but he refused to be stopped.

You can do the same as many of you here that are contesting elections, Tinubu added.
Some yet to be identified gunmen have reportedely killed two officers of the Police Mobile Force while another sustained injuries during an ambush in Enugu State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the horrible incident occurred at about 7:30pm on Wednesday along the Udi-Ozalla Road as the Operation Restore Peace Enugu team was on routine patrol.

A source told Daily Sun, said that the slain officers were Danjuma Joseph, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Inspector Abu Elamaje.

READ MORE: 13 Dead As Mysterious Death Reportedly Rocks Enugu State University

The police operatives were allegedly rushed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla for treatment but doctors on duty confirmed the duo as dead.

The bodies of the slain security personnel were later deposited at the hospitals mortuary for post mortem examination while Inspector Udeme Udomeng who sustained bullet wounds was treated and discharged.

The police source further said that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

According to information from the command: MINE and other command tactical teams reinforced at area of incident on cordon and search operation for possible arrest of suspects. Further development shall be communicated.
After moving to Flagstaff shortly following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley Burt and her family learned that finding a place to stay within the city limits would be more expensive than expected.

Burt moved to Flagstaff from Phoenix about a year and a half ago with her husband and two young children. Her husband had found a job in the area, and the family liked Flagstaffs smaller size and wide range of community events.

The housing market when theyd sold their house in Goodyear meant their house had appreciated from $420,000 to $710,000 within two years -- though Burt noted they had put $80,000 into updating the home in that time. That market, however, also made finding an affordable place to live after their move more difficult.

I was checking Realtor.com multiple times a day, probably like six times a day, because I knew a home could get snatched up way quicker than Id even imagined and we didnt want to miss out on the right house," she said.

There werent many houses available in their price range that would fit a family of four. And coming from another location meant that it was more difficult to make the trip to tour a home while it was still available.

I had to just settle on something. I felt pressured into something because there just werent that many options, things were going so quickly, she said. Something would come up for lease and then like a week later it would be gone. I was constantly checking the lists.

The family rented two places in Flagstaff before deciding to buy a home in Bellemont.

The first rental was about 3,000 square feet, with four bedrooms and two and a half baths, and cost the family $2,900 each month in rent. It was also outdated, Burt said, and behind on maintenance. They eventually had to break the lease because of safety concerns, ending up renting a house with an included in-law suite on the other side of town that was slightly over their budget.

Their next home was a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house that rented for $4,000 each month. It was well-maintained, beautiful lot, big yard, Burt said. A one-bedroom in-law suite in the backyard was included in the rental, but they werent allowed to sublet or rent it as a short-term rental, so Burts mother, whod been traveling around the country, moved in.

Never in my life would I have had to get a family member to live with us to afford rent, Burt said.

Burt also began working part time to help afford the rent. In Goodyear, shed been a stay-at-home mom, as her husbands salary was enough for all the familys expenses.

Most of the reason I got a job is because we cant afford Flagstaff, she said. Thats insane, because not everyones making the money my husbands making.

Burt said the family wasnt sure they were ready to buy a home, but she kept checking the listings in case the perfect place came up for sale. When they saw the listing for the home theyd eventually buy in Bellemont, they decided to try to buy it.

The family bought their house in April for $630,000. Burt said the previous owner had purchased it in 2016 for $340,000, though the price her family paid was still lower than similar homes in the city.

I wanted to live in the city boundaries of Flagstaff, but it was $100,000 more than the same house in Bellemont, she said.  ... Thats a huge difference 10 minutes away.

The Northern Arizona Association of Realtors market review for August 2023 listed Flagstaff's median sales price for residential homes as $700,000. Bellemont's median price was $472,000.

The house has almost everything on their wish list, Burt said: a lot that backs up to the forest and enough space for the family. At 2,000 square feet, the Bellemont house has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms.

Despite paying more than their initial $500,000 budget, Burt said she didnt have regrets about the move.

I love our location and Bellemont is a huge family community, she said. There are so many fun things going on. Im so happy the way things have turned out. ... I think the overall feel of the town and the people and the location is really worth it in the long run. The school system here is really great, theres so many activities that my kids can be involved in, even at this age.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, celebrated Nigerias First Lady and his wife, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu on her 63rd birthday.

The president, in a letter addressed to the First Lady, appreciated her presence in his life.

According to Tinubu, his wife has consistently filled his days with joy and laughter in the last thirty-six years.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Mrs Oluremi was born on the 21st of September 1960.

The President in the letter said: Happy 63rd birthday to the love of my life, Oluremi.

READ MORE: Tinubu Wouldnt Have Become President If He Stayed Abroad  Remi Tinubu

My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years.

Today is not only a day to mark another year of your purposeful life but a beautiful reminder of the journey we have embarked upon together.

Through all these years, we have shared in the uncertainty of dangerous, but principled stands against tyranny. Many can not fully appreciate the sacrifices you made for us during that harrowing, dark era, but I do and always will.

We have experienced adventure, love, and laughter. We have celebrated victories, and we have wrestled down the monster of defeat, and we have done all in an inextricable bond.

Our bond has only grown stronger through thick and thin, and our love and commitment to each other has only deepened with time.

Thank you for being the ever-present sunshine that brightens my darkest hours. Your kindness, your wisdom, and your inner and outer beauty continue to amaze me more each and every day.

As we celebrate your birthday, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for your serene presence in my life. I look forward to many more years filled with even greater laughter and love as we continue on this path together, which God Almighty had predestined for us.

May the Good Lord, whom you serve with all your heart, continue to bless you with good health and longevity.

Happy birthday, Iyawo Mi! Love always,

Bola.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday, begged for forgiveness from his boss, Godwin Obaseki, over their political rift.

While, addressing newsmen at his residence in Benin City, the state capital, Shaibu urged his Governor Obaseki to forgive and forget.

READ MORE: Gov Obaseki Bars His Deputy, Shaibu From Govt House (Video)

Recall that Obaseki and Shaibu have been at loggerheads in the last few months.

However, the differences between the Edo State Governor, Obaseki and his deputy have seen him allocate the former office of his Deputy in Government House, to Alaghodaro as secretariat.

The allocation took place days after Shaibu was unable to access his office in the government house, which was put under lock.

He said: I use this medium to appeal to Mr Governor, if there is anything that I dont know that I have done, please forgive me so that we can develop our state together.

We have just one year to go. We have been the envy of the entire country. So Mr Governor, if there is anything you feel that I have done, please I am sorry. I need us to work together to finish well and strong.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, says owing to an increase in the number of cases pending before various courts, the nations judiciary is currently in a difficult situation.

Justice Ariwoola who posited that Nigeria is one of the most litigious countries in the world, said citizens should start adopting a culture of less litigation and more alternative dispute resolution mechanisms so that courts are not burdened with unnecessary burdens and depletion of human and material resources.

While speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of the nine newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ariwoola noted that several novel crimes are being committed in the country, which has led to an increase in litigation.

His words: Political cases, especially, are taking a monumental toll on our dockets. Indeed, the times we are in are not pleasant, to say the least.

No court in the land is spared of this. We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever rising in response to the challenges of the time.

This underscores the undisputed fact that Nigeria continuously ranks among the most litigious countries in the world.

I strongly believe it is high time we began to imbibe the culture of less litigation and more of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms so that our courts can be freed of unnecessary burden and depletion of both human and material resources.

However, the onus squarely rests on your Lordships to fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on.

You must redouble your pace to catch up with the expectations of the litigants. As judicial officers, you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity.

You must give a good account of yourselves to justify your elevation to the Court of Appeal so that you can subsequently earn an elevation to the Supreme Court to further actualize your dreams.

The CJN further warned the new Appeal Court Justices to avoid breaking the law by avoiding all forms of corruption and temptation.

READ ALSO: Im Aware Of The Hardship My Policies Cause Nigerians  Tinubu

He reminded them that the oath they took to become Justices of the Court of Appeal was a solemn pledge and commitment to good conduct in the course of their adjudication, particularly as senior judicial officers in the appellate court.

We are not here for long speeches but simply to realign your minds with what is expected of you at this very high and enviable level of adjudication.

Many high profile cases would definitely come to you on appeal; and they may likely come in some juicy and irresistible gifts that are often intended to dent your reputation and integrity.

I admonish Your Lordships to flee from such disguised temptations because your reputation and integrity matter much and count enormously in your rise to honour and fame in life.

So, you should endeavour to always hold your heads high by auditing your conduct on a regular basis in order not to fall on the wrong side of the law.

I have said it severally that in life, gifts and wealth that are not worked for, which are by extension, undeserving, are always destructive and calamitous in nature.

I pray that Your Lordships dont fall into such snare in the course of your ascension to the pinnacle of your career. You must, against all odds, conduct your affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has just been administered on you.

The level of public scrutiny of your conduct will, henceforth, assume astronomical dimension because you have willingly taken up appointment that will strategically place you perennially in the eye of the storm.

The tempo and rate of public assessment of your conduct and disposition have also instantaneously assumed an unprecedented spike from this moment.

You must redouble your effort and dialogue properly with your conscience in order not to fall out of the grace of the Almighty God and the Nigerian people who are curiously looking up to you.

It takes nothing to join the crowd but it takes a lot to stand alone with good conscience, the CJN added.
Push notifications are an important part of modern applications, whether youre targeting desktop or mobile, or even the web. But as your applications grow, you need a service that can scale with them, delivering messages with minimal latency no matter how many users you have and no matter where your services are hosted.

While its possible to construct your own notification service, routing messages to the appropriate targets and users, scaling remains a problem, as well as supporting users across the world. Notifications need to be delivered asynchronously, allowing you to treat them as a fire-and-forget option, triggering a notification when it occurs with the assumption that it will be delivered in a timely fashion.

Theres an additional issue: There are many different kinds of notification, and an application may need to support several of them at the same time. Some might be broadcast messages for all users, while others target individuals and groups. Thats only part of the problem. You also have to deal with multiple APIs and authentication and authorization schema. The result can be a complex infrastructure, with significant management overhead and costs to match.

Whats needed is a configurable service that works with various notification providers platforms, and that can support many different use cases and message types, without adding complexity to your code. Working with such a service should give you one API for all messages, and one place to manage your users, groups, registered devices, and access keys.

Cross-platform notifications from the cloud

Azure Notification Hubs are one option, a service agnostic way of delivering messages to any platform without tying you to one application platform. That ensures code portability, so your application can call an Azure Notification Hub from Google Cloud or AWS or on premises, as well as from Azure. Microsofts messaging architecture, which Azure Notification Hubs are a big part of, builds on lessons learned when running the popular MSN Messenger service, and includes some of the same services.

Azure Notification Hubs remove a big piece of the management overhead associated with DIY messaging services. Instead of having to manage all aspects of the messaging stack, you can hand over the key functionality to Azure. That doesnt require giving up your relationship with your users. Applications running on their devices still need to register for notifications with the appropriate service, and they still need to deliver that registration and any keys to your back end. But when you deliver the message and the key to Azure Notification Hub, it handles structuring the message and delivering it to the target notification service, which then uses the native delivery tools to push messages to your users devices.

Azure Notification Hubs support most common delivery scenarios, from working with individual devices and users to targeting users in a specific area, and even provide tools for personalization. After all, the platform needs to support the ways you want to communicate with users, without locking you into a single design pattern. This means the same service can push 2FA codes to a specific user on a specific device, or let users know of upcoming downtime on all their devices. The option to add geofences to messages is a useful one, too, allowing weather apps to warn users in the path of a storm of possible dangerous conditions.

Setting up an Azure Notification Hub

Getting started with the service is relatively simple. You first need to create a Notification Hub on Azure. As per usual with Azure, there are multiple ways to do this. You can use the Azure Portal, use the Azure CLI, author and deploy an Azure Resource Manager template, or use configuration-as-code via Bicep. Theres also the option of working with third-party tools like Pulumi or Terraform, which drive the Azure API to create and deploy a service.

If youre experimenting with Azure Notification Hubs, producing a one-off, then the Azure Portal is likely to be your best option. The other methods let you create scripts that can be used to automate deployments across regions or geographies, or as part of an immutable infrastructure thats delivered as part of an application build.

Setting up a Notification Hub via the Azure Portal is much like working with any other Azure service. Start by assigning your new hub to a subscription and a resource group, then add it to a namespace, choose a location, and use availability groups if you want to increase service reliability. Theres additionally a useful disaster recovery option that will automatically spin up your service in another region in the event of a failure. This allows your application to continue operating in the event of an Azure outage.

You can now create your hub. Wait for Azure to complete the process before configuring it to work with your choice of platform services. Again, you get your choice of configuration approaches, via the Azure Portal or Azure CLI. Once your Notification Hub is ready to use, click through to it in your Azure Portal.

Each target service requires separate configuration, using authentication methods configured when registering for that service, So, for example, if youre setting up Apples push notifications, you need to upload the certificate shared with Apple or the token details generated as part of your registration. Similarly, you need the API key for Googles Firebase service and the security key for the Windows Notification Service.

Using Azure-powered notifications in client apps

Youre now ready to add push notification support in your code. This will require the appropriate authentication tokens and certificates for your device platform. Apps will need to be registered with the service, so use its tools to do this. This is where you get the authentication tokens needed for Azure Notification Hubs. You can now create a hub to work with this service, which will generate the connection strings that are used by your back-end application to deliver messages.

Client apps will need to register devices with Azure, using the device-specific Azure Notification Hubs SDKs, which are available on GitHub. You will need to add the hub name and the connection string to your code, along with boilerplate code that sends the device ID to Azure. Microsoft provides tooling to send test notification in the Azure Portal. This allows you to ensure that your device code is working correctly. Back-end code can use either the service REST APIs or a .NET SDK to send messages to devices, as well as managing device registrations. Messages are received and displayed using device-native tooling, so you only need to write code to register apps and devices and to send messages via hubs.

One important point to note is that Android is migrating to a new messaging API, and as a result, existing Azure Notification Hub applications will need to be updated by June 2024. There is some housekeeping required, running new and old notification services in parallel while moving device IDs from the old service APIs to the new. You will need to update client-side code so that it registers with the updated service.

A cross-platform notification service

Using Azure Notification Hubs isnt too expensive, with volume-based pricing and three different tiers. A free tier is suitable for development purposes, supporting up to 500 devices and one million notification pushes per month. At the high end, theres a $200 per month standard service, with support for significantly more pushes (and the option to pay $2.50 per million once you exceed 100 million pushes per month). The standard service includes the ability to schedule notifications, as well as offering detailed telemetry.

By providing a cross-platform notification service, Microsoft makes it easier to build and operate multi-device applications and services. As long as you keep within service limitations, one push service should support all your users. You only need to write device-specific handlers when you want to take advantage of client-specific features.
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.
Nadine Hughes stands outside her Phoenixville home with the Chevy Equinox she bought off its lease for $0 in additional fees at a Reading dealer. Read more

Nadine Hughes drove an hour to Reading to buy her 2020 Chevy Equinox off its lease.

A dealership there was the closest one she could find that wouldnt tack on additional charges, such as a $449 document fee or a $200 safety inspection, she said.

Dealerships in the Philadelphia area, as well as in Allentown and Bethlehem, all told her that they had to at least charge the document processing fee, which Hughes knew was not mandated by law.

Little did they know, I did my homework, she said of the other dealers. Still, it just frustrated me to no end that they dont understand that people are out here on a strict budget and they just cant afford it.

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The 53-year-old Phoenixville woman, who works as a surgical scheduler at an area hospital, was one of several readers who responded to The Inquirers story earlier this month about a Malvern mans experience being charged a $1,000 lease buyout fee. His initial lease agreement stated that there would be no fee if he opted to purchase the 2019 Kia Optima when the lease expired last year.

 READ MORE: A car lease promised no buyout fees  but this man couldnt find a local dealer who would charge less than $1,000

That man, 36-year-old Benjamin Sugarman, ended up paying the extra fee at a now-shuttered Conshohocken dealership, because he felt he had no choice. He wanted the car, he said, and he couldnt find a dealer that would charge him less.

I believe the dealers in Pennsylvania are taking advantage of customers by imposing these fees and charges that are not in a contractual document, a lease, he told The Inquirer. Thats just not OK.

The trend itself is not new: Car dealers have long been known to tack on some additional fees for lease buyouts and other transactions.

All these dealerships, theyll tell you the same thing: That is what they charge,  Hughes said, in regards to safety inspections and documentation fees.

However, lessees whose three-year contracts have expired in the recent years have much more equity in their vehicles on average than consumers whose leases expired pre-pandemic, CNBC reported earlier this year, citing Edmunds data. At the same time, buying a car, not off a lease, is more expensive than ever, and the autoworkers strike brings new uncertainty.

Elsewhere, lawsuits have been filed on behalf of customers in similar situations, alleging violations of the Consumer Leasing Act, a federal law that prohibits dealerships from charging fees not disclosed in original lease agreements.

Waiting for responses

In the weeks since publicly sharing his experience with buyout fees, Sugarman said he hasnt heard any response from Kia or any of its dealerships. The dealers Sugarman dealt with did not return requests for comment from The Inquirer.

While we cannot comment on any fees that dealers may be assessing independently, the buyout price is set forth in each customers lease agreement, a Kia spokesperson said Friday in a statement. They confirmed, too, Sugarmans understanding that Pennsylvania customers can only do lease buyouts through licensed dealerships, while New Jersey customers can do so directly through Kia Financing.

The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office said it continues to encourage consumers to report situations in which they believe they were harmed by a business.

I cannot comment on active investigations or confirm the existence of investigations, office spokesperson Brett Hambright said Thursday in a statement.

The office encourages consumers to submit these complaints online at: attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/.

Sugarman said he looked into submitting an online complaint months ago, but was dissuaded as he scrolled through the one-page form, which prompts users to submit a complaint summary, explain how they would like the issue resolved, and upload documentation.

It looked like it was going to be a laborious task to submit an official complaint, Sugarman said. I just didnt have the time.

He tried calling the Attorney Generals Office to verbally log a complaint, he said, but was told he had to use the online form.

Considering the volume of complaints we process (on all matters), the most efficient method to receive complaints is through our online form. This is also most expedient for the consumer to provide all the required details, Hambright said. The form requests all necessary information so we can best understand the facts and obtain necessary contact information to assist the consumer.

The office also accepts mailed forms, he said, and phoned-in complaints in the event that the consumer cannot complete the form, though he would not comment specifically on Sugarmans situation. Everyone with internet access is encouraged to file complaints online, he added.

We can open investigations through a variety of ways, Hambright said, including learning about issues through the media, receiving consumer complaints, or even experiencing something ourselves.

Felt like I had no recourse

Judy Ganister was close to tears as she drove home from Norristown Jeep in April.

Shed gone to the dealership to inquire about buying her 2020 Jeep Cherokee off its three-year lease.

Her initial lease agreement said she would have to pay a $500 buyout fee if she wanted to purchase the car at the end of its three-year lease, according to paperwork reviewed by The Inquirer. Ganister said she walked into the dealership earlier that day expecting to pay maybe $1,000 extra in fees when all was said in done.

Instead, salespeople at the dealership told her she would be charged an extra $6,000 on top of the $18,000 purchase price.

I needed to have a car. I didnt want to buy a new car, said Ganister, 66, of Blue Bell. While thinking she might be getting ripped off, I felt like I had no recourse.

The salesperson provided her with a draft invoice, which The Inquirer reviewed. The document broke down the additional charges, including: a $1,995 dealer fee; a $1,495 CPOV charge (perhaps standing for certified pre-owned vehicle); $299 for a safety check; and $299 for security coding.

The dealership would also be charging the $449 dealer document fee, the maximum price Pennsylvania dealers are allowed to charge for electronic document preparation.

Norristown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram did not respond to emails and phone calls seeking comment about these charges.

Ganister ended up being able to buy her vehicle out through her leasing company directly, with only the $500 buyout fee that was in her initial agreement.

Months later, however, she said the experience at the dealership still upsets her.

I felt very vulnerable, she said, and I felt taken advantage of.
Developer Carl Dranoff had once hoped to use his development rights to convert a 10-story vacant structure formerly known as RCA Building No. 8 into a condominium complex called Radio Lofts. The project stalled amid high environmental cleanup costs. Read more

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said Thursday that he wants to demolish a long-vacant property that has stood for decades as a symbol of deindustrialization and more recently became a flashpoint in the citys soured relationship with Philadelphia developer Carl Dranoff.

Development rights to the blighted, 10-story structure at North Front and Cooper Streets, formerly known as RCA Building No. 8, were once held by Dranoff but last week reverted to the city under a legal settlement struck between him and the city earlier this month and approved by Camdens City Council.

My vision would be to have this knocked down and redeveloped, said the mayor, after announcing his vision at a news conference Thursday in the shadow of what he described as the notorious structure.

It sends a message that were restarting, he said afterward.

The property was built around 1920 by the Victor Talking Machine Co. and later became part of the RCA electronics companys sprawling complex, housing RCAs metal-manufacturing operations. Once a symbol of Camdens history as a manufacturing hub, it has since become a sign of urban decline. The city regained control of the property after RCA vacated it in the 1990s and has sat vacant ever since.

Dranoff had once hoped to use the development rights he secured from the city under a deal in the early 2000s to convert the property into a condominium complex.

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But the property had significant environmental hazards, and the Camden Redevelopment Agency has said it lacked the funding to address them. In 2015 the city set up a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the building to protect passersby from falling debris and to keep trespassers out.

City officials nodded to those unfulfilled plans Thursday. Council President Angel Fuentes motioned toward the banners on the buildings facade, faded by years of sun, advertising condominiums coming soon.

Its really sad, Fuentes said, describing those plans as absolute lies from Dranoff.

Dranoff has maintained that it was city entities  not him  who held up the project for decades as it was their responsibility to cover the cost of remediation before he could move forward with redevelopment.

 READ MORE: A long-running legal battle between Camden and developer Carl Dranoff has settled  but theyre still fighting

The city offered no immediate timeline for its plans Thursday, and the mayor emphasized that officials would need to assess the state of the property and conduct environmental studies before proceeding with a new project. Nor is demolition a certainty  Carstarphen said its possible the building could be rehabbed from its current condition. But the mayor said he would make redevelopment a priority.

The legal settlement enabling Camden to move forward ended more than five years of litigation with Dranoff over the site and the developers ill-fated attempt to sell a neighboring luxury apartment complex known as the Victor Lofts to Denver-based real estate company Aimco.

Dranoff needed the city to transfer a tax-abatement agreement to Aimco in order to complete the $71 million transaction. The city has said that as officials reviewed that request, they discovered Dranoff had failed to provide years worth of financial documents required by law.

In a lawsuit, the city accused Dranoff of abusing the tax agreement and robbing Camden of millions he owed the city by hiding profits from the Victor development into another entity he controlled.

The city also alleged Dranoff had been holding Radio Lofts hostage to gain leverage in negotiations over the sale of the Victor building.

Dranoff denied those claims and in a lawsuit of his own, accused Camden of violating its contract with him. He rejected Camdens argument that hed been hiding profits, saying hed simply followed the terms of the agreement that city officials were aware of and signed off on in 2002.

He attributed his troubles with the city government to a vendetta held against him by South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III over separate real estate deals in Camden. Norcross has denied wrongdoing.

The settlement cemented this month secures Dranoffs preferred understanding of the financial agreement governing how much he owes the city from the Victor buildings profits  the arrangement he maintained had been in place from day one.

But under the deal, he also agreed to pay the city $3 million plus additional tax payments of $150,000 in each of the next two years on the apartment building. Dranoff also agreed to transfer ownership to the city of a parking lot adjacent to Radio Lofts. The city, putting the assessed value of those two properties at more than $4 million, said Dranoff had provided a total of $7.75 million in monetary and property assets.

As is customary in a settlement, both Camden and Dranoff agreed they are admitting no liability or wrongdoing whatsoever.
Masked Temple University graduates take their seats during the College of Liberal Arts commencement in 2021. Pandemic-induced work changes and a smaller generation coming into college age raises questions for Philadelphia as stakeholders aim to continue a trend of more college-educated young adults staying in the area. Read more

Even with dozens of colleges and universities in the Philadelphia region, the citys population of college-educated young adults had dipped below 60,000 at the start of the millennium, with only about a quarter of area grads sticking around.

Since then, the number of people aged 25 to 34 with college degrees has more than doubled in Philadelphia, according to a new report by Campus Philly, an organization focused on keeping graduates of local higher education institutions from leaving the region. Its increased by more than two-thirds when looking at the whole Philadelphia region, the report found.

Twenty years ago leaders in Philadelphia came together to really look at the issue of brain drain in Philadelphia, said Jennifer Kebea, president of Campus Philly. Colleges and universities really started to pay attention to this number.

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Philadelphias population of people between the ages of 25 and 34 with a bachelors degree grew by 155% from 2000 to 2021  to a total of 152,200 people.

In counties surrounding Philadelphia, the same demographic grew by about 43%, to 293,500 people.

The growth is due in part to the size of the millennial generation  bigger than baby boomers  and the fact that a lot of them went to college. But its not a given that college grads will stay in the city where they were educated.

The trajectory from 2000 to now is a reversal of the trend from 1990 to 2000, when Philadelphia lost a net 3,400 young college grads.

There are absolutely more millennials who are earning college degrees for sure, and theyre also choosing to stay in this region, Kebea said.

The 155% growth in 21 years was more than other large cities in the U.S., and well above the national average of 62%.

Why college grads matter to the region

Among city residents in the 25 to 34 age range, people with bachelors degrees are the largest group, making up 31.7%. Nearly 20% have a graduate or professional degree.

College graduates make more money on average. In Philadelphia and the surrounding region, annual earnings for people with bachelors degrees are more than twice a high school graduates earnings, on average, Campus Phillys report said.

Some of that money then circulates through the local economy and some of it translates to tax revenue. According to the report, economic activity related to the additional income of college graduates supports 55,100 jobs in the region and $715 million in tax revenue for the city, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Despite these gains in education and income, Philadelphia remains the poorest big city in America. Kebea acknowledged this, noting that a variety of organizations and stakeholders are working together on that problem.

Recently, state, local, and federal government leaders have been placing emphasis on creating well-paying jobs that dont require a college degree, and leaders in the trades have been trying to get more diverse entrants to their apprenticeship programs. Those efforts live in harmony with Campus Phillys efforts because the city needs workers in all kinds of careers in order to reach its goals, Kebea said.

Campus Phillys lane is still going to be in ensuring were supporting the retention of college graduates, she said.

How will hybrid work and Gen Z affect Philadelphias college grad retention?

Kebea noted that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increase in remote and hybrid work arrangements is not fully reflected in the data available for this report, which was collected in 2020 and 2021. The city and region saw migration in and out as a result of that shift in workplace norms, she noted.

I dont know if we as a region understand the effects of that migration yet, she said. I think effects of the pandemic will have a ripple on workforce development across cities.

Another significant factor could influence the trajectory of Philadelphias college-educated population: Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012.

Gen Z is smaller in number than the millennials. To maintain the population of college-educated young people, those with bachelors degrees will have to make up a greater proportion of the regions young-adult residents. That means getting local teens on a path to college, making new Philly-area college graduates want to stay in the region, and convincing college grads from other places to move in, Campus Phillys report said.

It doesnt have to mean ditching office work entirely. A lot of Generation Z workers and millennials prefer to work in some kind of hybrid environment, and many of them want autonomy in deciding how often they go to the office, a recent Deloitte survey found.

We need to be doing more of what weve been doing all along  amplifying the city as a place to be, Kebea said. At the same time, when we think about young people ultimately wanting to move into certain career paths, flexibility is going to be an important factor.
The George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Concord Township has been overseen by county officials since April 2022, after decades of being run by a private prison firm. Read more

A former Delaware County prosecutor running for district attorney has called for an independent investigation into conditions at George W. Hill Correctional Facility, the countys jail.

Beth Stefanide-Miscichowski, a Republican challenging District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer in November, expressed her concerns about the jail at a newsconference in Media on Thursday. She drew parallels to Danilo Cavalcante, the convicted murderer who escaped from the Chester County Prison and led police on a two-week manhunt.

Given what has occurred recently in the Chester County Prison, I dont think I need to draw the lines through the dots. Mismanagement of the prison is dangerous, Stefanide-Miscichowski said.

I know how many millions of dollars that investigation cost, she added. Millions of dollars are going be passed on to all of the taxpayers and the taxpayers of Chester County. We dont need that here.

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 READ MORE: From 2021: "Delco jail guards are considering a strike after another worker was attacked"

Stefanide-Miscichowski also voiced outrage over the death of Mustaffa Jackson, 25, an inmate at George W. Hill who died in February. Jackson was found dead, face down, in his cell at the prison, according to his autopsy report. His cause of death was urosepsis, a condition that investigators said stemmed from a 2019 gunshot wound that left him paralyzed.

A spokesperson for Stollsteimer said Thursday that county detectives investigated Jacksons death and found no evidence of foul play. Jackson, of Upper Darby, was awaiting trial on aggravated assault and terroristic threats, court records show.

But Stefanide-Miscichowski asserted that Jackson would have survived had he received proper care.

We should all have serious concerns about the safety within and the operations of George Hill Correctional Facility, she said. The county undertook responsibility to house these individuals. You must provide reasonable, good-faith medical care, and you must keep the people youre in charge of safe.

County officials, in response to Stefanide-Miscichowskis comments, said many of her criticisms were political in nature. In a statement, a county spokesperson said that the jail has seen significant improvements since the county took over, including boosting staffing levels, making Jail Oversight Committee meetings public, and providing monthly statistics to residents.

The county has also raised salary rates for correctional officers to make their pay comparable to that in surrounding counties.

The Warden is committed to improving staff morale. One way of accomplishing that goal was to reduce mandatory overtime and increase wages, the statement said. The Warden and leadership team are working to implement additional changes to continue to improve morale.

Cells that do not lock

The county took over the jail in April 2022 from the GEO Group, one of the countrys largest private prison corporations. The takeover came after community advocates for years warned of quality-of-life issues at the jail, including several inmate suicides, as well as chronic understaffing. GEO had overseen the facility since the 1990s, when they helped fund construction of the current jail.

The jails longtime warden, John Reilly, retired in 2019 after an article in The Inquirer reported allegations of racist and sexist behavior from both current and former employees.

 READ MORE: Boss of Delaware Countys private jail accused of racism, abuse of power

However, data show that since coming under county control, the jail has continued to experience issues. In 2022, there were 87 assaults on staff by inmates, five incidents of staff assaulting inmates, and 79 inmate-on-inmate assaults, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

A total of six deaths have been reported at the jail since the county took over, according to a county spokesperson. Those include Jacksons death, three suicides, one listed as accidental, and one homicide that occurred shortly after the leadership transition in April 2022.

In that incident, Shad Boccella, an inmate housed in the unit for prisoners with mental-health issues, strangled his cellmate, Elliot Funkhouser, according to police.

Boccella, 27, told investigators that he did so in self-defense after Funkhouser came at him, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed for his arrest. Sources at the jail told The Inquirer that Boccella and Funkhouser were not intended to be housed together, but were placed together due to a shortage of open cells.

 READ MORE: An inmate at the Delaware County jail strangled his cellmate, prosecutors said

Boccellas criminal trial for first- and third-degree murder is pending.

In December, a guard, Albert Johnson, told officials at a county council meeting that he and his colleagues faced regular abuse from the inmates, including being pelted with human waste. Johnson also warned that violence was rampant among the inmates, with fights and stabbings common.

We are  in fear of our safety on this job, Johnson said at the meeting, imploring the council to investigate. We are fearful for our lives with cells that do not lock, from inmates that come out when they want.

Stefanide-Miscichowski asserted that county officials, specifically warden Laura Williams, have been derelict in their duty to care for inmates and the correctional officers who oversee them. She specifically referenced Williams past position as an administrator at the Allegheny County Jail, citing media reports that former employees there left because of Williams.

Stefanide-Miscichowski said her concerns about the jail and its leadership are key facets of her campaign platform this fall.

Im asking the voters to make me the chief law enforcement officer of Delaware County, she said. As part of that, I will be responsible for helping to place inmates in that prison, and I want to make sure that it is run well.
A South Jersey school district shifted some students to remote learning Thursday and moved others to another building after mold was discovered in classrooms.

In a letter to parents, Lumberton School Superintendent Colleen Murray said the school system in Burlington County took the action after mold was found in classrooms at Lumberton Middle School and Bobbys Run School.

Murray said students from 10 classrooms at Bobbys Run, an elementary school, have been relocated to an area in the middle school not impacted by mold. Meanwhile, students from 16 classrooms at the middle school began remote learning Thursday, she said.

Parents who had to scramble to make arrangements for their children to learn virtually were told to plan for the possibility of remote instruction for two weeks. The online classes began Thursday after a two-hour delay to give teachers and students time to gather needed materials.

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Murray said the district doesnt have an exact timeline for completing remediation in the two schools. The district also operates Ashbrook Elementary.

Lumberton has about 1,100 students enrolled in pre-K to eighth grade.

Murray told CBS3 Philadelphia that the mold problem was discovered after a teacher complained about an odor in her classroom. Results from testing conducted there and the other classrooms were positive, she said.

The state Department of Education approved the remote learning plan to allow instruction to continue during remediation, Murray said. The 2023-24 school calendar will not be impacted, she said.

Middle school students were allowed to return to the building to retrieve their devices from their lockers, Murray said. Devices would be assigned to new students, she said. The district said it would assist students without internet service at home.

This situation is evolving..., Murray wrote. We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this unexpected situation.
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(Construction) - On October 3, 2023, in Tokyo - Capital of Japan, Construction Newspaper of Vietnam, represented by Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung - Editor-in-Chief continued to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Daily Engineering and Construction News of Japan (DECN) with the witness of the MLIT and many businesses in Japan.

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Tin bai cuoi cung

Khong con du lieu e load
Demolition is underway on the beloved Melrose Diner, a fixture for generations of South Philadelphians.

A new building, with apartments above and a ground-floor Melrose, is planned for the site, at 15th Street, Snyder Avenue, and West Passyunk Avenue.

Heavy equipment began clawing at the diner early Wednesday morning, catching the eye of passersby. About 8 a.m., Johnny Zito, a neighbor and co-owner of the nearby South Fellini boutique, uploaded footage of the teardown to Instagram while walking his dog.

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Im heartbroken, Zito, 40, told The Inquirer. He remembers his first visit fondly: He got pie with his aunt after his first-ever trolley ride. The diner would eventually become the meeting place for Zito and his business partner Tony Trov when they were teenagers: We called it the kitchen.

Owner Michael Petrogiannis bought the Melrose in 2007 from Richard Kubach Jr., whose father founded the business in 1935 and moved it to its current location in 1956. Contending that the diner business was not profitable, Petrogiannis filed demolition permits for both the Melrose and his nearby Broad Street Diner in 2022, around the time of a kitchen fire that had since shuttered the Melrose.

Petrogiannis decided to replace the Melrose with a six-story apartment building and a new Melrose. Petrogiannis told The Inquirer that the new diner would have more tables and less counter seating.

He also promised not to close the Broad Street Diner before the new Melrose opens.

 READ MORE: Melrose Diner to be demolished  but revived in new 94-unit apartment building

Petrogiannis was not available for comment Wednesday. His daughter Maria Petrogiannis confirmed that plans for the site still include apartments and a smaller Melrose Diner. She did not have a projected opening date.

This is going to be whats best, not only for us, but for the community and neighborhood as well, she said.

About 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, a small crowd had gathered across the street to mourn the diner as a claw truck tore apart the exterior. Passersby paused to film the demolition.

 READ MORE: Opinion | Melrose Diner was always the same. Thats what made it amazing.

Its an icon. I never thought it would disappear, said Diane Torres, 70, who has lived in the orbit of the diner her entire life, and encouraged her son Ben, now 40, to work there when he was 15.

It was where the boys used to go when she was in high school, Torres said. I used to cut class, go there, and then bump into my mom.

Jason Pirrung, 36, who watched the demolition while wearing a faded Phillies T-shirt, worries about where people in the neighborhood will go to the pass the time, especially as third places in Philadelphia continue to disappear alongside the citys 24-hour diners.

 READ MORE: A list of Philly's diners, from the 24/7 operations to the lunch spots

Its a gathering spot for all walks of life, Pirrung, whose go-to Melrose order was a cheese omelet for himself and creamed chipped beef for his wife. We dont have many of those in this neighborhood.

The Melrose also has significance beyond South Philly: The Smithsonian prepared a history of the diner, and popular Lansdale-born pop punk band the Wonder Years released a song named after the diner in 2010.

Zito, who once spent an hour documenting the legacy of the Melrose for his Legends of Philadelphia podcast, is pessimistic about the diners future.

I hope they bring it back for the modern era, Zito said. But those old timers  who have been going there every Sunday after church  their routine has been disrupted. I dont know if theyll return.
Staff illustration based on a photograph from Emerald Coast Photography and court documents. Read more

Penn Medicine welcomed its new senior director of facilities at Pennsylvania Hospital in an email to staff that touted Larry Butlers long, successful career in health care and highlighted his track record at a California hospital where he served since 2015.

But a quick Google search on Larry Butler and hospital would have revealed a string of recent news articles detailing a starkly different record:

Butler was not working for a California hospital in 2015. He was in federal prison after a judge sentenced him to five years for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from two health care organizations. Those organizations had hired him after he falsified his resume and Social Security number to conceal his criminal record. He even posed as his own professional reference, forwarding a call from a prospective employer to his phone, federal court records show.

His felony conviction resurfaced in news headlines last year when an Oregon hospital hired  and quickly fired  him as its chief operations officer after discovering that he had defrauded the two health nonprofits: Louisiana Health Cooperative in 2013 and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge in 2014.

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Similar to what played out at Oregons Bay Area Hospital, Butlers tenure at Penns historic hospital in Philadelphia was short.

Butler, 58, started his new job at the Center City hospital on July 17, providing operational oversight, including building security and safety and capital project management, according to an all-staff email from Daniel Wilson, Pennsylvania Hospitals acting chief executive officer.

Then, on Aug. 14, in a second email to colleagues, Wilson wrote that Butler had resigned with no further explanation, beyond saying that the search to fill the key leadership position would continue.

Penn declined to discuss how it vetted Butler, whether it ran a Google search on him or knew about his criminal history before offering him the job.

Federal court records, reviewed by The Inquirer, detail how he used phony credentials to conceal what a U.S. District judge described as a long and complex criminal history. He then got high-level jobs with access to company credit cards. Once hired, he stole a total of nearly $119,000.

According to Penns email announcement, Butler obtained a prestigious facilities management certification from the American Hospital Association, a national advocacy group. The Inquirer found no record of the credential.

Butlers hiring by Penn Medicine raises questions about how one of Philadelphias largest health care organizations and employers screens job applicants.

Penn is charged with protecting patient security and privacy while adhering to federal and local laws, including Philadelphias Ban the Box ordinance, that restrict queries into a job applicants prior arrests and convictions. The citys 2011 ordinance came amid a nationwide push to enact state and local laws aimed at giving people with criminal records second chances, even those with felony convictions.

But nothing would have prevented Penn from discovering Butlers highly publicized criminal history and considering it before offering him the job.

In response to questions from The Inquirer, a Penn Medicine spokesperson said the organization has a robust hiring process, which includes background, reference checks and interviews. The spokesperson declined to provide further details, but noted that Penn complies with all laws related to hiring.

Though candidates are expected to provide accurate information, these processes can allow for individuals who are not honest about their background to evade findings which may otherwise preclude their hiring, the spokesperson said. Importantly, during this individuals very brief employment here, he did not have access to any patient information or financial systems.

In an interview with The Inquirer earlier this month, Butler said his criminal record never came up during the hiring process, though he anticipated it might and was prepared to respond to Penn.

Butler said he embellished parts of his resume, like a lot of people do, which he said included some dates on his resume, such as falsely saying he worked at the California hospital since 2015. He was concerned that employers would not consider a convicted felon for well-paid management jobs.

Im just trying to work. Thats all, said Butler, who noted that he was qualified for the Penn Medicine job, and hes been a model employee since getting out of prison in February 2019. I want to move on.

A net, not a bucket

Although Philadelphias Ban the Box law prohibits employers, both public and private, from asking job candidates whether theyve been arrested or convicted of a crime on a job application or during an initial interview, that topic is allowed after the first interview. An employer may also conduct a background check after determining that the candidate is otherwise qualified for the position and making a conditional job offer.

A Penn spokesperson said the organization uses third-party vendors to help background and screen job candidates, but declined to identify the vendors.

Butler said he believes his 2015 felony conviction did not come up on the background check because many states restrict the lookback period to seven years.

Pennsylvania, however, is not one of them.

Pennsylvania law says potential employers can consider felony and misdemeanor convictions, so long as they are relevant to the position  no matter how old.

Matthew Rodgers, founder and president of iprospectcheck, a California-based background screening company with health-care clients nationwide, said a seven-year scope for criminal records research is the industry standard.

However, the depth of the research can vary. Some clients, for instance, opt to pay only for a search of local criminal records, not federal ones, Rodgers said.

In Butlers case, a review of federal criminal records, reflecting his Feb. 8, 2019, release from prison  readily available on the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search webpage  should have come up, because the date falls within the seven-year lookback window.

Rodgers said its difficult to background people with common first and last names, and researchers, who cull through federal databases and court records, must be sure they have the right person before reporting back to a would-be employer.

Although Google can point a researcher in the right direction, he said, its not considered a reliable source.

A background check is a net. Its not a bucket, Rodgers said.

And its doubly difficult to match people with criminal records if the job applicant provides false information to the client, he said.

 READ MORE: What do you think about our Eds and Meds content? Please share your thoughts in this brief survey.

I feel sick about this

In 2013 and again in 2014, Butler managed to conceal his criminal history to obtain high-paying jobs in health care, according to federal court records that detail how he slipped through background checks.

In summer 2013, Butler applied for a top job at Louisiana Health Cooperative (LAHC), a now-defunct nonprofit near New Orleans that helped residents obtain low-cost health insurance.

By then, he had 10 convictions and about 35 arrests, mostly related to fraud and theft, spanning at least four states. He had been repeatedly incarcerated since 1985, court records show.

LAHC had used a background screening company to vet him, but Butler lied on his resume and provided a fraudulent Social Security number.

The health insurance cooperative hired him as its vice president of information technology, earning $168,000 a year.

Butler quickly racked up $31,000 in unauthorized charges on a company credit card, including multiple cash advances. He also bought high-dollar furniture and appliances. LAHC fired Butler in December 2013 after learning he had fraudulently used the companys credit card.

In May 2014, he was hired by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, La., as its director of facilities management, with an $80,000 yearly salary. Again, he had provided a doctored resume, with phony dates of employment, and a false Social Security number.

Over two months, he spent almost $20,500 in unauthorized charges, including dining out, travel and retail shopping, on company credit cards. The charges included nearly $4,000 to rent a house in Nashville. He also withdrew cash that he transferred by wire. In August 2014, Butler emailed his boss to say he got another job. The company then learned about the credit card charges and alerted authorities, according to police and court records.

Susan Dickerson, the cancer centers vice president of human resources, explained at the time that she and another employee had verified Butlers references and realized later that he used a bogus Social Security number on the new-hire forms.

I feel sick about this, Dickerson wrote in an email to her boss in 2014.

Butler eventually pleaded guilty to wire fraud and false representation of a Social Security number. At sentencing, a federal prosecutor noted that Butler had pretended to be one of his own professional references, rerouting a call and telling a prospective employer, Oh, he was a great employee.

The prosecutor also said Butler altered a California drivers license and obtained new identification, with revolving addresses, to make criminal background checks more difficult. Butler later redirected monthly credit card statements to himself to keep his employers from seeing the charges.

At sentencing, Butlers defense lawyer blamed an insufficient background check that failed to show he had criminal cases across the nation. Federal prosecutors described him as a con man.

Judge John deGravelles, of U.S. District Court in Louisiana, sentenced Butler to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay nearly $119,000 in restitution.

Mr. Butler, you are obviously a very smart guy, deGravelles told Butler at sentencing. You have been able to get jobs with a salary that most people would envy, and yet you have abused positions of trust and continued to come back time and again to where you are today.

Richard M. Upton, then an assistant federal public defender who had represented Butler, recalled having lunch with a state judge who wondered how Butler got hired with fake credentials.

Im a judge in this parish and I need three IDs to cash a check, Upton recounted the judge telling him.

I said, `Well, Bob, youre just not as believable as this guy, Upton recounted. He was a very smooth guy.

A brief stint in Oregon

About a year and a half after Butler left prison in 2019, he got a job at a California hospital, owned by CommonSpirit Health, a Chicago-based nonprofit system with 140 hospitals in 21 states.

His job title was senior director of ancillary services, according to a CommonSpirit Health spokesperson, who confirmed that Butler worked at Mercy San Juan Medical Center near Sacramento from July 2020 until February 2022.

The spokesperson declined to answer questions about his employment. At the time CommonSpirit hired Butler, California law prohibited employers from asking candidates about their conviction history before making a job offer.

Butler said he voluntarily left Mercy San Juan Medical Center on good terms.

No one would tell you that I wasnt excellent, he said. My job performance was exquisite.

Butler provided The Inquirer with two documents from his time at CommonSpirit: a commendation recognizing his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic and another announcing his promotion to senior director in spring 2021.

The CommonSpirit spokesperson declined to verify the documents.

Andrew Lacy, an employment lawyer with offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, said organizations generally dont comment about former employees to avoid liability, or if doing so doesnt serve its interest.

In May 2022, Bay Area Hospital in Oregon hired Butler as its new chief operations officer. The hospital quickly fired him after his criminal record came to light.

Bay Area Hospital uses a comprehensive background check process to vet all of its hires, the hospital said in a statement at the time. Even the best system can be manipulated by an unscrupulous individual.

Butler told an Inquirer reporter that he never provided false information to Bay Area Hospital, as a hospital executive reportedly said in an interview earlier this year with MedPage Today, an online publication covering the health care field.

Listen, hospital organizations  they have to protect themselves, Butler said. They didnt know if I was up to something nefarious. I wasnt, but I understand why they would react that way.

Talking about his criminal cases in Louisiana, he said: What I did wasnt ... violent or hurting anybody or anything. It wasnt anything like that.

Cutting ties with Penn

Penns announcement of Butlers hiring revealed still more inconsistencies in what his recent employers knew about his background, an Inquirer review found.

Penn told its staff that Butler holds a bachelors degree and masters in business administration from Saint Pauls College in Virginia. A similar hire announcement, put out by Oregons Bay Area Hospital in a news release and detailed in a local news report there last year, made no mention of Saint Pauls College. The report referenced two different higher-education institutions.

The Inquirer was unable to verify Butlers educational credentials, as shared by Penn, because Saint Pauls closed in 2013.

During a January 2015 federal court hearing, Butler told a judge he had attended three colleges, but never finished. St. Pauls was not among the colleges Butler named.

Penns announcement also noted that Butler is a CHFM, or certified health care facility manager.

Ben Teicher, a spokesperson for the American Hospital Association (AHA), which offers the prestigious certification program, told The Inquirer, No one by the name Larry Butler currently holds a CHFM certification. Penns job posting for the now-vacant position says its ideal candidate should have CHFM certification, or equivalent.

The Inquirer was also unable to confirm what Butler shared with a reporter about how Penn vetted his record. Butler said Penn used a company called GoodHire to research and run a background check on him.

Rachel Bodony, a spokesperson for GoodHire, told a reporter that the company has no record of a Larry Butler in its system, and that Penn Medicine has never been one of its clients.

Penn declined a reporters request to provide the vendors name.

Butler said he had relocated to Philadelphia on his own dime. While he earned more than $100,000 in annual salary at his previous hospital job in California, Butler said he took the Pennsylvania Hospital job for about $12,000 less. He declined to specify salary amounts.

Butler quickly settled into his second-floor office near the Radiology Department at the hospital at Eighth and Spruce Streets, which has 493 licensed beds. His immediate priority, Butler said, was to improve the hospitals cleanliness.

Butler was three weeks into the job when a colleague alerted him that information about him had surfaced, he said.

They wanted to check it out, investigate it, Butler said. Once they said that, I went home, licked my wounds, and just decided to resign. There was no kerfuffle.

He said he didnt want to put Penn Medicine in an uncomfortable spot. Butler now plans to seek employment outside of health care, he said.

Actions have consequences  sometimes longer than we would like, Butler said.
Giant rat put in place by LiUNA Local 332 protesting outside the worksite at laborers start their day. Another day of slow demolition of St. Laurentius at Berks and Memphis is Fishtown section of Philadelphia on Monday, August 22, 2022. Read more

If youre in the market for a giant rodent, perhaps to draw attention to a union protest, youre in luck. Someone in Philadelphia appears to be selling a 12-foot-tall Scabby the Rat inflatable on Facebook Marketplace.

The listing prices the used but in perfect condition blow-up-able at $5,000, noting that it inflates in two minutes, has straps for tying down to a location, and stands up on its own.

According to the listing its a bona-fide Scabby, meaning it was manufactured by the Midwest-based inflatables company Big Sky Balloons & Searchlights. (Its unclear from Big Skys site how much a brand new Scabby would cost.)

The seller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Scabby was born in the early 1990s, according to various media reports, after union leaders came up with the idea of a large rat that would serve as a mascot. It started with humans dressed in rat costumes and a fleet of yellow rat patrol cars, according to an historical account by In These Times. Big Sky then translated the idea into an inflatable form, and later debuted a slew of other union mascots.

The name Scabby is a play on the union term scab, used to describe a worker who declines to join a union or crosses the picket line during a strike.

Big Sky co-owner Peggy OConnor told Vice Media in 2013 that the company was selling about 100 rats a year at the time, ranging in size from 6 feet to 30 feet, and they often heard of labor unions borrowing Scabby inflatables from one another. When they first developed the design, OConnor told Vice, organizers insisted on a snarly image.

Some have argued that the mascot is too unsightly, but just a couple years ago, the red-eyed rodent won acknowledgement of its First Amendment protections from the National Labor Relations Board. The boards reasoning: the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld free-speech protections for far more offensive expressions than a massive, air-filled rat with yellow fangs and bloody scabs on his belly.

The rat is not an uncommon sight around Philadelphia, where its been used by unions to protest companies using non-union labor. Local union leaders have boasted in the past about the multiple Scabby inflatables they have on hand for just such an occasion.

The Facebook Marketplace listing has been up four weeks, according to the site. On the heels of a so-called #HotLaborSummer, its a wonder its lasted that long.
Ameen McCall, 42, holding hands with Stephanie Sena, Villanova professor and homeless advocate, at an encampment in Norristown in June. Sena and others plan to take complaints about how people who are living homeless in the borough have been treated to the United Nations. Read more

Local and national advocates plan to charge Norristown officials with human-rights violations of people experiencing homelessness during a meeting at the United Nations next month.

Allegations include criminalizing homelessness and disregarding peoples rights to housing.

Any findings by the U.N. would not carry the weight of law. But U.N. resolutions have been central to court decisions in the United States that recognized the right to housing, advocates said. They also acknowledged that they hope to shame the borough with international derision that might force change.

Stephanie Sena, a faculty member of the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, is to attend the U.N. hearing on human rights at its Geneva, Switzerland, location, an international center for conferences, on Oct. 17 and 18. Eric Tars, legal director for the National Homelessness Law Center in Washington, said a colleague from his nonprofit will deliver a report Tars wrote. Legal Aid of Southeast Pennsylvania also has discussed sending a representative to the U.N.

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Several complaints relate to information gleaned from about 600 emails written by Norristown officials and others concerning homelessness in the municipality. The emails were released to advocates in July after theyd filed Right-to-Know requests with the municipality in May.

That correspondence, reviewed by The Inquirer, shows that despite the boroughs high rates of poverty and homelessness, officials have eschewed federal funding for housing because it included stipulations to construct affordable dwellings for people with low incomes or disabilities.

Other than affordable housing, is there anything possible for us? Norristown Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones wrote in February to Jayne Musonye, director of planning and municipal development.

She answered, I am reluctant to recommend using these funds ... for fear of imposing affordable requirements that goes against our vision for future housing in Norristown. Other funding sources address housing for the homeless population or people with disabilities.

Sena called the exchange disgusting, cold, and repulsive. The lack of affordable housing, Sena added, is the root of homelessness.

Advocates have excoriated Norristown officials for violating the rights of people who are unhoused, while officials say theyve grown weary of being the only municipality dealing with poverty, and have bristled at criticism from outsiders. That acrimony boiled over in the spring, when City Council President Thomas Lepera yelled and cursed at advocates on a Philadelphia sidewalk, saying he would bus people who are homeless to the Villanova campus where Sena teaches. Lepera has denied cursing; he hasnt answered Inquirer questions about the busing.

Meanwhile, advocates complain, officials in Norristown and municipalities all over Montgomery County use zoning laws to preclude construction of affordable housing.

Jones said that the Norristown emails have been interpreted without the appropriate context.

Sena disagreed: These emails, she said, show a very clear vision for war on the poor.

Smoking gun

Tars labeled Musonyes email a smoking gun.

He said: Norristown blames homelessness on the unhoused. But the emails show officials actively refusing to get funds for people for affordable housing. The negative behavior here is on the part of officials who werent being responsive to the needs of their constituents.

Asked to comment on the the emails, Jones wrote in a statement to The Inquirer that he and Musonye were not speaking for themselves. He added, Anything we ... articulate as the position ... of the municipality results from the municipal council having deemed it so, not because any of our individual positions.

Jones said that Norristowns median monthly rent for a one-bedroom of $961 is considered affordable by state standards. He complained that other Montgomery County municipalities dont carry the same weight as Norristown in dealing with intentionally formed, unjust concentrations of poverty.

Council President Lepera said in a statement to The Inquirer that residents dont want more Section 8 housing or homeless shelters. They want officials to increase the tax base by attracting new home buyers with disposable incomes which, in turn, will attract more businesses.

Asked for thoughts on the possibility that Norristown will be embarrassed internationally by the U.N., county officials said in a statement, We sincerely appreciate the efforts of those working to bring attention to this global crisis.

Referencing funds the county has made available for affordable housing, the statement added that the views expressed by individual elected officials or municipalities do not represent the county-wide effort that has taken place over the past decade to address the root causes of homelessness.

County officials made sure to praise partners and advocates [who] are vital to the mission of ending and preventing homelessness.

County social services agencies petitioned to extend the lease of what had been the only homeless shelter in the area, but Norristown officials declined, closing it in 2022. The municipality didnt choose to bring in low-income housing to replace around 100 such units destroyed by Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Tars claims that Norristown criminalizes people living in homeless encampments because it passed an ordinance in August 2022 that would fine or arrest people for being in parks between dusk and dawn. The law has triggered harassment of people experiencing homelessness, Tars said. The U.N. labels criminalizing homelessness cruel and unusual punishment.

Jones said the accusation that Norristown criminalizes homelessness is unfounded, untrue, and unfair.

Doing sweeps?

In May, Sena said, Jones told her in a phone call that the borough wasnt closing homeless encampments. But in an April 5, 2023, email that Jones wrote to Thomas Odenigbo, director of public works, and Michael Bishop, acting police chief, Jones said, Its time to get the encampment at Poley Park cleaned out.

That document confirms they were doing sweeps when they said they werent, said Marielle Macher, executive director of the Community Justice Project, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit legal aid program that represents low-income Pennsylvanians.

In a statement to The Inquirer, Jones said, Neither the municipal council nor I have taken action on or asserted anything ... that you reference.

Taking exception to the language of the emails, Macher said they were unbelievably dismissive, with references to cleaning out the homeless menace. Officials were not recognizing that people are human beings, she said.

In a Jan. 11, 2023, email to a real estate lawyer and six other people  most of them state officials  Bradley Swartz, an official of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Real Estate, said hed learned that homeless people were trying to break into the shuttered homeless shelter in Norristown to get out of the elements.

An hour later, Jones was referring to that email in one of his own, and ordering local officials to further secure the building, but not before instructing them to mine the metals and equipment from that building before they are stolen.

I felt so upset when I read that, said Mike Hays, a Montgomery County social worker and homeless advocate. Desperate people were trying to break into a closed shelter on a bitterly cold night. Contrast that with Jones, whose primary concern was metal.

In response, Jones said only that officials had been dealing with spring and summer incidents of people breaking into the building to mine metals. He didnt elaborate.
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier on Thursday introduced legislation to probe 911 response times following the botched response to a call that preceded a deadly mass shooting. Read more

Philadelphia City Council will investigate 911 dispatch times in the city after authorities botched a response to a call that preceded a July mass shooting in Kingsessing that left four people dead.

West Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced legislation Thursday authorizing Council to hold a hearing about ongoing challenges facing the 911 call center, which through the pandemic faced staffing shortages and saw increasing call response times.

Council members this week considered several other measures, including one that calls on the city to provide new support for people released from prison after being exonerated and another that creates a task force on reproductive rights.

Lets catch you up.

What was this weeks highlight?

A new probe of 911 response times: Gauthier said the Police Department reports that 95% of 911 calls are answered within 10 seconds. But she said she continues to hear from constituents who experience long wait and response times when they call 911.

Council held hearings in March 2020 about problems recruiting and retaining 911 dispatchers. But Gauthier said more than three years later, dispatchers report that they feel overworked, exhausted, and underappreciated.

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The new review of the call center was prompted by the mass shooting in Gauthiers district in July. A woman called 911 to report hearing gunshots at a house in the neighborhood but officers were dispatched to the wrong address. Joseph Wamah Jr. had been killed, but his body was not discovered until nearly two days later  after the same gunman had returned to the street and shot six more people.

A hearing hasnt yet been scheduled.

What else happened this week?

Creation of a reproductive rights task force: Council passed legislation introduced by Councilmember Kendra Brooks that creates a task force on reproductive rights. The group is expected to examine ways the city can further protect access to abortion care, including to medication abortion thats been the subject of ongoing federal litigation.

New supports for exonerees: Council also approved a resolution that calls on the city to explore how it can provide new reentry supports to exonerated Philadelphians. It notes that Pennsylvania, unlike other states, doesnt have a compensation fund for wrongly convicted people.

Remembering Philadelphia luminaries: City Council members memorialized three prominent figures who recently died:

Temple Universitys acting president, Joanne A. Epps, 72, who died earlier this week after falling ill at a university event. Former School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Constance Clayton, who was the citys first Black and female superintendent and died this week at age 89. David Krain, a politically active leader with AFSCME District Council 47, which represents municipal workers. Councilmember Jim Harrity said Krain, age 43, died recently. Im just in shock, he said.

Who was there?

Womens rights activists: Advocates for womens rights testified before Council Thursday in favor of Brooks legislation to create a reproductive rights task force.

The attacks on reproductive autonomy are extreme and harmful, said Amal Bass, interim co-executive director of the Womens Law Project. The establishment of the reproductive rights task force is an important part of coordinating efforts to ensure that Philadelphias response to this crisis is as effective as possible.

Whats on the agenda for next week?

Safe injection sites: Its still unclear whether Mayor Jim Kenney will veto controversial legislation Council passed last week that essentially prohibits supervised drug consumption sites in most of the city. Were expecting to learn next Thursday what he decides.

Kenney has long been a proponent of the facilities as a strategy to prevent overdose deaths. But Council passed the legislation with an overwhelming, veto-proof majority, so if Kenney rejects the bill, Council is likely to override him.

 READ MORE: What to know about the legislation prohibiting supervised injection sites

Resolution of the week

Foreign policy, anyone? Council passed a resolution urging the president and Congress to reexamine foreign policy towards Ethiopia.

Harrity, a freshman Council member, introduced the resolution, but he didnt say much about why. Well let you know if we learn more about what Philadelphia City Council thinks the United States position toward Ethiopia should be.

Quote of the week

When its all said and done, come have a libation with me.

That was City Councilmember Sharon Vaughn, who implored her colleagues to 1) Decorate their offices and gather candy to give to children who are going to visit City Hall for a Halloween party that shes hosting and 2) To hang out with her afterward.
WILDWOOD  Mayor Pete Byron, who has faced criminal charges in federal and state courts but had vowed to stay in office, resigned Thursday, the city said.

Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons assumed his responsibilities immediately, the city said in a statement.

Although Byron did not give a specific reason (other than Politics sucks!! in a text message), the abrupt resignation came as the state Attorney General was pursuing legal action to force him from public office.

Michael Symons, a spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office, said Thursday afternoon that a forfeiture-of-office motion had been filed with the Superior Court on Aug. 15, and served on the mayor, following his federal conviction for willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent federal tax returns.

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Byrons resignation came one day before the complaints return date, Symons said, meaning that the mayor had to respond by Sept. 22 or else the forfeiture motion would proceed to a judge for a ruling.

It is with deep sadness  yet great hope  for the continued prosperity of Wildwood, that I resign as mayor of the City of Wildwood, N.J., Byron said in the statement. I have held the honor and pleasure of serving my community as commissioner for the past 12 years.

Byron, 68, a Democrat, was a popular yet beleaguered mayor of the iconic resort town, which faced challenges this summer from a series of power outages that cut into summer revenue for businesses. His constituents had rallied around his determination to stay in office despite his legal troubles.

Thursdays announcement ran contrary to his public statements. He had been contemplating whether to run for reelection even after the federal court sentencing.

In a text message Thursday afternoon, Byron said of the resignation: Politics sucks !! I was between a rock and a hard place. People who know me still believe in me.

He did not elaborate.

Byron had been mayor since 2020, and was famously barred from a Trump campaign rally in town after asking for reimbursement for expenses from then-President Trump.

Byron, meanwhile, was sentenced to probation in August in federal court in Camden after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges.

The judge, U.S. District Judge Karen Williams, called the Shore town mayors submission of false tax returns that omitted $40,000 in income a serious offense. Williams also ordered Byron to pay more than $21,000 in fines and restitution, and to seek mental health treatment after Byron told authorities that stress led him to commit the financial crimes.

Byron received the money from an unspecified sales job but did not report that income.

The same day, the state Attorney Generals office announced that Byron, along with two other current and former Wildwood officials, had once again been indicted by a grand jury on charges that they allegedly submitted false records, asserting that they worked full time, so that they qualified for taxpayer-funded health benefits, which as part-time elected officials they were not eligible for.

Still, Byron vowed to continue doing his job, saying Ill continue to do my job and hold my head high. But two weeks later, the state Attorney General sought to prohibit him from holding public office under New Jersey law.

In the Thursday statement, he touted his administrations achievements, including planned revitalization projects for Pacific Avenue, the Back Bay landfill remediation, and the rebuilding of half of the towns historic boardwalk. He also cited year-over-year beach revenue growth, during his 12-year tenure and refurbishments of city parks, the dog park and the Byrne Recreation Center.

He said he would now focus on being the best dad and grandfather to my loving family.
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

The streak of beautiful weather continues. Expect a high of 77 and sunny skies.

We have a full news day, so lets get to it. If youre new here, you should sign up for Navigate Philly. Its a new newsletter series for folks who are just getting settled and who love the city, but need a bit of guidance. Fellow newsletter writer and recent newcomer Paola Perez will walk you through living like a local with help from lifelong Philadelphians and experts.

Our lead story follows how Penn Medicine hired a man for a top job with a history of theft from health care organizations.

 Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Larry Butler, 58, started his new job as the senior director of facilities at Pennsylvania Hospital on July 17.

Penn Medicine welcomed its newest employee in an email to staff touting Butlers long, successful career in healthcare and highlighted his tenure at a California hospital where he served since 2015.

But actually, Butler was in federal prison in 2015 after a judge sentenced him to five years for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from two healthcare organizations. Those organizations hired him for high-level jobs after he falsified his resume and Social Security number to hide his criminal record.

A simple Google search on Larry Butler and hospital shows a string of recent articles detailing his record.

Federal court records, reviewed by The Inquirer, detail how he used fake credentials to conceal what a U.S. District judge described as a long and complex criminal history. When he got these high-level jobs with access to company credit cards, he stole a total of nearly $119,000.

By August, Penn Medicine sent out a second email telling colleagues Butler resigned. Penn declined to discuss how it vetted Butler or if it knew about his history before offering him the job.

Read more to learn additional details about his history and his short time at Penns marquee hospital in Philadelphia.

Hundreds gathered at Temples Bell Tower to honor and remember JoAnne A. Epps who died suddenly on Tuesday.

Around 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered for the noon vigil and promised to carry on her legacy, one that included restoring calm and unity after a tumultuous year.

Epps served Temple for nearly 40 years. She started as a law school professor, then dean, then provost, before becoming the leader of the university last April after Jason Wingard resigned.

Notable quote: Like this university, JoAnne has changed lives, said Marylouise Esten, a longtime Temple coworker who was like a sister to Epps. Thats what she asked us to do. That is her legacy. We are her legacy.

The board of trustees held an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss next steps, but has not named a new president. The board decided to posthumously remove the acting from her title, which means shell have a place in the universitys history as one of its presidents. Her photo will be hung in the board room with all other previous presidents.

Continue reading for more loving words from her Temple community.

What you should know today

When Bradley Cooper and his creative team were looking to borrow authenticity for Coopers upcoming biopic on the famed conductor Leonard Bernstein, they knew who to call.

From his basement workshop in Ambler, Mark Horowitz makes the delicate batons made of wood for Broadway shows, opera productions, and orchestra concerts around the world. Hell now add movies to the list with Maestro, which is slated to show in theaters in November.

The craft in Horowitzs blood  his father was Bernsteins baton maker.

In his own words: I usually fall asleep thinking about how Im going to make something in the shop, Horowitz said. I make sure they dont pay me until they say, I love the baton. And then I think its OK.

Read on to learn what fuels Horowitzs passion for the work, and stay to see a video of Horowitz create in his workshop.

 Trivia time 

Which local park will be home to North Americas largest swing set?

A) FDR Park

B) Fairmount Park

C) Pennypack Park

D) None of the above

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Wondering: Who cut the holes into a Pennsylvania fur farms fence allowing 6,000 to 8,000 minks to escape?

Watching: Normal People for the first time.

 Unscramble the anagram 

Hint: The Mummy of Reading

EINSTEIN MALLOW

Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Wednesdays anagram must have been a hard one. Thank you to everyone that tried to crack it but no one guessed it: Sparks Shot Tower. Email us if you know the answer.

Photo of the day

The weekend is so close, I can feel it. Enjoy the amazing weather, and thank you for starting your day with The Inquirer.
The Food and Drug Administrations approval of updated booster shots to combat the recent uptick in COVID-19 infections can only mean one thing: Its time for extremist Republicans to play politics again with a serious public health issue.

After Donald Trumps mismanagement of the pandemic cost nearly 400,000 American lives, one would think the country would have learned its lesson. But as COVID cases, hospitalizations, and even deaths rise, Trump and his wannabes are seeking to politicize the virus.

The radical Democrats are trying hard to restart COVID hysteria, Trump said during a recent campaign stop in South Dakota. I wonder why. Is there an election coming up by any chance?

 READ MORE: Philadelphia messed up the mask mandate | Editorial

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Not to be outdone, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who trails Trump in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, pushed back on the recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the updated booster shots approved by the FDA.

I will not stand by and let the FDA and CDC use healthy Floridians as guinea pigs for new booster shots, DeSantis said.

Other lesser lights chimed in with misinformation that will likely scare some from getting boosters. Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.), who is running for president, posted online that the radical left seeks to bring back school closures and mandates.

Sen. J.D. Vance (R., Ohio), the once-thoughtful Hillbilly Elegy author turned Trump-loving phony, proposed the Freedom to Breathe Act, a measure that would block the federal government from imposing mask mandates for domestic flights, public transit, and schools.

Here we go again.

By now, Americans should be beyond exhausted by the reckless efforts of the GOPs extreme wing to gain some kind of political leverage from a pandemic that has claimed more than 1.1 million lives in our nation and which managed to cripple the global economy. But far too many Republican officials are frauds when it comes to important issues such as science, climate change, and even democracy. Rather than follow facts, they will say and do anything to court hard-line MAGA Republican voters to stay in power.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) laid bare in a forthcoming book that many of his Republican colleagues have a dim view of Trump, but are afraid to speak up for fear of not getting elected. After the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Romney concluded, A very large portion of my party really doesnt believe in the Constitution.

The same shameless drive to hold onto power has fueled the Republican rhetoric regarding COVID, masks, and vaccines. The blood on the hands of Trump and others in the GOP should not be forgotten, let alone rewarded by voters.

The efficacy of the COVID vaccines  while not foolproof  is beyond dispute. The vaccines saved more than three million lives in America and tens of millions around the world. The shots kept millions more out of the hospital.

 READ MORE: Reversing pandemic-related learning loss must be a top priority | Editorial

About two-thirds of Americans have been fully vaccinated, but about one in six refuse to get a jab. The new shots approved by the FDA appear to be effective against a vast majority of COVID variants in circulation, according to the CDC.

But DeSantis advised Florida residents under age 65 to skip the updated boosters. In a state that, according to the most recent data, is leading the nation in weekly COVID deaths, thats particularly irresponsible advice.

The CDC recommended everyone 6 months and older get the updated booster shots to protect against the rise in COVID-19 infections. With the start of autumn on Thursday, public health officials are also urging residents to get flu shots and vaccines against RSV  a respiratory virus with cold-like symptoms that can be lethal to the very young and the very old.

There have been some delays in getting the booster shots shipped to pharmacies in the Philadelphia region, as well as questions about whether the costs would be covered for those without insurance. Patience and fortitude may be required.

But the benefits of the shots are clear. When it comes to public health, folks should listen to the scientists, and not self-serving politicians.
Republicans woke up on Nov. 4, 2020 looking for the silver lining behind a cloudy election. Sure, the GOPs leader, Donald Trump, was on his way to losing the White House, but hed racked up a surprising 74 million votes, and Republicans had won some key House races. The reason, party leaders crowed, was a surge in support from the working class  mainly white folks, but more Latino blue-collar voters and even some African Americans.

We are a working-class party now, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley had tweeted on Election Night. Thats our future.

Hawleys political lack-of-soul-mate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, laid it on much thicker that winter when he spoke to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Cruz is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School whos married to an investment banker and had just returned from Cancun, while his working-class constituents were freezing in a massive power outage. Yet Cruz declared that the GOP will be the party of steel workers and construction workers and pipeline workers and taxi cab drivers and cops and firefighters and waiters and waitresses and the men and women with calluses on their hands who are working for this country.

He left out auto workers. Maybe that was foreshadowing.

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Last week, United Auto Workers members at three Midwestern factories walked out on strike, as the vanguard of a historic effort by their 145,000-member union to win higher pay, enhanced retirement and overtime, and a shorter work week from the Big Three automakers  Ford, GM, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler)  that are posting billions in profits. The UAW strike is a proxy war for whether the working class in America can be saved  by reversing decades of income inequality that soared as union membership plunged.

It feels like a moment for the epic labor song written in the depths of the Great Depression by an organizer for the United Mine Workers in Kentuckys bloody Harlan County, Which Side Are You On? If you are a Republican running to get elected president in 2024, you are not on the side of Americas auto workers. It turns out that the best and brightest of the new party of the working class just cant quit their love affair with billionaire CEOs.

Were all going to suffer from this, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, told (who else?) Fox News when asked about the UAW strike. Haley occasionally tries to position herself as a more compassionate conservative in the crowded GOP primary field, but she holds no compassion for union workers. She bragged in the interview that she is a union buster, and that she brought jobs to the Palmetto State without what she sees as the scourge of organized labor.

Yet Haley didnt go as far as her fellow South Carolinian, Sen. Tim Scott, who told a campaign event in Iowa: Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike. He said, You strike, youre fired. Simple concept to me. To the extent that we can use that once again, absolutely.

Its also a simple concept thats illegal under U.S. labor law  employers cant fire a union member for striking  but facts werent as important for Scott as espousing what even his fellow conservative, the New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, called zombie Reaganism, the perfect term for an idea that is not just brain-dead but increasingly past its expiration date.

 READ MORE: Biden, Dems make big bet that labor unions can bring back Americas middle class | Will Bunch

One poll showed that 75% of Americans are supporting the UAW strikers over management, which suggests that even a lot of Republicans support the picketers. More broadly, a Gallup Poll this summer found that 67% of the public are supportive of unions, consolidating a trend that began when the economic crisis of 2008-09 dramatized how far the pendulum of inequality had swung toward corporations and billionaires, and away from the U.S. worker.

When looking at these strikes that have been happening recently, it becomes very clear where their loyalties lie and their priorities lie, Ken Jacobs, who chairs the University of California, Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, told me about the modern GOP. Some Republican commentators have argued that Republicans should find a way to be more a party of the working class, but when you dig down into their proposals, they are still anti-union or anti-working people.

You could argue the current state of affairs began on May 8, 1970, the date of the notorious Hard Hat Riot, when union workers attacked a rally of anti-Vietnam War protesters in lower Manhattan. The GOPs Richard Nixon seized the moment, inviting New York union leaders to the White House to herald a new strategy of playing on the resentments of the college-educated New Left to peel away blue-collar votes. The plan worked, at least among a white working-class that became Reagan Democrats in the 1980s and full-throated Republicans when Fox News arrived to amp up a culture war.

So is the GOP the party of the working class? Yes, and no. In the 2022 midterms, Republicans captured a record 55% of non-college voters  a not totally accurate proxy for the blue-collar electorate  by continuing to pull in two-thirds of whites without a diploma, and gaining votes from non-college-educated Latinos. But Democrats are increasing votes in specifically union households  55% in 2022 balloting.

No wonder the GOP is aggressively putting the union movement down.

South Carolina, the home state of both Haley and Scott, is instructive. It may indeed be  as Haley boasted to Fox News  the most anti-labor state in America, with just 1.7% of workers carrying a union card. Its not a coincidence that a survey this year by the business network CNBC ranked South Carolina the fourth-worst state for workers, writing: South Carolina is an unhealthy state, both at home and on the job. The state has the nations fifth-highest rate of occupational deaths and it finishes in the top 10 for frequent physical and mental distress overall. Legal protections for workers are limited ... 

Gee, if only there was some kind of organization that could fight for safer factories and warehouses, a less stressful workplace, and codified employee protections, not to mention increasing paychecks (since South Carolina also is the 10th-worst state for poverty). The problem for the GOP is that more and more voters see whats happening here.

This is not 1970, or 1984. Culture warring begins to lose its impact when blue-collar workers realize how far theyve fallen behind over a half-century, or connect GOP policies with the fact that CEOs now make nearly 400 times as much as their workers.

The epitome of the labor conundrum for the Republican Party is the man much more likely than a Haley or Scott to be its 2024 nominee: Donald Trump. The 45th president may be a corrupt autocratic narcissist, but his political instincts arent quite as dumb as the South Carolina brigade. Hes threatened to visit a UAW picket line in Michigan while his distant rivals are debating next week in California. But even Trump cant help but get drawn back into anti-unionism, having made remarks critical of the UAW just days earlier.

The reality is that Trump had four years in the Oval Office to prove that Republicans are the party of the working class, and he whiffed, badly. His administration specifically weakened the right to organize in the workplace and made it easier for companies to fight unions. POTUS 45 also signed a tax cut enriching billionaires and corporations, sent to him by a GOP Congress that refused to raise the minimum wage. Perhaps thats not surprising, considering that as a developer, hed built his landmark Trump Tower with non-union, undocumented workers.

Look, labor issues are politically complicated. Just ask President Joe Biden, whose sentiments  both personally and politically  are clearly pro-union, and yet is hampered by the fact he also wants a short strike and needs to negotiate with both sides. GOP candidates have no such burden and can say whatever they want, and what most want to say is that the party of the working class despises unions  the only people out there fighting for the working class to have a better life.

I hope that Trump does try and walk the picket line in Detroit next week, because it may not be the lovefest that he fantasizes about from his castle at Mar-a-Lago. The longer that the UAWs fight for a fair deal goes on, the more that those Americans with calluses on their hands are realizing that the frauds of the Republican Party are not on their side.

 READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter
Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks speaks as she launches her reelection campaign in June. Read more

Three Pennsylvania appellate judges on Thursday rejected an attempt by Philadelphias Republican City Committee to remove two Working Families Party candidates from Novembers ballot for City Council at-large seats.

The Commonwealth Court judges upheld an Aug. 11 ruling from Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Joshua Roberts, who refused to strike the names of Councilmember Kendra Brooks and her running mate, Nicolas ORourke, from the ballot because they submitted candidate statements of financial interest that were signed electronically and not with a pen or pencil.

The Republican City Committee appealed that decision on Aug. 16.

Commonwealth Court judges Christine Fizzano Cannon, Lori A. Dumas, and Stacy Wallace, in an opinion Thursday, agreed with Roberts that not physically signing the statements was an amendable defect that did not require removing the candidates from the ballot.

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Charles M. Gibbs, an attorney for Brooks and ORourke, on Thursday dismissed the Republican appeal as a cockamamie legal argument, echoing language from a brief he submitted to the Commonwealth Court during the appeal.

Gibbs said the Republicans were grasping at straws because Brooks and ORourke used a system established by the city to electronically submit the statements of financial interests.

The legal wrangling drew increased notice to the stakes local Republicans face in potentially losing the at-large Council seats they have held for seven decades to the progressive Working Families Party.

Philadelphias Home Rule Charter requires that two of the seven at-large Council seats go to candidates who are not members of the citys majority party. Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-to-1 in the city.

 READ MORE: Critics are questioning the Working Families Partys independence as it gains traction in Philly

Brooks won one of those two seats in 2019. She is now seeking a second term and the other seat is vacant because Republican David Oh resigned from Council to run for mayor.

Republican City Committee chair Vince Fenerty said he was reviewing the ruling with the partys attorneys. The Republicans can appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Qabil Ashirov

Terror acts that happened on September 19 shook Azerbaijan. As a result of these terror acts 9 Azerbaijanis, of which seven were policemen and 2 were civilians, died. Figuratively speaking, it was the last straw and Azerbaijan was obliged to take some measures. Because these acts were not the first crimes. Armenian armed forces in Garabagh have done plenty of provocations and terror against the Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel. It seems that there are some fractions in Garabagh that are eager to have high tension.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Maxime Gauin, Associate Professor at ADA University, and a researcher at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy, noted that some cliques that illegally grabbed the power in Garabagh are interested in provocations. As for ordinary people, like all human beings, they need a safe and prosperous life.

For that, there is only one way: Becoming Azerbaijani citizens, like 30,000 other ethnic Armenians in Baku and Ganja, like about 100,000 ethnic Russians, thousands of ethnic Georgians, thousands of ethnic Ukrainians, etc. Those who needed it were the small clique controlling the separatist entity because their short-term interest was the continuation of the conflict. The main reason why this small number of persons believed that conflict works for them is that they received weapons and ammunition for free, by convoys escorted by the Russian soldiers, Maxime Gauin said.

He added that the secondary reason is the aggressiveness of the Iranian government against Azerbaijan. The joint exercise between the Armenian army and the U.S. Army did not help but was a minor event, which took place very recently, after most of the violent actions by the irregular armed forces located in and near Khankendi. He stressed that the circumstances were not as separatists expected.

Right now, the Azerbaijani government announced an agreement with the separatists and a meeting tomorrow to discuss the details with them. This is of course excellent news. Now, we have to wait for the results of this meeting. The surrender of the illegal forces is in the interest of almost everybody, he noted.

He also touched the US Senators who express disrespect toward international law and stand with the separatists. M.Gauin pointed out that the U.S. is one of the few democratic countries still implementing the death penalty. However, it was abolished in Azerbaijan twenty-five years ago. He added that there is unfortunately a part of the U.S. senators and representatives ready to say anything, including against the interests of NATO in general and of their own country in particular. Because these senators and representatives receive support from the Armenian nationalists for their campaigns, in terms of vote and of financial contributions. Unlike in European countries, there is practically no limit to the electoral expenses in the U.S. The total cost of the presidential and legislative elections was three billion dollars in 2000; and fourteen billion in 2020. Another reason is the place (unparalleled in most of the other democratic countries) of fundamentalist religious voters, who often have a very narrow mind. We saw what they can do in domestic policy with the unmaking of the federal guarantee for the right to abortion. The Armenian nationalists cooperate with groups of this kind openly. These people probably ignore the fact that it is much easier to be a Protestant in Baku than in Yerevan, the pundit noted.




Consumers queue up to experience the new Huawei Mate 60 Pro on September 3, 2023, in Shanghai. Photo: VCG

(Global Times) Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies' debut of the latest advanced smartphone series Mate 60 pro continues to generate shockwaves in the US, where radical US lawmakers are pushing to step up restrictions on chip technologies and investments, and a senior US official expressed "upset" at the launch of Huawei's latest smartphone with its own chips.

In stark contrast to US politicians' resorting to further protectionism and US media outlet's hype over competition between Huawei and Apple, Huawei executives have struck an open attitude, with founder Ren Zhengfei acknowledging that he is an "Apple fan" and that it is good to have Apple as a "teacher," even as they have harshly criticized the US government's relentless crackdowns and firmly pushed ahead with the firm's "survival" campaign.

While it remains unclear what other restrictions the US government can impose following a litany of bans already in place, Chinese officials and experts said that more crackdowns on China's chips will not hold back China's chip development and will only enhance China's resolve and capabilities to pursue tech self-reliance. Moreover, such crackdowns will only inflict more pain on global chip industries, including US giants that have benefited handsomely from the highly globalized chip supply chain.

US radical plans

Following Huawei's release of its Mate 60 smartphone, which is reportedly powered by advanced Kirin chips, radical anti-China lawmakers in the US Congress have repeatedly called for further restrictions. In the latest move, Mike Gallagher, chair of the US House of Representatives' so-called committee on China, is planning to meet with a semiconductor industry group to urge it to reduce investments in China's chip industry, Reuters reported on Tuesday US time, citing an unidentified source.

Gallagher, who has emerged as one of the most outspoken radical anti-China US lawmakers and has repeatedly called for restrictions and crackdowns against Chinese firms and industries, plans to urge the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) to tighten US bans enacted in October 2022 on sales of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China to cover less advanced chips, according to Reuters.

Under the pressure from US lawmakers, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who recently traveled to China to stabilize bilateral trade ties, said at a hearing of the US House of Representatives that the US has no evidence that Huawei can produce advanced 7-nanometer chips at scale. However, Raimondo said that she was "upset" when Huawei released the smartphone with advanced chips, which coincided with her trip to China. The US Commerce Department has also reportedly been working to obtain more information on the chip, which they said must have been made with US technology.

Asked about Raimondo's remarks, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press briefing that it is up to Huawei to decide when to release new phones, and she has no information about that.

"What I can say is that we persistently oppose overstretching the concept of national security in suppressing Chinese companies. Such discriminatory and unfair practices undermine the principle of free trade and international economic and trade rules, and will also disrupt the stability of the global production and supply chain, which is not in the interests of any party," Mao said.

"I also want to tell the US side that sanctions and curbs will not stop China's development, but will only strengthen China's resolve and capability to seek self-reliance and technological innovation," the spokesperson added.

Chinese industry analysts said that the US will likely step up restrictions and crackdowns on Chinese companies that are making solid progress in chip technologies. However, given the already harsh restrictions in place, further crackdowns will unlikely inflict much greater pain than already have, and instead could hurt US companies much more.

"Such crackdowns by the US also hurt US companies, as they will be forced to lose Chinese clients and market share in China. With the lack of cooperation with Chinese companies in relevant industries, US companies will lose the opportunity to innovate," Liang Zhenpeng, an independent tech sector analyst, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Openness, defiance

While Huawei has once again become a top target for US politicians' push for a tech decoupling, its executives have notably struck an open attitude toward US companies - or even competitors, even though they harshly criticize the US crackdowns and vow to bolster the company's capabilities.

During a speech in August, which was reported by Chinese media outlets on Tuesday, Ren was asked whether he was an "Apple fan." The Huawei founder urged against being xenophobic, saying that "we often explore why Apple's products are doing well, and we can also see the gap between us and Apple. It is very happy to have a teacher, to have the opportunity to learn, and to have the opportunity to make comparisons. From this perspective, it's not an exaggeration that I am an 'Apple fan,'" according to the Securities Times.

However, Huawei executives have also shown disdain for the US crackdowns. In the same speech in August, Ren said that US crackdowns are both pressure and motivation, noting that after four years, with the efforts of 200,000 Huawei employees, the company has "basically built our own platform, which won't necessarily run on the same base as the US platform in the future."

Separately, during a speech at the Huawei Connect 2023 on Wednesday, Huawei's rotating chairperson Meng Wanzhou said that the company is striving to build a firm foundation for China's computing power and offer the world a "second option," as part of the company's "All Intelligence" strategy.

Chinese industry analysts said that following years of US crackdowns, Chinese companies have strengthened their own innovation capabilities, even though they also face tremendous challenges.

"Any development in China's chip industry is drawing very close attention from US politicians, who would also take relevant measures to further suppress certain Chinese chip makers," Fu Liang, a Beijing-based tech analyst, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that more efforts are needed to help companies boost their capabilities to cope with the risks of US crackdowns.

Fu said that any attempt to decouple the global supply chain will hurt all companies and industries, and that "US and Chinese enterprises will be the most hurt." He said that while US politicians are seeking to impose restrictions, US businesses are actually seeking to cooperate due to the enormous interests involved, and that such cooperation should be encouraged.




The 5th Annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest will be set at the 23rd Street Armory, and complete with imported German benches, traditional music and dancers, and beer from the famous Hofbrauhaus Munchen. Read more

Hello hello!

Its about that time to be thinking about warm sweaters, apple cider doughnuts, corn mazes, fall foliage  and, of course, fall fashion. This weekend, however, is shaping up to be a bit of a rainy mess, so stay dry out there!

This weekend, dress up or down for Philadelphia Fashion Week, check out Camdens Xponential Music Festival (weather permitting), explore several art exhibits and make those plans for Oktoberfest celebrations.

 Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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Strut your stuff

Are you stepping out in style? Were in the middle of Philadelphia Fashion Week, the annual celebration of local style with fashion shows, panels, and networking events. Phillys version of the Met Gala, the flashy and fun Avant-Garde Ball, is on Friday.

Your weekly social calendar

 Last call for some modernist art: Painter Joseph Stella created colorful and complex portraits of industrial America. His incredible art is on view at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature, which closes this weekend.

 Maestros magic wand: In the upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopic directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, theres a special Philly connection in the conductors baton. Meet the local maker whose father crafted Bernsteins batons in the past, and who crafted Coopers batons for the movie.

 New true crime: 72 Seconds in Rittenhouse Square is a new documentary series about Michael White fatally stabbing Sean Schellenger in 2018. It premieres next week.

 Cant stop, wont stop: This weekend is the second Montco Jazz Fest, and Philly vocalist Miss Justine is coming out of retirement to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and perform one more time for her devoted fans.

 Looking back: The 1978 documentary Amateur Night at City Hall: The Story of Frank L. Rizzo was so incendiary upon its release that WHYY nearly lost its Living History Center headquarters. The film will screen at the Lightbox Film Center on Friday.

 Legendary dressmaker: Famous Black designer Ann Lowe crafted high fashion for rich families like the Carnegies and the Rockefellers, including Jacqueline Kennedys wedding dress. Lowe is now the center of a new exhibit at the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Del., presenting 40 of her couture creations and a replica of Kennedys stunning dress.

 Next fest: This weekends Xponential Music Festival is shaping up to be a rainy experience, but weather permitting, there will be tons of talent descending on Camden for three days, including the shirt-ripping band Low Cut Connie.

 My calendar picks this week: Catch flicks at the Womens Film Festival, explore various cuisines in Dine Latino Restaurant Week, and sample all sorts of food at South Street Smorgasbord.

The thing of the week

Opera Philadelphias O23 Festival kicks off today showcasing an array of contemporary opera. Ill be attending tonights world premiere of 10 Days in a Madhouse, about investigative journalist Nellie Blys undercover journey in an asylum to expose horrific conditions. (Look out for my upcoming review with Inquirer classical music critic Peter Dobrin!) Theres also a Philadelphia premiere of Unholy Wars, which reframes the Crusades through a Middle Eastern lens; Late Night Snacks from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret; and a new production of Verdis Simon Boccanegra. With 33 performances over 11 days, the festival runs through Oct. 1. Keep an eye out for our coverage.

Fall into fall 

 For all youse newcomers: My coworker Paola Perez just launched a new Inquirer newsletter for Philly transplants  Navigate Philly! Whether you moved to town this month or last year, were here to help with a start-up guide to everything you need to know, from local vocab to DMV tips. Sign up here!

 Share your thoughts: The famously macabre Mutter Museum has been going through a major direction shift under new leadership regarding its world renowned collection of human remains. This week, they announced a series of public town halls to gather public feedback on ethics and consent.

 Prost!: Oktoberfest is coming up and weve got a roundup of 15 great festivals and parades to celebrate the hop-filled holiday.

 Jazz it up: The Branford Marsalis Quartet, Christian McBrides New Jawn, Pat Metheny, and more jazz stars are performing in Philly this fall. Heres your guide to the best jazz in town.

 Take off: Immerse yourself in a black hole simulation, learn about the future of space travel, and get up close to space rovers in the Franklin Institutes upcoming Wondrous Space exhibit.

 Determined to be: The first retrospective of undersung-yet-remarkable sculptor John Rhoden will open at PAFA in October, showcasing some 70 sculptures of bronze, stone, and wood alongside archival materials from Rhodens prolific life.

 Will you be a survivor?: Dont worry, Im talking about corn mazes. Reba McEntire corn mazes, to be exact. Five farms in the region will be opening Reba-themed mazes this season.

Pop quiz

Black couturier Ann Lowe grew up in which state?

A) Alabama

B) Delaware

C) Pennsylvania

D) Texas

 To let me know which of the above is correct, write me back.

This week, Ive been obsessed with The Other Black Girl, which has so far been a super faithful adaptation of the suspenseful office-horror novel, thanks to author Zakiya Dalila Harriss participation. Are you watching anything scary to get into spooky season? Let me know!
We have been so focused on floods, what should now be at the forefront of farmers minds is adequate bushfire preparedness, he said. The landscape has changed so much since the floods; record-breaking rainfall and flooding in recent years has accelerated plant growth across large parts of the country. With the arrival of hot, dry conditions, this vegetation is now primed for bushfire.
State Farm is the most considered home and auto insurance brand for the second year in a row. And why not? The mutual insurer is known for offering competitive rates and consistently scoring above the industry average when it comes to customer satisfaction. According to the survey, State Farm is the top brand Americans consider when actively shopping for a better deal.
If threat actors going to get paid, at least in the United States, they have to pass the OFAC. And with the conflict, more and more institutions and named individuals are on this list. So, it wasn't a guarantee that the threat actors would receive a payout, she said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that should make it easier for nonprofit groups to find auto insurance coverage through risk retention groups.

Assembly Bill 5718 and its companion Senate bill allows out-of-state risk retention groups, starting in January, to write policies for nonprofits. For the most part, insurance companies have been unwilling to provide the auto coverage, especially for car-sharing services, which has created hardships for some groups that have fleets of transport vehicles, said the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, a retention group based in California.

This signing represents a major victory for the entire nonprofit sector, the Alliance said in a statement Wednesday.

The need for change was highlighted by the plight of Ithaca Carshare, New Yorks only nonprofit car-sharing service, which provides access to vehicles for people who need one. The organization was insured by Philadelphia Insurance, which left the market in May 2023, according to news reports.

Ithaca Carshare found another insurer, a risk retention group, but it was based in Vermont. New York law has required RRGs to be domiciled in the Empire State. The lack of coverage forced Ithaca to suspend operations this year but now it plans to restart in March 2024.

By passing this legislation, were ensuring that Ithaca Carshare and similar not-for-profits can access the essential automobile insurance they need to remain open, flourish, and provide customers with critical access to transportation, the governor said in a statement.

Risk retention groups are not unlike credit unions or captive insurance plans, and are owned by their members. Unlike insurance carriers, they do not need to be licensed in every state they operate in and do not need to participate in insolvency guaranty programs.

The groups have met with some resistance in a few other states. In Florida this year, for example, a bill requiring RRGs to maintain strong financial ratings came close to passing. The House approved the bill. But after stiff opposition from the National Risk Retention Association and some small businesses, the measure died in a Senate committee.

Topics New York
Jet engine maker CFM International said on Wednesday thousands of engine components may have been sold with forged paperwork by a British distributor, as the fallout from a probe into falsely certified parts reached Londons High Court.

Matthew Reeve, a lawyer for CFM and its co-owners General Electric and Safran, said AOG Technics had engaged in a deliberate, dishonest and sophisticated scheme to deceive the market with falsified documents on an industrial scale.

European regulators have said they are investigating reports that some parts supplied by the London-based firm without valid certificates had been found inside CFM56 engines, which power some Airbus and Boeing jets.

AOG did not address the underlying claim of forgery in the hearing, which was called to discuss procedural issues. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its main number, which went to hold then voicemail.

The discovery has prompted airlines to change parts on a handful of planes and so far only a fraction of the 23,000 existing CFM56 engines has been affected.

But Reeve said in court filings that CFM and its engine partners have compelling documentary evidence that thousands of jet engine parts have been sold by (AOG) to airlines operating commercial aircraft fitted with the claimants jet engines.

These include parts for CFM56 engines, built by the GE-Safran joint-venture CFM, and a very small number of CF6 engines used mainly to power cargo planes and manufactured purely by GE.

Industry sources said the majority of spare parts sold by distributors like AOG involve small items that are not made by the engine makers themselves and are not considered critical.

Even so, the number of planes that could have to be taken out of service for checks is approaching 100 and analysts say any disruption to the tightly monitored system of controls underpinning the safety of air travel must be tackled quickly.

Reeve said that so far, 86 falsified documents known as release certificates had been identified. By Monday, the number of engines suspected to have parts with forged documents had risen to 96.

Potentially, that means between 48 and 96 aircraft being taken out of service whilst airlines arrange for the parts to be removed, Reeve added.

Cooperating Fully

The sale of parts with fake or missing release certificates potentially puts aircraft safety in jeopardy and makes it impossible to verify airworthiness, CFM said in a filing.

A release certificate is akin to a birth certificate for an engine part, guaranteeing it is genuine.

The engine maker and its French and American parent companies took AOG and its sole director Jose Zamora Yrala to court to force them to hand over documents related to any remaining parts and paperwork linked to CFM56 and CF6 engines since February 2015.

They said they were first alerted to the alleged forgery by a Portuguese maintenance and repair company in June, prompting a scramble to discover the extent of the issue.

Lawyers representing AOG and Zamora Yrala said the defendants were cooperating fully with an investigation by Britains Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

AOG lawyer Tom Cleaver argued GE did not need a large amount of documents in order to contact possible buyers of the parts.

Everybody now knows that AOG parts are not necessarily to be taken to be the claimants parts, he said.

Judge Richard Meade ruled that AOG and Zamora Yrala should disclose invoices, release certificates, memos of shipment and purchase orders for 230 transactions.

CFM welcomed the court order, which it said would help the industry identify unapproved parts more rapidly.

CFM56 engines power the previous generation of Boeing 737s and about half the previous generation of Airbus A320s. These are gradually being upgraded but thousands remain in service.

The CFM56 is also used on Boeing P-8 maritime patrol planes sold to the United States and Britain, while the GE-built CF6 powers Boeing KC-767A tankers sold to Italy and Japan.

There have been no reports of suspect parts on military aircraft. Boeing and Airbus had no immediate comment.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, in a filing first reported by Bloomberg, said in August it was examining reports of parts with suspected falsified documents supplied by AOG. Britains CAA said in August it was investigating the supply of a large number of suspect unapproved parts.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin and Tim Hepher, Additional reporting by Valerie InsinnaEditing by Tomasz Janowski, Mark Potter and David Gregorio)

Related:
Certainly, Uncle Sam will try to stop the killing, nevertheless, the stupid West is loosing it completely.





India and Canada have issued travel advisories warning citizens about possible security threats



A group of international students, and their supporters, gather at Queens Park, Toronto, Canada.  Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images

















New Delhi has issued a warning to its citizens in Canada and those traveling to the country in response to an advisory issued by Ottawa amid a diplomatic row between the two countries.

India urged its nationals to be cautious due to growing anti-India activities and politically-sanctioned hate crimes and criminal violence" and advised to avoid traveling to regions where Indian diplomats, as well as sections of the Indian community "who oppose the anti-India agenda" have been targeted.

In particular, students, who make up a large chunk of the Indian diaspora in Canada, have been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain extra vigilant....




The low-pressure weather system that unleashed unprecedented amounts of rain across the eastern Mediterranean last week was made more likely and more intense by climate change.

Global warming caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases made the heavy rainfall over Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey up to 10 times more likely, and the deluge in Libya up to 50 times more likely. Thats according to World Weather Attribution, a group of climate scientists that rapidly analyzes weather data after natural disasters to determine the influence of climate change.

It is a worldwide phenomenon and we can see it everywhere in the world  when it rains, it rains a lot, said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory of Athens in Greece and a co-author of the study. Thats a problem because many dams and infrastructure to fight floods were built with data thats started to not be valid anymore.

The Mediterranean basin is warming 20% faster than the rest of the planet, according to the United Nations. While the region is becoming drier overall, climate change is making weather harder to predict and contributing to violent storms that release large amounts of rain in very short periods of time. That, coupled with a lack of preparedness on the ground, lead to close to 4,000 deaths in Libya.

Storm Danielwas the worst storm to hit Greece since records began in 1930. It was also the deadliest since 2008, when more than 130,000 people died as Cyclone Nargis landed on Myanmar.

The storm hit Greece from Sept. 4 to 7 and released 760 millimeters of water per square meter in a day in some places. Heavy rains flooded the Thessaly plain, home to a quarter of the countrys agriculture production. The WWA analysis showed carbon emissions are linked to up to 40% more rain than would have fallen if the planet hadnt heated up so much.

Such extreme cases of heavy rainfall are now reasonably common, the WWAscientists said, and can be expected once in every decade. Thats a 10% chance of happening every year in the large region that includes Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. In central Greece, such an event is only expected to happen once every 80 to 100 years.

This event was a breaking point for Greece, Lagouvardos told reporters on Tuesday. After storm Daniel we have to revisit again all our policies for early warning systems and the structure of our civil protection agencies so first respondents and scientists work together to be better prepared for disastrous events in coming years.

After hitting Greece, the storm moved south over the Mediterranean sea and gained new strength before making landfall in Libya. Scientists are investigating whether it could be considered a medicane  a portmanteau of Mediterranean and hurricane. While it behaved like one, Lagouvardos said its slow movement and stagnation has led experts to suspect it wasnt.

The WWA study found that the heavy rains that hit Libya in the early hours of Sept. 11 are expected to happen around once in 300 to 600 years in the current climate.Global warming increased their intensity by as much as 50%. More than 10,000 people are still missing in the city of Derna as rescue teams work against the clock to find survivors.

The high death toll cant be attributed to the rains alone. Two dams and several bridges collapsed, flooding entire districts in Derna. A decade-long armed conflict, the political instability that ensued and weak institutions resulted in poor maintenance of key infrastructure  including the dams  and lack of planning and protocols to respond to extreme weather events.

In Libya there was a forecast with a three-day lead time, said Maja Vahlberg, a risk consultant with the Climate Centre, an organization helping the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement address the humanitarian impacts of global warming. But the impact of that potential rainfall on people and infrastructure was not well understood, and its not clear how the forecast was communicated.

The disaster points to the challenge of maintaining old infrastructure, and adapting it to the weather conditions of the present, she said. In the case of Libya, that means taking into account a long-term decline in rainfall while also preparing for more extreme rain at times.

That seeming contradiction should not complicate adaptation efforts, because many actions needed to address both drought and floods are the same, said Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change in the UK and co-founder of WWA.

Reforestation, re-naturalization of rivers, the de-sealing of grounds are very important measures to adapt to drought and floods, she said. Access to early warning systems, information and healthcare help throughout all changes and extremes, not just one type.

Top photograph: Flooded homes and buildings following heavy rain in Palamas in Karditsa region, Greece, on Sept. 8, 2023. After suffering deadly wildfires over the summer, Greece was hit by Storm Daniel. Photo credit: Konstantinos Tsakalidis/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Flood Climate Change
Conduit Re, the Bermuda-based global reinsurer, is achieving end-to-end underwriting with pricing decision intelligence (PDI) company hyperexponential.

Using the PDI platform, hx Renew, Conduit Re is now able to rapidly develop and iterate its pricing models and rating landscape.

Conduit Re is a pure-play, global reinsurer, with expertise spanning across property, casualty and specialty. The company launched in December 2020, following Conduit Holdings completing an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange, that raised approximately $1.1 billion.

Conduit Re currently uses hx Renew to price approximately 85% of its business, hyperexponential explained.

As a fast-growing startup, Conduit Re wanted the ability to rapidly develop and iterate its pricing models and rating landscape, with no tolerance for time-consuming manual processes such as data rekeying, hyperexponential said, noting it had participated in Lloyds Lab, the Lloyds innovation accelerator.

The PDI platform creates a feedback loop that continuously strengthens the data assets, insights, and decisions of insurers. This feedback loop helps Conduit Re deliver more accurate account pricing and data-driven portfolio steering.

No data put into hx Renew is lost. With Excel, everything gets trapped in a spreadsheet and is unusable in the long run, commented Stuart Quinlan, deputy chief executive and COO at Conduit Re.

In hx Renew, we can aggregate all of our pricing data, for example, by line of business, and use that to create our development factors. The ability to move a case easily from one year to the next to help with renewing the policy is valuable for the team, Quinlan added.

The pricing data for every piece of business underwritten is now being captured through hx Renew, Conduit Re said. The team uses this data to inform more advanced analytics such as rate change reporting by class and the development of benchmark class level loss ratios and development patterns.

By investing in pricing decision intelligence, companies like Conduit Re are looking to outperform the market by moving from data to insight to decision as fast as possible, said Tom Chamberlain, hyperexponentials VP of Customer and Consulting.

About hyperexponential

hyperexponential says it has built the worlds first pricing decision intelligence platform for insurers, hx Renew, which reimagines the flow from data to decision, creating a feedback loop that continuously strengthens the data assets, insights, and decisions of insurers and ultimately their bottom line. Backed by software company Highland Europe, hyperexponential is headquartered in London, with an office in Warsaw.

Topics InsurTech Tech
The maritime industry is exploring whether nuclear fuel can be used to power commercial ships as advancements in technology open up such options, industry officials said.

Nevertheless, any possible nuclear fuel solutions for ships are at least 10 years away they added.

Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions and the industry is under pressure from investors and environmentalists to find cleaner fuel solutions, which include ammonia, methanol and wind.

Nuclear energy has been used in the past to power military submarines and icebreakers, although its use by merchant ships has been constrained partly by the cost, but also due wariness by insurers of providing cover for ships going into commercial ports without more understanding of the risks involved.

A survey in May by the International Chamber of Shipping association said nuclear fuel was being viewed with more interest than in 2021, with some seeing nuclear-powered commercial ships being viable within the next decade.

Small and mass-produced reactors, which are envisaged to be fitted onboard ships, are less powerful and consume less nuclear fuel than traditional nuclear sites.

The development of the fourth modular nuclear reactors generation is paving the way for possible future applications on board of ships, a spokesperson with Italy-based shipbuilder Fincantieri said, referring to the smaller nuclear plants.

At the moment, several technology providers are dealing with manufacturing of prototypes, the development processes of which are at different levels of maturity, envisaging more or less a decade before completing proof of concepts.

Fincantieri was interested in following the evolution of these technologies which may result in significant contribution to the decarbonisation of ships related to our core business, which is cruise liners, naval ships and specialized vessels, the spokesperson added.

Italys RINA, one of the worlds leading ship certification companies, is studying the use of nuclear fuel and is involved in a feasibility study alongside Fincantieri and a nuclear technology company, RINAs CEO Ugo Salerno told Reuters.

Salerno said container ships, which require significant power, were among the shipping segments that could be viable for nuclear fuel.

He said it was most probably seven to 10 years before production became feasible.

We need to climb a huge mountain, which is public opinion, he said on the sidelines of a Capital Link shipping conference in London last week, referring to concern over using nuclear fuel.

Risk Assessments

The risks include how a small reactor will be fitted onto a ship and whether there is any potential exposure to radiation. There are also questions over the safeguards that need to be in place when the vessel is moving, over the ownership of the vessel, and if further security is needed at sea, industry sources say.

UK-based CORE POWER is separately looking to develop a prototype advanced molten salt nuclear reactor that uses liquid fuel instead of solid fuel.

Such nuclear fission reactors involve the fuel and the coolant being mixed in a fuel-salt which is liquid at high temperatures.

The most common failure cited with conventional nuclear reactors is related to the loss of coolant, which can cause the core to overheat. Using a liquid fuel where the fuel and coolant are the same removes the risk of a loss of coolant accident, CORE POWER said.

We think that sometime around 2032 to 2035, we should be able to demonstrate the first one, CORE POWER CEO Mikal Boe told reporters during London International Shipping Week on Sept 14.

If were going to have a clean, green transition, nuclear has to be part of it.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; editing by Sharon Singleton)

Topics Carriers InsurTech Tech
Chicago is suing Bayer AGs Monsanto and Univar Solutions Inc. for polluting the citys water, air and soil with chemicals the companies knew were harmful to humans.

The complaint, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, seeks financial compensation for expenses related to cleaning up contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. The city argues the companies misled the public and released these chemicals despite knowing they were dangerous to humans and the environment.

The lawsuit follows a similar cases by other cities and states including Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and Delaware. The pollution has also caused valuable private property in the city to be abandoned, hurting the community, according to Chicagos complaint filed on Tuesday.

Monsanto knew for decades that its commercial PCB formulations were highly toxic, Johnson, who took over in May, said in a statement on Wednesday. He added that the contamination perpetuated the environmental abuse and stark inequities so many of Chicagos neighborhoods have long suffered from.

This isnt the first time Mayor Brandon Johnson sues big businesses. Last month the city took action against Kia Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. for failing to include engine immobilizers in various models, causing a spike in car thefts.

Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, said the company has never manufactured or disposed of PCBs in or near Chicago and that the products alleged to be the source of pollution were made by third parties and not Monsanto.

Univar didnt respond to a request for comment.

PCBs are chemicals that were widely used in a variety of products including paint and varnishes, electrical equipment, insecticides, and coolants until they were banned in the late 1970s. Releases from products produced before then continue to drain into Lake Michigan through municipal storm water, the city said.

Illinois has placed limits on daily PCBs discharges from Chicago and new rules require the city to reduce releases by an estimated 99.6%, according to the statement. As a result, the city is seeking to recover significant costs to comply with the regulations.

(Updates with Bayer response in sixth paragraph.)

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Chemicals
Risk Strategies, announced that it has acquired human resources and employee benefits specialist orchestrateHR Inc. and its affiliate, Ebenconcepts Company . and its affiliate, (doing business as eBen Benefits). Also included in the transaction were the companys specialty operating subsidiaries, Employers Direct Health and Employers Direct Administrative Solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in nine states and a family-owned history tracing back over 50 years, orchestrateHR is a provider of holistic employee benefits solutions. In conjunction with its associated operating groups, it offers a broad range of services, including human resources and technology consulting, third-party administration (TPA) and payroll and associated administrative outsourcing services.

Established in 1999 as an orchestrateHR affiliate, Ebenconcepts Company is an HR consulting and custom employee benefits brokerage firm with offices throughout the United States. One of the largest independent benefits agencies in the Southeast, eBen works with employers of all sizes and supports a robust Medicare and ACA marketplace. eBen is also a managing general agent (MGA) able to provide preferred access to a comprehensive suite of employer-funded and voluntary insurance products for clients of all sizes.

Through its operating groups and associated brand entities, orchestrateHR manages and coordinates its array of services and capabilities to best serve client needs. These include:

Employers Direct Health  orchestrateHRs third party administration (TPA) services division. It is a fully licensed and bonded TPA for ancillary benefit support services, including COBRA, Section 125, billing consolidation, HRA and claims adjudication and payment.

Employers Direct Administrative Solutions  offers payroll processing and administrative services as a more cost-effective alternative to a professional employer organization (PEO) with similar amenities.

orchestrateHR also offers clients an enterprise-level Human Resource Management System (HRMS) that allows any size business to affordably access an employee life cycle management technology common to larger corporations. The firms HR consulting services offer a variety of outsourcing services, such as data entry and processing, compliance, and standard operating procedures.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Texas
The next speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, set to take charge in 2025, said he hopes to see more legislation that could further address spiraling property insurance costs.

Do I believe we are done with property insurance? No. Not a chance, State Rep. Danny Perez, R-Miami, told reporters at the Capitol this week, according to WPTV news.

Perez was elected to the speaker position by House members who met briefly in Tallahassee this week. He will take over after current Speaker Paul Renners two-year term concludes.

Perez, a lawyer, also said he hopes for more bi-partisanship, despite Republicans supermajority in the chamber, and for legislative sessions in which every decision hasnt been worked out in advance.

The 2023 regular session of the Legislature and two previous special sessions were marked by insurance reform and tort reform bills that were crafted by the governors office and legislative leaders, and which sailed to approval in just days  with very few amendments.

Insurance industry leaders have credited those session with passing major changes, including elimination of one-way attorney fees and assignment-of-benefit agreements in insurance claims, all of which are expected to curtail litigation costs.

Perez also urged legislative committees to have more dialog about bills and to spend less time on bills that dont really matter, the TV station reported.

The Florida Legislatures 2024 regular session begins Jan. 9.

Topics Florida Legislation Property
The death of a 19-year-old Florida worker could have been prevented if a concrete pipe maker had ensured that employees followed proper safety procedures, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said.

OSHA cited Foley Products Co., based in Georgia, with one willful violation and six serious violations after the March fatality near Pensacola. The company now faces $246,000 in penalties but it has requested a conference with OSHA on the tragedy, OSHA officials said in a statement this week.

Foley Products Companys failure to implement well-known safeguards cost the life of a worker just beginning their adulthood, said OSHA Area Office Director Jose Gonzalez. This preventable tragedy should serve as a reminder of the importance of complying with safety and health standards, as required by law.

OSHA investigators determined that two workers had climbed inside a concrete mixer to chisel off hardened concrete. When one of them climbed out, the mixer started up, killing the employee left inside. His name was not released.

The administration said that Foley Products failed to ensure that workers were trained in and understood how to disconnect the power supply to the mixer before working on it, often known as lock-out, tag-out procedures. The company also failed to have an attendant ready to retrieve workers inside the mixer.

Foley, with headquarters in Newnan, Georgia, has about 500 workers in four Southern states, OSHA said.

The Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims shows no contested workers compensation claims against Foley Products.

Topics Florida Workers' Compensation Georgia
CSAA Insurance Group Promotes Pugh to EVP and CIO

CSAA Insurance Group, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., promoted Todd Pugh to executive vice president and chief information officer, overseeing all aspects of the companys information technology division. He has served in this role on an interim basis since November 2022.

Pugh joined CSAA in 2019 as vice president, commercial lines IT delivery. He has 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, including roles as commercial IT Applications Executive at Mobilitas Insurance; vice president, information technology, business transformation at IAT Insurance Group; vice president, commercial insurance, product & policy business systems at Liberty Mutual Insurance; and director, Safeco Business Insurance, project management office at Safeco Insurance.

Kerfoot Joins Alliant Insurance Services Team in Hawaii

Leslie Kerfoot joined Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., as vice president of its Alliant Americas division based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kerfoot joins Alliant with 11 years of insurance industry experience.

Topics California Hawaii
Source: Streetwise Reports

September 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Stillwater Critical Minerals has an update on drilling in Stillwater West. Read on to see why analysts like this company's stock while demand for critical minerals rises.

Stillwater Critical Minerals (PGE:TSX.V; PGEZF:OTCQB; 5D32:FSE) reported through press releases on July 20 and September 12 that resource expansion drilling is now underway on the Stillwater West project. According to the company, the project, located in Montana, hosts nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold.

Michael Rowley, the CEO and President of the company, commented, "We are very pleased to have programs underway on all three of our 100%-owned district-scale assets, with particular focus on the expansion of resources defined at our flagship Stillwater West project, which currently hosts over 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper, and cobalt along with nearly 4 million ounces of platinum, palladium, and gold. We expect to roll assays out over the course of quarter four (Q4) 2023 and well into quarter 1 (Q1) 2024."

According to Stillwater, the company has several highlights to report, including the recent expansion of the NI 43-101 resource, completion of its sixth drill hole in the current program, and multiple points of sulfide mineralization visible in core to date.

Additionally, the company has stated it is encouraged by the work Heritage Mining is doing on Stillwater's Drayton-Black Lake gold project in Ontario, which is the subject of an earn-in agreement.

The company reports that certain prior drill holes have returned as much as 2.89% of recovered nickel equivalent (NiEq) over 13.2 meters, and this is the area and the structures being targeted this year. According to Stillwater, the company is using geological models based on Dr. Danie Grobler's model of South Africa's Platreef district, a decision based on similarities between the two regions.

According to Dr. Grobler, the Vice President of Exploration, "We have successfully intercepted multiple targeted mineralized zones that were predicted in our updated exploration model and are very pleased with what we see in the core at Stillwater West. The current drill campaign is the first to incorporate detailed structural and stratigraphic models from very similar mineralization in South Africa's Bushveld Igneous Complex in the Stillwater Igneous Complex."

Critical Minerals in Demand

Rick Mills of Ahead of the Herd has provided some coverage of critical minerals, which are essential to decarbonization efforts around the world.

According to Mills, "For the U.S., the world's leading economy, securing reliable supplies for these minerals is especially important to not only sustain its dominance but also shed its supply reliance on key rivals like China."

Mills reports that the conflict in Ukraine incentivized the construction of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). According to Mills, demand, supported by legislation, for designated critical minerals, such as graphite and copper, is expected to go up.

Encouraging Investments

Couloir Capital covers the company and said in June, "We are encouraged by the strategic investment in Stillwater Critical Minerals by mining major Glencore. The CA$4.94 million investment for a 9.99% ownership stake values Stillwater at CA$49.4 million or CA$0.25/share; this is a 47% premium to the closing price a day before the announcement."

The company reports that it is expecting the possibility of some deals on its secondary brownfield properties and that it is optimistic due to the upward trend in demand for North American critical minerals.

Ownership and Share Structure

Reuters provided a breakdown of the company's ownership and share structure, where insiders own 8.51% of the company. According to Reuters, Executive Chairman Gregory Shawn Johnson owns 3.28% with 5.83 million shares of the company, President, CEO, and director Michael Victor Rowley owns 2.81% with 5.01 million shares, Independent Director Gregor John Hamilton owns 1.82% with 3.25 million shares, Independent Director Gordon L. Toll owns 0.56% with 1.00 million shares, and Vice President of Exploration Daniel F. Grobler owns 0.04% with 0.06 million shares.

According to Reuters, institutions own 12.31% of the company. U.S. Global Investors, Inc. owns 1.12% with 2.00 million shares, and Plutos Vermogensverwaltung AG owns 0.09% with 0.16 million shares.

Glencore Canada Corp owns 9.99% of the company with 19.76 million shares, as a strategic investor.

Stillwater Critical Minerals reports that it has over CA$6 million in cash and cash equivalents.

According to Stillwater Critical Minerals, there are 36 million warrants out.

Reuters reports that the company has 198 million shares outstanding. According to Reuters, the company has a market cap of CA$37.5 million and trades in the 52-week period between CA$0.19 and CA$0.28.

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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.

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Source: Streetwise Reports

September 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Expert investor Bob Moriarty shares his insights on three precious metals mining companies, with special excitement for New Found Gold's grassroots discovery in Newfoundland.

Bob Moriarty, founder of 321gold.com, recently spoke with Streetwise Reports about promising mining companies, one which he believes has the potential to be the most significant gold discovery in decades. (More details below.)

Moriarty has over 16 years of experience in precious metals and mining stocks. His insights provide valuable perspective for investors looking to capitalize on new discoveries and undervalued assets.

Gold and Silver Still Offer Value

Regarding the silver market, Moriarty reflected on the dramatic crash in 2020. Although blamed on COVID-19, he believes the decline began earlier in 2019. Moriarty recalled respected analyst Bob Hoye of Charts and Market's prediction that the silver-to-gold ratio could hit 115 to 1. At the time, Moriarty was skeptical, but silver ultimately plunged below US$12/oz in March 2020. The ratio exceeded 130 to 1 briefly.

Moriarty cautioned that if another crash occurs, it may be the last great silver buying opportunity. Hoye predicts the ratio could fall again soon, perhaps from now through October.

Despite rising prices, Moriarty insists gold and silver remain reasonably valued compared to housing, stamps, and cars over the past 40-50 years. If fiat currencies stumble, Moriarty expects strong demand for real assets like precious metals. "There is nothing more real than gold and silver," he stated. Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (DV:TSX.V; DOLLF:OTCQX)

Dolly Varden Silver Corp - High-Grade Potential

Moriarty highlighted Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (DV:TSX.V; DOLLF:OTCQX) as an attractive silver investment. Their Kitsault Valley project in British Columbia contains advanced high-grade silver and gold deposits.

Additional discoveries are likely along favorable structures. Major institutional investors own 50% of Dolly Varden. Moriarty has been an active shareholder for years and praises recent progress. With silver prices lagging gold, he believes Dolly Varden offers speculation on an eventual catch-up.

Institutional investors have 50% of Dolly Varden's stock.

Fury Gold Mines Ltd. (FURY-T) owns 23.37% of the company with 59.5 million shares, Hecla Mining Co. (HL:NYSE) owns 10.62% with 27.04 million shares, 2176423 Ontario Ltd. owns 10.07% with 25.63 million shares, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC owns 6.68% with 17.00 million shares, and ETF Managers Group LLC owns 2.83% with 7.20 million shares.

Sprott Asset Management LP owns 2.13% with 5.44 million shares, U.S. Global Investors Inc. owns 1.28% with 3.25 million shares, Mirae Asset Global Investments owns 1.16% with 2.96 million shares, DWS Investment GmbH owns 0.29% with 0.75 million shares, and Charteris Treasury Portfolio Management owns 0.2% with 0.5 million shares.

According to Market Watch, Dolly Varden has a market cap of CA$191.01 million, with 254.68 million shares outstanding. It trades in the 52-week range between CA$0.36 and CA$1.24.

Eloro Resources Ltd - Giant Bolivian Silver Discovery

Another company Moriarty recommends is Eloro Resources Ltd. (ELO:TSX.V; ELRRF:OTCBB), which recently announced an initial resource estimate on its Iska Iska project in Bolivia. Although the market reacted negatively to the delayed results, Moriarty sees enormous long-term potential. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-440]

Iska Iska likely hosts a multi-billion ounce silver deposit related to a large mineralized system. Eloro must now attract further investment to properly explore and develop this world-class asset.

According to Reuters, 17.85% of the company is held by management and insiders.

CEO Thomas Larsen has 9.14%, with 7.03 million. Independent Director Francis Sauve has 2.34%, with 1.80 million. VP and Secretary-Treasurer Jorge Estepa has 1.95%, with 1.50 million, and CFO Miles Nagamatsu has 1.73%, with 1.33 million.

Institutional investors hold 17.95%. Crescat Capital LLC has the most in this category at 15.59%, with 11.98 million shares, and Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. has 2.36%, with 1.81 million.

The rest is with retail investors. New Found Gold Corp.'s (NFG:TSX.V; NFGC:NYSE.American).

Market Watch notes Eloro has a market cap of CA$157.39 million and 76.77 million shares outstanding. It trades in the 52-week range between CA$1.97 and CA$4.29.

New Found Gold Corp - Potentially the Best Discovery in Decades

But Moriarty reserved his greatest excitement for New Found Gold Corp.'s (NFG:TSX.V; NFGC:NYSE.American).

Their wholly-owned Queensway project near Gander, Newfoundland, has yielded multiple high-grade gold discoveries along the Appleton Fault Zone.

Moriarty called New Found's first drill hole a "homerun" and applauded the young management team's exceptional exploration success.

With continued positive results over a 4.1 km corridor, he believes Queensway could become the most significant new gold discovery in 20 or even 50 years.

For investors seeking maximum upside potential, Moriarty sees New Found Gold as one of the safest and most promising gold mining stocks available.

Their field-based exploration expertise in a top Canadian mining jurisdiction makes additional spectacular discoveries likely.

According to Reuters, management and insiders own 5.25% of the company.

Founder, CEO, and Chairman Collin Kettell has 2.90%, with 5.16 million shares, and President Denis Laviolette has 1.22%, with 2.18 million.

39.97% is with strategic investors.

Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. has 26.30%, with 46.77 million shares. Sprott Mining Inc. has 13.67%, with 24.30 million, and 2176423 Ontario Ltd. has 4.98%, with 8.86 million.

Institutional investors hold 3.53%.

Van Eck Associates Corp. has 2.71%, with 4.81 million shares, and Integrated Advisors Network LLC has 0.38%, with 0.68 million.

The rest is with retail investors.

New Found Gold has a market cap of CA$1.07 billion, according to Market Watch, and 178.25 million shares outstanding.

It trades in the 52-week range between CA$4.03 and CA$7.60.

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A Lincoln man who failed to deliver on fencing contracts in southeast Nebraska was given an additional two weeks to repay money he accepted for contracting work that was never completed several years ago.

Travis Kechely, 35, was sentenced in July on 10 counts of attempted theft by deception valued at $1,500-$5,000 to a total of four years on probation and ordered to pay $50,844.50 to the victims in the case.

According to documents filed in district court, $5,400 of the restitution was to be paid by applying Kechelys bond money to the final balance.

Documents state Kechely, who was not present for Thursdays hearing, did not complete a bond assignment as anticipated by the restitution and plea agreement, and bond funds totaling $5,218 were returned to him.

On July 19 Kechelys attorney was notified that the money had been mistakenly sent to Kechely instead of being paid to the county attorneys office.

On Aug. 4, the probation office notified the county attorney that Kechely said he was unable to pay the bond money back because he had spent it and would need 90 days to repay the amount.

Gage County Chief Deputy Attorney Amanda Spracklen-Hogan said that most of the $5,400 has been repaid, and asked for a two-week continuance in the case.

Mr. Kechely has been in touch with probation, in fact he made a substantial payment of the remaining bond money that had been returned to him and he only owes a remainder of $644.50 since making a payment (Wednesday), she said. He had contacted our office and is working with probation, said he gets paid on Friday and asked for an extension until Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. and said he can have the remaining $644.50 paid by that date.

District Court Judge Rick Shreiner granted the continuance in the case.

Kechely was initially charged with three counts of theft by deception over $5,000, 10 counts theft by deception $1,500-$5,000, two counts theft by deception $500-$1,500 and issuing a bad check.

Per a plea agreement reached in May, Kechely was ultimately charged with the 10 counts of attempted theft by deception and the remaining charges were dismissed.

According to court documents, police began investigating Kechely in December 2020 after they were informed that a fencing company, Patriot Fencing, was taking deposits of at least 50% for jobs and then never starting the projects.

Police posted on social media asking anyone who had been a victim of fraud by the company to contact police. More than 16 victims came forward.

The majority were determined to have paid deposits in the spring and summer of 2020 for fencing projects that were never started.
Source: Richard Ryan

September 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This U.S. company, with a robust pipeline of products and some on the market, is near turning profitable, noted an Oak Ridge Financial report.

BioLargo Inc. (BLGO:OTCQB) caught the attention of Oak Ridge Financial as it just initiated research coverage on the cleantech solutions firm with a Buy rating, reported analyst Richard Ryan in a September 12 note.

"BioLargo's strategic focus on finding/creating sustainable environmental solutions tap into very large market opportunities ... initial commercialization results are starting to attract investor attention," Ryan wrote.

The California-based company invents, develops, and commercializes novel platform technologies to solve global environmental problems, including control of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), industrial odors, air quality, and infections, as well as advanced treatment of water and wastewater, explained Ryan.

Notable Investor Return

Along with a Buy rating, Oak Ridge Financial assigned a target price of US$0.35 per share to BioLargo, the current share price of which is about US$0.18, noted Ryan.

The difference between these two prices implies an attractive potential return for investors of 94%.

Key Points About Company

Ryan presented three factors that make BioLargo a compelling investment.

1) Strategic business model. The company's hub-and-spoke business model involves inventing or acquiring a product, proving it out, partnering with related third parties, and then commercializing the product. As such, BioLargo has numerous subsidiaries and partners, including Garratt-Callahan, the largest privately owned industrial water treatment company in North America.

"By structuring the company and commercializing technologies through operating subsidiaries, BioLargo diversifies overall risk while providing solutions to diversified end markets," Ryan wrote.

2) Profitability on horizon. BioLargo is expected to turn profitable in the late fiscal year 2025, by which time a significant number of retailers are expected to have secured contracts and orders for Pooph, the company's pet odor control product. BioLargo's marketing partner Ikigai anticipates having 20,000-plus retail stores under contract by year-end 2023. After the commercial rollout of Pooph began late last year, it generated US$3.1 million ($3.1M) in Q1/23 and US$798,000 in Q2/23 in sales.

Another of BioLargo's products already on the market is CupriDyne Clean, its industrial odor remover.

3) More products, multiple shots on goal. The next BioLargo product likely to start generating revenue is Bioclynse, a copper iodine wound-healing irrigation solution, for which the majority-owned subsidiary Clyra Medical Technologies is currently seeking a national channel partnership with a medical product distributor.

"Based on our estimates, we believe that the projected success of Pooph, alongside the current valuation of Clyra Medical, provides investors with underlying support and a conservative degree of upside, while the diverse array of technologies within BioLargo's portfolio offers investors an interesting 'call option,' if you will," Ryan wrote.

Other BioLargo products include:

Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC), for removing PFAS from water

Advanced Oxidation System (AOS), a water treatment device

Sodium Sulfur Long-Duration Energy Storage, a battery alternative to lithium-ion

"BioLargo has established an impressive pipeline of technologies that are in various stages of development," Ryan wrote. "Over 100 government grants, numerous pilot projects, and over 20 patents in air, water and infection discoveries have been advanced."

Current Financial Highlights

Ryan highlighted that BioLargo's revenue in H1/23 of US$5.2M was up 127% year over year. This amount compares to full-year 2022 revenue of US$5.9M.

The company's net loss for Q2/23 was US$1.6M versus US$1.3M in Q2/22 and $494,000 in Q1/23.

Regarding capitalization, BioLargo has 287M common shares outstanding and 148M reserved shares. Only 0.54% of shares are owned by institutions.

Who Comprises Management

At the helm is Dennis P. Calvert, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the parent company BioLargo Inc. and chairman of the board.

Other executives include Joseph L. Provenzano, the founder, president and CEO of ONM Environmental, one of BioLargo's operating segments.

Randall Moore is the president of BioLargo Engineering, Science & Technologies, providing engineering support to all corporate entities.

Dr. Richard Smith oversees research and development efforts at BioLargo Water, another supporting entity.

BioLargo's engineering team has decades of experience, including employment at the global industrial groups, CB&I and The Shaw Group, Ryan noted. This benefits BioLargo greatly, given that engineering is at the forefront of what it does.

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Cork Chamber of Commerce has been a champion for the business community and a strong advocate for the economic development of the Cork region for more than 200 years.

First established in a period of historical turbulence, the Chamber became a driver of the local economy, which in the 1820s would have included brewing, distilling, wool and shipbuilding.

Cork's docklands today, with the ultra-modern One Albert Quay and Navigation Square reflected in the River Lee. Picture: David Creedon / Anzenberger

With improvements in road infrastructure and gas lighting, local newspapers such as the Cork Constitution, first published in 1823, and the Cork Examiner, in 1841, coincided with the arrival of the railway to the city in 1849, and the opening of what is now University College Cork the same year.

Historian and current Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthys book, Championing Cork, Cork Chamber of Commerce, 1819-2019, traces the organisations first meeting on November 8, 1819, where a group of subscribers of the new chamber met at Mr Shinkwin's Rooms  later the site of the Victoria Hotel on St Patricks Street  to discuss the rules of governance based on liberal principles.

Kieran was commissioned to research the history of the Chamber, and draws on the records in Cork City and County archives, and from its press coverage over 200 years.

It highlights the big stories of Cork Chambers past but also the subtler elements  the conversations, speeches and messages, in addition to the creativity, the elements of empowerment  the intangible pulses, which drive an institution forward.

That first Chamber meeting was chaired by a Mr Murphy while Alex McCarthy presided at the inaugural general meeting of 13 November. A set of rules for the organisation was drawn up and it is significant the word chamber was used in the antique sense  it being the intention of the organisation to literally provide a room where merchants  local and visiting  could assemble to conduct business.

It was also envisaged that the chamber would act as a repository of commercial intelligence and accordingly, newspapers were provided daily. Many of the members were glass manufacturers, distillers, butter and tallow chandlers, woollen manufacturers and food processors.

Even today much nineteenth-century architecture is still evident in many areas of the city such as the neo-Georgian and Victorian buildings that now house banks and department stores.

The Victorian influence is noticeable in place names such as Victoria Cross, after Queen Victoria, Albert Quay, after Prince Albert and the Victoria Hospital on the Old Blackrock Road.

Celebrating Cork's best companies over 25 years

The decision to launch the Cork Company of the Year awards in 1998 was a natural step for Cork Chamber of Commerce, having played a key supportive role in the success of the companies it was celebrating.

Like many other major cities around the world, the pace of change for business communities really took off from the 1950s onwards, driven by the Industrial Revolution, with the advent of machinery that would accelerate the evolution of everything from manufacturing to rail, road, sea and air transport.

Cork Airport's second terminal. Pictire@ Daragh Mac Sweeney/Provision

In 2019, as Cork Chamber took time to reflect upon 200 years of evolution in Cork city and county, it was clear to the then Cork Chamber President, Paula Cogan, also the CEO of Cognate Health, that the city was at another important moment in its development.

Although much has changed over the course of our history, the core role of the Chamber has remained the same, she said. As a business representative organisation, the Chamber has consistently worked for the betterment of trading conditions and the economic development of the region.

"Cork has faced a number of watershed moments in history, and the Chamber has always done its best to navigate these challenging times and ensure that trade and commerce were given the best possible opportunity to flourish.

"As we enter our 200th year, we are once again facing a landmark moment in history, as the UK plans its departure from the European Union. 'Brexit' has created huge uncertainties for businesses in Ireland, be they small or large, indigenous or foreign-owned.

"Our trading history has been intricately linked to the UK, as the early chapters of this book will illustrate. However, Cork is a city that has always been inspired and influenced by other cultures from much further afield than just the UK, and this international perspective has enhanced our city's culture for hundreds of years.

As it moves into the next centenary, the Chamber's vision is to make Cork the best place for business and community groups., she added.

But this vision does not stop at economics and commerce. Our recent Future Forms project saw 1000 children from our local schools creating their artistic visions of Cork in 200 years, many of which green spaces, climate change and sustainable living and transport, as well as high-rise homes and greater use of our river.

"Cork Chamber's future activities will drive an agenda that will ensure that sustainability, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we, and our members, do. This includes a strong and collaborative partnership between all stakeholders, from local government and state bodies, to business, cultural and community organisations.

Now entering a brand new quarter century, the awards recognise the diversity and vibrancy that exists in the Cork business community.

Launching of Irish Elm at Verolme Dockyard, Rushbrooke, Co Cork in 1967.

The awards are held in association with Vodafone and the Irish Examiner.

Looking back over the past 25 years, these awards have revealed some outstanding stories of success with winners representing the vast diversity of our Cork business community, from green tech to pharma, from IT to food and beverage, Cork Chamber's current president Ronan Murray said.

He added that the first winner crowned in 1998, Musgraves, is one of Europes most successful family-owned businesses. Over 184 foreign investors have decided to locate in Cork, building strong industry clusters and employing more than 43,000 people in the region.

Cork delivers top-class talent with its two regional universities, University College Cork (UCC) and Munster Technological University (MTU), having a combined total over 40,000 students.

With our members as our motivation, we champion Cork as a globally recognised place for business, innovation and quality of life. Working together we empower and support a successful and inclusive membership who drive a thriving Cork.

As outlined in the Chamber's Strategic Plan: Our vision is to be a world-leading Chamber of Commerce, delivering on a progressive, economic, social and sustainability agenda at the heart of a vibrant business community. Dynamic, Inspiring, Responsible, and Purposeful are the core values that define operations at Cork Chamber and will enable it to best represent almost 1,200 members and champion Cork.

Keeping Cork at the centre of a new industrial revolution

At the 204th Cork Chamber AGM earlier this year, an era of exciting change ahead for Cork was conveyed to assembled members.

It really speaks volumes to the confidence businesses have in both the Irish and indeed Corks economy, in its people, its talent and ultimately its business environment that it continues to attract global companies and spurs indigenous entrepreneurs to invest in our city region, Ronan Murray pointed out.

A vision for the citys future depicted Cork as a lighthouse city with sustainability at its core.

He said advancements needed to progress the city in areas such as infrastructure were a top priority for Chamber: Cork has the potential to be a global renewable energy hub and the Chamber ensured that at the highest levels of government, the investments needed to develop the port and energy infrastructure to deliver on this promise were prioritised.

He pledged that Cork Chamber would continue to work tirelessly to secure the necessary investment needed in housing and infrastructure: We need to continue to work with Government and our elected representatives to deliver the investments in housing and infrastructure that will make sure our city region is attractive to talent and investment and position ourselves to be at the forefront of a fourth industrial revolution.
Ryanair has announced that it will be removing all of its most environmentally-friendly aircraft from Dublin Airport and reducing routes this winter due a dispute with operator daa over a lack of incentives and increasing costs.

In total, 19 of the airlines Dublin-based Gamechanger fleet will be moved to alternative EU airports and 17 routes will be cut with the frequency of other routes, particularly provincial routes to the UK, also being reduced.

Ryanair said they are moving the aircraft to airports that are incentivising airlines to grow passenger numbers with quieter and lower-emission aircraft.

However, daa hit back strongly against the airline saying that environmental incentives are set to be rolled out and that there are already support schemes available to airlines, such as the Traffic Recovery Support Scheme (TRSS) of which Ryanair is the largest beneficiary.

Daa also dismissed Ryanairs claims that it was increasing airport charges by 45% by 2026 saying the charges are set to increase by just 6% next year.

Eddie Wilson, chief executive of Ryanair, said airports across Europe have lowered charges and implemented incentive passenger growth schemes for lower-emission aircraft and they will be moving its aircraft to airports that are offering these schemes.

These planes are expected to be moved to airports in Spain and Italy among other countries.

Mr Wilson said there are no incentives at Dublin Airport to grow traffic or reward investment in aircraft with lower carbon emissions and noise.

Unlike most other EU airports, the daa is unfortunately focused on increasing passenger charges, he said.

He added that Dublin Airport will have smaller aircraft that wont be as fuel-efficient as a result of this decision.

The airline has accused daa of mismanagement of the airport and failing to deliver a meaningful environmental incentive scheme.

In May, the daa announced plans to cut runway charges by 25% for airlines that operate the quietest and most environmentally friendly aircraft in a bid to incentivise their uptake. It is also proposing to charge those who fly high emissions aircraft more.

However, Mr Wilson said that daa may be implementing these measures but they are increasing costs for airlines elsewhere.

"What we want the daa to do is to at least freeze charges, and put in incentives for airlines. Put in an environmental scheme, Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said the 17 routes lost this winter will be mostly to central and eastern Europe.

"That all is going to feed into less tourism, less jobs and less connectivity, he said.

List of routes Ryanair has cancelled from Dublin Airport this winter.

Carcassonne, France

Nuremberg, Germany

Billund, Denmark

Bournemouth, UK

Castellon, Spain

Genova, Italy

Klagenfurt, Austria

Kosice, Slovakia

Leipzig, Germany

Asturias, Spain

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Palanga, Lithuania

Palermo, Italy

Sibiu, Romania

Santigo, Spain

Suceava, Romania

Szczecin, Poland

Mr Wilson said he expects the reduction in routes to lead to a drop in passenger numbers of 10% from Dublin this winter.

When asked about whether the reduction in routes means prices will go up, Mr Wilson said where youve got less of anything and youve got demand, well then prices could rise.

Earlier this year, the daa began a High Court action against the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) seeking to increase its passenger charges. Ryanair and Aer Lingus are opposing daas action.

Airport charges are paid by airlines for the use of airport facilities and are payable for aircraft landing, freight, and other charges relating to the use of airport infrastructure such as runways and passenger terminals. They are calculated on a per-passenger basis.

Daa were seeking to up its current 8.11 price cap to 13.68 over the next four years.

In a statement, Kenny Jacobs, chief executive of daa, said that he was surprised and disappointed that Ryanair were moving aircraft out of Dublin Airport as they could have paid even lower charges if it availed of the sustainability incentives it has proposed for 2024.

I am baffled why any airline with sustainability ambitions would choose to turn down the opportunity to operate lower CO emission and less noisy aircraft at Dublin Airport by turning down the new discount schemes, he said.

On the incentives and supports offered to airlines at Dublin Airport, Mr Jacobs said that the TRSS scheme has facilitated the speedy 100% bounce back in activity at Dublin Airport post-covid and that it will remain in place for another 6 months.

We can understand why Ryanair would like to see it remain in place beyond next March, but we are happy that Dublin Airports growth has recovered to pre-pandemic levels and we do not need to incentivise new growth given Dublin Airport has a planning capacity limit of 32 million passengers per annum, he said.

Ryanair is also objecting to the construction of a tunnel at Dublin Airport reportedly costing over 200m which it labelled a vanity project.

Mr Jacobs said the building of the tunnel is essentially a safety project which will contribute to effective and efficient airfield operations.
European wholesale gas prices surged after a drop in flows to the biggest US liquefaction terminal, underscoring the markets continued sensitivity to supply risks. Prices rose 3.5%.

Flows to the Sabine Pass LNG plant in Louisiana dropped about 18% from a day earlier, and Cheniere Energy, the plant's operator, declined to comment.
Research on goose barnacles, by zoologists at the University of Florida and the University of Galway, offers a glimmer of hope that one of aviations greatest mysteries may yet be solved.

On March 8, 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, with 239 passengers and crew on board, left Kuala Lumpur airport bound for Beijing. One of the pilots spoke to air traffic control 38 minutes later when the plane was over the South China Sea. All seemed well.

Then, suddenly, secondary radar contact ceased, although military radar managed to track the aircraft for a further 200km. Having wandered from its intended flight path, the plane disappeared without trace. There were no survivors.

Estimated flight path of Flight MH370, search areas, and locations of identified debris. Picture: Advancing Earth and Space Sciences

Had the pilots, somehow, lost consciousness? If so, the plane might have continued flying on autopilot until its fuel ran out. The circle of locations, somewhere along which the aircraft may have crashed, is dubbed the seventh arc.

A year after the planes disappearance, a flaperon from MA370 was washed ashore on the coast of Reunion off East Africa. Zoologist Gregory Herbert, seeing the metal sheet on television, noticed that there were goose barnacles on it.

He knew that barnacle shells, which grow constantly, have a layered growth-ring structure, similar to tree rings. Also, the precise chemical composition of a layer is determined by the temperature of the water when it is being formed.

Analysing the barnacle shells, therefore, would reveal the temperatures of the seas through which the flaperon had drifted. Sea temperatures vary along the seventh arc... so barnacle data might help investigators determine roughly where the crash occurred.

Howdy-this is a call out to anyone who spots goose barnacles over the coming weeks in counties Clare, Galway, Mayo (IRELAND)? If they are stranded alive, we would love to come pick them up for our research (age and growth studies) please DM me? Thank you! pic.twitter.com/t1HZuubX49  Dr Anne Marie Power (@BarnacleHunt) August 30, 2023

Barnacles, contrary to popular belief, are crustaceans  relatives of crabs and lobsters. Goose barnacles, unlike the familiar acorn species of rocky shores, live below the tidal zone. Long flexible stalks attach them to floating objects such as boats. The attractive 5cm-long shells are bluish-grey.

Gerald of Wales, the gullible Norman cleric who visited Ireland twice in the 12th century, was told that geese are born, fully developed, from them, hence the name barnacle goose.

The prohibition on eating meat on fast days didnt extend to them here: goose flesh was deemed to be shellfish at that time.

Barnacles growing in a controlled environment as part of a growth experiment for the study. Picture: University of South Florida

Herbert contacted barnacle expert, Dr Anne Marie Power at UCG. She obtained 46 goose barnacles, from a piece of driftwood at Fanore beach and studied them in the laboratory to establish the relationship between oxygen isotopes in their shells and sea surface temperatures.

Airplane wreckage encrusted with barnacles was found after the disappearance of Flight MH370. Gregory Herbert at the @USouthFlorida asked @BarnacleHunt, from @uniofgalway, for help with the research.



Read the full story: https://t.co/BebhSNtri0



Credit: @NatGeo, @USouthFlorida pic.twitter.com/mlTFbtyOtn  Ollscoil na Gaillimhe | University of Galway (@uniofgalway) August 31, 2023

The largest barnacles on the MH370 wreckage, the investigators think, probably became attached soon after the plane crashed. As the flaperon drifted, the temperatures of the seas through which it drifted could be deduced from the composition of the shells.

UCG oceanographers, who keep track of ocean temperatures, might then be able to work out the possible route the flaperon had taken, narrowing down the search area for the stricken plane.

The larger barnacles on the flaperon, however, have yet to be released by the French authorities.

Image taken from video, shows a piece of debris from a plane on July 29, 2015, in Saint-Andre, Reunion. Air safety investigators identified the component as a 'flaperon' from a Boeing 777 wing. Flight 370 is the only 777 known to be missing. Picture: Reunion 1ere via AP

"The isotope thermometer is now calibrated for Lepus barnacle shells and there is a new methodology for constraining where the plane debris lay," Anne Marie Power told National Geographic.
Charlie Bird has won an international award for his fundraiser, Climb with Charlie, which took place last year.

The former RTE chief news correspondent raised over 3.6m following his Croagh Patrick climb which he said was one of the most remarkable days in his life.

Today, the major fundraiser won an award at the Global Alliance's World Public Relations and Communication Awards.

It was the only entry to be shortlisted for the awards which features major firms and agencies from over 100 countries.

President Michael D Higgins was among those to congratulate Bird on the win.

President Higgins posted a photo of himself with Bird and their dogs at Aras an Uachtarain along with the message: "Congratulations to Charlie Bird and all involved with the Climb with Charlie campaign following its award of Best Non-For-Profit Campaign at the World Public Relations and Communiation Awards 2023."

Bird set up the campaign after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the money raised went to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta.

Thousands of people joined the campaign with over 150 climbs taking place in locations around the country with corresponding walks also taking place in the US, Canada, England, Australia and Dubai.

President Michael D Higgins with Charlie Bird and his wife Claire Mould with a copy of his book Climb with Charlie at Aras an Uachtarain. File picture: Maxwells

Climb with Charlie was submitted to the awards by Bird's friend Paul Allen of the PR firm, Paul Allen and Associates, which was the lead communications team behind the initiative.

Allen said the team are over the moon for Bird saying how the campaign had started as a simple idea and went on to raise millions for two great charities.

A friend of Bird's, Allen said: "We decided to give something back, volunteer our time, put our shoulder to the wheel and donate eight months of professional services to manage Climb With Charlie."

Since his diagnosis, Bird has spent a great deal of time raising awareness about MND and raising money for various charities.

He has also encouraged others to give back and "extend the hand of friendship" to one another.

Bird turned 74 earlier this month and posted a message ahead of his birthday saying "in a way a miracle has happened to me".

"I can't really believe it. Around this time last year I said I didn't think I would see another birthday," he said in the video featuring his beloved pup, Tiger, sitting on his knee.

"But the love from Claire, my daughters, all my RTE colleagues and the love and kindness that has been shown to be by people right across this country has helped to keep me alive.

"It has been amazing. There are no words to describe it. Yes, in the last while, my Motor Neurone Disease has seriously deteriorated.

"But every day I live, I want to keep raising awareness and extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places. These are not glib words. I really do love everyone.

"And, of course, I cannot forget Tiger. It is a miracle the way he looks after me."

In recent weeks, he led the campaign for Bewley's Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice which took place today.

Last month, Bird revealed that he is receiving hospice care at his Wicklow home saying that "every day is a struggle for me now".

I want to make one thing very clear: when my time comes, I want to pass away at home surrounded by my family  and the hospice care team say they will look after me there, he said.

Addressing people who had been recently diagnosed with MND, he said people should live each day at a time and fight as hard as you can.

Encouraging people to support the important work of hospices, he said: "None of us knows in this life when we might need hospice care.

"So please, extend the hand of friendship and support the hospice wherever they are in the country."
Lorraine Carew was outside Leinster House on Wednesday. She travelled from Shannon, Co Clare, for the day  not, she said, to protest, but to hurry along a promise already made.

Ms Carew is among the estimated 100,000 homeowners who were sold a pup.

Fully believing that the State was regulating the construction of homes, she bought an apartment in the Bru na Sionna estate in 2017.

Within 10 months of closing the deal, she was asked to attend a meeting about the discovery of major fire safety defects in the development.

Since, her life has been freighted with worry, over the safety of the home she shares with her husband, over the possibility that the developments management company will sue her because she hasnt stumped up to fix the defects.

She doesnt have the 28,000 she is told she must pay.

In any event, the Government has committed to paying it for her, but there is no sign whatsoever of that happening despite repeated reassurances that all this is being taken care of.

The minister committed to us last January that the money would be there but we have seen no real progress, she said.

We were promised full redress and were told the money is there but they just havent moved along the process.

These things take time, but the plight of apartment owners affected by fire safety defects has now been going on for up to a decade and they are being told that it might be another decade before it is fully resolved.

Ms Carew is among the cohort for whom more immediate action was promised.

Last year, Housing Minister Darragh OBrien established a redress scheme that is expected to oversee a budget of around 2.5bn.

Its going to be a long haul, but there are some who need immediate assistance.

For those who have already paid out to have their homes remediated the minister has promised retrospective compensation.

Others whose homes are deemed unsafe have received assurances that emergency measures will be put in place.

So far, there has been little sign of advancing these issues.

Ms Carew and her fellow owners in the Not Our Fault group believe that without constant pressure on the Government, their case will be put on the back burner.

History and the general approach to governance suggest that their analysis is spot on.

Mr OBrien has engaged with the various groups that have grown up out of the issue.

Recently he took part in a webinar attended by around 400 owners.

He accepted that there was urgency with some parts of the scheme.

About a third of apartments and duplexes with fire safety defects and water ingress we estimate have been remediated and I can assure [you] that the relevant costs will be covered if they have paid out already.

Mr OBrien also accepted that the interim measures would be required to make some homes safe.

Short-term work is important and we want to see what type of work can be done, he told the owners.

It will ensure we can move forward and finance the interim measures to ensure that homes will be safe.

We are working through this.

We still aim to have this open in the autumn, the end of October, beginning of November.

There are complexities but we have to work through the process.

To be fair to Mr OBrien, he has engaged in the issue to a greater extent than any of his predecessors.

However, action to reinforce the words is still required.

While things should be moving on these short-term measures, and the legislation to put the redress scheme on a statutory footing is being prepared, there are mounting problems around how long homeowners will have to wait.

As with other elements of housing right now, the money will be there but there are issues around capacity.

Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland vice president Kevin Hollingworth has been involved in assessing defects for over a decade now.

There is an issue with personnel in terms of appropriately qualified and experienced professionals and contractors, he said.

Thats why its going to be a 10-year problem and when you consider this is coming on top of the industry, in general, trying to build a lot more houses. This will not be fixed in a year or two.

Another issue that is impacting this area is professional indemnity insurance for construction professionals working in fire safety.

Since the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, premiums for fire safety professionals have gone through the roof. Much of this is attributable to construction issues around cladding, which is largely a British problem, and does not arise on this island.

However, the insurance sector for this country is largely governed by British companies and no distinction is made for Irish engineers, architects, and surveyors seeking cover.

Companies and brokers are now shying away from offering that cover.

One letter sent by a broker to a fire safety engineer recently, and seen by the Irish Examiner, points out: Since about 2018 it has been extremely difficult to place PI insurance for fire safety engineers.

Even non-fire safety engineers, architects, and construction professionals have also lost the ability for the most part to procure this type of cover.

[Company name] has approached the only other market we have for placing PI cover for engineers that your existing broker has not already approached. That was NBS and advised below they have unfortunately declined to quote. At this time there is nothing further we can do to assist you in procuring professional indemnity insurance.

This presents problems right across the construction industry, particularly to the redress scheme as fire safety, along with water ingress, is the principal area of defects.

It remains to be seen whether the situation will improve with indemnity insurance but as of now it is adding to the expected length of time it will take for full redress to be effected.

In February 2015, this newspaper reported on fire safety defects in the Longboat Quay development in Dublins docklands.

This was the first sign that defects that led to the evacuation of Priory Hall in 2011 were not an isolated case.

At the time, the general line coming from the construction industry was that Priory Hall was attributable to a rogue developer, former hunger striker Tom McFeeley. It couldnt happen again. And then it did in Longboat Quay. And dominos began to tumble.

Over eight years and nearly 100,000 apartments down the line, things are still moving at a snails pace. The homeowners who placed their trust in the State deserve more than that.
Security at Leinster House is to be kept under review in the face of aggressive protests towards TDs and senators outside the Dail on Wednesday.

In the aftermath, 13 people were arrested in connection with the protests outside Leinster House.

TDs and staff were held up in cars for over an hour before being allowed to leave the premises 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.

Several protestors were seen running alongside the cars as they exited while others chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

Protesters took mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians to the demonstration.

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 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 featured.

No place for 'racist' language

Independent TD Micheal Healy-Rae said there was no place in society for the racist language used by protesters outside Leinster House on Wednesday.

Mr Healy-Rae said he had no problem with people saying politicians are doing no good and protesting outside the Dail  but there had been no need to escalate to that level of violence.

There is no need to be shouting dirty language. The language they were using is what I would call the racist language  we should have no place in society for that, he told Newstalks Hard Shoulder programme.

Michael Healy-Rae with gardai moments after being confronted by protesters near Leinster House on the first day of the Dail

The Kerry TD also told of the experience of an American student who had just started an internship in Leinster House to learn about Irish politics.

Forget about me for a minute. Think about that young girl  she's a young girl and she was shoved, and she was pushed. And all Id say is that when it started, she had her mobile phone firmly in her pocket, and when that altercation finished, her mobile phone was gone.

It didn't fall out of her pocket because she said that that didn't happen  the girl knew from the way she had it in her pocket, he said.

When asked if he thought her phone had been stolen by the protestors, Mr Healy-Rae said he did and it was unfortunate this had been her experience on her first day in the Dail.

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. Picture: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

'Profoundly anti-democratic'

Elsewhere, on Newstalk Breakfast, Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik described the protest as profoundly anti-democratic.

She said it was important people have the right to protest and the right to assemble outside the parliament, but the individuals involved had engaged in violence and harassment.

They blocked and obstructed members of the Oireachtas and dignitaries from entering their cars, and they prevented other peaceful demonstrations from going ahead. I know of at least two other planned political events that had to be cancelled because of the risk to safety. And it's really unacceptable, this sort of obstruction," she said.

Ms Bacik said she supported a call for a review of security arrangements, not just of the protest that took place on Wednesday but also of threatening and intimidating behaviour online.

The Labour leader said she had seen protests in the past spill over into obstructive, threatening, intimidating events but Wednesdays events indicated far-right groups were attempting to spread a message of hate.

She said it was a cause for concern that far-right groups were attempting to stoke racism on social media platforms, which made it important for such platforms to take much more proactive steps to prevent attacks and indeed to take down disinformation".

We need to review how we can ensure a safe entry and exit from the parliament, from the building. This is a complex where many people work, quite apart from public representatives, the large number of people who are working as political staff and they need to have safe access and entry to work," she concluded.

A large Garda presence at the protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday. Picture: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos

'A very bad day'

Meanwhile, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said he was appalled by the protests and he urged anyone considering becoming a politician not to be put off.

I just have to make the point that what we saw happen yesterday is so rare. It's such an infrequent occurrence in our democracy and for the vast majority of people who vote within our country, for politicians.

"It just reaffirms the value to me of casting a vote and in particular casting a vote for those who are working hard trying to make Ireland a better place inside a democracy, he also told Newstalk Breakfast.

When asked why he thought there was an escalated level of protest, Mr Donohoe said Ireland was not unique in having to confront this issue, perhaps a little later than in other countries.

There were real pressures with regard to the cost of living, he said and he appreciated how difficult this was.

There were other factors, the first of which was, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the way the State operated, the way government operated was increasingly being physically challenged by a small number of people for more sinister purposes.

There was also the amplification of fears by conspiracy theorists which was spread through different forms of digital communication.

Yesterday was a very disturbing, a very bad day. And I'm greatly concerned by the way politicians and staff were treated.

It was about a protest against the way we conduct politics in our country. But I just want to make the point again, that's why voting is important and to assure those who want to come into politics that what happened yesterday is rare and I hope will continue to be rare.

"And people like me have a duty to call that out, which I'm doing here today, he said.
A new inquest has been directed by the Northern Ireland Attorney General, Brenda King, into the death of a man who was murdered weeks after the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.

The body of Thomas Lockard was discovered in the Republic of Ireland two days after he disappeared from his south Belfast home.

Nobody has been convicted over the death.

The legal firm representing Mr Lockards family said the inquest will not be affected by the Governments new legacy act because it occurred after the signing of the 1998 peace deal and because it is not a Troubles killing.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which received royal assent on Monday, will halt future civil cases and inquests relating to Troubles deaths.

Mr Lockard, 34, disappeared from his home on April 25 1998.

His badly beaten body was found two days later at the side of a road at Raskeagh in Co Louth.

This is really the news the family have been waiting for. They have been both patient and resilient in their push for an inquest.

Following representations from KRW Law on behalf of the next of kin, Ms King has this week written to the Presiding Coroner of Northern Ireland, Mr Justice Humphreys, to direct a new inquest into the death of Mr Lockard.

In a letter on her behalf to the legal firm, it was stated that evidence suggests the death of Mr Lockard occurred in Northern Ireland.

The letter also said that a previous inquest held in Co Louth was conducted on the basis of limited evidence and did not address the wider circumstances of the death.

A spokesperson for KRW Law said the family of Mr Lockard have fought for years to find out what happened to him and have been bereft by the failure to gain justice.

His death was previously investigated by the Garda and the RUC.

A more recent PSNI investigation led to a number of people being charged with murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping. However, the charges were later withdrawn.

Barry ODonnell, associate solicitor at KRW Laws conflict litigation department, said: This is really the news the family have been waiting for.

They have been both patient and resilient in their push for an inquest.
A man tasked with supervising children at a Billings youth home has been accused of raping one of the children in his care.

Drew Alec Kinnin, 22, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Yellowstone County District Court to sexual intercourse without consent. Kinnin was working at a youth therapeutic home operated by the non-profit Youth Dynamics at the time of the allegations, which were reported by other staff members at the home. His arrest followed an investigation on the part of the Laurel Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office.

The investigation into the matter is still ongoing, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Jacob Yerger said at Kinnins arraignment in court Thursday, and there may be additional charges filed by its conclusion.

In late August, court documents said, a YCSO deputy responded to a report of a sexual offense at Youth Dynamics Rivers Edge Youth Home in Billings. Youth Dynamics has therapeutic homes for children ages 11 to 17 across the state, according to its website, which specialize in treating children with substance abuse or behavioral issues. Three such homes, licensed by the State of Montana Office of Inspector General, are located in Yellowstone County.

The deputy spoke with several people at Rivers Edge, according to court documents, including staff members. They allegedly told the deputy that Kinnin, employed at the youth home since the spring of 2023, was in a sexual relationship with one of the underage residents. In a subsequent interview between the victim and an LPD detective, court documents said, she told law enforcement Kinnin did have sex with her.

On Sept. 11, Kinnin allegedly agreed to an interview with a YCSO detective. Kinnin said hed been living in Montana since August 2022, according to charging documents, and had worked briefly at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch before being hired by Youth Dynamics. Kinnin was working the night shift at the residential home in Laurel and was alone with the girls residing at the home overnight, he told investigators. He said hed been suspended by Youth Dynamics for sexual misconduct, court documents said, but didnt know any details about the allegations.

Investigators extracted photos from Kinnins phone after he allegedly consented to a search. Several photos, according to charging documents, showed selfies taken inside the home of Kinnin and the victim. When shown the photos during a second interview, Kinnin allegedly admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl.

Kinnin entered Yellowstone County Detention Facility on a $75,000 warrant earlier this week. At his arraignment Thursday, District Judge Colette B. Davies maintained his bond at $75,000. Should he make bail, Davies also required that Kinnin be monitored by GPS and have no contact with anyone under 18. If convicted of sexual intercourse without consent, Kinnin could be sentenced up to life in Montana State Prison.

Leadership with Youth Dynamics could not be immediately reached for comment. Incoming staff at therapeutic group homes like River's Edge are required by Montana law to undergo criminal background checks along with specialized training in responding to physical and sexual abuse. State law also mandates employees suspecting abuse between a staff member and a resident report the matter to a facility administrator and to the state child abuse hotline.

Editor's note: This article initially reported that Youth Dynamics Rivers Edge Youth Home was located in Laurel. It has been updated to reflect that the home is located in Billings.
Cork City has been shortchanged by government, it has been claimed, after it secured just a 1.5m increase in local property tax (LPT) baseline funding  the bare minimum allowed.

Local Government Minister Darragh OBrien has now been urged to review the increase to Cork City Council which Fine Gael Cllr Shane OCallaghan said appears to have disregarded the fact that the city council is the only local authority in the country facing a multi-million annual compensation payout arising out of a boundary extension.

As part of the 2019 boundary extension deal, it was agreed that the city would pay at least 13m in inflation-linked compensation to Cork County Council annually for the next six years.

Soaring inflation means next year's compensation bill will hit 15m.

Mr OCallaghan said the LTP top-up wont even cover the 2m increase in compensation, let alone maintain or fund additional services.

It means the city will be down millions over the coming years  millions that it wont be able to spend on services like road and footpath resurfacing, housing maintenance, or traffic calming, he said.

The city's compensation issue clearly wasn't taken into consideration by Minister O'Brien when he was making the decision. But there's still time for him to reconsider.

Baseline funding

Mr OBrien announced the allocation as part of a 75.4m increase in LPT baseline funding to all 31 local authorities.

Every council gets a minimum, or baseline, amount of funding from LPT which is then supplemented by exchequer funding where its LPT income is lower than its baseline because of variances in LPT yield across the country.

A complex formula that considers population, geographic area, deprivation levels, local authority income-raising capacity, and national policy priorities is then used to adjust the baseline with increased funding to maintain services.

Some local authorities got a greater increase in the baseline funding than others but all 31 will see their baseline increase by a minimum of 1.5m in 2024.

Cork City Council, along with Dublin City, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Tipperary, Waterford, and Westmeath, got the minimum 1.5m increase. But Cork County Council secured the largest increase at just over 10m.

Mr OCallaghan will seek council support at its October meeting for calls to Mr OBrien to reconsider the citys allocation.
A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned in the inquest into the death of a baby boy at Portlaoise Hospital.

The verdict on Baby Odhran Murphys death on December 27, 2021, before his delivery the day after, was delivered at Portlaoise Coroners Court on the second day of the inquest.

Odhran's parents, Hilary and Patrick Murphy had cried in court yesterday, as they detailed how they were forced to bury their still born son in two separate funerals more than 11 months apart because his organs had been removed and retained.

Todays inquest heard that when Ms Murphy was admitted to Portlaoise Hospital on December 27, 2021, she had suffered prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) while she was at home.

The sequence of events from her admission until Odhran was stillborn the next day has been disputed throughout the inquest.

Ms Murphy says she asked for various scans and procedures but the inquest heard her consultant, Portlaoise Hospital obstetrician Dr Miriam Doyle says she had no recollection of these requests.

The inquest heard, in legal submissions, that had Ms Murphys requests been adhered to, her baby would be alive today.

Other statements by Ms Murphy, including one about a meeting she says she had with a nurse in a hospital corridor where she showed her evidence of bleeding, were contradicted by hospital staff involved in her care.

Pathologist Dr John Gillan and consultant obstetrician at Portlaoise Hospital Dr Miriam Doyle at the inquest into the death of baby Odhran Murphy. Picture: Neil Michael

The inquest had to be adjourned briefly this afternoon over what was described by SC Sara Antoniotti acting on instructions from Ms Murphys lawyer Rachael Liston, as fabricated evidence from a Portlaoise Hospital midwife.

Ms Murphy burst into tears towards the end of evidence given by the midwife, who had been on duty when Ms Murphys son died of a lack of oxygen in the womb.

Midwife Judith Amavu had introduced evidence while in the witness box that contradicted Ms Murphys evidence, and which had not been given to either the family or the hospitals legal teams.

As a result, Laois and Carlow County Coroner Eugene OConnor suspended the hearing while the hospitals barrister Will Reidy consulted with the midwife in private.

In giving his verdict, the coroner said: Some of (the) evidence is conflicting but I dont think I need to resolve that to reach a verdict in this case

I am satisfied, however, the narrative given by Hilary Murphy is correct and consistent with her concerns before this sad event.

A silent placental abruption happened over a period of hours, of between no less than two and no more than six hours. That finding is very relevant in this case.

It appears not to be in dispute that two, if not three guidelines appear not to have been followed.

He said he had to take into account the fact that between the time Ms Murphy was admitted to the hospital at 1.20am and it was discovered her son had died around 7pm, it was over an extended number of hours.

This was in the background where two, if not three important guidelines had not been complied with. I am also minded there are inconsistencies in events that occurred and they are part of a sequence of events which do lead me to the conclusion that a verdict of medical misadventure is appropriate in this case.

The inquest heard that the hospital was aware Ns Murphy had complications that were known to pose a risk to babies in pregnancies, and she also suffered from unexplained internal bruising in her womb.

She should have been fully assessed every four hours but, the inquest heard, she was not.

The coroner is due to make recommendations about Portlaoise Hospital guidelines next week.
A judge has ordered a senior Department of Justice official accused of possessing child abuse images and videos to appear in court next month to be served with the book of evidence for his trial.

Niall Colgan, 38, of Muckross Park, Perrystown, Dublin 12, was excused from attending his case at Dublin District Court on Thursday. However, Judge Alan Mitchell directed that he come to court on October 5 for the next state of the proceedings.
The man who managed the Stardust nightclub where a devastating fire resulted in the deaths of 48 young people has claimed he never saw any of the emergency exit doors locked in the venue and that, if he had, there would be trouble.

Eamon Butterly took to the stand at the fresh Stardust inquests on Thursday before Dublin city coroner Dr Myra Cullinane, with the public gallery packed with families of victims waiting to hear his testimony.

The inquests have already heard evidence at length about policies in place at the north Dublin club, such as keeping emergency exits locked for certain portions of the night while patrons were inside, as well as the practice of draping chains to give the impression doors were locked.

As has been the process with earlier witnesses, the statements originally given by Mr Butterly to the gardai in the aftermath of the fire in February 1981 were read to the court.

In an interview with gardai in October 1981, many months after the fire, he was asked a range of questions about the practices of locking the doors at the Stardust and keeping chains draped over doors to make them appear as if they were locked.

He was asked if any consideration had been given to people who may have been fleeing the venue in an emergency such as a fire, when partially blinded by smoke, who then saw a lock and chain draped over the panic bars people would use at an emergency exit to get out.

Mr Butterly, at the time, said that in such a situation all a person had to do was push the bars, and they would open immediately. There was a sign on all of them saying push bar to open, he said.

Policy of locking doors

In 1981, he said the policy of locking doors on disco nights was forced upon [him] by a large number of people getting in without paying, when friends already in the venue would open the emergency exits to let them in.

Mr Butterly told the gardai he was told by the head doorman, the late Tom Kennan, that all fire exits were unlocked before midnight on the night of the fire.

The fresh inquests into the deaths of the 48 young people have been ongoing at the Dublin District Coroners Court in the Pillar Rooms of the Rotunda Hospital since April. The average age of the deceased was just 19-and-a-half.

With several of the doormen having faced a grilling from the counsel representing the various parties at the inquests so far, Thursday marked the first day of evidence from one of its most important witnesses.

Under questioning from counsel for the coroner, Gemma McLoughlin-Burke BL, Mr Butterly was asked what efforts he had made to ensure emergency exit doors were not locked while patrons were inside.

I told [head doorman Tom Kennan] that the doors shouldnt be locked, he said. I never saw the doors locked.

Ms McLoughlin Burke put it to Mr Butterly he had previously told gardai the policy was to keep some of the exit doors locked on disco nights until between 11.30pm and midnight.

Until I found out and I told him to stop doing it, he said.

Examples were also cited to Mr Butterly of witnesses saying doors had been discovered locked on certain evenings prior to the fire. He said he did not recall such instances being brought to his attention.

Ms McLoughlin-Burke asked: How long was that policy in place? When did you start locking the doors when there were people on the premises?

Mr Butterly replied that it wasnt a policy but something Tom Kennan told [him] that he was doing, and that he asked for it to stop. He said he trusted Tom Kennan to follow through on this request.

It was put to him that many underage people were in the Stardust on the night of the fire, including 14 under the age of 18 who lost their lives. Mr Butterly said discos attracted a young crowd and doormen didnt ask them for identification like they have nowadays. That wasnt around then, he said.

He also claimed he had no role in hiring or firing staff, and that would be looked after by general manager Brian Peel or Mr Kennan, when it came to the doormen. He also said general issues would be reported primarily to Mr Peel.

When a statement from his father Patrick from 1981 was put to him that Eamon Butterly was the person in the Stardust who called the shots, he said this wasnt the case and his father called the shots.

No fire safety training

Mr Butterly said no staff member was given fire safety training and that Mr Peel was the man to look after that type of thing.

Who was responsible for fire safety training? Ms McLoughlin-Burke asked him, to which he responded nobody. She also asked why no such training was given and he said we didnt know anything about it.

He said in the event of an emergency like a fire, the doormen would be responsible for trying to ensure people got out.

They were responsible, but they had no fire safety training? the coroners counsel asked. No, replied Mr Butterly.

He was also quizzed by coroners counsel Mark Tottenham BL about the conversion of the building in the late-1970s into the premises that included the Stardust and the adjoining Silver Swan bar and Lantern Rooms function rooms.

He said if directed to do so by Dublin Corporation on a matter related to the design and fittings of the premises, he would have done so. He said if the corporation was satisfied by, for example, the carpet tiles fitted on the walls of the Stardust, then he was satisfied too. He also said he was unaware the polyurethane foam used in the seats of the venue were flammable.

His evidence continues on Friday, when counsel for the families will be given an opportunity to ask Mr Butterly questions before the 13-person jury.
A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned on the death of a Dublin woman after an inquest heard evidence that medical staff at one of the countrys largest private hospitals missed several opportunities to diagnose a cancerous tumour on her spine.

Bridget McKeown, 68, a mother of three from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, died at a nursing home in Swords on September 30, 2019, over four months after her family had discharged her from the Beacon Hospital in Sandyford against medical advice because of their concern over her care at the facility.

Autopsy results showed Bridget McKeown died of acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia linked to tumours on her lung that had spread from previously having cancer of the kidney.

Autopsy results showed that Ms McKeown had died of acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia linked to tumours on her lung that had spread from previously having cancer of the kidney.

However, the coroner, Crona Gallagher, said the undiagnosed tumour which had caused spinal cord compression was a significant contributory factor in her death.

While Dr Gallagher acknowledged that some people equated a finding of medical misadventure with negligence, she stressed that it was a neutral verdict as she could neither blame nor exonerate any person in relation to a death.

It just reflects the sequence of events that pertained to this death, she explained.

The coroner said the verdict of medical misadventure reflected the simple fact that none of the specialists who had examined Ms McKeown had made the diagnosis of spinal cord compression and that opportunities to intervene were not taken".

She noted that there was a matter of conflict over whether medical staff at the Beacon were aware if scans of the patients entire spine had been taken.

On the final day of a three-day inquest, which began last year, the deceaseds son, Michael McKeown, claimed doctors at the Beacon had failed to identify classical red-flag indications". Mr McKeown argued there were major systemic issues with the private hospital that had contributed to his mothers death and which could not be attributed to one or two isolated oversights".

He reminded the coroner that his mother had walked unaided into the Beacon Hospital with a suspected gallbladder condition.

However, Mr McKeown said she had no mobility left and was paraplegic by the time she was taken out of the Beacon 19 days later on May 14, 2019.

Fighting back tears, Mr McKeown recalled how his mother was an active, healthy woman just shortly before she attended the hospital.

He claimed vital early signs that she was suffering from spinal cord compression were missed.

Mr McKeown pointed out that three consultants who had given evidence to the inquest had confirmed the highly time-sensitive nature of diagnosing the condition in order to provide appropriate care.

Although his mother had undergone a battery of tests at the Beacon, Mr McKeown said the hospital had failed to diagnose that she had spinal cord compression.

Erin and Michael McKeown, daughter and son of Bridget McKeown, 68, a mother of three from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, who died at a nursing home in Swords on September 30, 2019.

He maintained doctors at the Beacon had also taken a considerable amount of time before they had sought a neurologist to examine his mother.

The inquest heard that a consultant surgeon had asked for Ms McKeown to be reviewed by a neurologist but it had taken five days before she was seen by the specialist.

While scans of his mothers spine were ordered in good faith, Mr McKeown said they were not ordered correctly.

The inquest heard evidence that a cancerous tumour on her spine had not been captured by various MRI scans because scans of her entire spine had not been carried out.

The Beacons director of radiology, Patricia Egan, told the hearing on Thursday that she believed that a doctor at the hospital had thought he had ordered a scan of the full spine.

However, the inquest heard there had been an ambiguity in the descriptions of scans available in a drop-down menu used when ordering scans.

Dr Egan confirmed changes to the system for ordering scans to remove the ambiguity were made in June 2022.

Mr McKeown pointed out that the neurologist who examined his mother had not identified that she had a spinal cord compression.

He said the neurologist had only ordered a repeat scan because his family were upset about their mothers care.

Mr McKeown also expressed concern about delays in getting his mothers medical records from the Beacon.

He also noted that the pathologist who carried out an autopsy on his mothers body had admitted he would have carried out a more detailed examination of her spine if he had been aware of the familys concerns.

The pathologist, Anthony Dorman, said he did not believe the cancer on the patients spine had contributed to her death.

However, Liam Grogan, a consultant oncologist at Beaumont Hospital who treated Ms McKeown after she had discharged herself from the Beacon, said he believed the spinal cord compression that she suffered as a result of the cancer was a significant factor in her early demise".

Lawyers for the Beacon, as well as several doctors who treated Ms McKeown, had urged the coroner to return a narrative verdict as they claimed there was a gap in time between the events at the hospital and her death.

At the conclusion of the inquest, Dr Gallagher said she would write to the HSE clinical lead in radiology and all the relevant training bodies to make them aware about the issues with the drop-down menu for ordering MRI scans of the spine at the Beacon and whether they would also need to make similar changes.

The coroner said she would also welcome and endorse any additional oversight of a healthcare facility that would improve patient safety.

Outside the court, Mr McKeown said he was very happy with the verdict but highlighted how no State body currently had powers to investigate any issues in relation to private hospitals, pending the full enactment of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act.

It is understood the McKeown family has also lodged a series of complaints against a number of doctors at the Beacon to the Medical Council.
Heres a trade secret when it comes to writing columns.

Beginning with a definition is tantamount to waving a white flag. A bad sign. It suggests the box of ideas is empty, and the column-ideas shop has a closed sign in the window.

A definition is a worrying sign, then. Any time I think about using one to kick things off I feel bad, but then I remember that feeding a column makes monsters of us all. One of the greatest columnists ever, Jimmy Breslin, once wrote about a friends relationship, and when the friend complained that the relationship, you know, was off lim

I needed it, said Breslin, and that was that.

Well, definitions. I needed it.

Tomorrow night is Culture Night all over Ireland, which means many cultural venues  and some venues which are anything but  will be open to the public.

This is a great initiative. Thats not at issue. The sheer number of events means that one of the lazier complaints about artistic events  catering for an elite rather than serving the masses  can hardly be levelled here.

The general definition of culture works perfectly in this case  the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. These manifestations will be on show everywhere you turn tomorrow evening, and in Cork alone, you will have your choice.

Waterstones to hear Conal Creedon, Grainne Murphy, and Gerry Murphy read, maybe? Or later in the evening you can tip away down the quay to take in the Rogu Firestorm show in the Marina Market. Or try the Culture Buses provided by Bus Eireann, which leaves City Hall approximately every 20 minutes from 7pm. Theres no shortage of events. No shortage of culture.

Theres no shortage of something else when it comes to culture  definitions of what culture exactly is. No wonder the critic Raymond Williams regarded it as one of the two or three most complicated words in the English language.

Take another explanation of the word if you dont believe me: the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Again, Williams was there before us: Culture is ordinary: that is the first fact. Every human society has its own shape, its own purposes, its own meanings ... We use the word culture in these two senses: to mean a whole way of life  the common meanings; to mean the arts and learning  the special processes of discovery and creative effort.

Taking culture to denote a whole way of life takes on a whole other meaning given the event due to take place in Cork the day after Culture Night: Car Free Day.

As reported in these pages by Imasha Costa, Cork City will be going car free on Saturday as members of the public are being encouraged to travel into the city either on foot, bicycle or use public transport.

The city's first 'Car Free Day' will see the closure of Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street, and Adelaide Street this Saturday from noon until 6.30pm. It is a once-off event.

So far so good. Then comes the fine print: However, the quays will remain open to traffic as normal and buses and taxis will still be able to access the closed streets as normal.

Well, One Small Specific Quarter Of The City Car Free For A Few Hours doesnt have the same ring to it.

To be fair, its a beginning. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that. Add another street or two every month or so and in time therell be another Specific Quarter Of etc., etc.

But it tells you something interesting about another culture thats prevalent here, one that has little enough to to with poetry or cabaret: car culture. Even a token gesture this coming Saturday has to be diluted by the presence of buses and taxis on the streets which will be blocked off to other traffic. The quays nearby will still be used by cars. Even a few hours without a car is too much to contemplate.

Whether you are in Cork on Friday for culture or Saturday for open streets  or any other day  you can see yet another culture that is alive and well within the city, one which satisfies Williamss definition of a whole way of life. This is the culture of dereliction, which is particularly powerful in Cork.

A couple of weeks ago I took a stroll from the South Main Street to the North Gate Bridge and itemised the various signifiers of urban decline to be found along the old spine of the city: there were plenty of them on hand.

However, as a few people have pointed out to me since, I missed almost as many eyesores as I listed in my piece.

The culture of dereliction manifests itself in the quay wall falling into the river at the South Gate Bridge: a year after the initial fall a schedule of works was eventually agreed with the landowners to repair the damage. That culture is glaringly obvious in the vacant, run-down space next to the old Sir Henrys club, a fenced-off wilderness right across the road from the new development at Beamishs.

Its also visible at the far end of North Main Street, where a beautiful old archway lurks around the corner from Supermacs  its believed to date back to the opening of the old City Corn Market on Anglesea Street in the early nineteenth century, and it certainly looks a fitting portal to an old commercial exchange. Now it does sterling service overlooking a pile of rubbish bins.

Just as many people find it impossible to conceive of a Saturday visit to town without using their car, how many can conceive of a vibrant, clean, viable streetscape in the very centre of the city?

This is the dark side of culture as an idea: we can see on Friday evening the sparkling creativity, the fruits of bright imagination. On Saturday, and on other days, the view can be a little different.

In the latter case, culture suggests a set of preconceptions and beliefs that are so engrained as to seem natural and obvious. This is something that exercised Raymond Williams in his own time, too.

He was fond of saying that a confidence trick of the bourgeoisie is to convince everyone that their idea of culture is the natural, inevitable idea of culture, and is thus widely accepted. He might have had classical music or experimental theatre in mind, but the primacy of the private car and the acceptance of a crumbling city fit his thesis just as well: just a couple of beliefs which are able to live unchallenged by an alternative framing.

Anyway, enjoy Culture Night tomorrow, wherever you go and whatever you consume. Just dont forget those other cultures, which hold such sway in Cork, and everywhere else. Unfortunately, they apply year-round, and not just one night every twelve months.
When you are young, you spend the whole time trying to leave home, and when you are older you spend a lot of time wanting to return to those roots.

Or so they say, anyway.

But what if the home, the house where it all happened, is gone. The essential backdrop to the childhood memories has been taken away, stolen by mindless vandals.

They came in the middle of the night, kicked in the back door, threw petrol about, and set the house alight just months after my mother died and decades after my father passed away.

They trampled on our history, broke into a home that had once been filled with love and a thriving family of seven, doused the floors and curtains with petrol and lit a match. They ran away as the flames licked up the drapes my mother and a grandmother many times over had lovingly made to match the wallpaper in the sitting room. The fire broke through the roof.

The very same roof my father once let me climb onto as we painted the chimneys as part of the spruce up for the visit of relatives from America.

I will never forget, at barely 10 years of age, standing and looking over the countryside, and feeling not that I was on the roof of our house in the west of Ireland, but that I was with my father and we were together on top of the world.

An early morning commuter in the rural location that was home spotted the flames and smoke billow from the house. Neighbours and the fire brigade were alerted, but by the time they got on the scene, an irreversible amount of damage had been done.

That was 2015 and my debut novel The Ballroom Cafe had been a roaring success with translations into 11 languages.

In a twist which some book editors might flag as being almost unbelievable, the news of the break-in and blaze at the family home came just hours after one of the most exciting pieces of news in my book career.

The debut novel I had written in the early hours was in the top 20 bestselling ebooks on Amazon that year. My name was there beside the greats such as Lee Child, just three months after publication.

Just as I was celebrating, a phone call from my sister gave me the harrowing news of the fire.

They had forced in the door and run down the back hall where we used to skate as kids. We had racing competitions on the blue and grey tiles, and when as part of our chores, we had to polish the floor, we secured rags to our shoes with clothes pegs and skated back and forth so much that my father complained it was like an ice rink.

They threw petrol about the hallway, which at Christmas time held the big artificial tree which down through the years was knocked over by the family cat and ended up looking battered and loved.

Next, they stepped into the kitchen and brought havoc down on what had been our safe and happy place. This is where my mother over the years dispensed her tea, homemade brown bread, rhubarb and ginger jam, and apple tart made with apples from our own trees.

For her children and grandchildren it was central HQ, and even when we didnt live there anymore, it was where we came back to be grounded by her love and sound counsel.

Now, as my sixth novel Secrets of an Irish House is published, I find myself examining the theme of belonging; the sense of creating a home when all seems lost.

Katie in New York is devastated when her partner is killed while riding the subway. Harry leaves a mountain of debt and Katie and his ex-wife Maggie are forced to sell their Manhattan apartments. In his will, Harry leaves them a big old house in Wicklow, Ireland. With nothing to lose, they move to rundown Kilcashel House and the novel follows their story as they try to fit in and make a home together.

Soon they begin to rely on the local women who help them set up a bakery and cafe. Slowly the secrets of Kilcashel House are revealed and Maggie and Katie learn the true meaning of friendship and home.

For our clan, home is now a place in our hearts. It wasnt that we were not ready to let go of the ancestral home which was up for sale. Many of us were scattered all over the world.

There was a comfort in knowing that the house would be a home again for a family and that children would once more play games under the monkey puzzle tree my father had cherished.

The burglars and vandals that night broke us all for a while, but we will always have the precious sense of home in our hearts held up by the cherished memories of the past.
Earlier this week Elon Musk announced plans to charge all users to the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

This was the latest in a series of baffling decisions which have marked his brief tenure as owner of the platform, and led to the single largest spike in new account sign-ups for rival platform Blue Sky. And while X may continue to exist for some time like hair and fingernails growing on a corpse, the recent exodus feels like an ending.

If anyone should write an article defending Twitter it should be me. Before I created @theirishfor in 2015, I was an entry-level office worker with a small pile of rejection letters and, like too many men in their 30s, my friend group had disintegrated as the lads got married and moved to different far-flung ends of the commuter belt.

My twitter account brought me to the attention of editors, a publishing deal, invites to live events abroad, an acknowledgment on the latest Hozier album, new work opportunities, a shout-out from President Higgins and lots of wonderful friends.

It has given me so much so when I say the place is now an irredeemable hellhole I really mean it. The recent changes have been an act of unforgivable vandalism to a platform which, for its many faults, was less shallow and materialistic than other social media spaces and especially useful for outsiders to realise they were not alone.

In particular, Irish Twitter was a unique and uniquely significant space which may not be replicated on another platform, and I resent the way it has been taken from us. The idea that Twitter could or should have its own Irish section was not intentional, and owed something to the historical moment.

The People's debate with Vincent Browne

The micro-blogging site happened to catch on around the same time as the financial crisis and bailout in 2009 and 2010. People with things to say about the crisis found others of a space to get it off their chest on the #vinb hashtag (in reference to the TV3 show Tonight With Vincent Browne), which was coined by twitter user Simon McGarr (@Tupp_Ed) in May 2009.

McGarr says that early adapters to this hashtag were people who had been active in Liveblogs and that community  invite only, election obsessed, detail oriented  set the constructive and engaged tone in Irish Twitter. Before long people were using this hashtag even when not referring directly to the show but to a range of issues which might be discussed on the show.

This is critical because while Irish people have always argued about politics, emigration meant that people with a pretty relevant perspective on how things were going were always removed from the conversation at home. Social media changed that.

It wasnt all politics all the time, of course, and as an online community grew, people could speak about the moments they witnessed at the same time. This is when the sense of humour which Irish Twitter would become famous for took shape  people live-tweeting about the Rose of Tralee, Love/Hate and the Late Late Toy Show together.

Facebook groups as different from each other as Ireland Simpsons Fans, Chicken Fillet Roll Talk and Oh My God What A Complete Aisling all gathered hyper-local observational humour  often tinted with the nostalgia of an emigrant  but Twitter was where these flavours combined like a spice bag to create something new.

By 2011, it was normal enough globally for elections to have their own hashtags, and #GE11 was used for the General Election in Ireland that year. But in February that year #aras11 was suggested by Twitter user Ken Curtin for the Irish Presidential Election as #pe11 hashtag was already in use for a sporting event in Spain.

Uncle Joey became an Irish meme after the Friend's reunion special episode

This was significant in being the first moment where an Irish word was used to filter an event or discussion point locally  this would turn up again in #sneachta on snowy days, #whatthefliuch on rainy days as well as election slogan hashtags like #MakeGraTheLaw and #TaForMna later in the decade too. And while newspaper archives tell of candidates in 1990 and 1997 in a race for the Park, this phrase is never used anymore in print or radio  its Aras all the way now.

But the moment that Irish Twitter really proved to be a force to be reckoned with was #hometovote in 2015, used by emigrants returning to Ireland to take part in the Marriage Equality referendum. This went on to be the fifth biggest trending topic on Twitter globally that year.

That December it would inspire the good-humoured spin-off hashtag #hometoride as singletons would announce their return to Ireland or their hometown. This combination of the serious and the irreverent would become absolutely critical to the atmosphere of the online space.

Around this time, Irish Twitters speed and saltiness in responding to uninformed comments about Ireland, Irish names and and the Irish language was noticed. Hapless rubes who dared to refer to gaelic as a dialect, or Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan as British actors, or to claim that customers in a republican socialist pub in Dublin fell silent and raised a glass to the Queen on news of her passing, would find themselves the subject of a richly-deserved teasing.

By 2018, Irish Twitter had become fully self aware and references such as Eoin did u collect eggs, my limes, pintmen, meeting President McAleese on ketamine, and the coddle wars were as familiar as quotes from sitcoms. It got to the point that when something mad was happening  callers on Liveline complaining about the sex scenes in Normal People, for example  you knew that Irish Twitter was going to be a goldmine of craic.

Coddle

The social media team at TG4 took this to another level, leading to people speculating on who intern TG4 was. The apex of these good times were on the day of the Friends reunion show when a number of people observed that Matt LeBlanc now looked like a genial Irish uncle, leading to days of memes and jokes about a type character we all know and like.

The Uncle Joey memes about Matt Le Blanc were from over two years ago and it makes you think about how long it has been since that website has been a pleasant and informative place to visit. Changes such as Twitter Blue have meant that funny and informative replies dont turn up in your feed as often as obnoxious drivel from people who have willingly paid to be verified.

Irish Twitter happened in spite of, not because of, anything deliberate that the social media giant did. It was a series of happy accidents which the companys new bosses have, in their wisdom, decided to fix. Theyre welcome to rule the ashes but Ill mourn Irelands 33rd online county. They never owned that.
HOUSE buyers could end up paying more for their homes because of the costs incurred by developers seeking to exclude sites from a new land tax, property developer Michael OFlynn has warned.

Mr OFlynn, who faces an estimated 1m annual tax bill on land he plans to develop off Dublins Naas Road, as a result of losing an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, said an unintended consequence of the new tax is that it will add to the cost of housing.

We havent taken these appeals lightly. I think that theres an extra layer of work on developers, and on the local authorities, and now An Bord Pleanala, and all of these add to the cost of housing, he said.

Moreover when the tax itself  known as the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) - is applied next year, developers whose sites fall within its scope will be forced to pay 3% of their market value. The new tax is aimed specifically at lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed for housing, but remain idle. Where lands are taxed, that cost is also likely to be passed on by developers to the end-purchaser.

Mr OFlynn, who heads up the OFlynn Group, said while he supported the new tax in principle, it was becoming a tax on residential development.

Property developer Michael O'Flynn

In principle, I welcome the tax as it was meant to be a tax on hoarding land. If land is zoned, it should become available, and on that basis  as land is our key raw material - why wouldnt I be in favour of this tax?

However the way this tax is being implemented, its becoming a tax on development, which is only going to add further to the end-purchaser buying houses. This was never intended, nor should it be. The OFlynn Group is among a number of big property developers to have lodged multiple appeals with An Bord Pleanala challenging the inclusion by local authorities of their lands in maps which designate sites on which the new tax may be imposed from next year. Unsuccessful appeals could lead to costly judicial reviews.

Asked if he was considering seeking leave to apply for a judicial review in the Naas Road case, Mr OFlynn said: Were currently considering the implications of the decision and what options, if any, are open to us. The group was granted 10-year permission to develop the c18 acres on the Naas Road in April 2021, which will deliver more than 1,100 apartments upon completion. The group bought what is known as the former Nissan site about 15 years ago.

In considering the Naas Road appeal, the boards inspector said that the land is within an established urban area with services available and no capacity or other reasons have been identified that would prevent the development of these lands for residential purposes.

However Mr OFlynn said the Naas Road site had serious infrastructure difficulties. Failure to get it excluded from the tax would cost him in the region of 1m per annum, he said.

While his group has succeeded in getting the bulk of its sites delisted, the planning board has yet to adjudicate on three of its Cork sites. They include land at the adjoining Drakes Point/Bridgewater schemes in Crosshaven; land at the groups Ballinglanna scheme in Glanmire and land off the Ballyhooly Road in Ballyvolane where the group has permission to build c280 units.

In relation to the Crosshaven land, Mr OFlynn said it was open space which we believe should never have been included, the developments are finished. Both schemes delivered more than 200 homes apiece in the Crosshaven area, with plans to add 24 townhouses to the Drakes Point scheme under appeal.

Drake's Point scheme in Crosshaven

In relation to the proposed Ballyvolane scheme, the developer said the land in question was road reservation land and therefore should not have been included in the site-designation maps.

The Ballinglanna land, Mr OFlynn said, was primarily to do with open space. More than half of the 600 units planned for Ballinglanna have been delivered.

Ballinglanna development in Glanmire

Mr OFlynn said the group believed none of the three Cork sites should have been included in maps designating sites on which the new tax should be imposed. Decisions on all three appeals are currently running more than a month behind schedule. Mr OFlynn said he is hopeful the appeals will be successful.

The developer also said there was a need for greater streamlining in how the new tax is applied, as he believed there was a lack of consistency in how different local authorities were implementing it. The tax also failed to acknowledge that not all development land is viable, he said.

Viability is a big issue for some of these developments. If theyre not viable, we cant develop them. And if they are not viable and you are paying a tax on them, they become less viable every year. Sometimes developments were held up by infrastructural difficulties or phasing challenges he said, ie if all the homes couldnt be built in one go.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said the issue of development potential of phased land which is identified in a statutory land use plan has been raised by a number of stakeholders and this matter is currently being examined in detail by the Department and the Department of Finance, having regard to the need for a consistent approach to be applicable across the State. Mr OFlynn, who is a member of the governments Housing Commissions, said while the concept of the tax is good and it will help bring some land onto the market, I think its causing difficulties for the industry that were never anticipated.

He added that landbanking is an accepted practice in Ireland but it had been confused with the practice of speculators who purchase land and dont intend developing it.

This was never meant to catch developers who are in the planning system, who are waiting for infrastructure, or held up for some reason or other. These are unintended consequences, Mr OFlynn said.

Responding to the developers concerns that the new tax could add to the cost of new homes, the department spokesperson pointed out that the government had announced measures earlier in the year to reduce the cost of house building, by scrapping the development levies required to connect new homes with roads, water and other services, and subsidising development levies, saving up to the value of 12,650 per home on average.

As regards the new tax, which falls due next year, it will be managed by Revenue, and charged each year on land that is zoned for residential use and has access to necessary services such as water supply, roads and lighting, but remains idle. As of February 1, 2024, owners of land designated to fall within the scope of the tax must make an RZLT tax return by May 23, 2024.

The tax was proposed under the governments housing policy, Housing For All, with the aim of activating vacant land for residential purposes as part of the pathway to increasing new housing supply.
Air alerts sounded again and again in Kyiv as a massive Russian attack on at least six cities across Ukraine killed at least two people, started fires and wounded at least 21.

The attack carried out on the International Day of Peace coincided with the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech and presented a Ukrainian peace formula.

It also came as Poland said it will stop transferring any more of its own weapons to Ukraine as it modernises its own military.

Emergency services at the scene of a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the decision is not related to a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports, nor will it affect weapons transfers through Poland.

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.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, Mr Morawiecki said in an interview with private TV broadcaster Polsat News late on Wednesday.

He stressed that Poland will defend its economic interests but added that the dispute over grain imports will not harm Ukraines security. He said a Nato and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine will not be affected.

We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

Poland has transferred large amounts of its older weapons to Ukraine and has been upgrading its own inventory with new equipment purchased from South Korea and other countries.

The missile attack was Russias largest since August 15 and came a day after reports of sabotage at a Russian military airfield in Chkalovsk near Moscow.

Emergency services workers tackle a fire following a Russian attack in Cherkasy (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

In the southern city of Kherson, near the front lines, two people were killed in Thursdays attacks and at least five were injured when a strike hit a residential building, said regional Governor Oleksand Prokudin.

Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a nine-year-old girl, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said, and some residential and commercial buildings were damaged.

At least six strikes hit the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, damaging civilian infrastructure, said regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The citys mayor added that two people had been taken to hospital.

Seven were injured and at least one person was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines internal affairs minister.

An industrial zone was hit in the western region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but no information on casualties was immediately available, Mr Klymenko added.

Regional governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne, in the north-west region of the same name, without immediately providing details.
Some conditions increase any woman's risk of dying during pregnancy or postpartum, regardless of race or income level. More and more pregnant persons across the U.S. are reported as having hypertension, diabetes, and/or chronic heart disease, all of which increase their risk of death during pregnancy or the year after. Nonetheless, some conditions disproportionately affect women of color, even without pre-existing conditions.

Mental health issues, including suicide and substance abuse, are now better understood as contributing to deaths during the postpartum period and are more present in certain racial groups than in white women. Compounding this problem is an inequity in screening and diagnosis.

One 2020 study cited in Scientific American found that Black women were 36% less likely to receive postpartum depression screening than white womenand Native American, Native Alaskan, Hawaiian, and multiracial women were 56% less likely.

Additionally, many women of color experience particularly intense social stress, economic pressure, and other vulnerability in the year after giving birth, exacerbating their heightened susceptibility to pregnancy-related mortality during that time.

Fortunately, a growing awareness of the scope of pregnancy-related deaths is shining more light on the importance of the postpartum stage for physical and mental health. There is an increased understanding that a woman's maternal health journey is only beginning, not ending, once they leave the hospital after giving birth.

Many women find themselves experiencing increased stress and feelings of vulnerability following this time, and often are unaware of maternal health warning signs. Initiatives to better serve women postpartum include the CDC's Hear Her campaign, which includes multilingual resources detailing symptoms such as dizziness, chronic headaches or swelling, which may seem harmless, but can signal more serious issues in the year post-birth. The program also offers conversation guides for documenting symptoms and talking to health care providers to encourage women to speak up about things that don't feel right.

This story originally appeared on Northwell Health and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to shore up US support for Ukraine during a whirlwind visit to Washington.

Ukraines leader delivered an upbeat message on the wars progress while facing new questions about the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.

Mr Zelenskyy received a far quieter reception than the heros welcome he got last year but also won generally favourable comments on the aid he says he needs to stave off defeat.

His arrival was treated with more pomp at the White House, where a red carpet arrival on the South Lawn, followed by time in the Oval Office, an expanded gathering in the East Room and one-on-one time for the two first ladies, was a grander reception than world leaders typically get.

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensk walk to the Oval Office (Evan Vucci/AP)

Mr Zelenskyy, in long-sleeve military gear, came to the Capitol with a firm message in private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders.

The Ukrainians have a solid war plan, and they are winning, lawmakers quoted him as assuring them, at a time that the world is watching Western support for Kyiv.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Mr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, later at the White House, where Mr Zelenskyy described thanking members of Congress for their big, huge support.

The American people are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you, Mr Biden assured Mr Zelenskyy, projecting White House support of Ukraine to other nations as well. That is our overwhelming objective.

The serious tone was evident earlier, too, at the Pentagon, where Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin greeted Mr Zelenskyy without the usual ceremonial band and other fanfare.

Secretary of defence Lloyd Austin greets Ukraines leader at the Pentagon (Andrew Harnik/AP)

At the Capitol, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faces opposition among far-right Republicans aligned with former president Donald Trump on support for Ukraine, notably chose not to join House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in greeting the Ukrainian president when he arrived.

Mr McCarthy also confirmed that he declined Mr Zelenskyys request for a joint session of Congress, as happened during the Ukrainian presidents dramatic visit to Washington last winter, saying there was not time for that on short notice.

But Mr McCarthy praised the answers that Ukrainians delivered to lawmakers on Thursday.

It was direct, I thought it was honest, they were answering the questions, Mr McCarthy said. I heard a lot of positive things.

Republican House lawmakers described questioning Mr Zelenskyy on the way forward for Ukraines counteroffensive, as the fight to roll back invading Russian forces moves closer to the two-year mark without major breakthroughs in Russias heavily mined lines.

Mr Zelenskyy conceded that its tough, very tough to overcome entrenched defences, Independent senator Angus King said. They believe they will make slow but steady progress, but its not going to be quick.

Mr Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Mr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska on the South Lawn of the White House (Susan Walsh/AP)

It is Mr Zelenskyys second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Mr Bidens request to Congress for an additional 24 billion dollars for Ukraines military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance.

Back home, Russian launched its heaviest strikes in a month in the hours before Zelenskyys arrival at Congress, killing three, igniting fires and damaging energy infrastructure as Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy, in his White House visit, stressed Ukraines need for strengthened air defence systems to fend off Russian missiles and drones.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan underscored on Thursday that Mr Biden would seek to drive home with Mr Zelenskyys visit that the US and the world send the unmistakable message that in the 21st century, a dictator cannot be allowed to conquer or carve up his neighbours territory.

If we allow that here, it will happen elsewhere in ways that will undermine the fundamental security, not to mention the values that the American people hold so dear, Mr Sullivan said.

Mr Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with Ukraine, even as he faces domestic political divisions at home. A hard-right flank of Republicans, led by Mr Trump, Mr Bidens chief rival in the 2024 race for the White House, is increasingly opposed to sending more money overseas.
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It seems people are only now realising the new Loft Lines waterfront apartments in Belfast will block the view of the Titanic visitor centre. The apartments have been in Titanic Quarters master[...]
Twenty junta soldiers and police in resistance strongholds have defected with their arms and ammunition since August, amid ongoing fighting between Myanmar regime troops and resistance forces.

The defections occurred in Karen, Kayah (Karenni), Chin and Shan states and Bago, Tanintharyi and Sagaing regions.

A junta military captain who defected in July last year said troops are deserting after suffering heavy casualties and increased seizures of regime military camps around the country by revolutionary forces. This year, cash rewards from resistance groups have lured more soldiers to defect with their weapons, he added.

He predicted junta desertions would continue as resistance forces made inroads against the regime.

If they dont defect, there is only one way for them [junta troops] to die. I think there may be more defections if the resistance continues to threaten junta soldiers and seize their camps, the captain told The Irrawaddy.

Territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) saw the largest number of junta defections over the past two months.

In August, three junta soldiers including a lance corporal deserted to the KNLA along with their weapons and ammunition. The KNLA is an armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), which is fighting the regime alongside anti-regime resistance forces.

On Sept. 4, a soldier from Light Infantry Battalion 32 base in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, Karen State surrendered to KNLA Battalion 17, bringing his weapon and bullets.

On Sept. 6, two soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 556 based in Wawlay Town, Karen State surrendered to KNLA Brigade 6, according to the KNU.

On Sept. 8, the KNLA gave refuge to another junta soldier, who defected along with his .338 sniper rifle and ammunition.

The KNU granted cash rewards to all the defectors.

In Chin State, two regime police officers and two junta soldiers, a corporal and a lance corporal, defected to resistance forces last month in Matupi and Tedim townships.

In Kayah State, a soldier from Light Infantry Battalion 530 defected in early September, according to the KNLA.

In Shan State, three junta soldiers defected to the Pekon Peoples Defense Force in the third week of September.

In Bago Region, a police officer from Zee Kone station joined the Civil Disobedience Movement in early September, according to the Yoma GBK Peoples Defense Force. Meanwhile, two soldiers from Bagos Shwegyin Township defected to KNU Brigade 3 on September 11.

In Tanintharyi Region, the local Peoples Defense Force said a regime soldier from Light Infantry Battalion 561 defected with his weapon and ammunition on September 3.

In Sagaing Region, a police officer at Chinese mining firm Wanbao in Salingyi Township joined the resistance along with his weapon, according to local reports.

A total of 3,235 junta soldiers and 10,536 police have deserted since the February 2021 coup, according to the civilian National Unity Government. The NUG said the defectors included a lieutenant colonel and numerous officers.
Myanmars military regime is seeking to evade tighter Western sanctions on dollar transactions and aviation fuel imports by handing a large chunk of oil storage and distribution operations to a subsidiary of the junta-friendly Kanbawza (KBZ) Group of Companies.

Brighter Energys oil port and storage terminal sits on land owned by the militarys Myanma Economic Corporation (MEC) in Kyauktan Township, on the edge of the commercial capital Yangon.

Construction of the terminal began in 2019, with the military receiving a yearly rent of US$ 1.7 million, then $ 800,000 per year upon completion of the project, according to leaked report by Bright Energy Co.

Though delayed by the post-coup turmoil, construction was completed in March this year and the port is now ready to begin operations, according to the report viewed by The Irrawaddy.

The project comprises a port, a jetty, and 15 fuel storage tanks with a capacity of 100 million liters of diesel and octane, and 4,500 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking.

Satellite photos confirm that the project is largely complete. The military-owned MEC has leased out the 168.5-acre plot to Brighter Energy Co for 50 years under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract. The MEC has been sanctioned by the United States, UK, Canada and EU.

Brighter Energy Co has been granted a permit to import 30,000 tonnes of fuel per month, a businessman familiar with the matter told The Irrawaddy.

Brighter Energy received that import share thanks to ties between Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and [KBZ owner] U Aung Ko Win. Even Asia Sun Co got a quota of 10,000 tonnes. That quota may include aviation fuel, said the businessman.

Asia Sun Co is owned by crony tycoon U Zaw Min Tun and was slapped with US sanctions in August for supplying aviation fuel to the Myanmar military.

Brighter Energy Co was established by KBZ Group of Companies in 2017. The companys board of directors at the time included Nang Lang Kham, who is a daughter of Aung Ko Win, KBZs executive director Moe Hsan Aung, and Jasmine Palace Group owner Kaung San, according to the website of Opencorporates.

In 2019, Brighter Energy Co established a joint venture with a subsidiary of Thailands state-owned energy giant PTT. The subsidiary, PTT Oil and Retail Business (PTTOR), holds a 35 percent stake. The joint venture agreed to invest $ 185 million in the fuel storage terminal, and over $ 20 million for filling stations.

Of the remaining 65 percent stake, KBZ held 35 percent, and Kaung San and Min Khant, whose family owns the Myanmar Alinkar Group of Companies owned by Hsan Naung, held 15 percent each.

In February last year, KBZ announced its withdrawal from Brighter Energy but did not say to whom it had sold its shares. Myanmar Alinkar Group later said it had bought KBZs shares.

The regime began imposing quotas on importers of fuel, including aviation fuel, late last year. Fuel importers are required to inform the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee about the quantity of fuel they plan to import and the amount of US dollars required. Importers must also gain approval from the committee  which is headed by Lieutenant-General Moe Myint Tun, who sits on the juntas administrative body, the State Administration Council  to import fuel according to the quota set by the committee.

The quota granted to Brighter Energy Co accounts for nearly 10 percent of Myanmars total monthly fuel imports of 350,000 to 500,000 tonnes, a fuel importer told The Irrawaddy.

KBZ will import fuel to supply the military as it offers a more stable market than the retail market. KBZ previously only operated filling stations but now has its own storage facilities, he said.

KBZ operates Nilar Yoma filling stations under Nilar Yoma Trading Co, established in 2001.

Nilar Yomas filling-station operation is less successful than its rivals, the importer added.

Background of Brighter Energy and oil port

The joint venture was unveiled in June 2019. At a press conference that same month, PTTOR and KBZ officials announced that Nilar Yoma filling stations would be rebranded as PTT and include the Thai multinationals Cafe Amazon outlets.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and 2021 military coup threw the project off course.

In February last year, KBZ pulled out of Brighter Energy. In December, PTTOR suspended Myanmar oil transport and storage operations following pressure from one of its investors, Norways Government Pension Fund Global, one of the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds.

The suspension came amid calls from international human rights groups for the Thai state-owned energy giant to suspend payments from joint ventures to the regime.

Myanmar Alinkar Group has said it has taken over Brighter Energy. But it is not clear if there are other shareholders.

Among the subsidiaries of Myanmar Alinkar Group are Jasmine Palace Construction Co and Brighter Energy Co. Its board of directors features Hsan Naung and his wife Sabel Aung, their two sons Kaung San and Min Khant, as well as Nyi Naing Aung and Thet Khine Oo, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.

Hsan Naung also sits on a regime committee formed in August last year to import fuel from Russia. The committee is led by Myanmar Economic Corporation chairman Lieutenant-General Nyo Saw.

The Irrawaddy was unable to obtain comment from Brighter Energy Co.
Junta-appointed immigration minister Myint Kyaing visited Beijing earlier this week to seek its help in conducting the next census, and introducing an electronic-identification system in Myanmar.

The visit follows junta boss Min Aung Hlaings announcement that a nationwide census will take place in October next year to be followed by general elections.

Myint Kyaing met Xu Ganglu, deputy minister of the National Immigration Administration of China, on Monday. At the meeting, Xu expressed Chinas full support for the regime, and explained Chinas immigration policy. They discussed cooperation between their immigration agencies, and measures to systematize entry and departure at the border, according to junta media.

Myint Kyaing visited Beijing Hisign Technology Co Ltd to learn about biometric technology.

The company describes itself as one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced enterprises in Chinas multi-biometric industry. It produces products that many analysts say are essential to Chinas emerging surveillance state. These include facial recognition, fingerprint identification, palm-print matching, handwriting and vehicle license plate recognition products, among many more.

Myint Kyaing also visited New Delhi in July to explore the potential for cooperation in implementing an e-identification system.

An e-identification system will enable the regime to more methodically monitor Myanmar citizens, and identify members of revolutionary forces.

Junta media outlets, however, have yet to report what, if any, agreements Myint Kyaing reached with China during his Beijing visit.

Before the immigration minister, four junta ministers, two deputy ministers, the Central Bank of Myanmar governor and a member of the junta-appointed Union Election Commission visited China, signing agreements and asking China to help the regime gain access to advanced nuclear technology.

Deputy junta chief Soe Win, who chairs the central commission to conduct the census, has said the regime would conduct the census by itself, and it would not seek technical and financial assistance from international organizations as was done in the previous census.

When Myanmar carried out a national census in 2014, the first in more than 30 years, the United Nations Population fund and several developed countries provided technical and financial support.

Now, the pariah regime is turning to Beijing for help.

On Monday, Chinas special envoy to Myanmar, Deng Xiju, met junta foreign minister Than Swe in Naypyitaw. The two discussed cementing their Pauk-Phaw (fraternal) relationship, and increased cooperation in matters of mutual interests.

The two sides also discussed closer collaboration in both the regional and international arenas, especially ASEAN and the United Nations, according to the foreign ministry.

As the regime will only hold the poll after the national census in October next year, the election proposed by the junta is unlikely to take place until 2025.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and a resistance group say they seized a Myanmar junta base in Sumprabum Township, Kachin State, on Wednesday.

The KIA, the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization, and Kagabu Peoples Defense Force attacked the base at a bridge near Daru Kha village in the township, the Kachin media reported citing resistance forces.

The military held the position on the Sumprabum-Myitkyina highway for 10 years.

It took the groups about five hours to seize the base.

The Kachin media estimated that 10 junta soldiers were killed and another detained and two resistance fighters were killed and others injured.

A video shows many weapons and ammunition being seized.

Two junta aircraft arrived but could not attack due to bad weather, a resident told 74 Media.

The resistance forces later burned down the base. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Also on Wednesday, the KIA and a resistance group reportedly attacked a military outpost at a bridge between two villages in the jade-mining hub of Hpakant Township, killing two soldiers.

Since early July, clashes have been reported along the Myitkyina-Bhamo highway in Kachin State when the junta deployed several hundred troops to attack the KIA headquarters in Laiza on the Chinese border.

The KIA has clashed with junta forces in Muse and Kutkai townships in neighboring northern Shan State.

It is also fighting junta troops alongside resistance groups in upper Sagaing Region.
China is gearing up to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), its vast international infrastructure scheme and brainchild of President Xi Jinping, next month. It claims to have confirmed the participation of leaders from over 110 countries in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

Myanmar is among the 150 BRI member countries. When the second forum was held in 2019,

the countrys then leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyiwhose National League for Democracy (NLD) government was ousted by the Myanmar military in 2021, and who has been detained since thenwas invited to the forum and attended a high-level meeting, delivering a speech entitled Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future.

So, at the third forum in October, whom from Myanmar will Beijing invite?

Since grabbing power in 2021, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has been running the country under military rule, appointing himself prime minister. Most Western countries have denounced his regime as illegitimate and condemned its killings of opponents and innocent civilians. Even within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Myanmar is a member, he is considered a black sheep. Under the circumstances, it will be interesting to see whether Beijing includes him in its list of dignitaries invited to the forum.

The Irrawaddy has learned that senior representatives of the junta and its governing State Administration Council have been lobbying Beijing for months to secure an invitation for Min Aung Hlaing. Badly in need of legitimacy abroad and respect at home, the regime sees the forum as a major public relations opportunity. When Russian President Vladimir Putin met the junta boss last year, the regimes mouthpiece media went into a frenzy, publishing a stream of propaganda pieces and pictures of Min Aung Hlaings great achievement.

Furthermore, despite Beijings warming ties with Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing has yet to be invited to China since the coup, and previous requests to visit were rejected. Observers believe the junta is desperate not to miss this opportunity.

Nonetheless, his chances of being invited to the BRI forum are very thin, they say.

Jason Tower, Myanmar country director at the United States Institute of Peace, said the Chinese government is frustrated at the regimes lack of progress on advancing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), a component of the BRI in Myanmar, and its unwillingness to crack down on criminal activity, especially cyber scams, which the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says have seriously harmed Chinese interests.

Furthermore, he added, fighting between the regimes troops and anti-regime resistance groups and their allied ethnic armed organizations in northern Shan State and nearby Mandalay Region has made it difficult for the regime to assert control in areas important to Chinese interests?

Considering how the junta continues to lose control over key trade routes between the China border and major cities like Mandalay and Yangon, and how it has been unable to restart significant mining projects, it seems more likely that the Chinese would limit the juntas participation to the minister level, he said, referring to mining projects in anti-regime resistance strongholds in Upper Myanmar.

Risky invitation

There is no doubt that Beijing maintains warm relations with the junta. The latest Chinese dignitary to travel to Naypyitaw was Beijings special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun, who discussed upgrading relations between the two countries, enhancing biliteral cooperation, and maintaining peace and stability along the Myanmar-China border among other things.

Over the past month, furthermore, at least nine junta ministers have flown to China for meetings. This week, the juntas construction minister, central bank governor, health minister, and agriculture, livestock and irrigation minister also visited Nanning City and Jiangsu province for China-ASEAN-related meetings and conferences.

Analysts say Beijing has adopted a policy of cautious engagement with the junta, politically distancing itself but maintaining a certain level of contact for the sake of its economic interests.

This relationship notwithstanding, taking the extra step of inviting Min Aung Hlaing to the BRI Forum would be wading into difficult waters for Beijing, as his participation would likely incur significant costs.

Given his atrocities, war crimes and genocide against his own people, countries across Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond might potentially downgrade their participation in the forum to avoid putting their leaders in the uncomfortable position of having to cross paths with Min Aung Hlaing.

Tower pointed out that handing an invitation to Myanmar junta would also be awkward for Beijing given the juntas deep involvement in the transnational criminal activity that China claims to detest and demands that Myanmar crackdown on.

The Myanmar junta is known to be turning a blind eye to transborder crime involving human trafficking and cyber-scam syndicates largely run by Chinese criminals along Myanmars borders with China and Thailand. Beijing has been pressuring the regime to crack down on them. In response, the regime in August handed over to Chinese authorities 24 people arrested for involvement in online scams. However, the syndicates along the Thai border remain intact as they are protected by regime-friendly ethnic Border Guard Force groups.

An invitation to Min Aung Hlaing would also risk sending a signal that China is not taking the global security crisis caused by transnational criminal groups in Myanmar seriously, Tower said.

During Daw Aung San Suu Kyis 2019 attendance at the second BRI Forum, Myanmar signed two memorandums of understanding and an agreement letter with China to strengthen cooperation between the countries on the CMEC, trade and technology.

To Chinas dismay, due to the military coup, the CMEC project has been stalled for more than two years, as the regime still does not have control of the country, which has witnessed a nationwide popular armed resistance movement. Its evident that, were it not for the political instability caused by Min Aung Hlaings coup, the project would now be up and running.

Give such losses, Tower said, The presence of Min Aung Hlaing would also be a clear reminder of how the militarys destructive actions and ongoing war against the Myanmar people have undermined any prospects for success of the agreements that the NLD party made with China on the CMEC.
On Wednesday, President Joe Bidens administration announced it will grant work permits and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nearly half a million Venezuelans residing in the United States.

The TPS will be granted for 18-months.

The move was welcomed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who on Thursday morning expressed her satisfaction with the decision.

South Florida has long been a beacon of hope for hundreds of thousands of families who escaped tyranny, oppression, warfare, and human rights violations. Many Miami-Dade County residents  including Venezuelans, Nicaraguans and Haitians  have received TPS and as a result, have made invaluable contributions to both our community and economy, Cava said in a statement.

The move came after intense lobbying by top New York Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, the New York Times reported.

At present, there are approximately 242,700 TPS beneficiaries under Venezuelas existing TPS designation and the new TPS action impacts about 472,000 Venezuelan nationals who may be eligible under the redesignation of Venezuela, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Cava said, Miami-Dade is proud to be home to the largest community of Venezuelan immigrants in the United States. We are deeply grateful that the administration has answered our calls to extend as well as redesignate TPS for those who arrived at a later time, seeking refuge from oppression and worsening instability.

Venezuelans residing in the U.S. as of July 31 can sign up for TPS.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be for 18 months.

After reviewing the country conditions in Venezuela and consulting with interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas determined that an 18-month TPS extension and redesignation are warranted based on Venezuelas increased instability and lack of safety due to the enduring humanitarian, security, political, and environmental conditions, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

This redesignation provides temporary protection from deportation and authorizes Venezuelans to legally work in the US for those Venezuelans in the United States before July 31, 2023.

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023, are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.

Applicants for TPS redesignation must demonstrate that they are Venezuelan nationals (or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuelan) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 31, 2023.

Eligible individuals who do not have TPS may submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status and also may apply for TPS-related EADs and for travel authorization.
FIRST RESPONDER: Shane Van Cleve

EMPLOYER: American Medical Response

SCHOOL/TRAINING: Sierra College  Rocklin, CA and NCTI Paramedic Program  Roseville, CA

POSITION: Paramedic

YEARS OF SERVICE: 10

Shane Van Cleve wasted no time getting his career started. He was homeschooled and had the opportunity to start college while simultaneously wrapping up his high school course load. He graduated high school at age 16 and enrolled in EMT school at 17. At the same time, he was working as a volunteer firefighter at CAL Fire. By age 19, Van Cleve was already an EMT and working at American Medical Response (AMR). Today, hes been working as a paramedic for five years at AMR.

"I was a firefighter for eight years, and part of their requirements was to become an EMT," Van Cleve said. When youre an EMT, you work alongside a paramedic, and the more I worked, the more I liked it. I also have a passion for helping others, and the additional training sparked my interest. And AMR had an opening in Montana, so I transferred.

A typical day as a paramedic has Van Cleve going in several directions. Upon arrival, he ensures the ambulances are stocked and the equipment is in working order. During his 12-hour shift, he may make hospital-to-hospital transfers, interfacility transfers, respond to 911 calls or drive to a post or a station, etc.

We respond to anything, Van Cleve said. I work 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., and it's one of the busiest shifts. The first six hours of our shift are typically nonstop. I love interacting with people and caring for others. It's rewarding when you can see the results of your actions.

Van Cleve shared how proud he is of his career thus far  as he should be. When he was in EMT school at age 17, an instructor told him he would never make it.

"I was shy at the time and had a hard time talking to people," Van Cleve said. "It was a punch in the gut and something I wasn't expecting to hear, but I was determined to succeed and not let that discourage me.

Along with his fire science degree, EMT and paramedic credentials, including being a field training officer, Van Cleves talent spills outside the first responder field. A pianist from a young age, Van Cleve also has an associates degree in music. Hes played as a church pianist and organist, played occasionally for the college and dabbled in a jazz band. It's not just a hobby but a way to calm his mind after a hard shift.

"I use different coping mechanisms to handle the stress, which includes nature, exercising and playing the piano, Van Cleve said. Everyone needs an outlet to absorb the stress."

When asked about the best advice he's received, Van Cleve said the key is to be calm and confident  to fall back on training and never stop learning.

Shane is constantly learning and always driving forward, said Brian Hansen, operations manager at American Medical Response. It doesnt surprise me that Shane was nominated. Hes well-liked by his coworkers and always gives 100%.
Thursday, Sep 21st, 2023 (12:37 pm) - Score 5,400

CityFibre has announced that theyve awarded their first round of contracts to civil engineering firms under their state-aid supported Project Gigabit broadband rollout contracts in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hampshire and Suffolk. The deployments will bring full fibre (FTTP) lines to a total of 715,000 extra rural properties.

The operator, which is supported by ISPs like Vodafone, TalkTalk, Giganet and more, already covers 3 million UK premises (2.7m RFS) with full fibre  mostly in urban areas  via their commercial rollout and their ambition is to cover up to 8m (funded by c.2.4bn in equity and c.4.9bn debt)  across over 285 cities, towns and villages (c.30% of the UK)  by the end of 2025 (here).

NOTE: CityFibre is based in London and is owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company and Interogo Holding.

However, since March 2023, theyve also secured four major contracts under the Governments 5bn Project Gigabit scheme  here and here, which reflects a combined public investment of 387m. This is being supported by an additional private investment from CityFibre of 223m to help reach even more premises in the same regions.

The construction phase for all this is due to commence in Cambridgeshire from October 2023 (the rest are due to follow in early 2024). The big news today is that CityFibre has appointed the Granemore Group in Cambridgeshire, OCU Group and CCN Communications in Hampshire, OCU Group in Norfolk, and Telelink, OCU Group and Granemore Group in Suffolk to help conduct the street works.

Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: Were excited to get our Project Gigabit rollouts underway, bringing faster and more reliable broadband connectivity to hundreds of thousands of rural homes and businesses areas that were at risk of missing out. With the legacy copper networks in these areas soon to be made obsolete, we look forward to providing all Internet Service Providers a powerful new network from which to better serve their customers.

Deploying into rural areas is often much more challenging for operators like CityFibre, which have traditionally tended to focus on relatively quick and easy urban builds. As such, it will be interesting to see how much progress they make over the next few years, although this is something theyve been planning to do for a long time and the level of investment involved is a fair indication that they understand the costs.

Nevertheless, we still wouldnt be at all surprised if the cost per premises passed ended up being higher than currently forecast, which is an issue that other networks have run in to before with such contracts. Time will tell.
September 20, 2023



The Idaho State University Graduate School is hoping to collect 1,000 books by Oct. 31 for local elementary schools at its fourth annual K-4 book drive.

First organized by Interim Dean Dr. Tracy Collum in 2020, the Idaho State University Graduate School hosted its first K-4 book drive as part of its Grad School Gives initiative in an effort to benefit local elementary schools during the trying times of a global pandemic. With generous community donations, the Graduate School was able to collect 364 books during its first year and has been able to carry that momentum to begin its 4th annual book drive this year, sitting on an overall donation total of over 1,800 books. Last year, they received contributions from more than 60 sources.

The book drive seeks to help local K-4 elementary school libraries reflect the distinctive cultures, perspectives, and traditions present in this community. The Graduate School selects various books, authors, illustrators, and subjects that reflect these standards and registers them for anyone around the country to donate and have the books sent directly to their office. From shorter picture books, such as The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil and Rashin Kheiriyeh, to chapter books including Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi, they seek to give elementary school students extensive access to stories that will help them feel represented. The wish lists are updated yearly to allow room for newly published books that will continue to plant seeds of creativity, imagination, and appreciation for their classmates experiences.

Ellis Elementary librarian, Irena Naumu, was delighted by this concept upon receiving donations during the 2022 book drive. In an article by Idaho Education News, she said she was thrilled to have several of the books written or translated in Spanish. In the same article, AJ Watson, the director of elementary education for the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District expressed this same concept and his desire to have everyone feel welcome, empowered, and successful in school.

This year the Graduate School is thrilled to be partnering with a new Pocatello business, Hares and Hatter Bookshop, to allow donors to not only support their cause but local commerce as well. To contribute, visit their wish lists on Amazon or through Hares and Hatters Bookshop to donate or drop off K-4 books of their choice in the Graduate School office on the ISU campus, Museum Building Suite 401.

The book drive kicks off every fall semester with a donation deadline of Oct. 31, to allow for delivery to schools in November. Visit the graduate school website for more information.
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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.
Editors note: This article contains a graphic image. We are publishing the photo because it illustrates the severity of the injuries involved with the excessive force allegation.

A 26-year-old Bismarck police officer fired four months ago for allegedly using excessive force on a 63-year-old man now faces a misdemeanor criminal charge stemming from the incident.

George Huff is charged with simple assault after the March 9 incident in which he allegedly struck Keith Erlandson multiple times in the face while holding handcuffs. Erlandson suffered numerous facial injuries.

Erlandson's family has said he is homeless and has mental health issues. He also has a history of run-ins with law enforcement.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation looked into the March 9 incident. Agent Matthew Hiatt in an affidavit filed in the court case said he believes probable cause exists to bring the charge against Huff. State Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Ensrud filed a criminal complaint on Tuesday. Huff was issued a summons to appear in court on Oct. 10 for an initial hearing. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of about a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. Court records do not indicate if Huff has an attorney.

The Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment on why officials decided on a misdemeanor charge. Erlandson's family didn't immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment.

Documents previously released in the case state that Huff encountered Erlandson while on duty and responding to a report of a man in the street near 24th Street and Main Ave. in Bismarck. Reports based on statements from both Erlandson and Huff say Erlandson walked away from Huff and Huff attempted to detain him, while calling for additional officers to assist. Prior to those officers arriving, a physical altercation between Erlandson and Huff began with both going to the ground. It was while the pair struggled on the ground that Huff struck Erlandson while holding the handcuffs, according to the documents.

Responding officers arrived while Huff and Erlandson struggled, according to Hiatt's affidavit. Dash cameras in responding officers' cars and surveillance video from nearby businesses show that struggle before the two go to the ground, but do not show Huff allegedly striking Erlandson's face except for the final blow -- an elbow Huff apparently delivered to Erlandson's neck area, Hiatt said.

Erlansdon was booked into the Burleigh Morton Detention Center. His booking photo shows pronounced swelling on the left side of his face and his left eye swollen nearly shut. Those injuries required Erlandson to make two trips to an emergency room for treatment, according to the affidavit and the BCI investigation records.

Huff when interviewed for the police department's internal investigation said Erlandson ignored his commands, resisted arrest, appeared to be trying to bite him, violently pulled down on his neck, and pulled at the officer's duty vest, which housed weapons, according to the police documents. The BCI report states that "Huff described he had a death grip on his handcuffs because he did not want to lose them," and that he meant to hit with his knuckles, not the handcuffs.

One part of the police department's internal investigation report described Erlandson as suffering from mental illness and having drug and alcohol issues. It went on to say Erlandson had a history of fleeing from officers and resisting arrest.

The department's report concluded Huff "initiated and persisted in close physical contact" with Erlandson and that Huff ignored training on deescalating a situation while waiting for back-up "which he knew was literally seconds away."

Huff was known for "having a short fuse" and liking to fight, according to one of the responding officers interviewed by the department. Other responding officers said Huff later bragged about Erlandson's booking photo.

Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch fired Huff on May 21.

Huff appealed his firing to the city's Civil Service Commission. A hearing was scheduled but later canceled. Christopher Redmann, Huff's attorney in that matter, told the Tribune at the time that the decision to withdraw the request for a hearing was made "because this case is still pending prosecutorial review and civil service commissions rarely reverse department head decisions."

Redmann also said that "Officer Huff is not looking to return to the Bismarck Police Department and is looking to mitigate the media exposure this incident has had on his family." The withdrawal request came four days after video of the Erlandson incident became public.

Documents filed with the Civil Service Commission before the hearing's cancellation show Huff had a number of disciplinary issues while with the police department. Those documents detail fights with other suspects, mistreating people and a number of policy violations including violating COVID-19 protocols and not reporting a number of speeding tickets he had received. Notes in Huff's 2022 evaluation state "Officer Huff will lose his temper and act unprofessionally."

Erlandson was not charged in connection with the March 9 incident. Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer cited "the circumstances of that case" and his mental health issues. She left the decision on any criminal charges against Huff to the Attorney General's Office.

Erlandson was arrested in July on warrants related to other run-ins with law enforcement. He faces felony charges from October 2022 and this past July for assault on a peace officer, drug possession and several misdemeanors. Mental health evaluations were ordered in both cases. Court records show those cases as inactive. He remains in custody at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center.
FARGO  Businesses that teamed up to sell thousands of Back the Blue T-shirts have raised $40,000 for police officers and a woman shot July 14 in Fargo.

Owners of the local businesses handed a $10,000 check to Karlee Koswick and a $30,000 check to the Leadership Care Fund on Wednesday in front of the Fargo Police Departments headquarters. Koswick, a Boston-area woman who moved to Fargo, was shot and injured by Mohamad Barakat when he opened fire on police who were responding to a crash on 25th Street at Ninth Avenue South.

Receiving the check shows how supportive and incredible the community of Fargo is, Koswick said Wednesday.

I knew that people were being supportive, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for it, she said.

Kelly Visto, owner of Big Ervs in Horace and one of the founders of Back the Blue, said he was trying to find an organization to support in collaboration with the bars annual street dance.

Then the July 14 shooting happened. Barakat killed Officer Jake Wallin and injured Officers Tyler Hawes and Andrew Dotas as they responded to a crash involving Koswick. Officer Zach Robinson fatally shot Barakat, ending a threat to the community.

Investigators believe Barakat likely planned a mass shooting at a downtown Fargo street fair attended by thousands that day.

Visto said he wanted to take the street dance and turn it into a fundraiser for the victims of the shooting. He teamed up with Midwest Tree and Maintenance of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and Skooters Plumbing in West Fargo to hold the event called Back the Blue Night.

The group also sold about 3,000 Back the Blue T-shirts, which people are still requesting, Visto said. Along with donations from local businesses and residents, the group raised $40,000 for Koswick and the officers injured and killed in the shooting.

The people who created this event will never know the pain that they went through, Visto said of the shooting victims. This was the least that we could do, and the community chipped in.

The response to raise money for the officers and Koswick has been huge, Visto said. The group has opened an online shop to sell the shirts for two weeks through LongWeekend Sportswear in Perham, Minnesota. All future proceeds will go to the Leadership Care Fund, which was created by Fargo Police Department leadership as a way to financially support officers who go through life-altering events.

Raising the funds would not have been possible without the support of community members in the Fargo-Moorhead and lakes area, Visto said.

Its the community that did this, he said, adding his group just facilitated the fundraising.

Koswick said her physical recovery is coming along. She hasnt gotten the clear yet to walk on her own, and the mental recovery has been a tough road, she said.

She has made friends in the Fargo area throughout her recovery, she said. She was initially surprised by all of the support she has received from the area.

Koswick said she wanted to thank the community for their support and the officers who were there that day, adding that she is grateful that the shooting wasnt worse than it was.

Im getting through it with a lot of help from friends, family and total strangers, she said.

Midwest Tree and Maintenance is owned by Keith Gummeringer, and Skooter Thompson owns Skooters Plumbing.
The North Dakota Legislature's Budget Section on Thursday approved the allocation of nearly $50 million from the Flexible Transportation Fund for two Department of Transportation projects, among other funding requests.

The fund, which was created during this year's legislative session, is composed of $171.5 million in motor vehicle excise taxes and $51 million from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund, a state reserve fund derived from oil and gas revenue.

The Budget Section approved an estimated $27 million in improvements to a 21-mile stretch of Interstate 94 in the Bismarck area. The portion of road will see an increase in legal weight requirements, as well as a widening to prevent width restrictions. Construction for the project is planned to conclude this fall.

An estimated $19.1 million was approved for improvements to state Highway 49 from Heart Butte Dam to Glen Ullin. The nearly 20-mile section will be widened and reinforced to address weight limits and the narrow width of the road, after eight road-departure crashes happened in the area over a five-year period. Construction is planned for 2024.

The Budget Section also approved eight cases of spending authority for federal funds. Those requests ranged from an expansion of the state's paraprofessional apprenticeship program to election security for overseas voters. The approvals also included three North Dakota National Guard projects -- two at Camp Grafton and one at the Dickinson Readiness Center.

Because those projects are covered by federal funds, the state will not incur any additional costs from the approval. The state's Emergency Commission first greenlit the proposals earlier this month before they moved to the Budget Section for final approval.

The Emergency Commission comprises the governor, secretary of state, House and Senate majority leaders and top budget writers, and approves state agency requests for funding between legislative sessions. The Budget Section is a group of legislative budget writers and floor leaders from both legislative chambers.
CW APAC  Trend Watch: Datacentres Sustainability targets are becoming more pertinent than ever. In this handbook, focused on datacentres in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at how firms are approaching the topic, why STT GDC is building its largest datacentre in the Philippines, OVHCloud's India project and the impact of generative AI.

A Computer Weekly buyers guide to auditing and testing data models Generative AI has arrived on the scene with a multitude of ethical issues. In this 13-page buyers guide, Computer Weekly explores those considerations, assesses data classification tools and looks at how to improve test data management.

Computer Weekly  15 August 2023: How does your salary stack up? In this week's Computer Weekly, we reveal our annual salary survey, comparing IT professionals' pay and attitudes to their job  how does yours stack up? The new digital chief at DWP discusses AI, data modernisation and shaking up the tech behind the benefits system. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  1 August 2023: We're doing AI all wrong In this week's Computer Weekly, AI is being imposed on society from the top down and the socio-economic implications will cause problems  we talk to an expert who says there is a better way. We also find out how hackers  the good kind  are turning to AI to make their work more effective. Read the issue now.

Inside MLC Life Insurance's cloud journey When MLC decided to move all its infrastructure, applications and services to the public cloud, its journey was more about people than technology. Learn how MLC overcame these people-related challenges in its move to cloud, improved its security posture and reduced infrastructure spending.

Computer Weekly  27 June 2023: The politics of AI In this week's Computer Weekly, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer both spoke at London Tech Week to present their visions of an AI future for the UK  we compare their plans. We talk to the CTO of chip giant AMD about making tech more energy efficient. And we look at optimising networks for hybrid working. Read the issue now.

Will data centers become obsolete? Many organizations want to simplify or scale down their data centers -- but they won't disappear. Admins can examine as-a-service options and cloud to offload some applications.

Computer Weekly  28 March 2023: Is TikTok really a security threat to your business? In this week's Computer Weekly, with the UK government becoming the latest administration to ban TikTok, we ask whether the controversial social media app is really a security threat to enterprises. Read the issue now.

Top IT Predictions in APAC in 2023 In this round-up, we review some of the key IT trends that are likely to shape the industry across the APAC region in 2023.

How 5G affects data centres and how to prepare Data centres can prepare for the rise of 5G networking by understanding how it functions, upgrading crucial infrastructure and understanding how 5G networks can benefit them.

A Computer Weekly buyer's guide to edge datacentres Edge datacentres seem set for a post-pandemic resurgence. In this 17-page buyer's guide, Computer Weekly looks at what makes them such an appealing option, the role infrastructure as code has to play and what's driving company adoption.

Computer Weekly  10 May 2022: The spies who hack you  the growing threat of spyware In this week's Computer Weekly, after 10 Downing Street was hit by a spyware attack, fears about targeted mobile phone hacks are increasing. Our salary survey highlights the diversity challenge in IT, with men's support for women in IT declining. And we look at how datacentre heat reuse can help reduce carbon emissions. Read the issue now.

APAC enterprises are reducing their datacentre footprint Enterprises across the Asia-Pacific region are planning to reduce their datacentre footprint, relying instead on colocation facilities to improve IT efficiency and connectivity to the growing number of cloud-based services that they have come to rely on.

Computer Weekly - 26 April 2022: The latest salary trends for IT professionals In this week's Computer Weekly, the results of our annual salary survey show pay returning to pre-pandemic levels and work-life balance a growing consideration. As sustainability becomes a critical issue, we look at how datacentres can meet emissions targets. And we find out how IT leaders can help protect children online. Read the issue now.

11 key considerations prior to a data center upgrade The key to smooth, successful and meaningful data center upgrades is preparation. Know the goals and the path to each goal, and meet the roadblocks along the way to bring huge benefits to the upgrade process. In this e-guide, learn the 11 key steps you must take to ensure neat migrations, good availability, continued security and limited downtime.

Computer Weekly - 5 April 2022: Police use of AI needs overhaul to prevent abuse In this week's Computer Weekly, a House of Lords inquiry calls for a rethink on how police forces use AI technologies  we examine the issues. Our new buyer's guide looks into edge datacentres. And the EU and US agree a new data protection deal to replace Privacy Shield, but will it stand up to scrutiny? Read the issue now.

Top 10 datacentre stories of 2021 The 2021 datacentre news cycle has been dominated by stories about how demand for hyperscale datacentre capacity is continuing to boom, while market watchers grow increasingly concerned about how all this growth is affecting the environment. With this in mind, here's a look back over Computer Weekly's top 10 datacentre stories of 2021.

Computer Weekly - 25 January 2022: Why watching your remote workers doesn't work In this week's Computer Weekly, the surge in home working led many firms to mandate use of surveillance software  we look at why it hasn't worked. It's an important year for public sector IT  we examine the trends for 2022. And with robotic process automation (RPA) booming, a Swedish bank explains the benefits. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly - 23 November 2021: Can the tech community show how to save the world? In this week's Computer Weekly, we report from the COP26 conference on how the tech world's collaborative open source model could help tackle climate change. Gartner has urged IT leaders to rethink their role as business come to rely on digital technologies. And we ask if your office security is at risk as staff return. Read the issue now.

How To Make Physical Infrastructure Security at the Edge Easier Explore this eBook to walk through the steps of ensuring the physical security of your edge IT investments, learn 5 resulting benefits, and see how APC NetBotz can help.

Benefits of On-Premise Edge Micro Data Center Solutions This white paper explores whats driving the move to edge computing and how it benefits companies, as well as the advantages of on-premises edge computing using micro data centers. Access it here to get started.

A Computer Weekly buyer's guide to sustainable datacentres There is a growing need for datacentres to adapt to modern demands. In this 19-page buyer's guide, Computer Weekly looks at the new ideas coming from IT leaders looking to revamp datacentres, the importance of water usage in sustainability plans and the role uninterruptible power supplies have to play in decarbonisation.

Computer Weekly  2 August 2022: How to create a datacentre capacity plan In this week's Computer Weekly, planning datacentre capacity is a growing challenge  we ask the experts for the latest best practice. Victims of the Post Office IT scandal explain why they think they were targeted for speaking out. And we look at the digital skills gap in retail and find out how employers can source talent. Read the issue now.

Datacentre design: Building leaner, greener server farms The need for energy efficiency, resiliency and security have, for many years, been the driving forces behind the way that operators have approached building their datacentres. In this e-guide, we take a look at how the need for energy efficiency and sustainability is altering the way operators approach their datacentre builds and designs.
Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussein Brahim Taha on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports.

The meeting discussed the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OIC, preparations for the OIC Summit to be held in Gambia later this year, as well as the current situation in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided detailed information about the current situation in the region and the process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

It is worth noting that the OIC fully supports Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity, Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha emphasized that the efforts made towards the establishment of stability in the region play an important role in the sustainable peace-building process.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
The key differences between DaaS and VPN Remote access to corporate resources is essential to ensuring business continuity, and there are a variety of ways to provide this access. VPN and DaaS can both give remote users access to an organization's resources, but they differ in key ways such as user-friendliness, performance, security and manageability.

How virtual desktops simplify end user computing during lockdown While desktop virtualisation is nothing new, the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the value of providing employees with seamless remote access. In this e-guide we look at the suitability of streaming applications via virtual desktop infrastructure to support employees working from anywhere.

Computer Weekly  13 August 2019: How tech experts could earn millions as whistleblowers In this week's Computer Weekly, a tech expert is set to earn millions after successfully blowing the whistle on vulnerabilities in Cisco's video surveillance software. Our latest buyer's guide examines the issues around big data architecture. And we look at how the end of Windows 7 could spark a new era for desktop productivity. Read the issue now.

MicroScope  November 2020: Simplify the path to partner programmes In this issue, discover how to navigate the complexity of channel partner programmes to best foster relationships, how business intelligence software is helping companies look beyond Covid-19, and why leaders are looking forward to 2021

Top 10 end-user computing stories of 2019 IT has been looking at how desktop computing can enable employees to become more productive by using new forms of collaboration and enterprise social media platforms. Here are Computer Weekly's top 10 end-user computing stories of 2019.

November ezine: Peer-to-peer lending Credit always matters in the channel and peer-to-peer lending might just be the alternative some have been looking for

Computer Weekly  24 July 2018: Building intelligent aircraft engines with AI and analytics In this week's Computer Weekly, we talk to Rolls-Royce about using AI, sensors and data analytics to build intelligent aircraft engines. Our latest buyer's guide examines the next generation of desktop IT. And we ask whether a court ruling in Chile could lead to a worldwide change in Oracle's software licensing practices. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  27 March 2018: The desktop is changing In this week's Computer Weekly, corporate PCs haven't changed much in 20 years  as use of Chrome OS grows, we ask if IT leaders are ready for a new approach. Theresa May said Brexit means the UK leaving the EU digital single market  does this mean a return to roaming charges? And we look at the latest developments in Linux. Read the issue now.

MAXIMISING POWER EFFICIENCY WITH DELL OPTIMIZER Finding the optimal balance between performance and power efficiency is key in getting the best from your hardware. By allowing you to customise your PCs thermal management settings, learn how Dell Optimizer can ensure you better runtime efficiency in performance per watt for your workload.

18 Windows 10 Facts IT Must Know Now that Windows 10 has gone through some ups and downs, and has seen a fourth significant upgrade, it is time to see what we know about Windows 10 as it stands right now.

How virtual desktops simply end user computing during lockdown While desktop virtualisation is nothing new, the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the value of providing employees with seamless remote access. In this e-guide we look at the suitability of streaming applications via virtual desktop infrastructure to support employees working from anywhere.

Stay Ahead of VDI Trends: Certifications & Digital Workspaces Dive into this E-Guide to learn how to earn the latest VMware and Citrix VDI certifications  and how to get ahead of the digital workspace trend.

Evaluate Desktop Management Tools Download this E-Guide to take a look at the use cases for cloud-based desktop management tools and IT asset management tools, to see which will help your organization the most.

Desktop & Endpoint Management: Tools and Best Practices Download this E-guide to learn how unified endpoint management (UEM) and other tools and best practices can ease desktop management for IT.

Effective end-user management helps fuel productivity Download this three-part handbook on end user management to take a look at the double-edged nature of many technologies aimed to improve productivity, the potential of companion apps and more.

The Rise of Unified Digital Workspaces Unified workspaces have many advantages and allow users to work with the devices and resources they prefer, but they also introduce a number of complexities for IT. In this e-guide you'll uncover how to address these complexities and undergo a successful digital workplace transformation.

Top Windows 10 Migration Problems & How to Solve Them Download this e-guide to learn about the top six Windows 10 migration problems ahead of time, so that you can mitigate issues before it's too late. You'll also learn tips on how to make the transition smooth for your users.

How to Create a Successful Windows 10 Deployment: Tips from your Peers Windows 10 deployments don't always go as smoothly as planned. The OS comes with challenges related to storage, security, updates and more. However, there are plenty of ways to overcome these challenges. In this e-guide you'll learn tips from your peers on how to create a near-perfect Windows 10 deployment.

Should IT Use Desktop Management Tools in the Cloud? With cloud-based desktop management tools now available, organizations have more to consider when choosing between on-premises and cloud management tools. In this e-guide take a look at the use cases, features and pricing options to choose the best desktop management option for your organization.

Unifying Endpoint Management with Windows 10 A key pain point for enterprises using Windows 10 is that you need insight into which devices require updates and which already have them. Read this guide to learn about this new unified endpoint management system to empower your employees while simplifying IT's job.

Access e-zine: January 2018 Two companies implemented desktop transformation initiatives that stood out above the rest. Learn more about the winners of the Access Innovation Awards.

Compare the top enterprise file-sync-and-sharing vendors Enterprise file sync-and-sharing allows for simpler file access and sharing on the consumer and business level, but with so many vendors in the market it can be difficult to compare options. Download this e-guide to learn about the different capabilities of various vendors and what they can do for your mobile EFSS needs.

How to create a near-perfect Windows 10 deployment Deploying Windows 10 successfully may seem like a daunting task. In this e-guide find out how IT can make it happen by creating storage room, implementing tough security and knowing what to avoid.

Access e-zine: November 2017 More end-user monitoring tools are relying on machine learning and analytics to help IT get more granular information about the end-user computing experience.
A Computer Weekly buyer's guide to network cost and bandwidth optimisation Coming in under budget for appropriate network performance takes some strategic nous. In this 15-page buyer's guide, Computer Weekly looks at how companies can gain effective global coverage, what can be done to optimise networks in a shift towards hybrid working and why leaders should consider best practices carefully.

5 steps to achieve UC network modernization for hybrid work The enterprise communications and collaboration landscape continues to evolve as organizations shift from remote to hybrid work and as video becomes a critical business technology. Here are five network modernization tips to help you support current and future UC and collaboration needs.

Your path to efficient SD-WAN troubleshooting What do you do when an SD-WAN has problems? You troubleshoot. But SD-WAN troubleshooting requires IT teams to understand the network devices, connectivity and topology with which they're dealing, as well as many other factors. Below are some practical monitoring and troubleshooting steps IT teams can follow when dealing with SD-WAN issues.

Computer Weekly  20 June 2023: How to keep network costs affordable In this week's Computer Weekly, as demands for networking performance and speed increase, we examine how to keep a handle on costs. Chip makers are investing in PLC flash technology but some think it won't be worth the effort; we investigate. And we listen in as tech industry leaders and politicians discuss the regulation of AI. Read the issue now.

Innovation Awards APAC 2023 - Transportation: Transdev Sydney Ferries With public safety a top priority, Transdev Sydney Ferries realised it had to move to a 5G network infrastructure that could better provide the capacity and speed it needed. The decision has enabled the transport operator to shorten the time needed to analyse hours of video footage and resolve at least 70% of feedback within 2 business days.

5 steps to follow when migrating MLPS to SD-WAN Over the past several years of deploying SD-WAN, there's been a shift in the way enterprises move from MPLS to SD-WAN technology. Increasingly, the question has become less about if SD-WAN will be adopted and more about how to shift to SD-WAN. Here are some of the less obvious actions to take to ensure a smooth transition.

7 characteristics of next-generation networking The term next-generation networking refers to the process of designing network infrastructure with new, advanced technologies. Next-generation networks are flexible, nimble and secure architectures that are easier to manage. In this article, analysts offer their perspectives on which technologies help modernize network infrastructures.

Computer Weekly  25 April 2023: Aston Martin Formula One: Driven by data In this week's Computer Weekly, we speak to Aston Martin Formula One's Clare Lansley to find out how digital transformation helps the team to move further up the F1 grid. We explore how automation and AI is helping businesses tackle rising costs and also look into the maturity of Industry 4.0 initiatives. Read the issue now.

White box networking use cases and how to get started Rising cloud costs have prompted organizations to consider white box switches to lower costs and simplify network management. In this article, learn more about white box networking and its main uses.

Beginner's guide to Internet of Things The adoption of IoT in Asia-Pacific has accelerated over the past few years, spurred by growing digitalisation across the region and the desire to improve business processes. In this e-guide, learn more about IoT developments across the region and how to leverage the technology to drive business outcomes.

Computer Weekly - 20 December 2022: The Post Office IT scandal - cock-up or cover-up? In this week's Computer Weekly, the Post Office IT scandal inquiry continues to reveal shocking details  we review the latest evidence. We examine progress of the roll-out of fast broadband across the UK. And as the Online Safety Bill returns to Parliament, we look at the arguments about how to keep the internet safe. Read the issue now.

10 examples of the metaverse for IT and business leaders Plenty of companies want to get in on the money-making potential of what has been dubbed the metaverse. Here are enterprise-focused and consumer-focused examples that business and IT leaders may want to explore.

Computer Weekly  20 September 2022: A gold medal performance for networking In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out how the IT team behind the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham delivered a winning performance, how the centuries-old London insurance market is going digital, thanks to Lloyd's of London, and how low-cost high street stores succumbed to the inevitable and are going online. Read the issue now.

Top 12 most commonly used IoT protocols and standards Researchers estimate the number of IoT connections will reach 30.9 billion by 2025. Nowadays, IoT protocols are as critical to the existence of IoT as the things themselves. Technologists can select from multiple communication protocols when building a network to serve their IoT ecosystem. In this infographic, we list the most common ones.

India gears up for 5G but challenges remain India's upcoming spectrum auction marks the start of larger-scale deployments of 5G in the subcontinent, but telcos will need to find a way to address high infrastructure costs and monetise their investments. Download the full article to understand what challenges the country will have to face on its journey to deploy 5G.

7 steps of an SD-WAN implementation The benefits of software-defined WAN make many organizations interested in adopting it, but the implementation process can seem daunting. Enterprises can use this seven-step process as a guide to deploy a successful SD-WAN implementation.

7 types of networks and their use cases A computer network is an interconnected system of devices, represented as network nodes, that share information, data and resources among each other. Not all networks are the same. In this e-guide, learn about the seven most common types of networks, their benefits and use cases.

How to achieve network infrastructure modernization Upgrading to advanced network infrastructure involves firms being able to deliver mission-critical services through cloud providers and through their own cloud resources. Increased network infrastructure capacity need has seen deployment of optical networking and advanced network solutions such as software-defined wide area network (SDWAN).

Computer Weekly  14 June 2022: Managing Apple Macs in the enterprise In this week's Computer Weekly, with more people working remotely, the use of Apple Macs in the enterprise is growing  we look at how to manage them securely. Our latest buyer's guide examines security in the supply chain. And 10 years on from the London Olympics, we find out how data innovation is revitalising its legacy. Read the issue now.

The rise of SD-WANs: Time to cross the chasm Where does SD-WAN stand at the beginning of the second quarter of 2022? The solid upward trajectory of SD-WANs has been given further impetus by the parallel emergence and rise of SASE, which integrates SD-WAN with edge security, and the rise persists as SD-WAN pricing becomes more competitive and monitoring capabilities become popular.

The growth of cloud-based networking: What to expect in 2022 and beyond By upgrading to advanced network infrastructure, firms can deliver mission-critical services through cloud providers and through their own cloud resources. These increased capacity need has seen deployment of optical networking and advanced network solution such as software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). Read more in our exclusive e-guide.

5G vs. Wi-Fi 6: What's the difference? While several differences between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G exist, the two technologies can be a powerful combination for organizations that are looking for reliability and flexibility when building their network. In this infographic, we dive into the main differences, pros and cons of these two technologies.

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CW APAC - February 2022: Trend Watch - enterprise 5G In this handbook, focused on enterprise 5G in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at what the technology means for enterprises across the region.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Palestinian authorities are increasingly concerned about what they see as an increase in emigration by young Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli siege since 2007. They cite lack of jobs, a poor economy, high prices, and frequent electricity outages, according to the Palestinian Arab Front. This small group, with a secular Arab nationalist orientation, and which is close to Fateh in the Palestine Liberation Organization, places some of the blame on the fundamentalist, Hamas government of the strip.

The PAF pulled no punches about the deadly effects of the Israeli occupation/ siege on Gaza, saying that Israel continues to impose its siege on the Gaza Strip and has turned it into a large prison for years, and seeks with all its measures to undermine all the structures of life for our people, which has made life unbearably difficult for the citizens. It nevertheless did allow that some responsibility for the difficulties of the youth lie with those responsible for ruling the Gaza Strip, i.e. Hamas.

The Front called on the international community to halt the Israeli siege and other punitive measures imposed on the Gaza Strip, since these constitute policies of collective punishment that constitute a grave violation of the rules of international law that it is pursuing. The occupation has been against our people for decades, in full view of the world, without anyone doing anything.

The PAF spokeswoman concluded: We reaffirm the right of the youth of Gaza to live in dignity, freedom and justice. We pledge our Palestinian people to continue the struggle to achieve these goals that the martyrs believed in and died to achieve.

Meanwhile, Ismael Abd al-Hadi at Al-Quds al-`Arabi (Arab Jerusalem) reported that a couple of weeks ago, Israel suddenly and arbitrarily halted the export of all goods from the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing. Gazas exports primarily go to the Palestinian West Bank and to Israel, though some goods end up in Jordan. These everyday forms of oppressive occupation, which constrain peoples lives, are seldom reported at any length in the US press (and maybe never on television news).

The Israeli authorities said that the gate closure was owing to their discovery on September 4 of explosive materials and weapons in a shipment of clothing destined for the Gaza Strip, likely sent by a West Bank cell of Hamas. While Israeli authorities are right to be alarmed by such gun running, for them to close the entire gate to all exports for a full week, as they did, is a form of collective punishment. Its intent is to harm Gazas farmers and import-export merchants in hopes that they will in turn crack down on the Palestinian militants in Gaza, themselves.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Business Insider India: How People In Gaza Turn Trash Into Cash

The some two million Palestinians of the occupied Gaza Strip produce fish, vegetables, clothing and furniture, and exporting the pricier clothing and furniture gives them a crucial extra income, given the limited market for some items in poverty-stricken Gaza itself. The Ministry of the Economy in Gaza produced figures suggesting that the closure caused a loss of some $2.75 million for the week it continued.

To her credit, Julia Frankel at AP wrote earlier this month, Challenges faced by Gazas fisherman during the closure were particularly acute. Their surplus stock perished before it could reach markets in Israel. Gazas main fishermens union reported $300,000 in losses due to the closure, a significant blow. Fish accounted for 6% of all Gazan exports in July.

Gazas agricultural sector posted $82 million in sales abroad last year, and its clothing exports netted $22 million.

Al-Quds al-`Arabi quotes Palestine rights activists as saying that the gate closure was a form of collective punishment. Collective punishment is not allowed to occupying powers toward occupied populations by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on the rights of occupied populations and by the Rome Statute of 2002 that underpins the International Criminal Court.

Israel has imposed a partial siege on the Palestinian Gaza Strip since 2007, when a coup attempt against the elected Hamas government failed. UNCTAD estimates that the Israeli occupation costs the Palestinians of Gaza about $16.7 billion per decade, so by 2027 that would be $33.4 billion. The difference between a decent life and crawling on trash hills to find the wherewithal to live. Elements of the siege constitute war crimes. As for the exodus of Palestinian youth, that has been hailed as a goal of Israeli policy by right wing members of the Israeli parliament. Unfortunately, since Palestinians are kept stateless by Israel, they are not wanted in most countries, and those who leave often find a watery grave in the Mediterranean or end up undocumented and with blighted lives abroad.
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Ivan Savin, ESCP Business School and Lewis King, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona | 

(The Conversation)  When she took to the floor to give her State of the Union speech on 13 September, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen largely stood by the script. Describing her vision of an economically buoyant and sustainable Europe in the era of climate change, she called on the EU to accelerate the development of the clean-tech sector, from wind to steel, from batteries to electric vehicles. When it comes to the European Green Deal, we stick to our growth strategy, von der Leyen said.

Her plans were hardly idiosyncratic. The notion of green growth  the idea that environmental goals can be aligned with continued economic growth  is still the common economic orthodoxy for major institutions like the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD has promised to strengthen their efforts to pursue green growth strategies [], acknowledging that green and growth can go hand-in-hand, while the World Bank has called for inclusive green growth where greening growth is necessary, efficient, and affordable. Meanwhile, the EU has framed green growth as

a basis to sustain employment levels and secure the resources needed to increase public welfare [] transforming production and consumption in ways that reconcile increasing GDP with environmental limits.

However, a survey of nearly 800 climate policy researchers from around the world reveals widespread scepticism toward the concept in high-income countries, amid mounting literature arguing that the principle may neither be viable nor desirable. Instead, alternative post-growth paradigms including degrowth and agrowth are gaining traction.

Differentiating green growth from agrowth and degrowth

But what do these terms signify?

The degrowth school of thought proposes a planned reduction in material consumption in affluent nations to achieve more sustainable and equitable societies. Meanwhile, supporters of agrowth adopt a neutral view of economic growth, focusing on achieving sustainability irrespective of GDP fluctuations. Essentially, both positions represent scepticism toward the predominant green growth paradigm with degrowth representing a more critical view.

Much of the debate centres around the concept of decoupling  whether the economy can grow without corresponding increases in environmental degradation or greenhouse gas emissions. Essentially, it signifies a separation of the historical linkage between GDP growth and its adverse environmental effects. Importantly, absolute decoupling rather than relative decoupling is necessary for green growth to succeed. In other words, emissions should decrease during economic growth, and not just grow more slowly.

Green growth proponents assert that absolute decoupling is achievable in the long term, although there is a division regarding whether there will be a short-term hit to economic growth. The degrowth perspective is critical that absolute decoupling is feasible at the global scale and can be achieved at the rapid rate required to stay within Paris climate targets. A recent study found that current rates of decoupling in high-income are falling far short of what is needed to limit global heating to well below 2C as set out by the Paris Agreement.

The agrowth position covers more mixed, middle-ground views on the decoupling debate. Some argue that decoupling is potentially plausible under the right policies, however, the focus should be on policies rather than targets as this is confusing means and ends. Others may argue that the debate is largely irrelevant as GDP is a poor indicator of societal progress  a GDP paradox exists, where the indicator continues to be dominant in economics and politics despite its widely recognised failings.

7 out of 10 climate experts sceptical of green growth

How prevalent are degrowth and agrowth views among experts? As part of a recent survey completed by 789 global researchers who have published on climate change mitigation policies, we asked questions to assess the respondents positions on the growth debate. Strikingly, 73% of all respondents expressed views aligned with agrowth or degrowth positions, with the former being the most popular. We found that the opinions varied based on the respondents country and discipline (see the figure below).



Fourni par lauteur



While the OECD itself strongly advocates for green growth, researchers from the EU and other OECD nations demonstrated high levels of scepticism. In contrast, over half of the researchers from non-OECD nations, especially in emerging economies like the BRICS nations, were more supportive of green growth.

Disciplinary rifts

Furthermore, a disciplinary divide exists. Environmental and other social scientists, excluding orthodox economists, were the most sceptical of green growth. In contrast, economists and engineers showed the highest preference for green growth, possibly indicative of trust in technological progress and conventional economic models that suggest economic growth and climate goals are compatible.

Our analysis also examined the link between the growth positions and the GDP per capita of a respondents country of origin. A discernible trend emerged: as national income rises, there is increased scepticism toward green growth. At higher income levels, experts increasingly supported the post-growth argument that beyond a point, the socio-environmental costs of growth may outweigh the benefits.

The results were even more pronounced when we factored in the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), suggesting that aspects beyond income, such as inequality and overall development, might influence these views.

In a world grappling with climate change and socio-economic disparities, these findings should not simply be dismissed. They underline the need for a more holistic dialogue on sustainable development, extending beyond the conventional green growth paradigm.

Post-growth thought no longer a fringe position

Although von der Leyen firmly stood in the green growth camp, this academic shift is increasingly reflected in the political debate. In May 2023, the European Parliament hosted a conference on the topic of Beyond Growth as an initiative of 20 MEPs from five different political groups and supported by over 50 partner organisations. Its main objective was to discuss policy proposals to move beyond the approach of national GDP growth being the primary measure of success.



Image by Alexander Droeger from Pixabay

Six national and regional governments  Scotland, New Zealand, Iceland, Wales, Finland, and Canada  have joined the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) partnership. The primary aim of the movement is to transition to an economy designed to serve people and planet, not the other way around.

Clearly, post-growth thought is no longer a fringe, radical position within those working on solutions to climate change. Greater attention needs to be given to why some experts are doubtful that green growth can be achieved as well as potential alternatives focussed on wider concepts of societal wellbeing rather than limited thinking in terms of GDP growth.

Ivan Savin, Associate Professor of Business Analytics at ESCP Business School, Madrid campus & Research Fellow at ICTA-UAB, ESCP Business School and Lewis King, Lecturer in climate policy and green economics, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Pickering, ON - TheNewswire - September 21, 2023 - Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE:RFR) (OTC:RFHRF) (FSE:9RR) (Renforth or the Company) would like to inform shareholders that 62 additional claims have been staked at Surimeau in order to encompass the balance of the mineralized magnetic anomaly north of Lalonde discovered in the just completed prospecting program, as well as historic government soil samples with anomalous values in lithium and cesium, and areas where granite can be identified using extremely detailed satellite photos.





Renforth is still awaiting the results from samples taken in the recent prospecting round and permits required for drilling and stripping operations anticipated to commence in October. When field operations resume, time and weather permitting, an effort will be made to prospect certain areas of the newly acquired claims.

Technical disclosure in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Francis R. Newton PGeo, OGQ a qualified person pursuant to NI 43-101.

For further information please contact:

Renforth Resources Inc.

Nicole Brewster

President and Chief Executive Officer

C:416-818-1393

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

#Unit 1B  955 Brock Road, Pickering ON L1W 2X9

About Renforth

Renforth is a secure multi-commodity area play with the dominant brownfield land position south of the world class Cadillac-Larder Lake Fault ("CLLF") in the prolific Cadillac and Malartic mining camps of Quebec's Abitibi. Offering exposure to gold, zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt and more, including lithium Renforth's land position encompasses several areas of interest. In the more than 300 square kilometres Renforth holds, there are both resources and mineralized ground undergoing exploration to extend zones and define the amount of metal in structures.

Renforth's position is unique in that the ground is road accessible, has hydro power in place and is in an established and secure mining jurisdiction which regularly ranks as Top 10 (as determined by the Fraser Institute) in the world.

The CLLF, which extends from west of Kirkland Lake in Ontario to east of Val d'Or in Quebec is a regional first order fault which hosts numerous mines along its extent, including one of Canada's most lucrative gold mines, the know historic O'Brien Mine which formed the Cadillac Mining Camp, and Renforth's Parbec gold deposit near Malartic. Now, immediately north of Renforth's landholdings is one of the few instances of the CLLF being mined on its north side with North America's deepest single stage shaft, the Penna shaft, at Agnico Eagle's LaRonde Mine. Renforth holds the dominant land position in the Cadillac Camp south of the fault, and a good portion of the land position in the Malartic camp as well, contiguous to one of the few mines operating on the south side of the Cadillac Break, the Canadian Malartic Mine. Renforth's landholdings in the area host gold and silver as well as a host of future facing, or battery, metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt and lithium.

No securities regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as may, will, plan, expect, believe, anticipate, estimate, intend and similar words referring to future events and results. Such statements and information are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Companys securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned against placing undue reliance thereon. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the mobilization of a diamond core drill to its 5,166 hectare (51.6km2), 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend, 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. There are now four drill rigs operating at Atlanta  three reverse circulation ("RC") rigs and one diamond core drill. The Company is also pleased to announce the results of its 2023 meeting of shareholders.

Highlights:

Core drilling will focus on a series of six strategically placed PQ holes totaling 1,480m along high-grade corridors in and around the historic Atlanta Pit that will be used for the ongoing metallurgical testing program as well as confirmation of proximal RC hole results.





along high-grade corridors in and around the historic Atlanta Pit that will be used for the ongoing metallurgical testing program as well as confirmation of proximal RC hole results. The Company continues to utilize one RC rig to define deeper mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben (" WAG ") while a second RC rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone with closer-spaced drilling designed to better define high-grade zones discovered by Nevada King within the main resource area. A third RC rig is currently drilling a series of widely spaced exploration holes at the Western Knolls prospect, located 5.5km west of the Atlanta Pit, testing a variety of geochemical and geophysical anomalies.





") while a second RC rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone with closer-spaced drilling designed to better define high-grade zones discovered by within the main resource area. A third RC rig is currently drilling a series of widely spaced exploration holes at the Western Knolls prospect, located 5.5km west of the Atlanta Pit, testing a variety of geochemical and geophysical anomalies. From inception of the Phase I drill program in June 2021 , into the continuation of Phase II, Nevada King has drilled 346 RC holes totaling 55,186m and 17 core holes totaling 1,398m , for a total of 56,584m . Assays from 234 drill holes totaling 32,876m have been reported with results pending for 129 drill holes totaling 22,314m .





, into the continuation of Phase II, has drilled , for a total of . Assays from 234 drill holes totaling have been reported with The existing resource model (Table 1 below) at Atlanta is based on 71 historic drill holes and does not incorporate any of the Phase I or II drilling completed by Nevada King to date  drilling that continues to expand mineralization northward and southward outside of the resource model, as well as westward into the WAG.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

2023 Shareholder Meeting Results

Nevada King reports the results of its annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders held on September 20, 2023, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. At the Meeting, shareholders approved all of the resolutions detailed in the related management information circular, namely:

Setting the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at four (4);

Electing all nominee directors to the board of directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

Appointing Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, or until a successor is appointed, and authorizing the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration of the auditor; and

Approving the stock option plan of the Company.

Votes representing 114,888,492 shares or 36.51% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company as at the record date were cast. The following table details the results:

Motion Votes For Votes Against Votes Withheld Number of Directors 114,776,331 (99.90 %) 112,161 (0.10 %) N/A Election of Directors:1 Paul Matysek 80,133,803 (90.31 %) N/A 8,595,520 (9.68 %) Collin Kettell 80,141,436 (90.32 %) N/A 8,587,887 (9.68 %) Craig Roberts 84,671,288 (95.43 %) N/A 4,058,035 (4.57 %) William Hayden 84,645,580 (95.40 %) N/A 4,083,743 (4.60 %) Appointment of Auditor2 114,693,349 (99.83 %) N/A 131,641 (0.11 %) Approval of Stock Option Plan3 87,039,929 (98.29 %) 1,515,093 (1.71 %) N/A

1 26,159,169 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses 2 63,502 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses 3 26,33,470 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses

About Nevada King Gold Corp.

Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016 the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada.

The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au

Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag

Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Table 1. NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold, GPAC, or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of Wild Dog Resources Inc. (WDR) pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation agreement (the Amalgamation Agreement) with 15103452 Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC (GPAC Sub), and WDR. WDR owns and/or has the right to earn an interest in three (3) separate high-grade gold-copper mineral properties located in Papua New Guinea (PNG): the Wild Dog Project, the Arau Project and the Kesar Creek Project (collectively, the WDR Properties) through Exploration Licenses ("EL") and Exploration License Applications ("ELA").

Highlights of Acquisition:

2166 sq. km land position assembled via the acquisition of interests in a variety of ELs and ELAs

includes 614 sq. km project contiguous with and SE of K92 Mining Inc. exploration tenements

includes 130 sq. km project contiguous with and NW of K92 Mining Inc. tenements, 10 km from mining operations

PNG ELs and ELAs contain multiple high priority gold and copper targets

Bryan Slusarchuk, CEO of GPAC, states, We are pleased to diversify our portfolio with these high-quality gold and copper assets in PNG. With the financial and technical experience of various team members in PNG, we are in an excellent position to unlock the potential upside of these high-grade assets. We look forward to building on the excellent work that WDR has completed on multiple high priority gold and copper drill targets across the land package.

Terms of the Acquisition

Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, in consideration of WDR:

The shareholders of WDR (the WDR Shareholders) received an aggregate of approximately 16,161,441 common shares of GPAC (the Common Shares), and each WDR Shareholder received one (1) Common Share for every 7.028 WDR Shares held (the Exchange Ratio) (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares).





The Common Shares issued to the WDR Shareholders are subject to voluntary restrictions on resale, of which 33.3% of the Common Shares will not be subject to restrictions on resale, 33.3% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of three (3) months following closing of the Acquisition (Closing) and 33.4% of the Common Shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of six (6) months following Closing.





The warrantholders of WDR (the WDR Warrantholders) received an aggregate of approximately 526,892 Common Share purchase warrants (the Warrants), and each WDR Warrantholder received Warrants exercisable to acquire such number of Common Shares as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable under each such WDR Share purchase warrant (a WDR Warrant) previously held by such WDR Warrantholder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares) at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the exercise price of such WDR Warrant per WDR Share divided by the Exchange Ratio until the expiry time of such WDR Warrant.





The optionees of WDR (the WDR Optionees) were granted an aggregate of approximately 1,553,679 stock options of GPAC (the Options), and each WDR Optionee was granted Options exercisable to acquire such number of Common Shares as is equal to the number of WDR Shares issuable under each such stock option of WDR (a WDR Option) previously held by such WDR Optionee multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Common Shares) at an exercise price per Common Share equal to the exercise price of such WDR Option per WDR Share divided by the Exchange Ratio until the expiry time of such WDR Option.

Immediately prior to Closing, WDR had a working capital of C$1,000,000, excluding payments due prior to Closing under the agreements relating to the WDR Properties, payments made to satisfy all accrued fees and termination benefits under the executive compensation agreements and payments of corporate and legal costs in the ordinary course of business.

On Closing, GPAC appointed Iain Martin, a director of WDR, as a director of GPAC.

Information Concerning the WDR Properties

The WDR Properties comprise of a 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG consisting of two ELs and multiple ELAs.

Figure 1. Papua New Guinea Project Location Map

The Wild Dog Project

The Wild Dog Project consists of one EL and one ELAs (ELA 2516 and EL 2761) totalling 1424 sq. km, which are located on the island of New Britain and are approximately 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Wild Dog Project occurs within a major NNE trending structure of at least 26 km in length which transect apparent volcanic caldera structures and intrusions. During the Mio-Pliocene at least three volcanic centres, known as the Nengmutka, Keravat and Sikut calderas, were localised along this horst and graben zone. This structural corridor constitutes an epithermal and porphyry hydrothermal-magmatic mineralized field.

The Nengmutka Caldera, which hosts the Wild Dog deposit, is characterised by a suite of calc-alkaline andesite breccia and ash flow tuff known as the Nengmutka Volcanics (Lindley, 1988). This formation has been mapped over an area of 600 sq. km. Tonalite of the Arabam Diorite intrudes the volcanic sequence and appears to be partly coeval with the caldera related volcanism.

The precious metal prospects are associated with epithermal type veining that contain gold-silver-telluride (Au-Ag-Te) mineralisation. Gold and silver occur as native metals and as telluride minerals. Porphyry copper-gold type mineralization also occurs associated with these intrusion centres that usually underly the epithermal systems. The whole of the recognised belt is held within the Wild Dog tenements.

Within the central part of the Wild Dog project, a significant structural corridor called the Wild Dog  Gunsap Corridor occurs. The corridor is at least 15 km long and up to 4 km wide and hosts at least three porphyry copper-gold prospects and several epithermal gold deposits and prospects.

The original Wild Dog epithermal gold deposit occurs within the Wild Dog  Gunsap Corridor in the central part of the tenements. It was discovered in 1983, with exploration including extensive mapping, trenching, rock sampling and drilling between 1983 and 2005 by various explorers. New Guinea Gold Limited operated a small open pit mining operation from 2007 and 2011. No exploration has occurred since the closure of the mine.

Figure 2. Wild Dog Project Location and Tenements Maps

Historical work completed by a previous operator returned significant gold assays. Channel sampling at the Kavursuki Prospect yields 4m at 9.41 g/t Au and at the Kargalio Vein 6m at 11.5 g/t Au.

Drilling of the Kavursuki Prospect by previous explorers, located within the Wild Dog Zone and north of the former Wild Dog mine, also yielded positive high-grade results.

Table 1  Kavursuki Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID N E RL Depth Azim Dip From (m) Length (m) Au g/t Cu ppm 90KVD005 9490500 395008 787 85.60 101.50 -45.00 5.35 1.25 12.80 1200 90KVD009 9490834 395227 758 93.85 101.50 -45.00 44.65 3.75 11.21 639 10KVD016 9490464 394971 798 51.00 101.50 -50.00 35.44 8.06 6.49 194 10KVD017 9490464 394970 798 50.00 101.50 -65.00 29.08 1.12 33.70 120 11KVD019 9490496 395039 807 45.10 101.50 -60.00 11.10 5.25 9.45 167 11KVD020 9490537 395045 805 50.90 101.50 -50.00 32.45 11.05 3.18 377 11KVD025 9490809 395241 752 45.20 101.50 -50.00 14.75 8.15 18.77 2801 11KVD026 9490810 395272 776 51.70 281.50 -60.00 33.80 5.10 14.70 101 11KVD027 9490870 395252 767 56.10 101.50 -50.00 30.70 1.90 10.35 46

Apart from the drilling conducted at the former Wild Dog gold mine there remain several drill intercepts that require further exploration outside of the mine environment as tabulated below, apart from the various trenching and channel sampling targets.

Table 2  Wild Dog Prospect Area Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID N E RL Depth Azim Dip From Length Au g/t Cu ppm 86WDD020 9489141 394278 983 259.35 103.50 -60.00 129.35 7.70 5.28 902 87WDD024 9489117 394316 965 152.55 98.50 -60.00 138.25 5.10 8.32 8556 87WDD027 9489115 394325 965 200.40 98.50 -60.00 117.95 6.20 19.13 786 87WDD040A 9489219 394320 994 280.99 103.50 -60.00 148.60 4.20 12.50 4066 87WDD045 9489235 394287 988 300.20 103.50 -60.00 201.30 2.85 16.94 32123 87WDD051 9489249 394257 985 309.10 103.50 -60.00 253.95 6.05 7.29 2054 87WDD058 9489285 394359 977 285.90 101.50 -60.00 147.00 12.45 4.96 6694 87WDD064 9489179 394289 1001 290.60 101.50 -60.00 158.00 14.95 2.73 650 87WDD065 9489160 394330 996 250.10 101.50 -60.00 142.70 4.65 5.49 3246 87WDD069 9489139 394375 991 123.50 101.50 -60.00 88.55 7.75 7.12 7151 08WDD111 9489393 394513 906 100.00 281.50 -60.00 48.40 7.10 5.47 931 85WDD014 9488708 394260 954 86.20 113.50 -51.00 48.25 5.25 9.79 10863 86WDP010 9488839 394302 909 60.00 83.50 -60.00 34.00 6.00 6.71 5047 87WDD040A 9489219 394320 994 280.99 103.50 -60.00 164.55 13.50 8.56 3056 90WDD086 9488948 394337 890 79.00 78.50 -50.00 18.45 11.25 16.22 3473 97WD098 9489389 394487 905 39.00 98.50 -45.00 12.00 8.00 9.73 NA*

NA* - not assayed or not available.

Table 3  Mengmut Prospect Significant Drilling Intercepts

Hole ID North East RL Depth Azim Dip From Length Au g/t Cu ppm MRC01 9487963 393871 968 20.00 0.00 -90.00 2.00 18.00 3.05 3084 MRC02 9487978 393874 971 30.00 0.00 -90.00 0.00 18.00 3.07 1053 90WDD087 9488091 394082 1021 61.95 101.50 -50.00 7.30 1.35 5.02 1650 90WDD088 9488104 394070 1023 40.30 101.50 -50.00 21.30 1.55 3.95 25 MMD003 9486870 393532 924 104.00 133.00 -50.00 2.35 4.42 NA* MMD006 9486770 393479 945 122.05 133.00 -50.00 2.55 4.16 NA*

Additionally, multiple samples collected from a historic stockpile near the Wild Dog Zone returned bonanza grades of gold and copper including Sample 30104 which assayed 242 g/t Au, 601 g/t Ag, 9.52% Cu and Sample 68001 which assayed 122.5 g/t Au, 350 g/t Ag and 11% Cu.

Figure 3 - Previous IP exploration survey at Wild Dog Project.

The exploration program at the Wild Dog Project will initially focus on drilling extensions to known gold mineralization within the Wild Dog  Kavursuki mineralized corridor (Tables 1 & 2) as well as other targets within the Wild Dog Structure such as Mengmut prospect (Table 3). Other targets to be explored include the copper-gold Magiabe porphyry target as well as regional geochemical targets established by previous explorers. Extension of the IP coverage in the Magiabe area could better define the target. Orientation soil geochemistry and auger drilling through the shallow cover sequence in prospective areas will be undertaken (Figure 3).

The details of the underlying agreements on the Wild Dog Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.

The Arau Project

The Arau Project consists of one EL (EL 2651) and one ELA (ELA 2715), located in the Kainantu region, Eastern Highlands Province, PNG, which are immediately east of and adjoining the Kainantu gold mine owned by K92 Mining Inc.

Initial exploration work by previous operators has identified two potential deposit types at the Arau Project:

epithermal-high sulphidation gold (Sabudia Hill, Onga Hill and Erandora prospects) and

copper-gold porphyry prospects (Mt. Victor, Mt. Aiyonka, Ebitara and P1 prospects).

Within the licence area, the Mt. Victor Prospect (copper-gold porphyry target) covers an area of 800m by 400m, and previous drilling suggests that the prospect area is a multiple phase intrusion complex that is copper, and gold mineralized. It is a drill ready prospect in which previous channel sampling has identified the following strong gold grades:

38m @ 2.64 g/t Au

12m @ 5.5 g/t Au

18m @ 2.4 g/t Au

10m @ 3.7 g/t Au.

These channel samples are in the central part of the Mt Victor prospect southwest of the former Mt Victor gold mine (Figure 5). Previous drilling was carried out in the 1980s, and all drillholes presented were vertical, which is not appropriate for the subvertical fault zones present within the prospect.

Figure 4. Arau Project Geology and Prospect Location map

Figure 5  Arau Project, Mt Victor Prospect detailed map.

Table 4  Mt Victor Prospect Significant Drill Intercepts

Hole ID E* N* Depth From (m) Length (m) Au g/t Cu ppm Notes CRD58 385177 9291680 64.5 0 64.5 0.18 106 granodiorite intruded by diorite DDH89-1 384650 9291308 260 234 5 0.85 NA disseminated copper mineralization DDH89-2 384965 9291825 300 43 10 1.10 NA under review DDH89-3 384873 9291562 300 213 10 1.20 NA under review MVD07 384746 9291253 52.8 0 52.8 0.10 384 altered pyritic diorite MVD08 384831 9291327 30 16 14 0.19 373 argillic altered QFP MVD09 384853 9291333 36 34 2 0.29 NA epidote altered intrusive rock MVD20 384900 9291345 75 0 75 0.34 304 argillic altered brecciated porphyry MVD21 384890 9291353 48 0 48 0.41 329 diorite/QFP brecciated contact MVD36 385032 9291456 24 22 2 14.70 463 altered pyritic porphyry MVD40 384994 9291435 38 0 38 3.10 1400 silica epidote altered porphyry MVD46 384932 9291388 34.5 15 19.5 0.33 117 epidote pyrite altered porphyry MVD50 385068 9291469 29 16 13 0.13 722 clay altered granodiorite MVD52 384962 9291475 30 14 16 1.01 77 sericite epidote altered porphyry MVD62 384704 9291152 75 40 35 0.12 287 kspar epidote altered porphyry MVD63 384596 9291160 48 0 48 0.75 373 diorite intruded by pyritic porphyry

Initial drilling at the Arau Project will involve five angled diamond drill holes to follow up on a successful electromagnetic survey and previous excellent geochemical sampling results.

The details of the underlying agreement on the Arau Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.

The Kesar Creek Project

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one ELA, ELA 2711, and is located 10 km from the Kora gold deposit owned by K92 Mining Inc (Figure 6).

Exploration at Kesar Creek has identified the presence of semi-massive copper rich sulphide mineralization associated with quartz veins on strike to the Kora gold deposit, as well as the potential for copper-gold porphyry prospects within the tenement. Although limited exploration has been carried out at Kesar Creek, initial rock sampling programs returned high-grade gold-copper-silver values including:

Rock sample no 14128 at 11.5 g/t Au

Rock sample no A1428 at 11.9 g/t Au

Rock sample no 9231F at 10.6 g/t Au

Rock sample no 14236 at 11.6 g/t Au, 29 g/t Ag

Rock sample no. A14023 at 30.4 g/t Au, 240 g/t Ag, 0.13% Cu





The details of the underlying agreement on the Kesar Creek Property are set forth in the news release dated July 5, 2023.

Figure 6 - Kesar Creek project map with key geological features.

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises two ELs and multiple ELAs. It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation present.

The Arau Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2651, and one exploration license application, ELA 2715, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation.

The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license application, ELA 2711, and is located 10 km west of the K92 Gold Mine owned and operated by K92 Mining Inc.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 666 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltds Fosterville gold mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Golds (ASX:SXG) Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All of GPACs properties are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rex Motton, AusIMM (CP), COO of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Motton is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of GPAC

Rex Motton

Chief Operating Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Gold Line Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GLDL) (OTCQB: TLLZF) ("Gold Line" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 20,000,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit for proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Financing") (all figures in the current release are in Canadian dollars).

Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant (the "Units"). Each full warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.20 per common share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance (the "Warrants"). The Warrants are subject to an acceleration right that allows the Company to give notice of an earlier expiry date if the Company's closing share price on the TSX Venture Exchange is equal to or greater than $0.40 for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days (the "Acceleration Right").

The Company will pay a finder's fee of 6% on the gross proceeds of the Financing from subscribers introduced by certain finders and will issue such number of finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") as is equal to 6% of the Units sold to subscribers introduced by certain finders. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance. Finder's Warrants are subject to the Acceleration Right as the Warrants.

Gold Line intends to use the proceeds from the Financing for drilling and other exploration activities and general working capital purposes.

All securities issued under the Financing are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval will be subject to a four month and one day hold period after the date of closing.

ABOUT GOLD LINE RESOURCES LTD.

Gold Line is focused on acquiring mineral properties with exceptional exploration potential in the most prolific gold-producing regions of Sweden and Finland, both regarded as top-tier mining jurisdictions and emerging exploration frontiers. Both countries possess very prospective mineral endowments, stable tenures, straightforward permitting, favorable tax regimes and supportive geopolitical landscapes. Gold Line's Swedish projects are located in the Gold Line Mineral Belt and Skelleftea Belt of north-central Sweden and the Mjsa-Vanern Belt in the southwest. In Finland, Gold Line holds the entire underexplored Oijarvi Greenstone Belt located in the north of the country.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GOLD LINE RESOURCES LTD.,

Taj Singh, M.Eng, P.Eng, CPA

President, CEO & Director

FOLLOW US:

Website: https://www.goldlineresources.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GLDL_Resources

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gold-line-resources-ltd

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Gold Line's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective) is pleased to announce that it has received assay results for soil samples that were collected in Phase One of the Companys two-phase reconnaissance soil sampling program (the Program) conducted in summer of 2023 on the Princeton Copper Project (the Project). The Program was designed to identify surface geochemical anomalies related to copper mineralization in close proximity to known historic copper mineral showings. Assay results from Phase One samples collected from the southern part of the Project with historic copper showings hosted in a structural corridor (the Trojan  Condor Corridor) are highlighted below (Figures 1 to 4).

Highlights

Phase One samples were collected from a northeast-oriented grid that targeted the Trojan-Condor Corridor where 470 soil samples were primarily taken from the Ah soil horizon (Figures 1 & 2).

Two areas with anomalous Copper, Silver, Gold & Tellurium were identified based on assay results of Phase One samples. Modestly high Copper anomalies in these two areas labelled as PA1 and PA2 in Figures 3 and 4 range between 75 to 186 and 35 to 115 ppm respectively.

Corresponding enrichments in elements such as Silver, Gold & Tellurium, and the presence of copper mineralization in the Trojan and Nev showings, located within close proximity to PA1 & PA2 indicate the anomalies are likely related to Copper porphyry style mineralization in the Trojan  Condor Corridor (Figures 3 & 4).

The Companys 2023 field exploration program is progressing well with results of the regional reconnaissance Phase Two soil sampling program expected in the coming weeks.

Christopher Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective, commented, We are very happy with results of the Copper porphyry style anomalies in the two areas within the Trojan  Condor Corridor. We look forward to receiving assay results from the additional ten grids which were targeted in untested areas of the Project which were samples earlier this summer. This soil program shows we are able to see beyond the overburden that covers most of the Project and highlights the potential for Copper porphyry mineralization and discovery on the Project.

Figure 1  Princeton Project: Distribution of diorites and location of the 2023 soil survey grids

Figure 2  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor map locations for samples taken during Phase One

Figure 3  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor with Copper Results

Figure 4  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor showing Silver results

Princeton Copper Project

The Companys flagship Project is easily accessible by road and is located immediately west of Highway 3 south of Princeton, BC, in a well-established mining district with excellent infrastructure, a local workforce and support services. The Project hosts potential for identification of one (or more) copper gold alkalic porphyry occurrences similar in age and deposit type to the Copper Mountain Mine. The Project is also approximately 10 km west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.s currently producing Copper Mountain Mine, which hosts a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 702 Mt of 0.24% Copper1.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Project, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101.

The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Project.

References

1  Copper Mountain Mine Life of Mine Plan and 65Kt/D Expansion Study Update NI 43-101 Report, Richard Klue, VP Technical Services, CMMC; Patrick Redmond, VP Exploration and Geoscience, CMMC; Luis Alberto Chang, VP Mining, CMMC; Berge Simonian, Director of Metallurgy, CMMC; Amaru Humala, Director of Mechanical Engineering, CMMC Scott Weston, VP Business Development and Strategy, Ausenco; August 1, 2022.

About Collective Metals

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

Social Media



ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher Huggins

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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 Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: mineralization potential of the Project based on the results of the Program. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) (OTCQB: PEXZF) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company completed 10,284 m of diamond drilling at its 100% owned Kliyul copper-gold project ("Kliyul") and 1,428 m at the RDP copper-gold project ("RDP"). Kliyul is located in the prolific Quesnel Terrane, close to existing infrastructure, and RDP is located 40 km to the west of Kliyul in the Stikine Terrane (see Figure 1).

Kliyul Highlights

10,284 m of diamond drilling was completed in 19 drill holes at Kliyul, making the 2023 exploration program the largest ever on the Project.

8,965 m in 16 drill holes in six contiguous fault block zones of the Kliyul porphyry copper-gold complex tested an area measuring approximately 1,300 m east-west, 600 m north-south, and up to 650 m vertical depth (see Figure 2).

1,319 m in three drill holes tested three interpreted porphyry centres (Ginger, Ginger South, and Parish Hill) up to 1.5 km from the Kliyul Main Zone ("KMZ") (see Figure 3).

Pacific Ridge has reported assay results from the first four diamond drill holes with hole KLI-23-054 returning 305.5 m of 0.23% copper, 0.51 g/t gold, and 1.22 g/t silver within 540.3 m of 0.19% copper, 0.36 g/t gold, and 1.09 g/t silver (see news release dated August 23, 2023). The results from the remaining 15 drill holes completed at Kliyul will be released once assays are received and compiled.

RDP Highlights

1,428 m of diamond drilling was completed in three drill holes at RDP.

987 m in two broad step-out holes (over 300 m each) from drill hole RDP-22-005, which returned 107.2 m of 0.63% copper, 1.10 g/t gold, and 2.91 g/t silver within 497.2 m of 0.37% copper, 0.40 g/t gold, and 1.6 g/t silver at the Day Target in 2022 (see news release dated October 25, 2022) (see Figure 4).

441 m in one drill hole completed at the Bird target where the Company discovered porphyry copper-gold mineralization in an outcrop exposed in a stream cutbank in 2022.

The results from the three drill holes completed at RDP will be released once assays are received and compiled.

"2023 was Pacific Ridge's busiest exploration season ever," said Blaine Monaghan, President & CEO of Pacific Ridge. "I'm very confident that we will continue to grow the known extents of the Kliyul porphyry copper-gold complex. I also look forward to the drill results from RDP where 2022 drilling returned one of the best reported porphyry intercepts in B.C. last year."

Figure 1 Location of Kliyul and RDP

Figure 2 2023 Kliyul Drilling

Figure 3 Kliyul Targets and Relative Magnetic Intensity (RMI) from 2022 Airborne Magnetics Survey

Figure 4 RDP Targets

2023 Kliyul Drilling Program Update

The 2023 Kliyul drilling program was completed on September 14th with the termination of drill hole KLI-23-069 at 655 m (55 m beyond planned depth). Seasonal progressive reclamation and exploration camp demobilization is underway. The total of 10,284 m of diamond drilling at Kliyul followed the decision to reallocate 2,000 m of drilling originally planned for the Company's Chuchi copper-gold project (see Pacific Ridge news release dated July 25, 2023) increasing the planned 2023 drilling at Kliyul from 7,000 m to 9,000 m. An additional 1,284 m of drilling was due to operational efficiencies. The 10,284 m diamond drilling program is the largest ever seasonal drilling program to be completed at Kliyul.

The objectives of the 2023 Kliyul exploration drilling program were to expand the known extents of the Kliyul porphyry copper-gold complex and to test several high-priority interpreted porphyry centres occurring along the Divide Lake Fault and Valley Fault corridors (see Figure 3).

2023 RDP Drilling Program Update

The 2023 RDP drilling program was completed on September 2nd with termination of drill hole RDP-23-009 at 441 m. Drill rig demobilization and seasonal progressive reclamation have been completed. A total of 1,428 m of diamond drilling was completed in three drill holes and tested two porphyry copper-gold prospects, Day and Bird (see Figure 4).

The 2023 drill program at RDP was funded by Antofagasta Minerals S.A. ("Antofagasta"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Antofagasta PLC (LSE: ANTO). Antofagasta can earn a 75% interest in RDP by spending $10,000,000 on exploration over eight years and delivering a preliminary economic assessment report (see Pacific Ridge news release dated February 8, 2022). Pacific Ridge is the operator and supported the RDP exploration program from Kliyul camp, located 40 km to the east.

About Pacific Ridge

Our goal is to become British Columbia's leading copper-gold exploration company. Pacific Ridge's flagship asset is its 100% owned Kliyul copper-gold project, located in the prolific Quesnel Terrane close to existing infrastructure. In addition to Kliyul, the Company's project portfolio includes the RDP copper-gold project (optioned to Antofagasta Minerals S.A.), the Chuchi copper-gold project, the Onjo copper-gold project, and the Redton copper-gold project, all located in British Columbia. Pacific Ridge would like to acknowledge that its B.C. projects are located in the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Gitxsan Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Nak'azdli Whut'en, Takla Nation, and Tsay Keh Dene Nation.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Blaine Monaghan"

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

Corporate Contact:

Blaine Monaghan

President & CEO

Tel: (604) 687-4951

www.pacificridgeexploration.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-ridge-exploration-ltd-pex-

https://twitter.com/PacRidge_PEX

Investor Contact:

G2 Consultants Corp.

Telephone: +1 778-678-9050

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

The technical information contained within this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Gerald G. Carlson, Ph.D., P.Eng., Executive Chairman of Pacific Ridge and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy.

Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, which address exploration drilling and other activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include growing the known extents of the Kliyul porphyry copper-gold complex. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, that one of the options will be exercised, the ability of Pacific Ridge and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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Beginner's guide to Internet of Things The adoption of IoT in Asia-Pacific has accelerated over the past few years, spurred by growing digitalisation across the region and the desire to improve business processes. In this e-guide, learn more about IoT developments across the region and how to leverage the technology to drive business outcomes.

Computer Weekly - 20 December 2022: The Post Office IT scandal - cock-up or cover-up? In this week's Computer Weekly, the Post Office IT scandal inquiry continues to reveal shocking details  we review the latest evidence. We examine progress of the roll-out of fast broadband across the UK. And as the Online Safety Bill returns to Parliament, we look at the arguments about how to keep the internet safe. Read the issue now.

The future is SASE: Transform your enterprise network for good Less than a year after it received an official name, Secure Access Service Edge has started to disrupt the networking and security markets. As incumbent vendors make strategic moves to build SASE offerings, the nascent technology has the potential to upend traditional networking and security.

Cloud networking vs. Cloud computing Organizations might sometimes consider cloud computing and cloud networking as interchangeable due to their similarities. But the two strategies have different goals and processes. In this infographic, learn more about the main features, uses and benefits of each of them.

CW APAC: Trend Watch: Cloud networking In this handbook, focused on cloud networking in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at the technology's advantages and how networking and security might evolve in the future.

Computer Weekly - 12 July 2022: The most influential people in UK technology In this week's Computer Weekly, we reveal the 50 most influential people in UK IT for 2022, and talk to the winner of the 12th annual UKtech50, National Cyber Security Centre CEO Lindy Cameron. Also, we take an in-depth look at the crisis in chip supply and what's needed to solve it. Read the issue now.

How to achieve network infrastructure modernization Upgrading to advanced network infrastructure involves firms being able to deliver mission-critical services through cloud providers and through their own cloud resources. Increased network infrastructure capacity need has seen deployment of optical networking and advanced network solutions such as software-defined wide area network (SDWAN).

MicroScope  May 2022: Charging at SME security challenges With cyber threats growing, SMEs have to improve their security position, and the channel is best placed to support that aim. Read all about improving security, how sustainability is more important than ever in channel conversations, and the impact of hybrid working

MicroScope  March 2022: Taking the steady approach to becoming an MSP In this issue, take a closer look at the risks and pitfalls on the journey to becoming a manages services provider, read about expected ongoing change and consolidation in the year ahead, and discover what experts have to say on the skills and supply chain shortages

CW Benelux - February-April 2022: Unesco members adopt AI ethics recommendation Unesco member state have adopted an AI ethics recommendation that seeks to define a common set of values and principles to guide the development of ethical AI globally. Also read about a large-scale national cyber exercise in the Netherlands.

Computer Weekly - 21 December 2021: What is Log4Shell - and why the panic? In this week's Computer Weekly, we assess the risks from Log4Shell, a new web software vulnerability described as "catastrophic". We look at SASE  secure access service edge  which is set to be one of the networking priorities for 2022. And some victims of the Post Office IT scandal are still waiting for proper compensation. Read the issue now.

The sped-up deployment of IoT on the back of "failure free" 5G Research in November 2021 from Inmarsat Enterprise found that as many as 84% of businesses gave sped up deployment of IoT, or plan to, because of Covid. In this guide, learn how businesses implementing IoT technologies are getting ahead of the competition across their value chains.

MicroScope  November 2021: Scaling the skills shortage Navigating the challenges of retaining talent is an increasing concern for the channel, with many professionals set to change jobs  discover why this is and how big of a problem the industry faces. Also read about the increase in demand for anything as a service, and why exactly the channel keeps enduring through the years

MicroScope  October 2021: Choosing a channel career In this issue, we explore whether more partners equals better business, and take a closer look at how IT consumption is changing thanks to subscription services. Also read a special feature looking into whether the channel offers good prospects for school-leavers hoping to start on a career path that could make a difference

A Computer Weekly e-guide on Network Visibility, Performance and Monitoring Traditional discourse around networks is centred around the basic premise of if you build it they will come. And if they come, they will be able to use the network to its fullest extent and everyone will be happy.

Top 10 networking stories of 2021 New hybrid workplace environments are demanding connectivity and security technologies to keep employees productive and able to collaborate. How leaders in the world of networking have been attempting to address these new dynamics over the course of the past year? Look back over Computer Weekly's top 10 networking stories of 2021.

A Computer Weekly e-guide on Network Visibility, Performance and Monitoring Traditional discourse around networks is centred around the basic premise of if you build it they will come. And if they come, they will be able to use the network to its fullest extent and everyone will be happy.

Ofcom raise over 1.3bn for new 5G spectrum auction In this e-guide: After announcing their plans to extend and improve basic 4G connectivity around the country, the UK's mobile operators are celebrating their principal gains in the 5G arena with low-band and mid-band spectrum.

Application Delivery Network Buyer's Guide The more systems become remote, the less secure they are. On face value a huge cliche  or truism - but sadly actually true. And sadly, for those running networks, something that is going to be truer  or more cliched  as remote working continues to proliferate in the new normal of the hybrid mode of working.

IT Priorities 2021 - European Topics Infographic This year, a survey was conducted quizzing nearly 500 European IT sector professionals to gather what topics they identified as being imperative for 2021. In this infographic see whether remote working is here to stay, if there will be shifts in information management trends and what infrastructure tools will be deployed by most in 2021.

A Computer Weekly Buyers Guide to IoT In these uncertain times, making solid predictions for the year ahead looks like a definition of a mug's game. While this has been the fuel for the fire for the boom in applications such as video conferencing as used to support remote working, the same really can be said for the internet of things (IoT).
TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSXV: RPX, OTCQB: RDEXF) (Red Pine or the Company) is pleased to report new drilling results from its ongoing exploration program. The new results extend gold mineralization of significance in the footwall of the Jubilee Shear as a direct follow-up on hole SD-23-430 that intersected 1.33 g/t gold over 100.99 metres.

Testing of the Wawa Gold Corridor west of the Jubilee Shear (Figures 1 and 2) 5.10 g/t gold over 19.76 metres within 1.94 g/t gold over 78.9 metres in the Core Shack Vein Network in SD-23-446 Close-to-surface high-grade gold mineralization intersected in both SD-23-430 and SD-23-446 is associated with the Core Shack Vein Network The Core Shack Vein Network is comprised of multi-directional and extensional quartz-tourmaline veins emplaced in the intrusive rocks of the Jubilee Stock The veins post-date the intense event of tectonic deformation associated with the formation of the Jubilee Shear



Quentin Yarie, President and CEO of Red Pine Exploration commented: The footprint of a new resource contained within a shallow optimized open pit and encompassing our existing resource continues to take shape. Long intersections of gold in the hanging and footwall will substantially affect a strip ratio in a positive direction. We currently have two drills on the property producing over 4000m of core per month which is exceeding our planned drill production. We currently have over 2600 assays pending.

Table 1 Highlights from drilling in the Wawa Gold Corridor (Figure 1)

Hole From (m) To Length (m)* Visible Gold Gold (g/t) Zone (m) SD-23-446











































102.71 181.61 78.90 VG 1.94 Core Shack Vein Network Including 102.71 122.47 19.76 VG 5.10 Including 102.71 103.94 1.23 11.05 105 106.25 1.25 VG 37.51 106.25 107.5 1.25 14.25 121.24 122.47 1.23 14.95 169.71 171.06 1.35 27.17 343.35 353.92 10.57 0.84 Jubilee Vein Network Including 353.05 353.92 0.87 8.76

Assay results presented over core length. True width for the different veins intersected in both vein networks is estimated to vary between 35 to 95% depending on the angle of the intersected vein. The larger envelope of the vein network is discordant to the angle of the individual veins forming the networks.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures

Drill core samples were transported in security sealed bags for analyses to Actlabs in Ancaster, Ontario. Individual samples were labelled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples were then placed into durable rice bags and shipped. The residual coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage if further work or verification is needed.

Red Pine has implemented a quality-control program to comply with best practices in the sampling and analysis of drill core. As part of its QA/QC program, Red Pine inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples in addition to random standards, blanks, and duplicates.

Qualified Person

Quentin Yarie, P.Geo. and Chief Executive Officer of Red Pine and the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the news releases technical information.

About Red Pine Exploration Inc.

Red Pine Exploration Inc. is a gold exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RPX" and on the OTCQB Markets under the symbol RDEXF.

The Wawa Gold Project is in the Michipicoten Greenstone Belt of Ontario, a region that has seen major investment by several producers in the last five years. Its land package hosts numerous historic gold mines and is over 6,900 hectares in size. Led by Quentin Yarie, CEO, who has over 25 years of experience in mineral exploration, Red Pine is strengthening its position as a major mineral exploration and development player in the Michipicoten region.

For more information about the Company, visit www.redpineexp.com

Or contact:

Quentin Yarie, President and CEO, (416) 364-7024, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or

Carrie Howes, Director Corporate Communications, (416) 644-7375, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Wawa Gold Project, Brian Thomas P.Geo. Golder Associates Ltd, report effective August 18, 2021.

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance.

Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes but may not be limited to: the potential for a hybrid pit and underground project. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect managements 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. Such opinions, assumptions and estimates are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the impact of general business and economic conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, fluctuating gold prices, currency exchange rates (such as the Canadian dollar versus the United States Dollar), variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in the Company's mineral reserves and resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in project development, construction, production and commissioning time frames, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, higher prices for fuel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, unexpected changes in mine life, seasonality and weather, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, and limitations on insurance.

This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company, including the Companys annual information form, financial statements and related MD&A for the year ended July 31, 2022, and the interim financial reports and related MD&A for the period ended April 30, 2023, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Figure 1 - Plan Map of the Drilling Results

Figure 2 - Gold grades in the footwall of the Surluga Deposit
On this seventh day, in the third week, Swedish judicial authorities published a surgically precise programme for the trial of Ian Lundin and Alexandre Schneiter, the former two heads of Swedish company Lundin Oil charged with complicity in war crimes in Sudan between 1999 and 2003.

Never before has a trial lasted so long in Sweden - two and a half years. Never before have the directors of a company found themselves in the dock on such a charge. At 9.15am on Tuesday September 19, 2023, the seventh day of the 307-day trial began. The trial is in its third week. Hearings take place from Tuesday to Thursday only. The 307th day of this extraordinary trial is set to fall on February 19, 2026. And it is now nearly 30 years after the directors of Lundin, renamed Orron Energy last year, bought the rights to exploit the oil field in "block 5A" -- an area located in what has now become South Sudan.

Up the grand staircase to Room 34

The Stockholm Court House building dates back over a century and is one of the jewels of Sweden's romantic era, lending a certain gravity to the case. After passing through the security gate and the large entrance gallery where the usual courthouse crowds mingle, you climb the massive staircase to Room 34, on the second floor. This monumental room regularly plays host to trials that stand out. Last year, the brothers Payam and Peyman Kia were tried here for spying for Russia. Five years ago, Frenchman Jean-Claude Arnault was tried here for rape, a crime that tarnished the Swedish Academy, where his wife sits, and provoked waves right up to the Nobel Prize for Literature.

There are no crowds on this floor, which gives it a certain intimacy. In room 34, to the left of the stairs, the walls and ceilings are lined with geometric woodwork. The court president, a young, bald man with a long face and narrow shoulders, begins by settling a procedural detail between the lawyers of Ian Lundin and Alexandre Schneiter, and the team of six prosecutors to his right. In principle, under the Swedish system, you cannot simply refer to a document and have it entered into the file as evidence. You have to read every single report. Lundin's lawyer tolerates one exception.

Opposite the court president, behind the row where Schneiter and his four lawyers are seated, are two representatives of Orron Energy AB, the new name of Lundin Oil/ Lundin Petroleum. Behind them, in the third row of chairs, sit the two lawyers for the civil parties on one side and two interpreters on the other side, who are there solely for Swiss citizen Schneiter. He is the only one who does not understand Swedish, and sometimes wears headphones.

Livestock slaughtered, civilians killed by army

At the far end of the room, behind the three rows of seats, there are two more rows of chairs for the press and public. This Tuesday, a few journalists, researchers and lawyers are there - eight people in all, which is not many. The room is emptier than last week, the second week of the trial. The relatives of the two defendants are no longer there. There are already fewer journalists.

Prosecutor Karolina Wieslander began her presentation by reading extracts from a UN report on Sudan dated January 30, 1988. She spoke of attacks on civilians, population displacements, and fighting between the government in Khartoum and the SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) guerrilla movement. "All the parties are responsible for this violence against the population." Extracts from the report were projected onto four screens partly covering the walls, two behind the prosecutors and two in front of them.

She then moved on to another UN report dated May 17, 1999, a year after the previous one. It was "shortly after Lundin Oil had made its discovery in Block 5A and the army had moved in", the prosecutor explained. She spoke of cattle being slaughtered, civilians being killed, rape and looting by government troops, reading out in English from the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan.

Reading from this report was lengthy. It underlined the importance of the oil regions in these conflicts, including the famous block 5A. It seems damning, both for the Sudanese army and for the oil company, which is accused of being complicit in the armys crimes. The report describes the displacement of populations, suspected of supporting the rebellion that is sabotaging oil installations. It speaks of a buffer zone of 100 square kilometres established around the oil installations. At the end of point 85 of the report, the prosecutor asked for a break. It was 11 o'clock. Everyone made their way down the two flights of stairs and into the cafeteria.

"Everyone already has an opinion"

It has to be said that the Swedish media are not coming in droves.

"It's hard to get people interested," says a journalist at Swedish business daily Dagens Industri. Another Swedish journalist takes a different view. Martin Schibbye, editor-in-chief of the Blankspot website, says: "I find that there are new things every day, particularly last week when the results of the search of Lundin's Geneva offices were presented, along with Carl Bildt's E-mail.

Carl Bildt is the former conservative prime minister and foreign minister who will be called to testify in 2025. He was a member of Lundin's board of directors at the time of the events. In the E-mail quoted at the hearing, dated June 19, 2001, he warned Lundin's management of the complications of working in an area where Khartoum was carrying out harsh repression, which would isolate Sudan internationally. "We must not appear to be defending the regime," Bildt warned.

When Carl Bildt comes to testify, it will attract a lot of journalists, says Schibbye. The same for the questioning of the defendants. But in fact, interest from the Swedish media is limited. Perhaps, as the two reporters say, because the story is already 20 years old. Everyone has already had an opinion on the affair for 20 years," says Schibbye. Either Lundin was there to help the country out of poverty, or they are guilty. People aren't too interested in the nuances".

After the break, the reports continued to be read, one from the US State Department and another from the NGO Human Rights Watch. The findings looks as damning as before for Lundin. After the lunch break, the prosecutors resumed reading a report on famine in Sudan. Theres reference to a report from security companies working for other oil firms, who mention the high risk that oil represents in this region. The two defendants listen, each in their own row. Lundin's lawyers will have to wait until November 29 to give their version, and Schneiter's until February 20. At 4.30pm, the seventh day of the trial comes to an end.
Armenia warned the United Nations Thursday that Azerbaijan was carrying out "ethnic cleansing" and committing a "crime against humanity" as it regained control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Armenian ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan recalled that his country had previously warned of "looming ethnic cleansing" in Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing "now it is in progress".

"Civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh are trapped and they do not have a way to evacuate since Azerbaijan continues to block the only lifeline connecting with Armenia," he said.

"This is not a mere conflict situation, this is a crime against humanity and should be treated as such."

His comments came as Armenian separatists from the disputed territory joined peace talks with Azerbaijan on Thursday, after agreeing to lay down their arms following a lightning Azerbaijani military operation.

Baku says it has regained control over the territory for the first time in decades, with separatists agreeing to disarm in the face of clashes that they said killed 200 people.

Also addressing the Human Rights Council, Azerbaijan representative Dilara Abdullayeva stressed that her country had been "forced to take the local counterterrorism measures," insisting that it had "targeted exclusively illegal military formations and fortifications".

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the region.

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.
Infographic: Windows 11 vs. Windows 10 The new Windows 11 was launched last year and have some features that might be worth considering. Even though support for Windows 10 won't end anytime soon, some of the new features can be an advantage depending on your needs. To help you decide if upgrading is right for you, here are some of the differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Royal Holloway: Testing antivirus efficacy in Linux Antivirus software plays an important part in protecting users and networks from malware, so installing and keeping it up-to-date is essential in securing computing devices. Yet Linux users believe this OS can only be marginally affected by malicious software. In this Royal Holloway article, we evaluate the effectiveness of some antivirus products.

Computer Weekly - 8 December 2020: Where next for Windows? In this week's Computer Weekly, Windows is still the most-used operating system in enterprises  we look at where Microsoft aims to take it next. We examine some of the key questions for CIOs for their 2021 IT strategy. And we analyse the best practice in preventing distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Read the issue now.

Windows 10: How the client operating system is evolving A discussion about strategies for Windows 10 really boils down to the organisation's desktop IT strategy. Windows PCs account for the bulk of the personal computing market and the Windows client remains the dominant target platform for developers of client-side applications. In this e-guide, we look at the evolution of desktop IT.

Jargon Buster Guide to Container Security The definitions and articles in this Jargon Buster will help you understand the business benefits of using containers as well as the potential security pitfalls and most importantly, how to avoid them using the correct tools and approaches.

Updates: The next evolution of operating systems In this e-guide we take a look at how operating systems are evolving with the help of continuous updates. Learn about how the Spectre and Meltdown microprocessor flaws have led to improved, more secure processors being released and how Microsoft is evolving its Windows desktop operating system.

Computer Weekly  29 November 2016: Machine learning keeps customers happy at Ocado In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out how data scientists at online grocer Ocado are using machine learning technology to deliver better customer service. Manufacturing giant GE is making a play to become a top 10 software supplier. And we examine the future of server operating systems as workloads move to the cloud. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  22 November 2016: IT spreads innovation at Unilever In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out how consumer goods giant Unilever has changed its thinking about IT to support a global digital transformation. The UK boss of Hewlett Packard Enterprise assesses progress after the first year since HP split in two. And we examine how software development is changing in the enterprise. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  15 November 2016: Counting the cost of financial cyber crime In this week's Computer Weekly, the cyber security of banks is under scrutiny after an attack on Tesco Bank leads to millions lost in fraudulent transactions. Our latest buyer's guide, on server operating systems, looks at Windows Server 2016. And Coca-Cola explains how a move to the cloud is helping to motivate staff. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  25 October 2016: 25 years of Linux In this week's Computer Weekly, 25 years after Linus Torvalds released the Linux kernel, we look at how the open source operating system has influenced modern-day IT. Our new buyer's guide covers the fast-growing technology of object storage. And we examine the rise of corporate wireless networking. Read the issue now.

18 Windows 10 Facts IT Must Know Now that Windows 10 has gone through some ups and downs, and has seen a fourth significant upgrade, it is time to see what we know about Windows 10 as it stands right now.

Computer Weekly - 6 July 2021: Where to start with Windows 11 In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at the new features on offer from Microsoft's new version of its flagship operating system, Windows 11. Our latest buyer's guide examines the trends in secure, agile app development. And we find out what you need to consider when buying a VPN. Read the issue now.

Windows 10: How the client operating system is evolving A discussion about strategies for Windows 10 really boils down to the organisation's desktop IT strategy. Windows PCs account for the bulk of the personal computing market and the Windows client remains the dominant target platform for developers of client-side applications. In this e-guide, we look at the evolution of desktop IT.

Jargon Buster Guide to Container Security The definitions and articles in this Jargon Buster will help you understand the business benefits of using containers as well as the potential security pitfalls and most importantly, how to avoid them using the correct tools and approaches.

Top Windows 10 Migration Problems & How to Solve Them Download this e-guide to learn about the top six Windows 10 migration problems ahead of time, so that you can mitigate issues before it's too late. You'll also learn tips on how to make the transition smooth for your users.

How to Create a Successful Windows 10 Deployment: Tips from your Peers Windows 10 deployments don't always go as smoothly as planned. The OS comes with challenges related to storage, security, updates and more. However, there are plenty of ways to overcome these challenges. In this e-guide you'll learn tips from your peers on how to create a near-perfect Windows 10 deployment.

The Challenge of Unified Workspaces In this expert-guide, learn the 4 top challenges facing end-user computing today, from application updates to security. Then, explore how your IT department can address the issue of unified workspaces head-on.

5 Overlooked Windows 10 Security Risks Windows 10 is being promoted as a cure for several security woes, and while it does hold up against zero-day attacks, there are still several weaknesses. This exclusive guide discusses five Windows 10 security issues that are easy to overlook.

Five Keys to Keep Windows 10 Strong It takes continuous work to ensure that your Windows 10 deployment is as effective as it can be. By instilling a few key habits in your IT team, you can improve your user's experience. With this exclusive guide, complete with a quiz on Windows 10 features, you can improve security power, operational efficiency, and take full advantage of W10.

Container Starter Guide With more vendors entering the container market, it should be no surprise that their adoption rates are on the rise. Our experts have compiled the best advice for anyone considering a container adoption to give the best understanding of the first steps in laying out your strategy. Download this essential guide today!

How to create a near-perfect Windows 10 deployment Windows 10 deployments can be a challenge for many IT departments. The OS comes with its fair share of issues related to storage, security, updates and more. Download this e-guide to learn tips to successfully deploy Windows 10 in your organization.

Make the Most of Windows 10: How User Training Can Help Download this e-guide to find out how proper training can help make the most of your Windows 10 deployment.

How to Evaluate Server OSes This e-guide is designed to set you on the path to making the best decision for you organization. Inside, you will learn what to consider when evaluating a server OS, compare Linux vs Windows, and get an idea of where the rest of the market stands in comparison to these two.

How Virtualization Solves Windows Server Upgrade Challenges Server OS upgrades can be a puzzling component of your daily routine as an IT administrator. This e-guide walks you through several of the options available to you to help alleviate the strain of this process, discussing the importance of consistent upgrades and the utilization of virtualization management tools.
Ahead of her big screen return, Jung So Min shared how her views on marriage changed while working on her movie "30 Days."

Curious about what the actress said? Then read on!

Jung So Min Talks About Her New Film '30 Days'

On September 18, ahead of its highly-anticipated release, Jung So Min along with the "30 Days" creatives and actors, participated in a media conference to promote the project and have a chit-chat with the press.

The romantic-comedy film "30 Days" presents the story of a married couple, Jung Yeol and Nara, as they lose 3,000 days of memory together while returning from court after filing for divorce.

Jung So Min takes the role of Nara, a talented yet bubbly film producer. According to the actress, she had fun playing the character.

She elaborated, "Nara's the type of person who's straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush. So portraying her was like a total release for me."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jung So Min & Kang Ha Neul Rekindle Lost Romance In New Film '30 Days'

It has been said that it is Jung So Min's second time working with Director Nam Dae Joong for a movie. The "Playful Kiss" star shared that as someone who is a huge fan of the director's works, she lost track of time when reading the script.

She continued, "Once we were all on set, the creative energy led us to come up with some amazing and fantastic ideas that brought those hilarious scenes to life."

'30 Days' Changes Jung So Min's Perspective on Marriage

Jung So Min teamed up with Kang Ha Neul for the second time in this project, following their movie "Twenty." After the teasers were released, fans and viewers were already looking forward to the duo's chemistry and how they would deliver their interesting characters.

As the interview went on, the K-drama lead star also opened up about how her perspective on marriage changed while working on her new film, which centers around a married couple facing divorce.

Jung So Min remarked, "I didn't have a fixed idea of what marriage meant to me before this film happened. One thing that really stuck with me is that it's hard to find someone who truly understands you and embraces everything about you. Nevertheless, I genuinely hope that Nara and Jung Yeol manage to stay together."

"30 Days" will finally meet the viewers in theaters beginning October 30.

Where to Watch Jung So Min

While waiting for her comeback, you can watch Jung So Min's previous works such as "Alchemy of Souls," "Monthly Magazine Home," "Hundred Million Stars From the Sky," "Because This is My First Life," "My Father is Strange," and more.

You can watch Jung So Min and Kang Ha Neul's first movie collaboration "Twenty" where they also shared the frame with today's hottest big stars Lee Junho and Kim Woo Bin.

ALSO READ: Jung So Min Update 2023: What's Next For 'Alchemy of Souls' Star This Year

What can you say about the news? 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.
"The Red Sleeve" stars Lee Junho and Lee Se Young were spotted attending the same event, much to their fans' delight.

The former onscreen couple had an unexpected reunion two years following the conclusion of their drama.

'The Red Sleeve' Stars Lee Junho & Lee Se Young Reunite at 'Cobweb' VIP Premiere

Lee Junho and Lee Se Young met the public for the first time together in the megahit series "The Red Sleeve." Then, on September 20, the former onscreen couple surprised fans with their sudden reunion at the VIP Premiere of the movie "Cobweb."

The event was held at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul where multiple stars were also present to show their support for the film.

Lee Junho was wearing an all-black ensemble and welcomed the press with enthusiasm.

Lee Se Young, on the other hand, graced the red carpet with a simple floral black dress.

They individually posed for the camera as they entered the cinema.

'Cobweb' VIP Premiere Welcomes Star-Studded Guests

Aside from the two, their co-star, Kang Hoon, who recently made a comeback through "A Time Called You," also attended the special movie screening.

ALSO READ: Lee Se Young Is Back! Actress Couples Up With Bae In Hyuk In New Drama

Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Seon Ho, Lee Sung Kyung, Lee Joo Young, Lee Da Hae, Go Kyung Pyo, Yoo In Na, Yoon Kye Sang, Jeon Hye Bin, Yoo Jae Myung, Jang Hye Jin, Stephanie Lee, Han Yeri, Byun Yo Han, Nam Gyu Ri, Jung Woo, and many more showed up at the star-studded movie premiere.

"Cobweb" tells the story of a director, who is obsessed to re-film the ending of the movie "Cobweb," which was filmed in the 1970s. It is a film that will showcase the sorrowful and hilarious things that happen while filming under conditions.

The movie is headlined by a brilliant cast lineup, including Song Kang Ho, Oh Jung Se, Jang Young Nam, Jeon Yeo Bin, Im Soo Jung, and Krystal Jung.

What's Next for Lee Junho & Lee Se Young

After their magnificent performances in "The Red Sleeve," more doors opened for Lee Junho and Lee Se Young. The two are busy working on their solo projects on and off the screen.

The 2PM member concluded his drama "King the Land" in August. He is currently packed with activities in Korea and abroad.

In the remaining months of 2023, Lee Junho will meet his international fans as he embarks first solo tour. He is also being courted to star in a hero-themed series under Netflix.

Meanwhile, Lee Se Young is confirmed to host the Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 on September 21.

Adding to her next work is the webtoon-based series "Park's Contract Marriage Story," in which she is confirmed to headline alongside Bae In Hyuk and Yoo Seon Ho.

She is also in talks to collaborate with Japanese actor Sakaguchi Kentaro in another novel-based drama.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Lee Junho Has Fans Raving About His Visuals in Recent Event: 'A national treasure!'

What can you say about Lee Junho and Lee Se Young's reunion? 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.
Despite confirming the second installment of "Gyeongseong Creature," Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee's drama production delivered sad news to the public ahead of its debut.

Keep on reading to know what happened.

Netflix & 'Gyeongseong Creature 2' Team Mourn the Passing of Staff Member

Netflix is set to release "Gyeongseong Creature," starring Park Seo Joon and Han So Hee. The series' season 1 finished filming in October 2022 and even before it hit the screen, the production confirmed to have season 2, which is currently underway.

Unfortunately, on September 21, while everyone was preparing for the drama's much-awaited release, the public was saddened after the production delivered shocking news.

According to a news report, a staff member working in the props department of "Gyeongseong Creature 2" has died. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and the police have already requested an autopsy from the NFS (National Forensic Service) to know what exactly had happened.

After the news broke on the internet, Netflix released a statement and offered their condolences.

"We cannot help but feel sorry for the deceased staff member, we hope they may rest in peace. We also would like to express and offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved family."

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Han So Hee's Drama 'Gyeongseong Creature' Confirms Season 2

The representative added that Netflix is currently in close communication with the production company to resolve the situation.

What We Know So Far About Netflix's 'Gyeongseong Creature'

Meanwhile, "Gyeongseong Creature" is a fantasy-thriller series that presents the story of two young adults who face off against a creature born from human greed and fight for survival in the spring of 1945.

Park Seo Joon is Jang Tae Sang, considered one of the richest men in Gyeongseong and the owner of the Golden Jade House pawnshop. He has a naturally keen knowledge of everything. He is also known for his sociable personality, making him a popular figure in Bukchon.

Opposite him is Han So Hee, who will play the role of Yoon Chae Ok, who a lot of her time searching for missing people. Ever since she was young, she's already been living independently with her father as they navigate a journey from Manchuria to Shanghai.

She is skilled at working with guns, knives, and other sorts of machinery.

"Dr. Romantic" writer Kang Eun Kyung and "Stove League" director Jung Dong Yoon joined forces for this epic series.

Wi Ha Joon, Bae Hyun Sung, Su Hyun, Kim Hae Sook, and Jo Han Chul are also confirmed to appear in season 2.

"Gyeongseong Creature" is tentatively for release in the second half of 2023. Other details and additional cast members are yet to be confirmed.

The second installment's release, on the other hand, is still in discussion.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 7 K-Drama Pairings To Anticipate in 2023: Lee Junho & YoonA, Jeon Yeo Bin & Ahn Hyo Seop, More

What can you say about the news? 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.
Computer Weekly  5 September 2023: Met Police data platform goes 64m over budget In this week's Computer Weekly, we reveal a 64m cost over-run for the Metropolitan Police's new record management system. Our latest buyer's guide looks at the issues around integrating SaaS applications. And a leading flash storage firm says the age of spinning disk drives is almost over  are they right? Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  4 April 2023: Revitalising UK digital government In this week's Computer Weekly, as the UK plummets down the international rankings for digital government, can its 400m identity system revitalise the UK's digital strategy? Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly - 24 January 2023: BBC under scrutiny over its digital strategy In this week's Computer Weekly, the BBC faces in-depth scrutiny over its digital plans  we take a look at progress. Do you need to keep data forever? We examine the technologies behind infinite storage. And we find out about the digital transformation challenges in vehicle dealerships. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly  17 May 2022: Digitally transforming UK power networks for renewable energy In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out how the UK's power networks need to be digital transformed to be ready for renewable energy  and the role of open source. Wi-Fi 6 was meant to give a boost to wireless connectivity  we examine why adoption has stalled. And we look at what a quantum datacentre might be like. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly - 27 July 2021: Are we getting cyber security skills all wrong? In this week's Computer Weekly, the chair of the new UK Cyber Security Council tells us how she plans to fundamentally reimagine what working in IT security means. Our latest buyer's guide examines ERP modernisation and its role in digital transformation. And we take an in-depth look at the first preview version of Windows 11. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly - 1 June 2021: The technology that enabled Covid-19 genome sequencing success In this week's Computer Weekly, we talk to the scientists behind the UK's gene sequencing work during the coronavirus pandemic to find out how cloud and data analytics enabled their success. It's three years since GDPR entered into law  we assess its progress. And we examine low-code software development for a small business. Read the issue now.

Computer Weekly - 25 May 2021: Making data an asset, not a threat In this week's Computer Weekly, we examine the latest developments in the UK government's National Data Strategy and what it means for the economy. Our latest buyer's guide explains the emerging technologies around computational storage. And we look at the advances in customer experience management during the pandemic. Read the issue now.

A Computer Weekly E-guide to NAS In the guide we look at the fundamentals of NAS and the use cases it best suits, the range of file access storage products available including in the cloud and in hybrid operation between cloud and datacentre. We also examine the question of NAS backup, looking at the challenges that have accompanied it and the solutions available.

Computer Weekly  30 March 2021: The ticking timebomb of IR35 In this week's Computer Weekly, we reveal that IT contractors are seeking a multimillion-pound payout after confusion over the forthcoming IR35 tax reforms. Many firms are building data lakes to improve their analytics  we examine the storage implications. And we talk to the CIO at the London School of Economics. Read the issue now.

AWS vs Azure vs Google: 5 key benefits each for cloud file storage In this e-guide: The big three offer cloud file storage that can ease hybrid cloud operations, with consistency between cloud and on-premise as well as greater enterprise application compatibility.

The future of storage In this week's Computer Weekly, we examine emerging technologies in storage such as helium disks and DNA. Ransomware is becoming more sophisticated and the attackers more tactical. And as the EU's top court challenges the UK over surveillance, we ask what this means for data privacy after Brexit. Read the issue now.

SHEDDING LIGHT ON OEM STORAGE SUPPORT If you are being strong-armed into replacing your current storage with the newest equipment, remember that the one-option-only perception is just an illusion. Access this white paper to learn 6 must-know facts before your next storage buy.

Computer Weekly - 19 November 2019: Is facial recognition happening too fast? In this week's Computer Weekly, as the Information Commissioner calls on police forces to slow down the introduction of facial recognition, we examine the issues. We look at what the use of DevOps methods means for storage strategy. And we talk to Microsoft's global cyber security chief. Read the issue now.

Container technologies and trends: What enterprises need to know In this e-guide, we take a look at how and why enterprises are tapping into containers to bolster the business agility of their IT infrastructure and application estates, and some of the latest thinking about how best to utilise container technologies.

Eyes on India: New age of flash storage boosts performance & efficiency As one of the forerunners in technology adoption, Indian enterprises have been keen to embrace emerging technologies such as AI, IoT and big data, driving an upsurge in storage requirements. In this e-guide, read more about India's storage market, the next frontier of storage technology and flash storage options from the top cloud providers.

CW APAC  October 2020: Trend Watch: Storage In this handbook, Computer Weekly takes a peek at future storage technologies, such as helium and DNA, and offers some valuable tips on how to keep cloud storage costs under control. Read the issue now.

CW APAC, February 2020: Expert Advice: Container Storage In this handbook, focused on storage in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at how container applications can make companies more agile, the cost benefits of data storage and the most common data storage myths that need to be debunked.

A Computer Weekly E-guide to NAS In the guide we look at the fundamentals of NAS and the use cases it best suits, the range of file access storage products available including in the cloud and in hybrid operation between cloud and datacentre. We also examine the question of NAS backup, looking at the challenges that have accompanied it and the solutions available.

AWS vs Azure vs Google: 5 key benefits each for cloud file storage In this e-guide: The big three offer cloud file storage that can ease hybrid cloud operations, with consistency between cloud and on-premise as well as greater enterprise application compatibility.

Container technologies and trends: What enterprises need to know In this e-guide, we take a look at how and why enterprises are tapping into containers to bolster the business agility of their IT infrastructure and application estates, and some of the latest thinking about how best to utilise container technologies.

The future of storage In this week's Computer Weekly, we examine emerging technologies in storage such as helium disks and DNA. Ransomware is becoming more sophisticated and the attackers more tactical. And as the EU's top court challenges the UK over surveillance, we ask what this means for data privacy after Brexit. Read the issue now.

The Hyper-converged Edge Computing Essentials Read this e-guide to explore the benefits of hyper-converged edge computing, usage scenarios and products appropriate for each, and how to tackle any challenges that may arise.

SAS vs. NVMe: The Future of the Two Key Storage Interfaces To get to the bottom of where SAS and NVMe stand, the SCSI Trade Association has brought in 2 industry executives to evaluate the performance and scalability, flexibility, and manageability and serviceability capabilities of both technologies. Read this e-guide to see what they concluded.

Cloud Storage and Backup Market Rundown Check out this e-guide for a comprehensive overview of some of the storage industries most fundamental topics like replication vs. backupto make sure you are taking advantage of everything they have to offer your organization.
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Years from now, the notion of simple telemedicine will seem quaint. Keep in mind that as recently as a decade ago, most physicians would have denied that telemedicine could ever play a role in the medical profession. Physicians would have argued that this would dismantle the fundamental unit of medical care  the in-person office visit.

Physicians would have rigidly maintained that they had to be face-to-face with their patients. Doctors would need to observe their demeanor, body language, and other non-verbal signals. The physician would need to perform a physical examination to discover additional clues that might help explain the patients symptoms. Indeed, medical professionals and others have expressed that the act of touching itself served as a bonding experience between patients and their doctors. The very definition of bedside manners implies that the patient and physician are in the same location.

Today, there are physicians who practice telemedicine exclusively. Moreover, this new paradigm is accepted both by medical professionals and the public, who have come to value other priorities such as convenience and efficiency. Many physicians have also come to accept that medical quality can be maintained during most virtual visits, although exceptions exist.

What will the practice of medicine look like ten years from now? It may be deeper and farther into the technoverse than we can imagine today.

The patient may relate symptoms from home to an artificial intelligence (AI) platform and send over a scanned body image or results of a saliva specimen or biometric information, which will contain thousands of data points for analysis. Leading diagnostic considerations will be generated in seconds, along with a proposed algorithm for proceeding with diagnostic testing, which may be conducted at that very moment using technical accessories that would make one of todays Apple Watch models seem like an abacus. And therapeutics then may be light years beyond picking up a one-size-fits-all prescription at a pharmacy. If AI determines that a patient has appendicitis, a driverless car will arrive in minutes to transport the patient to a facility where surgery can proceed robotically under AI guidance, with no human at the controls. If you think this is fanciful, would you have believed ten years ago that cars and trucks would be able to be operated in a driverless fashion?

This science fiction prophecy transcends medicine. Indeed, nearly all professions and trades will be affected. How important will actual humans be in our lives? I acknowledge that the quality of many functions and activities currently done by members of the human species will improve. But the overall quality of our lives  our humanity  may fare differently.

Michael Kirsch is a gastroenterologist.
Control your automated processes with Beta Systems' _beta job|z Orchestrating jobs in a bi-model IT system come with great challenges. Tune into this video to learn how to control your automated processes across all relevant platforms while saving costs at the same time.

Windows 10: A Guide for OS Migration Migrating to Windows 10 may seem like a daunting task, especially since there are organizations out there that haven't finished the move from Windows XP to Windows 7. But in this e-guide, we have assembled some useful advice about best practices, planning, and helpful tools to make your clients' OS migrations as simple and pain-free as possible.

E-Book: The Value of Engineered Systems This white paper examines a series of high-availability, purpose-built solutions from Oracle that deliver sophisticated simplicity integrated throughout every layer of the technology stack, enabling by increased flexibility, lower risks, and reduced costs.

Managing Multiple Disparate IT Systems This whitepaper covers the problems of running disparate systems in your data center and offers ways to solve those issues.

Full Demo: IBM Cognos Business Intelligence The following webcast details exactly how to achieve multiple-department fluidity to help maximize your competitive advantage.

Top Considerations for Moving to a Cloud Delivery Model for ITSM This white paper discusses how to select the right SaaS model to fit your business needs.

Cutting Complexity  Simplifying Security Kaspersky Lab's latest whitepaper, "Cutting Complexity  Simplifying Security" looks at how the latest IT Systems Management solutions can simplify and automate a vast range of routine IT management tasks.

A Management Tool that Will Empower you with a Proactive Approach This resource presents the results from a recent study interviewing 200 of your peers on the impact that VMware's vCenter Operations Management Suite had on their business.

What's new in VMware vSphere 5.5 Platform? VMware vSphere 5.5 introduces many new features and enhancements to further extend the core capabilities of the vSphere platform, access this resource to find out how.

VMware vSphere with Operations Management This white paper discusses how you can overcome these capacity management and performance monitoring complexities a single pane of glass to optimize capacity and monitor workload performance.

Systems Management in the Data Center In this expert e-guide from SearchDataCenter.com, systems management expert Ian Parker shares his insights on systems management today. Also, learn about which questions to ask before upgrading software in your data center.

Consolidated Operations Management This informative paper explores the key requirements for managing today's environments and provides insight into one SaaS solution that delivers on those requirements. Read on to learn why traditional IT operations management approaches are failing and find out the benefits of this next-generation technology.

Consolidated Operations Management Data Sheet This short paper explores a consolidated operations management platform built for modern IT environments. Read on to learn more about this SaaS solution designed from the ground up to match the scale and speed of today's applications.

Yipit Case Study - Optimizing Cloud Infrastructure to Boost Performance This case study reveals the solution Yipit.com trusted to provide them the granular insight they needed to meet both monitoring and client needs. View now to uncover how this solution helps them troubleshoot performance issues before they affect their customers, improve system reliability, and more.

How you can accelerate application deployment with an integrated system Access this key resource that discusses how your peers are using IBM PureFlex System or IBM Flex System to accelerate and optimize solution deployments. Continue on to learn about time to value from an integrated systems approach.

Managing Multiple Operating Systems: Five Best Practices Access this essential resource for best practices for managing multiple operating systems in your enterprise. Learn more about the latest trends in end point management and how to efficiently and securely run your multi-OS environment.

Virtual server management provides strong security This resource takes a closer look at IBM's VMControl environment, uncover the key capabilities today.

IBM Systems Director: Optimized and simplified management of IT infrastructures This resource presents a new solution that is essential to bridge the gap between the daily reality of the IT manager and the strategic goals of the organization.

Cloud Systems Management The expert IT handbook takes an in-depth look at two of the leading cloud systems management platforms, VMware's vCloud Suite and Microsoft Systems Center 2012. Discover the flaws, features and future of these cloud management tools.

Choosing the Best Systems Management Tools for Your Virtualized Servers How do you choose the best systems management tool for your virtual environment? In this essential e-guide, learn about key considerations and criteria to keep in mind when assessing systems management tools, and find out how you can balance cost, complexity and performance needs.

ASNA Case Study: ASNA Wings: Re-imagining Modernization at INFOCON - Both Ways. This essential case study explores how one organization replaced their old green screens to an enhanced user interface with ASNA wings, an application modernization strategy. Learn about the unique advantages your business can gain inside.

Cisco Tidal Intelligent Automation Solution for SAP System Refresh By simplifying and making system refresh execution consistent, automation can decrease the potential for errors inherent in standard approaches. Read this paper to discover an automation solution that can be used for traditional SAP systems as well as SAPs Business Warehouse (BW).

The RBE Plus Approach to Analyzing SAP Systems Read this white paper to discover a comprehensive and scalable approach to analyze existing SAP systems with an efficient and automated method that results in tremendous savings of time and resources.

Choosing the Right Active Directory Bridge Solution - Quest Authentication Services Access this white paper to learn about key questions to ask when evaluation Active Directory bridge solutions and discover benefits to your IT environment including; more efficiency, higher security and better compliance.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the opening of the 29th Uganda International Trade Fair scheduled to run from October 3rd to 10th at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) grounds in Kampala.

This years event will run under the theme, Driving manufacturing and trade efficiency through digital transformation and innovation. The platform is aimed at showcasing technological advancements and innovative practices shaping the global landscape of manufacturing and trade.

According to UMA, over 1000 local and international exhibitors will participate in the week-long trade exhibition that will host representatives from 30 countries including South Africa, India, South Korea, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, and China, among others.

Police spokesperson , MrFred Enanga has assured the public of safety and also called for extra vigilance ahead of the trade fair. He has encouraged all the participants to get official permits to avoid disruption during the event.

A study undertaken by the Uganda Manufacturers Association has revealed that Small and Medium Enterprises in the country that have embraced digitalization registered a 42.2 percent growth last financial year.

The growth has been attributed to adoption of information technology advancements that play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, boosting production capacity, creating employment opportunities, and fostering business growth.

Deo J Kayemba, the UMA chair says digitalization provides a crucial platform for SMEs to gain insight into the transformative potential of digital transformation and innovation.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Mr. Patrick Amuriat, and the Secretary-General, Nandala Mafabi are set to be nominated today at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi.

The nominations which started last week end today with more people expected to be vetted and cleared by the partys electoral body to vie for various leadership positions.

Speaking to Daily Monitor earlier this week, Amuriat confirmed that he will return the forms today to be nominated for the second and final term.

Im going to be nominated as President on Thursday, Amuriat said.

He added: For now, we are the FDC leadership until October 6. That National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and election will happen come rain or shine.

Mafabi is also slated to be nominated today alongside another candidate, whose name is yet to be disclosed for the position of party chairperson

The party on Monday indicated that the incumbent chairperson, Mr. Wasswa Birigwa had sent someone to pick the nomination forms for the same position on his behalf.

However, when contacted yesterday, Birigwa said the person who picked the nomination forms on his behalf will be the one to get nominated, ahead of elections slated for October 6, 2023.

This comes a day after one faction of the FDC held a delegates conference that saw Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago appointed interim party president.

The conference was convened by party chairman Wassa Biriggwa against many odds in the wake of a bitter leadership contest that split the party into two.
VoIP has never lost its voice: How to get the most out of your business communications In today's comms world, and especially with regard to hybrid working, a communications identity has now become a unified calling and collaboration endpoint, one which is part of a suite of business services spanning voice, security and network-as-a-service solutions to power the mobile workforce.

VoIP Platforms Offer a Wide Range of Benefits to the Enterprise If businesses are to implement a VoIP, then they must consider how it fits into a larger communications framework. If they can do this successfully, then theyll be able to reap the benefits of VoIP. Read our expert guide to learn what VoIP is, how it works and key features enterprises should consider when choosing a VoIP solution.

Telecom Carrier Offers First-of-its-Kind Cloud Security Solution This case study demonstrates how one telecom provider developed an intelligent visual data analysis engine that allowed them to identify voice and data threats in real time. This provided them with a holistic view of their network environment while bolstering overall data security by securing the voice network.

Prepare for the Future of Integrated Communications Many communications infrastructures use multiple platforms for voice and date, which have a complete lack of cohesion. Unfortunately, these legacy infrastructures cannot deal with the demands communications initiatives today put on them.

Business Edition 6000 Business Data Sheet Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition 6000 delivers the superior performance, system redundancy, and broad application integration you need. Ideally suited to businesses with 100 to 1000 employees, it's an ideal choice when migrating from analog, digital, or hybrid-PBX phone systems.

Business Edition 6000 Business Data Sheet Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition 6000 delivers the superior performance, system redundancy, and broad application integration you need. Ideally suited to businesses with 100 to 1000 employees, it's an ideal choice when migrating from analog, digital, or hybrid-PBX phone systems.

Best Practices for Assuring VoIP Performance Since no two networks are exactly the same, no two network assurance programs will be either. Fortunately, PathView Cloud adapts to your needs, and provides a complete approach.

Story of Voice Transformation This white paper discusses how voice capabilities have transformed in the past few years and explores why SIP and unified communications (UC) play such a big role in the way business is conducted today.

Maximize Your Collaboration Investment by Choosing the Right Services Approach This IDC Vendor Spotlight reviews Cisco's collaboration services. This paper also reviews IDC research on the overall collaboration market, including unified communications (UC), and looks at the impact and benefits of collaboration services on customers and partners.

Whitepaper: Understanding IBM Lotus Sametime and Unified Telephony This white paper defines the IBM Unified Communications and Collaboration (IBM UC2) vision of making it easy for you to find, reach, and collaborate with others through a unified user experience. This strategy is designed to make it easy for you to access and manage telephone communications from inside the Lotus Sametime or Lotus Notes client.

Hosted VoIP Savings Calculator To see how much your company can save by implementing a Hosted VoIP solution, try this free, easy-to-use tool that requires just a few user inputs to quickly assess your potential savings. Businesses can now visualize the immediate and long-term cost savings and have a sound financial validation for moving forward with Hosted VoIP.

The CIO's Guide to Fixed Mobile Convergence Organizations seeking solutions that provide high-performance access while addressing security needs can leverage fixed mobile convergence (FMC) systems to enhance communication. This document explores why your organization should implement an FMC solution, the benefits of FMC and considerations for methods of implementation.

Voice and Unified Communication-Enabled Networks: Three Critical Considerations The multi-service, mission-critical, business-enabling campus LAN needs consistent features and service reliability from edge to core. Talk to Brocade and find out how to deploy an extraordinary network for the entire enterprise-converged campus to consolidated data center.

Roadmap to UC Projects that Reap Rewards This e-book provides a roadmap for building a unified communications business case and offers practical strategies for implementing short-term projects with long-term payback, establishing metrics for ROI evaluation, and setting the stage for adoption of richer collaboration capabilities in the future.

Overcoming IP Telephony Performance Issues in a Converged Network In this white paper, we are going to discuss the application of QoS to networks with media flows installed within them, such as voice and video. We'll see that it is very unnatural for voice to even exist on a data network, because it was never designed to do so.

Case Study: Eldorado Hotel Casino & Silver Legacy Resort Casino Read this case study to learn how Eldorado Hotel Casino & Silver Legacy Resort Casino enhanced guest experience, discovered new revenue streams, streamlined employee workflow, and lowered total cost of ownership by implementing UNIVERGE communications framework and servers.

Voice Architectures and Deployment Models Telephony design requires a solid understanding of the drivers for Voice over IP, corporate policies for infrastructure design, and telephone components.
Kilkenny city and county has organised a number of events, workshops, plays and tours to celebrate the very best of Irish culture on Friday, September 22.



Celebrating the values of openness, discovery and belonging, all activities on Culture Night 2023 are FREE.



Directed by the Arts Council, Culture Night is brought to the people in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the country.



As part of the celebrations, the Watergate Theatre will present Fred & Alice Love in the time of OCD, written by award winning writer John Sheehy and performed by Ciaran Bermingham & Cora Fenton.



Booking is required and the play begins at 8pm.



The period rooms of Kilkenny Castle will be open to the public free of charge from 6pm to 9pm.

Last admission will be at 8.30pm.



No advance booking is required, admissions will start from 6pm at the front door of the castle.



In North Kilkenny, Clogh Writers will host events related to the Basin Valley, Clogh, Moneenroe and Castlecomer.

Different aspects of local and wider culture will be celebrated through words, visual arts, music, dance and local craft exhibits and displays.



There are many more local festivities planned, for a full list of the Kilkenny Culture Night events, please visit their website here.
Did you know LinkedIn has over 774 million users across the globe? This metric alone makes the platform one of the top social networks today.

Is your business using LinkedIn to its fullest potential to improve brand awareness, build your network, boost leads and conversions, and increase revenue? With new social networks sprouting up constantly, LinkedIn is a platform that's often underutilized. The truth is, LinkedIn can be a powerful addition to your social media content strategy.

This guide is chock full of LinkedIn tips you can begin implementing immediately to help you learn how to use the platform to improve brand awareness, share your marketing content, and grow your business.

What is LinkedIn marketing? LinkedIn marketing is the process of using LinkedIn to make connections, generate leads, improve brand awareness, foster business relationships and partnerships, share content, and drive traffic to your website. LinkedIn is an integral part of many successful marketing strategies today because of how effective it is in expanding professional networks.

When you use LinkedIn to market your business, you gain access to useful features related to analytics, connections, and brand-building, just to name a few. (Don't worry, we'll review all of these in-depth momentarily.)

Why is marketing on LinkedIn important?

When it comes to social media marketing, you may be tempted to put all your resources toward the big three: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Those are great platforms for reaching your target audience, but excluding LinkedIn is doing your business a huge disservice. As the worlds largest professional network, LinkedIn generates leads 227% more effectively than Facebook and Twitter, so it's an essential platform for your business when it comes to marketing.

But first, here's a quick primer for those of you who may be new to LinkedIn.

About LinkedIn

LinkedIn launched in 2003 with a focus on networking, building careers, and sharing ideas. The platform enables its members to connect and share content with other professionals including colleagues, potential employers, business partners, competitors, new employees, and customers.

This is why having your business on LinkedIn is so powerful  the platform is a fantastic marketing tool.

For a quick guide on the tips below, check out our video on "How to Use LinkedIn for Business and Marketing."

Now, let's review the ways you can use LinkedIn to market and grow your business.

LinkedIn Marketing Best Practices Use hashtags. Know when to use a LinkedIn Profile vs. a LinkedIn Page. Create posts of varying lengths. Share external articles on the platform. Keep your publishing schedule consistent.

LinkedIn allows you to drive traffic to your website, identify quality leads, share your expertise through thought-leadership content, and grow your network. It's also a great way to market job openings and attract new talent to your company. These are just some of the reasons why LinkedIn is an ideal platform for all businesses to market on. Here are a few more tactical ways you can incorporate LinkedIn into your social media content strategy.

1. Use hashtags.

Hashtags are often used to add emphasis to your LinkedIn post, but they actually serve a purpose that can change your marketing strategy for the better. These simple phrases preceded by a hashtag symbol are goldmines for tapping into new audiences, industries, and niches. But using too many, or worse  the wrong ones, can hinder your reach.

That means you'll want to strike a balance between relevant and popular hashtags by doing hashtag research on LinkedIn. Use the search bar to query a broad hashtag first. For example, if you work in growth marketing, start by searching #growthmarketing to see how many people are following the hashtag, and how often it is being used.

From here, start with three to five hashtags that reach the audiences you want to speak to. These hashtags should vary in the number of people following them, so don't get too fixated on high numbers. Related but lesser-known hashtags can narrow your reach to an audience who would be likely to engage with your LinkedIn content.

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2. Know when to use a LinkedIn Profile vs. a LinkedIn Page

LinkedIn Pages are able to be followed without sending a connection and waiting for approval. That means when a LinkedIn user shares your Page with their connections, those individuals will be able to follow your page and see your business' content right away which has the potential for high engagement. LinkedIn Pages and LinkedIn Profiles serve different purposes in LinkedIn marketing. Pages are public and used primarily by businesses. Profiles are private and used by individuals. Each of them works with the LinkedIn algorithm, but you'll have different tools that you can leverage to grow your audience.

LinkedIn Profiles can be followed as well, but what makes them unique is the ability to have one-on-one, private conversations with connections who request to join your network. If you're a consultant, work in direct sales, or prefer to take an individualized approach to your business, you'll want to have a LinkedIn Profile to capitalize on this feature.

Both of these LinkedIn entities can work in tandem to create the ultimate marketing workflow. For example, you can list yourself as an employee of your business by listing your business' LinkedIn Page as your employer on your personal Profile. That way, when a visitor lands on your Profile, they'll see your Page, too.

3. Create posts of varying lengths.

Quick, bold posts pack a punch on LinkedIn. Long-form stories capture the readers' attention and lead to a longer dwell time on the app. Both of these types of posts should have a place in your LinkedIn content plan.

You don't want to become known as the person who only shares monologues because your network won't always have time to read them. Along the same lines, too many short posts can come across as lacking substance which could make you seem less authoritative as a thought leader.

Varying the length of your posts (as well as adding images and videos) can keep your content fresh and relevant to your network. You'll have content that gets people excited to see what gems you drop next.

4. Share external articles on the platform.

Unlike other platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn's algorithm supports external links to blogs and websites. So long as the content you post has value and is relevant to your audience, you'll find success posting other people's content on the platform.

Although you don't have to worry about formally crediting the author if you're linking directly to their website, it's not a bad idea to tag them in your post or use their hashtag to give credit. Sometimes, they'll share your post with their own followers, or comment under the post which introduces your Profile to their audience. How cool is that?

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5. Keep your publishing schedule consistent.

Known as the platform for having one of the longest content lifespans, LinkedIn is a platform that doesn't need a 'round-the-clock publishing schedule. What it does need is a consistent one.

Whether you publish every day, every other day, or even once a week, your network will come to expect your content regularly which builds trust. Choose a schedule that makes sense for your business and stick to it for a month. See what days and times are yielding the best engagement and make those part of your publishing schedule.

Below, we'll cover some effective ways to use the LinkedIn platform. These tips can be tailored to your needs  whether you have a personal LinkedIn page, business page, or both  no matter your industry or size. However, you'll notice some of the points we're going to cover are more suited for businesses looking to boost brand awareness or share content while others are more tailored towards those looking to recruit and hire new talent.

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How to Use LinkedIn Customize your public Profile URL. Add a LinkedIn background photo to your Profile. Add, remove, and rearrange sections of your Profile. Optimize your LinkedIn Profile for the search engines. Become a service provider on LinkedIn. Take advantage of the blog and website links on your LinkedIn Profile. Check your Network Updates (or share your own). Be identifiable. Check out who's viewed your LinkedIn Profile. Design all aspects of your LinkedIn page.

1. Customize your public Profile URL.

Make your Profile look more professional, and easier to share, by customizing your LinkedIn public Profile URL. Instead of a URL with confusing numbers at the end, it will look nice and clean like this:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/amandazantalwiener.

You can do this by clicking View Profile and then clicking Edit Public Profile and URL. Here you can change your URL to anything you'd like  such as your first and last name or business name  assuming it hasn't already been taken by another LinkedIn user.

2. Add a LinkedIn background photo to your Profile.

Give your LinkedIn Profile a little bit more personality by adding an on-brand background photo. Although one is automatically provided to you, you can update it to showcase your personal brand, special interests, or catch the eyes of hiring managers and recruiters.

LinkedIn recommends a background photo size of 1584 x 396 pixels, and it must be a JPG, PNG, or GIF file under 8MB.

3. Add, remove, and rearrange sections of your Profile.

You can edit and reorder sections of your LinkedIn Profile to highlight specific pieces of information in any way you see fit. When you're in edit mode, simply hover your mouse over the double-sided arrow in each section. Your mouse will turn into a four-arrow icon, at which point you can click, drag, and drop to another position on your Profile.

4. Optimize your LinkedIn Profile for the search engines.

Search engine optimization (SEO) isn't limited to blogging  you can also optimize your Profile to get discovered by people searching LinkedIn for key terms you want to be found for. You can add these keywords to various sections of your Profile, such as your headline, your summary, or your work experience.

Download a free SEO starter pack to learn everything you need to know about optimizing your business' content.

5. Become a service provider on LinkedIn.

You can become a service provider on LinkedIn by saying you're open to providing services on your profile.

This is used to identify freelancers within LinkedIn's user base. This service matches contractors with project managers who are seeking help.

Freelancers can display a badge on their Profiles to show prospective clients their skills, expertise, and recommendations. Plus, they get a standalone service page like this one:

Image Source

6. Take advantage of the blog and website links on your LinkedIn Profile.

You can add portfolio links and social networks to your LinkedIn page. Links to your content and business information can also be added to your Profile to increase clicks. This feature allows you to draw greater attention to specific areas of your page to drive traffic elsewhere.

For example, if you produced a podcast, you can share links to your episodes on LinkedIn (e.g. SoundCloud tracks) to promote your work.

7. Check your Network Updates (or share your own).

Found on your LinkedIn homepage, Network Updates are essentially LinkedIn's version of the Facebook News Feed. Check this feed periodically for a quick snapshot of what your connections, customers, competitors, and others are up to and sharing. You can also share updates of your own, such as details about your products or services and noteworthy content your business has created and published.

You may choose to sign up for email notifications or sort by "Top Updates" and "Recent Updates" to filter your feed in any way you choose.

8. Be identifiable.

Your LinkedIn connections should recognize your Profile the moment they look at it. A great way to make your Profile easily identifiable is by ensuring your Profile's name, headline, and other simple identifiers are easy to see.

Note: You should always have your Public Profile setting enabled as well, to be visible and identifiable for your audience.

9. Check out who's viewed your LinkedIn Profile.

Learn a little about your audience members, potential leads, and customers who are viewing your Profile and marketing content that you're sharing on LinkedIn.

How? With the Who Viewed Your Profile feature.

This tool, which is accessible in the main navigation via the Profile drop down, enables you to identify the exact people who have visited your page. You can see how you stack up against the Profile views for your connections, other businesses like yours, and more.

10. Design all aspects of your LinkedIn page.

The design of LinkedIn pages has changed a lot over the years. Make sure yours is set up correctly and optimized for the latest layout, featuring a compelling and high-quality banner image.

Take a look at what HubSpot's Company Page looks like for inspiration:

Use guides and templates to discover the best ways to design your LinkedIn page for optimal business, marketing, and professional networking.

Next up, we'll go over some LinkedIn networking tips so you can grow your network.

LinkedIn Networking Tips

Networking on LinkedIn may feel nerve-wracking, but remember that the worst thing you can hear is the word no.

If youre using your personal LinkedIn profile to network with clients, or if youd simply like to use LinkedIn to network with those in and outside of your industry, use the following tips.

1. Optimize your profile to invite connection requests.

If you want the right people to find you and hit Connect, its essential to optimize your profile and make networking with you as appealing as possible. For that reason, youll want to:

Showcase your unique value proposition : Highlight what sets you apart from others in your field. Share specific accomplishments, quantifiable results, and notable projects  that way, you can demonstrate your expertise.

: Highlight what sets you apart from others in your field. Share specific accomplishments, quantifiable results, and notable projects  that way, you can demonstrate your expertise. Include images and videos : Make your profile visually appealing and engaging by adding multimedia elements. Text alone can work, but to network more effectively youll want a few pictures to do the talking. Videos, presentations, infographics, relevant projects  everything is game.

: Make your profile visually appealing and engaging by adding multimedia elements. Text alone can work, but to network more effectively youll want a few pictures to do the talking. Videos, presentations, infographics, relevant projects  everything is game. Optimize your professional headline: Instead of using just your job title, how about highlighting your key skills or the problems you solve? This helps you stand out and piques the interest of potential connections or employers. Have fun with it (but not too much fun!).

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2. Personalize your connection requests.

By far, the most important thing you can do to network on LinkedIn is personalizing your networking requests.

Instead of sending generic requests, take a moment to write a note for each one. You can mention where and how you met, for instance, or explain your interest in connecting. This personal touch increases the likelihood of your request being accepted.

It sure worked when the young man below sent me a connection request, but I didnt recognize his face! When he explained why he wanted to connect with me, I immediately accepted it. It turns out that we were both recipients of the same scholarship.

Something important to note is that your connection request message gets converted into an inbox message. This gives you a chance to start a conversation. Consider asking a question or an icebreaker to get people to interact with you after they click Accept.

After connecting with someone on LinkedIn, follow up to maintain the relationship. Engage with their content, congratulate them on achievements, or simply reach out to check-in periodically. Networking on LinkedIn isnt just about having hundreds of connections  its about nurturing each one.

3. Engage with other peoples LinkedIn posts.

This one could be a bit obvious, but networking on LinkedIn requires interaction. Remember, were not just trying to have a long list of connections, but have a trackable presence. Interacting with other peoples content is one key way to build that presence and meaningfully connect with others.

LinkedIn not only has a feed, but it also sends you a notification when someone in your network has posted or interacted with another post.

These are all prime networking opportunities. But I especially love the curated notifications from LinkedIn, because they offer an opportunity to interact with content posted outside of your immediate network.

Plus, if your existing connections are interacting with that persons posts, then chances are that theyre a good prospect to add to your network!

Then, its time to interact, but not to fear: It doesnt have to be too complicated, either. You can regularly engage with posts, articles, and comments on LinkedIn with a simple like or share.

If youre in the mood, you can also leave thoughtful comments, which can more effectively build relationships and increase your visibility within your network. This also demonstrates your expertise and willingness to contribute to discussions.

4. Join and participate in LinkedIn Groups.

LinkedIn Groups are a goldmine of networking opportunities. Its so essential that weve mentioned it twice in this post. Its good not just for marketing yourself or your business, but for expanding your network.

The best part is that you can find new networking opportunities based on an affinity or identity  which is much more organized than simply using LinkedIn search (although you should definitely use search).

I highly recommend joining relevant LinkedIn groups to connect with like-minded professionals in your industry or field. Now, dont do it willy-nilly; be selective and choose groups that are relevant, or will become relevant in case of a career change.

Also, look for active groups with a significant number of members where the discussions align with your professional interests. If the posts dont interest you, dont clutter your feed with the groups updates.

There are a few ways to get the most out of LinkedIn groups:

Start meaningful discussions : Post thought-provoking questions, share interesting articles or resources, or seek advice from group members

: Post thought-provoking questions, share interesting articles or resources, or seek advice from group members Share insights and expertise : Share valuable insights, offer advice, and provide solutions to common challenges in your field

: Share valuable insights, offer advice, and provide solutions to common challenges in your field Scout for potential connections: Engage with individuals who share similar interests, connect with them, and interact with their content and posts

5. Request and give recommendations to other LinkedIn users.

A recommendation is the LinkedIn equivalent of a hug. If you really want to nurture your existing connections  and make it clear that youre a valuable connection  consider giving your past and current colleagues a recommendation, even before they ask for one.

(Plus, that makes it easy to request one later!)

Now, I cant emphasize the importance of requesting recommendations enough. By getting recommendations from colleagues, clients, or partners youve worked with, you can build credibility  which makes you a valuable addition to any network. That makes it easier for people to click Connect.

Dont have time to recommend colleagues, or feeling shy about requesting a recommendation? Consider endorsing a colleagues skill on their profile instead. Its simple and easy. It may not be as satisfactory as a hug, but it can be like a pat on the back, and thats enough to keep you top-of-mind.

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6. Send thoughtful direct messages.

Sending direct messages on LinkedIn is one of the best ways to strengthen your existing network. But you have to be strategic about the direct messages you send. They should be thoughtful, have a clear purpose, and make it clear youre genuinely interested in that person.

Make sure your message is personalized, concise, and valuable. Maybe even try to offer something relevant to the person, such as an interesting article or helpful insight.

Direct messages are a uniquely powerful way to nurture your existing network and expand your number of connections. Why? Because its private, personalized interaction  almost like having a conversation at a professional convention.

Plus, thoughtful direct messages help shape your professional brand and reputation on LinkedIn. When you consistently send well-crafted messages that add value, you establish a positive image as a proactive, thoughtful, and valuable connection.

7. Use LinkedIns advanced search features.

Once youve joined groups, perused your notifications, and even looked through your connections network, its time to use LinkedIns advanced search to find more potential connections.

I recommend taking this step once youve sufficiently warmed your existing network, or are in need of additional opportunities.

To start an advanced search, simply input a term into LinkedIns search bar, which will take you to a results page with a wide variety of filters.

Youll want to click the People bubble so you can see whom you can connect with. From there, you can filter by common connections, location, or current company.

If you click All filters, you can go even further, filtering people by alma mater, industry, or even whom they follow (which is handy for finding those with common interests!). All of this enables you to strategically connect with like-minded professionals.

8. Use LinkedIns Open to feature.

If you want to network on LinkedIn specifically for the purpose of finding new job opportunities, hires, or clients, enable the Open to feature.

Under your profile headline, tap Open to, then tap your preferred option. You have three:

Finding a new job: This places an Open to work banner on your image.

Hiring: If youre a recruiter, you can use this option to signal youre hiring.

Providing services: This places a banner in your profile that showcases the services youre providing.

Not only is this useful for advertising your services directly to your network, it also allows new clients to find you via LinkedIn Search. Voila  more networking opportunities right at your doorstep with business potential, too.

9. Publish valuable content on your LinkedIn profile.

While most successful networking entails you interacting with others, youll also want to provide that opportunity for others by posting content.

That not only allows your network to interact with you, it also allows you to share your expertise  strengthening your LinkedIn brand and positioning you as a thought leader.

Plus, it can help you broaden your reach. Your posts have the potential to go beyond your immediate network through LinkedIn's algorithm and content discovery features.

This means that your valuable insights can resonate with a wider audience, attracting new connections. For instance, when my colleague liked the below post, it showed up on my feed, even though I dont follow the original poster.

If you post valuable content, you can increase your chances of showing up in users feeds and earning a follow or a connection request.

10. Read or participate in LinkedIn collaborative articles.

LinkedIn has recently rolled out something called collaborative articles, where you can post your insights on a pre-written article generated by AI.

The ability to contribute has been made available to a limited number of users by invitation, but you can always read collaborative articles to find new networking opportunities.

You can like contributions and access each contributors profile. From there, you can easily send a personalized connection request and start a conversation. This feature is currently in beta, but I hope it gets fully rolled out in the next year.

Now that you know how to use LinkedIn and how to expand your network, let's learn how to market yourself or your business on the social media platform.

How to Market on LinkedIn Use Saved Searches and Search Alerts in LinkedIn Recruiter. List job opportunities and recruit new talent with LinkedIn's job postings. Take advantage of LinkedIn Endorsements. Use Open Profile to send messages to people you're not connected to. Export connections. Customize your Connections to grow your professional network. Join LinkedIn Groups. Create your own LinkedIn Group. Communicate with your LinkedIn Group. Share your LinkedIn status updates on other platforms. Leverage @mentions in your status updates. Create LinkedIn Showcase Pages. Post company status updates and target them. Experiment with LinkedIn Sponsored Content & Native Ads. Share content through LinkedIn's publishing platform. Add a Page Follow button to your website. Analyze your LinkedIn marketing performance.

1. Use Saved Searches and Search Alerts in LinkedIn Recruiter.

If you use LinkedIn Recruiter, you can use Saved Searches to save your search criteria  if you're marketing job opportunities via LinkedIn, this is a great addition to your tool belt.

With the feature, you can save as many searches as you want and receive alerts when new candidates match your filter refinements and criteria. You can elect to receive daily or weekly search alerts from the system about relevant results via the Recruiter homepage.

2. List job opportunities and recruit new talent with LinkedIn's job postings.

And speaking of your business' open job opportunities, don't forget to add and market your new positions on the LinkedIn Jobs page.

Here, candidates can learn about your business and openings by searching for specific keywords such as job title, industry, location, salary, experience level, and more.

3. Take advantage of LinkedIn Endorsements.

LinkedIn offers a feature called Endorsements  this allows you to recognize people you work with by endorsing their skills.

You can promote and endorse the skills of the people you work closest with to help refer them for other work, make their Profiles more impressive, show your support, and more.

Or, as mentioned, you can use this to nurture your existing network.

4. Use Open Profile to send messages to people you're not connected to.

To branch out and make new connections with potential partners, customers, and other industry leaders, you might want to send them a personalized message.

With the exception of fellow LinkedIn Group members, the platform only allows you to send messages to people with whom you share a first-degree connection. But did you know some people let you send them messages anyway, even if you're not connected?

Here's how that works: The ability to be part of the Open Profile network is only available to Premium account holders, but it allows those users to be available for messaging by any other LinkedIn member regardless of membership type.

Additionally, there are options for sending messages to those with whom you're not yet connected, similar to sending a request to connect with a note (though we don't recommend overusing this technique). Additionally, if you have a premium account, you can use InMail.

5. Export connections.

Now, it's no secret that you can use the connections you make on LinkedIn to drive traffic to your site and grow your base of paying customers. Exporting your connections  to a contact management system, for example  is a great place to start.

Simply go to "Settings", "Data Privacy", then click "Get a copy of your data" to start exporting your LinkedIn connections.

6. Customize your Connections to grow your professional network.

LinkedIn offers features to help you grow your professional network and make valuable connections. There are several ways to do this depending on what you're looking to accomplish.

Here are some examples:

Add, view, and remove connections depending on their level of value to your business.

Control who can see your connections  maybe you do or don't want your competitors to see that list of people.

Leverage your second and third-degree connections to grow your network and build new relationships.

Import and sync your contacts from your email and other sources to stay in touch with colleagues, partners, leads, and customers across the board. These connections will see your content in multiple places so they learn more about who you are as a business, deepening their relationship with your brand.

7. Join LinkedIn Groups.

LinkedIn Groups are a great way to make connections with people who work in, or are interested in, your industry. They serve as a hub for you and other members to share content, grow your contact list, establish yourself as an expert in the field, and boost brand awareness.

There are several other benefits that come from joining LinkedIn Groups. For example, by joining Groups related to your industry and participating in discussions within those groups, you'll inspire thought leadership in your industry.

Additionally, by joining Groups, you can view complete Profiles of other members of the same group without being connected. Also, if you're a member of the same group as another user, LinkedIn allows you to send up to 15 free 1:1 messages to fellow group members per month (typically, you can only do this if you're a first-degree connection).

8. Create your own LinkedIn Group.

Consider creating a LinkedIn Group of your very own, like HubSpot did with the popular Inbound Marketers Group.

You can use your group to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, grow a community of advocates, generate new marketing content ideas, promote brand awareness, and generate new leads.

9. Communicate with your LinkedIn Group.

And on that note, there are more reasons to create your own Group on LinkedIn. In fact, one of the perks of managing a LinkedIn Group is that LinkedIn makes it simple to interact and communicate with the members of the Group you're in charge of.

You can either send messages to group members or create a group post. Sending messages allows you to write a member of your group directly, or share content with them, from your group's page. This is great if you have something to share with a specific person in your group. Creating a group post allows you to share any content you'd like on your group's page which is ideal for initiating a discussion.

10. Share your LinkedIn status updates on other platforms.

Consider using a social media tool such as Marketing Hub's to cross-post your LinkedIn status updates on other platforms. This is also a great way to boost your followers across a wide variety of channels and increase youur LinkedIn connections.

Cross-post on LinkedIn and other platforms using HubSpot's social media management software.

For example, if you're posting an update to LinkedIn that you'd also like your Twitter followers to see, you can easily syndicate that update by creating a new post in Marketing Hub and selecting both LinkedIn and Twitter. Just make sure that the post is apt for both audiences.

11. Leverage @mentions in your status updates.

Want another LinkedIn user or company to see your status update? On LinkedIn, you can tag  or @mention  users and other companies in your status updates much like the way it works on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Include the @ symbol immediately followed by the user's/ company's name in your status update or post. As a result, that user/ company will be alerted that you mentioned them, and their name will also link to their Profile and Page in the status update itself. This is a great way to boost engagement and interaction on your content as well as improve brand awareness.

12. Create LinkedIn Showcase Pages.

LinkedIn Showcase Pages are niche pages that branch off your business' page to highlight specific initiatives and campaigns or feature specific content you're working on.

Think of Showcase Pages as extensions of your main page that allow you to promote specific products or cater to your marketing personas  this provides a more personalized and targeted experience for your page visitors. This is a great way to expand your network on LinkedIn because other users can choose to follow your Showcase Page(s) even if they haven't followed your main page.

13. Post company status updates and target them.

Publish status updates for your business on your LinkedIn page for your followers to see. This keeps your LinkedIn connections engaged and in the loop regarding your business' latest developments, work, content, and updates. In your status updates, you can share written information, images, videos, documents, and more.

You can also post Targeted LinkedIn Status Updates tailored towards specific people and groups within your audience. To do this, use criteria such as company size, industry, job function, seniority, geography, language, or by including/ excluding company employees.

These targeted updates will appear on your page  or Showcase Page  as well as on LinkedIn for the targeted users (specifically, in their Network Updates feed).

14. Experiment with LinkedIn Sponsored Content and Native Ads.

If you're looking to complement your organic LinkedIn marketing efforts with some paid advertising, LinkedIn Ads are a smart choice. One of the biggest benefits of LinkedIn advertising: the targeting options.

LinkedIns PPC ads let you target specific job titles, job functions, industries, or company size, to name a few  you know, the people who are more likely to want/ need what you sell.

If you want to get started with LinkedIn's advertising platform, check out our free guide to advertising on LinkedIn.

15. Share content through LinkedIn's publishing platform.

Good news! You no longer have to be a LinkedIn influencer to publish new articles on LinkedIn. Publishing is available to all users on the platform. Experiment with how this feature can support your marketing goals by creating content and promoting it on your business' LinkedIn page.

For example, you might experiment with syndicating content from your blog to LinkedIn  this way, you can promote subscriptions to your blog via LinkedIn.

16. Add a Page Follow button to your website.

Add the LinkedIn Company Follow button to your website to promote your company's LinkedIn presence and the content you share on the platform. When your website visitors follow your LinkedIn page via your site, they'll automatically become connected to you and be able to view your company's latest updates on the platform.

Using this method, you can boost your engagement and number of connections on LinkedIn by driving traffic to the platform directly from your website.

18. Analyze your LinkedIn marketing performance.

So ... how are your LinkedIn marketing efforts faring? Analyzing your efforts and making necessary adjustments is critical to your success on the platform.

LinkedIn has in-depth page analytics as well as reporting tools for businesses to evaluate overall performance. There are specific data about how effective your status updates, content, and reach are as well as details about your page's engagement and followers (like audience member demographics).

LinkedIn Marketing Options

LinkedIn allows you to drive traffic to your website, identify quality leads, share your expertise through thought-leadership content, and grow your network. It's also a great way to market job openings and attract new talent to your company. Using ads will amplify all of these benefits to make them even more useful for your business. There are four different types of ads you can use on LinkedIn, each one is crafted to help you achieve different goals for your business.

1. Sponsored Content

The LinkedIn homepage for users features a news feed that is custom to each profiles network. Sponsored content will show up in the LinkedIn news feed and reach a highly engaged audience. This content is labeled as promoted so it stands apart from the regular news feed. Sponsored content can include single image ads, video ads, carousel ads, or event ads.

2. Sponsored Messages

Each user on LinkedIn has an inbox to connect with other users. Only 48% of businesses use messaging to engage with potential leads, so theres a great opportunity for you to be ahead of the curve with it. There are conversation ads that are in the style of choose your own path and message ads which are direct messages to potential leads.

3. Lead Gen Forms

Converting leads is the goal of your ads, and easily collecting their information makes the process streamlined for them and your business. These are pre-filled forms that help you collect and record leads on LinkedIn.

4. Text Ads

The LinkedIn platform has a right rail that can also feature ads. These can be text, spotlight, or follower. These are smaller, more condensed ads compared to the sponsored content.

Market Your Business on LinkedIn

Are you ready to get started marketing your business on LinkedIn?

With so many updates and additions to LinkedIn on the horizon, we can't wait to see how the network continues to make itself an integral resource and platform for marketers, job seekers, candidate seekers, and other professionals. Get started marketing on LinkedIn by experimenting with one of these best practices.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.




Stephen Lecce:

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 LGBTQ2S+ 

 LGBTQ2S+ 







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Arrests, heated exchanges mark rallies for and against teaching LGBTQ rights in schools

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rallies-gender-schools-1.6972606

Arrests reported in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia during the day

CBC News  Posted: Sep 20, 2023

Thousands protest over gender identity, sex-ed policies in schools Competing protests sprouted up in cities and communities across Canada on Wednesday, as opposing groups loudly clashed on how schools address issues of gender identity and how teachers refer to transgender youth. Arrests were reported in Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and also Victoria  where Victoria police advised people to avoid the B.C. legislature amid protests they said had become "unsafe" and which prompted at least two arrests. Earlier Wednesday, Ottawa police said two people were arrested for "inciting hatred" by "displaying hateful material" during a protest in the capital. More than 1,000 people turned out in Vancouver for protests and counter-protests. At least one person was arrested. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Show next image (2 of 13) Hide caption Toggle Fullscreen 1 of 13 1 of 13 Protests and counter-protests over LGBTQ school policies took place in Toronto on Wednesday, with many more happening across the country. The initial protests were organized under the banner of "1 Million March 4 Children to protect our children from indoctrination and sexualization," according to the groups website. Counter-protests took place as a response, with thousands gathering at places like Queens Park.

An arrest was also reported at a protest in Halifax, where several hundred people participated in local protests and counter-protests.

Another arrest was reported in Vancouver  where more than 1,000 people were present between the protests and counter-protests on Wednesday  but police did not immediately provide further details.

Some parents and socially conservative groups are protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under the banner of parental rights. Critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" is a misnomer because it doesn't address the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.

Policies emerging across the country, including in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, that require young people to get parental consent before teachers can use their preferred first names and pronouns are at the heart of these protests. Those opposed to parental consent rules say the policies are a violation of children's rights and that transgender youth should not be outed to their parents by teachers.

Protesters, counter-protesters line Wellington Street over LGBTQ rights in schools Duration0:57 13 hours ago WATCH | Thousands gather in Ottawa for protests and counter-protests:Hundreds demonstrated in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa Wednesday morning, one of several similar events across the country.

In Ottawa, thousands of people faced off in front of Parliament Hill and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh led a group of counter-protesters down Wellington Street. The street was closed in both directions between Elgin and Bank streets as over 1,000 people gathered for demonstrations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his support for LGBTQ people across Canada, via a statement on X, the former Twitter.

"We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations," wrote Trudeau, who was in New York to speak at the UN Climate Ambition Summit.

The Canadian Press reported that Conservative MPs were told not to discuss the protests unfolding in Ottawa with the media or to post online about it.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe posted on X an expression of support for LGBTQ children, saying the protests "will only cause harm to youth who are looking for our support and acceptance."

'We need to talk to people'

In downtown Montreal, activist Celeste Trianon helped lead a counter-protest outside the offices of Quebec Premier Francois Legault.

Demonstrators from pro-SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) protests grab an anti-SOGI protester near his family in Vancouver on Wednesday. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

"Trans people  they exist in society and they deserve inclusion, just like everyone else," Trianon said.

"We need to talk to people, teach them the right vocabulary, the proper words, at an age-appropriate time, in order to explain that inclusion is a good thing. We need to make sure that their trans and queer peers at school feel welcome."

In the Ontario cities of Ottawa, Toronto and its surrounding areas, Kitchener and Guelph, local school boards issued statements expressing support for LGBTQ students, staff and families.

Protesters share why theyre participating in demonstrations over gender curriculum, sexual identity in schools Duration1:02 12 hours ago WATCH | Why are people protesting about gender curriculum?Protests and counter-protests took place across Canada Wednesday over elements of sexual education curriculums, including teaching about gender identity. CBC spoke to two demonstrators at Torontos Queens Park about why they got involved.

"We do not tell students who they should be, but welcome them as they are," school officials with the Toronto District School Board said in a statement issued Tuesday.

In Hamilton, protesters marched from a local mall toward the headquarters of the local school board. Several hundred people, a total including both those involved in the protest and counter-protest, were present, according to CBC Hamilton.

The exterior of another school board in London, Ont., was a site where hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters appeared Wednesday. The Thames Valley District School Board said the events amounted to "a challenging and painful day for many, especially the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Thames Valley and across the nation."

The board also said it did not support "the harmful rhetoric and threats of violence used by some demonstrators."

In Calgary, police said more than 1,000 people were involved in protests and a fraction of that in related counter-protests, occurring Wednesday. In Edmonton, police estimated that 1,200 people were involved in local protests and counter-protests in the provincial capital.

Saskatchewan's two largest cities saw protests as well, as did several cities in Manitoba.

In Yukon, dozens of protesters and several hundred counter-protesters stood on opposite sides of a street from one another in downtown Whitehorse on Wednesday.

Protesters face off on either side of the road in Edmonton, one supporting LGBTQ education in schools and the other against it. (Travis McEwan/CBC)

Heated arguments, locked doors

In St. John's, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook, N.L., protesters gathered at government buildings and parking lots. These gatherings saw tears and heated back-and-forth arguments.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District advised teachers and employees not to engage with any protesters present on school property and to keep school doors locked.

On Prince Edward Island, protesters gathered in downtown Charlottetown, where counter-protesters also made their presence known. A CBC News crew reported seeing a handful of skirmishes during the day's events  including an occasion in which a person was knocked to the ground, before being surrounded by a protective cordon of people holding and wearing rainbow symbols.

Aside from the scenes in Victoria and Vancouver on Wednesday, British Columbia also saw protests and counter-protests in Kamloops and Kelowna, where hundreds of people from both sides met outside the courthouse and city hall, respectively, carrying signs and shouting slogans. Protests also occurred in Prince George and Surrey, B.C.

The province does not have a specific sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum in schools but students in B.C. learn about human rights, respecting diversity and responding to discrimination.

B.C. human rights commissioner Kasari Govender issued a statement Tuesday saying she's "disturbed by news of hate-fuelled marches" and said erasing trans people from school curricula amounts to hate.

Protesters march down Elgin Street in Ottawa as they demonstrate against sexual orientation and gender identity programs in schools on Wednesday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

John Rustad, the leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., issued a statement Wednesday in support of the rallies against "gender ideology" in schools, stating he would end the inclusion of SOGI materials in classrooms if elected.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim issued a statement Wednesday morning expressing solidarity with the LGBTQ community and condemning discrimination.

"Today, we are being confronted by ignorance and bigotry, and we must always call it out and stand with those who are impacted. We can never allow ourselves to let hate win the day," Sim said.

"So, to all 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, know this: we see you and we value you."

Protesters and counter-protesters are shown outside city hall in Halifax. (Robert Short/CBC)

In Fredericton, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs  whose government helped spark the national debate about gender policies in schools  told reporters Wednesday that parents must be informed if their children are questioning their gender identity.

Alex Harris, a transgender student and advocate in Riverview, N.B., said the protests and discourse is creating a scary and dangerous situation for queer students.

"I have had more slurs yelled at me in the hallway since I have gone back to school this September than I ever have previously, and I have been out at school as part of the LGBTQ community for probably five years now," Harris said.

Protests over LGBTQ school policies 'scary,' says transgender student Duration7:42 12 hours ago WATCH | More bullying, slurs in schools this fall, student says:Alex Harris, a transgender student in Riverview, N.B., says he wanted to attend a counter-protest over LGBTQ rights in school but decided against it because he didn't feel it was safe.

While Harris's own parents have been supportive after he came out as trans, he knows several students who are scared to do the same and some would be "at risk of physical abuse  or they would be kicked out [of their home] if they came out to their parents."


UNITED NATIONS, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged the United Nations to become more proactive in addressing his African nation's poverty and security issues and helping to fight illicit resource extraction, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Tinubu raised the issues when he met U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.

The Nigerian leader said malign actors who engage in illicit activities, including resource and weapons smuggling, exploit Africa's vast mineral wealth and undermine its stability.

"We are facing the great challenge of scavengers ravaging our lands and oppressing our people on illegal mines, taking our gold and mineral wealth back to developed economies by stealth and violence," the statement cited Tinubu as saying.

"We will now be aggressive and we will question motives. We will stop what is happening," he said, urging "effective collaboration" with the U.N.

Tinubu called for the United Nations to evolve from a global discussion platform into a proactive coordination centre, highlighting the urgency of addressing poverty and security issues.

In response, Guterres acknowledged the need for comprehensive reform within the U.N. to address institutional weaknesses and improve decision-making power for developing nations, according to the statement.

"We now recognize the need to reform the institution to represent the world as it is today," Guterres was quoted as saying.

In a speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Tinubu, who chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, assailed military coups that have swept through West Africa and pledged to help re-establish constitutional order in Niger.

(Reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Howard Goller)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Sept 21 (Reuters) - There are no strong arguments for the European Central Bank to increase mandatory reserves for banks, Belgian central bank chief Pierre Wunsch said on Thursday, weighing in on a key debate about a potential move to tighten policy further.

The ECB cut to zero the rate it pays to banks on mandatory reserves earlier this year. Some policymakers are now pushing for an increase in the reserve requirement, in part to reduce losses associated with the multi-trillion-euro pool of excess liquidity sloshing around banks.

Wunsch said that reducing the volume of assets would be the first port of call and changing the reserve requirement would risk making future asset buys less effective.

"I don't see any strong argument for using movements in the reserve requirements when we still have this huge portfolio (of bonds) that we can reduce," Wunsch told the Reuters Global Markets Forum.

Banks are sitting on cash, mostly created during the decade of ultra easy monetary policy, when the ECB printed money to buy bonds.

Now that rates are rising, these bonds are generating losses for the central bank and some of the euro zone's national central banks could burn all of their capital, raising the risk that governments would have to recapitalise them.

But Wunsch said that reducing central bank losses should not be the objective of monetary policy and changing the rules now could make commercial banks wary of taking part in future stimulus schemes.

"I'm a bit concerned that in the future, if you would want to do some more QE, the markets would say okay, but if it turns sour and they make losses, they are going to want to recoup the losses," he said.

One way to reduce excess liquidity would be to end early reinvestments in the 1.7 trillion euro Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme, now set to run until the end of 2024.

"We need to remain cautious but honestly, to be clear, I don't think there are any arguments now for keeping (PEPP reinvestments) until 2024, except the fact that we have announced (this date)," Wunsch said.

However, an outright sale of bonds does not need to be on the agenda now, he said.

Join GMF, a chat room hosted on Refinitiv Messenger: https://tinyurl.com/yyr3x6pu)


Sept 21 (Reuters) - Pakistan's Prime Minister extended an invitation to Rio Tinto group's CEO to visit the country to explore investment opportunities further in a meeting in New York on Thursday.

The CEO of Rio Tinto Group said his team would liaise with the concerned authorities to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan's mineral and mining sector, according to a post by the PM's office on X, formerly known as Twitter.

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
ZURICH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The Swiss National Bank will provide funds secured against mortgages to all commercial banks, expanding liquidity provision to the sector, Vice Chairman Martin Schlegel said on Thursday.

To take advantage of the support, which had previously only been available to systemically important banks, lenders must be able to transfer the mortgages to the central bank.

"No matter their size, banks can find themselves in a situation where they need significant liquidity quickly," said Schlegel, citing risks, such as general uncertainty in the banking sector or cyber attacks on individual lenders.

The greater the number of banks that take the preparatory steps necessary to use the new possibility of obtaining liquidity, the greater will be the central bank's room for manoeuvre in time of need, Schlegel said.

The SNB said it expected banks involved in mortgage lending to take part in the initiative, which it sees as providing broad-based support to financial stability and the resilience of the banking system.

Earlier this month, Switzerland's central bank was criticised for being too restrictive in a report by a group of experts, including bankers and academics, formed in the wake of Credit Suisse's collapse.

Schlegel said, by expanding the ways the country's banks can tap liquidity, the central bank was not lowering its standards.

"Mortgages are a very good security and we have already accepted them as collateral with other banking groups, with systemically important banks," he said.
HONG KONG, Sept 21 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S) has cut around 70% of the Hong Kong-based staff headcount at Credit Suisse's securities research unit, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, as the two Swiss banking giants move ahead with integration of operations.

UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse, the biggest bank merger since the 2008 global financial crisis, was hastily arranged in March this year by Swiss authorities to avert Credit Suisse's collapse.

As part of the integration process, UBS decided to absorb Credit Suisse's Securities Research service this month, wrapping the business into its own research operations, Reuters reported on Sept. 5.

More than 15 equity researchers were notified earlier this week about the layoffs in Hong Kong, the sources said, adding less than 10 researchers focusing on Hong Kong and China equities will join the UBS team.

UBS declined to comment. Credit Suisse did not respond to a Reuters request for comments.

As a result of the staff layoffs, Credit Suisse on Monday terminated the Asia Pacific equities strategy coverage, according to a client note sent by the bank and reviewed by Reuters.

Two former Credit Suisse managing directors, Charles Zhou who headed China financials and Kenneth Fong who headed China Internet and Asia gaming research, are among those joining UBS, the two sources and another person with knowledge of the matter said.

Both of them will bring some junior researchers from Credit Suisse, the sources added.

Zhou and Fong did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse marks the first-ever merger of two global systematically important banks after the latter suffered years of scandals and losses before its rescue in March.

UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti said on Tuesday that the momentum was pretty positive at the Swiss bank, which manages $5.5 trillion in assets since merging with former rival Credit Suisse earlier this year.


JAKARTA, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia will allow mining production plans to stay valid for three years with immediate effect, according to rules made public on Thursday, as it looks to beef up efficiency in quota approvals.

The move comes as nickel smelter operators, battling surging ore prices, had to import nickel ore from the Philippines in recent months, as Indonesian miners exhausted production quotas.

Such output plans issued by the Southeast Asian nation, domestically referred to as RKAB, determine how much ore miners may dig out over a period of time, which was formerly a year.

The new rules allow miners to seek revisions to their production plans once a year.

Last month, Indonesian officials said an investigation of illegal mining activities had prompted the government to return to an older approval procedure, causing delays in quota approvals.

Later that month, Arifin Tasrif, the mineral resources minister, told parliament the ministry was upgrading its online application system to speed approvals.

This week, a senior official overseeing mining said nickel miners would be able to use a new quota application system from October, with applications to be sent in from November.

(Reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Clarence Fernandez)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
In a recent Fox News' interview conducted by a fawning Brett Baier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MSB) claimed that "anyone involved" in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is currently "serving time in jail." Oddly, it did not appear that Mohammed bin Salman was being interviewed being bars. He was in a very nice room with a waterfront view, the kind that people worth $25 billion are accustomed to occupying.

From The Hill:

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist for The Washington Post critical of the Saudi government, was killed and dismembered in 2018 by a hit squad while inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A U.S. intelligence report later determined Salman approved and likely ordered the killing. The crown prince has denied having direct knowledge of the plot against Khashoggi but said in 2019 he accepted responsibility because the attack happened under his leadership.

In the interview, Mohammed bin Salman also said he saw no conflict paying $2 billion into Jared Kushner's fledgling private equity, despite Kushner's familial relationship to the former president.
By Azernews

Rena Murshud

The illegal Armenian armed groups surrendered shortly after the local anti-terrorist activities carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Garabagh and near Khankendi.

It should be noted that since September 19, the units of the Armenian armed forces formations in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, fired intensively at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army located in the direction of the Aghdam district with various types of weapons.

Following the terror committed by Armenians in Garabagh, a mass rally was also held in Yerevan against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In addition to blaming the PM for losing the lands they occupied decades ago, Armenians also mentioned the USA, Russia and other countries adding them in their list of 'guilty'.

Thus, Armenians, who did not receive any support from Putin, gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Armenia and held a protest. With the so-called "flag" of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian revanchists demanded the Russians to fight along with the separatist elements.

It seems that Armenia, which is in a desperate situation, accuses all the countries that come before it. Accusing the United States of not imposing sanctions, Russia of not providing military assistance, Israel of providing arms to Azerbaijan, and brotherly countries Turkiye and Pakistan of helping Azerbaijan, Armenian separatist regime seems to have been cornered like a beaten dog. As a way out, the Armenians left alone in the square should either vacate Khankendi and return to their homes, or they should choose the first option and surrender.

However, it should be noted that in one of the statements of Russia, it was officially stated that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan.

An interesting point is what will be the reaction of the Kremlin to this disrespect of the Armenians towards the Russian embassy in Yerevan and themselves?

"At the moment, several processes are taking place here. The first and most important thing is to fully restore Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the entire Garabagh region, as well as to establish a full constitutional structure in the entire territory of Garabagh. For this purpose, the local anti-terrorist activities, which did not even last 24 hours, were very successfully completed. After that, there will be processes of restoration of Garabagh in Azerbaijan, restoration of state constitutions of Azerbaijan in the region, as well as creation of various forms of integration of the Armenian minority living in that region. After all, it is their decision whether to stay in Garabagh or leave."

Russian political scientist Sergey Markov said these words in his comment to AZERNEWS. According to him, people in Yerevan also struggle to figure out what they are fighting for. There are several directions here as well.

"Nikol Pashinyan intends to sharply distance Armenia from Russia. The Prime Minister wants to use the pessimism that has arisen in the minds of the Armenian public to turn his country towards France and the United States, which are Russia's rivals in the West. Pashinyan connects all these actions with France and also with the United States that is considered as the most important hegemonic power in the West. I would also like to note that Pashinyan himself is a product of the Soros Foundation, which helped him grow as a "politician"," Markov noted.

The expert added that Pashinyan blamed Russia and the CSTO for the "loss" of Garabagh. Therefore, he invited the US military to conduct exercises in the region. Also, the Prime Minister intends to include Armenia in the international court that issued a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin. In general, it turns out that the Russian President was banned from entering Armenia because Pashinyan threatened Putin with arrest.

Speaking about Russia's reaction to this action of the Armenians, the Russian political scientist noted that their reaction was quite calm. Russia cannot be as pro-Armenian as any Armenian. Because nobody can be more "Armenian" than the Armenians themselves.

"If Pashinyan himself has already admitted that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan, then what can be further discussed? We are observing now, is official Baku that restores the constitution in Garabagh, which is part of its country," Markov added.

"The second thing that Vladimir Putin pays attention to is helping to minimize the difficulties of the Armenian minority living in Garabagh. Therefore, Russian peacekeepers have opened the doors of their bases there to about 2,000 Armenian children and women. Another task of Russian peacekeepers is to help the Armenian minority who want to leave Garabagh and move to the territory of Armenia through a humanitarian corridor created for them. Because there is no direct connection between the Armenian minority living in Garabagh and Azerbaijan, Russia is playing the role of mediator," the expert emphasized.

In conclusion, the political analyst, talking about another point that Putin paid attention to, noted that currently, Russia wants to prevent Armenia's sharp break away from it and its inclination towards France and the United States, as well as NATO and the West as a whole. Most likely, all secrets within the CSTO can no longer be passed on to Armenian military officials due to Armenia's treachery, he said.
The family of a man who drove into a creek and drowned following directions provided by Google Maps in darkness is suing the company. At the heart of their lawsuit: Google failed to update their map for nearly a decade after a bridge's collapse, even after it became a noted hazard referred to as the "Bridge to Nowhere."

Mr Paxson, a father of two, was driving home from his daughter's ninth birthday party at a friend's house and was in an unfamiliar neighbourhood at the time of his death, according to the family's lawsuit. His wife had driven his two daughters home earlier, and he stayed behind to help clean up. "Unfamiliar with local roads, he relied on Google Maps, expecting it would safely direct him home to his wife and daughters," lawyers for the family said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "Tragically, as he drove cautiously in the darkness and rain, he unsuspectingly followed Google's outdated directions to what his family later learned for nearly a decade was called the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' crashing into Snow Creek, where he drowned."

The bridge collapsed in 2013, but Google was directing traffic over it nine years later despite local residents "repeatedly contacting Google" to report the error over the years. "I still can't 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. More from the Associated Press, which reports that Google is "reviewing the allegations."
A guest post by David Garrett:

Back in 2020  or was it 2017?  labour announced that it wished to reduce the prison population by 30%. While that has not quite been achieved, there has certainly been a substantial reduction in the prison population since they announced that policy  or perhaps desire is the better word. The question then becomes, How did they achieve that? In theory neither politicians nor anyone else can direct judges to impose shorter sentences.

In our system of government, the executive  effectively the cabinet  is theoretically separate from both the legislature  parliament  and the judiciary. The first separation is to a large extent in name only; with only the rarest of exceptions MP's from the ruling party support whatever policy their mates in cabinet tell them to. If they don't, their careers are lonely and short. At best, all the rest of the members of parliament  those who are not members of a governing party  can do is delay and frustrate the passage of legislation.

The second separation  that between the executive and the judiciary  is supposed to be sacrosanct; it is neither the executive's nor the legislature's role to criticize or direct the judiciary, and the judiciary ought not to be interfering in government policy or legislation. So how then did the executive  which constitutionally has nothing to do with sentencing  manage to achieve a 25% reduction in the prison population in five years?

On the face of it there are only two ways a reduction in the prison population can be achieved. The first is judges sending prisoners to jail less often in favour of community based sentences; the second is the Parole Board releasing prisoners earlier than they otherwise would have. The third way sentences can be lessened is by the appointment of soft judges who will avoid imprisonment whenever they can, and impose shorter sentences than ought to be the case when they must. I am somewhat astounded that there has apparently been no investigation into how this reduction has been achieved. Let's look at the three possibilities in turn.

In theory, no-one ought to be trying to influence judges' sentencing; not their fellow judges, not the heads of bench, and certainly not agents of the executive. However we know that in least one case there was a blatant attempt  by the late Wira Gardiner and others  to put pressure on a Family Court judge with the intention that he gave greater weight to the views of Oranga Tamariki regarding the placement of a Maori child. This quite rightly caused something of an outrage when it was revealed  but that was only one case.

Have there been quiet words in the ears of some High Court Judges urging them to imprison fewer people for shorter periods? Now I no longer rely on a New Zealand practicing certificate for my livelihood I am prepared to say this is entirely possible. The present Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann was appointed in 2019. She is well known to the profession as being a raving leftie, as was her predecessor Dame Sian Elias. Winkelmann began her legal career with a large commercial law firm, Philips Fox, and later became a barrister sole, specializing in commercial work, insolvency, and medical disciplinary litigation. Prior to becoming a Judge, it is unlikely she ever met a criminal face to face. She would certainly never have met a tattooed gang thug.

Other than Justice Winkelmann, the judges who are soft on crime are well known to the profession, just as it is well known who are members of the A team  i.e. the more learned and able judges  as opposed to the rest. I wish to make it clear that I have no evidence  other than the rapid and substantial reduction in the prison population  to support a claim that Judges of the supreme court and/or the Court of Appeal have attempted to influence their brothers and sisters to achieve a reduction in prisoner numbers by softer sentencing. The fact remains however that this has happened, and in a relatively short time. The fact that the reduction followed calls by the Labour government for said reduction is unlikely to have been coincidental.

What about the Parole Board? I have only personally met one of the present Board, one Khylee Quince, formerly an undistinguished academic at AUT and said to be expert, inter alia in youth justice and Maori legal issues. I encountered Ms Quince at a debate on Maori offending and imprisonment a few years ago. It quickly became clear that I was the token rightie on the panel; all the others were either Maori criminals  there were three of them as I recall  and a couple of left wing academics, including Ms Quince.

In discussions afterwards, Ms Quince was underwhelming in the extreme: she had no idea for example that there were, at that time, 13 people serving time in NZ jails for a second homicide, claiming that there were about three. I later sent her my list of repeat killers; she never gave me the courtesy of a reply.

Have the Parole Board collectively been releasing prisoners more often and after less time served than before the Labour government came to power? Who knows? It would take a careful study  such as a Master's thesis  to provide evidence one way or the other. Even then, trying to establish some clear evidence would be very difficult, given the wide range of circumstances both of offenders and their offences. In other words trying to compare apples with apples over two time periods  before and after the election of the Labour government  would be very difficult.

What about influencing sentencing outcomes by way of appointment of soft judges? I understand there have only been about four High Court Judges appointed since Labour came to power. However, the vast majority of criminal sentencing in New Zealand is done in the District Court. I have no idea how many DCJ's have been appointed since 2017. Perhaps a reader with knowledge of the numbers in question could enlighten all of us.

So what do we know for sure? Firstly, we know Labour campaigned on substantially reducing the prison population, and we know this reduction has in fact occurred. Secondly, we know that the executive constitutionally has no direct input into what the courts do, and what sentences are passed. But we also know from the Wira Gardiner Family Court case that outside interference has occurred in at least one case. We know about that one case only because the Judge in question bravely made it known to the public that he had been pressured. While that might have been an isolated case, in my view that is most unlikely. Once again, something happened by which government policy regarding prisoner numbers became a reality.In my opinion, it is clear at least on the balance of probabiliies that some person or persons must have influenced members of our judiciary. In a small country like ours, it is inevitable that members of the judicial elites mix often with members of other elites, including politicians. Perhaps we will never know quite how a 25% reduction in the prison population was achieved in five years  it sure as hell wasn't because of a 25% reduction in violent offending. We are in the middle of a crime wave, and the major legislative response to that has been to repeal the three strikes law rather than a beefing up of the law as you would expect.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 51F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 25F. Winds light and variable.
Visitors to a lake in Otsego County, Michigan on Tuesday heard a woman's yelling for help. Someone called emergency services and conservation officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan State Police, and Otsego County EMS, arrived on the scene. They quickly determined that the screams were coming from the bottom of a pit toilet inside an outhouse.

According to a police statement, the woman told them that "she had dropped her Apple Watch in the toilet. She then lowered herself inside the toilet to retrieve it and could not get out."

The team removed the toilet and then used a long strap to lift the woman to safety. No word on whether she managed to find her Apple Watch.

"If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area," the police commented. "Serious injury may occur."
COLUMBIA  A former teacher at the Jefferson City School District sued her previous employer last month for alleged age discrimination and retaliation.

Kristin Imhoff, a former technical English teacher at the Nichols Career Center, sued the district on Aug. 4. Her petition asks for a jury trial.

Imhoff worked for JCSD for 11 years and had 20 years of education experience before that, the suit claims.

It alleges the district retaliated against Imhoff after she reported the Nichols Career Center for violation of policy once in August 2022 and again in February 2023.

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Imhoff claims she was subject to age and sex discrimination by her supervisor at the Nichols Career Center. She described the discrimination as "a pattern of bias against older female staff in violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act."

After her first report in August 2022, her supervisors reportedly retaliated against her. They allegedly did not provide Imhoff of "any specific examples or explanations of her alleged unsatisfactory conduct," the suit says.

After her second report in February 2023, Imhoff was "demoted" and forced to transfer mid-year to a middle school classroom, according to the lawsuit. Imhoff decided to use paid leave for the rest of the year and retired in July 2023 because "her work situation had become intolerable," the lawsuit states.

The district says it intends to "vigorously defend this case and appreciates that the legal process will provide an opportunity to address the multiple misrepresentations made in the lawsuit."
A bus carrying students from Farmingdale High School in Long Island crashed in Orange County New York on Thursday, September 21, according to a spokesperson from the high school.
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 on Sept. 14.
Authorities say Kevin Mason was mistakenly released from an adult detention center in Indiana's Marion County on September 13.
South Korea and Finland clinched a trade promotion agreement Thursday in an effort to strengthen bilateral ties in supply chains, digital economy, and a wide range of economic and industry fields, Seoul's industry ministry said.

The two countries signed the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) in Seoul, as they marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The TIPF is a nonbinding agreement that calls for enhancing economic ties and facilitating cooperative exchanges in various sectors.

It marked the eighth TIPF deal for South Korea, and its partner nations include the United Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic, Hungary, Poland and Uzbekistan.

"The two sides have maintained close cooperation on nuclear energy, defense and various other sectors based on similar geopolitical conditions and development experiences. The TIPF is expected to serve as a platform for stronger ties in broader, new issues," Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations Roh Keon-ki said.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, Roh held a meeting with Finland's Under-Secretary of State Jarno Syrjala and asked for the European nation's support for South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in its southern port city of Busan, the ministry said. (Yonhap)
By Park Jae-hyuk

BORYEONG, South Chungcheong Province  Torrential rainfall on Wednesday could not hinder HD Hyundai XiteSolutions unmanned excavator and dozer from digging and moving dirt piled up on the proving ground owned by the construction equipment makers subsidiary, HD Hyundai Infracore.

The cabinless heavy machinery, developed under the Concept-X2 project, boasted various functions through remote control.

The dozer stopped automatically when a person approached. The excavator equipped with a tilt-rotator dug v-shaped ditches without using a v-shaped bucket.

HD Hyundai XiteSolution CEO Lee Dong-wook told reporters during the demonstration event that Saudi Arabia showed a keen interest in the companys unmanned construction equipment technologies, to use them for the Middle Eastern countrys $500 billion project to build the NEOM smart city.

NEOM wants to introduce our technologies, he said. We are in talks with Saudi Arabia on giving a demonstration of our technologies, because unmanned construction equipment has not been commercialized in any part of the world.

The Korean company is thought to be outperforming other global construction equipment makers, such as Caterpillar and Komatsu, in terms of remote control and automation technologies, because it began developing the technologies earlier than its rivals.

In 2019, HD Hyundai XiteSolution unveiled the Concept-X, an integrated construction site controlling solution using drones, after it succeeded in controlling an excavator in Incheon remotely from the Bauma trade fairs venue in Munich, Germany.

The Concept-X2, the upgraded version of the Concept-X, was disclosed earlier this year at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show in Las Vegas, prompting visitors to anticipate drastic changes in productivity and working standards at construction sites.

The most impressive response from the audience was a comment that read a terminator has come, said Kim Dong-mok, an HD Hyundai XiteSolution employee in charge of developing smart construction equipment.

By collecting data from highly skilled workers with decades of experience, an artificial intelligence applied to the Concept-X2 can instruct less-skilled workers in optimal ways of digging. As a result, the Concept-X2 has reduced working hours and fuel consumption considerably, according to HD Hyundai XiteSolution.

In addition, the technology is expected to help construction site managers cope with the worsening labor shortage amid Koreas declining population and the younger generations avoidance of difficult and dangerous jobs.

Given that machinery operators can stay a safe distance away from hazardous sites, the Concept-X2 can also be a useful solution for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, which will need time to remove landmines buried in the ground. HD Hyundai XiteSolution has pushed ahead with preperation for Ukraines reconstruction.

Our technologies will be helpful in decommissioning nuclear reactors, Lee said. If Korea sends lunar roving vehicles, our technologies will also be useful.

He added that the technologies can be used for exploiting resources in mountainous terrain.

At this moment, HD Hyundai XiteSolution remains uncertain about when its unmanned construction equipment can go into wide use, but some of the Concept-X2s element technologies have already been used at construction sites.

The company also anticipates its smart machines will be less expensive than expected due to the falling prices of sensors and other components, amid the rapid growth of self-driving technologies in the automotive industry.

However, insufficient guidelines and regulations are still viewed as obstacles to the use of unmanned heavy machinery, because it is still unclear whether licenses are needed for remote operation and how responsibility would be determined for accidents involving unmanned equipment.
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. (AP)
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In his Sunshine Vlog, Stray Kids' Felix pulled back the curtain on an unexpected message from luxury fashion giant Louis Vuitton just before his appearance at their highly anticipated "Cruise 2024 Show" in Italy.

While his nerves were certainly tested, Felix undeniably owned the moment.

Stray Kids' Felix Reveals Louis Vuitton's 'Mysterious' Request

Felix granted fans a glimpse behind the scenes of his journey to Italy for the prestigious Louis Vuitton Cruise 2024 event, where the brand unveiled its women's collection at the picturesque Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore.

READ ALSO: THIS Weibo User Constantly Posting Death Threats for STRAY KIDS Felix- What's the tea?

In April, Felix appeared in Louis Vuitton's pre-fall show directed by "Squid Games" director Hwang Dong Hyuk on Seoul's Jamsugyo Bridge.

In August, he became a Louis Vuitton house ambassador, debuting at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2024 event.

However, the story took an intriguing turn when Felix confided in his viewers about a hitherto undisclosed detail that amplified the significance of his invitation to the exclusive event.

Felix shared pre-show nerves as he headed to the event. He had been personally invited by Louis Vuitton's artistic director, Nicolas Ghesquiere, without fully understanding the event's magnitude.

READ ALSO: Stray Kids Changbin & Lee Know Set Hearts Aflutter with Unexpected 'Kiss' on Stage- Here's What Happened

Felix Faces Unprecedented Pressure as One of Only Two Men at Louis Vuitton Event

Adding to his butterflies was the unexpected notice from Louis Vuitton, informing him that he would be one of only two men in attendance. The gravity of the situation was evident, and Felix couldn't help but feel the pressure.

You can watch his full vlog here:

It turned out that Felix's anxiety was shared by other male celebrities who confirmed their attendance.

The star-studded guest list included American rapper and producer Pharrell, the multi-talented American rapper and actor Jaden Smith, and Thai heartthrob and model "Dew" Jirawat Sutivanichsak, further elevating the event's star power.

However, Felix's nerves didn't get the better of him. He remained composed during the event and later admitted to having a fantastic evening despite the earlier anxiety.

Felix's journey from K-pop sensation to Louis Vuitton house ambassador is an extraordinary testament to his talent and charisma.

And while the "mysterious" request initially rattled him, it ultimately added to the allure of this remarkable chapter in his ever-evolving career.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Stray Kids Instagram Accounts - Members' Usernames Revealed!



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KpopStarz own this article.

Madison Cullen wrote this.
Last night, NY Times columnist David Brooks complained about paying $78 for a hamburger and a drink at a Newark Airport restaurant. To him, it constituted incontrovertible proof that the Democrats have ruined the country. "This is why Americans think the economy is terrible," he sniffed.

But a burger actually costs $17 at the 1911 Smoke House Barbeque, so what's the deal?

Well, according to a Facebook post from 1911 Smoke House Barbeque, it looks like "someone was knocking back some serious drinks  Bar tab was almost 80% and he's complaining about the cost of his meal  keep drinking buddy  we get paid off everything."

So far, the usually garrulous Brooks has remained mum about the incident, but it's not surprising that a gentleman of his stature would ignore questions from the rabble.

Nevertheless, until Brooks produces a receipt, the Burgergate scandal will continue to hound him.
BROKEN BOW, Okla. - KTBS 3's Rick Rowe kicks off another week with another Where in the ArkL
An Atlanta-area cold-storage developer with Western New York roots is proposing to construct a 125,000-square-foot freezer warehouse in West Seneca, potentially for use by Rosina Food Products.

Agile Cold Storage of Gainesville, Ga., is seeking to put up a sprawling facility at 160 Empire Drive, with a 70-foot-tall freezer section dominating the building, for both manufacturing and warehousing.

Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week.

A rendering of the building, as well as other documentation in the application to the town, indicate that the project would be for Rosina, a growing family-owned Italian frozen and specialty foods manufacturer that makes pre-cooked meatballs, Italian sausages, filled pasta, eggplant, entrees and pizza toppings, among other products. Rosinas existing and new facilities are adjacent to the site, at 3100 Clinton St. and 75 Empire.

Agile has two facilities in Georgiathat offer automated warehousing, multi-temperature warehousing and conventional warehousing, with blast freezing, tempering, cross-docking, e-commerce and export services. A third facility is opening in Macon, Ga.

The company was founded by Don Schoenl, a West Seneca native, University at Buffalo graduate and former Rosina employee, with 25 years of experience in cold-storage and food manufacturing. He is former president of Almark Foods, Agro-Merchants North America and Nordic Cold Storage, all in Georgia.

Agile officials could not be reached for comment, but a Rosina spokesman said the foods company has not yet signed on to the project.

We have been contacted by the project applicant and, although we are currently still exploring whether this project fits into Rosinas long-term growth, we are hopeful we can participate in making this project a success, the company said in a statement.

The company noted that its focus is to grow its business, create jobs and solidify its presence in Western New York, but the spokesman said there is nothing that is firm yet.

We know that areas of frozen supply chains are becoming more and more strained all over the U.S., so were always looking to protect the growth of our business as well, he said. So the long-term vision is to continue to grow, and that would lead us down the road of new opportunities.

According to the application, the building would be erected on a 6.2-acre brownfield site sandwiched between Clinton and Empire, which would first be remediated by Roux Group under the state Brownfield Cleanup Program, qualifying the project for state tax credits.

The insulated metal-panel building would include 88,941 square feet of cold-storage space, plus a cold truck dock of 11,643 square feet, with 12 bays that have an insulated dock door system, and two additional truck docks.

It would also include a two-story office section of 2,404 square feet, as well as a 10,021-square-foot packaging area and a 2,486-square-foot maintenance and engine room, both of the same lower height as the office section.

Agile, through 3200 Clinton Street, says it would add 70 to 100 full-time jobs upon completion, working two 10-hour shifts Monday through Friday and a single 10-hour shift on Saturday.

The town is conducting its environmental review of the project.

Also pending in West Seneca is a special-use permit for Devils Lettuce, a state-licensed cannabis dispensary at 650 Orchard Park Road that is owned and operated by Jason and James McGirr, both of Tonawanda, and Nicole Argiro of Aiken, S.C.

The store would be located in 5,760-square-feet of space in an existing building on 0.13 acres, owned by The Plaza Group. It would employ 12 to 15 people.
As he retires, 'Mr. Small Business' leaves big impact

It's hard to imagine the U.S. Small Business Administration's Buffalo district office without Franklin J. Sciortino.

With good reason.

Sciortino, 90, recently retired as the SBA office's Buffalo district director. He was hired as a loan officer at the local SBA office in 1965, worked his way up the ranks, and was named district director 33 years ago.

"I never, ever thought I would say the word [retire], let alone do it," he said.

Across his remarkable 58-year career at the SBA, Sciortino became synonymous with the Buffalo office. He built relationships with bank leaders and was a champion for small business. A former protege called him a "dynasty" at the SBA. He earned the nickname "Mr. Small Business."

Sciortino's friends and colleagues say his passion for and commitment to small businesses shone through.

"He's been through the good and the bad for the Buffalo community," said Victoria Reynolds, the Buffalo deputy district director, who has worked with Sciortino for her entire career at the SBA.

In 1972, the Southern Tier was devastated by flooding from the remnants of a hurricane. Sciortino moved to Olean for three months to help businesses recover. At first, he stayed in a cabin without electricity, before moving into a motel.

When the Blizzard of '77 struck, Sciortino wanted to put in his "honest eight" at the office instead of leaving early, Reynolds said. He got snowed in, and while he was stuck for three days, Sciortino worked on helping small businesses impacted by the storm.

Sciortino's gregarious personality helped him connect with numerous bank leaders, encouraging them to participate in SBA lending programs. He counted Robert G. Wilmers, the late M&T Bank chairman and CEO, as a friend. Whenever another bank expanded into the Buffalo district, Sciortino arranged a meeting, to make his pitch.

"I have tried to meet every head of every bank, and visit them," Sciortino said. "I think it makes a difference. If I had a problem, I'd pick up the phone and call them. And if they had a problem, they'd pick the phone and call me."

His personality rubbed off on others.

"He's contagious," Reynolds said. "He's super committed to any project he takes on. He loves small business and he loves Buffalo. It's really that spirit that's been the leader of the Buffalo district for so many years."

Ed Mrozinski worked for the SBA from 1983 to 2004 and remains friends with Sciortino. " 'Best boss' only scratches the surface of the respect I have for that man," he said.

Sciortino was "fiercely loyal" to the many entrepreneurs he helped over the years, Mrozinski said. "He had an uncanny ability to bring people together and get things done. One of his favorite sayings was, 'Its always easy to say no.' He always found a way to 'yes.' "

Reynolds said Sciortino showed respect for his SBA team in the way he led the district office. "He gives us guidance," she said. "He tells us where we need to be at the end of the day. He always trusted us to get it done and do it well."

When Sciortino would drive around, he would point out the small businesses the SBA had supported, and he knew the stories of the owners. He was always invited the SBA administrator  there were many over the years  to visit Buffalo from Washington, D.C.

Susan McCartney, director of the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State, said Sciortino was committed to his entire district, which covers sprawling 14 upstate counties.

"He was extremely enthusiastic and supportive of all kinds of businesses," McCartney said. "Frank didn't seem to have a favorite type of business, which happens in economic development. He would get so excited about any individuals that were pursuing entrepreneurship."

M&T Bank, which is based in the Buffalo district, is annually one of the top SBA lenders in the country.

"We see the value that it brings to the communities that we serve," said Christina Smaczniak, M&T's director of government programs. "These borrowers don't qualify for conventional credit. This capital is so critical to investing in the communities, as well as the employment of individuals for these small businesses."

But to Sciortino, even a powerhouse lender like M&T could still aim higher.

"Each year, any [loan] number we put up, he would say 'How are we going to do more?' " Smaczniak said. "I would say, 'Frank, I'm gong to do my best to continue to deliver.' That was the partnership we had."

Humor is part of Sciortino's nature. He was fond of keeping track of how many U.S. presidents he had served under at SBA, starting with Lyndon B. Johnson.

Sciortino remembers talking to Wilmers a few years ago when that number of presidents had reached 10. "(Wilmers) said, 'What does that mean?'" Sciortino said. "And I said, 'Bob, figure it out  with 10 of them and one of me, those guys can't hold a job.' And he almost laughed, because it was tough to get him to laugh."

If you were looking for Sciortino at lunchtime on a weekday, you could find him at his table at Chef's restaurant. There were two dishes  Chicken Sciortino and Veal Sciortino  named for him on the menu.

Sciortino recently returned to Chef's for his milestone birthday party. An employee made sure the parking spot right outside the front door was kept open for him.

A lasting impact of Sciortino's career: Straight Talk, a one-day networking, training and educational program for small businesses.

Sciortino launched the program more than 25 years ago. At the time, he recognized the SBA was having trouble making inroads with certain groups, including Blacks, Latinos, women and veterans.

"That, to him, was an exciting challenge he knew needed to be done, to bridge across all communities," Reynolds said. Straight Talk has become the Buffalo district's signature annual event. Thousands have attended over its history, with many attendees going on to launch their own businesses.

Sciortino was out on sick leave for a while, and he credits friends and family with helping him get through his health challenges. He salutes Reynolds for running the district office seamlessly.

Reynolds, for her part, is grateful to have worked with Sciortino all these years. As much as anyone, she has seen the effect of his work.

"Frank has successfully woven the SBA into the fabric of Buffalo, not just because he's been around forever, but because he intended that to be," she said.

For Sciortino, it comes down to all the businesses the SBA has supported.

"It makes me feel good every morning when I get up, what we did," he said.

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A local startup is getting a $500,000 investment.

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.

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A high honor in the legal profession will be awarded to Buffalo attorney Terrence M. Connors at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City.

Connors will receive the 2023 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Second Circuit, presented by Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston.

Criteria for the award states it should go to a senior attorney who has guided younger lawyers in government, private practice or public service, by word and by example, and whose life and work reflect civility, competence, and ethical behavior.

In nominating Connors for the award, Buffalo Federal Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo said the criteria perfectly describes my mentor, friend and former partner, Terrence M. Connors. In sum, Terry is the best lawyer I have ever seen in action and the best law practice teacher I have ever met. He lives what he teaches and leads more by example than by words.

Connors is scheduled to receive the award Oct. 3 in the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse in Manhattan.

The American Inns of Court has a membership of approximately 30,000 federal, state, and local judges; lawyers, law professors and law students nationwide.

- Lou Michel
PRNewswire

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 21: 'Change is inevitable', and who better than Illusion Aligners resonates it the best? Illusion Aligners has always been at the pinnacle of groundbreaking innovations that redefine smiles.

Also Read | Sukhdool Singh Gill Aka Sukha Duneke Dead: NIA-Wanted Punjab Gangster Shot Dead in Canada.

They are modern-day smile architects who know how to reach new horizons to craft enchanting and stunning smiles with finesse. They have embarked on a mission to empower smiles worldwide by charting the most advanced and cutting-edge products like Illusion Aligners Pro and Illusion Aligners Aesthetics. Their endeavours to capsize the world of dentistry are evident with the trailblazing launch of their star performer Illusion Aligners FLX, which claims to upscale dentistry to the next level. This variant boasts of achieving flawless smiles faster while experiencing smile engineering with utmost flexibility and comfort.

Illusion Aligners, one of the most trusted brands of the dental world, is known to offer products that perform as naturally as their brand ambassador, Kareena Kapoor Khan. Gaining the trust and support of this iconic celebrity has contributed incredible charm and charisma to Illusion Aligner's aim of changing smiles all over. Hence, team Illusion pitched up an idea to celebrate the birthday of their beloved brand ambassador with a pleasant surprise by hosting a Bollywood-inspired birthday bash to honour their esteemed brand ambassador.

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The staff at Illusion seemed to be smitten by her charm and held the event in a true tinsel-town style. The office was transformed into an actual movie set, with lights, camera and sound rolling in. Adding to the frame stood the larger-than-life posters of their beloved star, lovely Bebo-style costumes, and the zealous spirit of the team. Employees brought their enthusiasm and creativity to the forefront, leaving the audience in awe of their talents that captured the spirit of Bollywood and the magic of Bebo's cinematic journey. The stage was set on fire with a spectacular fashion show and dazzling performances of Geet from 'Jab we met', Piya from 3 idiots and Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum all backed by cheers and once more slogans. The team left no stone unturned to traverse the extra mile to re-enact some of her iconic performances from her blockbuster films to convey their wishes to their favourite celebrity. The event left everyone starstruck while marking its finale with a cake cutting ceremony and felicitating the day's best performances.

Coming together is a beginning, and Team Illusion is a shining example of the same. They deserve resounding applause for having woven enchanting memories and choreographed a magnificent performance that was truly entertaining.

The journey of Illusion Aligners clearly demonstrates that its success is a result of what happens behind the scenes. With every new milestone achieved, Illusion Aligners aspires to reach new heights by exploring uncharted territory. Their undeterred passion for accomplishing the seemingly impossible goal has always been inspiring and commendable. Undoubtedly, their state-of-the-art technology and dedicated team have earned them the distinction of becoming the first Indian aligner company to receive US FDA accreditation. They have been at the forefront of creating discreet, effective, and comfortable aligners that empower individuals to achieve the smiles they have always dreamed of.

Stay tuned to their Social Media handles on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to be an early bird to catch up on the latest and exciting news about Illusion Aligners.

Link: https://www.illusionaligners.com/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/illusion_aligners/

CONTACT:

Shweta Lembarkar,Shweta@illusionaligners.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217123/Illusion_Aligners.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108538/Illusion_Aligners_Logo.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(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 21 (PTI) Seeking to boost infrastructure at its schools, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has ordered 37,484 chairs and 6,246 desks, a senior official said on Thursday.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Thursday inspected the new desks put up at Nigam Pratibha Vidyalaya Saraswati Vihar in the Keshavpuram Zone of the MCD. She said desk and chair facilities will be made available in all MCD-run schools.

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This is the "first time" that there will be desks and chairs for nursery children, she was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the mayor's office.

A total of 37,484 chairs and 6,246 desks have been ordered for 800 schools of the MCD, it said.

Also Read | Parivartan Yatra in Rajasthan: Had Kanhaiya Lal's Murder Happened in Assam, I Would've Settled Scores in 10 Minutes, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma.

During her visit, she faced protests from a group of Delhi BJP councillors and workers from Keshavpuram Zone, which was led by Virender Goel.

Local councillor from the BJP, Shikha Bhardwaj, protested before the mayor and alleged that she was "not invited" to be part of the visit.

The Delhi BJP, in a statement, also alleged that the mayor was "trying to mislead people" by saying that for the first time, desks are being provided to nursery students of the school, even though this school is "one of the best MCD-run school with an auditorium facility".

Oberoi's office in the statement also said that orders for 287 cupboards and 287 racks have been issued.

These will be installed in schools in a phased manner. This work will be completed by October. After this, children will not have to "sit on floors" at MCD schools, it said.

Even after running the government in MCD for 15 years, the BJP "could not even provide tables and chairs to children in all schools, the statement claimed.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 21 (ANI): Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday held a briefing session of the Home and Political department and took stock of its activities in the conference hall of Raj Bhavan in Guwahati.

In the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Home and Political Niraj Verma gave a detailed presentation of the activities of the department in the presence of DGP G.P. Singh and senior officials of the department. DGP G.P. Singh briefed on the activities and schemes that Assam Police is undertaking for the maintenance of law and order and expediting the development of the state.

Also Read | Parivartan Yatra in Rajasthan: Had Kanhaiya Lal's Murder Happened in Assam, I Would've Settled Scores in 10 Minutes, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Governor said that to incentivize the dedication of the police personnel, the department advised introducing the ranking of police stations in accordance with their performance for protecting the life and properties of the people of the state.

He also advised the department to introduce the same for the Superintendents of Police (SPs) in the districts.

Also Read | Agra Shocker: Elderly Female French Tourist Dies After Falling from Platform in Fatehpur Sikri Complex.

The Governor also asked the DGP to set some parameters to determine their level of performance and accordingly adjudge the best SP and Police Stations.

He said this move will set examples and motivate others to work diligently.

The Governor also suggested that at least one Mobile Forensic Laboratory may be deployed in every district to collect evidence from the sites of crime, which according to him will also be helpful in disposing of the cases swiftly besides delivering justice to the people.

He also opined that the Department of Forensic Studies may be set up in one or two universities to train the manpower and develop forensic science in the state.

The Governor also asked the DGP to hold regular fitness camps so that the field-level police personnel and officers remain motivated and physically fit. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 21 (ANI): The sleuths of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam on Thursday arrested a government employee for accepting a bribe.

The arrested government employee was identified as Jyotirmoy Baruah, Junior Assistant of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), in Assam's Tamulpur district.

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A complaint was received at the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in Assam, alleging that Jyotirmoy Baruah, Junior Assistant of ICDS, Nagrijuli office in Tamulpur district, had demanded Rs 1,00,000 as a bribe from the complainant for helping the latter in getting her daughter-in-law selected as Anganwadi Worker at Dhanpara Anganwadi Centre under ICDS Project, Nagrijuli, under Tamulpur district, said Pranab Jyoti Goswami, Chief Public Relation Officer, Assam police. "Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Directorate for taking necessary legal action against the public servant. Accordingly, a trap was laid today, on Thursday by a team from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam, in Rangia town under Kamrup district. Jyotirmoy Baruah was caught red-handed in Rangia town immediately after he accepted Rs 8,000 as part of the demanded bribe from the complainant. The tainted bribe money has been recovered from his possession and has been seized accordingly, in the presence of independent witnesses. Finding sufficient evidence against the accused public servant, he has been arrested by the team of the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, Assam," Goswami added. In this connection, a case was registered at ACB Police Station under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

A probe is underway.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: World's Largest Cedar Tree Found in Doda's Bhaderwah Forest, Say Officials (Watch Video).

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (PTI) BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expelled two MLAs including Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, also the owner-editor of Odiya daily Sambad, on charges of anti-people activities.

"Two MLAs have been expelled from the BJD. They are Sudhansu Sekhar Parida from Remuna and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from Khandapada," Patnaik told reporters here.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Mobs Try to Storm Police Stations Over Arrest of Five Youths, Curfew Reimposed in Imphal.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was earlier removed from the party's vice-president post on September 12.

As the editor of Odia daily Sambad, he had written two signed editorials attacking his own party. He had criticised CM's private secretary VK Pandian for allegedly exercising influence beyond his official position.

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The latest action against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik comes after the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police registered a case against him under different sections of the IPC including cheating and fraud.

To justify charges of Khandapada MLA's involvement in anti-people activities, the BJD in an official note signed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, "On an FIR by an ex-employee of Sambad newspaper, a case under Sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B IPC has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing, Odisha. Further, many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with the EOW. It is a serious case of organised bank fraud involving loans worth crores of rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents."

Similarly, Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida has been accused of misappropriating government subsidy worth Rs 3 crore meant for farmers. The matter is being inquired into by the state vigilance following an order of the Lokayukta, the BJD press note said.

Parida, however, claimed that he was not involved in any subsidy scam on basis of which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expelled him from the party.

"I do not have any involvement in any scam as alleged. The vigilance wing is probing the case. My people in Remuna are happy with my work," Parida said. Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is yet to react to BJD's action.

"Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Parida, when he was managing partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy meant for farmers to the tune of more than Rs 3 crore during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta," the party statement said.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was the fourth BJD MLA to be charged with "anti-people activities" by the party.

The first in the list was Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, who was arrested and jailed before being expelled from the BJD. The second lawmaker was Prashant Jagde, MLA from Chilika, and Sudhansu Sekhar Parida was third in the list.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) under the crime branch of Odisha Police had raided the office of Sambad, owned by Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, over the alleged loan fraud. The investigating agency has claimed that it has seized "credible" documents including loan/bank related papers.

"The loan in name of its employees by Sambad and Eastern Media Limited is a well thought of conspiracy and organised bank fraud," the EOW said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Opposition BJP and Congress have strongly criticised the ruling BJD over its action against the Sambad editor.

"There is no democracy in BJD and the regional party is run in an autocratic manner. Soumya Babu was expelled from the party without being issued any showcause notice," BJP veteran and leader of the opposition JN Mishra told reporters.

Mishra expressed surprise over BJD action as Soumya Ranjan Patnaik had penned some editorial columns as an editor and not as a legislator.

"As far I know, an editor of a leading daily should not be accountable to any political party," he said.

Similarly, Congress MLA Suresh Routray said the BJD had made Soumya Ranjan Patnaik a "hero" by expelling him from party for accusing a secretay-level officer who allegedly spent crores of rupees making whirlwind tours of the state on a chopper.

OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak said the expulsion of two MLAs from the party indicates the beginning of BJD's downfall. "There are many tainted leaders in the ruling party," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 21 (ANI): Biju Janta Dal (BJD) party leader Pramila Mallik on Thursday filed her nomination for the Odisha Assembly Speaker and thanked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"I thank CM. He is doing a lot for women's empowerment, I am happy, " said Pramila Mallik.

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The election for the post of Odisha Assembly Speaker will be held on September 22.

Pramila Mallik is currently serving as State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister and will file her nomination on Thursday.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Address Public Rally in Jaipur on September 25, Women Workers of BJP To Make Arrangements.

Pramila Mallik is a six-time MLA from the Binjharpur Assembly Constituency, first elected in the year 1990 on the Janata Dal ticket.

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, September 21: Amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada Shiromani Akali Dal President and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday appealed to the Central Government to establish a good relationship with Canada soon to avoid increasing panic among the citizens living there. Badal also met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and requested him to 'find a solution' over the matter soon.

Keeping the whole situation in mind, I request the government of India and the government of Canada, especially the government of India that it needs to be settled as soon as possible because more delay means more tension and panic, Badal said while talking to the reporters after meeting with Shah. He further said that a panic-like situation is developing among the people living in Canada due to the recent developments between both countries. Canada to Temporarily Adjust Staff Presence in India Amid Heightened Tensions.

"The current situation between India and Canada is now affecting the people of Indian origin living in Canada...A panic-like situation is developing among the people. The government of India should find a solution soon. I have requested this from Home Minister Amit Shah..." he added. Badal further said that there would be massive reactions to the recent development if it is not solved quickly.

"Many students from India who are studying in Canada are worried that if their Visa is denied what will happen. I have received many calls from the students about what will happen to their studies in Canada. This panic is increasing and there will be a massive reaction to this..." he said.

The statement from the Akali Dal President came amidst tensions in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. India-Canada Row: MEA Calls Allegations by Canadian Govt Politically Driven, Says Canada Needs to Consider Its Reputation As Safe Haven for Terror (Watch Video).

"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" the statement said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shillong, Sep 21 (PTI) Meghalaya government on Thursday turned down the opposition's demand for an official resolution against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on the ground that the Centre was yet to come up with a Bill on the matter.

The resolution was moved by opposition Congress legislator Charles Marngar and supported by MLAs of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Voice of the People Party (VPP) in the Assembly.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Mobs Try to Storm Police Stations Over Arrest of Five Youths, Curfew Reimposed in Imphal.

In his reply, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the state government is against the concept of the UCC as it goes against the idea of India which is 'diversity'.

However, the government cannot just pass a resolution prematurely without knowing the content of the UCC Bill, he added.

Also Read | Alert RPF Constable Saves Woman and Her Daughter Who Fell into Gap Between Moving Train and Platform at Vithalwadi Railway Station; Watch Chilling Video.

"Question arises that can we as legislators oppose or pass a resolution without knowing the content of the UCC Bill. Outside the House, we can speak on the basis of what we think may happen, but as a legislator, the first thing we need to have in front of us is the UCC Bill," Sangma said.

He said it doesn't mean just because other states have done it, Meghalaya too should pass a resolution.

"That is why we need to apply our mind. Only after seeing the UCC Bill, we will take a stand as a government," he added.

The chief minister assured that the House will stand united to oppose any move by anybody including Parliament to dilute the identity, rights, culture and practices of the indigenous people of Meghalaya.

If there is any proposal in the proposed Bill to dilute the practices of the tribals in terms of religion, marriages and inheritance, the state government and the Assembly will never agree to it," he said.

He informed that the matter was also discussed during an MDA meeting on how to proceed on the issue.

Meanwhile, the chief minister informed that the state government will soon submit its views and suggestions on the UCC to the Law Commission.

Satisfied with the reply of the chief minister, Marngar decided to withdraw the resolution.

"Since I now understand the mind of the government that it is also concerned about the UCC, I beg to withdraw this resolution," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Sep 21 (PTI) A teenaged boy was held for sexually assaulting a 6-year-od girl in Vakola in the western part of Mumbai, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday when the girl was on her way to the toilet, the Vakola police station official said.

Also Read | India-Canada Tension: Received No Specific Information From Canada on Killing of Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Says MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

"The 18-year-old accused allegedly inserted his finger into her private parts. After she narrated her ordeal to her parents, a police case was filed for rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," he said.

He was arrested and remanded in police custody for four days, the official added.

Also Read | Germany Violated Nature Conservation Law, Rules EU Top Court.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) A Parliamentary panel on Thursday again asked the civil aviation ministry to explain about how the enterprise valuation of Rs 18,000 crore was arrived for the disinvestment of Air India that was completed in January last year.

The matter has been mentioned by the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture in its report tabled in the Rajya Sabha.

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The report pertains to the action taken by the government on the recommendations/observations of the committee in the report on Demands for Grants (2023-24) of the civil aviation ministry.

Tata Group's Talace Pvt Ltd has acquired Air India, Air India Express and a 50 per cent stake in Air India Airport Services Pvt Ltd (AISATS) through the disinvestment process.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Mobs Try to Storm Police Stations Over Arrest of Five Youths, Curfew Reimposed in Imphal.

"The committee notes that the Enterprise Valuation method was adopted for inviting bids for disinvestment of Air India, which afforded the prospective bidders an opportunity to resize the balance sheet. The committee would like to know as to how the enterprise valuation of Rs 18,000 crore was arrived at," the report said on Thursday.

Further, the panel has asked the ministry to apprise it about the assets of Air India, including office buildings, and whether all the assets were taken into consideration for valuation.

On the issue, the ministry, in its reply earlier, said that in view of the excessive debt and other liabilities of Air India arising out of huge accumulated losses, the bidding construct was revised to Enterprise Value (EV) in October 2020.

This was done to provide prospective bidders an opportunity to resize the balance sheet and increase chances of receiving bids and competition, the ministry said in the reply.

"The EV construct allowed the bidders to bid on the total consideration for equity and debt instead of a pre-determined fixed debt with minimum cash consideration of 15 per cent for equity," it said.

However, the committee on Thursday said it has not accepted the ministry's reply and again sought details about the EV of Rs 18,000 crore was arrived at.

Besides, the committee has sought the details of the disinvestment plans for erstwhile Air India's four subsidiaries -- Alliance Air Aviation Ltd (AAAL), AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) and Hotel Corporation of India Ltd (HCI).

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prosecutors are seeking prison time for a former Proud Boys member who was in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021  when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol  and was later caught illegally possessing an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle in Genesee County.

Michael Alan Jones, a North Carolina man who pleaded guilty last December in federal court in Rochester to a firearms charge, should be sentenced Sept. 27 to within the recommended sentencing range of 24 to 30 months, Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan said in a court filing Wednesday.

Jones lawyer has asked U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer for a sentence of time served.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Slawinski acknowledged the allegations in the presentence investigation report that Jones was a white nationalist.

It is true that he is a former member of the Proud Boys organization in North Carolina, Slawinski said in a court filing. At the time he joined, he was a teenager and was influenced by the internet and his own youthful anger. However, since that time, he has changed his thinking and actually worked as a paid FBI informant who infiltrated the Charlotte chapter of the Proud Boys and gave agents valuable information about the organization.

Jones has since matured and no longer harbors these views, Slawinski added. In fact, renouncing these views was a prerequisite for his parents allowing him to come back to their home after he was released from jail.

Jones, 24, spent six months in custody after his arrest last year and was then released in December because of an intramuscular leg wound that kept getting infected after numerous stays at the hospital. At the time of his sentencing, he will have served nine and half months on home confinement without any incidents or violations, his lawyer said.

Jones is a young man who is an ideal defendant for time-served sentence and a term of supervision to make sure he stays on the right track, Slawinski said in a court filing. Further incarceration would not serve any sentencing goals, especially because of the past and potential future health issues surrounding his leg.

Deputies from the Genesee County Sheriffs Office pulled Jones over for a traffic infraction in March 2022 in the Town of Leroy, and a search of the gray Nissan Sentra uncovered the AR-15, bolt cutters, a box of ammunition, pepper spray, knives, pry bars, a piece of paper featuring the Russian alphabet and compound archery bows. Deputies also found, among other things, hand-held radios, ready-to-eat meals, more knives and the Army Tactical Combat Casualty Care handbook.

The crime to which the defendant, a two-time convicted felon, pleaded guilty involved the possession of a semiautomatic rifle, as well as a quantity of ammunition, Moynihan said in a court filing. The offense also involves deception by the defendant in acquiring this rifle. It also involves deception by the defendant in acquiring the ammunition which law enforcement found in the car.

A man Jones had worked with at a Cracker Barrel in Mebane, N.C., had purchased the AR-15 for him online. The co-worker told agents he purchased the rifle at Jones request because Jones told him he had a problem with his license and he could not purchase a rifle himself.

As a convicted felon, Jones is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and a firearm.

Jones lawyer said his two prior felony convictions stem from his then-minor girlfriend twice performing a sexual act on him in the boys bathroom of their high school. He received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty.

He was charged with a curfew violation charge from Jan. 6 in Washington, but that charge was dropped in 2021.

In a letter to the judge, Jones apologized for his actions that led to his arrest in Genesee County.

I have had time to reflect on what circumstances led me there and what thought processes led me to believe I was doing the right thing and I can see now that I was simply wrong, there is no justifying it, he wrote. We have laws in place for the betterment of society and it is not up to me or anyone on my level to try and decide which ones are to be followed or not. I regret the steps I took that led to us being in my position today, but I can honestly tell you that I have learned from my mistakes, and I have no desire or intention of ever putting myself in a situation to end up in any situation like this again. Lord knows that jail was a very unpleasant experience and I would hate ever putting myself in a position to be sent back. I cant change the past, but I can apologize for the past and guarantee that I will step forward with my best foot forward and nothing like this will ever happen again.
Jaipur, September 21: Senior citizens above 80 years of age and people with more than 40 per cent disability will be able to cast votes from their homes for the first time in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly polls, an official said on Thursday. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta said 18.05 lakh eligible voters would be able to get the facility as an option in the elections, and added that it was done in a bid to have a more inclusive polls.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are going door to door and providing information regarding "home voting" to eligible voters, he added. Gupta said the facility is optional, adding eligible voters, if they choose to opt for it, would have to fill the 12-D form given by the BLO within five days of the issue of election notification. Rajasthan Assembly Election 2023: BJP Chalks Out ABCD Formula Based on Winnability in Respective Seats.

The chief electoral officer said that the list of these voters, who have chosen the option of "home voting" will be made available to all recognised political parties by the returning officer and the polling team formed will get these voters to vote through postal ballot.

Around 12,13,817 voters above 80 years of age and 5.95 lakh voters are registered as specially-abled people in Rajasthan where assembly elections are to be held later this year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, Sep 21 (PTI) Two persons were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old girl in Dombivali in Thane district, a police official said on Thursday.

The girl and her live-in partner had gone to fetch some goods from a friend on September 17, where the two accused were present, the Vishnu Nagar police station official said.

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"The two accused sent the teen girl's live-in partner to fetch liquor and then gang-raped her. After she left the place, the two accused raped her in an autorickshaw as well," the official said.

The two persons have been arrested from Dombivali and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Inspector RN Khilare said.

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(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 21 (PTI) Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Thursday said the Electric Vehicles Policy 2.0 will look at incentivising retrofitting of vehicles considering its high cost.

In an interview with PTI, the minister said that since the new policy is in the works, the existing policy will be extended by six months or until the new one is ready.

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The Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy-2020 expired on August 8 this year and the government had said that the subsidy being given under it would continue till a new policy gets notified.

"We are moving a cabinet note and it should be finalised within this week. The existing policy will be extended for six months or until the new policy is notified," he said.

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Talking about the new policy that is in the works, the minister said the one thing that they will look at is the concept of retrofitting.

"People want to convert their IC (internal combustion) engines into electric ones. The process is expensive. For converting a normal Gypsy, it takes almost Rs 5-6 lakh, which is on the higher side. We will look at how to incentivise it," he told PTI.

Another focus area for the government is last-mile connectivity, he noted.

"We have floated a tender for deploying 3,000 e-scooters and e-cycles to strengthen last-mile connectivity. In the first phase, 1,500 such vehicles will be stationed at metro stations. We are starting the project in Dwarka on a pilot basis," he added.

In the second phase, at least 750 more vehicles will be introduced, while phase three will complete the deployment of the remaining 750 vehicles with the condition that they be offered for long-term hiring or rental, the minister later said in a statement.

About Delhi LG V K Saxena approving in July the termination of 437 fellows and consultants working with the Delhi government and its impact on the functioning of the Transport Department, Gahlot said, "It was an interesting episode I would say."

"The Central government has so many consultants working for it. The Niti Aayog has a fellowship programme. The government has young blood in the form of these fellows and consultants. Under the chief minister's fellowship programme, these fellows were hired and the file was even sent to the L-G.

"I think somewhere there is an attempt to derail or stop the good work happening under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP dispensation," he stressed.

Gahlot said that the fellows working with the Transport department did a lot of work on the EV policy and faceless services.

"The speed at which work was happening has reduced. Our commitment is there that we won't let the work stop. We will be back on track soon," he assured.

(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 21: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said a historical milestone has been achieved with the passing of the women's reservation bill in the Rajya Sabha as the legislation will ensure equitable governance. Shah also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending a powerful message of gender equality and inclusive governance across the world. 'Golden Day in the History of Indias Parliamentary Journey,' Says PM Narendra Modi After Womens Reservation Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha With 215 Votes (Watch Video).

Parliament approved a bill for reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women with the Rajya Sabha unanimously clearing it on Thursday. All 214 MPs present in the House voted in favour of it. "Where there is a will there is a way. A historic milestone was achieved today on the path of equitable governance as the Rajya Sabha has passed the women's reservation bill," Shah said on X.

"By fulfilling a long-pending demand, PM @narendramodi Ji has sent a powerful message of gender equality and inclusive governance across the world. My heartfelt gratitude to Modi Ji and congratulations to every citizen, he wrote on X. Women's Reservation Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha: Upper House Passes Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill With Staggering 215 Votes to 0.

A day after the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' was passed in Lok Sabha, it was approved by the Rajya Sabha too. The bill will ensure reservation of one-third seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.

(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 21 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman issued a clarification on the implementation of the Womens Reservation Bill saying that whenever the first census takes place and the relevant figures are out, a delimitation exercise shall be undertaken and subsequently, the reservation will be provided.

Sitharaman was speaking in Rajya Sabha on the Womens Reservation Bill.

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"As far as the implementation of the proposed reservation for women is concerned, a new article 334-A is inserted into the constitution. It intends that after the Bill is enacted and after the Bill comes into operation, whenever the first census takes place and the relevant figures for that census are published, a fresh delimitation exercise shall be undertaken for providing the reservation, Sitharaman said.

Amid the allegation from the opposition leaders that the Centre has brought this legislation for their own political gains as the country is set to enter the election mode. Sitharaman said that her government does not play politics in women-related matters.

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"In women-related matters...we do not play any politics. It is an article of faith for the Prime Minister and therefore we do everything that we have done whether it is Article 370, triple talaq, or now the Women's Reservation Bill," said Nirmala Sitharaman.

FM Sitharaman praised former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao's government for implementing 33 per cent reservation in the Panchayati Raj.

"I want to credit former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao's govt for having brought in 33 per cent reservation in the panchayat raj at that time. As a result, we have seen a groundswell at the panchayat level, where 33 pc reservation today, by many states it has been increased to 50 per cent...showing the contribution of women at the panchayat level," said Sitharaman.

Meanwhile, veteran actor turned politician Hema Malini on Thursday lauded PM Modi after the clearance of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha and said No other PM has done such things.

Talking exclusively to ANI, Hema Malini said, Whatever PM Modi has done, he has done it with a good motive. No other PM has done such things...It's their (Opposition's) job to do it (oppose the bill), we don't bother about it..."

The bill was passed after a day-long debate in which several leaders across party lines put forth their views. The Congress was represented by its Parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi who urged the government to look into OBC and SC quota for women in the bill. (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 21 (ANI): The murder of gangster Sukhdool Singh, alias Sukha Duneke in Canada was revenge for the murder of Gurlal Brar, a close relative of US-based gangster Goldy Brar according to sources.

A gang member of Lawrence Bishnoi has taken responsibility for the murder and claimed that Sukhdool was killed when he was at his flat in Winnipeg city of Canada.

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Sources say the murder was executed by two gang members, who pumped eight bullets into the head of Sukhdool at a corner house where he lived in Winnipeg.

Goldy Brar sources say was monitoring the hit and wanted people to know Sukhdool had been killed for the murder of his cousin Gurlal.

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Notably, the murder of Gurlal Brar, a close relative of Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, in October 2020, allegedly triggered a rivalry between the gangs of Davinder Bambiha and Lawrence Bishnoi.

The former student leader of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), Gurlal Brar was shot dead in October 2020 by two motorcycle-borne men who pumped at least six bullets into his body outside a nightclub in Chandigarhs Phase-1 Industrial Area.

Gurlal had been facing several criminal cases. The murder was executed by alleged members of the Davinder Bambiha gang.

Meanwhile, Intelligence agencies have confirmed the death of Gangster Sukhdool Singh, alias Sukha Duneke, in Winnipeg, Canada.

Sources say Duneke was shot dead by an unidentified assailant. Sources confirmed that his murder was a fallout of inter-gang rivalry. Duneke's death was also confirmed by his family in Punjab.

" His uncle and daughter here have given information about his death. We are authenticating the details. As per our record 15-16 cases are registered against him" said SSP Moga J Elanchezhian.

Duneke was part of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga district. He fled Punjab in 2017 allegedly with the help of local policemen. Sukha Duneke obtained a passport and police clearance certificate on forged documents with the help of these policemen to flee to Canada, even as seven criminal cases were registered against him.

In year 2022, Duneke allegedly conspired to kill kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal with the help of his associates during a kabaddi match at Mallian village in Jalandhar.

He was allegdly associated with the pro-Khalistan outfits and was said to be linked to Canada based Khalistan operative Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh Dala a designated terrorist in India.

Duneke mostly made calls for extortion and indulged in contracted killings. More than 20 criminal cases of murder and other heinous crimes have been registered against him in Punjab and nearby states. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Warsaw [Poland], September 21 (ANI): Amid a growing dispute over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports, Poland said on Wednesday that it will stop providing weapons to Kyiv, which happens to be an ally of Warsaw, CNN reported.

We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on social media.

Also Read | India-Canada Tension: Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya Alleges Threats Against Hindu-Canadians, Says Khalistani Leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Trying to Divide Hindus and Sikhs (Watch Video).

Notably, Poland has long been one of Ukraines most staunch allies since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, alongside multiple former Eastern bloc nations who fear they could be next if Russian President Vladimir Putins expansionist war is successful.

The ongoing dispute has brought the two allies at loggerheads.

Also Read | US Horror: Couple Arrested for Performing Sex Acts on Children, Producing Child Pornography in Florida; Faces Life Imprisonment.

The ban on Ukrainian grain was initially put in place earlier this year by several European Union nations, to protect the livelihood of local farmers worried about being undercut by low prices of Ukrainian grain.

Last week, the EU announced plans to suspend the ban. But three nations  Poland, Hungary and Slovakia  said they intended to defy the change and keep the restrictions in place, CNN reported.

This prompted protests from Ukraine, which filed lawsuits this week, against all three countries over the issue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke out against the ban on Wednesday when addressing the UN General Assembly, saying It is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theatre  making a thriller from the grain.

The nations involved may seem to play their own role but in fact, they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor, CNN quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Zelenskyys comments sparked immediate condemnation from Poland, with the foreign ministry summoning the Ukrainian ambassador to Warsaw to convey their strong protest.

In a television interview, Prime Minister Morawiecki said he would not risk destabilizing the Polish market by accepting Ukrainian grain imports but would not prevent passage through Poland, CNN reported citing Polish national news agency PAP.

Of course, we will maintain the transit of Ukrainian goods. Poland does not bear any costs due to that. On the contrary, it could be said that we earn from it, PAP quoted Morawiecki as saying.

Morawiecki also accused Ukrainian oligarchs of having pushed their grain onto the Polish market without concern for local farmers, and said Poland will now focus on supplying the most modern weapons for its own purposes, PAP reported.

If you want to defend yourself you have to have something to defend with, Morawiecki 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)
Lucknow, September 21: A class 9 student of a Lucknow school collapsed due to a suspected heart attack in the classroom and was later declared dead on arrival in the hospital. The school, in a statement, said that it stands with the childs family in this difficult time and is ready to fully cooperate with any investigation. Fourteen-year-old Atif Siddiqui, a class 9 student of City Montessori School, Aliganj branch, fainted during chemistry class on Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh: 53-Year-Old School Bus Driver Suffers Cardiac Arrest, but Saves 40 Students in Bapatla District

He was immediately taken to a nearby private nursing home by the school teacher and school nurse in a car. By then, the childs father had also been informed over the phone and he too reached there. "When the child did not regain consciousness despite the doctor giving him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) several times, we were informed that the child had probably suffered a heart attack and should be immediately taken to Lari Cardiology Hospital," said Rishi Khanna, spokesperson for CMS. Sudden Heart Attack Death in Ghaziabad Gym Video: Man Collapses While Running on Treadmill, Dies

"The teacher and nurse took the child to Lari hospital with an oxygen cylinder in the ambulance provided by the medical centre. On reaching the cardiology emergency, doctors declared the child dead," he said. "The child was declared dead on arrival. The cause of death shall be made clear with autopsy," said Dr Sudhir Singh, spokesperson KGMU. ADCP (North) Abijith R Shankar said, "The child developed breathlessness while attending his class following which he fainted. The school authority rushed him to Lari Hospital where he was declared dead. The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained. His body has been sent for postmortem. Further legal action is being initiated in this case."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2023 09:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Jaipur, September 21: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that had an incident like Kanhaiya Lal's murder took place in his state, he would have settled scores within 10 minutes. Addressing a Parivartan Yatra rally at the Nayapura Stadium in Kota on Thursday afternoon, Sarma said: Had an incident like Kanhaiya Lal's murder happened in Assam, I would have settled the score within 10 minutes. Within a few minutes, news of another incident would have been aired on TV. But people like Ashok Gehlot are only sitting on their chair, doing nothing.

Lal, a tailor by profession, was brutally hacked to death in Udaipur in June 2022, for allegedly insulting Islam. The NIA had filed a charge sheet against 11 accused persons in the case in December last year.

The gruesome killing by two men who filmed the act and bragged about avenging an insult to Islam had sparked tension and protests in Udaipur, and other parts of the country. Both the attackers seen on camera have been arrested. PM Narendra Modi To Address Public Rally in Jaipur on September 25, Women Workers of BJP To Make Arrangements.

Addressing the gathering, Sarma said, "I was in the Congress for 22 years. The party comes up with distribution schemes before the elections, and then takes care of the election expenses through them. The Annapurna food packet scheme is not for the poor, but meant to fill someone's pocket.

"If the scheme is aimed to help the poor people, why was it not launched five years ago? People were facing food crisis during the Covid pandemic. All these schemes will be closed two days after the elections. With what face will Rahul Gandhi come to Rajasthan? First he should take a dip in Ganga, ask for forgiveness, and then only come to Rajasthan."

The Annapurna Food Packet scheme was launched by the Gehlot government in the poll-bound state on Independence Day this year. Under this initiative, families covered by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will receive monthly Annapurna food packets containing essential items from fair price shops for free.

Sarma continued, "We are not worried about elections. We don't want to please anyone just three months before the elections. If you make the MLAs sit in a hotel and feed them for 35 days, the MLAs will develop the habit of eating.

"Gehlot made a big mistake. Sachin Pilot should have been taken to Rahul Gandhi's house. Both of them could have decided who will be the CM. To become the CM, the MLAs were kept in a hotel for 35 days and the MLAs came to know that the CM could be blackmailed." PM Narendra Modi Always Kept Rajasthan in His Priority, Ashok Gehlot Govt Not Spending Central Budget on People: Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Attacking Chief Minister Gehlot, Sarma said: "Gehlot says that he will not allow Rajasthan to become a Hindu state. But Hindus have been in Rajasthan for thousands of years. As long as there is moon and sun, Rajasthan will remain a Hindu state. The people of Rajasthan did not become Hindus with the permission of Congress."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2023 11:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Canada has decided to temporarily adjust its staff presence in India. The High Commission of Canada said that with some of its diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. All of the High Commission of Canada's locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity, they said. The Canadian High Commission and all consulates in India are open and operational and continue to serve clients, they clarified. Canada Is a Safe Country': Canada Rejects Indias Travel Advisory Amid Escalating Diplomatic Tension Over Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Killing.

Canada to Adjust Staff Presence in India

The High Commission of Canada in India says "Our High Commission and all consulates in India are open and operational and continue to serve clients. In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats.  ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Buffalo City Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams said Wednesday she intends to conduct an investigation, but not a full-blown 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.

City lawmakers meeting Tuesday expressed interest in approving a resolution by Fillmore Council Member Mitch Nowakowski formally requesting that the comptroller conduct an audit of all city employees currently on paid administrative leave. Miller-Williams said Wednesday the Council has no authority under the City Charter to compel her to take such action.

If they read the City Charter, it is very clear on what I do as the city comptroller when it pertains to audits, Miller-Williams said in a telephone interview with The Buffalo News.

Buffalo lawmakers call on city comptroller to audit employees on paid leave Buffalo city lawmakers appear to agree that the city comptroller's 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.

She said she is precluded from immediately pursuing an audit because there is already a list of audits being conducted by the Department of Audit and Control.

The staff cannot stop what theyre doing. They must complete those audits that are underway, Miller-Williams said.

She described audits as an expansive, time-consuming and very labor-intensive process. Whereas, an investigation can be tailored to pursue answers to very specific questions in order to correct a problem, she explained, adding that the Council could conceivably conduct its own investigation.

But an audit is a whole different ball game. Its like an investigation on steroids, Miller-Williams said.

Nowakowskis request for an audit of city employees on paid administrative leave comes in the aftermath 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.

The only concern that I have right now is, was (Repman) working the second job during the same work hours that she was employed to work by the City of Buffalo. Thats my major concern, said Miller-Williams.

She said she cant know the answer without first knowing what is in the union contract governing Repmans employment and the employee handbook for the department in which she works.

Can a city employee thats on two weeks vacation, can they go work at McDonalds for those two weeks? I dont know that answer, Miller-Williams added.

Thats something that I want to know, because if its not unethical or illegal or its not a problem, then so be it. But, if it is, how do you get paid for two jobs at the same time? If its not in writing or in a union book ... she just might get away with it. Because it cant be based on what I think or how I feel. We have to abide by the union contract, she said.

She said the answer to that and other questions could be ascertained through an investigation.

I dont need to do an audit to find that out, Miller-Williams said.

The comptroller said she will address a letter to Mayor Byron W. Brown informing him of her intention to conduct an investigation, and carbon copy the Council, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority; Repmans union, AFSCME Local 650; and Buffalos chief city auditor, Kevin Kaufman.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

and

Joe Biden

announced a joint initiative known as the Partnership for Workers Rights, signalling Lulas efforts to find common ground with the US and other allies, such as Ukraine.

On 20 September Brazils PresidentUS President

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Over the past two days, Eagle Pass, Texas, has experienced a significant influx of migrants, some passing through Shelby Park, per FOX 29.

Sources in Panama, where many of these migrants begin their journey to North America, suggest that the rumored closure of the border between Colombia and Panama has triggered this mass migration.

Texas migrants continued to arrive Monday afternoon, and State Representative Eddie Morales informed them that a majority had initially arrived near the border in Piedras Negras by train.

In response to the escalating situation, Morales mentioned that he was asked to draft a state of emergency declaration by the city manager at the mayor's request.

Border patrol authorities encountered between 2,200 and 2,500 migrants on Monday morning alone, who were then turned over to border patrol custody.

The small city of Eagle Pass now faces concerns about managing the situation if these numbers continue to rise.

Morales explained, "For some reason, they've taken over the Union Pacific railroad depot on the Mexican side, Ferromex, and now they are jumping on the trains."

Many of the asylum seekers arriving in the area come from countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and Haiti, according to information from border patrol sources.

However, what is particularly concerning are reports from Panamanian media outlets, which show migrants attempting to cross the treacherous Darien Gap jungle between Colombia and Panama in large numbers.

READ NEXT: Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales Bashes 'Unacceptable' Ways To Prevent Illegal Migration

Texas Migrant Rush Caught on Video

Video footage during midnight hours revealed Texas migrants wading through deep waters to reach the other side, surprising local Mexican residents.

BREAKING: One of the largest mass illegal crossings we have ever seen took place in Eagle Pass, TX this morning, w/ Border Patrol sources telling us over 2,200 people crossed there since midnight. It happened right next to the port of entry, as illegal immigrants continue to pic.twitter.com/NDFX17r4vU  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 18, 2023

One observer on camera noted that only a small portion of the group was crossing at that moment, with hundreds more following behind.

By daylight, Border Patrol had gathered the group as they huddled under a bridge in Eagle Pass, according to the Daily Mail.

These incidents occurred in Piedras Negras, the Mexican town located directly across the river from Eagle Pass, with those crossing the border doing so near the port of entry, seemingly disregarding immigration rules and regulations.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Biden Administration concerning border security.

President Biden had urged potential migrants not to journey to the US in March 2021, emphasizing the consequences of illegal border crossings.

This recent wave of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, is believed to have traveled through Panama.

Similar scenarios have unfolded along the border, straining resources in towns and federal processing centers as the influx of crossings continues challenging the nation.

Texas State of Emergency

The city of Eagle Pass, Texas, declared a state of emergency due to the situation, with Mayor Rolando Salinas stating, "The City of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well-being of our local citizens.

The emergency declaration allows us to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of undocumented immigrants."

The Texas state of emergency will be in place for one week, Border Patrol noted.

Additionally, US Customs and Border Protection announced a shutdown of vehicle traffic at Eagle Pass Bridge 1 with Mexico, starting at 6 pm The closure, due to the significant influx of migrants in the region, will require all vehicles to use Bridge 2 for crossing to Mexico and the United States.

Pedestrian services will continue to operate under normal hours of operation.

READ MORE: Las Vegas Teen Suspected for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Overwhelmed Texas city declares state of emergency as over 11K migrants surge across border - From New York Post
The autopsy report on the death of New England Patriots fan Dale Mooney after a fight at Sunday night's game at Gillette Stadium has been released, and it may shed light on what happened during that tragic incident where he fought a fan of the opposing team, the Miami Dolphins.

While many suspect that the injuries Mooney sustained during the brawl resulted in his death, the autopsy said otherwise, as the New England Patriots fan may have died as a "medical issue" and not from a "traumatic injury," as many believe.

Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the preliminary autopsy results. He noted that it "did identify a medical issue" that led to Dale Mooney's death.

"Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Dale Mooney's collapse," said the DA, "Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue. Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing."

For now, the investigation remains "open and ongoing," said Morrissey in a statement. The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office is now asking any eyewitnesses who haven't been interviewed by police or those in possession of an original video of the incident to come forward and contact authorities, according to ESPN.

What Happened During the Brawl Between Patriots Fan Dale Mooney and a Miami Dolphins Fan?

There were several witnesses who saw the brawl at the Gilette Stadium, with one of them, Joseph Kilmartin, saying that the fight was "pretty hard to watch." So far, no charges have been filed against the Dolphins fan.

He spoke with an ABC News affiliate and stated, "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."

READ MORE: Tom Brady Takes Big Step To Become Part-Owner of Raiders

The DA found that Mooney's death is still "undetermined pending further testing," with the fallen Patriots fan's wife saying, "I want to know what happened. ... What caused this?"

Meanwhile, Gillette Stadium officials released a statement that reads, "We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member."

Charges Are Likely in Connection to Patriots Fan Dale Mooney's Death

While no charges have been filed yet, and no arrests have been made for the death of 53-year-old Patriots fan Dale Mooney last Sunday, investigators are saying that the Miami Dolphins fans he was fighting may face charges soon. Right now, authorities are still investigating.

According to Yahoo! News, investigators are still examining cell phone video of the incident and looking at it from multiple angles.

As to why nobody has been charged yet, Boston lawyer and legal expert Peter Elikann stated that it is still early in the investigation and added that "too many questions up in the air."

READ NEXT: Tom Brady Is Dating Again 5 Months After Gisele Bundchen Divorce

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Patriots fan dies after fight during game - CBS Chicago
International concern regarding democracy in Guatemala is rising, with the US and Brazil now warning of a possible coup to stop President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo from actually becoming the president of Guatemala.

Brazil President Lula is echoing Bernardo Arevalo's warning that there is a coup happening, while the US has already denounced the attempts to undermine the will of the people of Guatemala and disregard the results of the election.

Arevalo won the election via a landslide against establishment candidate Sandra Torres. However, elements within the country's political elite, headed by the Guatemala Attorney General and the justice system, are making it hard for the center-left president-elect to take power.

During his address to the UN General Assembly, Lula warned that there is a crisis in Guatemala after the recent "institutional ruptures" in the African nations of Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan. He warned that "In Guatemala, there's the risk of a coup, which would prevent the winner of democratic elections taking office."

The Brazilian president's UNGA remarks came after US Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Francisco Mora said that the situation in Guatemala is "troubling," according to The Guardian.

The ambassador noted that the US is "deeply concerned about the unprecedented actions of those seeking to undermine democracy in Guatemala by discrediting and obstructing a smooth transition of power." He added. "Such anti-democratic behavior, including ongoing efforts by the public ministry and other corrupt individuals to suspend the president-elect's political party, all subverts the clear will of the Guatemalan people."

Mora also slammed the Guatemala AG's election meddling, saying, "In a healthy democracy, institutions don't tamper with ballot boxes after election results have been officially certified by the appropriate authority. Such interference and lawfare ... strikes at the very heart of the democratic process and represents an assault on the rule of law."

READ MORE: Guatemala: President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo's Seed Movement Political Party Suspension Lifted

US President Joe Biden and Brazil President Lula Meet During UN General Assembly

Aside from uniting on the issue of Guatemala, the leaders of the US and Brazil also met one another in the backdrop of the UN General Assembly.

According to the Associated Press, the two leaders announced a new partnership on supporting labor. However, they avoided discussing their disagreements, including the US policy on Cuba and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This meeting also came mere hours before Lula met with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskyy.

"When the middle does well, everybody does well," Biden said to Lula during the meeting, "Working-class folks have a chance to move up. And the wealthy still do fine, as long as they pay their taxes." Meanwhile, Lula stated that he had never heard an American president speak so highly of workers before describing their common cause for labor as "a chance to transform ties between the countries."

Protests in Guatemala To Defend Election of President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo

As the Guatemala AG is continuing its investigation into Arevalo and his Seed Movement party, many in the country have taken to the streets in protest and defend their votes.

The AG recently raided the country's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, opened ballot boxes, and took pictures of the ballots. Experts have pointed out that this may be an illegal act. This then led Arevalo to suspend his transition and call for protests in the streets.

Indigenous leaders and other protesters marched through the streets of the capital, Guatemala City, all in support of Arevalo. They also call the actions against the president-elect a "coup." Arevalo and his running mate, Karin Herrera, were also present in the protests.

Protesters also called for the resignations of several Guatemala officials, including Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras, prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, and Judge Fredy Orellana. Porras and Curruchiche are currently listed on the US's corruption watchlist, according to Al Jazeera.

READ MORE: Guatemala Elections: Observers Say Political Parties and Justice System Interfered

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WATCH: UN General Assembly Debate I Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva address - SABC News
Hurricane Nigel is the latest storm to form in the Atlantic for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season and it has caused massive waves that recently battered Bermuda. The storm is currently moving through open waters in the northern Atlantic, causing dangerous swells and rip currents.

According to the Associated Press, Hurricane Nigel, then a Category 1 hurricane, was located about 755 miles (1,215 kilometers) east-northeast of Bermuda. The country felt the brunt of three storms in the last month alone, even though none of them directly hit the Caribbean country.

"This has been a very long and relentless hurricane season," said Bermuda National Security Minister Michael Weeks. The country was just recently battered by Hurricane Lee, which was the strongest hurricane so far in the Atlantic this year, going up to Category 5.

Hurricane Nigel Strengthens to Category 2 But Is Now Weakening

On Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Nigel powered up from a Category 1 to a Category 2 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center stated that the storm could intensify before finally weakening in the coming days.

By late Tuesday, Hurricane Nigel's top sustained winds rose to 100 mph, which was stronger than its previous strength of 90 mph while it was still a Category 1 hurricane, according to NBC News.

The storm system's center was located approximately 590 miles east of Bermuda and was spotted moving to the north-northwest at 14 mph. This has resulted in even more massive waves, with the NHC warning of "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" as the storm passes by.

READ NEXT: Haiti Crisis Explained: How Did It Get This Bad?

The storm has so far remained far from land and does not seem to threaten the US East Coast. No coastal watches or hurricane watches have been issued because of Hurricane Nigel yet either.

However, the National Hurricane Center, which is based in Miami Florida, noted that Nigel could strengthen some more early Wednesday. By Thursday, however, the storm could weaken, and then by Friday, it is predicted to be downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone. However, the NHC is warning that despite this, Nigel remains a strong storm.

Disturbance Could Form Off Florida as Hurricane Nigel Weakens

The NHC is saying that when Nigel finally maxes out in its strength and begins to weaken and not actually threaten the US, another weather disturbance might as a tropical wave has been seen possibly forming near Florida.

The Miami Herald reported that a low-pressure area just off Florida could form within the next day or two. This could then "acquire some subtropical characteristics" by Friday as it moves north and could actually affect parts of the Sunshine State.

The Miami-based NHC noted that "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."

Drier air could also blow over South Florida as the LPA begins moving northward.

READ MORE: Ron DeSantis' Redrawn Congressional Map of Florida Is Unconstitutional, Rules Judge

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WATCH: Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Nigel gains strength | 11 p.m. Tuesday - 10 Tampa Bay
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the investigation of the shooting deaths of an Illinois family of four, as a person connected to a vehicle believed to be linked to the crime died in a police pursuit in Oklahoma, per CNN.

The suspected murderer, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle with the license plate connected to the Illinois family's shooting, crashed the vehicle during a police chase in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

The vehicle subsequently caught fire, and authorities discovered the male suspect dead in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound, according to Chris Burne, deputy chief of police in Romeoville, Illinois.

A female passenger in the vehicle also had a gunshot wound, as reported by Burne.

The license plate of the vehicle was identified as being linked to a suspect in the shooting deaths of the Illinois family in Romeoville, located around 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

While police believe they have a motive for the killings, this information has not been publicly disclosed.

READ NEXT: Illinois Family of 4, 3 Dogs Shot Dead

Illinois Murder Suspects Identified

Romeoville police identified two persons of interest in the case on Wednesday. Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood, and a woman with a connection to Huey were named during a press conference, according to ABC7.

The woman was reported missing from Streamwood on Tuesday night by her family.

On Wednesday morning, Catoosa, Oklahoma authorities were alerted to a vehicle matching the description and license plate of the suspect's vehicle.

During an attempted traffic stop, the vehicle fled and ultimately crashed, leading to a fiery incident. Officers reportedly heard two gunshots during the ordeal.

The female passenger in the vehicle, identified as Ermalinda Palomo, was found with a gunshot wound.

She was transported to a hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries, according to an attorney representing her family.

Neighbors indicated that Palomo had lived with Huey in Streamwood for approximately six years.

The Illinois Family Murder

The tragic events in Illinois began with a well-being check at the family's home on Concord Avenue.

Authorities were alerted when one family member failed to show up for work, and they were unable to reach them throughout the day, causing concern among relatives, NBC Chicago reported.

Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of four individuals, two adults and two children, all with gunshot wounds.

The adult victims were identified as Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei, while the children, aged 7 and 9, remain unnamed.

Both children were students at Robert C. Hill Elementary School, according to the Valley View Community Unit School District 365U.

Authorities determined that the shootings took place between 9 PM Saturday and 5 AM Sunday, and they have since clarified that the incident was not a random act, with no ongoing threat to the public.

READ MORE: Texas: Migrant Rush Sparks Possibility of State of Emergency

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Romeoville murders: Suspects in Romeoville family's murder found shot in Oklahoma - From NBC Chicago
A manhunt is currently underway for an Indiana murder suspect who was mistakenly released from an Indianapolis detention center last week, CNN reports.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance locating the individual, Kevin Mason, 28.

Mason's inadvertent release occurred on September 13, just two days after his arrest, due to a records review error by the detention center's staff, as explained in a news release by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

It is uncertain whether Mason remains within the county, as indicated during a news conference by Sheriff's Colonel James Martin on Tuesday.

Kevin Mason had been arrested in Indiana on September 11, as he was wanted on three warrants from Minnesota.

These warrants encompassed a suspected murder related to a 2021 shooting in Minneapolis, along with allegations of parole violation and firearms possession, as confirmed by the sheriff's office.

His release from custody occurred when a Marion County Sheriff's Office clerk erroneously removed two holds from his file, thinking she was addressing duplicate bookings.

The following day, a Minnesota clerk cleared the last hold on Mason's file without detecting the prior day's error, as explained by Colonel Martin.

READ NEXT: Indiana: Grand Jury Indicts 21 Connected with Dogfighting and Drug Trafficking

Indiana Murder Suspect's Girlfriend Arrested

Desiree Oliver, aged 29 and identified as Mason's girlfriend, is currently in custody, facing a charge of assisting a criminal, classified as a Level 5 felony.

Officials believe Oliver was the first person Mason contacted upon release, per FOX 59.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal stated during the press conference that Mason had been on the run for nearly two years but was in custody for only 48 hours.

The sheriff expressed the desire to have no one released from jail, especially someone facing murder charges, and the authorities are actively working to locate him.

It is also reported that Oliver purchased a new cell phone and various men's and travel-related items.

She was observed traveling to an area with numerous nearby hotels. Oliver has not been cooperating with the Marion County Sheriff's Office in providing information about Mason.

Another woman was questioned but had not been arrested as of the time of the press conference.

Indiana Murder Suspect, Kevin Mason Cases

Kevin Mason is wanted in connection with the 2021 shooting and murder of Dontevius A. Catchings, 29, in the Shiloh Temple parking lot in Minneapolis, IndyStar noted.

Reports said that Mason and Catchings were longtime friends but had a physical altercation over Mason's refusal to return a firearm to Catchings.

An internal investigation is ongoing to determine if there were any policy or procedural violations. Still, two employees of the sheriff's office have already been terminated.

Mason is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 205 pounds, with a cross tattoo under his right eye, and "SUB" tattooed on his chest, and a neck tattoo.

Authorities encourage residents to provide any information or tips that could aid in identifying and locating Kevin Mason, the suspect who was accidentally released.

READ MORE: Illinois Family Murder Suspect Shot Dead

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Manhunt underway for murder suspect accidentally released from jail in Indiana - From NBC News
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the Azerbaijani nation, Azernews reports.

Address to the nation by President Ilham Aliyev

- My fellow citizens,

As you know, yesterday morning, due to a terrorist act committed by the Armenian armed forces, six Azerbaijani citizens - two civilians, became victims of a mine terror. It is not the first time that Armenia has committed a terrorist act against us. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War, more than 300 Azerbaijani citizens have become victims of mine terrorism or have been seriously injured.

Yesterday's terrorist attack was one such incident. After the Second Karabakh War, mines were illegally brought from Armenia to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and planted in various places until the Lachin border checkpoint was established. Some time ago, the mines discovered by the Azerbaijan Armed Forces were shown to representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and the Russia-Turkiye Monitoring Center, and the issue of taking serious measures was raised with and demanded from them. These mines were produced in Armenia in 2021. So, it once again shows that after the Second Karabakh War, these mines were deliberately brought in to carry out terrorist acts against Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan duly punished the enemy by immediately taking necessary steps. Local anti-terrorist measures were started, and all pending tasks were completed in one day. The terrorists were punished, and it was shown to Armenia again that all of their provocations would be met with a fitting response.

As a result of the initiation and successful completion of anti-terrorist measures, Azerbaijan regained its sovereignty at around 1:00 p.m. yesterday.

During the anti-terrorist measures, our servicemen have shown extraordinary heroism, bravery and professionalism. In difficult terrain and despite the presence of fortifications created over the years of engineering works by the enemy, although 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 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.

Before the operation, I once again gave a strict order to all our military units that the Armenian population living in the Karabakh region should not be affected by the anti-terrorist measures and that the civilian population should be protected. We have achieved this by using high-precision weapons. At the same time, civilians felt protected entirely by the professionalism of our Armed Forces. At the same time, I ordered that the civilian infrastructure should not be hit and only the military infrastructure should be destroyed. I want to say again that the professionalism and technical capabilities of our Army and all of our Armed Forces made it possible for us to fulfill this duty with honor. Once again, Azerbaijani soldiers and officers showed high professionalism and 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. 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 advanced anti-aircraft equipment, 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 the high rostrums of international events, I repeatedly turned to this issue. I expressed my rightful dissatisfaction of the Azerbaijani state. The November 10 Trilateral Statement was an act of capitulation of the Armenian state, and according to this act of capitulation, Armenia had to withdraw its armed forces from all Azerbaijani territories. But it refused.

Unfortunately, we had martyrs during anti-terror measures. May Allah rest the souls of our martyrs in peace! We have wounded soldiers and officers. May Allah grant recovery to them. They sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, justice, and Azerbaijan's sovereignty. Their blessed memory will live forever in our hearts.

Of course, the successful progress of the operation seriously worried the Armenian state and the illegal junta regime operating under its auspices. As the operation unfolded, we received various vague signals from intermediaries. As a result of the successful offensive of our Armed Forces, these signals became more intense. This morning, the information provided by international partners was that illegal armed units, those units of the Armenian Army, are ready to accept our terms. I conveyed our terms to the United States Secretary of State yesterday, who called me. I was asked what is needed to stop the anti-terror measures. I said that the units of the Armenian Army illegally settled in our territory should lay down their weapons, be disarmed and completely withdrawn from our territory, and at the same time, they should hand over all weapons and equipment. Only in that case can Azerbaijan stop anti-terror measures. Otherwise, we will go until the end, and the enemy knows our strength and determination very well.

In the morning, we were informed that our conditions had been accepted. Moreover, representatives of the Armenian residents living in Karabakh, who refused to meet our representatives several months ago, are ready to meet in Yevlakh, the place we proposed. My response was that Azerbaijan always stands by its words. Both our friends and enemies know this. Our word is equally valuable as our signature, and if our conditions are accepted, our military measures will be stopped. Today, a ceasefire was declared at 13:00. Unfortunately, the opposing side did not observe the ceasefire thoroughly, and our positions came under fire after the declaration of the ceasefire. Nevertheless, all our conditions were accepted in principle, and I must note that it is 5 minutes past six now.

The process of withdrawal of Armenia's illegal armed units from their positions has already begun. In addition, they have accepted our conditions and started laying down their arms. It begs the question - who benefited from bringing about this situation? After all, immediately after the Second Karabakh War, we repeatedly appealed to the Armenian leadership, their patrons abroad, and other parties, expressing our legitimate concern and saying to them that the continued presence of the Armenian armed forces on the territory of Azerbaijan was illegal and should be stopped. We were saying that the illegal junta should fold up its so-called flag, worth no more than a piece of cloth, and vacate our lands. It is our sovereign right.

Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan, and the whole world knows it, including the Armenian leadership itself. Whereas he once said, "Karabakh is Armenia, full stop," now he says, "Karabakh is Azerbaijan". In fact, not only does he say that, but he also does not forget to mention the dimensions of our territory. Indeed, he did not do it of his own free will. The "Iron Fist" forced him to do it, but the facts are apparent. After Armenia has recognized Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, what status can the criminal regime that has been calling the shots in Karabakh for 30 years have? What state attributes can there be? What elections can there be? Despite all the trilateral verbal agreements reached after the Second Karabakh War, fake "elections" were held in Karabakh on September 9, and a fake "president" was elected. That person immediately declared that they would pursue the status issue. They had probably forgotten my words. When the Second Karabakh War ended, and Armenia threw in the towel, was brought to its knees, and signed the act of capitulation, I said that the status went to hell. For some time after the war, we did not hear any nonsense about the status. But as this fear slowly dissipated, revengeful forces started emerging again. Therefore, all these factors are further evidence that the regime of the illegal criminal junta has become depraved, impertinent, and impudent. They forgot that they were living in the territory of Azerbaijan. Therefore, all our steps are legitimate, legal, and fair, and we are both responsible and proud. Again, the anti-terror measures were carried out with high professionalism and accuracy so that the civilian population was not hit and the civil infrastructure was not damaged. Only enemy positions, their weapons and equipment were destroyed.

And now, I am sure that the emergence of a new situation in our region is inevitable. After the surrender of the criminal junta, this source of tension, this den of poison, has already been consigned to history. The Armenian population of Karabakh can finally breathe a sigh of relief. I said this before, and I want to repeat it: the Armenian population of Karabakh are our citizens. Armenian nationalists, war criminals, and the so-called leaders of Armenia and Karabakh took these people hostage and poisoned their brains. They concocted endless lies about Azerbaijan and its people, stuffed their brains, and poisoned them. I am sure that the Armenian population living in Karabakh will soon see a change for the better. We intend to build a life together based on peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect. We have no problems with the Armenian people. We have no enmity.

Despite all the injustices and crimes, the criminal Armenian regime committed, we have never blamed the Armenian people for these crimes. 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 others will follow suit.

In two days, during a meeting of representatives of the Karabakh community with my representative in Yevlakh, we will convey to them our visions of future coexistence. All their rights will be guaranteed: educational rights, cultural rights, religious rights, and municipal electoral rights because Azerbaijan is a free society. Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional state. It is our great asset. Representatives of every nationality living in Azerbaijan can see this. There is no need to explain that. It is our way of life. There has never been and will never be discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds in Azerbaijan, and the Second Karabakh War showed it 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 it. We are ready to implement various social programs. We are rebuilding all of Karabakh and East Zangezur. Look how much we have done in just two years.

In two years, not even 1 percent of what has been done in that region for 30 years - power plants, bridges, tunnels, reservoirs, residential buildings, villages, and cities are being built. In just two years. Without receiving any help, we alone. I said that when the Second Karabakh War ended, we would turn Karabakh and East Zangezur into a paradise, and we are turning it into a paradise; everyone who goes there can see that. We will create the same conditions in Khankendi, Aghdara, Khojavand, in the villages, in Askeran. This is all in our hands. So this is our proposal, and today was the turning point. The junta, the bloodsucking leeches, have already been completely exposed and surrendered. They threw in the towel!

Today, a new historic chance has been created for ordinary people living in Karabakh. Take advantage of that chance. We are ready for this, and the Azerbaijani people know this, and I am sure that the Armenian people also know that my word is a word. We propose this, and I hope that our proposal will be accepted. This proposal is based on logic, historical justice, international law and future development and is calculated for future development.

During this period, today and yesterday, Armenia has unexpectedly shown political competence, which we appreciate. We see this as an essential factor, and the events that happened today and yesterday will also positively impact the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

I want to hope that the steps we have taken and the results of anti-terrorist measures will allow us the opportunity to finally remove the obstacle to the peace talks, put, created or proposed by Armenia, whatever you call it, and this will create a new reality in the South Caucasus, will create peace, long-term peace. We must ensure that the other side does not live with revanchist ideas, and they must also rest assured that we do not have sights for their land. We recognize their territorial integrity and have declared it, and we recognize the territorial integrity of all countries. We demanded that both them and the stubborn Armenians who are behind them but who are not with them in a difficult moment, who are located far away in Europe, should know - the farther they are from our region, the more comfortably the region will breathe a sigh of relief, and we are offering that. We suggest that the future of South Caucasus countries should be based on peace, tranquility and development. We suggest that the forces, the fraudsters, and corrupt politicians sitting far from our region that pursue their political agenda and use the Armenian people as a tool and exploit them to leave us alone. Those who sit on the other side of the world and make groundless accusations against us should get their hands off us. Let the South Caucasus, this region, which has been a place of fighting, wars and bloody clashes for centuries, breathe easy. We have had enough! We demand this, and I want to say that the position of the Armenian state yesterday and today gives hope. It gives hope that the day is not far off when Azerbaijan and Armenia will settle the issues between them, sign a peace treaty, and countries of the South Caucasus start working on future cooperation in a trilateral format. But at the same time, I must also say that those who despise us, those who despise our land, and those who set their sights on our lands should never forget that the iron fist is in place and will always be in place! No one can speak to us in the language of dictate and ultimatums! Let no one forget this! Don't forget that Karabakh is Azerbaijan!








Rep. Brian Higgins and representatives from the office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will host Academy Night, a information session for students, parents and advisers interested in appointments to U.S. service academies, at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 in Williamsville South High School, 5950 Main St., Williamsville.

Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy and the Coast Guard Academy will offer presentations and answer questions. Information about ROTC programs also will be available.

Academy Night provides a great opportunity for students to hear first-hand about the application process as well as the academy experience from alumni whove been through it themselves, Higgins said in an announcement for the event.

The U.S. president makes appointments to the service academies every year following nominations by members of Congress and the armed forces. Interviews and recommendations come from local advisory boards of veterans and community leaders appointed by Gillibrand and Higgins.

More information can be found on Higgins website at higgins.house.gov and on Gillibrands website at gillibrand.senate.gov.

- Dale Anderson
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Heres what else you need to know about the holiday.

What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar filled with fasting, prayer and services.

According to Chabad.org, many Jews seek forgiveness from G-d and our fellows.

How long does Yom Kippur last?

Yom Kippur starts a few minutes before sundown on Sunday, Sept. 24, and goes until after nightfall on Monday, Sept. 25.

How is Yom Kippur celebrated?

For nearly 26 hours, Jews do not eat or drink, do not bathe or put anything on their bodies, do not wear leather footwear and abstain from marital relations, according to Chabad.org.

Time is spent either in prayer for forgiveness, at services or both.

Many Jews break their fast after the final services of Yom Kippur with a festive meal consisting of breakfast-like comfort foods, from bagels to blintzes, according to History.com.

How do you greet someone on Yom Kippur?

Although Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, fasting and self-examination, it is a not a sad day. Therefore, it is appropriate to greet people warmly on Yom Kippur.

The most common greeting is gmar chatima tovah, gmar tov for short, or a good final sealing, according to My Jewish Learning. This means you hope the persons fate for the year that began on Rosh Hashanah is sealed or completed on Yom Kippur.

Another common greeting, tzom kal, is used to wish a person has an easy fast or has a meaningful fast.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
The potential reopening of the derelict Mountrath and Castletown railway station at Kilbricken was raised at a recent meeting in Laois County Council.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr James Kelly, Independent, said there had been proposals for many years to examine the potential of doing so but the issue is not coming to the fore.

He said people around the Mountrath area have seen the investment in Ballybrophy Train Station and are of the view that Kilbricken could have a similar benefit to local commuters.

We have the railway line and want the trains to start stopping in Kilbricken again so that people dont have to drive to Portlaoise and Park there to get to Dublin, he said.

Cllr Ollie Clooney praised Cllr Kelly for proposing the reopening of the station in Laois.

I was really heartened, he said.

The station opened on September 1 1848 as part of the Great Southern and Western Railway in Ireland and was used for 127 years before being closed altogether by the CIE on 6 September 1976.

Although derelict, the stone-built station can still be seen standing along this track.

The issue was raised at the September meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting when Cllr Clooney proposed that a feasibility study be carried out on the establishment of a greenway between Abbeyleix and Kilkeny city via Attanagh.

It's estimated that in excess of 10,000 people commute out of Laois each day for work. There are three trains stations at Portarlington, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy which are located on busy intercity routes.
Laois County Council would put heavy pressure on Kilkenny if it converted an old train line into a greenway connecting a Laois heritage town to a medieval marble city.

Thats the view of a county councillor who tabled a motion at a recent meeting with officials that called for a feasibility study of a greenway from the old Abbeyleix railway station to Kilkenny city along a stretch of the old Portlaoise to Kilkenny line.

While Laois County Council has not received any money of ouf more than 100 million allocated for Greenways in the past two years, Cllr Ollie Clooney wants the County Council to complete the Abbeyleix to Attanagh section.

If we got this done we would put heavy pressure on the Kilkenny to go the rest of the way. What a resource it would be. The local elections are coming and this is going to be on my manifesto. I am going to try everything in my power to get this done, he said.

Cllr John King and Cllr James Kelly supported.

Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer, Roads, issued a written reply.

Initially Laois Council will examine the feasibility of Greenways within County Laois along the old railway line. Should these initial studies show potential for such a route the opportunity to extend beyond Laois could be explored with Kilkenny County Council as the majority of a route between Abbeyleix and Kilkenny City would reside within County Kilkenny, he said.

A total of 63m for the development of around 70 Greenway projects around Ireland in 2023 under the Transport Infrastructure Ireland Grant Allocation to Local Authorities for National Roads and Greenways. Just over 54 million was allocated in 2022.

None of this money was allocated to Laois in either year for the planning or construction of Greenways.

Kilkenny County Council was allocated 100,000 for South East Greenway in 2023.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland says the Greenways Programme comprises Greenways protection and renewal, and new Greenways. It says most greenways projects are relatively straight-forward in engineering terms with some exceptions,

such as the bridge in Athlone crossing the Shannon.

For 2023 it is anticipated that approximately half of the total allocation for greenways will be spent on projects at or starting construction, while the remainder will mostly be spent on projects at various stages of planning.

The old Laois Kilkenny train line opened in 1867, when the Waterford & Kilkenny Railway extended its line northwards through Abbeyleix, Durrow, and on to Portlaoise, following the route of the Kilkenny Junction Railway operated by the Great Southern & Western Railway architecture. It closed in 1962.

The issue was raised at the September meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.
An apartment complex approved on the site of a similar rejected proposal has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Corrigeen Building Company Limited was granted conditional permission to build 32 two bedroom apartments in four blocks at Davitt Road in Mountmellick. The planning was granted subject to 19 conditions.

Laois County Council approved permission for the development which would see four two storey blocks containing 32 two bed apartments, 61 parking spaces and involve the demolition of an existing building at Davitt Road.

A previous application by Corrigeen Builders for 36 two bed apartments at the site had been conditionally approved by Laois County Council but later rejected by An Bord Pleanala after an appeal by the Davitt Court Residents Committee and the Board of Management of School Phadraig Naofa Boys National School.

The same groups objected to the latest application to Laois County Council for the proposed development at Davitt Road.

Residents of Davitt Court, Davitt Road, Brookview and Acragar objected to the development on 17 grounds such as the lack of sufficient outdoor space, the local schools already being at capacity, implications for flooding risk and the fact that An Bord Pleanala had rejected a plan at the location.

Finally, this proposed build was already objected by An Bord Pleanala, and we quote "the Board are not satisfied as to the capability of the network to accommodate the sewage generated by the proposed development...it would be prejudicial to public health and would, therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area....it is considered that the proposed development could lead to adverse effects on the environment including potential flood risks and accordingly the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area", the resident group quoted in their submission to the council.

In their submission to Laois County Council, the Board of Management of School Phadraig Naofa Boys National School also pointed out that An Board Pleanala had rejected plans at the site last year.

We would note that an almost identical application was submitted by the applicant under Laois County Council Reference 20/620 in late 2020. This was subsequently refused by an Bord Pleanala under their reference 311526-21 in April 2022, they stated.

As part of the Board of Management's observation submitted in respect of the original planning application, and further referred to in our appeal to an Bord Pleanala at that time, we requested that a re-design of the proposals be considered by the applicants to address the overlooking concerns raised. The proposals could have been re-designed to provide the new access roadway between the proposed apartments and the school playground. This would entail mirroring the current proposals and would provide a buffer between the school playground and the apartments (with first floor full height windows and balconies currently proposed as near as 1.3m from the school boundary).

The Board of Management are disappointed that the concerns raised have not been taken on board by the applicants in this new application, they stated.

The immediate proximity and the extent of overlooking of the playground has clearly not been considered by the developers of the proposed works. This level of overlooking is not acceptable to the school authorities and is a very real concern from a child protection point of view and will impact significantly on the school amenities, they said.

They also objected on the grounds that no survey had been done in relation to traffic implications for the area and said the two bedroom units are not family oriented.

Despite the objections, Laois County Council approved the plans subject to 19 conditions.

Now Mary Coss has lodged an objection with An Bord Pleanala on behalf of the residents of Davitt Road, Acragar.

The objection was lodged on September 13. A final decision is expected to be made on the plans in January next year.
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Naas Library has a jam-packed programme of events for all ages planned for Culture Night, tomorrow, Friday 22 September.

The programme celebrates the ECO Showboat Mayfly  a vibrantly coloured solar-powered boat that has been touring Irelands inland waterways for the last two years. It will be docked in Naas Harbour that evening as part of the 2023 expedition. So come and see the Mayfly or join the Eco Showboat crew with local artist Marta Golubowska and Indian Irish musicians Anna Tanvir and Maninder Singh at Naas Library for an evening of workshops, film and music.

Culture Night Programme

4:00pm: Meet the Invertebrates

Meet the invertebrates who live in our waterways. Eco Showboat scientific collaborators will show you some of the little creatures that live in our waterways and talk to you about endangered species, invasive species and other problems facing freshwater environments.

Drop-In  No booking required. Family friendly.

5pm-6pm: Ukulele Concert with Kildare North Ukulele Club

Join us for an hour of memorable ukulele tunes with the Kildare North Ukulele Club.

Drop-In  No booking required. Family friendly.

6:00pm-7:00pm: Ceramics Workshop with Marta Golubowska.

Workshop for children (8+) with ceramics artist Marta Golubowska.

Fully booked.

7:30pm: Talk on the ECO Showboat

Meet Anne & Denis who will talk about their two-year solar journey on the islands waterways, show you their studies and observations of nature and tell of their encounters with artists, activists and scientists who explore with them the problems and promises of the freshwater environment.

Drop-In  No booking required.

8:00pm: Film Screening: Winter on the Water

Film WINTER ON THE WATER, a documentary made by Cleary Connolly with the artist Marta Golubowska, looking at her family life living on a canal boat at Robertstown in County Kildare and in particular at the challenges of living on the water in wintertime.

Drop-In  No booking required.

9:00pm-10:00pm: World Folk Music Concert with Anna Tanvir & Maninder Singh

Anna Tanvir & Maninder Singh perform their own compositions and folk songs from around the world in many different languages. Their programme is a soul-stirring musical journey from India across Europe, to Ireland, praising the beauty of nature and the wonder of the natural world. Indian refreshments will also be served.

Booking required - Book here: https://buytickets.at/ naaslibrary/983821

Biodiversity Art Exhibition [On display Friday 22-23 September]

Along with the ECO SHOWBOAT Programme of Events, the library will also host a Biodiversity Art Exhibition which is a collaboration between Sallins Biodiversity Group and St Laurences N.S. #MapOfLife2022 was a community project to learn about and record biodiversity in Sallins. Sallins Biodiversity Group encouraged residents of all ages to participate in nature & art workshops and to then record local wildlife through art and citizen science.

It featured 20+ artists and groups including the National Museum of Ireland, #SundayFishSketch online art project, The Herpetological Society and An Garrai Beag (Down Syndrome Kildare), McAuley Place as well as local artists such as Joanne Murray and the Green Roots Project. The project was fully embraced by St Laurence's National School. All 24 classes in the school welcomed an artist or scientist to their classroom. All events were provided free of charge to participants.
A new bus rail interchange is to be provided for Maynooth - but no timeline is available for the work.

A Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting was told that Kildare County Council will work the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail to provide it.

This will necessitate the relocation of general parking at the train Station to a new station to be provided under the Dart+ plan. This plan will bring improved train services between north Kildare and Dublin.

New and proposed bus services which will use the interchange, will be agreed between KCC and the NTA.

This follows a call from Green Party politician Peter Hamilton, who said KCC should begin proper planning for a bus terminal in Maynooth with adequate capacity to support both current and planned significant increases in volume and quality of public transport.

Cllr Hamilton told the meeting that even though were all shifting to public transport its provision is abysmal.

Cllr Angels Feeney said better links are needed between the train station and both the town and university.

KCC engineer Donal Hodgins told the meeting that one of the consequences of the project will be a reduction in the number of car parking spaces at the station.

Read more Kildare news
Preparations are in hand by Bandit Films and The Glens Centre for this year's 10th Adaptation Film Weekend in Manorhamilton, taking place on September 22-24.

Opening on Culture Night, the festival is coming to the town's newly refurbished Main Street and Market Square with an open-air screening of Jimmy's Hall, ten years after Ken Loach shot the film in the landscapes of North Leitrim.

There is new work screening in the Glens Centre with the family-friendly animated film A Greyhound of a Girl from the pen of Roddy Doyle and voice-work from Brendan Gleeson; the West of Ireland features strongly in Christian O'Reilly's Galway-set film comedy Sanctuary performed by the mixed abilities group Blue Teapot Theatre company based in the city.

There is new film work adapted from playwright Marina Carr in Songs of Blood and Destiny; Keith Hopper from ATU will be talking about the work of Elizabeth Bowen and her adapted novels, The War of Independence "Big House" set The Last September and the second world war London classic The Heat of the Day (in Fulacht Fiadh cafe).

Bob Quinn, who put Irish-language filmmaking on the map in the 1970s, will be in town to screen The Bishop's Story (featuring Donal McCann).

Adaptation has teamed up with Creative Heartlands to commission four new adapted short films from among the region's filmmaking community.

Also, on Saturday, there will be a gathering for the region's growing community of filmmakers with National Talent Academies and Creative Heartlands.

Actor Gary Lydon will present his films Lakelands (from Longford duo Robert Collins and Patrick McGivney) and The Last September and present a masterclass in Acting for the Screen.

In recognition of the festival's growing reputation and that of the Glens Centre, RTE's Arena Arts Programme broadcasts from the Centre this Friday, coinciding with the festival's opening.

For more information, please see www.adaptation.ie or www.theglenscentre.com.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday, a train traveling 25 mph will crash into a car on Buffalo Southern Railroad tracks in North Collins.

Although there will be two or three occupants of the car, no one will be injured.

Organizers are calling it a mock crash, but the crash will be real. It is being organized by New York Operation Lifesaver to show the devastating effects of the impact with a train. It also will serve as a training simulation for emergency responders.

I hope it will raise the issue of rail safety, said Philip Merens of New York Operation Lifesaver. Every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States.

The event, which is open to the public, will close out Rail Safety Week. Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit organization that provides public education programs to prevent collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings.

The simulation is a car stalled on train tracks. In this case, its the Buffalo Southern tracks at Milestrip Road in North Collins.

Calspan has donated crash dummies and high-speed cameras to capture the crash from the car, and will compile safety data. The 2012 model year vehicle was donated by Towne Automotive Group, Merens said.

CSX is providing a locomotive that has been out of service for five years that will strike the car. It will be pushed by a Buffalo Southern locomotive pulling several empty railroad cars.

The North Collins Emergency Squad and Fire Department will be training after the crash, and Erie County Sheriffs deputies, State Police, state Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration representatives also will be on hand.

The public is invited to watch the mock crash. Parking will be available at Town Chevrolet, 11208 Gowanda State Road (Route 62,) which is near the crash site.

Milestrip Road will be closed at 10:30 a.m. A program is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m.

A freight train traveling 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop, Merens said. He estimated the Buffalo Southern train, which is smaller and traveling slower than a freight train, may take 200 to 400 yards to stop.

About 1,000 people die each year from railroad incidents, but that number has come down in the last 50 years. In 1972, when Lifesaver began its efforts, there were more than 12,000 collisions, Merens said.

He said railroad crossings are required to have an emergency notification sign on the signal post with a telephone number to call if a vehicle is stalled on the tracks or the signal is malfunctioning.

Its the only way to stop a tragedy, and no one knows about that, Merens said. Our goal is to give people the information so they make better decisions at railroad crossings.
A LIMERICK garda station bid farewell to a garda reserve who always showed up with a smile on his face, as he retired from An Garda Siochana.

Garda reserve Declan Prenderville has been stationed at Henry Street since 2008 and marked his last day on the job on Friday, September 8.

Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said Mr Prenderville will be greatly missed.

Declan was here in Henry Street for every big event that was run across the division over the last number of years. He came with great personal knowledge and experience from life at the age he was.

I would like to formally and publicly thank him for the assistance that he gave to me here in the division and to all the units that he worked with, he said.

The Garda Reserve is a voluntary body, drawn from the community to assist the existing service at times when extra personnel are required. Garda reserve members have limited garda powers while on duty.
SPECIALIST garda units set up to tackle the scourge of drugs in County Limerick and to help ensure the city doesnt return to near anarchy will be gutted as a result of the proposed new garda roster, the Limerick Live has learned.

It is understood the County Limerick Drugs Unit, based in Adare, and Community Policing Units in Henry Street and Mayorstone in the city will be hit heavily.

Regional Support Units - highly-trained armed gardai called in to deal with serious incidents - will also be affected by the roster change.

Limerick Live understands their shifts will conclude at 4am and not resume until 8am with questions raised over the safety of the public and unarmed gardai if a serious incident occurs during those four hours, seven days a week.

The proposed changes are to fill the fifth unit. A four-unit roster involving most gardai working 12-hour shifts - four days on, four days off - was introduced during Covid.

The previous Westmanstown Roster is to be brought back in November with five garda units working 10-hour shifts - six days on / four days off. Returning to the old roster requires the redeployment of staff for the fifth unit.

Limerick Live contacted the Garda Press Office regarding concerns over the County Drugs Unit and Community Policing in Limerick.

A garda spokesperson said every division is presently engaged in preparations to implement the Westmanstown Roster which also provides the opportunity to restructure local unit composition and thereby enhance the service to the public.

In the interests of clarity no garda members formally appointed to specialist units have been impacted as part of the reintroduction of the Westmanstown Roster in the Limerick Division.

Further, neither the Community Policing Unit or the Divisional Drugs Unit have been disbanded, there remains an ongoing commitment to both community policing and drugs enforcement within the Limerick division, said the garda spokesperson.

Limerick Lives query pertained to the County Drugs Unit and not the Divisional Drugs Unit.

They continued: Where necessary, some members have been temporarily reassigned from the Community Policing Unit and the Divisional Drugs Unit so as to ensure the delivery of a consistent service. These changes will be addressed through the ongoing recruitment process and assignment of new personnel to Limerick Division.

However, garda sources on the ground say that is semantics and ask how a unit can operate with a greatly reduced number of officers or none in some cases.

Community Policing was key in investigating the gangland feud in Limerick, helped to bring the city back from the brink of near anarchy and making it the safer place it is today.

It is where communities can get to know us, build relationships and we can try and nip things in the bud before they escalate, said a garda source.

The County Limerick Drugs Unit, made up of one sergeant and five plain clothes gardai, also looks set to be jettisoned.

Sources have told Limerick Live of their fears that the unit, which targets the sale and supply of drugs, could be gutted in early November. They said the unit has a number of notable seizures and arrests to its name and intelligence gathered will bear more and more fruition over time.

It feels like all the good work is being undone. To be fair its not the decision of Limerick garda management. Im sure there are plenty of specialist units being cut to try and get numbers together for the proposed fifth unit, said another garda source.

Already suffering from low morale, the planned reintroduction of the old roster has added to the disillusionment.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) held a ballot which saw almost 99% of those who voted express no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Deputy Cathal Crowe said politicians are not supposed to get involved in garda operational matters but he cannot stay silent when Commissioner Harris new roster will see community policing being decimated, rural stations left unmanned and specialist units pared back so that rosters can be backfilled.
A TEACHER has appeared in court accused of sending "grossly offensive" communication in two letters which alleged that a male teaching colleague was viewing sexually inappropriate content on his phone while in the classroom.

Tomas Madigan, aged 42, of Crossbeg, Cooraclare Kilrush, County Clare appeared before Ennis District Court this Thursday to face two charges.

It is alleged he sent letters to Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school in Corbally, Limerick and Henry Street garda station, also in Limerick last year.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that Mr Madigan will not be contesting the two charges and that his client was unwell at the time of sending the two letters but didn't know it.

Giving an outline of the State case against Mr Madigan, Detective Garda Joe Cusack told Judge Alec Gabbett that It will be alleged that Mr Madigan authored two hand written letters purporting to be from a student at Ardscoil Mhuire at a time when he was a teacher there.

He said: "The first letter was sent in March 2022 to Henry Street garda station and the second sent to the school in May 2022.

The detective added: "Both letters were broadly similar in content in that they made reference to another teacher in the school viewing inappropriate content on his phone while teaching a class at the school."

Detective Cusack said: It was inappropriate sexual content.

After hearing the outline of the case against Mr Madigan, Judge Gabbett indicated would accept district jurisdiction and deal with the case.

Sergeant Louis Moloney told Judge Gabbett the DPP has directed that the case be heard in the district court.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution before court, Detective Garda Cusack said Mr Madigan replied Im very sorry, after caution. He added that he had met Mr Madigan, by appointment, before the court sitting.

The offence relating to Ardscoil Mhuire is alleged to have occurred on May 25, 2022 while the offence relating to Henry Street garda station is alleged to have been committed on March 30, 2022.

Both charges are contrary to Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

Mr Hassett told Judge Gabbett: There wont be a contest in these cases - no contest whatsoever."

The solicitor added: "This arose out of a most difficult time in Mr Madigan's life. In addition, there was a situation with a work colleague and because of then undiagnosed medical issues, Mr Madigan wasnt able to rely on the usual logical - sound and sensible logic - he has applied to all parts of his life in his previous 40 odd years."

Mr Hassett said: He was unwell at the time and didnt know it. We are in the process of commissioning one, if not two, medical reports from the field of psychiatry."

The court was told the defendant had a breakdown at the time when a situation arose with a colleague and instead of dealing with it through the appropriate channels he acted out of turn- he wasnt thinking straight."

Mr Hassett said that he would be seeking the preparation of a Probation Report in relation to his client.

"There were two events in isolation and there has been nothing since," he submitted.

Mr Hassett said that there is probably an issue of a victim impact and that Detective Cusack can canvas that with the complainant.

Judge Gabbett adjourned the case to December 20, to facilitate the preparation of a Probation Report.
CELEBRATING 25 years at the helm of the Today FM Breakfast Show this Thursday is none other than Ian Dempsey, a steadfast companion to commuters and early risers.

Ian Dempsey, affectionately known as "Iano," took the reins of the Today FM Breakfast Show in 1998 and swiftly became a household name in Ireland. His witty banter and infectious humor have set the stage for countless Irish mornings.

The silver jubilee of Dempsey's illustrious career in morning radio is being celebrated with a resounding chorus of fanfare, accompanied by heartfelt tributes from music legends.

The surprises didn't end there, as pop sensations Westlife, who happened to be touring in China at the time, joined in the celebration with a heartfelt video tribute for the beloved radio DJ.

Nicky Byrne extended their warm wishes from thousands of miles away, saying, "Iano, you're celebrating 25 years on the radio, an incredible achievement. We just wanted to say congratulations." The video then transitioned to a shot taken by Nicky on stage, where Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Mark Feehily joined in to share their congratulations. The icing on the cake was the enthusiastic shout of "Iano" from the crowd in Guangzhou, honoring the iconic broadcaster.

Just WAIT for the massive "Iano" shoutout @westlifemusic sent to Ian Dempsey has he celebrates a massive 25 years on Today FM



The love for @IanDempsey goes all the way to China!! pic.twitter.com/0VThb2dYlS  Today FM (@TodayFM) September 21, 2023



Next up to pay tribute was country music icon Garth Brooks, who recorded a special video message for the occasion, posted on Today FM's Twitter account.

Brooks expressed his admiration for Ian Dempsey, saying, "Garth Brooks here, congratulating you on 25 years on Today FM in Ireland. How cool is that, man? Me and you get to be playing music for a long, long time. How lucky are we? I love you, pal."

"I love you pal" That moment when @GarthBrooks wishes you a happy 25 years on air! Looks like @IanDempsey has friends in low places pic.twitter.com/u44cKzsNPY  Today FM (@TodayFM) September 21, 2023

As Ian Dempsey continues to captivate audiences each weekday morning, Today FM listeners can look forward to many more mornings with their beloved host, creating cherished memories for years to come.
A soldier in the Irish Army has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with possessing cocaine valued at between 50,000 to 60,000.

Caolan Larkin (30) of Galgomna Road in Draperstown, Co. Derry faced three charges.

He was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply on September 19, possessing the drugs on the same date and possessing a quantity of cannabis again on the same date.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that police attended an address in Draperstown due to information in relation to drugs and forced entry.

Inside they found 1.2kgs of suspected cocaine and a quantity of cannabis.

They also seized a number of items including two mobile phones and a laptop.

They also found postal receipts for Portugal.

When he was interviewed Larkin made partial admissions and said that 'some of the cocaine' was his.

He refused to answer questions about where he had got it from.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of flight as the officer said Larkin had links to the Republic and also the risk of re-offending due to the need to recoup the losses.

Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton asked the officer had Larkin come to police attention previously and was told he hadn't.

He added his client had spent seven years in a life 'dedicated to public service' in the Republic.

The solicitor said that he believed his client could be managed on bail by conditions. District Judge Barney McElholm said he felt that the bail application was 'premature' while the investigation was ongoing.

He said that there were clearly others involved in the find and they could belong to an organised crime gang.

He refused bail and Larkin was remanded in custody to appear again on October 18.
Irish authors Paul Lynch and Paul Murray are among six novelists shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023.

This years shortlist was announced on Thursday by chairwoman of the judges, Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, at the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery in London.

On the judges panel was writer and professor James Shapiro, who said the arts have been flourishing in Ireland, something reflected in both the longlist and shortlist.

Alongside the Irish authors are three North American writers and a British author.

Irish novelist Paul Lynch made the cut with his book Prophet Song, about a scientist whose husband is taken away by the newly formed Irish secret police.

Fellow Irish writer Paul Murray has been recognised for The Bee Sting, which follows an Irish family facing financial and emotional troubles after the 2008 financial crash.

Also on the shortlist is British author Chetna Maroos debut novel Western Lane, about grief, sisterhood and playing squash.

American novelist Jonathan Escoffery is on the list for If I Survive You, a book set in 1979 that follows a Jamaican family in Miami as they endure recession, racism and Hurricane Andrew.

Canadian author Sarah Bernsteins Study For Obedience is about a young woman who moves from the place of her birth to be housekeeper for her brother.

American author Paul Harding is recognised for This Other Eden, set at the beginning of the 20th century in Apple Island, an enclave off the coast of the US where people who are castaways go to live.

A number of well-known faces helped to whittle down the longlist of 13 titles to a shortlist of six, including Peep Shows Robert Webb and Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh.

The Booker Prize recognises talent from across the globe and has previously been awarded to authors including Margaret Atwood, Dame Hilary Mantel and Sir Salman Rushdie.

Esi Edugyan said: The best novels invoke a sense of timelessness even while saying something about how we live now. Our six finalists are marvels of form.

Some look unflinchingly at the ways in which trauma can be absorbed and passed down through the generations, as much an inheritance as a well-worn object or an unwanted talent.

Some turn a gleeful, dissecting eye on everyday encounters. Some paint visceral portraits of societies pushed to the edge of tolerance.

All are fuelled by a kind of relentless truth-telling, even when that honesty forces us to confront dark acts. And yet however long we may pause in the shadows, humour, decency and grace are never far from hand.

The winner of the 2023 Booker Prize will be announced on November 26 at a ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London and receive 50,000 and a trophy which has been named Iris in honour of the writer Iris Murdoch.
Stephanie Cobian |

LUCE Small Ruminant Specialist Dr. Homero Salinas invited attorneys Connor P. Kelley and Lance F. Johnson to a panel discussing estate planning at the 25th Missouri Institute on Minority Aging (MIMA). The event was hosted by Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE), Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging (PJCCMHA), and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Minority Health. On Tuesday, August 29, nearly 120 minority senior citizens learned strategies to ensure the preferred distribution of assets and the well-being of loved ones after a death.

Learning about estate planning and heirs' property is crucial to ensure a smooth transition of assets, minimize legal complications, and protect family wealth, remarked Dr. Salinas. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions, safeguard their legacy, and provide financial security for future generations.

Dr. Salinas leads the LUCE Small Ruminant program, aimed at educating small minority and limited-resource farmers in Missouri. Integrating estate planning and heirs' property education into the program aligns with its goal of reducing risk management challenges. This equips participants with the knowledge to secure their assets, ensuring the continuous success of their small ruminant enterprises while bolstering overall resilience and sustainability in the small ruminant industry.

During the presentation, attorney Connor Kelley shared various real-world scenarios from his experience as an estate planning attorney to illustrate the consequences of inadequate planning and documentation before incapacity or death. Without proper planning, survivors of the deceased will have to go to probate. This court-supervised process of settling a decedents estate and distributing their property to heirs can take anywhere from a few months to several years and can include court fees, attorney fees and any overhead for the real estate property.

To avoid this time-consuming and financially burdensome process, attorney Lance F. Johnson highlighted key components of estate planning including wills, trusts, beneficiary designations and powers of attorney, emphasizing the importance of developing a comprehensive plan to help transfer your assets to the people or organizations of your choice upon death.

Understanding that estate planning can significantly enhance financial well-being and preserve generational wealth, Dr. Salinas pointed out, "This knowledge empowers individuals and farmers to secure their financial future, minimize family disputes, and create a legacy for succeeding generations."

Beginning in November 2023 and extending through March 2024, Dr. Salinas will offer comprehensive estate planning workshops on Lincoln Universitys campus and its four impact centers across the state. The workshops are supported through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Farm Service Agency, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center at Alcorn State University, and the Southern Rural Development Center.

To explore safeguarding your familys financial future, please contact Homero Salinas at salinas-gonzalezh@lincolnu.edu or register at https://bit.ly/3OETqNB
The Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) School of Nursing is now accepting applications for the Spring 2024 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Aspiring nurses wanting to embark on a rewarding journey in healthcare are encouraged to seize this opportunity. The application deadline set for September 27, 2023, at 5 p.m.

LUs BSN program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful nursing career. Enrollment is limited to 30 students each semester, reflecting the program's commitment to maintaining a personalized and focused learning experience. Graduates learn to excel in various healthcare settings, with a strong focus on excellence, leadership and community engagement in nursing.

Offering a solid foundation for nursing practice, LUs dedicated nursing faculty is committed to providing students with the essential skills and knowledge for success. In a time when the demand for highly skilled nurses is greater than ever, LUs BSN cohort program is taking proactive steps to address the nursing shortage by preparing the next generation of dedicated healthcare professionals.

LUs BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It holds full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, ensuring high-quality education. Upon completing our BSN program, graduates will meet the program's objectives, aligning with the Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Professional Practice (AACN, 2008). These objectives encompass a range of skills and competencies needed to excel in diverse healthcare settings.

Applications are open to current Lincoln University pre-nursing students and students looking to transfer from other institutions. To learn more about admissions criteria, prerequisite requirements and application instructions, visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/school-of-nursing/nursing-programs/bsn.html.

A distinctive feature of our BSN program is the cohort structure, where students start and progress together as a unified group. This approach fosters community, collaboration and mutual support among students, helping them develop essential teamwork and leadership skills.

Prospective students interested in joining the Spring 2024 BSN program cohort should submit applications and reference letters by the deadline on September 27. A non-refundable application fee of $25.00 applies, as well as three letters of reference using nursing program forms are required.

Those considering applying for a future cohort, join us for upcoming information sessions this fall:

September 27 at 2:00 p.m. (virtual)

October 4 at 2:00 p.m. (virtual)

October 18 at 1:00 p.m. (in-person)

November 14 at 3:30 p.m. (in-person)

December 4 at 1:00 p.m. (in-person)

To learn more or to register for an information session, please call (573) 681-5421 or email HonseV@LincolnU.edu.
Stock Market News

UK Market Close - Huge boost for closed UK airport  as it now hopes to reopen as soon as next year 21-09-2023 00:41



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The United Nations is sponsoring a Climate Ambition Summit this week to plan for countries to achieve their climate emission goalsby 2025 and 2030, and opponents of renewable energy are raising their voices. A recent example is an op-ed by Susan Estrich opposing offshore wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean.

The claim in the op-ed that offshore wind turbines in the Atlantic will not mitigate emissions is incorrect, and based on gas industry misinformation that renewable energy cannot operate without gas backup. Look at the real-time example of renewable energy use in Germany. In 2022, wind, solar and other renewables including large amounts of offshore wind power accounted for 46.2% of Germanys electricity. In the same year, greenhouse gas emissions in Germany were reduced 40.4% below 1990 levels, despite some need to use dirtier fossil fuels due to the Russian-Ukrainian War.

Electricity from offshore wind turbines in the Atlantic can power automobiles and heat and cool residences. With just these steps, fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions could be greatly reduced. Offshore wind capacity worldwide in 2022 reached over 59,000 megawatts provided from 292 operating projects and almost 12,000 operating wind turbines. While Europe still leads in the installation of offshore wind turbines in the Atlantic, China has over 27,000 megawatts of installed offshore turbines. Worldwide over 182,000 megawatts of wind capacity have been announced. And floating turbines are already being installed off Europe.

Contrary to the claims of offshore wind opponents, knowledgeable scientists from the state, federal and private levels are studying and ensuring the most advanced construction techniques are employed. While the United States has had almost no involvement with offshore wind turbines to date, Europe has been building these turbines for 20 years and has developed advanced techniques to protect fish and birds. Evidence has shown that near existing Rhode Island offshore wind turbines, the number of fish present and breeding grounds has improved.

The real culprit to oceanic life is the heating of the oceans through burning fossil fuels that release methane and CO2 into the atmosphere. To date oceans have protected us from global warming by absorbing approximately 90% of the heat generated by burning fossil fuels. But the heating has taken its toll, with waters near Florida exceeding 100 degrees this summer, killing fish outright and destroying coral reefs. that support 25% of the worlds marine life In the coastal waters discussed in the op-ed, shrimp have almost been wiped out by warming waters, and sea life is steadily moving northward to escape warming oceans.

Support for offshore wind is important to protect the Earth.

Bob Ciesielski is Energy Committee chair, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter.
Forex ranks as a popular investment avenue for traders in the United Kingdom, legally overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the nation's financial services regulator.

Traders Union, a trusted financial portal since 2010, recently ranked the best Forex Brokers in UK. The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation using 100 distinct parameters to assess platform safety, financial stability, reliability, costs, and technology.

Emphasizing the significance of broker licensing and authorization, Traders Union ensured that only well-regulated platforms secured spots on the list. The ranking highlights opting for platforms regulated by Tier-1 and Tier-2 regulatory bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commissions (ASIC), and Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySec).

Before opening an account with any UK Forex broker, Traders Union recommends utilizing demo accounts to familiarize with exchange features before going all in.

Additionally, assessing opinions from both novice and experienced traders gauge reliability, while brokers offering robust analytical tools, technical indicators, charting tools, educational resources, and analytical reports are deemed to have competitive edge against other Forex trading platforms.

TU experts advise traders to select platforms offering industry-standard automation tools such as Expert Advisor, Copy Trading, PAMM, and LAMM to execute trades with minimal supervision.

Traders Union's Top 10 Best Forex Brokers in the United Kingdom for September 2023 are Admiral Markets, RoboForex, IC Markets, Tickmill, FxPro, eToro, Teletrade, MultiBank, WForex, and FxOpen.

The United Kingdom is one of the most lucrative Forex markets where trading is legal and regulated, taxes are considerably low, and all Forex trading instruments are accessible for traders.

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 contents of the article/advertisement and/or views 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 views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice.

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September in New York City is a corporate schedulers nightmare and a schmoozers dream, with Climate Week NYC, the United Nations General Assembly, Fashion Week and other events crowding the calendar.

It is also a kind of networking Olympics for high-powered people. Breakfasts typically start at 7 a.m. and leaders of all kinds run a gantlet of meetings that can end with after-dinner drinks long after midnight. In between are spontaneous chats on meeting sidelines, tete-a-tetes in hotel lobbies and countless cocktail-party conversations.

Scores of C-suiters and pooh-bahs crisscrossing the city this week say it takes getting choosy about invitations, a great opening line, an extra laptop battery pack and comfortable shoes. In high-density networking situations, executives say they have learned not to waste a moment.

Among the leaders in networking mode is Alan Brookes, the new chief executive of Arcadis, a $4 billion architecture and engineering firm based in Amsterdam that employs 10,000 people in the U.S. Between client meetings, cocktail parties and roundtable discussions, Brookes, 62 years old, says hes scheduled for two dozen engagements over five days.

Brookess firm encourages all employeeseven the bossto take public transit whenever possible, so he relies on subways and buses to get to meetings, a competitive advantage when the schedule is packed and traffic snarled, he notes. Monday morning, shortly after 7 a.m., he boarded a crosstown bus moving in the direction of Scandinavia House on Park Avenue, to a gathering of business leaders held by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.

I dont believe in private cars [or] even a taxi unless I have to," says Brookes, whose Netherlands-based company is helping design and build a major flood-control project around lower Manhattan. The traffic is horrendous, so this is much quicker."

By evening rush hour, as Brookes left a meeting at the New York Stock Exchange, the skies had opened up. He ran to the subway in the rain, arriving earlyand thoroughly soakedat Googles dinner for executives near SoHo designed to provoke a conversation about food sustainability. Executives were served salmon, chocolate and French Champagnea Last Supper" of delicacies, one host said, that future generations wont get to enjoy due to ecological crisis and overfishing.

Kyle Dropp, co-founder of business research outfit Morning Consult, hosted a Monday-night soiree at his terraced Lower East Side apartment for executives and marketing gurus. Hilton showed off a new hotel in Times Square. Managing executives and expectations amid the frenzy of invitations requires ninja-like blocking and tackling, says a public-relations person in charge of his pharmaceutical CEOs schedule.

Kathryn Wylde, who runs the powerful business group Partnership for New York City, weighed invitations to a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side along with a dinner in downtown Brooklyn.

Attending both? Logistically impossible," she says, noting that she chose the National Grid-hosted Brooklyn dinner because she had already committed to it. You just have to cut your losses."

Wylde compares the citys September scrum to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Everybodys paying attention to themselves being seen. Theyll never notice if Im missing."

So thick are the crowds of boldface names this week that Prince William, hosting the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, marveled that he went for a morning jog without getting noticed. (Much.)

The day before client meetings that would include swings through the redesigned Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Ave. and the David Yurman flagship store near Madison Ave.both Arcadis projectsBrookes headed toward the East River for a tour of his flood-mitigation project, designed to protect New Yorkers from future storm surges. Next was an employee town hall and lunch with staff at the office in Tribeca.

Brookes talked with staff about why the company has taken on certain contracts, such as one to build charging stations for EVs, and took questions from employees about doing business with oil-and-gas companies.

I want to be clear about what we stand for as a business," he says. Its about the projects you do and the difference you make."

With strangers, Brookes says his networking strategy is to ask what brought them to town.

You dont want to introduce yourself, dont want to do an icebreaker about yourself, if you know what I mean," he says. But people rarely will not talk about themselves."

Brookes says hes working rooms all week to learn as much as he can, not just to pitch his company. He sparked a conversation with somebody from Deloitte earlier this week and called it fascinating to hear what projects they were involved with. This is why Im here really," he says.

Judith Wiese, an executive with Siemens, the German industrial conglomerate, is chatting people up on artificial intelligence on the sidelines of gatherings. She tries to end most conversations with: Who do you get inspired by? Who would you recommend I go see?"

Her strategy isnt only to attend meetings, but also to capture the mood. Conversations about sustainability are shifting from the theoretical to the practical, she says, because companies are getting specific about their climate goals.

I always love these weeks," Wiese says. You get a sense of where the conversation is moving."

Write to Lynn Cook at lynn.cook@wsj.com and Chip Cutter at chip.cutter@wsj.com
BLS International Services Ltd, the agency hired by India to carry out initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians, on Thursday said Indian visa services were suspended due to operational reasons".

The development comes after India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals till further notice amid a diplomatic row between the two nations after the Canadian government made allegations that Indian government agents are linked in killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June.

Due to operational reasons, with immediate effect i.e. 21 September 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice. The impact of this move is negligible on our financials as the Canadian visa issuance business contributes less than 2% to BLS Internationals total annual revenue," said the firm in a stock exchange filing.

The company also said that the impact of this move is negligible on its financials as the Canadian visa issuance business contributes less than two per cent to BLS International's total annual revenue".

Shares of BLS International lost 2.15% to close at 263.65 on the BSE on Thursday. During the day, it fell 3.41 per cent to 260.25..

On the NSE, the stock fell 2.42% at 263.40.

BLS Internationals market valuation fell by 213.99 crore to 10,855.55 crore.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was also the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

India has rejected Canadas allegations, and its external affairs ministry has dubbed the statements as absurd".

The security situation because of Canadian government's inaction has resulted in disruptions and we have suspended visa applications," Arindam Bagchi, told reporters in New Delhi.

All categories of visas, including e-visas are suspended, Bagchi added.

Meanwhile, the High Commission of Canada in India said on Thursday that it is assessing its staff complement in India.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats," the Canadian high commission said in a statement.

With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India," it said.

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MUMBAI : The board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India has made it easier for large companies to raise debt financing .

Under the capital markets regulators so-called large corporate (LC) framework, companies had to raise at least 25% of their incremental borrowings for a year through issuance of debt securities.

Now, Sebi has decided to increase the threshold for classifying companies as large corporates. In a consultation paper released in August, the regulator had proposed to increase the threshold of long-term outstanding borrowing to at least 500 crore from the current 100 crore.

It has also done away with the penalty which is levied if large companies are not able to raise a certain percentage of incremental borrowing from the debt market.

Further, the regulator has retained the provision which gives large companies the flexibility to comply with these rules over a contiguous block of three years.

Separately, the regulator has also approved a proposal to change several regulations that will make it easier to transfer unclaimed amounts of investors in listed entities (other than companies, REITS and InvITs) to its Investor Protection and Education Fund (IPEF). It has also prescribed a uniform process for investors to claim for such amounts in a streamlined manner.

Sebi also extended the timeline for Investment Advisers and their key personnel to comply with its enhanced qualification and experience requirements by two years to 30 September 2025.

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Inching a step closer to complete a $14 billion deal, Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), bought 78.65% share of Toshiba through a tender offer, said the Japanese firm.

After owning of more than two-third majority stake of the company, it would be easier for JIP group to squeeze out remaining shareholders. The step will enable Toshiba to be delisted as early as December, ending its 74-year history as a listed firm.

The JIP takeover will finally, put the electronics-to-power stations maker in domestic hands. After years of battles with overseas activist shareholders.

JIP includes around 20 Japanese firms including financial services firm Orix and chipmaker Rohm. In March, Toshiba accepted JIP's buyout offer valuing the industrial conglomerate at 2 trillion yen (equal to $13.5 billion). The deal was accepted with no prospects of a higher offer or competing bid despite a few members found the 4,620 yen per share offer price was considered by some as unsatisfactory.

"We are deeply grateful to many of our shareholders for being understanding of the company's position," Toshiba Chief Executive Taro Shimada said in a statement on Thursday. Toshiba "will now take a major step toward a new future with a new shareholder".

For last one decade, Toshiba is grappling with a range of issues including accounting scandals, heavy loss. This brought the firm close to being delisted. It has also been engulfed in a series of corporate governance scandals.

Toshiba'a management also faced pressure from activist funds since it sold 600 billion yen ($4.9 billiin) of stock to dozens of foreign hedge funds during a crisis erupted after the bankruptcy of its US nuclear power unit in 2017.

In a probe commissioned by shareholders, it was found that the conglomerate was colluded with Japan's trade ministry. The two were indulged to block overseas investros from gaining influence at its 2020 shareholder meeting.

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Mahindra and Mahindra company's Canada-based associate Resson Aerosace is planning to wind-up its investment in the Indian automaker.

The company filed for a voluntary winding-up, said M&M in its stock exchange filing on Thursday. M&M holds 11.18% stake on a diluted basis through Class C preferred shares in Resson Aerospace.

After the announcement, company shares fell in the stock market. The company shares were trading 2.22% lower at 1597.80 per share on BSE at 11:30 am.

Resson has received a Certificate of Dissolution from Corporations Canada dated 20th September 2023, which was informed to the Company on 20th September 2023 at 8.19 p.m. Consequent to the above, Resson has ceased to be in existence and has also ceased to be an Associate of the Company under the Indian Accounting Standards (IndAS) with effect from 20th September, 2023," said M&M in its stock exchange filing on Thursday.

Post liquidation, the company will receive around approximately 4.7 million Canadian Dollars, equivalent to 28.7 crore, as distribution of proceeds towards Class C Preferred Shares held by the Company.

M&M signed an agreement with Resson Aerospace firm in 2018 to acquire up to 10 per cent share capital of the Canadian IT firm for up to 6.63 million to be paid in cash.

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MUMBAI : Nirma Ltd has agreed to buy 75% of Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd for 5,651.5 crore in a deal that values the latter at 7,535.4 crore.

Mint reported first on 15 August that the cement-to-detergent maker was the sole bidder for the stake put on the block by parent Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which is selling shares to Nirma at 615 apiece.

Glenmark Pharma will continue to own 7.84% of Glenmark Life Sciences. Nirma will make a mandatory open offer to all public shareholders of Glenmark Life Sciences for an additional 17.15% stake at 631 a share. The life sciences company listed on the bourses in August 2021 at 720 a share. The sale will be subject to various conditions, including receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Glenmark Pharma has decided to move up the value chain. Over the years, the generic environment has changed, and it has become very competitive. We are focusing more on complex generics and branded drugs. Both the companies had divergent paths, and hence the management decided to divest stake and deleverage the balance sheet," said Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Glenmark Pharma will use the money from the sale to repay debt.

We currently have around 3,000 crore of net debt. Net of tax, the proceeds will be around 5,000 crore. Glenmark will be a net cash-positive company in FY24," Saldanha told reporters after the announcement.

Saldanha said the two Glenmark companies have few synergies now, and less than 15% of Glenmark Pharmas APIs are sourced from Glenmark Life Sciences. Around 65% of Glenmark Pharmas business now comes from branded generics. The US generics contribute around 25%, and a small percentage comes from Europe.

Glenmark will focus on core therapeutic areas of dermatology, respiratory and oncology. It also presents an opportunity for us to strengthen shareholder value through deleveraging and enhancing our overall return profile," Saldanha said.

The company has been selling non-core assets to generate cash. In December, it sold cardiac brand Razel in India and Nepal for 313.7 crore. At the time, the company said it was in line with Glenmarks strategy of focusing on other sub-categories of the cardiovascular segment". The company had then decided to focus on cardio-metabolic, respiratory, dermatology, and oncology segments.

Glenmark Pharma said it will continue to focus on consistent growth across its key markets while having a strong emphasis on return ratios with a net cash-positive balance sheet.

Kotak Investment Banking acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Glenmark Pharma and Glenmark Life on this transaction. S&R Associates acted as legal adviser to Glenmark Pharma, and Trilegal acted as legal adviser to Glenmark Life.

Glenmark Life Sciences reported revenue of 578.45 crore for the June quarter (Q1 FY24), up 18% year-on-year (y-o-y). Net profit during the period stood at 135.45 crore, up 24%. It saw a 14.1% increase in cost of raw materials to 298.21 crore. The company reported an Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of 195 crore, a 24.8% rise y-o-y.

During the quarter, Glenmark Life Sciences recorded strong free cash generation of 98.2 crore, leading to cash and cash equivalents of 382 crore as on 30 June.

Kotak Investment Banking acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Glenmark Pharma and Glenmark Life on this transaction. S&R Associates acted as legal advisor to Glenmark Pharma and Trilegal acted as legal advisor to Glenmark Life.
Tesla is now looking to make and sell battery storage systems in India amid an ongoing push to enter the country. The Elon Musk-led company has reportedly drawn up plans and submitted a proposal seeking incentives to build a factory. The development comes amid talks to set up a new electric vehicle factory in India.

According to a Reuters report the company had held several meetings in New Delhi and proposed supporting the country's battery storage capabilities with its Powerwall" system. The publication quoted unnamed sources to add that Indian officials have turned down calls for a number of incentives to set up a battery storage factory.

There is however no assurance that the plan will come to fruition, with officials continuing to review the car company's proposal.

The developments come mere days after Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the company was planning to source components worth $1.7-$1.9 billion from India. According to the lawmaker, Tesla has already sourced components worth $1 billion last year from Indian companies.

CEO Elon Musk had also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier in June. The billionaire businessman had said that the time that Tesla would make significant investments in the country.

The two entities had reopened dialog in May following a year-long impasse. Musk had previously criticised Indias high import taxes and its electric-vehicle policies. New Delhi meanwhile urged Tesla not to sell cars in the country that have been made in China.

As negotiations continue, a Reuters report from August had indicated that India was working on a new electric vehicle policy that would slash import taxes for automakers that commit to some local manufacturing. Under the new policy, automakers may be able to import fully-built EVs into India at a reduced tax as low as 15%.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Every Friday, Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights, complete with easy-to-read charts, to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of a role in the murder of a Canada-based Khalistani leader earlier this year. The Sensex snapped an 11-day winning streak amid a weakness in global markets, with crude oil prices nearing $100 a barrel.

A new low

The relations between New Delhi and Ottawa hit a new low after Trudeaus accusation, which India refuted strongly, calling it absurd. Both countries have expelled a diplomat each, and India on Thursday suspended the issue of visas to citizens of Canada "till further notice". The souring of ties in recent months has centred around Indias allegations of pro-Khalistan activities in Canada, and the latters repeated assertion that it values freedom of expression. India has a vast diaspora in the worlds second largest country: Indians are the biggest immigrant group there.

Landmark move

In a special session this week, the Parliament, with near-unanimity, passed a bill to reserve one-third seats in the Lok Sabha and in state Assemblies for women. The long-pending bill could give a much-needed boost to womens role in the countrys electoral politics. Womens representation in the Lok Sabha has increased gradually over the years, but India hasnt quite kept pace with the progress in the rest of the world, a Mint analysis showed. The Lok Sabha currently has 82, or 15.2%, women members.

Helping hand

13,000 crore: The amount allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma scheme launched by the Centre this week, under which artisans and craftsmen in 18 kinds of trades can get collateral-free loans up to 3 lakh at 5% interest to produce their goods. They will also get training with stipends, and a toolkit incentive" of up to 15,000 as e-vouchers. Marketing support will also be provided. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scheme on the occasion of his birthday.

Trade report

Indias goods trade deficit, or the amount by which imports exceed exports, rose to a 10-month high of $24.16 billion in August, data released by the commerce ministry showed. Weak demand from the West and China meant that exports continued to shrink on a year-on-year basis, falling 7% to $34.48 billion. The outbound shipments of gems and jewellery and organic and inorganic chemicals fell 22% and 18%, respectively, while refined petroleum exports dropped 30%.

Trend reversal

Both Indian benchmark indices saw their steepest single-day drop in two months on Wednesday, a sharp reversal close on the heels of an 11-day rising streak that ended on Monday. The indices saw a further 0.9% drop on Thursday, dragged down by technology stocks after the US Federal Reserve indicated a hawkish stance in its monetary policy meeting. Weakness in global markets and crude oil prices nearing $100 a barrel have also made investors cautious.

Maggis magic

10/40 gm: Nestle Indias popular noodles brand Maggi is making a comeback at the 10 price point in so-called rurban markets (rural markets and small towns) across 15 states. The pack priced at 10 weighs 40 grams, Mint reported. The companys 10 packs used to weigh 100 grams over a decade ago, but that price point was increased to 12 in 2014, and then 14 last year as raw material costs grew. Maggi masala noodles are also available at price points of 7 (32 grams) and 14 (70 grams).

IPO prep

Tata Capital Ltd is restructuring its operations and expanding its board as part of the Tata groups plan to take the non-bank lender public, Mint reported, quoting sources. The group is reportedly targeting an IPO for the company in 2025, and is seeking a valuation similar to recently listed non-banking financial company, Jio Financial Services Ltd. The central bank had in September 2022 classified both Tata Capital and Tata Sons Ltd among the 16 upper-layer NBFCs, requiring them to go public within three years from the date of the categorization.

Chart of the week: Cyber warfare

Recent alleged cyberattacks on the Delhi Police website ahead of the G20 summit are yet another reminder of the growing threat to digital security. Between 2020 and 2022, India averaged 1.3 million cybersecurity incidents a year, according to government data. The actual number could be higher.

Follow our data stories on the In Charts" and Plain Facts" pages on the Mint website.
Drivers are starting to feel the pain at the pump again as oil moves closer to $100 a barrel. Supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia could push global oil prices higher still.

But China, the worlds top crude importer, will have a say too. And while Chinese growth appears to have improved modestly in August, there are still two key reasons markets might be overestimating the likely extent of Chinese demand, and its impact on global benchmarks such as Brent oil in late 2023.

First, China has moved aggressively into discounted Russian oil in recent months. Second, Chinese crude oil imports still appear to be running well ahead of fundamental demandand its exports of refined products, particularly diesel, are rising sharply.

China has, from the beginning of Ukraine war, made it clear it considers Western sanctions on Russia to be illegitimateand continues to import large quantities of Russian oil. But since December 2022, when the U.S. and Europe agreed to enforce a cap on Russian oil prices by leveraging their control of the global shipping insurance business, Chinese purchases have skyrocketed.

Total Chinese crude imports were the second highest on record in August, according to figures from data provider CEIC. But excluding imports from Russia, they were only up about 2% from December 2022 levels. Imports from Russia were up about 60% over that same period, and are now over 30% larger than those from Saudi Arabia, Chinas number two supplier.

With global benchmarks heading skyward, Chinas relations with the West as fraught as ever, and Russian crude still trading at a significant discount to alternatives, there is every reason to expect this trend to persist. China is importing Russian oil at a discount of $28 per metric ton to its average crude import price overall, according to data from CEICfar down from its $61 discount in May, but still substantial. And as long as that gap persists, it will keep acting as something of a shock absorber for Brent and other global price benchmarks.

Moreover, there is no guarantee that Chinese imports will keep rising rapidly in any case. For most of 2023, China appears to have been aggressively filling its oil reserves, taking advantage of lower prices. China doesnt release regular data on its crude reserves like the U.S., but in the second quarter the nation produced and imported about 14 million more metric tons of crude than it refined, according to CEIC data.

And production of refined products such as diesel has also been suspiciously fast in 2023 relative to traditional drivers of demand like the property sector and heavy industry. With global fuel prices back up again, those products are leaking back out into world markets with a vengeance: Chinas net petroleum product exports nearly tripled in August to 2.4 million metric tons, CEIC data shows. In June, when prices were much lower, China only exported 109,000 tons of product on net.

To be sure, Chinese growth could always surprise on the upside in late 2023although currently a stabilization rather than a strong rebound looks more likely. And China may have other reasons to keep filling its oil reserves, even at higher prices, given Beijings increased focus on security and self-relianceand still-strained relations with the West.

But anyone betting on a China-driven oil price spike in late 2023 is likely to be disappointed.

Write to Nathaniel Taplin at nathaniel.taplin@wsj.com
Memo to attorney Terry C. Burton: Its never a good idea to assume or assert that a manufacturing process is safe when that process involves melting plastic.

Burton represents Varun Kumar Velumani and SRI CV, the company Velumani owns. SRI CV wants to build a 13,870-square-foot plastics manufacturing plant on a 2-acre parcel of vacant industrial land in the Town of Lockport. Initially, the company was requesting $300,000 in tax breaks and $300,000 in state incentives for a plant that would make single-use plastic items and PVC pipes of all sizes. It dropped the PVC plans after vociferous complaints from environmentalists and local residents.

But even without the PVC, this still seems like a heavy environmental price to pay for 20 jobs over three years  even leaving the tax breaks out of the equation. The idea of adding more single-use plastics to a world thats already choked with the stuff is, at the very least, regressive. Most, if not all, of what this company intends to produce would end up in incinerators or landfills.

And while Burton dismissed the idea that the plant could produce fumes that would harm either residents or workers, it is well-documented that plastic causes human harm at every stage of its life cycle. A March report led by Boston College and Australias Minderoo Foundation  and researched by 50 scientists  outlined this harm, including the toxic chemical leakage that occurs when plastic is heated, even at low levels in microwaves.

Another big part of the damage is caused by the nurdles used to create single-use plastic items like containers and utensils. Nurdle is a cute-sounding word for tiny plastic pellets that are anything but. These pellets  basically toxic sponges  are already littering the shorelines of every waterway in the region and have entered local drinking water systems. About 10 trillion of them spill into the world environment every year. SRI CV will be transporting nurdles to Lockport to make its products; it is during transport that these are most likely to spill out, contaminating the environment and harming wildlife.

No fewer than 48 organizations have signed a letter sent to the Lockport IDA, noting not only plastic negative environmental impacts but also that New York States climate plan calls for the elimination of single-use plastic.

Plastics are made from fossil fuels and cause greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of their life cycle. In 2020, the industrys global carbon footprint was 1.3 billion metric tons, making it inevitable that well be dealing with plastic pollution for decades to come.

These are some of the reasons the Lockport IDA should think twice before it commits $300,000 in incentives for a plastics plant that may provide 20 jobs.

Keep in mind, too, that this company initially produced an inaccurate ChatGBT-generated report as research to prove the safety of its work. When this was discovered, the company apologized, but it has continued to use ChatGBT to help produce successive documents it has provided to the Lockport IDA.

Given the reams of documentation that scientists from all over the globe have researched to demonstrate the harm of plastic pollution, its not reassuring that SRI CV resorts to computer-generated defenses that may or may not be accurate.

The removal of PVC production isnt nearly enough to justify subsidizing this company with tax breaks or anything else. If the Lockport IDA does take such an unwise step, it should insist on clawbacks for environmental failures and then keep a close watch on what happens.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Should citizens be treated differently based on the colour of their skin? Most people would say not, but others insist that they shouldif the ends are sufficiently enlightened.

Not long after America dismantled over two centuries of slavery and segregation, it embarked on a project of affirmative action": legally sanctioned positive discrimination for African-Americans (later expanded to other under-represented minorities") who wanted to go to selective universities. At the time, the affront to liberal norms of fairness and equality under the law was assuaged by the fact that the people who stood to benefit had been oppressed. Yet after 50 years with more racial progress than setbacks, an applicant to Americas top universities with the right skin colour still has a much better chance of getting in than one with identical credentials but the wrong skin colour. On June 29th the Supreme Court ended the scheme.

It was right to do so. That is because affirmative action rested on contorted constitutional logic. It was also unpopular outside progressive circles. Worst of all, it didnt work. Americas best universities have never been representative, even with race-based affirmative action. The very same universities favour the children of alumni and donorsa shadow, unjustifiable affirmative-action scheme for the white and wealthy hidden behind the prominent one for black and Hispanic applicants (many of whom were wealthy themselves).

The Supreme Courts ruling will reverberate widely, encouraging lawsuits to end racial preferences in other areas, such as government contracting. But the immediate impact will be on universities, and the task is to ensure that it is beneficial.

Start with the shaky legal justification for race-conscious admissions. After the civil-rights era, America began to try to live up to its constitutional promise to guarantee all its citizens due process and equal protection under the law. That is why, in 1978, the Supreme Court justified affirmative action not as reparations for a terrible past, but with the argument that diversity promotes cross-racial understanding and the breaking down of racial stereotypes".

It was always odd that affirmative action was crafted for the benefit of black students white peers. Nonetheless, top universities leapt on the rationale of diversity, using it to construct racially balanced classes while suggesting that these were the happy result not of quotas, which are banned, but of race-conscious" holistic admissions schemes that treat people as individuals rather than as avatars for their racial group.

In last weeks decision the courts dissenting liberal justices claimed that the new ban will serve only to highlight the courts own impotence in the face of an America whose cries for equality resound". In fact Americans were not happy with the old policy. Even liberal Californians voted down a proposal in 2020 to reinstate affirmative action, banned in the state since 1996. Polls show that many more Americans oppose taking race into account for admissions than favour it. That is also true of Asian-Americans, who typically lean left but bear the heaviest cost of race-based admissions because they are deemed to be over-represented" (despite suffering discrimination in their own right).

The courts decision could yet become the catalyst for fairer admissions. The extraordinary benefits that Harvard and Yale shower upon the children of alumni and donors make a mockery of meritocracy and progressivism. Those practices, the subject of a new legal challenge, should go.

Universities seeking social justice should stop using race as a proxy for disadvantage and start looking at the thing itself. Instead of giving a leg-up to members of groups that are on average badly off, they should favour individuals who are poor. One trial found that simply offering application-fee waivers to promising students from poor backgrounds dramatically increased the chance of them ending up in highly selective universities.

The best universities may seek stealthy ways to preserve racial preferences. Many are dropping requirements for standardised tests, which would make it harder to detect quiet discrimination against members of unfavoured groups who shine in them. Writing to students and alumni, Harvard quoted part of the majority opinion that opens the door to considering race if an applicant were to write about it in a submitted essay. We will certainly comply with the Courts decision," it wrote, impishly.

Rather than coaxing a generation of minority students into drafting disingenuous adversity statementsand continuing to admit a vast hereditary mediocracy through the back dooruniversities like Harvard would do well to craft a fairer system of admissions. They should not seek to protect the monied (albeit multicoloured) monoculture that they have created. Instead they should take the chance to become the genuinely representative institutions that they claim to be.

Stay on top of American politics with Checks and Balance, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter, which examines the state of American democracy and the issues that matter to voters. For more coverage of Joe Bidens presidency, visit our dedicated hub.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
The iconic Juhu Bungalow of late Bollywood actor Dev Anand, where he spent a beautiful time with his family, has been sold for an estimated 350-400 crores to a real estate company, according to a report published by Hindustan Times.

Dev Anand resided in this property with his Kalpana Kartik, children Suniel Anand and Devina Anand. Once, famous actors Madhuri Dixit Nene and Dimple Kapadia also resided in the neighboring apartments of the property, which is located in a prime residential area.

The deal has been finalized, and the paperwork is going on, the HT report said, adding that the bungalow will be replaced by a 22-floor tower.

Earlier, Dev Anand had told a media outlet that he built his Juhu house in 1950 when it was a small village with complete wilderness.

I liked the area because I am a loner. But now Juhu has become very crowded. It's not the same beach any longer. In addition, my Iris Park residence also doesn't have a park anymore," he told media persons as quoted by HT.

Sources said that Dev Anand's Juhu residence is being sold out because there is no one to look after it as his son Suniel stays in the United States, and daughter Devina lives in Ooty with her mother Kalpana Kartik.

Additionally, Dev Anand's family had also sold some property in Maharashtra's Panvel for the same reason. His studio was also sold about 10 years ago and with this money, they bought three properties  one for each, his wife and two children, as per HT reports.

The source said that everyone would also get a share of the amount they will receive after selling the Juhu bungalow in Mumbai.

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Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has set up a committee to oversee the creation and development of its Bima Sugaman online marketplace that will house all companies selling life and non-life insurance on a single platform. The launch of the platform, which has already missed two deadlines, has now been rescheduled for June 2024.

The regulator claims that the proposed portal will be a game-changer and a UPI moment for the insurance sector.

What is Bima Sugam?

Bima Sugam aims to simplify the process of purchasing insurance for consumers. This online platform is where customers can choose a suitable scheme from multiple options given by various companies. All insurance requirements, including those for life, health, and general insurance (including motor and travel) will be met by Bima Sugam.

"This platform will help in the settlement of claims, whether its health coverage or death claims, in a paperless manner on the basis of policy numbers. In short, identifying the right policy, buying it, and settling the claims and renewals will be streamlined in the online process that Bima Sugam will introduce. Insurance companies (both general and life insurers) will be major shareholders in the platform, which will offer facilities to customers via an e-insurance account (E-IA)," said Tejinder Singh senior consultant of Alpha Capital.

Benefits of the Bima Sugam portal

It will facilitate insurance companies to access the validated and authentic data from various touch points on a real-time basis. The platform will interface for the intermediaries and agents to sell policies and provide services to policyholders, among others, and reduce paperwork. Further, the paperwork involved in buying a policy will also come down. Settlement of claims and renewal of policies will also become faster as paperwork is reduced drastically, making it easier for the customers.

Who benefits from the BIma Sugam portal?

The scheme shall benefit consumers more than the agents, since this will affect the commissions drastically and reduce paperwork involved in processing the claims.

IRDAIs robust platform will benefit insurers, hospitals, and policyholders alike. This exchange will serve as a centralized hub for health insurance-related activities; ensuring efficient policy management, quick & hassle-free processing of claims, automatic fund transfer for policyholders & hospitals, and reduced cost per claim to the insurer," said Ajay Shah, Head  Distribution, Care Health Insurance.

It will provide end-to-end solutions for customers insurance needs i.e., purchase, service, and settlement in a seamless manner. First, you can buy policies, pay premiums, and settle all claims on a single platform. You dont have to visit the websites of different insurers separately. Secondly, you can choose a repository to maintain all your insurance policies. If you have all the links stored in one place, claim settlement will become easier for nominees and beneficiaries," said Tejinder Singh

With this proactive measure, IRDAI looks forward to driving positive change in the industry. The initiative will not only meet changing market demands but also position India as a thought leader for insurance innovation.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Infosys share price declined about a percent in intraday trade on BSE on Thursday, in sync with a weak market sentiment even as a day ago the company announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with US chipmaker, Nvidia which, as per market participants, is a positive development.

As Mint reported, Infosys on Wednesday announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with US chipmaker, Nvidia. As part of the partnership, Nvidia will offer its artificial intelligence (AI) models, tools, applications and compute infrastructure to Infosys, which in turn will train 50,000 of its over 3.36 lakh employees on Nvidias AI stack through a dedicated centre of excellence (CoE).

In a stock exchange filing, Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairman of Infosys, Indias second-largest information technology (IT) services firm by market capitalisation, said that the company was transforming into an AI-first company to better provide AI-based services to our clients worldwide."

Read more: Infosys to train 50k employees on Nvidia AI stack

Infosys share price has significantly underperformed its sectoral index BSE IT and the benchmark Sensex in the last one year. While the BSE IT is up about 21 per cent in the last one year, Infosys share price is up only about 8 per cent. The Sensex has gained nearly 12 per cent in the same period.

But sentiment appears to be improving for Infosys stock as it has shown remarkable gains in the last few months. In fact, if we consider a shorter timeframe of the last three months, the stock is up over 14 per cent while the BSE IT is up 12 per cent and the Sensex is up 4 per cent. On a monthly basis, the stock has been in the green since May this year.

While disclosing its June quarter earnings this year, Infosys significantly reduced its revenue guidance from 4-7 per cent to 1-3.5 per cent for FY24 but retained its operating margin forecast. It underscored that its solid deal pipeline and strong major deal closes placed it well for future development.

While the US economy is expected to steer clear of a recession and the likelihood of rate hikes is currently weak, it is possible that most of the downsides for Infosys and other major Indian IT companies have already been factored in.

Also read: Infosys only Indian company in top 100 TIME World's Best Companies list

Meanwhile, Infosys will announce its Q2FY24 financial result and interim dividend on October 12. The board of directors meeting of Infosys will be held on October 11 and October 12. The investor call will be held by the company on October 12 prior to the announcement of the result.

Fundamental views on Infosys share price

As per Trendlyne, the consensus recommendation from 39 analysts for Infosys is 'hold'.

Recently, global brokerage firm Bernstein said Infosys is its top pick among the IT services providers. Bernstein, as reported by CNBC-TV18, pointed out that the investor focus has shifted from the financial year 2024 to the financial year 2025 and that selective large-cap IT stocks, such as Infosys and TCS may be better-positioned than their mid-cap peers going into the financial year 2025.

Even the brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities has kept Infosys among its top picks.

Kotak expects a recovery in revenue growth for a few large companies to 9-10 per cent in FY25E from about 4-5 per cent in FY24E due to the ramp-up of mega deals signed recently, a strong pipeline of cost take-out programs and likely improvement in discretionary spending.

"Companies that can address both agendascost take-out and transformation journey of clients are the best positionedInfosys, TCS and HCL Tech fit the bill. Infosys and HCLT are our top picks," Kotak said.

Kotak has a buy call on Infosys and it has raised the target price of the stock to 1,710 from 1,550 earlier.

Brokerage firms pointed out that in the recent past, Infosys, along with some other large IT players, has announced several deals in the area of digital platform development and maintenance as well as AI (artificial intelligence) and automation-led development, modernisation, and maintenance services.

"Indian IT has won plenty of mega deals in recent months, powered by cost take-out mandates of enterprises. Infosys, HCL Tech and TCS have been beneficiaries of such deals. We believe deal flow has steadied after the transition from discretionary spending-powered short-tenured programs to larger programs fueled by cost take-outs, which have longer sales cycles. We expect the continuation of cost take-out deals in CY2024, along with an improvement in discretionary spending," said brokerage firm Kotak.

Infosys share price has some valuation comfort also at this juncture. Its current PE (price-to-earnings ratio) is 25.2 in comparison to the median PE of 29.44. Its current PB (price-to-book-value) is 8.17 against the median PB of 8.62.

Technical views on Infosys share price

Technical analysts see some signs of fatigue in the stock but they believe the stock is buy-worthy for the long term and one should accumulate it in case of declines.

Jigar S. Patel, Senior Manager of Equity Research at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers pointed out that at the current juncture, Infosys looks a bit exhausted at higher levels near 1,500.

"As we advance, support is seen near 1,4251,450 and resistance is seen near 1,5001,525. Also, the Ichimoku cloud is hinting towards some sideways moves in the coming sessions as the Ichimoku cloud angle is getting flatter," said Patel.

View Full Image Infosys technical chart

Foram Chheda, CMT, and Founder of ChartAnalytics.co.in, observed that the Nifty IT Index witnessed a multi-month breakout on the weekly charts and along these lines, Infosys witnessed a stellar run in the past two months gaining nearly 16 per cent from the lows seen in July to the recent high.

Chheda pointed out that the stock might face short-term resistance in the 1,500-1,520 zone. However, she added that with support placed near the 1,460 level, and with the stock sitting on the verge of a golden crossover where the 50-day moving average will cross above the 200-day moving average, all price declines can be considered as an opportunity to buy so long as the 1,460 level stay defended.

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Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts, experts and broking companies, not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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Good Morning

The News in Summary The Hamied family, promoters of Indias third largest pharma firm, Cipla Ltd, may be facing a challenge in selling their 33% stake in the company with potential buyers baulking at the $13 billion valuation they are demanding. Meanwhile, lenders to Byjus have alleged that its promoters hid $533 million of the $1.2 billion they had lent to the edtech startup in an obscure three-year-old US-based hedge fund. Elsewhere, the Indian Express reported that in May 2022, Mauritiuss Financial Services Commission (FSC) revoked the business and investment licenses of Emerging India Fund Management Ltd (EIFM), the controlling shareholder of two Mauritius-based funds that invested in listed Adani companies. Finally, Reliance Retail is continuing its fundraising spree by selling an additional stake to investment firm KKR, while the Wadia group is unlocking value from its land bank, starting with selling 22 acres in Worli in Mumbai.

Cipla Promoter Stake Sale Faces Valuation Hurdle The Hamieds, the founding family of and controlling shareholders in Cipla Ltd, may be facing hurdles in their plan to sell their stake in Indias third-largest generics firm. The hitch seems to be the Rs 1.09 trillion ($13.1 billion) valuation at which the family members are looking to sell their 33% stake. Torrent Labs and Blackstone are believed to be the suitors for the company founded in 1935 by current non-executive chairman Yusuf K. Hamieds father, Khwaja Abdul Hamied. The promoters stake has been put on sale after the third generation of the family, represented by Samina Hamied, Ciplas executive vice-chairperson and the niece of Y.K. Hamied, appeared to be reluctant to continue running the company. Even before the sharp spike since 27 July, when reports of the stake sale first appeared, Ciplas shares have been climbing in line with most major pharma stocks. Market leader Sun Pharma, for instance, has risen 20% in the past six months, while Dr. Reddys is up 30% in the same period.

Lenders Level Fresh Charges Against Byjus The plot of Byjus, once Indias showpiece startup, is unravelling at an alarming pace. In the latest development, lenders to the edtech company have alleged that it hid $533 million in an obscure three-year-old US-based hedge fund, Camshaft Capital Fund. The lenders claim that the amount, a collateral for a $1.2 billion loan, was given to Capital Fund despite its apparent lack of formal training in investing. Byjus has clarified that the Credit Agreement dated 24 November 2021 does not prohibit or restrict the movement or investment of monies disbursed thereunder. There is also no requirement for Byjus to maintain cash as collateral. Last week Byjus put two of its businesses - reading platform Epic and higher education platform Great Learning - up for sale, hoping to use the $800 million to $1 billion it expects as proceeds to pay off its term loan. But with several pending issues, including the ongoing tussle with lenders and the fact that its FY22 and FY23 financial statements have still not been filed, such a sale may not be easy.

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This Mint video explores the meteoric rise and the many troubles faced by Byjus amid allegations of financial mismanagement and over-aggressive marketing.

Mauritius-based Fund That Invested in Adani Had its License Revoked The Indian Express reported that in May 2022, the Mauritian financial regulator, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), revoked the business and investment licences of Emerging India Fund Management Ltd (EIFM), the controlling shareholder of two Mauritius-based funds that invested in listed Adani companies and are now under probe. EIFMs license was cancelled eight months before the US-based short seller Hindenburgs explosive revelation against the Adani Group. The regulator had alleged a breach by EIFM of several provisions of laws meant to curb money laundering and ensure corporate governance. The newsbreak comes at an inopportune time for the Adani group, which is in talks with global banks like DBS Group Holdings Ltd, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Mizuho Financial Group Inc, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp to refinance up to $3.8 billion of debt taken on to fund its purchase of Ambuja Cements Ltd and ACC. In September last year, the Adani group acquired Switzerland-based Holcims controlling stake in the two companies for $10.5 billion. Since then, following the publication of two reports alleging stock price manipulation leading to a fall in the share prices of group companies, the multi-business conglomerate has been raising funds through stake sales.

Reliance Retail on Fundraising Spree Investment firm KKR is raising its stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) from 1.17% to 1.42% by infusing Rs 2,069 crore through an affiliate, Asian Fund IV. The move, which comes three years after it invested Rs 5,550 crore for the first time, values Reliances retail business at a pre-money equity value of Rs 8.361 trillion (just above $100 billion). Last month, the Qatar Investment Authority announced a follow-on investment of Rs 8,278 crore in RRVL for a 0.99% equity stake at a similar valuation. In 2020, Reliance first sold a 10.09% stake in its retail unit to investors like Singapores GIC and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) at a valuation of Rs 4.68 trillion. With the company setting an internal target of raising $3.5 billion by the end of this month, it is also in talks with existing investors, including the sovereign wealth funds of Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, for combined new investments of around $1.5 billion.

Bombay Dyeing Strikes Mumbais Biggest Land Deal In an effort to repay costly debt and fund future projects, the Wadia group-owned Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Limited (BDMC) will sell 22 acres in Worli to Goisu Realty Pvt, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Realty & Development for Rs 5,200 crore. The monetization plan is aimed at deleveraging and strengthening the balance sheet of the loss-making company, which has debts of almost Rs 4,000 crore. In May, CARE Ratings raised concerns over Bombay Dyeings ability to service its debt during fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Besides paying off the loans and becoming debt-free in the process, it also hopes to use the sale proceeds to fund future real estate projects, with its board giving in-principle approval for the development of other unutilized land parcels as well. According to its chairman, Nusli Wadia, these have the potential to create about 3.5 million sq ft of residential/commercial property and should generate a revenue of about Rs 15,000 crores over the next few years.

Last Word After months of tough-talking, Tata Steel has won the concession it had been demanding from the UK government, which will now pump in 500 million of the planned investment of 1.25 billion in electric arc furnace steelmaking at the Port Talbot facility in South Wales. The deal secures a major share of the 8,000 jobs that were at risk - though some 3,000 jobs could still be lost - and will also offer a lifeline to Tata Steels floundering UK business. The agreement is a feather in the cap for Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran, who had been working with the Rishi Sunak government for such a mutually beneficial deal. It comes just months after the group committed to an investment of 4 billion ($5.16 billion) to establish a new 40GW battery cell gigafactory in the UK.

Answer to the Question Available records show that the oldest company in India is the Wadia Group, which was set up in 1736. Its subsidiary, The Bombay Burmah Trading Corp. Ltd, established in 1863, is considered the oldest publicly traded company in the country.

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Magsaysay award winner Dr Ravi Kannan is credited with leading the widely admired Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Assam. He started with a staff of 23 people and this grew to 451 over a period of around 17 years, providing free or subsidized cancer care treatments to an average of 5,000 new patients annually. While Kannan serves as a shining example for all and brings an aura to the medical profession it deserves, the healthcare profession is not without its challenges. A large urban population has increasingly come around seeing healthcare as a consumer service. Much like with every other sector, consumer expectations are rising from healthcare as well. Small unfulfilled expectations now lead to court complaints and litigation against doctors. Courts have concurred that a section of people are prone to sue doctors and hospitals at the slightest opportunity.

Litigation against doctors is relatively easy as patients can file their grievance in the district consumer forum, where the patient resides. While various doctor bodies have pleaded with courts that doctors should not come under the purview of Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019, courts have ruled otherwise. As compared to the 1986 CPA, the latest one has become more consumer friendly. For example, the definition of unfair trade practice has been broadened to include practices such as not issuing proper cash memo or bill or disclosing personal information of the consumer to any other person not in accordance with the prevailing laws, thus making doctors more vulnerable.

Courts have set several precedents holding doctors accountable for negligence. In one case, where a baby was born pre-term at 32 weeks, no advice was given to the family to have the ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) test. Later, the baby was diagnosed with ROP Stage 5. The family was from a humble background, as the father worked as a security guard. The case lasted for around 15 years. The courts accepted the plea of the patients family and awarded compensation of more than 75 lakh. In another case, the husband of the patient was a doctor himself and an NRI (non-resident Indian). The courts found the doctors and the hospital negligent of wrong prescription and not providing adequate nutritional support. The compensation awarded was around 6 crore. The diverse socio-economic profiles of the plaintiff, the kind of cause, and the compensation awarded, only goes to underline the legal liability exposure of doctors.

To be sure, not all litigations are driven by doctors negligence. Some studies have estimated that only in around 30% of cases, the negligence of doctors is proven. Around 70% of cases get dismissed. Notwithstanding, doctors must pay legal costs to defend themselves in court. Estimates indicate that in around 85% of cases, doctors paid legal costs from their own pockets. This can be a major drag on their finances, besides affecting them psychologically.

A professional indemnity insurance for doctors helps cover these expenses. This covers potential claims arising from errors, omissions, or negligence in their medical practice. The policy pays for the cost of lawyers to defend the doctor in court. In case the courts rule against the doctor, the policy also pays for the compensation awarded by the court. In a few cases, where required, an out-of-court settlement is also facilitated by the policy. Doctors undergo severe distress when a court notice arises. This stems from their general lack of dealing with legal matters. In such a scenario, a quick consultation with a lawyer and a clear prognosis is what comforts them the most. Knowing that someone has your back takes away the anxiety substantially. The policy is also relatively inexpensive. For a cardiologist, a policy of 2 crore sum assured costs less than 10,000 per annum. The rates differ by specialty and sum assured. (Disclosure: My firm has been serving doctors for over 10 years now.)

During his journey, one of the challenges that Dr Kannan faced was the low patient compliance rate. It was at 28% when he joined. He managed to take the compliance to 70%. But this was not without its fair share of obstacles. Many hurdles were non-medical such as food and lodging, employment for caregivers. etc. One must see legal liabilities in that context  a professional hazard that needs to be overcome. Litigation, whether frivolous or otherwise, is likely to only go up. It is best for doctors to mitigate that through an insurance and freely go about setting new benchmarks for public service.

Abhishek Bondia is principal officer and managing director, SecureNow.in.

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India and Nepal approved plans to enhance their cross-border transmission infrastructure to boost electricity trade during 14th meeting of Joint Technical Team (JTT), reported India Narrative.

During the JTT meeting under Energy Secretary Level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) held in New Delhi on September 20, the two nations reached an understanding to expand capacity of the 400kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Cross Border Transmission Line and speed up the completion of smaller capacity cross-border power lines that are currently under construction.

Joint secretary at Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sandeep Kumra Dev said, "The understanding will go into implementation, once the next JSC meeting endorses the understanding," reported India Narrative.

The move is important for Nepal, as the country seeks to improve its transmission infrastructure to boost electricity exports to India and other neighbouring countries. PM Modi on June 1 said that India would buy 10,000MW of power from Nepal in the next 10 years when Nepali Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal visited New Delhi.

Under the latest agreement, the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line will have the capacity to transmit up to 1,000MW of power, up from the previously agreed-upon 800MW. India so far permitted Nepal to export up to 562.6MW through this power line. Nepal exports rest from other cross border power lines.

SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company was established by India's state-owned SJVN Limited. It is constructing the cross-border power line to transmit its own power whose capacity is around 2,000MW. Nepal can use spare capacity of the 400kV Dhalkebar- Sitamarhi cross border transmission line which is being constructed by SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company, as per the decisions made at the JTT meeting.

Also read: Nepal MP arrested for purchasing fake degree from Bihar to study in China

During the JTC meeting Nepali team leader, Dev said, "As Arun-3's capacity is 900MW, there will be spare capacity in this transmission line until SJVN also develops 669MW Lower Arun and 490MW Arun-4 projects."

Both countries also agreed to complete the 132 kV New Nautanwa-Mainaiya line by October this year and the 132 kV Kohalpur-Nanpara line by July next year, both of which can be used for power imports and exports. Moreover, both countries agreed to conduct a joint visit by their technical teams to assess the feasibility of building a 220kV cross-border transmission line from Nepal's Mahendranagar to India's Tanakpur, reported India Narrative.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called on India to cooperate with an ongoing murder probe amid increasingly strained diplomatic ties. The western nation is currently probing "credible allegations" about the involvement of Indian government agents in the June killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau however declined to elaborate on the evidence purportedly linking India to the killing.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the Canadian PM urged New Delhi to take the allegations seriously and work with Ottawa to let justice follow its course. The remarks came mere hours after India announced the temporary suspension of visas for Canadian citizens in view of "security threats" faced by its high commission and consulates in the other country. I call upon the government of India to work with us, to take seriously these allegations and to allow justice to follow its courseWe have rigorous and independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course," he said on Thursday evening.

The row had erupted on Monday following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing. New Delhi his dismissed the allegations as absurd.

ALSO READ: MEA explains why India suspended issue of visas to Canadian citizens

There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Govt of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil, which is something of utmost and foundational importance in the country of rule of law, in a world where international rules-based order matters. We have independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course and we call upon the Govt of India to engage with us to move forward on getting to the truth of this matter," he reiterated on Thursday.

Trudeau said that he had had a direct and frank conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to share his concerns in no uncertain terms.

We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi: By 2014, a controversy around bilateral foreign flying rightsair service agreements between two countrieswas simmering in India. A few years earlier, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had, in a report, questioned the liberal award of such rights by the ministry of civil aviation to many countries, especially those in the Middle East. This impacted Air India, then Indias state carrier, the CAG report pointed out. The struggling airline was living on taxpayers money. In 2012, the government approved a bailout package that totalled 30,231 crore.

In an ideal world, bilateral rights are supposed to help airlines from both sides. It allows airlines from respective countries to operate flights within a quota. For instance, India and Dubai have a bilateral agreement that allows airlines from each side to operate flights totalling 66,000 seats per week.

Why did it put Air India at a disadvantage? Travellers dont just fly from country A to country B. They may need a connecting flight to a third country. International carriers operate through large hubs in their home countries and simply take passenger traffic originating in India away, beyond their home bases. In aviation parlance, it is known as sixth freedom traffic.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance began to deliberate on the rights soon after winning the general elections in 2014. Narendra Modi was yet to be sworn in as the Prime Minister. One day in May 2014, at the Gujarat Bhawan in New Delhi, he wanted to be briefed on key political issues. The award of foreign flying rights came up in one of the presentations made.

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It was clear from those initial discussions that the policy on bilaterals will get stringent, going ahead. It would not be as liberal as earlier," said a person involved in those discussions during the time. He did not want to be identified.

Subsequently, most bilateral foreign flying requests were refused, particularly from countries that operate bigger and stronger airlines.

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The strategy worked, at least to some extent. Data analysed by Mint shows that Indian carriers now have more passenger share of the international traffic, to and from India. The market share of Indian carriers has inched up to 44% in 2022-23 from about 40% in 2018-19. Meanwhile, the share of foreign carriers reduced to 56% from about 60% in the same period.

Indian carriers were able to increase their share despite Jet Airways going out of business. In 2018-19, Jet had a little over 12% of the total international market. The airline ceased operations in April 2019.

So, which airline gained the most?

IndiGos rise

The void created by Jet Airways was filled by InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), which registered a huge jump of 82% in terms of international passengers carried (8,539,158), between 2018-19 and 2022-23.

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IndiGos international expansion strategy has been three-prongedexpand on its own, through code shares, and through leased Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines. Boeing 777 is a wide-body plane and they feed the traffic to Istanbul. Wide-body aircraft has two aisles inside and fly long distances.

The airlines codeshare partners include Air FranceKLM, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, Qantas, and Turkish Airlines.

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We have 33 European destinations that we are able to sell via our codeshare with Turkish. In addition, we are seeing a huge amount of traffic via the Istanbul gateway to these destinations," Vinay Malhotra, head of global sales at IndiGo told Mint.

Malhotra added that IndiGos strategy will be to develop new international markets from India. Flights to destinations such as Tbilisi, Baku, Tashkent and Almaty are in the pipeline. These are not the traditional routes that Indians fly to. We are adding newer destinations. These are all touristy places. Of course, tourism and trade are almost hand in glove," he said.

Analysts, however, say that IndiGos international strategy needs more wide-body planes. IndiGo needs to have a wide body induction plan to be able to sustain international growth beyond codeshares," said Mark Martin, founder and CEO at Martin Consulting, an aviation consultancy.

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The airline company is set to order 25 wide-body aircraft, Mint reported in April this year. Malhotra did not confirm but said that the company will start inducting Airbus A321 XLRs from 2025 onwards. About 70 XLRs are expected to be delivered.

A321 XLRs are single-aisle planes but can fly longer distancesIndiGo, for instance, can fly from Delhi to Amsterdam, which takes about 8 hours. IndiGos fleet today consists of Airbus 320 and 321s, which can fly shorter distances.

With XLRs, we will be able to reach many more destinations than we fly to today, non-stop. It will open a plethora of opportunities for our travellers and for us as an airline," he added.

Air India, the big brother

Air India, meanwhile, will play the role of a big brother in the international skies. Its network spans across the globe.

The Indian government sold its stake in Air India to the Tata Group in January 2022. Soon after, the conglomerate announced a deal to purchase 470 aircraft. The order includes 70 wide-body aircraft. This will add to the 45 wide-body planes Air India already operates; Vistara, another Tata airline, operates seven of these big planes. Vistara will merge into Air India by next year.

Air Indias plan, however, is not just limited to long-haul routes. It wants to expand aggressively in the short-haul international network through Air India Express, a low-cost subsidiary of Air India.

Both the low-cost and the full-service network will complement each other," said an executive from the group. He didnt want to be identified.

Hub dreams

In conclusion, IndiGo and Air India are the two big engines of Indias new aviation story. While they stand to benefit the most from the governments strategy on bilaterals, there is a good chance of some Indian airports emerging as international transit hubs.

With growing share of international passenger traffic, IndiGo recently reported that more passengers are also transiting through Indian airports. Earlier, the Indian airports were merely destination airports. Today, theres a rising trend of people flying in from other countries to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. They take an onward flight without exiting any Indian city," Malhotra said. Examples include travellers flying on routes such as Dubai-Bangkok, Bahrain-Phuket, Kuwait-Phuket, Sharjah-Jeddah, Dhaka-Riyadh, and Kathmandu-Far East.

In terms of infrastructure, Indian airports are getting better and bigger. As Indian airlines offer more seamless connections, the countrys hub dreams are likely to take wing.
The United States is deeply concerned about Canada's serious allegations against India that the country's agents were potentially involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar , said national security spokesman John Kirby on Wednesday.

Kirby said that the White House encourages India to cooperate in any investigation by Canada, according to a report published by Reuters.

We are deeply concerned. We encourage India to fully cooperate," Kirby said.

Kirby said that news reports that the US 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."

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.

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 Reuters inputs)

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NEW DELHI : Russia remained the top supplier of crude oil to India in July as it exported crude oil worth $3.37 billion during the month, showed data from the ministry of commerce and industry. However, compared to June, the imports from Russia declined 11.4% in terms of value.

In June, India had imported crude oil worth $3.80 billion. The month-on-month decline comes in the backdrop of narrowing discounts on the Russian oil and with supply cuts by the country in tandem with Opec+ decision, analysts said.

India imported crude oil worth $8.96 billion and Russian supplies constituted 37.62% of the overall imports in value terms. Russia has emerged as a major supplier of oil to India in the past 18 months as the country offered discounted oil amid sanctions from the West in reprisal for its invasion of Ukraine.

In FY22, Russian oil accounted for only 2% of Indias total oil imports; in FY23, it made up around one-fourth of the 235.52 million tonnes of crude oil imported by India.

Indias overall oil import bill fell $10.01 billion in June 2023 to $8.96 billion in July, the data showed.

On a year-on-year basis imports, Russian oil imports continued to witness growth as imports from the country rose 42.54% from $2.36 billion in July 2022. For April-July this year, import of crude from Russia stood at $15.74 billion, nearly 127% higher than $6.93 billion during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

This rise of Russia as the top oil supplier to India comes with Opec members losing their market share in India.

Iraq, which is traditional oil supplier to India, has witnessed a decline of 38.6% on a YoY basis in its supplies to India during the April-July period at $6.9 billion. Saudi Arabia, the second largest oil producer in the world, sold oil worth $6.90 billion during the first four months of the fiscal, down nearly 27% from the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

On a month-on-month basis, too, Iraq and Saudi Arabia witnessed a decline of 6.5% and 5.3%, respectively, as their supplies to India in July stood at $1.76 billion and $1.41 billion.

India and China are among the top oil consumers in the world and the West Asian countries would not want to lose these markets, according to analysts. In order to tap these the key Indian market, Iraq has also offered discounts in the past several months and Saudi Arabia has lowered the Asian Premium charged on the oil selling price.

On Thursday, Mint reported that Saudi Arabia has slashed the premium charged on exports to India after India began sourcing the bulk of its energy requirements from Russia. Asian premium is an extra amount levied by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) from Asian countries above the actual selling price. India has repeatedly pressed oil producers to eliminate this premium and even asked for an Asian discount instead. Saudi Arabia has now reduced the premium to $3.5 per barrel from around $10 in the past year.

The oil prices which have significantly declined from the multi-year highs reached last year, have been increased over the past three months amid extended supply cuts by the OPEC+ and its key members Russia and Saudi Arabia.

This week Brent crossed the $95 per barrel mark. At the time of writing the story, the November contract of Brent on the Intercontinental Exchange was trading at $93.01 per barrel, lower by 0.56% from its previous close.

This rise in prices and narrowing down of discounts by Russia may impact the refining margins of Indian refineries and oil marketing companies.

Already, in the first quarter of this fiscal, the gross refining margin (GRM) of OMCs have declined from the highs of the corresponding quarter of FY238. Data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell showed that the GRM of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in the April-June quarter was at $8.34 per barrel, against $34 per barrel in the same period of last fiscal.

Similarly, the GRM of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) fell to $12.64 and $7.44 during Q1FY24 from $27.51 and $16.69 a barrel respectively in Apri-June FY23.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

(Disclaimer: This story has been taken from LiveMint's sister publication, Hindustan Times.)

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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia is steadily progressing towards normalising relations with Israel, in an interview with US broadcaster Fox News. This follows similar moves by other Gulf nations amid United States aiming for a Saudi-Israeli agreement, reported Reuters.

Every day, we get closer," said Saudi the crown prince in an interview with Fox News. Long-time foes Israel and Saudi Arabia are set to reach a landmark agreement to open diplomatic relations. He further warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, "we have to get one." The Saudi Crown Prince issued a warning to Tehran despite previous talks in March to restore relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, brokered by China.

The interview came at a time when US President Joe Biden's administration is also pushing towards negotiating historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, both of which are key allies of the United States in the Middle East.

When Saudi Arabian prince was asked about what it would take to get a normalisation agreement, he said For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part." The prince further added, "And we have a good negotiations strategy till now." He expressed hope that such an agreement would improve the lives of Palestinians and involve Israel as a significant player in the Middle East.

US officials privately highlighted the potential benefits of the regional mega-deal but were apprehensive of it being settled in the near future. This would be a significant foreign policy achievement for President Biden as he seeks re-election in November 2024. The regional mega-deals include removing a possible flashpoint in the Arab-Israeli conflict, strengthening the bulwark against Iran and countering China's inroads in the Gulf.

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting where both leaders pledged to collaborate on Israeli-Saudi normalisation efforts, that could potentially reshape the geopolitics of the Middle East. In the meeting, both leaders agreed that Iran should not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. The Saudi Crown Prince's pre- taped comments were released on the same day.

On the Israeli side, concessions to the Palestinians are being pushed by the Saudi Prince to maintain prospects for statehood in the occupied territories, a goal supported by President Biden but with limited support from Netanyahu's government.

This interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier marked Saudi Prince's first appearance on US television since 2019, reported Aljazeera.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Azerbaijan on Wednesday claimed full control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region after local Armenian forces agreed to lay down their weapons following the latest outbreak of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict. The attack left "at least 200 killed and more than 400 wounded", Nagorno-Karabakh separatist official Gegham Stepanyan said.

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." He claimed that most of the Armenian forces in the region had been destroyed and said the withdrawal of separatist troops had already begun.

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.

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.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the mountainous region. 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.

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.

(With inputs from Associated Press, AFP)

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Booker Prize 2023 judging panel Thursday announced the final list of six novels from 13 longlisted titles  the so-called Booker dozen"  which were selected from 163 books published between October last year and September this year.

All the six shortlisted books "showcase the breadth of what world literature can do", BBC reported Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, who chairs the judging panel, as saying.

London-based Indian-origin author Chetna Maroos debut novel Western Lane was among the shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize in London. The others are: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (Ireland), The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Ireland), Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein (Canada), If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery (US) and This Other Eden by Paul Harding (US).

Western Lane by Chetna Maroo revolves around the story of an 11-year-old British Gujarati girl named Gopi and her bonds with her family. The novel explores an immigrant father's attempts to raise his family as a single parent. Booker judges praised the book for its use of the sport of squash as a metaphor for complex human emotions.

Chetna Maroos deeply evocative debut of a family grappling with grief conveyed through crystalline language which reverberates like the sound of a ball hit clean and hard with a close echo. It is stunning and it stays with you," PTI quoted Edugyan as saying while announcing the shortlist.

Kenya-born Maroo said it would be fair to call Western Lane as a sports novel".

Its also been called a coming-of-age novel, a domestic novel, a novel about grief, a novel about the immigrant experience. Recently a friend asked me if the book has something of the detective story about it, with Gopi trying to find her way, piecing together the clues of small gestures, actions and fragments of overheard conversations; she has little to go on and since shes dealing with the mysteries of loss, there are no answers for her," PTI reported Maroo as saying.

While the winner, announced on 26 November, of the prize will receive 50,000, others short-listed will also receive 2,500.

This is truly a list without borders. It includes a Briton of Indian descent, an American of Jamaican descent, a Canadian recently named one of Grantas Best Young British Novelists, and two Irish authors," PTI quoted Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation as saying.

Though new to the Booker shortlist, all of these writers have been lauded elsewhere or in other ways Its a pleasure to be bringing their extraordinary talents and vastly varied styles to Booker Prize readers  and we cant wait to hear what the thousands of members of the new Booker Prize Book Club on Facebook have to say about them," she added.

The prestigious Booker Prize is open to works of fiction written in English by authors anywhere in the world and published in the UK or Ireland.

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Amid surging tension between India and Canada regarding the Pro-Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in Surrey, reports have emerged that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , during his G-20 visit to India, refused to stay in the pre-arranged presidential suite in The Lalit Hotel.

Several media reports have cited sources in the security arrangement of India during recently concluded G-20 Summit, saying that Trudeau and his delegation stayed in normal rooms in The Lalit Hotel in national capital Delhi.

The Canadian Prime Minister stayed in a normal room at the hotel during his stay in India.

As part of the arrangements, Indian government had booked VVIP rooms for all head of states in The Lalit Hotel. However, PM Trudeau, who came with his son, reportedly did not use the presidential suite even for a day.

Notably, presidential suites are specially designed by Indian security agencies as per security protocols and every global leader

According to ANI report, Trudeaus delegation told Indian security agencies that this decision is being taken due to cost considerations. However, the Indian agencies have said that there is no information about the exact reason behind Trudeau's staying in a normal room.

Notably, this was not the only irregular episode from Trudeaus visit to India.

The Canadian PM was scheduled to depart from India on 10 September, however, he had to extend his stay after a technical snag on his Airbus plane.

The Indian side had offered services of aircraft 'Air India One' to Canadian PM Trudeau and his delegation to fly back, after coming to know about the delay in the departure of the Canadian PM and accompanying delegation due to the glitch in their special aircraft.

However, the Canadian side declined the offer and instead chose to wait for the backup aircraft, sources said. Finally, Trudeau was able to depart from India only on September 12.

Meanwhile, the tensions between India and Canada heightened on Monday, after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India. This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country.

India rejected the allegations made by Canada, dubbing them as "absurd" and "motivated" and in a reciprocal move also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country on Tuesday.

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

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Google Doodle commemorates Armenias Independence Day today. The Armenian National Assembly held a referendum on 21 September in 1991 that declared independence from the Soviet Union.

History

The overwhelming majority of the country's citizens voted in favour of this momentous step towards sovereignty. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected as Armenia's first president one month later. He faced numerous challenges as he began his tenure, including the establishment of democratic government structures.

In December of that year, following the dissolution of the USSR, the Supreme Council of Armenia declared full sovereignty. This marked the end of nearly seven decades of Soviet rule, realising the long-cherished aspirations of the Armenian people.

Celebrations

Independence Day in Armenia involves public celebrations, featuring fireworks displays, musical concerts, lively parades and more. The heart of the festivities takes place at Republic Square in the capital city of Yerevan. Armenians indulge in national delicacies, savouring dishes like khorovats (grilled pork skewers), harissa (a hearty porridge crafted from wheat and meat) and dzhash (a flavourful vegetable stew).

Yesterday, Google Doodle issued a doodle in honour of German author Hedwig Dohm on her 192nd birthday. She was a pioneering feminist and a strong advocate for gender equality. Dohm decided to pursue a career as a writer. 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.

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India on Thursday suspended visa services in Canada citing operational reasons. The move comes amid the souring relationship between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar .

A private agency, BLS, hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians put out a note on its website, conveying Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates."

The row over Khalistani terrorism

After the not so pleasant discussion around the Khalistani issue between the prime ministers of India and Canada during the G20 meeting in Delhi earlier this month, 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 center in Surrey, British Columbia.

He also said though Canada is not trying to provoke India, strong measures need to be taken.

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," Reuters quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

The tit-for-tat dynamic

India, however, denied any role in the killing, calling the allegations absurd.

The tension seems to be escalating further as both the countries are taking measures reflecting a tit-for-tat dynamic in their diplomatic relations. As Canada expels Indian diplomat; India responds with a reciprocal expulsion.

On Wednesday, India 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.

Will Canada-India tension affect immigration process?

Meanwhile, potential Canadian immigrants are worried that a strained international relations may affect their immigration process.

Responding to such queries, immigration experts suggested Canada don't have a choice apart from welcoming immigrant to help strengthen the economy. However, there might be some temporary curbs.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanchari Ghosh Sanchari Ghosh is a Chief Content Producer with LiveMint. She covers news, human interest, epidemiology and personal finance stories Read more from this author
India and Canada seems to have been on the brink of straining ties as Canadian Prime Minister announced that they are investigating the death of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar 's death on Canadian soil and alleged that there is credible allegations" that Indian Government agents were linked to the 18 June slaying.

Notably, in May this year, another Khalistan extremist was also killed in a foreign land- Pakistan- a killing that seemed similar to Nijjar's murder.

Let's take a look

In May 2023, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar was shot dead by unrecognised assailants in Pakistan's Lahore. Reports had said, Panjwar's, one of the most wanted terrorist, was pumped with bullets fired from a 30 calibre pistol as he took his morning constitutional at Johar Town in Lahore along with his gunman.

In June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was gunned down on the grounds of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple.

All these killings happened after a radical pro-Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh Sandhu was arrested in India's Moga, Punjab and sent to Assam jail under NSA. Amritpal Singh's arrest had also triggered unrest and violence unleashed upon several Indian consulates in UK's London, US' San Francisco, and Canada.

India has repeatedly condemned the Pro-Khalistan activities that were unleashed on Indian consulates in foreign soil.

However, it is the turning of tables on international relations that might have backfired as terrorists harming India's peace have been killed in foreign soil.

While Panjwar's killing in Pakistan was reported by the Asian nation's media as a regular killing of a Pakistani Sikh called Sardar Singh Malik, Canada decided not to sit silent on Nijjar's demise and alleged that India's intelligence agents were likely involved.

Nijjar was a government-designated terrorist, and so was Panjwar. According to reports, in 2011, India had handed over a list of fifty most wanted people by Delhi and seeking refuge in Pakistan , which included Panjwar.

Similarly, Indian government had also sought information or action under the 1987 extradition treaty and the 1998 mutual legal assistance treaty or through Interpol against Nijjar who was in Canada. Further, in 2022, Punjab Police approached Canadian authorities seeking Nijjar's extradition to India. However, the extradition request was nullified after his death in June this year

Canada is home to the world's largest Sikh population outside of India, and discontent has long simmered between Canada and India over Sikh separatism, a movement that has had a bloody history.

What is the Khalistan movement?

For decades, a section of Sikhs have called for the creation of an independent homeland, which would be carved out of Punjab. The movement has long been opposed by the Indian government, which considers it treasonous.

This demanded area of Khalistan would be carved out of what is now Punjab in India. The demand has only been frowned upon by every Indian government.

This movement has also taken a violent turn. In 1984, dueing Operation Blue Star, Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and a group of armed militants holed up at the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. The then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent armed forces to arrest them, resulting in damage to the temple and the deaths of hundreds.

Later that year, two of Indira Gandhi's own Sikh bodyguards, Satwant and Beant Singh, assassinated her in revenge.

Afterward, violent anti-Sikh riots spread across the country and left thousands of followers of the Sikh religion dead. That violence spilled over into Canada, where in 1985 Sikh militant terrorists smuggled a bomb onto an Air India flight that exploded in midair as it flew from Montreal to London. More than 300 people were killed in what remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history.

The latest crackdown on Amritpal Singh Sandhu also contributed to renewed incidences of violence, which is no surprise if considered empirically. Whether the Nijjar issue permanently damages the India-Canada relations will be future one awaits to witness.

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India and Canada's simmering tension over the killing of Pro-Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar , has led India to temporarily suspend issuing visas to Canadian citizens. The ministry of external affairs citied security threat in taking the step.

Spokesperson for External Affairs Ministry Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said the decision will include Canadian visa applicants in third countries even as he asserted Canada must act against the pro-Khalistani elements operating from its territory.

The move comes amid an escalating diplomatic row over Ottawa's allegations relating to the killing of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil.

India is temporarily unable to process visa applications from Canada because of the "security threats" faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada, Bagchi said at a media briefing.

"You are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. It has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications," he said.

"The issue is the incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates. That's making us temporarily stop the issuance of visas or providing visa services," he said.

Top Points to visa suspension for Canadian citizen

-A Canadian citizen will not be able to apply for visa even if they are living in a different country.

-Arindam Bagchi said that all categories of visas for Canadian citizens have been suspended.

-Those who have valid visas and documents like OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards are free to travel to India, said Bagchi

-MEA spokesperson also said that the e-visa services are also suspended. Our high commissions and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications" Bagchi told reporters.

-A private agency hired by India to carry out the initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians put out a note on its website on suspension of visa services due to "operational reasons"

-BLS International informed the stock exchanges that it had suspended India visa services in Canada with immediate effect. Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the message said.

India-Canada diplomatic Row

India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

The row erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing.

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.

In reflection of hardening of its position, India on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes as well as "criminal violence" in that country.

Arindam Bagchi on Thursday also said that there was a degree of "prejudice" in Trudeau's allegations against.

He said Canada did not share any specific information with India on the case.

The India-Canada ties were reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.

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India-Canada News: The Canadian government on Wednesday discarded India's travel warning for its citizens to exercise caution while traveling to Canada . Canada is a safe country", said Canadian public safety minister Dominic Leblanc as quoted by Reuters.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in an official statement, 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 traveling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," the statement read.

Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," the statement added.

The move comes just days after Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the countrys parliament that there were credible allegations linking Indias government to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan leader in Canada, in June this year. Trudeaus speech caused immediate controversy as India denied the charges as baseless" and motivated".

Major world powers also weighed in on the controversy. 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," said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong struck a similar tone and pointed out that an investigation was ongoing.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti called for close partners to cooperate in the investigation and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Garcetti also said that it was too early for America to consider playing a role in calming tensions between the two countries.

Prime Minister Trudeau also seemed to dial down his statements.

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," he said, speaking to reporters.

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It was Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy's first in-person appearance at a UN 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, according to Reuters reports.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to 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, Reuters reported.

Addressing Nebenzia directly at the meeting, Rama said, "There is a solution for this. If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskiy will not take the floor."

However, Nebenzia did not agree and went on to say the session was a show. He criticized Rama for what he said was making politically charged statements rather than acting as a neutral guardian of procedure.

After the session, the Ukrainian PM expressed gratitude to Rama on social media, saying the Albanian showed the world how to correctly handle Russia along with its lies and hypocrisy.

Moscow, while justifying its invasion, said that Ukraine's ambitions to integrate with the West including NATO pose a threat to Russia's national security.

When given the floor after the back-and-forth, Zelenskiy asked Russia to 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, as per Reuters reports.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also defended Moscow's use of the veto as legitimate, accusing Kyiv and the West of selectively following principles of the 1945 UN Charter only when it suits them.

(With Reuters inputs)

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Indias civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has only itself to blame for being dragged to court by Akasa Air. The low-cost carrier, Indias newest, has been crippled by the sudden exodus of 43 pilots, which it said forced it to cancel as many as 700 flights in August. It expects an equal number of cancellations this month, too.

An aggrieved Akasa Air moved the Bombay High Court, seeking 21 crore in damages from the pilots for failing to serve the mandatory notice period of six months for pilots and one year for commanders. Damages have been sought on account of revenue loss caused by cancelled flights, reputational loss to the airline, and the costs it had incurred on training the pilots.

The airline simultaneously moved the Delhi High Court, asking it to take action against the pilots. Thats because, unlike in most industries where the notice period forms a part of the terms of engagement between employer and employee, in the case of civil aviation, the DGCA has its own norms on notice periods for pilots and commanders. Failure to comply with the DGCA-mandated notice period can attract severe penalties, such as a ban on joining any other airline for a year and even cancellation of the pilots licence.

The root of the dispute is a 2005 order issued by the DGCA under its Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) rules, in which it imposed a minimum notice period of six months on pilots of all ranks. The notification it issued at the time argued: It has been observed that pilots are resigning without providing any notice to the airlines. In some cases, even groups of pilots resign together without notice and as a result airlines are forced to cancel their flights at the last minute. Such resignation by the pilots and the resultant cancellation of flights causes inconvenience and harassment to the passengers. Sometimes such an abrupt action on the part of the pilots is in the form of a concerted move, which is tantamount to holding the airline to ransom and leaving the travelling public stranded. This is a highly undesirable practice and goes against the public interest." It also said that it took about four months to train and license a pilot to operate an aircraft. Pilots-in-Command (PICs) additionally required flight hours as a co-pilot and had to pass another skill test.

In 2017 it issued updated guidelines, which noted that training replacement pilots could take up to eight months" and thus increased the notice period to one year for PICs, while leaving it at six months for co-pilots.

This provision was apparently brought to stem the exodus of trained Indian pilots to foreign airlines. But the situation today is drastically different. India has the worlds fastest-growing aviation market. Indian airlines operate around 700 aircraft, with more than 1,200 expected to be added in the next five years. Since a typical commercial airline needs at least 14 to 16 pilots, theres a potential requirement of 14,000 to 16,000 pilots in total.

India is, on paper, producing enough basic pilots with commercial pilot licences (CPL) to meet the demand. Last year the DGCA issued more than 1,200 CPL licences. But airlines are reluctant to hire CPL holders trained in poorly equipped Indian flight schools, because of which an estimated 10,000 CPL holders are jobless. Meanwhile the shortage of pilots has led to rampant poaching among airlines.

Instead of indulging in regulatory overreach (globally, most aviation regulators do not specify terms of employment) the DGCA would do better to address the quality problem. It needs to ensure that licensed flight training schools (India has 34, of which one is a deemed aviation university operated by the Centre) have the necessary infrastructure in terms of airworthy aircraft, simulators and properly trained instructors, as well as adequate access to airports for trainee pilots.

Airlines also need to walk the talk on training pilots. While most extract a service bond of five years, sky high training fees and sureties from trainee pilots, they are clearly not investing enough resources in training and prefer to laterally hire trained pilots instead. The DGCA should ensure that airlines are not allowed to grow their fleets without showing they have enough flight and maintenance crew.

Finally, the DGCA could also allow airlines to hire foreign pilots. As of the end of March, there were only 67 FATA (foreign aircrew temporary authorisation) holders in India out of the more than 9,000 pilots on the rolls of various operators. Indias demand-supply gap for pilots is a market problem that requires a market solution, not regulatory or judicial intervention.
A high court order in favour of actor Anil Kapoor has barred the commercial misuse of his persona, including his characteristic use of the term jhakaas. The interim order restrains social media channels, e-commerce platforms and people at large from infringing a broadly outlined set of his personal rights. The court ordered that the actors name, voice, image or dialogues must not be used without his authorization. So, using a voice clip of his for a ringtone, for example, now stands barred unless he approves. Also, the word jhakaasat least the way he says it. A Marathi slang that translates roughly to awesome, it has been articulated so frequently by Kapoor in his films, and that too with a particular twisted-lip inflection, that the court found merit in the argument that his way of saying it is part of his persona. Those who appropriate any of this for their own ends cannot claim to be exercising freedom of speech. When [free speech] crosses the line and results in tarnishment or results in jeopardizing the individuals personality and elements associated with the said individual, the same would be illegal," held the court.

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), there is plenty of scope for line-crossing that could leave Kapoor aggrieved. AI tools exist that could portray a highly realistic version of him engaged in appalling acts, with few able to make out that its fake. So the court order is broadly in keeping with a pressing need of the times. Given the pace at which generative AI is churning out material, some of which ends up going viral on social media, it was crucial for the judiciary to declare how the law would apply. Kapoor is not the only celebrity to have knocked on judicial doors with a complaint of this sort. Last year, Amitabh Bachchan had also won an order to restrain the public from infringing his persona. In general, it is entirely fair that famous people are not treated as digital puppets for anyone to manipulate as they please. Celebrities may not even know if life-like avatars of theirs are being deployed to send out some message or the other. Since actors do endorse a wide range of products, services and causes, not everyone in the audience may be able to discern an AI-generated job. It is not just the lost earnings of a financial deal thats the worry, but also the reputational harm that could be suffered by the one whose persona is stolen. And if the depictions are vile, as in the case of AI-spun pornographic clips, then the injury could be severe.

The logic of complete persona ownership cant go too far, though. Take casual mimicry of a film star, which is a common pastime in India. Would it be persona theft for a stand-up comic to do a Kapoor act that features the same lip-curled jhakaas? Such use can be argued to involve a commercial benefit for the user. Whether it also results in injury to the actor is far less obvious, even if the joke leaves him unamused. And what of those among us who have always believed Kapoors is the only authentic way to say that word? Have we been violating his rights without knowing it? It would be best perhaps to go by the context in which the tics of famous people are used. We often steal the mannerisms of others subconsciously. Such theft is common, even abetted by society as it conditions us to adopt imitative behaviour at times just to be likeable. What should matter is whether any injury is done. And that, again, comes down to context.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations that India was involved in the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader in Canada have strained the bilateral relationship. Trudeau, who had once termed India as a trusted friend", has now become the focus of much public anger in India. Mint takes a look at what went wrong.

The origins of Trudeaus India policy

Trudeau assumed office after a landslied victory in 2015. He inherited a strong relationship with India, thanks in part to the efforts of his predecessor, Stephen Harper. India and Canada concluded a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada in 2015. During the 2015 election, Trudeaus Liberal Party called for closer trade ties with India in its election manifesto.

What happened after his election?

For some time, there was concern that Trudeaus government was less serious about taking ties with India forward. Then high commissioner to India Nadir Patel had to dismiss concerns that the relationship was adrift. It was also thought that talks on a trade deal, which had begun under Harpers government in 2010, were in trouble. However, Trudeau made a high-profile visit to India in 2018. He announced an expansion in cooperation on counter-terrorism, energy and bilateral investments. However, the trip was marred by a number of occurrences. Canadas public spat with senior politician Captain Amrinder Singh, and Trudeaus refusal to meet him, drew flak. Jaspal Atwal, an extremist convicted for attempting to kill an Indian cabinet minister in 1986, was invited to a dinner at the Canadian high commission during Trudeaus visit. This caused outrage in India and the invitation to Atwal was hastily withdrawn.

Did that hurt ties significantly?

In the years since, both sides have stepped up cooperation in some fields. Trade volumes grew and free trade agreement talks picked up pace. India featured prominently in Canadas Indo-Pacific policy and both sides also spoke of stepping up defence ties. However, political tensions also grew. Trudeaus comments on the farm law agitations in India in 2020 drew criticism from the Indian government.

What sparked the latest crisis?

The year 2023 started well for India and Canada. Foreign minister Melanie Joly visited India twice and spoke of a need for enhanced cooperation. But, ties quickly turned for the worse, particularly because the Khalistan issue resurfaced in bilateral ties. Attacks on temples and demonstrations near the Indian high commission in Ottawa led to increased tensions between the two countries as India accused Canada of not taking its concerns seriously. Indias foreign minister S Jaishankar accused Canada of practicing vote bank" politics, in reference to the substantial support Trudeaus Liberal Party enjoys from Sikh Canadian voters. Matters took a turn for the worse when Trudeau accused India of foreign interference in Canada's politics.
Lee kun-hee embarked on a world tour in 1993 to take stock of Samsung, the firm he inherited from his father. Finding its televisions and other electronics languishing on shelves, he decided to remake Samsungs image. Change everything but your wife and your children," he told employees. One thing that didnt change, according to a ruling by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), is the close relationship between such chaebol , family-run conglomerates that form the backbone of South Koreas economy, and the government.

On June 20th the World Banks arbitration forum ruled that South Koreas government had left Elliott Investment Management, an American hedge fund, out of pocket by improperly meddling in a merger between two units of Samsung. The deal in 2015 between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was seen as an attempt to ensure a smooth succession between Mr Lee and his son, Lee Jae-yong. Elliott, which owned a 7% stake in Samsung C&T, objected to the valuation of its shares and launched a proxy battle, which it lost after South Koreas National Pension Service (NPS), which held stakes in both firms, backed the deal.

Yet in 2016 Moon Hyung-pyo, the health minister at the time of the merger and by then the head of the NPS, was indicted for pressing the pension service to approve the deal. This triggered a series of investigations into corrupt dealings between Samsung and the government which revealed that the younger Mr Lee had bribed the then president, Park Geun-hye, to aid his succession. Ms Park was impeached; both ended up in jail (and both were subsequently pardoned).

Elliott filed suit in 2018 with the ICSID, claiming that the governments actions violated its free-trade agreement with America, and sought $770m in compensation. The government claimed that Elliotts hedging strategy, which involved buying Cheil swaps after the merger went through, meant that it had made a profit of $1.9m. Despite the court finding in its favour, Elliott says that it was awarded only $108m, including interest and legal costs.

Instead of quietly paying up, on June 27th the Ministry of Justice petitioned the court to deduct from the amount it owed a sum previously paid to Elliott from Samsung related to the merger. Continuing to make life hard for a foreign investor seems at odds with the spirit of the countrys capital-market reforms, which are designed to attract investors and end the Korean discount" that plagues its companies. Such meddlingin other ongoing cases the government is accused of exerting undue influence on the business dealings of foreign firmsin part explains the discount.

The entire affair may also upset ordinary South Koreans. Aside from the drain on the public purse from the court case, it is a reminder that the original merger cut the value of the countrys pension fund by $300m, by some estimates. Park Sang-in of Seoul National University says the drama highlights how the relationship between the government and the chaebol will cost the taxpayers money".

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 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Many Americans lack proper access to dental care. Could creating more dental therapistsclinicians who have less training than dentists but can provide some routine dental care like exams and fillingshelp?

Theres a push in several states to permit dental therapists to practice, creating a tier of providers comparable to physician assistants. Where theyre authorized to perform basic procedures, supporters say, dental therapists could increase access to care in underserved communities, reduce wait times and free up dentists to do more complex procedures.

We just dont have enough practitioners that are willing to see patients who dont have insurance or cant pay out-of-pocket," says Robin Yang, division chief of oral and maxillofacial surgery and dentistry at Johns Hopkins Medicine. If theres a backlog of patients being seen for preventive care, practitioners dont have time to treat the more complicated problems they are trained to do."Around 74 million people live in areas of the country where a dental shortage has been identified, according to federal government data.

Better options?

But not everyone believes dental therapists are the right solution to the problem. Critics, who include some dentists and certain state dental groups, say the process to authorize, educate and license therapists is time-consuming, and they would rather focus on other, potentially faster efforts to address dental shortages and care issues. These could include expanding the role of dental hygienists, starting the first visit to the dentist at age one to improve long-term oral health, changing Medicaid reimbursement rates or giving incentives to dentists to accept Medicaid.

Without changes to Medicaid, it wont move the needle in terms of access, regardless of whether you add another type of provider or not," says Greg Hill, executive director of the New York State Dental Association.

Dental therapists currently practice in five statesWashington, Minnesota, Oregon, Alaska and Maineaccording to data from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the School of Public Health at the University at Albany, part of the State University of New York system. Some 14 states have legalized the practice, but there can be a long wait before it actually arrives because of a lack of infrastructure, such as local training options. Indeed, currently there are only five schools in the U.S. that offer training of dental therapists, who differ from dental hygienists in training and responsibilities, which can include simple extractions or placing temporary crowns.

Over the past few years, bills seeking to authorize dental therapists have failed in several states including Florida, Kansas and Maryland. This year, legislatures in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts are considering such authorization.

In most states where dental therapists are allowed to practice, meanwhile, there are restrictions on whom they can treat, with the focus of care generally placed on tribal or underserved populations.

Dental therapists can make access to routine care more accessible, so people wont need more expensive procedures down the road," says Laura Hale Brannon, a project manager for the Dental Therapy Project, a part of the Dental Access Project at Community Catalyst, a nonprofit national health advocacy organization.

Starting with Alaska

The practice has come a long way since Alaska introduced it to tribal areas in 2004. Five years later, Minnesota became the first state to authorize the practice statewide, though therapists are required to primarily serve lowincome, uninsured and underserved patients, or practice in a federally designated dental Health Professional Shortage Area.

I think the current approach, which focuses on underserved populations in underserved areas, is a good starting point and this should be the continued focus of dental therapy," says Donald L. Chi, associate dean for research at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. After weve made progress on meeting the needs of underserved populations, it may make sense to imagine how dental therapists could become part of the broader dental care delivery system."

The movement has been slow to gain momentum for multiple reasons, including interruption by the pandemic. The dearth of available education is also a factor. Of the five dental-therapy programs in the U.S., according to the American Dental Therapy Association, a trade organization, Alaska and Washington each has one while Minnesota has three. Three of these programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which evaluates the quality of more than 1,400 U.S. dental and dental-related education programs.

Despite the critical need to connect underserved people seeking oral healthcare with qualified providers, there havent yet been a significant number of individuals being trained and working in those states, says George R. Shepley, president of the American Dental Association. Even Minnesotawhich has been at a forefront of the dental therapy movementhad only had 146 licensed dental therapists as of mid-August, according to Rhonda Gravitis, president-elect of the Minnesota Dental Therapy Association.

There can be logistical issues in starting dental educational programs, even in states that allow dental therapy, says Elizabeth Ann Mertz, a professor in the school of dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Dental schools dont always want to support these programs because they fear alumni backlash, she says.

Shotgun approach

Proponents of expanding dental therapy agree that other options for alleviating the provider shortage and access-to-care issues should be pursued. These could include Medicaid changes and earlier visits to the dentist, says Catherine Hayes, chair of the department of oral health policy and epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Still, dental therapy, these advocates say, should remain as part of the tool kit.

Nobody is suggesting that dental therapy is a panacea thats going to solve all the problems," says Karl Self, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota and director of the division of dental therapy. It doesnt have to be one or the other. Lets take that shotgun approach and try anything thats going to work."

It took time for physician assistants to be recognized, but I couldnt imagine healthcare without them," says Sarah Chagnon, president of the American Dental Therapy Association. I think communities, over time, will see dental therapists the same way."

Supporters also argue that the quality of care isnt in question, since in all states where dental therapists are allowed, there are supervision requirements.

This is part of the regular dental team and some of the things a dentist can do can now be done more cost-effectively by a dental therapist," says Jean Moore, an adviser to the Oral Health Workforce Research Center and director of the Center for Health Workforce Studies, an academic research center based at SUNY Albanys School of Public Health.

In Alaska, having dental therapists has meant more preventive care and fewer teeth removed, says University of Washingtons Chi, who has published research on the topic. I think we have very good evidence that they benefit individuals and communities."

Cheryl Winokur Munk is a writer in West Orange, N.J. She can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

View Full Image Can Dental Therapists Ease the Dentist Shortage?
Microsoft will host its Surface Event in New York City today where a lot of new products are expected to be launched while the event could also feature the tech giant showcasing the new AI features coming to Windows 11.

When will the Surface Event take place?

The Surface event is slated to start at 7 AM PT or 7:30 PM (India time) on September 21 from New York City and the recording of the event will be available online at 10:30 PM (India time) on the Microsoft event website. It will be the first in-person Surface event held by Microsoft since the start of the pandemic and Microsft CEO Satya Nadella is also expected to make an appearance at the event today.

What to expect from the Surface event?

AI Features to Windows 11:

Microsoft is expected to unveil the Windows 11 update code named 23H2 which could pack a lot of AI features including Windows Copilot, an AI-powered personal assistant. The new update is currently in testing with Windows Insiders and is likely to be released by the end of September.

Windows Copilot is also expected to receive support for third-party plugins and Microsoft has already lined up many third-party developers like Adobe, Mem and Spotify, reported Windows Central.

New Surface devices:

Microsoft is expected to unveil a new version of the Surace Laptop Studio which will feature the Intel's 13th generation processor paired with Nvidia RTX 4060 and 64 GB of DDR5 SDRAM. According to a report by The Verge, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 will have a design similar to the original device including a display that pulls forward in order to transform the laptop to a tablet.

Another device which is expected to be announced at the event today is the Surface Go 4 which could be powered by an Intel N200 processor, reported Windows Central. The report notes that Microsoft has also redesigned the internal layout of the new Surface Go in order to make it more repairable.

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Climate Change is Fueling Plankton Blooms

An extreme plankton bloom has created a marine dead zone off the eastern coast of Thailand, threatening the livelihood of local fishermen and raising concerns about the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

An excess of nutrients in the water has caused the bloom, turning the sea a bright green and leading to the death of marine life in some areas. The dead zone has grown so large that it is visible from space.

Marine scientists say the bloom is the worst they have ever seen in Thailand. They are blaming climate change for the increase in plankton blooms, which are becoming more common and more severe around the world.

Climate change is causing the oceans to warm, which is creating ideal conditions for plankton blooms. The warmer water can hold more nutrients, which plankton need to grow. Climate change is also causing more extreme weather events, such as storms and floods, which can wash nutrients from land into the ocean.

The Devastating Impact of the Marine Dead Zone

The marine dead zone off the eastern coast of Thailand is having a devastating impact on the local economy. The fishing industry in the area is worth billions of dollars, and the dead zone has caused many fishermen to lose their entire catch. The tourism industry in the area has also felt the impact, as tourists are now less inclined to visit a beach with a dead zone.

The Thai government is taking steps to address the problem. It has banned the use of fertilizers in some areas and is working to reduce pollution from factories and farms. However, it is unclear if these measures will be enough to prevent future plankton blooms.

What can be done to prevent future plankton blooms?

One can take several measures to prevent future plankton blooms, including:

Reducing pollution from factories and farms: Nutrients from pollution can cause plankton blooms. Governments and businesses need to take steps to reduce pollution in order to protect marine ecosystems.

Managing coastal development: Coastal development can destroy habitats and increase pollution, which can lead to plankton blooms. Governments need to carefully manage coastal development in order to protect marine ecosystems.

Raising awareness about the problem: It is important to raise awareness about the problem of plankton blooms and the impact they can have on marine ecosystems. The public needs to be aware of the problem so that they can take steps to prevent it.

The marine dead zone off the eastern coast of Thailand is a serious problem, but it is important to remember that it is not too late to take action. By reducing pollution, managing coastal development, and raising awareness about the problem, we can prevent future plankton blooms and protect our marine ecosystems.

What can you do to help?

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent future plankton blooms:

Reduce your carbon footprint. This means making changes to your lifestyle, such as driving less, eating less meat, and using less energy.

Support businesses and organizations that are working to protect the environment.

Get involved in your community, and actively advocate for policies that support environmental protection.

We all have a role to play in protecting our oceans. By taking action now, we can help to prevent future plankton blooms and ensure that our marine ecosystems remain healthy and productive for generations to come.
The North American airports that travelers find the most  and least  satisfying
Drivers were forced to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to more than an hour while some took alternate routes, due to a hazmat response that shut down I-24.
Writers Guild making progress in talks to end strike. But that doesnt mean filming would resume
There are in the region of 800 Ukrainian refugees living in various locations across county Longford with the promise of more to follow, it has been revealed.

Latest figures revealed to local politicians at a council meeting last Wednesday revealed there were 790 International Protection (IP) applicants in situ across all three of the countys municipal districts.

The latest statistics concerning Longfords contribution to Ukraines humanitarian crisis was disclosed by Acting Director with Longford County Councils Humanitarian Response Team, Michael Nevin.

The last figure we had of Ukrainians who arrived into Longford was 750, he said, adding that a further 40 refugees had arrived into the county since the start of September.

Mr Nevin said while the councils chief obligation was to source private accommodation and match families to suitable living quarters under the Offer a Home Scheme, those avenues were steadily being exhausted.

He said to date local authority officials had placed 199 persons in pledged or shared accommodation in 62 properties countywide.

Mr Nevin said the council were also actively looking to identify a site within the county for the purposes of erecting modular housing to cope with an additional expected influx of Ukrainian families.

He said those moves were being made on foot of a direction from the Department of Integration for all local authorities to seek out a site, State owned or privately of at least 1.5 hectares in size.

We are doing our best to work with those individuals, families and groups but obviously we cant overpromise as we simply dont have the housing stock available, he said.

Under the refurbishment programme we have three properties, these are multi occupancy centres, two privately owned, one in Ballymahon and one in Lanesboro.

Council bosses are, meanwhile, awaiting approval from department chiefs to press ahead with plans to refurbish a building within the towns former Connolly Barracks to provide similar emergency type accommodation to Ukrainian refugees.
Sinn Fein will be standing its largest ever team of candidates for the local government elections in Longford in 2024.

Speaking after candidates were selected by the party membership, Longford / Westmeath Sinn Fein TD Sorca Clarke announced that her party will field candidates in the Granard, Longford and Ballymahon Local Electoral Areas. Currently there are no Sinn Fein representatives sitting on the local authority.

In this local council election Sinn Fein is fielding our largest ever number of candidates for election to Longford County Council.

Sinn Fein activists in Longford have selected Barry Campion as their candidate to stand in Granard LEA, Lorccan Keown as their candidate in the Longford LEA and James Donnelly & Maureen Pigott as their candidates to stand in the Ballymahon LEA for next years local elections.

Deputy Clarke continued, For the first time we will contest additional candidates in every single Local Electoral Area. This decision reflects the expansion and strength of Sinn Fein throughout Longford and the desire that people have to see real change.

I am delighted that local ratepayers will have the opportunity to vote for Sinn Fein council candidates in each part of this constituency. A strong team of Sinn Fein councillors will ensure that our council delivers on the issues that matter locally.

According to Sinn Feins spokesperson on Education change starts in our local communities.

Deputy Clarke remarked, Our objectives will be to deliver on housing, community facilities and amenities and investing in local infrastructure. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been in power for far too long. The longer they have been in power the worse things have got. The local elections are an opportunity to start delivering change.

Sinn Fein is standing a confident and experienced team of candidates combining age and different experiences and I look forward to working with my Sinn Fein colleagues on councils and in the Dail to tackle the high cost of living, the housing crisis and to improve our health system.

Deputy Clarke revealed that other candidates will be added in these areas as we progress towards 2024.

She said, I know that if they are elected they will make a significant difference to Longford County Council and the constituents they serve. I look forward to campaigning with them in the months ahead.

Right across Longford and across Ireland, Sinn Fein will continue to bring about real change and work for a new and United Ireland  to build a better, stronger and fairer country.

Speaking following the convention, Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands Northwest Chris MacManus said:

Longford Sinn Fein have selected a strong team with Barry, Lorccan, James and Maureen. They have all been incredibly effective representatives on the ground and this is reflective in the endorsement theyve received from fellow Sinn Fein activists.

MEP MacManus concluded, Im looking forward to campaigning alongside them next year as they contest the local elections and I myself contest the European elections in June.

Team Sinn Fein are here to represent real change and deliver that change when elected.
They join 79 other graduates from Irish and international third-level institutions, spanning the fields of engineering, IT, HR, commercial and finance, who have commenced the two-and-a-half-year development programme with ESB.

Pictured (left) at their induction at ESBs head office, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 alongside Paddy Hayes, ESB Chief Executive, is (Back L to R) Darragh OBrien (Tullamore, Co Offaly), Shane ORourke (Tullamore, Co Offaly), Martin Thomas ONeill (Carrigeen, Kilkenny), Sean Howard (Slieverue, Co Kilkenny) and Ciaran Nolan (Mullingar, Co Westmeath), (Front L to R) Charlie Dermody (Portlaoise, Co Laois), Eva Rapkauskaite (Cloondara, Co Longford), Sarah Hutchinson (Portarlington, Co Offaly) and Callum Bergin (Tullamore, Co Offaly).

This years graduates will be placed across five business units  ESB Networks, Generation and Trading, Engineering and Major Projects, Customer Solutions and Enterprise Services.

The tailored programme offers each graduate the opportunity to gain experience by working on challenging assignments and major projects that offer exposure to the varied businesses of the organisation.

ESBs Graduate Development Programme aims to recruit talent to drive innovation and support the delivery of ESBs Net Zero by 2040 strategy. This years intake is the largest number of graduates ESB has recruited in over five years.

Each graduate will receive a range of supports including being partnered with individual mentors from within their business units, IT equipment and access to allow hybrid working as part of ESBs smart working offering.

ESB is also pleased to announce that recruitment for our 2024 Graduate Development Programme will open on Monday, 18th September and we are inviting applications from all final-year students.

Applications can be made via the ESB website: www.esb.ie/careers
Longford students are encouraged to enter the 2024 BTYSTE before the deadline on Monday, October 02, 2023 at 5 PM.

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 at next years competition, including the overall award worth 7,500. Taking place from January 10 to 13, 2024, the winners of the award 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. Students aged 12-19 years can submit their online applications which includes a one page proposal explaining their idea. Qualified entries will be announced at the end of October.

For more information on the BTYSTE 2024, please visit www.btyoungscientist.com.
Charlie Bird and his wife Claire brewed up a storm today, (Sep21) leading Irelands biggest coffee morning in a 2million fundraising drive for Hospice services nationwide.

The couple, along with beloved dog Tiger, were at Wicklow Hospice just weeks after the former RTE broadcaster revealed he is receiving care at home in his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease. More than 2,500 people registered from homes, schools and businesses across Ireland to host a Bewleys Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice this year.

Charlie Bird urges people and business across Ireland to host or participate in these coffee mornings in order to reach their two million euro target ,I never thought I would need Hospice care, but since they have come into our lives, I have realised the massively important nature of their work in helping people at end-of-life and those with life-limiting conditions, lets have one last push to help us reach this 2million target. There is still time for individuals and businesses to host an event or simply donate to their local Hospice.

If you have not already registered to host a coffee morning, you can do so until September 30 at 0818 995 996. If you can not host or attend one, a donation can be made to your local Hospice at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: September 21 2023

Javesh Persaud Allegedly Lured 18-Year-Old Woman with Food and Shelter to Suffolk County from Manhattan and then Forced Her to Engage in Sexual Acts with Others.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Javesh Persaud, 33, of Shirley, accused of Sex Trafficking for luring a young woman who was experiencing homelessness to Suffolk County with promises of a place to stay only to then force her to engage in sexual acts with others for money in order to repay him.

This defendant allegedly took advantage of this victims vulnerability in order to inflict unspeakable and repeated traumas upon her for his own profit, said District Attorney Tierney. Human Trafficking is a scourge on our community that is often hiding in plain sight. My office will do everything in its power to combat this kind of atrocity.

Persaud is charged with:

Sex Trafficking, a Class B violent felony;

Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;

Three counts of Sex Trafficking, a Class B felony;

Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;

Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and

Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E felony.

According to the investigation, Persaud met the 18-year-old victim on Omegle at the end of July 2023. Omegle is a website that randomly pairs strangers online for virtual chats and video conferencing. When she met Persaud, the victim was undomiciled and sleeping in New York City subways in Manhattan. She had been kicked out of her fathers house when she turned 18 and graduated from high school. Persaud allegedly claimed that he helped people who were without homes and offered the victim clean clothes, a shower, food, and a place to sleep. He picked the victim up in Manhattan the same day and drove her to a parking lot in Shirley, where he parked next to a broken-down car. Persaud told the victim to put her things in the car and informed her that she would be sleeping there with him. The victim, who had no friends, family or contacts in Suffolk County, complied.

The next day, Persaud allegedly began to force the victim to engage in sexual acts with strangers in exchange for money which he kept for himself. He promised to permit her to sleep in the car and provide her with food. At one point, the victim refused to engage in the sexual acts and attempted to argue with Persaud. He allegedly slapped her in the face and threatened to stab her with a knife that he always carried with him. Terrified, the victim continued to engage in sex acts for Persauds profit. In addition to forcing the victim to engage in sex with strangers, Persaud also forced the victim to engage in sex acts with him by strangling her until she complied.

On September 1, 2023, while Persaud was not in her presence, the victim contacted Polaris, the National Human Trafficking hotline, to ask for help. Polaris immediately reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department, and officers were dispatched to recover the victim. The Human Trafficking Investigations Unit of the SCPD began an investigation and arrested Persaud shortly thereafter.

On September 15, 2023, at his arraignment on the indictment, County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis ordered Persaud to be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond. Persaud is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq. His next court date is October, 16, 2023.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anne Oh of the H.E.A.T. Unit (Hate Crimes, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias/Immigrant Affairs, Human Trafficking) with investigative assistance from Detective Joseph Collins and John Paul OConnor of the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

Sutphin Senior Housing to Include 52 Units with Supportive Services Reserved for Formerly Homeless Older Adults.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has begun on Sutphin Senior Housing, an affordable and supportive housing development in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. The development will provide 173 affordable apartments, including 52 units that will offer supportive services and be reserved for formerly homeless older adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. In addition, the development will be subject to leading environmental standards as part of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authoritys Clean Energy Initiative  a key component of the Governors clean energy agenda. "Thanks to a significant State investment, we are creating much needed affordable housing for older New Yorkers living in Queens while providing them with a healthy and comfortable living environment, Governor Hochul said. Like many other developments supported by the State, this project meets high standards for energy efficiency as part of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the buildings sector, especially in lower-income communities. As we celebrate Climate Week, it is imperative that we continue our work toward reducing the harmful impacts of climate change by incorporating nation-leading standard and building a greener New York for all. Developed by Breaking Ground, the project will construct a 15-story structure on Sutphin Boulevard, featuring 121 units reserved for adults aged 62 years or older, earning 50 percent or less than the area median income. Sutphin Senior Housing will also reserve 52 units of permanent supportive housing for adults aged 55 or older who are experiencing chronic homelessness and have either a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. The development will feature a 15,000-square-foot federally qualified health center operated by the Community Healthcare Network on the ground floor and cellar levels and will offer additional amenities for residents, including free Wi-Fi, a fitness room, and outdoor recreation areas. In addition, the new structure will meet standards for certification by the Passive House Institute and Enterprise Green Communities. State financing for Sutphin Senior Housing includes $33 million in permanent tax-exempt housing bonds, $53 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $13 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $6.7 million through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. Other financing includes $14 million through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Developments Senior Affordable Rental Apartments Program and $3 million in discretionary support from the New York City Council and Queens Borough President. In addition, the all-electric building was awarded $951,500 from NYSERDAs Clean Energy Initiative that is putting New York on the path to meeting the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Acts target of an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The building will meet standards for certification by the Passive House Institute and includes renewable energy and energy efficient features such as a solar array, centralized energy recovery ventilation, Energy Star appliances, triple pane windows and low flow plumbing fixtures. The development complements Governor Hochul's comprehensive agenda to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable, including a five-year, $25 billion housing plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, and electrify an additional 50,000 homes. It also leverages critical Homeless Housing and Assistance Program funding to construct or rehabilitate housing for New Yorkers who are homeless and are unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance. The FY 2024 Budget continued $128 million in capital funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The 173 affordable apartments that will soon be available at Sutphin Senior will be nothing short of life changing for future residents. With the inclusion of a 15,000-square-foot clinic offering medical and psychiatric care, and a highly energy-efficient, all-electric design, this health-focused development will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of all who call Jamaica home. Sutphin Senior is only the latest example of Governor Hochuls commitment to addressing the housing crisis while ensuring that no community is left behind in the transition to a greener economy. Thank you to Breaking Ground and our state and city partners for the role they have played in reaching this critical milestone." New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, There is no overstating the positive and stabilizing impact that permanent supportive housing can have on older adults who experience chronic homelessness. Sutphin Senior Housing will provide the safe homes and supportive services these individuals and their families can use to address underlying issues that contributed to their housing instability. I commend Governor Hochul for recognizing the crucial role supportive housing plays in our efforts to address homelessness statewide and ensure all New Yorkers have access to safe, stable homes.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, Sutphin Senior Housing is an ambitious all-electric development that complements Governor Hochuls ongoing efforts to bring safe, comfortable and affordable housing that includes clean renewable energy and energy efficient technologies such as a solar array, energy star appliances, and low flow plumbing fixtures. As we continue combatting the effects of a changing climate, NYSERDA looks forward to working with communities, stakeholders and our sister agencies to bring more projects like this to fruition, helping to foster cleaner, greener communities across the state.

New York City Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrion, Jr. said, Housing is the foundation to a healthy, stable life. Working hand-in-hand with City, State, and private partners, were delivering affordable and supportive housing for older New Yorkers in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. Together we are deepening our commitment to provide housing for the most vulnerable, and deepening affordability in this community.

State Senator Leroy Comrie said, The groundbreaking of the Sutphin Senior Housing development marks the start of a crucial initiative to bring Queens' older adult population the safe, accessible, and affordable housing they have been needing. My colleagues and I worked hard in the State Legislature alongside Governor Hochul to secure funds for this development in the past budget cycle. The Sutphin Senior Housing development will be a welcome addition to my district, and I thank the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for their persistent advocacy to include supportive service accommodations in the final project through their Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, Building new affordable and supportive housing is critical to addressing New Yorks dire housing crisis and rising homelessness that impacts every community. Sutphin Senior Housing will deliver safety, stability, and important services to hundreds of older New Yorkers, and I am incredibly proud to support this project through City Council funding and guidance through the rezoning process to expand its impact. Supportive housing is a key solution to supporting residents who are experiencing chronic homelessness and serious mental illness, so it is crucial that we create even more units that serve New Yorkers. I am grateful for the partnership of Governor Hochul and her administration, Queens Borough President Richards, Breaking Ground, and all stakeholders who helped this significant project reach the finish line.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, We must move with the urgency of now to address our citys affordable housing crisis, which has a disparate impact on our seniors trying to age with grace in their communities. The Sutphin Senior Residence is a critical investment in our mission to combat this crisis, and I commend Governor Hochul and all our partners for taking this bold step to address the severe shortage of affordable, supportive senior housing. Our seniors deserve affordable, high-quality housing that also offers the services they need to not just survive but thrive. Todays groundbreaking delivers exactly that.

Breaking Ground President and CEO Brenda Rosen said, We are thrilled to break ground on Sutphin Senior Residence today. Older adults are the fastest growing population in New York, and the fastest growing age demographic falling into homelessness. We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Hochul and the collaboration among New York State and City agencies that make it possible to create new housing, with onsite supports, for our most vulnerable neighbors. And with the co-location of a medical clinic by our great partners at the Community Healthcare Network, this project will bring vital health services for our tenants and a burgeoning Downtown Jamaica.

Community Healthcare Network President and CEO Bob M. Hayes said, Housing remains the most essential social determinant of good health outcomes. Affordable housing, combined with quality healthcare, improves lives and saves lives.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

Zelenskyy met with Michael Dowling at Northwell's Staten Island University Hospital and presented him with Ukraines Order of Merit.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Northwell Health president and CEO Michael Dowling on Monday, September 18 to express his gratitude for the assistance provided by the healthcare system to Ukrainian doctors and healthcare providers during the country's ongoing war with Russia.

In New York to give an address to the United Nations General Assembly regarding human rights violations he says Russia has carried out during the country's invasion, Zelenskyy met with Dowling at Northwell's Staten Island University Hospital and presented him with Ukraines Order of Merit as a show of appreciation for Northwells Ukraine Relief Fund program.

The program provides funding for aid for Ukrainian soldiers and hospitals, and Zelenskyy lauded Dowling for his leadership and compassion.

Thank you very much to everybody, to our soldiers and their relatives. I see some of them sitting here with their wives, sisters, and mothers, Zelenskyy said. Thank you to the staff and doctors who gave them the possibility for one dream: to live and to come back to us...home.

Its our privilege to help in any way we possibly can. What youre doing, Mr. President, is absolutely extraordinary. What happens in Ukraine, is important to all of us, Dowling responded. This is not an issue for just over there, its an issue that affects us here. And as you said on television last night, this is a protection of democracy and a western way of life, so we thank you for everything youre doing.

Northwell Health runs numerous medical facilities on Long Island, including South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Huntington Hospital and Peconic Bay Medical Center.

If you're interested in contributing to the Relief Fund, please click here.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 21 2023

The United States began observing Gold Star Mothers Day on the last Sunday in September in 1936.

Recently, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker attended the Seventh Annual Gold Star Families Recognition Ceremony at Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island. The service included songs, prayers, readings, and remarks by the community and local elected officials.

Today, we honor the families of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom, and we remember the heroes they lost, said Legislator Anker. Thank you to the Longwood Alliance, the Middle Island Civic Association and the Central Brookhaven Lions Club, the Town of Brookhaven, Coram Fire Department, Middle Island Fire Department, Longwood Central School District, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts for organizing and supporting this commemorative event every year.

The United States began observing Gold Star Mothers Day on the last Sunday in September in 1936. Today, the nation recognizes the sacrifice that all Gold Star Family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Madonna University is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking moment in our institution's history as we welcome the inaugural cohort of Haitian students into our MBA program. This remarkable achievement has been made possible through the generous support of the Felician Sisters and the unwavering commitment of our university administration.

Ten exceptional alumni from the Haiti Education Leadership Program (HELP) have embarked on this transformative journey to pursue their MBA degrees this fall. The establishment of this program was inspired by the strong desire of HELP graduates to continue their education at the graduate level.

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, a lottery was conducted to determine the recipients of the limited sponsorship spots available. We are delighted to share that every candidate who was offered a sponsorship spot graciously accepted the opportunity.

In a heartfelt virtual meeting held via Zoom in August, Elizabeth Prough, interim dean of the Graduate School, and Tara Kane, dean of the School of Business, extended a warm welcome to our new Haitian MBA cohort. During this session, they provided valuable insights into the world of graduate studies at Madonna University.

Dean Tara Kane expressed her joy, stating, "It was wonderful to hear the awardees' appreciation for the opportunity as well as to learn on how they plan on using their advanced education to better Haiti." This spirit of determination and dedication is precisely what makes this group of students so special.

Elizabeth Prough conveyed her best wishes to the first Haiti MBA students, saying, "We wish them success as they plan to work hard and persevere toward successful completion of their degrees." These words of encouragement reflect the university's commitment to supporting students as they strive for excellence.

Madonna University is deeply proud of the diversity and inclusivity that this new cohort brings to our university. We look forward to witnessing their academic journeys and the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on their home country, Haiti.

Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as we extend our warmest welcome to the first Haitian MBA cohort at Madonna. Their determination and dedication to advancing their education and making a difference in their community are truly inspiring.
The Balearics had a total of 105,434 empty homes in 2021, which is 23.9% more than the 85,062 that existed a decade earlier, according to data from Tinsa.

According to the same data, on the other hand, empty housing in the provincial capitals has been reduced by 32% since 2001, while the unused stock has increased by 24% at national level.

The document Situation of empty housing in Spain also highlights that in the six main capitals of the country (by volume of residential stock), this rate of decline is intensifying, with a 40% drop in the number of empty homes in the last 20 years.

The latest INE statistics, referring to 2021, estimate the number of empty dwellings in Spain at 3.8 million units.

Half of the empty dwellings are concentrated in 14 provinces which tend to be located in coastal areas, while the other half are highly dispersed.

In the case of Mallorca, for example, against the background of a housing shortage, there is much discussion regarding the number of empty properties.

The focus of this discussion is normally always Palma, with the situation in the rest of Mallorca generally ignored.

But there are some striking figures regarding these empty properties, none more so than the figure for Costitx.

It has a total of 1,306 dwellings. Of these, 714 are empty, 54.7%.

Why is there such a high number? The president of the College of Real Estate Agents, Jose Miguel Artieda, says that it is partly due to a reluctance to rent properties out. More than this is the fact that many of the homes that appear in the census as empty should actually be registered as uninhabitable.

However, contrary to this a property in Puerto de Andratx and another in Cala Vinyes, Mallorca, are among the 10 most expensive houses in Spain, according to the property portal Idealista. In a press release, Idealista has reported that the 2,059 square metres property in Puerto de Andratx, is on the market for 24,995,000 million and it is the most expensive home currently for sale on the market in the Balearics and the seventh most expensive in Spain.

Meanwhile, the 1,437 square metres property located in Cala Vinyes, in the municipality of Calvia, is on the market for 24,000,000 million euros, the eighth most expensive property for sale in the country.
UN High level meeting puts spotlight on essential investments for universal health coverage

21 September 2023



Today in New York during the United Nation (UN)s 78th General Assembly, a High-level meeting (UN HLM) on universal health coverage (UHC) convened nations and stakeholders with a shared vision for reinvigorating progress towards delivering health for all and creating resilient, equitable health systems.

UHC, a pivotal 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), aspires to ensure that all people, everywhere can access quality care when and where needed. This includes access to health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Despite notable advances in health service coverage since 2000, momentum has plateaued since 2015, as highlighted in the recent World Health Organizations Global Monitoring Report. The period between 2019 and 2021 saw a stagnation in progress, partly due to worsening financial hardship from out-of-pocket health spending and partly due to slowing expansion of essential health services.

Three years ago, at the UN HLM held in 2019, heads of state and governments made commitments as part of the Political Declaration to dismantle financial barriers to quality, safe, effective, affordable and essential health services in addition to scaling up efforts to promote the recruitment and retention of community health workers. The effectiveness of this years UN HLM in facilitating accelerated progress towards achieving the 2030 SDG targets will hinge, in large part, on whether the necessary resources are channelled towards these commitments, strengthened by rigorous accountability measures and tangible, action-oriented results.

A key discussion area for the meeting was exploring the crucial role of primary health care. Attending the event, Dr Radhika Khanna Hexter, Malaria Consortiums Senior Technical Advisor, commented: Primary health care is a pivotal platform through which to address barriers to access and tackle disease burden, providing a route to connect communities with accessible, quality health services delivered equitably and without putting financial restraints on users. Malaria Consortium has a 20-year history of working with ministries of health and directly with communities implementing disease control interventions like seasonal malaria chemoprevention and integrated community case management initiatives, that do just this.

UHC is a national commitment in the countries where Malaria Consortium works across Africa and Asia. Our vision of a malaria free world where all people have access to the full spectrum of health services they need, from health prevention to treatment in support of their overall health and well-being is within our reach. Community health workers will play a pivotal role in ensuring that we can make real progress towards this added Dr Khanna Hexter.

At the forefront of this endeavour is the strategy of integrated community case management (iCCM), empowering community health workers (CHWs) to administer vital health services for common childhood illnesses, including malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. These diseases are preventable and manageable but only if they are identified early. In 2019, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health adopted a new CHW model called Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) to improve access to coverage of basic primary healthcare in rural communities. Malaria Consortium has supported the introduction of CHIPS in hard-to-reach communities across the country by harmonising iCCM and CHIPS modules, training CHIPS agents and providing them with malaria and non-malaria commodities.

Hadiza, a CHIPS agent visits a household in her community near Dutse, Nigeria, to conduct a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to detect malaria. If a positive test is found, the child will be referred to the local health facility.

To help ensure country programmes continue to progress UHC, Malaria Consortium has developed a UHC Action Plan and UHC Country Assessment Tool.

Read Malaria Consortiums capacity statement on integrated community case management

Read Malaria Consortiums technical brief on universal health coverage

Related content

20 September 2023 Integrated community case management

21 September 2023 Paving the way for universal health coverage
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Snow showers in the morning will give way to a mixture of rain and snow for the afternoon. High 41F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
Chinese, German media heads meet in Beijing

08:58, September 21, 2023 By Yang Sheng ( Global Times

The 14th Media Forum China-Germany Photo: Li Hao/GT

The 14th Media Forum China-Germany, hosted by the Global Times and China Media Management Inc, was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. During the forum, participants from mainstream media of the two countries discussed topics such as how to avoid decoupling and derailing, seeking exchanges when the world is in turbulence, the challenge of disinformation, as well as the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fang Jiangshan, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily, Chen Lujun, president of the China News Service, Dai Xiaojing, president of SEEC Media Group, Bai Yansong, news presenter of China Media Group, Chen Xiaochuan, former editor-in-chief of China Youth Daily, Liu Yadong, dean of School of Journalism and Communication in Nankai University and former editor-in-chief of the Science and Technology Daily, Bai Long, deputy editor-in-chief of the Global Times, and other representatives of Chinese mainstream media attended the forum.

Representatives from German media including Andreas Cichowicz, editor-in-chief of Nord Deutscher Rundfunk, Joachim Dorfs, editor-in-chief of Stuttgarter Zeitung, Wolfgang Krach, editor-in-chief of Suddeutsche Zeitung, and Jorg Lau, international correspondent of Die ZEIT attended the forum and had in-depth discussion with their Chinese counterparts.

Melissa Fleming, under-secretary-general of the UN for Global Communications, addressed the forum through a prerecorded video. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, also attended the forum and joined the discussion with the participants on Tuesday.

In the past 14 years, the forum has been held annually and alternatively between China and Germany, while during the years of the pandemic from 2020 to 2022, it was held via video link.

Fang Jiangshan, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily (right) Photo: Li Hao/GT

In his opening speech on Tuesday, Fang said that the forum, as an important annual event for media professionals from both countries, provides a beneficial platform for media exchanges and cooperation. He also noted that while the world is undergoing unprecedented changes in various aspects and the China-Germany relationship faces significant challenges, there are also tremendous development opportunities.

"As media professionals from China and Germany, we should approach the development of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, actively fulfill our media responsibilities, utilize our unique communication power and foundation of trust, adhere to the principles of rationality, objectivity, and comprehensiveness, and present the true picture of the Chinese and German societies based on facts, common sense, and logic," Fang remarked.

"We should play a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding, promoting friendship, creating a favorable public opinion atmosphere, and contributing to the enrichment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany," Fang said during his speech.

In her video speech, Fleming introduced the challenges brought by disinformation in the era of social media and the rapid development of digital and AI technology. She welcomed the media professionals of China and Germany, as well as other countries, to maintain and boost communication and contribute to a balanced environment for global communication.

During the two-day forum, media representatives from both China and Germany agreed on the importance of seeking consensus and cooperation and expressed a willingness to maintain communication and exchanges in the future. Some German representatives expressed that China's right of development should be respected, even if it sometimes affects the interests of Western developed countries. In the past, the automotive industry was considered a symbol of Germany, but now the Chinese automotive industry has reached the same level as Germany in the field of electric vehicles. The correct attitude for Germany should be to encourage its own companies to do better and engage in healthy competition with China, rather than decoupling, according to attendees of the forum.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) is hosting a meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs, Azernews reports.

Speaker of Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Bahrain, Palestine, Cambodge, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Turkiye, and representatives The meeting was attended by the Secretariat of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.

The meeting considered a draft resolution on "Measures to Promote Cultural Diversity and Protect Cultural Heritage in Asia", a draft resolution on "Integration in Asia through Information and Communication Technology", and a draft resolution on "Cooperation for Health Equity in Asia". A draft resolution on "Asian parliamentarians against corruption", a draft APA resolution on women parliamentarians, and a number of other resolutions will be considered.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has nominated its candidature for the post of President of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in 2024-2026.

Secretary General of the institution Mohammad Reza Majidi said this at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) in Milli Majlis.

He said he supports Azerbaijan's candidacy for the chairmanship of the organization: "I call on the member countries of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly to support Azerbaijan's chairmanship".
AIA Philippines will launch in October 2023 a high-performing investment product that captures opportunities in the global market, a top executive said Wednesday.

AIA Philippines chief executive Kelvin Ang said in a briefing in Ortigas AIA Global Dynamic Income-Paying Fund is ideal for investors looking to maximize their savings and growth opportunities with the possibility of having additional income.

The new fund will be managed by experts from AIAIM Singapore with years of experience handling over $244 billion across different asset classes.

Ang said the fund is ideal for adventurous Filipino investors who are unafraid to take a risk for bigger rewards.

AIA Philippines said its customers have benefitted from their expertise with Elite Funds posting gross performance between 7.07 percent and 13.07 percent since 2020.

AIA Group chief investment officer Mark Konyn, whose division manages more than $300 billion in assets, said the company helps customers capture long-term opportunities.

We make sound investment decisions based on deep bottom-up research, leveraging on out extensive resources and experience to deliver the desired outcome for the investor, Konyn said.

He said AIA Group is repositioning its portfolio of investments over the next decade to be in line with energy transition and environmental, social and governance (ESG).

AIA is moving away from investments in coal and fossil fuel in line with its net zero emissions target by 2050.

Ang said AIA Philippines has a more ambitious net zero target by 2030, with one of its buildingsPhilam Life Center Cebualready running on 100-percent renewable energy.

He said five more AIA buildings in the Philippines would follow the lead of the Cebu facility to meet its 2030 target.
CORAZON Atencio Maen, a retired high school teacher in her birth town Moncada, Tarlac, died at the Kaiser Vallejo Hospital in California at past noon Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines). She was 79.



Maen was the oldest of four daughters of Feliciano M. Atencio, mayor of Moncada for nearly 16 years, and the former Zenaida Alegre of Paoay, Ilocos Norte.



She left behind her husband Isidro, a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam and Middle East Wars; sons Orville, a US Marine Corps squad leader; Michael; as well as two grandsons and a granddaughter.



She also left her three sisters: Carmen in California (wife of US Air Force Major Ernest Jay Maske+); Maria Rosa in the Philippines (wife of Manila-based journalist Honor Blanco Cabie); and Gertrudes, also in California.



Maen taught at the Plebeian Academy in Moncada after earning her elementary education and education degrees from Paniqui town, also in Tarlac, before she relocated to California where her Paniqui-born husband was based.



She worked at the Silverado Resorts in Napa Valley in California as a supervisor before she donned her retirement coat.



Friends and relatives who met her described her with a sharp tongue and a good sense of humor, a good cook, with stamina, agility and passion when she was not dishing out stories that always evoked laughter.



In more ways than one, she has stood as a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for all of us who have entered the doors of the home that she has built with (her husband). Their home has always been a place of family reunions and gatherings, always a place of welcome, and a place of happy memories, one said.



Funeral arrangements have not been arranged. Honor Blanco Cabie

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US President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden was ordered Wednesday to appear in a Delaware court on October 3 to face gun charges, after he sought to avoid showing up personally in the case.

Federal judge Christopher Burke rejected Bidens request to appear by video, in which he said he did not want to cause a disruption arriving at the courthouse with his Secret Service escort.

The defendant should not receive any special treatment in this matter, Burke wrote in his ruling.

Burke though gave Biden an extra week to comply, from the date originally set for the hearing, September 26.

On Tuesday Bidens attorney informed the court that he would enter a not guilty plea to charges of illegally buying a gun when he was using drugs.

Biden, 53, was charged last week with three counts related to making false statements when claiming on forms required for a 2018 gun purchase that he was not using drugs illegally at the time.

He possessed the Colt revolver for 11 days before getting rid of it.

In June, a deal with federal prosecutor David Weiss  which would have erased the gun charges while Biden pleaded guilty to two tax charges and avoided prison  fell apart.

That led Weiss to filing three felony gun possession charges against him.

If convicted, Biden could in theory face 25 years in prison, though in practice such charges, if not accompanied by other charges, are seldom punished by any jail time.

Weiss, who was elevated to special counsel for the Biden probe after the plea deal fell through, in the meantime has signaled that he is still investigating Biden on possible tax charges.
A new apartment building in West Roxbury that opened this week is the first affordable multifamily project in the neighborhood in a decade.

Parkway 1208, a 60-unit building named for its address at 1208 VFW Parkway, officially opened during a ceremony Wednesday morning.

Forty-five of the developments apartments are reserved for residents making 60% of the area median income or less. And 15 are for those making 90% or less.

It is the best day when were able to announce that residents are able to move into new homes that will give them the stability and the opportunity to access everything that Boston is doing, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at the event.

Its especially exciting when those units are mixed-income apartments with affordability. Its exciting when these units are here in a neighborhood where we have been working really hard to site affordable rental housing and (where) we need to do more, Wu said.

In West Roxbury, 10% of the neighborhood housing stock is income-restricted, and 38% is rental, according to the city. The citywide averages are 19% and 65%, respectively.

State Rep. Bill MacGregor, D-Suffolk, a lifelong West Roxbury resident, said he was happy to see the neighborhood moving forward with new affordable housing.

Ive often spoken about my fear that my children wont be able to live where they were raised, and I know a lot of other parents have that same fear, he said. Affordable housing and pathways to homeownership are tools in the toolbox to remedy that here. Theyre also critical critical for stimulating our local economy.

Residents started moving into the building last week, according to Susan Gittelman, executive director of Bnai Brith Housing, the developer of the project.

Parkway 1208 offers a fitness room, dog washing room, elevator, central air conditioning, laundry facilities, common areas including a kitchen and a courtyard with an accessible play structure. The transit-oriented development is located within walking distance of multiple bus routes and the West Roxbury commuter rail station.

Read more: How Boston is spending to make affordable housing more energy efficient

Massachusetts Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said the states housing crisis meant there was a need for housing projects that are affordable and also provide a dignified and safe place to live for residents.

Anybody who doesnt think theres a crisis in housing Massachusetts, these 60 units have 4,800 people on the waitlist, he said. That tells you everything you need to know about the huge demand that is out there for folks to have this kind of safe and healthy housing for families and individuals.

Edward Zuker, a member of the Bnai Brith Housing board and chair of its real estate committee, said Parkway 1208 is the latest in the organizations history of producing housing, but that it would not be the last, even in this area. Zuker said that while Bnai Brith did not own any of the other property around the new building, they had already established an agreement with the next-door property owners to have right of first refusal if they decided to sell, to be able to expand the community.

We can and we will meet the housing needs of the state, he said. Were starting from behind the eight ball, but we are now turning around and seeing all these great jobs created. And this goal is a moral obligation to see that every resident has access to decent housing. This will ensure that we can continue to educate and lead the world to a better tomorrow.
As the MBTA works to improve its public transportation service and comply with federal safety mandates, commuters will have to deal with a series of shutdowns on subway and commuter rail lines this fall.

The MBTA apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled service changes and appreciates the understanding and patience of riders as this critical and necessary work to maintain, upgrade, and modernize the system takes place, the MBTA said in a statement Tuesday announcing yet more shutdowns.

The newest announcement revealed that Red Line subway service will be replaced by shuttle buses between Broadway and Ashmont stations on the Ashmont Branch and between Broadway and North Quincy stations on the Braintree branch during the weekends of Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and Oct. 7 to 8.

The newly announced closures will allow crews to do work on the Savin Hill Avenue and Dorchester Avenue bridges as well as perform tunnel inspections on the Ashmont Branch and lighting work at JFK/UMass Station.

The MBTA had previously said shuttles would replace trains between North Quincy and Braintree for night work, starting at 8:45 p.m. each night, for several periods throughout September; the final nighttime shutdowns were originally scheduled for Sept. 19 to 22 as well as a full shutdown the weekend of Sept. 23 to 24.

These weekends will also see shuttle buses replacing service between South Station and Braintree on the Kingston, Middleborough and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines. An express shuttle bus will also run directly between South Station and Braintree Station.

The T had previously announced that subway and trolley service would be replaced by shuttle buses between JFK/UMass and Ashmont Stations and throughout the Mattapan trolley line, two areas with some of the oldest tracks in the entire MBTA system, from Oct. 14 to 29. The shutdown will allow for the replacement of rails, ties and ballast, with the goal of eliminating 28 speed restrictions.

Other planned work during the Red Line shutdown will include painting, power washing, lighting repairs, vegetation removal, removal of tripping hazards and accessibility improvements at the affected stations, the agency said.

The MBTAs Orange and Green Lines are already seeing partial shutdowns. Because of demolition work at Government Center Garage by a private developer, Orange Line trains will bypass Haymarket Station and Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Government Center through Oct. 12.

Instead, passengers are asked to walk between these three stations, which are each less than a half mile from each other. The distance from Government Center to North Station is about three-quarters of a mile. Accessible vans will also be available on demand.

Connections can also be made via the Winter Street Concourse, which connects Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations.

In addition, the Green Line will not run between Lechmere and Union Square stations through Oct. 12 as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation conducts repairs to the Squires Bridge, which crosses over the Green Line tracks, in Somerville. Riders are encouraged to take the 86, 91 or CT2 buses between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch or the 87 bus between Union Square and Lechmere.

Another Commuter Rail shutdown is currently underway on the Haverhill Line between Ballardvale and North Station through Nov. 5 as crews conduct work to the Automatic Train Control system, a federally-mandated safety system that can automatically slow or stop a train in response to unsafe conditions.

Shuttle buses will run between Reading and Oak Grove for connection to the Orange Line, stopping at Wakefield, Greenwood, Melrose Highlands, Melrose Cedar Park and Wyoming Hill; and between Reading and Anderson/Woburn for connections to the Lowell and Haverhill Lines. There will be no shuttle bus service at North Wilmington Station, and riders are encouraged to instead take the Lowell Line at Wilmington Station.

Trains between Ballardvale and Haverhill will be rerouted along the Lowell Line after Ballardvale to make an additional stop at Anderson/Woburn, then run express to North Station.

More information about service changes and alerts can be found on the MBTA website.
Every household in the United States will be eligible to receive four more free COVID-19 testing kits beginning on Sept. 25, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

On the House and Human Services websites COVID-19 testing page, covid.gov/tests, a banner stated that orders can be placed for new tests beginning on that date. Like before, tests will be mailed out through the United States Postal Service.

The White House told Axios that it expects to have around 200 million tests from its new investments in 12 U.S. manufacturers, with tests intended to be used until the end of 2023. These tests will come with instructions on how people can verify if the tests expiration date has been extended.

If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that theyre made available to the American people for free in this way, Dawn OConnell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS told the AP. But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if theyre going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving.

Wednesdays news comes after 20,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported for the first time since March, according to ABC News.

It also follows the growing dominance of the Omicron subvariants, EG.5, or Eris. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID data tracker indicated that as of Sept. 16, Eris has made up of a quarter of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
Bluegrass fans can get their fill of live music at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Friday when New England band Poor Monroe hosts an album release party in the Divine Theater.

Featuring songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eric Lee, of Easthampton; guitarist Sean Davis, of Worcester; bassist Gareth Buckley, of South Hadley; banjoist Chris Boucher, of Northampton; and mandolinist John Benjamin, of Spofford, New Hampshire, Poor Monroe plays a mix of original and traditional bluegrass material.

The band formed only two years ago in the spring of 2021. Getting off the ground in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic made certain things more tricky, but the way it came together was unintentionally organic, said Lee, the bands frontman.

Since that time, the band has received two New England music award nominations in addition to playing live across the region  at the Green River Festival, Podunk Bluegrass Festival, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Basin Bluegrass Festival, and Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival. Their album, by the same name as their group, was recorded locally at Sonelab Studios in Easthampton. It will be played in its entirety at the Divine Theater at Gateway City Arts tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

Doors open ahead of the show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and can be purchased on Gateway City Arts website. The Bistro will be serving food from 5 to 9 p.m.

Lee took the time to answer a few questions ahead of Fridays show. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. I saw the band was first formed in spring of 2021  that had to be no easy feat considering the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the time. How was the band formed? If you could, tell me a bit about how Poor Monroe came to be?

John Benjamin (our mandolin player) called me up to say that he had a gig offer from a brewery up in New Hampshire, and asked if Id want to jump on. It wasnt much  I had to bring my own sound system and we played for three hours in a parking lot for not much money, tips, and burgers, but it was better than sitting around at home playing to only a metronome. They liked us so much that they asked us back. I figured Id see just how much they liked us, so I told John that if theyd give us a little more money, we could bring in our friend Sean Davis to play guitar, and they were on board. Not surprisingly, they liked the sounds of the three of us more than a duo, so I just kept up my little business strategy. Every time they asked us back, wed ask for more money to bring on more members, and before long we had Gareth Buckley join in on bass, and finally we added Chris Boucer on banjo.

So we had pulled together the essential five-piece bluegrass band: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo and bass. These were all guys that I had gotten to know over the years from different jams and the general bluegrass scene of the area, and I always respected their musical sensibilities. We all genuinely got along as friends too, which was maybe more important, since every gig, although outdoors, was still risky.

Q. How did it feel stepping on the music scene as the pandemic was still rather current?

Three of the band members have school-age kids, so we became our own COVID pod kind of by default. That put a spotlight on the significance of the gigs we played; while we definitely werent playing to very critical audiences, we felt that (the) opportunity to play with each other in person was a really special thing, and we wanted the material to reflect that. At some point, we started talking about what tunes and songs we were all working on at home just to pass the time and it occurred to us that maybe we should work up all the things we wanted to play for this band that we couldnt get our real bands to learn before the pandemic. We ignored the fact that we were standing in parking lots in direct sunlight, and instead rehearsed as if we were booked to play the Grand Ol Opry.

Q. What is the album being celebrated at Gateway City Arts?

The album is titled Poor Monroe. Its the name we chose for the band after a song recorded by Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs, which we also play in our sets. Im a big rock fan, and I feel its appropriate for bands to release their first album under the name of their project. Its a very band-y thing to do!

Q. Anything you can share about the album, as far as song titles, number of songs, and the kind of sound people can expect to hear?

The album features 12 tracks: five traditional songs, one traditional tune, four original songs (and a tune), and three covers. Im really excited to see how some of the most traditional songs and the covers will be received, since they cover a lot of ground: from Little Girl & the Dreadful Snake and Oh, Death (from Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers, respectively) to I Got A Name (performed by Jim Croce, written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox) and our version of John Hartfords Old Joe Clark.

I was really glad the band wanted to include my originals for the recording, and I think theyve done an exquisite job bringing them into the world  from the bluesy stomp of Bluegrass Boy to the chugging train-themed Get Up & Get On Board! The whole thing is very dynamic, but has a remarkably cohesive feel, which I chalk up to our strong work ethic in rehearsals.

Q. What is it about the bluegrass sound that you think draws people in, or if people arent familiar with bluegrass music, how would you describe it?

Its incredibly energetic! Bluegrass, when done right, has an instant effect to get molecules moving. This seems obvious, given the nature of the genres inherently fast tempos, but the speed is the most surface element of what makes it effective. The instrumental prowess required for taking solo breaks is another aspect that is just plain fun to watch. I think most of all, its the work that goes into the musical arrangements and the vocal harmonies that makes it really stand out from other genres.

Most of that work goes right over the heads of an average listener, but I believe everyone who hears it recognizes on a subconscious level that there is a whole lot more going on than they may realize. In mid-tempo songs and slower songs, these things become more apparent, and theres something deeply evocative about hearing multiple voices singing in harmony. I think that gets to be showcased more in bluegrass than maybe some other genres, where voices have to compete with drums or electric instruments. Wow, Im really sounding like an old man now hah!

Q. Do you have any musical inspirations you draw upon?

I have very eclectic and vast tastes in music. I love Indian ragas, early jazz, and the Harpischord works of J. S. Bach, and Ive already mentioned my love of rock and metal. When it comes to bluegrass, I have a pantheon of artists I look to for inspiration: The Stanley Brothers, Larry Sparks, Hot Rize, the Del McCoury Band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Dan Tyminski, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Don Rigsby, The Gibson Brothers the list goes on and on. Bill Monroe, of course.

I particularly want to mention Vassar Clements. Vassar was and always will be my favorite fiddle player. He worked across so many genres and with such a diverse mix of artists, and always maintained his own unique and beautiful style I just love Vassar.

Q. Anything else youd like people to know ahead of the album release party?

The Divine Theater is one of the best listening rooms weve played, so youll be getting a superior show straight out of the gate! Well be playing the whole album in its entirety, then play another set of older and newer material. Afterwards, were going to have a meet-and-greet at Judds Restaurant (which is connected to the theater). They have amazing Czech food, so plan for that! Youll learn odd and interesting facts about reptiles from John (Benjamin). Ill be wearing what I affectionately call my pumpkin spice suit Its gonna be a night to remember!
The Salem Witch Museum, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Witch City, is defending is reputation after USA Today named it the second biggest tourist trap in the world.

Some people had expectations and were disappointed because their expectations werent met, said Raelinda Woad, who has lived in Salem for 10 years.

Some peoples brains just want things to be the first thing they thought it should be, Woad told MassLive Monday. If its something different, instead of being delighted by experiencing something new, they resent the extra work their brain has to do to accommodate a slightly larger reality.

Read More: USA Today names Salem Witch Museum second biggest tourist trap worldwide

Woad has brought guests and their children to the museum and said they have always had a great time. Therefore, she couldnt understand why the museum was being portrayed as a tourist trap.

I went to MassArt, I majored in interrelated media. I appreciate alternative theater experiences, she explained. I enjoy how they tell the story, so to speak, and I particularly appreciate how they tie in contemporary witch hunts at the end.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

In July, USA Today analyzed 23.3 million Google reviews of the 500 most-popular tourist attractions across 65 countries in six continents. The outlet then scanned each review for how many times the terms tourist trap, overrated or expensive came up.

Out of 9,240 reviews, the word tourist trap was used 113 times to describe the Salem Witch Museum. Out of 9,555 reviews on Google, 120 use the term tourist trap.

Sad because this area holds such a sorted [sic] past and it can be interesting, one review reads. Instead it is a poorly executed tourist trap. Stick to the graveyards and actual history of Salem.

Dont waste your money. This is nothing but a tourist trap that is outdated and not worth the wait, another review reads. Do yourself a favor and look up a YouTube video on the witch trials, itll give you far more information. Or, check out any other museum. They have more information.

Assistant Director of Education Jill Christiansen told MassLive Monday that she believes most people who bash the museum have never actually visited it. She said the museum has left a lasting impact for generations.

We meet people every day who came here as kids, who are bringing their kids, or their grandkids, she said. Its both educational, historic, factual, and digestible for a wide audience.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

Staff also said visitors are often misled by the term museum, and Woad agrees. People think they will be able to wander freely around the space, which isnt the case for most of the experience.

Its more like an installation piece that is telling a story and people might not be expecting that, Woad said. The other thing about a museum is you go in on your own time and take your time. This is scheduled, so you go in on their time. Some people might not be expecting that, and they might have a negative reaction.

What to expect at the Salem Witch Museum

The museum comprises two presentations intended to educate people about the victims of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, including their descendants. The first presentation is a deep dive into the events of 1692.

Guests sit in a room surrounded by 13 life-size stage sets, lighting, and narration detailing the web of lies and intrigue of the Salem witch-hunt, the museums website reads. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an entertaining and educational experience.

The presentation makes it more of an immersive experience, so its not like youre just being lectured, Christiansen said, who has lived in Salem for 30 years. Its memorable.

Its a very interesting piece of history, first off, but you have to have the right approach to it, Director of Customer Service Faxon Michaud said. You couldnt just list a half hour worth of facts. You would lose everybodys attention.

The second exhibit, called Witches: Evolving Perceptions, focuses on the European witch trials and the background leading to the Salem Witch Trials. The presentation explores the meaning behind the word witch and the evolution of witches image throughout history, including the impact from movies and television.

Visitors stand in a room with several sets as a tour guide explains the significance behind each scene. The scenes even have an audio recording featuring the voices of the people depicted. The room, complete with a witch hunt timeline, resembles more of a classic museum space as well.

Visitors are then ushered into the gift shop, completing the roughly 45-minute experience.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

Christiansen said the museum has been a pioneer of creating immersive experiences since it opened in 1972, and that more museums are trying to replicate those experiences.

The museum started with one exhibit until the second was added in 1999, which was last updated just before the pandemic. Christiansen said the museum is in the process of redoing the scripts for both presentations.

However, guests unhappy with the entire experience will have to hold their breath. Michaud said they dont intend on changing everything because there are so many people who love the place how it is.

Its a really interesting kind of approach of how do you not totally reinvent the wheel, Michaud said, who spends the entire month of October just talking with visitors. Theres groups of people that come every single year and they love it.

Salem welcomed more than 921,100 visitors last October, Boston25 reported, citing Destination Salem. Thats a lot of people to appease, which Michaud said is nearly impossible.

There are negative aspects and weve taken that into consideration, and were trying to bring the place to exactly what everybody wants, he said. Trying to make every single person happy, its a difficult task, [but] were doing our best to make them all happy.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

Woad mentioned the museum may not be for everyone, but that shouldnt stop people from giving it a try.

I think that very small children might find parts of it upsetting, she said. But other than that, why not be open to new experiences?

Tickets are $17 for adults (ages 15-61), $14.50 for children (ages 3-14) and $16 for seniors (62 and over). Tickets go on sale every night at midnight and usually sell out within two hours, according to Christiansen.

In those instances, the museum encourages visitors to browse their online resources or explore everything else that Salem has to offer. The website offers specific information about visiting Salem in October including a link to the Haunted Happenings website.
Wholly Cannoli in Worcester is moving, but not far.

For lease signs outside the cafe on Grafton Street have raised eyebrows on social media but Wholly Cannolis owner assures customers, theyre just moving into their next-door bakery.

The owner of Wholly Cannoli, Rich Elia, said they plan to move into their bakery at 488 Grafton St. in October. He said this will make things easier by having everything under one roof and rather than moving things next door to the current shop at 490 Grafton St.

Read more: Toro Loco Taqueria hopes to offer Mexican food fast in downtown Worcester

Its just for the better, said Elia. Were doing the whole [bakery] over and it will have better service ... Itll be nice when its done and a better experience for the customers.

Wholly Cannoli is known for its specialty cannolis, of which it offers more than 40 flavors. Popular bakery items include the Dynamite Stick, cannoli filling covered in caramel and a chocolate crunch shell; the Cherry Bomb, sweetened ricotta with a cherry in the middle and a chocolate shell; and the Land Mine, pina colada cannoli filling dipped in white chocolate with a coconut shell.

Elia founded Wholly Cannoli in 2000, when it was located on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, according to their website. The bakery moved to Grafton Street in 2002, and in 2009, their cafe opened up next door.
Chicopee native Susan Zalewa Canavan, 66, stands in front of the South Carolina welcome center off I-95 in Hardeeville, where she is a travel counselor. She has been welcoming road-weary motorists to the Palmetto State the past five years. (Norm Roy photo)
SPRINGFIELD  Two former mayoral candidates are endorsing Justin Hurst, who seeks to unseat Domenic Sarno as Springfields mayor.

State Rep. Orlando Ramos, D-Springfield, and psychotherapist David Ciampi, both of whom came up short in the Sept. 12 preliminary election, have declared support for Hurst.

Another candidate, City Council President Jesse Lederman, has not endorsed either Sarno or Hurst.

Right now, my focus is our fourth session of the City Council, Lederman said. In a statement, Lederman congratulated the candidates who are moving forward to the final election.

Sen. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, is backing Hurst.

He has the record that shows that he can be held accountable and hold others accountable, Gomez said. Hes willing to work across lines with different levels of government.

Gomez added: When were looking towards the future of what the city and the demographic looks like, we need to start looking (at) somebody that has an understanding and appreciation of everyone.

An attempt to reach Sarno for comment Wednesday was unsuccessful. Sarnos campaign kickoff was held at the Greek Cultural Center in mid-May and drew over 500 supporters. At the event, Sarno listed funding economic development projects in the citys downtown, building new schools and improving Springfields infrastructure as a few of his his goals if re-elected.

Sarno came out on top in the Sept. 12 preliminary election with 7,120 votes, of 47.7% of the votes cast. Hurst finished second with 4,292 votes, or 28.8%, earning him a spot on the November ballot over Ramos, Lederman and Ciampi.

Ramos finished third, with 2,032 votes, collecting 13.6% of the ballots. Lederman followed in fourth place with 1,344 votes, or 9%.

Ciampi finished the preliminary round in fifth place with 93 votes. His endorsement of Hurst was announced Sept. 15.

In a statement, Ciampi said he believes that having Sarno serve as mayor of Springfield for 20 years, if reelected, will not benefit the city. Sarno was first elected in November 2007.

City priorities change and often require new policy initiatives that can best be introduced by fresh leadership, Ciampi said. I believe there should be fresh leadership to bring about those new changes in fiscally conservative ways, which is why Im supporting Justin Hurst for Mayor.

Ramos endorsed Hurst on Tuesday. In a statement, he said the city cannot afford another four years of Sarnos leadership.

During his tenure, Springfield has become less safe, more expensive and as a consequence, less desirable for new businesses, Ramos said. Our city is in dire need of new leadership, fresh ideas and new approaches to solving problems.

Ramos could not be reached for further comment.

Hurst said he appreciates the endorsements.

They mean a lot, and theyre well-respected individuals in their communities, Hurst said. They are viewed as individuals who have dedicated a good amount of their lives to service, and if I can emulate what it is that they continue to do day and day out as the mayor, Springfield will be a better place.

Hurst commended Ciampi and Ramos for running good campaigns and serving the residents of Springfield.

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Heroic bystanders attempted to save multiple family members caught in a rip current off of Massachusetts Wednesday.

At about 12:43 p.m., four swimmers were reported to have been in distress as they were caught in a rip current near 274 North End Boulevard in Salisbury.

Although first responders arrived within five minutes of the call, a majority of the swimmers had already been rescued and removed from the water by bystanders, Salisbury Fire Chief Scott Carrigan said.

However, one person remained in the water about 50-75 yards from shore. They appeared to be unresponsive, Carrigan said.

Within minutes, members of the Salisbury Fire and Police departments entered the water and removed the last swimmer. Advanced life support medical care was immediately initiated and the patient was transported to a local hospital.

WCVB reported a father was the one taken to the hospital after going in after his son screaming for help.

A witness told the news outlet that the father ran into the ocean after his son. But then he began to struggle himself.

I hear, Help, help. So, Im looking out and then I see someone out there and the father goes running in and now hes with his son, but now hes screaming, Help me, help me, Robin DiNatale, who called 911, told WCVB.

Two bystanders were able to rescue the boy, the news outlet reported. Although, at least one of the bystanders experienced exhaustion themselves.

Carrigan recognized that without the help of the bystanders the outcome of this incident could have been much worse.

Chief Carrigan would also like to recognize the efforts of the firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel that worked together during this incident. All responding personnel did a tremendous job and provided the highest level of care to the patient, the statement read.

The fire department said that if swimmers get caught in rip currents, bystanders should call 911 immediately. Rip currents are the reason for more than 80% of beach rescues, according to CBS News.

Swimmers should remain calm and swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the rip current, the fire department said.

ABC News also reported people should float on their backs to avoid exhaustion.
CHICOPEE  The School Committee put off voting Wednesday on a proposal to push for free community college for students of all ages. Members said they wanted to do more research about funding and other issues.

Member Timothy Wagner proposed a resolution asking for support to expand Gov. Maura Healeys new MassReconnect program, which offers free community college for people over 25 who do not have a degree, to students of all ages.

I think this is a great program, it is a great first step toward equity in higher education, Wagner said. A college degree is increasingly more necessary in an ever more complex world. Studies show people even with an associates degree make substantially higher wages than those with a high school degree.

Wagner, who is 20 and a spring graduate of Springfield Technical Community College, argued it is wrong to exclude his generation from the program, especially when costs of college have never been higher.

But other School Committee members said they had questions.

School Committee member Samuel Shumsky, who is also in his early 20s, asked that the vote be delayed until the next meeting scheduled for Oct. 4 so he could get more information.

Shumsky said he agrees higher education brings opportunities, but had questions about the cost and the impact to community colleges. He is a graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High Schools technical education program and works as a machinist.

The School Committee voted 8-3 to postpone acting on the resolution.

While member Donald Lamothe said he was not against the idea, he said other generations have struggled with paying tuition. He said it took him 20 years to complete his bachelors degree while raising a family and working full-time.

Right now there is $20 million dedicated to this. If you give it to every high school student, how much is it going to increase? he said. There is some cost here and we dont even [properly] fund our local K-12 schools. There are several school districts that are laying off.

The Chicopee schools are well-funded today, Lamothe said, but in the past that has not been the case and the School Committee has had to cut programs and lay off teachers.

Wagner said it is estimated that 2 million people statewide would be eligible to take advantage of MassReconnect with the $20 million set aside. That is a more than quarter of the population of the state, he said.

In a budget of over $50 billion, I think the commonwealth could find just a little more money to offer this program to more people, which not all people would take advantage of, he said.

Cities with larger low-income populations would especially benefit from free community college, which is why his proposal calls for School Committees in the three other Gateway cities in Western Massachusetts  Springfield, Pittsfield and Westfield  also sign off on the petition. Wagner said he would then send it to the governor and legislators.

Member Sandra Peret spoke in favor of the proposal, saying she believes the committee should help people get ahead in life. Not all families can afford the cost of community college, even though it has the lowest tuition, she said.

Community college is a great place to start and it does encourage young men and women to continue their education to a bachelors degree, she said. I know several people who got their bachelors did start off at a community college, because of the cost savings.
A 29-year-old man from Fall River was arrested on Wednesday after police ran after him in Rhode Island, as he was wanted in connection with a shooting in his hometown on Monday evening, according to the Fall River Police Department.

At 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 18, a 42-year-old man called the police and said he was shot on the 100 block of Choate Street by a man he thought he knew, whom police now believe to be Mohamadou Kante III, the department said.

The 42-year-old Fall River man was on his way to the hospital for his injury, he told police.

After the department stated it confirmed the identity of the suspect as Kante on Wednesday, local police jurisdictions in Rhode Island, including Middletown and Newport, helped Massachusetts officers arrest Kante.

The 29-year-old man led the officers on a short foot chase in Rhode Island before they got to him, the department said.

He is expected to be returned to Massachusetts and arraigned on a slew of firearm charges, including two of those with assault and battery, firing a gun within 500 feet of a home, a violation with two prior violent or drug crimes and carrying without a license, the department said.
As advocates wait for an eleventh-hour intervention from Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to save the embattled birthing center at UMass Memorial Hospitals Leominster campus, Healey said Thursday her office is doing all that we can to ensure access to birthing services in Central Massachusetts and across the state.

An advocacy group has planned a candlelight vigil at the facility Thursday night at 7.

The hospital has steadfastly maintained it will go through with the closure of the birthing center on Saturday, citing staffing shortages and a decline in the number of births that take place there.
Four community health centers across Massachusetts will share in $20 million in grant money to underwrite projects addressing the intersection between climate change and public health, the Healey administration said Thursday.

The money, which will be funneled through the states Community Health Center Capital Investment Grant Program, comes from the states share of American Rescue Plan funds. It comes on top of the $50 million in grants the state already has doled out to 35 community health centers across the state.

The grants are only the beginning of our efforts to ensure that community health centers have the support they need to continue to be at the forefront of addressing the interconnection of climate change and health outcomes, Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement.

According to the Democratic administration, the centers provide care to more than 1 million Bay State residents, including those who live in underserved communities. The clinics play a key role in ensuring access to care for MassHealth beneficiaries through both primary care and preventive care services.

The qualifying centers, which each will receive $5 million in grant money, are:

Brockton Neighborhood Health Center: The center will use the money to expand its services, including its harm reduction clinic, vision care, and an adult primary care services. The center also will use the money to replace several heat pumps with more energy-efficient units, the administration said.

Community Health Center of Cape Cod: The center will use the funds to open a new location to provide greater access to patients on the Cape. The new facility also will be LEED silver certified, helping to mitigate climate impacts, and will include low-income housing units to support the community and workforce, the administration said in its statement.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center: This center will use the grant money to its expand its East Boston location. Like the Cape Cod center, the expanded site also will be LEED certified, and it will include solar panels and rainwater capture. Thats expected to help to mitigate heat island effects and potential flooding, the administration said.

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center: The center will use its share of the cash to expand its current site, including its harm reduction clinic, dental services, and on-site pharmacy, the administration said. The expansion also will utilize solar panels and storage to improve clean energy utilization in the community, the administration said.

Community Health Center of Cape Cod currently cares for over 25,000 members of our Upper Cape Cod community and a growing population in Sandwich, Karen Gardner, the Cape Cod centers CEO, said in the administrations statement. Funding received through this incredible opportunity will bring much-needed primary care, specialty and critical enabling services all, including those most vulnerable in our community.
State officials released the results of the annual Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, or MCAS, exams this week, finding that about 700 of the commonwealths students leave high school every year without a diploma because they failed to pass the mandated examination.

Of the approximately 70,000 students in each graduating class, 96 percent meet the states competency determination associated with the test, which is administered to 10th graders as a condition of getting their diploma, State House News Service reported.

Of the 4% of students who dont pass the test  and therefore cannot earn a diploma  three-quarters already dont meet local district requirements to be eligible for graduation, according to state data.

The test is not without its critics.

Earlier this month, state Attorney General Andrea J. Campbells office gave the green light to a pair of MCAS-related questions that could appear on the November 2024 ballot, MassLive previously reported.

In response, the Bay States biggest teachers union said it was ready to kick start a massive signature drive to get one of those questions onto the statewide ballot.

The action by Campbells office gives the Massachusetts Teachers Association and its community allies 11 weeks to gather the 75,000 signatures it needs to put the question before voters.

MTA educators are committed to creating the best learning environment for all students, said the unions President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy said, adding that the action by Campbells office will allow us to make the case directly to voters at the ballot box as to why we must replace the harmful graduation requirement tied to the MCAS exams.

Also among the proposed questions are initiatives that would allow municipalities to impose rent controls, increase the the tipped minimum wage, and legalize psychedelic mushrooms, according to published reports.

Find your school district at this website by hitting CTRL-F and typing in a town or district name. You can change the test year and the grade results in the pulldown menus.
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.

Courtesy of Hubert Benitez.

Hubert Benitez

Age: 61

Community: Springfield

His story: As president of American International College, Hubert Benitez told MassLive hes a believer in lifelong learning, which he credits to being a non-traditional student.

I am a native of Colombia, with parents who immigrated to the United States in search of a better life through education, he said. My father was a first-generation, non-traditional, non-English-speaking student who came to the country to pursue his education. His experience is one that is common among many.

From there, he said he understood the complexities that students from diverse backgrounds can face while in higher education. With this in mind, he made the transition into academia so he could have a broader impact on the future generation of students, primarily those who come from underrepresented backgrounds.

First, he received his first doctoral degree in dentistry from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. At an older age, he said he completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut Health Sciences Center focused on education and research, before earning a doctorate in higher education administration from St. Louis University.

Next, Benitez graduated from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, then completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

All this time, Benitez said hes been true to his roots and background. His achievements in academia were his attempt to create and promote pathways to facilitate access and opportunity. He calls himself an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, with a passionate commitment to working with first-generation and diverse student bodies.

His efforts culminated in becoming the 12th president of American International College on April 11, 2022. As president, he said he looks at his work and the work of the whole faculty and staff has a direct impact on the most important asset our community has: its people, its workforce, and its students, including those who come from diverse backgrounds and for many individuals who are first in their family to attend college.

Lacking access to higher education and a degree may define the lives of many individuals who may feel alienated from fulfilling their dreams, Benitez said. Its purpose for young people of diverse backgrounds is to be the engine for economic development and student and social mobility, which he said is what AIC does for Springfield and for people all across Massachusetts.

Read more: Juan Caraballo performs disaster relief around the country

In his words: Keep true to your personal and moral values. Never forget your roots or where you come from. Be true, be open, be honest. Self-reflect and be aware of your own shortcomings. Be sensitive to those who look and think differently. But most importantly, work with love and passion, because people who work with passion make things happen.

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.
An Andover man connected to the fatal drug overdose of another man in 2019 pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Essex District Attorney Paul Tuckers office said.

Joseph Comeau, 28, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and intimidation of a witness, Tuckers office said in a statement. Essex County Superior Court Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Meyman sentenced him to five years to five years and a day in state prison.

Comeau was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with drug distribution that ended with a fatal overdose of Max Durham in December 2019, Tuckers office said.

Comeau bragged about the strength of the drugs, which ultimately turned out to be fentanyl, Tuckers office said. The next morning, Durham was found dead in his Andover home.

Read more: Cape Cod boat yard owner accused of sexual assault held on dangerousness

Prosecutor and Assistant District Attorney Kelleen Forlizzi recommended a sentence of eight to 10 years, while defense attorneys Nathanial Carney and J.W. Carney Jr. asked for a term of four years to four years and a day on the manslaughter charge.
A cadre of Bay State lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called on the U.S. Air Force to open up on the status of a planned semiconductor lab at a base outside Boston that they say serves a vital national security need.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, joined by U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine M. Clark, D-5th District, and U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan, D-3rd District, and Seth Moulton, D-6th District, sent the letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on Wednesday, asking him for a status update on the projects at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.
After Salem police responded to several incidents of anti-LGBTQ graffiti and vandalism appearing recently around the city, a man suspected to be behind the acts is in custody, police announced Wednesday.

Mohammed Saeed Rajab, 25, of Beverly, was arrested on five vandalism-related charges, including destruction of a place of worship and hate crimes, according to statements released by Salem police and Essex District Attorney Paul Tuckers office.

On Sept. 13, reports were made to police of graffiti that read Cancel LGBTQ 2024 on a door outside of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, as well as graffiti found on the Pride flag at the Northeast Animal Shelter, on several Pride-themed crosswalks and a Pride flag torn down at Lappin Park, police said Wednesday, Sept. 20.

An investigation led Salem police to work with Beverly Police Department detectives, which led them to Rajab, police said. Salem Police Captain John Burke told MassLive Rajab was arrested on Sept. 19.

Rajab pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Salem District Court on Wednesday, Tuckers office said. He was ordered by Judge Randy Chapman to be held on $2,500, have a GPS curfew, stay out of Salem, not carry firearms or dangerous weapons and was ordered to surrender his passport.

I am so proud of the hard work that my detectives did to resolve this case, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said in the statement. We have made this investigation our highest priority. I release 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.

Rajabs pretrial hearing will be on Oct. 11.
Those clamoring to see fall foliage when it happens in Massachusetts should look west, according to the website Mixbook.

The scrapbooking website posted its ranking called Fall Foliage: Americas Hidden Gems on Aug. 29. In the top four places across the United States to see fall foliage, Mount Greylock State Reservation was the top Massachusetts location, taking up the fourth spot nationally out of 150 locations, according to the site.

Mount Greylock State Reservation is a hidden jewel for those seeking the beauty of fall foliage, Mixbook said. As the highest point in the state, it offers panoramic views of the vibrant autumn colors stretching across the New England landscape.

While Mount Greylock itself is in Adams, the state reservation is situated in Lanesborough, Adams, North Adams Cheshire, New Ashford and Williamstown, and close to the Commonwealths borders with Vermont and New York. The location offers a plethora of fall foliage viewing alternatives to avoid what the state website calls Greylock gridlock.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation warned that congestion during peak October weekends on Rockwell and Notch roads could lead to road closures if traffic delays go past an hour.

Mount Greylock itself is the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet, according to DCR. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as 90 miles off in the distance from Greylocks peak.

Away from the hustle of city life, visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquil ambiance and enjoy the tapestry of reds, oranges and golds that blanket the mountain slopes, Mixbook added.

Topping Mixbooks list was Sterling Forest State Park in New York, followed by Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan and Bear Creek Lake State Park in Virigina at third. The only other New England location to make the top 10 was Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Maine.

Connecticuts Hidden Valley Preserve made the 15th spot, followed by the Nutmeg States Devils Hopyard State Park at 29th, then Vermonts Mount Philo State Park at 35, back to Connecticut with Mount Tom State Park at 48, New Hampshires Rhododendron State Park at 57 and Maines Bold Coast Preserve at 58.

Whats the next Massachusetts location to make the list? See Mixbooks full list at the link here to find out.

Wondering when the best time to take a drive to see foliage will be? Check here.
A 22-year-old Boston man accused of shooting his 12-year-old brother to death in July is facing additional charges, including manslaughter, according to authorities.

Boston police said they arrested and filed new charges against Walter Hendrick, of Roxbury, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, who is accused of fatally shooting Savion Ellis on July 13.

Hendrick was arrested on charges of manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device and witness Intimidation, police said. He will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Thursday.

Hendrick was previously charged with improper storage of a firearm (someone under 18 has potential access), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, Boston police previously said.

Hendrick was held on $2,500 bail at his arraignment in Dorchester District Court on July 14, according to NBC10 Boston.

At 2:05 p.m. on July 13, police responded to a call that a child had been shot near 35 Fessenden St. in Mattapan, police said. The address is listed as a multi-family home on Google Maps.

Officials said attempts to revive the child were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead after he was brought to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The boy was later identified as Ellis, according to police.

Hendrick was identified in court as Savions older brother, NBC10 Boston reported. Mayor Michelle Wu called the situation a nightmare for a mom and for a family, and expressed condolences.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
A 22-year-old Boston man accused of shooting his 12-year-old brother to death in July was ordered held on a $250,000 cash bail after appearing in court on new charges Thursday, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office confirmed to MassLive.

Walter Hendrick, of Roxbury, appeared in Suffolk Superior Court Sept. 21 after he was arrested on new charges in connection with the shooting death of Savion Ellis on July 13

Read More: Walter Hendrick faces manslaughter charge in connection with fatal shooting of brother

Hendrick was arrested on charges of manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device and witness intimidation on Wednesday, Boston police said.

Hendrick was previously charged with improper storage of a firearm (someone under 18 has potential access), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, Boston police previously said.

During his arraignment Thursday, prosecutors claimed the gun that killed Ellis belonged to Hendrick, and that his fingerprints were found on the trigger, 7News reported. However, the defense argued that the shooting was an accident.

He is crushed by the death of his 12-year-old brother, defense attorney Susan Neff said, according to WBZ-TV. He would do anything to make it not so and that if he could trade his own life for his brothers, he would.

Read More: Boston College suspends swimming and diving program after school determines hazing took place

At 2:05 p.m. on July 13, police responded to a call that a child had been shot near 35 Fessenden St. in Mattapan, police said. The address is listed as a multi-family home on Google Maps.

Officials said attempts to revive the child were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead after he was brought to the hospital. The boy was later identified as Ellis, according to police.

Hendrick was identified in court as Savions older brother, NBC10 Boston reported. Mayor Michelle Wu called the situation a nightmare for a mom and for a family, and expressed condolences.

Hendrick pleaded not guilty to the new charges and will be back in court Oct. 24, the district attorneys office said. Meanwhile, the shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
WEST SPRINGFIELD  About three angry residents stormed out of the Edward J. Municipal building Tuesday night after town councilors rejected a proposal to institute a 25 mph speed limit across the town. One woman blew a raspberry and declared the meeting a joke before making her exit.

In a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, only two councilors  Michael J. LaFlamme and Daniel M. OBrien  voted in favor of the change. Six councilors opposed the proposal, keeping the current 30 mph speed limit in place.

Despite voting against the measure, Council President Edward C. Sullivan said members of the councils traffic and safety subcommittee, Town Engineer Connor Knightly and Mayor William Reichelt are working together on traffic calming solutions. He said the group is planning to present their ideas to the public at the next meeting scheduled for Oct. 2.

Although the majority of the traffic and safety subcommittee recommended bringing the proposal forward to the full Town Council for the vote, its chair Michael S. Eger said he did not support the measure, and he asked the council to vote against it.

Eger said he opposed the resolution dubbed Townwide 25 because of a lack of posted speed limits on the towns roads and a risk that it could lead to discretionary enforcement where police officers target certain drivers.

According to Eger the state has a speed limit set by statute, and by adopting a town-wide 25 mph limit in West Springfield, it will make every driver non-compliant with the state-set limit

Eger said on his drives through the cities of Springfield and Holyoke, both which adopted citywide speed limits, he notices that drivers are still speeding.

This is a compliance issue, he said. We (the Town) have the power now to enforce the current speed limits, Eger said.

Along with Sullivan and Eger, town councilors Brian J. Griffin, Jaime Smith, Brian J. Clune and Sean T. Powers voted against the measure. Councilor Anthony R. DiStefano was absent.

Meanwhile, LaFlamme said the number one request he receives from residents is for traffic calming solutions.

He said the streets in District 2, which he represents, are narrow and thickly settled, with kids riding bikes and people walking dogs. The current speed limit is too high for those streets, he said.

LaFlamme said he doesnt believe that the problem of speeding motorists is caused by a lack of enforcement because town data supports that the police are doing their job.

This year so far, officers issued over 2,000 speeding tickets, tripling those handed out last year and accidents are up by 11%, West Springfield Police Sgt. Michael Reed said in an August meeting of the traffic and safety subcommittee.

In addition, LaFlamme, who is also the vice chair of the traffic and safety subcommittee, said Townwide 25 would have only negatively impacted a handful of streets, streets whose posted speeds could have been adjusted by the council.

LaFlamme said he believes the Townwide 25 and proper signage would make drivers more conscious about their speed.

There will always be drivers that speed but most people will adjust, he said, adding the lowered speed limit would have been part of a larger effort to reduce speed that included increased enforcement, proper lighting and raised crosswalks.

Also voicing his support for the proposal, OBrien said regulating the speed would have been a symbolic gesture to let the community know that the Town Council is going to make the town a safer place.
The Patriots had one addition to their injury report on Wednesday after practice as they prepare for their first road game of the 2023 season this weekend against the New York Jets.

Christian Barmore showed up on New Englands injury report with a knee injury that limited him in practice. Marcus Jones, who injured his shoulder in New Englands Week 2 loss to the Miami Dolphins, was the only member of the team to not participate due to injury. Davon Godchaux also didnt practice, but it wasnt because of an injury. His fiancee gave birth to their daughter on Tuesday.

The good news for the Patriots, though, is that three players had increased participation in their return to practice, including Trent Brown (concussion), Sidy Sow (concussion) and Jonathan Jones (ankle).

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The Jets, meanwhile, had four players not practice Wednesday. Running back Breece Hall, whos been a bright spot for New York in the first two weeks, was limited with a knee injury.

Heres the full injury report for both teams:

PATRIOTS - DID NOT PARTICIPATE

DL Davon Godchaux - Not injury related

DB Marcus Jones - Shoulder

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DL Christian Barmore - Knee

OT Trent Brown - Concussion

CB Jonathan Jones - Ankle

OL Mike Onwenu - Ankle

WR DeVante Parker - Knee

OL Sidy Sow - Concussion

G Cole Strange - Knee

FULL PARTICIPATION

No players listed

JETS - DID NOT PARTICIPATE

S Tony Adams - Hamstring

T Duane Brown - Shoulder, Hip

DL John Franklin-Myers - Hip

K Greg Zuerlein, Groin (R)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

T Mekhi Becton - Knee

CB Michael Carter II - Elbow

RB Breece Hall - Knee

LB Quincy Williams - Knee

FULL PARTICIPATION

No players listed

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For all of MassLives Big E coverage, click here.

Another chilly morning will turn into a beautiful, sunny day for fairgoers at The Big E, according to the National Weather Service.

People may have woken up to temperatures in the 50s, but forecasters expect things to warm up in Thursday afternoon with temperatures reaching 70-75 across the state, according to the National Weather Service on X, formerly known as Twitter.

[Thursday Forecast] After a chilly morning, another beautiful fall day ahead today, with plenty of sunshine warming afternoon temperatures to 70-75, along with light north to northeast winds. Enjoy!  #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/Mr0scCKFUu  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) September 21, 2023

The forecast for West Springfield on Thursday calls for sunny skies with a high near 73 degrees, and a breeze between 3-7 mph in the morning. Temperatures could drop as low as 47 degrees at night, forecasters said.

A wonderful stretch of fall weather, is expected to last through Friday, complete with warm days and cool nights, the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Read More: Big E brawls were real but police warned staged TikTok fights could come

However, more unpleasant weather is possible during the weekend because of distant Hurricane Nigel, which could send rough surf and rip currents to Massachusetts starting Thursday, forecasters said.

Periods of rain are also expected in southern New England over the weekend. It appears that Massachusetts will see some showers on Saturday and maybe Sunday, NBC10 Boston reported.

According to the National Weather Service, rain in West Springfield could start as early as 8 a.m. Saturday with a chance of it continuing throughout the day. It could also continue throughout the day on Sunday.

Most of the state is under a limited risk for rain Saturday while the southeast portion is under an elevated risk, according to a hazardous weather outlook map. Cape Cod and the Islands might get the bulk of the rain, the NBC10 Boston added. Due to the weekend still being a few days away, forecasters are still unsure how much rain the state will get.

For more on daily weather ahead of going to The Big E, click here.
SOUTHWICK  The project to build a fiber-optic broadband network in town officially kicked off Tuesday after the High Speed Internet Subcommittee met for the first time to map out the scope of the project.

We were a little slow in getting out of the gate, but were going to get this thing moving, said Select Board Chair Doug Moglin. He will also serve as chair of the subcommittee, which plans to meet every other Tuesday.

In May, voters approved a $3 million bond to supplement over $900,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds authorized by the Select Board a couple of weeks prior to Town Meeting.
On the 18th of September 2023, the Embassy of Japan in Mauritius and the NGO Mauritius Family Planning Association (MFPWA) officiated the handover ceremony of 2 new ultrasound machines and 1 seven-seaters vehicle at the MFPWA center in Port-Louis.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon, the Vice President of the Republic of Mauritius, Hon. Dr. Marie Christiane Dorine Chukowry, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, H.E Mr. KAWAGUCHI Shuichiro, Ambassador of Japan to Mauritius, Mr. Poubarlanaden Appavoo, chairman of MFPWA, staff from the Embassy of Japan and the NGO as well as relevant stakeholders. This project was funded through Japans official development assistance programme, Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP, or  KUSANONE ).

The Grant has been allocated to the NGO for The Project for Provision of Ultrasound Machines for Gynecological and Abdomen Screening and Vehicle which formalized the amount of 69,641 EUR (approximately 3.1 million MUR). In his speech, the Ambassador KAWAGUCHI Shuichiro stated that the grant assistance is a renewed expression of support from Japan in the fight for the prevention of cancer.

With the acquirement of this new equipment from Japan, 2 new ultrasound machines by Konica Minolta and 1 seven-seaters vehicle from Toyota, the NGO will be able to:

1 provide gynaecological and abdomen screening services to more people.

2 visit and provide more services including emergency interventions in the communities, thanks to a better access to the areas with narrow streets.

The project aims at increasing the early detection of diseases such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. The MFPWA has been facing difficulties in providing their services as 2 ultrasound machines are getting old and often break down. These machines were funded by the GGP in 2007 and have been active for more than 16 years.

The services provided and activities by MFPWA include gynaecological and abdomen screening, promotion of sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS campaign, the empowerment of women, capacity building of vulnerable people and other health and family welfare programmes in the community.

GGP is a small-scale assistance scheme offered by the Government of Japan since 1989. It provides financial support to non-profit organisations for implementing projects aimed for economic and social development at the grassroots level in the areas such as health, education and poverty relief.
As we observe the progress of the devastating war being waged by Russia in Ukraine, the most immediately compelling images are the ones showing death and destruction. They portray a terrible truth about war. Innocent people are randomly killed; families are shattered; property and treasured possessions are destroyed. There is a heavy toll on the defending army, with ever expanding cemeteries of freshly dug graves.

Yet we also see images of people trying to get on with their normal lives. Drinking coffee and chatting in cafes. Walking their dogs in the streets of Kyiv, knowing that at any moment a random Russian missile may target them. Attending concerts, when they may have to rush to the bomb shelter if an air raid siren goes off. People are resilient and try to cope. Communities come together and help each other. But economic development is put on hold indefinitely.

Curiously, these were some of the thoughts that passed through my mind as I read Mayo  The Irish Revolution, 1912-23, by Dutch historian Joost Augusteijn, published by Four Courts Press.

The book grew out of the authors doctoral research in the 1980s but, unlike many dissertations, it manages to combine detailed and careful scholarship with engaging and compelling readability.





On the fringe

We are presented with an account of a turbulent period in Mayo that involved the concluding stages of the Land War; the outbreak of the 1914-18 Great War; the War of Independence from 1916 to 1921 and the Civil War from 1922 to 1923. The focus is not on strategic planning emanating from the Dublin HQ or the minute details of the fighting. Rather it portrays how a relatively isolated society, one that was still adjusting and modernising after the ravages of the Great Famine, coped with these events as their consequences spread through society.

Change came, but not in any massively disruptive, revolutionary sense. Violence was never the first choice for action. People pursued peaceful  albeit, assertive  political means, and were only pushed into armed conflict by coercive actions of the RIC and British forces.

The Land War had dragged on in Mayo. Evictions were still taking place on the estates of Lord Sligo as late as 1912 as a means of dealing with rent strikes. People remembered when Lord Sligo led efforts to get people to enlist in the army after the outbreak of the Great War. Westport won the prize for fewest recruits! An RIC County Inspector blamed this on underdevelopment and said that the people in the greater portion of this county are still backward. Living in desolation and isolation for generations on the fringe of civilisation, they have experienced no influences to make them manly, sturdy and independent.

At another recruitment drive, a British Army Colonel complained too: There were shop assistants almost all big lusty fellows of the proper type for military duty, standing behind counters measuring out yards of ribbon that was womens work and all these men should be serving their country.

Ironically, a couple of years later, many of them were but not the country that the colonel intended.

The geographical peripherality of Mayo had the effect of making it politically peripheral. Decisions were made in Dublin, and good communications with the West were not a priority (a pattern of behaviour that endures today). The first that the Mayo activists heard about the Easter Rising was on Easter Monday night, after it started. They were even unaware of the surrender the following Saturday.





Taunting and frustrating

Initial local reactions were negative. Castlebar UDC passed a resolution against the Rising: We strongly condemn the actions of the pro-Germans and Sinn Feiners of Dublin in plunging portions of the country in horrors of civil war. But these views changed when executions were carried out and internment round-ups started.

The military actions that took place in Mayo during the War of Independence are well known. Equally interesting, but not as dramatic, are the many accounts of how people hampered the British forces and the RIC by taunting and frustrating them.

At the trial of Ned Moane in early 1918 for singing a seditious song, a band played equally seditious songs outside the courthouse and disabled the van waiting to bring Moane back to the police station.

Augusteijn concludes that despite a late surge in violence, the War of Independence had been of relatively low intensity in Mayo. It never developed the extreme viciousness it did in many other counties. Even during the Civil War that followed, society continued to function.

The superior heavy weaponry of the Provisional Government forces meant that towns could not be defended by anti-Treaty forces, so fighting tended to be in the countryside. If both parties had been better trained and heavily armed, there would have been massive destruction of the kind seen in the Spanish Civil War.

Destruction Irish style was more insidious. I have often wondered if the relative neglect of regional development in Ireland, and of the northwest region in particular, may have had origins in the pro- and anti-treaty divisions of the Civil War.

Were the last regions to hold out destined to be the last to be developed?





Launch and talk

Mayo  The Irish Revolution, 1912-23, by Joost Augusteijn, will be launched in The Irish History Bookshop, Cong, on Friday, September 29 at 8pm. Professor Augusteijn will be talking about his book at Tertulia Bookshop, The Quay, Westport, on Sunday, October 1, at 5pm.



John Bradley is a former ESRI professor and has published on the island economy of Ireland, EU development policy, industrial strategy and economic modelling.
THE lack of taxis and hackneys in towns and villages across the county has become a major problem of late. The hassle of not being able to get a taxi was often something we most associated at busy times in Dublin, particularly when attending a big sporting or social occasion in the capital city.

But throughout the busy summer season just gone, the same problem has manifested itself in the west, particularly in busy tourists towns, like here in Westport.

New data released this week from insurance experts at Insuremytaxi.ie from the National Transport Authority has shown that there are now just 220 licensed taxis operating in Mayo. There were 330 ten years ago  and since then the population of the county has grown by over 2,000 people.

Agreement hopes

This reflects a nationwide trend, with 19,500 licensed taxis, hackneys and limousines on Irish roads today, compared to 21,900 ten years ago and 27,429 in 2008.

John Hehir, MD of Insuremytax.ie, has said that soaring insurance premiums had made it unaffordable for many to pursue a career as a taxi driver.

However, the insurance providers believe a new agreement they have reached should cut hundreds of euros off the average insurance premium, particularly for small public service vehicles outside of Dublin.

This may perhaps will encourage more people to get involved in the taxi or hackey business, because, as Mr Hehir rightly points out, a lack of taxis can have a negative knock-on effect on the hospitality and tourism industry.

Being left stranded late at night because of a shortage of taxi drivers, particularly at busy times like Christmas or after concerts or festivals, is not a good selling point, and it was easy to see this frustration from tourists this summer in Westport. Most tourists want to come and socialise in the town centre, but if you are not staying in a hotel in the town centre, you will most likely be looking for a taxi to take you to the Quay or one of the many Airbnbs that are now based in the rural hinterland surrounding Westport.

Young blood needed

Mr Hehir has also called on the Government to provide more incentives for young people to enter the taxi business and to address the high insurance costs they often face.

He said: We would like to see young and middle-aged drivers entering the industry at a much earlier stage if thats what they would like to do. With younger drivers struggling to secure insurance at affordable levels, its no surprise that recent figures show that almost a quarter (23 percent) of all taxi drivers are now aged over 66 and 15 percent are over 70.

The Government needs more young blood in this sector if it wants this country to have a sustainable and well-resourced taxi service. Otherwise, the taxi shortages currently being experienced by so many will only get worse.

If the situation does indeed get worse, we could also see many tourists choosing to do more of their eating and drinking in their Airbnbs, and this will have a detrimental effect for all the pubs and restaurants who are already faced with a whole host of problems due to the cost of living crisis.

Lets hope the Government does take some action to try and reinvigorate the taxi business with supportive measures in the Budget next month.


A local man has objected to the renewal of a liquor license at Breaffy Woods Hotel at the annual licensing court at Castlebar District Court this afternoon (Thursday).

Stephen Kerr made the objection on the grounds that the Breaffy Woods Hotel was now operating as an accommodation centre for Ukrainian refugees and not as a hotel.

The hotel has been accommodating refugees since hundreds of people arrived in Mayo following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Representing himself in court, Mr Kerr claimed that the hotels liquor license was not suitable to the needs of the people living in the local community.

I am basically objecting on the grounds that the applicants character and the premises, unfitness and unsuitability for the persons residing in the neighbourhood, Mr Kerr told the court.

Patricia Lally, acting as solicitor for Wilson Bird, General Manager of the Breaffy House Resort, said she would contest the objection on behalf of her client.

Mr Kerr did not object to the renewal of the dance license or liquor license of the nearby Breaffy House Hotel, which was also dealt with by Ms Lally at the annual licensing court.

There was no state objection to the licenses at the Breaffy House Resort.

Judge Fiona Lydon adjourned the matter for a full hearing on December 14. She then told Mr Kerr that his objection would be struck out if he did not appear in court on that date.

Mr Kerr, who helps runs a website called www.irishinquiry.com, has organised anti-Government policy demonstrations in Castlebar in recent months.

He has also been an outspoken critic of the Government's lack of communication with local communities about the accommodating of displaced refugees at various locations around Mayo.
Global Healthcare Staffing Market Forecast 2023-2030

Global Healthcare Staffing Market is valued at USD 36.11 Billion in 2022.

Global Healthcare Staffing Market valuation to reach USD 58.43 Billion by 2030.

Healthcare Staffing sales to account for a significant CAGR of 6.20% during 2023  2030.

The healthcare staffing market has become a pivotal player in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. It encompasses the provision of temporary, permanent, and contract staff to healthcare facilities, addressing workforce shortages, and ensuring the efficient functioning of healthcare services. The markets growth is propelled by factors such as the increasing demand for healthcare services, technological advancements, and the growing need for specialized healthcare professionals.

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***Note  The Healthcare Staffing Industry Sample Report Includes:

Scope For 2030

A brief introduction to the Healthcare Staffing 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

Market Dynamics

The healthcare staffing market is marked by dynamic shifts influenced by both internal and external factors. Internally, factors like the aging population, the rise of chronic diseases, and an increased emphasis on patient-centered care contribute to a consistent demand for healthcare professionals. Externally, economic fluctuations, regulatory changes, and the impact of global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic have brought about substantial changes in the market. These dynamics make the healthcare staffing market a complex ecosystem to navigate.

Top Companies in Global Healthcare Staffing Market

Almost Family (U.S.)

Adecco Group (Switzerland)

CHG Management Inc. (U.S.)

AMN Healthcare (U.S.)

Cross Country Healthcare Inc. (U.S.)

Envision Healthcare Corporation (U.S.)

com (U.S.)

TeamHealth (U.S.)

Maxim Healthcare Services Inc. (U.S.)

Syneos Health Inc. (U.S.)

AND MORE.

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Top Trends in The Global Healthcare Staffing Market

Telehealth Integration: The integration of telehealth services into healthcare staffing is a prominent trend. Telehealth platforms require skilled professionals to provide virtual care, leading to increased demand for telehealth staffing.

Diversity and Inclusion: Healthcare facilities are actively seeking diverse staff to cater to a multicultural patient population. Inclusive hiring practices have become a significant trend, addressing both patient needs and workforce representation.

Data-Driven Recruitment: Data analytics and AI-driven solutions are being used to streamline the recruitment process, enabling better matching of candidates with healthcare facilities needs.

Rise of Travel Nursing: Travel nursing is gaining traction, allowing nurses to work in various locations, often with attractive compensation packages and benefits.

Gig Economy Impact: The gig economy has penetrated the healthcare staffing market, with professionals opting for temporary or per-diem work arrangements to enhance their work-life balance.

Key Highlights:

In-depth analysis of the global market for Healthcare Staffing.

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Challenges

Staff Shortages: The shortage of qualified healthcare professionals remains a significant challenge, affecting the ability of healthcare facilities to provide quality care.

Regulatory Compliance: Healthcare staffing companies must navigate a complex web of healthcare regulations, making compliance a constant challenge.

Technological Integration: While technology presents opportunities, integrating new systems and software can be challenging, leading to operational disruptions.

Credentialing and Licensing: Verifying the credentials and licensing of healthcare professionals across different regions can be time-consuming and complex.

Market Opportunities

Global Expansion: Healthcare staffing companies can tap into international markets, providing opportunities for growth and diversification.

Training and Education: Offering training and educational programs can address staff shortages and enhance the skillset of healthcare professionals.

Telemedicine Support: As telehealth expands, theres an opportunity for healthcare staffing agencies to specialize in telemedicine staffing.

Partnerships with Healthcare Systems: Collaborating with healthcare systems can provide a stable source of demand and long-term contracts.

Global Healthcare Staffing Market Segmentation

By Service Types

Travel Nurse Staffing

Per Diem Nurse Staffing

Locum Tenens Staffing

Allied Healthcare Staffing

By End Uses

Hospitals

Clinics

Ambulatory Facilities

Other End Uses

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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Key Questions Answered in Healthcare Staffing Market Report

How has the healthcare staffing market evolved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

What are the primary drivers of demand for healthcare staffing services?

How are technology and data analytics transforming the recruitment process?

What strategies are healthcare staffing companies adopting to address staff shortages?

What is the outlook for travel nursing in the healthcare staffing market?

How do regulatory changes impact the industry, and how are companies adapting?

What role does diversity and inclusion play in healthcare staffing?

What are the emerging international markets for healthcare staffing expansion?

Regional Analysis

North America dominates the healthcare staffing market due to its robust healthcare infrastructure and the need for a flexible workforce. The United States, in particular, is a major player in the market, driven by factors like the aging population, healthcare reform, and technological advancements. Additionally, Canada contributes significantly to the North American market, emphasizing the importance of staffing solutions in delivering quality care across the continent.

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by Fern Siegel , September 21, 2023

Ad agency Innocean USA iwelcomes Steven Nishimura as its first chief digital officer. A former Innocean digital executive, he joins from Saatchi & Saatchi, where he managed the Toyota digital business.

Nishimura previously worked at Innocean on the digital and CRM side for both Hyundai and Genesis. He also spent five years at FCB Chicago.

With 20 years of digital experience, Nishimura has worked on a variety of brands, including Lexus/Toyota, Nissan/Infiniti, Discover Card, HTC, Clorox, Stoli and Kahlua.

"We have the talent and ambition to future-proof our agency. My goal is to help bring out our full potential by more closely tying these capabilities to where we want to go  our agency vision. Digital is no longer a standalone department," said Nishimura.

His oversight will include website development, increasing web traffic, SEO market metrics, creative analytics, CRM and innovation.

Steve Jun, CEO of Innocan, called Nishimura a "proven leader and innovator in the field."
by Ray Schultz , September 20, 2023

The New Republic, a magazine devoted to political and cultural commentary and reporting since its founding in 1914, has launched an initiative in support of the First Amendment: The Banned Books Tour 2023.

The effort coincides with the American Library Associations Banned Books Week, running from Oct. 1-7.

The New Republics bookmobile will visit states with the alleged highest incidence of book censorship, including Texas, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Produced by Inspira Marketing, the Festival on Wheels, will cover these cities:

Brooklyn, NY

Pittsburgh, PA

Washington, D.C.

Daytona, FL

Tallahassee, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Norfolk, VA

Springfield, MO

Lexington, KY

Dallas, TX

Austin, TX

San Antonio, TX

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Launching a book festival on wheels is a huge new undertaking for us, and I cant wait to hit the road to support the importance of reading, says Michael Caruso, CEO and publisher of The New Republic.

Caruso adds, Its even more exciting that we can embark in time to support ALAs Banned Books Week. The New Republic has been a leading defender of the First Amendment for over a century, and this is a new way to give people the tools to join the fight for the freedom to read.
by Ray Schultz , September 20, 2023

Axel Springer SE, a digital media company active in 40 countries, is bolstering its video capability in partnership with Connatix, a video technology company that serves premium publishers and advertisers.

Connatix will provide video tools and an integrated player, ad server and exchange. The arrangement will help brands target their video campaigns against contextually relevant content, Axel Springer says.

To start, the partnership will cover Axel Springer's German properties Welt and Bild, including the Book Family, B.Z., Sport Bild, Auto Bild and Computer Bild. Presumably, it could expand to cover such Axel Springer properties as Insider and Politico.

The goal for Axel Springer is to unlock new revenue opportunities for our media brands, says Mathias Sanchez, senior vice president global strategic partnerships at Axel Springer.

Sanchez adds, We look forward to leveraging Connatix's solutions in new ways as the industry continues to transform itself with the adoption of advancements like generative contextual AI."




by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, September 21, 2023

Rupert Murdoch has announced that he is stepping down as chairman of the board of News Corp. and Fox Corp., to transition to chairman emeritus of both organizations as of mid November.

His son Lachlan Murdoch will become sole chairman of News Corp. and continue as executive chair and CEO of Fox Corp.

"For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change," the 92-year-old media baron wrote in a note to employees. "But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan..."

"Our companies are in robust health, as am I," he continued. "Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them... In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon."

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Murdoch's transition comes after a turbulent year for his companies. In January, he abandoned a plan to re-merge Fox and News Corp. In April, Fox agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems for broadcasting false claims that Dominion helped rig the 2020 election. Murdoch subsequently ousted Fox News's top-rated host, Tucker Carlson, and the No. 1-rated cable news network suffered a drop in ratings while it searched for a successor.

Journalist Michael Wolff has just published an already-controversial book, "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty," which includes numerous revelations about Murdoch and the family business.

The industry has been speculating for years about when the founder of one of the world's largest media companies would step down, and who would succeed him -- although Lachlan has seemed the clear choice since he returned to the family business in 2014, after leaving nearly a decade earlier.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, September 21, 2023

YouTube will move further into generative artificial intelligence (GAI), providing a variety of tools for creators, agencies, and brands.

The tools range from GAI-generated backgrounds for Shorts to finding the perfect music for the right price to run with a video.

YouTube is also in the process of creating a new app that will provide a variety of free editing tools.

Neil Mohan, YouTube CEO, introduced Dream Screen to attendees at Made On YouTube attendees on Thursday, saying that generative AI will push the boundaries of creative expression by making difficult things simple, and impossible dreams possible.

Dream Screen is a GAI-image generator for background. When a creator thinks of an idea and types it into the topics bar, the video image then appears on the screen.

Shorts averages more than 70 billion daily views -- up from 50 billion in January 2023.

Backgrounds for videos are only one consideration in bringing GAI into YouTube to simplify every stage of the creative process.

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YouTube has been testing a new GAI tool for Shorts that suggests topics through data insights about what audiences already watch on YouTube. It will launch in Studio next year.



The tool in YouTube Studio will tap GAI to spark video ideas and draft outlines to help creators brainstorm. These insights are personalized for each channel and based on what audiences are already watching and interested in.

The tool was described in a way that is similar to the software publishers created years ago, which used searches to identify the most-read topics on their media sites, and then used that data to create news and human-interest stories that would attract readers.

Shorts averages more than 70 billion daily views -- up from 50 billion in January 2023.

Finding songs will also become easier, based on AI Music Principles that are set on collaborating with partners responsibly.

YouTube launched Creative Music last year, but GAI-assisted search will act like a music concierge when the creator describes the video, the length and the type of song. The technology will provide information on tracks and prices.

To reach new audiences, YouTube will debut an AI-powered dubbing tool called Aloud, so creators easily reach audiences well beyond their primary language. It takes one click to use. Available to select creators, the feature is currently being tested in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

YouTube also is building a new app with a suite of easy-to-use tool to make longer videos easier to create that will be free to use. YouTube Create will let people edit videos.
by Dave Morgan , Featured Contributor, September 21, 2023

Defeating the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine will take more than just defeating and expelling Russian forces on the ground, air and sea. As with all wars, it is also about waging and winning the hearts, minds and support of the people -- not just in Ukraine and Russia, but around the world as well.

Winning the war of information, and defeating disinformation, will be so critical to determining the outcome of this war, the first major war fought with this kind of real-time, live-streamed coverage, all happening in an era of AI where you dont know if what you are seeing is real or a deep-fake.

You can help. Here are some of the ways:

Learn and stay informed. It is critical to understand the history of Ukraine. I recommend The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by historian Serhii Plokhy and the books, writing and interviews of historian Timothy Snyder, particularly Black Earth.

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Directly support the Information War freedom fighters of Ukraine. I highly recommend following and supporting the work of CFC Big Ideas, a Ukrainian strategic communication firm that is supporting the Ukraine Ministry of Defense, with donations, media inventory and social media support. Watch their recently released short video about child kidnappings and try not to tear up.

Help keep Ukraines economic engine running. Ukraine companies need our business and contracts, Ukraine entrepreneurs need funding, mentorship and business development support. All the people of Ukraine need our unwavering support. Tom Friedman captured it so well in his column earlier this week.

For my part, I am returning to Ukraine next week with fellow ad-tech entrepreneur Marty Kratky-Katz, the recently exited founder & CEO of Blockthrough. We are both going to speak at IT Arena, a super-important tech conference in Lviv, and to meet with tech, business and government leaders in both Lviv and Kyiv to learn and to help grow business, jobs and start-ups in Ukraine. Please reach out if youd like to find out more about our work and to join in yourself.

We can all make a difference here. It matters.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, September 21, 2023

For the second time this week, the Federal Trade Commission's consumer protection chief has criticized the long-standing self-regulatory approach to privacy.

With no legislation in place, what has emerged over the last two decades is a regime grounded entirely in the fiction of notice and choice, Samuel Levine told the data-broker trade group Consumer Data Industry Association Thursday, according to a written version of his prepared speech. Consumers do not have the time to read hundreds of pages of dense privacy policies, and it should not be their burden to do so. Nor do consumers have real choice when so much of our lives depends on participating in the digital economy.

The remarks come two days after Levine told the National Advertising Division of the BBB National Programs that the industry's self-regulatory effort on privacy had failed. The ad industry's self-regulatory framework broadly involves notifying consumers about data collection and allowing them to reject some uses of their information.

Levine on Thursday condemned what he called unchecked commercial surveillance, which he said endangers our privacy, our financial welfare, and our liberty.

He added that the unregulated nature of data has led to vast, unfettered tracking of people's behavior.

Worse than this unchecked collection is the continuous cycle of companies buying more data on each consumer, aggregating, creating profiles, and selling these profiles to additional third parties with little screening about potential uses, he said. Countless data aggregators collect, buy, and combine data from multiple sources and sell it to marketers, researchers, or government agencies.

The FTC currently is considering whether to issue privacy regulations. Advocates have long clamored for official restrictions on data gathering, while the ad industry has argued that any new rules should come from Congress.

New rules or not, Levine made it clear that the FTC is already pressing companies to curb the amount of information they gather about consumers.

An increasing number of orders in our privacy and data security cases are requiring companies to minimize the consumer data they collect and retain it for no longer than is reasonably necessary, he said. Data that isnt collected cant be compromised, and the unnecessary retention of vast troves of personal data heighten the risks and increase the stakes of data breaches, manipulation, and other abuses.

Meanwhile, officials in other states aren't waiting for the FTC to issue privacy rules.

Earlier this year, Washington state passed My Health My Data, which prohibits app developers, website operators and others from collecting, processing or sharing a broad range of information about consumers' health without their explicit consent.

And California lawmakers just approved the Delete Act, which aims to enable residents to easily remove their information from every data broker registered with the state.

Advocacy groups backed that measure, while business organizations -- including groups representing advertisers and data brokers -- opposed it.

Without data, companies would not be able to deliver critically important products and services consumers benefit from today, sometimes without even being aware of how this data supports their safety and enjoyment of everyday life, 19 groups including the Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, California Retailers Association, Interactive Advertising Bureau, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and NetChoice said in a letter sent earlier this month to lawmakers.

That law currently awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature.
by Teresa Buyikian , September 21, 2023

White Castle today announced the addition of delivery in its own app through a partnership with Uber Direct, Ubers white-label delivery platform.

Previously the burger chain relied strictly on third-party apps for its delivery service. The partnership now means customers will be able to order directly from White Castle via its app and pay the same price as they would in-store, plus a $4.99 flat delivery fee. There are no other hidden or additional fees.

Delivery is available through the White Castle app within a five-mile radius of restaurants serviced by Uber Direct. The app uses Uber technology to connect each order with a driver to ensure delivery.

Uber launched the Uber Direct white-label delivery option in April 2020. The program allows restaurants to receive orders directly from its app, website or by phone, and have its food delivered by Uber's global courier network. Fees are paid to Uber Direct based on distance, speed of delivery and region.

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Originally launched in New York during the pandemic to assist with grocery and convenience store deliveries, the program is now available to restaurants, grocery and convenience stores nationwide.

With the addition of delivery, the White Castle app also features the complete menu, location finder, crave customization, on-the-go ordering, save features, app-only menu items and offers, and exclusive access to loyalty program offers and deals. The chain also recently announced the release of the French Toast Slider and Cheddar Cheese Rings for a limited time only.
by Teresa Buyikian , September 21, 2023

Chick-fil-A recently announced plans to launch in the United Kingdom in early 2025. The announcement marks the first permanent Chick-fil-A location outside of North America.

The chain said it has allotted more than $100 million to invest in expansion over 10 years, with five new locations set to open in the U.K. within the first two years.

Earlier this year the company announced intentions to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026 and five international locations by 2030. Each location is slated to create approximately 80 to 120 new jobs with flexible work hours and competitive wages, the company says. The U.K. locations will use chicken sourced from the U.K. and Ireland, as well as 100% free-range eggs.

The company has embraced a new owner/operator model for the expansion, with nearly 80% of franchisees owning just one restaurant, equating to an approximately $10,000 investment.

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Chick-fil-A has pledged that for each new location opened globally, $25,000 will be donated to a local nonprofit organization to assist in reducing hunger in the local community. Chick-fil-A has also developed a Shared Table program, which helps fight food insecurity and reduce food waste by ensuring its restaurants donate surplus food to local shelters, soup kitchens and charities. The U.K. locations will participate in both programs. The chain is currently seeking potential nonprofit partners.

Weve (always) worked to positively influence the places we call home and this will be the same for our stores in the UK," said Joanna Symonds, Chick-fil-A head of UK operations. "We encourage our operators to partner with organizations which support and positively impact their local communities.

Chick-fil-A currently has more than 2,800 restaurants across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. The brand debuted in Puerto Rico in 2022 and currently has five units on the island.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 21, 2023

A coalition of 18 states are asking a federal judge to uphold Montana's ban on TikTok, arguing that the prohibition will protect Montanans privacy from a foreign power and their health from a potentially dangerous product.

The states police power has always included the power to protect their citizens from deceptive and harmful business practices, officials from Virginia and other states argue in a friend-of-the-court brief filed this week with U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula.

They claim TikTok intentionally engages in deceptive business practices which induce individuals to share sensitive personal information that can be easily accessed by the Chinese Communist Party, and that its platform harms children in Montana and other states.

The states are weighing in on the lawsuit brought by TikTok and several users who are seeking to block a law that will prohibit app stores from offering the app to people in Montana, and prohibit the use of the app in the state (with some exceptions for law enforcement). The measure doesn't penalize users, but provides for sanctions starting at $10,000 per violation against TikTok and mobile app marketplaces.

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Unless enjoined, the law will come into effect on January 1 of next year.

Montana lawmakers who passed the bill expressed concerns that TikTok's parent company, the Beijing-based ByteDance, shares data about U.S. users with China. Similar concerns have spurred other states to prohibit use of the app on government-owned devices or public WiFi networks, but Montana is the only state so far to ban the app.

The Montana legislature also accused TikTok of failing to remove dangerous content that allegedly encourages young users to engage in risky activity, such as inducing unconsciousness through oxygen deprivation, and cooking chicken in NyQuil.

TikTok and several users say the law is unconstitutional, arguing that banning a communications platform violates the First Amendment. TikTok also says there is no evidence that its data practices are different from other social platforms'.

TikTok has drawn support from a broad array of organizations, including civil rights groups, tech industry associations, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

The Reporters Committee said in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last month that TikTok is a critical tool for journalists, arguing that the app's short-form format makes it a valuable source of firsthand recordings of breaking news events.

Among other examples, the Reporters Committee noted that the March 3 New Yorkerarticle Watching the Worlds 'First TikTok War' credited the app with offering some of the first videos of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.

TikTok's supporters have also argued that much of the dangerous material on the app is available on other platforms.

Virginia and the other states counter that TikTok poses a unique threat to consumers privacy and security, given the app's connection to the Chinese Communist Party.

Molloy is expected to hold a hearing in the matter on October 12.
by Ray Schultz , September 21, 2023

The Guardian, Great Britains reader-funded news organization, has debuted a global branding campaign titled, Not for sale, working with the creative agency Lucky Generals.

This is the first such effort since The Guardians Hope is Power campaign in 2019.

The marketing blast coincides with the launch of The Guardians Europe edition, an English-language edition of The Guardian website and app for readers on the continent.

Central to the campaign is a film created by Lucky Generals, directed by New York-based Rubberbands duo of Jason Sondock and Simon Davis.

The film includes quick-cut shots of people consuming The Guardian in different ways, and features a voiceover from writer/artist Inua Ellams.

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Taken to bed, taken to heart, taken to court. But thanks to reader funding, never old, Ellams says.

Also included are posters that will run both digitally and out of home, stating that The Guardian is Loved, Hated, Trusted , Feared, But never controlled.

With Not for sale we focused on what makes The Guardian unique in the news landscape  the fact that because it is reader funded (rather than owned by controlling interests like billionaires or politicians) its journalism can never be influenced or controlled, says Cressida Holmes-Smith, managing director at Lucky Generals.

The creative will be seen in The Guardians own channels and in cities throughout Europe, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin and Paris, and in London, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh within the UK.

The film will be shown on Channel 4 and in UK cinemas from Sept. 25, and in European digital and social platforms.

Readers tell us they support The Guardian because they believe, like we do, in robust independent media that is open to all, funded by many, and beholden to no one, says Anna Bateson, chief executive, Guardian Media Group.

Bateson adds, Our new Europe edition and our bold new marketing message carry forward this mission and will help us to cultivate even deeper relationships with readers, advertisers and other partners who believe in our values.
Swades

'Swades' depicts Mohan, a NASA scientist who returns to his Indian village. From a farmer's perspective, it portrays his efforts to uplift rural life through sustainable development and reconnecting with his roots.
By Neha Arora

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's JSW Steel Ltd is slowing down the process to buy a stake in the steelmaking coal unit of Canada's Teck Resources, a source close to the discussions said, in the first sign that a diplomatic spat is affecting trade ties.

Ties between India and Canada deteriorated sharply after New Delhi and Ottawa expelled each other's diplomats in a dispute over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in the Canadian province of British Columbia in June.

India on Thursday suspended visa services for Canadian citizens, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, citing security threats to its staff in its consulates in Canada.

The source said discussions between JSW Steel - India's largest steelmaker by capacity - and Teck over the stake sale had slowed down, although work on the paperwork continued.

"We will wait until the issue subsides," the source told Reuters, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to talk to the press.

"We are not expecting things to go out of hand. We are doing the paperwork for the valuation, talking to banks and this is still happening," the source added.

JSW Steel declined to comment.

"We do not comment on market rumours or speculation," Teck Resources said in an emailed response to Reuters queries.

Teck's stock fell 4.4% following the Reuters report.

Canada's industry ministry, which approves foreign investment deals, said that the acquisition of a Canadian company by a foreign company would be subject to a national security review under the Investment Canada Act.

A source close to the matter said that JSW is in talks with investment banks including Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank to secure the funding for the transaction.

"The final numbers could revolve in the range of 34-37% stake," the first source said.

JSW steel is one of the largest customers of Teck's coal business.

The Vancouver-based company has twice rejected an unsolicited $22.5 billion bid for the entire company from global miner and trader Glencore. The company in July said it had received offers from 'various' interested parties for its coal business.

Story continues

Japan's Nippon Steel has also said it remains interested in Teck's coal business, having agreed in February to buy a 10% stake post-split.

For India, Canada is the fourth-largest exporter of coking coal used in the steel business, according to Indian government data. The first three are Australia, Russia and the United States.

(Reporting by Neha Arora; Additional reporting by Divya Rajagopal in Toronto and Clara Denina in London; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Mark Porter)
Azerbaijan attacks Armenian enclave.

Azerbaijan on Tuesday launched an attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous semi-autonomous region populated by 120,000 ethnic Armenians, threatening to reignite a late-Soviet-era conflict that now involves Turkey, Russia and the West.

Azerbaijan said it was conducting "local anti-terrorist activities" inside Nagorno-Karabakh after landmines killed six Azerbaijani military personnel. But reports from the region indicated heavy shelling, missile strikes and a full-scale assault, and Azerbaijan's military and presidential administration suggested the assault will not end until the breakaway ethnic Armenian administration surrenders and submits to the authority of Azerbaijan's government.

Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh said 25 people, including two civilians, were killed in Tuesday's attack.

Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan's internationally recognized borders, but Armenia won control of the region after years of bloody conflict between the two Soviet states from 1988 to 1994. Most of the Azeri population was driven out in those wars, and Armenians held the region until Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, won back much of the area in a 2020 war that ended only when Russia stepped in and brokered a cease-fire.

About 90,000 ethnic Armenians were driven out in the six-week war in 2020, and the cease-fire was bolstered by about 2,000 Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. Tensions had been mounting since December, when Azerbaijan effectively cut the region off from its sole route to Armenia, leading to shortages of food, medicine and fuel. Western-backed talks this year had held the promise of turning the cease-fire into a permanent peace, but analysts said that with Armenia's Russian backers tied up in Ukraine, Azerbaijan is taking its shot at capturing the entire region.

The "geopolitical alignments in the region are complex," The New York Times explained. "Azerbaijan's closest ally, Turkey, is a NATO member. Armenia has a military alliance with Russia, while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia has sought to deepen ties with the West. In the 2020 war, there was widespread disappointment in Armenia that Russia did not come to the country's aid more assertively." The U.S. and Russia both urged Azerbaijan to abide by the 2020 cease-fire.
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.

Examples of barracks conditions at military installations GAO visited. (Images: DoD, left and right; GAO, middle)

'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
The Marine Corps, Army and Joint Chiefs of Staff are poised to get full-time leaders as a months-long stalemate in the Senate centering on the Pentagon's abortion policy begins to soften.

The Senate on Wednesday began a series of votes that could end in the confirmations of Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Eric Smith to be commandant of the Marines, and Gen. Randy George to be chief of staff of the Army.

The Senate overwhelmingly voted to advance Brown in a procedural vote in the afternoon and is scheduled to confirm him later in the evening. Confirmation of George and Smith is expected Thursday.

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The votes circumvent a blockade Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has maintained for more than six months on all general and admiral promotions because of his opposition to the Pentagon's policy of providing travel expenses and leave for troops seeking abortions. Still, Wednesday's action does not end the larger fight over more than 300 military promotions that for now remain in limbo.

Democrats had insisted it would set a bad precedent to hold roll call votes on a few top-ranking officers to get around Tuberville's blockade. Apolitical military nominations are typically confirmed in batches by voice votes. But after Tuberville announced he was planning to use a rare procedural move to overcome his own hold on Smith's nomination, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced he would move forward with confirming the three chiefs.

"It seems that Sen. Tuberville is becoming more and more desperate to get out of the box he has put himself in," Schumer said on the Senate floor in announcing the plan to confirm Brown, Smith and George.

"These men should have already been confirmed," Schumer added. The Senate will overwhelmingly vote to confirm them, 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. Sen. Tuberville will have accomplished nothing."

Tuberville, though, saw Wednesday's votes as a victory for him, saying it proved what he's been arguing for months -- that Democrats could vote on the nominees he's been blocking at any time.

Schumer "knew he was wrong, finally," said Tuberville, who voted against advancing Brown. "We were going to do it if he didn't, so we kind of called his hand."

Smith and George, as the respective current vice chiefs for the Marine Corps and Army, have been acting as their service's chiefs since their predecessors were legally required to step down over the summer.

The current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, is legally required to step down next week. If Brown wasn't confirmed before then, vice chairman Adm. Christopher Grady was expected to act as chairman.

While acting chiefs can keep the military running day-to-day, defense officials have argued they are not as effective as Senate-confirmed chiefs since they lack the authority for broad strategic decisions and have to juggle their full-time job with their acting job.

The Navy is also without a Senate-confirmed chief right now. But the Senate Armed Services Committee has not yet advanced the nominee, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, to be the new chief, making her ineligible to be part of Wednesday's development. Similarly, the committee has not yet advanced Brown's replacement to be Air Force chief of staff, Gen. David Allvin.

After Schumer's announcement, the Pentagon thanked him for moving forward with three nominees.

"However, Sen. Tuberville's hold still impacts over 300 nominees and remains unnecessary at a critical moment for our national security," a senior Pentagon official added in an emailed statement. "We want the Senate to approve all of our nominees. How the Senate decides to do that is up to them."

Representatives for the nominated chiefs of the Army and Marine Corps declined to comment when asked about the progress in the Senate. The Air Force and Joint Chiefs did not respond to Military.com's request for comment.

Democrats sidestepped questions Wednesday afternoon on their plans for the remaining nominees caught in the hold, but left open the possibility they could hold more individual roll call votes.

"I think we have to refocus on getting everyone done," said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I. "The damage that is being done is at the highest level, but it's going through the entire system. We don't have fleet commanders. We don't have critical people."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who chairs the committee's personnel subpanel, said she and Reed met with Schumer on Tuesday to discuss the path forward, but would not elaborate on their plans, saying only that Wednesday's votes were "an important step."

The votes happened after Tuberville said he planned to file what's known as a cloture petition on Smith, which would have forced the Senate to take at least a procedural vote on that nomination. Typically, filing cloture -- or a motion to end debate on a nominee or bill -- is left to the majority leader, but any one senator can do it if they get enough signatures on a petition, which Tuberville did for Smith.

While Tuberville said he will maintain his hold on the more than 300 officers still awaiting confirmation, he also raised the possibility of attempting more cloture petitions that could result in individual Senate votes on the confirmations.

"We'll look at it after this week," Tuberville said of the possibility, adding that the Senate could vote on a "few a week" until all the nominees are confirmed. Democrats estimate it would take more than 100 days of voting on nothing but the nominees for eight hours a day to confirm all 300-plus officers.

-- Drew Lawrence contributed to this story.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on X @reporterkheel.

Related: Posters of Officers Caught in Senator's Promotions Hold Dot Capitol Lawn in Vet Group's Protest
The Senate approved new chiefs for the Army and Marine Corps on Thursday following its approval of the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday night.

The trio of military leaders are the first officer promotions the Senate has confirmed in more than six months since Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., started blocking quick approval for all general and admiral nominees in protest of the Pentagon's abortion policy.

A Senate procedural maneuver by Tuberville this week forced Democrats to retreat from their earlier position -- that confirming a few top officers individually with roll call votes would set a bad precedent. But the fate of more than 300 other officers caught in Tuberville's blockade remains up in the air with no clear plan to confirm them.

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The Senate voted 96-1 to confirm Gen. Randy George as Army chief of staff, 96-0 to confirm Gen. Eric Smith as Marine commandant, and 83-11 to confirm Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Asked Thursday whether Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., would set up individual roll call votes on any other nominees, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said that "nothing's on the table, nothing's off the table."

"I think you should ask the Republicans, who voted so enthusiastically for Gen. George and [said] wonderful things about him, because there are so many other people like Gen. George who are really suffering," Reed said when asked what the plan is to confirm the remaining military nominees.

Tuberville voted for George and Smith but against Brown. A smattering of Republicans opposed Brown, who was the first Black service chief and will be the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs, because of his support for military diversity efforts.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was the lone "no" vote on George.

The three confirmations mean the military will no longer have half of the Joint Chiefs of Staff filled by acting officials. But with Tuberville's broader blockade still in place, the Joint Chiefs will still have leadership gaps, as will hundreds of posts below the chiefs.

The Navy is being led by an acting officer, and the Air Force is on track to join them when Brown steps down as Air Force chief of staff to start his new job.

"It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement after Brown's confirmation. "The brave men and women of the U.S. military deserve to be led by highly-qualified general and flag officers at this critical moment for our national security.

"And their families, who also sacrifice so much every day on our behalf, deserve certainty and our nation's unwavering support," he said.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth swore George into his new job shortly after the Senate confirmation vote Thursday, she said in a statement, adding that the remaining holds are a "discouraging signal for the talented junior and field-grade officers as they contemplate their future as senior Army leaders."

Since late February, Tuberville has used a procedural tactic known as a hold to block the Senate from quickly confirming senior officer promotions in an effort to get the Pentagon to reverse its policy of covering travel expenses and leave for service members seeking abortions.

A hold cannot prevent the Senate from confirming nominees, but it forces the chamber to take lengthy individual roll call votes on each nomination rather than confirming them in batches in voice votes as it usually does for noncontroversial military promotions.

For months, Democrats insisted that taking roll call votes could encourage other senators to mimic Tuberville's tactic in the future and forever politicize the military nominations process. In response to GOP proposals to vote on at least members of the Joint Chiefs, Democrats argued that doing so would punish the lower-ranking officers also awaiting confirmation.

While it is rare for Congress to hold roll call votes on military officers, it is not unprecedented for members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The current chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, was confirmed in a roll call vote in 2019, and Brown was confirmed as Air Force chief of staff in a roll call vote in 2020.

Democrats relented and voted on George, Smith and Brown this week to preempt Tuberville after he announced he would force a procedural vote on Smith. While Tuberville still insists he will not drop his hold on the other nominees unless the Pentagon rescinds its abortion policy, he is also leaving open the possibility of trying to force more roll call votes on them.

"I don't have any list made up, but we'll see what Sen. Schumer does in the next couple of weeks, and if he can't do his job, we'll do it for him," Tuberville said. "Maybe."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on X @reporterkheel.

Related: Democrats Circumvent Tuberville as Senate Moves to Finally Confirm Leaders of Army, Marine Corps, Joint Chiefs
KYIV, Ukraine  Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine early Thursday, sparking fires, killing at least three people and trapping others under the rubble of destroyed buildings, authorities said, as Poland said it would stop providing weapons to its ally amid a trade dispute.

The early-morning wave of missile strikes on whats known as the International Day of Peace was Russias largest in over a month, and came as world leaders meet at United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a speech there, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russia as a terrorist state.

Zelenskyy was to meet Thursday with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders in Washington with an additional $24 billion aid package hanging in the balance.

Poland, which has been a major supporter of Ukraine, said it would stop transferring weapons to its neighbor as it works to modernize its own military, but denied the decision was linked to a simmering dispute over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the decision would not affect NATO and U.S. weapons transfers through Poland.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons, he said in an interview on the private TV broadcaster Polsat News late Wednesday.

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.

Morawiecki stressed that Poland would defend its economic interests, but added that the dispute over grain imports would not hurt Ukraines security.

We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said. Poland has transferred large amounts of its older weapons to Ukraine and has been upgrading its own inventory with new equipment purchased from South Korea and other countries.

Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Ukraine, as Russia launched dozens of missiles and, near the front lines, likely used shorter-range artillery to pound the southern city of Kherson. Three people were killed in Kherson Thursday and at least four injured after a residential building was hit, the Defense Ministry said on social media.

Seven people were injured in Kyiv, including a 9-year-old girl, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said, as missile strikes blew out windows in buildings and cars and left fires burning around crumpled metal wreckage.

Marharyta Moldokova, 76, who had taken shelter on the floor of her Kyiv home just before hearing an explosion and the sound of her window shattering, denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin.

God, we cant wait for someone to shoot him, she said. Everything is not enough for him. ... What does he need?

Students at the National Academy of Statistics, Accounting and Audit in Kyiv stood outdoors looking at a building where metal strips hung from the portico and empty window frames were bent inward.

Illia Melnyk said he had taken shelter behind two walls as he heard an explosion and saw a flash and then ran outside.

When I came out, I saw bricks falling from the door, he said. "It was visible how the wall was broken and the door was knocked out. ... It was scary.

The academy, located in Kyiv's cozy Tatarka neighborhood, has endured numerous missile strikes and damage from falling debris. It is located near an arms maker that manufactures high-precision ammunition and missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had intercepted 36 of 43 cruise missiles launched deep into Ukraine. Kharkiv, closer to the front lines, was struck with S-300 missiles.

Russias Ministry of Defense said it targeted Ukrainian arms factories and radio-technical intelligence centers with precision-guided missiles and drones. It said, without providing details, that the strike achieved the objectives and all targets were hit. It was not possible to confirm that claim.

At least six strikes damaged civilian infrastructure in the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, said regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The citys mayor added that two people had been hospitalized.

At least 10 people were injured and at least one person was rescued from under rubble in Cherkasy, in central Ukraine, according to Ihor Klymenko, minister of internal affairs of Ukraine. Up to 23 people may still be buried under rubble, said Cherkasy regional Governor Ihor Taburets. Rescue services were working to clear the debris.

An industrial zone was hit in the western region of Lviv, damaging buildings and starting a fire, but no information on casualties was immediately available, Klymenko added.

Regional Governor Vitalii Koval reported strikes in the city of Rivne in the northwest region of the same name, without immediately providing details.

Ukrainian armed forces said they attacked a military airport near the city of Saka in Russian-annexed Crimea.

Russia said 22 drones were taken down overnight by air defense systems, 19 above Crimea and three others in the Kursk, Belgorod and Oryol regions near Ukraine. The defense ministry did not say whether there were any casualties.

___

Associated Press journalists Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, and Brian Melley in London contributed to this report.
UNITED NATIONS  South Korea's president sounded a warning to fellow world leaders Wednesday about the recent communication and possible cooperation between North Korea and Russia, saying any action by a permanent U.N. Security Council member to circumvent international norms would be dangerous and paradoxical.

Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly, Yoon Suk Yeol invoked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit last week to Russia, which is one of the five permanent members of the council, the U.N.'s most powerful body.

Kim met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's far east. The two said they may cooperate on defense issues but gave no specifics, which left South Korea and its allies  including the United States  uneasy.

"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 Security Council resolutions," Yoon told fellow leaders on the second day of the U.N. General Assembly's annual gathering of leaders. He had been expected to raise the issue.

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 Korea has expressed support for Ukraine, which is fighting a war against the 2022 Russian invasion of its territory. At the G20 summit in India earlier this month, Yoon said Seoul would contribute $300 million to Ukraine next year and  eventually  a support package worth more than $2 billion.

The nuclear and missile programs of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea pose not only a direct and existential threat to the peace of the Republic of Korea, but also (are) a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe, 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 cooperation 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 cooperation 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.

The Korean Peninsula was split into the U.S.-supported, capitalistic South Korea and the Soviet-backed, socialist North Korea after its liberation from Japans 35-year colonial rule at the end of the World War II in 1945. The two Koreas remains along the worlds most heavily fortified border since they end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The two countries technically remain in a state of war 70 years after an armistice was signed.

Kim, North Korea's leader, oversees an autocratic government and is the third generation of his family to rule. He was preceded by his father, Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011, and his grandfather Kim Il Sung, a former guerrilla who established the state.

___

Associated Press correspondent Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved nearly 80% of the 570,000 claims it has adjudicated under the PACT Act, distributing more than $2.2 billion in disability compensation to veterans or survivors since it began accepting claims last year.

Of the total claims, however, 34% have received a 0% disability rating, meaning that affected veterans have at least one service-connected condition under the law that is not disabling -- for example, hypertension, which has been linked to Agent Orange exposure, that is controlled by medication.

The VA is now reviewing its ratings schedule to determine whether it can revise it to address medically controlled conditions such as hypertension, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs told reporters Thursday.

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With veterans service organizations and many affected veterans raising concerns about the 0% disability ratings they have received, Jacobs asked his staff "to explore whether we have the flexibility to consider revising the ratings schedule."

The review will include examining medical research and published studies and working with the Veterans Health Administration to determine how to proceed, Jacobs said.

The VA has received more than 1 million PACT Act-related claims and has processed roughly 570,000, according to Jacobs. Nearly 1.3 million additional claims not related to the PACT Act also have been filed this fiscal year, and together with PACT Act claims, they represent a 40% increase over the record-setting number of claims in fiscal 2022.

"Thanks to the largest outreach campaign in VA history, what we're seeing is that veterans and survivors are applying for their earned benefits at record rates," Jacobs said.

Still, veterans who fought to have illnesses such as hypertension recognized as service-connected are frustrated that they aren't among those receiving disability compensation.

According to VA, 82.1% of PACT Act-related claims for hypertension have received a 0% disability rating.

Former Army Spc. Jeff O'Malley, a Vietnam veteran whose Freedom of Information Act requests exposed an internal fight within the VA over including hypertension as presumptive condition for Agent Orange, noted that many survivors of cancers included in the PACT Act receive compensation even if their cancer is in remission, but those with hypertension arent receiving any.

"I'm proud of the PACT Act," O'Malley said in a text message to Military.com. "I think we need to rethink minimum ratings for approved claims."

Jacobs said many veterans have more than one health condition that qualifies for VA disability compensation, so their total disability ratings are usually higher than the rating for any one illness. He noted that a 0% disability rating entitles veterans to benefits that include health care, prescriptions, co-payment waivers and federal hiring preferences.

Also, Jacobs said, a 0% disability rating can lead to "secondary service-connected conditions."

In the case of hypertension, if the condition causes heart disease, the veteran would get service connection for that illness and "would likely have a higher rating," Jacobs said.

That response doesn't sit well with veterans like O'Malley, whose blood pressure is difficult to manage.

"I will have a stroke and it will be too late," O'Malley said.

The PACT Act expanded health care and disability benefits to up to 6 million veterans exposed to burn pits and other environmental pollution while serving in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and elsewhere, including post-9/11, Persian Gulf War and some Vietnam-era veterans -- the largest expansion of VA benefits in three decades.

It removed a requirement that veterans or their survivors, depending on where the military member served, prove service connection for more than 23 health conditions, including respiratory diseases, several types of cancer, high blood pressure and more.

The VA has not provided a list of PACT Act-related conditions that have received the 0% disability rating. Based on anecdotal information from veterans service organizations, hypertension appears to be at the top of the list, but some conditions such as asthma, rhinitis and hypothyroidism also can be medically managed.

According to data from the VA provided to Military.com, the average total disability rating for veterans with granted PACT Act claims is 70%.

Jacobs said he expects the review to yield information on any ratings change in the coming months, adding that a decision must work within "a very clear framework of legal authorities."

Jacobs said he has heard stories that some veterans have considered going off their medications so that when they receive their compensation and pension exam, their "numbers are off the charts."

He had strong words for any veteran contemplating such a move.

"Do not do that. That is a significant health risk to you," Jacobs said.

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional statistics on claims for hypertension and overall average ratings.

 Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: VA Agent Orange Benefits Would Expand Under Landmark Burn Pit Bill
In August 1956, the U.S. Navy began what was supposed to be a standard test of its new AIM-7 Sparrow and AAM-N-10 Eagle air-to-air missiles over Southern California. The idea was simple: An unmanned, radio-controlled drone aircraft would take off from Point Mugu Naval Air Station and get shot down over the ocean. The exercise turned out to be harder than the Navy planned.

The drone went rogue almost immediately and began heading for Los Angeles. Fearing it would run out of fuel and crash in a densely populated area of the city, the Navy called on the Air Force for help, only for the latter's fighter jets to end up leaving a burning path of destruction in their wake over the same areas they were tasked with saving.

It was a rare opportunity for the Air Force to show up the Navy at a time when even legendary Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay was known to declare "our enemy is the Navy." Instead, the incident became known as "The Battle of Palmdale," and became one of the Air Force's most embarrassing airborne debacles in the service's history.

Pictured: The most successful OPFOR of any U.S. military exercise. (U.S. Navy)

At 11:34 a.m. on Aug. 16, 1956, a bright red Grumman F6F Hellcat took off from Point Mugu Naval Air Station and climbed out toward the Pacific Ocean. As it flew, Navy handlers realized that the unmanned Hellcat was no longer responding to its radio commands. Instead of flying harmlessly out toward a watery end, its heading was pointed toward the city of Los Angeles in a continuous left turn.

An exercise intended to test air-to-air missiles would soon become a test of the Air Force's accuracy with its Mighty Mouse air-to-air rockets. The Navy knew that crashing one of its planes into metropolitan Los Angeles would be an unparalleled disaster, so it took the rare step of calling on the Air Force for help. Nearby Oxnard Air Force Base scrambled two of its Northrop F-89 Scorpion alert fighters to intercept the drone.

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion did not have mounted guns for air-to-air combat. Instead, it carried two wing-mounted pods of 52 unguided Mighty Mouse 2.75-inch rockets per pod. The aircraft caught up with the drone at 30,000 feet and waited for it to pass over Los Angeles in its slow turn. As soon as it flew over the relatively unpopulated Antelope Valley, the airmen were ready to let loose.

Unfortunately, the rockets' automatic firing control system failed, so the Air Force pilots were forced to switch to manual fire. Since the F-89 was supposed to have an automatic firing system and didn't have guns, the aircraft's gunsight was removed. Therefore, the pilots would have to shoot down the drone using unguided rockets without any way to aim them.

The results on the ground were nothing short of catastrophic.

With no guidance and no gunsight, firing accurate rockets is much harder than it looks. (U.S. Air Force)

Each Scorpion pilot would fire two pods' worth of rockets at the Hellcat drone, totaling 208 rockets, but none of them hit the target. Instead, they all fell across Southern California, leaving a 150-acre brush fire near Bouquet Canyon, a 350-acre fire in Soledad Canyon and 100 acres near Placerita Canyon. The Air Force also succeeded in bombing downtown Palmdale, California, with "rockets that fell like hail."

For residents on the ground, it was more like a war zone. The Los Angeles Times described shrapnel exploding into homes and cupboards, a rocket blazing through a living-room window and tires being blown out in the streets. Errant rockets lit the Placerita Canyon's oil fields aflame and nearly blew up the Bermite Powder Co., which produced rocket fuel and explosives. Fifteen rockets were found undetonated, but luckily, no one was killed.

As for the drone itself, it gradually ran out of fuel and slowly fell to earth in an unpopulated area near Palmdale. Because of the unintentional bombing of the city, the incident is known to history as "The Battle of Palmdale," a battle won without ever hitting a target.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter or on LinkedIn.

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As an actress who achieved fame during Hollywoods Golden Age, Hedy Lamarr's acting credits have been largely forgotten outside the realm of film buffs. But as an inventor, Lamarr changed the way Americans today interact and consume information.

Along with a composer named George Antheil, Lamarr developed the technological concept of frequency hopping to address a crucial problem faced by the Allies during World War II. At the time, Germans U-boats were consistently jamming the signals of torpedoes that targeted their submarines, rendering them ineffective. Lamarr and Antheil solved that problem via a secret communication system of radio-controlled torpedoes, the precursor to what we now know as Bluetooth.

But when Lamarr and Antheil initially brought the technology before the U.S. Navy, the service responded with a hard no.

"The brains of the people are more interesting than the looks, I think," Lamarr -- whose studio dubbed her the Most Beautiful Woman in the World -- told Forbes reporter Fleming Meeks in 1990. "Then people have the idea that I'm sort of a stupid thing."

Despite little formal education, Lamarr was far from that. And while her pairing with Antheil seemed odd at first glance, especially in a scientific setting, a closer look reveals otherwise.

Indeed, Lamarr and Anthiel shared an immigrant's mindset. Lamarr, who was Jewish, was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on Nov. 9, 1914, in Vienna, and Antheil (pronounced AN-teil) was the American son of German immigrants. They were deeply affected after the Germans sank the SS City of Benares, a British passenger ship, in September 1940, killing 262 people (including 87 children). An eagerness to see the Nazis defeated also was ingrained in both of them, a feeling heightened in Lamarr after Germany annexed Austria in 1938, one year after she left for Hollywood.

And they both possessed curious minds and, perhaps most importantly, shared a basic knowledge of munitions. Lamarr accrued hers during the first of her six marriages, to Fritz Mandl -- a pro-fascist arms dealer unflatteringly called Austria's Merchant of Death. Although it was an unhappy union, Mandl allowed Lamarr to attend (but not speak during) business meetings, some including German military leaders. The information gleaned in those settings proved invaluable to Lamarr, as did Antheil's previous experience as an inspector of artillery ammunition at a U.S. armory.

Lamarr first met Antheil at a dinner party in 1940, and it was not long before the discussion turned to inventions and defeating the Nazis. Lamarr described a system where torpedo control would be synchronized, but she didnt have the technical expertise to make that happen. Thats where Antheil came in; he had been familiar with synchronization for years, dating to the 1920s when he unsuccessfully tried to sync 16 pianos for a musical composition called Ballet Mecanique.

Along with composer George Antheil, actress Hedy Lamarr was granted a patent, which was later revoked, for a transformative technology known as frequency hopping. (Wikimedia Commons)

Their collaboration resulted in a device, roughly the size of a pocket watch, that would allow a signal, instead of traveling over a single wavelength to its destination, to hop between dozens of frequencies, thereby eliminating the possibility of jamming. "In essence, a nearly infinite number of devices can operate within a range of frequencies and never interfere with one another, because they are constantly, minutely, and dynamically changing the frequencies on which they are operating," an article in Naval History magazine explained.

Patent No. 2,292,387 was issued in August 1942. The Navy not only was not interested, but it also classified the design as top secret and seized Lamarr's patent, considering her "an alien with ties to a foreign adversarial power." The U.S. military even condescendingly suggested to Lamarr that she could best help the Allies' mission by showing her beautiful face during United Service Organizations (USO) appearances and using it to help sell war bonds.

Despite the sting from the Navy's rejection, Lamarr raised millions of dollars for the war effort.

"When we began making this film, some scientists said to me, 'She was probably a spy. She probably stole this invention from the Nazis and brought it to the Allies as a spy. And we just don't realize it now. But doesn't that make a lot more sense to you than this movie star coming up with this incredible invention?'" Alexandra Dean, director of the documentary "Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story," told PBS.

The Navy finally smartened up during the Cold War, when the service employed the technology in its ships' communication systems during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. And now look at where Lamarr and Antheils invention has gone. Its everywhere. Also known as spread spectrum, frequency hopping is a foundational piece of so many wireless communications, including Bluetooth, cellphones, WiFi and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), among other technologies.

"I was different, I guess. Maybe I came from a different planet. Who knows?" Lamarr said, laughing, in the interview with Forbes. "But whatever it is, inventions are easy for me to do."

Lamarr died in 2000 at the age of 85, and she and Antheil were inducted posthumously into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.

-- Stephen Ruiz can be reached at stephen.ruiz@military.com.

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Padres reliever Tim Hill underwent surgery today to address a ligament injury in his left ring finger, tweets Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. He wont throw for six to eight weeks but is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Hill, 34 in February, has spent the last four seasons as a situational option out of the San Diego bullpen. A sidearming lefty, he doesnt throw hard but works from a low enough arm angle to usually keep the ball on the ground. Hills grounder percentage has been a bit north of 60% for three years running, while his career mark is just below that threshold. That resulted in consecutive sub-4.00 ERA showings from 2021-22, but his results this season havent been as impressive.

Over 44 1/3 innings, Hill posted a 5.48 ERA. He struck out fewer than 13% of batters faced for the second straight year. While Hill kept his walks and grounders in his customary range, he struggled when opponents were able to elevate the ball. Right-handed hitters posted a .378/.431/.602 batting line in 110 plate appearances. Righties have frequently given him trouble, which isnt uncommon for low-slot lefties, but this years results were easily a career worst.

Hill has generally fared well against same-handed batters. From 2020-22, he kept lefties to a .212/.299/.303 line in 262 trips to the plate. Opponents found more success this season, putting up a .275/.352/.400 mark over 92 plate appearances.

The Padres and Hill agreed on a $1.85MM salary to avoid arbitration last winter. Hed be due a modest raise on that figure if San Diego wanted to keep him around for his final season of eligibility. Given his diminished results, it wouldnt be surprising if the Padres opt against tendering him a contract.
Correction: This story incorrectly indicated the Hutaree defendants were found not guilty at a bench trial; however, the judge issued a directed verdict of not guilty. It was a jury trial.

LANSING, MI -- Five of 14 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were found innocent.

Considering the personnel, money and time that went into investigating and prosecuting the plotters over a three-year period in multiple states, numerous Michigan cities and three different courts, some attorneys tell MLive the results were underwhelming.

All three men who opted for jury trials in Antrim County -- Eric Molitor, 39, of Cadillac; Michael Null, 41, of Plainwell, and twin brother William Null, 41, of Shelbyville -- were cleared on charges of contributing material support to a terrorist plan and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony on Sept. 15.

Following the verdict, one of the jurors came up and gave my client a handshake and a short hug and just said, you know what, Im so sorry for all that you went through, said attorney William Barnett, who represented Molitor.

In total, five men were found not guilty (two in federal court and three in Antrim County); Five were convicted by juries (two in federal court and three in Jackson County); and four pleaded guilty as a condition of deals they accepted from prosecutors (two in federal court and two in Antrim County).

According to Pew Research analysis of federal court results in fiscal year 2018, less than 1% of all cases that went to trial resulted in not-guilty verdicts.

There are no readily available conviction statistics for Michigan courts, although attorneys agree the conviction rate in state court is lower than in federal court.

In the kidnap plot case, 50% of the men who went to trial in state or federal court were found not guilty by juries.

A prosecutor should win 95% of the time, Barnett said. The AGs Office failed us, the FBI failed us, as far as citizens go. They should win every case, and they should have beyond a reasonable doubt in every case they bring.

50% is a disgrace ... "

My client sat in jail for 90 days before being released on bond, Barnett said. He cant get those days back. He lost custody of his children and he couldnt get work, at first.

Michigan AG Dana Nessels office touted her offices nearly 63% conviction rate among five of eight defendants her office prosecuted, resulting in cumulative sentences of up to 131 years in prison.

While todays verdicts are not what we hoped for, the successes we have achieved throughout these cases, in both state and federal courts, sends a clear message that acts of domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in our state, Nessel said following the Antrim County acquittals. We remain committed to combatting acts of domestic terrorism, and the proactive work on this joint action undoubtedly saved lives. I am grateful for the exemplary efforts of all involved at the local, state and federal level.

Cooley Law School Professor Jeffrey D. Swartz, who worked as a defense attorney, prosecutor and elected judge before entering academia, said a lower conviction rate among the state defendants was predictable.

Im not terribly surprised, he said. These people were known to the federal authorities at the time that they charged their case, and obviously the feds did not believe that they can convict these people beyond a reasonable doubt, so they didnt charge them.

The state felt that they needed to vindicate their investigation and their involvement and felt they needed to prosecute these people. I think that it was foreseeable that there would be some acquittals.

A leaked video of Nessel speaking with members of the nonprofit Protectors of Equality in Government indicated she believes politics played a role in the Antrim County acquittals.

Three of them were acquitted by a jury in Antrim County, not because we didnt have great evidence but because essentially, it seemed to me as though the Antrim County jurors, (in a) very, very right-leaning county (were) seemingly not so concerned about the kidnapping and assassination of the governor, Nessel said, according to the Detroit News, which obtained and reported on the video.

Nessels office did not respond to MLive requests for comment or further context.

Attorney Todd Shanker, who defended a militia member charged of seditious conspiracy in a case similar to the governor kidnap plot in 2010, doubts politics played into the Antrim jurys decision, however.

I would think that they probably had a good group of jurors, and the jurors deliberated and the jurors found not guilty, he said.

Shanker defended an accused member of the Hutaree militia, a Christian-based, anti-government group based near Adrian. The FBI, using some of the same methods -- undercover agents, informants and covert recordings -- accused members of planning to kill a police officer and then attack attendees with explosives at the subsequent funeral.

Similar to the Whitmer plot, the talk was violent and trainings occurred, but they really didnt do anything but run around the woods in Adrian, Shanker said. And so, that case very much became a First Amendment situation, just because they didnt budge to do anything, even with the prodding of the informants and undercover agents.

After a weeks-long jury trial, U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts determined the governments case was too weak to allow deliberations. Roberts issued a directed verdict of not guilty and acquitted seven Hutaree defendants.

Shanker said it appeared to him the Whitmer case involved more action and had a better chance of resulting in convictions.

The bottom line is, if you dont have any action, youre going to have a hard time showing any conspiracy, he said. People can talk all they want, but you need something to corroborate that.

And I think some of the cases related to Whitmer, they showed action.

In addition to several armed training sessions, meetings and violent text message exchanges, some of the Whitmer plotters surveilled the governors vacation home and the FBI claimed some of the defendants were preparing to pool money for the purchase of explosives and other military equipment at the time of their arrests in October 2020.

Sometimes they cast too wide a net when they do things like this, Shanker said. Its a bit of mixed bag. Theres obviously some wasted money on the table if people are being acquitted, especially after trials, because that costs a lot of money.

Among the defendants convicted by juries, the sentences range from seven to 19 years. The defendants who have pleaded guilty received sentences between 2 1/2 and four years. Two who pled guilty in Antrim County are awaiting sentencing.

Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., who were identified by the FBI as leaders of the plot, received the most severe prisons sentences and are appealing their convictions.

Despite vastly different outcomes for some defendants, I can guarantee that the defense in federal court was not that much different than the defense in Antrim County, Swartz said. I think you see the effect of venue ... and youre entitled to be tried by a jury of your peers, so where you get charged, what youre charged with, what your demographics are like, what your jury pool is plays a very important part.

Those people who deserved to be convicted in the eyes of a jury of their peers were convicted. Those they didnt feel deserved to be convicted were acquitted. And thats the way the system is supposed to work.

Shanker doesnt believe the less-than-stellar prosecution results will deter the FBI, AG or U.S. Attorney from continuing domestic terrorism investigations. In fact, he thinks theyll chalk the case up as a win.

I think were going to see more of these down the line, he said. Especially with the federal convictions, I think theyre a little bit emboldened right now.

I dont know how the state is feeling, but the feds Im sure are feeling like they can continue to be aggressive on this stuff.

More on MLive:

Not guilty, jury rules in final trial for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot suspects

Jury to begin deliberations in trial for remaining men accused in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

They wanted a civil war. Last of accused Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotters go on trial

Final Michigan kidnap plot trial begins with jury selection

Michigan AG asks judge to forbid FBI entrapment accusations at upcoming Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial

Michigan AGs interference with witness reveals big flaw in system, kidnap plot attorney says
Temperatures are dropping, leaves are beginning to change, apples are ripening, and mums and pumpkins are on display.

Fall is nearly here (the first day of fall is Saturday, Sept. 23), and we have a bucket list for Michiganders and visitors alike. Check out this list of 11 must-do fall activities from Pure Michigan:

U-pick apples at Wiards Orchards, 5565 Merritt Road in Ypsilanti Township on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Harvest your own apples: Michigans apple harvest season is in full swing. U-pick apple orchards are available all over the state with varieties from McIntosh to Honeycrisp to Red Delicious. Some top-notch spots recommended by Pure Michigan include Robinettes Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids and Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze in Fennville.

Find the harvest schedule here. Find recipes, a map of orchards and cider mills, and more information about Michigan apples, at MichiganApples.com.

RELATED: Michigan apple season: When will Honeycrisp, other varieties be available?

The Lake of the Clouds Overlook at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is one of Michigan's most iconic scenic destinations -- and a beautiful spot for enjoying fall color. | Photo by Michigan DNR

Hike Michigans colorful forests: The states thousands of miles of hiking trails grow even more beautiful in the fall, when trees blaze with color.

Pure Michigan suggests a visit to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the U.P., offering trails with views of brilliant foliage against a backdrop of Lake Superior and the Lake of the Clouds. In the Lower Peninsula, head to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for deep reds and yellows against Lake Michigan and its sandy shoreline dunes.

Or check out your local parks for trails near you.

RELATED: Take a scenic fall color chairlift ride in the Porcupine Mountains

Luke Hubert, 4, moos at a cow at the 38th annual Webster Fall Festival in Dexter Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Jenna KieserJenna Kieser

Find a fall festival: Small towns all over Michigan will soon celebrate harvest time with fall festivals featuring pumpkins, apples, donuts, cider, music and more.

Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth, Michigans Little Bavaria, is happening this weekend, Sept. 19-22, with unique features like wiener dog races, and Pure Michigan says its a bucket-list event. Ludington will host its adult-oriented Octoberfest Sept. 29-30.

RELATED: Giant pumpkins are carved into race boats at this U.P. fall festival

FILE - Anglers take advantage of the fall salmon run near Grand Rapids.David Kenyon | Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Go fishing: Michigans pristine waterways are ripe for the picking this time of year.

Try your hand at landing a salmon, steelhead or trout at one of the states best fly fishing rivers: the Pere Marquette near Baldwin; the Manistee River; St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie; or the Grand River near Grand Rapids, according to Pure Michigan.

RELATED: Nature trail shows off old-growth forest in Northern Michigan

The M-22 scenic drive starts just north of Manistee. (Photo by Cory Morse | MLive)

Take a scenic drive: A long drive down a winding road is never more relaxing than when the fall colors are out. Give it a try on a bicycle, motorcycle or in the family car.

Enjoy the beauty of the Lake Michigan shore along M-22, perhaps Michigans most famous scenic drive, with glimpses of the sparkling lake peeking through the brilliant foliage from Manistee County to the Leelanau Peninsula, Pure Michigan suggests. In the U.P., where colors will peak first, check out M-26 along the Keweenaw Peninsula. This route passes through the Copper Country State Forest beneath a canopy of stunning color.

RELATED: A dont miss list of Michigans best fall color roads, ahead of peak viewing season

In this file photo, pumpkins grown at DeBuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Belleville on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. A sunflower field, corn mazes, and a pumpkin patch were available for attendees to enjoy. Mary Lewandowski| MLive.com

Carve a pumpkin: Pumpkin carving starts with picking out the best gourd. Pumpkin patches are available throughout Michigan for locals to explore.

Heres one to check out: Pumpkinfest at Tollgate Farm and Education Center in Novi. Its scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 and 8. The festival includes wagon rides to a U-pick pumpkin patch.

RELATED: Michigans Fall Color Forecast: When peak color will hit each part of the state

The corn maze at Robinette's Apple Haus and Winery in Kent County, Michigan on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Explore a corn maze: As corn ripens throughout the state, farmers repurpose the fields into intricate mazes, carving paths for visitors to find their way through the towering corn stalks.

Pure Michigan suggest checking out the Bestmaze in Williamston, which combines a 20-acre corn maze with laser tag; Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze in Fennville with another 20-acre maze; and Albers Orchard & Cider Mill in Manchester, with its 7-acre corn maze and a smaller straw bale maze.

Boo Boo, the grizzly bear, checks out a pumpkin at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Visit a zoo: Michigan zoos are open in the fall - and winter in some cases - and some animals are more active as temperatures cool, making it a perfect time to visit your local zoo. Not to mention, many of them host Halloween-themed events.

The Detroits Zoos Zoo Boo is happening the first three weekends of October with a new theme each week. In Grand Rapids, John Ball Zoo Goes Boo is scheduled for the last three weekends of October.

MLive file photo (Nic Antaya | MLive.com)

Go hunting: Fall presents an opportunity for hunting enthusiasts to get out into the woods and try their hand at a variety of game: deer, turkey, waterfowl and more.

The western U.P. near Ontonagon is a prime location for grouse, while good pheasant hunting can be had in Michigans thumb, near Saginaw, according to Pure Michigan. Looking to bag a big buck? Head to the northern Lower Peninsula near Gladwin for prime whitetail deer hunting.

RELATED: See DNRs deer hunting regulation changes for Michigans 2023-25 seasons

The Flint Farmers' Market on Sept. 21, 2019 in Flint. (Sara Faraj | MLive.com)Sara Faraj | MLive.com

Visit a farmers market: Summer may be behind us, but the wealth of Michigans farms is nowhere near ended. Farmers markets selling a variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, locally made wines, breads and more, can be found in almost every small town and big city throughout the state.

Pure Michigan suggests a visit to Eastern Market, which has been a Detroit staple in 1841. It covers six city blocks with stalls of root vegetables, fall-blooming flowers and locally-made pierogis and sausages in autumn.

The 91st annual America's Thanksgiving Parade makes its way down Woodward Ave. in Detroit on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 23, 2017. MLive file photoTanya Moutzalias | MLive Detroit

See Americas Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit: The annual Americas Thanksgiving Parade has been going on in Detroit since 1924 - nearly 100 years. Detroiters and visitors gather to watch the parade and welcome the holiday season with giant, helium-filled balloons, marching bands and some 2,000 clowns. Its one of the nations largest Thanksgiving parades.
Qabil Ashirov

Armenia has been provoking Azerbaijan since the end of the 44-day War in 2020. With the sneaking and planting of landmines in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, financing the separatist gang in Khankendi, and transferring military equipment and personnel to Garabagh, it has been able to keep tension high in its relationship with Azerbaijan over the last three years. However, two successive terror acts ended in the deaths of nine Azerbaijanis on September 19 changed everything, and Baku started the anti-terror activities.

It should be noted that the processes have attracted the special interest of foreign media representatives, think tanks and political analysts. Experts from different countries, including Turkiye, Britain, France and Pakistan, have shared their opinions on the ongoing processes.

Speaking to Azernews political scientist Dr. Imran Khalid pointed out that it appears, that terrorist activities are connected with two factors. First, it has to be understood that Pashinyan is trying to remain in power, and for this, he makes populist speeches. As is known, the best way to stay in power is to create problems and to keep the relations with Azerbaijan tense. Or to what extent, he tries to provoke Azerbaijan in the Garabagh economic region.

The second factor is, that Russian influence on Armenia is gradually decreasing and at the same time, the influence of the USA and the West is gradually increasing. One can observe it from recent visits by Western leaders to Armenia. Even very recently, Armenian forces have held military exercises with the USA. So, all these factors have encouraged Pashinyan to take risks, and some kind of teasing activities in Garabagh. I guess, initially their plan was to start some kind of terrorist activities to test the potential response of Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan had responded softly, they would gradually increase these terrorist activities to convert them to a kind of guerrilla war. However, to their disappointment, Azerbaijan retaliated swiftly, promptly, and solidly by launching a comprehensive operation against terrorism, Imran Khalid noted.

He stressed that actually, Armenia did not expect it and that is why now Pashinyan is finding it difficult to come out of this situation. Therefore the PM immediately called his friends in the West instead of Moscow for their support and it was noticed that Antony Blinken immediately called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to ask to stop the anti-terror activities.

Obviously, this is being done in an effort to stop Azerbaijan from cleaning up the area from Armenian military personnel there. We have witnessed that a lot of pressure came from the USA and other Western countries. The situation differs from previous ones when Moscow had put pressure on this matter. Pashinyan felt that in the case of Azerbaijan's further success in the anti-terror activities, his domestic position would be seriously affected. He had already seen that people in Yerevan and other Armenian cities went out to protest against him because of his back-fired foolish strategy. In short, Pashinyan was desperate to get out of this situation, and he was seeking the support of his newly found friends in the West, the pundit opined.

As for some US Senators who stand with Armenian separatism, he pointed out that it is more of their personal interest. He said that right now, the American interest is that they want to increase their influence in the backyard of Russia and Armenia is the place for fulfilling this interest. Therefore, they forget all these principles regarding terrorism and separatism. He concluded that instead, they put pressure on Azerbaijan, or they do want to show Pashinyan and Armenians that they are just allies with Armenia.

---

Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov
The retired racecar driver said she got "stuck 3 times" and eventually escaped the muddy conditions after 4 hours

danicapatrick/Instagram Former NASCAR Star Danica Patrick Escapes Burning Man 'Swamp'

Danica Patrick was one of the many festival-goers stuck at Burning Man this year after severe weather conditions turned the desert locale into a "swamp," she said.

The former NASCAR star, 41, recounted how she "made it out" of this year's chaotic Burning Man in an Instagram Story on Sunday.

"Stuck 3 times and it took 4 hours  but on pavement," Patrick told her followers in the since-expired Story, according to The New York Post.

Despite the harsh conditions of this year's festival, which takes place annually in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, Patrick said the uncertainty brought Burning Man attendees closer together.

Related: Princess Stephanie of Monaco's Daughter Escapes Burning Man as Rain Dampens Event: 'We're Out'

The challenge from weather really helped show everyones true nature at BM and it was to step up and help each other," Patrick wrote. "It is an alternate reality where everyone gives what they can and no money is exchanged."

danicapatrick/Instagram Former NASCAR Star Danica Patrick Escapes Burning Man 'Swamp'

Too bad that couldnt be our full reality but for now . Its one magical week in the desert. Or swamp this year.

On Thursday, the former racecar driver also shared a video of the "yearly clean" she does after Burning Man, and the three pairs of boots she packed for this year's event.

"Time to power wash off Burning Man," she wrote over the video on her Instagram story.

Two of the pairs appeared relatively clean for being stuck in a muddy desert, but the third pair of Patrick's boots shown in her story were covered in dried mud. "Oh my god, they're already making a mess," she said in the story.



danicapatrick/Instagram Danica Patrick shows muddy results of her 2023 Burning Man experience

On Saturday, organizers informed festival-goers on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Gate and airport in and out of Black Rock City remain closed. Ingress and egress are halted until further notice. No driving is permitted except emergency vehicles.

Story continues

Diplo and Chris Rock were among some of the celebrities at the festival, but the 44-year-old DJ made it out, tweeting: Just walked 5 miles in the mud out of burning man with chris rock and a fan picked us up. Diplo also shared a video of him and Rock, 58, riding in the back of a truck through the desert with several others.

just walked 5 miles in the mud out of burning man with chris rock and a fan picked us up pic.twitter.com/0uxSXLHgY6  diplo (@diplo) September 2, 2023

The festival turned tragic for others, though. A 32-year-old man identified as Leon Reece died at the location after being found unresponsive around 6:24 p.m. local time as the area was inundated with rain, Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a statement Monday night, per The Daily Beast, The New York Post and The Reno Gazette-Journal.



"Pershing County dispatch received a call regarding a male subject who was on the ground and unresponsive at the Burning Man Festival and medical personnel were administering CPR to the male," Allen said in his statement, per the Post.

Related: Whoopi Goldberg Checks in Remotely on 'The View' amid COVID Diagnosis: Im Not at Burning Man

At this time, a preliminary investigation, which included witness interviews, has not determined the cause of death, the sheriff said.

However, it does not appear that the weekend weather led to his death, per the outlets. A toxicology report is currently underway.

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CNN reported the area received two to three months' worth of rain  up to 0.8 inches  in just 24 hours between Friday and Saturday morning.

The Burning Man website describes the city as "a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance" that attracts thousands of attendees every year. Travel Nevada notes that more than 70,000 people attend Burning Man annually.



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Read the original article on People.
PLEASANTON TOWNSHIP, MI  A 72-year-old man died Wednesday after his vehicle crossed the centerline, left the roadway and struck a home, police said.

The Manistee County Sheriffs Office is investigating the fatal single-vehicle crash. It happened around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, on Butwell Road near Alkire Road in Pleasanton Township, according to a news release.

James Hough, 72, of Bear Lake, died of injuries sustained in the crash, police said. He was treated by medical personnel at the scene.

The initial investigation shows the vehicle was traveling southbound on Butwell when it crossed into the northbound lane, left the roadway on the east side and then hit a house, police said. Its unclear what caused the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

The Manistee County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Mobile Medical Response, Onekama and Bear Lake fire departments, and Manistee Central Dispatch.
OTSEGO COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man is accused of child abuse and assault in Otsego County.

According to Michigan State Police in Gaylord, troopers began investigating Nathaniel Kaine Barrera, 21, of Gaylord after the mother of a female victim alleged an assault occurred in 2022.

A forensic interview was conducted at the Northern Michigan Childrens Assessment Center in Roscommon where the child alleged that Barrera would have her lie on her stomach, with her arms behind her back, and then he would force a sock in her mouth, preventing her from breathing.

The victim said this occurred on several occasions while she was with him at a relatives home. The victim also made allegations of animal cruelty, police said.

Barrera was interviewed and a warrant was eventually issued for his arrest. He was later arrested and lodged in the Otsego County Jail.

Barrera was arraigned this week in the 87-B District Court in Otsego County on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and fourth degree child abuse.

His bond was set at $10,000. His next scheduled court appearance is at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.

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DETROIT  The remains of a Michigan soldier killed during the Korean War have been identified.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday that U.S. Army Cpl. Lewis W, Hill, 18, of Detroit, was accounted for on May 22.

It was July 20, 1950 when Hill, a member of L Company, went missing in action after his unit was forced to retreat from Taejon, South Korea. Due to the fighting, his body could not be recovered, but there was never any evidence that he was a prisoner of war.

As a result, the U.S. Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953.

After regaining control of Taejon in the fall of 1950, the Army began recovering remains from the area and temporarily interring them at the United Nations Military Cemetery in Taejon. One set of remains recovered during this period was designated Unknown X-29 Taejon.

A tentative association was made between X-29 and Hill, but definitive proof could not be found, and X-29 was determined to be unidentifiable. The remains were sent to Hawaii where they were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

In July 2018, the DPAA disinterred Unknown X-29 as part of the Korean War Disinterment Project and sent the remains to a lab for analysis.

Hills remains were eventually identified through dental and anthropological analysis, mitochondrial DNA and chest radiograph comparison and circumstantial evidence.

Hills name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

He will be buried in Imlay City on a yet-to-be determined date.

READ MORE:

Remains of Michigan airman who crashed into rice paddy during WWII identified

Mackinac Islands Arch Rock viewing area to close for construction of $7.5M nature center

Historic photo shows Mackinac Island residents posing on Arch Rock

Taken in 1856, this is the oldest known photo of Mackinac Island

See what Mackinac Island looked like a century ago
The crash of an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in South Carolina over the weekend has raised numerous questions about what prompted the pilot to eject and how the $100 million warplane was able to keep flying pilotless for 60 miles (100 kilometers) before crashing.

Heres what is known about the modern warplane and its latest incident:

FORCED TO EJECT

A U.S. Marine Corps pilot was flying a single-seat F-35B fighter jet on Sunday when the pilot experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject, a Marine Corps official who was not authorized to speak publicly said on condition of anonymity. The aircraft was only at an altitude of about 1,000 feet (300 meters) and only about a mile (less than 2 kilometers) north of Charleston International Airport, in a populated area that led the pilot to parachute into a residential backyard.

The Marine Corps variant of the F-35 is different from the Air Force and Navy versions in that it can take off and land like a helicopter  which allows it to operate on amphibious assault ships. But its also different in that its the only one of the three variants that has an auto-eject function on its ejection seat, according to seat manufacturer Martin-Baker. That has raised questions as to whether the malfunction the pilot experienced was the seat itself.

On the Air Force and Navy versions, the pilot has to initiate the ejection, said Dan Grazier, a former Marine Corps captain and the senior defense policy fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, but the Marine versions auto-eject is intended to better protect the pilot in case something goes wrong with the aircraft when its in hover mode. Was that function triggered for some reason, and punched the pilot out? Grazier said. Theres a lot of unanswered questions.

Last December, an F-35B that had not yet been delivered to the Marine Corps crashed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth 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. While the Air Force F-35A does not have an auto-eject function, some of the cartridges that initiate the ejection in the warplane were found to have issues, leading to the grounding.

At the time, all F-35 ejection seats, including the Navy and Marine Corps variants, were inspected, and the continue to be looked at during standard maintenance on the aircraft, the F-35 Joint Program Office said in a statement to The Associated Press.

THE AIRCRAFT KEPT FLYING

Other major questions include how the aircraft continued flying for 60 miles before crashing in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina, and why the pilot bailed out  if the bailout was intentional  of a plane that was able to keep operating for that long, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps Reserves colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Security.

If it flew that far, could (the pilot) have landed it someplace  why punch out where he did? Cancian asked.

The search for the aircraft lasted more than a day before the debris was ultimately located Monday by a South Carolina law enforcement helicopter.

A Marine Corps official said he could not provide any additional details on why it took so long to find the jet, citing the ongoing investigation. 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. Once it was located, a Marine Corps team was dispatched to secure the wreckage and a second team, one that conducts aircraft mishap investigations, was sent to the site.

FIGHTER JET OF THE FUTURE

The Lockheed Martin-produced F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter is the most advanced fighter jet in the U.S. arsenal, with more than 972 warplanes already built and plans to produce more than 3,500 globally. The Defense Department is counting on it serving for decades as the primary fighter both for the U.S. and a host of allied partners, much like the role the F-16 Flying Falcon was designed to fill decades ago.

The jet represents so much of the future of the countrys airpower, Cancian said.

It was almost 22 years ago that Lockheed won the contract to build the F-35. It created three variants  the Air Forces F-35A, which is the most produced version and the one most often 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 program, however, has faced significant cost overruns and production delays, and its final price tag now tops an estimated $1.7 trillion. While many of the aircraft have been built, the program is already looking at replacing the F-35 engine.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Theres about to be a new place in Washtenaw County to safely dispose of toxic household materials, from automotive fluids to batteries and paint.

The county, working with GFL Environmental, Inc., will be opening a new 2,400-square-foot household hazardous waste center at the Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township near Northville, officials announced Wednesday, Sept. 20.

It will be open to residents of Washtenaw County, Northville Township and Northville, officials said.

The center helps address limitations of Washtenaw Countys existing home toxics center on Zeeb Road west of Ann Arbor.

We did a lot with our postage stamp in the parking lot, but at the rate we are growing, we were in desperate need of an upgrade, County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont said in a statement. It enables us to be more efficient, better protected from the elements, and since Arbor Hills pays for the disposal at the new site, it may free up funds for other waste diversion efforts.

The facility, set to open Tuesday, Oct. 3, is one requirement of a multimillion-dollar legal settlement between GFL and Michigan regulators that stemmed from alleged environmental violations after hundreds of odor complaints from residents living near the landfill.

GFL acquired Arbor Hills from another operator after Michigans attorney general sued the landfill over the issues in 2020, ultimately resulting in the settlement.

Arbor Hills Landfill, 10690 Six Mile Road in Salem Township on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

We are really excited about this partnership, GFL General Manager Dave Seegert said in a statement. This new building was designed specifically for this program. It provides an additional collection capacity for household hazardous waste which is an improvement for the community, and is set up to minimize risks associated with handling hazardous wastes which is better for county staff.

Under the settlement, the landfill built the facility and covers disposal costs as well as funding for a staff member, with Washtenaw County operating the site, Eggermont said.

It will accept the same kinds of toxic waste as the countys existing site. The full list, available online, includes adhesives, aerosols, motor oil, antifreeze, light bulbs, cooking oil, flammables, handheld electronics with batteries, cleaning products, mercury, mothballs, paint, pesticides and other kinds of chemicals.

In 2022, the program processed more than 536,000 pounds of material from almost 7,000 residents, officials said, and in the decade leading up to that point the amount collected has increased by over 160%.

The new site, at 10843 W. Five Mile Road, will be accessible only by appointment, Tuesday through Friday, with scheduling beginning online on Monday, Sept. 25.

The county experimented with walk-in service at the existing Zeeb Road site, but were overwhelmed, Eggermont said. People loved us, but they loved us too much. It was too popular, he said, adding the appointment system was successfully implemented with the countys summer cleanup days this year.

The Zeeb Road location will remain open, with collections continuing on certain Saturdays for Washtenaw County residents, without an appointment needed for the rest of the year. Information on the home toxics collection program, hours and appointments is available on the countys website.

Washtenaw County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont cuts a ribbon at the new household hazardous waste disposal site at the Arbor Hills landfill in Salem Township, a facility opening through a partnership between the county and GFL Environmental on Oct. 3, 2023.Provided by Autumn House

The service has expanded significantly since it began in the mid-1990s, according to county officials.

Its one Washtenaw County residents shouldnt take for granted, and the county frequently gets inquires from residents of other counties who lack the service over whether they too can use the sites, Eggermont said.

Theyd love it if they could come here from out of county but of course then wed get inundated, and our job is to serve Washington County residents, he said.

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FLINT, MI -- Theres a reasonable explanation for the loud sounds coming from the skies over the Flint area on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

The 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio National Guard says it conducted an air defense exercise from 8-9:30 p.m. and warned in an advisory a few hours in advance that the exercise could stretch into the Flint area.

It did, and people noticed.

Several residents in the Flint, Burton, Columbiaville and Vassar areas reported hearing or seeing a fighter jet, which was tracking a Civil Air Patrol aircraft that acted as a potential threat in the exercise.

The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate response and coordination procedures, the 180th Fighter Wing said in a news release.

The fighter plane in Wednesdays exercise was an F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, Staff Sgt. Kregg Tork, a spokesman for the unit, said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Tork said Flint area residents could still spot a jet coming or going Thursday to night-time exercises that have been occurring this week, but the event in the Flint area on Wednesday was designed to be a one-night operation.

The reaction to the fighter jets unexpected appearance here was quick on Facebook.

I about fell off the kitchen chair ... That was as loud as hell, one poster said in a Burton community page on Facebook

I thought a plane was coming down! That was loud, another resident posted.

The 180th Fighter Wing is part of the U.S. Air National Guard. It is tasked with providing protection of the homeland, effective combat power and defense support to civil authorities, while developing Airmen, supporting their families and serving in the community, according to the 180th website.

The 180th typically uses the Buckeye/Brushcreek airspace in southern Ohio, the Alpena airspace complex in Northern Michigan, and the Indiana Air Range Complex in southeast Indiana, the website says.

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KENT COUNTY, MI  A resident is hospitalized after contracting West Nile virus, the first reported case involving a human in Kent County this year, the Health Department said Thursday, Sept. 21.

Health officials said that the resident, with limited recent travel, likely contracted the virus from a mosquito bite in the 49507 zip code in Grand Rapids. The Ottawa County Department of Health also reported Thursday that two residents were hospitalized after contracting West Nile Virus.

Related: First cases of West Nile virus reported in Ottawa County, highest count since 2018

Statewide, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports seven people  including those in Kent and Ottawa counties  have tested positive for the virus as of Sept. 15.

Kent County health officials urged residents to avoid being bitten, with unseasonably warm weather this weekend expected to draw people outside.

People need to know that mosquitoes are still quite active this time of year, Adam London, the administrative health officer, said in a statement. It continues to be important that people take measures to protect themselves from being bitten.

The Health Department recommended that people use mosquito repellant containing 10 to 35 percent DEET, wear light-colored clothing and stay indoors at dusk.

Related: First mosquito-borne virus cases of 2023 detected in 2 Michigan counties

Authorities advised removing standing water where mosquitos can breed. Most of those infected with the virus will not know it but about 20 percent will have fever or other symptoms.

In rare cases West Nile Virus an become a serious and sometimes fatal illness, the statement said.

For more information about West Nile Virus, go here.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Fall has only just begun, but the lines are already out the doors at several West Michigan orchards and cider mills as fall-lovers rush to get their fix of seasonal donuts and cider.

While there are countless great bakeries that serve donuts year-round in the Grand Rapids area, theres nothing quite like eating donuts from your local orchard or farm, surrounded by acres of farmland and gorgeous fall scenery.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI - The man arrested as a suspect in two Jackson bank robberies has been linked to a third bank robbery in a nearby township, police said.

Deputies responded to a silent panic alarm around 9:02 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Flagstar Bank, 704 S. Brown St. in Summit Township, south of Jackson, said the Jackson County Sheriffs Office.

Bank employees told arriving deputies that the bank had been robbed, police said. Investigators determined a male suspect entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller while acting as if he had a firearm, police said, adding that no firearm was actually observed.

The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene in a vehicle, police said.

Read more: Man linked to pair of Jackson bank robberies arrested

Further investigation showed that a Flagstar bank in Jackson was robbed under similar circumstances, police said. Around 9:24 a.m., Jackson city police found a 50-year-old man matching the suspects description on Steward Avenue near Demay Court, police said.

The man was arrested at the scene, police said. Surveillance video confirmed the man was the person who robbed the Summit Township bank, police said.

The 50-year-old man was lodged at Jackson County Jail for bank robbery, police said. It was later discovered he was on parole for two different bank robberies in Jackson from 2001 and 2007, police said.

The man was also linked to a Sept. 19 robbery at American 1 Credit Union.

Deputies also recovered the vehicle used in the Summit Township robbery and found the driver at a residence on South Street, police said. The 21-year-old man was arrested, and a sawed-off shotgun and revolver were found at the residence, police said.

The 21-year-old was lodged at Jackson County Jail on an unrelated warrant, police said. The investigation into his involvement in the bank robberies continues, though charges for weapons offenses will be sought at a later date through the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, police said.

Michigan State Police, Jackson Police Department and the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team worked with the sheriffs office on the Summit Township investigation.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- Two life science companies are graduating out of the WMed Innovation Center.

The WMed Innovation Center is an incubator for growing science and technology businesses. The 69,000-square-foot building offers lab space and office space companies can rent out. Companies get access to high quality materials and support services, according to the WMed Innovation Center website.

The end goal for companies who enter the Innovation Center is to grow to a point where they can be self sustaining and get their own space, Sandra Cochrane, assistant dean at WMed Innovation Center said.

Thats exactly the success that was celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Northern Biomolecular Services, a cell and gene therapy company, is graduating to a new facility at 5528 Portage Road. Vestaron, an environmentally-friendly insecticide company, is moving into office space at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Since NBS started in 2019, the company has had a lot of success, said Roy French, NBS director of laboratory science. The new space will allow them to expand the business side of the company, French said.

(NBS) is growing so quickly and so fast (because) they have excelled in their work environment, French said.

The company researches various cell and gene therapies to see how they can be applied to find cures for diseases. French pointed to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine at Pfizer as a reason for why its important to support innovation and aspiring local companies.

At Vestaron, the company uses peptides, a natural protein, to make a new form of insecticide. So far, insects have not developed a resistance to the product, Cochrane said.

This is a small company that has had an innovation that is really quite remarkable, probably the first time for a company of this size here in Kalamazoo, said Robert Kennedy, chief scientific officer at Vestaron.

The residue left by the new insecticide is nontoxic, so workers dont have to worry about time frames for re-entering fields or harvest times related to spraying, Kennedy said.

The WMed Innovation Center is one of Michigans Smart Zones a collection of 20 areas across the state where a fraction of local tax revenue is used to support entrepreneurship, innovation and community, said Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who attended Wednesdays event.

Michigan has always been a state of people who are innovators, Gilchrist said. We just want to make sure that infrastructure is modernized and supported to support the next generation of people.

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OTTAWA  A new battery supply-chain agreement between Ottawa and Tokyo comes as Canada wants to expand its position in the battery industry and Japan seeks to secure access to lucrative American EV subsidies for its automakers.

Japan's industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said today that the move also comes as the two countries seek out like-minded allies in a world with increasing geopolitical tension.

He only specifically mentioned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but both Canada and Japan seek to counter China's economic and political dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as in the global battery industry.

For Canada, the deal is well-timed, allowing it to show growing ties with a key Indo-Pacific ally even as its relationship with India barrels towards rock bottom.

Japan brings technology in mineral processing as well as battery and auto companies to the table, while Canada brings access to critical minerals and emerging battery manufacturing capacity.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says there is interest from Japanese automakers to make EV batteries in Canada, though he says this agreement just sets the stage for those talks to really begin to take shape.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.

The Canadian Press
CASS COUNTY, MI -- A 67-year-old man was injured in a motorcycle crash, the Cass County Sheriffs Office reports.

At 10:56 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, deputies responded to a single motorcycle crash with injuries near the intersection of Lawrence Road and McKenzie Street in Volinia Township, the Cass County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

James Hurd, 67, of Decatur was southbound on Lawrence Road when he rode over some gravel, causing him to lose control of the motorcycle and crash.

Hurd came to rest in a grassy area off the side of the road, police said. He was transferred to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Hurd was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor, police said.

The Wayne Township and Dowagiac City Fire Departments assisted the sheriffs office at the scene.

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New $95M Kalamazoo courthouse may be renamed after first Black judge
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners is considering changing the name of the new downtown courthouse to honor the first Black judge, the late Charles A. Pratt.

Commissioners talked about the idea at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, after the county received a letter from the The Kalamazoo County Bar Association Board and The Judge Charles A. Pratt Bar Association requesting the change.

Pratt was elected to serve as Judge of Kalamazoos 8th District Court in 1968 after serving overseas in the U.S. Army during Word War II, according to the the Judge Charles A. Pratt Bar Association.

Signage for the building has been ordered and designed with the name Kalamazoo County Justice Center, Kalamazoo County Administrator/Controller Kevin Catlin. The proposed change would affect interior and exterior signage, he said.

If commissioners choose not to rename the building, they could choose to have a public art piece, plaque or some other instillation to honor the judge, Catlin said.

Officials leading the project advised it would be costly to change the signage, Catlin said.

Commissioner Dale Deleeuw said he doesnt support changing the signage. He noted there could be other judges to honor through a name change.

How do you pick? Deleeuw said. And why just a plaque for Judge Pratt?

Commissioner John Gisler suggested listing all the judges who have served the county. Gisler said he was against naming it after a single individual.

Vice Chair Tami Rey noted the board did not chose Pratt; they received a request to make the change. Others are welcome to submit other name change requests, she said. She highlighted how he was the first Black judge in Kalamazoo, and that was the reason for him to be suggested.

Pratt was also the first Black chief judge, Board Chair John Taylor said, and he would have no problem doing a dedication to Pratt.

Taylor and others asked for county staff to look into the cost and let commissioners know what the options are.

During discussion, Commissioner Monteze Morales questioned if the board was prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion. She supports naming the building after Pratt.

I think itll build some sense of community that Black folks in this area can feel proud and a level of respect can be gained, Morales said.

The letter requesting the change says, in part, By naming the new courthouse after Judge Pratt, we not only acknowledge his outstanding achievements, but also provide a lasting testament to his legacy. The name will inspire and remind future generations of legal professionals about the importance of upholding justice and the rule of law.

Construction on the $95 million justice facility began in May 2021 and the latest completion estimate is Dec. 4, 2023.

Related: Opening delayed several weeks for new $95M Kalamazoo County courthouse

According to a letter from Pratt, held at the WMU Archives and Regional History Collection at the Zhang Legacy Collections Center, he was born in Kalamazoo on April 2, 1909. Pratt graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1928 and went to college and law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

He returned to Kalamazoo and opened an attorney practice on North Burdick Street, according to a 1989 Kalamazoo Gazette article about his life and death.

Pratt was called to active duty in World War II and served as an officer. He returned to his practice in Kalamazoo and was appointed district judge in 1968, the article says.

Pratt died March 21, 1989, according to the Kalamazoo Public Library.

Judge Charles A. Pratt (Courtesy | Kalamazoo Gazette Archives, courtesy, WMU Zhang Legacy Collections Center)

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MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  A Taste of the Great Lakes dinner and guided hike at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will raise money to improve accessibility at the Lake Michigan park.

The event will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the park, 6585 Lake Harbor Road in Norton Shores.
SAGINAW, MI  More than three years ago, a masked man waltzed into a rural Saginaw County store, brandished a knife and demanded cash. Unimpressed and recognizing the would-be robber as a regular customer, the clerk told him to get lost.

His heist foiled by the defiant employee, the man slunk off empty-handed. Shortly thereafter, the suspect received a Taser stun as he resisted police.

Now, the accused has been convicted of the stymied holdup, for the second time.

Jurors in the trial of 43-year-old Clement F. Fuller III delivered their verdicts at about 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, finding the defendant guilty of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree home invasion, lying to a peace officer, and two counts of assaulting, resisting, or obstructing police. The jury acquitted Fuller on a third count of resisting police.

Fuller, seated by defense attorney William D. White, seemed unmoved on hearing the verdicts.

Fuller on the evening of April 18, 2020, went to Good Times Market at 9538 East Road in Albee Township, armed with a long kitchen knife. He demanded cash from the female clerk, going behind the counter and repeatedly using the knife to prod the woman in her back and chest.

The clerk refused to hand over the money. Fuller grew frustrated and punched the cash register, before fleeing the store empty handed.

Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel G. Van Norman played video footage of the interaction during the trial.

Michigan State Police troopers responded to the store and asked the clerk if she recognized her assailant. She identified Fuller as the culprit, saying he comes to the store often.

Police went to an address in the 2100 block of West Sloan Road, just around the corner from the store, and encountered Fuller. Fuller ran from police despite their commands to halt.

Fuller took refuge in an RV and barricaded himself inside. The RVs owner gave troopers permission to enter the vehicle. They did so and arrested Fuller, though he fought and has to be Tased.

Fuller in November 2021 pleaded no contest to armed robbery and resisting police but withdrew his plea the following June.

Fuller was on federal probation at the time and has been incarcerated in both Michigan and federal prisons. Fuller in November 2010 arrived in the Michigan Department of Corrections on convictions of home invasion and assaulting, resisting, or obstructing police.

The MDOC in July 2014 paroled Fuller to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a federal judge in 2012 sentenced Fuller to 100 months on a conviction of possessing a stolen firearm. The federal and state sentences were concurrent.

Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III is to sentence Fuller at 9 a.m. on Nov. 13.
SAGINAW, MI  Saginaw County officials are scrambling to identify temporary office space for dozens of employees who will be displaced during a massive, multimillion dollar project at the governments headquarters in the citys Old Town district.

Some leaders worry the wrong decision could endanger funding. Other officials are concerned the wrong decision could amount to fiscal recklessness.

Plenty remains uncertain about the countys plans for updating the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at the 5-floor Saginaw County Governmental Center, 111 S. Michigan, a building known commonly as the courthouse.

Those uncertainties include when the HVAC overhaul could start and how long the project could span. Officials are preparing for a years-long timeframe.

The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners at a Tuesday, Sept. 19, meeting  convened in that same building  seemed poised to choose where those displaced employees would work. Instead, though, a debate featuring members expressing frustration over a lack of answers concluded with a delayed decision.

The Concentric Building

Saginaw County leaders are considering relocating workers to a Carrollton Township office building, 4800 Concentric Blvd., while the Saginaw County Governmental Center undergoes renovations.

In recent months, county officials began discussing the prospects of temporarily occupying a commercial building at 4800 Concentric Blvd. in Carrollton Township during the HVAC project. Commissioners referred to the property simply as The Concentric Building.

The 40,000-square-foot facility sits on the east side of the I-675 ramp on Tittabawassee Road, at the edge of a commercial district where the borders of Carrollton, Kochville and Saginaw townships converge near Zilwaukees city limits.

County records showed Shaheen Development owns the building and offered leasing options that range from one to 15 years and annual rent that ranges from $440,000 to $520,000, depending on the deals length. That means the deal would cost the county anywhere between $440,000 to $7.8 million.

The board planned to vote on a lease agreement at its Tuesday meeting but Democrat Sheldon Matthews invoked a commissioners privilege parliamentary measure, which allows members to table a single board decision for one month.

Matthews move means the board will wait to consider the deal until a 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, meeting at the governmental center.

Matthews objections centered on concerns paying the lease rates would amount to the county biting off more than its $200 million-a-year budget could afford to chew.

I dont agree with this, Matthews said. I dont want this county to go broke trying to do something that we dont have the money to do.

Matthews suggestion for a remedy: Move the governmental center-based employees temporarily into other county-owned facilities with unused offices.

He said alternatives could include three Saginaw-based sites: The recently-vacated former Saginaw County Animal Control and Care Center, 1312 Gratiot; the Health Department headquarters, 1600 N. Michigan; or the 9-1-1 Administration building, 618 Cass.

While other elected officials were involved in the discussion Tuesday, the commissioner who most often challenged Matthews opposition was Christopher Boyd, the board chairman. Their back-and-forth at times grew passionate enough that they criticized each other for interrupting board members discourse more than once.

Boyd was critical of the delayed vote and said Matthews suggested alternative sites would not house the number of employees who would be displaced during the HVAC project.

County records indicate employees who would be impacted include workers in the offices of the Board of Commissioners, Controller, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Equalization, Parks and Recreation, Information Technology, Public Works, and Clerk.

The county employs about 600 people, with the governmental center serving as the HQ for many of them.

Boyd said, while the plan to vote on the lease was scheduled Tuesday, discussions between commissioners about moving into The Concentric Building stretched back months. The chairman said last year he and Saginaw County Controller Robert Belleman  who the board fired later, in June  began exploring potential temporary office space before settling on the Shaheen Development property as their top pick during an April board gathering.

This has been pursued since then, Boyd said, and if we want to postpone this, it will simply  in my opinion  jeopardize our funding and our ability to renovate the HVAC system.

At one point, Boyd joked an alternative could involve moving displaced staff into tents on the front lawn of the governmental center. When he noticed an employees reaction in the audience, Boyd assured the crowd he was jesting.

Were not going to put you in a tent, Boyd said. Im just saying, weve been exploring things. At some point, weve got to fish or cut bait.

The chairman said nixing The Concentric Building deal and settling on an alternative could take six months.

And were probably going to miss some deadlines, Boyd said. We should have been talking about these other options in April, not September.

A split campus

How could a delayed decision jeopardize funding? And what funding? And what deadlines?

That board in September 2022 approved allocating $8.1 million of the countys $37 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus toward funding the HVAC project.

Saginaw County Finance Director Koren Thurston told the board, while a U.S. Department of Treasury-mandated deadline tied to spending ARPA funds does not arrive until 2026, a very small portion of state revenue sharing dollars would be endangered if the county waffles on its ARPA allocations after a March 2024 deadline.

We need to have a plan by the end of the year, Commissioner Rich Spitzer said.

The Republican said moving employees into any new space would cost money, including renovation costs at the county-owned options.

If we try to resurrect one of the empty buildings, well probably have to make some significant investments, probably to the tune of several hundreds of thousands of dollars, Spitzer said. Were still spending money, one way or the other.

Republican Dennis Krafft, the longest-serving commissioner, said he would favor leasing space at The Concentric Building  but not for an extended period.

I can live with a 3- to 5-year lease, Krafft said. I cant live with the idea of a split campus. Im interested in getting people out of here, put them into a temporary building, get them comfortable there, and then lets ship them back here again.

Democrat Gerald Little seconded the sentiment.

If its more than three years, then I would be opposed to that, Little said.

Both Little and Krafft expressed surprise the proposal included an option to lease the space up to 15 years.

Boyd said the proposal was a temporary solution but acknowledged hearing worries from county staff that the move would become permanent.

Whether or not it develops into something else, I cant predict, Boyd said. What if we have a tornado that comes through here and knocks down (the governmental center) tomorrow? I dont know.

Krafft was critical of the lack of answers regarding the timeframe for the HVAC project.

When he asked Boyd and other county officials how long the project could last and when it could start, no one offered a timeframe.

Were missing a lot of information here that will help direct us to what the right solution is, Krafft said.

Peter Shaheen, vice president of Shaheen Development, was in the audience during the 4-hour-long meeting.

More than once, commissioners asked him questions about The Concentric Building lease proposal. The Saginaw developer was the only person there to speculate how long the office displacement could last.

I can tell you, from our experience in literally moving hundreds of employees in instances like this, things take time, Shaheen said.

To think that the major renovations that need to be done in this building can be done in less than a 2- to 3-year time period ... I would seriously pause that logic.

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ANN ARBOR  University of Michigan researchers will help lead a new effort focused on climate change resilience among Indigenous communities in areas with transboundary waters  starting with the Great Lakes.

Climate change threatens water resources across North America and around the world with more intense floods and droughts, worsened water quality, and exacerbated shoreline erosion. A new academic and research center will focus on understanding these phenomena and finding ways to lessen the currently intensifying water crises by preparing communities and ecosystems for climate hazards.

The U.S. National Science Foundation awarded $5 million to the university in Ann Arbor to establish the Global Center for Understanding Climate Change Impacts on Transboundary Waters. Other partner institutions include Cornell University, University of Wisconsin, the College of Menominee Nation and the Red Lake Nation.

Additional money for the project is expected from the Canadian government in a partnership among McMaster University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the Six Nations of the Grand River, Brock University and Wilfrid Laurier University. Total funding is $7.75 million in U.S. currency for the next five years.

The center will be based at U-Ms School for Environment and Sustainability.

At first, the center will focus on climate change adaptation in the Great Lakes region with a special emphasis on Indigenous and climate-vulnerable communities. Work will later expand to other North American multinational watersheds.

I think the center is a great example of a program where tribal colleges and tribal leadership is pivotal in both research and education, said Kyle Whyte, U-M professor and the centers co-principal investigator.

Whyte, who is enrolled with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, is a U.S. Science Envoy and serves on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. He said he is excited for the center to reinvigorate a project to create a coordinated plan to monitor climate change impacts among the Native tribes on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes and the First Nations on the Canadian side.

Tribes both do Western science and have traditional knowledge. They also have ideas about what is going to be best for their communities, Whyte said.

Related: Part of tribal identity, Great Lakes wild rice threatened by climate change

Hydrologist Drew Gronewold, U-M associate professor, will lead the center as its principal investigator.

Northern North America is one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet, and Indigenous communities along the transboundary watersheds between the U.S. and Canada are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Gronewold said in a statement.

We will focus on working with Indigenous peoples, who are critical to developing and guiding implementations of climate change adaptation measure across the Great Lakes region.

The new center based in the Great Lakes will be among seven announced by National Science Foundation involving partnerships with researchers in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The centers will sync talent across the globe to generate discoveries and solutions needed to empower resiliency everywhere, said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

Communities must learn to adapt to climate changes but that can be complicated in transboundary water systems that involve multiple sovereign nations  such as the U.S., Canada, and tribal nations.

The tools and knowledge for adapting to worsening extremes must be consolidated or created with direct input from practitioners on the front line, said Gail Grantzberg of McMaster University, the new centers Canadian principal investigator.

The roughly 20 researchers involved in the new center are expected to develop projections of the expected frequency and intensity of climate change impacts; improve understand of climate change impacts on ecosystems and diverse communities; and building capacity for disaster resilience.

Scientists will test whether increases in rainfall and declines in evaporation because of more frequent cold spells will offset water lost through warming temperatures and associated evaporation in the coming decades, among other hypotheses on forests, agriculture and more.

The Great Lakes provide the longest continuous freshwater coastline at about 10,000 miles and is the largest transboundary watershed between the U.S. and Canada. Approximately 34 million people live in the Great Lakes region.
Some Michigan businesses are offering discounted prices to United Auto Workers as an act of solidarity in the ongoing strike against automakers Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis.

The various businesses, identified by MLive through social media, range from cannabis companies to restaurants. The business owners, most of whom have UAW ties themselves, said its important to help workers facing tough financial challenges ahead of them.

Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a marijuana dispensary in Oakland County, is offering a 50% discount to active UAW members on all of its products. Theyre also giving union members one free container of gummies from Wana, an edible company.

In a video posted to the business Facebook page, owner Jerry Millen said the news of a strike hit hard for him as the son of an autoworker. His dad worked at the Ford Wayne Assembly Plant for 30 years. The Wayne plant is the only Michigan facility where workers walked off the job following the initial announcement of the strike.

These are going to be stressful times, and if we can help out just that much at the Greenhouse of Walled Lake, Millen said as he motioned a short distance with his fingers, coming from an autoworkers son who, I saw my dad come home every day, busting his butt, seven days a week sometimes, this is important.

Additionally, the dispensary is selling $20 T-shirts with the words We Support Our Local Auto Workers on them. Proceeds from T-shirt sales will be given to the UAW Strike Fund, which provides a $500 weekly strike allowance to non-working union members.

In a historic move, the UAW began strikes at all Big Three automakers at once when the union could not reach an agreement on a new contract before it expired at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. In addition to the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, workers at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio and General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center in Missouri are also on strike.

Nearly 13,000 UAW members are on strike at the three plants targeted with strikes, including approximately 3,300 at the Michigan Ford plant. Until a new contract is in place, the UAW is threatening to begin strikes at additional facilities.

While the end of negotiations are unclear, businesses have said they will continue to offer discounted prices to UAW members until the strike ends.

Ebony Hardemon, the owner of TouchD Beauty Spa in Oak Park, is offering $50 Brazilian waxes, $75 facials and $75 teeth whitening services for UAW members with identification. The services are usually $70, $115 and $125, respectively.

Hardemon said she wants to support the workers because she knows firsthand what theyre going through. While operating her spa business, Hardemon is also a GM employee and was on the frontlines of the last UAW strike in 2019.

The amount of money I lost and the hard times I faced, I wasnt able to do the luxurious things I wanted to do, due to striking. So I just wanted to offer an affordable special to all my UAW brothers and sisters, she said.

UAW members can stop by Ella Maes Place, a soul food restaurant in Detroit, to receive 10% off their order, too.

With the pressures of owning a business in a underfunded lower social economic area, we feel the squeeze when disposable income is scarce, said Executive Chef Seann Harrington, a former UAW member. The discount is a small gesture to show they value their UAW customers, he said.
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In a world entrenched with political complexities and environmental perils, the link between climate change, energy politics, and war is becoming unmistakably clearer. The ongoing energy crisis, notably highlighted by the political and economic relations between Ukraine, European nations, Russia, and the United States, presents a moral conundrum to which few people seem to have a solution.

Europe militarily supports Ukraine. But it also buys vast amounts of Russian gas, which funds Moscows war in Ukraine. This paradoxical scenario is made all the more complicated by another Ukraine supporter, the United States, which has stepped up its natural gas production to fill the demand in Europe. Some believe that only keeps humanity on a path of fossil fuel reliance and global conflict.

Reckon spoke with Svitlana Romanko, who has spent the last 20 years as an environmental law professor and over a decade as a climate justice campaigner. While the unrelenting war in her native Ukraine continues, Romanko is attending New York Climate Week and has an urgent message. She believes the weaponization of fossil fuels is not just an environmental concern but a significant contributor to geopolitical instability.

She founded Razom We Stand, an organization aimed at disrupting the financial flows that enable Russia to wage war, driven in part by its status as a significant exporter of oil and gas. She also argues that fossil fuels are essentially weapons of mass destruction, funding conflicts globally while also harming our planet.

Svitlana Romanko has spent the last 20 years as an environmental law professor and over a decade as a climate justice campaigner. While the unrelenting war in her native Ukraine continues, Romanko is attending New York Climate Week and has an urgent message. She believes the weaponization of fossil fuels is not just an environmental concern but a significant contributor to geopolitical instability. She founded Razom We Stand.

Reckon: Youve come all the way to the United States. What do you hope to achieve by coming to New York Climate Week?

We are here to make our voice heard and talk to political leaders in charge of energy and the sanctions against Russia. We understand there is an energy crisis, but it cannot be solved by opening more liquid natural gas facilities in the United States or allowing European countries to continue buying Russian gas.

This only funds the war against Ukraine and increases our reliance on fossil fuels. By continuing our addiction to oil and gas, we are only enriching Russias ability to continue its wars, which is why we insist on a global transition to renewable energy. Its high time we sever financial pipelines that have enabled dictators and further harmed our Earth.

Where have you had success so far?

We have escalated this transition to renewable energies, especially across Europe. Its been quite successful because European nations understand the need to reduce their energy consumption and they are moving toward these targets.

But also, one of the main pillars of our work is rebuilding Ukraine as a post-war country completely powered by renewable energy. We are trying to influence governmental officials and civil society around this vision. Its been supported by the International Energy Agency, but we are currently experiencing very low political ambition and willpower, which will not lead us to a world free from autocrats and energy wars.

What exactly do you want to happen?

We want G20 countries to listen carefully and look at the destruction being caused by the weaponization of fossil fuels. G20 promised to triple renewable energy, which is positive, but we want more. We want to increase clean energy deployment fivefold by 2030. We want those countries to stay within the Paris Climate Agreement goals.

And while we wait on this, Russia has amassed more than $445 billion in revenue from fossil fuels since the war began. G20 countries have contributed about $318 billion of that money. They who condemn Russia are paying for the war. Its scary and frustrating to think of the war crimes paid for by G20 money. Thousands and thousands [of war crimes].

Stopping that is essential to liberating our nation. So we are mainly campaigning to end Russian fossil fuels immediately, to end the war in Ukraine, to win this war for the planet, but we are also active in advocacy towards other countries in the G2O, which are responsible for most of the emissions. We are trying to get them on the energy transition path using Ukrainian moral worth and leadership.

But some good things have happened recently. Last Thursday, a new set of sanctions was imposed on over 150 entities that have provided technological support for Russian fossil fuel infrastructure. This is a very encouraging development.

Many of our problems stem from conflict. However, the connection between climate change, war and the military-industrial complex is relatively new and may be unknown to some. Can you explain that?

Military weapons, for example, are hugely disruptive to the environment and climate. In Ukraine, emissions produced by those explosions, missile attacks, and other weapons amounted to over 100 million tons in the first year of the war. It exceeds the yearly amount of emissions for some countries.

The second type of weapon is fossil fuels, which are weapons of mass destruction. For at least 200 years since the mass use of fossil fuels, multiple conflicts and wars have been fought. African countries have experienced the worst, but no country is immune, and millions have died trying to gain fossil fuels or trying to defend them. And this connection, for many, is invisible. The climate crisis, military, and wars are hugely interconnected and have been for a long time.

Even though these connections have existed in all wars, the war in Ukraine is the beginning of the climate wars. I believe a world without fossil fuels is a peaceful place.

That starts with the European Union and other G20 countries stopping reliance on Russian gas.

Would you prefer the European Union buy its gas from the U.S.? Many communities in the U.S. have been destroyed by oil & gas production.

No, I dont I have been to Houston (Texas) and Freeport (Texas). And Ive seen those LNG (liquified-natural gas) facilities, which look like another civilization on a post-apocalyptic planet. I care about local communities, so I would never want a world where fossil fuels destroy more peoples lives. Its an addiction, and we cant find another place to get it because of Russia. We must find a new way to live.

What we demand from the European Union is they dramatically reduce their gas consumption for heating. There are heat pumps which are now available. Yes, its not that easy to produce them, but in a year or two, Europe can significantly increase the production and installation of heat pumps and also use different kinds of renewable energies. Its all easily possible.

Research proves that Europe can completely abandon Russian gas without harming the economy by the end of 2024. But they dont think it can be done until 2028, which is way too late for Ukraine, which continues to fight this unjust war. They should move faster. Europes economy can save and grow by ditching Russian gas and embracing technology like heat pumps and renewable energy. If they act now, they can save about $500 billion by 2028. This is based on Oxford University research released in April this year.

But the U.S. should not try to take Russias position as the largest producer of LNG in the world. This crisis is temporary, and the U.S. is trying to take advantage of that when it should be moving in a different direction. The U.S. is a long way behind with its climate and financial commitments. And they must be on track with that and not just sell more gas to Europe.

You mentioned you were in Houston and Freeport, so youve seen the horrific economic polarization caused by oil and gas in the United States. Can you describe what you saw there?

I was shocked to see how extensive oil and gas extraction has harmed local communities. People have been displaced, the houses were abandoned, it was so lonely. Ive never seen such huge facilities like the LNG terminals. It scared me because it seemed like a very post-apocalyptic landscape with no place for people and no way to live a life or enjoy the environment.

There are clear parallels with the war.

As you know, the United States has the largest and most advanced military-industrial complex of any country. We now know that it creates vast emissions that are very bad for the environment. But at the same time, the United States provides weapons to Ukraine. Is that a necessary kind of evil?

Its not easy to acknowledge, but I feel that our world could be more just in the future when we transition to include the green economy, which is not about wars and the production of weapons.

But we do live in a world with war. The Ukrainian army is killed daily by Russian aggressors as part of Putins dictatorship. Autocrats like him use their complete power to kill people, make money, and destroy our climate. Of course, we must fight them, but that is a debatable question for many people who want an end to the war, even if it means allowing Russia to keep stolen land.

We must sanction Russian fossil fuels today, but later on, we must say no to all fossil fuels because it does not matter where they have been produced. If produced in Russia, it will fund the war against Ukraine, but if produced within the U.S. or elsewhere, it supports the war against humanity and a safe climate.
Javier Baez, who was scratched from Tuesdays lineup due to back stiffness, will get another day off on Wednesday when the Detroit Tigers wrap up a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera will also get the night off after playing in the first two games of the series.

How to Watch the Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Channel, Stream

The full lineup is below. Baez; Cabrera; catcher Jake Rogers; and infielders Zack Short and Andre Lipcius will be available off the bench.

Tonights starting lineup for the finale in LA. pic.twitter.com/ORKm3RjYc1  Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 20, 2023

On the mound, Tigers rookie right-hander Reese Olson (4-7, 4.30 ERA) will face Dodgers rookie right-hander Bobby Miller (10-3, 4.02).

Over his last four starts, Olson has a 1.50 ERA in 24 innings, striking out 23. Batters are hitting just .141 against him during that span.

Miller, a first-round pick (29th overall) out of the University of Louisville in 2020 has pitched well for the Dodgers since making his debut in May. The Dodgers have won in 13 of his 19 starts.

Tigers vs. Dodgers: Odds, predictions and best bets
Studio Ghibli has a new lead shareholder in the shape of Nippon Television Holdings.

A joint statement noted Nippon, one of Japans leading media and broadcasting congloms, was acquiring 42.3% of the Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro studio, according to Reuters. This gives Nippon a leading position in the famed anime house. No financial details were disclosed.

More from Deadline

The statement revealed Studio Ghibli and its director and founder Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki had been looking at succession plans before the Nippon deal was struck.

Miyazakis son, Goro Miyazaki, had been looked at as a candidate to take the business forwards a number of times but he believed it would be difficult to lead the studio into the future and declined a role, the statement added.

At this point, Nippon TV stepped in and acquired the stake through its Nippon Television Network Corp subsidiary. Nippon and Studio Ghibli have a long-running partnership.

The news comes after a series of management changes at Studio Ghibli this year, with Chairman Koji Hoshino stepping down over the summer.

Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli is easily the most famed Japanese animation producer, with many of the countrys top-grossing features hailing from its operation. Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature Film at the 75th Oscars and is often cited as one of cinemas greatest triumphs.

The elder Miyazaki had retired back in 2014 but he returned three years later to direct a final film, The Boy and the Heron, which released this year after Covid-19 delayed the production process.

Story continues

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Renowned Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has registered his opposition to the police arrest of protestors of the Occupy Jubilee House demonstration organised by the pressure group, Democracy Hub.

He described the police action as "wrong" and emphasised that peaceful protests are a constitutional right that should be defended.

In a tweet, M.anifest stated: "Peaceful protests are a constitutional right. We should collectively defend that right. A show of force against citizens registering legitimate displeasure on a range of issues affecting us is WRONG."

The rapper went on to quote Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, saying: ""Freedom is not something that one person can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and none can keep it from them."

His comments come amid reports that police disrupted the ongoing 3-day protest on Thursday, arrested and detained demonstrators at various police stations in Accra.

The arrest comes after the police had issued an injunction on the protest on Wednesday, September 20, a move the protestors ignored on the basis that they had not been properly served.

The police today arrested them for breaching the Public Order Act.
21.09.2023 LISTEN

In the ever-evolving realm of music discovery, Jhey Bhryzi a rising star is poised to set the stage on fire with his debut single titled Money. The talented artist of Ivorian-Ghanaian descent, whose real name is Kablan Boamin Bruce recently announced that he is now fully set to embark on his musical voyage with the release of Money.

In an interview, the young artiste said, This is the very first single I am presenting to the public, and I hope to captivate people through it. I also believe its the first release that people will remember. Im confident that Money will make waves because I know the message I convey in this track. Therefore, I call on everyone who sees my message to stay tuned for the singles release, scheduled for this month of September 2023.

As much as his message is captivating, also captivating is the compelling back-story behind Jhey Bhryzis musical journey. Born into a family engaged in diverse professions, one crucial profession was conspicuously missing: that of a musician. Perhaps in a bid to complete the puzzle, Jhey Bhryzi became the one who ventured into the enchanting world of music.

Money, Jhey Bhryzis debut single, is not just a song but a labour of love and dedication. The title itself holds a deeper significance as it was forged from countless sleepless nights and relentless passion. The artist recalls how he found himself immersed in creating a musical masterpiece while navigating the challenges of his final year at the university. He said I didnt sleep, day and night; I was focused on delivering something substantial to those who follow me. I take this opportunity to thank the arranger of the hit and everyone who supported me in bringing this project to fruition.

Having completed his primary education in Cote dIvoire, Jhey Bhryzi returned to Ghana for higher studies. Today, he proudly holds a bachelors degree in Auto Mechanics from the prestigious Takoradi Technical University.

Jhey Bhryzis unique blend of Ivorian and Ghanaian heritage infuses his music with a rich cultural tapestry. This multicultural background is reflected in his music, which effortlessly merges the rhythms and melodies of both regions. Money promises to be a sonic experience that transcends borders and captivates hearts worldwide.

Money explores themes that resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It delves into the pursuit of success, the allure of wealth, and the sacrifices made along the way. Through his music, Jhey Bhryzi invites listeners to join him on a soul-stirring odyssey where dreams are chased, and passions are pursued with unrelenting fervour.

Source: Elabor BizTV
14.09.2023 LISTEN

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said he is the beacon of hope to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to victory in the general elections in 2024.

According to Dr. Akoto, he is the only contender who has a possibility of winning.

Speaking to journalists at his campaign headquarters, he said his vision for agriculture will revive the economy.

I am more motivated than ever to carry the NPPs flag and ultimately secure power for the party. Among all the candidates vying for the NPP flagbearer role, who presents a vision more compelling than mine? My aspirations for the NPP and for Ghana instill hope, and thats why hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians are urging me to press on and fight until I bring power to them. I cant let them down, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto stated.

He added, I am Ghanas hope. I have already outlined the broader strokes of my vision. As the campaign advances, numerous Ghanaians have assured me of their support, and Im not retreating.

Dr Akoto, a former two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso in the Ashanti region, placed fourth in the NPP Special Delegates Conference on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

In the run-up to the NPPs November 4 primary, Dr. Akoto is poised to intensify his campaign efforts while recalibrating his strategies.

Over 200,000 party delegates are expected to vote in this highly anticipated presidential election.

The Akoto campaign team is working to secure more than half of the votes, a crucial milestone in determining who leads NPP in the 2024 general elections.
In the realm of covert operations and international espionage, the story of Stuxnet stands as one of the most intriguing and controversial tales of the digital age. Created with meticulous precision, Stuxnet was a cyberweapon that made its mark by crippling Iran's nuclear facility, Natanz, with unprecedented sophistication. Allegedly crafted by the United States and Israel, this clandestine operation marked a significant shift in the way nations conduct warfare in the 21st century. This article delves into the fascinating story of Stuxnet, shedding light on its origins, impact, and the ethical debates it has sparked.

Stuxnet first emerged on the global stage in June 2010 when it was discovered by cybersecurity experts. It was unlike any malware the world had seen before. Most malware targets personal computers, seeking to steal data or disrupt normal operations. Stuxnet, on the other hand, was tailored to infiltrate and manipulate industrial control systems, specifically those used in Iran's nuclear program.

The masterminds behind Stuxnet designed it to spread discreetly through removable drives and exploit vulnerabilities in Windows computers. Once inside a target system, it sought out a very specific configuration: Siemens supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, which were vital components of Iran's nuclear facility. This level of precision indicated that Stuxnet was not the work of ordinary hackers; it had the hallmarks of state-sponsored cyber warfare.

When Stuxnet finally reached Natanz, it began to wreak havoc on the uranium enrichment process. The malware subtly manipulated the centrifuges responsible for enriching uranium, causing them to malfunction and spin at incorrect speeds. This resulted in catastrophic consequences for Iran's nuclear program, leading to a significant setback. An estimated one-fifth of Iran's centrifuges were rendered inoperable, causing substantial delays and financial losses.

The Stuxnet operation was a testament to the evolving landscape of warfare. It was a covert campaign conducted entirely in the digital realm, with real-world consequences. The operation remained shrouded in secrecy for years, with neither the United States nor Israel officially claiming responsibility. This ambiguity allowed the operation to proceed without the risk of immediate retaliation.

The Stuxnet incident raised numerous ethical and legal questions. While the operation undoubtedly hindered Iran's nuclear ambitions, it also set a precedent for using cyber weapons in international conflicts. Critics argued that this blurred the lines between traditional warfare and cyber warfare, potentially leading to a dangerous escalation of hostilities in the future.

Additionally, the deployment of Stuxnet sparked debates about the violation of international law and sovereignty. Some argued that the attack on Iran's nuclear facility constituted an act of aggression, while others contended that it was a necessary measure to prevent a perceived threat to global security.

Stuxnet, the cyberweapon that sabotaged Iran's nuclear program, remains a captivating and controversial chapter in the history of cyber warfare. It demonstrated the immense power of state-sponsored cyberattacks and their potential to disrupt critical infrastructure. While it achieved its objectives, Stuxnet also ignited debates about the ethics and legality of such covert operations. As the digital age continues to evolve, Stuxnet serves as a stark reminder of the new frontiers and dilemmas in the world of international conflict.

By Amatus Fomjegeba
COP George Alex Mensah (rtd)

20.09.2023 LISTEN

Retired Commissioner of Police (COP), Mr. George Alex Mensah has described the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the best party to develop Ghana.

Speaking to Accra-based Asaase Radio in an interview, he said he is confident the NPP will win the 2024 general elections to break the 8, insisting that the party has the men and capabilities to do so.

I know because we have the men, we have the capabilities, we have a good mind for this country, comparing other political parties. I see the NPP as the best political party that can help this country, COP George Alex Mensah said.

He said the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy by the NPP will do the party a lot of good in next years general elections.

According to him, Ghanaians should be assured that government is taking steps to address the current challenges facing the country.

For now, if for nothing at all, you all know what the government is doing to overcome the challenges, and at least we still have free SHS, so the number of people that were paying their fees has reduced, now you dont pay.

So, nobody comes to worry you that I have not paid my childs school fees. We want that thing to continue, we dont want anybody to come and change it so that people will be calling us for SHS fees again, COP George Alex Mensah (rtd) said.

Meanwhile, the retired policeman who is one of the officers caught on tape plotting against Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare is planning to contest as Member of Parliament for Bekwai constituency though he failed to mention the political party ticket but it was obvious it is the New Patriotic Party.
Azerbaijan has announced that it has halted its military operation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh after separatist Armenian forces agreed to lay down their arms and hold reintegration talks.

The agreement was due to go into effect at 1 p.m. local time (11am CET), while talks between Azerbaijani officials and the breakaway region's ethnic Armenian authorities on its re-integration into Azerbaijan are scheduled to take place tomorrow,Thursday, in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh.

The deal was reached through negotiations with the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region, local officials said.

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 confirmed.

But Gerard Hovakimian, a spokesperson for Armaras, a Paris-based pressure group that promotes Armenia and fights for the rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (which they call "High Karabakh" or "Artsakh"), told RFI that the Azeri "do not respect the cease-fire." His remarks could not be independently verified.

He says that there is an airlift of civilians, but it is not clear if it is used to "return the people to Armenia" or if they are "protected by the Russians" who have a contigent of "peacekeepers" in the territory.

According to Hovakimian, Stepanakert, the enclave's capital, was shelled during the night resulting in 42 dead, 250 wounded and some 7,000 displaced people.

According to a statement by Armaras, a further meeting will be held on 21 September in the city of Yevlakh, to discuss "questions about reintegration, ensuring rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as issues of ensuring the livelihoods of the population" in the region.

Stunning collapse

The stunning collapse of separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in his quest to bring Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh back under Baku's control.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a televised address that fighting appeared to have largely subsided adding that it is "very important" that the ceasefire holds.

He repeated a denial that his country's army was in the enclave and said he expected Russia's peacekeepers to ensure Karabakh's ethnic-Armenian residents could stay "in their homes, on their land".

The latest flare-up comes three years after Azerbaijan recaptured swathes of territory in and around the region in a brief war that dealt a bitter defeat to Armenia.

Separatist war

Nagorno-Karabakh and the sizable surrounding territories had been under ethnic Armenian control since the 1994 conclusion of the separatist war, but Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh after fighting in 2020. That ended with an armistice placing Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, Azerbaijan claims 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.

(With newswires)
20.09.2023 LISTEN

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore has expressed strong confidence in his party's chances in the 2024 general elections.

He said even if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) elect a relative of the NDC's flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, the party would still lose the 2024 general elections.

During an interview on Citi TV's "Face to Face" program with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Ashie Moore remarked, "If they [NPP] elect a flagbearer who is even a family member of former president John Mahama, still John Mahama will win the elections.

Dont forget John Mahama is the most popular person in Ghana, and he is even more popular than Akufo-Addo."

Ashie Moore attributed the NDC's defeat in the 2020 elections to alleged irregularities and election rigging.

He assured that the NDC was fully prepared to prevent a repeat of such illegality in the 2024 elections as it prepares to confront the NPP head-on to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.

"This time around, we are not going to sit aloof and allow the elections to be rigged. The elections were rigged in 2020, and this time around we are going to put up every strategy to make sure that we match up with the NPP," he stated.

He also expressed his unwavering confidence in the NDC's new national officers, believing that their combined efforts would lead the party to victory in the upcoming polls.

"Elections are all about communications, and so I believe in every single personality that has been appointed as a director of any portfolio, and I know that we are going to work as a team and make sure that we win.

I know we will do fantastic and we will beat whoever the NPP brings," Ashie Moore stated confidently.
One of the armed groups from northern Mali has called for a fullyscale war against the junta. This despite attempts at dialogue and fears for the peace deal between the ex-rebels and government forces.

Indeed, the 'Cadre strategique permanent' (CSP or Permanent Strategic Framework), part of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), ialready claims to be "at war".

The CMA, an alliance of armed groups dominated by Tuaregs, has been implicated in ongoing skirmishes with the junta for over a month.

However, Fahad Ag Almahmoud, a senior member in the armed group Gatia, said the armed groups were not trying to divide the country.

"We are in a war that the junta in Bamako wants", he wrote in a statement. "We will continue this war until all of Mali that has been taken hostage by the five colonels is liberated".

RFI's correspondent in the Sahel, Serge Daniel, confirmed that Gatia is calling for the "formation of a large political-military grouping" to continue the ongoing campaign.

More frequent attacks

One of the latest attacks occurred on Monday when two military camps in northern Mali were attacked by armed Tuareg rebel groups. The attack resulted in the death of five soldiers with another 11 missing.

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

It is the latest attack against army positions in northern Mali and has stoked of more widespread conflict.

The Tuaregs took up arms in 2012 seeking autonomy or independence, and later signed a peace agreement with the central state in 2015.

But when a military seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021, the CMA tried to oppose the military.

The CMA resumed its operations against the Malian army earlier this month, after months of bickering with the government.

(with AFP)
Comoros authorities should not oppose the appeal of four journalists convicted for publicizing alleged sexual assault allegations at the countrys public broadcaster, Comoros Radio and Television Office (ORTC), the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

On August 31, four Comorian journalists appealed their August 24 convictions for defamation and insult related to the publicizing of sexual misconduct allegations against unnamed leadership of the state-owned ORTC, according to the journalists, who spoke to CPJ over the phone, and a statement in support of the appeal by the National Union of Journalists in the Comoros, a local trade organization.

The charges and convictions by the criminal court in the capital, Moroni, followed a complaint by Hablani Assoumani, operational director of the ORTC, over defamatory allegations of sexual touching made during a January 17 meeting between Comoros President Azali Assoumani and journalists, as well as in subsequent media coverage of the allegations, according to those sources and a copy of the summons for one of the journalists to appear in court, which CPJ reviewed.

The journalists convicted include Andjouza Abouheir, vice president of the journalists union, and Toufe Maecha, former director of ORTC, who both made comments related to the allegations during the January 17 meeting; as well as Abdallah Mzembaba, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale, and Oubeidillah Mchangama, a reporter with the privately owned FCBK FM broadcaster, both of whom published reporting about these allegations, the four journalists told CPJ.

A court date for the journalists appeal has not been set, according to Said Mohamed Said Hassane, Mzembabas lawyer, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app.

Convicting journalists for asking questions and reporting on sexual assault allegations sends a chilling message that promotes impunity for such abusive behavior. Authorities should not oppose the journalists appeal, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in Durban, South Africa. Journalists have been crucial to exposing sexual misconduct in workplaces around the world. Comoros authorities should focus on investigating such allegations, not seek to deter reporters from holding those in power to account.

During the January 17 meeting, Abouheir questioned the countrys president about allegations of sexual touching by at least one man, a superior, on young women, in return for promises of promotions, according to media reports.

Mzembaba told CPJ that after the meeting he reported for RFI on the allegations and the presidents response. That reporting suggested that the person accused is a director of one of the national television departments. On June 15, the Moroni court summoned Mzembaba to appear over that coverage, according to the summons that CPJ reviewed.

Mchangamasimilarly told CPJ he was being prosecuted for reporting the details of the meeting in a January 19 Facebook Live broadcast.

On June 22, the public prosecutor called for one years sentence, with a minimum of three months to be served in prison, and a one-year ban on the suspects from exercising their profession, claiming in the indictment that the speech and media coverage of these allegations had tarnished the countrys image, according to several reports.

On August 24, the Moroni court sentenced the four journalists to a nine-month suspended sentenceand a fine of 150,000 Comorian francs ($US325) each for defamation and insult, according to news reports.

CPJ reached the secretary for ORTCs general manager Mohamed Abdou Mhadji via messaging app, but he declined to comment. CPJs calls to the Comoros Ministry of Justice via the number listed on their Facebook page went unanswered.
Prosecutors should drop the criminal defamation, insult, and forgery charges against Angolan journalist Liberato Furtado Pereira and stop retaliating against the journalist for his public interest reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

Furtado, a reporter for privately owned Radio Luanda, is expected to appear before the district court in Luanda, the capital, on Thursday, September 21, to face charges of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery.

The charges follow an October 28, 2020, complaint by prosecutor Elizete Francisco in connection with a November 2020 report alleging that Francisco used her personal account to collect the equivalent of more than US$25,000 in payments due to the general prosecutors office, according to Furtado and the report, which CPJ reviewed. Francisco filed the complaint one day after Furtado sought her comment on the allegations.

If convicted of criminal defamation, Furtado faces up to 1.5 years in prison, according to the penal code. Insult carries a sentence of up to one year, and forgery carries a sentence of up to three years. All three charges may also carry a variable fine at the judges discretion.

Prosecutors should drop the criminal charges against Liberato Furtado before the matter goes to trial on Thursday and not waste the courts time and resources in this attempt to criminalize journalism, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in Durban, South Africa. Instead of targeting the media, Angola should repeal its criminal defamation and insult laws that are relics of the countrys colonial past and used as blunt censorship tools against journalists.

Furtado was formally accused of criminal defamation, insult, and forgery on April 21, 2021.

According to a March 9, 2022, affidavit by the polices Criminal Investigation Service reviewed by CPJ, the bank authenticated the bank receipt Furtado used as the basis of his reporting after initially stating it was fake.

After the bank teller who issued the receipt gave a witness statement to the service, the bank changed its stance and said the receipt was authentic and that Franciscos name appearing on the account that had received the funds was due to a system error.

The accusations against me should have fallen when it was proved the bank receipt was authentic, but instead, more than a year later, I am still being dragged to court accused of the same crimes, Furtado told CPJ.

CPJs calls, emails, and messages to Francisco and Alvaro Joao, spokesperson of the general prosecutors office, did not receive a response.
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Japanese whisky continues to be an elusive and expensive spirit, although things do seem to be starting to calm down a bit. Thats not necessarily the case when it comes to whisky powerhouse Suntory, however, which continues to release highly coveted whiskies. That trend continues with the launch of the anniversary edition of its 21-year-old Hibiki blend, created to celebrate the companys centennial.

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Hibiki launched in 1989 as a blend of whiskies from Suntorys three distilleriesmalt producers Yamazaki and Hakushu, and grain distillery Chita. Originally, there were three age statement expressions in the lineup: 12, 17, and 21-year-old whiskies. The 17-year-old was discontinued a few years ago, instantly making this whisky even more collectible, and a non-age-statement expression called Harmony was introduced more recently. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Suntory, which we covered here before, and the celebration has included a video campaign featuring Keanu Reeves directed by Sofia Coppola, and the launch of some new single malts. And now two more Hibiki whiskies are joining the seemingly endless year of Suntory time.

For the limited-edition Hibiki 21-YearOld, our team took on the challenge of crafting a new blend to celebrate our centennial, said Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo in a statement. With meticulous precision, we managed to harness the challenging-yet-rewarding characteristics of Japanese mizunara oak to accentuate the unique flavor profile for which our Hibiki whiskies are known. In addition to reformulating the blend for this special release, the label design was changed to represent the rising sun. Official tasting notes describe a sweet and floral palate with spiced sandalwood and agarwood, followed by a long finish with undertones of mizunara. This bottle will be available in select markets for an SRP of $5,000but expect to find it in the wild for much more than that.

Story continues

The other new release is an anniversary edition of the NAS Hibiki Harmony. The liquid remains the same, but the label design features snow, the moon, and flowers to represent Japans seasons, and a kakehashi, or bridge, symbolically linking the past, future, and present. Official tasting notes list honey, candied orange peel, and white chocolate on the palate, followed by more mizunara on the finish. This anniversary edition of Harmony will also be available globally with an SRP of $200.

If youre looking for some much easier to acquire bottles from Suntory, including Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, and Toki Japanese Whisky, check out the selection available at ReserveBar. Who knows, you might just get lucky and score a bottle of the 55-year-old Yamazaki as well.

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate hopeful for Klottey Korle constituency, Valentino Nii Noi Nortey has sympathized with affected traders of a recent fire outbreak at Abuja CMB in the Central Business District of Accra.

The inferno which occurred last Sunday evening, September 17, 2023, destroyed several shops, wares and cash running into millions of Ghana cedis.

Nii Noi Nortey on Thursday afternoon visited the site to commiserate with affected traders, where he donated mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, bags of cement, and packets of roofing sheets.

Other items donated include bags of rice, bottles of cooking oil, food packs, beverages, sachets of drinking water, and a cash amount of GHs10,000 to ameliorate the plight of the victims.

In a brief remark to present the items, Nii Noi pledged his continuous support for the traders, while appealing to the central government, corporate organizations and philanthropists to go to the rescue of the traders.
The mining industry has been a significant driver of economic growth and development for centuries, providing vital resources for the global economy. However, it has also been characterized by a critical gender imbalance, with men traditionally dominating the workforce.

Calls have been made in recent years for the recognition of gender diversity in the sector and the potential for women to make valuable contributions to the industry.

Mining giant Anglogold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine through its graduate trainee program, a mentorship program which provides opportunity for graduate students to undergo training in the mining firm has inducted 25 people into the program, of which 25% are female.

Stressing the importance of giving equal representation for women in the program, Adinorta Nti-Yeboah, Human Resources Manager at Anglogold Ashanti who spoke at a graduation and induction ceremony in Obuasi said, it has been a deliberate policy of Anglogold Ashanti to give more women the opportunity to work in the mine.

She said "It is instructive to note that in the mining sector, female representation is less than 13% . However, Anglogold Ashanti wants to change this narrative by giving opportunities to more women to contribute to the mining industry."

The ceremony also saw nine (9) young graduates who had successfully gone through a full year of training, passed out. This the Human Resources Manager intimated that as a company they were excited about how the graduate trainee program was grooming the beneficiaries into promising professionals with huge prospects in the mining sector.

She said the program remains one of the flagship programs of Anglogold Ashanti intended to build the capacity of newly graduated students from the various universities in the country.

Ms Nti-Yeboah again stressed that after a rigorous recruitment exercise, the selected ones are taken through various forms of training which includes on-the-job training, and leadership training and ensuring that they are equipped with the skills to be successful in the mining industry.

"As part of the programme, the trainees are tasked to undertake initiatives that seek to provide business solutions, and ensure improvement in cost efficiency, safety, and operational efficiencies," she stated.

Calls for companies to roll out internship programs

The HR professional advocated for companies especially those in the extractive industry to roll out more internship programs to offer hands-on experience to students. She intimated that it was through that, that the gap between academia and industry can be bridged.

Speaking about the impact of the training program, a graduate of the program who has secured a permanent job with Anglogold Ashanti, Hajiah Hammidu commended the company for the program. Sharing her experience, she said the training equipped her with the on-the-field experience she needed to build a successful career in the mining sector.

She said the training boosted her confidence level as a female and inculcated into her the benefit of teamwork.

She asked the newly admitted trainees to take the training seriously since the experience garnered will position them to get a job in the mining sector.

Nana Adom Frimpong, the overall best graduate trainee attributed his success to a prolonged period of hardwork and determination. He lauded Anglogold Ashanti for the training program which he described as very impactful.

He said," hands-on experience is essential for graduates by putting them in a pole position to land a job".

He recommended that for graduates to make an impact on the job market, it was incumbent on them to have practical experience to complement what they have been taught in school.

Master Frimpong again appealed to stakeholders in the educational sector to also focus on skills development which he said is what is needed in the job market.
The Krachi East Municipal Police Command in the early hours of Wednesday, intercepted a 33-seater bus with 'illegal registrants' with the intention to acquire the new Voter Identity (ID) cards at Dambai.

The occupants of the bus with the registration number GT 9530-B, were believed to be coming from Abotareye in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.

Information gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that the occupants of the bus, numbering over 30 were at the Krachi East registration centre at Dambai, and further interrogation revealed they were non-residents in the Municipality.

Sources close to GNA revealed that the Police were yet to meet the political parties over the issue.

Mr Felix Ade, the Regional Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) alleged that they had received several reports that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the inception of the registration exercise, were busing registrants to the Municipality, with the current incident being an example.

He said the situation prompted the Party to beef up its intelligence, which led to the interception of the bus.

Mr Peter Nlepa, the Constituency Communication Officer of the NDC, however denied the allegations about the Party busing 'illegal registrants' to the Centre.

He said the intercepted registrants had homes in Dambai and were eligible to register and acquire voter ID cards.

GNA
The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday called for a speedy withdrawal of a key UN peacekeeping mission that has been in the nation for nearly 25 years.

"It is time for our country to take full control of its destiny and become the main actor in its own stability," Felix Tshisekedi told the United Nations General Assembly.

The final departure of the MONUSCO mission has been at the heart of debates on the DRC's future for years, and a source of tension and populist rhetoric in the central African nation.

Tshisekedi said that the mission of some 15,000 peacekeepers "has not succeeded in confronting the rebellions and armed conflicts... nor in protecting the civilian populations."

In 2020, the Security Council approved a plan for a phased withdrawal in DR Congo, setting parameters for transferring the responsibilities of UN troops to Congolese forces.

While the plan under discussion was to begin withdrawal in December 2024, DR Congo in September asked the Security Council to start the process in December this year, when Tshisekedi is running for re-election.

Tshisekedi said at the UN it was "illusory and counterproductive to continue to cling to the maintenance of MONUSCO to restore peace."

The United States warned at a Security Council meeting in June against a hasty withdrawal of the mission, assessing that the country was not ready to part with the Blue Helmets at the end of 2023.

The discussions come as the United Nations has faced a series of attacks and demonstrations against the mission in the country.

Nearly 50 people were killed in a crackdown on an anti-UN protest in eastern DR Congo in August.

"The acceleration of the withdrawal of MONUSCO becomes absolutely necessary to ease tensions," said Tshisekedi.

The DRC's east has been ravaged by militia violence for three decades, a legacy of regional wars that flared in the 1990s and 2000s.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the region, in place since 1999, is one of the largest and costliest in the world, with an annual budget of about $1 billion.

But the UN comes in for sharp criticism in the DRC where many people perceive the peacekeepers as failing to prevent conflict.
Ghanaians residing in the United States of America stormed the United Nations Headquarters in New York City attended by President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on September 20, 2023.

They aimed to voice deep concern about the critical challenges facing their homeland, Ghana, with messages on placards such as "IMF cannot Save us, Good leaders Can", "We need Schools and Hospitals Not Cathedral" and many other inscriptions.

Amidst the pressing issues they highlighted, including the deteriorating economy, the alarming rise of illegal mining (galamsey), and corruption scandals involving government officials, they also expressed their deep concerns about the overburdening of Ghanaians with huge debts.

They noted that Ghanaians are now being punished under the harsh International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions to pay for bad leadership and corrupt government. Corruption allegations involving high-ranking government officials have eroded trust in the country's leadership, with messages like "Nana Adoo-Bawumia promised shark but delivered dog" displayed at the protest.

They drew attention to the plight of road contractors who, burdened with loans from banks, are now unable to repay their debts due to government ineptitude.

The illegal mining activities, they noted, have increased to a staggering scale in Ghana, leaving behind a trail of ecological devastation, including deforestation and water pollution.

According to the protestors, the collapse of several banks has cast a shadow of financial instability over Ghana, resulting in countless Ghanaians losing their savings and businesses collapsing. Furthermore, soaring port duties have increased the burden, impacting the daily lives of ordinary Ghanaians and the cost of doing business.

The call for change was made during the annual United Nations Conference held at the UN Headquarters, 405 W St. New York, NY 10017, with Ghanaians in the USA utilizing this global platform to draw attention to the pressing issues their country is facing and to garner international support.

As Ghanaians living abroad stand in solidarity with their compatriots back home, the message is clear: it's time for Ghana to come together and address these multifaceted issues for a brighter and more prosperous future, one built on integrity, accountability, environmental sustainability, and fair trade practices at its ports. With messages like "Stop the killings" and "We are sitting on a time bomb," the call for change resonates deeply with Ghanaians as they declare, "NPP, Never again."
21.09.2023 LISTEN

A constitutional expert and Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante, Dr S.K.B. Asante, has called on Ghanaians, especially politicians, to allow the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (EC) space to freely 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 that drafted constitutional proposals leading to the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, urged politicians in particular to 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 dont 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 a traditional ruler, which appeared in the GIMPA quarterly, a publication of the institutes 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 country's development.

It is certainly one of the problems because it doesnt 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 wouldnt 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 dont 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 Nkrumahs 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
Lines of hundreds of trucks stretch back many kilometres close to Benin's northern border with Niger, their cargo wasting and their drivers going broke after weeks stranded at the closed frontier.

Almost two months since a coup ousted Niger's president, the trucks blocked in Malanville at Benin's border are the most striking symbol of the fallout Niger's neighbours are suffering from sanctions imposed on Niamey.

After 15-member West African bloc ECOWAS banned trade with Niger and threatened military action to restore democracy, the new junta also blockaded a bridge border crossing with Benin.

Nigerien driver Mahamat Kabirou Amadou left Benin's economic capital Cotonou for Niamey 50 days ago and now sits stuck in Malanville.

Not only has the coup and border closure cut him off from his country and family, but weeks of rain and sun have rotted his cargo of rice.

"We are tired and sick. We've let our assistants go because we were starting to run out of enough cash," the 35-year-old driver said. "We gradually sold all the diesel in our tanks just to eat."

Drivers sleep under trucks, play cards and try to endure the seemingly endless wait for a resolution to the border closure. By Yanick Folly (AFP)

ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- imposed hefty sanctions against Niger after rebel elite soldiers on July 26 overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected president.

Negotiations to restore civilian rule have yet to bear fruit, with the junta demanding a three-year transition and ECOWAS calling for Bazoum's immediate return.

Wary of long transitions after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, ECOWAS says a possible intervention in Niger is still a last option.

Already one of the world's poorest nations, the sanctions are squeezing Niger hard. Food prices have spiked about 21 percent, with the UN warning more people are at risk of severe food insecurity.

Earlier this month, the UN said 7,300 tons of food aid destined for Niger was stuck in transit because of border closures.

Malanville now resembles a parking lot packed with container trucks and buses that once transported passengers cross the border.

Drivers sleep under trucks, play cards and try to endure the seemingly endless wait for a resolution.

Live animals are caught up too in the fallout from sanctions imposed on Niger. By Yanick Folly (AFP)

Nearby, on the bridge connecting Malanville with Gaya in Niger, four container trucks blockade the bridge and sandbags reinforce the military positions there.

"Our boss's money is finished. Hunger is getting to us," said Koudjegah Justin, 18, a Togolese driver's assistant. "We ask the Beninese government to help us by opening the border. We want to cross."

Regional fallout

Niger shares southern frontiers with ECOWAS members Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Benin, but it is also a major trading route with other nearby members of the bloc such as Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

ECOWAS sanctions suspend all commercial transactions with Niger under the control of a military junta.

ECOWAS sanctions suspend all commercial transactions with Niger under the control of a military junta. By Yanick Folly (AFP)

For Ghana, the sanctions have caused a shortage of onions as Niger was a key exporter in West Africa. It also hit supplies of beans and millet.

Before the coup, a 100-kilo (220-pound) sack of onions was selling at US$61 in Ghana, but now it is $105. About 20 trucks would arrive daily from Niger at Adjen Kotoku Onion market near Accra before. Now only a few can make the trip.

"Most of them are stuck at the borders," said Yakuba Akteniba, president of an onion sellers association. "By the time most of them get here the onions are already rotten. It's killing our business."

Traders in Nigeria's northern border communities with Niger also said they were feeling the economic fallout.

"The last two months have been particularly hard for our town due to the near collapse of trade," said Mohammed Aliyu, a trader in the border town of Illela, Sokoto state.

"We rely on cross-border interactions for our mutual survival but that has been cut."

A trickle of drivers would take illegal routes to make it over the border, he said.

A bag of rice which cost 28,000 naira ($36) before the border closure now sells for 42,000 naira. Local markets also sourced much of their livestock from Niger.

'Too much suffering'

With the land route from Niger to Benin closed, many have turned to informal motorised canoes and boats ferrying passengers across the River Niger that divides them.

Prices for the 30-minute journey have jumped tenfold on high demand, operators said.

Boats used to transport fuel across the river, but that trade has dried up due to increased security presence, so operators say they are making the most of the border closure.

Boats transport everything they can fit in -- motorbikes, food, livestock, people. Moto-taxis and cars wait on riverbanks to transport passengers.

"It's the only way to get to the other side now," said Chabi Nourou, a baggage handler. "There is really too much suffering."
President Akufo-Addo has boldly confronted the apparent hypocrisy of developed nations during his address at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2023.

He shed light on the stark contrast between the preaching of democracy by these powerful nations and the often contradictory actions they take within the United Nations.

In his speech, President Akufo-Addo emphasised Ghana's recent role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, highlighting the disappointment and disillusionment experienced during this tenure.

He pointed out that while these major powers advocate for democracy, fairness, and justice on the global stage, their actions within the UN often prioritise self-interests over the greater good of humanity.

Ghana is currently serving out the second of its two-year term on the Security Council as a non-permanent member. This is the third time in the 66 years since we joined the UN, the first post-colonial African nation to do so, that we have had the privilege of serving on the Council. Mr President, it has been a sad and disappointing experience for us.

We have witnessed at first hand, over and over again, that the big powers of the United Nations might be preaching democracy, fairness and justice around the world, but are happy to practice the opposite here at the UN, prioritizing parochial interests over those humanities, he said.

The Ghanaian leader pointed out that We cannot continue to preach 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.

Classfmonline
Protesters of the 'Occupy Julorbi House' demonstration organized by pressure group Democracy Hub were arrested by police this morning.

They have been taken to different police stations, according to reports gathered by ModernGhana News.

The 3-day protest, according to the organisers seeks to highlight economic mismanagement by the government.

However, police secured a court injunction on Wednesday to halt the demonstration at the Jubilee House, the presidential palace.

Despite the police action and warning, organizers still went ahead with the protest as planned on Thursday.

Journalist Olele Salvador stated on Twitter that he and other reporters were barred from interacting with detained protesters at the Accra Regional Police Headquarters.

Olele Salvador confirmed the protesters were divided into subgroups and transported to different police stations, including Korle Bu Police Station.

According to Salvador, the protesters were detained in the police cells where he saw the organizer Barker Vormawor among them.

Salvador also tweeted that police were also arresting anyone wearing black or red shirts as suspects.

He added that protesters were ordered to turn off their phones and surrender them to police, banning any recordings, photos or calls.
Former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday, September 21, delivered the keynote address at the 2023 Humanity Summit, Faro, Portugal.

At the event organised on the theme Creating A New Paradigm of Trade Between the Global North and the Global South, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) bemoaned how Switzerland is known for chocolate but doesnt even grow cocoa.

He argued that trade in Africa would be boosted if Ghana and Cote dIvoire managed to take over as big-time chocolate exporters.

Switzerland is known for chocolate, but does Switzerland even grow cocoa? Imagine Ghana and Cote dIvoire, the largest cocoa exporters, able to export their brands of chocolate widely, ex-president John Dramani Mahama said.

He continued, English Breakfast Tea is a popular breakfast beverage all over the world. But does England even grow tea? Imagine if Kenya, one of the largest exporters of tea and coffee, could export their brands worldwide.

Mr Mahama in his address expressed optimism in Africa, noting that contrary to the constant barrage of pessimistic news and negative commentary about the African continent, much progress has been made.

He said more progress is needed and he is confident the continent will rise up and accomplish more with time through technological advancement.

We also need the determination and momentum that stems from solidarity. The sort of solidarity that broke the chains of colonialism in rapid successionone country after another, after another, after anotherlike dominoes falling. The kind of solidarity that recognises us as one united force, one continent of wonderfully diverse people whose destinies are intertwined, Mahama stressed in his address.
Vermont town temporarily shuts down after too many influencers showed up to take fall foliage photos

With the first day of fall approaching, people are beginning to travel to New England to participate in seasonal traditions such as apple and pumpkin picking and to take in the changing colour of the leaves.

But one town in Vermont has now decided to shut down one of its roads for three weeks in response to the influx of influencers that have shown up looking for fall content.

Pomfret locals have spoken out about their anger regarding the amount of cars, tour buses, and drones flying across Cloudland Road, home to Sleepy Hollow Farm.

The towns selectboard agreed with the residents and last month voted to block the road to anyone except residents for three weeks at the height of the foliage season, from 23 September to 15 October, The Boston Globe reported. To ensure the rules are followed, sheriffs deputies will have checkpoints at the bottom and top of the road.

According to locals, their area of Vermont has always been a tourist attraction but there was a tonal shift five years ago when influencers began arriving. The annual fall visitors before the influencer were usually photographers. Theyve been coming here for decades. You might have had six or eight cars come up at dawn, Mike Doten, a farmer in the area, said. Theyre quiet. They dont bother anyone.

The second group are tourists sent by inns and bed and breakfast hosts in the area.

Theyre not so bad, Mr Dotens wife, Amy Robb, said. Both from a numbers perspective, and how they behave.

The locals said that the main problem with the influencers is how they treat the road like a public park.

"We call them Tik Tockers," Mr Doten, who owns an 80-acre farm on Cloudland Road, told The Globe, noting he once saw a woman erect a portable changing booth on-site to take selfies in different outfits, and she wasnt the only one. "The Tik Tockers started flocking here and they kept growing, year after year."

Mr Doten said it can also pose a safety hazard, like potentially impeding a firetruck or ambulance from reaching the area in the event of an emergency. There is no way a fire truck or an ambulance can get up this road in the middle of foliage season, he said. Its just too crowded.

Story continues

This is the towns second attempt at trying to control the influx of influencers as the town made Cloudland Road one-way only during the fall foliage season last year.

However, it was proven unsuccessful as instead of turning around and going back the way they came, they would drive up a couple of miles onto another road, racing down an unpaved road in a cloud of dust.

The residents who successfully argued for a temporary road closure arent resting on that. They have contacted social media influencers who have promoted the area and local inns who send their guests up to Cloudland, asking them to refrain from doing so.

Those who have responded have been understanding and empathetic, saying they didnt know it was causing such a problem for people who live here, said Mr Doten.

Some influencers have listened to the citizens pleas. New England-based influencer Kiel James Patrick, who has over one million Instagram followers, told The Globe hed removed posts featuring Sleepy Hollow Farm to respect the privacy of residents.

Upon being informed of the situation by the residents of Pomfret, I recognized the importance of respecting the wishes of the local community, he said. In response, Ive removed posts featuring Sleepy Hollow Farm from my platforms and communicated with friends and fellow influencers about the farms private nature and the need for privacy and respect.
Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP,

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,

10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA

Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP,

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs,

King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH

Re: Urgent Intervention Needed for Human Rights Defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan in Bangladesh

Dear Prime Minister Sunak and Secretary of State Cleverly,

I am writing as William Nicholas Gomes, a British human rights defender and freelance journalist. I have had the privilege of knowing and closely observing the commendable work of human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan for many years. Their unwavering dedication to documenting and reporting on human rights violations in Bangladesh has been a source of inspiration for many, including myself.

It is with deep concern that I bring to your attention the continuing harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment they face in Bangladesh due to their association with the esteemed human rights organization, Odhikar. Since the publication of Odhikars fact-finding report in 2013, which highlighted extrajudicial killings during a protest, both Mr. Khan and Mr. Elan have faced an onslaught of judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, and smear campaigns.

The Bangladesh Government's subsequent actions against human rights organizations, particularly in the wake of the US sanctions against the country's Rapid Action Battalion, are not only deeply troubling but also indicative of the challenges faced by human rights defenders in the region. Odhikar, despite its significant contributions, has been subjected to financial blockades and a persistent refusal for registration renewal, severely impeding their crucial human rights work.

The consistent public defamation and criticism, including questioning the credibility of international reports that rely on Odhikars documentation, is deeply alarming. This stance taken by the Bangladesh Government against human rights advocacy is in stark contrast to the principles that form the foundation of a democratic society.

Given the UK's long-standing commitment to human rights and the protection of human rights defenders globally, I urge you to engage diplomatically with the Bangladesh Government. The immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Khan and Mr. Elan is imperative. They have been detained solely based on their laudable human rights work. I also appeal to you to advocate for a reversal of their convictions and champion efforts that allow human rights defenders in Bangladesh to work without fear.

Your intervention can play an instrumental role in ensuring the safety and continuation of the work of human rights defenders in Bangladesh.

Thank you for your consideration of this urgent appeal. I look forward to your prompt action in support of human rights and justice.

Yours sincerely,

William Nicholas Gomes

Human Rights Defender & Freelance Journalist
21.09.2023 LISTEN

Revolutionary greetings children of NTU,

In the name of all that was born of Afrika and must return to her bosom,

Restitution, Reparations and restoration to you all.

Today I would like share a little bit of myself with you by telling you a very sensitive story about what happened to me here in South Africa so that when I am gone the coming generations should learn of the sacrifices I made to put together the movement that people are joining now.

My two daughters and son are also here with us so they can always be consulted should there be need for more details regarding my story. They have been with me throughout my trials and tribulations.

I am telling you this story so that you understand the monster that we are dealing with. There is no way we are going to defeat this monster if we do not make a conscious decision to walk away from the pyramid, exit the matrix, return to our Mother Spirituality and reconnect with our divine essence.

When President Jacob Zuma was forced to step down in 2018 I was targeted for persecution because of the role I played in defending the man against the vultures. But deep down I knew that they were targeting me because of my uncompromising stance on land restitution and radical economic transformation.

My permanent residence status was revoked. My bank accounts were automatically frozen. With all my savings frozen we lost our family home in Johannesburg. In a typical gangster style, the criminal banking cartel pounced and took everything I had worked for all my life.

As if this was not enough I lost my job at the University of South Africa. The university flatly refused to renew my teaching contract despite there being legitimate expectations for them to do so. Orders from above.

A month later I got detained at OR Tambo International Airport as I was on my way to Morocco to deliver a keynote address at a Pan African Conference. I painfully watched through the window as I saw the Qatar Airways flight leaving.

I spent several days in the cooler for no reason at all. Orders from above. My deserved punishment for defending President Jacob Zuma. All my friends and comrades disappeared. Who responds to an SOS from an African brother in South Africa?

Throughout the ordeal there was no one who came for me. Not even my closest comrades, not even those who were with me at Nasrec pushing radical policies through the committees.

I have survived five assassination attempts all of them orchestrated by the Oppenheimers and the Ruperts. They sent their highly trained assassins to my house in Sandton to end my life. I have been poisoned so many times to the point I ask myself how possible that I am still alive today. The people who poisoned me were my close associates. The enemy uses the people you call friends to stab your back.

After all the assassination attempts had failed they now unleashed their white owned media to write fake stories about me. The Citizen News wrote a story claiming that I lied on my Facebook and LinkedIn profile to state that I once worked for the University of South Africa. And yet the truth is that my teaching contract with the University of South Africa expired in 2018 and was never renewed.

Then they wrote another story claiming that I am a spook or a former spy lying low. Yet all these stories were concocted just to smear my name and tarnish my image. I challenged the Citizen News to retract their stories and issue a public apology failing which I reserve the right to sue for defamation. As I speak they have not yet retracted nor issued a public apology.

What is the moral of this story?

I defended President Jacob Zuma because, unlike many clever blacks today, I am not easily swayed by the white owned media. I came out from the mentacide camps called universities with my mind still intact.

Black people today will abandon their own brother and sister to starve to death just because the media has written lies about him. They believe the white media more than their own blood brother or sister as happened in the cases of Kwame Nkrumah, Muammar Gaddafi and John Pombe Magufuli.

We find our brother or sister being bludgeoned to death by the colonial police and we walk by taking selfies instead of saving his life and asking questions later.

We are the only race at this point in time who will murder their own brother for money; poison their own brother to death just because Anglo America has promised us a white collar job.

When I defended President Jacob Zuma against the regime change agents it was not him I was defending. I was defending the radical policies he was advancing because I saw the liberation of my own children in them.

We cannot do liberation work as dismembered and balkanised as we are. We need to understand that the enemy thrives on our disunity and balkanisation.

The African Renaissance Movement is an underground movement. We need to sankofa back to the days of ancestor Kwame Nkrumah and learn some lessons. Remember that Kwame Nkrumah was able to liberate most African states through the power of social networks.

And remember Mandela didnt have a passport but he was able to travel throughout Africa. It is Haile Sellasie who gave him his first passport.

I have fiercely resisted the temptation of hiring my own daughters and son to run these projects because I do not want to be labelled as nepotistic but if African brothers and sisters keep on sabotaging the projects I will be left with no choice than to hire my own children to lead the movement.

I am only here for a few days. My mission is to create projects. Once the project takes shape I exit and move on to another project. The reason being I do not want to be seen to dominate discussions and decision making.

My job is to bring Africans and Afro Descendants together, help them to identify their enemy and set up structures to fight this enemy.

Thats my mission given me by Tate Kalunga, Mzambi, Nyame, Mwari, Ramasedi, Namalenga, Chiuta, uMvelinqangi, Amen Ra Olodumare.

From 1999 to date I have created over a hundred projects in Africa alone! I do not seek to benefit personally from any project and you wont find my name on the list of board members.

While many of my contributions expose how self-destructive 99% of our race is, I only tell that so that we know what we are up against. However, it is not to suggest that there is no hope. All we need to transform things for the entire race is just 1% of Africans reclaiming their godhood on Earth. Just 1%.

While that may seem too little, remember than in any race (Europoid, West Asiatic, Mongoloid, etc) it is only 1% of their race that rules everything. All we need is just 1% of our race to develop themselves into godmen/godwomen again and they can restore the African race to glory and leadership. Just 1%. So even in the mist of the 99% of Black traitors, minstrels, and complicit bystanders, remember the 1%. We are here.

The Odu Ifa, Yoruba sacred scriptures,

reminds us:

Pelu elu nikan kan kekere wo ti orun

irugbin kekere kan le dagba si igi nla kan.

Lehinna o le pese iboji fun

awon eniyan alailagbara.

Niwon igba ti oorun ba wa, ireti wa.

Eyi ni eko Ifa

fun eni ti a npe ni Ainireti,

Eniyan ti ko mo pe oorun

ti wa ni ipinnu lati dide lehin

paapaa oru dudu julo.

TRANSLATION:

With only a small glimpse of sunlight,

a tiny seed can grow into a mighty tree.

It can then provide shade for the weak people.

As long as there is the sun,

there is hope.

This was the teaching of Ifa

for the one called Ainireti (the Hopeless),

the person who did not know that the sun is still destined to rise

even after the darkest night.

Give thanks to MaTseba.

MaTseba

MoKga-a-Bjwala

Edward Mitole, PhD

Professor of Development Studies and Dean of Faculty of African Renaissance Studies

University of the State of the African Diaspora
21.09.2023 LISTEN

A lecturer at the Old College of Education in Cape Coast, Dr. Emmanuel K. Larbi Mantey has encouraged Ghanaians, especially Christians to as a matter of urgency stand up and speak against the destruction of the environment by illegal mining, bush burning, indiscriminate lumbering and air pollution among other illegal activities.

"God created the universe and said it was perfect, thus placing humans in a position of responsibility over the creation, so why are we destroying the environment through these illegal activities?

"If our forefathers had treated the environment the way we are doing today, would we have had the rains and land we have today?

"How is River Birim, the proverbial Okyemen River that denotes our pride? The fisher folks at Ola Shore come back from their catch with plastic bottles and sachets," Dr. Emmanuel K Larbi Mantey lamented.

Reflecting on the theme: "The Beauty of God in my Environment" to mark the Flower Service Day celebration at the Ola Estate Bethel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Cape Coast, last Sunday, Dr. Emmanuel Larbi Mantey tasked Christians and for that matter Ghanaians to protect their environment.

According to him, the Flower Service was an annual event celebrated between August and September every year when flowers blossom.

"The objective is to promote the spirit of environmental cleanliness and protection among children. The Flower is used as a teaching aid to achieve this objective. Normally, children are taken outdoors to scenes of flowers or trees during teaching sessions to appreciate God's creation and the need to protect them. But what do we see nowadays? Can we say we are protecting God's creation? Everybody has a personal responsibility to protect the beauty of God in his or her environment.

"This includes the air, the water bodies, the land, the vegetation and animals. These were created in perfection for human beings and to promote good health and long life. But the darkness of man's heart, selfish, self-serving, driven by pressure destroys the environment without thinking about anyone.

"We must manage the environment not simply for our own benefit but for God's glory. The tendency that 'If all die for me to be rich, I don't care' is a wishful thinking. Politics has engrossed us to the extent that if you fight against evil, opposition supports evil doers, if you don't fight against it, opposition complains you don't care," Dr. Larbi Mantey lamented.

He encouraged Ghanaians and for that matter Christians to stand up to protect God's creation to sustain and restore proper relationships.

"If not us as Christians who else? We must be the ones to live in the way of love, that is Jesus' perfect plan for mankind. We represent God in our environment, so God's beauty in that environment depends on the attitude we exhibit in our area. The effects of environmental pollution on our health include skin irritation, respiratory, productive problems, kidney failures, cancers and poisoning among other environmental-related diseases.

"On the economy, destruction of the environment increased the cost of water treatment, a decline in tourism industry, decline in the quality and quantity of agricultural production, increased expenditure on drug procurement and increased level of poverty.

"What can we do as a nation? We must stop paying lip service to issues concerning the environment and rise to, Keep the environment clean at all times. consciously plant trees and flowers as observed during Flower Day celebration. Abor Day of Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Green Ghana project and others.

"We must put a stop to whatever activity that endangers the environment and be advocators for a promotion of a better environment and above all as Christians, we must lead the campaign against the destruction of the environment," Dr. Larbi Mantey concluded.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, leading member of the NDC

21.09.2023 LISTEN

A leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has criticised police arrest of protestors of the Occupy Jubilee House demonstration organised by pressure group Democracy Hub.

He urges the police to desist from the "nonsensical act" of arresting citizens who plan to protest the ills of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government.

In a tweet, the NDC spokesperson noted that even places like the White House and 10 Downing Street are allowed for US citizens to protest, noting that the Jubilee House in Ghana cannot be an exception.

The Ghana Police Service must come off this nonsense of constantly harassing protestors. Akufo-Addo and Bawumia's useless governance is sufficient basis for daily protests. Even the White House and 10 Downing Street are places of protest. Jubilee House cannot be off limits, his post reads.

His jab comes amid reports that police disrupted the 3-day protest on Thursday and arrested demonstrators.

The police issued an injunction on the protest on Wednesday, September 20, a move the protestors ignored on the basis that they had not been properly served.

The police have arrested them when they massed up for the protest for breaching the Public Order Act.
The Amansie West District Assembly on Wednesday, 20th September 2023 had an urgent meeting with the leadership of the various transport unions who staged a demonstration against government over the bad road network in the area on Tuesday, 19th September, 2023.

It took dialogue, aimed at giving an official hearing to concerns that were raised by the aggrieved commercial drivers and also inform them about interim measures that the assembly has decided to roll out to address the challenge.

Present at the meeting were Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu Amansie West District Chief Executive, Alfred Atimba Amansie West District Transport Officer, Johnson Appiah Amansie West District Finance Officer, Coordinating Director for the District Mr Fordjour Timothy, Mr. Samuel Ackom District Police Commander.

Meeting the assembly were executives of 13 transport unions including GPRTU, PROTOA, Redeemer, Concern, Cooperative, and Commercial among others.

At the meeting, the spokesperson for all the transport unions Mr. Benjamin Frimpong said roads in communities including Antoakrom, Akropong, Mmem Nkwanta, Yawkrom, Manso Nkwanta are severely damaged and therefore need to be repaired urgently by the assembly.

Chairing the meeting, DCE Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu assured the unions that the assembly will after two weeks commence the grading of roads that are in a bad state.

He added that arrangements were sealed on Wednesday, explaining that a grader will be moved onto the road to grade away potholes as an interim approach.

Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu prior to the meeting announced in an interview with ModernGhana News that government will commence the actual construction of roads in the district before the close of this year.

The government official brought to light that the ruling party is privy to the state of affairs and for that reason has awarded roads in the district on contract for construction.

He noted that the road stretching from Anwia Nkwanta to Mmem Junction, through to the adjoining Amansie South District road has been awarded on contract. He added that construction works are currently ongoing at Datano.

Antoakrom to Pakyi 2 he said has been classified as a critical access road indicating that government is working on all necessary documentation for it to be awarded on contract.

Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu thanked them for turning up at the meeting and urged them to exercise patience.

District Police Commander Samuel Ackom also thanked the group for the level of comportment they exhibited during the protest and how they cooperated with the police.

In an interview with ModernGhana News spokesperson for the group said he was happy with the assurance they received from the DCE and how they were received by the assembly.
National Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has condemned the arrest of protestors of the 'Occupy Jubilee House' demonstration.

He described the police action as unlawful and a blatant abuse of fundamental human rights.

The protest, organised by the pressure group Democracy Hub, embarked on a three-day demonstration against what they termed as "misrule" by the Akufo-Addo government.

However, police disrupted the protest which started on Thursday, September 21, arrested and detained the demonstrators at various police stations in Accra.

According to NDC's lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, "This arrest of innocent citizens who decided to embark on a peaceful protest against the misrule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government this morning, is not only unlawful but shameful and backward."

He further alleged that some of the arrested protestors had their phones illegally seized and were subjected to beatings and inhumane treatment by the police.

He stated, "Even more reprehensible is the fact that some of the unlawfully arrested protestors have had their phones illegally seized and have been subjected to beatings and all manner of inhumane and degrading treatments by the Ghana Police Service.

The NDC communication officer expressed disappointment at the conduct of the police under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP)Dr. George Akufo Dampare, whom he said "many thought will be different."

Sammy Gyamfi condemned the police's "shameful conduct" and demanded the "immediate release of all the unlawfully arrested and detained protestors."

He stated: "Enough of the institutionalized tyranny! Release the protestors NOW!"
21.09.2023 LISTEN

The BBC and other international media are reporting that Rwanda's President, Paul Kagame, has confirmed he would be running for a fourth term next year, which could extend his presidency to nearly thirty (30) years.

Mr Kagame won his last presidential election in 2017 with nearly 99% of the valid votes. President Kagame became president in 2000 following the resignation of President Pasteur Bizimungu. In 2003, Rwanda adopted a new constitution giving the president a seven-year tenure renewable once. But president Paul Kagame pushed for its amendment in a referendum in 2015. The changes, which were approved with 98% of the votes counted, allowed president Kagame to run for a third seven-year term and then serve two further five-year terms starting in 2024.

These constitutional changes and African presidents amending the constitution to entrench themselves in power is not limited to only president Paul Kagame.

In Congo (Brazzaville), president Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power for almost 40 years. He was president from 1979 to 1992, then returned to office in 1997 after a civil war. He was re-elected in 2016 after the passing of a new constitution, then won a fourth mandate this year.

In Uganda, president Yoweri Museveni, has led his country for 37 years since January 1986. He was re-elected in January 2021 for a sixth term. He would have been disqualified to contest but a Supreme Court ruling abolishing an age ceiling of 75years allowed him to contest once again and continue serving.

In Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore was ousted by protests in 2014 after he tried to amend the constitution to extend his decades-long rule, while Gambias ruler Yahya Jammeh fled after regional pressure ended his 22-year reign.

Presidents Alhassan Ouattara of Ivory Coast, Alpha Conde of Guinea and Paul Biya of Cameroon among others all fall under the category of African leaders not relinquishing power when they finished serving their terms of office.

These posturing of President Paul Kagame and the other African leaders do not always sit well with their citizenry. Former president of Liberia, Madam Johnson Sirleaf spoke against such African presidents to Reuters in 2018 after accepting the Mo Ibrahim award of Achievement in African leadership in Rwandas capital, Kigali. She is reported to have said that, "Their own citizens are making the call for change and I dont think they can continue to resist or deny that call for change.

Madam Johnson Sirleaf was awarded the 2017 Mo Ibrahim award, designed to improve the quality of African political leadership, after successfully handing over power in her West African countrys first peaceful democratic transition in seven decades.

The African leaders like president Paul Kagame should take a cue and learn from the Ghanaian democracy and presidents. Ghana is one of Africas most mature democracies. Presidential term limits are solidly in place. Political power has peacefully alternated between our countrys two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Electoral disputes have generally been resolved through the electoral commission or the courts, and not through violent means.

Ghana has previously held eight successful elections; peacefully transferred political power between parties thrice, from the NDC to the NPP in 2000, back to the NDC in 2008 and back to the NPP in 2016. The NPP retained power in 2020.

Unlike Ghana and Ghanaian presidents who are welcoming to term limits to check on their authority, a lot of other African presidents want to be president-for-life. It is tempting for a sitting president who has served his two terms to push for "four more years" for himself but Ghanaian presidents from the late Jerry Rawlings to former president Kuffuor and now president Nana Akufo-Addo have all rejected that.

Proponents of continuous presidency without term limits like president Paul Kagame of Rwanda always argue that term limits violate the will of voters who support their continuous stay in power even if that would require them to amend their countrys constitution.

This argument is however flawed because presidential term limits actually strengthen our budding democratic institutions over the long term. Presidential term limits also help ensure peaceful political transition. This is so because when there is term limits, the likelihood of incumbent presidents using state institutions to manipulate elections or erode the power of other branches of government and the opposition are very minimal.

Also, presidents preparing to leave after exhausting their two terms always feel a huge pressure to deliver positive results and leave office with a positive legacy. It's an established fact that individuals, no matter how powerful and popular they are, cannot become indispensable.

Conclusively, when there is a political transition and presidential term limits become entrenched in our body politics, opposition political parties and other state actors have little incentive to upset the system through coups or other means.

I take this opportunity to appeal to the AU, ECOWAS and other regional bodies to begin doing the needful by sanctioning heads of state who are manipulating their constitutions to remain in power. If nothing is done about the manipulation of constitutions by sitting presidents, then it will be difficult to condemn and fight coups in the continent. Africans must stand up against all forms of undemocratic tendencies especially manipulation of constitutions by sitting presidents to entrench their stay in power.

By: Hon. Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, Sissala East MP and Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources
Leading British human rights defender and freelance journalist, William Nicholas Gomes, has implored Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to intervene over the alleged persecution of renowned human rights activists in Bangladesh. Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan have faced alleged harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment linked to their involvement with the respected human rights group, Odhikar.

In a recent communication to Downing Street, Mr. Gomes highlighted the longstanding commitment of Mr. Khan and Mr. Elan to documenting and addressing human rights violations in Bangladesh. He pointed to the duo's tireless efforts, especially their influential 2013 report that brought to light extrajudicial killings during a protest. Since its publication, both activists have reportedly experienced increased judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, and public defamation.

According to Mr. Gomes, the Bangladesh Government's crackdown on human rights organisations, especially in light of US sanctions against the country's Rapid Action Battalion, poses a significant concern. The governmental stance seems to have affected Odhikar directly, with alleged financial blockades and persistent denials for registration renewal that hamper the organization's operations.

The situation grows more concerning, Gomes suggests, with the government reportedly questioning the credibility of international reports which are based on Odhikar's findings. Such actions appear to undermine the basic tenets of a democratic society, drawing a bleak picture for human rights advocacy in Bangladesh.

Given the UK's historical commitment to upholding human rights and safeguarding defenders across the globe, Mr. Gomess letter urges UK leaders to engage in diplomatic dialogue with Bangladesh. He emphasizes the importance of seeking the immediate release of Mr. Khan and Mr. Elan, arguing their detention stems from their noble human rights endeavours.

The international community now waits, anticipating whether UK officials will heed this call to action and champion the rights and safety of human rights defenders in Bangladesh.
Recently, my phone rang, and there came a call from a lecturer at one of the Public Universities in Ghana. He wants to go to the Gambia to study law and he is so optimistic about it. In our conversation, the Gambian delicacy, jollof sufficed and I told him how the Bar school had had a toll on my immune system. However, what brought my energies back was the Gambian jollof Mao Ceesay's wife made for me.

Mao Ceesay is a great colleague I met at the Gambia Law School, in Banjul. He has a cooking wife. I am of the view that the qualities of a good cooking wife are not the same as those of a good partner.

A good-cooking wife can cook, clean, do laundry, and take care of her family. She is like a ship on the river Gambia, and Mao Ceesay wanted me to feel her cooking prowess.

The Gambia Jollof

The issue of who has the best jollof has been the subject of debate for years. Ghana and Nigeria always take center stage in this debate. So as a novice, I thought the best jollof comes from either Ghana or Nigeria.

As a traveler, I tasted Nigerian jollof during my days in Ikorodu and Ilorin. In the case of Ghana, I have tasted different versions of jollof funeral jollof, party jollof, streetside jollof and jollof made by my late grandma.

However, in recent times, The Gambia has come into the limelight as the country with the best jollof in some news publications. I thought it was one of those publications.

Well, I was privileged to receive an invitation from Mao Ceesay after the Bar exams. I think Mao invited me to have a taste of the Gambian version of Jollof to cool off the pressure from the Bar school before I left for Ghana.

I honored Maos invitation. I met his beautiful Gambian wife. They were good couples and their chemistry and energies pierced me like Elvis film. Their union prompted me to start the search for a wife. She went to the kitchen at 1 p.m. As typical of men, we were in the hall watching some Ghanaian television channels.

I heard Maos wife pounding. I became more curious and when I enquired and was told she is pounding the ingredients together. I realized the recipes were all natural including green hibiscus flower, as a natural health influencer and advocate for hibiscus tea I got more interested.

The Gambian Jollof is made from a combination of different local spices, one observation is that Gambians eat more local rice as compared to Ghanaians who eat more polished rice which is often imported. It took her about 4 hours to get the jollof ready. The Hibiscus and the carrots in the food served as an alternative to meat in the food.

The origin of Jollof

As usual of me I picked up my laptop to do some studies on this meal jollof. I found that the origin of jollof rice itself emanate from the Senegambian region that was ruled by the Wolof or Jolof Empire in the 14th century, spanning parts of today's Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, where rice is grown. If that is the case; how come Ghana and Nigeria are claiming ownership?

In fact, the right name in the Gambia is called Benachin which is the Wolof word for one-pot after the traditional practice of cooking all its ingredients in one pot. So I now understand the concept of why Mao's wife pounded all the ingredients together in one pot!

No wonder, this debate was settled on December. 15, 2021, when the Senegalese version of this one-pot dish called ceebu jen (Wolof) or thieboudiene (French) was included in the list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With this listing, the dish will have better protection and be more known abroad.

Although, Jollof rice may be a delicacy in most of other West African countries its real home is in the Senegambia region. This is why there have been tumult (after UNESCO declared Senegal as home to the rice-and-fish-based dish.

More than a regular meal

After tasting the Gambian jollof, I found that this is more than just a normal meal as it is medicinal too. Traditionally, the Gambians like eating together in the same bowl even with their guests therefore, Maos wife invited me to join them which I obliged.

As I ate with Mao Ceesay, he encouraged me to eat the green hibiscus to improve my health. The green hibiscus flower appeared slimy like okra and tasted fine. I was brimming with joy as I ate the specially prepared Gambian jollof.

On a normal day, I do not like eating rice. But this particular jollof was more than a meal and like (Oliver Twist I asked for more). When I eat polished rice, I often see a rise in my sugar level. But this was not the case. I suggest Gambian researchers and nutritionists should conduct a study on the impact of Gambian jollof on diabetics. There could be some interesting revelations in it.

What I also found was that the recipes used in Gambian jollof could vary depending on who is preparing it. I say this because I happened to eat another Jollof at the Brikama College during a conference, but that looks and tastes different. The local recipes Gambians use could be their culinary supremacy as compared to the Ghanaians and Nigerians.

Mao further explained that the quality of the ingredients  fish and vegetables  is determined by the importance of the event or the degree of affection one has for a guest. The recipe and techniques are traditionally passed down from mother to daughter.

At the Brikama College, I notice that the Gambian jollof is eaten with the hands, although spoons or forks are usually used in restaurants. The dish is also tied to specific cultural practices. For instance, I was told it is forbidden to sit with a raised knee, the bowl must be held with the left hand, and grains of rice must not drop whiles one is eating.

All the local spices and herbs used by Maos wife were purely natural and medicinal in making the jollof. I think she understood what Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food."

And also am sure she read what was contained in Genesis 1:29: And God said, Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

That night, when I got home, I only went straight to bed and I forgot all the nitty gritty of the Bar school and Exam. The rest they say is history.

I only envy Mao for such a wonderful wife. No wonder the bible says, he who finds a wife finds a good thing. I will say, that he who finds a wife who can cook homegrown foods finds a good thing. So I urge food lovers to try Gambia jollof. Keep the debate on.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, an author, and a science writer. E. mail: [email protected] . This article is taken from the Book- Life in the Gambia-Perspective from a Professor and an Aspiring Barrister authored by the writer.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the arrest of protestors of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration organised by Democratic Hub today.

In a release signed by NDC National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi, he said the arrest of the innocent citizens who decided to embark on a peaceful protest against the misrule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government this morning, is not only unlawful but shameful and backward.

The NDC insists that there cannot be any place for this odious abuse of fundamental human rights in any democratic country governed by the rule of law.

In its release, the NDC said the arrest of protestors and seizure of phones during the demonstration is inhumane and totally unacceptable.

Even more reprehensible is the fact that some of the unlawfully arrested protestors have had their phones illegally seized and have been subjected to beatings and all manner of inhumane and degrading treatments by the Ghana Police Service.

Sadly, this heinous barbarism is happening under the watch and leadership of an IGP, who many thought would be different, the NDC said in its release.

The release added, The NDC condemns this shameful conduct by the Ghana Police Service in no uncertain terms. And demand the immediate release of all the unlawfully arrested and detained protestors.

The NDC further adds that Ghanaians have had enough of the institutionalized tyranny under President Akufo-Addos government.
Digital Divide

Digital Navigator Program Announced in Baltimore to Boost Internet Access

With the help of a $150,000 grant from Comcast, the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has started the Digital Navigator program to train about a dozen CCBC students to help residents, including other CCBC students, to get online.

The focus will be on educating people about available resources to overcome barriers such as affordability, device access, and digital skills. The students will teach residents digital literacy and how to use devices. They will also educate residents about the government's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a $30/month benefit toward their Internet bill.

Comcast said it also offers certain internet deals to help with free or affordable internet access. Visit this Internet Essentials page to learn more.

"We thank Comcast for their continued investment in our community and their commitment to driving innovative approaches to bridging the digital divide," said Sandra L. Kurtinitis, CCBC president. "A major impact of this partnership will be assuring that CCBC students are connected at home as well as on campus. Internet affordability should not be a barrier to academic and career-long success."

The Digital Navigator program is part of Project Up, Comcast's $1 billion commitment to assist digital equity, the company said. Comcast and Baltimore County earlier this year announced the latest phase of a rural broadband expansion to bring high-speed internet to 99% of previously unserved residences in Northern Baltimore County.
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is supporting the Sunyani Youth Development Association (SYDA) with GHS 140,000 to acquire additional training equipment for use by the association.

The association has, over the years, been training the youth in fashion design, hairdressing, smock-weaving, kente weaving, cosmetology, visual arts, bead-craft, auto-mechanics, aluminium fabrication, wood technology, solar energy technology and bicycle repairs.

The GHS 140,000.00 from the GIIF will go a long way to beef up training equipment at the associations training centre in Sunyani to enable it offer hands-on training to the youth around the area.

Appreciation

At the second graduation ceremony for seven SYDA skills trainees, the President of the Association, Atta Akoto Senior, praised Ambassador George Kumi, a Board Member of GIIF, for being instrumental in the Funds assistance toward the associations training modules.

He said SYDA will remain grateful to him for this major boost given to the youth of Sunyani and the entire Bono region.

Mr. Atta Akoto Senior said the seven graduands who just passed out also underwent business management and marketing training through SYDA Hub project.

He explained that in partnership with Milygof City Solutions, apprentices also undergo basic business management training to unearth their innovative skills through the SYDA hub project.

This is to demystify the hub system which appears to concentrate on the elites only. Innovation can only come from anyone at all, provided they are exposed to it through training and mindset orientation, he added.

Mr. Atta Akoto Senior announced plans to establish a creche to cater for trainees with babies.

The Regional TVET Co-ordinator, Edmund Pinto, congratulated the graduands and encouraged them to be customer-friendly and aspire to greater heights academically.

Deserving trainees were given special awards as part of the ceremony. Also, there was an exhibition of some of the products from the trainees.

SYDA is currently training 42 apprentices in various vocations under the guidance of ten master craftsmen and women in Sunyani.
Suspected jihadists in Burkina Faso have killed 16 civilians including four army auxiliaries, sources said Thursday, adding that around 12 "terrorists" later died in an army counter-offensive.

Twelve people died and two were injured in Koulponsgo, in central-eastern Burkina on Tuesday, a resident said. A security source confirmed both the attack and toll.

On the same day, an "attack by terrorist groups left four dead in Sirasso" in the west, the security source said, adding they were all VDP civilian volunteers for the army.

Around a dozen "terrorists" were also killed in counter-operations by the troubled West African nation's army after Tuesday's strikes, the security source said.

The VDP, or Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland, is a civilian force that supports the military in the fight against the jihadists.

Burkina Faso is fighting a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

The latest violence follows an attack last week on a camp for internally displaced people in the north of the country which left eight people dead.

More than 17,000 civilians and troops have died in jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso, according to a count by an NGO monitor called the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).

Over two million people have also been uprooted, making it one of the worst internal displacement crises in Africa.

Anger within the Burkinabe armed forces led to a coup in January 2022, toppling elected president Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

On September 30, Kabore's nemesis, Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, was himself overthrown in another putsch.

On Wednesday, the government claimed nearly 192,000 internally displaced people had returned to their homes after various regions were retaken by government forces.

Jihadist attacks continue unabated despite government claims to have wrested back territory.

The situation has been exacerbated after Burkina's former colonial ruler France withdrew troops in January following tensions with the ruling junta.

Burkina has since developed closer contacts with Russia, an ally of the junta in neighbouring Mali.
Kwasi Adu-Gyan, Bono East Regional Minister has inspected construction works on office and residential accommodation facilities at Atebubu to serve as a military base for the eastern corridor of the region and other parts of the country.

World Vision International, a Christian NGO, is spearheading the project as part of its contribution towards the maintenance of peace and security in that area, where it has been operating for several years.

The Regional Minister, who was accompanied by the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Chief Executive and some officers of the Ghana Army, was very happy about the extent of work done so far and commended World Vision for its efforts.

Citizens safety

According to the minister, maintenance of peace and security remains paramount for the smooth running of the country. He added that government will continue to liaise with the appropriate bodies to always ensure the safety of the citizenry.

Having been satisfied with the facility, he announced that the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, will soon be available to officially inaugurate it.

The Adontenhene of the Atebubu Traditional Council, Nana Owusu Gyimah, on behalf of the nananom pledged support in any form within their capacity to help the establishment of the barracks.
The European Commission has proposed to renew the use of the controversial herbicide glyphosate in the EU for 10 years after a report has found no reason to discontinue its use.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weed-killers 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 to renew its use this Friday and then be approved by a weighted majority of countries during a meeting on 13 October.

The latest proposal comes after the European Food Safety Authority said in July it had not found "any critical areas of concern" preventing glyphosate from being reauthorised, sparking a backlash from environmental groups.

Environment activists say there is scientific evidence that glyphosate may cause cancer, poison aquatic life and can be fatal to key pollinators like bees.

The previous authorisation expired in December 2022 but was extended by a year pending a scientific study of the herbicide.

Environmental groups slam EU proposal

The proposal would authorise its usage of the herbicide until 15 December, 2033, double the previous five-year authorisation but less than the 15-year period initially planned.

Authorisation for its use in the EU can be withdrawn if any development warrants a change in position.

However, environmental defenders have accused the European Union 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.

"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 metres 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.

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 desiccation  drying a crop before harvest.

WHO warnings 'unheeded'

Pascal Canfin, the head of the parliament's environment committee, criticised 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.

Wednesday's proposal comes despite the World Health Organization's cancer agency having said in 2015 that glyphosate  the active ingredient in many generic herbicides including Monsanto's Roundup  was "probably carcinogenic".
21.09.2023 LISTEN

The National Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has called on Ghana Police Service to free the arrested OccupyJulorbiHouse protestors.

He noted that arresting citizens who are exercising their rights to peaceful demonstration is an affront to democracy.

While he disagrees with the derogatory description of government by the protestors, the ruling partys spokesperson in a tweet on Thursday, September 21, criticized the polices action.

The ability of the people to demonstrate is an inherent democratic right. Therefore, the decision to stand in the way of citizens' exercise of this fundamental right is unacceptable. I don't agree with the derogatory caption of the Presidency by the organizers of the demonstration, but impeding their right to peaceful assembly is an affront to democracy--plain and simple, he wrote.

There have been several peaceful demonstrations under President Akufo-Addo--the arise Ghana demo, the Kume Preko Demo, and the others. Why now? The leadership of the Ghana Police Service must intervene to stop this poor development. This is not the publicity we need on a day such as this...Allow! he added.

The police have halted the 3-day protest organized by pressure group Democracy Hub aimed at picketing at the Jubilee Housethe seat of government to criticize what they term as misrule of the Akufo-Addo-led NPP administration.

The police however acquired an injunction application to halt the exercise on Wednesday, a day before the protest which the conveners ignored.
A BBC reporter, Thomas Naadi, and his cameraman were also arrested during a police swoop on the protesters of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration Thursday morning.

Naadi was subsequently released, but his cameraman is still in police custody.

A reporter with Metro TV was allegedly assaulted by the police during the peaceful demonstration which started Thursday morning.

Citi News Fred Duhoe reported that chaos erupted at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters after protesters were physically assaulted for demanding the release of their colleagues.

The lawyers representing the protesters have stated their intention to obtain bail for their clients through legal proceedings scheduled for Friday.

Following an extensive discussion with officers at the Accra regional police headquarters, both parties have mutually agreed to address the matter in court on Friday, September 22.

Notably, political activist Bernard Monah and the former MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, along with the protesters legal representatives, met with the police to gain a clearer understanding of the charges against the demonstrators.

-Citi Newsroom
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NDC), Richard Ahiagbah has condemned the violence recorded at the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration.

The leadership of organisers of the demonstration, Democratic Hub, and some of the demonstrators were arrested on Thursday morning during the protest.

This marred the protest with many protestors complaining of assault from the Police.

Reacting to the reports of violence at the protest, Richard Ahiagbah in a post on social media said it is unacceptable.

According to him, the actions of the Police are an affront to democracy and should not be the norm.

The ability of the people to demonstrate is an inherent democratic right. Therefore, the decision to stand in the way of citizens' exercise of this fundamental right is unacceptable. I don't agree with the derogatory caption of the Presidency by the organizers of the demonstration, but impeding their right to peaceful assembly is an affront to democracy--plain and simple, the NPP Communications Director said in a post on Twitter.

Richard Ahiagbah in his post added that the leadership of the Ghana Police Service must immediately intervene and stop the development of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demo.

There have been several peaceful demonstrations under President Akufo-Addo--the arise Ghana demo, the Kume Preko Demo, and the others. Why now? The leadership of the Ghana Police Service must intervene to stop this poor development. This is not the publicity we need on a day such as this...Allow, Richard Ahiagbah said.
21.09.2023 LISTEN

The Founding President and chief executive officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education has reacted to the decision of the Ghana Police Service to stop the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.

The three-day protest organised by the Democratic Hub was stopped by the Police on its first day on Thursday, September 21.

Amid public uproar on social media condemning the actions of the Police including the arrest and manhandling of some protesters, Franklin Cudjoe has joined the conversation.

In a post on Twitter, the CEO of IMANI questioned the Police on what the country would lose if it allowed peaceful demonstrations at a time when Ghanaians are enduring hardships.

What do we lose if we allow peaceful demonstrations in this broke economy? We should be grateful that these demonstrators are civil with all the chaos our lives have become due to legendary misgovernance, Franklin Cudjoe said in his post.

Meanwhile, the arrest and alleged manhandling of protesters by the Ghana Police Service personnel has been condemned by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The party in a release signed by National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi said The NDC condemns this shameful conduct by the Ghana Police Service in no uncertain terms. And demand the immediate release of all the unlawfully arrested and detained protestors.
The head of the Central African Republic on Thursday accused the West of triggering a migration crisis by pillaging Africa's natural resources through slavery and colonization.

Taking the podium at the United Nations General Assembly, Faustin-Archange Touadera addressed the migrant crisis on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where thousands of African migrants arrived last week, overwhelming the local community and causing a major headache for the European Union.

"These young people who symbolize the present and the future of our continent are desperately seeking to join the countries of the European continent in search of an El Dorado," Touadera said.

"This escalation of the migrant crisis is one of the appalling consequences of the plundering of natural resources of countries made poor by slavery, colonization and Western imperialism, terrorism and internal armed conflicts," he added.

Western governments and aid organizations have poured billions of dollars into African countries suffering from hunger, armed conflict and other crises over the years, but critics say delivery of the aid is often hampered by corruption from local governments and militants.

Touadera's statement contrasted sharply with comments Wednesday by Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who blamed the crisis on migrant smugglers and charged that Africa was in fact a rich continent.

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City. By TIMOTHY A. CLARY (AFP)

Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, located less than 150 kilometers (90 miles) from the Tunisian coast, has long been a landing point for migrant boats from North Africa.

But it was inundated last week, when some 8,500 people -- more than the entire local population -- arrived in 199 boats over the course of three days, according to the UN migration agency.

EU officials scrambled to respond and the president of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, was scheduled to visit the island on Sunday.

Touadera lauded the "solidarity and the incredible efforts" by the countries hosting the migrants, but said that Africa must be given a greater say in solving the migrant crisis.

"The UN must go beyond our common commitment to revive global solidarity by involving African countries in the search for global solutions to the migration crises and the existential issues facing young people on the African continent," he said.

In her UN speech, Italy's Meloni, who heads the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party and took office in part on pledges to crack down on migration, called human traffickers a "mafia who earn as much as drug smugglers."

"I believe it is the duty of this organization to reject any hypocritical approach to this issue and wage a global war without mercy against the traffickers of human beings," she said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on Italy's EU partners to share more of the responsibility in handling migrant arrivals. By Leonardo Munoz (AFP)

Meloni said Italy would work to address root causes and help African nations "grow and prosper."

"Africa is not a poor continent. To the contrary, it is rich with strategic resources," Meloni said.

Fissures quickly emerged in Brussels on how to respond to the Lampedusa crisis.

While Meloni called on Italy's EU partners to share more of the responsibility, France said it would not welcome the migrants from the island but is willing to help return them to friendly countries, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal.

EU border patrol agency Frontex on Wednesday said it would boost support to Italy following the surge of arrivals on Lampedusa.
21.09.2023 LISTEN

I may not be a prophet, just a budding PROFESSIONAL journalist, but I can predict that these political charades (acts characterized by pretense or deceptive) from some uncouth politicians, have not only crept into but have firmly taken root in Ghana's political landscape. It's disheartening to observe how this behavior has become normalized in our country today, and it's high time we addressed this issue.

As election season draws near and campaign trails heat up, we witness a remarkable transformation in the conduct of our politicians. This is the time when they put on a grand show, showcasing a lifestyle that often feels worlds apart from their actual roles as public servants.

One cannot help but question whether this sudden change of demeanor stems from the fear that the electorate can see through the charade.

Do politicians truly believe that their public appearances and distribution of goodies during election season can erase months, or even years, of neglect?

The burning question on the minds of many is whether politicians underestimate the intelligence of the electorate. It's no wonder that some "less-than-sincere" politicians have the audacity to indirectly insult the electorate by suggesting that even an animal cloaked in their "CORRUPTICAL" Party's colors could win an election. It's crucial to remember that voters are far from fools; they can discern empty gestures and insincere apologies. What the people genuinely deserve are politicians who consistently prioritize their needs, listen to their concerns, and tirelessly work to enhance their lives.

In the end, while election season showmanship may capture headlines and attention, it's the sincere dedication and commitment to public service that should hold the utmost importance. It's time for politicians to realize that the electorate is watching, and their actions speak far louder than staged appearances and social media posts.

#Let'sRightTheWrongs
Research

Pew Research: Americans Feel More Concerned Than Excited About AI

According to recent research conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, 52% of Americans feel "more concerned than excited" about the use of AI in daily life, compared to 37% in 2021  an increase of 15 percentage points.

The research team surveyed 11,201 U.S. adults from July 31 to Aug. 6, 2023. Participants were contacted randomly by the national online survey American Trends Panel.

In 2021, 45% of participants were equally excited and concerned about the use of AI, with 18% more excited than concerned, and 37% were more concerned than excited. That number did not change significantly in 2022 (46% equally concerned/excited, 15% more excited, and 38% more concerned), but this year those percentages have drastically changed, with 36% equally concerned/excited, 10% excited, and 52% concerned.

Pew said concern about AI outweighs excitement across the major demographic groups polled: gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education, and others. Perhaps predictably, 61% of older adults (65+) are more concerned than excited, with the gap being smaller among 18 to 29-year-olds, but still significant: 42% more concerned, and 17% more excited.

The research also shows that growing public awareness about AI is keeping pace with rising concerns.

"Those who have heard a lot about AI are 16 points more likely now than they were in December 2022 to express greater concern than excitement about it," the report noted. "Among this most aware group, concern now outweighs excitement by 47% to 15%. In December, this margin was 31% to 23%." Levels of concern seem to be about equal whether people have heard a lot about AI (16%) or not much (19%).

Americans' concerns focus heavily on maintaining control of AI, doubts about whether it will improve our lives, and use of it in certain fields, such as medicine, the report said. A large concern is also data privacy and safety with the use of AI, with 53% of survey respondents feeling their information is not being kept safe and private.

Visit the report page to read more about the results and follow links to the methodology.
The historic Ethiopian town of Lalibela was rocked by the sound of heavy artillery on Wednesday as federal government troops fired towards areas where local militias were believed to be hiding, residents said.

Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies in the region of Amhara, which has for months been the scene of fighting between the national army and a local militia known as Fano.

The government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed imposed a six-month state of emergency in early August after the Amhara clashes erupted, raising concerns about Ethiopia's stability just months after a peace deal ended a two-year war in neighbouring Tigray.

From Wednesday evening "heavy artillery was used from inside the city to the outskirts of Lalibela where allegedly Fano are there in the forest area," said Lalibela resident and tourism sector worker Ayalew, who did not want to give his full name.

"I am inside my home for now and they (Ethiopian troops) are going door to door, checking youths for possible Fano supporters," he told AFP Thursday, adding that he could hear sporadic gunfire.

It is impossible to verify the situation on the ground in Amhara as media access to the region is heavily restricted.

Aneley, a tuk-tuk (three-wheeled taxi) driver, said the sound of artillery was "very heavy" and lasted through the night Wednesday, adding that soldiers were arresting any youths found outside.

A 38-year-old shopkeeper who requested anonymity said Lalibela was now quiet, with banks functioning and some public transport operating although there had been no internet for several weeks.

"But there is high level of tension and fear, with soldiers often beating residents as well as stealing (from them)," he said, recounting numerous arrests.

Lalibela is renowned for its rock-hewn churches but like other cities in Amhara was also caught up in the brutal war between government forces and Tigrayan rebels as well as the latest regional clashes.

Amhara's regional forces fought alongside federal government troops in the Tigray war. But in April, Abiy's government announced it was dismantling regional forces across the country, triggering protests by Amhara nationalists who said it would weaken their region.

Ethiopia's human rights body on Friday accused federal forces of carrying out extra-judicial killings in Amhara and mass arbitrary detentions in the region and elsewhere.

And on Monday, the UN-backed Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia said the situation in Africa's second most populous country remained "extremely grave".

"Atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity are still being committed in the country," the commission said.

Beyond Tigray, the experts warned that "hostilities in Ethiopia are now at a national scale, with significant violations increasing particularly in Amhara region, but also ongoing in Oromia and elsewhere".

ayv/txw/ach
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has kicked against the Polices use of force against unarmed civilians protesting the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.

The Police arrested and allegedly manhandled protesters who joined the leadership of the Democratic Hub to begin a three-day demonstration at the Jubilee House.

In a statement reacting to the conduct of the Police to stop the protesters from exercising their Constitutional rights, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has condemned the actions of the security service.

Whichever way you look at it  police brutalities, excessive brute force against unarmed civilians and gestapo tactics have no place in a constitutional democracy.

Violating the rights of citizens is not policing, the North Tongu MP said in a post on Facebook.

He continued, I strongly condemn todays high handedness against protesters and journalists by security operatives, particularly, on a day we commemorate the birthday of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah  our nations founder who dedicated his entire life towards the elimination of all forms of injustice and subjugation.

In his statement, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also called for the immediate release of all the protesters arrested from Police custody.

All those brutalized and arrested should be immediately freed and granted medical care which must be borne by the state, the Minority stressed.
21.09.2023 LISTEN

A delegation of Principals and Registrars from leading boarding schools in the UK will be meeting with families at a UK Boarding Schools Week fair at The Kempinski Hotel, Accra on Wednesday 11th October 2023 to offer a warm welcome to Ghanaian parents who are interested in UK boarding schools for their children, says organizer Mark Brooks.

The programme, which is in association with the UKs Department for International Trade starts at 4 pm with a seminar Helping Teenagers to Thrive. It will continues with an exhibition starting from 4.30pm  6pm. It concludes with an evening drinks reception for principals and parents from 6pm  8 pm.

Rossall, one of the participating schools and a 2023 finalist in the Independent School of the Year, is incredibly proud of its strong relationship with West Africa, according to Head, Jeremy Quartermain.

In recent years, an increasing number of families from Nigeria and Ghana have chosen Rossall and are recommending it to their friends for its outstanding pastoral care, sporting excellence, and very strong academic outcomes."

"While ACS Cobham has also established strong connections in Ghana, as a school with more than 70 nationalities, we live by one of our school values which is to welcome everyone, says Rob Crowther, Head of Senior School.

Hannah Drew from Kingswood in Bath comments on the welcoming boarding community. Our house staff are well practiced at offering support to pupils who are away from their families perhaps for the first time.

"Truro High is a popular choice for girls from West Africa because it offers a safe and affordable learning environment where girls thrive and are helped to achieve their very best," explains Headmistress, Sarah Matthews.

Parents thank the school for the substantial value added during their daughters' time at the school where incredible academics and unparalleled opportunities run hand in hand, she adds.

The full list of schools taking part in the delegation includes Bishop's Stortford College, Box Hill, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Haberdashers' Schools Monmouth, Hereford Cathedral School, Lancing College, Rossall School, Truro High School for Girls, and Wychwood School.
Retired Commissioner of Police (Retired), George Alex Mensah, has confirmed that he is a card-bearing member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This is contrary to his submission to the bi-partisan parliamentary committee probing the alleged plot to remove IGP Dr George Akuffo Dampare as contained in a leaked audio.

His declaration comes days after revealing his intention to contest the Bekwai Parliamentary Seat.

When he appeared before the committee, COP Mensah described himself as a sympathizer of the NPP. Together with two other police officers, the ex-cop is at the center of the alleged plot to oust the current IGP.

At his hearing, the question of his membership of a political party took centre stage. Member of the Committee, Eric Opoku grilled him on his membership of the New Patriotic Party. In response to the question, COP (Rtd) George Alex Mensah said I am a sympathizer of the NPP.

He has subsequently retired from the service while the probe is on. In a recent interview however, Alex Mensah indicated that he is a full-blown member of the governing NPP. When he was asked 'Do you have a party ID card he answered in the affirmative 'yes I do.

Under oath at the committee, he said, he was just a sympathizer of the NPP, but now says otherwise.

Legally, lying under oath is called perjury. Ghana's criminal code in section 211 defines perjury as A person is guilty of perjury, if in any written or verbal statement made or verified by him upon oath before any Court, or public officer, or before the President or any Committee thereof, he states anything which he knows to be false in a material particular, or which he has no reason to believe to be true.

The committee resumes its hearings on October 2nd and potential allegation of perjury against the ex-COP may arise.

-3news.com
NIPPON STL & SU/S (OTCMKTS:NSSMY  Get Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $7.66 and traded as high as $8.53. NIPPON STL & SU/S shares last traded at $7.93, with a volume of 8,154 shares.

NIPPON STL & SU/S Trading Up 3.9 %

The firm has a market cap of $8.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $7.71 and a 200-day moving average of $7.40.

About NIPPON STL & SU/S

(Get Free Report)

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation engages in steelmaking and steel fabrication businesses worldwide. It operates in five segments: Steelmaking and Steel Fabrication, Engineering and Construction, Chemicals, New materials, and System Solutions. The company offers steel plates; hot- and cold-rolled steel sheets and coils, coated steel sheets, color coated steel sheets, electrolytic tin plates, and electrical steel sheets; bar and rod materials; and structural steel products.

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Shares of SOHO China Limited (OTCMKTS:SOHOF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $0.15 and last traded at $0.15, with a volume of 0 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.15.

SOHO China Price Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $0.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.16.

About SOHO China

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Shares of STS Global Income & Growth Trust plc (LON:STS  Get Free Report) passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 217.23 ($2.69) and traded as high as GBX 224 ($2.77). STS Global Income & Growth Trust shares last traded at GBX 224 ($2.77), with a volume of 99,529 shares trading hands.

STS Global Income & Growth Trust Stock Up 1.4 %

The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 217.47 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 216.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.20, a current ratio of 0.15 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The company has a market cap of 210.16 million, a PE ratio of -5,500.00 and a beta of 0.51.

STS Global Income & Growth Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Securities Trust of Scotland plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Martin Currie Fund Management Limited. It is co-managed by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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626 Financial LLC lowered its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,954 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 218 shares during the period. 626 Financial LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $701,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the first quarter worth $332,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after buying an additional 68,018 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the firms 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the firms 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $402,545.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the firms 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 sale, 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. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on BMY. Atlantic Securities dropped their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of 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. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 28th. SVB Securities started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 target price for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $59.00 price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Wednesday, July 19th. 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.5 %

NYSE:BMY traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $59.06. 6,677,065 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,994,017. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $61.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $64.92. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $58.33 and a one year high of $81.43. The company has a market cap of $123.38 billion, a PE ratio of 15.63, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.42.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.24). Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.62% and a return on equity of 50.51%. The company had revenue of $11.23 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.93 earnings per share. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 5th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 60.64%.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(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.

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AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE:AME  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,550,000 shares, a drop of 8.3% from the August 15th total of 1,690,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 866,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 0.7% of the shares of the company are short sold.

AMETEK Stock Performance

AMETEK stock opened at $151.41 on Thursday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $156.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $149.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. AMETEK has a twelve month low of $110.87 and a twelve month high of $164.75. The company has a market cap of $34.93 billion, a PE ratio of 28.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.22.

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AMETEK (NYSE:AME  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The technology company reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. AMETEK had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 19.23%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.38 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that AMETEK will post 6.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AMETEK Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 14th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 13th. AMETEKs payout ratio is currently 18.73%.

A number of brokerages recently commented on AME. Mizuho raised their target price on AMETEK from $161.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on AMETEK from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of AMETEK in a report on Monday, August 7th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of AMETEK from $174.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of AMETEK from $162.00 to $174.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $175.29.

Read Our Latest Analysis on AME

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AMETEK news, Director Steven W. Kohlhagen sold 1,565 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.37, for a total transaction of $250,979.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,117,246.33. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other AMETEK news, Director Steven W. Kohlhagen sold 1,565 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.37, for a total transaction of $250,979.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,117,246.33. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO William Joseph Burke sold 33,930 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.29, for a total transaction of $5,438,639.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 101,937 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,339,481.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 37,140 shares of company stock worth $5,940,876. 0.72% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AMETEK during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AMETEK during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in AMETEK in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in AMETEK by 84.3% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 212 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TFC Financial Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AMETEK during the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 85.70% of the companys stock.

About AMETEK

(Get Free Report)

AMETEK, Inc manufactures and sells electronic instruments and electromechanical devices in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. It operates in two segments, Electronic Instruments (EIG) and Electromechanical (EMG). The company's EIG segment offers advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power, and industrial markets; process and analytical instruments for the oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, automation, and food and beverage industries; and instruments to the laboratory equipment, ultra-precision manufacturing, medical, and test and measurement markets.Its EMG segment offers engineered electrical connectors and electronics packaging to protect sensitive devices and mission-critical electronics; precision motion control products for data storage, medical devices, business equipment, automation, and other applications; high-purity powdered metals, strips and foils, specialty clad metals, and metal matrix composites; motor-blower systems and heat exchangers for use in thermal management, military, commercial aircraft, and military ground vehicles; and motors for use in commercial appliances, fitness equipment, food and beverage machines, hydraulic pumps, and industrial blowers.

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Aries Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 4,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 9.9% in the first quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 21,535 shares of the companys stock valued at $961,000 after buying an additional 1,941 shares during the period. MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 440.5% in the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,789 shares of the companys stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 3,903 shares during the period. Cascade Investment Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,156,000. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 7.0% during the first quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. now owns 9,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 601 shares during the period. Finally, Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 2.1% in the first quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 12,906 shares of the companys stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of Altria Group stock traded down $0.17 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $42.87. 2,523,158 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,799,440. The company has a market cap of $76.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $44.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $44.98.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.31. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 225.61% and a net margin of 27.40%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.26 EPS. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 10th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.14%. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.94. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 102.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MO shares. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Altria Group from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.50.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MO

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR  Get Free Report)s share price fell 5.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $120.32 and last traded at $120.66. 828,688 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 1,951,309 shares. The stock had previously closed at $127.16.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on BLDR shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $162.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $166.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. StockNews.com raised Builders FirstSource from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Builders FirstSource in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Stephens increased their price objective on shares of Builders FirstSource from $130.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $149.69.

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Read Our Latest Report on BLDR

Builders FirstSource Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $140.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $121.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.34 and a beta of 2.02.

Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The company reported $3.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.69 by $1.20. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.24 billion. Builders FirstSource had a net margin of 10.04% and a return on equity of 45.73%. The companys revenue was down 35.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $6.26 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Builders FirstSource, Inc. will post 13.69 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Builders FirstSource news, EVP Timothy D. Johnson sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.69, for a total value of $758,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,748 shares in the company, valued at $9,973,314.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Timothy D. Johnson sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.69, for a total transaction of $758,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,748 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,973,314.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Michael Hiller sold 5,965 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $147.91, for a total value of $882,283.15. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 32,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,865,055.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Builders FirstSource

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BLDR. Altshuler Shaham Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Builders FirstSource by 5.2% during the first quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd now owns 1,759 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co raised its position in shares of Builders FirstSource by 3.5% in the second quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 2,716 shares of the companys stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its stake in shares of Builders FirstSource by 27.7% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 424 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. grew its position in shares of Builders FirstSource by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 3,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $473,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Builders FirstSource by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 2,269 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. 94.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Builders FirstSource Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Builders FirstSource, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and supplies building materials, manufactured components, and construction services to professional homebuilders, sub-contractors, remodelers, and consumers in the United States. It offers lumber and lumber sheet goods comprising dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board products that are used in on-site house framing; manufactured products, such as wood floor and roof trusses, steel roof trusses, wall panels, stairs, and engineered wood products; and windows, and interior and exterior door units, as well as interior trims and custom products comprising intricate mouldings, stair parts, and columns under the Synboard brand name.

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Canso Credit Income Fund (TSE:PBY.UN  Get Free Report) passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$14.31 and traded as low as C$13.98. Canso Credit Income Fund shares last traded at C$14.05, with a volume of 6,000 shares traded.

Canso Credit Income Fund Price Performance

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$14.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$14.22.

About Canso Credit Income Fund

(Get Free Report)

Canso Credit Trust  Canso Credit Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Lysander Funds Limited. The fund is managed by Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of Canada. The fund primarily invests in corporate bonds. It employs fundamental analysis with bottom-up and deep value approach to create its portfolio.

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Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 39,730 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 64% from the previous sessions volume of 111,832 shares.The stock last traded at $36.38 and had previously closed at $36.69.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chunghwa Telecom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 15th.

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Get Our Latest Analysis on CHT

Chunghwa Telecom Stock Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $36.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.75. The firm has a market cap of $28.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.04 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.

Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a net margin of 16.94% and a return on equity of 9.58%. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter.

Institutional Trading of Chunghwa Telecom

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CHT. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in Chunghwa Telecom during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 184.2% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 790 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 512 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 50.0% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,754 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 585 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 848.0% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,877 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 1,679 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 114.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,335 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $87,000 after buying an additional 1,247 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.16% of the companys stock.

About Chunghwa Telecom

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Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local long distance services comprising of local calls, cloud switchboard, and value-added local calls.

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Shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL (NYSE:ELP  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 202,004 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 51% from the previous sessions volume of 414,311 shares.The stock last traded at $8.93 and had previously closed at $9.20.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Bank of America upgraded Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 30th.

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Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL Stock Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $8.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. HRT Financial LP bought a new position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL in the 4th quarter valued at $867,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 166,962 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 7,734 shares in the last quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL during the 4th quarter valued at $216,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans acquired a new stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL during the 4th quarter valued at $505,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL during the 1st quarter valued at $404,000. Institutional investors own 3.98% of the companys stock.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL Company Profile

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Companhia Paranaense de Energia  COPEL engages in the generation, transformation, distribution, and sale of electricity to industrial, residential, commercial, rural, and other customers in Brazil. The company operates through Power Generation and Transmission, Power Distribution, Power Sale, and Gas segments.

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Dakota Territory Resource (OTCMKTS:DTRC  Get Free Report) and Avino Silver & Gold Mines (NYSE:ASM  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and valuation.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Dakota Territory Resource and Avino Silver & Gold Mines revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Dakota Territory Resource N/A N/A -$3.16 million N/A N/A Avino Silver & Gold Mines $44.19 million 1.59 $3.10 million $0.01 58.79

Avino Silver & Gold Mines has higher revenue and earnings than Dakota Territory Resource.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dakota Territory Resource N/A N/A N/A Avino Silver & Gold Mines 2.22% 5.60% 4.62%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

This table compares Dakota Territory Resource and Avino Silver & Gold Mines net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

2.3% of Avino Silver & Gold Mines shares are held by institutional investors. 59.3% of Dakota Territory Resource shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.3% of Avino Silver & Gold Mines shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Dakota Territory Resource and Avino Silver & Gold Mines, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dakota Territory Resource 0 0 0 0 N/A Avino Silver & Gold Mines 0 0 1 0 3.00

Avino Silver & Gold Mines has a consensus price target of $1.70, indicating a potential upside of 189.46%.

Summary

Avino Silver & Gold Mines beats Dakota Territory Resource on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Dakota Territory Resource

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Dakota Territory Resource Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties in the United States. It holds 100% interests in eight mineral properties, including the Blind Gold, City Creek, Tinton, West Corridor, Ragged Top, Poorman Anticline, Maitland, and Homestake Paleoplacer properties covering an area of approximately 19,500 acres located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The company was formerly known as Mustang Geothermal Corp and changed its name to Dakota Territory Resource Corp. in September 2012. Dakota Territory Resource Corp. was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Lead, South Dakota.

About Avino Silver & Gold Mines

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Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for silver, gold, and copper deposits. The company owns interests in 42 mineral claims and four leased mineral claims, including Avino mine area property comprising four exploration concessions covering 154.4 hectares, 24 exploitation concessions covering 1,284.7 hectares, and one leased exploitation concession covering 98.83 hectares; Gomez Palacio property consists of nine exploration concessions covering 2,549 hectares; Santiago Papasquiaro property comprises four exploration concessions covering 2,552.6 hectares and one exploitation concession covering 602.9 hectares; and Unification La Platosa properties, which include three leased concessions located in the state of Durango, Mexico. It also owns 100% interests in the Minto and Olympic-Kelvin properties located in British Columbia, Canada; and 14 quartz leases in Eagle property located in the Mayo Mining Division of Yukon, Canada. In addition, the company acquires the La Preciosa property comprises 15 exploration concessions covering an area of 6,011 hectares located in Durango, Mexico. Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE:SNV  Get Free Report) major shareholder Eli Samaha purchased 197,705 shares of Synovus Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $21.40 per share, for a total transaction of $4,230,887.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,598,082 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $34,198,954.80. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Major shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Eli Samaha also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, September 21st, Eli Samaha purchased 8,884 shares of Synovus Financial stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $21.25 per share, for a total transaction of $188,785.00.

Synovus Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SNV traded down $0.65 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $27.73. 1,857,977 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,558,405. Synovus Financial Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $25.19 and a fifty-two week high of $44.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 5.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.39. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.62.

Synovus Financial Dividend Announcement

Synovus Financial ( NYSE:SNV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The bank reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $567.81 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $570.82 million. Synovus Financial had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 19.61%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Synovus Financial Corp. will post 4.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 21st will be given a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 20th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.48%. Synovus Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.63%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Barclays PLC grew its position in Synovus Financial by 64.9% in the second quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 371,692 shares of the banks stock worth $11,245,000 after buying an additional 146,236 shares during the last quarter. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new position in Synovus Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,547,000. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Synovus Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,973,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its stake in Synovus Financial by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 58,839 shares of the banks stock worth $1,779,000 after purchasing an additional 2,392 shares during the period. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Synovus Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,843,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.92% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SNV has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $38.00 price target on shares of Synovus Financial in a research report on Wednesday, August 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Synovus Financial from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 21st. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of Synovus Financial in a report on Thursday, June 29th. DA Davidson cut their target price on shares of Synovus Financial from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com raised Synovus Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $37.10.

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About Synovus Financial

(Get Free Report)

Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate loans.

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Enfusion, Inc. (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,280,000 shares, a growth of 5.8% from the August 15th total of 1,210,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 409,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days. Approximately 3.4% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Enfusion Stock Performance

Shares of ENFN traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $9.08. 269,679 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 429,335. Enfusion has a 12-month low of $7.37 and a 12-month high of $14.61. The company has a market cap of $1.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 113.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $9.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.39.

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Enfusion (NYSE:ENFN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.02. Enfusion had a return on equity of 8.10% and a net margin of 3.61%. The firm had revenue of $42.72 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.58 million. On average, research analysts expect that Enfusion will post 0.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Enfusion

Institutional Trading of Enfusion

In other Enfusion news, major shareholder Tarek Hammoud sold 1,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.70, for a total value of $10,700,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,130.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In other news, CTO Dan Groman sold 3,877 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.31, for a total transaction of $43,848.87. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 108,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,230,991.71. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, major shareholder Tarek Hammoud sold 1,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.70, for a total value of $10,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,130.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,009,944 shares of company stock valued at $10,793,135. 39.18% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Enfusion in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Enfusion by 1,189.8% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 5,723 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in Enfusion by 24.2% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 7,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $91,000 after buying an additional 1,390 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in Enfusion by 494.6% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,248 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 6,029 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its holdings in Enfusion by 1,048.1% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 9,139 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,000 after buying an additional 8,343 shares in the last quarter. 64.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ENFN. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Enfusion from $11.50 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Enfusion from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on ENFN

Enfusion Company Profile

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Enfusion, Inc provides software-as-a-service solutions for investment management industry in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides portfolio management system, which generates a real-time investment book of record that consists of valuation and risk tools that allows users to analyze aggregated or decomposed portfolio data for chief investment officers (CIOs) and portfolio managers; and order and execution management system that enables portfolio managers, traders, compliance teams, and analysts to electronically communicate trade orders for a variety of asset classes, manage trade orders, and systemically enforce trading regulations and internal guidelines.

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Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday after Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on the stock from $145.00 to $115.00. Morgan Stanley currently has an underweight rating on the stock. Extra Space Storage traded as low as $122.36 and last traded at $122.65, with a volume of 1015318 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $127.54.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com cut Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, August 25th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $155.00 to $138.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 29th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $147.00 to $145.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $160.00 to $135.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $185.00 to $165.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $148.14.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of Extra Space Storage

In related news, Director Joseph J. Bonner sold 956 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total transaction of $120,111.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,504 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $565,882.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Securian Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,201 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,825,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in Extra Space Storage during the 1st quarter worth about $362,000. Capital Analysts LLC lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 1,255.1% during the 1st quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 2,263 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $369,000 after buying an additional 2,096 shares during the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 230,286 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,893,000 after buying an additional 15,327 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 8.4% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 176,342 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,731,000 after buying an additional 13,690 shares during the last quarter. 66.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Extra Space Storage Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $25.90 billion, a PE ratio of 20.81, a P/E/G ratio of 12.59 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $133.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $145.59.

Extra Space Storage Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. Extra Space Storages payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Extra Space Storage Company Profile

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Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of June 30, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 2,438 self-storage stores in 41 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 1.7 million units and approximately 184.0 million square feet of rentable space.

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Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:IMPUY  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $5.94 and traded as low as $5.14. Impala Platinum shares last traded at $5.19, with a volume of 162,308 shares changing hands.

Impala Platinum Stock Down 3.6 %

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $5.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.74.

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Impala Platinum Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 22nd will be issued a $0.0577 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 21st.

About Impala Platinum

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited engages in the mining, processing, concentrating, refining, and sale of platinum group metals (PGMs) and associated base metals. The company produces platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel, and by-products. It has operations on the PGM-bearing orebodies, including the Bushveld Complex located in South Africa; and the Great Dyke situated in Zimbabwe, as well as the Canadian Shield.

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Shares of Laura Ashley Holdings plc (LON:ALY  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 0.39 ($0.00) and traded as low as GBX 0.39 ($0.00). Laura Ashley shares last traded at GBX 0.39 ($0.00), with a volume of 2,241,518 shares changing hands.

Laura Ashley Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 466.88. The firm has a market capitalization of 2.84 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.17. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 0.39 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 0.39.

About Laura Ashley

(Get Free Report)

Laura Ashley Holdings plc engages in retailing furniture, home accessories, decorating, and fashion products in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and France. It offers furniture for bedroom, living room, and kitchen and dining; sofas and armchairs; chandeliers, pendants, wall lights, table lamps, floor lamps, decorative lighting and accessories, and string lights, as well as lamp shades and bases; furniture, kitchen and bathroom, matt emulsion, and water based paints; and curtain, lining, PVC, and upholstery fabrics.

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LVW Advisors LLC lessened its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 2.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 871 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 23 shares during the period. LVW Advisors LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $454,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 614 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $354,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC now owns 723 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $417,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 3,627 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,997,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. now owns 1,274 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $734,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunflower Bank N.A. boosted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. now owns 645 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $337,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

TMO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $505.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, July 28th. KeyCorp dropped their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Credit Suisse Group raised Thermo Fisher Scientific from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $620.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. They set a buy rating and a $625.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $595.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $631.71.

Insider Buying and Selling at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $549.00, for a total value of $5,490,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,590,170. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $549.00, for a total value of $5,490,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,590,170. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.60, for a total value of $880,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 135,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $74,512,698. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 28,700 shares of company stock valued at $15,799,270. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded down $4.51 on Thursday, hitting $500.38. The company had a trading volume of 817,419 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,493,259. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $193.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.77. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $539.56 and a 200-day moving average of $540.64. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $475.77 and a 1 year high of $609.85.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The medical research company reported $5.15 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.43 by ($0.28). The business had revenue of $10.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.99 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.14% and a return on equity of 18.59%. The businesss revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.51 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 22.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.57%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN  Get Free Report) had its price target upped by Morgan Stanley from C$12.10 to C$13.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the mining companys stock. Morgan Stanleys target price suggests a potential upside of 30.52% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on shares of Lundin Mining from C$12.00 to C$12.50 in a research note on Tuesday, July 18th. Raymond James reduced their target price on shares of Lundin Mining from C$11.00 to C$10.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Lundin Mining from C$10.50 to C$11.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Barclays cut their price objective on Lundin Mining from C$11.00 to C$10.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Lundin Mining from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from C$10.00 to C$12.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$12.01.

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Lundin Mining Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of Lundin Mining stock traded up C$0.03 on Thursday, reaching C$9.96. The company had a trading volume of 4,399,044 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,741,802. Lundin Mining has a 52-week low of C$6.24 and a 52-week high of C$11.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.46, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.16. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$10.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$10.18. The firm has a market cap of C$7.70 billion, a PE ratio of 16.90, a PEG ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 1.76.

Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The mining company reported C$0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.06 by C($0.03). The firm had revenue of C$790.56 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$823.32 million. Lundin Mining had a return on equity of 6.57% and a net margin of 12.15%. Sell-side analysts predict that Lundin Mining will post 1.2617535 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Lundin Mining

(Get Free Report)

Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. It primarily produces copper, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as lead, silver, and other metals. The company holds 100% interests in the Chapada mine located in Brazil; the Neves-Corvo mine located in Portugal; the Eagle mine located in the United States; and the Zinkgruvan mine located in Sweden.

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Sylvamo (NYSE:SLVM  Get Free Report) is one of 17 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Sylvamo to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, valuation and risk.

Dividends

Sylvamo pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Sylvamo pays out 14.7% 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.

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Profitability

This table compares Sylvamo and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sylvamo 7.87% 55.02% 12.80% Sylvamo Competitors 7.59% 18.89% 6.66%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Earnings and Valuation

89.1% of Sylvamo shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Sylvamo shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.5% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Sylvamo and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sylvamo $3.63 billion $118.00 million 6.46 Sylvamo Competitors $5.61 billion $686.61 million 28.95

Sylvamos rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Sylvamo. Sylvamo is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Sylvamo and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sylvamo 0 1 1 0 2.50 Sylvamo Competitors 112 709 472 47 2.34

Sylvamo currently has a consensus price target of $52.50, suggesting a potential upside of 19.59%. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 27.41%. Given Sylvamos rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Sylvamo has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Volatility and Risk

Sylvamo has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sylvamos rivals have a beta of 1.32, meaning that their average stock price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Sylvamo rivals beat Sylvamo on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

About Sylvamo

(Get Free Report)

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.

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Sendas Distribuidora S.A. (NYSE:ASAI  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $12.44, but opened at $11.93. Sendas Distribuidora shares last traded at $12.02, with a volume of 31,962 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Bank of America upgraded Sendas Distribuidora from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 7th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on ASAI

Sendas Distribuidora Trading Down 3.3 %

The stock has a market cap of $3.25 billion, a PE ratio of 18.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.82, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.83. The companys 50-day moving average price is $13.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.39.

Sendas Distribuidora (NYSE:ASAI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.22 billion. Sendas Distribuidora had a net margin of 1.49% and a return on equity of 23.17%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Sendas Distribuidora S.A. will post 0.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sendas Distribuidora

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ASAI. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new position in Sendas Distribuidora during the first quarter worth about $584,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Sendas Distribuidora by 15.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 54,597 shares of the companys stock worth $938,000 after acquiring an additional 7,368 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Sendas Distribuidora by 9.0% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 108,752 shares of the companys stock worth $1,868,000 after purchasing an additional 9,002 shares during the period. Ruane Cunniff & Goldfarb L.P. raised its stake in Sendas Distribuidora by 1.6% during the first quarter. Ruane Cunniff & Goldfarb L.P. now owns 98,082 shares of the companys stock worth $1,685,000 after purchasing an additional 1,557 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Group LLC purchased a new position in Sendas Distribuidora during the first quarter worth approximately $1,583,000.

Sendas Distribuidora Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sendas Distribuidora SA engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. The company serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals.

Further Reading

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Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ  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 7,000 shares, a growth of 6.1% from the August 15th total of 6,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Aenza S.A.A. Stock Down 12.9 %

NYSE:AENZ traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $0.14. The stock had a trading volume of 174,833 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,544. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Aenza S.A.A. has a twelve month low of $1.52 and a twelve month high of $5.90. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.36 and a 200 day simple moving average of $1.92.

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Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 31st. The company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $280.47 million for the quarter.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About Aenza S.A.A.

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Aenza S.A.A. stock. GTS Securities LLC bought a new stake in Aenza S.A.A. ( NYSE:AENZ Free Report ) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 18,504 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,000. 3.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Free Report)

Aenza SAA., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the Infrastructure, Energy, Engineering and Construction, and Real Estate businesses in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, and Colombia. The company's Infrastructure segment offers long-term concessions or similar contractual arrangements in Peru for highways with tolls, Lima Metro, a sewage treatment plant in Lima, as well as operation and maintenance services for infrastructure assets.

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Tekla Life Sciences Investors (NYSE:HQL  Get Free Report) President Daniel R. Omstead acquired 12,000 shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $12.68 per share, with a total value of $152,160.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the president now owns 187,422 shares in the company, valued at $2,376,510.96. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Tekla Life Sciences Investors Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of HQL stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $12.59. The company had a trading volume of 59,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,220. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $13.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.57. Tekla Life Sciences Investors has a 52-week low of $12.58 and a 52-week high of $15.30.

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Tekla Life Sciences Investors Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 25th will be given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 24th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.17%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tekla Life Sciences Investors

Tekla Life Sciences Investors Company Profile

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HQL. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 9.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 444,053 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,310,000 after buying an additional 36,706 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 21.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 310,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,321,000 after acquiring an additional 54,721 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 41.6% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 309,615 shares of the companys stock worth $4,192,000 after purchasing an additional 91,010 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 13.2% during the 1st quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 306,340 shares of the companys stock worth $4,267,000 after purchasing an additional 35,802 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 293,286 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,173,000 after purchasing an additional 12,222 shares in the last quarter. 19.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Free Report)

Tekla Life Sciences Investors is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Tekla Capital Management LLC. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the life sciences sector, including the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, managed healthcare, medical equipment, hospitals, healthcare information technology and services, devices and supplies industries, and in agriculture and environmental management industries.

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A prison inmate being treated at a Milan hospital escaped by jumping out of a second floor window and a policeman who jumped behind him in an attempt to stop him is now in a coma, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

The incident took place at the San Paolo hospital in the Lombardy capital.

The Moroccan-born prisoner, Mordjane Nazim, arrived at the hospital Wednesday night after being hurt in a fight with fellow inmates at Milan's San Vittore Prison.

The cop who tried to catch him fell and banged his head on the ground, and is now being treated in a coma at a different hospital, the San Raffaele.

SPP said inmate escape attempts from hospitals were on the rise across Italy.

It later emerged that Nazim had locked himself inside a bathroom before climbing out of the window and the two officers guarding him broke down the door before one of them, Carmine De Rosa, climbed out in pursuit but then slipped and fell about 10 metres.
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin has indicted Brandon Herman, 42, of Chippewa Falls on five charges, including gun offenses and drug crimes involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The indictment alleges that on May 24, Herman was a felon in possession of firearms, that he possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, that he possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute, that he maintained a drug house and that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that he maintained a place in the township of Lafayette in Chippewa County for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl and that he possessed four handguns and a rifle.

If convicted, Herman faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison on the charge of being a felon in possession of firearms, a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life on the charge of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution, a maximum of 20 years on the fentanyl charge and a maximum of 20 years on the charge of maintaining a drug house.

The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime has a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of life; federal law requires that any sentence imposed on this charge be served consecutive to any other prison sentence imposed.

The charges against Herman are the result of an investigation by the Chippewa County Sheriffs Office, Eau Claire County Sheriffs Office, West Central Drug Task Force, St. Paul Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg is handling the prosecution.
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.
Anil Choudhary The writer, an expert in securities and regulatory laws and co-author of the book Securities Regulation - Primary Market Offerings in India, is Partner at Finsec Law Advisors.
Rupak De is the Senior Research Analyst at LKP Securities. He is a CFA (ICFAI) and has total experience of more than 10 years in the analysis of equity and commodities.
Gov. Jim Pillen has proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 23, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska.

Hunting and fishing continue to be an integral part of the good life outdoors in Nebraska, Pillen said. Over recent years, hunting and fishing have offered a growing number of participants a chance to connect with nature, create memories with friends, and experience both mental and physical health benefits.

The economic impact hunting and fishing has on our state is tremendous, he said.

More than 450,000 hunters and anglers support the states economy through their spending, contributing to the $2.6 billion spent on outdoor activities in Nebraska in a single year.

Joining Pillen in promoting hunting and fishing was John T. Heaston, executive director of the Nebraska Sportsmens Foundation.

Thank you to Nebraskas sportsmen and women, who fund conservation of our natural resources in our state, Heaston said. Each time a person purchases a hunting or fishing license, they are supporting the conservation efforts of state fish and wildlife agencies.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, held the fourth Saturday of each September, celebrates hunting and fishing while emphasizing conservation. It was first established by President Nixon in 1972 and is marked by outdoor events held throughout the country.

For more information about hunting and fishing in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Souptik Datta Reports real estate, infra and city in Bengaluru. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat.
Jacob Wolff, who is currently in the running for District 23's seat in the Legislature for 2024, said things in the United States are very different than they were when he signed up to serve in the Navy just five years ago. That's why he's running for the position.

"It was, in large part, what I saw was happening in the Navy in my time as it moved away from the values I had sworn an oath to, specifically the Constitution, we swore an oath to defend," Wolff said.

Wolff is originally from Omaha and graduated from Roncalli Catholic School there. In 2018 he shipped out with the Navy in the civil engineering corps. There, he worked with dive missions and construction projects around the world. That led him to Panama City, where he met his wife.

"As my service drew to a close, we decided the best place to start and raise our family is Nebraska," Wolff said. "We settled on Saunders County due to the emphasis they put on the community and schools, it's close to my family in Omaha, work in Lincoln, just the ideal place for us."

While the changes Wolff saw were a large part of his decision to run for the Legislature, he said another big factor was the fact that there are few people in his age demographic running and addressing the issues he believes are important to Nebraska.

"At the same time as those decisions were being made, I was seeing what was happening in my own state with the previous legislature, their plight and battle, all that was happening to the school district, the school board," Wolff said. "I said 'who's going to represent this next generation?'"

He and his wife decided he should be the one to do it and he threw his name in for consideration. His campaign manager, Amanda Bader, said that she believes his age is one of the key points in his campaign. Being part of the next generation of Nebraskans, she said, he can adequately voice their concerns.

"I strongly believe a younger candidate, that is something our Legislature needs, something our politics need in general, next generational leadership," Bader said. "It's time to pass the torch, the ways from before obviously havent been working, it's the same values, new ideas, new innovation, new leadership."

Wolff said that being the next generation to be involved in and to make a life in Nebraska is important to him. He believes Nebraska is a great place to live and have a family, and wants to ensure it moves even further in that direction.

"My wife and I wanted to move to Nebraska to start our family, it's where I grew up, where my family's been for five generations. We want to build the next generation," Wolff said.

Wolff said that in the event he is elected, the first thing he's doing is taking his wife out to celebrate, but his first priority as a state senator is trying to get the Nebraska Heartbeat Act (LB 626) back into discussion. Generally, he said, he wants to make his area, and Nebraska a whole, somewhere for people to invest in, from finding ways for businesses to operate at a lower cost to more control for families looking for a permanent home.

"That's my priority to not only work with private enterprise and local officials on affordable rural housing for young families like myself but private ventures on affordable safe child care and getting parents more control in children's education," Wolff said.

Currently, Wolff works for a construction management company as a project manager, similar to some of the work he did in the Navy. Working on larger construction projects, he said, sort of prepared him for working with government projects as there is a set timeline, budget and expectations he has to meet and an element of accountability if he doesn't.

"You need to be backed by accountability, accountability to the customer, to my boss and my boss's boss. There's a project I'm currently working on, it's a public project, I'm accountable to the taxpayer," Wolff said.

Bader said that Wolff embodies traditional Republican values, especially in the area of wanting to lower property tax, but even in his day-to-day life.

"He is a Christian, a devoted husband, knows the importance of servant leadership rather than being a strong and overpowering leader. He definitely has integrity in all the things he does outside of just being a candidate, which is something that's important," Bader said.

Wolff said, generally, he wants to see who he can work with in the Legislature if he gets elected. One of his first goals that's not a specific piece of legislature like the Heartbeat Act is to find ways to collaborate with other state senators to make Nebraska a place he and others can invest their futures into.

"There are a few committees I'd like to serve on, but largely I want to be a team builder, to look and say 'who's going to be on my side?' who can lean toward me going forward and say 'we have a common goal, we're not going to see eye to eye, let's work together' and find legislature we can work on together before it gets to the floor that's going to benefit Nebraska," Wolff said.
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In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Sheikh Hasina faces toughest challenge yet, no festive cheer for manufacturers, a...

In under a year since ChatGPT was released, Indian IT companies are seeing up to 30 percent increase in productivity from the use of generative AI. The new technology, which was expected to mainly impact code generation and enhance productivity of developers, has become a part of several functions and services of IT companies, which are using it internally as well as for deploying AI solutions. Tech Mahindra has seen productivity increases across the board given the array of use cases...

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When Schuyler Native Tim Healy set off toward Lincoln after graduating from high school in 1978, he had no idea where his journey would take him. As it turns out, it would bring him right back where he started.

"I grew up on a farm north of town, my brother still lives there, owns it now, farms it. It's the same house we grew up in. I went to school here, finished in 1978, went to Lincoln, to UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), got a degree in ag business in '82," Healy said.

In 1982, he started working for a company called Farm Credit, at their Omaha location, where he would continue to work for 25 years, with some occasional career shifts in between. While working for Farm Credit, Healy and his family moved and lived in Chicago for seven years.

"I wasn't really excited about living in Chicago, but the girls and my wife loved it," Healy said. "I decided I wanted to do something different before I quit, I'm 62. I thought I'd try working at a bank and a recruiter contacted me via LinkedIn."

Initially, Healy and the recruiter looked for banks in his area, eventually expanding their search to Omaha, as he had some experience there. One day, Healy said, the recruiter called and had a position, but wanted to make sure he heard where it was before he decided to accept it.

"He said 'Let me tell you about it, it's a small town, a community bank, they want someone to be branch manager, live in the community, get to know people and be a strong presence in the community. Would you be interested?' I said 'Possibly, where?'" Healy said.

Healy never could have predicted the recruiter's answer. An opportunity, as he worded it, fell right into his lap.

"He says 'It's a little bitty town in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure you've never heard of it, called Schuyler, Nebraska,'" Healy said.

He took the opportunity to check out the job and has been in Schuyler since, getting back into the swing of things. He's excited to build connections in Schuyler after all this time and has been actively going into the community.

"I came out here, visited with these guys, they said 'we need someone who can relate to the farmers, really talk to them,'" Healy said. "I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself, meeting new people, getting out in the country, meeting customers and prospects."

Healy will be joining Homestead Bank's Schuyler branch as branch manager. Homestead Bank President Adam Boryca said Healy is a great fit for the position, given his experience and ability to build even more.

"The reason why we were very interested in and hired him was we knew he understands the history of Schuyler, but at the same time knows the current diverse culture they have," Boryca said. "It was very important for Homestead Bank to show we are committed to the whole community."

Boryca added that when a business and its people are involved in the community and, more specifically, community events like parades, parties and the like, the businesses are more ingrained into the culture and those events can continue to grow in size.

"We told him part of the job description was to be active in community events and active in community organizations. I know he's already gone out and done some barbeque events, some meetings and so forth," Boryca said. "That's what we wanted him to do was be visible in the community along with other employees, get them visible and working on the community."
September 21, 2023 / 09:53 PM IST

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that he had a direct and frank conversation with PM Modi sharing his concerns in clear terms.

"We call upon the government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter. We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now," he added.
Marc Champion writes editorials on international affairs. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Bloomberg Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
On a tour of all 93 Nebraska counties, State Poet Matt Mason visited Schuyler on Sept. 8 to read some poems and talk to fans of the written word.
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr is a New Delhi-based journalist. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
ITC Hotels announced the signing of Welcomhotel Kalimpong Resort under a management agreement with Pravez Constructions Private Limited. This 70-key greenfield upper-upscale project, spread over 4 acres, will offer plush rooms with spectacular views of the Himalayas and the valley, an all-day dining restaurant, a lounge, a bar and a specialty restaurant along with ample recreational facilities such as a fitness center, childrens club, games room, library, and a spa. The picturesque resort shall offer over 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event spaces.Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, said, With the upcoming property of Welcomhotel Kalimpong, ITCs Hotel Group will have a strong presence across West Bengal with 8 hotels across various segments. The Welcomhotel brand trajectory is growing fast across both business and leisure locations, and we are grateful for the trust that the owners have placed in the brand. ITC Hotels already has a stellar presence in West Bengal with two iconic luxury properties, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar. Welcomhotel Kalimpong will further broaden this footprint along with the existing properties under the Fortune brand.Binod Kumar Gupta, Chairman BLG Group, said, We are excited to announce our landmark project in the serene hill station of Kalimpong in West Bengal. We are not just building a hotel, but a tranquil property inspired by local culture and dedicated to sustainable luxury. Our engagement with ITC Hotels and the Welcomhotel brand for management will ensure world-class service and unique guest experiences. The breathtaking mountain views, versatile event spaces, authentic regional cuisine, recreational facilities, and eco-friendliness will make this property a must-visit destination. ITC Hotels portfolio currently showcases 25 Welcomhotels across India, with more in the pipeline. Noteworthy properties under the brand that have opened recently cover destinations such as Manali, Jim Corbett, Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Chail, Katra and Guntur.
When the Carlisle Musical Arts Club was established in 1925, its purpose was to bring quality music for performers and audiences to the area.

Now in its 98th year, the clubs purpose remains the same, albeit with a different execution.

Over the decades, Carlisle Musical Arts Club members have added public recitals and the presentation of college scholarships to the organizations annual operations, and this year the group is taking educational outreach to the next measure at its annual public recital.

Pending performance

Scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Second Presbyterian Church at 528 Garland Drive in Carlisle, the recital will feature Carlisle High School students for the first time in club history.

Otto Kuehrmann, Carlisle High School orchestra director, will lead a string quartet of students who will perform Dmitri Shostakovichs String Quartet No. 1. as the recitals opening piece.

Participating students were all members of Carlisle High Schools Chamber String Ensemble Club, he said.

The ... students who are in the quartet with me played in that club last year, Kuehrmann said. We put this music together last year for our concert, so we pretty much already had it ready to go.

He said the recital is a great opportunity that will give students the opportunity to perform outside of a school setting.

Any more performances that these kids can get is going to help them in the long run because they dont really get many opportunities to do these kind of small, more intimate recitals with quartet music, Kuehrmann said.

The remainder of the recital will feature West Shore Symphony conductor, Susquehanna University associate professor of music and violinist Jennifer Sacher Wiley with Susquehanna University staff members Jaime Namminga on the piano and Zachary Levi on the cello.

However, the education will not end with the recital. Wiley, Namminga and Levi will conduct a master class for Carlisle students after the recital.

Carlisle Musical Arts Club President Michelle Duggan said the class will provide an opportunity for high school students to perform for teachers or other musicians and to receive feedback.

Master classes are routine requirements in most higher education music programs, she said. So it is the clubs hope that by participating in this master class, students not only receive the fulfillment and comfort of obtaining advice from talented professional musicians that will assist them in their future playing  which is every musicians goal  but, hopefully, they may also gain an exposure to the types of master classes in which they may participate if they pursue future collegiate music education.

Educational impact

She said the clubs interest in expanding educational opportunities at the high school level is twofold. First, allowing high school students to participate in the public recital exposes them to professional musicians and furthers the clubs goal of promoting classical arts in the community.

Additionally, student participation can help make high school students aware of the scholarships the Carlisle Musical Arts Club offers each year.

In 1958, the club launched its first scholarship, the Edna Thornton Martin/Catherine Steck Memorial Scholarship. A second scholarship, sponsored by club member and local voice teacher and musician Joan Frey Boytim, was introduced in 2004.

Both scholarships extend over four years and value approximately $3,000 each distributed throughout that time.

The club also offers annual music awards to Carlisle High School students who participate in band, orchestra and chorus, including three $200 awards for senior members of those programs, according to the club.

The club is especially devoted to educational outreach because the club is dedicated to promoting the arts, Duggan said. Cultivating a love of music in youth is vital for promotion of the arts, for students are the future and the key to continued support and appreciation of the arts in years to come.

Looking ahead

Duggan said the club plans to include additional high school groups in future public recitals and also desires to further educational outreach beyond the recital.

Next year the Carlisle Musical Arts Club hopes to offer a student showcase where high school students can perform at club meetings, either featuring one or two students per meeting or dedicating a full meeting to high school student performances.

The club also seeks to continue offering master classes at future public community recitals, Duggan said.

She hopes the clubs educational opportunities can help students grow a love of the classical arts.

Some of our club members pursued music professionally, Duggan said. Others of us were semi-professional and it brings you a peace and a joy as youre pursuing your other endeavors. It really does ground you, and so our hope is if we can foster a love of music in youth, it will bring them joy and happiness in their adult lives as well.

Photos: York holds off Carlisle in Thundering Herd's home football opener
South Middleton School Board passed a motion Monday to make it easier for the district to bring back retired employees to work as substitutes.

Board members voted unanimously to amend the agreement the district has with ESS Northeast LLC, the staffing contractor.

There are a couple of reasons for the contract addendum that adds retired administrators, building principals and clerical staff to the list of approved substitute positions for South Middleton.

The first reason is timing, said Tina Darchicourt, district director of business and operations.

Prior to the addendum, the district had to go through a lengthy process to obtain a waiver from the Public School Employees Retirement System for each retiree willing to work as a substitute, she said Tuesday. The waiver guarantees that the person can still collect a pension while earning money as a substitute doing the same kind of work that they did before retirement.

We fill out the forms. We provide an application to the state, Superintendent Kevin ODonnell Jr. told school board members Monday. Then they [the state] process those applications. That leaves us a time period where we cant bring in the employee to start until they understand what the implications are for their retirement.

By adding this, as part of the ESS agreement, we will have the ability of bringing them in sooner, ODonnell said. They are not being paid directly by us. They are paid by the contractor. We can get somebody we know in front of our kids in a faster period of time.

In addition, under the rules of the Affordable Care Act, the district would have to pay for health insurance for retirees if they work full-time more than two weeks in a row, Darchicourt said. By contracting through ESS, we dont have to worry about their benefits. ESS takes care of all that.

During the board meeting Monday, ODonnell cited an example where having this kind of flexibility could come in handy. The principals of both elementary schools will be out of their buildings later this month to attend a conference.

Prior to the addendum, an arrangement had to be made where central office administrators with principal certifications would have to step out of their duties to cover the operation of a building, ODonnell said. Typically, what we do is have Dr. Smith tag in for a day while I, myself, would probably be a vice [principal]. ODonnell was referring to Alex Smith, director of student services.

The district also added substitute nurses to the approved position list to provide coverage either in a building or on class field trips.

Sometimes, we need a nurse to ride with students because of medical needs, Darchicourt said. But we also need a nurse to stay back at the building because not every grade level or every classroom is going on a field trip at the same time.

Sometimes, our secretaries need to be out for different reasons, she said. We often try to reach out to retirees interested in coming back to the district on a substitute basis. This is a way for them to do that without it impacting their retirement from PSERS.
The U.S. Army on Thursday announced that four remains of Carlisle Indian Industrial School students were returned to families in the latest disinterment project, but one teen's remains were not in the grave marked for him.

The Office of Army Cemeteries presented its findings Thursday morning during a news conference about the sixth disinterment project, which occurred last week. During those efforts, the team was able to find the likely remains of Beau Neal (Northern Arapaho), Launy Shorty (Blackfeet), Amos Lafromboise (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) and Edward Upright (Spirit Lake). The U.S. Army said the remains in each of those graves was biologically consistent with information contained about the student and records.

Each of those children were returned to their families in a ceremony, with several already being reinterred on their native lands, according to the U.S. Army.

However, the team disinterred the grave of Edward Spotts on Sept. 14 at the Carlisle Barracks, but the remains in that grave were of a 16 to 22-year-old female. The unknown remains were reinterred the next day with assistance of the Puyallup tribe, which is Spotts' tribe.

The Army said it will continue to review available resources and seek information as to what led to the anomaly in the gravesite.

The Army is truly saddened we were unable to return Eddie to his family this year, said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery. We remain honored to have had the opportunity to work with these Native American families and to help them find closure. On behalf of my team, I would like to thank all of the families for placing their trust in us throughout this journey in returning their children home.

The Carlisle Barracks became the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in 1879 and was operated by the Department of the Interior until 1918.

For more on this story, check back to Cumberlink.com.
An internationally recognized expert in high-energy gamma-ray astronomy and galactic cosmic rays, Petra Huentemeyer serves as a vice-spokesperson for a globally collaborative observatory and mentors her students to seek their own bright futures. The experimental astrophysicist and distinguished professor of physics is the 2023 recipient of the Michigan Technological University Research Award.

Huentemeyer views the career path she has followed as a natural if not always easy progression. Fueled by a persistent curiosity to probe the unknown origins of the universe, her work has led her to study and conduct research at the worlds leading institutions in her field.

The researcher, who enjoys watching movies in her leisure time, said summer 2023s blockbuster biopic Oppenheimer sparked reflections on how she chose her discipline. In the context of Oppenheimer, I thought about how I actually started in the field of physics coming out of high school, she said. I grew up in the Cold War era. In 1991 I was watching a German miniseries, called the End of Innocence, about the competition with the Manhattan Project and the work of Otto Hahn.

Hahn won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1944 and is credited as the father of nuclear fission. For more than 30 years he worked with Lise Meitner  a figure only briefly touched on in the TV program who nonetheless made an impression on a teenage Huentemeyer. She was one of the first women in physics to earn a Ph.D. There were a lot of people who thought she should have also gotten the award, said Huentemeyer. I was like, Wow, this is interesting. This was really impactful on society. That was a tipping point. I knew that I wanted to try physics, even though it was a little daunting.

"Petra is an internationally recognized leader in her field of research with a clear objective and a vision for the future. Her contributions to the enormous success of all-sky TeV gamma- observatories are truly remarkable." Professor Karl-Heinz Kampert, chair of astroparticle physics, University of Wuppertal, Germany

As the director of Michigan Techs Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute, Huentemeyer helped to found and is the former U.S. spokesperson for the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) gamma-ray observatory near Puebla, Mexico. She is vice-spokesperson for the multinational Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO). Currently under development, it will be the first instrument of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and like HAWC, it will use water Cherenkov detectors for ground-level particle detection. One of Huentemeyers most important missions is advocating for the updated instrumentation and expanded capacity at higher altitudes that is essential to probe some of the most extreme environments in the known universe while seeking further discoveries.

"Visible matter is 5% or so of the universe  so that means we dont know 95%." Petra Huentemeyer, 2023 Michigan Tech Research Award winner

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is one of three existing Earthbound wide-field instruments for gamma and cosmic ray observation and measurement in the northern hemisphere, along with the Tibet AS Observatory, on the Tibetan Plateau, and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), on the edge of it. Image credit: Jordan Goodman/HAWC Collaboration

Among the top three cited authors at Michigan Tech, Huentemeyer participated in a paper on multimessenger observations of a binary neutron star merger that has been cited more than 3,200 times.

Grasping concepts that seem impossible to understand requires both curiosity and persistence, Huentemeyer said. Spoiler alert: Theres a scene in Oppenheimer thats reminiscent of how she met the challenge.

In the movie, they show how quantum mechanics was a new thing that had just come out of Europe. There were skeptics everywhere. Oppenheimer came back from his time in Europe to teach quantum mechanics at Caltech in 1946. The first day theres one student in class. Hes all excited that this one student shows up. And then, as it is in movies, they cut to scenes where more and more students show up each time. That reminded me of me as a student, she said. I couldnt understand it. It was so contrary to anything I had learned previously about physics. Everything was deterministic. Not saying quantum mechanics is not at all deterministic, but it has a probabilistic aspect to it.

About the Award The annual Michigan Tech Research Award sets a high bar for outstanding achievement in sustained research or a single noteworthy breakthrough. Nominations open each spring. The winner receives a plaque and $2,500 cash award.

The more unknowns she discovered, the more certain Huentemeyer became regarding a career path. I really wanted to dig deeper and do particle physics, she said. There were semesters during my undergrad when I was very close to quitting, because it was rough. But I stuck with it.

Her graduate and postdoctoral research took her to places where pioneers like Oppenheimer also worked and studied, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, which was covertly erected in 1943 for development and testing of the worlds first atom bomb, known as The Gadget. Projects she was involved in include the Milagro Observatory collaboration in New Mexico; the High Resolution Flys Eye (HiRes) Experiment in Utah; Fluorescence in Air From Showers (FLASH) Experiment at the national particle accelerator laboratory located at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC); and the Omni-Purpose Apparatus at LEP (OPAL) Experiment at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.

"Maybe solid-state physics would have been more lucrative and provided a clearer path to a career outside academia, Huentemeyer said. But I ended up just doing what I wanted to do, which was particle physics and experimental fundamental research.

Huentemeyers students have also become important members of the research community. The postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students she has mentored have taken positions at top-ranked institutions, including NASAs Marshall and Goddard space flight centers, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Kelci Mohrman, who received a U.S. Department of Energy Award among other honors during her time as an undergraduate student at Tech, went on to pursue a graduate degree at Notre Dame, winning the 2023 Department of Physics and Astronomy Research and Dissertation Award.

"Petra is very deserving of this research award. Her work and that of her students and postdocs has made major advances in the field. She has given many invited talks and been selected by her peers to lead new efforts. MTU is very lucky to have such a great scientist as a professor." Brenda Dingus, Los Alamos National Laboratory Fellow, American Physical Society Fellow

Q&A with Petra Huentemeyer

In her own words, the 2023 Research Award Winner reflects on her research, teaching and service  and how her career trajectory led her to Michigan Tech.

Q: Say youre in a cafe or some other place where people strike up conversations. How do you describe your work?

PH: Its not easy to explain, but let me try. First, Im a physicist. Then if you were to ask me what I do as a physicist, I may say Im an astrophysicist and then people get somewhat nervous (laughs). But what I often notice is people tend to think of astrophysicists as maybe more theoretical  people who develop models, and cosmologists  and Im not. Im clearly, squarely an experimentalist. I would also tell them that my background is in particle physics. I got my Ph.D. at the University of Hamburg working with a CERN experiment in Switzerland. I moved as a postdoc into a subset of astrophysics called astroparticle physics. I focus on particle acceleration in space. If I had to sum it up in a sentence, I would say that I do experimental fundamental research to learn more about the nature and transport of matter and energy in the universe.

Q: Why does your research matter?

PH: CERN is where the World Wide Web was born. Its not like the scientists coming there from all parts of the world said, Oh, lets invent the World Wide Web. It was that people needed to communicate across the globe and there was one person who had this idea about having all these servers and pretending they are somewhere else and they talk to each other. He developed the HTTP (hypertext transfer) protocol in order to accomplish that: the basis of the World Wide Web. Before, there was the internet as we know it developed by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). But the innovation became more used by physicists and scientists across the globe, and then by everyone else. Physics research thrives when we talk to one another. Thats how we come up with new ideas. Theres no way to accomplish our goals without communication. Thats how that happened. So they didnt set out to do something that ultimately changed how we all interact. It was a byproduct.

Similarly, we might wonder whether Otto Hahn, when he was doing experiments in his basement in Berlin with Meitner and others, was thinking about building a nuclear power plant. Maybe they were. But I bet what they really wanted to understand was what the force is that keeps the nucleus together. Their focus was really understanding. The path to understanding is the path to discovery.

Semiconductors are another example leading to applications that some people might find very useful and others find annoying (laughs and points to her laptop and smartphone).

"Physicists are seen as problem-solvers. They have the reputation of trying to go as long as it takes to get an answer. I think fundamental research is a little bit like philosophy  trying to understand how, fundamentally, the universe works. For humankind, its important to understand the world around us." Petra Huentemeyer, 2023 Michigan Tech Research Award winner

The SWGO Collaboration met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in April 2023 for its eighth meeting. Image credit: Nucleo de Comunicacao Social (NCS/CBPF).

Q: Tell us more about the international observatories youre involved in founding and maintaining. Why are HAWC and SWGO so important?

PH: Gamma and cosmic rays are everywhere in the universe and we can eventually measure them here on Earth after they interact with its atmosphere, which causes extensive air showers of secondary particles. To increase instrument sensitivity, we want to measure air showers at high altitudes, before too many of the secondary particles are absorbed. The collected particles from cascades are detected in faint flashes of light in water tanks. Catching more of these particles means we have more and better information. Once weve collected data from the showers, what were really interested in is the energy of the original particles and the direction of the particles  they give us information about extreme energy processes in space.

Q: Why did you come to Michigan Tech?

PH: When this position came up it was shared with different collaborations, including the Milagro, which I was involved in while at Los Alamos. Tech had not been on my radar but I thought it was interesting and looked like a good fit. I knew that professors Brian Fick and David Nitz were in the physics department  they are two of the pioneers in the field of experimental particle astrophysics. There are papers from the 1990s where both of their names are on them along with Jim Cronin, whos a Nobel Prize winner. We also have Bob Nemiroff, one of the founders of APOD (NASAs Astronomy Picture of the Day).

Everyone seemed extremely nice and welcoming. I knew there were people I could talk to about my research and they would have good insights. I remember flying in. It was November. It wasnt great weather, but I could imagine what it would look like in the summer and fall, with all those trees, and I was like Wow, this is beautiful.

Q: What have you learned from your students? Whats your favorite aspect of teaching?

PH: Teaching helps me to become more precise in what Im saying. If youre using all these technical terms you havent introduced, students are just looking at you like, What are you talking about? Or if you use terms they may know from another context, but that have a very specific meaning in physics.

For me, the rewarding part is when I get feedback from students directly. I really, really like advising students, undergrad as well as graduate, on their research topics. Its also great when you can tell a colleague about a student whos really good and they are like, Oh, I need a postdoc.

"Petra Huentemeyers many, varied and valuable contributions to HAWC and now SWGO are well represented in her record of funding on the project. She has been able to maintain constant National Science Foundation support since 2010. Simply, she is doing extremely well. She is also an exemplary mentor to her postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students. I can say this firsthand, as I hired one of her first Ph.D. students, who is now a research assistant professor." Professor Miguel A. Mostafa, dean, Temple University College of Science and Technology

Q: Whats next in your research?

PH: I need to go get a lot of money (laughs). Theres a lot of work ahead for our collaboration to secure funding for SWGO, which will be sited in South America between 10 and 30 degrees south at an altitude of 4.4 kilometers or higher. The collaboration hasnt yet decided on an exact location. Besides potential sites, there are several other ongoing research and development tasks that go into establishing the observatory. We have 14 countries from five continents who are working on this project, which will be larger than HAWC, with better sensitivity.

I also have an interest in making astroparticle physics and what we are doing with HAWC and SWGO more known to astronomers. Astronomers think on different scales, like the James Webb telescope, way more expensive but way out there, detecting light  which we do, too, but we are detecting the most energetic form of light. I understand why its not often on their radar. We have detected between 200 to 300 sources of gamma rays. And they have billions of stars to work with. On the other hand, we are testing a phase space that they are not. I hope more astronomers will pay attention to that. Its always a concerted effort. Its not an isolated scientist sitting in a lab and doing things. We all need to build bigger and more sensitive instruments.

My field can contribute to understanding things we dont quite have a handle on yet. Dark matter, for example. The more sensitive our instruments become at HAWC or SWGO, for instance, we can look for these signatures that would be a sign of dark matter in space. We know its there. We just dont know what it is.

Q: On a lighter note, besides movies, what else do you like to do in your free time?

PH: I like to hike, but havent had much chance lately. I bought a new ebike recently and enjoy cycling to work. I also enjoy winter camping with friends at least once a year.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
The Culpeper Branch of the NAACP, which also represents Madison and Rappahannock counties, will honor Nancy Garnett Williams at its 42nd annual Freedom Fund Banquet on October 7. Williams, a native of Madison County, will be presented with the Presidents Award. The organization will recognize her decades-long efforts to research, document, and share local African American history, including efforts to assist families with genealogical searches.

As a child, Williams attended Madison Elementary School, a segregated African American school, from first through seventh grade. She then attended the G.W. Carver Regional High School in Culpeper for eighth grade.

Williams parents, Aaron and Ruth Garnett, were NAACP members, voting rights advocates, and deeply committed to education. As Williams was entering ninth grade, her parents made the decision to send her, her brother Larry, and her cousin Clifford to the all-white Madison County High School. Aaron was determined that as taxpayers in the county, he and Ruth were entitled to send their children to the local schools. As a result, Nancy, Larry, and Clifford became the first three students to integrate Madison County High School in 1965.

Williams has described her first two years at Madison County High School as difficult, with many studentsand several teachers as wellunhappy about the presence of the three Black students. It wasnt a picnic, she has stated. However, the first years of integration also proved to be instructive. Those years taught us to get along, and not be so distrustful of each other, and not to have preconceived notions about each other because of our races, Williams says. You get to know each other and realize that were not so different.

After graduation, Williams continued her education at Germanna Community College and Johns Hopkins University. She started a successful medical supply business, and also began to collect African American artifacts and memorabilia. She lived in New York City and Washington, D.C., but returned home to Madison frequently. I could never stay away from Madison for too long, she has said. Her niece Tracey adds, Aunt Nancy was my window to the world. She traveled and experienced a lot in life but always came back home.

In 2000, Williams returned to Madison permanently. Her love of the community engendered a deep interest in its history, in particular the history of local African Americans. After completing extensive research, Williams launched the Madison County African American Historical Association (MCAAHA) in 2006. Working with her nieces, Tracey, Tulani, and Victoria, who were then college interns, she spent countless hours in the local library and circuit court researching documents dating to the 1700s, including wills, marriage licenses, deeds, letters, and chancery filings.

Williams helped oversee the establishment of a collection of files to assist local families in their genealogical searches. She also collected artifacts, photos, publications, and other memorabilia, including items related to the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, founded in Madison County in 1880; and late 19th- and early 20th-century letters, papers, receipts, tools, and equipment belonging to Mrs. Ellen Stewart, one of the successful agents of Madame C.J. Walkers hair products.

With the proper care of these artifacts in mind, Williams collaborated with the University of Virginias Special Collections Library to archive many of the items from the Odd Fellows collection. She also created a special display now on exhibit in the Madison County Historical Society Museum in the Kemper Residence.

Williams stewardship efforts have extended to buildings in Madison County that are central to the communitys African American heritage. In 2003, she purchased the early 20th-century Odd Fellows Lodge, located at 700 S. Main Street, and later acquired the former Red Rooster Juke Joint in the Elly neighborhood. Together with her brothers James, Larry, and Aaron, and nephew Chuckie, she has worked to restore these properties. The lodge now hosts meetings of the MCAAHA and has several items on display.

Today, the MCAAHA is entering another phase of activity, with a new board in place and plans for more programs and community outreach, including the development of new exhibits and events. Williams serves as founder and board member emeritus. The non-profit organizations mission states: The MCAAHAs mission is to honor and preserve the rich history and stories of African Americans in Madison County, Virginia, and promote opportunities for all to appreciate African Americans vital role throughout history. We believe that a deeper understanding will be achieved through education, research, and community engagement; and that an appreciation for our collective American history is essential to building a more inclusive and equitable community for all.

Williams has stated that she is most proud of her daughter, Tina Gordon, with whom she has shared many adventures and stories of the past, both from her own family and the community. Williams husband Paul also serves on the board of the MCAAHA, making the commitment to the organization a family affair. Continuing her research today, Williams especially enjoys helping families learn about their ancestors. Im just a messenger, she says. I love helping people connect to their history because the tragedy is that a lost history is a loss to everyone.

The NAACPs Freedom Fund Banquet will be held on Saturday, October 7, at Peppers Grill in Culpeper beginning at noon. Information on reservations may be found at naacpculpeper.org under Resources.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Joe Biden speak during the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima, Japan May 21, 2023.
Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas speaks during a public hearing at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia, Alva Romanus Batista, signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, during the meeting, foreign ministers discussed the possibilities of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Saint Lucia at the bilateral level and within the framework of international organizations, primarily the UN.

In conclusion, the parties expressed their mutual intention to promote the development of friendly relations and the establishment of interaction between the two countries.
Accusations are flying at Sigora Home, a former darling of Charlottesvilles solar industry whose reputation  and perhaps financial viability  now appears beyond repair.

Customers and current and former employees have said Sigora has established a reputation for shoddy work, owed money and dodging phone calls. Recently, a new allegation is circling founder Andy Bindeas business: embezzlement.

A former employee says that for months Sigora has been stealing money from their 401(k).

The claim is backed by paychecks, internal emails and a T. Rowe Price retirement account that has not received a deposit since January. Yet while no new deposits were made, pay stubs show that for months Sigora continued to make 401K Flat deductions from the employees check, nearly $1,000 each pay period.

So they took 20% of my pay from January to my last paycheck which came in April. All of those months they stole my 401K money, the employee, who asked not to be named, told The Daily Progress. They took it out of my paycheck and they kept it.

Embezzlement allegations are not new for the company.

Last November, Sigora fired three members of its executive team. Sometime after, Bindea accused the trio of stealing $150,000 from the company every month.

All three have denied the claim. Former CEO Logan Landry called the accusation bullst and former Chief Talent Officer Heather Burns sued Bindea for defamation.

Now Bindea is the one being accused of theft, although it is not the first time.

In 2014, Bindea pleaded guilty to stealing money from the U.S. government.

In the case, United States of America v. Andy Bogdan Bindea, the Sigora founder was charged with embezzling money from the Department of Energy.

According to the lawsuit, funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act were obtained by the defendant after he submitted three rebate applications that contained materially false misrepresentations regarding his installation of solar panels.

The newest embezzlement accusation comes as another bombshell has hit the company: Michael Ball, hired in June to repair Sigoras battered image, has resigned.

Its becoming clear that Sigora cannot meet its obligations and this is the best thing for myself and my family as the stress of what I have inherited is taking its toll, Ball wrote in an internal email obtained by The Daily Progress.

Those obligations may have been a reference to the significant debts the company appears to owe.

Sigora customer Steven Presley contacted The Daily Progress saying he is owed $8,749.50. Thats how much he paid the company last October for a solar backup battery. Despite calling Sigora every week, the battery never arrived.

We just want our deposit back and no one at the company is responding to us either via email or phone, Presley told The Daily Progress in an email.

Additionally, the company easily owes $100,000 to its former landlord.

Before moving to its current Staunton office, Sigora was headquartered on Westfield Road in Charlottesville. But it was evicted for not paying rent.

They owe a lot of money and I dont think well be getting paid back, Mohammad Al-Shammari, whose family owns the property, told The Daily Progress.

Aubrey Hughes worked at Sigora for four years. He told The Daily Progress that he saw colleagues quit because they were not being paid on time. Hughes says he is owed more than $30,000.

His account matches that of other employees who have previously told The Daily Progress that Sigora has sometimes withheld pay from its workers.

Yet it appears Sigoras internal debts are not limited to low-level staffers.

The Daily Progress contacted Ball to ask if he too is missing money. After some hesitation, the former CEO revealed that his former company owes him roughly $75,000.

As for the 401(k) funds, internal emails show that executives were made aware of the alleged theft in no uncertain terms.

We have had previous conversations about my 401(k) being embezzled by the Sigora Executive team, the anonymous employee wrote in an email sent to Ball, Bindea and other executives.

The message laid out a detailed timeline beginning in November of 2022, when the employee changed their 401(k) contribution from 20% to 3%.

Sigora continued to take 20% of my pay until the time of my departure, the employee wrote.

It is my intent to make one last time attempt to work this matter out with Sigora directly, the email concludes. Please reply with when I should expect a check from you for the funds owed for final paycheck and 401k funds embezzled from me.

Chief Financial Officer Wambui Munene confirmed receipt of the email.

I would like to assure you that both Mike and I are working to ensure that the money that we owe you is refunded back to you, Munene wrote.

Ball followed up a week later.

We have secured funding to repair the payroll issues, Ball wrote. It may take a few days but the funding is there and Ill update you on when it takes place.

When the employee followed up the next week, Ball said the money was in escrow and he was waiting on signatures so he could move forward.

Ball resigned the following day.

The employee does not expect to see the money. Nor does the person expect that the company will survive much longer, as rumors are swirling that Sigora has ceased operations altogether.

Bindea and Munene did not respond to request for comment from The Daily Progress, and Ball declined to comment on the state of his former company.

They are done, the former employee said of Sigora. And no one is going to hold Andy Bindea accountable for stealing 401K from his employees, lying to them, stealing money from and swindling money from customers who live in our community.

The person requested anonymity due to concern about retribution: Legally, professionally and physically.

They believed that retribution would come from Bindea, who they suspect is responsible for the missing 401(k) funds.

Andy was directly involved in everything. Anything thats shady you can bet your bottom dollar that it was Andy, the individual said.

Hes a crook. He will get funding again somewhere and is likely to do it again.
Sonora High School logo View Photo

Sonora, CA  Two investigations, one involving a possible sexual abuse of a minor and the other centering around a child pornography incident, just last week, are underway at Sonora High School.

Tuolumne County Sheriffs spokesperson, Ashley Boujikian, disclosed that on August 7th, the sheriffs office got a call regarding possible sexual abuse of a minor for an incident that occurred at an undisclosed time in the past.

No arrests have been made in relation to the case at this time, and nothing further will be released due to it being an active investigation, stated Boujikian.

In a letter sent to students parents on August 11th from Superintendent Ed Pelfrey, he disclosed that the potential incident involved a district staff member, who, as standard procedure, has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The letter also states, While we understand that this information may raise concerns, we ask for your patience as we navigate this matter. Further updates will be provided as appropriate, always with the priorities of transparency, the highest level of privacy for everyone involved, and maintaining the integrity of the investigative process.

The second incident, surrounding child pornography, took place last week. In a letter to parents dated September 13, Pelfrey shared about a situation involving the circulation of explicit content involving minors. The letter by Pelfrey states, It is important for families to be aware that any student who is in possession of or who shares this or similar videos with others is a criminal offense under California Penal Code 311.11(a). Possession of content would include having the content saved in any form on an electronic device or digital storage device.

The penal code referred to prohibits a person from knowingly possessing obscene materials depicting a person under the age of 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. Pelfrey also noted in the letter, The incident that was recorded violates school rules. All students involved will face appropriate consequences for their actions, as per our schools established guidelines.

The Sonora Police Department is investigating this case. Regarding its status, spokesperson Thomas Brickley stated, The only thing that I can release at this time is that staff members of the school are not a part of the investigation.

Below are both of Superintendent Pelfreys entire letters:

Investigation Involving District Staff Member

August 11, 2023

The Sonora Union High School District received a report on Monday, August 7th, regarding a potential incident involving a district staff member. We are working closely with the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Department to complete a thorough investigation of the report.

While the involved party has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, its important to clarify that this is standard procedure in this type of situation. In situations where there is an employee placed on administrative leave, it does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of all students and staff are paramount to the district. Our collaboration with the Sheriffs Department underscores our dedication to addressing this situation with the highest level of professionalism and care. While we understand that this information may raise concerns, we ask for your patience as we navigate this matter.

Further updates will be provided as appropriate, always with the priorities of transparency, the highest level of privacy for everyone involved, and maintaining the integrity of the investigative process.

If you have any questions or information to share regarding this matter, please contact the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office Investigative Unit at (209) 533-5815.

Sincerely,

Ed Pelfrey

Superintendent

Sonora Union High School District

The second letter to parents and guardians:

Working Together to Prevent Inappropriate Content Sharing

September 13, 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have become aware of a situation involving the circulation of explicit content involving minors. We want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with the Sonora Police Department in a thorough investigation of this matter.

It is important for families to be aware that any student who is in possession of, or who shares this or similar videos with others is a criminal offense under California Penal Code 311.11(a). Possession of content would include having the content saved in any form on an electronic device, or digital storage device. Sharing of the content would include:

Texting it to others

Sharing or posting on any social media platform

Direct messaging it another on any social media platform

Any other means of sharing the content

We encourage parents and guardians to discuss responsible online behavior with your child, the importance of respecting others privacy, and the potential consequences of engaging in harmful activities. Your partnership in this is vital in fostering a safe and respectful community.

This is a resource that may be helpful in the discussion: Keeping teens safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids

The incident that was recorded violates school rules. All students involved will face appropriate consequences for their actions, as per our schools established guidelines. Moreover, the district is actively taking steps to evaluate and reinforce preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

Our commitment is to foster a safe and respectful learning environment for all our students and to maintain transparency and open lines of communication as we navigate these challenges together.

Sincerely,

Ed Pelfrey

Superintendent

Sonora Union High School District
Aris Cuadra worked in kitchens in New York, Florida and Puerto Rico before catching the attention of Charlottesville-area diners at Caffe Bocce, Pasture, Tavola and the Clifton Inn.

These days, the chef is following his entrepreneurial spirit into the Wich Lab, a new takeout sandwich shop in downtown Charlottesvilles CODE Building that promises an elevated take on scrumptious standards and reflects Cuadras newfound commitment to helping others pursue their own dreams of small-business success.

I just love bringing people joy through food and cooking, Cuadra said. Its my purpose in life. Thats why I do what I do: to bring joy to people.

The Wich Lab, which is serving sandwiches, wraps and salads from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays in the CODE courtyard, puts locally sourced ingredients and creative spins on familiar recipes on its menu.

Behind the Smashburger, the Fugheddaboudit and the McMolly is a chef who worked 60- and 70-hour weeks honing crowd-pleasing culinary skills in restaurants and, later, as a personal chef in residential settings. His drive to work for himself took a literal turn when he hung up his apron and became an Uber driver.

I was having fun driving around and talking to people, Cuadra said of his Uber tenure. Before long, however, I got into a rut, lacking a sense of purpose. I was unhappy and lacking fulfillment.

Then an Uber passenger who did design work for the CODE Building offered an enticing tidbit of news: The buildings former Ooey Gooey Crispy space was available. Cuadra was intrigued, but he told her he didnt have the capital to make it happen.

Banks wont touch a new business these days, he said. But the chef-turned-chauffeur soon discovered that the CODE restaurant space was a turnkey situation  and almost within his reach.

Cuadra, who had taken an entrepreneurship class through the Community Investment Collaborative, or CIC, knew he had the chops. Im not lacking confidence. Otherwise, I wouldnt be here, he said. So he launched a GoFundMe campaign and applied for a CIC microloan.

His desire to get back in the kitchen  on his own terms this time  won out. He got the microloan. The Wich Lab came to life.

I was done working for other people, Cuadra said. This is a godsend. Im using my chefs skills and talents to elevate your normal, everyday sub-shop sandwich.

Take the classic Reuben, for example. In his version, Cuadra uses high-quality meat  I want to put out a superior product, he said  and a playful name.

Theres a Reuben I call the Ruben Rivera, because my family is Puerto Rican, Cuadra said. Just having some fun.

Rye bread from Albemarle Baking Company offered the crusty, toasty texture he sought, especially when slathered with locally sourced butter and his house-made sauce. Cuadra likes supporting fellow local businesses by including their products in his recipes; using good-quality ingredients and the proper execution gives his fare an edge, he said.

The Ybor City is a nod to Cuadras years spent cooking in Florida and savoring the richness of the culture in general  and one mouth-watering classic in particular.

The Cuban is one of my favorite sandwiches, Cuadra said. The sandwich starts with tender mojo pork butt thats marinated overnight and cooked for hours before being piled onto focaccia baked in Cuadras shop and dressed with salami, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and my own secret Cuban sauce.

He couldnt resist trying the buttery, crispy, toasty bread that already made his turkey-bacon-and-avocado Gobble Gobble sandwich sing, and he likes the results. Except for one purist, a Cuban friend from Florida whod wanted Cuadra to follow through on his original plan to bring in Cuban bread baked in the Sunshine State, people are loving it, he said. People are raving about it.

Cuadra has been serving up handmade sandwiches for more than three weeks now, and he said he hopes his experience will give other local entrepreneurs the push they need to say yes to themselves and their dreams.

With the generosity of the CODE Building and the space and the CIC, I was able to open this spot, Cuadra said. Im really excited to be here, because I want to inspire new people. Im also excited for the opportunity my community gave me. I want to encourage other entrepreneurs, because I did this with absolutely nothing.
MERIDEN  The city of Meriden moved to terminate the employment of Assessor Melinda Fonda earlier this month after receiving a letter from the state Office of Policy and Management citing several deficiencies.

The letter followed complaints about Fondas behavior toward city employees and the public, according to documents obtained this week by the Record-Journal under the state Freedom of Information Act.

This letter is to notify you of the citys intent to terminate your employment as assessor, City Manager Timothy Coon wrote in a Sept. 6 email to Fonda. This decision is being considered in light of the Aug. 2, 2023 letter that the city received from the state Office of Policy and Management where several deficiencies were found.

This along with your lengthy history of ineffective and abrupt interpersonal communication skills have put the City in a position where it must defend its interest and respond in an appropriate manner, the email continued.

Fonda could not be reached for comment. Coon was unavailable for comment on Thursday.

Coons email notified Fonda she was being placed on administrative leave pending a due process hearing. The email cited numerous complaints about (Fondas) aggressive and demeaning behavior towards citizens, colleagues, and your subordinates.

The due process hearing with Fonda and her union representative was scheduled for Sept. 8. According to Josephine Agnello-Veley, the citys human resources director, Fonda remained on paid administrative leave as of Thursday.

Coons email stated that Fonda had received training since being notified of performance concerns and failed to correct (her) behavior as directed.

Fonda receives an annual salary of $122,928.

A notice on the door of the assessors office Thursday stated that the office will be closed from 12-1 for lunch daily until further notice due to staffing issues.

The letter from OPM referenced in Coons email could not immediately be obtained.

Records in Fondas personnel file state that a behavioral issued involving a colleague in February also led to a due process hearing. Records also indicate Fonda received verbal counseling sessions provided by the city on at least two occasions last year, May 25 and Aug. 11.

When work problems present themselves during the usual course of business, you are expected to approach your colleagues in a collegial and professional manner that attempts to genuinely help to solve the problem rather than create obstacles to any potential resolution, Angello-Veley told Fonda via email in early February. As it relates to your direct reports, moving forward, if you have any constructive feedback or work-related critique to offer, it should be done in private and in a manner that does not humiliate or embarrass your direct reports.

The themes of your interpersonal exchanges with citizens, colleagues and direct reports are all the same or very similar making it difficult for the City to support your behaviors  if this pattern of unacceptable work behavior and unprofessionalism continues, the City will take progressive action, up to and including termination of employment, the email stated.

Angello-Veley declined to comment further about Fondas employment, only noting that she had yet to be terminated. Fondas representative with the United Public Service Employees Union could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Since assuming the position of assessor in 2019, Fonda has been a source of controversy for the city, particularly relating to tax-exempt property.

The Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA filed a lawsuit last year claiming the assessors office improperly and illegally assessed taxes on more than a dozen properties owned by the organization that had been previously considered tax exempt.

The YMCA was among a group of at least four nonprofit organizations that filed legal complaints challenging tax assessments over the past two years.

cmetzger@record-journal.com
A Charlottesville English language specialist has been handpicked by the U.S. State Department to be part of a special program designed to help American embassies overseas deliver and maintain quality English language programs.

When the organization, in this case it was the Reading Association of the Philippines, theyll reach out and say were looking for a specialist to come do this particular project, and then the regional English language officer looks through the current pool of applicants and I had an interview in May of this past year, Jeannie Pfautz told The Daily Progress.

Pfautz has worked in the Charlottesville school division off and on for going on 10 years, she said. ELS work makes up most of her resume.

Its that dedication to her craft that made her a clear choice for the State Departments English Language Specialist Program, the school division said.

While summer might be slow for some  especially schoolchildren and teachers  it was busy for Pfautz, who took two weeks in July to work with university, K-12 partners and the Reading Association of the Philippines.

These universities are working with K-12 teachers to enhance reading development support within their classrooms, so I held workshops at three different universities with current teachers and pre-service teachers, who are going into the teaching field, to talk through how first language literacy development is different from second language and what are some tools and strategies teachers can use, Pfautz said.

The three universities Pfautz worked with were Philippine Normal University, Mariano Marcos State University and the University of Saint Louis.

Pfautz said she assisted those universities staff think through the structure of incorporating reading intervention classes within K-12 schools, something that the U.S. has been doing for a while, but other countries are developing.

Pfautz said the relationship between universities and K-12 schools in the Philippines was eye-opening, specifically citing their strong collaboration and ongoing partnership.

We know if thats not connected with other learning nothing will continue, but I could really see that this was a partnership and the universities and the schools were going to continue this work, Pfautz said. I could be helpful, but at the same time they were already doing a lot of work together and had a plan for continuing to meet and do the training.

She said she returned to Charlottesville encouraged to think more about how Charlottesville City Schools can collaborate with other community partners.

Its already attracted interest from school Superintendent Royal Gurley.

The Philippine model for university and K-12 partnerships could certainly be relevant in the US, Gurley said via email. Its this sort of idea-sharing that makes international fellowships most impactful.

Gurley said the school division was proud of Pfautz, not only for representing Charlottesville abroad, but the entire country.

We know this fellowship benefited teachers and students in the Philippines, and it will benefit teachers and students in Charlottesville, as well, he said.

The English Language Specialist Program recruits specialists to assist U.S. Embassies in delivering and maintaining quality English language programs overseas and promoting mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries, according to a State Department statement.

Projects, designed by the U.S. embassies overseas, vary in length, ranging from two weeks to three months. International travel is covered, and stipends and a living allowance are given to specialists. Specialists also receive project planning funds.

The program supports about 240 projects each year in more than 80 countries. The work done is vital to promoting cultural exchange, and enhancing English language teaching and learning capacity overseas, the State Department said in its statement.

Pfautz and four other Charlottesville City Schools staff members were recognized at a recent Sept. 7 school board meeting. The others recognized included:

The divisions communications staff, Amanda Korman and Beth Cheuk, who were recently honored with a gold medallion for their work from the National School Public Relations Association.

Bridget Drain of Walker Upper Elementary School, who was recognized by the the National Association of Special Education Teachers as one of 11 Outstanding Special Education Teachers.

Bianca Johnson, a family engagement coordinator with the school division, who was awarded a scholarship to receive her certificate in restorative justice facilitation and leadership at the University of San Diego from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Having five staff members recognized nationally is an indicator of the strengths and expertise that our teachers and employees bring to our students and our community, said Gurley.
The CCC opposition party in Zimbabwe has been kicked from their rented property in Belvedere, Harare due to non-payment of rent. According to reports, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa entered into a verbal lease agreement in May to rent the main house for US$1,000 per month.

However, in July and August, CCC only paid US$800 per month instead of the agreed amount. In September, CCC additionally took occupancy of a cottage on the property but failed to pay the US$900 rent and security deposit. This resulted in US$1,300 in outstanding rental fees owed to the property owners.

Through their legal representatives, the owners informed CCC that their lease was cancelled immediately due to breach of contract. CCC was instructed to vacate the premises with no notice required given the situation. If they do not depart voluntarily, the owners will pursue legal eviction proceedings and damages.

This arises as questions remain over European Union funding of US$2.5 million reportedly given to CCC before elections. Some concerns have been raised as to why the funds did not pay polling agents as intended. The ousted of CCC from their rented office space adds challenges amid criticism of their organizational structure and financial administration.

Going forward, resolving outstanding disputes and stabilizing finances and facilities will be important for the opposition party to address as concerns persist.

Breaking News via Email
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is planning to convene Zimbabwean authorities and representatives from the SADC election observer mission to discuss the preliminary report on Zimbabwes recent elections. This comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned the planned meeting while speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The SADC observer missions preliminary report noted several irregularities with Zimbabwes election process that resulted in President Emmerson Mnangagwa remaining in power and his Zanu PF party retaining parliamentary control. However, the report indicated the polls did not meet regional and international standards for credible elections.

Ramaphosa, who faced criticism at home and abroad for congratulating Mnangagwa and attending his inauguration, stated the SADC report only pointed out issues rather than declaring the election invalid. He said many nations face challenges during elections, citing the United States most recent presidential vote. Ramaphosa added the report outlined areas for improvement rather than branding the Zimbabwean election unfree and unfair.

According to the observer mission, key Zimbabwean institutions failed to act independently and transparently during the contentious election process. Ramaphosa commented the SADC body still needs to discuss the observer missions statements, as the preliminary report was not finalized. He welcomed further details to adequately address concerns. Ramaphosa said once SADC receives the full report, members will debate it and hear from Zimbabwe and the observer mission.

The planned meeting aims to have a productive discussion around creating better electoral processes going forward for Zimbabwe.

Breaking News via Email
The new South African Border Management Authority (BMA) has been cracking down on illegal border crossings. Since starting operations on April 1st, they have arrested over 35,000 people trying to enter the country without proper documentation.

The majority of those arrested have been from neighboring Zimbabwe. The BMA identified the Beitbridge border post as a major hotspot for illegal crossings. Beitbridge marks part of the nearly 250km border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Other busy ports of entry where significant numbers of undocumented migrants have been intercepted include Maseru Bridge on the border with Lesotho and the Lebombo border post with Mozambique.

Speaking to a local news station, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato expressed confidence in the organizations ability to better secure South Africas land borders. However, he acknowledged the long stretch shared with Zimbabwe presents unique challenges due to large historical migration patterns between the two countries.

On October 5th, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch the BMA at the Beitbridge border during a ceremony. The event underscores the high priority the government is placing on border security and control.

Masiapato hopes the newly formed BMA will help manage migration in a sustainable way and curb illegal crossings. For many Zimbabweans and others from neighbouring nations, South Africa represents an escape from socioeconomic hardships at home. Its strong market and job opportunities are persistent magnets for millions seeking opportunity.

However, the high volume of migration has also tested South Africas public services and infrastructure. Some senior officials argue it exacerbates unemployment and social tensions for local populations. Only time will tell what impact the new border crackdown will have on these complex dynamics.

Breaking News via Email
Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill Sent Back to Parliament for Reconsideration

The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill, which had previously passed through Parliament earlier this year, is now set to be reconsidered after President Mnangagwa declined to give his assent. The President expressed reservations regarding certain clauses in the Bill that he believed violated the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, there are two possible routes for further consideration. The first route necessitates amending the Bill to address all of the Presidents reservations, thereby gaining his acceptance. The second route allows Parliament to override the Presidents reservations but requires the Bill to be passed again with a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

Mr Kennedy Chokuda, the Clerk of Parliament, confirmed the referral of the Amendment Bill and stated that Parliament was not in session when it was sent back, delaying the immediate consideration of the reservations. He explained that Parliament would need to convene a sitting to address the Presidents concerns after reporting the referral.

Sources indicate that the President had reservations about only a few specific issues in the Bill. One of the concerns raised was related to organizations that were already registered, suggesting the need for a transition period during which they would be required to comply with the new law rather than immediately upon its implementation.

This marks the second time President Mnangagwa has referred a Bill back to Parliament due to reservations. In 2018, he sent back the Mines and Mining Amendment Bill, expressing concerns about certain clauses potentially violating constitutional provisions, particularly regarding property rights.

Under Section 131 of the Constitution, the President has the authority to refer a Bill back if he has reservations about it. The Speaker of the National Assembly is then responsible for convening a sitting to reconsider the Bill and accommodate the Presidents reservations or pass the Bill, with or without amendments, by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The Speaker must promptly present the Bill to the President for assent and signature and publicly announce the date of submission.

The Constitution also outlines the Presidents obligations if he remains dissatisfied with the Bill. If the modified Bill sufficiently addresses the Presidents reservations, he must assent to it within 21 days, causing its publication in the Gazette. However, if the National Assembly fails to address the reservations adequately or overrides the President, he has the option to assent to the Bill despite reservations or seek advice from the Constitutional Court on its constitutionality.

The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill aims to enhance financial accountability among NGOs, monitor funding sources and their utilization in Zimbabwe. These measures primarily aim to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing through PVOs, as well as ensuring that PVOs operate within their registered areas, such as health, education, wildlife conservation, supporting vulnerable populations, and other designated purposes.

One concern in Zimbabwe is the potential misuse of PVOs to circumvent the law prohibiting foreign funding of political parties and candidates, which implies money laundering. The Bill also aims to strengthen financial controls to protect donors from fraudulent activities perpetrated by certain groups.

During the Bills initial presentation to Parliament, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi acknowledged the contributions of many PVOs in areas such as health and education. However, he expressed concern about certain organizations covertly engaging in partisan politics instead of open support by party members.

The Bill includes provisions for an annual stakeholder meeting, facilitating discussions between non-governmental organizations and the government on matters of mutual interest, thereby maintaining the collaborative environment that shaped the current form of the Bill.

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Yves asks me to apologize for the lack of original posts today; she is doing post-fundraiser planning  thank you, dear readers*  and other administrivia. lambert. NOTE * I cant think of a snowclone for ____ couch (as in fainting couch) that covers the idea of overwhelming relief and gratitude instead of fainting, so Ill have to go meta here instead of making an actual joke; load off ones mind -couch is just too awkward. But you see what I mean.

* * *

NASAs OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return to Earth: Live updates Space

Bears raid a Krispy Kreme doughnut van making deliveries on an Alaska military base AP

Many people hate wasps, but research shows theyre smarter than you might think and ecologically important Phys.org. Tsk! I identify as a WASP!

Climate

#COVID19

Water

The Fight Continues For Those Affected By Camp Lejeune The Brockovich Report

China?

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Seeks Chinese Help Acquiring Nuclear Technology The Irrawaddy

Okinawa governor tells U.N. that U.S. military base threatens peace Japan Times

India

Africa

Dear Old Blighty

New Not-So-Cold War

Azerbaijan to hold peace talks with Armenian separatists after Karabakh victory France 24

US says it hopes Karabakh cease-fire comes to fruition Anadolu Agency

The Caribbean

Poison and Magic in Caribbean Uprisings JSTOR

South of the Border

The Mexican Question New Left Review Ferromex suspends operations of 60 freight trains in Mexico Mexico News Daily. After a string of accidents involving migrants riding the rails.

Biden Administration

The anti-vaccine movement is on the rise. The White House is at a loss over what to do about it. Politico. Resign en masse and immediately?

Tech

AI about to pollute our antidotes, if were not careful about provenance (which we are): How to create CUTE sleeping Animals with AI Prompt

Cute {animal} lying on floor sleeping with closed eyes, realistic photo, light {color type} color background ar 16:9 Using Midjourney I created cute sleeping animals with super quick. All you have to do is change the pic.twitter.com/Hfq8WKq5Pt  KALSON. (@kalsonkalu) August 20, 2023 History, too: New: this is crazy. The top Google image search result for "tank man" right now is an AI-generated "selfie" of the man. Shows that as AI content becomes more and more widespread, the platforms we use to surface content dont have a good way to identify it https://t.co/vi2hxkH9Uh pic.twitter.com/6mfaUsdXbj  Joseph Cox (@josephfcox) September 20, 2023 Monitoring, Streamlining and Reorganizing Work with Digital Technology Cracked Labs. The deck: A case study on software for process mining, workflow automation, algorithmic management and AI based on rich behavioral data about workers.

Zeitgeist Watch

Realignment and Legitimacy

Americans Dismal Views of the Nations Politics Pew Research Center. Handy chart: I dont have a dismal view of politics. I have a dismal view of parties (and, I suppose, party animals). More: Hard to argue with this, though how to have politics, in any form, without division, without harshing somebodys mellow, is an open question. Sortition? Deliberative democracy? What to Do When Your Political Party Loses Its Mind The Atlantic. A party, of course (?), does not have a mind. But whatever the process is that causes loses its mind to be applied to one is something it would be useful to understand, and of broader application than the Tories. (Its not the madness of crowds, because a party is not a crowd.)

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Editorial: Why skeptical Californians should rethink cash reparations for slavery LA Times

Imperial Collapse Watch

Class Warfare

Pontifications: IAM 751 gearing up for Boeing contract talks in 2024 Leeham News and Analysis

Go North The Baffler

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2023/09/links-9-19-2023.html>here.
Yves here. Even for casual watchers of the Ukraine war, the signs of Ukraines deteriorating relationships with its sponsors have been increasing. Even as of summer 2022 (reported later), Biden made a tart remark to Zelensky about his lack of gratitude. In the US, Ukraine enthusiasm has waned as awareness that the war wont be resolved any time soon, and not in a Ukraine victory, has been rising. European leaders are in even a more fraught position as they are bearing direct and highly visible costs of the conflict, in the form of pricey energy due to sanctions on Russia, and the destabilizing effects of Ukraine refugees. As some readers described, Ukraine arrivals were given lavish treatment, given large stipends, often well housed, given preferential treatment in schools. That has worn thin now that there is no prospect of them leaving any time soon. And citizens rightly question why Ukrainians are getting better social safety nets than they have.

One highly visible clash is over Ukraine grain sales to Europe, which is of such poor quality that it is fit only for livestock. Five European countries tried rejecting Ukraine shipments because they would undercut local farmers. Then Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary passed import bans (despite arguably not being allowed to take this measure as individual EU states), which led to Ukraine suing all three countries at the WTO.

The Financial Times today describes how the grain row is generating fractures in the EU:

Brussels is considering whether to defend Poland, Hungary and Slovakia against a lawsuit filed by Kyiv, after the three countries broke EU rules to ban imports of Ukrainian grain that they said were flooding their markets. The unilateral bans have thrown the EUs trade policies into disarray and are the most striking signal of disunity among the blocs 27 member states over support for Kyiv as it continues to fight against Russias invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission, the blocs executive, had initially demanded Poland, Hungary and Slovakia reverse their bans, but is now working to co-ordinate their legal rebuttals to Kyivs filing of a suit at the World Trade Organization. The EU executive on Friday lifted a temporary embargo on grain exports from Ukraine into the bloc Poland, Hungary and Slovakia responded by imposing unilateral bans, going against EU policy of acting in unison on trade matters and raising an awkward situation for the commission. Romania has not applied unilateral measures but Bulgaria introduced a ban on sunflower seeds from Ukraine on Wednesday after days of protests by farmers.

This is almost suicidally ill timed. Even if Ukraine thought it needed to sue, it would have been prudent to wait until elections were over in Poland and Slovakia (both in upcoming weeks) where anti-giving-Ukraine-a-blank-check parties are doing well enough that they could win or become the lead actors in a coalition government. If one or both countries wind up having their voters repudiate Project Ukraine, this will put the US on its back foot in a major way. A loss by Ukraine stalwarts would be a mere sighting shot but would greatly worry other EU leaders. But for Russia-hating Polands voters to back off from Project Ukraine would throw a wrench in any US coalition of the willing escalation fantasies, since many hawks have assumed Poland would be wiling to supply troops and materiel for direct action if push came to shove.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website

Both parties are in a dilemma whereby each believes that they have more to gain at the level of national and political interests by escalating tensions than by being the first to de-escalate them. A self-sustaining cycle is thus in the process of forming, which risks leading to such a drastic deterioration of their ties that the presently dismal state thereof might soon be looked fondly upon.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieckis revelation to local media on Wednesday that his country had stopped supplying arms to Ukraine in favor of arming itself showed just how far bilateral ties have plunged over the past week. Warsaw unilaterally extended restrictions on its eastern neighbors agricultural imports upon the expiry of the European Commissions deal on 15 September in order to protect its farmers, which prompted Kiev to complain to the WTO about it on Monday.

Later that same day, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller suggested that Warsaw might let its aid to Ukrainian refugees lapse next spring instead of extending it, thus hinting at a willingness to expand their trade dispute into other dimensions. If that happens, then the over one and a half million Ukrainians temporarily residing in Poland would either have to return home or go to elsewhere to Germany for instance. Everything then snowballed into a full-blown political crisis on Tuesday.

Polish Minister of European Affairs Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek ominously warnedthat:

Ukraines actions make no impression on us but they do make a certain impression on Polish public opinion. This can be seen in the polls, in the level of public support for continued support for Ukraine. And this harms Ukraine itself. We would like to continue supporting Ukraine, but, for this to be possible, we must have the support of Poles in this matter. If we dont have it, it will be difficult for us to continue supporting Ukraine in the same way as we have been doing so far.

Zelensky then exploited his global pulpit at the UNGA to fearmonger about the following:

We are working to ensure food stability. And I hope that many of you will join us in these efforts. We launched a temporary sea export corridor from our ports. And we are working hard to preserve the land routes for grain exports. And it is alarming to see how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, play out solidarity in a political theater  making a thriller from the grain. They may seem to play their own role but in fact they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor.

Polish President Andrzej Dudas response that he shared with reporters showed how offended he was:

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. A drowning person is extremely dangerous, he can pull you down to the depths simply drown the rescuer. We must act to protect ourselves from the harm being done to us, because if the drowning person drowns us, he will not get help. So we have to take care of our interests and we will do it effectively and decisively.

It was against this backdrop that Poland urgently summoned the Ukrainian Ambassador on Wednesday, after which Morawiecki revealed later that day that Poland is no longer sending weapons to Kiev. Prior to Ukraine complaining to the WTO about Poland, which is what set this fast-moving sequence of events into motion, tensions were already boiling for some time as a result of the failed counteroffensive sobering them up from the mutual delusion of seemingly inevitable victory over Russia.

These neighboring nations then naturally began to fall out with one another as the full range of their preexisting differences were exacerbated and quickly reshaped bilateral relations. Their trade dispute was just the tip of the iceberg but it showed that each side was starting to prioritize their contradictory national interests at the expense of shared political ones. This signaled to their societies that it was now once again acceptable target the other with nationalist rage instead of focusing solely on Russia.

All this have been prevented, however, if only Ukraine showed some gratefulness to Poland for everything that Warsaw did for it these past 19 months and didnt complain to the WTO about the grain issue. Even worse was Zelensky breaking the taboo of accusing his Polish counterpart of all people, who leads one of the worlds most Russophobic states in history, of supposedly doing Russias geopolitical bidding. He crossed a red line and theres now no going back to their previously illusory mutual trust.

Polish-Ukrainian ties are expected to plunge even further in the coming weeks as the first approaches its next elections on 15 October, which the ruling Law & Justice (PiS) party hopes to win by making everything about national security. This explains why they cut off arms shipments to Ukraine in response to Zelenskys ridiculous innuendo about Poland being a Russian puppet, and its possible that more such meaningful moves might soon follow to remind Ukraine that its indebted to Poland for its survival.

With these calculations in mind, it can confidently be predicted that Polish-Ukrainian ties will likely continue plunging till mid-October at the earliest, after which they might rebound if the Civic Platform (PO) oppositions latest media campaignsucceeds in turning enough rural voters against PiS. Itll be an uphill battle for them, and PiS could possibly form a coalition government with the anti-establishmentConfederation party if they arent totally trounced, so POs return to power isnt guaranteed.

That being the case, theres a credible chance that Polish-Ukrainian ties could plunge even further across the coming year, especially if PiS is forced into a coalition government with Confederation. The first has come to resent Zelensky in recent months while the latter was consistently against Polands leading role in waging NATOs proxy war on Russia through Ukraine, which could lead to a devastating combination for Kiev. In such a situation, everything might get much worse, and at an even faster pace at that.

Absent POs victory at the polls next month, the only other variable that could realistically offset this scenario is if Kiev backtracks on its threatened WTO lawsuit and Zelensky finally shows sincere gratitude in public for everything that Poland has done for Ukraine. Nobody should get their hopes up about that, however, since hes expected to seek re-election next spring and might worry that walking back on his newly assertive policy towards Poland could lose him the nationalist vote.

Both parties are therefore in a dilemma whereby each believes that they have more to gain at the level of national and political interests by escalating tensions than by being the first to de-escalate them. A self-sustaining cycle is thus in the process of forming, which risks leading to such a drastic deterioration of their ties that the presently dismal state thereof might soon be looked fondly upon. This is especially so if Poland moves to more openly exert its creeping hegemony over Western Ukraine in the near future.

To be clear, the aforementioned sequence of events is the absolute worst-case scenario and accordingly isnt all that likely, but it also cant be ruled out either since few foresaw how far their ties would plunge just a few short months ago. Its undeniable that Polish-Ukrainian relations have entered a period of uncertainty that might last for a while so both would do well to prepare their societies for the possibility of continued tensions so that they can most effectively adapt to this emerging geostrategic reality.
A man accused of stabbing his mother in Albany was found mentally fit to proceed with trial.

Arrested in April for second-degree murder and other charges, 45-year-old Michael Anthony Flitcroft allegedly killed Suzanne Smith, 67, and injured her husband, Stewart Smith, 74, at their home.

Based on a recent evaluation, Flitcroft was declared mentally fit to proceed with criminal hearings Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Linn County Circuit. In June, Flitcroft was committed to the Oregon State Hospital for up to a year of treatment.

Flitcroft appeared via phone from the Marion County Jail, where hes been held since Sept. 7, according to online jail records. Hes reportedly receiving medication that was advised by the hospital and is able to aid and assist in his legal defense.

During the hearing, Flitcroft was formally indicted on felony counts of first- and second-degree murder as well as first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault.

Violent death, peaceful takedown

The Albany Police Department fielded a 911 call at 9:23 p.m. April 15, from a home in the 1500 block of Del Rio Avenue Southeast. The caller didnt communicate, police said, but the sounds of a disturbance could be heard.

A dispatcher overheard a man yelling, What are you gonna do, slut and a woman saying, Stop it, followed by the sounds of a woman crying and yelling, Stop it with a lot of movement, according to an Albany police report.

Flitcroft was walking away from the home when officers arrived and peacefully surrendered, according to the report. It states he had what appeared to be blood on his hands and face.

Smith was found slouched over on a couch in the house, bleeding profusely from multiple stab wounds to the face and neck, the report states, noting knife wounds to her stomach and legs as well. Medics tried life-saving measures to no avail.

A bread knife with a long, serrated blade and black handle was reportedly located near a sink on a kitchen counter, coated in what looked like blood, according to the report.

The 911 call

An Albany detective who listened to the 911 call reported hearing a woman saying, Stop numerous times, and a man saying something about a forest and a little boy being murdered.

In a somewhat garbled recording according to the police report, the man says something about Portland and being hypnotized to not remember, and the woman responds, What are you talking about, Michael? He tells her that she took his passport and says something about her trying to kill someone, the report states.

Stay up to date on mid-Willamette Valley news, wherever you go Easily access the latest Albany and Linn County news in an app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you.

Around 35 seconds into the recording, the detective reported hearing sounds consistent with someone being repeatedly stabbed, described as similar to an orange thrown against a hard object followed by a squishing noise.

The detective counted 27 strikes in a row, the report states, noting the noises stopped around 50 seconds into the call. The dispatcher reportedly asked if anyone was still on the line but didnt get an answer.

At some point a mans voice shouts, Die bitch, but nothing else is said before the 2-minute, 26-second call ends.

The crime scene

Smiths husband, Stewart Smith, told police Flitcroft hadnt lived at the Del Rio Avenue home for the past decade but had called his wife to tell her how she has failed him.

In previous criminal cases, Flitcroft listed his mother's address as his residence. Court records indicate Flitcroft, a convicted sex offender, was homeless at the time of his arrest.

Stewart Smith said around five minutes before the 911 call, Flitcroft had knocked on the front door and barged in saying something to the effect of, Im going to kill you when Stewart Smith answered.

Flitcroft reportedly followed Stewart Smith as he fled to the garage to call the police, took his phone away, bit him on the nose and threw him to the ground.

Escaping to a neighbors house and asking for them to call the police, Stewart Smith tried to return to his house, but Flitcroft stopped him, throwing him to the ground, according to the police report. When he finally got inside, he found his wife covered in blood with a knife resting on her.

A checkered past

Flitcroft has a long history in the Oregon criminal justice system, including convictions for:

Assault in 1997

Attempt to commit a Class B felony, 2002

Failure to report as a sex offender, 2006

Failure to report as a sex offender and resisting arrest, 2010

Assault in the fourth degree, 2014 (two separate cases)

Felony criminal mischief, 2016

Burglary in the second degree and felony criminal mischief, 2016

Unlawful possession of methamphetamine, 2018

Criminal mischief in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, attempt to commit a Class C/unclassified felony, 2022

Disorderly conduct, 2022

Additionally, he was charged with strangulation in 2002 and 2014, but those charges were dismissed, according to court records. Flitcroft had been in court as recently as April 13, when his probation on first-degree criminal mischief and unlawful weapon use was extended.

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In connection with allegations in Benton County, Flitcroft underwent psychological evaluation last year to see if he was fit to stand trial. An October finding filed with the court found he was not presently incapacitated.

Flitcrofts next court hearing is slated for Dec. 1.
Yves here. Tom Neuburger discusses the important issue of the real aims for the increase of the surveillance state in Western countries. He posits that its due to elites recognizing the potential of the lower orders to turn violently against them. In one sense, thats already well recognized, witness how many of the super-rich have built highly-secure, meant-to-be-self-sustaining bolt holes in places like New Zealand and discuss among themselves how to assure the loyalty of the private jet pilots they will depend on to get them therem.

However, I beg to differ that climate change will be the trigger for action. Most people do not have the tendency to blame climate change on the rich, even though their refusal to make lifestyle sacrifices is a major contributor to inaction and directly to carbon emissions continuing to rise. Rising inequality is a far more likely spur.

For instance, in 1984, McKinsey sent me to Mexico to help a US company value a potential Mexican acquisition (there was a huge bid-offer gap and they wanted advice on how much it was rational for them to better their proposal). I spent a week in Mexico City. There were only two hotels then considered up to international business standards, and the one I was in was a dump, with worn furniture and fixtures, filthy carpets and poor housekeeping.

I had to take a cab from the central business district to where the McKinsey offices were. I forget the name of the district, but it was low rise and upscale and looked like the sort of area with embassies and diplomatic residences.

It was the first time I ever saw snipers on rooftops (the driver actually pointed them out, I suppose to reassure me if I noticed them that I should not worry). And they were on more than one building. That was an early lesson on the risk of a very wealthy elite: they could not be sure of their personal safety.

Neuburger also asks why the soi-disant left has largely ignored the rise in surveillance and enforcement tools. Bluntly, I see two reasons. One is very few have been or are willing to protest and thus assume because they arent the sort of people to make that kind of fuss, the policing apparatus will never be used against them. Second is that many eagerly applaud its construction to use against the deplorables, regardless of the damage to principles of rule of law and privacy. It has become sadly necessary to remind readers of the danger:

The money quote:

More: Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get at the Devil? Roper: I`d cut down every law in England to do that. More: Oh! And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This countrys planted thick with laws mans laws, not Gods and if you cut them down and youre just the man to do it d`you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? (Quietly) Yes, I`d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety`s sake.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

Disaster researchers call this phenomenon elite panic. When authorities believe their own citizens will become dangerous, they begin to focus on controlling the public, rather than on addressing the disaster itself. https://t.co/A7TlhUNi8b  David Wallace-Wells (@dwallacewells) September 17, 2023

When authorities believe their own citizens will become dangerous, they begin to focus on controlling the public, rather than on addressing the disaster.

David Wallace-Wells

Ill be focusing on this subject in the coming months, as more and more evidence appears that surveillance of the American public is increasing. Its not just the factof surveillance thats concerning. The reason theyre doing it is frightening as well.

Consider: Who do you think the NatSec elites are protecting themselves against? Who are they worried about? Its not, as you may have imagined, those mad Republican others. Many in the NatSec state ARE those others.

No, they worry about you.

Why Does the Left Ignore The Other Coup?

If youre a regular reader, you know that one of the sub-themes at Gods Spies is The other coup, the one that no one in the mainstream wants to acknowledge. Even those moved strongly to decry the fascist Trumpian party (which certainly exists) and fear the coup it certainly represents, find themselves hard-pressed to decry the other coup, the ongoing one by our National Security State.

Truth be told  and I mean that literally  one reason that some encourage the other coup is that the NatSec State is working to benefit them  for the moment, at least.

No one in the establishment wants Trump to be president again, including the CIA. Hell, they didnt want him to be president the first time around. Sen. Chuck Schumer, speaking in January 2017, after Trumps election but before his inauguration, made this unforgettable comment:



Ill cover this briefly here; look for expanded discussion in later work. But to start, consider this, from the (neocon) magazine Commentary. It starts with the tale of an earthquake near Anchorage, Alaska, and public officials fears of what would happen:

North Americas strongest recorded earthquake struck just off the Alaskan coast at 5:36 p.m., on March 27, 1964. The shaking from the magnitude 9.2 quake lasted an unimaginable four and a half minutes. The tectonic forces reshaped Alaskas coastline and triggered tsunamis that wiped out villages and claimed lives as far south as California. Anchorage, only 75 miles from the epicenter, was devastated.  The sun set that night on a shattered city. Thousands were homeless. An entire neighborhood of stately homes had tumbled down a bluff as the soil beneath it turned to slurry.  Almost as soon as the shaking stopped, city officials began worrying about how the populace would respond.  Police quickly deputized a group of volunteerssome of them freshly emerged from those Fourth Avenue barsas ad hoc officers. The men put on armbands with the word police emblazoned in lipsticka few were even issued firearmsand off they went to protect the city from the inevitable post-disaster crime wave. At the time, most experts believed any major disaster would cause a mass outbreak of hysterical neurosis among the civilian population, as social scientist Richard M. Titmuss had put it some years earlier. Shocked by carnage and desperate for food and shelter, people would behave like frightened and unsatisfied children. Only firm control by powerful authorities could keep the lid on such dangerous situations.

Only firm control by powerful authorities plays right into the hands of powerful authorities who desire firm control.

All the dire predictions turned to dust, as the article details. Expecting chaos, the sociologists were puzzled to find the residents calmly, almost cheerfully, pitching in to help.

And yet

Before dispatching those casually deputized citizens to keep order in the streets, the Anchorage police chief suspended the search for survivors in damaged buildings. Arguably, the city was protecting its ruins from looters more conscientiously than it was looking for people trapped in them, Mooallem writes.

Sounds conscienceless, this behavior; property before people. But thats pretty much at the core what our government protects.

Disaster researchers call this phenomenon elite panic. When authorities believe their own citizens will become dangerous, they begin to focus on controlling the public, rather than on addressing the disaster itself. They clamp down on information, restrict freedom of movement, and devote unnecessary energy to enforcing laws they assume are about to be broken.

If reason one is that the state fears citizen panic during disasters, reason two is that it reasonably fears an overturning of the state during certain disasters. The coming climate crisis is a perfect example.

Whats Special about the Coming Climate Crisis?

Consider the climate crisis thats about to strike. Its different from other crises; its not an act of God, but an act of man. Someone is at fault, or many someones  in fact, the entire elite class of the United States, aka the property class, those with the most to lose, bear full responsibility.

The solution, to the extent there is one, is obvious: Stop burning fossil fuels for energy, and do it now, whatever now means in practice. After all, were already in trouble  warming of +1.5 C is coming next year, and the dreaded +2 C is two decades away, even if we cut ourselves off immediately.

What will happen if we dont cut ourselves off immediately? Something a lot worse, surely. Panic and collapse, surely. And multiple attempts to remove current leaders from power.

The Only Two Choices Left

That day is coming, the day when the public demands change, redress, retribution. How will elites respond? The government, including its National Security arm, will have only two choices, similar to the choices faced by Anchorage, Alaska.

Elites who run the State can:

Protect the citizens by changing their policy now, or

Protect themselves and their friends from the wrath of their victims.

Doing the first means abandoning fossil fuels now:

Ending the climate crisis has one simple solution: Stop using fossil fuels As COP27 unfolds in Egypt, we are hearing about a large array of climate change solutions, ranging from building with carbon-absorbing bamboo and using less plastic to growing more kelp in the oceans to retain its carbon stores and enhance biodiversity.  However, as climate scientists we believe that they also have the potential to be dangerous distractions, drawing attention away from the three things we absolutely need to do to end the climate crisis: Stop burning coal, stop burning oil and stop burning natural gas. Ending fossil fuel use is essential to end the climate crisis, and there is no alternative.

Yet can you imagine this government doing that? I cant:

Industry Calls the Climate Shots in the Biden Administration

THOMAS NEUBURGER

JULY 13, 2021

There are many more examples:

Biden Expands Oil Exploration in Bid to Slow Climate Change

THOMAS NEUBURGER

JULY 13, 2022

But doing the latter means just what you think it means. To repeat:

When authorities believe their own citizens will become dangerous, they begin to focus on controlling the public, rather than on addressing the disaster.

And thats why well be covering this story as it evolves, plus the rolling civil warthis tale will be part of. Controlling the public means making sure the tools of control are in firmly place ahead of the time theyre needed. Were watching that now, in my humble opinion. For example:
Speaking at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) Annual Autumn Academy on Wednesday (20 September 2023), Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana emphasised the importance of defending democratic values against challenges to the rules-based international order.

Mr Geoana spoke at a dedicated session on Building a Sustainable and Multilateral Global Order. He warned that authoritarian regimes are openly challenging democratic systems and promoting alternative models of governance. The Deputy Secretary General stressed the need to cooperate with like-minded actors around the world and stand together against threats to democracy. He emphasised the importance of ensuring resilient supply chains and avoiding interdependencies which allow authoritarian actors opportunities to exploit open societies. NATO is playing its part in defending democracy by providing military, economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine as an essential pillar of a multilateral global order, Mr Geoana said. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and independence, and NATO is committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.

FEPS is a think tank of the progressive political family at European Union (EU) level. The Annual Autumn Academy brings together around 40 participants each year, chosen from among the most promising elected young politicians from across the EU.
After much discussion over the summer, the Greater Albany Public Schools District has released a draft "controversial issues" policy update this week  plus a survey to see what parents and staff think of it.

The big, proposed change? Teachers would need to notify parents at least one week in advance before a scheduled lesson on a controversial topic. What's written down on their class syllabus at the beginning of the school year wouldn't count as "reasonable notification."

In a Monday, Sept. 18 news release, GAPS Superintendent Andy Gardner said the new rule would ensure parents aren't caught off guard by certain lessons and the overall policy would help students think critically.

"We are not teaching students what to think about these topics, we are teaching them how to think," he said in a statement.

While it's still unclear which specific lessons during the last school year sparked the district to start working on revamping the policy over the summer, topics around gender identity appear to be top of mind.

The draft

The draft released this week doesn't change the "controversial issues" definition GAPS previously had on the books, which says a controversial topic is any topic or problem "society is in the process of debating on which there is 'honest disagreement.'"

But the proposed rule on notifying parents is new.

According to the draft, a teacher would need to first consult with their school principal about the appropriateness of a controversial topic they plan to teach in class  or a guest speaker they plan to invite  and how they plan to instruct that lesson. Those guidelines mirror others in neighboring school districts.

But the new rules proposed by GAPS also would have teachers discuss plans with their principal for reaching out to parents, and what alternative assignments they'd draw up for students who'd opt-out of a lesson.

Teachers would have to notify parents at least one week before their planned lesson, allowing parents to request their student forgo the lesson. That opt-out request would be directed to the principal.

The principal would also have the final say on the "advisability" of touching on a certain subject in the classroom.

Gardner told Mid-Valley Media earlier this summer the goal of the proposed changes, besides adding a parental notification requirement, was to have actual protocols or administrative rules in place to enforce the district's previously revamped controversial issues policy statement, which was last updated in 2022. It would also help staff know a policy actually exists.

"You have seen at times this policy is not understood. Perhaps not everybody is even aware of this," Gardner told the school board back in July when the update was being discussed.

Policies on "controversial issues" aren't themselves that controversial. According to the Oregon School Boards Association, 139 OSBA-affiliated school boards across the state have adopted some version of a "controversial issues" policy.

The draft rules proposed by the district are partially modeled on the Beaverton School District's guidelines on teaching controversial issues, though Beaverton doesn't require teachers to notify parents about their lesson plans.

Want to comment?

A district survey, also released on Sept. 18, invites parents and district staff to give feedback on the policy's current definition of controversial topics, the one-week time frame for alerting parents and the opt-out procedures. It closes Oct. 2.

But there will also be an opportunity for parents and GAPS staff, including teachers, to share thoughts directly and publicly with district officials and school board members  who'll ultimately adopt a finalized policy  on Monday Sept. 25, during a work session at the district office. The session runs from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.

In the past few years, the teaching of thorny topics in the classroom has proven to be a divisive subject at school board meetings, whether it's over race, American history or gender identity.

It's a topic that's fueled the campaigns of school board candidates too, like newly seated GAPS school board member Sean Taylor, who said he's heard from "dozens" of parents about that issue since he launched his campaign and won his seat earlier this year.

While he wouldn't get into specifics, he said parents with whom he has spoken weren't necessarily against certain topics being taught but were concerned that they were being "sprung on them" without notice.

"In my opinion, I definitely think the more transparency, the better," Taylor said.

Taylor also said the parents he's heard from were concerned mainly for elementary and middle school students and raised the issue of "activist teaching," worrying some teachers were putting opinions in students' heads rather than letting them form their own.

Taylor said he couldn't specify which schools or teachers have been the subject of complaints because they were still being processed by the district.

"I think a lot of what parents have issues with is their kids being told they're wrong because their parents believe 'X,' or they're being told they're wrong because their parents grew up as 'Y.' It's something they don't approve of being put on their kids that way," Taylor said.

While it's unclear the topics that prompted the district's move to update its policy, according to Gardner, topics around gender have been the main source of tension.

He acknowledged that the finalized policy, whatever it turns out to be, won't satisfy everyone.

"I don't go into this expecting that everyone is going to walk away 100% pleased," he said.

According to Gardner, the most important part of the draft policy update is the parental notification rule, but he said the district would continue reviewing feedback from GAPS staff and the community about the proposal as new rules are finalized.

"It's probably going to be an evolving thing," he said.

Editor's Note: this article has been updated with the correct name of the Oregon School Boards Association

Related stories:
Air taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation announces plan to build $500M factory in Dayton, Ohio  the birthplace of modern aviation

Electric aircraft startup Joby Aviation has announced a plan to start building flying taxis by 2025

To facilitate the manufacturing of flying taxis, Joby Aviation said it was investing up to $500 million to build a new factory dedicated to the mass construction of flying taxis in Dayton, Ohio. (Related: Would you ride in a drone? Self-flying taxi will have parachutes but no driver.)

The chosen site is a 140-acre plot of land near the Dayton International Airport and it is set to be the first serial production location for the company. This would also move the company away from its prototype manufacturing and testing facility in San Jose, California.

Once completed, this new manufacturing facility is expected to support the creation of up to 2,000 jobs and be able to produce up to 500 cutting-edge electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft annually.

The new facility at Dayton is expected to be provided enough land to build up to two million square feet of manufacturing space.

Construction of the new manufacturing facility is expected to begin in 2024, and Joby Aviation expects to start the hiring process before the end of the year and has already begun encouraging people both inside and outside the state to apply for roles.

Joby Aviation has been flying full-scale prototype aircraft since 2017. It unveiled its first production-representative aircraft in June  an eVTOL that can fit four passengers and a pilot. Company founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said the company is "ramping up the testing team aggressively" so that it can conduct the thousands of additional tests and evaluations necessary to receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Joby Aviation heavily supported by Ohio government

Joby Aviation executives noted that the decision to build the manufacturing facility in Dayton followed an "extensive competitive site selection process." The company did admit that the state government, along with several other political organizations, have offered up to $325 million in incentives and benefits for the development of the Dayton site.

Furthermore, Joby Aviation said the agreement to construct the facility in Dayton is still contingent upon "standard due diligence, state and local approvals of incentives, permitting and other legal and regulatory matters as customarily accompany such investment projects."

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the partnership with Joby Aviation on Sept. 18, adding that it could bring up to a billion dollars to the Buckeye State.

"Ohio's legacy in aviation leadership begins with the Wright Brothers and continues now with Joby Aviation, as they launch a new era in advanced aviation manufacturing and aerial mobility in Dayton," said DeWine, referencing Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who invented and flew the first engine-powered aircraft.

"The aircraft that will roll off Joby Ohio's production lines will redefine urban transportation and contribute to a transformational change in the way people and goods travel," he added. "We welcome Joby and celebrate the new chapter of air mobility history that will be made here in Ohio, the heart of aviation and aerospace."

"We're building the future of aviation right where it all started, in Dayton, Ohio," said Bevirt. "The Wright Brothers harnessed revolutionary technology of their time to open up the skies, and we intend to do the same."

In a separate interview, DeWine noted how excited he was about the development of air taxis.

"We find this very, very exciting, not only for the direct jobs and indirect jobs it's going to create," said DeWine. "It's a signal to people that Ohio is looking to the future. This is a big deal for us."

Joby Aviation further noted the fact that Dayton is home to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and is the headquarters of the United States Air Force Research Laboratories, both of which have played a "key role" in supporting the company's development.

Learn more about innovative vehicles at FlyingCars.news.

Watch Josh Kincaid of "The Talking Hedge" podcast touching on how the FAA plans to allow flying taxis in the United States by 2028.

This video is from The Talking Hedge channel on Brighteon.com.

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Filipino drone inventor introduces a flying sports car that he says represents the "future of transportation."

Proposed electric helicopter that converts to a plane in the air gets backing from Toyota, Intel.

Boeing is testing prototypes for passenger drone taxis, as flying cars and "urban air mobility" come closer to reality.

China's "megadrone" is world's first autonomous aerial vehicle, carries passengers at 80 mph during test flights.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Reuters.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
Protecting the Deep State: Biden admin files proposal to protect unelected govt workers from dismissal in case of 2024 GOP victory

The Biden administration has filed a proposal preventing all unelected federal bureaucrats from being dismissed without cause in case of a Republican victory in the 2024 presidential elections.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), an independent agency overseeing all federal workers, filed the proposal with the Federal Register on Sept. 15. Based on the filing, a disagreement with leadership without defiance of lawful orders should not qualify as misconduct or unacceptable performance.

"The 2.2 million career civil servants active today are the backbone of the federal workforce," the filing read. "These employees take an oath to uphold the Constitution and are accountable to agency leaders and managers who, in turn, are accountable to the president."

Unlike political appointees, civil servants cannot be dismissed by the president or their designees at will. But under Title V, Section 7513 of the U.S. Code, the OPM must file a written notice to a dismissed employee at least 30 days before the termination. In return, the employee must respond and provide defense evidence at least seven days after receiving the notice.

After receiving the reply, the office must also write a decision with valid reasons for the dismissal as soon as possible or even hold a hearing. Meanwhile, the dismissed employee can have a lawyer or representative throughout the process. The employee can also appeal to the OPM's Merit Systems Protection Board in case of disagreement with the decision.

Under the new proposal, career civil servants who have been reclassified into the excluded service maintain the same civil service protections they had when they were initially hired. It would also add new procedures that are required to move bureaucrats into the excepted service.

OPM proposal just a speed bump in GOP's plan to dismantle the Deep State

But James Sherk, a former White House staffer during the Trump administration, expressed doubt that the OPM's rule would have an impact if the GOP does win in 2024. "The next administration can just as easily rescind those restrictions," he said. "This proposed rule would be a speed bump, but nothing more."

The proposal appears to be a response to the GOP's promise to target the Deep State in the event of an electoral victory in 2024. Several candidates, including former President Donald Trump himself, have voiced this commitment.

In 2020, Trump issued an executive order dubbed "Schedule F"  which his successor, President Joe Biden, swiftly revoked. Under this classification, political appointees would contain most policy-making positions in the higher echelons of the federal government. (Related: Steve Bonta: Deep State wants Trump BEHIND BARS.)

He later renewed his pledge to revive Schedule F to strip civil-service protections from federal employees. In a video message posted on Rumble, Trump reiterated his intent to remove bureaucrats from national security and law-enforcement agencies. He accused these bureaucrats of "persecuting" conservatives.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also followed suit, pledging to take swift action on federal employees abusing their power. He told conservative pundit Hugh Hewitt in an interview: "I don't buy this idea that the president cannot remove a 'career' person. When they're abusing power and they're going outside of what is appropriate, they absolutely should be terminated and terminated swiftly."

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also voiced out his intent to dismiss a significant portion of the federal workforce if elected, even setting a target of 75 percent. "The myth that has been taken for granted in our national history is that the president is limited in his ability to fire [federal] employees," he said in a speech. "Large-scale reductions in force are not covered by the statute."

Follow DeepState.news for more news about the Deep State in America.

Watch the full conversation between Paul Dragu and Steve Bonta about former President Donald Trump's indictment below.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

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Democrats criminalize political dissent to preempt potential 2024 election challengers.

Judge deciding Trumps fate in 2024 election comes from family of Marxist revolutionaries.

Ivan Raiklin: Expect another COVER-UP to happen when 2024 election is stolen  Brighteon.TV.

Biden campaign bragged about rigging Brazilian election against Bolsonaro.

Marxist revolutionary descendant decides Trumps 2024 presidential fate.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Law.Cornell.edu

NYMag.com

Brighteon.com
Big Pharmas STRANGLEHOLD on American society has WORSENED, says Leslie Manookian

Big Pharma's stranglehold on American society has worsened, according to activist and film producer Leslie Manookian.

She put forward this argument during an appearance on the "Health Ranger Report," which also had film director and producer Kendall Nelson as a guest. The two are collaborating on the documentary movie "The Greater Good."

"[Big Pharma's] stranglehold on our society has only gotten worse," Manookian told the Health Ranger Mike Adams. "There are vaccine clinics in our schools. Parental rights have been eroded. The pharmaceutical industry's reach in terms of the media has only extended, and they just view it as a cost of doing business."

The former Wall Street business executive recounted the revelations of a CEO of one of the world's biggest vaccine makers. He told Manookian that their new drug, which is currently in Phase III trials, would kill some people. Despite this, the CEO was still happy as the company would be making $7 billion in peak sales.

"You and I are nothing but a cost of doing business. They know they're going to injure and kill people. They don't care because they have paid $35 billion in fines in the last 15 or 20 years. And that's just a rounding error on their profits. I mean it's not about human health," Manookian stressed.

She also noted how Big Pharma has no liability under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, an outrageous and literally criminal prospect. Drug companies are immune from lawsuits when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes their injections into its recommended schedule. Emergency use authorizations granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the PREP Act also protect vaccine makers from criminal complaints.

Nelson: COVID-19 a wake-up call to Americans

According to Manookian, the CDC is the biggest buyer of vaccines in the U.S.  with its purchases of vaccine doses amounting to more than $5 billion annually. She added that the FDA received $2.66 billion in user fees from the pharmaceutical industry in 2022 alone. This amount is equal to 65 percent of the salaries of drug approvers. (Related: The CDC has no authority to make decisions for Americans  Keep the Republic on Brighteon.TV.)

She further argued that the pharmaceutical industry is buttering the regulator's bread, adding: "They are owned by the pharmaceutical industry for all intents and purposes. The American public is suffering as a result of it and every American should be outraged."

The founder of Natural News and Brighteon.com remarked that Big Pharma's greed and legal immunity have led to abuses of power, which came with lethal consequences. According to the Health Ranger, at least five million have been maimed or disabled after being injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine in the U.S. alone.

Meanwhile, Nelson pointed out that the big push toward a COVID-19 comeback is but an attempt the sell the new injections. She added that Americans cannot comply with COVID-19 mandates anymore, a sentiment Adams agreed with.

According to the Health Ranger, most of the American people are at the "do not comply" stage. The overwhelming resistance and pushback towards COVID-19 mandates has caused some entities who mandated face masks to walk back on their edicts. Moreover, even Dr. Paul Offit  a known vaccine shill  has advised against getting injected with the COVID-19 boosters.

"I don't want to say there was anything good about COVID-19  but if there's a silver lining, it is the fact that people are waking up," said Nelson, who added that the COVID-19 protocols had opened a Pandora's box.

"I think that what they are doing is they have really shot themselves in the foot." Manookian ultimately remarked. "They have destroyed the credibility of our federal health agencies. And I don't see that coming back anytime soon."

Visit BigPharmaNews.com for more stories about the pharmaceutical industry.

Watch the full conversation between the Health Ranger Mike Adams and his guests Leslie Manookian and Kendall Nelson on the "Health Ranger Report."

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

COVID-19 vaccines are the main cause of excess mortality around the world, Edward Dowd tells Mike Adams.

FDA approves updated COVID jabs from Pfizer, Moderna based on ZERO EVIDENCE of safety or efficacy.

Vaccines never prevented the transmission of COVID.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

GreaterGoodMovie.org
Censorship remains a problem even after Musks Twitter takeover

When Elon Musk took the helm of Twitter, the American people expected the platform to uphold the constitutional right of free speech like never before. Though Musk has taken major steps forward by revealing the hellacious amount of censorship by the previous Twitter regime, he is still failing to follow through with his promises. Lately Musk has failed to recognize and remove opponents to free speech that are in major leadership positions.

With the 2024 election looming on the horizon, Musk has begun searching for individuals to serve on a threat disruption team. According to X, the now rebranded name for Musks Twitter, they are seeking applications that are passionate about protecting users from global disinformation and helping people find credible information online. But who is leading the search for this tactical censorship team? None other than Aaron Rodericks, a modern age double-agent. Despite Rodericks having convinced X executives that he can help the platform be a bastion of free speech, his social media actions say otherwise.

On X, Rodericks often retweets the posts of federal government officials that are pro-censorship and defends CISA government censorship. Rodericks even does the same thing on Xs rival platform BlueSky. According to Mike Benz, the founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, Rodericks follows every high-level spook & censorship industry heavyweight in the world." Why has Musk neglected his promises and allowed a pro-censorship liberal to head his search for digital misinformation police? Perhaps there are factors behind the scenes that are preventing him from being the staunch supporter of free speech he aspires to be.

Musks portfolio of businesses can create distractions for the ambitious South African. In a recent post on X, Musk said that he does not know whats going on with every part of [X] all the time, but our policy worldwide is to fight for maximum freedom of speech under the law. A nicely written response for someone well-versed in public relations, but clearly it is not an accurate statement. Rodericks is likely only one of several closeted free-speech destroyers putting on a facade of fairness and unbiased judgment at Xs headquarters. It is starting to seem like X is just the same old Twitter. Even Musks new X CEO has advocated for a new barrage of censorship and suppression of content deemed lawful but awful.

Censorship of conservatives is "free speech" according to the Left

Censorship for lawful posts. That is what Xs progressive leaders believe is maximum freedom of speech under the law. This also comes at a time when AI can become weaponized to censor posts purely by perceived awfulness. And it is the double-agents like Rodericks who sign the dotted lines with Big Tech to institute these unconstitutional actions.

Maybe Musk is distracted. Or maybe he has become frustrated with the cacophony of demands by blue-haired liberals and has modified what he believes is true American free speech. Either way, there are telltale signs that point to a new wave of pro-censorship X executives that will ramp up their influence in the months leading up to the 2024 election.

So sure, Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter was good, because it was the antithesis of the Leftist's control of all things social media, but it surely wasn't the end of censoring conservative voices, and we shall see where it all leads with the upcoming, all-important POTUS election of 2024. The future is in the hands of those who can ensure fair elections.

Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news about abortions, suicide, and mental health horror stories that are being censored from mass media while you read this.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

NaturalNews.com
Emergency alerts issued on NATO territory following Russian drone attacks

Indiscriminate Russian drone attacks near the border with Ukraine have forced Romanian residents to take shelter. Emergency alerts were issued in the wee hours of Sept. 13 , urging people to find cover in their basements or makeshift concrete shelters built by the national army's engineering units.

The warning came as strikes by Russian forces targeted Ukrainian ports across the Danube. Residents without a shelter were told to stay inside their houses and away from windows and exterior walls.

Eight villages in eastern Romania were sent messages on their phones to warn of "the possibility of falling objects from the surrounding airspace." The alerts were sent shortly after midnight local time and advised residents to stay calm and "take shelter in basements or in civil protection shelters."

Romanias Ministry of National Defense, which discovered Russian drone debris on Romanian territory for the third time in a week, reported that the warning was issued after a group of drones were detected heading toward Ukrainian ports.

Early in September, Bucharest summoned Russia's charge d'affaires after debris from drones was found inside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member's border for the second time in one week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sending Iranian-made Shahed drones to Ukraine's largest ports for exporting grain for months, gradually moving closer and closer to European Union (EU) and NATO territory.

Earlier in September, Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, released a picture of a detonation on Romanian shores and claimed that it was caused by Russian drone fragments.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said this is "an unacceptable breach of Romanias air space." Iohannis warned about the proximity of the attacks, describing them as a serious threat to the security of the Black Sea. (Related: Russia launches drone attack on Kyiv Day, killing one and injuring another.)

Residents in Tulcea and Nufaru were warned that there could be "possible cases of drone impact" before the alert was eventually lifted at 5 a.m. local time.

According to residents in the bordering villages, they frequently hear the drones flying overhead. Costica Tanase, a resident in Plauru on the Ukraine-Romania border, said the sirens sound at night to warn residents about incoming drones.

However, despite the discovery of drone debris, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu insisted that "no one attacked us and no one is attacking us." He added that the remains "jumped from a drone that was hit by the Ukrainian army." The drone was safe because it allegedly didn't have explosives and it couldn't have harmed Romanian citizens.

Bucharest issues formal complaint over Russian drones in Romanian airspace

Romania has also issued a formal complaint to Moscow about Russian drones invading Romanian airspace. Previously, Romania denounced Russian attacks on grain infrastructure at the Ukrainian ports of Reni and Izmali as "unjustified and in serious contradiction with the rules of international humanitarian law."

Following the discovery of the Russian drones, Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it firmly protests against the continued violation of Romania's airspace and that it will "summon the head of Russia's diplomatic mission."

Dylan White, NATO's acting spokesperson, said Romania's ambassador has updated allies about the new drone fragment findings. White claims there is no indication of "any intentional attack by Russia against allied territory."

Mircea Geoana, NATO deputy secretary general, also said there is no chance the nation will be dragged into the Russia-Ukraine war.

Despite these empty promises from the authorities, many fear that the Russia-Ukraine war could soon escalate beyond Ukraine's western borders, especially because of Russia's constant attacks on the Danube ports, which are very close to NATO members like Romania.

Reports have also revealed that two makeshift concrete structures are being built by the military in Romania. At least 50 soldiers are using concrete slabs to build shelters measuring 10 meters long, two meters wide and 1.5 meters high.

Talking about precautionary measures, Raed Arafat, the head of the emergency services in the area, advised that even if there is only a 0.001 percent risk, measures must be swiftly prepared and enforced to protect all residents.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also launched several drone attacks on key Russian positions, including missiles fired at the headquarters of Putins Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea shortly before Putin met Kim Jong-Un.

Learn more about the use of drones in warfare at DroneWatchNews.com.

Watch this video about Romania's measures to prepare for the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

Metro.co.uk 1

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Brighteon.com
Florida becomes first state to officially advise against new COVID-19 boosters

Florida has become the first state to officially advise against the new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) boosters, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA).

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, surgeon general of the Sunshine State, made this announcement on Sept. 13. Florida's guidance discourages the use of COVID-19 boosters for those under 65 years old. This is because the boosters, which the FDA granted EUA on Sept. 11, lack data from human clinical trials and evidence of benefits.

"Once again, the federal government is failing Americans by refusing to be honest about the risks and not providing sufficient clinical evidence when it comes to these COVID-19 mRNA shots, especially with how widespread immunity is now," Ladapo said in a news release.

"In Florida, we will always use common sense and protect the rights and liberties of Floridians  including the right to accurate information."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also backed the state's top doctor in a news release. "Once again, Florida is the first state in the nation to stand up and provide guidance based on truth, not Washington edicts," he stated. DeSantis also stressed that he won't allow the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to "use healthy Floridians as guinea pigs for new booster shots that have not been proven to be safe or effective."

A day after the FDA granted EUA to the new COVID-19 boosters, the CDC recommended them to Americans aged six months and up. "If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter," the public health agency urged in a Sept. 12 statement. (Related: CDC recommends new COVID-19 boosters a day after FDA's "emergency" use authorization.)

In May, the Sunshine State's chief executive signed a ban on vaccine passports, face masks and vaccine mandates in Florida schools. His ban also prohibited employers from hiring or firing workers based on vaccination status.

Not the first time Ladapo advised against COVID-19 injections

The Sept. 13 guidance Ladapo issued wasn't the first time Florida's top doctor advised against getting the COVID-19 injections. Back in March, he pointed out that the vaccines have a "terrible" safety profile and questioned whether anybody should be taking them.

"People believe that what is happening isn't actually happening. These vaccines have a terrible safety profile," the Florida surgeon general remarked during a press conference at the time. "I'm not sure anyone should be taking them, that is the honest truth. I don't think anyone probably should be taking them."

He cited a study published in the Lancet, which found that vaccinated individuals were at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals seven months after injection. "So it is negative, and that continues; the magnitude of that negativity increased over time," Ladapo continued. "Has the CDC or FDA ever said a word about that? No."

Ladapo also blasted the two agencies for their consistency in denying the truth.

"Unfortunately, [for] the CDC and FDA  the most consistent thing they've done is deny the truth. [Their actions] did not have any substantial impact, no benefit. Pushing mass [vaccinations], pushing the vaccine [to] little kids, all these low-value divisive policies that they did."

A month before the press conference, Ladapo sent a letter to the CDC and the FDA regarding the risk of cardiac inflammation connected to the COVID-19 vaccines. He also issued a health alert on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine safety based on data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Data from VAERS showed a significant increase in adverse events in Florida following the rollout of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Visit Vaccines.news for more stories about the new COVID-19 boosters.

Watch Dr. Joseph Ladapo explain how the COVID-19 pandemic eroded trust in federal public health agencies in this interview with Veronika Kyrylenko of the New American magazine.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

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Ben Armstrong lauds Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, lawyer Thomas Renz for exposing flaws of COVID-19 vaccines.

Florida surgeon general admits that covid jabs have a "terrible safety profile"  "I'm not sure anyone should be taking them."

Study finds 84% increase in incidence of cardiac-related DEATH among men under 40 following mRNA vaccination.

Florida surgeon general: mRNA COVID shots have TERRIBLE safety profile.

Florida surgeon general warns: covid jabs destroy young men's hearts.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

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MSN.com

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G20 endorses digital public infrastructure that pushes DIGITAL CURRENCIES  something most Americans oppose

The Group of 20 (G20) is exploring the possibility of a "digital public infrastructure" (DPI) that could lead to digital identification systems and the potential development of a centralized digital currency.

The G20 is composed of the European Union and 19 other influential nations. Together, they represent a substantial portion of the global economy, international trade and the world's population. It endorsed the exploration of DPI in a document titled "Policy Recommendations for Advancing Financial Inclusion and Productivity Gains through DPI."

DPI is comprised of several components  including digital identification, digital payments and data exchange. The document highlighted that digital identification systems could enhance financial inclusion, especially in low- and middle-income countries where inadequate documentation often acts as a barrier to accessing financial services.

In a statement released on Sept. 10, G20 leaders expressed their support for the rapid implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework & Amendments to the Common Reporting Standard. The framework and amendments, drafted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, deals with the taxation and reporting of crypto-assets. The statement also endorsed discussions on the potential macro-financial consequences associated with the introduction and adoption of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

While the discussions at the G20 Summit held at India's capital New Delhi did not involve the banning of cryptocurrencies, various officials expressed their enthusiasm for a more digitally oriented future.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for a regulatory framework for crypto assets. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, discussed the success of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) digital certificate and its potential to serve as a model for a broader digital ID system.

Freedom-loving Americans aren't fans of DPI

The transition to DPI won't be easy in the U.S., given that concerns about personal freedom and privacy have been raised. Critics argue that such systems could enable easier tracking of individuals, invasion of privacy and restrictions on economic choices. Some also fear the potential for these systems to link financial transactions to government standards, posing threats to personal liberties.

One such example of a contentious topic among Americans is the adoption of CBDCs. Other countries have reevaluated the idea, if not abandoning it entirely. Not so in the U.S., with the Biden administration exploring the feasibility of a digital dollar.

But a survey by the libertarian think tank Cato Institute found that only 16 percent of Americans favor adopting CBDCs. It also found that 34 percent oppose digital dollars. (Related: Poll: Americans dont want a central bank digital currency.)

Some Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential elections have also expressed opposition to CBDCs. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previously signed legislation in the Sunshine State prohibiting the use of a federal CBDC there. According to him, such digital currencies pose a significant threat to American liberty.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also echoed his rival's sentiments with his criticism of CBDCs. The founder of healthcare company Roivant Sciences compared digital currencies to those used in China's surveillance state. Ramaswamy suggested that CBDCs are not a suitable path for the United States.

The Independent Community Bankers Association also expressed its opposition to CBDCs. The trade union representing about 5,000 small- and medium-sized financial institutions cited significant privacy and cybersecurity risks as to why they do not agree with digital currencies. Ultimately, the implications of these digital developments on individual freedoms and economic systems continue to be a topic of significant debate and concern.

Visit Glitch.news for more stories about DPI and its dangers.

Watch Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing the G20's DPI plan at the G20 Summit in New Delhi below.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Worldcoin CEO: Global digital currency tied to global digital ID will soon be required whether you like it or not.

Texas legislation would create new digital currency backed by gold.

U.S. government says it owns everyones THOUGHTS, calling it cognitive infrastructure.

Sources include:

Lifesitesnews.com

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VIDEO: Migrants cheer aboard packed train rolling toward the U.S.-Mexico border

A cargo-carrying FerroMex train was filmed bursting with migrants traveling out of Zacatecas, Mexico, and making its way northbound on the 750-mile journey toward the U.S.-Mexico border. The Fox News footage showed the locomotive with containers filled with illegals getting an easy ride as they whistled and cheered and some of them could even be seen hanging out from the sides of the train.

According to the Daily Mail, these to-be asylum seekers looked to have prepared themselves for a long journey as many of them erected tents and canvas over portions of the containers to shield themselves from rain, sunlight, and other elements they may encounter during the "journey."

The train was headed for the southern border where roughly two million migrants have already crossed in order to penetrate America in 2023. The independent news outlet saw that the reason why border states have been crushed by the influx of illegal is because of President Joe Biden's "soft" and "weak" border policies.

**NEW VIDEO** FOX News sources capture a FerroMex train bursting with migrants out of Zacatecas heading to our southern border right now cheering and clearly not heeding the message: do not come@FoxNews pic.twitter.com/YflMwXrWqu  Griff Jenkins (@GriffJenkins) September 17, 2023

The latest figures from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reflect the upsurge in encounters with migrants at the southern border. In July, it listed 184,000 migrant crossings into the country, which went up from 144,000 in June. Migrants come in from across the world -- not just Central and South American nations such as Venezuela and Mexico, but also from China and other places.

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. As per Fox, the number of migrant crossings in August was set to exceed 230,000. As for the demographics, most migrant encounters are single adults (64.9 percent). Almost 600,000 are individuals in a family unit and there have been 109,298 unaccompanied minors crossing the border.

Similar migrant releases took place in Tucson, Arizona, with agents coming across 2,000 people a day and dealing with packed shelters. Also, Cochise County in Arizona, is being slammed with waves of migrants bussed from other counties. It's unclear exactly how many migrants the processing facilities in Tucson can accommodate or how many have been transported to other locations such as Cochise County.

Sanctuary cities need to share the burden, Abbott says

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has long been criticizing the Biden administration's lax border policies, is using razor wire to block migrants illegally entering, seeking to stop it by building a buoy barrier in the Rio Grande. The Lone Star State governor 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.

Abbott argued 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, which is now called X. But said cities slam him now for his migrant busing program. In fact, the Los Angeles City Council decided unanimously recently that the city attorney's office should conduct a criminal probe against Abbott. If they find probable cause to believe there were crimes such as kidnapping and human trafficking committed, they will file lawsuits against Abbott. (Related: City council of "sanctuary" Los Angeles orders probe into Abbott's migrant busing program, signaling they dont want migrants after all.)

For Hugo Soto-Martinez, one of L.A.'s council members, what the Texas governor 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," he said. He also claimed that the Texas governor is disregarding the lives of these illegals' families, which is why he should be fully investigated for accountability for his "criminal actions." Others think that's exactly what the Governor is thinking of - more resources for these people than Texas can provide.

Moreover, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass expressed her displeasure with the governor because according to her, his office was not coordinating with her regarding the 'busing program.' "We hear about the buses headed our way when they're on the way. But we have no idea who's going to be on the bus, how many people it is, or what condition they're going to be in when they get here," Bass claimed. "Sometimes they haven't had any food; they barely have enough water."

Responding to the allegation, the Texas governor's office told Fox News earlier in September that since L.A. has established itself as a sanctuary city, it should not be blaming him for the influx of migrants into their territories. "The L.A. City Council members are complete hypocrites," Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris slammed the council. "In June, they unanimously voted to become a sanctuary city, welcoming migrants to the city. Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities like Los Angeles last year to provide relief to our overrun and overwhelmed border communities."

OpenBorders.news contains more stories related to the illegal immigrants' easy invasion of the United States.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

DailyMail.com

OANN.com
REPLACEMENTS: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to issue work permits for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Thousands of illegal immigrants continue to flood New York City (NYC). Now, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is planning to give them the documents they need to legally work in the state

Early in September, before a discussion with state legislative leaders on the illegal immigrant crisis, Hochul told reporters that she plans to support a new bill that would significantly shorten the waiting period between filing an asylum claim and getting a work permit.

The proposal introduced by Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and State Sen. Luis Sepulveda, both Democrats, would task New York with granting illegal immigrants working papers within 45 days of their application for asylum.

In comparison, it can take as long as 180 days for an asylum applicant to receive a work permit from the federal immigration authority. An already backlogged work authorization system is linked to the long wait for their documents.

Hochul said her office is currently drafting language for a similar work permit pathway that lawmakers could either debate in a special session or when they return to Albany in January 2024.

As of writing, no state has tried to work around the federal government to issue its own work permits for foreign nationals. It is still unclear if New York's attempt would survive the legal challenge that's almost certain to come.

The governor told reporters that she knows the move is unprecedented, but she insisted that illegal immigrants should be allowed to work in the state.

Biden administration does not support Hochul's plan

However, two unnamed Biden officials said in a conference call that the provision of employment authorization is "very clearly a federal authority," and that Hochul's move is not something they would encourage states to pursue.

If someone is serious about the work permits, the officials said they would "take it as it comes." But they emphasized that their position has been that "it is a clear federal authority."

Hochul's divisive plan came after NYC Mayor Eric Adams warned that the illegal immigrant crisis would "destroy" the city after his demand for the federal government to expedite work authorizations for those currently in the city's care. (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams warns illegal immigrants will DESTROY the city.)

Since April 2022, over 110,000 migrants have headed straight to the city after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. To date, an estimated 60,000 migrants are housed in traditional city-run shelters and recently opened emergency sites.

At least 20,000 migrant children have entered the city's public school system this fall semester.

In an interview, Adams said that he wants to be honest with New Yorkers about what they are about to experience: "A financial tsunami that I don't think this city has ever experienced."

Adams warned that New York City is not a utopia and that it will struggle to accommodate as many as 10,000 people a month with no end in sight. "That can't happen, and that is going to undermine this entire city," added Adams.

The Big Apple has a "right to shelter" policy, which requires the government to provide shelter to anyone who needs a place to sleep regardless of their immigration status.

Adams has blamed the policy for attracting illegal immigrants. In an attempt to put an end to the policy, he filed papers in state court this May to revisit the 1979 case that led to the mandate.

The mayor has also blamed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, whose administration has been offering those apprehended at the border one-way bus tickets to NYC and other Democrat-led, self-proclaimed "sanctuary cities" like Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington.

Visit InvasionUSA.news for more news on illegal immigrants flooding the country.

Watch the video below to see how NYC is being overrun with illegals.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

New York City to spend $4.7 BILLION this fiscal year dealing with illegal immigrants.

Chicago officials refuse to disclose how they spent $120M in taxpayer money on ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

Rep. Chip Roy introduces bill cracking down on illegal immigrants voting in federal elections.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NYSenate.gov

Brighteon.com
President Trump releases statement following acquittal of AG Ken Paxton

On Thursday, former President Donald Trump came to the defense of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was facing impeachment proceedings amid allegations of political persecution.

(Article by Jim Hoft republished from TheGatewayPundit.com)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was easily reelected last November, but now the RINOS establishment is attempting to undo that election with a shameful impeachment of him. Who would replace Paxton, one of the TOUGHEST AND BEST Attorneys General in the country? Could it be a Democrat or, worse yet, a RINO? The voters have decided who they want! Trump wrote.

The Trump also stated: Congratulations to the Great People of Texas, and the State Senate, for rejecting POLITICAL PERSECUTION, and respecting the Integrity of our Elections. We should choose our elected officials by VOTING, not by weaponizing government. That is for Banana Republics, and Third World Countries. Now Attorney General Ken Paxton can get back to work. Hes one of the BEST!

On Saturday, Trump released a statement congratulating the Great People of Texas and the State Senate following the acquittal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been a staunch ally, on all articles of impeachment.

In his statement, Trump wrote, Congratulations to the Great People of Texas, and the State Senate, for rejecting POLITICAL PERSECUTION, and respecting the Integrity of our Elections. We should choose our elected officials by VOTING, not by weaponizing government. That is for Banana Republics, and Third World Countries. Now Attorney General Ken Paxton can get back to work. Hes one of the BEST!

It can be recalled President Trump warned Speaker Dade Phelan and the Texas RINOs that if this unfair process proceeds  I WILL FIGHT YOU!

I love Texas, won it twice in landslides, and watched as many other friends, including Ken Paxton, came along with me. Hopefully Republicans in the Texas House will agree that this is a very unfair process that should not be allowed to happen or proceedI will fight you if it does. It is the Radical Left Democrats, RINOS, and Criminals that never stop. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! Free Ken Paxton, let them wait for the next election! he wrote.

Attorney General Ken Paxton is the one man who has stood up against the Democrat-Marxist onslaught in the great state of Texas. Democrats and Secret Sleeper Republicans hate him for this.

In December 2020, Ken Paxton formed a coalition of states to sue battleground states Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, for their unconstitutional changes to the 2020 election laws. The US Supreme Court threw out the case despite its obvious merit later that month. Paxton later told The Gateway Pundit that he still believes the Supreme Court had a constitutional obligation to hear the case which they ignored.

While serving as Attorney General in Texas Ken Paxton defended 12 lawsuits related to election laws.

Democrats wanted to open the elections to mail-in ballots and ID-free voting and sued Texas to institute these unconstitutional practices in Texas elections. AG Paxton and his staff won every single one of these cases and prevented Democrats from stealing Texas like they were able to do in Georgia and Arizona. Ken has been fighting for free and fair elections in Texas and understands what a huge issue this is in our country today.

Ken Paxton also announced that his office would launch an investigation against three major pharmaceutical companies: Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J for deceptive practices, alleging that they had misrepresented the safety and efficacy of their vaccines.

Also, Ken Paxton and the American people scored a huge victory regarding censorship and banning of individuals based on their viewpoint.

These are just some of his achievements as the attorney general of Texas. The people LOVE Ken Paxton and reelected him to office in 2022.

But Texas RINOs and Democrats hate Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
The Oregon Department of Education officially released its annual report card for school districts and schools on Thursday, Sept.21.

But as far as report cards go, the results aren't the kind a parent would necessarily want to hang on the kitchen refrigerator.

According to ODE, only 43% of Oregon students  in grades 3 through 8, plus 11th graders  were considered proficient in English language arts in the spring of 2023, and only 30% of students were considered proficient in math.

Around 30% of students  those in grades 5, 8 and 11  earned proficient scores in science.

Local students were mostly on track with statewide trends.

The data, collected from statewide English language arts and math and science assessments from the 2022-23 school year, show little change from the previous school year, with mostly very slight (less than 1 point) improvements in math scores for students and mixed results in English language arts scores.

A "proficient" score, according to ODE, means a student is on track to be college and career-ready after graduating high school.

All in all, the results show Oregon students haven't bounced back to 2019 proficiency levels, before COVID-19 shuttered schools in 2020.

In a news release, ODE said the data highlights the pandemic's lasting impact and the need for continued investments in K-12 schools to raise proficiency rates.

Officials also cautioned that due to varying test participation rates over the past couple of years, particularly at high schools, comparisons across districts, schools and different times periods would be hard to make.

However, ODE touted the increased student participation rate this year as a positive step, and during a Sept. 19 webinar with reporters, ODE's Accountability and Reporting Director Jon Weins said this year's data demonstrated scores were holding steady.

"This shows that while we saw decreases after the pandemic, the educational system, and statewide assessment results have stabilized," he said.

Mid-valley schools

School districts in the mid-Willamette Valley mostly reflected the state's steady but low marks.

At the Corvallis School District, 50% of students  grades 3 through 8, plus 11th graders  earned proficient English language arts scores. Those are virtually unchanged from the last school year but are still better than the statewide results.

Additionally, about 39% of Corvallis students in those same grade levels earned proficient math scores, while almost 38% of Corvallis fifth-, eighth-, and eleventh-graders earned proficient science scores.

Corvallis School District Superintendent Ryan Noss said the data showed students still need to recover from the effects of the pandemic, especially those in the younger grades.

"Speaking broadly, one of the things I think a lot about is what are ways that we can continue to provide additional opportunity for students' academic success and support," he said.

Noss said the district's after-school and summer programing, which are focused on building English and math skills, would play a key role in supporting students' academic and socioemotional needs in the coming years.

"We just have to continue to do those things intentionally," he added.

Corvallis' neighboring Philomath School District posted similar results.

About 50% of Philomath School District students were proficient in English language arts, while 33% were proficient in math, and about 42% were proficient in science.

Greater Albany Public Schools ran slightly behind its Corvallis neighbor, with about 45% of students earning proficient English scores this year, an improvement last year's 41% and slightly ahead of the state's 43%.

Math and science scores, however, are less than the state's showing of 30% for each category.

Only about 29% of GAPS students earned proficient math scores, and around 28% earned proficient science scores, according to ODE data.

Math is a subject to which GAPS Superintendent Andy Gardner said the district would pay particular attention in the coming years.

He pointed to decreased school attendance levels post-pandemic, like parents opting for homeschooling, as one hurdle to keeping students on track  especially when it comes to acquiring reading and writing skills after third grade, a pivotal time in elementary education.

"One of the challenges I think we're going to have is that kids will reenter our system now at higher grades, that have been held out," he said.

"There's lots to work on," Gardner acknowledged, though he said he had noticed improvement from two years ago, when students first returned to the classroom.

For smaller districts in the mid-valley, last school year's data also showed students were still recovering.

At the Lebanon Community School District, for example, about 41% of students were considered proficient in English language arts, and about 30% were proficient in math. About 25% were proficient in science.

About 27% of Harrisburg School District students were proficient in in English, according to ODE data, and only roughly 23% and 24% were proficient in math and science respectively.

ODE officials noted in their news release that the state summative assessments, while providing robust measures of student outcomes in those three key academic areas, don't cover the full breadth of a student's academic learning.

ODE Director Charlene Williams said the hard work of staff and students post-COVID wasn't necessarily fully reflected in the data.

"The results from a single test do not tell the whole story of education in Oregon, however they are important indicators that require our attention and more work ahead," Williams said in the release.
Gallup poll: More U.S. workers fear that TECHNOLOGY will make their jobs OBSOLETE

While the majority of American workers are not worried about being replaced by rapidly advancing technology, a poll has revealed that the number of those who fear a trend has risen to its fastest rate ever.

The Gallup Poll, which started in 2017, showed that fear of becoming obsolete (FOBO) has grown more in the past two years than at any time in the history of the poll.

According to the Sept. 11 Gallup Poll, 22 percent of workers fear that new technology will eventually replace them. In 2021, that figure was 15 percent, indicating a jump of seven percentage points. Previous polls on the topic remained steady between 13 and 17 percent.

The polling organization found that the current rise in FOBO is almost entirely amongst college-educated workers, which went up from eight to more than double at 20 percent. FOBO for workers without college degrees was unchanged at 24 percent since 2021. (Related: Hollywood actors, writers go on strike to protect their jobs from AI.)

Previous concerns about technological replacement were mostly limited to non-college-educated workers. However, recent advancements have roused a similar level of concern among both groups.

The gap between younger and older workers, and the gap between those making less and those making more than $100,000 a year, continues to increase.

FOBO also increased by two percentage points among workers over 55 years old and by 11 percentage points for those aged 18 to 34. Meanwhile, workers making less than $100,000 annually recorded a 10 percent increase in FOBO, while those making over $100,000 saw a five-point increase.

Concerns have risen equally among men and women, with both genders expressing a similar rise in fear between age groups.

Although the number of workers worried about artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological advancements replacing their jobs rose 22 percent, a reduction in benefits is still the most common concern for workers.

Out of the six major concerns in the survey, only the fear of technology taking over jobs has gone up significantly since 2021. The other five job fears in the list below are still well below their highs from after the Great Recession (between mid-2009 to mid-2013):

The fear of being laid off

The fear of work hours being cut back

The fear of wages being reduced

The fear of benefits being reduced

The fear of companies outsourcing jobs overseas

Meanwhile, the loss of benefits and wage reduction remain as the top concerns American workers are worried about. Gallup said those are major issues for roughly one in five workers.

At least a third, or 31 percent, of respondents shared that they were worried about losing their job benefits in the near future, followed by wage reductions at 24 percent.

At least 20 percent of workers were worried about being laid off, and having their hours cut back was a problem for 19 percent of respondents. Offshoring was the least worrisome fear at seven percent, the lowest in Gallup's trend by one point.

College-educated Americans worried about the rise of AI use

The results of the Gallup poll come as many actors and writers complain about Hollywood studios' use of AI amid strikes and calls for regulations around the use of the technology.

As one of their key demands, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has asked that studios "regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies" in television and movie productions.

After the release of ChatGPT in November 2022 revealed that AI can now mimic human language, many workers have become increasingly worried about what computers can do in the workplace.

Instead of robots replacing humans in warehouses and on assembly lines, technological change also means that AI software can now conduct some sophisticated online tasks, like writing computer code.

While the minority of workers are worried about an imminent threat to their jobs, most are less worried today about their work than they were two years ago, especially since the majority of workers are positive about the U.S. labor market.

Andrew Crapuchettes, CEO of hiring website RedBalloon, said that even amid the technological advancements made in the last five years, "human creativity will always be in demand."

He noted that these kinds of advancements will help people upgrade their skills to "find more meaningful work and not just waste away doing meaningless toil."

Watch the video below to learn more about the human-like and humanoid robots that China is creating.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Walmart converting 65% of its stores to automation  human employees will be let go.

Voice actors are losing their jobs to AI robots  is your job next?

IBM to replace 8,000 workers with AI automation; no more new hires for roles that can be filled by AI.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

News.Gallup.com

Brighteon.com
War with Russia to massacre 50,000 Americans every two weeks, with forced conscription of young Americans now inevitable, warns US Army War College

In the autumn issue of the U.S. Army War College's "Parameters," a quarterly published refereed forum that furthers the professional development of senior military officers on national security affairs, a call to action on a possible war with Russia that will kill about 50,000 Americans was presented. It pointed out that the massive loss of service members will also trigger conscription to fill the ranks.

The war college is a U.S. Army educational institution in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500-acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks, which provides graduate-level instruction to tenured military officers and civilians to prepare them for leadership assignments and responsibilities.

According to the 13-page write-up, the U.S. Army faced a strategic inflection point after a failed counterinsurgency effort in Vietnam 50 years ago. In response to lessons learned from the Yom Kippur War, the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) was created to reorient thinking and doctrine around the conventional Soviet threat.

It also emphasized that the ongoing and dragging Russia-Ukraine War is just exposing significant vulnerabilities in the Army's strategic personnel depth and ability to withstand and replace casualties and because of this, the Army theater medical planners may anticipate a sustained rate of roughly 3,600 casualties per day, ranging from those killed in action to those wounded in action or suffering disease or other non-battle injuries. And with a 25 percent predicted replacement rate, the personnel system will require 800 new personnel each day. In large-scale combat operations, the United States could experience that same number of casualties in two weeks, the article noted and cited that in 20 years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. sustained about 50,000 casualties. (Related: U.S. proxy war: Kyivs counteroffensive kills or wounds 800 Ukrainians per day, Russia reports.)

Moreover, the Army is facing a dire combination of a recruiting shortfall and a shrinking Individual Ready Reserve, which is nearly 50 percent in the combat arms career management fields. "Every infantry and armor soldier we do not recruit today is a strategic mobilization asset we will not have in 2031. The Individual Ready Reserve, which stood at 700,000 in 1973 and 450,000 in 1994, now stands at 76,000. These numbers cannot fill the existing gaps in the active force, let alone any casualty replacement or expansion during a large-scale combat operation," "Parameters" further emphasized.

Unlike the Vietnam War 50 years ago, the ubiquitous use of unmanned aerial vehicles and surface vehicles, satellite imagery, sensor-based technologies, smartphones, commercial data links, and open-source intelligence is fundamentally changing the way armies will fight. These systems, coupled with emerging artificial intelligence platforms, dramatically accelerate the pace of modern war.

Authors Katie Crombe and John A. Nagl, who are an army strategist and warfighting studies professor, respectively, recalled that a team of faculty and students at the U.S. Army War College believed the Russia-Ukraine War that was unfolding in front of them back in the fall of 2022, was a wake-up call for the Army across the traditional warfighting functions that also required a culture change across the Army's education, training, and doctrine enterprise to embrace new lessons learned and drive change across all echelons of the Army.

Army College argues NOW is the time to launch large-scale combat operations against Russia

For Andrew S. Grove, president and CEO of the Intel Corporation, a strategic inflection point rarely announces itself but rather presents as a choice to bring clarity to chaos and take a new path. Today's Army is reminiscent of the Army of 1973, rife with experience, knowledge, and opportunities to change. Now is the time, he claims.

"Parameters" urged the Army to embrace the Russo-Ukrainian conflict as an opportunity to reorient the force into one as forward-thinking and formidable as the Army that won Operation Desert Storm. "This article suggests changes the Army should make to enable success in multidomain large-scale combat operations at today's strategic inflection point," it said in the abstract.

Today's Army is getting an opportunity to reassess the professional military education soldiers and officers are receiving across the TRADOC Centers of Excellence, their training experiences at the national training centers, and the daily training and education they receive throughout their careers.

Further recommending taking advantage of the current conflict, the article included that: "To remain relevant to the pace of the rapidly changing character of war, TRADOC must lead this initiative now, adapting education and training in real-time."

"The US Army must ensure it captures these rapid changes in a manner that can be immediately written into doctrine, implemented in training, and woven into the daily lives of soldiers in garrison and combat," it also said, adding that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are buying lessons with blood that not only preserve their freedom but can also help the US Army deter and, if necessary, fight and win future wars at a lower cost of life and treasure.

Visit WWIII.news for more stories on the impending war the U.S. is planning to wage against Russia.

Sources for this article include:

Press.ArmyWarCollege.edu

Defense.gov
Pro-abortion Trump says Floridas new heartbeat law to protect unborn children from murder is a terrible mistake

Former President Donald Trump is really upset about the recent passage of a new heartbeat law in Florida.

In speaking with NBC's "Meet the Press" this week, Trump blasted the pro-life legislation, which protects unborn children from being murdered in the womb through abortion after six weeks when their heartbeat can be detected, as a "terrible mistake" and "a terrible thing."

When asked by host Kristen Welker if he would sign a federal ban on abortion at 15 weeks if reelected as president in 2024, Trump danced around the issue and refused to commit to it.

"Are you talking about a complete ban?" Trump asked Welker in response to her question.

"A ban at 15 weeks," she responded.

"Well, people are starting to think of 15 weeks, it seems to be a number that people are talking about right now," Trump said back.

"Would you sign that?" Welker asked a second time.

"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. I'm not going to say if I would or I wouldn't."

(Related: It is a misnomer to call the murder of unborn human life "reproductive health.")

Trump confirms DeSantis "would sign a five-week and six-week ban," but not Trump

One of Trump's Republican opponents for president in 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, is in full support of these kinds of heartbeat bills. Trump confirmed this during the interview, stating that DeSantis "would sign a five-week and six-week ban," but not Trump.

"I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake," Trump stated when questioned by Welker about DeSantis' support for heartbeat bills.

In Trump's view, the best approach is to go after Democrats on late-term abortion rather than trying to save babies the moment they develop beating hearts.

"But we'll come up with a number, but at the same time, Democrats won't be able to go out at six months, seven months, eight months and allow an abortion," Trump said.

In other words, it is all about strategy in Trump's mind rather than about doing what is right for unborn human life.

"It could be state or it could be federal, I don't frankly care," Trump stated bluntly. "No, no. Let me just tell you what I'd do. I'm going to come together with all groups, and we're going to have something that's acceptable."

For all the flack he is taking by Trump supporters right now for supposedly supporting abortion, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has yet to say anything this blatantly cold and uncaring about unborn human life like Trump has.

"Laws protecting the unborn are not a 'terrible mistake,'" commented Alliance Defending Freedom President Kristen Waggoner about Trump's distasteful remarks.

"They are the hallmark of a just and moral society. Governors who protect life should be applauded, not attacked."

In the comments on a Fox News story about Trump's interview, someone wrote that it is laughable for Trump to be saying these types of things after having already served a full presidential term and done nothing to negotiate with the other side of the aisle.

"Trump didn't negotiate a single thing with both sides in four years, but if you give him a second chance, it will be better this time," this person wrote mockingly.

"Who says Trump isn't a real politician?" asked another. "His position on abortion and other issues depends on who he's talking to. If that's not being a real politician, I don't know what is."

The latest news about Trump's bid for the presidency in 2024 can be found at VoteRepublican.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeNews.com

NaturalNews.com

FoxNews.com
Are the accusations against Russell Brand part of a globalist op to eliminate someone dangerous to them?

Quick disclaimer: I have no idea if the accusations against actor and podcaster Russell Brand are real or fake. What I know for sure is that the timing of the corporate media documentary (he is NOT charged with a crime) is extremely suspicious. I also know that hes been making some powerful enemies with his ongoing spread of liberal views (not to be confused with leftist views) that run counter to the approved narratives.

(Article by J.D. Rucker republished from TheLibertyDaily.com)

I am not going to dispute the validity of the sexual assault allegations against him because the evidence presented could be made up or it could be completely real. Im not qualified to judge based on the limited information available. But considering the Jeffrey Epstein list has been completely buried with nary a corporate media journalist asking any questions, its conspicuous that Brand suddenly has these accusations against him at the height of his influence.

Hes opposed to Big Government, Big Pharma, the Ukrainian grift, and tyranny in general. Politically hes more of a Neo-Marxist/Libertarian hybrid, if that makes any sense at all. So while I agree with many of his stances on personal freedom and transparency of government, Im no fan of some of his other stances. This is a long preface, but its necessary because its prudent to understand WHY the powers-that-be would go after him before deciding whether this is a smear job or if hes really facing truths being told by victims. Again, I dont know enough to judge.

So lets start with what is being claimed by the British news outlets who put the documentary together, as reported by Amanda Prestigiacomo at Daily Wire:

The Sunday Times report said four women, whose names have not been disclosed, have accused Brand of sexual misconduct from 2006 to 2013, which was the height of Brands mainstream fame. One woman claims Brand raped her, while another alleged victim, who is now 31, says Brand sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old (the age of consent in the UK). Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks, are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute, Brand said on video platform Rumble. These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. And as Ive written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous, he continued. Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. Notably, the allegations against Brand came from a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches. 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, Brand countered. I feel like Im being attacked, and obviously they are working very closely together. Brand, at the time of the video, said he had heard from one media outlet and one TV company. The Sunday Times and The Times said it gave Brand eight days to respond to the allegations, and noted that Brands legal team responded by taking issue with the media outlets intentionally choosing to anonymize the names of his accusers, likely making it more difficult for Brand to refute directly. Brands team also told the media that this was a concerted campaign and that there is a deeply concerning agenda to all this, namely the fact that he is an alternative media broadcaster competing with mainstream media. According to the report, one woman is claiming Brand raped her in his Los Angeles home. She says she was treated at a rape crisis center on the same day of the alleged rape, and The Sunday Times suggested medical records confirm this. The report also said via text message, Brand replied very sorry, when the woman texted, When a girl say[s] NO it means no. Another woman, who is now 31 years old, says she was still in school when she was in a relationship with Brand for about three months. The accuser says Brand referred to her as the child and once forced his penis down her throat, the report said. Another woman claims Brand sexually assaulted her and then threatened her with legal action if she were to talk about the allegation. And a fourth woman says Brand sexually assaulted her and was physically and emotionally abusive. Brand posted his denial video to X (formerly Twitter) as well, where it racked up nearly 32 million views in a matter of hours.

This is happening pic.twitter.com/N8zIKLbJN2  Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) September 15, 2023

Elon Musk pointed out that Brand is a threat to corporate media, Of course. They dont like competition.

Of course. They dont like competition.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 15, 2023

Tucker Carlson took a different angle, noting that Brand was a threat to known agendas of the New World Order. He posted, Criticize the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen.

Criticize the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen. https://t.co/3T7GjBddA5  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) September 16, 2023

Both Musk and Carlson would know because theyve been targeted by the powers-that-be as well. The methods of taking down enemies of the globalists differ for each individual. It makes sense that they would target Brand with sexual assault accusations because its easier to suspend disbelief of such things when Hollywood celebrities are involved. Nobody would believe Tucker Carlson sexually assault four women just as nobody would believe Russell Brand was manipulating shareholders of his companies.

In other words, the powers-that-be (New World Order, Deep State, Globalist Elite Cabal, whatever you want to call them) personalize their smear campaigns to maximize believability.

Therein lies the key to takedowns of powerful people orchestrated by the powers-that-be. They know how to craft a narrative that keeps enough people in the dark until the damage is done. A great example of his was the Russian collusion hoax they used against Donald Trump. It has now been revealed that not only was it all made up, but more importantly they KNEW it was made up when they used it against him. But how many people have gone to jail over the destructive series of lies that plagued our nation for nearly four years? Exactly.

Thats their playbook. This is why its important to be extremely skeptical of the timing of this documentary hit piece against Brand. Whether any of it is true or not, the powers-that-be wield facts and fiction like weapons of individual destruction.

In the conservative sphere, there seems to be two dominant types of responses to the accusations. Many if not most are keeping quiet. They dont want to be seen supporting an accused rapist but they also dont want to speak out in case its all a setup.

The other group are those who arent buying the narrative or the charges. Here are some examples of those people:

Alex Jones has personal experiences with Russell Brand.

Ian Miles Cheong said the fact that these alleged crimes are in the news and not in the courts is telling.

Fact is, they have no case or they wouldve gone to the courts by now instead of smearing Russell Brand in the press. This whole thing smells as bad as what they did to Julian Assange, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and so many others. What do all these men have in common? They threaten the press. They have more influence than the mediaand that cannot be allowed to stand. The message is simple: if you speak against the narrative, the legacy media will come for you.

Fact is, they have no case or they wouldve gone to the courts by now instead of smearing Russell Brand in the press. This whole thing smells as bad as what they did to Julian Assange, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and so many others. What do all these men have in common? They pic.twitter.com/COJKwsH7vn  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 16, 2023

Dr. Simon Goddek believes its a conspiracy to silence Brand.

Its a disgrace what the establishment is doing to @rustyrockets. Instead of addressing the criminal activities of the Biden family or focusing on the Epstein client list, they are trying to silence those who question the global agenda. I can relate to how he feels now, having lost three jobs and faced the wildest accusations. They are even trying to take everything I own here in Brazil, especially after I had to leave my homeland, the Netherlands, due to political repression two years ago. However, I will not stop standing up for freedom, and Im certain that my fellow fighters, including Russell Brand, wont either. And to the authoritarian mainstream journalists trying to cancel us, remember: He who laughs last, laughs best.

Its a disgrace what the establishment is doing to @rustyrockets. Instead of addressing the criminal activities of the Biden family or focusing on the Epstein client list, they are trying to silence those who question the global agenda. I can relate to how he feels now, having https://t.co/SOWtErn33e  Dr. Simon Goddek (@goddeketal) September 16, 2023

Journalist Jacqui Deevoy said the documentary is all very suspicious.

I watched the Channel 4 documentary on Russell Brand. All highly suspect. I know if I pitched an idea for an inflammatory documentary to a TV company and said all the main contributors were going to be anonymous with their faces in shadow or played by actors, Id have the idea flung back in my face. The stories told may or may not be true but trial by TV is never fair. Whether hes guilty or not, this film is clearly a hit piece. A neatly orchestrated attack. Brand is getting too popular, is way too over target and has to be removed. And this is how they do it.

I watched the Channel 4 documentary on Russell Brand. All highly suspect. I know if I pitched an idea for an inflammatory documentary to a TV company and said all the main contributors were going to be anonymous with their faces in shadow or played by actors, Id have the idea pic.twitter.com/PtLKCM26Iu  Jacqui Deevoy (@JacquiDeevoy1) September 17, 2023

A woman who had a relationship with Brand said she was interviewed for the documentary but her story wasnt used because it didnt match the narrative.

They werent going to use my story because it didnt fit the narrative. Woman who claims she spent a wonderful weekend with Russell Brand defends the actor.

"They weren't going to use my story because it didn't fit the narrative." Woman who claims she spent a "wonderful" weekend with Russell Brand defends the actor. pic.twitter.com/hzV7jIe5Wn  Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 16, 2023

Vince Langman believes he identified the video that encapsulates why theyre going after Brand now.

This video clip is why Russell Brand is being attacked right now pic.twitter.com/W4pB0vz70m  Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) September 16, 2023

Simon Ateba found a different video that supports Elon Musks perspective that corporate media fears him, and for good reason.

This video clip might also be why they are going after Russell Brand, many say. WATCH pic.twitter.com/ImxsJoq0Ka  Simon Ateba (@simonateba) September 17, 2023

Crime Versus Smear

If criminal charges had been filed by one or more of the alleged victims, things might look differently for Russell Brand. But the way things stand with a corporate media narrative spun specifically to take Russell Brand down, I cant help but to question all of it. Serial sexual abusers dont stop, but this in-depth media investigation couldnt find anything newer than a decade old.

Thats very suspicious. It has the same odor as accusations against Brett Kavanaugh.

Powerful men in and out of Hollywood are protected from sexual assault accusations almost as much as DC politicians and bureaucrats are protected from corruption accusations. Its no coincidence that Russell Brand is the target today whether he did what they claim or not.

This is about sending a message. They dont like insiders who switch sides. They especially do not like anyone who acquires enough influence to start waking normies out of their globalist slumber. They want us to be sheep and anyone loud enough to make some of the sheep start asking questions is the greatest threat to the New World Order.

Some may say the timing is off because they could have used these accusations against him before he became so popular. Thats not how they work. This isnt just about stopping someone whos countering their narrative. Its about sending a message to others who may try to do the same thing. By trying to destroy him at his prime level of influence, they do great damage to the movement as a whole.

Brand has shared many compelling messages against our enemies. That theyve branded him as an accused rapist means many who agree with him will still dump their support whether they believe the accusations or not. Like I said, most on the freedom-loving side will abandon or ignore him so theyre not perceived as supporting a sexual criminal.

I support many of his messages, especially his recent attacks against the globalists. If its proven that hes a rapist, I wont support him as a person but his messages still ring true. So until they prove his crimes, Im going to assume this is a Deep State plot to take him down and will support him wholeheartedly.

Read more at: TheLibertyDaily.com
China now has the LARGEST NAVY in the world and is building MORE WARSHIPS each month

Which country has the largest navy? If you think it's the U.S., think again.

China now owns the distinction with 355 vessels in its fleet, as reported in a 2021 U.S. Naval Institute report. In comparison, the U.S. Navy operates a smaller fleet of 296 ships, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But what's raising concerns within the U.S. Navy is China's rapidly expanding shipbuilding capacity.

According to leaked U.S. Navy intelligence, China's shipyards have a staggering capacity of over 23.2 million tons, which is more than 232 times greater than the U.S. capacity of less than 100,000 tons. This significant numerical advantage in shipbuilding poses a considerable challenge to the U.S. Navy.

In its 2022 annual report on China's military development projects, the Pentagon said China's naval fleet will continue to grow, reaching 400 ships by 2025 and 440 ships by 2030. However, despite China's numerical lead, the U.S. Navy remains widely recognized as the world's most powerful.

Even if the U.S. were to stop building ships, former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper asserted in 2020 that it would take years for China to match the U.S. Navy's capabilities. This is attributed to the U.S. Navy's expertise and technological sophistication.

Still, some of the ships China is churning out have greater firepower than some of its U.S. counterparts.

China's Type 055, the world's premier destroyer, is one prime example. It is bigger than typical destroyers and packs a formidable punch. It has 112 vertical launch system (VLS) cells that fire surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, which is more than the 96 on the newest of the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. It also boasts sophisticated radio and anti-submarine weapons systems.

U.S. may tap into shipbuilding capabilities of South Korea and Japan

To address the challenge posed by China's rapid shipbuilding, experts have suggested a potential solution: tapping into the shipbuilding capabilities of U.S. allies in the region, specifically South Korea and Japan. Both countries have demonstrated their ability to construct high-quality naval vessels at competitive prices.

"Their warships are "certainly a match for their (Chinese) counterparts," said Blake Herzinger, a research fellow at the U.S. Studies Center in Australia. Japan's warship designers "are among the world's best," according to Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii.

However, U.S. law currently prohibits the Navy from procuring foreign-built ships, even from allied nations, or constructing its ships in foreign shipyards. This restriction serves to protect national security interests and the domestic shipbuilding industry.

While experts acknowledge the need to balance these concerns, they argue that it may be time to reconsider these regulations to bolster the U.S. Navy's capabilities more quickly.

Japan's Maya-class destroyers and South Korea's Sejong the Great-class destroyers are highlighted as examples of vessels that could enhance the U.S. Navy's strength. These ships possess advanced technology, impressive firepower and competitive pricing.

The potential benefits of partnering with South Korea and Japan in shipbuilding, include closing the gap with China's growing naval power more rapidly. Japan's efficient shipbuilding processes, cost control and strict adherence to budget estimates are seen as factors contributing to its competitiveness.

Still, any changes to the existing laws would require careful consideration to safeguard national security while harnessing the advantages of accessing high-quality, cost-effective ships from trusted allies. This proposed approach presents an opportunity for a mutually beneficial arrangement amid evolving challenges in the maritime domain.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories like this.

Watch this video about the U.S. Navy wanting a fleet of robo-ships.

This video is from the zolnareport.com channel on Brighteon.com.

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BusinessInsider.com

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Brighteon.com
Dane Wigington: Climate intervention operations DISABLE Earths ability to RESTORE ITSELF

Geoengineering expert Dane Wigington noted that climate intervention operations are disabling planet Earth's ability to restore itself

"Climate intervention operations are disabling the planet's ability to respond to the damage already done  while inflicting even more damage in the process," he told Informed Consent Action Network founder Del Bigtree during a recent appearance on "The HighWire."

"These programs are not benevolent in any way, shape or form. All the forms of weather modification are simply used as a smokescreen to mask the exponentially larger and unimaginably more destructive climate intervention operations, aka weather warfare. There are many layers, objectives and agendas masking the true severity of damage already done to the planet." (Related: Dane Wigington: Climate engineering is the greatest and most immediate threat against humanity.)

Wigington, the lead researcher of Geoengineering Watch, said such operations are targeting the food supply. Agricultural regions are being targeted using weather weapons, causing the collapse of crops. Fisheries are also being targeted, with 90 percent of global pelagic fish populations on the decline.

Meanwhile, Bigtree pointed out that China and other countries are engaged in this weather warfare. He added that the military-industrial complex could use this technology to create a drought and devastate other nations involved in conflicts.

Wigington agreed, saying that such geoengineering technologies are the "crown jewel" of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). This is because controllers of such WMDs can bring people to their knees without the targets knowing they are under assault.

Science community is lying about geoengineering

Wigington also noted that the so-called science community is lying about geoengineering. It claims that geoengineering is impossible as technologies for it do not exist.

However, he pointed out that this deception has been going on for decades now. Wigington cited the existence of film footage from 1923 featuring patented aircraft with spraying mechanisms. The patterns, tanks, pipes and pumps inside the planes are dispersing exactly what people are seeing in the skies today, he added.

People cannot escape what is happening in the skies, according to Wigington. These weather manipulation operations not only destroy the ozone layer and the planet's life support systems, but also contaminate everything on the planet  including the air and the rain. Consistent global dumping would result in about 40 to 60 million tons of toxic climate engineering nanoparticles being dumped into the skies annually, he added.

Wigington ultimately told Bigtree that the gravity and immediacy of what is already unfolding in the skies, alongside the threat it poses to everyone on Earth, must be dealt with soon before all of the concerns become moot points.

"For those that are pretending these problems are off somewhere else in the world and won't affect them  that's like pretending that you are part of the ship that hasn't gone underwater, yet is safe because you're not on the part that is underwater," he said. "It's again a very myopic view."

Follow Geoengineering.news for more news about climate engineering operations.

Watch the full conversation between Dane Wigington and Del Bigtree over the issue of climate engineering on "The HighWire."

This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

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Merritt Medical Hour: PARASITES and TOXINS are often the root cause of disease  Brighteon.TV

She explained during the Sept. 13 episode of the "Merritt Medical Hour" on Brighteon.TV that these parasites and toxins cause illness in many. One such disease caused by parasites is multiple sclerosis, an argument put forward by the late Dr. William Ian McDonald.

The physician from New Zealand did a precise pathology on 10 deceased multiple sclerosis patients and found that all of them were infected with parasites. Merritt noted that the parasites responsible for the disease were literally visible to the naked eye, but were still ignored. This means that people haven't been paying attention to the root causes of multiple sclerosis, she said.

The former Navy surgeon and physician said aside from parasites, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) are also responsible for diseases. She stressed that EMF is different from ionizing radiation and atomic radiation. EMF opens up channels that make ions flow through in the human cells in a different manner, causing people to become jittery and experience other health issues.

"And then obviously, there [are] the spiritual issues, psychiatric issues and things. But many of those actually turn out to be physical or psychiatric manifestations of physical disease," Merritt continued.

Merritt: Identifying the root cause of diseases is important

The Brighteon.TV host also discussed why identifying the root cause of diseases is important. Based on the ICD-10 Code Book of Diagnosis, there are 70,000 diagnostic codes for different illnesses. Merritt pointed out, however, that there aren't 70,000 diseases that really bother people.

Modern medicine has failed to make a precise diagnosis in treating those 70,000 diseases, said the Medical Rebel. This is because these diseases are separate manifestations of a root cause, which she believes are parasites.

To illustrate her example, she cited that anti-parasitic drugs can successfully cure rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, throat cancer and acne rosacea. Given this, it only means that the aforementioned diseases aren't separate. Merritt also shared some actions she is doing to address diseases and maintain health on her part. (Related: Dr. Lee Merritt shares steps to stay healthy even without standard medicine  Brighteon.TV.)

She advised viewers to take chlorine dioxide (CLO2) everyday as it is the universal antitoxin. CLO2 gets rid of a lot of different things at both high and low concentrations. "It helps with parasites, and it makes your gut healthier," Merritt added.

The Medical Rebel also advised viewers to fix their nutrition, starting with the food and water. According to her, the water supply in most U.S. cities has been poisoned with fluoride. Ninety-seven percent of fluoridated people in the world are in the U.S., she added.

Genetically modified (GM) foods are another big problem. Merritt cited an Italian researcher who studied GM potatoes to illustrate its dangers. The researcher discovered that lab rats fed with GM potatoes suffered from a leaky gut and damaged immune system, and died prematurely.

Given this, Merritt warned that people consuming GM food will shorten their lifespan and suffer other health issues just like the lab rats.

Follow AlternativeMedicine.news for more news about natural and alternative treatments for diseases.

Watch the Sept. 13 episode of the "Merritt Medical Hour" below. Tune in to the "Merritt Medical Hour" every Wednesday at 7-8 p.m. and Saturday at 2-3 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

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Sayer Ji: The body is CAPABLE of REGENERATING itself from injury and disease.- Merritt Medical Hour: Cory Hillis discusses the dangers of EMF on the human body  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DrLeeMerritt.com
As the EUs Ukraine grain ban ends, longtime ally Poland blasts Zelensky for trying to flood Europe with cheap grain and produce, driving farmers out of business

The European Union's (EU) ban on the import of Ukrainian grain may have just ended, but this does not mean that Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia and numerous other objecting nations are planning to import any of it any time soon.

To protect their own farmers from being undercut by Ukraine's cheap grain, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have all enacted their own country-wide bans on Ukrainian grain. And Romania, Croatia, and possibly even Bulgaria, are all considering doing the same.

Rather than accept that these countries have a duty to protect their own people and agricultural sectors from collapse due to an influx of cheap Ukrainian grain, Ukraine is instead pitching a fit to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is adding another layer of conflict to the "powder keg" known as Europe right now.

Poland, which remains one of Kiev's staunchest military allies in the war against Russia, is so upset about Ukraine's efforts to have the WTO overrule its national Ukraine grain ban that one of its officials stated that Ukraine "must be doing so great in the war against Russia if they are willing to initiate a trade war against its neighbors."

(Related: Did you know that Ukraine's farming sector is considered the "breadbasket" of Europe?)

Zelensky only seems to care about himself, all others be damned

Warsaw says it has to protect its own farmers against cheaper Ukrainian grain if the country hopes to remain economically viable. Warsaw also wants Kiev to know that Poland has continued to supply Ukraine with aid, while also serving as a transit country to Ukraine.

The next step for Poland, now that Ukraine has officially filed a complaint with the WTO about the trade dispute, will be to explain its situation before a WTO tribunal. There, Polish officials will emphasize that the grain ban applies only to imports and not to the "transit of Ukrainian grain."

"There are business circles that have interests in Ukraine and would like to sell grain as quickly as possible at the lowest possible cost," warned Polish President Andrzej Duda about the seriousness of all this. "We have to defend ourselves against it."

"I would compare it to something like a drowning person ... A drowning person is extremely dangerous because he can pull you to the depths ... He can simply drown the rescuer."

That latter statement by Duda serves as testimony to Ukraine's flailing efforts to ward off Russia. We know that Russia is winning the war, despite Western media suggestions to the contrary, and Duda basically confirmed this with that simply analogy."

Over in Bulgaria where there is not yet a Ukrainian grain ban established, farmers are rising up in protest about the coming produce "invasion." Hundreds of farmers around the country are creating tractor convoys similar to the ones seen in The Netherlands last year.

In a statement, Bulgaria's National Association of Grain Producers (NAGP) warned that Bulgarian farmers now face "unprecedented difficulties" after Bulgarian lawmakers decided to allow grain imports from Ukraine. The NAGP wants Bulgaria to ban Ukrainian sunflower, wheat, corn, rapeseed (canola), meat, fruit, vegetables, milk and other dairy products, and honey, as well as crude oil.

"Stop imports from Ukraine," said Ventsislav Mitkov, chairman of the United Farmers National Association in Bulgaria, at a protest in the western town of Pernik, located about 18.5 miles from the national capital of Sofia.

"We mean wheat, sunflower, canola, all cereals, honey. We want increased control and immediate payment of the European measurements."

The latest news about the deteriorating situation and escalating conflict between Ukraine and the rest of the world can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
U.S. military discovers debris from missing F-35 more than 80 miles away from where its pilot ejected

The sophisticated F-35B Lightning II fighter jet that the U.S. Air Force lost may have finally been found , with reports indicating that military ground teams have discovered "parts and debris" connected to the lost jet more than 80 miles from where the pilot ejected.

The debris was discovered near Indiantown Road in Florence County, South Carolina, roughly 80 miles from where military officials say the pilot ejected near North Charleston on Sept. 17.

Military officials have ordered a two-day stand-down of all aircraft flights in the area and have called on the public to assist in finding the lost fighter jet. They described the event as a "mishap" and announced they were focusing their attention near Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion based on the jet's last known position.

"Members of the community should avoid the area as the recovery team secures the debris field," the statement said.

When the jet vanished over South Carolina, Joint Base Charleston (JBC), the installation where the flight launched, released a call on social media asking for anyone who had information about it to call in.

Flight tracking sites displayed numerous search aircraft focused on a wooded and farmland area near Stuckey, which is in Williamsburg County, about 75 miles north of Charleston, late Monday afternoon.

F-35B was put on autopilot before the pilot's ejection

For reasons that are not entirely clear yet, the pilot ejected from the F-35 on Sunday and safely parachuted into a North Charleston neighborhood, which could have left the fighter jet flying in what is known as a "zombie state." The Department of Defense noted that the F-35B may have been put on autopilot prior to the ejection, possibly in an effort to save the jet.

According to military expert and former British military officer Frank Ledwidge, the F-35 "could likely travel hundreds of miles without its pilot."

Frederik Mertens, a military analyst with the Hague Center for Security Studies, said: "Historically, an aircraft without a pilot can fly a long way on autopilot."

Jeremy Huggins, a JBC spokesman, said the F-35's transponder was not working "for some reason that we haven't yet determined."

The plane and pilot belonged to the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 located in Beaufort, not far from South Carolina's Atlantic coast. The same squadron in 2018 crashed an F-35 for the first time in history.

In January 2022, a F-35C plunged into the South China Sea after crashing on the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier. And in the past six weeks, at least three so-called "class-A mishaps" have occurred involving the Air Force. Such events happen when damages reach $2.5 million or more, an aircraft is destroyed or a service member dies or is permanently disabled. (Related: Fort Campbell crash: 9 service members killed in mid-air collision of Black Hawk choppers.)

The F-35 is one of the world's most costly fighters, along with supposedly being one of the world's most advanced. The F-35 has been described as an aircraft "capable of conducting air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air missions simultaneously."

Follow MilitaryTechnology.news for more news about advanced military aircraft.

Watch the video below to know more about the response of former military and F-35 engineers to the missing F-35B Lightning II story.

This video is from the Leona Wind channel on Brighteon.com.

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FALSE FLAG ATTEMPT? Missile that struck and killed 15 in busy Ukrainian marketplace was actually launched by Ukrainian troops

New evidence has emerged that a missile strike at a busy market in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka that killed at least 16 people was caused by a Ukrainian missile

The missile struck the city of around 67,000 residents in the eastern Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 6, with the government in Kyiv claiming that the blast, which killed 16 and injured more than 30 others, was caused by a Russian missile.

The New York Times reported that the missile strike was so devastating that some of the people injured by the strike were wounded "beyond recognition." Within two hours after the attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately blamed Russian "terrorists" for the attack, and Western-aligned mainstream media outlets followed suit. (Related: RIGGED: Members of the British media have already written articles blaming Russia for a dirty bomb attack in Ukraine that hasn't even happened yet.)

However, an investigation using evidence collected and analyzed from the strike suggests that the strike was actually caused by a Ukrainian missile.

Measurements of the holes caused by the missile as well as the fragments found at the scene are consistent in size and shape with the 9M38 missile, which is fired by the Buk, a mobile surface-to-air missile system operated in large quantities by Ukraine.

The measurements were confirmed when reporters reviewed other missile fragments recovered from multiple locations in Ukraine that were fired by the S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and compared them with missile fragments confirmed to be fired by the Buk. To make sure, these same reporters even compared the measurements of these fragments with fragments from two different American-supplied air defense systems.

This investigation confirmed that the shapes of the holes left by the strike at the Kostiantynivka market, as well as the missile fragments left behind, were most likely caused by a 9M38 missile fired by a Ukrainian-owned Buk system.

The missile, which has a maximum range of over 17 miles, may have been fired from just 10 miles away from Kostiantynivka. Witnesses report that they either heard or saw Ukrainian forces firing Buk surface-to-air missiles from the town of Druzhkivka, around 10 miles to the northwest.

This means that when the missile struck the market, it still had unspent fuel in its rocket motor. This unspent fuel likely detonated or burned upon the missile's impact, causing a more devastating explosion.

Kyiv claims it is still "investigating" the market missile strike

The public relations unit of Kyiv's secret police, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), claimed that an investigation is still underway. When asked to comment about the report, the SBU stood firm in blaming the Russians for the strike, which it said involved a Russian-owned S-300 missile system.

"This is evidenced, in particular, by the identified missile fragments recovered at the scene of the tragedy," said the SBU, adding that the investigation was also examining other materials  none of which the SBU has shared  that supposedly prove it was the Russian forces who struck the market.

Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak further claimed in a statement that "society will definitely get an answer on what exactly happened in Kostiantynivka," and that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies were studying the reports and the evidence to establish "the legal truth" behind the missile strike.

Podolyak further claimed that the report alleging that Ukraine struck its own people as well as other publications by "foreign media" that raise doubts "about Russia's involvement in the attack" causes "the growth of conspiracy theories, and therefore will require additional legal evaluation by investigative bodies."

"In the meantime, we should not forget: It was Russia that started the invasion of Ukraine, and Russia is responsible for bringing war to our country," added Podolyak. "And it is Russia that regularly inflicts massive missile, bomb and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure and the civilian population.

Podolyak then went on to erroneously claim that Ukraine "exclusively" conducts actions of a defensive nature within territory claimed by Kyiv.

For more on possible and confirmed false flag attempts in Ukraine and around the world, head over to FalseFlag.news.

Sources for this article include:

Yahoo.com

Reuters.com

KyivIndependent.com
Special Counsel Jack Smith requests GAG ORDER to restrict Donald Trumps speech

Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a gag order to restrict former President Donald Trump from speaking out against the government's prosecution of him.

Smith, who was appointed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the former chief executive, filed a motion to silence Trump on Sept. 15. His filing asked District Judge Tanya Chutkan to impose "a narrow, well-defined restriction" to prevent Trump from making statements "regarding the identity, testimony or credibility of prospective witnesses" and "about any party, witness, attorney, court personnel or potential jurors that are disparaging and inflammatory, or intimidating."

"The defendant knows that when he publicly attacks individuals and institutions, he inspires others to perpetrate threats and harassment against his targets," Smith stated. "The defendant continues these attacks on individuals precisely because he knows that in doing so, he is able to roil the public and marshal and prompt his supporters."

The special counsel also referenced instances where Trump blasted the federal judge as "a fraud dressed up as a judge" or "a radical Obama hack."

The motion continued: "The defendant's repeated, inflammatory public statements regarding the District of Columbia, the Court, prosecutors, and potential witnesses are substantially likely to materially prejudice the jury pool, create fear among potential jurors, and result in threats or harassment to individuals he singles out." (Related: The Trump indictment criminalizes political dissent.)

According to Smith, the gag order won't prevent Trump from publicly claiming his innocence of the charges against him. But if Chutkan grants the gag order, Trump's free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment will be infringed.

Not the first time Washington attempted to silence Trump

The Sept. 15 gag order request was linked to Trump's case centering on the fraudulent 2020 elections. However, this was not the first time the special counsel wanted to silence the former president running for a second White House term.

Back in August, the DOJ  through Smith  asked for a similar request against Trump over his case centering on classified documents seized from the former president's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. According to the Justice Department, Trump shouldn't be permitted to speak about "sensitive and confidential information" as it would have a "harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case."

The August motion stemmed from a Truth Social post from Trump that warned: "If you go after me, I'm coming for you." The DOJ's request filed hours after the post argued that the gag order "seeks to prevent  improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public."

In response to the Sept. 15 motion, Trump denounced the "lying and deranged" Smith for suppressing his free speech rights in a post on Truth Social.

"I'm campaigning for president against an incompetent person who has weaponized the DOJ [and the] Federal Bureau of Investigation to go after his political opponent, and I am not allowed to comment? They leak, lie and sue  and they don't want me to speak? How else would I explain that Smith is deranged, or Crooked Biden is incompetent?"

Trump.news has more stories about the former president.

Watch this MSNBC report about Special Counsel Jack Smith's "narrow" gag order against Trump.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Jefferson Davis discusses battle for election integrity in Wisconsin  Brighteon.TV

Activist Jefferson Davis discussed the ongoing battle for election integrity in Wisconsin during his Sept. 12 appearance on the Brighteon.TV program "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel."

Vandersteel shared the news that the Wisconsin Senate's elections committee voted 3-1 against supporting the renomination of Meagan Wolfe as the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). Three Republican state senators voted not to reappoint Wolfe, one Democratic state senator voted yes and one Democratic senator abstained.

The 3-1 vote meant that Wolfe, who currently heads the WEC, won't be serving a new four-year term that would end on July 1, 2027. Her incumbent term at the WEC ended on June 30, with the state senate's election committee voting not to renew her tenure. Vandersteel then asked Davis about his thoughts on this development and what this means for election integrity in the Badger State.

According to the activist, Wisconsin does things differently when it comes to elections. Per state law, six election commissioners  three Democratic, three Republican  are appointed by the Wisconsin Legislature and the state governor. "Those three Democrats and three Republicans are supposed to nominate an administrator of elections, and then get the advice and consent of the Senate," he continued.

Wolfe suffered another blow on Sept. 14 when the GOP-controlled state senate voted 22-11 along party lines to fire her. Her status as elections administrator will now likely be determined in court, according to the Guardian. The election activist told Vandersteel that the state senate, which has 22 Republicans out of 33 seats, has a "super veto-proof" majority that doesn't need the consent of Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on anything.

Davis: WEC and its head Wolfe have failed miserably

Davis believes Wolfe and the WEC under her have failed miserably. Thus, getting a new WEC administrator is the first step to lifting the election fog hanging over the state.

"If we have any hope at all in the state of Wisconsin and by extension America to protect and preserve our beloved constitutional representative Republic and our 10 Electoral College votes in Wisconsin, we have no option but to get a new administrator of elections," he said.

The activist pointed out that when the current elections administrator is replaced, the WEC must nominate a successor with the advice and consent of the state within 45 days. The matter is later referred to the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Legislation, which will then get to appoint a new administrator to serve a one-year term on an interim basis to get them through the 2024 elections.

A potential WEC administrator must have a legal, cyber, financial and administrative background. While Davis declined to name names, he said there is already a potential pick that fits all the criteria.

Vandersteel noted that the issue isn't just limited to Wisconsin. She said multiple states need to replace the equivalent of election commissioners in their areas.

Davis, the spokesman of Wisconsin Election Integrity's ad hoc committee, also mentioned the role of Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in the fiasco. The GOP state assemblyman admitted to widespread vote fraud in the 2020 elections. His admission followed the discovery of Special Counsel Michael Gableman that massive fraud affected the state's election outcome. (Related: Wisconsin election commissioner reveals Trump lost the state due to fraud and irregularities.)

Vos reportedly said that if vote fraud affects the outcome of an election, especially if it is proven in court with overwhelming evidence, a do-over must be done. The speaker has also publicly stated in writing and on camera that Wolfe has to go.

Follow VoteFraud.news for more news about the fight for election integrity in Wisconsin and other places.

Watch the Sept. 12 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below. "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs weekdays at 8-9 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

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Rigged 2020 election machines and software EXPOSED in a must-watch documentary coming soon.

B-Alert News with Bishop Leon Benjamin: Americans can prevent or expose efforts to undermine election integrity  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheGuardian.com
Lawyer arguing for constitutional rights in an era of draconian COVID mandates gets STANDING OVATION in New York courtroom

"The New York State Department of Health [NYSDOH] has to follow the law. If they don't follow the law, then what's the point of having the New York State Legislature?" This question posed by lawyer Bobbie Anne Flower Cox prompted a standing ovation in a New York courtroom.

Cox gave impassioned oral arguments against draconian isolation and quarantine measures imposed by the NYSDOH to fight the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Does the [NYSDOH] have to follow  state law when they want to remove someone from society who is a public health threat?" Cox posed the question earlier. "The answer to that overwhelmingly clear question is yes."

This lawsuit had its origins in April 2022 when it was first filed in the State Supreme Court of Cattaraugus County. The petitioners included notable figures such as State Sen. George Borrello, State Assemblyman Chris Tague, U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) and the advocacy group Uniting NYS.

The focal point of contention was a regulation that granted the authority to mandate isolation and quarantine orders for individuals without concrete proof of their illness or exposure to diseases specified in the regulation. Essentially, this regulation vested DOH officials with the power to enforce indefinite isolation and quarantine for New Yorkers of any age, for any reason.

In a significant victory for constitutional liberties, NYS Supreme Court Judge Ronald Ploetz ruled in favor of the Republican state senators, deeming the regulation unconstitutional.

This ruling, however, prompted an immediate appeal from New York Attorney General Letitia James, acting on behalf of the administration of Gov. Kathy Hochul and the NYSDOH, in an attempt to overturn Ploetz's decision.

During the recent hearing, Cox forcefully addressed the issue of overreaching powers granted to the state's health commissioner. She argued that this rule allowed for "unbridled power to pick and choose which New Yorkers could be locked up," all without the need for evidence of illness or exposure to a contagious disease.

Furthermore, she emphasized the absence of age restrictions, highlighting that this policy could apply to individuals of all ages, including children and the elderly.

Cox's passionate arguments symbolize a larger struggle to uphold the constitutional rights of American citizens.

Concerns have arisen that the pandemic has been utilized as a pretext for implementing policies that unduly encroach upon individual freedoms. The outcome of this legal battle now rests in the hands of a five-judge panel, with a ruling expected in the coming months.

People are standing up against MEDICAL TYRANNY

The New York court drama is just one of many cases that have emerged across the United States.

In Maine, a contentious debate erupted over the state's mandate for school children to receive vaccines, including those for COVID-19, to attend in-person classes. Parents and students who opposed the mandate argued that it encroached upon their fundamental right to make medical decisions for their children.

In California, a series of lawsuits challenged the state's indoor mask mandate, which required individuals to wear face coverings in certain indoor settings. Plaintiffs, including business owners and individuals, contended that the mandate violated their personal freedoms and autonomy. (Related: All-black Morris Brown College in Atlanta RESCINDS mask mandate for COVID following massive public outcry.)

Kentucky faced legal challenges related to restrictions on religious gatherings during the pandemic. Some religious organizations and individuals argued that these restrictions infringed upon their First Amendment rights to freely exercise their religion.

Meanwhile, Hawaii implemented stringent travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, requiring travelers to undergo mandatory quarantines upon arrival. Legal actions arose from individuals who believed these measures unduly limited their ability to travel freely between states.

Head over to HealthFreedom.news for more similar stories.

Watch this video about quarantine camps in New York.

This video is from the BombMomOf6 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

House Republicans probe State Department subsidizing censorship of conservatives.

The great left-wing disinformation operation against the Supreme Court.

Sources include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

MainePublic.org

Brighteon.com
Elon Musk is planning to charge everyone a MONTHLY FEE to use X (formerly Twitter)

Elon Musk, the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, is planning to charge all users a monthly fee to combat the spread of spambot accounts. He unveiled this plan during an in-person meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Musk said the current subscription service called X Premium  which costs $11 per month for iPhone users in the U.S. and 11 ($13) for users in the U.K.  could possibly be extended to all users to deter bot operators.

"We're moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the system," said Musk. He pointed out that setting up bots currently costs only "a fraction of a penny," but raising the cost of account creation to "a few dollars or something" would act as a barrier and potentially require new payment methods for each bot created.

In April, when Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion, he promised to get rid of the bot operators. "We will defeat the spam bots or die trying!" Musk had triumphantly tweeted back then. However, a year after acquiring the platform, the battle against spambots is still far from over.

And now, Musk came up with the idea of putting a paywall on X after the social media platform reported a 60 percent drop in its advertising revenue. The revenue, which was supposedly their primary source of income, dropped after an advertiser boycott after Musk's takeover. He was accused of not addressing the alleged rise in inappropriate and hateful content on the platform.

Monthly payment part of X's rebranding into "everything app"

The new agenda of Musk is similar to that of Tencent's WeChat  a super app that transformed the way people in China conduct daily transactions. WeChat collects its payment details from its users by virtually sending "hongbao" (red envelopes of cash) for Chinese New Year since January 2014.

Similarly, Musk aims to make users invest in the platform to both tackle the bot issue and transform X into a versatile global app that goes beyond traditional social media.

"The real objective behind this nationwide carnival was to make WeChat users link their apps to their bank accounts  a prerequisite to both sending and receiving the 'virtual red package'  and thus substantially strengthen Tencent's ability to charge WeChat users in the future," business professor Xiaoming Yang wrote in the Asian Case Research Journal, along with two other colleagues.

A few years later after WeChat began collecting payment details and users started linking their bank accounts, it became a super app. Thanks to half of the country's population who regularly use mobile payments, Tencent can now charge users for various services. (Related: Elon Musk rebrands Twitter as X, wants to turn it into an everything app similar to WeChat of China.)

In July, Musk started rebranding Twitter into "X," as part of his preparation for his long-envisioned goal of creating a global "everything app" that merges social networking, messaging, e-commerce, and peer-to-peer payments into a single, cohesive platform.

"Soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds," Musk announced in July along with Twitter's new "X" logo on the exterior of its San Francisco headquarters. Musk revealed that posts on the platform would no longer be referred to as "tweets" but as "X's."

In short, Musk wants something like WeChat, but something functional globally. Just like his ambition, WeChat seamlessly combines messaging, video calls, gaming, photo sharing, ride-hailing, food delivery, banking and shopping within a single app.

"If you're in China, you kind of live on WeChat," Musk commented. "It does everything  sort of like Twitter, plus PayPal, plus a whole bunch of things, and all rolled into one, with a great interface. It's really an excellent app, and we don't have anything like that outside of China."

Visit ElonMuskWatch.com for more stories about the X app, formerly known as Twitter.

Watch ReAwaken America Tour founder Clay Clark dropping the truth bomb about the sinister agenda of Elon Musk on his Twitter 2.0, now known as X.

This video is from The Jeff Dornik Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Elon Musk prefers "noble debate" over cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg.

Meta launches Twitter rip-off "Threads" application, immediately starts censoring users for voicing unapproved thoughts.

Battle of Tech Titans: Zuckerberg's Threads trying to dethrone Musk's Twitter (but is failing miserably).

Metas Threads hits 100M users a week after its launch, but immediately begins censoring "wrongthink."

Twitter threatens to sue Meta over intellectual property theft allegations following its launch of Threads.

Sources include:

Mediaite.com

TheGuardian.com

ResearchGate.net

Axios.com

Brighteon.com
NATOs ammo shortage worsens due to skyrocketing prices and Ukrainian troops overconsumption of artillery shells

As per a high-ranking North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military official, the West is spending more money on defense due to ammunition's soaring prices. Worse, the stockpile is thinning because of the Ukrainian military's overconsumption of artillery shells , with Kyiv firing up to 10,000 per day.

NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer warned on Saturday of the predicaments of President Volodymyr Zelensky's men using more ammunition than the West can produce. "Prices for equipment and ammunition are shooting up. Right now, we are paying more and more for exactly the same," Bauer said after a meeting of NATO defense chiefs in Norway, according to Reuters. "That means that we cannot make sure that the increased defense spending actually leads to more security."

According to him, the surge in the ammo prices has been primarily driven by Ukrainian troops' squandering of shells, particularly 155mm  a NATO-standard artillery shell caliber for its Western-provided guns such as gun-howitzers. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg even criticized the military back in February for burning through this ammunition faster than their Western allies could even replace it. As of press time, it is still not declared how many of these shells Ukraine has fired per day since its counteroffensive against Russian forces began in June, but the news outlet put the figure at 10,000, while other media outlets have suggested anywhere between 3,000 and 8,000.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at that time that American advisers were telling Ukrainian commanders to "emphasize additional training on maneuver" so that they could safeguard the diminishing stocks of 155mm rounds.

Now, Bauer pushed for more private investment in the defense sector to step up production of the artillery shells to resolve the ammo shortfall. He also urged pension funds and banks to stop labeling defense investments as unethical because "long-term stability needs to prevail over short-term profits," he said. "As we have seen in Ukraine, war is a whole of society event." "Forty percent of the (Ukrainian) economy evaporated in the first days of the war, that was private money to a large extent, that money is gone," he further noted.

Meanwhile, Bauer claimed that the ammunition shortage was not the reason why the counteroffensive was failing and was moving at a glacial pace. He, instead, pointed out the density of Russian-laid minefields as the top threat faced by Ukrainian soldiers. "The reason why it takes time is that it is extremely dangerous because there's an enormous amount of mines in a very deep minefield, which is more than 10 kilometers, with five, six mines per square meter," he said, pointing out that Ukraine was still advancing 200 or 300 meters per day.

NATO military chiefs convene in Oslo for critical defense and security strategies

To discuss critical defense and security issues such as the dwindling artillery stockpile, the NATO Military Committee Conference 2023 was held over the weekend, September 16 and 17, in scenic Oslo, Norway's capital. It was attended by representatives from member countries including General Metin Gurak, who represented Turkey as Chief of General Staff for the first time.

Bauer was also present and spoke in the opening remarks at the conference. He emphasized the need to assess the feasibility of these plans, which encompass a wide range of aspects, including troop levels, capacity development, command and control structures, logistical support, maintenance, replenishment, training, and readiness exercises. The admiral further stressed that the synergy between NATO's plans and national defense strategies makes consultation among member countries crucial as they work towards their common goals of security and stability. Moreover, he still expressed his full support for Ukraine, despite the slow development of the counteroffensive and the difficulties it is currently facing when it comes to ammunition.

Meanwhile, NATO will be holding its largest collective defense drills since the Cold War, with over 40,000 troops from across the alliance set to take part in the exercise "Steadfast Defender" in Germany, Poland, and the three Baltic states in 2024.

Despite possibly losing the war with Russia, NATO is still insisting on funneling tens of billions of dollars into Ukraine and other countries. Apart from wasting hard-earned taxpayers' money on this war, the Western allies also imposed draconian sanctions on Russia to weaken its defense industry. However, efforts have not worked as intended. American officials even reportedly admitted that Russia is now producing more missiles than it was before the conflict began. (Related: Russia significantly increases production of tanks and munitions despite Western sanctions aimed at undermining the country's military industry.)

Head to WWIII.news to read more news related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

AA.com

Reuters.com
Pastor Artur Pawlowski sentenced to 60 days in jail for participating in last years Coutts protest against Canadian COVID lockdowns

His sentence has finally been delivered , and it involves a 60-day jail sentence that he already, in fact, served while being held for sentencing.

We are talking about Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski, who was found guilty of violating Canada's Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" lockdown measures. The court found Pawlowski guilty of mischief and breaching a release order for his participation in last year's protest in Coutts, Alberta.

The Crown's initial goal was to sentence Pawlowski to anywhere from eight to 10 months in prison, but the defense was able to successfully argue that Pawlowski's 60-day prison sentence is enough.

Since Pawlowski already served 60 days while awaiting his sentence, he was able to simply walk out of the courtroom following its issuance without having to fulfill any additional incarceration.

(Related: In case you missed it from back in May, a Canadian judge ruled that Pawlowski is guilty of violating the Alberta Critical Infrastructure Defence Act.)

Pawlowski found "unrepentant" of violating state rules  because he serves a higher power

You may recall that Pawlowski boldly delivered a fiery sermon to the protesters who were blocking the Canada-United States border near Coutts for just over two weeks during the famous trucker convoy protests.

A judge found that Pawlowski was unrepentant over this "sin" against the state  Pawlowski answers to a higher power, after all, and not the state  which led to him being sentenced as punishment.

While he was being sentenced, some 200 supporters of Pawlowski gathered outside the courthouse in Lethbridge, according to local media outlets. They were seen and heard cheering after learning that he would not have to return to jail for any further incarceration time.

Judge Gordon Krinke stated that Pawlowski was not, in fact, involved in the planning of what came to be known as the "Freedom Convoy," and did not play a major role in the blockade despite appearing there to preach.

"Probation would serve no useful purpose as the accused does not believe he did anything wrong," Judge Krinke stated. "He is not remorseful for the harm he has caused."

"Both the Crown and the defence are proposing a period of incarceration and I accept that. A period of incarceration is required in order to achieve the objectives of denunciation and deterrence."

During the trial, prosecutors tried to claim that Pawlowski's impassioned speech to the truckers only fanned the flames of their unrest, convincing them to stay even longer than they otherwise would have.

"This case is not about freedom of religion and it is not about free speech," said prosecutor Steven Johnston. "This case is a straightforward criminal case."

"All protests have to take place within the rule of law. As a person, you dont get to choose what laws you follow."

Johnston further commented on Pawlowski's clear lack of remorse  and why should he be remorseful? After all, the lockdowns were an unjust violation of human rights, as were the "vaccine" mandates.

Back in March, it was revealed that Premier Danielle Smith had spoken with Pawlowski over the phone, offering to make inquiries on his behalf. Smith also shared with Pawlowski details about the internal government arguments over the direction of his case, as well as explained to him that the charges levied against him are rooted in political bias.

"Mr. Pawlowski accepts responsibility," Pawlowski's lawyer, Sarah Miller, told the court.

"The Crown seeks to have Mr. Pawlowski bend the knee, to jail him until he abandons his beliefs and to keep him in custody for an indeterminate period of time."

The latest news about the political persecution of Christians who disobey satanic government mandates can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

TNC.news

NaturalNews.com

EdmontonJournal.com
Remember that child trafficker who was arrested at the Ukraine-Slovakia border? He just admitted a Ukrainian boarding school in Perechyn is a FRONT for organ harvesting network

Back in early July, we covered the story with leaked video showing the confession of this man, who admitted to having higher involvement in the trafficking of children from a boarding school in Perechyn, Ukraine.

We have also learned the man's name, Denys Varodi, who was allegedly given a $1,000 down payment for the 11-month-old baby before being arrested. Video footage obtained by journalist Vitaliy Glagola, Varodi's cellmate, shows Varodi spilling the beans about Ukraine's child trafficking rings.

According to Varodi, he and numerous other Ukrainian traffickers are involved with a "charity organization" that targets orphaned students at the Perechyn boarding school. Many student trips at the school involved taking the children to places like "Holland, or Germany, or Italy, or America."

During these trips, lawyers working with the assigned trafficker would falsify student documents to get them across the border. In some cases, those documents falsely claimed that the children had been "adopted" and were being delivered to their new "homes."

"Children and students of the Borshchiv boarding school were taken out for organ transplantation," Varodi admitted. "If 25 children were taken out, only 23 were returned ... between the employees of the institution, educators and teachers."

Chemical and biological weapons, child trafficking, and rampant money laundering: is Ukraine the most corrupt nation in the world?

As you might expect, some of the remaining children would ask their "teachers" why some of their friends were suddenly missing. Varodi and his co-conspirators would simply make up stories to deceive them into continuing to participate in the scheme, with one by one being handed over to organ transplant traffickers on each subsequent trip.

"They were mostly orphans who had no parents," Varodi revealed. "Some of them have not returned to this day and it is not known where they are."

Some Ukrainian police officers are also involved in the trafficking scheme. Varodi stated that one cop by the name of "Sasha" had taken several girls from the boarding school on a regular basis. Employees at the boarding school confirmed that they had seen Sasha take "two girls ... constantly," seizing them in the evening and returning them the next morning. This occurred "systematically," according to Glagola.

According to Glagola, Varodi further "accuses the director of the boarding school, Vasyl Koba, the institution's lawyer, Olga Longwiser, and the director's son, Vasyl Koba Jr., of involvement in the sale of children for organs."

Glagola has since called on law enforcement to investigate the matter further to get to the bottom of these alleged crimes. It makes sense what Varodi is admitting to, seeing as how there have been many reports coming out of Ukraine about rampant child abuse and trafficking, money laundering, and of course the dozens of Pentagon-run chemical and biological weapons laboratories that blanket the country.

The full English-translated transcript of Glagola's interview with Varodi is available at HumanEvents.com.

You can also watch the video footage from Rumble instead of Telegram below:

Please note that you will need to follow along with the English-translated transcript at HumanEvents.com in order to understand what is being said in the above video footage since The Post Millennial, which posted it, did not include English subtitles.

"Remember Trump's first impeachment for looking into what was going on in Ukraine?" asked one commenter at the Free Republic forum. "Well, now the question is who in the U.S. government knew this was going on? Who has been involved? Is this one of several things certain people want to keep hidden?"

"And the U.S. government is funding the infrastructure allowing this to happen."

The latest news about child trafficking, Ukraine, and the global pedophile and organ trafficking rings that plague our planet can be found at Trafficking.news.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

HumanEvents.com

FreeRepublic.com
Consumer watchdog group in Canada determines COVID-19 vaccines neither safe, nor effective

Just like what happened in the United States, Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" were never properly assessed by Canadian regulators in accordance with Canadian law, the accountability watchdog group National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) has confirmed.

NCI published a report on September 14 detailing the kangaroo process by which Fauci Flu shots received "approval" in Canada.

"It is important to understand that the COVID-19 vaccines were never approved under the traditional approval process for drugs in Canada," the report states, further explaining how Health Canada, the federal agency responsible for Canadian health policy, used an alternative authorization process called an interim order instead.

"Under the alternative authorization process, the necessity to establish the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines through an objective manner appears to have been set aside."

(Related: Another deadly vaccine class that many people have forgotten about ever since COVID is HPV vaccines like Gardasil that are still causing severe injuries and deaths.)

COVID jabs received warp speed approval in Canada just like in the U.S.  the normal rules were flouted in BOTH countries

Canada's Food and Drug Regulations legally require any drug slated for approval to have first undergone proper safety and effectiveness testing that is then presented to the minister of health for review. The minister's job is to assess the risks and benefits followed by either rejection or approval.

Since COVID jabs were approved and pushed at warp speed in Canada just as they were here in the United States under Operation Warp Speed, they never underwent any such testing and were instead rubber-stamped due to the "emergency."

On Sept. 16, 2021, Canada's minister of health exempted all COVID injections from the normal review and approval process to ensure they were released at warp speed in tandem with their U.S. release.

"This provision usually allows the minister to override normal regulations in situations of 'significant risk' to health, safety, or the environment," explains Naveen Arthrappully from The Epoch Times.

Canada ultimately approved both mRNA jab types from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, as well as the viral vector-based COVID jab from Janssen. Canada also approved the AstraZeneca COVID jab, which never received approval in the U.S. and was only approved in Europe for a very short time before regulators pulled it off the market for causing blood clots and heart disease.

The NCI report states that every approved COVID jab in Canada was authorized using a "subjective test," meaning bureaucrats simply decided that the benefits outweighed the risks and gave the shots the green light.

"This cannot be an appropriate standard for approving a drug that the Government intends to administer to the entire population," the report states. "It is difficult to conceive of a less-scientific test for drug authorization than that found in the Interim Order."

Even in the event that evidence was later presented to show that COVID jabs are dangerous, the Interim Order process used in Canada to approve the shots at warp speed prevented these authorizations from ever being revoked.

"Once an interim order is issued, the typical Food and Drug Regulations don't apply," Arthrappully explains.

"The result was that while chief medical officers across the country repeatedly assured Canadians that the COVID-19 vaccines were 'safe and effective'  the general Canadian population had no understanding that their authorization process had not required objective proof of safety nor efficacy," the report details.

It was Dr. Peter McCullough who lent his support for the NCI report being compiled. Thanks to the group's "exhaustive testimony and evidence review," Dr. McCullough tweeted that the verdict is in:

"Conclusion: all COVID-19 vaccines unsafe for human use and must be removed from the Canadian market immediately to protect the public."

Anyone with at least two working brain cells knows that COVID jabs are deadly and to be avoided at all costs. Learn more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NationalCitizensInquiry.ca

NaturalNews.com
According to a study, a group of bones that had been kept in a box for several decades actually belonged to Neanderthals who lived over 50,000 years ago.

Remains of Three Neanderthals in a Box

A group of scientists said on Thursday that they had located 54 Neanderthal remains, which match at least three people in the bone collection.

At a presentation on Thursday, the bones were made public in northeastern Spain's autonomous region of Catalonia.

The remnants come from the "Cova Simanya" cave site, which is just outside Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, in the Sant Llorenc del Munt i de l'Obac Natural Park.

These bones, found in the Iberian Peninsula, constitute a major discovery, marking the largest Neanderthal remains collection in the region.

Researchers believe they belong to three Neanderthals: an adult, likely female, a child (7-8 years old), and a juvenile (11-12 years old) in the 1000-foot-long Cova Simanya.

Neanderthals (Homo Neanderthalensis)

Experts say that Neanderthals, originating from Eurasia, are the closest relatives of modern humans. The species went extinct about 40,000 years ago.

This recent discovery includes bones from arms, limbs, jaw, vertebrae, and some teeth.

The adult individual is particularly noteworthy, according to Antonio Rosas, director of the paleoanthropology department at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, Spain.

Remains from both arms were identified, including a complete humerus and a nearly complete hand, as well as feet, different vertebrae, and ribs.

53 Neanderthal Bones From 50,000 Years Ago

Initial dating work at Cova Simanya has revealed the presence of Neanderthals dating back at least 50,000 years, as announced by Juan Ignacio Morales, co-director of the excavations and a researcher at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES).

Further dating techniques are being employed for better precision.

The discovery's backstory is somewhat serendipitous. In the late 1970s, amateur Miguel Aznar conducted a clandestine dig outside the cave's entrance, unearthing human bones, animal remains, and pottery fragments.

These were stored at his home until 1986 when they were donated to the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia. The contents went unnoticed until 2020 when researchers opened the box.

Also Read: Ancient Village on Stilts Found Under Oldest Lake in Albania Has 100,000 Spikes for Defense

Surprisingly, it contained Neanderthal remains, a revelation given that researchers initially expected more recent finds like ceramics and tools.

Subsequent analysis confirmed the Neanderthal origin of the bones, sparking a new research project at Cova Simanya.

The excavations uncovered a juvenile Neanderthal's wisdom tooth, linking it to the box's collection.

Other Neanderthal remains found by Aznar in the 1970s also contributed to the study.

Research at the site unearthed stone tools, animal remains, and evidence of fire use, indicating sporadic Neanderthal camp use during the middle Paleolithic period.

The cave also served as a refuge for brown bears and extinct cave bears.

While DNA analysis remains elusive, these findings hold promise for understanding Neanderthal origins in the Iberian Peninsula, contributing to the broader narrative of Neanderthal evolution and their relationship with the region.

Related Article: Climate Change, Habitat Expansion Allowed Interbreeding Between Neanderthals and Denisovans, DNA Study Reveals
The down communication lines in flood-stricken Libya have made it difficult for search and retrieval teams to locate bodies of those who have perished.

Authorities said that the communication outage in the City of Derna affected the work of the teams, which are searching for the bodies. They said that the cut in the power supply was due to the severed fiber-optic cables.

Some engineers have been conducting an investigating to determine whether the outage took place because of digging for the bodies or if it was due to sabotage.

Situation in Libya

Officials noted that as of September 19, there have been 4,006 confirmed deaths due to the massive floods.

Meanwhile, around 10,000 individuals are still unaccounted for.

The City of Derna and its surrounding districts have been considered as the most severely hit areas after the collapse of two dams in the area.

Authorities said that the estimate infrastructure damage was at $19 billion, noting that a total of 2,217 buildings have been affected, including 284 educational and 128 health facilities.

The affected areas in Derna have experienced significant flooding percentages, leading to enforced evacuations and curfews.

Furthermore, essential services, such as electricity and water in the city were compromised.

It was noted that immediate needs include health, food, water, shelter, with vulnerable groups such as children and displaced persons requiring specialized assistance.

On the other hand, despite some supermarkets and bakeries already resuming their operations, food security has remained a major concern.

A vast 99% of households has been facing challenges accessing the daily food due to increased prices, stressing the need for immediate food relief measures.

Moreover, 95% of its population lack regular water and hygiene access while 60% are concerned about water-related risks, prompting the immediate interventions for clean water and hygiene essentials.

Meanwhile, authorities also said that the housing crisis, being felt in Derna, underscores the urgent need to establish temporary shelters in nearby coastal areas.

In other areas such as Albayda, Almarj, and Benghazi, which are already hosting conflict-displaced populations from Tawergha, are now suffering with new displacements due to the massive floods.

Further, relocated populations in the city schools urgently require supplies, including water, food, and medicines.

In Al Mkheley, it can be observed that despite the return of the approximately 200 flood-displaced families, the uninhabitability of their homes accentuates the urgent need for shelter solutions and non-food items (NFIs).

Read Also: Libya Floods: 3,958 Bodies Recovered, Identified; 29 Tons Of Aid Arrived

Humanitarian aid

Authorities said that a humanitarian aid has continued to arrive into Libya.

A United States (US) shipment that included shelter sheeting, repair kits, hygiene supplies, blankets and water containers has already arrived on Wednesday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Meanwhile, many residents have also called for an international investigation on the cause of the flood, a move that depicts that there has been a mistrust of state institutions in a country that has been divided between rival governments in the past years.

The call had received the support of the supreme council of state, which is the advisory body based in the capital, Tripoli.

Related Article: Libya: Immediate Probe On Flood Cause Urged; Shortage of Body Bags Felt

Related Video:
Mushroom genes were used to grow glow-in-the-dark petunias in a successful study.

By utilizing mushroom DNA, Karen Sarkisyan, a synthetic biologist at Imperial College London, created glow-in-the-dark petunias.

By 2024, he wants to start selling the glowing plants.

Glow-in-the-Dark Petunias

As one of the engineers responsible for the glowing petunias, Sarkisyan is a cofounder of the biotech business Light Bion, based in Idaho.

The US Department of Agriculture gave the business approval to market and sell its sparkling petunias across the country.

Beginning in early 2024, the business intends to begin shipping the plants.

Startup Light Bio has created a bioluminescent petunia using mushroom genes and plans to start shipping the plants next spring. https://t.co/floUjNZYPK  WIRED Science (@WIREDScience) September 20, 2023

Incorporating DNA from the Neonothopanus nambi kind of bioluminescent mushroom gives the genetically modified plants a bright green color.

According to Sarkisyan, they are transferring a natural mechanism from a fungus that is often found in tropical woods to plants.

The N. nambi mushroom has an ordinary brown hue throughout the day. It emits an eerie green glow at night.

Bioluminescence in Various Species

Bioluminescence, a natural phenomenon, is present in 1,500 species like bacteria, fish, jellyfish, worms, and mushrooms.

In these species, luciferin reacts with oxygen, aided by luciferase, creating light energy.

In 2018, Sarkisyan's team identified glowing enzymes in N. nambi and inserted them into fast-growing tobacco plants, creating green illumination.

Sarkisyan co-founded Light Bio with Keith Wood, and they are known for early glowing plant work. However, their earlier attempts required luciferin spray for bioluminescence, limiting commercial appeal.

MIT researchers later used nanoparticles to deliver firefly enzymes into the plants, enabling plants to glow for hours. Nevertheless, the quest continues for naturally radiant, low-maintenance glowing plants.

Challenges of Developing Glowing Plants

In 2010, Stony Brook University scientists used marine bacteria genes to create a dim self-glowing plant.

Entrepreneur Antony Evans launched a Kickstarter in 2013 to make bright, electricity-free plants using different bacteria. The campaign raised nearly $500,000 but also raised concerns about invasive engineered plants.

Evans' company, Taxa Biotechnologies, struggled to fulfill the promise due to challenges in integrating genes within plants. Firefly and bacterial genes didn't work effectively in plants.

Mushroom Genes

Sarkisyan and Wood claim that the method for fungi to produce light can be coordinated with the plant's own metabolic process.

Caffeic acid, which is widely present in plants and necessary for the synthesis of cell walls, is a chemical involved in the process.

It can also be found in fungi, where four separate enzymes transform it into luciferin. The genes that produce such enzymes are engineered into the plant created by Light Bio.

They assert that compared to earlier plants, the new plants glow more brilliantly. The entire petunia plant's life cycle produces light, but the blossoms are very bright.

Wood claims that the light almost reaches these plants' spiritual essence.

Marketing Genetically Modified Plants

Few genetically modified ornamental plants, like blue roses and purple carnations, are on the market.

In the US, the government reviews GMO plant applications. The USDA approved Light Bio's petunia, deeming it safe and unlikely to harm agriculture.

However, Jennifer Kuzma, from North Carolina State University, worries about ecological effects, especially if these plants become widespread.

Also Read: European Bird Cherry Trees in Alaska Up for Weed Whacking in Statewide Battle Against Invasives

10,000 People Are Waiting for Glow-in-the-Dark Petunias

In its USDA application, Light Bio addressed concerns by noting that petunias are typically grown in well-lit indoor environments, surpassing the plant's own luminescence.

The company is preparing for commercial production, with over 10,000 people already on the waiting list. They plan to start online sales next spring and expand to nurseries.

Light Bio aims to develop brighter ornamental plants. Drew Endy of Stanford University believes in the public's interest, citing past Kickstarter support.

He envisions practical applications, such as replacing harsh artificial lighting with these glowing houseplants.

Related Article: Witch Hazel Seed Dispersion at Bullet Speed Could Inspire Robotics, Researchers Say
Drought is a state of prolonged periods of dry conditions and lack of precipitation, such as rainfall or snow. While the phenomenon is currently attributed to human-induced climate change and global warming, drought has existed and even impacted ancient civilizations for thousands of years, based on archaeological evidence.

Yet, the onset of the 21st century saw the persistence of a megadrought in southwestern North America.

In the United States, drought is threatening the drinking water supply of some towns in the Midwest region, according to reports earlier this week. The said natural disaster has affected the country, especially the western states, for several decades already.

However, the persistent drought in the region has taken its toll, causing some of the region's water basins to be either depleted or below their normal levels. Now, local authorities have been scrambling to conserve water for a growing human population.

Midwest Drought

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 40% of the Midwest is currently impacted by drought, particularly in the Upper Midwest and the south into Iowa and Missouri. In addition, 78% of Wisconsin is experiencing drought, as well as Minnesota and the Upper Mississippi River.

Furthermore, the drought monitor also shows the persistence of high temperatures and dry conditions in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, and other states.

The looming threat posed by the extreme weather event in the region means that small towns and ranches could face challenging choices as to where to get water resources.

Also Read: Drought Conditions and Hot Temperatures Affect 57.51% of Mainland 48 States: US Government Reports

US Drought Statistics

In a drought report last month, the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) stated 'severe to extreme drought' impacted approximately 18% of the contiguous US by the end of August 2023, based on the Palmer Drought Index. The said figure was an increase of 9% from July 2023.

Furthermore, the NCEI adds that around 29% of the contiguous US fell under the 'moderate to extreme drought' categories at the end of August.

The August 2023 drought report also shows the Great Plains region is one of the drought epicenters in the country, with the Midwest being the other epicenter. Related cases have been recorded in the southern, central, and northern parts of the US in August.

US Megadrought

The existing drought in the Midwest and its adjacent regions across the US is no surprise due to the persistence of a megadrought in the southwestern parts of North America or Western US, as mentioned earlier.

The World Economic Forum on September 20 cited from a study that the current megadrought in the Western US is the "most extreme megadrought" in the past 1,200 years. The organization highlighted the drought is a manifestation of high temperatures and low precipitation, which was especially evident between the summers of 2020 and 2021.

Outside the US, other parts of the world have also experienced moderate to extreme drought in recent months and years, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, and Somalia.

Related Article: US Drought: Colorado River Water Levels Drop by 20%, the Lowest This Century
A probe into the deaths of dozens of salmon and trout in one of Scotland's most famous fishing rivers has launched.

Since September 9, more than 50 adult fish have been discovered dead in a nearly 18-mile (29-kilometer) stretch of the Spey.

Alarming number of dead fish

The number of dead fish has alarmed Spey Fishery Board director Roger Knight.

He said that a few dead fish would be rather common at this time of year, perhaps six to twelve, but we have seen some quite troubling numbers.

"If it was just the odd dead fish being found we perhaps might not think that was anything unusual, but we suspect in excess of 50 dead adult fish have so far been found, and it could be more than that," he added.

Scottish officials are pressing for urgent action to contain the situation.

They underscored the seriousness of the reported dead fish and expressed concern about Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) lack of immediate action to address this.

"As soon as I was informed of this I was in touch with Sepa through parliamentary contacts and I'm urging them to treat this with the urgency it requires and outline what action they took when they were first notified," said Douglas Ross, Moray Member of Parliament.

Read Also: Piles of Dead Fish Removed from River Border Between Germany, Poland

Suspected pollution

According to the Spey Fishery Board, pollutants could have killed the fish.

The SEPA stated that no evidence of recent pollution had been discovered, but that the issue was being monitored.

"Despite water sampling and ongoing inspections by officers, we've found no evidence of a pollution event that would have resulted in fish mortality on this scale," said David Ogilvie, Senior Manager for Environmental Performance at the SEPA. "We're continuingg to work closely with partners, including the Fish Health Inspectorate who lead on fish moralities."

They also carried out a visual inspection, looking for evidence of pollution, including discoloration, sewage fungus, foaming, and odor.

Aside from the dead fish, a child who went swimming in the River Spey near Aberlour at Carron and Laggan has since been reported to be sick.

In addition, anecdotal information suggests that a group of walkers and a dog were ill after drinking filtered water from the river near Aberlour.

The cause remains unknown.

The Fish Health Inspectorate collected samples from 19 deceased fish for testing. Meanwhile, SEPA has been testing the river to determine its water temperature and pH level.

Moray Council has stated that the issue has not affected the water supplies of its schools or any of its other facilities.

In the Indian River Lagoon, another fish death covered homeowners' backyards.

This fish kill occurred over the weekend in Indialantic, just over the Melbourne Causeway.

Long-time residents say they've never seen so many dead fish before, and they're concerned about the lagoon's water quality.

The tide had swept away many of the dead fish since their discovery, but there was still a strong smell of decomposition and swarms of insects.

Related Article: Texas Fish Kill: Thousands of Dead Fish Along Coast Caused by Low Dissolved Oxygen

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The United Nations said that the wealthy nations must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040 to combat climate crisis.

An attack on wealthy countries and the fossil fuel sector for their sluggish response to the climate issue was launched by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as he gave the opening remarks at the UN climate ambition conference, which was held in New York on Wednesday.

The UN official underscored that the transition to clean energy is "decades behind" in the world.

"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 added.

Opened the gates to hell

As he assembled world leaders for a high-level summit on the climate disaster, Guterres gave a chilling proclamation: "Humanity has opened the gates to hell."

Without drastic action, he claimed that human activities caused severe heatwaves, floods, and wildfires to be seen all over the world and that a "dangerous and unstable" future of 2.8C global warming was looming.

Prior to the UN's COP28 climate meeting in Dubai in December, the one-day conference is meant to increase global momentum toward reducing pollution that warms the earth.

Only 34 countries and seven non-governmental organizations were given speaking opportunities at the UN chief's summit out of the almost 200 nations that were in New York for the General Assembly.

Some of the greatest polluters in the world, including China, India, and the United States, were noticeably absent from the speaker list, despite the fact that US climate envoy John Kerry is present.

Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, who is facing domestic criticism over proposals to undermine the nation's climate pledges, was also absent from the list.

"There's no doubt that the absence of so many leaders from the world's 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.

According to Guterres, the summit's goal is to raise the bar for climate action.

Read Also: Study: Global Temperatures Will Rise By 2 Degrees Due to Gases Released

Extra effort against climate crisis

The UN pleaded big emitting countries to take additional action.

Guterres also urged for funding to help poor countries switch to renewable energy and adapt to a warmer world, as well as for more and faster reductions in heat-trapping emissions.

Other developing and small island state leaders bemoaned the wealthy countries' failure to make progress toward delivering the $100 billion in promised climate aid as well as the challenges in obtaining financing at reasonable rates to expand the infrastructure required to prepare for a world with more intense storms, heat waves, and floods.

Selwin Hart, a special adviser to the UN Secretary-General on climate action and just transition, claimed there has been "massive backsliding" on commitments.

"The countries that committed to net-zero by 2050, and to the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris Agreement, they're expanding fossil fuel licensing at a time when science tells us this is totally incompatible with this 1.5-degree goal," he said in an interview.

Related Article: Human Activity Hastens Climate-driven Weather Catastrophes Like Drought, Flood, and Thunderstorms

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Mugger crocodiles, also called marsh crocodiles, were reported saving a dog being chased by a wild feral pack in India, according to a new study led by scientists in India.

The new research suggests that the local crocodiles inhabiting the Savitri River in Maharashtra, India, possess higher intelligence, at least in terms of emotions.

While the behavior shown by the reptiles is bizarre, there is an ongoing debate regarding the crocodiles' show of empathy.

What Are Mugger Crocodiles?

The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) can be found in most parts of India, except in some small areas of the country's north.

Their natural habitats range from east to Burma and west to Iran. To the south, the marsh crocodile's presence is also recorded in the island country of Sri Lanka, according to the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology.

C. palustris are commonly found in fresh bodies of water like lakes, rivers, hill streams, and village ponds. Furthermore, the crocodile species can live in freshwater and coastal saltwater lagoons, as well as artificial reservoirs, the Michigan university adds.

In general, mugger crocodiles thrive in environments almost similar to saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), the largest crocodile species in the world.

Also Read: Cape York Crocodile Attack: Australian Man Forcefully Opens Reptile's Jaws Locked on His Head to Survive

Is Crocodile Empathy Possible?

Scientists in India observed the incident involving mugger crocodiles saving a dog from the feral attack, proposing that the wild reptiles are capable showing relatively emotional intelligence through empathy.

However, skepticism surrounds this assertion since it is hard to perceive that wild animals can show empathy to other living organisms, especially those that do not belong from their own species.

The incident has been described by researchers in a new study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on August 26, wherein scientists acknowledge the existing bias of animal cognition when it comes to reptiles, as compared to mammals and birds. The authors of the report have spent years studying marsh crocodiles in Maharashtra.

In relation to the bizarre behavior exhibited by three crocodiles along the Indian river, scientists said the freshwater predators "could have easily devoured" the canine but they pushed it back to safety. The study indicates that the behavior shown by the crocodilians could be a sign of emotional empathy.

Animal Empathy

According to experts in the field of behavioral psychology, empathy is the cognitive ability to understand, feel, or decipher the emotions or points of view of others.

In the case of animal empathy, scientists have observed in the past that some animal species, especially mammals, can show such behavior towards other animals and even humans.

Even Charles Darwin pointed out that there is significant difference in the mental facilities between humans and the higher mammals, as cited by the University of West Alabama (UWA).

In today's research, evidence supports the notion that at least some animals can experience different types of emotions such as fear, joy, compassion, shame, happiness, rage, respect, and others, the UWA adds.

Related Article: Crocodile Mauls 8-Year-Old Boy to Death in Front of His Parents Before Dragging Him Into River
Indias Vodafone Idea (Vi) has shot down speculation in the local press that it could be acquired by a US company.

TelecomTalk reports that Indian media had mooted Amazon, Starlink and Verizon as potential buyers for the beleaguered operator, but Vi confirmed in an exchange filing that the reports are inaccurate, stating: We wish to submit that the said news item is incorrect. The company is not in any such discussion with any of the named parties.

The rumours were perhaps fuelled by a surge in Vis share prices over the past week, which have jumped to a 52-week high. The operator also recently made a sizeable payment to the Department of Telecoms for its 5G spectrum holding, but this is evidently not indicative of a fresh source of external funds.
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HPE's Aruba networking division announced a new access point and switch that are designed to enable faster speeds, increased capacity, and strengthened security for small and medium businesses that are grappling with bandwidth-intensive cloud applications.

The Aruba Instant On AP22D is a Wi-Fi 6 access point, and the Aruba Instant On 1960 is a stackable switch with 2.5GB port capacity. Both are designed to optimize network performance for employees and customers.

The combination is ideal for SMBs with high data demands and growing traffic. The two new products work together to provide increased throughput and improved security with minimal effort, according to HPE Aruba Networking.

SMBs are looking for high performance, easy-to-use, affordable network with cloud agility that allows them to expand their networks along with their businesses, said Amol Mitra, vice president and general manager, HPE Aruba Networking global small and medium business in a statement. HPE Aruba Networking simplifies network deployment and management via an intuitive mobile app that delivers a simple, smart and secure offering for SMB customers.

The Aruba Instant On brand is designed specifically for SMBs with less than 500 employees. It consists of wireless products  indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi access points  and wire products consisting of managed and unmanaged switches. The Instant On product line can be managed via the Instant On mobile app and cloud-based web portal.

"Featuring 4 ports of 2.5GbE and 60W of PoE, the new multi-gig switch supports higher bandwidth throughput over the same Cat 5/6(a) cabling that many businesses already have, making it a cost-effective way to upgrade network capacity. Further flexibility is provided by the 8 ports of 1GbE and 30W of PoE that enable legacy or lower bandwidth-demanding hardware to be used alongside higher-speed hardware  no rip and replace required," wrote Greg Weaver, Aruba Instant On Community Admin, in a blog post about the new hardware. "In addition to uplinking to the Aruba Instant On 1960 12-port aggregation switch, the 2 sets of dual uplink ports support 10GbE speed to connect server and storage devices with 10Base-T or SFP+ connections."

Both products are available now from Arubas channel partners.
For the last twelve years, 100% of CIOs have said that they expect to spend more on IT security, making security the only category that just keeps on absorbing investment. Every year in the last three years, over 80% of enterprises have said that their IT security still needed improvement. So, like death and taxes, is security spending growth inevitable? If we keep on the way we have, it sure seems like it. But what might change?

Lets start with whats important to users. External threats, meaning hacking, are a problem for every CIO. Internal threats, from badly behaving employees, are a problem for three out of four. Data theft is a universal fear, and malware that interferes with applications and operations is an important problem for over 90% of CIOs. As far as approaches or targets are concerned, 100% say access security on applications and data is essential and so is regular malware scanning. If you ask CIOs to pick a single thing they think is essential for IT security, its access security.

Access security, according to CIOs, is ensuring that applications and data are accessed only by those with the right to do so. If you have it, they believe, then hacking poses little threat because hackers wont be authorized. Malware that impersonates an authorized user may still have to be addressed, but access security can limit the scope of what malware can do. Its no wonder that every security vendor offers something in access security, and its no wonder that the hottest topic in security, zero-trust security, is a form of access security. Given that access is almost always via a network connection, its reasonable to ask whether network security features could enhance access security and zero-trust, and maybe even slow the growth of security spending overall. If you cant connect to it, you cant hack it.

Lets dissect that by starting with a critical statement: Zero-trust doesnt mean there is no trust, it means that trust is never assumed. That which isnt assumed is explicit, and that means that all true zero-trust strategies depend on deciding what information connections are valid. One way to do this is to require explicit log-in to access something, another is to provide some sort of firewall protection in front of the assets you want to protect. Most enterprises will use one or both these strategies.

One potentially serious problem with these approaches is that they dont see the whole picture. Many attacks consist of scanning for assets that can be attacked, and tools that are related to a specific asset will never recognize that pattern of attack. Because of that, its possible that a hacker or a malware-compromised company computer will find something bad to do before anyone recognizes its active. If this sort of look-around attack is recognized, it might be possible to tag the offending system as hostile and prevent other attacks. Might is the operative term here, because unless access control technology is based on a centralized directory, the distributed nature of the assets means you may well not keep them all up to date.

So what can the network do? Well, the network creates relationships between users and assets like applications and databases, even among assets themselves. These relationships, sometimes called sessions represent accesses, so if you could control them, you could provide access control at the network connection level. Since network control is typically centralized anyway, it wouldnt be an impossible step to add a directory of permitted sessions.

The trick in this is to be able to recognize a session in the first place. Fortunately, almost all applications use the TCP protocol to connect with users, databases, and other applications. TCP is what provides flow control and error correction to IP networks, and TCP connection (which are actually called sessions) are set up and broken down as needed, so its possible to recognize one and check to see if its valid. Theres been well over a decade of research on various strategies and benefits associated with having session-aware security, and most major network vendors support it in some form (for some examples, see papers from Cisco and Juniper). Technologies like SD-WAN, SASE, Level 3 switching and load balancing may offer at least a form of session security, so check what youve already deployed to see if it can be adapted before you add another product layer to a security stack that may already be overloaded!

The biggest complaint about session-based security is the need to identify users, assets, and valid session relationships explicitly. This, of course, is actually an essential piece of explicit trust management no matter where or how its implemented. Implementation details on this security model vary, but some allow for a logical hierarchy of users and assets, corresponding roughly to Microsofts concept of roles in its directory architecture. If this is fully supported, a session-based security product can be set up as easily as any other access security mechanism.

The notion of tainting an asset that misbehaves isnt always supported the same way. An automatic mechanism is loved by some users and hated by others, who fear that it could accidentally disable the CEOs computer or disconnect some key database. Most enterprises prefer a console warning about a given user/asset, giving an operator the chance to decide whether to mark it as untrusted.

Session-based security seems to be the least known of all the security strategies, with only 29% of enterprises able to identify even a single vendor who provides it. Enterprises are mixed in their view of how effective it might be as the basis for their security policies overall. Of that, 29% who seem to have some knowledge of session-based security, less than a third think it could be the foundation of access control, and less than a fifth think its the strongest basis for overall IT security. But of those who did, well over two-thirds had already started shifting to a session-based security model.

Time to inject my own view, based on over a decade of enterprise security analysis. I think that a good implementation of session-based security is the strongest possible security strategy, so good that it could replace other mechanisms for access control and simplify security implementations for most enterprises. I also think that theres considerable research being done on this, and related network-centric security strategies, and that its only a matter of time before the network itself, rather than a layer on top of the network, takes over as the preferred hosting point for information security. It can save you money, time, and maybe even your valuable data if you take it seriously. The network is the preferred vector of attack. Make it your prime defense.
Dr Pavan Yadav By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Nipah Virus, often abbreviated as NiV, is a zoonotic virus that can cause severe illness in humans. It was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers and subsequently in Singapore. Nipah Virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. RNA virus is known to cause Nipah Virus infection, or Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) in humans.

Transmission and Spread

Nipah Virus primarily spreads through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or contaminated materials, like their urine or saliva

Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with infected individuals, especially in healthcare settings

Consuming fruits contaminated by bat saliva or urine can also lead to infection

At-Risk Population

People in close contact with infected animals, especially those involved in the pig farming industry, are at higher risk

Healthcare workers caring for NiV-infected patients are also at risk due to potential nosocomial transmission

Communities living in regions with known NiV outbreaks face a higher risk

Precautions & Prevention

Strict hygiene measures should be followed when handling animals, particularly pigs and bats

Avoid drinking raw date palm sap, which can be contaminated with the virus

Isolation and appropriate infection control measures in healthcare settings are crucial

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for healthcare workers

Public health authorities conduct contact tracing and isolation of suspected cases during outbreaks

Contagiousness

Nipah Virus is not as highly contagious as some other viruses like measles or the common cold

In view of being less contagious the risk of Nipah spreading rapidly is lesser. The risk typically decreases with distance

Seriousness of Disease

Nipah Virus infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), leading to a high mortality rate

The seriousness of the disease depends on factors like the strain of the virus and the individuals immune response

NiV outbreaks have led to fatalities in the past, making it a public health concern

Nipah Virus is known for its relatively-high virulence, meaning it has the potential to cause severe disease in infected individuals

Virulence

Nipah Virus can cause a range of clinical presentations, from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

The case fatality rate (CFR) can vary depending on the outbreak strain and the level of medical care available, but it has been reported to be as high as 70 per cent in some outbreaks

Severe cases often lead to respiratory distress and neurological complications, making it a highly concerning pathogen

Public Health Measures

Stay informed about the situation by following updates from trusted health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Pay attention to any travel advisories or restrictions issued by local health authorities

Healthcare Preparedness

Ensure that healthcare facilities in Bengaluru are prepared to handle any potential cases, with proper isolation and infection control protocols in place

Advocate for healthcare workers to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with suspected cases

(The writer is lead consultant  interventional pulmonology & lung transplantation, Aster RV Hospital)

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BENGALURU: Nipah Virus, often abbreviated as NiV, is a zoonotic virus that can cause severe illness in humans. It was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers and subsequently in Singapore. Nipah Virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. RNA virus is known to cause Nipah Virus infection, or Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) in humans. Transmission and Spread Nipah Virus primarily spreads through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or contaminated materials, like their urine or saliva Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact with infected individuals, especially in healthcare settings Consuming fruits contaminated by bat saliva or urine can also lead to infection At-Risk Populationgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); People in close contact with infected animals, especially those involved in the pig farming industry, are at higher risk Healthcare workers caring for NiV-infected patients are also at risk due to potential nosocomial transmission Communities living in regions with known NiV outbreaks face a higher risk Precautions & Prevention Strict hygiene measures should be followed when handling animals, particularly pigs and bats Avoid drinking raw date palm sap, which can be contaminated with the virus Isolation and appropriate infection control measures in healthcare settings are crucial Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for healthcare workers Public health authorities conduct contact tracing and isolation of suspected cases during outbreaks Contagiousness Nipah Virus is not as highly contagious as some other viruses like measles or the common cold In view of being less contagious the risk of Nipah spreading rapidly is lesser. The risk typically decreases with distance Seriousness of Disease Nipah Virus infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), leading to a high mortality rate The seriousness of the disease depends on factors like the strain of the virus and the individuals immune response NiV outbreaks have led to fatalities in the past, making it a public health concern Nipah Virus is known for its relatively-high virulence, meaning it has the potential to cause severe disease in infected individuals Virulence Nipah Virus can cause a range of clinical presentations, from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) The case fatality rate (CFR) can vary depending on the outbreak strain and the level of medical care available, but it has been reported to be as high as 70 per cent in some outbreaks Severe cases often lead to respiratory distress and neurological complications, making it a highly concerning pathogen Public Health Measures Stay informed about the situation by following updates from trusted health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Pay attention to any travel advisories or restrictions issued by local health authorities Healthcare Preparedness Ensure that healthcare facilities in Bengaluru are prepared to handle any potential cases, with proper isolation and infection control protocols in place Advocate for healthcare workers to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with suspected cases (The writer is lead consultant  interventional pulmonology & lung transplantation, Aster RV Hospital) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) on Wednesday commenced its operations for Phase I of the newly redeveloped International Tech Park Hyderabad (ITPH). Strategically located in Madhapur, the heart of Hyderabads IT corridor, the business park has received 100% lease commitment from leading global corporations for its Block A office building.

CLINT will invest in the complete redevelopment of ITPH, which is expected to be done in phases for over 710 years. After completion, ITPH will provide 4.9 million sq.ft of Grade A+ office space to house more than 50,000 IT/IT Enabled Services (ITES) professionals.

Launching a block of ITPH, IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao said, CLIs commitment to developing world-class business parks and data centres in Hyderabad is a testament to the exponential growth of the citys IT sector. With Hyderabad becoming a preferred destination for leading global corporations, we are dedicated to providing the infrastructure and support necessary for these companies to grow and succeed.

Explaining about the growth of Hyderabad, he said during their visit, Maharashtra builders went around the city for three days and said what is being built essentially here is Indias version of Singapore. I was so delighted with the statement because Singapore is the country I look up to and it is the country we looked up to, stated Rama Rao

We will continue to work with leading companies like CLI to shape the future of Hyderabads business landscape by creating an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and collaboration, KTR added.

ITPH Block A offers tenants a wide array of amenities across over 0.11 million sq ft including cafeterias, food courts, private dining areas, meeting rooms and townhall centres, a daycare facility, a gym, a convenience store, a clinic, and premium flexible office spaces.

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HYDERABAD: CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) on Wednesday commenced its operations for Phase I of the newly redeveloped International Tech Park Hyderabad (ITPH). Strategically located in Madhapur, the heart of Hyderabads IT corridor, the business park has received 100% lease commitment from leading global corporations for its Block A office building. CLINT will invest in the complete redevelopment of ITPH, which is expected to be done in phases for over 710 years. After completion, ITPH will provide 4.9 million sq.ft of Grade A+ office space to house more than 50,000 IT/IT Enabled Services (ITES) professionals. Launching a block of ITPH, IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao said, CLIs commitment to developing world-class business parks and data centres in Hyderabad is a testament to the exponential growth of the citys IT sector. With Hyderabad becoming a preferred destination for leading global corporations, we are dedicated to providing the infrastructure and support necessary for these companies to grow and succeed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Explaining about the growth of Hyderabad, he said during their visit, Maharashtra builders went around the city for three days and said what is being built essentially here is Indias version of Singapore. I was so delighted with the statement because Singapore is the country I look up to and it is the country we looked up to, stated Rama Rao We will continue to work with leading companies like CLI to shape the future of Hyderabads business landscape by creating an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and collaboration, KTR added. ITPH Block A offers tenants a wide array of amenities across over 0.11 million sq ft including cafeterias, food courts, private dining areas, meeting rooms and townhall centres, a daycare facility, a gym, a convenience store, a clinic, and premium flexible office spaces. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan's tourism potential has been promoted in Russia and Kazakhstan.

The main purpose of organizing the events is to inform representatives of tourism companies operating in Kazakhstan and Russia about Azerbaijan's winter tourism, Azernews reports.

A series of meetings in B2B (Business to Business) format was successfully held with the participation of the tourism companies.

Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, Shahdag Mountain Resort local tourism companies specializing in inbound tourism, hotels and medical resorts operating in Baku and other cities were represented in a series of events together with the Azerbaijan State Tourism Board.

During the meetings with representatives of Kazakhstan's tourism industry, it was reported that a change in the category of Kazakh tourists visiting Azerbaijan was registered.

Before that, more interest was observed in the medical resorts of Azerbaijan, but recently, Azerbaijan, especially the city of Baku, has become one of the popular destinations among young people in Kazakhstan.

It was noted that the presence of direct flights from Kazakhstan's cities of Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Aktobe to Baku contributes to mutual tourist visits.

During the discussions with the Russian tourism companies, it was brought to attention that the interest of Russian tourists in the mountain-ski resorts operating in Azerbaijan has increased.

Over the first 8 months of 2023, an increase in the number of people visiting Azerbaijan from Kazakhstan and Russia was observed

Thus, in the period of January-August 2023, 35, 471 people from Kazakhstan and 426,177 people from Russia visited Azerbaijan, which means an increase of 85 percent and 62 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Note that, Azerbaijan has much to offer tourists at the most wonderful time. Here you can experience the world's most thrilling winter activities.

The Shahdag Mountain Resort is ideal for tourists of all ages. Well-known as the country's first ski resort, the resort is located in the Shahdag National Park, 32 km off Gusar District, 2,350 meters above sea level.

The resort plays an important role in the development of winter tourism in Azerbaijan. All conditions for this have been created in Shahdag for local and foreign tourists.

Shahdag Mountain Resort's hotels can accommodate a total of 1,200 people. On weekends, the center receives 8,000 tourists.

The infrastructure of the complex is very rich - there are a lot of hotels, restaurants, ski trails, lifts, etc.
Lebanon has reportedly received a multimillion-dollar donation from China to install solar energy for the countrys internet provider, according to Lebanons ministry of telecommunications.

The New Arab news service says that Ogero, the state-owned telecommunications service, will get over US$8 million to supply more than 830 of its sites with solar energy panels. The solar energy project is expected to be operating by summer 2024.

The national grid Electricite du Liban (EDL) barely produces three or four hours of power a day and outages are common for landline, mobile and internet users. Indeed Ogero has in the past resorted to backup generators. And of course its not alone. Most businesses and institutions regularly face severe power problems.

Theres a question mark over how the US will react to Chinese funding, albeit indirect, of Lebanons communications sector, but the country has arguably been left little choice. As the UKs Financial Times said in August, the country has been blighted by decades of hubris, deceit and corruption and is now mired in what the World Bank has called one of the worlds worst economic depressions.

However, ironically, this may also have driven the move to solar energy. A headline in the same newspaper last November said: Lebanons failing state forces unplanned shift to solar power and explained how households and businesses are installing renewables to bypass the power crisis.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Amid strains in India-Canada ties, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday met Home Minister Amit Shah and hoped for a quick resolution to disputes between the two countries, noting that Punjabis in large numbers live there and the deteriorating relations have left them in a state of panic.

Badal told reporters after the meeting that it is very disturbing to hear of the woes of Punjabis, including a large number of Sikhs, because of the worsening relations between the two countries.

"There is a sense of panic in India. Both governments, India's as well as Canada's, should find a solution as soon as possible," he said.

With India repeatedly conveying its concerns to Canada over Khalistani activities on its soil, Badal said Sikhs have been the most patriotic people who made maximum sacrifices during the independence struggle.

The community should not be blamed for what a few persons do, he said. The issues involving the two countries should be settled rather than escalated, he said. There are over 18 lakh Indians in Canada and a large number of them are Punjabis, he noted.

India on Thursday "suspended till further notice" its visa services in Canada. The move comes amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in June.

India has rejected the charge as absurd. The India-Canada ties have been on a downward spiral in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.

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NEW DELHI: Amid strains in India-Canada ties, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday met Home Minister Amit Shah and hoped for a quick resolution to disputes between the two countries, noting that Punjabis in large numbers live there and the deteriorating relations have left them in a state of panic. Badal told reporters after the meeting that it is very disturbing to hear of the woes of Punjabis, including a large number of Sikhs, because of the worsening relations between the two countries. "There is a sense of panic in India. Both governments, India's as well as Canada's, should find a solution as soon as possible," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); With India repeatedly conveying its concerns to Canada over Khalistani activities on its soil, Badal said Sikhs have been the most patriotic people who made maximum sacrifices during the independence struggle. The community should not be blamed for what a few persons do, he said. The issues involving the two countries should be settled rather than escalated, he said. There are over 18 lakh Indians in Canada and a large number of them are Punjabis, he noted. India on Thursday "suspended till further notice" its visa services in Canada. The move comes amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in June. India has rejected the charge as absurd. The India-Canada ties have been on a downward spiral in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: While the dust hasnt settled yet on the allegations Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made on India, suggesting the states involvement in the killing of slain Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, comes a report of another gangster being shot dead in Canada.

Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga was killed in Winnipeg Canada in what is being as an inter-gang rivalry.

Duneke had fled to Canada from India on forged documents in 2017 and has several criminal cases registered against him.

"There are anywhere between 20 and 25 individuals we have sought for extradition based on their antecedents from Canada. However, we got no response from the Canadian government. Canada is a safe haven for terrorists, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

ALSO READ | Canada gets 'muted allied support' after alleging India's role in Khalistan separatist's killing

Canada has been a preferred destination for these criminals as they are provided a security cover as a result of which they live there with impunity.

India has been continuously raising the issues of the threats its High Commission in Ottawa and other consulates in Toronto have been getting in the last few years.

Khalistani extremists had put a bounty on the head of Indian diplomats and India is concerned for their safety.

"We hope that under the Geneva Convention, our missions are given a security cover and our diplomats and other citizens are safe, said Bagchi.

"It is unfortunate that Canadian political parties, especially the liberals, have turned Nelson's eye towards the activities of Khalistani elements. This has been going on for decades now and naturally cast a shadow over bilateral relations. This matter has repeatedly been taken up with successive administrations at all levels in Canada. They keep harping on freedom of speech knowing well that it cannot extend to inciting violence against the Indian diplomats in Canada and hatred towards India or for that matter prejudicing Indias unity and territorial integrity, said Former Indian Ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Vishnu Prakash.

Meanwhile, in its advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada, India has asked them to exercise extreme caution.

"Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, the advisory stated.

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NEW DELHI: While the dust hasnt settled yet on the allegations Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made on India, suggesting the states involvement in the killing of slain Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, comes a report of another gangster being shot dead in Canada. Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga was killed in Winnipeg Canada in what is being as an inter-gang rivalry. Duneke had fled to Canada from India on forged documents in 2017 and has several criminal cases registered against him.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "There are anywhere between 20 and 25 individuals we have sought for extradition based on their antecedents from Canada. However, we got no response from the Canadian government. Canada is a safe haven for terrorists, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. ALSO READ | Canada gets 'muted allied support' after alleging India's role in Khalistan separatist's killing Canada has been a preferred destination for these criminals as they are provided a security cover as a result of which they live there with impunity. India has been continuously raising the issues of the threats its High Commission in Ottawa and other consulates in Toronto have been getting in the last few years. Khalistani extremists had put a bounty on the head of Indian diplomats and India is concerned for their safety. "We hope that under the Geneva Convention, our missions are given a security cover and our diplomats and other citizens are safe, said Bagchi. "It is unfortunate that Canadian political parties, especially the liberals, have turned Nelson's eye towards the activities of Khalistani elements. This has been going on for decades now and naturally cast a shadow over bilateral relations. This matter has repeatedly been taken up with successive administrations at all levels in Canada. They keep harping on freedom of speech knowing well that it cannot extend to inciting violence against the Indian diplomats in Canada and hatred towards India or for that matter prejudicing Indias unity and territorial integrity, said Former Indian Ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Vishnu Prakash. Meanwhile, in its advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada, India has asked them to exercise extreme caution. "Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, the advisory stated. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: Setting up an example of brotherhood between two religious communities, Muslim neighbours of a poor Hindu family came forward to provide all helpright from renting a hearse to engaging a group to chant mantrasto cremate the body of an 82-year man in Murrshidabads Rejinagar in south Bengal, the state known for its communal harmony.

Kanai Mondal, who had been suffering from an age-old illness, passed away on Wednesday morning and his daily-wage earner family members were sitting helplessly with the body as they did not have money to cremate the deceased.

On hearing about the death of their neighbour, residents of the minority-dominated village, where only four Hindu families reside, did not spare a minute. They started collecting money from the other Muslim residents to bear the expenses for Kanais cremation.

Tahidul Islam and Babar Sheikh collected bamboo from their own bamboo groves to make structures to carry the body to the crematorium. Sahidul Islam arranged a vehicle to transport the body.

The family is so poor that they couldnt even think of making these arrangements. Mondal was our neighbour. We decided to engage a keertan group to chant mantras as it is a religious practice of the Hindu community when the body of an elderly deceased is being taken to a crematorium, said Tahidul.

Tahidul, Babar, Sahidul and others lifted the bamboo structure on their shoulders to carry the body to the rented vehicle and to the platform of the crematorium.

We dont believe in differences in the religion. We live in the village like each other neighbours who stand by each other during any crisis period. We dont think we have done anything special as it was our duty to help a neighbour, said Babar.

Mondals niece Alpana Mondal, expressed her gratitude to her neighbours. My uncles family was unable to perform the last rites as they were financially stressed. Had the neighbours not come forward and provided all necessary help, cremating him would not have been possible, she said.

The homemaker said the Muslim neighbours attend Hindu religious festivals organised by a handful of Hindu households in the village and they also visit the houses of the minority community during religious festivals.

Murshidabad is one of the minority-dominated pockets in the state which never witnessed any communal discord in recent memories.

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KOLKATA: Setting up an example of brotherhood between two religious communities, Muslim neighbours of a poor Hindu family came forward to provide all helpright from renting a hearse to engaging a group to chant mantrasto cremate the body of an 82-year man in Murrshidabads Rejinagar in south Bengal, the state known for its communal harmony. Kanai Mondal, who had been suffering from an age-old illness, passed away on Wednesday morning and his daily-wage earner family members were sitting helplessly with the body as they did not have money to cremate the deceased. On hearing about the death of their neighbour, residents of the minority-dominated village, where only four Hindu families reside, did not spare a minute. They started collecting money from the other Muslim residents to bear the expenses for Kanais cremation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Tahidul Islam and Babar Sheikh collected bamboo from their own bamboo groves to make structures to carry the body to the crematorium. Sahidul Islam arranged a vehicle to transport the body. The family is so poor that they couldnt even think of making these arrangements. Mondal was our neighbour. We decided to engage a keertan group to chant mantras as it is a religious practice of the Hindu community when the body of an elderly deceased is being taken to a crematorium, said Tahidul. Tahidul, Babar, Sahidul and others lifted the bamboo structure on their shoulders to carry the body to the rented vehicle and to the platform of the crematorium. We dont believe in differences in the religion. We live in the village like each other neighbours who stand by each other during any crisis period. We dont think we have done anything special as it was our duty to help a neighbour, said Babar. Mondals niece Alpana Mondal, expressed her gratitude to her neighbours. My uncles family was unable to perform the last rites as they were financially stressed. Had the neighbours not come forward and provided all necessary help, cremating him would not have been possible, she said. The homemaker said the Muslim neighbours attend Hindu religious festivals organised by a handful of Hindu households in the village and they also visit the houses of the minority community during religious festivals. Murshidabad is one of the minority-dominated pockets in the state which never witnessed any communal discord in recent memories. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has filed an FIR against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged "hate speech."

According to the FIR lodged with the Nazira Model Police Station in Assams Sivasagar district, Sarma had suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt.

Saikia alleged Sarma had made the banal and hateful statement during the Jan Ashirwad rally in Vidhisha district of Madhya Pradesh on September 19. He pointed out that 10 Janpath is the residence of Congress leader and MP, Sonia Gandhi who is also the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Saikia alleged that by making such a statement, the Assam CM had taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form in a country governed by the rule of law.

While taunting Sri Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sri Sarma has directly suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt, the FIR reads.

Saikia alleged that Sarma had given a clear instigation towards violence and arson.

By suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Sri Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition but he is giving a clarion call towards arson, the Assam Congress leader said.

Such wanton statements coming from a Constitutional authority has the potential of causing misguided persons to resort to violence and potentially cause harm to the residents of 10 Janpath. This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma and he is liable to be booked under Sections 153 and 115/436 of the Indian Penal Code, Saikia said.

He said the statement made by Sarma was widely circulated over print, electronic and social media and it is accessible in Assam.

Accordingly, the effects of the instigation and violent rhetoric is felt within your good offices jurisdiction. I, therefore, implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard, Saikia further wrote in the FIR.

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GUWAHATI: Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has filed an FIR against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged "hate speech." According to the FIR lodged with the Nazira Model Police Station in Assams Sivasagar district, Sarma had suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt. Saikia alleged Sarma had made the banal and hateful statement during the Jan Ashirwad rally in Vidhisha district of Madhya Pradesh on September 19. He pointed out that 10 Janpath is the residence of Congress leader and MP, Sonia Gandhi who is also the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Saikia alleged that by making such a statement, the Assam CM had taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form in a country governed by the rule of law. While taunting Sri Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sri Sarma has directly suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt, the FIR reads. Saikia alleged that Sarma had given a clear instigation towards violence and arson. By suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Sri Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition but he is giving a clarion call towards arson, the Assam Congress leader said. Such wanton statements coming from a Constitutional authority has the potential of causing misguided persons to resort to violence and potentially cause harm to the residents of 10 Janpath. This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma and he is liable to be booked under Sections 153 and 115/436 of the Indian Penal Code, Saikia said. He said the statement made by Sarma was widely circulated over print, electronic and social media and it is accessible in Assam. Accordingly, the effects of the instigation and violent rhetoric is felt within your good offices jurisdiction. I, therefore, implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard, Saikia further wrote in the FIR. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: DMK member A Raja on Thursday asked the government not to give any "unscientific colour" to the Chandrayaan mission and said the effects of India's growing scientific prowess should percolate down to society.

Participating in a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission in the Lok Sabha, Raja said India is among the top four superpowers in the world after the US, Russia and China, and added that till 1950, the universe and the galaxy were treated as "riddle".

"By putting the Chandrayaan in the correct orbit the mythological illusion has been removed and that is the success of the Dravidian concept," Raja said.

"I plead the government do not give any unscientific colour to Chandrayaan. America, the USSR, and China did not do that. Please put Vikram Sarabhai's name for Chandrayaan 3," Raja said and added that efforts should be made to ensure that the advances made in the field of science and technology percolate down to society and increase scientific temper.

Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the lunar south pole on August 23, propelling India to an exclusive club of four and making it the first country to land on the uncharted surface.

Raja said, "I feel that on one side you are sending Chandrayaan to space and (on the other side) your heart and brain going down somewhere else.

It is a contradiction. On one side the prime minister was jubilant about Chandrayaan-3 and on the other, he was very proud to launch the Vishwakarma scheme.

READ MORE | Vishwakarma Scheme will be opposed tooth and nail, says DMK

"He said the PM Vishwakarma scheme encourages people engaged in traditional craftsmanships, like barbers and goldsmiths, to remain in those professions only.

Raja stressed that the parity that India has achieved with America, Russia and China will give a message that the country is second to none in space research.

BJP member Nishikant Dubey, however, took objections to Raja's speech saying that Article 25 of the Constitution allows everyone to follow any religion of choice and no person can question their religious belief.

"But he (Raja) is attacking us. We follow Sanatan Dharma and we are Hindu, and you have no right to attack us," Dubey said.

Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings of the House, cautioned Raja and asked him to be careful in his remarks. "Sometimes mythology and history are mixed. They cannot be separated altogether. In our country it is a tradition to tell history through mythology," Agrawal said.

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NEW DELHI: DMK member A Raja on Thursday asked the government not to give any "unscientific colour" to the Chandrayaan mission and said the effects of India's growing scientific prowess should percolate down to society. Participating in a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission in the Lok Sabha, Raja said India is among the top four superpowers in the world after the US, Russia and China, and added that till 1950, the universe and the galaxy were treated as "riddle". "By putting the Chandrayaan in the correct orbit the mythological illusion has been removed and that is the success of the Dravidian concept," Raja said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "I plead the government do not give any unscientific colour to Chandrayaan. America, the USSR, and China did not do that. Please put Vikram Sarabhai's name for Chandrayaan 3," Raja said and added that efforts should be made to ensure that the advances made in the field of science and technology percolate down to society and increase scientific temper. Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the lunar south pole on August 23, propelling India to an exclusive club of four and making it the first country to land on the uncharted surface. Raja said, "I feel that on one side you are sending Chandrayaan to space and (on the other side) your heart and brain going down somewhere else. It is a contradiction. On one side the prime minister was jubilant about Chandrayaan-3 and on the other, he was very proud to launch the Vishwakarma scheme. READ MORE | Vishwakarma Scheme will be opposed tooth and nail, says DMK "He said the PM Vishwakarma scheme encourages people engaged in traditional craftsmanships, like barbers and goldsmiths, to remain in those professions only. Raja stressed that the parity that India has achieved with America, Russia and China will give a message that the country is second to none in space research. BJP member Nishikant Dubey, however, took objections to Raja's speech saying that Article 25 of the Constitution allows everyone to follow any religion of choice and no person can question their religious belief. "But he (Raja) is attacking us. We follow Sanatan Dharma and we are Hindu, and you have no right to attack us," Dubey said. Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings of the House, cautioned Raja and asked him to be careful in his remarks. "Sometimes mythology and history are mixed. They cannot be separated altogether. In our country it is a tradition to tell history through mythology," Agrawal said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Parvez Sultan By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) on Thursday advised television news channels against inviting individuals against whom there are 'serious' criminal or terrorism cases registered or belonging to an organisation banned in the country.

The advisory has been issued in the wake of a discussion aired on a channel in which a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism, belonging to an organisation proscribed by law in India, made an appearance.

During the discussion, the person in question had made several comments which are detrimental to the sovereignty, integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also have the potential of disturbing public order in the country, stated the ministry.

Attention is invited to Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 laying down the circumstances and conditions under which the Central Government may, by order, regulate or prohibit transmission/retransmission of any television channel or programme in public interest, and where it is considered necessary and expedient to issue such orders in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of state, friendly relations of India with any foreign state, or public order or decency or morality, read the advisory.

The ministry cautioned the channels saying that the government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution but at the same time the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Television channels are advised to refrain from giving any platform to reports/references about and views/agenda of persons of such background including those against whom there are charges of serious crimes/terrorism and belonging to organizations which have been proscribed by law, having regard to the reasonable restrictions laid down under Article 19(2) of the Constitution and mentioned under sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Act, stated the advisory.

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NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) on Thursday advised television news channels against inviting individuals against whom there are 'serious' criminal or terrorism cases registered or belonging to an organisation banned in the country. The advisory has been issued in the wake of a discussion aired on a channel in which a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism, belonging to an organisation proscribed by law in India, made an appearance. During the discussion, the person in question had made several comments which are detrimental to the sovereignty, integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also have the potential of disturbing public order in the country, stated the ministry.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Attention is invited to Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 laying down the circumstances and conditions under which the Central Government may, by order, regulate or prohibit transmission/retransmission of any television channel or programme in public interest, and where it is considered necessary and expedient to issue such orders in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of state, friendly relations of India with any foreign state, or public order or decency or morality, read the advisory. The ministry cautioned the channels saying that the government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution but at the same time the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Television channels are advised to refrain from giving any platform to reports/references about and views/agenda of persons of such background including those against whom there are charges of serious crimes/terrorism and belonging to organizations which have been proscribed by law, having regard to the reasonable restrictions laid down under Article 19(2) of the Constitution and mentioned under sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Act, stated the advisory. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to activist Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case.

A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Sharmila Deshmukh allowed Raut's plea seeking bail on merits.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought the court to stay its order for two weeks so that it could file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The bench then stayed in operation of its order for a week.

Raut was arrested in June 2018 and is presently in judicial custody.

He had moved HC in 2022 seeking bail and challenging the order passed by the special NIA court refusing him bail.

Raut in his plea had said his custody was unwarranted and that it was against Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The NIA had opposed the plea saying it was not justifiable to grant an accused, booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to seek bail on constitutional grounds.

As many as 16 activists have been arrested in the case of which five are currently out on bail.

Scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira have been granted regular bail, while poet Varavara Rao is currently out on bail on health grounds.

Another accused, activist Gautam Navlakha, is under house arrest as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

The case pertains to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which according to the Pune police was funded by Maoists.

The inflammatory speeches made there led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune the next day, the police had alleged.

The case was later probed by the NIA.

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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to activist Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case. A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Sharmila Deshmukh allowed Raut's plea seeking bail on merits. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought the court to stay its order for two weeks so that it could file an appeal in the Supreme Court.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The bench then stayed in operation of its order for a week. Raut was arrested in June 2018 and is presently in judicial custody. He had moved HC in 2022 seeking bail and challenging the order passed by the special NIA court refusing him bail. Raut in his plea had said his custody was unwarranted and that it was against Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The NIA had opposed the plea saying it was not justifiable to grant an accused, booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to seek bail on constitutional grounds. As many as 16 activists have been arrested in the case of which five are currently out on bail. Scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira have been granted regular bail, while poet Varavara Rao is currently out on bail on health grounds. Another accused, activist Gautam Navlakha, is under house arrest as per the direction of the Supreme Court. The case pertains to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which according to the Pune police was funded by Maoists. The inflammatory speeches made there led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune the next day, the police had alleged. The case was later probed by the NIA. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: In a tragic incident, a French tourist fell to her death in Fatehpur Sikri when the railing against which she was standing and trying to click a photo along with her friends came down from a height of around 9 ft on Thursday.

After falling down on the stone floor, the tourist, named Esma, 61, was unconscious and remained untreated for over a hour as there was no ambulance in the vicinity to ferry her to the hospital. Her group members kept on asking for medical help and tried to revive her but to no avail.

According to sources, the ambulance took about one hour to reach the monument. The critically injured tourist was then taken to SN Medical College where the doctors, finding her very critical, referred her to a private hospital -- Rainbow. At Rainbow hospital, the doctors declared her dead upon arrival. The incident took place around 2 pm on Thursday afternoon.

As per the sources, a group of 20 French tourists was visiting Fatehpur Sikri. They were clicking pictures at different locations of the fort. Esma was taking picture along with her five friends near the Diwan-e-Khas standing against a wooden railing which came down crashing. While the others managed to save themselves, Esma fell down and lost consciousness, said her husband while talking to media persons at the hospital.

On learning about the tragedy, Agra DM Bhanu Goswami along with Deputy Commissioner of Police and Agra CMO rushed to the hospital. The DM later ordered a magisterial probe, to be conducted by the ADM Protocol, into the incident. The probe will also cover the undue delay in the arrival of the ambulance and the strictest action will be taken against those who will be found guilty of slackness in the matter, said the DM.

The railing which was installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prior to the pandemic had reportedly been lying loose for quite some time. Fathepur Sikri is an ASI protected monument attracting a huge number of tourists.

ASI's superintending archaeologist Raj Kumar Patel said that the group of French tourists had come from Udaipur in Rajasthan to Fatehpur Sikri.

"An ASI official was rushed to the hospital to coordinate with the group of tourists but by then the French lady had succumbed to her injury," said Patel. Later, the body was sent for autopsy and other modalities were being completed by the Agra adminisration.

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LUCKNOW: In a tragic incident, a French tourist fell to her death in Fatehpur Sikri when the railing against which she was standing and trying to click a photo along with her friends came down from a height of around 9 ft on Thursday. After falling down on the stone floor, the tourist, named Esma, 61, was unconscious and remained untreated for over a hour as there was no ambulance in the vicinity to ferry her to the hospital. Her group members kept on asking for medical help and tried to revive her but to no avail. According to sources, the ambulance took about one hour to reach the monument. The critically injured tourist was then taken to SN Medical College where the doctors, finding her very critical, referred her to a private hospital -- Rainbow. At Rainbow hospital, the doctors declared her dead upon arrival. The incident took place around 2 pm on Thursday afternoon.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As per the sources, a group of 20 French tourists was visiting Fatehpur Sikri. They were clicking pictures at different locations of the fort. Esma was taking picture along with her five friends near the Diwan-e-Khas standing against a wooden railing which came down crashing. While the others managed to save themselves, Esma fell down and lost consciousness, said her husband while talking to media persons at the hospital. On learning about the tragedy, Agra DM Bhanu Goswami along with Deputy Commissioner of Police and Agra CMO rushed to the hospital. The DM later ordered a magisterial probe, to be conducted by the ADM Protocol, into the incident. The probe will also cover the undue delay in the arrival of the ambulance and the strictest action will be taken against those who will be found guilty of slackness in the matter, said the DM. The railing which was installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prior to the pandemic had reportedly been lying loose for quite some time. Fathepur Sikri is an ASI protected monument attracting a huge number of tourists. ASI's superintending archaeologist Raj Kumar Patel said that the group of French tourists had come from Udaipur in Rajasthan to Fatehpur Sikri. "An ASI official was rushed to the hospital to coordinate with the group of tourists but by then the French lady had succumbed to her injury," said Patel. Later, the body was sent for autopsy and other modalities were being completed by the Agra adminisration. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Protestors, mostly women, attempted to storm police stations in parts of Manipurs Imphal valley on Thursday to court their arrest as five youths arrested by the police last week for carrying weapons and donning camouflage uniform, were not released by the government.

Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel dispersed the mobs by firing tear gas shells and smoke bombs. At least nine protestors were injured.

After the violence, the authorities clamped a total curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts as a precautionary measure.

Curfew relaxation in respect of Imphal East district from 5 am to 9 for 21st September 2023 in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items is hereby cancelled with immediate effect, as there is a likelihood of gathering of the public for reasons mentioned other than the purpose of relaxation of curfew, District Magistrate Khumanthem Diana Devi said in an order.

The protestors attempted to court arrest in all five districts of Imphal Valley  Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur. At all places, they were dispersed by the personnel.

The fill in the jails protest was staged hours after a 48-hour bandh, called by the members of Meira Paibi (Meitei women torchbearers) and local clubs, ended at midnight, Wednesday. The bandh was enforced in the five districts demanding the release of the five youths. The protestors claimed the five men were village volunteers who were guarding their villages from attacks by Kuki-Zo militants.

During scuffles with the police and RAF personnel on Thursday, the protesting women said they were also village volunteers and should be arrested. They asked if village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meiteis living in villages close to Kuki-majority hills.

They slammed the personnel for alleged failure to arrest armed miscreants and leaders of insurgent groups.

Meanwhile, police and paramilitary forces recovered four mortar bombs, kept hidden under bushes, during a joint operation in the Kangpokpi district on Wednesday evening.

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GUWAHATI: Protestors, mostly women, attempted to storm police stations in parts of Manipurs Imphal valley on Thursday to court their arrest as five youths arrested by the police last week for carrying weapons and donning camouflage uniform, were not released by the government. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel dispersed the mobs by firing tear gas shells and smoke bombs. At least nine protestors were injured. After the violence, the authorities clamped a total curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts as a precautionary measure. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Curfew relaxation in respect of Imphal East district from 5 am to 9 for 21st September 2023 in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items is hereby cancelled with immediate effect, as there is a likelihood of gathering of the public for reasons mentioned other than the purpose of relaxation of curfew, District Magistrate Khumanthem Diana Devi said in an order. The protestors attempted to court arrest in all five districts of Imphal Valley  Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur. At all places, they were dispersed by the personnel. The fill in the jails protest was staged hours after a 48-hour bandh, called by the members of Meira Paibi (Meitei women torchbearers) and local clubs, ended at midnight, Wednesday. The bandh was enforced in the five districts demanding the release of the five youths. The protestors claimed the five men were village volunteers who were guarding their villages from attacks by Kuki-Zo militants. During scuffles with the police and RAF personnel on Thursday, the protesting women said they were also village volunteers and should be arrested. They asked if village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meiteis living in villages close to Kuki-majority hills. They slammed the personnel for alleged failure to arrest armed miscreants and leaders of insurgent groups. Meanwhile, police and paramilitary forces recovered four mortar bombs, kept hidden under bushes, during a joint operation in the Kangpokpi district on Wednesday evening. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked why President Droupadi Murmu, a woman and the first person from the tribal community to hold the high office, was not invited for the opening of the new Parliament building.

I would have liked to see the President of India in this premise. The President of India is a woman, she represents the tribal community, it would have been befitting to have her presence in this transfer from one house to the another, he said.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan also questioned the President's absence at the new parliament building inauguration.

Initiating a discussion on The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Ranjan also questioned why it took the BJP nine-and-a-half years to bring the bill despite promising it in the party's election manifesto in 2014.

"I want to ask why the president was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. She is a woman and comes from a tribal community," she said.

Stating that her party supports the bill, Ranjan questioned the need to call a special session to pass it instead of during a regular session.

"Limelight lene ke aadat hai (it is a habit to hog the limelight)," she said, adding that the BJP is now trying to use women before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She also questioned the government on its intentions on several issues, saying it did not consult anyone before the demonetisation of high-value currency notes and added that 155 people died during the limited window to exchange the banned notes.

It did not consult anyone when the three controversial farm laws were introduced, no one in government spoke when women wrestlers protested against a BJP MP over allegations of sexual harassment and two women were paraded naked in strife-torn Manipur, the Congress member said.

Ranjan also questioned the conditions of a delimitation exercise based on census data for giving reservations to women.

"You want to raise the number of seats (in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies) and then give women reservation. Why not give them a share in the present seats?" She also demanded reservations for OBCs, similar to that for SCs/STs.

(With inputs from PTI)

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NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked why President Droupadi Murmu, a woman and the first person from the tribal community to hold the high office, was not invited for the opening of the new Parliament building. I would have liked to see the President of India in this premise. The President of India is a woman, she represents the tribal community, it would have been befitting to have her presence in this transfer from one house to the another, he said. Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan also questioned the President's absence at the new parliament building inauguration. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Initiating a discussion on The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, Ranjan also questioned why it took the BJP nine-and-a-half years to bring the bill despite promising it in the party's election manifesto in 2014. "I want to ask why the president was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. She is a woman and comes from a tribal community," she said. Stating that her party supports the bill, Ranjan questioned the need to call a special session to pass it instead of during a regular session. "Limelight lene ke aadat hai (it is a habit to hog the limelight)," she said, adding that the BJP is now trying to use women before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She also questioned the government on its intentions on several issues, saying it did not consult anyone before the demonetisation of high-value currency notes and added that 155 people died during the limited window to exchange the banned notes. It did not consult anyone when the three controversial farm laws were introduced, no one in government spoke when women wrestlers protested against a BJP MP over allegations of sexual harassment and two women were paraded naked in strife-torn Manipur, the Congress member said. Ranjan also questioned the conditions of a delimitation exercise based on census data for giving reservations to women. "You want to raise the number of seats (in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies) and then give women reservation. Why not give them a share in the present seats?" She also demanded reservations for OBCs, similar to that for SCs/STs. (With inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Tecnotree has signed a new contract with internet service provider Briclinks Africa Nigeria, which operates as BTEL.

Under the agreement, Tecnotree will provide BTEL with its Tecnotree Switch, DiWa and Moments B2B2X marketplace, allowing the firm to meet market requirements as a green field MVNO in Nigeria.

Tecnotrees Switch for MVNOs suite comprises a full range of business processes that support customer lifecycle and revenue management. The cloud-native, Open Digital Architecture (ODA) compliant suite provides an improved customer experience and advanced monetisation opportunities.

Meanwhile, the firms Switch BSS enables customers to create a market differentiator and provide tools and open-source technologies to gain maximum benefits in terms of scale, performance, flexibility, and Capex/Opex savings.

The DiWa Intelligent Fintech Platform powers a Digital Intelligent Wallet that offers a full range of fintech and banking engagement-based wallet capabilities for consumers and enterprises, while Tecnotree Moments offers a B2B2X Super App, with a marketplace that can be used to extend services to enterprises and end users via APIs.

Mohammed Buhari, CEO of Briclinks Africa, said that the solutions will enhance our operational efficiency and cater to the ever-evolving market requirements by providing the necessary tools to drive maximum benefits in terms of scale, performance, and cost-effectiveness.

Tecnotree CEO Padma Ravichander added: This partnership not only improves access to financial services but also promises to create more job opportunities and drive economic growth in the region in line with our vision to empower digitally connected communities.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: With US President Joe Biden having been invited as the chief guest for Republic Day in 2024, there is speculation on whether there would be a Quad Summit in India in January.

If President Biden does confirm his visit, there is every possibility of the Quad Summit being held around the same time, said a source.

Earlier, on Wednesday, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, "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."

President Biden hasn't confirmed his participation yet, but if he accepts, he would be visiting India for the second time in four months.

ALSO READ | English breakfast: Modi, Bidens grandpa & some spiced toast

India will host the next Quad Summit but there is no confirmation yet on the dates. Although January 26 is also Australia's National Day, the summit could be held shortly afterwards if President Biden gives his nod.

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 would be, if it happens to be in January.

President Biden, who has been in the White House since 2021, is hoping to be nominated by the Democratic Party as the Presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

Former US President Barack Obama had been the chief guest for Republic Day in 2015.

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NEW DELHI: With US President Joe Biden having been invited as the chief guest for Republic Day in 2024, there is speculation on whether there would be a Quad Summit in India in January. If President Biden does confirm his visit, there is every possibility of the Quad Summit being held around the same time, said a source. Earlier, on Wednesday, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, "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."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); President Biden hasn't confirmed his participation yet, but if he accepts, he would be visiting India for the second time in four months. ALSO READ | English breakfast: Modi, Bidens grandpa & some spiced toast India will host the next Quad Summit but there is no confirmation yet on the dates. Although January 26 is also Australia's National Day, the summit could be held shortly afterwards if President Biden gives his nod. 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 would be, if it happens to be in January. President Biden, who has been in the White House since 2021, is hoping to be nominated by the Democratic Party as the Presidential candidate for the 2024 election. Former US President Barack Obama had been the chief guest for Republic Day in 2015. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, "until further notice", amid the escalating tensions between both countries. According to BLS International  a private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians  Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, due to "operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023."

"Our diplomatic staff in the High Commission and Consulates in Canada are working under threats and in that situation it would not be viable to continue issuing visas. Therefore we have decided not to provide visa services for the time being. Canadian citizens from third countries too cannot apply for visas," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi.

As per BLS International, interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

"Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates," the ticker on the website read.

A screengrab from the BLS International website

The move comes amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

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.

This comes after the Canadian government had rejected a travel advisory issued by India about security risks in Canada, saying it is one of the safest countries in the world, and called for calm amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations.

India on Wednesday advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in the North American country, as the diplomatic row threatened to snowball into a major confrontation. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as "absurd" and "motivated."

The India-Canada ties have been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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India has suspended its visa services in Canada, "until further notice", amid the escalating tensions between both countries. According to BLS International  a private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians  Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, due to "operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023." "Our diplomatic staff in the High Commission and Consulates in Canada are working under threats and in that situation it would not be viable to continue issuing visas. Therefore we have decided not to provide visa services for the time being. Canadian citizens from third countries too cannot apply for visas," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi. As per BLS International, interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates," the ticker on the website read. A screengrab from the BLS International website The move comes amid the escalating diplomatic row that erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. 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. This comes after the Canadian government had rejected a travel advisory issued by India about security risks in Canada, saying it is one of the safest countries in the world, and called for calm amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations. India on Wednesday advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in the North American country, as the diplomatic row threatened to snowball into a major confrontation. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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. The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as "absurd" and "motivated." The India-Canada ties have been reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns. (With additional inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The political standoff is not going to affect the military ties between India and Canada, military officials of the two countries have said. The deputy chief of the Canadian Army will be attending the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) next week.

Terming the country an important partner in the IPACC journey, Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general of strategic planning, said the recent diplomatic row would not impact the two countries.

The Canadian (deputy) chief is coming here along with his delegation. When we look at the relationships with some of our neighbours... We may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it military or diplomatic. 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 who will join a two-day event beginning September 26. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had on Monday alleged that there is 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 PMs claim.

We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement by their foreign minister. Allegations of the Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, said Indias foreign ministry.

Along with the 13th edition of the IPACC, India and the United States 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 September 25 to 27. This will see over 150 delegates participate in various plenary and round-table sessions.

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, it said.

Indian diaspora in Canada polarised, students anxious about future

The Indian diaspora is polarised in Canada and Punjab students planning to leave for that country are a worried lot following the Sikhs For Justices threat to the Hindus. We are now seeing full-scale Hinduphobia, said Vijay Jain a spokesperson for Canadian Hindus for Harmony.

A student from Jalandhar said he might be denied a student visa. Many students say their parents money will be wasted. Gurpreet Singh, a consultant, said: Every year, 40% of international students migrating to Canada are from India. The Canadian government cannot ignore such a substantial source of income. At present, it appears a few students might be affected.

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NEW DELHI: The political standoff is not going to affect the military ties between India and Canada, military officials of the two countries have said. The deputy chief of the Canadian Army will be attending the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) next week. Terming the country an important partner in the IPACC journey, Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general of strategic planning, said the recent diplomatic row would not impact the two countries. The Canadian (deputy) chief is coming here along with his delegation. When we look at the relationships with some of our neighbours... We may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it military or diplomatic. And I am referring directly to China here, Rai said at a curtain-raiser to the conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Canadian Army will be represented by its deputy commander Major General Peter Scott who will join a two-day event beginning September 26. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had on Monday alleged that there is 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 PMs claim. We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement by their foreign minister. Allegations of the Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, said Indias foreign ministry. Along with the 13th edition of the IPACC, India and the United States 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 September 25 to 27. This will see over 150 delegates participate in various plenary and round-table sessions. 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, it said. Indian diaspora in Canada polarised, students anxious about future The Indian diaspora is polarised in Canada and Punjab students planning to leave for that country are a worried lot following the Sikhs For Justices threat to the Hindus. We are now seeing full-scale Hinduphobia, said Vijay Jain a spokesperson for Canadian Hindus for Harmony. A student from Jalandhar said he might be denied a student visa. Many students say their parents money will be wasted. Gurpreet Singh, a consultant, said: Every year, 40% of international students migrating to Canada are from India. The Canadian government cannot ignore such a substantial source of income. At present, it appears a few students might be affected. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Parties which are not part of any alliance may come together to form a third front in Bihar in order to challenge both the NDA and INDIA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

These include Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. The BSP has announced that it would contest the elections alone but it may also join the group.

Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) has not formally joined the NDA after snapping its ties with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD (U). If the RLJD is not given an adequate number of seats and Kushwaha's demand is not conceded in the NDA, he may also be tempted to explore the possibility of joining the third front with the objective of getting more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Bihar JAP president Raghavendra Singh said, Our ideological background and political ideology are very close to that of INDIA. In such a situation, we want to go with INDIA.

The JAP leader said that his party was waiting for a response from the opposition alliance and a decision would be taken only after that. Leaders of small parties are also in touch with us. We are talking to leaders of AIMIM, BSP and VIP. We are still waiting for the decision of the Grand Alliance, he said.

Sahani has set out on a Sankalp Yatra in support of his demand for reservation to the Nishad community. During the Yatra, Sahani is continuously targeting the central government but has kept his distance from both alliances.

On the other hand, state AIMIM president Akhtarul Iman said that his party's priority was to remove those who were in power in the Centre. Everyone needs to be united to defeat the BJP, but many parties are being ignored in the opposition alliance. In such a situation, the battle cannot be won, he said.

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PATNA: Parties which are not part of any alliance may come together to form a third front in Bihar in order to challenge both the NDA and INDIA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These include Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. The BSP has announced that it would contest the elections alone but it may also join the group. Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) has not formally joined the NDA after snapping its ties with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD (U). If the RLJD is not given an adequate number of seats and Kushwaha's demand is not conceded in the NDA, he may also be tempted to explore the possibility of joining the third front with the objective of getting more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Bihar JAP president Raghavendra Singh said, Our ideological background and political ideology are very close to that of INDIA. In such a situation, we want to go with INDIA. The JAP leader said that his party was waiting for a response from the opposition alliance and a decision would be taken only after that. Leaders of small parties are also in touch with us. We are talking to leaders of AIMIM, BSP and VIP. We are still waiting for the decision of the Grand Alliance, he said. Sahani has set out on a Sankalp Yatra in support of his demand for reservation to the Nishad community. During the Yatra, Sahani is continuously targeting the central government but has kept his distance from both alliances. On the other hand, state AIMIM president Akhtarul Iman said that his party's priority was to remove those who were in power in the Centre. Everyone needs to be united to defeat the BJP, but many parties are being ignored in the opposition alliance. In such a situation, the battle cannot be won, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: To effectively curb stubble burning and management of crop residue, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department will be providing more than 24,000 Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines including 5,000 surface seeders at subsidized prices to farmers of the state during the upcoming harvest season.

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that, in a very positive change, the Department of Agriculture has received as many as 1,58,394 applications from farmers to avail the subsidy on CRM machinery. The sanction letters to selected beneficiaries have already been released through the online portal.

He said that the department will provide Super SMS, Happy Seeder, paddy straw chopper, mulcher, Smart Seeder, zero-till planter and drill equipment, surface seeder, Super Seeder, crop reaper, Shrub Master and Rotary Slasher, and Reversible MB Plough for in-situ stubble management. Baler machines and straw rake for ex-situ management of paddy residue.

During the year 2022-23, the state had successfully reduced stubble burning incidents by 30 % with the use of crop residue management techniques and equipment, said the Punjab agriculture minister. He also added that Rs 350 crores have been kept in reserve to curb crop residue burning during the current harvesting season. The applications for availing subsidy were invited via an online portal to ensure transparency and make the procedure streamlined.

Khudian said that the agriculture ministry has also been making concerted efforts to set up custom hiring centres at each block, where CRM machines would be available for small-scale and marginalised farmers. The state government has been providing 80 % subsidy for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centers for the purchase of CRM machines, while 50 % subsidy is being offered to individual farmers, the minister said.

Asking the department officials to ensure transparency in the whole process, he said that the government is proactively taking steps to address the problem of stubble burning in the state and the agriculture department has launched an Information, Education and Communication drive to educate and train farmers about available technologies for management of crop residue.

Heavy machines for effective management

Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the department will provide Super SMS, Happy Seeder, paddy straw chopper, mulcher, Smart Seeder, Zero-till Drill, surface seeder, Super Seeder, crop reaper, Shrub Master and Rotary Slasher, and Reversible MB Plough for in-situ stubble management. Baler machines and straw rake for ex-situ management of paddy residue.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

CHANDIGARH: To effectively curb stubble burning and management of crop residue, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department will be providing more than 24,000 Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines including 5,000 surface seeders at subsidized prices to farmers of the state during the upcoming harvest season. Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that, in a very positive change, the Department of Agriculture has received as many as 1,58,394 applications from farmers to avail the subsidy on CRM machinery. The sanction letters to selected beneficiaries have already been released through the online portal. He said that the department will provide Super SMS, Happy Seeder, paddy straw chopper, mulcher, Smart Seeder, zero-till planter and drill equipment, surface seeder, Super Seeder, crop reaper, Shrub Master and Rotary Slasher, and Reversible MB Plough for in-situ stubble management. Baler machines and straw rake for ex-situ management of paddy residue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); During the year 2022-23, the state had successfully reduced stubble burning incidents by 30 % with the use of crop residue management techniques and equipment, said the Punjab agriculture minister. He also added that Rs 350 crores have been kept in reserve to curb crop residue burning during the current harvesting season. The applications for availing subsidy were invited via an online portal to ensure transparency and make the procedure streamlined. Khudian said that the agriculture ministry has also been making concerted efforts to set up custom hiring centres at each block, where CRM machines would be available for small-scale and marginalised farmers. The state government has been providing 80 % subsidy for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centers for the purchase of CRM machines, while 50 % subsidy is being offered to individual farmers, the minister said. Asking the department officials to ensure transparency in the whole process, he said that the government is proactively taking steps to address the problem of stubble burning in the state and the agriculture department has launched an Information, Education and Communication drive to educate and train farmers about available technologies for management of crop residue. Heavy machines for effective management Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the department will provide Super SMS, Happy Seeder, paddy straw chopper, mulcher, Smart Seeder, Zero-till Drill, surface seeder, Super Seeder, crop reaper, Shrub Master and Rotary Slasher, and Reversible MB Plough for in-situ stubble management. Baler machines and straw rake for ex-situ management of paddy residue. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Punjabi gangster Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke of the Davinder Bambiha gang -- a category A gangster who fled to Canada in 2017 -- has been shot dead by unknown assailants in Winnipeg in what is believed to be a fallout of inter-gang rivalry.

His name figured in the list of 43 wanted gangsters and terrorists released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday. The shootout was similar to the one in which designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Surrey in June.

Last year, the Punjab Police booked two of its personnel -- an assistant sub inspector and a head constable -- who allegedly cleared Sukha's name during the passport verification in 2017 even though he had seven criminal cases registered against him. Thus he got a passport issued on the basis of a police report and he managed to obtain a Canadian visa in the same year and fled to Canada.

Sources said that Sukha had a hand in the killing of kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal with the help of his associates during a kabaddi match at Mallian village in Jalandhar. He had been orchestrating crimes in Punjab and neighboring states through his associates. He had also been aiding, funding and strengthening the activities of the Devinder Bambiha gang in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Eighteeen cases of murder and other heinous crimes have been registered against him in Punjab and other states. Eleven cases including four murder cases were registered against him since he fled to Canada and seven were registered before.

Sukha used to work in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Moga before entering the world of crime. After moving to Canada, he indulged in killings and extortion through his men back here.

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CHANDIGARH: Punjabi gangster Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke of the Davinder Bambiha gang -- a category A gangster who fled to Canada in 2017 -- has been shot dead by unknown assailants in Winnipeg in what is believed to be a fallout of inter-gang rivalry. His name figured in the list of 43 wanted gangsters and terrorists released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday. The shootout was similar to the one in which designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Surrey in June. Last year, the Punjab Police booked two of its personnel -- an assistant sub inspector and a head constable -- who allegedly cleared Sukha's name during the passport verification in 2017 even though he had seven criminal cases registered against him. Thus he got a passport issued on the basis of a police report and he managed to obtain a Canadian visa in the same year and fled to Canada.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sources said that Sukha had a hand in the killing of kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal with the help of his associates during a kabaddi match at Mallian village in Jalandhar. He had been orchestrating crimes in Punjab and neighboring states through his associates. He had also been aiding, funding and strengthening the activities of the Devinder Bambiha gang in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Eighteeen cases of murder and other heinous crimes have been registered against him in Punjab and other states. Eleven cases including four murder cases were registered against him since he fled to Canada and seven were registered before. Sukha used to work in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Moga before entering the world of crime. After moving to Canada, he indulged in killings and extortion through his men back here. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water from Cauvery and Krishna basins to Biligundulu, Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days, adding that the factors taken into consideration by the authorities while issuing the directions are not extraneous.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and PK Mishra in their order said, Both the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) & CWMA consist of various experts from fields of water resource management, agriculture. After taking these factors into consideration both authorities have directed the state of Karnataka to release 5k water at Billigundulu. The authority will be meeting every 15 days to assess the situation & direct the release of water. We are thus of the view that factors taken into consideration by the authorities is not extraneous.

The Tamil Nadu government, appearing through Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, had submitted that the CWMA & CWRC in its August 20th meeting reduced the allocation to 5,000 cusecs, although they had found the state was entitled to 7,200 cusecs per day after taking the drought situation into consideration.

Ive so much backlog & he says that Im reducing 50% what will happen to my standing crop? I have 5 lakh acres of standing crop. The reservoirs in the basin are dependent on the southwest monsoon. If the southwest was bad, the northeast will also be bad. Youve taken drought & everything into account. There is a cut of 25%, Tamil Nadu's senior counsel Rohatgi further said.

Both CWRC and CWMA have experts from the India Meteorological Department, water resource management, and agriculture. After taking several factors into consideration, both authorities have directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to be realised by Tamil Nadu at Biligundulu. We are not the competent authority. We have told you earlier too. There is CWMA. We sitting in court 4 of the Supreme Court cannot ascertain how much water each state needs, Justice BR Gavai, presiding judge, said.

The Karnataka government, appearing through Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, urged the court to reconsider the CWMA's September 18 decision asking the state to release from its reservoirs 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

The senior counsel also said that the authorities should not have directed for the release of more than 3,000 cusecs per day.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water from Cauvery and Krishna basins to Biligundulu, Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days, adding that the factors taken into consideration by the authorities while issuing the directions are not extraneous. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and PK Mishra in their order said, Both the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) & CWMA consist of various experts from fields of water resource management, agriculture. After taking these factors into consideration both authorities have directed the state of Karnataka to release 5k water at Billigundulu. The authority will be meeting every 15 days to assess the situation & direct the release of water. We are thus of the view that factors taken into consideration by the authorities is not extraneous. The Tamil Nadu government, appearing through Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, had submitted that the CWMA & CWRC in its August 20th meeting reduced the allocation to 5,000 cusecs, although they had found the state was entitled to 7,200 cusecs per day after taking the drought situation into consideration. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ive so much backlog & he says that Im reducing 50% what will happen to my standing crop? I have 5 lakh acres of standing crop. The reservoirs in the basin are dependent on the southwest monsoon. If the southwest was bad, the northeast will also be bad. Youve taken drought & everything into account. There is a cut of 25%, Tamil Nadu's senior counsel Rohatgi further said. Both CWRC and CWMA have experts from the India Meteorological Department, water resource management, and agriculture. After taking several factors into consideration, both authorities have directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to be realised by Tamil Nadu at Biligundulu. We are not the competent authority. We have told you earlier too. There is CWMA. We sitting in court 4 of the Supreme Court cannot ascertain how much water each state needs, Justice BR Gavai, presiding judge, said. The Karnataka government, appearing through Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, urged the court to reconsider the CWMA's September 18 decision asking the state to release from its reservoirs 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The senior counsel also said that the authorities should not have directed for the release of more than 3,000 cusecs per day. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine whether Parliament can use its constituent power to extend the deadline for SC/ST reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Article 334 of the Constitution deals with the time period regarding the ceasing of reservation guaranteed to SCs/STs and Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The reservation was initially for a period of 10 years when the Constitution was enforced in 1950 but was extended from 1969. The Parliament by way of the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act in 2019 had fixed 2030 as the deadline.

A five-judge bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud clarified that the court would only confine its examination pertaining to the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act in 2019 which fixed 2030 as the deadline to end the reservation for SCs/STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and would not go into the removal of reserved seats for the Anglo-Indians.

"The validity of the 104th amendment shall be determined to the extent that it applies to the SCs and the STs since the reservations for Anglo Indians has come to an end after the expiration of 70 years from the commencement of the Constitution," the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra said.

"Whether the exercise of the constituent power of amendment to extend the period prescribed for the expiration of reservation under Article 334 of the Constitution is constitutionally valid," the bench said and fixed November 21 as the date for the next hearing.

Petitioner Ashok Kumar Jain appearing through senior advocate CA Sundaram told the court that the grant of repeated extensions to certain communities resulted in depriving the electorate of their right to choice of candidates

The top court had referred the matter to a five-judge bench on September 2, 2003, on a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the 79th Constitution Amendment Act of 1999 providing reservation to SC/ST in Parliament and state Assemblies.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine whether Parliament can use its constituent power to extend the deadline for SC/ST reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Article 334 of the Constitution deals with the time period regarding the ceasing of reservation guaranteed to SCs/STs and Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The reservation was initially for a period of 10 years when the Constitution was enforced in 1950 but was extended from 1969. The Parliament by way of the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act in 2019 had fixed 2030 as the deadline.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A five-judge bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud clarified that the court would only confine its examination pertaining to the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act in 2019 which fixed 2030 as the deadline to end the reservation for SCs/STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and would not go into the removal of reserved seats for the Anglo-Indians. "The validity of the 104th amendment shall be determined to the extent that it applies to the SCs and the STs since the reservations for Anglo Indians has come to an end after the expiration of 70 years from the commencement of the Constitution," the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra said. "Whether the exercise of the constituent power of amendment to extend the period prescribed for the expiration of reservation under Article 334 of the Constitution is constitutionally valid," the bench said and fixed November 21 as the date for the next hearing. Petitioner Ashok Kumar Jain appearing through senior advocate CA Sundaram told the court that the grant of repeated extensions to certain communities resulted in depriving the electorate of their right to choice of candidates The top court had referred the matter to a five-judge bench on September 2, 2003, on a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the 79th Constitution Amendment Act of 1999 providing reservation to SC/ST in Parliament and state Assemblies. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Indian child, baby Ariha, who has been in German foster care since September 2021, was introduced to her rituals and traditions after the German government granted counsellor access to the Indian Embassy.

"German authorities granted counsellor access to baby Ariha on August 31. The interaction with the child included the relevance of cultural immersion with a view to enable the child to remain connected with Indian traditions and culture," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told this newspaper.

Bagchi further assured that the Indian government is in constant engagement with the German authorities on this case to safeguard the child.

Besides, resources related to Indian festivals and customs were provided by the Indian embassy to keep the child in touch with her faith and culture.

"Resource material relating to Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over by our embassy with the expectation that the child's caregiver would incorporate the same in her routine to enable her to remain in touch with her faith and culture. We remain in constant engagement with the German authorities on this matter to safeguard the child," Bagchi added.

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NEW DELHI: The Indian child, baby Ariha, who has been in German foster care since September 2021, was introduced to her rituals and traditions after the German government granted counsellor access to the Indian Embassy. "German authorities granted counsellor access to baby Ariha on August 31. The interaction with the child included the relevance of cultural immersion with a view to enable the child to remain connected with Indian traditions and culture," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told this newspaper. Bagchi further assured that the Indian government is in constant engagement with the German authorities on this case to safeguard the child. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Besides, resources related to Indian festivals and customs were provided by the Indian embassy to keep the child in touch with her faith and culture. "Resource material relating to Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over by our embassy with the expectation that the child's caregiver would incorporate the same in her routine to enable her to remain in touch with her faith and culture. We remain in constant engagement with the German authorities on this matter to safeguard the child," Bagchi added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

TORONTO: When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood up in Parliament and said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, the muted international response offered a lesson in modern geopolitics. India, it seems, maybe too powerful to alienate.

None of Canada's most important allies  not the US, Britain, Australia or New Zealand, all knitted tightly together in the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance  echoed Trudeau's allegations.

They've declared their concern. They've urged full investigations.

But none have stepped up to condemn India for its alleged involvement in the June slaying on Canadian soil of a Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Why?

Mainly there's China, and the priority among the allies is to bolster ties with India as a counterweight to Beijing's rising power and assertiveness. But it's more than that.

Modern India has a fast-growing economy that many analysts believe will overtake Japan and Germany to become the world's third-largest by 2030. It has become a major power in world affairs, with more than 1.4 billion people and one of the world's largest militaries.

All that makes it hard for Canada's main allies  which are also some of India's main partners  to loudly speak out. "I think Australia, the US and the UK did about what was expected," said Janice Stein, a political scientist at the Munk School of Global Affairs in Toronto.

Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, agreed: "As long as the West needs India to counter China, it is likely to look away."

EXPLAINER | How Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spat with India

On Monday, Trudeau said there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing outside Vancouver by masked gunmen of 45-year-old Nijjar, who had been wanted by India for years. Canada also expelled an Indian diplomat.

A day later  and after India ramped up the confrontation by expelling a top Canadian diplomat  Trudeau toned down the rhetoric, telling reporters that Canada was "not looking to provoke or escalate."

"PM tempers criticism as allies decline to condemn India over slain Sikh leader," read the front-page headline Wednesday in Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper. The government's allegations are particularly awkward now for the UK, which is seeking a free trade deal with India.

"These are serious allegations. It is right that the Canadian authorities should be looking into them," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman, Max Blain. But he made clear that the killing would not come up in the trade talks, saying "these are negotiations about a trade deal and we are not looking to conflate with other issues."

Trudeau discussed the slaying with Sunak and US President Joe Biden in recent weeks, according to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. If the allies' responses were muted, Joly's office and the White House denied news reports that Canada, in the days before Trudeau made his allegations, had lobbied the US and other major allies to condemn the killing.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said any reports that the US had rebuffed Canada were "just flatly false."

"We were deeply concerned by these allegations Prime Minister Trudeau laid forward and remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners," Kirby said.

"They're investigating and that should proceed unimpeded."

He added, however, that the US relationship with India "remains vitally important, not only for the South Asia region but of course for the Indo-Pacific."

Still, the Biden administration seems to be offering more moral support than anything substantive. It might want to let things play out as a bilateral issue between Ottawa and New Delhi.

"It's embarrassing" to Washington, said Robert Bothwell, a historian and professor at the University of Toronto. But "the US has larger interests."

If Trudeau's accusations are correct, he said, it also shows that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is not "restrained by an innate sense of rule of law or a commitment to democracy."

"This is the same kind of thing that Putin does," he said, referring to enemies of Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been killed in Russia and abroad, including in the UK.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was born in India and had worked for years as a plumber in Canada, was killed in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.

He was wanted by Indian authorities, who had long said he had links to separatist terrorists seeking the creation of an independent Sikh nation inside India. While Nijjar advocated for a Sikh homeland, he repeatedly denied allegations he had any ties to terrorism.

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of India's involvement in the killing.

But a US official said Tuesday that Trudeau's willingness to speak out was taken by the White House as an indication of the Canadian leader's certainty about what had been found. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

ALSO READ | Nijjar's son says family 'always suspected' India's role in father's killing

Canada is one of the few countries in the world that unabashedly speaks out in defence of human rights and the international rule of law. It also has few qualms about taking on major powers.

In 2018, for example, China-Canada relations nosedived after China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor.

Those arrests came shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and the daughter of the company's founder. Canada made the arrest at the behest of US authorities who accused Meng of fraud. Relations have not rebounded even after a prisoner swap that saw China release the Canadians in exchange for Meng in 2021.

Also in 2018, the Saudi government expelled Canada's ambassador to the kingdom and withdrew its own ambassador after Canada's foreign ministry tweeted support for an arrested Saudi activist. It took five years for Canada and Saudi Arabia to finally restore full diplomatic relations in May.

Trudeau also clashed with former US President Donald Trump, who vowed to make Canada pay after Trudeau said he wouldn't be pushed around in trade talks with the US.

Trump responded by insulting Trudeau, saying he was "meek and mild," words that shocked Canadians.

Now the stakes are higher, and it's unclear  at least publicly  who Canada can count on for full-throated support. "Is Canada alone?" asked Bothwell.

"That is obviously a worry because, throughout Canada's existence, it has relied on the protection of first the British and then the Americans."

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

TORONTO: When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood up in Parliament and said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, the muted international response offered a lesson in modern geopolitics. India, it seems, maybe too powerful to alienate. None of Canada's most important allies  not the US, Britain, Australia or New Zealand, all knitted tightly together in the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance  echoed Trudeau's allegations. They've declared their concern. They've urged full investigations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); But none have stepped up to condemn India for its alleged involvement in the June slaying on Canadian soil of a Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Why? Mainly there's China, and the priority among the allies is to bolster ties with India as a counterweight to Beijing's rising power and assertiveness. But it's more than that. Modern India has a fast-growing economy that many analysts believe will overtake Japan and Germany to become the world's third-largest by 2030. It has become a major power in world affairs, with more than 1.4 billion people and one of the world's largest militaries. All that makes it hard for Canada's main allies  which are also some of India's main partners  to loudly speak out. "I think Australia, the US and the UK did about what was expected," said Janice Stein, a political scientist at the Munk School of Global Affairs in Toronto. Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, agreed: "As long as the West needs India to counter China, it is likely to look away." EXPLAINER | How Canada became embroiled in a diplomatic spat with India On Monday, Trudeau said there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing outside Vancouver by masked gunmen of 45-year-old Nijjar, who had been wanted by India for years. Canada also expelled an Indian diplomat. A day later  and after India ramped up the confrontation by expelling a top Canadian diplomat  Trudeau toned down the rhetoric, telling reporters that Canada was "not looking to provoke or escalate." "PM tempers criticism as allies decline to condemn India over slain Sikh leader," read the front-page headline Wednesday in Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper. The government's allegations are particularly awkward now for the UK, which is seeking a free trade deal with India. "These are serious allegations. It is right that the Canadian authorities should be looking into them," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman, Max Blain. But he made clear that the killing would not come up in the trade talks, saying "these are negotiations about a trade deal and we are not looking to conflate with other issues." Trudeau discussed the slaying with Sunak and US President Joe Biden in recent weeks, according to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. If the allies' responses were muted, Joly's office and the White House denied news reports that Canada, in the days before Trudeau made his allegations, had lobbied the US and other major allies to condemn the killing. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said any reports that the US had rebuffed Canada were "just flatly false." "We were deeply concerned by these allegations Prime Minister Trudeau laid forward and remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners," Kirby said. "They're investigating and that should proceed unimpeded." He added, however, that the US relationship with India "remains vitally important, not only for the South Asia region but of course for the Indo-Pacific." Still, the Biden administration seems to be offering more moral support than anything substantive. It might want to let things play out as a bilateral issue between Ottawa and New Delhi. "It's embarrassing" to Washington, said Robert Bothwell, a historian and professor at the University of Toronto. But "the US has larger interests." If Trudeau's accusations are correct, he said, it also shows that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is not "restrained by an innate sense of rule of law or a commitment to democracy." "This is the same kind of thing that Putin does," he said, referring to enemies of Russian President Vladimir Putin who have been killed in Russia and abroad, including in the UK. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was born in India and had worked for years as a plumber in Canada, was killed in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver. He was wanted by Indian authorities, who had long said he had links to separatist terrorists seeking the creation of an independent Sikh nation inside India. While Nijjar advocated for a Sikh homeland, he repeatedly denied allegations he had any ties to terrorism. Canada has yet to provide any evidence of India's involvement in the killing. But a US official said Tuesday that Trudeau's willingness to speak out was taken by the White House as an indication of the Canadian leader's certainty about what had been found. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. ALSO READ | Nijjar's son says family 'always suspected' India's role in father's killing Canada is one of the few countries in the world that unabashedly speaks out in defence of human rights and the international rule of law. It also has few qualms about taking on major powers. In 2018, for example, China-Canada relations nosedived after China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor. Those arrests came shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and the daughter of the company's founder. Canada made the arrest at the behest of US authorities who accused Meng of fraud. Relations have not rebounded even after a prisoner swap that saw China release the Canadians in exchange for Meng in 2021. Also in 2018, the Saudi government expelled Canada's ambassador to the kingdom and withdrew its own ambassador after Canada's foreign ministry tweeted support for an arrested Saudi activist. It took five years for Canada and Saudi Arabia to finally restore full diplomatic relations in May. Trudeau also clashed with former US President Donald Trump, who vowed to make Canada pay after Trudeau said he wouldn't be pushed around in trade talks with the US. Trump responded by insulting Trudeau, saying he was "meek and mild," words that shocked Canadians. Now the stakes are higher, and it's unclear  at least publicly  who Canada can count on for full-throated support. "Is Canada alone?" asked Bothwell. "That is obviously a worry because, throughout Canada's existence, it has relied on the protection of first the British and then the Americans." Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

TORONTO: Amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada, an Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party has expressed dismay at the "glorification of terrorism" and hate crime targeting Hindus in Canada in the name of "freedom of expression".

The sharp reaction from Chandra Arya, who represents the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada, came as extremist elements backed by a leader of the Khalistan movement openly asked Hindu Canadians to go back to India.

"A few days back Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organises the so-called referendum, attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India," Arya, a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, said.

"I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies," the Indo-Canadian MP posted on X.

The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, Arya said.

His remarks came after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in Surrey unleashed a diplomatic row between the two nations.

India has rejected the charges as "absurd" and "motivated" and kicked out a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official.

ALSO READ | Canada gets 'muted allied support' after alleging India's role in Khalistan separatist's killing

"Let me be clear. The vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons, but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community. Canadian Hindus and Sikhs are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties," Arya said.

This direct attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is a further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists, he added.

"Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law. I can't understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression," Arya said.

"There would be outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialised Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime," he said.

Hindu Canadians keep a low profile and are considered soft targets.

The anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu Canadians, Arya said.

"Two well-organised groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organisations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our Parliament Hill," Arya alleged.

"I again call upon Hindu Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. As Canadians, we can be proud of our Hindu faith and heritage and our impressive contribution to the socio-economic success of our country Canada," he added.

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TORONTO: Amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada, an Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party has expressed dismay at the "glorification of terrorism" and hate crime targeting Hindus in Canada in the name of "freedom of expression". The sharp reaction from Chandra Arya, who represents the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada, came as extremist elements backed by a leader of the Khalistan movement openly asked Hindu Canadians to go back to India. "A few days back Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organises the so-called referendum, attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India," Arya, a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies," the Indo-Canadian MP posted on X. The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada, Arya said. His remarks came after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in Surrey unleashed a diplomatic row between the two nations. India has rejected the charges as "absurd" and "motivated" and kicked out a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official. ALSO READ | Canada gets 'muted allied support' after alleging India's role in Khalistan separatist's killing "Let me be clear. The vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons, but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community. Canadian Hindus and Sikhs are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties," Arya said. This direct attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is a further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists, he added. "Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law. I can't understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression," Arya said. "There would be outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialised Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime," he said. Hindu Canadians keep a low profile and are considered soft targets. The anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu Canadians, Arya said. "Two well-organised groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organisations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our Parliament Hill," Arya alleged. "I again call upon Hindu Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. As Canadians, we can be proud of our Hindu faith and heritage and our impressive contribution to the socio-economic success of our country Canada," he added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

SEATTLE: The Seattle Community Police Commission has recommended the city police chief be relieved from duty and withhold pay for an officer under investigation for joking about and downplaying the death of a 23-year-old Indian student when an overspeeding police car driven by another officer struck her.

Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23 this year. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.

The 21-member commission and its three appointed co-chairs on Wednesday also asked Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz to immediately engage in a workgroup made up of the Community Police Commission (CPC), the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and the Office of Inspector General to address repeated concerns with the culture of policing and police practices at Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Times reported.

Wednesdays letter calls on Diaz to suspend without pay Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), who came under investigation earlier this month after department officials listened to audio from Auderers body camera during an investigation into the death of Kandula, a student who was struck and killed by a speeding police vehicle in January.

In bodycam footage released last week by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.

Auderer, who was involved in the investigation, can be heard laughing, calling Kandula a regular person and suggesting that the department write a check.

Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway, Auderer said, misstating Kandulas age.

She had limited value.

An SPD spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday on the CPCs recommendation, referencing a previous statement about the body-camera video.

The SPOG has said Auderers statements were taken out of context and that he was mocking lawyers and a legal system that places monetary value on human life.

Auderer also claims he self-reported his comments. However, SPD attorney Rebecca Boatright said an employee reviewing the tape became upset and reported it to their supervisor, who brought it to Boatrights attention. She notified OPA on August 2, according to OPA Director Gino Betts.

Since we only have one side of that conversation and were told its been taken out of context, I want to know what is the context that makes that thinking and those words okay? CPC Co-Chair Patricia Hunter was quoted as saying by KOMO TV.

This officer spoke when he thought he was in private, not being recorded, CPC Co-Chair Joel Merkel said.

Thats whats so alarming, is how comfortable he was in expressing his views when he thought no one was listening. The CPC firmly believes (Auderers) statementsare horrifying and raise serious concerns about his attitude toward and interactions with members of the community, and his ability to investigate cases equitably, accurately and without bias and keep the Citys residents safe, the CPC letter said.

The comments are having a devastating effect on other SPD officers patrolling the streets.

When something like this happens, it damages years and years of inroads and progress, SPD Officer Mark Mullens told the commission Wednesday.

We have to start all over again. Kandula from Andhra Pradesh was set to graduate this coming December with a masters degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India.

This month, a federal judge also ruled that SPD had achieved full, sustained and lasting compliance with most of the provisions of a federal settlement agreement intended to transform the agency.

The judges ruling was a landmark for the city and SPD, and served to essentially end court oversight of police reforms in Seattle, with the exception of two areas: crowd control, including tactics and use of force, and officer accountability.

Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell told media in a press conference Wednesday he cannot comment on Auderers actions at the advice of legal counsel but shared he believes in the SPD and where they are trying to go.

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SEATTLE: The Seattle Community Police Commission has recommended the city police chief be relieved from duty and withhold pay for an officer under investigation for joking about and downplaying the death of a 23-year-old Indian student when an overspeeding police car driven by another officer struck her. Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23 this year. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call. The 21-member commission and its three appointed co-chairs on Wednesday also asked Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz to immediately engage in a workgroup made up of the Community Police Commission (CPC), the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and the Office of Inspector General to address repeated concerns with the culture of policing and police practices at Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Times reported.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Wednesdays letter calls on Diaz to suspend without pay Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), who came under investigation earlier this month after department officials listened to audio from Auderers body camera during an investigation into the death of Kandula, a student who was struck and killed by a speeding police vehicle in January. In bodycam footage released last week by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary. Auderer, who was involved in the investigation, can be heard laughing, calling Kandula a regular person and suggesting that the department write a check. Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway, Auderer said, misstating Kandulas age. She had limited value. An SPD spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday on the CPCs recommendation, referencing a previous statement about the body-camera video. The SPOG has said Auderers statements were taken out of context and that he was mocking lawyers and a legal system that places monetary value on human life. Auderer also claims he self-reported his comments. However, SPD attorney Rebecca Boatright said an employee reviewing the tape became upset and reported it to their supervisor, who brought it to Boatrights attention. She notified OPA on August 2, according to OPA Director Gino Betts. Since we only have one side of that conversation and were told its been taken out of context, I want to know what is the context that makes that thinking and those words okay? CPC Co-Chair Patricia Hunter was quoted as saying by KOMO TV. This officer spoke when he thought he was in private, not being recorded, CPC Co-Chair Joel Merkel said. Thats whats so alarming, is how comfortable he was in expressing his views when he thought no one was listening. The CPC firmly believes (Auderers) statementsare horrifying and raise serious concerns about his attitude toward and interactions with members of the community, and his ability to investigate cases equitably, accurately and without bias and keep the Citys residents safe, the CPC letter said. The comments are having a devastating effect on other SPD officers patrolling the streets. When something like this happens, it damages years and years of inroads and progress, SPD Officer Mark Mullens told the commission Wednesday. We have to start all over again. Kandula from Andhra Pradesh was set to graduate this coming December with a masters degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India. This month, a federal judge also ruled that SPD had achieved full, sustained and lasting compliance with most of the provisions of a federal settlement agreement intended to transform the agency. The judges ruling was a landmark for the city and SPD, and served to essentially end court oversight of police reforms in Seattle, with the exception of two areas: crowd control, including tactics and use of force, and officer accountability. Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell told media in a press conference Wednesday he cannot comment on Auderers actions at the advice of legal counsel but shared he believes in the SPD and where they are trying to go. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

Myanmar: Visa on arrival for Indian and Chinese travellers

Myanmar is set to offer visas on arrival to tourists from its neighbouring countries India and China, recent reports state. The date for the one-year trial will be announced soon. Apart from attracting tourists from two of the most populated nations on Earth, for they have been its allies, Myanmars Tourism Ministry is looking to lure in visitors from Russia, another major ally. It should be noted that Myanmar only began welcoming tourists from 2011. But it has been struggling to find visitors since 2020, due to the pandemic and the military coup.

Foreigners granted permission to Scale Cho Oyu & Shishapangma

The Tibet Mountaineering Association has granted foreigners its permission to summit Cho Oyu (present on the border between Tibet and Nepal and currently the sixth-highest peak in the world) and Shishapangma (located closer to the border of Nepal in Tibets autonomous region and the 14th highest mountain in the world) mountains which are, respectively, 8,188 m and 8,027 m tall (from the sea level). Since they are considered very dangerous, only pro-level mountaineers are advised to attempt to summit them.

Campaign launched to promote India as a top wedding destination

The Ministry of Tourism in India has launched a campaign recently to showcase India as a premier wedding destination for couples around the world. The ministry has identified five underrated honeymoon spots in India, which are  Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Gokarna in Karnataka, Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir, Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar and Udaipur in Rajasthan. All of these destinations offer luxurious spots for weddings, and opulent stays and are perfect locations to spend a slow break after a string of hectic wedding weeks.

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Myanmar: Visa on arrival for Indian and Chinese travellers Myanmar is set to offer visas on arrival to tourists from its neighbouring countries India and China, recent reports state. The date for the one-year trial will be announced soon. Apart from attracting tourists from two of the most populated nations on Earth, for they have been its allies, Myanmars Tourism Ministry is looking to lure in visitors from Russia, another major ally. It should be noted that Myanmar only began welcoming tourists from 2011. But it has been struggling to find visitors since 2020, due to the pandemic and the military coup. Foreigners granted permission to Scale Cho Oyu & Shishapangmagoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Tibet Mountaineering Association has granted foreigners its permission to summit Cho Oyu (present on the border between Tibet and Nepal and currently the sixth-highest peak in the world) and Shishapangma (located closer to the border of Nepal in Tibets autonomous region and the 14th highest mountain in the world) mountains which are, respectively, 8,188 m and 8,027 m tall (from the sea level). Since they are considered very dangerous, only pro-level mountaineers are advised to attempt to summit them. Campaign launched to promote India as a top wedding destination The Ministry of Tourism in India has launched a campaign recently to showcase India as a premier wedding destination for couples around the world. The ministry has identified five underrated honeymoon spots in India, which are  Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Gokarna in Karnataka, Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir, Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar and Udaipur in Rajasthan. All of these destinations offer luxurious spots for weddings, and opulent stays and are perfect locations to spend a slow break after a string of hectic wedding weeks. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Kerala lottery is the best in India: Finance Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20

S tate Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Wednesday said the Kerala Lottery is the best in the country in several aspects.

Balagopal said this soon after taking part in the Onam Bumber lottery results draw, here. The first prize this time has been the biggest in the history of the state lotteries, a staggering Rs 25 crores for a ticket prize of Rs 500.

After tax, the first prize winner will get Rs 13.75 crores and the winning ticket has been sold by a Kozhikode dealer to his sub-dealer at Palakkad, where the winning ticket was purchased.

"There are several aspects that the Kerala lotteries lead the rest of the country and it includes the maximum number of prizes in a single draw. For this Onam bumper draw, more than 75 lakhs tickets were sold and 5.5 lakhs ticket holders will definitely win a prize," said Balagopal.

"Apart from that there are 1 lakh agents who sell tickets and eke out a living. The state government receives around on an average three per cent to its kitty and most of the proceeds from this goes to funding the treatment expenses of the poor and downtrodden," added Balagopal.

sg/uk

Kerala lottery is the best in India: Finance Minister

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'Hostel Daze' final season to stream from this date

Mumbai, September 20

M akers of the upcoming comedy show 'Hostel Daze' season 4 on Wednesday announced the official release date.

Taking to Instagram, The Viral Fever shared the poster of the fourth season of the show which they captioned, "Four crazy years taking the final swing! #HostelDazeOnPrime S4, Sept 27 only on @primevideoin."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxZ7p-MqixT/

In the final season, everyone's favourite gang - Akanksha, Chirag, Rupesh aka Jaat, Jatin Kishore aka Jhantoo, Nabomita, and Ankit - enters the final year of college and gear up for the 'real world'.

Created by TVF and directed by Abhinav Anand, the six college buddies are portrayed by Ahsaas Channa, Luv Vispute, Shubham Gaur, Nikhil Vijay, Ayushi Gupta, and Utsav Sarkar. Hostel Daze Season Four will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on September 27.

Makers will be soon unveiling the official trailer of the series.

Season four marks the final season of the show.

Soon after the makers shared the first poster of the new season, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.

"Finally it's coming back," a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, "Good news is finally it's coming back."

Hostel Daze captures the lives of six college students and their hostel life. Peppered with absurdities, clashes and debacles inherent to hostel life, the series depicts the journey that every hostel-resident goes through.

'Hostel Daze' final season to stream from this date

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Apple doubles pre-orders for new iPhones in India from last year, gears up for bumper Diwali

New Delhi, Sep 20

A pple, which is all set to hand over 'Make in India' iPhone 15 as well as locally-assembled iPhone 15 Plus to the Indian users on September 22, has received tremendous response to the pre-orders for the iPhone 15 series in the country -- nearly 50 per cent more from last year -- reliable industry and retail sources said on Wednesday.

Apple doubling the pre-orders from last year's iPhone 14 series indicates the company has made deeper inroads in the Indian smartphone market, driven by the premiumisation trend that is now maturing, uptick in first-time users who are shifting from Android to the Apple ecosystem and a young, aspirational population.

Sources told IANS that Apple Online Store has seen stupendous traffic for pre-orders, offering attractive schemes, trade-ins and more.

According to industry experts, Apple is riding on the "premiumisation" trend, where smartphone users in the country are looking to buy their third or fourth smartphone.

"iPhone being one of the most aspirational smartphones, coupled with big features upgrade for the iPhone 15 series, is attracting those increasingly 'smartphone dependent' users to upgrade to the best," Neil Shah, research vice president at Counterpoint Research, told IANS.

Further, easier access to financing and greater resale value is making premium iPhones more and more accessible to the mainstream users.

"With iPhone 15 base version now being made in India from the onset, if Apple decides to make the pricing of the new iPhones more attractive in coming months, it could have a blockbuster Diwali season," Shah added.

Both the locally-manufactured iPhones will be available in India, at Apple Online and its own-branded retail stores (Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi) on the global sales day on September 22.

iPhone maker Foxconn is assembling both iPhone 15 and 15 Plus at its Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu.

Both the 'Make in India' iPhones will also be exported to other countries as well, which is also first for the country.

There are estimates that the iPhone 15 shipments in the launch quarter, which heralds the massive festive season in India, will hover around 65 per cent, driven by an increased 'Make in India' initiative.

The base iPhone 15 models will see a solid uptick in India as "there is a significant upgrade for those shifting from previous iPhone 11, 12 and even 13-gen models," according to industry experts.

Apple set a June quarter record in India, driven by the robust sales of iPhones, according to its CEO Tim Cook.

"We still have a very, very modest and low share in this smartphone market, so I think it's a huge opportunity for us. And we are putting in all of our energies to make that occur," the Apple CEO said last month.

Apple doubles pre-orders for new iPhones in India from last year, gears up for bumper Diwali

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Mumbai, Sep 20

A ctor Karanvir Bohra, who is known for his work in 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay', 'Nach Baliye 4', 'Qubool Hai', has started shooting for the new season of his hit show 'Saubhagyavati Bhava-Niyam aur Shartien Laagu'.

Karanvir left an indelible mark on the audience with his portrayal of the domineering husband Viraj in the earlier season of the show.

Expressing his excitement, Karanvir Bohra said "It's a brilliant nostalgic feeling as I am shooting for 'Saubhagyavati Bhava's new season. We recorded the first season over ten years ago, and although I am feeling nostalgic, I am thoroughly excited for the show since there will be many intriguing changes. You may get to see a more matured Viraj Dobriyal since, as you are aware, I, Karanvir, have also matured tremendously since the first season."

As the show comes back with the new season, fans are even more pleased to see Karanvir back on screen as Viraj as they impatiently await the start of the show.

In the upcoming drama series, 'Amandeep Sidhu' has secured the lead role, captivating audiences with her talent and charisma. Adding to the excitement, she will share the screen with the well-known television star 'Dheeraj Dhoopar', promising a dynamic on-screen chemistry that's bound to elevate the show's appeal and anticipation.

'Saubhagyavati Bhava Niyam aur Shartein Laagu' will air from September 26 every Monday to Saturday on Star Bharat.

Karanvir Bohra starts shooting for 'Saubhagyavati Bhava-Niyam aur Shartien Laagu'

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Mumbai, Sep 20

A ctress Urvashi Dholakia is returning to the television show 'Pushpa Impossible' and will set the stage for an intense drama with portrayal.

'Pushpa Impossible' follows the journey of the titular character (essayed by Karuna Pandey), who is a single mother and confronts life's challenges with determination and positivity. In recent episodes, the show takes an unexpected turn when Ayushi (Gunjan Bhatia) comes to the forefront and discloses that she is Golu's (Hans Aslot) biological mother and intends to pursue legal action to get his custody.

This revelation is met with strong opposition from Mahendra (Amish Tanna), who has been Golu's guardian for a significant time.

In the upcoming episodes, Urvashi Dholakia's powerful return as Devi Singh Shekhawat, the brilliant lawyer, is driven by this newfound purpose. Initially hesitant to take up the custody case, Devi witnesses how much trouble Mahendra and Pushpa are in, and she agrees to take on their case.

Talking about the same, Urvashi Dholakia said "'Pushpa Impossible' is an impactful show that beautifully portrays the strength of family bonds, where individuals always stand by each other in difficult times.

"The excitement of returning to the show is very high as the viewers expressed a strong desire to see me back in this role. It's heartwarming to be part of a show that resonates deeply with its audience and emphasises the significance of support within a community."

'Pushpa Impossible' airs Monday to Saturday on Sony SAB.

Urvashi Dholakia's return sets stage for intense custody battle in 'Pushpa Impossible'

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Shimla, September 20

T he Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution demanding the Union government to declare destruction caused by recent heavy rains in the state as a "national disaster."

The Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu moved the resolution Under rule 102 on the first day of the monsoon session of the Assembly for discussion.

The resolution was passed with a voice vote in the Assembly on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said speaking to reporters in Shimla that "The Opposition is just playing politics on the issue of disaster."

"If the opposition says that they did not denounce the resolution but at the same time they did not support it. We have passed a resolution for the relief package of Rs 12,000 crore," said Sukhu.

The leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has alleged the state Congress government and leadership just politicise the disaster.

"We are not against this resolution but we have asked what benefit will the state get after it is declared a national disaster. Not even a single Congress legislator has thanked the Union government for support to Himachal Pradesh during the disaster. They are just playing politics to gain benefits in the upcoming 2024 parliament polls," said Jai Ram Thakur.

Earlier on September 18, the Himachal Pradesh government moved a resolution in the state assembly recommending the central government to declare the destructions caused by heavy rains in the state during the monsoon season this year a "national disaster."

According to state officials, Himachal Pradesh has incurred a loss of Rs. 12000 crores in the rain-induced calamities during the monsoon this year so far.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly adopts resolution demanding Centre to declare calamity national disaster

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UN finds itself in 'deadlock' on issue of aggression: Zelenskyy slams Russia at Security Council

New York, September 20

S lamming 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 Russia's 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, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014.

The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides. Russian forces have been accused of mass civilian casualties and of torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers.

UN finds itself in 'deadlock' on issue of aggression: Zelenskyy slams Russia at Security Council

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Jerusalem, Sep 21

I sraeli 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 US President Joe Biden in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Xinhua news agency reported, citing 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 US-brokered agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would require positive developments toward a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

int/sha

Normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia 'within reach': Israeli PM

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Los Angeles, September 20

A ctor Ryan Reynolds will be honoured with Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter award.

He will be felicitated at 11th annual Revels & Revelations, Variety reported. This year's fundraiser will be held in New York City at City Winery New York on October 9.

BC2M is Glenn Close's mental-health-focused nonprofit organization. Each year, the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter award is given out at the fundraiser in honor of the late actor by his children, Zak, Zelda and Cody. Previous recipients include Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller, the Smith family, Dan and Eugene Levy and Melissa McCarthy.

"I am looking forward to a spectacular evening and am grateful for the generosity of my fellow artists who will gather to honor Ryan Reynolds and to inspire what I hope will be a record-breaking evening to sustain and create vital Bring Change to Mind Clubs throughout this country," said Close.

The program will also feature performances by Reba McEntire and Amy Schumer and auction items from Ina Garten and Taylor Swift .

Ryan Reynolds to receive Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter award

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New York, September 20

U S State Secretary Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine on a daily basis and violated the UN charter of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

While speaking at the United Nations Security Council session in New York today, Blinken emphasised that Russia is using Europe's biggest nuclear power plant to save itself from the catastrophic consequences of its aggression against Ukraine.

He said, "Russia continues to engage in reckless nuclear rattling, announcing that it's stationing nuclear weapons in Belarus. And continuing to use Europe's biggest nuclear power plant and its employees as a shield for its aggression, risking catastrophic consequences."

Blinken accused Russia of using Iranian drones against Ukraine and alleged that Russia procured from Iran in violation of the Security Council resolution.

He added that it was possible to hold Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine and confront other issues, including the climate crisis and expanding economic opportunity. "We can and we must do both," he said. "We are doing both."

US State Secretary also commented on the North Korean President's recent visit to Russia and his commitment to Russia for full support and said, "Just last week, Russia hosted North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Putin said that they discussed ways to cooperate militarily. Kim pledged the DPRK's and I, quote, full and unconditional support, end quote, for Russia's war of oppression. Of course, the transfer of arms between Moscow and Pyongyang would violate multiple resolutions of this council."

Earlier in the same session, Slamming Russia at the United Nations Security Council over its invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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 defence 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 Russia's 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.

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 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, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014.

The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides. Russian forces have been accused of mass civilian casualties and of torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers.

Russia continues to engage in reckless nuclear rattling: US State Secy Blinken at UN Security Council

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New York, September 21

R ussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday accused the West of selectively turning to principles of the UN Charter on a case-by-case basis based on their "parochial geopolitical needs."

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied fully and not selectively.

The Russian Foreign Minister said, "Thanks to the United Nations, a new world war was averted. A new world war that was fraught with nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the US single-handedly decided that it would determine the fates of all of humankind and with its complex of superiority began to more frequently and broadly ignore the legacy of the founding fathers of the United Nations. 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 the shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fermenting of new hotbeds of tension. Risks of global conflict have heightened."

"In order to curb them, in order to bring things on a peaceful path, 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. This includes the principle of the sovereign equality of states, non-intervention in their domestic affairs, respect for territorial sovereignty, integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination and the actions of the US and their allies attest to the systematic violation of the balance of needs which have been enshrined in the Charter," he added.

Accusing the US of interfering with the domestic affairs of Ukraine since the collapse of the erstwhile USSR, he stressed that the meeting, being held uinder the Albanian Presidency, allows them to restore the chronological succession of events, particularly in the context of relations of the main acting parties and the purposes of the UN Charter.

"Since the collapse of the USSR and establishment of independent states in its place, the US and its ... have egregiously and openly interfered in the domestic affairs of Ukraine as was publicly and even with pride recognized by the Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Newland in 2013, the USD 5 billion were spent on cultivating Ukrainian politicians in Kyiv by the west," Lavrov said.

"All of the facts are being swept under the rug. There are attempts to cancel all of what happened prior to 2014, and for this reason, the theme of today's meeting proposed by the Albanian presidency is most apt, which allows us to restore the chronological succession of events, specifically in the context of relations of the main acting parties, in the implementation of the principles and the purposes of the UN charter," he added.

He also accused the US of electing people who became key participants in the coup. He said "putschists" after the coup announced that their top priority was to deny the rights of Russian language speakers in Ukraine and Crimea.

He said a "litany of Western leaders" directly encouraged participants in "anti-government demonstrations and acts of violence".

"In February 2014, the US elected individuals who became key participants in the brutal coup which was organized. I would recall one day after what was reached under the guarantees of Germany, Poland and France. I referred to the agreement between the legitimately elected president of Ukraine and the opposition leaders. The principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs was repeatedly trampled upon," the Russian Foreign Minister added.

"Immediately after the coup, the putschists announced that their top priority was to deny the rights of Russian language speakers in Ukraine and the residents of Crimean, southeast of the country who refused to reconcile themselves to the outcomes of the coup were labelled terrorists. A punitive operation was unleashed against them. In response to this, Crimea and Donbas conducted a referendum fully in line with the principles of equality and self-determination of peoples which are enshrined in paragraph 2 of article 1 of the UN charter. Western diplomats and politicians vis-a-vis Ukraine have been turning a blind eye to this important norm of international law. They have been trying to take all the background and the essence of what has happened and trying to distill this to the inadmissibility of violation of territorial integrity," he added.

Also accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Petro Poroshenko of adopting racist law and terming it a blatant violation of the UN charter, he said the Kyiv regime's actions directly counter the constitution of Ukraine.

"To the fact that the Ukrainian neo-Nazis who seized power in Kyiv did not represent the population of Crimea and Donbas is something that does not need to be proven. And the unconditional support from Western capitals of the actions, criminal actions, of the Kyiv regime is nothing other than a violation of the principle of self-determination subsequent to an egregious violation interference in domestic affairs," Lavrov said.

"Poroshenko and Zelenskyy adopted racist laws on the prohibition of everything Russian - education, media, culture, the destruction of books and monuments, a prohibition on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church seizure of its property. These all became blatant violations of paragraph 3, Article 1 of the UN Charter on the Respect for Human Rights and Basic Freedoms for all, without distinctions on the basis of race, gender, language and religion. Not to mention the fact that these actions directly rank counter to the constitution of Ukraine itself, the constitution which sets out the obligation of the state to respect the rights of Russian and other national minorities," he added.

West 'selectively' turns to principles of UN Charter based on parochial geopolitical needs: Lavrov

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New York, September 21

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday accused Russia of weaponising energy and food. He said countries need to support Ukraine as well as back the sustainable development goals and global development, calling it the only responsible choice."

In his address at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Trudeau said, "Russia is weaponising energy and food, leading millions to face shortages, hunger and even starvation. Canada is dedicated to mitigating the impacts on the most vulnerable. We do not believe we have to choose between supporting Ukraine and supporting the SDGs and global development. In fact, the only responsible choice is to do both, which we are doing with solidarity and financial commitment."

Trudeau called on Russia to completely and immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine. He said the key principles of the Ukrainian 'peace formula' are rooted in international law and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Trudeau said, "The fight of Ukraine is also our fight, it is also our common struggle and there can be no doubt about this. Canada calls on Russia to completely, immediately, without conditions, withdraw troops. The key principles of the Ukrainian peace formula because it must be a peace that respects the UN charter, is based on international law and preserves Ukraine's territorial integrity. A peace that upholds our common humanity and common values, not a peace that turns a blind eye. It must be a peace that is built on respect for the facts and respect for the rules."

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, adding that action should be taken to stop the tragic deaths and violence. He accused Russia of using its veto power in the United Nations to facilitate the war. Noting that the United Nations was established to save people from the scourge of war, he called for making efforts to not let the world return to a place where "might makes right".

"The UN was established to save people from the scourge of war. This fundamental principle has guided this institution since it was founded. So, we need to be 100 per cent clear about what is happening right now. A permanent member of this Security Council, Russia, has launched and continues to wage an illegal war. Vladimir Putin has violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and seeks to deny the rights of Ukrainian people to determine their own future," Trudeau said in his address.

"At the same time, the Russian Federation has been flagrantly using its veto right within this organisation to facilitate this war and these violations of the principles of the United Nations. We must stand up to this affront to the UN. We must take action to stop the tragic deaths and violence, including sexual violence caused by this unjustifiable invasion. We must not let the world return to a place where might makes right. We must make sure that borders mean something, even when a neighbour has a bigger army," he added.

Trudeau stressed that respect for the rule of law and accountability to it should be fundamental and non-negotiable. Noting that tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War, he said that Ukraine, Europe and the whole Global South are suffering due to the ongoing conflict.

"Tens of millions of people died in Europe, Africa and Asia during the Second World War. Watching bloody conflict return to Europe has shaken the conscience of the world. And it threatens the peace that for three-quarters of a century led to unprecedented prosperity around the world. We cannot let that happen because it is not just Ukraine or even just Europe that suffers if we don't uphold our values, all of us will suffer, including all of you in the Global South. And it's not just about the far-reaching and long-term impacts. It's about the suffering that is happening right now," Trudeau said.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of selectively turning to principles of the UN Charter on a case-by-case basis based on their "parochial geopolitical needs."

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied fully and not selectively.

The Russian Foreign Minister said, "Thanks to the United Nations, a new world war was averted. A new world war that was fraught with nuclear disaster. Unfortunately, after the end of the Cold War, the collective West, led by the US single-handedly decided that it would determine the fates of all of humankind and with its complex of superiority began to more frequently and broadly ignore the legacy of the founding fathers of the United Nations."

"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 the shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fermenting of new hotbeds of tension. Risks of global conflict have heightened." "In order to curb them, in order to bring things on a peaceful path, 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," he added.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accuses Russia of weaponising energy and food

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Katrina liked me in 'Uri', I loved her in 'Zero': Vicky Kaushal

Mumbai, Sep 21

A ctor Vicky Kaushal opened up on his favourite work of actress Katrina Kaif that is the film 'Zero' and her favourite work of his that is the film 'Uri'.

Vicky is super excited for his upcoming film 'The Great Indian Family' which is his first film with Yash Raj Banner.

The actor who has portrayed his versatility with varied roles till date will be seen playing a small town religious Hindu Man in the film.

Vicky shared about the film, his favourite work of his wife Katrina and much more.

Katrina has done many films for Yash Raj and this is Vicky's first film with them. When asked, did he discuss it with her before signing this film, the actor said "Yes that discussion is always there for every film, irrespective of whichever studio it is associated with."

Talking about their favourite work of each other, he said "She likes me in rugged roles like Uri. I loved her in Zero. She was fantastic in that. "

Talking about his character Bhajan Kumar in the film 'The Great Indian Family', Vicky said "Bhajan Kumar is a very earnest and sincere guy. He has the small town simplicity in him. The most special and enduring thing about him is that he loves being the rockstar of his town. There is no humility there."

'The Great Indian Family' is a comedy film written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya. It is produced by Aditya Chopra.

The film features Vicky, Manushi Chhillar, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Sadiya Siddiqui, Alka Amin, Bhuwan Arora.

It is scheduled to hit the cinemas on September 22.

Katrina liked me in 'Uri', I loved her in 'Zero': Vicky Kaushal

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Nepotism debate motivated me to be a better actor & person: Rajveer Deol

New Delhi, Sep 21

A ctor Rajveer Deol, younger son of Sunny Deol, who is all set to make his bollywood debut with the film 'Dono' said the debate of Nepotism has motivated him to be a better actor and a person.

Rajveer is gearing up for his bollywood debut with Poonam Dhillon's daughter Paloma, who is also making her acting debut with the film 'Dono'.

The film Dono also marks the directorial debut of Sooraj Barjatya's son Avnish Barjatya.

The trailer of the film has got good response from the audience and everyone is loving the chemistry between Rajveer and Paloma.

Rajveer opened up on the film, how he prepared himself for the role, nepotism and much more.

Talking about his reaction on the hot topic of 'Nepotism', he said "I won't lie that I haven't thought about this topic. I feel the debate of nepotism has motivated me to be a better actor and a person. The advantage of being a star kid is only that you get a meeting scheduled. Post that, there is no guarantee of getting the work. I gave three auditions before I got the role in the film 'Dono'.

Talking about his prep for the role, the actor said "We did a lot of workshops before we started shooting for the film. We did a lot of prep to translate our chemistry on the screen. It was not easy in the beginning but yes I was very focused and Paloma and I were very supportive of each other."

'Dono' focuses on modern relationships and is set against the backdrop of a lavish destination wedding.

The film marks the debut of Rajveer Deol and Paloma Thakeria and also marks the directorial debut for Avnish Barjatya.

It will be released in cinemas on October 5.

Nepotism debate motivated me to be a better actor & person: Rajveer Deol

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Paris, Sep 21

B ritain's King Charles III has called upon Britain and France to "reinvigorate" their friendship to take on the challenges of the 21st century.

Charles III, who is on three day state visit to France, made the remarks during a state dinner organised by French President Emmanuel Macron in the Palace of Versailles.

Hailing the "enduring relationship" between Britain and France, Charles III noted that the connections between the British and French people were "myriad" and represented the lifeblood of the Entente Cordiale signed by the two countries in 1904, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Our relations have of course not always been entirely straightforward," Charles III said, adding that the two countries have a "long and complex history".

"In all of this, we can rely on our firm friendship, which is renewed and reinvigorated with each new generation," he stressed to Macron.

For his part, Macron said that Charles III's visit to France was "a tribute" to the past and "a guarantee" of the future.

Despite Brexit, "we will continue to write part of the future of our continents together, to meet the challenges, and to serve the causes that we have in common," he said.

King Charles III, along with his wife Queen Camilla, will meet with French and British business representatives on Thursday before going to Bordeaux as the final step of the visit on Friday.

He chose France as the destination of his first state visit in March. However, the visit was postponed due to the violent protests against the French pension reform.

British King Charles III calls upon Britain, France to reinvigorate friendship

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New Delhi, September 21

C anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during his visit to India for the G20 Summit, refused to stay at the presidential suite, and stayed at a regular room in the same hotel, informed sources.

Notably, presidential suites are specially designed by Indian security agencies as per security protocols.

Trudeau stayed at the Lalit Hotel in the national capital during his stay for the G20 Summit.

However, despite being offered a presidential suite, his delegation refused to stay there and instead stayed at a regular room in the same hotel, sources said.

Every global leader who had come to India for the G20 was provided VVIP hotels with the presidential suite, with complete security protocols.

According to sources, Trudeau's delegation told Indian security agencies that this decision is being taken due to cost considerations. However, the Indian agencies have said that there is no information about the exact reason behind Trudeau's staying in a normal room.

Notably, this was not the only irregular episode from Trudeau's visit to India.

The Canadian PM was scheduled to depart from India on September 10, however, he had to extend his stay after a technical snag on his Airbus plane.

According to sources, the Indian side had offered services of aircraft 'Air India One' to Canadian PM Trudeau and his delegation to fly back, after coming to know about the delay in the departure of the Canadian PM and accompanying delegation due to the glitch in their special aircraft.

However, the Canadian side declined the offer and instead chose to wait for the backup aircraft, sources said. Finally, Trudeau was able to depart from India only on September 12.

Meanwhile, the tensions between India and Canada heightened on Monday, after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India. This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country.

India rejected the allegations made by Canada, dubbing them as "absurd" and "motivated" and in a reciprocal move also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country on Tuesday.

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.

Justin Trudeau refused 'presidential suite' at hotel during G20 Summit: Sources

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London, September 21

T he United Kingdom will delay a series of key climate targets to ease the burden on working people, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday.

Sunak told reporters that he will push back a ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, dramatically slow down plans to phase out gas boilers, and reject calls to regulate efficiency for homeowners, CNN reported.

The Prime Minister reiterated plans to expand oil and gas developments in Britain's North Sea and drill for the fossil fuels that environmental groups condemned. He also announced that the ban on onshore wind will be lifted.

"We're changing the way we reach Net Zero by 2050 to ease the burden on working people. Our new approach will be pragmatic, proportionate and realistic," Rishi Sunak posted on X along with a video message.

https//x.com/RishiSunak/status/1704567738172068172?s=20

Stating that the UK is already "far ahead" of every other major country in terms of achieving Net Zero, Sunak said that if the UK continues on this path, it might lose the "consent" of people.

Sunak called it a "pragmatic, proportionate and realistic" approach towards meeting the commitment of reaching Net Zero by 2050.

"We're absolutely committed to reaching net zero by 2050. But, no one in Westminster politics to look people in the eye and explains what this really involves. That's wrong and it changes now...So today, we are changing our approach to meeting net zero to ease the burden on working people," he said in the video address.

A major policy relief announced by Sunak is the easing of the transition to electric vehicles, allowing people to buy new petrol-diesel cars and vans until 2035.

The citizens have also been given more time to replace existing boilers and they have to make a switch only when they are replacing their boiler. Also, families that are hit hardest by cost need not make the switch ever at all, Sunak said.

Sunak further said that the UK government will "stay out" of people's lives. He has said that all ideas like the government deciding what to eat, keeping seven different bins in the house, creating new taxes to discourage flying or taking holidays, and restriction on the number of passengers in the car, will go now.

"We will never impose these unnecessary and heavy-handed measures on you the British people. And we will still meet our international commitments to hit Net Zero by 2050," Sunak added.

Notably, Sunak's announcement marks a sharp turn away from a long-standing political consensus on the climate, just two years after the United Kingdom hosted the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, and seriously undermines efforts to portray Britain as a leader in the fight against the climate crisis, as per CNN.

Boris Johnson, whose premiership included the COP26 and embraced the net zero pledge, had earlier shot back in a rare public attack on his former chancellor-turned-political rival. "Business must have certainty about our net zero commitments," Johnson said in a statement, calling on Sunak to give firms "confidence that the 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," CNN quoted Johnson as saying.

Britain is legally required to have reached net zero - meaning the country would remove from the atmosphere at least as much planet-warming pollution as it emits - by 2050.

Surveys in th UK show that the climate crisis is increasingly high on the list of British voters' concerns, and the opposition Labour party has sought to attack Sunak on what they describe as a "withdrawal from Britain's former position as a global leader," CNN reported.

"Rolling back on key climate commitments as the world is being battered by extreme flooding and wildfires would be morally indefensible," CNN quoted Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth's head of policy, as saying in a statement.

The announcement has also drawn criticism from British businesses.

Lisa Brankin, the chair of Ford UK, said in a statement that the automobile giant "needs three things from the UK Government ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three."

Ed Matthew, Campaigns Director for independent climate change think tank E3G, said the moves would drive up household bills and "damage the UK's ability to compete with other countries on clean technology."

"Just as the US, China and the EU are racing ahead on green growth, Rishi Sunak appears ready to surrender," he said. "The economic damage to the UK could be catastrophic."

UK: Rishi Sunak to delay climate targets to ease burden on people

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Washington, Sep 21

T he water regulator of the US state of California has said that the beverage corporate giant Nestle had illegally diverted and bottled water from mountain springs for over 100 years, the media reported.

The bottled water is sold under Arrowhead, a household brand whose label reads "Since 1894."

Nestle sold the bottled water business in 2021 and Nestle Waters North America began operating under the new name BlueTriton Brands later, Xinhua news agency reported.

California State Water Resources Control Board ordered the company to stop drawing water for bottling from most of its water-collection sites in the San Bernardino Mountains by November 1 and has given it 30 days to appeal to the board.

The Board began investigation in 2015 after receiving a number of complaints against Nestle Waters North America from individuals and organisations as well as a petition signed by hundreds of people, according to the agency's documents.

The complaints accuse Nestle of diverting water without a valid right and unreasonably using water, among other allegations.

After eight years of investigation, including dozens of hearings, the board determined on Tuesday that BlueTriton does not have permission to use the water.

The company disagreed, saying its predecessors had been doing so for more than 125 years. It also argued that it takes water that is underground and that the state water board does not have the authority to regulate groundwater.

BlueTriton Brands said it would sue to block the order.

Nestle unlawfully bottled spring water for over 100 years: US

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New Delhi, Sep 21

I ndia has suspended visa services for Canadians "till further notice" amid a massive international row over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that his government has intelligence linking New Delhi in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh

A notice by BLS International - an online visa application centre said, "Important notice from Indian Mission Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates

BLS India Visa Application Centre."

The update on Thursday came after a Punjab-origin NIA-wanted gangster Sukha Duneke was also shot dead in Canada's Winnipeg in an inter-gang rivalry.

Sukhdool Singh, alias Duneke, was part of Khalistan movement in Canada. Duneke, an associate of the Devinder Bambiha Gang in Punjab, escaped to Canada in 2017 on forged documents.

On Wednesday, his name figured among the list of 43 gangsters released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which sought information about his illegal properties.

His murder on Wednesday night is similar to the killing of terrorist Nijjar in inter-gang warfare in Surrey in June.

On Tuesday, diplomatic relations between India and Canada nosedived over the killing of Nijjar. The same day India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat based here in a tit for tat move giving a similar reply to Canada.

The High Commissioner of Canada to India (Cameron Mackay) received summons on Tuesday during which New Delhi 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 MEA said.

"The decision 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 statement said.

The decision came after Canada had earlier expelled a high ranking Indian diplomat.

These developments have occurred after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday in an emergency statement in Parliament accused the Government of India of involvement in the fatal shooting of Nijjar.

India has rejected claims by the Canadian government that it had an involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has dubbed the charges as "absurd and motivated".

India suspends visa services for Canadians

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Barcelona, September 21

W hile most people infected with COVID-19 have milder symptoms and recover within a few weeks, the global pandemic produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a major health concern. Some of individuals infected may develop more severe sickness and pneumonia, resulting in a more bleak outlook.

Although techniques for assessing patients' risk have been created, diagnostic and prognostic tools rely mostly on expensive and less accessible imaging technologies such as radiography, ultrasonography, or computed tomography . As a result, there is a need for the development of a simpler and more easily accessible prognostic tool that allows healthcare providers to identify individuals who have developed or are at risk of getting severe disease. This would simplify patient triage and allow for earlier intervention, even at home.

Now, a research team led by IBEC and Hospital del Mar, with collaboration from the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, CIBER-BBN and CIBERES, has carried out a study based on the analysis and interpretation of cough sounds in the initial phases of COVID-19. This method is presented as a potential predictive, simple, and accessible tool to assess the risk of suffering severe pneumonia.

The research involved smartphone recordings of voluntary coughing sounds from 70 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, all recorded within the first 24 hours after their admission to the hospital. IBEC conducted an acoustic analysis of these recordings, which revealed significant differences in cough sounds depending on the severity of the respiratory condition, as previously confirmed by imaging tests and the need for supplemental oxygen. The results indicate that this analysis could be used to categorize COVID-19 patients as mild, moderate, or severe and to monitor patients with persistent COVID-19. The study was conducted using data collected between April 2020 and May 2021 at Hospital del Mar, and the findings have been published in the European Respiratory Journal Open Research.

Raimon Jane, a professor at UPC and the principal investigator at IBEC and CIBER-BBN, leads the Biomedical Signal Processing and Interpretation group at IBEC. This group has developed the methodology and algorithms for the acoustic analysis of cough signals collected via smartphones. Using a statistical model known as a linear mixed model, the team identified five parameters, based on sound frequencies, that exhibited significant differences in the coughs of patients with varying levels of disease severity and pneumonia progression. These differences may reflect the progressive respiratory system alterations in patients with COVID-19

While acoustic cough analysis methods have been previously proposed for diagnosing respiratory diseases, we aimed to take a step further by specifically investigating the connection between the acoustic characteristics of coughs and the varying levels of pneumonia severity in COVID-19 patients," details Jane, the senior co-author of the study.

The authors of the study explain that cough analysis can serve a dual purpose early detection of severe COVID-19 cases and remote monitoring of their progression, including the assessment of potential complications. However, further research involving a larger patient sample will be required to validate the findings of this cross-sectional study, which could pave the way for utilizing cough analysis as a diagnostic tool for patients with COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

For this reason, Dr. Joaquim Gea, emeritus head of the Pneumology Service, researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, and senior co-author of the study, suggested that these findings can prove beneficial "in regions with limited medical infrastructure or during emergency situations. This approach can aid in the prompt identification and isolation of COVID-19 patients, thus facilitating proper medical care and the implementation of control measures."

Researchers identify severity of COVID-19 patients with cough sound

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New Delhi, Sep 21

I TC Hotels announced the signing of Welcomhotel Kalimpong resort under a management agreement with Pravez Constructions Private Limited.

This 70-key greenfield upper-upscale project, spread over 4 acres will offer plush rooms with spectacular views of the Himalayas and the valley, an all-day dining restaurant, a lounge, a bar and a specialty restaurant along with ample recreational facilities such as fitness centre, childrens' club, games room, library, and a spa. The picturesque resort shall offer over 15,000 sq.

ft. of indoor and outdoor event spaces.

Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels said, "With the upcoming property of Welcomhotel Kalimpong, ITC's Hotel Group will have a strong presence across West Bengal with 8 hotels across various segments. The Welcomhotel brand trajectory is growing fast across both business and leisure locations, and we are grateful for the trust that the owners have placed in the brand." ITC Hotels already has a stellar presence in West Bengal with two iconic luxury properties, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar.

Welcomhotel Kalimpong will further broaden this footprint along with the existing properties under the Fortune brand. Binod Kumar Gupta, Chairman, BLG Group, said, "We are excited to announce our landmark project in the serene hill station of Kalimpong in West Bengal. We are not just building a hotel, but a tranquil property inspired by local culture and dedicated to sustainable luxury.

Our engagement with ITC Hotels and the Welcomhotel brand for management will ensure world-class service and unique guest experiences. The breathtaking mountain-views, versatile event spaces, authentic regional cuisine, recreational facilities, and eco-friendliness will make this property a must visit destination." ITC Hotels' portfolio currently showcases 25 Welcomhotels across India with more in the pipeline.

Noteworthy properties under the brand that have opened recently cover destinations such as Manali, Jim Corbett, Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Chail, Katra and Guntur.

ITC Hotels signs management agreement for Welcomhotel Kalimpong

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Poonch, September 21

T he Indian Army's Poonch Brigade on Wednesday unfurled a 72-feet-high national flag at Ajote War Memorial in Poonch to honour the fallen heroes of the district.

Indian Army in collaboration with Flag Foundation of India, today installed a 70-feet-high national flag at the Ajote War Memorial to honour the fallen heroes of Poonch, a Jammu-based defence spokesperson said.

A large number of veterans and school children from proximal areas witnessed the event and applauded the unfurling ceremony.

After unfurling the flag, the national anthem was performed.

Patriotic songs were also sung by the school children.

A sense of happiness and pride were seen among the local people.

Pradeep Khanna, a local resident said that the district is now not only religious tourist place but also has become a patriotic tourism place.

"In 1965 during India- Pakistan war, this was the place from where our soldiers faced the firing by the Pakistani Army the whole night. That time, only a stone was installed and was named as war memorial. With the passage of time, some renovations were done by the army officials and now Poonch, that is a religious tourist place, has now become patriotic tourism place," he said.

Indian Army's Poonch Brigade installs 72-feet national flag at Ajote War Memorial

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San Francisco, Sep 21

M icrosoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Thursday doubled down on the role of generative AI in the company's product portfolio, starting with Windows 11 that will include the new AI-powered Copilot feature, along with launching a powerful new Surface laptop lineup.

With over 150 new features, the new Windows 11 Update will be available starting September 26, bringing the power of Copilot and new AI-powered experiences to apps like Paint, Photos, Clipchamp and more right to your Windows PC.

"Microsoft Copilot will uniquely incorporate the context and intelligence of the web, your work data and what you are doing in the moment on your PC to provide better assistance -- with your privacy and security at the forefront," said Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer.

"It will be a simple and seamless experience, available in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and in our web browser with Edge and Bing. It will work as an app or reveal itself when you need it with a right click," he told the gathering.

Microsoft 365 Copilot will generally be available to commercial customers starting November 1 with a more powerful version of M365 Chat, new capabilities for Copilot in Outlook, Excel, Loop, OneNote, OneDrive and Word.

The company also announced new features in Bing and Edge.

Bing Chat Enterprise will also get a few upgrades including support for multimodal visual search and Image Creator now available in the Microsoft Edge mobile app, the company announced.

Microsoft said it will soon add access to OpenAI's DALL-E 3 image generator for users to create images right in a chat.

"We are entering a new era of AI, one that is fundamentally changing how we relate to and benefit from technology. With the convergence of chat interfaces and large language models you can now ask for what you want in natural language and the technology is smart enough to answer, create it or take action," said Mehdi.

Additionally, the company introduced new Surface laptops. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 with 14.4-inch display starts at $1,999 and runs on Intel's 13th generation chips.

Turbocharged with the latest Intel Core processors and cutting-edge NVIDIA Studio tools for creators-with up to 2x more graphics performance than MacBook Pro M2 Max, the device brings together the versatility to create and the power to perform, said Microsoft.

The Studio 2 also offers some big new connectivity options it has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and the Surface Slim Pen 2.

Microsoft also announced Surface Laptop Go 3 that comes with a 12.4-inch touchscreen and offers up to 15 hours of battery life, along with one USB-A port, one USB-C port, and a headphone jack.

The Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $799, with availability starting October 3.

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Microsoft bets big on AI with Copilot-driven Windows 11, new Surface devices

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Patients living with fibromyalgia (FM)  a disease that predominantly affects women and is characterized by chronic pain, fatigue and brain fog  often find limited treatment options and a scarcity of explanations for their symptoms. Research led by Mass General Brigham investigators has found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can significantly reduce the burden of FM by, in part, reducing pain-catastrophizing, a negative cognitive and emotional response that can intensify pain through feelings of helplessness, rumination and intrusive thoughts. This finding is backed by neuroimaging data, evidencing reduced connectivity between regions of the brain associated with self-awareness, pain and emotional processing. Results are published on September 20 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

In this study, we looked at the interplay between psychological processes and the brain's connectivity patterns in response to pain. We wanted to explore how CBT, a talk therapy aimed at combatting maladaptive thoughts, can enhance individuals' daily functioning and alter the brain's processing of pain-related information." Robert Edwards, PhD, co-senior author, clinical psychologist in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system

Edwards explains that CBT can reduce negative cognitive and emotional responses to pain. He says that while these responses are normal, they can amplify the disabling effects of chronic pain, and make conditions like FM more burdensome.

The research team for the study included researchers from three Mass General Brigham members: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. Mass General Brigham brings together 16 member institutions, including academic medical centers, top-tier specialty hospitals, community hospitals and more. Research that spans more than one of these entities is more than the sum of its parts, helping to provide insights and unique perspectives from multiple settings and areas of expertise.

Researchers recruited 98 women, randomly assigning 64 to a treatment group receiving CBT and 34 to a control group that received education about FM and chronic pain but was not taught specific CBT techniques. All participants were between 18 and 75 years old and had a confirmed FM diagnosis for at least six months. To collect baseline data, all participants completed several validated pain and quality of life questionnaires.

Each group participated in eight intervention sessions, consisting of 6075-minute visits with a licensed mental health provider. Participants were primarily assessed for their levels of pain interference, or a measure of how much their pain disrupted their daily activities, pain catastrophizing, pain severity and the overall impact FM had on patients' quality of life.

Results demonstrated that those who underwent CBT experienced significantly greater reductions in pain interference. CBT participants also exhibited significantly less pain catastrophizing and reported that their FM symptoms had significantly less impact on their daily lives.

The team saw evidence that after undergoing CBT, patients experienced changes in the activities of all three networks that suggested a diminished focus on pain.

"Prior to participants undergoing CBT, we saw that certain parts of the brain linked to self-awareness and sensation were very connected, suggesting patients were pertinently aware of the pain sensation they were experiencing and internalized these symptoms," said co-first author Jeungchan Lee, PhD, an instructor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation based at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital. "After CBT, these connections were significantly less strong, suggesting that patients were better at separating themselves from their pain after therapy."

This study was limited to women, partly because of its high prevalence, and partly to eliminate confounding gender differences in brain activity. In the future, the researchers hope to collect data from men and non-binary patients with FM. Additionally, CBT includes several therapeutic components, and these results cannot be generalized to assess the impact across all forms of CBT on reducing FM chronic pain.

Both Lee and Edwards agree that these findings ultimately suggest that complex chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia should be addressed with a multitude of pharmacological and cognitive therapies.

"I hope that these findings motivate healthcare providers to consider CBT as an effective treatment option to reduce the impact of pain patients experience," explained Edwards. "Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia involve long-standing patterns of changes in the central nervous system, and CBT is one among many treatment options, such as medication and physical therapy, that we know can be beneficial for those living with FM."
A new study in the journal Scientific Reports explores the impact of social media fatigue, cognitive ability, and the presence of narcissistic traits on the likelihood of sharing misinformation.

Study: Examining the association between social media fatigue, cognitive ability, narcissism and misinformation sharing: cross-national evidence from eight countries. Image Credit: r.classen / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought illness, death, economic disruption, and social divisions worldwide. As a result of public health restrictions on travel, social media use became increasingly prevalent, as many people utilized these platforms for their sources of news, society, stress relief, and work-related needs.

Among the unforeseen consequences of this increased social media reliance was a wave of misinformation spreading globally through social media platforms. This spread of misinformation has been described as a modern infodemic that profoundly and permanently affects the attitudes of people throughout the world.

However, misinformation does not affect all social media users alike. For example, people who believe COVID-19 misinformation are often the same who believe political misinformation, most of whom are older and less educated individuals with less cognitive performance.

Social media use has led to significant amounts of information becoming available on such platforms, thereby causing information overload and social media fatigue (SMF). SMF, which refers to the urge to stop or reduce social media use due to the overload, may lead to engagement with misinformation.

If people are too exhausted by information overload, they can be predisposed to believe information shared in a clear way on social media without analyzing its truthfulness. Moreover, social media algorithms present users with more of what they search for, thus reinforcing their belief in the honesty of the information.

This phenomenon can increase trust in false beliefs through the illusory truth effect, which maintains that repeated information is seen as more truthful.

Cognitive thinking has been linked both positively and negatively to engagement with misinformation. However, this could interact with personality traits to modify the level and type of engagement with misinformation. There is a paucity of research that considers both these factors in combination.

The current study also determined whether and how narcissism affects misinformation belief, and sharing. Finally, the researchers sought to look at Asian countries also for their evidence base, rather than just the West, considering its over 2.1 billion internet users.

The researchers used surveys and quota sampling methods. Over 8,000 responses from the United States, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam were obtained.

What did the study show?

Singaporeans had less reliance on COVID-19 misinformation than other countries, whereas the U.S. and China had the highest rates of perceived accuracy.

People in the Philippines were the most likely to believe and share accurate news. This may be attributed to the aggressive stance of the Philippine government on misinformation, as it has implemented fact-checking and public educational campaigns that ensure the safety of online platforms for obtaining reliable information.

Except in Vietnam, younger people in most countries were more likely to believe and share misinformation, especially if they were politically engaged. People who learned their news from social media rather than television were also more likely to believe and share misinformation in the U.S., Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Individuals with high cognitive ability were inversely associated with belief and sharing of misinformation. Those with SMF exhibited higher rates of belief in COVID-19 misinformation but only a weak association with sharing it.

Increased belief in the accuracy of misinformation was linked to increased sharing. There is a direct association between SMF and belief in false COVID-19 information, but the indirect though consistent association between SMF and sharing suggests that SMF causes people to share COVID-19 misinformation.

In all countries except Vietnam, narcissism was associated with higher rates of engagement with belief in and sharing of misinformation. The indirect effects on personal belief in and sharing of COVID-19 misinformation weakened with both increased cognitive ability and low narcissism traits.

What are the implications?

This cross-cultural and cross-national study demonstrated that SMF is a driver for the belief and propagation of COVID-19 misinformation. Several reasons contribute to this phenomenon, including brain fatigue from the weight of information being passed around today. This could impair the ability to think and reason about information, thus encouraging its acceptance without questioning its logic.

Search engines and social media algorithms function to promote content with an instant appeal, which may be due to controversy or emotional content. This type of content will be repeatedly offered to the consumer, thereby triggering the illusory truth effect.

Thus, SMF promotes inaccurate beliefs, especially if the individual already has a pre-existing bias toward the argument. However, this association is not universal, as an individuals cognitive ability and narcissistic traits mediate the risk.

Unexpectedly, we find that even among high-cognitive-ability groups, individuals with higher narcissistic tendencies are more likely to perceive the misinformation as accurate and share it on social media when they are fatigued.

Despite this finding, the highest indirect associations are seen in individuals with high narcissism and low cognitive ability. These types of people frequently share misinformation online, which could be their attempt to feel important by sharing news that confirms their own biases. This may also allow these individuals to obtain more attention socially despite their lack of analytical thinking, especially since their sharing consists of more controversial and attention-grabbing opinions and news.

Narcissism also promotes the demand for immediate gratification. When fatigued, as with SMF, narcissists with low cognitive ability tend to impulsively share misinformation without fact-checking.

Considering the long-term adverse effects of social media, especially as a source and amplifier of misinformation on mental health, social behavior, and political divisions, legal and corporate guidelines are urgently needed. These regulations must be aimed at reducing SMF, limiting the spread of misinformation, and raising awareness about online information.

Strategies focused on these outcomes should be designed to reach various populations, including people with low cognitive ability and narcissistic traits, as they are more vulnerable to being deceived into believing COVID-19 misinformation when fatigued than others.

Any scholarly attempts at understanding public engagement with misinformation must focus on individuals personalities and cognitive traits.
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 the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association 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 grey matter that occur at the different illness stages

They found that the evolution of psychoses, as measured by changes in grey 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 grey matter change seen in psychosis is not randomly distributed across the brain, but is shaped by a complex network of structural connections  in a very similar way to how we see the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in the brain."

The researchers used a mathematical model to predict grey 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, "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 epicentre of brain changes in the illness," he said.

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. 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." Dr Sid Chopra, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and Monash University's School of Psychological Sciences

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."

Source: Monash University Journal reference: Chopra, S., et al. (2023). Network-Based Spreading of Gray Matter Changes Across Different Stages of Psychosis. JAMA Psychiatry. doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.3293
Hyperdiploidy is a genetic condition observed in cancer cells, where the cells contain more chromosomes than usual. The condition is particularly prevalent in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common form of pediatric cancer. To bring clarity to the field, researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital worked to better define this type of ALL in the context of modern therapy to more accurately predict patient outcomes and guide treatment decisions. The findings were published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Currently, oncology centers worldwide use at least six different definitions of hyperdiploidy to guide treatment protocols, resulting in variable patient outcomes. While physicians agree that hyperdiploidy is associated with a generally favorable outcome, the exact definition is still debated. Establishing the most optimal classification of hyperdiploidy can standardize care for childhood B-ALL and ensure patients with this cancer receive only the necessary treatments, potentially reducing the side effects of chemotherapy while improving long-term outcomes.

Better predictions, improved treatment

The St. Jude researchers compared existing methods for defining hyperdiploidy, and they discovered that DNA index, a measure of total DNA in leukemic cells, could effectively classify and predict outcomes for hyperdiploid leukemia.

Hyperdiploidy definitions have historically been derived from the retrospective studies of previous protocols. By comprehensively comparing six different classification methods in the same patient cohort, we show that a simple system, such as the DNA index, is optimal for stratifying patients with a good prognosis. This approach remains applicable in modern studies with contemporary risk-directed therapies." Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., co-corresponding author, Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Global Pediatric Medicine

DNA index casts a wider net over the hyperdiploid patient population, making it a valuable starting point for those working in resource-limited settings that may have finite access to more expensive methods, such as whole-genome sequencing. This finding holds significance for medical centers around the world.

"The DNA index seems advantageous over other classification criteria because it captures a significant proportion of patients with excellent prognoses who are missed by a few other hyperdiploid definitions," said co-corresponding author Jun J. Yang, Ph.D., Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Oncology.

Patients with good prognoses have specific drug sensitivities

While DNA index is highly informative of treatment outcomes, it has limitations -; it cannot identify the specific chromosomes that have been gained. This study also found that not all trisomies (extra chromosomes) are created equal, with some having a more significant impact on outcomes. Combining DNA index with more chromosome-specific approaches would be crucial in further individualizing therapy for this patient population.

"Hyperdiploidy is not monolithic. It is essential to identify the individual chromosome gains to better understand its effects," Yang said. "The gain of specific chromosomes can result in varying drug sensitivity and resistance."

In the study, researchers discovered an association between specific chromosomal gains and sensitivities to the anticancer drugs asparaginase and mercaptopurine in patients with favorable prognoses. Unlike previous studies focusing only on drugs used at initial diagnosis, this research also explored drugs administered later in treatment. This broader perspective provides valuable insight into tailoring treatments based on individual patient characteristics.

Taking a comprehensive look at leukemia drugs

"The significance of this study lies in its comprehensiveness. We have examined the spectrum of drugs used to treat ALL to identify those that are particularly effective for hyperdiploid ALL," Yang said.

By thoroughly evaluating eight drugs and their specific therapeutic outcomes related to hyperdiploidy, the researchers have achieved the most comprehensive understanding to date. However, they acknowledge that there are still opportunities to improve.

The study's findings regarding drug sensitivities suggest some patients may not need high doses of certain drugs for the treatment to be effective. As chemotherapy can lead to adverse effects, refining therapy to precise doses could significantly benefit patients. This improvement starts with understanding each patient's genetic landscape.

"We are not only focused on enhancing therapies, but we also aim to de-intensify them to improve patients' quality of life," Pui said.

To boost the survival rate of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the scientists determined where to look within the patient population.

"The best return on investment to maximize ALL survival is in the lowest-risk groups, where we safely cure the curable through reducing toxicities," said first author Shawn Lee, M.D., of National University Hospital and formerly of St. Jude.

This study paves the way for future discussions about defining patient populations and advancing precision medicine for hyperdiploid pediatric cancer.

Authors and funding

The study's other authors are Emily Ashcraft, Wenjian Yang, Kathryn Roberts, Lauren Rowland, Hiroto Inaba, Seth Karol, Sima Jeha, Charles Mullighan, Mary Relling, William Evans and Cheng Cheng of St. Jude; and Yoshihiro Gocho, formerly of St. Jude.

This study was supported by the Singapore National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship (MOH-000302), the National Institutes of Health (R35 CA197695, R01 CA264837, U01 CA264610, R35 GM141947, P30 CA021765 and P50 GM115279) and ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization of St. Jude.
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Philippine Heart Association will host ACC Asia 2023 on September 29-30 in Manila, Philippines. According to recent research, among the 18.6 million heart disease-related deaths worldwide in 2019, 58% occurred in Asia. The conference is designed to discuss, share and critique the latest in cardiovascular disease prevention and care to improve heart health and care for patients on the continent with the largest population and diversity of ethnicities, cultures, socioeconomic status and health care systems.

The conference welcomes all members of the cardiac care team in the Asia-Pacific region, including cardiologists, fellows-in-training, nurses, and more. Ronald Cuyco, MD, and Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FACC, will serve as co-chairs for the conference.

I am very excited about ACC Asia 2023 and look forward to seeing everyone who is joining us. This conference, sponsored jointly by the Philippine Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, will bring experts from around the world to share best practices and learn from each other on how to improve cardiac care in Asia and around the world." Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FACC

Attendees will have the opportunity to foster connections with leading experts in the field and explore the latest research in heart failure, electrophysiology, health equity, interventional and ischemic heart disease, prevention and more.

"We are so excited to welcome you to this year's conference that will be held in Manila, Philippines," Cuyco said. "Join us in our vision of a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes."

Must-see plenary sessions include:

Innovation in Cardiology: What Is It and How Will It Impact Care in 2025 and Beyond?

Top Clinical Trials to Impact Your Practice

STEMI Care Around the World: Successes, Pain Points and Evolution

Clinical cases and poster presentations

The following list provides a sneak peek of the clinical cases and posters to be presented during ACC Asia 2023. All abstracts are embargoed until Tuesday, September 26, 8am ET/Tuesday, September 26, 8pm PHST.

Effects of Exercise Timing on Weight Indices: A Meta-Analysis

Does Exercise Timing Affect Your Sleep Behaviors?: A Meta-Analysis

Does Exercise Timing Affect Metabolic Profiles?: A Meta-Analysis

Assessment of the Impact of Yoga on Heart Failure Patients Using Echocardiographic Parameters

Current Status, Sex Differences, and Trends of Heart Failure in Asia: Analysis from 1990 to 2019

Interactive learning lab

The interactive learning lab is an innovative education experience that helps attendees strengthen their everyday practice through dynamic modules, engaging discussions, and hands-on training. Participants can join subject matter experts in challenging clinical case discussions, improve their cardiac auscultation knowledge with 90-minute Heart Songs training sessions, and sharpen their ECG interpretation skills with the ECG Drill & Practice program.

ACC Asia FIT Jeopardy

During the FIT Jeopardy sessions at ACC Asia 2023, three ACC Asia Chapter teams will test their cardiovascular knowledge in a friendly competition between Fellows-in-Training (FITs). Teams will be quizzed on a range of topics, including prevention, imaging and interventional cardiology. The winning team will compete in the FIT Jeopardy competition at ACC.24 in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2024.

Learn more about the meeting and see the full agenda at ACC.org/Asia2023.

How to register as media

Please reach out to the ACC Press Office to request media registration or to receive embargoed copies of posters. All registrants will be required to provide appropriate documentation and/or media credentials as per the ACC Media and Communications policies.

If you have questions, please contact the ACC Press Office at Katie Glenn, [email protected].

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The first time Heidi Sweeney began hallucinating, the voices in her head told her Orange County's Huntington Beach was where she would be safe. There, behind the bikini-clad crowds playing volleyball and riding beach cruisers, she slept in homeless encampments, then beside a bush outside a liquor store, drinking vodka to drown out the din only she could hear.

For years, she refused help, insisting to all who offered, "I'm not sick," until police arrested her for petty theft and public drunkenness. A judge gave her an ultimatum: jail or treatment. She chose treatment.

"I'm so thankful that they did that," said Sweeney, now 52. "I needed that. I think there's others out there that need it, too."

If she hadn't been compelled to get care, Sweeney said, she wouldn't be alive today, back at work and reunited with her husband. It's why she supports California's new civil CARE Courts that will launch this fall in eight counties, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Orange, followed by the rest of the state in 2024.

Under the new system, family members and first responders can ask county judges to order people with psychotic illness into treatment, even if they are not unhoused or haven't committed a crime. A judge will then determine if a person meets criteria for the program and may oversee a care agreement or compel a treatment plan. That treatment plan could even include involuntary commitment.

The bill creating the program sailed through the state legislature with near-unanimous support last year amid growing frustration from voters over the state's increasing number of homeless people, even as it drew vehement opposition from disability rights groups, who argued CARE Courts' hallmark  compelling people who have done nothing wrong into mental health care  is a violation of civil rights.

That tension  between those who advocate for treatment being voluntary and those who say the status quo allows people to die in the streets "with their rights on"  is playing out all over the state of California. In Orange County, officials are threading a delicate needle: how to convince people to accept care without coercion, particularly when their illness causes them to believe they are not ill.

"We dont want to punish people," said Maria Hernandez, the presiding judge for Orange County Superior Court. "We want them to maintain their dignity."

Orange County is expecting between 900 and 1,500 residents will be eligible for CARE Court in any given year, according to the county public defender's office. Local lawyers, judges, and health officials have all aligned in designing their program with a distinct patient focus, endeavoring to make the process as benign and nonthreatening as possible.

Hernandez said that means modeling the new civil court after the county's other collaborative courts, where judges often lose the black robe and come down off the bench to work with people, eye to eye.

One prototype, she said, is her Young Adult Court, where, on a day in June, the mood was downright jovial. Defendants and their family members were chatting and laughing, munching on snacks laid out on a table in the back as three young men "graduated" from the diversion program.

"Judge Hernandez is so awesome," said Abraham, 25, a graduate of the program, who asked to be identified only by his first name because he was charged with a felony that has since been expunged from his record. "I dont even look at her as the judge. Shes just like a mom figure. Shes only trying to push you to be the better you."

A minute later, Hernandez walked through the aisle of the courtroom and gave Abraham a hug.

Even if CARE Court is overseen by a judge like Hernandez, patient advocates object to the idea. Orlando Vera, who lives with bipolar disorder, said helping a vulnerable person heal from mental illness shouldn't involve dragging them into a courtroom.

"Its not a place you resolve your emotions. It is a very business-oriented environment. So I do feel that this is not the place for it," Vera said, adding, "Can we stop it? I would say we cant."

After advocates failed to persuade the state Supreme Court to block the program on constitutional grounds, some started referring to gearing up for the rollout of CARE Court as "disaster preparedness," equating it with a devastating earthquake or wildfire.

Peer Voices of Orange County, a group Vera co-founded and runs, plans to install patient advocates at the courthouse to attend all CARE Court hearings.

"Our focus is how do we support those that are going through the system," he said. "We need to be their voice."

Orange County behavioral health director Veronica Kelley is sympathetic to advocates' concerns. She said CARE Court is not the program she would have created to improve the state's mental health system. But she serves at the will of the governor and other elected officials who control her budget.

"So we end up building the Winchester Mystery House," she said, referring to the 100-year-old mansion in San Jose known for its mazelike layout. "It is a structure that was OK, but then it just started adding hallways to nowhere and basements that are on top of the building. Thats what our system looks like."

Kelley is trying to shape the new court process into something its critics can accept. This is why she wanted Orange County to go first: "so we can help craft it into something thats not another colossal waste of time and funds, and that we dont destroy the people were trying to serve at the same time," she told a roomful of patient advocates during a meeting of the state Patients Rights Committee, held in Santa Ana.

This means social workers from her behavioral health department or the public defender's office might visit people 20, 30, or 40 times to build trust, listen, and set goals.

Under the CARE legislation, county courts are allowed to fine public behavioral health agencies $1,000 a day if they can't find a patient and enroll them in treatment by certain deadlines.

Kelley said her county's judges have agreed to give her staff the time and extensions they need to do their jobs well. She also vowed that no one who declined services in her county would be institutionalized involuntarily, even though the new legislation allows it.

"If someone agrees to do something of their own accord, it is far more probable that there will be long-term success and long-term commitment to the services being provided," she said.

Kelley pointed to the county's success with another civil court process, established by Laura's Law in 2002, in which, for every person involved in court-ordered outpatient care, another 20 accepted treatment willingly.

She said the county has the same goal for CARE Court, with the focus on finding a treatment plan people accept voluntarily, before a judge has to order it.
Doctors and other healthcare workers whose lives have been destroyed by long covid deserve more support from the government and NHS, reports The BMJ today.

Freelance journalist Adele Waters speaks to scores of doctors unable to work or play with their children, forced to sell their homes or facing financial destitution by an illness they caught while doing their jobs.

She hears of "shockingly low" access to protective equipment faced by many doctors in their workplaces, and how some have struggled for medical colleagues to take their symptoms seriously.

Charities that provide financial support to doctors in need have seen a sudden rise in demand, and now there are calls for long covid to be considered an occupational disease to help doctors and other healthcare workers access support and financial aid.

Long covid is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms - from fatigue and respiratory problems to heart palpitations and joint pain - that last longer than four weeks after an acute covid-19 infection and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.

There are no precise figures for how many healthcare workers are affected, but estimates suggest that up to 4.41% (one in 25) have acquired long covid.

Long Covid Doctors For Action (LCD4A) is a support network campaigning for greater recognition of long covid and its impact on doctors' health and careers.

Members include doctors who have been dismissed by their employer on capability grounds, those who have applied for ill health retirement decades early, and others who have lost their places on training programs.

Last year, the British Medical Association (BMA) joined forces with LCD4A to survey doctors with the condition.

Of 603 doctors who responded, almost one in five (18%) were no longer able to work. While more than half (57%) worked full time before the onset of their covid illness, by the time of the survey count that proportion had dropped to one in three (31%). Nearly half (49%) of respondents had lost income because of long covid.

Both the BMA and LCD4A have set out five demands, including greater workplace protection for healthcare staff, better support for sufferers to return to work safely, and a call for long covid to be considered an occupational disease to help doctors and other healthcare workers access support and financial aid.

In March, the Trade Union Congress made the same call and in November 2022 the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, which advises the government on which diseases should be classified as work related, recommended that health workers with long covid be able to claim industrial injuries benefit, notes Waters.

But there is no sign yet that such a move is on the cards.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) told The BMJ it recognizes that long covid can have a debilitating impact on people but adds: "The evidence in relation to making long covid an occupational disease is at present insufficient, given continuing uncertainties around its definition, fluctuating nature and range of symptoms."

A spokesperson for the DHSC said: "We are backing our world-leading scientists with over 50 million to better understand the long-term effects of this virus and make treatments available.

"NHS staff are able to seek support for long covid from their GP or one of the 100 specialist clinics available nationwide. The NHS has also committed 314 million to support people with ongoing symptoms of long covid."

But for doctors such as Kelly Fearnley, who co-founded LCD4A after long covid left her unable to work, that simply is not good enough. "After risking our lives to save others, now disabled, we are being managed out of the door with no support system in place," she says.

"I contracted this illness caring for covid positive patients because my employer failed to provide me with adequate respiratory protective equipment. There should be more of an effort to support healthcare workers. At a time when the country needed us, we stepped up, and it's not right now that in our time of need the country steps away."
Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15 percent of all diagnosed lung cancers and is still associated with a high mortality rate. SCLC tumors often develop resistance to chemotherapy and thus poor prognosis is due to tumor recurrence which occurs within only five to 14 months after initial diagnosis. As a recent research study led by Balazs Dome and Karin Schelch from MedUni Vienna shows, resistant cell lines can be successfully fought with a combination of two already available therapeutic agents. The study results were published in the medical journal "Clinical Cancer Research" and offer a promising approach for the development of new therapies for this particularly aggressive type of tumor.

The study follows on from earlier, highly regarded findings by the research group led by Balazs Dome and Karin Schelch (Department of Thoracic Surgery at MedUni Vienna), according to which small cell lung cancer (SCLC) can be divided into subtypes that respond differently to chemotherapeutic agents and targeted drugs. In this context, histone deaceylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to be effective in two SCLC subtypes (known as SCLC-A and SCLC-N). HDACi are drugs that have already been shown in trials to be effective in fighting cells of different tumor types and have now been further investigated for their use in SCLC.

Combination instead of single therapy

SCLC affects about 15 percent of lung cancer patients. This particularly aggressive tumor, which usually occurs in smokers, grows rapidly and has a high tendency to metastasize. About 70 per cent of advanced cases are fatal within a year. "The high mortality rate is due to the rapid and virtually inevitable recurrence of the disease, which is often accompanied by resistance to treatment," says principal investigator Karin Schelch, outlining the problem. HDACi in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents turned out to be a possible solution during the studies. This significantly slowed down the growth of tumor cells that were resistant to individual therapy.

Mechanism of resistance deciphered

In further analyses, the molecular mechanism underlying therapy resistance was also revealed. The findings of the MedUni Vienna research group thus contribute significantly to a better understanding of the biology of SCLC, a disease in which promising progress in the development of therapeutic innovations has been decades in waiting.

"Our findings can provide the basis for research into successful new therapies that are superior to the resistance mechanisms of SCLC," says first author Anna Solta, also from MedUni Vienna's Department of Thoracic Surgery, highlighting the study's high clinical relevance.
Among women, the tendency to experience more negative emotions was associated with lower levels of physical activity, particularly during leisure time. Women who experienced more negative emotions, such as frustration and sadness, at age 42 were less physically active at age 61.

This finding is consistent with our previous studies. It might be that women who experience more negative emotions may derive less enjoyment from moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or experience more exercise barriers." Tiia Kekalainen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and Gerontology Research Center

The study also found that the behavioral activity of 8-year-old girls, manifested, for example, as playing eagerly with other children, predicted more sedentary behavior at age 61 before taking into account the current occupational status. The researchers believe that this could be explained by the associations between behavioral activity, educational background and occupational status.

"Girls who were socially more active in childhood are more likely to pursue higher education and end up in professions, like expert roles, which involve a lot of sitting," says doctoral researcher Johanna Ahola from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and Gerontology Research Center. "This sedentary behavior at work is captured in accelerometer measurements."

The study is part of the Jyvaskyla Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development, where the same participants have been followed since 1968. In this study, physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured with wearable accelerometers that capture everyday activities, such as brisk walking to the bus, more accurately than questionnaires. The research enhances understanding of how various factors, such as individual temperament, explain the differences in the levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior between individuals.

Doctoral researcher Johanna Ahola feels that, in the future, it would be important to pay attention to how, despite negative emotions, each individual could find a type of sport they enjoy.

The publication is based on data from the Jyvaskyla Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development. Between the years of 1968 and 2012, the study was led by professor Lea Pulkkinen, and since 2013, it has been led by research director Katja Kokko. The publication is also part of the PATHWAY project funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland and the TRAILS project funded by the Research Council of Finland. Both projects are located at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and the Gerontology Research Center at the University of Jyvaskyla.

The publication is also based on Johanna Ahola's master's thesis, which received an honorable mention as a distinguished master's thesis in the field of health psychology in 2021. The honorable mention was granted by the health psychology division of the Finnish Psychological Society.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau (centre) meets with two deputy ministers of the Malaysian government.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today promoted Hong Kong's distinctive advantages and favourable business environment under "one country, two systems" to Malaysian startups and investors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He attended the China (Shenzhen, Hong Kong) - ASEAN (Kuala Lumpur) Emerging Industries Partnering Conference jointly organised by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Addressing the conference, Mr Yau said Hong Kong is well positioned for innovation and technology (I&T) development with the countrys unwavering support, the enormous opportunities brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan as well as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

He said: "As the world's leading financial, trading and logistics hub, Hong Kong has developed a sophisticated financial system, a simple and low tax system, together with a mature legal system supported by a robust intellectual property protection regime.

All these favourable factors, combined with the Government's strong commitment to I&T development, have positioned Hong Kong as the innovation hub in the region."

Mr Yau added that the "Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone" will serve as the bridgehead for intensive I&T co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and allow Hong Kong to give full play to its unique advantage of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world.

He met Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mayor Qin Weizhong this morning, to exchange views on further enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

At a lunch meeting, Mr Yau updated Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry of Malaysia Liew Chin Tong and Deputy Minister of Agriculture & Food Security of Malaysia Chan Foong Hin on Hong Kong's latest developments and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The commerce chief also hosted a dinner for members of the Hong Kong - Malaysia Business Association to exchange views on trade and business co-operation, and the opportunities brought about by the bay area development.

He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
In a heartwarming decision that has stirred nostalgia among Mumbaikars, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has decided to honor the memory of one of its last iconic non-AC diesel double-decker buses.

These cherished buses bid their final farewell to the citys streets just last week, but soon, theyll find a new home in the heart of the BEST museum at Anik depot.

The process of preserving this vintage double-decker is currently underway, promising to maintain the buss original charm. Insider sources reveal that the fuel tank and batteries will be carefully removed, ensuring that the bus can be displayed with all its authentic spare parts intact.

The official confirmation of this heartwarming news came in the form of a letter from BEST, received by dedicated bus enthusiast Shubham Padave. His passionate advocacy for preserving the last remaining double-decker bus back in June found a warm response. The letter, dated Wednesday, highlights BESTs unwavering commitment to retaining one of the few double-decker buses slated for scrap and putting it on permanent public display. A copy of this heartfelt letter is now in the hands of TOI.

BESTs General Manager, Vijay Singhal, expressed that this decision was a direct response to the chorus of requests from commuters and passionate bus fans alike. He shared, We decided to save one of these buses for the museum because these old buses hold a special place in peoples hearts, filled with countless cherished memories.

Insiders have hinted at the possibility of relocating this preserved double-decker to a public location in the future, much like the century-old tram displayed at Bhatia Baug near CSMT station.

This heartwarming decision has garnered enthusiastic support from bus enthusiasts and commuter groups, with Aapli BEST Aaplyachsathi leading an online social media campaign with the hashtag #preservedoubledecker.

After an illustrious 80-year run, Mumbai has bid a fond farewell to its iconic red double-decker buses. The BEST recently phased out the remaining buses, leaving only three open-deck buses to be retired on October 5. These buses were beloved for their spaciousness and breathtaking views, but as times changed, they became less efficient and fell out of favor. In response, BEST introduced 25 battery-powered double-decker buses to take their place. Yet, the retiring fleet still holds a special place in the hearts of many Mumbaikars.

The last day of service for these iconic diesel double-decker buses in Mumbai was a day filled with surprises for commuters. Some fortunate passengers received old-style paper tickets in the morning, and the buses were adorned with balloons and garlands. Commuters couldnt help but express their sadness at the end of an era, with one rider reminiscing that riding these buses had been a great experience. A group of union activists also used the occasion to call for an increase in the citys bus fleet to ease overcrowding and discomfort on existing buses.

The discontinuation of double-decker buses in Mumbai has left several local celebrities feeling wistful and reflective. Arjun Bijlani fondly remembered the excitement of securing a front seat for panoramic views during his college days, while Bharti Singh regretted never having the chance for a joyride.

Aasiya Kazi cherished childhood memories of riding these buses, and Karan Sharma firmly believed they should never have been retired. Karan Khandelwal often took friends from other cities on thrilling rides aboard these double-decker buses, solidifying them as an indelible part of Mumbais cultural heritage.
WhatsApp, the messaging platform from Meta, on Wednesday announced the expansion of its payments service in India to make it easier for people transacting with businesses to pay for purchases directly in the chat, with a choice of UPI apps, including rival digital payment options, as well as credit and debit cards.

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg asserted that India is leading the world in people and businesses embracing messaging.

Who Can Use WhatsApp Payments In India?

WhatsApp has more than 500 million users in India, though regulators there have capped its in-app WhatsApp Pay service to only 100 million people. People shopping on WhatsApp could also pay using popular services like Alphabet Incs Google Pay, Paytm and Walmarts PhonePe but only after being redirected outside WhatsApp.

Payments via those rival services  and any others that run on UPI  will now be possible directly within WhatsApp, Meta said in a blog post. New in-app options for credit and debit cards will also be offered.

While WhatsApp Pay users will remain capped in India, there is no such limit on the number of users permitted to transact with businesses on WhatsApp using the other methods, news agency Reuters quoted a Meta spokesperson as saying.

Benefits

People will be able to add items to a cart and send a payment using the payment method of their choice  either WhatsApp or other payment methods, including all UPI apps, debit and credit cards, and more  all without having to go to a website, open another app or pay in person.

WhatsApp Payments Service: Eligibility

To use Payments, you must use a phone number with the country code for India and have a bank account with a bank that supports UPI. The phone number you use for WhatsApps services must be the same phone number linked to your bank account used for Payments.

More To Come

Moving forward, the new payment tools will be available to any company in India that uses WhatsApps business platform, which mainly serves large companies.

WhatsApp said it is working with partners Razorpay and PayU to make paying for something as simple as sending a message.

A series of new tools have been announced for turbocharging businesses, including WhatsApp Flows and Meta verified badge, to speed up how to get things done with businesses in a WhatsApp chat.

Zuckerberg said Meta has continued to innovate with messaging formats, group chats and broadcast channels.

WhatsApp Flows is a new feature for businesses to create richer in-chat experiences for their customers like booking a reservation, ordering delivery or checking in for a flight, directly on WhatsApp. Businesses will be able to choose from a series of flexible, pre-made building blocks so they can easily design rich, customisable experiences for their customers.

Zuckerberg said WhatsApp Flows gives businesses the ability to create customised experiences within chat threads.

(With agency inputs)
In the wake of a tragic incident in August, where a first-year student lost their life after falling from a second-floor hostel balcony at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, West Bengal, the institution has implemented stringent guidelines for hostel residents. The circumstances surrounding the students death remain unknown, and the incident has prompted the university authorities to take swift action to ensure the safety and security of all hostel residents.

The new guidelines, issued by the Dean, mandate that hostel residents must not remain outside the hostel premises beyond 10 PM. If a student needs to be absent from the hostel during this time, they have to obtain prior permission from the relevant hostel superintendent. These rules are by the existing university hostel regulations, which were provided to all boarders upon admission to the hostel.

The official notice states, The boarders shall in no case remain outside the hostel after 10 pm and must take prior permission from the concerned hostel superintendent in case of absence from the hostel as per the existing university hostel rules, which was served to each of the boarders at the time of admission to the hostel.

Furthermore, the notice specifies that residents may only stay in designated areas when hosting visitors. Visitors are required to carry identification proof and register their names, along with their addresses and mobile numbers, in the hostel visitors entry register located at the hostel entrance under the supervision of security personnel. Residents are also obligated to carry their hostel identity cards and present them to security personnel upon request. This measure is aimed at ensuring that the identities of residents and non-residents are known and accounted for.

Additionally, mess and hostel employees residing in the quarters of the main hostel have been instructed to carry their university identity cards to facilitate smooth entry and exit from the hostel premises.

In a disturbing development, the police investigation revealed that the deceased first-year student had been subjected to a humiliating ordeal of being paraded naked just moments before the fatal fall. Subsequently, 12 students have been apprehended in connection with the case, and they are set to be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
OZARK-The Vivian B. Adams School is hosting its first open house since the COVID pandemic Thursday afternoon and the public is invited to see the renovations on campus, tour the classrooms, and listen to sounds of The Moonlighters in concert.

The campus tours are from 5 until 6 p.m. at the facility located at 2047 Stuart Tarter Rd. in Ozark. The free concert begins at 6 p.m.

Under the direction of Hannah Parker, VBAS currently serves 124 individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities from Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Henry, Houston and Pike counties in an extended-year program.

The 501(3) non-profit organization celebrated its 50th Anniversary during COVID so its a celebration that still continues, said Susan Owens, a resource coordinator for the school. The schools story began in 1967 with a group of citizens in Ozark concerned about the lack of available care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They initiated the development of a unique community, culminating in the establishment of Vivian B. Adams School, Owens said. Since opening the doors in September of 1971, VBAS continues to make dramatic differences in peoples lives every day.

The goal of VBAS, Owens said, is to connect people to possibilities. The mission of VBAS is to provide people with ID opportunities for a meaningful life.

We strive to create an environment of diverse experiences empowering learning and promoting self-confidence and collaboration, Owens said. And to celebrate achievements, milestones and everyday life in the VBAS family.

Owens said that throughout the schools 51-year history, the VBAS board has added programs and opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities as needs have been presented.

In 1975, the VBAS campus was expanded with the addition of the McGregor Wing with five large self-contained classrooms, art/craft room, restrooms and storage areas. The VBAS Board has diligently pursued and methodically acquired funding for critical renovations to provide a safe, secure, inviting, ADA compliant learning space.

With incredible foresight, in 2018 the VBAS board launched Encore, our fifth adult program, with a curriculum based on life skills and continued growth and development of adult learners, she said. This elite lifelong learner program provides necessary gap services to qualified group of adults with intellectual disabilities.

The VBAS Board is committed to the vision that individuals with special needs must be provided every opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve their greatest potential, Owens said. Celebrating 50 years of service, we are committed to honoring the past, respecting the present and envisioning the future.

For more information, contact Owens at (334) 618-5189 or susanowens7634@gmail.com.
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 Ghaziabads 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.
JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday left for New Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national President J P Nadda to discuss the alliance between the two parties in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The former Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda also may hold talks on this, if required.

Gowda, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, is in Delhi.

This evening there is a meeting, once we have the outcome of the meeting, tomorrow I will share everything openly with your Delhi correspondents, Kumarswamy said before leaving for the national capital.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, there has been no discussion on seat sharing between both parties till now.

Neither have we thought about it (seats) so far, nor have they (BJP) proposed anything in this regard. When we discuss in the evening, we will discuss in detail about the current situation in all 28 (Lok Sabha) seats, what was the situation in the earlier election and what is the situation after the 2023 Assembly polls, he added.

Asked whether the alliance will be finalised today, Kumaraswamy said, Lets see. To a question as to whom he will be meeting in Delhi, he said, Discussion is with their (BJP) decision makers like Amit Shah (Home Minister) and their President J P Nadda. If required Narendra Modi and Deve Gowda will talk. Talks on alliance between the two parties have been in the limelight ever since veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, who is also a parliamentary board member of the party, had earlier this month said his party will have an understanding with JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections, and the regional outfit will contest in four LS seats in Karnataka, which has a total of 28 constituencies.

However, Yediyurappa subsequently said discussions in this regard have not reached finality yet, and Modi and Shah, who are busy with other responsibilities, may discuss and decide on the issue in a few days.

The BJP had swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, winning 25 seats, while an independent (Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya) backed by it won one seat. The Congress and JD(S) won one seat each.

In the elections to the 224-member Assembly held in May this year, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the BJP secured 66 and the JD(S) 19.

Following the Assembly poll results, there were reports that JD(S) would enter into an alliance with the BJP to fight the Lok Sabha polls. It was also said that the JD(S) leaders had met BJP central leadership in Delhi in this regard.

However, Deve Gowda had subsequently indicated the party will contest the Lok Sabha polls alone.

JD(S) had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Congress, as both parties were then running an coalition government under the Chief Ministership of Kumaraswamy.

Following the Assembly poll debacle, BJP, wary of its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, seems to be open for an alliance with JD(S), aimed at regaining maximum number of seats, sources from both parties said, adding, it hopes JD(S) votes may get transferred to it, especially in the old Mysuru region where the regional party has significant presence.

For JD(S), it is a matter of survival, and the party hopes to better its prospects by forging an alliance with BJP in the backdrop of the Congress reported attempts to weaken it by wooing its leaders, they said.

JD(S) had earlier formed governments in coalition with both BJP and Congress respectively for 20 months from January 2006, and for 14 months from May 2018, with Kumaraswamy as the chief minister.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday reiterated his allegations that Government of India agents are involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and sought cooperation from New Delhi on the probe in the matter.

His remarks came after India rejected his allegations and termed them as absurd and politically driven.

As I said on Monday, there are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of Canadian on Canadian soil which is something of utmost and foundational importance in a country of rule of law in the world where international rule-based order matters, the PM said.

#WATCH | Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says, I call upon the Govt of India to work with us, to take seriously these allegations and to allow justice to follow its course.(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/lVhnLQNSwG  ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

We have a rigorous and independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course As a country of the rule of law, we have an obligation to ensure that those processes unfold in a rigorous and independent manner That is what we are ensuring At the same time, we are ensuring that Canadians stay protected and that we stand up for international rules-based order that is something we are doing and that is something we are doing alongside our allies, he added.

Interference in Internal Affairs: India Asks Canada to Downsize Diplomatic Strength in Delhi

The PM further said there are credible allegations that Canada needs to take extremely seriously as Canadians and indeed as a world.

It is extremely important that as a country with a strong and independent justice system, we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with utmost integrity but I can assure you the decision to share these allegations before the House of Commons Monday morning was not done lightly it was done with the utmost seriousness, he said.

#WATCH | On sharing evidence, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says, Canada has a rigorous and independent justice system, that we trust, to follow through the processes, we will ensure that those processes are strictly, abided by and respected. In terms of safety in Canada and the pic.twitter.com/rUu1GGimx7 ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Trudeau said he had a direct and frank conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in which he shared his concerns regarding the matter.

As I said I had a direct and Frank conversation with the prime minister in which I shared my concerns in no uncertain terms. We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to share full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter. We are a country of the rule of law we are going to continue to work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to upload our values and international rules-based order that are focus right now, he said.

India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

(With inputs from ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the CWRC directing the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) in its September 12 order, which was upheld by CWMA, directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water every day for the next 15 days to Tamil Nadu.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha, and Prashant Kumar Mishra said it was not inclined to entertain Tamil Nadu's plea challenging the CWMA decision on the ground that it was facing a drought-like situation due to rain deficit.

The bench noted that bodies like CWMA and CWRC, which have experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and those on agriculture and water resource management, have considered all relevant aspects like drought, deficit rainfall, water level in the river and only then passed the order.

"We are therefore of the considered view that the factors which have been taken into consideration by both the authorities cannot be said to be irrelevant or extraneous. In that view, we are not inclined to interfere with the orders," the bench said.

It noted the two authorities are meeting every 15 days to take stock of the distress faced by both the states.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, submitted that the two authorities, despite having acknowledged there was deficient rainfall since August and the state was eligible for 7,200 cusecs of water, reduced the volume to 5,000 cusecs a day.

"I am a low riparian statewater flows from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu from where it goes to Puducherry. There is a shortfall of rainfall which has been taken into consideration by the authorities. In a regular year, I would have been eligible for three times more but I am not seeking that. I am seeking what is rightfully mine," Rohatgi said.

He added Tamil Nadu has five lakh acres of standing crops and is facing a drinking water problem for which more water is needed.

"If the drought-like condition was taken into account and the authority calculated it to be 7,200 cusecs per day, then there was no occasion to further bring it down to 5,000 cusecs per day," he submitted.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Karnataka, said the upper riparian state was also facing drought-like conditions, and the release of 5,000 cusecs of water ordered by the authorities is against the "interest of the state". He insisted it should be further reduced to 3,000 cusecs per day. He said Karnataka uses Cauvery water for drinking as well as irrigation purposes while Tamil Nadu utilises it only for irrigation.

"We are facing a drinking water crisis, especially in urban areas including in Bengaluru," he said.

The bench then asked what the Centre has to say on the dispute over water sharing. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who represented the Centre, said contrary to the claims made by the two states drought is not the only criteria which has been taken into account by CWMA before making the decision.

"They have taken into account IMD data, rainfall, the water level in reservoirs, and other relevant data after which they have arrived at the figure of 5,000 cusecs," Bhati said, adding the CWMA order has not been defied and water is being released to Tamil Nadu.

The bench then told Rohatgi the court was not inclined to entertain Tamil Nadu's petition.

On August 25, the top court refused to pass any order on the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking the release of 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily by Karnataka for irrigating the standing crops.

The apex court had sought a report from the CWMA on the amount of water released by Karnataka.

Rainfall has been 25 per cent lower and water inflow into Karnataka's four reservoirs 42.5 per cent lesser, an affidavit filed by the upper riparian said, adding the stipulated release shall not be applicable this year.

The Karnataka government said in the affidavit the southwest monsoon has largely failed so far during the current water year. A "distress condition" has arisen in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, it said.

"Karnataka, therefore, is not obliged to and it cannot be compelled to ensure water as per the stipulated relief is prescribed for the normal year," the affidavit stated.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had earlier said a fresh bench will be set up to hear the decades-old dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing of the Cauvery River water.
India followed due protocol and offered its best services to Justin Trudeau but the Canadian prime minister refused to accept any help, top government sources told CNN-News18 as the Khalistan row between the two countries escalated further on Thursday.

The sources said Trudeau was not in the perfect frame when he arrived in India due to pressure back home over various issues. However, diplomatically, he was treated as state guest and all protocols were cleared at the top level from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

Talking about media reports that the Canadian prime minister was snubbed, the sources said the reports were absolutely baseless.

The sources said after the Indian government came to know about the snag in Trudeaus plane which delayed his trip back home, India offered him the aircraft meant for the countrys prime minister. However, Trudeau refused to accept any help and decided to wait for a new plane which was also diverted later.

The sources added that once the Canadian prime minister reached home, he faced protests and was projected as a failed leader. Even his partys pro-Khalistani leaders, who are affluent and control Sikhs, told him that he failed as the leader of the country to project Khalistani issues before the world community. To add fuel to fire, Khalistani groups started the narrative that he was insulted in India.

The sources added that as the prime minister, Trudeau should have come clean on Indias offer of the aircraft as well as the welcome accorded to him. Trudeau was the State guest and all protocol was followed. We offered him a plane but they opted for their own. Media reports about a snub are absolutely baseless, the sources said.

The diplomatic row between India and Canada escalated further on Tuesday when both the countries 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 in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Meanwhile, news reports on Thursday said security personnel refused to let their protectee stay in the presidential suit picked for him during the G20 Summit. The suite had been specially furbished by the Indian security establishment as per security protocols laid down for heads of state for the event that concluded recently. The report stated that the Canadian PMs team instead opted for normal rooms, sending Indian security officials into a tizzy.
The Enforcement Directorate is likely to initiate the process to issue a non-bailable warrant against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren if he fails to appear before the agency on September 23 in connection with a land mining case and alleged illegal possession of land parcels in Ranchi.

This is the fifth summons directing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader to appear before the ED, said a senior source at the agency. Soren had skipped three summons issued earlier.

According to the rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED may issue a non-bailable warrant if an accused or someone who is under investigation skips three consecutive summons.

Soren moved the Supreme Court last month seeking relief, but a division bench of the apex court refused to entertain his plea and asked him to appeal before the High Court. The Jharkhand CM then withdrew his petition. Sources in the JMM said Soren would move the High Court as per the Supreme Courts direction.

Over the last six months, Hemant Soren has been summoned by the ED four times in connection with the alleged land and stone mining scams. Soren honoured one of the summons, but skipped the others and filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the investigation.

In the petition, Soren pleaded that he was being targeted for being a vocal participant and integral part of the (Opposition) alliance and for not being aligned with the NDA. He sought quashing of the ED summons.

Explaining the delay in initiating the process for a non-bailable warrant, a senior ED officer said: Hemant Soren filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court and it was pending. We waited for the SCs direction, but the division bench refused to grant a stay. Instead he was directed to approach the HC. He may approach the HC. However, we may initiate the process to issue an NBW against him if he chooses to not appear before the ED on September 23.

Allegations Against Soren

Hemant Soren has been facing money laundering charges in connection with two cases, which are currently being investigated by the ED under sections of the PMLA. Jharkhand governments advocate general Rajiv Ranjan earlier told News18 that the cases and charges filed by the ED against Soren are baseless and devoid of merit.

Ranjan added that the Chief Minister had submitted all relevant documents to the agency. However, he is being summoned repeatedly which is against the federal structure.

One of the cases pertains to stone mining which the ED has allegedly traced to Soren and his purported connections. Sources said political associations have also been detected in another alleged land deed fraud. Details of the cases were first reported by News18 last month.

After the SC turned Soren away, the BJP said the JMM leader would not be able to run away from the ED and other central agencies for long. There are serious corruption charges against him and he has to face the probe, said BJP spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam at a press conference at the party headquarters on September 18.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to activist Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case.

A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Sharmila Deshmukh allowed Rauts plea seeking bail on merits.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought the court to stay its order for two weeks so that it could file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The bench then stayed operation of its order for a week.

Raut was arrested in June 2018 and is presently in judicial custody.

He had moved HC in 2022 seeking bail and challenging the order passed by the special NIA court refusing him bail.

Raut in his plea had said his custody was unwarranted and that it was against Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The NIA had opposed the plea saying it was not justifiable to grant an accused, booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to seek bail on constitutional grounds.

As many as 16 activists have been arrested in the case of which five are currently out on bail.

Scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira have been granted regular bail, while poet Varavara Rao is currently out on bail on health grounds.

Another accused, activist Gautam Navlakha, is under house arrest as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

The case pertains to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which according to the Pune police was funded by Maoists.

The inflammatory speeches made there led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune the next day, the police had alleged.

The case was later probed by the NIA.
After a long journey of 26 cities and 70 releases, across India, the best-seller graphic novel Ajay to Yogi Adityanath, reached London this week.

It was grandly launched at the iconic Nehru Center of the Indian Embassy in the presence of TNCs Director Amish Tripathi, author of the book Shantanu Gupta, Overseas Friends of BJPs Kuldeep Shikhawat and Suresh Mangalagiri.

This book has made many records like Asia Book of Records and Amazon Bestseller.

Before this, the grand launch of Ajay to Yogi Adityanath was held in Delhi, Lucknow, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Noida, Greater Noida, Jewar, Jalalabad, Bahraich, Saharanpur, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Sitapur, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Varanasi.

Noted Author, Shantanu Gupta, who has written two bestseller titles on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, launched his new graphic novel  Ajay to Yogi Adityanath for the young readers in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

A Story Behind The Novel

When our team contacted Shantanu, author shared the finer details about his new graphic novel. Gupta told that Ajay to Yogi Adityanath, is a journey of a young boy Ajay Singh Bisht born in the hinterlands of Uttarakhand with six other siblings.

His father Anand Singh Bisht was a junior forest officer and mother Savitri Devi was a home maker. From childhood, Ajay was fond of taking care of the family cows, listening to stories of freedom fighters and participating in the school debates.

They all lived in a one and a half room house in a remote village name Panchur, in todays Uttarakhand. From here, Ajay rose to become Mahant of Gorakhnath Mutt, youngest member of the parliament of India and the Chief Minister of the most populated state of India, Uttar Pradesh.

Author added that Ajay to Yogi Adityanath is a story of sheer grit, determination and hard work for every student to follow and take inspirational from.

Earlier in June, this graphic novel was launched in 51+ schools of Uttar Pradesh on 5th of June, the 51st birthday of Yogi Adityanath.

Author himself was present at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School in Lucknow with hundreds of children along with the education minister Sandeep Singh and other guests. And simultaneously, more than 5,100 children launched the book in 51+ schools across various districts of Uttar Pradesh. This was the first time that a book is launched in multiple locations simultaneously with so many participants, that to children. The launch created an Asia book of records.

What Amish Tripathi Said

Amish Tripathi, who himself is a great writer, said that he has had the opportunity to meet Yogi Adityanath ji many times  and Yogi ji fulfills the vision of Indias Raj-Rishi, that is, a king who lives a life of renunciation.

He said that he himself comes from Kashi, and under the rule of Modi and Yogi, Kashi has seen amazing development. Kuldeep Shikhawat and Suresh Mangalagiri ji presented with figures and facts about the major positive developmental changes that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh in the last few years.

Author told that he is able to narrate this story through the inspirational accounts, he heard and documented during his conversations with various individuals who were a part of Yogi Adityanaths growing up years.

Shantanu Narrates The Novels Journey

For the literature buffs, Shantanu narrated the detailed literary and artistic journey that the graphic novel has gone through in last one year.

First, the author storyboarded all the pages based on his primary research. Along with the dialogues, he suggested the possible layout to the artists. From there on the team of artists and designers Nitesh Kushwaha, Akash Jaiswal and Pallavi Saxena took on.

First the artists did the rough thumbnailing for estimation of the page layout, then they did the meticulous pencil art work  the most important part of the journey, then they inked it, did panelling, added dialogues and then the colours.

Detailed review and rigorous feedback loops were run through for each panel, each page and every dialogue between the team members. To make the book more engaging, book also has many puzzles and games on Yogi Adityanath at the end.

In the past, Shantanu Gupta has written two bestselling titles on Yogi Adityanath  The Monk Who Became Chief Minister and The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh.

The author will now take the book to the Indian diaspora in different towns of United Kingdom and Europe.
As Durga Puja beckons, hilsa lovers in India are in for a treat. Thats because the Bangladesh government on Wednesday gave permission to traders to sell nearly 3,950 metric tons of the special Padma Hilsa to India ahead of the festival.

Generally, since 2012 Bangladesh has not been exporting hilsa. But during Durga Puja, Sheikh Hasinas government sends hilsa (or Ilish, in Bengali) to India as a gift.

The hilsa from the Padma river in Bangladesh is prized by connoisseurs, and, therefore, is always in high demand.

Speaking to News18, Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Fish Importers Association, said, Its great news that this time we can give Bengalis their favourite Padma Hilsa during Puja. Since 2019, they have been giving us hilsa during Puja. The only problem is the time frame. They have given us only a months time to bring over 3,950 metric tons of hilsa. We have requested that if they can extend the time, we can bring over the entire amount. Bengalis consider the hilsa to be the silver queen in cuisine. Therefore, it has a high demand.

The hilsa comes into West Bengal from Bangladesh through the Petrapole border via Bongaon.

With the arrival of the hilsa beginning on Thursday in Bengal, demand has already started rising. Samaresh Chatterjee, a resident of Gariahat area of Kolkata, told News18, Its a big bonus for us around Puja. Hilsa is the favourite delicacy for Bengalis. I have planned to buy 2 kg and will go to the market on Thursday itself.

Rangana Mukherjee, from Kolkatas Salt Lake locality, said, I have asked my husband to bring the Padma Hilsa. Hope more hilsa means a drop in price.

Generally, 1 kg of hilsa costs around Rs 1,000 in Kolkata. If its Padma Hilsa, the price may be higher. But that will not stop lakhs of Bengalis from thronging the markets to bag this Puja gift.
Almost a month after its historic moon landing, Chandrayaan-3 is gearing up for another experiment. As the Sun rises above the horizon, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will try to re-start Lander Vikram and Rover parked next to each other on the South Pole of the Moon.

After nearly two weeks of slumber in the cold lunar desert, the spacecraft credited for achieving Indias biggest moment in space will be activated again. The experiment, if successful, could add to ISROs prowess as a spacefaring nation  one that will be closely watched by the US, Russia and China which are raring to set up their base on the lunar South Pole.

WHAT WILL ISRO ATTEMPT TO DO?

The Sun hovers just above the horizon near the South Pole, giving just enough sunlight to activate the solar panels and recharge the batteries of the spacecraft. However, when the sun sets, the temperatures can drop to as low as -200 and everything just freezes. There is no air in the frigid land.

Russias Luna-25, which crash-landed on August 19 due to an anomaly, was designed to operate for a complete Earth year on the lunar South Pole. So, until some on-board arrangements are made to protect the spacecraft during the night, it cannot re-start. But Chandrayaan-3 was originally designed to operate for 14 Earth days (one lunar day), which it has successfully carried out.

Now, if India succeeds in re-starting it after a full lunar night, it will be able to demonstrate that its scientific equipment can withstand the extreme conditions, and still function. Both the Lander and Rover could perhaps then collect more observations. But even if it does not re-start, the experiment will add to a rich set of observations and learnings from the Moon, considering that Chandrayaan-3 is the first and only spacecraft to land on the South Pole  precisely 600 kilometres from it.

It is just a chance that ISRO is taking. With its main scientific objectives met, the space agency is attempting to explore more with this mission. It is more like an experiment. The energy stored in it from the previous day will give it an initial start, but we will have to wait and see how it responds to the sunlight, says senior space expert Ajey Lele, consultant with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Both the Lander and Vikram were put into sleep mode in the morning of September 4. Vikram will fall asleep next to Pragyan once the solar power is depleted and the battery is drained. Hoping for their awakening, around September 22, ISRO had announced.

But before calling it a day, ISRO had fired its engines, elevated the Lander by about 40cm and tried to make it land safely at a distance of about 30-40 cm away. The team succeeded, and scientists showed that the spacecraft can hop on the Moon. The two payloads  ChaSTE and ILSA  were folded back by deploying the ramp, and re-deployed successfully after the experiment. They were tested again at the new location and once the data was received at the Earth, the payloads were switched off. Lander receivers were kept ON to keep the communication. Even though it was not planned, the demonstration would help ISRO in future moon missions  especially to collect rock/soil samples and return them to Earth.

According to experts, the re-start attempt must also be looked at as an experiment. If all systems perform nominally and are healthy, ISRO may be able to get some more observations.

Chandrayaan-3 was originally designed to operate for 14 Earth days, which it has successfully carried out. Both the Lander and Rover had as many as six scientific payloads which collected a treasure trove of data. It not only recorded a natural seismic activity on the moon, but temperature variations on the lunar regolith by inserting a probe and discovered minor elements like Sulfur, apart from the major expected elements such as Aluminum, Silicon, Calcium, Iron on the South Pole.
Since stepping into the role as acting Civic Center and Opera House director for the City of Dothan, Clay Dempsey has had a vision for the future.

If youre from Dothan, right now is a good time to get excited about whats coming, director Dempsey said. My job here is to not think about me or tomorrow; Im trying to do stuff 10 years down the road. Youre talking about going to a new building, so its a blessing to help create the groundwork for someone else to come in when my career is done and take things to a new level.

City commissioners seem to be on board with Dempseys vision as during a regular meeting of the Dothan City Commission, they unanimously voted him in as the new director.

If we were going to build a greater venue, we really needed a man with his level of talent to run it, District 3 commissioner Bradley Bedwell said. Im glad we found him.

During his time as interim director, a role he assumed in March, Dempsey was crucial in getting notable acts such as Kevin Hart, KC and the Sunshine Band, Clint Black, Justin Moore, and Jim Breuer to perform at the Dothan Civic Center.

Hart performed two shows in the Circle City back in June. Dempsey secured those shows within weeks of becoming acting director.

We got kind of lucky; that was perfect timing, Dempsey said. On my second day as acting director, I got an email from someone I recognized because that guy taught me some stuff a few years ago. I called him up, we started talking behind the scenes, and about two weeks later, it came across, and I told my wife, Dang, here we go.

Dempsey believes the Hart show was an example of the type of star power the city can attract.

People dont believe we can get stuff in Dothan, but we can, Dempsey said. That was proven with those shows.

When talking to promoters, the biggest thing Dempsey pitches is hospitality and experience.

We dont have mountains, beaches, and lakes here, Dempsey said. So, you have to sell everything else the city has to offer. Im very promoter-friendly, and we have to invite people to come do business with Dothan.

A love for music is what led Dempsey to the position hes in today. Before working for the city, Dempsey worked as a bartender, worked at a record store as a teenager, and toured with a few bands before eventually leaving the area to work at the Philadelphia Film Festival until 2009.

From there, Dempsey worked for promoters in Atlanta and later returned to Dothan to work at The Crossing at Big Creek. Throughout Dempseys time there, many top artists performed at the amphitheater on the property.

When I first came home, I didnt want to be here and I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, Dempsey said. Once I started Big Creek, the goal was to get to the amphitheater. We did some massive shows down there; we did Cody Johnson, Riley Green, which was the largest outdoor concert to come to Dothan, and Parker McCollum.

In between working at Big Creek and for the city, Dempsey worked with Bulls, Bands, and Barrels for two years. He credits the events promoter, Hunter Price, for elevating his career.

He (Price) got me on board with that, Dempsey said. If Im not working here, sometimes Ill take vacation days and go get on a tour bus for a couple of days to network and keep sharp at what I do. Hunter is definitely my biggest influence in all of this.

Dempseys goal is to bring something down here for everyone.

I want to bring some more comedy, rock, just everything down here, Dempsey said. I dont want to tell people to come out and support every show, but Im going to try to get stuff people want to come to. The big key now is we have city leaders who are quality-of-life and want to bring stuff here to get people excited about Dothan.

Although booking these acts isnt easy, Dempsey already had relationships built with some promoters upon coming back to Dothan. He said his job now is to continue to feed those connections.

As opposed to just saying well take that show, I tell promoters, Where can I work with you on this contract to make it where you can go get this other artists and bring them to Dothan? Dempsey said. Six String Southern Promotions has been coming in here, but now theyre coming with volume. I think were going to be in a good spot next year.

Looking ahead to next year, Dempsey said several top artists will perform in Dothan.

Weve got some amazing things lined up for next year, Dempsey said. Its all coming to fruition, and Im excited.

While a new Civic Center is expected to be constructed in the future, Dempsey wants the public to enjoy the current one while it lasts.

Everybody is focusing on the new building, but people are missing one thing, Dempsey said. In 2025, this building will be 50 years old. Im excited about moving forward, but lets close this one down with a bang. It deserves a lot of respect and has been a part of the community for five decades. Were going to try to close this one down properly.
Amid tension between India and Canada, a new detail about Justin Trudeaus G20 stay in New Delhi has come to light. The Canadian PM reportedly sent jitters through Indias intelligence machinery after his security personnel refused to let their protectee stay in the presidential suite.

According to a report in The Times of India, the suite had been specially furbished by the Indian security establishment as per security protocols laid down for heads of state for the G20 summit that concluded recently.

The report quoted sources in the security establishment as saying that the hotel, The Lalit in central Delhi, where Trudeau was staying had installed an advanced security shield comprising bulletproof glass with a thick layer of polycarbonate plastic which can even stop sniper bullets. Other security equipment were installed as well as part of a foolproof arrangement.

Trudeaus delegation, however, decided not to stay in the suite. The report stated that the Canadian PMs team instead opted for normal rooms, sending Indian security officials into a tizzy.

Multiple rounds of negotiations followed in the next few hours during which Indian sleuths insisted that the protocols be followed to help ensure security, the report stated, adding that they backed off after Trudeaus delegation did not budge.

After all the negotiations, India allowed Trudeau to stay in a normal room as the final call in such matters rests with the visitor dignitary and his embassy.

The details came to light on a day when Trudeau claimed that there is a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

Trudeaus allegation, while announcing a portion of information of the ongoing investigation into the killing of Nijjar, escalated the already sour relations between New Delhi and Ottawa over the matter related to the latters alleged support to the pro-Khalistan movement.

Moments after Trudeaus claim, Canadas foreign ministry expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country. As a retaliatory action, India also booted out a top Canadian official soon after, with a condition to leave the country within five days. New Delhi has also dismissed Canadas claim in killing of Nijjar, calling it absurd and motivated.

Meanwhile, the TOI report on Delhi hotel drama concluded by stated that the Canadians reportedly offered to pay for the presidential suite as well despite staying in regular rooms.

The publication stated that their sources speculated that Trudeau could have been just following the instructions of his security team which may have had their own apprehensions in the wake of the tense relationship between the two countries.
KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala state lottery department has announced the results for Karunya Plus KN-489 lucky draw for Thursday, September 28 at 3 pm. The draw was held at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, in Thiruvananthapuram. Check the full list of winning numbers for Kerala Karunya Plus KN-489 lucky draw here.

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-489

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKH IS PT 588588 (ALAPPUZHA)

Agent Name: SURYA PRAKASH

Agency No.: A 5131

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS PO 329161 (VADAKARA)

Agent Name: K BALAKRISHNAN

Agency No.: D 3683

WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE

PN 280912

PO 681273

PP 273370

PR 347269

PS 524541

PT 741014

PU 684488

PV 110943

PW 628211

PX 653748

PY 627018

PZ 375071

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE

PN 588588

PO 588588

PP 588588

PR 588588

PS 588588

PU 588588

PV 588588

PW 588588

PX 588588

PY 588588

PZ 588588

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE

0472 0973 1331 3076 3957 4307 4310 4316 4860 5095 6296 8669 8670 8712 9090 9569 9589 9629

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE

0306 0368 0622 0656 0702 0845 0939 0976 1853 1892 2080 2811 3088 3200 3712 4066 4297 4702 4708 4822 4851 5819 5910 6049 6476 6734 6826 6942 7993 8412 8508 9692 9729 9781

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE

0132 0582 0838 0864 0981 1430 1505 1924 1939 1975 2177 2189 2252 2372 2610 2640 2823 2894 3082 3412 3551 3595 3728 3793 3948 4043 4250 4589 4648 4827 4932 5071 5176 5255 5437 5581 5592 5690 5700 6062 6268 6337 6431 6451 6561 6968 6982 7072 7196 7381 7569 7615 7744 7777 7850 7902 7919 7925 8074 8255 8263 8277 8392 8397 8456 8504 8608 8678 8904 8933 8980 9200 9255 9395 9539 9566 9640 9720 9785 9962

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE

0051 0117 0243 0269 0382 0522 0570 0638 0659 0776 0808 0935 0978 1302 1327 1380 1421 1470 1594 1744 1789 1911 1933 1961 1992 2016 2091 2095 2192 2434 2454 2733 2881 3354 3396 3419 3567 3585 3619 3767 3822 3880 3905 3943 4141 4149 4152 4238 4366 4440 4441 4482 4509 4527 4671 4736 4766 4825 4865 4931 4960 5090 5276 5349 5462 5497 5836 5859 5998 6083 6161 6261 6328 6361 6449 6583 6609 6638 6683 6907 7096 7116 7173 7214 7223 7255 7291 7347 7379 7407 7463 7523 7593 7661 7700 7771 7797 7842 7855 7918 8150 8222 8256 8293 8314 8321 8353 8355 8446 8501 8514 8582 8796 9013 9141 9222 9313 9465 9516 9530 9544 9575 9749 9892 9974 9975

KARUNYA PLUS KN-489 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh

2nd Prize: Rs. 10 Lakh

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 1,000

6th Prize: Rs. 500

7th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

HOW TO DOWNLOAD PDF WITH FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS

STEP 1: Visit keralalotteries.com

STEP 2: Click on Lottery Result

STEP 3: A new page will open. Click on View

STEP 4: You can access PDF by clicking on Download icon on the top right side of the page.

HOW TO CHECK KARUNYA PLUS KN-489 LOTTERY RESULT?

Participants of KARUNYA PLUS KN-489 lottery can check result by clicking on the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department: www.keralalotteries.com. Apart from the website, these results are also published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Interested candidates can participate in the lottery by purchasing the tickets, which are priced at Rs 40, from any Taluk lottery offices in the state. The Kerala has three lottery offices in Punalur (Kollam district), Kattappana (Idukki district) and Thamarassery (Kozhikode district).

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023: HERES HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY

Winners of KARUNYA PLUS KN-489 lottery draw must confirm their winning tickets with the Kerala lottery results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If they find their ticket number in the published gazette, they must report to the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram along with their tickets and identification proof to claim the prize within 30 days.

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023 FAQs: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

How do I buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Kerala lottery tickets can only be purchased from authorized retailers in state.

Which online sites are best to buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Selling or buying lottery tickets over the Internet is illegal in India, so you can buy it only through authorised ticket agents by physically visiting them.

Is Kerala lottery available online?

No. As per the rule, only physical tickets are permitted to sale.

What is the price of Kerala lottery ticket?

Weekly lottery tickets are available for Rs 40, while the Bumper lotteries price varies  Rs 200 to Rs 300  depending upon prize amount.

Who is eligible for Kerala lottery?

Anyone above the age of 18 years can purchase lottery tickets. Even those who are not the residents of the state can buy, but they need to physically visit the state of Kerala and buy the ticket from an authorized retailer.

Also, its important to check the local laws of the state you live in. Some states have restrictions on participating in lotteries or buying lottery tickets from other states.

Where to buy Kerala lottery?

One can buy the ticket from an authorized retailer in Kerala.

How much money will I get from Kerala lottery?

Depending upon the prize money, winner of Kerala lottery can win from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 12 crore

When is Kerala lottery results declared?

The results of weekly lottery is announced everyday at 3 pm, and for the Bumper lottery, it is announced at 2 pm.

Is lottery legal in Kerala?

The Kerala Lotteries are regulated by the State Government.
A teenage boy was held for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl in Vakola in the western part of Mumbai, a police official said on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday when the girl was on her way to the toilet, the Vakola police station official said.

"The 18-year-old accused allegedly inserted his finger into her private parts. After she narrated her ordeal to her parents, a police case was filed for rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," he said.

He was arrested and remanded in police custody for four days, the official added.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa. He is allegedly linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), accused of promoting terror activities in India.

Intensifying its crackdown on pro-Khalistan terrorists, the NIA on Wednesday also announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on BKIs three associates named Parminder Singh Kaira from Ferozpur, Satnam Singh and Yadvinder Singh from Tarn Taran in Punjab.

According to the NIA, and four others 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 Punjab.

They are accused of commissioning 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.

The move came a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa?

 Originally from Tarn Taran, former gangster Rinda is a Pakistan-based BKI terrorist. He earlier lived in Maharashtras Nanded and fled to Pakistan illegally in 2018-19.

 Some media reports in November last year claimed that Rinda had died in a Lahore military hospital due to suspected drug overdose. The agencies, however, later found that he was alive.

 Some reports stated that he is now believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada.

 According to a report in The Hindu, the NIA has alleged his role in smuggling of arms, ammunition, explosives, and drugs into the Indian territory from Pakistan, recruiting operatives for the BKI, masterminding murders, and raising funds for the outfit through extortion.

 The report further stated that Rinda has allegedly been involved in several terrorist activities, including a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on the Punjab police intelligence headquarters (Mohali) in May 2022. He was declared an individual terrorist through a Ministry of Home Affairs notification in February this year.
Khalistani terror groups chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose death has sparked a row, was provided the Canadian citizenship despite a red corner notice issued against him.

The red notice is issued by Interpol, and a country has to arrest the accused and deport him or her to his homeland, but the Canadian authorities did not do so.

In fact, the Indian government had raised the issue and mentioned during its talks with Canada that Nijjar was granted the Canadian citizenship months after the first red corner was issued on November 14, 2014.

According to Tribune newspaper, the first RCN was issued after a case (FIR No. 159) was registered against Nijjar at the Kotwali police station, Patiala, by the Punjab Police. The second RCN was issued in FIR No. 19 lodged at the Nurpur police station, Ropar, in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Canadian immigration minister Marc Miller took to social media platform X on Tuesday, and wrote: I hope this dispels the baseless rumours that he was not a Canadian. On Wednesday, however, Miller posted, Nijjar became a Canadian citizen on May 25, 2007, earlier than I stated. The error in dates is my responsibility to assume.

The Indian officials had also asked Ottawa about Nijjar living in Canada from 1997 to 2015 when he arrived in a flight in Toronto on February 10, 1997 using a fraudulent passport in the name of Ravi Sharma. Nijjar was detained by the Punjab Police in 1995.

Nijjar had also given an affidavit to the Canadian authorities alleging torture in India in June 1998 for seeking refuge, but his application was rejected.

In November 1998, he married a woman who sponsored him. Immigration officials noted his wife had arrived in Canada in 1997, sponsored by a different husband as quoted by the Tribune.

Nijjar. 45, was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey in Canada on June 18 by unidentified assailants.

After the G20 Summit in New Delhi September 9-10, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the issue of Nijjars death in his Parliament on September 18, and said he has credible intelligence inputs that the Indian authorities were involved in the killing. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has rejected his claims, calling them absurd.

Both countries have also expelled their diplomats, escalating the diplomatic tension between the two countries.

The Indian government had issued advisory for its citizens in Canada and those travelling to the country to exercise utmost caution in the light of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes in the North American country.
Onion traders have said that they suspended auctions in all agriculture produce market committees in Nashik district of Maharashtra and their protest will continue indefinitely, a development raising the fear of shortage of the kitchen staple in retail markets and hike in prices.

An office-bearer of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association (NDOTA) said on Wednesday they were protesting against the Union governments recent move to increase export duty on onions up to 40 per cent, which will remain in force till December 31.

Taking serious cognisance, the District Sub-registrar, Co-operative Societies, on Wednesday night issued an order directing all APMCs to suspend or cancel the licences of the striking traders and submit the Action Taken Report on September 21.

In protest against the export duty hike decision, we have decided to shut the auction of onions in all APMCs in the district indefinitely. This (export duty hike) decision of the Centre will not only make export of onions difficult but it will also affect the onions in transit, causing huge loss to farmers, the office-bearer said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra marketing minister Abdul Sattar said that observing a bandh (shutting auctions of onions) was not right.

Secretaries in the departments of cooperation and marketing will discuss the action to be taken as per rules and Nashik district collector will take the necessary action, he said on the sidelines of an event.

Notably, auctions of onions remained closed at most of the APMCs in Nashik district, including at Lasalgaon, the largest wholesale onion market in India, on August 20.

We had given time till September 19 to the government to find a solution to our demands. But as our demands are not agreed to yet, we have decided to shut the auction of onions indefinitely, the office-bearer said.

The other demands raised by traders include the cancellation of export duty on onions, a 50 per cent reduction in market fees, participation by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF) in auctions and a 50 per cent subsidy in transport of onions.

Accordingly, onion auctions did not take place in all APMCs in Nashik district on Wednesday including in the Lasalgaon APMC. No onions arrived at APMCs, sources said.

The government order mentions that Khandu Deore, president of Nashik District Onion Traders Association, had written a letter on September 13 to minister Sattar mentioning four demands and warning of not participating in onion auctions from September 19.

Accordingly, the minister has organized a meeting of officials of the Marketing department on September 26.

The minister also requested the traders to defer the agitation. Despite that the traders and brokers resorted to strike which has caused many problems for farmers in the sale of various agri produce, the order said.

Even in the meeting held by the government on Wednesday (Sep 20), the traders and brokers remained adamant on their stand. As a result, the order of immediate legal action has been issued, it said.

Accordingly, as per the Maharashtra Agriculture Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 1963, all the APMCs should make optional arrangements and take necessary measures to continue the sale and purchase deals of agri produce.

APMCs have the right to suspend or cancel the licenses of such traders. As per the provision, the APMCs should immediately suspend or cancel the licenses of such traders. In addition, a necessary process should be implemented to issue licenses to new buyers who want to purchase goods at the APMCs, the order said.

If an APMC fails to follow the order, action will be taken against the board of directors and the secretary, the order added.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday explained the conditions that have to be fulfilled before the womens reservation in parliament and state assemblies can be implemented, which will be inserted as a new article  334A  into the Constitution. As far as the implementation of the proposed reservation for women After the Bill is enacted and after the Bill comes into operationWhenever the first census takes place and the relevant figures for that census are published, a fresh delimitation exercise shall be undertaken said Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha, where the bill was introduced a day after it was passed in Lok Sabha. After the Bill is passed by the parliament and signed by the President, it will become an Act; but there are two major caveats. These, as explained by the minister, are that a census has to be held, and only after that can the redrawing of constituencies take place, which is called delimitation. Both conditions are so far unfulfilled and can take years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off Odishas second Vande Bharat Express train on Puri-Rourkela-Puri route on September 24, a railway official said.

The train will be flagged off by the prime minister virtually along with some other Vande Bharat Express trains across the country, a press release by the South Eastern Railway said.

The distance between Puri and Rourkela will be covered in seven hours and thirty minutes. The semi high speed train will depart from Puri at 5 am and reach Rourkela at 12:45 pm the same day. In the return journey, the train will depart Rourkela at 2:10 pm and will reach Puri at 9.40 pm the same day, it said. The train will run six days a week, except Saturday. It will stop at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur city and Jharsuguda stations enroute.

The introduction of the train will greatly benefit the pilgrims, traders, students and tourists by reducing the travel time between Puri and Rourkela, said the SER release. The prime minister had flagged off Odishas first Vande Bharat Express from Puri to Howrah in the virtual mode in May this year.
A team from the CID of the Odisha Police apprehended Iqbal Husain from Gandhuwa Pathar, located in the Batadrava constituency of Nagaon District, on suspicion of involvement in anti-national activities.

Odisha Police acted on information implicating Iqbal in such activities and his connections with Pakistan, leading to his arrest on a transit remand.

Odisha Police received an intel indicating that Iqbal had frequent communication with Abdul Hamid, an informant associated with Pakistan. Iqbal Hussain, who had been working as a local rickshaw puller for the past year, was arrested while operating an e-rickshaw.

On a Wednesday, a CID team from the Odisha Police arrived in Assam and proceeded directly to Nagaon District. Collaborating with local law enforcement at Jajori Police Station, they successfully located and arrested Iqbal.

Iqbal Hussain was employed at a hotel in Bengaluru a year ago, where he was roommates with an Odia individual also working at the same establishment.

Recently, the Odisha Police arrested this Odia man for his connections to Pakistan and the sharing of crucial information with Pakistani agents. During the investigation, the man confessed to his involvement in unlawful activities and revealed his regular contact with Pakistani agent Abdul Hamid. He also implicated Iqbal as someone closely linked to him in these anti-national activities. During questioning by the Odisha Police, the man admitted to providing important information to the Pakistani agent.

One year ago, Iqbal returned from Bengaluru and purchased a battery-operated rickshaw. For the past year, he has been earning his livelihood as a rickshaw puller.

Notably, on the Wednesday in question, Iqbal was arrested while carrying passengers in his e-rickshaw. Subsequently, Iqbal was presented in the CJM court in Nagaon by the Odisha Police and taken into custody under a transit remand.

However, Iqbals family members asserted that they were unaware of any such activities involving him. They confirmed that he had been in Bengaluru a year ago, but recently, his father had purchased an e-rickshaw for him.

It is noteworthy that incidents of police raids and the arrest of individuals associated with jihadism have occurred in specific areas of Nagaon and neighboring Hojai and Morigaon districts.

This year, four individuals with alleged links to jihadism were arrested in Morigaon district, all of whom had ties to local Madrasas. Three of the arrests took place at Moirabari Madrasa, while another individual, who also worked part-time as a Madrasa teacher and owned a computer shop, was apprehended in Morigaon.

It is believed that he conducted all communications related to these activities from his computer shop. Nagaon and Morigaon districts have become hotspots for such jihadism-related activities.

Additionally, its worth mentioning that a few months ago, the Batadrava police station was attacked and set on fire by unruly individuals.
The Justin Trudeau government must protect Canadian Hindus from threats being made by Khalistani terrorists on its soil, top sources in the Indian government told News18 on Thursday as a diplomatic row over killing of a Khalistani separatist leader threatened to snowball into a major confrontation.

Officials, requesting anonymity, cited threats made by pro-Khalistani groups for Canadian Hindus to leave the country.

Terrorists are threatening Hindus to leave Canada. These threats have been issued by terrorists wanted in multiple NIA cases in India. They are dividing Hindus and Sikhs who have been living peacefully in Canada for a long time now, an official said, adding that Hindus must immediately report such threats to the Indian High Commission or consulates.

All Hindus should remain calm and vigilant and refrain from any reaction. Majority of the Sikhs dont support the actions of these Khalistani groups and want to live in harmony, the official added, urging Canada to stop glorifying terror activities and supporting terror groups.

We are talking at the highest levels and are hopeful of a solution soon, the source said.

On Wedesnday, in a strongly-worded advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 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.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June unleashed a diplomatic row with India rejecting the charges as absurd and motivated and kicking out a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official.

In the advisory, the MEA asked Indian students in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

It is also learnt that India is in touch with a number of its strategic partners in the West over the issue.

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 MEA said in the advisory, in an indication of hardening of New Delhis position on the row.

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.

India-Canada ties have come under some strain in the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.
By Thy An September 21, 2023 | 12:00 am PT

Klaytn partnered with the Vietnam Blockchain Association and DTS Group Alliance to host the 2nd blockchain event for the KlayVie Meetup programming community, focusing on Ignite on Klaytn.

Ignite on Klaytn is part of the platform's "KlayVie Meetup" event series. The event on September 22 will provide in-depth technology content specifically for developers, programmers, tech engineers, blockchain developers, and people working in the technology field with the desire to share solutions and tools to support dApps developers seeking to create groundbreaking applications.

The event will be organized by Klaytn together with DTS Group and the Vietnam Blockchain Association.

Ignite on Klaytn is an opportunity for developers to gain knowledge through the multi-faceted perspectives of industry experts.

Attendees will benefit from in-depth presentations on the "IOK Program" launched recently by the Klaytn Foundation.

The event will also see the participation of representatives from the Klaytn Foundation, Vietnam Blockchain Association, Kyber Network, DTS Group, Orakl Network...

The Klaytn event to be held in Hanoi on September 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of Klaytn

DTS Group is a strategic partner of Klaytn in the Vietnamese market.

Amid the rapid growth of the blockchain industry, recognizing the importance of cooperation with international partners is necessary to take full advantage of its potential and to become a leading startup incubator in the technology sector.

DTS is promoting many cooperation plans with global partners, especially Korean.

Leon Truong, chairman of the DTS Group Alliance, said that it looks forward to establishing a close relationship with leading companies in Korea in the field to jointly build and develop blockchain solutions.

As event organizers, DTS Group and Klaytn will strive to bring opportunities for collaboration between domestic startups and foreign partners.

Members of the blockchain community will meet famous names in the industry and explore development opportunities.

This is an opportunity for them to exchange ideas and connect with each other, and project leaders can also recruit new members for their teams.

Besides discussion sessions, the event also has many interesting activities for the developer and creative communities.

With a comfortable cocktail party, "Ignite on Klaytn" will provide talented Web3 developers with great moments of interaction.

Klaytn's staff took photos at the "KlayVie Meetup: Shaping the Future of Tech,", a series of events from Klaytn in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Klaytn

At the event, Klaytn will also organize a live ceremony to give away awards to the winners of the Klaytnovators Hackathon competition.

After nearly 3 months, Klaytnovators Hackathonthe first hackathon dedicated to the Vietnamese markethas found the winners of prizes worth VND300 million.

Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to the TOP 5 teams in the competition, who will present their projects live at the event.

There will also be other interesting and surprising things at the event.

It will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on September 22 at the Eastin Hotel & Residences Hanoi, 21 Duy Tan, Hanoi. Click here for free registration.
Justin Trudeau must stop dividing the Sikh community in Canada, Jesse Singh, Chairman of Sikhs of America, told CNN-News18 as prominent community voices slammed the governments handling of the Khalistani menace and downgrading of ties with India.

Singh said the way Trudeau handled the situation was very disappointing. Sikhs are being used as political pawns in Canada, only to get [Canadian leader] Jagmeet Singhs support. When protest or referendum happens, not more than 5,000 people join it.

He added: Majority of the Sikhs living outside India do not support Khalistani ideology. They support India and I want to let you all know that we stand united with India.

Singh said the Indian government has to pursue the issue aggressively as a few people have hijacked the Sikh cause and are damaging the whole community. Slamming the Canadian prime minister, Singh said his statements seemed politically motivated and he was digging a hole for himself.

Singhs views were shared by Dr Azad Kaushik, president of the National Alliance of Indo-Canadians. Speaking to CNN-News18, Kaushik said the majority of Canadian Sikhs are against Khalistani extremism.

It is politics that has resulted in this situation. The Indo-Canadian community has been concerned for its safety for a long time. The statement from Khalistani extremists to leave Canada is very concerning, he said.

Kaushik said the community had requested the public safety minister to provide security to all citizens. The law of the land is followed in Canada. Nobody can ask anyone to leave just like that, its not a joke. Such threats are not allowed.

The community leader said none of the politicians had denounced the statement asking Hindus to leave Canada and Trudeau was forced to support the extremist elements as the Khalistanis were supporting him politically.

Ties between India and Canada slipped further this week as both 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 in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, 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 June 18.

Bilateral ties between India and Canada have been tense in recent months, especially since the latter cancelled trade talks. Last week, a senior official said in New Delhi that negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and Canada will resume after the resolution of political issues between the two countries.
With diplomatic ties between India and Canada reaching a new low after Justin Trudeaus claims of potential link between agents of Indian government and Khalistani terror group chief Hardeep Singhs Nijjars death, top government sources told News18 that during Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting on the sidelines of the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi, the latter had raised the serious issue of terror activities in the North American country, and sought cooperation in the investigation in ongoing cases against the Khalistani extremists by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) and Punjab Police.

Modi was almost ready with dossier on everything and told him (Trudeau) in all clear terms about how terror activities are happening from Canada, government sources told News18.

During Trudeaus extended stay in New Delhi, after his plane encountered a technical error post the G20 Summit, terror groups had started threatening India, which didnt go down well diplomatically, sources added.

According to a government insider, Trudeaus agencies back home also dont support the Khalistani extremism but his government has no solution but to come up with the Nijjar issue.

Important to Convey Trudeau

Top government sources revealed that Indian intelligence agencies had time to time apprised PM Modi about the anti-India propaganda in Canada and the terror networks from Punjab working for supari killing (contract killing) and creating anti-India rhetoric on social media.

The Indian government has video proofs where arms training was being given in the Gurdwara of Canada, sources pointed out.

The recent increase in attacks on Indian diplomats and missions in Canada was a major concern for the Indian government.

The Ministry of External Affairs had also issued a statement during the September 10 meeting between both the leaders that Modi had conveyed to Trudeau Indias strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada who are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship. The nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats.

Prime Minister also mentioned that a relationship based on mutual respect and trust is essential for the progress of India-Canada relationship.

Baseless Allegations by Canadian Govt

Top intelligence sources told News18 that the Indian authorities have questioned why Trudeaus government never cooperated with the investigation in several terror cases against the Khalistani extremists in Canada.

Multiple letter rogatory (LRs) are pending with the Canadian government for which they never replied, sources told News18. Not even a single arrest happened despite knowing the video and audio evidence. Even the Canadian National Security Advisor was briefed by Indian agencies about the Khalistani situation during the recent G20 Summit. The Canadian NSA assured cooperation but there has been no response so far, the sources added.

Nijjar Key for Canadas Khalistan Narrative

Top intelligence sources reveal that the Indian government had sought extradition of Nijjar several times but there was no cooperation from the Canadian authorities. He was even granted the Canadian citizenship after a red corner notice by Interpol was issued against him in 2014.

Nijjars involvement in terror activities began with his membership into Babbar Khalsa International, led by Jagtar Singh Tara, and later established his own organisation Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Nijjars main job was to identify youth born after 1984 and radicalise them for terror activities. More than 10 FIRs are pending against him in Punjab and with the NIA.

In 2014, Nijjar masterminded the assassination of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Baba Bhaniara. In December 2015, he reportedly organised an arms training camp in Canada for one Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was subsequently sent to Punjab with the mission to kill RSS leaders in January 2016. Dhaliwal was given training to use AK-47 assault rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols. But he was arrested in June 2016.

During the interrogation, Dhaliwal disclosed in his testimony how he was given the arms training in Canada by Nijjar.

According to the Punjab Polices dossier, Nijjar partnered with fellow gangster Arshdeep Singh Dalla of Moga (now hiding in Canada), in November 2020 to raise a four-member KTF module in Punjab.

In 2021, Nijjar with the help from Dalla killed Manohar Lal, a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda. In January that year, they also attempted an attack on Hindu priest Pragya Gyan Muni.

Nijjar and Dalla were accused of sending tiffin bombs for nationwide attacks, which were recovered by various state police time to time.

According to intelligence agencies, Nijjar was closely working for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) legal counsel Gurpatwant Punnun and providing him support in carrying out terror activities.

Niijar was declared a terrorist in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) based on the findings by the probe agencies.

He was suspected to be behind the killing of Sikh leader Ripudaman Singh Malik in Surrey, Canada, on July 14, 2023.

The NIA dossier had said in order to reach the truth behind Maliks murder, the Canadian police must thoroughly interrogate Nijjar and his associates.
As Kareena Kapoor Khan celebrates her 43rd birthday on Thursday, September 21, the day also marks another special occasion in the actress life. The day also marks the release date of Kareenas OTT debut, Sujoy Ghoshs Jaane Jaan. The film also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma. The three actors cannot seem to stop praising one another in interviews ahead of the films release. In one such interaction, Jaideep recalled an incident when a cameraperson was so enamoured by Kareenas beauty that he almost tripped and fell on set.

Talking to Film Companion, Jaideep said, Its very hard to look into her eyes and not admire (her beauty). Recalling the incident, Jaideep said, There was a shot where I open the door and she is there. Theyre trying for a closeup. The cameraman is standing, the camera is on his shoulder. Action was called, the door opened, and he nearly fell down. I made fun of him all day. I said, You think its easy looking into those eyes?'

Kareena, who was also present, said, What rubbish. However, Sujoy quipped, Kenny couldve died. He almost fell, he couldve died. Then we would have to look for another cinematographer; we didnt have the budget. And Taimur is too small to lift the camera.'

Jaane Jaan is an adaptation of the Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. The mystery thriller marks Kareenas digital debut after a stellar career in films spanning more than 20 years.

Kareena had told the Free Press Journal in an earlier interview that she always wanted to do a thriller with Sujoy after she watched his film Kahaani, headlined by Vidya Balan. This film has been with Sujoy for ten years but when he couldnt put the cast together, he put this film on the back burner. I am happy that everything has fallen into place. I always wanted to do a thriller with Sujoy as he did a good job in Kahaani. This was a perfect thriller with the right mood for us, she said.

Meanwhile, Kareena was spotted at the airport earlier this week as she jetted off for a vacation with husband Saif Ali Khan and their kids Taimur and Jeh. Interestingly, Jaane Jaan was first offered to Saif in 2015 who couldnt do the film due to other commitments. Now, years later, it is a milestone project in Kareenas repertoire.
Shah Rukh Khans action-packed film, Jawan has entered the Rs 500 crore club in less than two weeks of its release. The Atlee directorial made the best of the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday and as a result, registered Rs 500 crore collection in India alone. The film continues to heap praises from celebrities across various industries. Jumping onto that bandwagon, popular actor Rahman had some really nice things to say for SRKs pan-India spectacle.

Sharing a snippet of Jawans screening on his Instagram handle on Thursday, Rahman wasnt frugal with his words of appreciation. His heartfelt note read, Have been watching Sharukh Khan over the years and must admit he always fascinates me not only for the stupendous actor that he is but also for his innate charm in enthralling the audience in his speeches and interviews with his wit and intellect. Watched Jawan yesterday .0h boy! What an audacious attempt by him in bringing forth a film so timely in our country when the political climate is quite unsettling.

He continued, Without being biased towards any political party he has made a robust statement of how everyone can exercise their right to vote sensibly.I Salute you SRK for being our torch bearer and for being fearless. You are n shall be the true Badshah always. #jawanmovie #srkfanclub #shahrukhkhan #shahrukhanfans #bollywood.

While fans continue to enjoy Jawan, Atlee teased that there could be Jawan 2. Speaking with Pinkvilla, Atlee said, Every film of mine has an open end but to date, I have never thought of doing a sequel to any of my films. For Jawan, if anything strong comes to me, I will make a part two. I have kept an open end and I can come up with a sequel now or later. But definitely will come up with a sequel to Jawan one day.

He also confirmed that he is writing a film for Shah Rukh and Vijay to star together in. Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Atlee said Shah Rukh and Vijay have asked him to pen a script for them. They both told me, Atlee, bring a script that we both can do. Vijay sir and Shah Rukh sir said yes. They said, One day you bring the script, definitely we will (star in it). I also thought they were just saying for that day, like a birthday gift. The next day, Vijay sir messaged saying If youre going to write, I am definitely going to be a part of it. Shah Rukh sir, who was next to me at the time, said, Sir, youre serious about it no? We are going to make a film together no?' he said. Atlee revealed that both the stars often enquire about it.
As Kareena Kapoor Khans OTT debut Jaane Jaan releases on Thursday, September 21 on the actresss 43rd birthday, she is leaving no stone unturned to promote the film. Kareena, who is married to actor Saif Ali Khan, recently spoke about what she learned from his acting process. She lauded Saif for his acting prowess and said that he is fabulous as an actor.

Kareena told Film Companion, I think Saif is a fab actor. I dont know how he does it, but he will travel to Rajasthan for four months to shoot Laal Kaptaan. Thats because he wants to do it. Because he has loved watching those kind of movies. So hes like, I want to play a Naga Sadhu.'

She added, Who really thinks that? He just has these characters and weird thoughts which I think, has helped him position himself as one of the finest artists. Hes considered  I would say  an artist because of the choices he makes, and I think Ive learned that from him.

Interestingly, Jaane Jaan was first offered to Saif in 2015 who couldnt do the film due to other commitments. Now, years later, it is a milestone project in Kareenas repertoire. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma in prominent roles.

The mystery thriller is an adaptation of the Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. In the film, Kareena essays the role of Maya DSouza, a single mother who becomes the prime suspect after her abusive husband goes missing. Jaideep plays her neighbour who is somewhat aware of her situation and is seemingly infatuated by her. Vijay plays the cop who leads the investigation and is also an old friend of Jaideeps character.

Kareena will next be seen in The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta. She is also shooting for The Crew with Tabu and Kriti Sanon.
The Marvels will bring to screens the power-packed trio of Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau, in a lightning team-up, all set to take down a mighty Kree enemy. Directed by Nia DaCosta, The Marvels will be her first-ever superhero film. This also makes her the youngest director to direct a Marvel film, surpassing Ryan Coogler (Black Panther 2018). Long-time franchise producer Kevin Feige recently spoke about collaborating with Nia for The Marvels.

Marvel Studios Vice-President Kevin Feige initially recognized DaCostas Indie feature film before getting her on board to direct The Marvels. Sharing his initial impression of her feature film, he said We were just very impressed with her indie credand her nerd cred. On his collaboration with the young director, Kevin added She works nonstop and is a fountain of ideas. She would spend time in between setups pitching me other movies and other ideas and other stories, because thats the way her mind works.

Dia DaCosta also admitted to grinding herself to create a wholesome sequel to an enormous hit like Captain Marvel. As she awaits the release of The Marvels in November, DaCosta has decamped from social media as the anticipation builds to the highly-awaited theatrical release.

Starring Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris and Samuel O Jackson in pivotal roles, Marvel Studios The Marvels also features Seo-Jun Park and Zawe Ashton. The film will mark Seo-Jun Parks debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Producer Mary Livanos revealed, Hes a definite ally to Carol Danvers. Someone from her past that is meaningful as a friend to her, and so he and his people are important to Carol. Director Nia DaCosta added, His character is really awesome, and [its] really fun when you realise his relationship to our hero.

The Marvels will be released in theatres across India, this Diwali in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Nayanthara, who played Shah Rukh Khans love interest in director Atlees Jawan, is reportedly upset with the treatment of her role in the movie. Jawan, featuring SRK in the dual role, has entered the Rs 900 crore club worldwide within 13 days of its release. However, it seems Nayanthara is not very happy with her Bollywood debut.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the actress-producer is in no mood to take up anymore Bollywood projects anytime soon. She has been very upset with Atlee because her role was chopped in the film. Also, Deepikas (Padukone) character was elevated and Nayantaras part was significantly sidelined, a source told HT.

Deepika Padukone, who has previously worked with SRK in numerous movies, had an extended cameo in Jawan, but her role was much appreciated by the audience. It was not a cameo at all. Jawan was almost made to look like an SRK-Deepika film. Nayanthara is the leading actor down south, and hence, she was not happy with the treatment of Jawan, said the source, adding, And that can never well be the reason why we might not see her in a Bollywood project, at least not anytime soon.

Notably, Nayanthara was absent from all promotional events of Jawan. She even skipped the recent success meet that took place in Mumbai last week. The event saw SRK, Deepika, Vijay Sethupathi, Anirudh Ravichander, Atlee, Sanya Malhotra and Ridhi Dogra in attendance.

The source, however, clarified: Nayanthara never goes to the films events. She follows a no promotion policy for her films because of her bad experiences in the past when she was misquoted and because she feels that her job is to act and not get involved in the promotional activities.
BTS, the beloved K-pop boy band, is currently on a break from their group activities, focusing on individual projects, while some members are fulfilling their mandatory military service. However, amidst their hiatus, theres exciting news for ARMYs around the world as their favourite septet has officially renewed their contracts with HYBE and BIGHIT Music. The seven members, Jin, Suga, J Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook, have committed to extending their partnership and the new contracts is set to come into effect in 2025. Group leader RM shared a glimpse of their exclusive contract on his personal Instagram Stories on September 20. Tagging the agency, he wrote ARMY alongside 2025 with purple heart emojis, giving fans something to look forward to.

Following this revelation, their agency confirmed the news with several local media and stated, With the renewal of their contracts, we hope will be able to share with everyone a full group promotional period for BTS in 2025. HYBE and Big Hit Music will do everything we can to support and further improve BTSs status.

BTS, which debuted in 2013, first renewed their contracts in October 2018, a year before the completion of their initial 7 year contract period. The members opted for an early re-contract with HYBE and Big Hit Music. As some of the members are currently fulfilling their military service obligations, the agency plans to sign them according to their availabilities.

As of now, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook are dedicating their time to working on solo songs and albums. Meanwhile, Jin and J Hope have already begun their military service. On the other hand, Suga is scheduled to commence his military service on September 22, following the conclusion of his 3 yearlong solo Agust D Tour in Seoul, South Korea which wrapped up on August 6.

Earlier this week, Min Yoongi touched the hearts of his fans as he held a final Weverse chat with ARMYs before starting his military duty. Seeing his fans getting teary eyed, the rapper told them, Everyone you dont need to cry. Well be meeting in 2025, right? It is a little sad that we wont be able to do anything for two years, but we promised wed meet again in 2025. I wont be able to do Suchwita but I filmed a lot, so please look forward to it. I filmed a lot, dont worry too much. I came to say hello to you all. See you in 2025.

Meanwhile, BigHit Music donated a remarkable 1 Billion Won (approximately Rs 6 Crore) to UNICEF in the name of BTS ARMY. This generous contribution was a token of appreciation for the constant support from their fans and a celebration of the renewal of BTSs contracts.
Three members of the prominent Korean pop boy band, Stray Kids, recently met with a car accident, as informed by the groups management agency. Thankfully, the incident did not result in any severe injuries. Still, it has necessitated the advice that the members, namely Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin, should temporarily postpone or cancel their upcoming commitments and rest for faster recovery. Due to this unexpected turn of events, the full team of eight Stray Kids members will regrettably not be able to partake in their initially scheduled performance at the prestigious Global Citizen Festival in New York.

Their performance was set to take place on Saturday. Instead, the event will now be graced by 3Racha, a side project consisting of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who go by the monikers CB97, SpearB, and J.One in this music group. Notable artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lauryn Hill, BTSs Jung Kook, Anitta, Conan Gray, D-Nice, and Sofia Carson are also slated to grace the Global Citizen stage, with the originally scheduled Megan Thee Stallion having to withdraw from the event.

Stray Kids  https://t.co/ayyMGGuYfk Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) September 20, 2023

JYPE, the agency representing Stray Kids, shared the news of the incident and subsequent changes in a post on X (formally known as Twitter).

Hello, this is JYPE. While returning to their dorms after a schedule on September 20th (Wednesday), the vehicle carrying Stray Kids members Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin was involved in a minor collision, the statement read.

After the minor collision, Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin immediately visited a hospital and received a thorough medical examination. None of the members and accompanying staff in the vehicle were seriously injured, but as they have sustained mild muscle pain and bruises, medical professionals have advised that they receive conservative treatment for the time being. Therefore, we inform you that the schedules below have been cancelled or modified, it further read.

The statement from the agency concluded with an apology for the abruptness of the news, reassuring fans that JYPE is committed to prioritising the artists well-being and will extend all necessary support for their recovery. The organisation expressed its gratitude for the understanding of fans during this challenging time.

Global Citizen, the advocacy group behind the Festival in New York, has also expressed its support for Stray Kids and their dedicated fanbase called the Strays.

Our support goes out to the members of Stray Kids and our hearts are with Stays everywhere.Well be joined on the Global Citizen Festival stage by Bang Chan, Changbin, and HAN, performing as 3RACHA. https://t.co/6Bj1Y5igyT  Global Citizen  (@GlblCtzn) September 20, 2023

In June this year, Stray Kids achieved an impressive milestone by securing their third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with 5 Star. This achievement followed their previous successes with Maxident and Oddinary, both of which were released in 2022.
Shows for Marathi dancer Gautami Patil are going on with a lot of buzz these days. However, according to the latest reports, the Lavani dancer will not be able to give a performance in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, due to security concerns.

The dance shows for the popular folk dancer Gautami Patil are always anticipated by her fans. But in an unfortunate update for her fans in Kolhapur, the police have not given permission for the dance events scheduled to take place in the district. The reason that is being cited is that it is a security measure taken by the authorities, amidst the ongoing festive season.

The Ganesh Chaturthi and the upcoming Navratri festivals draw big crowds to the place as devotees from across the country come to participate in the festivities. So, the police are being deployed to ensure the security of the devotees.

The District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mahendra Pandit denied permission for Gautamis dance event at two locations in the district. The DSP addressed his decision in a press conference and said that two mandals, one in Radhanagari and the other in Karveer tehsils, had applied to book the places for the dance event for the occasion of the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi. But he refused to allow the event to take place because of security reasons.

According to reports, Gautamis events were expected to be crowded and there was a danger of fights and clashes happening. It becomes hard for the organisers to get the situation under control.

Recently, Gautami gave a performance at a dahi handi celebration in Borivali and Mulund, Mumbai. She is famous for her Lavani dance style in Maharashtra. She became popular for her dance through online platforms and has been enjoying fame for the last 5 years. She has performed at events like birthdays, marriages, concerts and political events. She was born on February 4, 1996, in Dhule, Maharashtra. She completed her graduation from Pune University, and currently boasts an Instagram following of 1 million, and also owns a famous YouTube channel.
Emirates NBD, a leading banking group, has successfully completed the roll-out of its enhanced mobile banking app, ENBD X.

Engineered from the ground up as per the latest technology, security and user experience trends, the cloud-native app offers an unrivalled combination of lightning-fast performance, user-friendly journeys, top-level security, and the largest array of products and services in the market.

Initially rolled out in a phased manner, ENBD X is now available to all Emirates NBD customers with new customers having the option to instantly open a digital account with the bank in less than three-minutes through a mobile paperless journey.

Global dashboard

The Apps global dashboard gives customers a 360-degree view of their entire financial portfolio as well as keeps them on top of all critical updates, such as upcoming payments or status of pending requests.

In all, users can avail of more than 150 services on ENBD X, including updating Emirates ID and Passport details, opening a fixed deposit, obtaining account balance certificates and reference letters, and applying for a loan on card in real time.

Transferring funds on ENBD X is just like sending a text, offering a wide array of free global transfer and payment options and recommendations on the best transfer method based on the selected beneficiary.

Users can view all transactions across their accounts and cards, instantly download authenticated account statements, and even view images of cheques deposited in their account - an innovative, region-first feature, particularly useful in the UAE.

Driver's seat

The App puts customers right in the drivers seat, offering them unrivalled freedom to control and manage their preferences, such as security settings and spend limits. It also helps them maximise day-to-day savings through more than 1000 personalised Emirates NBD-exclusive deals across travel, shopping, dining and e-commerce.

A distinctive feature of the App is its embedded digital wealth platform, which enables customers to invest and grow their wealth from the same App they use for all their everyday banking needs, making ENBD X unique in the market.

The platform allows new investors to instantly open an investment account and choose from over 11,000 securities and ETFs from 21 global and local markets to invest in. With the platforms one-of-its-kind Secure Sign feature, customers can view, update and sign investment documents to complete any trade irrespective of its complexity or value, with no need to visit the branch or their Relationship Manager. Not just this, customers can also create personalised watchlists and subscribe to IPOs on the same platform.

Preferred way

Within a short period of time since launch, ENBD X has become the preferred way of banking for a majority of customers in the bank, enabling 50% more activity than the previous App, both in terms of logins and transactions. It has also quickly earned a number of awards and conquered industry recognition, including the Excellence in Mobile Banking Award by Finnovex Magazine, Best Mobile Banking Application  UAE Award by Global Business Outlook, Most Innovative Retail Banking App  UAE Award by Global Banking and Finance Review, and Best Mobile Banking App in UAE Award by the International Finance Magazine.

Marwan Hadi, Group Head, Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, said: Over the years, Emirates NBDs digital banking has consistently and globally been recognised for its superior user experience. With ENBD X, we have taken our mobile banking experience to a whole new level, adding a wide array of next-generation instant banking services, with many more to be released over the next few months.
PM calls for US to reduce trade defense measures against Vietnam

Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pose for a photo in New York, U.S. on Sep. 20, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to reduce trade defense measures against Vietnams textile, footwear, wood products and agriculture produce.

Chinh made the request in a meeting with Yellen in New York Wednesday after affirming that the U.S. was among the most important trade partners of Vietnam and the country was willing to expand the bilateral partnership.

Chinh said he appreciated Yellen's personal contribution to economic and financial cooperation between the two countries.

He proposed that the U.S. Department of the Treasury continue to devote resources to promote economic and financial relations between Vietnam and the U.S. and to recognize Vietnam's market economy.

The two countries need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in areas of common interest such as infrastructure, financial services, human resource training, information technology application, capital market and the stock market.

Yellen affirmed that the U.S. would cooperate with Vietnam to enhance the resilience of the regional supply chain and that Vietnam has potential in the semiconductor supply chain.

She thanked Vietnamese government agencies for actively working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury on trade, monetary and foreign exchange policies.

Both leaders reviewed priorities for cooperation in international economics and finance, including minimizing global risks, preventing financial crises, and promoting socioeconomic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic and green economic development.

Also Wednesday, Chinh met with Gerd Muller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Muller said that Vietnam was the most successful development model and an important partner of UNIDO in many cooperation programs.

Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks with Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Gerd Muller in New York on Sep. 20, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

UNIDO will support Vietnam to develop a food innovation system and grow the countrys agriculture and industrial sectors, he said.

Muller said that UNIDO would coordinate closely to soon approve the National Cooperation Program for 2023-2027 as a basis for cooperative activities between the two sides.

He proposed both sides study the possibility of trilateral cooperation between Vietnam, UNIDO and a developing country, so that Vietnam could share successful experiences, while UNIDO supported technology transfer.

PM Chinh said he appreciated the efforts of UNIDO and Muller personally for supporting Vietnam in implementing three strategic breakthroughs in infrastructure, human resources and institutions, and in building a socialist-oriented market economy.

He said Vietnam was determined to build a strong industry, sustainable ecological agriculture, and effective service industries.

Chinh requested UNIDO support Vietnam in implementing the Industrial Development Strategy until 2025 and beyond.

In particular, priority areas were named as industrial policies, developing low-emission and capable industries, improving climate change resilience, and increasing the added value and competitiveness of Vietnamese industries.

Chinh is in a six-day working trip to the U.S. New York is his final destination after San Francisco and Washington.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has said that before the passage of the 13th Amendment, it was the Kashmir Council that was responsible for levying tariffs on electricity. However, after the passage of the 13th Amendment, the authority to levy tariffs was transferred to the PoJK government. Haq, while addressing the district bar association of Mirpur on September 19, said that in 2022, the agreement was suspended and now his government has taken up the tariff issue with the government of Pakistan once again.

Anwarul Haqs remarks are a manifestation of the pressure his government feels after the state-wide protests against the additional taxes Pakistan has imposed on electricity bills. For a whole month, the people of PoJK have been on the streets protesting. And there is no sign of it withering away in the near future. The PM of PoJK has made a demand to Pakistan to hand over control of all 39 electricity grid stations in PoJK to his government. This brings him into direct conflict with the interests of Pakistan, which has been plundering PoJKs natural resources for the past 77 years.

As I pen down this article, there is a protest sit-in being observed by the Awami Action Committee in the capital of PoJK. Similar sit-ins are being observed in Rawalakot and Kotli in the Poonch division and Mirpur city in the Mirpur division. Pensioners are planning a massive hunger strike campaign in Muzaffarabad against non-payment of their dues for the past three months. The employees of Northern Area Transport Corporation (NATCO) in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan are also observing sit-ins at central bus stations demanding payments of their salaries.

To add insult to injury, the monies cut from the NATCO employees salaries for insurance payments has gone missing. It has been revealed that Rs 22 crore (Rs 220 million) was never deposited with any insurance company and that the bureaucracy has siphoned off the money. The current status of the peoples resistance movement against taxes and shortages of basic daily essentials such as flour, wheat, sugar and others lacks a clear-cut political direction and therefore, there is grave danger that this movement degenerates into factional fights among those organisations which are conducting protests, leading to the failure of bearing positive results.

But more importantly, one must be aware of the tactics being applied by the deep state of Pakistan to divide and split the current peoples protest campaign into communal anarchy. I would like to present here two such examples that might help my reader understand what is it that I mean.

On August 31, a general strike was observed all over PoJK. On September 5, another general strike was observed in the Poonch and Mirpur divisions while in the third division of Muzaffarabad, solidarity protests were held. Immediately after that, allegedly on the instructions of the Pakistani deep state, religious fanatic organisations were mobilised in PoJK. One such organisation is the Tehreek e Tahafuz e Khatam e Nabuwat (Movement for the protection of the finality of the Prophet).

From September 5 to this day, religious conferences are being held in every small and big towns and cities across PoJK targeting the Ahmadiyya community. On September 19, a fascist student organisation Islami Jamiat e Tulba (Islamic Students Organisation), with links to the ISI, announced to hold meetings in educational institutions under the banner of students rights campaign in both PoJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistans military establishment has always used its religious proxies to derail democratic struggles against authoritarianism. Today, religious organisations have once again been activated to counter the threat the state of Pakistan faces in the form of a peoples rebellion against the status quo.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the Pakistani deep state is targeting the Shia Muslims by calling them infidels due to a disagreement on who were the true companions of Prophet Muhammad. In PoJK, religious Sunni organisations are being used to whip up hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslims. In both instances, the aim is to derail the public movement of civil disobedience and to force the united struggle of all sects of Islam against taxes imposed by Pakistan into communal counter-revolution.

Under the current circumstances, the lack of clear political goals such as liberation from the occupation of Pakistan and reuniting with India poses a real threat to the long-term goals of the struggle for peoples rights. Therefore, it can be said that the current status of the civil disobedience movement in PoJK is at best shaky.

Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoJK. He currently lives in exile in the UK. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
An FIR has been filed against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged hate speech during a Jan Ashirwad rally in Madhya Pradeshs Vaishali district earlier this week. The FIR was filed on the complaint of Assams leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia at the Nazira Police Station in Sivasagar.

As per the FIR, the Congress leader said that Sarma, in his September 19 speech, suggested that 10, Janpath (Sonia Gandhis residence In Delhi) should be burnt.

Speaking to CNNNews18, Saikia noted that the Supreme Court has warned against hate speech by political leaders and has directed all police stations to take suo-moto action against any leader who is involved in such an act.

It was seen that on Monday, our Chief Minister made a comment at Vaishali Nagar in Madhya Pradesh where he said that if Kamal Nath, who is the Congress president of the state unit, is a Hanuman bhakt, then he should set 10 Janpath on fire like Hanuman set Lanka ablaze, he said.

We all know that 10 Janpath is the official residence of senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. She is a senior member of the Indian Parliament. She represents Congress and the UPA and she is a woman of honour. So I have filed an FIR today. I strongly condemn such comments against her and I did not expect such words coming from our chief minister, he added.

The Congress leader further said that Assam Police should take suo-moto action under sections 153A, 153B, 295A, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code as directed by the Supreme Court and take action against Sarma.

The complaint filed by Saikia mentioned that in a country governed by the rule of law, Sarma has taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form. While taunting Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sarma has directly suggested that 10, Janpath should be burnt.

Saikia further alleged that Sarma has given a clear instigation towards violence and arson.

By suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition, but he is giving a clarion call towards arson. Such wanton statements coming from a Constitutional authority has the potential of causing misguided persons to resort to violence and potentially cause harm to the residents of 10, Janpath, the complaint said.

This is a dear Instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Himanta Biswa Sarma and he is liable to be booked under Sections 153 and Sections 115/436 of the Indian Penal Code, it added.

The complaint further mentioned that though the statement was made in Madhya Pradesh, it was widely circulated over print, electronic, and social media and it is accessible in Assam.

Accordingly, the effects of the instigation and violent rhetoric are felt within your good offices jurisdiction. I, therefore, implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard, it added.
As both factions of the Nationalist Congres Party get ready to present their sides before the Election Commission of India, Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel, who is with the Ajit Pawar faction, shared a photo with NCP founder Sharad Pawar in the new Parliament building.

The Sharad Pawar group called it the magnanimity of the octogenarian leader.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said that NCP is divided and has asked both sides to present their case during a hearing before it on October 6.

An electrifying day at the new Parliament House! The Rajya Sabha Chamber is a marvel, and sharing this moment with Honble Sharad Pawar Saheb makes it even more special. And now, savoring some snacks and camaraderie with friends in the cafeteria  truly a day to remember! wrote Patel on X.

Patel is with the rebel NCP group led by Ajit Pawar that joined hands with the ruling combine of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP in Maharashtra in July.

The rebel group has appointed Ajit Pawar as its national president, replacing Sharad Pawar. It has moved the poll panel staking claim over the NCP name and symbol.

Asked about Patels post, Clyde Crasto, national spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar group, said the party founder is the tallest leader in Indian politics and is respected by all.

People from all walks of life feel honoured to take a picture with him and Mr Pawar humbly reciprocates. Since Praful Patel is a co-Parliamentarian and the occasion was the opening of the new Parliament building, Pawar Saheb stood for a picture at the request of Mr Patel, said Crasto.

It was a magnanimous gesture from Sharad Pawar, said Crasto, adding, It speaks volumes of his maturity. Recently senior leaders from both NCP groups said that there was no split in the party.

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.
Leader ko leader banna padega, Twitter se nahi chalega kaam, were a rather furious JP Naddas words for Rahul Gandhis allegations on Wednesday inside Parliament when the Congress MP claimed a lack of government secretaries from the Other Backward Class (OBC) while speaking on the Womens Reservation Bill. It was seen as Gandhis OBC outreach moment. But within 24 hours, the ruling BJP hit back in the same Parliament House as Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge sat mum.

Making a direct charge at the Centre of ignoring the OBC community while selecting secretaries in the union government, Gandhi said, I asked myself how many of these secretaries are from the OBC community, and was shocked and shattered to find out the answer. Only 3 of them are from the OBC community.

Calling the BJP anti-OBC, Rahul Gandhi alleged, These three secretaries together control just 5 per cent of the Indian budget. The Indian budget is Rs 44 lakh crore while these secretaries control just Rs 2.47 lakh crore. You dont want to listen to OBCs. You are against OBCs.

Within 24 hours, the BJP president fact-checked Gandhi on why he was wrong. He claimed that in 1995-96, the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and OBC categories joined all-India services, while currently, the cut-off year for empanelment of secretaries is 1992.

The Secretaries are from the 1992 batch or before. Now I want to ask you how many OBC secretaries were there and where were they between 2004 and 2014, let us know, asked Nadda. The Congress-led UPA ruled the Centre in this period.

It was at this moment that Nadda took a sharp dig at Rahul Gandhi, claiming he runs his politics through Twitter statements, and is less of a leader and more akin to an NGO.

But beyond the political barbs, the question is, was Rahul Gandhi factually right? It boils down to an RTI reply from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on March 16, 2011, when the Congress was in power. The query was about the number of SC, ST, and OBC officers on higher posts. It clearly stated back then that as regards the numbers of OBC officers, it is stated that data regarding OBC status of the officers was not being obtained at the time of appointment of officers prior to 1994 and is therefore not available.

In other words, data on pre-1994 officers was not there. Meanwhile, Naddas logic is clear: the current officers are pre-1992 empanelled, and hence the question of OBC categorisation doesnt arise.

On November 16, 1992, the Supreme Courts nine-judge constitutional bench affirmed the government decision by a 6:3 majority in its ruling and, thus, the recommendation of reservations for OBCs in central government services was finally implemented that year.

Data from 2021 shows that of an estimated 17.24 crore rural households, 44.4 per cent were OBCs, making them a sought-after slice of the voting pie.
Senior citizens above 80 years of age and people with more than 40 percent disability will be able to cast votes from their homes for the first time in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly polls, an official said on Thursday.

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta said 18.05 lakh eligible voters would be able to get the facility as an option in the elections, and added that it was done in a bid to have a more inclusive polls.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are going door to door and providing information regarding home voting to eligible voters, he added.

Gupta said the facility is optional, adding eligible voters, if they choose to opt for it, would have to fill the 12-D form given by the BLO within five days of the issue of election notification.

The chief electoral officer said that the list of these voters, who have chosen the option of home voting will be made available to all recognised political parties by the returning officer and the polling team formed will get these voters to vote through postal ballot.

Around 12,13,817 voters above 80 years of age and 5.95 lakh voters are registered as specially-abled people in Rajasthan where assembly elections are to be held later this year.
BJP national vice-president Baijayant Jay Panda received a death threat this week, in which the caller threatened to assassinate the leader along the lines of Odisha minister Naba Dass murder earlier this year.

The press release from Pandas office said a complaint was lodged with the Delhi Police on Wednesday. Whether this constitutes a real threat or was a juvenile prank is not possible for us to determine. Since such a message should not be taken lightly, a complaint with all details of the threat call has been lodged with the Delhi Police yesterday, who are investigating into the matter, it said.

Panda, a prominent leader from Odisha, had quit the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 2018 and joined the BJP in March 2019. Within a week, he was made the partys vice president and spokesperson.

Odisha minister Naba Das had died on January 29 this year after he was shot in broad daylight by an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) at Brajarajnagar, where he had gone to attend an event. The ASI was believed to be suffering from a mental disorder.
India scripted history in the newly constructed parliament as Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the womens reservation bill, a day after it was cleared in Lok Sabha by an overwhelming majority. The motion for the Bill, which provides for 33 percent reservation for women in the Lower House and state assemblies, was adopted in the Upper House with 215 MPs voting in its favour and none against.

The Bill, which is now on its way to the President of India, will become an Act once ratified by her and be inserted into the Constitution as a new article  334A. The voting on the Bill in Rajya Sabha was held after an 11-hour debate even as all members, cutting across party lines, supported it even as some opposition members called it an election gimmick.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked all members and political parties for supporting the bill, saying they have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing nari shakti. He thanked every leader present in the House for the detailed discussion on the Bill.

There has been a detailed discussion on the bill. I thank every leader present in the House for the discussion on the Bill. This will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country. All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing nari shakti. Let us give the country a strong message, he said.

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress and all INDIA bloc parties extend their wholehearted support to the womens reservation bill. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have also demanded immediate implementation of the bill as well as OBC quota within the 33 percent reservation.

When it comes to the Bill, however, there are two major caveats: a census has to be held, and only after that can the redrawing of constituencies take place, which is called delimitation. Both conditions are so far unfulfilled and can take years. This is why, during the debate on the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill, members also highlighted the need to accelerate the process instead of waiting for a fresh census and delimitation exercise.

Article 334A states that the reservation shall come into effect after the delimitation is undertaken after relevant figures for the first census have been published. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who spoke during the debate, also explained the conditions that have to be fulfilled before the womens reservation in parliament and state assemblies can be implemented.

As far as the implementation of the proposed reservation for women After the Bill is enacted and after the Bill comes into operationWhenever the first census takes place and the relevant figures for that census are published, a fresh delimitation exercise shall be undertaken she said.

Among those who were quick to offer their congratulations were union home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying where there is a will there is a way. He said a long-pending demand had been fulfilled and Prime Minister Modi had sent a strong message of gender equality and inclusive governance across the world.

Where there is a will there is a way.A historic milestone was achieved today on the path of equitable governance as the Rajya Sabha has passed the women's reservation bill. By fulfilling a long-pending demand, PM @narendramodi Ji has sent a powerful message of gender equality  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 21, 2023

Nadda, meanwhile, said there could not have been a better start for the new Parliament building but with the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam by both houses. He said the country has moved towards providing a long-pending right to our women.

There could not have been a better start for the new Parliament building!Today, as a nation, we have ushered ourselves into a new era of women empowerment. With the passage of 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' by both houses of Parliament, we have moved towards providing a  Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 21, 2023

Defining moment in democratic journey: PM Modis detailed message

The prime minister sent out his congratulatory message through his WhatsApp channel saying this was a defining moment in our nations democratic journey. In this message, too, he thanked all members of the Rajya Sabha who voted for the womens reservation bill and said the unanimous support is indeed gladdening.

With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely a legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions, he said in his message.

He added: As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and indomitable spirit of all the women of our nation. This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively.
As India gallops onwards to greater connectivity, improved health outcomes, more income, more jobs, more growth and more prosperity overall, there still remain numerous problems that we are yet to effectively solve.

In a developing nation like ours, macro issues tend to get the most attention, as they should. However, a number of innovators are working on the smaller (albeit no less important!) problems, with solutions that define out of the box thinking.

Within this cohort of innovators, the strongest, and potentially the most powerful bunch, are the young professionals who have either just graduated, or are still in the process of doing so. These innovators have the advantage of unfettered, blue sky thinking, enabled by the recency of their education. What they lack however, is opportunity and resources.

Plugging this gap, is the Solve for Tomorrow competition by Samsung India. In only its second season, the competition has already garnered over 70,000 entries from teams of innovators from all over India. Were now down to the Top 10 teams. These teams have been through several rounds of elimination, training and mentoring from the teams at Samsung, FITT, IIT-Delhi and government experts. Theyve also had access to Samsungs experts from their visits to Samsungs R&D facilities and theyve attended a rigorous bootcamp to polish up their solutions and prototypes.

For those of us who havent followed the incredible journey these teams have been on, Samsung Solve for Tomorrows video series is capturing the essence of their incredible innovations, in the run up to the finale where the Top 3 teams who will win the Rs 1.5 Crore prize will be announced.

In Episode Three, we meet Team Milaan and Team Demeter, who are handling two very relevant problems, in their own unique way.

For Team Milaan, the problem of missing children came to the fore when one of the team members heard firsthand, about a missing child from his neighbourhood. As they researched the problem, they were able to identify several failure points, and the reasons behind the (sometimes) years-long lag between complaints of missing children, and their reunion with their parents. Their solution takes an AI enabled approach to facial recognition, to aid the efforts of police, NGOs and social workers, in helping recognise missing children.

The solution is one that will, ideally, allow people who work with children in any context to recognise a child from the missing children registry, by simply scanning the child using the Milaan app. If the child is flagged as a missing person, the user will be notified immediately, thereby closing the gap by providing relevant details that will allow the police to unite the families quickly, while also (hopefully) holding perpetrators to account.

The very aptly named Team Demeters inspiration came from team member Prithvi Ullas own family farm. Being aware of the many problems that plague farmers in India, the team set out to create a small, cost effective solution that helps small farmers battle pests in a way that is kind to their pockets, and kind to the environment.

Their solution took the form of a heavy duty drone that can carry a pesticide spray. It can identify plants that are infested, and take action by spraying only the affected plant. In this way, the farmers are able to minimise pesticide use while maximising crop yield, and also taking much better care of their soil, and its denizens. In its current prototype, the drone can already fly for 20 minutes, and has a tank capacity of 5 litres. The team is confident of improving both the specs, and lowering the cost, with further development.

Vipul Singla, who hails from Samsungs Visual Display E-commerce Sales team at Samsung, is the mentor for Team Milaan. He deeply resonates with the cause that Team Milaan has chosen to work towards, and is impressed with the headway the team has made. He sees the innovation as a step towards creating a larger ecosystem that enables the police. In my opinion the entire ecosystem needs to come together like the police, the NGOs, the government bodies. Also the training of these officials, the police, the NGOs on how to use this app properly and effectively will be a major deciding factor and the team in my opinion.

Project Demeters mentor Sanchit Kaushal comes from Samsungs Cloud Computing Architecture team. He is very confident in the teams solution, and its ability to achieve the lofty goal the team has set for itself. I always believe that ideas can be coarse, but the implementation should always be thought out. As the team is still prototyping, he also had a last minute tip for them to use infrared, which will help them make the solution more weather agnostic.

Its the final stretch, and all of the Top 10 teams are feeling the heat as the finale approaches. While the prize money is a substantial draw, so is the validation that comes from winning a competition of this stature, and all the teams are raring to go, for the final showdown.

Watch the full episode here, and catch up on the teams progress at Solve for Tomorrow, as they make the final big push to the finish line.

This is a partnered post.
With the lunar sunrise expected on the Moon, ISRO scientists are working to revive Chandrayaan 3s Vikram Lander and the Pragyaan rover, which have remained inactive for approximately half a month on the Moons Shiv Shakti pointenduring freezing temperatures reaching -200 degree celsius.

ISRO officials have clarified their plans to attempt the reactivation of the lander module and the rover on Thursday and Fridaytaking advantage of the increased sunlight on the Moon. However, they acknowledge that the possibility of restoring full functionality to the hardware is limited; but they may be able to awaken the lander and rover with reduced capabilities.

Both the Vikram Lander and the Pragyaan rover are currently stationed at the Moons South Pole, where temperatures can plummet drastically. Initially designed to function for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days, these modules have been without sunlight for half a month.

ISROs chairman, S. Somnath said that he is hoping for the sun to shine on the Moons South Pole so that Chandrayaan 3s hardware can be revived. We can only hope to see the equipment back to life on September 22, said S. Somnath.

Furthermore, regarding the status of the hardware, they were put into a dormant state as planned when the lunar sunset occurred on September 2. However, the solar-powered batteries were left charged, and the modules were positioned to receive sunlight upon the lunar sunrise.

It is worth noting that Indias Chandrayaan 3 mission achieved remarkable success, with the Vikram Lander executing a soft landing on the far side of the Moona feat no other country had accomplished before. This achievement made India the fourth nation, following the US, China, and Russia, to successfully land on the Moons surface and the first to land on the Moons South Pole. The Chandrayaan-3 mission started on July 14, launching on the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3) rocket, embarking on a 41-day journey to reach and soft land on the lunar South Pole.
It is often that restaurants and hotels make their way to headlines for levying charges like wellness fees, kitchen appreciation fees or living wage charges. There have been various incidents where restaurants have levied a forced service charge on consumers. In one such incident, a US-based eatery charged an 18 per cent service charge for a party of one.

A photo of the slightly infuriating bill was shared by Reddit user TRTL2k, which has now taken the internet by storm. The bill shows that the man went to Pho Na Hoi, a Vietnamese restaurant in California, and had the meal at its Cupertino branch. Talking about the bill, it had a subtotal of $49.50 (roughly Rs 4,110), but after the addition of $4.52 sales tax and an 18 per cent service charge is $8.91 (almost Rs 739), it rose to $62.93 (which is approximately Rs 5,225).

Ive seen restaurants include gratuity when its a large party. But never for parties of 1! the user captioned on Reddit.

A note on the bill read, For parties of one or larger, an 18 per cent gratuity is applied automatically.

Needless to say, the post captured a lot of attention and a plethora of reactions from social media users. Some users were gobsmacked, while others expressed shared their own similar experiences.

A user wrote, For parties of 1 or larger? What a convoluted way of saying everybody is charged 18 per cent.

Its crazy that in America you can just have whatever random hidden fees you like, another commented.

A user expressed, Happened to me at a KBBQ spot. They had a 10 per cent service charge and 18 per cent automatic gratuity.

Hate restaurants that do this. They call it a living wage increase to make it seem like its the govt/politicians raising the prices on your dinner. When its actually them not wanting to pay competitive wages for their servers. Instead, they push it onto their customers, another user remarked.

The Reddit post has received 24K upvotes so far.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) speaks to U.S. billionaire Bill Gates in the U.S. on Sept. 20, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked American billionaire Bill Gates to consult for Vietnam on technology and innovation as the country seeks to prioritize their development.

He met the co-founder of Microsoft Corp on Sept. 20 during his working trip to the U.S. when he also called on him to continue to support startup activities, technology development, climate change response, green transition, renewable energy development, and healthcare and education in Vietnam.

He wanted the tech icon to inspire young Vietnamese to innovate.

Gates told the PM he had been watching Vietnams development in recent years, especially its economy and healthcare and response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and was highly appreciative of its achievements in these areas.

It was very important in the development strategy of Microsoft and his funds, he said.

He promised continued support for the countrys sanitation, clean water, environment, healthcare, AI efforts, and education.

He said he would deliver a message when the new facility of the National Innovation Center is completed.

The Gates Foundations, chaired by Bill Gates, focuses on activities like agricultural development, financial services for the poor, clean water and sanitation, education, health, and nutrition.

It also carries out activities in public health, focusing on infectious, common and tropical diseases.

It has been assisting Vietnam in combating climate change in the Mekong Delta using technology.
National security adviser (NSA) Doval and his Canadian counterpart always discussed the issues of both countries, especially terrorism, top Indian government sources told CNN-News18 amid the snowballing diplomatic standoff between the two nations. NSA Doval very clearly and categorically told his counterpart about the troublemakers and terrorists sitting in Canada, they said.

NSA Doval always shared lists of wanted fugitives and letters rogatory (LRs) from various agencies and state police, said officials. He shared intelligence inputs and intercepts from time to time, including the locations of these people, they added.

On the other hand, his counterpart also raised issues of alleged Indian involvement to which Doval very clearly asked him for the evidence and FIRs.

Sources said Doval clearly told him that if the perpetrators were from India, this was a matter of deep concern, but that evidence was needed to move in the direction of investigations.

The Canadian NSA always promised but never came back with any evidence on the claims and blames, they said.

According to officials, India is ready to investigate this matter deeply if credible inputs are given. Canadians are doing all this just to create a fake narrative, they added.

Intelligence sources said the Canadian government never cooperated with investigations in multiple terror cases where attacks happened from Canada. They added that multiple LRs are pending with the Canadian government to which they never replied. Not even a single arrest has happened despite knowing the video and audio evidence, said officials.

Canadas NSA was briefed recently by all agencies and he assured cooperation but there has been no response so far, they said.

Hindus are threatened from Canadian soil on a daily basis. Why are they not arresting Punnun? said an official.

Gang war killed Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which is also a result of harbouring these terror groups, said sources.

We will present all our cases and documents before the world to show how Canada is trying to revive Khalistani terror in India, an official said.
Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, the Canada High Commission in the national capital has announced plans to adjust staff presence at India missions. In a statement released on Thursday, the Canadian mission stressed that the decision is being taken out of an abundance of caution in response to threats on social media platforms.

In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India, the mission said in a statement. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.

This comes as tensions between the two countries escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed a possible connection between Indian government agents and the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Subsequently, both India and Canada expelled senior diplomats. The diplomatic tensions come in the backdrop of New Delhis growing concern about the increasing anti-India activity in Canada, including open support by political figures for Khalistani figures.

In the statement, the Canadian mission said that all of its locations are staffed by diplomats and locally engaged staff to ensure business and operational continuity. Global Affairs Canada will continue to 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. Decisions are made based on a number of factors including the professional profile of an employee or personal circumstances, it added.

On Wednesday, India issued an advisory and urged its citizens living in the country and those planning to travel to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed to threats targeting Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community that oppose the anti-India agenda.

Before issuing the advisory, the MEA this week dismissed the claim that India was involved in the killing of Nijjar, who was shot dead by two masked assailants outside the Sikh temple in Surrey. The ministry said that such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada.
Saudi Arabias Crown Prince has said that a historic normalisation of relations with Israel is getting closer, as he also warned that the kingdom will seek a nuclear weapon if foe Iran gets one first. Saudis de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman denied in an interview with Fox News that the Saudis have suspended US-brokered talks with Israel. Every day we get closer, the prince, who is widely seen as effectively the kingdoms leader, said.

But he said the kingdom was seeking more progress on ensuring the rights of the Palestinians, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hard-right government continues to pursue controversial settlements in the occupied West Bank. For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part, he said. We need to ease the life of the Palestinians.

Israel has normalized relations with five Arab nations  but recognition by Saudi Arabia is seen as a historic prize in Middle East diplomacy, due to the kingdoms role as the guardian of Islams two holiest sites.

Both Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Arab states, share mutual hostility toward Iran, a Shiite clerical state and frequent rival to the Saudis. In the interview, the crown prince, most commonly known by his initials MBS, renewed warnings that Saudi Arabia would seek nuclear weapons if Iran does. If they get one, we have to get one, he said.

Saudi Arabia has also been seeking security guarantees, including reportedly a treaty, with the United States in return for normalising with Israel, the regions only nuclear weapons state  even if an undeclared one. MBS commented on the possible security pact, saying that Saudi-US ties go back eight decades and that an accord would strengthen military and economic cooperation. However, he went into little detail about what this might look like.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon but has breached agreed limits on uranium enrichment since former president Donald Trump left a 2015 international agreement to put curbs on Tehrans nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions. But MBS said it would be futile, in any case, for Iran to try and get the bomb because any use would immediately trigger war with the rest of the world.

President Joe Biden also discussed Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The Biden administrations diplomatic plans in the Middle East have been rocked by tense relations with Netanyahu, who is accused at home by opponents of undermining Israeli democracy through far-reaching reforms of the judiciary.

The United States maintains historically close ties to the Saudi leadership, but that relationship has also been hit by controversy over MBSs role, according to Washington, in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, said that normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be a transformative event.

To bring these two countries together in particular would have a powerful effect in stabilising the region, in integrating the region, in bringing people together, not having them at each others throats, Blinken said. But he acknowledged it was hard to get there.
Canadian MP Chandra Arya has condemned targeted hate crimes against Hindu Canadians and voiced support for them in the wake of a threat from the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Arya, an India-born Liberal MP, urged calm vigilance among the Hindus but stressed that most Canadian Sikhs do not endorse the Khalistan movement.

This condemnation follows tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats of the two countries after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The diplomatic tensions come in the backdrop of New Delhis growing concern about the increasing anti-India activity in Canada, including open support by political figures for Khalistani figures. Jesse Singh, Chairman of Sikhs of America told CNN News18, that the way Trudeau handled the situation was very disappointing. We ask him to stop dividing the Sikh community, he said.

Addressing the Hindu minority community in a video, Arya condemned the recent attacks on Hindu temples and the celebration of the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law. I cant understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression, the lawmaker added.

Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India.I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are pic.twitter.com/z3vkAcsUDs Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) September 20, 2023

On Wednesday, a video surfaced on the internet showing SFJ terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatening Hindus in Canada and urging them to leave the country amid the ongoing diplomatic row over the killing of Nijjar. In a widely circulated video, Pannun also called on Canadian Sikhs to vote in a referendum scheduled for October 29 in Vancouver. 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.

Indias Intelligence agencies have 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.

On Wednesday, India issued an advisory urging 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 statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 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.

Earlier this week, the MEA dismissed Trudeaus claim as absurd and motivated. The ministry 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.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will be on an eight-day visit to China from September 23 for talks with the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, on ways to further bolster bilateral ties between the two neighbours.

Prachanda will also attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on September 23, Nepals Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Prachanda, who along with the countrys Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud is currently in the US to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, will directly fly to China on September 23 for the official visit.

Prime Minister Prachanda is paying an official visit to China from September 23 to 30 at the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China, said the statement issued by the Nepal Foreign Ministry.

Prachandas delegation to China will also include several Nepal government cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Saud, Minister for Water Supply Mahindra Raya Yadav, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala among others and the National Security Advisor Shanker Das Bairagi.

During his visit to China, Prime Minister Prachanda is scheduled to meet with President Xi in Hangzhou. He will hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang, and also meet Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing, said the statement.

During the meetings, the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on deepening traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and international and regional issues of mutual interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing on Thursday.

In recent years, the two countries conducted frequent high-level exchanges, enhanced communication and cooperation in economic and cultural fields, and maintained close coordination and collaboration on international and regional affairs, the spokesperson said.

China stands ready to work with Nepal to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and elevate the strategic cooperative partnership to a new height through the visit, Mao said.

The Prime Minister will also address the China-Nepal Investment Summit jointly organised by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) and Nepali Embassy in Beijing.

He is also scheduled to visit Chongqing Municipality to observe the agricultural and industrial advancement in Chinas fourth-largest city. He will also visit Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China that borders Nepal.

Nepal and China enjoy an excellent state of bilateral relations as good friends, close neighbours and trusted partners. The pedestal of this strong relationship has been nurtured by many commonalities in culture, history, and geography. This visit will bolster our age-old bilateral relations and expand the areas of cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, said Nepals Foreign Ministry.

Prime Minister Prachanda has visited China many times.

China and Nepal are traditional friends, neighbours and strategic cooperative partners. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations 68 years ago, no matter how the international or regional situations have evolved, China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady progress, Mao said.

Our two countries have given each other understanding and support on issues concerning our respective core interests, making this relationship a good example of equality and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, she added.
Pakistans accountability watchdog has decided in principle to revive corruption charges against prominent political figures, including ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari after the Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments to anti-graft laws.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted a record of graft cases to accountability courts, asking them to reopen corruption cases involving amounts less than Rs 500 million, the Dawn newspaper reported on Thursday.

Last week, Pakistans Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments to the countrys anti-graft laws, restoring corruption cases against public office holders, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The apex court was announcing its reserved decision on jailed former prime minister Imran Khans plea filed last year, challenging the amendments made to the accountability laws by the then government led by former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Among other things, the amendments limited the jurisdiction of the NAB to cases involving over Rs 500 million.

According to the report, the accountability watchdog wrote to the Federal Investigation Agency, anti-corruption departments in all provinces, banking courts, and the police, asking them to return all cases referred to these departments following the new amendments.

The decision to approach all courts and departments was made in a recent meeting presided over by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt, the report said, quoting a source.

The NAB headquarters has submitted an application before the registrar [of] accountability court Islamabad for [the] reopening of closed cases, the source said, adding that all regional headquarters of the accountability watchdog have also approached regional accountability courts for the purpose.

The report said that the accountability courts had returned white-collar crime cases involving less than Rs 500 million to the watchdog after the new amendments.

The restoration of the old law has reopened cases of several politicians, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shaukat Aziz.

Nawaz Sharif, 73, who is set to return on October 21, ending his self-exile in London, where the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has lived since 2019, may see the restoration of a Toshakhana case.

In 2020, an accountability court declared him a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference. Zardari, 68, and Gilani, 71, are also accused in the same case.

In the case, the NAB accused Nawaz Sharif and Zardari of illegally retaining expensive vehicles gifted to them by various foreign countries and dignitaries instead of depositing them in the Toshakhana. According to the countrys top anti-corruption body, Gilani, during his tenure as Prime Minister, facilitated Zardari in retaining the vehicles.

Abbasi may face the LNG terminal case, while Ashraf will face the rental power corruption case.

Other bigwigs whose cases have been reopened are former federal ministers Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Kh Asif, Rana Sanaullah, ex-chief minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz, Faryal Talpur, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Javed Latif, Akrum Durrani, Saleem Mandviwalla, according to the report.

They all benefited under the new law as the trial of those accused with less than Rs 500 million of alleged corruption was stopped.

The NAB is expected to submit the record of all cases to the court in the next two days in order to resume hearings, Economy.pk news portal reported.

The coalition government had made several changes in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance of 1999 through the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022, which Khan challenged in June last year.

These included reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting the anti-graft watchdogs jurisdiction to cases involving over Rs 500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to the relevant authorities.

After prolonged proceedings spanning over 53 hearings, the court concluded the case on September 5 and reserved its judgment, which was declared just a day ahead of the retirement of then-Chief Justice Bandial.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party supremo Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif are looking for certain guarantees to be in place before Nawazs arrival to Pakistan next month, according to a media report on Thursday.

Shehbaz, who had returned to Lahore two days ago from London, is set to board a flight Thursday to go back there and again meet his elder brother in person, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Nawaz, the 73-year-old three-time prime minister is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21 and lead the PML-N party in the next general election which will be held in the coming months. Will the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the anti-corruption watchdog, oppose Nawazs protective bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case this remains to be seen when the party chief applies for it ahead of his planned return, it said.

Quoting a party insider, the Dawn said, The Sharifs are looking for certain guarantees to be in place before Nawazs arrival. The news that the Sharif brothers are looking for certain guarantees assumes significance as the elder brother, who is set to return to Pakistan on October 21, would be facing the landmark Supreme Court ruling that restored the corruption cases against him.

On September 15, Pakistans Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments to the countrys anti-graft laws and restored corruption cases against public office holders, including Nawaz Sharif, who was one of the major beneficiaries of the changes. The apex court had announced its reserved decision on jailed former prime minister Imran Khans plea filed last year, challenging the amendments made to the accountability laws by the then government led by Shehbaz Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif, 71, visited London earlier this month where the two brothers had held several discussions with each other during his trip, with other party members also dropping in. In recent weeks, (party leaders) Mohammad Zubair, Abid Sher Ali and Khawaja Asif have all met Nawaz in London, and conveyed their messages surrounding the plan for Nawazs return, the report said. Sources told the newspaper that in order for his return to go smoothly, the elder Sharif needed to secure protective bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

However, he would have to surrender before the court in the Al-Azizia case, in which he was convicted for seven years and was serving his sentence at Kot Lakhpat Jail before he was allowed to leave the country on medical grounds in 2019. Under the reopened cases, Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif will mainly have to contend with cases regarding the allotment of plots and the Ramzan Sugar Mills, respectively, the report said.

Shehbazs visit coincides with the London trip of party vice-president Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Nawaz Sharif, who is expected to land in London just before her uncle on a separate flight. The newspaper quoted party insiders saying that the two brothers Nawaz and Shehbaz would hold an important huddle regarding the elders planned return to Pakistan. It added that there are important discussions that must take place in person.

Obviously it is something urgent that cannot be discussed over the phone, the report quoted a party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity. Separately, Dawn reported that a day after her father demanded strict accountability of some former generals and judges for ousting him from power in 2017, PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday played down his statement saying neither he nor she believed in taking revenge.

The PML-N supreme leader in his online address to the party ticket holders in Lahore a couple of days had said: (Former) chief justices Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa were tools of former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and his spy chief Gen Faiz Hameed. Their crime is bigger than a murder offence. Giving them pardon will be an injustice to the nation. They dont deserve pardon. Vowing to hold them accountable, Nawaz Sharif pledged: These characters that unleashed economic misery on the people of Pakistan will have to face accountability.

Earlier, Maryam Nawaz, 49, had said the plan to oust Nawaz Sharif from power was made after her father decided to try (the late) former army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 (treason). Addressing the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) here on Wednesday, Maryam clarified that neither she nor her father believed in taking revenge. However, she expressed her delight that all those who conspired against Nawaz Sharif were not in a position to face the public, according to Dawn.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will deliver a major foreign policy speech on China in his home state of Ohio on Thursday that, among other things, would include diversifying Americas supply chain to countries like India, his campaign has announced.

Ramaswamy, 38, has made his stand against China a core part of his presidential campaign which is gaining a lot of traction and helping in increasing his support base among the Republicans. In a statement issued on Wednesday, his campaign said Ramaswamy would lay out in his speech extensive details of his plans on how to address the Chinese challenge.

Political outsider and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will offer unprecedented detail on how the United States will declare independence from Communist China in a speech on Thursday, September 21, the Vivek Campaign said. In his home state of Ohio, Vivek will describe with unparalleled specificity how the United States will declare economic independence from an adversary that powers our modern way of life, from the phones in our pockets to the shoes on our feet, it said.

He will lay out how through near-shoring to the US and diversifying Chinese supply chains to our allies instead (South Korea, Japan, India, others), we can fortify US security while also improving economic prosperity for all Americans, it added.

Time magazine on Wednesday wrote that Ramaswamy is Trumps most obvious heir. Whether or not Trump sees the 2024 race through, Ramaswamy may well be his heir apparent. Unless he wants to cash in and disappear, he isnt going anywhere any time soon, the magazine wrote.
A US federal agency has announced that it has officially banned Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) from receiving funding for the next 10 years. Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of the Office of Health and Human Services sent a letter to WIV Director General Dr. Yanyi Wang informing her that the lab will be denied US research grants until July 16, 2033.

This decision comes as US media reports suggest the Covid-19 pandemic leaked out of a Chinese lab, possibly the Wuhan Institute, which conducted risky gain-of-function experiments on bat coronaviruses, according to The New York Post (NYP).

Brad Wenstrup, the US House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman, released a redacted copy of the letter on Wednesday. This is especially timely as mounting evidence and intelligence continue to suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from a laboratory failure in Wuhan, Wenstrup said. Rewarding the likely source of a global pandemic with American resources will only lead to more future health risks.

Further, the Select Subcommittee recently revealed that prominent public health authorities  including Dr. Anthony Fauci  knew about the risky laboratory conditions in Wuhan prior to the spread of COVID-19 worldwide, he added. Covering up for the failures of a Chinese lab, hiding critical evidence from the American people, and facilitating the public promotion of a false, alternative narrative is extremely concerning and deserves thorough investigation.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology should not receive another cent of U.S. taxpayer funding!Rewarding the likely source of a global pandemic with American resources will only lead to future health risks. Chairman @RepBradWenstrups full statement on the WIVs 10-year debarment pic.twitter.com/jz2q5gLnMY  Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (@COVIDSelect) September 20, 2023

The letter by the Department of Health and Human Services (NHS) claims that unsuccessfully attempts had been made to contact the lab about HHSs decision to suspend funding in the month of July. This comes after the US agency earlier said it found the WIV had conducted an experiment yielding a level of viral activity which was greater than permitted under the terms of the grant, which was for the study of bat coronaviruses.

WIV has not acknowledged the violations, has not cooperated with the Government to address the violations, has not accepted responsibility for the violations, and, therefore, presumably has taken no action to eliminate the risk to the Government in conducting business transactions with WIV presently or into the future, the letter states, according to The Post. This decision to ban Wuhan lab is deemed significant as a typical debarment period for a research institution is usually three years.

According to a US government report released in June, American taxpayers shelled out more than USD 2,168,345 in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Chinese research institutions from 2014 to 2021. Over USD 1.4 million of those funds went to the Wuhan Institute via subgrants allocated by the Manhattan-based EcoHealth Alliance.
Smartphone sellers said that they are on their way to Singapore to buy the latest iPhone 15 since sales begin there Friday, a week before it starts in Vietnam.

Nguyen Hieu, owner of a non-authorized Apple store in Hanoi, said he would be in a group of seven going to Singapore to queue up for the phone.

They will return to Vietnam immediately after the purchase to sell the phones to Vietnamese customers who want to own them early.

Other sellers have also made plans to go to Thailand, though most prefer Singapore since supply there is large and the travel is easy.

"In previous years we could sell the iPhones for two or three weeks before they were officially sold in Vietnam, but this year we might be able to sell for only a few days as official sales begin next Friday," Nguyen Vu, the owner of an electronics store in Ho Chi Minh City, said.

After Apple launched its official online store in Vietnam this year, iPhone fans only have to wait for two weeks after the U.S. tech giant introduced the iPhone 15 to get their hands on it. In previous years they had to wait four weeks or even more.

Sellers in Vietnam are now selling the iPhone 15 early starting at VND48 million (US$1,974), and they promise delivery on Friday.

The price is 37% higher than Apples official price.

Nguyen Van Cong, a long-time seller of Apple products, said those who buy the iPhone early often use it to gift and so are willing to pay a big premium for it.

Vietnamese peoples interest in the iPhone has not reduced this year despite the economic challenges, a survey by retail chain ShopDunk found.

"Most customers prefer the titanium gray iPhone 15 Pro Max."

The iPhone 15 is made of titanium and not aluminum and steel unlike until now. It also has a USB-C connection instead of the traditional Lightning port.
A beauty queen in the Central Highlands' Lam Dong Province has been arrested for allegedly tricking a man in a land sale, stealing VND1.8 billion ($74,120) from him.

Pham Thi Minh Phi, who won the Miss Philanthropy title in the Miss Vietnam Business 2022 contest held in Da Nang, was arrested by Lam Dong police on Wednesday to be investigated for obtaining property by fraud.

In October 2022, a man in Da Lat of Lam Dong called Phi, requesting her cooperation to raise capital together and do business.

Phi, the general director of the Moc Hoa trade and service company, said she was negotiating to buy two land plots, spanning 1.7 ha in total, at VND22 billion.

She said she had found a buyer, who was willing to buy the land plots at VND23.6 billion. This would mean profit of VND1.6 billion.

Phi said she did not have the VND3 billion needed as a down payment to buy the land plots, so invited the man to raise the money with her. The man agreed to give Phi VND1.8 billion, without seeing the land plots first-hand or checking the legal information of the plots.

On November 2, 2022, Phi signed a contract stating that she would borrow VND1.8 billion from the man, and the profit he would gain after 20 days would be VND960 million. She promised she would pay the man VND2.76 billion, interest included, after 18 days.

However, after she had the money, Phi used it to pay off debts instead. To trick the man, Phi forged papers regarding the down payment and land use rights, photographed them and sent them to him.

The police said several others had accused Phi of the same behavior. An investigation is ongoing.
After 40 years of publishing and millions of book sales worldwide, the AP reports that Isabel Allende is ready to become a children's author. Allende has a deal with Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, for three picture books. She will start with Perla, The Mighty Dog, to be released next June. Illustrated by Sandy Rodriguez and inspired by Allende's rescue dog, Perla is the story of a dog with a big heart, a loud bark, and fierce loyalty to her human soulmate, Nico Rico.

"I love dogs more than people because we have so much to learn from them. Perla is joyful, loyal, loves unconditionally and is always ready to protect her family," Allende said in a statement Wednesday. "Perla and Nico's adventures are about the power of friendship, teamwork and the magic hidden in our daily lives." Allende, 81, is a cousin of former Chilean President Salvador Allende, and is known for such novels as The House of the Spirits and Eva Luna.

(Read more Isabel Allende stories.)
Now that Sen. John Fetterman officially is free to dress down for appearances in the US Senate, he's offering to put on something more formalif congressional Republicans meet his conditions. "If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine," the first-term Democrat said Wednesday, WHTM reports, "I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week." Although its origin may be as offensive as it sounds, "jagoff" was added several years ago to the Oxford English Dictionary as a western Pennsylvania term for "a stupid, irritating, or contemptible person," per KDKA.
Gen. Charles Brown Jr., a fighter pilot and former Air Force chief of staff, was confirmed as the nation's next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday. His nomination was approved on an 83-11 Senate vote after being held up for months by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade of military promotions over a Defense Department policy on access to abortion for service members that he opposes, the New York Times reports. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer brought the nomination to the floor anyway in a process that requires handling each selection individually, rather than approving them in groups. Tuberville was among the 11 Republicans voting against the four-star general.

Brown, who goes by "CQ," will succeed Army Gen. Mark Milley, who's retiring when his term ends next month. The confirmation avoids having a temporary administrator act as the president's chief military adviser, per the Washington Post, but still leaves more than 300 other nominations stalled by Tuberville. Schumer has the Senate on track to confirm two other nominees on Thursday: Gen. Eric Smith as commandant of the Marine Corps and Gen. Randy George as Army chief of staff, per the AP. John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, welcomed the votes. "While good for these three officers, it doesn't fix the problem or provide a path forward for the 316 other general and flag officers that are held up by this ridiculous hold," he told reporters.

Tuberville stuck to his position in a floor speech Wednesday afternoon. "If the Pentagon lifts the policy, then I will lift the hold. It's as easy as that," he said. Schumer said the Alabama senator declined a chance to put the Pentagon policy to a floor vote. The Democratic leader had predicted overwhelming approval of the nominations, so that "these three honorable men will finally be able to assume their positions," earlier in the day. "And the abortion policy that Senator Tuberville abhors will remain in place," Schumer told the Senate. "Sen. Tuberville will have accomplished nothing." (Read more US Senate stories.)
Connecticut's attorney general has agreed to a $25.2 million settlement with two men who spent decades in prison for murder, based partly on evidence presented by famed forensic scientist Henry Lee that a judge later found was fabricated. Ralph "Ricky" Birch and Shawn Henning were convicted in the Dec. 1, 1985, slaying of Everett Carr, after Lee testified there were stains consistent with blood on a towel found in the 65-year-old victim's home in New Milford, 55 miles southwest of Hartford, per the AP . A judge vacated the felony murder convictions in 2020, after testing found the towel was free of blood. The two men filed a federal wrongful-conviction lawsuit against Lee, eight police investigators, and the town of New Milford.

US District Court Judge Victor Bolden ruled in July that there was no evidence Lee ever conducted any blood tests on the towel, and a summary judgment was issued against him. Under the settlement, which must still be approved by the General Assembly, Birch and Henning would each receive $12.6 million, state Attorney General William Tong's office said. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle to resolve these matters in the best interest of all parties," the attorney general's office and lawyers for Birch and Henning said in a statement released Tuesday night. "We look forward to presenting this settlement to the Legislature and reserve further comment until that time." Email messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from Lee.

Lee issued a lengthy statement in July denying he fabricated any evidence. He instead suggested the traces of blood may have degraded in the 20 years between the crime and when experts for the defense tested the towel. "I have no motive nor reason to fabricate evidence," he wrote. "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." No forensic evidence existed linking Birch and Henning to the crime. The crime scene included hairs and more than 40 fingerprints, but none matched the two men. Blood also wasn't found on their clothes or in their car.

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Lee testified at trial that it was possible for the assailants to avoid getting much blood on them. Lee, now 84, was the head of the state's forensic laboratory and is now a professor emeritus at the University of New Haven's Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. He shot to fame after his testimony in the 1995 OJ Simpson murder trial, in which he questioned the handling of blood evidence. Lee also served as a consultant in other high-profile investigations, including the 1996 slaying of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in Colorado; the 2004 murder trial of Scott Peterson, who was accused of killing his pregnant wife, Laci; and the murder trial of record producer Phil Spector. Lee's work in several cases has come under scrutiny, including in the case against Spector, in which he was accused of taking evidence from the crime scene.

(Read more Connecticut stories.)
Among a sea of brown, black, and gray, a hint of green in the scorched Maui town of Lahaina is cause for celebration. Locals have spotted new growth on the 150-year-old banyan tree that serves as a landmark at the center of the town largely destroyed in the Aug. 8 wildfire that killed at least 97 people. The so-called " heartbeat of Lahaina ," a gift from India in 1873, is thought to be the largest banyan fig tree in the US and among the largest in the world. "Residents have gathered, feasted, and proposed marriage" under its limbs, covering almost an acre along Lahaina's Front Street, per the New York Times . But locals doubted whether the beloved tree would survive last month's scorching. Per the Times, its trunk looked "badly charred" and its leaves were "browned to a crisp."

Hope emerged about a week after the wildfire. Landscape contractor Chris Imonti spotted root growth and living microbes in the soil around the tree, which was "technically in major shock but was still alive," he tells the Times. Water tankers were brought in to deliver between 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of water to the tree each day for several days. Nutrients were also delivered in the form of a "compost tea" made up of worm castings, sea minerals, and kelp, the Times reports. After two treatments, "we saw a lot of new root growth," says Imonti. After the third, green shoots sprouted around the trunk and from branches. Arborist Timothy Griffith describes at least a dozen new shoots on aerial root props and main limbs, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

"That's when we got really, really excited," Imonti tells the Times. It symbolizes "hope, and maybe some normalcy down the line." The tree "represents the deep roots of this community," US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm noted last week, per the Guardian. "Even in the face of unspeakable heartache, its limbs reach outward and upward." However, the tree isn't in the clear yet. The new growth "just means that the tree is moving in the right direction," cautions Steve Nimz, a volunteer arborist working to save the banyan, per the Times. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources has described the tree's new leaves as "positive signs for its long-term recovery." Last month, it quoted Imonti as saying of the tree, "As long as we give it enough love, I think it's going to be fine." (Read more Maui stories.)
Rudy Giuliani is firmly denying one of the more explosive claims in the new book from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. In Enough, Hutchinson says Giuliani groped her in a backstage tent at then-President Donald Trump's rally on Jan. 6, 2021, the Guardian reports. She writes that Giuliani was like a "wolf closing in on its prey" as he moved close to her, claiming to have evidence of voter fraud. "His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt," she writes, per CNN . "I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh," writes Hutchinson, who was 24 at the time. "He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin."

Hutchinson, whose book comes out next week, says she recoiled and stormed away on "yet another quest" for her then-boss Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff. Giuliani called the claim "totally absurd" and "absolutely false" in a Newsmax interview Wednesday, the New York Post reports. "First of all, I'm not going to grope someone at all," he said, per the Hill. "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."

Charles Burnham, a lawyer for Eastman, told CNN that Hutchinson's allegation is "libelous" and Eastman didn't know who Hutchinson was until she testified before the Jan. 6 panel. (Giuliani is being sued by a former aide who accuses him of sexual assaultand by his former lawyers.)
Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in China on Thursday on his first visit to the country since the start of Syria's 12-year conflict, one in which Beijing has been one of his main backers. China's Foreign Ministry said Assad would join other foreign leaders attending the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, an international sports event beginning Saturday in the eastern city of Hangzhou, per the AP . China has been expanding its reach in the Middle East after mediating a deal in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it continues to support Assad in the Syrian conflict, which has killed half a million people and left large parts of the nation in ruins.

The New York Times makes a similar point: The visit comes as "China seeks to present itself as a powerful influence in the Middle East, and a partner to nations that are shunned by the United States and the West." Assad and Chinese President Xi Jinping were set to meet for "in-depth talks" on a range of issues, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. China could play a major role in the future in Syria's reconstruction, which is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Syria last year joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in which Beijing expands its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.

Since Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with pro-democracy protests and later turned into a civil war, Iran and Russia have helped Assad regain control of much of the country. China has used its veto power at the UN eight times to stop resolutions against Assad's government, the latest in July 2020. Assad has been on a recent push to try to restore Syria's image in the world, though his government is accused of war crimes.

(Read more Syria stories.)
Cashew trees at a farm in Binh Phuoc Province in southern Vietnam. Photo by VNA

Binh Phuoc Province, dubbed as Vietnam's "capital" of cashew and rubber trees, has issued a document on the implementation of an action plan framework in response to the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR).

The regulation, approved by the European Commission (EC) on May 16, 2023, is the latest by the EU regarding green, sustainable development, specifically deforestation-free agricultural products.

It sets mandatory due diligence rules for all operators and traders who place, make available or export the following commodities from the EU market: palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy.

The rules also apply to a number of derived products such as chocolate, furniture, printed paper, and selected palm oil-based derivatives (used for example as components in personal care products).

They will be applicable to most companies from December 2024. Micro-enterprises and small-medium enterprises would have an additional six months to comply with the regulation's requirements.

Binh Phuoc's key products like rubber, cashew nuts, coffee, pepper, durian, and wood and wood products are expected to be impacted by the requirements.

Under the document, the chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee Tran Tue Hien asked relevant agencies, localities, organizations and individuals to closely monitor risk-prone areas, and step up inspections over forest protection.

Hien also suggested agencies and localities receive or build and recognize the national database on natural and man-made forests, which, he said, should be used as the basis to identify the areas at risk of deforestation at different levels, thus setting forth proper solutions in forest management.

The committee also emphasized traceability across supply chains, and livelihood support for farmers, especially ethnic minority groups and poor residents in the areas interspersed with or near forests, and remote areas to meet the EU requirements.
Poland's prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in an interview late Wednesday that Poland is not shipping weapons to Ukraine. His populist party faces pressure from a far-right party in a national election on Oct. 15. The far-right party, Confederation, says Poland is not getting the gratitude it deserves for arming Ukraine and accepting its refugees, the AP reports.

"We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons," Morawiecki said in an interview on Polsat, a private television broadcaster. The prime minister then spoke of a military modernization plan underway, spurred by fears of Russian aggression in the region. A government spokesman appeared to confirm Thursday that Warsaw would not agree to more military aid. He said the country was now only providing supplies of ammunition and armaments that had previously been agreed to, noting that "a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side." Poland has supplied a range of weaponry, per the AP, including Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets.

A leading security and defense expert, Michal Baranowski, said Poland gave most of what it could give earlier in the war, and with no plans for shipments of major equipment soon, he doesn't see a threat to Ukraine's capabilities in the near term. Still, he considers the comments troubling for Ukraine as its seeks to maintain Western support in the war unleashed by Russia. "The message is very bad, both for Poland's reputation but also because Poland has been one of the chief advocates of military aid to Ukraine," said Baranowski, of Warsaw-based GMF East, part of the German Marshall Fund think tank. He said Poland's attempt to show toughness toward Kyiv should be understood in the context of the election campaign, noting that Poland is capable of both modernizing its military and helping Ukraine.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
The first big test of whether a privately owned high-speed passenger train service can prosper in the United States will launch Friday when Florida's Brightline begins running trains between Miami and Orlando that reach speeds of 125mph. It's a $5 billion bet that Brightline's owner, Fortress Investment Group, is making, believing that eventually 8 million people annually will take the 3.5-hour, 235-mile trip between the state's biggest tourist hubs, per the AP . The company is charging single riders $158 for a round-trip ticket for business class and $298 for first-class, with families and groups able to buy four round-trip tickets for $398. Thirty-two trains will run daily.

Brightline, which began running its neon-yellow trains the 70 miles between Miami and West Palm Beach in 2018, is the first private intercity passenger service to begin US operations in a century. It's also building a line connecting Southern California and Las Vegas that it hopes to open in 2027, with trains that will reach 190mph. The only other US high-speed line is Amtrak's Acela service between Boston and Washington, DC, which began in 2000. Amtrak is owned by the federal government.

The Florida trains, which run on biodiesel, will travel up to 79mph in urban areas, 110mph in less-populated regions, and 125mph through Central Florida's farmland. Brightline plans possible extensions to Tampa and Jacksonville. John Renne, director of Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, said the Miami-Orlando corridor is a perfect spot for high-speed railabout 40 million Floridians and visitors make the trip annually, with more than 90% of them driving. If Brightline succeeds, that could lead to more high-speed lines between major cities 200 to 300 miles apart, both by Brightline and competitors, he said.

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Brightline trains have the highest death rate in the US, fatally striking 98 people since Miami-West Palm operations beganabout one death for every 32,000 miles its trains travel, according to an ongoing AP analysis of federal data that began in 2019. The next-worst major railroad has a fatality every 130,000 miles. None of the deaths have been found to be Brightline's faultmost have been suicides, drivers who go around crossing gates, or pedestrians running across tracks. The company hasn't had a fatality since June, its longest stretch except during the pandemic shutdown.

(Read more high-speed rail stories.)
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Jinhong Kil (C) completes procedures to be returned to South Korea at a police station in Da Nang City, September 20, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Bao Nam

Police in Da Nang City on Wednesday handed over a South Korean man wanted by the Interpol for bank robbery.

According to South Korean police, Jinhong Kil brought a kitchen knife and a portable fire extinguisher to a branch of Shinhhyup bank in Daejeon City of South Korea on August 18.

He threatened staff with the knife, forcing them to put all the cash available at the bank into a bag.

Then he used the extinguisher to spray other staff and ran away.

Police said he robbed 39 million won (US$29,000) from the bank in total.

His family and friends said he was in debt due to gambling.

On August 20, Jinhong fled South Korea and police later found him hiding in Vietnam's Da Nang City.

South Korean police then worked with Interpol on the case.

On September 10, Jinhong was detected in Khue My Ward in Ngu Hanh Son District.

A team of Da Nang City's police and officers from the Ministry of Public Security ambushed and arrested him.

Vietnam and South Korea signed an extradition agreement in September 2003 that took effect in April 2005, with each party agreeing to extradite any person present in its territory as requested by the other party for the purpose of prosecution.
Agencies | Muscat

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The GCC countries labour ministers praised Bahrains achievements in maintaining the lead role in US Department of States 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report 2023, for the sixth year in a row.

They noted the level of progress that the Kingdom has achieved in terms of protecting the workforce. This came as Labour Minister Jamil bin Mohammed Humaidan headed the Bahraini delegation participating in the ninth meeting of the Committee of GCC Labour Ministers, held in Oman on September 19-20 with the participation of GCC countries labour ministers.

Humaidan stressed Bahrains support for joint Gulf action and coordination efforts among member states to improve Gulf labour markets and exchange successful experiences, especially with regard to plans for employing the national workforce and facilitating the transition of Gulf manpower between Gulf labour markets in accordance with their common principles.

He noted the role of this meeting in activating and implementing the decisions issued by the Supreme Council in the field of labour and studying the development of legislative tools in the GCC countries to keep pace with developments in labour fields.

Measures

The ministers discussed the measures taken by member states to facilitate the employment and movement of citizens of the GCC countries for the purpose of work and what they have done towards equality with the citizen workforce, in addition to enhancing coordination between the GCC countries in international forums.

The meeting also discussed developments in labour markets, the effects of technological development, changes in work patterns, potential impacts on the workforce and developing recommendations to reduce job losses through continuous learning policies, training, and rehabilitation programmes.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) has sent a shipment of humanitarian relief aid to the victims of floods in Libya. This act of generosity is in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the honorary president of RHF.

The aid aims to alleviate the suffering caused by the devastating disaster that has befallen Libya. RHF Secretary General Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed praised the leadership of HM King Hamad and His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, for their unwavering commitment to humanitarian work.

In line with the strong bond between Bahrain and Libya, the foundation has prepared 40 tons of medical and food supplies, as well as relief and shelter materials. This initiative aims to meet the basic and essential needs of the affected population and alleviate their suffering during these challenging times.

The foundations delegation, accompanied by the aid shipment, was warmly received by Mr. Al Zubair Hamad Al Gharyani, the representative of the Libyan Red Crescent, upon their arrival at Benina International Airport in Benghazi. Al Gharyani expressed the thanks and appreciation of Libya and its people for Bahrains generosity.
September 20, 2023 | 04:30 pm PT

In 2000, FPT began its venture into producing computer software for foreign markets. Our primary target market was the United States.

In January 2000, we established our first branch in San Jose, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. The director of that branch was a patriotic diasporic Vietnamese.

But the American Dream did not come true for us. After merely one year of operations, FPT USA had to temporarily stop operating due to a lack of customers. We tried everything, with different people attempting to take the reigns of business development. From a Vietnamese expat to a graduate from prestigious MBA programs. What we received were critics, portraying our managers as "delusional about our corporate capability" and our programmers "weak in both expertise and language skills."

It was a total failure. No one cared about a nameless company from Vietnam, a country only known then for the prolonged war. One of our then-potential customers was surprised to learn that it only took one hour to fly from Hanoi to Bangkok. He could not imagine the locations were so close, despite his own flying to Bangkok quite frequently.

Desperate as we were, we attempted again to reach out to local Americans directly. The more they knew about Vietnam, the more likely they would be open to working with Vietnamese, and the more likely they could put aside their prejudices to see our corporate strengths. We received assistance from many kind American friends.

The first Americans who helped us were a senior couple, Walley and Eileen Boerger. Eileen was the CEO of a small company called ProDX in Portland. The couple ended up treating our employees as if they were the couple's family. Somehow ProDX and Eileen agreed to work with us, despite both sides not understanding each other that well due to language barriers. Eileen even hosted several FPT employees in her house, just so that they could more easily learn how to better work with ProDX. I myself stayed at Eileen's house on a few occasions, which we later fondly joked as the great "Boerger Hotel."

The next American friend was a finance expert from U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley, who worked on a daily basis with billion-dollar deals. He is the indirect manager of the wife of FPT America's director Tung, who was the first to propose FPTs entrance into the American market. The finance expert ended up helping Tung on a personal basis, from renting a house to setting up the FPT America office. No matter how minor the tasks were, the American friend was there.

The next one helping us was Paul Vivek, a former senior manager of U.S.'s GE Healthcare company and Wipro technology services company. He came to Vietnam with the goal of acquiring FPT stakes at a lower price prior to FPT's IPO in 2006. After the deal, Paul returned to the U.S. Although we knew Paul via work, he became a personal friend to many FPT managers.

Tung rented a house neighboring Paul. The two met quite frequently for coffee, which sparked a plenitude of meetings and guidance. As Tung was then a bright young professional with great listening skills, Paul took a liking to his young friend, and helped Tung participate in several professional conferences in information technology. "I could only give you an opportunity to meet these people," Paul said, "the rest lies in your hand. These are the major leagues." It was only a single line of advice from him, but it said a thousand words.

Another time, as Vietnamese employees were worried about our prospect on the American market, Paul gave us some advice: "We are a company managing humans who make technologies, we are not a technology company. We need at least two major markets. We need to understand the clients as much as possible. We need a network of recruitment and training, as extensive as possible. Never forget who we are and where we come from."

Eventually, our team became more confident in what we do, with improved work quality and products. We maintained good relationships with all the people who helped us along the way.

Apart from the American friends who helped us, there were also American counterparts who taught us many painful but necessary lessons. One time, we received a blue-chip client in the aerospace industry. The pilot project went smoothly, and we were hopeful about such a big contract. We made plans and changed the team organization, all in preparation for the big-shot. But the client suddenly changed their attitude, sending us a notice of "14 points of violations in contracts," with some alleged proof of violations. We naively said sorry, hoping to soothe the client, but our good will apology was used as an admittance of guilt. The client and its legal team attempted to cease the contract and claim "losses" from us.

None of us were aware of the legal process in the U.S., which exposed us not only to financial losses but also legal actions. None of us foreign workers were ready for any looming forced deportation. We had to take measures to protect ourselves, and contacted a Vietnamese lawyer, who reviewed the case and agreed to represent us.

The lawyer eventually drafted a careful email, refuting all the claims from the client's allegation and denounced the client for violating the contracts themselves. After several rounds of discussions, we managed to claim back two thirds of the total contract that the client intended not to pay us. A decent settlement for a case in which we thought we had lost everything.

We learned a big lesson: if we want to work in the U.S., we need to know how to protect ourselves, especially on the legal battlefield. Legal battles require lawyers, who charge big bucks by the hour. Many law cases are decided based simply on how long each side can prolong the attrition money needed to pay for the lawyers. It is therefore important to reassure the lawyers of the sound financial basis of the company, so that they can focus on protecting the corporation's rights in the legal trench.

After many years working with foreign partners, we learned many lessons, all unique. Eventually, conflicts of interest arise between every partner. To ensure that both sides can have a beneficial partnership, both sides should learn as much as possible about the overlapping win-win interests that the two corporates share, learn about the legal basis of each market, and have cooperation plans based on an understanding of the foreign partner's business culture and practices.

For example, when working with U.S. partners, legal compliance is a top priority. If there is any legal shadiness, the U.S. partner immediately thinks about taking legal action. This is not the last resort, but just a way out if two sides cannot resolve the misunderstanding themselves. But for Vietnamese, taking legal action could resemble swearing a solemn promise to persecute the other.

In partnerships, Vietnamese companies are usually the smaller and less experienced one. We might need some assistance and guidance, but in every partnership, the two sides need to clearly point out the interests of each side.

Furthermore, to work with foreign partners, Vietnamese corporates need to understand the partners' culture and way of thinking, and how to comply with the partners' laws and system. Only by knowing, understanding, and respecting each other will a partnership stand the test of time.

*Nguyen Thanh Nam is a businessman.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Advanced Graph Enterprise Database Inc. (the "Company" or "AGEDB") is delighted to announce that its products, released last Monday, September 11th, for global market distribution, mark a significant milestone as we look ahead to the year to come.

Given its product launch, on September 14th, Thursday, AGEDB successfully held its first webinar disclosing its product information and the intricacies of its technology. During the webinar, its product, AGEDB Enterprise, was introduced along with the technologies that build the basis, respectively, PostgreSQL and Apache AGE.

AGEDB, a leading technology company specializing in database management solutions, marked a significant milestone on Thursday, September 14th, as it hosted its inaugural webinar. The event showcased AGEDB's commitment to transparency and innovation, offering attendees a comprehensive look into its flagship product, AGEDB Enterprise encompassing both Relational and graph Databases.

During the engaging webinar, AGEDB provided a detailed overview of AGEDB Enterprise, highlighting its advanced features and benefits for businesses seeking top-tier database solutions. Moreover, the company delved into the intricacies of the underlying technologies that power the hybrid offering in the AGEDB Enterprise, namely PostgreSQL and Apache AGE.

Following the webinar, CEO Young Seung Ko shared his insights, stating, "AGEDB saw the potential of the deep-analysis technology that graph data modeling presents including in the up-and-coming AI technology. ChatGPT has also gained its prominence organically and emerged as a symbol of the era. Graph technology has the potential to be the most reliable single source of solution in the near future."

As stated, the use of graph databases in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain further amplifies the market potential, with projections indicating a market value of $4.8 Billion USD by 2028.

While its dedication to innovation is evident in its contributions to the global technology landscape, AGEDB's pioneering approach to combining these essential technologies extends its impact globally.

To watch AGEDB's webinar recording, visit https://www.youtube.com/@AGEDBInc .

Please contact via [email protected] or visit https://agedb.io

About Advanced Graph Enterprise Database Inc.

Founded in 2022, AGEDB is a Vancouver-based private company with a primary focus on developing and delivering database management system ("DBMS") software and technology. AGEDB is a new innovation to the DBMS industry offering hybrid capabilities encompassing Relational and Graph Databases. With a commitment to driving technological excellence, AGEDB aims to empower businesses worldwide with tailored services to address the evolving needs of modern enterprises, enabling organizations to derive insights and make informed decisions smarter.

SOURCE AGEDB Inc.
Generated a Seventeenth Consecutive Quarter of Positive Free Cash Flow

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) and (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced its unaudited interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the second quarter ended July 31, 2023. The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). All currency is reported in U.S. dollars.

Q2 Financial Highlights (May 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023):

Revenue of $7.2 million  flat year-over-year (note - State of Nevada cannabis sales were down 5% over the comparative period 1 )

 flat year-over-year (note - cannabis sales were down 5% over the comparative period ) Earnings (Loss) per Share of ($0.00)

Gross Margin of 40% - up 410 basis points sequentially; Retail Gross Margin of 47%

Cash Flow from Operations of $1.6 million , up 37% from Q1  the 17 th consecutive quarter of positive Free Cash Flow[2]

, up 37% from Q1  the 17 consecutive quarter of positive Free Cash Flow[2] Retired the remaining $1.0 million balance on senior secured note

Q2 Management and Operational Commentary:

"We are pleased to report strong cash flow generation and stable revenues again this quarter given the industry headwinds persisting in the first half of the year," stated CEO and President, Sonny Newman. "Despite market conditions, we experienced our first increase in same store sales since 2021, a testament to the strength of our loyal customer base and a stabilizing market environment. Having now retired the balance owing on our senior secured note, we are actively pursuing expansion of our retail footprint in Nevada. We believe this will maximize margins from our cultivation assets."

C21's Q2 revenue of $7.2 million was flat over the previous year but outperformed Nevada market sales which saw total sales down 5% over the comparative period1. Lower wholesale revenues in the quarter were offset by an increase in retail sales.

Gross Margin was 39.5% for Q2, up 410 basis points sequentially, with Retail Gross Margin at 46.5% for the quarter. Gross margins improved for a second straight quarter from the impact of curtailing cultivation in previous quarters, yet are still compressed from historical levels by state-level pricing pressures and other factors (see MD&A for full discussion).

C21 reported Q2 Net Loss of $0.4 million, or ($0.00) earnings per share. The Company generated $1.0 million of Adjusted EBITDA2.

Q2 Cash Flow from Operations was $1.6 million, up 37% from Q1  the seventeenth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Flow from Operations. Free Cash Flow2 was $1.4 million for the quarter (see table below), up $0.3 million sequentially, with $0.6 million of accrued tax in the period.

Cash at the end of Q2 was $2.3 million, up $0.4 million from the previous quarter. The remaining $1.0 million balance on the Company's senior secured note was retired in the quarter. Total Liabilities have been reduced by $1.5 million year-to-date.

Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company appointed Aron Swan as its Chief Operating Officer (see news release dated September 7, 2023). C21 has established the COO role to support the Company's long-term growth objectives. In addition, the Company completed construction on drive-through operations at its flagship dispensary in Sparks, commencing operation in September, ahead of schedule.

_______________________________

1 Nevada Cannabis Sales Through June 2023 - State of Nevada Cannabis Tax Revenue: https://tax.nv.gov/Publications/Cannabis_Statistics_and_Reports/ 2 "Free Cash Flow" and "Adjusted EBITDA" and are non-GAAP measures. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a discussion of such non-GAAP measures and a reconciliation to the closest comparable GAAP measures.

Non-GAAP Measures:

C21 reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP and uses a number of financial measures when assessing its results and measuring overall performance. Some of these financial measures and ratios are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company refers to certain Non-GAAP financial measures such as "Free Cash Flow" and "Adjusted EBITDA". These measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of its business. The Company believes the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify the Company's actual operating performance, make it easier to compare the Company's results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as the management of the Company. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the Company's reported results as indicators of the Company's performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The tables below provide reconciliations of Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

"Free Cash Flow" is defined as Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations in a period minus capital expenses of property and equipment. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our continuing business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Free Cash Flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Free Cash Flow:

Quarter Ended July 31, 2023 April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 October 31, 2022 July 31, 2022 Cash Provided by Operating Activities

from Continuing Operations OCF Margin% $ 1,649,786 $ 1,204,347 1,215,735 1,443,585 1,773,385 Purchase of Property and Equipment (202,182) (41,803) (9,071) (11,095) (31,524)











Free Cash Flow $ 1,447,604 $ 1,162,544 1,206,664 1,432,490 1,741,861

"Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA (earnings before depreciation and amortization, depreciation and interest in cost of sales, income taxes, and interest) less accretion, loss from discontinued operations, one-time transaction costs and all other non-cash items. The Company has presented "Adjusted EBITDA" because its management believes it is a useful measure for investors when assessing and considering the Company's continuing operations and prospects for the future. Furthermore, "Adjusted EBITDA" is a commonly used measurement in the financial community when evaluating the market value of similar companies.

Adjusted EBITDA:



















Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3

July 31, 2023 Apr 30, 2023 Jan 31, 2023 Oct 31, 2022 Net Income (Loss) $ (416,086) $ (471,045) $ (2,119,159) $ 248,507









Interest expenses, net 3,956 31,254 60,530 98,657 Provision for Income Taxes 602,674 592,426 672,164 1,154,189 Depreciation and Amortization 346,294 347,578 340,664 341,782 Depreciation and Interest in COGS 203,092 203,092 203,091 203,093 EBITDA $ 739,930 $ 703,305 $ (842,710) $ 2,046,228 Change in fair value of derivative liabilities - 392,155 14,830 (127,813) Share based compensation 5,595 5,507 20,803 31,788 Loss from discontinued operations 19,351 83,891 713,712 (11,154) One-time special project costs - - - 206,459 Production curtailment, non-cash

inventory adjustments 206,000 450,000 1,012,000 (253,000) Other gain/loss 921 (73,695) 18,723 13,173 Adjusted EBITDA $ 971,797 $ 1,561,163 $ 937,358 $ 1,905,681

























Q2 Balance Sheet Summary:











(US$) July 31, 2023 January 31, 2023

Assets





Cash 2,273,577 1,891,772

Inventory 3,038,145 4,173,573

Other current 2,292,485 2,677,027

Current Assets 7,604,207 8,742,372

Fixed Assets/Goodwill/Intangibles, deferred tax 48,289,188 49,569,032

Total Assets 55,893,395 58,311,404









Liabilities





Accounts payable 2,737,193 2,921,426

Promissory note  current portion - 2,026,667

Income taxes payable 8,931,958 7,736,858

Other notes, current lease, deferred tax etc. 2,311,534 2,289,316

Current Liabilities 13,950,685 14,974,267

Lease liabilities 8,322,000 8,554,702

Derivative liability and other 177,679 467,359

Total Liabilities 22,450,364 23,996,328









Shareholders' Equity 33,443,031 34,315,076

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 55,893,395 58,311,404













Q2 Financial Summary:













(US$) July 31, 2023 July 31, 2022

Revenue 7,162,107 7,175,493

Cost of Sales 4,331,192 3,316,161

Gross Profit Gross Margin% 2,830,915 39.5% 3,859,332 53.8%

Total Expenses 2,620,099 2,335,764

Income from Operations 210,816 1,523,568

Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Earnings (Loss) Per Share (396,735) (0.00) 1,512,489 0.01



About C21 Investments Inc.

C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedar.com and www.cxxi.ca.

Cautionary Statement:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. 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. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to expand its existing footprint in Nevada and to maximize margins from its cultivation assets, positioning the Company to act on strategic opportunities in the current industry environment, and the Company's continued ability to mitigate state-level and industry pricing pressures.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including, without limitation, the ability of the Company's management to execute its business strategy, objectives and plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties arising from general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change after such date. The Company 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 under applicable securities regulations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE C21 Investments Inc.

For further information: Investor contact: Investor Relations, [email protected], +1 833 289-2994; Company contact: Michael Kidd, Chief Financial Officer and Director, [email protected]
Newly released report reveals a growing number of adults are being diagnosed and treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  a trend that isn't showing any signs of slowing

TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Over the last five years, Manulife has seen a sharp spike in the number of adults submitting claims for ADHD medications, and newly released data suggests that this trend shows no signs of slowing. According to Manulife's latest Special Report on Employee Health Insights, from 2021 to 2022 the number of unique claimants for ADHD medication, ages 18 and over, grew by 24.5 per cent. This is compared to an average claimant growth rate of 15.3 per cent from 2017  2021.

"The data in our report provides relevant information for organizations to support them in making better-informed decisions to ensure their employees have access to the services and care they need," says Ashesh Desai, head of Group Benefits for Manulife Canada. "For example, our data reflects the understanding that ADHD is not simply something "you grow out of". The fact that this condition can  and clearly does  continue into adulthood is something that all employers should know."

According to CADDRA, the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in Canada, affecting 4-6% of adults and 5-7% of children, or approximately 1.8 million Canadians. When left untreated, ADHD can present alongside other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. This can lead to risk factors for several other health issues including heart disease and obesity, which can require people to take time off work.

The Manulife Special Report on Employee Health Insights takes a deep dive into the potential reasons for the uptick in diagnoses. According to the report, one of the primary factors driving the spike is an increase in overall awareness about ADHD. As doctors become better equipped to recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adulthood, they can better differentiate it from other conditions.

"Increasing claims related to mental health concerns can indicate overall worsening mental health and increased prevalence of mental health diagnoses," says Dr. Steve Pomedli, Manulife's medical director of group benefits through Cleveland Clinic Canada. "But the increase we're seeing in ADHD, especially in the adult population, can also suggest improved awareness of this disorder and that more individuals are accessing needed services. In the long run, this can be seen as positive as individuals take proactive steps to improve their health and well-being."

The Manulife Special Report on Employee Health Insights also finds that an individual's work environment, especially the 'Work from Home' response during the Covid-19 pandemic, may have played a role in surfacing ADHD symptoms that were previously masked by structured work environments. Additionally, the report f inds that the popularity of social media posts talking about the signs and symptoms of ADHD may be contributing to the increase of diagnosis. With billions of views across platforms, these posts are drawing attention to this disorder and as a result, more people are talking to their doctor about possible ADHD concerns.

Diagnosis of ADHD in Women

For decades, ADHD was diagnosed more in men than in women, but the Manulife Special Report on Employee Health Insights report suggests that this gap is rapidly closing. In fact, in 2022, the diagnosis ratio for ADHD was 53 per cent male to 47 per cent female. This is compared to five years ago, when it was 60 per cent male and 40 per cent female. While exact reasoning for this is not fully understood, according to the Cleveland Clinic, it could be due to how symptoms present: men typically tend to display more behaviours related to impulsivity or hyperactivity, whereas women more often exhibit symptoms related to inattentiveness  which may have contributed to underdiagnoses for decades.

As Manulife reported earlier this year, an average of 48 days  per employee  were lost in 2022 due to healthrelated absences and presenteeism. "Our goal with our second Special Report on Employee Health Insights is to help ensure employees are set up for success," continues Desai. "With these insights, employers can better influence, mitigate, and stay ahead of the issues affecting the well-being of their employees and by doing so, create healthier workplaces that contribute to organizational success and bottom-line business results."

As a leading Group Benefits provider, Manulife has one of the largest and most comprehensive health data sets in the country (outside of government). By carefully analyzing the aggregated data, Manulife is able to better understand key drivers of health that can impact employee behaviour and ultimately impact health outcomes for Canadians.

Additional Information:

For more information, you can read the latest Special Report on Employee Health Insights prepared by Manulife.

About Manulife:

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2022, we had more than 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 34 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

For further information: Media Contact: Emily Vear, Manulife, 437-419-3778, [email protected]
French tourist Laurine (R) and her mother hold souvenirs bought at Ben Thanh Market in downtown HCMC, September 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

Foreign travelers are spending less money shopping in Ho Chi Minh City as they fear over-charging, which has been a deep-rooted issue in Vietnam's tourism industry for years now.

French tourist Laurine, who visited HCMC for the first time earlier this month, said before her trip to Vietnam her friends told her she should haggle at half the initial price when buying items in HCMC.

When Laurine visited Ben Thanh in downtown area, she was impressed by the beauty of the century-old market with French colonial architecture.

She dropped by souvenir stalls inside the market and asked to buy conical hats and small embroidered paintings, but vendors charged her over VND200,000 (US$8.22) for each item.

She then negotiated with the vendors and bargained for 50-70% of the initial price. When the vendors refused, she pretended to walk away and they then chased after her, agreeing to sell each item for VND40,000-80,000.

"Rip-offs have become a common issue at traditional markets in many Asian countries, not just Vietnam. Therefore, I was not shocked when I was overcharged, but I just didn't know what the real value of the item was, nor what I deserved for the amount of money I spent," Laurine said.

Unlike Laurine, Ash from New Zealand's first visit to HCMC had her shocked when she had to bargain to buy items.

She visited traditional markets in District 1 such as Ben Thanh and Tan Dinh.

"Afraid of being cheated, I only bought a few souvenirs at traditional markets with prices less than VND200,000," she said.

Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Tourism, said that in the first six months of this year, the city welcomed 1.9 million international visitors.

Although shopping is considered the main product of the city, Vietnam's commercial hub, the proportion of spending on shopping is still low.

Its total revenue from tourism reached VND80.8 trillion ($3.32 billion), of which the shopping activities of international visitors contributed 9%, Hieu said.

In Ho Chi Minh City, foreign tourists spend 17% of their total spending on shopping while the figure is 23% in Bangkok, 28% in Singapore and 32% in Kuala Lumpur.

Overcharging foreign tourists at traditional markets has become a headache for the tourism industry.

Hieu said swindles "have not only caused direct impacts on local vendors but also hurt the city's tourism image."

Last month, a clothes seller in Ben Thanh Market was prohibited from doing business for a week after charging a Japanese tourist 12 times the normal price for socks.

The incident was widely shared on social media and YouTube channels, with many foreign tourists leaving negative comments about tourism in Vietnam.

Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy director of leading tour operator Vietravel, said many foreign tourists spend less and limit shopping entirely while traveling in HCMC because they fear overcharging.

"This could affect the city's tourism revenue," Hoang added.

To prevent foreign tourists from being ripped-off, she proposed that city authorities consider building shopping streets for foreigners and publicize price listings.

Tourism authorities said they are working closely with police to crack down on similar cases of overcharging foreign tourists to turn HCMC into a safe and friendly destination.

To avoid being ripped off, some foreign tourists do not shop at traditional markets. For electronics, cosmetics, and fashion items, Ash chose to buy them at shopping centers with listed prices.

"In New Zealand, whether at retail markets or shopping malls, prices are the same, I don't have to bargain like I do when traveling," she said.




Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano, says he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal against the ruling of the election petition tribunal that nullified his electoral victory.

In a message posted on the platform X on Wednesday night, Yusuf described the tribunal ruling as a "temporary setback".

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday via Zoom, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Yusuf.

The tribunal also affirmed Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of the state.

Following the judgement, the Kano police command declared a 24-hour curfew in the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

However, the governor called on the residents to remain "calm and be law-abiding", adding that people should not take the law into their hands.

He added that security agents have already been directed to ensure the full protection of "lives and property of innocent citizens across the state".

"You would recall that on March 18, 2023, you came out en mass and voted for me as your Governor with a total votes of 1,019,602 and a margin of 128,897 votes between my humble self and second place," he wrote.

"Subsequently, I was duly sworn in as your elected Governor on May 29, 2023. You may also recall that the party that lost the election took us to court.

"However, after almost six months of proceedings at the governorship election petition tribunal, today Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the judges of the tribunal have in their own wisdom delivered their ruling.

"As human beings, their judgement may not be absolutely perfect, there are errors and misapplication of the law as pointed out by our legal team.

"That is why our constitution provides for other stages to go on with such as the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

"On this note, we have already instructed our legal team to appeal this judgement as soon as possible to ensure that justice is done.

"I therefore call on all the good people of Kano State to be calm and remain law-abiding. People should not take the law into their hands, and security agents have already been directed to ensure the full protection of lives and property of innocent citizens across the State.

"We want to assure you that this will neither dampen our spirit nor slow us down, as this is a temporary setback for our State which we will overcome by the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT)."
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu State, on Thursday, upheld the election of Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mbahs election was challenged by Barr Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party, LP.

Major grounds of Edeogas petition centred on Mbahs alleged forgery of National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, certificate, irregularities during the election, over-voting, among others.

Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano dismissed the petition in favour of the respondent, Mbah.

It struck out Edeogas application seeking to disqualify Mbah over alleged forgery of NYSC certificate.

The panel held that NYSC certificate, according Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution, is not a requirement for contesting the governorship election.

It ruled that Mbah did not submit his NYSC certificate to INEC in aid of his qualification to contest for office of the governor, since he was already qualified without the NYSC certificate.

The Tribunal equally dismissed allegations of over-voting and bypassing of BVAS.

The panel also said that the witnesses presented by the Labour Party were not duly accredited agents by INEC and that their testimony was invalid.

It held that Mbah was duly elected as governor by majority of lawful and valid votes cast during the election.

It had also earlier in the day dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, governorship candidate, Elder Christopher Agu.




Governor Godwin Obaseki has directed the reallocation of the office of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, in a move seen as further humiliation of the number two man in Edo State.





The Governor directed the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, to reallocate Shaibus office for use as the secretariat of the annual summit of the state government, Alaghodaro.





The government had earlier relocated Shaibus office from the Government House to a building along Dennis Osadebe Avenue.





Although it was at first speculated that this was because the office was billed for repairs, it was later revealed to be connected with the ragging battle of the Edo political titans.





It would be recalled that Shaibu was stranded for several hours on Monday at the gate leading to the office when attempted to resume duty there but met it chained and padlocked.





The reallocation of the office was seen as a continuation of the humiliation of Shaibu by Obaseki.





According to a leaked memo dated 18 September 2023, the re-allocation is sequel to a request by the chairman of the Trustee of Alaghodaro to the Governor, through the SSG, for a secretariat close to the venue of the Summit.





Alaghodaro summit is organised yearly between November 11 and 12, in partnership with the private sector, to mark the anniversary of Governor Godwin Obaseki in office and showcase the progress being recorded in transforming the state into an investment haven.





It was gathered that the Chairman specifically requested for the former office of the Deputy Governor to aid the secretariat in its planning and logistics for this years Alaghodaro Summit, because of its proximity to the venue of the Summit.





Information on the memo further revealed that approval for the reallocation was granted with immediate effect.





But, it is pertinent to note that the secretariat of the annual event functioned from the precincts of the hall used for previous editions of the Summit.
Member of European Parliament Marton Gyongyosi (Hungary) is joining the European Christian Political Movement , the only European political party explicitly promoting Christian values. ECPM President Valeriu Ghiletchi met with Marton Gyongyosi this week and informed him of the ECPMs board decision to accept him as individual member of the European party.

Mr. Gyongyosi is a well-known Conservative Hungarian politician who formerly served in the Hungarian Parliament from 2010 to 2019. He has been often denouncing the high-level corruption in the country and the Hungarian governments friendly demeanor towards authoritarians like Putin and Erdogan.

In the European Parliament, Marton Gyongyosi serves as a member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and as substitute on the Committee on International Trade and the Subcommittee on Human Rights.

The ECPM and MEP Gyongyosi share the same values when it comes to human dignity and the preciousness of life, traditional marriage, protecting the EU external borders and curbing illegal migration. Mr. Gyongyosi is joining ECPMs other four MEPs who are weary of Brussels power grab and advocate for stronger national sovereignty and a strict enforcement of the principle of subsidiarity.




Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former media aide to ex-Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has claimed Abba Yusuf lost at the election tribunal because of the reckless and indiscriminate demolition he ordered in the state.





According to him, that action erased the goodwill he enjoyed with the people.





The day Abba Kabir Yusuf began that reckless and indiscriminate demolition was the day he lost Kano.





The one thing they had going into the elections was the support of Kano metropolitan area, that demolition erased that goodwill completely, and thats the day he lost Kano, Yakasai tweeted.





The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano on Wednesday, declared Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the Kano governorship election.





The tribunal gave the final judgement after cancelling some votes recorded by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Yusuf.





The Presiding Judge, Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadabey, said the margin of votes scored by the NNPP was not enough to give Governor Yusuf victory.




A female student of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Blessing Karami, who was declared missing on September 11 has been found dead in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.





The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.





She said the remains of the deceased were discovered in a wooded area in the Karimo area of the nations capital.





According to the police, the disappearance of the 26-year-old woman was reported to the authorities on September 14, 2023.





The PPRO said the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna G. Garba has directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Blessing Karami Moses untimely death.





She noted that the commitment of the command to the murder case is unwavering, and is determined to uncover both the immediate and remote causes of the tragic incident.





She said the command is currently working with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB to recover the decomposing body.





We will continue to provide updates to the public as our investigation progresses.





Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Blessing Karami Moses during this difficult time, the PPRO added.




Some fans in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday night, held a candlelight procession for late Nigerian rapper, Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, aka Mohbad.





The procession was held at Peckham Square, in Peckham, South London where Mohbads erstwhile record label boss, Naira Marley was brought up.





The fans were seen singing the late rappers songs in a video trending on the internet.





Recall that Mohbad died in a controversial manner on September 12, 2023.





His death gained international attention after fans have taken to social media demanding a thorough investigation of his sudden demise.




The end to the rift between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, may be near as the embattled deputy governor apologised to his principal and begged for forgiveness.





Shaibu, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists currently ongoing in his Benin City residence on Thursday, asked Obaseki to forgive and forget.





He asked Obaseki to overlook their political differences and find a place in his heart to forgive him.





The deputy governor was on Monday afternoon officially relocated from his former office in the Government House to the newly allocated office on No 7, Dennis Osadebey Avenue, Benin City.




President Bola Tinubu has described his wife, First Lady Oluremi, as a strong pillar in his journey to success.





In a personal message, the president said he had enjoyed the delight of family, political and business life with the First Lady.





My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years.





Today is not only a day to mark another year of your purposeful life but a beautiful reminder of the journey we have embarked upon together.





Through all these years, we have shared in the uncertainty of dangerous, but principled stands against tyranny. Many can not fully appreciate the sacrifices you made for us during that harrowing, dark era, but I do and always will.





We have experienced adventure, love, and laughter. We have celebrated victories, and we have wrestled down the monster of defeat, and we have done all in an inextricable bond, he said.





Tinubu said their bond grew stronger through thick and thin, adding that their love and commitment to each other had only deepened with time.





Thank you for being the ever-present sunshine that brightens my darkest hours.





Your kindness, your wisdom, and your inner and outer beauty continue to amaze me more each and every day.





As we celebrate your birthday, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for your serene presence in my life.





I look forward to many more years filled with even greater laughter and love as we continue on this path together, which God Almighty had predestined for us, he said.





He prayed that the Lord would continue to guide and guard the First Lady and bless her with good health and longevity.




Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, says President Bola Tinubu demonstrated to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Africa has opportunities and should be listened to.

On Wednesday, Tinubu addressed world leaders at the UNGA and spoke about his plans for Nigeria and the West African region, including working to restore democracy to the Niger Republic.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu was able "to analyse the issues concerning Africa, West Africa and Nigeria as a whole".

He said that the president demonstrated that Nigerians have chosen well, noting that Tinubu was putting Africa on the world map with his speech.

"He demonstrated that Nigerians have actually chosen well, to be present at this point in time," Sanwo-Olu said.

"He was not only defining what the role Nigeria will play will continue to play, but was also putting Africa on the world map in expressing that even with global challenges the entire world needs to be able to listen and watch the opportunities that abound in Africa.

"You know, Africa has been the whipping boy but Africa has not been unfairly treated, Africa has been the one that we believe, is the untapped future resource of the entire world.

"And he was able to put that forward to say that the world needs to listen and watch the potential that Africa presents.

"And he was also now able to take it further, you know, to all of the issues have been in West Africa, you know with coups and counter coups and the rest of it, that is not fashionable, it is so undemocratic but he was not trying to run himself over any of these countries.

"It was more of collaborative, that indeed, they need to be able to speak to them, and be able to reverse that very unfortunate trajectory that we're seeing coming out in Africa, where coups are becoming the order of the day."

The governor said Tinubu put the country on its path to take its place in the UN with his speech.

"We are on the path of ensuring that the renaissance of Africa is not lost almost and that the world to watch and the world should be able to carry Africa along and let us indeed give Africa its fair share, its fair place in global politics and in the economic agenda of the world," he said.

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu's outing at the UN meeting was "credible".
All Progressives Congress national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje bowed down in praise of God, moments after the ruling of the Kano Election Petition Tribunal.

The Tribunal declared Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as the duly elected governor of Kano state and sacked incumbent Abba Yusuf of the NNPP.

Gawuna was Gandujes deputy for four years in Kano.

Although Gawuna congratulated Governor Abba Yusuf, whose victory was nullified today, the party challenged the victory in court.

The partys efforts finally paid off today as the three-man tribunal faulted Abba Yusufs victory.

It invalidated 165,663 ballots which were counted for him and deducted the votes from the 1,019,602 votes he initially won.

That left him with 853,939 votes, fewer than the 890,705 votes of Gawuna.

The tribunal ordered INEC to present Gawuna with the certificate of return and withdraw Abba Yusufs.








UN International Day of Peace

The United Nations International Day of Peace falls just before the fall equinox, which is the day the sun moves into Libra, the realm associated with peace, diplomacy and cooperation. A lunar trine to Venus in Leo emphasizes the need to not only declare your intentions for peaceful relations but to produce gestures and symbols to memorialize the intention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It feels like youre in your own personal retrograde. Like the planets, you dont really travel backward; it only looks that way from the earthly perspective. Trust that youre advancing even when you cant see the progress yet.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As the sign of harmony, you gravitate to conflict-free zones, or try and resolve the tensions you stumble into. Dont be too quick to do this today because a small degree of friction will provide the spark of inspiration.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You can choose to focus on a dystopian version of the future, or a hopeful one. What if you knew your energy was akin to a vote? Envisioning the future as a beautiful destination will calm your mind and fortify your heart.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You and a significant someone havent been able to match up your timing lately, but fret not. One of you will speed up, the other will slow down, and youll finally be back in sync by the weekend.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To interrupt a person in conversation is considered rude, but is it just as rude for a person to go on at length without throwing the ball back? Such questions of etiquette will be among todays dilemmas. Youll navigate with grace.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Its not just a plot device in your favorite show; it can happen in real life too -- adversaries can become allies; weaknesses can become superpowers; and inauspicious events can be the reason you triumph in Act Three.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The world is eager to fill in your education on the subject you wish to learn about and more. Youll pluck fruit from the tree of knowledge and gobble it down, then suddenly see how disparate elements fit together into one picture.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Where tension exists, resolve it by being the bigger person. It really doesnt matter who is wrong or right, it only matters what helps everyone move on from this tediousness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Too much emphasis on finance inhibits your imagination. Take a break from cost-consciousness and pretend, for a moment, that money is no object. Theres a way to make some version of this happen on your current budget.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You learn about yourself through socializing and are surprised by your own behaviors. You may tell a perfect stranger a secret or downplay/play up an accomplishment. Studying your own reactions makes deep-seated beliefs known to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The naive assume that everyone wants what they want. The mature realize the range of desire is wide and they make no assumptions. Instead, they learn what people want or inspire new appetites with their unique offerings.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Do anything you can to expand your perspective, because your happiness is in danger of being blocked by a nasty case of tunnel vision. The best opportunities are outside of the tunnel. When you believe this, the blinders fall away.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Sept. 21). Youre finding your voice this year. Youll learn from the stories you hear, but even more from the stories you tell, which change as you create more empowering interpretations of your history. More highlights: Youll build and maintain valuable relationships. Youll also act on expert advice to leverage these relationships and build something that will improve life for many. Gemini and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 10, 4, 44 and 27.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: With over 60 novels and hundreds of short stories to his name, Stephen King wanted to make sure his works success didnt rely on his name. So, under the pseudonym Richard Bachman he submitted more work for publication and continued his success streak with works including The Running Man and Thinner. Kings natal Mercury, the planet of writing, is joined by imaginative Neptune, opening a world of fanciful possibilities.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
A 25-year-old man was arrested in Minnesota this week on charges he recorded himself sexually abusing a child under the age of 16 in Bergen County, authorities said Thursday.

Isaiha Price, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, is accused of sexually abusing the child in Teaneck over the summer on more than one occasion, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

Teaneck police reported the alleged abuse to the prosecutors office on Aug. 23 and Price was arrested in Ramsey, Minnesota, on Monday, the prosecutor said in a statement.

Price is charged with first-degree creating child sexual abuse and exploitation material, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Price was held at a county jail in Minnesota pending extradition to New Jersey, Musella said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Wildwood mayor Pete Byron resigned on Thursday, six weeks after being sentenced to three years probation for failing to report income to the IRS.

Byron, who has served as mayor since 2020, was re-indicted that same day in August on state charges he fraudulently enrolled in the states health benefits program. Those charges are pending.

Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons will take over as mayor.

Byron had previously said he didnt plan to resign as mayor. He couldnt immediately be reached by NJ Advance Media on Thursday morning.

It is with deep sadness  yet great hope  for the continued prosperity of Wildwood, that I resign as mayor of the city of Wildwood, Byron said in an emailed statement I have held the honor and pleasure of serving my community as commissioner for the past 12 years.

Though I may not be at City Hall, I am still available to help with issues and will be happy to continue to assist my hometown of Wildwood in any way possible. For now, I will focus on being the best dad and grandfather to my loving family.

In the federal case, Byron received three years probation and was ordered to pay a $14,000 fine and more than $7,014 in restitution, according to court documents.

From October 2017 through September 2018, Byron received $40,425 in payments while working as a salesman for a law firm in Gloucester County, but did not report this income on his tax returns, prosecutors said. In all Byron, shorted the IRS more than $7,000 in owed taxes, according to court papers.

In March, he pleaded guilty to two counts of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent tax returns. He had faced up to three years in federal prison prior to the sentencing.

The state Office of the Attorney General also announced in early August that a grand jury re-indicted Byron, former Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., and current Wildwood city commissioner Steve Mikulski on charges of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records.

In June, state Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury, Jr., dismissed a previous indictment against all three Wildwood residents without prejudice  allowing the Attorney Generals Office to re-present to a grand jury.

Since 2010, New Jersey has required that elected officials be full-time employees to be enrolled in the states health benefits program. A full-time employee is defined as one whose hours are fixed at 35 or more a week.

The defense contends that the three Wildwood officials were declared full-time employees by a resolution that the commission adopted in 2011, and were eligible for enrollment in the state health plan.

During Byrons time in office, he oversaw major refurbishment of the city parks, dog park and Byrne Recreation Center as well as the ongoing Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Project which includes the revitalization of 315 properties spanning 56 blocks, the city said.

Wildwood is also in the process of dredging, capping, and closing a landfill to develop the seven acres on which it sits.

Byron also served as the head of the citys Department of Public Works, Parks & Public Property. Those departments will now report to city administrator Steve OConnor, the statement said.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
The fighting in Sudan continues to severely impact South Sudans resources and humanitarian needs due to more than a quarter million returnees and refugees seeking refuge in border towns and internally displaced persons camps, said U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood, UN Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs:

An additional 26,000 South Sudanese displaced persons have fled violence and food insecurity in Ethiopias refugee camps, further straining resources and food supply.

The United States remains gravely concerned over the congestion and overcrowding in border towns, such as Renk, and internally displaced persons camps, as well as the lack of adequate shelter and medical aid for displaced persons.

Ambassador Wood strongly urged the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the transitional government, and humanitarian partners to strengthen efforts to provide returnees and displaced persons sufficient shelter, food, medical, and relocation services. He also urged parties to continue to provide assistance and services to host communities and those displaced less recently to ensure a balanced approach that takes into account the needs of all groups.

The United States remains disappointed with the lack of progress by the Transitional Government of South Sudans implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement and 2022 Roadmap, said Ambassador Wood:

With only 15 months remaining until the December 2024 elections, it is not evident South Sudan will be prepared to hold elections under conditions consistent with President Kiirs commitments. Open political space for a genuine campaign free of intimidation and violence does not exist, the transitional government has failed to detail the budget revenue it will dedicate to electoral administrative tasks, and needed legislation has not been passed.

Sexual violence remains an ongoing issue that must be addressed, warned Ambassador Wood:

This reporting period highlighted 18 cases of conflict related sexual violence including 12 women, eight girls, and one man. The United States strongly condemns any form of gender-based violence. We call on the government to take immediate steps to strengthen rule of law institutions and increase survivors access to services.

The transitional government must seize this opportunity to give the South Sudanese people a hopeful future, said Ambassador Wood. The people of South Sudan deserve to live without violence, to feel safe, and to contribute to the betterment of their country.
The founder of the New Jersey Childrens Foundation, an organization that advocates for the citys growing charter school community, is stepping down as executive director, succeeded by a Newark native and former reporter who attended the citys traditional public schools.

Kyle Rosenkrans, who launched the foundation five years ago, is being replaced by Barbara Martinez, who had been communications director for Uncommon Schools, the education company that operates North Star Academy Charter School, Newarks largest charter school network, with 14 elementary and high school campuses throughout the city.

The foundation said Rosenkrans was leaving to focus on philanthropic consulting.

In a statement, Rosenkrans said he looked forward to seeing the foundation evolve to meet the new and lingering challenges we face.

NJCF has made great strides in ensuring a fact-based discussion of public education and investing in people, organizations and systems that helped arm our community with the information they need to advocate for the quality education our children deserve, Rosenkrans stated.

The foundations launch in 2018 roughly coincided with the Newark school districts return to local control following a 22-year state takeover by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Since its founding, the foundation said it had implemented or supported various initiatives, including opening 13 new charter campuses with a capacity of 5,000 students, creating the My Schools Newark online school finder and Newark Common App system for enrolling in charter schools, and post-COVID programs to expand tutoring and recruit new teachers. The foundation has also published reports and analyses of education issues.

Rosenkrans praised Martinez as the perfect person to carry on the mission and work of NJCF.

Martinez, 52, a mother of three, is a former reporter at The Wall Street Journal.

I think that one of the most important things I bring from my journalistic background is a respect for data, she said. The numbers tell a story.

Martinez said her local roots and ethnic background would be an asset to the foundation.

I hope that not just being a Latina woman is something that is going to speak to people, but also the fact that I grew up in Newark, she said. Im a product of whats great about Newark schools, and I also have the direct experience about what needs to improve.

I feel like I bring a deep sense of what every family wants for their child, she added, that they be healthy and happy and become the person that they want to be.

I also believe that every child, no matter what school, deserves to go to college if thats what they really want, she added.

Because charter school funding and state aid to traditional public schools are awarded on a per-pupil basis, the growth of local charter schools has limited Newarks traditional school population and its corresponding state aid. That competition for funding has led to friction between the traditional and charter school communities.

Like Martinez, the head of the citys public school district, Superintendent Roger Leon, is a Newark native who attended local schools before charters came into being in the 1990s. And Martinez said she hoped their common backgrounds would help foster cooperation.

Leon did not respond to requests for comment.

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Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com
After winning first-place in last years contest, Jersey Citys LaVerne Ben-Mansel, 75, took home the third-place prize for this years essay contest by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). The contest took place over the summer, and the winners were announced at the NFBs national convention held in Houston, Texas.

This marks Ben-Mansels second win. Her essay titled A Mothers Lament will be published in the NFBs online magazine, Slate and Style, at the end of September. By placing third, she also won $25. First prize wins $100.
A man was arrested on Monday when he allegedly traveled across state lines in an attempt to entice a 12 year old into prostitution, but was met by an undercover agent instead, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Louis Goldenberg, 41, of Philadelphia, is accused of chatting online with who he thought was a middle-aged woman with a 12-year-old niece, officials said. After Goldenberg allegedly expressed interest in having sexual contact with the minor, the online user agreed to traffic the child into prostitution, authorities said.

In reality, the woman was an undercover agent. Goldenberg allegedly exchanged a series of messages with the agent about the child, which turned sexually explicit, according to the criminal complaint.

Goldenberg eventually agreed to meet the two at a hotel in Mount Laurel and pay $300 in exchange for sex with the child, officials said.

He arrived at the hotel about 6 p.m. on Monday, where he was apprehended by Homeland Security Investigations agents. During his arrest, he was found to be in possession of $300 in cash, according to charging documents.

Goldenberg was charged with attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. He appeared in Camden federal court on Wednesday and was released on a $100,000 bond, prosecutors said. Attorney information was not immediately available.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Casey Flaherty and her boyfriend were waiting in her car on 11th Avenue in Belmar Wednesday when they saw two people struggling in the ocean on an unguarded beach.

It was around 3:15 p.m. and a man and woman, who appeared to be in their 70s, had their hands up, clearly stuck in a rip current off the Monmouth County beach, Flaherty said.

Flaherty, who had just picked up her sister from a nearby high school, saw others try to head into the water to try to save the people. But, one of the would-be rescuers also appeared to get stuck in the rip current.

Beachgoers were yelling at the people in the water to swim parallel to the current, but the man and woman who were struggling spoke little English, Flaherty said.

Thats when Flaherty, a competitive surfer and surf instructor, and her boyfriend, Alex Rosenthal, 20, grabbed their surfboards and headed into the water.

We went out there and got to them and the lady was okay, she grabbed onto my board, said Flaherty, 21. And then the older guy grabbed onto my boyfriends board and he was not doing okay. His eyes were like rolling back in his head.

Flaherty, an accomplished local surfer who has competed in pro tournaments, helped grab the man and swam him back to shore. Another bystander helped carry the mans legs, until he regained some of his strength to stand.

The man had his arm around Flaherty, and when we got to the beach, he said, Thank you for saving my life, and kissed me on the check, she said.

The paramedics arrived shortly afterward.

Belmar police did not respond to a request to comment. The identify of the man and woman who were rescued and their conditions is unclear.

The third man who got caught in the rip current after he went in to rescue the couple got out of the water on his own and appeared to be fine, Flaherty said.

It was serendipitous that Flaherty, of Monmouth Beach, and Rosenthal, of Santa Cruz, California, were nearby and prepared to make the rescue.

They were parked after picking up Flahertys sister from school and waiting for her to change in a nearby public bathroom so the couple could take the girl to surf team practice in nearby Spring Lake.

Afterward, Flaherty and Rosenthal were headed to work at Summertime Surf in Bradley Beach, a surf school  so they were already wearing their swimsuits and had their surfboards in the car.

We were going to go surfing in Bradley Beach after, but we just happened to pull up there so she could change in the public bathroom right there, Flaherty said of her sister.

Flaherty, who worked as a lifeguard in Bradley Beach and completed ocean rescues as an EMT in North Carolina, has pulled people from the ocean before. But, this was Rosenthals first save.

Rosenthal joked that Flaherty always thinks someone in the ocean needs saving, even when the swimmers are fine.

Im always like, Oh, we need to save them, but we really dont. But this time, we did, Flaherty said.

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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
A former employee of an Ocean County borough was charged with official misconduct on Wednesday after an investigation alleged he unlawfully used his position for his financial benefit, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Michael Ruvo, 56, of Toms River, faces charges of official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct following the investigation into his alleged activities while serving as Code Enforcement-Zoning Officer for the borough of Beachwood.

He was employed by the borough from September 2018 to March 2023 and his duties included conducting inspections, initiating legal proceedings against violators of ordinances and signing off on certificates of occupancy, which permitted residences to be occupied, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Ruvo created a limited liability company in April 2022 for the sole purpose of purchasing a Surf Avenue property that was subject to multiple code violations, officials said. Ruvo failed to disclose to the power of attorney of the property owner that he was the buyer and claimed to be arranging the sale on behalf of an anonymous third party, authorities alleged.

Investigators also alleged that he negotiated the sale price down to $80,000, while the propertys value was more than $200,000.

In June 2022, Ruvo issued a code enforcement violation to a property owner on Tiller Avenue before instructing her to contact Express Cleanout, who he claimed could do the job faster and for a lower price than the company she had already received an estimate from, authorities said. The investigation found that Ruvo owned the company, which he did not disclose to the woman, and failed to complete the job in full, but still deemed the property to be in compliance, officials said.

Investigators learned Ruvo was also employed as a Code Enforcement Officer for Point Pleasant Beach for a period in 2021 and for Lavallette for a period between 2022 and 2023, authorities said. Prosecutors reviewed timesheets and allege that he was on the clock for two municipalities at the same time on more than one occasion.

Ruvo turned himself in at the Ocean County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday while accompanied by his attorney. He was issued a summons and released pending an appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office is asking those with information to call Sgt. Raymond Gardner of the Economic Crime Squad at 732-929-2027, ext. 3908.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential candidate, recently gave us an example of what a small man he is.

President Joe Biden flew to Florida at the beginning of this month to survey the damage done by Hurricane Idalia and offer his support to the victims. DeSantis refused to meet with the president, who is seeking reelection. I assume DeSantis feared that if he was seen with Biden, potential DeSantis voters would consider that an endorsement of the presidents performance.
Over the past few weeks we saw a bevy of cannabis activity, from expansion of products to the approval of more licenses to the opening of new dispensaries. These combination of events and action, coupled with the work of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to date, shows that now is the perfect time to invest in New Jerseys cannabis industry.

A look at some basic facts tells the true story of the industry. Since the license application process opened in December 2021, the CRC has received thousands of applications. They have approved over 1,300 of those applications, including nearly 300 licenses for cultivation, manufacturing and retail stores. The CRC has done all this while establishing a new government agency, which in and of itself is not easy. Along the way more staff and resources have been added to help them in their goals.

The number of dispensaries in the state has grown substantially, from 18 at this time last year to nearly 50 today. Most recently, Puffin in New Brunswick and Queen City in Plainfield, two of the states newest dispensaries, came online. Over the last two months we have also seen expansion into Ocean and Morris counties.

This ever-expanding list makes sense when you consider the amount of time it takes to grow, cultivate and manufacture cannabis products and throw in the time it takes to set up a business itself. This can all take well over half a year. It stands to reason that as more businesses receive their licenses and more time passes, we will see more cannabis products on the shelves.

License expansion is also on the horizon, with wholesale, distribution and delivery licenses soon to become available for social equity applicants (those harmed by the drug war), and then to everyone else. More products will soon be available as well after the CRC expanded the list of allowable cannabis-infused products to include chocolates, baked goods, butters, jams and beverages at their last meeting.

All of this activity is occurring, meanwhile, as New York struggles to get its cannabis industry off the ground and Pennsylvania debates whether to legalize recreational cannabis at all. New Jersey is flourishing at just the right time.

Is New Jerseys current system perfect? No. There are still two core issues that must be addressed.

After New Jerseyans overwhelmingly voted to approve legalization in 2020, the Legislature had to craft a bill that would lay out just how legalization would take place in our state.

In crafting the bill, it was believed that placing too many rules and regulations on municipalities would dissuade them from ultimately allowing cannabis businesses in their towns. As such, it was left up to the towns to decide how these businesses would take shape within their borders.

This, coupled with allowing towns to decide if they wanted cannabis businesses at all, was meant to encourage more cannabis commerce across New Jersey. Some municipalities, however, have used this to create cumbersome rules and regulations that make things difficult.

This is being addressed though. As more cannabis business come online and the overall benefits of having such a business become clear through tax generation and employment opportunities, more and more municipalities will start to recognize the benefits of allowing cannabis commerce in their town.

Moreover, groups like the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, the states largest business trade group, are taking active measures to engage and inform local officials about the cannabis industry.

I not only lead the NJCBA, which functions as a Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, but Ive been in the trenches as an applicant and now as a license holder. Im not alone when I say, funding also remains an issue.

Many cannabis entrepreneurs simply do not have the capital to get their business up and running, which often takes hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.

Passage of the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks and credit unions to offer financial services to cannabis businesses that are legal in their states, and the current proposal by the Biden administration to reschedule cannabis will help alleviate this. Until that happens, however, it makes investing in the industry now critically important.

Still, these issues have not managed to hold back the industry from the recent successes and its steady growth.

Hundreds of licenses approved. New dispensaries opening. Expansion of available products. Wholesale, distribution and delivery on the horizon. The New Jersey cannabis industry is accomplishing great things every day, all while neighboring states struggle to get their own industry going.

Now is the absolute perfect time to invest in New Jersey.

Scott Rudder is president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association.

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A 37-year-old New Jersey man accused of hitting a Manville police officer with a stolen vehicle earlier this year has been indicted on a charge of attempted murder.

A grand jury also indicted Brian Niziolek, of Somerville, on two counts of aggravated assault as well as burglary, resisting arrest and multiple weapons offenses, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Manville police investigating a report of a stolen vehicle at about 2:20 p.m. on June 29 found Niziolek in the car, officials said. When police told him to stop, Niziolek put the car in drive and accelerated toward a lieutenant, hitting the officer and pushing him into another vehicle, authorities said.

After being hit, the lieutenant and another officer got into a police car and pursued the stolen vehicle. Niziolek hit several vehicles before he crashed into a home on North 5th Avenue and then ran off, authorities said.

Police from Hillsborough, Bridgewater and the Somerset County Sheriffs Office helped Manville police find Niziolek hiding in the basement of a home on Brooks Boulevard and arrested him, authorities said. Investigators later found a gun in the stolen vehicle, officials said.

Niziolek has a lengthy criminal history with previous convictions for sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons offenses, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, burglary and selling drugs.

Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A top official in Roselle has ordered government employees to refrain from speaking with a councilwoman who is planning to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Union County borough.

We currently find ourselves entangled in a legal dispute with Councilwoman (Cynthia) Johnson, a member of our esteemed council, acting Borough Administrator Shanel Y. Robinson wrote in a Sept. 14 email to all employees.

In light of this, I wish to emphasize that no employee should engage in direct communications with Councilwoman Johnson regarding borough business during the course of this litigation, Robinson added.

Johnson, a 3rd councilwoman who recently won re-election, filed a notice of intent to sue the borough in March 2022, alleging officials repeatedly violated her civil rights and harassed her after she voiced concerns over finances and other matters.

In Robinsons email, obtained by NJ Advance Media on Wednesday, employees were warned there would be consequences for anyone who communicates with Johnson.

Failure to adhere to these instructions may result in disciplinary measures, which could include, but are not limited to, written warnings, suspension, or other appropriate actions in accordance with our internal policies and procedures, Robinson wrote.

The email states that any employee contacted by Johnson should direct the councilwoman to the clerk, administrator or borough attorney.

Robinson did not respond to a request for comment on the email.

Mohamed Jalloh, the borough attorney, said Thursday the email was meant to reinforce existing protocols about communications between council members and rank-and-file employees.

Any information that she has, whether accurate or not, that she obtains from any employee  whether it be an intern or a director  she can use that to potentially either win a lawsuit or help someone else in their lawsuit, Jalloh said.

Jalloh said the email will help protect the borough in other cases where workers have filed lawsuits.

If we did not take this measure, she would have the ability as councilwoman to go around and collect her own information and then give it back to her attorney whos also suing us in other cases, Jalloh said.

Johnsons attorney, Patrick Toscano of Caldwell, responded in a letter on Wednesday to Jalloh that Robinsons email was shocking and bizarre, and could be considered indicative of witness tampering and intimidation.

It cannot be any clearer that Ms. Robinson is disseminating an illegal order directing all Roselle employees to not speak to our client. This gross and improper indiscretion by Ms. Robinson will be included in our (lawsuit), Toscano wrote.

Jarrid Kantor, the attorney defending the borough against Johnsons claim, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case Thursday.

Several weeks after filing her notice of intent to sue Roselle, the borough council passed a resolution censuring Johnson for blatant disregard of the council bylaws.

Johnson has disrupted public meetings, and overall has failed to conduct herself appropriately as a member of the governing body, said the resolution signed by the borough clerk. Four of the six council members voted to approve the resolution.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Bahrain is gearing up to host the inaugural Fintech Forward 2023 (FF23) which aims to further promote Bahrain as a destination for all things fintech, encouraging idea generation and foreign investment opportunities.

At FF23 businesses operating in Bahrain gain insight from a workforce that combines highly skilled, bi-lingual, driven Bahraini nationals alongside a diverse talent pool offering a global perspective, leading to a better bottom line and sustainable growth.

The first day of the event, October 11, 2023, will be programmed by Economist Impact. Set to be held at Exhibition World, Sakhir, under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and in strategic partnership with Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) with the support of Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB), across the two key days of FF23, industry leaders in financial services and fintech will gather to share insights, discuss strategies, and debate the challenges - and opportunities - that industry disruptors could bring to their businesses. Against the backdrop of immersive digital experiences, the conversations will be driven around the three key themes of the inaugural conference - Regulation, Investment, and Innovation.

Evidence-based policy

With a 75-year track record of evidence-based policy spanning 205 countries, Economist Impact will be utilising its market-leading expertise in informed analysis to bring critical debates to life. Economist Impact will convene influential executives and world-class thought and business leaders on stage to discuss a range of global business issues to tackle the most pressing issues in todays financial landscape.

With over 250 attendees already confirmed for day one of FF23, which is preceded by a high-level 2-hour networking session, Economist Impact discussions will bring together 15 leading experts from around the world including Asia, Europe, and North America.

The lineup includes a number of fintech and financial services consultancy players, including household names like Onyx by JP Morgan, Volt, MIT and Visa. The mid-day panel discussion titled Banking on talent: a future-ready financial services workforce will tackle how the global financial services industry must adapt to meet the increasing demand for skilled talent amidst advances in tech and workforce uncertainty.

People business

Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondent at The Economist, revealed: Even as new technology rewires the financial services industry, at heart it is a people business and always will be. The race to attract and train bright, talented people with the skills needed to drive fintech innovation will define which firms prosper most from that innovation. I am greatly looking forward to hearing about how our panel is faring in this race.

Other sessions curated by Economist Impact address the future of finance and the evolving role of central banks, the potential of super-apps and instant payment platforms dominating Asia to overtake traditional systems, plus discussions examining the landscape across the Middle East, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges for foreign investment companies.

As for October 12, with a diverse array of engaging panel discussions FF23 will continue its momentum in propelling fintech dialogue and innovation on day 2 of the event.

FF23 is set to host an exceptional lineup of industry pioneers for its second day. Paulo Goulao, a Partner at Bring, and Tariq Sanad, CFO of Tarabut Gateway, will explore the transformative potential of open banking and embedded finance, emphasising financial inclusivity. Dania Al Showaikh, Co-Founder of Daleel, will guide the discussion. Additionally, Yanal Jallad, Managing Director of Reboot Coding Institute, and Bruno Martins, Associate Partner at Technology Consulting KPMG, will share strategies for nurturing tech talent in the Developing the Next Generation of Tech Talent panel.

Feedback-driven approaches

Ahmed Fouad Radhi, General Manager of SNIC Insurance, and Frederik Bisbjerg, representing Beyon Digital, will delve into leveraging technology and feedback-driven approaches to redefine and enhance the overall policyholder journey. Their insights will provide valuable perspectives for attendees keen on understanding the evolving paradigm of customer-centric insurance.

The day will explore critical topics such as open banking, nurturing tech talent, customer-centric insurance, identifying scalable startups, regulatory technology, and the future of digital payments. These discussions promise to offer valuable insights into the evolving fintech landscape.-- TradeArabia News Service
The United States and Germany remain partners around the world on all the issues that matter to our people in this moment, at this time, stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a recent press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Both leaders discussed Russias ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. Germany is the second largest provider of support to Ukraine in the world after the United States Secretary Blinken noted:

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. And that support is being manifested in everything that were doing right now to help Ukraine as it prosecutes the counteroffensive to take back more of its territory.

To help Ukraine recover economically, the United States has named Penny Pritzker, former secretary of Commerce, as special representative to work closely with Germany, the European Union, and G7 partners to promote public and private-sector investment in Ukraine.

Both Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Baerbock strongly urged 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.

The people who are suffering the most are in developing countries. Greater food scarcity, rising prices for everyone, even those countries that were not directly getting the food from Ukraine  and we know, of course, that most of the grain getting out of Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative was going to developing countries. ... Of course, we continue to work on alternate routes to get grain out of Ukraine.

The United States and Germany also share their approach to China, said Secretary Blinken:

Both of us, among other things, share the goal when it comes to our economic relationships of de-risking, not decoupling. ... Were also very much aligned in our support for peace and stability, and maintaining the status quo when it comes to Taiwan, as well as throughout the region.

Germany remains a critical NATO ally and is fulfilling its Vilnius commitments on alliance capabilities.

The United States looks forward to continuing its mutually beneficial relationship with Germany for many years to come.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 37F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.
A project on which Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Tulsa-Based ClearSign Technologies Corporation are collaborating has been awarded more than $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to scale-up an ultra-low-NOx hydrogen-powered industrial burner prototype, and introduce this technology to industries in Southern California.

This preliminary award was part of $126 million awarded to 106 projects the Department of Energy announced to help small businesses like ClearSign address multiple mission areas across the DOE, including clean energy and decarbonization, cybersecurity and grid reliability, fusion energy, and nuclear nonproliferation. SoCalGas will be providing an additional $500,000 to help fund the project and to field demonstrate the technology in Southern California. The burner is designed to operate on up to 100% hydrogen and to help decarbonize hard-to-electrify, high-heat industrial processes.

"This exciting and innovative project offers a look at how hydrogen can play a vital role in helping industries in California start down the path to net zero through technology that allows the transition to clean fuels," said Neil Navin, SoCalGas Chief Clean Fuels Officer. "Investments in clean fuel technologies like this will be key in providing hard-to-decarbonize industries the means to reach net zero quickly and affordably."

"We are extremely pleased to receive this support from the forward-looking team at SoCalGas. Our collaboration with SoCalGas provides not just additional financial support, but also their engagement with us in moving the energy transition forward in California, and making our ClearSign Core technologies part of the technical portfolio available to all the industries that SoCalGas serves" said Jim Deller, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ClearSign.

"Big ideas become realities in the labs, workshops, factories, and plants of America's small businesses," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, in announcing the $126 million in grants. "Small businesses tackle monumental issues all over the country, including climate change. DOE's small business grants help companies across the country to develop the technologies, products, and infrastructure we will need for the transition to clean energy."

The ClearSign project set out to build a process burner, which provides high heat in a number of industrial uses. It can run on natural gas, natural gas blended with hydrogen or pure hydrogen, and cuts down on NOx emissions from combustion.

Phase One of the collaboration has already seen the completion and deployment of a prototype process burner that successfully integrated hydrogen and hydrogen blends while maintaining ultra-low NOx output. Phase Two, which will occur over the next two years, will entail scaling up the size of the burner to four times its prototype size and deploying it in real-world industrial settings where high heat is required.

SoCalGas has made clean energy innovations designed to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors a key component of its efforts to help California achieve net zero by 2045. To that end, SoCalGas is working to develop Angeles Link, a proposed green hydrogen pipeline system to serve Southern and Central California. The project, which could be the nation's largest green hydrogen pipeline system, could help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electric generation, industrial processes, and other hard-to-electrify sectors of the California economy.

SoCalGas is also working to help the state of California develop a hydrogen blending standard through pilot projects, to help better understand how clean fuels like renewable hydrogen could be delivered at scale through California's existing natural gas system.

For more information about SoCalGas' hydrogen innovation, visit http://socalgas.com/hydrogen.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transition providing electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego.

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions with respect to the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "contemplates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "can," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "in process," "construct," "develop," "opportunity," "initiative," "target," "outlook," "optimistic," "poised," "maintain," "continue," "progress," "advance," "goal," "aim," "commit," or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategy, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, intentions or expectations.

Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include risks and uncertainties relating to: decisions, investigations, inquiries, regulations, denials or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions by (i) the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S. Department of Energy, and other governmental and regulatory bodies and (ii) the U.S. and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein where we do business; the success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks in (i) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (ii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, and (iii) obtaining the consent or approval of third parties; litigation, arbitrations and other proceedings, and changes to laws and regulations; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure, all of which have become more pronounced due to recent geopolitical events; our ability to borrow money on favorable terms and meet our obligations, including due to (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook or (ii) rising interest rates and inflation; failure of our counterparties to honor their contracts and commitments; the impact on affordability of our customer rates and our cost of capital and on our ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices and (ii) the cost of the clean energy transition in California; the impact of climate and sustainability policies, laws, rules, regulations, disclosures and trends, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and our ability to incorporate new technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the pipeline system or limitations on the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; changes in tax and trade policies, laws and regulations, including tariffs, revisions to international trade agreements and sanctions, any of which may increase our costs, reduce our competitiveness, impact our ability to do business with certain counterparties, or impair our ability to resolve trade disputes; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.

These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra's website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.

Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energetica Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company or Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.
Faimon Roberts III covers rural communities in Louisiana. His work is supported by a reporting grant from the Microsoft Journalism Initiative and is administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

He can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.
From left, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks, as Southern University president-Chancellor Dennis J. Shields, Louisiana U.S. Congressman Troy A. Carter, La. Gov. John Bel Edwards and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman react to a humorous remark by Vilsack, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 on the SU Bluff at a press conference hosted by Carter to discuss USDA and SBA initiatives to expand equity in economic opportunity.
ELKO  A school policy on diverse gender identities or expressions required by the Nevada Legislature passed on second reading with little fanfare, but Elko County School District trustees amended another policyon student discipline that covers discrimination and bullying before final passage.

The student discipline policy is a lengthy update of an earlier version to reflect legislative requirements, but Trustee Brooke Ballard raised concerns about the appeals process that as written ends with the director of secondary or elementary education before a final appeal to the Nevada Board of Education.

She said that a requirement that the district superintendent is the final step before an appeal to the state board would give parents more options and ease the chances of the state board saying the district was at fault.

I just feel that the appeal process should not stop at the director of secondary or elementary education, then go straight to writing a complaint to the Department of Education, Ballard said.

Trustee Dr. Joshua Byers questioned how a complaint would go all the way to the state without the superintendent knowing, anyway, and he thought the superintendent had enough on his plate without involvement in every complaint.

Hope Squad program coming to schools ELKO  Hope Squad will be operational in the upcoming school year, bringing hope to Elko County School District administrators, teachers, advi

Superintendent Clayton Anderson said the state statute says that basically I would, or my designee, would hear an appeal if a parent is not satisfied with the site-level decision. I just designated someone else to take care of this.

He said it would be rather cumbersome and would drastically change the way my job works if I had to do all the investigating and fact-finding.

Trustee Matt McCarty came up with an amendment that within 10 school days following a contact meeting between the director of secondary or elementary education, the director will inform the superintendent of the decision and then inform the parents.

The director has five days to meet with the parents before the 10-day window.

Ballard agreed, and the amendment passed unanimously, and then the full policy was approved after a minor tweak McCarty proposed that takes out the word the disciplinary police because there are multiple disciplinary policies.

A third policy up for adoption on Sept. 19 was regarding guidance over video surveillance. Anderson said the video policy is necessary because federal funds are being used to install cameras at all district locations, but the draft didnt take into consideration that school buses have audio as well.

That policy was tabled for revisions to include cameras and audio.

School district considering policy on diverse gender identities Superintendent Anderson said a big part of the school districts new safety programs is installation of cameras throughout the district, and that surveillance must be balanced to protect individual privacy.

Concerning the diverse identities policy, the school board approved the policy that remains word for word what the state requires, calling for training of all employees and trustees concerning the needs of students and development of an individualized plan to address student needs.

The policy also states that employees, volunteers, or students cannot be disciplined for failure to refer to a student using a name or pronoun identified by the parent or guardian unless that use constitutes bullying or cyber-bulling or violates any other ECSD policy.

The identities policy additionally calls for the school administration to set up a team to develop the individualized plan and that team will include the student, parent, a representative of a community-based group chosen by the parent or guardian, and one or more school staff members.

The school board additionally approved without changes a policy for retention of public records.
ELKO  There is definitely some need for some growth into a new space, and that will only grow as the years go by, said Mandy Boam, lead interior designer for HA Architects, talking about the justice and district courts as part of a report on a needs assessment now being completed by HA and KMB Architects for Elko County.

Brian Coleman, senior associate for HA Architects and manager for the county assessment project, said in the preliminary report to Elko County Commissioners that he expects a draft of their report done by the end of October or early November, and the final report ready by the middle of November.

Chairman Rex Steninger said there will need to be a public presentation of the report, and commissioners will want public feedback.

We need public buy-in before we proceed on that, he said.

At this point, HA Architects and KMB Architects are proposing a new, almost 70,000-square-foot building on Court Street for the district and justice courts, keeping the recently remodeled former Washington Federal bank building that now houses one district court, but for the public defender offices instead.

They also looked at tearing down the older building that was once the county library across from the Nannini building now housing the public defenders and putting up a new building for technology staff and buildings and grounds, along with more parking.

Boam said the architects have reached the point of developing conceptual plans for the new justice building, and we also looked at other county departments. She said other departments could relocate within the current courthouse, the Nannini Building and annex to have more space.

She also said a steering committee of county officials, judges and department heads is helping us stay kind of within the guardrail and to help with big decisions.

On the top of the list was security, Boam told commissioners on Sept. 6, including for judges, juries, witnesses, and the public.

Bill Valdez, a judicial expert, and planner with KMB, said the architects looked at a 30-year planning horizon for nine different departments, including the Elko County Sheriffs Department and the county juvenile detention facility, which were consulted about prisoner transportation needs to the new justice center.

The proposed new justice and district court building could include a garage under part of the building for law enforcement needs, he said.

Elko County purchased the former Wright Motor Co. properties last year to make room for expansion.

Buildings get graded

Coleman said the needs assessment included grading the condition of existing buildings and their potential for revitalization, and work has started on code planning that looks at heating and air conditioning systems, roofs, sprinkler systems, accessibility and fire alarms.

Steninger was surprised that the 54-year-old bank buildings grade was only a C after the remodeling for a court, and Coleman said that was because the HVAC system can no longer be repaired if it breaks down but would need to be replaced.

So, we spent $1 million and the air conditioner doesnt work, Steninger said.

It works now, Coleman said, also telling commissioners that for the most part the county has good buildings, with an average age of 55 years.

The report shows that in addition to the C grade for the remodeled bank building, the 112-year-old courthouse received a D; the 81-year-old public defenders office, called the George Boucher building, a C grade; the 44-year-old annex building, B grade; the 12-year-old Nannini building, grade A; the facilities office that is 73 years old, C; and the 12-year-old facilities shop, B.

The architects didnt single out the problems in the basement of the current courthouse, but Elko Justice Court employees told commissioners earlier this year that there isnt enough airflow, office space is cramped, and there have been sewer smells, snow-melt leaks, flooding from sprinklers left on overnight, and asbestos found in a floor.

In the presentation, Coleman said the assessment gave the architects a basic understanding and combined with meetings with users, so that now we can start playing with the puzzle pieces of where all the departments will be landing.

Boam said the architects and steering committee looked at options and option one is what we landed on.

Courthouse staff deal with unpleasant working conditions The Elko County Courthouse's 113-year-old basement that houses the Justice Court is facing water leaks, asbestos and overcrowding, prompting staff and judges to look to County Commissioners for a solution ahead of a new judicial center.

Option one

In option one, there is the new three-story building for the justice and district courts and their chambers and offices, and to the south, the bank building stays, and the public defender moves into the bank building, while information technology and buildings and grounds will be where the current public defenders have their offices.

A map of option one shows that the county clerk, treasurer, and recorder offices would be in the current courthouse. The Nannini building would house the district attorney and child support offices, human resources, community development and administration storage, and the annex would house the county assessors offices.

Valdez said that currently Sixth Street is vacated, so we are looking at taking advantage of that. He said there could be a plaza and sidewalks to link buildings, and he said the plan provides for a net parking increase.

There also could be parking at Seventh and Idaho streets at the back of the public library for staff parking or juror parking, Valdez said.

Commissioner Jon Karr said he was adamant about keeping trees and greenery in the location where the old building would be torn down, but he had no problem with tearing down the building. I dont believe its historic.

Whats the estimated life of the building? Its hard to justify tearing down a building, Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi said after the Sept. 6 presentation.

He also told the architects that we own both sides of Seventh Street, which could be vacated for parking, but fenced parking on Idaho just doesnt feel aesthetically pleasing to me.

There are a lot of vacant buildings. Did you look in that direction? Steninger asked, and Coleman said they did look at the Wells Fargo building and could put that in the final report.

The architects said they could come up with a cost estimate based on square footage for the proposed justice building when the final report is completed.

Their needs assessment project doesnt cover building designs and construction estimates, however.

Commissioners had prioritized construction of a new judicial building and the proposed recreation and events center in Elko with 50 cents out of the former 75-cent pay-as-you-go school construction tax that was defeated in 2020, but they decided in June to spend $4 million on a jail expansion that they said was needed immediately.

County Manager Amanda Osborne said the needs assessment cost is $95,843, with an additional $10,000 in potential reimbursable expenses.
At the first-of-its-kind trilateral meeting of Chinese, Russian and Mongolian senior representatives, consensus was reached in key areas including security affairs, advancing stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia, building on multilateralism and boosting the synergy of development strategies.

"The three sides highly valued the results of their cooperation so far and agreed to further work closely together to jointly maintain regional security and stability," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

At the meeting, which was held in Moscow on Tuesday, the three sides discussed arrangements for regularly holding such meetings among the three nations, the ministry said.

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, attended the meeting.

Also present were Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council.

Analysts noted that the three countries are important players in Northeast Asia, an economically dynamic region that faces a number of hot spot issues and serious challenges.

Wang said that China, Russia and Mongolia are friendly neighbors and partners, and strengthening trilateral cooperation "serves the common interests of the three countries and also helps build on consensus for the region's development".

He emphasized the need to deepen political mutual trust, give full play to the three nations' complementary advantages, accelerate the construction of the China-Russia-Mongolia Economic Corridor, and bring more benefits to their peoples.

Patrushev said the three countries should work together to resist external interference, avert color revolutions, adhere to multilateralism and build a just and reasonable international order.

Enkhbayar said that building on the good-neighborly relations and cooperation with China and Russia is the primary direction of Mongolia's diplomacy, adding that his country opposes unilateralism and taking sides based on ideology.

At the meeting, the three nations also agreed that they will take the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, to be held next month in Beijing, as an opportunity to strengthen the synergy among the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Russia's Eurasian Economic Union and Mongolia's Prairie Road vision.

Also on Tuesday, Wang and Patrushev co-chaired the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultations in Moscow.

The two sides agreed to hold China-Russia strategic stability consultations at an appropriate time to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement security, nonproliferation and global governance of emerging science and technology.

In a separate bilateral meeting with Enkhbayar on Tuesday, Wang said that China is willing to deepen security cooperation and "provide solid guarantees" for the common development of China and Mongolia and for regional peace and stability.

Enkhbayar said that Mongolia faithfully pursues a friendly policy with China and honors the one-China principle, and his country adheres to multilateralism and is willing to strengthen security cooperation with China, given the volatile international situation.
Despite global condemnation, Japan began dumping the radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power into the sea on Aug 24, and recently Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the damaged Fukushima plant, announced that the first round of the release of the "treated" nuclear-contaminated water was completed on Sept 11.

With the rapid development of the global economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for energy continues to increase. And thanks to the development of science and nuclear technology, nuclear power is now considered a safe, reliable and clean source of energy. In fact, by the end of 2022, there were about 422 nuclear power units operating in more than 30 countries that were generating huge amounts of electricity.

In general, water is used to cool down the reactors of nuclear power plants, and the wastewater thus generated is normally safe. But in Japan, the nuclear reactors' core melted after seawater from the earthquake-triggered tsunami entered and damaged the plant. So severe was the meltdown that it burned through the protective shell, causing nuclear fuel and waste to enter the wastewater and lead to nuclear pollution.

Normal nuclear wastewater and nuclear-contaminated water are fundamentally different. But in its official documents, the Japanese government calls the radioactive water from the tsunami-devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant "treated nuclear wastewater".

Considering all the scientific disposal options, discharging the radioactive water into the sea is the worst choice because it will damage the marine environment and ecology. The nuclear-contaminated water from the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island nuclear plants after the accidents, the worst in history, was disposed of through atmospheric discharge.

There is no precedence of discharging radioactive water directly into the ocean. Dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is the cheapest and most convenient option for Japan, which will negatively affect the whole world. More important, the oceans are the common property of humankind, not Japan's "sewers".

By dumping the radioactive water into the sea, the Japanese government has not only exhibited arrogance but also disregarded global public opinion and violated international laws and norms. The sad fact is that if Japan does not comply with the international laws and conventions, other countries can only condemn and criticize it.

Japan has been spending huge amounts of money to build favorable global and domestic opinions about its decision, and enticing international organizations to endorse its action. It has twisted the International Atomic Energy Agency assessment report to claim it has the green light from the global nuclear body to execute its plan to dump the radioactive water into the sea.

Japan has used the IAEA's specious assessment report to cover up its immoral act. In order to deceive people, Japan claims the radioactive water, after being "treated", is harmless and even drinkable. If that is so, why doesn't Japan use the water at least in its manufacturing and agriculture sectors, instead of dumping it into the sea?

The specific nature of some of the nuclides in the radioactive water means many of them will spread with the currents and across the oceans, contaminating the entire marine ecosystem. Japan's action is therefore selfish, irresponsible and a threat to people around the world, especially people in its neighboring countries. Worse, the damage caused by the contamination of the oceans could be irreversible and, hence, should sound the alarm for the international community.

As the only country in the world to have suffered a nuclear attack, Japan should have a deeper understanding of nuclear radiation and the nuclear hazards it creates for people in the country and beyond. But the Japanese government has not displayed any such understanding. Rather, it has used a series of lies to justify its decision to dump the radioactive water into the sea.

Disregarding the opposition of its neighboring countries and the international community, Japan has completed the first round of radioactive water discharge in violation of all international laws. The United States-led West claims to be the global leader in environmental protection, yet it has not said a word against Japan's marine-ecosystem damaging action, exposing its hypocrisy on environmental protection. The leader of the Republic of Korea opposition party has been hunger striking for 21 days, while China has stopped imports of Japanese aquatic products.

The oceans both divide and connect the continents. So their health is critical to the health of the planet and all living beings, including humans. The safety of the marine ecosystem is a common challenge facing humanity, which is related to not only the global environment and ecology but also the health of people across the world.

The United Nations, the international community, and Japan's neighboring countries need to address this crisis by passing strict, or strengthening the existing, environmental laws that have provisions of holding accountable those violating environmental laws and contaminating the marine ecosystem.

John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, visited Beijing recently to discuss with Chinese leaders how to build a joint front with China to fight climate change. He emphasized that without China's participation, it is not possible to mitigate climate change, which is necessary to build a better future for humankind. Therefore, we urge Kerry to prompt the US administration to exert its influence on Japan to abandon its radioactive water discharge plan and explore better, eco-friendly ways to dispose of it.
Luckiest Girl Alive author Jessica Knoll's latest novel was inspired by Ted Bundy's murders of two sorority sisters at Florida State University in 1978.

Media coverage often mentions Bundy's so-called charm and good looks as an oxymoron to his crimes. Instead of romanticizing the killer, Knoll's Bright Young Women" is a tribute to victims and survivors.

A docu-series about Bundy on Netflix called  Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes," was the impetus for the novel. Knoll was floored by an episode that included the judges description of Bundy at his sentencing, where he was complimentary of the convicted killer. Knoll looked up the court transcripts and was disturbed by the full picture.

He called Bundy a bright young man,'" recalled Knoll. "(Bundy) rambled on for like 30 or 45 minutes before the judge said, Youre a bright young man. You could have done all these things with your life, but you went another way. And when you read what Ted Bundy said, what he rambled on about, I was like, This was your bright young man, judge?

 Bright Young Women  follows fictional FSU student Pamela, who sees a man fleeing her sorority house in the middle of the night. It's discovered that two of her sorority sisters were murdered, and two others were brutally attacked.

The dates of the attacks, the dates of the trial, the locations, things like that are all based on real events, explained Knoll, who also modeled a chilling scene in her book off of real-life, when her fictional defendant, acting as one of his own attorneys, deposes Pamela. Bundy also deposed witnesses in his trial.

He brought those sorority sisters down to a jail cell and was able to depose them because he was representing himself," said Knoll. Thats actually illegal now. Its a violation of the victims' rights. But at the time, it would have been a violation of his rights for the women to refuse to be deposed by him.

Knoll is also quick to clarify that Bundy was not the only attorney on his defense team believing history sometimes overlooks that fact, giving him too much credit. He had a whole counsel. He would have drowned trying to defend himself on his own, she said.

Bundy, who is believed to have killed at least 30 women, was executed in 1989.

Knoll's research included meeting with Kathy Kleiner, one of the women attacked by Bundy in the Chi Omega sorority house, while she was sleeping. She later testified at his trial. Kleiner is the first person thanked by Knoll in the acknowledgements for Bright Young Women.

I was blown away by, first of all, how generous she was to give me her time and to speak to me," said Knoll. "She was very candid and vulnerable, but at the same time, shes a very happy-go-lucky person, and she married her soul mate and has a beautiful life. She was really adamant from a very young age, that this was not going to define her, and she was not going to be afraid for the rest of her life."

Knoll has also demonstrated resilience to the unthinkable. Her debut novel, Luckiest Girl Alive is about a woman confronting the trauma of being sexually assaulted as a teen at a party. Knoll is also a rape survivor with a similar experience and says an objective of Bright Young Women was to say something "about the grit of survivors, which is something that I have personal experience with too.

Luckiest Girl Alive was adapted into a film starring Mila Kunis that debuted last fall on Netflix. Knoll wrote the screenplay and was a co-executive producer. Her second novel, The Favorite Sister, will also be made into a TV series, which Knoll helped to write.

Knoll, along with authors Zakiya Dalila Harris, Jenny Han and Laura Dave, are recent examples of authors who have written their own adaptations.

Its my opinion that when an author is involved in an adaptation, I think it is almost always a more successful final product.
Community Health System will offer Stop the Stumble risk screening across Northwest Indiana on Friday.

The health care systems physical therapists and occupational therapists will meet with the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at its hospitals to help people assess their risk of falling and offer tips to keep them from hurting themselves.

The event will take place at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe at 9950 Calumet Ave. in Munster, Community Hospital Outpatient Center St. John at 9660 Wicker Ave. in St. John, Community Stroke & Rehabilitation Center at 10215 Broadway in Crown Point, St. Catherine Hospital at 4321 Fir St. in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center Portage Health Center II at 3545 Arbors Blvd. in Portage.

The risk of falls increases as we age. Slips, trips and tumbles can be more dangerous than they might seem and can cause a multitude of injuries, some of them life-threatening, Community Healthcare System said in a press release. Community Healthcare Systems physical and occupational therapists want to help you determine your risk of falling and provide tips to decrease your chances of hurting yourself.

The therapists will observe attendees balance, gait and strength to determine their risk of falling.

Call 219-703-2055 to register for a free screening, which takes about 15 minutes.
EAST CHICAGO  Police serving a warrant early Thursday for a gun charge were reportedly confronted by an angry mob, resulting in the arrests of two women, including one who allegedly yelled to officers, Im a slap the (expletive) out of yall.

State, county and city police said around 7 a.m. they executed a search warrant in the 600 block of 149th Place and had taken resident Adonius Sesson, 20, into custody on a warrant for felony possession of a firearm/machine gun.

This search warrant was the result of a weekend of shots being fired in that area, police said. On September 16, 2023, from approximately 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., we had a total of 94 shots fired in that area. Nobody was injured, but numerous cars and houses were struck by gunfire.

While officers searched the site, an angry group began to assemble nearby, police said.

A few people in the group became disorderly and began to use profanity towards officers and threatened to do bodily harm toward officers on scene, police said.

One woman, later identified as Latayazia Washington, 25 of Gary, yelled at officers and then fled on foot before she was taken into custody on charges of intimidation, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Portage man given 8 years in child porn case involving filming girl in bathroom, court says An investigator asked Gilmer if he has ever been hands-on with a child, a court document says. Gilmer stated he has not and said he would take a polygraph.

A second woman, who allegedly charged toward officers and began to interfere with the arrest of Washington, was also taken into custody, police said.

The second woman was identified by police as Tanazia Washington, 26, of East Chicago. Tanazia Washington faces counts of resisting law enforcement and interference.

The investigation into why the shooting occurred is still ongoing, but a message needed to be sent to the involved parties that we will not tolerate this type of illegal activity, police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact detective Miguel Pena at 219-391-8318 or at mpena@eastchicago.com.
Crown Point Community School Corp. Superintendent Todd Terrill provided an update during Monday's school board meeting on the cybersecurity breach that occurred last November, causing the school district to cancel classes for one day and ultimately costing the school corporation and its insurance provider about $1 million.

According to the superintendent, Crown Point schools discovered someone accessed their networks Nov. 21. They later found out someone first gained access to their system Nov. 17.

At first, the school district's technology team found encrypted files on their servers. At that point they took all their systems offline, Terrill said.

The school district then retained a third-party cybersecurity specialist who confirmed the breach was a ransomware attack.

According to Terrill, the attack occurred after a staff member fell for a phishing email.

After getting in contact with the FBI, Homeland Security and the Indiana Department of Education, the school district made contact with the hackers through the third-party specialist.

A payment was finalized just before students went on winter break with it being made with the assistance of a third-party broker, according to the superintendent.

Terrill said that since the ransom was paid, student and staff information was turned over to the school district instead of being sold online. However, they still had to investigate whether any personal information was accessed in the breach.

In January, Crown Point schools started its investigation. Terrill said no financial information was accessed and most documents affected were Word and Excel files. The investigation lasted until May. At that point, the school district began sending out notifications to those possibly affected. Individuals began receiving letters about the breach in late July.

The superintendent also outlined the steps Crown Point schools have taken to upgrade its technology, which includes required phishing and cybersecurity training for its staff, a new software system, a more secure firewall and requiring stronger passwords from staff and students.

In total, the ransom payment, technology updates and payments to the specialists and legal teams cost the school district $1 million, according to Terrill. He mentioned most, if not all of the cost, excluding the ransom payment, would be covered by the school corporation's insurance.

PHOTOS: New Taft Middle School Nearing Completion
HAMMOND  Financial woes, disputes over Roberts Rule of Orders and public frustrations were all part of the School City of Hammond Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.

Hammond Schools CFO Eric Kurtz gave the school board the districts monthly financial report. Kurtz emphasized the self-insurance fund, which has received $2.4 million in transfers from the education and operating referendum funds to keep it in the positive. He told the board the fund needed assistance.

Do you think theres enough money in there until the end of the year? Trustee Cindy Murphy asked Kurtz.

No, Kurtz said.

The CFO told the board the self-insurance balance has been underfunded, and he advised the budget more into the fund.

Kurtz mentioned the district considered looking into switching to a fully insured plan but, according to him, it would cost them $2 million to $3 million more.

Another point of emphasis was the operations fund, which Kurtz noted was more than 16% over budget.

Murphy asked Kurtz how the school district was going to correct the overspending problem. The CFO noted much of it would rest on the results of the November operating referendum vote, and if the district would have to cut its budget by up to $20 million, given the referendum accounts for $15 million in the districts revenue, and federal ESSER funds will so run out.

Trustee Carlotta Blake-King asked why Kurtz hadnt considered presenting the school board with spending cuts following Hammond Schools officials' meeting with the Distressed Unit Appeals Board on Aug. 8.

Lets cut some of the fat out of this budget, Blake-King said.

The board trustee noted she believed some services that have been outsourced, such as substitute teacher services, could be done in-house. Murphy noted the company, Kelly Education, has had a high rate of filled substitute positions so far this year. The school board agreed to reevaluate Kelly Educations performance at the start of next year.

The biggest point of contention in the meeting surrounded a board policy revision. The policy in question pertains to board members' ability to participate in meetings remotely. According to the rule, a board member can only attend two consecutive meetings remotely. A board member must then attend a member in person in order to be able to participate remotely once again.

Blake-King said executive session meetings should not count toward the two-meeting limit, citing a recommendation from Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Murphy stated the state legislature has defined what constitutes a meeting, which includes executive sessions, something the school boards attorney reaffirmed as well.

Following several minutes of confusion, Murphy moved to pass the policy revisions, and then Blake-King made a motion to table it. The board attorney then told the trustees that Blake-King could not make a motion to table the agenda item until they resolved the motion to approve it. Board President Lisa Miller told the attorney she disagreed with her. A five-minute recess was then called to figure out the procedural conundrum.

After the recess, which actually lasted nearly 25 minutes, Miller advised Blake-King she needed to modify her motion to table to include a specific date, which Blake-King adjusted to the next regular school board meeting on Oct. 17. Murphy urged her fellow board members not to postpone the policy revision, noting there were no significant changes to the policy.

However, Blake-King claimed the policy was meant to target her and prevent her from attending meetings virtually.

The motion to table failed by a 3-2 vote. The policy was eventually approved by the board, 3-2.

During the public comment section at the end of the meeting, frustrations were raised about Scott Middle School, student schedule changes and the apparent animosity and dysfunction on the school board.

One parent, Kelly Miller, said she received a last-minute notification from the middle school on Friday, informing her there was an emergency E-learning day due to the teacher call offs. The parent said when her daughter checked, no lessons were posted online.

Rina Horgan, a Hammond schools teacher, said teachers did leave lesson plans. However, with the schedules of students changing, many students werent able to access their lesson plans.

According to one speaker, one of her children has had their schedule changed eight times. She also told the board that until she knew where the previous referendum funding went, they wont get another dime from her.

The next School City of Hammond Board of Trustees meeting is on Oct. 3, which is a public works session.

PHOTOS: New sand volleyball courts in Hammond Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts Ribbon cutting ceremony for new sand volleyball courts
New parents embark on a lifelong journey thats initially fraught with uncertainty, unfamiliarity, newness and many questions.

But they can get some answers and reassurance about how to keep their little one safe and sound at an upcoming baby shower in Michigan City.

Franciscan Health Michigan City will host a free Way to Grow baby shower for parents both new and expecting early next month.

The hospital at 3500 Franciscan Way just off the Franklin Street exit on Interstate 94 in Michigan City will offer the public tours of its Family Birth Center, giveaways and general education about parenting, such as how to keep kids safely strapped in car seats.

The Way to Grow baby shower will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the Maria Theresia Conference Room of the hospital just off the interstate highway in north LaPorte County.

Attendees can learn about proper prenatal care, safe sleep practices, car seat installation, car seat best practices and community resources that will be available to them as parents. There will be refreshments and a raffle to win a TAVO Next Stroller, which can be used to transport kids around to and fro from birth until they grow to 50 pounds.

The Way to Grow baby shower is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

For more information or to register, call 1-800-931-3322 or visit www.franciscanhealth.org.
The homebuilder Andrew Means was a trailblazer in Gary, constructing the first neighborhood of middle-class homes for African-Americans in the Steel City during the era of segregation.

He built more than 2,000 homes all across Gary but his crowning achievement was considered the Means Manor neighborhood, a collection of mid-century modern brick bungalows by Roosevelt High School.

Yejide Ekunkonye, the Say Yes to Means community group and Indiana Landmarks are working to get the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Indiana Landmarks also is working to renovate the Geter Means House on 2044 Monroe Lane in Gary, a prominent home near the historic neighborhood's entrance that was listed as one of the 10 Most Endangered Landmarks in Indiana.

"We recently purchased the house and started exterior rehabilitation to preserve it," Indiana Landmarks Northwest Field Office Director Blake Swihart said. "It basically needed some help. It was abandoned and neglected."

Means, a native of a Montgomery, Alabama suburb, founded the Means Brothers Construction company with his brother Geter Means. He worked to ensure Black people could get into homes, knowing they had a more challenging path to homeownership, Swihart said.

He often had to lend homebuyers the money if they were denied loans by the banks.

"He built African American housing in a time of Jim Crow," Ekunkonye said. "He had to be creative with the financing to get people into the homes he built."

Means Brothers Construction grew into one of the largest African-American-owned real estate firms in the Midwest. It did more than $1 million in business.

"He was contracted by the Gary Housing Company to develop homes across Gary," she said.

He was a Tuskegee Institute graduate who studied under George Washington Carver and college president Booker T. Washington, who he honored with a life-sized statue outside the since-razed Washington Terrace Apartments in Gary.

Means went on to serve in the U.S. Army and then was part of the Great Migration that went from the South to the Steel City for employment opportunities at the bustling Gary Works mill that always needed new workers. Means realized there wasn't enough housing in the segregated portions of Gary where African-Americans lived.

So, while still a steelworker, he and his brother started their homebuilding company with little more than "a kitchen table, a borrowed typewriter, and $90 in capital," according to Indiana Landmarks.

Indiana Landmarks said Means ended up "providing access to quality housing for the burgeoning black middle class in Gary, and leaving an indelible mark on the citys landscape and architectural legacy." They constructed 11 different subdivisions and apartment complexes, employing Black workers to do the labor.

"He was contracted by the Gary Housing Company to develop homes across Gary," she said.

In the 1950s, he started building the Means Manor near the Theodore Roosevelt High School that educated Black students in Gary's Midtown neighborhood during the era of segregation. He built 200 houses in the subdivision in a number of styles like ranch, split-level and minimal traditional. The homes were built on large lots with driveways, sidewalks and tree-lined streets but were modestly priced between $12,000 and $75,000 to appeal to middle-class African-American homebuyers of that era.

"He believed that middle-class Blacks should be homeowners at a time when the country was very segregated," Swihart said. "He believed they deserved to have nice housing. He built them high-quality housing. At the time the city was red-lined and they had less desirable neighborhoods with no running water or plumbing. Means Manor was one of the first neighborhoods built for the Black citizens of Gary. It was for families and professionals."

It included larger homes for Means and his brother, who lived in a large ranch at the neighborhood's southern entrance.

But the Geter Means House, a mid-century modern ranch house that went up in 1954, became rundown over the years. Ekunkonye and volunteers cleaned it up last year.

Her father lived in one of the first houses built in Means Manor in 1952 and that personal connection inspired her to work to preserve the neighborhood.

Her Say Yes to Means group enlisted the help of Indiana Landmarks, which secured grant funding to save the home.

The house is an average 1950s ranch that's typical of its era but it's notable more for the history than the architecture, Swihart said.

"It's well-built but it's not going to turn any heads," he said. "But socially and culturally it has a lot of meaning, which is why we're making sure to save it."

The home had a hipped roof, limestone cladding and a lot of open space on the inside for entertaining.

"You can tell the person who built it had more resources than the neighbors but it's not ostentatious," he said. "It's very reminiscent of the era. It had been neglected and abandoned with break-ins and vandalism. We're rehabilitating the roof and the exterior but we need a preservation-minded buyer to take over the house and take it from there. The inside isn't terrible. There aren't too many concerns."

Means' impact extended beyond real estate development. He helped found the Gary Urban League, helped integrate the Marquette Park beach and served on the board of the Gary Chamber of Commerce. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP who supported the Sojourner Truth House and many other causes.

"He was a great real estate developer but his legacy went beyond real estate development," she said. "He believed in giving back to the community. He believed it wasn't enough to be rich and successful if you didn't give back to the community."

For more information, visit SayYestoMeans.org.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
Local funding is being put in place to complete 10 miles of the Marquette Greenway Trail in Gary, Portage, Michigan City and New Buffalo  a significant eastern portion of what ultimately will be a 60-mile recreational trail from Chicago to southwest Michigan.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on Thursday approved interlocal agreements that commit Gary to contribute $2.4 million and Michigan City to contribute $1.6 million to project segments that have estimated costs of $13 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

Garys contribution matches federal funding of $9.6 million and state funding of $1 million, while Michigan Citys contribution matches $4.4 million in federal funding a $543,000 in state funding. The federal funding comes mainly from a 2021 RAISE grant; the state funding from Northwest Indianas stake in the READI program.

Overall, the 10-mile project has an anticipated cost of $26.1 million, with $17.8 million coming from the RAISE grant, $682,000 from other federal funds, $2 million from READI funds and $5.6 million from local matches.

NIRPC had applied for a $23 million RAISE grant so sought other funding sources and cost savings to make up for the lower grant amount it received.

Weve been working pretty much through the last couple years reducing the local match obligation for communities, NIRPC Active Transportation Planner Mitch Barloga told commissioners.

Portage and New Buffalo have executed their interlocal agreements, Barloga said. Portage is contributing $1.3 million, with $3.6 million coming from the RAISE grant and $426,00 from READI funds for its $5.3 million segment. New Buffalo is contributing $299,000 with $976,000 coming from the RAISE grant for its $1.3 million segment.

Once all the agreements are in force, a final agreement with the Federal Highway Administration would release the RAISE money. Local contributions will be spread over two or three years as the project progresses.

Were hoping that the project itself will be finished by 2027 or 28, Barloga said.
Police arrested a man suspected of shooting a stranger he had a gas station altercation with in the face outside a bar in Munster earlier this month.

Federal law enforcement officials with the US Marshals Service Great Lakes Fugitive Task tracked down Marque L. Jackson, a 47-year-old Chicago Ridge resident, to the 2600 block of W. 85th Place in Chicago. He was arrested on a warrant for preliminary charges of Attempted Murder, Level 3 Aggravated Battery, Level 5 Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon and Level 5 Battery resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Munster police were called to the Speedway at 444 Ridge Road in Munster at 4 a.m. on Sept. 2 over a fight that resulted in shots being fired. Officers found a 38-year-old man who was shot in the face when they arrived at the scene.

He was rushed by ambulance to a Chicago hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Investigators with the Munster Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division found the man's girlfriend was talking to Jackson. He confronted Jackson and a fight broke out, according to Munster police.

Jackson retrieved and gun and the man ran across the street to the front patio section of Marko's Bar. He then got in his car, drove there and fired eight times at the man, hitting him in the face, according to police.

Police said Jackson fled the scene and remained at large until the U.S. Marshalls hunted him down and took him into custody.

Jackson now awaits extradition to Indiana.
VALPARAISO  The Porter County Health Department plans to hire a care coordinator with funding received through Senate Enrolled Act 4.

"We are really hoping to implement a care coordinator into our department who will help get patients connected directly to the care they may need," Interim Health Department Administrator Carrie Gschwind said at Tuesday's Porter County Council meeting. "It's part of our connection to care."

Porter County Council members approved the addition of a care coordinator at Tuesday's meeting. The care coordinator, who will make approximately $65,300 per year, will help patients find appropriate resources if their needs cannot be properly assessed at the health department, Gschwind said.

She added the care coordinator can also help ensure a patient is visiting network providers covered by insurance.

Council President Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, asked if there could be a direct line of connection between the care coordinator and the social worker at the sheriff's department. The county health officer, Dr. Maria Stamp, said that is the plan.

The sheriff's department is currently working to organize and utilize Indiana 211. This is a free information and referral service connecting Hoosiers with help and answers from thousands of health and human services agencies, according to the Family and Social Services Administration.

Through 211, local officials have the ability to prioritize options available specifically to Porter County residents.

"We would have the ability through our care coordinator and with the help of the community resource network to help maintain the sites specifically for Porter County," Stamp said. "We're excited about that."

Councilman Ronald "Red" Stone, R-1st, said the care coordinator may also be able to assist the homeless find proper resources in the county. That issue was brought up during the public comment section of Tuesday's meeting.

"I live and work in Valparaiso so I'm able to see the problem getting worse by the day," Dawn Miller said. "What are you as the county council doing to address this?"

"I'm going to defend the county and say that I think we are pretty much leading the rest of the state in resources with people who are challenged by homelessness," Councilman Mike Brickner, R-at large, said. "There are a lot of organizations that work very hard to deal with this very challenging issue."

To find homeless shelters in Porter County, visit shelterlistings.org.

Close Respite House gave Zach Howisen accountability and balance in his life. "It's a safe place for someone to land at who really wants to change their life," he said. A mural on one of the walls in the gym inside Respite House reads, "Before come'n to respite ... we all had pieces missing." Respite House Director Nika Briney has watched Zach Howisen's confidence skyrocket since walking through the recovery center's doors in 2020. "When I first met him he was incredibly insecure, he's so confident now," Briney said. Each resident at Respite House has daily chores to complete around the house. Director Nika Briney said it's a great way to teach residents accountability. A sign in the kitchen of Respite House reads "be a nice human." Respite House was founded by Mitch and Lita Peters to provide a halfway house for men seeking recovery in Valparaiso in 2009. Painted canvases inside of Respite House read "hope" and "recover." Assistant Director Zach Howisen said his favorite group activity to participate in while being a resident was art therapy. Respite House Respite House was founded by Mitch and Lita Peters in Valparaiso in 2009. The halfway house gives men in recovery the opportunity to have a different chance at a different life, Mitch Peters said. Respite House gave Zach Howisen accountability and balance in his life. "It's a safe place for someone to land at who really wants to change their life," he said. A mural on one of the walls in the gym inside Respite House reads, "Before come'n to respite ... we all had pieces missing." Respite House Director Nika Briney has watched Zach Howisen's confidence skyrocket since walking through the recovery center's doors in 2020. "When I first met him he was incredibly insecure, he's so confident now," Briney said. Each resident at Respite House has daily chores to complete around the house. Director Nika Briney said it's a great way to teach residents accountability. A sign in the kitchen of Respite House reads "be a nice human." Respite House was founded by Mitch and Lita Peters to provide a halfway house for men seeking recovery in Valparaiso in 2009. Painted canvases inside of Respite House read "hope" and "recover." Assistant Director Zach Howisen said his favorite group activity to participate in while being a resident was art therapy.
The China-ASEAN Expo has concluded in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China. A gateway to Southeast Asia, Guangxi has become increasingly significant as new infrastructure has more deeply integrated it with neighboring countries of Laos and Vietnam, mainly through the opening of the China-Laos Railway in late 2021. As a result, the expo represented a bonanza for Chinese and regional businesses, which have founded 470 projects with a combined investment of 487.3 billion yuan (about $67.9 billion). Over 65% of that investment came from deals in the manufacturing sector.

With over 2,000 enterprises in attendance, the expo is a reminder that engagement with China is critical to the growth, prosperity, and future of Southeast Asian countries, and even as certain third parties seek to escalate regional tensions, stoke divisions, play up disputes, and assert external dominance over the region's future, it is critical that the bigger picture is not lost from what countries stand to achieve from deeper integration, commercial ties, trade, and investment. The China-ASEAN partnership has become an example of strengthening multilateral cooperation without leaning toward protectionism, unilateralism, or economic nationalism.

China's most important relationship regionally is that with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two parties are neighbors and, as of 2023, constitute each other's largest export markets. Without China and ASEAN, there is no "Asian century," so to speak. The rise of China has provided a golden opportunity for ASEAN nations to further their own economic development by benefitting not only from Chinese inbound investment but also access to its gigantic consumer market, which is the world's largest. This has made economic integration and regionalism between the two imperative.

Numerous free trade agreements have been put into place, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which constitutes the world's largest free trading bloc. In addition, China has also sought to join the Comprehensive Transpacific Partnership (CPTTP). Because of these initiatives, officials have repeatedly spoken to prioritizing "opening up," that is, further bringing down barriers to greater economic integration and participation with neighboring countries. As noted, projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have significantly enhanced the capabilities and logistics of trade, the China-Laos Railway and the subsequent highway being a huge breakthrough, which have also deepened trade and commerce with countries further afield, such as Thailand.

However, this does not mean the waters are calm or that such cooperation does not come with its own challenges. Third-party states seek to break China-ASEAN cooperation through an appeal to escalating geopolitical and military tensions, with the fundamental goal of shattering regional integration and affirming hegemonic dominance over region-wide structures. The U.S., to this end, does not want to see closer China-ASEAN cooperation or economic ties. It has tried to create sub-regional structures designed to promote the fragmentation of supply chains, is using contentious issues in order to promote fear and distrust, and then maximizes its own military footprint accordingly. These issues undermine the fundamental stability, security, and certainty of the region and are intended to sow discord between China and ASEAN states.

Because of this, both sides must stick to the roadmap of diplomacy, peaceful co-existence, good faith resolution, and management of disputes, as well as focus on "mutual gains" in the form of economic engagement. China has been ASEAN's largest trade partner since 2009, while ASEAN has been China's largest trade partner for the past three consecutive years. As the two parties strengthen strategic synergies to facilitate more pragmatic cooperation, more mutual benefits are expected to arise that will ultimately be conducive to regional economic development.
As of April 2023, there are nearly three times as many consumers paying $1,000 or more for their car or truck than in 2019. Experian unpacks the reasons why.
The Biden administration said late Wednesday that it would allow hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans already in the United States to live and work legally in the country for 18 months.

The decision followed intense advocacy by top New York Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and party leaders in Congress. It will affect about 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the country before July 31, temporarily protecting them from removal and waiving a monthslong waiting period for them to seek employment authorization.

In an unusual break with a president of their party, the New York Democrats had argued that the citys social safety net would tear under the weight of more than 110,000 recently arrived migrants unless they were allowed to work and support themselves more quickly.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, said that he made the decision because conditions in Venezuela prevent their safe return but stressed that immigrants who had entered the country since August were not protected and would be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.
Facing pressure from animal rights activists, Anheuser-Busch announced on Wednesday that it had ended the practice of amputating the tails of its Budweiser Clydesdales, the familiar equine figures in the brewing companys advertising campaigns for nearly a century.

The move came as Anheuser-Busch, Budweisers parent company, has faced criticism for the practice, which is banned in several countries and has been denounced as inhumane by animal welfare organizations.

The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority, an Anheuser-Busch spokeswoman said in a statement on Wednesday. The practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch drew criticism after the release of an investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, that documented the amputations at breeding and training facilities for the Budweiser Clydesdales in Missouri.
Four years ago, a young Black man returning home from a store in Aurora, Colo., was confronted by the police, arrested, put in a carotid chokehold, injected with a sedative by paramedics and placed into an ambulance. The entire encounter was over in about 18 minutes, a state prosecutor said. And the young man, Elijah McClain, died several days later.

On Wednesday, two police officers charged in Mr. McClains death faced a jury for the first time in a joint trial. A Colorado state prosecutor said the actions of those officers, Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt, were a betrayal of the oath taken by law enforcement.

Mr. Roedema and Mr. Rosenblatt, violated their oaths, failed their oaths, failed the mandates of their own police department, and ultimately failed Elijah McClain, the prosecutor, Jonathan Bunge, said.

The men are the first of five emergency workers who will be tried in Mr. McClains death. Two more trials follow this one. The three police officers and two paramedics are facing charges in his death including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. All have pleaded not guilty.
The family of a Virginia man who died after he was handcuffed and pinned to the floor by sheriffs deputies and medical staff members for about 11 minutes earlier this year at a state psychiatric hospital has settled a lawsuit for $8.5 million with the state, county and sheriffs office.

The man, Irvo Otieno, 28, who had been experiencing mental health distress on March 3, was taken to jail after the authorities said he assaulted police officers. Three days later, he was taken to Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County, where surveillance video showed a group of Henrico County sheriffs office deputies entering a room, dragging him and forcing him to the floor, where they held him down until his death.

The death led to murder charges and an outpouring of criticism against the deputies and medical staff members, and renewed concerns about how law enforcement agencies respond to people in acute distress.

The lawyers for the family, Mark Krudys and Ben Crump, who also represent the families of Tyre Nichols and George Floyd, said in a joint statement that the family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvos life.
Judge Pauline Newmans colleagues on a federal appeals court in Washington have called her the heroine of the patent system and the most beloved colleague on our court. But on Wednesday, they also told Judge Newman, 96, that she had been suspended amid growing concerns about her mental fitness.

The order suspending Judge Newman for one year followed an unusually bitter and public dispute over her cognitive state and her ability to continue to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, a specialized court that hears patent cases.

Judge Newman, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, has vigorously challenged her colleagues investigation into her fitness and has said she is mentally able to do her job. Earlier this year, she filed a federal lawsuit accusing the chief judge of the court, Kimberly A. Moore, and other colleagues of violating her due process rights.

In the unanimous order, which was issued by the courts active judges, Judge Newmans colleagues wrote that they had no choice but to suspend her, despite her status as a highly valued and respected colleague, widely recognized for her contributions to the court and knowledge of the patent system.
For the past year, Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles city councilman, has been trying to make amends in his diverse and liberal city, hoping to remind voters of the formidable record he had before a secretly taped conversation nearly ended his political career. The campaign has been arduous.

The audio was about as damaging as can be, including his saying that a white colleague displayed his Black son the way a colleague displayed her status handbag, and his failing to challenge deeply offensive and racist remarks by other Latino political figures in the room.

Fellow Democrats, ranging from local activists to President Joe Biden, called for his resignation. Protesters camped outside his house and shouted him down at Council meetings. There have been death threats and an attempted recall.

On Wednesday, however, Mr. de Leon bucked conventional wisdom and announced that he would not only keep serving but also be running in 2024 for another four-year term to represent his predominantly Latino district, which straddles East Los Angeles and downtown.
But he emphasized American ties with India. I can just tell you that our relationship with India remains vitally important not only for the South Asian region but of course for the Indo-Pacific, Mr. Kirby told reporters. Then, shortly after the briefing, the council emailed a statement from another spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, saying: Targeting dissidents in other countries is absolutely unacceptable and we will keep taking steps to push back on this practice.

The killing in Canada spawned second-guessing about Mr. Bidens outreach to India at a time when he has increasingly prioritized bolstering partnerships over full-throated advocacy for democracy. He just visited India this month and on the way back stopped in Hanoi to cement a strategic relationship with Vietnam, a one-party Communist-run state, with barely a mention of repression there. His administration just signed a new security and economic agreement with Bahrain, a tightly controlled monarchy. And last week, it approved $235 million in military aid for Egypt that had been frozen for two years over human rights issues.

They talk a lot about the importance of democracy, Sarah Margon, who was Mr. Bidens original nominee for assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said in an interview on Wednesday. There are important initiatives that have developed to support democracy. But when push comes to shove, what were seeing is that supporting and sustaining democracy does not reach the same level of other geopolitical concerns.

Mr. Biden, who has called the battle between democracy and autocracy the defining struggle of this era, has lately been moving away from that framing. While he used some version of that wording 11 times last year, he has only done so four times this year and not in the past two months, according to a search of Factba.se, a service that records presidential statements.

During his annual address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Biden did not use the democracy-versus-autocracy phrase, as he had in his speech at the world forum a year ago. And rather than casting the war in Ukraine as a battle for democracy, he talked about it in terms of sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom from foreign domination.
A judge in Delaware on Wednesday rejected a request by the presidents son, Hunter Biden, to make his first court appearance remotely, scheduling his arraignment on three gun charges for next week at the federal courthouse in Wilmington.

The decision came a day after Mr. Bidens lawyer announced he would plead not guilty, and just hours after House Republicans grilled Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Justice Departments handling of the case.

Mr. Biden, 53, was indicted last week by David C. Weiss, the U.S. attorney in the case who was elevated to the status of special counsel in August. He faces two charges that he lied about his drug use to purchase a handgun in 2018 and one charge of illegally possessing the weapon, which he had for less than two weeks.

In a two-page ruling, Christopher J. Burke, a federal magistrate judge, wrote that Mr. Bidens physical presence was required next Tuesday because the charges he faced were new and had not been addressed during an ill-fated hearing in July in which his plea agreement with Mr. Weiss collapsed.
Thousands of migrants crossed into the small city of Eagle Pass, Texas, from Mexico on Wednesday, crowding onto the banks of the Rio Grande and under an international bridge in what officials described as an unfolding crisis.

The mayor, Rolando Salinas Jr., declared a state of emergency, seeking additional support to respond to an influx of migrants that reached 2,500 on Wednesday, overwhelming the city of 28,000 that has been a focal point of efforts by the state of Texas to deter illegal crossings.

The arrivals, including a large number of people from Venezuela, were part of a substantial increase in recent crossings along the southern border. The number of arrivals has reached levels not seen in months, taxing local governments in California, Arizona and Texas as large numbers of people claiming asylum have been released by Border Patrol agents directly into border communities.

That was the case in Eagle Pass, officials said, where the citys lone shelter provider strained to accommodate the sudden arrival of so many people. Many were released onto the streets of the city.
Smiling faces of the ethnic children in the northern mountain remote areas are reflected on Google Art and Culture by Rehahn, a French photographer. Google screenshot

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 Du, 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 Vietnam, 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 Vietnam, 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 Vietnam 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 Du people, the smallest ethnic group in Vietnam, numbering only 376 individuals.

Photos of more than 60 colourful traditional costumes of various ethnic groups across Vietnam are being displayed on Google Art and Culture platform. (Google screenshot)

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 Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.

He also made a profound impression on the hearts of the Vietnamese art-loving community through portraits in Vietnam, Cuba, and India.

His career was accentuated with the release of a photo book titled "Mosaic of Contrasts" in 2014 in Vietnam, 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 Vietnam, 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."

Bamboo Airways launches Taiwan  Cam Ranh route

According to the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnamese budget airline Bamboo Airways in collaboration with Crystal Bay Group and Fashion Vietnam International Travel Company has launched charter flights to bring travelers from Taiwan (China) to Khanh Hoa province.

The first group of Taiwanese travelers arrive at Cam Ranh international airport from Taoyuan on Bamboo Airways charter light on September 20. (Photo: baokhanhhoa.vn)

The airline operates the Taoyuan (Taiwan) - Cam Ranh route on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, carrying between 100 to 190 passengers/flight.

During their stay from 5 to 10 days, Taiwanese travelers are set to stay at high-end hotels and resorts in Khanh Hoa, and visit local tourist attractions in Nha Trang city or go on sea and island tours.

The first such charter flight landed at Cam Ranh International Airport on September 20, bringing 181 passengers to Khanh Hoa.

Bamboo Airways is scheduled to operate this route from September 20 to December 31, 2023.

Taiwan is one of Vietnams key tourism markets. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism reported that Vietnam received 498,000 Taiwanese arrivals in the first eight months of this year.

Vietnam attends Asian cultural festival in Romania

The embassies of 10 Asian countries recently held Asian cultural festival at the National Village Museum in Romania in an effort to promote the diversity of Asian cultures, including Vietnamese culture.

Vietnam attends Asian cultural festival in Romania

According to the Voice of Vietnam, the festival is to foster friendship and solidarity among Asian countries, as well as between Romania and these participating countries. It offers the chance for Romanian people to gain a better understanding of the unique and diverse cultures of Asian countries.

The Vietnamese booth, showcasing Non la (conical hats) and photographs and paintings of the countrys landscape and culture, attracted plenty visitors, especially youngsters.

Visitors also had the chance to enjoy Ao Dai (traditional long dress) shows and dances, helping the visitors to get an insight into Vietnamese womens traditional costume and its culture.

During the festival, the Vietnamese Embassy displayed a range of its traditional dishes such as Banh mi (Vietnamese baguettes) and Nem (spring rolls), as well as key Vietnamese farm products for export such as tea and coffee.

The Vietnamese booth, along with those of China, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, India, and the Republic of Korea, left a strong impression on those in attendance.

Hanoi to invest over 65 trillion VND in building Van Cao - Hoa Lac metro line

The State Appraisal Council has approved the appraisal plan for the Hanoi Urban Railway Project No. 5, from Van Cao to Hoa Lac, with a total investment of over 65.4 trillion VND (2.7 billion USD), reported Nhan Dan Online News.

The route has a total length of 38.43 km (Illustrative image)

The route, with a total length of 38.43 km, will include 6.5 km underground, 2.0 km elevated and 29.93 km on the ground level, in addition to 21 stations.

The No.5 metro will connect Van Cao, Ngoc Khanh, Lang and Hoa Lac, in the districts of Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Nam Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Quoc Oai, and Thach That. The 21 stations include six underground stations, 14 above-ground stations and one elevated station.

The metro project will have two depots, one in Son Dong commune, Hoai Duc district, with an area of about 18 ha and the other one in Yen Binh commune, Thach That district, with an area of about 6.9 ha.

The route requires a total investment of about 65.4 trillion VND, sourced from the citys budget. The route is expected to connect the west of the city with the central urban area.

The project is anticipated to run 26 trains in 2025, 37 trains in 2035 and 38 trains in 2050./.
Teen-to-Teen Advice

You dont have to reply right away.

Reminders to do your homework. DMs in every app. Multiple group chats blowing up. All of these notifications can feel endless and overwhelming. Niki Shiva, 17, from Hayward, Calif., said she sets her phone to do not disturb for everyone except mom to mitigate her anxiety. Niki explained that she often obsesses about whether people have written back to her, so she tries to minimize the temptation to check her phone constantly. She also said she removed her messaging app from her home screen  its now tucked away in a folder in her app library  so I didnt have to look at the number of notifications.

Unfollow people and pages that make you feel bad.

Several of the teens we spoke to said that, when possible, they remove accounts from their social media feeds that chip away at their self-esteem. (Experts agree that this is a good practice.) Your attention is power, said Janine Edmunds, 14, from South Jamaica, Queens. On TikTok, you can go and click not interested on a video. Or block people you dont like. Its not a shady thing, its just, I dont want you in my space.

Kamryn Nutzel, 16, from New Orleans, unfollowed influencers she noticed were making her feel lousy, and tries to detach when she starts to feel her FOMO creeping in  by taking a bath, doing a face mask or simply going to bed early. If I find myself getting in that cycle where Im comparing myself, Ill just unfollow the person, she said. Sometimes, she also deletes her apps for a day or two, until shes feeling better.

Ask yourself, who are you posting for?

Four of five teenagers in the United States said that what they see on social media makes them feel more connected to whats going on in their friends lives, according to Pew Research Center. Thats how Ella Moyer, 17, from Scottsdale, Ariz., approaches Instagram: Its a memory box for you, she said, a highlight reel of fun moments to share with friends and family, like photos from her prom night. Every time I open my phone, I dont see perfect celebrities, she said. I just see my friends.

Put down your phone and go outside!

Studies have found that spending more time outdoors, even as little as two hours a week, can make us healthier and happier. Rosalina Pinkhasova, 14, spent a lot of time this summer in the new inflatable pool her family set up in their backyard in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Sometimes I like to put alarms on to tell me when to stop being on my phone, she said.
More than two years into a sharp rise in book challenges across the United States, restrictions are increasingly targeting public libraries, where they could affect not only the childrens section but also the books available to everyone in a community.

The shift comes amid a dramatic increase in efforts to remove books from libraries, according to a pair of new reports released this week from the American Library Association and PEN America, a free speech organization.

The A.L.A. found that nearly half the book challenges it tracked between January and August of this year took place in public libraries, up from 16 percent during the same period the year before. The association reported nearly 700 attempts to censor library materials, which targeted more than 1,900 individual titles  more than during the same period in 2022, a year that saw the most titles challenged since the organization began tracking the data.

Most of the challenged books were by or about people of color or L.G.B.T.Q. people.

A year, a year and a half ago, we were told that these books didnt belong in school libraries, and if people wanted to read them, they could go to a public library, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of the A.L.A.s Office for Intellectual Freedom. Now, were seeing those same groups come to public libraries and come after the same books, essentially depriving everyone of the ability to make the choice to read them.
Penance is set in Crow-on-Sea, a fictional British seaside town, and is narrated by Alec Z. Carelli, a crime reporter who feels sure hes found the story to relaunch his flagging career. Nearly a decade earlier, a girl in the town called Joni was set on fire by three of her classmates, and Carelli retells the events that lead up to the murder, interspersed with transcripts from podcast episodes, newspaper reports and Tumblr posts about the crime.

There was something quite innate and biological about wanting to hear about the ways other people have died, Clark said, adding, You cant really help being interested. In the novel, two of Jonis killers spend a lot of time posting on Tumblr about serial murderers and school shooters, but Clark also shows that a voyeuristic interest in violence is centuries old. In Crow-on-Sea, there are walking tours exploring grisly spectacles in the town that date back to the Vikings.

The novel is a critical look at what the writer Rachel Monroe, whose 2019 book Savage Appetites focuses on women who become fixated on crime, called the true crime industrial complex. In an interview, she said that when it came to violent crimes, like murder, these stories either get too much, or not enough, attention, and both are traumatic, in their own ways.

In Penance, Jonis murder is initially overshadowed in the news cycle, because it takes place on the night in 2016 that Britain voted to leave the European Union, but Carellis unscrupulous reporting methods and attention from tasteless true crime podcasts stoke interest in the case. The way people make use of these stories, the darkness of it all  were all caught in that web, Monroe said.
Gita Mehta, whose books examined the impact of Western culture on modern India and vice versa, bringing an Indian and a womans perspective to subject matter that was long the province of white men, died on Saturday at her home in New Delhi. She was 80.

Nicholas Latimer, a vice president and director of publicity at Knopf, where Ms. Mehtas husband, Sonny Mehta, was president and editor in chief for many years, said the cause was complications of a stroke.

Ms. Mehta and her husband, one of the most influential editors of his time, were familiar faces in literary circles in New York, London and India, each of which they called home at various times. In 1979 Ms. Mehta published her first book, Karma Cola: Marketing the Mystic East, a mix of anecdotes and commentary that took a satirical look at the faddish pursuit by hippies and other Westerners of enlightenment in Indias ashrams, and at the gurus who took advantage of them.
Topping our list of recommendations this week is an anthology celebrating five decades of Ms. magazine and its groundbreaking coverage of feminist causes, so its fitting that we also recommend three books of fiction with feminist concerns at their center: Mona Awads Rouge, a dark fairy tale about the beauty industry, Margaret Meyers The Witching Tide, a historical novel inspired by an actual witch hunt, and Rachel Ingallss wry novella In the Act, about a woman who discovers the sex robot her husband keeps in the attic.

Also recommended this week: a Uyghur poets memoir of persecution and fear, a journalists reconstruction of her familys history during the Holocaust in German-occupied Poland, a scientific account of the so-called good virus (the phage) and its potential in medicine, and novels by Adrienne Brodeur and Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi. Happy reading.

Gregory Cowles

When Ms. magazine was founded, it was what the first issue might have called a click: an aha! moment for the culture. This compendium of notable bylines, controversial essays, vivid covers and reader letters shows why.
Zelensky lobbied for more aid in Washington

President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed at the White House yesterday as President Biden faces pushback from some Republican lawmakers in Congress who oppose providing further assistance to Ukraine.

Making his second wartime visit to Washington, Zelensky also met with lawmakers and warned that his country would fall to Russia if the U.S. cut the military and financial aid that has helped his forces withstand the Russian onslaught.

If we dont get the aid, we will lose the war, Zelensky said in a meeting with at least 50 senators, as recounted by the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer.

Zelensky came to Washington to follow up on Bidens request to Congress for a $24 billion package of military and humanitarian funding. His visit came at a critical time: Ukraine is struggling to break through Russian front lines in a counteroffensive before the start of winter brings fighting to a standstill.
Cisco agreed on Thursday to buy Splunk, a data-analysis software company, for $28 billion in cash, as technology giants continue to look to acquisitions as a way to grow  particularly in hot sectors like artificial intelligence.

The deal is the largest ever announced by Cisco, a longtime buyer of smaller tech companies, and suggests the company is willing to test antitrust officials growing opposition to big-ticket mergers and acquisitions.

Founded in 2003, Splunk  whose name refers to spelunking, or cave exploration  focuses on mining its customers data for insights, particularly on security vulnerabilities and other trends in their business. This summer, Splunk announced a flurry of A.I.-infused services meant to help companies detect and respond to potential issues more quickly.

Cisco said it planned to combine Splunks capabilities with its own security offerings, including the monitoring of customers network data, web traffic and emails.
Isolated from the world and pulled closer into Beijings orbit over the past three years, Hong Kong is finding that its fortunes are tied more than ever to China.

The citys stock market, which is seen as a proxy for Chinas economy, is among the worlds worst performing this year. The rivers of money that flowed into companies, minting new wealth, have slowed to a trickle.

And there is the gnawing feeling that the once-vibrant international city that staked its reputation on being separate from China has itself become more like the rest of China.

To counter this sentiment, officials are making a big push for investors overseas, with trips to Europe and the United States. Paul Chan, the citys finance chief, is visiting Paris and London this week and will then travel to Berlin and Frankfurt before moving on to the United States.
Rupert Murdoch is retiring from the Fox and News Corporation boards, the companies announced Thursday morning, making his son Lachlan the sole executive in charge of the powerful global media empire he built from a small local newspaper concern in Australia 70 years ago.

The elder Mr. Murdoch will become chairman emeritus of the two businesses, the companies said.

Mr. Murdoch, 92, had shown no intention of stepping down or even slowing down  including after he named Lachlan as the operating heir to his business empire in 2019, when he sold his vast entertainment holdings to the Walt Disney Company.

Though the move places the Murdoch family companies more firmly under Lachlans control, a bruising succession battle may still loom. Upon Rupert Murdochs death, his four adult children would have to work out his ultimate successor among themselves, based on a plan he put into place nearly two decades ago.

Mr. Murdoch has made his wishes clear regardless in elevating Lachlan. And, even now, he will continue to offer counsel in his emeritus role, Lachlan said in a company release. In his own statement to employees, the elder Mr. Murdoch indicated that he would do so actively and regularly.
Yet labor organizing is arduous. Activists must get at least 30 percent of workers to sign union cards and force a vote overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. Companies often do all they can to dissuade workers from joining, hiring lawyers and consultants who specialize in defeating union campaigns.

Even if a majority of workers cast ballots in favor of a union, winning pay increases and better benefits comes only after negotiations that can drag for years. Amazon workers at a Staten Island warehouse voted in April 2022 to unionize, but Amazon has challenged the result and has yet to begin bargaining on a contract.

Still, Tesla would be a tempting target for unions. The company reported profit of $2.7 billion on sales of $25 billion in the second quarter, giving it a profit margin of about 11 percent. That profit margin is more than that of Ford or G.M., even after an exceptionally profitable period for those companies. Stellantis, which was created by the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot, reported an 11 percent profit margin in the first six months of the year, but lost market share in the United States.

Teslas stronger financial performance has allowed it to significantly cut car prices, making it harder for the established carmakers to gain ground in electric vehicles. The least expensive Model 3 sedan costs about $33,000 after federal tax credits, less than comparable gasoline vehicles.

The climate for organized labor is better than it has been for years. President Biden is a big supporter of unions. Hollywood writers and actors are on strike, a high-profile manifestation of labor activism. In August, United Parcel Service employees won their biggest raises ever in a contract negotiated by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
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)

Editor: WRX
A directive issued on Thursday by the Biden administration would, for the first time, have federal agencies consider the economic damage caused by climate change when deciding what kinds of vehicles, equipment and goods to buy.

The new guidance from President Biden could affect purchasing decisions across the government, from agriculture to defense to health care. The idea is to take into account the greenhouse gases generated by goods and projects, how they contribute to global warming, and the cost of that to the economy.

The potential impact is significant. The federal government is the worlds largest consumer of goods and services, spending roughly $600 billion each year. The changes could shift purchases for the federal governments fleet of roughly 600,000 cars and trucks from gasoline-powered to all-electric vehicles, redirect the flow of billions of dollars of government grants and reshape or kill some major construction projects.

It will be the first time this whole of government approach is used to evaluate the climate consequences of government actions, said Richard Revesz, Mr. Bidens regulatory chief, who is helping lead the initiative. Mr. Revesz, a climate law expert, has focused on using cost-benefit analysis when designing policies meant to protect human health and the environment.
As he kicks off a new campaign to use his wealth to block the construction of petrochemical plants, Michael R. Bloomberg outlined the fate of his company Bloomberg L.P. after he dies. He said his Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation would inherit his multi-billion-dollar company and then eventually sell it.

At 81 years old, common sense says I should have succession plans, the former New York City mayor said at the Climate Summit hosted by The New York Times in Manhattan on Thursday.

I give virtually all of the companys profits to the foundation, and the foundation gave away last year $1.7 billion, he added. This year it will be a little bit more than that. But when I die, the foundation inherits the company. They, because of the tax laws, will have to get rid of it, sell it someplace or other over the first five years.

Mr. Bloomberg holds an 88 percent stake in the company behind Wall Streets favorite data terminals, which generated revenue of more than $12 billion in 2022. He said he had no plans to sell the company in the immediate future and hoped to keep working for at least three to five more years. I know exactly what I want to do, he said.
Its almost like the climate crisis has gotten itself a new team of publicists, judging from the boggling array of sessions, panels, VI.P. dinners, workshops and fireside chats happening this week as part of Climate Week NYC.

Among the record number of 585 official affiliated events: Breath work to build resilience within the climate movement, workshops on ecologically friendlier wine, an ice cream giveaway to highlight climate risks to the flavors we love, and at least five sessions aimed at stemming the environmental ravages caused by the clothing industry, including a daylong circular fashion festival.

This was in addition to two sold out Earth-focused drag shows, SAVE HER! hosted by the eco-drag queen Pattie Gonia, and the spectacle of Prince William wading into New Yorks East River to visit the Billion Oyster Project, which works to restore reefs using mollusks. There were hundreds of less glittery events too, focused on decarbonizing agriculture, deforestation-free cattle ranching, carbon removal, environmental justice, food waste, green steel and session after session on climate finance and climate tech.

Chaotic, sprawling, and borderline circuslike, Climate Week NYC, which officially runs from Sept. 17 to 24, is in many ways a showcase of human innovation, the countless ways people in many industries are working to slow and potentially reverse the enormous harms humans have done to the planet.
Today was the day for The New York Timess annual Climate Forward live event in Manhattan. David Gelles, Somini Sengupta and other Times reporters talked with some of the climate sectors most vital newsmakers to share ideas, work through problems and answer tough questions about the threats presented by a rapidly warming planet.

As the day progressed and we heard from people like Michael Bloomberg, Al Gore, Mia Mottley and Ajay Banga, some common themes emerged.

Resolving the climate crisis is the hardest joint project humanity has ever taken on. On that much, the policymakers, activists and business leaders seemed to agree. But there are still big differences of opinion on how to get the job done. And in the meantime, the cognitive dissonance between hope and despair is enough to make everyones head spin.

The future is very bright and every day is a freaking crisis, Jason Grumet, C.E.O. of the American Clean Power Association, told my colleague Astead Herndon.
On a given work day, Misra Yusuf might vaccinate a child against polio, inject a woman with a long-acting contraceptive, screen a man for tuberculosis, hang a bed net to protect a family from malaria and help dig a pit latrine. Over the past few years, she has administered some 10,000 coronavirus vaccines in her community in eastern Ethiopia. She has also spotted and snuffed out a measles outbreak.

She works far more than the 40 hours her contract requires of her each week. For her labor, the Ethiopian government pays her the equivalent of $90 a month.

The payment is discouraging, she said. But I keep going because I value the work.

Ms. Yusuf is one in a legion of more than three million community health workers globally and is one of a small minority that are actually paid anything at all. Eighty-six percent of community health workers in Africa are completely unpaid.

But now, spurred by frustrations that arose during the Covid pandemic and connected by digital technologies that have reached even remote areas, community health workers are organizing to fight for fair compensation. The movement stretches across developing countries and echoes the labor actions undertaken by female garment workers in many of those nations 40 years ago.
Nearly 500,000 people, many of them children, will keep Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program coverage after state officials discovered major errors in their procedures for reviewing program eligibility, federal officials said on Thursday.

After a pandemic-era policy that guaranteed Medicaid coverage lapsed in April, states began checking to see whether tens of millions of Americans covered by the programs still qualified, removing them from the rolls if their incomes had surpassed program limits, among other reasons.

Many states conducted the checks with software that automatically verified whether people were still eligible, using government databases to verify income levels. But 30 states, federal officials confirmed on Thursday, had been vetting statuses incorrectly.

As a result, legions of children lost health coverage when their parents did not return the required forms to confirm the eligibility of everyone in a household. The Biden administration last month warned states about the problem, giving them two weeks to report whether they had improperly disenrolled people. The timing of the notice raised questions about why it took so long for federal health officials and their state counterparts to recognize a fundamental failing in the renewal process.
Why did you even come here, Samidha scoffs at her mother, if you were just going to be another Desi housewife? Its about as piercing a jab as an American child could throw at their immigrant parent, and emblematic of the kind of disdain central to It Lives Inside, a social-horror movie from the writer-director Bishal Dutta, in his feature debut.

As Samidha (Megan Suri), an Indian American teenager, has gotten older, shes increasingly distanced herself from anything that might reveal her cultural identity. She goes by Sam to her peers, avoids speaking Hindi and had a mysterious break from Tamira (Mohana Krishnan), an Indian American classmate who used to be her best friend. When she lashes out at Tamira, she unwittingly unleashes a monster ripped from Hindu folklore.
In the films press notes, De Filippis said she wanted to make a movie where trans women are not vilified, sensationalized, or eroticized. Mission accomplished. Ren, an aspiring writer, is decidedly human: impetuous, shy, silly  a victim of, if anything, insecurities.

But shes earthbound to a fault, dramatically. Unexceptional transgender characters are arguably markers of cinemas progress; Trace Lysettes understated performance is what made her prosaic transgender character so moving in Monica. (That film was also invested in bigger stakes.) But one can only watch Renata, and this film, do so little for so long before yearning for more than naturalism and tenderness to drive the slice-of-life story.

Something You Said Last Night

Not rated. In English and Italian, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes. In theaters.
She rolled her eyes at the mention of one advocacy group she considered especially ponderous, joking it would take months to release new data. And she snapped her fingers at no one in particular as she asked whether a meeting scheduled for the next day could be moved up to that afternoon, or even sooner.

I miss being able to pick up the phone and say, Do this, do it now, get it done, she said later.

It only takes a few minutes in Ms. Quinns presence to understand that she is itching to return to the action and authority of elected office.

Once the citys second-most powerful politician, Ms. Quinn is now a high-profile advocate on one of the most divisive issues in New York City  one that could threaten her chances with voters in the future.

As protests against waves of migrants coming into the city grow louder and larger, and New Yorks Democrats cannot seem to settle on a path forward, the citys shelter population has exploded to over 100,000 people  all while affordable housing lags pitifully behind demand.
Mayor Eric Adams proposed on Thursday a major overhaul of New York Citys approach to development that his administration says could make way for as many as 100,000 additional homes in the coming years and ease the citys severe housing crisis.

The proposed reforms, which Mr. Adams announced in remarks at Borough of Manhattan Community College, amount to his administrations broadest and most ambitious attempt to tackle New York Citys housing shortage, which has been worsening for decades.

Rules limiting growth have long made it difficult for enough homes to be built to accommodate everyone who wants to live here, driving up the cost of living. That, in turn, has raised a threat to the citys economy as businesses struggle to keep workers and families have poured out of the city.

The proposals could bring new housing development to nearly every corner of New York City and reflect a growing political consensus that the city must do everything it can to build.
Artists perform a traditional Chinese opera in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

SOFIA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges.

Representatives of Bulgarian media circles, tourism businesses, and other professionals in attendance also learned about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), could taste Chinese tea, and could visit a thematic photo exhibition and an exhibition of porcelain products.

On the sidelines of the event, representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" based in the town of Panagyurishte near the capital Sofia signed a cooperation agreement.

Ye Jianchun, governor of Jiangxi Province, said he sincerely hoped that the event provided a new opportunity and a new starting point to bring exchanges and cooperation to a new level.

Ye said that especially since Jiangxi and Sofia District officially established twinning relations in December 2020, the exchanges and cooperation between them continued to expand, and the friendship between people continued to deepen.

Julian Lekov, governor of Sofia District, said that he and Ye signed on Wednesday morning an agreement reaffirming the desire for partnership between Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Lekov said that the agreement laid the foundation for a future partnership between five of the municipalities in Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun, who also attended the event, said he sincerely hoped that it would boost interpersonal and cultural exchanges between Bulgaria, Jiangxi and China, and advance economic and social cooperation and development between the two countries.

"The event was extremely interesting, very useful for those present there and for Bulgaria in general, because they introduced us to the history, culture and present day of Jiangxi Province," Snezhana Todorova, president of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, told Xinhua.

It was exciting, beautiful and perfectly organized, Todorova added.

Representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" sign a cooperation agreement in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

People visit an exhibition of Chinese porcelain products in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

A staff member demonstrates a Chinese tea ceremony in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

Editor: WXL
Still, to a large extent, the Republican contenders have all raced to see who can be the most hawkish toward Beijing, following a path set by Mr. Trump in 2016 when he made attacking China a central policy plank and then sharply hardened Americas trade policy toward the country. By focusing on China, the candidates can make detailed policy pronouncements and play up their credentials, yet avoid discussion of Russia or Ukraine, an increasingly divisive topic among Republicans.

All of the candidates have blasted President Bidens attitude toward China. Mr. Biden has sought to stabilize relations after escalating espionage accusations inflamed tensions. But he has also tried to counter Beijings growing global influence with a multilateral approach, aiming to shore up economic and diplomatic ties with regional allies.

One of the Biden administrations focal points has been targeting Chinas semiconductor industry. The administration has enacted export controls and helped push the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan law that provided billions of dollars toward fostering a homegrown semiconductor industry that could make America less dependent on foreign suppliers.

But even that bipartisan effort has come in for criticism. On Thursday, as Mr. Ramaswamy stood miles away from the site of a new Intel chip manufacturing complex that will be assisted by the CHIPS Act, he attacked the law for including provisions related to addressing climate change.

I am opposed to the CHIPS Act, he said, because it is really the Green New Deal masquerading in CHIPS masquerade clothing.
But Mayor Eric Adams has sought to curtail who can come and stay in the care of the city, which has a unique legal obligation to provide shelter to any homeless person who asks for a bed. Officials believe this has become a draw to some migrants arriving in the country with nowhere to go, and limiting that right has become part of a broader campaign by city and state officials to respond to the influx.

In an interview on CNN on Wednesday evening, Gov. Kathy Hochul discussed one victory: A decision by the Biden administration to allow thousands of Venezuelans, the biggest group of newcomers in New York, to stay and work legally. She also said that she agreed with the mayors goals to restrict the right-to-shelter guarantee.

We dont have capacity, Ms. Hochul said in the interview, adding, Never was it envisioned that this would be an unlimited, universal right or obligation on the city to have to house literally the entire world.

Officials have been reluctant to let reporters into the hotel, but on Wednesday, Dr. Long offered a limited tour. In the stale, warm air of the lobby, scores of immigrants waited for hours before receiving a bed assignment, either upstairs in one of the hotels 850 rooms, usually occupied, or at shelters  some without showers  spread across the city.

Young children, exhausted by their long journey  days for some, weeks for others  lay in their parents laps, sleeping or staring up at the shimmering lights overhead.
Is it a case of a wish come true or be careful what you wish for?

The news that the Biden administration would grant work permits to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants who had already entered the United States was welcomed by Democratic leaders from cities overwhelmed with a large influx of migrants unable to work legally.

The hope is that the move will let many Venezuelans make enough money to move out of shelters, where the cost of housing them is straining big cities, especially New York. But could it end up backfiring by attracting even more Venezuelan migrants to cross the border?

The work authorization extends temporary protected status, known as T.P.S., to more than 400,000 Venezuelans who have entered the country since March 2021 and were on American soil by July 31 of this year. Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, warned that anyone who arrived after that would be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay.

Julia Gelatt, the associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research center, said that research has not established a clear link between temporary protected status and increased migration.
We are now here legal; we can work and get our kids in school, God willing, he said.

Government officials who will be responsible for administering the policy said it would not be that simple. Migrants will still have to formally apply for temporary protected status. But instead of waiting half a year to file a separate application for work authorization like other asylum seekers, eligible Venezuelans will be able to do so immediately.

The state also plans to begin offering immediate career counseling to those who are eligible and has secured pledges from businesses who are willing to hire workers and delay their start dates until the permits are approved. But others warned of bureaucratic backups that could slow the process, not to mention the challenges even the most successful migrants might face finding housing in a city suffering through an affordability crunch.

This isnt a magic wand from Washington that gets bestowed upon you, if you show up from Venezuela, said Christine Quinn, the president and chief executive of Win, the largest provider of shelters to homeless families with children in the city.

Still, she called it a game changer for families ground down by life in shelters.

On Thursday, the mayor and the governor said they would keep pressuring Mr. Biden to help secure funds from Congress to reimburse the city for migrant care and find new ways to accelerate the work authorization process for those not eligible for temporary protected status.

Mr. Adams, in particular, has been warning for weeks that the issue could destroy New York City without drastic federal intervention at the border and help to move migrants into legal jobs more quickly. His administration has estimated that its response efforts could cost the city $12 billion over three years, and has already used those figures to justify budget cuts.
If there was any doubt that the Republican House was no more sophisticated than a preschool playground, last weeks opening of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden settled it with a nasty kick of sand in Democrats face.

How else can you describe the pretext for this fishing expedition other than You started it? If our guy got embroiled in impeachment and protracted legal proceedings during election season, well then, damn it, so will yours.

Whereas Democrats began the first Trump impeachment inquiry after it was revealed that he tried to extort a political favor from the president of Ukraine in exchange for military aid, and the second impeachment after an insurrection, the Biden inquiry is proceeding with no clear evidence of any misdeeds by the president.

This is just the latest asymmetric tit-for-tat by Republicans.

Even many Republicans in Congress dont buy into this kind of baloney, as weve learned from a series of Washington confessionals and from several Republicans who have questioned whether their side has the goods or if this is the best use of their time. As Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry, you could almost see his wispy soul sucked out Dementor-style, joining whatever ghostly remains of Paul Ryans abandoned integrity still wander the halls of Congress.
In 1959, a group of university students in the northwestern Chinese city of Tianshui embarked on a quixotic plan. China was in the midst of the Great Famine, a catastrophe caused by government policies that would kill as many as 45 million. These young people had witnessed farmers starving to death and cannibalism; they also saw how the government had brutally punished or killed people who appealed for help. They felt someone needed to do something to spread word of what was happening. They decided to publish a journal.

The students called it Spark, after a Chinese expression, xinghuo liaoyuan, or a single spark can start a prairie fire. They hand-wrote the essays onto plates and, with the help of local officials, used a mimeograph machine to run off copies.

At just eight pages, and with no photos or graphics, Spark looked primitive. But it was filled with articles that got to the heart of Chinas authoritarian politics  then and now: Farmers werent allowed to own property, all of which belonged to the state; top leaders brooked no opposition; corruption was endemic; and even critics loyal to the regime were persecuted. The lead article on the first page set the tone:

Why did the once progressive Communist Party become so corrupt and reactionary less than ten years after coming to power, with complaints and rebellions at home, and falling into an embarrassing situation abroad? This is because the peoples world is regarded as its private property, and all matters are managed by party members.
Trump presents the pro-life movement with multiple heresy-hunting problems. First, and most obviously, if support for Trump is the central plank of the new G.O.P. orthodoxy, then the pro-life movement will find its cause subordinated to Trumps ambitions as long as he reigns. If he believes the pro-life movement helps him, the movement will enjoy the substantial benefits of his largess  for example, the nomination of pro-life judges, including the Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. But if he perceives the movement to be hurting his political ambitions  as his comments to Welker suggest he feels now  then its members will be cast as the heretics and will stand outside, in the cold, complaining about their lost influence to a Republican public that will not care.

Second, as long as the Trumpian right shapes the pro-life movement more than the other way around, the movement will adopt many of the same tactics. It wont merely serve Trump, it will also imitate Trump. Every movement adopts the character of its leaders, and if Trump is the leader of the G.O.P. and by extension the pro-life movement, then his manners and methods will dominate the discourse.

Finally, and more important, if the backlash to the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision teaches us anything, its that the pro-life movement cannot be hunting heretics. As a strategy, heretic hunting is far less costly to the side with the more popular position, which can afford its purity, at least for a time. The same impulse can be utterly destructive to those in the minority, as the pro-life movement clearly is now.

As I discussed in a Times Opinion Audio short last week, the Guttmacher Institute published new research suggesting that the number of legal abortions has actually increased after Dobbs. Even though abortion is illegal or sharply restricted in 14 states, there were roughly 10 percent more abortions in the remaining 36 states and Washington, D.C., in the first six months of 2023 than there were when abortion was legal across the country in 2020.

At the same time that abortion numbers rise, the electoral results for the pro-life movement have been exceedingly grim. When abortion referendums have been placed on statewide ballots, the pro-choice movement has won. Every time. Even in states as red as Kentucky, Kansas and Montana.
When Margot Wallstrom, then Swedens foreign minister, announced back in 2014 that her country would pursue a feminist foreign policy, the idea was greeted with skepticism. Ms. Wallstrom was criticized by the foreign policy establishment globally for both her openly activist approach and the perception that she was naive to the realities of realpolitik. As a 2015 New Yorker article put it, Within the diplomatic community, where words are carefully chosen so as not to offend, feminism is usually avoided.

Ms. Wallstroms vision turned out to be at the forefront of something bigger than Sweden. Less than a decade later, 16 governments have formally adopted feminist foreign policies. The idea started as a niche, Nordic approach to put womens rights and representation on the world stage, and it has become an increasingly global tool for governments to articulate their commitment to prioritizing people and the planet over battles for economic and military dominance, to focus on collaboration over competition and on power together rather than power over.

It took five years for the first four governments  Sweden, Luxembourg, France and Canada  to adopt feminist foreign policies. Since 2020, as progressive governments have come into power, a dozen have followed, across a more diverse geographic area, including in Latin America, Africa and Asia. As the movement has grown, its focus has expanded from challenging entrenched gender dynamics to disrupting the colonial dynamics that continue to define international relations.

What feminist foreign policy looks like in practice varies from country to country. Germany, the largest country in the group in terms of foreign aid, has pledged to almost double its donations geared toward gender equality. Canada and Slovenia have met or exceeded gender parity in their diplomatic or ambassador corps, while France, Spain and Colombia have set up boards of feminist activists to advise their governments. Argentina has put trans feminism at the center of both its foreign and its domestic policies, creating the position of special representative for sexual orientation and gender identity. And the Netherlands, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, has commissioned a review on racism in the foreign ministry.
To the Editor:

Re U.S. Officials and Saudis Are Exploring a Mutual Defense Treaty (front page, Sept. 20):

My husband, Kenneth, along with almost 3,000 other innocent people, was murdered by terrorists while he was at work. The weapons used by the terrorists were hijacked planes that they crashed into buildings. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, as was Osama bin Laden himself.

We, the victims family members, have been trying to hold these terrorists accountable in court since Sept. 11, 2001. Saudi Arabia has hidden behind sovereign immunity for all these years, and we have been stymied in court because the evidence against the alleged perpetrators is mostly classified. This works to the benefit of Saudi Arabia and works against the victims.

President Biden, are you seriously considering giving even more protections to those who allegedly aided and abetted in killing our loved ones in cold blood on 9/11?

Before any defense agreements with Saudi Arabia are ever reached, shouldnt we first be allowed to hold the kingdom accountable for what occurred on the fateful day of 9/11?
To the Editor:

Re America Still Stands in the Way of Solving Climate Change, by Lydia Millet (Opinion guest essay, Sept. 20):

The race to decarbonize should be embraced  a brilliant line from Ms. Millets essay  speaks volumes. Earlier this week an estimated 75,000 people marched in New York City calling for an end to fossil fuels. This movement desperately needs to become a united, feel-good process.

Ditching fossil fuels encompasses a lot. Financially, we need to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and investments. We need to dramatically cut the extraction of dirty fuels. Plans for new infrastructure like pipelines and compressor stations need to be abandoned. These changes will be hard.

But the list of pluses for decarbonization is long. Our world will be quieter, less polluted and more equitable. Human health will improve. A plethora of jobs will be generated. Most important, our disrupted climate will start to stabilize, ensuring a more sustainable future.

Leaders at the forefront of this change will need to be brave. The need to educate everyone about the potential ravages of a changing climate has never been greater. Quite simply, as Ms. Millet suggests, we need to embrace this change. We have little choice!
Jyothsna Amrith, a project manager from Atkins, Denmark, has been declared by FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) as the winner of its 2023 Future Leaders Award.

The FIDIC Future Leaders Awards acknowledge and promote the outstanding achievements of future leaders in the consulting engineering industry worldwide and also encourage effective participation of future leaders in FIDIC.

Outgoing FIDIC President Tony Barry said that this year the competition was tougher than ever with a record number of entries. The increasing number of entries for these prestigious awards is an indication of the growing importance given to the FIDIC Future leaders programme and the high regard in which these awards are rightly held, he said.

Unanimous choice

Barry said that the judges were unanimous in choosing a clear winner of this years award. The judges were very impressed by Jyothsnas well-written submission. She showed a real capacity to solve problems and demonstrated a wide range of work. There was a real commitment and passion to everything that she did and she showed consistently high scores in her submission. Its content showed that Jyothsna is a well-rounded person  with solid work in their communities, in FIDIC member associations, great leadership style, a real all-rounder and multidimensional.

Our winner demonstrated an extraordinary richness and intensity of activity spanning the technical and leadership roles that she has had. Identifying herself as a leader early on, she has taken opportunities to expand her leadership capabilities. The great talent for languages she has is also brilliant to see. Her study and track record are very, very impressive and there is no doubt that Jyothsna Amrith is a very worthy winner of the 2023 FIDIC Future leaders Award.

Special place

Amrith said: I am honoured to win the FIDIC Future Leaders Award for 2023. This recognition holds a special place in my heart as it celebrates not only my professional journey but also my unique global perspective of working in several countries. My journey has taken me across incredible countries. I was born in the vibrant and diverse nation of India, had the privilege of being employed in the UK and then Denmark, a country known for its innovation and sustainable practices. The last few years in Norway has also enriched my understanding of global engineering practices and the importance of cultural diversity in the field.

After 13 rewarding years at several Atkins offices, we now transition to SYSTRA in Denmark and Im eager to be part of this new chapter in our journey. This award serves as a reminder of the incredible journey so far and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Im deeply honoured and excited to continue my contributions to the world of engineering and infrastructure.--TradeArabia News Service
Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky spoke by telephone with his Polish colleague Robert Telus. The parties agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries regarding agricultural products, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy reported.

"The ministers discussed the situation, as well as Ukraine's proposal to resolve it, and agreed to find a solution that takes into account the interests of both countries," the statement said.

The ministers also reaffirmed the close and constructive relations between the countries. The parties "agreed to develop in the near future an option for cooperation on exports."

The next negotiations will take place in the coming days. The negotiations will discuss issues prepared by that time on both sides.

The Polish side promised to study the Ukrainian export plan and would prepare its proposals for it.
Monmouth | 7 Park Street, Oceanport, N.J.

Five-Bedroom Home

$1.65 million

A five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, 4,333-square-foot colonial-style house built in 2003 on Horseneck Point Peninsula, with a large eat-in kitchen that has a Thermador range, a formal dining room, a family room with a wood-burning fireplace, a primary bedroom suite with an attached office or nursery, a home theater, a game room, an attached two-car garage, a four-season patio and a heated in-ground pool, on 0.49 acres backing up to preserved land. Thomas Tvrdik, Re/Max Gateway, 732-804-0944, remax.com

Costs

Taxes: $17,544 a year

Pros

The large covered patio, with an outdoor bar and kitchen, has retractable walls for year-round use. Solar panels on the roof keep energy costs minimal.

Cons

Three of the bedrooms share one small bathroom. The basement is a crawl space and access to the attic is via a pull-down staircase.

Given the fast pace of the current market, some properties may no longer be available at the time of publication.

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here.
By the time Matvey Nikelshparg was 13, he was obsessed with parasitoid wasps, tiny insects that lay their eggs on or inside other bugs. Under a microscope in a lab he had assembled at home, he discovered that one species had a startling superpower: It could use an organ that protrudes from its abdomen to drill through a plastic petri dish.

Mr. Nikelshparg said his amazement reached its peak when he observed that the wasp had not only drilled through the petri dish, but had laid an egg outside of the container that later grew into a healthy adult. The young researcher, who recently started to pursue his bachelors degree at Saratov State University in Russia, reported his discovery last month in The Journal of Hymenoptera Research.

Eupelmus messene is a whisper of a wasp. Smaller than a grain of rice, and harmless to humans, this eensy arthropod bores into hardened plant growths, called galls, with an organ called an ovipositor. The insects target is the larvae of other wasp species, which lay their eggs inside of galls in an effort to protect them from danger. By piercing its preys botanical fortress, E. messene bestows on its young a ready-made meal and, ironically, grants it the same protection from the elements that its target originally sought.

In his experiments at home, Mr. Nikelshparg had set out to study what would happen if there were multiple E. messene wasps and only one host larva. He placed one host in a petri dish with 12 females.
Just as the fashion world was turning its attention from London to Milan, Washington made some style news of its own: Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, announced on Monday a relaxation of the informal dress code in the chamber.

The outcry was swift, with 46 Republican senators signing on to a letter condemning the shift. Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent, they wrote.

But even though the Senate prides itself on a tradition of decorum, expectations of dress in the chamber have been largely governed by norms, rather than by written rules.

That flexibility has allowed for notable deviations from the buttoned-up status quo throughout the years. In the late 1990s, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi instituted Seersucker Thursday as a nod to the days before air conditioning, when Southern senators introduced their colleagues to the miracle of seersucker, a lightweight, puckered fabric that helped make the muggy Washington summer more endurable. (Seersucker Thursday was also a reminder, according to Mr. Lott, that the Senate isnt just a bunch of dour folks wearing dark suits.)
The chief executive of DuckDuckGo on Thursday described Google as a monopoly that has hurt competition and consumers through its scale and command over the tech industry, in the first testimony of a rival in the federal trial of the Justice Departments antitrust lawsuit against the search giant.

Gabriel Weinberg of DuckDuckGo said that Googles deals to make its search engine the default on browsers and other platforms blocked its ability to compete effectively. DuckDuckGo, with only 2.5 percent of the U.S. market for search, tried to negotiate with other companies to make its privacy-focused search engine a default. But it was continually turned down because of Googles deals with those tech partners, he said.

We ultimately decided after three years of trying this that it was a quixotic exercise because of the contracts, Mr. Weinberg said.

The trial of the Justice Departments antitrust complaint against Google is the governments first monopoly case in two decades, and it is expected to sweep in many of the biggest tech companies. Executives at Apple, Microsoft and Verizon are also expected to testify in the trial, which could reshape how consumers get information online.
It does not matter, Xiao said, that this show is being staged at a regional theater.

Even the word Tiananmen would generate fear in the Chinese government and that fear would generate a very repressive action, he said.

Within China, people who publicly discuss what happened at Tiananmen can face jail time or see their children prohibited from attending universities. In May, the activist Chen Siming was arrested by the Chinese authorities over a social media post paying tribute to Tiananmen, according to Human Rights Watch.

Often the mere specter of danger is enough to muzzle any dissent, Xiao said.

The cast of Tiananmen is entirely Asian American and Pacific Islander, but those who are not ethnically Chinese have less concern about their involvement. Kanagawa and Oka, who are both Japanese American, said they felt comfortable speaking about the show because neither has family ties to China.

Potential consequences have been front of mind for other contributors. After Piser dropped out of the show, Rose said, some cast members grew more fearful and asked not to be featured in news releases or photographed.

The cast has had daily conversations, Kanagawa said, about repercussions for participating in the show. Some fret about being banned from visiting China or having business contracts canceled. Others fear for the safety of their relatives.
Dear Tripped Up,

In late May, I flew with my daughter from California to Kennedy International Airport in New York, where I rented a car from Avis and headed to Connecticut for a three-day family visit. On day two, I parked the car in Waveny Park in New Canaan and when I returned, it was gone. The local police told me they had impounded the rental because Avis had reported it stolen to the New York Police Department. I had planned to spend the last day of my trip with my 80-something mother, whom I had not seen for three years because of the pandemic, but had to waste precious hours on hold with Aviss customer service department. They eventually offered me a new car but I was unable to coordinate picking it up, so we ended up relying on my sisters to get around. I was only able to spend a few hours with my mom and had to take a $100 Uber back to the airport. I asked Avis not to charge me for the rental, but they did, $653, and when I disputed the charge with Capital One, Avis fought me. I cant believe Avis is renting out cars they have reported stolen, and then charging its clients. Can you help? Lorraine, El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Dear Lorraine,

It is very frustrating that Avis did not quickly issue you a refund or, even better, go out of its way to get you a new car. But my reporting shows that the real question is not whether Avis is renting out cars they have reported stolen  its whether they knew the previous renter had reported it stolen and still somehow gave it to you.

Through Edelman, a public relations firm, Avis sent me a statement from Beth Gibson, the companys vice president for customer experience. In it, Ms. Gibson said Avis apologized to you and has now refunded the rental cost, and implied that the company had not known the rental was reported stolen.

We regret that the refund did not occur more expeditiously. Avis only reports to authorities as a last resort and has comprehensive safeguards in place to prevent erroneous or premature theft notifications, the statement continued, then it noted that the car rented to Lorraine was reported stolen by a previous renter without our prior knowledge, which caused our customers rental car to be towed.
Donald J. Trumps lead in the Republican primary just keeps growing.

He breached 60 percent of the vote in Fox News and Quinnipiac polls last week, including 60-13 and 62-12 leads over his nearest rival, the not-so-near Ron DeSantis.

Even more notable: His gains follow what would be considered a disastrous 50-day stretch for any other campaign. Since early August, he has faced new federal and state criminal indictments for attempting to subvert the 2020 election. He skipped the first presidential debate, which was nonetheless watched by over 10 million people. Not only did it not hurt him, but he came out stronger.

With these latest gains, Mr. Trump is inching into rarefied territory. The latest surveys show him polling about as well as any candidate in the history of modern contested presidential primaries. Hes approaching the position of George W. Bush, who led John McCain by a similar margin at this stage of the 2000 race. And in the two aforementioned polls, hes matching Mr. Bushs position.

The 2000 election is a helpful reminder that the race might still become more competitive. Mr. Bush skipped the first two debates, but Mr. McCain ultimately won New Hampshire, cleared the field of significant opponents, and ultimately won six more contests. He didnt win, of course. He didnt come close. But it was at least a race. Thats more than can be said right now for Mr. Trumps competition, which would probably go 0 for 50 if states voted today.
Nine sheriffs deputies in Memphis have been indicted in the death of a man with mental health problems who died in custody last fall after being stomped, punched and pinned down. It is the latest case to draw attention to how law enforcement responds to people in mental distress.

The indictments against the Shelby County, Tenn., deputies were announced by Sheriff Floyd Bonner at a news conference where he disputed that his deputies had caused the death of Gershun Freeman, 33.

Mr. Freeman was being held at the Shelby County Jail last fall and, according to his familys lawyer, kept in a section reserved for suicidal inmates before being beaten after he yelled throughout the day in his cell.

Mr. Freemans mother, Kim Freeman, said in an interview on Thursday that the deputies had fostered a brutal culture at the Memphis jail, and that justice now rested in Gods hands.
The family of a North Carolina man who drowned last year after he drove off a collapsed bridge while following Google Maps directions has sued Google for negligence, saying that the companys failure to update its maps led directly to his death.

Philip Paxson, 47, a medical device salesman, was on his way home from his daughters camping-themed ninth birthday party in Hickory, N.C., on Sept. 30, 2022, navigating a rainy night on unfamiliar roads, when he drove off a collapsed roadway into a creek and drowned, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Wake County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Alicia Paxson, his wife, also sued two businesses and an individual who the lawsuit says owned, controlled or were responsible for the collapsed bridge, which was unmarked, with no barricades.

Mrs. Paxson had taken their two daughters home from the party in her car, while Mr. Paxson stayed late to clean up and drove separately, she said in an interview.
The demand that President Biden ease the migrant crisis threatening to overwhelm American cities came privately, from the New York governor to top White House officials. It came publicly, in angry statements from Democratic and Republican officials around the country. It came from scores of immigrant rights groups.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration relented.

In one of the largest such actions ever taken, the Department of Homeland Security said that almost a half-million immigrants in the United States who had fled Venezuelas humanitarian crisis would be allowed to immediately apply for work authorization. By allowing them to legally earn income, the change could alleviate the costly burden of housing the refugees in major cities across the country. The migrants also will be protected from deportation for at least the next 18 months.

Administration officials say the decision was made, as required by law, because of the worsening conditions in Venezuela, not the situation in New York or other cities. But for Mr. Biden, the move is sure to inflame the already charged political debate, both inside his own party and with Republicans, about how to confront the surge of migration from South and Central America.
Ukraine counts on progress in talks with neighboring countries on control, resumption of exports of Ukrainian agri products - Solsky

Ukraine hopes for progress in negotiations with all neighboring countries, in particular with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, on control and resumption of exports of Ukrainian agricultural products, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solsky said.

He said that over the past few days, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has held negotiations with Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, as well as today with Poland, during which measures proposed by Ukraine to control the export of agricultural products were discussed.

Solsky recalled that after the decision of the European Commission (EC) not to extend restrictive measures on the import of Ukrainian grain into the European Union, a number of countries, in particular Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, introduced unilateral bans. At the same time, the EC invited Ukraine to provide a grain export control plan, which was completed on Monday, September 18.

"Each of these countries read (the proposals of Ukraine... Romania agreed with them, provided its comments. We said that we could take the proposals into account. We had a conversation with Slovakia yesterday. It also believes the plan is one that may be acceptable. By Friday we will provide them with all the explanations and additional documents. After which we expect additional questions from them in order to agree on their final options," Solsky said.

According to his information, similar work is being carried out with Hungary.

Today there was a telephone call from the Polish minister (Robert Telus). We began to constructively discuss the details of our proposal... The Polish minister had questions about how it would work, the minister said.

He added that additional written material would be provided to Poland. The Polish side will prepare its questions, which will be discussed during regular telephone conversations next Wednesday.

This is an important, necessary conversation in this difficult situation, so that we can develop a solution for which the farmers of the two countries will not be ashamed, Solsky emphasized.

Asked about the timing of making final decisions on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports, in particular to Poland, the minister expressed hope that the Polish side intends not to delay this process for long.
Several recent polls show Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida losing ground in the Republican presidential primary, both nationally and in early-voting states.

The numbers undermine an argument pushed by Mr. DeSantiss campaign: that the primary is effectively a two-way race in which he is the only candidate who can consolidate support against former President Donald J. Trump.

A CNN/University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday found that in New Hampshire, home to the first Republican primary, Mr. DeSantis had lost more than half of his support since the last U.N.H. poll two months ago. He had just 10 percent in the poll  not only far behind Mr. Trump (39 percent), but roughly tied with Vivek Ramaswamy (13 percent), Nikki Haley (12 percent) and Chris Christie (11 percent).

In Iowa, which will hold the first Republican caucus in January, a Fox Business poll released Wednesday showed him at 15 percent, more than 30 points behind Mr. Trump and not far from third place, with Ms. Haley at 11 percent. Unlike the New Hampshire poll, the Fox poll didnt show Mr. DeSantis actively shedding support  he was down only one point compared with the outlets July survey, which is not significant. But it showed no progress for him as the time he has to make gains grows shorter.
The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly confirmed Gen. Randy George of the Army and Gen. Eric Smith of the Marines as the chiefs of staff of their respective services, circumventing a single senators blockade against senior military promotions but leaving hundreds more still in limbo.

The action followed the confirmation on Wednesday night of Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The three moved forward after Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, steered around a longstanding roadblock by Senator Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, who has halted military promotions in protest of a Pentagon policy on abortion access.

But Mr. Tuberville made it clear that he had no intention of lifting his blockade unless the Defense Department reversed its policy, which provides time off and travel reimbursement to service members needing to go long distances to obtain abortions or other forms of reproductive health care.

If anything, the confirmations seemed only to embolden Mr. Tuberville, as Mr. Schumer had long said he feared they might. The Alabama senator said the only way to get around his obstruction would be for Mr. Schumer to continue to consider the promotions one by one, a time-consuming process that Democrats and many Republicans agree is untenable.
President Biden told President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Thursday that the United States would be staying with you as its grinding war with Russia continues, even as a growing faction of the Republican Party has threatened to hold up aid that Mr. Zelensky said could cost his country the war.

Mr. Zelenskys second wartime visit to Washington was spent visiting Capitol Hill, the Pentagon and, finally, the White House, in an extended appeal for more weapons. Along the way, he carried a grim warning. During a meeting at the Capitol with dozens of senators, Mr. Zelensky said Ukraine would lose the war without the aid, according to Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader.

At the White House, Mr. Biden said the United States would begin shipping over Abrams tanks, which the Ukrainians had long sought and were part of an existing pledge, next week. He also acknowledged that he had little choice but to have faith in a bipartisan breakthrough for continued support for Ukraine.

Im counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress, Mr. Biden said. Theres no alternative.
The Republican-led legislatures of Georgia, Louisiana and Alabama find themselves backed against courtroom walls this month in strikingly similar circumstances, defending congressional maps that federal judges have said appear to discriminate against Black voters.

It is a familiar position. Last year, the same judges said that, even before full trials were held, the same maps were so likely illegal that replacements should be used for the 2022 elections. That did not happen: Thanks to a once-obscure Supreme Court rule that outlaws election-law changes close to campaign season, the disputed maps were used anyway.

With an electorate so deeply split along partisan lines that few House races are competitive, the significance last November was glaring. Republicans took control of the House of Representatives by a bare five seats, three of them from districts they were poised to lose had new maps been used in the three states.

Now the revived litigation is again churning through the courts  at least six of them, at last count  with the same political stakes and a sharply divided view of the likely outcomes.
The news he had dreaded arrived a few minutes before midnight.

For weeks, Bahaadin Adam had heard nothing from family members stuck in the fighting that convulsed Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state and the second-largest city in Sudan. Mr. Adam, who had fled weeks before to neighboring South Sudan, remained jittery, constantly checking his phone for updates.

Finally, as he was getting ready for bed, he received a message from his brother. Most of the family had managed to escape Nyala, but his two younger sisters  Meethaaq, 24, and Hana, 10  had been killed by artillery fire.

I was broken into pieces, Mr. Adam, 28, said in a recent interview in Renk town in South Sudan.

Five months after a devastating war began in Sudan between rival military forces, the western region of Darfur has quickly become one of the hardest hit in the nation. People in Darfur have already suffered genocidal violence over the past two decades that has left as many as 300,000 people dead.
As the Biden administration struggles to tackle a humanitarian and political crisis at Americas doorstep, it is focusing increasingly on keeping migrants far from the U.S.-Mexico border by establishing migration processing centers in Central and South America.

But the program is off to a rocky start, with demand for appointments far outstripping supply, leading to periodic shutdowns of the online portal, and some countries limiting applicants over concerns that the centers will cause migrants to overwhelm their own borders.

The centers, in Colombia, Costa Rica and others planned in Guatemala, have become a primary focus of the presidents migration strategy, U.S. officials said, and the administration is already exploring expanding the program to other nations in the region, including opening a similar office in Mexico.

The program, known as the safe mobility initiative, is the most ambitious plan Ive seen, said Sean Garcia, the deputy refugee coordinator for the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, who has worked on migration for over a decade.
At a Mexico City shelter, the nun in charge made another difficult announcement to the mothers and children arriving Wednesday: There was no more space. Five hundred migrants were already crammed into a facility built for 100.

Near Mexicos southern border with Guatemala, frustrated people stormed a refugee aid office on Monday after waiting weeks for appointments to receive the necessary documents that allow them to travel farther north.

And in Tijuana, nearly all of the citys 32 shelters were at full capacity this week, as people from nearly 70 countries waited for a U.S. asylum appointment or a chance to sneak across the border.
The News

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria arrived in China on Thursday as he sought financial support to rebuild his country and to improve his international standing after being ostracized over atrocities committed during Syrias ongoing civil war.

His visit takes place as China seeks to present itself as a powerful influence in the Middle East, and a partner to nations that are shunned by the United States and the West. He is expected to meet with Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping.

Background

Mr. al-Assads trip is his first visit to China in nearly two decades and comes as he has pushed to rehabilitate Syrias global image. China maintained diplomatic ties with Syria even as other nations isolated Mr. al-Assad over his brutal crackdown against the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, which led to civil war.

His government stands accused of atrocities such as using chemical weapons against its own people, torturing thousands of opponents in a network of secret prisons and besieging towns and cities in a conflict that left more than half a million dead.

With the civil war mostly at a stalemate, Mr. al-Assad is looking for investments to help rebuild the country. There has been scant reconstruction of the war-scarred country because of widespread Western sanctions. The United States and many European states have refused to fund any reconstruction in Syria without a political settlement as laid out by a United Nations resolution.

China is unlikely to set political conditions for taking part in reconstruction in Syria. It has buttressed Mr. al-Assads position alongside Russia since the civil war began, using its veto power in the United Nations as recently as 2020 to block resolutions involving Syria.

With the backing of Russia and Iran, Mr. al-Assad has clawed back control over much of the country, but he now leads a broken and impoverished state facing an economic crisis and renewed protests for his ouster.
India has suspended visa applications by Canadian nationals, a sharp escalation in the diplomatic conflict that has followed Canadas claim that Indian agents were behind an assassination in June on Canadian soil.

Arindam Bagchi, the Indian foreign ministry spokesman, described the move as a technical and security issue, saying on Thursday that the countrys high commission and consulates in Canada were temporarily unable to process visas because of safety threats.

This has disrupted their normal function, Mr. Bagchi said during a regularly scheduled news briefing, adding: We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

But the suspension came as tensions between India and Canada have soared in the days since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament that Canadas intelligence services had information linking the Indian government to the killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia on June 18.
Indian lawmakers passed landmark legislation on Thursday that would reserve one-third of all seats for women in the lower house of Parliament and in state legislatures, a move aimed at improving gender parity among lawmakers. But the new rules will not apply to next years national elections.

The legislation was passed by the upper and lower houses of the Parliament after two days of deliberation and lengthy speeches by lawmakers from the governing party and the political opposition. The bill now requires approval from at least half of the countrys 28 state legislatures before it becomes law, after which it would come into force.

Passage in both houses of Parliament virtually guarantees its implementation. Because representatives from Indias different political parties  both at the national and regional levels  already voted in favor of the bill in the two houses of the Parliament, the measure is likely to pass in the state legislatures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the laws passing in the lower house of Parliament as a golden moment of Indias parliamentary journey that is aimed at enabling greater participation of women in our political process.
Ukrainian defenders destroyed 36 cruise missiles out of 43 launched by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

According to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny, on the night of September 21, 2023, at about 03:40, Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with X-101/X-555/X-55 air-launched cruise missiles. In total, 43 cruise missiles were launched from 10 Tu-95ms strategic aviation aircraft from the area west of Engels

"The rockets were launched in several waves. They entered the airspace of Ukraine from different directions, constantly changing course along the route. As a result of combat work by the forces and means of the Air Forces in cooperation with the air Defense of the Defense Forces, 36 cruise missiles were destroyed," Zaluzhny wrote on the Telegram channel.

Anti-aircraft missile troops, fighter aircraft of the Air Force, units of mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and other means were involved in repelling the strike.

"In addition, at 06:00 in the morning, the enemy struck Kharkov with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles," Zaluzhny added.
The markers of separatism are everywhere at the temple. Dozens of yellow flags of Khalistan  a homeland that Sikh separatists want to create in the Punjab region of India  fly in and around the grounds of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple near Vancouver.

In a ground-floor hall, where the faithful were socializing and eating, the walls are lined with scores of framed photographs of slain separatist leaders. Now, a portrait of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, holding the symbolic curved sword of devout men, has been added to a wall with four pushpins, still unframed.

Mr. Nijjar was gunned down outside the temple in June, a killing that Canada has accused India of orchestrating, starting a diplomatic skirmish that has culminated in a war of words between the two countries.

Mr. Nijjar had taken over leadership of the temple in 2019, and his ascension steered the temple in a far more strident and political direction, most likely rousing the suspicion of India, which labeled him a terrorist the following year.
One day after Azerbaijan used force to assert its authority over a mountainous breakaway region in the South Caucasus, its officials met with representatives of the pro-Armenian enclave on Thursday to discuss the future of the residents there under new rule.

Escorted by Russian peacekeepers, a delegation of the government from the enclave, Nagorno-Karabakh, met in Azerbaijan with representatives of the Azerbaijani government.

The meeting, which took place in the town of Yevlakh, was described by the Azerbaijani presidential administration as having been held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, but did not produce any immediate results.
Residents of a two-story building in Kyiv were woken in their beds by a missile attack that gouged a crater less than 50 yards from their home early Thursday.

Hours later, they were retrieving their belongings and sweeping up broken glass in the Darnytsia neighborhood of the capital, along the Dnipro River. It was just one of many places damaged around the country after a barrage of Russian missiles that came the same day President Volodymyr Zelensky was set to meet with President Biden in Washington.

Several people in the building were injured in the impact, which hit close to a nearby railroad track. But it could have been even worse: a scrubby bank of ground a few feet high acted as a shield for the building as the blast sent masonry, corrugated iron and other debris flying. One chunk of brickwork crushed a car.
The Polish authorities said they would supply Ukraine only with already promised weapons, the latest in an escalating public dispute between Kyiv and one of its staunchest allies that comes as the ruling party in Warsaw is trying to fend off a far-right competitor ahead of a national election.

The statement came a day after the countrys prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, told a national broadcaster that Poland was no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine, because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons. But Mr. Morawiecki also insisted that we will certainly not risk Ukraines security, and said that a vital transit hub for Western weapons flowing into Ukraine through the Polish city of Rzeszow still plays the same role it has played and will continue to play.

It wasnt immediately clear how much more weaponry Poland still has to offer or what the repercussions of such a move would be. But the public comments have risked fracturing Europes support for Ukraine as it faces the prospect of another long winter of fighting.

Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been Kyivs most vocal backer in the E.U. and a linchpin of its united front against Moscow. As Ukraines neighbor, it hosts major logistics bases for the provision of weapons supplies; has become home to over 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees; and has been the fiercest advocate for continuous financial and military support to Kyiv.
Ukraine fired missiles and drones at the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, Russian and Ukrainian officials said on Thursday, as Moscows forces attacked regions across Ukraine.

Ukraines military command said its forces had attacked a Russian air base near the city of Saki, on Crimeas western coast, but did not give details of any casualties or damage. Earlier on Thursday, Russias defense ministry said it had destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the surrounding Black Sea, thwarting an attack.

The Ukrainian and Russian claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraines military has intensified its attacks on Crimea in recent weeks and has long maintained that taking aim at Russian assets and operations on the peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, is critical to its war effort. The peninsula is a hub for the Russian military, which keeps troops, fuel, ammunition and other supplies there to funnel to its forces on the front lines in southern Ukraine.Last week, a Ukrainian attack targeted the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet, damaging two ships and starting a fire at a sprawling naval shipyard that is seen as important to the Russian war effort. And on Wednesday, Ukraines military said its missiles took out a command post for the Black Sea Fleet in the village of Verkhnesadovoye, near its headquarters in the nearby port city of Sevastopol. The claims could not be independently verified.

Rybar, an influential Russian military blogger, said Thursday that drones launched from southern Ukraine had targeted five Russian military outposts on Crimeas western coast, but had caused no damage.
President Biden told President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Thursday that the United States would be staying with you as its grinding war with Russia continues, even as a growing faction of the Republican Party has threatened to hold up aid that Mr. Zelensky said could cost his country the war.

Mr. Zelenskys second wartime visit to Washington was spent visiting Capitol Hill, the Pentagon and, finally, the White House, in an extended appeal for more weapons. Along the way, he carried a grim warning. During a meeting at the Capitol with dozens of senators, Mr. Zelensky said Ukraine would lose the war without the aid, according to Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader.

At the White House, Mr. Biden said the United States would begin shipping over Abrams tanks, which the Ukrainians had long sought and were part of an existing pledge, next week. He also acknowledged that he had little choice but to have faith in a bipartisan breakthrough for continued support for Ukraine.

Im counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress, Mr. Biden said. Theres no alternative.

Mr. Zelenskys visit came as polls have shown a growing weariness over the war among the American public, and as dozens of Republicans say they are opposed to Mr. Bidens latest request to Congress for $24 billion for additional aid for Ukraine. Mr. Biden has bucked Republican concerns, pledging that the United States  by far the largest military funder of Ukraine among its Western allies  will stay with Kyiv for the long haul.

Mr. Zelensky said he also received assurances from Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, in a private meeting that the House would continue to support the Ukrainian war effort. He said that they will be on our side  its not simple  that they will support, he said during a meeting with U.S. editors on Thursday night.

Congress has already approved $113 billion in military, economic, humanitarian and other aid for Ukraine, including around $70 billion for security, intelligence and other war fighting costs. Mr. Biden on Thursday released a new military package, worth $325 million, from the existing funding, including what officials called significant air-defense capabilities.

Mr. Zelensky had been hoping that the Americans would provide a powerful weapon called the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, which can strike targets 190 miles away with a warhead containing about 375 pounds of explosives. We have to have them, he said in the meeting with the editors. Because we dont have another way out.

Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, told reporters that Mr. Biden would not provide ATACMS now, but that he had not taken it off the table.

To keep ammunition flowing for Ukraines offensive operations, the Pentagon will also send more guided artillery rockets and artillery shells.



Mr. Zelensky said Ukraine would not stop its counteroffensive this winter and hoped to take advantage of what he considered Russian weaknesses. Im not the best person for military in the world, he said, but President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia needed to pause because he really lost people, professional army, lost. Theyre dead.



We cant stop during the winter, he said. Its difficult. But we have experience of previous year.



He predicted that Ukrainian forces would retake  would de-occupy, as he put it  Bakhmut and two more cities. I will not tell you what cities, sorry, Mr. Zelensky told the editors, saying the military had a very comprehensive plan.

Washington has changed in the nine months since Mr. Zelensky was last here to deliver a joint address to Congress. At the time, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brandished a Ukrainian flag signed by soldiers on the front line. Mr. Biden, who harbored serious doubts about Mr. Zelenskys longevity as a leader at the outset of the invasion, had started to greet the Ukrainian leader like an old friend during regular phone calls. Mr. Biden secretly visited Kyiv in February.

These days, Republicans control the House, which has descended into chaos recently as lawmakers seem unwilling to agree on passing spending legislation that would avert a government shutdown. And insurgent members are threatening to relieve Mr. McCarthy of his gavel.

In a show of bipartisan comity, Mr. Zelensky, dressed in dark-olive fatigues, was escorted through the Capitol during his visit by Mr. Schumer and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader.

American support for Ukraine is not charity, Mr. McConnell, the minority leader, said in a statement. Its in our own direct interests  not least because degrading Russia helps to deter China.

Image President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine met with Senator Mitch McConnell, left, and Senator Chuck Schumer, right, at the Capitol on Thursday. Credit... Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Mr. McCarthy has been under pressure to take a hard line amid demands in his caucus for spending cuts, and in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, Republican lawmakers asked Mr. Zelensky to address their concerns and provide them with his vision of a plan for victory. Democrats asked him how they could convince their conservative colleagues that continuing to support the war was the right answer.

Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, said Mr. Zelensky had listened to questions about funding fatigue, and then talked about the consequences of us cutting off the money.

He said Mr. Zelensky had stressed that Europe and other countries look to the United States for leadership, and a decision by Washington to curtail aid could undercut Europes commitment.

Later, Mr. Zelensky brought his wife, Olena, to the meeting at the White House.

The Zelenskys have tried to build personal relationships with the president and Jill Biden, the first lady. Olena Zelenska has spent much of her time in hiding since the beginning of the war, but she has written letters to Dr. Biden, and the two of them met last year in Ukraine when the first lady took a secret trip to the country.

Its good that our countries are really truly allies, Mr. Zelensky said, reading from a set of cards as he sat next to the president. I am in Washington to strengthen Ukraines position to defend our children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world.

Mr. Zelensky also recounted his frank, constructive dialogue earlier today with members of Congress from both parties. He posted a picture of himself with the House leaders, and emphasized that Ukraine is sincerely grateful to the House, both parties, and the entire American people for all the support.

Reporting was contributed by Karoun Demirjian , James C. McKinley Jr. , John Ismay and Elisabeth Bumiller .
The authorities in flood-devastated eastern Libya appeared to be moving to muzzle dissent over the past week, arresting protesters and activists who have demanded accountability for what they say was a botched official response to the catastrophe.

Torrential rains that burst two dams unleashed a flood on Sept. 11 that swept much of the coastal city of Derna and the surrounding areas out to the Mediterranean Sea, killing thousands.

At least three people who either publicly criticized the government response or participated in a protest in Derna on Monday have been detained, according to witnesses and a relative. Aid workers and journalists also say the authoritarian administration that controls the eastern half of divided Libya, which includes Derna, restricted access to the city for some.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, internet and cellphone services in the city were also shut down, raising questions about whether they were deliberately severed by operators.
Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia may produce localized flash and urban flooding from Virginia to New Jersey through Sunday as the weather system continues to wind down, forecasters said.

Ophelia, which was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, on Saturday delivered high winds that knocked out power for thousands, as well as heavy rains and storm surge that flooded roadways in parts of the Mid-Atlantic.

As of 5 a.m. on Sunday, Ophelia was about 85 miles south of Washington, D.C., and its maximum sustained winds had decreased to 25 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said in its final advisory about the storm.

The center said that parts of the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England could still get one to three inches of rain through Sunday night that could lead to flash, urban and small-stream flooding and some isolated river flooding.
2 p.m. Lose yourself in a flea market

After lunch, explore the Persa Victor Manuel flea market, a former leather-tanning works that is one of the few spaces where Santiaguinos of different socioeconomic backgrounds mix. Start at Galeria La Curtiembre , an art gallery where you can pick up stylized maps of the market, before venturing into the incense-infused alleyways with more than 1,200 stalls. Among the markets characters are Carlos Escobar, who wears solderers goggles and sells old film cameras, and the collector Roberto Avila, who has maps and monographs of Chile and elsewhere  some from the 1800s. Marvel at Bastian Cifuentes photography of the social unrest in 2019, and pick up colorful prints at the gallery of the muralist Alejandro El Mono Gonzalez (where you might meet the artist). For a post-lunch pickup, Kilig , next to El Monos stall, has the markets best coffee.
Effective leaders possess the ability to acknowledge their own errors and extract valuable lessons from them. That was certainly true for Anne Green, the CEO-Elect of G&S Business Communications.

On the newest Taking the Lead video podcast, she openly discusses a mistake she made during CooperKatzs acquisition by G&S Business Communications in 2018. Plus, she shares additional valuable leadership insights. Here are excerpts from the full video interview:

Youve worked for two respected leaders Ive long admired, Ralph Katz (Go Cuse!) and the late Andy Cooper. What are the most important things youve learned about leadership from each of them?

I met Andy and Ralph at 19 during my internship at Burson-Marsteller, New York, in '92. They taught me four valuable qualities: kindness, courage, ethics, and commitment to excellence. They were generous leaders, and I aim to emulate their kindness. In a world that sometimes values cruelty, I stand by kindness. They showed courage in both personal and business aspects, essential in agency work. Their strong ethical framework influenced me, and I prioritize ethical decision-making. Lastly, their commitment to excellence meant late nights perfecting pitches, fostering a culture of dedication without being a sweatshop.

Speaking of colleges, some of your peers studied PR, mass communications, or got an MBA. You have an M. Phil. (A.B.D.) from New York University, with a focus on 19th-century American literature. What did you learn about leadership from studying that?

I completed most of my Ph.D. but left during the dissertation stage, leading to jokes among academic friends about being a "ghost." My undergrad at Vassar College was in English, Women's Studies, and vocal performance. Initially, I aimed to become a professor, which may explain my career path. I left Burson-Marsteller for my Ph.D., freelanced there, and then joined Cooper Katz, eventually realizing that this was my career. I never regretted the shift, valuing intellectual curiosity and a love for learning in our field. Grad school also granted me openness to diverse perspectives and critical thinking skills, particularly in the theory-heavy '90s. It taught me to quickly grasp and communicate complex concepts, which is vital in our fast-paced client-focused field. Whether it's an MBA or liberal arts humanities, advanced learning enriches leadership in PR.

In light of the fact that youve been named CEO starting in January 2024, I guess we can say that the acquisition of CooperKatz by G&S Business Communications has gone well. That said, what do you know now that you wish you had known at the time of the acquisition?

Despite the challenges, I consider the acquisition a success, though I wish I had known about the impending pandemic for better real estate and talent decisions. COVID disrupted our integration process, causing some talent movement. However, I value people's paths and think overall it went well. One hindsight insight is that we should have mixed account teams sooner to foster quicker collaboration and friendships. Working in a hybrid environment has made us more intentional, with a mix of office and remote work, and we're continually adapting to the needs of different life stages and office locations. We've even had sessions on managing excellence in a hybrid environment to ensure inclusive leadership.

Now that youll be at the helm, whats your vision for the agency? And how will you manage two of the biggest challenges facing agency leaders today: Salary equity and reaching DE&I goals?

I'll break it down into two parts. Firstly, regarding the vision, it's an intentional, organic evolution driven by our shareholder group and CEO, Luke Lambert. It aims to provide diverse opportunities for our people, clients, and the agency as a whole, unleashing our full potential. This includes deepening our integration across disciplines, fostering diversity and inclusive leadership, enhancing our brand's visibility, and maintaining excellence in our operations.

Secondly, on the pay equity and DE&I front, we've conducted a thorough pay equity analysis and implemented best practices to ensure equitable compensation. However, our DE&I journey is ongoing. We've made progress in talent diversity but recognize the need to diversify senior leadership. Our focus is on inclusive leadership, retention, and creating a sense of belonging. We're committed to intentional recruitment, candidate diversity, and improving the overall experience of our diverse team members. Marjani Williams, our VP of DE&I, plays a crucial role in this effort, integrating DE&I with client service to enhance its impact on the business.

Heres a question I believe I asked you for my Taking the Lead column in PRSAs Strategies & Tactics many years ago: You came to leadership rather early in your career. What were the benefits of doing so? What were the downsides?

The upside is that I've gained extensive organizational leadership experience over almost 23 years, being part of crucial business decisions and understanding the intricacies of our operations. This experience provides a deep well to draw from when facing challenges, like the curveball COVID threw at us. I find courage in our past successes and our strong leadership team.

The downside, as you mentioned earlier, is that leadership carries a significant burden. While I embrace this responsibility, I've learned that I must establish boundaries and prioritize self-care to prevent it from overwhelming me. Colleagues like Brian Hall, who will become president, and support from my husband, friends, and therapy have been invaluable in helping me maintain balance and be the best leader I can be.

***

Ken Jacobs is the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, which empowers PR and communications leaders and executives to breakthrough results via executive coaching, and helps communications agencies achieve their business development, profitability, and client service goals, via consulting and training. You can find him at www.jacobscomm.com, [email protected] @KensViews, or on LinkedIn.
In Rivne, as result of missile attack, energy infrastructure, part of area is de-energized

As a result of a Russian missile attack on Thursday, September 21, in Rivne, hits were recorded on energy and civilian infrastructure, head of the Rivne regional military administration Vitaliy Koval said.

"Part of the Rivne district is without electricity. The Rivneoblenergo brigade is actively working to restore it," Koval wrote on the Telegram channel.

In addition, the service station and five cars located on its territory were damaged.

There were no casualties as a result of the shelling.
Michael LaRosa

Michael LaRosa, former press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden, has joined Ballard Partners DC office as a partner.

Serving as her chief spokesperson and strategic communications advisor, LaRosa traveled to more than 75 cities and 15 countries with Biden.

He handled Biden's events at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, NATO conference in Madrid, G-20 Summit in Rome and the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

LaRosa also created the communications strategy for her secret trip to Ukraine, which was the first time a First Lady visited an active war zone without the protection of US troops.

Prior to working for Biden, LaRosa handled communications for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the House Democratic Policy Communications Committee

He also spent seven years as a television producer for cable news, at MSNBCs Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Most recently, LaRosa was managing director at the Penta Group, a global PA firm.
THE elected members of the Municipal Council for the Roscrea, Templemore and Thurles area will soon submit a report to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) about issues they feel need to be addressed most urgently on the local road network and a dangerous junction in Roscrea and issues relating to the M7 motorway near the town were among those singled out by the members.

The junction on Roscrea's bypass at Tullaskeagh, where the bypass converges with the Knock Road and New Road towards the town centre, has been the site of fatal accidents in the past.

The junction, which has been raised several times with the national infrastructure authority, will again be highlighted for TII this year after making the same list of blackspots last year.

The junction will soon be carrying an even greater burden of traffic as large-scale residential developments are underway on the Knock Road, which serves as the main route for people travelling on foot and by vehicle for work and school from large housing estates.

Cllr. Shane Lee raised the issue at a meeting of the Municipal Council on Monday and warned there will again be a tragic accident at the junction if remedial works to promote safety are not soon carried out.

This was echoed by Cllr. Michael Smith, who said the junction became a priority in the aftermath of a fatal accident, but fell down the list and was neglected for several years.

We have to get serious with TII on this - we need results, Cllr. Smith said.

MOTORWAY

Issues with standing water and torrents of water streaming across the M7 motorway were also highlighted by Cllr. Lee, who said over 20 cars were forced to pull into the hard shoulder of the M7 recently because the motorway had become unusable during severe downpours.

The stretch of motorway between Junction 22-Roscrea and 23-Moneygall has been singled out as particularly treacherous in poor weather and experiences more instances of fog and rain compared to the surrounding topography, previous meetings heard.

New information gantries, which alert motorists about weather conditions, were installed in recent years to attempt to increase safety.

Another issue to be raised with TII is the surface of the N62 road from Templemore to Junction 22 on the M8 at the Horse and Jockey, which Cllr. Noel Coonan told the meeting needs urgent repairs.

THURLES BYPASS & TURTULLA CROSS

Public demand for a bypass in Thurles, which remains the only major town in the county to not have an arterial road to ease heavy-goods traffic congestion from clogging the town centre, is also a priority for the elected members.

Councillors Seamus Hannafin and Jim Ryan both pleaded for the the Thurles bypass issue to be top of the list in the submission to TII, adding that traffic congestion and frustration for local motorists are a major issue on the minds of Thurles residents and the local business community.

Another dangerous junction towards the south of the Municipal region has also been repeatedly highlighted by elected members and will again make the list for submission to TII.

The crossroads at Turtulla near Thurles, which also has been the site of serious road traffic accidents in the past, will again this year be highlighted as urgent and was singled out by Cllr. Jim Ryan as one of the worst blackspots in the area at Monday's meeting in Thurles.
An Offaly hotel has won the Best Wedding Venue in Leinster Award

The County Arms Hotel in Birr has scooped the award for Best Wedding Venue in Leinster at the RSVP Wedding Awards.

The award is special recognition of the unique charms of the famous Birr hotel

The RSVP Wedding Awards are the among one of the ultimate badges of honour for wedding venues throughout Ireland.

RSVP Editor Paula Lenihan said of The County Arms recognition: For many couples getting married is one of the most cherished and well documented days in their lives. It takes a lot of effort behind the scenes to make the day appear to flow effortlessly, and you pull it off with style.

RSVP Magazine is recognising excellence in the industry, and you are among the people who make the magic happen, down to the finest detail, and while you might be used to pulling off the best celebrations for others, we wanted to celebrate you!

One of our most popular annual features is the coveted Wedding Awards, and from the leading venues to the special final touches, we love being able to showcase the best of Irish brands to our readers.

In a labour of love undertaken by our star-studded judging panel - leading Irish influencer Dominique Nugent, beauty expert Mark Rogers, RSVP Magazine journalist Aine Kenny and leading influencer and entrepreneur Aimee Connolly  who have searched high and low for the most exciting, memorable and dazzling wedding services and revealed the best available to future brides.

We were delighted to inform County Arms Birr that their brand is a winner, having emerged from a very extensive and competitive list.

For wedding enquiries please contact the County Arms on weddings@countyarmshotel.com
An Offaly based human rights and education campaigner is staging a one-day hunger strike in Dublin this week in protest at what he termed fossil fuel greenwashing in schools across Ireland.

Tom Roche began staging his protest outside the UNICEF Ireland offices on Ormond Quay Lower on Tuesday.

Mr Roche handed in a letter to UNICEF protesting that Texaco Support for Sport Ambassador Donnacha OCallaghan is also an Ambassador for UNICEF.

The Rhode based campaigner in an open letter to the Minister for Education, Norma Foley said that her Department, Boards of Management, school principals, teachers, subject associations, teacher unions, non-governmental organisations, along with a host of past advocates, past participants and winners including a former president (Mary Robinson) and a former Government Minister (Ruairi Quinn) have remained silent on Texacos sponsorship of the longest running childrens art competition in Ireland.

The entrenchment of fossil fuel agendas and perspectives across Irish society remains significantly unchallenged even in contexts where the topic of climate change is actively discussed and engaged with, outlined Mr Roche.

He added: The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland (DES, 2018) was one of the Governments key strategies for Education for Sustainability underpinning the Action Plan for Education (DES, 2016). In the former, the .word green gets forty-two mentions.

Side-by-side with the green rhetoric sits the Texaco Childrens Art competition. Pupils and students are expected to uncritically engage with the green school agenda and the Texaco agenda. This incongruous synchronicity directly challenges some of the key recommendations of the Report of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (The Citizens Assembly, 2023).  Mr Roche said his organisation Just Forests creates awareness of the significant role forests play in our economic, social, environmental and cultural lives since its founding in 1989.

Mr Roche undertakes his protest not long after a day-long hunger strike at the Finucane Memorial in Limerick - the home town of UNICEF boss and former Minister of State, Peter Power
Hurricane Nigel will come close to Ireland in the next few days and his outer bands may impact our weather with heavy rain and strong winds, according to forecaster.

A tracker on the windy.com website shows the effects of Nigel hitting Ireland on Saturday morning. You can watch the tracker below.

"The good news is Nigel has decided to head towards Iceland rather than Ireland with just the outskirts hitting us," Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said.

Met Eireann has not issued warnings as Nigel takes a detour north but their latest update shows his impact on our weather.

While Friday night will be mostly dry and calm, "a spell of rain will sweep across the country during the late morning and afternoon on Saturday accompanied by blustery southerly winds," they said.

They predict "strong at times around coasts," with temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

The rain will clear Saturday evening with a few showers lingering about the coasts.
As a result of Russian strikes on residential areas of Kherson, seven fires broke out in the city on Thursday night, three people were killed, five more were injured, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"In Kherson, in the middle of the night, the enemy began to strike residential areas with various weapons. As a result of arrivals, seven fires occurred in the city. Residential and apartment buildings, cars and a shopping mall in one of the city's markets were on fire," the minister wrote on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

He noted that, despite the ongoing shelling, firefighters continued to extinguish fires until the morning.

"According to the police, three people were killed, five more were injured," Klymenko said.

Also, according to the Interior Minister, on Thursday night, the occupiers fired incendiary ammunition at the village of Kizomys in Kherson region: residential and outbuildings caught fire.
Consecration ceremony of 1041 temples done within 860 days in Tamil Nadu

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

It's been 860 days since the Dravidian model government assumed power. Within just 860 days, consecration ceremonies have been done for almost 1041 temples. Apart from consecration, temple land worth 4505 crores has been recovered in the last 2 years, which is a mammoth achievement since the creation of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department.

CM Stalin in his twitter page tweeted about the achievements of the Hindu Religious Department. The contents of his tweet include the success of Dravidian model of government which ensures 'everything for everyone', recovery of temple properties worth approximately 5000 crores, consecration of 1000th temple i.e. Kasi Viswanathar temple in West Mambalam, Chennai etc. This stands testimony to the fact that, DMK government is functioning as an unparalleled government admired by all religious believers.

How is this possible? Is the accusation of DMK being an anti-spiritual party false? Answers for these questions are given by significant personalities.

Political analyst Ramasubramanian's view:

From 07.05.2021, the day when DMK formed government till 11.09.2023, around 1041 temples have been consecrated. CM Stalin's government is the best spiritual regime that could be seen compared to his predecessors including Kamaraj, Annadurai, Karunanidhi, M.G.R., Jayalalithaa, O.P.S., E.P.S. etc.

For example, after 400 years, consecration has been done in Adi Kesava Perumal temple in Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari during Stalin's rule. Similarly, after 300 years consecration was done in Uthiramerur Varatharaja Perumal temple; after 150 years in Arakkonam Gangadeeshwarar temple; after 123 years in Tirunelveli Arikesanallur Ariyanathaswamy temple; after 110 years in Vellore Draupadi Amman temple and after 100 years in 5 other temples.

Correspondingly, it was DMK's government which changed the Annadhanam scheme (free food scheme) to full-day annadhanam scheme in temples. Ramasubramanian said, "...anti-DMK elements are spreading lies about this regime which did so much for the religious welfare of the people. It doesn't matter because CM Stalin has shattered the rumours and lies with his actions."

Mayilam Pompura Aadheenam Srilasri Sivagnana Balaya Swamigal's view:

In India, Tamil Nadu alone has approximately 36,000 temples. India is a secular country which gives equal importance and respect to all religions. Likewise, Tamil Nadu is also a secular state which treats all religions equally. Going by this notion, the Department of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments has done consecration to around 1000 temples which were not given proper attention and care before.

1000 has always been an important number and considered auspicious in Hindu religion. The task was handed over to Sekar Babu, the Minister of Charitable Endowments. Sekar Babu is the right person for the task owing to his beliefs and devotion to God. DMK government has honoured various Aadheenams by inviting religious leaders to important government functions and programs. This is proof of the fact that the DMK regime is a spiritual regime.

Saiva Peravai Kalaiyarasi Natarajan's view:

Former CM Annadurai said, "One Clan One God". The government envisioned by Annadurai is made into a reality by CM Stalin. Karunanidhi, like Annadurai, respected the rights of others and did not prevent anyone, not even his family members from worshipping God or going to temples. Such a person's son is Stalin, who need not be taught about the principles of governance.

Such a government was accused of not giving importance to religion and not respecting the religious rights of people. The lies and the accusations are nothing but political games played by the opposition to spread hatred about DMK. DMK has replied to the accusations through its actions i.e. consecration for more than 1000 temples in just 2 years.

Finally Kalaiyarasi Natarajan said, "....my request to CM Stalin is to perform the consecration ceremony in Tamil language instead of Sanskrit which is possible only by his government."

The existent proverb is 'Do not live in a place where there is no temple'. DMK government's new proverb is 'Do not leave any temple without performing the consecration ceremony'.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 10:31 [IST]
'Love You All, Miss You All': Suicide Note Of Meera Vijay Antony Found 'Stuck' In Her Textbook

Chennai

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Chennai police have recovered a suicide note from the room of Meera, the daughter of Tamil actor and music composer Vijay Antony, who committed suicide in their home. Meera was tragically found hanging in her room by her father in Chennai residence early on Monday. Although she was rushed to the hospital, the youngster couldn't be revived.

Amid various theories circulating about the motive behind Meera's unfortunate decision, the ongoing police investigation has taken a new twist with the discovery of a letter hidden within one of her textbooks. As reported by the media, Meera's final message was 'stuck' in her textbook.

In the brief 10-line letter, Meera purportedly expressed, "Love you all, miss you all." She also mentioned, "I will miss my friends and teachers." Heartbreakingly, the letter contained the words, "My family will suffer without me." The entire message was written in English, and the police have officially documented it as part of their investigation to determine if Meera wrote it while under stress before her tragic suicide, according to News9Live report.

Old Post Of Vijay Antony's Wife Hailing Daughter Meera Goes Viral

According to reports, Meera was a Class 12 student at a private school in Chennai. She 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. 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.

There are also reports indicating that Meera had been grappling with stress for some time and was receiving treatment for it. At present, stress is being cited as the primary factor behind Meera's tragic decision.

Meanwhile, the last rites for Meera, the daughter of Tamil actor and music composer Vijay Antony, who reportedly took her own life, were conducted at Kilpakkam cemetery in Chennai on Wednesday at approximately 11 am.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the nature of her death. Meera allegedly passed away by suicide during the early hours of Tuesday, September 19, in Chennai. She was swiftly taken to a private hospital, where she was declared deceased. Initial investigations suggested that she had succumbed to depression, a conclusion further supported by the autopsy report.

'I Carried You In The Womb': Vijay Antony's Wife Bids Tearful Adieu To Daughter

Vijay Antony and Fatima, the couple, also have a younger daughter named Lara.

Meanwhile, an old video of Vijay Antony discussing suicide has resurfaced and gone viral on Twitter. In the video, Antony speaks candidly about the hardships he has faced in his life and strongly advocates against considering suicide as a solution. He also reveals that he tragically lost his father to suicide when he was just 7 years old.

#VijayAntony lost his father to suicide when he was just 7 years old  Tragically, today, his own daughter has also taken her life  In a video, #VijayAntony talks about the pain of life, why hes silent & why suicide should never be an option 

pic.twitter.com/GbjD4eJ8E0  KARTHIK DP (@dp_karthik) September 19, 2023
Murasoli, The Brainchild Of Karunanidhi And The Voice Of DMK

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

Murasoli, the official organ of DMK, started by M. Karunanidhi in 1942 was published as a pamphlet initially. Murasoli was first printed in Tiruvarur Krishna press owned by Narayanasamy Pillai who was a Congressman. In the initial days, Karunanidhi along with his friends raised funds and printed around 1000 copies of Murasoli. Murasoli gained prominence in Thanjavur district apart from Tiruvarur.

In the Murasoli publications, Karunanidhi has written many articles including the controversial one about Chidambaram Dikshitars (an exclusive group of Brahmins) for which he was banned from entering Chidambaram. Through his inspiring and revolutionary articles in Murasoli publications, Karunanidhi has made a name for himself at a very young age.

DMK founder Annadurai owned a magazine 'Dravida Nadu' as the policy proxy of the party to further the demand for a separate nation. However, in the light of war threat from China, he abandoned the demand for a Dravidian nation realising the necessity to protect the territorial integrity of our country from foreign powers which is not possible when there are internal problems. To explain this Anna said, "Roof can be changed only if there is a house".

The policy shift and demand drop rendered the Dravida Nadu publication useless. After Dravida Nadu, Anna announced 'Nam Nadu' as the official magazine of DMK. Ira. Nedunchezhiyan, Ira. Chezhiyan, C.P. Chitrarasu became the face of the magazine after Annadurai. Anna served as the editor of many magazines including 'Malai Mani', started by M. Parthasarathy for conveying his ideas to people.

In 1956, Annadurai started and edited the 'Nam Nadu' magazine for DMK and in 1963 founded and edited the Kanchi weekly magazine. He also started and edited the 'Home Land' English magazine in 1957. DMK needed the help of Murasoli to fill the void in the press field created by the death of Anna. When Murasoli was started as a pamphlet in 1942, Karunanidhi was only a student and wrote under the pen name Cheran, the reason being the non completion of his school exams properly.

Running Murasoli served as a tedious task for Karunanidhi because of financial constraints, World War II, shortage of paper etc. Despite the multi-faceted constraints, Karunanidhi had unshakeable determination to run the magazine, so he decided to write explanations of policies as play. He did not want to get a job to resolve his financial problems because his interest laid in the political field.

Karunanidhi got a place in a theatre group run by R.V. Gopal. Karunanidhi wrote dialogues as well as acted in the plays which helped him to gain popularity and good income. Some of his best works include Shantha, Palaniappan plays etc.

Periyar came to Pondicherry to preside over one of Karunanidhi's plays but the play was disrupted by a turmoil in which Karunanidhi was attacked. After the incident, Periyar took Karunanidhi to work in his 'Kudi Arasu' magazine where he got Rs.40 as salary. When he was working in Kudi Arasu, Karunanidhi got an opportunity to work in films which he pursued to support his party work and journalism work with the money he earned from films. His debut film as a dialogue writer was 'Rajakumari'.

After independence, Karunanidhi planned to revive the stalled Murasoli publication by pawning his wife's jewellery. This is the period when Anna and Periyar had a difference of opinion regarding the celebration of independence. From 14.01.1948, Murasoli gained prominence swiftly. Karunanidhi introduced the Periyar calendar system instead of the Gregorian calendar. On the sidelines, Karunanidhi wrote the famous movie Parasakthi which was released in 1952.

25 issues of Murasoli were published having Tiruvarur as head office. From 1954, Murasoli was published as a weekly magazine from Chennai till 1960. The head office of Murasoli was in various places and finally it was shifted to Mount Road in Chennai. Murasoli was well received by the public within 7 months of becoming a weekly magazine. According to poet Suratha, awards were given for works published in Murasoli.

Karunanidhi wrote many articles in the form of letters in Murasoli during which he started using the word 'Udanpirappe' (my sibling). After 17.09.1960 Murasoli became a daily magazine which stood bravely against the decision of the then PM Indira Gandhi to declare emergency. Murasoli criticised the Emergency declaration to protect press freedom. Such a magazine, Murasoli, the first child of Karunanidhi, completed 80 years since its inception.
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Chandrababu Naidu To Finally Come Out Of Jail As AP High Court Grants Bail

Uproar in AP Assembly Over Chandrababu Naidus Arrest; Speaker Suspends TDP Members For A Day

Hyderabad

oi-PTI

The arrest of TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with the AP Skill Development Corporation scam rocked the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday with some members of the opposition party being suspended for attempting to 'disrupt' the proceedings, seeking a discussion on the matter.

Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram barred three members-- two from Telugu Desam Party and one from YSR Congress-- for the rest of the session.

While the other opposition legislators were suspended for the day for indulging in sloganeering demanding the release of former CM Chandrababu Naidu, who is lodged in a prison in Rajamahendravaram.

The Speaker also warned Hindupur MLA and actor Balakrishna for "twirling his moustache" and "slapping the thigh" in the House, saying he will excuse the legislator this time as it was his first instance of 'unacceptable' behaviour.

'I Was About To Meet Chandrababu Naidu...': Rajinikanth

After announcing the suspension, Sitharam adjourned the House to Friday.

The legislators who were suspended for the entire session are P Keshav, A Satya Prasad from TDP and K Sridhar Reddy of YSRCP.

Sridhar Reddy was suspended from the party for alleged anti-party activities a few months ago.

Legislative Affairs Minister B Rajendranath Reddy, who moved a motion to suspend the TDP members, said rushing to the Speaker's podium and breaking glass on the table may amount to "criminal action."

Reddy further said the government is ready to take up a discussion on the demands made by the TDP members.

Soon after the proceedings began this morning, TDP members rushed to the podium with placards and surrounded the Speaker. Before adjourning the House briefly, the Speaker requested the opposition MLAs to return to their seats and allow the question hour to continue. Following this, there was a heated argument and exchange of words between the ruling party and opposition members.

Chandrababu Naidu Files Bail Petitions In Court In Skill Development Corporation Case

Responding to the TDP's adjournment motion on Naidu's arrest for allegedly misappropriating the funds of AP Skill Development Corporation, Rajendranath said they can raise the topic in the business advisory council meeting. The pandemonium continued even as Social Welfare Minister Merugu Nagarjuna rebutted allegations that the 'Kalyanamasthu' scheme was discontinued. Irrigation Minister Ambati Rambabu hit out at Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna, saying the Assembly is not a movie after he allegedly twirled his moustache.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 18:04 [IST]
Centre Issues Advisory To TV Channels Amid India-Canada Row

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, the Central government on Thursday issued an advisory to all private television channels to refrain from interviewing individuals linked with terrorism. The advisory, however, does not mention Gurpatwant Singh Pannu or Canada's name.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said, "It has come to the notice of this Ministry that a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism, belonging to an organization which has been proscribed by law in India was invited for a discussion on a television channel wherein the said person made several comments/remarks which were detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also had the potential of disturbing public order in the country."

"While the Government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution, the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the CTN Act, 1995, including sub-section (2) of Section 20," the advisory further added.

"In the light of the above, television channels are advised to refrain from giving any platform to reports/references about and views/agenda of persons of such background including those against whom there are charges of serious crimes/terrorism and belonging to organizations which have been proscribed by law, having regard to the reasonable restrictions laid down under Article 19(2) of the Constitution and mentioned under sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the CTN Act," the advisory said.

Sukhdool Singh Sukha Shot Dead In Canada's Winnipeg; Gangsters Goldy Brar Claim Revenge | Top Updates

The order is in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations of India with any foreign state, or public order or morality, the advisory said.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is a US-based Sikh extremist who heads the Sikhs for Justice Group and was designated as a terrorist in India.
Curfew Reimposed In Imphal After Protesters Try To Storm Police Stations

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

A curfew which was relaxed in the twin districts of Imphal from 5 am to 9 pm for the people to buy essential items has been reimposed from Thursday after some protestors tried to storm the police stations and court arrest demanding the unconditional release of the five youths.

The statement also stated that all persons belonging to essential services such as the Health, PHED, Munical Officials/Staff, Power (MSPDCL/MSPCL), Media personnel, schools/colleges and functioning of Courts, should be exempted from further imposition of curfew after the expiry of the said period.

More than 10 people were injured after tear gas was fired by the security forces of Manipur and RAF personnel. The tear gas was fired to control the crowd.

Reportedly several protesters raised slogans and tried to enter the Porompat police station, and Andro police station in Imphal East, Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost, and Mayang Imphal police station in Imphal West district.

Earlier today many women protestors attempted to storm their nearby police stations demanding to release of five arrested village defence volunteers by Manipur Police.

Manipur: 17 Injured In Clashes In Bishnupur; Curfew Reimposed In Imphal Valley

"We were left with no option but to court arrest as the government failed to release the five village volunteers. If such village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meitei villages in the periphery of the hills and the valley Kuki Zo militants," PTI quoted a protester at Porompat as saying.

"Curfew hours, which was relaxed from 5am to 9pm on September 21, stands withdrawn with effect from 5pm and restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is enforced in all areas of Imphal West district," an official order by the district magistrate of Imphal West read.

Earlier on September 16, five persons were arrested for carrying sophisticated weapons and donning camouflage uniforms by Manipur police. According to the police, all five men had been produced before the judicial magistrate and remanded to police custody.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi Boosts School Infrastructure with Massive Order of Chairs and Desks

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has placed an order for over 37,000 chairs and more than 6,200 desks as part of an initiative to improve infrastructure in its schools. The move marks the first time that nursery students in these institutions will be provided with desks and chairs.

India

-Krishna Kripa

As part of its efforts to enhance the infrastructure in its schools, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has placed an order for 37,484 chairs and 6,246 desks. This announcement was made by a senior official on Thursday. The move signifies MCD's commitment towards improving educational facilities and ensuring that students have access to basic amenities that facilitate effective learning.

Inspection By Delhi Mayor

The Mayor of Delhi, Shelly Oberoi inspected the newly installed desks at Nigam Pratibha Vidyalaya Saraswati Vihar located in the Keshavpuram Zone under MCD jurisdiction. During her visit, she affirmed that desk and chair facilities will be extended to all schools run by the MCD. She further revealed that this is going to be the first instance where nursery children will also have dedicated desks and chairs.

A Significant Step Towards Improved Infrastructure

This initiative marks a significant step towards improved school infrastructure as it aims at providing comfortable seating arrangements for young learners. According to a statement from the mayor's office, a total of 37,484 chairs and 6,246 desks have been ordered for distribution across 800 schools under MCD administration.

Protests During The Visit

However, Mayor Oberois visit was not without controversy as she faced protests from a group of BJP councillors and workers from Keshavpuram Zone led by Virender Goel. Local councillor Shikha Bhardwaj accused Oberoi of excluding her from participating in this inspection visit. Furthermore, BJP issued a statement alleging that Mayor Oberoi was attempting to mislead people with false claims about being instrumental in providing desks for nursery students for the first time.

In conclusion, despite political controversies surrounding this initiative taken up by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the decision to provide desks and chairs for students, including those in nursery classes, is a commendable step towards improving educational infrastructure. This move not only ensures a conducive learning environment but also signifies an important shift towards acknowledging and addressing the basic needs of young learners. It remains to be seen how this initiative will be implemented across all MCD-run schools and whether it will bring about substantial improvements in the overall quality of education provided.
DGCA issues show cause notice to Go First for cancelling flights on May 3-4

DGCA Suspends Air India's Chief Of Flight Safety For A Month

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

In a strong move towards passenger and flight safety, on Thursday (September 21) the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended Air India's chief of flight safety, Rajeev Gupta for a month after a surveillance carried out earlier in July this year revealed several lapses. As per Rajeev Gupta's public profile, he has worked with Air India for over 35 years now and has held various posts "in training, operations, safety, administration, regulatory work, audits, IOSA."

The DGCA statement reads, "The DGCA surveillance (conducted on July 25 and 26) found deficiencies in the accident prevention work carried out by the organization and the availability of the requisite technical manpower as required in the approved flight safety manual and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements," It further said, "Further, it was observed that some of the internal audit/spot checks claimed to be carried out by the airline were done in a perfunctory manner and not as per the regulatory requirements,"

Reportedly, Air India was asked to provide an action report after the surveillance concluded. Show cause notices to the "concerned post holders" were issued after the airline submitted their report.

The DGCA said, "Based on the review of the replies received, the airline has been directed not to assign any audits/surveillance/spot checks....to the particular auditor involved in the perfunctory inspections, which indicates lack of diligence. Further, the approval of the Chief of Flight Safety of Air India has been suspended for one month for the lapses established,"

As per a report in the Business Standard, there were two major safety violations at Air India in the last two months. Surveillance conducted by a two-member team at Air India's head office in Gurugram on July 25-26 revealed that the airline allegedly fabricated reports in 13 areas where they were supposed to conduct internal safety audits. This includes cargo, ramp, and cabin surveillance.

Bangladeshi Man Tries To Kiss Air Hostess On Board Muscat-Dhaka Flight; Arrested

In August, DGCA suspended the airline's approved training organization (ATO) license. The regulator reportedly identified lapses during a spot check it conducted. As a result, operations for the Boeing simulator in Mumbai and the Airbus simulator in Hyderabad were both halted.

The DGCA conditionally reactivated Air India's ATO license on 7th September for 30 days once the airline reportedly rectified the on-the-spot deficiencies. Furthermore, Air India has been instructed to conduct an internal audit of its simulators in 30 days and submit a report.

Air India has been facing hiccups after the Tata Group took control of the airline in January 2022.

Reportedly, the airline's net loss increased by 19.16% to Rs. 11, 387.96 crores in the year 2022-23.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 14:07 [IST]
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) provided water tanks to two communities of Dnipropetrovsk region.

"The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to implement the project Access to drinking water for the population affected by the destruction [by Russian occupiers] of the Kakhovska HPP in early June this year. Settlements in Dnipropetrovsk region of Myrivska and Pervomaiska merged territorial communities (hromadas) now have a significant shortage of drinking water and are forced to buy or deliver drinking water from the nearest cities and self-pickup points," the URCS reported on Facebook.

In addition to tanks of different volumes, the URCS volunteers handed over pumps for pumping water to the communities.

The URCS recalled that in early August, the first water treatment plant was installed in Myrivska hromada. A station of this capacity is capable of performing mechanical cleaning and disinfection of about 1,000 liters of water per hour, that is, during the day it can provide water to more than 6,000 people.
From Paramjit Panjwar To Sukhdool Singh, The Mysterious Deaths Of 5 Khalistani Terrorists In 9 Months

India

oi-Prakash KL

Punjab gangster Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke has been reportedly been killed in Canada over inter-gang rivalry.

He was killed in in Winnipeg in Canada on Wednesday evening. Originally from Moga district in the Indian state of Punjab, Duneke had escaped to Canada on forged papers in 2017.

The two cops, who had helped him flee with fake documents, were arrested last June. The development comes when Canada has accused the Indian government's link to the murder of another Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, this is the fifth such murder of a prominent Khalistani leader outside India in the last nine months.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Who Was The Khalistani Terrorist Killed In Canada?

Harmeet Singh Killed In Pakistan

Harmeet Singh, a top Khalistan terrorist involved in the killing of several Hindu leaders in Punjab has been killed near Lahore In Pakistan. He was killed by a local gang over a financial dispute that stemmed out of a drug deal. He was shot by a local gang near the Dera Chahal Gurudwara near Lahore.

Harmeet alias Happy PhD took over as the chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force in 2014 after the outfit's boss Harminder Mintoo was arrested by the Punjab Police from Thailand. Mintoo had managed to escape from jail, but he was arrested again. He died of a cardiac arrest in 2018.

Khalistan Commando chief Paramjit Panjwar shot dead in Lahore

Chief of the separatist group Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) Paramjit Singh Panjwar was reportedly shot dead in Lahore's Sunflower Society Johar Town in Pakistan on May 6.

He was gunned down when was walking near his house around 6 am, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

Paramjit Singh Panjwar, who was born in 1960 in Tarn Taran's Panjwar village, was a prominent figure within the KCF, which is designated as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Who Is Behind Sukhdool Singhs Killing In Canada? Lawrence Bishnoi Claims The Responsibility

After working at a Central Cooperative Bank in Sohal, he was radicalized by his cousin Labh Singh in 1986 and subsequently became a member of the KCF. After his cousin was killed by the Indian security forces, he took over the reins of the KCF in 1990s and shifted his base to Pakistan. Although the Pakistan government had denied that he was staying in the country, he lived in Lahore while his family settled in Germany, the report said.

He was reportedly killed in inter-gang rivalry.

Pro-Khalistani Activist Avtar Singh Dies In UK

Avtar Singh Purba alias Khanda, a prominent pro-Khalistani activist who was involved in the attack on the Indian High Commission in London, died at a hospital in the city of Birmingham on June 15, a UK-based Sikh organisation said in a statement.

Sikh Federation UK, which has styled itself as one of the largest Sikh organisations based in the UK, said Avtar Singh was terminally ill with blood cancer. He was on a life support system for the last few days.

Avtar Singh, who initially went to UK in 2007 on study visa but later took asylum there in 2012 and never returned since then, was linked to anti-India activities including the attack on the tricolour at the High Commission of India in London earlier this year - allegations that he had denied.

His father was a former KLF terrorist who was killed by security forces in 1991, and his mother was related to another KLF terrorist, Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala, who had strong links to the Pakistani deep state.

Who Was Punjab Gangster Sukha Duneke Shot Dead In Canada's Winnipeg?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killed In Surrey

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.

A resident of Bharsinghpur village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Nijjar was found dead inside a car with bullet wounds in the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, of which he was the head, in Surrey around 8:27 pm (local time) on Sunday, PTI reported citing officials. Nijjar was also associated with the Sikhs For Justice and has been trying to radicalise the Sikh community across the world.

With the aim of creating a separate state of Khalistan, he was trying to get the Sikhs to go against India and carry out violent acts. Nijjar who had designated him as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He had played a key role in organising the Khalistan referendum in Brampton city. India had asked Canadian authorities to take action against Nijjar for his alleged involvement in terrorist acts in Punjab.

Harmeet Singh, Paramjit Panjwar, Avtar Singh, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and now Sukhdool Singh are the pro-Khalistani leaders who have died mysteriously in the last nine months. These deaths come at a time when countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Pakistan are witnessing a rise in anti-India or pro-Khalistan activities.
PM Modi's Strategy Behind Import Duty Relaxation Revealed by Omar Abdullah

National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah, alleges that PM Modi removed taxes on American apples and walnuts as part of an attempt to invite US President Joe Biden for the 2024 Republic Day parade. The move has drawn criticism from the opposition who claim it will harm local producers.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Recently, the Indian government announced a relaxation on the import duty for American apples and walnuts, a move that has sparked speculation and criticism. National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah suggested that this decision was motivated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's desire to invite US President Joe Biden as the chief guest at India's 2024 Republic Day parade.

The Motivation Behind Duty Relaxation

"It is now known what compelled the central government to remove the tax on American apples and walnuts. The prime minister Narendra Modi wanted to invite the American President Biden as a special guest for the January 26 ceremony," said Abdullah during a one-day party workers convention at Handwara in north Kashmirs Kupwara district.

Omar Abdullah Denied Escort Vehicles, Reaches Party Office On Foot, Shares Video

Abdullah further criticized this policy change, suggesting it would negatively impact local producers. "They made sure that apples, walnuts and dry fruits will come from America while our own apples, walnuts and dry fruits will rot in the markets," he added.

Tariff Policies: A Retaliatory Move?

This announcement came ahead of the G20 Summit where India revealed its plans to remove additional duties on about half a dozen US products including not only apples and walnuts but also almonds and lentils. These duties were initially imposed back in 2019 as part of a retaliatory strategy after America increased tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products originating from India.

Criticisms of Government Policies

Beyond his critique of these specific trade policies, Abdullah also expressed broader concerns regarding governance in Jammu & Kashmir under PM Modi's leadership. He argued that these recent decisions reflect an overall pattern of dissatisfaction with governmental policies across different regions within Jammu & Kashmir.

"The situation in Jammu & Kashmir is different now; people are unhappy and disappointed in every region. Youth are angry," he said, highlighting the growing discontent among the younger generation.

Omar Abdullah joins Rahul Gandhi's Yatra from Banihal in J&K

In conclusion, while the Indian government's decision to relax import duties on American apples and walnuts may seem like a simple trade policy adjustment, it has sparked significant controversy and criticism. Critics argue that this move prioritizes international relations over domestic interests, potentially at the cost of local producers. Furthermore, these criticisms extend beyond this specific policy change to reflect broader concerns about governance under PM Modi's leadership in Jammu & Kashmir. As India prepares for its 2024 Republic Day parade and potential visit from US President Joe Biden, these issues will likely continue to be hotly debated.
Resolution Sought at Neutral Expert Meeting for Kishenganga, Ratle Disputes Between India & Pakistan

A two-day meeting attended by India was held in Vienna as part of proceedings aimed at resolving the dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects. The meeting was convened by a neutral expert under the Indus Waters Treaty.

India

-Krishna Kripa

On September 20 and 21, India participated in a two-day meeting in Vienna. This gathering was part of the ongoing proceedings aimed at resolving the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects located in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was convened by a neutral expert as part of conflict resolution procedures.

The Delegation

India's delegation to this crucial meeting was led by the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, with Senior Advocate Harish Salve present as India's lead counsel for this matter. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed their participation on Thursday. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in Vienna served as the venue for these discussions concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle issues.

The Neutral Expert Proceedings

This particular meeting was organized by a neutral expert appointed upon India's request under the framework provided by the Indus Waters Treaty. Representatives from both parties involved, namely India and Pakistan, attended this convening. These neutral expert proceedings are an integral part of conflict resolution mechanisms outlined within said treaty.

Indias Stance

In line with its consistent position on this issue, India has stated that it considers these neutral expert proceedings to be currently valid under graded mechanism provided for in Indus Waters Treaty. The MEA affirmed this stance through an official statement released after the event.

"Indias participation in this meeting is consistent with our principled stand that according to graded mechanism stipulated within Indus Waters Treaty, only these neutral expert proceedings hold validity at present," read part of MEA's statement.

Treaty-Consistent Decision

In accordance with its adherence to principles enshrined within Indus Waters Treaty, India has chosen not to participate in any parallel proceedings. This decision underscores India's commitment to resolving this dispute in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the treaty, which both nations have been signatories to since 1960.

In conclusion, this meeting represents another step towards resolution of the ongoing Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects dispute between India and Pakistan. By participating in these neutral expert proceedings, India demonstrates its commitment to resolve such conflicts through established mechanisms within international treaties. It remains hopeful that these discussions will lead towards an equitable solution for all parties involved while upholding principles of fairness and respect for international law.
Jharkhand: Doctors To Go On Indefinite Strike From Friday

India

pti-PTI

Doctors in Jharkhand are all set to boycott work indefinitely from Friday in protest against the alleged assault of a colleague in Jamshedpur.

Jharkhand IMA secretary Pradip Kumar Singh Thursday claimed that over 14,000 doctors in government and private hospitals will participate in the agitation. Emergency services in the hospitals have, however, been exempted from the agitation, he said.

"The agitation will continue till all the accused in the assault of a doctor of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur are arrested," Singh was quoted as saying.

MGMMCH senior pediatrician Kamlesh Oraon was allegedly brutally attacked by attendants after the death of a child, who was in critical condition on Monday night. Oraon reportedly received serious head injuries.

"Three days have passed but no arrest has been made to date though video footage of the incident is available. Therefore, we took the decision to boycott work," he claimed.

The boycott will begin at 6 a.m. on Friday and will continue till all accused in the assault are arrested, Singh said.

"We have been demanding implementation of the Medical Protection Act to avoid such incidents. We were just given assurances, but no concrete step has been taken so far. The government has adopted a lackadaisical approach towards our long pending demands, which is not acceptable," Singh further added.

The strike notice has been sent to the secretary of the health department, director of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, deputy commissioners and civil surgeons of all 24 districts of Jharkhand.
Lok Sabha Clears Women's Reservation Bill, Rajya Sabha To Take Up Today: 10 Things to Know

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Lok Sabha passed the Women's Reservation Bill, marking a significant moment in India's legislative history. The bill, which reserves 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, was passed with near-unanimous support, a testament to the growing consensus in India on the need for greater women's representation in government.

The passage of the bill comes during a special session of Parliament that has also seen the inauguration of a new legislative building. The bill is now set to be considered by the Rajya Sabha, where it will need to be passed by a two-thirds majority. Once approved by both houses of Parliament, the bill will also need to be ratified by at least half of the state assemblies before it can become law.

Here are 10 points on this big story:

Despite opposition demands to extend similar benefits to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and to implement the measure before the upcoming general elections, the Lok Sabha decisively approved the bill, reserving one-third of seats for women in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Day 3 of the five-day special parliamentary session, commemorating India's 75th anniversary of independence, saw an overwhelming show of support for the bill, with 454 votes in favor and only two votes against it in the Lok Sabha. The bill is now scheduled for presentation in the Rajya Sabha. After years of attempts and debates, the Women's Reservation Bill finally cleared the Lok Sabha. It was initially introduced by the UPA government under the leadership of Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in 2008, where it passed in 2010. However, it had never been brought up for consideration in the Lok Sabha until now. While the historic bill proposes a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, it may not be fully implemented until 2029. The implementation of the women's quota hinges on the first delimitation of constituencies following the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill. This process is expected to occur in 2027, as delimitation is typically carried out after the completion of the next census. The potential delay in implementation has given rise to demands from opposition parties for an immediate enactment of the bill, including a sub-quota for OBCs. During the parliamentary debate, Sonia Gandhi, the chief of the Congress parliamentary party, expressed frustration on behalf of Indian women, who have waited for over a decade for their political empowerment and are now being asked to wait for several more years. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, raised questions about the need for a new census and delimitation, suggesting that the bill could be implemented sooner. He speculated that the delay might be a strategic move to postpone its full effect by several years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that both delimitation and census activities would commence after the next general election. He urged all members to rise above partisan politics and unanimously pass the bill, acknowledging that women had been let down by Parliament four times in the past. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the passage of the bill, expressing his gratitude to MPs from all political parties who supported it. He praised the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a historic legislation that would further empower women and enhance their participation in the political process.
Several positive changes in J&K over the past 12 months which reflect 'complete normalcy': MEA

MEA India Calls Upon Canada's 'Politically Driven' Claims, Inaction On Terrorist Activities As Diplomatic Row

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

Amid a raging diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi dismissed Canada's allegations against India as "politically driven" and "prejudiced."

"No specific information has been shared by Canada on this, either before or after," Bagchi said at the MEA's weekly briefing on Thursday. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada."

Earlier, on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was involved in the killing of Nijjar, a designated terrorist and one of the most wanted men in India.

Bagchi also confirmed that Canada had not shared any specific information regarding Trudeau's allegations. "From our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon," he said.

Over the issue of suspension of visa services in Canada, Bagchi said, "We are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commissions and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis."

Earlier on Thursday, Canada suspended the services of India's visa processing center in Canada.

Public allegations levied by Canada have strained relations between the two countries, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both sides.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 this year in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb. Nijjar was designated a "terrorist" by India in July 2020 over his support of a Sikh homeland as an independent Khalistani state.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 19:16 [IST]
Ashok Gehlot Criticizes Incomplete Women's Reservation Bill Ahead of Elections

India

-Krishna Kripa

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recently expressed his views on the women's reservation bill, stating that while it has been largely accepted by all, it remains incomplete without a provision for OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation and the implementation of caste census. He made these comments during a press interaction after an event in Jaipur.

Political Gain or Genuine Reform?

Gehlot raised concerns about the timing and motivation behind introducing this bill. He suggested that it was primarily brought forward with an eye on upcoming elections, under pressure from opposition parties. The Chief Minister said, "If they [the Centre] wanted, they could have done it nine years ago because they had full majority." His statement implies that the central government had ample opportunity to pass such legislation when they enjoyed undisputed power but did not do so.

Caste Census: A Necessary Measure

The Rajasthan CM also highlighted the importance of conducting a caste census. This comes in response to demands being raised by various sections of society and political alliances across India who believe such data would help ensure more equitable distribution of resources among different social groups. Gehlot stated, "It is understood that if the opposition India alliance is raising the issue of caste census, then caste census is also important."

Call for Inclusive Reservation

Gehlot further urged the Government of India to heed calls from Sonia Gandhi and many other opposition parties for extending reservations to SC/ST/OBC communities within 33 percent quota set aside for women. According to him, only then can all castes and classes get equal opportunities to participate in governance structures.

A Message for PM Modi

In response to questions regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit on September 25th, Gehlot said he hopes both PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would take steps to address the issues he raised. However, he did not elaborate on what specific actions he expects from them.

In conclusion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's remarks point to a broader debate about social justice and representation in India. While the women's reservation bill is indeed a significant step towards gender equality, it has also highlighted the need for more inclusive policies that account for caste-based disparities. The call for implementing caste census and extending reservations within women's quota to SC/ST/OBC communities underscores this demand. It remains to be seen how these suggestions will be received by the central government and what measures they might adopt in response.
West Bengal Teacher Associations Threaten Protest Over HRMS Discussions

India

-Krishna Kripa

The recent move by West Bengal's higher education department to discuss the issue of human resource management system (HRMS) in state universities has sparked a wave of controversy. Eight teacher organisations have voiced their opposition to this initiative, warning of a potential protest movement in campuses across the region. They perceive this step as an attempt to undermine the autonomy and independence of colleges and universities.

Teacher Organisations Raise Concerns

In a letter addressed to Education Minister Bratya Basu, these organisations expressed their sincere hopes that the department would take into account the concerns raised by teachers' associations seriously. Furthermore, they urged the department not to jeopardise the autonomous status of public-funded universities. The signatories include prominent groups such as Calcutta University Teachers Association (CUTA), Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA) and Rabindra Bharati University Teachers Association (RBUTA).

Potential Protest Movement

The letter also carried a warning that if their concerns are not heeded, these associations will be compelled to initiate a protest movement against this decision. Prepared for all eventualities, they also indicated readiness to challenge this decision legally should it be implemented.

Government's Communication Sparks Controversy

A recent communication from an official at assistant secretary level inviting finance officers from state-aided universities for a meeting on September 20th was seen as problematic. This meeting was intended "to discuss regarding HRMS in state-aided universities". However, teacher organisations interpreted it as an ominous sign indicating governments unwelcome intentions.

Ideological Conflict Over Autonomy

This situation highlights a broader ideological conflict over autonomy within educational institutions in India. While government bodies argue for greater oversight and standardisation through mechanisms like HRMS, many educators believe in the importance of maintaining institutional autonomy. They argue that such autonomy fosters academic freedom, promotes diversity and encourages innovation.

In conclusion, the ongoing tussle between teacher organisations and the higher education department over HRMS in West Bengal's state universities underscores a crucial debate about educational governance. While it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, it is clear that any move perceived as eroding university autonomy will meet with strong resistance from educators. The outcome of this confrontation could have significant implications for the future direction of higher education policy in West Bengal specifically, and India more broadly.
Trudeau Defies Security Protocol, Rejects Presidential Suite During G20 Summit Stay

India

oi-Stuti Tripathi

In the wake of the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada, it has now come to light that, when Canada PM Justin Trudeau was in India for the G20 summit, his security personnel refused to let their PM stay in the presidential suite at the Lalit Hotel Delhi.

Multiple media reports have stated that the Presidential Suite at the Lalit in Central Delhi had been specially furnished for Justin Trudeau during the G20 summit in India on 9th and 10th September. As per security protocol for the visiting heads of state, the Indian establishment had made quite a lot of arrangements for the Canadian PM also.

The reason for this change of plan is still not clear. According to a report in Times of India, Indian officials were taken aback when Trudeau's delegation decided not to stay in the assigned suite but opted for normal rooms instead. This was followed by rounds of negotiations where Indian officials insisted on following the protocol to ensure the PM's security. Since the final call in such cases is of the visitor dignitary and its embassy, Indian officials had to back off after the Canadian side refused to budge.

Not only this, reportedly, Canadians also offered to pay for the Presidential suite despite not having used it. Speculations have been that Trudeau was just following the instructions of his security team.

Times When Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Supported Anti-India Activities

Security for the Canadian PM from the Indian side at the Lalit included advanced security shields made of bulletproof glass with a thick polycarbonate plastic layer that could even stop sniper bullets being installed. This is not all, there was other security equipment installed which was part of a foolproof arrangement, as per sources in the security establishment.

More drama followed after the summit when the Canadian PM could not leave on the 10th of September as scheduled because the aircraft reported a malfunction. An additional 36-hour delay then ensued. Finally, Trudeau left on Tuesday, September 12th afternoon, after the malfunction was rectified and the aircraft got a flight clearance. Reportedly, even in 2016 and 2019, Trudeau faced similar situations where his aircraft malfunctioned.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 12:54 [IST]
Manipur: NIA Arrests Suspect For Conspiring With Terrorists To Use Ethnic Unrest

Threat To Kill PM, Blow Up Modi Stadium: NIA Alerts Mumbai Police Over Rs 500 Crore Demand, Release Of Bishnoi

Who Is Lakhbir Singh Landa? The Canada-Based Khalistani Terrorist Under NIA Scanner

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a determined effort to combat Khalistani terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made an announcement on Wednesday, offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, known as 'Landa.' Rewards were also declared for four other BKI operatives: Harwinder Singh Sandhu ('Rinda'), Parminder Singh Kaira ('Pattu'), Satnam Singh ('Satbir Singh'/'Satta'), and Yadvinder Singh ('Yadda').

The NIA disclosed cash rewards of Rs 10 lakh each for 'Rinda' and 'Landa,' and Rs 5 lakh each for 'Pattu,' 'Satta,' and 'Yadda.' It's worth noting that the BKI is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

The NIA's announcement came one day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. However, India promptly dismissed this claim as "absurd and motivated."

NIA Announces Rs 10 Lakh Cash Reward On Canada-Based Khalistani Terrorists

On Wednesday, the external affairs ministry issued an advisory urging its citizens in Canada to exercise "utmost caution" due to the increasing anti-India activities and hate crimes.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa'?

Lakhbir Singh 'Landa,' originally from Tarn Taran in Punjab, is suspected to be residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Landa was a close associate of Harvinder Singh, alias 'Rinda,' a gangster-turned-terrorist based in Pakistan. He fled to Canada in 2017 and aligned himself with the pro-Khalistan terror group BKI.

His criminal record includes the first case in July 2011 for attempted murder and violating the Arms Act in Harike Pattan. Currently, he faces approximately 18 criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempted murder, and drug smuggling in districts like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Moga, and Ferozepur. Landa's last case, registered by Punjab Police under kidnapping charges, occurred in Moga in May 2016, just before his escape to Canada.

Landa was a key conspirator in the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali. He was also involved in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) beneath a sub-inspector's car in Amritsar.

The NIA initiated a case in 2022 after discovering that terrorist organizations and elements abroad were collaborating with leaders and members of organized criminal groups in northern Indian states to execute targeted killings and violent criminal acts.

According to the NIA, 'Landa' and the other wanted individuals are linked to a case filed earlier this year regarding BKI's terrorist activities, aimed at disrupting India's peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in Punjab.

They are accused of instigating acts of terrorism, smuggling terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab, and engaging in extensive extortion from businessmen and prominent individuals to fund BKI's activities.

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 9:06 [IST]
The number of casualties in Cherkasy as a result of Russia's missile attack on Thursday morning has increased to ten people, six of whom were hospitalized, according to Head of Cherkasy Regional Military Administration Ihor Taburets.

"The pieces of a missile, including its warhead, fell in the city downtown, causing damage to a hotel building. At the moment, we have been informed about ten casualties, six of whom were hospitalized," he said on the Telegram channel.

Taburets also said that "the air defense shot down four Russian missiles over the territory of the region. I have reported the most serious consequences [of the attack] in the regional center. In the rest of cases, people were not hurt and there are no significant destructions."

The operational teams and all relevant services continue to work.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of Ukraine said that eleven people sought medical assistance in Cherkasy.
From Paramjit Panjwar To Sukhdool Singh, The Mysterious Deaths Of 5 Khalistani Terrorists In 9 Months

Who Was Punjab Gangster Sukhdool Singh Alias Sukha Duneke?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Sukha Duneke, known as Sukhdool Singh, hails from the Davinder Bambiha gang based in Moga district, Punjab, India. Recent intelligence reports from Canada suggest that he was shot dead during an inter-gang rivalry on a Wednesday night. This incident bears a resemblance to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known terrorist, who was also caught in the crossfire of inter-gang warfare in Surrey on June 19, where he fell victim to around 15 bullets.

Sukha Duneke's history reveals that he had sought refuge in Canada in 2017, using fraudulent documentation to escape legal troubles in India. Notably, he had seven criminal cases registered against him, making him a notable figure within the criminal landscape.

Duneke was actively involved in the Khalistan movement within Canada.

Simultaneously, the State Police in Punjab have launched crackdowns targeting both gangsters and individuals associated with the Khalistani cause.

Member Of Khalistani Terrorist Group And Gangster Sukha Duneke Shot Dead In Canada's Winnipeg

Reports indicate that Sukha Duneke, categorised as a "Category A" gangster originating from Moga in Punjab, had close ties with the terrorist Arshdeep Dalla alias Arsh Dalla's gang.

Gangster #SukhdoolSingh Alias #SukhaDuneke Shot Dead In #Canada's #Winnipeg



He had fled Punjab in 2017 using counterfeit documents. The Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force suspects that he had affiliations and joined pro-#Khalistan groups.#gangsofcanada #gangwar

PC: TOI pic.twitter.com/75mTcao63J  Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) September 21, 2023

Intelligence reports reveal that Sukha Duneke played a substantial role in providing support, financing, and bolstering the operations of the Davinder Bambiha gang across regions encompassing Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. While displaying an inclination towards pro-Khalistan organisations, his primary focus remained on activities such as extortion calls and contract killings, commonly referred to as 'supari' killings.

Duneke orchestrated a multitude of criminal endeavors in Punjab and its neighboring states through his network of associates, consequently earning him a prominent position on the most-wanted list. His involvement extended to over 20 cases of murder and various other grave crimes in the region. One such sinister plot involved a scheme to assassinate kabaddi player Sandeep Singh Nangal during a kabaddi match held in Mallian village, Jalandhar, on March 14 of the previous year.

It is important to note that more than 20 criminal cases, encompassing charges of murder and other serious offenses, were registered against him in Punjab and adjacent states.

Furthermore, he is among the 43 gangsters featured on the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) list, identifying individuals with connections to the Khalistan movement in Canada.This list comprised individuals involved in acts of terror and gangsterism against India.

Sukha held the 33rd position on the NIA's list of 43 wanted criminals, with 29 of them originating from the Punjab region.

The NIA had posted the following message on X: "Individuals depicted in the photos below are accused in NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI. If you possess any information about properties, assets, or businesses owned by them in their names or those of their associates, friends, and relatives, please send a WhatsApp direct message to +91 7290009373."
Death tourism: Why Noida man wants to go to Switzerland for euthanasia?

Switzerland Bans Burqa: Here's The List Of Countries That Have Banned Muslim Women From Wearing Islamic Veil

International

oi-Prakash KL

Switzerland has become the latest country to ban women from wearing burqa in public places.

The Lower House of Parliament in Switzerland on Wednesday passed legislation on face coverings, worn by Muslim women. Although centrists and Greens had reservations about the legislation, it was passed with 151-29 votes.

The legislation had got the upper house's nod in 2021 and it has been moved by the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party. The enactment follows a nationwide vote in 2021, where Swiss citizens sanctioned a ban on niqabs with eye slits, burqas, ski masks, and bandanas.

It has now become a law in the country with 1,000 Swiss francs (around $1,100) fine for violators.

The initiative to legally ban the burqa was taken by the Swiss People's Party (SVP) members associated with the Egerkinger Komitee. This committee orchestrated efforts to resist the influence of political Islam in Switzerland.

Bengaluru: One Arrested After Video Of Mob Harassing Muslim Woman In Burqa Goes Viral

However, the referendum to ban the burqa in the country was criticised by Muslim groups.

Ines El-Shikh, a spokesperson for the Purple Headscarves, a group representing Muslim women, expressed concerns to AFP news agency, stating that "there are only 30 women in burqas in Switzerland."

Switzerland's Islamic Central Council highlighted that the vote was indicative of the prevalence of anti-Muslim sentiments across the nation. The ban encompasses concealing the nose, mouth, and eyes in both public spaces and private establishments accessible to the public, with certain exceptions.

However, here is the list of countries which have already banned women from wearing burqa in public places:

France

China

Belgium

Denmark

Sri Lanka

Germany

Austria

Bulgaria

The Netherlands

Norway

Sweden

Republic of the Congo

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Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2023, 13:52 [IST]
Why US, UK & Canada's Allies Have Not Condemned India On Khalistani Terrorist's Killing?

International

oi-Prakash KL

Despite Canada's membership in the 'Five Eyes' intelligence-sharing alliance with countries like the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, Ottawa has failed to rally support from its allies in the manner it had hoped to target India over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The US, Australia, and the UK have expressed it deep concern over the development. Also, a report in the Washington Post claimed that the Trudeau administration had sought public condemnation from the US and its other allies before the G20 Summit, which was held recently in Delhi. However, Canada's allies have not condemned India on the issue.

This leads to a question as to why Canada's allies have not condemned India? The first and foremost reason given by experts is that countries such as the US and Australia want India to counter China.

"India is important in Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not," Aljazeera quoted Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawa's Carleton University, as saying.

"This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries," she said.

Interestingly, Britain has announced that it will continue trade talks with New Delhi despite a significant escalation in tensions between Canada and India.

Britain Continues With Trade Deal

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson has said that the UK was in touch with Ottawa while stating that it will not have an impact on the trade talks between New Delhi and Britain.

"Work on the trade negotiations will continue as before. The Canadian authorities will now conduct their work and I'm not going to preempt them," the news agency quoted a spokesperson as saying.

He also said that "these are negotiations about a trade deal and we are not looking to conflate with other issues."

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.

He was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia in June.

India, A Fast Growing Economy

Experts point out that the other factor why the West has not condemned India is because it is a growing economy. India is predicted to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030, overtaking Japan and Germany.

India has the world's largest military with over 1.4 billion population. These factors have made the US, and other countries not to criticise India over the issue. "I think Australia, US and UK did about what was expected," Janice Stein, a political scientist at the Munk School of Global Affairs in Toronto, told the Qatari state-owned Arabic-language international news television network.

A senior fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research Sushant Singh states, "As long as the West needs India to counter China, it is likely to look away."

A Delicate Situation For Canada's Allies

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. In retaliation, New Delhi kicked out Canada's top diplomat from India, further escalating tension between the two countries.

As the allies did not condemn India, the Canadian PM toned down his words and said that Ottawa was not trying to provoke New Delhi.

"PM tempers criticism as allies decline to condemn India over slain Sikh leader," the front-page headline on Wednesday in Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper read.

Chietigj Bajpaee, an India expert at the Chatham House think tank in London, remarked that the UK is in a delicate position, balancing support for Canada while avoiding upsetting India.

"Short of there being any definitive evidence of India's involvement, I think the UK response is likely to remain muted," he added. A free trade deal would be a "major political win" for both India and Britain, Bajpaee states.

However, a US official, speaking anonymously on Tuesday, mentioned that Trudeau's willingness to express his stance was perceived by the White House as a sign of the Canadian leader's confidence in the findings.

Can Canada Provide Evidence To Prove Its Claims?

Sanjay Kapoor, the editor of Hardnews magazine, stated to Al Jazeera that this is a "delicate situation" for India.

"Canada is part of the Five Eyes alliance, and they share intelligence among themselves. Before Trudeau made his remarks public, before he voiced his allegations in parliament, he had shared the intelligence he possessed with the other member countries," Kapoor explained.

"However, they didn't take significant action. They were cautious not to disrupt India's strategic position, especially during the G20 summit, where India was being presented by the West as a rising power and a counterpoint to China."

Nonetheless, Canada is yet to share strong evidence to prove its allegations against India and till it provides it, Ottawa is unlikely to garner support from its allies.
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Head of Civil Service Agency: We must eradicate stereotype that all officials take bribes

A stereotype that all officials are involved in corruption must be eliminated, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service Natalia Aliushyna has said.

"We must eradicate a stereotype, which has taken roots, that all officials are said to be bribe-takers. I swear that not all officials are like that," she said during the 15th Richelieu Public Service Forum on Thursday.

Aliushyna also said that public officials should demonstrate good behavior and lifestyle as well as remember that they are the face of the government.
Mayor Eric Adams praised President Biden as Venezuelans of the some 116,000 migrants who arrived in New York City are eligible for "temporary protected status."
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New Delhi: In light of rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the United States on Wednesday said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations were serious and that New Delhi must cooperate with an investigation in the interest of upholding the principles of international law, sovereignty and non-interference.

The US has favoured a thorough probe into the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada in June, two days after Trudeau's allegations of "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 with 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 in 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, 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.

(With PTI inputs)
The Polish side will continue to transfer weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, but exclusively within the framework of existing contracts, Polish government spokesperson Piotr Muller said.

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He also added that an international aid hub for Ukraine is still operating in Poland.

"We remind you that in the first months of the war, Poland provided the key tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft and ammunition for the defense of Ukraine, which were necessary to stop Russia's attack on Ukraine and, in the future, on other EU countries, including Poland. In the first months of the war, when other EU countries discussed support, Poland consistently helped to repel Russia's attack," Muller stressed.
Do you know overshoot?

Overshoot means extracting raw materials from the Earth faster than it can replenish and wasting faster than the Earth can absorb. Manufactured goods (c...) require overshoot.

Increasing human population contributes to overshoot.

Once people have clean water, food, toilets and a livable indoor temperature, antidotes to overshoot include Extracting Less, Smelting Less, Building Less, Buying Less, Consuming Less, Less Videos, Less Social Media, Generating Less Data. Let's go for Strengthening Libraries, Locally-Grown Food and Making Do with What We've Got.

When geologists find mineral deposits ("necessary" for e-vehicle batteries, solar PVs, computers, et cetera), we've got to choose between keeping them in the ground or ravaging the Earth and nearby human communities. Mining to manufacture more industrially-produced goods gives the idea that highly-consumptive living can continue. Alas. Geologists have found very large lithium deposits at the Nevada-Oregon border, not far from Thacker Pass. How would wildlife habitats be impacted by mining this part of the caldera? How much water would it require, and where would it come from? For an overview about lithium mining at Thacker Pass, read my June Substack, "When Land I Love Holds Lithium." Read Max Wilbert's comments to the Bureau of Land Management about mining Thacker Pass.

Here are other under-reported, under-discussed issues regarding the technosphere.

Surveillance Capitalism

Tech libertarians consider government intrusion online an outrage but what about corporate surveillance? When companies gather data about consumers, is that simply an inevitable precursor to online advertising and internet corporations' soaring profits?

Last March, Zoom users agreed that "Zoom may redistribute, publish, import, access, use, store, transmit, review, disclose, preserve, extract, modify, reproduce, share, use, display, copy, distribute, translate, transcribe, create derivative works, and process Customer Content." Users also give Zoom "a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license and all other rights required or necessary to redistribute, publish, import, access, use, store, transmit, review, disclose, preserve, extract, modify, reproduce, share, use, display, copy, distribute, translate, transcribe, create derivative works, and process Customer Content and to perform all acts with respect to the Customer Content: (i) as may be necessary for Zoom to provide the Services to you, including to support the Services; (ii) for the purpose of product and service development, marketing, analytics, quality assurance, machine learning, artificial intelligence, training, testing, improvement of the Services, Software, or Zoom's other products, services, and software."

Yikes!

Read Steven Vaughan-Nicholas' analysis about Zoom's AI privacy mess and Dave Karpf on corporate surveillance.

Wind and solar power

Jonah Markowitz's documentary, "Thrown to the Wind," reports hundreds of whale deaths likely caused by offshore wind turbines. Conservationists funded by an industrial wind corporation claim the deaths are caused by rising ocean temperatures. See also:

en-oceans.org/

In May 2023, the Sierra Club began restructuring away from reducing extraction, disposability or racism; toward strengthening an "extractive economy;" toward the goal of "electrifying everything." Hop Hopkins and Michelle Mascarenhas, laid-off Sierra Club organizers, share their analysis.

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Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) September 20, 2023: My favorite scholar is the American Jesuit Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Walter Jackson Ong, Jr. (1912-2003; Ph.D. in English, Harvard University, 1955).

Walter Jackson Ong, Jr., was a cradle Catholic, born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. However, Walter Jackson Ong, Sr., was a Protestant, who converted to Catholicism on his death bed.

Walter Jr, and his younger brother, both attended and graduated from Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University) - both Jesuit educational institutions in Kansas City, Missouri.

In September of 1935, after graduating from college in 1933 and then working for about two years, Walter Jr. entered the Jesuit novitiate at a farm in Florissant, Missouri - not far from St. Louis, Missouri. As part of young Walter's lengthy Jesuits formation, he was sent to studies at Saint Louis University in the City of St. Louis. There, he did graduate studies in philosophy (where the course for young Jesuit were taught in Latin - and the exams were in Latin) - and in English.

The young Canadian Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980; Ph.D. in English, Cambridge University, 1943), a recent convert to Catholicism, taught in the Department of English at Saint Louis University from 1937 to 1944. As part of young Ong's graduate studies in English, he studied under young McLuhan. They became life-long friends.

In any event, after Ong had completed his lengthy Jesuit formation, he proceeded to doctoral studies in English at Harvard University. At Harvard, the Americanist Perry Miller (1905-1963), the author of the massively researched 1939 book The New England Mind: The Seventeenth Century (Harvard University Press; for specific page references to Peter Ramus, see the "Index" [p. 528]), served as the director of Ong's ambitious doctoral dissertation on the history of logic and rhetoric from antiquity in Western cultural history up to, and beyond, the French Renaissance logician and educational reformer and Protestant martyr Peter Ramus (1515-1572).

In 1958, Harvard University Press published Ong's massively researched book Ramus, Method, and the Decay of Dialogue: From the Art of Discourse to the Art of Reason [in the Age of Reason] - his pioneering study of the print culture that emerged in Western cultural history after the Gutenberg printing press emerged in Europe in the mid-1450s.

I have written about Ong's thought in his massively researched 1958 book in my somewhat lengthy OEN article "Walter J. Ong's Philosophical Thought" (dated September 20, 2020):

Click Here

More recently, I have also written about Ong's thought in my OEN article "Walter J. Ong on Historical and Other Humanistic Studies" (dated September 10, 2023):

Click Here

In 1962, the University of Toronto Press published McLuhan's ambitious book The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man.

Ong published a generous review of McLuhan's ambitious 1962 book in the Jesuit-sponsored magazine America, volume 107, number 24 (September 15, 1962): pp. 743 and 747; it is reprinted in An Ong Reader: Challenges for Further Inquiry, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Hampton Press, 2002, pp. 307-308.

In Ong's generous review of McLuhan's 1962 book, he makes one of the most extraordinary statements that he makes in his entire body of 400 or so distinct publications (not counting translations or reprintings as distinct publications):

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Will the world leaders walk the talk to end TB at the upcoming UN High Level Meeting?



SHOBHA SHUKLA, BOBBY RAMAKANT - CNS



Leaders of all the UN member countries are expected to convene on 22nd September 2023 at the upcoming second United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB (the first one was held in September 2018). The theme of this year's UNHLM is: "Advancing science, finance and innovation, and their benefits, to urgently end the global TB epidemic, in particular by ensuring equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment and care."



The theme of the upcoming UNHLM is on spot. But will it turbocharge the fight against TB? One wonders that so far, to what extent the governments have advanced science, finance, and innovation, and ensured equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care?



TB is preventable. Yet it was not for over 10.6 million people who got infected with TB in 2021. TB is curable. But it was not for over 1.6 million people who died of TB in the same year.





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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Los Angeles, CA - [Sept 20, 2023] - Renowned children's book author Alexandrina Andre is thrilled to announce the German release of her heartwarming book, "The Pranky Monkey." This best-selling American children's book has already captured the hearts of young readers in the United States and is now poised to bring smiles and valuable life lessons to children across Europe. In "The Pranky Monkey," readers follow the playful and 
As Oregon State was wrapping up last Saturdays 26-9 win over San Diego State, the focus began to turn to an annual rivalry game that suddenly has an interesting twist.

This Saturday, its Oregon State at Washington State, the two remaining Pac-12 schools currently without a conference home beyond the 2023-24 year.
Although police are exempt from Measure 114s gun control restrictions, Harney County Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio ruled Wednesday that testimony from law enforcement about the number of rounds they use for self defense is relevant for his judgment on whether Oregons gun control Measure 114 violates the state constitution.

Raschio said he was partly swayed by a friend of the court brief that the National Police Association had filed with the Oregon Supreme Court in late January in support of the Harney County gun owners challenge to the Oregon gun control measure.
Edward Charles Green, who bought more than 60 firearms with his twin brother that were then sold or traded to members of their local Blood gangs set, was sentenced Wednesday to two years and six months.

Green and his brother, Thomas Edward Green III, both 25, pleaded guilty in June to making false statements to licensed gun dealers.
Police are investigating a brazen armed robbery at a North Portland tavern.

On Sunday, September 10, a bartender at the Perch Bar & Grill, 7505 N. Lombard St., unlocked the door just after 11 a.m. to get ready for the day.

A man with a machete soon showed up. The intruder put the bartender in a headlock, held the weapon to the womans neck and forced her to open the cash register. He then took her over to a hidden safe.

He fled with what the Portland Police Bureau describes as a significant amount of money.

It was close to $50,000, according to a relative of the taverns owner. All in cash. Most of it from the safe.

The man held a machete to the bartender's neck, according to accounts of the robbery.

It seems fishy he knew where the safe was, said Vieng Oudom, the son-in-law of the Perchs owner. He forced [the bartender] to the safe and made her open it.

Oudom said his mother-in-law, a South Korean immigrant, moved to Portland nearly 30 years ago. A single mother for years, she worked several jobs and saved as much money as she could, which she used to buy the Perch in 2006. Oudom said his mother-in-law, unnerved by the robbery, does not want to be publicly identified.

She does not want to be a target again, he said.

Oudom said so much cash was on hand because his mother-in-law had neglected to go to the bank for a while.

The Perch has surveillance cameras in and outside of the establishment.

The robbery apparently was well-planned, according to the bar owner's son-in-law.

It does not look like it was a one-man show, said Oudom. It seems like a three-man job. The bartender said the man was texting someone. Another photo shows a man on a phone, and someone else was right outside keeping an eye on the street.

Police said the robber with the machete has three dots on his face, apparently tattoos, and a tattoo of a clock on the outside of his left hand. They said anyone with information about the robbery should contact Detective Hilary Scott at hilary.scott@police.portlandoregon.gov.

This place was my mother-in-laws baby, said Oudom. No one was hurt. Thats the important thing. But she put a lot of her life savings into this place.

 Tom Hallman Jr

503-221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com; @thallmanjr

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Oregon students performance on reading, writing and math tests remains stuck at dismal post-pandemic lows, despite the billions of state and federal dollars aimed at helping them recover in the two years since the pandemic shuttered school buildings across the state.

The results, based on tests given last spring and released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education, are virtually identical to 2022s abysmal outcomes, with students across the board showing miniscule improvement in math and a slight backsliding in English.

The data show only about 40% of students scored as proficient on Smarter Balanced reading and writing tests, far below even the relatively anemic pre-pandemic levels of 51%. The picture is bleaker yet in math, where just 30% scored proficient, an enormous drop from the pre-pandemic low point of 40%. Proficiency in this context means that the student is on track to be ready for college or the workforce once they graduate from high school.

Middle schools emerged as a particular disaster zone. Seventh and eighth graders lost ground in English; seventh graders demonstrated only the barest hints of growth in math, and eighth graders performance was statistically stagnant in that subject, with only 25% of them hitting proficiency targets.

Interim state schools chief Charlene Williams, who has been in that role for just two months, acknowledged the flatlining of the results.

We owe our students much better than we are delivering right now, she said. We have to buckle up and deliver, given the resources that we have and the information that we know moves the data with kids.

But she and other state education officials also cautioned against drawing overly broad conclusions about the states schools and students from a single test. Gov. Tina Kotek, who pledged during her 2022 campaign to not let districts off the hook, groped for a silver lining, noting via press release that as a whole, the states students had stabilized and not lost significant ground from the previous spring.

After queries from The Oregonian/OregonLive, Kotek released a revised statement Thursday in which she said the state needed to pick up the pace for students.

The results are unacceptable and must improve, Kotek added. Oregon has made record investments in K-12 education in recent years following three decades of disinvestment. While the impact of the pandemic on our schools has lasted longer than anyone hoped and it can take time for investments to show results, [I am] working with Dr. Williams on proactive strategies the Oregon Department of Education and districts can take to improve these results.

That still leaves students at proficiency levels dramatically below four years ago, before the bulk of Oregon school buildings were shut for the better part of 18 months, in one of the nations longest pandemic-era closures.

Oregon's overall student test scores have yet to begin recovering from their post-pandemic lows, even though individual districts, including Portland, demonstrated growth.

Other states have seen their standardized test scores rebound after two years back in buildings, albeit modestly. In Massachusetts, for example, education officials this week said students in grades 3 through 8 made statistically significant gains in both math and English from the previous year. In Washington, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction this week reported students registered encouraging progress in math at all grades and in English at the elementary level.

Learning loss is an issue in all 50 states. But extraordinary sums have been available to try to help children regain emotional and academic footing.

Oregon has benefitted from a $1.7 billion infusion from the federal government to help students catch up, in addition to an additional $1 billion a year in business taxes for education starting in 2020.

But school districts have spent wildly varying portions of their federal money to address academic deficits head on. And unlike in states such as Tennessee, Oregon has not coordinated efforts to implement strategies that researchers have said are the most effective at helping students catch up, including one-on-one or small group high dose tutoring delivered during school hours multiple times a week or academically intensive summer learning programs. Tennessee, which has implemented both of those strategies, reported in June that its students exceeded their pre-pandemic performance on the states English and social studies tests and made significant gains in math.

Though Oregon districts receive the bulk of their funding from the state, each district decides how that money will be spent, making it difficult to implement statewide reforms. Williams said that the state is strengthening its guidance on how districts spend proceeds from the business tax-fueled Student Success Act. She also said the state education agency, under her leadership, is working harder to help districts pinpoint which students need what kind of help the most.

That data and more, Williams said, will help districts determine whether they need to provide such extra help as extended school days or more rigorous summer school programming for students who are furthest behind.

She pointed to small bright spots among individual grade levels in small school districts around the state  like big reading and writing gains for third graders in Scappoose and a huge jump in proficiency among eighth graders in Phoenix-Talent  as evidence that growth is possible. She said state officials will work to see what strategies can be shared with other districts.

Overall state results showed large disparities between white and Asian students and their counterparts of color, students with disabilities and students classified as economically disadvantaged. For example, only 24% of Black students scored as proficient in reading and writing, as did 27% of Latino students. Both of those figures dropped slightly since last year, and both are far below the 50% of white students and 63% percent of Asian students who met proficiency goals.

Some districts bucked the trend of stagnant performance. In Portland Public Schools, the states largest district, students at every grade level showed growth on both math and English tests, said Renard Adams, the districts head of research, accountability and assessment, though he noted that the district is aware that middle school students have a long way to go. Only 40% of the districts eighth graders met math proficiency standards in 2023  better than the year before, but still far from ideal.

A handful of the districts elementary schools posted double-digit growth, including Sitton Elementary in North Portland in both math and English, Whitman Elementary in Southeast Portland in English and Lent Elementary in Southeast Portland in math.

Adams said Portlands growth was helped by scheduling changes that have given teachers and students more time during the school day for catch-up work including adding a What I Need block to elementary schools and adding more flex periods to middle schools. The district has also added guidance counselors, literacy specialists and begun tutoring programs for elementary students who are the furthest behind.

In Beaverton, the picture was more mixed, with math gains for students in grades three through six compared to 2022, but backsliding from 2022 in grades seven and eight, in keeping with statewide declines at the middle school level. That same pattern repeated itself in English. Both Beaverton and Portland have relatively low child poverty rates  8% and 9%, respectively, according to the Census Bureau  which means both districts should be expected to post student achievements level above state averages, given the historical correlation between family income and student success.

In Hillsboro, the states fourth largest district, math and English proficiency rates barely budged from last years levels, meaning that only 30% of students hit the target in math and only 40% in English.

So many high school juniors in nearly every Oregon district opted out of state testing that 11th grade results arent considered reliable, making it difficult to get a sense of how well high school students have mastered the skills they need to succeed in college.

The Smarter Balanced Assessments scores reflect students response to open-ended questions and performance tasks as well as multiple-choice questions. Nine other states, including Washington, also use Smarter Balanced tests to measure school performance.

State officials and others noted that student behavior and mental health issues have been front and center since students returned to school after a year and a half spent learning mostly online, often in isolation. That has deep implications for how well students can learn, said Kali Thorne Ladd, the executive director of Portland-based nonprofit Childrens Institute, which has lobbied for more state investments in early childhood education.

In the districts that I am closest to, they are working hard to address the learning loss amidst increased behavior challenges because of social emotional dysregulation, she said. This is a real thing. If kids cant be anchored, they cannot learn.

 Julia Silverman, @jrlsilverman, jsilverman@oregonian.com
American Comedian Adam Sandler will perform in Portland on Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum as part of his The I Missed You Tour. Tickets are still currently available at a few different price points starting at around $100 per seat.

Through a special arrangement, if you are purchasing tickets for the first time through VividSeats, use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save $20 on orders of $200 or more for the event you plan on attending.

 Get tickets to see Adam Sandler in Portland: Buy tickets now from VividSeats and Stubhub, or from Ticketmaster.

American Jewish actor, comedian, and screenwriter Adam Sandler is known for his stand up performances and roles in popular movies including Happy Gilmore, 50 First Dates, Grown Ups, and most recently You Are So Not Invited to My Bar Mitzva. Sandler also excelled in a starring dramatic role in Josh Safdies Uncut Gems. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, five Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the 2023 Mark Twain Prize throughout his career. On October 14, he will come to Portland as part of his national tour.

Upcoming events, concerts, and shows:

Every major show and concert coming to Portland in Fall 2023

How to buy tickets for Taylor Swifts 2024 Eras Tour dates right now

Every major show coming to Portlands Moda Center in Fall 2023

Sting comes to Portland Sept 26, tickets still available for Moda Center show
As result of missile strike by SBU, AFU on occupiers' base in Melitopol, Russian 58th army's commander wounded, about dozens of enemy officers killed

As a result of a missile strike by the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine on a secret enemy base in occupied Melitopol (Zaporizhia region), the commander of the Russian 58th army, which is fighting in Zaporizhia direction, as well as the chief of staff were wounded; about a dozen Russian officers were killed, a source in the SBU told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, recently the SBU and AFU hit the secret base of the occupiers in temporarily occupied Melitopol.

"At first, the Security Service discovered that the invaders had set up their headquarters at a local engine plant. The information was passed on to the military, and then they worked together with them on the target," the agency's interlocutor said.

He also said: "As a result of the missile attack, the commander of the Russian 58th army, which is fighting in Zaporizhia direction, was wounded, as well as their chief of staff."

The source also said, in addition to the leadership, several dozen enemy officers were also injured. "About ten of them have already gone to 'Kobzon's concert'," he said.
Mike Borton knew he needed help.

For years, he had sought mental health treatment in Lincoln County  someone to check on him, and someone he could call to head off the flashes of agitation and anger that followed loud noises or unpleasant interactions with neighbors.

His pleas, he said, went nowhere.

I was completely alone, he said. I felt like a second-class citizen. They told me, Youre too angry to help. How would that make you feel?

So he started calling other agencies: local hospitals, the police, disability rights groups. In May 2017, he called the states adult protective services office, which sent a worker to his home.

The worker, according to court records, found Borton at his worst. She described an angry encounter that left her afraid for her life, later telling police Borton blocked the door and prevented her from leaving until a momentary distraction allowed her to slip out.

Borton denies he blocked the door and said hed felt calm that day until the worker surprised him at his home.

But the visit led to a kidnapping charge. In that and a subsequent confrontation with a family member, he was found guilty except for insanity and spent the next five years at the states psychiatric hospital.

Oregon has sought for years to deinstitutionalize mental health care  moving from a system based on keeping patients for years in mental hospitals, to one that instead treats patients in their own communities.

It succeeded, at least, in reducing its hospitalized population, from thousands in the 1940s to hundreds today.

But the Oregon State Hospital, the states largest psychiatric facility, remains filled to capacity with a perennial waitlist. And as patients prepare to leave, they face another wait to find community alternatives where they can continue their treatment.

>> Continuing coverage at oregonlive.com/mentalhealth

Oregons community clinics and clinicians are overwhelmed with patients seeking mental health treatment, housing and addiction services. Rampant fentanyl addiction and pandemic-related hospital and court disruptions have further stressed the system. With no openings for new patients, each part gets further backed up.

Patients at the state hospital linger there longer than necessary, advocates say, occupying beds while the admission waitlist grows.

Those seeking admission to the state hospital usually wait in jails. Often, as Borton found, the surest way to get any kind of care is though the criminal justice system, after a crisis.

When he left the state hospital last July, Borton bounced between motels, with no idea where he would go next. It was months before social workers in Lane County, where he had been released, found him an apartment and arranged regular contact with mental health support workers.

Now, he has someone he can call when he feels his anxiety boiling over. Someone checks on him regularly, heading off a crisis.

But it nearly cost him everything, he said, to get the basic treatment hed been denied in the first place.

Thats what he was asking for, said Tim Roessel, an advocate with Disability Rights Oregon. We didnt give him that at first, but we spent $2 million to send him to hell.

Oregon is not alone in its struggle to provide adequate mental health care. But funding decisions made decades ago, coupled with an uptick in mental illness due to co-occurring substance use disorders and the strain of the pandemic, have put the state in a crisis of its own.

As the states health system falls short, the result, advocates say, is that Oregon leans heavily on its criminal justice system to manage people with mental illness.

Thats created a revolving door, where patients are treated  most in the state hospital  until theyre well enough to stand trial or are legally required to be discharged.

And once theyre released, a shortage of lower levels of care means they often dont get the help they still need. Instead, many patients wind up back where they started  in crisis, on the streets, in jail or back in the state hospital.

For the most part, theres not a lot of mental health treatment, said Kathy Wilde, the former legal director of Disability Rights Oregon, who led the advocacy organization during a key 2002 court case against the state hospital. (Patients) dont belong in jail, I dont think they belong in the state hospital, but theres sure as hell not the community services we need.

Deinstitutionalization derailed

From the 1800s until the mid-1950s, states locked up people with mental illness in asylums.

Most of Oregons patients were at the Oregon State Hospital, built in 1883 in Salem, but the state built another mental institution in Pendleton in 1913 as the first grew overcrowded.

Treatment at the time was limited. State hospitals mostly provided protective custody, preventing patients from harming themselves or others, according to an article published in the Oregon Historical Quarterly last year on the history of mental health in Oregon.

During and after the Great Depression, Oregon spent little on its mental hospital. In the early 1930s, New York spent $392 per patient on hospital maintenance where Oregon spent $201, and it would drop even further.

The same article describes the grim scenes inside state mental institutions.

The Oregon State Hospital was so overcrowded that staff placed beds on exercise courts. They relied on patient labor to keep the hospital running.

Historians believe these factors contributed to a mass poisoning at the hospital. In 1942, a state hospital cook sent a patient who was helping in the kitchen to get powdered milk. The patient confused powdered milk with an insecticide, which the cook then mixed into scrambled eggs, killing 47 people and sickening hundreds.

Asylums, including Oregons, also had a long history of unethical and brutal practices, including forced sterilizations and eugenics, or selective breeding, historically used to reduce the population of non-white, non-able bodied people. Gov. John Kitzhaber issued a public apology in 2002 for the states transgressions.

In the 1950s, though, the first antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs became available, offering hope that treatment that could be managed outside of asylums.

That helped set off the push for deinstitutionalization.

The federal government passed a series of laws to phase out the mass confinement and replace it with care provided in smaller community clinics. In 1963, Congress passed the Community Mental Health Act, which instructed states and the federal government to move people from mental hospitals to smaller community clinics and group homes.

But that process was flawed from the beginning.

There was no specific plan for transitioning patients from hospitals to community care. As a result, many patients lost the stability that their hospital accommodations provided.

Former patients were suddenly on their own for basics like food and shelter, to say nothing of their psychiatric treatment.

Communities didnt build community-based care because they didnt have to. There was no legal requirement for them to do so, said Jason Renaud, a board member of the Mental Health Association of Portland and one of the authors of the Oregon Historical Quarterly article on the states mental health system.

Instead, he said, patients came out of mental hospitals with nowhere to go  and began falling into homelessness, jail or prison.

That really persists, Renaud said.

As the federal government distributed grants to establish community mental health care, Oregon fell even further behind.

The state had begun to fund its own network of community clinics and clinicians. But as other states applied for federal funding, Oregon Gov. Tom McCall worried about committing to the ongoing costs of running clinics once the temporary grants ran out. He refused the federal money, and instead offered Oregons share to Washington state.

Oregon legislators passed new laws in the late 1970s that sent people charged with crimes to psychiatric institutions if they were deemed mentally unfit to stand trial, or if they were found guilty except for insanity.

The state nonetheless continued to close its psychiatric institutions.

The Dammasch State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital the state opened in 1961 in Wilsonville, closed in 1995 with a legacy of releasing patients to the streets with no safety net. The Pendleton hospital closed in 2014.

A 1981 Willamette Week article described Portlands inability to deal with the sheer number of patients being released from Dammasch, and the influx of homeless people on Portlands streets as a result.

Weve gotten rid of the big snake pits in the hospitals and replaced them with a lot of little snake pits in the community, Dr. David Kinzie, a professor and the director of psychiatric and clinical services at what would become Oregon Health & Sciences University Hospital, told Willamette Week in 1981. Deinstitutionalization has become a national scandal.

Patients and their advocates say things are scarcely better today, if at all.

Search for stability

Help available If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org Alcohol and drug hotline: 800-923-4357 Teen-to-teen crisis and help: 877-968-8491, or text teen2teen to 839863

Christina Hogenson said she knew from the minute she left the state hospital in March that she needed a stable place to continue her treatment.

Despite decades in institutions  behavioral schools as a child, followed by years in the Oregon State Hospital and Coffee Creek Correctional Facility  the 40-year-old felt no one had helped her to understand her illness, and that she was ill-prepared to manage on her own.

Instead, at the end of her time under state supervision, Hogenson said she was released without a plan.

Id been institutionalized for 30 years. I needed, and still need, a lot of help, Hogenson said in May. I realized there are a lot of issues that came up  even issues I thought Id dealt with when I was locked up. When I got out, a lot of things came up that I was not ready for.

Charged with assault and menacing at age 20, Hogenson was found guilty except for insanity and spent nearly two decades in the state mental institution  with an intervening stint in Coffee Creek after a violent episode at the hospital.

Last fall, she reached the end of her time under the Psychiatric Security Review Boards jurisdiction.

She had been eligible for conditional release, or permission to live in a community facility while still under state care. But the review board denied her request because of an incident a few months prior in the state hospital, for which she was sent into seclusion. Hogenson said she had been yelling but hadnt hurt herself or anyone else.

As a result, she left state custody with no continuing oversight  and no experience living outside state institutions.

A team of state hospital social workers found an adult foster home that agreed to take her in Philomath, near Hogensons hometown. But nine days before she was supposed to move in, she said, the homes manager told state hospital staff she couldnt come because they couldnt manage her medical needs. Hogenson has diabetes.

Hogensons care team scrambled and found a house for women recovering from addiction and their children  the only bed they could secure on short notice.

But it wasnt specialized in mental illness beyond addiction. Hogensons condition deteriorated without treatment, and although Hogenson didnt have drug or alcohol issues, proximity to drug use only exacerbated her decline.

She contacted a friend from her days in Coffee Creek who had once offered her a place to stay in northern Idaho. After making the journey, Hogenson found more of the same  drugs and instability  and soon had a falling out with the friend. Due to her own history in the state hospital, she worried that being around people committing crimes could get her pulled back into the system.

Alone on the streets of Coeur dAlene, Hogenson injected all of her insulin in a suicide attempt.

Stabilized in a hospital bed, she was awaiting a transfer back to Oregon when she spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Her transition team was struggling to find a place that could take her.

Hogenson was getting anxious.

Being here longer is detrimental for my mental health, she said. Im slipping back into that institutional mindset of complacency. Im having a harder time of recalling what its like to walk down the street, walk out the front door on my own.

We kept waiting for funds

As Oregons leaders moved to close hospitals, advocates say they failed to fund alternatives.

Derald Walker, chief executive of Cascadia Health, said Multnomah County developed four main community nonprofits in the late 1970s and early 1980s as Dammasch began to release patients. Those agencies developed new programs, such as day treatment centers and more residential facilities. They would eventually merge to form the present-day Cascadia, Multnomah Countys largest provider of behavioral health services.

Those centers were supposed to be funded in part by money that had previously gone to the state hospital.

The problem was, we kept waiting for the money to arrive, said Walker, who worked as a psychologist at Dammasch in the 1970s. And we didnt have much time to develop our programs, quite frankly, as Dammasch was discharging and not admitting new patients.

In the years since, the states investment in community services have not kept pace with increasing costs and demand, said Chris Bouneff, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Oregon chapter.

Unlike physical health care, acute mental health services are funded almost entirely by public dollars, Bouneff said, putting them in direct competition for dollars with things like schools, parks and roads.

Most mental health patients rely on Medicaid and Medicare, the federal and state programs that provide health insurance to people who are above 65, low-income or have a disability. While Medicaid coverage reimburses providers for things like medication and psychotherapy, other social services arent covered. And a federal exemption limits the amount of Medicaid funding that large mental health facilities can receive.

Oregon has increased Medicaid reimbursement rates by 30%, particularly for behavioral health and substance use disorders. And lawmakers passed bills over the past four years to insure mental health treatment more like other medical benefits, and fund a state crisis line.

But Bouneff said theres a long way to go  and the state must sustain the investments they have made.

These investments have to ramp up, he said. Were really trying to make up for decades of lost time.

Stigma blocks action

Advocates say the persistent stigma around mental illness has kept state money from flowing toward more robust mental health care.

Building facilities to house and treat patients in their own community is often polarizing  sometimes prompting fear or pushback from neighbors.

Youre not going to have a consensus from the community like you do when children are abused, said Emily Cooper, the legal director of Disability Rights Oregon, the states largest disability advocacy group. Theres this sense of, Youre mentally ill so you should be locked away. Thats safe for you and your community. I think we have a lot more to go before we ever get over that hurdle.

Prioritizing more state dollars for mental health has gotten politically easier in recent years, as addiction and homelessness have pushed mental crises into the public sphere. Yet theres still disagreement about how the money should be spent, mental health workers say.

If you have a mental illness, your illness is treated legislatively, perhaps more than it is treated medically, said Kathy Shumate, the program manager for Multnomah Countys Diversion Courts and Commitment Services.

Proposals to expand the Oregon State Hospital, for example, are common  even though they would represent a move back toward institutionalization, likely at the expense of less expensive local treatment.

Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, who chairs the interim House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care, said lawmakers want to find a holistic solution.

Certainly all resources are in competition, he said. But solving the state hospital challenges is part of figuring out our behavioral health challenges.

In 2021, lawmakers poured more than $1 billion into mental health  roughly one-third from federal pandemic aid, with slightly smaller shares from voter-mandated Measure 110 spending, routine federal funding and state discretionary funds. The money was earmarked largely for drug treatment but also for housing, incentives for people to enter the behavioral health workforce and a crisis hotline.

But Nosse acknowledged it wasnt enough to stem the burnout many mental health providers were already experiencing, which contributed to staff shortages at residential care facilities as well as problems at the state hospital.

Lawmakers in 2022 directed another $132 million in grants to community providers, such as Cascadia Health and Trillium Family Services, so that they could pay workers more or hire new staff.

Building up the workforce has proven slow. Cascadia has 168 positions open with continuing high turnover, said Walker, the agencys chief executive.

The killing of a Cascadia employee on the job this July underscored the dire need for services  and more support for the people who provide them.

Haley Rogers, a mental health aide at a Gresham group home, had been working the night shift alone when a patient allegedly stabbed her repeatedly.

Walker said the agency now has two people working the night shift  although he said the state still only requires one. The union that represents behavioral health workers has been pushing to change that policy.

It was shocking, awful, horrifying, he said. We struggle to staff our (residential treatment facilities), no question about it. We have people double shifting and working 12 to 14 hours straight. Weve been doing that on and off for years to try and keep adequately staffed.

Courts set policy

Advocates say inadequate funding and direction from the Oregon Legislature has left the courts with an outsized influence on mental health policy.

The state hospitals largest population is aid and assist patients  people charged with a crime but found by a judge to be mentally unable to assist in their own defense at trial.

Upon the judges finding, the defendant is supposed to be sent to the state hospital for treatment until theyre mentally fit to stand trial. But because of the hospitals admissions backlog, many have waited days, weeks or months in jails for a hospital bed to open up.

In 2002, in response to a lawsuit from Disability Rights Oregon, a federal judge ordered the hospital to admit those patients within seven days so that they arent languishing in jails without treatment, and in turn, being denied their constitutional right to a speedy trial.

But as the number of mentally ill people accused of crimes ballooned in recent years, the state hospital failed to keep up.

In an effort to preserve those patients rights, U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman last September imposed strict timelines for releasing patients from the state hospital in order to quickly make room for new ones.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said the order has contributed to a vicious cycle, where patients are released without the support to prevent them from reaching a crisis point again.

We put in all of this money and resources into someone at the state hospital, and then they come right back to our community and sit and decompensate again, he said.

He said the state needs to provide a more deliberate, controlled transition from an institutional setting to independent living.

Oregon health officials acknowledge that most patients with severe mental illness dont need the state hospitals level of care. But a lack of funding for community services, said Oregon State Hospital spokesperson Amber Shoebridge, has made jails and the state hospital the default mental health system for many patients  and in turn left out patients who need help but havent committed a crime.

We need to prevent this terrible human tragedy that happens too many times each day by filling the gaps in our community-based system, Shoebridge said in an email, adding that the latest investments by the governor and the Legislature would take time to show results.

Released and unprepared

Tatiana Sporea spent a year in the state hospital, starting in 2021, after she was arrested and charged with arson and assaulting a police officer but found mentally unable to assist in her own defense.

Then, because of Mosmans order, she was released  back to jail in Roseburg, where she was first arrested. She spent another month there while the county tried to find a place for her to stay.

Eligible for release from custody, Sporea asked to be moved to Portland because she felt there werent adequate resources in Roseburg to help her transition out of the state hospital.

Outreach workers from Disability Rights Oregon arranged for her to stay at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, a shelter in North Portland, where she began trying to put the pieces back together.

Sporea, who had previously worked as a youth and family therapist herself, said her hospital stay was isolating, and the care didnt meet her needs  leaving her traumatized and completely unprepared for her release.

She now lives at Bybee Lakes and works as a resident advisor at the shelter. She credits mental health advocates help to get on track, though she still doesnt know whether charges will be dropped in her case.

She sees a disconnect between what courts mandate for mental health patients, and what patients actually need.

I was released to jail rather than Bybee Lakes, and I felt at that point it was outrageous, she said. The state hospital is a medical environment, and you have to think about the next level of care. The next level of care is not jail.

The bottleneck has moved

Almost all of the patients admitted to the state hospital these days  about 97%  are aid and assist patients or those found guilty of crimes except for insanity.

They crowd out patients who seek to voluntarily commit themselves, or those who a judge has approved for involuntary civil commitments due to imminent threat of harm to themselves or others.

Many of those who cant get in end up in medical hospitals for weeks or months.

The court systems efforts to ease the state hospital backlog by discharging patients more quickly seem to have worked. The Oregon State Hospital is now in compliance with the 2002 court order requiring admission of patients facing criminal charges within seven days.

But while patients are no longer waiting for months in jail to get into the state hospital, theyre still waiting when they get out.

The bottleneck has moved, said Shumate, the Multnomah County program manager. Its now at the back door, of getting them into community services. What folks need coming out, we dont have enough of.

Of particular concern is housing. Many community behavioral health treatment facilities have strict limitations on who they let in. Some treatment centers wont take patients who have a history of violent crimes. Nor will most private landlords.

Many discharged from the state hospital havent yet stood trial. Some never will. An overtaxed public defense system has resulted in more low-priority cases eventually being dropped.

But until the charges go away, they cast a pall over patients trying to maintain control of their mental illness.

Still, said Walker, the Cascadia executive, patients leaving the state hospital have more access to community beds than others seeking help.

Pretty much all our intakes are hospital discharges, he said. Were so full that were not admitting people into treatment off the streets who need mental health services. Its bad.

Stability proves fleeting

Hogenson, the former Oregon State Hospital patient who struggled to find housing and treatment after her discharge under the court mandate, eventually found her way back to Oregon from Idaho.

In May, she settled into the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, the same place Sporea found stability after years being institutionalized.

But within a few weeks, Hogenson messaged one of her advocates saying that she was again struggling with her mental health.

She left Bybee Lakes and went to a mental health facility in Cedar Hills, but soon stopped responding to her care team from the state hospital. By the time they called her at Cedar Hills, she had left. Her care team, those most invested in her recovery, have no idea where shes gone.

Roessel, the Disability Rights Oregon advocate who helped Hogenson, said its not the first time a patient theyve helped has disappeared. He and other mental health workers who know Hogenson havent lost hope that theyll find her again.

But its no surprise, he said, how easily patients can fall through the cracks without a robust community mental health network to catch them.

Walker, the Cascadia director, said the states recent investments in mental health have put it on the right track. But it will take a long time to make up for the decades of inattention.

We know how to do this. We know the recovery principles and the things that do and dont work, he said. People say Oregons mental health system is broken. Its not broken. Its just starved.

- Jayati Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 for 24-hour, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Wednesdays announcement from Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell that he would step down in October after a little over three years in the top job signaled another transition for the bureau of 811 sworn members.

Since 1985, the Portland Police Bureau has had 17 chiefs, including interim leaders. Retired Portland police officer Bob Day will serve as the 18th when he takes over Oct. 11 as the bureaus interim head.

Heres a brief look at the Police Bureaus most recent leaders.

Penny Harrington, 1985-86: Mayor Bud Clark named Harrington the nations first woman to lead a major police department. He asked her to resign 17 months later after a special commission concluded there were demonstrated defects in her leadership.

Robert Tobin, 1986 (Interim)

James Davis, 1986-87: Clark appointed Davis chief, then fired him during a breakfast in Multnomah Villages Fat City Cafe. Davis had fought for more police and wanted to sue the city over it.

Richard Walker, 1987-90: Clark brought in Walker as a calming influence after the turbulent tenures of Harrington and Davis. Walker preferred to stay out of the limelight and left after 3 1/2 years.

Tom Potter, 1990-93: Clark selected Potter, then a 24-year veteran of the force. After 2 1/2 years, Potter retired, saying he would travel and pursue his hobby of archaeology. He later became Portland mayor.

Charles Moose, 1993-99: Mayor Vera Katz hired Moose, Portlands first Black police chief. After a sometimes tumultuous tenure, Moose left in 1999 to become chief in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Lynnae C. Berg, 1999 (Interim)

Mark Kroeker, 1999-2003: Katz brought in Kroeker from Los Angeles. Portlands first outside chief in 25 years, Kroeker had a style that critics considered poorly suited to the city. He resigned under pressure.

Derrick Foxworth, 2003-2006: Katz named him to step in following Kroekers forced resignation. Mayor Potter removed Foxworth after the chiefs sexually explicit emails to a police desk clerk became public.

Rosie Sizer, April 2006-May 2010: Potter suddenly tapped her for the top job upon the demotion of Foxworth. Sizer, who had joined the Portland Police Bureau in 1985, was the citys second female chief after Penny Harrington. She started as acting chief in April 2006 and was sworn in as chief three months later.

Mike Reese, May 2010- January 2015: Mayor Sam Adams appointed Reese after firing Sizer, who had criticized his budget. Raised in Portland, Reese graduated from Roosevelt High School and joined the Portland Police Bureau in 1994, serving as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and commander. He later served as Multnomah County sheriff.

Larry ODea, January 2015-June 2016: Mayor Charlie Hales picked ODea without conducting formal interviews or doing a national search after Reese announced his retirement. ODea had spent 28 years rising through the ranks after joining the Portland Police Bureau in 1986. He retired amid a scandal caused when he shot a friend during an off-duty camping trip in eastern Oregon and didnt disclose it publicly for more than a month. A grand jury indicted him on a negligent wounding charge, but a Harney County judge agreed to a civil compromise that allowed the charge against ODea to be dismissed.

Mike Marshman, June 2016- August 2017: Hales introduced Marshman as the new chief when he announced ODeas retirement. Marshman had been hired by San Diego Police after college graduation and worked there for two years before the Portland Police Bureau hired him on April 25, 1991. He worked as a sergeant, lieutenant and captain in Portland before becoming chief.

Chris Uehara, August-October 2017: Uehara was sworn in as interim police chief when Marshman retired after 26 years of service at the bureau. Uehara was the first chief of Asian/Pacific Islander descent to lead the Portland Police Bureau. He served until Danielle Outlaw passed a background check and was sworn in.

Danielle Outlaw, October 2017-December 2019: The first Black woman to lead Portlands police force, Outlaw came to Oregon from Oakland, California, under Mayor Ted Wheeler. She served during a time of political protest and community mistrust. She left to lead the much-larger Philadelphia police department. She announced this month she would leave the Philadelphia department for a security post with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Jami Resch, December 2019-June 2020: Wheeler tapped Resch immediately upon Outlaws resignation. Then a 20-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, Resch resigned six months into the job amid the COVID-19 pandemic and massive Portland demonstrations stemming from the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd. She asked Chuck Lovell to replace her. She then served as an assistant chief before retiring and becoming an assistant police chief in Springfield.

Chuck Lovell, June 2020-Oct. 2023: Lovell joined the Portland Police Bureau in 2002. He served as a school-resource officer from 2007 through 2011 and rose to the rank of lieutenant in July 2017 and then to captain on June 9, 2020, two days before he was appointed chief. Lovell said he might transition to an assistant chiefs job overseeing community engagement. Hes four years shy of retirement eligibility.

Bob Day, Oct. 11, 2023-June 2025: Day, a 29-year Police Bureau veteran, retired in 2019 after serving as deputy chief under Outlaw. Day will serve as interim police chief through June 2025. Wheeler, who wont seek re-election, said this plan will allow a newly elected mayor and city council to pick the next chief.

 Staff reports
Columnist Megan McArdles recent piece on Medicare provided only the Big Pharma side of the story, (Opinion: Medicare can lower drug prices only by eliminating future medicines, Sept. 13). Using the fear of not having new medications in the future is a scare tactic to allow companies to charge exorbitant prices for existing medications.

Some thoughtful research by Americas Health Insurance Plans has found that many big pharmaceutical companies spend more on advertising and selling their products than they do on research and development. What is the value of endless television ads for medications that have to be prescribed by a provider and are not sold directly to the consumer? They also spent more on stock buybacks and dividends than on research and development; theyve used windfall profits since 2017 to boost return for shareholders instead of investing in research and development.

The cost of drugs in Canada, where the government negotiates prices, is our best example. On average, the prices of patented drugs in the United States were 3.3 times higher than in Canada. One example is the blood thinner Eliquis, currently on the list of drugs that Medicare will negotiate, which can cost an American patient many times more than the $1.60 per pill in Canada.

Please dont bow to the scare tactics of Big Pharma. Realize that U.S. citizens, especially those on Medicare, are unfairly supporting the drug companies excessive profits.

David Edmonds, Tualatin

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Gov. Tina Kotek will claw back $2.7 million in state homelessness funding from Multnomah County and redistribute that money to six other counties that have moved more quickly to house homeless individuals.

The money constitutes 14% of the $18.2 million that Kotek allocated to the county in April to address homelessness. The funding comes from a $200 million package Kotek signed in March to house 1,200 households experiencing homelessness and create over 600 new shelter beds by early next year.

When Kotek announced plans to distribute $80 million from that package to seven of the states largest regions in April, it came as a surprise that Oregons largest county was receiving only moderately more than the Eugene area and Central Oregon, given the comparative number of homeless individuals in each locale. Kotek at the time, however, said the decision was intentional because she was disappointed by the vagueness of Multnomah Countys plan to house homeless residents.

She went on to briefly withhold Multnomah Countys funding until officials provided more clarity on the countys plan.

Now, shes pulling back a small portion of that funding entirely, citing the countys ability to draw on other funding sources, primarily the voter-approved Metro homelessness services tax, to tackle homelessness along with the capacity of other counties to get results more quickly. OPB was first to report that Kotek was yanking back the funding.

We are at a key decision point in order to reach these goals, wrote Elisabeth Shepard, a spokesperson for Kotek, in an email. Given Multnomah Countys existing local, regional, state, and federal resources, the funding from the emergency order will have a greater impact toward meeting our statewide goals by Jan. 10 if reinvested into (Multi-Agency Coordinating) groups who are on track in their rehousing goals and indicated they had capacity to do more if given additional resources.

The $2.68 million will be redistributed to Clackamas, Marion, Polk, Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook County to house 89 homeless individuals or households. Clackamas County will receive the biggest outlay with $980,000 in redistributed funding. It plans to use the funding to house 40 households from rural areas of the county.

Id like to thank Governor Kotek for recognizing our excellent homelessness response work and setting aside additional dollars for our rural households, Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Chair Tootie Smith said in a statement.

While not all the money needs to be spent by the end of the year, Koteks office expects counties to meet their housing goals by Jan. 10, 2024.

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said she had already considered returning a portion of the funding to the state after the county became aware that it would receive an unanticipated $50 million in extra homeless dollars from the Metro tax, which flows to all three metro area counties. The county also has an additional $12 million it must spend in remaining federal pandemic aid. Given that, Vega Pederson said reallocating the $2.68 million was the right thing to do.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Oregon grew nearly 23% between 2020 and 2022, increasing by 3,304 people to about 18,000, according to a federally mandated physical count of homeless individuals.

These are challenging times for all of us, Vega Pederson said in a statement. Homelessness is a crisis were responding to across Oregon, with dire needs in too many of our counties and communities. We know other communities dont have the benefit of Supportive Housing Services dollars, which actually came in at tens of millions of dollars above Metros forecasts last year.

Multnomah County has struggled to spend its influx of homeless funding. The county failed to spend more than $40 million of its homelessness services tax money in the first three quarters of 2023, prompting Metro to put the county on a corrective action plan. The county cited staffing shortages as a big cause of its underspending. It settled on a plan last month for spending that unallocated money.

Vega Pederson said the county is still committed to house 275 people with the state emergency funding and 300 more through its Housing Multnomah Now program by early next year.

The homeless services agency jointly operated by Multnomah County and the city of Portland has so far allocated $3.9 million from the state funds to three providers for housing placement efforts, said county spokesperson Denis Theriault. He said the county is working to finalize plans with eight additional providers and could spend additional funds this week. In August, the Portland City Council also allocated $6.6 million in state funds to support its mass outdoor shelter in Southeast Portland.

We are making progress in the Joint Office and are focused on improving our systems to be accountable and action-oriented in these coming months, Vega Pederson said. We know peoples lives depend on it.

 Jamie Goldberg; jgoldberg@oregonian.com; 503-221-8228; @jamiebgoldberg

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A string of fires in Portland Wednesday morning were set by a serial arsonist, Portland Fire & Rescue investigators believe.

The fire bureau has released security-camera images of the suspect in hopes the public can help identify the person.

The first fire started at about 3 a.m. Wednesday at the corner of Northeast 28th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, the fire bureau said in a statement. Around 10 fires were set in the hours that followed in various neighborhoods, with the last known blaze ignited a little after 7 a.m. in inner Southeast Portland.

Map of fires provided by Portland Fire & Rescue.

The fire bureau said investigators, working with accelerant-detection dogs, collected evidence at the fire scenes, leading them to suspect the blazes were all started by the same person.

The fire bureau asks anyone with information  or with security-camera video that might contain relevant images  to contact Lt. Jason Andersen at 503-823-3787.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive; dperry@oregonian.com
When Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell officially steps down from the bureaus top post Oct. 11, he will have served a little over three years  a not unusually short tenure for an agency that sees a new chief about every two years.

Its the nature of the beast, said former Portland Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who served on City Council from 1999 to 2018 and oversaw the Police Bureau for a year and a half.

You have a tremendous amount of public scrutiny of every action undertaken by the bureau, both good and bad, Saltzman said Wednesday, hours after Lovell announced at a City Hall press conference he would resign. And unlike any other bureau director, you never know what issues face you when you come into work.

Lovell leaves at a time of transition for the police agency  and the city.

While no longer drawing intense daily scrutiny for its policing of social justice protests, the bureau is facing several major changes: a new civilian-led police oversight board with the power to investigate and fire officers; continued police reforms required under the citys 2014 U.S. Department of Justice settlement agreement; and a dramatic overhaul of the citys form of government, which will make a city manager overseen by the mayor responsible for the Police Bureau. Under Portlands current form of government, the mayor determines who manages the Police Bureau and has historically assigned that job to their office.

Portland attorney Ashlee Albies, who represents the Albina Ministerial Alliances Coalition for Justice and Police Reform, said Lovell was unexpectedly thrust into a position he may not have anticipated for himself.

Its a fairly political position, said Albies. I dont think the police chief job should be a political position  it should be somebody who is very effective  but the reality is that its a political position, and Im sure its highly stressful and challenging.

During a news conference Wednesday, Lovell said he had considered leaving the post for months, and saw Mayor Ted Wheelers announcement last week that he wasnt seeking reelection as a sign. Lovell, who started with the bureau as a school resource officer in 2007 and rose to the rank of captain just two days before becoming chief, said he never aspired to lead the agency.

He will continue working for the bureau as its head of community engagement, where Lovell said his heart has always been.

I always knew in the back of my mind I wasnt going to do it for seven years, Lovell said. Ill have a little less stress in my life.

Saltzman said he was pleasantly surprised that Lovell stayed in the position as long as he did, and called Wheelers appointment of 29-year bureau veteran Bob Day as interim chief a wise move.

Should something bad happen, hell know how to respond to it and what to do, Saltzman said.

LEADERSHIP SHUFFLE

Lovell announced Wednesday he was stepping aside and Wheeler was handing the reins to Day, who will earn $258,086.50 as interim chief, said police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen.

Day, who retired in 2019, will rejoin the bureau until 2025, when the citys next mayor will be in office after Wheelers second term ends.

8 1 / 8 Portland police chiefs

Wheeler said he decided to appoint an interim chief so the citys next mayor can recruit and appoint their own top cop. Day said he doesnt want the job for himself.

Lovells departure is the latest leadership shuffle for the agency, which has seen 17 chiefs since 1985. Charles Moose, Portlands first Black police chief, was appointed in 1993 and served for six years, making him the citys longest-serving chief since 1985.

READ MORE: Every Portland police chief since 1985

Lovell was abruptly appointed in June 2020 after then-Chief Jami Resch suddenly quit and tapped him for the position, just six months after she took over from her predecessor, Danielle Outlaw. Lovell leaves the job as Wheelers longest-serving chief.

Wheeler thanked Lovell Wednesday for leading the bureau during one of the most difficult times in our citys history, which overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic, mass social justice protests and an election to overhaul the citys form of government.

Chuck and his family have more than earned a respite from one of the toughest jobs in the city, Wheeler said.

WHO IS BOB DAY?

Robert Bob Day joined the Police Bureau as a patrol officer in April 1990 and climbed the ranks until being appointed Outlaws deputy chief in May 2018. He retired one year later, saying it was time for someone else to lead.

Day faced scrutiny twice during his last decade in the bureau.

While serving as the bureaus North Precinct captain, Day responded on Jan. 29, 2010, to a Northeast Portland apartment where officers had surrounded 25-year-old Aaron Campbell. Day arrived at the scene without a ballistic vest and called away Sgt. Liani Reyna, the incident commander, to brief him on what was happening. Thats when officers at the scene fatally shot Campbell, who had emerged from his apartment unarmed. Day did not face discipline but Reyna and others did.

Day was also demoted from assistant chief to captain in July 2016 after the citys Independent Police Review office determined he and two other assistant chiefs ignored protocol by not investigating former Chief Larry ODeas off-duty shooting of a friend during a camping trip, marking an organizational failure of the highest order.

Outlaw then elevated him again, making Day her deputy chief and the bureaus second-in-command May 3, 2018.

After retiring, Day did consulting work for the city and for corporate and public sector leaders.

Day said he shares a 20-year friendship with Lovell, who he said helped him better understand the relationship between Portland police and the citys Black community. In the 2000s, while working as a school resource officer at Jefferson High School, Day said Lovell gave him a copy of the book Courageous Conversations About Race, with a hand-written note encouraging him to read it.

Improving the publics trust in police was the bedrock of his priorities as interim chief, Day said.

When those overhead lights come on and you pull over, you should have trust and believe that this is going to be legitimate, that this conversation is going to be safe, its going to be reasonable, Day said. If I deserve a ticket, I get a ticket, and if I dont, I dont  the whole premise of public safety is based upon that.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalinagaitan_

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Sign up for Reckons latest weekly newsletter covering the three topics never to be discussed at the dinner table. Enter your email to subscribe to Matter of Faith.

Russell Brand emerged on American TV screens in the early 2000s as a raucous lad who loved women and attention as much as he loved himself. He entered the comedy scene in 2000, but caught international attention when was fired from MTV in 2001 after he came to work dressed as Osama Bin Laden the day after 9/11. Hes perhaps best known for his role as Aldous Snow, the protagonists new boyfriend in the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

This week Brand has been under fire after four women accused him of sexual assault and abuse from 2006 to 2013. UK-based news organization Channel 4, which Brand worked for at the time, published the explosive allegations against Brand, including allegations that he sexually abused and groomed a teenage girl.

While Brand has been open about his addictions to sex and substances, hes also been open about God, spirituality and the problem of human mistakes and suffering. One article estimated Brand makes at least 1,000 pounds per year from his YouTube channel, which has been demonetized in the wake of the sexual abuse allegations. He also sells his advice through a $60/year subscription to his podcast Stay Free with Russell Brand.

All desires are the inappropriate substitute for the desire to be at one with God. As long as we prioritize this material truth over spiritual truth we will live in tyranny because we are living in an illusion, Brand said in his 2014 book Revolution.

Brands stories and comments about addiction and recovery have been shared by spiritual teachers and addiction recovery groups alike. So, how can a sober, spiritual man be an alleged sexual abuser?

In light of the sexual abuse allegations against Brand, it is important to look at how the former sex addict turned self-help gurus spiritual journey is tangled into accusations of sexual and emotional abuse.

Lets go deeper into his spiritual history:

Controversial Kundalini practices and spiritual growth

As part of his recovery, Russell Brand embraced yoga and meditation. In various interviews and social media posts, hes said these practices helped him find inner peace and develop mindfulness, which was important for his journey toward sobriety.

Yoga, in particular, became an essential tool in his quest for spiritual growth. He has spoken about how these practices allowed him to connect with a deeper sense of self and begin the process of healing on his YouTube channel Awakening with Russell. His story has been used by other yoga teachers as an example of the transformational power of the practice.

Russell Brand has been a longtime follower of Kundalini yoga, a form of yoga which he was referred to as the crack cocaine of yoga in his book Revolution.

I had this yearning, longing, this emptiness. For me, addiction was a spiritual problem. I was looking for solutions. I really tried being a drug addict and pursuing money and sex, but I feel an authenticity, a unity with God, through yoga more than anywhere else in my life, Brand said in a 2013 interview on The Chopra Well YouTube channel.

Kundalini yoga has been linked to brainwashing, rape, and abuse. Some former Kundalini students have alleged that the group is a cult that uses predatory and manipulative tactics against followers, and that sexual abuse is common within the group.

Jules Hartley, a former actress who studied alongside Brand between 2011 and 2013 at Los Angeles Kundalini studios, told Insider this week that she was not surprised by the allegations against him, as the yoga they shared was built on power, control, and manipulation tactics.

Its the same story. Its the same storybook, Hartley told Insider. Its power, its control, its manipulation. Its getting others to get sort of mesmerized, to get what they want.

He recently did a live yoga session with popular yoga YouTuber Yoga with Adriene, so this practice that began years ago is still part of his spiritual advice he shares with his followers. He started sharing even more Kundalini yoga meditation and tips on his social media in 2021, the same year more than a dozen of the Ra Ma Yoga Institutes former employees, students, and business partners spoke with Insider about its culture of abuse.

12-Stepping to sobriety

Brand struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years, which led to a tumultuous personal life and numerous run-ins with the law. His journey towards spirituality began when he reached a breaking point in his addiction. After hitting rock bottom, he decided to seek help and entered rehab in 2002. This marked the beginning of his path to recovery.

Brand adopted the 12-Step program as a fundamental part of his recovery process, a choice that he said changed his life.

The 12 Step program, which has saved my life, will change the life of anyone who embraces it. I have seen it work many times with people with addiction issues of every hue: drugs, sex, relationships, food, work, smoking, alcohol, technology, pornography, hoarding, gambling, everything. Because the instinct that drives the compulsion is universal. It is an attempt to solve the problem of disconnection, alienation and tepid despair, Brand said of the 12-step program and the problem of addiction in his book Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions.

This program, initially developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, incorporates a spiritual component where individuals acknowledge their powerlessness over addiction and turn to a higher power for guidance and support.

He has described a bizarre upbringing where his father took him to have his first sexual encounter with a sex worker when he was 17. He has discussed the encounter in various interviews, including this 2009 interview on Chelsea Lately.

Brand went to a now-shuttered 12-step program called Focus12 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Russell Brand v. Purity Culture

Brand stopped doing drugs, but his sexual promiscuity continued into his sobriety. He made stabs at purity culture before the term hit mainstream media headlines.

In 2009, he made fun of the Jonas Brothers purity rings, which prompted a response to Brand from pop star Jordin Sparks and even led to Sarah Palins pregnant daughter being given a purity ring by a prominent abstinence group.

Brands criticism of purity culture is not in itself unique or worth noting, but it is worth noting for discussions of purity culture and its prevalence in modern culture.

Mix and match religions

Brand delved into various spiritual and philosophical texts, drawing inspiration from authors like Carl Jung, Terence McKenna, and Aldous Huxley. He explores topics such as consciousness, the nature of reality, and the interconnectedness of all things on his YouTube channel.

Brand has also openly expressed his interest in Eastern spirituality, including practices like transcendental meditation. He has spoken about how these practices have helped him find inner calm and clarity.

Hes spoken often about the idea of universal one-ness  a concept thats prominent in eastern religious beliefs. While he said he does believe in God or some concept of a higher power, he also believes in the concept of inner divinity and the interconnectedness and sacredness of all living things.

God, I fundamentally believe in. What do I mean by God? I mean my awareness, he said in a 2020 interview where he was asked to define God.

Brand has also credited God with helping him overcome his addictions, as he did earlier this year in an interview with Tucker Carlson.

Brands Messiah Complex

In addition to the credit Brand gives the 12-Steps with helping him gain sobriety, he has also claimed to believe in a higher power and has even made some claims to Christian beliefs.

He has made various claims to Christianity over the years, but hes also applied the term messiah to himself, as he did in his 2013 comedy special Messiah Complex.

Regardless of the specific type of spirituality Brand ascribes to, its clear that spirituality has become something of a brand for him. His 2022 33 Tour included aspects of Christian and New Age spirituality and numerology in connection to the number 33.

Numerology is a practice observed by various religions ranging from pagan to Abrahamic faith practices.

Hes also done more than just talk about his beliefshes also selling his spirituality in the form of wellness retreats. UK columnist Julie Burchill called Brands wellness shtick a wokescreen for his behavior in a May 2023 column. The wellness industry has come under increasing scrutiny as an expensive solution to simple human problems.

How did we get here and what happens now?

One of Brands accusers called his behavior an open secret, and Brands questionable sexual misbehavior has been well-documented online.

In 2013, he joked about raping women and having sex with audience members, children and homeless people during a since-deleted interview with Richard Herring. The Daily Mail shared the interview this week as new allegations against Brand were reported.

He talked about going to sex addiction therapy in his memoir. He said he decided to go to sex therapy when his manager checked him into the 12-step program in 2002. Brand said in his memoir My Booky Wook he was warned his sexual behavior could threaten his career.

In the wake of the allegations, other news organizations have compiled clips of his interactions with women he shared the screen withbe it another actor, fan or interviewer.

Brand tried to get ahead of the news, posting a video over the weekend about very serious allegations about him that were going to be shared soon.

These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies and, as I have written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous, Brand said in a statement.

Brands YouTube channel has been demonetized, meaning he can no longer earn money from the content he posts there. His latest book, Recovery: The Workbook, which was set to be published in December has also been canceled by his publisher.

Influential (and controversial) male media figures like Carlson, Alex Jones and Elon Musk have defended Brand against the allegations of sexual abuse.

Some legal experts have said its unlikely Brand will face trial if the cases are taken to court. Police in the UK have opened investigations into the allegations, and he could face charges in the U.S. if Los Angeles police open an investigation. Brand is not currently under investigation in the U.S.
What makes a happy town? According to Outside Magazine, safety, outdoor space, affordability, diversity and freedom. And, if the magazines new list is to be believed, one Oregon town has all the right qualifications to make it into the list of the 15 happiest towns in the United States: Hood River.

Anyone who has read Outside Magazine or traveled the hour or so east from Portland to visit Hood River wont be surprised at the main reason the town of roughly 8,300 people made the list  Its the outside parts. Windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing, hiking and mountain biking are all mentioned by Outside, as well as the proximity to you-pick fruit farms.

Not every place on the list is an outdoorsy paradise, though many are. Anchorage and Saint Petersburg are mentioned, but so is New Orleans and, dont tell Seattle, Tacoma.

HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

But, when it comes to Hood River, whether its a coffee shop started by pro mountain bikers or community sailing events, the outdoors is ever-present.

And the list doesnt even mention Hood Rivers first-in-the-nation nonalcoholic spirits tasting room.

If you need some advice on how to spend a day visiting Hood Rivers Fruit Loop, weve got you covered.

For the full list visit Outside Magazine.

 Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker

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Innovest, a premier investment and development company focussed on creating unique lifestyle communities throughout Saudi Arabia, recently signed several strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at Cityscape Global in Riyadh.

The agreements involve collaboration with key industry partners  including notable financial institutions, construction companies, global project developers, and real estate investment firms.

The MoUs align with the Saudi Vision 2030 principle of boosting the local real estate sector and serve to reaffirm Innovests commitment to homebuyers. Through the partnerships, homebuyers throughout the kingdom will also have the opportunity to benefit through the Sakani Programmes ministry or housing initiatives.

Founded in 2017 by the Saudi Ministry of Housing the Real Estate Development Fund, the Sakani Programme aims to increase the homeowning population to 70% by 2030 by creating new residential units for ownership.

Mohammed Alkhars, Chairman at Innovest, said: The establishment of the MOUs with the banks, construction firms, and real estate companies is a significant step forward in Innovests mission to equip, empower, and encourage homebuyers throughout the Kingdom.

The signings lay the framework for an industry-wide support system designed to guide customers in their homebuying journey and will continue to shape the way in which the real estate sector approaches homebuying in line with the larger Saudi Vision 2030.

The agreements at Cityscape Global follow Innovests recent launch of Jadan Communities, located in the Al Fursan neighbourhood. Jadan Communities offers an affordable, high-quality, residential community in line with the vision of creating residential units with a smart system that helps save energy and and high-end facilities and amenities.  TradeArabia News Service
Sweden transferred ten Stridsvagn 122 (Strv 122) tanks to Ukraine along with Ukrainian crews who were trained by the Swedish army, the Defense Forces said, citing Mats Ludvig, chief of operations at the Army Headquarters.

"We gave them everything we could in terms of good technology and knowledge. Now we wish them success in liberating their country," Ludvig's press service said.

It is noted that a total of 3,600 tanks have been built; this model has been the basis of Swedish mechanized brigades for over 30 years.

The press service said Sweden announced the decision to transfer tanks to Ukraine on February 24, 2023. At the headquarters of the Swedish army in Enkoping, preparations were also made for training Ukrainian personnel on tanks.

"This training had to take place almost simultaneously with the largest defense force exercise in 30 years... It required careful planning and great sacrifice on the part of our personnel, who were required to act as trainers. We worked together to solve this problem, and I am impressed by our staff and how well the preparation was carried out," Ludvig said.

Mechanics also received training. These tanks have been in Ukraine "for some time now."

According to media reports, Stridsvagn 122 tanks are the Swedish analogue of Leopard 2.
Disagreements between Ukraine and Poland must be resolved as soon as possible, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, who met with the heads of state in New York, according to the Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

"For the sake of a common, most important goal  protecting Europe from Russia's aggressive expansionist policy  disagreements between Ukraine and Poland must be resolved as soon as possible," the head of the country told Lithuanian presidential administration on Thursday.

Nauseda reportedly voiced this position to his Polish and Ukrainian colleagues Andrzej Duda and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to the Lithuanian President, Poland's role in supporting Ukraine is exceptional and a solution must be found, since further deepening of the crisis would be irresponsible.

"In this case, we are not talking about the security of individual countries, but of the entire region and even the continent. As history shows, only through joint efforts, supporting and helping each other, can we counter the danger of external threats. Meanwhile, public disagreements, regardless of the reasons, not only undermine unity, but also help the enemy's propaganda," Nausedas said.

Nauseda also discussed with the presidents of Ukraine and Poland the issues of simplifying procedures for transporting grain through Poland and increasing transit through Lithuania, in order to thus reduce pressure.

As noted, disputes between Poland and Ukraine flared up after Warsaw extended the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products, despite the fact that the European Union lifted its own restrictions. As disagreements between Warsaw and Kyiv worsened, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday that Poland was no longer supplying arms to Ukraine as it seeks to secure modern weapons.

"Minister of State Property and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jacek Sasin confirmed the Prime Minister's words on Thursday, but did not rule out that Warsaw's position may change in the future," according to the statement.
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese paramilitary Militia fighting the mainstream army has rejected accusations that it is receiving military and intelligence assistance from the Russian Wagner group
Mondi Syktyvkar is a wholly owned integrated pulp, packaging paper and uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic), Russia. Mondi Syktyvkar is a wholly owned integrated pulp, packaging paper and uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic), Russia.

Mondi Enters Agreement to Sell Mondi Syktyvkar in Russia for EUR 775 Million

Sept. 17, 2023 - Mondi announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its last remaining facility in Russia, Joint Stock Company Mondi Syktyvkar, together with two affiliated entities (together "Mondi Syktyvkar" or the "Business") to Sezar Invest LLC for a total cash consideration of RUB 80 billion (approximately EUR 775 million at the current exchange rate)1 to be paid in a series of instalments as set out below (the "Disposal").

1 Converted at FX rate of 103 RUB/EUR.

Mondi confirms that both the Russian Federation's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service and Government Sub-Commission for the Control of Foreign Investments have approved the Disposal on the terms agreed between Mondi and Sezar Invest. Mondi also confirms that it has been informed that there are no further outstanding regulatory conditions in respect of the Disposal.

The total cash consideration of RUB 80 billion will be paid to Mondi in RUB and in six monthly instalments. The first four monthly payments will be for RUB 13.5 billion each, with the first payment made by the end of September 2023.

Once the first four monthly instalments have been paid to Mondi, expected to be by the end of December 2023, the Disposal will complete and ownership of Mondi Syktyvkar will transfer to Sezar Invest and, accordingly, Mondi will have completed its exit from Russia.

The final RUB 26 billion will be paid in two equal instalments in each of the two months post completion. These payments will be secured by a letter of credit issued to Mondi prior to completion.

It is intended that the net proceeds from the Disposal will be distributed to Mondi shareholders in a timely manner once all instalments of the consideration are received.

The Disposal constitutes a Class 2 transaction under the Listing Rules and it is therefore not conditional on the approval of Mondi's shareholders.

Sezar Invest is a subsidiary of Moscow-based real estate development company Sezar Group.

About Mondi Syktyvkar

Mondi Syktyvkar is a wholly owned integrated pulp, packaging paper and uncoated fine paper mill located in Syktyvkar (Komi Republic). The Business employs approximately 4,500 people and is a leading provider of uncoated fine paper and containerboard to the domestic Russian market.

For the year ended 31 December 2022, Mondi Syktyvkar reported revenues of EUR 1,085 million, EBITDA of EUR 481 million and profit before tax of EUR 453 million. As at 30 June 2023, the gross assets of the Business were EUR 1,107 million and its net assets were EUR 856 million.

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, offering innovative and sustainable packaging and paper solutions. The company is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain.

SOURCE: Mondi plc
Stora Enso Appoints Hans Sohlstrom as New President and CEO; Replaces Annica Bresky

Hans Sohlstrom Hans Sohlstrom

Sept. 18, 2023 - The Board of Directors of Stora Enso Oyj has appointed Hans Sohlstrom (58), M.Sc. (tech.) and M.Sc. (econ.), as the new President and CEO of Stora Enso as of today. Sohlstrom is currently a member of Stora Enso's Board of Directors from which position he is stepping down today. Stora Enso's Board of Directors will now have eight members.

Stora Enso said, "Annica Bresky leaves her position as the President and CEO to pursue new challenges outside of Stora Enso."

Sohlstrom has over 30 years of experience in business leadership, including over 10 years as CEO predominantly in the forest and renewable materials industries. Most recently he led Ahlstrom Corporation, Ahlstrom Capital and Rettig Group. Prior to that, for over 20 years, he held several leadership positions at UPM-Kymmene Corporation, such as Mill Director, Business Unit Vice President and was a member of the Group Executive Team responsible for Marketing, New Businesses and Biofuels, and Corporate Relations and Development.

"Hans Sohlstrom has shown strong business acumen and leadership skills in his previous positions. He has extensive experience in the forest industry and has gained strong insight into Stora Enso after serving more than two years on its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is confident that Hans Sohlstrom is the right person to lead Stora Enso through the current challenging market environment towards achieving the long-term financial goals," said Kari Jordan, Chair of the Board of Directors of Stora Enso.

Sohlstrom commented, "I would like to thank the Board of Directors for its confidence in me. Stora Enso is a company whose purpose, values and heritage I strongly support and believe in. It has strong foundations and many growth opportunities. I look forward to working together with my new colleagues in leading our profit turn-around, increasing shareholder value and delivering on our commitment as the renewable materials company."

Jordan concluded, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Annica Bresky for her leadership and achievements during the past four years. Under her leadership, Stora Enso has made significant structural changes to strengthen its long-term competitiveness in line with its strategy. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours."

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials and wooden construction, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world.

SOURCE: Stora Enso
Photo: (Photo : Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash)

When Alya Jamieson was 11, her life took a dark turn that she could never have imagined. Coerced into sending explicit photographs to a boy in her class who she initially trusted, she became a victim of image-based abuse. The photographs spread across social media platforms, forever altering her path.

Nearly a decade later, Alya, now 20, is speaking out about her harrowing experience to push for reform in laws and education concerning image-based abuse.

Emotional Toll and Family Strain

Alya's devastating journey began innocently enough. She was communicating with a boy in her school year whom she had a crush on and who had always been "nice" to her. After sending an explicit photo at his request, the boy's tone changed drastically. He threatened to physically harm her if she did not comply with demands for more photographs. Soon after she sent additional images, they began circulating among her classmates and on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

"The emotional toll was unbearable. I begged my mom not to make me go to school, saying I was sick, but in reality, I was avoiding the humiliation and shame," Alya revealed.

Her mental health spiraled downward. She gained significant weight and eventually was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She stayed indoors for eight grueling months, which she admits put "a horrible" strain on her relationship with her family.

Despite the distressing nature of the incident, Alya recalls that the police action was minimal. "I was just 11, and I decided not to press charges," she says. Police did visit the boy's home, but the episode exposed the systemic failure of institutions to protect victims adequately.

"It's incredibly unfair. It feels like the majority of the punishment lands on the victim rather than the perpetrator," Alya notes.

Read Also: Parents Warned 'Sextortion' Threats Among Teens Are on the Rise

Lingering Trauma in New Environments

Even after transferring to different schools, the repercussions continued to haunt her. The explicit photos followed her, resulting in constant emotional distress. She found it increasingly difficult to focus on her studies.

"By the time I reached my fourth high school, the environment there triggered my PTSD symptoms so badly that I had no choice but to drop out during year 10," she explains.

Current laws concerning image-based abuse in Australia appear inadequate. Despite criminalization in every state and territory, the legislation has done little to decrease incidents. According to a report by SBS in July, the rate of women experiencing image-based abuse is escalating.

Kathleen Maltzahn, chief executive at Sexual Assault Services Victoria, argues that, like sexual violence, image-based abuse is also considerably underreported.

"We need urgent community education about this crime and that it's the fault of the perpetrator, not the victim," she asserts.

Recognizing the need for action, Alya has taken to social media platforms like TikTok to educate the public about revenge porn and image-based abuse.

"I learned the hard way that trust is not a commodity to be given lightly," she says, hoping to spare others the pain she went through.

As Alya prepares to welcome her first child into the world, her aim is to catalyze change that will ensure no one has to endure the type of anguish she experienced. Through her brave disclosure, Alya underscores an imperative for societal shifts, both in terms of how laws are framed and how education around image-based abuse is delivered, to better protect vulnerable individuals.

Related Article: Man Sentenced In Sextortion Scheme For Tricking Boys Into Thinking He's A Modelling Agency Manager, Lets Them Send Nude Photos
Photo: (Photo : Mufid Majnun on Unsplash)

With COVID-19 cases on the rise once again across the country, many individuals are turning to home tests to make crucial decisions about work, school attendance, and other activities. However, a growing number of these tests are returning negative results, even when individuals are certain they have contracted the virus, leading to speculation that rapid tests may be losing their effectiveness against newer coronavirus variants.

Unpacking the Mystery Behind Negative Rapid Test Results in Presumed COVID-19 Cases

Dr. Michael Mina, an immunologist and epidemiologist and Chief Science Officer at eMed, acknowledges that this concern has surfaced periodically with each new variant. Yet, there are valid reasons why a home test may provide a negative result despite a COVID-19 infection.

One significant factor is the evolving way people use rapid tests, coupled with the evolving immunity in the population. As most individuals now possess some level of underlying immunity to the coronavirus, this can affect the test's performance.

However, Todd Merchak, co-leader of the RADx program at the National Institutes of Health, reassures the public that, to date, the performance of COVID-19 tests on the market remains unaffected by the emergence of new variants.

Unlike vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, which target the spike proteins on the virus's surface that change rapidly, rapid home tests primarily target the nucleocapsid proteins (N-proteins) of the coronavirus. N-proteins are less prone to mutations, providing some stability to the tests' accuracy.

To ensure that rapid tests remain effective, researchers have developed a comprehensive library of possible changes to the N-protein over time, allowing them to assess the compatibility of existing tests with new variants rapidly. If the FDA suspects that a test is no longer effective against a prevalent variant, it conducts further analysis and may revoke authorization for the test.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the timing of testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking a rapid test five days after a known virus exposure. Research indicates that, on average, it takes three to six days for the viral load to become detectable. However, due to easy access to at-home testing, individuals tend to test earlier, often before the virus has replicated enough for detection.

Recognizing this issue, the FDA has advised anyone who receives a negative result from a home test to repeat it within 48 hours. Studies have shown that rapid tests are more accurate when repeated, especially in detecting asymptomatic cases. Early in an infection, viral loads can be too low for a single test to detect reliably, making repeat testing essential for accurate results.

Read Also: What Parents Should Know About the COVID-19 Omicron Variant as Schools Remain Open

The Role of Operator Error: Why Children's Rapid Test Results Can Be Misleading

Operator error can also impact the reliability of rapid tests. A study conducted in Taiwan revealed that children's tests often yielded false-negative results, even when PCR tests confirmed their infection. This discrepancy was attributed to the difficulty of obtaining a proper nasopharyngeal swab sample from children, emphasizing the importance of following test instructions carefully.

Dr. Michael Mina envisions a future in which it is common for rapid home tests to show negative results, even for infected individuals, as a sign that the immune system is successfully controlling the virus's replication. Such a scenario would signify a triumph of immunity in keeping the virus at bay, offering hope for a safer future.

In conclusion, while home COVID-19 tests remain a valuable tool in managing the pandemic, various factors, including the timing of testing and operator error, can influence their accuracy. Repeat testing, especially for asymptomatic cases, and strict adherence to instructions can improve the reliability of rapid home tests, helping individuals make informed decisions about their health and safety.

Related Article: CDC Report Confirms Presence of New COVID-19 Variant BA.2.86 in U.S. Wastewater After Preliminary Testing
Photo: (Photo : Ronni Kurtz on Unsplash)

In a recent incident that has stirred significant debate among educators, parents, and community members, a teacher from Texas introduced her eighth-grade students to a graphic novel adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank." What has led to the controversy is the inclusion of certain content and illustrations, such as sexual narratives and depictions of nude statues, within this adaptation.

District's Response and Communication

The educator, affiliated with the Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District, faced immediate action and was removed from her classroom duties on September 14th. The news first came to light when local broadcaster KFDM reported on it.

Upon being contacted, district spokesperson Mike Canizales remarked that this specific version of Frank's diary had not received official clearance for classroom usage. He added, "The teacher was sent home on Wednesday. An in-depth investigation regarding this situation is currently underway."

However, when reporters from NBC News sought a detailed account of the incident and subsequent actions, Mr. Canizales chose not to divulge any additional information. He instead chose to share an email circulated among the parents. This email highlighted the concerns raised regarding the reading material. It also mentioned the school's decision to employ a substitute teacher while the investigation unfolds.

The email further states, "The district is proactively seeking to fill the position and is keen on onboarding a qualified, full-time educator at the earliest. In the interim, our dedicated team of administrators and curriculum specialists will step in to offer enhanced support and oversight in the reading class. This is to ensure the students receive a seamless and high-quality learning experience."

Read Also: More Children And Teenagers Are Being Forced Into 'Sextortion' By Online Sexual Predators

Previous Controversies with the Same Book

At the heart of this contention is the graphic novel titled "Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation." This illustrated piece offers a detailed visualization of Frank's original, unabridged diary. The diary, first published in 1947, provides a heart-wrenching account of the ordeals faced by Anne Frank and her sister, culminating in their demise in a German concentration camp in 1945.

Nevertheless, this adaptation contains segments that were excluded from its previous versions. These sections have now become points of contention. For instance, a passage portrays Frank suggesting to a friend the idea of showing each other their breasts. Another section illustrates her encounter with nude statues.

Interestingly, this graphic novel had faced similar criticisms earlier. Back in April, an influential member of the Moms for Liberty group located in Indian River County, Florida, voiced concerns over its content. This eventually led to its removal from a prominent school library in the county. A representative for the School District of Indian River County revealed that prior to its removal, the book had been checked out merely on two occasions.

Moreover, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported that the same graphic novel found its way into a list of books that faced removal from the Keller Independent School District in Fort Worth, Texas, last year.

This incident has once again ignited passionate discussions. Topics range from the extent to which classroom content should be regulated, the significance of accurate historical representation, and the pivotal role educators play in assessing what materials are suitable for students.

Related Article: Texas School Superintendent Nabbed in Sting Operation Involving Officers Posing as Teens
I am responding to portions of anti-Catholic evangelical apologist Eric Svendsens In the Image of God: A Dialogue With a Roman Catholic Apologist on the Veneration of Images (dated not long before 13 May 2007). His words will be in blue.

*****

Clearly, the Scriptures consider bowing before images an act of worship.

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God (Exod 20:4-5).

The passage does not indicate that it is acceptable before God to bow down to an image so long as it does not represent deity and you do not consider it deity. Rather, it states unequivocally not to make an image of anything, in heaven or on earth, with the purpose of bowing down to it. Indeed, the very point of the passage is that God alone is to receive this kind of honor (more on this later).

Both the Hebrew (pesel) and the Greek LXX (eidolon) simply mean image. This could be of a false god (idol), but neither the word itself nor the context of Exodus 20 limits it to that application. The word translated anything (Gr., pantos, all; Heb., kol, the whole of) is categorical. In Hebrew, kol is used to signify the entire class (BDB), and with the negative, none in the entire class. The LXX borrows the Hebrew idiom by using pantos with the negative. It is a categorical prohibition against bowing down to any and all religious images. It allows for no exceptions. . . .

Roman Catholic[s] will argue that veneration of the saints is not worship, [but] such a claim is simply gratuitous. What is gratuitously asserted may be gratuitously denied. . . . I maintain that bowing down to, praying to, and kissing the feet of any image is indeed an act of worship.

Clearly, this is dead wrong, and its easy to show this from Scripture.

Joshua 7:6-7 (RSV) Then Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads. [7] And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, why hast thou brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!

The ark of the covenant  the most sacred item to the ancient Israelites  had cherubim carved on top of it: on both sides of the mercy seat (Ex 25:22; Num 7:89; Heb 9:5). Additionally, when the ark was put into its permanent place in the Holy of Holies in the temple, giant carved cherubim covered it as well (1 Kgs 6:23 ff.; 8:6-7; 1 Chr 28:18; 2 Chr 3:11 ff.; 5:8).

We know that cherubim represented (and in carved images portrayed) angels. We know that they were on top of the ark of the covenant itself, and also in larger form, present in the temple, covering the entire ark. We also know that they were present in the temple outside of the Holy of Holies, also previously in the tabernacle, in engraved or embroidered images (Ex 26:31; 1 Kgs 6 and 7; Ezek 41:18 ff.).

[see also an illustration of Solomons temple and what the ark of the covenant may have looked like]

This being the case, we know that wherever there is bowing, prayer, and/or worship in Scripture, as related to the ark of the covenant either outside the temple or tabernacle, or in them, that statues (of cherubim / angels) were present. And this is also true of any bowing, prayer, and/or worship in or near the temple. Thats an awful lot of statuary or other images! Yet we are to believe that these most sacred acts of the ancient Jews were fundamentally idolatrous, and that anything even approximating these actions in Christianity is also idolatrous? It strains credulity to the breaking point.

The ancient Israelites also worshiped, praised, and sacrificed before the ark of the covenant:

1 Kings 8:5 And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. (cf. 2 Chr 5:6) 1 Chronicles 16:4 Moreover he appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. (cf. Deut 10:8) 1 Chronicles 16:37 So David left Asaph and his brethren there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister continually before the ark as each day required,

Moreover, they bowed towards the temple (which included carved and painted cherubim), and worshiped and gave thanks:

2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the children of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the earth on the pavement, and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word. (cf. Lk 2:37; Heb 9:2-7)

They prayed and worshiped towards the temple, and the tabernacle before that:

2 Chronicles 6:20 that thou mayest hearken to the prayer which thy servant offers toward this place. * 2 Chronicles 6:26-27 When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against thee, if they pray toward this place, and acknowledge thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them, [27] then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, thy people Israel, when thou dost teach them the good way in which they should walk; and grant rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people as an inheritance.

* 2 Chronicles 6:29-30 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by any man or by all thy people Israel, each knowing his own affliction, and his own sorrow and stretching out his hands toward this house; [30] then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each whose heart thou knowest, according to all his ways (for thou, thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men);

* 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of thy people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of thy great name, and thy mighty hand, and thy outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house, [33] hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, (cf. 1 Kgs 29-30, 35, 42) * Psalm 5:7 . . . I will worship toward thy holy temple in the fear of thee.

* Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to thee for help, as I lift up my hands toward thy most holy sanctuary. Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the LORD!

Are the ark, tabernacle, and temple graven images too? Are all these instances or prayer, worship, and sacrifice in conjunction with images (cherubim, palm trees, etc.) idolatrous? According to the Bible, obviously not. In the Bible, God was worshiped in direct association with created matter too: a burning bush (Ex 3:2-5), a cloud (Ex 33:9-10), and fire (2 Chr 7:3-4). * As for the graven image of Exodus 20:4: what God was forbidding was idolatry: making a stone or block of wood God. The Jews were forbidden to have idols (like all their neighbors had), and God told them not to make an image of Him because He revealed Himself as a spirit. The KJV and RSV Bible versions use the term graven image at Exodus 20:4, but many of the more recent translations render the word as idol (e.g., NASB, NRSV, NIV, CEV).

Context makes it very clear that idolatry is being condemned. The next verse states: You shall not bow down to them or worship them (NIV, NRSV). In other words, mere blocks of stone or wood (them) are not to be worshiped, as that is gross idolatry, and the inanimate objects are not God. This does not absolutely preclude, however, the notion of an icon, where God is worshiped with the help of a visual aid. Idolatry is a matter of disobedience in the heart towards the one true God. We dont always need an image to have an idol. Most idols today are non-visual: money, sex, lust for power, convenience, our own pride or intellects; there are all sorts of idols. Anything that replaces God as the most important thing in our life and the universe, is an idol. Idolatry is also a heart issue. Did Solomon or any of the Israelites bow down and pray to these images [of the cherubim in the temple]? Yes, as proven above from Holy Scripture. Obviously not. Scripture indeed makes a distinction, . . . The distinction is rather between making a religious image, and making a religious image with the purpose of bowing down to that image. Scripture never commends the latter; yet this is exactly what Roman Catholics do with their images. . . . Moreover, one is struck by the complete lack of precedent in Scripture of anyone known to be in good standing with God bowing down to a statue of anything, whether of a god or a non god. It does indeed commend bowing down to created images connected to the ark, tabernacle and temple. Svendsen shows himself quite remarkably biblically illiterate. Related Reading

Summary: I object to anti-Catholic apologist Eric Svendsens argument that all bowing to any religious images whatsoever is rank idolatry. The Bible states quite otherwise.
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.
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









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The vessel Resilient Africa with 3,000 tonnes of wheat, leaving the port of Chornomorsk on Thursday, entered the Turkish port BOSPHORUS N ANCH Anchorage, according to data from the MarineTraffic resource.

Earlier it was reported that the bulk carrier RESILIENT AFRICA, flying the flag of Palau, entered the waters of the port of Chornomorsk on September 17, using the temporary corridor established by the Ukrainian Navy for civilian ships. The ship became the second civilian ship since the beginning of the war to reach the Ukrainian port of Odesa outside the grain corridor. On Tuesday, September 19, a dry cargo ship with 3,000 tonnes of wheat left the port of Chornomorsk and headed for the Bosphorus.

The Turkish bulk carrier Aroyat under the flag of Palau, which was the first to enter the waters of the port of Chornomorsk along a temporary corridor established by the Ukrainian Navy for civilian vessels, remains there. The vessel was moored to load 17,000 tonnes of wheat for the countries of Africa and Asia.
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.

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Bayport Savings and Loans, a publicly listed payroll lender, has donated 100 dual desks each to two schools, Bolgatanga Model Preparatory Primary School in the Upper East Region and Nsein Methodist Primary School in Nsein, Western Region.



This donation is part of their 20th anniversary celebrations and reflects their commitment to providing a safe and conducive learning environment for students in these beneficiary schools.



During the handover ceremony, Mr. Allen Jubin, the Chief Commercial Officer at Bayport, expressed that this gesture underscores the company's dedication to investing in education as a core aspect of its Corporate Social Responsibility.



He explained; "Education is a top priority in Bayport's corporate social responsibility efforts. For years, we have been awarding scholarships to the children of our customers. In this special anniversary year, we decided to go a step further by providing furniture to selected schools in remote communities where students have been sitting on the floor to learn."



Mr. Jubin added; "Our goal is to create a more conducive learning environment for these beneficiary schools, and this commitment will remain a cornerstone of our future initiatives."



Mr. Emmanuel Kwame Appiah, the headteacher of Nsein Methodist Primary School, commended Bayport's management and staff for their timely assistance.



He highlighted how this donation would positively impact teaching and learning as well as boost the students' confidence and self-esteem.



Mr. Appiah stated; "Thanks to this donation, students will now have comfortable places to sit and study. It will also reduce distractions and create a more engaging and conducive learning environment."



Ms. Catherine Assibi Nyaaba, the headteacher of Bolgatanga Model Preparatory Primary School, also expressed her gratitude for Bayport's generous support.



She revealed that her school had not received furniture donations for the past three decades which had negatively affected their quality of education.



She said; "This donation is invaluable and will ensure that students are nurtured into well-rounded individuals who can contribute to our community. Bayport's thoughtfulness will forever be remembered in our school's history, and we are incredibly thankful for their support."



Ms. Nyaaba assured that the donated furniture would be used for its intended purpose and maintained to benefit many more students in the future.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Ghana Police Service has denied strongly arresting and manhandling a reporter from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) during a protest.



The service in a statement said news circulating about the arrest is false.



The facts are that in dispersing the illegal demonstrators, a group of them were picked up and sent to the police station. During their screening process two persons identified themselves as journalists and were immediately allowed to go. A portion of the statement said



Read below full statement



1. The attention of the Police has been drawn to an erroneous report by a section of the media that a BBC reporter and his cameraman have been arrested.



2. The police will like to put on record that the report is false and should be disregarded.



3. The facts are that in dispersing the illegal demonstrators, a group of them were picked up and sent to the police station. During their screening process two persons identified themselves as journalists and were immediately allowed to go.



4. While we assure the public of our commitment to work with all stakeholders in our quest to ensure security law and order, we want to urge all the other stakeholders to be circumspect in the discharge of their responsibilities since they have implications for the image and reputation of other stakeholders.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nana Akomea has blasted the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over claims that the Electoral Commission has deliberately sent faulty machines to their strongholds in its ongoing limited registration exercise.



The limited voter registration is targeting to register at least 1.35 million people who have turned 18 years old since the last registration exercise in 2020 but the opposition party accuses the Commission of trying to sabotage their strongholds.



The exercise which commenced on Tuesday, September 12 is expected to end on October 2, 2023.



At a media briefing on the exercise, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah alleged that the EC had intentionally taken faulty machines to some of its district offices in areas it deems as 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 said.



But Nana Akomea finds these accusations very ridiculous.



He wondered how the EC would send faulty machines to NDC strongholds when the situation didn't happen only in specific areas but across 15 Regions with only Savannah Region not recording the challenge.



To him, the NDC is using the challenge which has been rectified by the Commission as their ploy in deceiving Ghanaians.



He also refuted the opposition's claims that the National Identification Authority (NIA) is in cahoots with the ruling New Patriotic Party to rig next year's general elections.



"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", the STC Chief Executive on Peace FM's "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.

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NPP presidential candidate and the Member of Parliament for Assin Central has suggested that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia knows the person responsible for the murder of Ghanaian investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale.



Those who wrote the 10 sins (of Ken Agyapong) in support of Bawumia, he (Bawumia) is the vice president, he is the head of the Police Council, they know the killers of Ahmed Suale, why have they not spoken out? And they are coming to blame me for it, he said in Twi.



If you are a government and your national security (architecture) does not know the person who killed Ahmed Suale, then it means you dont know what you are doing. Is this one of the ten sins of Kennedy Agyapong? he added.



STC Boss and a member of Dr Bawumia's campaign team expressed disappointment in the Assin Central MP's comment, saying some of these comments are not important.



"We all belong to the same political party...we should all tone down," he averred during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo'.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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.

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Sylvester Tetteh, an ardent supporter of Alan Kyerematen, has responded to criticisms that he has betrayed his boss following his decision to switch from Alan's camp to join Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's camp.



The Member of Parliament of Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro constituency played an active role in campaigning for Alan Kyerematen to become the flagbearer of the NPP but following his boss' sudden exit from the race, he (Sylvester Tetteh) has now jumped to the side of Dr. Bawumia insisting he is the NPP's surest bet to victory in the 2024 elections.



"Moving on, among the four candidates, I think Dr. Bawumia is our surest bet. That is why I'm rallying everybody that let's support him; the party is going to elections",. he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Wednesday morning.



But his switch from camp to camp has been met with mixed feelings with some members and supporters of the NPP complimenting him for supposedly choosing to be on the winning side and others bashing him for what, to them, is betrayal on his part.



Reacting to the backlash, Hon. Sylvester Tetteh says his decision has "nothing to do with me betraying any person or that I have changed my mind so quickly".



He explained his decision wasn't made without the notice of his team and Alan Kyerematen, thus he had thorough engagements before deciding to support Dr. Bawumia.



"I did met all my zonal coordinators in Greater Accra and I told them that this is my decision. Our campaign has come to an end, we need to move on as party people; my personal decision, let's support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia," he stated on Kokrokoo.



He added; "If Alan is no longer contesting, we don't go for elections? We have to go for elections. I have to make a choice. I have constituents; I have a vote."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has once again cautioned the New Patriotic Party not to make a mistake of choosing any presidential candidate apart from Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party makes its way to elect their flagbearer on November 4.



Allotey Jacobs, who had before the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Special Delegates Conference on August 26, 2023, forewarned the party against failing to elect Dr. Bawumia and the regrets they would have as a result, has justified why the latter is their best bet to winning the 2024 elections.



According to him, electing Dr. Bawumia will ruin the chances of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main competitor of the ruling party, in winning next year's election.



"Bawumia's flagbearership will be the biggest threat to the existence of the NDC . . . the emergence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will be a threat to President John Mahama," he exclaimed.



The former NDC Central Regional Chairman explained that Bawumia's candidature will send a strong signal to the northern sectors of Ghana and win massive votes for the New Patriotic Party, reiterating the 2024 election will be a "clash of the Northern Titans".



He noted that Bawumia's hard work, popularity and impact in the North is unmatched, hence "if the NPP gives their maximum support for Bawumia, there's trouble for the largest opposition party".



Allotey added that he chooses Bawumia because he is "the best material that can change the Ghanaian perception, that can change the Ghanaian dynamics, that can change a lot of things in our political space".



He gave this admonition to the New Patriotic Party while speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Wednesday morning.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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By KEN KUSMER and COREY WILLIAMS, The Associated Press

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 children, 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.

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, 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, 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.

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)AP

Were still investigating the relationship between the two, and how the man died and how the woman was injured, McKee said.

The Associated Press 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.

The incident represents the 35th mass killing in the U.S. this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press 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.

Ken Kusmer reported from Indianapolis and Corey Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan. AP researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as part of his working visit to the United States, met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress Kevin McCarthy, leader of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives Steve Scalise and leader of the Democratic Party in the U.S. House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries.

The head of state said Ukraine is sincerely grateful to the House of Representatives, Congress, both parties, the President of the United States, his administration and the entire American people for their unwavering support.

"Together we have made significant progress in defending democracy, freedom and dignity  the values on which both our countries are based. The suffering of the Ukrainian people from Russian war crimes is enormous, but more than half of the occupied Ukrainian territories have already been liberated from Russian occupiers, and we clearly see that complete victory is getting closer," he said.

Zelenskyy briefed the meeting participants about the situation on the battlefield. The priority defense needs of Ukraine and strengthening the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense, especially on the eve of the winter period, were discussed.

The president said a Ukrainian victory would ensure that neither Russia nor any other dictatorship could destabilize the free world.

"And in order to win, we must be together. And win together. We are counting on you, on your constant support," the head of state said.
Cellar Beast Winehouse has been in business for more than two years in Andreas, Schuylkill County, down the road from the much-acclaimed Galen Glen Winery.

It took over the space previously occupied by Blue Lizard Vineyard and Winery, which closed sometime in 2020.

The place opened to the public on May 22, 2021. Involved in its creation and the day-to-day are business partners Kim and Aaron McCullough along with head winemaker Matt Check.

When the place opened, it included 7-year-old vines of Golden Muscat, Concord and Ives. Check, who earned his sommelier certification from the Wine School of Philadelphia, said the winery planted its first test block this spring aiming toward more traditional varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Arinto).

Currently, they source their grapes from Washington, California and Oregon, and the apples for their ciders locally.

There are two locations, at 139 Ash Circle, in Andreas (open 2 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays) and at 159 Northampton St., in downtown Easton (4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 3 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday). You can find more out in terms of available wines and ciders and food by clicking on the website or on its Facebook page.

Their wines include whites, reds and a rose, all dry. The bottle prices range from $26 to $65, which you can purchase by the glass or bottle, and also a wine club. There is also a variety of ciders to purchase.

Check was kind enough to do something winemakers dont often do during whats always a busy time of the year for them: promise to answer emailed questions. But he was kind enough to respond to the following from PennLive:

Q, What kind of place can visitors expect when they stop?

A, At our Pa. locations (Andreas, the winery/tasting room location, and Easton, our ancillary tasting room) visitors can expect to find a relaxed and educational-focused tasting experience. Our tasting room staff members are mostly sommeliers or sommeliers in training and it is their focus to bring the highest quality tasting experience to each person who walks through the door.

Q, How did you come up with the concept and the name  and did all of you know each other heading into this?

A, Coming up with the name was fun as we didnt want to be another winery with the same old type of name here in PA. So we went for something that would stand out above the rest both by the name and our brand imagery. Our name and our branding allude to the hours, blood, sweat and tears that all of us oenophiles working on this endeavor have poured into this industry and in the cellar making these elixirs. All of us started somewhere near the bottom in the wine production world learning what the grind of winemaking and its processes contains, so we all started as cellar rats and now we are the Cellar Beasts!

A sampling of some of the wines you can purchase at Cellar Beast Winehouse, located in Schuylkill and Northampton counties.

Ive been making wine via West Coast fruit for 10 years now and it only made sense to continue with this concept given the ability to access such high-quality fruit from the West Coast and the quality name that I have created for utilizing high-quality fruit from the West to make very high-quality wines as a result. I had been searching and looking to start my own project when I finally met my business partners while looking at the same property. After several meetings, we decided to move forward on this venture together, so all and all we only knew each other for a handful of months before Cellar Beast was born. Aside from my business partners several other members of our team came along with me at the beginning to help this project grow and flourish; additionally, we have been lucky enough to add some great team members over the past couple of years.

Q, Looks like you do a lot of music there. What are the First Fridays like?

A, We regularly have live music, usually every weekend and mostly both Saturdays and Sundays. We usually book even bigger acts for special events and in some of these cases, we need to charge ticket prices just to ensure seating for reservations.

As for First Fridays, not sure if you are referring to the first Fridays that we attend at Crooked Row Farm & Market (Orefield, Lehigh County)? If so, this is an awesome organic farm that has been a great supporter of our business and, in fact, we will have our wine available there full time soon. At the First Friday events, we are on-site sampling our wines for people to make purchases. In addition to us being on site, our friends at Gauker Farms (Kutztown, Berks County) attend as well with all of their fantastic cuts of locally grown beef.

A glimpse of the grounds at Cellar Beast Winehouse in Andreas, which is open Fridays through Sundays.

Q, How has your portfolio evolved/grown over the past 2 years or is this largely the lineup you started with?

A, Our portfolio has stability built into it but I always have room for fun one-offs. This is one of the exciting things as a winemaker, getting the opportunity to work with different varietals aside from the usual suspects, just to name a couple Ive recently had the opportunity to work with are Sagrantino and Primitivo. Our regular portfolio consists of the following: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Grenache/Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and, of course, Carmenere. One unique thing we concentrate on is sourcing from many AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) and at the same time single-vineyard sourced fruit, ensuring we get the highest quality fruit from the best places to grow them.

Q, I see you use the Carmenere grape in at least one of the wines. One of my favorites. How do you like working with it and what future do you see it having in the U.S.?

A, Carmenere is my absolute favorite varietal and has been the focus of my winemaking career. I fell in love with this variety when I went through wine school and ever since I began my winemaking journey I have been chasing my own perfect rendition. My Carmenere takes form by the name of Dark Angel and is from a vineyard source that I have been working with my whole winemaking career and, at this point, 100% of the Carmenere grown in their vineyard is dedicated to my hands at Cellar Beast and I absolutely love working with it from beginning to end. Most recently the 2021 vintage Dark Angel was awarded 97 points with Best in Class and Double Gold awards at the Sunset International Wine Competition in Sonoma, California. And as of last week it was awarded another Double Gold at the Sommcon Concours dvin competition in San Diego.

As for the role of Carmenere moving forward in the US, I think there is a bigger role for it but there is always going to be one big shadow for any red variety to crawl around Cabernet Sauvignon. So when considering this you know you will see it utilized in blending, especially for pre-1860 style Bordeaux style blends. But I think the U.S. wine world needs to take more note of what has been done/accomplished with Carmenere in Chile, especially as a stand-alone varietal.

The production area and one of the tasting rooms for Cellar Beast Winehouse is located at 139 Ash Circle, in Andreas, Schuylkill County.

Q, Last thing .. can folks just stop for a bottle or glass, or do they require reservations, and is the tour always part of that?

A, Reservations are encouraged especially if folks want the full Cellar Beast experience of a guided tasting or tour and tasting, or just to guarantee themselves a table of their own. As I mentioned our tasting room focus is an educational focus and we accomplish that via our guided tasting and tour/tastings. But at the end of the day, many of our regular customers come by for a couple of glasses or bottles all the time and we will never discourage experiencing Cellar Beast in the way that best fits any of our visitors. For all first-time visitors, it is best to start with at least a guided tasting.

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The Salem Witch Museum, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Witch City, is defending is reputation after USA Today named it the second biggest tourist trap in the world.

Some people had expectations and were disappointed because their expectations werent met, said Raelinda Woad, who has lived in Salem, Mass., for 10 years.

Some peoples brains just want things to be the first thing they thought it should be, Woad told MassLive Monday. If its something different, instead of being delighted by experiencing something new, they resent the extra work their brain has to do to accommodate a slightly larger reality.

Woad has brought guests and their children to the museum and said they have always had a great time. Therefore, she couldnt understand why the museum was being portrayed as a tourist trap.

I went to MassArt, I majored in interrelated media. I appreciate alternative theater experiences, she explained. I enjoy how they tell the story, so to speak, and I particularly appreciate how they tie in contemporary witch hunts at the end.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

In July, USA Today analyzed 23.3 million Google reviews of the 500 most-popular tourist attractions across 65 countries in six continents. The outlet then scanned each review for how many times the terms tourist trap, overrated or expensive came up.

Out of 9,240 reviews, the word tourist trap was used 113 times to describe the Salem Witch Museum. Out of 9,555 reviews on Google, 120 use the term tourist trap.

Sad because this area holds such a sorted [sic] past and it can be interesting, one review reads. Instead it is a poorly executed tourist trap. Stick to the graveyards and actual history of Salem.

Dont waste your money. This is nothing but a tourist trap that is outdated and not worth the wait, another review reads. Do yourself a favor and look up a YouTube video on the witch trials, itll give you far more information. Or, check out any other museum. They have more information.

Assistant Director of Education Jill Christiansen told MassLive Monday that she believes most people who bash the museum have never actually visited it. She said the museum has left a lasting impact for generations.

We meet people every day who came here as kids, who are bringing their kids, or their grandkids, she said. Its both educational, historic, factual, and digestible for a wide audience.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

Staff also said visitors are often misled by the term museum, and Woad agrees. People think they will be able to wander freely around the space, which isnt the case for most of the experience.

Its more like an installation piece that is telling a story and people might not be expecting that, Woad said. The other thing about a museum is you go in on your own time and take your time. This is scheduled, so you go in on their time. Some people might not be expecting that, and they might have a negative reaction.

What to expect at the Salem Witch Museum

The museum comprises two presentations intended to educate people about the victims of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, including their descendants. The first presentation is a deep dive into the events of 1692.

Guests sit in a room surrounded by 13 life-size stage sets, lighting, and narration detailing the web of lies and intrigue of the Salem witch-hunt, the museums website reads. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an entertaining and educational experience.

The presentation makes it more of an immersive experience, so its not like youre just being lectured, Christiansen said, who has lived in Salem for 30 years. Its memorable.

Its a very interesting piece of history, first off, but you have to have the right approach to it, Director of Customer Service Faxon Michaud said. You couldnt just list a half hour worth of facts. You would lose everybodys attention.

Read More: Nearly 700K visit Salem Halloween weekend

The second exhibit, called Witches: Evolving Perceptions, focuses on the European witch trials and the background leading to the Salem Witch Trials. The presentation explores the meaning behind the word witch and the evolution of witches image throughout history, including the impact from movies and television.

Visitors stand in a room with several sets as a tour guide explains the significance behind each scene. The scenes even have an audio recording featuring the voices of the people depicted. The room, complete with a witch hunt timeline, resembles more of a classic museum space as well.

Visitors are then ushered into the gift shop, completing the roughly 45-minute experience.

The Salem Witch Museum comprises two presentations that explore the events of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and how witches' images have changed over time.

Christiansen said the museum has been a pioneer of creating immersive experiences since it opened in 1972, and that more museums are trying to replicate those experiences.

The museum started with one exhibit until the second was added in 1999, which was last updated just before the pandemic. Christiansen said the museum is in the process of redoing the scripts for both presentations.

However, guests unhappy with the entire experience will have to hold their breath. Michaud said they dont intend on changing everything because there are so many people who love the place how it is.

Its a really interesting kind of approach of how do you not totally reinvent the wheel, Michaud said, who spends the entire month of October just talking with visitors. Theres groups of people that come every single year and they love it.

Tickets are $17 for adults (ages 15-61), $14.50 for children (ages 3-14) and $16 for seniors (62 and over). Tickets go on sale every night at midnight and usually sell out within two hours, according to Christiansen.
Millions of people will be able to see the so-called ring-of-fire eclipse that will sweep across North America for the first time in 11 years on Oct. 14, 2023.

The moons distance from Earth is not constant, sometimes it is a little closer, sometimes a little farther away, NASA said.

When the moon passes between the sun and Earth while it is close to or at its farthest point from Earth, an annular eclipse happens. Because the moon is farther away from Earth than on average, it appears smaller than the sun, creating a ring of fire effect in the sky, and since the sun is never completely covered, observers must wear proper eye protection at all times while watching an annular eclipse.

On Oct. 14, according to NASA, people in eight states from Oregon to Texas will be able to see the ring-of-fire eclipse while others will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse if weather conditions are right.

But, if you cant plan a vacation to the West Coast, you will be able to see it live streamed by San Franciscos Exploratorium and timeanddate.com.

The ring-of-fire eclipse will start just after 9 a.m. in Oregon in the Pacific Time Zone, which is just after noon here.

According to NASA, the ring-of-fire eclipse will extend into Mexico, Central America and South America.

This will be the first annular eclipse since 2012.

On Oct. 14, 2023, the annular eclipse will begin in the United States, traveling from the coast of Oregon to the Texas Gulf Coast. Weather permitting, the annular eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona.

A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, when the moon will cast a shadow across part of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
VICTORIA, British Columbia (AP)  Four firefighters travelling home after battling British Columbias wildfires died Wednesday in a road crash.

B.C. Premier David Eby and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston said in a joint statement the firefighters died in a motor vehicle crash near Cache Creek in the British Columbias Interior.

Eby and Ralston said in the statement their hearts are broken by the news of the deaths of the contracted workers in what has been an immensely difficult wildfire season.

It said they stand with all B.C. Wildfire Service personnel as they mourn the deaths of colleagues and co-workers yet again.

The deaths bring to six the number of firefighters who have died this wildfire season in the province.

Twenty-five-year-old Zak Muise died in a vehicle accident while fighting a massive fire in northern B.C., and 19-year-old Devyn Gale was killed by a falling tree near Revelstoke.

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Wildwood, New Jersey, Mayor Pete Bryon resigned on Thursday, six weeks after being sentenced to three years probation for failing to report income to the IRS.

Byron, who has served as mayor since 2020, was re-indicted that same day in August on state charges he fraudulently enrolled in the states health benefits program. Those charges are pending.

Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons will take over as mayor.

Bryon had previously said he didnt plan to resign as mayor. He couldnt immediately be reached by NJ Advance Media on Thursday morning.

It is with deep sadness  yet great hope  for the continued prosperity of Wildwood, that I resign as mayor of the city of Wildwood, Byron said in an emailed statement I have held the honor and pleasure of serving my community as commissioner for the past 12 years.

Though I may not be at City Hall, I am still available to help with issues and will be happy to continue to assist my hometown of Wildwood in any way possible. For now, I will focus on being the best dad and grandfather to my loving family.

In the federal case, Byron received three years probation and was ordered to pay a $14,000 fine and more than $7,014 in restitution, according to court documents.

From October 2017 through September 2018, Byron received $40,425 in payments while working as a salesman for a law firm in Gloucester County, but did not report this income on his tax returns, prosecutors said. In all Byron, shorted the IRS more than $7,000 in owed taxes, according to court papers.

In March, he pleaded guilty to two counts of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent tax returns. He had faced up to three years in federal prison prior to the sentencing.

The state Office of the Attorney General also announced in early August that a grand jury re-indicted Byron, former Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., and current Wildwood city commissioner Steve Mikulski on charges of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records.

In June, state Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury Jr., dismissed a previous indictment against all three Wildwood residents without prejudice  allowing the attorney generals Office to re-present to a grand jury.

Since 2010, New Jersey has required that elected officials be full-time employees to be enrolled in the states health benefits program. A full-time employee is defined as one whose hours are fixed at 35 or more a week.

The defense contends that the three Wildwood officials were declared full-time employees by a resolution that the commission adopted in 2011, and were eligible for enrollment in the state health plan.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A relaxing trip turned into a matter of life or death quickly for a New Jersey man after he successfully saved a woman on his flight who was having a medical emergency in mid-air, according to a report.

Now, his trip back home is sure to be remembered for a lifetime.

Zachary Lazev, an anesthesiology resident, was in Italy for his honeymoon. Once the romantic vacation was over for Lazev and his wife, the newlyweds were headed back to Newark, New Jersey, on a United Airlines flight.

But it was during the flight when a flight attendant asked if there were any healthcare providers who happened to be on board.

Fortunately, Lazev was there to help and rushed to a the side of a woman whose blood pressure had dropped to dangerously low levels.

[We] get IV access on the plane, start running fluids. I started pushing medications to sustain her blood pressure, he said to ABC7. Its on a plane so you have limited medical supplies.

While Lazev took charge of the health emergency, two other emergency nurses who were also on board were able to help as well.

Thanks to Lazevs expertise, he knew she wouldnt make it across the Atlantic. Fortunately, the plane was able to turn around and land in Paris, where French EMTs awaited the planes arrival, ABC7 reported.

As a result, Lazev kept the woman alive long enough until they landed.

We work in the operating rooms, a controlled environment. This certainly isnt, but I will say sometimes you can surprise yourself at what youre able to do, he said to the news outlet.

Read More:
A 28-year-old man who was arrested in Indiana on a murder warrant out of Minnesota was released just two days later because of a clerical error.

Authorities say Kevin Mason had been on the run for two years before he was caught Sept. 11 but he wasnt in jail long, according to NBC and WXIN.

Now, he is the subject of a large-scale manhunt. Police say they waited almost a week to publicize the mistake in order to have a tactical advantage while they searched for him, NBC says.

He was on the run for nearly two years and he was in custody for a short 48 hours, said Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal, according to WXIN. Wed rather no one get out of jail, much less someone charged with murder. Were doing our best to try to recover him.

Mason was arrested on Sept. 11 for outstanding warrants in his name for homicide, a parole violation and firearm possession, the story says.

Police accuse Mason of second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of Dontevius Ahmad Catchings in the parking lot of the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis, according to the Minneapolis Police Department, the NBC story says.

Then, on Sept. 12, a clerk made a critical error while fixing what they thought were duplicate bookings.

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, said Colonel James Martin with the Marion County Sheriffs Office.

The error, however, was not noticed until the hold on Masons firearm charge was lifted.

Our clerk that was reviewing it sees three Minnesota holds, didnt realize what she was doing obviously, Martin added. Its 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.

Two of the clerks were fired due to the errors, the story says.

Masons girlfriend, Desiree Oliver, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and is not cooperating with investigators, WXIN says. Officials believe Oliver purchased a cell phone, mens items and went to an area with lots of hotels.

Another woman was brought in by police Wednesday but was not arrested, according to the story.

Mason is described as a 5-foot-9, 205-pound man with a cross tattoo under his right eye. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

His release took place on the same day that Pa. State Police and border patrol officers captured Danelo Cavalcante to end an almost two-week pursuit following an escape from Chester County Prison.

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CARLISLE BARRACKS - Four youths who arrived at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School more than 100 years ago, as part of a government mission to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society, have finally returned to their native lands.

The four represent the latest batch of home-goings from the Indian School cemetery on the grounds of Carlisle Barracks, a place long viewed by some tribal descendants as a kind of earthly purgatory for these students who died while attending the boarding school that operated from 1879 to 1918.

The repatriation effort, which has now successfully returned 32 students in six separate rounds since 2017, is highly meaningful for the tribes, many of whom carefully carry out essential tribal customs on site here as part of the process.

As we begin to heal from the boarding school trauma, we need to have the members of our tribe brought home first, Gheri Hall, a director of compliance for the Blackfeet Tribe Historical Preservation Office in Browning, Mont., told PennLive Thursday.

I think thats the first step in our healing, Hall said.

The Blackfeet saw the return this month of Launy Shorty, a Blackfeet boy who died after contracting tuberculosis at Carlisle in the early 1890s. He was 18 years old.

Hall said while Shortys final resting place on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana is still being determined, there is great interest among tribe members in his return, and she expects many will attend the services in a communal show of support.

With roughly about 10,000 tribe members living on the reservation, Hall noted, theres a real community feel to this. Just as the the loss of every child is mourned, the return of someone like Shorty is something to be celebrated.

Among the others disinterred from Carlisle Barracks this month:

Amos La Framboise, a member of the Traverse Lake band of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate who died just 20 days after his arrival at Carlisle in November 1879, at age 13, and Edward Upright, of the Spirit Lake band of the Sisseton Wahpeton, who died in March 1881 from measles at age 16.

The two boys were part of a group of six children from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate to travel to the school together.

They were the best and brightest of the time, Tamara St. John, tribal historian for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives, told South Dakota Searchlight earlier this month.

All four boys died before they reached adulthood. The two girls survived and returned home. We lost our next generation of leaders, St. John, who has spent years researching La Framboise and Upright in order to bring them home, told the Searchlight.

La Framboise is believed to have been the first of 233 Carlisle students who would die at the school, giving him an unwanted prominence in the schools complicated history.

He presented the issue of where bury these children if more died, said Barbara Landis, a retired Cumberland County Historical Society staff member whose research on the school sparked a new level of interest within native American communities in keeping alive the stories of the students sent here.

La Framboise was first buried at Carlisles Ashland Cemetery, where the federal government had rights to bury soldiers who had died at the barracks, but his remains were later moved to a new burial grounds on the post after Army officials were reminded the Ashland rights only extended to white persons.

Like all the 180 Carlisle students buried here, he was moved again to the current cemetery off Claremont Road in 1927.

Upright was the son of a Sisseton tribal chief. St. John earlier this year called his return comparable to bringing home the son of Sitting Bull.

Sisseton Wahpeton representatives traveled to Pennsylvania this week to oversee the disinterment of both boys this month, and the tribes plan to reinter the bodies on the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeast South Dakota this weekend.

Beau Neal, from the Northern Arapaho tribe. Another one of the 1879 arrivals, Neal died in 1880 at age 13.

But the disinterment was not a complete success.

Attempts to recover the body of Edward Spott, a member of the Washington state-based Puyallup tribe, failed when forensic analysis of the remains exhumed from his gravesite turned out to be those of a young woman, believed to be somewhere between 16 and 22 years old, who was subsequently reburied.

Renea Yates, director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, said her team will continue to work to try to identify whatever errors were made in the relocation of the post cemetery, in order to both locate Spotts remains and to determine who the unidentified woman is.

It will not be easy.

Christopher Koenig, site manager for the disinterment project, noted when the original burial grounds on post were moved in 1927, accountability and chain of custody for the bodies was likely not as robust as it would be today.

Candidly, moving a cemetery is not a good practice at any time, Yates said.

Fourteen current graves in the Barracks cemetery are marked as unknown. Yates said many of those may be children for whom records show were buried in the original school graveyard, but who dont have a corresponding headstone in the current cemetery.

And because the original cemetery was located in the area of earlier burial grounds dating to the 18th Century, its also possible, historians say, that elements from the earlier grounds got combined with the Indian School students remains during the 1927 move.

Yates said one thing her office is trying to do is come to an agreement with all the tribes with missing children on a process by which the Army could try to identify remains from the unknown graves. Those consultations are currently underway, she said.

In all, 32 former Carlisle students have been successfully repatriated to date, and Yates said there are at least 10 more disinterment requests pending.

But Landis noted Thursday it is unlikely that the Barracks cemetery will ever be closed, because other tribal groups feel just as strongly that the dead should not be disturbed. Some are so committed to Carlisle as the final resting place for their children that they hold periodic memorial services here and have successfully petitioned the Army for grave markers without a Christian cross.

The cemetery also serves as the final resting place for a number of children of American servicemen who died while their parents were posted here - mostly in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

La Framboise, Upright, Neal and Shorty were some of more than 10,000 students to have passed through the school that was the main tenant of Carlisle Barracks from 1879 through 1918.

It came to be considered the flagship in a network of boarding schools opened and operated as part of a government-led program aimed at assimilating Native Americans into the majority society.

Its legacy here remains ever complicated, from the historic exploits of Jim Thorpe and the other athletes, to founding Superintendent Richard Pratts belief that the school - in its mission - had to eradicate everything about its students that was Indian.

Some of the earliest Carlisle students were literally brought here as prisoners of war. Other were recruited, Landis notes, as pawns in a political game played by government officials to try to facilitate negotiations with their tribal elders for tribal lands that were rich in gold and other resources.

And yet, some former Carlisle students would later send their own children here because they valued their time here and thought it would be good for their kids.

The Army reimburses families and tribal members for their travel to participate in the disinterment process and a subsequent transfer ceremony, as well as the cost for transport and reinterment of the children.

The Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery, which has been closed to the public during the disinterment process, will be reopened to visitors starting Friday.

Carlisle Barracks is now home to the U.S. Army War College.
Where there used to be the home of a central Pennsylvania family, there is now burnt rubble, broken possessions and various building materials following Mondays fatal explosion in West Donegal Township.

One man  Harvey Winters, 68, who lived at the home on the 1200 block of Bossler Road  was pronounced dead after the explosion due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, according to LancasterOnline. Harvey was the only one home when the explosion happened.

The cause of the explosion is still being investigated by Northwest Regional police and the state police fire marshal.

The Winters family came back to their home Tuesday to start cleaning up while seeing whats left, LNP says.

Im just looking for pictures and stuff, Ron Smith, Winters brother-in-law, told LNP. Everything is black  Its unbelievable.

The family picked through the debris, finding jewelry, books, pictures and anything else they could salvage.

Kathy, Harveys wife, said they lived on Bossler Road for 18 years and previously lived in Bainbridge for 20 years, the story says. Harvey was a 1972 graduate of the Elizabethtown Area High School.

The property was taped off by police Tuesday and two cars could be seen buried in the garage, the story says.

Several neighbors reported hearing the explosion and said they found minor damage to windows and loose debris on their properties. Different neighbors told LNP they thought the explosion was a plane crashing, a piece of farm equipment malfunctioning or even a bomb going off.

A Meal Train fundraiser has been started to help the Winters family with meals as they recover from the explosion.

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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 series of profiles, concluding with this installment, represents just a sliver of the myriad strands that make up the fabric of Latino community and its contribution to Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks County. September 21, 2023. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz

Restaurant owner and former Reading City Council president Cepeda-Freytiz last year became the only Latina in the Legislature and the first Democrat elected to represent Berks Countys District 129.

She has a BA from the State University of New York at New Paltz College and a masters in education from Long Island University. Cepeda-Freytiz worked as a bilingual guidance counselor and program director in New York City before moving to Reading and opening a restaurant, Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe. She has won many civic awards including businessperson of the year in 2011 from the Latino Chamber of Commerce.

How does being a Latina influence your life and the work you do?

My parents raised me to be strong, independent, confident, genuine, thoughtful, respectful, giving and kind. My mom instilled in me the value of an education and has always stressed that knowledge is power. My dad instilled in me the value of hard work (smart work) and to not allow shortcomings (in his case limited to no English) be barriers to succeeding in life. He often reminded me that when there is a will there is a way, not to leave for tomorrow what I can do today and that everything I do in life, I must with love or dont do it at all. Both my parents grew up very poor in the Dominican Republic, and they have taught me to be appreciative, grateful and not to take things for granted and to always pay it forever. They came into this country, worked hard in pursuit of their American dream, always providing not only for their children but for their extended family they left back in their home of origin. They both laid down the foundation for who I continue to become.

However, I must admit that being a Latina woman also means I have to constantly and consistently work extremely hard to prove myself, my worth, my value and my capacity. I must fight hard to dispel the negative stereotypes we as a Latino community often get labeled with.

Being a Latina has influence me to be a very warm, giving, community oriented and community mindful human being. My culture has played a major role in how I choose to live my life and work. I love what I do therefore I dont call it work, its just my life and I am grateful to be a proud Latina woman.

Yawil Hernandez- Alvarez for Hispanic Heritage Profiles. Aug.22, 2023. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Yawil Hernandez-Alvarez

The Harrisburg SciTech graduate, who is now attending Elizabethtown College, feels a certain duty to play my part to make sure other Afro-Latino men or women feel comfortable speaking out, so theyre like hes doing it, so that means I can do it.

At the encouragement of his high school principal, Hernandez-Alvarez became involved with Harrisburgs Latino Hispanic American Community Center, speaking at events on issues of concern to the Latin community. He also began working closely with Harrisburgs Left Out Organization Program (LOOP), which provides activities and mentoring for underserved youth.

Hernandez-Alvarez was also a featured speaker last year at a gun violence summit for young people in Harrisburg, which Hernandez-Alvarez said was largely motivated by the 2021 killing of Chaynce King-Henderson, a childhood friend.

That really motivated me to want to speak up along with along with some of my close friends who were also close to Chaynce, Hernandez-Alvarez said, noting that gun violence affects more and more Harrisburg residents each day.

Even later on that day [of the forum] there were shootings that happened, Hernandez-Alvarez said. Even weeks prior, there were three or four shootings round the corner from where I lived at.

How does your Hispanic heritage influence your life and work?

My Hispanic heritage influences my life heavily, because being from an island [the Dominican Republic] that doesnt have much, my community was based off of helping each other in any way possible. Thats how we survived and enjoyed ourselves, helping each other out while also appreciating our differences in culture.

My eyes really opened up while helping others within the Spanish community, ether by learning how to celebrate different things in a different culture or just by listening to the different battles people fight, which also opened my eyes to being aware of battles I may have to fight later on in life.

Working with the Spanish community didnt only open my eyes to the culture. Im a part of, but also the issues with face as a whole.

Read more Hispanic Heritage Month voices:

Hispanic Heritage Month voices: Frontline professionals are passionate about their missions.

Latino proud: Hispanic Heritage Month in Pa. celebrates a diverse cultural legacy

Hispanic Heritage month voices: Promoting cuisine and culture
Speakers of US Senate, House of Representatives, following meeting with Zelenskyy, disagree on allocation of funds to Ukraine

Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday that he has not yet promised that he will support the allocation of a new tranche of $24 billion to Ukraine in 2023, while Senate Speaker Chuck Schumer believes that assistance to Kyiv should not be stopped.

According to CNN, Republican McCarthy said he "had a productive meeting with Zelenskyy" at the Capitol. He added that, despite this, he would not promise to advance aid to Ukraine for approval by Congress by the end of the year, noting that his priority now is domestic U.S. spending.

"Look, we've got to get our fiscal house taken care of here in America," McCarthy told reporters.

According to McCarthy, at a meeting with Zelenskyy he raised issues related to the control of funds already sent to Ukraine. The Speaker of the House also said he was asked to hold a joint meeting of Congress with Zelenskyy, but he refused because, according to him, due to the busy schedule of Congress, there is no time for such speeches now.

Bloomberg, in turn, reports that Democrat Schumer, after a meeting with the Ukrainian leader, said that in his opinion, Congress should not stop aid to Ukraine.

The media note that many Republicans doubt whether it is necessary to approve the next round of financing for Kyiv. Thus, according to The New York Times, during Zelenskyy's communication with congressmen, a group of Republicans who oppose further funding for Ukraine sent a letter to the White House saying that the administration's request for $24 billion for Ukraine is "doomed to fail." This letter was authored, among others, by Ohio Senator James David Vance and Representative Chip Roy of Texas.

According to CNN, the White House previously said there was a "critical need" for Congress to approve Ukraine's funding request.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Michael McCaul, in turn, said that, as Zelenskyy told Congress, "Ukraine's two biggest military needs were air cover and tactical missile systems known as ATACMS." However, the day before, Western media, citing an unnamed American official, said U.S. President Joe Biden was going to announce a $325 million military aid package to Ukraine later on Thursday, which apparently would not include ATACMS missiles.

Earlier this week, McCarthy already stated that he was not ready to promise Zelenskyy new funding and would like to know what exactly the American assistance is going for.

The intraparty fight is intensifying as we approach the September 30 deadline for Congress to approve fiscal 2024 government funding measures to avoid a federal government shutdown in October.
The next time you open the hood of your car, beware of anything that might be hiding underneath.

The driver of a car recently discovered an exotic python in a car engine in Green Bay, Wisconsin, according to reports.

The startling discovery took place in the 2300 block of Pecan Street.

Its kind of scary, Ellen Chaudoir of Green Bay said to news outlets. I never thought anybody would be able to find a python underneath the hood of their car.

No. Chaudoir did not find the exotic animal that made itself cozy under the hood of the vehicle, but she lives near the 2300 block of Pecan Street where the reptile was discovered.

New body cam footage that was recently released captured authorities trying to remove the large python from under the hood of a car. Officers were unable to remove the reptile safely from the vehicle, so the vehicle had to be driven to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary where staff there safely removed the large snake from the engine of the vehicle, NBC26.

The python turned out to be a 7-foot-long jungle carpet python from Australia.

To Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Curator of Animals Lori Bankson, who has worked with the wildlife sanctuary for 25 years, this rescue was a rare event, where the python somehow had gotten loose and was first seen in the garage before eventually being found under the hood of a car.

Most likely, the snake crawled up into this persons engine of the car to stay warm and found a good place to hang out for a little while, Bankson said to KWCH.

The owner of the vehicle was not the owner of the snake but fortunately was able to safely drive the car more than four miles over to the wildlife sanctuary with the reptile.

They gave the OK that yeah, the snake should be fine if you drive the car over, Bankson said to the news outlet.

Once there, Bankson, along with a colleague and animal control, safely removed the python, which is now being cared for at a rescue.

Green Bay city code said that a permit is required for people to keep exotic animals, but there is not a known permit for this kind of snake.

Bankson has advised that if you ever encounter a snake in your engine, call animal control and do not start your car right away, NBC26 reported.

Read More:
By State Rep. Paul Takac

The vast majority of school districts in Pennsylvania are underfunded. Now, it is time to ensure equitable funding for every public school and invest in the communities they serve.

In February, the Commonwealth Court ruled the states current system of funding public education is unconstitutional. That ruling confirmed a reality my House colleagues and I have long fought to rectify: the commonwealth has unquestionably failed to fairly fund public schools across the state year after year, and decade after decade.

Not only must we work to right these historic wrongs, we are also left to grapple with the disparities in education laid bare by the pandemic.

For far too long, public school funding has relied too heavily on local property taxes and taxpayers. Yet many of those taxpayers and communities, especially in rural areas, are already struggling, and putting that financial burden on them is not only unfair and unsustainable, but unconstitutional.

It is our duty as state legislators to remedy this situation for students, educators and taxpayers.

The current system inevitably results in economically and historically disadvantaged school districts being shortchanged. While they struggle to keep pace, charter schools make things even worse by siphoning billions in local tax dollars away from neighborhood public schools, just as private school vouchers would. Our public schools are in a perpetual funding hole that keeps getting deeper. We must address the root causes of these disparities.

Nearly all of the school districts I represent in Centre County are underfunded, creating serious challenges for students, teachers and administrators, and we are not alone. In fact, more than 80% of all school districts in Pennsylvania are underfunded, according to an analysis published by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

These districts are located in all areas  rural, suburban, and urban  and have very similar needs and challenges, as demonstrated by the range of plaintiffs in the lawsuit, from Greater Johnstown and William Penn School districts to Philadelphia parents and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools. Every school needs and deserves sufficient funding to provide critical mental health services, ensure broadband access, feed hungry students, recruit and retain teachers and so much more. False narratives based on geography divide us when we should be united to save our public schools.

For more than 20 years, I worked in the educational technology sector, partnering with administrators, teachers and community leaders across the state. That experience helped inspire me to run for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and continues to fuel my advocacy for public schools, particularly in rural areas. It also led me to call for reforming our broken system of funding, improving career and technical education programs, and doing more to prepare students for the future.

House Democrats are committed to delivering better jobs, better schools and better communities. That means investing in every school district across the state as they work to recruit and retain teachers, improve school safety, and better serve their local communities and taxpayers.

Access to a high-quality public education remains the greatest force for socioeconomic mobility and prosperity at our disposal. We must ensure that every student receives an equitable education across the state, regardless of their ZIP code.

Their future  and ours  depends on it.

State Rep. Paul Takac (D) represents Pennsylvanias 82nd Legislative District in Centre County.
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, speaks to media in Winnipeg, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on whether Alberta should ditch the Canada Pension Plan.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The European Commission (EC) is working together with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU on a strategy for using Russian state assets frozen in the European Union, EC Spokesman Christian Wiegand said.

The spokesman said at a briefing in Brussels on Thursday this is about more than EUR 200 billion of assets. Work on this issue was discussed at the last EU summit in June. He said they are working with the Spanish presidency to implement a phased strategy and are ready to participate in discussions on this issue.

The EC representative said there is a joint document between the European External Action Service and the European Commission, which was presented to the Spanish Presidency at the end of July. The commission is ready to propose a draft legal text that takes into account the content of discussions with member states.

He said that EU member states had begun exchanging views on this issue within a working group established for this purpose by the Spanish presidency, the last meeting of which took place on September 13.

Wiegand said a considerable number of member states agree that it would be possible to introduce a payment model for Ukraine, which would function step by step.

He acknowledged that this is a complex matter that requires more extensive discussion before an acceptable proposal can be formulated.

The representative of the European Commission said discussions with member states continue in light of the upcoming meeting of the working group, which will meet on September 27.
The state of Alaska, a coalition of business groups and a pair of electric-power organizations have opened a new round in the generation-long fight over environmental protections in Southeast Alaskas Tongass National Forest.

On Sept. 8, the state and two other groups of plaintiffs filed three separate federal lawsuits to challenge a Biden administration rule restricting new roads in parts of the forest, which is home to some of Americas last stands of old-growth trees.

Each lawsuit asks U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason to overturn the new rule and prior versions.

The Roadles...
Petersburg's new Rotary Youth Exchange student from Hungary, Sara Eszik, says she's "really happy to be in Alaska." She had requested the U.S./Canada, followed by Finland and Taiwan. "I feel like I got kind of a two-for-one between the U.S. and Finland, getting to come to Alaska," Eszik muses.

"I don't feel homesick at all," declares Eszik, explaining that there are four stages to the experience of a typical exchange student. In the first stage, everything feels good and exciting, with little room for apprehension or regret. The second stage is a come down from that, along with a reckonin...
How to Get Into the Las Vegas Grand Prix with PokerStars

September 21, 2023 Calum Grant Editor & Live Reporter

PokerStars, the renowned online poker platform, is set to elevate the gaming experience for its community in a big way.

In celebration of its ongoing partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, PokerStars is offering poker enthusiasts across the globe a golden opportunity to win the coveted Red Spade Pass.

This exclusive pass grants winners and their chosen companions an unforgettable VIP trip to Las Vegas with luxury accommodations, exclusive activities, and an unparalleled racing atmosphere.

Red Spade Pass Giveaway in Brazil

On September 25, one lucky winner from Brazil, along with a guest of their choice, will embark on an all-expenses-paid journey to Las Vegas, valued at $35,000. The six-day adventure from November 14-19 promises a whirlwind of VIP racing experiences.

The lucky winners will immerse themselves in the high-octane world of motorsport, participating in unique activities amidst the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas. The package includes five nights of luxury accommodation, return economy flights, and airport transfers within the United States.

To seize this incredible opportunity, new and existing PokerStars customers in Brazil can participate in the "All in Shoot Out" tournament for as little as $0.01c. The winner of the Red Spade Pass will be announced on September 25, with notifications sent directly to their PokerStars account. This is a chance for Brazilian poker fans to turn their dreams of a Las Vegas adventure into reality.

Help a Good Cause to Book Your Trip to Las Vegas

In the UK, PokerStars is taking a charitable approach to its Red Spade Pass giveaway. On September 28, one fortunate Brit or UK-based player will receive a Red Spade Pass, granting them access to the Las Vegas extravaganza.

To secure a chance at winning this exclusive pass, players can register for the charity tournament starting from September 15. By creating a PokerStars account and searching for the 'Red Spade Pass' under the tournaments tab, participants can buy in for just 5 using the special password 'VEGAS'. The 5 buy-in generates a prize pool, which PokerStars will match and donate to "Wings for Life", a spinal cord injury charity.

Wings for Life focuses on funding scientific research and clinical trials worldwide, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. What sets this charity apart is that 100% of all donations directly support research, maximizing the impact of every contribution. Players in the charity tournament on September 28 will also have the exciting opportunity to compete against PokerStars ambassadors with bounties on their heads, providing additional cash prizes.

Please note: the UK-only charity tournament is capped at 1,000 entrants

Three Red Spades Passes for US Players on PokerStars

PokerStars is extending its celebration to North America, specifically Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Players in these states can win a racing experience like no other with three Red Spade Passes up for grabs.

For North American players, there are multiple avenues to win a pass. By signing up, they earn one entry, and making their first deposit will add ten extra entries to their tally. Existing players can also secure an entry by making a deposit of $10 or more. The sweepstakes will be open from August 30 to September 30, giving players ample time to participate in this remarkable opportunity PokerStars offers.

Sweepstakes winners will be announced on October 4.

Click Here To Download PokerStars Now!

Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Plan Your Action

Our free-to-use tool has several filters that make finding your perfect poker tournament, whether a WCOOP event or otherwise, a breeze. The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar allows you to register for tournaments with a couple of mouse clicks, so you need never miss out again.

Sharelines PokerStars players in Brazil, UK and USA have the chance to win a coveted Red Spade Pass for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Atlanta Bar Poker Room Raided, 18 Charged with Illegal Gambling

September 20, 2023 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

Police on Sept. 11 raided a bar near Atlanta at around 5:00 a.m. on suspicion of illegal gambling stemming from a poker game operated by a nonprofit organization played inside the business.

According to the local Fox 5 news channel, authorities issued a search warrant for Royal Flush Bar & Grill in Duluth, Georgia, and arrested 13 customers and five employees from the partner nonprofit organization. During the raid, investigators from the Gwinnett County Police Department's Vice Unit confiscated $50,000 in cash, gambling-related paraphernalia, and other undisclosed evidence.

The employees are being charged with illegal commercial gambling, while the patrons face other gambling charges. Police are still searching for three others connected to the business. According to a legal representative for Royal Flush Bar & Grill, who spoke with PokerNews via telephone, despite local news reports, only one of the three individuals owns the bar.

Strict Poker Laws in Georgia

Georgia, like many southern states, has some of the strictest anti-poker laws in the United States. There are some legal bar poker clubs and a few charity poker clubs across the state. But poker players won't find legal brick-and-mortar card rooms anywhere in the Peach State.

According to the Royal Flush representative, the arrested individuals are "innocent and their names are being dragged through the mud." He is hoping to get in front of a judge soon to clear the matter, although no court date has been set.

Royal Flush operated as a restaurant and bar while leasing out space to a nonprofit organization, which hosted the poker games (mostly low-stakes such as $1/$3 and $2/$5). They worked in such a manner due to Georgia's strict gambling laws, but the state does allow for nonprofits to operate a raffle.

Georgia Last update: March 29, 2022 Online Poker

Live Poker

Online Casino

Sports Betting Online Poker is forbidden

Live Poker is forbidden

Online Casino is forbidden

Sports Betting is forbidden



Using the 'Raffle' Model

As the bar's representative explained, Royal Flush rented out space to the nonprofit, and the customers paid $20 per hour as a seat fee, which is similar in some ways to how poker rooms in Texas operate. But one difference is that Royal Flush attempted to run poker rooms on the basis of Georgia Code 16-12-22.1: Raffles operated by nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations.

"It is the intention of the General Assembly that only nonprofit, tax-exempt churches, schools, civic organizations, or related support groups; nonprofit organizations qualified under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended; or bona fide nonprofit organizations approved by the sheriff, which are properly licensed pursuant to this Code section shall be allowed to operate raffles," Section A reads.

The legal representative from Royal Flush PokerNews spoke with expressed confidence that the raffle model the bar used to spread poker games is legal and that the employees and customers will be exonerated.

According to Georgia code: "Raffle means any scheme or procedure whereby one or more prizes are distributed by chance among persons who have paid or promised consideration for a chance to win such prize. Such term shall also include door prizes which are awarded to persons attending meetings or activities provided that the cost of admission to such meetings or activities does not exceed the usual cost of similar activities where such prizes are not awarded."

Royal Flush, which first began spreading poker games a few months ago, attempted to operate under the raffle exemption. The thought process was that "you pay for a chance to win money" in a poker game and that poker is a game of skill, not random chance like a slot machine.

Only once has the same business model been tried in the state, and it didn't end well for Little Kings and Queens charity after felony charges were slapped on the operator for keeping a gambling place in June 2022. The Royal Flush representative, however, said that operation was mismanaged and rules weren't followed. Things were run differently at Royal Flush and within the law, the representative said.

The raid at Royal Flush Bar & Grill took place early in the morning and authorities arrived with guns drawn, which sent staffers into a panic. No court date has been set, but the representative said he's hoping those arrested, all of whom were bonded out by the bar, will never face a trial once he gets in front of a judge and is able to explain the legality of the business model in further detail.

Those who were arrested in the raid are "scared and concerned" as they face some potential legal issues going forward. Royal Flush Bar & Grill is no longer in operation as the majority of the revenue came from the poker space rental.

Sharelines A bar poker game was raided near Atlanta.
The German government does not refuse to transfer long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, but is studying the request and its consequences, which takes time, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview with French Le Monde.

"No, we are not abandoning cruise missiles. We are studying the request and its implications. In particular, legal or technical aspects need to be taken into account. I recognize that this takes time. Taurus cruise missiles are weapons systems with a very long range. I understand the benefits they can offer our Ukrainian friends. At the same time, we have an obligation to carefully consider all issues," Pistorius said.

At the same time, he said Germany is the largest supporter of Ukraine in Europe, and the second largest.

"We supply many important weapons systems, especially for air defense, as well as a large amount of ammunition. All this saves lives every day in Ukraine," the head of the German Defense Ministry said.
The Winamax Poker Open (WPO) at Banco Casino in Bratislava kicked off today with its first Day 1 flight of the 500 Main Event; 239 entries amassed over the 13 levels of registration, giving hope for a big prize pool to form in the coming days. At the end of the night, 41 players bagged and tagged and will be returning for Day 2 after the completion of the other four starting fights in the coming days.

The bursting of the bubble marked the end of this Day 1 flight, ensuring all players who managed to secure a stack for Day 2 have also secured a minimum cash of 1,000.

As the dust settled, Dominykas Ruskys bagged the overall chip lead, taking through a total of 856,000 for the Day 2 restart. Ruskys wasn't alone in accumulating a plentiful stack as Tom Niveaud also amassed over 100 big blinds as he will take through 822,000 on Saturday, September 23.

Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Blinds 1 Dominykas Ruskys Lithuania 856 000 107 2 Tom Niveaud France 822 000 103 3 Nicolas Casal Portugal 700 000 88 4 Michel Colombero France 635 000 79 5 Pierre Calamusa France 630 000 79 6 Abel Pruchon France 513 000 64 7 Clement Bonnant France 463 000 58 8 Aliosha Staes Belgium 419 000 52 9 Sasa Kalac Croatia 415 000 52 10 Dario Berisa Serbia 390 000 49

Winamax Team Pro had an impressive showing as Maxime Manzone and Pierre Calamusa both progressed to Day 2, taking through 210,000 and 630,000 chips respectively.

More notable deep runs included Winamax Team Pro member Mehdi Chaoui who was eliminated just shy of the money bubble..

In addition, Vincent Malet, who is a member of Winamax WIP, also made his way to the rail late into Day 1a.

Both Chaoui and Malet are expected to be seen again in one of the many Day 1 flights still to come.

Players yet to progress to Day 2 can try their luck again tomorrow, Thursday, September 21, for Day 1b which starts at 12 p.m. or Day 1c, a turbo flight, which starts at 7 p.m. In addition, Friday, September 22, boasts two more flights, Day 1d and e, of the same format.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be back tomorrow to bring you more coverage of the Winamax Poker Open here at Banco Casino in Bratislava, so stay tuned.
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.

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Security Federal Corp., the holding company for Security Federal Bank, announced Monday its earnings and results for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023. Read moreSecurity Federal announces third quarter earnings
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 waiter placed the dish on the table. The Angus beef sitting atop warm cornbread had spent nearly a day smoking to recreate an iconic dish  the Arkansas Traveler  that had taken decades to perfect.

The Arkansas Traveler, served at The War Mouth on a searing July 2023 day, was a beloved staple of Five Points' Yesterday's Restaurant & Tavern.

In a metaphorical sense, Yesterday's, which shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic after operating for over four decades, was making a comeback. Menu favorites that hadn't been served since Yesterday's closed were on the menu at The War Mouth, in collaboration with Transmission Arcade & Bar, for two days only.

"That's why we went with the Arkansas Traveler and the Chicken Fried Chicken and all that because that's what people wanted... based on the nostalgia from the people who liked to eat there," Harold Pendleton, The War Mouth's executive chef, said.

The restaurant, which offered three sittings a day for the limited-time experience, joined a handful of others in Columbia that have jumped on a nationwide trend of hosting collaborative events with special menus. Pop-up restaurants and events, like the Yesterday's tribute dinner, have seen a massive spike nationwide in the last year, according to data from Yelp.com. The events drive business, allow new concepts to test the market and offer an opportunity for connection and creativity within the dining scene.

There's a difference between pop-ups and collaboration dinners, Joe Cardinale, owner of Bar Gran Sasso and Enzo's, told Free Times. Pop-ups tend to involve a chef or team of cooks setting up in a temporary capacity and offering a limited, unique menu. Collaboration dinners are typically put on in partnership between two entities; either two restaurant staffs joining forces or a cocktail program partnering with a restaurant for a special menu with beverage pairings.

"I think there's definitely more collaboration dinners going on than there are pop-ups," Cardinale said.
SUMMERVILLE  Grayson Cooper, 16, sat in his car at Cane Bay High School on the morning of Jan. 17, 2020, before taking a gun and ending his own life. Squads of emergency responders with lights flashing filled the parking lot but were too late to help.

Now, Dom and Scott Cooper are determined to help other families avert what happened to their son by encouraging men and boys to speak up about what troubles them in a way their son seemingly could not. They are hosting a Men's Seminar starting at noon Sept. 23 at the Lowcountry Conference Center in Summerville to talk about the issue.

First responder supporters and men's health providers are reaching out, as well.

Suicide in the U.S. is a distinctly male problem. They accounted for 79.4 percent of the nearly 50,000 suicides in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After declining since 2018, rates overall began to rise again in 2021 and were up 2.6 percent in 2022, the CDC found.

Women, who have just a fraction of the suicide rate of men, increased nearly 4 percent last year.

But it is more likely to be men, even as young as Grayson. Like many parents, Dom and Scott never saw it coming.

Thats what still haunts us to this day, Dom said. She had been on her way to the school to talk to Grayson about a traffic ticket he had been hiding from his parents when it happened. He was a good kid, hard-working and smiling, with ambitions to join the Air Force and later open up a shop as a diesel mechanic.

"Typical 16-year-old," Scott said.

They found out later that when his friends were troubled or had suicidal thoughts "Grayson was the one who talked them out of it," Scott said.

"He was their therapist," Dom said, but he never opened up about what he was feeling.

It's one reason she is now dedicated to being a "stepping stone" for others to open up and seek treatment. She takes time out to talk to first responders, police officers, deputes and also 911 dispatchers about the need to open up. They are especially at risk.
East Cooper Medical Center recently partnered with Bella Baby Photography to deliver special newborn photos to the families of babies born at the hospital around Halloween. Read moreHalloween babies dressed to impress
Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko met with American public figure and businessman Howard Graham Buffett.

"It was a substantive and productive meeting with Howard Buffett. The famous American philanthropist helps units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular, the National Police and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. A particularly valuable contribution is to the mine clearance process in Ukraine," Klymenko said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the Howard Buffett Foundation donated eight mechanized mine clearance vehicles to Ukrainian rescuers, as well as cars, metal detectors and other special equipment and equipment.

"The resulting equipment performs tasks in de-occupied territories," Klymenko said.

In addition, he said mobile DNA laboratories donated by the Buffett Foundation are an important aid for Ukrainian criminologists, since they allow the body of the dead to be identified "in a matter of minutes," and are also actively used in the process of documenting war crimes of Russia.

"I thank Howard Buffett and his Foundation for the support and assistance received. We are ahead of the implementation of new projects to improve the security situation in the country," Klymenko said.
Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced attorney convicted of murdering his wife and son, is officially guilty of stealing millions of dollars from his clients, law firm and others who trusted him.

Murdaugh pleaded guilty to nearly two dozens federal financial crimes Sept. 21, admitting he stole more than $9 million through an array of schemes dating back to 2005.

While he had admitted devising a vast array of theft schemes during his murder trial, his plea in Charlestons federal courthouse marks the first time that Murdaugh, who has been charged with scores of crimes over the past two years, has formally taken responsibility for any of them.

Murdaugh, who was indicted by a federal grand jury in May, was charged with 14 counts of money laundering, five counts of wire fraud, two counts of conspiring to commit fraud and one count of bank fraud.

Our goal in holding him accountable for the financial crimes in federal court is to ensure that he is never a free man again, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse said.

In return for pleading guilty and cooperating with law enforcement investigations, prosecutors agreed to ask a judge to let Murdaugh serve his federal sentence at the same time as any state punishment he receives for his financial crimes. Murdaugh, 55, has pleaded not guilty to more than 100 state-level charges, many of which were filed in fall 2021.

By contrast, Murdaugh was indicted federally in May, and his attorneys immediately indicated he didnt plan to fight the charges. He isnt scheduled to stand trial on the first of his state charges until November; after the federal hearing, defense attorney Dick Harpootlian declined to say if Murdaugh would plead guilty in advance of that trial.
For the 10th year in a row, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek organized the Catholic Congress of Faith. This year the meeting was named Eucharist, Fountain of Life: Present Past and Future. Read moreGoose Creek church event continues to grow
FLORENCE  Preston Watson discovered the cello as a young student in Florence 1 schools when the district launched its strings program.

He passed a listening test and was one of the students selected for the inaugural program, he said.

"We got out of class twice a week. We got to go to the cafeteria and play as a group in fourth grade," Watson said.

The cello became Watson's instrument when the mother of one of his friends called his mom with a request to have Watson join her son to play cello in the string's program.

"I'm playing the cello 35-40 years later, and he quit after about six months," Watson said.

Watson is the principal cellist for the Florence Symphony Orchestra, which will start its 75th season Oct. 9 with a performance of Camille Saint Saens' "Danse Macabre, opus 40" to put everyone in the Halloween spirit.

The concert will include guest clarinetist Eric Schultz, who will join the orchestra to perform Carl Maria von Weber's "Clarinet Concerto No. 1, opus 7." The program will wrap up with Johannes Brahms' "Symphony No. 2, opus 3."

Watson is the youngest of four children in his family. All played at least two instruments, starting with the piano, and then each picked another instrument. His three siblings choose reed instruments  two clarinets and a saxophone, he said.

Because of its size, the cello can be a burden.

In the sixth and seventh grades, it goes to and from school with you, he said. Private lessons helped Watson's love for the instrument bloom, and he continued to learn, improve and perform.

"I was barely good enough to continue with interest. I enjoyed it. Others of my same age were doing it because we all started at the same time," Watson said.

In his junior or senior year of high school, Watson and a few other members of the original fourth-grade string program joined the Florence Symphony Orchestra.
Fred Hopkins Jr.  who in an abrupt about-face pleaded guilty to killing two Florence law enforcement officers and wounding five others in a 2018 ambush  now intends to appeal his conviction, according to a notice filed with the court. Read moreFred Hopkins Jr. files intent to appeal notice for 2018 ambush of law enforcement
FLORENCE  Florence artist Robert Garey thinks it's cool to have an exhibition of his paintings at the Francis Marion University's Steven F. Gately Gallery, which is named for his longtime friend and mentor.

Garey will have his narrative paintings displayed at the Gately Gallery in downtown Florence through Oct. 20.

The exhibition  entitled Robert Garey: Life and Times  is a visual telling of Gareys life. It includes portraits, narratives and scenes that encapsulate the artists life and experiences.

The stories Im telling are pretty much autobiographical, Garey said.

Garey studied under Gately From 1973-74. He was one of Gatelys first students. Gately was only a couple of years older than Garey.

I like that quite a bit. I wish he was here to have been able to see it," he said.

FMU's downtown Florence art gallery was named for Steven Gately in early 2022. Gately was the longest serving member of the university's Fine Arts Faculty when he died suddenly on Nov. 12, 2021.

He started teaching at Francis Marion University in 1973, just two years after the university's founding.

Steve and I remained friends up until his death here, Garey said. He visited me up in New York. When I came to town wed get together, so I was among his first students and also a lifetime friend as a result of that, so I knew Steve real well. He was very supportive of my work as an artist.

Born in Virginia, Garey moved to Florence when he was in first grade. In 1986, Garey left for New York to study the paintings of the Metropolitan Museum and returned to Florence in 2011 where he has been painting since.

The paintings  the artwork that I am influenced by primarily are the great masters of the Renaissance paintings and narrative tales where they were painting Biblical tales and the Greek and Roman myths  that narrative work by the great masters, Garey said.

Garey said he wanted to be an artist since childhood.
FLORENCE  Debra DeWitt Jordan spent the night at the Roseville Plantation during a delayed honeymoon trip with her husband.

Jordan and the houses owner, Carl Tucker, who kept Honda from bulldozing it and placing a factory on the property, had been talking for years before that 2003 trip.

She left the house with a gift from Tucker  shards from a set of blue patterned plates he believed dated back to the time of the Brockingtons, the second family to own the house.

The Brockington family bought the house from the DeWitts, who had originally built it.

Jordan is a direct descendant of the DeWitt family.

Jordan returned to the Roseville Plantation Sept. 2 from her Texas home with her family to tour the location and try to visit the cemetery where she believes some of her ancestors may be buried. That includes her sixth great-grandfather Martin DeWitt, the father of Harris DeWitt. Harris built the Roseville Plantation.

In a world today where everythings so chaotic, hectic, its nice to be able to know where your roots are, Jordan said.

The family ties that bind

The original house was built in 1771 by Harris DeWitt, who came to South Carolina with his family. He had fought under Gen. Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, during the Revolutionary War and served as sheriff of Darlington County from 1789 to 1795. Jordan said he probably owned a small amount of slaves.

The original house burned down in 1832 after Richard Brockington, a state representative, purchased it in 1821.

The plantation was rebuilt and passed down to his nephew, whose daughter was Ada White Bacot Clarke. She was born in the house and served as a Confederate nurse and diarist who depicted hospital life during the Confederacy.
David Mack III, a Lowcountry advocate for social justice, former South Carolina lawmaker and radio host, died Sept. 20. He was 69. A specific cause was not immediately announced, but friend and colleagues said he had been undergoing cancer treatments.

Mack, a North Charleston resident, served House District 109 from 1997 to 2021, with constituents in Charleston and Dorchester counties. He was a staunch supporter of efforts to advance civil rights and equity, and to improve health outcomes among African Americans.

He served on the board of the S.C. Coalition for Black Voter Participation, the Progressive Network, Hollings Cancer Center and other organizations.

Gov. Henry McMaster ordered Statehouse flags ordered to half-staff on the day of his funeral.

Mack was a member of the North Charleston branch of the NAACP, the Charleston chapter of Rainbow PUSH and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was involved in the work of the Carolina Youth Development Center and the Palmetto Project, where he met his wife Sheryl Ann Shaw who was running a cardiovascular health program for the nonprofit.

Mack, who briefly wrote editorials in the 1980s for The Chronicle newspaper, spent many years as a media entrepreneur and radio talk show host. He was president of Sunrise Communications.

On his David Mack Radio Show, co-hosted by Tammy McCottry, Mack held conversations with a variety of civic leaders, academics and health professionals, including Chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party Sam Skardon, former state Rep. Seth Whipper, historian Damon Fordham and Pastor Thomas Dixon.

In the Statehouse, Mack served on various House committees, including Judiciary; Labor, Commerce and Industry; and Medical, Military and Municipal Affairs.

"A wise man always willing to find solutions rather than complain about challenges, Rep. Mack was not only a dedicated member of the SCLBC (S.C. Legislative Black Caucus) and former chairman, but also a true leader, and a friend to all," SCLBC Chair Ivory Thigpen said in a statement. "His leadership, and his voice will be very much missed. We have lost a guiding light in our caucus."
NORTH CHARLESTON  Deon Tedder maintained his 11-vote lead over rival Wendell Gilliard in the S.C. Senate District 42 Democratic primary runoff after a recount secured his narrow first place finish.

On the night of the election, I was confident that the voters had already spoke and that the numbers were legit, Tedder told The Post and Courier after the Sept. 21 recount. Im even more proud that the results have come back the same and that we prevailed.

Tedder, a state representative from North Charleston, commended Gilliard for a spirited campaign but said it was time for Gilliard, who has not conceded the race, to accept the results.

I agree with him on a lot of things, and I look forward to working with him in the General Assembly when we return in January, Tedder said. I would certainly hope that we could move forward because at the end of the day now, were team Charleston.

Gilliard, a Charleston state representative who's been a fixture of local politics for a quarter-century, told reporters before the recount he was mulling an appeal of the results to the state Election Commission.

You work the process and hope the process works for you. Welcome to America, he said.

Reached after the recount, Kwadjo Campbell, Gilliards campaign manager, told The Post and Courier they have not made a decision, emphasizing they have several days to file a challenge.

Were looking at it. Were following the process, he said.

Tedder will now face Republican Rosa Kay in the general election, but in the deep blue district, the winner of the Democratic primary is heavily favored to win Nov. 7.
Interfax-Ukraine to host discussion 'Ukraine's international situation: Reasons and prospects for change'

On Tuesday, September 26, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion entitled "Ukraine's international situation: Reasons and prospects for change."

Participants include

international political scientist Vira Kostiantynova;

political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko;

political scientist, co-founder of the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion Oleh Sahakian (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot using editorial IDs.
ROCK HILL  A massive-scale development could bring nearly 650 housing units to the south side of Rock Hill, a traditionally underprivileged, majority-Black area that has faced the mounting pressures of gentrification.

The 127-acre development by York Capital LLC and Albright Corners LLC proposes to build up to 400 multi-family apartments, 214 townhomes, 35 single-family detached houses and 150,000-square-feet of commercial space. It will also feature a fitness facility, a pool and greenspace.

The project, Albright Commons, would be broken up across two plots of land  an eastern section along Albright Road and a western section along Mt. Holly Road.

City Council will consider the project at its Sept. 25 meeting, the first of two required votes, after the city's Planning Commission recommended approval in a 5-1 decision.

It marks one of the largest developments in recent memory on the south side, an area that suffered decades of public and private disinvestment until the recent influx of new money.

As we've seen all this growth and development down the Celanese corridor, Cherry Road, downtown, the only areas of town that we really haven't seen a ton of development and growth is on the south side, said Lisa Brown, Economic and Urban Development Director for Rock Hill.

The site of the future homes currently sits vacant.

At a Sept. 5 planning commission meeting, Taylor Seeloff, who represented York Capital LLC, said the company saw a chance to fill a need in the community.

This area is a bit of a food desert, bit of a opportunity area for some homes, population growth, retail growth, commercial growth, things like that," Seeloff said. "So we tried to lay out this plan to meet those needs.

Specifically, Brown hopes the addition of more homes will attract a grocery store to the area.

The city's Clinton ConNEXTion plan, a two-year-old initiative focused on investing in the south side, identified a grocery store as one of its eight core projects based off community input.
 Its almost as if Zelenskyy wants Republicans in Washington to block further aid to Ukraine:

Zelenskyy: "Humanity is failing on its climate policy objectives" pic.twitter.com/h2w54lXL9Z  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 19, 2023

 Meanwhile, the invasion of the Italian isle of Lampedusa continues:

In the past 24 hours 20 more boats have arrived.

Total over over 18,000! More boats are underway towards Lampedusa, Italy. The local population of the island is 6,000 and is now outnumbered by 3 to 1. Areas of the island are now blocked off and controlled by various ethnic pic.twitter.com/DH7p0jCyUl  Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) September 20, 2023

But remember that Camp of the Saints is a racist book!

Chaser:

Its a total free for all in Eagle Pass right now. Mass illegal crossing taking place for over an hour and a half. 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. pic.twitter.com/VkfUQnexGZ  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 20, 2023

But remember, Camp of the Saints is a racist book.

At least theres one country trying seriously to stop this nonsense:

Latest news from the Hungarian border: the pressure of illegal migration is mounting due to the failed policies of Brussels. Hungary has blocked over 125,000 illegal border-crossing attempts just this year. We will protect our borders, but we need a change in #Brussels if we want pic.twitter.com/fnZStQV622  Orban Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) September 20, 2023

 Update to our item yesterday on the apparent collapse of Ibram X. Kendis Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University: the Boston Globe reports:

Boston University announced Wednesday it would conduct an inquiry into Dr. Ibram X. Kendis Center for Antiracist Research after complaints emerged about the centers culture and financial management. The assessment comes the week after Kendi, a celebrity author, scholar of race, and antiracism advocate laid offmore than half the centers staff. The complaints, a BU spokesperson said, focused on the centers culture and its grant management practices. The inquiry announced Wednesday represents a broadening of a previous examination of the centers grant management practices, according to the spokesperson, Rachel Lapal Cavallario. . . I dont know where the money is, said Saida Grundy, a BU professor who worked at the center from fall 2020 to spring 2021.

I have an idea where the money is (or went).

 There may be something fitting about the George H. W Bush statute pedestal in Budapest being behind a fence because of damage and the need for accident prevention. Certainly the pedestals of Bush-era foreign policy have crumbled perhaps beyond repair. (Happy to report that the nearby statue of Ronald Reagan is doing just fine.)

 I have found my patron saint of pondering (hopefully not ponderous) writers, Gyula Krudy, the writer of Sinbad. (And no, I am not styling my best John Fetterman wear: I was out for a morning jog when I happened across Mr. Krudy in bronze.)
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Applied Materialsby Julie LataAs many children throughout the U.S. head back into the classroom to start a new year of learning, we reflect on the commitment of the Applied Materials Foundation and Applied Materials to engaging youth through high-quality educational experiences.At Applied Materials, we believe that education inspires young minds, opens new doors and paves the way to more promising futures. Putting this philosophy into action, the Applied Materials Foundation and the company invest in efforts globally that are aimed at helping students fulfill their academic potential. We prioritize projects that cultivate a child's curiosity, encourage a growth mindset and engage kids through self-reflection and discovery. In alignment with our commitment to equity-centered community engagement, we fund organizations led by and comprised of individuals with similar life experiences to the youth they are serving.In Austin, Texas, the Applied Materials Foundation funds the African American Youth Harvest Foundation's (AAYHF's) efforts to provide relevant technical training, opportunities and guidance to Austin youth. Last year, over 300 kids participated in AAYHF's year-round coding and product development programs. In Montana, the Applied Materials Foundation's support for Kalispell Education Foundation's teacher mini-grant program fulfilled 59 grant requests, ultimately reaching over 75 teachers and their 4,000 students. In Portland, Oregon, the Applied Materials Foundation works with College Possible to provide intensive college access programming for 400+ historically underserved Portland Metro region high school students, and in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the Foundation's engagement with LEAP to Education helps local youth in the area prepare for college and career.In Silicon Valley, California, the Applied Materials Foundation collaborates with SEMI Foundation to promote discovery and innovation through STEM kits and curriculum to East San Jose students. The Applied Materials Foundation's support for the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix enables up to 400 elementary and middle school students from lower-income families to experience meaningful STEM education programs. And in Idaho, the Foundation's sponsorship of the Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair at Boise State University engages over 650 youth in inquiry-based STEM research. In addition, the Foundation's sponsorship for Eastern New York American Chemical Society's National Chemistry Day underwrites chemistry-focused community activities throughout the area.Outside the U.S., Applied Materials focuses on project-based learning and expanding access for historically underserved populations. In Taiwan, corporate funding for the National Taiwan Science Education Center's semiconductor exhibition and education program allows visitors to explore the fascinating world of semiconductors through interactive gaming with the help of multimedia and mechanical devices. In Singapore, Applied works with North East CDC Science Explorer Camp to inspire and promote innovative thinking in children through hands-on science workshops and experiments that help them develop skills and further learning. In Korea, the company collaborates with Child Fund Korea to provide experiential science education opportunities for children in community centers throughout the country. And in China, corporate funding for the Lingshan Library Project works to improve literacy rates at rural schools by providing reading resources and professional development for teachers.In India, Applied works with Pratham Education Foundation to make science learning fun, interesting and useful for children at the Science Centers of Khalapur, Raigad in Maharashtra. In Japan, the company works with NPO Kids' Door to provide free afterschool tutoring to students from low-income families. In Israel, corporate collaboration with the Israel Scholarship Education Foundation encourages high school students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to better understand the importance of completing high school and pursuing higher education through participatory workshops.Whether it is encouraging student exploration through STEM kits, cultivating creativity through coding competitions or clarifying pathways to college and/or career through student-centered workshops, Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation are dedicated to supporting the success of the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Applied Materials on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Applied MaterialsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/applied-materialsEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Applied Materials
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP:Do you, or did you, own securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)?Did you purchase your securities between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Bausch Health Companies Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Bausch Health Companies Inc. ("Bausch" or the "Company") (NYSE:BHC) between August 6, 2020 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: 1) the B+L spinoff would not result in two strong separate companies; 2) without B+L, Bausch was left overly leveraged and without the cashflow generated by B+L; and 3) distribution of the B+L spinoff shares would not occur as represented.On May 4, 2023, Bausch announced negative earnings results for its first quarter of 2023, which indicated further delay of the B+L share distribution. According to analysts, the probability of a distribution was now less than 50% and, without any mention of it from management, the likelihood of it occurring in the near term was low.On this news, Bausch's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or over 20%, to close at $5.89 per share on May 4, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Bausch securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Bausch Health Companies Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 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
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BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Entergy CorporationEntergy Louisiana has partnered with local agencies to offer bill payment assistance to qualifying residential customers. Entergy's shareholders will contribute $1 million in bill relief across Entergy Louisiana's service area in north, central, southeast and southwest Louisiana in order to address the higher-than-expected bills caused by this summer's historic heat. Customers can apply through their local United Way website starting on Friday, Sept. 22, at noon.Qualifying customers can apply online for a one-time $200 credit on their utility bill while funds are available and on a first come, first served basis. The following documentation will be required to apply for the one-time credit:Photo ID (driver's license or state-issued ID, passport)One of the following income options for each income earner age 18 or older:First page of 2022 tax return(s)2022 W2(s)Last paystub(s)Social Security Administration 1099 or 1042S form(s), or benefit-determination lettersThe United Way's online process will enable customers to upload these documents and submit their applications beginning Friday at noon. Applications will be reviewed and approved or denied through the following United Way partners:United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington)Capital Area United Way (East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, St. James, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana and St. Helena)United Way South Louisiana (Assumption, Lafourche, and Terrebonne)United Way of Southwest Louisiana (Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Allen, and Beauregard)United Way Central Louisiana (Avoyelles, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Winn)United Way of Northeast Louisiana (Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll)United Way of Northwest Louisiana (Sabine, Bossier, Red River, Natchitoches, Bienville, Claiborne and Webster)United Way of Acadiana (Lafayette, Vermilion, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia)St. John United Way (St. John)United Way of St. Charles (St. Charles)St. Landry-Evangeline United Way (St. Landry)To qualify, customers must have a total household income of up to 250% of the federal poverty level, which equates to $75,000 for a family of four. Eligible customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible due to high demand. $100,000 of the $1 million will go directly towards Entergy's The Power to Care program to assist older adults and customers with disabilities.Entergy Louisiana offers a number of payment options for all customers, such as level billing, deferred payment arrangements and more, as well as tools and programs designed to help customers manage energy usage. For more information, visit www.entergy.com/answers or call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749) to speak with a customer service representative.About Entergy LouisianaEntergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 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.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Entergy CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporationEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) condemns the recent provocations and terror acts of the Armenian armed forces illegally stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan which led to the launching of local counter-terrorism measures by Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"Regretfully, the provocations and terror acts committed against Azerbaijan in its Karabakh region have resulted in killing of civilians and military personnel of Azerbaijan and undermined the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Reiterating the strongest support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of brotherly Azerbaijan, TURKPA Secretariat expresses its firm belief that the local anti-terror measures conducted by Azerbaijan on 19-20 September 2023, will ensure peace and security in the region, and reintegration of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region into the constitutional framework of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The TURKPA Secretariat expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan over the loss of lives as a result of the provocation," the statement said.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 18:30:52

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP:Do you, or did you, own shares of Enviva, Inc. (NYSE: EVA)?Did you purchase your shares between November 3, 2022 and May 3, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Enviva, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of Enviva, Inc. ("Enviva" or the "Company") (NYSE: EVA) between November 3, 2022 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Enviva common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Enviva, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com According to the Complaint, Enviva develops, constructs, acquires, and operates fully contracted wood pellet production plants. These plants take wood fiber and aggregate and process it into dry, densified, uniform pellets that can be effectively stored and transported around the world. The Company, describing itself as a "growth-oriented company," uses its wood pellets to displace coal and other fossil fuels to generate power and heat as part of its efforts to accelerate the transition away from conventional energy sources.Plaintiff alleges that Defendants represented that Enviva was on track to achieve EBITDA of $305-$335 million for fiscal 2023 and a yearly dividend payout of $3.62 per share, and that Enviva's liquidity going into 2023 was "strong".On May 3, 2023, Defendants issued a press release before the market opened, dramatically lowering their FY 2023 guidance downward and suspended Enviva's dividend payments going forward. Defendants now projected that Enviva's 2023 EBITDA would be substantially lower, in the range of $200-250 million, the Company's net loss would be substantially higher, increasing to a range of $136-$186 million, and its $0.905 per share quarterly dividend was eliminated.On this news, Enviva's stock price declined $14.34 per share, or approximately 67.2%, to close at $21.35 per share on May 4, 2023.If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 13, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.If you purchased or acquired Enviva common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Enviva, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Gander Gold Corp. ("Gander" or the "Company") (CSE:GAND)(OTCQB:GANDF), is pleased to announce that it has completed its maiden Rotary Air Blast (RAB) drilling program at the Lizard Pond claims, part of the larger Gander South Project located in the southern range of the Gander Gold Belt, south of the Company's Mount Peyton Project (See Figure 1 for Regional Map).The LZP property (~10.5km 2 ) is strategically located along the Dog Bay Line (DBL) which forms the western boundary of what is commonly referred to as the Gander Gold Belt and is approximately 13 kilometers west of Newfound Gold Corp's Queensway South Project. Newfound Gold has previously reported the presence of visible gold and several significant gold intercepts from diamond drilling in the nearby Eastern Pond area.Prior to this summer's exploration Gander conducted an extensive pre-drilling program at Gander South, which was initiated in 2021 and included the collection of 291 B-C horizon soil samples at Lizard Pond, LiDAR and fixed-wing MAG/VLF surveys, ground VLF surveys and extensive surface prospecting (See Figure 2).The summer 2023 RAB program at Lizard Pond was designed to target positive soil and rock geochemistry results based on the Au-in-soil anomaly identified in 2021-2022 and consisted of three RAB drillholes totalling 196.6 metres drilled. Soil geochemistry and prospecting located a northeast trending Au-in-soil anomaly spanning approximately 1.0 km in strike in which all samples are equal to or greater than the 97.5th percentile (46.7ppb Au) of soil sampling results generated at Lizard Pond. This Au-in-soil anomaly has a strong Arsenic (As) and Antimony (Sb)-in-soil association. As and Sb are critical pathfinder elements for gold in Newfoundland. Rock geochemistry prospecting results (2022) in the area of the Au-in-soil anomaly returned numerous anomalous Au-in-rock values with notable values greater than 0.5 g/t Au and up to 1.04 g/t Au.Gander Gold CEO Mark Scott commented, "We are pleased to have completed this first drill program at Gander South - Lizard Pond as well as at Gander North and BLT - Thwart Island. While assay results for drilling at all three projects are pending, planning is underway for first ever drilling at the Goldenrod and Golden Horseshoe zones within the Mount Peyton Project. Further planning is underway for the initiation of the Company's first ever diamond drilling program, which will follow up on the successes from the 2023 RAB program." Mr. Scott added, "The Gander board and officers salute our technical and operations team, as their extensive pre-drilling fieldwork identified targets which point to the successful identification of near-surface gold and base metal mineralization for follow up exploration in multiple zones and projects." Prior to the August RAB drilling at Lizard Pond, the Company completed three RAB drill holes at BLT Thwart Island ( news release September 13 ) , and twenty-eight RAB drill holes at Gander North ( news release September 6 ). (See Figure 1 for regional map).Live Corporate Webinar to be held Sept 21, 4pm ETJoin CEO Mark Scott for an introduction to Gander Gold's flagship Newfoundland projects. This interactive webinar will include a live Question and Answer session, and CEO Mark Scott will provide updated details on the current exploration programs targeting potential high grade gold zones. All interested investors and media are invited to register here : https://gandergold.com/webinar/ Figure 1 - Regional Map Highlighting Location of Gander North, BLT and Gander South-Lizard Pond ProjectsFigure 2 - Lizard Pond Soil GeochemistryRotary Air Blast (RAB) DrillingRAB drilling produces bedrock chip samples at 5-foot (1.52m) drilled intervals. Preliminary, multi-element rock geochemistry values are generated by handheld XRF, rock chips are photographed and logged to determine rock type, alteration, and mineralization. Upon completion of the drillhole a televiewer tool is lowered into the drillhole to provide an image of the geology from which structural measurements are interpreted and collected. Preliminary field observations indicate that the Phase 1 RAB drill program has been successful in intersecting and confirming interpreted structures and handheld XRF values suggest the presence of mineralization associated with these structures. All rock chip samples collected are Fire Assayed for gold along with a multi-element analysis that includes all key associated pathfinder elements.Quality Assurance/Quality ControlGander Gold Corporation has contracted the services of GroundTruth Exploration to conduct and manage the RAB drill programs in Newfoundland. RAB drilling produces rock chip samples, and a representative sample for each 5-foot (1.52m) interval of drilling is collected for analyses. Once sorted and logged all samples are shipped to SGS prep facility in Grand Falls NL and final analyses is performed at SGS Burnaby BC. At SGS Grand Falls NL individual samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized (PRP89). Analyses at SGS Burnaby consists of a 30g Au Fire Assay (GE_FAA30V5), and a 25g sample is analysed for forty-nine elements by 2 Acid Leach with an ICP-MS finish (GE_ARM3V25). SGS Canada is a certified laboratory independent of Gander Gold Corporation. As part of the sampling protocol a QAQC program is adhered to and includes the insertion of industry approved standards, blanks, and the insertion of field duplicates. Alternating, standards, blanks, and field duplicates are part of the sampling stream and amount to six QAQC samples per one-hundred samples collected.Qualified PersonThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Fraser, P.Geo., Vice- President of Exploration for Gander Gold Corp. Mr. Fraser is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.AcknowledgmentGander Gold acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.About Gander Gold CorporationGander Gold is "All Newfoundland, All the Time ." The Company is one of the island's largest claimholders targeting new high-grade gold discoveries with a current focus on the large Gander North, Mount Peyton, and BLT (Botwood-Laurenceton-Thwart Island) projects where there has been very promising early exploration success. Other opportunities advancing through the pipeline are Cape Ray II, Carmanville, Gander South, Little River, and Hermitage.Contact Info:Mark Scott Chief Executive Officer & Director info@ gandergold.com Terry Bramhall Gander Gold - Corporate Communications 1.604.833.6999 (mobi
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, INC. (NYSE:HE) SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds Investors of the Deadline to File a Lead Plaintiff Motion in a Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.Do you, or did you, own shares of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HE)?Did you purchase your shares between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE:HE) between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Hawaiian Electric securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 23, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose that: (i) Hawaiian Electric's wildfire prevention and safety protocols and procedures were inadequate to meet the challenges for which they were ostensibly designed; and (ii) the Company's inadequate safety protocols and procedures placed Maui at a heightened risk of devastating wildfires.In early August 2023, a series of severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The most destructive fire began in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8, 2023. By that afternoon, intense winds had knocked down approximately 30 utility poles throughout Maui, resulting in at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers. Moreover, videos captured by local residents showed that downed power lines belonging to Hawaiian Electric appeared to have ignited at least several of the fires. Ultimately, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and have killed at least 114 people, with some 850 others still missing in Lahaina.On August 17, 2023, the Wall Street Journal ("WSJ") reported that Hawaiian Electric had been aware for years of the threat posed by wildfires but did not act. The WSJ stated that between 2019 and 2022 the Company spent less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on Maui and did not seek state approval to raise utility rates to pay for broad wildfire safety improvements until 2022.On this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $2.54 per share, or 17.43%, to close at $12.03 per share on August 17, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Hawaiian Electric securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 03:08:31

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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric") (NYSE:HE). The action charges Hawaiian Electric with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Hawaiian Electric's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Hawaiian Electric's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/hawaiian-electric-industries-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=he&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: OCTOBER 23, 2023CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 28, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.HAWAIIAN ELECTRICS'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTThe Class Period begins on February 28, 2019 when Hawaiian Electric filed its Annual Report which stated, among other things, that the company had "appropriately responded to environmental conditions." In early August 2023, a series of severe wildfires broke out in Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The most destructive fire began in West Maui near the town of Lahaina on the morning of August 8, 2023. By that afternoon, intense winds had knocked down approximately 30 utility poles throughout Maui, resulting in at least 15 separate outages impacting more than 12,400 customers. Moreover, videos captured by local residents showed that downed power lines belonging to Hawaiian Electric appeared to have ignited at least several of the fires. Ultimately, the wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, and have killed at least 114 people, with some 850 others still missing in Lahaina.On August 12, 2023, news outlets began reporting that Hawaiian Electric lacked the proper policies and procedures to mitigate the impact of the wildfires. Specifically, it was revealed that, at the time the wildfires began, the company did not maintain a public power shutoff plan-i.e., a plan in which electricity is intentionally cut off to areas where strong wind events could cause the fires to spread. On this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $10.94 per share, or 33.76%, to close at $21.46 per share on August 14, 2023.Then, on August 16, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric is meeting with firms that specialize in restructuring advisory work and exploring options for the various financial and legal challenges that the company faces as a consequence from the Maui wildfires.Finally, on August 17, 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hawaiian Electric had for years been aware of the threat posed by wildfire but waited years to act. Specifically, the report stated that between 2019 and 2022, Hawaiian Electric spent less than $245,000 on wildfire-specific projects on Maui and did not seek state approval to raise utility rates to pay for broad wildfire safety improvements until 2022. Following this news, Hawaiian Electric's stock price fell $2.54 per share, or 17.43%, to close at $12.03 per share on August 17, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Hawaiian Electric investors may, no later than October 23, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Hawaiian investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Hawaiian Electric, Bhangal v. Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., et al., Case No. 23-cv-04332, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 14:15:33

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TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Today, the Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) commented on a ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) (OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, Consol. Ct. No. 21-219), which remanded the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) injury finding back to the ITC for reconsideration.CIT appeals are common in trade remedy cases, and in most cases remanded to the ITC for reconsideration, the original finding of injury is affirmed. In OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, the CIT remanded on one specific factual issue out of many that the ITC relied upon. Neither the ITC nor the U.S. Department of Commerce have thus far changed anything from their earlier determinations, and as a result, countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers remain in effect with no changes to the rates applied at the border."The basic facts that led to countervailing duties on imports from Morocco and Russia remain unchanged," said Joc O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to participate actively before the agencies and the courts to defend the original findings." About The Mosaic CompanyThe Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single-source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com Contacts:Investors:Paul Massoud, 813-775-4260Media:Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.SOURCE: The Mosaic Company
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 14:15:22

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PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / PSYC Corp. (OTC Pink Market:PSYC)("the Company"), a multimedia holding company and leading media authority for emerging industries such as medicinal psychedelics, recently announced the acquisition of Stock Day Media, one of the fastest growing media outlets for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. On the Stock Day Podcast, CEO of the Company, David Flores, joined host Matthew Dunehoo to discuss the acquisition and the Company's plans for expansion."We're very excited overall about the acquisition here of Stock Day Media," said PSYC Corp. CEO, David Flores. "You know, I've been a proud guest on the Stock Day Podcast for over three years now, really since I took over as CEO of PSYC Corp. back in the summer of 2020." Flores went on to explain why Stock Day was a great fit for the Company. "Stock Day has done a great job with developing a platform that really does help CEOs and companies amplify their messaging," said Flores. "With Stock Day, we have the opportunity to bring in a media asset that is revenue generating. They've been consistently doing north of $200,000 a year in gross annual revenue earnings for the last several years and some of their best years have resulted in revenues of around half a million dollars." In addition to the Stock Day Media acquisition, Flores highlighted other strategic moves made by PSYC Corp. to diversify its media holdings, including its strategic partnership with Target Media and the acquisitions of Technical420 and On The Bids, which closed in September of last year. "We are building each of these media platforms so that we can establish a diversified revenue stream here for the company that will ultimately contribute to the bottom line and helpus with our objective of strengthening our balance sheet," explained Flores.The acquisition of Stock Day Media is another major step forward for PSYC Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Spotlight Media Corporation, representing a scalable revenue-generating asset. With the addition of Stock Day Media, PSYC Corp. is further positioned to become a major player in the media industry. The Company is looking forward to leveraging the platform to expand its reach and further its mission of providing quality content to its growingaudience.To hear the entire interview with David Flores, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8371364-psyc-corp-acquires-stock-day-media-talks-scalability-and-revenue-generation-on-the-stock-day-po Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About PSYC Corporation (OTC Pink Market:PSYC)PSYC Corporation (the "Company" or "PSYC") is a forward-thinking multimedia leader for progressive and emerging market sectors such as medicinal psychedelics and cannabis. Management's assessment is that through the diversified collection of multimedia platforms the Company owns and operates, and most specifically through the news, information, and engaging content they each produce and publish respectively, PSYC has effectively positioned itself at the forefront of some of today's most dynamic and opportunity-filled market sectors.About Spotlight Media CorporationSpotlight Media Corporation ("SMC") ( www.spotlightmediacorp.com) is a Nevada Corporation and is a privately held wholly owned subsidiary of PSYC that was incorporated on February 8, 2022.SMC currently owns and operates Psychedelic Spotlight which, according to the Company, has emerged as a recognized industry-leading multimedia platform dedicated to covering the growing movement across society involving psychedelic-assisted healing. Additionally, SMC also operates PSPACE, a psychedelic integration and mental wellness consumer-facing platform being developed to effectively meet the demands linked to the expanding interest andcuriosity across society related to the healing and therapeutic wonders of psychedelics and other plant based and holistic modalities.SMC's service-focused media platforms include Technical 420, On the Bids, and Mushroom Stocks which each serve publicly traded companies operating in the sectors of cannabis, mining and precious metals, and medicinal psychedelics and have become valuable informational resources for individuals following each of these respective market sectors.Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer:This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainty and other factors, including the effect of COVID-19 and the success of the current vaccine distribution, the adverse effect of the Omicron variant, that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of all filings of the Company that are disclosed on the OTC Markets.com website and is not incorporated by reference into such reports.Disclaimer: PSYC Corporation does not in any way encourage or condone the use, purchase, sale or transfer of any illegal substances, nor do we encourage or condone partaking in anyunlawful activities. We support a harm reduction approach for the purpose of education and promoting individual and public safety. If you are choosing to use psychedelic substances, please do so responsibly.Corporate Contact:PSYC Corporation (PSYC) www.psyccorporation.comwww.spotlightmediacorp.com(702) 239-1919info@ psyccorporation.comOTC PINK MARKET:PSYCAbout The "Stock Day" PodcastFounded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 07:14:21

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The world of the radiation protection 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 radiation protection 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 radiation protection 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 radiation protection 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 Radiation Protection Gloves market are as follows: Barrier Technologies, BarARay Products, Biodex Medical, Boston Scientific, Burlington Medical, Infab Corporation, Infab Corporation, Kiran X-Ray, Medline, Protech Medical, Shielding InternationalGuiding 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 radiation protection 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 radiation protection gloves market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the radiation protection 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 radiation protection 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: Leather, Natural Rubber, Latex, Vinyl, OtherApplication: Diagnostic Hearth Catheterizations, Coronary Angioplasties, Angiocardiography, Urology, Orthopaedic Surgery, OtherExploring Regional DynamicsThe section dedicated to the regional analysis of the radiation protection 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 radiation protection 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: 2023-09-21 21:46:41

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges RTX Corporation f/k/a Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE:RTX) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The Firm also encourages persons with knowledge that might assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.Class Period: Feb. 8, 2021 - July 25, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 2, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/rtx Contact An Attorney Now: RTX@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895RTX Corporation (RTX) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on RTX's disclosures about its manufacturing quality controls within its Pratt & Whitney engine program.The complaint alleges that RTX made false or misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) its engines had been affected from at least 2015 - 2020 by a quality control issue; and (2) this issue would require RTX to recall and reinspect many engines, affecting its customers and harming its business.Investors learned the truth on July 25, 2023, when Reuters reported that contamination in the metal used to manufacture the Pratt & Whitney engine parts meant that 1,200 of the more than 3,000 engines built of the twin-engine Airbus A320neo between 2015 and 2021 must be removed and inspected for micro cracks.The same day, RTX reduced its 2023 free cash flow guidance by about $500 million (or about 10%) and blamed this on "recent" findings of contamination in the metal used to make its Pratt & Whitney engine parts that would require potentially hundreds of accelerated engine inspections.During the earnings call, management revealed "[i]t's going to be expensive" and "[t]his is an issue that we first uncovered back in 2020 when we had an incident with the V2500 turbine disc." On Sept. 11, 2023, RTX announced that approximately 600 to 700 engines would be removed for shop visits, it would incur a $3 billion pre-tax charge during Q3 2023, and it cut its full-year sales outlook.These events sent the price of RTX shares significantly lower."We're focused on investors' losses and proving RTX misled investors about its manufacturing quality controls and, recently, its claim to have remediated the contamination issue in 2021," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in RTX Corporation 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 RTX Corporation 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 RTX@ 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
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-21 18:35:54

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Do you, or did you, own shares of RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)?Did you purchase your shares between February 8, 2021 and July 25, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in RTX Corporation?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of RTX Corporation f/k/a Raytheon Technologies Corporation ("RTX" or the "Company") (NYSE:RTX) between February 8, 2021 and July 25, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired RTX securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit RTX Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 2, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that RTX's geared turbofan ("GTF") engines had been affected from at least 2015 by a quality control issue, which would require RTX to recall and reinspect many of its GTF airplanes, affecting customers and harming its business.On July 25, 2023, Reuters released an article entitled "RTX shares tumble on Pratt & Whitney airliner engine problem," which reported that "more than 1,000 [GTF] engines must [be] removed from Airbus planes and checked for microscopic cracks." Reuters further reported that "RTX said it was reducing its 2023 cash-flow forecast by $500 million to $4.3 billion due to the inspections." On this news, RTX's share price fell $9.91 per share, or 10.2%, to close at $87.10 on July 25, 2023.If you purchased or acquired RTX securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit RTX Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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Do you, or did you, own shares of Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE: FOUR)?Did you purchase your shares between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Shift4 Payments, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4" or the "Company") (NYSE:FOUR) between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Shift4 securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Shift4 Payments, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 17, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Among other things, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Shift4 had inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (ii) as a result, Shift4 failed to properly account for customer acquisition costs, thereby artificially inflating its net cash provided by operating activities; (iii) accordingly, Shift4 would likely be forced to restate one or more of its previously issued financial statements; (iv) Shift4 employed accounting maneuvers in connection with, among other things, its mass strategic buyout program and sponsor bank merchant settlement account, that were designed to present an inaccurate picture of, inter alia, the Company's performance, its underlying business quality, and its earnings power; and (v) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Shift4's reputation and business.On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging, among other things, that "Shift4 [is], in reality, a roll-up of low-tech POS systems and payment processors which is substantially less profitable, generates far less cash, and is materially more levered than investors are led to believe." The Blue Orca Report further alleged that in 2022, "Shift4 engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyper-aggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat, from cash flow manipulation to inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS [cost of goods sold]." For example, the Blue Orca Report alleged, inter alia, that Shift4's "buyout of 50% of its independent distributors" - i.e., in connection with its mass strategic buyout program - "and Q4 2022 cash account withdrawal" from its sponsor bank merchant settlement account "together inflated operating cash flow by 61%."On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Shift4 securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Shift4 Payments, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
The Future Food Forum 2023, the Middle East's largest annual gathering of industry leaders under way in Dubai, highlights the country's advancement in the F&B sector and the innovations driving the 'Made in the UAE' products.

Focusing on regional food security, sustainability, innovation and consumer wellbeing, the forum was inaugurated by Abdulla Al Saleh, the Under Secretary of Foreign Trade and Industry at the UAE Ministry of Economy.

With theme of "Inspiring Sustainable Wellbeing," the forum has brought together the F&B industry, government officials, and business leaders to emphasise the importance of fostering self-reliant food supplies and harnessing agri-tech for enhanced food security in the Middle East.

Working with the private sector

Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Executive Director of Operations - Industry and Export Development at the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, one of the institutions of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, said: The Department continues its support to various economic sectors in the emirate. As the food and beverage industry is considered one of the most important economic sectors, we are continuously working with the private sector to ensure the sustainability and the global expansion of companies and factories, which supports the achievement of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goals."

Al-Kamali added: In this years edition, we have tried to work with the Food & Beverage Group to focus on strategic issues that drive the transformations and developments in the sector, whether related to technological advancement or focusing on international developments that would support international supply chains.

The department also attracted a group of international buyers to network with local factories and is organising business meetings during the Forum. This reflects the departments efforts to promote international connectivity and develop the emirates exports to other diverse markets.

The two-day event, hosted at Le Meridian Hotel Dubai and organised by the UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (F&B Group) under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, Dubai Chamber, and with support from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Food Tech Valley.

UAE Food Platform

It also saw the official launch of F&B Group's UAE Food Platform, which is supported by stakeholders and the government, seamlessly integrates UAE food data into a single platform promising strategic decision-making.

Meanwhile, the Emiratisation remains a top priority for the group, driven by the 'Ishraq Programme' and the 'Innovation Lab,' which were introduced to cultivate a competitive local talent and environment.

Welcoming the gathering, Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food and Beverage Business Group, said: "It is a pivotal moment for the F&B sector in the region, one where the sector is taking a new strategic direction to ensure UAE's position as regional food hub of excellence. This transformation is underpinned by visionary government directives, a testament to our commitment to promoting 'UAE-made' food products, not just for local consumption but also for global market access."

He added: "The global challenges of our time have pressed the urgency of food security, particularly given the UAE's reliance on food imports. Geopolitical events like the Ukraine war have underscored the significance of strategic partnerships for sustained food security.

Strong government backing

Technological innovation has received strong government backing, particularly in agri-tech and vertical farming. There's also a renewed focus on boosting our own food production to achieve significant market penetration, both locally and internationally. Moreover, the government actively supports in-country value projects within the food sector, fostering enterprise and innovation.

As technological evolutions and cost dynamics reshape partnerships and spawn new business models, the food sector is also adapting. E-commerce dynamics have pressed manufacturers to establish direct relationships with end-users."

He noted that this multifaceted approach, interwoven with local production, innovation, and Emiratisation, is carving a distinct and ambitious path for the UAE in the global food landscape. It's a journey made possible through collaborative efforts that harness digital and tech breakthroughs, steering the sector towards resilience and global prominence.

The opening session featured speakers including Ebtesam AlKaabi, Head of Sales, JAFZA; Yerlan A Baidaulet, the Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS); Youssef Mohamed, Alibaba.com MEA Managing Partner of JSC Middle East & Africa; Andrey Dvoychenkov, Managing Director - Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan, Nielsen; and Dr Ashraf Mahate, Chief Economist - Trade and Export Market Development, Dubai.

Industries and exports

Speaking on the evolving role of free zones in boosting Food Security and Driving Environmental Sustainability, Ahmed Al Shaibani, Project Head of Food Tech Valley, said in a panel discussion: "Today's landscape differs greatly from past decades, the provision of specialised programmes by economic zones should accommodate a wide range of businesses and their unique operations. At Food Tech Valley, we are capturing the whole F&B value chain we are capturing it from the preproduction production, processing, packaging, distribution, and even waste management.

Thus, we become an enabler, bringing all stakeholders together to collaborate and allow a structured setup for the sector to grow by delivering customised environments. We basically recognise that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to success in this dynamic ecosystem."

The first day of the event welcomed around 900 participants, and featured focused sessions on India and KSA, shedding light on topics such as the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Saudi Arabia's F&B industry in line with Vision 2030.

Locally-grown produce

Additionally, various sessions delved into strategies for promoting locally-grown produce, addressing critical issues related to climate change's impact on food security, and exploring opportunities to foster a circular economy in the food sector.

Commenting on their support to the event, Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer for Parks & Zones at DP World GCC, said: "At DP World, we are committed to working with the industry to build a more resilient and sustainable F&B sector for the future. Our focus is on both strengthening our international partnerships to diversify sourcing venues and creating port-centric infrastructure that is tailored to the needs of emerging F&B and agri-businesses in the UAE and the GCC.

With our state-of-the-art infrastructure in Jebel Ali Port and our economic zones, coupled with our global connectivity, we have the ideal platform to import, process, and distribute food to the region. The Future Food Forum is a great way to come together with other stakeholders in this space to pave the way forward for the sector."

The "Free From Food" exhibition, co-located under the Forum, showcases the thriving Healthy, Organic, Vegan, Plant-Based, Functional, and Free-From food sectors across Middle Eastern countries. Supported by leading organisations and international business councils worldwide, including the International Islamic Food Processors Association (IFPA), the event is backed by key sponsors in the sector, including IFFCO, AGTHIA, Al Ghurair Foods, Almarai, SGS, Emirates Development Bank, Sadia, and Hayatna as leading partners. Industry organisations such as IFPA added their expertise and insights to the discussions.-- TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The French La Gazette online newspaper has published an article prepared by Trend News Agency's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Laman Zeynalova about the anti-terror measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20, Trend reports.

"For several months, Azerbaijan actively tried to lead Armenia towards signing a peace agreement so that both countries could finally embark on a path forward, following the new reality that emerged after the second Karabakh war. A path of peace, progress, and development...

To stir up the situation, just one wrong step was enough. This time, that step was one of the many mines laid by the Armenians. On September 19, an explosion occurred as a truck carrying personnel from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs hit one of these mines. Everyone died on the spot. The vehicle was headed to the site of a terrorist attack that occurred on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fizuli-Shusha road, passing through the Khojavend district, where employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan also lost their lives. As a result, Azerbaijan initiated counterterrorism measures targeting illegal Armenian forces and remnants of the Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh.

As a result, Azerbaijan effectively eliminated military targets in Karabakh held by Armenian separatists. There were no attacks on civilian infrastructure, and there were no reports of casualties or injuries among the civilian population," the article said.

The author also pointed out that, at the same time, the Armenian population in Karabakh began dwindling, even though the separatist "leaders" attempted to collect money from those leaving for Armenia.

Meanwhile, it has became obvious, that there is no "humanitarian crisis" in Karabakh, as Armenians themselves have affirmed recently. The roads are accessible for Armenian residents of Karabakh if they choose to depart.

The article also noted that Tuirkiye has expressed full support for Azerbaijan's actions, which were taken on its own territory. In turn, Russia, which recently faced several negative comments from Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, demonstrated its diplomatic restraint.

"In the end, the separatists surrendered and agreed to engage in negotiations with Azerbaijan, and Baku made it clear: the only condition was that the separatists in Karabakh must immediately disarm. After all, actions speak louder than words," the article concludes.

To view the original version of the article, please follow the link.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / SKY GOLD CORP. ("Sky" or the "Company") ( TSX.V:SKYG)(OTC PINK:SRKZF) is pleased to announce that the Company has been selected to receive a $200,000 grant from the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP"), to assist in exploring the Star Lake nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum group element property (the "Property"). The Property, comprising 5,894 hectares, is located 70 km west of the City of Thunder Bay and 5 km southwest of the past-producing Shebandowan Ni-Cu-Co-Cr-PGE mine, operated by Inco Ltd. during the period of 1970 to 1998. The Shebandowan mine is a world-class example of a primary magmatic nickel sulphide deposit, with produced tonnage & grade of 8.7 MT at 2.0% nickel, 1.0% copper, 3.0 g/t platinum + palladium (cobalt and chrome grades unknown).A new corporate presentation is now available at https://www.skygoldcorp.com/presentation The Star Lake Ni-Cu-Co-Cr-PGE Property:Highlighting the opportunity on the Property is an extensive cluster of strongly anomalous nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, platinum and palladium in glacial till values, delineated by an Ontario Geological Survey investigation in 2000. The most anomalous samples from the entire survey occur at Star Lake, featuring values of up to 345 ppm nickel, 44 ppm cobalt, 398 ppm chrome, 4.15 ppb platinum and 4.13 ppb palladium, collectively forming several discrete anomalies over a large area of several square kilometres.Such geochemical anomalies are closely related to mafic and ultramafic rocks and several EM anomalies occur along stratigraphic trend as well. Mapped lithologies include peridotite, pyroxenite and gabbro flows and sill-like bodies, similar to the host rocks at the neighbouring Shebandowan mine.In addition to the Ni-Cu-Co-PGE potential of the Property, there is excellent potential for the discovery of orogenic gold deposits as well. Historic geochemical work completed by Mingold in the 1980's, delineated an area in the SW part of the Star Lake property containing an elevated number of gold grains supplemented by anomalous geochemical assays in gold, at several sample sites (the "Mingold anomaly"). The Mingold anomaly is contained within a broader area containing high values in arsenic, antimony, lead and zinc, obtained in glacial till and lake sediment samples. Such an anomaly is located proximal to a crustal-scale structure, the Tinto Fault, enhancing the prospects for the occurrence of orogenic gold deposits to occur on the Property.A fall exploration program of detailed glacial till sampling will be completed by the Company to better define the size, shape and strength of the Ni-Cu-Co-PGE and Au-As-Sb-Pb-Zn geochemical anomalies in preparation for later diamond drilling. The detailed till sampling program will also be accompanied by a VTEM airborne geophysical survey (magnetics and EM) to assist in drill target selection.Michael England, CEO of Sky Gold stated: "We are very appreciative to be a recipient of the $200,000 grant from OJEP and acknowledge the assistance of the Ontario Government to support the important process of grass-roots exploration. We look forward to commencing the exploration program at Star Lake." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Mike England" Mike England, CEO, PRESIDENT & DIRECTORFOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Telephone: 1-604-683-3995Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking StatementsCertain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including with respect to the completion of all aspects of the acquisition including completion of the share issuance, payments and work expenditures. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.SOURCE: Sky Gold Corp.
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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
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Stock Trend Capital Inc. (CSE:PUMP) (FRA:WCF) (Pink Sheets:STOCF) (the "Company" or "Stock Trend") provides an update on its investment in YOUNET ("YOUNET"), a privately held Canadian company developing an artificial intelligence ("AI") platform called Rabbit AI.On September 21, 2023, YOUNET announced the successful completion of testing on its innovative Rabbit AI personal assistant platform. YOUNET's complete press release is referenced below.Additional InformationFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEYounet Launches Beta Demo Version of its Unique Disruptive Rabbit AI 24/7 Personal AssistantToronto, Ontario - (September 21, 2023) - Younet is pleased to announce the successful completion of testing on its innovative Rabbit AI personal assistant platform. This platform allows individual users to access several AI expertise models such as a Sales Manager, Creative Writer, Business Data Analyst, Support Manager, and Legal Assistant among others.Younet management believes the Rabbit AI platform has potential to redefine how companies can operate efficiently. One user of Younet's platform can potentially assist or even replace multiple back-office departments that may be redundant or inefficient.To further showcase its capabilities, Younet has released a video demo of the platform with link below. The video was entirely produced using AI tools, with the script being crafted by Rabbit Ai, removing the requirement for a human copywriter or editor.This project has secured financial support from Stock Trend Capital (CSE:PUMP, PINK:STOCF) an investment issuer focused on AI technologies.For more information on Rabbit AI or to arrange a demonstration please contact Younet at pr@ younet.ai For media inquiries, please contact:Matt Rasner Younet Public Relationspr@ younet.ai+1(289)597-7107 About YounetYounet's mission is to advance machine intelligence for the positive enhancement of its users work. Evolving from a ground breaking idea in 2021, Younet is committed to automating human tasks through AI. Through innovation, Younet is determined to making its users work easier and more efficient. www.younet.ai About Stock TrendStock Trend Capital Inc. is an investment issuer primarily focused on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Canadian cannabis industries. The issuer intends to focus on investing in private and public entities with strong intellectual property, exceptional management and high growth potential that may be strategically positioned in the market.On behalf of the Board of Directors ofSTOCK TREND CAPITAL INC.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Anthony DurkaczCEO, DirectorTelephone: (416) 720-4360Email: anthony@ stocktrend.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward- looking statements.Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could","would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company's future business plans, the Company receiving any and all required regulatory approvals, including CSE approval, and the anticipated synergies and integration stemming from completing the Acquisition; YOUNET's future business plans and their ability to grow in the AI sector upon their anticipated timelines, YOUNET's future growth potential, and the Company's ability to become a leading software as an AI technology platform.Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to continue to develop revenue-generating applications; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the continued growth of the Company; the Company fulfilling its future business plans, the Company achieving the anticipated synergies and integration stemming from completing the Acquisition, and YOUNET fulfilling their future business plans and growing their business in the AI sector upon the terms.These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to continue as a going concern; the Company's inability to continue to develop revenue-generating applications; the Company not receiving approval from the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the inability of the Company to grow; the Company being unable to fulfill its future business plans, the inability for the Company to achieve anticipated synergies and integration stemming from completing the Acquisition, and the inability of YOUNET to fulfill their future business plan or grow their business in the AI sector upon the terms and in the timelines stated above.Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. 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 and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information
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RICHMOND, VA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Unboxed Training & Technology, a leading provider of innovative training solutions, is thrilled to announce its prestigious recognition as the recipient of the LTEN Excellence Award for Learning Content. The award was presented at the 9th Annual LTEN Excellence Awards ceremony, held during the 52nd LTEN Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.LTEN Excellence Awards Unboxed Wins Prestigious LTEN Excellence Award for Learning Content The LTEN Excellence Award for Learning Content recognizes Unboxed's remarkable impact on employee training in the Life Sciences & Pharma Industry. Unboxed's expertise and innovative approach enabled the development of training programs that delivered exceptional results, empowering global sales professionals to excel in their roles."We are incredibly honored to receive this award in collaboration with our global Pharma clients. The field of finalists in the category were among the best in the industry, and I'm very proud of our team for showcasing our commitment to Excellence through their work." - Unboxed's President, Dave RomeroAbout LTEN: LTEN, the Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network, is the foremost professional awards program that acknowledges excellence, innovation, and performance in life sciences training. A panel of esteemed judges evaluated nominees in various categories, making this achievement a testament to Unboxed Training & Technology's outstanding contributions to the industry.Lauren Harbert, Executive Director of LTEN, commented, "It was a true honor to recognize the talent involved in this year's awards program. We had by far the most nominees ever this year, and each one of those nominees was deserving of an award. This was without question an extremely challenging year for our judges. Their hard work paid off though; the quality of this year's award winners is nothing short of incredible." About Unboxed: Unboxed's commitment to delivering cutting-edge training solutions and achieving excellence has solidified its position as a leader in the industry. The LTEN Excellence Award for Learning Content serves as a testament to the company's dedication to providing exceptional learning experiences that drive impactful results.Unboxed is a leading provider of innovative training solutions with a focus on delivering engaging and impactful learning experiences. Unboxed combines technology, creativity, and strategy to develop customized training programs. Unboxed enables organizations to drive performance, improve employee productivity, and achieve their business objectives. For more information, visit www.unboxedtechnology.com For more information on the LTEN Excellence Awards and a list of past winners, please visit https://www.l-ten.org/awards/ Contact Information:Nathan Purcell Director Or Marketing hello@ unboxedtech.com (888) 723-9770Related Files:Unboxed Training and Technology_LearningShifts_Whitepaper.pdf SOURCE: Unboxed Training & Technology
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Boston ScientificAs a leader in health care, Boston Scientific is dedicated to creating healthier communities in a wealth of ways, including large-scale programs like Close the Gap that help increase health equity in the U.S. and global corporate volunteer initiatives such as Season of Giving and a Week of Caring.Then there's the Boston Scientific Foundation, a separate non-profit organization that was established to provide strategic, targeted grant funding to enable non-profits to better serve those who need it most.Read on to learn how the Boston Scientific Foundation and The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe support and sustain the areas where Boston Scientific employees live and work.1. The Boston Scientific Foundation is a non-profit that works to help other non-profits.Founded in 2001, the Boston Scientific Foundation is funded by an endowment that was established by private donors. Each year, it bestows grants to non-profit organizations within 60 miles of its largest U.S. facilities in four states."One of the key advantages is that we're able to help smaller non-profits that the larger company cannot and therefore maximize the benefit we're able to have in very specific communities," says Dave Knapp, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation.2. Non-profits that support the Boston Scientific Foundation mission may apply for funding.Each year, organizations may submit proposals to the Boston Scientific Foundation to be considered for financial grants.In particular, the Foundation awards grants to organizations that serve the economically disadvantaged in one of two areas: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and programs that improve health.Recent grantees include Community Servings - which delivers nutritious meals to the chronically ill in the Boston area - and CreateMPLS, which teaches crucial technology skills to students in Minnesota.The Boston Scientific Foundation also offers an academic scholarship program for children of full-time company employees in the U.S.3. Boston Scientific employees help to determine which organizations receive grants.With many deserving non-profits submitting proposals to the Boston Scientific Foundation, it's up to local community teams made up of over 75 employee volunteers to review them and recommend to the Boston Scientific Foundation Board of Directors how it should best distribute its funds."Our employee community teams are basically the engine for the Boston Scientific Foundation," says Knapp. "They're helping to make things happen for non-profits in their communities and I'm so inspired that they take their personal time to do this work." 4. There is also a non-profit organization that specifically serves communities in Europe.The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe was established five years ago to help non-profits based on that continent and is funded each year by local legal entities of the company in Europe.The first grantee was Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque for their 5/5 program - a remote learning platform for doctors practicing in underserved African countries to improve the diagnoses of heart conditions in children. The Boston Scientific Foundation Europe has continued to prioritize innovative digital health solutions ever since."There's so much that needs to be done in health care," notes Simonetta Balbi, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe. "We decided to create this focus so that we could address gaps in healthcare in a specific way and increase our ability to make an impact." Similar to the Boston Scientific Foundation, the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe relies on employee ambassadors representing countries across Europe who bring grant proposals to a board that includes six Boston Scientific employees and three senior representatives of patient organizations for their final review.5. The work of the Boston Scientific Foundation and the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe affects the granters and the grantees alike.In 2022, the Boston Scientific Foundation gave 34 STEM grants and 21 health grants as well as 118 college scholarships. It also made a one-time grant to Project HOPE to help refugees during the Ukraine crisis.Additionally, in its first five years, the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe has funded 20 digital health initiatives and reached communities in more than 50 countries in Europe and EMEA, including humanitarian relief efforts for the people of Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.Balbi and Knapp both say that the work they do to help people in need brings great personal reward."One project I loved this year is that we funded a mobile STEM bus in Indiana," says Knapp. "In rural communities, people have to drive many miles to find resources for students to learn coding and other key skills. This bus can go from location to location to develop STEM talent at a high level." For Balbi, it's the pediatric projects that are most moving."We are supporting a French hospital, the Centre Pediatrique de Cote, that takes care of seriously disabled children, many of whom cannot speak," she says. "Our grant is funding special tablets so they can communicate. When we visited the hospital, we met a little girl that was using the technology to communicate with her eyes. She's a great candidate for this tablet and we'll be able to help her receive it." Learn about the work that Boston Scientific does to support its communities through donations and volunteer programs.Visit the Boston Scientific Foundation and the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe to learn more about the work they do and their impact around the world.View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Boston ScientificWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientificEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Boston Scientific
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Thursday announced it has signed up as a participant of the United Nations Global Compact.

The NNPCL said in a statement by management on Thursday that by the signing it became the first state-owned oil company to join the global initiative.

The UN Global Compact, formally launched in July 2000, is a voluntary UN agreement designed to encourage companies around the world to develop, implement, and disclose responsible and sustainable corporate policies and practices.

The NNPCL explained that in a short ceremony on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubus session during the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, signed the letter of commitment, signifying NNPC Ltds participation in the UN Global Compact.

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The statement said speaking shortly after signing the dotted lines, Mr Kyari said that as a dynamic global energy company with businesses and operations across the entire spectrum of the energy value chain, NNPC Ltd.s participation in the UN Global Compact wad further testimony to Nigerias commitment to working with global partners towards attaining a just energy transition.

He said with this development, NNPC Ltd supports the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

We are committed to making the UN Global Compact and its principles part of our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company, and to engage in collaborative projects which advance the broader development of goals of the United Nations, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr Kyari was quoted by the statement as saying.

In her remarks shortly after signing on behalf of the UN Global Compact, the Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo, described NNPC Ltd.s move to become a participant of the UN Global Compact as a pivotal step in fostering a culture of ethical business conduct, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

With Nigeria being one of the largest producers of crude oil in Africa, a transition from an energy system driven by fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy will have a far-reaching positive impact, serving as a catalyst for sustainability in-country, on the continent and the world at large, the statement said.

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The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has apologised to Governor Godwin Obaseki over a face-off between them.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday in Benin City, Mr Shaibu appealed to Governor Obaseki to forgive his mistakes for them to continue to work together, Channels TV reported.

I use this medium to appeal to Mr Governor, if there is anything that I dont know that I have done, please forgive me so that we can develop our state together, he said.

We have just one year to go. We have been the envy of the entire country. So, Mr Governor, if there is anything you feel that I have done, please I am sorry. I need us to work together to finish well and strong, the deputy governor added.

When asked if he had resumed at his new office, Mr Shaibu said, We have resumed but there is still a lot of work to be done there.

There is no problem about it. The governor has asked us to go there. Like I have always tried to prove, I am a loyal servant and nothing has changed.

I took a personal vow to support my governor and you can see my Catholic people are here. When I took a vow with God, nothing can change it and I wish that the relationship that we had will come back in the next few days and weeks.

Mr Shaibu also said he has been missing the governor since their rift began, and expressed hope that God will touch the governors heart to forgive him.

I mean well. If there is any mistake I have made as a human, it is not out of wickedness because I know Im not wicked. I have a very clean heart.

Background

There has been a face-off between Messrs Obaseki and Shaibu after the deputy governor asked a court to stop an alleged plot by the governor to remove him from office.

Mr Obaseki had denied the allegation and subsequently accused Mr Shaibu of manipulating the youth council election in Edo State because of his (Shaibus) interest to contest for the 2024 governorship election in the state.

The feud between the two appeared to have gotten messier in August when the governor sacked Mr Shaibus aides after the deputy governor staged a walk-out during a colloquium in the state

The deputy governor had staged the walkout after his media aides and security details were denied entry at the colloquium organised by the state government to mark the 60th anniversary of the Midwest Referendum in the state.

The governor and his deputy had been political allies for several years.

In their days in the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the intense political fights between Mr Obaseki and his erstwhile benefactor, Adams Oshiomhole, Mr Shaibu stood solidly behind Governor Obaseki.

Mr Oshiomhole, who was the APC national chairman then, blocked Mr Obaseki from getting the APC governorship ticket for his reelection bid, forcing him to move to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Shaibu moved with the governor to the PDP, and both of them got a joint ticket and defeated the APC governorship candidate, Ize-Iyamu Osagie, to win the election.

But following the worsening feud between them, Governor Obaseki, earlier this month, told Mr Shaibu, that the emilokan spirit was unacceptable in the states politics and would not work in the 2024 governorship election in the state.

Emilokan, a Yoruba word that means it is my turn, was made popular by President Bola Tinubu during his campaign for the 2023 election.

The ideology behind the expression as used then by Mr Tinubu was that he had worked for President Muhammadu Buhari to become the first opposition leader to be elected Nigerian president, and therefore it was his (Tinubus) turn to be president after Mr Buhari.

By bringing up the emilokan, Governor Obaseki was apparently telling Mr Shaibu not to feel that he is entitled to succeed him because he (Shaibu) had worked and supported him (Obaseki) during his political battles.

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President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians in the US to rise above failure by having a change of mindset for success in all their endeavours in life.

Mr Tinubu gave the advice at the Presidential Townhall Meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora on Wednesday in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Townhall Meeting was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

I want to give you a measure that will resonate with you. I was once a diaspora. What you have been through, I have been through it. Change of mindset is necessary.

Take it this night that Nigeria is home for business opportunities.

Also, anywhere you stay, there is always going to be an opportunity in, and in everything you do, there is always going to be an opportunity if you know how to search and put your mind into it, he said.

The president, however, expressed delight in the conduct of Nigerians who have continued to excel in their chosen fields in their host country.

You are lucky to be among those who are celebrated for good manners and behaviour and are operating in an acceptable manner.

Im very proud of you; I have also been beneficial of inspiration, determination, commitment and perseverance and that is all you need to get to pull through.

But, we need you back home, Nigeria has arrived; forget the frustration of the previous years leadership, he said.

Mr Tinubu, who commended the efforts on out-of-school children, the healthcare programme and the need to eradicate poverty, said Nigeria was a blessed country.

He said: Sincerely, we dont have any reason to be poor, we are just poor in some leadership areas.

That is what I harped on during my campaign. It was a very gruesome campaign but I won the election but if I didnt throw myself into it with strong determination and results, I wouldnt have won.

There were so many hurdles on my way that would have stopped me. I refused to be stopped, you can do the same as many of you here who are contesting elections.

In addition, he urged the Nigerians to embrace one another, urging that there should not be no sentiment and discrimination among them.

Mr Tinubu said: You ought to embrace one another. No labelling, no identity, you should remove ethnic identify that tends to differentiate us.

We are one single family, living in the same house but living in different rooms.

Earlier, the Chairperson of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, introduced some Nigerians excelling in their chosen fields in the US to the president.

Some of them who spoke expressed their delight in the leadership courage of the president, pledging to continue to support him in his efforts to reform Nigeria.

They promised that they would continue to make Nigeria proud in their host country and also contribute their quotas to the development of the home country.

In his remarks, the first Nigerian-American elected into the United States Congress, Oye Owolewa, said 25 per cent of business orders in the US were black and 1.7 per cent got federal contracts.

Mr Owolewa, who represents Washington DC, said they have been supporting people to take advantage ot such opportunities for their economic empowerment.

Those are the opportunities to make investors biggest in New York.

In my office, we do the talk, we teach our people how to get contracts, we teach our people how to get grants., he said.

Also speaking, a Nigerian-American, Olufunmilola Obe, an Inspector working in the New York Police Department (NYPD), briefed the president on her efforts to make Africa, especially Nigeria, proud in her office.

She told Mr Tinubu that she was the coordinator of an African Law Enforcement Organisation, an association within the NYPD, as vice president.

Ms Obe is the first African ever to be promoted to the rank of an Inspector in the history of NYPD.

NAN reports that the Town Hall Meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande

Nigerias Ambassador to the United States, Uzoma Emenike; Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Lot Egopija; and Consul General in Atlanta, Amina Samaila were also in attendance.

Others were: Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom; Uba Sani of Kaduna State and AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara, among others.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has celebrated his wife, Oluremi on her 63rd birthday, describing her as a trusted partner in all his lifes ventures.

Mr Tinubu said this in a personal message to the first lady on Thursday.

Mrs Tinubu was born on 21 September 1960 and has been married to the President for 36 years.

Both are currently in the United States to attend the UN General Assembly.

Happy 63rd birthday to the love of my life, Oluremi. My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years, the president said.

Read the presidents message below:

Happy 63rd birthday to the love of my life, Oluremi. My trusted partner in every venture, and the one special person who has consistently filled my days with joy and laughter over 36 amazing years.

Today is not only a day to mark another year of your purposeful life but a beautiful reminder of the journey we have embarked upon together.

Through all these years, we have shared in the uncertainty of dangerous, but principled stands against tyranny. Many can not fully appreciate the sacrifices you made for us during that harrowing, dark era, but I do and always will.

We have experienced adventure, love, and laughter. We have celebrated victories, and we have wrestled down the monster of defeat, and we have done all in an inextricable bond.

Our bond has only grown stronger through thick and thin, and our love and commitment to each other has only deepened with time.

Thank you for being the ever-present sunshine that brightens my darkest hours.

Your kindness, your wisdom, and your inner and outer beauty continue to amaze me more each and every day.

As we celebrate your birthday, I want you to know how profoundly grateful I am for your serene presence in my life.

I look forward to many more years filled with even greater laughter and love as we continue on this path together, which God Almighty had predestined for us.

May the Good Lord, whom you serve with all your heart, continue to bless you with good health and longevity. Happy birthday, Iyawo Mi!

Love always,

Bola

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President Bola Tinubu has called on the United Nations to back African nations in their fight against smugglers of mineral resources.

The President said this while meeting with United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at his UN Headquarters Office in New York City, on Wednesday.

Mr Tinubu asserted that African nations will no longer accept a situation in which human rights advocacy is used by wealthy and powerful nations to stop developing economies from dealing decisively with malign actors who illicitly siphon and smuggle out the continents vast mineral resources while smuggling in western-made weapons, which enrich the wealthiest economies in the world at the parasitic expense of African stability and wealth creation.

We are facing the great challenge of scavengers ravaging our lands and oppressing our people in illegal minestaking our gold and mineral wealth back to developed economies by stealth and violence against Nigerians. Where ones human right ends, the rights of another begin. Most especially for self-protection. If we fight, they say human rights, but we will now be aggressive and we will question motives. We will stop what is happening in our land. We require your effective collaboration, the President stated.

The Nigerian leader noted that the United Nations must transform from being one of the worlds foremost talkshops to discuss global issues into becoming the worlds foremost action coordination centre, saying that a situation in which 70% of the resources being devoted to the worlds poorest countries are being spent and sent back out on overheads and administrative costs, will defeat the purpose and objectives of the organization where help is needed most.

The poverty ravaging our continent and the question of security and counter-terrorism requires us to work in close and effective synergy. The world will ignore Nigeria at its own peril. If we engage in talk shops as real challenges wreak real havoc in real-time, we will fail. The time to strike is now. The time to achieve real results is now. I fought for democracy. I was detained for democracy. I am now President and I am determined to prove that democracy can provide the development that our nation and our continent so urgently demand.

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Trace those of us here to our foundations and you will find that we have ties and links with poverty. We must not be ashamed of that history, but poverty is unacceptable. I am one of the lucky survivors of gripping poverty. Nigeria is truly a giant. 240 million people and counting with a massive youth population. We are done saying too much. We seek much action. We have arisen out of poverty as individuals, but until our people have arisen out of that, we will not rest, even if it requires decisions at home that make me temporarily unpopular, the President affirmed.

In response, the UN Secretary-General emphasised that the UN system is in the process of real reform that will largely address some of the institutional frailties and lack of decision-making power for the developing world, on whose behalf more than 75% of UN resources are accrued.

We now recognise the need to reform the institution to represent the world as it is today. The questions of debt and SDRs. The fact is that middle-income countries have only marginal access to concessional funding. In the SDGs Summit, we believe we have a growing political consensus and now, a declaration, in this regard. We are pursuing this with great determination, the UN Secretary-General said.

The UN Secretary-General further assured President Tinubu of the fullest support of the UN system for ECOWAS in light of the series of military coups which have occurred in the West African sub-region in the past few months and years.

Mr President, we have high expectations for your presidency after the many bold steps you have taken. Nigeria is an indispensable voice in the sub-region. We will give you every support needed for your success to be achieved. Your success is Africas success and we wish you well, the UN leader concluded.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 21, 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Illegal armed formations in Karabakh had no choice but to surrender, Rufiz Hafizoglu, deputy director general of Trend News Agency, said in an interview with Sky News Arabia and Russia's RT Arabic-language TV channel, Trend reports.

He noted that Azerbaijan has voiced its conditions for the cessation of anti-terrorist activities.

"Neither the Armenian Army nor Armenian illegal armed formations in Karabakh are capable of fighting against the Azerbaijani Army. As a result of anti-terrorist measures of local character, Azerbaijan forced the terrorists to lay down their arms," R. Hafizoglu added.

Earlier, Rufiz Hafizoglu, spoke about the local anti-terrorist activities carried out by Azerbaijan in Karabakh on France 24 TV channel broadcasting in Arabic.

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.
A policy and regulations development specialist, Tunji Ariyomo, has advised the government to seek homegrown solutions to the energy crisis in Nigeria.

Mr Ariyomo said the country will achieve rapid economic development if it attains energy sufficiency.

Mr Ariyomo, an infrastructure development and finance expert, said this at a public lecture organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Akure.

Nigerias energy crisis has worsened with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in May, leading to increases in the pump price of petrol.

Before the step, the national energy outfit, NNPCL, said it spent N400 billion monthly on fuel subsidy (about $ 1 billion per month at the time).

Mr Ariyomo highlighted four major problems undermining Nigerias energy sector.

These are dependency on oil and gas, inadequate infrastructure, energy poverty, and environmental concerns.

He said to end the importation of petroleum products, which he said was draining forex and creating job losses, Nigeria needed to build its own refineries based on the technological capacity of Nigerians.

He said the country has not been able to maintain sophisticated refineries due to lack of capacity.

According to him, the refineries break down always and our people are simply unable to repair them.

Mr Ariyomo observed that the USA, China, South Korea, and the UK have functional refineries because they build and operate them with local knowledge and technical know-how  organic ownership of the technology associated with and incidental to petroleum refineries.

To build their own refineries, he said Nigerians must acquire the technical know-how, noting that our forefathers had commanding control of the technologies with which they refined their palm oil.

Hence, Nigerians can only fix crude oil refining by acquiring the technical know-how and organic capability to locally fabricate, locally assemble, and locally install all components of refineries leveraging indigenous capability.

Indeed, once Nigeria and Nigerians own and control the required knowledge, possession of crude oil as a natural gift within its geographical boundary will no longer be an obligatory requirement in the nations quest to fix its energy needs and export the surplus. This is what is described as self-sufficiency.

In simple words, Nigeria must stop seeing imports, or the race to build the biggest refinery procured with technologies controlled by its rivals as the compelling theme of its observations.

Also, we must stop seeing crude oil itself as the issue here. We must only see it as a means to an end. Knowledge of the sciences behind the processes, competitive and practical application of that knowledge, and the strategic wherewithal to offer the services required to produce the goods and materials needed to drive our economies should be our focus.

We must deliberately pivot away from a cash and carry mindset that has plunged us into a country that is rudderless and unthinking in its approach to solving critical problems.

Mr Ariyomo also said states should be allowed to generate and distribute power.

If a country is building a power transmission infrastructure for you, you are its market, especially if you are also doing it with its loan, he said.

You simply provide needed revenue assurance for its future, with interest! That country would never wish you to learn how to build good refineries, good roads, good power lines, good railways, etc. That country would never want you to become self-reliant and begin to build your own refinery, power lines, roads, railways, etc.

In fact, the country building your road, your refinery, your railway line, or your power infrastructure is actually your strategic enemy. Write that down somewhere. Never forget.

If we have commanding control of the technical wherewithal to locally fabricate, install, and manage our refining processes, we would automatically have expanded the economic value chain inherent in the entire petroleum product management process.

We would be able to ensure that the entire West Africa and beyond now represent our market thus ending the half-a-century-long experience with regional smuggling of Nigerian subsidized petroleum products. Bar crude oil prices, all other indices such as capital and operational cost (parts and labour) that determine the final product prices would be solely subject to local metrics as is the case in China thereby substantially shielding our macro and micro economies from the vagaries of international price fluctuations.

Mr Ariyomo also advised diversifying energy sources by investing in renewable energy sources to locally produce critical components associated with solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

These will not only be more sustainable but will also create jobs and boost local economies, he added.

He further emphasised the need to modernise energy infrastructure, upgrade transmission and distribution networks, and improve grid reliability to reduce energy losses.

The NNPCL had said local refining of petroleum will not significantly lower the cost of fuel.

There is a notion that if the product is processed locally, prices will reduce. Let me make it clear that it is not going to change anything. If you produce locally, the refineries will also input the cost of production and other things and it will be sold at the current price, NNPCLs Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, had stated at a forum.

The same view is held by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

But the Independent Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), disagreed.

If the refineries are working, it would cut freight and ship-to-ship transfer cost, IPMANs National Controller of Operations, Mike Osatuyi, was quoted as saying

Not less than N60/70 per litre will be off if the refineries start working. Cost of insurance will reduce.

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The media office of a former Governor of Katsina State, Shehu Shema, has said he worked against the presidential candidate of his party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last presidential election because the latter and his campaign team considered him worthless

The head of the media team of the former Katsina governor, Olawale Oluwabusola, said this in an article celebrating the 66th birthday of Mr Shema on Wednesday, with a theme Shema at 66: A Departure from Transactional Politics.

Mr Oluwabusola said the former governor who has laboured for the PDP since its inception and never worked against the party until 2023 when he campaigned for the ruling All Progressives Congress in his native Katsina State.

Mr Shemas decision to work against his party in his state was premised on honour, integrity, and public interest, Mr Oluwabusola said.

During the 2023 PDP presidential campaign, the partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had relegated the former governor to the background during Atikus campaign in Katsina, ignoring the fact that every politics is local.

Mr Shema was also in Katsina before 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 were 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 Mr Shemas name.

Surprisingly, the same Atiku was fond of referring to PDP accomplishments between 1999 and 2007 as the achievements of the Obasanjo/Atiku administration.

Is it not amusing that Mr Shemas name and photograph, the only living former PDP Governor of the state, were not included in the program of events for the PDPs Presidential campaign rally, held in Katsina on December 20, 2022? Deliberately, Atiku Abubakar, 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, Mr Oluwabusola said.

It is on record that before and after the rally, none of them the (PDP campaign team) deemed it necessary to visit or put a call through to (Mr) 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, he added.

Mr Oluwabusola said the decision of the former vice president to relegate Mr Shema in his campaign led to the abysmal performance of the party in both the presidential and governorship elections 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 (Mr) Shema would not command thousands of sympathy votes from his ardent supporters, mostly the rural dwellers?

Before the above incident, (Mr) Shema, using his resources, opened a PDP presidential campaign office for Atiku in the centre of Katsina, the office was 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 (Mr) Shemas notable contributions.

(Mr) Shema was like a sheep amid wolves. The PDP leadership chose to celebrate the APC members who were regarded in the eyes of the electorate as APC nemesis and cankerworm, who were romancing with the PDP before they eventually decamped to APC, a move regarded by APC leadership as answered prayer.

Considering the above scenario and other details that will be a matter for another day, it is evident that (Mr) Shema, with the philosophy of public-oriented service and developmental politics, could no longer function amid 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 that (Mr) Shema worked for during the 2023 general elections. The outcome of the elections in Katsina 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 got 486, 620 votes, with a margin of 373,272. The margin was regarded as the highest in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Nigeria, Mr Oluwabusola said.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Taraba State chapter has called on the State Governor, Agbu Kefas, to take urgent steps towards addressing the incessant banditry and kidnapping across the state.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that there has been an increase in the reported cases of kidnapping and banditry across the state in the last few weeks.

The states chairperson, CAN, Isaiah Jirapye, in a statement on Thursday, said the security of lives and property constitutes the fundamental purpose of government.

He said it is worrisome that kidnapping for ransom, which is a direct threat to the right to live and freedom of movement, has received little or no concern from the government despite persistent public outcry.

Many residents have gone through the trauma of being abducted, he said, adding that apart from paying hefty ransoms, many of the victims do not live to tell their stories.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, condemned in total the resurfaced banditry, terrorism and kidnapping activities across Taraba State.

It could be recalled that the past few days, Jalingo, the state capital and other communities across the state have witnessed worrisome kidnapping activities which led to loss of innocent lives while families are forced to pay huge amounts as ransom.

Those who could not raise ransom are still in the den of the kidnappers facing ill-treatment. To say that these activities have brought untold hardship and tears to some poor families in the face of the already tough economic situation is an understatement.

From the several reports trending in the media, it could be seen that a lot of bandits have infiltrated the state and are camping in several locations across the state, most especially, Jalingo and Bali local government areas, and Garba Chedi town where bandits had a field day and oppressed the poor people in that axis.

Takum and Ussa are yet to have peace and several other villages within Taraba State. This ugly trend must not be allowed to continue.

Government should immediately set in motion proactive measures to address this rising evil before it will deteriorate.

Traditional institutions, districts and village heads, within the state should check out the habitat of these bad elements and liaise with relevant security agencies to fish them out for peace and stability of the society.

Peaceful coexistence should be our collective responsibility, each individual should prioritise his security and that of his neighbourhood and should not condone bad elements.

The people perpetrating this evil are not ghosts, they are humans and live amongst us. If you suspect something, speak out and expose it before it becomes too late. Dont cover evil, dont cover bad elements.

Each and every individual, most especially believers, should set up a family altar and cry for the mercy of God upon the land of Taraba for God to show us His mercies and heal our land from the wicked ones, and expose those with bad intentions for the state, Mr Jipraye said.

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The Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) has appealed to the Nigerian government to pay its members eight months salaries withheld during the industrial action called by its counterpart- the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which grounded activities in Nigerian public universities.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for the education ministry, Ben Goong, CONUAs National Coordinator, Niyi Sunmonu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu.

The statement said Mr Sunmonu also appealed to the government to look into ways of improving the condition of service of academic and non-academic staff of universities, which he said has deteriorated due to the fuel subsidy removal.

The union reasoned that there was a need to revisit the issue of the eight-month salary arrears that arose from the last strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), arguing that members of the Congress of University Academics did not go on strike, the statement stated.

Mr Goong noted, however, that all academic activities were grounded during the period of the strike.

Meanwhile, Mr Sununu appealed to students, parents and lecturers to maintain peace and shun acts capable of disrupting the academic calendar on their various campuses.

He noted that his ministry is having constructive dialogue and consultation with stakeholders over the welfare of students, and staff, as well as the provision of infrastructure in tertiary institutions.

Background

In 2022, the Nigerian government invoked the No Work, No Pay policy during the February to October industrial action embarked upon by staff unions in Nigerian public universities.

The strike by ASUU and non-teaching staff unions including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Academic and Other Allied Institutions (NASU) grounded activities in the countrys ivory towers.

Throughout the industrial action, CONUA a new lecturers union insisted that it was not a party to the strike.

Seven months into the strike, the government recognised CONUA as a labour union. The union said it started its process of registration four years before, in 2019.

The government of former President Muhammadu Buhari, however, stuck to its resolve not to pay the university workers until his tenure ended.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday announced that it has unveiled a digital platform for the submission of Microfinance Bank (MFB) licence applications.

The apex bank made this known in a statement signed by Isa AbdulMumin, CBNs Director of Corporate Communications.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new online platform for submission of microfinance bank (MFB) licence applications, the statement said.

According to the statement, the new online platform is called the CBN Licensing, Approval and Other Requests Portal (CBN LARP) and it will eventually replace the current manual process wherein prospective applicants for MFB licence physically submit their applications to the CBN.

In due course, it said, the Bank will extend the platform to other categories of licences.

The development came about four months after the CBN revoked the operating licences of 132 microfinance banks, four primary mortgage banks, and three finance companies in the country.

Significance

The Apex Bank noted that the online application system offers numerous benefits, including a simplified process, time savings, enhanced communication, and robust security measures.

By digitising the application process, the CBN said the aim is to improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite licence approvals, benefiting both applicants and the economy.

With effect from 25 September, the apex bank said, MFB licence applicants are required to submit both hardcopy and online applications (via the CBN LARP) as part of a parallel run.

The statement said the cover letter submitting the hardcopy application must have a valid application reference number from the online submission for the application to be accepted.

According to the statement, the parallel run will end on 31 December and the manual submissions of hardcopy MFB licence applications will no longer be required and accepted.

From September 25, 2023, prospective MFB applicants are urged to log on to www.larp.cbn.gov.ng to submit their respective MFB licence applications, the CBN said.

It said help and detailed guidance are available within CBN LARP to assist users in navigating the new platform and that a user guide can also be downloaded from the platform.

Applicants may contact the dedicated helpdesk via email at cbnlarp-helpdesk@cbn.gov.ng for further information. Meanwhile, please note that the Bank shall continue to accept manual applications for all other licence types until further notice, the statement said.

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The son of former Gabonese President Ali Bongo as well as some of his associates, were charged with high treason and corruption, and are being held in detention, AFP reports.

In total, 10 people were indicted on allegations that included corruption, embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, Libreville prosecutor Andre-Patrick Roponat is reported to have said. However, seven have been detained.

Sylvia Bongo, Mr Bongos wife, is placed under house arrest in the nations capital, Libreville, for her protection, according to authorities. The former first lady was believed to be preparing her son, Noureddine Bongo, to succeed his father. In December 2019, Noureddin Bongo was appointed the general coordinator of presidential affairs by his father.

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On 30 August, moments after being declared the winner of a presidential election, military leaders overthrew Mr Bongo, 64, who had ruled the oil-rich central African nation since 2009. The opposition and the leaders of the military coup detat, who also charged his rule with widespread corruption and poor leadership, denounced the outcome as a fraud. A son of Mr Bongo, five senior cabinet members, and his wife Sylvia Bongo were all detained by soldiers on the day of the coup.

Following the military takeover, Gabons coup leaders announced the appointment of a key opponent of the overthrown president as interim prime minister. Raymond Sima, 68, presided over Mr Bongos government as prime minister from 2012 until 2014. He then turned into an opponent and ran against him in 2016 and 2023. He fared poorly at the latest polls.

Mr Bongo is free to travel abroad, the military junta said on 6 September. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) suspended Gabons membership during an extraordinary summit in Djibloho, Equatorial Guinea, and condemned the use of force to resolve political conflicts.

The military junta in Gabon led by General Brice Nguema set a two-year transition period to democracy and military cooperation with France has resumed. Mr Oligui has appointed former opposition leaders and key figures from the ousted regime to both houses of parliament.

This story was first published by AllAfrica.com (https://allafrica.com/), a Premium Times partner. We have their permission to republish.

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President Bola Tinubu has said the United Nations must transform from being one of the worlds foremost talkshops to discuss global issues into becoming the worlds foremost action coordination centre.

He said a situation in which 70 per cent of the resources being devoted to the worlds poorest countries are being spent and sent back out on overheads and administrative costs, will defeat the purpose and objectives of the organisation where help is needed most.

The president said this while meeting with United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at his UN Headquarters Office in New York City on Wednesday.

The poverty ravaging our continent and the question of security and counter-terrorism requires us to work in close and effective synergy. The world will ignore Nigeria at its own peril. If we engage in talkshops as real challenges wreak real havoc in real time, we will fail. The time to strike is now. The time to achieve real results is now.

I fought for democracy. I was detained for democracy. I am now President and I am determined to prove that democracy can provide the development that our nation and our continent so urgently demands.

Trace those of us here to our foundations and you will find that we have ties and links with poverty. We must not be ashamed of that history, but poverty is unacceptable. I am one of the lucky survivors of gripping poverty. Nigeria is truly a giant 240 million people and counting with a massive youth population.

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We are done saying too much. We seek much action. We have arisen out of poverty as individuals, but until our people have arisen out of that, we will not rest, even if it requires decisions at home that make me temporarily unpopular, the president affirmed.

President Tinubu said African nations will no longer accept a situation where human rights advocacy is used by wealthy and powerful nations to stop developing economies from dealing decisively with malign actors who illicitly siphon and smuggle out the continents vast mineral resources while smuggling in western-made weapons, which enrich the wealthiest economies in the world at the parasitic expense of African stability and wealth creation.

We are facing the great challenge of scavengers ravaging our lands and oppressing our people on illegal minestaking our gold and mineral wealth back to developed economies by stealth and violence against Nigerians. Where ones human right ends, the rights of another begin, most especially for self-protection.

If we fight, they say human rights, but we will now be aggressive and we will question motives. We will stop what is happening in our land. We require your effective collaboration, President Tinubu said

In response, the UN Secretary-General emphasised that the UN system is in the process of real reform that will largely address some of the institutional frailties and lack of decision-making power for the developing world, on whose behalf more than 75 per cent of UN resources are accrued.

We now recognize the need to reform the institution to represent the world as it is today. The questions of debt and SDRs. The fact that middle-income countries have only marginal access to concessional funding.

In the SDGs Summit, we believe we have a growing political consensus and now, a declaration, in this regard. We are pursuing this with great determination, the UN Secretary-General said.

Mr Guterres further assured President Tinubu of the fullest support of the UN system for ECOWAS in light of military coups which have occured in the West African sub-region in the past few months and years.

Mr. President, we have high expectations for your presidency after the many bold steps you have taken. Nigeria is an indispensable voice in the sub-region. We will give you every support needed for your success to be achieved. Your success is Africas success and we wish you well, he said.

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The Labour Party (LP) has rejected the judgment by the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which affirmed the election of Peter Mbah as the governor of the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a three-member panel of judges headed by Justice Kudirat Akano, on Thursday, dismissed the petition by the governorship candidate of the LP, Chijioke Edeoga, for being incompetent.

The tribunal also held that Mr Edeoga failed to prove his allegation that Mr Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

It ruled that the PDP candidate was already qualified, even without submitting the NYSC certificate, adding that the NYSC certificate was not a requirement for qualification to contest the office of the governor in line with Sections 177 and 138 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Well challenge judgment

Speaking to reporters shortly after the judgment, the Chairperson of the LP in the state, Casmir Agbo, claimed the tribunal erred in its judgement.

The tribunal, in its wisdom, erred in both facts and law when they ruled that Peter Mbahs forged NYSC certificate is not a requirement to contest for governorship election in the state, Mr Agbo said.

The chairperson, citing Section 182 (1) (j) which supports non-qualification of a candidate who presented a forged certificate, argued that the provision did not say that the forged certificate must be a requirement to contest the election.

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They did not even tell us if the NYSC certificate was forged or not. They only ruled that the witness of the NYSC did not upload his written statement on oath, he said.

We are going over to the Appeal Court on this matter.

The Edeoga Campaign Organisation has also indicated interest to appeal the judgment.

In a statement on Thursday, George Ugwu, the spokesperson of the campaign organisation, asked the LP supporters to be calm and law-abiding while assuring that the party would challenge the tribunal judgment.

Background

INEC had, on 22 March, declared Mr Mbah as the winner of the 18 March governorship election in the state.

The PDP candidate polled 160,895 votes to defeat his closest challenger Mr Edeoga, who scored 157,552 votes.

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Frank Nweke Jr, garnered 17,983 votes to come third, while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nnaji, came fourth, with 14,575 votes.

Mr Edeoga, afterwards, filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the victory of Mr Mbah, now governor.

Mr Edeoga and his party had argued that Mr Mbah ought not to have contested in the election because he allegedly presented a forged NYSC certificate to INEC.

The LP candidate had asked the tribunal to nullify the election of Mr Mbah on the grounds that there were irregularities including over-voting and non-use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System during the election in Nkanu East Local Government Area, where Mr Mbah hails from.

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Abdulfatai Mohammed, one of the 38 army officers arbitrarily sacked in 2016, has sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu after the Nigerian Army refused to obey the court injunction ordering his reinstatement.

Mr Mohamed and 37 other senior officers were forced to retire by the army in June 2016. The mass dismissal affected nine major generals, 11 brigadier generals, seven colonels and 11 lieutenant colonels.

However, PREMIUM TIMES investigations showed the authorities acted illegally, and the National Industrial Court has ordered the reinstatement of Mr Mohammed and others.

But despite the court order, the Nigerian army and President Muhammadu Buhari refused to ensure justice by reinstating the soldiers, who are some of the countrys brightest in internal and external security operations.

One of the officers, Ojebo Ochankpa, died in 2017 while awaiting justice. Their statutory appeal for redress to President Buhari within 30 days of their sacking, and other letters subsequently, were neither acknowledged nor replied to, according to documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

This matter is one of Nigerias worst cases of arbitrariness, disregard for the court and shabby treatment of her heroes under Mr Buhari, a former major-general, who was a civilian president for eight years.

Appeal to President Tinubu

On 27 July this year, Mr Mohammed submitted a letter to Mr Tinubus office, urging the president to prevail on the army to obey the court orders that declared his retirement illegal.

Mr Mohammed said he wrote the letter based on the avowed commitment to justice the president indicated in his inauguration speech.

In the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Mohammed described his compulsory retirement as malicious and wrongful action that was followed up with reputational damage actions in the media.

In 2016, the Nigerian army cited service exigencies, corruption in arms procurement, and partisanship as what constituted the serious offences that warranted the compulsory retirement of the 38 officers.

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However, in his letter to President Tinubu, Mr Mohammed said he was never found guilty of corruption in arms procurement or partisanship in elections.

I was never involved in any of the issues highlighted and/or any wrongdoing whatsoever. My compulsory retirement was without due process as it was a clear departure from the disciplinary process and laid down procedures of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as natural justice, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES checks indicate the army violated its own rules in the ways the officers were disengaged.

The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers whose paragraph 09.02c (4) was relied upon to remove the officers, originates from the Armed Forces Act. The section cited by the army provides that an officer may be compulsorily retired on disciplinary grounds i.e. serious offence(s) without defining what constitutes serious offences.

But the principal law  the Armed Forces Act  establishes all actions that constitute offences in the military. The Act prescribes steps to be taken in punishing offenders, and a review shows no section empowers the Army Council to arbitrarily punish or compulsorily retire officers for any offence. In fact, the Army Council, in Section 11(a-f) of the Act, has no power to retire any officer on disciplinary grounds without compliance with the steps prescribed by law.

Mr Mohammed and most of the affected officers were neither queried nor indicted by any panel, but got flushed out for reasons that smack of high-level arbitrariness and witch-hunting by authorities of the army, a reason the victimised officers petitioned the authorities in keeping with the militarys rules to seek redress.

Seeking justice in court

Mr Mohammed filed a suit at the National Industrial Court to reverse his unlawful and wrongful compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army without any disciplinary process or procedure.

On 14 January 2020, the National Industrial Court declared the retirement of Mr Mohammed as wrongful, unconstitutional, illegal, null and void; and ordered my immediate reinstatement with all the rights and privileges.

The Nigerian Army is however yet to comply with this judgement to date.

In a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, Mr Mohammed noted that despite the favorable Judgement of the court in 2020 to redress the injustices meted to me, the pattern of abuse that I have been subjected to since 2016 was continued with the deliberate neglect to comply with the Court Judgement which was duly served the Nigerian Army.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, made an attempt to revisit the issue in 2021.

In a memo to the former minister which was acknowledged on 7 July 2021, Mr Irabor sought the endorsement of the minister for voluntary retirement of the 38 senior officers with effect from 1 January 2018. The appeal was not approved.

Mr Mohammed said he is now appealing to the Commander-in chief Mr Tinubu, current Chief of Defence Staff and Army chief to order his (1) immediate reinstatement into the Nigerian Army as ordered by the court with effect from 9 June 2016. (2) Full restoration to the current rank and seniority of my course mates (47 RC). and (3) Payment of all my salaries and emoluments from 9 June 2016 till date, he wrote.

I am confident in your leadership and steadfastness for justice/rule of law and optimistic that you will grant me full restoration to put my career back on course as I never deserved the ill treatment of over 7 years of compulsory retirement that was meted to me, the letter read.

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The Nigerian government and South Korean government have resumed talks on revising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on investments in the solid minerals sector.

The Deputy Director of Information of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Alaba Balogun, said this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Balogun said the talks on revising a MoU between Nigeria and South Korea on investments in the solid minerals sector topped discussions between Nigerian public and private sector officials and the South Korean government recently.

He said the Nigerian team comprised officials of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Oando Mining Company.

The Korean Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, (KIGAM) and Korean Mines Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation, (KOMIR) represented South Korea.

He added that the Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Abdulrazaq Garba, represented the Solid Minerals Minister, Oladele Alake, at the talks.

Mr Balogun said the talks held under the auspices of the Seventh Korea-Africa Economic Co-operation conference in Busan, South Korea, abd resolved to review a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding to include training of Nigerian mining professionals in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Ore Modelling, Mineral Processing, research, and exploration of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite.

The statement noted that the president, KIGAM, Pyeong Koo-lee, offered to collaborate with Nigeria to explore the large deposits of lithium-bearing pegmatites.

He said KIGAM has the best technology in lithium ore processing, noting that the beneficiation process can reduce the carbon to improve the grade of the ore.

Vice President of the state-owned KOMIR, Alex Kwon, expressed interest in overseas mining investment, adding that KOMIR provides technical and financial assistance and investment in the exploration and mining of solid minerals.

He added that KOMIR partners with the private sector to invest in the global mining industry.

Background

This comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubus speech at the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, when he accused foreign entities of illegally mining Nigerias gold and other minerals.

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, Mr Tinubu said at the world leaders gathering in New York City, the United States.

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, Mr Tinubu declared.

In recent years, Nigeria has lost billions of naira to weak regulation of the mining sector.

According to the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparent Initiatives (NEITI), Nigeria lost $9 billion between 2014 to 2015 to illegal mining of gold and other mineral resources.

The money lost to illegal mining is mostly licensing fees and royalties to the government. While the government could be losing these funds, there is a bigger loss: this is the loss incurred through the governments inability to properly monitor and regulate the activities of miners.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Western Azerbaijani Community has expressed deep indignation at yet another anti-Azerbaijani statement by the Canadian Foreign Minister, the Community told Trend.

Canadian diplomacy, which speaks of the principle of "self-determination," has actually put itself in a ridiculous position.

"Does Canada, which today is hastily sending a delegation across the ocean to the European Union mission in Armenia, plan to open an embassy in Armenia in the near future, not knowing that even Armenia itself does not touch the principle of "self-determination" after the second Karabakh war of 2020?" the community said.

The Western Azerbaijan Community also noted that if Canada is so much in favor of the principle of "self-determination", let it first start with itself and give independence to its province, where the sense of independence is very high.

"We demand from Canada that it stop making statements against Azerbaijan and not interfere in the internal affairs of our country," the Community added.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has announced free and compulsory education from nursery to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools in the state.

Mr Soludo announced the policy at Premier Primary School, Obosi, Idemili North Council Area, on Thursday.

He said that his administration was passionate about actualising an all-inclusive education.

He said that no child within the school age, from nursery to JSS 3, should be charged school fees or any other fees to acquire education in the state.

The aim is to go back to the basics when education was used as the equaliser, such that children from poor and rich backgrounds will attend the same school and compete favourably.

Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education. Education from nursery to JSS is free and compulsory in the state.

This will increase the access of children to basic education and to ensure the fullest development of personality, talents, mental and physical abilities of our children.

We will not look kindly on anyone who fails to comply with the above pronouncement, he said.

The governor further said that massive infrastructure development would start in all government-owned schools in the coming weeks.

According to him, the community schools will be upgraded to smart schools in line with the vision of imparting skillful and sustainable education.

Mr Soludo said that machinery would be put in place to ensure the effective implementation of smart schools in the state.

(NAN)

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The Ondo State House of Assembly says it will investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa

Mr Aiyedatiwa has been served with the allegation letter, according to a statement by the spokesperson of the House, Olatunji Oshati.

The embattled deputy governor is yet to react to the allegations slammed against him by the lawmakers.

The statement by the lawmakers noted that an allegation letter does not equate to an impeachment verdict, adding that indeed, the allegation letter served to the Deputy Governor marks the initiation of the impeachment proceedings.

The lawmakers, however, stated that its essential to remember that this is a procedure rooted in due process, not a hastily conducted impeachment. We are conscious of the integrity of our present assembly and will not falter in our constitutional responsibilities to our constituents.

We wish to declare, unequivocally, that the entire process remains within the realm of allegations. We are committed to examining these allegations objectively. Our primary responsibility is to uphold the integrity of our beloved state and foster accountability and transparency, even at the highest levels of government.

The lawmakers urged their constituents to refrain from making premature judgments, saying neither the deputy governor nor the governor is immune to legislative actions.

The allegation letter has been served, and Mr Deputy Governor has the full right to defend himself. Rest assured, we are committed to following due process and will do so diligently.

Serving the allegation letter on the deputy governor contradicts the earlier position of the House that it was not interested in impeaching the deputy governor.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately speak with the Ddeputy governor Thursday evening as all his media aides have been fired by the governor.

Background

The embattled deputy governor, Mr Aiyedatiwa, has been in the eye of the storm lately since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu returned from Germany after a three-month medical leave.

While Mr Akeredolu was away, Mr Aiyedatiwa was the acting governor, following the transmission of power to him via a letter to the State House of Assembly by the governor.

For the three months, Mr Akeredolu was away, there was a lull in the governance process in the state even as there were rumours of a split in the state cabinet.

Some elements loyal to Mr Akeredolu accused Mr Aiyedatiwa of not doing enough to push back some unsavoury reports about the governors ill health allegedly orchestrated by the deputy governors media team.

On his resumption of duty, following his return from the medical leave, Governor Akeredolu fired all the media aides of Mr Aiyedatiwa and transfered their duties to the states Ministry of Information and Orientation.

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A Nigerian journalist, Yusuf Anka, Thursday won the Global Shining Light Award for 2023.

At an event held in Gothenburg, Sweden, Mr Ankas documentary on the BBC Africa Eye was adjudged the joint best among over 400 entries from over 80 countries.

Published in 2022, the documentary was titled The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara. The report exposed the gravity of an underreported crisis: the atrocities of bandit terrorists in northern Nigeria.

Mr Anka was, however, not able to physically attend the event because he was denied an entry visa by the Swedish embassy in Nigeria, a BBC official said at the event.

The Global Shining Light Award (GSLA) is organised by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) every two years to honour watchdog journalism in developing or transitioning countries, carried out under threat or in perilous conditions.

Winners will receive a plaque and $2,500 while certificate awardees will receive a plaque and $1,000.

The winners of the Global Shining Light Awards renew our faith that the muckraking tradition remains alive, even in the most dangerous and inhospitable places, said Sheila Coronel, chair of the judging panel.

It is a dangerous time to be an investigative journalist and our winners have shown that with courage, skill, and the support of citizens, groundbreaking and high-impact reporting is possible despite the risks. We salute this years awardees. They are an inspiration to all of us.

Mr Ankas report revealed the true scale and horror of the violence that has engulfed Nigerias north-west. It shows how thousands were killed, a million people displaced, and hundreds of schools closed in northern Nigeria.

It also featured mothers who saw their kids slaughtered, schoolgirls who survived captivity, a teenage girl who was burned and slashed by vigilantes, and a teenage boy killed by Nigerian soldiers. It was described as an unflinching portrayal of a story that desperately needed to be told.

Mr Anka, 27, is a graduate of law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As an undergraduate, he began reporting on the conflict in Zamfara for HumAngle and, in 2019, began working with BBC Africa Eye on a documentary film about the violence.

Over almost three years, and at tremendous personal risk, Mr Anka said he gained unprecedented access to protagonists on all sides of this conflict.

At the Global Shining award gala, organisers said this years award-winning teams focused on issues such as violence perpetrated with impunity, the exploitation of COVID-19 patients, and hidden environmental abuses  and pursued them often under severe threat.

The award has two categories: Small and Medium outlets category and Large outlets category.

Joint winners announced in the Small and Medium Outlets category were Bad Blood, a documentary by the Investigative Reporting Lab (North Macedonia), and Above the Law, by Viewfinder, (South Africa).

On the other hand, joint winners for Large Outlets were Mr Ankas report  The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara, by BBC Africa Eye (Nigeria), and Corredor Furtivo, by Armando Info (Venezuela) and El Pais (Spain).

Organisers also awarded certificates of excellence to Ukrainian and Bangladesh journalists for their reporting on How Volunteers Buried Civilians en Masse in Izium, and Secret Prisoners of Dhaka, respectively.

The judging panel chose the four GSLA winners and two certificate awardees from a dozen finalists from 11 countries, across the two categories.

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I frankly think that both of them and others on the continent have barely paid enough attention to the opportunities that come with building truly vibrant regional and continental institutions. African leaders must pay attention to what is happening back home, in their own backyard. Its the sheer force of their record of performance that would compel the world to notice and take them seriously.

Following the G-20 summit held in India, I have been amused by the debate about whether or not Nigeria should be more than a guest again at the next G-20 meeting in Rio, Brazil. If South Africa is a member, why not Nigeria?

How do you offer Africas largest economy only a complimentary ticket, every time, to such an important global event, leaving it with the rather humiliating option of begging for a place?

I thought that we had outgrown the belief that respect is earned by size or by simply hanging out with the right crowd, regardless of performance. If its not just another boost to the testosterone of a few African leaders who attend such meetings, its difficult to understand why they cannot see that they would have to put their house in order first, to earn respect on the outside.

I dont know what President Cyril Ramaphosas membership is doing for South Africa or what the AU membership of the G-20 is doing for the continent. Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu obviously feels that if Ramaphosa can be on the stage at this pageant of global powers, then so can he also.

But I frankly think that both of them and others on the continent have barely paid enough attention to the opportunities that come with building truly vibrant regional and continental institutions. African leaders must pay attention to what is happening back home, in their own backyard. Its the sheer force of their record of performance that would compel the world to notice and take them seriously.

Lesson from EU

The EU, one of the worlds most prosperous trading blocs today, started as a trading community of six European countries, with a combined population of 170 million at the time. Today, it has grown to 27 members, with an economy of approximately 16 trillion.

Apart from the EUs institutional membership of the G-20, three EU countries  Germany, France and Italy  are also members of the group in their own rights, because of the sheer size of their economies. They didnt have to beg for membership.

Consider, for example, how shabbily Africa has so far treated the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, perhaps its single biggest opportunity in decades, to remove trade barriers amongst members, lift millions out of poverty, and earn a significant spot on the world stage.

Nigeria is not even among the eight countries currently participating in AfCFTAs Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), a platform that is supposed to boost the regions trade policy framework. How can Nigeria, which ought to be in the forefront of turning this state of affairs around, but which is sadly one of the laggards in AfCFTA commitments, covet a table at the G-20? And on what terms?

Five years into AfCFTA, the continent still pays lip service to the free movement of people, with Africans requiring visas to travel to at least 60 per cent of the 54 countries, never mind the monumental obstacles to free trade.

Compared to India, for example, where only three compulsory documents are required for import-export processing, Nigerias Customs requires nearly 12 to process intra-African goods and services, and youre just getting started.

While Africas population has grown to double that of Europe, intra-African trade accounts for about 11 per cent or $170 billion, which is merely five per cent of intra-European trade. Intra-African trade also lags behind intra-Asian trade.

Missed Opportunities

Nigeria is not even among the eight countries currently participating in AfCFTAs Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), a platform that is supposed to boost the regions trade policy framework. How can Nigeria, which ought to be in the forefront of turning this state of affairs around, but which is sadly one of the laggards in AfCFTA commitments, covet a table at the G-20? And on what terms when, like most of the continent, Nigeria is still largely a market for primary commodities with the inherent disadvantages?

According to Tom Burgis in The Looting Machine, In Africa, the outflows (as of 2011) amounted to five to seven percent of GDP, the highest proportion in any region and growing at a rate of 20 percent a year. African losses from trade mispricing alone are roughly the equivalent to the continents income from aid.

To add insult to injury, Nigeria, Ghana and Chad were listed by Burgis as first, sixth and ninth respectively among the countries that suffered the worst illicit outflows from 2005. This sounds more like a continent that needs to look after itself, than one whose leaders should be hankering for a courtesy ticket for a front-row seat outside.

If you add the current state of political turmoil across a number of countries on the continent, especially the so-called coup belt, the situation becomes even more deserving of serious homework and introspection.

Whereas the OAU of those days challenged apartheid and fought against minority rule and oppression in Zimbabwe and Namibia, while supporting more African states to attain political independence, its successor, the AU, is sleep-walking through multiple conflicts, content to make only perfunctory noises.

Instead of trying to cross seven seas to join the G-20, Nigeria should be more concerned that even though it was also a guest to the BRICS meeting in Johannesburg in August, it was not among the six countries that would get membership from January 2024, with the two new spots in Africa going to Ethiopia and Egypt.

Meanwhile, the new crop of military rulers, from Chad to Mali and from Burkina Faso to Gabon, continue to dig in, sparking a dangerous wave of copycats and self-doubt about the value and use of democratic rule.

Africas 1.3 billion population is perennially a source of cheap labour for developed and middle-income countries, in a manner reminiscent of the slave trade; while its landmass of 30 million square kilometres has remained a booty for external forces to exploit, loot and cart away as the continent slumbers.

Instead of trying to cross seven seas to join the G-20, Nigeria should be more concerned that even though it was also a guest to the BRICS meeting in Johannesburg in August, it was not among the six countries that would get membership from January 2024, with the two new spots in Africa going to Ethiopia and Egypt.

Indo-China Love

Whats more? In an increasingly multipolar world, the unspoken message by absent Chinese President Xi Jinping to the last G-20 meeting, was that his country was no longer happy to play second fiddle to US hegemony. Rather than coveting that same company, Nigeria and other African countries should do more to chart their own course. And they can do so without holding out the begging bowl.

Ambition to play in the big league is not a bad thing in itself. A spot on the big stage, however, requires more than a large ego, more than an extravagant claim of untapped potential, and certainly, much more than a sense of entitlement.

For a start, since Nigerias president obviously loved what he saw at the G-20 in Delhi, he should have asked Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to share the story of Indias journey to the G-20 with him. As of 2005/2006, more than 640 million people across India were in multidimensional poverty.

A 2019 UNDP report on multidimensional poverty however found that in about six years, the number of multidimensionally poor had fallen from 640 to 365 million. And in just nine years of Modi, access to electricity has increased from 70 per cent to 93 per cent, while states with basic sanitation coverage across India are over 90 per cent.

That is the sort of record that makes a country both an eligible and inevitable member of the G-20 or any other respectable global platform; not covetousness, begging or a sense of entitlement.

Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP.

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Winners of the 7th Nigerian Content Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition, 2023, were unveiled on Wednesday at the Lady Daima Memorial Event Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State at a well-attended ceremony. It was the Grand Finale of the competition, with the top 10 finalists awarded prizes.

The overall best was Miss Iruoma Favour Lazarus, a 200-level student of the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She received a cheque for one million naira (N1,000,000.00) and an HP laptop. The second prize went to Miss Lucy Agbalu, a 100-level student of Microbiology at the University of Calabar, who had a cheque for seven hundred thousand naira (N700,000:00) and an HP laptop, while the third prize was won by Akinduyite O. Samuel, who received five hundred thousand naira (N500,000:00) and a similar laptop.

In an address to the award and prize-giving ceremony, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Kesiye Wabote, said the Board seeks to inculcate local content consciousness among students of our higher institutions, thereby creating champions of such an endeavour.

He described local content as an existential necessity for every nation, particularly for developing nations like Nigeria. That much was evident from the resilience of Nigerias oil and gas industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021.

The NCDMB boss noted that the topic of the essay competition, which was Nigerian Content and the Lessons from COVID-19, was well-conceived considering how the COVID-19 pandemic devastated our world. He said at the height of the pandemic, the movement of persons and goods was disrupted for several months, forcing every nation to rely on their local resources for survival.

According to him, The Nigerian oil and gas industry survived that period because of the huge local human and infrastructural capacities we had developed since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act in 2010. Efficient implementation of the Act, he pointed out, ensured that Nigerias oil production continued without interruption, even when all the expatriates had left the country.

Mr Wabote, who was represented by the Manager, Corporate Corporations, Mr Esueme Dan Kikile, called on policy-makers at different levels of government and in the private sector to take deliberate steps to develop resilient and sufficient human and infrastructural capacities in key sectors of our national fabric, which can withstand any external shocks in future.

While commending winners of the essay contest and the consultants, Mahogany Century Concepts Limited, he said the Board has sustained the competition for seven years because of the huge importance it attaches to it, and that the intention is to challenge students in tertiary institutions to sharpen their writing skills and engage youths in productive activities.

The annual essay competition is one of several initiatives of the NCDMB designed to benefit the youth segment of the Nigerian population. Others include the Integrated Institutional Strengthening and Upgrade, under which the Board has undertaken and completed massive renovation of technical workshops and installation of world-class facilities in institutions like Government Technical College, Amoli in Enugu State, Government Technical College, Abak in Akwa Ibom State, Government Technical College, Port Harcourt, and the University of Ibadan Vocational School.

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Allen A. Agih, in his opening speech, commended the NCDMB for its remarkable contributions to capacity building in the country. He corroborated the point made by the Executive Secretary on how the resiliency of the oil and gas industry withstood the pandemic, stating, Nigerians did not run to foreign countries when COVID-19 struck. He was represented by Mr. Fibainonine G. Paulley.

Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, thanked the Executive Secretary and Management of the NCDMB for the sponsorship of the essay competition and contribution to national development.

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The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has rejected Wednesdays judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sacking him as governor and announcing the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) Nadir Gawuna, as the winner of the 18 March election.

At a press conference late Wednesday, Mr Yusuf said that based on the feedback from his legal team, the judgment was marred by human imperfections and misapplication of the law, thus, he will seek justice at the Court of Appeal.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the tribunal sacked Mr Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) after deducting 165,663 votes from the total votes he scored during the election.

The three-member panel of judges led by Oluyemi Asadebay ruled that the ballots containing the votes were not certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Despite the tribunals ruling, Mr Yusuf will remain in office until the appeal court and possibly the supreme court gives a final ruling on the matter.

Read below the full statement from the governor

All praises and gratitude are due to Allah Subhanahu wataala, The Sovereign Lord of Power. May the peace and countless blessings of Allah be upon our Noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), His Families, and all His Companions.

My good people of Kano State! You would recall that on March 18, 2023, you came out in mass and voted for me as your Governor with a total vote of 1,019,602 and a margin of 128,897 votes between my humble self and second place.

Subsequently, I was duly sworn in as your elected Governor on May 29, 2023. You may also recall that the party that lost the election took us to court. However, after almost six months of proceedings at the governorship election petition tribunal, today Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the judges of the tribunal have in their wisdom delivered their ruling.

As human beings their judgment may not be perfect, there are errors and misapplications of the law as pointed out by our legal team. That is why our constitution provides for other stages to go on with- such as the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

On this note, we have already instructed our legal team to appeal this judgment as soon as possible to ensure that justice is done.

Let me therefore call on all the good people of Kano State to be calm and remain law abiding.

People should not take the law into their own hands. Security agents have already been directed to ensure the full protection of the f lives and properties of innocent citizens across the State.

READ ALSO: Tribunal sacks Kano governor

This government will continue to work for the development of our State in line with the promises we made, seeking your votes. We want to assure you that this will neither dampen our spirit nor slow us down as this is a temporary setback for our State which we will overcome by the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT).

While thanking the good people of Kano State for their continuous support and prayer, let me further use this opportunity to call on them to continue to go about their businesses peacefully with the assurances that we would get justice at the appellate courts and get the mandate of the people restored and respected Insha Allah (Gods willing), the governor said.

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A veteran radio reporter in Zamfara State, Hamisu Danjibga, has been found dead in a soakaway pit in his house three days after he was declared missing.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from a family source who asked not to be named, that the journalist was declared missing on Sunday.

Mr Danjibga worked with the Voice of Nigeria (VON) for several years before his death.

I was informed by his family that he had not been seen since morning, so I started calling his line but it was unreachable. We couldnt get him throughout that day, he said in a phone interview.

The source said Mr Danjibgas family informed the Correspondent Chapel and later the police.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) confirmed the death of the journalist in a statement.

Zamfara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists regret to announce the death of Hamisu Danjibga a reporter with Voice of Nigeria (VON) whose body was found in a sock away behind his house three days after missing.

The discovery of his corpse was a result of an unpleasant odour observed by Islamiya Children in the evening of Wednesday 20th September 2023 who drew the attention of their teachers.

After breaking the soak away the body was confirmed to be that of Danjibga by his family and some neighbours. His funeral rites have since been observed according to Islamic injunctions, Ibrahim Ahmad, the NUJ secretary in Zamfara State said.

The union called on security agents to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of the act to justice.

In his lifetime as a reporter, Mr Danjibga was praised for his style of reporting. Several of his colleagues said his broadcast voice gave him an edge over others in the industry as he spent over three decades as a reporter.

Mr Danjibga reported extensively on the widespread insecurity in Zamfara State.

May God forgive Hamisu Danjibga his shortcomings. His main concern was the security situation, unknown to him that it would be the reason for his death, Ibrahim Zauma, the immediate former Director General of New Media at the Zamfara Government House said.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yazeed Abubakar promised to get back to this reporter but has not done so for hours.

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The Ebonyi State Government, on Thursday, said it would prosecute a former general manager of the state fertilizer plant, Ogbonnaya Chukwu, over alleged financial impropriety.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor, made the disclosure in Abakaliki while briefing reporters at the end of the state Executive Council meeting.

Mr Okpor said the council received a report of the audit panel set up by the government to probe Mr Chukwus tenure as the general manager of the plant.

The panel from the office auditor-general of the state, indicted him for financial impropriety and other forms of unprofessional conduct.

The panel reported that Chukwu used his private company to procure equipment and materials for the plant with government funds not properly accounted for, he said.

READ ALSO:

The panel, according to the commissioner, recommended that the matter be referred to the state attorney general for further action.

The government should charge the former GM for using the state storage facility for his private company.

Board of directors should be properly constituted for effective supervision of the plant.

Matters of criminality and shoddy transactions by the former GM should be referred to the police for investigation, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) could not get the former general managers comment as he did not respond to phone calls from our reporter

Recruitment into state civil service

He also said that the council received a report that 17, 834 applications were received by the state Civil Service Commission for employment.

5,352 met the requirement of submitting original certificates with their application while the rest submitted their statements of results.

The EXCO resolved to uphold the above shortlisting criteria but opportunities would be given to those who did not attach their certificates to do so before the screening, he said.

Mr Okpor remarked that the governor, who is the councils chairperson, emphasised that the recruitment should be based on merit.

This is to give all applicants equal opportunities to compete for jobs as the commission was urged to fasttrack the process to conclude the exercise quickly, he said.

(NAN)

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The police in Akwa Ibom State said they have killed two suspected armed robbers and arrested another in Uyo.

The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko MacDon, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.

Mr MacDon, a superintendent of police, said the police responded to a distress call at about 1:50 a.m. on 19 September about a robbery incident at Udoette Street, near the University of Uyo town campus, in Uyo.

He said when the operatives from the Quick Response Unit of the police arrived at the area, the robbery suspects fired at them.

Two of the suspects were shot dead during a shootout with the operatives while one of them, identified as Godswill Isaac, was arrested, according to Mr MacDon.

READ ALSO:

He listed some of the items recovered by the police as four locally made pistols, 15 live cartridges, two expended cartridges, a big iron cutter, two machetes, and a dagger.

Other items were, two plasma televisions, a woofer MP3, HP computer laptop, 10 android phones, five smaller phones, N15,700 cash and eight dollars.

Mr MacDon said most of the robbery victims had visited the police station for identification and collection of their recovered belongings.

The police spokesperson said operatives of the anti-kidnapping squad in the state had arrested two wanted notorious armed robbers  Gospel Effiong, otherwise known as Python, and Solomon Okon, otherwise known as Eblem  in the state.

The suspects, during interrogation, confessed to be members of a robbery gang responsible for robbing commuters in tricycles and mini buses in Uyo and environs, he said.

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The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Enugu has upheld the election of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on 22 March, declared Mr Mbah, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the 18 March governorship election in the state.

Mr Mbah polled 160,895 votes to defeat his closest challenger and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, who scored 157,552 votes.

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Frank Nweke Jr, garnered 17,983 votes to come third, while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nnaji, came fourth, with 14,575 votes.

Mr Edeoga had filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the victory of Mr Mbah, now governor.

Among the grounds of the petition by the LP candidate was that Mr Mbahs election should be voided for submitting a forged discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Judgment

While delivering judgment on Thursday, a three-member tribunal headed by Kudirat Akano dismissed the petition for being incompetent.

Mrs Akano, the chairperson of the panel, read out the judgment.

The tribunal held that the petitioner, Mr Edeoga, failed to prove his allegation that the PDP candidate, Mr Mbah, submitted the forged certificate to INEC.

It ruled that the NYSC discharge certificate, assuming it was indeed forged, was not among the requirements for the qualifications of a person for the office of the governor in line with Sections 177 and 138 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

It held that Mr Mbah was qualified to contest the election even without submitting any NYSC discharge certificate, adding that a Senior Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent is a minimum academic qualification for election for the office of the governor in line with Section 177 of the constitution.

The tribunal said given that Mr Mbah did not submit the certificate in aid of his qualification for the office, his election could not be voided on the grounds of non-qualification.

Justice Akano also ruled that Mr Mbah, contrary to the allegation by Mr Edeoga, scored the highest number of lawful votes in the election in compliance with the electoral law.

The tribunal further held that the petitioner also failed to prove that there was non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the election in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Earlier, the tribunal had dismissed the petition by the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Christopher Agu, for being incompetent.

It ruled the petitioner failed to prove that Mr Mbah forged his NYSC discharge certificate to INEC.

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Three pregnant girls have been rescued from suspected child traffickers in Umunze, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

The development occurred about one week after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency rescued five pregnant teenage girls said to be victims of child trafficking in Imo, another state in the South-east.

Ms Ikeanyionwu said the latest incident happened after operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Group in the council area conducted a three-month investigation into the activities of the syndicate.

The media aide said the investigation was led by the chairperson of the council area, Neville Uchendu, who handed over the girls to Mrs Obinabo, the commissioner.

She said the three girls were between 14 and 20 years old and that a suspected trafficker, Oruchukwu Okoroafor, had been arrested by the vigilante operatives.

A 14-year-old girl among those rescued hails from Arondizuogu in Imo State, while the second girl, 19, is from Ihite, in Orumba South Council Area of Anambra State  all in South-east Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

The third girl, 20, is from Bayelsa State, South-south Nigeria.

Mrs Obinabo, while receiving the girls and the suspect, expressed joy over the development, Ms Ikeanyionwu said.

The commissioner noted that the state government was pleased with the operatives for the rescue and called on others to emulate the council chairperson and his team in making the state proud.

Job after childbirth

The rescued girls, according to the statement, said the suspect was not responsible for their pregnancies and that he only offered to shelter them at his house until they had delivered their babies.

They also said the suspect had promised to secure jobs for them as soon as they gave birth, an offer they gladly accepted.

N300, 000 for each unborn baby

Mr Okoroafor, upon interrogation, confessed that he had been in the baby factory and child trafficking business for the past two years and that the rescued girls were his first set for the business in 2023.

The suspect said some persons, whom he apparently brought, had promised to pay the girls N300,000 each to buy their unborn babies.

He, however, denied having contacts of the potential buyers.

The commissioner handed over the suspect to the police in the state for further investigations, the statement said.

She assured that the suspect would be prosecuted in line with the law.

Baby factories in Nigeria

Baby factory, sometimes disguised as an orphanage, is a name given to a facility where traffickers hold women, mostly teenagers, against their will, rape and force them to get pregnant. The newborns at the facility are then sold illegally.

Girls in such a facility are sometimes forced into child labour and prostitution.

A recent investigation uncovered how a supposed Christian orphanage in Anambra State, another state in the South-east, was illegally selling babies between N1.5 million and N2 million, depending on a babys gender.

The investigation also revealed how the sales were executed with the collusion of the officials of the Nigerian police and the judiciary.

Girls in such a facility are sometimes forced into child labour and prostitution.

A recent investigation uncovered how a supposed Christian orphanage in Anambra State, another state in the South-east, was illegally selling babies between N1.5 million and N2 million, depending on a babys gender.

The investigation also revealed how the sales were executed with the collusion of the officials of the Nigerian police and the judiciary.

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The management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has debunked the narrative that one of its employees, a medical doctor identified as Michael Umoh, died after 72 hours non-stop shift.

The hospital in a statement Thursday morning confirmed that the doctor who only worked for four days in September slumped and died on 17 September while in church with his parent.

There are speculations that the doctor, who had a month to the completion of his horsemanship at the hospital, died after working 72 hours of non-stop shift at the hospital.

The record from the Neurosurgery unit shows that the last time he was on call was 13 and 14 September 2023. He was not on call on the 15, 16 and 17, contrary to the insinuations on social media. He was at home with his parents on the 16 and 17 September, the management said in the statement.

It added that before this time, he was on call on the 7 and 8 September, an indication that Mr Umoh was on call for a total number of 4 days in September.

However, the management noted that the parents gave the details of what they thought must have contributed to his death but pleaded that the wish of the family is respected and that the narrative is not for public consumption.

Resident doctors mourn

In a statement Wednesday and signed by the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in LUTH, Kemi Abidoye, the deceased was posted to the neurosurgery unit, along with two other colleagues and their work schedule includes a 48-hour call interspersed with four days that they are not scheduled to be on call.

The association noted that the exact details of the emergency response after this event are still unclear, but he was taken to Reddington hospital where his unfortunate demise was confirmed.

READ ALSO:

Reports of a background cardiovascular disease that can predispose to sudden cardiac death have not been confirmed either from his family or from his pre-employment medical screening records. the statement read in parts.

According to a source in LUTH, the report that Mr Umoh died after the 72-hour shift is exaggerated, saying he was still alive hours after his shift.

The doctor was on call for 48 hours and had been off work for more than 24 hours before the incident happened in church on Sunday where he attended service, the source said.

Effect of brain drain

The doctors also held a candlelight procession in his honour and have paid a condolence visit to the family.

The association also noted the plans to immortalise him will mean that a reappraisal of the workplace of doctors is taken seriously and we design deliberate attempts to ensure that the effect of brain drain is cushioned significantly.

Nigerias health sector is currently grappling with a severe shortage of skilled personnel, resulting from the mass departure of healthcare professionals.

A 2022 UK immigration report also showed that 13,609 Nigerian healthcare workers (including doctors) were granted working visas in the past year, making the country second only to the 42,966 from India.

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( Read 1509 Times)

Udaipur: In preparation for the upcoming 2023 state assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Officer's directives have led to the organization of cluster camps in all assembly constituencies of Udaipur district. These camps aim to raise voter awareness among diverse groups, including transgender individuals, differently-abled voters, nomadic tribes, sex workers, and others. As part of this series, a cluster camp was organized on Wednesday in the Udaipur city, Salumbar, and Vallabhnagar assembly constituencies, where applications were collected from newlywed women to include their names in the voter list.

In Salumbar, as part of the Voter Education and Voter Participation program, a rally was organized by students of the Rajkiya Hardi Rani Mahavidyalaya to raise awareness among the general public. Additionally, a poster competition related to voter awareness was conducted in the Romaavi Semari. The voter awareness team provided information to students about the operation of EVM-VVPAT machines and conducted mock polls.

Source :
YEVLAKH, Azerbaijan, September 21. Representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh accompanied by the Russian peacekeeping contingent have arrived in Yevlakh, Trend reports from the scene.

As proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, will be held on 21 September 2023 in Yevlakh.

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.
After the discovery in the Mediterranean Sea and a year-long collaborative effort following UNESCO guidelines, OceanX delivered the amphora for study by the University of Malta

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 18, 2023, global exploration nonprofit OceanX delivered an ancient amphora to Maltese heritage authorities that was discovered by chance on the Mediterranean seafloor during a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive in the summer of 2022. This handover is an example of a non-governmental research entity executing the delivery of a discovered artifact through the appropriate channels according to rules laid out by UNESCO. A handover ceremony was held at Fort St. Angelo in Malta and attended by Dr. Owen Bonnici, The Minister for Cultural Heritage of Malta, along with representatives from OceanX, Heritage Malta, and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

The amphora was found unexpectedly by university students participating in OceanX's flagship educational program, Young Explorers, while piloting an ROV approximately 3,510 meters below the ocean surface. Professional ROV pilots then took over, carefully transferring the amphora from the seafloor into a replicated aquatic environment aboard OceanXplorer, the most advanced marine research and media vessel ever built. OceanX immediately declared the amphora's discovery to authorities at the nearby port of Malta. Since then, OceanX has collaborated with heritage authorities in Malta to follow best practices to preserve, desalinate, and hand off the artifact. Following the handover, archaeologists will research the object to try to determine its role in maritime seaways of Late Antiquity.

"OceanX holds itself to high ethical standards and internationally recognized best practices related to the collection, preservation, and rightful ownership of historically significant artifacts," said Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer at OceanX. "We are especially grateful for the collaboration and guidance provided by the respected team at Heritage Malta to help us deliver the amphora to its appropriate jurisdiction with care and according to standards. We look forward to the artifact being fully restored, preserved, and researched for the whole world to see and learn about."

This collaboration between OceanX and the Republic of Malta represents a significant development for international cooperation around scientific research and the respect for authenticity and integrity of cultural objects as laid out in the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

"The handing over of the amphora by OceanX to Malta is an excellent example of best practice in the area of underwater cultural heritage and its management. This object will now be available for students and experts to study so as to continue to shed light on the maritime past of the ancient Mediterranean," said Dr. Timmy Gambin, Professor of Maritime Archeology at the University of Malta.

Over the last decade, OceanX has made significant strides in ocean research and data collection and distribution, supporting the efforts of local scientists and facilitating a deeper understanding of oceans across the European Union and globally.

For media inquiries regarding OceanX, please contact Adriana Torres-Plaza at adriana@thetascgroup.com.

About OceanX

OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

About Heritage Malta

As guardians of over 8,000 years of history, Heritage Malta is the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. With a portfolio that encompasses archaeological sites, baroque auberges and palaces, catacombs, forts, natural landscapes, and UNESCO listed Neolithic monuments, Heritage Malta is the face of the Maltese Islands. More than simply advancing the stock of intellectual and cultural capital, our vocation is to offer a mirror to society through a heritage which is 'Part of Us', because we are our history, and this is our cultural identity. Every generation, monument, artefact, language, specimen, and celebration have a story to share. Heritage Malta ensures that these stories are preserved for posterity and are made accessible for everyone, everywhere to experience and enjoy.

Contact: Adriana Torres Plaza

Phone: (347) 603-0154

Email: adriana@thetascgroup.com

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SOURCE OceanX
The global grid scale battery market is experiencing growth due to several factors, including renewable energy integration and energy transition goals, technological advancements and cost benefits, energy market boosted by government policies, incentives, and regulatory support and electric vehicle and demand for energy flexibility.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Grid Scale Battery Market by Battery Type, (Lithium-Ion Batteries, Flow Batteries, Zinc-Hybrid Batteries, and Sodium-Based Batteries), by Deployment Network (Transmission Network, Distribution Network, and Renewable Energy Generators), and by Application, (Renewable Load Sharing, Peak Shaving, Load Shifting, Backup Power, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global grid scale battery industry generated $4.2 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $31.0 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Grid scale batteries, also referred to as utility scale batteries or energy storage systems, are large-scale batteries connected to the grid. Grid-scale batteries are used to store excess energy produced during low demand periods and to deliver it back into the grid during peak demand periods or when there is insufficient power generation from renewable energy sources.

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Prime Determinants of Growth:

The global grid scale battery market is experiencing growth due to several factors, including renewable energy integration and energy transition goals, technological advancements, and cost benefits, the energy market is boosted by government policies, incentives, and regulatory support, and electric vehicle and demand for energy flexibility. However, the high initial cost and relatively lower life span due to degradation, dependency and environmental concerns, and technical challenges coupled with uncertainty in regulation and permits restrain the market growth. Moreover, renewable energy integration and electrification, microgrid decentralization and modernization offering flexibility, and energy transition and green hydrogen create remunerative opportunities for market growth.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $4.2 Billion Market Size in 2032 $31.0 Billion CAGR 18.2 % No. of Pages in Report 297 Segments covered Battery Type, Deployment Network, Application, and Region. Drivers Renewable energy integration and energy transition goals

Technological advancements and cost benefits



Energy market boosted by government policies, incentives, and regulatory support Electric vehicle and demand for energy flexibility Opportunities Renewable energy integration and electrification Microgrids decentralization and modernization offering flexibility Energy transition and green hydrogen Restraints High initial cost and relatively lower life span due to degradation Dependency and environmental concerns Technical challenges coupled with uncertainty in regulation and permits

The lithium-ion batteries segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period-

Based on battery type, the lithium-ion batteries segment held the major market share, accounting for around two-fifths of the global grid scale battery market revenue, and is expected to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The same segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 18.5% from 2023 to 2032. The growth is attributed to its high energy-to-weight ratio and ability to store a significant amount of energy in a small space, lithium-ion batteries are crucial for grid scale applications. They have relatively high charge and discharge efficiency, which means less energy is lost during the storage and release process thus leading to the growth of the grid scale battery market.

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The transmission network segment to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period-

Based on deployment network, the transmission network segment held the largest market share in 2022, contributing to more than two-fifths of the global grid scale battery market revenue, and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The transmission network is a fundamental component in the integration of grid scale battery systems into the electrical grid. In order to preserve grid stability, encourage the integration of renewable energy sources, and enhance energy distribution, it serves as a conduit for the efficient flow of power. However, the distribution network segment would display the fastest CAGR of 18.4% from 2023 to 2032. Grid scale batteries connected to the distribution network offer backup power during outages, ensuring continuous operation of essential services and critical facilities. They enhance the resilience of local energy systems by providing power during emergencies and grid disruptions. Such factors offer lucrative growth opportunities for the distribution network in the grid scale battery market.

The load shifting segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period-

Based on application, the load shifting segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global grid scale battery market revenue, and is expected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Load shifting refers to the practice of shifting energy consumption from periods of high demand to periods of lower demand. Grid-scale battery systems can enable load shifting by storing excess energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand times. On the other hand, the renewable load sharing segment would cite the fastest CAGR of 18.9% from 2023 to 2032. By lowering the peak energy demand, load sharing lowers both consumer and commercial energy expenses. Battery-enabled load sharing enhances grid stability and reduces strain on the grid during periods of high demand or variable generation. Furthermore, load sharing increases the potential for higher penetration of renewable energy sources into the grid, promoting cleaner energy generation. These elements are anticipated to support the expansion of the grid-scale battery business.

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North America garnered the major share in 2032-

Based on region, North America to held the major share in 2022, garnering two-fifths of the global grid scale battery market revenue, and is likely to maintain its dominance by 2032. Due to its initiatives to update its energy infrastructure and lessen its dependency on fossil fuels, the United States has been a pioneer in the use of grid-scale batteries. Several states, including California, New York, and Texas, have implemented ambitious energy storage targets and incentives to promote grid scale battery deployment. These batteries are utilized for various purposes, including peak shaving, frequency regulation, and renewable energy integration. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to portray the fastest CAGR of 18.5% from 2023 to 2032. Because the Asia-Pacific region places a high priority on energy security, sustainability, and grid modernization, the market for grid-scale batteries is growing. China is a global leader in grid-scale battery deployment, driven by its ambitious renewable energy goals and efforts to address air pollution. Whereas Japan is actively adopting grid-scale battery systems to enhance grid resilience, manage renewable energy variability, and address energy security concerns.

Leading Market Players: -

ABB Ltd.

BYD Company Limited

General Electric

LG Energy Solution

NGK INSULATORS, LTD.

Panasonic

S&C Electric Company

Samsung SDI CO., LTD.

Tesla, Inc.

Fluence Corporation

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global grid scale battery market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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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.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
SoCalGas' $100,000 Donation to Help Support Restaurants Make Upgrades or Support Employee Benefits

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino Restaurant Association today announced that 35 restaurant owners have been awarded $2,500 grants, with a focused effort in supporting 25 Latino-owned and 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (APPI)-owned restaurants. This inaugural initiative was made possible through a $100,000 grant from SoCalGas and is part of the company's ongoing support for small restaurants recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 2021, SoCalGas has supported 471 small restaurants with over $2 million in grants through the California Restaurant Foundation's Restaurants Resilience Fund.

The grant application was open to restaurant owners in Los Angeles County, with a particular emphasis on Latino and AAPI-owned businesses meeting the following criteria: having a single location, generating annual revenue under $1 million, being SoCalGas customers, and having been in business for at least three years. The goal of the grants is to highlight the solidarity of the Latino and AAPI communities, who have significantly contributed to the diverse culture of Los Angeles in the face of great challenges. The grant recipients will be able to use the funds toward the purchase of interior equipment, technology upgrades, employee benefits or other changes that will support their small business.

"The restaurants who have been awarded grants are focal points in their communities and serve as a gathering place for everyone, so it's important to support local businesses like these, especially during difficult economic times," said Andy Carrasco, Vice President of Communications, Local Government and Community Affairs at SoCalGas and member of the Latino Restaurant Association Board of Directors. "As we celebrate Latino Heritage month, we want to also express our solidarity with the AAPI community, highlight the commonalities, and celebrate the unique cultures reflected in the restaurant's cuisines."

"We are very grateful to SoCalGas for their contribution of $100,000 to the Latino Restaurant Association. This funding has allowed us to give back to our vibrant restaurant community in the form of $2,500 grants," said Lilly Rocha, Executive Director and CEO, Latino Restaurant Association. "As an association, we are committed to going above and beyond for our members and communities. It was important to the Latino Restaurant Association to also offer these grants to those in the AAPI community. Our communities thrive when we come together, and coming together often looks like sharing a meal in one of our local restaurants."

"The grants awarded to these restaurants will not only support jobs but stabilize long standing, culturally oriented, small businesses that are critical for our city to be vibrant and strong," said Senator Maria Elena Durazo. "We are proud of these efforts by the Latino Restaurant Association and commend all of our small business owners who are being recognized and awarded as part of this program."

"La Mascota has been in Boyle Heights since 1952, and in 70 years, we have overcome multiple periods of economic hardship. With this grant from the Latino Restaurant Association, we will be able to take on the rising costs that have especially impacted us over the past few years," said Patty Aparicio, owner of La Mascota. "We appreciate the additional resources that will help us continue serving tamales and sweet breads to the Boyle Heights community."

SoCalGas' ASPIRE 2045 sustainability and climate commitment to net zero emissions, also highlights goals in safety, DE&I in the workplace, and a plan to invest $50 million in underserved communities.

The Latino Restaurant Association (LRA) supports and promotes restaurateurs, small businesses and the Latino restaurant community to ensure the equitable economic growth of the sector. LRA community members come together to network with industry pros, market their brand and learn new ways of making their business more efficient. For more information on the LRA, visit https://latinorestaurantassociation.org/

Media assets

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE ), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego.

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on X (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

About the Latino Restaurant Association

The Latino Restaurant Association supports and promotes restaurateurs, small businesses, and the entire Latino restaurant community to ensure the equitable economic growth of the sector. The Latino restaurant community is strong in Los Angeles and coming together for critical issues in our business community allows everyone to thrive. LRA community members come together to network with industry pros, market their brand and learn new ways of making their business more efficient. LRA is committed to going above and beyond for our members and community.

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company
CHENNAI, India, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a remarkable achievement, 4i apps has earned prestigious recognition at the Oracle Cloud Partner Awards 2023. Our outstanding performance in the "Customer Success Partner of the Year - Cloud/Technology" category has positioned 4i as a leader in the Oracle Cloud ecosystem.

4i apps solutions, Oracle Cloud Partner receiving award for Partner of the Year

4i apps was honoured with this prestigious award ceremony held at Oracle Cloud World on 17th September 2023 in Las Vegas, USA. This award holds exceptional value as it signifies our selection from a distinguished lineup of Oracle Partners across the globe. The award was presented to 4i apps team by the Oracle in presence of numerous other esteemed organizations.

The Oracle Cloud Partner Awards provide a distinguished platform for acknowledging excellence and innovation in cloud technology spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Amidst fierce competition, 4i apps emerged as a trailblazer, showcasing its unwavering dedication to customer success and groundbreaking technological solutions.

"This recognition in the Oracle Cloud Partner Awards 2023 is a monumental achievement and a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of our team," said Mr. Kathiresh Kumar N, Chief Marketing Officer at 4i apps.

As an Oracle Cloud Partner Awards winner, 4i apps continues to lead the charge in digital transformation, aiding organizations in unlocking the full potential of Oracle Cloud solutions. This recognition reaffirms the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and ensuring customer triumph.

4i apps is a fast-growing global Oracle Cloud partner, having enabled 1000+ organizations on Oracle cloud solutions. With operations spanning over 15 years, 4i apps has established as the preferred the digital transformation partner for many public and private sector organizations. 4i has over 700 very capable and competent consultants and have successfully implemented and delivered solutions across geographies. Our offices are in India, UAE, Oman, Qatar, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Our major services are Oracle Cloud (SAAS/PAAS/IAAS), Oracle Fusion, Oracle EBS, Oracle Apex, Oracle Primavera, and Oracle Technology. We have wide range of clients covering industries like real estate/construction, manufacturing, financial, healthcare, technology, energy/utilities, education, and transportation.

Everest Group has recognized 4i apps as an Aspirant in Oracle Cloud Applications (OCA) Services, PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 & 2023  Global.

4i apps recognized as Contender in ISG Provider LensTM Oracle Ecosystem Implementation and Integration Services  U.S. 2022.

Media Contact:



Premkumar R

+971 58 957 4520

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216147/4i_apps_solutions.jpg

SOURCE 4i apps solutions
New PAWS (Pups Assisting with Support) program will increase access to specially trained therapy dogs at hospitals providing oncology services for children

ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Cancer Society (ACS) expanded its impact on pediatric patients with cancer through the launch of ACS PAWS (Pups Assisting with Support), a pilot grant program that aims to improve the quality of life for hospitalized children with cancer through support from specially trained therapy dogs. The program awarded the following six children's hospitals $8,000 to support existing therapy dog programs.

Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC) - Orange, CA Lois, a 4 year old golden retriever/yellow lab mix





Children's National Hospital - Washington, DC Company, a 3 year old golden retriever





Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital - St. Petersburg, FL

Brea, a 5 year old yellow lab





Norton Children's Hospital - Louisville, KY Luna, a 2 year old black lab





Texas Children's Hospital - Houston, TX Bailey, a 7 year old golden retriever Pinto, a 7 year old golden retriever Pluto, a 5 year old golden retriever Cohen, a 5 year old golden retriever Angus, a 4 year old golden mix





UW Health Hospitals and Clinics - American Family Children's Hospital - Madison, WI Cola, a 3 year old golden doodle mix Kiko, a 4 year old golden doodle



Funding during the 12-month grant period will supplement veterinary costs, adoption, training for the handler or staff members, food, grooming, beds, toys and improving or maintaining dog facilities. Collectively, the projects are estimated to impact more than 10,000 children and families impacted by cancer. From birth, therapy dogs who work full-time in children's hospitals receive extensive, specialized training to provide goal-orientated, therapeutic interventions and emotional support. The ACS PAWS grant program fills a critical gap for institutions as animal-assisted therapy programs are primarily supported by philanthropy efforts.

"We're excited that this new initiative allows us to focus on the unique needs of children with cancer and their families," said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer of the American Cancer Society. "By supporting children during a challenging time, therapy dogs and their handlers play a supportive role in improving the hospital environment during cancer treatment and reducing suffering. It's another way we're working to connect with families that need additional support during their cancer journey."

Widely considered a safe and desirable intervention for children with cancer, animal-assisted therapy for hospitalized children has been shown to decrease symptoms like anxiety, stress, depression, and pain, and increase quality of life indicators like feelings of joy and calmness, positive memories from hospitalization, and improved sense of well-being. To learn more about supporting children through cancer treatment, click here.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SOURCE American Cancer Society
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of Cannabis Medicine (ACCM) expressed its unwavering support for the Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendation to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance. As a next step, the ACCM announced it has begun the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rescheduling application for cannabis, a step required in order to make changes to The Controlled Substances Act. The proposed rescheduling would change the current federal stance on cannabis, which currently views it as a drug without an accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

ACCM is at the forefront of legislative work. We encourage everyone to get involved in the DEA Schedule Change Working Group Call our Legislative hotline at (202) 349-9650 ext. 850

Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, author, research scientist, and Chair of ACCM's Research Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the potential this shift holds for medical cannabis. "This pivotal decision marks a crucial step towards comprehensive federal research into cannabis's full medicinal potential; a step desperately needed by so many."

"ACCM's Advocacy Committee, and most of the medical cannabis community, have long been advocating for this change to normalize this plant medicine," says Narith Panh, CGO of Dragonfly Wellness, ACCM Leadership Council Member, and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. "What we do know is that it has already changed countless lives. As a society we need to demand complete recognized and proven studies that confirm its efficacy."

Highlighting the Council's proactive role, Mark Block, ACCM President, shared, "Since 2016, ACCM has actively campaigned for such a shift. Despite state-level benefits, federal classification has been a barrier. Recognizing our responsibility as the leading voice for medical cannabis, we initiated the DEA cannabis rescheduling application process and anticipate its finalization by October."

A DEA spokesperson acknowledged the HHS recommendation. "As part of this process, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation for consideration by DEA. The DEA has the final authority to schedule or reschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act. DEA will now initiate its review,"

"We have seen a seismic shift from the insurance industry, they are embracing and eagerly awaiting full research, while plowing ahead with industry participation right now. The HHS letter is a good first step Formal application must be completed, and industry and Congressional input/commentary must be shared with the agency," say's Adam Woldman, Chairman & President of Greene Street, and ACCM Leadership Council Member

Similarly, Gennaro Luce, CEO of EM2P2, expressed optimism, saying, "The evolving legal perspectives on medical cannabis at the federal level is heartening. As a key partner with ACCM, we are pleased with the consistent efforts that have significantly contributed to the maturing of the industry and we look forward to seeing this rescheduling take place."

The ACCM is currently taking input on its DEA application from members of Congress and invites industry stakeholders to share their insights until October 30th, 2023,via www.accmforum.org/deavoice

The American Council of Cannabis Medicine is the "Voice of American Medical Cannabis." representing America's medical-cannabis industry, which supports millions of U.S. jobs and a large grassroots movement, supporting patients, now exceeding 4M people. Members produce, process, and distribute medical cannabis through state-licensed programs. We support the healthcare industry, physicians, researchers, health/wellness providers, insurance companies, and patient advocacy groups. All participate in ACCM's 15 standing area-centric committees. ACCM started in 2016 as a Capitol Hill working group and evolved to a mission driven 501c4. Our objective is to facilitate legislation that advances medical cannabis at the federal level and improve state access.

Reach the American Council of Cannabis Medicine at 202-349-9650, or www.accmforum.org

Explore ACCM's Next Frontier Task Force at: www.nextfrontier.us

Contact:

J. Dolan

202-349-9650 ext. 800

365729@email4pr.com

SOURCE American Council of Cannabis Medicine
With over 25 years of experience in investment markets Arlia will guide member investments in alternative assets

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arta Finance , a fintech company transforming the way people grow, protect and enjoy their wealth, today announced the addition of Tomas Arlia as chief investment officer, head of alternative investments, to its executive team. A former CIO of GE Asset Management, Tomas brings more than 25 years of experience to further the company's offerings in alternative assets including private equity, private credit, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate.

Prior to joining Arta Finance, Tomas served as chief investment officer and portfolio manager at GE Asset Management. There he was responsible for overseeing a $3 billion global hedge fund and an approximate $1 billion portfolio in Private Equity fund investments. Under his leadership, GE also ventured into direct private equity investments in Latin America. Tomas drew on this expertise to create his own alternative investments firm, DoubleBlue, spanning direct investing in private equity and private credit as well as hedge fund investing across global public equities and fixed income.

"As we continue to see an uptick of interest in alternative investments on our platform, we are thrilled to have Tomas heading up our private markets and alternative investments at Arta," said Caesar Sengupta, co-founder & CEO of Arta Finance. "His deep expertise in this space, along with his leadership experience and global knowledge, make him an ideal addition to develop our private markets offerings. Arta's mission is to provide access to the kinds of investment opportunities long available only to the ultra-wealthy, and Tomas is the leader to bring this mission to life."

In his new role, Tomas will focus on the three main challenges for most retail investors: access, complexity, liquidity. Tomas will bring institutional quality investment options to Arta's members and make them accessible via structures that allow for lower ticket sizes. Additionally, his role includes overseeing go-to-market strategy and new products, as well as leading asset allocation and portfolio construction for customers.

"In an environment where the age-old bastions of financial securitycorporate pension plans and traditional family officesare either evaporating or unattainable for most, now is the right time for a digital family office," said Tomas Arlia, chief investment officer, head of alternative investments, at Arta Finance. "As the head of alternatives, I'm excited to help lead a shift in financial inclusivity. With the team's technical and UX capabilities second to none, I believe Arta has all the components to succeed in its mission."

Tomas' achievements include recognition in the 2019 "Top 10 Hedge Fund of Funds" by Barclays Hedge, "Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders" by MBA Diversity Magazine, and the "GE CEO Award for Outstanding Achievement."

Arta Finance was founded in 2021 with over $90M in financing and a founding team of former Google executives. The platform works to help people diversify and expand their spectrum of investment options by offering access to wealth-building tools and financial products that, until now, were reserved for the ultra-wealthy and institutions.

To learn more about Arta Finance, please visit www.artafinance.com .

About Arta Finance

Arta Finance is the digital family office for the world. It empowers more people to gain the financial superpowers that, until now, were the domain of ultra-high net worth individuals. Arta Finance, a US SEC-registered investment advisor, harnesses AI and machine learning to enable intelligent investing in public market equities and alternative investments  including private equity, venture capital, real-estate  and access financial expertise to help every member advance their unique goals. Founded by a team of former Google executives and researchers, Arta is backed by Sequoia Capital India, Ribbit Capital, Coatue and more than 140 luminaries in tech and finance. To learn more about Arta visit artafinance.com .

SOURCE Arta Finance
Professional Services Firm Achieves Honor Based on Anonymous Employee Feedback

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attain Partners, a leading management, technology, and strategy consulting firm, today announced that it has been named as one of Consulting Magazine's Best Firms to Work For 2023. To identify the best firms to work for in the consulting industry, Consulting Magazine conducted an anonymous survey taken by a firm's billable consultants. Based on these responses, firms are scored and measured against all qualifying firms. As a result of this anonymous feedback, Attain Partners has been named on the "Best Firms to Work For" list.

"We firmly believe that when our team members thrive, so does our entire organization and we are proud that our team is engaged and connected, feeling supported and valued," said Greg Baroni, Founder and CEO of Attain Partners. "It is their dedicated work ethic, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive our success and allow us to provide insanely great consulting services to our clients. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative environment that empowers our team's success while building a values-driven, built-to-last, and next-generation firm."

Attain Partners Named Among Consulting Magazine's Best Firms to Work For 2023 Based on Anonymous Employee Feedback Post this

Headquartered in McLean, VA, the Attain Partners team spans the country across 35 states and the District of Columbia. Having recently launched its IDEAInclusion, Diversity, Equity, and AllyshipProgram to maximize a sense of belonging by creating an environment where diverse experiences are embraced, authenticity is welcomed, and safe spaces are accessible, Attain Partners works consistently to consider and support the needs of all members equally.

About Attain Partners

Based in McLean, Va., Attain Partners is a leading management, technology, and strategy consulting firm delivering services and solutions to advance client missions across the education, nonprofit, healthcare, and state and local government landscapes. For more information, please visit attainpartners.com.

SOURCE Attain Partners
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Complete cleansing of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region from Armenian separatist elements will ensure the security of the civilian population, Yuriy Osadchenko, a veteran of the first Karabakh war and chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Congress of Azerbaijan, told Trend.

"We fully and completely support the measures taken by the Azerbaijani armed forces to disarm and ensure the withdrawal of Armenian armed formations from the territory of Karabakh and the neutralization of military infrastructure," he said.

As Osadchenko noted, absolutely all citizens of Azerbaijan, regardless of nationality, were waiting with great hope for the complete withdrawal of Armenian armed formations from Azerbaijani territories and the restoration of constitutional order as soon as possible.

"The complete cleansing of the Karabakh region from separatist elements and bandit formations will ensure the security of the civilian population regardless of their ethnic and confessional affiliation and lay the foundation for the economic prosperity of the entire South Caucasus, including the Armenian population, as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has said many times. Armenians will live side by side with us, enjoying all the rights and duties granted to all peoples of Azerbaijan," he added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction-restoration works, and Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as restore the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities of a local nature were carried out in the region on September 1920.

Within the framework of the activities, positions of Armenian armed forces formations, their long-term firing points, as well as military means and military facilities, were disrupted using high-precision weapons in the front line and in depth. Civilians and civilian infrastructure were not targets; only legitimate military targets were put out of action.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
ADELAIDE, Australia and RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avance Clinical, the award-winning Australian and North American market-leading CRO for biotechs, announces two key appointments in the US to support its continued global growth.

Kevin Leach joins as Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, based in Massachusetts, USA. Kevin has a background in the biopharma industry with experience in early and late-stage drug discovery and development.

Avance Clinical's new appointments in the US: Kevin Leach & Madison Esely-Kohlman.

Madison Esely-Kohlman has joined as a Director of Business Development based in Salt Lake City, Utah and is focused on partnering with biotech companies on their Phase I-III clinical trials.

In welcoming both Kevin and Madison, CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said they bring significant expertise that will support Avance Clinical's expanding US and Australian operations as well as our global growth plans.

"We are seeing increasing demand for our biotech-specific services such as ClinicReady and GlobalReady which are designed for pre-clinical, early phase and later phase clinical development. GlobalReady is a unique offering enabling biotechs to start rapidly and cost effectively with Avance Clinical in Australia and transition with our team in the US for later phase trials, with all the benefits of retaining the one CRO," she said.

Kevin Leach PhD, DAB: Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs

Kevin Leach has more than 20 years of experience working in drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical industry and will provide exceptional knowledge and experience to Avance Clinical's biotech clients. He has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Medical College of Virginia and completed his Post Doctoral Fellowship in Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Previously, I was on the client-side working with Avance Clinical. As we were considering the best CRO for our non-clinical and clinical programs Avance was consistently suggested to us as the premier partner in Australia. Once we started working together it was clear to me that the Avance team had a wealth of experience and expertise broadly in drug development and that we were in good hands at Avance.

"I joined Avance because I wanted to be part of an organization that was considered the gold standard in their field, and I felt comfortable that I would be working with highly intelligent, motivated, and experienced colleagues in our shared mission of bringing transformative medicines to patients.

"I am looking forward to applying my past experiences by working with the Avance team to enable sponsors developing diverse medicines of various molecular platforms, for different disease indications to deliver therapies that change and enrich the lives of the patients," Kevin said.

Madison Esely-Kohlman: Director of Business Development

Madison Esely-Kohlman has considerable experience working in specialty drug development services, including in vitro DMPK testing and regulated bioanalysis, and GLP preclinical studies. Madison's expertise includes engaging with clients early in their clinical development journey and supporting them into clinic. In her new role at Avance Clinical, she is looking forward to assisting clients navigate their clinical programs.

"Clinical trials bring not just tangible and thoroughly vetted medicines into the world; they can bring hope to families and individuals. Clinical trials run with expertise and efficiency mean faster access for those patients, and by joining Avance I am part of an organization dedicated to that outcome," she said.

Madison is motivated by assisting US biotech companies to understand and take advantage of the benefits afforded by the Australian clinical pathway.

"A game-changer that really drew me to Avance Clinical as a CRO specifically is their ability to support sponsors in the longer term. The GlobalReady offering empowers our customers to maximize benefits of the Australian clinical network and transition into a global program with teams in the US and elsewhere in the world. My goal is to connect those companies to the resources and expertise available at Avance Clinical, so they have a trusted and capable partner in their programs," Madison said.

About Avance Clinical

Avance Clinical is a full-service CRO for biotechs with a proven track-record for delivering clinical excellence in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. As the largest premium full-service CRO in Australia and North America, Avance Clinical specializes in delivering top-tier clinical trials that yield globally accepted data.

Award-winning CRO for Biotechs

Avance Clinical has been recognised for the fourth consecutive year by Frost & Sullivan in 2023, being awarded the Best Practices Customer Value Leadership for Biotech's award, for its continuous exceptional performance.

Pre-clinical through to Phase I and Beyond

Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical consultancy services with their experienced ClinicReady team right through to Phase I and beyond clinical services leveraging significant Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes that are available in Australia. With experience across more than 110 therapeutic indications, Avance Clinical can deliver world-class, high-quality, internationally accepted data suitable for FDA and EMA review.

Technology

Avance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold-standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, Zelta, Veeva and Medrio are just some of Avance Clinical's technology partners.

www.avancecro.com

Media Enquiries: [email protected]

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SOURCE Avance Clinical
Board Will Accelerate Solutions for Life Sciences Customers; Includes Experts in Biologic Manufacturing Sciences and Technology, Chemistry and Gene Therapy

RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services for customers in the life sciences and technology industries, today announced the creation of a new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which will provide strategic guidance and consult on the Company's mid- to long-term research and development efforts to deliver solutions for the life sciences industry, including biotech and pharma customers.

The SAB brings deep knowledge and experience in clinical research, academia, and industry to Avantor, and a passion for advancing science that improves health and well-being. By bringing together experts with a track record of working across innovative modalities, the SAB will enable Avantor to better serve customer needs as well as emerging opportunities and challenges facing the life sciences industry.

Ger Brophy, Ph.D. and EVP, BioPharma Production at Avantor will serve as Chair of the SAB. Initial members include: Brendan Hughes, Ph.D., Consultant and Former SVP of Global Manufacturing at Bristol Myers Squibb; Erik Sorensen, Ph.D., Arthur Allan Patchett Professor in Organic Chemistry, Princeton University; and Johannes van der Loo, Ph.D., Director, Clinical Vector Core at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"Integral to Avantor's value proposition is our deep technical expertise and agility in delivering solutions designed for our customers' needs. Our goal is to support customers at every step of the scientific journey, and our Scientific Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in steering and accelerating our innovation priorities," said Michael Stubblefield, President and CEO, Avantor. "We are pleased to have this esteemed group of scientists collaborating with our teams to set science in motion."

"We are in a golden age of science where the pace of scientific advancement, potential of new technologies, and opportunities to improve human health are vast," said Ger Brophy, EVP, Biopharma Production and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. "Dr. Hughes, Dr. Sorensen, and Dr. van der Loo are renowned scientists and I look forward to their partnership to advance our research and development agenda, and to expanding our Board in the future."

Avantor Scientific Advisory Board Member Bios

Brendan Hughes, Ph.D. has more than 30 years of leadership roles in the biotech and pharma industry, including Process Development, Quality and Manufacturing Operations. Most recently, he was SVP of Global Manufacturing at Bristol Myers Squibb. Previously, Dr. Hughes held leadership roles at GSK and Pfizer in the U.S. and Europe in Manufacturing Sciences and Technology, Process Development and Quality Assurance for a range of innovative medicines including biologics and vaccines. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Biotech Expert group in the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use process, which developed several foundational Chemistry Manufacturing & Controls regulatory guidelines for biotech medicines. Dr. Hughes received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland.

Erik Sorensen, Ph.D. is the Arthur Allen Patchett Professor in Organic Chemistry at Princeton University. The Sorensen laboratory is focused on the field of complex chemical synthesis, questions about the structural origins of architecturally unique natural products and evaluating hypotheses about the chemical basis of the biological activities of natural products and non-natural molecules. In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Sorensen has received a Beckman Young Investigator Award, a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, the AstraZeneca Award for Excellence in Chemistry, the Lilly Grantee Award, the Pfizer Global Research Award for Excellence in Organic Chemistry, and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Unrestricted Grant in Synthetic Organic Chemistry. In addition, he has served as a Woodward Scholar at Harvard University (2001) and the Givaudan/Karrer Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Zurich (2009). In 2009, he received the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society. Dr. Sorensen obtained his Ph.D. in chemical synthesis from the University of California, San Diego.

Johannes van der Loo, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Director of the Clinical Vector Core at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). His expertise includes process development and manufacturing of pre-clinical and GMP-grade adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vectors applicable to early phase clinical trials since 2002. He was involved in the development, design, commissioning, and qualification of several cGMP facilities. In 2021, the manufacturing facility at CHOP received the 2021 Facility of the Year Honorable Mention Award by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. Previously, Dr. van der Loo was a founder and served as the Director of the Vector Production Facility at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He served on the Translational Science and Product Development Committee of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (2016-2022) and Editorial Board of Molecular Therapy  Methods & Clinical Development, Translational Science (2013-2022). He continues to serve as a thought leader, scientific advisor, and consultant in several capacities. Dr. van der Loo obtained his Ph.D. in cell biology from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.



About Avantor

Avantor, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and technology industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 300,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook .

Global Media Contact

Emily Collins

Vice President, External Communications

Avantor

332-239-3910

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

Christina Jones

Vice President, Investor Relations

Avantor

805-617-5297

[email protected]

SOURCE Avantor and Financial News
Robust Pipeline of Restaurants in Development for Benihana and RA Sushi

AVENTURA, Fla., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc., the nation's leading owner and operator of Japanese teppanyaki and sushi restaurants is thrilled to announce the opening of Benihana Temecula on September 29 located at 26420 Ynez Road at the Promenade Temecula. The new Benihana will feature an expansive cocktail bar, lounge, 21 teppanyaki tables and a dedicated to-go and delivery entrance.

"Temecula is the perfect community for Benihana to call home as we honor our mission to create great guest memories," said Tom Baldwin, CEO and President of Benihana. "This is our first Benihana in Riverside County and our twelfth in Southern California, so we couldn't be more excited to welcome our Temecula friends and neighbors to celebrate with us as we open our doors to our iconic dining experience."

Guests can also enjoy their hibachi and sushi favorites at home through delivery services including UberEATS, Postmates, Grubhub, DoorDash, EZCater and online at Benihana.com.

"At Benihana, it's not just a meal. It's a one-of-a-kind personal experience that our guests love and remember. We love connecting with each of our guests to create lifelong memories with families and friends," said Lisa Merelo, General Manager of Benihana Temecula. "Our Temecula restaurant is sure to delight guests with our performing chefs and our delicious, high quality menu items."

Benihana Temecula will host a charity lunch on October 1 benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire.

We continue to grow:

Benihana Bayside Marketplace in Miami, FL is planned to open in Fall 2023 in Bayside Marketplace at 401 Biscayne Boulevard;

is planned to open in Fall 2023 in Bayside Marketplace at 401 Biscayne Boulevard; RA Sushi Plantation, FL in Plantation Walk is planned to open in early 2024 at 333 North University Drive. The RA Sushi restaurant will be over 3,800 square feet with 34 tables, a full-service sushi bar and dedicated area for take-out and delivery business;

in Plantation Walk is planned to open in early 2024 at 333 North University Drive. The RA Sushi restaurant will be over 3,800 square feet with 34 tables, a full-service sushi bar and dedicated area for take-out and delivery business; Benihana San Mateo, CA is scheduled to open in Spring 2024 at 2204 Bridgepointe Parkway with 18 teppanyaki tables and a full-service sushi bar.

These new restaurants support the previously announced strategic plan centered on four key growth initiatives:

New Benihana and RA Sushi restaurant development in the U.S.;

Select U.S. acquisitions;

Select U.S. franchise development;

International franchise development in the Caribbean , Central America and South America .

About Benihana Inc.

Benihana, through its subsidiaries, is the nation's leading operator of Japanese teppanyaki and sushi restaurants with more than 100 restaurants operating under the brands BENIHANA, RA SUSHI, and SAMURAI, including franchised BENIHANA restaurants in the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

Media Contact:

Marisa Romo, The ACE Agency

(562) 548-9808, [email protected]

SOURCE Benihana Inc.
TROY, Mich. and DETROIT, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named LeRoy H. Wulfmeier III 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. Leroy H. Wulfmeier is a partner in the Firm's Litigation Group. Mr. Wulfmeier has acted as chief trial counsel in over four hundred medical malpractice cases. He has represented physicians in all specialties, as well as nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers in a variety of malpractice and disciplinary proceedings. He has also provided counsel for prominent pharmaceutical manufacturers in product liability cases.

With more than seventy-five successful jury defense verdicts under his supervision, Mr. Wulfmeier has served as a special mediator and arbitrator in serious injury, malpractice and personal injury cases. We would like to congratulate LeRoy H. Wulfmeier III 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.

SOURCE Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
TROY, Mich. and DETROIT, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named Matthew S. Weaver 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. Weaver is the chair of the Firm's Family Law Group. He is one of the Firm's Partners and Managing Directors. Mr. Weaver has over twenty-two years of Litigation experience and concentrates his practice entirely to Family Law. He is involved in all aspects of Family Law and specializes in areas of custody disputes and matters of high assets.

Mr. Weaver is also actively involved as a family mediator and arbitrator. His experience includes handling complex litigation such as adoption, annulments, business valuations, child custody, court interventions, paternity suits, separation agreements, tax issues and more. He practices these litigations in the surrounding areas of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Livingston, Washtenaw and St. Clair counties. We would like to congratulate Matthew S. Weaver 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.

SOURCE Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Bio-based Leather Market by Source (Mushroom, Pineapple, Apple, Cactus, Tree Bark, Leftover Fruits), End-Use Industry (Footwear, Garments & Accessories), and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, South America) - Global Forecast to 2028", size was USD 107 million in 2023 to USD 216 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 15.0% from 2023 to 2028.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Bio-based Leather Market"

250  Tables

40  Figures

208  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=206086810

Bio-based leather is an appealing alternative to traditional leather due to its distinct properties, compelling societal needs, and numerous benefits. At first glance, bio-based leather is environmentally friendly and sustainable since the material is obtained from renewable sources such as mushroom, pineapple, apple, cactus, tree bark, leftover fruits, and others considerably lowering the environmental impact of leather production. Since it does not entail animal exploitation, it also answers the growing need for cruelty-free alternatives. Bio-based leather has the capacity to emulate the look and feel of traditional leather while also offering unique textures and colors. This dominance can be attributed to the escalating demand for eco-friendly and sustainable leather within the footwear, garments & accessories, automotive industries, serving a multitude of applications.

Mushroom was the largest source for bio-based leather market in 2022 in terms of value.

The bio-based leather market is experiencing significant growth driven by several key factors. Mushrooms, specifically mycelium, have attracted attention as a prospective source in the bio-based leather market for various reasons. Mycelium leather can be manufactured to have specific features such as texture, thickness, and durability, making it versatile and appropriate for a wide range of applications such as fashion, accessories, and furniture. Biotechnology and material science advancements have improved the manufacturing method and quality of mushroom-based leather, making it a more viable choice for the fashion and textile industries.

Garments & accessories segment is estimated to be the largest end-use industry in bio-based leather market between 2023 and 2028 in terms of value.

The bio-based leather market has been gradually expanding, with increased investment and research in producing better materials and manufacturing methods. Clothing and accessories, such as shoes, handbags, belts, and wallets, are high-fashion consumer items. People seek apparel and accessories that are not only functional but also fashionable and trendy. Bio-based leather is a sustainable and ethical solution that meets the growing demand for cruelty-free and eco-friendly design. The texture, appearance, and feel of bio-based leather can be created to closely resemble that of animal leather. This makes it a popular alternative for fashion designers and brands looking to build items that meet consumers' quality and aesthetic requirements.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=206086810

Europe was the largest region for the bio-based leather market in 2022, in terms of value.

The expansion of the bio-based leather market in the Europe region is primarily due to strict regulations regarding animal leather and the product sustainability. The Europe area has a sizable consumer market, making it an appealing destination for bio-based leather manufacturers and investors. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing region in this market. Many Asia Pacific countries, particularly China and India, have expressed a desire to promote green and sustainable industries. Notably, most of this growth in the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to be concentrated in key countries such as India, China, South Korea, Japan, and various Southeast Asian nations.

Market Players :

The key market players in bio-based leather market are Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. (US), Ananas Anam Ltd. (UK), MycoWorks Inc. (US), Bolt Threads Inc. (US), Modern Meadows (US), Adriano di Marti (Mexico), Ultrafabrics Holdings Co., Ltd. (US), Beyond Leather Materials (Denmark), Fruitleather Rotterdam (Netherlands), and VEGEA (Italy).

Browse Adjacent Market: Advanced Materials Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Synthetic Leather Market - Global Forecast to 2025

Leather Chemicals Market - Trends & Forecasts to 2019

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.

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
BMO Capital Markets opens the market from BMO's Toronto trading floor to celebrate 19 th anniversary of Equity Through Education

Annual program donates a day's worth of institutional equity trading commissions generated by BMO Capital Markets in Toronto , New York , and London

Almost C$32 million raised in support of more than 5,000 students since 2005

TORONTO, NEW YORK, and LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Capital Markets today announced that its 2023 Equity Through Education (ETE) trading day, held on September 20, 2023, raised C$1.65 million toward educational assistance for students around the world, for a total of nearly $32 million since the program began nineteen years ago.

Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO, Dan Barclay, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Capital Markets, Levent Kahraman, Co-Head of BMO Global Markets and Camilla Sutton, Managing Director & Head of Equity Research Canada & UK, BMO Capital Markets, joined Rizwan Awan, Head of TMX Markets, Products and Services and President, Equity Trading, TMX Group, to open the market and celebrate the 19th annual BMO Equity Through Education trading day from the BMO trading floor in Toronto.

"There couldn't have been more excitement on the trading floor for this incredible program and I want to thank the employees and clients who make this happen year after year with so much spirit and energy," said Mr. Barclay. "BMO Boldly Grows the Good in business and life by annually donating 100 per cent of one day's institutional equity trading commissions in North America and Europe to charities that promote progress, diversity and inclusion by providing scholarships, bursaries, mentoring programs, and development opportunities to promising students."

"Since 2005, BMO Capital Markets has assisted more than 800 Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) Scholars with the Equity Through Education program," said Della Britton, JRF's President & CEO. "This generous support includes direct sponsorship of 26 JRF/BMO Capital Markets Scholars and our annual Scholars' Mentoring and Leadership Conference, held each spring in New York City. We could not be more grateful for BMO's generosity and embrace of JRF's approach. By providing four years of financial aid, job placements, and practical life skills training, JRF works to develop leaders who, in turn, add value to the workplace and their communities." Learn more about the BMO partnership with Jackie Robinson Foundation here.

The proceeds from this year's Equity Through Education trading day will go to the following charities:

Since its inception in 2005, the program has raised nearly $32 million and helped more than 5,000 students achieve their academic potential. For more information, visit Our Culture .

BMO Gives. Good grows here.

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO's Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In 2022, our social impact included more than $69 million donated to hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations across North America to help drive progress by enabling individuals to thrive and communities to prosper. Our colleagues spent almost 50,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $26 million of donations through our annual employee giving program. For more information, please visit BMO.com.

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.25 trillion as of July 31, 2023. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to over 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the tech company revolutionizing the accounting industry, Botkeeper, has announced a thrilling addition to the already impressive lineup at their first-ever conference, AI Unchained. Ben Royce, a renowned AI expert with Google Cloud, will be delivering the keynote address raising the bar and setting the stage for what promises to be a transformative event.

Ben Royce, a renowned AI expert with Google Cloud, will deliver the keynote address at AI Unchained on Sept. 22, 2023. Post this Botkeeper: Automated bookkeeping with a human touch! (PRNewsfoto/Botkeeper)

Scheduled for Sept 21-23, the conference has also generated whispers of a mysterious and significant announcement from Botkeeper, raising anticipation to fever pitch levels. AI Unchained is set to be a groundbreaking event.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Ben Royce to our stage," says Botkeeper's CMO Jessica Veiga. "His insights into artificial intelligence have shaped the industry, and his perspective will be an invaluable addition to the conference. Attendees are in for an unforgettable experience!"

Along with Royce, the conference will feature a host of other thought leaders in the accounting and tech sectors, diving deep into advancements in automation and artificial intelligence. The lineup includes ( SPEAKERS ). The buzz around Botkeeper's keynote is particularly strong, as the company has hinted at significant revelations to be made during the conference.

While the in-person experience at AI Unchained promises unparalleled networking opportunities and immersive sessions, Botkeeper is excited to announce the addition of a virtual attendance option.

After seeing an overwhelming response with on-site tickets nearly sold out and a complete booking of their room block at The Westin, Boston Seaport District, Botkeeper is broadening their audience reach. For those unable to travel to Boston, this virtual option ensures they won't miss out on the transformative content the conference has to offer.

"Our mission is to provide content that not only educates but also drives innovation and challenges conventional mindsets. Ben Royce's presence adds a whole new dimension to the conference" says Botkeeper Founder and CEO Enrico Palmerino. "While nothing can truly replicate the energy and connection of being at AI Unchained in person, we're excited to provide a virtual option. This ensures that even those who can't join us on-site will still get a glimpse of the groundbreaking insights we have to offer."

With limited time remaining, the call to register is more pressing than ever. The AI Unchained conference is poised to be an unforgettable experience.

For the Full On-site Experience:

Register for the Unparalleled On-site Experience! Dive into the immersive world of AI Unchained. From invaluable networking opportunities to hands-on sessions, the on-site experience is truly one-of-a-kind. Reserve your spot now: AI Unchained On-site Registration

For Virtual Attendees:

Embrace the Virtual Experience of AI Unchained! Can't join in person? No worries. You can still be part of the revolution. Opt for the comprehensive virtual content bundle: AI Unchained Virtual Bundle , or tailor your experience by selecting individual sessions to attend: Individual AI Unchained Sessions .

About AI Unchained Conference

Located at The Westin in Boston's Seaport District, AI Unchained isn't just another conferenceit's an experience. Catering specifically to accounting professionals, this unparalleled event boasts a lineup of some of the industry's most dynamic influencers and thought leaders, including Dixie McCurley, Deborah Defer, W. Michael Hsu, Gale Crosley, Geni Whitehouse , and many more. This event has also garnered the support of eminent sponsors such as Expensify, Avalara, Jirav, ADP, Right Networks, Xero, Intuit, and more.

Each session, meticulously crafted, promises insights that are both relevant and revolutionary. From workshops on cutting-edge accounting technologies to discussions that challenge the conventions of the profession, attendees are guaranteed an engaging and educational experience. What's more  they can earn up to 13 CPE credits, ensuring professional growth aligns with personal enrichment. But AI Unchained is not just about lessons and lectures. Attendees will have the chance to network with hundreds of professionals  all set against the backdrop of the world-class city of Boston.

In a rapidly evolving industry, AI Unchained is the beacon for those looking to stay ahead, offering unparalleled opportunities to learn, connect, and shape the future. Dive into this elbow-rubbing, technology-exploring, future-shaping gathering and ensure you're at the forefront of the accounting revolution.

For ticketing, accommodations, and more, visit the AI Unchained website.

About Botkeeper

Botkeeper is an automated bookkeeping solution, purpose-built for accounting professionals. Using a unique combination of people, processes, and artificial intelligence, Botkeeper delivers massive efficiency gains and time savings. Positioned at the forefront of accounting innovation, it's designed to create capacity and empower firms to grow their client base, expand their service offerings, and optimize operational overhead.

Distinctively crafted with the nuances of the accounting world in mind, Botkeeper is the only CAS solution tailor-made for firms. This commitment to specialization reflects not just in its technology but in its ability to understand the intricacies of the profession. With Botkeeper, accounting practices are equipped with a dedicated ally, geared to elevate their practice and redefine the future of bookkeeping.

Contact:

Della Copp

Director of Brand & Buzz, Botkeeper

[email protected]

C: 608-628-9991

SOURCE Botkeeper
MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, October 26, 2023, at approximately 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time, Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) will release its third quarter 2023 earnings results. Additionally, the company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to review financial and operating performance for the quarter ending September 30, 2023.

The call will be webcast live and the earnings release will be available on the company's homepage at www.capitalone.com . A replay of the webcast will be available 24 hours a day, beginning two hours after the conference call, until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 9, 2023, through the company's homepage.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation ( www.capitalone.com ) is a financial holding company which, along with its subsidiaries, had $343.7 billion in deposits and $467.8 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2023. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Visit the Capital One newsroom for more Capital One news.

SOURCE Capital One Financial Corporation
The fourth edition of Cava Discovery Week New York boasts the largest number of restaurant and retail partners yet, expanding its footprint with special Cava events, limited time offerings, and promotions for sparkling wine enthusiasts.

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cava Discovery Week, presented by Cava's regulatory board D.O. Cava, will make its triumphant return to New York City end of September with a sparkling celebration of unparalleled elegance and quality. This year's event takes place September 29-October 10, and promises a week filled with indulgent experiences, exclusive promotions, and innovative events dedicated to Cava, Spain's signature sparkling wine.

This year's event takes place September 29-October 10, and promises a week dedicated to Cava, Spain's sparkling wine. Post this Cava Discovery Week New York (PRNewsfoto/D.O. Cava)

For nine consecutive days, over 25 renowned restaurants, wine bars, and retailers spanning across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond will participate in this exquisite showcase of Cava, with limited-time promotions, tasting flights, handcrafted Cava cocktails, delectable food and Cava pairings, and engaging in-person events.

Sparkling wine enthusiasts are invited to discover and delight in Cavas de Guarda Superior by the glass and by the bottle at their favorite restaurants, featuring some of the D.O.'s most esteemed producers: Alta Alella, Avinyo, Bodegues Sumarroca, Caves Vilarnau, Codorniu, Giro Ribot, Juve & Camps, Mata I Coloma SL, Pares Balta, Roger Goulart, Segura Viudas, and Vins El Cep. While no special reservations are required to enjoy the various Cava Discovery Week offerings, patrons are encouraged to check availability and hours of operation in advance at participating dining establishments.

This year's roster of Cava Discovery Week partners encompasses some of the city's most celebrated names in the culinary and wine scene, including establishments such as 390 Social, Clay, Colonia Verde, Comodo, Contento, Copake Wine Works, Corkbuzz (Chelsea), Despana Fine Foods & Tapas Cafe, Despana Vinos y Mas, Don Ceviche, Garys Wine, La Cava, Txikito, La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Mason Jar, Mercado Little Spain, Socarrat Paella Bar, The Lodge at Woodloch, The Grape Collective, SOMM Time, Tomino Taberna Gallega, Salinas, and Zwann Gray's Wine Club. For a full list of partner offerings, available for a limited time, visit: cava.wine/en/cava-discovery-week-new-york/partners.

"New York's extraordinary restaurant scene allows us to discover the exciting versatility of Cava alongside a variety of global cuisines," says Patricia Correia, director of communications for D.O. Cava. "This Cava Discovery Week, we are excited for New Yorkers to discover the many Cava and food pairing experiences on offer across the city and beyond."

In addition to the in-house promotions curated by each participating partner, there will be a dynamic lineup of activities tailored for both trade and consumer audiences led by U.S.-based Cava ambassadors and educators. Highlights include:

Cava: People, Place, and ProcessTuesday, October 3, 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p. m. This trade and media masterclass at Corkbuzz Union Square will feature an educational masterclass led by a dynamic panel of industry experts including Mary Gorman-McAdams MW, Mike DeSimone , Spanish wine reviewer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and Madeline Maldonado , beverage director at Mercado Little Spain. A walk-around reception will follow with an opportunity to taste a broader range of Cavas paired with various dishes and bites provided by Corkbuzz. To request an invitation, please send email to [email protected] .

This trade and media masterclass at Corkbuzz Union Square will feature an educational masterclass led by a dynamic panel of industry experts including Mary Gorman-McAdams MW, , Spanish wine reviewer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and , beverage director at Mercado Little Spain. A walk-around reception will follow with an opportunity to taste a broader range of Cavas paired with various dishes and bites provided by Corkbuzz. Ceviche Cooking Class with CavaWednesday, October 4, 6:00 p.m.8:00 p.m. Don Ceviche, located in the city's vibrant Essex Market, will host a culinary encounter led by Chef Lenin Costas and sommelier Sara Jimenez , Somm in the City, to explore Cava's versatility and range of styles, and how well they pair with the authentic flavors of Peruvian cuisine.

Don Ceviche, located in the city's vibrant Essex Market, will host a culinary encounter led by Chef Lenin Costas and sommelier , Somm in the City, to explore Cava's versatility and range of styles, and how well they pair with the authentic flavors of Peruvian cuisine. Cava Takeover at The Lodge at WoodlochThursday, October 5-Sunday, October 8. The 4-star resort and spa will host a curated series of Cava-inspired educational events led by Somm in the City Sara Jimenez. Events will be offered exclusively to Woodloch guests and will include Sips and Fizz by the Firepit and Farm to Table Dinner with Cava. The restaurant menu will feature a Spanish Spritz all week long.

The success of Cava

In testament to its escalating appeal and growing popularity, Cava achieved a remarkable feat in 2022. A staggering 249 million bottles were sold globally, marking an impressive surge of 4.58% from the previous year. Notably, the domestic market witnessed an even more notable spike, with an impressive 13.5% increase, resulting in the sale of 77 million bottles.

For more information about partner establishments, wineries, and events, please visit cava.wine/en/cava-discovery-week-new-york. Follow what's happening and join the conversation on social media using hashtag #cavaweek.

For additional information, please contact Katie Canfield of O'Donnell Lane at 530-720-1138 or by email at [email protected].

About D.O. Cava

With a presence in over 100 countries, D.O. Cava boasts more than 70% of international sales among Spanish D.O.s. Comprising 370 associated wineries, D.O. Cava presents a collection of sparkling wines that perfectly complement diverse culinary experiences. Crafted using the traditional method, these wines are characterized by their commitment to origin, land, and sustainability.

Web: Cava.wine

Facebook: facebook.com/do.cava

Instagram: instagram.com/Cava.do

Twitter: twitter.com/DO_Cava

YouTube: youtube.com/c/doCava

Media contact:

Katie Canfield, O'Donnell Lane

[email protected]

+1-530-720-1138

SOURCE D.O. Cava
YEVLAKH, Azerbaijan, September 21. A meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan has kicked off in the city of Yevlakh at the invitation of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Trend reports from the scene.

The central authorities of Azerbaijan are represented at the meeting by Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Bashir Hajiyev, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation that are part of the Karabakh Economic Region (excluding the Shusha district), and Ilkin Sultanov, an employee of the special representative office.

The Armenian residents of Karabakh are represented at the talks by David Melkumyan and Sergey Martirosyan. A representative of the Russian peacekeeping contingent attended the meeting as a participant.

Representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh accompanied by the Russian peacekeeping contingent have arrived in Yevlakh earlier this morning.

As proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, will be held on 21 September 2023 in Yevlakh.

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.
Three new facilities in and around Naperville and a new location in Ft. Walton Beach will bring Central Bark's unique approach to whole dog care and enrichment to new communities.

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Bark, the premier whole dog care franchise and industry pioneer, is continuing its aggressive national expansion efforts with the signing of new franchise agreements in Naperville, Ill in the Chicago area and Ft. Walton Beach, in the Florida panhandle. With three new units set for Naperville and single location in Ft. Walton Beach, these two deals mark the brand's first entry into these two communities.

Leading Central Bark's expansion in and around Naperville is longtime resident Mike Carter, who executed a multi-unit development agreement for three locations. After a 20-year career in the IT consulting space leading software implementations for fortune 500 companies, Carter was simply ready for a change. A lifelong dog lover, he knew there had to be something out there that could combine his passion for dogs and the ability to scale a business.

Central Bark, the premier whole dog care franchise, continues its aggressive national expansion in Illinois and Florida. Post this

"As I was contemplating my exit from the corporate world after more than two decades of working for some of the world's largest consulting firms, I knew I wanted to be in business for myself," said Carter. "I looked at all kinds of dog-related businesses because that's a passion of mine, but there was something special about Central Bark. The brand has built an incredible culture and that sense of community is palpable. Plus, Central Bark puts dog safety and whole dog care above everything else. That kind of commitment to the dogs and to their pet parents was something I wanted to be a part of and help grow."

In Ft. Walton Beach, Jossalyn Wallace and Daniel Mobili signed a franchise agreement to bring the first Central Bark ever to the Florida panhandle. Once open, Jossalyn will run day-to-day operations while Daniel finishes his active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force. Joining them on their entrepreneurial journey into small business ownership will be their three dogs: Peanut, Minnie, and Macey.

"For the first time, we realized there was a business out there where we could combine our passion for dogs and our dreams of small business ownership," said Wallace. "That was something we just could not turn down. Central Bark's commitment to whole dog care and its open and inclusive culture that does not discriminate based on breed was important to us. It was an easy decision."

For nearly 20 years, Central Bark has drawn in dogs and their owners across the country to experience its Whole Dog Care, which combines Central Bark's industry-leading dog day care expertise with the latest in canine behavioral science. Enrichment Care provides a healthy and balanced blend of exercise, social group play, learning, rest, and "TLC" to help dogs be healthy, happy, calm, and well-rounded members of the family. Furthermore, Central Bark also offers dog boarding, baths, grooming, a retail market, training and more.

"We are so excited to welcome Mike, and Jossalyn and Daniel, to our rapidly growing Central Bark family," Tim Weiderhoft, Ed.D., CFE, vice president of franchise development for Central Bark. "One new Central Bark at a time, we are changing the dog care landscape from Chicago to Florida. We are different, special, and better for a reason and that is resonating with new franchisees and our customers alike. And we could not be happier that Mike, Jossalyn, and Daniel have decided to join Central Bark and bring our unique approach to Naperville and Ft. Walton Beach. Given their incredible backgrounds and work ethic, we know they will be extremely successful."

Central Bark typically features approximately 6,000  7,000 square feet of indoor space plus over 2,000 square-feet of outdoor play area. Activities include small flexible playgroups, group skills work, rest periods, and personalized one-on-one enrichment sessions. Enrichment add-ons give pups the extra attention they love and the freedom to use their senses, safely exploring with their instincts as they engage with interactive toys, puzzles, and games. For more information on Central Bark franchising opportunities, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising.

About Central Bark:

The Central Bark franchise system was founded in 2003 and now operates under the name Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. For nearly 20 years, the brand has grown to nearly 40 locations across more than a dozen states. The company has hosted over two million dog visits. Central Bark participates in VetFran, the International Franchise Association's (IFA) veteran program, and offers a franchise fee discount to qualifying veterans. Central Bark is also an IFA MinorityFran participant. For more information about franchising with Central Bark, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising or call 866-799-2275.

SOURCE Central Bark
United Table offers unique global cuisines and helps students celebrate different cultures

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized leader in contract foodservice management Chartwells Higher Education has announced United Table, a new dining experience focused on global flavors. Students at Northeastern University and the University of Illinois Chicago are the first to experience United Table's bold, modern dining experience that celebrates the stories of cultures, cuisines, and people around the world through authentic dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Research from the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows international student enrollment in higher education is on the rise. According to IIE's Fall 2022 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment, the number of new international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 7% last year, building on the 80% rebound in new enrollments during the previous academic year. With United Table, Chartwells is creating a tailored dining location that not only meets the needs and wants of international students but opens the door for all students to experience new cultures through food.

"There's something special about sharing a meal with friends, family, and even people you've never met before, which is why we're always looking to create food-forward initiatives that bring students together," said Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. "We hope United Tables gives international students a taste of home while also encouraging others to engage with new cultures, people, and foods and ultimately create more meaningful interactions with one another."

Chartwells' culinarians conducted extensive market research and taste tests to create the United Table's special menu, which features a variety of concepts and recipes such as:

Asian kitchens featuring Korean fried chicken, pulled pork banh mi, and chicken biryani

Mediterranean kitchens featuring Turkish ezme salad, beef shawarma, and shatta chicken

Latin kitchens featuring birria tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, and arepas

Global breakfast options featuring English breakfast, calentado, and Japanese fluffy pancakes

"As an international student, when you're away from home, food is something that you really miss because its flavors take you back to happy memories of where you grew up," says a third-year Northeastern student from Greece. "It's been a challenge to find traditional foods in the States so it's a very comforting feeling to be able to come to the dining hall and have something that takes you back to home and makes you feel comfortable."

For more information on United Table please visit chartwellshighered.com.

Media Contact

Meredith Rosenberg

914-935-5326

[email protected]

Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service at over 300 college and universities in the United States. Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company's excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus.

Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com , www.DineonCampus.com .

SOURCE Chartwells Higher Education
SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Day 1 of HUAWEI CONNECT 2023, Huawei's annual flagship event for the global ICT industry, Huawei, joined by industry organizations, experts, customers, and partners, announced the Huawei Pangu Government Model Joint Innovation Program at the "2023 Digital Economy Summit & Smart City Forum." With the goal of improving public services and accelerating the digital transformation of cities, participants of this program have agreed to collaborate in exploring ways to use foundation models (large pre-trained AI models) to empower a wide range of smart city applications, such as intelligent government services, government office digitalization, and intelligent city governance, and to drive the digital government, digital economy, and digital society projects of governments at all levels in China. Hundreds of chief executives from cities all over China attended this summit.

The launch of Huawei Pangu Government Model Joint Innovation Program

In his keynote speech titled "Accelerate Intelligence," David Wang, Huawei's Executive Director of the Board, Chairman of the ICT Infrastructure Managing Board, and President of the Enterprise BG, announced the Pangu Government Model along with several other industry intelligence solutions. The goal of this model includes building a city AI compute infrastructure to empower intelligent city upgrades, accelerate the growth of the digital economy, and improve the efficiency of government services, among others.

Today, foundation models are becoming a dominant trend in AI, accelerating AI adoption across industries. According to a report from the McKinsey Global Institute, AI, as a new general-purpose technology (GPT), is projected to boost global GDP by about 1.2% a year, far exceeding the contribution of other GPTs to the global economy during their respective times. This is precisely why AI has now become a focal point in the technology competition among nations worldwide, with many including AI as a part of their national strategy.

Connecting the government, businesses, and residents, government services serve as a crucial testing ground for applications and innovations made possible by foundation models. The Huawei Pangu Government Model Joint Innovation Program is led by Huawei's Government Public Services Digitalization BU and is joined by many of Huawei's customers and partners. The program will prioritize the application of foundation models to improve public services, advance intelligent city governance and government office digitalization, and contribute to the realization of a Digital China.

Contact: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217281/image_986294_28288377.jpg

SOURCE Huawei
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lawyers for a long-time Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant and for D.C. Black residents subjected to alleged unconstitutional arrests called on the D.C. Council to scuttle legislation proposed by Brooke Pinto, Chair of the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary, which would subject D.C. residents, especially Black residents, to unconstitutional searches and prosecutions.

In a misguided attempt to combat increased crime rates, Chair Pinto proposed subjecting D.C. residents to unconstitutional searches and seizures, including tactics called "jump outs." Although the MPD supposedly outlawed jump outs in 2015  presumably in recognition of the illegality of stopping and searching groups of predominantly young Black men in poor communities  this legislation attempts to codify it as a law enforcement tool.

D.C. Council's approval of jump outs would increase distrust between the Black community and the police. Post this

The legislation Chair Pinto proposed would legalize jump outs for individuals the police divine are on probation or parole for gun offenses. Since there is no way to determine who to stop and search, implicit stereotypes linking minorities with violent crime (implicit bias) will influence the police to stop people of color in poor neighborhoods. This tactic is not only unconstitutional, but also ineffective nationwide, leading to disproportionate deaths of young African-Americans.

Dr. Jack Glaser, an expert in bias in policing at U.C. Berkeley, has found these MPD practices to be discriminatory and leading to disproportionate stops of Black residents.

The D.C. Council's approval of jump outs would increase distrust between the Black community and the police, and less effective policing. This legislation would have a ripple-effect on communities of color, to force individuals subject to unconstitutional searches to make decisions about their cases before this legislation is challenged in court.

The legislation is so flawed that the Chief Judges of the D.C. Superior Court and D.C. Court of Appeals have written a letter to the D.C. Council arguing that the proposed legislation is facially unconstitutional.

As civil rights lawyers, we call on the D.C. Council to scrap this legislation and consider more effective ways of joining law enforcement and communities to fight crime, rather than alienating the Black community.

CONTACTS:

Lynne Bernabei, Bernabei & Kabat (Washington, D.C.), 202-745-1942 (ext. 232)

Joe Caleb, Caleb Andonian (Washington, D.C.), 202-953-9849

Dr. Jack Glaser (University of California, Berkeley), 415-516-6891 or 510-642-3047

SOURCE Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic French prestige beauty brand, Clarins, wins two highly-coveted Allure Magazine 2023 Best of Beauty Awards. Out of thousands of products tested the Allure Beauty team recognized TikTok's viral sensation, Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, and Double Serum Light Texture  Clarins new twist on its best-selling serum.

Clarins Double Serum Light Texture and Lip Comfort Oil Double Serum Light Texture on the skin

The undisputable expert in face and body oils, Clarins was one of the first beauty house to introduce the concept of an "oil for the lips" in 2014. Today, with more than 135M views on Tik Tok, #ClarinsLipOil has become one of the top lip oils in the market.

Clarins Double Serum Light Texture boasts its very own 4.7 stars as rated by consumers. Formulated to suit combination and oily skin types, this new version of Clarins' iconic Double Serum is powered by the same innovation, the same 21 plant extracts to deliver the same benefits: visibly firmer, smoother, more radiant skin in just 7 days. This lightweight texture is also ideal for humid climates.

Allure's Best of Beauty Award is considered one of the most prestigious and influential distinctions in the beauty industry, that signifies beauty excellence, efficacy, and integrity. Over the last 27 years, the Allure team has spent months testing beauty innovations to identify the absolute best and most outstanding products on the market.

ABOUT CLARINS

Founded in a professional Parisian beauty institute by Jacques Courtin-Clarins in 1954, Clarins has family-owned and is distributed in more than 140 countriesoffering skincare innovations for face and body, men's, and makeup. With unique expertise in Phyto-chemistry, Clarins Laboratories are considered pioneers in the fields of plant science and technology. The brand values are rooted in an ongoing dialogue with women, an abiding respect for nature and people, and commitments to sustainable sourcing, including Le Domaine Clarinsour organic farm and open-air laboratory in the French Alps. Clarins is accelerating its sustainable actions to become a Certified B Corporation by 2024. Currently carbon neutral, the company will further reduce its carbon footprint by 30% and become 100% plastic neutral using 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. Partners include: Pur Projetmore than 756,000 trees planted to date; Plastic Odysseya three-year expedition across three continents with 30 stopovers to fight against plastic pollution; and FEEDmore than 41 million school meals provided to children in need by the end of 2023.

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Clarins USA
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica" or the "Company") (NYSE: CMA) and reminds investors of the October 20, 2023 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 investing in Comerica stock or options between February 9, 2021 and May 29, 2023 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/CMA.

There is no cost or obligation to you.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading minority and Woman-owned national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia.

As detailed below, the lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose 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 instanced 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.

On May 30, 2023, American Banker issued an article titled "Comerica in 'serious violation' of Treasury's Direct Express program". The article states "Comerica Bank officials privately acknowledged significant compliance failures in their operation of a Treasury Department program that provides federal benefits on prepaid cards to millions of unbanked Americans."

The article further states that Comerica executive said the bank faced "serious contract violation" for allowing fraud disputes and data on Direct Express cardholders to be handled out of a vendor's office in Lahore, Pakistan, the documents show.

Personally identifiable information on veterans, Social Security and disability recipients were routinely shared and handled by i2c Inc., a vendor based in Redwood City, Calif., with an office in Lahore, Pakistan  in violation of the government contract, the Comerica executive said. The Treasury's agreement with the bank states that all services provided "shall be performed in the United States or its territories."

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. 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. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Comerica's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The corneal pachymetry market is expected to grow by USD 518.89 million from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 3.59% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. The market is segmented by end-user (specialty clinics, hospitals, and others), product (non-handheld and handheld), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). North America is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The US has been the largest contributor to the North American market due to factors such as increasing healthcare expenditure on eye diseases, e.g., glaucoma and Refractive Injury; and technological developments in diagnostic techniques that do not involve any invasive procedures. Furthermore, increasing intraocular pressure and refractive errors are driving the US market in terms of revenue, due to the growing elderly population, the presence of a well-equipped and stable healthcare system, the availability of qualified healthcare professionals, and the increased morbidity. Canada is the second largest contributor to the North US Corneal measurement market, due to the increased incidence of intraocular pressure and refractive error, as well as the increasing demand for non-invasive eye diagnostic devices. 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 Corneal Pachymetry Market 2023-2027

Company Profile:

AMETEK Inc., Canon Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, CSO S.r.l, DGH Technology Inc., Escalon Medical Corp., EssilorLuxottica, Halma Plc, Konan Medical Inc., MEDA Co. Ltd., MicroMedical Devices Inc., NIDEK Co. Ltd., OCULUS Optikgerate GmbH, Optikon 2000 SpA, SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Sonogage Inc., Tomey Corp., and Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG

Canon Inc.: The company offers corneal pachymetry such as tx 20p.

To gain access to more company profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Corneal Pachymetry Market: Segmentation Analysis

The market share growth by specialty clinics will be significant during the forecast period. Specialized clinics are indispensable as the end consumer in a market because of their specialized service provision and diagnosis of corneal disorders. Developments in technologies and the availability of portable, easy-to-use Corneal Thickness Monitoring Equipment have also led to an increase in the use of corneal pachymetry at specialist clinics.

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

Corneal Pachymetry Market: Market Dynamics

Key Driver

Increasing prevalence of refractive errors and glaucoma

Initiatives to increase awareness about eye diseases

Rising demand for non-invasive corneal tests

The increasing prevalence of refractive errors and glaucoma is a key factor driving market growth. The early detection of refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism, as well as diseases such as glaucoma, is increasing significantly worldwide. In addition, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of vision loss. Uncorrected refractive error is also an important cause of visual impairment. Faced with the increasing prevalence of visual impairment, many awareness-raising initiatives have been launched. For example, Vision 2020, the Right to See, is an initiative of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Such initiatives raise people's awareness of various visual impairments, such as nearsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and keratoconus, and help them take the necessary measures. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Focus by companies on strengthening their presence in emerging markets is the 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 North America market?

How do the key drivers and challenges impact the market?

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ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by End-User

Market Segmentation by Product

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

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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. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunderfoot, an award-winning global marketing and creative agency with dual headquarters in New York City and Bilbao, Spain, today announced its rebranding as Terra .

Global digital marketing agency Thunderfoot has rebranded to Terra. The new brand will serve as a platform for the agencys next decade of growth.

Founded in 2013 as Longneck & Thunderfoot before transitioning to Thunderfoot in 2020, the company now boasts a team of over 50 marketers, creators, and developers located on four continents. A three-time honoree by Inc. as one of America's fastest-growing companies, the agency's work has been recognized by the Content Marketing Awards, Awwwards, the MarCom Awards, Orpetron, and the AVA Digital Awards. Additionally, their client roster includes well-known industry leaders such as Airbnb, AXA, Healthline, Publicis Groupe, and the United Nations.

The agency's Managing Partners, Cooper Pickett and Remy Bernstein, emphasized that the rebrand wasn't about presenting a "bigger and better" company. Instead, the goal was to craft an identity that encapsulates the impressive talent and capabilities of their team. "As a marketing agency, our own brand sets the standard for what we can offer clients," Pickett stated.

"We want every client to say, 'I want a brand as smart and engaging as yours,'" Bernstein added. "And we believe that we have built something to that standard."

The symbolism behind Terra extends beyond just a global client portfolio to the team itself, which communicates in six native languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Basque. "I am incredibly proud of our team's diversity and expertise and have always wanted to integrate a multilingual component into our brand," Pickett continued. "Our new identity sends a strong message of inclusivity, creativity, and what is possible when talented people from different backgrounds come together as a team."

The new brand will serve as a platform for the agency's next decade of growth  and expectations and spirits alike are high. "The future for Terra is ambitious, and our maximalist brand reflects that," Bernstein said. "We envision ourselves at the vanguard of creative marketing, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and turning novel ideas into digital realities. Our ethos is constant growth, which ensures our strategies are both cutting-edge and rooted in genuine human connection."

Terra's coming-out party starts in earnest next week, where the company is a headline sponsor of the Design Matters Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

To learn more about Terra, visit terrahq.com or contact the Client Operations Lead, Daniel Bakare, at [email protected].

SOURCE Terra
SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cydsa, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Cydsa") (BMV: CYDSASA) announced today that it has extended the early tender time for its previously announced tender offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") up to an aggregate principal amount of its 6.250% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Notes") that will not result in the Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below) for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer to exceed U.S.$100 million (the "Maximum Amount"). The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the terms of an Offer to Purchase dated September 7, 2023 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), and is subject to certain conditions.

As of the original early tender time of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 20, 2023 (the "Original Early Tender Time"), U.S.$76,605,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. The Original Early Tender Time has been extended to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 5, 2023 (as so extended, the "Revised Early Tender Time"). All other terms, provisions and conditions of the Tender Offer will remain in full force and effect, it being understood that references to the "Early Tender Time" in the Offer to Purchase shall mean the Revised Early Tender Time.

Holders of Notes may tender Notes at or prior to the Revised Early Tender Time in order to receive the Total Consideration. The "Total Consideration" for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Revised Early Tender Time and accepted for purchase will equal U.S.$955.00 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes. The Total Consideration consists of the early tender payment equal to U.S.$50.00 per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of such Notes and the "Tender Consideration" of U.S.$905.00 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes. Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Tender Offer will also receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date. The aggregate amount of Tender Offer Consideration and Total Consideration that holders of Notes are entitled to receive, excluding Accrued Interest, for Notes that are validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase by Cydsa is referred to as the "Aggregate Purchase Price."

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer set forth therein, Cydsa intends to accept for purchase all U.S.$76,605,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Original Early Tender Time and has exercised its right to have an early settlement date with respect to such Notes, which is expected to occur on September 22, 2023 (the "Early Settlement Date"). Following the Early Settlement Date, the outstanding amount of the Notes will be $255,070,000.

The Tender Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 5, 2023 (the "Expiration Time"). In addition, the withdrawal deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 20, 2023 for the Tender Offer has now passed; accordingly, Notes validly tendered in the Tender Offer may not be withdrawn.

Cydsa's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, any Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction or, when applicable, waiver of certain customary conditions, which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase.

Santander US Capital Markets LLC is acting as the sole dealer manager for the Tender Offer and can be contacted with questions regarding the Tender Offer at the following telephone numbers: +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect) or +1 (855) 404-3636 (toll free) or at the following email: [email protected].

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent and the tender agent for the Tender Offer. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King at +1 (800) 628-8510 (toll free), +1 (212) 232-3233 (collect) or [email protected].

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

The Tender Offer is being made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Under no circumstances shall this press release constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of Cydsa or any of its affiliates. The Tender Offer is not being made to, nor will Cydsa accept tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer would not be in compliance with the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No recommendation is made as to whether holders should tender their Notes with respect to the Notes. Holders should carefully read the Offer to Purchase because it contains important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

About Cydsa

Cydsa is a Mexico-based holding company, headquartered in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, operating through subsidiaries located in eight cities throughout Mexico, engaged in the industrial sector. Since the incorporation of the company in 1945, Cydsa has grown into a diversified company and Cydsa's current products and services range from edible salt to specialty chemicals for diverse industries to clean energy alternatives and hydrocarbon storage. Cydsa sells over 100 different products in more than 15 countries, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central America, South America and Europe. As part of Cydsa's strategy, it offers the first system in Mexico and Latin America dedicated to processing and underground storage of hydrocarbons in salt caverns, offering clean, efficient and safe storage of hydrocarbons, while helping reduce the hydrocarbon storage deficit in Mexico. Cydsa currently operates through its chemical manufacturing and specialties business group and its energy processing and logistics business group.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Cydsa's perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. All statements that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such statements use forward-looking words such as "proposed," "anticipate," "project," "potential," "could," "should," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "may," "believe," "will," "plan," "seek," "outlook" and other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Cydsa cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Although the expectations in the forward-looking statements are based on Cydsa's current beliefs and expectations, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by federal and state securities laws, Cydsa undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

Contact: Oscar Abundio Casas Kirchner

Corporate Finance Director

[email protected]

+52 (81) 8152-4500

SOURCE Cydsa, S.A.B. de C.V.
Law removes outdated regulations and will jumpstart geothermal

heat pump installations for New York residents

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dandelion Energy , the nation's leading residential geothermal company, celebrated New York Governor Kathy Hochul signing a law to reform geothermal drilling regulations during Climate Week.

"We are thrilled that Governor Hochul has signed this bill into law. It will have a transformative impact for our customers and all New Yorkers looking to install geothermal in their homes, since it will allow almost all homes to be heated with one borehole rather than two," said Kathy Hannun, co-founder and president of Dandelion Energy.

"The state of New York has been ahead of the curve in supporting geothermal as the most efficient and grid-friendly heating and cooling technology," said Dan Yates, CEO of Dandelion Energy. "This law will ensure our industry can rapidly scale to help meet the state's climate goals for decarbonized buildings."

Before passage of this law, New York regulated geothermal systems at depths greater than 500 feet like oil and gas drilling. This meant geothermal installers often drilled multiple shallower boreholes in place of a single, deeper borehole, making installation of geothermal impossible for many people living in urban and suburban areas with smaller lots. With this change, geothermal systems will be more affordable to install and accessible to more New Yorkers, saving billions in installation and energy costs .

This regulatory change aligns with the key recommendations of the Climate Action Council in its Scoping Plan . It's a crucial step toward the state's goal of two million electrified and electric-ready homes by 2030. The geothermal heat pump industry is already installing hundreds of systems for New York homeowners and commercial buildings every year  with the enactment of this new law, that number will significantly increase in the months and years ahead.

New York State Senator Peter Harckham (D-40) and Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D-66), chairs of the Environmental Conservation committees in each house, championed this legislation to remove outdated regulatory requirements and unlock New York's ability to meet its climate goals. The bill received overwhelmingly positive bipartisan support in both houses.

Many organizations supported passage of this legislation, including NY-GEO, AGREE, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Con Edison, NYLCV, NYPRIG, ReWiring America, and the Sierra Club.

About Dandelion Energy

Dandelion Energy is the nation's leading residential geothermal company. By making the transition to geothermal heating and cooling systems simple and affordable, Dandelion empowers modern homeowners to choose emissions-free heating while saving up to 70% on their heating and cooling bills. Together with the homeowners we serve, we are shifting the built environment away from fossil fuels. To learn more, visit https://dandelionenergy.com .

Press Inquiries:

Kathy Berardi

JMG Public Relations

[email protected]

678-644-4122

SOURCE Dandelion Energy
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The history of violence and terrorism conducted by Armenian separatists in Azerbaijan's Karabakh should not be ignored, Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director at Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), told Trend.

"Their attacks against Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel have endangered many Azerbaijani lives. Armenian intervention in the Karabakh region has resulted in a growing number of victims and injured individuals due to acts of terrorism," he said.

The expert rightly pointed out that Azerbaijan is a sovereign nation that has every right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens in Karabakh from terrorist threats.

"The tragic loss of seven Azerbaijani police officers to a landmine recently placed by Armenian forces on a Karabakh highway led to the initiation of counter-terrorism measures by the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry against the armed militants within its borders. This move underlines Azerbaijan's unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism for the sake of peace and stability in the Caucasus. Azerbaijan has announced it will halt its counter-terrorism activities in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan after separatist Armenian forces agreed to lay down their arms and hold reintegration talks. The hope is that Armenian separatists will disband their forces, disarm, and return heavy equipment," he added.

Khalid Taimur Akram noted that Baku has always supported the normalization of relations with Yerevan, but Armenia's history of failing to fulfill its obligations remains a stumbling block on the path to lasting peace in the Caucasus region.

"I commend the Azerbaijani Army's determination and dedication in fighting against illegal forces and terrorists in Karabakh, consistently prioritizing civilian safety. The victory of Azerbaijan means the victory of regional peace and stability," he concluded.

Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh on September 19 in order to completely expel Armenian illegal armed formations from its territory.

As a result, in less than 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army 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 by the Armenian Armed Forces units.

Thus, an agreement on the cessation of anti-terrorist activities was reached at 13:00 (GMT+4) on September 20.
ROUND ROCK, Texas, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) will hold an invitation-only securities analyst meeting in New York, N.Y. on Oct. 5, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. CT / 9:30 a.m. ET. Speakers will include Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Dell and other members of the executive leadership team. Speakers will review the company's strategy and long-term financial framework, with significant time allotted for Q&A.

A live webcast and replay will be available on Dell Technologies' Investor Relations page at investors.delltechnologies.com.

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.

Copyright  2023 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, EMC and Dell EMC are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Dell Technologies
VERO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A veteran Indian River County Sheriff's deputy, shot by his holstered Sig Sauer P320 semi-automatic service 9mm handgun, has filed a lawsuit in Indian River County against Sig Sauer, alleging his injuries were a result of the gun's potentially deadly design defect that has been known to suddenly fire, without the trigger being pulled. The Plaintiff, Zachary Seldes, of Vero Beach, isn't the first law enforcement officer in the country to suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of the P320's defects. There have been hundreds of reported cases of un-commanded discharges involving the P320, including dozens of trained law enforcement officers. Seldes is represented by Tony Sos and Kyle Morat of Dellecker, Wilson, King, McKenna, Ruffier, & Sos, LLP of Orlando, FL along with associating counsel Jeff Bagnell of Bagnell Law, LLC of Westport, CT. Mr. Bagnell was the first attorney to bring Sig to trial regarding defects in the P320 in Virginia in 2019 and has represented and advised scores of P320 victims over the last seven years.

The Complaint, which includes claims of defective design, deceptive marketing practices, and negligence, details how 29-year-old Indian River County Sheriff's Office Corporal Seldes, while taking off his body armor vest, was suddenly shot with a 9mm round without touching the trigger. In fact, Seldes was not even grabbing or touching the holstered firearm when it discharged. Seldes, a highly trained and decorated Corporal, was shot in his calf, damaging his peroneal nerve, leaving him with foot drop and preventing him from being able to walk normally. The bullet was lodged in his leg for seven weeks and eventually removed by a specialized neurosurgeon who also conducted nerve repair in an attempt to allow Seldes to walk normally again. He will forever carry a fragment of the bullet in his right leg.

Florida Sheriff Deputy files lawsuit against gun manufacturer after being shot by his Sig Sauer P320 service handgun. Post this

Introduced in 2014 by the New Hampshire-based manufacturer, the modular Sig Sauer P320 features a striker-fired mechanism that replaces the traditional double-action hammer. It is that design, which incorporates no external safety, and the build quality of the gun, that has led to so many sudden discharges across the country.

The Complaint, filed by Seldes' attorneys, highlights Sig Sauer's representation that the P320 is a safe firearm. The Complaint also highlights the fact that Sig Sauer, according to their website, instituted a "Voluntary Upgrade Program" under which owners could send in their P320 for the manufacturer to replace parts with "an alternate design that reduces the physical weight of the trigger, sear, and striker while additionally adding a mechanical disconnector." Sig Sauer claims the upgrade was done after "confirming after multiple drops, at certain angles and conditions, a potential discharge of the firearm may result when dropped." The Complaint also alleges this was simply an attempt by Sig Sauer to couch the defective design and manufacture as a "drop" issue rather than a serious overall safety problem and avoid a mandatory recall of the gun. The Complaint also highlights the timing of this voluntary upgrade program being instituted after dozens of reports of discharges were made which clearly indicates Sig Sauer is aware of the design defect.

There have been prior lawsuits involving the P320 where law enforcement officers and citizens alike have been shot by their holstered P320.

In one of those prior lawsuits, in a New Hampshire federal court, Guay v. Sig Sauer, Inc., the Court found that the evidence showed the involved P320 fired while fully holstered and untouched by Guay. Further, the Court found that Sig Sauer's experts were unpersuasive when they opined that it was impossible for a P320 to have fired without a trigger pull. The Court in Guay cited a prior incident, the Roscommon Michigan incident, where a video showed a P320 firing without the trigger being pulled, as persuasive evidence that the P320 can fire without a trigger pull. Sig Sauer's experts have also been found by a federal judge to have simply ignored prior incidents in coming to their expert opinions citing to the Roscommon incident. Seldes alleges that Sig Sauer, and its experts, have been attempting to manipulate each incident by ignoring all those prior.

Despite so many reported incidents, Sig Sauer has not even issued a mandatory full recall or upgrade program on the P320s which are in the hands of millions of citizens and law enforcement officers. The inaction by Sig Sauer, as history tells us, will inevitably lead to a preventable death of a law enforcement officer or a civilian. That is why Seldes has been forced to take action by filing the Complaint.

The goal of Seldes' lawsuit is not only to recover for his catastrophic injuries but is an effort to protect other law enforcement officers and citizens who carry the P320 from a preventable incident. Seldes' goal is to bring to light the inaction of Sig Sauer and prevent more incidents of holstered misfires by encouraging Sig Sauer to finally do the right thing.

SOURCE Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos
PHOENIX, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Desert Financial Credit Union celebrates the grand opening of its two newest branches at the Arizona State University (ASU) Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses on September 22 and 23.

Desert Financial is the exclusive provider of ASU-branded debit and credit cards, and with the opening of these two branches now runs all on-campus bank branches and ATMs at ASU's Downtown Phoenix and Tempe campuses.

Desert Financial Credit Union opens its two newest branches at the Arizona State University (ASU) Post this Arizona State University (PRNewsfoto/Desert Financial Credit Union)

The new locations are a result of the credit union's strategic retail banking partnership with Arizona State University and are part of the organization's continued growth throughout the state of Arizona.

The Tempe campus location is in the Memorial Union building at 1290 S. Normal Ave. ASU mascot, Sparky the Sun Devil, will help Desert Financial executives, branch employees and students celebrate the grand opening Saturday, September 23, from noon until 2 p.m.

The Downtown Phoenix campus branch is located in the University Center building at 411 N. Central Ave., Ste. 140. Staff, students and ASU representatives will celebrate the grand opening Friday, September 22, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

"Desert Financial has come full circle: we were founded by teachers and now have the opportunity to be a resource for thousands of Arizona's brightest students," says Jeff Meshey, CEO of Desert Financial. "Whether you're a college student or one of the thousands of staff and faculty at ASU, your financial well-being is our top priority."

Desert Financial is committed to giving back and supporting the ASU student community. In conjunction with the grand opening ceremonies, Desert Financial will surprise two ASU student groups with a $2,500 donation to each group.

Both branches will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

With more than 400,000 members and 47 total branches, Desert Financial is Arizona's largest credit union.

For more information about the partnership between Desert Financial and ASU, the two new branches or how to get an ASU-branded debit or credit card, visit desertfinancial.com/arizona-state-university

About Desert Financial Credit Union

Celebrating more than 84 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state's most trusted local credit union with over $8 billion in assets, 400,000+ members and 47 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2023, members received $16 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus, and the credit union became the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at desertfinancial.com.

SOURCE Desert Financial Credit Union
Leading Hair and Scalp Care Brand, Divi, Marks Milestone Expansion in Holistic Hair Wellness,

Hitting the Shelves of over 1200 Ulta Beauty Stores

DALLAS, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Divi , the hair care brand renowned for its holistic approach to hair wellness, is thrilled to announce its expansion into three times more Ulta Beauty stores across the nation, beginning today. This significant milestone reflects Divi's exceptional growth trajectory and underscores its commitment to delivering effective and consciously-made hair care solutions to a wider audience.

Divi Founder, Dani Austin

"At Divi, our journey is rooted in authenticity and empathy. We recognize that hair health extends beyond aestheticsit's a fundamental element of self-confidence and well-being," says founder Dani Austin. "Our expansion into additional Ulta Beauty stores nationwide enables us to touch more lives and empower individuals to embrace a comprehensive approach to hair wellness. We are so grateful to have Ulta Beauty as integral partners, supporting us on our mission to bring Divi's innovative solutions to even more people."

The brand originally launched through Sparked at Ulta Beauty, the retailer's curated assortment of emerging brands and rising beauty stars, in 2022. After experiencing great success with Ulta Beauty's guests, the brand is now expanding to over 1,200 stores in less than one year. Now, as Divi boldly steps into this new chapter, the brand continues to be the embodiment of hope and empowerment, transcending the realm of hair care to foster a sense of belonging, support and well-being for all.

Launched in 2021 by influencer and entrepreneur Dani Austin after her own hair loss journey, Divi's debut product, the cult favorite Scalp Serum, sold out in 2 hours and earned the brand $40M in revenue its first year. Now boasting 4 products including Shampoo, Conditioner and Vitamins, Divi currently has over 8,000 5-star reviews.

Caroline Scharton, Divi's VP of Retail, added, "Expanding our partnership with Ulta Beauty is a natural evolution for Divi. Their commitment to delivering exceptional beauty experiences aligns seamlessly with our brand ethos. We're excited to collaborate with Ulta Beauty's outstanding team members and showcase Divi's hair care solutions to an even broader audience."

To celebrate the expansion into Ulta Beauty nationwide, the brand will launch a Divi Green Ticket Giveaway with $50,000 total in prizes for five lucky winners, running September 21-24. To enter, participants can purchase Divi at their local Ulta Beauty store or online at www.ulta.com and text "Divi" to 866-551-0586. From there, they'll be able to upload a picture of their receipt or order number for a chance to win. Entrants can also enter without purchase by mail.* Five winners will be randomly selected to win $10,000their ticket to a shopping spree, dream vacation, or wherever their imagination takes them. This grand gesture underscores Divi's profound gratitude towards its community of supporters, whose unwavering belief in the brand's vision has fueled its meteoric rise. The giveaway is subject to Official Rules, available at https://www.diviofficial.com/pages/promotion-terms-of-use .

*MSG & DATA RATES MAY APPLY. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., ages 21+. Void where prohibited. Starts at 7:00 PM CT on 9/21/23; ends at 11:59 PM CT on 9/24/23. To enter without purchase or sending a text, mail a postcard, including your full name, complete address, email address and phone number to: The Divi Green Ticket Giveaway, PO Box 776, Social Circle, GA 30025. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. For full Official Rules, visit https://www.diviofficial.com/pages/promotion-terms-of-use .

All Divi products can be found at www.ultabeauty.com and on www.diviofficial.com .

Follow Divi on Instagram at @diviofficial and on Tiktok @official.divi.

Press Contact: [email protected]

About Divi

Founded in 2021 by creator and entrepreneur Dani Austin after her own personal hair loss journey, Divi is a hair care brand that champions a holistic approach to hair wellness. The brand is driven by their mission to create innovative and clean products that promote hair wellness with ingredients that are effective and backed by science. Divi's clean lineup includes its flagship Scalp Serum, Shampoo, Conditioner and recently launched Hair Vitamins. Beyond hair care, Divi offers a welcoming community to individuals navigating hair loss or thinning, or simply seeking to learn about and implement a healthy hair care routine. For more information about Divi and its clean hair care solutions, please visit www.diviofficial.com or follow Divi on Instagram @diviofficial or Tiktok at @official.divi .

SOURCE Divi
Tennessee-based global public relations firm makes Top 10 Franchise Suppliers list for sixth consecutive year

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ripley PR, an award-winning global public relations agency specializing in franchising, skilled trades and B2B technology, has been named one of the top 10 PR agencies for franchises in Entrepreneur Magazine's annual list of the nation's Top Franchise Suppliers.

Ripley PR moves up two spaces on this year's list to No. 6. The company has been named to Entrepreneur's ranking of franchise suppliers for six consecutive years.

Ripley PR, an award-winning global public relations agency, has been named one of the top 10 PR agencies for franchises in Entrepreneur Magazine's annual list of the nation's Top Franchise Suppliers. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee, Ripley PR works with both emerging and large franchise brands.

Entrepreneur's Top Franchise Suppliers ranking is based on an annual satisfaction survey of franchise clients, from emerging brands to some of the oldest in the industry. This year, a record 900-plus franchise brands participated, stating which suppliers they and their franchisees work with and rating their satisfaction with those suppliers' services in the areas of quality, cost, and value. Each supplier receives a score based on the survey results, and the top-scoring suppliers are ranked within their respective categories.

"Entrepreneur's Top Franchise Suppliers list underscores some of the aspects of the industry that are easy to miss, but critical to a franchise's success," said Entrepreneur Senior Vice President of Franchising Liane Caruso. "The 134 companies ranked in this year's list help to handle critical aspects of business by providing vital services to franchisors and franchisees, such as accounting, financing, legal services, marketing, real estate assistance, and more."

Ripley PR, a woman-owned full-service communications agency, was founded in 2013 by Heather Ripley and specializes in franchising with an added focus on home services, B2B technology, construction, and manufacturing public relations.

"This recognition is especially meaningful, because it's based on the real-world results and value we deliver our clients in the franchise industry," Ripley said. "Our team goes above and beyond to ensure our clients reach their goals and enjoy the growth and success they deserve. We aim to be true partners and don't want our clients to think of Ripley PR as just another vendor like they do many PR agencies. We're committed to being an extension of our clients' marketing teams."

Ripley PR, which was named to the Forbes list of America's Best PR Agencies for 2021 , offers its franchise clients strategic communications services, including crisis management, media relations and social media strategies with a focus on franchise development. The agency's unique combination of expertise and creativity in public relations helps clients build brand awareness, establish positive reputations and drive franchise prospects to the brand.

For more information visit www.ripleypr.com or call (865) 977-1973.

About Ripley PR

Ripley PR, Inc. is an elite, global public relations agency specializing in franchising, construction, technology, home services and manufacturing. Offering a full range of strategic communication services, including crisis management, media relations and social media strategies, Ripley PR uses a blend of strategic business accounting and creative public relations branding to tell compelling stories and deliver measurable results. Ripley PR is a partner in IPREX, the $350 million network of communication agencies, with 1,800 staff and 115 offices worldwide. For more information, visit ripleypr.com or call 865-977-1973.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Ripley PR
LAWRENCE, Kan., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA), is pleased to announce that the EU Commission has issued a new regulation (COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/1581 of 1 August 2023), amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 as regards the conditions of use of the novel food 'astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae'. This modification follows a dossier which was developed with the support of the French consulting firm, Orchidali (http://www.orchidali.com) and submitted on behalf of NAXA members to the European Commission on December 15, 2022. The submission requested the Commission to extend the use to two age groups, based on safe dosages calculated from the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of Astaxanthin. Previous labeling requirements implemented by the Commission with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1377 mandated a statement that food supplements containing Astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae "should not be consumed by infants, children, and adolescents younger than 14 years." This stemmed from an interpretation of an EFSA Opinion issued in 2019 that had considered the same daily dose for all age groups of consumers. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5993).

Commenting on the news, Shaheen Majeed, CEO of Algae Health Science, a division of BGG focusing on production and distribution of Astaxanthin said: "I am pleased that the stance we suggested has led to the decision to revise the existing regulation. The revised regulation now allows our customers to also offer Astaxanthin to consumers including children 3 to less than 10 years of age and adolescents 10 to less than 14 years of age. But more importantly it removed a mandatory and restrictive disclaimer from their labels." Additionally, Mr. Majeed added "The previous EFSA opinions had established the safety of Astaxanthin for all consumers (except infants, for whom supplements are not authorized) within the acceptable daily intake (ADI) . The removal of this restrictive disclaimer erases doubts that might have arisen among consumers regarding the safety of Astaxanthin-rich oleoresin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis algae for children, and adolescents under the age of 14."

Matt Custer, CEO of Cyanotech Corporation, the largest producer of astaxanthin in the US and a founding member of NAXA, said, "We applaud Europe's decision recognizing astaxanthin for younger groups. This progressive move allows more people to benefit from Astaxanthin as a powerful natural antioxidant for health. The robust demand we experience from Europe for our premium Hawaiian astaxanthin underscores its value and reinforces our unwavering commitment to promote better health for all people across all continents."

Tomas Arenas, VP Global Marketing at Atacama Bio Natural Products SA, remarked, "The inclusion of children and teenagers in the European regulation for Astaxanthin consumption marks a pivotal moment for our industry. This collective success, orchestrated by NAXA and bolstered by the diligent efforts of Atacama Bio's technical team, showcases the unity and drive of company-based organizations toward broader health benefits. We are deeply proud to be a part of this industry milestone, reflecting our shared vision of harnessing nature's potency for the well-being of all ages."

"We believe that the revision reflects more correctly the EFSA opinion on algae-based Astaxanthin and has confirmed safety at the indicated dosages for each age group of the population", said Allen Levine, NAXA's president. "We are happy to have supported this initiative for the benefit of all our members. We are pleased with this positive outcome".

For more information as well as links to studies on Haematococcus pluvialis-derived algae Astaxanthin:

NAXA

Allen Levine, President

785 550 6802

www.Astaxanthin.org

[email protected]

http://www.orchidali.com

https://www.atacamabionatural.com/

nutrex-hawaii.com

cyanotech.com

www.bggworld.com

www.algaehealthsciences.com

SOURCE Natural Alagae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA)
Validus platform takes honor for second time, marking eighth award in APAC region

NEW YORK and SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eventus , a leading global provider of state-of-the-art, at-scale trade surveillance software across all lines of defense, today captured the honor of Market Surveillance Solution of the Year for its Validus platform at the 2023 FOW Asia Capital Markets Awards. The firm, which also won the market surveillance category the last time it was bestowed in 2021, has now earned eight awards specifically for its offering in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in the past three years.

Eventus CEO Travis Schwab said: "APAC remains a critical region for us, and we're delighted that the judges recognize our ability to deliver industry-leading technology, expertise and service to clients throughout the region. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to surveillance in the many jurisdictions in which our clients operate in APAC. They need a nimble, customizable platform that can quickly adapt to new regulatory requirements and ever-increasing demands for efficiency."

Judges cited the firm's "splendid growth figures" and "consistent innovation in the field," along with its "successful expansion" in the APAC region.

Hosted by Global Investor Group, the FOW Asia Capital Markets Awards recognize the best and brightest innovations in the Asian derivatives industry. The awards were presented at a dinner ceremony in Singapore, following the Trading Singapore conference earlier in the day.

About Eventus

Eventus provides state-of-the-art, at-scale trade surveillance software across all lines of defense. Its powerful, award-winning Validus platform is easy to deploy, customize and operate across equities, options, futures, foreign exchange (FX), fixed income and digital asset markets. Validus is proven in the most complex, high-volume and real-time environments of Eventus' rapidly growing client base, including tier-1 banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants (FCMs), proprietary trading groups, market centers, buy-side institutions, energy and commodity trading firms, and regulators. Clients rely on the platform, coupled with the firm's responsive support and product development, to overcome their most pressing trade surveillance regulatory challenges. For more, visit www.eventus.com .

SOURCE Eventus
North America's Original Blow Dry Bar Franchise Debuts in Germantown, Offers Founders Rate for Mane Squeeze Membership

GERMANTOWN, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America's original blow dry bar and blow dry bar franchise, will open its newest bar on Saturday, September 30 in Germantown. Located at 7820 Poplar Ave, STE 20-08, the new bar will offer guests five signature styles on its hair menu, a la carte options, a variety of hair treatments, plus five signature makeup looks and a brand new section of customized looks to provide endless inspiration. Also, for a limited time, the new bar will offer a founder's rate for its signature Mane Squeeze Membership for $75.

The new bar is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Sal and Komal Noordin. A first-generation American turned serial entrepreneur, Sal brings vast knowledge of business operations and franchise management given his experience owning businesses across multiple industries. Alongside his beauty enthusiast wife, Komal, they are looking forward to connecting with guests and giving them a place to get their hair and makeup done.

"Sal and I enjoy offering our Germantown community new services and opportunities,' says Komal. "I have a passion for beauty and I know firsthand the power it can have on boosting confidence. My hope is that our Blo Blow Dry Bar location and the services we'll provide will help the women of Germantown feel more confident. If I can help the women of Germantown feel good about themselves, then I know I am doing something good for the community."

To celebrate the grand opening, Blo Blow Dry Bar is hosting an event on Saturday, September 30 where guests can sip bubbly, enjoy some light snacks and receive prize giveaways such as gift cards and hair care products. Additionally, from September 30 through October 8, guests can receive $15 off blowouts by using code "GO34" during booking. Appointments can be booked at https://go.booker.com/location/BloGermantown/service-menu.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is on a mission to create a space where people of all ages, ethnicities, and orientations are welcomed, represented, and made to feel gorgeous while emphasizing the need for self-care and wellness. Combining a sophisticated design with a fun and energetic environment, Blo cultivates a seamless and enjoyable experience for guests upon their arrival, during, and after their services. Expertly trained blo-ers are available for consultation seven days a week to meet the needs of all guests. The brand's hair menu includes five signature styles from sleek and straight to bouncy curls, plus a wide assortment of customized looks including updo's and braids. Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers makeup services from expert artists on hand to help guests look and feel amazing for any occasion.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is open Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m.  6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.  5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on Blo Blow Dry Bar in Germantown, please visit https://blomedry.com/blo-germantown/ or call (901)-707-7146.

About Blo Blow Dry Bar

Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America's original blow dry bar and blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the "no cuts, no color" concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 140 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.

Media Contact: Emily Otter, Fishman Public Relations, (440) 623-6532, or [email protected]

SOURCE Blo Blow Dry Bar
DC to 65 GHz Frequency Range Sets Industry Standard for High-Density RF Transmission

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairview Microwave, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of on-demand RF, microwave and millimeter-wave components, has announced the rollout of VITA 67 mini-SMP (SMPM) cable assemblies. They are designed to address the critical needs of industries such as aerospace and defense, ground communication systems, radar systems and avionics.

Fairview's new VITA 67 cable assemblies employ a blindmate/push-on design for solid connections in high-density RF environments.

One of the standout features of the VITA 67 cable assemblies is their impressive DC to 65 GHz frequency range, setting a new industry standard for signal transmission. The assemblies also boast a blindmate/ push-on design, ensuring optimal connectivity even in high-density RF environments. Their push-on and snap-on mating styles promise a quick installation, saving time and reducing potential for errors.

What's more, customers have the freedom to opt for a custom configuration with VITA 67 and a choice of connectors, including 1.85 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.92 mm and SMA. Considering the benefits for potential users, the high-density design of these assemblies is perfect for motherboard applications.

Particularly advantageous for phase array systems and avionics applications, Fairview Microwave's VITA 67 cable assemblies have been designed with the future of RF signal transmission in mind.

"We continue our commitment to innovation, ensuring our customers have access to the most advanced and efficient products on the market," said Product Line Manager Kevin Hietpas. "With the VITA 67 cable assemblies, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in RF transmission."

Fairview Microwave's new VITA 67 coaxial cable assemblies are in stock and available for same-day shipping. For inquiries, please call +1 (949) 261-1920.

About Fairview Microwave:

A leading supplier of on-demand RF and microwave products since 1992, Fairview offers immediate delivery of RF components including attenuators, adapters, coaxial cable assemblies, connectors, terminations and much more. All products are shipped same-day from the company's ISO 9001:2015-certified production facilities in Lewisville, Texas. Fairview Microwave is an Infinite Electronics brand.

About Infinite Electronics:

Based in Irvine, Calif., Infinite Electronics offers a broad range of components, assemblies and wired/wireless connectivity solutions to the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Its brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, ShowMeCables, NavePoint, INC Installs, Integra Optics, PolyPhaser, Transtector, KP Performance Antennas, RadioWaves and Aiconics. Infinite serves its customers with deep technical expertise and support. Its broad inventory is available for immediate shipment, fulfilling unplanned demand for engineers and technical buyers. Infinite is a Warburg Pincus portfolio company.

Press Contact:

Peter McNeil

Fairview Microwave

17792 Fitch

Irvine, Calif. 92614

+1 (978) 682-6936

SOURCE Fairview Microwave Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty-five organizations have sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to veto SB 842 (Bradford), legislation that would make it more cumbersome to assess and control price spikes consumers face at the pump during oil refinery maintenance periods. This bill undermines SBX 1-2, legislation championed by Governor Gavin Newsom to create regulatory oversight for the state's refiners, after California drivers faced record prices at the pump in 2022.

Maintenance periods have strategically been used by refiners as moments to spike prices for drivers, providing the rationale behind adding more robust regulatory oversight during those periods within SBX 1-2. SB 842 limits the ability of the state to prevent unnecessary refinery maintenance.

Letter co-signers include Consumer Watchdog, Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA), Greenpeace USA, the Center for Biological Diversity, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG), Climate Hawks Vote, Environmental Working Group, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, Stand.earth, Sunflower Alliance, and many others.

SB 842, as it stands, weakens a key provision within SBX 1-2, which after being passed and signed into law in March created a Division of Petroleum Market Oversight within the California Energy Commision. A "gut and amend" effort subject to no substantive public oversight or legislative debate, SB 842 now goes to the Governor's desk for consideration, having until October 14 to either veto or sign the bill, or do nothing and then the bill becomes law.

"At the beginning of 2023, you and the California Legislature made history by passing the Price Gouging Penalty (SBX 1-2), a landmark bill to hold the oil industry accountable for raising gasoline prices for Californians amid record profits," the letter reads. "Thanks to your leadership, the bill was passed and signed, marking a historic victory for everyday Californians over corporate greed."

"SB 842 would prevent the California Energy Commission from stopping unnecessary refinery maintenance without consulting with industry stakeholders and the Department of Industrial Relations," the letter continues. "The bill, which was initially a homelessness initiative, was gutted and amended at the last minute, and as a result was able to slip by under that radar with only the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) listed in support ."

That additional layer of review would be overseen by the California Department of Industrial Relations, potentially serving as a way to slow down or stave off consumer protections in a proverbial regulatory oversight death by 1,000 cuts. What the groups signing onto the letter called an "11th hour attack from Big Oil to upend California's Price Gouging Penalty" passed unanimously in the Assembly and on a 26-6 count (with 8 abstaining from voting) in the Senate.

Having passed in both chambers, the legislation now awaits Newsom's signature.

"With gasoline prices rising past $6 in LA County, this is no time for the state to take its foot off the gas in the fight to stop price spikes," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. "Governor Newsom should veto this outrageous power grab by Big Oil."

SB 842's passage comes as prices at the pump are back on the rise in 2023 , starting the year at an average price of $4.32 per gallon and now sitting at $5.55 per gallon. Further, gasoline prices in California are currently $1.67 per gallon more than U.S. gasoline prices at-large, with new state reporting showing that refinery margins have doubled since the beginning of the year, sitting at $1.20 per gallon.

A full copy of the letter is linked here .

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
YEVLAKH, Azerbaijan, September 21. Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, participates in negotiations with representatives of the Armenian minority of Karabakh in Yevlakh, Trend reports from the scene.

A meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan has kicked off in the city of Yevlakh at the invitation of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan.

The central authorities of Azerbaijan are represented at the meeting by Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Bashir Hajiyev, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation that are part of the Karabakh Economic Region (excluding the Shusha district), and Ilkin Sultanov, an employee of the special representative office.

The Armenian residents of Karabakh are represented at the talks by David Melkumyan and Sergey Martirosyan. A representative of the Russian peacekeeping contingent attended the meeting as a participant.

Representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh accompanied by the Russian peacekeeping contingent have arrived in Yevlakh earlier this morning.

Ramin Mammadov was appointed responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On March 1, in the city of Khojaly, at the headquarters of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation temporarily stationed on the territory of Azerbaijan, the parliamentarian met with representatives of Armenians living in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting held on March 1 in the city of Khojaly, and the invitation presented on March 13, as proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan once again, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, is being held on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

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.
Firm's 401(k) Solutions Group recognized by National Association of Plan Advisors



PLANO, Texas, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher Investments reviews its small business retirement plan division's recent recognition. Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions was named a Top Defined Contribution Advisor Firm by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). NAPA's prestigious "Top Defined Contribution (DC) Advisor Firms" list spotlights the nation's top retirement plan advisor firms with at least $1 billion in defined contribution (DC) assets under advisement. This marks Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions' second consecutive appearance on the "Top DC Advisor Multi-Office Firms" list, and fifth overall honor from NAPA.

"We're thrilled to once again be recognized by NAPA as one of the country's leading retirement plan advisors," said Nathan Fisher, Senior Executive Vice President of Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions. "This prestigious recognition reflects our steadfast commitment to always doing what's best for our clients and helping build a more financially secure retirement for participants and beneficiaries of the retirement plans we manage."

Fisher Investments Reviews the Award Criteria

An affiliate of the American Retirement Association, NAPA is an advocacy group exclusively focused on retirement plan advisors. NAPA selects firms for their "Top DC Advisor Multi-Office Firms" list based on information about their practices, including advised DC assets.

From 2017-2019, Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions was also named to NAPA's "Top Defined Contribution Advisors Firms" list, which is focused on single-office firms.

For more information about Fisher Investments, review www.fisherinvestments.com.

About Fisher Investments

Fisher Investments is an independent, fee-only investment adviser. As of 6/30/2023, Fisher Investments and its subsidiaries manage over $211 billion in assets globallyover $173 billion for private investors, $35 billion for institutional investors and $3 billion for US small to mid-sized business retirement plans. Fisher Investments maintains four principal business groups: US Private Client, Institutional, Private Client International and 401(k) Solutionsserving a global diverse investor clientele. Strategies may vary by jurisdiction. Founder and Executive Chairman Ken Fisher wrote the Forbes "Portfolio Strategy" column for 32  years until 2017, making him the longest continuously running columnist in its history. He now writes monthly for the New York Post. Ken's columns, varying by country, have run regularly in major media globally, spanning more countries and more volume than any other columnist of any type in history. Ken has appeared regularly on major TV news like Fox Business and News and CNN International. Ken has written 11 investing and finance books, including four New York Times bestsellers. For more information on Fisher Investments, please visit www.fisherinvestments.com.

About Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions

Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions is dedicated to providing superior retirement plan services to small and mid-sized businesses and their employees. Fisher's unique service offering is built on 40+ years of successful wealth management experience and includes our flexible investing platform with institutional class funds. As Fisher Investments reviews and observes, our clients experience the benefit of ongoing support from a dedicated Retirement Counselor whose focus is making the management of a company retirement plan easier, while helping employees plan for a dignified retirement. For more information on Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions, please visit http://www.fisher401k.com/ .

Media Contacts

The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), an affiliate organization of the American Retirement Association, was created by and for retirement plan advisors. NAPA members benefit from access to the association's advocacy, information and education resources, as well as preferential rates and access to NAPA events, discounts on education offerings, and the opportunity to be recognized in widely regarded industry accolades. Each year, NAPA publishes a list of top retirement plan advisors and defined contribution practicesrecognizing advisors selected based on criteria including information about their practices, notably advised defined contribution assets. Fisher Investments pays an annual membership fee to be eligible for consideration. For more information about this award, please visit: https://www.napa-net.org/top-dc-advisor-multi-office-firms-2022.

SOURCE Fisher Investments
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flickr is thrilled to announce a new partnership between the Flickr Foundation and the Wikimedia Foundation to develop a new software tool for streamlined sharing of CC-licensed images from Flickr to Wikimedia Commons. This collaboration strengthens the visual resources on Wikipedia by harnessing Flickr's vast Creative Commons collection, enriching content for Wikipedia users and editors.

Flickr Foundation exists to keep Flickr pictures visible for 100 years, preserving shared visual commons for future generations.

Flickr is a primary source of imagery for Wikimedia Commons and is home to tens of billions of photos worldwide, boasting a notable distinction as the internet's largest photography community and the most extensive repository of Creative Commons-licensed material.

Bridging the Gap

This new bridge between Flickr and Wikimedia Commons, named "Flickypedia," aims to create a streamlined experience, ensuring every image shared retains its rightful attribution and licensing credentials, amplifying the spirit of responsible creativity. This, in turn, will expand and enhance the visual appeal and accuracy of Wikipedia articles, catering to each user's diverse interests and inquiries worldwide.

Flickypedia is a flagship project of the Flickr Foundation, aligning with its commitment to promoting open, responsible access to creative works, and mirroring the Wikimedia Foundation's mission of providing free and accessible knowledge to all.

In bridging Flickr and Wikimedia Commons, this collaboration extends the great work already done via the Flickr2Commons tool, developed by Wikimedia community member Magnus Manske. Notably, the Flickr2Commons tool plays a pivotal role in this journey, with nearly 2,000 users uploading an impressive 5.4 million files over the past decade. The partnership seeks to further enrich the experience, expanding the Wikipedia universe with even more Flickr images.

Creating Flickr Commons

George Oates, Executive Director of the Flickr Foundation, initiated "The Commons" as a solution for cultural institutions to share historical photograph collections with the Flickr community. Launched with the Library of Congress in 2008, Flickr embarked on the Flickr Commons program, archiving historical images with two core objectives. Oates explained, "The first was to increase exposure to amazing content in public collections worldwide; the second was to collect knowledge about these collections, enriching catalogs for easier searching."

Today, the Flickr Commons program includes over 100 member institutions featuring images shared under "no known copyright restrictions." Notable members include The U.S. National Archives, NASA on Commons, and the National Library of Scotland.

Building a Foundation

In 2022, the Flickr Foundation was established as a non-profit organization to safeguard Flickr and its extensive collection of photos, securing visibility for 100 years and preserving shared visual commons for future generations. The foundation, guided by a board of directors that includes executives from Creative Commons and the Wikimedia Foundation, is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible social and technical framework for preserving this invaluable collection.

Ryan Merkley, board member and the former CEO of Creative Commons, stated, "Sharing is in our nature, and it has compounding benefits for everyone involved. The more people who see these photos from the world's most important institutions, the better we understand our history. The better we understand our history and the more we work together to preserve it, the brighter our future becomes."

Looking Ahead

As the partnership continues to grow, Flickr and the Flickr Foundation, along with Wikimedia Commons, look forward to creating a more connected and vibrant ecosystem of openly accessible visual content. By uniting the strengths of these platforms, the collaboration is poised to set new standards for collaborative content creation and sharing in the digital age.

For more information about the Flickr Foundation, please visit www.flickrfoundation.org. To explore the extensive range of images available on Wikimedia Commons, visit commons.wikimedia.org. Not a Flickr member yet? Join our community today and find your inspiration!

About Flickr

Flickr, founded in 2004, is the world's largest photography community, committed to elevating the memories, artistry, and impact of all your photos. Fueled by passionate photographers for nearly 20 years, Flickr provides users with the safest and most inclusive platform for sharing and connecting through photos and videos. Since its acquisition by SmugMug in 2018, these united brands have created the most influential photography-focused community globally. Both brands are dedicated to continually thrilling their customers and delivering awesome as part of their evergreen mission as a company.

About the Flickr Foundation

The 501(c)(3) Flickr Foundation exists to keep Flickr pictures visible for 100 years, preserving shared visual commons for future generations. Through programs such as Flickr Commons, the foundation supports photography archives to share their collections and build community with the broader Flickr community. Through making software tools, partnerships, and the fellowship program, the foundation positions itself as a 21st-century institution that bridges the gap between 'user-generated archives' held in corporations and traditional cultural institutions.

SOURCE Flickr
Forward Party grows in Allegheny County, backs former business executive with a cross-partisan supporter base looking for a return to pragmatic solutions

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly formed Forward Party, co-founded by onetime Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and Republican governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman, today endorsed Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive, broadening the Rockey campaign's coalition of political moderates.

Rockey's affiliation with The Forward Party comes on the heels of the party's endorsement of District Attorney Stephen Zappala, bringing a slate of candidates to Allegheny County that have broad appeal and a proven track record of finding shared ground solutions to big problems.

At an event announcing the affiliation, Forward Party co-Chair Andrew Yang highlighted Joe Rockey's experience in business and his endorsements that span the political spectrum, including local unions and small business owners. "Joe Rockey's platform focuses on real solutions to pressing problems in Allegheny County, including public safety, jobs, and tax reform, and aligns with the ethos at the heart of the Forward Party," said Yang. "He's a voice of moderation in a county that has seen increasing problems driven by politicians who are more interested in scoring partisan points than serving the people of Pennsylvania's second largest county."

Yang and Rockey were joined by Phil Ameris, president of the Laborers' District Council of Western Pennsylvania, who served as host for the event. Rockey has won the endorsement of the Laborers as well as the county's Boilermakers union. The additional endorsement by a quartet of law enforcement labor groups shows Rockey's broad base of appeal.

Said Forward Party co-Chair and former governor of neighboring New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman: "In a time where politicians are more interested in promoting ideology than solving problems, Joe's proven track record in business shows that he's going to get things done. The people of Allegheny County are facing unprecedented challenges, and they're looking for a leader who will focus on real solutions and consensus. Joe is that leader."

Rockey, the son of a union Democrat, grew up on Pittsburgh's North Side and worked his way through high school and college before becoming a senior vice-president and Chief Risk Officer of PNC, one of the nation's largest financial services companies.

"Civility and common sense have been missing from American politics for too long," Rockey said in accepting the endorsement. "I'm honored to be endorsed by an organization that reaches across the political spectrum in search of practical policies that work best for Allegheny County's families."

Joe Rockey joins other Forward Affiliates and elected candidates across the country, including mayors, members of city councils, and state legislators from California, Florida, and Arizona, among others. The Forward Party is built around shared values rather than a set of policy prescriptions, allowing local leaders to focus on solutions that will work in their communities. The Party's focus on values allows our elected officials to work across the aisle to find shared solutions rather than engaging in partisan fighting tied to ideologies that fail to produce results for Americans.

Forward Affiliates are elected officials who retain their party registration with one of the two major parties, but publicly join with Forward and pledge to govern according to this values-based platform:

BOTTOM-UP, NOT TOP-DOWN

Forward empowers leaders to find solutions that work in their communities. We won't dictate a rigid, top-down policy platform and expect it to work for all Americans.

DIVERSE THINKING ISN'T JUST WELCOME, IT'S REQUIRED

Forward welcomes new ideas and fearless conversations around the issues of the day. We won't silence debate or refuse to adapt to the modern world.

WORK TOGETHER, NOT AGAINST

Forward strives for collaborative solutions. We'll make sure they work, and we'll try something else if they don't.

ALL ARE WELCOME  LEFT, RIGHT, OR CENTER

Forward is creating a political home for everyone willing to work together in good faith to find practical ways to make this country better.

MORE LISTENING, LESS TALKING

Forward is asking what we can do for your community. We will not ask what your community can do for us.

GRACE AND TOLERANCE

Forward believes in approaching one another with grace and tolerance, finding ways to pick people back up rather than knock them down.

REFORM MINDED

Forward supports election reform policies such as ranked-choice voting and open, nonpartisan primaries to bring more competition and better options to the ballot in local elections.

As more and more Americans grow sick of the outdated two-party system in this country, more and more elected officials are finding a welcoming home in the Forward Party. "We're seeing an unprecedented number of elected leaders reach out to us, tired of being told what's best for their constituents by out of touch party leaders," said Lindsey Williams Drath, Forward Party's CEO. "We believe that voters put people in office in order to solve their problems, and the Forward Party is creating space for these public servants to do just that, without requiring them to adopt policy positions they don't believe in or know won't work just to toe the party line."

The Forward Party is bringing moderates, conservatives, and progressives together to heal our political divisions, find our shared ground, and create a brighter future for America. Forward Party candidates are accountable to the voters, and they will focus on solutions, not partisan fighting, in order to serve their constituents better. https://www.forwardparty.com

For more information about the Forward Party, please read through our Prospectus and Q1 Fact Sheet .

CONTACT:

Natalie Medved

www.forwardparty.com

[email protected]

(908) 770-3325

SOURCE Forward Party
Houston-based attorneys recognized for commercial litigation and products defense

HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne PLLC is pleased to announce that partners Kevin Jordan, Walter Lynch, Michael Cancienne and Caroline Carter were named in the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America list.

The legal publication describes the honorees as the "advisors you want to send into battle," attorneys who can take even the most unpopular cause and "turn it into an irresistible narrative."

Mr. Jordan, Mr. Cancienne and Ms. Carter are recognized for excellence in commercial litigation and Mr. Lynch for products defense.

"We are honored to have been included in this incredible list of American litigators," said Mr. Jordan. "Most importantly, we are grateful to have our clients' trust in their serious legal matters."

Mr. Jordan is a nationally recognized trial attorney who built his practice on a client-first mentality. He represents plaintiffs and defendants nationwide and is board certified in civil trial law and personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mr. Lynch is known for his ability to thrive in the courtroom and is often called upon as an expert in Texas civil practice and remedies. His practice includes trade secrets, oil and gas, and premises liability.

Mr. Cancienne maintains a broad practice but focuses on commercial, construction and insurance matters. He has prevailed in a wide range of commercial matters in state and federal courts, regulatory bodies and within alternative dispute resolution settings.

Ms. Carter represents plaintiffs and defendants at trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts. The Best Lawyers in America legal guide has named her to its "Ones to Watch" list for three consecutive years.

Lawdragon's annual list selects honorees from peer nominations and editorial researchers boasting more than 50 years' experience compiling lists of top legal talent. To view the complete list of the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators, visit Lawdragon.com.

Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne PLLC is a Houston-based civil trial law firm whose lawyers have a proven courtroom track record in high-stakes litigation nationwide. They represent clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes, construction matters, products liability, toxic torts, trade secret and catastrophic personal injury claims. Flexibility in fee structuring is a hallmark of the way the firm does business. To learn more, visit the website at https://www.jlcfirm.com/.

Media Contact:

April Arias

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne PLLC
DUBLIN, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "France Power Rental Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The France power rental market is expected to at a CAGR of 4.76% from 2022 to 2029.



Uncertainty in the electric power supply in 2022 had driven the sale and rentals of generators in the France power rental market. Since a few nuclear reactors shut down in 2022, the government has implemented load-shedding practices. Due to the hike in electricity prices and load-shedding practices, many companies came out of the grid and used generators to power to reduce their electricity bill.

Since the power outage will force stop their operations since most of the equipment longer time to restart. All these factors put heavy pressure on the manufacturers to meet the demand. For instance, in Perlin, Industrial generator manufacturer Gelec received a huge number of orders as of August 2022, with almost an 80% hike compared to the same period in 2022.

OVHcloud, the largest French cloud services provider, had prepared for possible power outages in Q4 2022 by arranging diesel generators as a backup. These generators will be in place to ensure uninterrupted power supply and maintain the services provided by OVHcloud.

The Grand Paris Express is currently the largest infrastructure project being constructed in Europe. It aims to build a modern public transport network spanning 200 kilometers, with a planned budget of 30 billion (USD - 6 billion). The project includes extending the metro's line 14 and building new lines 15, 16, 17, and 18, improving regional transportation.

Loxam and GL events allied by providing power and temperature control rental services, including project management services, temporary power solutions, and uninterrupted power supplies on all sites, including the international broadcast center for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris. They are committed to including SMEs in their supply chain. Biofuels and green hydrogen are preferred as fuels in the temporary power equipment, which will be used to back up the renewable electricity supply from the electricity grid.

Recent Developments

France has launched the ""France 2030"" national investment plan, with a budget of 34 billion (~ USD 40 billion) to revitalize the industrial economy and adopt technological advancements in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, robotics, electric vehicles, nuclear energy, and renewable sources. The plan includes substantial funding for the energy sector, targeting the development of small nuclear reactors, green hydrogen projects, and industrial decarbonization. Currently, nuclear energy accounts for 69% of France's electricity mix.

In addition, the French government has set a target to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy sources to 100 GW by 2050, ten times the current level. To achieve this, the government allocates 1 billion (USD - 1 billion) under the ""France 2030"" National Investment Plan, with a significant portion dedicated to offshore wind farms, which alone will account for 40 GW of capacity.

Ongoing Energy Transition and the Importance of Temporary Power at Construction Sites to Provide Lucrative Opportunities to France Power Rental Market.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The key players in the France power rental market are Loxam, Sunbelt, United Rentals, Aggreko, Atlas Copco, Caterpillar, and Kohler Power. Loxam, Aggreko, and Sunbelt account for 29% of the France power rental market share.

In France, Kiloutou had introduced a program for long-term rentals of power tools, partnering with Milwaukee. The program, called 'KFleet,' offers rental contracts spanning three or four years and includes theft protection, fleet management, and after-sales service provisions. It covers a range of 600 products provided by Milwaukee.



Prominent Vendors

United Rentals

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.

Aggreko

Loxam Group

Caterpillar

Atlas Copco

KOHLER

Other Prominent Vendors

Kiloutou

Rentaload

Salti

Crestchic

Segmentation by Fuel

Natural Gas

Diesel

Others (Propane, Hydrogen, Renewable Sources)

Segmentation by Power Rating

< 75KVA

75-375KVA

375-1,000KVA

Above 1,000 KVA

Segmentation by Equipment

Generators

Load Banks

Transformers

Others

Segmentation by End-User

Construction

Retail

Oil & Gas

Mining

Events

Utilities

IT & Data Center

Manufacturing

Others

Segmentation by Application

Standby

Continuous

Peak Shaving

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qsoyou

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Fresh Thyme shoppers support Midwest food banks

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh Thyme Market , a grocer that has a mission to improve the way communities eat by offering real fresh food, is proud to announce for Hunger Action Month that it has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

September is Hunger Action Month, the annual month-long call to action to spread awareness and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.

Fresh Thyme Market has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

"At Fresh Thyme, our partnership with Feeding America and supporting local food banks is not just a collaboration but a shared commitment to combat food insecurity in our local communities," said Fresh Thyme Market President, Liz Zolcak. "We strive to enrich the lives of the communities we serve. It guides all we do, and we're proud to give back with our customers in a way that directly aligns with our mission and values."

Three annual programs are a part of Fresh Thyme's donation to Feeding America and other local food banks across the brand's Midwestern footprint:

Round Up at the Register: All Fresh Thyme store locations host a Round Up at the Register program throughout the year, where customers have the opportunity to donate upon checkout each time they shop.

All Fresh Thyme store locations host a Round Up at the Register program throughout the year, where customers have the opportunity to donate upon checkout each time they shop. Food Rescue Program : Fresh Thyme stores donate surplus food and meals to community food banks. Each store team works diligently to ensure the food donations are maximized through careful handling of product pulled from the shelf and staged for local food bank partners' routine pick-ups. In 2023 thus far, Fresh Thyme has donated an additional 900,000 meals through this program.

: Fresh Thyme stores donate surplus food and meals to community food banks. Each store team works diligently to ensure the food donations are maximized through careful handling of product pulled from the shelf and staged for local food bank partners' routine pick-ups. In 2023 thus far, Fresh Thyme has donated an additional 900,000 meals through this program. Grab and Give Initiative: Customers also have the ability to purchase pre-bagged groceries at checkout during the holiday season through the Grab and Give program, where the purchased groceries go directly to local food banks.

Fresh Thyme has been a longstanding partner of Feeding America and other local food banks in its continued commitment to fight against hunger. In addition to donating food and meals, Fresh Thyme employees come together to volunteer at local food banks throughout the year. These events span from Northern Illinois Food Bank to Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Fresh Thyme also invites local food bank partners to participate in in-store events to celebrate its customers' donations and amplify Feeding America's voice in its local communities.

Fresh Thyme invites its customers to join in its efforts and make a meaningful change in the battle against hunger. To learn more and find a Fresh Thyme location near you, visit freshthyme.com . For more information on Hunger Action Month visit FeedingAmerica.com/take-action.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals

About Fresh Thyme Market

Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 71 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com .

About Feeding America

Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

Media Contact:

Nathan Campbell

(313) 550-3411

[email protected]

SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market
New Office Hiring for Project Coordinators and Sales Staff to Meet Growing Demand for Timberline Solar Roofing

SAN JOSE, Calif. and KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GAF Energy , a Standard Industries company and the leading provider of solar roofing in North America, is opening a new sales and customer operations center in Kansas City, Missouri. The new location will serve as a national sales and customer operations hub and will employ dozens of people when fully staffed. Kansas City is the company's third significant hub, joining GAF Energy's headquarters in San Jose , California and the under-construction manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas . GAF Energy's award winning solar roof Timberline Solar features the world's first nailable solar shingle and is the only roof system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials.

"We believe that the future of energy is solar roofs, produced in American manufacturing facilities. For solar roofs to reach that potential, we need to reach homeowners in every part of the country," said Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. "Our new Kansas City office enables us to streamline our customer and project support to help achieve our goal of generating energy from every roof."

GAF Energy announced the construction of a new 450,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Texas, to meet growing demand for the Timberline Solar roof in the summer of 2022. The Georgetown manufacturing facility will increase the company's capacity by 500% and bring total production of its solar shingle to 300 megawatts annually, making GAF Energy the largest producer of solar roofing in the world.

People interested in joining the GAF Energy team in Kansas City or around the country can view and apply for job postings at: https://www.gaf.energy/careers/ .

About GAF Energy

GAF Energy is transforming the solar and roofing industries to generate energy from every roof. A Standard Industries company, GAF Energy works with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, GAF, to offer homeowners elegant, roof-integrated solar options through a national network of roofer partners. The company's leading product, the Timberline Solar roof system, incorporates the world's first nailable solar shingle to create an attractive, durable, and reliable solar roof. GAF Energy develops and assembles its products at its R&D and manufacturing facility in San Jose, California.

About Standard Industries

Standard Industries is a privately-held global industrial company operating in over 80 countries with over 20,000 employees. The Standard ecosystem spans a broad array of holdings, technologies and investmentsincluding both public and private companies from early to late-stageas well as world-class building solutions, performance materials, logistics, real estate and next-generation solar technology. Throughout its history, Standard has leveraged its deep industry expertise and vision to create outsize value across its businesses, which today include operating companies GAF, BMI, Grace, GAF Energy, Siplast, SGI, Schiedel, and Standard Logistics, as well as Standard Investments and Winter Properties. For more information, visit www.standardindustries.com.

SOURCE GAF Energy
BEIJING, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravitas Education Holdings Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: GEHI), a leading early childhood education service provider in China, today announced that the Company's board of directors (the "Board") approved a special cash dividend in an amount ranging from US$11.256 to US$12.17 per American Depositary Share ("ADS"), or from US$0.5628 to US$0.6085 per ordinary share. The aggregate amount of cash dividends to be paid ranges from US$16 million to US$17.3 million, which will be funded by cash on the Company's balance sheet. The payment of the special dividend is conditional upon the Closing (as defined below), and the exact amount of such special dividend is to be determined and separately announced. Following payment of the special dividend and after the previously announced divestiture of GEHI's PRC education business, the net cash of the Company (excluding the aggregate amount of such special dividend, but including the consideration received for the PRC education business divestiture) will be no less than US$15 million at the Closing (as defined below).

The Company previously announced that it entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 18, 2023, with Bright Sunlight Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger Sub"), Best Assistant Education Online Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Best Assistant") and a controlled subsidiary of NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0777, "NetDragon"), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and solely for purposes of certain named sections thereof, NetDragon. It is contemplated that Best Assistant will transfer the education business of NetDragon outside of the PRC to Elmtree Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares wholly owned by Best Assistant ("eLMTree"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into eLMTree with eLMTree continuing as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger"). The overview of the transaction is described in more details in Annex A .

Immediately following closing of the Merger (the "Closing"), the Company will change its name to "Mynd.ai, Inc." and operate in the global market of interactive classroom technology with its headquarter in Seattle, Washington. The share ownership of the Company immediately after the Closing is illustrated in Annex B .

The cash dividend will be paid by the Company on or before the 21st day after the date of the Closing to shareholders of record at the close of business on the date immediately prior the Closing date (the "Record Date"). ADSs will trade with an entitlement to the cash dividend until the ex-dividend date is established by the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). In order to retain the right to the cash dividend, ADS holders of the Company need to hold the ADSs until the ex-dividend date, which shall be the first business day after the Closing.

As conditions to Closing, among other things, approval by the NYSE of the listing application submitted by the Company shall be obtained and Completion of CFIUS Process (as defined under the Merger Agreement) shall have occurred. The Company is actively working with the NYSE in connection with its listing application. Similarly, the Company and NetDragon are working with CFIUS to obtain approval for the Merger as soon as practicable.

In light of the above updates related to the Merger, once the Closing date is fixed, the Company will issue a separate press release announcing the final amount of special cash dividend to be paid by the Company and the Record Date for purpose of the dividend payment. The said press release will be issued at least 10 days prior to the Record Date in compliance with applicable listing rules.

About Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

Founded on the core values of "Care" and "Responsibility," "Inspire" and "Innovate," Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as RYB Education, Inc.) is a leading early childhood education service provider in China. Since opening its first play-and-learn center in 1998, the Company has grown and flourished with the mission to provide high-quality, individualized and age-appropriate care and education to nurture and inspire each child for his or her betterment in life. During its two decades of operating history, the Company has built itself into a well-recognized education brand and helped bring about many new educational practices in China's early childhood education industry. GEHI's comprehensive early childhood education solutions meet the needs of children from infancy to 6 years old through structured courses at kindergartens and play-and-learn centers, as well as at-home educational products and services.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending transactions described herein, and the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Merger, including the equity values, the benefits of the Merger, expected revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the transactions. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Merger, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived, such as regulatory approvals not being obtained, on a timely basis or otherwise, or that a governmental entity prohibited, delayed or refused to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction or required certain conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable transaction agreements; (iii) the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of the Company or eLMTree; (iv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company's securities; (vi) the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of eLMTree to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; (vii) any changes in the business or operating prospects of eLMTree or its businesses; (viii) changes in applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) risks relating to the combined company's ability to enhance its services and products, execute its business strategy, expand its customer base and maintain stable relationship with its business partners. Furthermore, the equity value of eLMTree and the Singapore (SG) business of GEHI provided in Annex A was arrived at by the parties for purposes of the Merger Agreement after arm's length negotiations between the parties with reference to, among other things: (a) the current business operations of the Spin-off Business as defined in the Merger Agreement, and(b) the future development plans of the Spin-off Business as defined in the Merger Agreement. Equity value is the total value of the enterprise as determined by the parties for the purposes of the Merger Agreement. It is not a GAAP measure and instead represents the negotiations valuation of the business based on current business operations and expectations of future earning power of the business. The equity value was not established through an independent valuation and is not a representation on what the actual market capitalization of Mynd.ai will be post-Closing.

A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC by the Company in connection with the Merger, and other documents that the parties may file with or furnish to the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and eLMTree, the Company and their subsidiaries and affiliates undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

CONTACT

Gravitas Education Holdings, Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Gravitas Education Holdings Inc.
BENGALURU, India and LAGOS, Nigeria, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), and Nigeria's Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), the banking subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, today announced that Guaranty Trust Bank has selected the Finacle Digital Banking Suite for its multi-country digital transformation program. GTBank's decision was driven by Finacle's proven track record and the solution suite's comprehensive capabilities across retail, wealth, and corporate banking.

(Left to right): Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, and Venkatramana Gosavi, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Infosys Finacle, at the signing ceremony held at the bank headquarters, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Highlights

Leveraging Finacle's suite of retail and corporate banking solutions, the Bank will achieve a comprehensive transformation of its business across its home operations in Nigeria as well as in 10 other markets across Africa and Europe .

as well as in 10 other markets across and . Finacle's cloud-native and open API-driven platform will help GTBank become a more agile and open financial institution, ready to integrate with its ecosystem partners and benefit from new-age digital possibilities.

Overall, the Finacle solutions suite will give GTBank a secure, resilient, composable, and scalable solution, to meet ongoing modernization and business growth demands easily, while ensuring a significantly lower total cost of operations due to bank-wide digitization and automation.

Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, said, "We are delighted to be working with Infosys Finacle to create a superior, agile, and scalable core banking system that supports our vision of delivering seamless and connected experiences across every customer touchpoint. As an organisation, we have always held that the future of banking is digital, largely driven by technology and customers' preference for secure, convenient, and reliable channels. This is the thinking behind our innovation drive and history of firsts, offering best-in-class financial services across Africa. Infosys Finacle's digital solutions will significantly transform our operations and facilitate our push towards more innovative, responsive banking."

Venkatramana Gosavi, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Infosys Finacle, said, "Our collaboration with Guaranty Trust Bank is testament to our deep commitment to helping financial institutions propel and scale their digital transformation journeys and help them navigate their future with cutting-edge technology. We are confident that our advanced solution suites will enable Guaranty Trust Bank to inspire better banking experiences for millions of customers and businesses the bank supports while strengthening its position as one of the best banks in the region."

About GTBank

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd has evolved to become the flagship subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc ("GTCO" or the "Group"), a leading financial services company with banking and non-banking operations across eleven countries spanning West Africa, East Africa, and the United Kingdom.

About Infosys Finacle

Finacle is an industry leader in digital banking solutions. We are a unit of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned product subsidiary of Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY). We partner with emerging and established financial institutions to help inspire better banking. Our cloud-native solution suite and SaaS services help banks engage, innovate, operate, and transform better to scale digital transformation with confidence. Finacle solutions address the core banking, lending, digital engagement, payments, cash management, wealth management, treasury, analytics, AI, and blockchain requirements of financial institutions. Today, banks in over 100 countries rely on Finacle to help more than a billion people and millions of businesses to save, pay, borrow, and invest better. For more information, visit www.finacle.com.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, and our corporate actions including acquisitions. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217407/Guaranty_Trust_Bank__Infosys_Finacle.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Infosys Finacle
GOYANG, South Korea, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 'H 2 MEET 2023,' the premier global hydrogen event at KINTEX 1, Goyang, South Korea, closed triumphantly, cementing its global cooperation role. The need for a united hydrogen economy propelled H 2 MEET's significance.

"It is imperative to foster collaborative efforts spanning governments, corporations, and research institutions on a global scale. H 2 MEET has emerged as the epicenter for global cooperation in constructing the hydrogen value chain," Chairman Nam-hoon Kang of the organizing committee said. He emphasized that cooperation is the linchpin for the comprehensive hydrogen industry, encompassing production, storage, distribution, and utilization.

Up to 303 companies and institutions from 18 countries joined the event, a 26 percent increase compared to the previous year, while attracting more than 32,000 visitors, a 6 percent increase.

H 2 MEET 2023 was centered "technology" and "networking." The H 2 MEET Conference comprised three sessions: Leaders Summit, Country Day, and Tech Talk. Under the theme of "Ramping Up Hydrogen Economy with Cutting-Edge Technology," the conference drew 184 speakers and 2,000 attendees, including global leaders, policymakers, and experts.

Country Day, fostering cooperation of hydrogen policies among nations, highlighted the growing global interest. The Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Germany and Colombia showcased their policies and plans.

H 2 MEET solidified its position as a global platform by hosting diverse programs. The Gala fostered discussions on mutual cooperation among companies and buyers. Guided Tech Tours introduced visitors to Korea's hydrogen companies. The Global Hydrogen Industrial Association Alliance featured 15 member countries.

To recognize hydrogen technologies, H 2 MEET presented the H 2 Innovation Award. Additionally, it collaborated with the Korea Automobile Journalists Association for the Best Product Media Award, introducing the Global Media Pick. The grand prize went to MiCoPower's "high-efficient SOFC" with JM International's 'Hydrogen Production Reforming Catalyst' securing the best prize for the Hydrogen Production. The accolade for the Hydrogen Storage & Distribution category went to the Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency's "Composite Container for High-Pressure Hydrogen Transport," while Doosan Fuel Cell's "Hydrogen Fuel Cell5CSA clinched the best prize for the Hydrogen Utilization.

Global Business Trade Meeting, cohosted with KOTRA, attracted 39 buyers, resulting in approximately 280 business meetings, which achieved about USD 300 million. More than 20 MOUs were inked, not only among corporate giants but also between local and international entities.

SOURCE H2 MEET Organizing Committee
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Turkiye's well-known Demiroren News Agency (DHA) has published an article of AzerNews newspaper's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Elnur Enveroglu about the anti-terror measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 19-20, Trend reports.

"In the Karabakh 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 honor 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 Charles Michel expressing the name of Karabakh 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 European Council President 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 respected.

In general, the different approaches of the West regarding the situation in Karabakh 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," the article reads.
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision has joined hands with PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh (PT ABT) and WWF-Indonesia to protect endangered species in Sumatra, one of the most biodiverse regions on the Earth.

Sumatra also has one of the highest rates of deforestation on the planet, sometimes with devastating consequences. The Sumatran tiger population numbered at 1,000 in 1978. However, the current number is less than 400. Apart from the Sumatran tiger, the population of the Sumatran elephant and tapirs is also declining. Therefore, the existence of national parks and ecosystem restoration areas has become vital in preserving the forest and protecting the animals.

Committed to sustainable forest management, PT ABT was granted an ecosystem restoration license for a concession of 38,665 ha forest area in Bukit Tigapuluh landscape, located in Tebo District, Jambi (ABT area) in 2015. Now, working in partnership with PT ABT and WWF Indonesia, Hikvision is applying its cutting-edge technologies in the ABT area, bringing more hope to the endangered species.

Save our "furry friends"

Being a tropical lowland forest, the ABT area has very challenging conditions and high-level maintenance requirements. To play a positive role in this conservation project, Hikvision cameras help monitor the area 24/7. In addition, the cameras can also monitor the movement of animals using intelligent technology, especially the endangered species that may come across the area.

As long as animals come into the area under the coverage of Hikvision cameras, images can be captured. The wide home range of the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran elephant makes it difficult to monitor them all. Therefore, the captured images of animals within the range are particularly significant. Hikvision cameras incorporate the latest technology that provides high-quality images to assist observation of animals. In this way, the animals' activity patterns can be learned and further studied.

Fortunately, in February 2023, a Sumatran elephant was captured on camera within the ABT area. This rare sighting serves as a testament to the outcomes of diligent forest restoration and protection efforts. It also underscores the crucial role played by technology in ensuring the survival of one of Sumatra's treasured endemic species.

Highly intelligent and reliable video monitoring 24/7

To ensure the best possible images of the animals and accurately detect their activities, Hikvision has utilized advanced video technologies, including ColorVu. These cameras feature advanced lenses and high-performance sensors, enabling clear day and night images, so the activities of Tapirs, Sumatran tigers, and Sumatran elephants can be observed in detail with vivid color, even in low-light conditions.

Thermal and Optical Bi-Spectrum Speed Dome Cameras have been installed to ensure reliable operation in adverse weather and darkness. Equipped with Hikvision's advanced algorithms, these cameras detect movements based on rules such as Line Crossing, Intrusion Detection, and Entrance & Exit Detection. Alarms are then sent to operators to notify them about the areas traversed by these animals. The bi-spectrum feature combines visual and thermal images, enabling operators to directly monitor the events.

Due to the challenges of deploying power supplies and network cables in the forest, Solar-Powered Standalone Security Cameras have become a more practical solution for off-grid monitoring. These self-sufficient units are waterproof and windproof.

"In tropical rainforests, we feel quite challenging to observe the wildlife in low-light conditions. However, Hikvision's innovative technology have brought positive changes to our work, capturing clear and colorful images," said Dody Rukman Bratamidjaja, CEO of PT ABT, "More than that, it has also improved our efficiency in terms of time and manpower, compared to the previous manual approach."

"Hikvision is so proud that our solutions can help conservationists revolutionize the way they learn about the animals. We hope the improved wildlife observation and protection solutions can help the ABT team to better safeguard the wildlife and biodiversity in Sumatra," said Michael Chen, Country Manager of Hikvision Indonesia.

Join us now

Hikvision is committed to exploring how innovative technology can secure the sustainability and biodiversity of the world. The company has launched the Global STAR Program for Social Good, aiming to benefit communities and protect our valuable nature and culture.

SOURCE Hikvision Digital Technology
Given a variety of factors, it is challenging to provide an exact time frame for a truck accident case in Indiana says Stephenson Rife LLP

SHELBYVILLE, Ind., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The duration of a truck accident case in Indiana can vary, depending on various factors. Each case is unique, and multiple elements can influence the timeline. While it's challenging to provide an exact time frame, here are some factors that can affect the settlement process:

Severity of Injuries and Damages: Complex cases involving severe injuries and extensive property damage may take longer to settle. The more significant the damages, the more time it may take to gather evidence, assess medical treatments, and evaluate long-term consequences. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Thorough investigation is crucial in truck accident cases. This process can involve obtaining accident reports, analyzing evidence from the scene, interviewing witnesses, collecting medical records, and consulting with experts. Negotiations and Settlement Discussions: After completing the investigation, negotiations with insurance companies and the trucking company may begin. The complexity of liability determination and the extent of damages can affect the duration of these negotiations. It may take time to reach a fair settlement that adequately compensates the victim. Litigation and Court Proceedings: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, the case may proceed to litigation. This involves filing a lawsuit, discovery processes, pre-trial motions, and potentially a trial. Litigation can significantly extend the overall timeline of the case. Comparative Fault Considerations: Indiana follows a comparative fault system, which means that if the plaintiff is found partially at fault for the accident, it can impact the final settlement. Determining fault and assessing the degree of comparative fault can introduce additional complexities and lengthen the settlement process. Insurance Company Factors: Insurance companies may have their own internal processes and procedures that can affect the settlement timeline. Adjusters' workload, company policies, and their willingness to negotiate can all impact how quickly a settlement is reached.

While a swift settlement is desirable, rushing the process could result in an inadequate settlement. A skilled attorney will work diligently to navigate the legal complexities and pursue the best possible outcome within a reasonable timeframe.

"Some cases may settle within a few months, while others can take several years, particularly if litigation becomes necessary," says Attorney Mike Stephenson.

About Stephenson Rife LLP

At Stephenson Rife law firm, our experienced attorneys have been prioritizing clients' best interests since 1976. We focus on truck accident cases, offering dedicated, prepared, and driven representation. Our cost-effective services provide efficient legal solutions without high hourly rates or bureaucratic complexities. Contact our firm at (317) 680-2350.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Stephenson Rife, LLP
Filing a car accident claim in Kentucky typically involves several steps to ensure you can seek compensation says Billy Johnson Law

PIKEVILLE, Ky., Sept. 21, 2023 Here's a general outline of the claim process for car accidents:

Report the accident: Contact the local police or law enforcement to report the accident. They will come to the scene, assess the situation, and create an accident report. This report is crucial for your insurance claim and potential legal actions.

Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Get their names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance details.

Gather evidence: If it's safe to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. This documentation will be valuable when filing your claim.

Seek medical attention: Even if you don't feel seriously injured, it's essential to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries may not show immediate symptoms but could develop later. Document all medical visits and keep records of medical expenses.

Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary information and documentation you gathered, including the accident report and photos.

Understand Kentucky's insurance laws: Kentucky follows a "no-fault" insurance system. This means your insurance company will typically cover your medical expenses and other losses, regardless of who caused the accident. However, if your injuries meet certain criteria defined by Kentucky law, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.

Consult an attorney: If you sustained severe injuries or significant property damage, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure your rights are protected.

File a personal injury claim: If your injuries meet Kentucky's threshold for filing a personal injury claim, your attorney will help you file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company or pursue a lawsuit if necessary.

"Though some injuries are simply a part of life, injuries caused by someone else are unacceptable," says Attorney Billy Johnson of Billy Johnson Law.

About Billy Johnson Law

Situated conveniently in Pikeville, KY, our legal practice represents individuals who have suffered injuries in various circumstances such as vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, nursing home neglect, slips and falls, and other cases involving negligence and personal injury. The Billy Johnson Law Firm, led by Attorney Billy Johnson, focuses solely on helping individuals, not large corporations or insurance companies, setting us apart from many other personal injury firms. Our commitment is to the client, and we treat clients with respect, attentively listening to their concerns while advocating vigorously for their best interests. With a proven track record of successfully investigating complex accident and injury cases, we deliver winning results. For more information, call 606-437-4488, or visit our website.

# # #

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Billy Johnson Law
Hyundai EV Customers Receive Complimentary ChargePoint  Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger and up to $600 Off Installation Using the Hyundai Home Marketplace

Hyundai Home Provides an All-In-One Solution for EV Charging, Solar, and Energy Storage

Hyundai Partners with Electrum Energy Advisors to Guide Customers with Outstanding Customer Service via Hyundai Home Marketplace Website

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To help encourage EV-curious customers to go electric, Hyundai is now offering customers who purchase or lease select Hyundai EVsi a complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger and up to $600 off installation using the Hyundai Homeii Marketplaceiii. This offer will not only save customers money, it will also facilitate an improved customer experience by leveraging Hyundai's partnership with Electrum and its expert team of Energy Advisors. For more information, please visit www.hyundaiusa.com.

Hyundai EV Customers Receive Complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger and up to $600 Off Installation Using the Hyundai Home Marketplace. Post this Hyundai EV Customers Receive Complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger and up to $600 Off Installation Using the Hyundai Home Marketplace Hyundai EV Customers Receive Complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger and up to $600 Off Installation Using the Hyundai Home Marketplace Hyundai EV Customers Receive Complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger and up to $600 Off Installation Using the Hyundai Home Marketplace

This new offer is available to customers who purchase or lease a new 2023 or 2024 IONIQ 5, 2023 or 2024 IONIQ 6 or 2023 Kona Electric through Hyundai Motor Finance beginning Sept. 21 through Oct. 31, 2023. Customers who purchase or lease one of these selected models have 90 days from the date of purchase or lease to schedule installation of a complimentary ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger valued at $549 MSRP. An installation credit of up to $600 will also be included, bringing the total value to more than $1,100. To take advantage of this offer, customers need a coupon code provided by Hyundai Motor Finance.

Upon purchasing or leasing an eligible vehicle, registering on the Marketplace and inputting the coupon code, customers will be connected with a dedicated Energy Advisor at Electrum via Hyundai Home to help guide them through the charger installation process. Electrum Energy Advisors provide excellent customer service and can help with everything involved in going electric  from assessing a customer's home to finding a trusted installer and pulling permits required by the customer's city or state.

"At Hyundai, we are focused on offering a wide range of high-quality EVs for our customers to choose from, but we know that the charging infrastructure and the process of preparing their homes is at the forefront of the minds of many EV-curious buyers," said Jose Munoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. "With this offer, we're making it easier for everyone to go electric by providing our EV customers with an expert Energy Advisor who can personally walk them through the process of outfitting their homes with the proper charging, energy storage and collection equipment using our Hyundai Home Marketplace."

Hyundai Home

The Hyundai Home Marketplace is a one-stop shop for Hyundai EV customers' home electrification needs. On the Marketplace, customers can arrange for the delivery and installation of their complimentary home EV charger, as well as purchase solar panels and home energy storage systems. Hyundai Home can help customers live more sustainable lives, lower their energy bills, and make their homes more resilient with solar panels, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle chargers.

Hyundai has partnered with Electrum for operating the Hyundai Home Marketplace. The collaboration combines Electrum's home energy expertise and national network of certified installers with Hyundai's leadership in electric mobility. Through this partnership, Hyundai customers have access to Electrum's Energy Advisors who can help walk consumers through the entire process, overcome roadblocks and answer any questions they have along the way to create a smoother process for going electric.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

i 2023 Kona EV and IONIQ 6, 2023-24 IONIQ 5 are available at select dealers in select states. 2024 IONIQ coming Fall of 2023. Contact your Hyundai dealer for availability details. ii Solar panels, energy storage systems and the home EV charger are manufactured and offered by third parties. Currently, the home EV charger, solar panels and energy storage systems are available in select markets by referral from select Hyundai dealers. The Hyundai Home service will be available from additional dealers in 2023. Installation services are provided by third-party electricians sourced through the Hyundai Home service and contracted by customers for their projects. iii EV charger and up to $600 towards charger installation available on new 2023 KONA Electric and 2023-24 IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 vehicles leased or purchased from a participating Hyundai dealer between 9/21/23 and 10/31/23 and financed through Hyundai Motor Finance. Must take delivery from new retail stock and execute lease or purchase contract by 10/31/23. Not available in AK. Customer will receive a coupon code for a Level 2 ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger and up to a $600 credit towards charger installation through Hyundai Home. Installation through Hyundai Home is required to receive EV charger. Installation must be scheduled through the Hyundai Home Marketplace (https://hyundaihomemarketplace.com/) within 90 days of lease or purchase contract date. Installation conducted by third party electricians sourced through Hyundai Home and contracted by customers. Coupon code is non-transferable and not available for cash. Initial deposit required and additional costs may apply. Installation available on select residential property only. Eligible vehicles available at select retailers in select states and in limited quantities. 2024 IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 coming Fall 2023. See your Hyundai dealer and www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/special-programs/hyundai-home-charging-package for full Terms and Conditions. Offer ends 10/31/23.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Tens of thousands of members will receive access to MANUAL's full suite of resources to support overall health, well-being, and personal development.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, innovative online men's personal development and mental health platform MANUAL has announced new partnerships with nine Interfraternity Councils across the country to provide young men with anonymous support and resources for their physical, psychological, academic, and sexual well-being.

Interfraternity Councils at Louisiana State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Alabama, Appalachian State University, The Ohio State University, Samford University, Michigan State University, Texas Tech University, and Indiana University  Purdue University Indianapolis have all signed on to offer MANUAL to their members.

Through this partnership, MANUAL's evidence-based, expert-led online platform provides accessible and engaging content to tens of thousands of young men through IFC partners, covering a wide range of topics including mental health, sexual health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. This platform will empower students to make informed decisions that will improve their ability to perform their best in class and beyond.

"We're excited to offer MANUAL's full suite of resources to young men at the University of Alabama," said Will Fracchia, President of the University of Alabama Interfraternity Council. "The IFC works to support and facilitate students' personal and academic growth, and MANUAL is a great way to address the array of challenges faced by young men on campus today."

"We're proud to invest in the health and well-being of our members," said Clint Coulter, Director of Greek Life at Samford University. "We know this platform will provide the resources they need to prepare them to face the challenges of college, work, and life."

Preliminary studies indicate that MANUAL enrollment is a promising avenue for improved health literacy in young men, especially about potentially taboo or sensitive topics, like erectile dysfunction; improved individual health, such as increasing healthy behaviors and decreasing mental distress; and improved student retention, especially the confidence to graduate from one's current university and undergraduate intentions to complete higher degrees. MANUAL also seems a promising avenue for buffering against substance misuse, especially binge drinking and marijuana consumption.

"Young men are in crisis today. The suicide and overdose rates are chilling, and too many young men are dropping out of college before finishing their degrees. Young men seeking support for their health needs can benefit strongly from the personalized outreach and anonymity MANUAL provides," said Matthew Stefanko, Founder & CEO of MANUAL. "The young men leading these IFCs are an inspiration to our team, and we look forward to working with them to meet their members where they are to help them thrive on campus and beyond."

The partnership between the IFCs and MANUAL represents a significant step forward in addressing men's health challenges on college campuses. Through this collaboration, the organizations hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of young men and create a model for other fraternities and organizations to follow.

About MANUAL: MANUAL is an online men's personal development and mental health platform that aims to improve health literacy and well-being for young men. Through evidence-based content and engaging resources, MANUAL addresses various health topics, including mental health, sexual health, nutrition, fitness, and more. MANUAL's mission is to empower men with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and lead fulfilling lives, particularly for young men resistant to support. To learn more, visit manual.care

SOURCE MANUAL
KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Heybrook , a premiere wellness and social club dedicated to supporting expectant and early parents, is excited to announce its Grand Opening on October 21, 2023. Located in Kirkland, Washington, The Heybrook offers a wide range of services, including classes, meet-ups, support groups, events, co-located private practitioners, and a welcoming gathering space, all designed to make the journey of parenthood easier, more empowering, and less isolating.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Heybrook will host a Grand Opening Week from October 21st to October 28th, 2023. During this special week, access to the member lounge and all scheduled events will be absolutely FREE. We extend a warm invitation to the Kirkland and the Greater Seattle community, expectant parents, and early parents to come and explore our space, experience our offerings, and be part of this exciting beginning.

Introducing The Heybrook: A Wellness and Social Club for Expectant and Early Parents opening on October 21, 2023. Post this

A GRAND OPENING WEEK LIKE NO OTHER

The Heybrook's Grand Opening Week promises an array of engaging activities and events for attendees to enjoy. Our schedule of events includes informative workshops, fitness sessions, support groups, kids' activities, and opportunities for social connection all for FREE. We kick-off our celebration week with a Launch Party on Saturday, October 21, 2023. To participate, please visit our website to RSVP and view the complete schedule .

As a token of our appreciation, all visitors during our Grand Opening Week will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win an exclusive gift basket filled with valuable goodies that every new parent will appreciate.

BREAKING GROUND IN PARENTING SUPPORT

The Heybrook is proud to be the first of its kind wellness collective, providing a comprehensive and compassionate approach to parenting support. Expectant and early parents can find a nurturing community, expert guidance, and a space where they can build connections that last a lifetime.

"At the Heybrook, our focus is clear: to see parents for who they are and to meet parents where they are, by empowering them through support, knowledge, and community," says Stuart Childress, CEO of The Heybrook. "We believe that every parent deserves a support system that understands their unique journey and offers the resources they need to thrive."

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP OFFER

To kickstart your parenting journey with the Heybrook, we have a special offer: Sign up for a membership by October 29, 2023, and receive 50% off your first month's dues. Don't miss this chance to be part of a community that understands and supports you every step of the way.

Visit our Membership page to learn more about the Heybrook, explore our program offerings, and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

The Heybrook is poised to redefine parenting support and we can't wait to welcome you into our community. Join us during our Grand Opening Week, experience the welcoming support of the Heybrook, and take the first step towards a more confident and connected parenting journey.

For direct and media inquiries, please contact:

ABOUT THE HEYBROOK

The Heybrook is a wellness and social club designed to provide support, knowledge, and a sense of belonging for expectant and early parents. We are a first of its kind integrated facility providing parents with access to classes, support groups, events, co-located private practitioners and a gathering space. We're on a mission to make parenting easier, more empowering, and less isolating. To learn more please visit www.theheybrook.com/press .

SOURCE The Heybrook
New York, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stake-to-earn gaming token Meme Kombat (memekombat.io) today launches a new crypto presale in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year.

First-of-its-kind crypto project, Meme Kombat lets you wager on battling meme characters using a decentralized Web3 infrastructure, with a premium on trust and transparency.

Bet on battling meme characters in the Meme Kombat Arena  will Meme Kombat token be the next meme coin price to 100x?

The folks at Meme Kombat realize that blockchain is uniquely well-suited for merging betting, memes, and gaming, bringing together three crypto uber trends to create a singular killer project.

You can buy Meme Kombat ($MK) now for $1.667 and start staking and earning straight away. The annual percentage yield (APY) is 112%.

The gaming fun starts when the project goes live with the launch of Season 1, immediately after the presale ends.

Season 1 will feature 11 meme characters, with players able to bet on whoever they fancy in the battles by, for example, backing the favorite or playing the odds.

According to the Meme Kombat roadmap, Season 2 is scheduled to start in December 2023.

A security audit of the project smart contract is being carried out and will be published on the website shortly.

With a relatively modest $10 million hard cap raise target to hit given the size of the opportunity, there really is no time to waste for investors in getting up to speed on Meme Kombat.

Get ready for 10x gains when Meme Kombat token lists on decentralized exchanges.

https://x.com/Meme_Kombat/status/1704686195962188244

A first for crypto: meme-infused stake-to-earn meets stake-to-bet, doxxed founder

In addition to earning income from staking, platform participants will be able to use the same tokens to bet on the outcome of battles between meme characters in the Meme Kombat Arena.

Leaderboards will rank the best players, providing another source of winner rewards. All winnings will be paid in the $MK token.

With so many meme characters to play with, there will be more than enough of them to appeal to all stripes of meme coin degens.

However, as well as being based on a good idea, a project also needs a team that can execute it. Here, Meme Kombat has another winning card  founder Matt Whiteman is doxxed. The smart contract audit will also be published on the website shortly.

Whiteman is also the project lead and is chief operations officer of North Technologies, an NFT trading and analytics platform based in the Netherlands.

A project manager by trade, Whiteman has 20 years of experience in process design and improvement. He is passionate about Web3 and building products from scratch.

Verifiable team credentials stand in stark contrast to the practice of many crypto projects, where undoxxed teams proliferate, requiring investors to conduct laborious due diligence and open their capital to unknown risks when backing a project.

There are no such worries where Meme Kombat is concerned. It is also nice to see that the project has a physical address  Weesperstraat 61, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

By all accounts, Meme Kombat is already piquing interest in Web3 circles, no doubt helped by Whiteman's existing presence in the sector via his COO role at North Technologies.

https://x.com/Meme_Kombat/status/1704488749726626149

Welcome to the Meme Kombat Arena  how it all works

At the center of the ecosystem are automated battles between various meme coins, with all the outcomes determined transparently on-chain for tamper-resistant results.

By deploying cutting-edge AI technology, battles are brought to life in an engaging format for a captivating and unpredictable gaming experience.

AI allows for vivid and engaging battle imaging through dynamic visualization. The technology also makes sure that battle sequences are randomized and unpredictable. Battles are, therefore, not just exciting but also always fair.

Bear in mind too, that because Meme Kombat runs on the Ethereum blockchain, real-time updates allow battle outcomes, wagers and rewards to be reflected instantly for all to see.

Meme Kombat staking rewards for time staked and engagement on the platform

Meme Kombat's innovative system makes staking and wagering easy to do using $MK, the native token of the platform. Winners receive $MK tokens in addition to the opportunity to win a variety of valuable prizes.

At the core of the gaming economics is a staking system with a difference. Through long-term staking, token holders can earn passive income in the form of an annual percentage yield.

However, the level of income earned depends not just on the length of time staked but also the amount of engagement on the platform.

The staking mechanism is automatic for all presale buyers, with rewards earned throughout the presale. After the presale ends, presale stakers can re-stake their tokens via the claim page.

Tokens can be removed from staking after the end of the presale, but those who do so will forfeit the rewards earned during the presale period. Staking rewards compound daily.

The current annual percentage yield (APY) is 112%. The dynamically updated yield will appear in real-time on the website three to four weeks after the presale has begun, according to the Meme Kombat whitepaper.

Importantly, only staked tokens can be used for wagering, thereby encouraging long-term commitment to the project.

As the platform grows in size and network effects kick in, the value of the ecosystem will grow, boosting the value of the Meme Kombat token as buyers drive up its price.

Blockchain, AI and meme fusion plus liquid staking is a heady brew

Fifty percent of the total token supply is being sold in the presale, 30% for staking and battler rewards, 10% for community rewards, and 10% for decentralized exchange liquidity. Total token supply is 12,000,000.

The global online gambling market is seeing explosive growth, and blockchain technology is powering the charge. In 2022 the industry market size was $63.5 billion, according to Grand View Research, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 11.7% between 2023 and 2030.

Through its fusion of blockchain, AI, and memes, Meme Kombat is doing something genuinely novel and innovative.

Aside from the technology, there is the financial innovation that means the ecosystem will appeal to the same demographic that has made liquid staking the hottest sector in crypto.

Liquid staking allows, for instance, stakers on the Ethereum blockchain to in effect free up the value of their coins by creating a new asset with claims on the underlying staked asset.

Meme Kombat is a little different but is based on a similar idea, so even though the coins are staked, they can still become 'economically active' by being used as stakes in wagers.

Gaining exposure today to the Meme Kombat token opens up a world of meme-powered game-based gambling and dual-purpose staking that earns yield and while simultaneously taking the form of a betting stake. There truly is nothing else like Meme Kombat on the market.

Priced at $1.667, Meme Kombat token can be purchased today with ETH, BNB or USDT (ERC-20 and BEP-20 versions).

Contact

Gary McFarlane

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217881/Meme_Kombat.jpg

SOURCE Meme Kombat
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Greg Holmes has been promoted to senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Kaiser Permanente, effective October 1, 2023. He replaces Christian Meisner, who has announced his decision to leave the organization to be closer to family on the East Coast.

Kaiser Permanente has promoted Greg Holmes to Chief Human Resources Officer.

Holmes has served as senior vice president, Total Rewards and Performance, since 2019. As CHRO, he will have enterprise responsibility for compensation and benefits; employee and labor relations; learning and development; recruiting; succession management; and creating and advancing a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. He will report to Kaiser Permanente's Chair and CEO, Greg A. Adams .

"Greg's remarkable talent and deep commitment to Kaiser Permanente's mission made him the clear choice to be CHRO," said Adams. "Importantly, this change in leadership does not mean a change in focus for our human resources organization. As CHRO, Greg will advance the important work already underway to support clinical talent acquisition; organizational capability expansion; equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives; labor relations; and career development to ensure Kaiser Permanente remains a best place to work in health care."

Holmes has held several human resources leadership positions over the past 17 years, with service at Gap Inc., and as interim chief human resources officer at Levi Strauss & Co.

Commenting on Meisner's decision to relocate, Adams said, "I celebrate his decision to prioritize his family and I am so grateful for what he has given Kaiser Permanente during his time with us. His leadership has been instrumental in our ability to support the people of Kaiser Permanente as we've navigated the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic." Meisner joined Kaiser Permanente in April 2020, and he will stay in his current role through September.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, visit KP.org.

For more information, contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente
Kaleyra To Support stc Bahrain's Enterprise Customers With Digital and Innovation Services

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaleyra, Inc. (NYSE: KLR) (NYSE American: KLR WS) ("Kaleyra" or the "Company"), a rapidly growing omnichannel business communications platform, announced today an exclusive partnership with stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler. As the exclusive provider of omnichannel services, Kaleyra will support stc Bahrain in delivering personalized, flexible communication to its customers and enabling enterprise brands to do the same.

With Kaleyra's advanced CPaaS platform and stc Bahrain's extensive mobile operator network, businesses can reliably connect with customers in meaningful ways. Businesses of any size across the Middle East will have access to a streamlined, scalable communication platform to facilitate growth and improve operations.

"We are thrilled to partner with stc Bahrain to combine their network and reputation in the market with Kaleyra's technological proficiency," said Ahmad Alghazawi, Director of Carrier and Partner Relations. "This partnership provides exciting opportunities for growth to businesses across the Middle East."

stc Bahrain's Chief Business Officer, Mr. Hesham Mustafa commented, "We are excited to join forces with Kaleyra, a global leader in omnichannel business communications. This partnership underlines our commitment to delivering cutting-edge digital solutions to our business customers. Together we will redefine seamless customer engagement and elevate the standards of communication technology."

About Kaleyra

Kaleyra, Inc. (NYSE: KLR) (NYSE American: KLR WS) is a global group providing mobile communication services to financial institutions, e-commerce players, OTTs, software companies, logistic enablers, healthcare providers, retailers, and other large organizations worldwide.

Through its proprietary platform and robust APIs, Kaleyra manages multi-channel integrated communication services, consisting of messaging, rich messaging and instant messaging, video, push notifications, e-mail, voice services, and chatbots.

Kaleyra's technology makes it possible to safely and securely manage billions of messages monthly with over 1600 operator connections in 190+ countries, including all tier-1 US carriers

Kaleyra Contacts

Marketing Contacts:

Zephrin Lasker

Executive Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances

[email protected]

Lori Perkins

Senior Director  Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

Investor Contacts:

Shannon Devine or Mark Schwalenberg

MZ North America

203-741-8811

[email protected]

SOURCE Kaleyra US
BREVARD, N.C., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- King Arthur Baking Company, based in Norwich, VT, and renowned for its commitment to producing high-quality baking products, and TVS, a distinguished 3rd party logistics partner based in Brevard, North Carolina, are proud to announce their groundbreaking partnership to enhance the availability of King Arthur's premium baking mixes and flours, while empowering the local community through inclusive employment opportunities. As a result of the partnership TVS now blends, fills, and packs a large variety of baking mixes and flour blends for King Arthur, like their Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour and 00 Pizza Flour.

The partnership of King Arthur Baking Company and TVS is creating a ripple of positive change within the community. Post this TVS employee with King Arthur Baking Single Serve Cup product.

When King Arthur Baking was searching for a co-manufacturer to meet rapidly increasing wholesale demand for their gluten-free products, TVS stood out among the competition due to their ability to maintain King Arthur's unwavering quality standards, and their alignment with the company's values as an employee-owned, founding B Corp. TVS shares King Arthur's commitment to conducting business in a manner that not only benefits their organization but also positively impacts their employees and the community.

"We are thrilled to embark on this new journey alongside TVS," says King Arthur Baking Company CEO Karen Colberg. "From the pride they take in their work, to all that they do for their employees and community, we couldn't be more grateful to have them as our partner."

For more than 50 years, TVS has been dedicated to enhancing the dignity and quality of life for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Beginning in 1967 as a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, TVS has grown to become one of the largest employers in Brevard and Transylvania County.

"As a 100% employee-owned company, King Arthur Baking has demonstrated a powerful commitment to their employees," said TVS CEO Jamie Brandenburg. "And, thanks to King Arthur, there are now dozens more individuals with significant disabilities and other barriers to employment working at TVS and receiving a living wage! I can't say enough about what this relationship means to us and the impact that King Arthur Baking is making to everyone in our communities."

The partnership of King Arthur Baking Company and TVS is already creating a ripple of positive change within the community, starting with King Arthur's Bake for Good outreach program visiting the area in October to bring baking to the extended community of TVS employees. In addition to social impact programs, King Arthur strives to make planet-forward, people-positive business decisions in all that they do, including their commitment to source 100% regeneratively grown wheat by 2030. The partnership between King Arthur Baking and TVS aligns two purpose focused organizations to scale impact and meet increased customer demand.

For more information, please follow King Arthur Baking Company on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and visit www.tvsinc.org to learn more about TVS' manufacturing capabilities and mission.

SOURCE TVS
China's Jiangxi Province presented at event in Bulgaria

Xinhua) 09:09, September 21, 2023

Artists perform a traditional Chinese opera in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

SOFIA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges.

Representatives of Bulgarian media circles, tourism businesses, and other professionals in attendance also learned about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), could taste Chinese tea, and could visit a thematic photo exhibition and an exhibition of porcelain products.

On the sidelines of the event, representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" based in the town of Panagyurishte near the capital Sofia signed a cooperation agreement.

Ye Jianchun, governor of Jiangxi Province, said he sincerely hoped that the event provided a new opportunity and a new starting point to bring exchanges and cooperation to a new level.

Ye said that especially since Jiangxi and Sofia District officially established twinning relations in December 2020, the exchanges and cooperation between them continued to expand, and the friendship between people continued to deepen.

Julian Lekov, governor of Sofia District, said that he and Ye signed on Wednesday morning an agreement reaffirming the desire for partnership between Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Lekov said that the agreement laid the foundation for a future partnership between five of the municipalities in Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun, who also attended the event, said he sincerely hoped that it would boost interpersonal and cultural exchanges between Bulgaria, Jiangxi and China, and advance economic and social cooperation and development between the two countries.

"The event was extremely interesting, very useful for those present there and for Bulgaria in general, because they introduced us to the history, culture and present day of Jiangxi Province," Snezhana Todorova, president of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, told Xinhua.

It was exciting, beautiful and perfectly organized, Todorova added.

Representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" sign a cooperation agreement in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

People visit an exhibition of Chinese porcelain products in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

A staff member demonstrates a Chinese tea ceremony in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. (China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
AJEX Logistics Services, the Saudi-headquartered Middle East specialist in express distribution and shipping solutions, has announced its expansion into the US 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 US 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 US, AJEX will provide comprehensive ocean and air freight services for heavy weight shipments, further enhancing its offerings to meet diverse customer needs.

Underserved markets

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.

To spearhead this phase of growth and expansion, AJEX has appointed John Martin as the General Manager for the US. Martin has an impressive career spanning 35 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his tenure with esteemed organisations such as the US Marine Corps, American Airlines, Skyway (Apple Logistics), BAX Global, Agility Logistics, and Naqel Express.

AJEX has further bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of Nourhan Beyrouti as Chief Revenue Officer for US Commercial Operations. Beyrouti possesses a remarkable track record in diverse sectors, including Logistics, Retail, Telecom, Real Estate, and Petrochemicals. His extensive experience across the US, Saudi Arabia, and the GCC region will be instrumental in advancing AJEX's strategic objectives.

Key milestone

"We are thrilled to embark on this strategic expansion into the US, as it signifies a significant milestone for AJEX, reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of trade between Saudi Arabia and the world," said Martin.

"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."--TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Western Azerbaijan Community has called on Poland to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the Community said, Trend reports.

In connection with the statement of the Polish Foreign Ministry, the Western Azerbaijan Community calls on Warsaw not to adhere to religious prejudices in the issue of territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries.

"Such a selective approach by Poland to values and international law is unacceptable. We demand Poland to stop discrimination, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and support the right of return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia," the Community noted.

Earlier, the Western Azerbaijani Community expressed deep indignation at yet another anti-Azerbaijani statement by the Canadian Foreign Minister.
Retailer opens new spoke serving Larimer County, Johnstown, Northern Colorado area

JOHNSTOWN, Colo., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the official opening of a new spoke in Johnstown, Colorado. The new facility will bring Kroger's vast selection of fresh items right to customers' doorsteps, including unique Our Brands products and favorite national brands, in addition to cost-saving offerings, making products even more affordable for Northern Colorado families.

Kroger Delivery Expands to Northern Colorado

"We look forward to connecting more customers in Northern Colorado to Kroger Delivery, which brings the freshest products including Our Brands, directly to customers' doors," said Rebekah Manis, Senior Director, Kroger Delivery Fulfillment Centers. "Kroger Delivery enables us to meet our customers' unique needs and deliver value, like exceptional friendly service from our best-in-class uniformed drivers, and a personalized shopping experience with zero-compromise on convenience, value and selection."

The approximately 57,000-square-foot spoke facility is located in Johnstown, Larimer County, Colorado and will work in conjunction with the Aurora, Colorado fulfillment center. All orders are picked at the products' peak freshness within the Aurora facility. Associates carefully assemble orders and place them in climate-controlled vehicles to travel to Johnstown. Once the orders arrive, they are checked and placed on refrigerated delivery trucks that deliver directly to customers' doors, ensuring cold and frozen products remain at the perfect temperature from the supplier to the customer's refrigerator. The facility currently employs nearly 70 associates. Learn more about pursuing a career at Kroger here.

"We couldn't be happier having Kroger establish a fulfillment center in our community," said Troy Mellon, Town Council Mayor, Town of Johnstown. "Services like this help to not only create jobs in our community, but also allow us to focus on a core value of the Town, which is to spend more time with family and friends and doing the activities we love in Colorado."

"Kroger has developed a fulfillment facility that is unmatched in our community. This facility will meet the needs of both our community and the immediate surrounding area," said Matt LeCerf, Town Manager, Town of Johnstown. "The Kroger family and our partners at this facility have been amazing to work with and we are proud to welcome them to Johnstown. We are excited to watch them succeed."

"In Larimer County, we are always seeking opportunities that blend technology, sustainability and convenience to enhance the lives of our residents. Kroger's commitment to advancing grocery e-commerce with this spoke facility is a testament to the innovative spirit that thrives in Northern Colorado," said Jody Shadduck-McNally, Board Chair and County Commissioner (District 3), Larimer County. "The Board of County Commissioners is excited to partner with a brand that resonates with our community's values."

Whether using a phone or laptop, Northern Colorado customers can access thousands of digital coupons and gain more value when purchasing their favorite items using Boost by King Soopers, the annual grocery delivery membership program. Eligible customers can try the membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe for as little as $7.99 a month.

Kroger Delivery Explained

The expansion to the Northern Colorado area represents an extension of a collaboration between Kroger and Ocado Group, a world leader in technology for grocery e-commerce. In 2018, the companies announced a collaboration to establish a delivery network that combines artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation in a bold new way, bringing first-of-its-kind technology to America.

Automated hub sites power this best-in-class customer experience. At each hub, bots navigate 3D grids filled with fresh, shelf-stable and household products to fulfill customers' orders. The system uses advanced AI to determine the packing process, ensuring products are packed accurately and correctly (with heaviest items on the bottom) and the fewest number of bags are used to reduce waste. Once the orders are assembled, associates provide important quality checks.

Products move from a climate-controlled fulfillment center directly into customized refrigerated delivery vans to ensure each item stays at the right temperature throughout the delivery process. With each Kroger Delivery van holding up to 20 orders, friendly drivers are then deployed to deliver orders in the most efficient manner possible, accounting for weather and road conditions. Drivers are also happy to accept any plastic bags or plastic film a customer may have, returning it to the facility where it will be recycled by a third-party vendor. Vans may travel up to 90 minutes with orders from the hub and spoke facilities to make deliveries. Associates at the spoke facility will deliver orders within their service area, adding ZIP codes as demand grows.

Kroger currently operates customer fulfillment centers in Monroe, OH, Groveland, FL, Forest Park, GA (Atlanta), Pleasant Prairie, WI, Dallas, TX, Romulus, MI (Detroit), Aurora, CO and Frederick, MD, with the expansion of additional customer fulfillment network facilities planned in the future.

Media Assets

To download Kroger Delivery photography and video, visit here .

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies, nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless shopping experience under a variety of banner names . We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site .

About Ocado Group

Ocado Group is a UK based technology company admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange (Ticker OCDO). It provides end-to-end online grocery fulfillment solutions to some of the world's largest grocery retailers and holds a 50% share of Ocado Retail Ltd in the UK in a Joint Venture with Marks & Spencer. Ocado has spent two decades innovating for grocery online, investing in a wide technology estate that includes robotics, AI & machine learning, simulation, forecasting, and edge intelligence.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans are hosting 10 walk-in vaccine clinics at their jointly-operated Community Resource Centers across Los Angeles County, providing members and the public with no-cost flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine clinics will take place from September 22 to October 20, 2023. Individuals receiving a flu or COVID-19 vaccine at these clinics will receive a $20 grocery gift card, while supplies last.

"As we navigate the evolving public health landscape this fall, it is important that we remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our communities," said Sameer Amin, MD, L.A. Care chief medical officer. "Vaccination against both the flu and COVID-19 is not just an individual choice, but a shared responsibility that affects our friends, families, coworkers and communities. We all play a critical role in protecting ourselves and those around us."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were as many as 650,000 flu hospitalizations and 58,000 flu deaths last season. People vaccinated against the flu were about 40 to 70% less likely to be hospitalized because of flu illness or related complications. Further, the CDC underscores that September and October are optimal months for receiving the flu shot for most people.

"Protecting our communities is at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to partner with L.A. Care to provide these essential vaccines at our Community Resource Centers," said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise Health Plan. "Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone in our vibrant Los Angeles communities and are especially important this time of the year. Together, we can improve public health and help ensure a healthier future for all."

At these walk-in clinics, flu vaccines are available for people ages 3 and older, while COVID-19 vaccines are available for people ages 12 and older. The new COVID-19 vaccines will be provided at the clinics as they become available. In addition to the vaccines, free blood sugar and blood pressure readings will be available to participants.

Throughout the year, the Community Resource Centers offer a wide range of free classes, programs, and services designed to enhance the health and well-being of members and residents in the surrounding communities, which includes addressing social needs. To learn more about the Community Resource Centers, visit www.CommunityResourceCenterLA.org.

The following is a list of the flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics hosted by L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required.

Friday, September 22 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Lynwood

3200 East Imperial Hwy., Lynwood, CA 90262

Saturday, September 23 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in El Monte

3570 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731

Friday, September 29 | 12:00 p.m.  4:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Pomona

696 W. Holt Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Saturday, September 30 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in East L.A.

4801 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022

Thursday, October 5 | 12:00 p.m.  4:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Pacoima

10807 San Fernando Road, Pacoima, CA 91331

Friday, October 6 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Metro L.A.

1233 S Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90006

Friday, October 13 | 1:00 p.m.  4:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Wilmington

911 North Avalon Blvd., Wilmington, CA 90744

Saturday, October 14 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Inglewood

2864 W. Imperial Hwy., Inglewood, CA 90303

Monday, October 16 | 12:30 p.m.  4:30 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Long Beach

5599 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805

Friday, October 20 | 10:00 a.m.  2:00 p.m.

Community Resource Center in Palmdale

2072 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale, CA 93550

About L.A. Care Health Plan

L.A. Care Health Plan serves more than 2.9 million members in Los Angeles County, making it the largest publicly operated health plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered, L.A. Care Medicare Plus and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care's mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose. L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal. It is led by healthcare professionals with a "members-first" philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 537,618 members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

Media Contacts:

L.A. Care

Penny Griego

310-613-8309

[email protected]

Blue Shield Promise

Mashi Nyssen

626-436-4345

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LatAmGrowth SPAC (" we ", " us ", " our ", or the " Company "), today announced that the extraordinary general meeting originally scheduled for September 21, 2023 (the " Extraordinary General Meeting ") is being adjourned to September 28, 2023. At the Extraordinary General Meeting, Company's stockholders will be asked:

to permit the Company to liquidate and wind up early by approving, as a special resolution, the amendment of the Company's amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (i) advance the date by which the Company must consummate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities from November 27, 2023 to the date after the Extraordinary General Meeting and (ii) allow the Company to remove up to $100,000 of interest earned on the amount on deposit in the Trust Account prior to redeeming the Public Shares in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting in order to pay dissolution expenses of the Company; and



to approve, as a special resolution, Amendment No. 2 to the Trust Agreement to allow the Company to remove up to $100,000 of interest earned on the amount on deposit in the trust account established by the Trust Agreement prior to redeeming the Public Shares in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting in order to pay dissolution expenses of the Company.

As a result of this change, the Extraordinary General Meeting will now be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 28, 2023, exclusively via live webcast at the following address: https://www.cstproxy.com/latamgrowthspac/sm2023.

The record date for the stockholders to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting remains the close of business on August 22, 2023 (the " Record Date "). Stockholders who have previously submitted their proxy or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not take any action. Stockholders as of the Record Date can vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. In connection with the adjourned date, the Company has further extended the deadline for holders of the Company's Class A ordinary issued in the Company's initial public offering to submit their shares for redemption in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 26, 2023. Stockholders who wish to withdraw their previously submitted redemption request may do so prior to the rescheduled meeting by requesting that the transfer agent return such shares.

About LatAmGrowth SPAC

The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to focus its search on high growth companies in Latin America, including Brazil, as well as businesses in the United States that cater to the Hispanic community: (1) with significant technological advantages, and/or (2) that are well positioned to benefit from the favorable structural and secular trends of the emerging middle class.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The definitive proxy statement has been mailed to the Company's stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by Company with the SEC may be obtained free of charge by contacting Company at Pedregal 24, 8th Floor, Molino del Rey, 11000, Mexico City, Mexico. If you have questions about the proposals or if you need additional copies of the Proxy Statement you should contact our proxy solicitor:

Morrow Sodali LLC

333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Shareholders may call toll-free: (800)662-5200

Banks and Brokerage Firms, please call: (203) 658-9400

Email: [email protected]

Participants in the Solicitation

Company and its sponsor, officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Company stockholders. Information about Company's sponsor, officers and directors and their ownership of Company ordinary shares is set forth in the proxy statement for Company's Extraordinary General Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023, and in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the transaction, which were filed by Company with the SEC.

Non-Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Extraordinary General Meeting shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

SOURCE LatAmGrowth SPAC
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspiring young entrepreneurs in the culinary industry now have a game-changing opportunity to bring their business dreams to life with Laurel Kitchens, offering flexible long-term and short-term commercial kitchen leases. Their innovative solution to sourcing food prep and storage rental spaces in the heart of the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium area gives budding restaurant owners, caterers, chefs, and other culinary professionals an affordable place to start.

Private Kitchen Leases to Help Culinary Professionals

Laurel Kitchens Flexible Commercial Leases Help Young Entrepreneurs

Laurel Kitchens' culinary space rental services give hopeful individuals who are launching ghost restaurants or food delivery establishments access to private, permit-ready kitchens. Tenants can conduct business in the heart of the Los Angeles food scene without building a commercial kitchen from the ground up.

Laurel Kitchens helps lower the initial cost of starting a ghost restaurant and takes the pressure off of the individual business owner by providing food preparation spaces for a fraction of the price. Their kitchens eliminate the need for a costly storefront or seating area; with just a valid business license, entrepreneurs can start cooking professionally in record time.

What Each Laurel Kitchens Unit Includes

The low-risk, high-reward short-term commercial kitchen leases available from Laurel Kitchens facilities include 24/7/365 unlimited access to spaces approved for the preparation and storage of food. The facilities also include:

Walk-in coolers and freezers

Dry goods storage space

Prep, compartment, and hand-washing sinks

Easily accessible space to load and unload equipment

Multiple kitchen units from 250 to 400 square feet

Collection bins for cooking oil

10' ventilation hoods

Grease interceptors

Gas and electrical hook-ups

Ability to have your own dedicated Internet connection into the kitchen

An ANSUL fire protection system

Ingress and egress for delivery and pick-up

Controlled access

On-call manager service

Laurel Kitchens Applications Are Now Open

Entrepreneurs interested in starting ghost restaurant business ventures can choose from several Laurel Kitchen different commercial kitchen leases. Their rental units are suitable for the areas of Inglewood, SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park, Culvers City, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, El Segundo, and Southern LA on a yearly, monthly, and hourly basis. Tenants can call the business directly for inquiries on tailored lease lengths.

Culinary professionals can't miss this unparalleled opportunity to launch their business with minimal risk and maximum potential! Interested persons can apply online to receive a private kitchen.

Learn more about how Laurel Kitchens is changing the face of Los Angeles' food scene and helping entrepreneurs raise their dreams at laurelkitchens.com .

About Laurel Kitchens:

Laurel Kitchens is long-term and short-term commercial kitchen lease service providing rented private kitchens to food service businesses in the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium area. Their turnkey permit-ready commercial kitchens are the perfect spot for your food delivery, catering, food prep, or ghost kitchen business. The Laurel Kitchens mission is centered on supporting small businesses and helping them get off the ground. Learn more at laurelkitchens.com .

Contact

Adam Graves

323-455-0058

[email protected]

SOURCE Laurel Kitchens
TYSONS, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union is proud to welcome Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired) Fran M. Beaudette as their new Ambassador.

"What an honor to have someone with General Beaudette's wealth of military experience serve as an Ambassador to help us promote our innovative and life-changing programs," said PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren. "He is highly respected and truly understands the value of service. Having General Beaudette join our team speaks volumes."

Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired) Francis M. Beaudette Named Ambassador at PenFed Foundation (PRNewsfoto/PenFed Foundation)

During his 32-year career in the Army, Fran served with high performing organizations at varying levels, from a 12-man Special Forces 'A-team' to the 36,000- Soldier and Civilian US Army Special Operations Command. His operational assignments, totaling six years of deployed time, include the first Gulf War; comprehensive Africa experience to include noncombatant evacuation operations in Sierra Leone and the Congo; multiple peacekeeping operations in Kosovo; numerous deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Jordan, all during eras of war, turmoil or crisis.

"I'm proud to represent the PenFed Foundation, one of the nation's most effective and impactful veteran service organizations," said General Beaudette. "The new Foundation leadership understands that veterans are highly trained and experienced leaders. That's why our programs champion veterans through investment, education and advocacy."

Fran is an avid outdoorsman and currently resides in Charleston, SC with his wife of 34 years, Liz. They raised three children: one a Special Forces military spouse, one serving in Special Forces, and one who works for a university.

For speaking engagement inquires please contact Julianna Myers at [email protected].

About PenFed Foundation

Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. The credit union funds the Foundation's personnel and most operational costs, allowing 99% of incoming donations to go directly to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.

SOURCE PenFed Foundation
ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lipogems announced today that there are now 140 peer reviewed publications supporting Lipogems' MicroFat with 5 years of follow up in orthopaedics.

Lipogems System

"Lipogems has sought out to help patients that have tried conservative options and other therapies with limited relief. As a science driven company, we are proud to see that 98% of the 140 peer-reviewed publications that studied the Lipogems device and tissue are independent studies from well-respected academic, military, and private practice institutions," said Giorgio Ninzoli, President of Lipogems International. "The gold standard for evidence is 1 year follow up and we are excited to report 5 years follow up with positive results after a single injection of MicroFat."

Lipogems has been used in more than 60,000 procedures worldwide and is currently FDA cleared for use in the US for general applications in orthopaedics, arthroscopy, and nine other specialties since 2014. Lipogems partners with leading institutions to keep their patients in their care continuum, offering physicians a compliant option for both surgical and non-operative applications.

"Many physicians have patients that have exhausted other therapies and they don't have many options to help them. We are grateful for these researchers seeing benefit in the previous evidence that has shown the power of the Lipogems MicroFat and that they have taken on the task to independently advance evidence-based medicine which benefits patients in orthopaedics, colorectal surgery, and general surgery," Said Carl Llewellyn, President, Lipogems USA.

About Lipogems

Lipogems is a privately held medical device company that uses adipose tissue solutions to help maintain or restore patient lifestyles and to improve quality of life and recovery times. Lipogems' products are used in a diverse range of areas, including plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics, general surgery, exploring products for wound care and more. Lipogems is available in 29 countries and the aim is getting patients back to their lives through our global reach and scientific excellence. Information about Lipogems can be found on: http://www.understandinglipogems.com/

SOURCE Lipogems
To support continued growth and success in the firm's West region, Porrello has been named California district leader; Fisher will serve as West region development director.

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, has promoted Luis Porrello and John Fisher to new senior leadership roles in the firm's West region.

Luis Porrello (left) and John Fisher (right) (CNW Group/wsp usa)

Porrello, a WSP senior vice president who previously served as West region development director, assumes the California district leader role. He is responsible for the firm's business delivery performance and client engagement across the state. His reputation for collaboration and teamwork will result in leveraging the firm's national business lines and technical expertise across all markets to address local client needs. He is based in Irvine.

In his previous role as West region development leader, Porrello oversaw a sales target of over $1 billion and, in addition, was a key stakeholder on several national initiatives aimed at improved efficiency and effectiveness.

"During his six years with the firm, Luis's expert understanding of our business has been crucial in driving targeted expansion initiatives throughout the region," said Chris Peters, West region president. "That influence and experience is critical to our continued growth across California."

Porrello's educational background includes a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, a master of science degree in international project finance, and master and doctor of science degrees in transportation engineering.

Fisher, a senior vice president who is currently leading WSP's state and local government affairs for the West region, will succeed Porrello as West region development director. In his new role, Fisher leads development of the firm's growth strategy across 29 states and Guam. He is responsible for developing and implementing client care activities and delivering results for this vast region. Fisher is based in San Francisco.

"John's previous experience, particularly his past government relations focus, affords him a deep understanding of strategy and priorities, issues and policy, as well as innate knowledge of our key client base in the West," said Rebecca Nolan, national director of strategy and growth.

Fisher has been a project manager for multiple transportation projects for WSP since joining the firm in 2008. As district manager for Northern California, he was responsible for profit and loss, operations, business development, sales and client satisfaction for the Transportation business in the region, including staff development and recruiting and project delivery in four offices in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento. He previously served as San Francisco area manager.

Prior to joining WSP, he served as manager of government and community relations at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and as legislative director in Washington D.C. for the late Bay Area Congresswoman Ellen O. Tauscher, a former member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin with a bachelor's degree in psychology and the Eno Center for Transit Leadership's Executive Development Program. He is a member of WTS, Bay Area chapter and past recipient of that chapter's Ray LaHood "Man of the Year Award."

About WSP in the U.S.

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company's Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

SOURCE wsp usa
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Lynk Pharmaceuticals'), an innovative clinical stage company, today announced the successful completion of Series C2 financing. This round of financing was jointly participated by the Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biomedical Industry Equity Investment Fund managed by China Grand Prosperity Investment, Haibang Venture and Howbuy Primary Fund, while original shareholders, New Alliance Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV), increased their investment. Following Series C1 financing on May 31, this new funding marks another step in the company's continuous growth, bringing the total amount raised in the C-round to 322 million RMB. HaoYue Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor in this transaction.

Founded in 2018, Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a leading company dedicated to the research and development of FIC and BIC drugs targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and oncology. Leveraging the core team's extensive background in medicinal chemistry, biology, clinical development, and commercial development, and with an average of more than 20 years of experience in new drug research and development, Lynk Pharmaceuticals focuses on innovative and differentiated pipeline development. The core of the pipeline is centered around the development of second-generation highly selective and third-generation tissue-specific JAK inhibitors, while also exploring the potential of innovative target-based drug development.

Since its establishment, efficient execution has propelled Lynk Pharmaceuticals rapid development. In the past three months, the Phase II clinical trial data for LNK01001 in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and ankylosing spondylitis have been successively released, with all results demonstrating significant therapeutic effects and a high level of safety. These results highlight the characteristics of small molecule JAK1 inhibitors, that have quick onset action and excellent efficacy. The company has submitted applications for the End of Phase II (EOP2)/Pre-Phase III meeting; several indications are poised to enter Phase III clinical trials, aiming to benefit more patients as soon as possible. Additionally, first patient dosing was achieved in a Phase 1b trial of LNK01004 in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in the first half of this year. The early clinical trial data fromLNK01002 and LNK01003 are also promising while the pre-clinical pipeline development is progressing steadily as well.

Lynk Pharmaceuticals innovative research and clinical development capabilities have been continuously validated and enhanced, positioning the company for a crucial stage of rapid value growth. According to Frost & Sullivan's projections, the market size for JAK1 inhibitors is expected to reach $30.5 billion by 2030, underscoring the significant potential of the future market. Leveraging the considerable market demand in autoimmune diseases and oncology, the company holds substantial commercialization prospects.

Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, Chairman and CEO of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are grateful for the support and trust from Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biomedical Industry Equity Investment Fund managed by China Grand Prosperity Investment, New Alliance Capital, Fenghua Venture, Howbuy Primary Fund and Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) for this round of investment. We also thank Tailong Capital and Liando Investment, the series C1 round investment institutions. Together they have helped us successfully complete the C round of financing. As a company focused on the treatment of autoimmune diseases and oncology, Lynk Pharmaceuticals is committed to developing globally competitive FIC/BIC innovative drugs and delivering differentiated and innovative therapeutic solutions to patients worldwide. We are pleased to see that even amidst the current challenges in the biopharmaceutical capital landscape, Lynk Pharmaceuticals continues to gain support from both new and existing shareholders, demonstrating the capital market's recognition of our team. During this rapid growing stage, we will need to consolidate resources from various aspects, further invest in clinical development, R&D teams, and technology platforms, aiming to provide safer and more effective innovative drugs to patients as early as possible. HaoYue Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor for this financing, and we sincerely appreciate their professionalism and support."

Mr. Ding Yameng, Founding and Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of HaoYue Capital, said, "We are honored to continue assisting Lynk Pharmaceuticals in completing this round of financing. The field of autoimmune diseases is diverse and complex, with significant room for expanding indications and numerous unmet clinical needs, offering distinct opportunities for innovation. Lynk Pharmaceuticals has an internationally competitive and innovative pipeline that is continuously gaining market validation and recognition. We look forward to seeing breakthrough potentials in subsequent clinical validations of multiple highly differentiated candidates from Lynk. We believe that under the guidance of a highly capable and mission-driven team, Lynk Pharmaceuticals will steadily navigate through cycles, embrace the vast blue ocean markets, and provide better choices for patients soon."

About Lynk Pharmaceuticals:

Lynk Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company, was founded in 2018 by senior drug R&D experts and executives from Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for the treatment of cancer, as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Driven by a higher goal, Lynk Pharmaceuticals aims to be a market leader to address unmet medical demands by the development of innovative therapies. To date, Lynk Pharmaceuticals has independently developed several innovative new drugs and successfully completed a number of clinical studies. For more information about Lynk Pharmaceuticals, please visit: https://www.lynkpharma.com

About China Grand Prosperity Investment:

Founded in Beijing in 2010, China Grand Prosperity Investment (Prosperity Investment) plays an important role as a pioneer, leader and advocate of China's FOFs. Based on the advantages of national layout resources and professional asset management capabilities, Prosperity Investment has developed diversified business models such as FOF, secondary fund, direct investment fund, case fund, M&A and PIPE. Prosperity Investment is committed to growing into a local private equity asset management institution which has a better understanding of management and exit strategies in China. Adhering to a market-oriented, professional and industrialized approach, Prosperity Investment has a core focus on strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors, next generation information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and new materials. Their investments cover all stages ranging from angel, VC, PE, to M&A, and aim to promote industrial transformation and improvement through innovation and empowerment of high-quality development for a better economy. Over the years, Prosperity Investment has always adhered to the ESG investment philosophy, aiming to achieve win-win economic, environmental and social benefits, including building long-term competitive advantages and working alongside their partners for a sustainable future.

Shaoxing Binhai New Area Management Committee established the Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biopharmaceutical Industry Equity Investment Fund in August 2020. Prosperity Investment acted as the executive affairs partner. The fund operates and manages according to the principles of "guidance from government, market operation, scientific decision-making, and risk prevention", fully implementing the economic development strategy of the Shaoxing and Binhai New Area. The total size of the fund is 10 billion yuan. It mainly uses the "sub-fund + direct investment" model for investment and invests in the construction of Shaoxing's new industrial platform of "10,000 acres of land, 100 billion yuan" in the biopharmaceutical industry, to support the development and growth of emerging industries led by the biopharmaceutical industry at the municipal and district levels.

About New Alliance Capital:

New Alliance Capital was established in 2008 and is a fund management company specializing in private equity and venture capital. The main investment directions of New Alliance Capital include TMT and healthcare, covering early, growth, and maturity stages. So far, more than 120 investments have been completed, including nearly 30 IPOs/listed enterprises both domestically and internationally, cultivating a group of industry leaders.

About Haibang Venture:

Haibang Venture was established in Hangzhou in 2010. Haibang has always adhered to a professional and refined investment direction, continuously deepening its presence in critical areas such as life and health, the digital economy, new materials, and high-end manufacturing. For early-stage projects, the fund has explored and summarized a unique investment model characterized by "technology + talent" based on solid industry research. This model has significantly contributed to attracting high-end talents, supporting talent entrepreneurship and innovation, and promoting talent enterprises to enter the capital market.

About Howbuy Primary Fund:

Howbuy, founded in 2007, is a leading independent third-party wealth management company. Howbuy Primary Fund is an affiliated department engaged in VC/PE investment under Howbuy with nearly 20 billion RMB in FOF, industry funds, and co-investment funds under management. Howbuy Primary Fund focus on outstanding funds and companies in healthcare, deep technology, TMT, industrial digitalization and consumer industry.

About Lilly Asia Ventures(LAV):

Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) is a leading biomedical venture capital firm founded in 2008, with offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Palo Alto. Our vision is to become the trusted partner for exceptional entrepreneurs seeking smart capital and to build great companies developing breakthrough products that treat diseases and improve human health.

About HaoYue Capital

HaoYue China Healthcare Fund is a private equity investment fund specializing in China healthcare. With the help of HaoYue Capital's investment banking business, HaoYue China Healthcare Fund invests in healthcare companies with extraordinary growth potential. They empower the success of their portfolio companies and serve investors with returns above market average. They invest in leading companies in key areas across biopharma, medical devices, healthcare services & digital health, and IVD & precision medicine. HaoYue China Healthcare Fund is a private equity investment fund, specializing in China healthcare.

SOURCE Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
New executive will drive key initiatives including an accelerated expansion of the XGT cordless system of equipment and tools, increased premium accessory solutions, and more

LA MIRADA, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Makita, a leading global manufacturer of innovative power tools, outdoor power equipment and accessories, is proud to announce the appointment of a seasoned industry leader as its new president and CEO. The company is excited to welcome Sean Okada to lead Makita's continued growth and success in the United States.

A Wealth of Experience and Perspective

MAKITA U.S.A. WELCOMES SEAN OKADA AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

Okada brings a wealth of experience and perspective to Makita U.S.A., Inc. He comes to the United States after seven years as president of Makita Australia. He also held leadership positions at Makita United Kingdom and Makita Gulf in Dubai.

"We are pleased to welcome Sean Okada to Makita U.S.A.," said Rich Chapman, senior executive vice president of sales, Makita U.S.A., Inc. "His extensive experience and strategic approach to business make him the ideal leader to take the company into its next chapter of growth and innovation."

Sharp Focus on Product Innovation, Service, and More

As the new president Okada will drive the company's strategic initiatives, foster innovation, and expand market presence while upholding Makita's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Key initiatives include an accelerated expansion of the 40V | 80V max XGT System of equipment and tools, which will push cordless technology into more professional applications and allow contractors to remove cords and gas cans from job sites. In the accessory category, Makita will offer more premium solutions including new Impact XPS Insert Bits and Fastening Accessories with patented torsion-zone technology for best-in-class performance and durability. Okada will also focus on the company's highest standards in distribution, training, and after-sales service.

"I am honored to join Makita here in the United States, the most competitive power tool market in the world," said Okada. "I look forward to building upon the foundation of success established by my predecessor, Terry Nozawa, and working closely with our talented team to exceed the expectations of our dealer partners and end users."

Arrival Follows Significant Expansion in U.S.A.

Okada's arrival follows significant Makita expansion and growth in the United States. In the past five years Makita has constructed over 1-million square feet of distribution, warehouse, and service space as well as dedicated training centers in three new state-of-the-art facilities in Reno, NV, Wilmer, TX, and Flowery Branch, GA. The new distribution network is designed to best serve dealer partners and end users across the United States.

About Makita

Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of high-quality industrial power tools, power equipment, pneumatics and cleaning solutions, and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network throughout the U.S.A. With over 50 years in the United States and over 100 years worldwide, Makita utilizes experience and expertise to manufacture best-in-class solutions. For more information call (800)4-MAKITA or visit makitatools.com. Find Makita on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter @makitatools

MEDIA CONTACTS

Wayne Hart

(714) 522-8088 x4410

[email protected]

Consumer Inquiries:

(800) 4-MAKITA

makitatools.com

@makitatools

SOURCE Makita U.S.A., Inc.
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Measured Analytics and Insurance ("Measured"), the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cyber insurance provider, today announced that it has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cyber Insurance Partner Initiative to simplify the process for AWS customers to get a quote for cyber insurance coverage.

As an AWS Cyber Insurance Partner, Measured operates a quoting solution that assesses the customer's AWS environment by way of AWS Security Hub to provide actionable recommendations on how to improve their security posture. Measured uses AI-driven analytics embedded in its cyber insurance solution to mitigate cyber risk with constant vigilance. Measured's insurance and risk management offering has been vetted by AWS to streamline the quoting process and reduce the customer's business risk.

"We are honored to become an AWS Cyber Insurance Partner as a provider of comprehensive cyber insurance solutions. Measured empowers SMEs to navigate the complex cyber landscape, protect their digital assets, and lower their risk profile," noted Measured's President, Vince McCarthy.

Measured is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge AI-driven insurance products tailored to the evolving threat protection needs of U.S.-based SMEs. AWS customers using AWS Security Hub will receive tailored cyber insurance coverage, a personalized action plan for increased security, and ongoing, active threat monitoring to ensure a consistent and robust cybersecurity posture.

"Measured's mission is to make SMEs more confident and secure in their cybersecurity so they can focus on what they do best: growing their businesses. The comprehensive integration of data, real-time threat monitoring, and insurance is the key. Measured was founded to work closely with industry leaders such as AWS to provide the next generation of cyber insurance," said Jack Vines, CEO of Measured.

For more information visit https://meetings.measuredinsurance.com/aws

About Measured Analytics and Insurance

At Measured Analytics and Insurance, we provide more than cyber insurance, we light the path to confidence and security in cyber realms. We offer practical answers and innovative cyber insurance solutions for businesses seeking to manage enterprise cyber risks. Whether it's cybercrime, business interruption, or other malicious activity perpetrated by bad actors, the threats and the financial costs are real and complex. Our aim is to make our customers fluent and confident in integrating financial risk mitigation and cyber risk management into enterprise risk management.

Partnered with leading global cybersecurity software companies, Measured first helps ensure our customers are technologically secure. Then, Measured provides cyber insurance to protect businesses and manage enterprise financial risk. With national security grade threat intelligence in our DNA, our team monitors the threat environment and evaluates insureds' risk exposure on an ongoing basis. We ask the right questions, leveraging our proprietary data and algorithmic intelligence. We then analyze and interpret, solving for optimal protection and value, based on our multi-decade experience in insurance underwriting, data analytics, and technology. Companies want confidence, quantified. Diligence, quantified. Trust, quantified. That is Measured.

For more information, please visit:

www.measuredinsurance.com

SOURCE Measured Insurance
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Western Azerbaijan Community has strongly condemned the recent hostile claims of Spain against Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

This issue was reflected in the community's statement.

According to the statement, such a selective approach by Spain to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries and interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan are unacceptable.

We reject the advises of Spain, which hypocritically speak about international law and the UN Charter. We call on Spain to take a fair position on the issue of human rights and support the right of return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, the statement emphasized.

Previously, the community strongly condemned the anti-Azerbaijani statements of the Polish Foreign Ministry.
CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Membrane Filtration Market is estimated at USD 7.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 9.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2028 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. Membrane technologies play a significant role in the purification and filtration of food & beverage products, dairy products, wineries, and breweries. Some of the prominent membrane filtration technologies, such as ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, are already applied in the above-mentioned industries on a large scale. A few applications include desalination by reverse osmosis (RO), wastewater treatment by membrane reactors (MBR), and water sterilization through ultrafiltration (UF) for food & beverages. Moreover, membrane technologies effectively meet the sustainability criteria in terms of ease of use, energy consumption, environmental impact, land usage, flexibility, and adaptability, which fuels the demand for this technology.

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The fast-growing dairy industry across the world, emerging technologies in membrane filtration, advantages offered by membrane filtration technologies (UF, MF, NF, and RO), and the rising demand for high-quality and safe food products are some of the major factors that are expected to drive the global membrane filtration market during the review period. The rapid urbanization, income growth, and consumers' willingness to pay for premium products are also expected to influence the demand for membrane filtration technologies to a certain extent.

However, the high installation cost of membrane filtration equipment and its associated technologies is expected to be a major restraint that would impact the global membrane filtration market growth during the review period. Additionally, the lack of awareness among food, beverage, and processed water producers in developing countries about the advantages offered by these products may act as a prominent challenge for future market growth. Despite these challenges, new opportunities are being created for membrane filtration market players due to the growing desalination projects in the Middle East and the increasing incidence of waterborne diseases worldwide.

The reverse osmosis in the type segment is estimated to grow at 7.5% during the forecasted period.

Reverse osmosis is a widely employed water purification method in the food and beverage industry known for its exceptional efficiency, capable of removing nearly 99% of various mineral contaminants. This process involves applying pressure to drive water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively eliminating a wide range of impurities such as particles, flavors, colors, and odors. Traditional reverse osmosis systems are typically designed with multiple stages, each responsible for reducing half of the wastewater generated in the preceding stage.

In the beverage sector, reverse osmosis has gained significant prominence. Since water constitutes a crucial ingredient in the beverage manufacturing process, the filtration of water holds paramount importance. Beverage manufacturers are exceptionally meticulous when it comes to the purity and sterility of the water they employ. Usually, the water used in the beverage industry is sourced from municipal supplies, which, while potable, may contain traces of hardness or heavy metal deposits often originating from the water transportation infrastructure. These impurities have the potential to impact the water's taste, subsequently affecting the overall flavor of the beverages produced. To mitigate this concern, reverse osmosis is implemented in beverage production facilities.

Spiral wound is estimated to dominate the by module design segment in the membrane filtration market.

Spiral wound modules are a crucial component within membrane filtration systems, serving diverse industries such as water treatment, dairy, food, and beverage production, among others. These modules play a pivotal role in the separation of particles, impurities, and contaminants from liquids, rendering them an indispensable element in contemporary filtration technology. The structure of spiral wound modules comprises a permeate collection tube, a feed spacer, and multiple layers of flat sheets or hollow fiber membranes arranged in a spiral configuration. This design optimizes the available surface area while minimizing the physical footprint, resulting in the high efficiency of spiral wound modules across a range of filtration processes.

Notably, spiral wound modules are commonly employed for the removal of dissolved solids from solutions, especially in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis processes. These modules are available in various configurations, featuring different types of spacers, membrane materials, lengths, and diameters, which makes them versatile and adaptable to numerous applications. They find application in processes related to bottled water, dairy production, and the beverage industry.

In the realm of juice concentration processes, spiral wound modules demonstrate remarkable efficiency and enjoy widespread use, particularly in the concentration of juices derived from sources like sugarcane, oranges, and synthetic sources. In the dairy sector, these modules are indispensable for tasks such as whey and cheese concentration. Prominent industry leaders, such as Koch Membrane Systems, offer a diverse range of highly effective spiral membrane modules tailored specifically for the dairy industry. These solutions assist dairy producers in reducing production costs while maintaining the production of high-quality dairy products.

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Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR in the membrane filtration market.

The Asia Pacific region is currently experiencing a significant increase in demand for membrane filtration technology, particularly within the dairy, food and beverage, and wine and beer industries. This surge in demand can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a growing population, urbanization, heightened consumer awareness of food safety, and an escalating preference for high-quality products. Within the dairy sector, membrane filtration processes such as ultrafiltration and microfiltration are being employed to enhance product quality, extend shelf life, standardize compositions, and reduce waste. In the food and beverage industry, membrane filtration plays a pivotal role in clarifying liquids, concentrating flavors and nutrients, maintaining product quality, and ensuring safety and compliance with rigorous standards. Additionally, in the emerging wine and beer market of the region, membrane filtration is crucial for achieving clarity, stability, flavor preservation, quality control, and production efficiency. As these industries continue to expand and evolve, membrane filtration technology is poised to play an increasingly essential role in meeting the growing demands of consumers and regulatory requirements.

Major key players operating in the membrane filtration market Alfa Laval (Sweden), GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft (Germany), DuPont (US), 3M (US) and TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.(Japan).

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Browse Adjacent Reports @ Food and Beverage Market Research Reports & Consulting

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Microbiological Testing of Water Market by Pathogen type (Legionella, Coliform, Salmonella, Clostridium, Vibrio), Type (Instruments, Reagents & Test Kits), Water Type (Drinking & Bottle, Industrial water), Industry and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

Brewery Equipment Market by Equipment Type, Brewery Type (Macrobrewery, Craft brewery), Mode of Application (Manual, Automatic and Semi-automatic), and Region (North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and RoW) - Global Forecast to 2027

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KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the momentum of last year's groundbreaking summit of technology, finance, and digital banking innovations /MoneyTech returns to Kuwait on November 12th. Registration is free on aljaridasummits.com.

/MoneyTech, Kuwaits premier fintech event, returns to Kuwait on Nov 12 (PRNewsfoto/Aljarida Summits)

Aljarida General Manager Mr. Bashar Alsayegh said "As we reflect on the success of our inaugural summit, which saw participation from over 200 professionals spanning fintech, banking, and telecom sectors, we are excited to host an even more enriching experience this year. Our agenda is crafted to address the most pressing topics, from digital banking innovations and A.I.'s impact on Kuwait's service sector, to the intricacies of Shari'ah compliant fintech solutions."

This year, /MoneyTech promises a blend of innovation, collaboration, and groundbreaking discussions around the emerging trends in financial technology. Delegates can look forward to expert insights from Kuwait's leaders and disruptors of finance, banking, and fintech.

The 2023 /MoneyTech Summit will host experienced voices from leading companies and feature the next generation of Kuwait's leaders in finance, banking, and fintech. A dedicated segment will feature pitches from budding entrepreneurs, showcasing revolutionary fintech solutions ranging from buy-now-pay-later options and Shari'ah compliant fintech, to mobile payment consolidation and open banking.

Alsayegh said, "The future of fintech is being written here in Kuwait. With the expanding horizons of fintech in the country, the event is poised to attract a broader audience encompassing fintech enthusiasts, venture capitalists, tech professionals, and media outlets."

A testament to the summit's credibility and reach, last year's event included a roster of notable sponsors. Key names included The National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz), Ooreedo Telecom, Kuwait Finance House, Tap Payments, Kamco Invest, among others. This year, the event is expected to draw even greater attention, appealing to a global audience of fintech enthusiasts, venture capitalists, tech industry professionals, and media outlets.

For more information, registration details, or sponsorship opportunities for the /MoneyTech Summit 2023, please visit aljaridasummits.com.

About Aljarida Summits:

Organized by Aljarida News, the premier news source in Kuwait, Aljarida Summits are curated platforms for thought leadership, industry insights, and pioneering discussions. Their events consistently draw a diverse group of attendees, from local enthusiasts to international experts.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217378/Aljarida_Summits.jpg

SOURCE Aljarida Summits
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monoceros Biosystems, a prominent bioinformatics service provider in the United States, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with SeekIn, a leading liquid biopsy testing provider in China, to embark on a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at revolutionizing the field of blood-based cancer testing. The partnership represents a significant milestone in the quest to advance cancer early detection and disease monitoring through state-of-the-art genomics and bioinformatics expertise.

Adam Pavlicek, the founder and CEO of Monoceros Biosystems, expressed his thrill for the partnership, stating, "We are excited to collaborate with SeekIn on novel AI-powered diagnostic options for early cancer patients and disease monitoring. This partnership will harness the combined strength of our organizations to drive innovation in the field of cancer diagnostics."

Monoceros Biosystems and SeekIn Join Forces to Pave the Way for Cutting-Edge AI-Powered Cancer Diagnostics Post this

SeekIn, a pioneering force in blood cancer testing, has developed a comprehensive suite of blood cancer tests, including SeekInCare, SeekInCure and SeekInClarity, which have garnered international recognition for their groundbreaking capabilities. SeekInCare, a first-in-class blood-based pan-cancer early detection test, was initially launched as a laboratory-developed test (LDT). In a benchmark study, this innovative test demonstrated an impressive sensitivity of 68.0% at 98.0% specificity, placing it on par with the tests developed by GRAIL and Exact Sciences. SeekInCure, introduced in 2019, focuses on detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) and monitoring postoperative recurrence among early-stage cancer patients, addressing a critical need in cancer management. SeekInClarity is the first-in-class blood-based pan-cancer pan-indication treatment response monitoring test to predict tumor burden and therapeutic efficacy of the late-stage cancer patients during treatment including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and combination therapies.

Dr. Mao Mao, the founder and CEO of SeekIn, shared his excitement about the collaboration, saying, "SeekIn is thrilled to leverage the state-of-the-art genomics and bioinformatics expertise of Monoceros Biosystems to advance our technologies and bring our cutting-edge tests to patients in the United States. Our joint efforts hold the promise of transforming cancer diagnostics and enhancing patient care."

The collaboration between Monoceros Biosystems and SeekIn is poised to reshape the landscape of cancer diagnostics, offering new hope for early detection and more effective monitoring. This partnership brings together the best innovation to benefit patients globally.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

[email protected]

1-619-292-8020

About Monoceros Biosystems:

Monoceros Biosystems is a leading bioinformatics service provider in the United States, dedicated to advancing the field of genomics and bioinformatics. Monoceros Biosystems provides top quality bioinformatics support to biotechnology and drug discovery companies including target identification and validation, translational support, biomarkers discovery, as well as clinical trial support including patient selection strategies. With a commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation, Monoceros aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer.

About SeekIn:

SeekIn Inc is a biotech company founded in early 2018, focusing on blood-based pan cancer early detection utilizing next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence. Since founded, SeekIn has been committed to providing cutting-edge and cost-effective solutions for cancer early detection, MRD detection, postoperative recurrence monitoring, and treatment response evaluation. SeekIn also developed novel molecular tests for leukemia patients. With its proprietary technical advances, SeekIn launched a number of research and clinical studies in collaboration with top-tier hospitals in EU, Japan and China. SeekIn has acquired CE-IVD mark for six core tests.

SOURCE Monoceros Biosystems
Moore Kuehn PLLC Is Investigating:

Planet Fitness Inc. ( NYSE: PLNT).

*Shareholders should contact Fletcher Moore, Esq. by email at [email protected] .

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The investigation involves a sudden announcement regarding the departure of Planet Fitness Inc. (stock ticker: PLNT) CEO, Chris Rondeau, who had been with the company for an extended period. This decision was initiated by the Company's Board, citing the need for a "transition to new leadership." It's important to note that no permanent successor had been identified at the time of the announcement.

In January and February 2023, The Bear Cave had issued reports that brought attention to various concerns surrounding the fitness franchise. These reports included information about consumer grievances related to overbilling, fraudulent transactions, excessive fees, memberships that were difficult to cancel, and inquiries from multiple State Attorneys General Offices. Shares of Planet Fitness, Inc. stock dropped more than 14% in intraday trading on September 15, 2023.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Planet Fitness Inc. (stock ticker: PLNT) securities, even minimal shares, have information, or would like to learn more about this investigation, please contact Fletcher Moore by email at [email protected].

Moore Kuehn PLLC is a New York-based plaintiffs' contingency law firm concentrating in shareholder derivative and consumer litigation. Additional information about the firm can be found at www.moorekuehn.com

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Moore Kuehn PLLC

Fletcher Moore, Esq.

(212) 709-8245

[email protected]

SOURCE MOORE KUEHN
Apiture, Discover, Emprise Bank, Voya, Archway, and WaFd Bank recognized as industry leaders for their innovations and commitment to improving consumer money experiences

LEHI, Utah, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MX Technologies, Inc., an industry leader in Open Finance, announced this year's winners of the MX Innovator Awards held annually at Money Experience Summit in Snowbird, Utah. The awards recognize fintech and financial institutions leading the industry in how they create more personalized, seamless, and secure money experiences for consumers.

The categories and winners of the 2023 MX Innovator Awards are:

Consumer Engagement Innovator: Emprise Bank . Awarded for innovative products and services that focus on empowering people to thrive, delivering personalized and relevant experiences, and driving consumer engagement.

Experience Transformation Innovator: WaFd Bank and Archway Software . Honored for advancing and innovating digital money experiences for consumers by disrupting its own processes and digital experiences to drive new efficiencies, build trust, and increase engagement.

Financial Wellness Innovator: Voya . Recognized for its aspirational vision and active work to build digital experiences that help individuals better manage their finances to build financial confidence and a more fulfilling life.

Innovation Partner of the Year: Apiture . Recognized for its ongoing commitment to iterative innovation and industry collaboration to drive better results for both businesses and consumers.

Open Finance Innovator of the Year: Discover Financial Services . Honored for its strong commitment to open standards and secure access to financial data with best-in-class connectivity, API implementations, and data strategies that drive growth and reduce risk.

"The MX Innovator Awards put financial providers that are moving the industry forward with innovative products and services in the spotlight," said Nandita Gupta, Chief Product Officer at MX. "By combining the power of data and Open Finance, these organizations are delivering better, more personalized money experiences that help consumers get closer to achieving their financial goals in a secure environment."

Winners were recognized at Money Experience Summit (MXS) 2023, taking place this week at Snowbird, Utah. MXS is the premier gathering of finance and fintech leaders, influencers, and builders. Over three days, the financial industry's top thought leaders and practitioners gather to share insights and discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the financial industry. To learn more visit www.mx.com/summit .

About MX

MX Technologies, Inc., an industry leader in Open Finance, helps financial institutions, fintechs, and their consumers understand and do more with financial data. With MX, organizations can reliably connect and verify account and transaction data and surface insights to uncover revenue opportunities, better serve consumers, and grow their business. MX helps deliver personalized money experiences that improve consumer engagement and outcomes. To learn more follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @MX or visit www.mx.com.

Contact:

Tom Cook

[email protected]

SOURCE MX
The Coalition's Justice40 Principles Commits Incubators to Prioritizing Opportunities for Underrepresented Cleantech Entrepreneurs, Investing in Disadvantaged Communities & Ensuring the Clean Energy Economy

Benefits All Americans

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the nation's most innovative clean technology incubatorsvia the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI) led by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)adopted a new joint Statement of Principles to advance President Biden's environmental justice goals, promising to prioritize investments and initiatives that "increase support and enhance opportunities for diverse underrepresented cleantech entrepreneurs, provide job training for at-risk communities and scale deployment of clean energy solutions in disadvantaged communities that will provide increased benefits from the clean energy economy for all Americans."

"Thanks to President Biden and the U.S. Congress, federal agencies are making historic levels of investment to advance environmental justice as we respond to the climate crisis," said Matt Petersen, CEO of LACI. "That is why clean technology incubators like those represented in the NCCEI understand that we need to help advance the President's equity prioritiesas represented by Justice40as we play our individual and collective roles in building an inclusive green economy, creating good-paying, green jobs while deploying equitable climate solutions in disadvantaged communities, and supporting underrepresented founders to scale their game changing solutions."

The NCCEI promotes robust growth of regional energy innovation ecosystems across the nation by providing support for startups and entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on clean energy-related technologies. In addition to Petersen, those signing the Statement of Principles include Danny Kennedy, Chief Energy Officer of New Energy Nexus , Kate Frucher of The Clean Fight , Rick Stockburger of BRITE Energy Innovators , Nina Axelson of Grid Catalyst , Cortney Piper of Tennessee Advance Energy Business Council (TAEBC) , Isaac Vanderburg of Launch Alaska , Dawn Lippert of Elemental Excelerator , Pamela Fann of Impact Energy , Erik Birkerts of Evergreen Climate Innovations and Felicia Davis, HBCU Green Fund Inc , Laura Teicher of FORGE , Aina Abiodun of VertueLab , Doug Davenport of Prospect Silicon Valley , Kevin Knobloch of Greentown Labs , Rebecca Taylor of the Austin Technology Incubator , and Kenneth B. Hayes of Cleantech Open .

"The policy vision behind Justice40 is that when all communities can access the benefits of our new energy future, our entire economy and society will thrive," said Cortney Piper, Executive Director of The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council and a member of NCCEI. "I am proud to be part of a community of clean energy incubators around the nation that are making the connection between innovation and inclusion in order to create a national advanced energy economy."

The NCCEI's Statement of Principles on the Biden Administration's Justice40 initiative were transmitted today to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Congressional leaders. The Principles include commitments to support underrepresented founders, deliver innovative cleantech solutions in disadvantaged communitiesincluding green workforce trainingand expand access to dedicated funding resources for women, Black, Latinx and Indigenous founders who are chronically underrepresented as recipients of traditional venture capital funding.

About the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI)

The NCCEI represents some of the most innovative clean technology incubators in the U.S., promoting robust growth of regional energy innovation ecosystems across the nation by providing support for startups and entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on clean energy-related technologies. LACI began convening the NCCEI early in 2020 to advocate for increased federal funding for cleantech incubators across the country. The NCCEI also championed the Transportation Electrification Partnership's $150 billion federal stimulus proposal . The NCCEI worked with Rep. Tim Ryan to secure funding for the U.S. DOE Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) and also championed the creation of the National Clean Energy Incubator Program, which was authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act which was signed into law by President Biden in August of 2022. NCCEI has hosted nearly two dozen roundtables and two national advocacy events with federal policymakers in Washington, D.C.

About The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for Greater Los Angeles and beyond through: unlocking innovation by incubating cleantech startups to scale their climate solutions, and helping support underrepresented founders in particular; transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and private sector leaders in transportation, energy, and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI has been recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI Global. LACI has helped 375 portfolio companies raise over $1 billion in funding, generated $335 million in revenue, and created 2,626 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a long-term economic impact of more than $587 million. Learn more at www.laci.org.

Media Inquiries

Cameron Edinburgh

213.647.1441

[email protected]

Michael Swords

310.709.3543

[email protected]

SOURCE LACI
Medal of Honor recipient and Museum leadership accepts gift during St. Louis Cardinals pre-game ceremony, participates in a fireside chat with Anheuser-Busch employees

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch, a leading American manufacturer and the country's largest brewer, announced a $1 million philanthropic donation to the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) to support construction of the new National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas.

Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski, Retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL), threw out the first pitch before the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski, Retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL), and NMOHMF President and CEO Chris Cassidy accepted the gift from Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth last night during an on-field ceremony at Busch Stadium.

Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski, Retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL), and NMOHMF President and CEO Chris Cassidy accepted the gift from Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth last night during an on-field ceremony at Busch Stadium before the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Milwaukee Brewers. While in St. Louis, Slabinksi and Cassidy also participated in a fireside chat at the Anheuser-Busch headquarters with Whitworth on the values of the Medal and how they can be applied in everyday life.

Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO, said: "For as long as there has been a Medal of Honor, Anheuser-Busch has been making a positive impact in their communities. Their generosity will help preserve the legacies of Medal of Honor recipients and inspire the next generation of Americans with their stories of leadership, courage, selflessness and love of country. We are deeply grateful for their support of our mission, and I enjoyed spending time with their team in St. Louis."

"Anheuser-Busch is incredibly proud to be a founding supporter of the National Medal of Honor Museum as part of our long-standing commitment to serving those who serve," said Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "This is just one more way that we can honor and recognize the servicemen and women who have sacrificed for our country, especially the more than 5,000 veterans who work at Anheuser-Busch. Thank you to all those who serve, and we look forward to celebrating the opening of this exceptional museum."

Retired Command Master Chief Slabinski was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the U.S. Navy SEALs during the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan. When his team's helicopter was forced by an enemy attack to make a crash landing during the battle of Takur Ghar Afghanistan on March 4, 2002, his actions aided in the defense of his team's position. For 14 hours, he protected the mountain position until the hill was secure and his team was extracted.

The National Medal of Honor Museum broke ground on March 25, 2022, and is slated to open its doors in early 2025 with more than 100,000 square feet of space, including 31,000 square feet dedicated to Exhibition Galleries telling the history of the Medal of Honor and the stories of the American heroes who earned it, such as Retired Command Master Chief Slabinski. The Museum also will have dedicated spaces for classrooms, meeting venues, symposiums, memorials and ceremonies.

To date, the NMOHMF has received tens of thousands of donations from donors from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and a handful of other countries. The commitment from Anheuser-Busch will be delivered through the Anheuser-Busch Foundation over the next five years.

About the Museum and Monument: The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Leadership Institute will inspire Americans by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat. Serving as a national landmark  and located in America's heartland in Arlington, Texas  the Museum will provide an unrivaled visitor experience and illustrate the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism and courage that runs through all U.S. military service members, past and present. Beyond its state-of-the-art, interactive experiences, a critical part of the Museum's mission will be to use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients to inspire their fellow Americans and motivate them to be their best selves.

A National Monument in Washington, D.C., will commemorate the service and sacrifice of the bravest and most decorated members of the U.S. Armed Forces. To be located in the nation's capital, it will give all Americans the opportunity to reflect on the courage and patriotism that safeguard freedom and democracy.

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

About Anheuser-Busch: At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States.

We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed up to DKK 950 million (EUR 127 million) to establish a world-class facility for the final development steps and upscaling of cell therapies for testing in humans. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator will fill a critical gap in the Danish cell therapy ecosystem, helping to translate breakthroughs in cell therapy research into real-world treatments for people with diseases such as chronic heart failure, Parkinson's, kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and several forms of cancer.

The facility will be located at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Lyngby. It will serve public and private, national and international clients from academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry and is expected to be operational in 2027.

"Cell therapies have the potential to take us from treating or managing the symptoms of chronic diseases to treating the disease itself, or even curing it with a one-off procedure," says Thomas H.R. Carlsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator.

"We've seen major advances in the laboratory in recent years, but many promising cell therapy candidates face difficulties reaching clinical trials, partly because we can't currently develop cell therapy products in large, consistent quantities here in Denmark. I'm thrilled to be heading an initiative that will change this and provide hope to people living with chronic diseases."

Consistent and scalable cell therapy production

Cell therapies involve the transplantation of living cells into patients to treat diseases. The primary activities at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator will be further developing cell therapies that have already been tested successfully in animals, and manufacturing these consistently and at scale for early clinical trials.

The facility will support several cell therapy types  those derived from embryonic stem cells, from induced pluripotent stem cells and from adult stem cells  and provide a range of services, from process development to product GMP manufacturing, product release and regulatory support. There will be built-in flexibility with regard to therapy types and services in order to respond to changing demands in a field that is developing rapidly.

While a few hospitals in Denmark already have small-scale facilities for manufacturing cell therapy products, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator will be the first large-scale production site and the first to gather such a broad range of expertise and services under one roof.

The Cellerator will be located at DTU partly due to the university's significant expertise in cell manufacturing and existing infrastructure.

Anders Bjarklev, President of DTU, is pleased with the upcoming facility.

"The location of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator at DTU allows for significant synergies with our research, education and innovation in health tech and biotechnology, which is happening in close collaboration with start-ups and companies," says Bjarklev.

"The Cellerator will provide our researchers and students with a unique opportunity to translate cell technologies into cell therapy treatments. DTU is among the world's leading universities in biotechnology and innovation, and the Cellerator is a significant element in our vision of maintaining and strengthening that position."

Knowledge hub for Denmark and Europe

Co-creation is at the heart of the initiative, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation is already forming strong partnerships that will be crucial for success. A key partner alongside DTU is reNEW, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, a research consortium established in 2021, spanning Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands.

Professor Melissa Little, CEO of the consortium and Executive Director of reNEW Copenhagen, is excited about this partnership.

"At reNEW, our research into stem cells is driving the development of new stem cell-based treatments to repair or replace specific cells or tissues," says Professor Little.

"Given our major programmes in cell and gene-modified cell therapies, the construction of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator will be a major opportunity to help move from the laboratory to the clinic. This is currently a major hurdle in the field. As such, the goals of reNEW and the Cellerator align."

Thomas H.R. Carlsen (CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator) and Foundation representatives are also in dialogue with public and private stakeholders across the Danish cell therapy landscape and further afield, gathering insights and sharing learning with similar facilities in Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, the US and elsewhere.

"We expect this facility to become the critical link here in Denmark that enables ground-breaking stem cell discoveries to be taken all the way to proof-of-concept in human chronic disease trials," says Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. "Partnering with academic, clinical and biotech scientists in the field is key to succeeding with future curative therapies.

"And we're setting our sights even higher too. We believe the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator can be a leading player in Europe and a model for similar facilities around the world, helping Denmark to punch above its weight in the search for cures to some of the world's most serious chronic diseases."

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator

The Cellerator will be established as a limited liability company fully owned and funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and operated as an independent philanthropic initiative.

The physical premises hosting the operations will be a newly established process development and Good Manufacturing Practice facility designed to meet the specific needs of the Cellerator services.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2024, with the facility operational in 2027.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation's mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.

www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en

SOURCE Novo Nordisk Foundation
Ability to have Medicare questions answered by fellow Minnesotans drives increased confidence

EAGAN, Minn., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new survey from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), for Minnesotans aged 65 and older, the importance of dependable and helpful customer service is nearly universal when evaluating the value of a Medicare plan.

The surveyi, conducted with more than 500 Minnesota seniors enrolled in Medicare plans offered by a range of local and national carriers, reveals a number of positive trends and timely insights as the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is set to begin in October. Key findings include:

Nearly all (98%) of Minnesota seniors consider customer service to be an important factor within a Medicare plan.

seniors consider customer service to be an important factor within a Medicare plan. More than half (55%) of Minnesota seniors agree that having a local health insurance plan staffed by fellow Minnesotans can increase confidence.

seniors agree that having a local health insurance plan staffed by fellow Minnesotans can increase confidence. 71% of seniors call their Medicare plan's customer service line at least once a year. Primary reasons for calling are to ask general questions about plan benefits, coverage and/or network.

The driving factors that make a customer service experience positive include having a positive/respectful interaction with the representative (58%) and receiving clear/helpful explanations from the representative (55%).

John Hines, a long-time Twin Cities radio personality, has partnered with Blue Cross to raise awareness of health issues facing seniors  something that hits closer to home now that he relies on Blue Cross for his Medicare coverage. He understands the complex feelings that come with enrolling in a plan and the value of good customer service.

"It took a minute, but I've adjusted to thinking of myself as a 'senior'  and I'm proud of how I've kept my health top of mind in my first years of Medicare," said Hines. "Like so many of my friends and family over 65, I appreciate having a friendly, knowledgeable voice on the other end of the line when I call Blue Cross with questions about my plan. There's nothing better than knowing that I'm going to get answers from someone who also calls Minnesota 'home'."

An Established Leader in Medicare Customer Service

Blue Cross Medicare plans are top-rated by its members for customer service, based on 2022 CAHPS resultsii. According to Blue Cross data, more than two-thirds (78%) of Medicare member calls are successfully resolved in a single phone call. Backed by a service team of nearly 500 Minnesota-based Member Experience Advocates, Blue Cross retains 95% of its Medicare enrollees from one plan year to the next. The importance of local service is also reflected in the high rate (85%) of Blue Cross Medicare enrollees who use the services of a Minnesota insurance agent or broker.

More Minnesota Seniors are Placing an Importance on Health

The Blue Cross survey also indicates that 71% of seniors in the state feel motivated to prioritize their health since turning 65, up from 67% in 2022. Additionally, more than half (55%) of all seniors strongly agree that they feel in control of their overall health.

"It's encouraging to see more and more seniors prioritize their health  and regain a sense of control after the recent challenging years," said Dr. Mark Steffen, senior vice president of medical management and chief medical officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. "Taking full advantage of their Medicare plans and resources is an important part of maintaining overall well-being  along with other core activities such as staying active, eating healthy and spending time with loved ones."

For more information about the senior survey, visit Bluecrossmn.com/seniors.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

For 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

i Survey methodology: Blue Cross surveyed 510 Minnesota residents 65+ years of age. The survey was fielded August 11-24, 2023.

ii Based on 2022 CAHPS results. Star rating information is on medicare.gov/plan-compare. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star rating information is on medicare.gov/plan-compare.

Radio personality and Blue Cross member John Hines is a paid promotional spokesperson for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

MID Y0138_092023_G01_C

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York City Regional Center ("NYCRC") is pleased to announce the first I-829 petition approvals issued to EB-5 investors participating in its Fresh Direct Project (Phase I) offering ("Project"). I-829 petition approvals have now been issued in 16 NYCRC offerings. To date, 1,875 I-829 approvals have been issued to investors in NYCRC offerings resulting in 5,402 individuals (EB-5 investors and family members) achieving permanent residency in the United States.

The issuance of the I-829 petition approval removes the conditional status and deems the EB-5 investor to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Permanent residence permits EB-5 investors to live and work anywhere in the United States and be protected by the laws of the United States. An EB-5 investor's spouse and children are also authorized to live, work, and attend school anywhere in the United States.

The Project included the first phase of construction of Fresh Direct's new headquarters in the South Bronx. The facility includes space for food processing, warehousing, distribution, and operations for Fresh Direct, the largest independent, full-service internet food grocer in the United States. The Project is an economic development initiative that is bringing much needed new jobs to the Bronx. The Project is also a component of New York City's efforts to strengthen and grow the food manufacturing and distribution industry, a significant sector of the city's economy.

Construction of the Project is complete and all $85 million of EB-5 capital was spent on qualified construction expenditures. The I-829 petition submission reflects that 2,156.6 jobs were created from construction-related activity. The loan was repaid on March 8, 2021.

About NYCRC

NYCRC was approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008 to secure foreign investment for real estate and infrastructure projects under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The company was the first regional center approved in New York City. To date, NYCRC has put over $1.5 billion of capital to work across a broad spectrum of infrastructure and real estate projects in New York City. Much of this capital has been invested in underserved areas in need of long-term economic growth. Examples include:

$811 million to finance ground-up, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects in Brooklyn , including eight projects totaling $383 million in the Brooklyn Navy Yard;

to finance ground-up, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects in , including eight projects totaling in the Brooklyn Navy Yard; $108.5 million to finance ground-up and redevelopment projects in Washington Heights (an Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone);

to finance ground-up and redevelopment projects in (an Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone); $232.5 million to finance the construction of a public high-speed wireless infrastructure network in New York City subway stations and along city streets; and,

to finance the construction of a public high-speed wireless infrastructure network in subway stations and along city streets; and, $220 million to finance ground-up construction in the Bronx .

In addition, since 2016, a NYCRC-managed entity has received five separate new market tax credit awards from the U.S. Department of Treasury totaling $210 million. These allocations have provided a unique opportunity for the NYCRC to broaden its mission of providing financing that creates jobs and stimulates community revitalization in underserved areas of New York City. Previous new market tax credit capital has gone towards development projects that typically face financing challenges, such as health care centers, charter schools, and community facilities. These tax credit allocations are among the first managed by an EB-5 regional center.

SOURCE NYCRC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Uzbekistan is satisfied with Azerbaijan's success in restoring territorial integrity and welcomes the country's determination in Karabakh, Sadyk Safayev, the first deputy chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis (Uzbekistan's Parliament) said, Trend reports.

"We are satisfied with Azerbaijan's successes in all spheres, especially in restoring territorial integrity and justice. We support Azerbaijan in its just struggle to restore territorial integrity and defend the country, carried out despite any difficulties, and we welcome the determination of the government and the people," he said.

Safayev expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will turn Karabakh into "one of the paradisiacal corners of the world." According to him, Shusha will open its arms to welcome guests from all over the world to delight in its beauty and charm.

Moreover, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh on September 19 in order to completely expel Armenian illegal armed formations from its territory.

As a result, in less than 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army 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 by the Armenian Armed Forces units.

Thus, an agreement on the cessation of anti-terrorist activities was reached at 13:00 (GMT+4) on September 20.
The new facility gives teens an appropriate care setting when they're ready for the next step.

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexus Health Systems, a network of inpatient specialty care hospitals and residential campuses, announced today the grand opening of its San Antonio location. The new center will care for adolescents with brain or spinal cord injury, as well as those with co-occurring behavioral, mental and physical health needs.

Outside of Dallas and Houston, San Antonio is the next largest healthcare hub in the state; however, there is a void that Nexus is proud to help fill with the programs and services offered, hospital CEO Justin Sanderson said.

Nexus is expanding our services and programs to help individuals who have been turned away from everywhere else. Post this

"Not only is Nexus expanding our services and programs into an area where they're in high demand, but we're developing programs to help individuals who have been turned away from everywhere else they've tried to seek care," Sanderson explained. "We're offering a place for adolescents to find healing and security, where a true multidisciplinary team is onsite to address their medical and behavioral conditions that brought them to us. That's what sets us apart. With this new location, we're saying, 'Come here. Nexus wants to help you.'"

Adolescents with complex medical, behavioral and mental health needs often need more time in an inpatient setting to make meaningful and lasting progress, which is where Nexus Neurorecovery Center comes in, director of rehabilitation Lyndsey Resnik, OTR, CBIS, LSVT explained.

"An interim between hospitalization and home didn't exist in San Antonio  or many places across the country, in fact. A bridge between the two is of critical importance to help individuals continue progressing through therapeutic services and adequately prepare families and residents to allow for an ease of transition home," said Resnik.

The multidisciplinary team at Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio looks forward to partnering with the medical community in San Antonio and surrounding areas, helping with challenging cases and those who have lacked placement.

Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio has 25 private and semi-private inpatient rooms in addition to a variety of amenities across the two-floor facility. Two transitional suites were designed for families and caregivers to learn and practice skills so they can confidently care for their loved one at home. Additionally, the secured behavioral unit has anti-barricade doors and complete anti-ligature suites.

The 22,278-square-foot inpatient facility also features two rehabilitation gyms with state-of-the-art equipment and a space for music therapy. Multiple living room style lounges on campus are ideal for activities and movie nights.

Many of the individuals the programs will serve are significantly behind or are individuals who never finished school or may have no work experience. Various areas of the campus were specifically designed to empower residents to care for themselves and build skills that could be added to a resume. An expansive rehabilitation kitchen and cantina were designed for residents to have hands-on experience with foodservice work, including math skills, social skills, bookkeeping, food preparation, and other vocational skill development. A horticultural area outside also supports vocational skill development. The design supports Nexus' mission of returning patients to lives of productivity and meaning.

As a leader in specialized care for adolescents with complex needs, Nexus Neurorecovery Center unites psychiatry, internal medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians in one setting. The facility will offer traditional physical, occupational, and speech therapies along with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy/family psychoeducation, and interpersonal psychotherapy. The cross-discipline schedule of services is developed on an individual basis and residents fall within one of two programs:

The adolescents Nexus serves need direction  they may be lost in the system or need support to overcome medical and behavioral health challenges. The True North Residential Program provides the services and positive environment to lift up these adolescents. "True North", a climbing and hiking term, is used to guide people on expeditions. Just like that, Nexus' program gives kids a true north  a point to strive toward. Starting at "base camp", Nexus helps adolescents in their care reach their goals, or their summit. This program will also be offered at Nexus Neurorecovery Center  Conroe.

After a brain injury or spinal cord injury, individuals often require a broad range of services as their level of responsiveness and medical conditions evolve. The RISE Program emphasizes standards of care developed to help patients across all phases of injury recovery. Treatment is not prescriptive, rather the individualized plans are creative and motivating, and ultimately, more effective at helping individuals rise to their maximum potential.

Nexus Health Systems strives to meet the community's and country's needs with every new program developed and facility opened  Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio is no different.

The facility was designed to create lasting outcomes for residents so they can return to home, school and community environments successfully and confidently, explained Director of Behavioral Health, Christa Brantley, LPC.

"We are creating a place where young people want to come to put the work in and heal themselves," she said.

ABOUT NEXUS HEALTH SYSTEMS

Nexus Health Systems offers a network of inpatient specialty hospitals and residential campuses for children, adolescents, and adults who need a bridge between hospital and home. These post-acute environments continue the progress made thus far after serious injury, illness or other diagnosis. Nexus provides its unique combination of physical, behavioral and mental health services at facilities across Texas.

The Nexus continuum of care enables patients to transition from higher-acuity to lower-acuity environments as progress is made, prioritizing continuity of care and individualized treatment plans. Taking a holistic approach, Nexus' specialized programs guide patients and families through brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, co-occurring behavioral, mental health, and medical needs, medically complex diagnoses and conditions, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Nexus is committed to serving the needs of our community and helping individuals return to lives of productivity and meaning. Learn more at nexushealthsystems.com.

Media Contact

Rebekah Maurin

Senior Copywriter

Design At Work

832.200.8246

[email protected]

SOURCE Nexus Health Systems
MIAMI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newsweek today announced their annual rankings for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list, and Nicklaus Children's Health System was ranked #41. 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, appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

"Nicklaus Children's is honored to be recognized once again among 'America's Most Loved Workplaces.' This recognition is a testament of our commitment to our employees who work hard every day providing amazing, high-quality care to the children and families we serve," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System. "We know our workforce is the key to our success and the reason we are the place where children matter most. That's why we strive to provide our employees with the benefits and resources they need to live healthy, well-balanced lives."

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 organization's 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."

For the full Newsweek list of 2023's Most Loved Workplaces, please visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-loved-workplaces-america-2023.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Children Matter Most

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.

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

For more information:

Fuad Kiuhan

Nicklaus Children's Health System

[email protected]

786-449-4797

Scott Baxt

Head of Research, Most Loved Workplace

[email protected]

917-805-6413

SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Health System
HELSINKI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nomentia, a European leader in treasury and cash management solutions, is excited to announce a significant milestone in its journey with the launch of a comprehensive product update. Starting today, all Nomentia solutions can be accessed seamlessly from a single unified platform, offering unparalleled convenience and efficiency to treasurers and finance teams.

Since the merger of Nomentia and TIPCO in the fall of 2021, the company has continuously expanded its offerings, empowering treasury and finance professionals to excel in their roles. Over the past two years, Nomentia has successfully executed numerous projects while simultaneously working towards its overarching vision of consolidating its cash and treasury management solutions into a unified hub.

Dubbed 'OneNomentia', this ambitious project has been eagerly awaited by clients, partners, and followers alike. The integration of all cash and treasury management solutions into a single platform promises various benefits, enhancing user experience, streamlining development and maintenance efforts, and fostering future innovation.

Hubert Rappold, Chief Sales Officer at Nomentia and former co-CEO at TIPCO, shared his perspective on this transformative milestone: "Today marks the realization of our commitment to delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions to treasurers. 'OneNomentia' signifies not just an end, but a new beginning, a fresh chapter in our journey to redefine treasury management in collaboration with our clients."

The consolidation of previously separate Cash Management and Treasury Management solutions brings a multitude of advantages:

Unified Platform: A variety of treasury challenges can now be tackled with the Nomentia ecosystem.

A variety of treasury challenges can now be tackled with the Nomentia ecosystem. Seamless Transition: Users of Nomentia Cash Management can effortlessly use Treasury Management modules and vice versa.

Nomentia The modular approach remains intact: This allows clients to select the tools they require for their unique workflows.

This allows clients to select the tools they require for their unique workflows. Scalability: As organizations need new treasury technologies according to their roadmaps, Nomentia's solutions can be easily added later on.

As organizations need new treasury technologies according to their roadmaps, Nomentia's solutions can be easily added later on. Innovative Leap: The integrated platform accelerates the introduction of future innovations, empowering clients with cutting-edge advancements.

The integrated platform accelerates the introduction of future innovations, empowering clients with cutting-edge advancements. Enhanced User Experience: Substantial UI/UX improvements for elevated user experience and ease of use.

Jukka Sallinen, Chief Executive Officer at Nomentia, expressed enthusiasm for the journey ahead: "Our clients' needs have always driven us, and 'OneNomentia' reflects our commitment to their success. While today marks a significant achievement, it's merely the foundation for our vision of becoming the number one treasury management solution for treasurers."

This exciting update signifies Nomentia's commitment to empowering treasurers and finance professionals with an unmatched platform for their critical functions. To experience the new Nomentia firsthand, interested parties are invited to attend a live webinar on 10 October 2023, where the company will showcase its latest innovations and provide insights into the future roadmap.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Barbara Babati

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

+358407623356

SOURCE Nomentia Oy
BOSTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Belay Health Solutions, the company on a mission to empower primary care practices to succeed in value-based care, today announced the addition of two executives to the team whose strategic expertise and depth of experience will be pivotal as we navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape.

Andrew Herman joins as Chief Financial Officer

Sarah Swank joins as General Counsel

"I am thrilled to welcome Andrew and Sarah to the team," said Andrew Allison, Co-Founder and CEO of On Belay. "They both bring deep healthcare and specifically ACO and value-based care expertise in their respective functions, ensuring we have the right leadership in place to scale our company and support our partner practices."

Andrew Herman joins On Belay as the Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 15 years of health care finance, managed care and ACO operations experience to On Belay. Most recently, Andrew was CFO of Steward Health Care Network (SHCN) where he was responsible for financial operations of SHCN nationally, including the commercial, Medicare and Medicaid value-based business units. "As the incoming CFO of On Belay, I am committed to driving financial excellence and sustainability in our mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape, ensuring that we not only meet our financial goals but also enhance the well-being of the patients we serve."

Sarah Swank joins as General Counsel. She brings over 20 years of experience as a senior in-house counsel in national health systems and a strategic thought leader and advisor in nationally recognized, top-rated law firms. Sarah represented some of the first ACOs and telehealth programs in the country, supporting efforts to improve quality of care and health outcomes. Sarah is a national author and speaker, Vice Chair of ABA Health Section Publications Board, and former Vice Chair of Education for the American Health Law Association In-House Practice Group. "I am thrilled to join an organization driven by its mission to empower clinicians to thrive in their daily work and impact the health of the communities they serve."

On Belay recently announced the expansion of its leadership team with Bob LoNigro MD, SVP Clinical Affairs, and Kate Casaday, Chief of Staff. On Belay has more than doubled in size in the last six months and is hiring at a fast pace to meet the needs of its growing physician base.

About On Belay Health Solutions

On Belay Health Solutions is on a mission to empower primary care providers to deliver the best possible care, while optimizing their financial and operational performance. On Belay supports practices in successfully transitioning to value-based care with solutions that improve patient outcomes and care team experience. On Belay currently operates in 15 states, including Washington D.C., partnering with practices to create a brighter, more sustainable future for healthcare. Learn more at www.obhs.com.

SOURCE On Belay Holdings, Inc.
Trend Micro data shows new ransomware victims surged 47% in six months

DALLAS, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, today published data revealing that one in every six ransomware attacks targeting U.S. government offices was traced back to the LockBit ransomware group. The report also noted that the number of new victims increased by 47% from the second half of 2022.

To read a copy of the report, LockBit, BlackCat, and Clop Prevail as Top RAAS Groups: Ransomware in 1H 2023, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/ransomware-by-the-numbers/lockbit-blackcat-and-clop-prevail-as-top-raas-groups-for-1h-2023

Trend's data shows many ransomware threat actors focus on smaller organizations they presume to be less well-defended. Post this

Jon Clay, VP of threat intelligence at Trend: "We've observed a significant increase in the number of ransomware victims since the second half of 2022. Threat actors continue to innovate, target more victims, and cause significant financial and reputational damage. Organizations of all sizes must prioritize and enhance their cybersecurity posture. Our report should help network defenders, policymakers, and other stakeholders make better-informed decisions in the ongoing fight against ransomware."

The report* revealed that many ransomware threat actors are no longer going after "big game" targets, instead focusing on smaller organizations they presume to be less well-defended.

Organizations of up to 200 employees accounted for a majority (57%) of LockBit victims and a plurality (45%) of Black Cat victims in the first half of this year. For Clop, large enterprises accounted for half (50%), with small businesses comprising 27%.

U.S.-based organizations remain a prime target for ransomware operators, with the highest number of ransomware victims in the first half of 2023 (949)  accounting for nearly half of all ransomware attacks. This figure represents a 69.94% increase compared to the second half of 2022. The U.K. (132) and Canada (88) were the next most affected countries.

The incidence of ransomware attacks targeting U.S. government offices in 2022 has revealed that the LockBit ransomware group was responsible for one in every six of these attacks. This highlights the persistent threat posed to government agencies in the U.S.

Other findings from the report include:

47% increase in new Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) victims , from 1,364 in 2H 2022 to 2,001 in 1H 2023

, from 1,364 in 2H 2022 to 2,001 in 1H 2023 11.3% increase in the number of new RaaS groups over the period to 69 in 1H 2023

over the period to 69 in 1H 2023 LockBit, the top ransomware family since 2022, accounted for 26.09% of total victim organizations, with BlackCat and Clop responsible for 10.59% and 10.09% of attacks, respectively.

The banking, retail, and transportation sectors were the most targeted in 1H 2023.

I.T., healthcare, and manufacturing emerged as the most targeted sectors in terms of ransomware file detection.

*The report is compiled with data collected from ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and extortion groups' leak sites, Trend Micro's open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, and the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.

SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated
Census Results Demonstrate Success of the PALCUS Make Portuguese Count Campaign

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PALCUS, the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States, the singular national organization representing and serving the national Portuguese community, today announces that the data from the 2020 US Decennial Census shows an increase in the population of Americans who claim Portuguese ancestry with a total population of 1,454,262. When compared with the previous decennial census in 2000 and the American Community Survey in 2010, the total from the 2020 Census shows an increase of Portuguese-Americans over the past 30 years. (see figure 1).

PALCUS: 2020 US Decennial Census Reveals Increase in Population of Portuguese in the United States

The 2020 Census was the first time that Portuguese was assigned an identification code, along with two sub-identification codes for Azorean and Madeiran. PALCUS has been working with the Census Bureau for the past 15 years to ensure that the 2020 Census would be the first time the Portuguese community experienced a true count, and launched a national two-year campaign entitled Make Portuguese Count. All previous population data, including data from the American Community Survey, were estimates based on algorithms designed to project the population counts based on sampling and in all likelihood resulted in undercounts.

"During the 2020 Census, there was a unique opportunity for our community to finally prove that there is strength in numbers," said PALCUS Chair, Katherine Soares. "We are thrilled that not only do these numbers show that our community is growing, but also that the Portuguese population in the United States is no longer just an estimate or approximation. We now have official numbers that tell us how many we are and where we are. The increase in the Portuguese population revealed in the 2020 Census Data demonstrates that our nation-wide campaign, Make Portuguese Count, led by former PALCUS Director Marie Fraley was effective in informing the Portuguese-American community about the importance of self-identifying as Portuguese. We thank Marie, and the dozens of MPC captains who worked across the country for over two years to really get the word out that we are Portuguese and we count."

The goal of the Make Portuguese Count campaign was to ensure that as many Portuguese-Americans as possible were aware of why the Census is important to our community, how to answer Question #7: Race/Origin on the 2020 questionnaire, and encourage Portuguese Americans to fill out the Census. On the proposed question, respondents first check the race with which they identify and under that selection, write in "Portuguese" in the space provided in order to be counted as Portuguese. Thirteen years ago, in the 2010 American Community Survey, 1,405,909 million residents self-identified as having Portuguese ancestry, however PALCUS and other research experts speculate that number may have underestimated the Portuguese-American population . The data for 2010 was based on a survey rather than a total count of the population, and the Census Bureau (before Census 2020) used different methodology to collect data on ancestral origin.

Why is it Important to Have an Accurate Count of Portuguese Americans?

When PALCUS can show educators, legislators, and the business community the strength of Portuguese-Americans in their areas, a stronger case can be made to ensure that the Portuguese-American voice is heard and their concerns and interests are addressed. In addition, the census numbers determine funding and resources such as:

Funding for schools, public safety and roads, highways and bridges in the communities where Portuguese live is determined by population.

Businesses decide where to set up their headquarters and outlets based on U.S. Census data.

Congressional districts are determined by population.

For us as Portuguese specifically, our strength is in our numbers in local, state and federal elections. Elected officials respond to the fact that Portuguese-American citizens are numerous in their districts and vote at a higher level by approximately 20% more than the national average (Scott, PALCUS Index National Survey, 2017).

By writing in "Portuguese" in the Race/Origin question, we can be counted by census tract, city/town, county, state, and national totals.

"The number of Portuguese Americans who indicated that they had Portuguese origins far exceeds the number provided by data collected by the Census Bureau using probability sampling techniques," said Dr. Dulce Maria Soares Scott, PALCUS Research Fellow, Professor at Indiana University and the leading research expert on Portuguese-American data. "We are looking forward to analyzing the data at smaller geographical levels, including county, Congressional district, school district, and census tract levels. A more granular analysis of the data within these smaller geographies will provide our community with a much more concrete picture of exactly where Portuguese Americans reside as well as a better understanding of our socioeconomic and political power in different areas of the United States."

The 2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A (Detailed DHC-A) provides population counts and sex-by-age statistics for approximately 1,500 detailed race and ethnic groups and detailed American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tribes and villages.

Some of the biggest changes in our Portuguese population include:

California continues to be the state with the largest Portuguese population, with 350,011 Portuguese

continues to be the state with the largest Portuguese population, with 350,011 Portuguese North Dakota is the state with the fewest number of Portuguese, with 703

is the state with the fewest number of Portuguese, with 703 Hawaii went from being the 8th state with the most Portuguese to the 3rd

went from being the 8th state with the most Portuguese to the 3rd Rhode Island , Massachusetts , Alaska , Arkansas , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Maine , Mississippi and Missouri all saw a decline in the number of Portuguese (when 2020 Census data is compared to ACS 2012-2016 5-year estimate data).

For Hawaii, this data may be a result of the different data collection methodology used in Census 2020, which permitted people to indicate a larger number of ancestral origins.

2020 US Decennial Census Resources

About PALCUS

About PALCUS

PALCUS is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. It was founded in 1991 with the purpose of providing a singular national voice that would advocate for the interests of Portuguese-Americans in the United States. PALCUS is committed to serving the community through increasingly active government relations efforts, the promotion of a greater awareness of ethnic accomplishments and encouraging stronger ties between Portugal and the United States. In this role, we advance the community professionally, academically, politically and culturally, while working to ensure that issues directly affecting our community are addressed through our network of government and community leaders. To learn more about PALCUS, visit www.palcus.org.

Press Contact:

Gracielle Camilo

12024664664

http://www.palcus.org

SOURCE PALCUS
TSXV: PGZ | OTCQX: PGZFF

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pan Global Resources Inc. ("Pan Global" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGZ) (OTCQX: PGZFF) is pleased to announce completion of the Company's first sustainability assessment report from Digbee ESG ("Digbee"), a leading independent assessment platform for the mining industry.

"The 2023 ESG Report marks a significant milestone in the Company's journey towards excellence in environmental, social, community engagement, health and safety practices, and governance. The report underscores our commitment to responsible operating practices," said Tim Moody, President and CEO.

"Our inaugural report showcases the Company's dedication to the principles of sustainability and highlights the positive impact in the communities where we operate. We have embraced continual learning as we approach the next phases of development at the Escacena Project."

The ESG report provides a comprehensive assessment of Pan Global's performance across a broad range of ESG criteria and, importantly, provides the Company with a platform to target further improvement in future years as part of the rigorous and standardised scoring process by Digbee's independent panel of qualified mining ESG experts.

Jamie Strauss, Founder and CEO of Digbee, commented, "As an EU developer of critical mineral products and as the first Spanish junior exploration company to join the UN Global Compact initiative, Pan Global acknowledges the importance of planning an ESG journey that relies not just on compliance but recognizes the benefits of best practice. Through the Digbee process, it is expected that Pan Global will prioritize areas of improvement with which it will act on over the coming 12 months."

Our Commitment

Environmental Stewardship: Pan Global recognizes the importance of environmental conservation and has implemented comprehensive measures to minimize its environmental impact. By adhering to stringent environmental standards, Pan Global aims to protect local ecosystems and minimize disturbances from exploration activities.

Social Responsibility: The well-being of the communities surrounding the Escacena Project is of paramount importance to Pan Global. The Company has actively engaged with local stakeholders, providing employment opportunities, and supporting community development initiatives. Pan Global is committed to fostering positive relationships and ensuring that its operations bring lasting benefits to the region and to Spain.

Governance Excellence: Transparency and ethical conduct are core principles at Pan Global. The ESG Report outlines the Company's governance framework, including its commitment to adhering to all relevant laws and regulations. Pan Global is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance to build trust with shareholders, partners, and the community.

Inclusion of Copper in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act:

The announcement earlier this year of copper's inclusion in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act recognizes the strategic importance of copper in Europe's transition to a greener, more sustainable economy. Copper is a crucial component in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and other technologies essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As well as being one of the most important mineral regions in Europe, the Iberian Pyrite Belt is also the most significant Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide mining district for copper and other metals globally. In a recent study conducted by the European Commission, it was reported that the EU imports 48% of its current copper requirements, the majority of which derives from Chilean exploration and extraction and from Chinese processing facilities.

As a copper exploration company in Spain, Pan Global's commitment to responsible exploration of copper and other metals aligns with the EU's efforts to secure a resilient and sustainable supply chain for critical raw materials. Spain is also the greenest energy producer/consumer in Europe and the backbone of that energy supply is the copper and tin used in solar panels, wind turbines, and electricity generation, storage, and delivery.

Pan Global invites all stakeholders to learn more about our commitment to sustainability at https://www.panglobalresources.com/sustainability. The Company looks forward to continued collaboration with its partners in its pursuit of a more sustainable and responsible mining industry.

About the Escacena Project

The Escacena Project comprises a large, contiguous, 5,760-hectare land package controlled 100% by Pan Global in the east of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Escacena is located near operating mines at Las Cruces and Riotinto and is immediately adjacent to the former Aznalcollar and Los Frailes mines where Minera Los Frailes/Grupo Mexico is in the final permitting stage with construction anticipated to start in 2023. The Escacena Project hosts the La Romana copper-tin-silver discovery and a number of other prospective targets, including Zarcita, Hornitos, La Jarosa, Romana Deep, Romana North, Romana West, Canada Honda, Bravo, Barbacena, El Pozo, and San Pablo. The Company has also conducted work on the Aguilas Project that includes approximately nine investigation permits, and covering approximately 16,300 hectares in northern Andalucia, Spain. Pan Global is targeting zinc, lead, silver, and copper and initial drilling has reported positive results.

About Pan Global Resources

Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively targeting copper-rich mineral deposits, given copper's compelling supply-demand fundamentals and outlook for strong long-term prices as a critical metal for global electrification and energy transition. The Company's flagship Escacena Project is located in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in southern Spain, where infrastructure, mining and professional expertise, and support for copper as a Strategic Raw Material by the European Commission collectively define a tier-one jurisdiction for mining investment. The Pan Global team comprises proven talent in exploration, development, and mine operations - all of which are committed to operating safely and with utmost respect for the environment and our partnered communities.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Forward-looking statements

Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release 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. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products, and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

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 Pan Global Resources Inc.
CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Process Analyzer Market is expected to grow from USD 7.8 billion in 2023 to USD 9.3 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 3.6% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of the process analyzer market is propelled by rising demand for water and wastewater treatment, increasing use of process analyzers in drug safety, and fiscal policy measures by regional financial institutions to boost the process analyzer market.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=148603279

Browse in-depth TOC on "Process Analyzer Market"

120  Tables

40  Figures

200  Pages

Process Analyzer Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $ 7.8 Billion Estimated Value by 2028 $ 9.3 Billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Liquid Analyzer, Gas Analyzer, Industry and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Complexity of installation and operation Key Market Opportunities Growing demand for environmental monitoring Key Market Drivers Rising demand for water and wastewater treatment

TOC Analyzer segment to hold the largest market share in the year 2022.

TOC analyzers are essential measurement components in a host of industries relying on process control and reporting of regulated organic discharge levels. Industries often use TOC analysis to protect vital systems from corrosion by monitoring the raw water feedstock and process water quality. The increasing demand for water and wastewater treatment in various countries and the wide use of TOC analyzers in water treatment for industrial and domestic use are expected to help the TOC analyzer segment maintain the largest share of the liquid analyzer market in 2022.

Oxygen Analyzer segment to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

An oxygen analyzer is one of the important gas analyzers utilized in a wide range of industries. Oxygen plays an important role in any combustion process, and the amount of oxygen in the process decides whether the combustion is rich or lean. These analyzers are also used for boiler combustion control, oxygen measurement in flammable gas mixtures, and environmental monitoring at reflow furnaces and globe boxes. The wide use of oxygen analyzers across industries is expected to help the oxygen analyzer segment record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Pharmaceuticals segment to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to exhibit the highest growth during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the stringent regulations regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products. Various gas and liquid analyzers have become indispensable for monitoring critical process parameters in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Process Analyzer market from 2023 to 2028.

Asia Pacific accounted for the most significant global process analyzer industry share 2022. Process analyzer solutions are widely adopted in APAC owing to the large-scale manufacturing base in the region. Most key global companies from different industries have shifted their manufacturing units to Asia Pacific owing to low labor costs and easy availability of a skilled workforce. Key automotive, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, refining, and mining industries have a regional base.

Key players operating in the Process Analyzer Companies include ABB (Switzerland), Emerson Electric Co. (US), Siemens (Germany), Endress+Hauser Group Services AG (Switzerland), Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Japan), Mettler Toledo (US), Suez (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), Ametek: Inc. (US), Anton Paar GmbH (Austria) and Others in the Process Analyzer market.

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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.

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CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the near future, the radiation shielding material industry is poised for remarkable growth and innovation as advancements in technology, space exploration, and medical treatments continue to flourish. With increasing demands for safer nuclear energy, robust space exploration missions, and precise medical diagnostics and therapies, the industry is set to witness a surge in research and development, leading to the creation of novel materials that offer enhanced radiation protection while being more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. These cutting-edge materials will not only revolutionize the safety of nuclear facilities and space travel but also improve patient care in the field of radiology and oncology. As the world increasingly relies on radiation for various purposes, the radiation shielding material industry will play a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more sustainable future.

Radiation Shielding Material Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $714 million in 2023 and is poised to reach $980 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Growth in the Medical Radiation Shielding market is mainly driven by the growing usage of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy for diagnosis and treatment and Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment expected to offer growth opportunities for players operating in the Medical Radiation Shielding market during the forecast period. However, the Lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, Dearth of Skilled Oncologist/Radiologist and No mandate for using lead aprons during dental x-ray procedures in the US are restricting the growth of this market.

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $714 million Estimated Value by 2028 $980 million Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% Market Size Available for 20212028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Type, Material and Application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Raising demand for cancer treatment Increasing private investments in cancer research Key Market Drivers Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment

Electromagnetic Radiation segment is expected to account for the largest share in 2022.

The Radiation Shielding Material market, by product, has been segmented into Electromagnetic Radiation and Particle Radiation. Electromagnetic radiation will drive the growth of the market electromagnetic shielding refers to the use of shielding materials to block or attenuate the shielding area and the outside world of electromagnetic energy transmission. Also X-ray and gamma rays are forms of electromagnetic radiation that occur with higher energy levels than those displayed by ultraviolet or visible light. Thick, dense shielding, such as lead, is necessary to protect against the energy emitted from x-rays as Shielding and x-ray room design is a very important consideration for any healthcare facility that performs diagnostic and interventional radiology.

The Lead Shielding segment held the largest market share in the material market.

By Material, the global Radiation Shielding Material market is broadly segmented into Lead Shielding, Lead Composite Shielding and Non-Lead and Lead Free Shielding. Lead Shielding is expected to grow highest in the upcoming years. The Increasing safety awareness among people working in radiation radiation-prone environment will drive the demand for the radiation safety which will require radiation shielding product made of lead shielding material.

North America dominates the global Radiation Shielding Material market.

Based on the region, the Radiation Shielding Material market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world. The North American market is driven by the growing focus on growing government and private investments to meet the increasing demand for cancer treatment and Development of number of PET/CT scans technology.

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

1. Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment

Restraints:

1. Dearth of skilled oncologist/radiologist

Opportunities:

1. Raising demand for cancer treatment Increasing private investments in cancer research

Challenge:

1. High cost of lead in manufacturing radiation accessories

Key Market Players:

The Key players in the Medical Radiation Shielding market are ETS-LINDGREN (An Esco Technologies Company) (US), Nelco worldwide (US), Infab Corporation (US), Burlington Medical (US), MarShield (Canada), Ray-Bar Engineering Corp (US), Mars Metal Company (Canada), Radiation Protection Products (US), Nuclear Lead Co (US), Ultraray (Canada), Veritas Medical Solutions, LLC (US), Global Partners in Shielding, Inc (US), Nuclear Shields (Netherlands), A&L Shielding (US), Amray Medical (Ireland), Protech Medical (US), Lemer Pax (France), Pilot Industries Limited (India), Mayco Industries (US), Nuclear Shielding Supplies & Service (US), Canada Metal North America Ltd. (Canada), Lead Shielding (US), Wardray Premise (UK), Calder Healthcare (UK) and Gravita India Ltd. (India).

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Radiation Shielding Material Market Advantages:

Enhanced Safety: Radiation shielding materials provide crucial protection against harmful ionizing radiation, ensuring the safety of workers, patients, and the environment in industries such as healthcare, nuclear power, and aerospace.

Innovation and Customization: Ongoing research and development efforts have led to the creation of advanced shielding materials that are more efficient, lightweight, and customizable to specific needs. This innovation allows for tailored solutions in diverse applications.

Environmental Sustainability: The industry is increasingly focused on developing eco-friendly shielding materials that have minimal environmental impact. This commitment to sustainability aligns with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of various industries.

Space Exploration: Radiation shielding materials are essential for protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation during space missions. As space exploration efforts expand, the market plays a critical role in enabling long-duration missions to Mars and beyond.

Medical Advancements: Radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging are vital components of modern healthcare. Radiation shielding materials enhance the precision and safety of medical procedures, contributing to improved patient outcomes.

Regulatory Compliance: Stringent safety regulations and guidelines mandate the use of radiation shielding materials in industries like nuclear energy and healthcare. This ensures compliance and fosters a culture of safety.

Cost Efficiency: Advanced materials offer improved shielding with reduced thickness and weight, leading to cost savings in construction, transportation, and space missions.

Radiological Emergencies: Radiation shielding materials are crucial for emergency response and disaster management in cases involving nuclear accidents or radiological incidents, helping to minimize exposure and protect first responders and the public.

Global Health Security: In a world facing evolving threats, radiation shielding materials contribute to strengthening global health security by safeguarding against potential radiological hazards.

Market Growth: The radiation shielding material market is expected to experience sustained growth as the demand for radiation protection increases across various sectors, offering opportunities for investment and job creation.

In summary, the radiation shielding material market plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety, enabling innovation, and advancing various industries while contributing to environmental sustainability and global health security.

Recent Developments:

In August 2023 , ETS-Lindgren announced its strategic alliance with TUV Rheinland North America for its new Technology and Innovation Center located in Massachusetts , including AMETEK-CTS, Fair-Rite, Innova, and Rohde & Schwarz, are key supporting partners in the creation of the Technology and Innovation Center. With the cooperation of ETS-Lindgren and these industry leaders, TUV Rheinland will facilitate the integration of essential equipment, enabling the delivery of holistic customer solutions.

, ETS-Lindgren announced its strategic alliance with TUV Rheinland North America for its new Technology and Innovation Center located in , including AMETEK-CTS, Fair-Rite, Innova, and Rohde & Schwarz, are key supporting partners in the creation of the Technology and Innovation Center. With the cooperation of ETS-Lindgren and these industry leaders, TUV Rheinland will facilitate the integration of essential equipment, enabling the delivery of holistic customer solutions. In July 2022 , Burlington Medical has launched the XENOLITE 800 NL (No-Lead) apron series. XENOLITE 800 NL is a lead-free, super-lightweight, flexible, and recyclable x-ray radiation protection apron. The XENOLITE 800 NL series uses antimony and tungsten, which are supported, encapsulated, and homogeneously distributed in a tough-but-flexible, high-tech plasticized Dow elastomer matrix.

, Burlington Medical has launched the XENOLITE 800 NL (No-Lead) apron series. XENOLITE 800 NL is a lead-free, super-lightweight, flexible, and recyclable x-ray radiation protection apron. The XENOLITE 800 NL series uses antimony and tungsten, which are supported, encapsulated, and homogeneously distributed in a tough-but-flexible, high-tech plasticized Dow elastomer matrix. In January 2021 , Infab Corporation (US) accuried MediDrapes, a provider of disposable protective drapes used in medical imaging equipment such as mini-C-arms, fluoroscopes, and ultrasound machines, added to the company's portfolio.

Related Reports:

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Medical Radiation Shielding Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Radiation Detection Monitoring Safety Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Infection Control Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Medical Radiation Detection Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

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.





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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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RapidAscent brings its unique program to California to help the veteran community; organization is a member of the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech network

PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidAscent, Inc. (RA), a national educational apprenticeship organization, today announced its official recognition by the State of California for its Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program, marking a significant milestone in the organization's commitment to providing exceptional vocational training and career development opportunities for veterans nationwide.

RA is a member of the CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech network, a national initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and led by the American Institutes for Research in partnership with CompTIA to create employment opportunities in the tech workforce for individuals leaving the military from diverse backgrounds, while simultaneously helping employers fill tech staffing needs.

In furtherance of this achievement, RA has developed a program that can use tools such as SkillBridge, The Good Jobs Grant and even corporate funding to bring this educational opportunity to the student at no cost. These options allow a veteran leaving the military to gain a skillset in a rapidly expanding field and can let them continue to serve the country in a cybersecurity role with a government agency or government contractor.

Mike Lyons, co-founder of RA, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, "With a steadily increasing need for cybersecurity professionals, RapidAscent's programs, that uniquely create operational skills in cybersecurity, are a deeply needed addition to gain critically needed job skills."

In August, U.S. employers listed more than 12,000 job postings for information security analysts, a 19% increase from July. The approval of RA for California State Apprenticeship Program offerings signifies the organization's dedication to bridging the gap between education and industry, equipping aspiring veterans with the necessary skills and practical experience to thrive in today's competitive job market.

"Our collaboration with California and California businesses marks a major step towards our goal of making cyber career apprenticeship opportunities available to a wide range of candidates. These programs then provide companies with qualified candidates whose skills are directly aligned with job opening requirements," said Craig Schultz, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder at RapidAscent.

Through this collaborative effort, RA will reach out to the veterans stationed in California enabling them to contribute to the nation's workforce and realize their full potential.

The USDOL selected the American Institutes for Research (AIR), a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of education, health and the workforce, and CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce, to serve as a national Industry Intermediary for expansion of apprenticeships in tech occupations.

About RapidAscent, Inc.

RapidAscent has developed a competency-based program, including wage progression based on the competencies verified by skills assessments and signed off by the learner and the job manager/mentors. These competencies are focused on cybersecurity analyst/engineer registered roles and have been co-developed and reviewed with major government defense contractors. This program is built around providing transitioning veterans with the tools and skills necessary for success in the technology sector. https://rapidascent.com

Media Contact

Steven Ostrowski

CompTIA

[email protected]

630.678.8468

SOURCE CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The information spread in some Armenian social media accounts that the Azerbaijan Armed Forces allegedly launched an attack in the Khankendi direction is completely false and disinformation, Trend reports.

"We categorically deny the information," the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said in a statement.
Charting the course for a new era of conversational AI, Rasa is set to unveil its latest innovations around Generative AI and safely leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to build outstanding conversational experiences.

LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasa, a leader in Conversational AI technology, is pleased to announce its Premier Platinum partnership with Chatbot Summit for its 7th international edition of the event, taking place at the ICC ExCeL London on 11-12 October 2023.

Rasa is excited to join Chatbot Summit's ecosystem and partner with Sunrize to help accelerate the adoption of Conversational & Generative AI together.

Rasa set to unveil its latest innovations around Generative AI & LLMs to build outstanding conversational experiences. Post this Rasa is Proud to Announce Its Premier Partnership at Chatbot Summit ExCeL London 2023

Rasa is at the forefront pioneering the way for next-level conversational AI assistants, enabling enterprises to create adaptive brand experiences for their customers by handling conversations fluently and with more resilience than ever before. Rasa is designed to provide you with the best of both worlds: superior dialogue management that remains firmly aligned with pre-defined business logic for maximum reliability and security, and at the same time offering maximum ease of use during the AI assistant building process. All this is possible by leveraging LLMs at the core of its platform so you can provide a truly elevated conversational customer experience.

Rasa's CTO & Co-founder Dr. Alan Nichol and Chief Customer Officer, Patrick Viau, have invited Deutsche Telekom to join them on stage to talk about how Rasa is working with Telekom to create smart AI assistants and to share Rasa's vision on the future of how generative AI is shaping customer interactions. Also, don't miss another session with Dr. Alan Nichol on "The new Rasa Platform: Low-code and pro-code development of LLM-native, reliable assistants".

"We are excited to be partnering with the Chatbot Summit at such a monumental time in the industry and to be unveiling Rasa's game-changing product innovation at the event!" Patrick Viau, Chief Customer Officer

Stop by booth A600 to:

Hear more about Rasa's big product announcement

Learn how Rasa helps you to create intuitive customer experiences

Share your thoughts, ask your questions, and meet with Rasa experts

About Rasa



Rasa is the leading open generative conversational AI platform to build and deliver next-level AI assistants. With Rasa, brands can leverage the power of generative AI to create adaptive brand experiences for their users. By automating processes, improving customer satisfaction, and gathering valuable insights, Rasa enables brands to create exceptional customer interactions while reducing costs. Trusted by startups to Fortune 500 companies, Rasa ensures data privacy, security, and scalability for enterprises of all sizes. Rasa is privately held, with funding from Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, and Basis Set Ventures. www.rasa.com

Want to meet with us live at the summit in London?

About Chatbot Summit | The Home of World-Leading Bots



Following the success of previous editions held in Berlin, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, which collectively connected over 10,000 leaders in Generative and Conversational AI, Chatbot Summit has chosen ExCeL London as its new home, with the support of London & Partners and Visit Britain.

This eagerly awaited event is set to take place at the ExCeL Capital Suite, drawing in over 1,000 leaders who will gather to learn, connect, collaborate, and collectively shape the market and set the tone for our future.

To learn more about Chatbot Summit, please visit our website at www.chatbotsummit.com

SOURCE Rasa Technologies, Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Renaissance Foundation, established by Renaissance Life and Health Group announced it has donated $40,000 to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Idalia in the Southeast and the Maui wildfires in Hawaii. The American Red Cross is stretching its resources to respond to these two large disasters more than 4,500 miles apart by providing shelter, food, health and mental health services, as well as relief supplies.

"Our hearts go out to all of those who have suffered because of these catastrophic events," said Diana Steinhoff, President and CEO of Renaissance. "As a recent resident of Florida, I understand firsthand the devastation, cleanup, rebuilding and recovery challenges people in affected areas face. Renaissance has a history of giving to communities where its members, employees, partners and their families work, live and play, and we're pleased to be able to contribute to the American Red Cross relief and recovery efforts once again."

Renaissance has a history of giving  and we're pleased to be able to contribute to the American Red Cross relief again. Post this

To help thousands who were affected by these disasters, the Red Cross deployed trained disaster workers, including more than 900 in the Southeast and more than 1,100 in Hawaii, who are helping on the ground or virtually. Red Cross workers will continue to aid people in these communities in the weeks and months ahead, providing compassionate, equitable assistance.

"As extreme weather increases, more people need help from the Red Cross, which is only possible with the generous support of donors like the Renaissance Foundation. We thank you for your continued commitment to our humanitarian work," said Michael D. Brown, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Across Florida and Georgia, the Red Cross has already provided more than 2,500 overnight stays in 33 shelters and more than 288,000 meals and snacks with the help of partners. In Hawaii, it has helped provide more than 186,000 overnight emergency shelter and hotel stays and more than 593,000 meals and snacks.

Founded in 2013, the Renaissance Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a goal of improving the lives and health of children and their families through advocacy, education and philanthropy. It provides resources and volunteers that promote maintaining a healthy lifestyle and financial protection.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org , or cruzrojaamericana.org , or visit the American Red Cross on X (formerly Twitter) .

About Renaissance

Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America and its sister company Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of New York offer ancillary benefits for employer groups and individuals nationwide. Dental, vision, life and disability insurance comprise the core line of the companies' ancillary benefits solutions. With headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., Renaissance companies are focused on providing their members and partners with outstanding products and services. Renaissance has an "A" (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from independent credit rating agency AM Best. Visit renaissancebenefits.com , and find us on Facebook , LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) .

SOURCE Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America
A defense lawyer ensures that your constitutional rights are protected throughout the legal proceedings says Cody Villalon

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Having a criminal defense lawyer when charged with a crime in Virginia provides numerous benefits:

Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law

Legal Expertise: Criminal defense lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal system, including laws, procedures, and court processes. They can navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system and provide valuable guidance to their clients. Protection of Rights: A defense lawyer ensures that your constitutional rights are protected throughout the legal proceedings. They will work to prevent any violations of your rights, such as unlawful searches or coerced confessions. Case Assessment: An experienced defense lawyer can assess the strength of the prosecution's case against you. They will analyze the evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments to identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies that can be used in your defense. Defense Strategy: A defense lawyer will develop a strong defense strategy tailored to your specific case. They will explore all possible legal defenses, negotiate with prosecutors, and advocate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome, whether it's a dismissal, reduced charges, or an acquittal at trial. Evidence Gathering: A skilled defense lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence in support of your defense. This may involve interviewing witnesses, collecting documents, and utilizing expert witnesses to challenge the prosecution's evidence. Negotiations and Plea Bargaining: In some cases, it may be in your best interests to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. A defense lawyer will skillfully negotiate on your behalf to secure a favorable plea agreement, potentially reducing charges or obtaining a more lenient sentence. Court Representation: If your case goes to trial, a criminal defense lawyer will provide strong representation in court. They will present your defense, cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution's evidence, and deliver persuasive arguments to the judge or jury. Emotional Support: Being charged with a crime can be emotionally taxing. A defense lawyer can provide emotional support, guiding you through the process, answering your questions, and alleviating your concerns.

"We are all guaranteed rights under the law, but our rights only exist as long as there are people that are willing to defend them," says Attorney Cody Villalon.

About Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law

Cody Villalon is a compassionate criminal defense attorney with over 10 years of experience representing clients accused of serious crimes. He is adept in handling violent offenses and DUI cases, as well as a wide range of other charges. Mr. Villalon is highly respected, aggressively defending his clients against potential life-altering consequences and countering the opposition in Virginia courts. Contact him at 804-316-0765.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law
Leading Residential + Commercial Power Washing Franchise Rolls into New Markets Across the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rolling Suds, a leader in residential and commercial power washing for 30-plus years, is riding the wave of success as the emerging franchise awarded agreements for 42 territories across 11 states. Since launching its franchise opportunity earlier this year, the brand has made impressive strides year to date from franchise development to strategy and beyond. Rolling Suds is on a strong trajectory to sell 25 more units by year's end.

Rolling Suds kicked off the year with announcing its unique franchise opportunity in a booming, yet unregulated industry with tremendous growth potential. Within a handful of months, the brand has signed agreements with 14 franchisees looking to stake their claim with the growing franchise brand. Currently, 18 units are open and operating, with 24 more in various stages of development. The emerging franchise now has a presence in 11 states including California, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, and has vast whitespace available nationwide.

"I've always been confident that Rolling Suds was an exceptional brand and franchise opportunity, and the growth and interest we've had in such a short time further proves that," said Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds. "From high profit margins to a simple business model to being recession-resistant, we are anchored by years of proven franchise success. We are rolling out fast, but this is just the beginning."

As this aggressive growth continues, the Rolling Suds leadership team has identified key markets for growth from coast to coast. The brand is looking to align with business-minded individuals looking to become a staple in the communities they serve.

"We have built a strong infrastructure that encompasses comprehensive hands-on training and support  all which are needed to sustain the rapid growth we're experiencing," added Harper. "Our team has already created the systems that would be necessary for a franchise with 250  300 units in its system. With this, we are more than primed for intense growth while providing exceptional services to our franchisees for their long-term success."

Rolling Suds is a proven business backed by more than 30-years of industry experience and knowledge. One of its key differentiators is the quality and process of the service itself, and ability to complete jobs two to three times more quickly. Rolling Suds has a proprietary cleaning process which utilizes high-quality materials and a specific dilution of soaps within their wash method. With state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained professionals, Rolling Suds is a sustainable business with the ability to invest back into itself.

The Rolling Suds brand and franchise is built on three core elements  relationships, reputation and reliability  and each are applicable to both consumers and franchisees. Having unparalleled experience in such an unregulated industry, Rolling Suds franchisees will be able to differentiate themselves from competitors through a recession-resistant business model. The business support that franchisees receive is immense, including a nine-week interactive power launch training program, one week in person training, six months of lead generation, digital and marketing needs handled, technician training, among many other essential business aspects are provided. It's truly a complete business in a box.

Rolling Suds is looking to bring on single and multi-unit franchisees. For more information on its franchise opportunity, visit https://rollingsudsfranchise.com/get-started/ or call 949-877-2948.

ABOUT ROLLING SUDS:

Rolling Suds is the premier franchise in power washing, bringing unparalleled standards to an unregulated industry. The company, founded more than 30 years ago, has helped more than 200,000 residential and commercial customers while building a great reputation by hiring the best people, using the best equipment, and providing the best experience in the industry. Anchored by years of unmatched results, Rolling Suds aims to make power washing one less thing to worry about for customers across the U.S. by expanding into new markets.

SOURCE Rolling Suds
DUBLIN, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Dissolving Pulp Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Manufacturing Process, By Raw Material, By End-Use, By Region, Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global dissolving pulp market is poised for significant growth, with an expected valuation of USD 7,452.97 million by 2032.

This comprehensive report provides invaluable insights into the current market dynamics and a detailed analysis of future market trends.

Key Factors Driving Growth

Key factors driving this growth include the increased use of dissolving pulp in the textile industry, its consideration as a potential cotton substitute, and rising demand across various industrial applications. Furthermore, dissolving pulp finds applications in cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals, further boosting market growth. The industry's surge in research and development activities, coupled with technological advancements and the introduction of improved products with advanced characteristics, is contributing positively to the market's expansion.

Sateri's Green Milestone

In a noteworthy development, Sateri announced in July 2022 the launch of three new zero-carbon fiber products, EcoCosy, Lyocell, & FINEX, all of which received the PAS2060 assessment certification. This marks a significant milestone in the company's journey towards green and low-carbon sustainable development.

Focus on Process Integration

Another trend driving market growth is the increasing focus on process integration within the pulp production process. By integrating various stages of production, energy consumption is reduced, and efficiency is improved, leading to a lower environmental impact.

Utilization of By-Products

Additionally, the utilization of by-products from the dissolving pulp production process, such as lignin and hemicellulose, to create biofuels, biochemicals, and bioplastics is on the rise. Companies are increasingly adopting these by-products to diversify their product offerings and improve their sustainability profiles.

Market Dynamics

Drivers and Opportunities

Acidity Regulator also aids in controlling and treating the formation of kidney stones.

Increasing consumption of processed foods and beverages.

Restraints and Challenges

It may provoke allergies.

Dissolving Pulp Market Report Highlights

Acetylation Segment : The acetylation segment accounted for a substantial market share in 2022 due to its growing use in non-traditional applications like cellophane.

: The acetylation segment accounted for a substantial market share in 2022 due to its growing use in non-traditional applications like cellophane. Wood Pulp Segment : Wood pulp held the largest market revenue share in 2022, driven by its status as a renewable source with lower emissions, appealing to eco-friendly consumers.

: Wood pulp held the largest market revenue share in 2022, driven by its status as a renewable source with lower emissions, appealing to eco-friendly consumers. Textiles Segment : The textiles segment is expected to witness the highest growth, driven by changing clothing styles and the introduction of new designs.

: The textiles segment is expected to witness the highest growth, driven by changing clothing styles and the introduction of new designs. Asia Pacific Dominance: The Asia Pacific region dominated the market in 2022, thanks to its large consumer base and significant expansion in the textile industry.

Market Segmentation

The market report is segmented based on the following criteria:

Dissolving Pulp, Manufacturing Process Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032):

Acetylation

Etherification

Nitration

Xanthation

Others

Dissolving Pulp, Raw Material Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032):

Wood Pulp

Cotton Linters

Bamboo

Others

Dissolving Pulp, End-Use Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032):

Textiles

Cigarette Filters

Food Additives

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Pharmaceuticals

Paint

Others

Dissolving Pulp, Regional Outlook (Revenue - USD Million, 2019 - 2032):

North America : U.S. and Canada

: U.S. and Europe : Germany , UK, France , Italy , Spain , Russia , and Netherlands

: , UK, , , , , and Asia Pacific : China , India , Japan , South Korea , Indonesia , and Malaysia

: , , , , , and Latin America : Argentina , Brazil , and Mexico

: , , and Middle East & Africa : UAE, Saudi Arabia , Israel , and South Africa

Companies Mentioned

Tembec Inc.

Phoenix Pulp & Paper Public Co. Ltd.

Sun Paper Group

Yueyang Forest & paper Co. Ltd.

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

Rayonier Inc.

Sappi Limited

Bracell

The Lenzing Group

Aditya Birla Group

Fujian Qingshan Paper Industry Co. Ltd.

Rag Innovations

Abhiteja Industries

Hygiene Private Limited

Jilin Shixian Paper Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fna9fh

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.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) National Town Hall event, entertainer and business mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs applauded the academics, legislators and activists speaking at the event for the work they were doing to safeguard Black history in order to protect future freedoms, and drive greater diversity in corporate America.

Companies should empower their employees and partners of color. Post this (l-r) Academic and writer Michael Eric Dyson, Southern Poverty Law Center Chief Policy Officer LaShawn Warren, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones, Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown and Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) (l-r) Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean Diddy Combs and Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial (l-r) Academic and write Michael Eric Dyson, Fearless Fund COO Ayanna Parsons, Black Economic Alliance CEO Samantha Tweedy, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law President and Executive Director Damon Hewit, African American Policy Forum Executive Director Kimberle Crenshaw and Rep. Steven Horsford

Combs, who recently launched Empower Global, an e-commerce platform for black-owned businesses, said: "My goal is to add diversity in any industry I enter. It's not just about being in the same room, it's about sharing power. Companies should empower their employees and partners of color. Don't just check the box; make sure people of color have real power to make decisions and drive results, and don't just give us the black budget. Give us real budgets so that we can win. It's just good business."

The National Town Hall put the theme of this year's ALC  "Securing our Democracy. Protecting our Freedom. Uplifting our Culture."  into practice, charting a pathway toward securing democratic institutions as states continue to pass measures that suppress African American history, such as legislation or executive orders recently passed or enacted by 18 states that prohibit the teaching of alleged "divisive concepts" about race.

These measures include Florida's efforts in the last year to alter how Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies is taught in classes, bans on Critical Race Theory enacted in multiple states, and bills introduced in more than 30 states to restrict voting rights. To counter this, speakers offered responses that push back against the censorship, misinformation, voter suppression and other tactics that are cumulatively causing this democratic erosion.

The speakers were New York State Attorney General Letitia James; Rep. Stacey Plaskett, ALC Honorary Co-Chair; Rep. Steven Horsford, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Sean "Diddy" Combs, entertainer and entrepreneur; State Rep. Justin Jones, Tennessee State Representative; Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Dr. Jonathan M. Cox, Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis and Research, CBCF; Michael Eric Dyson, academic, writer, minister, and radio host; Kimberle Crenshaw, Executive Director, African American Policy Forum; LaShawn Warren, Chief Policy Officer, Southern Poverty Law Center; LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter Fund; and Samantha Tweedy, Chief Executive Officer, Black Economic Alliance.

Speaking ahead of the October trial of former President Donald Trump, Letitia James said, "With all the fiber, with all of your being, with all of the ancestors who flow through your DNA, we need to tell them the truth. I will be honored when I walk into that courtroom on October 2nd to hold someone responsible, to hold someone accountable. While my role is civil, I will come back before you soon with a check for $250 million, to let you know that he is no longer allowed to do business in the State of New York."

Kimberle Crenshaw said, "There are over 23 states that have passed bans on the way black history can be taught." She added, "We need to understand that this is about taking away our ability to narrate our lives. It's about taking away the ability to talk about inequality. It's about our inability to talk about the continuing ways racism shapes every aspect of our existence. If they can take away our ability to speak about reality, how are we going to be able to transform our reality."

Rep. Terri Sewell said, "Today, we know that old battles have become new again and our progress is under attack across the nation. Extremists are fanning the flames of racism, disinformation, and missing information. Our freedoms are erased, our culture is eroded, and our democracy is undermined. We see these new attacks every day: whitewashing our history, removing stories from our textbooks, restricting the right to vote, and the list goes on and on." She added, "We are truly at an inflection point in American society in the face of these attacks, with Americans being called upon to speak up, stand up, and take action."

Sen. Raphael Warnock said, "This is a moral moment in our country. We are called upon again to push the nation to center equity, all of its discussions and all of its policies, and to move forward the continuing project of democracy. Black folk have always had to play a particular kind of role in that work because we've been on the underside of that conversation somewhere, caught between being and becoming a democracy yet to be."

Contact : Yolanda Raine, CBCF Vice President of Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Group, a leading real estate developer renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation, is pleased to announce that it has awarded the prestigious construction contract worth over 1 billion Dirhams ($ 296m) for its Peninsula Four, The Plaza development to Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM).

Peninsula Four, The Plaza, an iconic project within the waterfront community Peninsula, promises to redefine luxury living with its architectural brilliance, breathtaking views and world-class amenities.

Peninsula Four, The Plaza

Situated in a prime location in Business Bay, this exclusive development embodies Select Group's unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional real estate projects. Peninsula Four, The Plaza boasts a substantial built-up area of 2,256,761 square feet, accommodating 1,025 premium units.

The preliminary activities, which encompass excavation, shoring, and piling, on this 320,000 square feet site have been successfully concluded in readiness for Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) to commence the primary construction phase.

This awarded contract completes the start all construction phases of the Peninsula development, marking a pivotal stage in this remarkable mega-development and is a testament to Select Group's unwavering dedication to delivering the master plan. As the developer advances into this final phase, the Peninsula community edges closer to its scheduled completion, transforming the waterfront landscape and redefining modern living in Business Bay.

Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM), a renowned name in the construction industry since 1974, has been selected as the construction partner for Peninsula Four, The Plaza, due to their stellar reputation for delivering high-quality projects. With a track record of excellence spanning several decades, ABM brings extensive expertise and a commitment to craftsmanship that aligns perfectly with Select Group's vision.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) on the construction of Peninsula Four, The Plaza," said Rahail Aslam, founder and Group CEO at Select Group. "Their reputation for delivering projects of the highest quality matches our commitment to excellence. We are confident that together, we will create an iconic development that will set new standards in luxury waterfront living."

Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) has already secured contracts for delivering other developments for Select Group in the waterfront community: Peninsula Five, The Signature Collection, and the flagship of the development of the master community, Jumeirah Living Business Bay, a branded residence designed by Killa Design, the mastermind designer behind Museum of the Future.

Tushar Pathak, Chairman of Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM), stated: "We are thrilled to have been selected as the construction partner for Select Group's newest project within the Peninsula waterfront community  Peninsula Four, The Plaza. Partnering with Select Group on this prestigious property development is a testament to our commitment to delivering excellence in construction. We are excited to be part of this ambitious project, and look forward to turning this remarkable vision into reality."

The partnership between Select Group and Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) represents a significant milestone in the real estate industry, promising a development that will leave an indelible mark on the Business Bay skyline and in the hearts of those who call it home.

About Select Group:

Based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Select Group is an award-winning real estate development and investment firm specialising in a selection of verticals including real estate development, investments, hospitality, and retail.

Select Group has delivered over 7,000 homes, more than 20 million sq ft, currently with another 5,000 homes under construction, a combined Gross Development Value of over AED 20 billion.

https://select-group.ae

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217334/Select_Group_Peninsula_Four_The_Plaza.jpg

SOURCE Select Group
8th Annual Continuing Medical Education Event at Congressional Black Caucus Foundation ALC 2023

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the National Medical Association's (NMA) 8th Annual Professional Development Series at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 2023 Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), physicians, elected officials and health care experts addressed issues related to health care transformation, including the shortage of Black physicians. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) spoke during the series and addressed health care disparities and the shortage of Black physicians.

The ALC is a gathering of visionaries, activists and leaders who are shaping the future of African Americans and the global Black community. According to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), only 5.7% of U.S. doctors are Black or African American, a detrimental shortage that has far-reaching and negative effects on the lives of people of African descent across the country.

While talking about the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act that he is co-sponsoring, Sen. Sanders shared details about the potential positive impact on the Black doctor shortage. "We have $300 million in the bill and it will go to those medical schools which focus on graduating doctors who go into primary health care. HBCUs do a very good job at that. In addition to that, we have a carve out of 20%, which would be $60 million that will go to minority medical schools, primarily HBCUs. So our effort will significantly expand the number of Black doctors in this country."

Multiple efforts are underway to address the shortage.

The NMA is working with the AAMC, a nonprofit association dedicated to improving the health of people everywhere through medical education, health care, medical research and community collaborations. The AAMC and the NMA are engaged in a collaborative effort to address the low numbers of Black male physicians. Based on research done by the AAMC, the enrollment of Black males in medical school only increased from 2.4% to 2.9% since 2014.

Sanders joined the NMA's 124th president, Yolanda M. Lawson, MD, as a speaker at the session. Dr. Lawson was elected as President in July 2023 at the association's national convention held in New Orleans.

"Our physician leaders, health care-expert speakers and legislators spent today addressing many of the challenging issues we face in transforming health care outcomes for Black communities. We are grateful that Sen. Sanders was able to join us and share some of the legislative solutions we can support to make a change," Dr. Lawson said.

The daylong Professional Development Series event was open to NMA members and attendees of the CBCF ALC. Throughout the day physician leaders and health care experts addressed key topics, including a national nutrition strategy, 340B drug pricing, changes to Medicaid, diversity and inclusion, the Black physician workforce, maternal and reproductive health, the HIV epidemic and the National Cancer Plan (the NMA is a participant in the President's Cancer Panel).

Joy D. Calloway, Executive Director of the NMA, noted that "even 129 years later, our mission and objective remains timely and critical. That is to amplify the voice of the Black physician, the Black patient and the Black community."

About the National Medical Association:

The NMA is the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians and health professionals in the U.S. and promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent. We serve as the voice of Black physicians and a leading voice for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities and promotion of optimal health. To learn more about the NMA, please visit https://www.nmanet.org/ .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sherelyn Weber

682-597-8633

[email protected]

SOURCE National Medical Association
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sendero Health Plans Inc. (Sendero) announced Wednesday it has named Sharon J. Alvis as the new chief executive officer to lead the nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO), which was created and is funded and owned by Central Health. Sendero offers health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Austin, Texas based Sendero Health Plans named Sharon Alvis as its next Chief Executive Officer. Alvis starts with the health maintenance orgination October 9, 2023.

Before joining Sendero, Alvis served as market president for Curative Insurance Company, where she led development of a new fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) catering to large employers. During her career, Alvis has served in senior management positions with health plans, hospitals, and physician organizations, including leading multiple start-up HMOs, PPOs, a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Alvis, who lives in Wimberley, has deep ties to Central Texas. "I believe healthcare delivery is ultimately local," she said. "The opportunity to build on and enhance the services Sendero offers to Central Texas intrigues me. I have closely followed the evolution and experience of Sendero Health Plans from its inception and was excited about the potential to directly contribute."

Alvis continued, "With its unique structure and ownership, Sendero, in collaboration with the Central Health System, has a unique opportunity to maximize powerful collective resources. I am challenged and excited about how Sendero can best align and augment the quality of care for Central Texans."

Alvis takes over from acting CEO Perla Cavazos, who will return to her role as Central Health's deputy administrator. Alvis' official start date is October 9.

Prior to her tenure at Curative, Alvis developed and served as president of Vista360health, a Central Texas based HMO serving individuals and small employers; regional vice president in Texas and Louisiana for a Medicare Advantage plan; the CEO of a PHO representing 450 physicians and three unaffiliated hospitals; and as the executive director of the St. David's Health Network and assistant vice president for St. David's Healthcare System.

"It's rare to find someone with Sharon's deep and diverse background in health insurance," said Sendero Board Chair Betty DeLargy.

DeLargy added that Alvis "has experience with Medicare, individual, small and large employers, HMO, and PPO business lines. Over decades, she has built strong relationships with providers  working for them and with them  so she understands their perspective as well as the insurance plan perspective. She has built strong executive teams and staff at several companies. The Sendero Board of Directors believes she's exactly what we need at this moment."

About Central Health

Created by voters in 2004 as Travis County's hospital district, Central Health's mission is to improve the health of the community by caring for those who need it most. The Central Health System's core objective is to provide high quality, equitable healthcare for Travis County residents with low income.

Serving about one in nine Travis County residents, we are building a better safety-net healthcare system that empowers communities and makes them better.

About Sendero

Created in 2011, Sendero Health Plans is an Austin-based, nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization funded and owned by Central Health. Dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, Sendero offers health plans on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace and is available in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, Lee and Caldwell counties.

SOURCE Sendero Health Plans
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Discover Financial Services ("DFS" or the "Company") (NYSE: DFS) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and docketed under 23-cv-06788, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired DFS common stock between February 21, 2019 and August 14, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired DFS common stock during the Class Period, you have until October 31, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

DFS is an American financial services company that owns and operates Discover Bank, an online bank that offers checking and savings accounts, personal loans, home equity loans, student loans, and credit cards. DFS's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "DFS".

At all relevant times, DFS represented that it maintained robust risk management and compliance protocols for its various business segments and needs, including, among other things, its customer credit card and student loan practices.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) DFS maintained deficient risk management and compliance procedures; (ii) as a result of the foregoing deficiencies, the Company had, inter alia, failed to comply with applicable student loan servicing standards, misclassified certain credit card accounts, overcharged customers, and failed to stem its ballooning credit card delinquency rate; (iii) the foregoing issues, when they became known, would subject DFS to significant financial exposure, regulatory scrutiny, and reputational harm; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On July 20, 2022, DFS issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2022. Among other items, DFS disclosed that it "is suspending until further notice its existing share repurchase program because of an internal investigation relating to its student loan servicing practices and related compliance matters." The Company also advised that "[t]he investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by a board-appointed independent special committee."

On this news, DFS's stock price fell $9.80 per share, or 8.93%, to close at $100 per share on July 21, 2022.

On July 19, 2023, DFS issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2023. Among other items, DFS disclosed that it had misclassified certain credit card products over an approximate 15-year period as a result of an acknowledged compliance failure. Specifically, DFS disclosed that it had incorrectly classified certain credit card accounts into its highest merchant and merchant acquirer pricing tier, beginning around mid-2007. In addition, the Company disclosed receipt of a proposed consent order from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in connection with an unrelated regulatory matter.

On this news, DFS's stock price fell $19.40 per share, or 15.92%, to close at $102.45 per share on July 20, 2023.

On August 14, 2023, DFS issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors (the "Board") and Defendant Roger C. Hochschild ("Hochschild") "have agreed that Hochschild will step down as Chief Executive Officer and President and as a member of the Board", effective immediately. Notably, the same press release also quoted DFS's Chair of the Board, who assured investors that "[t]he Board is continuously focused on Discover reaching its full potential across the business, including our commitment to enhancing compliance, risk management and corporate governance."

That same day, in an exhibit to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, DFS also disclosed that its credit card delinquency rate increased to 3.00% for the 24-month period ended July 31, 2023, as compared to 2.86% for the 24-month period ended June 31, 2023. As reported by Seeking Alpha that day, the Company's credit card delinquency rate now stood at a higher level than the pre-pandemic rate of 2.37% in July 2019.

Then, on August 15, 2023, Seeking Alpha published an article reporting on analyst speculation that Defendant Hochschild's resignation was directly tied to DFS's recently reported regulatory and risk oversight issues.

Following these developments, DFS's stock price fell $9.69 per share, or 9.44%, to close at $92.96 per share on August 15, 2023.

Finally, on August 17, 2023, during an earnings call hosted by DFS, the Company's top officers acknowledged that it was "paying the price" for past underinvestment in compliance, stressing that Defendant Hochschild's abrupt departure reflected a commitment to moving past regulatory troubles, thereby validating previously reported analyst suspicions on the matter.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Minister of National Defense of Turkiye Yasar Guler called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Guler congratulated the Azerbaijan Defense Minister on the successful completion of anti-terror measures and noted that Turkiye, as always, stands by Azerbaijan.

Besides, the Turkish minister expressed deep condolences to the families of the military servicemen who became martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured persons.

Hasanov spoke about the military success achieved in all directions in a short period of time during local anti-terror measures carried out in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

He emphasized that the heroism, bravery, and professionalism of Azerbaijani servicemen demonstrated during the anti-terror measures are highly appreciated by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev.

During the telephone conversation, a detailed exchange of views on a number of other issues of mutual interest took place.

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.
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky announces that it has commenced an investigation of Lumen Technologies Inc. (NYSE: LUMN) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty. To obtain additional information, go to:

https://zlk.com/compensation2/lumen-technologies-inc-lawsuit-submission-form-2

or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington, D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact the firm. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10004

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Fax: (212) 363-7171

www.zlk.com

SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. ("DigitalOcean" or the "Company") (NYSE: DOCN). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether DigitalOcean and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On August 3, 2023, DigitalOcean disclosed that it had identified certain errors within the "unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023," and that these financial statements should no longer be relied upon. The Company disclosed that as a result of the errors "accrued taxes as of March 31, 2023 were overstated and the income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was overstated by approximately $18 million."

On this news, DigitalOcean's stock price fell $11.57 per share, or 24.79%, to close at $35.11 per share on August 4, 2023.

Then, on August 24, 2023, DigitalOcean announced that the Company had assembled a search committee to identify its next Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), with current CEO Yancey Spruill to continue in his role until a successor is appointed.

On this news, DigitalOcean's stock price fell $2.65 per share, or 8.41%, to close at $28.86 per share on August 25, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of FMC Corporation ("FMC" or the "Company") (NYSE: FMC). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether FMC and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 10, 2023, before the market opened, FMC, despite raising its full-year revenue guidance in May 2023, announced that it was cutting its revenue for the second quarter and the 2023 fiscal year. FMC announced that "the revised guidance is driven by substantially lower-than-expected volumes due to an abrupt and significant reduction in inventory by channel partners, which only became evident towards the end of May and continued through the remainder of the quarter[.]"

On this news, FMC's stock price fell $11.62 per share, or 11.14%, to close at $92.63 per share on July 10, 2023.

Then, on September 7, 2023, Blue Orca published a short report on FMC, alleging that "FMC has concealed from investors that it has suffered a recent string of stunning legal defeats around the globe that have enabled competitors to now launch competing generics at prices up to 80% below the price of FMC's flagship insecticide product" and that "[c]ontrary to the Company's claims, FMC's process patents to not protect its flagship product from generic competition."

On this news, FMC's stock price fell $6.09 per share, or 7.41%, to close at $76.10 on September 7, 2023.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Party City Holdco ("Party City" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: PRTYQ). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Party City and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On January 17, 2023, Party City abruptly filed for bankruptcy, with the Company's bankruptcy filings citing its ongoing liquidity shortfall, its need for additional loans beyond the credit lines available to it, and its inability to locate lenders willing to provide additional loansissues previously undisclosed to investors.

On this news, Party City's stock price fell $0.253 per share, or 67.72%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $0.121 per share on January 19, 2023.

Then, on June 9, 2023, Party City revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that Ernst & Young LPP had resigned as its auditor due to a disagreement over the Company's decision not to include a "going concern" warning in its quarterly report for the third quarter of 2022, which would have alerted investors that there was substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months.

On this news, Party City's stock price fell $0.01 per share, or 21.52%, over the following three trading sessions, to close at $0.036 per share on June 14, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Planet Fitness, Inc. ("Planet Fitness" or the "Company") (NYSE: PLNT). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Planet Fitness and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On September 15, 2023, Planet Fitness announced that its board of directors had fired the Company's Chief Executive Officer Chris Rondeau. Planet Fitness did not give a reason for Rondeau's termination.

On this news, Planet Fitness's stock price fell $11.30 per share, or 18.9%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $48.50 per share on September 18, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Tengjun Biotechnology Corp. ("Tengiun" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: TJBH). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Tengiun and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On September 5, 2023, Tengjun announced that its previous financial statements on Form 10-K for "the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, should no longer be relied upon due to accounting methodology errors in such financial statements and that the Board deems it advisable and in the best interests of the Company to restate the financial statements by amending its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 as soon as reasonably practicable."

On this news, Tengjun's American Depositary Share ("ADS") price fell $3.15 per ADS, or 17.64%, to close at $14.71 per ADS on September 5, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Shift4 Payments, Inc. ("Shift4" or the "Company") (NYSE: FOUR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and docketed under 23-cv-03206, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Shift4 securities between November 10, 2021 and April 18, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Shift4 securities during the Class Period, you have until October 19, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Shift4 provides software and payment processing solutions in the United States. The Company provides, among other products and services, integrated and mobile point-of-sale ("POS") solutions.

In Shift4's third quarter of 2022, the Company completed its so-called "mass strategic buyout program" as part of a purported strategic initiative to insource its sales distribution network.

According to Shift4, because the Company is not a "member bank" as defined in certain payment network rules, the Company is not eligible for primary membership in certain payment networks and is therefore unable to directly access them. Accordingly, Shift4's payment networks require the Company to be sponsored by a member bank as a service provider, which the Company has accomplished through a sponsorship agreement with its sponsor bank. To cover overdraft obligations at the sponsor bank, prior to December 2022, Shift4 had funds deposited in a sponsor bank merchant settlement account to facilitate gross card transaction deposits for those customers the Company bills on a monthly, as opposed to a daily, basis.

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Shift4 had inadequate disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (ii) as a result, Shift4 failed to properly account for customer acquisition costs, thereby artificially inflating its net cash provided by operating activities; (iii) accordingly, Shift4 would likely be forced to restate one or more of its previously issued financial statements; (iv) Shift4 employed accounting maneuvers in connection with, among other things, its mass strategic buyout program and sponsor bank merchant settlement account, that were designed to present an inaccurate picture of, inter alia, the Company's performance, its underlying business quality, and its earnings power; (v) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Shift4's reputation and business; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On October 21, 2022, Shift4 disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the Company's third quarter 2021, full year 2021, first quarter 2022, and second quarter 2022 financial statements should no longer be relied upon and would need to be restated because of a material weakness in the Company's financial controls, which had caused it to incorrectly treat "customer acquisition costs" as cash used in investing activities rather than cash used in operating activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, Shift4 was forced to negatively revise its net cash provided by operating activities to $3 million (down from its originally reported $29.2 million), $30.8 million (down from its originally reported $37.1 million), and $70.8 million (down from its originally reported $85 million) for the year ended December 31, 2021, the three months ended March 31, 2022, and the six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively.

On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $1.21 per share, or 2.67%, to close at $44.16 per share on October 24, 2022.

On April 19, 2023, Blue Orca Capital published a report addressing Shift4 (the "Blue Orca Report"). The Blue Orca Report alleged, among other things, that "Shift4 [is], in reality, a roll-up of low-tech POS systems and payment processors which is substantially less profitable, generates far less cash, and is materially more levered than investors are led to believe." The Blue Orca Report further alleged that in 2022, "Shift4 engaged in a string of highly questionable and hyper-aggressive accounting maneuvers seemingly designed to keep the stock afloat, from cash flow manipulation to inexplicable distributor acquisitions that enabled it to capitalize a major component of COGS [cost of goods sold]." For example, the Blue Orca Report alleged, inter alia, that Shift4's "buyout of 50% of its independent distributors"i.e., in connection with its mass strategic buyout program"and Q4 2022 cash account withdrawal" from its sponsor bank merchant settlement account "together inflated operating cash flow by 61%."

On this news, Shift4's stock price fell $5.95 per share, or 8.68%, to close at $62.59 per share on April 19, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
SEATTLE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A study from the Fix Homelessness program of Discovery Institute reveals the expensive failure of the government to run a now-defunct downtown outreach program in Seattle funded by the region's leading foundations and corporations. It also reveals a lack of transparency from non-profits receiving millions in contracts from King County to address homelessness. Here is the full report, Homelessness Data Reveal Reasons for Collapse of King County Outreach Program.

"Information about the downtown program is hard to come by," said Caitlyn Axe, the Fix Homelessness program coordinator at Discovery Institute. "But the data we have reveals ineffective use of millions in funding while private nonprofits are accomplishing far more with far less."

Axe's research examined the multi-million dollar Partnership for Zero (PfZ) homelessness program of King County (metropolitan Seattle) to see how it compared to private, non-profit efforts. The study shows that county government-run mobile outreach efforts apparently spent nine times as much for each homeless person successfully housed as does the Salvation Army and three times as much as the Union Gospel Mission. (The non-profit Salvation Army receives some public funds, while the Union Gospel Mission does not.)

King County's program in 2022 spent $20,000 for each person housed, a figure that has risen to $26,000 this year.

"Homelessness has not been reduced, but has grown," said Axe. "Moreover, it is unclear that people listed as 'housed' stayed housed."

The Discovery report also examined data from 19 non-profit groups that obtain funds from the King County for the purpose of obtaining housing for the homeless. Ten groups provide data on their results, either online or in response to inquiries. But nine provide no data on their success at housing the homeless, even after repeated requests.

Making the situation worse is a public relations campaign from a coalition called "We Are In." Comprised of many of the largest foundations and corporations of the Seattle area, We Are In funded the County's Partnership for Zero program and even sponsored a Facebook quiz that stated that housing a homeless person costs $10,000. But the source given for that figure is not any program in Seattle, but an outdated study from Central Florida.

Axe added that, "Discovery Institute contends that the 'Housing First' emphasis of the governmentand, sadly, the private cheerleaders for this policyeffectively promotes housing only, and that isn't working well at all, not in Seattle, nor around the country. We need to address the root causes of homelessness like addiction and mental illness, and we need transparency and data that allows us to support organizations that are successfully and cost-effectively housing people."

Discovery Institute is a non-profit educational and research organization whose mission is to advance a culture of purpose, creativity, and innovation with programs in areas such as economics, education, technology, bioethics, and artificial intelligence.

SOURCE Discovery Institute
The retail property is the hard corner of the Sunrise Village Shopping Center

FULLERTON, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff") has sold the hard corner of the current Sunrise Village Shopping Center located in the City of Fullerton, California. The sold property includes the Del Taco drive-thru ground lease, and a 6,355-square-foot three-tenant pad, with current lessees, Papa John's Pizza, Sunrise Optometry, and Coffee Code. The buyer is Dream ERE: Real Estate, a local Orange County investor.

"This is a prime retail asset in Orange County that benefits from the high-traffic intersection of Euclid and Rosecrans, as well as the nearby established housing communities," explained Shopoff President and CEO William A. Shopoff. "Further strengthening this retail asset will be Shopoff's residential development, The Pines at Fullerton, that was approved to be built on the adjacent site, providing additional consumers in walking distance of this corner retail."

In January 2023 Shopoff received unanimous approval for the redevelopment of the aging Sunrise Village Shopping Center, with approval for The Pines at Fullerton, a mixed-use development of 113 homes including 49 small lot detached homes, 64 townhouses, and 23,000 square feet of neighborhood retail uses. With the sale of the corner retail, 2.69 acres of retail pads remain for sale.

About Shopoff Realty Investments

Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 31-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets, and development projects. The 31-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners, and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses. For additional information, please visit www.shopoff.com or call (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Disclosures

This is not an offering to buy or sell any securities. Such an offer may only be made through the offering memorandum to qualified purchasers. Any investment in Shopoff Realty Investments programs involves substantial risks and is suitable only for investors who have no need for liquidity and who can bear the loss of their entire investment. There is no assurance that any strategy will succeed to meet its investment objectives. The performance of this asset is not indicative of future results of other assets. Securities are offered through Shopoff Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, 18565 Jamboree Road, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92612, (844) 4-SHOPOFF.

Contact:

Jill Swartz

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949.427.1389

[email protected]

SOURCE Shopoff Realty Investments
JONESBORO, Ark., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons Bank (Simmons) celebrated the groundbreaking of a new branch in Jonesboro located at 1720 S. Caraway Rd. Construction on the new, nearly 20,000 square foot branch is underway with the branch projected to be completed in late 2024.

Jonesboro branch rendering

"With the addition of the new financial center in Jonesboro, Simmons Bank is continuing to deepen our commitment to Northeast Arkansas," said Kent Bridger, regional community president for Simmons Bank. "In addition to added convenience, the upgraded facility will also enable us to provide broader access to the products and services our customers' desire to meet their evolving financial needs."

The new, full-service location will provide a three-lane drive-thru access as well as an ATM with deposit capabilities. The branch will have mortgage and business loan capabilities and provide personal and business financial services. Architecturally, this financial center is one the first prototypes for Simmons Bank, which will be used to remodel existing branches and build new financial centers across the six-state footprint in the future.

Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects is the architectural firm of record and McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. serves as the engineering firm for the project. Flynco, Inc. will serve as the general contractor for Simmons Bank.

Simmons Bank

Simmons Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC), a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends for 114 consecutive years. Simmons Bank operates 231 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank oers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2023, Simmons Bank was recognized by Forbes' as one of "America's Best Midsize Employer" and among the "World's Best Banks" for the fourth consecutive year. In 2022, Simmons Bank was named to Forbes' list of "America's Best Banks" for the second consecutive year. Additional information about Simmons Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by following @Simmons_Bank on X (formerly Twitter) or by visiting our newsroom.

SOURCE Simmons Bank
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Military success has been achieved in the shortest possible time in the course of localized anti-terrorist activities in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region in all directions, Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov said during phone talks with Turkish National Defense Minister Yashar Guler, Trend reports.

Hasanov emphasized that during anti-terrorist actions heroism, courage and professionalism of Azerbaijani servicemen were highly appreciated by Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction-restoration works, and Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as restore the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities of a local nature were carried out in the region on September 1920.

Within the framework of the activities, positions of Armenian armed forces formations, their long-term firing points, as well as military means and military facilities, were disrupted using high-precision weapons in the front line and in depth. Civilians and civilian infrastructure were not targets; only legitimate military targets were put out of action.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.

At the suggestion of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh was scheduled for September 21, 2023 in Yevlakh.
Pontimax's Dynamic Meta-Inferencing (DM-I) Agent Plus Its "Capabilities & Coverage" Inferencing Knowledge Base is a Winning Combination for Meeting the DOD's JADC2 "Sense-Make Sense-Act" Goal

Pontimax Technologies LLC announced its Capabilities & Coverage Knowledge Base to complement its DMI-I Inferencing Agent, both in the Cloud and At-the-Edge

DANBURY, Conn., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

How Our Dynamic Meta-Inferencing Approach Operationalizes the JADC2 "Sense-Make Sense-Act" Paradigm

"Pontimax's DM-I Inferencing Agent directly implements the Joint All-Domain Command & Control-C2 (JADC2) "Sense-Make Sense-Act" paradigm, through its "Detect-Classify-Identify-Communicate" capabilities", Ray Keating, Managing Member, asserted. He described an example Ground Extraction mission scenario with a deployed Anti-Ambush Inferencing package. "Air dropped motion sensors are positioned along the ingress route, with an overhead platform tasked for mission support. The mission configured Inferencing Agent applies a configured Predicate Fact Pattern to any detected movements. If the movement pattern is classified as human(s) or vehicles, a Hostile Movements Event is inferenced and a "Fly-To the motion" sensor location command is sent to the overhead platform. The occurrence of the Hostile Movements Event triggers the start of a Hostile Forces Event inferencing, starting with a Machine Learning (ML) object classification Predicate, followed by an ML object identification Predicate. At each successful inferencing, the predicate result is communicated to the mission Android Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK) for consideration by the mission operator."

The "Capability & Coverage Knowledge Base" - Pontimax's Solution to Overcoming Inferencing Knowledge Complexity and Enabling Inferencing Assets Mission Planning & Execution Agility

Inferencing Information Complexity Could Form a Barrier to Operational Agility

"We realized very early that, both in the Cloud and particularly At-The-Edge, a wide-ranging set of user, sensing and sensing platform information would be required to successfully execute the dynamic inferencing actions necessary to deliver operational situation awareness and mission focused decision support. The availability of mission support assets, such as sensors, overhead platforms and ATAK Android Team Awareness devices, plus knowledge of their operational coverage would be essential both for mission planning and for mission execution. The reality is that, without the capability to quickly compile the mission's Inferencing Specification & Assets package, you'll have created a "Complexity Barrier" that will severely limit your operational agility."

Pontimax's Capability & Coverage (C&C) Knowledge Base

Situated on a Cloud platform or, for potential "disconnected" Cloud Edge operation on the mission Inferencing Platform, the C&C Knowledge Base provides a specially structured data store for holding information on Inferencing Platforms, sensors, their sensing types, the location coverage specifications and the provisioned inferencing capabilities. The C&C Knowledge Base forms the informational & operational data bases for driving the inferencing operations performed by mission deployed Inferencing Agents. To ensure that all necessary and sufficient (N&S) Inferencing elements are in place, the C&C Knowledge Base provides a proprietary algorithm to positively determine that all mission critical inferencing assets are available and reachable. It is the ability to perform ad-hoc N&S determinations that enables the Inferencing capability agility needed for successful mission Dynamic Inferencing support.

About Pontimax Technologies LLC

Founded in 1999, Pontimax Technologies has focused on AI technology development, building on a history of its predecessor firm's successes in Rule-Based Expert systems and Meta-Data Specification driven software. Starting in 2006, it originated its innovative Dynamic Meta Inferencing (DMI) technology and successfully applied DMI in multiple applications, including the ADLGuardian, a Caregiver Oversight system to support independent living for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) individuals and, subsequently, yrConnected, Pontimax's Personal Wellness & Safety Monitoring service.

About Ray Keating

Ray Keating, Managing Member of Pontimax Technologies is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and a combat veteran with forty-four combat missions in Southeast Asia. He is also co-inventor on six U.S. patents and several foreign patents. His record of solid accomplishment in Artificial Intelligence technology started with the design and implementation of the very first Rules-Based, Expert System used in daily brokerage operations, the Merrill Lynch Bond Funds Automated Swap System.

For further information, please visit us at www.pontimax.com

For more info/interviews etc.: Ray Keating, [email protected]/203-526-0170

SOURCE Pontimax Technologies LLC
Applications Now Open to Apply for EmpowHer and Her Village Grants

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boundless Futures Foundation, a new private foundation, today announced its commitment to provide financial support and leadership resources for aspiring female entrepreneurs starting businesses that aim to solve social issues. The Foundation will make grants to individuals and to mission-aligned nonprofits throughout the US.

Boundless Futures Foundation is built to be a trusted friend on a woman's entrepreneurial journey. Post this Soon Hagerty, Co-Founder of Boundless Futures Foundation

Even though female-founded companies have been bringing in more venture capital investment across increasing numbers of deals in recent years, only about 2% of total start-up venture capital dollars in the US are invested in companies founded by women.1 Boundless Futures Foundation sets itself apart from other entrepreneurship-focused foundations by offering no-strings-attached grants for female entrepreneurs  most others take equity in the start-ups that receive funding.

Through personal experience, the Foundation's founders Soon and McKeel Hagerty have seen the power of what a female business leader can do to make an impact on her family, community, and society.

As a serial entrepreneur herself, Soon understands the excitement and the emotional journey that comes along with starting a business. Her entrepreneurial roots run deep, starting when she was a young child. She and her family emigrated from Vietnam to Fresno, California, and they began selling fruits and vegetables from the back of a truck to grocery stores to support their family. They eventually created a wholesale produce business that still exists more than 40 years later.

Soon's family's experience inspired her to co-own and found several businesses including Luxe Communications, Centigrade, a global marketing and events company, and The Good Bowl, a mission- based Vietnamese restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan, that donates $1 per bowl to charity. As Senior Vice President of Brand at Hagerty, Soon played a lead role in transforming the company from a local specialty insurance company to a global, publicly traded lifestyle brand for car lovers that joined the New York Stock Exchange (HGTY) in 2021 with a value of more than $3 billion.

"Starting a new business can mean high stakes with high stress, so Boundless Futures Foundation aims to support female entrepreneurs using a holistic approach to build confidence, embrace community support and make meaningful connections for female entrepreneurs to not only achieve their vision but also drive positive, sustainable change in society," said Soon Hagerty. "Boundless Futures Foundation is built to be a trusted friend on a woman's entrepreneurial journey."

McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, first observed the power of women in business when his mother Louise led operations for the family business. In 1995, McKeel, in partnership with his sisters Kim and Tammy, led the business out of its start-up phase. Three decades later, the family company that started as a specialty insurance business has grown to provide products and services for the global collector car market.

Funders Founders Are Not Just

In addition to attracting less invested capital, women entrepreneurs in the US self-report lower confidence in entrepreneurship skills than men do, and, like women globally, still lack equal access to business-related networks, funding, and mentors or role models. 2,3

Boundless Futures Foundation supports female entrepreneurs whose businesses seek to solve social issues through their products and services, and through business models and practices. Boundless Futures Foundation grants provide capital and a supportive network that offers business answers and advice.

The Foundation aims to accomplish the following:

Empower young women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams by providing capital to support a new business that identifies and aims to solve a social issue; EmpowHer grants of up to $25,000 are awarded to female entrepreneurs who are at least 22 years old and are in the early stages of starting a business that addresses a social issue or has a purpose-driven concept embedded in its business model.

young women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams by providing capital to support a new business that identifies and aims to solve a social issue; EmpowHer grants of up to are awarded to female entrepreneurs who are at least 22 years old and are in the early stages of starting a business that addresses a social issue or has a purpose-driven concept embedded in its business model. Embrace entrepreneurs-in-the-making by ensuring that they are not alone on their journey. An Advisory Circle of seasoned female entrepreneurs offers resources including leadership development, skills-building assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support grantees. Their goal is to foster the development of the Foundation's grant recipients, ensuring greater strategic-growth thinking, future financial sustainability, and peer-to-peer networking.

entrepreneurs-in-the-making by ensuring that they are not alone on their journey. An Advisory Circle of seasoned female entrepreneurs offers resources including leadership development, skills-building assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support grantees. Their goal is to foster the development of the Foundation's grant recipients, ensuring greater strategic-growth thinking, future financial sustainability, and peer-to-peer networking. Elevate other nonprofits that pave the way for female business owners. Her Village grants of up to $25,000 are awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit female entrepreneurs.

"We believe in supporting all entrepreneurs; however, there is an imbalance in females acquiring access to resources to launch their own businesses. Having three daughters, we hope to create a world where they will have access and feel supported in their entrepreneurial journey if that's the direction they choose in life," said Soon Hagerty. "It was also important to focus our support on businesses that aim to solve social issues. We believe businesses that can combine both purpose and profit will create a long-lasting impact in society."

Learn more about Boundless Futures Foundation, apply for funding, or obtain other resources by visiting boundlessfutures.org. Follow the Foundation on LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

About Boundless Futures Foundation

Founded in September 2023 by Soon and McKeel Hagerty, Boundless Futures Foundation provides financial support and leadership resources to aspiring female entrepreneurs 22 years of age and older so they can have a boundless impact in society. The Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs in the United States by providing grant funding to individuals in the early stages of starting a business that solves a social issue and to mission-aligned nonprofits. The Foundation also provides access for individual grantees to an Advisory Circle, a supportive network during their entrepreneurial journey. For more information, visit boundlessfutures.org and follow Boundless Futures Foundation on LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

1 https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/female-founders-dashboard-2021-vc-funding-wrap-up

2 https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-202122-womens-entrepreneurship-report-from-crisis-to-opportunity

3 https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/the-womens-entrepreneurship-landscape-is-changing-is-the-ecosystem-ready-to- adapt

SOURCE Boundless Futures Foundation
A leading European mining company recognized the paramount importance of addressing these challenges effectively. They sought to gain a deeper understanding of the key cost drivers associated with manufacturing specific equipment crucial to their operations. The client's aim extended to achieving visibility into the entire manufacturing process and identifying negotiation strategies to secure the best possible prices from manufacturers.

SpendEdge's Expertise in Action

To tackle this multifaceted challenge, the client turned to SpendEdge's team of experts. Our experts embarked on a comprehensive assessment, leveraging their extensive industry knowledge and analytical prowess.

Key Cost Components and Negotiation Strategies

SpendEdge experts identified and analyzed the key cost components, encompassing raw materials, equipment, labor, and more. This analysis yielded a clear cost breakdown, enabling the client to gain deep insights into the cost structure. Moreover, our experts identified price variations based on different geographic locations and manufacturers, providing valuable data to inform negotiation strategies.

Comprehensive Assessment and Strategic Guidance

The solutions delivered by SpendEdge extended beyond mere analysis. We provided the client with a detailed assessment of the cost drivers and the underlying price movements. Recommendations were offered on how to mitigate the impact of price fluctuations, equipping the client with strategies to secure the best possible prices. Our guidance supported the client in implementing negotiation strategies tailored to their specific needs and objectives.

To read the full resource: Click here!

About SpendEdge

SpendEdge is a global leader in procurement market intelligence and advisory services, dedicated to driving procurement excellence for businesses across industries.

SOURCE SpendEdge
PHOENIX, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stream Realty Partners has recruited a seasoned four-broker office leasing team with nearly eight decades of combined commercial real estate experience to build a best-in-class operation in Phoenix.

Managing Directors John Bonnell and Brett Abramson, Senior Vice President Chris Latvaaho and Vice President Chris Beall join Stream Realty, a national commercial real estate firm offering an integrated platform of services. They will work alongside Executive Managing Director and Partner Tiffany Winne to expand the firm's investor services platform in the region while amplifying the brand's presence in the Phoenix market. Winne expects rapid growth of the platform with the addition of Bonnell, Abramson, Latvaaho, and Beall.

The new team, who previously worked at JLL, will be responsible for sourcing, winning, and executing office business across all service lines, concentrating on office agency leasing.

"Stream's nimble full-service platform and well-known enterprising spirit will allow us to tap into our collective expertise and empower us to elevate our offering," Bonnell said. "We are excited to join a forward-thinking company that is strategically expanding its footprint and investing in the right resources that allow us to create exponential opportunity and value for our clients and Stream."

Stream Phoenix opened in September 2021 and has strategically grown to more than 20 professionals who lease and manage a portfolio of more than 9 million square feet of office and industrial space.

"I am thrilled to welcome John, Brett, Chris, and Chris as colleagues," Winne said. "They are not only energetic dealmakers and market experts but also individuals of the highest character. I believe each of them will play a pivotal role in Stream Phoenix's growth story."

John Bonnell

Bonnell brings to Stream Realty more than 30 years of experience in agency leasing in the Arizona market. He last served as a Managing Director at JLL, where he spent more than 13 years representing institutional and entrepreneurial landlords of existing and ground-up office developments. He has completed more than 3,500 leases worth in excess of $2.2 billion throughout his career.

Prior to joining JLL, Bonnell was a Senior Vice President at Grubb & Ellis. He has also worked for Insignia/ESG, Cassidy Turley, and Trammell Crow. He is a former board member and current member of NAIOP.

Brett Abramson

Abramson has over 18 years of experience in the Phoenix commercial real estate market. He joined JLL in February 2010 and ascended to Executive Vice President during his tenure. He specializes in leasing Class A office buildings for institutional and entrepreneurial landlords of existing and ground-up office developments. Prior to JLL, Abramson was a Senior Associate at Grubb & Ellis. He is a member of NAIOP.

Chris Latvaaho

Latvaaho has worked in the Phoenix commercial real estate market since 2000, where he spent the last nine years specializing in office agency leasing as a Senior Vice President at JLL. Before JLL, Latvaaho was a Director in the Office Properties Division at Cushman & Wakefield, where he was involved in more than 1,500 lease and sale transactions totaling more than 3 million square feet. He has also worked for Scottsdale Property Management, leasing more than 2.2 million square feet of investment properties concentrated in the Phoenix metro office market.

Latvaaho began his commercial real estate career at Heitman Properties Ltd. in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. He is a member of NAIOP.

Chris Beall

Beall brings nearly eight years of commercial real estate experience to Stream Realty. Prior to joining Stream Phoenix, he was a Senior Associate at JLL for nearly six years, where he completed over 150 lease transactions. He also worked at CBRE as an Associate Business Analyst supporting the Net Lease Property Group in Phoenix.

Chris is an active member of NAIOP, serving on the Steering Committee for the Developing Leaders and as the Co-Chair for the Young Professionals Group.

About Stream Realty Partners

Stream Realty Partners is a national commercial real estate firm offering an integrated platform of services including leasing, Legendary CX property management, tenant and landlord representation, capital markets, investment management and sales, development, construction management, national program management, workplace strategies, strategic marketing, and dedicated research. The company is headquartered in Dallas and operates 15 core offices in markets that cover areas including Alexandria, VA; Arlington, VA; Atlanta; Austin; Boca Raton; Charleston; Charlotte; Chicago; Colorado Springs; Dallas; Denver; Fort Lauderdale; Fort Worth; Greenville, SC; Houston; the Inland Empire; Irvine; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville; Orange County; Phoenix; Raleigh-Durham; Reston, VA; San Antonio; Tysons; Washington, D.C.; and West Palm Beach. Since 1996, Stream has grown to more than 1,200 professionals and now completes more than $5.8 billion annually in office, industrial, retail, healthcare, land, and data center transactions. For information, visit www.streamrealty.com and follow Stream on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

CONTACT:

David Ebeling

Ebeling Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Stream Realty Partners
BOSTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- STRM.BIO announced today that Dr. Jonathan Thon, Founder and CEO, will present at the annual Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa to be held October 10-12, 2023 in Carlsbad, California and livestreamed globally. STRM.BIO is a pre-clinical, VC-backed biotechnology company that is leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver gene therapies and developing new therapeutics for rare blood diseases,

Dr. Thon will present data showing preferential targeting and selective delivery of DNA/RNA cargo to bone marrow hematopoetic stem cells (HSCs) that bypasses the liver to drive protein expression in vivo, following intravenous injection. Safety and tolerability data in large animal models show amenability of the platform to repeat dosing.

Organized by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa includes more than 120 company presentations by leading public and private companies in the areas of cell therapy, gene therapy, gene editing, tissue engineering, and broader regenerative medicine technologies.

The following are details regarding STRM.BIO's presentation at the conference:

Date: Wednesday, October 11

Time: 10:00am PT

Location: Rentschler ATMP Ballroom at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA

Virtual attendance is available which includes a livestream of STRM.BIO's presentation and the ability to view all conference sessions on-demand. Please visit https://meetingonthemesa.com for full information including registration.

Complimentary attendance at this event is available for credentialed investors and members of the media only. Investors should contact Savannah Bryant at [email protected] and interested media should contact Stephen Majors at [email protected].

About STRM.BIO

Based in Boston, MA, STRM.BIO is a pre-clinical, VC-backed biotechnology company leveraging extracellular vesicles as a platform to develop and deliver targeted gene therapies in vivo that are safe for repeat dosing. Our vision is to open the door to the future of medicine for patients living with rare diseases worldwide and bring gene therapy to life. Please visit STRM.BIO to meet our growing team of partners and collaborators and stay up to date on our progress.

SOURCE STRM.BIO
ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, will hold an in-person MORE THAN PINK Walk to raise critical funds that support health equity programs and breast cancer patient care services, including Susan G. Komen's Stand for H.E.R a Health Equity Revolution  a focused initiative to decrease breast cancer disparities in the Black community. The Walk will be held on October 21, 2023, at Lenox Square.

"We look forward to another successful MORE THAN PINK Walk where we connect the breast cancer community in Georgia and raise funds to close the breast cancer health equity gap nationwide," said Dr. Jamar Jeffers, State Executive Director at Susan G. Komen. "Komen's goal is to provide quality care to through initiatives like Stand for H.E.R  A Health Equity Revolution, Komen's Patient Helpline, and our Financial Assistance programs. Each year this Walk helps us raise critical funds to provide all patients with the attention they need throughout their breast cancer journey."

What:







Georgia MORE THAN PINK Walk When:







Saturday, October 21, 2023, 9:00 AM (walk start); Gates Open at 7:00 AM Where:







Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 Details:







Register Online at komen.org/georgiawalk

This year's Georgia MORE THAN PINK Walk is made possible by the following sponsors: Bank of America, Walgreens, Gilead Oncology, Daiichi-Sankyo, Insight Global, Ford, Genuine Parts Company, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Mielle Organics, Georgia Natural Gas, Kroger, UPS, Global Payments, KPMG, United Distributors, CareSource, City of Hope, Dickens Inaugural Committee, Mellow Mushroom, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Norfolk Southern, Regions Bank, Wilmington Trust, and Cox Media Group.

Atlanta residents can continue to support those impacted by breast cancer in October through events and partnerships in the area: From September 26th  October 31st individuals are encouraged to dine at their local Mellow Mushroom restaurant to benefit Susan G. Komen. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Go Pink Cocktail and ribbon pretzel will go toward Komen's mission to end breast cancer. Additionally, Mellow Mushroom will donate $5 to Susan G. Komen for every $25 purchase of Mellow Mushroom gift cards purchased online from October 3rd  16th, 2023 and guests will also receive a $5 bonus. Individuals can also support Komen at their local Walgreens by donating this October through the scannable campaign.

About Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.

CONTACT: Camille Smith

Susan G. Komen

972-855-1688

[email protected]

SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure
New NGO dedicated to educating media about Armenia with timely and accurate information

Calls on global media to reject false narratives from Baku

YEREVAN, Armenia, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Armenia Project, a Yerevan-based educational non-profit focused on accurate information about Armenia and the region, is calling on the world community to treat with urgency Azerbaijan's aggression on Nagorno-Karabakh, and urges global media to apply a critical filter to false narratives being disseminated by the assailants in Baku.

The call comes after Azerbaijan launched an attack on Sept. 19 against the region, known to Armenians as Artsakh, killing scores of people including unarmed civilians and children. As of Sept. 21, which is Armenia's Independence Day and International Peace Day, attacks continued despite reports of a cease-fire. The move amplifies an apparent ethnic cleansing campaign against the 120,000 Armenians in the disputed enclave, which has been blockaded by Baku since December, drawing charges of genocide by starvation from global jurists.

"We are calling on world leaders gathering at this moment at the United Nations to step in urgently to compel Azerbaijan to end the atrocities committed against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh," said Gayane Ayvazian, director of the Armenia Project. "This is a time when anyone who values human life, common decency and a rules-based order must step in and force a dictatorship to end what can fairly be described as a genocide."

"Moreover, the situation poses a critical test for the global news media, who too often has ignored Azerbaijan's aggressions and even uncritically passed on false claims," she added. "Journalists must know dictatorships hope for journalistic credulity and indifference when they try to pass on lies to an unsuspecting world."

Azerbaijan justified the attack with false assertions about the need for "anti-terror" operations based on supposed provocations, in particular mining operations against its forces surrounding the enclave. The claims, denied by leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh, could not be validated by any independent observer.

"There is no terrorism, there is no real cease-fire, and the situation is dire and developing by the minute," Ayvazian said.

After the attacks were launched, Azerbaijan warned the local population to leave or else be subjected to more attacks. Many are thought missing, the numbers are unclear. Azerbaijan has also seized more land, but details remain foggy. Local authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh as of last night said so far at least 200 people have been killed, including five children, and over 400 were wounded, of them 13 children. There are reports of massacres in the town of Taghavard. No evacuations have been confirmed.

To enable deescalation, the Armenia Project said, the following must occur:

Force Azerbaijan to stop the military assault

to stop the military assault Force Azerbaijan to end the ongoing nine-month blockade

to end the ongoing nine-month blockade Convene stakeholders from all sides including representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh  under the auspices of the European Union or United States

The enclave, which lies inside Azerbaijan's official borders, has operated as a democratic self-governing entity since the 1990s collapse of communism. The current tensions stem from a 2020 war launched by Azerbaijan in which it seized much of the area, displacing thousands and desecrating Armenian heritage sites in captured territory. Armenia, which suffered thousands of fatalities trying to defend the enclave, is now negotiating with Azerbaijan under the aegis of the US and European Union.

Even as those talks continued, Azerbaijan last December began blocking the Lachin Corridor, the only road access for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the outside world, and since June 15 all passage has been entirely blocked, including Red Cross humanitarian missions. Starvation, energy shortages and other deprivation are now widespread.

Last month, former International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo issued a report determining that Azerbaijan's blockade qualifies as genocide under Article II(c) of the Genocide Convention  a position since backed by others, including former UN genocide advisor Juan Mendez. Testifying before Congress two weeks ago, Ocampo cautioned that signatories to the Convention, like the United States, carry the risk of complicity via inaction.

"Since December 2022, starvation has been the silent weapon in committing genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh, and now a new genocidal method was added  bombing," Ocampo said in a statement this week. "Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is taking advantage of the distraction created by the war in Ukraine to use genocide to force his victims to accept the end of Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomy. The international community has so far tolerated Aliyev's genocidal actions. It is time to wake up."

In an effort to help global media and the world community understand the reality of the group, The Armenia Project published an explainer available here .

About The Armenia Project:

The Armenia Project (TAP) is an educational non-profit that promotes the democratic and economic development of Armenia by advancing the country's communications ecosystem, ensuring it is robust, accurate and impactful. Through strategic programs and diverse partnerships, TAP raises global awareness about Armenia and the region.

Media contact:

Gayane Ayvazyan

+374 10 520417

[email protected]

SOURCE The Armenia Project
Northern Virginia Bank Recognized for Cutting-Edge Banking Practices and

Exemplary Financial Results

FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Freedom Bank of Virginia ("Freedom Bank") was named one of the top extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking. Freedom Bank is thrilled to announce it was recognized with two awards: the Institute's Banky Award for its commitment to strong community banking and the prestigious Thought Leadership Banky Category Award for demonstrating unique and cutting-edge banking practices while achieving exemplary financial results.

"On behalf of my Freedom Bank colleagues and our Board of Directors, we are honored to receive this recognition by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking. I am proud that Freedom Bank was identified as one of the elite community banks across the country. Our company was built from the ground up to serve the needs of entrepreneurs in the DC Region and our culture of IDEAS  innovation, discipline, experience, attitude and service  is rooted in a keen understanding of our clients' needs and market opportunities. I would like to thank all my colleagues at the bank who have worked so hard to capably serve the needs of our clients and communities and differentiate us from other banks. This award further validates the investments we have made in our team to ensure every client gets an experienced banker, a dedicated relationship team and the sophisticated banking technology they deserve. The support of our clients has enabled us to invest in our community through the Freedom Bank Foundation and to create attractive financial results for our shareholders," said Joe Thomas, President and CEO.

The Extraordinary Banking Awards emphasize the indispensable contribution community banks have on their communities and the role they play as a pillar of small business success.

Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking, shared during the awards ceremony: "Community banks recognize aspirations, dreams, and silent hopes of small businesses and individuals within their communities. The heart and soul of an extraordinary community bank is the visionary blueprint for the community's success and ability to enact that plan. Those banks were chosen to receive his year's Banky awards."

About Freedom Bank

The Freedom Bank of Virginia is a next-generation community bank, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, offering commercial banking, personal banking, and mortgage banking solutions using banker expertise and innovative technology to build lead relationships with clients. Focusing on businesses, real estate owners, and professionals, Freedom Bank concentrates on key industry verticals to deliver unique, sector-specific solutions to help clients meet their goals and realize their dreams. Freedom Bank has sales office locations in Fairfax, Vienna, Reston, Manassas, and Chantilly, VA. The Freedom Bank Mortgage Division is headquartered in Chantilly, VA and the Freedom Bank Small Business Lending Division is headquartered in Harrison, NY. For information about Freedom Bank, visit our website at www.freedom.bank.

Contact:

Joseph J. Thomas, President & Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 703-667-4161

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Freedom Bank of Virginia
2022 was a Milestone Year for Gas as a Global Commodity, and Record-High Prices In Many Regions, as Russian exports to Europe fell sharply.

LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Gas Union (IGU) today releases its 2023 Global Wholesale Gas Price Survey report, the 15th undertaken since 2005.

Wholesale Price Levels 2005 to 2022 by Region World LNG Price Formation 2005 to 2022 - Spot LNG Imports

2022 was the most turbulent year in the history of gas markets, as the global energy crisis intensified and the global price levels reached record highs, in many markets as a consequence of exceptional tightness in the markets. The record high 56% of (GOG) Gas on Gas competition priced share of total imports (and over 50% in total gas consumed), helped the market respond to the energy crisis, with a significant rearrangement of global gas trade, which kept the lights on in Europe, but priced some buyers in Asia out.

2022 saw record price levels, with Europe's wholesale prices reaching over $30 per MMBTU and dragging the average world price to $9.44 per MMBTU  the highest ever  compared to a record low of $3.23 per MMBTU in 2020. Record high prices were seen in all regions apart from North America and the Former Soviet Union.

2021 and 2022 both saw unprecedented increases in spot prices globally with abnormal price volatility, from the depths of 2020 as Covid-19 impacted gas demand. Prices have eased back somewhat in 2023, but they remain above pre-crisis levels and market conditions keep them susceptible to further volatility.

Price shocks induced significant drops in gas demand in some markets, notably in Europe, where the very high prices curtailed demand in industrial sectors and led to behavioural changes in households. Out of the 106 observations, 52 were markets which had a price in 2022 of over $10 per MMBTU.

The volume of spot LNG cargoes has risen almost three times in five years, from 63 bcm in 2016 to 171 bcm in 2022.

The share of spot LNG in the market rose back to 35%, following a small decline in 2021. The total GOG share of LNG imports reached 47% of all LNG trade in 2022, nearly doubling since 2016 when it was at 25%.

Spot LNG volume in Europe and China began growing strongly in 2019. China's spot import volumes reached a record of 50 bcm in 2021, but in 2022 they more than halved, with flat China gas demand and the pull of Europe for spot cargoes  where spot volumes of 64 bcm were almost 40% of total LNG imports into Europe. Asia Pacific spot volumes in 2022 rose slightly with increases in South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Thailand, more than offsetting declines in Japan and elsewhere.

The surge in Europe's spot LNG imports contributed to the significant growth of GOG in this region. Some of Turkey's contracted pipeline imports from Russia switched to hub pricing away from oil indexation. In addition, the pricing of pipe imports from Algeria into Tunisia changed to GOG from OPE. Spot LNG imports also rose in South Korea and Chinese Taipei, while rising consumption in Russia also boosted the GOG share.

Madam Li Yalan, the IGU President said:

2022 was a year that the global gas industry will remember; the significant increase in gas prices has had a huge impact on people's lives and economies in Europe and around the world. That has made us all acutely aware of the importance of stable prices for development and for the gas industry, and that price stability depends directly on having sufficient supply and production to meet the world's demand for energy.

Gas is essential to re-establish the lost global energy security and to deliver an orderly energy transition. Without security, there can be no transition, security requires a functioning global market.

About the Report

The Annual IGU Wholesale Gas Price Survey report was launched in 2005. It is a unique global database on the evolution of gas markets, changes in gas price formation mechanisms, and wholesale gas prices. The 2023 Edition includes data from 85 gas markets, covering 91% of total world natural gas consumption. It is produced by the IGU Strategy Committee and Michael Fulwood of the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies.

About the International Gas Union

The International Gas Union (IGU) was founded in 1931 and is a worldwide non-profit organisation representing more than 150 members in more than 80 countries. The members of the IGU are national associations and corporations within the gas industry, covering over 90% of the global gas market and working in every segment of the gas value chain, from the supply of natural and decarbonised gas, renewable gas and hydrogen, through their transmission and distribution, and all the way to the point of use. The IGU organises flagship international gas conferences, including the international World LNG conference series (LNG2023, LNG2026), the World Gas Conference (WGC2025), and the International Gas Research Conference (IGRC2024).

www.igu.org.

Tatiana Khanberg, Director of Strategic Communications and Membership, [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216562/IGU_The_International_Gas_Union__IGU__today_releases_its_2023_Gl.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216563/IGU_The_International_Gas_Union__IGU__today_releases_its_2023_Gl.jpg

SOURCE IGU
Company and its CARES Foundation Contributed $10,000 to Support Fundraising Effort

MODESTO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Save Mart Companies today announced that its in-store Hawai'i Wildfires Relief Fundraiser to support victims of the catastrophic wildfires on Hawai'i's island of Maui raised more than $71,000. In addition to donations made by shoppers and store associates, The Save Mart Companies and The Save Mart Companies' CARES Foundation, collectively contributed $10,000. One hundred percent of the funds raised will benefit the Hawai'i Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund.

"The Save Mart Companies' Hawai'i Wildfire Fundraiser deeply resonated in the communities we serve in California and Nevada," said Donovan Ford, Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer at The Save Mart Companies. "We are extremely grateful for the donations made by our generous shoppers and store associates. We hope their donations, and the contributions made by the company and our CARES Foundation, help in the recovery for those affected by the devasting fires on Maui."

Last month, The Save Mart Companies launched the Hawaii Wildfires Relief Fundraiser at all Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores throughout California and Western Nevada.

The Save Mart Companies' CARES Foundation was established as a means of strengthening the communities served by Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores. Annually, the foundation contributes approximately a quarter of a million dollars in small grants to support community-based, non-profit organizations and operates with a separate board of directors maintaining a dedicated focus on supporting the company's principle of giving back to the communities it serves in California and Western Nevada.

About The Save Mart Companies

The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company and a California- based grocer, operates approximately 200 Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada. In addition to its retail operation, the Company also operates SMART Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries ("SSI"), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock. Proud to be California's largest regional, full-service grocery chain throughout the region, the Company and its 14,000 team members take extra care to help provide customers with the freshest foods for their families at affordable prices. For more information on the company, please visit: www.TheSaveMartCompanies.com.

Media contacts: Glodow Nead Communications at [email protected]

SOURCE The Save Mart Companies
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Armenians can peacefully live in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, former Ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan, representative of the Turkish IMZA Social Development Support Public Union Hulusi Kilic told Trend.

Following the successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh, Azerbaijan has held talks with Armenian residents of Karabakh today in Yevlakh. Kilic expressed hope for positive results from the meeting in Yevlakh.

As a result of local anti-terrorism measures which were launched by Azerbaijan on September 19 and lasted less than 24 hours, the separatists in Karabakh were neutralized. For three years, Azerbaijan patiently waited for the exit of these Armenian illegal formations from Karabakh, but since they did not do this, Azerbaijan did what was necessary."

"During local anti-terrorism measures, Azerbaijan did not cause harm to either civilians or infrastructure," he added.

Kilic stated that Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory, and the Armenian civilian population residing there are citizens of Azerbaijan.

"We hope for positive results from today's meeting in Evlakh. Armenians living in Karabakh can live in Azerbaijan in peace and tranquility," he 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.

At the suggestion of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh has been held today in Yevlakh.
If a business owner payment has been stolen, businesses must act immediately says Brotman Law

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Just when it seemed the Employee Retention Tax Credit could not attract any more repercussions for businesses, a new method of fraud has emerged surrounding the checks themselves. Just last month, four individuals were formally charged with participation in a bank fraud scheme relating to the theft of business checks issued as part of the Employee Retention Tax Credit program.

While the USPS has been trying to stop the theft of these checks since early 2023, their efforts have not been able to stop criminals from stealing these payments in various ways. When an ERTC check is issued, it is printed by the Department of Treasury and distributed to taxpayers via the mail. Tampering with mail is a federal crime, but that has not dissuaded criminals from doing just that.

Stolen checks and stolen identities are a serious matter. Post this

In the case of the aforementioned individuals formally charged, a stolen master mail key was used to obtain mail from postal boxes that contained checks, which were then altered to name different recipients and deposited into bank accounts of associates connected with the four ringleaders. In other cases, postal workers may be bribed by criminals to turn over checks into the wrong hands. In yet another iteration, identities and Employer Identification Numbers have been stolen or newly claimed, and the culprits have relied on relationships with mail carriers to obtain checks that were sent to addresses used to receive payments from unsuspecting victims.

"The number of instances of fraud is not going down, it is only going up. What should be scaring business owners is the complicated nature of these schemes," says Sam Brotman, owner and managing attorney of Brotman Law. "We had a client just the other day that ended up in this very situation where their checks were stolen. Now, not only do they have to prove they did not receive their ERTC payments, but they also have to prove they did not commit fraud and confirm their identity. It is a snowball of damage that can get out of control very quickly."

The first indication that a business may have been a victim of stolen checks or fraud is receiving a letter from the IRS questioning their Employee Retention Tax Credit claim. Additionally, if a business has filed for the credit and not received their checks yet after quite some time, there may be cause for concern. The new IRS moratorium on Employee Retention Tax Credit filings announced September 14 indicates that processing times for existing claims will go up and may take 180 days, but a significant amount of time beyond that without receiving a check is a red flag.

"The second a business receives notice of a review of their claim, especially if they have not filed or if they have not received any checks yet, they need to contact a tax professional immediately," says Brotman. "Proving innocence in cases of fraud, and potentially other criminal charges, must be done quickly and precisely. Businesses should not be handling these inquiries on their own."

Any business owner that is concerned about protecting their identity can contact Brotman Law to assess if they are at risk. Brotman Law is a national tax law firm headquartered in San Diego, California. The firm has been successfully navigating audits with the IRS for over 10 years, finding ways to produce the best possible result for clients even in situations where matters are incredibly nuanced or difficult. Brotman Law is available to speak with any business owner, professional services provider or individual about their Employee Retention Tax Credit claim and can be reached on their website.

Contact:

Alanna Markey

Director of Marketing

Brotman Law

(619) 378-3138

[email protected]

About Brotman Law

Brotman Law is an established team of law professionals that have been helping clients and their businesses navigate the intricacies of tax law for over 10 years. The firm has processed thousands of individual ERC claims representing over $125 million and the seasoned audit representation team has collectively been involved in more than a thousand audits. Brotman Law is dedicated to providing every client with exceptional legal services accompanied by a compassionate approach that is unheard of in the industry. Beyond just successes with the IRS and tax agencies, the Brotman Law team is singularly united by genuine empathy for all clients, a strong desire to help, and never-say-quit tenacity that propels the firm to the best possible results on their clients' behalf. For more information or to book a consultation with the Brotman Law team, visit SamBrotman.com or call (619) 378-3138.

SOURCE Brotman Law
The acclaimed sci-fi actor, voice actor, and writer joins a star-studded lineup at the pop culture convention in November for his first signing since 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Hamill, celebrated actor known for his portrayal as one of the most iconic sci-fi characters of all time, will appear at FAN EXPO San Francisco , November 24-26, 2023, at Moscone Center West. This is the first time that Hamill will sign autographs since 2017.

Mark Hamill will be available for photo opportunities and autographs. Post this Mark Hamill joins an impressive celebrity lineup at FAN EXPO San Francisco.

A multi-talented artist, Hamill hasn't only made his mark on the big screen  he is also known for his voice acting in television, film, anime and video games, and for co-writing a comic book series. The San Francisco appearance is a homecoming for Hamill in more ways than one, as the actor was born in Oakland, California, and the iconic sci-fi series that he came to star in was born out of San Francisco.

At the convention, Hamill will be available for photo opportunities, autographs, special packages, and a Mark Hamill LIVE special event. Tickets for the Mark Hamill LIVE event will go on sale on September 25 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT.

Hamill joins an impressive celebrity lineup at FAN EXPO San Francisco. Previously announced guests include Ewan McGregor, Sam Raimi, William Shatner, Sean Astin, and Peter Cullen, with more massive announcements coming soon.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Mark Hamill and Ewan McGregor to the FAN EXPO community this November, in what is truly a rare opportunity for fans to meet them, get autographs, and see them on stage," said Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ. "We expect to welcome thousands of fans not just from California, but flying in from around the world to take advantage of this special occasion and spend the weekend with us."

This is the second year of FAN EXPO San Francisco, the largest pop culture convention in Northern California. The three-day, family-friendly event brings together fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming and cosplay to celebrate the things they love the most. Highlights include celebrity autograph and photo opportunities, cosplay competitions and red carpets, comic sketch duels, along with numerous panels, demos and workshops.

To see the growing guest list, view the schedule, and get tickets for FAN EXPO San Francisco and any special experiences, go to fanexposanfrancisco.com .

WHEN: FAN EXPO San Francisco runs Friday, November 24 - Sunday, November 26, 2023

Friday 4 PM  9 PM Preview Night

Saturday 10 AM  7 PM

Sunday 10 AM  5 PM

WHERE: Moscone Center West is located at 800 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

COST: General admission event tickets start at $25 and 4-star hotel rates at only $139/night. Hours and information are available at fanexposanfrancisco.com

About FAN EXPO HQ

FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively it hosts nearly one million fans annually at FAN EXPO San Francisco, FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Canada, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Denver, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and EDMONTON EXPO. The latest schedule of events is available on the Website , along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.

SOURCE FAN EXPO HQ
Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics Celebrates Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award Win

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics, a family and woman-owned business dating back to 1949, is proud to announce a significant achievement in sustainability. Bailey has been awarded the prestigious Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards (GESA) in the Sustainable Performance category. This recognition highlights Bailey's commitment to environmental responsibility and excellence in sustainable business practices.

Bailey accepts Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award for Sustainable Performance

GESA, known for honoring organizations that lead the way in eco-conscious initiatives, has recognized Bailey Equipment & Intralogistics for its outstanding efforts in promoting sustainable performance within the industry. On August 21st, 2023, Bailey was honored to attend the GESA luncheon to celebrate this achievement with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

Bailey's dedication to sustainable practices extends beyond its products and into its everyday operations, encompassing energy efficiency, zero waste implementation, and environmentally responsible sourcing. Bailey's 25,000 sq. ft. facility/headquarters in Nashville became TRUE Zero Waste - Platinum Certified on June 1st, 2020, becoming the first Zero Waste certified forklift company in the US.

Ryan Bailey, Vice President of Operations and Finance at Bailey, expressed gratitude for the GESA Award. "We are truly honored to receive the Sustainable Performance category award from GESA. Sustainability is at the core of our values, and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our entire team in advancing sustainable practices within our industry."

About Bailey

Since our founding in 1949, Bailey has been dedicated to providing end-to-end material handling solutions that keep our customers running efficiently. At our 10 locations throughout Tennessee, north Georgia, and southeastern Kentucky, we offer forklifts and other equipment from leading brands, including Crown Lift Trucks, CAT Lift Trucks, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, and Jungheinrich, as well as rentals and 24/7 parts and service. With 10 locations, more than 200 certified technicians, and a four-hour response-time guarantee, we guarantee you will get the support you need when you need it.

Our intralogistics solutions go beyond forklifts, delivering you the warehouse design, racking, automation, and storage solutions you need in one material handling solution. We are proud to be family-owned and operated, certified woman-owned, and the first TRUE Zero Waste forklift dealership in the nation. For more information, visit https://baileycompany.com/.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Lindsey Rose

[email protected]

423-605-0310

SOURCE The Bailey Company
Director, producer, author, and advocate Tonya Lewis Lee to host a major event supporting the PPMW Abortion Access Fund.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) has announced that Tonya Lewis Lee will host its 2023 Impact Gala on the evening of Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC.

Tonya Lewis Lee is an award-winning director, producer, author, and entrepreneur. Her work explores the personal impacts of social justice issues, including her most recent film, Aftershock. The film, which she co-directed and co-produced, explores the U.S. maternal mortality crisis. Her honors include a 2023 Peabody Award, 2022 Sundance Special Jury Impact for Change Award, and 2023 Emmy Award nomination. Her children's books, co-written with her husband Spike Lee, have sold over one million copies. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the March of Dimes and a Board Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

One year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, PPMW's Impact Gala will bring together leaders and supporters from throughout the capital region who have been champions for access to reproductive and sexual health care and education. Tickets are at https://onecau.se/ppmwimpact .

The Gala will also honor four trailblazers with awards for their significant contributions to reproductive health care, access, equity, and choice on the local and national stage.

PPMW Ally Award: Congressman Jamie Raskin , U.S. House of Representatives

, U.S. House of Representatives PPMW Disruptor Award: GRAMMY Award-nominated producer, songwriter, and performer Maggie Rogers

PPMW Champion of Reproductive Health Award: Maryland State Senator Ariana B. Kelly

Senator Ariana B. Kelly PPMW Catalyst Award: Patient advocate Brittany House

Proceeds from Impact Gala will support the PPMW Abortion Access Fund . This fund supports people who might not otherwise be able to access abortion care, particularly patients traveling to PPMW health centers from states where abortion is restricted.

About PPMW

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) provides high-quality, affordable reproductive health care; promotes education programs that empower all individuals to make informed reproductive choices; and protects the right to make those choices. PPMW is the oldest and largest provider of family planning services in Metropolitan Washington, serving Washington, DC; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland; and Northern Virginia.

SOURCE Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transmission Electron Microscope Market report has been added to Technavio's 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 transmission electron microscope market between 2022 and 2027 is USD 458.93 million. Growing demand for high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) drives the transmission electron microscope market. These microscopes have a fundamental advantage over other types of microscopes such as optical microscopes. This is due to their ability to view objects at the Angstrom scale. It is a type of transmission electron microscope used to obtain the highest possible resolution /images and this product has evolved over the years. Also, the most important advantage of HRTEM is its ability to provide real spatial /images of the local structure of thin samples at atomic resolution, which allows direct observation of the global structure of complex materials and provides direct visualization of local structural variations. Hence, such advantages fuel the growth of the transmission electron microscope market 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

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Transmission Electron Microscope Market 2023-2027

Market Challenge - Longer lead time and replacement cycle challenges the growth of the transmission electron microscope market. Generally, the manufacturing process of the transmission electron microscope takes one to four months; however, some highly customized orders for advanced high-resolution products take more than four months. Consequently, there is an increased R&D and design time. The average lifespan of new transmission electron microscopes is five years in developed countries in contrast to their average lifespan in emerging markets is ten years. Hence, such challenges impede the growth of the transmission electron microscope market during the forecast period. Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read a Sample PDF Report Now

The transmission electron microscope market is segmented by Application (Life science, Material science, Nanotechnology, Semiconductor, and Others), End-user (Industries, Academic institutes, and Government research institutes and others), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The life science segment will be significant during the forecast period. Transmission electron microscopes are used to study life sciences at the microscopic level and are useful in cell and structural biology studies. Furthermore, it allows the complete structure of protein molecules to be developed to create an atomic model. Additionally, academics and pharmaceutical companies invest in research to develop drugs and pharmaceuticals. Hence, such factors fuel the growth of the life science segment of the transmission electron microscope market during the forecast period.

will be significant during the forecast period. Transmission electron microscopes are used to study life sciences at the microscopic level and are useful in cell and structural biology studies. Furthermore, it allows the complete structure of protein molecules to be developed to create an atomic model. Additionally, academics and pharmaceutical companies invest in research to develop drugs and pharmaceuticals. Hence, such factors fuel the growth of the life science segment of the transmission electron microscope market during the forecast period. APAC will contribute 59% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. View a Sample Report for insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report.

Key Companies in the Transmission Electron Microscope Market:

Advantest Corp., Agilent Technologies Inc., AMETEK Inc., Angstrom Advanced Inc., Bruker Corp., Carl Zeiss Stiftung, Danaher Corp., DELONG INSTRUMENTS AS, Hirox Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., IXRF Inc., JEOL Ltd, NanoScience Instruments Inc., Nikon Corp., Nion, Olympus Corp., Oxford Instruments plc, Roper Technologies Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., VIDEOTON HOLDING Ltd

Related Reports:

The global scanning electron microscope (SEMs) market size is estimated to grow by USD 997.21 million at a CAGR of 8.01% between 2022 and 2027. Technavio has segmented the market into Type, End-user, and Geography. Increasing requirements for failure root cause analyses are notably driving the market growth.

The surgical microscope market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.19% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 859.77 million.

Transmission Electron Microscope Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.32% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 458.93 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 9.3 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 59% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Advantest Corp., Agilent Technologies Inc., AMETEK Inc., Angstrom Advanced Inc., Bruker Corp., Carl Zeiss Stiftung, Danaher Corp., DELONG INSTRUMENTS AS, Hirox Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., IXRF Inc., JEOL Ltd, NanoScience Instruments Inc., Nikon Corp., Nion, Olympus Corp., Oxford Instruments plc, Roper Technologies Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and VIDEOTON HOLDING Ltd Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Application

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
Competition follows up successful 2018 event to unlock potential in AI

DALLAS, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, today announced that thousands of its employees will participate in the company's upcoming AI competition designed to enhance understanding, awareness and expertise in the emerging technology.

To learn more about Trend Micro's AI-powered Vision One platform please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/business/products/one-platform.html

Industry partners are watching the outcome as they work towards realizing the potential of artificial intelligence. Post this

Eva Chen, CEO: "The AI contest is built to empower Trenders through a fun and competitive format, allowing them to showcase their creativity and become familiar with AI technology. It's important for us to find joy in the process of innovation without being constrained by daily work. As we develop a better understanding of this technology, we will naturally apply it to our work to continue driving progress at Trend."

While the contest is internal, industry partners have signaled interest in the outcome as organizations work towards the common goal of realizing the potential of artificial intelligence. Microsoft is sponsoring the event, which will run on Trend's AI platform powered by Azure OpenAI.

Ahmed Mazhari, President of Microsoft Asia: "The next major wave of computing is upon us, and I'm thrilled to see Trend Micro embrace the possibilities enabled by AI by putting their employees in the driver's seat on innovating with the technology. There are countless possibilities in this space and Microsoft is proud to support our customers and partners to accelerate their digital transformation powered by Azure OpenAI."

Trend is a pioneer in the use of AI and machine learning for cybersecurity, having embedded the technology in products as far back as 2005 for early use in spam filtering. Over the years, the company expanded and matured its use of AI, developing new models to detect and contain unknown threats more effectively.

Most recently, the flagship Trend Vision One platform integrated advanced AI capabilities to help security operations analysts better prioritize incoming threats. The latest version of the platform released earlier this year adds generative AI in the form of Companion: a new assistant designed to empower analysts to streamline workflows and drive productivity.

In 2018, Trend Micro challenged its employees to help the company take a leap forward in AI innovation. Over 2,000 participated, investing over a quarter of a million hours of their time. This year's competition expects a similar number to take part  not just from R&D, engineering and support functions, but also sales, marketing and other teams across the organization.

The competition's preliminary hackathon event will begin in late August before a final to be held in early December.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com

SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated
Sam Dix, Director of Research, scheduled to speak

WILMINGTON, Mass., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trexel is a proud Diamond exhibitor at the 2023 Annual Blow Molding Conference, which will take place from October 23 to the 25th in Chicago, IL. Trexel remains highly impressed by the mission of the Blow Molding Conference as it brings together professionals to share knowledge related to the art and science of blow molding technology.

Director of Research, Sam Dix, is set to speak at the event on Tuesday, October 24th at 3:15PM sharing his expertise on "New Advances in PCR Laden BM Containers Using Physical Foaming Techniques on Shuttle and Wheel Blow Molding Systems".

During the conference, Trexel intends to showcase the latest extension of its product offering: the license-free gas pumping device used in conjunction with the TecoCell nucleating system. The new system provides a uniform microcellular structure to molded parts to reduce cost while reaching required physical properties.

Sam Dix noted, "As sustainability takes center stage in plastics manufacturing, this technology complements the incorporation of PCR as a core layer in a multi-layer bottle and aligns with brands' sustainability goals. Our foaming solutions for EBM containers can be implemented with minimal machine modifications and changes in processing conditions."

Please visit Trexel at table #2, to learn more about the new and current product offerings.

About Trexel, Inc.

Trexel, Inc., headquartered in Wilmington, MA, has led the development of the MuCell microcellular foaming injection and blow molding technology and has pioneered many plastic processing solutions focusing on sustainability and reusability. The MuCell technology provides unique design flexibility and cost savings opportunities in the automotive, electronics, industrial, consumer, footwear and packaging. Trexel's TecoCell is a unique chemical foaming and nucleating agent technology that provides uniform microcellular structure to molded parts. Process deployment as well as equipment are supported by teams of highly qualified engineers through Trexel subsidiaries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

 MuCell is a registered trademark of Trexel, Inc

 TecoCell is a registered trademark of Trexel, Inc

For more information, please visit Trexel, Inc. www.trexel.com .

SOURCE Trexel
The company will deliver advanced SDA software and applications to enhance operator efficiency and improve space security

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command awarded a $17.4 million Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to True Anomaly, Inc.

Under the award, True Anomaly, the technology company safeguarding global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all, will provide a suite of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) applications that will leverage powerful analytics and scalable AI to support human-machine teaming for improved efficiency across the spectrum of SDA operations. This will be delivered through True Anomaly's Mosaic softwarean integrated operating system for every aspect of space domain awareness and security.

"As space grows more critical to national security missions, awareness in the domain is increasingly complex, leading to exponential operational requirements for Guardians and infrastructure," said True Anomaly CEO Even Rogers. "Modern SDA is about much more than collision avoidanceit's about delivering the right information at the right time to the right decision-maker. The rapid global launch cadence has out-paced DoD's ability to fuse SDA data. Our application suite directly addresses this gap with scalable automation intended to be a force multiplier for SDA operators. The software has been carefully architected to continuously adapt to the rapidly evolving domain."

The Phase III was awarded following an accelerated Direct to Phase II contract in which True Anomaly delivered an initial 21-month scope of work in only four months.

For more information about True Anomaly, visit https://www.trueanomaly.space.

About True Anomaly

True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to deliver solutions for space security, sustainability, and accessibility. The company empowers the U.S. government, its allies, and partners as well as the commercial space industry to lead safe, resilient operations on orbit to secure life on Earth.

SOURCE True Anomaly
Event Celebrates Newly Formed Seoul & New York City Sisterhood

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The heart of New York City, Times Square, was filled with excitement in celebration this week as Seoul and New York City officially inaugurated their newfound sisterhood, unveiling Seoul City's captivating new visual identity, "Seoul My Soul." This landmark event symbolized a joint commitment to the growth and development of these two urban powerhouses and embodied a shared vision of interconnected cities shaping the urban landscape of tomorrow.

Photo Credit: John Nacion Imaging

The celebration saw Times Square transformed into an artistic canvas bringing together the energy of Seoul's most exciting B-Boy Crew, The Gamblerz, and the undeniable rhythm of K-Pop. This exchange embodied the bond between these sister cities, showcasing their shared connection of rich cultural heritage and creative inspiration.

The event's highlight was an appearance by Seoul City's newly elected Mayor, Mr. Oh Se-hoon who was in town for the UN Summit. Although NYC Mayor Eric Adams couldn't attend in person, his spirit of collaboration resonated throughout the event, underscoring the unity between these two iconic cities.

"Seoul My Soul," Seoul City's new brand slogan, was officially unveiled to the international market during the event. Mayor Oh Se-hoon introduced it with pride, marking the culmination of a yearlong selection process that engaged the city's residents and global community. Over 850,000 people contributed to the creation of this slogan, highlighting the collective effort to shape Seoul's global image.

During his 20+ year political career, Mayor Oh Se-hoon has always described Seoul as a raw, untouched diamond. Through his devoted leadership, Oh Se-hoon has made it his mission to ensure Seoul is seen as a prosperous, resilient, and global leading city. The new campaign showcases all of Seoul's potential and attractiveness to the world. The new slogan, "Seoul My Soul," represents the city's initiative to showcase its unique identity to global citizens.

The new brand slogan, with its heart symbolizing 'love,' exclamation mark denoting 'inspiration,' and smile symbolizing 'fun,' reflects the affection, inspiration, and fun that Seoul offers to its residents and visitors.

This event successfully cemented the bond between Seoul and New York City and stands as a unique celebration of culture, creativity, and collaboration that will be etched in the memories of both cities for years to come.

ABOUT SEOUL CITY

Located in the western part of the central region of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul, the capital city of the Republic of Korea, has been the center of the country throughout its long history from the prehistoric era to the present day.

SOURCE Seoul City
Partnership developed to provide mobile security and privacy protection for a nation of over 1 billion

mobile users.

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniken is proud to be selected as a strategic mobile and cybersecurity partner with the Indian Citizen Assistance for Mobile Privacy and Security (I-CAMPS). I-CAMPS is an initiative by the Government of India to create a citizen advisory platform on mobile privacy and security. This partnership between Uniken & I-CAMPS will ensure Indian citizens are protecting themselves against mobile security and privacy issues.

I-CAMPS will develop a citizen-facing mobile application as part of an integrated system that will collate all mobile security-related information and provide customized, actionable knowledge to individual Indian citizens to secure their mobile devices and data on those devices. Uniken will also act as a strategic consulting partner to I-CAMPS on matters related to mobile security. In addition, I-CAMPS will also be adopting Uniken's REL-ID identity and security platform in the I-CAMPS citizen-facing application.

Bimal Gandhi, Uniken CEO, notes: "Every employee of Uniken is honored to bring our expertise to this great nation-building effort spearheaded by PM Modi. It demonstrates the deep expertise and knowledge of the entire team behind the REL-ID platform. REL-ID's deterministic approach means identity is verified with certainty."

I-CAMPS will be ready to launch the beta version of the application in the next couple of months. Satyendra Verma, Project Head I-CAMPS said, "This approach by the Indian Government, well supported by the Indian Internet & Mobile Industry and Uniken in particular, is the only effort of its kind in the world that is focused on safety and security of the citizen smartphone user. Uniken, with their world-class MTD technology and in-depth understanding of mobile threats, will benefit I-CAMPS and India's citizen smartphone users."

ABOUT UNIKEN: Uniken accelerates possibilities for client-centric organizations by creating certainty in identity and security while delivering amazing customer experiences. We serve customers across the globe and across a variety of industries. To date, Uniken has secured over $28T in transaction value across over 24.7B client interactions with zero financial or identity loss. With Uniken, organizations grow their businesses in a world where identity is a certainty, not a vulnerability.

PR Contact:

Nancy Jones, Uniken

[email protected]

SOURCE Uniken Inc
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The 25th International Seapower Symposium held in Newport with the participation of senior international naval leaders from 90 countries and heads of different marine organizations continues, Trend reports via the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

As part of the symposium, the Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov met with the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu and US Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

During the meetings, a detailed exchange of views on the prospects for the development of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces cooperation with the Turkish Naval Forces and US Navy in the military, military-educational and other spheres, as well as on issues of mutual interest was held.

Bakirov has been on a visit to the US at the invitation of the command of the Navy of this country.

The main purpose of the symposium is to hold discussions on such topics as ensuring the navigational safety of maritime transport by the naval forces and civil maritime organizations, as well as organizing a joint combat against possible threats.
Pioneering a new era of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging through new innovations

VIENNA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United Imaging Healthcare, a global leader in advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, introduces its next-generation PET/CT systems, the uMI Panorama, and the integrated molecular technology platform named uExcel, at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) 2023 annual meeting taking place from September 9-12 in Vienna, Austria. As the sponsor of the "EANM Young Authors' Award" and "EANM Technologist Award" this year, United Imaging is playing a significant role in driving innovation in the field of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine on a global scale.

The new wide-bore uMI Panorama is a family of products that includes the uMI Panorama, the uMI Panorama GS, and the NeuroEXPLORER. The new uMI Panorama features a 2.9 mm NEMA resolution, 35 cm axial FOV, 143cps/kBq effective system sensitivity, and 194 ps timing resolution, leading to unprecedented system performance. Notably, a uMI Panorama has recently been installed at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, a renowned Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Utah health care system in Salt Lake City, United States.

The uMI Panorama GS, deriving its name from the term "Gold Standard", was born to set the gold standard in molecular imaging and revolutionize whole-body PET imaging. The uMI Panorama GS stands out as the flagship product of the uMI Panorama family, boasting a FDA 510(k) cleared & CE submitted PET/CT system with an impressive 148cm axial Field of View (AFOV), significantly facilitating whole-body imaging in a single bed position. Striving to enhance patient experience and broaden research areas, this system delivers exceptional capabilities for both functional and anatomical imaging and redefines quantification accuracy for lesion-detection precision. Additionally, this long axial FOV PET/CT system breaks the sub-200 ps limitation for the first time ever.

The NeuroEXPLORER (NX) is a revolutionary innovation for exploring the brain universe. Supported by the BRAIN initiative grant, created through partnerships involving Yale, UC Davis, and United Imaging, the NX was innovated to push forward the brain PET protocols and applications and stands as the most advanced DOI-TOF PET/CT scanner globally.

In tandem with uMI Panorama, the uExcel, is an advanced molecular imaging technology platform meticulously integrated with both hardware and software components. This platform is dedicated to enhancing system performance, imaging capabilities, and overall functionality. Based on deep learning iterative reconstruction, the uExcel enables the uMI Panorama to improve image outcomes even in challenging scan conditions. Underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI), the uMI Panorama family offers quicker scans with reduced doses while simultaneously enhancing imaging quality and consistency across all clinical settings.

United Imaging's whole portfolio of MI products greatly empowers clinical and research studies. At the satellite symposium, Dr. Joniada Doraku from Ospedale Sacro Cuore Calabria Hospital related how she has unleashed the power of the digital PET/CT uMI 780 in her clinical practice. She showcased the high resolution of uMI 780 and the superior image quality it can bring by reporting its satisfactory performance in tumor and neurological diagnosis. Reviewing the contribution made by uEXPLORER to Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University over the past four years, Dr. Hongcheng Shi noted that uEXPLORER greatly simplifies PET/CT examinations and expands the scope of PET clinical applications with its 194cm AFOV and high sensitivity. Drawing on the clinical cases he presented, uEXPLORER delivers comprehensive disease assessment, caters to specific needs with fast scans, provides abundant information through dynamic studies, facilitates low dose scanning, and ensures low radiation, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality imaging. Dr. Jeffrey Yap from Huntsman Cancer Institute discussed how the uMI Panorama incorporates the use of AI and is redefining imaging performance standards. Dr. Li Huo from Peking Union Medical College Hospital also praised uMI Panorama. Through a series of tests conducted on over 1800 patients using more than 15 different radiopharmaceuticals with uMI Panorama in just one year, she has revealed numerous innovative clinical applications for this PET/CT scanner. These applications are particularly noteworthy in the field of clinical translational research, which encompasses the use of multiple novel tracers. Dr. Richard Carson focused on the design and applications of NeuroEXPLORER (NX), revealing its strong performance as a human brain PET imager in highly precise spatial resolution, highly high sensitivity, and highly accurate head motion estimation. He commended NX for its potential achievements in radiation dose reduction, methodological improvements, and new brain imaging paradigms including small brain structures imaging, low-density binding-site identification, spinal cord imaging, dynamic neurotransmitter release, and small within-subject changes measurement.

United Imaging has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in the molecular imaging field in Europe. The journey in Europe began with the installation of the first digital PET/CT system in Poland in 2019, and in early 2022, United Imaging further expanded its footprint in Europe with the installation of the uMI 780 in Italy. This year, the National Institute of Oncology Marie Curie Skodowska has also installed uMI 780.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary since its IPO, United Imaging has reached a new milestone by providing high-end medical imaging equipment to over 11,300 clinical and research institutions in more than 60 countries worldwide. Since its establishment, United Imaging has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of medical innovations and fostering collaborations with globally renowned clinical and scientific research institutions, including but not limited to Yale University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Texas. As of today, United Imaging has introduced over 90 groundbreaking products, all of which have had their core technologies developed in-house.

(Note: The uMI Panorama and the uMI Panorama GS are CE pending, not commercially available yet. Mentioned Products/features may not be available in all countries.)

About United Imaging Healthcare

United Imaging Healthcare was founded in 2011 with a commitment to provide high-performance medical imaging products, radiotherapy equipment, life science instruments, and intelligent digital solutions to global customers. With a mission " To Bring Equal Healthcare for All" and a vision to "lead healthcare innovation", United Imaging is continuously devoted to creating more value for its customers and improving the accessibility of high-end medical equipment and services worldwide through close collaborations with hospitals, universities, research institutions, and industry partners.

SOURCE United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arts of Imagination Foundation today announced their acquisition of John Collier's artistic masterwork, The Laboratory, in a private sale negotiated by Christie's in New York.

What real life serial killer inspired the Hon. John Collier's artistic masterpiece, "The Laboratory?" Join Laura Mathis at Christie's in New York City as she takes us behind the scenes of "The Affair of the Poisons" and the murderous Madame de Brinvilliers, whose vengeful ambition shocked a nation, both in her own time, and in a painting that rocked traditional Victorian morals.

The 1895 oil painting is an instantly recognizable example of Victorian Gothic art and has rarely been displayed publicly. Its striking visuals and roots in storytelling played a vital role in the Arts of Imagination Foundation's decision to make The Laboratory part of their permanent collection. The painting will be publicly available as part of the Foundation's continuing efforts to illuminate how stories and art influence our culture and inspire personal discovery.

The Laboratory marks Collier's first major genre painting to be acquired by a U.S. institute. It is part of the artist's body of work depicting femme fatales, which includes portrayals of scandalous women such as Clytemnestra (housed at the Guildhall Art Gallery) and Lady Godiva (housed at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum).

The Laboratory is considered to be a pinnacle work of Collier's career, highlighting a seductive, darker side of womanhood than what was traditionally expected of the Victorian wife and mother. He drew inspiration from Robert Browning's salacious 1844 poem of the same name, which follows the exploits of the Marquise de Brinvillers, one of the world's first female serial killers, who scandalized Paris when she was beheaded in 1676, after having been found guilty of poisoning her father and two brothers.

Brady Schwind, Executive Director of The Arts of Imagination Foundation, said, "The Laboratory gives us a dynamic vehicle to explore how story and artwork capture elements of the human experience that resonate universally throughout time. Collier's fascination with mythology and psychological tension provides a timeless mirror to better understand our own fantasies, and the simultaneous repulsion and attraction we feel in response to the theme of revenge."

About The Arts of Imagination Foundation

The Arts of Imagination Foundation, 501(c)(3) preserves timeless stories and the artwork they have inspired, illuminating their heritage and relevance and, in the process, elevating our understanding of how art and stories have influenced our culture, beliefs and selves for thousands of years.

With a growing collection of story-inspired artwork that encompasses both historically significant works and new commissions, The Arts of Imagination Foundation brings art and story into unique environments to provide personally resonant conversations.

SOURCE The Arts of Imagination Foundation
OOH Produces Second-Largest Quarterly Volume in History of the Medium

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Out of home (OOH) advertising revenue increased 2.2 percent in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year, accounting for $2.68 billion, based on figures released by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, the second quarter was the second highest in volume in the history of OOH. Digital OOH, which accounted for over 33 percent of sales, increased 12.9 percent from a year ago. The Transit category generated the greatest quarterly growth over the second quarter of 2022, increasing by 7.7 percent.

Five of the top 10 product industries increased in volume, led by Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts (+35.3%); Local Services & Amusements (+6.0%), Schools, Camps, & Seminars (+3.3%), and Government, Politics and Organizations (+0.8%), continuing the same trend seen in Q1 for heightened consumer demand for real-life experiences.

"The experience economy continues to surge, as evidenced by the huge jump in the travel category last quarter," said Anna Bager, President & CEO, OAAA. "While other traditional media remain in decline, MAGNA projects the out of home industry to grow 4.2% this year, proving the platform serves as an efficient, effective, and engaging conduit for brands looking to earn the attention of on-the-go consumers in an age of distraction and digital fatigue."

Six of the top 10 OOH product categories produced increases greater than total OOH quarterly growth of 2.2 percent compared to Q2 2022, including:

Legal Service +46.4%

Domestic Hotels & Resorts +29.0%

Colleges & Universities +20.2%

Local Government +14.7%

Hospitals, Clinics & Medical Centers +10.7%

Consumer Banking +9.3%

Ranked in order of OOH spending, the top 10 advertisers in the second quarter were Apple, McDonald's, Coors, Verizon, Disney, Amazon T-Mobile, Max, Coca-Cola, and Dunkin'.

Among the top 100 OOH advertisers, 77 percent increased their OOH spend from Q2 2022, and more than a third (37%) more than doubled their spend. Thirteen advertisers increased their OOH spend by more than ten times, including (listed by spend % increase): Asia Forging Supply Co., Casamigos, Eli Lilly, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Avis, Johnson & Johnson, PNC, Samsung, Nintendo, Coors, VRBO, Chewy.com, and Warner Bros.

Almost one-quarter (24%) of the top 100 OOH spenders were technology or direct-to-consumer brands, including these 11 brands which finished among the top 25 (according to spend): Apple, Verizon, Amazon, T-Mobile, Max, Google, Uber, VRBO, Hotels.com, Nintendo, and Expedia.

OAAA issues full industry pro forma revenue estimates that include, but are not limited to, Miller Kaplan and Vivvix (which is not adjusted to reflect changes in data sources), and member company affidavits. Revenue estimates include digital and static billboard, street furniture, transit, place-based, and cinema advertising.

For more information about specific category spend, please contact Steve Nicklin at [email protected] or (202) 833-5566.

About the OAAA

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents over 800 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local governments. OAAA-member media companies donate over $500 million annually in public service advertising. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City.

Media Contact

Christine Galetto

DiGennaro Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE OAAA
SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Pet Food Brand Promotional Session was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on August 16, 2023, to introduce U.S. pet food industry innovations and premium quality U.S. pet food to interested professional attendees during Pet Fair Asia 2023. The USDA Agricultural Trade Office at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai hosted a USA Pavilion. LAMB Agriculture Consultancy provided livestreaming services for USA Pavilion exhibitors.

Lashonda McLeod Harper-Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai delivered a welcome speech and a brief overview of the U.S. pet food industry.

Lashonda McLeod Harper-Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai delivered a welcome speech and a brief overview of the U.S. pet food industry. Regional distributors of U.S. brands including Sunshine Mills, Stella & Chewy's, Timberwolf, Midwestern Pet Foods, Purpose, and Zamzaws. presented on the history, innovative features, and premium quality of their products. These selected presentations strengthened customers' faith in the quality and functionality of U.S. pet foods. Representatives from Sunshine Mills' SQF Level 3 quality management system and Stella & Chewy's pioneering freeze-drying technology greatly impressed upon audience members their stringent quality control and advanced manufacturing technologies. Timberwolf's immune boosting formula with functional herbal ingredients, Midwestern Pet Foods' products with special consideration on cardiovascular health, bone and joint health and coat quality as well as gastrointestinal health solutions delivered by Purpose's innovative probiotics and Zamzaws's Archaeal metabolites, all received heightened attention from the audience on-site and during the livestreaming , showing a trend of pet owners' preference over functional pet foods is also emerging in Chinese pet food markets.

Peng Li, Asia Regional Director of the North American Renderers Association (NARA), gave a presentation to elaborate on the report of pet food production and ingredient analyses in the U.S. pet food industry. and how animal proteins including fresh meats, poultry, seafoods and rendered products, have been major ingredients in U.S. pet foods. Mr. Li went on to demonstrate the delicate cooking process in the U.S. rendering industry and highlighted importance of rendered products in safe, high-quality, and affordable pet foods for all pet families around the globe. When explaining the U.S. pet food industry, he outlined the strengths of the U.S. pet food industry in long-term investment on research, companion animal science, pet food manufacturing technologies, availability, and quality of various pet food ingredients and stressed that convenient access to high-quality rendered ruminant ingredients in U.S. pet food industry poses remarkable advantages in ingredient supply to pet foods made by China.

ATO Shanghai Director Lashonda McLeod Harper, Deputy Director Ted Shibata, and Agricultural Marketing Specialists from the USDA Agricultural Trade Offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenyang met with representatives of Pet Fair Asia attendees in pet food import, trading, distribution after the session, extended gratitude on development of U.S. pet food distribution channels of individuals, and sought suggestions on the effective delivery of U.S. pet foods to millions of pet families caring about quality and functionality of pet foods via trade services, education and product promotion.

Nearly 3,000 pet food professionals attended this U.S. Pet Food Brands Promotional Session on-site and via livestream. It is estimated similar U.S. Pet Food Brands Promotional Sessions will be held in various regions across China in 2024.

SOURCE The U.S. Pet Food Brand Promotional Session
USG Water Solutions Celebrates Six Decades of Providing Asset Management and Maintenance Services to Water Utilities across the United States

ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmly rooted in tradition with an eye on the future, USG Water Solutions (USG) is proudly celebrating its 60th anniversary in business.

USG was founded in Madison, NC in 1963 as a regional painting and maintenance contractor specializing in the renovation of water storage tanks. Over the past 60 years, the company has grown into a leading provider of asset maintenance and rehabilitation solutions for the municipal water industry in the United States.

"We are continually expanding our capabilities and refining our services to meet the needs of the municipal market." Post this USG Water Solutions can meet the maintenance needs of your entire water or wastewater system infrastructure from storage tanks and pipe networks to treatment plants and metering systems.

Today, with a staff of 600 experts and a comprehensive portfolio of technologies and services, USG delivers proprietary maintenance solutions for multiple components of a water or wastewater system. The company's solutions increase the sustainability and operational efficiency of water infrastructure and keep critical assetsfrom storage tanks and pipe networks to treatment plants and metering systemsin full compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

"In an industry dominated by aging infrastructure issues, workforce shortages and ever-changing regulations, we are continually expanding our capabilities and refining our services to meet the needs of the municipal market. USG Water Solutions continues to evolve and is providing asset management solutions that deliver sustainable and compliant results to our customers," said USG Water Solutions CEO John Flaugher.

"Over the years, we have expanded our service offerings though the acquisition of businesses like Odle, Inc.a company specialized in concrete rehabilitationand also through strategic partnerships with other leading corporations such as Aclara Technologies LLC in the field of smart metering and Cleanwater1, Inc. (formerly UGSI Solutions, Inc.), a specialist of water quality solutions," he added.

As USG evolved, so did the company's shareholders. USG was acquired in late 2008 by one of the largest water companies in the world, Suez, and then became part of Veolia North America following the merger of Veolia and Suez.

While USG services and operations have expanded, the company has remained true to its roots, always focused on providing asset management solutions that help utilities improve operations and minimize maintenance costs.

"Our 45 water system consultants, 11 service centers and 130 field crews nationwide continue to deliver quick response times and superior results on every project. We have completed some 25,000 asset renovations to date, and we currently have 8,000 assets on a long-term subscription-based maintenance program, a testament to our commitment to service excellence."

In early 2023, USG was acquired by private investment firm Turnspire Capital Partners LLC, which has a track record of purchasing high-quality businesses and providing them with strong support to solidify their leadership position.

"As only the sixth person to lead USG Water Solutions in our 60-year history, I am honored to have been entrusted to build on these achievements and am committed to preserving the unique blend of continuity and innovation that has fueled our growth and success. On behalf of our management team, I want to extend our thanks and appreciation to our shareholders, customers and employees, whose continued confidence and trust have been so essential to our long-term success," Mr. Flaugher concluded.

About USG Water Solutions

USG Water Solutions is a national leader in providing maintenance services to municipal and private water companies across the United States and the leading provider of asset management programs for water and wastewater infrastructure to the municipal market. USG was formerly known as Veolia Advanced Solutions and, before that, Suez Advanced Solutions.

John Flaugher Bio

In addition to his roles with Impact Management Consulting and Suez Water Advanced Solutions, John Flaugher spent two decades at Nalco Chemical Company advancing to executive level roles at the global water and process solutions provider. Mr. Flaugher has also held Board membership and Board advisory roles with multiple companies in the water and chemical industry.

SOURCE USG Water Solutions
Nine healthcare professionals recognized with awards and grants

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Kentucky, a prominent statewide provider of Medicaid managed care services, hosted its fourth annual Community Health Champions Awards on Wednesday, September 20, at Churchill Downs to honor individuals and organizations that have played a pivotal role in removing healthcare barriers, improving outcomes and supporting community wellbeing throughout the Commonwealth.

Governor Andy Beshear spoke at WellCare of Kentuckys Fourth Annual Community Health Champions Awards to recognize the extraordinary healthcare professionals who work to improve the quality of life in Kentuckys communities through service, volunteerism and advocacy. Congratulations to the 2023 award winners of WellCare of Kentuckys Fourth Annual Community Health Champions Awards: Front row: Matt & Jennifer Westwood (Region 6), Chelsea Ryanns Festival of Hope; Christy Hinton (Region 2), RiverValley Behavioral Health; Faith Fountain (Region 7), Ramey-Estep Regroup; Sonja Grey (Region 3), Exploited Childrens Help Organization (ECHO); Stacy Kuhn (Region 4), Farmstead, Inc.; Back row: Katina Hayden (Overall Winner), Catholic Charities of Owensboro; Dustin Bowman (Region 5), Frankfort Police Department; Tiffany Riley (Region 1), Kentucky Care; Corey Ewing, WellCare Plan President; Dr. Key Douthitt (Region 8), Breathitt County Long Term Recovery.

Governor Andy Beshear spoke at the event and recognize the extraordinary healthcare professionals who work to improve the quality of life in Kentucky's communities through service, volunteerism and advocacy.

"As Governor, and as a dad to two amazing kids, I believe access to quality health care is a basic human right  and ensuring that every family has access is an essential part of building a better Kentucky," said Gov. Beshear. "That is why I am so grateful for the work of this year's Community Health Champions. All of this year's nominees are integral partners in supporting the well-being of Kentuckians, and I am proud to be a part of this ceremony honoring their efforts. Thank you to WellCare of Kentucky for continuing to recognize those who go above and beyond in helping their neighbors."

This year, nearly 300 nominations were submitted. One winner statewide winner was selected from each of the eight Kentucky Medicaid regions. Regional winners were awarded a $3,000 grant each for their organization and the state award winner received a $5,000 grant to go toward continuing the mission of their organization.

"I see our Community Health Champions as examples of the best of Kentucky," said WellCare of Kentucky Plan President, Corey Ewing. "Each of these individuals has worked to ensure that Kentuckians are physically, emotionally and mentally healthy  and they did it in deeply personal ways, giving their time, talent and heart in the process."

The most prominent, statewide award was presented to Katina Hayden, director of case management of Catholic Charities of Owensboro.

In Hayden's nomination by her peers she was described as playing a crucial role in managing recovery efforts from the tornados that ripped across Western Kentucky in July, and helped the most marginalized Kentuckians recover from the natural disaster. Hayden provided assistance to more than 4,000 survivors through her tireless work, helping to provide hope to 14 counties.

"Katina represents exactly the type of service, commitment, and passion that we want to support in Kentucky," said Ewing. "We know that people like her help make Kentucky communities healthier."

The 2023 Regional Community Health Champions included:

Region 1: Tiffany Riley, Kentucky Care

Riley is an inspiring Community Health Worker for Kentucky Care. Her impact on the lives of homeless individuals with physical and mental health problems is remarkable. She is also a lead facilitator at Western Kentucky Situation Table, connecting people at risk with essential resources. Tiffany's dedication goes above and beyond to secure every possible resource for her patients. Thanks to her valiant efforts, countless individuals who often slip through the cracks have been provided medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services.

Region 2: Christy Hinton, River Valley Behavioral Health

As a 988 mental health first responder, Hinton is always on call, putting in up to 70 hours a week. But her commitment does not stop there. Hinton goes above and beyond for everyone she meets, always having a smile on her face. Alongside her demanding work schedule, Christy finds time to volunteer for New Beginnings and her local church.

Region 3: Sonja Grey, ECHO

Grey is dedicated to preventing and reducing child abuse through education, advocacy and support services in Louisville Metro. She actively partners with non-profit organizations, schools, and youth-serving organizations while serving in multiple leadership roles. With more than 15 years of experience in leading nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, she raises awareness and support for various causes. Grey is extensively involved in the community, serving on multiple task forces and advisory councils for organizations like Kosair for Kids-FaceIt Movement campaign and Jefferson County Public Schools.

Region 4: Stacy Kuhn, Farmstead, Inc.

Kuhn volunteers at Farmstead, providing pro-bono equine-assisted psychotherapy to veterans. Equine-assisted therapy helps individuals with therapy through activities with horses. Farmstead provides a haven for those who have served our country. They understand that walking into a mental health clinic can be overwhelming, and they have created an anxiety-free environment. Kuhn, a trauma survivor, holds multiple licenses in counseling. Her unique qualifications and personal journey make her the perfect advocate for our veterans.

Region 5: Dustin Bowman, Frankfort Police Department

Chief Bowman has seen how drug use has impacted residents and families and understands that arresting their way out of the problem is not a long-term solution. Instead, he works with many organizations to address substance abuse treatment and prevention. Bowman is involved in school activities, substance abuse prevention initiatives, and organizations addressing homelessness and affordable housing. Chief Bowman has secured grants for collaborative efforts between law enforcement and service organizations.

Region 6: Matt and Jennifer Westwood, Chelsea Ryan Festival of Hope

Matt and Jennifer Westwood, our Region 6 winners, turned their pain into purpose. After their daughter's tragic suicide, they dedicated themselves to helping the students at Lloyd Memorial High School. Through their fall festival, Chelsea Ryann Festival of Hope, they not only raised funds but also spread awareness about mental health. It is a joyful event where the community comes together, and mental health resources are readily available. Every year, they raise an average of $10,000, which helps the counselors bring in outside help for students in need.

Region 7: Faith Fountain, Ramey-Estep/Re-group

Fountain works consistently to better the lives of individuals. She joined Ramey-Estep Regroup as a Youth Support Specialist in 2012 and has worked with more than 200 young people. Faith is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within the community. She serves on several community action boards, working to ensure equitable representation and opportunities for all. Faith initiated programs such as free ordainment ceremonies, fostering inclusivity and supporting individuals from various backgrounds.

Dr. Key Douthitt, Breathitt County Long Term Recovery Team

Dr. Douthitt is the medical director of the North Fork Valley Community Health Center. Dr. Douthitt played a pivotal role in in helping rural communities during the flooding earlier this year. He organized door-to-door medical teams to hit the hardest effected areas across Breathitt, Knott, Perry and Letcher counties. He coordinated 13 teams and administered over 2,500 tetanus vaccines. Dr. Douthitt also established a hotline for flood-related medical needs. Furthermore, he also helped replace lost medications for those in shelters at Wolfe and Perry counties.

Link to additional photos.

About WellCare of Kentucky

WellCare of Kentucky provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a Fortune 26 company that offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation. For more information, please visit www.wellcare.com/kentucky .

SOURCE WellCare of Kentucky
Cravers will get the convenience of delivery with the same food prices as drive-thru and in-person dining

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, the innovative company that helped make the hamburger an American household staple, is now providing delivery as an option within its White Castle app. The in-app delivery option gives Cravers the convenience of having their favorite menu items, such as a 10-sack of Original Sliders, delivered to them at the same everyday low pricing they find at their local Castle.

White Castle's new partnership with Uber Direct, means the app is the best value for White Castle delivery service. Post this White Castle is now providing delivery as an option within its White Castle app, giving Cravers the convenience of having their favorite menu items delivered to them at the same everyday low pricing they find at their local Castle.

With this update rolled out in all of its restaurant markets, White Castle no longer relies solely on a third-party app to initiate delivery service. In-app delivery allows Cravers to pay the same price for their meal as if they were visiting the Castle, with only a simple $4.99 flat delivery fee and no other hidden or additional fees.

"The White Castle app has delivered cravings and savings for customers since it first launched," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "The addition of delivery in the app truly makes this a one-stop shop for anyone looking to satisfy their hankering for that one-of-a-kind taste of White Castle!"

White Castle's new service is a partnership with Uber Direct, Uber's white-label delivery platform, and is available now to all users of the White Castle app. With the collaboration with Uber Direct, the app is the best value for White Castle delivery. Cravers can order delivery directly from a Castle (within a 5-mile radius of Castles serviced by Uber Direct). The app uses Uber technology to connect each order with a driver or courier to ensure your Sliders arrive hot and on time.

"The only thing missing from the in-app delivery experience is hearing the sizzle of the onions and smelling the burgers on the griddle," said Richardson. "Sliders, sides and every menu item are available, all day long for delivery, with just a few taps of the app."

"Uber is constantly innovating to make it easier for restaurants to meet their customers where they are," said Bernie Huddlestun, head of Uber Direct in the United States. "We are excited to team up with White Castle to power on-demand delivery straight from their White Castle app."

With the addition of delivery, the all-encompassing White Castle app also features:

Complete menu.

Castle locator.

Crave customization.

On-the-go ordering.

Save your fave Crave.

App-only menu items and offers.

Exclusive access to Craver Nation offers and deals.

About White Castle

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates more than 350 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle, which earned the Great Place to Work Certification in 2021 and 2022, is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com .

About Uber

Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 42 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

SOURCE White Castle
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., a personal injury law firm with offices in Springfield, Joplin, and Columbia, Missouri, is pleased to announce that William W. Sachs has joined the firm.

William, who goes by "Will," recently earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2023. Prior to that, he obtained a degree in Business Management with a minor in English from Drury University.

William W. Sachs Joins Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C.

Sachs will be focusing on personal injury and workers' compensation law. Will is committed to also serving the local community.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Aaron Sachs & Associates, PC.

About Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C.: Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. offers legal representation across Missouri, with a focus on personal injury and workers' compensation law. With offices in Springfield, Joplin, and Columbia, the firm has a long-standing commitment to serving and advocating for its clients.

Media Contact: Aaron Sachs, [email protected]

SOURCE Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C.
TAIPEI, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wiser, a Taiwanese company with the official recognition as an Amazon Service Provider Network (SPN) provider, has helped over 1,000 businesses across the world to achieve steady profit on Amazon. Considering the growing market of cross-border e-commerce, Wiser recently adjusted its organization and specialized its services to develop potential clients and fulfill different needs from clients.

"We've helped many Taiwanese companies start their cross-border e-commerce business. Now we want to help them build and promote their brands to the world," Robert Gou, the chairman of Wiser said. In the past, Wiser focused on running the business on Amazon for clients. Also, the team members managing clients' Amazon accounts had to be the all-rounders. They dealt with everything by themselves, such as product launch, logistics management and advertising, etc. The work process made it hard for Wiser to expand its business and develop different services.

To solve the problems, Wiser decided to adjust the organization. Albert Huang, the general manager of Wiser, said that they have changed the workflow from where one person had to handle everything to the specialized division of labor. This specialization means Wiser will be more flexible to face different tasks from clients and rapid market change. Clients will benefit from Wiser's intact and cost-effective services like market research, data analysis, or visual design. Wiser market team's multilingual talents can offer excellent communication and work efficiency for clients, too. The specialization also enables Wiser to provide not only the one-stop but also customized services. Wiser hopes to offer clients the best customer experience.

Wiser is becoming a brand promoter rather than just a business helper. Wiser will take brands as the core value of its services. Moreover, it also plans to build a cross-border brand-ecosystem so that the resource can be shared among the businesses, making the local market more accessible.

About Wiser

Wiser is a professional Amazon marketing agency from Taiwan. Its services include market research, data analysis, advertising campaigns, brand design, and social media marketing. Sellers only need to provide the products along with necessary information, and Wiser will take good care of brand establishment and promotion, facilitating growth and profitability.

SOURCE Wiser Co., Ltd.
Next Year's Event scheduled for September 16th-18th, 2024,

will Bring More Variety and Greater Innovation

to Create a Global Market Destination for the Food and Beverage Industry

MIAMI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Organized by the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM), the 27TH Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference closes with record-breaking attendance of more than 7,000 buyers, suppliers, distributors and industry experts spanning over 90 countries and thousands of products.

This year's event attracted a wide range of industry professionals eager to network, expand business partnerships, connect with customers, and explore new food and beverage products. With the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the event was exceptionally well received, serving as an incubation and convening platform for industry growth and collaboration. Comments from exhibitors, buyers, and distributors, included:

"From the show's opening, it's been a resounding success! Just on opening day we had more than 133 meetings, and today we're on track to do the same; we've even sold entire containers which is huge for us," said Desiree Santos , an Export Executive for the Dominican Republic pavilion. "It's our second year at the show, and we expect to be back next year."

"We're excited to be here showcasing our solutions and services, as well as our commitment to innovation," said Pedro Penton , President, TecnicaSystems. "Engagements that take months to plan and execute happen real-time at the event, helping to fast track our pipeline."

"Our participation at the AF&BS allows us to showcase our products to a wide range of distributors and buyers from across the globe, all in one place," said Bryon Coleman , Senior Vice President, Jones Dairy Farms. "Our presence allows us to reconnect with customers, build relationships, and fast track countless discussions, meetings and buyer opportunities that help to enhance our sales efforts."

"We're delighted with this year's turnout, lineup and engagement," said Ivan Barrios, CEO World Trade Center Miami. "The event convened an impressive lineup of Industry experts who shared insights on the latest in sustainable packaging, ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and mocktails, organic offerings and innovations in healthy meal prep. The event also showcased best-in-class, interactive demonstrations highlighting innovations moving our industry forward."

For 2024, the World Trade Center Miami and Informa Markets will present the first edition and collaboration by co-locating the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference and Food Hospitality LATAM. This collaboration seeks to create a global platform for the entire culinary spectrum.

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About WTC Miami:

The World Trade Center Miami (WTCM), founded in 1971, is a non-profit organization and member of the preeminent global trade organization, the World Trade Centers Association with over 300 World Trade Centers located in more than 90 countries around the world.

For more than 50 years, the WTCM has facilitated international commerce in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Through renowned trade shows, missions, special events, educational programs, promotion of two-way trade and other forms of assistance, the WTCM plays a leading role in spurring Miami's emergence as a hemispheric center for global trade. The diverse portfolio of WTCM programs and trade shows generates international sales, boosts exports, and fosters the ideal environment for international investment.

SOURCE World Trade Center Miami
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Karabakh is Azerbaijan's land, and any other status is unacceptable, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said, Trend reports.

"We'll continue to support our Azerbaijani brothers in their just struggle. We are monitoring the measures taken in Karabakh in response to the provocations of the Armenian armed forces for a long time, the decision to suspend the anti-terrorist activities [conducted on September 1920], and the latest situation in the region," the ministry also said.

The Minister of National Defense of Turkiye Yasar Guler called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and noted that Turkiye, as always, stands by Azerbaijan.

Guler congratulated the Azerbaijan Defense Minister on the successful completion of the anti-terrorist activities.

Besides, the Turkish minister expressed deep condolences to the families of the military servicemen who became martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to all the injured persons.

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.
XIAMEN, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 20th, Xiamen Airlines Chairman Zhao Dong met with Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker, marking one month until the launch of Xiamen Airlines Beijing Daxing/Xiamen to Doha route.

Zhao Dong shared that 2023 marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative. Currently, Xiamen Airlines and Qatar Airways have developed comprehensive codeshare cooperation. Looking ahead, the two sides plan to deepen their partnership, offering passengers more interactive and possibly even "direct selling" experiences to make air travel more entertaining. Together, Xiamen Airlines and Qatar Airways aim to provide a unique and enjoyable flying experience for passengers from Arab countries and China!

Akbar Al Baker gladly accepted Zhao's invitation to visit China and highlighted their comprehensive strategic cooperation, including the milestone of their first-ever codeshare partnership in China. He believed that Xiamen Airlines routes will seamlessly connect with Qatar Airways' global network, offering passengers a richer selection of flights and seamless travel experiences.

In the spirit of this momentous collaboration, Xiamen Airlines has scheduled to operate regular routes between Beijing Daxing and Doha, as well as Xiamen and Doha from October 2023. The Beijing Daxing-Doha route will operate daily, while the Xiamen-Doha route will provide flights twice a week. Passengers can anticipate a world-class flying experience on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

SOURCE Xiamen Airlines
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xiamen Airlines is accredited with the 2024 APEX World Class award. This highest award category of APEX just granted only 8 airlines from all over the world, including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM, Saudia Airlines, Turkish Airlines. Xiamen Airlines is the only one among Chinese airlines. It is worth mentioning that this is the second year in a row that Xiamen Airlines has been awarded.

APEX President, Joe Leader, praised Xiamen Airlines' exceptional service performance. Joe Leader and Keith Yates, Chairman of Yates Audit Company, flew on Xiamen Airlines several times the other day, being deeply impressed by the peerless service of the "MF" crew!

Chairman of Xiamen Airlines, Mr. Zhao Dong, graciously accepted the award and thanked the incredible and hard-working team.

SOURCE Xiamen Airlines
BEIJING, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As a perfect mix of tradition and modernity, Suzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province is not only a historical and cultural city, but also a manufacturing powerhouse in the Yangtze River Delta.

Home to the first and the only national historical and cultural city-level protection area in China, Suzhou is now stepping up efforts to build an industrial innovation hub with global influence.

-- Reshape innovation with industrial upgrade

Recently, Suzhou Historical and Cultural Protection Area (Protection Area), Gusu District released the Action Plan for Industrial Development of the Protection Area and Gusu District (2023-2025), which proposed a "1+2" industrial system. The plan aims to further strengthen one pillar industry integrating culture, commerce and tourism, and develop two emerging industries of digital creativity and high-tech service.

Since the beginning of 2023, the Gusu District have redoubled efforts to promote the integration of culture, commerce and tourism, focusing on new business formats such as the hotel industry and creative culture.

-- Revitalize the ancient city with new business growth

The grand opening of Xujiang Paradise Walk, the renovation of Suzhou Tower, and the upcoming debut of other large commercial complexes, including Renhengcang Street and Gemdale Plaza, have given a strong boost to the ancient Gusu District.

By combing the role of scenic spots and commercial districts, Gusu will improve its transportation network, supporting facilities and the commercial layout in a systematic way.

-- Unlock potential of urban space to embrace new development

To protect ancient buildings and old houses and put them to good use, the Gusu District launched "One House, One Policy", an initiative for the protection and renewal of the ancient city, unveiled 26 specific projects, and signed agreements with 12 enterprises.

Since the start of this year, a total of 13 transactions on space use have been made in the Gusu District, covering 209,000 square meters of land.

"With a focus on contributing Suzhou's wisdom to the protection of ancient cities across the world, we firmly believe that utilization is the best way of protection, and will further develop our time-honored city while protecting it," said Fang Wenbang, Party chief of Gusu District, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/336160.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987, "Yum China" or the "Company") today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (4:30 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, November 1, 2023).

Yum China's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (8:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, November 1, 2023).

A live webcast of the call may be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/bpvn2yvj.

To join by phone, please register in advance of the conference through the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, a passcode and a unique access PIN.

Pre-registration Link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10033304-ahyd6f.html

A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the call ends until Wednesday, November 8, 2023 and may be accessed by phone at the following numbers:

U.S.: 1 855 883 1031 Mainland China: 400 1209 216 Hong Kong: 800 930 639 U.K.: 0800 031 4295 Replay PIN: 10033304

Additionally, earnings release, accompanying slides and an archived webcast of this conference call will be available at the Company's Investor Relations website http://ir.yumchina.com.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 13,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,900 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 / +852 2267 5801

E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on September 21 at the initiative of the Azerbaijani side, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev offered his apology and deep condolences over the tragic death of the military personnel of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh on September 20. The head of state emphasized that a thorough investigation would be conducted and all the perpetrators would receive deserved punishment. The prosecutor generals offices of both countries are in close contact over the case. The President of Azerbaijan also said that he was ready to provide financial assistance to the families of the killed.

The sides noted the importance of consistent implementation of the agreements reached with the support of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on the complete cessation of hostilities in Karabakh. Much importance is attached in this context to the contacts started in the city of Yevlakh today between the representatives of Azerbaijans state bodies and Armenian population of Karabakh with participation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Priority steps were discussed to stabilize the regional situation and solve humanitarian problems. Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of ensuring rights and security of the Armenian population of Karabakh. The Azerbaijani sides readiness for interaction on this matter with Russian peacekeepers was confirmed.

The sides agreed to step up efforts towards opening of transportation communications, delimitation of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border and signing of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan during the process of negotiations against the backdrop of high-level trilateral agreements reached in 2020-2022.
Kathmandu, Sep 21 : In a bid that will bolster bilateral energy cooperation, now Indian states can directly buy electricity from Nepal.

This agreement was reached during the 14th meeting of the Joint Technical Team ( JTT) on Wednesday in New Delhi, according to the Nepali side.

Both sides also reached an understanding on increasing the quantum of power to be traded through the Dhalkehar -Muzaffarpur cross - border transmission line and accelerating the - construction of cross-border lines to boos the power trade.

Any Indian undertaking that is in the power trading business can sell and buy electricity through a 132 kv transmission line, said Prabal Adhikari, head of the energy trade department of Nepal Electricity Authority, the power trade between Nepal and any Indian states will be signed at Energy Secretary level.

The agreement comes in operation and execution only after signing the deal whose meeting is expected to convene soon.

Those states who want to procure electricity from Nepal should propose first to Indiaas state power agency for approval.

In order to implement the agreement, two dedicated 132 kv transmission lines between Nepal and India will be used for power export from Nepal to Indian states like Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh among others. Nepal and India are going to complete the construction of 132 kv new Nautanwa - Mainaiya line and Kohalpur - Nanpara line which will be used for the import and export of power besides the 400 kv Dhalkehar - Muzaffarpur cross - border transmission line.

India's Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam which is currently developing a 900 MW Arun - III hydropower project is building a 400 kv Dhalkebar - Sitamarhi line that is expected to evacuate up to 2,000 MW.

Now India is going to give access to Nepal to use this line for power export and import from the country. Earlier, this line was exclusively built to power export being produced in Arun III and two other projects.

As of now, Nepal and India are trading business only through the 400 kv Dhalkehar - Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line. The meeting also decided to upgrade the capacity of the Dhalkewar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line which has a capacity for importing and exporting 600-MW of electricity.

After strengthening of this transmission line, Nepal can sell 800 MW of electricity to India.

In the last joint steering committee meeting held in February, both sides agreed to increase the volume of power to be traded via the 400kv Dhalkehar - Muzaffarpur cross - border line from 600 MW to 800 MW.

As energy trade becomes a key foundation between Nepal and India, both countries are planning to constitute several cross-border transmission lines.

Besides, the 400KV Dhalkehar-Muzaffarpur cross-border line, both nations are also constructing Hetuda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa line. Another 400 kV transmission line that is under construction between the two countries is Dodhara-Bareilly which is expected to complete by 2028-29.
Patna, Sep 21 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that Centre should implement the women's reservation bill quickly in the country.

On Thursday, Nitish Kumar again paid a surprise visit to the old secretariat in Patna and checked every office. However, he found officers were present in the offices this time. The CM had conducted raids on Wednesday as well when several officers were found absent or came late.

Following the visit on Thursday, Nitish Kumar while sharing his views with media personnel in old secretariat in Patna, said: "The women reservation bill passed in the Lok Sabha and we are in favour of this bill right from the beginning. I have a strong demand to implement it quickly. However, the Centre has not conducted a general census and hence they are saying that the implementation of this bill is not possible in near future."

"If they had done the census on time (in 2021), this bill would have been easy to implement in this country. We were demanding from the Centre to conduct the census of the country but they refused. We have conducted the caste based survey in Bihar," Kumar said.

"We have a strong demand to give reservation to backward class, extremely backward class, SC and ST people under this bill. Whatever would happen in the interest of women, we will support it," Kumar said.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DyCM D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said the talks with Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in connection with the Cauvery dispute was fruitful.

A joint statement in this regard was made by both the leaders.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that they held a meeting with Union Minister Shekhawat on the Cauvery river water sharing and explained the existing situation in the state to him efficiently.

"His response was positive. The matter is going to come up before the Supreme Court. We have confidence in the Apex court accepting the plea of Karnataka and issuing a stay order on the directive of the Cauvery Water Management Committee (CWMC) to release water to Tamil Nadu," he stated.

"Against this background, we are awaiting the order of the Supreme Court and later we will discuss other measures," he added.

"We have sought an appointment with the Prime Minister, if given, we will meet him as well. We will demand to hold talks with the states concerned," CM Siddaramaiah stated.

Union Minister Shekhawat is briefed on the necessity of 106 tmc of water for the state for protection of crops, industries and drinking water. It's also conveyed that in all out four reservoirs there is only 51 tmc of water available, he said.

"We have drawn the attention of the Union Minister on poorest rainfall in 123 years during months of August and September in the state and on no inflow of water. He was also briefed on various organisations and farmers resorting to protest and there is availability of water to release to Tamil Nadu," he stated.

"Our legal team is trying to convince the Supreme Court of the crisis situation. The inflow of four reservoirs in the state has come down to 8 cusecs from 11".
New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha pose for a group photograph. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, Sep 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the closing ceremony of four 'Parivartan Yatras' in Jaipur on September 25 and arrangements for the meeting will be managed by women workers of the BJP.

With this endeavour, women in Jaipur will express their gratitude to PM Modi for the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill.

BJPas state general secretary Bhajanlal Sharma said that for the first time in the country, all the responsibility for a Prime Minister's meeting will be handled by women. This has not been done before for any political rally, he added.

The responsibility for all the arrangements for the pandal for PM Modi's meeting has been given to the women, which includes work related to the pandal seating arrangement (officials, workers and the public), stage operation, electricity and water arrangements, parking and security.

However, men will be helping the women in making the arrangements.

PM Narendra Modi's meeting is going to be held in Jaipur after about four and a half years.

On September 25, Modi will officially conclude the BJP's Parivartan Yatra in Jaipur. The meeting will be held in Surajpura (Vatika) of Dadiya Panchayat in Jaipur district.

Earlier, during the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi's meeting was held at Mansarovar in Jaipur on May 1, 2019.
Chennai, Sept 21 : Tamil Nadu Water Resources minister and senior DMK leader S. Durai Murugan on Thursday said that the Supreme Court is the only option for his state to get its due share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.

He said that the Tamil Nadu government will not enter into any discussions with Karnataka in this regard.

Addressing media persons here, Durai Murugan said that the state had held talks with Karnataka for several years but there were no results.

"We have approached the Supreme Court in the Cauvery water dispute issue and we have come a long way. So there are no more talks with Karnataka government or Central government."

"Supreme Court is the only option for us," he said.

Asked about the meeting of a Karnataka delegation led by Chief Minister Siddaramiah with the Union Jal Shakti Minister, Durai Murugan said that it was similar to the all party meeting of delegation from Tamil Nadu meeting the Minister.

He said that Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court against the Karnataka refusal to provide 5,000 cusecs of water as directed by Cauvery Water Management Authority, and the state's further course of action on the CWMA would be based on the verdict of the apex court.

--IANS

aal/vd
Bengaluru, Sep 21 : After a setback in the Supreme Court over the release of Cauvery River water, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa stated on Thursday that the Karnataka government should hold talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the issue.

BS Yediyurappa was speaking to reporters following the Supreme Court's order upholding the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on the release of water to Tamil Nadu.

"The crisis should be sorted out through dialogues with Stalin. It is not correct to seek interference from the Centre in this regard. The Congress should talk to its ally the DMK which is ruling Tamil Nadu," Yediyurappa stated.

He also alleged that it was no secret that Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were at loggerheads over the Cauvery issue.

He further alleged that the government erred from the beginning in the matter. "There is politics of adjustment between the Congress and the DMK. It is one of the reasons for the setback for the state," he said.

When asked about the BJP's plans for an agitation regarding the Cauvery issue he said, "What is there to agitate about? The state government should continue the legal battle and the people should maintain law and order situation."

"There will be no use of programmes like padayatra. Now, it's the court's job," he added.

The government which had gone to the court without homework should file an appeal and explain the existing situation. The plea should be submitted to send a committee of Supreme Court Justices to visit the state dams and to study the existing situation, he stated.

The government erred by releasing water to Tamil Nadu and it failed to argue efficiently before the Apex Court. Let them not commit another mistake, he charged.

-- IANS

mka/rad
Ramanagara : , Sep 21 (IANS) In a tragic incident, a 12-year-old boy died and two other children sustained severe injuries after the wall of a government-run Morarji Desai Residential School in Ramanagara district of Karnataka collapsed.

The incident took place on Thursday morning in the premises of the residential school located in H. Gollahalli village near Bidadi.

The deceased student has been identified as Kaushik Gowda, a student of sixth standard. The wall collapsed on him while he was washing face in the morning. The victim had sustained severe head injuries in the incident.

Though he was rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to injuries due to severe bleeding. Two other children, who had also sustained severe injuries, are being treated at the hospital in Bengaluru.

The parents and family of the deceased boy has condemned the negligence shown by the authorities in ensuring the safety of children. The Bidadi Police have registered a case in this regard and are investigating the case.
ICIS has announced the 18th Middle Eastern Base Oils and Lubricants Conference, scheduled for October 17-18 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, offering executives the chance to network, discuss industry topics, and share ideas.

This year, the conference will also include the fuel retail sector, offering greater insight of the entire base oils supply chain from crude oil to the end user.

Sarah Harvey, director, events at ICIS, comments, Base oils may only be 1 per cent of oil production, but they generate high income and are an important segment of the overall industry. The Middle East Base Oils and Lubricants conference is designed to support this market, understand global trends, and share vital information for the development and growth of sales of base oils and lubricants.

The conference will include industry-led topics with high profile speakers, such as Samer Al Hokail, President & CEO, Luberef; Mark Notkin, Chief Innovation Officer at Electromin; Marco Digioia, President at European Association of Lubricants Manufacturers (ATIEL); Dr George Zhang, Vice-President of International R&D at Valvoline, and Alex Aliper, President at Insilico.

Discussion topics will cover a comprehensive outlook for the Middle East market, including insight into growth drivers in the region such as infrastructure development and engagement with the African market; evolving trends such as sustainability and digitalisation; fuel retail topics, and a view into global economic trends for base oils.

It is the first time the fuel retail sector has been included within the conference. Harvey explains, Incorporating fuel retail will raise awareness across the value chain, informing the industry of the rapid development in this space and preparing them for potential increase in demand for lubricants.

The Middle Eastern Base Oils and Lubricants Conference has become a meeting place for industry leaders, making networking an important part of the conference. With industry-led topics and high-profile speakers, the content will appeal to a wide range of industry players including, base oil and lubricant producers, blenders, additive companies, and now fuel retailing business, concludes Harvey.

The event will bring together the complete base oils value chain and provide deep insights into the market and its drivers.--OGN/ TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Armenian separatists [in Karabakh] have laid down their arms, French journalist, military expert Jean-Dominique Merchet said, Trend reports.

"These are facts. Armenian separatist forces in Karabakh said they accepted the terms of the ceasefire agreement on Wednesday after a series of failures in the fight against the Azerbaijani Army, which launched anti-terrorist measures," he noted.

He also added that Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh changed the situation in less than 24 hours.

"The so-called "election" held on September 9 in Karabakh, which according to international law is part of Azerbaijan, became a "red line" for Baku. Azerbaijan accused Armenia of having about 10,000 troops in Karabakh, of which 3,000 were recruited from local residents, but Yerevan denied this, although not very convincingly. Such a presence contradicted the 2020 agreements," Merchet said.

"Azerbaijani armed forces drones and artillery struck military facilities (radars, anti-aircraft guns) and took control of 90 fighting positions on the line of contact. Baku claims that Azerbaijani troops did not target civilians and civilian objects. Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures, which began on Tuesday afternoon, achieved their goals in less than 24 hours. Armenian illegal armed groups failed to resist and surrendered," he wrote.

According to the journalist, the agreement mediated by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which came into force at 13:00 (GMT+4) on Wednesday, provides for the disarmament of Armenian illegal armed formations in Karabakh and their withdrawal from the region. On Thursday, representatives of Karabakh's Armenian residents and Azerbaijani officials held reintegration talks. In a word, the Armenian separatists have been defeated.

Jean-Dominique Merchet noted that the geopolitical map of the South Caucasus is changing.

Speaking about the future of the Armenian population of Karabakh within Azerbaijan, the journalist emphasized that Baku declared the right of the Armenian residents of Karabakh to remain living in their homes, they are offered reintegration through negotiations with their representatives.
Los Angeles, Sep 21 : The 'V for Vendetta' actor Stephen Fry was rushed to hospital after he tripped from a 6 feet high stage during a talk on Artificial Intelligence.

The actor sustained rib and leg injuries after his fall, reports Female First UK. The actor and comic, 66, had finished addressing the CogX Festival at London's O2 arena a few days back, and was leaving when he fell, but his scare has only now emerged.

Organisers are investigating how the incident could have happened and it is not clear whether he remains in hospital. A source told 'The Times' newspaper: "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".

Stephen has not posted on social media since the accident.

Greenwich council said that it had been alerted to the incident and was considering opening an investigation.

As per Female First UK, in his talk the comic said it was a "weird time to be alive" after he showed the crowd how his voice had been cloned and used in a documentary without his permission."

He played the clip from a historical show and told the audience: "I said not one word of that  it was a machine. "Yes, it shocked me. They used my reading of the seven volumes of the 'Harry Potter' books and from that data-set an AI of my voice was created, and it made that new narration."

Stephen did not name who made the documentary, but added: "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. 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."
New Delhi, Sep 21 : Delhi PWD Minister Atishi on Thursday conducted an inspection from Rohtak Road to Tikri Border via Nangloi Metro. During the inspection, she found that many parts of the road were damaged, and there was a problem with the drainage system and outlets, leading to waterlogging issues.

The Minister reprimanded officials concerned and immediately instructed them to prepare a plan to address the issues and improve the entire stretch of road on a priority basis.

Atishi also pulled up the engineers concerned and warned them that if they did not work responsibly they might have to face stringent action by the PWD Department.

"There is zero tolerance for such negligence regarding roads in the Kejriwal government," she said.

During the inspection she found that apart from the roads being in a dilapidated condition with the upper surface severely worn down, immediate maintenance of footpaths was also required.

Also, due to poor maintenance of the drainage system, there was waterlogging in various parts of the road that resulted in further damage to the roads and caused traffic chaos.

In light of these issues, the PWD Minister admonished officials and instructed them to a conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire road stretch, and asked for a detailed report.

She emphasised the need for prompt action to improve the roads, central verges, and footpaths, as well as to address drainage issues for the convenience of residents. She directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for this.

"The PWD Minister affirmed that the Delhi government is dedicated to enhancing the quality of roads as per global standards. Engineers must focus and work diligently on roads in their areas or they will have to face strict action. The Kejriwal Government will not tolerate any negligence in this regard," Atishi's office stated.
Chandigarh, Sep 21 : With India warning its citizens to "exercise utmost caution" while in Canada amid escalation of the diplomatic row between the two countries, the families of students and permanent residents, particularly the Hindus and Hindu-Canadians residing in the north American nation, are concerned about their well being.

As per official data, Canada is an attractive destination for Indians, especially students. A major chunk of them are from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi.

"We have been much concerned about the well being of both my children who are studying in Canada since the escalation of tension in diplomatic relations between India and Canada after the murder accusation," Ramesh Uppal, a resident of Ludhiana, told IANS.

He said he said advised the children not to go out alone, take precautions and keep a low profile "as they can be considered soft targets".

On Wednesday, the Indian government issued an updated travel advisory urging its citizens travelling in Canada and especially those studying there to be cautious because of the "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.

As per the data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada issued study permits to 551,405 international students from 184 countries, in 2022, an increase of 24 per cent over 2021, in what Canadian immigration described as a "record-breaking year" for visa applications.

Out of the total international students, 41 per cent (226,450) are Indian students, a majority from cash-rich Punjab, up from 169,460 the previous year.

As per estimates, there were 807,750 study permit holders in Canada last December, over 190,000 more than in 2021, against Canada's target of 450,000 foreign students by 2022 set out in the country's 2014 international education strategy.

Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Under this program, the work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.

Coming out in support of the Indian diaspora in the wake of Khalistan movement leader in Canada and president of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who organizes the so-called referendum, asking Hindu-Canadians to leave Canada and go back to India, Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya said, "I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack.

"I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies.

"The Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke the Hindu-Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.

"Let me be clear. Vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support Khalistan movement."

He said most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they "are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community. Canadian Hindus and Sikhs are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties".

"This direct attack on Hindu-Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists," said the Trudeau's party MP.

In a video message, Chandra said Canada has high moral values and "we fully uphold the rule of law".

"I can't understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression," he said, adding "Hindu Canadians keep a low profile and are considered soft targets."

Responding to a question on fear among students in Canada, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said they have issued an advisory to take precautions. "Our consulate is working there. We have said that if they face any problem, they can contact our consulate."

As India suspended visa services in Canada citing "operational reasons", Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal said "this is set to create great hurdles, uncertainty and anxiety for Punjabis".

Saying he was deeply concerned over the indefinite suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals to India, Badal said "it affects lakhs of Punjabis residing as overseas nationals of Indian origin or as students in that country".

"This is set to create great hurdles, uncertainty and anxiety for Punjabis, especially to members of the most patriotic community of the Sikhs who have not only made unparalleled sacrifices for the freedom of the country but also for fighting off foreign aggression in borders.

"The visa facility hurdles will particularly hit our youth who go to Canada in thousands as students every year and who are now residing there. I have been flooded with calls and messages from Punjabis in Canada and their families and relatives back home, seeking the Akali Dal's intervention to ensure safe and smooth travel to their homeland."

Realising the gravity of the situation, the Shiromani Akali Dal urged the two countries' governments to find a solution to the matter at the earliest.

Private agency, BLS, hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians, posted a note on its website, saying, "Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates."

The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada soured over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Sep 21 : A Delhi court on Thursday said that it will record on October 12 prosecution evidence for rioting and other charges against former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On Wednesday, the court had acquitted Kumar in connection with the alleged killing of three Sikhs during the riots. Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Kumar with other accused individuals in the case.

In the current matter, which pertains to two cases of riots in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas in 1984, Special Judge MK Nagpal has listed it for recording of prosecution evidence on October 12.

The Janakpuri case pertains to the killing of two Sikhs, Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, on November 1, 1984. The second case was registered in Vikaspuri police station related to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984.

In August, Special Judge 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 Kumar 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.
Baghdad, Sep 21 : Four Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in an airstrike in Iraq's Kirkuk province, the Iraqi military said on Thursday.

Iraqi warplanes carried out airstrikes on IS hideouts in Wadi Zghaitoun based on intelligence reports, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

On Thursday morning, a joint army and intelligence force arrived at the bombarded site, found four bodies of IS militants, seized four rifles, and carried out controlled explosions of four explosive belts and other equipment, the statement said, Xinhua news agency reported.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal on Thursday appealed to Home Minister Amit Shah to take steps to ensure a quick resolution to the dispute with Canada, saying Punjabis were in a state of panic due to deteriorating relations between the two countries. Sukhbir Badal made a similar appeal to the Canadian government separately.

Briefing the Home Minister in his office during a meeting in Parliament, the SAD president informed Shah that he was receiving distress calls from Punjabis in Canada who were worried about safe and smooth travel facilities to their homeland. He said similarly students were apprehensive about their future.

"There is a sense of panic and both governments should find a solution to this crisis as soon as possible," Badal said.

Later, talking to the media, Badal said the Home Minister had assured that he would look into the issue.

Badal also expressed concern over the suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals to India, saying it affected lakhs of Punjabis residing overseas, including nationals of Indian origin as well as students.

"This is set to create great hurdles, uncertainty and anxiety for Punjabis, especially to members of the most patriotic community of the Sikhs, who have not only made unparalleled sacrifices for the freedom of the country but also for fighting off foreign aggression on the borders," he said.

He stressed that visa facility hurdles would particularly hit the youth who go to Canada in the thousands as students every year and who are now residing there.
Jammu, Sep 21 : The Army in collaboration with Flag Foundation of India, on Thursday installed a 70 ft high National Flag at Ajote War Memorial to honour the fallen heroes of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

The National Flag was dedicated to the people of Poonch by Brig Rajesh Bisht, Commander 93 Infantry Brigade.

"The event witnessed the participation of CRPF and JKP along with the soldiers of Indian Army paying honours as the flag was hoisted while the National Anthem was being sung in melodious voice by the students of three local schools from the Poonch District," the Army said in a statement..

"The event was also attended by large number of veterans and ex-servicemen. The hoisting of National Flag near LoC at Ajote is of great significance for the people of Poonch as every resident identifies himself with this nation and Indian Army and will exhort every individual of this district for the feeling of One Nation."

The Army thanked Flag Foundation of India for their relentless support during the entire process of installation as the place for installation was apparently difficult from the logistics aspects.
Shimla, Sep 21 : The Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government has inherited the total direct liabilities of Rs 92,774 crore from the previous BJP government, said a White Paper on state finance management tabled in the assembly on Thursday.

They consist a debt of Rs 76,630 crore, other outstanding liabilities of Rs 5,544 crore in Public Account and about Rs 10,600 crore on account of pay revision and dearness allowance (DA) till December 2022.

The debt liability at the end of fiscal 2017-18 was Rs 47,906 crore, which increased by Rs 28,724 crore from 2018 to 2023 and reached Rs 76,630 crore at the end of 2022-23, says the paper laid by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the Chairman on the Cabinet sub-committee on preparing White Paper.

As on March 31, 2017, the cumulative loss of the state public sector undertakings (PSUs) was Rs 3,584.91 crore, which increased to Rs 4,902.78 crore as on March 31, 2022, i.e. an increase of Rs 1,317.87 crore (36.76 per cent).

The paper says the closure of the Planning Commission resulted in loss of around Rs 3,000 crore per annum of the Central Plan Assistance.

During 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh will get Rs 1,319 crore less Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) as compared to the amount received in 2022-23. Coming years are more crucial as the amount of RDG will be reduced to Rs 6,258 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 3,257 crore in 2025-26.

The then Congress government had presented the case before 14th Finance Commission effectively and got 232 per cent hike in overall devolution of funds as compared to 13th Finance Commission, while the previous state government was able to get hike of only eight per cent in the award given by the 15th Finance Commission over a five year period as compared to 14th Finance Commission.

According to the White Paper, after cessation of the GST compensation in July 2022 the revenues of the state government have reduced by around Rs 2,624 crore per annum.

The borrowing limit of the state government has been reduced by the Central government in 2023-24 vis-a-vis 2022-23 by Rs 2,836 crore on account of reduction in borrowing ceiling and deduction on account of switching over from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

The government has taken up with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for release of funds deposited under the NPS by the state, amounting to over Rs 9,000 crore, as the state has shifted to the OPS.

Also the Union Ministry of Finance has imposed a cap of Rs 2,944 crore for availing External Assistance under Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) for new projects for a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26.

The efforts of Himachal Pradesh government to increase its revenues through imposition of water cess has been objected to by the Central government, it says.

It says funds on account of 13,066 million units share accumulated from November 1, 1966, to October 31, 2011, are still pending for release to Himachal Pradesh by BBMB.

The previous BJP government didnat take any concrete steps for release of this share amounting to Rs 3,309.48 crore and the matter is still pending with the Supreme Court.

The White Paper points out that announcement of the 70 national highways was made but in actual practice no roads have been sanctioned by the Central government against these announced highways.

Also the previous government had failed to get adequate Central assistance for the two rail lines -- Bhanupalli-Bilaspur and Chandigarh-Baddi.

During the last financial year (2022-23) of the previous government, the revenue deficit increased sharply to Rs 6,336 crore, which indicates that expenditure was incurred recklessly during the election year without following any norms.

On financial prudence, the paper says the current Congress government has adopted a new excise policy for 2023-24 and it is estimated that there will be an overall increase of Rs 560.92 crore in revenue as compared to actual revenue under this head in 2022-23.

As Agnihotri shared the details of the White Paper, BJP legislators trouped to the Well of the House while raising slogans.

There were heated exchanges between Agnihotri and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. The Opposition accused the government of misleading everyone by presenting false figures.

Seeing the ruckus, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania adjourned the House for 20 minutes.
Mumbai, Sep 21 : The upcoming film 'Stolen', which stars Abhishek Banerjee in the lead, has been chosen under the Feature Film Competition Category at the Zurich Film Festival this year.

The film will be screened alongside the likes of notable international features, including Saudi Arabian feature 'Mandoob' by Ali Kalthami, US director Chloe Domont's 'Fair Play' and Pietro Castellitto's 'Enea', among others.

The 19th edition of the Zurich Film Festival will be held from September 28 to October 8, 2023, with 'Stolen', directed by Karan Tejpal, scheduled to screen on September 29 at the festival.

The film follows the story of a five-month-old baby being abducted from her mother, and this incident draws the attention of brothers Gautam and Raman, leading them to face various challenges that test their relationships and convictions. The film also stars Shubham and Mia Maelzer in key roles.

Sharing his thoughts on 'Stolen' being screened at the Zurich Film Festival this year, producer Gaurav Dhingra said in a statement, "This is such a special moment for us. The way our film 'Stolen' has managed to steal hearts internationally, we are grateful and excited for this outpour of love and bringing our film to The Zurich Film Festival. As a producer, I feel extremely honoured to have this opportunity to put India on the world map through our film. Here's hoping this is just the beginning for us and many more Indian films in the global markets."

Earlier, 'Stolen' had premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it received a standing ovation. It will also be screened at the BFI London Film Festival as part of the Thrill strand.

'Stolen' has been produced by Gaurav Dhingra of Jungle Book Studio.
Imphal, Sep 21 : After the 48-hour shutdown in Manipur's five valley districts demanding unconditional release of five 'village protection volunteers', various civil society organisations started "mass court arrest" from Thursday leading to clashes with the security forces in many places of these districts.

Thousands of agitators, mostly women, tried to storm various police stations in five valley districts -- Bishnupur, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East -- but the huge contingent of Rapid Action Force and other security forces prevented them by firing tear gas shells.

The protesters broke barricades at many places and the security forces had a challenging task while maintaining extra caution to check further deterioration of the situation.

The district authorities have cancelled the routine curfew relaxation period in different valley districts.

The 48-hour shutdown, called by various civil society organisations and local clubs across the state demanding unconditional release of five 'village protection volunteers', badly affected normal life in five Meitei community dominated valley districts.

The shutdown ended on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Police officials earlier said that Manipur Police arrested five persons on Saturday with sophisticated weapons in camouflage uniform.

A large number of men and women came out on Sunday to protest the arrest and tried to storm Porompat police station in Imphal East district demanding release of the arrested persons, but the security forces repelled the police station attack by firing tear gas shells.

The civil society organisations had earlier set a deadline to release the five detainees, but police rejected the demand.

The agitating organisations earlier threatened to intensify the stir if the 'volunteers' were not released after the 48-hour bandh, which started from the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

Additional security forces were deployed in various vulnerable, sensitive and mixed-populated areas of the state, especially in the valley districts to avoid major incidents.

M Memcha, a spokesperson of the agitating organisations, claimed that the village protection volunteers were "protecting Meitei villagers from the attacks of the Kuki tribals and armed militants".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijan supports the concept of an integrated Caucasus, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev said, Trend reports.

"Neighboring countries should strive for good neighborly relations," Hajiyev said.

He noted that Azerbaijan has very clearly stated that if the separatists and illegal military formations disarm, Baku will be ready to stop anti-terrorist activities and immediately start contacts with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, whom we invited for discussions in Yevlakh and some other cities of Azerbaijan.

"The Administration of the President of Azerbaijan has once again made a statement and repeated yesterday that we invite the Armenian residents of Karabakh to reintegration," the assistant to the President said.

He said that anti-terrorist activities have been stopped and separatists and illegal military formations will disarm.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction-restoration works, and Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as restore the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities of a local nature were carried out in the region on September 1920.

Within the framework of the activities, positions of Armenian armed forces formations, their long-term firing points, as well as military means and military facilities, were disrupted using high-precision weapons in the front line and in depth. Civilians and civilian infrastructure were not targets; only legitimate military targets were put out of action.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
Mumbai, Sep 21 : Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is known for films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', 'Raman Raghav 2.0' and many more, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of his biographical film 'Manto', in which he starred in the titular role of prominent Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto.

The actor shared that to essay the character in its full glory, the trick was to tap into the honesty in himself.

"When one speaks the truth, and is honest, he starts to get closer to the character of Manto. Because, when I got into the character of Manto, I thought that if Nawaz had to become Manto, he would have to start speaking honestly. And that way, the characterisation of Manto will be easy," the actor told IANS.

Written and directed by Nandita Das, 'Manto' also starred Tahir Raj Bhasin playing the 1940s Hindi film superstar Shyam Chadda.

Shyam was Manto's friend, confidant, and inspiration for a number of stories. Rasika Dugal played the role of Manto's wife, Safia.
Kolkata: TMC leader Partha Chatterjee arrives to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities in the SSC (School Service Commission) recruitments, in Kolkata on Wednesday, May 2. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, Sep 21 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed a court here on Thursday that it has secured permission from the office of West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose to include the name of former state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in its charge sheet in the alleged multi-crore teachers' recruitment scam in state-run schools.

The CBI officials clarified that after including the name of Chatterjee in the charge sheet, a permission for the same was sought from the Governoras office as part of a protocol where Raj Bhavanas assent in necessary for including the name of a state minister in a charge sheet.

The Governor administers the oath of office to a state minister and hence Raj Bhavanas assent in such cases is necessary.

Although Chatterjeeas name was included in the charge sheet, the central agency was till date unable to submit the same to the court officially with the Governoras assent on it.

However, the decks have been cleared now as the assent from the Governoras office has come, CBI claimed.

Chatterjee was arrested in July last year by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe into the school jobs case.

Later, after obtaining permission from the court, the CBI took him into custody for separate interrogation.

Currently, he is lodged at the Presidency jail in Kolkata.

Besides Chatterjee, five other persons, including former top officials of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the West Bengal School Service Commission, along with Chatterjeeas confidant Arpita Mukherjee, have been named in the charge sheet.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh and Company Secretary Chandan Sand will remain present in the Supreme Court on September 22 though the budget airline is stated to have complied with the apex court's directive by transferring $1.5 million to Credit Suisse.

The Supreme Court had, on September 11, issued a stern warning to Ajay Singh for defaulting in making the due payments to the global investment bank and financial services firm and asked him to file proof of deposit of the installment of $500,000, due on September 15, and also for an additional $1 million out of the defaulted amount before September 22.

It had also said that further orders will be passed on September 22 taking into consideration the status of compliance and asked Ajay Singh and the Company Secretary to again remain present in the court on the next date of listing.

As per the cause list published on the website of the apex court, the matter will be taken up on Friday for hearing by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.

Last year, the top court had withdrawn the airlines from liquidation after SpiceJet promised to pay $500,000 to Credit Suisse AG every month. As per the settlement the two parties entered in May last year, which was endorsed by the Supreme Court, SpiceJet is required to pay this amount of $500,000 by the 15th of each month.

"Though as of now more than $6.5 million has to be deposited, but only a little over $2 million has been deposited," the Supreme Court had noted in its order passed on August 14 while issuing the contempt notice on the plea moved by Credit Suisse.

--IANS

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Amaravati, Sep 21 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) General Secretary Nara Lokesh on Thursday alleged that there is a threat to the life of his father and party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in Rajahmundry jail.

He said their suspicion is getting stronger that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy got Naidu illegally arrested to eliminate him in jail.

Lokesh posted on X that by arresting the TDP chief in a case in which there is no evidence and by denying him bail, a plan was hatched to kill him in the jail.

Reacting to the death of a remand prisoner in Rajahmundry jail, the TDP General Secretary alleged that the government is plotting to harm the Leader of Opposition, who enjoys Z Plus security, in the jail.

Lokesh alleged that Naidu has no security in jail and though he had complained about the mosquito menace, the jail authorities have ignored it.

Stating that remand prisoner Satyanarayana died of dengue in the jail, he alleged that the government is conspiring to execute a similar plot for Naidu.

Terming Jagan a apsychoa, Lokesh said if anything happens to Naidu, he would be responsible.

Naidu, who was arrested by the CID in the Skill Development Corporation scam on September 9, remained in judicial custody.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reserved its judgment on Naiduas petition to quash the FIR and his judicial remand.

Meanwhile, ACB Court at Vijayawada posted to Friday orders on CID petition for five-day custody of Naidu. The court was expected to pronounce its orders on Thursday but it apparently adjourned the same as the High Court has not pronounced its orders.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Sep 21 : Former Karnataka deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader R. Ashok on Thursday said the Congress-led government in the state would be responsible if law and order collapses over the Cauvery water sharing row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters, Ashoka stated that the Siddaramaiah-led government had completely failed to protect the interests of Karnataka. "In case of any disturbance, the government will have to take responsibility," he said.

"If the realistic picture is considered, there will be no drinking water for the people of Bengaluru. The government is not bothered about it. If the storage is lost due to the release of water to Tamil Nadu, what will be the consequences in the state? CM Siddaramaiah, his deputy D.K. Shivakumar and other ministers have not said a word about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. They colluded with him and enacted a drama before the people," he said.

Meanwhile, the police have taken a group of agitating farmers into custody after they attempted to move closer to the KRS dam in Mandya district.

The agitators were from a organisation called Bhoomitaayi Horata Samithi. It was staging a protest and the attempt was made following the Supreme Court order to release the water to Tamil Nadu.

The protests were staged across Mysuru, Mandya, Ramanagara and Bengaluru Rural districts by farmers' organisations.

--IANS

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Imphal, Sep 21 : Accepting the recommendations of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), the state government has directed the Director General of Police to recover the arms and ammunition, looted during the ethnic riot from the armouries of security forces and the Churachandpur gun shop.

According to various reports, during the ethnic riots, which broke out on May 3, over 4,000 different types of sophisticated arms and lakhs of different kinds of ammunition were looted from the police stations and police outposts by the mobs, attackers and militants.

Inspector General of Police, Operations, I.K. Muivah last week said that of the weapons that had been "lost", 1,359 firearms and 15,050 various types of ammunition were recovered.

Commissioner, Home, T. Ranjit Singh in a "most urgent" letter to the DGP, Deputy Commissioners of all 16 districts, Secretaries of Rural Development, Education and Health Departments directed to take immediate necessary actions on the recommendations of the rights panel.

After visiting various districts and relief camps including worst violence hit district Churachandpur, the MHRC headed by its Chairperson Justice Utpalendu Bikas Saha (retired) earlier this month in a letter to Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi made six point recommendations.

It recommended measures to protect the land and residences in the villages and colonies where the displaced persons from both communities used to reside so that the land owners may re-settle again when they return, or when the government makes arrangements for their resettlement.

The commissionas other recommendations include, providing training and facilities to the internally displaced persons who are staying at various relief camps for self-employment and they may also be engaged in the MGNREGA scheme, providing essential commodities for their basic needs, including study materials to the displaced children and students (as already directed by the Supreme Court).

The rights panel asked the government to ensure doctorsa visit the relief camps at least once a week.

Besides the indigenous people of Manipur, the MHRC is also looking after the human rights of Myanmarese, lodged in the detention centre in the northeastern state, which shares around 400 km of unfenced border with Myanmar.

On the intervention of the MHRC, the state government recently deputed additional doctors in the foreignersa detention centre in Imphal.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Sep 21 : The leader of opposition in Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his comments targeting the residence of Sonia Gandhi in the national capital, made during a public rally in Madhya Pradesh recently.

However, the police have not filed an FIR against Sarma yet.

Saikia said on Thursday that Himanta Biswa Sarma has openly called for setting Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence in Delhi on fire.

He has attempted to incite an attack on a 77-year-old woman, who also happens to be the widow of a former Prime Minister, by making that suggestion, Saikia said.

In his complaint lodged at the Nazira police station in Sivasagar district, the Congress leader said, "I am constrained to lodge this FIR on account of the banal and hateful statement given by Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, on September 19 during the Jan Ashirwad rally in Vidhisha district, Madhya Pradesh.

"In a country governed by rule of law, Sarma has taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form. While taunting Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, about his Hindu identity, Sarma directly suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt."

Saikia claimed that the reckless words coming from a constitutional figure like the Chief Minister could incite the wrong people to use violence and hurt the residents of 10 Janpath.

Legal action should be taken against Himanta Biswa Sarma, Saikia said.

"This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on his part," he added.

Saikia asserted that the Assam Chief Minister is liable to be booked under Sections 153 (provocation), 115 (abetment of an offence) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

He also said that Sarma should be ashamed for resorting to hate speech and inciting violence.

"Though the remarks were made in Madhya Pradesh, they have been widely circulated over print, electronic and social media, which are accessible in Assam. Therefore, I implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard," Saikia wrote in his complaint.

The top police officers in Sivasagar district refused to comment on the issue.

While addressing the Jan Ashirwad rally in Vidhisha district on September 19, Sarma had said that members of the opposition INDIA bloc made statements comparing the Hindu religion (Sanatan Dharma) to malaria.

"I want to challenge Kamal Nath who claims to be a true Hanuman Bhakt. Hanuman had burnt Lanka, you should also burn 10 Janpath. Those who are giving statements against Hinduism, you should remove such people otherwise you should burn 10 Janpath," Sarma had reportedly said.
Washington, Sep 21 : A US government "Shutdown Showdown" seems imminent as hardliner GoP members have not shown an inclination to support the last ditch 'New Deal' from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's short-term stopgap measures to prevent government closure in two weeks.

As the Democrats and Republicans wrestle over their demands for spending cuts and the house is headed towards a potential "shutdown" in less than two weeks, McCarthy has upended two key factions of House Republicans who have crafted a short-term, stopgap measure called a continuing resolution that would temporarily fund the government through October 31, USA Today reported.

The Bill, sponsored by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the more moderate Main Street Caucus, seeks to impose an 8 per cent spending cut on federal agencies as a compromise formula for democrats to endorse, which excludes national defence budget, the Department of Veterans Affairs and amounts designated for disaster relief, media reports said.

The "Stopgap Continuing Resolution", however, includes border security provisions that have been on the conservative wish lists for a long time as the Republicans engaged the Democrats in a spending fight that could jeopardise much of President Joe Biden's social welfare schemes on education, green technologies and lowering costs of health care, that has gone down well with the democrats voting base.

The big and quick question is whether the resolution can pass in the House and the Senate.

The Bill also does not include provisions on Ukraine aid or extra funds for disaster relief, which President Joe Biden requested Congress to approve.

Biden has asked Congress to approve a total of $24 billion for Ukraine in terms of military assistance and humanitarian aid that includes a fresh $8.5 billion funding.

Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky had publicly thanked the Biden government for its assistance saying "I am in gratitude" but the "War has devastated us".

He is now in New York to attend the annual general assembly of the UN to lay out his country's suffering due to the Russian invasion seeking an end to the war.

Representatives from both parties have looked to block the potential compromise.

"It's crystal clear a government shutdown is coming. I represent 66 per cent of the Texas-Mexico border -- a hollow Continuing Resolution built to win a messaging battle does nothing to keep America safe," Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, wrote on X.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested a hardcore criminal, who was wanted for murder, attempt to murder, firing on police, and other serious crimes, as he returned to the city to meet his associates, a police official on Thursday, The accused, identified as Mohd Zakir, a resident of Govind Puri, was also found involved in criminal cases of murder, attempt to murder, firing on police teams, arms act, etc. in Delhi since 2013.

According to police, on Thursday, a specific input was received that Zakir, a proclaimed offender, would come to meet his associate near Akshardham Flyover on NH-9.

"Accordingly, a trap was laid, and he was apprehended from near Akshardham Flyover," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Alok Kumar said.

Zakir, a hardcore criminal, was, along with his associates, arrested in 2013 in a murder case in which one person was killed by them in a scuffle during Murti Visarjan at Kalindi Kunj.

"Then, in 2016, he was arrested in an attempt to murder case lodged at Khyala police station. During the arrest, the accused also opened fire on the police party. In the same year, he was again arrested in another case of attempt to murder at Faridabad, in which he, along with co-accused Ranjeet, injured a neighbour during a scuffle," the DCP said.

"In 2018, he got bail in the Khyala case, and since then he has not been attending the court proceedings. In 2022, he was declared a proclaimed offender, and in June 2022, a reward of Rs 20,000 was declared on his arrest by Delhi Police," he said.

"After being declared a PO, the accused escaped and hid at a remote place in Dimapur, Nagaland, arranged by one of his friends in the area. Today, when the accused came to Delhi to meet his associates and family, he was apprehended," the DCP added.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday again criticised the Central government for stripping the city government of some of their powers, but asserted that they remained committed to serving the people by providing electricity, water, and education with the authority they still possessed.

In his address at an event here, Kejriwal noted that his government had been operating under challenging circumstances due to the Central government's interference in their work.

He also said that recently, the Supreme Court had ordered that all powers in Delhi should be vested in the elected government, including the Chief Minister and ministers, to enable them to work for the people. However, within a week, the Central government introduced an ordinance to change this.

"But we don't intend to engage in a fight with the Centre. Whatever power we have, whatever power God has bestowed upon us, is sufficient. I was once an ordinary man, unknown in this country. It's your love and the blessings of God that have given me this significant responsibility (becoming a CM)," Kejriwal stated.

He mentioned that instead of engaging in a conflict with the centre, they have once again approached the Supreme Court and will await its decision. In the meantime, the AAP will continue working for the people with the authority they still possess, he added
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Armenia has pursued a policy of occupation against Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people for 30 years, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, said in an interview with BBC News, Trend reports.

"However, Azerbaijan is ready to turn the page on the conflict and is committed to a peaceful agenda," he said.

He emphasized that the presence of Armenian separatists on the territory of Karabakh is illegal.

"All actions of Azerbaijan aimed at liquidating this illegal regime are absolutely legitimate and are within the norms of international law," the president's assistant said.

According to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan is ready to ensure a normal process of reintegration for the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

"Our country has always stated that we are ready to ensure the rights and security of the Armenian residents in accordance with the Constitution of Azerbaijan as well as international obligations," he noted.

The president's assistant emphasized that Azerbaijan is home to representatives of various ethnic groups and religious confessions, and Azerbaijan is ready to ensure the religious, cultural, and humanitarian needs of the Armenian residents of Karabakh within the framework of the Constitution.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces formations from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction-restoration works, and Azerbaijani military personnel, as well as restore the constitutional order of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities of a local nature were carried out in the region on September 1920.

Within the framework of the activities, positions of Armenian armed forces formations, their long-term firing points, as well as military means and military facilities, were disrupted using high-precision weapons in the front line and in depth. Civilians and civilian infrastructure were not targets; only legitimate military targets were put out of action.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) to cease anti-terrorist activities of a local nature under the following conditions: the formations of the armed forces of Armenia, Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm; the formations of the armed forces of Armenia leave the territory of Azerbaijan; Armenian illegal armed groups are dissolved.
Colombo, Sep 21 : As the only creditor to continue to help Sri Lanka's crippled Railway, India has completed projects worth over $1 billion with five Indian Lines of Credit (LoC), the Indian High Commission announced on Thursday.

Continuing its support to the crisis hit neighbour, India on Thursday signed an agreement to install signaling system for 66 km railway track from North Central city of Anuradhapura to North-Western province's Mahoat a cost of nearly $15 million.

The contract for design, installation, testing and commissioning of signalling system for Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) from Maho to Anuradhapura was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Highways of Sri Lanka and IRCON Ltd.

The project is being executed under an Indian LoC of $318 million at a cost of $14.90 million, the Indian High Commission in Colombo announced.

IRCON Ltd is carrying out a $91.27 million project to upgrade 128 km railway line from Maho to former war-ravaged Omanthai. Under this project, while track rehabilitation work from Anuradhapura to Omanthai has already been completed, work on the section from Anuradhapura to Mahois will commence from January 2024.

Addressing the event, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay stressed the significance of the signaling project for easing movement of the people of Sri Lanka, accelerating economic recovery of the country and strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

He highlighted that the LoC for this project in the current situation symbolises the continued desire of the government and the people of India to stand with the people of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for supporting Sri Lanka in multiple ways, especially during the economic crisis last year.

"Sri Lankan railway projects have received support in the form of LoC in recent times only from India," Gunawardane said.

IRCON Ltd has completed several projects in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance and has contributed significantly towards rehabilitation and modernisation of Sri Lanka Railways.

One of the main loss making government institutions of the island nation, SLR suffered with the worst ever economic crisis with no way to carry out most essential maintenance work.

The lack of maintenance had led to regular signal failures and train derailments with record 117 train derailments in 2022.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : IndiGo and international carrier, British Airways have signed a codeshare agreement to further boost connections between India and the UK.

Through this partnership a" which sees British Airways add its code onto a couple of destinations across IndiGo's network --passengers would be able to experience improved connectivity between India and the UK for travel from October 12.

"With this codeshare partnership with IndiGo, British Airways will now be able to add three additional routes to their existing network including Amritsar to London Heathrow via New Delhi, Kochi to London Heathrow via Mumbai, Ahmedabad to London Heathrow via Mumbai, Goa to London Heathrow via Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram to London Heathrow via Mumbai (new), Kolkata to London Heathrow via Mumbai, Rajkot to London Heathrow via Mumbai (new) and Vadodara to London Heathrow via Mumbai (new)," said the IndiGo spokesperson.

"The agreement means that passengers travelling, for example from Rajkot to London, or transiting through London Heathrow (or vice versa) will be able to connect to their destination on a single ticket," said the spokesperson.

"We are excited to announce our codeshare agreement with British Airways. This partnership expands the choices available to British Airways customers for journeys to/from London Heathrow, using IndiGo's extensive network in India. With burgeoning demand for international travel, we will continue to enhance international connectivity and remain committed to our promise of providing on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our customers," said Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President -- Network Planning and Revenue Management, IndiGo.

Neil Chernoff, Director of Network and Alliances, British Airways, said that British Airways partnership with IndiGo means that passengers will be able to book their entire journey on one ticket, allowing seamless travel all the way from London to their final destination, offering more choice and flexibility for customers.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : The CBI on Thursday apprised a Delhi court that sanctions against three accused in a case related to the alleged land-for-job scam have been obtained.

Additional Sessions Judge Geetanjali Goel of the Rouse Avenue Court was informed by the CBI that sanctions required to prosecute Maheep Kapur, Manoj Pande and P.L. Bankar have been obtained.

On September 12, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had apprised the court that sanction against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad has been obtained from the Home Ministry in a fresh charge sheet in the case.

On Thursday, Goel took the documents on record and posted the matter for hearing on Friday to decide whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet.

On August 8, the CBI had stated that sanction has still not been received in respect of "accused Lalu Prasad, Maheep Kapur, Manoj Pande and P.L. Bankar".

In July, the court had granted CBI time to obtain sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad and other accused persons.

Goel had granted time to the probe agency as it had made a prayer to that effect.

The CBI had registered the case on May 18, 2022 against Lalu Prasad and 15 others, including his wife, two daughters and unidentified public servants and private persons.

The ED had said in July that it has attached assets worth more than Rs 6 crore belonging to Lalu Prasad's family -- his wife Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti -- and linked companies as part of its money laundering investigation against them in the case.

The CBI had, on July 3, filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and their son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

"During the period 2004-2009, Lalu Prasad (then Railway Minister) had obtained pecuniary advantages in the form of transfer of landed property in the name of his family members in lieu of appointment of substitutes in Group 'D' posts in different Zones of Railways," a CBI official had earlier said.

A number of residents of Patna themselves or through their family members sold and gifted their land in favour of the family members of lalu Prasad and a private company controlled by him and his family.

"No advertisement or any public notice was issued for such appointment of substitutes in Zonal Railways, yet the appointees, who were residents of Patna, were appointed as substitutes in different Zonal Railways located in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hajipur.

"In continuation of this modus operandi, about 1,05,292 sq ft land and immovable properties located in Patna were acquired by Lalu Prasad and his family members through five sales deeds and two gift deeds, showing the payment made to the seller in cash in most of the land transfer," the CBI had said.

The CBI had filed the charge sheet in the case on October 10, 2022 against 16 persons, including Rabri Devi and her daughter, and sanction was then obtained to prosecute them.
Thane, Sep 21 : The Thane police has arrested a man from West Bengal for the alleged murder of his live-in partner at Bhiwandi town last Friday, officials said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Shabhir D. Sheikh of Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, was booked for allegedly killing his live-in partner identified as Madhu Prajapati, 35, a week ago.

The matter came to light after the victimas decomposed body with multiple wounds was recovered from her home in Ganesh Nagar, said police official Yogesh Koli of Kongaon Police Station, where the case is registered and being probed.

The police formed a probe team which tracked down Sheikh using tech-intel to his hideout in Uttar Dinajpur on Wednesday, nabbed and brought him to Bhiwandi this morning. He was produced before a local court for remand, and further investigations into the motive of the murder a" suspected to be suspicions of infidelity as per preliminary indications a" and the possible involvement of any other persons, are underway, said Koli.
Bengaluru, Sep 21 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for "being silent" on the row with neighbouring Tamil Nadu over sharing water of the Cauvery river.

Slamming the Siddaramaiah-led government for failing to get an order in its favour over the Cauvery dispute, he said that former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, "even at this age (90) raised the issue of the Cauvery river in Raya Sabha".

"But the other Rajya Sabha members, especially Mallikarjun Kharge, were silent. He is the President of the Congress. But, what is his stand towards the interests of Karnataka on the Cauvery issue? The state has been meted out with injustice in connection with the Cauvery dispute as the political interests of Congress are intertwined with Tamil Nadu," he alleged.

The Congress government has sacrificed the interest of the state to empower its ally the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu, Kumaraswamy charged.

"It is a clear example of what will happen if those who do not have minimum knowledge and understanding of irrigation come to power," he further said, targetting Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the portfolio of the Water Resources Ministry.

The former CM further said the Supreme Court cannot be blamed for its order on water release. "The state government had erred in every step. This was stressed at the all-party meeting. It was told before the orders of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). However, the state government did not have the patience and concern towards people," he stated.

"Political interest is a priority for the Congress-led government over people's interest. The interests of the state had been sacrificed as part of the plan as the Congress party has an alliance with the ruling party in Tamil Nadu.

"After the water release order was given by the CWRC and CWMA, the state government should have immediately approached the Supreme Court. But, it never happened. In the pretext of the orders, the water from Cauvery river was released to empower the INDIA bloc," Kumaraswamy said.
Noida, Sep 21 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday inaugurated the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at Greater Noida, saying the event would take the products of Uttar Pradesh to the markets of India and abroad.

She also stressed that the event would become a powerful medium for the manufacturers and entrepreneurs of the state to establish their reach in the national and international markets.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said: "Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show is a welcome step for taking the products of Uttar Pradesh to the markets of India and abroad."

She said that she was happy to note that more than 2,000 manufacturers are displaying their products and more than 400 buyers from 66 countries are participating in this trade show.

She said that as a result of simplifying investment opportunities, ease of doing business and accelerating infrastructure development, Uttar Pradesh is now among the fastest growing state-level economies in the country.

"It is on the basis of such excellent economic performance at the state level that India's economy is considered to be the fastest growing large economy in the world," she noted.

She also expressed confidence that on the strength of such excellent economic performance at the state level, India would become the third largest economy in the world. She also said that this event would become a powerful medium for the manufacturers and entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh to establish their reach in the national and international markets.

The President said: "Showcasing various products from 'One District, One Product' in this trade show is commendable."

She noted that along with handicraft-based products, young entrepreneurs of the state, especially women entrepreneurs, are also showcasing their products.

She emphasised the need to increase women's participation in entrepreneurship and the labour force. Murmu also noted that Uttar Pradesh ranks first among all the states with more than 96 lakh MSMEs.

She further said that despite being a land-locked state, exports from Uttar Pradesh are continuously growing.

She also said that it is happy to note that the state's exports have increased from around Rs 88,000 crore in the year 2017-18 to about Rs 1,75,000 crore in the year 2022-23.

"The G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration included the goal of local value creation and identifying the challenges faced by MSMEs and connecting MSMEs at the international level. She expressed confidence that the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show would advance our national and international priorities in line with the goals of the G20," Murmu added.

The event was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several others were also present.
Hyderabad, Sep 21 : The Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) has summoned Tollywood actor Navdeep in a drugs case.

The TSNAB on Thursday served notice under 41A of Criminal Procedure Code directing the actor to appear at its office on September 23, and islikely to question him about his alleged links with drug peddlers.

On a petition by the actor, the Telangana High Court had Wednesday directed the police not to take coercive action against him. It, however, said police can question him.

The actor had filed anticipatory bail after the police publicly announced that the actor was evading arrest in the case registered recently by the Gudimalkapur police following the arrest of three Nigerian peddlers.

An accused arrested, based on the information provided by Tollywood financier Venkataramna Reddy and ex-Navy officer B. Balaji, who were arrested in another case recently, had allegedly revealed the name of Navdeep.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner and TSNAB Director C.V. Anand had told a news conference on September 14 that eight people, including the son of a former MP and a film director were arrested while 50 grams of MDMA, 24 ecstasy pills, and eight grams of cocaine was seized from them.

He added that Navdeep and film producer Ravi Uppalapati are among those identified to be absconding However, Navdeep later took to X and denied his involvement.

Those arrested include Devarakonda Suresh Rao, son of former MP D. Vittal Rao, film director Anugu Sushanth Reddy and Nigerian peddlers Amobi Chukwudi Muonagolu, Igbawre Micheal, and Thomas Anaga Kalu.

Navdeep was among the Tollywood personalities questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Telanganaas Prohibition of Excise department in 2017 in connection with a high-end drugs racket. In 2021, he along with other film personalities was also questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the same case. The SIT had given clean chit to celebrities in the drugs case.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Sep 21 : The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has told the high court that it will not demolish any mosques, graves, or other properties owned by the Delhi Waqf Board (DWB) in and around the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

This assurance came in response to a petition by the Delhi Waqf Board, which expressed concern that the DDA, while removing unauthorised structures, was also clearing waqf properties with religious significance.

The petitioner had challenged a demolition order issued by the DDA in December 2022 for the removal of structures encroaching upon the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, in compliance with an earlier court order related to the protection and preservation of the park.

Counsel for the Board stated that they had no objection to the DDA removing encroachments on waqf property but requested that religious structures, including archival graves, parts of mosques, and tombs, be protected.

The DDA's counsel reiterated their undertaking not to demolish these structures and told the court that they would proceed based on the demarcation report for the area around the park.

The court took note of the DDA's assurances and disposed of the petition, binding the DDA to its statement.

--IANS

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Mumbai Sep 21 : In a significant move, securities market regulator SEBI on Thursday eased norms for borrowing by large corporates (LCs) on meeting a certain percentage of their funding requirements from capital markets through the issuance of corporate bonds.

The SEBI Board raised the monetary threshold to define large corporates, and removed the penalty for not meeting the mandate of raising at least 25 per cent of incremental borrowings for a financial year through the capital markets.

It also decided to introduce incentives and moderated disincentives.

A media statement released after the SEBI Board meeting stated, "With the view to facilitate ease of compliance and ease of doing business, the Board also decided to retain the requirement that compliance with the framework will be met over a contiguous block of three years. Further, it has been decided to dispense with the requirement on LCs for filing a statement identifying itself as an LC and statement regarding compliance with the framework."

After receiving representations from various stakeholders on the difficulties of meeting the earlier mandate, SEBI had floated a proposal to ease norms through a consultation paper on August 10.

The representatives had asked the regulator to leave the decision -- to borrow funds at the best prevailing rates -- to the companies.

They said raising funds from banks and financial institutions was more cost-effective than through debt securities. In most such cases, meeting the requirement of 25 per cent of incremental borrowing through debt securities had become costlier with tightening liquidity and hikes in the benchmark rate.

They also said that industries such as textiles were given special packages by the Union and state governments to have access to timely and adequate capital at internationally comparable rates by providing interest subsidy benefits on the term loans raised for the new capital investments.

These industries, however, couldn't avail the benefits when funds were raised through debt securities, raising borrowing costs and impacting the viability of their projects.

For companies like those in the power sector, where tariffs are regulated, the cost of debt had a major bearing on tariff rates, the consultation paper said.

"A higher cost of debt would translate to higher tariff. Availability of credit at a lower cost is crucial in computation of such tariffs to final consumers," it added.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : A 22-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a Delhi Police Head Constable on pretext of marriage, a police official said on Thursday.

Police said that the complainant, a resident of Bhagirathi Vihar, filed a complaint against Head Constable Nafees Ahmed, who is currently stationed in the PCR, Northeast district.

In her complaint, she alleged that she came into contact with him regarding another matter.

"Afterward, they developed a friendship, and he eventually proposed to her. In 2021, he engaged in non-consensual physical relations with her under the false pretence of marriage, which occurred in the Laxmi Nagar area," said a senior police official.

Following this, he continued to engage in such relations with her.

She then came and filed a complaint the Laxmi Nagar police station, after which a medical examination and counselling session were conducted for her.

Subsequently, a case was registered under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, said the official.

"Further inquiry has revealed that the accused, Nafees Ahmed, is married and has four children," the official added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijan conducted local anti-terrorist activities and neutralized all Armenian illegal armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn from the country's Karabakh region contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], and military equipment, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Committee on Science and Education Bakhtiyar Aliyev told Trend.

He said that Azerbaijan carried out these activities with a high professionalism and precision.

These activities inflicted no damage on civilian objects or the civilian population, Aliyev emphasized.

He stated that at the same time when anti-terrorist activities began, Azerbaijan advised the civilians of Karabakh, for their own safety, to stay away from military objects.

"During these anti-terrorist activities, the civilian population was fully protected. As a result, the anti-terrorist activities lasted for approximately 23 hours. The junta regime, in desperation, raised the white flag, surrendered, and accepted Azerbaijan's conditions. Today, negotiations were held with representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh in Yevlakh city," the official said

"Azerbaijan will ensure the safety of citizens of Armenian origin living in the Karabakh Economic Region, restore their constitutional rights, and liberate them from Armenian terrorists," Aliyev pointed out. "For them, this is also a new chance to start a new life. As a result of these local counterterrorism measures, Azerbaijan has fully achieved its strategic objectives and established sovereignty over its territory. This is entirely Azerbaijan's internal affair, and no foreign forces should interfere in this delicate peace process."

"They should refrain from making biased statements and shows. They should abstain from spreading lies and slander about Azerbaijan so that it can fully plan and build its future together with its civilian population," he stressed.
New Delhi, Sep 21 : The Parliament on Thursday passed the Women's Reservation Bill with the Rajya Sabha giving its assent unanimously, a day after the legislation -- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 -- was cleared by the Lok Sabha.

With no member voting against the Bill, it received a total of 215 votes in the Upper House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the Rajya Sabha during the voting.

Earlier, on Thursday evening, he had requested the Rajya Sabha MPs to pass the Women's Reservation Bill unanimously.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed the Women's Reservation Bill after an 11-hour debate.

The motion was adopted in the House with 215 MPs voting in favour and none against and without any abstention.

Earlier, all Rajya Sabha MPs across party lines verbally supported the bill despite some opposition members terming it an election gimmick.

It became the first Bill to be passed in the New Parliament building during the Special Session.

Ahead of the voting in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in the Upper House on the bill and said it will lead to new confidence in the people of the country.

"There has been a detailed discussion on the bill. I thank every leader present in the House for the discussion on the Bill. This will lead to new confidence in the people of the country. All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing 'Nari Shakti'. Let us give the country a strong message," Modi said.

After the Bill was passed in Parliament, the Prime Minister dubbed it a "defining moment" in India's history.

"A defining moment in our nation's democratic journey. Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening," Modi said in a post on X.

"With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions. As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the strength, courage, and indomitable spirit of all the women of our nation. This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively," PM Modi added.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that he supports the Bill with all his heart and so do the parties in the Opposition alliance.

"I stand in support of this Bill. My party and INDIA bloc parties wholeheartedly support this Bill," he said in Rajya Sabha.

During the debate, Kharge demanded that the Central government must give a definite date for implementation of the Bill if it is committed to the cause.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called the Women's Reservation Bill an "article of faith for the Prime Minister".

She said BJP President JP Nadda has clearly explained that the party does not indulge in appeasement politics, but this Bill is important for restoring the rights of women.
New Delhi, Sep 22 : Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal has issued a notice to Delhi Police over acid attack on a woman by her mother-in-law in the national capital, an official said.

Meanwhile, the police said that they have registered an FIR against three persons including the main accused mother-in-law and have started an investigation into the matter. No arrest has been made so far.

According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast), the New Usmanpur police station received information that a woman had received nearly 25 per cent burn injuries after her in-laws threw acid on her.

"Police team recorded her statement and registered an FIR into the matter," said the DCP.

As per a DCW official, they received a complaint from a woman who informed the Commission that she got married two years ago and has a six-month-old daughter.

"She has stated that after 2-3 months of her marriage, her husband and in-laws started harassing her. She has alleged that on March 7, 2022, her husband assaulted her which resulted in the miscarriage of her two-and-a-half-months' pregnancy," said the official.

"She has also stated that her husband and in-laws continued to mentally and physically harass her over the years. She has alleged that her husband beat her and her daughter several times. She has informed that on September 20, 2023, her mother-in-law threw acid over her. In this regard, an FIR has been registered at New Usmanpur police station," the official added.

The DCW chief has issued a notice to Delhi Police seeking an action taken report in the matter and sought a copy of the FIR registered along with details of arrests made.

"The Commission has also sought copy of complaints received in the past from the complainant against her husband and in-laws (if any), along with details of action taken thereon. The Commission has further asked Delhi Police to provide details of the manner in which acid was procured by the mother-in-law along with action taken against those responsible for selling the same to her," said the official.

"We have received a complaint of acid attack on a woman by her mother-in-law. The accused must be arrested immediately and strict action should be taken against them. Further, police should investigate the manner in which the accused procured acid. Strict action should also be taken against the person responsible for selling the acid," said Maliwal.
Ottawa, Sep 22 : Doubling down on his claims on Indian agents' involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday reiterated his earlier allegations.

"There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the Government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil, which is something of utmost and foundational importance in the country of rule of law, in a world where international rules-based order matters," Trudeau said while addressing a press conference.

Notably, Canada has accused India of involvement in the killing of Nijjar, who was shot dead in June. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau had recently made the allegations while speaking at the House of Commons in Ottawa.
New Delhi, Sep 22 : Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party of giving shelter to India's most wanted terrorists and gangsters in Canada.

The Lok Sabha MP claimed that hundreds of gurdwaras were under the control of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and banned 'Sikhs for Justice' leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, from where every week millions of pounds are donated to Trudeau, his ministers and his party. "This is the reason the Canadian Prime Minister is giving statements in favour of people like Pannun and Nijjar."

Strongly criticizing the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister, the Congress MP also claimed that drugs are being sent from Canada to Punjab.

Of the list of top 10 terrorists and gangsters of India from Punjab, eight are currently residing in Canada, Bittu said.

He added that Khalistani terrorist Pannun has threatened that he will not allow Hindus to live in Canada.

Bittu claimed that the right-hand man of the person who had murdered his grandfather was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who went from Punjab to Canada and took shelter there.

The Congress MP has urged the "99.5 per cent" of peace-loving Indians ("the remaining 0.5 per cent are pro-Khalistan") living in Canada to put pressure on the Canadian government so that relations between the two countries do not sour and people do not suffer due to it.

While Bittu was mentioning about the Canadian Prime Minister's plane breaking down in Delhi, Bhartrihari Mahtab, sitting on the Chairman's chair, said that Trudeau had visited New Delhi in 2018 after his plane had also broken down.

Mahtab further said that this time a plane was also offered by the Indian government to take him.

The Congress MP said that all the gangsters residing in Canada are carrying out killings and murders in Punjab.
United Nations, Sep 22 : While reiterating allegations that India was behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Ottawa was not seeking to provoke India.

He however refused to share evidence behind his allegations.

Speaking at a news conference here on Thursday, he said, "We are not looking to provoke or cause problems (with India)."

"There is no question that India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with. Not just in the region but around the world," he said.

"But we are unequivocal around the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians and standing up for our values," he said.

And that is why Canada was asking India to work with it "to establish processes to discover and to uncover the truth of the matter and to allow justice and accountability to be served".

India has vehemently denied the allegations first made by Trudeau in parliament on Monday.

Three months on, there have been no arrests in the shooting of Nijjar on June 18 outside a Sikh centre in Surrey in British Columbia.

Trudeau ruled out tit-for-tat action for India suspending visas for Canadians.

He called for "calm" and said that Canada is a safe country.

Trudeau avoided directly answering repeated questions by reporters about the evidence he had, asserting that the justice processes should continue with integrity.

"There are credible allegations that we need to take extremely seriously as Canadians and indeed as a world," he said.

"I can assure you the decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons Monday a was done with the utmost seriousness," he said.

"I think it's extremely important that as a country with a strong and independent justice system, we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity," he said.

He said that he had "a direct and frank conversation with the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), in which I shared my concerns in no uncertain terms".

Asked about the suspension of visa services by India, he indicated that there would be no reciprocal action right now.

He said: "We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now."

People of Indian origin who are not Sikh and Hindu organisations have expressed fears for their safety after receiving threats, and Indian diplomatic missions have come under attack.

He was not directly asked about this, but when asked about the New Delhi Canadian High Commissionas safety he gave an assurance of protection for all in Canada.

"In terms of safety in Canada and the safety of Canadians, we always take the safety of Canadians extremely seriously, whether at home or overseas. I can assure everyone that Canada is a safe country."

"I continue to call for calm and for Canadians to remain true to who we are: Open, respectful, grounded and respect and trust in our institutions and our law enforcement and justice systems."

When a reporter said that Nijjar had told Canadian law enforcement about threats to his life and asked if there would be a review of how that was handled, Trudeau said: "I think there will be."

Trudeau did not give a direct reply to questions about Canada's allies' reactions.

A reporter asked him if he had asked other leaders to condemn India, while another compared the solid support that Canada got from its Western allies when Canadian citizens were held by China with the tepid response to his allegations about India.

Trudeau said: "We are ensuring that Canadians stay protected and that we stand up for the international rules-based order. That is something that we are doing and it's something we are doing alongside our allies."

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Capers Hall has been a bedrock of this institution for seven decades. It has seen generations of leaders walk through its doors, armed with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on our society. Post this

"Capers Hall has been a bedrock of this institution for seven decades. It has seen generations of leaders walk through its doors, armed with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on our society," The Citadel Provost Sally Selden said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "As we stand in this new building today, it's not just bricks and mortar we see, but the embodiment of a strategic visionOur Mighty Citadel."

Woolpert Vice President Andrew Pack said sustainability was a component in all phases of design and construction. Concrete, masonry, and stucco were saved during demolition and then crushed, recycled, and employed for the new building's site foundation and parking area. A roof-mounted photovoltaic solar-panel system was installed to offset energy usage. The Citadel is pursuing LEED Silver certification.

Woolpert Project Manager David Welling said the design provides cadets and students with cutting-edge academic and arts facilities, while staying true to The Citadel's iconic and historic campus.

"The building's exterior seamlessly blends with the rest of the campus' Moorish architecture through its white stucco facade and incorporation of the building's original iron-frame light fixtures," Welling said. "The exterior is beautiful, but the technology and interior details within are what truly make this new building so special. We are really looking forward to seeing how the cadets and faculty make use of their new spaces."

About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,000 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more, visit woolpert.com.

About The Citadel

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Citadel alumni have served the nation, their states, and their communities as principled leaders since 1842. The Citadel Graduate College, founded more than 50 years ago, offers dozens of graduate degree, graduate certificate, and evening undergraduate programs in the evening or online. Consecutively named Best Public College in the South by U.S. News & World Report for 12 years and No. 1 Best Public College for Veterans in the South for five years. Learn more about The Citadel here.

Media Contact

Lynn Rossi, Woolpert, 312-837-2017, [email protected], https://woolpert.com/

SOURCE Woolpert
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. At the invitation of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, point person for contacts with Armenian residents of Karabakh Ramin Mammadov met on September 21, 2023 with representatives of Armenian residents of Karabakh Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan, Trend reports.

Head for the Russian side at the Russia-Turkiye Monitoring Center, rear admiral Oleg Semyonov joined the meeting in the capacity of a participant.

The discussions held in a constructive and positive atmosphere focused on reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh, restoration of infrastructure and organization of activities on the basis of Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ramin Mammadov presented reintegration plans.

In addition, the importance of soonest implementation of the issues reflected in the September 20 statement on the cessation of anti-terrorist measures of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan was emphasized.

In the context of discussions of social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan said that there was a particular need for fuel. At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance, including food products.

As a result of the meeting, their request was accepted positively. In particular, it is planned to provide fuel supply for heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as emergency medical and firefighting services, and provide humanitarian support.

The sides reached an agreement to hold the next meeting soon.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The UK is ready to support Azerbaijan in the field of cyber security, UK ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld wrote in his social media account, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan is in a challenging neighborhood, and special attention should be paid to the dangers that cyber attacks can pose and the best methods to prevent them. British companies are always ready to support Azerbaijan in this area," he said.

Earlier, a number of Azerbaijan's government agencies were subjected to cyber attacks during anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh.

More than four million DDoS attacks per second were registered on the official website of the president alone. Our service specialists continue to work in this direction in an intensified mode, head of the department at the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security Tural Mammadov said.
The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association devoted its Fall Tradeshows second day to the exhibition hall, a membership meeting, and interludes in celebration of authors and their latest publications. Booksellers voted Soul Jar: Thirty-One Fantastical Tales by Disabled Authors, edited by Annie Carl (Forest Avenue Press, Oct.), the PNBA BuzzBook of the year. Carl is the owner of the accessibility-focused Neverending Bookshop in Edmonds, Wash., and Soul Jar includes a foreword by Hild author Nicola Griffith.

An Authors Over Easy breakfast included presentations by memoirist Maeve DuVally (Maeve Rising: Coming Out Trans in Corporate America, Sibylline Press), who described recovery from alcohol addiction and coming out as transgender in 2019, all while working in media relations at Goldman Sachs: I had to keep becoming Maeve every day of my life. Other speakers included novelists with books forthcoming in 2024Laurie Frankel, Rachel Khong, and crime writer Don Winslowas well as Garth Stein, who joked that his The Cloven: Book Two, illustrated by Matthew Southworth (Fantagraphics/W.W. Norton), has led readers to ask, How did the guy who wrote the dog book [The Art of Racing in the Rain] write a graphic novel about genetically modified goat people?

After breakfast, most attendees proceeded to the exhibit hall, where, thanks to uninterrupted trade floor hours from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., booksellers didnt miss any events while connecting with publishers reps and other vendors. At the entrance to the exhibit hall, PNBA invited the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon to set up a table, and ACLU community engagement director Jackie Yerby fielded questions from booksellers concerned about social justice and the freedom to read.

Judey Kalchick, program manager for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, was also on hand to support booksellers. Kalchick told PNBA members that BINC has approved and paid 206 grants this year so far (as of the end of July), and gives an average of $2,200 per grant to those in needan increase over last years average grant of $1,730. She told members that monthly donations, customer roundup at the registers, and other contributions have resulted in really great fundraising.

Membership on the Rise

At the PNBA membership meeting, PNBA board president Lane Jacobson, of Paulina Springs Books in Sisters, Or., told the assembly that PNBA is at the highest level of membership since 2010. PNBA executive director Brian Juenemann reinforced this, explaining that PNBA membership has taken a solid upturn in 2023 as its staff has reviewed the database, followed up with stores whose memberships had lapsed, and connected with startups. As a result, PNBA stands at 157 member stores, seven more than last year.

This engagement brings a jolt of energy as well as a responsibility to listen to bookstores with varying priorities, Juenemann said. Specialty, online, mobile, you name itthese folks are coming to us not just to get on a roster, but to get involved. He called the membership our lifeblood and fresh fuel for the organization.

In addition, Fall Tradeshow attendance numbers and exhibitors are rising, with final tallies to be announced in the coming days. Were very close to where we were in numbers prior to the pandemic, said Juenemann. Although PNBA ended 2022 with a slight financial deficit, the organization is optimistic about its holiday catalogour biggest revenue maker, according to secretary-treasurer Melissa DeMotte of The Well~Read Moose in Coeur dAlene, Idaho.

The organization has also taken a new approach to PNBA Book Awards nominations. Were doing a fee structure for the first time ever to add a little value to the program, Juenemann said, noting that when nominations were free, the committee received so many books that judging proved time-consuming. By setting a threshold with the fee requirementPNBA member organizations pay $50 per nomination and non-members pay $75PNBA reduced the number of submissions by around 30% and created an income stream that stands to reverse past years expenses.

A day filled with meetings and discoveries ended with a feast and a cocktail hour. During the Signature Dish, PNBAs annual dinner event, 16 authors across a plethora of categories gamely visited tables to introduce themselves and their books. Among them were writers for young readers Anne Broyles, Joanna Ho, Vikram Madan, and Liz Rusch, and nonfiction writers Betsy Gaines Quammen, Margaret Renkl, and Elizabeth Rush. Eighteen more authors graced Sweet & Greet, which served as a "literary digestif" with cocktails and conversation, before another PNBA evening wrapped up.
In a new report released this week, PEN America found 3,362 instances of books banned in public schools in the 2022-23 school year, marking a 33% increase over last year. And in an eyeopening finding, PEN officials found more than 40% percent of all book bans tracked by PEN America occurred in school districts in Florida1,406 across 33 school districts across the statewith Texas a distant second (625), followed by Missouri (333), Utah (281), and Pennsylvania (186).

"Amid a growing climate of censorship, school book bans continue to spread through coordinated campaigns by a vocal minority of groups and individual actors and, increasingly, as a result of pressure from state legislation," the report, Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor, finds. "Hyperbolic and misleading rhetoric about 'porn in schools,' 'sexually explicit,' 'harmful,' and 'age inappropriate' materials" has led to the removal of "thousands of books covering a range of topics and themes," the report continues, but but overwhelmingly target books on race or racism or featuring characters of color, as well as books with LGBTQ+ characters.

"Notably," the report adds, "most instances of book bans affect young adult books, middle grade books, chapter books, or picture booksbooks specifically written and selected for younger audiences."

The report builds on three previous reports from PEN, most recently a report title Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools, which looked at the role of new state legislation in fueling book bans. Two previous reports documented nearly 6,000 book bans over the last two years in total.

"Together, the pressure exerted by advocacy groups and the demands of newly passed state legislation are having a profound chilling effect on the availability of books in public schools, leading to thousands of book bans, despite widespread public opposition to them," the report concludes. "Alongside increasingly coordinated efforts to prohibit certain types of instruction and expand avenues for parents, government officials, and citizens to intervene in curricular and extracurricular decisions, book bans are a poignant indication of the destructive ways in which censorship threatens public K12 schools; free expression; and the free exchange of ideas, information, and knowledge. As students increasingly step up to fight from the frontlines, more adults must follow their lead."

The report follows the release of preliminary data by the American Library Association this week, which showed a continuing surge in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2023, and with Banned Books Week 2023, set for October 1-7, fast approaching.

The full PEN America report is available here.
Here we round up new and forthcoming childrens titles including a middle grade adventure featuring a harrowing visit from the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a picture book that bans its own characters from the story, a YA companion novel in which a girl faces big decisions about her future, and more.

Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker. Labyrinth Road, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-56429-5. While on a family vacation, Alex Wise must rescue his sister after shes taken by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

A British Girls Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey. Atheneum , $19.99 ISBN 978-1-66591-533-5. In the companion to A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, Flora struggles with the grief of losing her mother. Rather than fall in line with her familys expectations, she escapes to Miami, where she navigates conflicting feelings about her future and potential relationships.

Cant Live Without You by Abby Hanlon. Dial, $16.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61598-0. When Dory loses her mother while grocery shopping, she imagines how far her mom could have wandered in the sixth book in the Dory Fantasmagory series.

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan. Disney Hyperion, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-3680-9817-5. The half-god Percy Jackson returns as he faces a new quest, to get into college, in the first new book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series since 2009.

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-250-86813-8. Ife struggles to acclimate to life at her new boarding school amid rumors of the Changing Man, a mysterious figure who kidnaps children and vanishes. When Ife learns that the school lore may offer insight into the disappearance of her best friend, she launches an investigation that uproots a long history of missing students.

Dragons First Taco by Adam Rubin, illus. by Daniel Salmieri. Dial, $8.99; ISBN 978-0-5935-3317-8. This board book companion to Dragons Love Tacos follows a dragons attempt to create its own delicious taco.

Dont Worry, Wuddles by Lita Judge. Atheneum, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-6659-1676-9. A duckling learns a valuable lesson when it continuously borrows a sheeps wool without asking.

Every Dreaming Creature by Brendan Wenzel. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-51253-4. Caldecott Honoree Wenzel imagines a young dreamer inhabiting the body and consciousness of a succession of animals. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox, illus. by Khoa Le. Little, Brown, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-41692-4. On the night of a solar eclipse, children and animals grow increasingly excited about the moment the moon steal[s] the suns glory/ ...for a few beautiful minutes. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong. S&S/McElderry, $21.99; ISBN 978-1-665-90561-9. The sequel to Foul Lady Fortune finds spy Rosalind with her cover blown and her only ally, Orion, kidnapped. To rescue him, Rosalind plans to escape the city to find Orion by heading on a national tour, but she faces danger when shes left to fend for herself.

The Haunting by Natasha Preston. Delacorte, $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-48151-6. Pennys relationship with her boyfriend Nash came crashing to a halt when Nashs father was arrested for the murder of four teens. But when another teen is brutally murdered, Penny questions if Nashs family was to blame in the first place.

I Can Open It for You by Shinsuke Yoshitake, trans. from the Japanese by Lisa Wilcut. Chronicle, $15.99; ISBN 978-1-79721-994-3. After a narrator receives help from their mother to unwrap a piece of chocolate, they muse on all the things theyll be able to open once theyre older. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, illus. by Kamala Nair. Two Lions, $17.99; ISBN 978-1-5420-3912-3. Diya, whose family has recently immigrated to an unspecified country, is welcomed back to India to celebrate Diwali by her beloved Nani. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand by Matthew Gray Gubler. Abrams/Amulet, $19.99; ISBN 978-1-4197-7122-4. In actor Gublers graphic novel, Lenore, born with a big green hand, struggles to accept her physical attributes and learns important lessons about self-perception.

Mall Goth by Kate Leth. Simon & Schuster, $22.99; ISBN 978-1-5344-7695-0; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-1-5344-7694-3. In 2003, openly bisexual goth girl Liv Holme navigates a move to a new city, her embarrassing job at the mall, and shifting tides in her friendships.

Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life by Emma Steinkellner. Labyrinth Road, $21.99; ISBN 978-0-593-57066-1; $13.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-57069-2. Seventh-grader Nell had hoped to be assigned to an artist for her apprenticeship, but instead is paired with the Town Lorekeeper, who may have more insight into her town history than she anticipates.

Ploof by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser. Tundra, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-77488-192-7. The creators of this board book give readers a chance to practice empathic responses through engagement with an emotive cloud named Ploof.

A Pretty Implausible Premise by Karen Rivers. Algonquin, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-61620-816-5. Southern California high school senior and competitive swimmer Hattie befriends decorated figure skater and Canadian transplant Presley. Through their friendship, the pair begin to bond over their recently lost loved ones and work towards a path of healing. The YA book received a starred review from PW.

Salsa Magic by Letisha Marrero. Levine Querido, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-64614-260-6. Maya is the only one in her family who is intrigued by her estranged aunts arrival at the family restaurant, especially when her aunt announces that Maya has been chosen by a goddess to be the next bruja of the family. The middle grade book received a starred review from PW.

The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Candlewick, $19.99 ISBN 978-1-5362-1805-3. In the companion to The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea, Genevieve questions if she can trust a pair of siblings, pirate-spy Alfies loyalty is called into question, and a looming war between the Sea and the Empire threatens to destroy everything.

This Book Is Banned Raj Haldar, illus. by Julia Patton. Sourcebooks Explore, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-7282-7656-4. After an altercation between a hippo and giraffe gets them both removed from the story, an increasingly self-censoring narrator attempts various replacement subjects in this meta picture book.

Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman, illus. by Christian Robinson. Viking, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-20325-5. National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman and Caldecott Honoree Robinson collaborate on a picture book highlighting a childs commitment to help their neighborhood flourish by planting seeds they hope will grow into something beautiful. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

Sometimes I Cry by Jess Townes, illus. by Daniel Miyares. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-374-30825-4. A child notes the varying emotions that can be brought up through the act of crying.

Thieves Gambit by Kayvion Lewis. Penguin/Paulsen, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-62536-1. When her mother is kidnapped and held for ransom, Ross has no choice but to enter the Thieves Gambit, a potentially fatal tournament in which the worlds top teen thieves complete a series of heists.

What If One Day... by Bruce Handy, illus. by Ashleigh Corrin. Enchanted Lion, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-59270-383-8. In this prose poem picture book, Handy and Corrin approach gratitude in an unexpected way: by considering the space that beloved entities might leave behind. The picture book received a starred review from PW.

The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown Little, Brown, $17.99; ISBN 978-0-316-66941-2. In the third book in the Wild Robot series, when water threatens to flood the island where Roz and the animals reside, Roz attempts to save the island from being destroyed.

Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen. Knopf, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-37628-7. Fifteen-year-old Valdez offered a few boaters help when he noticed them out at sea, but now that he has returned home, the boaters and their suspicious activity have followed him back.

For more childrens and YA titles on sale throughout the month of September, check out PWs full On-Sale Calendar.
Purdue has once again earned national recognition as one of the best higher education values in the entire country

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University has been named the Best Value university in Indiana and one of the best in the nation in the latest ranking by SmartAsset, an online financial advisor and financial services portal. This latest national accolade recognizes Purdues ongoing commitment to the vision of higher education at the highest proven value.

SmartAsset determined the colleges and universities that provide the best value to students in its annual rankings, which were released earlier this month. Besides being the top value in the state of Indiana, Purdue also ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten, No. 6 among public universities in the U.S. and No. 15 among all institutions nationwide. SmartAssets methodology for determining best value was based on a variety of financial factors and data sets including starting salary, tuition, student living expenses, student retention rate and scholarships awarded.

Having just celebrated yet another record-breaking year for undergraduate applications and enrollment, we strive to achieve excellence at scale by including as many as possible at Purdue, said Purdue President Mung Chiang. The choice to freeze tuition through the 2024-25 school year underlines Purdues commitment to providing an educational value that is second to none nationwide, so we take extreme pride in this recognition.

Additional Information

The SmartAsset rankings gave Purdue an overall College Education Value score of 86.80 out of 100, which included high marks for student retention rate (91%  national average was 70%) and starting salary ($66,500  national average was $53,663). That overall score placed Purdues value ahead of the University of California, Berkeley; Harvard University; the University of Texas at Austin; and UCLA, among others. The formula uniquely ranked universities state by state as well, placing Purdue No. 1 in the state of Indiana over the University of Notre Dame (75.14), Wabash College (74.58) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (72.83).

With the core pillar of excellence at scale in mind, Purdue University's Board of Trustees voted in June to again freeze tuition, this time for the 11th and 12th consecutive years. By 2024-25, 10 Purdue graduating classes will have never experienced a tuition increase during their time in West Lafayette. Meanwhile, more students than ever are seeking a Purdue degree, as 72,600 applied for undergraduate admission for the fall 2023 semester, and more employers than ever are seeking out Purdue graduates.

SmartAssets Best Value ranking comes on the heels of Purdues best-ever showing of No. 43 overall (No. 17 among public universities) in U.S. News & World Reports 2024 Best College rankings, along with several other recent prominent accolades:

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes, at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

Writer/Media contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. In the context of discussions of social and humanitarian issues, the representatives of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan said that there was a particular need for fuel, Trend reports.

At the same time, they asked for humanitarian assistance, including food products.

As a result of the meeting, their request was accepted positively. In particular, it is planned to provide fuel supply for the heating systems of kindergartens and schools, as well as emergency medical and firefighting services, and provide humanitarian support.

At the invitation of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the point person for contacts with Armenian residents of Karabakh, Ramin Mammadov, met on September 21, 2023, with representatives of Armenian residents of Karabakh, Sergey Martirosyan and David Melkumyan.

Head of the Russian side at the Russia-Turkiye Monitoring Center, rear admiral Oleg Semyonov, joined the meeting in the capacity of a participant.

The discussions held in a constructive and positive atmosphere focused on the reintegration of the Armenian population of Karabakh, the restoration of infrastructure, and the organization of activities on the basis of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Property details:

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. There are all prerequisites for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, the Press Secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov said, Trend reports.

The Kremlin spokesman added that there is no specific information regarding the opening of transport corridors in the South Caucasus region yet.

Peskov also said that an investigation is underway into the deaths of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh.

The local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh led to the surrender of the separatists. Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire, and local anti-terrorist activities were suspended on September 20, 2023 at 13:00 (GMT+4). At the suggestion of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh was scheduled for September 21, 2023 in Yevlakh.

Issues of reintegration based on the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan were discussed at the meeting in Azerbaijans Yevlakh.

In accordance with the agreement reached, the formations of the Armenian armed forces, the 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 formations of the Armenian armed forces leave the territory of Azerbaijan, the Armenian separatist troops are disbanded.

In addition, all weapons, ammunition and heavy equipment are being transferred to Azerbaijan.

Coordination of the above-mentioned processes with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured.
Property details:

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Property details:

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The Biden-Harris Administration has announced more than 4 million student loan borrowers are enrolled in the new Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan program, which is intended to cut payments on undergraduate loans in half, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
A crowd of students from Clarke Central High School, members of the Athens Justice and Memory Project, local political figures, camera crews and more gathered to witness the street renaming ceremony of a portion of South Finley Street on Sept. 1. The street lies between Cloverhurst Avenue and Baxter Street and was renamed Linnentown Lane.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, received the Chief Adviser of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the South Caucasus, Vladimir Shkolnikov, the Ombudsman's Office told Trend.

The Ombudsperson informed in detail about the work done and ongoing reforms in the field of human rights and freedoms protection during the meeting. She noted the great importance attached to cooperation and exchange of experience with international human rights structures and ombudsmen of foreign countries.

The Ombudsperson also informed about the armed provocations of Armenians against Azerbaijan and local anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan in order to prevent criminal actions that pose a threat to peace and security in the region. She spoke about the mine terror of Armenia in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, noting that more than 300 civilians and military personnel have become victims of mine incidents to date. The Ombudsperson noted that, despite repeated appeals, Armenia has not yet provided Azerbaijan with reliable maps of minefields.

The sides also exchanged views on the prospects for further cooperation between the UN and the Azerbaijan Ombudsman Institute.

The local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh led to the surrender of the separatists. Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire, and local anti-terrorist activities were suspended on September 20, 2023 at 13:00 (GMT+4). At the suggestion of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh was scheduled for September 21, 2023 in Yevlakh.

Issues of reintegration based on the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan were discussed at the meeting in Azerbaijans Yevlakh.

In accordance with the agreement reached, the formations of the Armenian armed forces, the 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 formations of the Armenian armed forces leave the territory of Azerbaijan, the Armenian separatist troops are disbanded.
Indias third-largest pharmaceutical company by revenue, Cipla, is up for grabs in a three-way fight between Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddys Laboratories (DRL) and private equity (PE) giant Blackstone.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Analysts say it is more likely for a strategic investor like Torrent or DRL to acquire Cipla than a PE firm, which may not derive healthy returns at Ciplas current market price (CMP) after the recent gains.

Torrent vs DRL

The two pharma majors are reported to be eyeing the entire 33.47 per cent promoter stake in Cipla, held by the Hamied family.

A successful buyout will further trigger an open offer of 26 per cent.

At the CMP, the deal is pegged at $7 billion.

While both companies are in a position to pull off the deal via a combination of equity infusion (by promoters, PE funds) and debt accretion, analysts believe Torrent pips DRL, given its strong track record of past acquisitions and the complementary nature of its portfolio to that of Cipla.

According to IIFL Securities, Cipla, with a dominating market share of 7 per cent and 23 per cent in acute therapies like respiratory and anti-infectives, respectively, would strengthen Torrents position in this portfolio, where it currently has a share of below 1 per cent.

Additionally, Torrent with a smaller US business will also have access to Ciplas diversified US pipeline of inhalation and complex injectables.

On the exports side, Cipla offers a strong US portfolio in respiratory and injectable products, and a leading position in South Africa, while Torrent brings a strong Brazil presence to the table.

"In emerging markets, getting product registrations and establishing on the ground presence is difficult but for the combined entity, cross-selling of products can lead to faster scale-up of operations, said Alok Dalal and Dhawal Khut of Jefferies, in a note.

While there will be overlap in cardiac, gastrointestinal, pain, anti-diabetic and derma therapies, which together make 28 per cent and 68 per cent of Cipla and Torrents domestic sales, respectively, analysts do not foresee a significant hit to the combined entitys domestic sales.

Assuming a 30-40 per cent portfolio. overlap, Torrent might be required to divest 8-10 per cent of Ciplas India business (around Rs 800-1,000 crore of sales).

However, this would also help the merged entity to potentially raise Rs 4,000-5,000 crore cash and improve its net cash position from Rs 1200 crore to Rs 5000-6000 crore, estimates IIFL Securities.

On the other hand, DRL, with a sizeable presence in acute therapies, has a higher domestic and international overlap with Cipla.

Its overlap is higher in generics, particularly in the US, which is unlikely to yield meaningful synergies and overlaps in the US business could also attract scrutiny from the US FTC, analysts said.

Whats in it for investors?

At the bourses, Torrents share is down 6 per cent since reports claimed it is bidding for Cipla while the latter has surged 15 per cent.

DRL is up 2 per cent since its name appeared in reports on September 5.

Analysts advise caution and expect the stocks to continue this trend until more clarity emerges.

Caution is needed given the large size of the deal and uncertainties along the regulatory, and manufacturing compliance side.

"In view of the governments push for doctors to prescribe trade generics over branded formulations, there remains uncertainty on the longevity of Ciplas branded formulation business, said Vishal Manchanda, senior vice-president Institutional Research, Systematix.

The other major concern on the Street remains the debt burden the acquirer will have to take for the deal.

Kotak Institutional Equities estimates a gross debt accretion of $4.3 billion by Torrent and $3.9 billion for DRL to complete the deal, which could result in a net debt to Ebitda (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) ratio of 3.5 times and 1.7 times for the two firms, respectively.

However, it believes that since the combined entity will generate considerable free cash flow, both companies will be able to handle the stretched balance sheet.

Assuming a full subscription to the open offer and a 5 per cent synergy-led Ebitda boost, it expects a 7 per cent and 4 per cent earnings per share dilution in FY25 for Torrent and DRL, respectively.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients.

Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
BJP veterans whom K Annamalai has reportedly sidelined are upset over his 'immature' way of handling allies, reveals N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: K Annamalai, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu unit, second from right, with senior BJP leader Amit A Shah at the En Mann En Makkal padayatra in Rameswaram, July 29, 2023.

At a time when he should have been building on the national BJP leadership's 'Sanatana' narrative to put the ruling DMK rival on the defensive, Tamil Nadu party chief K Annamalai has expanded the canvas to paint C N Annadurai in the same colours, thereby provoking the AIADMK ally endlessly.

The question is not if Annamalai is right or wrong -- and he insists he has newspaper reports from faraway 1956 -- but Annamalai's repeated taunts has led to AIADMK Organisation Secretary D Jayakumar announcing the 'snapping of ties' with the BJP, indicating that the revival of the alliance, if it came to that, would be taken up at election time.

Trouble started this time when Annamalai said that Annadurai had to go into hiding (fearing physical repercussions) after Forward Bloc leader Pasumpon Muthuramaliga Thevar had ticked him off for deriding Hinduism at a public meeting as far back as 1956.

In this era of 'Hindu nationalism' elsewhere in the country, Annamalai obviously wanted to tell his militant Mukkulathore community audience, how Thevar as their leader had defended Hinduism in his time.

When the AIADMK's C V Shanmugam said that it was inappropriate to talk disparagingly about departed leaders, Annamalai claimed that he had past newspaper reports to support what he said was only his 'recalling of history'.

Naming Shanmugam, he said that the former minister 'said one thing before 6 pm and another after 6 pm'.

The Hindu newspaper, citing archival material, has since said there were no past reports of Annadurai tendering an apology before being able to leave Madurai. Instead, news reports from those days have stopped with noting that Thevar, intervening from among the audience, after obtaining the chair's permission, had stopped with contesting the 'atheist statements' made at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Madurai Tamil Sangam held at the famous Meenakshi Amman temple.

At least The Hindu at the time had not mentioned what exactly Annadurai had said, the current report in the newspaper pointed out. As the daily recalled, there was another seven-day programme in the city not long after, where Thevar staged a walk out after defending C Rajagopalachari on Rajaji's criticism of the 'Aryan-Dravidian theory'. However, the meeting 'continued without any incident', The Hindu recalled.

Before Annamalai now, some Sangh Parivar speakers, and more so social media activists, have claimed that E V Ramaswamy Naicker 'Periyar' too had faced a similar situation when Thevar contested him on religion-centric issues, again in Madurai, and that Periyar had to go into hiding. Supportive evidence, including Periyar 'supposedly tendering an apology, have not been contested -- but they have not also been authentically attested.'

IMAGE: Palaniswami unveils the logo of the AIADMK's Madurai conference.

The AIADMK is not clear if Annamalai was acting on his own or had the national leadership's say-so.

Before Annadurai, he had targeted Periyar and also late AIADMK chief minister J Jayalalithaa, calling her 'corrupt'.

So much so, the AIADMK ended up passing a resolution. This time around, the AIADMK has denied reports that EPS has directed party men not to join issues with Annamalai or target the BJP.

In between, social media posts in the name of known AIADMK leaders taunted the BJP in turn, questioning the way Vinayak Damodar 'Veer' Savarkar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee came out of prison during the freedom movement.

Party leaders also pointed out how they had looked the other way without joining a similar national debate on Savarkar, revived references to the 'Gujarat riots' , the 'lynching controversy' among others, in recent years.

Against this background, the AIADMK is still divided over continuing with the BJP alliance in the Lok Sabha polls, and more so in the 2006 assembly polls where they claim 'anti-incumbency' against the ruling DMK has already set in.

However, in the BJP's company, the AIADMK combine may do marginally better than in 2019, when they won only one out of 39 Lok Sabha seats from the state.

The DMK-Congress combine bagged the remaining 38.

Though not a clean sweep, the DMK-Congress combine also won the assembly polls two years later only because of the BJP alliance, they claim.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai meets Palaniswami at his Greenways residence in Chennai.

However, opinion is divided if EPS would break away from the BJP, especially because of the fear of central agencies that 'are being unleashed' against those that do not fall in line with the ruling party at the Centre.

While it is true that the AIADMK still has to retain the party's Two Leaves symbol with which cadres identify more than anything, they do not see much problem on this score.

Second-line party leaders argue that there are no real claimants to the AIADMK's name and title, as the courts have already declared the EPS faction as the legit one.

This is against the claims of factions led by breakaway rival and three-time chief minister O Panneerselvam and also those led by Jaya's confidante Sasikala Natarajan and the latter's estranged nephew T T V Dhinakaran.

Under the circumstances, they see no reason why the Two Leaves symbol should be allotted to any of the other factions -- even if they join together, and stake claim.

The worst case scenario, according to them, is the possibility of the Election Commission freezing the symbol, if it came to that.

According to them, it would imply a break in the alliance, and the AIADMK going on its own.

Even if the party lost votes in the absence of the Two Leaves symbol -- which they say is unlikely -- it would be more than made up by the AIADMK's traditional share of minorities' votes and those of peripheral ideological groups, all of which had gone to the DMK rival with a vengeance, in 2019 and 2021.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party supremo Narendra D Modi with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami at the National Democratic Alliance meeting at the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi, July 18, 2023. All photographs: ANI Photo

Despite Jayakumar's declaration and the like, the AIADMK is unlikely to shut the door on the BJP, at least for now.

The party would be happy if there is a change of guard in the state BJP as the leadership feels that with Annamalai around, grassroots-level coordination, which is essential in election time, may not occur as seamlessly as it used to.

Two, the current threat to break the alliance also seems to flow from the perception that the BJP wants at least thrice as much as the five or six Lok Sabha seats that the party had traditionally contested in the AIADMK's company in the past.

EPS had met Union Home Minister Amit A Shah last week, and the issue seemed to have cropped up at the time.

Already, AIADMK leaders are on record that they would take care of 'minor allies' who had traditionally contested on the party's Two Leaves symbol, but whom the BJP wants on its side, to contest on its Lotus symbol.

The BJP's intention became clear earlier this year when those like K Krishnaswamy, A C Shanmugam and T R Paarivendhar met Shah in Chennai.

Of the three, the first two had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha poll on the AIADMK symbol. Paarivendhar, who had organised Narendra D Modi's pre-poll rally in the Chennai suburb in 2014, crossed over to the other side and became a Lok Sabha member on the DMK symbol five years later. Now, he is identifying with the BJP, but has not quit the DMK alliance or the Lok Sabha.

IMAGE: Annamalai addresses a media interaction in Chennai.

Opinion in the state BJP is said to be divided. Veterans whom Annamalai has reportedly sidelined, if only to bring in fresh blood, are upset over his 'immature' way of handling allies, as cadre-level sentiments run deep in regional parties.

Two, they are also concerned about Annamalai threatening the DMK first and now even the AIADMK ally that he has the list of all their wrong-doings while in power.

They say successive raids and court cases involving central agencies may not end up producing the desired electoral results for the BJP, as the common man is getting increasingly aware and polarised on issues even outside of religion -- educated as he is by the social media, day in and day out.

Gone is the mood that raids as on Minister Senthil Balaji and his arrest used to be applauded. They have come to be seen as a part of 'political vendetta' with electoral ends in mind.

This can prove counter-productive for the BJP to begin with, and for the AIADMK, too, if they continued in the alliance.

IMAGE: AIADMK Organisation Secretary D Jayakumar addresses the media in Chennai.

There are indications that if push comes to shove, EPS may assert himself against the BJP ally at the Centre, even if not actually revolt.

Since coming to power and even after losing it, he has been increasingly assertive in party matters, as seen in his handling of predecessor and rival OPS, despite continuing pressure from the BJP's national leadership.

This is typical of Dravidian political party leaders, which the BJP leadership is still unaware of.

The former, starting with the DMK's M Karunanidhi and going on to include his breakaway AIADMK successors, MGR and Jayalalithaa, too, had played along with the ruling party at the Centre (Congress or the BJP) until they had captured their party in full and had also settled in office.

Once they had gained confidence, they were the ones dictating terms to their ruling ally at the Centre, almost always, no questions asked or no quarter given.

It did not matter if they were not in power but their ally was either in power or was expected to regain power at the Centre.

EPS, it seems, is in that phase of his political evolution.

Now it looks as if he needs to cut the apron strings -- whatever the cost, including tax raids and court cases -- to prove his real worth to the party and cadres.

And he needs to do it long before the 2026 assembly polls, which is what seems to be on the cards now.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
'It will be important strategically and geographically because there is no port in India which is as close to the international shipping route as Vizhinjam.'

IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, second from right, unveils the logo and name of Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram, September 20, 2023. Photograph: Kind courtesy Chief Minister's Office, Kerala/Facebook

The first ship carrying cranes from China will be docking at Vizhinjam port on October 4, Kerala Minister for Ports Ahamed Devarkovil told the media last week, PTI reported.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister for Ports Sarbananda Sonowal will participate in a function to be organised at the Adani-run Vizhinjam Port to receive the ship.

The Kerala minister said three more ships will be coming to Vizhinjam, one in October and two in November after the arrival of the first ship.

The port, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 7,700 crore (Rs 77 billion), is expected to be commissioned by May 2024, Devarkovil said, adding that Adani Ports Private Ltd has decided to complete all the work by December this year.

"This is the one and only port in the country that provides more than 20 metres of depth without dredging and is closer to the International Maritime Channel," Devarkovil added.

"This is going to be one of the biggest ports in the world, and it is going to give a great financial benefit to Kerala as it is going to handle all the transhipment requirements," Rajesh Jha, MD and CEO of Adani Ports Private Ltd, told PTI.

Vijayan unveiled the logo and name of Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

"Today, the largest container vessel now in service needs a depth of 17 metres and Vizhinjam has a depth of 20 metres. It means, even if the size of the vessel goes up from 24,000 TEU to 30,000 TEU, the only port in India which will be able to accommodate such ultra large container ships will be Vizhinjam," Dr Jose Paul, former acting chairman, JN Port, Mumbai, and former chairman, Mormugao Port Trust, Goa and adjunct professor, Indian Maritime University, Chennai, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

The first of a two-part interview:

IMAGE: The entrance of the proposed Vizhinjam port. Photograph: Munsif Vengattil/Reuters

When I interviewed Father Eugene H Pereira, who led the agitation against the Vizhinjam port, he had said the project would be an environmental disaster and would also affect the livelihood of thousands of fishermen. As an expert on port management, how do you respond to it?

Probably, Father Eugene does not seem to have studied the development of ports worldwide where there have always been agitations and protests by the local population.

This is not an isolated incident in the history of port development the world over. Some of the port development programs in the US and Europe were held up for years together, even decades.

You cannot develop a port on the sea coast without disturbing the ecology of the area because you have to undertake dredging in the identified area.

You have to create an approach channel for the ships to come in, and you have to provide a sheltered harbour.

In many ports breakwaters have to be constructed to ensure tranquillity in the enclosed water spread area to provide safe shelter to ships anchored within the protected port environment.

In that process, certain amount of changes will take place in the coastal geography of the place, and certain amount of environmental problems are bound to come up.

Please remember that in all the port development projects, there is a compromise with the nature for larger public well-welfare and well-being and faster national economic development.

IMAGE: Vijayan, second from right, watches a presentation on Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram, September 20, 2023. Photograph: Kind courtesy Chief Minister's Office, Kerala/Facebook

Where should the thrust be? Economic development, nature or the livelihood of the people?

As far as the livelihood of the people is concerned, I understand that the government of Kerala has taken a number of welfare measures.

It may not be adequate, but I understand that now concrete and concentrated efforts are being made for rehabilitation of the families who have to be evicted from the project site.

This has happened in all the port development programmes, not just in India but all over the world but in different scales and more widespread.

I do not want to mince my words when I say, it is certainly a negative thinking that in the name of people getting affected, we should stop port development.

Father Pereira says it is going to be a disaster for the country but I beg to disagree with him totally.

What about the port developments that have taken place in the new major ports of New Mangalore in Karnataka?

The shocking effects of climate change are being felt all over the world. So, should we be destroying environment in the name of development?

Let me tell you about the New Mangalore port. I was the deputy chairman of the port for five years. New Mangalore port was declared the ninth major port in India by the then prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi in January 1975.

Do you know how that port came into existence?

There was an old port in Mangalore which was on the combined confluence of two rivers, Gurupur and Nethravati. Then, the harbour engineers suggested to the government that it was not the right site for building a major port.

So, roughly about 10 nautical miles to the north of the old port, the new port was constructed by building breakwaters encircling the port area with adequate protection on either side.

Naturally, the entire area had to be dredged for that, and there were fears at that time that serious environmental impact would be felt in the coastal region.

A proper scientific study was conducted which recommended that when you construct proper breakwater, it would provide additional protection to the coast. That was how the new port was constructed and developed.

It was declared a major port on 4th May 1974! Years have passed. Nothing has happened to the coast.

Tuticorin port also was developed in Tamil Nadu state. These ports were declared major ports in 1974 and even after almost 50 years, there is no environmental impact.

On the contrary the local, regional and national economy thrived.

IMAGE: Fishermen burn their boats during a protest against the Vizhinjam port project at Mulloor, Thiruvananthapuram, October 27, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo

You mean, the fear of an environmental disaster when the Vizhinjam port comes into existence is unfounded?

I would say it is all exaggerated.

Not only that, the critics have not studied how port development takes place in other countries. They also encountered the same problems but there were compromises with the local population by making them understand the kind of advantage they would stand to gain when the port starts functioning.

Let me go back to the New Mangalore port story again.

After the port was ready, an oil refinery came up close to the port. Mangalore chemicals and fertilisers came up just across the harbour. Thermal plants were established in the vicinity of the port.

The Government of India constructed huge underground strategic crude oil reserves to tide over adverse oil crisis. These strategic assets would not have come up in the absence of a major port.

IMAGE: Dr Jose Paul. Photograph: Kind courtesy Dr Jose Paul IMAGE: Dr Jose Paul.

Do you know how many employment opportunities the local population got because of these industrial establishments?

Moreover, a large number of industrial units in Mangalore are thriving because there is a port in its proximity.

I understand recently tourist vessels have started coming to the port.

Will these activities not improve the economic well-being of the people?

Certainly, it will.

So, should we also not study the economic impact of a port on the local and regional economy?

IMAGE: A computer generated aerial view of Vizhinjam port. Photograph: Kind courtesy Chief Minister's Office, Kerala/Facebook

Why do you feel Vizhinjam will become an important transhipment port in India?

It will be important strategically and geographically because there is no port in India which is as close to the international shipping route as Vizhinjam.

The ultra large container vessels and very large container ships need to make only a small diversion of 20 nautical miles from the international shipping route to reach Vizhinjam.

No other port in India either on the East or West Coast is situated in close proximity to the international shipping route.

The second advantage is, many ports in India which are on the riverine side are saddled with the problem of regular maintenance dredging. Cochin port is a specific example.

Every year, about Rs 100 crores to Rs 120 crores (Rs 1 billion to Rs 1.2 billion) are being spent for the maintenance of the shipping channel to ensure adequate depth for safe passage of ships through the approach channel.

The advantage of Vizhinjam is that within a small distance of 3 km from the shore you get a natural depth of 20 metres!

Because the natural depth of the port is so much, there is no need for dredging or if at all required, it will be insignificant.

Today, the largest container vessel now in service needs a depth of 17 metres and Vizhinjam has a depth of 20 metres. It means, even if the size of the vessel goes up from 24,000 TEU (according to Wikipedia: The twenty-foot equivalent unit (abbreviated TEU or teu) is an inexact unit of cargo capacity, often used for container ships and container ports) to 30,000 TEU, the only port in India which will be able to accommodate such ultra large container ships will be Vizhinjam.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
'If Trudeau chooses to repeat his allegations in his UN speech on Friday, it would create a whole new escalation.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi greets Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, September 9, 2023. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters

"There will be senior Canadian and Indian officials in New York, and so there will be opportunities for some conversations on the sidelines to try to ease tensions. But admittedly, tensions may be too high to expect the temperature to be lowered so soon," Dr Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Centre in Washington DC, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in an e-mail interview.

Do you think Justin Trudeau made the unprecedented revelation in the Canadian parliament because he was rebuffed by the US, the UK in his attempt to highlight India's alleged role in the assassination?

We don't know why Trudeau decided to go public. There are several possibilities.

One is that he was so confident that the allegations are accurate, and that India had done such a terrible thing, that he felt an obligation to reveal this to his country and the world.

Another possibility is that it was personal: In effect, he was angry with New Delhi about what he regards as its longstanding interference in domestic affairs, angry about what he believes was its role in the assassination, and even more angry after his very unpleasant trip to India during the G20 summit. So he decided to shame the Indian government.

One more possibility is that he wanted to shore up his popularity at home by doing something sure to have a rally-around-the-flag effect that unites the country and its politicians around him.

Certainly, a combination of these factors could also be at play.

Who has lost more because of this revelation? Trudeau because he did not produce any evidence to substantiate his allegation or India, which regardless of the truth, is seen in some quarters as acting in a manner not befitting a G20 nation State?

Both have taken some big hits. Trudeau, because he decided to go public with his allegations, is now facing growing pressure at home to provide evidence.

His decision to go public did pay off politically initially, as the Opposition rallied around him, but now he's facing growing criticism from his political opponents for not showing the evidence.

But India is also in a tough spot. It's suffered a major reputational blow. Regardless of whether the allegations are true or not, the head of government of a Western power has accused India of being involved in a State-sponsored assassination, and India doesn't come out of that looking good.

It's also, perhaps, an embarrassment for a government that is sensitive to even the most modest forms of external criticism -- and yet this goes so much further, with an explosive allegation.

IMAGE: Trudeau rises to make his statement in the House of Commons in Ottawa, September 18, 2023. Photograph: Blair Gable/Reuters

Canada has bracketed India along with China and Russia as meddling in its internal affairs. Do you think India was justified in monitoring the activities of the Khalistani separatists because of their threat to India's integrity?

After all, Canada's benign, historic, attitude towards the Khalistanis resulted in the Kanishka tragedy and damaged, perhaps irreversibly, India-Canada relations?

This is a tough one. It's easy to understand India's position, given the violent history of the Khalistan movement, and the trauma and tragedy it brought for India in the 1980s and 1990s.

Most governments would view avowed separatists with deep concern. To be sure, there is no longer an active Khalistan insurgency in India, and Sikh extremist violence is rare now. And yet, memories of the past -- and the trauma that accompanies them -- die hard.

But there are other perspectives, too. One can ask what is gained by focusing so much attention on a relatively small group of people thousands of miles away who are committed to a cause that has essentially petered out in India itself.

Not to mention, though it happens all the time, democracies shouldn't be in the business of interfering in politics and society in other countries.

In your experience, how would you evaluate Justin Trudeau's statement on Monday? What was it meant to achieve? What will it achieve?

Can India-Canada relations be repaired as long as he is in office? Does India really need Canada on its side given that it has a strategic relationship with the US?

Let's be clear: The India-Canada relationship would not be in dire crisis now if Trudeau hadn't gone public with the allegations. It would be quite tense, but not in deep crisis. So Trudeau made a major gamble by going public, in that he put future relations with India at risk.

Neither capital wants a rupture in relations. Canada-India ties have brought deeper trade and defence ties, and strategic convergences have emerged over the China factor.

Canada is a top 20 investor in India, there is a robust trade partnership, and there is a rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Canada.

Ottawa may not be as important to India as Washington is, but does India -- with its great power aspirations -- really want to be seen as that country that was willing to jettison a relationship with a key Western power? I don't think so.

IMAGE: Trudeau at the Golden Temple during his visit to India in February 2018. Photograph: PTI Photo

How do you see the fallout of Canada's allegations unfolding in the coming days? In India, in Canada and in the West?

We'll get some immediate answers on Friday, at the UNGA meetings in New York. Trudeau will give his speech on Friday. If at the UN he chooses to repeat his allegations against India, that would create a whole new escalation that could well eliminate any prospect of immediate-term offramps.

But then again, there's the glass half full perspective: There will be senior Canadian and Indian officials in New York, and so there will be opportunities for some conversations on the sidelines to try to ease tensions.

But admittedly, tensions may be too high to expect the temperature to be lowered so soon.

There may be a back channel opportunity for Washington, possibly at the UNGA but more likely further down the road. It may try to press the two capitals to figure out some way forward that eases tensions and salvages the relationship.

IMAGE: Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar sees off Trudeau at Palam airport, September 12, 2023. Photograph: @Rajeev_GoI/X

How do you think the US is viewing this and how is it likely to deal with this considering its partnership with Canada and strategic relationship with India?

The US is certainly in a tough spot. It has to balance the need to show solidarity with its treaty ally with the imperative of not upsetting a key strategic partner.

That's why I think it may opt for some type of mediation. Washington doesn't want to be in the position of having to decide how to navigate this crisis between two key US partners.

The most prudent path forward is to help ease the crisis itself.

But, it may not be that simple. If the US concludes the allegations are true, it won't simply shrug that off. A State-sponsored assassination to its north would be difficult to swallow. There would be notable security and other implications for Washington, which could lead to some awkward discussions with India.

I don't mean to suggest any threats to the future of US-India partnership -- far from it. Still, a relationship that has been largely crisis-free for the last decade could face a rude awakening, even if it's only momentary.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Curfew was imposed in the entire Imphal valley on Thursday following violent protests for the release of five men, including a trained cadre of a banned terror outfit, who were arrested earlier this week on the charges of extortion.

Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Joint Delhi Tribal Student's Forum stage a protest against 140-days of injustice in Manipur, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, September 21, 2023.

Curfew was reimposed after the Imphal valley witnessed protests by self-styled vigilante groups including 'Meira Paibis' who demanded the release of five men.

More than 10 people were injured on Thursday when security forces fired tear gas shells on protesters for trying to storm police stations and demanding the unconditional release of the five.

As a precautionary measure, the state government cancelled curfew relaxations in the twin districts of Imphal from 5pm, officials said.

Responding to a call by six local clubs and Meira Paibis demanding the release of the five village volunteers, hundreds of protesters holding placards and shouting slogans tried to enter the Porompat police station in Imphal East and Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost in Imphal West district.

However, the police and RAF personnel deployed at strategic positions fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

A protester, identified as Th Bimola at Porompat said, "We were left with no option but to court arrest as the government failed to release the five village volunteers. If such village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meitei villages in the periphery of the hills and the valley Kuki Zo militants."

Similar attempts to enter Mayang Imphal police station in Imphal West district and Andro police station in Imphal East district were also reported.

In the wake of arrest of five persons for extortion in Manipur including a suspected member of a banned terror group, the Manipur police has again warned of stern action against all those who were misusing uniform for their ulterior motives.

The five persons were allegedly indulging in extortion from the general public and were carrying deadly weapons including AK and Insas rifles, which were looted from the police armoury, officials said.

Among those arrested on Sunday included 45-year-old M Anand Singh, alleged to be a trained cadre of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Nyon group, which is banned under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The police had in July issued stern warning asking people to stop misusing police uniform following reports that armed rioters were wearing the outfit to create mistrust. Some minority groups have been trying to exert pressure on police to release the five men and indulged in vandalism.

A 48-hour bandh has been called by some of these groups but senior police officials made it clear that law will take its own course. Singh is alleged to be a habitual offender and has been jailed six times in the past which included under the National Security Act (NSA), the officials said.
The Bombay high court on Thursday granted bail to activist Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case.

IMAGE: Activists of the Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan during a protest against the arrests of activists in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo

A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Sharmila Deshmukh allowed Raut's plea seeking bail on merits.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought the court to stay its order for two weeks so that it could file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The bench then stayed operation of its order for a week.

Raut was arrested in June 2018 and is presently in judicial custody.

He had moved HC in 2022 seeking bail and challenging the order passed by the special NIA court refusing him bail.

Raut in his plea had said his custody was unwarranted and that it was against Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The NIA had opposed the plea saying it was not justifiable to grant an accused, booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to seek bail on constitutional grounds.

As many as 16 activists have been arrested in the case of which five are currently out on bail.

Scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira have been granted regular bail, while poet Varavara Rao is currently out on bail on health grounds.

Another accused, activist Gautam Navlakha, is under house arrest as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

The case pertains to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which according to the Pune police was funded by Maoists.

The inflammatory speeches made there led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune the next day, the police had alleged.

The case was later probed by the NIA.
The Canadian government has rejected a travel advisory issued by India about security risks in Canada, saying it is one of the safest countries in the world, and called for calm amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations over the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader in this country.

IMAGE: A Canadian flag. Photograph: Lars Hagberg/Reuters

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June unleashed a diplomatic row with India rejecting the charges as "absurd" and "motivated" and kicking out a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official.

India on Wednesday advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in the North American country, as the diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader threatened to snowball into a major confrontation.

In a strongly-worded advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi 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.

Canada's Immigration Minister Marc Miller sought to reassure Indian nationals on Wednesday that it is safe to travel to the country even as a leader of the Sikh separatist movement banned in India has announced plans for rallies in Canadian cities on Monday that seek the closing of New Delhi's diplomatic missions in Toronto, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

"Look, I think everyone knows Canada is a safe country and given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations that  it's important for everyone to stay calm," The Canadian Press quoted Miller as saying.

"Canada by any standard is one of the safest if not the safest countries in the world that is governed by the rule of law. So, I think people should read that statement for what it is," Miller said.

He acknowledged that Canadian allegations of the "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist have heightened tensions with the Indian government.

"Given what the Prime Minister has said quite clearly to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, the allegations are very serious, and these are discussions that have to continue with India," he said.

"At the same time, emotions are running high, and we've asked everyone just to stay calm given the seriousness of the allegations," he added.

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser said that he would not comment on the specifics of the probe into Nijjar's death because he does not want to compromise any investigations.

He said Canadians should have faith in the security services' ability to investigate the death.

"It's important that if we believe in justice ... we believe in the process that gets us there," the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation quoted Fraser as saying.

"I am sure there are good reasons not to share details that may ground such extraordinary allegations because protecting the process of getting to a just result is extremely important," Fraser said.

"We are a country that was built on migration. If you're not from an indigenous community, you came from somewhere else, and I can tell you right now the people I'm talking to here, they don't want to see divisions based on whether you are Sikh, Hindu or Muslim. They want to come together as Canadians and promote peaceful dialogue, even in the most difficult conversations," he said.

"This is obviously a tragedy that played out. The allegations are extremely serious. And we're going to treat them seriously. We're always concerned about the safety and well-being of Canadians. There are no specific threats that I'm aware of currently that are tied to foreign officials. But from a public safety point of view, we want to always protect the safety and well-being of Canadians whether their family has been here for generations or whether they arrived last month," he added.

The MEA on Tuesday trashed Trudeau's 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 India's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday called on Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi and informed him of the state's inability to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order of releasing 5,000 cusecs of water per day till September 28 to Tamil Nadu, citing a drought-like situation.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar meet Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to discuss the dispute over sharing Cauvery river water, in New Delhi, September 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The meeting came in the backdrop of protests by farmers bodies against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directing the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

During the meeting, the deputy CM also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to resolve this matter by convening a meeting of four states -- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

Bharatiya Janata Party MPs, including Union ministers Shobha Karanlaje, Bhagawanth Khuba and A Narayanswamy as well as state Congress ministers, were present in the meeting.

"All MPs have supported and the jal shakti minister has assured justice will be given to the state. He has asked the state officials to provide the facts and they (Centre) are also waiting for the Supreme Court decision," Shivakumar told reporters after the meeting.

During the meeting, the minister informed that farmers and various organisations are protesting against the release of water to the neighbouring state.

Karnataka is facing water shortage due to lack of monsoon rainfall. The state needs more than 106 TMC of water for not only drinking but for irrigation and industries. However, there is only 51 TMC of water in four reservoirs at present. The inflow of water is reducing day-by-day. The state has lost the kharif crop and it will be a difficult situation for the rabi crops as well, he said.

Shivakumar further said that the state government was able to comply with earlier orders issued by the CWMA. The latest one issued on September 18 is not possible to comply.

However, the state government is releasing about 4,000 cusecs of water per day to the neighbouring state, he said.

"Though Tamil Nadu is aware of the distressing situation, I think they have used the opportunity to have more crops. But we don't want to intervene on that issue. We feel that Karnataka is facing a lot of problems," he added.

Shivakumar informed the central minister that the state in August faced a rainfall shortage for the first time in 123 years. In times of distress, there is no formula to decide how much water is to be released for Tamil Nadu.

On Wednesday, the state government had held a meeting with all MPs of Karnataka and sought their support on this issue.
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directing the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Prashant Kumar Mishra said it is not inclined to entertain the plea of Tamil Nadu in which it has challenged the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) upholding the order of the Committee on grounds that it is facing a drought-like situation due to deficit in rainfall.

The bench said expert bodies like the CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) have considered all relevant aspects like drought and deficit rainfall and passed the order and, therefore, it is not inclined to interfere with the order directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water.

Meanwhile, protests erupted in various parts of Cauvery river basin districts of Karnataka after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, directing the state to release 5,000 cusecs of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Farmers organisations and pro-Kannada organisations staged protests in Mysuru, Mandya, Bengaluru and other parts expressing their anger and urging the state government not to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene (farmers organisation) staged a protest at Basaveshwara circle in Mysuru, and raised slogans: "Where is water to release? And we demand justice."

They have also planned to lay siege to the Command Area Development Authority office in Mysuru, as a mark of protest.

Pointing out that Cauvery and Kabini basin taluks have already been declared as drought hit, a farmer leader alleged, CWMA orders are in favour of Tamil Nadu as it is without taking into account the water level at reservoirs, standing crops and drinking water needs of Karnataka.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest at Gandhinagar, urging the state government not to release water to Tamil Nadu at any cost.

Vedike chief T A Narayana Gowda, terming it as a "black day" for Karnataka, said, "the Supreme Court has shut its door on us, by upholding the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order."

"We have to defy the orders of the Supreme Court and the CWMA, when the orders have come without understanding the ground situation. We (Karnataka) have said that we are not in a position to release water as there is no water in our four dams even for drinking and have asked them to send a team to assess the situation, despite that CWMA sitting in Delhi has issued an order, which has been upheld by SC, it cannot be tolerated," he said.

Gowda and scores of Vedike activists were detained and taken away in police vehicles.

Urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take a strong decision in the interests of the state and not to release water, he said, "all the activists and people are ready to go with him to jail for defying orders. Siddaramaiah has to do what (S) Bangarappa (former CM) did in the past by bringing in an ordinance to defy the orders."

BJP leader and former Minister R Ashoka accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is Water Resources Minister, of betraying the people of Karnataka to protect the political interests of the Congress party.

"They (Congress) want (M K) Stalin's (TN CM) cooperation for Parliamentary elections, so they released water betraying the people of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar neither spoke to the Tamil Nadu government to resolve the issue or made any statement against them," he said, adding, the state government was "negligent" on the Cauvery issue and only took action after Tamil Nadu did.

Holding the Congress government in the state responsible for Karnataka failing on the Cauvery issue, he said the BJP will protest against it and urge the administration to protect the state's interest.

The CWMA on Monday asked Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days after the CWRC last week made such a recommendation.

Karnataka has been maintaining that it is not in a position to release water to Tamil Nadu taking into account its needs like drinking water and standing crops in the Cauvery basin areas, citing scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.
The spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson, on Wednesday rejected reports of the United States rebuffing Canada after the latter accused the Indian government for its role in assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

IMAGE: United States President Joe Biden with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Photograph: ANI Photo

Watson said they are "coordinating and consulting" with Canada and also "engaging" with the Indian government.

Watson made the statement in response to reports in the American media that Washington has distanced itself from Canada's allegation about New Delhi's involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani leader in India.

The report highlighted the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration as it seeks to maintain strong relations with both India and Canada.

In a post shared on X, Adrienne Watson stated, "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."

Earlier, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said "serious allegations" were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Nijjar, adding that the US wanted the matter handled in a "transparent" way.

In an interview with CBS News, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation.

"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 in the interview.

Weeks before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Nijjar, officials in the country sought public condemnation of the murder from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported.

The alleged assassination of Nijjar led to behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials from the 'Five Eyes' countries in the weeks leading up to the G20 Summit in Delhi, the report said. However, no public mention was made before the summit.

'Five Eyes' is a security alliance of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US.

Bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit a sharp downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)  a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a designated terrorist was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada's Surrey in June 2018.

India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them "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," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

"Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the MEA added in its statement.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law," it added.

India on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat in light of the claim of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of the wanted separatist leader.

The MEA said that the Canadian diplomat was asked to leave India within the next five days.

"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 MEA stated.

"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," it added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will take part in discussions on Karabakh at the UN Security Council today, Trend reports.

A meeting of the UN General Assembly is taking place these days. Heads of delegations of countries visiting the United States take part in meetings of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

The meeting will begin at 23:00 (GMT+4) Baku time.

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 completed the set tasks.
Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infections and is in talks with Serum Institute of India, report Shine Jacob and Sohini Das.

IMAGE: Members of the central team visit a private hospital to assess the Nipah virus situation in Kozhikode, Kerala, September 16, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

India may not immediately import an antibody from Australia to combat the Nipah virus as the affected patients in Kerala are out of danger.

However, the government and the Indian Council of Medical Research are in talks with the Serum Institute of India for local manufacturing.

Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies -- that are used on compassionate grounds -- for treating Nipah virus infections.

Serum Institute of India, the worlds biggest vaccine maker, did not comment on the development.

Kerala health minister Veena George has expressed relief with no second wave being reported in the state so far and situation under control.

Moreover, 136 samples were tested negative so far and around 1,200 people are being closely monitored.

Kerala has so far confirmed six cases of Nipah infection since the latest outbreak in the Kozhikode district, which caused two deaths.

All the existing patients were said to be safe, including a child who was complaining of severe symptoms till Saturday (September 16).

On September 13, the state government sought the import of 50 doses of the antibodies.

Following this, the ICMR was planning to import at least 20 doses initially.

The drug, m102.4, was initially developed for treating Hendra virus, also a rare zoonotic disease, in Australia.

As in Nipah, fruit bats are considered to be the natural hosts for the Hendra virus as well.

The antibody is still referred to by a number and not a name, as clinical trials are yet to be completed and it is not an approved therapy for Nipah infections.

The government may not opt for immediate imports, as it will be having the option to do so within 24 hours of an emergency, said a source aware about the development.

This also takes into account the fact that the longest stability data for the antibody was 63 weeks and all of the 20 doses imported during the 2018 outbreak went to waste.

In 2018, the antibody  a non-patented drug developed by Christopher C Broder from Australia  was imported for compassionate use from the University of Queensland.

According to sources, talks are ongoing between the governments of India and Australia and also a consortium of manufacturing companies in that country.

Repeated Nipah outbreaks in Kerala -- in May 2018, June 2019, September 2021 and September 2023 -- are turning out to be a concern for the country.

As a result, the government is already in talks with SII to produce m102.4 domestically for possible emergencies.

The antibody was found to be effective in vitro (in cells or microorganisms placed in a test tube or culture dish).

According to experts, not importing the antibody may mean a loss of chance for the Indian government to conduct phase 1 trials.

In 2018, we were trying to do a phase 1 trial also. However, the outbreak was over by May and we got the MAB on June 4. Hence, the trials did not happen. We even had a protocol in place for phase 1 trials, said Raman Gangakhedkar, former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases, ICMR.

There is no effective treatment for Nipah infections.

The monoclonal antibody from Australia has been used on some individuals around the world.

There has been no large-scale clinical trial so far.

In a small phase 1 trial, the antibody was found to be safe. Therefore, experts felt the need for bigger trials before India could consider domestic manufacturing of the biological product.

The choice of different treatment options for the Nipah virus is necessitated by its high mortality rate -- around 40 to 75 per cent.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed sharp exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches during a discussion on Chandrayaan-3's success with INDIA bloc members asserting the mission was not the result of one particular individual's efforts but of continuity in national governance and the Bharatiya Janata Party hitting back, accusing them of indulging in "Nehru bhajan".

IMAGE: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya speaks in the Lok Sabha during the special session of Parliament, in New Delhi, September 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

During the day-long debate, the lines between science and religion often got blurred with many invoking religious texts and the contribution of 'rishi munis' to highlight India's tryst with the extra-terrestrial world.

However, opposition members stressed on encouraging scientific temper and keeping religion and science separate.

Initiating a discussion on the success of the mission and other achievements in the space sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said of the 424 foreign satellites launched by India so far, 389 have been done in the last nine years of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said with the successful launch of foreign satellites, India's space sector is rapidly gaining a prominent place in the world.

"This special session of Parliament is dedicated to the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. In such a situation, I consider the bill as a gift presented by a grateful nation to the women scientists of ISRO, and along with them the entire female scientific community of India," he said.

"Science is value neutral. It can give us knowledge of nuclear power, but it is our culture which tells us whether we use that power in the form of energy for our own development or in the form of a weapon to destroy others," he said.

He said it doesn't matter how much progress science makes, it will remain incomplete without culture and values.

He said that due to the foreign invaders, there was a halt in the progress, but now once again it is roaring with more strength than before.

The defence minister stressed the importance of cultural security, describing it as equally important to border, space, cyber, economic, social, food, energy and environmental security.

"No nation has made economic, social, political and scientific progress without cultural renaissance," he said, adding that to take the nation forward, it is imperative to learn from India's own culture.

Singh said India's faith and culture is of inclusive nature and its cultural nationalism teaches everyone the concept of brotherhood of all humanity.

Responding to the discussion, Union minister Jitendra Singh said Indian Space Research Organisation scientists are eagerly waiting for the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan-3 to wake up from their 14-day sleep during the lunar night.

After the minister spoke, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said one should not confuse science with superstition.

He said the government was crediting Modi for every achievement.

Hitting back, minister Singh said it should be counted how many times he took the name of the prime minister and how many times the opposition members took the name of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the landing of a spacecraft on moon was the culmination of the efforts put in by all governments over the past six decades, starting from the days of Nehru.

He said today some in the government seek to make this rare moment to bask in glory and "polarise" the country by speaking as if all space endeavours only began in 2014.

"The truth is, our space success are consequence of continuity in national governance and what has been achieved today stands on the shoulders of many past achievements... This is the achievement of successive years of making the right governance choices," the Congress member said.

The Chandrayaan-3 triumph is that of across the political divide and it does not belong to any one person or one party, he said, adding, "Who can deny India owes its remarkable progress in space exploration in large part to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's dedication to developing a scientific temper among Indian people."

Hitting out at the opposition for "indulging in Nehru bhajan" instead of "ISRO bhajan", Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya said the reality is that most of the scientific institutions were started by people in pre-independence period and former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had no role in it.

He said Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar established the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1942.

"What role did Nehru play - in one of the meetings, Pandit Nehru said 'the members of the governing body will appreciate that it is difficult for me to devote much time to many aspects of the work of the Council.... For the present, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee will, however, look after the day-to-day routine work of the Council'," Surya said.

He claimed it was Mookerjee, the founder of Jana Sangh, under whom the country's earliest scientific establishments were strengthened.

"The opposition indulged in 'Nehru bhajan' since morning instead of ISRO bhajan. An impression is being given that every scientific achievement is credited to Nehru but the reality is far from that...most of the scientific institutions were started by people in pre-independence period when Nehru had no role in it," he said.

Surya said it was former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who approved Chandrayaan-1 in 2003 but the Congress-led UPA government named the Moon Impact Probe of the Chandrayaan-1 as Jawahar point even though Nehru had no role in the Chandrayaan mission.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's A Raja asked the government not to give any "unscientific colour" to the Chandrayaan mission and said the effects of India's growing scientific prowess should percolate down to society.

Raja said India is among the top four superpowers in the world after the US, Russia and China, and added that till 1950, the universe and the galaxy were treated as "riddle".

"By putting the Chandrayaan in the correct orbit the mythological illusion has been removed and that is the success of Dravidian concept," Raja said.

"I plead the government do not give any unscientific colour to Chandrayaan. America, the erstwhile USSR and China did not do that. Please put Vikram Sarabhai's name for Chandrayaan 3," Raja said.

Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the lunar south pole on August 23, propelling India to an exclusive club of four and making it the first country to land on the uncharted surface.

Raja said, "I feel that on one side you are sending Chandrayaan to the space and (on other side) your heart and brain going down somewhere else. It is contradiction.... On one side the prime minister was jubilant for Chandrayaan-3 and on the other he was very proud to launch Vishwakarma scheme."

He said the PM Vishwakarma scheme encourage people engaged in traditional craftsmanships, like barbers and goldsmiths, to remain in those professions only.

BJP member Nishikant Dubey, however, took objections to Raja's speech saying that Article 25 of the Constitution allows everyone to follow any religion of choice and no person can question their religious belief.

"But he (Raja) is attacking us. We follow Sanatan Dharma and we are Hindu, and you have no right to attack us," Dubey said.

Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings of the House, cautioned Raja and asked him to be careful in his remarks.

"Sometimes mythology and history are mixed. They cannot be separated altogether. In our country it is a tradition to tell history through mythology," Agrawal said.

Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy said Chandrayaan-3 is not the result of one particular individual's efforts but of 50 years of scientific work done by hundreds of scientists throughout the country. He credited the likes Nehru, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, ace Indian scientists Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and U R Rao for the advancement of India's space programme, claiming that the BJP had "no role" in it.

"When somebody at the top says that (lord) Ganesh had plastic surgery, I do not accept it. When someone says Kauravas were born due to IVF, I do not accept this. In Ramayana, the pushpak rath was a discovery by Indians, I don't accept it. I only accept what is proved by science," he said.

Shiv Sena's Prataprao Jadhav said Modi's tenure has put the country at the forefront of scientific accomplishments.

He said the creation, protection and destruction of 'Brahmand' (universe) is in the hands of "Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh", some call them God.

"While giving credit to the scientists, I would also like to credit our rishi-munis who wrote our religious texts and thousands of years ago, made a mention of all these things," he said.

Janata Dal-United's Dileshwar Kamait, BJD's Achyutananda Samanta, BSP's Ram Shiromani Verma, BRS' Kotha Prabhakar Reddyalso lauded the efforts of scientists.

Rashtriya Lok Jan Shakti Party leader Prince Raj hit out at the opposition, alleging that they were trying to take credit for Chandrayaan-3.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "I completely understand our heritage and history has been very closely associated with science and with astronomy. We need to do research, test and go back to our roots to find out where did we lose this science which we had."

BJP MP Jayant Sinha, meanwhile, contended that science and 'sanskar' (culture) go together for Indians, and there is no contradiction.

He also mentioned the contribution of Nehru in starting the ISRO, and added that Modi has doubled ISRO's budget in the last nine years.

National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi stressed that while it was a great success, India should not forget the real issues such as bridging the healthcare gaps.

"We should not hide behind praise and forget the real issues," he said.
As its diplomatic row with Canada escalates over the killing of a Khalistani separatist, India has apprised its key Western partners and friends about its concerns over increasing activities of anti-India elements from Canadian soil, sources said on Thursday.

IMAGE: MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

Separately, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Canada has not provided to India any specific information on the case relating to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"No specific information has been shared (with us) by Canada in this case. We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us (in this case)," he said at a media briefing.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in June on Canadian soil.

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.

"We have been engaged with our partners on various issues, including this one. We have been discussing it. We have conveyed our position on how we see this development," Bagchi said.

He was asked whether India has apprised its close partners about its diplomatic row with Canada.

It is learnt that New Delhi has reached out to Australia, the UK and the US among others and conveyed its concerns over increasing activities of anti-India elements in Canada.

The sources cited above also said that India has apprised its view to its key friends and partners about its overall position on the diplomatic row with Canada.

Asked about Canada's concerns over security of its missions in India in view of the rising diplomatic tensions, Bagchi said New Delhi takes its obligations very seriously.

"We will certainly provide all security to foreign diplomats in India. We also expect Canadian authorities to show similar sensitivity to our diplomats in Canada," he said.
The tourism industry expects a short-term impact, as it is counting on the state's proven expertise in managing such crises.

IMAGE: A lady at the Ernakulam Medical College in Kochi wears a mask in the wake of the Nipah outbreak in Kerala. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kerala's tourism industry is staring at significant losses ahead of the peak season as a result of the fresh outbreak of Nipah virus in the state.

Last-minute trip cancellations in the affected areas have already shot up to 30 per cent.

If the situation worsens and foreign countries impose travel restrictions and tighter visa regulations, it may deal a bigger blow to the state that has a diaspora of over four million living overseas.

The tourism industry expects a short-term impact, as it is counting on the state's proven expertise in managing such crises.

IMAGE: Hospital staff wear masks in the wake of the Nipah outbreak in Kerala. Photograph: ANI Photo

Teams from the National Institute of Virology, Pune have arrived in Kerala to set up a mobile lab at the Kozhikode Medical College to test individuals and carry out a survey of bats.

Responding to a query in the state assembly, Health Minister Veena George said the virus seen in Kerala was a Bangladesh variant that spreads from human to human and has a high mortality rate, though it isn't highly infectious.

Kerala's tourism sector has been on a steady path to recovery this year after the decline in the pandemic years.

In the first half of 2023, Kerala welcomed around 10.68 million domestic tourists, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to the 8.89 million in 2022, according to data released by the state government.

In 2023, the number of foreign tourists also witnessed a 172 per cent surge with a total of 287,730.

In 2022, the state enjoyed a 186 per cent boost in tourism revenue, raking in Rs 35,168 crore (Rs 351.68 billion), as compared to Rs 12,286 crore (Rs 122.86 billion) in 2021.

Hotels in Kozhikode have reported a 30 per cent jump in booking cancellations, says Santhosh Kumar U S, district secretary, Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association.

He, however, adds that the figure was much lower than the 80-90 per cent cancellation witnessed during the 2018 outbreak of the zoonotic virus, which impacted the industry for nearly a month.

"Given the ability of the government's health infrastructure to manage this crisis and the global and domestic awareness after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are confident of navigating through this challenging period," Kumar tells Business Standard.

According to the ministry of tourism, Kerala hosted only 350,000 or around 4 per cent of the overall number of foreigners who visited India in 2022, comparing poorly against states such as Gujarat (21 per cent), Maharashtra (18 per cent) and West Bengal (12 per cent).

Other states that are ahead of Kerala in attracting foreign tourists are Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

Domestic tourists flocking to Kerala in the upcoming festival season was expected to boost the sector.

"We are not expecting any major impact on the industry and manufacturing sector. It may be limited to Kozhikode, unless the Thiruvananthapuram case also gets confirmed," says Raja Sethunath, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India's Kerala state development council.

IMAGE: Hospital staff outside an isolation ward at the Ernakulam Medical College. Photograph: ANI Photo

The state government has declared seven village panchayats -- Atanchery, Maruthonkara, Tiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Kayakkodi, Villyapalli, and Kavilumpara -- in Kozhikode district as containment zones.

So far, around 130 people have been tested for the virus, while more than 200 people who came in contact with suspected patients are being monitored closely.

"We are expecting some last-minute cancellations. However, there is no panic among travellers so far," says Abdul Nazir M M, a member of the Tour Operators Association in Kerala.

"The state government is taking all the precautions and we are following them."

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
A watershed bill to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women received the Parliamentary nod on Thursday as the Rajya Sabha voted unanimously in favour of it.

IMAGE: Voting on women's reservation bill underway in Rajya Sabha, during special session of Parliament, in New Delhi, September 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Unlike the Lok Sabha, where two of the 456 MPs present in the House had voted against the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, all the 214 lawmakers present in the Rajya Sabha voted in its favour on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the MPs for supporting the legislation. "This spirit that has been created will create a new self-confidence among the people of the country and all MPs and political parties have played a very important role in it," he said.

The 128th Constitution amendment bill, referred to as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will now require the approval of a majority of state assemblies. It will be implemented after a delimitation exercise to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on census which the government has said will be commissioned next year.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "A milestone in the nation's journey towards empowering Nari Shakti! Following extensive discussion with participation of members across political parties, #RajyaSabha unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam."

While members cutting across party lines supported the bill, many wanted to know the timeline for its implementation.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, however, said none should have any doubt on its implementation as "Modi hai to Mumkain Hai (Modi makes it possible)".

The bill was passed after several amendments including ones for giving Other Backward Classes reservation within the 33 per cent quota were rejected.

The reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be both horizontal and vertical, applying to the SC-ST categories.

Meghwal questioned the "sudden found love" of the Congress and other parties "for OBCs", saying their demand just reflected their political compulsion. He said the Congress had not fulfilled Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's desire for a commission on backward classes.

Women constitute nearly half of the country's 95 crore registered voters but comprise only 15 per cent of lawmakers in Parliament and 10 per cent in state assemblies.

The law minister, while replying to the debate in the Upper House, said census is not a simple exercise of headcount as it involved collection of data related to various social and economic parameters. He assured the House the government is committed to the implement of the women's reservation bill and there is need to cast any apprehension.

Intervening in the nearly 11-hour debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said census couldn't happen in 2021 because of the Covid pandemic and would be taken up soon after the 2024 general elections.

On why the government has convened a special session of Parliament, Sitharaman said, "We have come into a new complex, new building for Parliament, new India. We would like this Parliament to deal with one of the best bills that it can deal with."

The 33 per cent reservation for women will not apply to the Upper House of Parliament and state legislative councils.

Responding to the "well-meaning" suggestion for reservation for women in the Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils as well, she said it would not be workable because the members are elected through indirect elections.

"What this bill provides for is reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha. I have heard some members saying that reservation should also be given in Upper House (Rajya Sabha). With the indirect election process and the way in which preferences (are) shown in the voting, it's just not going to be possible to do any reservation," she said

Supporting the bill, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought know the timeline for implementation of the proposed law and also demanded the reservations for OBCs. He asked the government to bring amendments to this effect in the next session and assured the Congress party's support.

He also said the government should have implemented the bill immediately like it did in case of demonitisation of high currency notes within few hours notice and passed three farm laws.

Kharge said the Congress party is supporting this Bill, but this law should not become another "jumla" like the promise of two crore jobs per year and the "deposit of Rs 15 lakh in bank account of every citizen".

After passage of the Bill, PM in a post on X, said, "A defining moment in our nation's democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians."

He thanked all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and said such unanimous support is indeed gladdening.

"With the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament, we usher in an era of stronger representation and empowerment for the women of India. This is not merely a legislation; it is a tribute to the countless women who have made our nation. India has been enriched by their resilience and contributions," Modi said.

This historic step is a commitment to ensuring their voices are heard even more effectively, the prime minister said.

Later, the prime minister posed for a photograph with women lawmakers, many of whom distributed sweets to celebrate the passage of the bill. Many women members also praised the prime minister for his decisive leadership in the passage of the bill.

Productivity of the Lok Sabha was more than 160 per cent during the four-day special session.

Both the Houses were adjourned sine die after the passage of the bill.
The Rajasthan police has booked the state's revenue minister Ramlal Jat following accusations that he took illegal possession of a granite mine in Bhilwara district, threatening the man who claims to be rightful owner.

IMAGE: RAjasthan revenue minister Ramlal Jat. Photograph: Courtesy Ramlal Jat on X

The case was registered against the minister and four others earlier this week on the orders of the high court, after the local police allegedly did not act on the complaint filed with them.

A day after case was filed, Kareda station house officer Om Prakash was removed from his post.

The matter is now being probed by the state CID, Asind deputy superintendent of police Yogesh Sharma said.

Jat, who represents the Mandal assembly constituency in Bhilwara, faces charges under Indian Penal Code sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 384 (extortion), 379 (theft) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

The minister was not available for comment.

According to the FIR, complainant Parmeshwar Joshi got the site in Raghunathpura village on lease from the state's mining department in 2012.

He was the director and a shareholder in the firm Aravali Granite Private Ltd along with partners Sundar Goyal and Chandrakant Shukla.

Joshi's partners had to pay Rs 10 crore to him under the deal, according to the FIR.

They handed over Rs 5 crore of their shareholding to Joshi and transferred the remaining share of worth Rs 5 crore to Jat. The minister transferred the lease to his relatives and refused to pay up this amount to Joshi.

"The minister said he would not pay more than Rs 2 crore and that too from the earnings from the mine, Joshi said in his complaint.

When the complainant questioned how he could carry out the mining operations without paying for the share he acquired, Jat allegedly threatened to blow up the site.

Joshi alleged that the minister threatened he would make life difficult for him and his family.

The complainant said the minister, his accomplice Mahaveer Chaudhary and eight or 10 others threatened and thrashed his labourers, and sent them away.

In June 2022, the machinery at the mine was also stolen.

Joshi claimed he lodged a complaint with Kareda's SHO, Bhilwara's superintendent of police and Ajmer Range's inspector general of police, but they did not act on it. He then moved court.

Besides the minister, the others named in the FIR are Puranmal Gurjar, Mahipal Singh, Suraj Jat and Mahaveer Chaudhary.
The Manipur police on Thursday said search operations have been conducted by security forces in various districts, and arms and ammunition, including mortar shells, were recovered.

IMAGE: A member of Joint Delhi Tribal Student's Forum holds a placard stage a protest against 140-days of injustice in Manipur, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, September 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Altogether 127 checkpoints were installed in the valley and hill districts of the northeastern state, and 873 people were detained on Wednesday for violation of rules.

"Search operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts in which one arm, two local pumpi guns, 50 ammunition and eight explosives were recovered from Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts," the police said on X, formerly Twitter.

A joint team of Assam Rifles and the state police personnel conducted a search operation at a village in Kangpokpi district, and seized four mortar bombs which were kept hidden in the bushes, they said.

Movement of 182 vehicles along the National Highway-37 and 19 along the NH-2 with essential items has been ensured, the police said.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.

More than 175 people have been killed and several hundreds injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday said Canada was not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India in a raging diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani extremist leader as he urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth".

"We call upon the Government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter," Trudeau said while responding to questions on the diplomatic row between India and Canada.

"We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now," added Trudeau, who is in New York to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

When asked whether his government will take any retaliatory measures following India's suspension of visa services for Canadians, Trudeau said that his government was not looking to provoke or cause problems.

"There is no question that India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with, not just in the region but around the world. We're not looking to provoke or cause problems. But we are unequivocal around the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians.

"That's why we call upon the Government of India, to work with us to establish processes to discover and to uncover the truth of the matter and to allow justice and accountability to be served," he said.

Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau's explosive allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on his country's soil on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India angrily 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.

"I'm saying and repeating what I said on Monday afternoon. Of course, there are credible allegations that we need to take extremely seriously...," Trudeau asserted when asked if the evidence suggested by him in the matter was extensive.

"We have a rigorous and independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course. We call upon the Government of India to engage with us to move forward on getting to the truth of this matter," he said.

Responding to another question, Trudeau said he had "a direct and frank conversation" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the New Delhi G20 summit on September 10 in which he shared his "concerns in no uncertain terms."

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) earlier this week said that allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister to Prime Minister Modi were completely rejected.

Responding to another question, Trudeau said it's extremely important that as a country with a strong and independent justice system, we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity.

"The decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons Monday morning was not done lightly. It was done with utmost seriousness..," Trudeau said.

"As a country with a rule of law, we have an obligation to ensure that those processes unfold in a rigorous and independent manner and that is what we are ensuring. At the same time we are ensuring that Canadians stay protected and that we stand up for the international rules based order. That is something that we are doing...," he said.

When asked whether he was concerned that Canadian allies have not gone nearly as far as him on the issue, Trudeau said, "We're standing up for the rules-based order. We're standing up for the rule of law. We're highlighting how unacceptable it would be for any country to be involved in the killing of a citizen on their home soil."

On Thursday, India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians, as escalating tensions between the two nations over the killing of Nijjar pushed their ties to an all-time low.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.
India on Thursday announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of "security threats" faced by its high commission and consulates in Canada, amid an escalating diplomatic row over Ottawa's allegations relating to the killing of a Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil.

IMAGE: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India, February 23, 2018. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the decision will include Canadian visa applicants in third countries even as he asserted Canada must act against the pro-Khalistani elements operating from its territory.

India is temporarily unable to process visa applications from Canada because of the "security threats" faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada, Bagchi said at a media briefing.

"You are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. It has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications," he said.

Bagchi said the situation will be reviewed regularly.

He said all categories of visas have been suspended.

"The issue is not about travel to India. Those who have valid visas and documents like OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards are free to travel to India," Bagchi said.

"The issue is the incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates. That's making us temporarily stop the issuance of visas or providing visa services," he said.

"We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis," Bagchi said.

Earlier in the day, a private agency hired by India to carry out the initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians put out a note on its website on suspension of visa services due to "operational reasons". However, the note was withdrawn within hours and then again it was put up online.

The agency, BLS International, also informed the stock exchanges that it had suspended India visa services in Canada with immediate effect.

India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

The row erupted following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing.

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.

In reflection of hardening of its position, India on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes as well as "criminal violence" in that country.

At the media briefing, Bagchi also said that there was a degree of "prejudice" in Trudeau's allegations against.

He said Canada did not share any specific information with India on the case.

India-Canada ties were reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of the increasing activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not respond to questions about India rejecting allegations made by him in Parliament about India's involvement in the killing of a prominent Khalistani separatist leader.

Trudeau was in the United Nations Headquarters to attend the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

On Wednesday, he spoke at the Climate Ambition Summit, the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine and at the Global Carbon Pricing event at an especially constructed SDG Pavilion in the UN premises.

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.

Trudeau has made allegations in the Canadian Parliament 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).

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.

Bilateral ties between India and Canada have been tense in recent months. Trade talks have been derailed and Canada just cancelled trade talks.

Amid the growing diplomatic row between the two countries, India on Wednesday advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in the North American country.

In a strongly-worded advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi 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.

Canada's Immigration Minister Marc Miller sought to reassure Indian nationals on Wednesday that it is safe to travel to the country even as a leader of the Sikh separatist movement banned in India has announced plans for rallies in Canadian cities on Monday that seek the closing of New Delhi's diplomatic missions here, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has announced plans to launch of a daily service to Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, becoming the first carrier to connect these popular destinations from the UAE.

Flights to Penang International Airport (PEN) and Langkawi International Airport (LGK) will start from February 10, 2024. Flights to Langkawi will operate via a short stop in Penang, offering passengers from the UAE and the region convenient travel options via Dubais aviation hub, the airline said.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: We are pleased to see our presence in Southeast Asia grow with the launch of operations to Langkawi and Penang. Flights from the UAE to these popular holiday destinations are vital for tourism and business connectivity. These destinations in Malaysia offer cultural diversity, leisure activities and investment opportunities. Our new flights will be popular for passengers not only from the UAE, but from the GCC and the European markets as well.

With the launch of flights to Langkawi and Penang, flydubai expands its footprint in Southeast Asia to four destinations including its operations to Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand.

flydubai will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the Malaysian routes, featuring lie-flat seats in Business Class and the added comfort and enjoyable travel experience in Economy Class.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: Malaysia is an extremely important market for flydubai and we are pleased to see these flights become a reality. The daily service will prove popular for our passengers from around the network and will provide passengers from Malaysia with convenient options to travel to Dubai and beyond whether they are travelling for business, leisure or to visit family and friends.

The flights will operate daily from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) to Penang International Airport (PEN) and Langkawi International Airport (LGK). Return Business Class fares from DXB to PEN start from AED11,000 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED2,700. Return Business Class fares from DXB to LGK start from AED11,000 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED3,500.

Both Langkawi and Penang offer a diverse range of experiences, catering to beach lovers, adventure enthusiasts and foodies alike, making them top picks for tourists exploring Southeast Asia.

Langkawi is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests and stunning geological formations. Visitors can enjoy activities such as island hopping, cable car rides to the Sky Bridge and exploring the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. The duty-free status of the island also makes it a shopping haven.

flydubai recently announced the launch of operations to three new destinations. Its daily service to Cairo commences on October 28; Poznan, its third destination in Poland, commences on October 29; and Mombasa is scheduled to join its network from January 17, 2024. -TradeArabia News Service
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has taken part in a reception organized by US President Joe Biden as part of the High-level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

As part of the reception, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister has met with US President Joe Biden, the Azerbaijani MFA said on its page on X (Twitter).

Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will take part in discussions on Karabakh in the UN Security Council. The meeting will begin at 23:00 (GMT+4).
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during his visit to India for the G20 Summit, refused to stay at the presidential suite, and stayed at a regular room in the same hotel, informed sources.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Canadian PM Justin Trudeau during G20 Summit, in New Delhi, September 10, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Notably, presidential suites are specially designed by Indian security agencies as per security protocols.

Trudeau stayed at the Lalit Hotel in the national capital during his stay for the G20 Summit.

However, despite being offered a presidential suite, his delegation refused to stay there and instead stayed at a regular room in the same hotel, sources said.

Every global leader who had come to India for the G20 was provided VVIP hotels with the presidential suite, with complete security protocols.

According to sources, Trudeaus delegation told Indian security agencies that this decision is being taken due to cost considerations.

However, the Indian agencies have said that there is no information about the exact reason behind Trudeau's staying in a normal room.

Notably, this was not the only irregular episode from Trudeaus visit to India.

The Canadian PM was scheduled to depart from India on September 10, however, he had to extend his stay after a technical snag on his Airbus plane.

According to sources, the Indian side had offered services of aircraft 'Air India One' to Canadian PM Trudeau and his delegation to fly back, after coming to know about the delay in the departure of the Canadian PM and accompanying delegation due to the glitch in their special aircraft.

However, the Canadian side declined the offer and instead chose to wait for the backup aircraft, sources said.

Finally, Trudeau was able to depart from India only on September 12.

Meanwhile, the tensions between India and Canada heightened on Monday, after Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India.

This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country.

India rejected the allegations made by Canada, dubbing them as "absurd" and "motivated" and in a reciprocal move also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country on Tuesday.

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.
The US on Thursday said it supports Canada's efforts to investigate allegations of India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Surrey.

IMAGE: US national security advisor Jake Sullivan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force 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. New Delhi outrightly rejected the claims 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.

"As soon as we heard from the Canadian Prime Minister publicly about the allegations, we went out publicly ourselves and expressed our deep concern about them, our support for a law enforcement process to get to the bottom of exactly what happened, and to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable," national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at a White House news conference.

"I'm not going to get into the substance of private diplomatic conversations, but we are in constant contact with our Canadian counterparts. We are consulting with them closely. We support the efforts that they are undertaking in this investigation and we have also been in touch with the Indian government as well," he said in response to a question.

Sullivan "firmly" rejected the idea of a wedge between the US and Canada on this issue as indicated by a section of the media.

"We have deep concerns about the allegations and we would like to see this investigation carried forward and the perpetrators held to account. That is what the US has stood for from the moment this emerged in public and we will continue to stand for that until this fully plays its way out," he said.

Refusing to respond to questions on the evidence of Canadian allegations, Sullivan said he is not going to speak to either intelligence or law enforcement matters from this podium.

"I will let that process play out. We are in, as I said before, continuous communication and consultation with the Canadian government and we will remain so as we go forward," he said.

Sullivan also refused to respond to a question on a potential visit of President Joe Biden to India in January.

"I do not have anything to announce about travel by the president to India in January or at any other time today," he said.

On Thursday, India asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians, as escalating tensions between the two nations over the killing of Nijjar pushed their ties to an all-time low.

India also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.
'You know the kind of force involved in all of this. They are not good for the country where all of this will happen.'

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Finace Minister Nirmala Sitharaman watch Prime Minister Narendra D Modi announce the adoption of the G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration, September 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

I came to know about External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's visit to Thiruvananthapuram only two days before he arrived. So I did not have much hope when I contacted him to request an interview.

I was delighted when his office asked for a suitable time.

When I thanked him for agreeing to the interview, he charmingly said he could not have said no to me.

He was referring to the fact that I had worked with him, his father K Subrahmanyam and then his son Dhruv Jaishankar at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.

The buzz even when he came to Thiruvananthapuram a few months ago was that he could be the BJP candidate from the Lok Sabha constituency in 2024.

The Asianet news team repeatedly asked me to ask him about his plans for the next election.

Though I told them that he would not say anything unless a decision was formally taken, I referred to his two visits to Kerala and asked whether it carried a political message.

The EAM smiled and said he liked Kerala very much and welcomed every opportunity to come here.

He added that he had good friends here like me who mentored him for a long time, giving a hint of a possibility of his being considered for Thiruvananthapuram.

My first question was about the way India took the responsibility as the president of the G20 a year ago, set its agenda and held more than a hundred meetings in 60 cities and played a leading role at the Summit last fortnight.

The EAM said that India took diplomacy out of the conference halls and took it to the people and also showcased India to the world.

When I said India had actually reformed multilateralism in effect and created a new model for the world, he observed that my observation was insightful.

Speaking of the emerging new world, the EAM said that the West was not the "bad guy" as it was not flooding Asian and African markets with goods on a massive scale and that there was a need to get over the "syndrome" of seeing it in a negative way.

He also made it clear that he was not batting for the West.

"It is not the West which is flooding Asia and Africa with goods on a massive scale. I think we need to get over the syndrome of the past that the West is the bad guy and on the other side are the developing countries. The world is more complicated, the problems are much more complicated than that," he said.

On being asked whether Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi because China did not want to be seen as accepting India as a leader of the Global South, the EAM said the reasons were up for speculation.

The issue today, he said, was the building up of a strong sense of the inequities of globalisation where countries saw their products, manufacturing and employment come under stress due to their markets being flooded by cheap goods -- an indirect reference to Chinese trade and economic policies.

This underlying resentment and pain of those countries regarding the global economy was building up for the last 15-20 years, the EAM noted, and the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict had resulted in prices of energy and food items going up.

So there was a sense of anger building up in countries about them being used as an extractive resource to fuel the economy of another nation and added that the West was not to be blamed for that.

He made it clear that in today's globalisation there was a concentration of manufacturing that was being leveraged and subsidised and was affecting economies of various nations.

However, India's manufacturing, agriculture, scientific achievement like the Chandrayaan-3 mission, ability to vaccinate, etc all of that has created a sense among the Global South, which includes the African Union, "that one of us has the ability to stand, grow and progress. So they identify with us in a way that they do not with other people."

IMAGE: Dr Jaishankar listens to Modi deliver remarks at Session 3 of the G20 Summit, September 10, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Responding to my questions, he also spoke about the achievements of the G20 Summit under the Indian presidency and the threat posed by the political space given by Canada to the Khalistan group.

The EAM said some of the major achievements of the G20 Summit under the Indian presidency was that India was able to get the influential group of nations back on the track of growth and development and also focus on the Global South initiative.

In addition to that, the country was also able to do diplomacy in a different way and through the summit created a greater interest in the nation about the world.

India, he said, was a different country now with a different level of confidence and a different leadership and the manner in which the G20 was conducted has only benefited the nation.

The summit, the EAM observed, showed that the agenda "does not have to be decided by the West or by the P5 or by a narrow one or two countries" and that India too can shape it.

"By giving a voice of the Global South and bringing 125 nations together, we straightaway shaped the agenda," he said.

At the same time, he said, the Global South was not a new world order or a definition and India was not claiming to be its leader.

"My most truthful answer is that the Global South is not a definition, but a feeling. It is a feeling of solidarity, a willingness to put yourself out," he said, adding that "those who are part of it know it and those who are not also know it".

IMAGE: Dr Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman exchange a view before addressing the media during the G20 Leaders Summit. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

World leaders at the two-day G20 Summit in New Delhi recently had hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'decisive leadership' and for championing the voice of the Global South.

The EAM welcomed the proposed economic corridor with India at one end and Europe at the other and which passes through the Middle East making it easier for people from here to go there for job opportunities.

While speaking about people migrating abroad for jobs, he touched upon the issue of the Khalistan group's activities in Canada and its effect on India's relations with that country.

He said the problem arises when, for whatever reason, such countries give space in their politics for activities of such groups.

There were compulsions in politics, the EAM said, "but everybody, especially in a democracy, must temper that with a larger sense of responsibility to the world as well as a sense of responsibility to their own image and their own well being."

"Forget us for the moment. You know the kind of force involved in all of this. They are not good for the country where all of this will happen. Today it is Canada, it could be something else tomorrow. We are focusing on generating that appreciation," he said.

IMAGE: Dr Jaishankar in conversation with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the President's dinner hosted for G20 leaders and other guests. Photograph: ANI Photo

When I asked how India managed to not get Russia blamed for the Ukraine conflict in the G20 declaration, the EAM said, "Everybody compromised."

"There was a lot of give and take," he added.

What happened at last year's G20 Summit in Bali, where Russia was blamed, he said, could not be repeated in India and at the same time the clock could not be stopped there.

"This is New Delhi. So the New Delhi outcome had to be forged," he said.

At the G20, he said India was able to focus on the Global South in terms of phrases, agenda, outcome and the African Union's membership "for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi really stuck his neck out".

"This is a different country, with a different level of confidence and a different leadership," he said.

IMAGE: Modi waves to the media as he thanks them after the success of the G20 Summit. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo

I questioned the EAM about the complications which are likely to arise on account of Russia and China being a part of the Global South.

The solidarity of the Global South might be in question and China might want to claim the leadership of the Global South, which might become an additional irritant in India- China relations.

His point was that this was an early stage and many countries other than the big powers will develop clout in it.

India, he asserted, had consulted 125 countries, who had pledged support to the concept.

Finally, I said that New Delhi has provided two important bricks to the emerging global order by strengthening ties with the US and by conceptualising and elaborating on the Global South.

Many more bricks were needed to build the new global order.

"They will come," he optimistically replied.

I complimented him for emerging as the authentic voice of India and for interpreting PM Modi's vision and for explaining the rationale of foreign policy the Indian way.

Ambassador T P Sreenivasan is a frequent contributor to Rediff.com.

You can read his earlier columns here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with his counterpart from Poland Zbigniew Rau within the framework of the High-Level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

During the meeting, issues of cooperation between the two countries, as well as the current situation in the region, were discussed.

Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about Azerbaijans anti-terrorist measures against illegal Armenian armed groups, which are one of the biggest obstacles to establishing peace and stability in the region. The minister noted that all necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region. He called groundless the allegations of an alleged humanitarian crisis and blockade in the region, which were made as part of a smear campaign carried out by Armenia to slow down the peace process, as well as the reintegration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijani society, and to mislead the international community.

It was stated that the implementation of the proposal for the simultaneous opening of the Agdam-Khankendi and Lachin-Khankendi roads, which had long been put forward and encouraged by Azerbaijan, shows that in fact it was on the negotiating table from the very beginning, but the Armenian side prevented its implementation.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda Vincent Biruta within the framework of the High-Level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The prospects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.

Jeyhun Bayramov drew attention to the development of Azerbaijans relations with a number of countries in the African region, including Rwanda, especially during the period of its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

In this regard, the possibility of developing cooperation between the two countries, despite their geographical distance from each other, was pointed out, and confidence was expressed that the mechanism of political consultations in this direction could make a positive contribution to this process.

Minister Vincent Biruta noted with satisfaction the experience of Azerbaijan's successful chairmanship of the NAM and important initiatives, in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda and an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of Rwanda on the exemption of holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements were signed during the meeting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. A dialogue with Karabakh Armenians was impossible, while illegal armed forces were present in the region, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said at the UN Security Council meeting, Trend reports.

"Armenia's unfounded attempts to accuse Azerbaijan of violating the Trilateral Declaration by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia dated November 10, 2020, are baseless. Armenia itself has clearly not fulfilled the obligations mentioned in the document regarding the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories," the minister said.

Bayramov pointed out that, over the past three years since the signing of this statement, Armenia has continued to maintain more than 10,000 armed units equipped with heavy weaponry such as tanks and other armored vehicles, artillery installations, multiple rocket launch systems, mortars, electromagnetic weapons, and other offensive armaments on Azerbaijani territory.

"These illegal armed formations were sustained with direct military-technical, material-technical, and financial support from Armenia. The Lachin road has also been abused in this regard. This was part of Armenia's attempt to ignite separatism on the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan for its own revisionist political purposes," the FM explained.
Thach Setha, vice president of the Candlelight Party, is brought to Cambodias Supreme Court in Phnom Penh, June 19, 2023.

Cambodias main opposition Candlelight Party was dealt two more blows on Thursday, one to a prominent leader and another that once again blocked it from competing in future elections.

First, Thach Setha, the 70-year-old party vice president, was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison on a false check charge that human rights groups and party officials called politically motivated.

Second, the Ministry of Interior denied the partys request to reissue a registration letter so that it could participate in future elections. That document had been lost in 2017 when the offices of a previous opposition party were raided by government agents. Without it, the party cannot compete in elections, leaving the country with a main opposition party.

This goes beyond just a technical issue, Candlelight Party spokesman Kim Sour Phirith said. It is a political issue. Therefore, even if we ask a few thousand times, we will not get approval.

In May, the National Election Committee had disqualified the party  the only serious contender against the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party in July elections  because it did not have the original registration form issued by the interior ministry.

Five party representatives, led by acting chairman Sok Hach, met with Secretary of State Bun Hon and other ministry officials for one hour. But the officials repeated previous refusals given just after the NECs decision.

According to the meetings minutes, Bun Hon said the ministry has the authority to allow the establishment or registration of political parties but cannot re-issue original registration documents because no law governs that procedure.

Legal scholar Vorn Chanlot told Radio Free Asia that this interpretation is just an excuse to prevent the Candlelight Party from participating in future elections.

From a legal standpoint, the relevant ministry cannot refuse to issue other certificates that are proportional or equivalent to the original letter, he said. It must facilitate such a procedure so the party can participate.

Monitored

Thach Sethas trial on Thursday was monitored by embassy officials from the United States, Germany and the European Union.

He had been detained since January in a move seen as part of a months-long campaign of intimidation and threats against opposition leaders and activists.

His lawyer, Son Chum Chuon, said prosecutors didnt present enough specific evidence to place the burden on his client.

In addition to the sentence  which also included two court fines totaling US$2,000 and an order to pay $33,400 to the company that brought the lawsuit  Thach Setha will stand trial next month on charges of incitement to social unrest and incitement racial discrimination base.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Seng Heang questioned him at Thursdays hearing about comments he made on Jan. 13 at a forum for Cambodian workers in South Korea about the history of the CPP and the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument.

Seng Heang said he considered Thach Sethas remarks to be aimed at provoking the people to hate the CPP, the government and to seek political gain before the July election.

Former history teacher

Thach Setha said that as a politician and a former history teacher, he had to speak about the nations history. Thach Setha said he was attempting to enlighten younger Cambodians about the CPPs relationship with Vietnam  a sensitive political topic in the country.

If Cambodia forbids people from criticizing the ruling party and the government, it would be better to officially change Cambodia back to a communist country, he said

Judge Chhun Davy set Oct. 18 as the date for the verdict in the incitement case. After the judge adjourned the proceedings, Thach Setha walked away quietly as his wife and daughter began crying.

His wife, Thach Sokborany, said last month that he is in poor health and has been having trouble walking. On Thursday, she told RFA that the sentence on the false check charges didnt reflect the facts in the case.

Drop the charges, release him, let him be free to see his wife and children, because for a few months without him our family has had difficulty, she said.

Thursdays conviction and sentencing was rooted more in political persecution rather than law enforcement, according to Am Sam Ath of human rights group Licadho.

The first indictment of Mr. Thach Setha, followed by the second two charges  we see these as an additional burden or additional persecution on Mr. Thach Setha because he is the vice president of the Candlelight Party, he said.

RFA couldnt immediately reach court spokesman Plang Sophal and Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin for comment on Thursday.

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed and edited by Malcolm Foster.
A trial in the summer of 2024 will commence for a Chinese American historian.

Shujun Wang, is seen in the office of his lawyer, Kevin Tung, in Queens, New York, in this undated photo. He is holding the cover of a book about Chinese military history that he wrote.

A federal judge on Thursday set a date for the trial of July 15, 2024, in the prosecution of Wang Shujun, 76, of Queens, New York, an historian and a former Columbia University scholar.

Wang, a naturalized U.S. citizen, has been accused of secretly working for officials from a Chinese security ministry, providing them with information about pro-democracy activists in the United States and abroad.

The announcement by Chief Judge Margo Brodie to convene the trial in July was welcomed by prosecutors.

Wang appeared in the federal courtroom in Brooklyn, Eastern District of New York, dressed in a dark jacket and a red, white and blue tie. Early in the proceedings, he made a deep bow before the judge as a sign of respect. He was assisted during the hearing by a Mandarin-speaking court interpreter.

For years, Wang had worked as a volunteer for the Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang Memorial Foundation, a pro-democracy organization located in Queens. The organization is named after Communist Party leaders who had pushed for liberalization; Hus death led to protests in April 1989, and then the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Here in the United States, prosecutors said, Wang spent years secretly providing information about colleagues to his handlers, officials who worked for Chinas Ministry of State Security (MSS).

Wang told his Chinese government handlers about individuals he knows and whom the Chinese government officials consider to be a threat to Beijing, such as activists working toward Taiwanese independence, according to the prosecutors.

In one instance, according to the prosecutors, Wang provided information about a pro-democracy activist rights lawyer in Hong Kong who was later arrested.

Wang has been charged with making false statements to law enforcement officials and acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government.

He was arrested at his apartment in Flushing, Queens, in March 2022, and he is currently on a $300,000 bond.

Speaking in the courtroom on Thursday, Kevin Tung, a lawyer for Wang, gave a sense of how he would argue on behalf of his client. Tung said that his client would take the stand and that an expert on the pro-democracy movement would also testify.

Wang has maintained his innocence, stating in an affidavit that his years-long involvement with the pro-democracy movement and his public statements calling for reforms in the Chinese government show he was not secretly working for the Chinese government.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to an RFA request for comment on the case.

U.S. prosecutors say the case sheds light on the Chinese government's campaign to sway political views and silence dissent well beyond China's borders. They say the efforts have significantly ramped up in recent months. This spring, two individuals were arrested for allegedly running a Chinese overseas police station in lower Manhattan that served as an outpost to harass dissidents.

Edited by Abby Seiff and Jim Snyder.
The move is in line with the Chinese Communist Party's broadening claims of threats from 'hostile foreign forces.'

A security guard stands outside the gate of the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong and Macau, in Hong Kong, June 13, 2023.

China has demanded that foreign consulates in Hong Kong hand over all personal details of locally hired staff in the next few weeks, and continue to do so whenever they hire anyone new, according to a letter sent to diplomatic missions in the city cited in multiple media reports.

The letter sent to consulates and the Office of the European Union in the city enclosed a form to be filled out with details of locally hired staff, whether permanent residents or visa-holding foreign nationals.

"Consular Posts and the Office of the European Union are requested to complete this form for each staff locally engaged and send it to the Government Secretariat, Protocol Division within 15 days from the commencement of the engagement," the form titled "Notification of Staff Locally Engaged" said.

The move, which could spark security concerns for anyone connected with foreign governments under an ongoing "national security" crackdown, comes after the Financial Times reported last year that China was trying to obtain floor plans for all properties used by foreign missions in Hong Kong.

Copies of Mondays letter and forms were seen by several media organizations including Reuters and Agence France-Presse, while a photo of one form was published by the Hong Kong Free Press.

The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry confirmed to Reuters it had sent the letter on Monday.

"This measure is in line with international customary practice," it told the agency.

"It is understood that Chinese consulates stationed abroad also provide local employee information to the host country according to local government requirements."

Beijing appears to want to extend its control of foreign missions, says Simon Cheng, a former employee of the British Consulate General in Hong Kong. Credit: Hannah McKay/Reuters file photo

Consulates are being asked to supply names, job titles, street addresses, ID or passport numbers and nationality of locally hired staff, in a move the letter said is in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

A second form asks consulates to notify the authorities when a diplomatic mission terminates someone's employment.

The forms are to be returned to the authorities by Oct. 18, the letter said, but gave no reason for the request.

Simon Cheng, a former employee of the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, said the authorities had previously only required consulates to supply details of people with diplomatic immunity living in the city.

"They would generally only require diplomats with diplomatic immunity and their family members ... to register," he said. "Now, that scope has been extended to include local residents."

He said Beijing appears to want to extend its control of foreign missions.

"It's definitely a worsening trend," Cheng said. "It wouldn't be hard for their national security police, intelligence officers or police to get hold of such information, so why keep doing this?"

"Because they want you to declare this information voluntarily, firstly to save them time, and ... to make it easier for them to find targets  [people] who they believe to be a threat to national security."

'Hostile foreign forces'

The letter was sent as Beijing's envoy to Hong Kong Zheng Yanxiong warned fresh police graduates to be on the lookout for "hostile foreign forces" in the city in a speech at the weekend.

"It's pretty clear that the Chinese Communist Party doesn't trust 'external forces,' or their sense of insecurity has increased," Cheng said.

"I think this is also a warning  it's like saying that ... people who work for or serve foreign forces should be careful what they do or say," he said. "[It means] don't be a traitor to the motherland."

Hong Kong political scholar Benson Wong said the request for staff information is "not normal," and underlines an approach to foreign governments that is itself hostile.

"Foreign companies are withdrawing from Hong Kong one after another and are afraid to invest in Hong Kong," Wong said. "The U.S. government has issued a travel warning to its citizens."

The State Department's current advice to travelers to Hong Kong reads: "Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws."

Wong said it would be a mistake to believe that there is any longer much difference between Hong Kong and the rest of China, when it comes to the risk of arbitrary enforcement.

"The entire Special Administrative Region government is controlled by the Central Liaison Office, the National Security Committee, and the central government," Wong said.

An activist holds the national flag of China after a pro-Beijing group gathered outside the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong to protest against the use of the British National (Overseas) passport on Feb. 1, 2021. Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP

Cheng said the move will increase the risks associated with living and working in Hong Kong as a foreign national, and will damage the city's international image as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

The tightened scrutiny on foreign missions came as the British government said in a six-monthly report on Hong Kong that the crackdown on dissent under the national security law goes "beyond genuine national security concerns," citing attempts to get a court injunction banning the dissemination of the 2019 protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong."

Citing lasting changes to the political, judicial and legal systems since the law was imposed in 2020, the report said China was failing to comply with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration  a United Nations-registered treaty governing the 1997 handover to Chinese rule.

"Freedoms of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of strike, of belief, and of demonstration continued to be impacted through the broad application of national security legislation," it said of the past six months.

"The requirement of universities by the Hong Kong [government] to promote national security education on campuses and the removal from public libraries of books deemed to be contrary to national security interests have impacted freedom of academic research," the report said.

The Hong Kong government on Tuesday dismissed the U.K. report as "groundless attacks, slanders and smears," and "misleading and irresponsible."

"No one in any country or region in the world will ever allow political power to fall into the hands of forces or individuals who do not love, or even sell out or betray, their own country," a government spokesman said.



Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The accusations that the Azerbaijani Army intentionally attacked civilians are unfounded and false, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said at the UN Security Council meeting, Trend reports.

"The counter-terrorism measures were exclusively aimed at neutralizing legitimate military targets on the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. Thus, these actions fully complied with Azerbaijan's right to sovereign self-defense, as established by the UN Charter," he said.

At the same time, Azerbaijan acted in full accordance with humanitarian law and took all measures to prevent harm to the civilian population and civilian infrastructure. Accusations that the Azerbaijani Army deliberately attacked civilians are unfounded and false, as evidenced by photo and video provided, the minister stressed.

"The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan made several public statements from the very beginning of the counter-terrorism operations, urging the civilian population to stay away from military facilities. Similar notifications were sent to Armenian residents of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan through an SMS service. This step was taken considering the possibility of the irresponsible placement of military equipment and facilities in residential areas by Armenian armed formations subordinate to Armenia," he said.

Bayramov noted that the Azerbaijani Army Units demonstrated a high level of professionalism by using precision munitions solely for the neutralization of illegal military objects.

"As evident from the photographs, if the goal had been to attack the civilian population or allegedly conduct "ethnic cleansing", the Azerbaijani Army would have acted differently," the Azerbaijani FM said.
Chinas 'chairman of everything' is likely to react to complex forces of change with an iron fist.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2023, at 11:25 a.m. ET

Only yesterday, or so it seems, the world beat its way to Chinas door and returned with breathless tales of high-speed trains and giddying architectural triumphs.

China was the economic juggernaut that dazzled all  and it jumpstarted the global economy in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. Today, says Kevin Carrico, senior lecturer in Chinese studies at Monash University, its become a pariah state.

Nearly one year into his third term, President Xi Jinping presides over a China that has turned away from the opening-and-reform buzz of the Deng Xiaoping years. Indeed, it has become an emergent global power that even appears to be turning its back on the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) one undeniably great achievement  economic growth that Beijing alleges lifted 800 million out of poverty.

In recent years, entrepreneurs have been bundled away, foreign businesses targeted amid the passing of new counter-espionage laws, the property sector faces collapse amid tepid demand and weak consumer confidence and capital and loans are reportedly being channeled away from the private sector into State Owned Enterprises.

Chinas local governments are reportedly so in debt theyre cutting employee incomes and imposing arbitrary fines on citizens to raise money as Xi balks against bailouts as a form of welfarism, which he argues leads to laziness.

For critics, the easy target of blame is the party chief himself  after all, hes awarded himself such mind-boggling, wide-ranging power, why even look for another target of blame?

But some China watchers suggest that Xi, a Maoist of limited education, has inherited forces borne of long-ago established party policies that now threaten the party, pressuring him to reflexively respond with an iron fist.

While few if any China-watchers think he's doing a good job, some scholars such as Carnegie Endowment economist Michael Pettis argue hes the victim of structural problems that date back to at least 2007.

While China's growth is largely built on private enterprises, the Communist Party is a Leninist organization which doesn't tolerate any power not of its own, says Australian-based political analyst and former Chinese diplomat Han Yang.

The private enterprises have grown so big to the point that their aspirations will be a source of challenge to the leadership of the Party, and Xi can't allow that.

In Pettiss view, Xi has inherited a highly indebted structural mess that perhaps could have been corrected in 2007 under Hu Jintao, but Xi is dealing with rising imbalances and unsustainable increases in debt, both of which were the very consequences of the excessively high growth rates of the past 10-15 years.

In the face of problems that may represent an existential threat to the CCP, Xi, observers agree, will make decisions that to outsiders seem bad, but are to his mind survival reflexes.

Poorly educated, unimaginative

Xi seems to be dedicated to making the worst decisions possible in almost every scenario, says Carrico. Xinjiang, COVID, relations with the world. He has turned a rising power that was being integrated into the world system into a pariah state. He is the wrong man for the moment, but also the epitome of the flaws of the CCP system.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. Credit: Pool via Reuters

Noted American Chinese scholar Perry Link agrees.

My view is that Xi is out of his depth, Link said in an email. Hes very good at the infighting and backstabbing that one needs in order to rise in the CCP system. But once on top, he did not know what to do.

Link describes Xi as unimaginative and poorly educated (only through junior high  his post-secondary degrees are on-paper only), asking, Where could he turn for a model? Only to the Mao system, which he did know  sort of.

Says Australian-based Yang, Xis ideology differs from the previous three leaders [Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao] in the way he put his personality cult at the center of  governance, jettisoning the collective leadership model established by Deng after learning the lessons of Mao era.

Chinas Defense Minister Li Shangfu attends the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 2, 2023. Credit: Reuters

But despite a number of recent high-level disappearances of Xi appointees  notably a foreign minister, Qin Gang, and most recently Minister of Defense Li Shangfu  nobody that RFA spoke to thought that Xi is threatened in the short term.

The disappearance of Qin Gang and Li Shangfhu  both hand-picked and fast tracked by Xi months ago  the removal of the PLAs two commanders of elite Army Rocket force, the failure of the Xi to attend a G20 for the first time and the release of a wordy Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on global governance  all while the economy is unstable  makes for a lot of speculation, said George Magnus, research associate at Oxford Universitys China Centre and author of Red Flags: Why Xis China is in Jeopardy.

But, added Magnus, I dont see an imminent threat to Xi.

Australian-based Yang agreed, noting that Xi will prioritize CCP security and continued unchallenged CCP rule over the economy.

Either the Party relaxes its control of the economy and  society to allow further growth, or Xi reasserts the Partys absolute leadership over everything to maintain power, said Yang.

My bet is on the latter.

Inflection points

Peak Xi? asks Jeremy Goldkorn, editor in chief of the China Project, It depends what you mean by peak.

Goldkorn suggests that Xis peak moment was probably when he took over as Party General Secretary and Central Military Commission Chairman from Hu Jintao, or perhaps January 5, 2013, when the New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof predicted that Xi would spearhead a resurgence of economic reform, and probably some political easing as well.

Kristoff, Goldkorn added, had also predicted that Maos body will be hauled out of Tiananmen Square  and Liu Xiaobo, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning writer, will be released from prison.

Liu Xiaobo died in prison despite being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. Mao still rests in his mausoleum in Tiananmen Square.

People cross a street beside posters depicting late Chairman Mao Zedong (R) and China's President Xi Jinping in Shanghai, China March 1, 2016. Credit: Reuters

Although many people inside and outside China continued to nurture hopes and dreams about Xi for years after that  indeed, some still do  I personally began to despair of the direction the country was taking after the leak of Document Number Nine in the summer of 2013, said Goldkorn.

That document was circulated amongst senior Party officials in 2012, and it set out in explicit terms that Xi Jinping wanted to reverse the direction of China's political and intellectual opening to the world. So perhaps the summer of 2013 could also qualify as an inflection point.

Goldkorn says further inflection points include February 2018 when the Central Committee proposed removing the two term limit on president and November 2020, when Ant Groups IPO was suspended and Jack Ma was sent into early retirement.

The concern is further inflection points.

Riding the tiger

Xi, according to China scholar Link, is so preoccupied with maintaining his dominant role that the textual reams of Xi Jinping thought foisted on the people by state publishing houses is nothing more than window dressing.

His only major deviation from the Mao model has been to claim himself avatar of the great 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. But both of these  the Mao model and great-civilization claim  are but window-dressing.

Says Carrico of Monash, Xi does not seem to have any solution other than centralizing control and having people read his mind-numbing thought. These are not solutions, but rather the source of the problems, reproduced as solutions.

His real preoccupation is with staying on top within the untrusting and strife-ridden CCP, commented Link. That struggle happens inside a black box, of course, so it is hard for us on the outside to make informed predictions. But my sense is that he is not nearly as secure as his surface bravado claims.

Wuer Kaixi, a student leader on Tiananmen Square in 1989 and in exile since, said, Xi Jinping took China from a one-party dictatorship to a one-man dictatorship and there are probably 200 powerful families in China who arent happy about that  countless elite party interest groups and private entrepreneurs that arent happy about that.

Oxfords Magnus, who sees no imminent threat to Xi, added, His longevity in a 10 year term? Maybe now open to some doubt.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

This story has been updated with additional attribution and minor edits.
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, speaks during his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022.

South Koreas National Assembly passed a motion to arrest its opposition leader for bribery on Thursday, as the progressive opposition blocs approval ratings sank to new lows and with just a few months before the general election in April.

More than half of 295 lawmakers who voted  149  backed the arrest of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung, outnumbering the 136 who opposed the motion. Six were abstention votes while four were counted as invalid.

The outcome is rare, given that the National Assembly is currently controlled by the DP, and showed that some members of Lees own party were in favor of the arrest of their leader.

Lee has been accused of breach of trust, bribery and other charges in connection with a scandal-ridden real-estate development project and involvement in a companys illegal cash remittance to North Korea.

Prosecutors see that Lee has unjustly offered preferential treatment in the Baekhyeon neighborhood development in Seongnam city when he was the mayor, and also was allegedly involved in a transfer of funds to North Korea by the Ssangbangwool Group.

The opposition leader himself has dismissed the allegations, asserting that he is being unjustly targeted by the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol, whom he contested against in the last presidential election.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, speaks during his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. Credit: (Kim Hong-JI/Reuters)

The passing of the arrest motion could intensify political allegiances in both the conservative and progressive camps. Conservatives, viewing Lee as a symbol of corruption, will likely rally even more cohesively in the run-up to next Aprils general election. Similarly, progressives, recognizing the need for stronger internal cohesion before the upcoming election, are also expected to unite and strategize to rebuild the party.

The deepening polarization in South Korean politics may affect the U.S. allys long-term stability of policy and governance, eroding the middle ground for dialogue and compromise.

South Korea has long grappled with exceptionally divisive politics. Notably, South Koreans, alongside Americans, represent the highest percentage of people who perceive strong partisan conflicts in their societies, according to a Pew Research study released in November, to an extent where its domestic politics become unstable.

The stability in South Koreas domestic politics is crucial as the nation plays a pivotal role in geopolitics in East Asia, amid the U.S.-China competition. A polarized political landscape may translate into South Koreas challenge in forming cohesive and sustainable stances on crucial policies on North Korea and China, as well as its partnerships with the Western allies, potentially influencing broader regional and global strategies.

A divided political environment can hinder the passing of crucial legislation, including its new spy bill that would enable South Korea to prosecute foreign agents in the country. It also potentially risks stalling policy initiatives that are vital for national progress, and a unified foreign policy including that on North Korea, Russia and China across administrations.

Experts note that such a political division could slow down South Koreas aspirations on the global stage.

The biggest problem of South Korean politics is the absence of genuine politics, said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University in Seoul. At its heart, politics revolves around compromise. Dialogue and mutual concessions are necessary to yield tangible outcomes.

To pave the way for lasting bipartisan policies, we must first rejuvenate politics first.

The outcome of Thursdays vote has taken the DP by surprise. We are both surprised and shocked by this outcome, its spokeswoman Lee So-young told reporters. Were going to have an emergency meeting to discuss our possible next steps.

The approval rating of the DP has been hovering at its lowest for months, with its latest rating marking 32%, and 1% behind Yoons People Power Party, according to a Korea Gallup survey released on Friday.

This figure is seen as surprisingly low for the DP, especially when about 60% of South Koreans disapproved of Yoon, which also indicates that the opposition party has been ineffective in capitalizing on this discontent to their political advantage.

Earlier in February, an attempt by the prosecution to detain Lee over similar allegations was thwarted following parliamentary disapproval.

A DP spokeswoman Kang Sun-woo criticized Yoon on Wednesday over his endorsement of the arrest motion made the day before, likening it as issuing a death warrant for a political opponent.

Under South Korean law, rooted in a past marked by authoritarian rule, lawmakers are granted immunity from arrest while the parliament is in session. This provision aims to safeguard freedom of speech for legislators and prevent potential abuse of prosecutorial powers, ensuring that powerful figures cannot silence their political rivals.

Thus, the prosecution must obtain parliaments consent to detain lawmakers.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Taejun Kang.
The Norths defense minister and former military chief of staff are on the list

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees a strategic cruise missile test aboard a navy warship in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 21, 2023.

South Korea on Thursday imposed unilateral sanctions on companies and North Korean individuals including the Norths defense minister  a move aimed at curbing Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions that pose threats to the United States and its regional allies.

The latest sanctions targeted two firms and 10 individuals involved in illegal financing of weapons of mass destruction programs, entailing arms trade with a third country including Russia, South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The sanctioned individuals include North Koreas top military officials like its defense minister Kang Sun Nam and former Chief of Staff Pak Su Il.



Kang and Pak were among those who met Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in July in the North Korean capital. The South Korean spy agency told lawmakers that Russia had proposed joint military drills involving North Korea and China during Shoigus visit to Pyongyang.

The sanctions also target two institutions, Versor S.R.O. and GLOCOM for their involvement in arms deals with third countries, including Russia.

The new sanctions come as tensions rise following a North Korea-Russia summit last week where the two authoritarian nations vowed to strengthen military cooperation. They are also the twelfth time that the South, under President Yoon Suk Yeol, has issued sanctions against the North, raising the number sanctioned to 64 individuals and 53 institutions.

We will continue to lead the international communitys efforts to block North Koreas sanctions violations and evasion, the Souths ministry said, adding that it would not turn a blind eye to North Koreas illegal activities that threaten our security."

The latest measure reflects Seouls efforts in synchronizing its diplomatic stance with the U.S.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
Laos is planning to build a dam on the Mekong River in the area of Pak Beng, shown in this Oct. 15, 2022 photo, in Bokeo province.

Communities on both sides of the Mekong River are expressing concerns after developers of a controversial dam in Laos signed a power agreement with Thailand even though compensation for villagers impacted by the project remains unresolved.

The Pak Beng Dam in northwestern Laos Bokeo province is an integral part of the countrys goal to become the battery of Southeast Asia by using the Mekong to generate electricity and selling it to neighboring countries.

On Sept. 13, Pak Beng Dam developers inked a power purchase agreement, or PPA, with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, or EGAT, which will allow construction to begin once it issues a report on the social impact of the project, an official from Thailands ministry of energy told RFA Lao.

Now that EGAT has signed a PPA with dam developers, they have to file a report detailing any cross-border impacts and set up a fund to pay compensation to affected villagers, at which point construction can begin, said the official who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media.

An official from the Lao ministry of energy and mines went further, telling RFA that with the power agreement out of the way, developers can build the dam right away.

He urged them to speed up construction of resettlement communities for the more than 4,700 inhabitants of seven villages that will be uprooted to make way for the project.

Resettlement communities for those whose villages will be inundated should be completed before the dam is built, he said.

The Pak Beng Dam is one of three Mekong River mainstream dam projects that have completed review processes and are eligible to begin construction. Two others, the Xayaburi Dam and the Don Sahong Dam, are currently operational. Four more proposed projects are in various stages of planning.

The US$1.88 billion, 912-megawatt dam  a joint investment between Chinas Datang Overseas Investment and Gulf Energy Development of Thailand  is the fourth-largest dam the Lao government has planned for the Mekong River. Per last weeks agreement, 95% of the generated electricity will be sold to Thailand, while the remainder is earmarked for Laos.

In total, 26 villages in Laos will be affected by the project, as well as a handful in Thailand.

Compensation issues

Critics of Laos hydroelectric pursuits point to the environmental and social impacts associated with the large-scale mainstream dams, and a chief complaint is that the dams will displace people and ruin the livelihoods of river-based communities.

A villager from Pak Beng district told RFA that he wants the Lao government to abandon the project because he believes that it wont benefit the public and will destroy the environment, which people in the area depend on for their livelihood.

Weve heard that [the developers] will provide compensation for us, but we villagers will no longer have a way to earn a living [when the dam is built], he said. The project is going to make poor villagers even poorer because we will no longer be able to use boats to trade along the Mekong and we wont have any fish to catch.

Another villager told RFA that he and others dont want to relocate because they are afraid that they wont be given land to grow crops to sell at the market.

However, he acknowledged that his understanding of the project and plans for compensation was limited.

We are concerned about the dam, he said. We heard what [the authorities] said, but we dont know what they will do with us and if we move we dont know how well be able to earn a living.

In addition to acceptable resettlement communities, villagers living near the site where the Pak Beng will be built have demanded 150 million kip ($8,850) per hectare (2.5 acres) for their land.

An official from Gulf Energy Development of Thailand, one of the investors in the Pak Beng Dam, told RFA that villagers have nothing to worry about.

The power purchase agreement has been signed, so if there are no further problems, the company can start building the dam, he said. The affected villagers are unable to read, so they just dont understand the process.

Why the rush?

In March, authorities in Bokeo provinces Pak Tha district spoke with villagers about compensation rates for land, homes, fruit trees and other crops and said they would need to gather additional information before they could pay out compensation.

An official with the ministry of energy and mines said at the time that compensation would be based on the actual social and economic situation in the area and on the same policy that was used for the Xayaburi Dam project.

Though the Xayaburi dam was completed and went into operation in 2019, RFA reported two years later that displaced villagers still lacked farmland and access to water.

Meanwhile, representatives of eight Thai provinces along the Mekong and the Love Chiang Khong group, which has lobbied against mainstream dams on the river, issued an open letter to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Thai Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan calling for an immediate cancelation of the Pak Beng power agreement.

We dont understand why its so urgent to sign a power purchase agreement when so many stakeholders are still discussing the project, said one of the letters authors. Its a big and sensitive issue on cross border impact, so they shouldnt make any hasty decisions.

He called on affected villagers to make sure they understand the terms of the project before they agree to proceed.

Translated by Sidney. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The man was unable to flee a junta raid on his village.

Residents of Kachin states Shwegu township found the mutilated, burned body of a disabled man on the banks of the Ayeyarwady river, they told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

They said 30-year-old Ko Saw was a gold miner from Yae Le village.

Junta troops arrested him on Monday, after they arrived in the village in a fleet of warships.

One local said the man had a damaged leg and arm, injured in the gold mine, and bad eyesight.

He said the man was unable to run away and thought the troops wouldnt arrest him because he was disabled.

When the soldiers found him, they searched his home and found the People's Defense Force uniform of his brother-in-law in a box. He didnt even know he had that suit, said the local, who didnt want to be named for safety reasons.

The troops immediately arrested him and stabbed him. His legs were beaten and crushed. Then he was burnt to death.

Another resident said troops tied the mans hands behind his back and beat him before taking him away.

The six warships that arrived Monday were attacked by a local Peoples Defense Force the previous day, residents said.

On Sunday, the vessels moored at Toke Gyi and around 200 soldiers raided the village, shooting dead seven residents and burning down 45 homes.

The next day, troops torched around 10 rafts and several boats at Yae Le, used to prospect for gold in the river.

They accused locals of harboring Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic Kachin Independence Army fighters.

More than 1,000 residents of Yae Le fled their homes ahead of the raid.

When RFA called the junta spokesperson for Kachin State, Win Ye Tun, seeking comment on the killings, he said security issues were not related to him.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
The folklore expert had disappeared in 2017 amid a crackdown on Uyghur intellectuals and cultural figures.

Rahile Dawut, an ethnographer and expert in Uyghur folklore, was tried and convicted by Chinese authorities in December 2018.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2023, at 2:40 p.m. EDT

An internationally recognized expert in Uyghur folklore and ethnographer who disappeared in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region nearly six years ago has been confirmed as serving a life sentence for endangering state security, a U.S.-based human rights group said Thursday.

Rahile Dawut was tried and convicted in December 2018 for the crime of splittism by an intermediate peoples court in Xinjiang, and unsuccessfully appealed that sentence, the group said.

The most recent information confirmed that her appeal was subsequently rejected by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region High Peoples Court, the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation said in a statement, citing a source in the Chinese government. Dui Hua had been pressing Beijing about her case for several years.

Although there has been speculation that Professor Rahile Dawut was given a long sentence, this is believed to be the first time that a reliable source in the Chinese government has confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment, it said.

This is devastating news, said Omer Kanat, executive director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. A life sentence for a person who serves her people with integrity and compassion is a true outrage.



Dawut, who was born in 1966, created and directed the university's Minorities Folklore Research Center and wrote dozens of articles in international journals and a number of books, including studies on Islamic sacred sites in Central Asia, and presented her work at conferences around the world.

An anthropologist by training, she disappeared in December 2017, believed to have been arrested and detained in one of the many internment camps in a mass incarceration campaign launched that year by Chinese authorities.

After years of Chinese silence on her case, RFA Uyghur learned in July 2021 through interviews with employees of Xinjiang University that the star scholar was in fact detained in 2017 along with other members of the Uyghur intellectual and cultural elite, and sentenced and jailed in 2018.

Professor Rahile Dawut joins the long and growing list of Uyghur intellectuals  by one count more than 300  who have been detained, arrested, and imprisoned since 2016, said the Dui Hua Foundation.

The non-profit group, which focuses on seeking prisoner releases and justice reforms through direct dialogue with the Chinese government, said it had put Dawuts name on 28 lists of prisoners of concern submitted to the Chinese government, and had received four responses.

"I was furious when I heard the news," Dawut's daughter, Akide Polat, who lives in the U.S., told RFA.

"My mother spent all her life studying and preserving Uyghur culture. The Chinese government is proving that they are eradicating Uyghur culture and persecuting Uyghur by giving my mother a life sentence.

China has held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs in a network of detention camps constructed in 2017, with smaller numbers of Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, fellow Turkic-speaking people, also incarcerated in the system. Beijing first denied the existence of the camps, but later changed tack and described them as vocational training or re-education centers aimed at combating extremism in Xinjiang.

China's targeting of intellectuals, artists, teachers and cultural figures -- erasing the Uyghur identity -- was part of the case made by Western governments and some rights groups when they determined 2021 that Beijing's treatment of the Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang amounted to genocide. China rejects the charge.

The Chinese state has taken a wrecking ball to any expressions of Uyghurness outside of its purview. As a gifted academic documenting Uyghur knowledge, targeting Rahile is no coincidence," said Henryk Szadziewski, research director at the Uyghur Human Rights Project.

New York-based rights group Scholars at Risk gave Dawut their Courage to Think Award in 2020. Scholars and writers worldwide have also called for her release.

The sentencing of Professor Rahile Dawut to life in prison is a cruel tragedy, a great loss for the Uyghur people, and for all who treasure academic freedom, said John Kamm, executive director of the Dui Hua Foundation.

Edited by Malcolm Foster. Additional reporting by Adila Abulaiti for RFA Uyghur.

This story has been updated with the reaction of Rahile Dawut's daughter.
Nguyen Bac Truyen was released days before the US presidents visit to Hanoi.

Nguyen Bac Truyen was released from prison on Sept. 8, five years short of his 11 year sentence.

He flew straight to Germany, from where he told Radio Free Asia this week he wished to escape an unjust prison sentence and be reunited with my wife.

Truyens release came just two days before Joe Biden visited Hanoi for talks with senior leaders during which the U.S. president said he repeatedly raised the issue of human rights.

Truyen, 55, was arrested along with many key members of the Brotherhood for Democracy in 2017 on charges of activities aimed at overthrowing the government under Article 79 of the penal code.

He told RFA Vietnamese his belief in human dignity and universal human rights sustained him during the six years he spent in prison.

Most prisoners  especially political prisoners  are deprived of the rights of suspects, defendants and detainees. There are also many legal provisions that are not compatible with the standards in international treaties that Vietnam has joined or signed, he said.

Therefore, during my time in detention, I made many petitions demanding improvements in the prison regime through amending laws related to detention currently in effect in Vietnam.

Truyen said he never did anything to try to overthrow the government and is just a simple human rights activist.

During my trials I did not see the court present evidence to overthrow the Vietnamese government, but only activities to improve human rights and democracy in Vietnam. The result was a wrongful verdict for all those on trial, he said.

RFA asked him how he felt about being forced into exile while other activists continued the fight for human rights in Vietnam.

I value freedom. Being released and living somewhere other than my homeland, Vietnam, is something no one wants, but this is an option to escape an unjust prison sentence and allow me to reunite with my wife, he said.

Integrating into a second homeland and adapting to new things in life is something I have to do in the near future.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
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
KAZAN, Russia -- The Supreme Court of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan has denied the appeal filed by RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva against her pretrial detention on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent, which she rejects.

The hearing on October 31 was held behind closed doors with Kurmasheva participating via video link from a detention center in Tatarstan's capital, Kazan. Kurmahseva's lawyer requested pretrial restrictions for his client other than placement in pretrial detention. A week earlier, Kazan's Soviet district court had placed Kurmasheva in pretrial detention until at least December 5.



Kurmasheva, a Prague-based journalist with RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship, traveled to Russia for a family emergency in May.



She was temporarily detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2 at Kazan airport, where both of her passports were confiscated. She has not been able to leave Russia since as she awaited the return of her travel documents.



Authorities on October 11 fined Kurmasheva 10,000 rubles ($103) for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities, according to local media reports based on court documents they've seen.



Kurmasheva was detained again on October 18 and this time charged with failing to register as a foreign agent, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.



The Investigative Committee announced that Kurmasheva has been charged under a section of the Criminal Code that refers to the registration of foreign agents who carry out the purposeful collection of information in the field of military, military-technical activities of Russia, which, if received by foreign sources, can be used against the security of the country."



It gave no further details.



The Investigative Committee said its investigation found that, while the Russian Justice Ministry did not add her to the list of foreign agents, she failed to provide documents to be included on the registry.



Kurmasheva denies the charge.



RFE/RL acting President Jeffrey Gedmin has rejected the charges against Kurmasheva saying she is being persecuted for her professional work.



Journalism is not a crime. She must be released to her family immediately, he said.



Russia's detention of Kurmasheva, the second U.S. journalist to be held by Moscow this year, triggered a wave of criticism from rights groups and politicians, saying the move signals a new level of wartime censorship.



Russia has been accused of detaining Americans to use as bargaining chips to exchange for Russians jailed in the United States. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested for allegedly spying -- a charge he and the newspaper vehemently deny -- in March.



Since 2012, Russia has used its so-called foreign agent laws to label and punish critics of government policies. It also has been increasingly used to shut down civil society and media groups in Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



Amnesty International, the UN Human Rights Office, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the chairman of the U.S. House of Representative's Foreign Affairs Committee have called for the immediate release of Kurmasheva.



The foreign agent law allows authorities to label nonprofit organizations as foreign agents if they receive funding from abroad and are engaged in political activities.



RFE/RL says the law amounts to political censorship meant to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties and is challenging the authorities' moves in Russian courts and at the European Court of Human Rights.



More than 30 RFE/RL employees have been listed as "foreign agents" by the Russian Justice Ministry in their personal capacity.



In March, a Moscow court declared the bankruptcy of RFE/RL's operations in Russia following the company's refusal to pay multiple fines totaling more than 1 billion rubles ($14 million) for noncompliance with the law.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The Gyzylbulag copper-gold deposit in Karabakh, which was once plundered by the Armenian separatist regime, has been taken under the control of the Azerbaijani Army, Trend reports.

Azerbaijani soldiers have earlier today entered the territory of the Gyzylbulag copper-gold deposit, the footage shows.

A significant part of Azerbaijan's natural resources was plundered by Armenian separatists, which led to an environmental disaster. They carried out illegal exploitation of Azerbaijani mineral deposits, especially the Gyzylbulag copper-gold deposit and the Demirli copper-molybdenum deposit.

Especially at the Gyzylbulag copper-gold deposit and the Demirli copper-molybdenum deposit, there was an increase in illegal exploitation and plunder of natural resources by the separatist regime, including an increase in environmental damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with President Joe Biden at the White House in the midst of his crucial diplomatic push, thanking the U.S. leader for helping Kyiv to fight Russian terror, while Biden told his counterpart that he will ensure that the world stands with Ukraine and that the first of the sophisticated U.S. Abrams tanks are on the way.

The White House meeting capped a whirlwind of activity for Zelenskiy, who spoke to the United Nations the previous two days and spent September 21 meeting with U.S. congressional leaders and military chiefs before joining Biden in the Oval Office. He will speak to the Canadian Parliament on September 22.

Biden praised the "enormous bravery" of the Ukrainian people in their fight against the Russian invasion and said that "the American people are determined to see to it that we do all we can to ensure the world stands with you."

"We're supporting a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Biden said.

Biden said Russia was standing in the way of peace in the region and that Moscow is hoping to use the impending winter as a weapon against the Ukrainian people.

Zelenskiy told Biden that Ukrainians "greatly appreciate the assistance provided by the United States to combat Russian terror."

He said Washington's aid will help boost Ukraines defense capabilities during the winter.

The White House said the United States will provide Ukraine with "significant [new] air-defense capability" but that it wont provide Kyiv the desired long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at this time.

"President Biden will announce a new package of military assistance today, including significant air-defense capabilities to help Ukraine," national-security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

Sullivan said Biden had rejected, for now at least, a request for the ATACMS missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometers.

After their meeting, Biden said that the first of the powerful M1 Abrams tanks promised for Kyiv will be arriving in Ukraine next week.

Zelenskiy earlier met privately with leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to shore up support with some reluctant politicians -- mainly Republicans -- for his countrys fight against the Russian invasion.

Republican leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, declined to greet Zelenskiy on camera, although Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries did and escorted the Ukrainian president to the Capitol building.

Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat-Connecticut) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Zelenskiy had received "two standing ovations so far" during a closed-door meeting with the full Senate.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Ukrainian leader told senators that further military aid was crucial to Kyivs effort to survive the Russian invasion.

"If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war," he quoted Zelenskiy as saying.

Zelenskiy told reporters following the meeting with the Democrat-controlled Senate that we had a great dialogue.

We're thankful to you, the journalists, the senators for helping us, supporting us," Zelenskiy added.

The 45-year-old Ukrainian leader arrived in the U.S. capital hours after Russia launched its biggest attack on Ukraine in weeks, hitting several regions -- including the cities of Kyiv and Lviv -- knocking out critical energy infrastructure with its missiles and drones.

"Last night, Russian terrorists launched another massive attack. In particular, on infrastructure. Most of the missiles were shot down. But only most of them. Not all of them," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app.

"More air defense. More sanctions. More support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines," he added.

Zelenskiy's meetings come on the heels of statements from Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hinting that Warsaw was "already no longer supplying arms to Ukraine."

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.

Morawiecki prompted confusion late on September 20 when he said in response to a Polsat News interviewer's question about a budding diplomatic dispute over Ukrainian grain exports that NATO member Poland, which has been among Kyiv's staunchest allies in the war, was instead "equipping ourselves with the most modern weapons."

The Polish government had already summoned Kyiv's ambassador to register its "strong protest" after Zelenskiy used a UN speech during his current U.S. diplomatic swing to suggest some allies were only pretending to arm and back his country.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski reportedly said Zelenskiy's comments "alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia" were an "inappropriate" way to resolve disputes.

Along with Hungary and Slovakia, Poland last week announced restrictions on grain imports after the European Commission declined to extend a ban on such goods amid a flood of Ukrainian food exports as Russia blockades Ukrainian ports.

It was unclear whether Morawiecki's threatened cutoff of weapons supplies to Ukraine over the grain dispute was official policy.

Polish President Andrzej Duda attempted on September 21 to ease any tensions, saying Morawieckis comments had been taken incorrectly.

"In my opinion, the prime minister meant we won't be transferring to Ukraine the new weaponry that we're currently buying as we modernize the Polish Army. As we receive new weaponry from the U.S. and South Korea, we will be releasing the weaponry currently used by the Polish Army. Perhaps we will transfer it to Ukraine," Duda said.

Nevertheless, the timing is awkward for Zelenskiy and the Ukrainians.

Zelenskiy on September 19 delivered his first in-person speech to the UN General Assembly since the invasion began and the next day appeared before the UN Security Council lamenting "criminal" Russia's veto-wielding seat on the council.

His statements are part of an extended 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.

He also needs to convince U.S. Republicans like McCarthy to push through a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Kyiv that is at risk of being blocked.

After Zelenskiy's meeting with the House, McCarthy said his presentation was "direct, it was honest, they answered some of the questions [we had]. I heard a lot of positive things.

The White House has noted that the visit comes at a "really crucial time" given Ukraine is in the midst of a fierce counteroffensive against Russian forces.

Back in Ukraine, officials said early on September 21 that air-raid alerts sounded across the country at around 4 a.m. local time as a wave of early morning Russian missile and drone attacks targeted a number of cities.

Hours later, Ukraine's power-grid operator reported electricity cuts in five regions of the country, saying the Russian attacks had damaged infrastructure.

Casualties were reported in population centers including the capital, Kyiv, and Cherkasy and Kherson.

Kyiv's local military administration said it had shot down more than 20 airborne targets and that debris from several missiles had fallen on the city.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said seven people suffered injuries in the Darnytsya neighborhood, but none was life-threatening.

Ten people were injured by fragments from a Russian rocket in the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy, the Interior Ministry said.

Two people were killed and five more injured when Russian forces struck a dormitory building in Kherson, a southern city that lies on the Dnieper River near the Black Sea, local officials there said.

Ukraine said on September 21 that its forces had hit Russias Saky air base in Crimea, although Moscow-installed officials denied the claim.

A Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters that the attack "hit the target and caused serious damage" to equipment at the site.

Ukraine said in 2022 that it carried out a strike on the air base on August 9 of that year. That strike destroyed at least nine military aircraft, including Su-30SM fighters and Su-24M bombers.

The Russian-appointed head of Crimea said at the time that one person was killed. Several buildings at the base that may have housed ammunitions were also destroyed.

Earlier on September 21, Russia said it shot down 19 drones in Crimea in what appeared to be another barrage of airborne attacks on the Russian-occupied peninsula.

The Russian Defense Ministry said explosions rang out in some areas overnight as unmanned drones attacked in the northern, western, and central parts of Crimea. It did not report any casualties.

Ukrainian forces have appeared to step up their drone and missile strikes in recent months in annexed Crimea, which also hosts Russia's Black Sea naval fleet.

RFE/RL cannot independently confirm claims by either side in areas of heavy fighting.

With reporting by dpa, PAP, Reuters, and The Washington Post
A top official from Russia's armed forces was killed during Azerbaijan's shelling of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh just two months after he was appointed to be the second in command of a Russian peacekeeping force in the region.

Captain First Rank (Colonel) Ivan Kovgan, the deputy commander of Russia's North Fleet submarine forces, was among Russian troops killed during Azerbaijan's "anti-terrorist" operation on September 20, according to the Club of Navy Submarine Veterans in St. Petersburg.

The group said Kovgan was killed when Azerbaijani forces opened fire at a vehicle transporting Russian peacekeepers. The 52-year-old had been appointed to the post of deputy commander of the peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh two months earlier.

The Kremlin said on September 21 that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he offered his apologies and expressed condolences over the deaths of Russian military personnel during what Baku called an anti-terrorist operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"[Aliyev] emphasized that the most thorough investigation of what happened will be conducted and all responsible persons will face due punishment," the Kremlin's statement said, adding that Russian and Azerbaijani prosecutors are in contact to launch the probe.

Aliyev also expressed a readiness to provide the families of the deceased military personnel with financial support.

Media reports in Russia cited sources in Russian law enforcement on September 21 as saying that the commander of the Azerbaijani armed forces unit, whose subordinates were allegedly involved in the deadly shooting at the car with Russian personnel, was dismissed from his post and "first suspects have been detained."

The exact number of Russian troops killed in the attack remains unknown.

In November 2020, during the 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani armed forces shot down a Russian military helicopter, killing two pilots.

Baku said at the time that the aircraft had been shot down by mistake and offered apologies to Russia.

Russian peacekeepers were brought in as part of a cease-fire agreement that ended the war after some 7,000 people lost their lives.

With reporting by Current Time, RFE/RLs Russian Service, TASS, RIA Novosti, and Interfax
Five months after arriving in the French capital, it was only upon seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time that Olha Sakhno fully realized she was in Paris. This was the city she'd dreamed of her whole life as an aspiring fashion designer in Ukraine. But her path to the City of Lights was dark. When war came to her hometown of Pokrovsk in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region -- now on the front lines of the country's battle against invading Russian forces -- the 43-year-old didn't dare evacuate at first. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Sakhno has spent most of her life in a wheelchair and has needed the help and support of relatives and specialists in learning to eat, sit, and talk. Sakhno and her father waited a month in Pokrovsk after the fighting began. She had heard that other countries were accepting Ukrainian refugees, but it seemed too risky -- until it became clear that the biggest danger was not deciding. "My dad and I were sitting in our apartment when there were two explosions. One was in the cafe next door, and the second was on the ninth floor of our building. We hit the floor, and I lay there thinking, If I stay here, I will either die or become even more crippled from stress and fright," Sakhno recalls. She posted requests for evacuation on social networks, and while the subsequent journey -- more than a solid day of traveling on a bus -- was difficult and painful, the people she met who helped her along the way were beacons of hope. Complete strangers helped with the logistics and the financing of her trip, and looked out for her along the way.

"I traveled for 30 hours on a bus without air, and people bought me groceries," she says. "The driver offered to make stops so that I could get out and walk, to get some relief from sitting." But she refused, saying that while her "health cannot withstand such a road," she had insisted, "No stops. We are going forward and only forward." Her arrival in Paris was bittersweet. "I always wanted to come here to show my collections, to glorify Ukraine," she says. "But I never thought that I would come here as a poor refugee." 'Afraid Of Everything' Sakhno had decided during her teenage years to become a fashion designer. She took tailoring and sewing classes and went to university. She was constantly sketching, designing models, making patterns, and sewing clothes. She presented a collection featuring roses and black lace in Italy and retro dresses at Donetsk Fashion Days. She took part in several small festivals in Ukraine, but she lacked the funds to create larger collections for international catwalks.

In Paris, she began to stich together a new life. Upon arrival, she registered at the refugee reception center, and after waiting five hours was offered a space at a free shelter. "They brought me to the hotel, registered me, made sure I could heat up food in the microwave, gave me a room -- and I started to live. I started living from scratch," Sakhno says. "I found a woman who brought me extra food, because food [at the hotel] was only served twice a day with a long break, and I was hungry." Life in the new city quickly felt overwhelming. "I was afraid of everything. For some time, they didn't let me out of the hotel without an escort so that I wouldn't get lost," she says.

Sakhno spent five months at the hotel. The Ukrainian refugees were them resettled at a monastery near Paris, and she lives there still. The Ukrainians who lived with her at the hotel, as well as volunteers, helped Sakhno to adapt. Sakhno speaks French at a conversational level, so language was not an issue. One of the women gave Sakhno a tour of Paris and showed her the sights, including the Eiffel Tower. "Only then did I realize I was in Paris," she says.

Little by little, she learned to navigate her way to the shopping center in her wheelchair and use payment cards in stores. Each month, she receives 210 euros in social assistance. Her French insurance covers the cost of her medicines and paid for a necessary surgery, although she says there can be long waits for specialists. 'Paris Heals And Inspires Me' Sakhno is now working on a new collection. "There will be silk dresses with golden embroidery in the Ukrainian style, so that they can be worn in everyday life," she explains. "The second part is the style of old Hollywood, a bit of the modern era with monochromatic pastel colors and fabrics."

She has already completed two dresses, and the rest are either at the drawing board or on the cutting-room floor -- which is where she does her work at the moment -- but it takes a toll. "I'm cutting on the floor right now. I have a room in the basement with a carpet. I spread a white sheet and cut. But after that," she says, "I feel very bad. My knees atrophy and then I can barely sit in a chair."

Sakhno is currently raising money for an overlock machine -- designed to stitch patterns into fabric -- and a special cutting table that can be made to her specifications back in Ukraine. She has three sewing machines: one given by a volunteer, a second paid for with donations, and a third gifted by her father from Ukraine. She plans to present her work at the beginning of next year and aims to negotiate a show with the Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion -- an influential organization that unites Paris fashion houses, protects copyrights, and organizes fashion shows. Her vision for the Ukrainian dress is grand and specific: She wants it to be photographed at the Ritz Hotel, where Coco Chanel and other famous personalities have strutted its halls.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. It was Azerbaijans obligation to ensure the security of its territorial integrity, Burak Akchapar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye, the country's representative at the UN, said at the UN Security Council meeting, Trend reports.

"We continue to support the peace process with Armenia launched by Azerbaiijan. The signing of a comprehensive peace treaty is crucial for this process," he said.

However, as Akchapar pointed out, over the past three years, the Armenian side has been reluctant to fully implement the trilateral declaration. The illegitimate structure in Khankendi continued its existence, while separatists continued carrying out armed attacks. This is not a way to seek peace.

"After suffering from continuous attacks, Azerbaijan has been left with no choice but to take measures for its own security and stability. In this regard, Azerbaijan has launched an anti-terror measures against illegal Armenian armed forces in Karabakh. Surely, this was not only Azerbaijans sovereign right, but an obligation to protect its citizens," he noted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. The so-called emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the Karabakh issue has wrapped up just now. Remarkably, once again, France - the main supporter of Armenia in the West - initiated the meeting.

Even France, a traditional ally of Armenia, couldn't provide assistance on this occasion. The speech delivered by the French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the UN meeting wasn't explicitly in favor of Armenia  it was exactly pro-Armenian. Nevertheless, the French side did not achieve its objective.

France, through President Emmanuel Macron in particular, despite its "sisterly bond" with Armenia, did not provide assistance to its allies. Moreover, this is not the first instance  in August this year, Armenia attempted to address the issue of the alleged "blockade" of Karabakh residents by Azerbaijan at the UN meeting. Furthermore, in December 2022, France made an effort to raise the issue of the so-called "Lachin corridor". In today's meeting, France once again brought up the topic of the "blockade". However, none of these attempts proved successful.

The discussions in the meeting highlighted that matters raised by Armenia are not appropriate for the Security Council's format; they are out of place there. Moreover, numerous conversations via phone between Armenian PM Pashinyan and Macron did not in any way alter the course of the situation. These issues ought to be dealt with on the ground, directly in the specific context, and could have been effectively addressed through bilateral negotiations without invoking the UN Security Council.
Rahul Gandhi at Anand Vihar railway station

The Congress Leader Participates in Humble Tasks, Connects with Workers & Commuters

NEW-DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, took a break from his routine to connect with everyday lives by meeting coolies at Anand Vihar railway station in the national capital, Delhi. During this visit, he actively participated in their work by carrying the luggage of passengers. The moment was captured on video and shared by the Congress party on social media.

The Congress party shared the captured moment on Twitter, describing Rahul Gandhi's engagement with the coolies as an example of his approach as a 'people's leader.' The video showcased a genuine interaction between Rahul Gandhi and the workers, highlighting their aspirations and concerns. This outreach is part of Rahul Gandhi's ongoing effort to connect with people across various segments of society, reflecting his commitment to understanding their challenges and aspirations.

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In recent times, Rahul Gandhi has been engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. Notably, he was seen driving a tractor in Haryana and actively participating in planting paddy in the fields alongside farmers. Additionally, he spent time with a motor mechanic, discussing various subjects. During the interaction, Rahul Gandhi also mentioned his own motorcycle, a KTM 390, revealing that due to security concerns, he is unable to ride it as freely as he would like. Notably, This Initiative showcases Rahul Gandhi's approach of being in touch with the grassroots and understanding the realities faced by various sections of society.
ASI Balwinder Singh

Tarn Taran Police Commends Heroic Act as ASI Balwinder Singh Thwarts Armed Robbers

TARN TARAN: Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Balwinder Singh, hailed as a local hero for displaying remarkable bravery during a daylight robbery attempt at the State Bank of India branch in Dhotian village, Tarn Taran, has been rewarded for his courageous act. In recognition of his valor, Balwinder Singh has been promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector, an accolade bestowed upon him by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav.

DGP Gaurav Yadav commended ASI Balwinder Singh for his exceptional courage while on duty, making the announcement via a tweet, praising the officer's gallantry in thwarting the armed robbers. The incident transpired when four armed assailants attempted to rob the bank and fired at ASI Balwinder Singh, who was present at the scene. Despite sustaining injuries, Balwinder Singh fearlessly confronted the robbers, preventing the robbery from being successful.

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The Incident was captured by the bank's CCTV cameras, providing crucial evidence for further investigations. Upon being notified of the attempted robbery, Vishaljit Singh, SP Investigation of Tarn Taran Police, promptly arrived at the location with his team. The CCTV footage aided in identifying and tracking the robbers involved.

Following the incident, ASI Balwinder Singh was swiftly admitted to a hospital for necessary medical treatment. Forensic experts conducted a thorough examination of the crime scene and collected crucial samples. Police investigations have revealed that the perpetrators had meticulously planned and surveilled the bank before executing the robbery attempt.
File Photo

Allegations of Extreme Physical Abuse Emerge After Child Accused of Hitting Classmate

LUDHIANA: A Distressing incident has come to light from a government school situated in Ludhiana district's Muslim colony, where a young student was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse allegedly orchestrated by the school's principal and staff. The child, accused of hitting a classmate with a pencil, endured brutal treatment over a span of two days.

The Incident has left the child's family horrified and deeply anguished. According to family members, their child was relentlessly beaten, and shocking evidence of the abuse was captured in a video by another student. The child returned home with visible signs of trauma, displaying marks of the beatings on thighs, back, and severely reddened soles, impairing the ability to walk properly.

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Sahluna Khatun, the mother of the student enrolled in LKG at Bal Vikas School, expressed her distress, narrating the ordeal her son faced. She highlighted the relentless torture the child underwent, prompting the family to lodge a formal complaint with the police, seeking justice for their child.

Principal Bhagwan defended the school's actions, stating that the child had allegedly hit another classmate with a pencil, leading to a complaint from the concerned classmate's family. Bhagwan contended that the child had been repeatedly cautioned about misbehavior and emphasized the potential harm a pencil could cause, especially if it came into contact with a sensitive area. The principal denied inflicting excessive force during the disciplinary action and insisted that the severity of the incident was being exaggerated by the child's family.

Notably, This distressing incident has sparked outrage among the community and raises questions regarding the safety and well-being of students within educational institutions.
Former Punjab CM Channi

Channi Labels Bill as Hollow Promise, Calls for Immediate Implementation; Responds to Trudeau's Remarks on Extremist's Killing

AMRITSAR: Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi, offered his prayers at the revered Harmandir Sahib on Thursday, accompanied by a group of his ardent supporters. The visit, however, was not officially communicated to the local committee. Following his visit, Channi voiced strong criticism against the recently passed Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament.

Expressing his discontent, Channi likened the Women's Reservation Bill to an empty promise, stating that it falls short of real action. Drawing a metaphor, he likened it to a man purchasing jewelry for his wife, locking it away, and pledging to allow her to wear it only when their children marry. Channi emphasized that the reservation bill for women shares a similar fate, urging for immediate and effective implementation of the legislation, rather than deferring rights for another 8-10 years.

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In addition to his stance on the Women's Reservation Bill, Channi addressed the recent statement made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concerning the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. He urged for India to address this matter, particularly if it's being raised in the parliament of a foreign country. Channi refrained from commenting on Congress High Command and the India Alliance when questioned about them.
Highway

Four Youths Survive, Truck Flees Scene, Police Investigating CCTV Footage for Clues

LUDHIANA: A Late-night collision on the National Highway in Ludhiana has left a car teetering on a railing, following a side impact with a truck. The Altroz car, carrying four young individuals, suffered extensive damage after the collision. Despite sustaining injuries, all occupants survived the harrowing accident. Shockingly, the truck driver fled the scene.

The incident unfolded as Hardeep Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, along with three companions, was traveling along the National Highway in an Altroz car. A speeding truck struck their car from the side as it descended from the Doraha bridge. The impact threw the car off balance, causing it to collide with the divider's railing.

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In a hasty escape, the truck driver swiftly left the accident scene, ignoring the pleas of the occupants in the car to stop. A crowd quickly gathered at the spot, and with immense effort, managed to safely extract the four young individuals from the car, despite their minor injuries.

Soon after the collision, the highway experienced a traffic jam, prompting the arrival of police personnel to manage the situation. The local police at the Doraha police station were alerted by the public. Upon arrival, a tow-van was summoned to remove the damaged vehicle from the roadway. Notably, Authorities are now diligently examining CCTV footage
Student's Protest Ended

Students' Struggle Nears End as MLA Gurinder Singh Ghari Mediates and Government Takes Decisive Action

AMLOH: The Prolonged dispute between students of Desh Bhagat University's nursing college and the university administration has seen a significant development with the intervention of Constituency MLA Gurinder Singh Ghari. Bringing a copy of the Punjab government's directive, he conveyed to the students that the government has ordered the closure of the nursing college and the confiscation of 5 crores in security funds from Desh Bhagat University. The students will be shifted to another college, and their educational expenses during the transition will be covered by the university.

Expressing determination to safeguard the students' interests, the MLA emphasized that no student would be left disadvantaged. He underscored that the Punjab government has taken stern action against the fraudulent activities of Desh Bhagat University, filing a complaint against the chancellor and other staff members.

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The Nursing Students had previously raised concerns regarding the university's lack of recognition by the Nursing Council of India. The Punjab Nursing Council accredits only 60 seats, while the university had admitted over 150 students. Furthermore, they alleged that after completing their courses, they were denied degrees, putting their future at risk. With the government's intervention and proactive measures, there is hope for a resolution to this ongoing issue, providing a sense of relief and assurance to the affected students.




The Biden Administration has approved $37 million in debt cancellation for more than 1,200 student borrowers who were deceived by the University of Phoenix.

These borrowers were cheated into believing that by attending the University of Phoenix they would have promising career prospects at Fortune 500 companies - yet those benefits and opportunities never existed.

The U.S. Department of Education announced that it will forgive nearly $37 million in federal loans for the students who enrolled at the University of Phoenix between September 21, 2012, and December 31, 2014, and applied for relief.

The relief stems partly from evidence provided by the Federal Trade Commission, which obtained a $191 million settlement from the University in 2019.

The Department of Education said it found that a national ad campaign from Phoenix misled prospective students by 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. In fact, Phoenix's corporate partnerships provided no such benefits to students.

According to the 2019 FTC complaint, University of Phoenix, and its parent company, Apollo Education Group, Inc., falsely claimed that their relationships with top companies created job opportunities specifically for University of Phoenix students and that they worked with these companies to develop their curriculum. The FTC charged that the companies used a multimedia ad campaign to attract students, including ads specifically targeted to military and Latino consumers. The companies' "Let's Get to Work" campaign featured several high-profile employers, including Microsoft, Twitter, Adobe, and Yahoo!, giving the false impression that University of Phoenix worked with those companies to create job opportunities for its students.

With this, the total amount of debt cancellation approved by the Biden Administration rises to more than $117 billion, including $14.8 billion in relief for 1.1 million students whose colleges took advantage of them or closed abruptly.

President Joe Biden said his Administration won't stand for colleges taking advantage of hardworking students and borrowers. "As long as I am President, we will never stop fighting to deliver relief to borrowers who are entitled to it - like those who attended University of Phoenix - and we will hold colleges accountable for misleading and cheating their students".

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The European Chips Act entered into force Thursday, putting in place a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the European Union's security of supply, resilience, and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications.

The European Chips Act aims to strengthen manufacturing activities in the European Union, stimulate the European design ecosystem, and support scale-up and innovation across the whole value chain. The European Union aims to reach its target to double its current global market share of semiconductor to 20 percent in 2030.

Using EUR 3.3 billion of EU funds, the Chips for Europe Initiative envisages setting up of advanced pilot production lines to accelerate innovation and development, the development of a cloud-based design platform, the establishment of competence centres, and the development of quantum chips.

Under the European Chips Act, public and private investments in manufacturing facilities for chipmakers and their suppliers will be given incentives.

The European Chips Act has established a coordination mechanism between the Member States and the Commission for strengthening collaboration with and across Member States, monitoring the supply of semiconductors, estimating demand, anticipating shortages, and, if necessary, triggering the activation of a crisis stage.

With the entry into force of the Chips Act, the work of the newly established European Semiconductor Board will also formally start, which will be the key platform for coordination between the Commission, Member States, and stakeholders.

The European Chips Act was proposed at time shortage of chips was affecting European industry.

Semiconductors are the essential building blocks of digital and digitised products. Ranging from smartphones and cars, to critical applications and infrastructures for healthcare, energy, defence, communications and industrial automation, semiconductors are the core material used to run devices that are key to the modern digital . They are also at the centre of strong geostrategic interests and the global technological race.

Globally, China leads in the production of semiconductors while the United States currently produces only 10 percent of the world's supply.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Dean of Commerce, Professor Dave Sewry [Image credit: Gavin Gaka]

By Carmen Visser

Investec recently hosted an awards dinner to honour top academic achievements within the Rhodes University Commerce Faculty over the past four years, who had gone through the Extended Studies Programme.

Commerce student Keanu Theron, the programme director for the evening, explained how participating in the Extended Studies Programme did not prevent him from experiencing university life to its fullest and helped immensely with his studies.

The Dean of Commerce, Professor Dave Sewry, expressed his gratitude and thanked Investec, as well as the staff of the Commerce Extended Studies Programme (CESP). Moreover, Professor Sewry claimed that the award dinner was a celebration of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of CESP, and a celebration of top academic performance.

The Dean of Commerce proudly stated that one in every six students at Rhodes University is in the Commerce Faculty. He said, Deans are permitted to brag a little. Therefore, let me brag and say that I am proud of the faculty and its achievements.

He also quashed those who describe commerce students and graduates as grey and exclaimed, We are colourful accountants at the very least!

Professor Sewry encouraged students of the faculty to stand tall and work hard. Your capacity to achieve is not in question, he said and encouraged students to remember to brag a little bit.

Commerce Extended Studies Programme student, Ms. Bulelwa Busakwe referred to the CESP as a privilege to be a part of, even though she admitted to being initially cautious. I didnt know that I would be getting all I needed through the programme, she said.

She found herself and found a family within the programme. Do yourself and your family proud! Keep your head up high. CESP changed our lives and we are nothing but grateful, she said.

Mr Setlogane Manchidi, the Head of Investec Corporate Social Investment, took to the podium to reflect on the state of the nation. One of his key points was regarding the high level of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. As a father of daughters, he admitted to having ever-persistent worries about the dangers of GBV and urged everyone in the room to make a change.

Furthermore, he admitted that we all need to make this country work and that we have lost the Nelson Mandela Way. He pleaded with all the students in the room to help improve the countrys challenges.

Furthermore, he reminded the students about their families who rely on them from back home: Your achievements are not yours alone, he said.

The top three achievers from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were given gifts by Investec representative, Mr Setlogane Manchidi, as part of the awards.

Their names and average percentages were:

Top in 2020:

Itumeleng Malesa: 82%

Mihlali Lutya: 80%

Shane Marais: 80%

Nonjabulo Phoswa: 78%

Puseletso Matlhake: 78%

Somila Galeni: 78%

Nomkhosi Sigudu: 78%

Top in 2021:

Fundiswa Tshali: 83%

Varshan Pillay: 81%

Dale Pote: 80%

Top in 2022:

Munashe Sithole: 84%

Dikgang Makgatho: 84%

Mihle Notholi: 82%

Matt Bouwer: 82%

Tshepang Motsepe: 80%

Top in 2023:

Zintle Kave: 86%

Ntokozo Maduma: 82%

Lonwabo Mgqibelo: 81%

The Investec CESP award dinner ended with a vote of thanks from Mr Amon Magadza, who extended appreciation to Investec for the ongoing support provided to Rhodes Universitys Commerce Faculty since 2009.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Iran lifted the ban on flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the opposite direction after peace restoration in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the representative of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran, Jafar Yazerlu, said, Trend reports.

According to Yazerlu, after the launch of anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh on September 19, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization suspended all flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the opposite direction for the safety of passengers.

He added that yesterday, given the agreement reached in the region, a decision was made to resume flights.

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.
This study focusses on how satisfied dealer partners are with their respective OEMs in terms of Product and Business Viability

In the car segment, Hyundai Motors India and Maruti Suzuki have emerged as the frontrunners in FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations) Dealership Satisfaction Study for the year 2023. In the two wheeler segment it was Honda and Royal Enfield while in CV segment it was Eicher Motors, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland that ruled the charts.

Dealer Satisfaction Report Sep 2023

This edition of Annual Dealer Satisfaction Survey spanned 1,821 dealers who represented around 3,500 outlets across various OEMs and all four geographical zones. The survey was conducted to understand dealer expectations from their OEMs and assess different aspects of business in terms of sales, after sales support, policies and business viability. It covered all segments such as passenger cars, two wheelers and commercial vehicles and was conducted by The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), in association with Singapore-based PremonAsia.

Auto dealers showed satisfaction in terms of certain aspects, there were concerns raised on dealer viability and policy collaboration with OEMs along with demands for better management of unsold inventory and actions against MBOs (Multi-Brand Outlets).

Car Dealers Satisfaction Study 2023

In the four wheeler segment, it was Hyundai Motor India that headed the list with a ranking of 852 points. Hyundai took over from Kia that had scored a higher rating in 2022 at 871 points, thereby gaining 22 points on a YoY basis. Kia dealer satisfaction score on the other hand fell by 115 points from 2022 to 756 points in 2023.

At No. 2 was Maruti Suzuki with 791 points with a 62 point increase over 725 score in dealer satisfaction in 2022. Mahindra with 774 points was down 11 points when compared to a dealer satisfaction score of 785 in 2022. Honda Cars India was at 4th position with 763 points and Kia and Toyota followed with 756 and 732 points respectively. Tata Motors and Renault scored 728 and 724 points respectively. Data was indexed to a maximum of 1000 points scale.

Two Wheeler Dealers Satisfaction Study 2023

In the two wheeler segment, HMSI was the highest scorer with 797 points. It retained its top spot and also gained 61 points from 736/1000 score in dealer satisfaction in 2022. It was followed by Royal Enfield and Hero MotoCorp with scores of 787 and 770 respectively, both of which scored higher on a YoY basis. There was also TVS (633), Suzuki (600), Yamaha (598) and Bajaj (595) on this list. India Yamaha Motors and Bajaj Auto saw lower scoring by 30 and 11 points respectively when compared to 628 and 606 scores held in a similar study conducted in 2022.

The commercial vehicle segment saw a segment average of 778 units. It was topped by Eicher Motors with 812 points, along with Tata (794), Ashok Leyland (779) and Bharat Benz (690). Even though Eicher Motors retained its top spot in dealer satisfaction study, it lost 25 points from a score of 837 points in 2022 while Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Bharat Benz scored higher on a YoY basis.

Segment-Specific Observations

The four wheeler segment found dealers showing satisfaction in terms of product reliability but voiced their concerns in terms of dead-stocks and inventory buyback policies of their respective OEMs. They also felt that their involvement in regard to policy making decisions was lacking. Dealers of two wheelers were also satisfied with product reliability and range but voiced the same concerns as 4 wheeler dealers in terms of buyback, deadstock and involvement in policy decisions by the OEMs.

Commercial vehicle dealers also had similar issues with deadstock and buyback particularly during the transition to BSVI compliant vehicles. Inventory management and dealership involvement continued to score lower for each segment indicating a vital area that needs attention and improvement.
Mechanically, Honda Repsol Edition of both Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125 remain identical to their standard models respectively

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has launched special Repsol Edition variants of their popular Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. Both motorcycles now get special liveries with Repsol branding. With Repsol Editions, Honda intends to celebrate Indias maiden MotoGP event  Moto GP Bharat.

Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition

Honda recently updated the Hornet 2.0 and made it comply BS6 P2 emission standards along with RDE norms and E20 fuel compatibility. This naked street commuter is one of the sportiest and most appealing motorcycles in its segment. Hornet 2.0 holds quite a pull on prospective buyers with its captivating design and appearance.

Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition costs Rs. 1.4 lakh (ex-sh), which is Rs. 1,000 more expensive than standard model. Repsol Edition gets a new stylish and dual-tone livery. Primary colours of choice are Ross White and Vibrant Orange. The Ross White elements extend from rear subframe body panels through side body panels and into its fuel tank.

At the fuel tank, this Ross White livery lends the look of a perimeter frame, even though Hornet 2.0 gets a diamond frame. Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition gets red pillion grab handles and red pin striping on alloy wheels. The 184.4cc single-cylinder engine gets 17 bhp of power and 15.9 Nm of torque. Slipper clutch, petal disc brakes, single-channel ABS, full LED lighting are notable elements.

Dio 125 Repsol Edition

In Hondas extensive scooter lineup, Dio 125 is the newest. Range starts from Rs. 83,400 and the Repsol Edition costs Rs. 90,000 (both prices ex-sh). Dio 125 shares the design and body panels with 110cc Dio and packs new and modern features. Smart key and fully digital instrument cluster are new and highlight elements.

Repsol Edition of Dio 125 gets the same Ross White and Vibrant Orange colour livery. As opposed to black wheels on Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition, Dio 125 Repsol Edition gets alloy wheels painted in Vibrant Orange. There are multiple brandings and other visual highlights exclusive to Repsol Edition.

The 123.92cc engine on Dio 125 generates 8.2 bhp of power and 10.4 Nm of torque. Dio 125 Repsol Edition features 12-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes and CBS as standard model.

Words from the manufacturer

Introducing HMSIs latest offerings, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, Racing is the heart of Honda. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, MotoGP, is happening in India for the first time ever and there is a lot of enthusiasm among the Indian fans to witness history in the making. To further amplify their excitement, we have launched the 2023 Repsol Editions of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. We wish the upcoming BharatGP to be a great success.

Commenting on the launch of the 2023 Repsol Limited Edition models, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, We are excited to launch the new 2023 Repsol Edition of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125.

Both these models have delighted customers in their respective segments and with the launch of these Limited-Edition versions, we are happy to transform Hondas racing DNA on Indian roads for the MotoGP fans in India. We also extend our best wishes to the Repsol Honda Team for the maiden BharatGP.
Toyota sales improved both on YoY and MoM basis with the Toyota Innova Crysta, Glanza and HyRyder registering strong demand

Toyota has an interesting lineup of both SUVs and MPVs in India. These include the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and Vellfire as well as the Fortuner, Hilux pick-up truck, Glanza 5 seater hatchback and Camry sedan. The company also launched the new Rumion MPV in the past month, based on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. It is priced from Rs 10.29 lakh (ex-showroom) and booking opened earlier this month.

Toyota Sales Grow 40 percent YoY  Aug 2023

Toyota sales stood at 20,969 units in August 2023, a 40 percent YoY growth from 14,959 units sold in August 2022. This related to a 6,010 units volume growth. It was the Innova Crysta that topped sales charts despite a YoY de-growth by 17.71 percent to 4,967 units. There had been 6,036 units sold in the same month last year. Innova Crysta currently commands a 23.81 percent share in the company portfolio.

At No. 2 was the Glanza with a 63.80 percent YoY growth in sales to 4,932 units, up from 3,011 units sold in August 2022. This related to a 1,921 unit volume growth and the 5 seater premium hatchback currently holds a 23.65 percent share.

Next up was the HyRyder of which the company sold 4,121 units in the past month. Toyota HyRyder was the 4th best-selling compact SUV in August 2023 after the Creta, Grand Vitara and Seltos. Fortuner sales improved by 9.45 percent on a YoY basis in August 2023 to 2,825 units, up from 2,581 units sold in August 2022.

It was followed by the Camry which has witnessed a 192 percent YoY growth in sales to 181 units, up from 62 units sold in August 2022. Toyota Hilux sales also escalated 565 percent YoY to 133 units, up from just 20 units sold in August 2022. Rumion has just been launched and 112 units were dispatched to dealers across India in Aug 2023.

Toyota MoM sales Performance August 2023

Marginal MoM growth was reported for Toyota in August 2023. Sales improved by 0.47 percent to 20,857 units from 20,759 units sold in July 2023. The three top spots were claimed by Innova Crysta, Glanza and HyRyder, with the HyCross also adding some significant numbers despite the latter noting a MoM de-growth.

Innova Crysta sales improved by 15.48 percent MoM to 4,967 units from 4,301 units sold in July 2023 with a 666 unit volume growth. Glanza also saw a marginal improvement in sales by 0.61 units from 4,902 units sold in July 2023 while HyRyder sales grew by 21.67 percent over 3,387 units sold in July 2023.

Toyota HyCross sales dipped 20.20 percent MoM to 3,698 units from 4,634 units sold in July 2023. Thereafter, Toyota has also experienced a MoM de-growth for the Fortuner (-9.72%), Camry (4.74%) and Hilux (38.43%). The recently launched Vellfire is also seeing good response from buyers in the country. It is priced at Rs 1.20 crores (ex-showroom). The luxury MPV comes in via the CBU route and currently commands a waiting period of upto 14 months.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Adoption of the new law "On Energy" will have a positive impact on electricity prices, chairman of Milli Majlis (Parliament) Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology Sadig Gurbanov told Trend.

He noted that the draft law "On Energy", discussed recently at the Committee's meeting and recommended to the plenary session of the Parliament, is a generalization of the laws of Azerbaijan "On Electricity", "On Gas Supply", "On Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Electricity Generation", "On Efficient Use of Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency".

Gurbanov emphasized that earlier, when the Law "On Electricity" was adopted, the issue of separation of production and sales was discussed.

"Starting from 2028, the sale of electricity will be regulated through a regulator, outside of the state monopoly. At the same time, domestic and foreign investors will be able to work in this sphere (sale of electricity). Electricity transmission and distribution will remain in the state monopoly. On the other hand, electricity production will be allowed. If someone wants, he will be able to build a station, produce electricity and sell it freely on the market. Therefore, we believe that under market competition, i.e. in a competitive environment, electricity prices should go down," Gurbanov said.

He added that the population will have the opportunity to choose an electricity supplier for commercial facilities.

"Thus, an electricity supplier can be chosen in the same way as people choose their cell phone operators. Having found a suitable supplier, citizens will enter into a contract with him and buy electricity at the tariff set by him. This will ensure uninterrupted and high-quality electricity supply to the country's population, as well as free choice of prices. This will be possible after 2028," Gurbanov summarized.

Moreover, the new draft law "On Energy" in accordance with paragraph 11 of Part I of Article 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan defines the general legal, economic and managerial framework of activities in the field of energy, as well as mechanisms to ensure energy security, the formation of a healthy competitive environment, support sustainable economic development, providing consumers with reliable, quality, affordable and safe energy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The information about "mass losses among the population of Karabakh" isn't true, Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan said, Trend reports.

The separatists spread misinformation that allegedly "shots were heard and civilians were killed.

As proposed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting with the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to discuss the reintegration issues, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws, was held on September 21, 2023, in Yevlakh.

The central authorities of Azerbaijan were represented at the meeting by Ramin Mammadov, responsible for contacts with Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Bashir Hajiyev, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation that are part of the Karabakh Economic Region (excluding the Shusha district), and Ilkin Sultanov, an employee of the special representative office.

The Armenian residents of Karabakh were represented at the talks by David Melkumyan and Sergey Martirosyan. A representative of the Russian peacekeeping contingent attended the meeting as a participant.

The local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh led to the surrender of the separatists. Taking into account the appeal of representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on a complete ceasefire, and local anti-terrorist activities were suspended on September 20, 2023 at 13:00 (GMT+4). At the suggestion of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a meeting with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh was scheduled.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. A wounded Armenian woman approached Azerbaijani army servicemen and asked them for help on the territory of Khojavend district on September 21, the Defense Ministry told Trend.

Azerbaijani servicemen immediately provided first aid to the wounded woman and evacuated her to the nearest military hospital.

Azerbaijani military doctors successfully carried out the operation.

VIDEO:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the incident in connection with the death of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh, Trend reports.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, on September 20, 2023, a group of servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan who participated in local anti-terrorist activities in the village of Janyatag in the Terter district of Azerbaijan shelled at a car with servicemen of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation (RPC) stationed in this territory. The car was mistakenly thought to have belonged to the Armenian separatist troops, thanks to difficult terrain and foggy-rainy weather conditions.

In addition, on the same day, unknown members of illegal Armenian armed formations shelled a Russian Kamaz truck belonging to the RPC on the territory of the specified settlement. As a result of the incident, one RPC serviceman was killed and another serviceman was injured.

According to both facts, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan has initiated a criminal investigation under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, the investigation of which is entrusted to the Investigative Department of the Prosecutor General's Office.

A telephone conversation took place today between the attorneys general of the two countries. The prosecutor general of Azerbaijan expressed deep condolences to the Russian side in connection with the death of peacekeepers.

The parties agreed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident in close cooperation. Currently, the Prosecutor's office is conducting investigative and operational measures on the criminal case.
Archaeologists have found an ancient wooden structure at the archaeological site of Kalambo Falls in Zambia. This structure  dated to about 476,000 years ago  has no known parallels in the African or Eurasian Paleolithic and may represent the earliest use of wood in construction.

Wooden artifacts rarely survive from the Early Paleolithic as they require exceptional conditions for preservation.

Therefore, archaeologists have limited information about when and how hominins used this basic raw material or how Paleolithic humans structured their environments.

Our find has changed how I think about our early ancestors, said University of Liverpools Professor Larry Barham.

Forget the label Stone Age, 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 theyd 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.

Professor Barham and colleagues discovered an ancient wooden structure at the archaeological site of Kalambo Falls, which lies above a 235-m (772-foot) waterfall on the border of Zambia with the Rukwa Region of Tanzania at the edge of Lake Tanganyika.

The structure includes two preserved interlocking logs joined transversely by an intentionally cut notch. The upper log had been shaped, and tool marks were found on both logs.

The logs could have been used to construct a raised platform, walkway or foundation for dwellings in the periodically wet floodplain.

This discovery challenges the prevailing view that Stone Age humans were nomadic, the researchers said.

At Kalambo Falls these humans not only had a perennial source of water, but the forest around them provided enough food to enable them to settle and make structures.

They used new luminescence dating techniques, which reveal the last time minerals in the sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight, to determine their age.

At this great age, putting a date on finds is very challenging and we used luminescence dating to do this, said Aberystwyth Universitys Professor Geoff Duller.

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.

At Kalambo, the scientists also recovered four wood tools from 390,000 to 324,000 years ago, including a wedge, digging stick, cut log and notched branch.

The finds show an unexpected early diversity of forms and the capacity to shape tree trunks into large combined structures, the authors concluded.

These new data not only extend the age range of woodworking in Africa but expand our understanding of the technical cognition of early hominins, forcing re-examination of the use of trees in the history of technology.

The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal Nature.

_____

L. Barham et al. Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago. Nature, published online September 20, 2023; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06557-9
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. On September 20, Armenian militants fired at a car belonging to Russias peacekeeping contingent, as a result of which 1 serviceman was killed and 1 was wounded, the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan told Trend.

According to the information provided, on September 20, in the village of Janyatag, Terter region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, unidentified members of illegal Armenian armed groups fired at a Kamaz car belonging to peacekeepers with firearms.

As a result of the incident, 1 serviceman of the Russian peacekeeping contingent was killed and 1 was injured.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Defense and security spending in Azerbaijan will amount to three billion manat ($1.8 billion) next year, the Ministry of Finance told Trend.

"In order to further strengthen the country's defense capability and national security and modernize the logistics of the army, the state budget for 2024 provides for the creation of financial support in the amount of three billion manat ($1.8 billion)," the ministry said.

According to the Ministry of Finance, tax revenues are forecasted at the level of 17.9 billion manat ($10.5 billion), and non-tax revenues are 16.1 billion manat ($9.5 billion).

In addition, it is expected that the revenues of the state budget of Azerbaijan next year will amount to 33.8 billion manat ($19.9 billion).
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The daylighting and green infrastructure retrofit of two miles of the Sterling Relief Drain in Sterling Heights has proven such a success that the Macomb County Public Works Office is looking to do it again. County officials have submitted a grant proposal to redesign and retrofit another 1.5 miles of the approximately 5 mile-long open channel drainage system.The Sterling Relief Drain is located south of Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights, running west of Ryan Road to east of Schoenherr Road. Work began in 2018 to daylight and retrofit two miles of the 1960s-era drainage system, allowing for water to naturally filter through the soil rather than follow the drain and into Lake St. Clair. More than 135,000 native perennial plants, over 1,000 shrubs, and hundreds of trees have since been planted, creating a Butterfly Flyway that regularly attracts more than a dozen species to the area, as well as other important pollinators and birds.The project was awarded Project of the Year (Quality of Life/$1 million to $5 million) by the Michigan chapter of the American Public Works Association in 2021. It was lauded for its success in improving infrastructure and mitigating pollution, while also reestablishing native habitat for food-producing pollinators.The Macomb County Public Works Office has submitted a grant proposal to the National Fish & Wildlife Federation through its Sustain Our Great Lakes Program, hoping to receive funding to retrofit and daylight another 1.5 miles of the Sterling Relief Drain, this time west of Mound Road. Thousands of plants would again be added to expand the Butterfly Flyway. The initial project was funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.Certainly, we need that functionality, but then to create this space where the pollinators can come, its a beautiful, wild native area, says Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor, a champion of the monarch butterfly The more I learned about the monarch butterfly, the more I learned about how important it is to the natural balance of the ecosystem -- how much we rely on these pollinators for all the food that we eat. We take that for granted a lot of times, so Ive been encouraging residents, and encouraging my colleagues in other cities to take the Mayors Monarch Pledge and do what you can to create areas within public property where you can put fly zones like we have here.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith
Unroll your mind in Sterling Heights. (Photo: Pexels)

Four bicycles  two adult bikes and two childrens bikes  are now available for check-out at the library. (File photo)

Clinton River Canoe & Kayak Rentals at Rotary Park. (File photo: David Lewinski)

Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor (L to R), Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, and Macomb County Commissioner Joseph Romano at the revamped Sterling Relief Drain. (Photo: Macomb County Public Works)

This Thursday, Sept. 21, is International Pause the World Day, a nice reminder from our friends at whoever-makes-these-daily-holidays-up to stop, breathe, stretch, and tune out the noise of our daily lives. If youre just finding out about this holiday, its probably too late to schedule the day off  Hi, boss, I wont be coming into work today. Its International Pause the World Day, you didnt know?  but its still good to be reminded that sometimes its okay to just stop what youre doing, put the phone down, and let your mind unwind a bit, if even for a few minutes.Thats all easier said than done, of course, and especially if youre living in a population center like metro Detroit. But even in a city like Sterling Heights, where it bustles with the business, traffic, construction crews, and day-to-day activity expected of the second largest suburb of metro Detroit and the fourth largest city in the entire state, there is still plenty of respite to be found in this city of more than 130,000 residents. You just have to know where to find it.So while it may be too late to use the old International Pause the World Day card at work, keep these ideas in your back pocket next time you have a window to take a breather  and breathe.13911 19 Mile Rd.This one writes itself, really. Dr. Brian McCarroll, a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) from Duke Medical School, leads this guided meditation and breathing class inspired by the Wim Hof Method. It takes you down a path of mindfulness and physical health and wellness, but the style of breathwork, guided meditation, and light stretching it employs means that its as well-suited for beginners as it is for seasoned yogis.The class is offered at 7:30 p.m. each and every Thursday at the Sterling Heights location of UpDog Yoga, and walk-ins are welcome. Be sure to check their calendar as there is a verified bevy of yoga classes and workshops each day of the week, from beginner sessions to well beyond.40255 Dodge Park Rd.The public library is more than a repository of books. It's a mysterious, wondrous place with the power to change lives.  Chicago Tribune literary editor Elizabeth Taylor.September is Library Card Sign-Up Month  there really is a holiday for everything  and the Sterling Heights Public Library is celebrating all month long with giveaways, contests, and more. Those without a library card can sign up for one and be entered to win a prize, and thats in addition to all the benefits that library cardholders possess.Ready to step outside of the muted hush of the library for some sunshine? Sterling Heights Library card holders have access to a free bicycle rental service , which makes four bikes (two for adults, two for children) available for two hours at a time.Have your own? There are free and open-to-the-public EZDock launches at Rotary Park and North Clinton River ParkLooking to rent? Check out Clinton River Canoe & Kayak Rentals at Rotary ParkThere are few things as peaceful as a lazy drift along a calm water. And, thankfully, the Sterling Heights section of the Clinton River is usually (conditions vary, of course) perfect for just that. The Clinton River Water Trail is one of the regions best, a 72-mile stretch from Maceday Lake in Waterford Township all the way to Lake St. Clair. Nine miles of the Water Trail and its associated wildlife areas wind through Sterling Heights , and the City is always looking for ways to make the most of it. The EZDock launches installed in 2019, for example, are user-friendly, even for beginners, and free to use for all  and also ADA-compliant.Water not your thing? Sterling Heights has more than 15 miles of dedicated trails throughout their impressive system of parks and wilderness, accessible by foot, bicycle (maybe from the library, even), and otherwise  just as long as its not motorized. There is no shortage of places to stop and smell the roses, as it were. Learn more online thanks to the Sterling Heights Department of Parks & Recreation.Sterling Relief DrainSouth of Metropolitan Parkway, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke roadsThe award-winning Sterling Relief Drain project daylighted two miles of the five-mile drainage system first built in the 1960s, simultaneously implementing green infrastructure techniques, improving water quality while mitigating pollution. They also added more than 135,000 native perennial plants, over 1,000 shrubs, and hundreds of trees in the Butterfly Flyway that attracts more than a dozen species of butterflies, including the monarch, as well as other pollinators and birds. Restoring pollinator habitats is a big priority for the city, with Mayor Michael Taylor signing the Mayors Monarch Pledge two years running and the Sterling Heights Beautification Commission providing free packets of pollinator seeds to city residents.Fans of the Butterfly Flyway take note: The Macomb County Public Works Office has submitted a grant proposal through the Sustain Our Great Lakes program, which is managed by the National Fish & Wildlife Federation, in hopes to build upon the success of the Sterling Relief Drain project. They intend to daylight and retrofit another 1.5 miles of the drain west of Mound Road.
The Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween art show will take place on Sept. 30 at Calhoun County Fairgraounds.

One of the many artists who display work at the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween Show.

Dolls created by Jennie Hepler-Takens, owner of Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

Witches created by Stacey Walsh of Goode Wife's Tea, who will be displaying at Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

A Halloween doll creaA doll created by Stacey Walsh of Goode Wife's Tea, who will be displaying at Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.Jennie Hepler-Takens, owner of Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

Over 2,000 Halloween art collectors from around the United States head to Marshall for the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween show.

A doll created by Stacey Walsh of Goode Wife's Tea, who will be displaying at Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.Jennie Hepler-Takens, owner of Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.
Inside views of Elemental Print Shop

Jenna Riehl using the printing press.

Photo of one of Elementals events

Posters promoting the events being held at Elemental Press.

Staff members at Elemental Press.
A doll created by Stacey Walsh of Goode Wife's Tea., who will be displaying at Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

Dolls created by Jennie Hepler-Takens of Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.

A doll created by Stacey Walsh of Goode Wife's Tea., who will be displaying at Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween.
Passion and persistence characterized many of the youth who attended last Friday's Youth Climate Strike.

Students gathered to make signs before marching for the Youth Climate Strike.

Elliot Spooelstra, Kalamazoo Central senior, and Mia Breznau, Mattawan High School senior, are spokespeople for Ardea Youth Climate Coalition..

Amo Kostrzewa and Olivia Cheinker, Kalamazoo Central seniors with Ardea Youth Climate Coalition.

Students marched through downtown Kalamazoo last Friday as part of the Youth Climate Strike.

Denise Keel, director of the Michigan Climate Action Network, speaks to the crowd.

Students marched through downtown Kalamazoo last Friday as part of the Youth Climate Strike.

WMU professor Paul Clements and Jeff Spoelstra (Elliot's father) chat near the steps of City Hall.

Elliot Spooelstra, Kalamazoo Central senior, and Mia Breznau, Mattawan High School senior, are spokespeople for Ardea Youth Climate Coalition..

Though the Youth Climate Strike is over, many students believe the fight to end fossil fuel use has just begun.
Biotechnology company 4basebio reported revenues from its DNA and Hermes products surpassing 0.2m in its first half on Thursday.

The AIM-traded firm recorded a cash balance of 3.6m by the end of the period on 30 June, although a loss of 3.6m was registered.

That marked an increase from the prior year's loss of 2.4m during the same period.

Net cash outflow from operational activities was pegged at 3m, up from 2.5m year-on-year.

Operationally, a notable supply agreement was inked on 24 May, focusing on providing DNA for clinical studies.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a grant to the company, as announced on 1 August, and three new patent filings were registered.

4basebio also noted that its Hermes delivery system demonstrated effective in vivo results.

We are pleased to report continued commercial progress since recording first DNA and Hermes revenues in 2022, said chief executive officer Dr Heikki Lanckriet.

We have seen a good influx of early-stage projects as we are gearing up our commercial effort, and this has manifested in first-half revenue growth, with overall revenues in line with the full year 2022, driven primarily by DNA sales.

During the period, our commercial focus has been on early-stage engagement with potential clients seeking DNA for their clinical programmes, with this approach leading to the onboarding of multiple clients.

Dr Lanckriet said typical customer projects commenced with lower-value research-grade product supply.

As new client programmes progress over time, we expect the demand to move to full GMP, with individually higher value product supply opportunities occurring.

One such example of this is our supply agreement with Neomatrix, which was recently announced and where 4basebio will supply DNA into a cancer neoantigen vaccine programme.

Alongside this commercial traction, our progress towards overall GMP certification is important and continues, with 4basebio now in a position to manufacture GMP-compliant critical starting material for mRNA and AAV markets.

The company was also delighted to have received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Heikki Lanckriet said, to progress a project focussed on the thermal stability of its Hermes nanoparticle and our innovative synthetic DNA payloads.

Alongside the ongoing commercial development, 4basebio remains a technology company, which is evidenced by the progress in developing its portfolio of patent families.

As a group, we continue to innovate and find novel solutions to challenges experienced by clients, with additional DNA products being developed as a result.

The flexibility in our platform, which enables this innovation, also offers clear competitor differentiation.

Dr Lanckriet said the firm would continue to invest in its technology platforms, adding that overall cash expenditure during the period was in line with management expectations.

For the remainder of 2023, we expect to continue this investment in technology, commercial activities and production capabilities.

At 1036 BST, shares in 4basebio were down 1.8% at 599p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. A number of Azerbaijan's government agencies were subjected to cyber attacks during anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh, Head of the Department at the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security Tural Mammadov said at the conference dedicated to International Cyber Security Days (ICSD 2023), Trend reports.

More than four million DDoS attacks per second were registered on the official website of the president alone. Our service specialists continue to work in this direction in an intensified mode, he pointed out.

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.
The AIM-traded company said revenue for the six months ended 30 June also grew by 19% to reach $10.5m, a leap from $8.8m during the first half of 2022.

Annualised recurring revenues increased 13% to $15.3m, while the firm swung to an EBITDA loss of $0.2m from an EBITDA profit of $0.9m a year earlier.

However, its adjusted EBITDA came in at a profit of $0.2m, up from a break-even result a year earlier.

Corero recorded a net cash position of $6.2m as of 30 June, slightly up from $5.8m the year before.

The company said it had made an early repayment of $1.2m on a bank term loan facility and was now free of any outstanding debt, compared to a deficit of $1.7m in 2022.

On the operational front, Corero said it had forged a new strategic go-to-market alliance with Akamai Technologies.

The company said its focus on its ideal customer profile (ICP) had contributed to a significant customer base expansion throughout the first half.

It said the second quarter alone brought in $6m through significant customer contracts, showcasing the firm's continued momentum.

The company added that it saw consistent growth in its subscription-based products and DDoS protection-as-a-service (DDPaaS) offering, solidifying its revenue and earnings forecast.

Corero said it had made an encouraging start to the second half, marked by multiple major customer acquisitions.

The robust business pipeline remained on an upward trajectory, while sustained demand for DDoS mitigation, especially from diverse-sized enterprises, was seen as a result of persistent high-profile DDoS attacks.

Its board said it was optimistic about the company's near-term expansion possibilities and confirmed that Corero was performing as per market anticipations.

I am extremely pleased with the momentum that we have built during the first half of 2023, securing a number of key customer wins across the period, said executive chairman Jens Montanana.

The increase in revenue, order intake and annual recurring revenue all demonstrate the fundamental strength of both Corero's business model and ongoing demand for our market-leading products.

Montanana said the firms new strategic partnership with Akamai would further expand its routes to market, adding that it was expected to deliver incremental revenue growth in the medium term.

The robust foundations created during the first half, and the strength of the company's balance sheet following the repayment of the outstanding term bank loan, gives us confidence for the full year as we continue to focus on delivering on our growth strategy.

At 1421 BST, shares in Corero Network Security were down 3.4% at 7.1p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Schneider Electric India has lined up an investment of Rs 3,200 crore by 2026 to increase its footprint in the country, the company's CEO & MD Deepak Sharma said. The investments will be made in nine states, Sharma, who is also the President - the Greater India region, told PTI in an interaction.

"In line with our growth ambitions, we have plans to invest EUR 350 million (Rs 3,200 crore) in expanding our industrial footprint with the addition of 12,00,000 square feet up to 2026. These investments are spread over Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand," Sharma said.

When asked if the investments include setting up green capacities, he said Schneider Electric aims to become net-zero in its operations by 2030, end-to-end carbon neutral value chain by 2040, and net-zero CO2 emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

"Our company is managing over 700 MW of renewable energy power purchase agreements and providing sustainable solutions. It includes on-site solar installations and the procurement of off-site solar and wind energy. Approximately 15 percent of solar power installed in India runs on Schneider Electric solutions," he said.

The company's Luminous brand is powering 100 million consumer homes through inverters, batteries, and solar energy solutions."We are also supplying 1.5 million prepaid smart meters to Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) in Bihar, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh and plan to continue the rollout of feature-rich smart meters for the projects under the revamped distribution sector scheme (RDSS) scheme," he said.

Schneider Electric India is a subsidiary of French firm Schneider Electric. The company has 30 active factories in the country. Among these, five smart factories are located in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Edtech giant Byjus has officially named Arjun Mohan as the CEO of its India operations, taking over from Mrinal Mohit, the founding partner and outgoing head of India business at the Bengaluru-based company.

Mohan, a founding team member and former Chief Business Officer at Byjus, recently returned to the company. Prior to rejoining Byjus, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer at another prominent edtech unicorn, upGrad. While there were initial suggestions that Mohan would also lead Byjus international business, he clarified that he had not been appointed for that role.

Mohan expressed his readiness for the new role, stating, While challenges are plenty, I am ready to play my role in helping Byjus empower our current and future generations to thrive in a rapidly changing world, Last month, Byjus experienced the departure of three senior executives: Prathyusha Agarwal (Chief Business Officer), Mukut Deepak (Head of Class 4-10 Business), and Himanshu Bajaj (Head of Tuition Centers).

In response to various challenges such as an auditors exit, resignations of key board members, and workforce reductions, Byjus established a Board Advisory Committee (BAC) tasked with advising founder and CEO Raveendran on board composition and developing an appropriate governance structure for the edtech firm.
Drone startup DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations has signed a franchise agreement with Switzerlands Wollstone Capital SA to open 30 remote pilot training organizations (RPTOs) across India. In an exchange filing, DroneAcharya said the deal between the companies amounts to $2.7 Mn (INR 23 Cr). The RPTOs would help boost drone sales, services and certified training.

DroneAcharya through its partnership with Wollstone will become an integral source of major development in the drone sector as it will increase the number of RPTOs by a significant number and make the technology, training and jobs reach all across the country, the startup said. Without giving further details, DroneAcharya said the deal has been signed to open over 100 training centres in total.

Founded in 2017 by Prateek Srivastava, DroneAcharya offers drone-based enterprise solutions across sectors including oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, and agriculture. It also provides training for drone piloting, drone building, drone data processing, and using industrial drone applications, among others. The startup, which listed on BSE SME in December last year, claims to have trained more than 500 DGCA-certified drone pilots since its inception. With the new franchises, the startup plans to train 500 more pilots which, it said, will give a major boost to the skilled workforce in the Indian drone sector.

Commenting on the new move, founder and MD Srivastava said, As we speak, we are already working with Wollstone Capital to cater to their international clients in the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. This is a remarkable moment for an Indian drone startup to expand its wings within India and conquer the world at the same time". Of late, the startup has been on an expansion spree, looking to enter newer areas. Earlier this year, it partnered Gujarat-based robotics company Gridbots Technologies to venture into the drone manufacturing industry.

Recently, DroneAcharya also announced its foray into the spacetech industry by testing a reusable rocket launch vehicle. DroneAcharya claimed it successfully landed the vehicle with the help of a parachute and was able to recover all vital sensors and equipment. DroneAcharya reported a 742% year-on-year (YoY) jump in its net profit to INR 3.42 Cr in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23). Operating revenue ballooned 417% YoY to INR 18.57 Cr in FY23.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As the United States looks to curb a possible winter surge of coronavirus cases, the federal government will once again offer free, at-home COVID-19 tests.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 25, every household in the country can place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. And if you already have at-home tests, make sure to check if expiration dates have been extended before you throw them away.

Rapid antigen tests can be self-administered. Results are available within 15 to 30 minutes.

How do you order the rapid at-home kits?

Americans can order a test online at COVIDTests.gov or go directly to the United States Postal Service (USPS) at special.usps.com/testkits. The program will limit the number of tests sent to each household to four.

Do you need to pay?

Orders will ship free and will be delivered by USPS through First Class Package Service, with shipments to Alaska, Hawaii and the United States Territories and APO/FPO/DPO addresses sent through Priority Mail.

Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number. You can track the status of your delivery on USPS.com.

What if you dont have access to the website?

The White House is setting up a phone line to allow people to call in their order. Additionally, national and local community-based organizations will also be helping with providing tests.

People who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish and more than 150 other languages -- 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Do you need health insurance?

The four tests will be provided free via the website, and health insurance is not required.

When should I test for COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you have symptoms, test immediately.

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least five full days after exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.

The agency also encouraged people to consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19.

How do I know if i have COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported  ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness, the CDC stated. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure, and anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.

Symptoms include:

Sore throat

Runny nose

Headache

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Nothing good happens after midnight.

A 30-year-old Staten Island man was arraigned Wednesday in state Supreme Court, St. George on charges stemming from a violent altercation inside El Taconazo restaurant in Port Richmond, which authorities say left a complaining victim seriously injured.

Diego Martinez, of 210 Granite Ave. in Mariners Harbor, was indicted recently by a grand jury on charges of second-degree assault and first-degree attempted assault in connection with the Aug. 20 incident, according to court records.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 41-year-old NYPD detective was arrested Tuesday morning in connection with a domestic dispute in his home community of Staten Island, police said.

Douglas MacEwen was taken into custody at 4:23 a.m. following the incident, which occurred Monday night, according to the criminal complaint and police.

A verbal dispute between MacEwen and a woman previously known to him allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A plan by the former Bill de Blasio administration to end a practice of shackling inmates to desks at Rikers Island was halted last summer under Mayor Eric Adams, which according to some experts, has made them sitting ducks amid an uptick in violence, The City reported.

In June 2022, jail officials said they did not have adequate staffing or training to end practices contested by some including solitary confinement and the use of specialized chairs with ankle cuffs during various rehabilitation and educational programs, according to the report.

The use of desks resulted in eight people restrained to the chairs being slashed over a two-week period this month, including two over one weekend, according to The City, which cited Department of Correction records.

Earlier this month a top jail official defended the use of the restraint desks during a Board of Correction oversight hearing in Lower Manhattan.



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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The union that represents school bus drivers has reached a tentative deal with three of the largest bus companies in New York City, avoiding a strike that would impact thousands of students traveling to school in the five boroughs, according to several media reports.

The New York Post reported that a three-year deal was made between the large school bus companies and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1181, which represents about half the bus drivers and attendants who serve the citys students. The companies represent about 4,000 routes.

A spokesperson for the bus companies told the Post in a statement that they are thrilled to have reached a win-win-win deal that gives stability and certainty for years to come.

A final agreement hasnt yet been drafted and signed  and details of the agreement havent been shared, according to the New York Post. The union must still come to a deal with other small bus providers, but the tentative deal reached Wednesday would avert the possibility of a strike impacting the majority of more than 80,000 students losing their rides to and from school.

Mayor Eric Adams office released a statement Wednesday to several media outlets regarding the tentative agreement.

We are grateful that ATU Local 1181 and DOE-contracted school bus companies were able to come to a voluntary agreement that will ensure continuity of service and peace of mind for the more than 80,000 students and their families who rely on these services, including thousands of students with disabilities, the statement read, according to the Post. When labor and management come to the table in a spirit of mutual cooperation, we can achieve meaningful results for all New Yorkers.

The last time there was a school bus strike was in January 2013, when workers demanded better job security.

At the time, dozens of school bus drivers and matrons, who were members of Local 1181, walked the picket line outside the Pioneer Bus yard on Arthur Kill Road in Rossville. Inside the lot, more than 380 yellow buses sat idle. That walkout in 2013 lasted more than four weeks.

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Police respond to a protest against a migrant shelter opening at a former senior living facility at 1111 Capodanno Blvd. in Midland Beach on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance).Steve White

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, by a local immigration center calls out Staten Island elected officials who have attended anti-migrant rallies to be held accountable, and likens their participation to what spurred the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection in the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Elected officials who have supported these anti-immigrant rallies on Staten Island need to be held accountable because they have been rallying people to build hate against immigrants & our officers, the same message used to execute an insurrection in D.C., said the post by La Colmena.  OUR STATEMENT: "Elected officials who have supported these anti-immigrant rallies on Staten Island need to be held accountable because they have been rallying people to build hate against immigrants & our officers, the same message used to execute an insurrection in DC." pic.twitter.com/9iLlD3K8ZJ  La Colmena  aka The Beehive (@LaColmenaNYC) September 20, 2023

The X post comes on the heels of a protest held Tuesday night against the Islands newest migrant shelter at the former Island Shores assisted living facility in Midland Beach where a police officer was injured and 10 people were arrested, including Vadim Belyakov, 48, who lives on Father Capodanno Boulevard just steps from the shelter. He was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, assault and disorderly conduct, according to police.

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, according to the police statement. There were no physical altercations with any migrants or bus personnel.

Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena, which has offices in Stapleton and Port Richmond, noted that the organizations mission is to empower immigrant workers through education, culture and organizing economic development.

I dont want to say that its all Staten Island because theres another narrative on Staten Island. There are people who support the people who are coming here. But this specific group has been slowly rallying up, she said.

Police respond to a protest against a migrant shelter opening at a former senior living facility at 1111 Capodanno Blvd. in Midland Beach on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White

We understand that theres always going to be disagreements. But then theres always solutions, right? Theres a way we can work together, but with this particular group, who are a xenophobic and racist group, [they will] never come to a solution together. [They want to] create violence and to create chaos. And what has been fueling that is elected officials who have been going to those rallies, she added.

Mata said the comparison to the insurrection is based on the fact La Colmena feels local elected officials are not quelling the hateful speech at rallies and potential violence.

La Colmena Executive Director Yesenia Mata speaks during a press conference Tusday, April 18, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

Ive heard people saying if you [the migrants in shelters] come out, were going to hurt you. Stay in there, youre illegal -- very xenophobic statements. And these elected officials have heard that and have seen the violence theyre slowly escalating, and this is what we saw with how the insurrection was created in D.C.

In response to the la Colmena post, local Republicans said the majority of the rallies held on Staten Island have been non-violent.

I dont seem to recall La Colmena speaking out so strongly when hundreds of people were arrested, or were shouting racial slurs and promoting violence against police during the mostly non-violent riots in the summer of 2020, said Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) Yet, suddenly, when one person is cited for resisting arrest while people are exercising their constitutional right to free speech and assembly, its a violent insurrection they feel compelled to condemn. I unequivocally denounce any violence, against any group and especially against our police officers, but I wont be lectured with selective outrage by a group of hypocrites who profit from this crisis.

Police respond to a protest against a migrant shelter opening at a former senior living facility at 1111 Capodanno Blvd. in Midland Beach on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White

Said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn): The city of New York has been employing a practice of opening migrant shelters and placing migrants into shelters under the cover of darkness. They are not keeping the community apprised, and they are not keeping the elected officials apprised. This has caused a sense of panic amongst the constituency.

Tannousis said he wasnt familiar with La Colmena and the group throwing in their 2 cents on an issue directly affecting my district.

As I said yesterday, anyone criticizing from the bleachers, who is vocally supportive of migrant shelters being placed in my district, can provide their home addresses so we can provide the mayors office with these alternative sites to house the migrants.,' he said. I am the son of immigrants. My parents came here for the American Dream and they achieved it. I am not anti-immigration, but I am anti-insanity and having an open border and people entering our nation without any sort of vetting process is the definition of insanity.

Having a city with a policy of spending taxpayer dollars to house and feed anyone that comes through our border, no matter who they are or where they come from, is even bigger insanity. It is a detriment to our community, he added.

Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) listens to a speaker at "Protest-a-Palooza", a rally against migrant housing in the former St. John Villa in Arrochar on Monday, August 28, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore) reiterated that the politicians who have attended the rallies are not anti-immigrant.

We are for lawful immigration. The idea that elected officials are against legal immigrants coming to this country is an absolute falsehood, and maybe organizations like this should focus on being more transparent and open with the community, he said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis will be discussed during a book launch Saturday in the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook. The event is organized by the Staten Island Museum.

The book follows the story of the Black nurses who risked their lives caring for 1,800 tuberculosis patients at Staten Islands Sea View Hospital and aided in the 1951 clinical trial of a breakthrough TB treatment.

Joining author Maria Smilios at the event will be public historian Debbie-Ann Paige and Virginia Allen, a nurse at Sea View Hospital from 1947 to 1957 and an Advance Woman of Achievement. Together, the panel will hold a discussion in the College of Staten Islands Center for the Arts, Building P, 2800 Victory Blvd.

The event is set to take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Following the discussion, there will be a book signing for those in attendance. Tickets cost $8, or $5 for students/seniors. The event is free for museum members. Advanced registration is recommended.

Copies of the book can be pre-ordered or purchased at the event. Proceeds will benefit the Staten Island Museum.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Sacred Heart R.C. Church, West Brighton, is preparing for the official installation of Rev. Rizalino (Father Rhey) Garcia on Saturday, Sept 23, at a 4 p.m. Mass.

Father Rhey will be installed Sacred Hearts 11th pastor by Bishop Edmund Whelan, Auxiliary Bishop of New York.

Beloved by countless Catholics on Staten Island for his innovative leadership and warmth, Father Rhey was appointed the pastor on July 1, 2023. He arrived at Sacred Heart in October 2022 as the parishs administrator.

As your pastor, it brings me great joy to see the smiles, hear the laughter and witness the fellowship at Sacred Heart, said Father Rhey. It reminds us that our faith is not just about solemnity and seriousness but about embracing lifes simple joys and finding Gods love in every moment.

ABOUT FATHER RHEY

According to Catholic New York, Father Rhey has spent the past decade serving at three Staten Island parishes. Originally from the Philippines, he was ordained in 1999.

Formerly of St. Joseph-St. Thomas St. John Neumann parish, where he served for eight years, Father Rhey also served at Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach, before moving to Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville, in September 2019.

Father Rhey is the chaplain of Moore Catholic High School, Graniteville, in a pilot project that assigns him time in both the parish and school settings.

Bishop O'Hara and Father Rhey Garcia share a smile at Moore Catholic High School's 2023 Commencement Ceremony at the Mavericks' Eugene P. Hourican Field in Graniteville on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

BEST-KEPT SECRET

As preparations are underway for his installation as pastor of Sacred Heart, Father Rhey extolled the virtues of Sacred Heart Schools diversity in enriching the students educational experience.

In our school, we have 297 students and many good things are happening in our school through the leadership of our principal, Celes Catalano, and our new regional superintendent, Jann Amato, said Father Rhey, an educator and advocate for Catholic education. I believe in the strength of our school as a diverse Catholic school. Our greatest strength as a school is that we are the most diverse Catholic school on Staten Island.

We know about IQ and emotional Q. We also have C.Q. (cultural quotient). This is the ability of our students to interact and adjust to different cultural backgrounds. Our school provides a strong opportunity for the students to be exposed to diversity, which can challenge stereotypes and reduce prejudice, one of our nations biggest problems.

Our school is the best environment for children to grow mature and learn to be innovative in solving complex issues. This is the best-kept secret of Sacred Heart School  and it is no longer a secret.

Sacred Heart Church is located at 981 Castleton Ave.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Dongan Hills family that has raised awareness about brain aneurysms and funding for research in their daughters honor is set to host a 5K run/one-mile walk at Wolfes Pond Park on Saturday.

The second annual event will begin at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by Patricia McCarthy-Hillers, who lost her 21-year-old daughter, Brittany McCarthy, when she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm two years ago.

Brittany McCarthy, 21, of Dongan Hills, died suddenly after she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. (Courtesy of Patricia McCarthy-Hillers)

We are excited to host the 2nd annual 5K run and one-mile walk in support of The Bee Foundation for brain aneurysm prevention, McCarthy-Hillers said. Come run and walk with us to help us to honor Brittanys life and all those affected by this disease. You can help us to make a difference by raising awareness and funding for research grants, with the hope to find a way to detect a brain aneurysm  before it ruptures  to save many lives.

Since 2021, the McCarthy family has raised over $100K and funded two research grants for The Bee Foundation. This past July, the family hosted a butterfly gala which brought together close to 200 people, including those who have been impacted by the disease.

In 2021, The Bee Foundation had heard about the familys story and used $25,000 raised by Brittanys sister, Ashley, to establish the Brittany McCarthy TBF Brain Aneurysm Preventative Research Grant.

The following year, Dr. Stacey Quintero Wolfe, professor and residency program director of Neurological Surgery and Radiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, was awarded the research grant in honor of Brittany.

Patricia McCarthy-Hillers and her family will host a 5K run/one-mile walk at Wolfes Pond Park on Saturday, Sept. 23, in honor of her late daughter, Brittany.

This years recipient will be Dr. Visish M. Srinivasan, assistant professor of neurosurgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to McCarthy-Hillers.

As part of the research grant, Srinivasan will look to better understand the epigenetic factors leading to the formation and rupture of brain aneurysms with the hope of finding new medical therapies for prevention and treatment.

More than 500,000 deaths occur worldwide each year due to the disease and every 18 minutes a brain aneurysm ruptures.

We need to change these numbers, McCarthy-Hillers previously said. There are ways to prevent a massive heart attack from happening with testing and other procedures.

The second annual 5K run/one-mile walk will include complimentary breakfast items for all attendees, pizza, and 50/50 raffle tickets and baskets to try to win.

Those interested in participating in the 5K run/one-mile walk can register online at the event page at https://www.classy.org/event/tbf-brittany-mccarthy-staten-island-run-walk/e497272, but can also sign up in person on the day of the event.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The ongoing migrant protests on Staten Island over the last month made their way to a community meeting Tuesday night in Sea View.

Dueling groups of protestors disrupted Community Board 2s meeting at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Manor Road, and both sides of the migrant issue had conflicting opinions about what transpired at the meeting.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New Yorks top elected officials and local immigrant group leaders are praising the Biden administrations decision to grant temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants already residing the United States, a move that will allow them to immediately apply for work authorization.

On Wednesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status, which will allow roughly 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the country on or before July 31 to apply to work legally in the United States.

Temporary protected status provides individuals already present in the United States with protection from removal when the conditions in their home country prevent their safe return, said Mayorkas. That is the situation that Venezuelans who arrived here on or before July 31 of this year find themselves in. We are accordingly granting them the protection that the law provides.

However, it is critical that Venezuelans understand that those who have arrived here after July 31, 2023 are not eligible for such protection, and instead will be removed when they are found to not have a legal basis to stay, he added.

Migrants who have Temporary Protected Status can be legally authorized to work 30 days after filing their applications, while all others must wait six months before becoming eligible, meaning thousands of migrants residing in New York are expected to receive work authorization in roughly a months time.

Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena, which has offices in Stapleton and Port Richmond, said part of the issues with the migrant crisis is that the U.S. has an outdated immigration system.

The majority [of the asylum seekers] coming in are from Venezuela. But there are many other people coming from different countries, she said. Our mission right now is to empower them through education, culture and organizing economic development. The includes workforce development. We prepare immigrant workers so they are able to join the workforce, and that is what we have been doing. We we applaud President Biden for ensuring that Venezuelans are now allowed to for Temporary Protected Status.

The decision was celebrated by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, both of whom have repeatedly called on the administration to expedite work authorizations so that migrants can work legally in the U.S., reducing their reliance on the New York City shelter system thats currently housing more than 60,000 migrants.

Work authorization is the way out of the migrant crisis, Hochul said. Individuals who achieve legal work status will be able to exit the shelter system, find work opportunities and get their shot at the American Dream. This announcement from the White House is a critical step, putting these individuals on the path to legal status that comes with work authorization.

Our administration and our partners across the city have led the calls to Let Them Work, so I want to thank President Biden for hearing our entire coalition, including our hard-working congressional delegation, and taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care who will now be immediately eligible for Temporary Protected Status, Adams added.

New Yorks Department of Labor has created a new online registration process that will connect migrants who have received work authorization to employment opportunities throughout the state.

The department has also launched an online portal allowing businesses to inform the state that they are willing to hire newly-authorized migrants.

Meanwhile, Adams is already urging the Biden administration to extend Temporary Protected Status, and with it work authorization, to migrants arriving in New York City from other countries besides Venezuela.

I am hopeful that we can continue to partner with President Biden to extend Temporary Protected Status to the tens of thousands of other migrants in our care from other countries. And I look forward to continued work with our state and federal partners to deliver relief for asylum seekers and longtime New Yorkers with a national decompression strategy and expedited work authorizations so those entering our city and our country can provide for themselves and finally have a shot at living out the American Dream, the mayor said.

Since April 2022, more than 110,000 migrants have made their way to the five boroughs, with more than 60,000 remaining in the citys care, prompting the creation of more than 200 emergency shelters around the city, including several on Staten Island that have sparked large, seemingly-unending protests.

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This legislation would block shelters for those entering the country illegally on U.S. military bases, like Fort Hamilton
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The boroughs Republican delegation is continuing its crusade against the new migrant shelters opening on Staten Island, slamming New York City for a lack of transparency and accountability, while urging the Comptrollers Office to audit the citys exorbitant migrant care spending.

On Thursday, elected officials gathered outside the new migrant shelter located at the former Island Shores Senior Residence at 1111 Father Capodanno Blvd., Midland Beach blasting both City Hall and Homes for the Homeless, the nonprofit organization that owns the facility, for what they call a shady deal to house migrants at the location.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A former Staten Islander was among the 270 passengers who endured a terrifying experience last week aboard a United Airlines flight that descended rapidly after what the airline termed an indication of possible loss of cabin pressure.

This plane could go down any second. This is it, Jersey City resident Tato Lovere thought as her flight Wednesday night plunged from 37,000 feet to less than 9,000 feet in eight minutes.

Lovere, an artist, was flying first class from Newark, New Jersey, to Italy to meet her boyfriend as part of a surprise birthday trip to visit gallerists in Rome and show off her expressionist artwork.

But she said that about an hour and a half into Flight 510s trip, the plane almost sounded like a propeller plane  a Boeing 777 shouldnt sound like that.

- Live flight tracker from Flight 510 (Courtesy of Tato Lovere) Courtesy of Tato LovereCourtesy of Tato Lovere

Lovere said an announcement was made, saying, We have a problem with the plane, but without more information, it left passengers in the dark and feeling helpless. Thankfully, the workers on the flight were kind and calm, she said.

The planes in-flight map showed the jet flying at under 8,000 feet, according to Lovere.

She said her first thought went to her daughter, who Lovere said didnt want her to go on the trip.

My daughter didnt want me to fly and neither did I, she said.

Lovere texted her daughter, trying not to instill any panic while telling her she loved her.

I love you so proud to be your mom, she wrote with three heart emojis.

We are having to do a (sic) emergency landing we dont know yet but I just want to say I love you with all my heart, it continued.

Everything okay? her daughter replied. Love you, she added.

- Text messages between Tato Lovere and her daughter while aboard Flight 510 (Courtesy of Tato Lovere) Courtesy of Tato LovereCourtesy of Tato Lovere

You always think of the what if, but you never think youll actually be in a situation like this, Lovere said.

Thinking they were initially going to land in Halifax, Canada, Lovere felt some relief. Ive never wanted to see Canada so much in my life on my birthday, she said.

After circling over Halifax for some time, the pilot told the passengers they needed to dump fuel and return to Newark Liberty International Airport to land.

Is our plane strong enough? Lovere wondered. The trip to Newark felt like an eternity.

The plane landed safely around 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Once the passengers got off the plane, some of them rushed to the restrooms, claiming they felt sick, Lovere said.

Despite the indication of possible loss of cabin pressure, United said there was no loss of pressure and passengers oxygen masks did not drop, but the pilots could not take any chances.

Pilots are trained to respond to a loss of cabin pressure by descending to an altitude that is low enough for people on board to breathe without oxygen masks.

While waiting at an airport gate for a new flight, Lovere said a United captain informed some of the passengers that a 6- or 8-inch hole on the side of the airplane caused the pressurization issue.

Lovere said she was able to get another flight to Rome around 3:30 a.m. and landed safely after 5 p.m. local time, about six hours later than the originally scheduled arrival time.

I dont want this experience to stop me from flying, but Ill admit Im afraid now more than ever, she said.

She added that this wont stop her from getting on a plane again, but shell make sure to tell people you love them before a flight.

-- Associated Press material was used in this report.
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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 Plenty of kids dream of becoming an astronaut, but the reality of being 384,000 kilometres from home can be, well, alienating. Even billionaire adventurers who place space tourism at the top of their bucket list are likely to feel a twinge of homesickness up there in the ultimate blue yonder. Which is where architect and engineer Valentina Sumini comes in. Sumini, who will give a talk in Melbourne next month as part of the Tools for After exhibition, interviewed astronauts as part of her research, in collaboration with the European Space Agency and NASA, into designing space habitats. Sometimes they feel so homesick that when they go back to Earth, they get emotional looking at grass, at flowers, looking at a butterfly, she says. The specialist discipline of space architecture has emerged from the contrails of space tourism and the Artemis program, which aims to establish a colony on the moon and prepare for life on Mars. The form-follows-function, engineer-driven aesthetic of the International Space Station (where even getting a window was hard won) no longer cuts the mustard. Its not only billionaires who want more creature comforts  astronauts undertaking prolonged travel to the moon or Mars require habitable environments. The Engineered Space Kitchen designed in collaboration with Coesia and Rana. Credit: Valentina Sumini You have to create an interior that is actually good for living, says Sumini. That is why more and more architects and designers are involved. Travelling eight months to get to the Red Planet can be stressful, she says via Zoom from Milan, where she is a visiting professor at the Politecnico di Milano university of engineering, architecture and design.

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We call it isolated confined extreme environment, she says. Getting too distressed can cause behavioural issues which, in turn, can jeopardise a mission. To help alleviate stress and homesickness, her teams from MIT Media Lab Responsive Environments and MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative designed a speculative pod that pipes in real-time data from a Massachusetts wildlife sanctuary. The Tidmarsh wetland was already highly monitored by the Media Lab, and data from the site was used to generate an immersive virtual experience. It is like being in the middle of a pond and seeing ducks swimming around with bird sounds, and it is really relaxed, she says. All the people in the survey admit that it was very nice having their cocoon of nature. The moon village reference masterplan and habitat design. Credit: Valentina Sumini/MIT/Skidmore, Owings & Merrill/ European Space Agency Life on Earth inspires many of Suminis designs for life off Earth. A rover vehicle is based on the anatomy of bees and their swarming behaviour. The design for a potential Mars metropolis for 10,000 people uses an algorithm that replicates the root growth of a tree. As for the ride itself, Sumini designed a crucial bit of kit that allows astronauts to work hands free while in microgravity. Inspired by a seahorse tail, Sumini designed the SpaceHuman exoskeleton to enable greater dexterity and mobility. Seahorses use their tails to navigate, direct their swimming and anchor themselves, she explains. Trained with AI and using in-built object-tracking cameras, the tail changes shape and bends to grab appropriate handle points automatically.

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Initially designed for astronauts to work outside the space station, the exoskeleton has multiple uses. It allows astronauts to exercise while floating, reducing the risk of osteoporosis (microgravity reduces bone mass). It also helps space tourists unfamiliar with microgravity to grab onto surfaces and pick up objects. She tested it herself for a Zero-G NASA parabolic flight that produces near weightlessness. Valentina Sumini samples Spacehuman: A Soft Robotic Prosthetic for Space Exploration in 2020. Credit: Valentina Sumini This was the most amazing experience in my life, she says. Its like an organ, an extension of your body. As well as testing their designs in weightlessness, Suminis research teams work in extreme environments that resemble conditions on the moon and Mars  the slopes of a Hawaiian volcano and the polar ice of Svalbard, an archipelago between Norway and the North Pole. A video presentation of her designs features in the Tools for After exhibition, in which Italian designers examine the impact of the Anthropocene and whether, given the mess were making on Earth, Planet B is an option. The moon village design seen at the International Conference on Environmental Systems in 2019. Credit: Valentina Sumini/MIT/Skidmore, Owings & Merrill/ European Space Agency For Sumini, the answer is no. There is no Planet B, she says. We have to learn from space and bring the results back to Earth. But it will be intriguing from a research perspective, seeing one day maybe a community living on Mars, not because of the Planet B, but because we reached the technological capability to do that.

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Building that community will require an advance party of artificial intelligence, robots and 3D printers to construct buildings and greenhouses with two-metre thick walls able to withstand cosmic radiation. AI will generate an optimal design, and then I pick the one that is suitable, Sumini says. The benefit is that everyone can become a good designer. Imagine being stranded on Mars and then your habitat got destroyed. With these tools you can generate a new one, 3D print it autonomously, and then you will survive. There is no Planet B. We have to learn from space and bring the results back to Earth. Valentina Sumini In the 1960s another Italian designer, the legendary Joe Colombo, was inspired by the Apollo program to devise a compact all-in-one kitchen. But compactness isnt the Artemis programs key priority, according to Sumini. In the event of failure, there must be an option. Loading You have to design in a way that has double, or even four layers, in terms of safety, she says. When the crew arrives at its ultimate destination, AI and augmented reality will help to cook meals and advise where to find ingredients in the greenhouse, such as micro algae, a nutrient-rich superfood. Naturally, the greenhouse has to have backups in the event of any contamination that could destroy the colonys food source.

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The main difference between designing for space and Earth is on Earth you can design an object and think, oh, this is a beautiful object. But in space this object needs to be compliant within the system: from the settlement design to the interior to elements like the kitchen and the plates Im going to use. So Im really fascinated by this opportunity to design across disciplines and across scales. Im exposed to new challenges every day. The International Space Station is seen as one of the great examples of international co-operation. But as many corporations attempt to capitalise on space, will we see competitiveness or collaboration? As on Earth, its a question of sustainability, says Sumini. It extends from how we share resources, design space modules to be compatible, and carefully consider what we build  and leave  on these other celestial bodies. If I create a habitat on the moon with a 3D-printed concrete regolith shield, it will last forever, says Sumini. Were going to impact this planetary body forever. We have to think not just of a human-centric approach to space exploration, but a planet-centric approach. Its perhaps the ultimate lesson to bring back to Earth. Found in space Innovations developed for the space program have already proved beneficial in a range of fields: Health: Intensive care monitoring was developed from systems used to check astronauts. Foil blankets used by emergency crews to retain a persons body heat originated from NASA research to insulate spacecraft and protect astronauts from extreme temperatures. A nanofibre filter for purifying water in orbit is used in remote villages and by hikers. Heart transplant recipients are kept alive by a cardiac pump designed to simulate fluid flow through rocket engines. Surplus rocket fuel is used to make a flare that detonates landmines.

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Though the recent accusations made against Russell Brand of rape and sexual assaults are shocking for their alleged levels of violence, that these claims are being levelled against Brand himself is not shocking at all.

Until his recent pivot into the wellness and conspiracy theorist space, a central aspect of Brands persona that made him a globally loved comedian and actor was his sexual proclivities. He identified as a sex addict and spoke freely and often about the number of women he had slept with. He regularly used his bedroom antics as material in his comedy routines, while marketing himself as a kind of new-age ethical shagger. Where some go to great lengths to hide their sexual habits, Brand positioned the spotlight on his.

Russell Brand performs during his stand-up tour at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, 2010. Credit: Getty

During a 2006 stand-up comedy routine, Brand told a crowd he enjoyed receiving them blowjobs where mascara runs a little bit. According to a woman who had a months-long relationship with Brand when she was 16 and he was 30, he was once so forcible during oral sex that she began to choke. After she punched him in the stomach to make him stop, she alleges Brand told her, I only wanted to see your mascara run. (The same woman alleges Brand became sexually aroused when she told him he was the only man she had ever slept with, instructed her to save his number under a girls name to avoid her parents suspicion, and nicknamed her the child.)

On his chat show, Brand told a female guest, Dont be afraid of your own sexuality. Do be a bit afraid of mine, though. After meeting him in 2006 on the same show, singer Dannii Minogue claimed his joke wasnt a joke at all, labelling him a bit of a vile predator.
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 Rapper, writer and activist Briggs started planning the October 6 Now & Forever concert in support of the Yes campaign a month ago, because it suddenly occurred to him that no one else was going to do it. I felt like, we havent done a show yet, whens that happening, he says. No one had asked me to do a show either. And I was like, oh, maybe no one thought of it yet. Realising they hadnt, he called his good mate PK  thats Paul Kelly to you and me  and asked if hed join him for a show in Briggs home town of Shepparton, on Yorta Yorta Country. Then he called another mate, Suffa from the Hilltop Hoods, and from there he reached out to Danzal James Baker  better known as Baker Boy  via Instagram. And before you know it, Briggs had assembled a line-up that also includes Emma Donovan, Mo-Ju, Barkaa and Jimmy Barnes, with Logies host Sam Pang stepping in to MC. Emma Donovan is among the artists on the Now & Forever line-up. Credit: Justin McManus Its come together really quickly, says Briggs. My approach to everything I do is I just do it. If I cant see it, I try to make it. He and Baker are sitting in the offices of Frontier Touring, one of the big three promoters (the others being TEG Live and Live Nation) who have set aside traditional rivalries and joined forces with Live Performance Australia to make the concert happen at short notice. No one is being paid, and the proceeds from the cut-price tickets ($21.50) will go to a range of charities and not-for-profit groups. Having them come together is a real special moment for our industry, says Briggs. Its about standing in solidarity with blackfellas with no fear of tarnishing their brand or anything like that.

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Last weekend saw performances around the country at Walk for Yes rallies, with Donovan, Kelly, Bernard Fanning and Peter Garrett among the artists who played in the five capital cities. But until now, one of the more remarkable aspects of the referendum campaign has been how few Indigenous artists appear to have been willing to speak up in favour of the Yes campaign. Undoubtedly, the backlash faced by the likes of Marcia Langton from some of the more vitriolic elements of the No campaign have served as a deterrent for some. And for those who swim in the mainstream, not alienating one side or the other in what has become a fractious debate probably makes good career sense. Its about standing in solidarity with blackfellas with no fear of tarnishing their brand. Briggs I think blackfellas in the industry, we dont get to make a lot of mistakes  not that coming out is a mistake, says Briggs. I think its tough for blackfellas to stand up sometimes, because theyre putting themselves on the chopping block. It feels pretty volatile at the moment. Realising no one else was going to do it, Briggs got the ball rolling on a Yes music event by calling his mate PK and messaging Baker Boy on Instagram. Credit: Simon Schluter Briggs acknowledges there are divisions within Indigenous communities over the Voice, too. Were not a homogeneous one point of view. We live and breathe and are sophisticated beings like anybody else, so theres going to be people who are against the Yes vote, and thats their business, he says.

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There are also many in the remote parts of Australia for whom the referendum is a vague abstract concept at best, adds Baker. A lot of those communities are disconnected from a lot of the information out there, he says. So for me to be able to do something like this, and talk to families, [is saying] this is what it means and mob should understand that this is giving us a voice, and everyone has been fighting for something like this for centuries, and still are. The Shepparton concert will be an afternoon to mid-evening affair, and alcohol-free. Briggs wants it to feel like an inclusive event. I want undecided people to come and see what we think, how it can be, he says. Loading A week later, the nation will cast its vote. Hes optimistic, but thinks whats at stake is not what the No campaign would have people think. I dont believe this referendum is about people worrying about the sanctity of parliament. I dont believe the next man is truly concerned with amendments to a Constitution that he hasnt read. This is about whether or not they value blackfellas.

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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 Like a preordained dot-to-dot, everythings suddenly lining up perfectly for Chappell Roan. Just days ahead of the release of her excellent debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the 25-year-old  real name Kayleigh Rose Amstutz  chalked up a feature on whats currently the biggest album in the world, Olivia Rodrigos Guts. Signed to Amusement Records, the Island Records imprint of her main collaborator Dan Nigro  the hit producer famed for his Grammy-winning work with Rodrigo  it was all a sort of favour for a friend, but one that points towards a bigger platform to come. Everything just clicked, the very second I let go of trying to be taken seriously, says Chappell Roan of her circuitous journey to pop. Credit: Ryan Clemens It wasnt even, like, a favour; [Olivia] doesnt need anything from me, Roan laughs over Zoom from Los Angeles, her curls tumbling like red slinkies. She is such an angel. I really look up to her, how she handles herself with such grace and tact. Its very much an honour to be part of some of her songs, just way in the back there. Shell now be opening for Rodrigo on her massive world tour, set to commence in February 2024. Its amusing imagining how Roans explicit songs about, well, being knee-deep on the passenger side, and youre eating me out (Casual) might play to Olivias youthful fanbase and their parents. Is she anxious? I mean, its not like Olivias stuff is buttoned up. Especially with Guts now, she does not give a f---. They know what theyre getting into, Roan laughs. Yes, my musics a lot more crass, much more lewd. But I dont think its, like, that far off? The ridiculously catchy hook off Feminomenon  a directive to make it hot like Papa John  and a lovelorn country ballad like Picture You  with its singalong, the things I do when I picture you  might make a parent blush, but shes right. Kids are sophisticated these days. Theyre watching Euphoria, they know about these things.

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Like, I grew up on Nicki [Minaj] and Kesha, says Roan. Kesha was my mums worst nightmare, just like, F yeah, party and drugs! And I was like, yes, yes! Just 12-years-old and obsessed with it. I think that kids just, like, fing love pop music. With The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Roan is ready to be Kesha for the queer kids. Fuelled by her theatre kid exuberance, yet able to juggle both outlandish hilarity and heart-tugging bitterness (often within the space of the same track, as on the majestic Casual), the album  like Rodrigos, entirely produced by Nigro  flows on Roans fearless force of personality. I can hardly remember last week, but it has to be the funnest pop album of the year. Romantic, bitter, funny: Chappell Roans The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. I just embody the pop star I wanted to be when I was little; its a caricature of a pop star, says Roan of her approach to her obnoxious songs and flamboyant aesthetics, which are such a detailed part of Chappells appeal she once half-joked that the only Grammy she wants to win is for album packaging. Drag and burlesque have always been a huge through line for me, but theres also nods to Bratz dolls and Hannah Montana and that pop star cliche. In my head, Chappell Roan is like a drag queen; I think thats where all those larger than life colours and outfits and songs come from. That the album is such an assured debut belies Roans circuitous journey to this moment; hers is not an overnight success. Oh no, its taken a decade to get here, she says with deadpan severity. I tell everyone, it takes a decade. The albums earliest single Pink Pony Club, a bouncy pop fable about a girl from a conservative small town who finds her queer spiritual awakening among the bright lights and dreams of Los Angeles (specifically, West Hollywoods landmark gay club The Abbey), echoes Roans own real-life journey.

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At just 17, off the strength of songs shed uploaded to YouTube, she earned a contract with Atlantic Records, resulting in the 2017 EP, School Nights. It was very brooding, teen angst. A bit Lorde-esque. I mean, I was 17. I just had no idea what I wanted, Roan says of her earlier work. All I really had at that time was, like, I could sing  I had a unique sound  and I could write songs that were sad and had some sort of structure to them. There was a hint of, Okay, maybe if I worked really hard at this for a long time, maybe Ill get it. But I was really lost and so alone because I was a minor in the music industry, where kids just shouldnt be. In 2020, five years into her contract, when Roan was 22, Atlantic dropped her. While many young artists might seek to bury the perceived shame of major label failure, Roan calls it the best thing that happened to me in my career. I dont even see it as a failure, she says. I had a ton of experience under my belt and had proved to myself that I could do so much on my own at such a young age. And so, it was good that it happened. I had to go back home and work the drive-thru and its like, fine, thats what happens. It took me a few years to get back on my feet  and, like, here we are. Shes blase about it now, but I wonder if at that point it felt like the end of the journey? For any aspiring artist, the goal is always to attract major label backing. So to get there and have it all taken away Just because you get signed to a label doesnt mean youve made anything, says Roan. Being signed to a label meant less for me than when I was dropped. Once I was dropped, I was free: I could do whatever I wanted, I could move at any pace I wanted. Yes, I didnt have financial help but I just made it work, always.

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Shes admitted she was close to giving up. Back home in Missouri, she wondered if maybe I wasnt supposed to be an artist, or maybe I wasnt supposed to be in music at all. I just wasnt happy, says Roan. It did not make me happy to write music or talk about music or anything. Moving back to Los Angeles in October 2020, working shifts at a donut shop to make ends meet, she gave herself one last shot to phoenix her pop star dreams. I told myself, if by the end of next year I dont feel like this is right, then Im gonna move to Nashville to be a writer, or just go to school to be an aesthetician, Chappell recalls. Seven months into that move, she signed a publishing deal with Sony that meant she could dedicate all her time to music again. Earlier this year, she signed to Nigros imprint on Island. Theres only so much you can take. It was two years of horrible grind, just hoping something would fing happen, until it did, she says of the struggle to make Chappell Roan work. But I think I needed so many years to become free in writing this type of music, just because it is pretty bold. It also took a lot of, like, letting go: of trying to be cool, or sophisticated, so people would think I was this serious artist. Once I let that go, all the songs flooded in and the aesthetic and everything just clicked, the very second I let go of trying to be taken seriously. Loading Much like The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, theres a celebratory turn in Roans story, in the self-discovery and identity  and artistic success  she uncovered via pop. Even so, returning home to Missouri now is a challenge, she says. I dont know if people are accepting. I definitely dress differently when I go home. I dont try to draw much attention, just because its not worth it. I dont live there anymore, I dont need to prove anything to anyone.

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Los Angeles: Striking writers and Hollywood producers are nearing agreement and hope to reach a deal this week, after meeting overnight to try to resolve a nearly five-month standoff that has disrupted film and television production.

The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney, Netflix and other media companies, held talks for the first time in about a month on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Striking writers picket with SAG-AFTRA members outside Warner Bros. Studio in California on August 16. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The two sides later issued a joint statement saying: The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow.

To help spark a deal, Wednesdays meeting was attended by Disney chief executive Bob Iger, Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos, Comcasts NBCUniversal Studio group chairman Donna Langley and Warner Bros Discovery chief executive David Zaslav, according to a source close to the studios.
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Eating outJust open If you love Filipino-style charcoal-roasted pig make a beeline for this Blacktown backyard The restaurateur behind Enmores now-closed Sydney Cebu Lechon has headed west, opening a no-frills backyard cafeteria serving affordable comfort food. Scott Bolles September 22, 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

The best venues to see and be seen at this October. See all stories .

Restaurateur Will Mahusay felt Sydneysiders would appreciate a venue where the Philippines national dish of whole pig roasted over charcoal was served in a Filipino-style setting. So, when he closed his three-year-old Enmore restaurant Sydney Cebu Lechon in July, Mahusay relocated to the backyard of his familys shopfront factory in Blacktown. The House of Lechon & Karenderias signature lechon pork. Supplied The vibe is like a fiesta, a proper Filipino gathering, Mahusay says of the location, where customers squeeze under mini marquees for a no-frills backyard experience. Throw in plates of its signature lechon pork, a celebratory dish in its country of origin, and Mahusay says its like being at a Filipino christening or family gathering.

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When Mahusays family moved to Australia from the Philippines in the 1980s, his parents started cooking lechon as a culinary hobby for homesick Filipinos, which eventually turned into a fully fledged commercial undertaking. While customers pick up takeaway orders from the family operation in the front, the back of the commercial property wasnt in use until Mahusay fired up the charcoals last month. The House of Lechon & Karenderia by Sydney Cebu has opened in a Blacktown backyard. Supplied Ive called it The House of Lechon & Karenderia by Sydney Cebu. A karenderia is an outdoor undercover cafeteria serving affordable comfort food, he says. The Blacktown setting has flipped Mahusays customer base: There are about 10,000-plus people from the Filipino community who live around here, so while they made up only about 20 per cent of our customers in Enmore, its the opposite here.

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They used to complain about going to Enmore because of the parking. And some of our old customers have followed us, a couple came last week from Newcastle. Whole roasted pig at The House of Lechon & Karenderia. Supplied There is a smattering of other dishes such as chicken adobo and even a couple of vegetarian options, but generally, its the roast pig they come for. He wont give away his family recipe, but its a time-consuming process. First, theres the selection of a whole pig to roast: not so old that its skin will be tough, not so young its too translucent. Its brined for two days, and the time-consuming prep work includes stuffing it before sewing it up to be roasted and basted for three hours.

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While the Manila version of lechon has a simple salt-and-pepper seasoning, Mahusays family really focus on the flavour, stuffing their pigs with a combination of garlic, chillies, onions and lemongrass. Restaurateur Will Mahusay at his now-closed Enmore venue. Cole Bennetts Eating lechon can reconnect you to another place, Mahusay says. For me, its back at a particular beach in Cebu where wed go for Sunday outings. The experience carries through to the entrance: You dont enter through the shopfront. You come in the back just like youre dropping into someones home during fiesta. Open lunch Sat-Sun; dinner Fri-Sun

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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 Near the foot of the Blue Mountains, giant cranes tower over a new passenger terminal for Western Sydney Airport, dominating the landscape. Trucks and utes dart in all directions over the vast airport site as an army of workers clad in high-vis and hardhats toil away. Unlike the multibillion-dollar airport rising from what were once paddocks, a massive hole dug several hundreds metres from the terminal is easy to miss from vantage points on the ground. It is only when peering over the edge into the 28-metre-deep pit that the scale of the $11 billion project to connect the airport by rail to the rest of Sydneys train network becomes clear. Four massive boring machines are worming their way under fields, leaving in their wake concrete-lined twin tunnels for the Metro Western Sydney Airport rail line, which is due to open in just three years. Workers in one of the rail tunnels at the site of the airport station. Credit: Janie Barrett Metro Western Sydney Airport project director Angela Jeffery admits it is an ambitious timeframe, but emphasises that her team is on track to complete it in 2026 for the airports opening. Because this is a brand-new railway, we were able to have some engineering efficiencies, she said. The main tunnelling work for the line, which is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, is due to be completed by the middle of next year.

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Though not without challenges, the airport rail line is what is known as a greenfield project, which means it avoids the troubles of building in densely populated parts of Sydney that have beset the $21.5 billion Metro City and Southwest project. Metro Western Sydney Airport project director Angela Jeffery and southern section project manager Vincent Ganet beside one of the boring machines. Credit: Janie Barrett Digging a 200-metre-long hole in the ground for the airport station at Western Sydney Airport is easier than carving out caverns beneath office towers in the Sydney CBD for stations on the Metro City and Southwest line. It also avoids the latter projects shutdown of an existing rail line. Six stations will be constructed along the 23-kilometre airport line, which will be a combination of tunnels, surface and viaduct sections. All up, twin tunnels almost 10 kilometres long will be built. Once opened, the airport terminal station will be a key stop on the line linking the airport to St Marys in the north, where it will connect to Sydneys existing railway, and the planned city of Bradfield at Bringelly in the south. The massive rectangular hole for the airport station is several hundred metres from the terminal, while a large shaft has been dug nearby to support logistics for tunnel boring machines. Credit: Janie Barrett A trip on the driverless metro trains from the airport station to St Marys will take about 15 minutes, and a journey to Bradfield will be five minutes. The airport lines trains will be about 30 centimetres wider than Sydneys other metro trains to cater for flyers who are lugging bags.

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For Jeffery, the project has a personal twist. She grew up several kilometres from the St Marys station site. Ive got the best job in town, she said. To see what the project will mean for the area is pretty amazing. Its just phenomenal the government investment in western Sydney and to see it all happening at once is quite spectacular. The airport line has largely flown under the radar in comparison to the larger Metro West and Metro City and Southwest rail projects. However, it was savaged by the countrys peak infrastructure adviser two years ago, with a warning that the cost of the line would far outweigh the benefits. The two giant tunnel boring machines  named Peggy and Eileen  at the airport station site are readying for their next move southwards. Peggy arrived several weeks ago after completing the first part of a 5.5-kilometre tunnel at the southern end of the line. The two machines were previously used to tunnel from near Chatswood to Blues Point for the Metro City and Southwest project, the main part of which will open next year. They churned largely through sandstone on Sydneys north shore for the earlier project, but are now tunnelling through shale in the outer west at an average speed of 120 metres a week. When the machines dig through earth, conveyor belts carry spoil up to 4.5 kilometres through the tunnels they have created to gantries that take it to the surface for removal. Hundreds of precast concrete segments also sit in paddocks near the airport terminal, ready to be used for the tunnel walls. Vincent Ganet, the project manager for the boring machines at the southern end, said the high demand for skilled workers and maintaining consistency within tunnelling teams were his major challenges.

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All projects are different. This one is a bit more challenging because of the market situation, the Frenchman said. We have got a market in Sydney which is really boiling. You can find a job wherever you want to go. The difficult part is retaining the good people. Ganet has also worked on tunnelling under Sydney Harbour for the Metro City and Southwest line, and before that on a massive sewer under the Thames in London. Tai Maxwell, left, is working on one of the boring machines for the airport line project. Credit: Janie Barrett At the northern end of the airport line, two other 180-metre boring machines are worming their way over 4.3 kilometres from Orchard Hills to St Marys where the ground conditions are softer. Ganet describes those used on the northern section of the line as the Ferraris of tunnel boring machines. Not because they look good but because they go really fast. You can go more or less twice as fast as the other ones, he said. Those on the northern section are known as earth pressure balance machines, which are designed to support the ground as they excavate through clay and shale rock. About 16 people work on each of the tunnel boring machines at any one time. Two crews are assigned to each machine, and newcomers start at the back of them and gradually progress towards the front to work on jobs requiring more knowledge and experience.

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Its the same old story every year as we approach another Australian summer. To shark-net our beaches to keep predator numbers down, or not to shark-net our beaches. To drum line or not to drum line? Should we even bother trying to find measures to protect ourselves from sharks or just accept the risk?

Heres a simple equation. Humans have explored the outer reaches of space, most recently landing a module on the dark side of the moon. Sharks have not. Humans have sequenced our own DNA, along with the DNA of more than 3000 other species. Sharks have not. Humans have perfected life-saving organ transplants. Sharks have not.

A young grey nurse shark off the headland at South Bondi. Credit: Edwina Pickles/Duncan Heuer

Large sharks often snack on smaller versions of their own species. Humans do not. Sharks hunt whales for food, humans  Actually, lets put a pin in that one.

Until sharks manage at least one of these scientific triumphs and give up their penchant for cannibalism, they will not surpass humans as the dominant species on the planet.
A former patient of high-profile surgeon Munjed Al Muderis told him less than a year after her surgery that she was in intolerable pain and believed she was worse off than before her operation, the Federal Court has heard.

Al Muderis, clinical professor at Macquarie University, is suing The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes over reports published and aired in September 2022. He alleges the reports convey a range of defamatory meanings, including that he negligently performed osseointegration surgery and provided inadequate aftercare.

Surgeon Munjed Al Muderis (centre) and his legal team including Sue Chrysanthou, SC (left). Credit: Kate Geraghty

Nine, the owner of the media outlets, is seeking to rely on a range of defences, including a new public interest defence, truth, and honest opinion.

In October 2017, Al Muderis performed osseointegration surgery in Sydney on Kurdish filmmaker Lisa Calan, who lost her lower limbs in an Islamic State bomb blast in 2015. The surgery involves inserting titanium rods into an amputees residual bone to allow it to be connected to a prosthetic limb.
The competition watchdog has blocked Transurban from buying the EastLink toll road in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs, a move it hopes will loosen the $40 billion giants grip over the nations pay-to-drive roads.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the decision would open the door for a new toll operator to compete against Transurban, meaning Victoria should get a better deal on future toll road contracts.

Transurban wants to buy a controlling stake in EastLink. Credit: Wayne Hawkins

Were already in the scenario where it is very difficult for others to compete with Transurban, Cass-Gottlieb said in an interview with this masthead after announcing the decision on Thursday.

We do see this as an important opportunity for the emergence of a strong and effective long-term rival.
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.
Jakarta: An Indonesian court has sentenced a woman to two years in prison for violating the countrys 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.

The court ordered Lina Mukherjee to pay a fine of 250 million rupiah ($25,274), on top of the jail sentence.

Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, who identifies as 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 some meat from a plate that also contained crispy pork skin.

The court in Palembang, on Sumatra island, found Lina deliberately spread information that was intended to incite hate or individual/group enmity based on religion and sentenced her on Tuesday, according to a court document.
What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

On the pavement beside the finishing straight at Singapores Kranji racecourse, older men, affectionately known as uncles, lean against the railing, race books and betting slips in hand, as horses charge towards the line.

Pre-race trackwork at Kranji racecourse, Singapore. Credit: Vince Caligiuri

Upstairs, in the five-storey grandstand, racegoers take in the action in more comfortable surrounds. Its a typical day at the Singapore Turf Club, but days like these will soon be over.

In June, a sudden announcement was made: the club would hold its last race meet in October 2024 before being closed down, drawing the curtain on the sport of kings after 180 years. The reason? Its 120-hectare facility on the islands urban fringe is to be returned to the government for redevelopment.
While the matter never made it to trial, Murdoch made stunning admissions in earlier depositions, including the fact that presenters had endorsed Donald Trumps lies of a stolen election knowing they werent true, and that company executives could have intervened to prevent those lies from being aired. One week after the Dominion settlement, Fox announced that it was parting ways with right-wing identity Tucker Carlson, its highest rating prime-time presenter, in a move that shocked the media world. Lachlan Murdoch and Rupert attend the TIME 100 Gala in New York in 2015. Credit: AP In his letter to staff, Murdoch insisted our companies are in robust health, as am I and noted that in my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years  I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them. But the battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense.

My father firmly believed in freedom, and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause. Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth. Rupert Murdoch in 1953, the year he returned to Australia to take up his position at News Limited. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon. Murdochs departure comes after a seven-decade career that was sparked by the legacy of his father, Sir Keith Murdoch, chairman of The Herald and Weekly Times and head of News Limited. He took control of News Limited in 1954 and has since become one of the most powerful media figures in the news and political landscape. As the chairman of Fox Corporation (the parent company of Fox News) and News Corp (which publishes The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post), Murdoch is a particularly influential figure in Republican Party politics, and his decision to step down could have ripple effects as the US heads towards a presidential election next year with Trump as the current GOP frontrunner.

But his influence has also been fiercely criticised by those who believe it is a danger to democracy. Among them is former Australian Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd, now the Albanese governments ambassador to the US, who once described him as an arrogant cancer on our democracy. Earlier this year, former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull described Murdoch as Australias deadliest export. Loading I say this without any sense of hyperbole: I do not believe that there is any individual alive today that has done more damage to American democracy than Rupert Murdoch, Turnbull told a forum in New York in May. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is in New York to address the UN General Assembly on Friday, said she did not wish to engage in commentary at this stage, and with anybodys retirement the appropriate thing is to wish them well. Any fair-minded observer might say that some of the News Limited papers might not exactly be cheerleaders of the Labor Party, but thats exactly what happens in a democracy. I wish him well for his retirement, she said.

Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters for America, was far more scathing on Thursday, saying that Murdoch, who is now an American citizen, had created a uniquely destructive force in American democracy and public life, one that ushered in an era of division where racist and post-truth politics thrive. Loading Republican Senator Lindsey Graham lauded Rupert Murdochs career, while praising Lachlans new role as a chairman as indeed good news for conservatives and independent-minded Americans. Under Rupert Murdochs leadership, Fox News has become a force in American politics, Graham tweeted. He gave voice to millions of Americans who were routinely left behind by the overwhelmingly liberal mainstream media. In a statement, Lachlan Murdoch congratulated his father on a remarkable 70-year career.
New York: It took less than two minutes for sparks to fly.

No sooner had the United Nations Security Council begun a special session into the war in Ukraine, Russia angrily objected  aggrieved by the fact that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been invited to speak ahead of member countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Security Council. Credit: AP

Russias ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, insisted this went against the rules  much to the chagrin of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who had the job of presiding over the meeting.

I must say, coming from you, this lecture about violating the rules in this building is quite an impressive shoot, Rama fired back.
WILLEMSTAD:--- During 2 drug seizures in the Dutch Caribbean Region Zr.Ms. Groningen has intercepted almost 1,000 kilograms of cocaine. This already happened on September 11 and 12, but was only announced today. During the first capture, the suspects only surrendered after warning shots.

In both cases the Zr. Ms. Groningen was informed about suspicious go-fast boats by a USA patrol plane. The fast interceptor boat FRISC then came into action. On board was not only the crew of the Groningen but also a delegation from the US Coast Guard.

During the first action, the suspects did not simply surrender. That only happened after warning shots. That was not necessary for the second action. All suspects and a total of approximately 985 kilos of contraband have been handed over to the Americans. They will proceed to persecution.

Patrol vessel

Since May 2023 Zr.Ms. Groningen is active as a patrol ship in the Caribbean Region. The Dutch Navy ship, amongst other things, is deployed during counter-drug operations. This she does together with the Coastguard Dutch Caribbean Region and the US Coast Guard.
UN HEADQUARTERS, New York:--- The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs attended an event titled, Feminist Foreign Policy+ Group, which took place at the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, September 20. The primary objective was to underscore the fundamental importance of gender equality in promoting global safety, health, and prosperity. In response to this imperative, numerous countries are embracing feminist approaches to their foreign policies, aiming to turn their commitments into tangible actions.

The event delved into the practical implementation of Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) as a potent catalyst for positive change, particularly within the context of a complex geopolitical landscape. It served as a dynamic platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities in realizing FFP and sharing commitments among participants.

The anticipated outcomes include the reinvigorating political commitment to Feminist Foreign Policy, facilitated through constructive dialogues between Ministers, civil society representatives, and feminist thought leaders. Furthermore, the event sought to inspire more countries to adopt feminist approaches within their foreign policy frameworks or formally declare explicit Feminist Foreign Policies. Key deliverables will include a declaration reaffirming dedication to feminist principles in foreign policy and a Chair's Summary capturing the commitments announced related to FFP and gender equality.

This event was hosted by a consortium of countries, including Chile, France, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mongolia, and Spain, on behalf of the FFP+ group in New York. Distinguished attendees include Prime Minister Jacobs as well as other Ministers of Foreign Affairs, high-level UN representatives, and civil society advocates. The agenda comprised informative panels, keynote segments, interactive discussions, and creative elements such as an interactive banner where participants shared their views on feminism.
UN HEADQUARTERS, New York:--- The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, and the Executive Director of UN Women, H.E. Sima Sami Bahous, convened the highly anticipated 2nd annual meeting with women Heads of State and Heads of Government during High-Level Week. The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs was welcomed, with a member of her delegation, as a current woman Head of Government.

This significant gathering centered its discussions on the critical theme, Accelerating the implementation of SDG5 towards achieving Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability. Esteemed former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms. Helen Clark, served as the moderator, ensuring a productive and engaging dialogue.

During the event, His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the General Assembly, delivered the opening remarks, followed by opening remarks from Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. Her Excellency Ms. Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, introduced an interactive segment, where leaders shared insights and actions related to SDG5. This interactive session aimed to foster dynamic exchanges of ideas.

The gathering delved into the actions undertaken by women leaders to effectively lead in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG5. Leaders had the opportunity to share valuable practices that can serve as models for other nations. Discussions centered on recommendations and insights from women leaders to empower women and girls as catalysts for change across various decision-making domains, encompassing economic and social policies, peace initiatives, climate action, and more.

The meeting sought input from women leaders regarding the Summit of the Future, aiming to propel gender equality and advance the rights of women and girls. The emphasis here is on departing from conventional approaches to achieve substantial progress and create lasting impact.

Prime Minister Jacobs was able to voice her opinion to the tune of underscoring the pivotal role of SDG 5, dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, as a catalyst for broader societal progress. She emphasized that gender equality is not just a goal but a powerful force driving peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability. The Prime Minister acknowledged the presence of inherent biases within the 2030 Agenda, particularly racial biases that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. She also stressed the need to actively dismantle these biases and advocate for an intersectional approach within SDG 5. Prime Minister Jacobs concluded by emphasizing that SDG 5 is not just one of seventeen goals but a linchpin holding the entire framework together, stressing the importance of placing gender equality at the forefront of efforts for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
Collective Metals Announces Results of Phase One Soil Survey from its Flagship Princeton Copper Project

COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the aCompanya or aCollectivea)  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/collective-metals-inc/  is pleased to announce that it has received assay results for soil samples that were collected in aPhase Onea of the Companya?s two-phase reconnaissance soil sampling program (the aPrograma) conducted in summer of 2023 on the Princeton Copper Project (the aProjecta). The Program was designed to identify surface geochemical anomalies related to copper mineralization in close proximity to known historic copper mineral showings. Assay results from Phase One samples collected from the southern part of the Project with historic copper showings hosted in a structural corridor (the aTrojan a Condor Corridora) are highlighted below (Figures 1 to 4).

Highlights

Phase One samples were collected from a northeast-oriented grid that targeted the Trojan-Condor Corridor where 470 soil samples were primarily taken from the Ah soil horizon (Figures 1 & 2).

Two areas with anomalous Copper, Silver, Gold & Tellurium were identified based on assay results of Phase One samples. Modestly high Copper anomalies in these two areas labelled as PA1 and PA2 in Figures 3 and 4 range between 75 to 186 and 35 to 115 ppm respectively.

Corresponding enrichments in elements such as Silver, Gold & Tellurium, and the presence of copper mineralization in the Trojan and Nev showings, located within close proximity to PA1 & PA2 indicate the anomalies are likely related to Copper porphyry style mineralization in the Trojan a Condor Corridor (Figures 3 & 4). A

The Companya?s 2023 field exploration program is progressing well with results of the regional reconnaissance Phase Two soil sampling program expected in the coming weeks.

Christopher Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective, commented, aWe are very happy with results of the Copper porphyry style anomalies in the two areas within the Trojan a Condor Corridor. We look forward to receiving assay results from the additional ten grids which were targeted in untested areas of the Project which were samples earlier this summer. This soil program shows we are able to see beyond the overburden that covers most of the Project and highlights the potential for Copper porphyry mineralization and discovery on the Project.a

Princeton Copper Project

The Companya?s flagship Project is easily accessible by road and is located immediately west of Highway 3 south of Princeton, BC, in a well-established mining district with excellent infrastructure, a local workforce and support services. The Project hosts potential for identification of one (or more) copper gold alkalic porphyry occurrences similar in age and deposit type to the Copper Mountain Mine.A The Project is also approximately 10 km west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.a?s currently producing Copper Mountain Mine, which hosts a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 702 Mt of 0.24% Copper1.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companya?s Qualified Person for the Project, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101.

The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Project.

References

1 a Copper Mountain Mine Life of Mine Plan and 65Kt/D Expansion Study Update NI 43-101 Report, Richard Klue, VP Technical Services, CMMC; Patrick Redmond, VP Exploration and Geoscience, CMMC; Luis Alberto Chang, VP Mining, CMMC; Berge Simonian, Director of Metallurgy, CMMC; Amaru Humala, Director of Mechanical Engineering, CMMC Scott Weston, VP Business Development and Strategy, Ausenco; August 1, 2022.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companya?s flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.A

The Companya?s Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li2O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

Social Media

@COMT_metals

Collective Metals Inc

Collective Metals Inc

ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher HugginsChief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as \may\, \expect\, \estimate\, \anticipate\, \intend\, \believe\ and \continue\ or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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 Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: mineralization potential of the Project based on the results of the Program. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Alpha Lithium Files Improved Preliminary Economic Assessment and Provides Update on Strategic Review Process

Alpha Lithium Corporation (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany WKN: A3CUW1) (aAlphaa or the aCompanya)  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/alpha-lithium-corp/  a company developing a portfolio of highly prospective lithium assets in Argentina, today filed the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (aPEAa or aPEA #2a) for its wholly owned Tolillar lithium brine project in the Salta Province of Argentina (aTolillara), under the Companya?s profile at www.sedarplus. ca and on its website at www.alphalithium.com . The Company also provides an update on its ongoing strategic review process, which continues with active discussions with multiple, multinational parties.

A series of announcements have occurred over the past weeks, which supports the Companya?s view on the long-term value of the Companya?s projects.

Alpha announced its inaugural Preliminary Economic Assessment (aPEA #1a) on July 10, 2023 (see July 10, 2023 news release),

On July 17, 2023, Alpha announced a 70% increase in aindicated resourcesa and a 30% ainferred resourcea increase (see July 17, 2023 news release),

The Company subsequently undertook to incorporate the improved resource estimate into an improved PEA, resulting in a second Preliminary Economic Assessment (aPEA #2a), initially announced on August 14, 2023 (see August 14, 2023 news release), and filed in final form on SEDAR+ today.

Brad Nichol, President & CEO of Alpha, commented, aOur Strategic Review Process continues and Alpha is well-positioned with our unique and highly attractive assets. We are engaged in ongoing and active discussions with multiple parties, and are focused on producing meaningful value for our shareholders.a Nichol continued, aEven with conservative estimates, Alphaa?s Tolillar project continues to be a significant lithium carbonate project with exceptional and increasing potential. Todaya?s filing of PEA #2 details the C$2.3 billion NPV potential of the Tolillar project, and we look forward to realizing that value to the benefit of our shareholders.a

With todaya?s announcement, Alpha has provided six technical updates in less than three months and has achieved significant increases to 43-101 Resource Estimates related to its portfolio of highly prospective lithium assets in Argentina.

The Tolillar project stands out as one of the few in the world that is of this scale, independent, and wholly owned. Furthermore, its critical, abundant on-site freshwater supply makes it a rare and highly unique prospect

The Hombre Muerto project is adjacent to those of multi-billion-dollar industry leaders such as POSCO (Sal de Oro project), Allkem Ltd (Sal de Vida project), both of which are at advanced stages of development, and Livent Corp, which has been producing high-quality lithium chemicals for over two decades from its Fenix project

PEA #2 for Tolillar Salar, Argentina

PEA #2 provides an independent economic assessment of the projecta?s potential value, based on the lithium resources outlined in the August 2023 Resource Estimate, which defined 3.6 million tonnes of Indicated Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (aLCEa) and 1.4 million tonnes of Inferred LCE. The latest PEA concluded the following:

US$1.7 billion (C$2.3 billion) after-tax NPV with an 8% discount rate and IRR of 25.6%

Average Li2CO3 price of $23,146 per tonne, over 35 years of production (this price assumption is significantly lower than the last 6 quarters of SQMa?s published average sales price achieved, which range from $34,000 to $59,000 per tonne)

After tax payback period of 3.7 years from start of production

After tax, cumulative free cash flow of US$8.2 billion ($C11.0 billion) over a 35-year production life

Initial capital cost (aCAPEXa) of $777 million (includes contingency of $179 million)

Brine mining and processing cost, excluding Li2CO3 transport, (aOPEXa) of $5,172 per tonne

Cash cost of $5,980 per tonne (includes mining, processing, G&A, transportation, and royalties).

Strategic Review Update

Alphaa?s robust strategic review process continues to receive significant interest and remains in progress, as discussions with several interested parties continue.

Apart from Alphaa?s strategic review process, Tecpetrol formally initiated a hostile bid for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Alpha for a price of $1.24 on June 8, 2023, which is scheduled to expire on Friday, September 22, 2023. Alphaa?s board of directors, based on the unanimous recommendation of its Special Committee of independent directors and in consultation with independent experts and external advisors, recommended that Alpha shareholders REJECT the hostile bid, which they collectively and overwhelmingly viewed as opportunistic, and not in the best interests of Alpha or its shareholders. This assessment, particularly given the recent and significantly positive technical progress on Tolillar, has not changed. Alpha can not predict and will not speculate on Tecpetrol\-s future actions leading up to the bid\-s expiration, or what Tecpetrol may do if the bid expires, and has no additional updates to provide on this matter.

Alpha places a high priority on shareholder engagement and the prevailing sentiment received from shareholders, including a public statement from one of our largest shareholders, overwhelmingly suggests that the Tecpetrol bid is insufficient. To this end, Alpha reiterates that shareholders should take NO action on Tecpetrola?s bid. It is not mandatory for shareholders to tender their shares and if any shareholders have already tendered and wish to withdraw their shares, they should contact Kingsdale Advisors by phone at 1-800-749-9197 (toll-free in North America) or 647-251-9740 (for collect calls outside North America) or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com, to assist you with this process.

The Company wishes to thank its shareholders for their continued confidence in the Alpha team and its strategic plan, and is committed to continued shareholder engagement that is constructive and transparent. Alpha is well-positioned with its unique lithium assets, which remain highly attractive to a global list of interested parties, including Tecpetrol.

The Board is working to ensure the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders involved and will continue to keep shareholders informed of any significant developments in this process.

Qualified Person:

Dr. Mark King, PhD, FGC, PGeo, of Groundwater Insight, Inc., is a Qualified Person (aQPa) as defined by NI 43-101. Dr. King has extensive experience in salar environments and has been a QP on many lithium brine projects. Dr. King is independent from the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical resource information mentioned in this press release.

About Alpha Lithium (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany WKN: A3CUW1)

Alpha Lithium is a team of industry professionals and experienced stakeholders focused on the development of the Tolillar and Hombre Muerto Salars. In Tolillar, we have assembled 100% ownership of what may be one of Argentinaa?s last undeveloped lithium salars, encompassing 27,500 hectares (67,954 acres), neighboring multi-billion-dollar lithium players in the heart of the renowned aLithium Trianglea. In Hombre Muerto, we continue to expand our 5,000+ hectare (12,570 acres) foothold in one of the worlda?s highest quality, longest producing, lithium salars. Other companies in the area exploring for lithium brines or currently in production include Allkem Limited, Livent Corporation, and POSCO in Salar del Hombre Muerto; Allkem Limited in Salar Olaroz; Eramine SudAmerica S.A. in Salar de Centenario; and Gangfeng and Lithium Americas in Salar de Cauchari. For more information visit: www.alphalithium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning the Tecpetrol bid and the strategic review and the possible results thereof. 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 news release 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 Company\-s expectations include the ability of the Company to successfully complete the strategic review process or to do so on a timely basis, the results of further brine process testing and exploration and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 Company. 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 and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 21. Uzbekistan Airways will transfer the majority of flights from Moscows Domodedovo Airport to Vnukovo Airport, Trend reports.

Flights from Tashkent to Moscow and back, as well as all flights from Uzbekistans regions of Fergana, Namangan, Samarkand, Bukhara, Navoi, Karshi, Termez, Urgench, and Nukus to Moscow and back, will be operated at Vnukovo International Airport starting on October 1, 2023.

Nevertheless, two flights, including HY601/602 and HY603/604, from Tashkent will continue operating to Moscows Domodedovo Airport.

The tickets to and from Vnukovo International Airport will be available for purchase on September 22.

As per data provided by Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, 345,000 Russian tourists visited Uzbekistan from January through June 2023, which is 11.1 percent of the whole tourist influx (3.1 million).

In 2022, the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan will have almost tripled compared to the previous year, increasing from 1.8 million to 5.2 million people. Russias share of this number amounts to 10.9 percent (567,700 people).
He said: Following the successful integration of the Aquis Matching Pool in 2022, Aquis Markets has seen increased revenues. We have also worked to further diversify the products that will be made available to members, adding block trading via OptimX Markets and changing our proprietary trading rule to give members greater execution choice along with best execution outcomes. These changes are laying the foundations for future growth in market share over the medium-term.
Chair Allan Leighton said: We have confidence in our ability to manage the headwinds that we continue to face and, more importantly, were in a position to be able to begin to grow, as a successful and sustainable Co-op that is fit for todays modern world, yet remains true to its heritage and values.
The grand dinner held in the Kings honour at the sumptuous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles underlined the importance Mr Macron places in the friendship between the nations. Officials on both sides hope the Kings visit, like that of Edward VII in 1903, will pave the way to a new look entente cordiale  ending years of antagonism between the UK and France. The Kings presence will certainly help reinvigorate warmer relations that undoubtedly unravelled after Britains tumultuous exit from the European Union.
The Leader podcast is joined by Professor Peter Jackson from the University of Glasgow, an expert on Franco-British relations, along with historian and royal commentator Dr Ed Owens, whos author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?
As a teenager, Sidonie-Samuels was close to her grandmother, Evaritia, whod visit, stay in her bedroom and talk about the future. After the prize announcement, she had a chance to chat to Helen Nisbet, CEO and artistic director of gallery Cromwell Place which hosted the awards. We talked about the little things that you dont realise hold so much significance until someone has gone, and how grandparents are present and inform your life without you realising it.
Crush any thoughts of teenage squeamishness: yes, parents are adults, and adults have sex. Horror of horrors, they also have casual flings, and messy relationships. Gillian Andersons Jean proudly states that she doesnt do serious; teachers Miss Sands and Mr Hendricks spent much of season two trying to master the art of dirty talk (who knew the words baba ghanoush could be so erotic?). And what about the put-upon Maureen, who ditches uptight Headmaster Groff to give herself some much needed self-care? Though the shows teenagers would doubtless self-combust rather than admit it, the way Sex Education gives its adults well-rounded sexual journeys of their own is one of its greatest strengths (and, as I creep ever further from my teen years, a way for the show to remain relatable).
But it was the houses founder, Franco Moschino, who paved the way for this celebration of the satirical-cum-surreal. Decades ago, he was making bin bag dresses, clothes hanger hats, pasta buttoned vests and teddy bear helmets. In 1989, when brands sent the shoulder-pad masses down the catwalk, Moschino hosted a fashion circus, a gladiator packed extravaganza. Wit was his game. Its easy to be funny with a T-shirt, but its more clever with a mink coat. After all, if caviar was cheaper it would taste much less interesting, he said. He died of Aids-related causes in 1994. Tonight, the brand will pay tribute to him in an anniversary show which, it can be revealed, has been designed by four of the worlds top fashion stylists. They have searched through the archive and designed 10 capsule collection looks each. Here the stylists explain how they tackled the daunting task:
Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will be charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state between August 30 2020 and February 8 2023.
Khanzada posed a significant threat to women. He subjected these victims to a terrifying ordeal and I would like to praise each and every one of them for their bravery in coming forward. Reliving their experiences will have been extremely traumatic, but their actions have ensured that he wont be able to assault further women.
The judge also ordered the dog to wear a muzzle in public places. He warned that if Desmond did not follow that order and his dog reoffended its future would be in peril indicating it could be destroyed.
Students are targeted because they can be absent for days without being reported, it said. They are also vulnerable because they are often in need of money. International students may be most at risk due to their fears over their visa status and distrust of police.
Royal Parks advises visitors to keep dogs on a lead near the deer or walk them elsewhere, and to never get between two rutting deer. Photographers are also urged to give the deer respect and space.
The woman, aged in her 30s, was taken to hospital where her injuries were assessed as not life-threatening, however may be life-changing.
The strikes were the latest in a dispute that began in 2021 when TfL proposed axing of up to 600 station staff posts as it looked to make savings, in line with Government orders to break even this financial year following 5bn of covid bailouts.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Iran and the European Union expressed their interest in taking steps based on the agreed framework regarding Iran's nuclear program, Trend reports.

This was noted in the meeting of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in New York.

During the meeting, the importance of Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran's cooperation with three European countries (the UK, France, and Germany) was stressed.

Also, the importance of the continuation of nuclear discussions on Iran's nuclear program and the full fulfillment of obligations by all members of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was noted.

At the meeting, the European side said that the European Union, as the coordinator of the nuclear talks, is ready to conduct necessary consultations and dialogue on Iran's nuclear program.

The JCPOA is a nuclear deal that was signed in 2016 between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). It imposed some restrictions on Irans nuclear program in exchange for lifting some sanctions against Iran. However, in 2018, the US withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed new sanctions on Iran, affecting its oil exports and freezing its assets abroad. More than 700 banks, companies, and individuals were also targeted by the sanctions.

In late 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to implement a strategic plan to tackle the sanctions, citing the non-implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and six countries and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. According to the decision of the Iranian parliament, as of February 23, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and an additional protocol provided for in the nuclear deal. As a result, the control mechanism of the IAEA decreased by 2030 percent.

Iran discloses various programs related to its nuclear industry to reflect that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, according to the information obtained by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has increased the amount of highly enriched uranium by 27 percent in the last three months, and currently the country's enriched uranium reserves are 4,745 kilograms. This is 15 times more than the amount of uranium allowed for Iran in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur
Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley recently appeared to suggest that he would appear less frequently before the assembly to answer questions because he would be required to attend the mayors new policing board, which meets for the first time next Tuesday.
Sir Michael Caine delighted guests by turning up at a screening of his new film, The Great Escaper, at the BFI last night, with support from his wife Shakira and pal Jerry Hall. Its based on the true story of a WW2 veteran who broke out of his care home to attend a D-Day memorial. Sir Michael, 90, gave tribute to late co-star Glenda Jackson, who died this year. We had a great time making a picture, and there were no signs of it, but when we finished the picture Glenda died, he said. Im so happy to be here because when I was 89 I thought, Im never gonna get a leading part again, am I? And this man, he said, gesturing at director Oliver Parker, he came along with a leading part.
Dr Sahota, who is also a GP in Hanwell and Southall, said he believed history will show that the mayor was right to expand the clean air zone  but said he would reassess his plans to stand for re-election next May if he believed he had lost the support of grassroots members in his west London constituency.
Of course, the smarter answer would be to set up a new country to do it better. With the full powers of independence, we can draw up a modern constitution which inspires and represents our citizens. And in doing that, we use the House of Lords as a temple for what to avoid.
She said: I knew this to be a lie, because I knew no one had conducted any exercise to even identify who specifically the people to whom we owed a debt were, the majority of emails in the crisis mailboxes had not been read, and, based on my personal knowledge of the UKs activities in Afghanistan, I knew that only a fraction of those who met the LOTR (leave outside the immigration rules) criteria had made it through our process and been evacuated.
The reports author, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia and senior fellow at Policy Exchange, Sir John Jenkins, said: Recent events in Iran have revealed once again not just the symbolic power of Islamic veiling and other vestimentary codes but also the way they can be  and are  deployed to discipline individuals, groups and indeed entire societies in the interests of authoritarian and unaccountable political and religious elites.
The Prime Minister said the shift was in response to concerns over the financial costs to British households  but insisted the UK, even with the changes, is still on target to meet the 2050 target.
Mr Sunak was criticised by environmental activists, and some in his own party, following the Downing Street announcement, which also saw him push back the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, weaken 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 change, and scrap the requirement for energy efficiency upgrades to homes.
Last month it emerged that Roussev, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Dzhambazov, of Harrow, north-west London, and Ivanova, of the same Harrow address, were facing charges which allege they were in possession of 34 identity documents, some of which were suspected to be false.
Morgan told Brand about the nickname during an interview to which the comedian and actor responded: I like Rasputin... he was all right, wasnt he... a mad monk with magical, mystical powers, having it off with everyone, drinking and getting into fights.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. The Armenian Ministry of Economy is discussing the issue of launching trade with Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

According to Armenian media, the issue is at the stage of exploring various options.

Other details have not been specified.

Will be updated
A spokesman for Operation Hydrant told the publication: We are working with the Metropolitan Police in support of their response to recent allegations, and would urge any victim or survivor who feels ready to report any allegations of sexual assault to come forward and speak to officers.
We have taken an honest and open look at the way we work, have welcomed academics in to scrutinise it and provide us with direction for how we can improve. This is not easy, but it is vital, we are determined to do better for victims.
In light of this, visitors are advised to keep their distance and keep dogs on leashes during this time. So what do visitors need to know about this time, and how can you stay safe around rutting deer?
Much of Europe and the northern hemisphere observe the practice, which will see one hour added on to the night in the autumn to give extra daylight at the end of the day for the winter months.
The two men spoke during President Zelenskys visit to Washington where he worked to shore up U.S. support for Ukraine, delivering an upbeat message on the wars progress while facing new questions about the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.
While there was no direct criticism of his own government, Charles called for a reform of the Entente Cordiale  the name of the traditional cordial alliance between France and Britain  so it can become a green Entente of Sustainability.
It has been no secret that Lachlan had been lined up to take over the News and Fox Corp leadership for quite some time. As published in The Guardian, Rupert Murdoch said in a 90s interview: Currently, it is their consensus that Lachlan will take over. He will be the first among equals, but they will all have to prove themselves.
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, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said.
Tabloid news, Murdoch tabloid news, in the British and Australian sense, is populist, drama-and-conflict based, scandal (sex), crime and blood, sports, and showbiz  with Morgan among its leading practitioners. Morgan, 55, had one of the most high-flying careers in British tabloid journalism with a history of scoops, fistfights, lawsuits, and controversial personal financial dealings. A favoured Murdoch protege first at the Sun and then as the editor of the News of the World, who jumped, in a brief Murdoch betrayal, to the Daily Mirror where he was felled by a scandal of his own, publishing (unaware) faked photographs of British atrocities during the Iraq War. There followed bestselling books, a stint as Freuds partner in various media projects, a perch as an attention-getting columnist, a scabrous and inevitably news-breaking celebrity interview column in British GQ, his reinvention as a television presenter, and a contestant on Donald Trumps Celebrity Apprentice. In 2011, he replaced Larry King as CNNs prime-time anchor. His British accent and tabloid sensibility combined with a British sense of Americans as often psychotic (advocating gun control became one of Morgans primary issues) made him a puzzle to the US audience and low ratings took him off the air in 2014. But within short order he returned to British television prominence as a host of ITVs Good Morning Britain, where he generated daily contretemps and ratings-winning battles. In 2021, conceiving a passionate contempt for Meghan Markle and her besmirching of the royal family, he stormed off the set during a live broadcast when he was accused of racism towards Markle.
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.
Breitlings 2023 Sustainability Mission Report highlights the actions the luxury watchmaker is taking to achieve its environmental, social, and governance goals

From establishing its first traceable watch collection as part of the Origins Label to setting emission reduction targets in line with climate science and the Paris Agreement and establishing its inaugural Impact Diamond Fund objectives and programs, the brands #SQUADONAMISSION to do better sustainability road map is fully outlined in the annual report.

Breitlings Sustainability Mission Report is the first in the industry to follow the World Economic Forum/ International Business Councils Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, a set of reporting guidelines devised in consultation with 120 of the worlds largest companies at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos and since adopted by numerous multinational corporations.

Breitling is working to be a part of practical solutions that address sustainability, the defining challengeand opportunityof our time. Breitling views sustainability as more than just a projectits an ongoing journey to enhance the companys impact. The company places its primary focus on crafting products and experiences that incorporate superior materials, better manufacturing processes, and packaging practices. This third annual Sustainability Mission Report continues our commitment to transparently report on outcomes related to each of the objectives we have identified for our mission.

The report is based on Breitlings annual stakeholder materiality assessment, conducted via online surveys and follow-up interviews. This years assessment and the report it informs continues to align with the five pillars established to structure sustainability efforts at the watchmaker: Product, Planet, People, Prosperity, and Progress.

CEO of Breitling, Georges Kern, confirms, Like every company, Breitling has the responsibility to take immediate climate action. Were continuously progressing on every level, aware that lasting change doesnt occur overnight. Its also of the utmost importance for us to make a difference in the lives of the communities and families involved in our sourcing process. Were fully committed to these causes and are acting on clear plans in concert with our stakeholders.

"To Do Better"  Breitling

Highlights of the report include:

Product : the origins label

After the success of Breitlings first traceable watch, the Super Chronomat Origins, the Origins Label was created to identify watches whose precious materials are traceable to source. This is one of the years major sustainability milestones since Breitling is working to integrate better gold, better diamonds, and better traceability across its products in an industry-leading effort.

Breitling launched the Navitimer 36 and 32, its first full lines to feature gold and lab-grown diamonds traceable to their suppliers, a path made transparent on the watches blockchainbacked NFT and public-facing Sourcemap. Breitling works with the Swiss Better Gold Association, which establishes responsible supply chains between artisanal and small-scale gold mines and the Swiss market. Breitlings lab-grown diamonds, meanwhile, are supplied by producers who meet the rigorous criteria of the SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds standard for traceability, environmental responsibility, and business ethics. To provide transparency in Breitlings sourcing practices, reporting metrics have also been established focusing on the sourcing of other gold, tungsten, tin, tantalum (3TG) minerals, platinum group metals (PGM), and gemstones. Breitling stands alone in the industry to provide this level of transparency in its sourcing activitie.

"To Do Better"  Breitling

Planet : climate action

Since 2020, Breitling has been working to measure its environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, and to develop robust measures to reduce negative impact. This reporting cycle has been critical, as the company has aligned a meaningful near- and long-term carbon reduction plan in collaboration with its stakeholders across the supply chain.

In March 2023, the company submitted its target validation request to the Science Based Targets initiative, which defines and promotes best practices in target-setting for greenhouse gas reduction. Together with global stakeholders across the value chain, Breitling has developed an ambitious road map to reduce emissions in line with the Corporate Net-Zero Standard. Through concentrated efforts on key action areas aimed at achieving absolute emissions reductions, Breitling is on track to mitigate its environmental impact in the near term by 2032 and in the long term by 2050.

"To Do Better"  Breitling

People : stakeholder engagement for sustainability

Global sustainability goals ultimately need to be activated at the human level. People are at the heart of our sustainability objectives, and we have made strong progress in the last reporting cycle in engaging our squads across a range of topics, including those related to sustainability. We continually engage our employees to share their voices. Comprehensive training opportunities are offered that are tailored to specific needs. In the last year, we launched our inaugural climate weeka full week of activities to tangibly contribute to environmental protection in our local communities. Breitling has also earned the Universal Fair Pay Analyst award from the FPI Fair Pay Innovation Lab, a recognition marking the company as the first in the watch industry to receive this accolade on a global level. Breitling is committed to addressing key areas that enhance engagement and inclusion in the future.

Prosperity and progress : strategic partnership

Breitling prioritizes social and environmental impact along its global supply chains and has made significant progress in supporting communities, particularly along its artisanal and small-scale gold and lab-grown diamond communities. Initiatives have been cocreated with local community members, supporting local education and health care in remote communities, water treatment, and environmental protection objectives along the gold value chain. In the lab-grown diamond supply chain, progress has been made in defining the areas of action that will be supported by the Impact Diamond Fund: Womens economic empowerment, social entrepreneurship for economic development, and environmental regeneration in areas of diamond mining. Already today, Breitling has identified key collaboration partners to carry out its work, including the Amani Institute, which will lead efforts to engage the vibrant entrepreneurial community in the state of Gujarat in Western India, where Breitling sources lab-grown diamonds from carefully selected suppliers.

"To Do Better"  Breitling

Breitlings sustainability partners also include the Surfrider Foundation, a non-governmental organization devoted to coastal preservation and clean oceans. The foundation has won over 800 long and short-term campaigns aimed at legislative change, which have led to hundreds of significant coastal protection victories.

It also partners with the urban rewilding nonprofit SUGi. Since 2020, Breitling has planted 18,824 trees across 8 countries, restoring 295 native plant species. Breitling also partners with Qhubeka, a global charity providing bicycles to remote communities across Africa that enable better access to education, health care, and employment opportunities. Since partnering with Qhubeka in 2018, Breitling and its donors have funded over 2500 bicycles, making a tangible impact on residents quality of life. Additionally, Breitling partners with the Solar Impulse Foundation, established by Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard, whose mission is to tackle climate change through profitable means. The organization has already identified 1500+ available solutions that reduce environmental impact while generating economic growth, and Breitlings sustainable flat-fold watchbox design is one of them.

As Aurelia Figueroa, Global Director of Sustainability at Breitling, says: Corporate sustainability is at the confluence of so many global challenges we collectively face today. At Breitling, we seek to be a part of systemic change and positive impact within our sphere of influence. As a part of this, we see it essential that we transparently communicate on outcomes while highlighting the shared efforts of our stakeholders.

Breitlings full Sustainability Mission Report 2023 can be found here.
Initial reports suggested that the plane may have been in autopilot mode when the pilot was forced to eject from the aircraft. While he was able to parachute to safety, the plane may have continued on its flight path.
When Trudeau first made the allegations, he said: Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. Canada is a rule-of-law country; the protection of our citizens and defence of our sovereignty are fundamental.
Though on the more expensive side, this luxurious and beautifully designed yoga mat from Liforme is not likely to leave your side any time soon. While lightweight and wonderfully portable thanks to the inclusion of a bag strap with your order, this yoga mat also functions as a top-of-the-range piece of kit to use during practices and classes at home as well as abroad. Made from PVC-free and biodegradable materials, you can be sure youre protecting the planet as well as your mind by purchasing a mat from this B-Corp-certified yoga brand.
Not only are they functional pieces, but coats are a stylish way to instantly spruce up your childs winter wardrobe. Hence why there are so many iconic childrens coats. Coralines bright yellow raincoat, the Pevensie clans floor-length furs in the Chronicles of Narnia - even Paddington Bears cobalt duffle can be taken into consideration here.
Asked if she feels the message is getting through to the top talent and executives, Dame Carolyn added: I think the only way that happens is someone speaking up, but also how the talent is managed, and thats another very big area that we spend an awful lot of time on, which is that you have to have strong leaders, managers who will say thats not appropriate or weve had complaints come out and this is what were going to do about it.
Its not just funding for a cure thats being sought but simply treatments that prolong quality of life. Im on a drug trial with UCLH myself; researchers desperately need more funding and if me speaking out about it concentrates minds, then all the better.
She also said: This face could could send (the) wrong information because my face can be serious and very serious and dont take anything (I say) in the studio personal, because my advice, my experience, is everything happens in the studio (me saying) Wrong, right, correct or no, do it again, everything happens in the studio.
But where it does happen, I think you have to make sure, if you are governed by a set of code and a set of regulated frameworks, that you are applying scrutiny, that you are holding those others that you might interview to account. Where thats not happening then clearly there is a problem.
The woman, who the BBC has not identified, said: I feel ashamed, but more so I wonder had something been done, perhaps there would have been fewer women he would have done horrible things to, which were reading about in the papers now.
It is not known why the Scottish entrepreneur is having the procedure but, in one photo shared to Nigoras Instagram, Story, the BBC star is seen on his phone wearing a blue hospital gown lying on a hospital bed.
Every nascent brand comes under close scrutiny: product, strategy, funding, projects, partners. But for Beauregard, this period under the microscope seems to be over. Its time to pay attention

For half a decade, Beauregard has been making waves in the watchmaking world, with a unique positioning and origin story. It started with a bold vision: a womens watch with high-jewellery dial and central flying tourbillon. Beauregards output is exclusive and its designs are voluptuous and generous  the typical precious stones almost entirely absent.

The brand hails from Montreal in Canada. Its instigator, Alexandre Beauregard, is obsessed with the concept of alternative gemmology. His creations eschew emeralds and sapphires in favour of opal, chrysoprase, amethyst and topaz, presented in unusually generous dimensions.

An international outlook

The bold, 100% self-funded venture sparked the curiosity of retailers. This curiosity was followed by keen interest and, finally, firm commitment. Indeed, things are going so well that the modest family-run workshop of three could well break even as soon as next year. The optimism was evident at this years Geneva Watch Days, where Alexandre Beauregard noted: Weve secured firm commitments to open retail outlets in the Middle East, which currently absorbs 95% of our modest output, and were eyeing the United States next.

Indeed output is a key concept for Beauregard. Its a bottleneck that independent brands often struggle to overcome, due to a lack of funding. But Beauregard doesnt have this problem  every watch on show is fully funded by the retailers who sell them. This ensures a steady income and, crucially, gets the retailer invested in making the effort to promote the brand.

Alexandre Beauregard  Beauregard

Building momentum

And yet, Beauregard might not require much promotion. Growing from a few one-off pieces in the last couple of years, the brands in-house production is projected to hit 80 watches by 2024. Most are already spoken for. An apprentice has joined the workshops, and a new Swiss office will be in a better position to coordinate the gem-setting operations in Montreal with the watchmaking activities that remain in Switzerland.

The watches will be produced in limited runs of 30. I cant do any more, Alexandre Beauregard insists. The stones I select are incredibly rare. To put it into perspective, I can only get 2 to 3 handfuls of gem quality chrysoprase each year  flawless, without a single occlusion. Thats enough to make a few watches, no more. But since the projects inception, Ive accumulated a decades worth of stock, enough to fuel many projects.

Lili Bouton  Beauregard

Up next: a mans watch

Future projects may well involve collaborations. Alexandre Beauregard talks openly of his many friends, inspirations and ideas. The possibilities are there, even though many of the fine independent watchmaking heavyweights are swamped with their own production. But the conversation has been opened, and Alexandre Beauregard is clearly considering adding a mens collection to his catalogue, prototypes of which were spotted at the Geneva Watch Days. Beauregard will be exhibiting again in Dubai this November, and then at Watches and Wonders. There, were likely to see the same parade of major institutional brands visiting his stand, curious to learn how this Canadian artisan has brought a fresh perspective to the world of exquisite fine watchmaking.
Leni also previously admitted she didnt look at the furore online and reiterated how proud she is of the campaign. She told Page Six: I just dont look at it, honestly. If I dont look at it, I dont have to pay any attention to it, so I just dont know what is there.
After collapsing during a photoshoot in 1999, Campbell checked into rehab for the first time: I have always owned up to [my mistakes], and I chose to go to rehab, and it was the best and only thing I could have done for myself at that time.
Does this all sound a bit creepy? You wont be alone, and it brings up some perennial questions about privacy in the context of home assistants like Alexa. Namely, if Alexa now relies much less on the wake word, how much more actively will it have to listen than it currently does, and for how long?
The Duchess of Wales, wife of Prince William, Kate Middleton, repeated the image of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, during a visit to a charity in East London. She chose a restrained two-piece beige suit, which is very similar to the set that Lady Di wore two months before her death in 1997.

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Then the mother of Princes William and Harry appeared in it in New York, writes the Daily Mail. By the way, this is not the first time Kate Middleton has repeated Princess Diana's images to honor her memory (to see the photo, scroll to the bottom of the page).

The 41-year-old princess chose a 750 jacket by Roland Mouret with a fitted blazer and flared trousers with arrows. She complemented the outfit with lighter-colored pumps.

26 years ago, Prince William's mother was seen in New York wearing a set of a very similar cut. Not only were the color and style similar, but even the arrows on the pants were the same. However, Lady Di was wearing straight pants that day.

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Wearing a business casual look, the Duchess of Wales visited Streets of Growth, a non-profit charity that runs youth programs for vulnerable children at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity.

By the way, Kate Middleton also wears her late mother-in-law's ring. She always spoke very fondly of her, even though she had never met her. The Princess of Wales said that she has great respect for her husband's late mother and thinks that she would have been a "brilliant grandmother" to their three children.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote that this summer, the wife of the main heir to the British throne chose an image in the style of the late Princess Diana. See the photo comparison here.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Three Starkville residents celebrate their home ownership thanks to Starkville Habitat for Humanity. (Left to right, Tuwana Hubbard, R.D. Coleman, Carley Boscareno)
After moving back to Mississippi from California, Pat Johnson decided that Starkville was where her heart belonged. Johnson (right) is pictured with her daughter, Mandee (left).
DevMin: Financial opportunities of today have never before existed in Romania

Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration Adrian Vestea said in Focsani on Thursday, during a meeting with the mayors of the Vrancea County administrative territorial units, that the financial opportunities of today have never before existed in Romania, and after this financial year Romania "will look much better."

"I believe that anyone can implement projects at the level of local authorities with money from both national programmes and projects with European funds. These are investments that reach the communities in Romania and today we can say that we have the biggest financial resource to be able to implement these projects. All these things come with efforts, shortcomings, lots and lots of nervousness, but my conviction is that we will carry them through. Romania, after this financial year, will look much better and will have the opportunity to implement even more projects," Minister Adrian Vestea told the mayors.

The Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration is paying a visit to Vrancea County on Thursday. During the morning, he attended the General Assembly of the Association of County Secretaries General of Romania held in Focsani, and met with mayors of the county. Later in the afternoon, Minister Adrian Vestea will visit the investment objectives of county road (DJ) 205 E Vidra - Vizantea - Livezi - Campuri and the spa resort of Vizantea - Livezi, told Agerpres.
EnergyMin: We are one of the countries that has undertaken a very ambitious decarbonisation plan

Romania is one of the countries that has undertaken a very ambitious decarbonisation plan, currently approximately 14% of the energy produced in the country is based on coal, and by 2026 it will reach about 0.3%, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said at a specialist event on Thursday, told Agerpres.

"We are one of the countries that has undertaken a very ambitious decarbonisation plan. Today we are talking about approximately 14% of the energy produced in Romania based on coal. Of the total energy, 14% is coal. In 2026, this percentage will be around 0.3% so we will basically be carbon free from a coal perspective in just a few years. Of course, this puts some challenges on the table - and I can tell you that I cannot forget or ignore the fact that when I was in the Jiu Valley, where there are still some 2,032 miners, in 1989 there were 55,000 - so you can imagine what a transformation. But, one of the 2,032 miners came to me at some point during the official visit, pulled me by the sleeve and said: Minister, come here a minute. Please. Minister, look at these hands - and I'm speechless. He said: Minister, do you see these black hands? I put on the table, for three children, a white bread every day - and you cannot ignore, as a minister, as a man, as a Romanian, the story of these people. I especially wanted to share this experience with you because I was very pleased with what I found in this code of good practice - namely that all the investments you make also generate jobs and we are talking about more than 20,000 jobs. This is good news for people like the man I met in the Jiu Valley," said Sebastian Burduja, at the launch of the second issue of the Code of Good Practice for Renewable Energy, a project initiated by the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA) in collaboration with the Romanian Wind Energy Association (RWEA).

He stressed that the smart transition to a greener energy economy also means opportunities, and "we have a duty to seize them together: public, private environment."
The number one priority after the approval of the package of fiscal measures will be related to the digitalization of the National Fiscal Administration Agency and the Romanian Customs Authority, because it is unnatural to not have any functional scanner and to still carry out physical inspection of the goods transiting the territory of Romania, while other states are scanning with the help of artificial intelligence techniques, declared, on Wednesday evening, the Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos.

Asked how big the investment in such equipment should be, the head of Finance replied: "We are discussing an investment of over 100 million euros and the project is being implemented."

"I can't answer for what happened before. I'm trying to see that these goals of national strategic importance are brought to fruition. At least let's get them out of their place. When I was the Minister of Digitalization, the same thing happened with the governmental cloud. We had to mobilize to put it on the wheels, to start the implementation, and we are in about the same situation at the Ministry of Finance. It is an important objective for my mandate," the minister pointed out.The Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos, offered explanations on Wednesday evening on the draft law regarding some fiscal budgetary measures, for which the Executive will assume responsibility, and which was analyzed in the first reading during the Government meeting.
The European Commission (EC) is considering defending Poland, Hungary and Slovakia against a lawsuit filed by Ukraine at the World Trade Organization over agricultural exports. The three countries violated EU rules banning imports of Ukrainian grain, and Brussels initially demanded that the bans be lifted, but is now "working to 'coordinate' their legal rebuttals."

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This was reported by the Financial Times, citing its sources. The newspaper notes that the next step of the European Commission will be a response to Ukraine's claim to the WTO.

At the same time, as recently as yesterday, September 20, in the evening, the European Commission was debating whether to protect Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The Commission stated that the member states of the bloc "are not allowed to take unilateral measures in the field of trade" and that it is "assessing the legally complex situation."

Brussels seeks to find a solution "so that there is no need for further investigation of this case". An internal review by the EC is possible.

"We are engaging with the [member] states concerned and will try to find a constructive solution so that there is no need to continue the investigation," the statement said, adding that it could launch its own infringement proceedings "to ensure that countries comply with their obligations under EU law and their WTO commitments."

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Romania will work with Ukraine on a plan to control grain exports to protect Romanian farmers. The work will last for the next 30 days.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Foreign Investors Council: New fiscal measures package puts investments under question mark

The Foreign Investors Council (FIC) has warned on the recent proposals for tax changes, which not only substantially change the tax legislation and introduce a series of new taxes or increases, but also cancel the fundamental principle of the Tax Code that granted a 6-month period needed for businesses to adjust to the new rules, told Agerpres.

According to an FIC press statement released on Thursday, for many of the new fiscal measures it is impossible to estimate the impact accurately; given the precarious situation of the budget and the economy, it is important that the measures are selected only according to the ability to estimate their impact.

"In the absence of major changes in managing the public finances, the reduction of expenses with the administration of public services, the improvement of collection, the assurance of fiscal equity and the reduction of grey zones, the sustainability of the state budget remains fragile."

At the same time, the disproportionate taxation of large taxpayers is threatening the ability of the economy to recover, with the risk that some companies will no longer be able to continue their activity in Romania because they will lose their profitability or migrate some activities to other EU countries. "Romania's competitiveness in relation to other states could be endangered by such turnover taxation, this practice being almost non-existent in developed countries. Also, turnover taxation can produce competitive distortions even in the domestic market, favouring firms already present in a market compared to newly created firms and creating unequal conditions of competition among competing producers of similar goods," added FIC.

Additionally, the acceleration of the legislative process that aims to produce substantial changes to the Tax Code jeopardises the confidence of investors in Romania. "It is vital that the package of legislative acts is discussed and analysed together with the business environment in order to have a complete picture of the medium and long-term effects on the real economy, and implicitly, on society."

Private investments represent one of the engines of economic growth, but also one of the main sources of financing the state budget. FIC periodically analyses the perception of large investors on the economy in Romania, compared to other locations where the companies they represent are present, with the help of the tool called "Business Sentiment Index" (BSI).

Over the 10 years that FIC has conducted this CEO survey, the stability and predictability of the fiscal framework have remained vital criteria for private investment. The last months of uncertainty are also reflected in the latest data submitted by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) regarding FDI, which shows that foreign direct investment in Romania decreased by 14% in H1 2023, y-o-y.

Romania is in an important process of joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an organisation that has as one of the objectives to promote inclusive and sustainable growth worldwide through international co-operation and policy reforms in support of sustainable investment. The recently published measures will hinder and delay Romania's process of alignment with the standards imposed by the OECD for sustainable economic growth and investment support, according to FIC.
ICI Bucharest Director General Vevera elected ICA vice president

Adrian-Victor Vevera, the director general of the National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics - ICI Bucharest, has been elected by a unanimous vote vice-president for a two-year period of the International Council for Information Technology in Government Administration (ICA), told Agerpres.

He participated on Wednesday, in Brussels, in the annual conference of ICA.

"Information technology has the power to generate efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the public sector, with the citizens we serve being the beneficiaries. However, being at the intersection of technology and governance, we face new challenges every day, from threats to cyber-security to ethical considerations in the use of AI and data analytics. In my capacity as vice-president, I am committed to encouraging collaboration among member countries, emphasising the importance of expanding the reach of our council by actively seeking and welcoming new members. New perspectives and ideas will enrich our discussions and contribute to our collective expertise. At the same time, I want to congratulate ICA members on their expertise, dedication and passion for this cause. Together, we will harness the potential of technology to improve the lives of citizens, improve public service delivery and promote good governance," Vevera is quoted as saying in an ICI press release.

The theme of this year's conference is "Digital Services: Going from Smart to Intelligent and Beyond," and among the subjects covered are the importance of good governance and data management; e-ID and eWallet: implementation approaches, considerations and challenges; improving services for citizens; the latest trends in cyber-security; RTE and sustainable technologies in the public sector.
Iohannis: Russia expected a weak international community; it miscalculated

Russia expected a weak international community when it attacked Ukraine, but "it miscalculated", President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday.

The head of state gave a speech at the World Leaders Forum event with the theme "Romania's perspective on the war against Ukraine and its impact on security in the Black Sea", at Columbia University in New York.

"Russia expected a weak international community and a compliant Ukraine. But by threatening and then using force, it got exactly the opposite. Russia miscalculated and underestimated our response as a community of values and security, and miscalculated Ukraine's response," Iohannis said.

The head of state reiterated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine did not start on February 24, 2022.

"It started back in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia. It continued in 2014, when the so-called 'little green men' illegally occupied Crimea. And then it continued in Donbas. Romania, being very close to all these conflicts, has consistently signaled that such a very brutal and dangerous escalation is underway, and, unfortunately, I was right," Iohannis argued.

Klaus Iohannis recalled that the West was open to dialogue.

"During that period, Russia claimed that the entire international community, especially what it calls the 'collective West', did not want to enter into dialogue and identify solutions to the existing problems - created by Russia itself - in Ukraine. This fact did not was, of course, true. The international community, including Ukraine, actually engaged in dialogue with Russia. There were hundreds of hours of negotiation that took place within the framework provided by the Minsk Agreements. And it was Russia itself that grossly violated these agreements. Before the invasion in 2022, both NATO and the US submitted proposals for talks with Russia. But Russia rejected them," Klaus Iohannis said.

The President recalled that Romania has long pleaded in favor of the prevention and resolution of the so-called prolonged or frozen conflicts in this region. "As I have said many times, the war against Ukraine has taught us that, in such circumstances, the absence of war does not mean peace", added Iohannis.

Klaus Iohannis highlighted that, "ironically, as a direct consequence of the irresponsible and illegal actions of Russia, we managed to achieve incredible results at the global level", namely Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova received the status of candidate countries, energy dependence on Russia was reduced, Finland became a NATO ally, and Sweden is in the process of becoming an ally. "Ukraine itself is now closer, from a political and practical point of view, to the Alliance", added the president.

Also, Iohannis said, NATO made historic decisions to strengthen defense and deterrence on the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea, and the Black Sea "has been irrevocably committed as a region of strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security, everyone understanding that what happens in the Black Sea, it doesn't stay only in the Black Sea".

"Romania, as a strategic partner of the USA and a NATO ally, is now at the highest level of security in its recent history. We now have a more coherent and focused approach on several areas regarding the defense on the Eastern Flank", he said the president of Romania.

He mentioned the support from our country for the Republic of Moldova. "A stable and safe Republic of Moldova is of essential importance for our community of values", said Iohannis.

At the same time, the head of state emphasized that "for our security, for everyone's security, Ukraine must win". "There can be no peace without fully guaranteeing and restoring the full independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine", Klaus Iohannis pointed out, highlighting the need for support for this country.
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday that solutions have been found for the management of Ukrainian grain exports, namely the creation of an authorization system, so that Romanian farmers are not affected.

Klaus Iohannis had a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the Bulgarian deputy prime minister, Mariya Gabriel, stating that the discussions were focused on the transit of grains and the export of these products to the countries through which transit takes place.

"We found solutions for both the transit of agricultural products from Ukraine to world markets, and for managing the export of these products to Romania. We found an opening on the Ukrainian side, the Romanian Government got involved very well and conditions were negotiated, the Commission came up with additional solutions. In essence, it is a matter of a system for authorizing these exports, which authorization must be agreed by both sides, in this way we can control the phenomenon very well and not affect the farmers in Romania, who have dissatisfaction with these products," said the Romanian president.As for the management of grain transit, Iohannis pleaded for a "solution-oriented" approach."Anything else is not appropriate for now. We know the problem very well. We, as well, in Romania, have farmers' dissatisfaction, we have concrete problems to solve with this transit, but in my opinion it is not important to focus on blocking the transit of cereals or to make a national political issue out of it," added Klaus Iohannis.President Iohannis spoke about the need to continue ensuring the transit of grain from Ukraine."A significant part of this transit takes place through Romania and, on the other hand, it is extremely important to manage the undeclared export of these products, for example to the Romanian markets and, together with the Ukrainian side, the Romanian Government found solutions that were also approved by the Commission," Klaus Iohannis concluded.
President Iohannis and his wife pose alongside US presidential couple, at the UN General Assembly

President Klaus Iohannis and his wife, Carmen, took a picture in New York City, on the occasion of the UN General Assembly, alongside the US President, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, told Agerpres.

The pictures was published on the Twitter account of the Romanian head of state with the following capture: "Attending the Leaders Reception hosted by the President Joe Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly."

The reception took place on Tuesday, at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and was organized in honour of the world leaders who came to the UN General Assembly, which takes place in the American city.
Romania must use all low carbon emitting resources to achieve decarbonisation goals (senior offcial)

Renewable energy sources, nuclear energy and natural gas form the backbone of the energy transition in Romania, Pavel-Casian Nitulescu, senior official with the Romanian Ministry of Energy, told the 24th editions of the World Petroleum Congress on Thursday, told Agerpres.

"To achieve our decarbonisation objectives and to maintain the stability of the national power grid, it is necessary to use all available sources with low carbon emissions such as natural gas, with the gradual transition to renewable gas, as well as nuclear energy. Certainly, the desire for a green economy and energy transition also belongs to the oil and natural gas industry. In our opinion, natural gas represents a viable, affordable and technologically mature alternative that can contribute to a significant cut in greenhouse gas emissions and a balanced transition process. By implementing energy capacities based on natural gas, Romania does not increase its dependence on the import of natural gas, enjoying its own resources. We can say that renewable energy sources, nuclear energy and natural gas form the backbone of energy transition in Romania," said Nitulescu.

Romania participated in the 24th edition of the World Petroleum Congress, which took place in Calgary, Canada, September 17-21, where the challenges and realities of the energy transition, energy security and energy supply resilience were discussed.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Energy, the event covered responsible management of the energy transition, innovative technologies for clean energy, carbon storage, the role of the liquefied natural gas.

Also discussed at the event were solutions to cut carbon emissions in the oil and natural gas industry, as well as the role of hydrogen in the energy transition.

The Romanian delegation was led by Nitulescu and included representatives of important Romanian oil companies, such as Conpet SA and Oil Terminal SA.

In the current geopolitical context, energy security can no longer be approached only as a national problem, but as a European and global security problem.

Romania was also scheduled to display at the international exhibition that is organised each edition of the World Petroleum Congress, with a stand that has captured the attention of the many participants in this event.
Two surgeons with Marius Nasta Pneumology Institute of Bucharest, remanded in custory for corruption

The Bucharest Tribunal on Thursday ordered the preventive arrest of two physicians, Cristian Paleru and Cornel Petreanu with the Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology of Bucharest, under the accusation of receiving bribes from patients, told Agerpres.

The two physicians are specialized in thoracic surgery, both being professors at the Bucharest Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Six other physicians from Marius Nasta Institute were placed under judicial control, to be investigated in a state of freedom.

The prosecutors have opened two criminal files, in which investigations are being carried out regarding the corruption crimes by physicians from the Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, in connection with the exercise of their duties consisting in performing pre- and post-operative controls and carrying out surgical interventions.

The investigators seized the movable and immovable assets owned by the physicians, as well as the amounts held by them in bank accounts, with a view to special confiscation and extended confiscation, because, following the financial investigations, significant differences occurred between the legal income and the assets acquired in the last 5 years.

The value of the sums and assets made unavailable by the prosecutors amounts to over 800,000 euros.
Isolated from the civilized world and popular resorts, Russians have found an alternative to "bad Europe." It is Sierra Leone, a West African country where Ukrainians are advised to stay with bodyguards due to the high crime rate.

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Russia, however, sincerely recommends visiting the beaches of Sierra Leone with families, even if they have a higher price. This advice was published by a Russian news agency. spreading online (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo).

The propagandists describe the beaches of the dangerous African country as "the most beautiful" and boast of the established tourism. The Russian media calls Sierra Leone "an alternative to closed European resorts" but does not mention the high crime rate, the risk of catching a fever or epidemics.

African Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba has officially declared his country's "openness" to Russian tourists. He urged Russians to explore "a new tourist experience." Sierra Leone's ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Yongawo, also noted that his people are very hospitable and that "the country is 99.9% safe."

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Russian media reported that their readers were enthusiastic about the offer, even though the state does not offer profitable and cheap vacation opportunities.

However, there is one advantage for tourists from Russia in the African country. They are unlikely to meet Ukrainians there because they were warned of the danger.

The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine states, "Robberies of apartments, especially those inhabited by people of European descent, are extremely common in Sierra Leone. Most residential burglaries are committed by small groups of well-organized, armed bandits who are not afraid of confrontation and are often armed with machetes or homemade firearms. Expats are often the targets of such attacks."

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Ukrainians who intend to stay in the country for a long time have been advised to hire bodyguards, not to carry valuables, avoid crowds, not to take taxis and not to walk alone after 6 p.m. It is difficult to imagine a pleasant and safe vacation under these conditions. However, Russia tries to "sell" the place to its people.

Until 2002, the country had been in a civil war for 11 years between the forces of the central government and the United Revolutionary Front. During this time, numerous cases of extreme cruelty against civilians were reported.

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The media, including Russian ones, call Sierra Leone one of the most dangerous countries in the world. The death penalty is not prohibited here, the mortality rate from various diseases is very high, and foreign diplomats are even forbidden to leave the city at night. Thus, visitors from other countries cannot be protected by their government 24 hours a day.

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", which is pretending to be Ukrainians.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
WENTZVILLE  General Motors idled a Kansas City plant that relies on supplies from the company's 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 automaker's supply chain during the United Auto Workers strike. At the same time, the company neared the union's 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. We're not waiting around, and we're 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 isn't picking a target, and has said that it will strike against any company that doesn't 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 GM's 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 aren't 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, it's 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 year's labor talks, companies in the industry generally had lower inventory than normal.

"We weren't at healthy levels before this strike, anyway, because of the chip shortage, and the pandemic," Whiston said.
Missouri now ranks No. 3 among states that have banned books in schools over the last year, according to a Pen America report released Thursday.

Florida is No. 1 in the survey, outpacing Texas with 1,406 bans to 625. Missouri secured third place with 333 books removed from shelves in classrooms or school libraries, beating out Utah and Pennsylvania.

Over the past school year, vaguely worded state legislation and local and national advocacy groups have converged, pressuring districts to remove more books from student access, Pen said. Fear of penalties, legal liabilities, and criminal punishments are escalating book bans to new heights.

Libraries have become a battleground across the St. Louis region in recent months. Librarians in the Rockwood, Lindbergh, Ritenour and Webster Groves school districts temporarily removed hundreds of books from their collections following the passage of a new state law banning visual depictions of sexually explicit material.

And parents are scrutinizing the operations of public libraries here, too. Just this week, some some questioned why two books, Its Perfectly Normal, a childrens book that explains puberty and sex, and Bang Like A Pornstar, a how-to for gay men, have been included in the St. Charles City-County Library system.

There is no place in the library for this kind of material, St. Charles resident Theresa Lintzenich said at a meeting on Tuesday. This is gross.

Pen, a New York City nonprofit that advocates for literature and free expression, has looked into Missouri practices before.

Last month, it announced that Missouri state lawmakers had proposed the most educational intimidation bills in the country aimed at censoring certain books and topics in schools.

Only one of the bills became law, banning visual depictions of explicit sexual material in public and private schools. That law, which passed last year, led to the removal of more than 90 books in St. Louis-area schools.

Punitive state laws, coupled with pressure from vocal citizens and local and national groups, have created difficult dilemmas for school districts, forcing them to either restrict access to books or risk penalties for educators and librarians, the report says. Eighty-seven percent of all book bans were recorded in school districts with a nearby chapter or local affiliate of a national advocacy group known to advocate for book censorship.

The report says three groups have prominently pushed book bans, including Moms for Liberty, which has chapters in Missouri.

Nowhere was the fallout from the new law in Missouri more evident than in the Wentzville School District, where librarians temporarily removed nearly 200 books from shelves. Among those were books detailing works of classic art, a graphic novel depicting President Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address, the Childrens Bible, works by William Shakespeare and books by Mark Twain.

In the 2022-23 school year, Pen found 3,362 instances of books banned across the United States, an increase of 33% from the 202122 school year.

The American Library Association says challengers are increasingly targeting public libraries, too.

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 were the predominant target in the past. But in 2023 reports have been near-equally divided between schools and public libraries, the ALA announced Wednesday.

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. The ALA will mark its annual Banned Book Week starting Oct. 1.

Pen defines a book ban as any action taken against a book based on its content, and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, that leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished.

The toll of the book banning movement is getting worse, Suzanne Nossel, chief executive officer of Pen America, said in a news release. More kids are losing access to books, more libraries are taking authors off the shelves, and opponents of free expression are pushing harder than ever to exert their power over students as a whole.

Those who are bent on the suppression of stories and ideas are turning our schools into battlegrounds, compounding post-pandemic learning loss, driving teachers out of the classroom and denying the joy of reading to our kids. By depriving a rising generation of the freedom to read, these bans are eating away at the foundations of our democracy.

The Associated Press and Ethan Colbert of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Ian Froeb Restaurant critic Follow Ian Froeb 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

You wont find turtle on the menu of Napoli Sea. Im compelled to mention this likely unsurprising detail by the mural of a sea turtle that sprawls across one high wall of this 3-month-old seafood restaurant in St. Charles. I saw this turtle when I sat alone at Napoli Seas bar, and I saw this turtle when I sat with my children in the dining room. My children, who have watched Finding Nemo and Finding Dory more times than even Disney would advise, were delighted by the turtle. I felt judged and found wanting. I wasnt eating one of his relatives, but hed gone to high school with the Dover sole a server had precisely filleted for me on a tableside cart.

Napoli Sea is the latest venture from the Pietoso family, owners of Cafe Napoli in Clayton and its spinoffs Napoli 2 in Town and Country and Napoli III in St. Charles. The new restaurant debuted in June next door to Napoli III in the Streets of St. Charles, the development just off Interstate 70 that draws crowds for establishments both local (Mission Taco Joint, Sauce on the Side, Narwhals Crafted) and national (P.F. Changs, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Tucanos Brazilian Grill).

From outside, by the parking-lot-as-town-square standard of the Streets of St. Charles, Napoli Sea is understated. Aside from a modest window display of fresh seafood on ice, you might mistake it for an extension of Napoli III. Its entrance is in the lobby of the mixed-use building it and Napoli III call home. The handle of its front door is a faux harpoon  your first sign Napoli Sea isnt as understated as it seems.

On the wall opposite the giant turtle mural, a large video screen plays vivid underwater footage. (I saw Nemo! my 5-year-old exclaimed between bites of crisp calamari.) With this watery glow and decor including portholes and old-school diving helmets, Napoli Seas aesthetic resembles a 4K restoration of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The claustrophobic and those still reeling from this years submersible implosion shouldnt fret. Though the main dining room is compact  even cozy if you score one of its booths  the space is airy enough to feature a mezzanine dining area.

Servers navigate the dining rooms with trays displaying the days fresh catch and those tableside carts for filleting Dover sole and flambeeing a seafood risotto presented inside a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The seafood tray appears at each table, plastic-wrapped examples of plump scallops and shrimp, gorgeous slabs of halibut, swordfish and ahi tuna and the dramatic splay, seldom seen these days, of the sole. (The specific seafoods will vary from visit to visit.)

The kitchen, overseen by executive chef Jon Berger, might specify preparation for the shrimp or ahi tuna. In general, though, you choose the piece of seafood and one of four sauces to accompany it. On one visit, I paired firm, meaty swordfish with a silky lemon beurre blanc; for the Dover sole, I picked the Livornese, a spicy tomato sauce with aggressively briny pops of caper and olive.

The fresh-catch tray and the tableside carts give Napoli Sea, that video screen notwithstanding, a distinctly throwback vibe. The kitchen reinforces this with the unimaginative but well-prepared sides of mascarpone-whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus that usually accompany your choose-your-own-seafood adventure. More broadly, the restaurant embraces unabashed opulence: market-price caviar; a 12-ounce strip steak of Australian wagyu beef for $105; a tower of shrimp, lobster, oysters and more for $260.

Yet I found myself more compelled by Napoli Seas modern touches. The kitchen electrifies a plate of chargrilled oysters with lemon juice and nduja butter. The ceviche  bite-size bay scallops when I ordered it  delivers the expected citrusy brightness, but the avocado in the accompanying puree of avocado and yuzu underlines the scallops supple texture, giving the dish a satisfying heft.

Napoli Seas prices suggest the restaurant would have been comfortable charging customers for a roll stuffed only with lobster meat. Instead, the kitchen has crafted a chilled salad of lobster, crab and shrimp no less indulgent than a traditional lobster roll. With a side of Old Bay-seasoned fries, this also happens to be the menus best value.

Those seeking a more traditional approach to lobster can order twin cold-water tails with drawn butter. Pitched somewhere between the classic and the contemporary is lobster mac and cheese. This might not convert anyone who has dismissed this dish out of hand over the past 25 years or so, but it does offer the virtue of a generous portion of lobster meat among the noodles and sauce.

Napoli Sea outsources its desserts to another local restaurant, Sugar and Slice Bakery on Main on St. Charles historic Main Street. Based on the few bites of Sugar and Spice owner Lydia Allens chocolate-and-caramel cake I stole before my children devoured the rest, I think the Pietoso family made a smart decision to do so.

Rating Recommended  The Post-Dispatch evaluates restaurants on the following scale, lowest to highest: not recommended, recommended, highly recommended, essential. The rating reflects how the restaurant succeeds on its own terms  and how it meets a diner's good-faith expectations of quality food and hospitality  regardless of cuisine, location or cost.

How much Ceviche  $18 Seafood roll  $22 Chargrilled oysters  $24 Dover sole (market)  $55

Where Napoli Sea, 1450 Beale Street, St. Charles  More info 636-800-2241; napolistl.com  Menu Seafood, pasta and steak  Hours Dinner daily
Q: After almost 15 years of marriage, I am considering getting a divorce but Im worried about the effect it will have on our kids, ages 9 and 11. The children love their dad, but I find myself finding excuses to stay longer hours at work so I dont have to go home. I thought this might work, but we still argue just about every minute we are around each other. What are some things I should consider for my family and myself before following through?

From a reader  Constantly arguing is no fun and will definitely take its toll. Add being unhappy to the situation and not working things out, your best bet is to plan well before actually moving forward. My work status went from being a great employee to being sick and miserable a lot of days. I ended up being fired, and it was my own fault. Be sure that you are financially secure. Its not the answer to all your problems, but it definitely would have made mine easier. Get organized and plan ahead.  Raina G. in Chicago

From Jodie Lynn  Not knowing why you and your husband are constantly arguing, you might want to try a couple of things if you havent already. First, try counseling. Pick a professional that you both agree on. Usually, itll be someone who is not familiar with either one of you. This way the counselor can offer an unbiased opinion and helpful suggestions.

Once you start the sessions, youll probably be enlightened and/or somewhat shocked to hear your spouse tell his side of the story and vice-versa. Itll certainly give you insight to actually hear how he sees things through his own eyes.

You may find right off the bat that there are indeed things you can both work on that would be quite helpful in your marriage if you both agree to do so.

Secondly, you can always try a separation. In fact, sometimes a marriage counselor will suggest this. It provides an opportunity for each one of you to see firsthand how it might possibly be without the other.

Be aware that it might feel pretty nice to be by yourself in the beginning but this may wear off within a few weeks or months. Plus, when kids are involved, there will be plenty of questions and guilt.

Always be mindful of how you answer questions that the kids may ask, especially since they love their dad. For example, do not badmouth your spouse in front of them, on the phone if they are nearby and specifically not on social media.

Divorce is never easy, but in the end if your final decision is to get one, remember, the challenges are between him and you. As hard as it might be, try to be supportive of a good and healthy relationship between your children and their dad.

Can you help?There are so many new words and phrases that tweens and teens are using today; Im lost. I know some but the list seems to keep growing. Can you explain what some of the latest are? Should we use them with the kids to try to connect or is that kind of hands off?
ST. LOUIS  On Sept. 5, 1947, St. Louis Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter quietly instructed Catholic schools to admit Black children. Protests erupted as classes began in September.

About 500 angry white parents gathered in Capstick Hall, 5815 Easton Avenue (now Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard), on Sept. 9 to oppose Ritter's decision. Said meeting co-chairman William T. Rone, "We do not want Negro children alongside our children in the schools."

Ritter refused to meet their leaders. His spokesman said, "He is the father of the whole flock and must care for all, regardless of race."

In a follow-up meeting, 700 parents resolved to take Ritter to court. They scheduled a bigger rally for the evening of Sunday, Sept. 21.

That morning, John P. Barrett, a painting contractor and chairman of the new Catholic Parents Association, attended Mass at St. Edward's Church, Clara and Maffitt avenues. The priest read a letter from Ritter to all parishes, warning that participants in any such suit will face "the serious penalty of excommunication." It would bar them from church practice.

The meeting that night drew 700 to the St. Louis House, 2345 Lafayette Avenue, but Ritter's letter threw it into turmoil. "I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize my religion," said Barrett, who already had pulled his children from St. Edward's School.

St. Louis University integrated in 1944, but area Catholic high schools and grade schools remained segregated  as were the public schools.

St. Louis' Black population had almost doubled since 1930, and many Black families wanted out of the crowded slums near downtown. Most were Protestants, but black Catholics had been part of St. Louis since colonial days. In 1946, when Ritter was appointed archbishop, their children went to a few inner-city parochial grade schools and St. Joseph's High School, 4132 Page Avenue.

The Catholic Parents Association offered $25 as a "gesture of friendliness" to St. Malachy's, a black parish west of Union Station. The pastor wouldn't take it.

Organized opposition collapsed two weeks later at another emotional meeting, where Barrett was booed while obtaining a vote to disband. That year, Black children enrolled in previously all-white Catholic schools, including St. Edward's.

St. Joseph's High closed in 1951. Public schools were integrated three years later, after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. Barrett was a Missouri state senator from 1954 to 1965 and died in 2000.

Ritter died in 1967. A decade later, the archdiocese created Cardinal Ritter College Prep on the North Side, and moved it to a new campus in midtown in 2003.

Catholic school integration Parents protest integration of Catholic schools in 1947 Look Back: Catholic school integration Look Back: Catholic school integration Look Back: Catholic school integration Look Back: Catholic school integration NO headline in galleries
Greater St. Louis, Inc. has launched STL 2030 Progress, a website that measures area growth, tracks initiatives and maps investments, with the hope that increased data will be a tool for economic growth and collaboration  and a way to update the regions national reputation.

The website was introduced to local industry leaders during Greater St. Louis Inc.s inaugural Inclusive Economic Growth Summit hosted downtown Thursday. The site is part of the agencys 10-year STL 2030 Jobs Plan, intended to increase quality jobs and reduce racial disparities.

Investors are going to want to know: Is this a place to do business? Well, when they see this map and the potential to connect the dots  youre basically showing them that there is a level of integration, a holistic vision, said Bruce Katz, author of the STL 2030 Jobs Plan and director of Drexel Universitys Nowak Metro Finance Lab at the summit.

The country has a particular view of what St. Louis is, formed over many decades. Youre telling a different story in a different decade in a different economy, he said.

The new site highlights North Star targets, four metrics that will help guide progress: population, gross domestic product, household income and home ownership rate.

The website is also equipped with an interactive map that depicts over 1,000 capital projects, assets and developments that are planned, under construction or have been completed since January 2021, across the 15-county bi-state St. Louis metropolitan area.

Users are encouraged to submit additional projects to be included on the map so that it can remain a living document that investors, companies and organizations can refer to.

According to Sam Murphey, chief strategy officer at Greater St. Louis Inc., such a database doesnt exist for other metro areas.

Many metros have relatively static scorecards that simply report some lagging economic indicators, he said. There is a momentum and a dynamic civic energy here in St. Louis that needs to be captured and shared as part of our progress to 2030.

STL 2030 Progress was made in collaboration with more than 60 public and private organizations, some of which include 39 North Agtech Innovation District, Harris-Stowe State University, Madison County Community Development and the Missouri Department of Transportation.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  Matt Mitchell, the former Illinois State Police trooper who caused a high-speed, distracted-driving crash that killed two Collinsville sisters, 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 in St. Clair County.

The crash killed the two sisters from Collinsville, ages 18 and 13.

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 of Collinsville, 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 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 Circa 1955 Circa 1955 Circa 1955
ST. LOUIS  Former St. Louis Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed has been in federal prison for months, but the city is still arguing in court that it shouldnt be liable for Reed blocking a local activist on Twitter three years ago.

City attorneys argued Wednesday that a federal judge made the wrong call when he found last year that Reed, in his official capacity for the city, violated activist Sarah Felts First Amendment rights when he blocked Felts from seeing his Twitter posts.

But instead of Reed, the name now at the top of the suit is new Aldermanic President Megan Green  who says she wants no part of the citys effort to appeal the decision.

Personally I am against an appeal, Green wrote to City Counselor Sheena Hamilton in a December email obtained by the Post-Dispatch. Were working on getting better transparency and public engagement mechanisms in place.

But Hamilton is forging ahead with the appeal, including in Wednesdays hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Green said after the hearing that an aldermanic committee is working on an employee handbook that would prohibit aldermen from blocking people from their official accounts. She said its important for transparency that residents not be prevented from seeing official posts.

We all get trolls on our accounts from time to time, but the fact of the matter is, we are here to serve the public, she said.

Reed and the citys legal battle began back in 2019, when Felts questioned Reeds stance on closing the citys Medium Security Institution, a jail facility known as the Workhouse. The account, @PresReed, blocked Felts account moments later, preventing her from seeing or interacting with his posts.

Felts sued with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union and Washington University law schools First Amendment clinic, arguing that Reed wasnt allowed to block her because he used his account in his official capacity as the Board of Aldermans president.

Reed was indicted in June 2022 on charges he accepted bribes from a local businessman. In December, he was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

But Felts suit continued, and U.S. District Judge John A. Ross ruled in Felts favor late last year. He found that blocking someone from an account used to promote official city business is impermissible viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.

The city appealed. Attorneys argued that the judges decision should be reversed because the city could not be held liable. Reed was exercising his own discretion as an elected official to block Felts, they argued, and wasnt making policy on behalf of the entire city.

Felts attorneys countered that Reed had full control of a city office when he blocked Felts, meaning the city should be held responsible.

Lisa Hoppenjans, who runs Washington Universitys First Amendment clinic, said the outcome of the case was particularly important in the social media age where constituents have direct access to interact with and debate elected officials.

Under the First Amendment, those elected officials cannot exclude people from that discussion on their official accounts because they disagree with the viewpoint that is being expressed, she said.

Appeals court judges took the case under advisement on Wednesday and will issue a ruling at a later date.
ST. LOUIS  Missouri Sen. Steve Roberts Jr. is suing a woman who he says violated a confidential settlement in a lawsuit she filed in 2017 that accused him of sexual assault at a downtown bar.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday against Amy Harms, Roberts, D-St. Louis, said her accusations that he assaulted her were untrue and violated a settlement agreement the two reached in 2019. Harms made posts on social media and spoke to the press about her assault allegation last year while Roberts made an unsuccessful run for U.S. Rep. Cori Bushs seat.

The lawsuit also names Harms attorney, Matthew Ghio, as a defendant. It accuses Ghio of violating the agreement by making statements to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in April 2022 disclosing terms of the settlement. In that article, Ghio claimed that Roberts had breached the agreement first and forced Harms to defend herself publicly.

Harms claimed Roberts penned her in a corner of a downtown bar in 2015 with his chair and fondled her under a table. At the time, Roberts was an assistant circuit attorney in St. Louis, so the St. Charles County prosecutors office investigated the incident. No charges were filed. Roberts was fired a few months later for poor performance.

Harms went public with her accusation in 2016, after former state Rep. Cora Faith Walker accused Roberts of raping her while they were both candidates for the state House. Roberts denied the allegation, no charges were ever filed and the two also settled after lawsuits. Walker died suddenly in March 2022 at the age of 37 at a downtown hotel the morning after a party.

Roberts last year revealed the contents of his settlement with Walker after he said Walker violated the agreement by making public statements about her rape allegation. There were no payments as part of the settlement, but both sides agreed to statements each could make if the other violated the agreement.

In Harms settlement, she was paid $100,000, she said. Roberts claimed during his campaign he and his family didnt pay a dime to Harms. Instead, the familys insurance policy paid her, his campaign said.

Roberts lawsuit seeks in excess of $25,000 and also asks a court to order Harms to retract her false statements about being sexually assaulted by Roberts and remove all social media posts about it. It also alleges that Harms went on to stalk and harass Roberts and followed him to the street where his parents live.

Roberts is the son of developer and former St. Louis Alderman Steven C. Roberts Sr.

In 2016, the elder Roberts was named chief deputy to St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts.

Harms and Ghio could not immediately be reached for comment. Roberts attorney, Craig Smith, declined to comment.
UPDATE: Tommy Wayne Boyd was captured Thursday night in Shrewsbury. Read the latest coverage here.

ST. LOUIS  A manhunt for a child-sex offender who escaped from a St. Louis County hospital transfixed much of the region on Thursday as schools kept children indoors, helicopters circled the city, and officers with guns drawn and a hound in tow flooded Tower Grove Park.

But Tommy Wayne Boyd, 45, remained free Thursday evening after walking out of Mercy Hospital South on Kennerly Road.

The search spanned more than 12 hours, stretched over much of south St. Louis, and included at least four police agencies.

Police were alerted around midday that Boyd was in Tower Grove Park, but according to a message sent later to a nearby school district, it may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Then police thoroughly searched an alley in the 3200 block of Portis Avenue in the city's Tower Grove South neighborhood as a helicopter circled several nearby neighborhoods. An officer at the scene said a police dog appeared to pick up Boyd's scent several times in the alley, but lost it each time. Police left the area about an hour later.

A spokesperson for Missouri Department of Corrections, Garry Brix, would not answer questions about how Boyd escaped, instead referring a reporter to St. Louis County police. County police said answers about Boyd's escape would have to come from the Department of Corrections.

St. Louis County police Sgt. Tracy Panus urged the public at a news conference to call authorities if you see Boyd, as he should be considered dangerous.

Boyd was serving a 30-year sentence for felony enticement of a child after he lured a 9-year-old boy to a remote area of southwest Missouri in 2007 and threatened to throw him in a creek if he didn't comply with sexual demands.

He was convicted by a jury in Greene County in November 2007 and was imprisoned at Potosi Correctional Center.

Boyd had been brought to Mercy South for treatment of an undisclosed illness on Wednesday, and hospital staff last saw him at 3:54 a.m. Thursday. He did not overpower the corrections officers or injure anyone to escape, said a hospital spokesperson.

Surveillance cameras showed him walking away from the hospital wearing a black sweatshirt, shorts, a black jacket and orange slippers. He is a white man, 5-foot-7 and 154 pounds. He has balding hair and a beard.

Boyd was supposed to be under the supervision of two corrections officers from the Missouri Department of Corrections, said Joe Poelker with Mercy Hospital South. The Department of Corrections has not said what the officers were doing when Boyd escaped.

St. Louis County police were told of the escape about a half-hour after Boyd was last seen at the hospital.

"Were not clear yet on how he escaped, but he was definitely in DOCs custody," Panus said in an email.

Around 1 p.m. Thursday, police released a photo of Boyd that Panus said appears to be a selfie Boyd took after his escape. Panus said a woman who is with Boyd may have posted it to social media. Intelligence officers are trying to pinpoint the location where the photo was taken.

Panus said it appears from that selfie that Boyd changed clothes after escaping. Police said he was largely on foot but may also have received a ride from someone.

Earlier Thursday, a Highway Patrol trooper peered in windows of cars parked on the hospital lot. Police used a tracking dog to search the hospital grounds.

Beth Johnston, a spokeswoman for the Lindbergh School District, said the district alerted parents and students about the search at about 7 a.m. Thursday  45 minutes to an hour before school starts. The district discouraged students from walking to school.

Lindbergh schools won't have any classes or recess outdoors while the search is underway, Johnston said.

Lindbergh's Kennerly Elementary School is just across the street from the hospital. Concord Elementary on Concord School Road and Sperreng Middle School on Tesson Ferry Road are within about a mile of the hospital.

A neighboring school district, Mehlville School District announced that three of its schools  Hagemann Elementary, Trautwein Elementary and Washington Middle  were taking similar precautions. Those schools are just a few miles from the hospital.

NEW PHOTO: We have an updated photo of Tommy Boyd believed to have been taken this morning. He escaped from custody around 4:30am. Please share. Call 911 if youve seen him. pic.twitter.com/a01qlDdpF6  St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) September 21, 2023

The Missouri Highway Patrol, which maintains the state's sex-offender registry, said Boyd was first charged with a sex crime in Springfield, Missouri, in 1996 when he was 18. The victim was an 11-year-old boy.

He pleaded guilty of sodomy in 1997 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to online court files.

Ten years later, according to a summary of the case in the Missouri Court of Appeals, a 9-year-old boy in Greene County was walking to a friend's home on the evening of May 29, 2007. Boyd approached him from behind and said: "Boo. Did I scare you?"

Boyd, who was pushing a mountain bike, asked the boy if he knew of any good biking trails. The boy said yes, and Boyd asked him to show him where the trails were.

The boy pointed in the direction, but Boyd offered him four quarters if he would take him to the trails. The boy declined at first, but eventually took the money at Boyd's insistence.

When they got to the bike trails, they saw a fisherman by the creek, so Boyd directed the boy away from the fisherman. Boyd showed the boy about $2 in change and asked the boy if he wanted another way to make money. He described the kind of sexual contact he wanted and tried to pull down the boy's shorts. He told the boy he would throw him in the creek if he refused.

The boy was able to break free and run to his friend's home. As he ran off, Boyd yelled to him, "Be a good little boy." The boy told his father what happened.

An unspecified amount of reward money has been offered by CrimeStoppers for information that leads to Boyd's capture.
On the night of September 21, the Russian occupation army attacked Kyiv with cruise missiles. Air defense forces destroyed more than 20 targets in the sky over the capital.

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As a result of the missiles' downing, debris fell in several districts of the capital. This was reported by the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Russian terrorists launched missiles at the Ukrainian capital from ten Tu-95MS strategic aircraft. Air defense forces destroyed more than 20 enemy targets in the sky over Kyiv.

As a result of falling debris in the Shevchenkivskyi district, a gas pipe was damaged, though it did not catch fire. In Darnytsia district, debris damaged non-residential buildings and parked cars.

The Kyiv City Military Administration noted that the capital has already crossed the 1,000-hour mark since the start of the full-scale invasion.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Also on September 21, at least 6 explosions occurred in Kharkiv during an air raid alert. Russian terrorists hit the city with S-300 missiles.

- In Cherkasy, a Russian missile was shot down, but the falling debris damaged a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. At least 5 people were injured, and one more is under the rubble.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ST. LOUIS  North Side Community School is suing a former executive director for failing to disclose his outside earnings while collecting nearly $300,000 in severance from the charter school.

Chester Asher signed a three-year contract with North Side in 2019 with an annual salary of $160,000. One year into his term, the charter school board became dissatisfied with Ashers performance and agreed to a one-time payout of about $87,000 in return for dropping all claims against the school.

Under the separation agreement, North Side also paid out an additional $210,817 for the remainder of Ashers contract through June 2022. The payout was supposed to be reduced by any earnings Asher made over that period.

Asher repeatedly told North Side he had no income or tax returns and never provided any bank deposits, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, or paystubs despite working for Maryland tech company 2U and earning income from an AirBnB short-term rental unit, according to the lawsuit filed Friday in St. Louis Circuit Court.

Two months after leaving North Side in June 2020, Asher accepted an offer from 2U as a course strategy manager with an annual salary of $105,000, the lawsuit states. Asher was working for 2U as recently as April 2022, pay stubs show.

Asher did not respond to a request for comment. North Sides executive director Doug Thaman said he couldnt comment on pending litigation.

Charter schools are funded by tax dollars but operated independently, often by nonprofit boards. North Side and Progress in Education, its nonprofit operator, are asking the court to award monetary damages for the overpayments to Asher as well as legal fees.

Since leaving North Side, Asher has been trying to open another charter school in St. Louis called Ali Academy, with support from education reform group Opportunity Trust. At least two potential sponsors of the school, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and St. Louis University, have backed out of their discussions with Asher.

North Side opened as an elementary school in 2009 in the Kingsway East neighborhood and grew to become one of the highest performing charter schools in the state. A middle school opened in Grand Center in 2018.

After Asher joined North Side for the 2019-2020 school year, teachers and parents reported low morale and a loss of community spirit, according to board meeting notes. The school lost 23 staff members during Ashers one-year tenure, including a majority of the elementary school teachers.

The school, where nearly all 455 students are Black, has also tried to rebound from a drop in attendance and test scores. North Side regularly earned perfect scores on the states annual performance report prior to 2019. Last year, the school fell into the states provisionally accredited range with a 67% on the report.
JEFFERSON CITY  Construction of a new military staging facility in north St. Louis County could begin in April after state lawmakers approved $20 million to help finance the project.

The Bellefontaine Neighbors Readiness Center, to be built near the intersection of Interstate 270 and Missouri Route 367, will help the Missouri National Guard consolidate its operations in the area, according to a March analysis by the U.S. Army.

The 74,375-square-foot facility, which is estimated to cost a total of $28 million, will provide more storage, training and maintenance capabilities for the more than 300 troops and officers who are based at the current facilities.

The financial assistance from the state was endorsed by lawmakers in May. It survived Gov. Mike Parsons veto pen in July after he cut more than $550 million in other projects that had been inserted into the $51 billion spending plan by the Legislature.

According to the analysis, the 3175th Chemical Company and the 1035th Maintenance Company are using temporary space in an industrial park environment near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The current facilities lack adequate space for administrative functions, latrines, showers, mess facilities and classrooms, the report noted.

In addition, the existing facilities provide no area to store weapons or sensitive items, and have no fenced parking for military vehicles.

Weapons are stored in other buildings on site while vehicles are stored at another location nearly 15 miles away, the analysis said.

Funding for the project was approved after the report said the deficiencies of the current set-up jeopardize effective function to maintain strength and readiness.

Delays in the funding of this project will force the continued use of an inadequate, undersized facility and foster financial irresponsibility to continue to support inadequate space, the report added.

As part of an Army space policy designed to limit the militarys footprint, the project will require officials to dispose of other property. According to the memo, a total of eight structures at other Missouri facilities will be eliminated, including one at Camp Crowder in Newton County and three buildings at Camp Clark in Vernon County.

Current plans call for a construction contract to be awarded in January, with a start date for work to begin in April. The building is scheduled to be completed by October 2026.
Don't expect a "Trump wins" or "Biden wins" headline on BuffaloNews.com Tuesday night. Or in the newspaper Wednesday morning.

It isn't that kind of election.

Mail ballots take longer to count, and a lot of people have voted by mail this election. But even before the Covid-19 pandemic and vote-by-mail boom, close elections were rarely called before most people went to bed on election night. Four years ago, it was 2:29 a.m. Eastern Standard Time before the Associated Press called Donald Trump the winner  and the AP was the first major news organization to make a call.

In 2004, when George W. Bush was running for reelection against then-Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the AP didn't call the race until 11:07 a.m. the next day. In the 2000 race between Bush and then-Vice President Al Gore, it was weeks before the mess was resolved.

Unless the election is a blowout  and maybe even if the margin is large  it will likely be a while before we are sure who won.

For New York races, it is even less likely that the outcome will be known on election night. New York has one of the most unusual election laws in the country. County boards of elections can't start counting mail votes until three days after the election. Many counties wait even longer to start.

That didn't matter when New York's strict absentee voting rules meant few people voted by mail. But with the rules loosened because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a quarter or third of the vote could be by mail.

Consider the June special election for a congressional seat between Republican Chris Jacobs and Democrat Nate McMurray. Jacobs claimed victory after running up a big lead in Election Day and early voting.

But at least 45% of the votes were by mail and hadn't been counted. Early the next morning, Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski showed that McMurray would have to win three-quarters of the mail votes to overcome Jacobs' lead. That wasn't likely given the party breakdown on the absentee ballots.

Jacobs won the election, but his margin of victory was one-eighth of what it appeared to be on election night.

In this climate, here are our guidelines for coverage Tuesday and the days to come:

Be cautious about in-person vote totals. We expect to have the results of New York in-person voting on election night. But with the large number of absentee votes, we will be cautious about calling winners.

As we did in the Jacobs-McMurray special election, we will report as much as we can about which way a race leans. We may be able to report that it is unlikely the trailing candidate will prevail. But unless we are certain that the in-person vote puts a race out of reach, we won't report a winner.

Beware of politicians claiming victory. Since at least the 2000 presidential election, it has been standard political operating procedure to claim victory and try to create a presumption that any further dispute is sour grapes. If politicians claim victory based on in-person vote totals, we will note that. But the numbers will drive our coverage.

Beware of claims about fraud. The president says mail voting is rigged. The left says voting rules are rigged. We will watch for problems, but election experts say most mishaps in American voting are mistakes, not an effort to steal an election. In the heat of the conflict, we will beware of amplifying claims.

The Buffalo News has more reporters and editors than anyone in New York outside the New York City metro area. Whatever the roller coaster ride Tuesday night, tune in to BuffaloNews.com for the most complete, most insightful local coverage.
NEW PROVIDENCE, Bahamas  According to a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, a male resident of Carbondale, Illinois, was found unresponsive at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning near the pool deck of a cruise ship.

The male was later pronounced dead by the ship's doctor, according to the release.

Former Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza owner Steve Payne and Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce William Lo confirmed to The Southern that the deceased is Quatro's owner Blake Morrison, who was on vacation with friends.

On Thursday afternoon, the Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza Facebook page reported Morrison, the owner of Quatro's, had died.

The post said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Quatro's owner Blake Morrison. Blake's proprietorship of Quatro's is supported by a team of family and friends who will carry this business forward. We will share more in the coming days, but at this time, we ask for our community and our customer's patience. We are open, we appreciate your support, and we will carry on the business to honor Blake's legacy and fulfill his dreams."

Morrison became the owner of Quatro's in February 2023 after purchasing the business from Payne.

Morrison had been managing at Quatros since September 2018. After years of learning and working under Payne, Morrison felt ready to take over the business.

Four years ago I couldnt have imagined running the iconic Quatros, Morrison told The Southern before the purchase in December 2022. Steve saw something in me that I hadnt yet seen in myself. It means a lot that he took a chance, and it means even more that hes leaving the Quatros legacy in my hands.

Quatro's opened in 1975 when four men from Chicago opened a pizza restaurant in an old doughnut bakery, according to the restaurant's website. The restaurant was popular, but the men had no backgrounds in business or food service, so it went bankrupt within a year.

Payne, then 21, purchased the restaurant in 1976, and it took off, becoming the city's most iconic restaurant.

Morrison graduated from SIU with a degree in business management that focused on entrepreneurship, a background that had positioned him well to take the reins from Payne, who has been operating Quatro Foods Inc. since he was 22 years old.

The investigation into Morrison's cause of death is ongoing.
In the six years since the use of body cameras started to take off among American law enforcement agencies, Madison police have been somewhere between supportive and agnostic about the technology  often seeing cameras as less of a choice than an inevitability.

Madisons overwhelmingly liberal elected leadership, though, has been slow to make any definitive decisions about the cameras.

Body cameras are in the spotlight again because of the police shooting Aug. 23 of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, where police also dont have the cameras. An officer shot Blake in the back seven times, leaving him paralyzed, his family said. Police said that Blake had a knife and fought with officers. A bystander video shows the shooting.

Madison first grappled with police body cameras in 2014, when nine days after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, then-Ald. Scott Resnick introduced a resolution, later passed, directing the Madison Police Department to study them. Less than four months later, the Obama administration proposed spending $263 million on body-worn cameras for police, largely in response to the Brown killing.

At the time, some Madison Black Lives Matter activists favored police cameras, including current Madison School Board member Savion Castro, who as a college sophomore helping to organize a local solidarity with Ferguson rally, said good officers should welcome them because of the impartial evidence they can provide.

The Madison police report on body cameras, issued in November 2014, made no recommendations, and since then, three city committees have taken up the issue. Only one of them, the Community Policing and Body Camera Ad Hoc Committee, made a definitive recommendation, voting 4-2 in September 2015 against moving ahead with a pilot program out of fears the technology could be abused or seen as a false panacea for improving public trust in law enforcement, especially in minority communities.

Meanwhile, the city has in recent years passed up opportunities to apply for federal funding for body cameras for patrol officers and rejected an offer from Taser International to outfit officers with free body cameras for a year. Twice the City Council has rejected budget amendments to pilot cameras.

Madisons most recent dive into body cameras came when two camera skeptics  Alds. Shiva Bidar and Marsha Rummel  sponsored the creation of the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee, which is expected to make a recommendation by January on whether police should adopt the cameras.

Police, meanwhile, remain open to their use.

We have never been opposed and this has been something the policymakers have discussed for years, assistant Madison police chief John Patterson said in an email. This is a decision with the (City) Council due to the significant budget needs we would have for full implementation  cameras, storage, personnel, etc.

The unions position is we have always and will continue to welcome a body-worn camera program with open arms, said Kelly Powers, president of the Madison Professional Police Officers Association.

Madison police cars are equipped with dash cams.

Shifts in attitude

Since Resnicks resolution in 2014, there have been some subtle shifts in attitude on body cameras, with prominent people of color on the City Council joining its most outspoken police department defender, Ald. Paul Skidmore, in support of the cameras, and Madisons most progressive activists and vocal police critics, including many white people, among cameras detractors.

In a statement last week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who is white, said there are mixed feelings in the community about the cameras and she looked forward to reviewing the report and recommendations from the most recent body camera committee.

City Council leadership, however, is solidly behind cameras. Council president Sheri Carter, who is Black, said she would be supporting the cameras, while vice president Syed Abbas also supports them.

Longtime community activist and Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney, who is Black, called them long overdue.

Had a pilot study of the cameras been approved, it would have provided a small-scale preliminary study to be conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility, costs, adverse situations, the impact on certain communities and provide an opportunity to improve on the study design in consideration of any full-scale implantation, she said.

In its report, the other former committee to study body cameras, the MPD Policy and Procedure Review Ad Hoc Committee, notes the sensitive and intrinsically political nature of many of the issues involved in adopting body cameras, including the impact they could have on privacy and undocumented immigrants.

And it cites recent research on the effects of body cameras as a reason for revisiting the issue in the current committee. Such research has been mixed on whether the cameras help reduce the incidence of police use of force and complaints against police, or increase trust between police and citizens.

Bidar in the past has expressed concerns that body camera video could be used by federal immigration officials to detain undocumented immigrants, or harm police relations with Latinos. Last week, she said she would support the recommendations of the current committee studying cameras.

Rummel also said shes waiting for the committees report and weighing the benefit of more transparency with the requirement to add significant funds to police budgets for the cameras.

The question will remain if we adopt cameras how will we make police more accountable and how policing of community members historically subject to overpolicing (not just excessive force) will change, she said in an email. If we go forward with body cameras, I would want a policy that addresses when they are worn, who is required to wear them, and how the video can be used.

Not a panacea

Members of the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee were sympathetic Thursday to arguments against police body cameras made by one of Madisons most outspoken activist groups, Freedom Inc., which provides services to domestic violence victims and others but has gained attention for shouting down government meetings and blocking traffic to protest police state-sanctioned violence.

Its not that we dont know what happened in police shootings of Black people, Freedom Inc. co-executive director M. Adams said. The real question is who has the power to interpret the footage and frankly, who has the power to make a determination of wrongdoing?

These things do not produce the outcomes we want, Adams said of the cameras.

Committee member Keith Findley, a UW-Madison law professor, however, said that when he worked in criminal defense, he would have given anything to have video, because in the absence of video, judges believe police over suspects.

He said cameras generally can provide evidence that brings to light injustices that in the absence of cameras, wouldnt be exposed, and said police body cameras could be one tool to be used with other proposed police reforms.

No one though is proposing that video cameras are a panacea, he said. Theyre not going to solve the problem. Theyre not going to save everybodys lives. Theyre not going to stop police violence. But they might incrementally make some changes.
The Russian government is terrified by the "sudden" decline in the working-age population aged 30-39. They predict that the number of people of this age may decrease by another third soon.

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On September 21, the Deputy Prime Minister of the aggressor country, Tatyana Golikova, commented on the situation. According to her, Russian officials are frightened by the latest demographic figures.

"We are afraid of this instability that we will have shortly due to demographics in the 30-39 age group. This is the most sought-after staff, they are the ones who are ready for change and for accepting new things. They are also highly qualified. But <...> their number will decrease by 30% shortly," Russian media quoted Golikova as saying.

At the same time, the official expressed hope that "the number of young and older people is growing."

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia has lost about 490 more soldiers in Ukraine over the past day. In total, the aggressor country has already lost 274.4 thousand people since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

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- According to Siberia.Realii, the average life expectancy of Russian mobilized soldiers in Ukraine is about 4.5 months. It is also only a few days for many.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Consumer health advocates and providers lauded California Physical Therapy Association sponsored legislation passed by the California State Legislature that would stop the practice of health plans and insurers intervening unnecessarily in pain relief and treatment sought by patients from physical therapists. Assembly Bill 931 by Asm. Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) prevents the use of "prior authorization" for patients' first 12 visits to a physical therapist, similar to a law recently enacted in Maine.

"When a person is injured, the last thing that they should be worrying about is whether or not an insurance administrator will approve what his or her doctor has deemed medically necessary," said Irwin. "Under AB 931, patients will no longer be stopped by health plans and insurers from receiving efficient access to early treatment, which is often the most important phase of care."

AB 931 received votes of 62-1 and 39-0 on the Floors of the State Assembly and Senate, respectively, and is supported by the California Chronic Care Coalition, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the California Neurology Society, and physical therapy organizations.

Dr. Rick Katz, DPT, MA, President of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA), praised Irwin for authoring the bill. "Asm. Irwin has a unique understanding of the need for patients who often face hurdles in being treated and providers being hit with mountains of paperwork, just to receive a treatment or two before the next delay," he said. He added that data show that early access to physical therapy is critical for favorable outcomes, and AB 931 would allow patients to receive early, uninterrupted treatment.

AB 931 does not change the standards health plans and insurers can require as a condition of paying for care-basically, that services are "medically necessary."

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until October 14 to make a final decision on this policy.

###

Contact Information

Tameka Island

Executive Associate, Professional Affairs

[email protected]

916-929-2782

SOURCE: California Physical Therapy Association

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DENTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Quakertown, USA, a dramatic, two-part documentary series chronicling the forced removal and relocation of a thriving community of more than 400 residents in Denton, Texas, will begin production this fall, the Denton Black Film Festival Institute and Southroad Pictures announced today.

Denton Black Film Festival

Denton Black Film Festival logo

The jointly produced series, against the backdrop of early 20th century Texas, will tell the story of Quakertown representing a multi-generational tragedy impacting the families who lost their homes, their land, and their livelihoods, but the human element leans in toward stories of recovery and resiliency from these stunning acts of indifference and cruelty.

The Denton Black Film Festival Institute received $250,000 from the city of Denton toward the production of this documentary series. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise the additional funds needed to produce the series.

"We believe that the Quakertown story can become a lighthouse of illumination for the entire country," said Linda Eaddy, film programming director, Denton Black Film Festival.

Filming of the series Quakertown, USA will begin this winter for an anticipated release in late 2024. The series will be created by veteran filmmakers King Hollis and Lindell Singleton, the team who brought the acclaimed historical documentary about the 1936 Texas centennial, "Rising: The Hall of Negro Life," to PBS earlier this year and their film, "Echoes from the Hill," slated for release this Fall.

Executive Producer King Hollis said, "I am delighted to work on a series about my hometown, where I spent my summers and where my family resides. It's a personal story. Lindell and I are pleased to continue our work on these essential historical documentary series."

About the Denton Black Film Festival Institute

The institute evolved from the Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF) to provide a platform to serve Black creatives of all backgrounds. The activities and events are open to ALL filmmakers, however, because of historical exclusion and limited participation in the film industry, we recognize a special need for support for those of the African and Black Diaspora. The Film Festival is an annual cultural event, featuring the works of seasoned and emerging filmmakers, creatives from around the country and talented college students, musicians, artists and spoken word poets. Held each January, thousands attend the celebration of storytelling in various art forms, which takes place in various venues. The next festival is slated for January 24-28, 2024, in person and extended virtually from January 28 to February 5. Website: https://dentonbff.com/

About Southroad Pictures

Southroad Pictures, a subsidiary of Southroad Holdings, Inc., is a global black-owned studio and creator of acclaimed content across the narrative, documentary and commercial production spaces. Building on the legacy of its founding partners, Southroad Pictures and partners exist at the leading edge of developing, producing and distributing compelling, aspirational and factual programming that makes a difference around the world. https://www.southroadpictures.com/

Contact Information

Neil Foote

CEO, Foote Communications

[email protected]

(214) 448-3765

SOURCE: Denton Black Film Festival

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Strategic Merger will Enable Integrated Emergency Medicine Specialists to Leverage Emergency Care Partner's Resources for Emergency Department Services and Growth.

PENSACOLA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Emergency Care Partners ("ECP"), a leading national physician-owned emergency medicine service provider, announced today the completion of a strategic merger with Integrated Emergency Medicine Specialists ("IEMS"). IEMS has served the Naples, FL, community since 2015, providing premier emergency department management services to its partner hospitals.

Emergency Care Partners Logo

IEMS will continue a service-first approach to support its client emergency departments while leveraging ECP's unique model of combining local physician equity partnerships and a differentiated clinical analytics platform focused on high-quality patient care.

ECP Chief Executive Officer, Bill Yarbrough, said, "We are very excited to welcome IEMS and their providers as a regional physician group practice of Emergency Care Partners. Their strong clinical leadership and reputation in the local community make them an ideal addition to our national group partnership of physician practices. We are excited to work with Dr. Brown to leverage our resources to deepen their relationships with key health system partners and continue to grow their local practice.

The ECP physician partnership model now serves 56 clinical locations, supported by a combined clinical workforce of more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, treating 1.4 million patients annually.

ECP is backed by financial sponsors Varsity Healthcare Partners ("VHP") and Regal Healthcare Capital Partners ("Regal").

"This partnership allows us to leverage ECP's infrastructure and resources to continue to deliver the highest quality care and experiences to our patients and strengthen our health system partnerships in Southwest Florida," said IEMS President, Dr. Hunter Brown, D.O.

Massumi + Consoli LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP acted as legal advisers to ECP and VHP, while Dean Mead acted as legal advisors to IEMS.

About Emergency Care Partners

Headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, ECP is a leading provider of emergency medicine and emergency department management services for hospitals across the U.S., with current operations in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. ECP sees 1.4 million patient visits annually across operations at 56 clinical programs, supported by a clinical workforce of 1,000+ physicians and advanced practice providers. ECP employs a differentiated model relative to other platforms in the emergency medicine space, highlighted by the ability to maintain ownership through its physician partnership model and the ability for regional/local groups to maintain their branding and clinical autonomy while still benefitting from ECP's significant back-office infrastructure. This critical infrastructure includes support for revenue cycle, financial and operational reporting, recruiting, training, compliance, contracting, scheduling, and payroll, among other functions. ECP's affiliated physician groups also have access to the national partnership's proprietary analytics platform, which operatively interfaces in real time with each hospital's IT platform to track and report daily key performance indicators (KPI) in the emergency room. These include throughput, capacity utilization, clinical quality metrics, and ancillary services reporting, which are used by ECP clinical and operational leaders and the hospitals themselves to drive quality service and outcomes and a consistent patient experience within each customer's emergency department. For more information, please visit www.ecp.net.

About Integrated Emergency Medicine Specialists ("IEMS").

Founded in October 2015 and headquartered in Naples, FL, IEMS is a leading provider of emergency department management services, focusing on process improvement and quality patient care. IEMS provides emergency department medical directorship and management services, including recruitment, credentialing, and qualifying for third-party billing contracts and requirements.

About Varsity Healthcare Partners

Varsity Healthcare Partners (VHP) is a lower middle-market private equity investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams to build leading healthcare services companies. VHP's unique tactical investment playbook and strong track record is complemented by VHP's distinct organizational culture, emphasizing highly collaborative engagement, strong professional accountability, and a commitment to excellence in work product and team performance. For more information, please visit www.varsityhealthcarepartners.com.

About Regal Healthcare Capital Partners

Regal Healthcare Capital Partners ("Regal") is a New York-based growth equity and buyout firm focused exclusively on lower-middle market healthcare services companies. Regal partners with leading-edge healthcare entrepreneurs in need of financial investment and strategic, operational, and managerial expertise. Regal and its co-founders, David Kim, M.D., and Jon Santemma, bring a unique combination of operational and transactional experience to healthcare services companies to help realize their growth potential. For more information, please visit www.regalhcp.com

Contact Information

Kacie Hackel

National Marketing Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE: Emergency Care Partners

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Release Highlights:

Ongoing synthesis and reinterpretation of multiple exploration datasets, along with geophysical work completed by Kalo in 2023, has resulted in a significant advancement in the understanding of the geology and mineralization of the Vatu Aurum Gold Project, specifically the Qiriyaga Hill Prospect ("Qiriyaga").

The Qiriyaga Hill Prospect is associated with flat lying fragmental units with juvenile clasts and sediments that constitute a potential crater (maar) level setting of volcanic eruptions. The volcanism has created vents and feeder zones that are potential conduits for the discovery of economic gold mineralization.

Alteration distribution based on drill core and surface exposures, indicates a shallow, 50-to-100-meter, level of erosion of the epithermal system, including sinter, leaving the entire epithermal system intact.

Multi-element soil, trench, and rock geochemical anomalies have highlighted faults associated with multiple caldera rims. Elements that are typically dispersed above and beyond boiling levels (Tl, Mo, Sb, Hg and As/Fe ratio) and those that are typically concentrated around fluid boiling levels in epithermal settings (Au, Pb, Te, Ag and Fe/Ti ratio) along with known geological and geophysical data sets have provided clarity in target ranking.

A Controlled-Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics ("CSAMT") geophysical survey has successfully identified six priority targets that are associated both with the down dip extent of known mineralization and anomalous soil and trench geochemical targets associated with surface silicification and hydrothermal alteration.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / KALO GOLD CORP. ("Kalo", "Kalo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the exploration program at Vatu Aurum Gold Project ("Vatu Aurum" or the "Project"), Republic of Fiji. Multiple exploration datasets have been synthesized, allowing for a focused ranking and prioritization process of the property-wide targets. Follow-up exploration programs will be designed, with a near-term focus on the Qiriyaga. Qiriyaga is one of the six identified priority targets located within a 33 kilometer ("km") long NE trending gold corridor.

Vatu Aurum hosts a minimum of seven volcanic arc related caldera complexes with associated gold-mineralized epithermal systems. Compilation of airborne geophysics, ground geophysics, including the recently completed CSAMT survey, diamond drilling, geological mapping, geochemical sampling has focussed on the identification of vent and caldera margins at Qiriyaga that would provide a good host for economic gold mineralization. The alteration and mineralization at Qiriyaga indicate a shallow level of erosion (~50 to 100m, including sinter units, hosted by fragmental units at the crater (maar) level leaving the entire epithermal system intact.

Mr. Terry L Tucker, P.Geo, President and CEO of Kalo, commented "We are pleased to leverage the results of the 2023 exploration program and compilation of the vast amount of geological, geochemical, and geophysical information that has been collected by Kalo and earlier exploration efforts. This process has provided extremely valuable information to Kalo Gold to build a new geological and mineralization model. Importantly, this has allowed us to identify several new potential targets and prioritize exploration drill targets. The interpretation of the CSAMT results, in conjunction with the known exploration data, has been an important tool that has allowed the correlation of known gold mineralization and potentially the down dip "resistive zones" of soil and trench geochemical anomalies and known surface alteration and mineralization. We are looking forward to testing the new zones in follow-on exploration programs at the Vatu Aurum Gold Project and further expanding the known gold mineralized zones of Qiriyaga."

CSAMT Geophysical Program

A CSAMT geophysical survey consisting of 57.6-line km covering 12.5 km2 over Qiriyaga was completed, including coverage of the high-grade epithermal Au mineralization of the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits. Detailed interpretation of the CSAMT results has defined six target areas that have been labelled Targets 1 to 6 in Figure 1.

Target 1: The trenching, soil, and drill results at Qiriyaga, correlate well with a moderately resistive zone (~200 m*) approximately 900 x 450 m in size and located immediately to the northeast of the Qiriyaga Hill Gold Deposit and has largely remain untested with drilling. Target 2: A linear resistive trend extending northeast from Qiriyaga East. Target 3: A moderate resistivity anomaly (~100 - 200 m) associated with the Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposit mineralization and soil anomalies at Vuinubu Ridge. In deeper resistivity slices (below -200 m) the resistive zone appears to extend another 500 m to the southwest. Target 4: A large 700 x 150 m NE resistive trend near Urabuta. The resistivity in the upper slices (0 to 200 m) reaches over 1000 m. Target 5: A large 700 x 150 m NE resistive trend near Drudrusavu increases with resistivity at deeper slices. In the -100 m slice, the resistivity is 500 - 700 m. As the depth increases the resistivity also increases to over 1000 m. Placer Dome drill hole FDD-1986-03 intersected 40 meters of 0.6 g/t gold including 10 meters averaging 1.78 g/t gold but was drilled to the SE, away from the resistivity anomaly. The target was tested by the Company and confirmed this mineralization with details to follow in an upcoming news release. Target 6: A resistivity target located very close to high gold in soil anomaly ~250 m SE of Drudrusavu. *Note: Electrical resistivity is a measure of a material's property to oppose the flow of electric current. This is expressed in Ohm-meters (m) Figure 1: Qiriyaga - CSAMT 1D Inversion at 200 meters with six key target zones identified.

Geology and Mineralization Model

In conjunction with the CSAMT survey, a complete relogging of all drill core available since 1986 and compilation of soil, rock and drill hole geochemical results, this synthesis and has resulted in a new geological and mineralization model for Qiriyaga as illustrated in Figure 2.

Qiriyaga is underlain by flat lying fragmental units with juvenile clasts and sediments that could constitute a maar (crater) level setting of volcanism. These craters have vents and feeder zones that are potential locations of economic gold mineralization. Alteration distribution in drill core indicates a shallow, 50-to-100-meter, level of erosion of the epithermal system leaving the entire epithermal system intact. The presence of zones of white mica (2200 nm wavelength) suggests proximity to conduits or vents that acted as conduits of hydrothermal fluids.



Figure 2: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Geological and Mineralization Model.

Gold mineralization known to date has been primarily documented with the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits which are hosted within volcanic breccias within the calderas. The new geological model suggests that focus for the next round of exploration drilling will be to drill conduits (structures) where hydrothermal alteration suggests mineralizing fluids would have deposited the gold along such pathways. The CSAMT resistivity targets and spectral study support this approach and will provide focus for the ongoing exploration work.

Soil Geochemical Data Analysis

Multielement soil, trench, and rock geochemical anomalies have highlighted targets has been based on elements that are typically dispersed above and beyond boiling levels (Tl, Mo, Sb, Hg and As/Fe ratio) and those that are typically concentrated around fluid boiling levels in epithermal settings (Au, Pb, Te, Ag and Fe/Ti ratio). As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the area of highest concentration of "boiling level" elements relates specifically to the Namalau SW, C and NE targets as located on Figure 3. An interpretation of the underlying geology in the context of the information available to date is presented in four cross sections labelled A to A1, B to B1, C to C1 and D to D1 found in Figures 6 to 10.

Figure 3: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Targets with location on interpreted ring faults associated with caldera margins, compiled with CSAMT, soil geochemistry and interpreted locations of fluid upwelling, generally along caldera margins.

Summary

The Company has engaged with several geological and geochemical specialists to assist with the ongoing interpretation of the vast amount of exploration data that has been collected at Vatu Aurum over the past 30 years. This includes Dr. Thomas Bissig, Dr. Jeff Hedenquist and Mr. Andy Randell, P.Geo.

This new geological model has allowed Kalo to prioritize and rank several targets located at the Qiriyaga Hill Prospect. The results of drilling completed to date at both Mouta and Drudrusavu are being finalized and will be reported shortly. Drilling is expected to recommence late in September with full details to be provided in subsequent announcements.

ABOUT KALO GOLD CORP.

Kalo Gold Corp, a gold exploration company, is focused on exploration for low sulphidation epithermal gold deposits of the Vatu Aurum Gold Project on the island of Vanua Levu (North Island) in the Republic of Fiji. Kalo holds a 100% interest in two Special Prospecting Licenses, covering 367 km2 that hosts a minimum of seven volcanic arc related calderas ranging between 1 to 10km in diameter in a geological setting that could be analogous to the alkaline related low sulphidation epithermal gold deposits of both the neighbouring Vatukoula Gold Mine and the Lion One Metals' Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project. Historical exploration work concentrated on the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits and resulted in the identification of over fourteen priority epithermal gold exploration targets.

Both Viti Levu, (South Island), and Vanua Levu are on the prolific Pacific "Ring of Fire", a trend that has produced numerous large deposits, including Porgera, Lihir and Grasberg and on Viti Levu, the exceptional Vatukoula Gold Mine. The Vatukoula Gold Mine has produced more than 7 million ounces of gold since 1937. The island of Viti Levu also hosts the fully permitted Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, where Lion One Metals is fast tracking a high-grade underground gold mining operation.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo. a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kalo Gold Corp.

Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo

President and Chief Executive Officer

and

Kevin Ma, CPA, CA

Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Director

For more information, please write to [email protected].

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the Company's proposed drilling timeline and the proposed expansion of the exploration program, and the Company's plans for future exploration on the Vatu Aurum Gold Project. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, 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 Company's expectations include quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filing statement dated February 9, 2021 and latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis filed with certain securities commissions in Canada.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein 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 Company. 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 and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

Figure 4: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Elements that are typically concentrated around fluid boiling levels in epithermal settings.

Figure 5: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Elements that are typically dispersed and beyond boiling levels in epithermal settings.

Figure 6: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Targets with location on interpreted ring faults associated with caldera margins.

Figure 7: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Section A to A1 geological and gold mineralization model.

Figure 8: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Section B to B1 geological and gold mineralization model.

Figure 9: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Section C to C1 geological and gold mineralization model.

Figure 10: Qiriyaga Hill Prospect - Section D to D1 geological and gold mineralization model.

SOURCE: Kalo Gold Corp.

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Partnership Aims to Educate Hispanic Communities About the Signs, Symptoms, and Prevalence of Gum Disease

Collaboration Launches During Hispanic Heritage Month With Activations Featuring Patient Ambassador Alex Rodriguez

LAVAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC),(TSX: BHC) and its oral health care business, OraPharma, today announced its collaboration with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) - the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States - to foster a greater understanding of gum disease detection, and treatment within the Hispanic community.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects nearly 65 million American adults and is even more common among Latinos. The most common symptoms of gum disease are bleeding during or after brushing and red or swollen gums. Further, studies show gum disease may be associated with increased risk for other chronic conditions throughout the body such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which may considerably affect the Hispanic community.

This partnership includes LULAC's involvement in supporting the Cover Your Bases campaign, a national awareness initiative featuring patient ambassador and World Series Champion, Alex Rodriguez, who is helping to raise disease awareness by encouraging people to talk to their dentist about their oral health, including screening for gum disease.

"I'm proud to welcome LULAC to the Cover Your Bases campaign to help educate the Latino community on the importance of identifying the signs and symptoms of gum disease," said Rodriguez. "I was lucky my dentist diagnosed my gum disease early and implemented a comprehensive treatment plan. I hope that by sharing my story I can help more people do the same, especially since we know gum disease is more prevalent in men and within the Latino community."

OraPharma's work with LULAC includes a range of educational resources featuring Alex Rodriguez that will be distributed across the organization's social and digital channels. OraPharma will also be at LULAC's National Health Summit in Dallas, TX on October 21st to help educate attendees about gum disease and treatment options.

"As an organization dedicated to advancing the health of the Hispanic population in the United States, LULAC is honored to join hands with OraPharma and Alex Rodriguez to share this important message," said Juan Proao, LULAC Interim-CEO. "Millions of Hispanic Americans suffer from gum disease, yet many individuals are unaware and undiagnosed. Coupled with the potential associated health risks, gum disease is a chronic condition, so we must help heighten awareness surrounding this condition and arm our members with information that encourages them to take action and talk to their dentist.

For patients with gum disease, it's important to consider a comprehensive treatment plan to help fight the bacteria that causes gum disease. Like other bacterial infections, a dentist can treat gum disease. A treatment option for adults with gum disease is an antibiotic called ARESTIN (minocycline HCI), which is used in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) and applied at the site of infection. ARESTIN is part of an overall oral health program that includes good brushing and flossing habits.

"As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, OraPharma is proud to partner with respected organizations like LULAC to address gum disease as an often-overlooked health disparity in the Latino community," said Tom Stern, Vice President and General Manager at OraPharma. "Though there is no cure for gum disease, we hope that the mission we're on together will help to bridge the information gap and empower the Hispanic community to take control of their oral health by speaking with their dentist and seeking a treatment plan that may help manage the condition."

To learn more, visit www.Arestin.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

About ARESTIN

INDICATION

ARESTIN (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1mg is used in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures to treat patients with adult periodontitis (gum disease). ARESTIN may be used as part of an overall oral health program that includes good brushing and flossing habits and SRP.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take ARESTIN if you are allergic to minocycline or tetracyclines. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a list of these drugs if you are not sure. Swelling of the face, itching of the skin, fever and enlarged lymph nodes have been reported with the use of ARESTIN. Some of these reactions were serious. Tell your dentist right away if you have any signs of allergic reaction, such as skin reactions or trouble breathing, or if you have an exaggerated sunburn reaction.

THE USE OF TETRACYCLINE CLASS DRUGS, INCLUDING ARESTIN, DURING TOOTH DEVELOPMENT MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DISCOLORATION OF THE TEETH, AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN OR IN PREGNANT OR NURSING WOMEN.

ARESTIN has not been studied in patients with weakened immune systems (such as patients with HIV infections or diabetes, or those receiving chemotherapy or radiation). Tetracyclines, including oral minocycline, have been associated with the development of autoimmune syndrome with symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, rash, swelling, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and general body weakness. Tell your doctor about any health problems you have, including whether you have had oral candidiasis ("thrush") in the past, and about all medications you are taking.

In clinical studies, the most frequently reported non-dental side effects were headache, infection, flu symptoms, and pain.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information.

About OraPharma

OraPharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to partnering with dental professionals to improve oral health. Founded more than 25 years ago, OraPharma includes a curated portfolio of treatments for periodontal disease, and multiple regenerative solutions for oral surgery. More information can be found at https://www.orapharma.com/.

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC),(TSX: BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb. With our leading durable brands, we are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/

For Media Inquiries:

Kevin Wiggins

[email protected]

(908) 541-3785

Bridget Mackey

[email protected]

(973) 588-2169

SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Mondelez International

Mondelez 2022 Snacking Made Right Report

We are focusing on both increasing our energy efficiency and our use of renewable energy across Mondelez International - so we can aim to go further in reducing our carbon emissions and reducing our costs.

Driving Down Energy-related Emissions

We are aiming to keep driving our energy-related carbon footprint down in two key ways - making less and better use of energy and increasingly getting our energy from renewable sources.

Improving Energy Efficiency

We continuously invest in energy management systems and energy efficient technologies in our factories.

Increasing Our Use of Renewable Electricity

Electricity is one of the largest contributors to our manufacturing footprint and so it is a major focus of our carbon reduction efforts. Indeed, we are aiming to use 100% renewable electricity across Mondelez International manufacturing sites by 2030. This includes working with governments and suppliers to generate and purchase renewable electricity where we operate.

This transition integrated into the electrification roadmap also can deliver reductions on the consumption of fuels.

In 2022, approximately 39% of the electricity used in our manufacturing sites was renewable, compared to approximately 32% in 2021.

Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan (MENAP) Progress Against End-to-End CO2 e Reduction Goal by 2025 - Renewables

We signed several agreements across Egypt, Bahrain and Pakistan during 2022 that aim at accelerating the installation of solar. In Pakistan, the hub confectionery plant will become the first MENAP site to commission solar-energy sources. The system is anticipated to be able to contribute to a COe reduction of 79 metric tonnes annually. In Bahrain, we have an agreement to utilize over 4,200 solar panels for both rooftop and carport applications. Once completed, the solar plant is expected to produce 3,820 megawatt-hours of clean energy in the first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 2,400 metric tonnes, and potentially allowing us to convert 24% of our energy usage into clean energy. In Egypt, we signed an agreement that will seek to convert 11% of the energy in Borg El Arab (BEA) to clean energy.

Recovering Heat from our Biscuits Ovens

Our factories in La Haie-Fouassire (France) and East Suzhou (China) implemented heat recovery systems in their biscuits ovens. These initiatives are saving natural gas previously used in the same oven or in other equipment. The reduction in fossil fuel consumption from both initiatives is saving more than 6,000 COae metric tonnes per year.

100% Renewable Energy in Brazil

The business unit reduced it's COae footprint while growing in volume.

In Brazil, volume increased, so we needed to review our energy strategy to enable sustainable growth. With the focus of contributing 2025 end-to-end carbon reduction goals, the market invested in a new source of energy in order to produce 100% snacks in its factories using renewable energy. This builds upon progress made by the Brazil business unit in 2021.

Investing in Renewables Around the World

In 2022, two sites in India and all our plants in Argentina moved to securing 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. Several other operations also made important steps in this journey. Our sites in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, for example, are now consuming now consuming between 20% and 33% of their electricity their electricity from renewable sources. In addition, our Montornes factory in Spain installed solar panels on-site. Combined, these initiatives are delivering reductions of more than 25,500 metric tonnes of COae annually.

Converting from Fossil Fuels to Biogas

Our factory in China East Suzhou partnered with Huan Yan Environment and Towngas to generate biogas out of our food waste. The project is generating more than 5300GJ of biogas from renewable sources every year, turning waste into energy and reducing CO2 e emissions.

Reducing Emissions in Logistics

On our journey to our net zero emissions goal in logistics, we focus our efforts across these key areas:

Improving the efficiency of distribution networks by optimizing routes, improving truck and container utilization, adopting intermodal solutions, and reducing traveled distances.

Investing in new mobility concepts, including electric and hydrogen trucks.

Reducing warehouse emissions at both owned and third-party facilities by converting to renewable energy sources.

Over the last months and in partnership with our carriers and third-party logistics suppliers, we have extended our pilots on electric trucks to a variety of markets, including China, Brazil, and India, with promising results and plans to expand and further explore. The pilot programs have been done on short shuttle lanes and outbound transport to customers nearby the distribution centers, with approximately 30-40% reduced CO2 e emissions compared to diesel trucks.

Signing a Renewable Power Agreement in Poland

We have signed a virtual power purchase agreement with Golden Peaks Capital for renewable energy in Poland. Some of the new solar plants are starting to generate energy in 2023, while full capacity is expected to be reached in 2024. This project is a major step forward in our footprint decarbonization, as our plants in Poland are substantial contributors to our Scope 2 emissions. At full capacity, we expect to be able to eliminate approximately 85,000 metric tonnes of CO2 e.

Read more in the MondelAz 2022 Snacking Made Right Report

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from MondelAz International on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: MondelAz International

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mondelez-international

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: MondelAz International

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ARROYO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Trans American Aquaculture (OTC PINK:GRPS), a leading player in the aquaculture industry, has achieved significant milestones while gearing up for exciting missions ahead.

Milestones Accomplished:

"These milestones and missions represent Trans American Aquaculture's unwavering dedication to sustainable aquaculture, innovation, and responsible business & farming practices." stated Adam Thomas, CEO of Trans American Aquaculture. "The company continues to make waves in the aquaculture industry, bringing reliable and premium-quality seafood to consumers while actively pursuing opportunities for growth and expansion." Mr. Thomas added.

Trans American Aquaculture invites shareholders, investors, and industry enthusiasts to stay tuned for further updates on its exciting journey.

About Trans American Aquaculture (GRPS):

Trans American Aquaculture is a leading player in the aquaculture industry, committed to sustainable and responsible shrimp production. With a state-of-the-art facility in Texas, USA, and a dedication to transparency and innovation, the company aims to meet the world's seafood demands while setting industry standards for quality and integrity. Visit https://transamaqua.com/ to learn more.

For investor relations questions or media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Harold Blackwell

[email protected]

860.782.4860

SOURCE: Trans American Aquaculture, Inc
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Ubique Minerals Limited ("Ubique" or the "Company") (CSE:UBQ)(FRA:2UM) is pleased to announce that It is initiating a review of its overall expanded Daniel's Harbour zinc project and property wide surveys to better understand the overall resource potential of the multiple zinc deposits indicated by the exploration to date.

Ubique has now consolidated its property position in Daniel's Harbour by acquiring a 100% interest in mineral claims previously optioned from Ophir Gold Corp. Additionally, the company has staked several new Mineral Licenses, extending the contiguous property for nearly 20 kilometers along the zinc deposit strike. Observations of zinc deposits, float boulders, and soil zinc geochemical anomalies are consistent throughout the property.

A specialized contractor has been enlisted to perform additional geochemical surveys, especially in areas yet to be unmapped. These efforts will merge with existing surveyed zones displaying open-ended anomalies. An integrated geological map will be developed to highlight zinc-associated features, aiding in the identification of prime targets for potential open-pit mining operations.

The attached map shows the excellent location of this property with a paved road right onto the property and gravel roads giving good access to the rest of the property.

About Daniel's Harbour project

The Daniel's Harbour properties of Ubique cover both the area of the past producing high grade zinc mine and extensions of favorable areas, mostly to the north-northeast along strike for more than ten kilometers. Exploration drilling to date has confirmed three zinc deposits and has indications of two more which require additional definition drilling to define their extents. Several more zones identified by one or more historic drill holes require relocating and further drilling to confirm. As the deposits are long, narrow and flat lying-in shape and orientation, within flat lying dolomitic sedimentary rocks they may extend across more than one blocks of claims and therefore the ability to consolidate the property position will assist in exploration execution.

Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson commented, "With over 20 kilometers of unified property, our next steps are focused on gaining a holistic understanding of this historically productive zinc area. Considering its previous 15-year track record of successful zinc mining from 1975-1990, we're optimistic about identifying resources in the near future."

On behalf of the board of directors,

Vilhjalmur Thor Vilhjalmsson

CEO and Chairman

About Ubique Minerals Limited

Ubique Minerals Limited is an exploration company listed on the CSE (CSE:UBQ) focused on exploration of its Daniel's Harbour zinc property in Newfoundland and is also engaged in exploration in Namibia, Africa along with actively searching for other projects around the world. Ubique became a publicly listed company in September 2018. Ubique has an experienced management group with a record of multiple discoveries of deposits worldwide and owns an extensive and exclusive database of historic exploration results from the Daniel's Harbour area.

Dr. Gerald Harper, P.Geo.(NL), director of Ubique, is the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 responsible for the technical data presented herein and has reviewed and approved this release.

For more information on Ubique please contact see www.ubiqueminerals.com or contact [email protected]

Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business and trading in the common stock of Ubique Minerals Limited., the raising of additional capital and the future development of the business. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the company's management. Although the company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Ubique can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Ubique disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Ubique Minerals Limited

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Barclay reiterated an Equal Weight rating on Nio Inc. (NYSE: NIO) with a 12-month price target of $8.00 on the stock after the Chinese electric vehicle maker raised $1b in convertible bonds (CB) to repay $720m in previously issued CBs that are either due or puttable in early 2024.

NIO is facing an upcoming financial obligation with a $160 million convertible bond maturing, as well as an additional $560 million convertible bond that can be put back to the company on February 1, 2024, resulting in an expected cash outflow of $720 million in February 2024. Additionally, there is another $750 million convertible bond that can be put back to the company on February 1, 2025, meaning NIO is facing the repayment of $1.5 billion within the next 18 months.

We have highlighted our concerns around NIOs liquidity in the past, writes analyst Jiong Shao. We consider this recent $1bn CB raise unlikely to be enough.

NIO has been burning through roughly 6 billion RMB (approximately $800 million) in cash each quarter, on average, over the past five quarters. As of the end of the second quarter, they had around 30 billion RMB in cash or cash equivalents, indicating they have enough cash to sustain their operations for about five more quarters.

If the cash burn remains similar going forward, NIO may need to raise additional capital sometime in 2024.

Shares of NIO are down 3.29% in pre-market trading Thursday morning.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today announced the appointment of Guy B. Persaud to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. With Persaud's appointment, the Nordstrom Board has been expanded to 12 directors.

Persaud has nearly three decades of experience across four continents leading multi-billion-dollar businesses and global organizations across a wide range of cultural contexts. In his current role as president of the new business unit at Procter & Gamble, Persaud is responsible for identifying and operating high-growth and value-creation businesses outside the company's traditional business units. Previous roles at the company include: senior vice president, fabric and home care and head of brand, Latin America ; senior vice president, fabric and home care, greater China ; global franchise leader; and other roles in the U.S. and Europe . A native of Canada , Guy joined Procter & Gamble after completing his Master of Business Administration at McGill University.
During his visit to New York (USA), President Volodymyr Zelensky didn't hold a trilateral meeting to discuss the grain issue with his counterparts from Lithuania and Poland, Gitanas Nauseda and Andrzej Duda. The media reported such a meeting by mistake. However, the grain conflict between Ukraine and Poland remains unresolved.

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The information about trilateral grain talks between Zelensky, Duda and Nauseda was denied by the Ukrainian president's press secretary, Serhiy Nikiforov, in a comment to OBOZREVATEL. However, Nauseda did make several statements about Poland's grain embargo. OBOZREVATEL found out what is happening in relations between the countries.

The grain meeting that never happened

On September 21, LRT reported about trilateral talks between Zelensky, Duda and Nauseda. The text was later changed, removing all references to such talks from the article.

However, the Lithuanian president did call on Ukraine and Poland to resolve their differences as soon as possible. The article also mentions his separate talks with Duda and Zelensky, but it is not clear whether it was during official meetings or informal communication on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

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"The differences between Ukraine and Poland should be resolved as soon as possible. Poland has an exceptional place in supporting (Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression - Ed.). Solutions must be found. It would be irresponsible to further deepen the crisis," Nauseda said.

He assured that he would continue negotiations with both Zelensky and Duda to finally resolve the grain embargo issue. According to Nauseda, the parties to the trade conflict should realize that "it is not about the security of individual countries but about the whole region and even the continent." He noted that quarrels between partners play into the hands of Russian propaganda.

"As history shows, only through joint efforts, support and assistance to each other can we resist the danger of an external threat. Disagreements not only undermine unity but also help enemy propaganda," Nauseda emphasized.

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Ukraine, Poland and grain: why the conflict arose

Nauseda's statement was a response to the information that emerged against the backdrop of the grain conflict regarding Poland stopping arms supplies to Ukraine. For example, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized that Warsaw is currently focused on rearming its own army and therefore does not provide military aid to Kyiv.

The roots of political disagreements lie in the trade sphere. The fact is that Poland was one of the first countries to impose a ban on the sale of Ukrainian grain on its territory due to protests by local farmers, who are forced to operate at a loss by the dominance of cheap Ukrainian products. On September 15, the European Commission authorized food supplies from Ukraine throughout the EU, but Poland extended the embargo unilaterally.

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In response, Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO). So far, it has only been consultations, but the Ukrainian side has declared its readiness for litigation, which did not please Poland, especially against the backdrop of the upcoming parliamentary elections (October 15).

President Duda then refused to meet with Zelensky. The formal reason was a "busy schedule," but such actions are of great importance in diplomatic terms. The Polish authorities also announced that they would allegedly stop all assistance to Ukrainian refugees in 2024. However, according to experts, the EU will force Poland not to prohibit Ukrainian refugees from working and receiving benefits. The European Commission has already stated that they want to extend the preferential conditions for Ukrainians until 2025.

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In addition, Poland summoned Ukraine's ambassador to protest President Zelensky's statement that "some countries" only pretend to support Ukraine. The Polish side was offended, although Zelensky did not mention the name of the country.

Poland recalled that a significant portion of the weapons sent by other allies gets to Ukraine through Polish territory. In addition, it is this country that has provided asylum to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. After the ambassador's call, Ukraine called on Poland to "leave emotions aside" and take a constructive stance.

Is there a way out?

The origins of the conflict between Poland and Ukraine, which Nauseda is so eager to resolve, are economic. That is why the issue should be resolved primarily by the trade representatives of the countries and the relevant ministers.

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However, grain is a particularly sensitive topic for Polish politicians as they prepare for the elections. The political forces that form the current government of Poland traditionally have strong support from the regions involved in agriculture. Therefore, it is likely that the problem of the grain will be resolved after the Polish elections on October 15.

There are already positive examples of grain negotiations. After all, Poland is not the only country that has not lifted the embargo. Romania and Slovakia have made the same decision. It is the negotiations with these countries that we should pay attention to if we want to understand how the current trade conflict should end.

For example, Slovakia announced that it would lift its ban on Ukrainian grain after talks at the level of agriculture ministers. The condition is the development and the launch of a grain trading system based on the issuance and control of licenses.

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This system is fully in line with Ukraine's agreements with the European Commission. Ukraine is supposed to regulate its own exports of agricultural products to "problematic" EU countries. To do this, the Ukrainian authorities will first agree with the EC on the lists and volumes of products and only then issue export permits to domestic agricultural producers.

Similar negotiations are underway with Romania, which has also agreed to develop such a system. The current rules of these countries imply that the grain ban will last until the end of 2023. However, if the licensing system is launched, trade borders for grain may be opened earlier. If we approach the issue constructively, Poland will not be an exception.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bb+ (Fair) of Quest Insurance Group Limited (Quest) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

These ratings reflect Quests balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also factor in a neutral impact from the companys ultimate majority shareholder, Federal Pacific Group Limited.

Quests balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level as at fiscal year end (31 March) 2023, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Prospectively, AM Best expects the companys risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at least at the very strong level, supported by its prudent capital management policy, with dividends payable only when there is a buffer in the regulatory solvency capital. Offsetting balance sheet strength factors include a material affiliated asset which weakens the company's quality of capital. In addition, Quest has a small absolute capital base, which increases the sensitivity of risk-adjusted capitalisation to stress scenarios.

AM Best assesses Quests operating performance as adequate. The company has a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 20.3% (fiscal years 2019 to 2023) and the overall earnings reflect robust underwriting performance and positive investment returns. However, rapid business growth in the less profitable comprehensive vehicle insurance (CVI) has resulted in a higher loss ratio in recent years.

Quests business profile assessment of limited reflects its small market presence, geographic concentration and relatively niche product offering, largely as a provider of CVI and mechanical breakdown insurance in New Zealand. The companys scale of operation has increased significantly in recent years, driven by both the growth in Quests direct distribution channels and a strategic partnership with Janssen Insurance Limited (Janssen), a third-party distributor of motor-related insurance. Janssen accounts for over half of Quests gross written premiums in fiscal year 2023, creating concentration risk to this distribution partner.

AM Best assesses Quests ERM as appropriate given the current size and complexity of its operations. The company remains exposed to elevated levels of underwriting and execution risk following recent business expansion. However, this risk has been mitigated partially to date through adequate monitoring of underwriting performance, and a conservative approach to pricing and reserving supported by a third-party actuary.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

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 specialising 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/20230921492583/en/

Isaac Yeo

Associate Financial Analyst

+65 6303 5019

[email protected]

Yi Ding

Senior Financial Analyst

+65 6305 5021

[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
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of aa- (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of aaa.MX (Exceptional) of Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Sompo Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Sompo Mexico is a subsidiary of Sompo America Insurance Company (SAIC) and a member of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH). Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (SJ) is the core operating unit of SOMPO Holdings, Inc. (SOMPO Holdings), the ultimate parent and one of the largest non-life insurance groups in Japan. Sompo Mexico is well-integrated into the group.

The ratings reflect SJs balance sheet strength on a consolidated basis, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The ratings recognize Sompo Mexicos integration and support from SIH and SJ, through SAIC, which provides synergies and operating efficiencies to the Mexico subsidiary. Sompo Mexico maintains the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the companys small market share, even though its combined ratio and profitability levels compare well with the industry.

Sompo Mexico initiated business in 1998; the company underwrites property/casualty business and stands as a strategic hub from which SIH plans to continue expanding operations into other Latin America markets. Sompo Mexico follows the groups international strategy and underwrites mostly referred business from SJ, but with a growing interest in its domestic market.

Sompo Mexicos risk-adjusted capitalization also is supported by the companys solid reinsurance program and small retention profile, as well as historical positive bottom-line results reflected in good profitability metrics and conservative profit retention policies. Sompo Mexicos strong underwriting results are mainly a consequence of underwriting referred business for the Mexico operations of SJs global clients, and commissions from a diversified reinsurance program with highly rated reinsurers, which includes SJ as the program leader. In addition, the companys conservative investment policies provide a steady flow of revenues in support of net income.

In 2022, Sompo Mexico achieved positive bottom-line results through profitable underwriting, which were strengthened further by investment income; the company posted a return-on-equity ratio of 10%. The company benefits from being integrated into SIH, gaining operational leverage through the same systems, procedures and ERM practices.

Rating actions taken on SJ will most likely result in equivalent rating actions for Sompo Mexico, unless AM Best determines that the strategic importance of the Mexico subsidiary to SJ has decreased. Negative rating actions could occur if there is material deterioration in SJs risk-adjusted capitalization caused by substantial investment losses or a large-scale natural catastrophe. Negative rating actions also could occur if there is significant deterioration in SOMPO Holdings credit profile, including its risk-adjusted capitalization, financial leverage or interest coverage levels.

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/20230921710288/en/

Juan Pablo Castro

Associate Financial Analyst

+52 55 11027 2720, ext. 133

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Eli Sanchez

Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a (Excellent) of Seguros Suramericana S.A. (Sura) (Panama).

These Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Suras balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The outlook revisions reflect AM Bests expectation that the company will not be able to reverse the negative trend in operating performance over the next rating cycle. This could lead to a decline in the overall assessment of Suras operating performance in the near term.

Suras balance sheet strength is supported by a well-structured reinsurance program and synergies provided by Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana S.A. (Grupo Sura), a leading Colombia-based financial services company in Latin Americas insurance, asset management and banking industries, as well as sound underwriting performance, initially driven by its 2015 integration with Seguros Banistmo, S.A. Offsetting these positive rating factors are Panamas highly competitive landscape, which puts additional pressure on Suras operating performance, and the companys historically high dividend payout ratios.

As of June 2023, the company was the fifth-largest insurer in Panama, with a market share of 7.5%; 68% of its business portfolio is composed of non-life products, with life products making up the remaining 32%. Suras main property/casualty business segment is auto, which represents 34% of its gross written premium.

Grupo Suras initiative in 2018 to optimize shareholder value through the merger of intermediate insurance holding companies, Suramericana S.A. and Inversura Panama Internacional S.A., drove a stock split transaction for its subsidiary, Aseguradora Suiza Salvadorena, S.A. This further enhanced Suras risk-adjusted capitalization, which was already at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Suras capital base continues to be driven by its value-based management model, while meeting the groups post-merger return on investment goals. AM Best expects Sura to follow consistent capital management guidelines supportive of its ratings. Additionally, the companys balance sheet strength is supported by a comprehensive reinsurance program, set with reinsurers that have excellent security, as well as the implementation of an internal economic capital model.

During 2022, most of the companys lines of business sustained an overall contraction of 4.6%, reflecting the challenges of the current economic environment. The level of claims rose mainly due to the impact of Covid-19 cases, as well as increases in parts and labor costs affecting the auto segment. The company expects a decrease in its loss ratio for year-end 2023. Despite efforts to maintain all lines of business under premiums sufficiency, the results reflect an opportunity for underwriting improvements, and put pressure on the companys profitability. As of June 2023, Suras operating performance metrics still face a downturn, contributing to a net loss of USD 1.8 million.

Negative rating actions could take place as a result of a continuing deterioration in the company's operating performance metrics to levels no longer supportive of the strong assessment. Negative rating actions could also occur if the company's risk-adjusted capitalization deteriorates to a level no longer supportive of the current ratings as a result of capital base erosion. Positive rating actions could take place if the company is able to reverse the current trend in its operating performance metrics.

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.

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Olga Rubo, FRM

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 134

[email protected]

Salvador Smith

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
Donations Collected Throughout the Free Event Will Benefit the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asset-Map Holdings, Inc. (Asset-Map), the premier financial advice engagement experience for financial professionals, today announced the agenda and benefactors for AdviceTech.LIVE 2023, its fourth annual industry crowd-sourced virtual showcase.

In addition to hosting over 2,000 expected financial advisors, firms, and students, and spotlighting more than 20 of the leading technology firms in wealth management, this years event will benefit the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in memory of Gavin Spitzner, a longtime advisor technology expert and consultant.

Unlike years past, AdviceTech.LIVE will take place over the course of two days for four and half hours each, on November 2nd and 3rd. Additionally, for the first time in the events history, registration will be free to the financial professional community. Attendees are instead encouraged to donate to the two benefactor partners.

It has been humbling to witness the AdviceTech.LIVE community continue to grow year after year, and were looking forward to continuing that momentum in November, said host H. Adam Holt, CFP, ChFC, Asset-Maps Founder and CEO. Our goal for the event has always been to add massive value for the financial professionals who attend, and its been humbling to hear feedback from industry peers that previous panels and lightning-round technology presentations have offered invaluable insights. We expect this year to be no different, and were looking forward to welcoming financial advisors, students, industry veterans, and everyone in between, for conversations about the next generation of tech-enabled advice delivery.

The event will feature recently built product demos and debuts from 20 advisor technology companies, in addition to keynote panels each day with executive leadership from both national advisor firms and the largest tech platforms. New to the event this year will be a diverse panel session closing each day discussing the companies profiled throughout the event and critical takeaways learned.

Community Sponsors this year include Envestnet, Orion Tech, Advisor360, Equitable Advisors, Cambridge Investment Research, and Carson Wealth.

This years confirmed sponsors include: Asset-Map, AdvisorEngine, Bento Engine, Estate Guru, FMG Suite, Forward Lane, FP Alpha, FP Pathfinder, Holistiplan, Hubly, Income Conductor, Income Lab, Lumiant, Mobile Assistant, Morningstar, Nitrogen, Redtail, Snappy Kraken, Tolerisk and VRGL.

About Asset-Map

Asset-Map is a Software-as-a-Process experience for financial professionals who provide in-person and remote advice in the wealth management, banking, investment, and insurance markets. Typically included as part of the advice engagement process, Asset-Map centers around the digital visualization of household facts to build highly customized, design-thinking presentations in minutes that help advisors and their customers make better financial decisions. Asset-Map is used by thousands of professionals worldwide, having mapped over 1.25 million people and $1.5 trillion in financial instruments. To learn more about Asset-Map, visit www.asset-map.com.

About the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation

The Invest in Others 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation is supported by the financial services industry to amplify the charitable work of financial advisors, employees, and their firms. Invest in Others is a catalyst to channel philanthropy and volunteerism to where it is needed most.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regional offices throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the LLS Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET.

For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921464481/en/

Kevin Santo

Water & Wall

[email protected]

Source: Asset-Map Holdings, Inc.
Round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital with participation from existing investors

Launched in 2021, Atlys is building a digital platform to make the visa process anxiety-free and deliver a world-class experience to travellers across the globe

As the world moves towards e-visas, Atlys is at the forefront of this shift globally

NEW DELHI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atlys has raised USD 12 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Musical Duo Chainsmokers, South Park Commons, Pinterest Founders and other investors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920618287/en/

Mohak Nahta, Founder, Atlys (Photo: Business Wire)

The funds raised will be used to expand the platforms product offerings for travellers, attract customers, and further strengthen the team through talent acquisition. Atlys had previously raised a USD 5 million seed round in 2021.

The world is rapidly moving towards e-visas. Over 60% of countries have already adopted e-visas, and more have announced their plans to move to e-visas in the near future. Atlys is at the forefront of this shift and offers a world-class experience for travellers across the globe. With Atlys, travellers can easily apply for visas through the digital platform from anywhere in the world and get their visas on time.

As an avid traveller himself, Mohak Nahta, founder of Atlys, found the visa process to be tedious, uncertain and not at all traveller-friendly. He realised that the solution had to be digital and set out to build an app, which led to the launch of Atlys.

Our USP is to transform a process riddled with anxiety into one with certainty. By leveraging over a million data points, were able to predict when youre going to get a visa, reduce visa rejection rates, and we have built the tech to make that happen, said Mohak Nahta, founder, Atlys.

He added, We believe every Indian should have the opportunity to travel anywhere without the burden of complex visa processes. Atlys can help Indians get visas on time to over 100 countries and has reduced the time for applying for a visa to under three minutes.

Atlys aims to eliminate uncertainty, lengthy documentation and high visa fees by providing a simplified solution for visa applications. The traveller-centric solution provides a visa guarantee within a promised window through its app and website. So far, 99.2% visas come on time. It has also partnered with governments to facilitate visas and help them reduce overstays.

Travel is a fast-growing category in India that is seeing strong tailwinds post Covid. Over 10 million new passports are being issued in India every year, adding materially to the base of travel aspirants from India. Visa is a critical pain point for travellers and Atlys is building a next-gen platform to transform visa applications for travellers globally and reimagine international travel. Were very excited to join Mohak and team on their mission to enable travellers across the globe to travel with more freedom, said Shraeyansh Thakur, Principal, Peak XV.

Atlys' commitment to removing visa-related barriers aligns with the growing aspirations of Indians to explore the world. We're excited to join Atlys on its mission to transform the visa application process and solve larger travel-related pain points in India. Our partnership with Mohak represents a significant step towards Atlys' efforts to streamline global mobility. Their strategy to offer a new age visa service that's economical, risk-free and data-driven will encourage quicker adoption of newer, more efficient procedures," said Mayank Khanduja, Partner, Elevation Capital.

In addition to visas, Atlys goal is to solve numerous other pain points that people face with international travel. This includes areas like credit for travel, remittance and travel insurance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920618287/en/

Aakanksha Kumar

[email protected]

+91-7053318872

Source: Atlys
Leader in unlocking real-world data for healthcare moves to address the global evidence gap in markets plagued by tight data restrictions and a lack of clinical trial diversity

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Atropos Health, a pioneer in evidence-based healthcare known for its Green Button Clinical Informatics Consult Service, today announced that it has completed a strategic financing from Presidio Ventures, the venture arm of Sumitomo Corporation Venture Group, Samsung Next, a venture arm of Samsung Electronics, Gaingels, Audere Capital, and others. The funding enables Atropos Health to accelerate commercial and development opportunities outside the U.S., using its proprietary technology and approach. Initial focus centers on key customers in Japan and Brazil.

While the lack of representation in clinical trials creates an evidence gap for up to 70 percent of U.S patients, this effect is even more pronounced internationally. Lack of representation and relevant evidence on local populations leads to poorly informed treatment decisions and worse outcomes for patients around the world, said Dr. Brigham Hyde, CEO and Co-Founder of Atropos Health. The support from our new strategic investors, Presidio and Samsung Next, and international healthcare partners underscores the value we deliver on a global scale to unlock real-world data for evidence-based medicine.

Atropos Health offers the worlds first award-winning platform for faster data evaluation, evidence generation and Generative AI innovation of research and care. This platform is designed to meet the demands of health systems and life science companies working to solve increasingly global, diverse and data-intensive healthcare problems. Atropos Evidence Platform is federated, allowing for compliance with sovereign policies on data retention, security, and privacy - such as General Data Protection Regulation, the standard of EU privacy law. This critical infrastructure opens up global research opportunities to accelerate evidence generation and representation.

Atropos Healths cloud-based platform is uniquely able to navigate the data restrictions faced in international markets, providing vital data and insights to frontline physicians and researchers abroad. This is happening at a time when life-saving medical research is increasingly multinational, with more than half of all clinical trials taking place outside the US. Diversity in clinical trials is essential to advancing innovation of the best treatments for the right patients. Atropos unique global offerings help life science leaders overcome this challenge.

Our investment in Atropos Health is a testament to our belief that this trailblazing team has the potential to revolutionize how health decisions are made, while saving both time and costs, said Rameen Rana, Samsung Next. Atropos Health is on track to make a profound impact on the healthcare industry, and were excited to be a part of their journey and look forward to the positive changes they will bring to healthcare worldwide.

"The massive proliferation of patient data, coupled with advances in analytical methods, can enable providers and pharmaceutical companies to transform clinical decision-making, optimize drug development, and ultimately improve patient outcomes," said Tyler Schinto, Presidio Ventures. "We look forward to our strategic collaboration with Atropos Health to support the international expansion of its technology, which we believe will be at the forefront of the healthcare industrys adoption of evidence-based informatics to enhance therapeutic results and lower the total cost of care."

With the additional capital and in-market support provided by Presidio and Samsung Next, Atropos Health is commencing engagements with several, international customers who will both add global RWD to their Atropos Evidence Platform and drive new RWD in the Atropos Evidence Library. Providers and researchers outside the U.S. can begin to generate evidence-based insights through Atropos Green Button service. In addition to the strategic investment, Atropos Health has added partnerships with Analitica, Syndesis Health, DVX, and Project 360 LTD, to provide a critical footprint of in-market data integration support and channel distribution across Asia, South America and the Middle East.

About Atropos Health

Atropos Health is the developer of Atropos Evidence Platform, a catalyst for evidence generation from a network of real world data. Healthcare organizations, life science companies, and other clinicians and researchers leverage our platform to close evidence gaps from bench to bedside, elevate clinical outcomes with data-driven care, expedite research, and more. Atropos Healths offerings are based upon dozens of peer-reviewed publications, thousands of clinician users, a decade of clinical use, and clinical expertise. We aim to transform healthcare with timely, relevant real-world evidence.

To learn more about Atropos Health, visit www.atroposhealth.com or connect through LinkedIn or follow on Twitter @AtroposHealth.

About Presidio Ventures & Sumitomo Corporation

Presidio Ventures is the VC arm of Sumitomo Corporation, a leading Fortune 500 global diversified trading and business investment company with 129 locations (Japan: 20, Overseas: 109) in 66 countries and regions. As an investor and a partner, Presidio Ventures assists early-stage technology, internet, mobile, media and cleantech companies looking towards global markets, like Japan and Asia, to grow their business and maintain their competitive edge. Presidio leverages its technological expertise, international business development experience, and a cross-industry network to identify overseas partners for its portfolio companies and provides financial resources necessary to take advantage of growth opportunities. Presidio Ventures is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation and has offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, and Los Angeles.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921925336/en/

Bruno Solari

[email protected]

Source: Atropos Health
BIA CEO Addresses Televisions Share of the Local Advertising Marketplace for Key Ad Spending Verticals

CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BIA Advisory Services estimates the local broadcast TV industry in 2024 will generate $23.8 billion in advertising revenue, with $21.7 billion in over-the-air (OTA) revenue and $2.1 billion in digital television. This estimate indicates an 11 percent increase over 2023 for the television industry. Previewing the new forecast today in an address before the TVB Forward Conference, Tom Buono, founder and chief executive officer of BIA, explained the drivers behind the forecast, which include heavy political advertising spending along with increased spending in key television verticals, including legal and auto. Buono also examined local televisions share of the complete advertising wallet.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921577508/en/

We all expect a large number for local television ad spending in 2024, but its not only political that the industry can look to for growth, said Buono. Our new Share of Wallet (SoW) Performance Benchmarking Analysis reveals legal and automobile advertising will be up next year, too, providing solid opportunities for the industry. Beyond spending, we can see from this analysis how well television is performing across business verticals as compared to other media and in relation to the many advertising spend opportunities within a local market. Looking at ad spend this way is key to helping television continue to play to its strengths and find ways to take share from other media and move against threats.

For automobile advertising, BIAs 2024 forecast shows that TV OTA is expected to increase to $192.6 million in 2024, which will be the largest year-to-year increase since 2019. Another strong vertical for television in BIAs SoW Performance Benchmarking analysis is legal services. BIA estimates legal spending will total $8.6 billion in 2024. When looking at ad share across all traditional media, TV OTA will be the only channel to grow for legal advertising in 2024.

Buono also examined ad spend in the connected TV and over-the-top (CTV/OTT) category compared to OTA and digital. While smaller in dollars spent, CTV/OTT is the fastest growing platform in the past five years, with +30.4% CAGR (2020 to 2024). However, TV OTA has more than four times the ad spend, mainly driven by political, than the other two channels.

After a few challenging years related to the pandemic, followed by supply chain and economic issues, we are forecasting significant increases in 2024 for local TV advertising, said Buono. Continuous examination and foresight will be key to maintaining a strong position.

Share of Wallet: Performance Benchmarking

To help television executives stay on top in a changing advertising marketplace, BIA is ready to perform a Share of Wallet (Sow): Performance Benchmarking Analysis that is customized to a broadcast group. Email [email protected] for details.

U.S. Local Advertising Forecast

BIA has issued an update to its U.S. Local Advertising Forecast for 16 media, including local broadcast television, and 96 business sub-verticals. The five-year forecast is available for all 210 local television markets and is based on a proprietary forecasting methodology of the local advertising marketplace. The forecast can be purchased here and also accessed by subscription to BIA ADVantage, BIAs local advertising intelligence dashboard. For subscription details, email [email protected].

About BIA Advisory Services

BIA Advisory Services is the leading authority for data-centered insights, analysis, strategic consulting, and valuation services for the local media industry. Since 1983, BIA has been a valuable resource for traditional and digital media companies, brands and agencies, the financial and legal community serving media and telecom, as well as the FCC and other government agencies. Today, we offer comprehensive local market advertising intelligence in our BIA ADVantageTM service to help clients discover the path to their best opportunities. Learn more about our offerings at http://www.bia.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921577508/en/

Media Contacts:

MacKenzie Lovings

(703) 802-2991

[email protected]

Robert Udowitz

(703) 621-8060

[email protected]

Source: BIA Advisory Services
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Alberta government report supporting the idea of breaking up the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is another bad idea from a Premier known for bad ideas, according to CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill.

Gill said the report was pure fiction when claiming Alberta could pull over half of the assets of the CPP into an Alberta only plan. The union leader said that if you used the same formula with all the other provinces, youd take all of the assets out of CPP multiple times over.

This is an attack on the retirement security of all Albertans, and all Canadians, said Gill. Its bad math that shouldnt be used to divide Canadians.

Danielle Smith is the same Premier who said tobacco was good for you, who blamed cancer patients for their diagnosis, and who treats public health officials as a danger to society, said Gill. Now she is promoting another poorly researched, foolish idea that will destroy peoples retirement incomes.

Gill said the CPP is larger, more successful, and less risky than an Alberta based plan. CPP has been in place for over half a century and is well-established plan, said Gill. In fact, the CPs 10-year returns have been significantly higher than AIMCOs  the Alberta Governments investment management corporation.

I urge Albertans to reject this shell game that Danielle Smith is selling. Its going to create major damage to everyones retirement income.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921158091/en/

Lou Arab, Communications Representative

780.271.2722

[email protected]

Source: CUPE
Church of the Highlands opens second location in Huntsville area

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Church of the Highlands celebrates the successful launch of its second location in the Huntsville area on Sunday, September 10, at the AMC Valley Bend 18. This location opened in addition to Highlands existing location in the Madison area. The Madison Campus on Nance Road opened in 2019 and has been a location for over 5 years hosting 4 services every Sunday. The new Huntsville Campus is Highlands 25th location across Alabama and Georgia.

Highlands Huntsville location is a portable location with plans to move into a new building in the Spring of 2024. Of Church of the Highlands 25 locations, 11 are portable locations meeting in schools, community centers, and now its first movie theater in Huntsville. Portable campuses have teams of volunteers, called Dream Team, that set up and take down everything needed for church every Sunday. Church of the Highlands began as a portable church in Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham in 2001 and has followed this model when starting new locations over the 23 years of its existence.

The new campus building is already under construction off of Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville. This location will meet weekly at 8:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. on Sundays.

About Church of the Highlands:

Church of the Highlands is a local church with locations across Alabama and parts of Georgia where attendees can experience a fresh, powerful connection to God and one another. Highlands exists to help people Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, and Make a Difference. With this simple and impactful focus, everything the church does is aimed at helping each person live the full life for which God created them.

For more information, visit www.churchofthehighlands.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921499879/en/

Kellen Coldiron

Church of the Highlands

[email protected]

(205) 980-5577

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com

Source: Church of the Highlands
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) will host a conference call webcast on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss third-quarter 2023 financial and operating results. The companys financial and operating results will be released before the market opens on Nov. 2.

To access the webcast, visit ConocoPhillips Investor Relations site, http://www.conocophillips.com/investor, and click on the "Register" link in the Investor Presentations section. You should register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. The event will be archived and available for replay later the same day, with a transcript available the following day.

--- # # # ---

About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips is one of the worlds leading exploration and production companies based on both production and reserves, with a globally diversified asset portfolio. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 13 countries, $90 billion of total assets, and approximately 9,700 employees at June 30, 2023. Production averaged 1,798 MBOED for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and proved reserves were 6.6 BBOE as of December 31, 2022. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921255888/en/

Dennis Nuss (media)

281-293-1149

[email protected]

Investor Relations

281-293-5000

[email protected]

Source: ConocoPhillips
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who is currently on an official visit to the United States, arrived at the US Congress on Thursday, September 21. He is expected to have a private conversation with Republican and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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This was reported by AP News. Zelensky will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and talk to US military leaders at the Pentagon.

According to the publication, Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, who had previously promised Zelensky tough questions regarding Ukraine's future military efforts, decided not to join the Ukrainian president's congratulations in front of the cameras.

For example, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the Ukrainian president "our best messenger" to U.S. lawmakers, urging them to allocate vital funds and ensure the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

It is worth noting that the visit of the Ukrainian president takes place during hearings on the state budget in the US Congress, where senators and congressmen are considering the White House's request for additional financial assistance to Ukraine worth $23 billion. However, there are differences of opinion among Republicans on whether to approve this aid. Many Republicans also demand accountability for the money spent in Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Joe Biden has called on world leaders to firmly support Ukraine, even if he faces internal political controversies in the United States. After all, the right wing of the Republicans under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, Biden's main rival in the fight for the White House in 2024, is violently opposed to the allocation of additional funds for foreign aid.

It was reported that the United States has provided $66.2 billion to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war, making Ukraine the undisputed leader in the list of recipients of US aid. In addition, this amount is a record one since World War II and the Marshall Plan.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Ukraine received another grant worth $1.25 billion from the United States The funds will be used to finance government spending that is not related to the army and defense. In particular, pensions and salaries for doctors, teachers and civil servants. It is noted that the American funds were transferred through a special fund of the World Bank and have already been transferred to the accounts of Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (Cresco or Company), the industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of Americas most popular brands and the operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced the expansion of its brand portfolio in Florida to include the FloraCal and Cresco brands. The Company will roll out FloraCal flower, pre-rolls, live rosin concentrates and live rosin chews as well as Cresco flower and pre-rolls at Sunnyside dispensaries starting next week and throughout the fall.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921915523/en/

Cresco Labs expanded its brand portfolio in Florida to include a suite of flower and live rosin products from its premium FloraCal and Cresco brands. (Photo: Business Wire)

We continue to invest in one of our core markets, Florida, by bringing more of our best-in-class products to our Sunnyside shoppers, said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and Co-founder of Cresco Labs. A growing number of patients are looking for more premium quality flower options and live rosin productswhich is exactly what our FloraCal and Cresco brands offer. Were incredibly proud of our Operations team, which has a proven record of successfully expanding our companys consistency and quality standards across markets, while also scaling operations.

One of the first cannabis brands to launch in California with numerous award-winning products, FloraCal is the premium brand in the Companys portfolio created for cannabis connoisseurs. Cultivation starts with a rigorous pheno-hunting process that starts with hundreds of seeds and ends with FloraCal releasing only the highest quality strains in the products found today in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Florida.

Cresco, another decorated cannabis brand, is sold in California, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Florida. The premium brand offers one of the largest libraries of strains and widest assortments of forms in the Companys brand portfolio, ranging from flower and pre-rolls to concentrates and vapes. In Florida, Cresco is replacing One Plant, offering the same flower strains that patients love, in addition to a suite of new ones.

For more information about FloraCal, visit www.floracalfarms.com. To learn more about Cresco, visit www.crescocannabis.com.

About Cresco Labs Inc.

Cresco Labs mission is to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry through a CPG approach to building national brands and a customer-focused retail experience, while acting as a steward for the industry on legislative and regulatory-focused initiatives. As a leader in cultivation, production and branded product distribution, the Company is leveraging its scale and agility to grow its portfolio of brands that include Cresco, High Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co., Mindys and Remedi, on a national level. The Company also operates highly productive dispensaries nationally under the Sunnyside brand that focus on building patient and consumer trust and delivering ongoing education and convenience in a wonderfully traditional retail experience. Through year-round policy, community outreach and SEED initiative efforts, Cresco Labs embraces the responsibility to support communities through authentic engagement, economic opportunity, investment, workforce development and legislative initiatives designed to create the most responsible, respectable and robust cannabis industry possible. Learn more about Cresco Labs journey by visiting www.crescolabs.com or following the Company on Facebook, X or LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921915523/en/

Media

Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs

Chief Communications Officer

[email protected]

312-953-2767

Investors

Megan Kulick, Cresco Labs

SVP, Investor Relations

[email protected]

General Cresco Labs Inquiries

312-929-0993

[email protected]

Source: Cresco Labs
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) (Cybin or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative psychedelic-based treatment options, today announced that its 2023 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders will be held virtually on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The notice of annual and special meeting and proxy statement containing meeting details are available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on the Companys website at www.cybin.com, and are expected to be mailed on September 21, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 30, 2023.

About Cybin

Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions.

Cybins goal of revolutionizing mental healthcare is supported by a network of world-class partners and internationally recognized scientists aimed at progressing proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, and novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens. The Company is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog for the treatment of major depressive disorder and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT molecule for generalized anxiety disorder and has a research pipeline of investigational psychedelic-based compounds.

Headquartered in Canada and founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland. For company updates and to learn more about Cybin, visit www.cybin.com or follow the team on X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release relating to the Company are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as may, should, could, intend, estimate, plan, anticipate, expect, believe or continue, or the negative thereof or similar variations.

Any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the spread of COVID-19 on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the psychedelics market; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for growth; political, social and environmental uncertainties; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in each of the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and the Companys annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2023, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cybin makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about Cybins proposed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin, psychedelic tryptamine, tryptamine derivatives or other psychedelic compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. Cybin has not conducted clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that Cybin verified such in clinical trials or that Cybin will complete such trials. If Cybin cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on Cybins performance and operations.

Neither Cboe Canada, operating as the Neo Exchange Inc., nor the NYSE American LLC stock exchange have approved or disapproved the contents of this news release and are not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921821461/en/

Investor & Media Contact:

Gabriel Fahel

Chief Legal Officer

Cybin Inc.

1-866-292-4601

[email protected]  or  [email protected]

Source: Cybin Inc.
Friction-free, global IoT connectivity reduces costs and operational overhead

BERLIN, Germany & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, emnify the leader in cloud-native IoT connectivity solutions, and Skylo, a global software-defined non-terrestrial network (NTN) operator focusing on connecting everything, everywhere, announce an industry-first convergence of satellite and cellular IoT connectivity from a single emnify SIM. Partnering with leading module manufacturer, Murata, the companies are expanding the next generation of IoT connectivity to space. The combination of emnifys cloud-native, mobile core technology and direct IoT cellular access with providers around the globe, with Skylos NTN satellite access, provides seamless, intelligent, friction-free, network IoT connectivity.

The emnify IoT SuperNetwork, the industrys first cloud-native IoT connectivity service with direct access to over 540 cellular networks in over 180 countries, provides access to Skylos satellite NTN services, marking the first and only single SIM access to global IoT connectivity on terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. This innovation drastically reduces the operational cost and complexity of adding satellite connectivity, delivering on the promise of converged IoT connectivity to meet the needs of scaling IoT businesses, regardless of geographical challenges or local network infrastructure limitations.

"Our collaboration with Skylo underscores our commitment to expanding the SuperNetwork to create new opportunities and open new markets for IoT businesses everywhere," said Frank Stoecker, CEO and emnify founder. "The addition of satellite connectivity exemplifies the power of the SuperNetwork to go beyond traditional networks to provide dedicated IoT connectivity with truly global reach.

Skylo, the leader in satellite connectivity, shares in the excitement. We are thrilled to partner with emnify to offer friction-free access to NTN, ensuring that businesses are always connected for critical needs, said Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO and Skylo co-founder. "This innovation in IoT connectivity provides new levels of reliability and device availability, expanding IoTs reach to previously inaccessible areas, and bringing new use cases to life."

Its critical that IoT customers have reliable, cost-effective, integrated hardware solutions to take advantage of innovations in IoT connectivity, said Mehul Udani, Vice President Corporate Technology and Innovation for Murata. Muratas combined cellular and NTN radio modules provide a breakthrough in offering converged connectivity around the globe.

Transformative use cases highlight converged IoT connectivity potential

Remote Monitoring Systems

In remote regions lacking traditional infrastructure, the unparalleled reach of the SuperNetwork with Skylos NTN satellite connectivity will enable reliable monitoring of water resources. The SuperNetwork ensures that sensors always use the appropriate network in their location.

According to Matt Trumbo, Director of Product Management for In-Situ, For our markets, NTN effectively means you can use your cellular devices anywhere  no worrying about coverage, no hassles with local providers and network compatibility. Its the benefits of traditional satellite data providers at an order of magnitude less in cost and in power consumption. NTN will completely alter how we partner with our customers to create decision-quality information.

Asset Tracking

The SuperNetworks advanced reach and reliability with Skylos NTN satellite connectivity is necessary to enable breakthrough use cases and opportunities in asset tracking. High value assets are often stationed permanently or temporarily in remote, previously unconnected areas. Powered by a single emnify SIM, IoT tracking devices and sensors provide continuous data to monitor equipment location, movement and critical telemetry needed for services such as predictive maintenance, usage optimization, and security.

We're excited about the possibility of merging satellite and cellular connectivity for GPS tracking in remote and rural areas. It's a compelling solution that extends our tracking capabilities to places where conventional cell networks can't reach. This innovation not only broadens our service coverage but also ensures connectivity in the most remote locations, enhancing the reliability of our GPS tracking solutions, said Adam Ben Jacob Director of Sales, Support & Technology for OneStep GPS. Our team is eager to dive into testing and deployment.

New SuperNetwork Eval Program

emnify and Skylo are offering a new evaluation program for customers interested in deploying converged cellular and satellite connectivity. This program will allow selected participants to work directly with emnify and Skylo to test their use cases and the capabilities of the SuperNetwork to jumpstart their converged IoT connectivity transformation with hands-on support and guidance from a team of IoT experts.

Deploying IoT Satellite Roundtable at Mobile World Congress, Las Vegas

emnify is hosting an invite-only roundtable discussion on September 26, from 2:30-5:30. The roundtable, moderated by Matt Hatton, founding partner at Transforma Insights, features speakers from Skylo and Murata to discuss this next level of connectivity and how IoT businesses can take advantage of increased availability, lower power consumption, and a limitless footprint.

To register your interest in attending the roundtable please visit https://www.mwclasvegas.com/agenda/session/deploying-iot-satellite-in-2024-discover-new-technologies-to-expand-your-iot-connectivity.

To learn more about converged cellular and satellite IoT connectivity and the SuperNetwork, stop by the emnify booth, #839, at Mobile World Congress.

For more information and updates on the event please visit https://www.emnify.com/events/mwc-las-vegas-2023.

About emnify

emnify is the leading cloud building block for cellular communications in the IoT stack, connecting millions of IoT devices globally  from electric vehicles to energy meters, alarm systems to GPS trackers, thermometers to health wearables. The emnify API and SIM technology connect and secure any kind of IoT deployment to its application back-end. emnifys cloud-native integrations and no-code workflows ensure seamless lifecycle scalability for deployments of all sizes  from start-up to enterprise. The award-winning emnify IoT SuperNetwork is the largest globally distributed mobile cloud core network of its kind, supporting local network access (2G  5G, LTE-M, NB-IoT and satellite) in over 180 countries from more than 25 cloud regions  and counting. emnifys solution is built on partnerships with the leading hyperscale cloud service providers, system integrators, and hundreds of network operators worldwide.

About Skylo

Skylo Technologies is an NTN service provider based in Mountain View, CA, offering a service that allows smartphone and IoT cellular devices to connect directly over existing satellites. Devices connected over satellite are managed and served by Skylos commercial NTN vRAN, featuring a 3GPP standards-based cloud-native base station and core. Skylo works with existing satellite operators, terrestrial mobile network operators, and device makers to provide subscribers an anywhere, anytime connectivity solution that seamlessly roams between terrestrial and satellite networks. Skylos focus is on enabling connected services for people outdoors and connected workflows for machines at work across critical industries such as agriculture, maritime, logistics, mining, and others, in addition to mass-market consumer devices. For more information, visit www.skylo.tech, contact [email protected], or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921763925/en/

emnify Media Relations Contact:

Jennifer Baisch

emnify

[email protected]

Skylo Media Relations Contact:

Rosa Lear

Skylo Technologies

[email protected]

Source: emnify
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FulcrumAir is proud to announce that the company has completed its portion of the High Banks Wind Project in Kansas using advanced robotic technology to accurately and safely install PLP CUSHION-GRIP Twin Spacers and BIRD-FLIGHT Diverters.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920474488/en/

Bucket truck with 2 CSR-18 Robots (Photo: Business Wire)

The High Banks Wind Project is Kansas largest wind farm. Kiewit constructed the 75-mile 345 kV transmission line across Marshall, Republic, and Washington counties to tie the High Banks Wind Project into the grid.

Kiewit contracted FulcrumAir to assist in the construction utilizing its robotic installation methods. For the first time in the world, PLPs CUSHION-GRIP Twin Spacers were installed robotically utilizing FulcrumAirs CSR-18 robot. PLPs BIRD-FLIGHT Diverters were also installed robotically for the first time using FulcrumAirs Mini LineFly.

Patrick Arnell, CEO of FulcrumAir said, We are extremely pleased with how our equipment performed on this demanding project. FulcrumAirs mission is to develop and operate equipment to assist the power line industry with the challenges it faces, including staff shortages, increasing demands for even safer work sites, and efficiency and quality increases.

A total of over 6,000 twin spacers and nearly 15,000 bird diverters were installed to the exacting specifications required, including the spacing of the BFDs and spacers, the bolt torque of the spacers, and the spacers alignment to the conductors.

Since our inception over 75 years ago, PLP has prided itself on being an industry leader in every respect. This partnership with FulcrumAir to develop the CSR-18 robot further illustrates our longstanding commitment to bring the best, most innovative products to every market we serve, said Ryan Ruhlman, President of PLP. Not only will the robot improve efficiencies, but it will also greatly improve the safety environment for utility workers around the world. The roboticization of the utility market will continue to expand throughout the next decade, and PLP is excited to lead the way in the transformation.

Click here to see a video case study of the High Banks Wind Project and more information about the robotics technology deployed there.

ABOUT FULCRUMAIR

Founded in 2016 and having invested over 50,000 hours into design and engineering to date, FulcrumAir is a leader in developing robotic solutions for the powerline industry. FulcrumAirs portfolio of UAVs and aerial robotics are specifically designed to address critical challenges facing electric utilities. FulcrumAir is The Line Contractor of the Future.

ABOUT PLP

PLP protects the worlds most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The companys precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in over 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920474488/en/

Media Relations



FulcrumAir

Patrick Arnell

President & CEO

+1 403 617 0109

[email protected]

PLP

Josh Nelson

Manager, Marketing Communications

+1 440 473 9120

[email protected]

Source: FulcrumAir
Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023 has won the Best in Show Double Gold award at the prestigious Whiskies of the World Awards, putting Indian single malts on a new pedestal

NEW DELHI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A proud homegrown single malt brand from the house of Piccadily Distilleries in India, Indri has earned a place among the best whiskies across the globe. Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023 has been awarded the Best in Show, Double Gold at the prestigious Whiskies of the World Awards. This win is a testament to the quality and the growing popularity of Indian single malts across the globe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920194295/en/

1st Indian Whisky To Win 'Best In Show, Double Gold' Award at The Whiskies of The World Awards 2023 (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the largest whisky tasting competitions in the world, Whiskies of the World Awards judges over 100 varieties of whiskies from across the globe every year. Following a rigorous blind tasting over several rounds across categories, a panel of some of the top tastemakers and influencers in the alco-bev industry declares one whisky as the best whisky in each class. Further to this, they then select one whisky as the Best in Show out of all the Best-in-Class whiskies. This year, Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023 is proud to have claimed the coveted spot, outshining hundreds of Scotch whiskies, Bourbons, Canadian whiskies, Australian and British single malts. The well-deserved accolade shows that India has emerged as a worthy contender, and the world is awakening to the new star from India  Indri.

The evolution of Indian single malts is changing the way the world generally perceives Indian spirits. Moving away from a predominantly Scotch-loving culture, the Indian single malts are breaking barriers and building a reputation for Indian whiskies like never before. Factors such as premiumization, a growing demand for authenticity and willingness to embrace global trends while celebrating local craftsmanship have influenced the growth of the Indian whisky industry.

Speaking about the win, Siddhartha Sharma, Founder, Piccadily Distilleries, said, The perception of India is changing globally. India and Indians are breaking boundaries on all fronts be it technology, business, sport or crafted high quality premium products. India was always known for its exquisite and outstanding quality and finer things for hundreds of years and we feel that India is getting its magic back and achieving feats like Chandrayaan landing on moon to Neeraj Chopra breaking world records and numerous Indians accomplishing milestones like never before. It is an exciting time for India, and Indian whiskies are not far behind as we are playing our part in the India story. Indris big win at Whiskies of the World awards- being rated as the Best whisky in the world, further strengthens our vision of putting homegrown quality liquids on the world map. It is an honour to be recognized and celebrated by such a renowned platform, outshining hundreds of whiskies from across the globe.

Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023 is a peated Indian single malt made with six-row barley, distilled in traditional copper pot stills crafted in India. Carefully matured in PX Sherry Casks for a significantly long time amidst the sub-tropical climate of North India, this unique expression entices you with a whiff of smoke and awakens your senses to a myriad of flavours such as candied dried fruits, toasted nuts, subtle spices, oak, bittersweet chocolate and more.

The journey of Indri began with Indri-Trini, India's first triple cask single malt. With a mission to put quality homegrown liquids on the world map, Piccadily Distilleries introduced the one-of-its-kind single malt two years ago. Ever since its launch in 2021, the brand has won over 14 global awards.

Indri-Trini is available across 19 states in India and 17 countries; Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023 will be available in US, India and in select European countries from November onwards.

Find the complete list of winners of Whiskies of the World Awards here.

Stock Ticker: (PICCADIL | 530305 | INE546C01010)

https://www.bseindia.com/stock-share-price/piccadily-agro-industries-ltd/piccadily-agro-inds/530305/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920194295/en/

For more information, contact:

Shreya Bhattacharya  [email protected] | +91-9582891650

Rutvi Mehta  [email protected] | +91-86194 30473

Abhishek Haryson  [email protected] | +91 9891356547

Source: Piccadily Distilleries
EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week, EHS Today honored Jordan Foster Construction (Jordan Foster), a leading general contractor in the State of Texas, as one of the 2023 Americas Safest Companies. Leadership from Jordan Fosters Risk Management team attended the 2023 Safety Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida where the company was recognized for its achievements at the America's Safest Companies Award Ceremony on September 19, 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919861464/en/

Jordan Foster Construction Risk Management Team representatives Damian Alvarez, Jorge Acuna, Asma Bayunus, and Jesus Miranda received an EHS Today award for Top 10 Safest Companies in America (Photo: Business Wire)

EHS Today is owned and produced by Endeavor Business Media, one of the largest B2B Media companies in the United States. For more than 20 years, the Americas Safest Companies competition has sought to identify characteristics that differentiate good safety programs from great ones, and to then celebrate the best practices and procedures that exemplify safety excellence.

I could not be more proud of Jordan Foster for earning this award. Being named in the top 10 of Americas Safest Companies by EHS Today is a true testament to the safety systems we commit to in all of our projects in every market we serve. The dedication of the people who make up our teams at Jordan Foster is evident. Everything we do, we do to the best of our ability, and we do so with unmatched safety processes, said Tricia Kagerer, Executive Vice President of Risk Management at Jordan Foster.

To be considered as one of Americas Safest Companies, organizations must complete an application that requires them to demonstrate excellence in several areas: support from leadership and management for EHS efforts; employee involvement in the EHS process; innovative solutions to safety challenges; injury and illness rates lower than the average for their industries; comprehensive training programs; evidence that prevention of incidents is the cornerstone of the safety process; good communication about the value of safety; and a way to substantiate the benefits of the safety process.

Every Americas Safest Company winner is a standard-bearer of safety excellence. Each winning company has engrained into their culture and their employees a consistent and constant need to keep every person and every situation free from harm, said EHS Today Editor-in-Chief Dave Blanchard.

Jordan Foster is joined by nine other Class of 2023 Americas Safest Companies. They are ACCO Brands, Cajun Industries, Loven Contracting, MasterBrand Cabinets, Performance Contractors, Plastipak Packaging, Price Electric, S&B Engineers & Constructors, and Yaskawa Electric America.

This prestigious award is a testament to Jordan Fosters commitment to safety and each team member's remarkable dedication to our projects every day. It validates Jordan Foster's safety philosophy and recognizes the exceptional work our teams consistently deliver on our core value of ensuring a Job Done Right. I am thrilled that Jordan Foster has been recognized with this honor as one of the Top 10 Safest Companies in the U.S. by EHS Today, said Darren Woody, President and CEO of Jordan Foster.

Since 1969, Jordan Foster has completed billions of dollars in high-quality infrastructure, commercial, and multifamily projects, all while prioritizing and maintaining safe working environments within its exceptional safety culture. The award from EHS Today acknowledges Jordan Fosters commitment to excellence and integrity. The companys dedication to safety has resulted in being consistently recognized by industry leaders such as Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, and the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919861464/en/

Alix Duchouquette

[email protected]

915.227.4945

Source: Jordan Foster Construction
UFCW Local 360, the AFL-CIOs Official Cannabis Labor Representative, adds two more locations to the growing number of cannabis companies voting to unionize

WEST BERLIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 announces that, in its continuing push to unionize workers in New Jerseys cannabis industry, the workers at Curaleafs Winslow, NJ cultivation site and the employees at MPX NJs dispensary in Sicklerville have voted to unionize. The Curaleaf cultivation site joins the companys dispensaries in Bordentown, Edgewater and Bellmawr in choosing to organize with UFCW Local 360. MPX NJs dispensary is the first of two to hold a vote. The company is also planning a third location, in Pennsauken Township.

When you deal with companies like MPX NJ, it makes the process easier for everyone, said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360 director of organizing. Good employers recognize its about more than following the regulations. Its about dealing fairly with employees, making smart business decisions, and driving sustainable success.

Giordano also paid tribute to New Jerseys Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which is tasked with making sure the rules around organizing carry the same weight as other operating requirements.

Unfortunately, not every company agrees that worker rights need to be adhered to, he said. Thankfully, the people at the Cannabis Regulatory Commission stand ready and willing to ensure license holders comply with all the rules so that this new industry can continue to grow and flourish for the long-term.

The Governor and the State Assembly deserve great credit for the way they set this industry up, said Sam Ferraino, Jr., UFCW Local 360s president. By including a requirement to enter into Labor Peace agreements with bona fide labor organizations, they made it possible for employees to find out what their rights are, to hear about the options available to them, and then to vote on whether or not to unionize. And in the almost every instance, the obvious benefits of joining a union have won the vote.

From seed to sale, UFCW is a national leader in organizing cannabis industry employees. The official AFL-CIOs designated cannabis labor union, UFCW works with employees and business owners to create a successful, regulated cannabis industry that delivers family-sustaining jobs and is focused on social equity.

About United Food and Commercial Workers: The UFCW International Union represents over 1.3 million hardworking families across the U.S. and Canada. These members work in essential industries such as Retail, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Transportation, the Public Sector and Cannabis.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921806581/en/

Media:

Hugh Giordano,

Director of Organizing

609-680-5718

[email protected]

Source: United Food and Commercial Workers
Lamb Ranch Celebrated for Positive Impacts on Local Community, Environment and Niman Ranchs Network of 600+ Independent Family Farmers

WESTMINSTER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Niman Ranch recently honored Jeanne McCormack and her husband Al Medvitz of McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, Calif. for 30 years of partnership, with the ranchers supplying sustainably and humanely raised lamb to the premium meat brand since 1993. Not only is the ranch the first lamb producer in the network, but McCormack and Medvitz were instrumental in the founding of the Niman Ranch Pork Company when they connected their Peace Corps friend and Iowa hog farmer Paul Willis to Bill Niman, a California cattle rancher and Niman Ranch founder who was selling their lamb along with his beef to farm-to-table Bay Area restaurants.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921400143/en/

Niman Ranch recently honored Jeanne McCormack and her husband Al Medvitz of McCormack Ranch in Rio Vista, Calif. for 30 years of partnership, with the ranchers supplying sustainably and humanely raised lamb to the premium meat brand since 1993. McCormack is the third generation of her family to steward the 3,700 acres. But will she be the last? Rampant land development and sprawl all over California and the West has put rural farmland at risk. (Photo: Business Wire)

Were it not for Jeanne and Als introduction, there would be no Niman Ranch today, said Paul Willis, Niman Ranchs founding hog farmer. Locally, they have preserved a very special place through their sustainable grazing practices that have been passed down over generations. Nationally, they have helped build a company that supports over 600 farmers and ranchers today, together producing specialty products for our countrys culinary leaders.

In addition to the Certified Humane and antibiotic-free lambs they provide to Niman Ranch, McCormack and Medvitz also produce wine grapes and small grains in an agricultural system brought from the Isle of Arran off the coast of Scotland by McCormacks grandfather and his brothers in the late 1800s. They use very little irrigation, a positive in drought-prone Northern California, and by combining dryland crops with grazing livestock, theyve created a sustainable and regenerative process for constantly replenishing the soil, maintaining clean waterways, preserving wildlife habitat and mitigating the effects of climate change.

McCormack is the third generation of her family to steward the 3,700 acres. But will she be the last? Rampant land development and sprawl all over California and the West has put rural farmland at risk as the population has increased and, along with it, the demand for ever more far-flung suburban housing.

While McCormack Ranch, on the banks of the Sacramento River, is held in a conservation easement and can never be developed, continuing to farm the land and care for it becomes exceedingly difficult when the surrounding community is no longer agricultural. Niman Ranch sources lamb from two additional producers in the region, the Hamilton family and the Anderson family, whose land is not protected by this easement and are currently under threat from encroaching development. The Hamiltons and the Andersons were also recently honored for their 25-year partnerships with Niman Ranch and their positive impacts on the local community and the brands broader network of humane farmers and ranchers.

Once agricultural land is developed, its lost forever. Wildlife habitat, grasslands, healthy soils, wetlands and the beauty of open space can never be recovered. Nor can rural communities and the multigenerational stewardship of the land. While many developers tend to see open land as useless unless its turned into a built environment, ranchers like Medvitz, McCormack and their neighbors understand that their land is a productive, natural ecosystem that benefits everyone.

It would be ideal if, instead of constantly building on our open spaces, we could build a utopian agricultural system based on local communities of farmers, those deeply embedded in the land and its history, collaborating to manage the environment to produce plentiful food from regenerated and sustainable ecosystems that are humane to people and animals, that conserve scarce water and mitigate climate change, said Medvitz.

Niman Ranch is proud to partner with McCormack Ranch and the over 600 farmers and ranchers in the network who raise their animals humanely and sustainably.

ABOUT NIMAN RANCH

Niman Ranch is a community of over 600 independent family farmers and ranchers who raise pork, beef and lamb traditionally, humanely and sustainably to deliver the Finest-Tasting Meat in the World. Niman Ranch is the largest farmer and rancher network in North America to be Certified Humane. The protein of choice for Americas most celebrated chefs, Niman Ranch is also the premier option for discerning home cooks looking for meats Raised with Care, with no antibiotics or added hormonesever.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921400143/en/

Alicia LaPorte

Communications Director, Niman Ranch

860-869-9788, [email protected]

Source: Niman Ranch
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company, today announced the opening of its Battery Innovation Center in Germany  a major expansion serving the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry powering the global shift to electrification.

The new center is located at Orions main innovation hub in Cologne. The facility includes a full array of state-of-art production, testing and diagnostic equipment. The center will accelerate Orions tailor-made product and process development in close cooperation with customers.

The growth potential for conductive additives is huge. We are committed to serving the needs of battery producers with innovation and a global production network. Our new Battery Innovation Center will further position Orion as a leader in the industry, Orion CEO Corning Painter said. The battery lab will also broaden and intensify our already extensive network of collaboration with universities, customers and other partners in the battery industry.

Along with the Battery Innovation Center, Orion will establish a new specialized organization for its battery business, led by Dr. Adrian Steinmetz, who joins Orion on Oct. 1 from BASF. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, he will serve as global vice president for conductive additives.

Dr. Steinmetzs key areas of expertise include business development, leading global and regional specialty chemical businesses and their technologies, as well as asset management. He earned a doctorate degree in organic chemistry from University of Gottingen, Germany.

We are excited that Dr. Steinmetz will provide the global leadership that we need to continue the strong momentum we have in the conductive materials market, said Dr. Sandra Niewiem, senior vice president and global head of Orions Specialty business. He will bring to Orion more than 25 years of experience in several commercial and technical roles in battery materials and specialty chemicals in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

In the Battery Innovation Center, Dr. Amaury Augeard will lead the technical team as the head of energy systems. He joined the company from the Lotus Group and brings significant industrial lithium-ion battery expertise. Dr. Augeard holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Clermont-Ferrand, France.

With a plant in France, Orion is the sole producer of acetylene-based conductive additives in Europe. In the U.S., the company is building a similar plant, which will be the only facility of its kind in the country. The site in La Porte, Texas, will quadruple Orions manufacturing capacity for acetylene-based conductive additives, which are in high demand by lithium-ion battery producers.

About Orion S.A.

Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC) is a leading global supplier of carbon black, a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets. The material is made to customers exacting specifications for tires, coatings, ink, batteries, plastics and numerous other specialty, high-performance applications. Carbon black is used to tint, colorize, provide reinforcement, conduct electricity, increase durability, and add UV protection. Orion has innovation centers on three continents and 15 plants worldwide, offering the most diverse variety of production processes in the industry. The companys corporate lineage goes back more than 160 years to Germany, where it operates the worlds longest-running carbon black plant. Orion is a leading innovator, applying a deep understanding of customers needs to deliver sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit orioncarbons.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks related to our planned payment of the interim dividend and the other risks and uncertainties listed under Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, each of which could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or other information, other than as required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921694636/en/

Wendy Wilson

Orion S.A.

Head of Investor Relations

[email protected]

+1 281-974-0155

William Foreman

Orion S.A.

Director of Corporate Communications and Government Affairs

[email protected]

Direct: +1 832-445-3305

Mobile: +1 281-889-7833

Source: Orion Engineered Carbons S.A.
Luscos retirement is effective at the end of the year; Zusi will join the company as Luscos successor in January.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE: RF) on Thursday announced Chief Risk Officer Matt Lusco will retire at the end of 2023 following a nearly 45-year career in risk, finance, auditing, and accounting roles. Russell Zusi has been named to succeed Lusco effective Jan. 2, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921281038/en/

Regions Chief Risk Officer Matt Lusco, left, will retire at the end of 2023 following a nearly 45-year career. Russell Zusi, right, has been named to succeed Lusco effective Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo: Business Wire)

Since joining Regions in 2011, Matts strategic leadership has reinforced a strong risk-management culture throughout our company, said John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. As a result of his insights and experience, Regions Bank has adopted more comprehensive risk frameworks, policies, and programs. Weve built stronger risk-management teams, and all our associates understand their role in managing risks. We are deeply thankful for Matts contributions. With the foundation he has established, we are well positioned to continue to deliver value to all our stakeholders.

Regions is operating from a position of strength, and that is a testament to how our teams across the bank prioritize and carefully manage risks while ensuring we are meeting the needs of customers and responsibly innovating in the marketplace, Lusco added. It has been an honor to be a part of the Regions leadership team and to lead our risk-management functions. I am confident Regions will continue to grow and excel. Russ Zusi is a proven leader whos joining an incredible organization, and he will be supported by very talented risk-management teams and associates throughout the company who are united in our focus on properly recognizing, assessing, and managing risks.

Zusi joins Regions from Bank of America, where he has spent nearly 20 years in Risk Management and Finance roles, leading to his most recent position as co-head of Global Compliance and Operational Risk and Global Technology and Operations Chief Risk Officer.

In this role, Zusi was responsible for overseeing the companys strategy, governance, and execution of the Compliance and Operational Risk program. He prioritized comprehensive risk-management coverage and a culture of effectively managing risks, including ensuring a prudent control environment while supporting the companys growth strategy. He also maintained strong relationships with key regulators and supervisory institutions worldwide, the banks senior leadership team, governance committees and the board of directors.

As Regions Chief Risk Officer, Zusi will report directly to Turner and will serve on the companys Executive Leadership Team. His responsibilities will include overseeing Regions company-wide risk-management functions, including Financial Risk, Non-Financial Risk, Compliance and Regulatory Risk, Enterprise Risk, Risk Initiative Management and Integration, and Business Unit Risk Groups for the Corporate Banking Group, Consumer Banking Group, and Wealth Management.

Risk management is a foundational element of our business at Regions, Turner said. Its a strategic priority and a fundamental part of our culture. Our industry is currently operating in a fast-changing and complex environment with new and emerging challenges and opportunities. Russ understands the crucial role of effective risk management, and we are pleased to welcome his experience and insights.

Regions has built a solid reputation as a financial institution thats dedicated to responsible growth and thoughtful, comprehensive risk management, Zusi added. I look forward to joining Regions and collaborating with teams across the company on ways to consistently evolve and enhance risk management while striving to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders.

Zusi graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. He serves as a board member and head of the finance committee for LIFESPAN, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF), with $156 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nations largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates more than 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921281038/en/

Jeremy D. King

Regions Bank

205-264-4551



Regions News Online: regions.doingmoretoday.com

Regions News on Twitter: @RegionsNews

Source: Regions Financial Corporation
On the morning of September 21, Russian occupants attacked Cherkasy. A Russian missile was shot down, but a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center was damaged. At least 5 people were injured, and one more is under the rubble.

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This was reported on Facebook by the mayor of the city Anatoliy Bondarenko. Rescuers have already arrived at the scene.

"As a result of the downing of a Russian missile, a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center was hit, all services are working at the scene," he wrote.

Ihor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, clarified that the debris of an enemy missile fell in the central part of the city, which resulted in the damage to a social infrastructure facility.

"There are currently five victims. At least one person is under the rubble. The rescue operation is underway," he wrote.

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The news is updated...
Sensorion to host a webconference dedicated to shareholders on September 25th, 2023, in French, at 6am ET (12pm CET)

MONTPELLIER, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Sensorion (FR0012596468  ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat, and prevent within the field of hearing loss disorders, is pleased to announce it is hosting a webconference on September 25, 2023, and its participation in two upcoming investor conferences in October 2023.

Sensorions CEO, Nawal Ouzren, and management team will host a webconference dedicated to shareholders, in French, on September 25, 2023, at 6am ET (12pm CET), to comment on the Company's latest activities and outlook.

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 377 992 162 784

Secret code: gtEzYU

You will also be able to join the webconference from Sensorions website.

Nawal Ouzren will attend, in-person, Chardans 7th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference, held on October 2-3, 2023, in New-York City, USA. On that occasion, Nawal will participate in a fireside chat with analyst Geulah Livshits on October 3, 2023, at 8am ET. Sensorions CEO will also be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the conference.

Nawal Ouzren will participate, in-person, in the HealthTech Innovation Days (HTID) that will take place on October 24-25, 2023, in Paris, France. Nawal will be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the conference.

About Sensorion

Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent hearing loss disorders, a significant global unmet medical need. Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases, enabling it to select the best targets and mechanisms of action for drug candidates.

It has two gene therapy programs aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness, developed in the framework of its broad strategic collaboration focused on the genetics of hearing with the Institut Pasteur. OTOF-GT targets deafness caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin and GJB2-GT targets hearing loss related to mutations in GJB2 gene to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses.

Sensorions portfolio also comprises clinical-stage small molecule programs for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss disorders.

Sensorions clinical-stage portfolio includes one Phase 2 product: SENS-401 (Arazasetron) progressing in a planned Phase 2 proof of concept clinical study of SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO) and, with partner Cochlear Limited, in a study of SENS-401 in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation. A Phase 2 study of SENS-401 was also completed in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in January 2022.

www.sensorion.com

Label: SENSORION

ISIN: FR0012596468

Mnemonic: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2022 full year financial report published on March 30, 2023, and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets, and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920422582/en/

Investor Relations

Noemie Djokovic, Investor Relations and Communication Associate

[email protected]

Press Relations

Ulysse Communication

Pierre-Louis Germain / 00 33 (0)6 64 79 97 51

[email protected]

Bruno Arabian / 00 00(0)6 87 88 47 26

[email protected]

Source: Sensorion
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating a total of $20,000 to provide support in response to two recent major natural disasters in North Africa.

In Moroccos Atlas Mountains region, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Sept. 8, injuring thousands and killing over 2,000 people. In northeastern Libya, over 5,000 people have died and 10,000 were reported missing after Storm Daniel made landfall on Sept. 10. Strong winds and heavy rainfalls that followed led to the collapse of two dams near the eastern city of Derna, causing catastrophic flooding that has submerged entire neighbourhoods.

The SHF is responding to two emergency appeals. The Fund is donating $7,500 to the Canadian Red Cross to support its relief efforts in Morocco, and $12,500 to Islamic Relief Canada to help provide emergency shelter, food, water, blankets and other basic items to victims of the floods in Libya.

The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is responding quickly to support victims of these tragic events that have affected Morocco and Libya. As survivors and families of victims now look at rebuilding their lives, we must do what we can to assist global humanitarian efforts to support them, said Marty Warren, SHF President and National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW).

Individuals who wish to donate can do so on the websites of Islamic Relief Canadas Libya Floods Appeal or the Canadian Red Cross Morocco Earthquake Appeal.

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921485500/en/

For further information:

Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951

Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, [email protected]

Shannon Devine, USW Communications, 416-938-4402, [email protected]

Source: United Steelworkers union
The VG245, VG275, and VP275-4K Monitors are Certified for Compatibility with All USB-C Surface Products

BREA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions, introduces three monitors that have been selected as part of the Designed for Surface Program by Microsoft. The VG245, VG275, and VP275-4K are the only Designed for Surface-approved and validated monitors, specifically recommended for use with all Microsoft USB-C Surface Products. Packed with features, these monitors are ideal for home or office use. The USB Type-C connectivity provides charging power, video, and audio over a single connector for convenience and will charge the Surface device without requiring an additional power cable.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921243538/en/

Designed for Surface works with Partners to expand the range of accessories available to support Surface users both at work and at home. Microsoft tests each Designed for Surface product for device compatibility, certifying products that enable Surface users to experience the powerful productivity of their Surface devices simply and securely. These Designed for Surface certified monitors are a great fit with the dual monitor support of our current and future Surface devices, said Branden Powell, Senior Director at Microsoft. We are impressed with the vivid detail of the monitors and are excited that ViewSonic will be offering them to our customers as they take their productivity and creativity to the next level.

Designed for Surface [DfS] is a selection of tested and approved compatible accessories and devices all guaranteed to work with all Surface USB-C devices. The ViewSonic 24-inch, 1080p VG245, the 27-inch, 1080p VG275, and 27-inch, 4K UHD VP275 are the first DfS certified monitors. In addition to the USB-C port, other connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0. They also feature advanced ergonomic designs for a wide range of customizable adjustments for maximum comfort.

Were excited to be part of the Microsoft Designed for Surface program, and that the VG245, VG275, and VP275-4K were approved and validated, said Jeff Muto, Business Line Director at ViewSonic. This partnership ensures that Microsoft and ViewSonic users have a suite of products and devices that can work together seamlessly at home or in the office. All three ViewSonic monitors come with features and functionality that are essential for productivity, and with the Designed for Surface designation, consumers will have a system that fits with their work style.

VG245

A 24-inch Full HD (1920x1080p) IPS monitor with thin bezels

USB-C connectivity for fast data, audio and video transfer, and 60W charging over one cable

60Hz refresh rate and 5ms G2G response time

Other connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and USB-A/B

Advanced ergonomics (40-degree tilt, swivel, rotate and height); Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter for reduced eye fatigue

Available: October for an estimated street price of $245 [USD]

VG275

A 27-inch Full HD (1920x1080p) IPS monitor with thin bezels

USB-C connectivity for fast data, audio, and video transfer, and 60W charging over one cable

60Hz refresh rate and a 5ms G2G response time

Other connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and USB-A/B

Advanced ergonomics (40-degree tilt, swivel, rotate and height); Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter for reduced eye fatigue

Available: October for an estimated street price of $290 [USD]

VP275-4K

A 27-inch 4K UHD (3840x2160p) IPS monitor with thin bezels

100% sRGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, Rec. 709, and DICOM-SIM color spaces and Delta E

Pantone Validated for color accuracy; certified as capable of reproducing Pantone Matching System colors

USB-C connectivity for fast data, audio, and video transfer, and 60W charging over one cable

60Hz refresh rate with 5ms response time

Other connectivity options include HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-A/B

Advanced ergonomics (tilt, swivel, pivot and height); Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter for reduced eye fatigue

Available: October for an estimated street price of $435 [USD]

To find out more about ViewSonic, visit ViewSonic.com and follow on Facebook, YouTube, X and Instagram.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers See the Difference. To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

* Based on sRGB mode. Actual values may vary by 1% depending on color mode used. Program, pricing, specifications, and availability are subject to change without notice.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Companys expectations with regard to future events. Actual events could differ significantly from those anticipated in this document. Trademark footnote: ViewSonic and the ViewSonic trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of ViewSonic Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921243538/en/

Joey Lee

JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [U.S.]

T: 310-592-1712

E: [email protected]



Caroline McGrath

CMM Communications for ViewSonic [Canada]

T: 416-972-1642

E: [email protected]



Nury Lavandier

JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [Latin America]

T: 305-491-0530

E: [email protected]

Source: ViewSonic Corp.
Fred Boutin to Transition to Executive Chairman of the Board

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TransMontaigne Partners LLC (TransMontaigne or the Company), a leading provider of terminaling, storage, transportation and related services to the energy industry, today announced that Randal Randy Maffett has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective October 1, 2023. Fred Boutin, who has served as CEO of TransMontaigne since 2014, will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Managers (the Board) of TLP Acquisition Holdings, LLC.

TransMontaignes strategic asset footprint will enable the Company to continue to grow with its customers, including to support energy transition related projects. Mr. Maffetts longstanding track record, and alignment with our long-term objectives, makes him an ideal choice to lead this transformation, said Angelo Acconcia, a Board member and a partner at ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC, which invested in the business in 2016. We are grateful for Freds significant contributions to TransMontaigne over the years. Under his leadership, the Company has experienced significant growth while maintaining exemplary health and safety credentials and providing superb reliability to customers.

Prior to joining TransMontaigne, Mr. Maffett served as Chief Commercial Officer of Kinder Morgan Terminals from 2014 to 2019, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development of CVR Energy, Inc. from 2011 to 2014, and in other roles in the energy industry dating back to 1979.

I am honored by the opportunity to serve as TransMontaignes next CEO. The Companys 54 state-of-the-art terminals are ideally situated to meet our customers evolving demand requirements. As the use of renewable fuels becomes more common, our terminals are primed to take on the logistical needs of bulk liquid suppliers across the United States, said Mr. Maffett. I look forward to working with the leadership team to continue to create superior value for all our stakeholders and employees.

Mr. Boutin guided TransMontaigne through a period of progressive transformation, including the privatization of TransMontaigne Partners LP in 2019, the acquisition of two large terminals in Northern California in 2019 and the acquisition of a significant terminaling and pipeline presence in the Pacific Northwest in 2021.

It has been a privilege to lead TransMontaigne for the last nine years, said Mr. Boutin. I could not be more pleased that Randy will be the next CEO. He has a proven track record in our industry and is the right leader to ensure TransMontaignes continued success.

About TransMontaigne

TransMontaigne Partners LLC is an integrated terminaling, storage, transportation and related services company based in Denver, Colorado with operations in the United States along the Gulf Coast, in the Midwest, in Houston and Brownsville, Texas, along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, in the Southeast, in the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast. TransMontaigne provides integrated terminaling, storage, transportation and related services for customers engaged in the distribution and marketing of bulk liquids. TransMontaigne is controlled by its member, TLP Finance Holdings, LLC, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ArcLight Energy Partners Fund VI, L.P. News and additional information about TransMontaigne Partners LLC is available at www.transmontaignepartners.com.

About ArcLight

ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC is an experienced, middle-market, value add infrastructure investment firm. Founded in 2001, ArcLight helped establish infrastructure as an asset class by pioneering an asset-based private equity approach to investing in infrastructure and has since built an experienced and successful investment platform. Based in Boston, ArcLight's investment team employs a value-added, operationally intensive investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,900-person asset management operational partner. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation our projections on renewables demand. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the companys expectations and may adversely affect its business and results of operations are disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10,2023. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921257846/en/

Frederick W. Boutin, CEO

Robert W. Fuller, CFO

Matthew White, General Counsel

303-626-8200

Source: TransMontaigne Partners LLC
Top Workplace Distinction Recognizes U. S. Steels Culture and Emphasis on Respect, Caring, and Appreciation for Its Employees

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X)

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921471106/en/

U. S. Steel Named One of Americas Most Loved Workplaces by Newsweek for Third Consecutive Year (Photo: Business Wire)

(U. S. Steel) today announced that it has been named one of Newsweeks Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for the third year in a row. The national recognition is among the highest honors a workplace can achieve and underscores the success of U. S. Steels Best for All strategy that keeps the company on course as a steelmaker that is best for its people, customers, communities, and the planet.

Since the award first launched in 2021, U. S. Steel employees have kept the company in the top 100 by responding positively to surveys that measure key employee satisfaction touchpoints. Developed by Newsweek in partnership with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), an award-winning leadership development center, the comprehensive benchmarking tool effectively measures how aligned and emotionally connected employees are with their companies and bosses. As explained by BPI research chief Scott Baxt, The companies on this list highlight how they have given a voice to all employees and, in return, have been rewarded with increased productivity and performance." Earning this distinction confirms how deeply U. S. Steel employees appreciate and value their corporate Culture of Caring, which prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion; promotes career advancement and achievement; and demonstrates respect at all levels.

Were honored to receive this distinction, as fostering a caring and inclusive workplace is a key tenet of our Best for All strategy. Being recognized as a Most Loved Workplace is equal parts honor and responsibility, and we are thankful to all our employees who bring the best of themselves to work every day. U. S. Steels hardworking and talented people are the driving force behind our success, said David Burritt, President and CEO of U. S. Steel.

U. S. Steel ranked #83 among employers on this years list. The final rankings were determined after conducting surveys with more than 2 million employees at businesses ranging from 50 to 100,000 employees. Each year, the list recognizes companies that have successfully fostered a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, appreciated, and at the center of the business model.

The ranking system is based on an analysis that identifies how well companies demonstrate areas of efficiency within the Spark Model. According to BPI, these areas include Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Killer Achievement. Additional areas of focus used to identify the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces include sentiments regarding levels of employee engagement, how positive employees feel about their workplace, and how committed they are to the success of their organization.

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.

For the full Newsweek list of 2023s Most Loved Workplaces, please visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-loved-workplaces-america-2023.

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.

About U. S. Steel

Founded in 1901, United States Steel Corporation is a leading steel producer. With an unwavering focus on safety, the Companys customer-centric Best for All strategy is advancing a more secure, sustainable future for U. S. Steel and its stakeholders. With a renewed emphasis on innovation, U. S. Steel serves the automotive, construction, appliance, energy, containers, and packaging industries with high value-added steel products such as U. S. Steels proprietary XG3 advanced high-strength steel. The Company also maintains competitively advantaged iron ore production and has an annual raw steelmaking capability of 22.4 million net tons. U. S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with world-class operations across the United States and in Central Europe. For more information, please visit www.ussteel.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921471106/en/

Amanda Malkowski

Media Relations Manager

Corporate Communications

T - (412) 736-2475

E - [email protected]

Source: United States Steel Corporation
The Brilliant Club and Dataiku have been shortlisted in the 2023 DataIQ Awards for its Best Use of Data for Non-Profit

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of its AI for Good programme, Ikig.AI, Everyday AI company Dataiku is collaborating with The Brilliant Club in an effort to increase the representation of students from less advantaged backgrounds in prestigious universities. The joint project has been shortlisted in the best use of data for non-profit category at the 2023 DataIQ awards, which honours both companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in the data industry.

The Brilliant Club is a UK-wide charity that mobilises the Ph.D. community to support less advantaged students in gaining access to the most competitive universities and succeeding when they get there. The charity exists because students from the least advantaged backgrounds have just a 3 in 100 chance of going to the most competitive universities, compared with 33 in 100 for the most advantaged (UCAS Multiple Equality Measure). The obstacles dont disappear when they enter university: disadvantaged students are also three times more likely to miss out on a 1st or 2:1 degree (Office for Students).

The team at The Brilliant Club were already collecting data responsibly from over 70,000 Scholars Programme student records (which included demographics, engagement data, school, and tutor-level information.) They then harnessed Dataikus predictive modelling capabilities to understand how to better support their students, while also benefiting from Dataikus onboarding training and the assistance of a volunteer Dataiku data scientist using Ikig.AI days for pro-bono work.

The Brilliant Club and Dataiku collaboration is a prime example of how AI for good can drive systemic change, said Gregory Herbert, Senior Vice President and EMEA General Manager at Dataiku. Via the Ikig.AI programme, volunteer data scientists from Dataiku have worked closely with data scientists from The Brilliant Clubs Research and Impact department to explore how the Dataiku platform can be used to generate real and actionable insights. This was made possible because, as an organisation, The Brilliant Club is well-equipped with responsibly collected data to reap swift benefits from the Ikig.AI partnership.

Working with the programme management team, The Brilliant Club built a predictive model that outputs a support rating for each student. This was done by building gradient-boosted decision trees (81% accuracy) that produced a high, medium, or low score, indicating a students likelihood of not submitting their final assignment.

Dataiku offered the unique opportunity to not only allow us to build a complex model using Python coding, but also to set it up in such a way that non-specialist colleagues could re-run the model using the visual flow and the ability to upload data easily, said Dr Lauren Bellaera, Chief Impact and Strategy Officer, The Brilliant Club. Had we not had access to the platform, we would not have been able to re-run the model in the same way, as it would have taken a significant amount of staff time when data science capacity within the organisation is limited and needed on other projects.

This project has strengthened The Brilliant Clubs approach to how it uses data to inform decision-making and improve service delivery. Dataikus model has been integrated into The Brilliant Clubs UK-wide programme work that reaches more than 16,000 students per year. The findings have also been used to create guidance and training for more than 400 Ph.D. tutors who deliver The Scholars Programme annually.

The proportion of students who submit their final assignment has increased since The Brilliant Club integrated support scores into its programme delivery cycle. Since implementing the support-rating in spring 2022, this increase in final assignment submission has translated to more than 150 extra students per year completing the challenging, university-style assignment, gaining important transferable skills and knowledge in the process.

As more students have completed the programme by submitting their assignments, a greater number have had the opportunity to attend a graduation trip at one of the UKs most competitive universities. The Brilliant Club will continue to use the model to shape its programme delivery, embedding further measures to support students with a high support score this academic year.

-ENDS-

About Dataiku

Dataiku is the platform for Everyday AI, enabling data experts and domain experts to work together to build data into their daily operations, from advanced analytics to Generative AI. Together, they design, develop and deploy new AI capabilities, at all scales and in all industries. Organizations that use Dataiku enable their people to be extraordinary, creating the AI that will power their company into the future.

Founded in 2013, Dataiku has proven its ability to develop its founding vision for Everyday AI, and to execute on its growth. With more than 500 customers and more than 1,000 employees, Dataiku is proud of its rapid growth and 95% retention of Forbes Global 2000 customers. Connect with Dataiku on their blog, X (@dataiku), and on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920148702/en/

[email protected]

Source: Dataiku
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI), a global leader that provides vital infrastructure and advances agricultural productivity while driving innovation through technology, welcomed 24 new pre-apprentice and apprentice students into its trade program in Jasper, Tennessee.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921385778/en/

New Valmont Apprentices and Pre-Apprentices Pose For Photo During Signing Ceremony. (Photo: Business Wire)

In Tennessee alone, thousands of skilled trade positions across the industry are open to young professionals. This demand compounds on a national scale, with recent federal funding to modernize U.S. infrastructure and a growing number of retiring skilled trade workers as the main driving forces, said Diane Larkin, executive vice president, global operations at Valmont. We are grateful to our outstanding education partners who spark students interest in trades and offer classroom learning to complement training at our facility.

Since it was established in 2019 as the first college-sponsored welding pre-apprenticeship program in Tennessee, there have been 37 program graduates. More than a dozen graduates are now working full-time at Valmont. The seven new apprentices will receive on-the-job (OJT) practical training at Valmont paired with classroom instruction at Chattanooga State Community College, the registered apprenticeship sponsor.

Participating in the apprenticeship program was a great way to earn a wage while gaining the welding and fitting experience, as opposed to paying for experience through a more traditional higher education path, said Seth Davis, a recent apprenticeship graduate now working as a full-time Valmont team member as a welder and fitter.

Program graduate Brett Kirk also now works at Valmont as a welder and fitter and said the program is nothing short of life-changing. Valmonts program has given students like me a chance that, otherwise, I would have never had. It truly could change young men and womens lives, he remarked.

Valmont partners for its pre-apprentice program with two primary school districts  Marion County Schools and its newest partner, Sequatchie County Schools. The 17 new high school-aged pre-apprentices will receive firsthand training at Valmont during the school day and have an opportunity to join the apprenticeship program or be hired by Valmont after graduation. The 2023 class includes four female welding pre-apprentices.

It is an exciting time for young professionals to enter skilled labor trades. Our world is getting smarter by the minute through rapid technological advances. These students will join our diverse, modern workforce that provides reliable power worldwide, builds stronger, safer smart cities, and feeds our growing population through innovative agricultural solutions. Its critical, global work, said Larkin.

The opportunity for Marion County Schools to partner with Valmont has given our students an opportunity to look through a window to their future by gaining an early foundational understanding of their potential career and developing skills that will last a lifetime. The exceptional mentorship offered in this program will help our students succeed in their post-secondary endeavors, no matter where they become employed, said Sherry Prince, the career and technical education director for Marion County Schools. This partnership is changing our community by creating competitive future employees for a global workforce.

"Valmont is investing in the future of advanced manufacturing by investing in people. This program tells our students that they have chosen a career that is essential to the sustainability and growth of our communities and our country. It tells our students that they have chosen a career that will offer them a quality living wage. This direct pipeline from education to application is forged by those dedicated to empowering our young people. Valmont is making a difference," said Chrisi Eggert, coordinator of the Student Career Development Center at Sequatchie County Schools.

Valmont offers manufacturing career training opportunities in several areas and looks forward to working with additional education partners as it empowers the next generation of skilled workers. Further information can be found on the Valmont Trade Career Opportunities page.

About Valmont Industries, Inc.

For nearly 80 years, Valmont has been a global leader in creating vital infrastructure and advancing agricultural productivity. Today, we remain committed to doing more with less by innovating through technology. Learn more about how were Conserving Resources. Improving Life. at valmont.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921385778/en/

Jennifer Kros-Dorfmeyer

[email protected]

Source: Valmont Industries, Inc.
Project will Advance Polands Clean Energy Goals and Provide Energy Security

WARSAW, Poland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel today announced the signing of a formal agreement to partner on the design and construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania. This agreement marks another important milestone on the journey to commercial operation for Polands first AP1000 nuclear reactor in 2033.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921769588/en/

At the consortium agreement signing ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, from left: U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski, Ahmet Tokpinar, general manager of Bechtels nuclear power business line, Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations at Westinghouse, Miroslaw Kowalik, President, Westinghouse Poland, and Anna ukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Poland Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure. (Photo: Business Wire)

American-Polish cooperation on development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies continues to grow. This agreement between Bechtel and Westinghouse, two global leaders in nuclear energy, is the next step in our cooperation. The United States is proud to be Polands closest partner for the clean energy transition, said Mark Brzezinski, the U.S. Ambassador to Poland.

The agreement is another important milestone in our cooperation with Poland. I am extremely confident that these two partners, Westinghouse and Bechtel will bring the high caliber of nuclear energy technology to the Polish people, said Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.

This is a team with demonstrated ability to deliver on large nuclear energy projects, said David Durham, President for Energy Systems, Westinghouse. The fleet experience we have earned with our advanced, proven AP1000 technology, including a 100% complete design and construction lessons-learned, will serve Poland well as it seeks decarbonization and increased energy security.

Bechtel and Westinghouse bring more than 140 years of combined nuclear power experience, said John Howanitz, President of Bechtels Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit. Together we have both the proven technology and the hands-on experience required to build Polands first-ever nuclear energy program. We are eager to partner with the local workforce, suppliers, and community, to deliver the clean and reliable energy Poland needs.

The consortium and Polish utility Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe are expected to sign an engineering services contract next week.

The Polish government selected the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor technology for its first-ever nuclear energy program in November 2022. Significant licensing and engineering work is already underway on the project that will deliver reliable, clean and safe power to Poland.

The AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. In the U.S., at the Vogtle site in Georgia, one AP1000 unit is producing power for the grid while a second unit recently completed its initial fuel load with commercial operations likely later this year or early-2024. Four AP1000 reactors are currently setting operational performance and availability records in China with six additional reactors under construction there. Earlier this year, Bulgaria selected the AP1000 technology for its new reactor program and the technology is under consideration at multiple other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, and in North America.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the worlds first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the companys technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.

www.Bechtel.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921769588/en/

[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: Westinghouse Electric Company
Zivian Health expects to double partnerships with healthcare organizations by end of 2023

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zivian Health, Inc., the first and only healthcare SaaS platform that empowers compliant collaborations between nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) to physicians, today announced a partnership with Matchday, the community platform that delivers a full suite of personalized jobs to physicians. The partnership will help physicians get access to highly sought after jobs and alternative income opportunities. Zivian Health will present at Matchdays Moonshot launch event today in Austin to announce the partnership.

Matchday brings more than 500 vetted physicians looking for healthcare jobs and collaboration opportunities to Zivian Healths already extensive network of physicians vetted consistent with National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards. Matchday will expand specialty care collaborations with physicians who can now continue meaningful clinical work and balance with patient-facing care. Matchday will provide the first six months free for any physician signing up for Zivian.

Physicians have worked in stressful practices all their lives and are looking for better quality of life and opportunities that bring greater satisfaction in their work, said Rami Wehbi, CEO of Matchday. This partnership with Zivian Health addresses the 49% of physicians that report being burned out, empowering them to live their best life with enriching collaborations without the long hours and day-to-day stresses.

Matchday is the latest tech-enabled healthcare organization to partner with Zivian Health, which expects to double its growing list of partnerships by the end of the year. More than 20 healthcare organizations have already signed up to the platform, growing the number of licenses Zivian Health is managing to more than 2,500 in less than 10 months. Zivian Health now supports primary care practices and specialty care throughout the country, such as women's health and behavioral health, with new expansion into other specialty care areas, including gastroenterology and fertility medicine.

"There are a lot of synergies with Matchday, as we are both founded by physicians, and both are using technology to address similar problems in the healthcare industry," said Rafid Fadul, Zivian Health's co-founder and CEO and a practicing pulmonologist. "Health enterprises like Matchday look for innovative platforms that simply and effectively address the healthcare staffing crisis. Zivian Health is the only all-in-one solution merging vetted physicians and a cutting-edge compliance engine for efficient long-term collaboration with advanced practice providers (APPs) and healthcare organizations.

Zivian Health eases some of the staffing shortage pain points by providing easy access to collaborating physicians in every state, supportive prescriptive authority of APPs, approved and oversight of treatment plans that meet state regulatory guidelines. Zivian Health is the most cost-effective and only platform to ensure healthcare organizations stay compliant with physician collaborations, including tracking licensures, compiling comprehensive state and local regulations databases, and creating an audit trail of meeting minutes and chart reviews.

Sign-up is simple for healthcare organizations, enterprises, NPs and PAs for in-depth access to regional medical experts. For more information or to sign up, please visit: ZivianHealth.com.

About Zivian Health

Zivian Health is the leading SaaS platform for healthcare organizations to connect nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with highly vetted collaborating physicians and manage compliance. Zivian aims to make clinical collaborations more productive via a convenient and secure platform, regulatory expertise and an empowering clinical community. All physicians within the Zivian Health network have been thoroughly vetted to achieve a preferable patient outcome due to strong communication and optimal use of each clinician's specialty. For more information, visit ZivianHealth.com.

About Matchday

Matchday Health is the leading jobs platform tailored exclusively to doctors. Our platform offers physicians a wide variety of positions including full-time, locums, part-time, remote, and startup advisory roles. Leveraging advanced AI and matching algorithms, we ensure doctors find jobs they love without sifting through spam. For employers and healthcare systems, Matchday promises faster, cost-effective connections to top-tier physicians, actively addressing the physician shortage and reducing traditional recruiting expenses. for more information, visit www.matchday.health.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921668683/en/

Paulo Acuna

Olmstead Williams Communications, Inc.

Senior Associate

[email protected]

310.824.9000

Source: Zivian Health, Inc.
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.

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.
On the night of September 21, Russian terrorists shelled residential areas of Kherson. As a result of the criminal actions of the Russians, there are dead and wounded among civilians.

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As of 8:30 a.m., three people have been killed - a woman and two men. This was reported in Telegram by the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin and the press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office (to see photos and videos, scroll to the bottom of the page).

The regional military administration said that the Russian occupiers opened fire on residential areas of Kherson around 3:40 am. Enemy shells hit a dormitory building while people were still sleeping. Three people died as a result of the attack.

There are also wounded among the civilians. A 61-year-old woman was hospitalized in serious condition from the site of the attack. Two women aged 44 and 57, as well as a 49-year-old man, were taken to the hospital. They have moderate injuries. In addition, an 81-year-old local resident received medical care on the spot.

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The regional prosecutor's office reported that in addition to the dormitory, residential buildings, vehicles and power lines were also damaged. Law enforcement officials clarified that the Russians were shooting at civilians with artillery. Residential buildings, as well as non-residential premises and one of the educational institutions of the regional center, came under the terrorists' fire.

Under the procedural supervision of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was initiated in a criminal proceeding over violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Prosecutors, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, are taking measures to document the crime committed by representatives of the armed forces of the aggressor state.

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Local residents said that the shelling began around three in the morning. After that, there were arrivals every 5-10 minutes. One woman said she counted at least 52 explosions. It is also reported that 4 fires were started as a result of the criminal actions of the Russians.

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On the morning of September 21, Russian terrorists launched a massive air attack on Ukraine. Air defense systems were triggered in Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia regions, as well as in Rivne and Kyiv, and explosions were heard in Kharkiv and Lviv regions.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Also on September 21, at least 6 explosions occurred in Kharkiv during an air raid. Russian terrorists hit the city with S-300 missiles.

- In Cherkasy, a Russian missile was shot down, but the falling debris damaged a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. At least 5 people were injured, and one more is under the rubble.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced CE (Conformite Europeenne) Mark approval for its new all-in-one, disposable Simplera continuous glucose monitor (CGM) featuring a simple, two-step insertion process. The company's newest no-fingerstick sensor does not require over tape and is seamlessly integrated with the InPen smart insulin pen, which provides real-time, personalized dosing guidance to help simplify diabetes management. Medtronic will begin a phased launch at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Oct. 2-6, 2023 .

"Patients with diabetes can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions they need to make on a daily basis. As a physician, I appreciate the ability to introduce this solution by Medtronic as it provides real-time, personalized guidance to help patients stay in range. For instance, when it detects someone is consuming a meal and their glucose levels are trending high, it alerts the person to help make diabetes management easier and provides peace of mind," said Dr. Sandra Schluter , Endocrinologist, Germany , Head of AGDF.

"Despite the rapid adoption of CGM over the past decade, less than 30% of individuals on MDI therapy using a CGM achieve glycemic targets  highlighting a significant unmet need.1-4 We're excited to help more people to reach their goals with our advanced algorithm in InPen powered by our smallest and most comfortable CGM to-date," said Que Dallara, EVP and President, Medtronic Diabetes. "This newest addition of a Smart MDI solution to our holistic portfolio demonstrates our commitment to meeting people where they are in their diabetes journey with simplified solutions that help make life with diabetes easier."
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT), a leading technology services and consulting company, today announced that it is appointing Aparna C Iyer as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Aparna will report to CEO Thierry Delaporte and will join the Wipro Executive Board. She succeeds Jatin Dalal, who is stepping down as CFO to pursue other career opportunities.

Aparna is an accomplished and results-driven leader. Throughout her 20-year career with Wipro, she has been a dynamic, forward-thinking strategic partner to our business leaders, said Thierry Delaporte, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Wipro Limited. Aparna has been integral to our finance transformation over the last few years, playing a key role in our financial strategy and planning, investment programs, and transformation initiatives. Her commitment to creating lasting value, expertise across the full spectrum of finance operations, and her experience in working with a range of stakeholders will be instrumental in achieving our financial objectives.

I also want to thank Jatin for his contributions to Wipro over his tenure and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Aparna joined Wipro in April 2003. Over her 20 years with Wipro, she has held several finance roles, including Internal Audit, Business Finance, Finance Planning and Analysis, Corporate Treasury and Investor Relations, and, most recently, Senior Vice President and CFO of Wipro FullStride Cloud. Aparna has deep expertise in financial risk management, capital allocation, fund raising, driving business strategy and growth.

I am thrilled to take on the role of CFO at this important juncture for Wipro, said Aparna. As we continue our transformation journey, I look forward to working with Thierry, our finance team and the entire organization to build on our successes, drive sustainable growth, and create value for our stakeholders.

Aparna is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and was a gold medalist of the CA 2002 batch.
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All amounts in U.S. dollarsunless otherwise stated

TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Onex Corporation (TSX: ONEX) today declared a third-quarter dividend of C$0.10 per Subordinate Voting Share payable on October 31, 2023 to shareholders of record on October 10, 2023.

For further information:Zev KormanVice President, Shareholder Relations and CommunicationsTel: +1 416.362.7711

About OnexOnex is an investor and asset manager that invests capital on behalf of Onex shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Onex two primary businesses are Private Equity and Credit. In Private Equity, we raise funds from third-party investors, or limited partners, and invest them, along with Onex own investing capital, through the funds of our private equity platforms, Onex Partners and ONCAP. Similarly, in Credit, we raise and invest capital across several private credit, public credit and public equity strategies. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies and family offices. In total, Onex has $49.5 billion in assets under management, of which $7.9 billion is Onex own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Boston and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex platforms.

Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. Onex security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

Source: ONEX Corporation
Highlights:

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation has agreed to purchase 1413336 BC Ltd., the owner of the Angliers-Belleterre nickel-copper project in western Quebec.

The target company assets include approximately $2.8 million in cash.

The Angliers-Belleterre property is underlain by komatiitic ultramafic flow rocks and differentiated gabbro rocks in a regional setting thought to be a mantle plume. The setting is similar to that of the Kambalda nickel district in Australia.

Significant nickel prospects on adjacent claims, for example, the Midrim nickel prospect, appear to trend onto the Angliers-Belleterre project, and there is a six-kilometre long belt of nickel-enriched rocks documented by the Quebec government on the project.

By virtue of owning a Quebec project, AEMC will have greater access to inexpensive flow-through capital and be eligible for rebates on exploration expenditures.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) is pleased to announce it has entered a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase an arms-length company named 1413336 BC Ltd. (141 BC) effective September 20, 2023. The target company assets include the Angliers-Belleterre nickel-copper project (the Angliers project) in western Quebec and approximately $2.8 million in cash.

AEMC has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of 141 BC through the exchange of 31,827,720 AEMC shares (the Consideration Shares) and 4,105,958 AEMC warrants with the shareholders of 141 BC on a one-to-one (1:1) basis for their existing shares and warrants of 141 BC. The deemed price of the Consideration Shares is $0.315 per share (representing a 25% discount from the closing market price per share on September 20, 2023). The shares will be subject to an escrow agreement and released from escrow over a three-year period. The warrants will be exercisable at $0.80. The transaction is expected to be affected by way of an amalgamation or share exchange; however, this may be modified for reasons of tax, accounting or, securities regulations. No finders fees are payable for this transaction. The parties have agreed to an area of mutual interest covering three kilometres of the outer boundaries of the Angliers project.

Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: This is an area in which I am highly familiar with, having studied it while stationed in Quebec in the late 1990s during my first career with INCO. At the time, INCO was the largest nickel producer globally. We were attracted by the ultramafic flow rocks and the geologic conditions permissive for high-grade massive sulfide deposits. There are some great prospects nearby that clearly show the nickel-copper sulfide deposit-forming processes were operative in the area. It will be exciting to take a modern exploration approach to this project.

The parties intend to enter into a definitive purchase agreement, setting out further terms and conditions to the completion of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to standard terms and conditions, including acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The property is subject to a 2.5% net smelter returns production royalty that can be reduced to 1.5% by paying the owners $1.5 million.

Angliers Property

The Angliers property is large, consisting of 454 claims covering 24,182.64 hectares. It is located in Angliers and Belleterre townships in the Temiscamingue region of western Quebec, near the Ontario border. The town of Angliers lies at the northern end of the claim block and St. Eugene de Guiges at the southern end. Access is facilitated by paved highways and gravel roads.

Komatiitic ultramafic flow rocks and differentiated gabbro rocks form part of the Archean volcanic stratigraphy of the Baby Group, in a regional setting thought to be a mantle plume (MB 2020-12 published by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests geologists Richer-Lafleche, Moorhead and Goutier). Mantle plume areas are known to localize a variety of base metal deposits from magmatic nickelcopper to polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. The plume area tapped mantle-derived magmas with primitive trace element geochemical signatures in mafic-ultramafic rocks. Primitive rock chemistry is documented in the MB2020-12 report. Komatiites (ultramafic lava flows) and magnesium-rich gabbroic rocks are important rock types for the formation of the Kambalda (Australia) district type of deposit nickel deposits. The same genetic mode may apply at the Angliers project. Kambalda is a very rich district with multiple deposits of high-grade massive sulfide deposits.

Nickel sulfides are documented in a series of prospects located one to three kilometres east of the Angliers project. Airborne magnetic surveys indicate that the stratigraphy hosting these prospects probably extends onto the Angliers property under deeper overburden cover, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Claim map on airborne magnetic base map showing potential extension of Midrim nickel  copper deposit host stratigraphy onto Angliers project claims, and elevated nickel in rock samples in northern magnetic belt.

In the northern part of the claim block there is a belt of highly magnetic rocks. Sampling by the Quebec government has shown that there is strongly anomalous nickel in rock samples over a six-kilometre-long trend.

An artificial intelligence analysis and synthesis of data was recently performed by 141 BC. The results of the work highlighted the potential of both the southern and northern mineralized trends and served to focus future exploration efforts. AEMC will further compile all available public data, then, with results in hand, perform targeted geophysical surveys to develop drill targets.

In addition to magmatic nickel-copper deposits, the Angliers property is also prospective for gold and polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits.

Flow-Through Financing and Exploration Rebates

With a project in Quebec, AEMC will be eligible to fund exploration by raising flow-through financing. The Company will also be able to take advantage of some of the exploration expenditure rebates offered by the Quebec government to stimulate mineral exploration, especially for critical metals like nickel.

Gregory Beischer, the Companys president and chief executive officer, is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release.

For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDGregory BeischerGregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEOToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Sarah Mawji, Public RelationsFinal Edit Media and Public Relations Email: [email protected]

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, that (a) AEMC will acquire 141 BC, (b) an area of mutual interest will be included, (c) AEMC will be eligible to fund exploration by raising flow-through financing, (d) AEMC will be able to acquire exploration expenditure rebates from the Quebec government and(e) AEMC will explore the Angliers project as planned. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7778de7-bea6-494a-b8fa-f3c19436b210

Figure 1. Claim map on airborne magnetic base map showing potential extension of Midrim nickel  copper deposit host stratigraphy onto Angliers project claims, and elevated nickel in rock samples in northern magnetic belt.

Source: Alaska Energy Metals Corporation
POMPANO BEACH, FL, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alliance for Adult Education (AAE) launched its Upskilling Pathways for the Underserved and Those Who Serve Commitment to Action this week at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2023 Meeting. The Commitment, part of CGIs Inclusive Economic Recovery and Growth focus area, will build educational and career pathways for the millions of American adults who lack a high school diploma.

The 2023 Commitment to Action builds upon a 2014 Commitment to Action launched by AAE member Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) that led to dozens of major corporations offering employees high school education options as an employee benefit and thousands of public libraries offering a high school diploma option to their patrons.

We are thrilled to be working with CGI to resume SHCOEs important work, said Ron J. Stefanski, AAEs chief community affairs officer. Through CGI, SHCOE was able to launch effective career-based high school programs for frontline workers at McDonalds, Taco Bell, and other companies, as well as through public libraries across the country. Now SHCOE joins us as we expand our focus on the workforce system, military, and community college system.

The Commitment to Action will focus on the following legislative priority areas at the federal level:

Improving the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) process to enable secondary education programs offered concurrently with entry-level occupational skills training to be eligible for Title 1 Department of Labor funding.

Partnering with the U.S Military across all branches as part of the Deferred Enlistment Program (DEP) to assist addressing the recruiting shortage.

Partnering with community colleges to host adult high school completion programs that allow students to move directly into postsecondary programs as they are completing their high school diploma.

###

About the Alliance for Adult Education

The Alliance for Adult Education was formed to unite industry and public leaders to expand career and education pathways for the millions of American adults without a high school diploma. AAE emphasizes coalition-building across the education, business, nonprofit, workforce, library, and military sectors to increase access to high-quality education, training, and job opportunities. For more information, visit www.allianceforadulteducation.org.

About the Clinton Global Initiative

Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative is a community of doers representing a broad cross section of society and dedicated to the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Through CGIs unique model, more than 9,000 organizations have launched more than 3,900 Commitments to Action  new, specific, and measurable projects and programs.

Grace Moster Prism Group 812-363-4434 [email protected]

Source: Prism Group
KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today introduced new 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB industrial-grade embedded multi-media card (eMMC) solutions. For solid-state storage in consumer, industrial, and networking applications, the ASFC32G31T3-51BIN, ASFC64G31T5-51BIN, and ASFC128G32T5-51BIN integrate high-reliability TLC NAND flash memory with an eMMC controller and flash transition layer (FTL) management software in a single 11.5 mm by 13 mm 153-ball FBGA package.

The devices released today are compliant with the JEDEC eMMC v5.1 industry standard, supporting features such as boot operation, replay protected memory block (RPMB), device health report, field firmware updates, power-off notification, enhanced strobe features for faster and more reliable operation, write leveling, high-priority interrupt (HPI), secure trim/erase, and high-speed HS200 and HS400 modes. The ASFC32G31T3-51BIN, ASFC64G31T5-51BIN, and ASFC128G32T5-51BIN are also backwards-compatible with eMMC v4.5 and v5.0.

The eMMCs will be used in products such as smart watches, tablets, digital TVs, set-top boxes, VR and AR headsets, digital cameras, CCTV, infotainment, surveillance, automation, point-of-sale systems, and emerging embedded applications. For designers, the ASFC32G31T3-51BIN, ASFC64G31T5-51BIN, and ASFC128G32T5-51BIN simplify designs for fast and easy system integration in these products, speeding up product development and time to market while saving space by eliminating the need for an external controller. In addition, the devices FTL software provides high reliability and stable performance with wear levelling and bad block management.

With our latest eMMCs, weve extended our offering to include densities from 4GB all the way up to 128GB, providing designers with a wide range of options to meet their mass storage needs and solidifying our position as a leading supplier of eMMC technology, said David Bagby, president and CEO, Alliance Memory. Furthermore, with their TLC NAND flash technology, our new 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB solutions deliver even higher reliability, endurance, and performance, while maintaining the same ease of integration as our lower density devices.

The ASFC32G31T3-51BIN, ASFC64G31T5-51BIN, and ASFC128G32T5-51BIN operate over an industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C and offer programmable bus widths of x1, x4, and x8. The devices NAND memory with internal LDO can be powered with a single 3V supply voltage, while the controller can be powered by 1.8V or 3V dual supply voltages.

Samples of the eMMCs are available now. Production quantities are available with lead times of eight to 10 weeks.

About Alliance Memory Inc.Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 128GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

Editor resources:

Link to product image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72177720311277705

Link to detailed product info:https://www.alliancememory.com/emmc/

Agency Contact:Bob DeckerRedpines+1 415 409 0233[email protected]

Source: Alliance Memory, Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpha Lithium Corporation (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany WKN: A3CUW1) (Alpha or the Company) a company developing a portfolio of highly prospective lithium assets in Argentina, today filed the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA or PEA #2) for its wholly owned Tolillar lithium brine project in the Salta Province of Argentina (Tolillar), under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on its website at www.alphalithium.com. The Company also provides an update on its ongoing strategic review process, which continues with active discussions with multiple, multinational parties.

A series of announcements have occurred over the past weeks, which supports the Companys view on the long-term value of the Companys projects.

Alpha announced its inaugural Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA #1) on July 10, 2023 (see July 10, 2023 news release), On July 17, 2023, Alpha announced a 70% increase in indicated resources and a 30% inferred resource increase (see July 17, 2023 news release), The Company subsequently undertook to incorporate the improved resource estimate into an improved PEA, resulting in a second Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA #2), initially announced on August 14, 2023 (see August 14, 2023 news release), and filed in final form on SEDAR+ today.

Brad Nichol, President & CEO of Alpha, commented, Our Strategic Review Process continues, and Alpha is well-positioned with our unique and highly attractive assets. We are engaged in ongoing and active discussions with multiple parties and are focused on producing meaningful value for our shareholders. Nichol continued, Even with conservative estimates, Alphas Tolillar project continues to be a significant lithium carbonate project with exceptional and increasing potential. Todays filing of PEA #2 details the C$2.3 billion NPV potential of the Tolillar project, and we look forward to realizing that value to the benefit of our shareholders.

With todays announcement, Alpha has provided six technical updates in less than three months and has achieved significant increases to 43-101 Resource Estimates related to its portfolio of highly prospective lithium assets in Argentina.

The Tolillar project stands out as one of the few in the world that is of this scale, independent, and wholly owned. Furthermore, its critical, abundant on-site freshwater supply makes it a rare and highly unique prospect.

The Hombre Muerto project is adjacent to those of multi-billion-dollar industry leaders such as POSCO (Sal de Oro project), Allkem Ltd (Sal de Vida project), both of which are at advanced stages of development, and Livent Corp, which has been producing high-quality lithium chemicals for over two decades from its Fenix project.

PEA #2 for Tolillar Salar, Argentina

PEA #2 provides an independent economic assessment of the projects potential value, based on the lithium resources outlined in the August 2023 Resource Estimate, which defined 3.6 million tonnes of Indicated Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) and 1.4 million tonnes of Inferred LCE. The latest PEA concluded the following:

US$1.7 billion (C$2.3 billion) after-tax NPV with an 8% discount rate and IRR of 25.6%

Average Li2CO3 price of $23,146 per tonne, over 35 years of production (this price assumption is significantly lower than the last 6 quarters of SQMs published average sales price achieved, which range from $34,000 to $59,000 per tonne)

After tax payback period of 3.7 years from start of production

After tax, cumulative free cash flow of US$8.2 billion ($C11.0 billion) over a 35-year production life

Initial capital cost (CAPEX) of $777 million (includes contingency of $179 million)

Brine mining and processing cost, excluding Li2CO3 transport, (OPEX) of $5,172 per tonne

Cash cost of $5,980 per tonne (includes mining, processing, G&A, transportation, and royalties).

Strategic Review Update

Alphas robust strategic review process continues to receive significant interest and remains in progress, as discussions with several interested parties continue.

Apart from Alphas strategic review process, Tecpetrol formally initiated a hostile bid for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Alpha for a price of $1.24 on June 8, 2023, which is scheduled to expire on Friday, September 22, 2023. Alphas board of directors, based on the unanimous recommendation of its Special Committee of independent directors and in consultation with independent experts and external advisors, recommended that Alpha shareholders REJECT the hostile bid, which they collectively and overwhelmingly viewed as opportunistic, and not in the best interests of Alpha or its shareholders. This assessment, particularly given the recent and significantly positive technical progress on Tolillar, has not changed. Alpha can not predict and will not speculate on Tecpetrol's future actions leading up to the bid's expiration, or what Tecpetrol may do if the bid expires, and has no additional updates to provide on this matter.

Alpha places a high priority on shareholder engagement and the prevailing sentiment received from shareholders, including a public statement from one of our largest shareholders, overwhelmingly suggests that the Tecpetrol bid is insufficient. To this end, Alpha reiterates that shareholders should take NO action on Tecpetrols bid. It is not mandatory for shareholders to tender their shares and if any shareholders have already tendered and wish to withdraw their shares, they should contact Kingsdale Advisors by phone at 1-800-749-9197 (toll-free in North America) or 647-251-9740 (for collect calls outside North America) or by email at [email protected], to assist you with this process.

The Company wishes to thank its shareholders for their continued confidence in the Alpha team and its strategic plan and is committed to continued shareholder engagement that is constructive and transparent. Alpha is well-positioned with its unique lithium assets, which remain highly attractive to a global list of interested parties, including Tecpetrol.

The Board is working to ensure the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders involved and will continue to keep shareholders informed of any significant developments in this process.

Qualified Person:

Dr. Mark King, PhD, FGC, PGeo, of Groundwater Insight, Inc., is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101. Dr. King has extensive experience in salar environments and has been a QP on many lithium brine projects. Dr. King is independent from the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical resource information mentioned in this press release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF ALPHA LITHIUM CORPORATION

Brad Nichol

Brad NicholPresident, CEO and Director

For more information:Alpha Lithium Investor Relations Tel: +1 844 592 6337[email protected]www.alphalithium.comwww.ProtectAlphaLithium.com

About Alpha Lithium (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (Germany WKN: A3CUW1)

Alpha Lithium is a team of industry professionals and experienced stakeholders focused on the development of the Tolillar and Hombre Muerto Salars. In Tolillar, we have assembled 100% ownership of what may be one of Argentinas last undeveloped lithium salars, encompassing 27,500 hectares (67,954 acres), neighboring multi-billion-dollar lithium players in the heart of the renowned Lithium Triangle. In Hombre Muerto, we continue to expand our 5,000+ hectare (12,570 acres) foothold in one of the worlds highest quality, longest producing, lithium salars. Other companies in the area exploring for lithium brines or currently in production include Allkem Limited, Livent Corporation, and POSCO in Salar del Hombre Muerto; Allkem Limited in Salar Olaroz; Eramine SudAmerica S.A. in Salar de Centenario; and Gangfeng and Lithium Americas in Salar de Cauchari. For more information visit: www.alphalithium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning the Tecpetrol bid and the strategic review and the possible results thereof. 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 news release 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 Company's expectations include the ability of the Company to successfully complete the strategic review process or to do so on a timely basis, the results of further brine process testing and exploration and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 Company. 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 and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Source: Alpha Lithium Corp
Ottawa, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Occupational Therapists Foundation (COTF) and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) have partnered with Gowan Consulting to announce the New Gowan Health Indigenous Scholarship to support Indigenous people pursuing graduate studies in occupational therapy.

This support will foster pathways to success in the field of occupational therapy, amplifying Indigenous perspectives and honouring Indigenous ways of living. Gowan Consulting

COTF is excited to announce the launch of this new scholarship program aimed at providing financial support to Indigenous students pursuing graduate education in Occupational Therapy in Canada. This scholarship program showcases the commitment to empowering the next generation of Indigenous Occupational Therapists.

We are proud to name this new scholarship opportunity in partnership with Nancy Gowan in recognition of her tireless pursuit of post-secondary support for Occupational therapy in Canada, says Cale Wadden, President of COTF. Special thanks to Gowan Consulting, CAOT & the COTF Board of Directors for partnering so more Indigenous students will receive the support they need to achieve their Occupational Therapy aspirations.

The Gowan Health Indigenous Scholarship aims to support Indigenous academics in attaining their graduate degree in the Occupational Therapy Masters program within Canada. The intention is to support Indigenous people pursuing graduate studies and their unique needs financially. There will be two $1,500 scholarships awarded.

The Gowan Health Indigenous Scholarship is an example of an amazing initiative that makes all of us at CAOT incredibly proud to partner with COTF, says Phillip Wendt, CAOT President. This scholarship is not only an important first step in demonstrating the dedication and commitment of OTs and OTAs across the country to Canadas Indigenous Peoples, but also a shining example of how we can work together towards creating a more equitable, sustainable, and accessible healthcare system for all.

For further information about The Gowan Health Indigenous Scholarship, including application details and eligibility criteria, please visit www.cotfcanada.org/awards-program/scholarships/. For media inquiries or additional information, please get in touch with Linda Ritcey at [email protected].

-30-

About COTF

The purpose of the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation has always been to support research and scholarship in the field of occupational therapy. The Foundation focuses on generating, receiving and maintaining funds and developing mechanisms for granting awards to individuals and organizations for research and scholarships, which impact clients. www.cotfcanada.org

About CAOT

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is the national organization that supports more than 20,000 occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) and students who work or study in Canada. OTs improve the health and well-being of Canadians by working in partnership with people and communities that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. CAOT provides resources, services and learning opportunities that assist OTs in achieving excellence in their professional practice. Additionally, CAOT provides leadership in the development and promotion of the occupational therapy profession in Canada and internationally.

About Gowan Consulting

Gowan Consulting is a Canadian-owned organization with a team of Occupational Therapists located in every province. We provide in-person and virtual services nationally as well as training and consultation internationally.

We aspire to assist ourselves and others in achieving meaningful work lives. We have assisted thousands of employees with life challenges to remain in the workforce while caring for their health. The tools, strategies, and support that our Occupational Therapists provide pave the way for employees to recover and achieve long-lasting success in their careers.

Linda Ritcey Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation 613-804-3908 [email protected]

Source: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Beter Bed, part of Beter Bed Holding N.V. - the Netherlands largest sleep specialist in retail, wholesale and B2B - has again won a prestigious retail award. At the ABN AMRO head office in Amsterdam, Beter Bed won the ABN AMRO Best Webshop Award in the Bedroom Furnishings category. From 11 May to up and including 27 July, 162.000 consumers voted for their favourite webshop and retail chain. This is the sixth time that Beter Bed has been chosen as the best webshop in the Bedroom Furnishings category.

Thijs Nootenboom responsible for e-commerce at Beter Bed: "Winning the 'ABN AMRO Best Webshop Award' by Beter Bed is a confirmation that we know how to give substance to our Sleep better, live better philosophy also online. With an increasingly personal approach, we also know how to provide customers with the best advice online.

Overall awards ceremony

After winning this award, Beter Bed has yet more honours to gain. On 2 November, the overall ABN AMRO Best Webshop award will be presented.

Competition

The Retail Chain of the Year competition is an initiative of retail expert Q&A Insights & Consultancy.

ABN AMRO is the main sponsor. Consumers rate their favourite shops and webshops on matters such as price, product range, expertise, information provision and service. Shops and webshops from a wide range of sectors take part in the competition. Participation provides interesting insights into consumer ratings.

For further information

Press enquiries: Uneke Dekkers / CFF Communications

T +31 (0)20 575 4010 or M +31 (0)6 50261626

E [email protected]

For the PDF of the press release, please click on the link under attachment.

Press photos can be downloaded here.

Attachment
On the morning of September 21, the Kremlin's terrorist army launched a new massive attack on Ukraine. During an air raid alert in Kyiv, air defense systems were activated, and debris fell in four districts of the capital. At least 7 people were injured.

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This was reported in the Telegram of the Kyiv City Military Administration. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported an explosion in the Darnytsky district.

"All services are on the way. We also have a call to Holosiivskyi district," the mayor wrote.

He also said that in some neighborhoods of Svyatoshinsky district, electricity and water supply were cut off. Emergency services are working.

The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Serhiy Popko informed that as a result of air defense work to shoot down enemy targets, debris fell in Holosiivsky and Darnytsky districts of the capital. Earlier, in Shevchenkivsky district, the debris damaged a gas pipe.

ADVERTISIMENT

"All emergency services are on their way. Information on casualties and damage is being updated. Stay in shelters until the air raid alert is lifted," the Kyiv City Military Administration said in a statement.

According to Klitschko, there is no fire as a result of the fall of debris on a gas pipe in the Shevchenkivsky district. The gas service is on the spot. At the same time, non-residential buildings have been destroyed in Darnytsky district, and a fire has broken out there . Rescuers are working at the scene. There is currently no information about the victims.

"There are appeals to doctors," the mayor added, clarifying that there were no damages or injuries in the Holosiivsky district.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to Klitschko, doctors also hospitalized an 18-year-old girl and a 9-year-old girl in the Darnytsia district of the capital. They were in a house next to an infrastructure facility where debris fell.

"As a result of enemy missiles, debris fell in Holosiivsky, Darnytsky, Shevchenkivsky and Desniansky districts. In the Shevchenkivsky district, a gas pipe was damaged, but it did not catch fire. In the Darnytsky district, debris damaged non-residential buildings and parked cars. There is a fire, emergency services are working. Information on casualties and damage is being clarified," Popko said.

According to the mayor, rescuers are extinguishing a fire at a service station in the Darnytsky district.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Two cars are also on fire. Windows in a two-story building nearby are smashed," Klitschko wrote.

He also added that a vocational school was damaged as a result of the shelling. According to the mayor, the students were in a shelter, and no one was injured.

The Kyiv City Military Administration showed photos of the aftermath of the fall of debris in the Darnytskyi district.

ADVERTISIMENT

Later, Klitschko said that 7 people were injured in the Darnytsia district of Kyiv. Three of them (including a 9-year-old girl) were hospitalized, and four others were treated on the spot.

Also, according to the mayor, in Sviatoshynsky district, where there were power outages, power engineers restored electricity supply.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the Russians had previously fired cruise missiles of the X-101/555/55 type at Kyiv from about 10 Tu-95MS strategic aircraft. Over 20 enemy targets were destroyed by air defense forces and means over the capital.

"The alert in Kyiv lasted more than 2 hours. The capital has already crossed the mark of 1000 hours of alerts since the beginning of the full-scale invasion!" the Kyiv City Military Administration said.

ADVERTISIMENT

Klitschko added that in the Holosiivsky district, in the part located in the center of the capital, windows in a 5-storey building were damaged. There were no damages or injuries.

In Darnytsia, according to the mayor, all services are still working at the site of the fall of debris on the territory of the infrastructure facility, as well as on the territory of the service station and the dormitory of the vocational education institution.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Also on September 21, at least 6 explosions occurred in Kharkiv during an air raid alert. Russian terrorists hit the city with S-300 missiles.

- In Cherkasy, a Russian missile was shot down, but the falling debris damaged a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. At least 5 people were injured, and one more is under the rubble.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Revolutionizing DeFi: BTCBullDog Finance Unveils New Milestones and Future Plans for Secure, Passive Crypto Income

LEWES, DE, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Welcome to the future of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) with BTCBullDog Finance, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency project operating on the BNB Chain. With a focus on rewarding its investors through Bitcoin (BTCB) rewards, BTCBullDog Finance has successfully completed Phases 1 through 3 of its roadmap. The project aims to redefine the DeFi space by offering a secure, user-friendly environment that innovates passive income opportunities in crypto. With three unique utilities designed to work in synergy, BTCBullDog Finance is setting new standards in crypto investment and security.







Recent Milestones

The project had a fair launch on 4 April 2022 and migrated to an updated and improved contract on 4 August 2023. BTCBullDog Finance recently celebrated a significant achievement of reaching a 1M market cap. Additional milestones include the completion of KYC and smart contract audits, showcasing its commitment to transparency and security.

Official Website: BTCBullDog Finance

Whitepaper: BTCBullDog Whitepaper

Twitter: BTCBullDog Twitter



Innovative Features & Utilities

BTCBullDog Finance offers a range of exciting utilities designed to benefit its community:

BSC Token: The $BitDogLtd Contract provides 2% BTCB Rewards, 2% Auto Reflections, and 12% Auto Liquidity.

Auto Staking NFTs: These NFTs offer 45% WBTC Rewards, with additional percentages allocated for development and artistry. The NFTs have been particularly popular among the community, providing a new avenue for passive income.

Bitdog Finance: This platform allows users to mine BTC with a 10% ROI per week, providing a low-risk passive income stream.

Strategic Partnerships

The project has also partnered with Flooz, facilitating an easier token buying experience for its community. This partnership enhances the BTCBullDog Finance ecosystem by simplifying the purchasing process and attracting new investors.

The Road Ahead

As BTCBullDog Finance moves into Phase 4 of its roadmap, the community can look forward to the introduction of the BitDog Wallet, which will offer enhanced security features and seamless transactions. Additionally, the team will be developing BitDog debit cards. The project also has ambitious plans for Phases 5 and 6, including the launch of the BitDog Blockchain and BitDog CEX.

Call to Action

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking project. Join the BTCBullDog Finance community today and secure your financial future in the crypto space. To get involved, consider joining our newsletter or participating in our next community event.

For more information, please visit BTCBullDog Finance



Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency.




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective) is pleased to announce that it has received assay results for soil samples that were collected in Phase One of the Companys two-phase reconnaissance soil sampling program (the Program) conducted in summer of 2023 on the Princeton Copper Project (the Project). The Program was designed to identify surface geochemical anomalies related to copper mineralization in close proximity to known historic copper mineral showings. Assay results from Phase One samples collected from the southern part of the Project with historic copper showings hosted in a structural corridor (the Trojan  Condor Corridor) are highlighted below (Figures 1 to 4).

Highlights

Phase One samples were collected from a northeast-oriented grid that targeted the Trojan-Condor Corridor where 470 soil samples were primarily taken from the Ah soil horizon (Figures 1 & 2).

Two areas with anomalous Copper, Silver, Gold & Tellurium were identified based on assay results of Phase One samples. Modestly high Copper anomalies in these two areas labelled as PA1 and PA2 in Figures 3 and 4 range between 75 to 186 and 35 to 115 ppm respectively.

Corresponding enrichments in elements such as Silver, Gold & Tellurium, and the presence of copper mineralization in the Trojan and Nev showings, located within close proximity to PA1 & PA2 indicate the anomalies are likely related to Copper porphyry style mineralization in the Trojan  Condor Corridor (Figures 3 & 4).

The Companys 2023 field exploration program is progressing well with results of the regional reconnaissance Phase Two soil sampling program expected in the coming weeks.

Christopher Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective, commented, We are very happy with results of the Copper porphyry style anomalies in the two areas within the Trojan  Condor Corridor. We look forward to receiving assay results from the additional ten grids which were targeted in untested areas of the Project which were samples earlier this summer. This soil program shows we are able to see beyond the overburden that covers most of the Project and highlights the potential for Copper porphyry mineralization and discovery on the Project.

Figure 1  Princeton Project: Distribution of diorites and location of the 2023 soil survey grids

Figure 2  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor map locations for samples taken during Phase One

Figure 3  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor with Copper Results

Figure 4  Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor showing Silver results

Princeton Copper Project

The Companys flagship Project is easily accessible by road and is located immediately west of Highway 3 south of Princeton, BC, in a well-established mining district with excellent infrastructure, a local workforce and support services. The Project hosts potential for identification of one (or more) copper gold alkalic porphyry occurrences similar in age and deposit type to the Copper Mountain Mine. The Project is also approximately 10 km west of Hudbay Minerals Inc.s currently producing Copper Mountain Mine, which hosts a Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve of 702 Mt of 0.24% Copper1.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Companys Qualified Person for the Project, in accordance with regulations under NI 43-101.

The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Project.

References

1  Copper Mountain Mine Life of Mine Plan and 65Kt/D Expansion Study Update NI 43-101 Report, Richard Klue, VP Technical Services, CMMC; Patrick Redmond, VP Exploration and Geoscience, CMMC; Luis Alberto Chang, VP Mining, CMMC; Berge Simonian, Director of Metallurgy, CMMC; Amaru Humala, Director of Mechanical Engineering, CMMC Scott Weston, VP Business Development and Strategy, Ausenco; August 1, 2022.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li2O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares.

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ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher HugginsChief Executive OfficerT: 604-968-4844E: [email protected]

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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 Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: mineralization potential of the Project based on the results of the Program. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82a801b3-f78e-40fc-9723-84285cad2f9f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/572adeb6-ce9f-42e4-88c2-4992c55369d4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ffba8a5-84a7-4789-922c-caa6e7307079

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c20395c-eab8-4a03-b016-99d847020078

Figure 1 Princeton Project: Distribution of diorites and location of the 2023 soil survey grids Figure 2 Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor map locations for samples taken during Phase One Figure 3 Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor with Copper Results Figure 4 Princeton Project: Trojan  Condor Corridor showing Silver results

Source: Collective Metals Inc
Columbus, OH, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbus City Schools (CCS) is back in session and for the 2023-2024 school year, the District will continue its partnership with SchooLinks, a modern college and career readiness platform that plays a major role in helping students in grades 6th through 12th chart their path towards a successful postsecondary future.As Columbus becomes one of five Workforce Hubs in the country, SchooLinks not only streamlines the process of identifying and pursuing postsecondary options but also addresses the increasing demand from local and regional industries to connect students and alumni with employment opportunities by fostering a seamless collaboration between students, families, educators, and industry partners. This fall, in alignment with requirements from the Ohio Graduation Plan and in an effort to prepare students for tomorrow's workforce, students will begin exploration of their postsecondary options by completing an on-boarding assessment in SchooLinks that matches them with careers and pathways aligned with their personality type. Its user-friendly interface enables students to explore a vast array of career options, colleges, and vocational programs allowing students to see what is possible for their future. SchooLinks provides a wealth of information for students, whether students are just now exploring their strengths and interests or actively searching for scholarships or internships, said Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman. This platform helps students along the way as they discover their own path along with empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures. Throughout the year, students will continue to benefit from the platform by using it to record internship hours and explore and manage college/university application processes. SchooLinks advanced tracking tools ensure that students remain on target with their Ohio Graduation Plan, making it easier for them to meet state requirements and transition smoothly to their chosen paths.

David Wolpert SchooLinks 5127109922 [email protected]

Source: SchooLinks
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:



Do you, or did you, own shares of CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE: LAW)?

Did you purchase your shares between July 21, 2021 and August 11, 2022, inclusive?

Did you lose money in your investment in CS Disco, Inc.?

Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of CS Disco, Inc. (CS Disco or the Company) (NYSE: LAW) between July 21, 2021 and August 11, 2022, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).

If you purchased or acquired CS Disco common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit CS Disco, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made misstatements throughout the Class Period. According to the Complaint, CS Disco asserts that it provides cloud-based, artificial intelligence-powered technologies to simplify electronic discovery, legal document review, legal hold and case management for enterprises, law firms, legal services providers, and governments. CS Discos principal revenue-generating segment was its electronic document review platform. Beginning with its July 2021 initial public offering (IPO) and throughout the Class Period, CS Disco repeatedly touted strong growth in its revenues attributable to customer usage of its cloud-based electronic discovery platform and asserted that it had good advance visibility into changes in the demand from individual customers over time.

On August 11, 2022, CS Disco released financial results for the second quarter of 2022 that shocked investors and analysts alike. Not only did the Companys revenue growth taper drastically over past quarters, but the Company alerted the markets that it would no longer be including in its guidance any revenues attributable to its largest customers for the entire year. Nevertheless, during an investors call following the earnings release, the Companys Chief Executive Officer denied that the Companys decline in revenue was the result of losing any major customers.

On this news, CS Discos common stock fell $15.53 per share, or approximately 53.6%, to $13.43 per share on August 12, 2022.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 20, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased or acquired CS Disco common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit CS Disco, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

[email protected]
TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dividend Select 15 Corp. (The "Company") declares its monthly distribution of $0.05242 per Equity share. The distribution is payable October 10, 2023 to shareholders on record as of September 29, 2023.

Under the distribution policy announced in September 2014, the monthly dividend payable on the Equity shares is determined by applying a 10.00% annualized rate on the volume weighted average market price (VWAP) of the Equity shares over the last 3 trading days of the preceding month. As a result, Equity shareholders of record on September 29, 2023 will receive a dividend of $0.05242 per share based on the VWAP of $6.29 payable on October 10, 2023. The yield will remain stable at 10.00% (based on the VWAP) under this distribution policy.

Since inception, Equity shareholders have received a total of $9.99 per share inclusive of this distribution.

The Company invests in a portfolio of 15 Canadian companies selected from the following 20 company universe which are among the highest Canadian dividend yielding stocks.

Bank of MontrealBCE Inc.CIBCCI Financial Corp.Cenovus Energy Inc.Enbridge Inc. Great West Lifeco Inc.Loblaw Companies LimitedNational Bank of CanadaOvintiv Inc.Power Corporation of CanadaRoyal Bank of CanadaSun Life Financial Inc. TELUS CorporationThe Bank of Nova ScotiaThe Toronto-Dominion BankThomson Reuters CorporationTMX Group Inc.TransAlta CorporationTC Energy Corporation

Distribution Details Equity Share (DS) $0.05242 Record Date: September 29, 2023 Payable Date: October 10, 2023

Investor Relations: 1-877-478-2372Local: 416-304-4443dividendselect15.com[email protected]

Source: Dividend Select 15 Corp.
KINSHASA, CONGO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On September 12th, the Congo, located in Central Africa, recently experienced an attack on a refugee camp. Preliminary reports suggest that the assault resulted in at least 45 fatalities and left dozens injured. In response to this severe humanitarian crisis in Congo, multinational corporation AIGOAPP has committed to actively fulfilling its social responsibility in the Democratic Republic of Congo by implementing a series of long-term charitable activities aimed at providing tangible and sustained support for the displaced.

According to a United Nations report, nearly 8 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo require humanitarian assistance and protection, with close to 3.7 million being internally displaced. Addressing this in a press conference, AIGOAPP's CEO in Congo, Norton, remarked, "We firmly believe that as an international corporation, our mandate extends beyond generating value for shareholders; it also encompasses creating value for society. Faced with such a pressing refugee predicament, we both bear the responsibility and possess the capability to make a meaningful difference in their lives."

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the country with the highest number of internally displaced individuals in Africa. The recent incident has gravely harmed the refugees. If they don't promptly receive financial assistance, secure provisions, and ensure food reaches the right places, thousands of children could die from starvation in the coming months. To provide timely aid and ensure the sustainability and efficacy of the charity projects, AIGOAPP plans to establish an independent charitable foundation and fully initiate its charitable activity program in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of September.

Beyond assisting the refugees, AIGO's charitable endeavors aim to extend support to vulnerable groups in society, seeking proactive long-term solutions for them. "We believe that through these efforts, we can bring about genuine change for the war-displaced, allowing them to find hope amid adversity," Norton stated at the press conference.

Since its inception in 2013, AIGOAPP has adhered to principles of integrity and mutual benefit, achieving a win-win scenario for its partners and users, resulting in notable market accomplishments. While pursuing its business objectives, AIGOAPP remains committed to giving back to society, offering essential aid through philanthropy. This initiative by AIGOAPP has garnered widespread acclaim from its partners, setting an exemplary standard for corporate social responsibility among multinational corporations.

AIGOAPP is also actively championing global sustainable charitable endeavors, contributing its strength to humanity. They hope to connect the world with sincerity and spread warmth through love, fostering positive values among employees and others. Numerous international charitable institutions have expressed gratitude for AIGOAPP's involvement and, in unison with AIGOAPP, are calling on more individuals to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Joseph Jones AIGOAPP Joseph at aigoapp.com

Source: AIGOAPP
Springfield, Mo., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, disproportionately impacts the Black community. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), the nation's largest colorectal cancer (CRC) advocacy organization, is set to host their inaugural panel at The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). Scheduled for September 22, 9-10 am EST, this panel will convene experts, advocates, and policymakers to address the critical disparities in colorectal cancer outcomes among Black Americans.

Fight CRC's panel titled 'A Call to Action: Fighting Colorectal Cancer in the Black Community' is co-hosted by Members of Congress, including Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) and Representative Nikema Williams (D-GA). The panel will feature colorectal cancer researcher Dr. Fola May, who serves as the Associate Director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Simone Ledward Boseman, artist and caregiver, Dr. Robert Winn, Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology, VCU Massey Cancer Center and Candace Henley stage II colorectal cancer survivor and Founder of The Blue Hat Foundation.

Colorectal cancer has a devastating impact on the Black community, with Black Americans being 20% more likely to receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer compared to their white counterparts. Tragically, Black patients have a 40% higher mortality rate compared to white patients, and they are less likely to receive the recommended standard of care, including surgical treatment, radiation, and chemotherapy. Furthermore, colorectal cancer is increasing in young people, and according to JAMA, it is projected to be the #1 cancer killer of those under 50 by 2030.

As one of the few preventable cancers, there is an opportunity to change these alarming statistics and make significant progress by increasing access to awareness, education, screening, and treatment within the Black community. The panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's ALC will serve as a crucial platform to address these disparities and chart a course toward a future where colorectal cancer no longer claims so many lives.

"We continue to stand firm in our conviction that everyone, no matter their ethnicity or origins, should have the means and knowledge to effectively prevent or fight colorectal cancer," stated Anjee Davis, president of Fight CRC. "We are so proud to be a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual conference. Our goal is to underscore that colorectal cancer is preventable if caught early yet continues to disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities."

The panel discussion will focus on various aspects of colorectal cancer, including prevention, early detection, stigma, cultural barriers, social determinants of health, and how systemic inequalities contribute to health disparities. The insights shared during the event will raise awareness and foster a collaborative effort to reduce colorectal cancer disparities and improve outcomes for all communities.

Elizabeth Jordan Fight Colorectal Cancer 636.544.7113 [email protected]

Source: Fight Colorectal Cancer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While the federal government has made progress, it should enact more reforms to improve the economic performance of permanent immigrant workers, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan, Canadian public policy think-tank.

As Ottawa increases immigration targets, government policies can do more to increase the ability of immigrant workers to more fully contribute to the economy, said Jock Finlayson, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Enhancing the Labour Market Outcomes of Immigrants to Canada.

In 2022, 437,000 permanent immigrants came to Canada, the largest number in a single year in Canadian history. According to the federal governments immigration plan, that number will rise to 465,000 in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.

The government should enact policies that promote higher employment rates and increased labour productivity among permanent immigrant workers (also known as economic immigrants) including:

select a greater percentage of permanent immigrant workers from the available pool of temporary foreign workers and students already in Canada

attach greater weight to language capability (English or French) when evaluating applicants

strengthen immigrant-focused language/communication skills education services for recent immigrants

review and where appropriate reform Canadian professional and occupational licensing requirements to eliminate unnecessary barriers that make it difficult for educated newcomers to practise their profession/occupation in Canada

If the federal government wants to improve the employment outcomes of permanent immigrant workers, it must enact targeted reforms, said Steven Globerman, study co-author and senior fellow at the Fraser Institute.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jock Finlayson, Senior Fellow, Fraser InstituteSteven Globerman, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:Mark Hasiuk, Fraser Institute(604) 688-0221 ext. 517[email protected]

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org

Source: Fraser Institute
MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) Multifamily Apartment Investment Market Index (AIMI) rose by 5.1% in the second quarter of 2023, marking the second straight quarter of AIMI increasing nationwide and in all 25 markets. Over the year, AIMI decreased in the nation and in 23 markets, although this quarters drop of -2.6% year over year was significantly smaller than last quarters national annual drop of -17.6%.

This quarters results show that AIMI is rebounding, said Sara Hoffmann, director of Multifamily Research at Freddie Mac. The index experienced a sharp annual decline in each of the prior four quarters, but a pullback in property prices and moderating mortgage rates are helping AIMI regain its footing. Over the past quarter, the index increased due to the confluence of net operating income growth, property price depreciation and lower mortgage rates relative to recent trends.

Over the quarter, AIMI increased in the nation and in all 25 markets. This quarters national growth rate is the highest since the third quarter of 2019. This quarter:

Net Operating Income (NOI) increased in the nation and in most markets. No markets were deeply negative, with the lowest performer being Phoenix at -0.8%.

Property prices dropped in the nation and in all but two markets, Miami and Nashville. However, these two markets saw minimal growth of 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively.

Mortgage rates dropped by 20 bps. This is the largest quarterly decrease since the first quarter of 2020.

Over the year, AIMI decreased in the nation and in 23 markets. Last quarter, the national annual drop was -17.6%, compared with -2.6% this quarter. Year over year:

NOI growth was mixed. Nationally, NOI grew by 1.8% but nine markets experienced declines.

Property prices declined for all markets, and prices nationally contracted by 10.1%. The national price decline is only the second annual decline since the second quarter of 2010.

Mortgage rates increased by 131 bps. This is high by historical standards, but considerably lower than last quarters 246-bps annual increase.

In addition to national and local values, a sensitivity table is available that captures how the index value adjusts based on changes in certain underlying variables. Additional information about AIMI is on the Freddie Mac Multifamily website, including FAQs and a video.

AIMI is an analytical tool that combines multifamily rental income growth, property price growth and mortgage rates to provide a single Index that measures multifamily market investment conditions. A rise in AIMI from one quarter to the next implies an increasingly favorable environment for multifamily investment opportunities, while a decline suggests that attractive investment opportunities are becoming more difficult to find compared with the prior period.

Freddie Mac Multifamily is the nation's multifamily housing finance leader. Historically, more than 90% of the eligible rental units we fund are affordable to families with low-to-moderate incomes earning up to 120% of area median income. Freddie Mac securitizes about 90% of the multifamily loans it purchases, thus transferring the majority of the expected credit risk from taxpayers to private investors.

Freddie Macs mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website | Consumers | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Silverman703-388-7037[email protected]

Source: Freddie Mac
DALLAS, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gradalis, Inc., a privately held, clinical stage biotechnology company developing a personalized immunotherapy called Vigil for patients with ovarian and other cancer tumor types, today announced that Steven Engle, Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat and one-on-one meetings at the Cantor Global Healthcare Conference, being held in New York, NY from September 26-28, 2023.

Format: Fireside Chat Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023Time: 1:50  2:20 PM ET

A live webcast and archived replay of the fireside chat can be accessed through the symposium website - https://www.meetmax.com/sched/event_96739/conference_invlogin.html.

About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer patients are composed of two groups with differing levels of DNA repair capability, each representing about 50% of ovarian cancer patients: HRP  good DNA repair; HRD/BRCA-mutant  poor DNA repair. HRP tumors are better able to repair DNA and the clonal neoantigens are better preserved. Patients with the HRD/BRCA-mutant profile have an impaired DNA repair that is associated with higher subclonal neoantigen profiles compared to the HRP profile. As a result, HRP patients tumors should respond better to Vigil therapy than HRD/BRCA-mutant patients. Results of Vigil in a Phase 2b study in HRP ovarian cancer patients are consistent with these findings.

About Gradalis, Inc.

Founded in 2006, Gradalis is a privately held, clinical stage biotechnology company developing a personalized immunotherapy called Vigil, that has been tested in multiple studies in ovarian and other cancer tumor types. Vigil is the first cellular immunotherapy to demonstrate survival benefits in a randomized controlled trial of patients with solid tumors. The results of the companys Phase 2b study have been published in Lancet Oncology and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Vigil has shown positive results in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

Gradalis Vigil platform uses the patients immune system to target the entire tumor. Based on multiple clinical studies, Gradalis has developed an oncology platform that is designed to decloak the full repertoire of a patients tumor antigens, including all clonal neoantigens, reactivate the immune system, and summon key effector cells to deliver a durable clinical response. When combined, these are a powerful Trifecta of anticancer activities, potentially eliminating even the elusive metastatic cells, and as shown in Phase 2 clinical studies in ovarian cancer, a potential gamechanger in oncology. Our clinical trials have also demonstrated that Gradalis platform is better tolerated compared to standard cancer treatments since Vigil uses the patients immune system operating within its natural state of balance rather than in an artificial overdrive as with some technologies. Vigil utilizes proprietary bi-shRNA technology that has been proven to silence multiple genes in a variety of cancers and has the potential to be used in other diseases.

About Vigil

Vigil is a novel, triple function immunotherapy platform that modifies a patients tumor by using bi-shRNA to reduce furin, an enzyme which facilitates immunosuppressive TGF beta protein production, and to maximize DNA expression of GM-CSF, which stimulates the immune system and attracts key immune system effector cells, including T cells. By utilizing the patient's own tumor as the antigen source, Vigil is designed to elicit an immune response that is specifically targeted and broadly relevant to each patient's unique clonal tumor neoantigens. Vigil therapy has been well tolerated in Phase 1, 2a and 2b clinical studies.

In VITAL, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial in Stage III/IV newly diagnosed, frontline ovarian cancer patients, Vigil showed a positive trend in the primary endpoint of recurrence free survival (RFS) in the overall population and a statistically significant improvement in the secondary endpoint of recurrence free survival and overall survival (OS), with a median survival time of three years to date, in patients with the BRCAwt molecular profile. Importantly in patients with tumors of the HRP type, where there is a high unmet medical need, a statistically significant improvement was seen in RFS and OS.

Additionally, Phase 1 results in an all-comer clinical trial have shown positive signals of activity in 19 tumor types and some patients treated with Vigil remain in the study 48 months later. The company is preparing to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer patients with the HRP molecular profile.

Gradalis ContactMark Early(214) 442-8161[email protected]

Life Sci Advisors ContactJoyce Allaire+1 (617) 435-6602[email protected]

Source: Gradalis, Inc.
On the morning of September 21, Russian terrorists attacked Rivne. Arrivals were recorded in the city.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Koval. He noted that the details have not yet been disclosed. "Suspilne TV channel noted that after the explosions, the power went out in part of the city.

Last night, the occupiers launched a massive attack in many regions of Ukraine. In Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Rivne and Kyiv, air defense systems were activated during an air raid, and explosions were heard in Kharkiv and Lviv.

The news is supplemented by...
INCHEON, KOREA, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under the leadership of the newly appointed President Lee Hak-Jae, Incheon International Airport is setting forth on a renewed path, crafting various strategies to encourage collaborative growth with business partners including logistics companies and airlines.

Enhancing Customer Convenience through Advanced Infrastructure

Currently, the Incheon International Airport Free Trade Zone includes an airport logistics complex and cargo terminal areas, offering a competitive environment to clients through efficient customs procedures, duty-free benefits, and a range of incentives.

Companies situated in this zone enjoy the freedom to conduct manufacturing, logistics, and trade activities without hindrance, alongside perks such as reduced rental fees and deferred customs duties.

Currently, the freight terminal houses eight cargo buildings, three air freight warehouses, four specialized processing facilities, and two customs bonded areas, establishing a solid foundation for a logistics hub.

Furthermore, Incheon International Airport is actively involved in the development of a modern cargo terminal and is pioneering autonomous cargo towing technology to enhance its operational efficiency and sophistication. This initiative is expected to significantly upgrade the logistics services available to customers.

Moreover, the airport administration is focusing on expanding transportation options to facilitate customer convenience. Plans are underway to add new transportation methods, including additional bus services, to ensure easier access to the logistics complex.

Expanding Collaborative Marketing with Clients

Incheon International Airport is also investing effort in amplifying the marketing activities of its client companies. Recently, the airport partnered with Jeju Air to host a 'Joint Information Session to Boost Air Cargo Volume in the Vietnam Region'. The two-day event, held from May 31 to June 1 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, targeted logistics stakeholders in the region.

As a vital component of the airport's ongoing 'Air Cargo Incentive Program' aimed at increasing air cargo volume, this initiative successfully attracted approximately 150 representatives from 61 Vietnamese forwarding and logistics firms, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response.

Looking ahead, Incheon International Airport plans to hold joint information sessions with FedEx later this year and initiate online marketing campaigns in collaboration with China Airlines and UPS. Through continuous discussions, the airport plans to broaden its collaborative marketing efforts with an increasing number of clients in the near future.

Customized Support for Stimulating Growth in New Cargo Sectors

Incheon International Airport is actively striving to enhance cargo volume, with a primary focus on extending substantial support to emerging growth sectors in the cargo industry, aiming to significantly increase the overall throughput.

Recently, Incheon International Airport achieved a world-first by obtaining CEIV certification in three key growth areas: perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and lithium batteries. This achievement underscores the airport's commitment to engaging with companies in these fields, understanding customer requirements and offering tailored support.

In the perishable goods sector, the airport is actively collaborating with organizations such as the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Simultaneously, in the pharmaceutical sector, it is in discussions with leading companies such as Celltrion and Samsung Biologics to optimize logistics and transportation processes. Plans are also in the works to initiate a collaboration with the Korea Biomedicine Industry Association (KoBIA).

Collaborating with Leading Global Logistics Companies

To foster mutual growth with its clients, Incheon International Airport is enhancing its infrastructure in collaboration with prominent global logistics firms.

The airport has established a partnership with FedEx, a foremost company in air cargo handling, to further develop the air cargo logistics sector. In addition, the airport is intensifying its business relationship with DHL, following the recent expansion of its cargo terminal.

Opened in October 2022, the FedEx terminal emerged as a landmark project constructed using the Build-to-Suit (BTS) model and subsequently leased. This significant collaborative project involved investments of 53.5 billion KRW from Incheon International Airport and 40.5 billion KRW from FedEx. This approach entails the construction of the cargo terminal by Incheon International Airport, with operations overseen by the user.

DHL has been operating a cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport since 2007. The recent expansion project amplified the facility's size from 19,000 m2 to 58,000 m2, significantly increasing the hourly express cargo handling capacity from 8,100 to over 20,000 units.

Furthermore, Incheon International Airport maintains continuous interactions with global logistics companies, aspiring to achieve mutual growth through sustained collaborations.

Lee Hak-Jae, the President of Incheon International Airport, emphasized, "Incheon International Airport will continue its collaborations with international logistics companies to enhance the infrastructure, laying a strong foundation to leap forward as the leading logistics hub in Northeast Asia."

Media Contact

Brand: Incheon airport

Contact: Logistics Marketing Team

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.airport.kr/

SOURCE: Incheon airport

Source: Incheon airport
Precision data strengthens flood resilience in West Africa

Partnership with Twinn bolsters global flood and climate risk management

DENVER, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) (Intermap or the Company), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced it will provide high-resolution digital terrain models (DTM) for flood hazard modeling for a World Bank project in the Greater Lome region in Togo. Intermap is working with its partner, Twinn by Royal HaskoningDHV, to support this critical flood modeling project and strengthen the communitys flood resilience and risk management.

Intermaps NEXTMap DTM provides critical terrain information for flood hazard modeling. The Greater Lome region, situated along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, experiences frequent flooding during the rainy season and has endured devastating floods due to heavy rainfall. Accurate terrain data and flood maps for the city and surrounding area are essential for evaluating flood risk and implementing strategic mitigation measures to safeguard the community and its critical infrastructure.

Our partnership with Twinn highlights Intermaps dedication to providing top-tier geospatial solutions for critical projects worldwide, said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. Our high-resolution precision data supports the World Banks flood hazard modeling project in Lome, strengthening the regions resilience against natural disasters.

We are delighted to support Intermap and the World Bank in providing high-resolution world class hazard data, said Mark Nunns, Head of Commercial, Financial Services, RHDHV. Supporting initiatives like this underpins our core belief of enhancing society together.

Intermap has completed numerous projects for the World Bank, including an ongoing precision data project for Colombia as well as a mapping project for the Commonwealth of Dominica and flood mitigation work in Central Europe, Surinam and Azerbaijan. Intermaps NEXTMap digital terrain data reinforces Twinns technology to support better decision making for flood and climate risk management around the globe. Twinn provides climate risk intelligence across 19 hazards, including flooding, drought, wildfires, earthquakes and volcanoes.

Learn more about Intermaps NEXTMap data, visit intermap.com/nextmap.

Learn more about Twinn at www.twinn.io.

Intermap Reader AdvisoryCertain information provided in this news release, including reference to revenue growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words anticipate, "expect", project, estimate, forecast, continue, focus, will, intends and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermaps forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermaps Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

About TwinnTwinn brings together Royal HaskoningDHVs portfolio of leading software and data solutions. It builds further on Royal HaskoningDHVs deep domain expertise to provide digital solutions across multiple sectors. These solutions help organisations to understand the complex interplay across their physical and digital worlds. They provide actionable insights and help manage opportunities and risks to make better informed strategic and operational decisions.

Twinn by Royal HaskoningDHV. Better decisions today for a sustainable tomorrow.

About Intermap TechnologiesFounded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermaps 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the worlds largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Companys collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermaps products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation.

For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:Jennifer BakkenExecutive Vice President and CFO[email protected] +1 (303) 708-0955

Source: Intermap Technologies
TURIN, Italy, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A mine in Norway turned into a data centre, harnessing the coolness of the underground and sea waters; a nuclear reactor transformed into an amusement park; Ligurian basil cultivated underwater. These are some of the stories showcased in the exhibition Luca Locatelli: The Circle, which will open its doors to the public on September 21 at the Gallerie d'Italia of Intesa Sanpaolo in Turin. The exhibition, scheduled to run until February 18 and curated by Elisa Medde, guides the audience through 18 stories in 10 European countries (6 stories are set in Italy), documented by Locatelli during his journey into the circular economy in Europe.

Supporting the photographer in his work is Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo, with specialised support from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "We must take responsibility for the planet," emphasised the president of the Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo, Gian Maria Gros-Pietro. "I was deeply struck by the urgency with which we must respond to the situation. In half a century, he continued, we have reduced the planet's biodiversity by more than half. This change, which has occurred in 50 years versus the estimated 3.5 billion years since life has existed on the planet, when compared to a 24-hour day, is equivalent to little more than a thousandth of a second. This gives us an idea of the extreme urgency to change the way we are impacting the planet. According to Gros-Pietro, Intesa Sanpaolo shares the responsibility of guiding the European economy towards a positive and sustainable evolution. To achieve this, there needs to be a shift from linear production models, which turn resources into products and then into waste, to circular economy models that ensure the recoverability of materials and resources. However, this requires changing the scientific principles on which products are based, altering their design, and all production cycles, which requires substantial investments that must be socially sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate this need, and for us, art is a very important tool to this end.

Locatelli, who won the World Press Photo in 2020, travelled across Europe for two years, looking for innovative circular economy projects. The Circle, he explained, is an exhibition that embraces the culture of change and circularity, which is the most suitable cultural approach to restore balance with our planets natural resources.

For more information:Press Office LaPresse - [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/048d9a35-6238-4801-a3d8-5f53e50f0df3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66700b3e-7d9b-4b76-bc31-f8719bee056a

Intesa Sanpaolo: Circular Economy in Locatelli's Photos at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin Intesa Sanpaolo: Circular Economy in Locatelli's Photos at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin

Source: Intesa Sanpaolo
Board Chairman Steve Watts to pass the mantle to Shonn Mills

Chicago, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) announced today a pivotal transition in its leadership: Board Chairman Steve Watts will be succeeded by Shonn Mills, a board member since 2020. The changeover, which will be formalized at the board of trustees meeting at the CTBUH 2023 international conference, October 1621, in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, exemplifies the organization's commitment to advancing innovation and expertise within the multi-disciplinary realm of sustainable vertical urbanism and marks the beginning of a vibrant new era for the organization.

During Watts tenure as chairman, his strategic acumen, dedication and proactive approach have propelled the organization to new heights: he has marshaled the organization through a period of remarkable growth that has resulted in expanded and strengthened partnerships with global architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies; ramped up research initiatives; and vigorous advocacy for the cause of sustainable and resilient urban landscapes across the globe.

"I am both honored and humbled by the tremendous strides CTBUH has made in so many arenas during my time as board chairman," said Watts. The organization has become a leading proponent in the evolving discourse on mass-timber construction in high-rise buildings, amassed extraordinary proficiency and clout on skyscraper data collectionand, more importantly, the insight it providesand grown into an authoritative forum for the critical discussions on sustainability, decarbonization and smart density for cities worldwide. I am relishing this next chapter, as deputy chairman, supporting Shonn Mills and organizational leaders in delivering a revitalized visionone that gives CTBUH an even greater voice in helping our communities address the key challenges of creating sustainable buildings and citiesand harnessing the incredible talent that we have at our disposal.

A former partner at alinea, and now director at London-based Turner & Townsend alinea, Watts has more than 35 years of experience as a cost consultant in the AEC industry and is a recognized expert on the economics of tall buildings. He has worked with many industry-leading developers and top designers on challenging projects, including high-profile and award-winning towers such as the Leadenhall Building, the Shard and 22 Bishopsgate, in London, as well as numerous international projects. Watts has been an active member of CTBUH for over 15 years, a trustee for 12 years and its chairman for six years. He is a longstanding and passionate advocate for research, contributing to CTBUHs widespread thought leadership throughout his engagement. (Read Watts full bio here.) He will remain an active member of the CTBUH board of trustees.

Im excited to pass the mantle and wholeheartedly support Shonn Mills' vision and ambitions for CTBUH, continued Watts. Under his stewardship, the organization is well-situated to continue shaping better, healthier and more equitable urban environments globally.

A long-standing champion of trailblazing design and innovation, Mills has been active with CTBUH for more than a decade. His reputation for delivering thought-provoking insights, forward-looking strategies and measurable results is evident in many of the organization's initiatives; he has helped spearhead multiple international conferences and co-authored the CTBUH publication Smart Technology for Tall Buildings.

Steve Watts chairmanship represents an apex in the history of CTBUH, explained Mills. Under his leadership, Ive witnessed firsthand a remarkable transformation in the organizations intensity, productivity and significanceduring a global pandemic no lessand he will leave an indelible mark on the organizations rich legacy.

Mills, who began his career as a bridge designer, working on several long-span bridges in California and the West Coast of the United States, has more than 30 years of experience in the design and management of large-scale building and transport infrastructure projects. After relocating to London in 2007, his focus shifted to building engineering, which involved a wide range of long-span projects, such as stadiums, airports and metro stations, in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This led to designing complex, multi-discipline building structures, including high-rise buildings. (Read Mills full bio here.)

I am deeply honored and privileged to assume the role of CTBUH board chairman and work with such an esteemed cohort of professionalsfellow trustees, staff, members and other global partnersall with industry-leading experience and expertise, added Mills. We are at a pivotal moment, not only for the organization but for the future of built environments worldwide. CTBUH plays an integral role in driving public debate and sharing best-practice thinking on sustainable vertical urbanism. The challenges and opportunities facing our cities today are shifting continually and rapidly, and I am committed to steering CTBUH toward becoming an activist organization that offers science-based solutions that yield a positive impact.

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat





The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to smarter, more sustainable cities and a more viable future for global populations.

Specifically, CTBUH focuses on the critical role of density in addressing climate change. CTBUH is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in Shanghai, China, and Venice, Italy. CTBUHs worldwide membership network includes companies from fields such as real estate development, architecture, engineering, cost consulting, building management and construction, among others. In addition to hosting leading industry events, CTBUH produces research and reporting on issues of significant consequence to its membership. Its most utilized asset is its building database, a compendium of detailed data, images and technical information on more than 30,000 tall buildings throughout the world. CTBUH is best known to the public as the arbiter of tall building height and the global authority that bestows titles such as The Worlds Tallest Building. For more information, please visit ctbuh.org.

# # #
Privacy Engineering podcast Shifting Privacy Left, hosted by Privacy expert Debra J. Farber, announces its third season.

Portland, Oregon, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shifting Privacy Left Podcast, hosted by privacy expert Debra J. Farber is renowned for its deep dives into privacy engineering that unpack the exciting elements of emerging technologies, strategies, and tactics that are driving privacy innovation.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of embedding privacy by design into engineering, DevOps, and product development processes before any code or products are shipped.

Each week, listeners are treated to insightful interviews with privacy engineers, technologists, researchers, ethicists, innovators, market makers, and industry thought leaders. The podcast delves deep into emerging technologies and tech stacks driving privacy innovation, strategies and tactics that foster trust, privacy pitfalls to steer clear of, privacy tech issues making headlines, and a plethora of other intriguing topics.

The linchpin of Shifting Privacy Left is Debra J. Farber, JD, CISSP, CIPT, FIP. She is a globally recognized Privacy, Security & Trust Expert and the CEO of Privacy Tech Advisory firm, Principled LLC.

The Shifting Privacy Left Podcast is available weekly wherever you get your podcasts

Through her firm, Debra collaborates with early and growth-stage startups, developing strategies that cater to market needs, crafting compelling go-to-market messaging, evangelizing privacy-by-design and privacy engineering methodologies, and evaluating the potential of distributed ledger technologies, verified credentials, and decentralized identifiers in building ethical, transparent, and trusted technology.

Debra has previously held pivotal roles at some of the best-known enterprise tech companies in the world, co-founded Women in Security & Privacy (WISP), and championed privacy as an advisor for The Rise of Privacy Tech (TROPT), a community of privacy tech founders, investors, experts, and buyers that helped define the privacy tech stack. She is also actively involved in various initiatives and advisory boards, including The Institute of Operational Privacy Design (IOPD), Privado.AI, Secuvy.AI, Privaini, Imagine Privacy, Rita Data, PrivacyCheq and is a member of Panther Protocols DAO Council.

Shifting Privacy Left is sponsored by Privado.AI a privacy tech company that is bridging the privacy engineering gap.

Going forward Debra has ambitions for live and video formats of the show and to see more sponsors sign on as it flourishes.

Season 3 of The Shifting Privacy Left Podcast is set to launch next year. New episodes will be published every Tuesday. For more information and to listen to previous episodes, visit www.shiftingprivacyleft.com.







Media Contact

Name: Debra J. Farber

Email: [email protected]




TORONTO, Ontario and ALGOMA, Ontario and DRYDEN, Ontario and THUNDER BAY, Ontario, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The people of Ontario have built up our local public hospitals and their services over 100 years. For more than 50 years, for-profit hospitals have been banned in our province. Now, the Ford government is dismantling our local public hospitals in a concerted effort to privatize them, warns the Ontario Health Coalition which is planning a major protest on Monday, the day the Legislature opens. There will be a second protest Tuesday for Jewish communities as the Ford government set the Legislatures opening day on Yom Kippur.

When & Where: Monday September 25 at 12 pm on the lawn at Queens Park outside the Ontario Legislature Algoma: Outside the Sault Area Hospital at Lukenda Dr. at 12 Noon Dryden: Outside MPP Greg Rickford's office, 439 Government St. at 11:30 a.m. CST (Dryden time) Thunder Bay: Mini Queen's Park at 435 South James St. at 12 pm

Yom Kippur alternate: Tuesday September 26 at 12 pm on the lawn at Queens Park outside the Ontario Legislature

SIZE OF THE CROWD: The Health Coalition has approximately 70 buses converging on Queen's Park at noon on Monday and more being added daily. Those thousands of people will be joined by thousands more from Toronto. In addition, there are the events across the North.

BACKGROUND: In January, Ford announced his plans to privatize the core services from Ontarios public hospitals. Tens of thousands of surgeries and diagnostics are slated to be moved to for-profit day hospitals and clinics if the public does not stop Ford's plan. They are also proceeding with widescale privatization across health care. While local public hospitals in Ontario are in crisis, the Ford government is repeatedly underspending the health care budget, worsening the staffing crisis, and forcing unprecedented emergency and other critical hospital service closures across Ontario. At the same time, they are shifting hundreds of millions of public dollars into expanding private for-profit health care.

It is, warns the Health Coalition, the most aggressive push to for-profit privatization of our health care and two-tier medicare ever. Currently, the Ford government is:

Privatizing public hospitals core services including surgeries and diagnostics

permanently closing essential public hospital services like emergency departments and urgent care centres,

privatizing our nurses and health professionals,

privatizing primary care to chain for-profit corporations,

allowing online doctors to charge patients for access to their services, and

privatizing long-term care for the next 30-years.

Thousands of Ontarians are heading to Queens Park to set the tone on opening day of the Legislature. The Coalition has vowed to use every tool available to the public to stop Ford's health privatization schemes.

For more information: Natalie Mehra, executive director, 416-230-6402 (cell).

Source: Ontario Health Coalition
NORWOOD, Mass., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MariMed Inc. (MariMed or the Company), (CSE: MRMD), (OTCQX: MRMD), a leading multi-state cannabis operator focused on improving lives every day, announced its participation in the following upcoming investor conferences:

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference: CEO Jon Levine will participate in a fireside chat about Illinois Cannabis Dynamics: Operating in a Rapidly Evolving Market, which will be moderated by Erik Sloane, Chief Revenue Officer, Cboe - Canada on September 27th at 11:20 AM ET in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, Company management will host one-on-one analyst and investor meetings.

CEO Jon Levine will participate in a fireside chat about Illinois Cannabis Dynamics: Operating in a Rapidly Evolving Market, which will be moderated by Erik Sloane, Chief Revenue Officer, Cboe - Canada on September 27th at 11:20 AM ET in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, Company management will host one-on-one analyst and investor meetings. Alliance Global Partners Virtual Cannabis Conference: CFO Susan Villare will host one-on-one investor meetings on October 4th at the Alliance Global Partners Virtual Cannabis Conference 2023.

CFO Susan Villare will host one-on-one investor meetings on October 4th at the Alliance Global Partners Virtual Cannabis Conference 2023. 7th Annual State of the Cannabis Industry Conference: CEO Jon Levine and Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Crandall will participate on panels at this conference hosted by Burns & Levinson on October 16th in Waltham, Massachusetts.

ABOUT MARIMEDMariMed Inc., a multi-state cannabis operator, is dedicated to improving lives every day through its high-quality products, its actions, and its values. The Company develops, owns, and manages seed to sale state-licensed cannabis facilities, which are models of excellence in horticultural principles, cannabis cultivation, cannabis-infused products, and dispensary operations. MariMed has an experienced management team that has produced consistent growth and success for the Company and its managed business units. Proprietary formulations created by the Companys technicians are embedded in its top-selling and award-winning products and brands, including Betty's Eddies, Natures Heritage, InHouse, Bubbys Baked, K Fusion, Kalm Fusion, and Vibations: High + Energy. For additional information, visit www.marimedinc.com.

Investor Relations Contact: Steve WestVice President, Investor Relations Email: [email protected]Phone: (781) 277-0007

Company Contact:Howard SchacterChief Communications Officer Email: [email protected]Phone: (781) 277-0007

Source: MariMed Inc.
Toronto, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Media are invited to attend IFICs 2023 Annual Leadership Conference, moderated by Bruce Sellery, business journalist and bestselling author.What:

A full-day event featuring an outstanding line-up of leaders and experts who will discuss the latest trends and topics relevant to the Canadian investment funds industry.

Full agenda and list of speakers

When:

Thursday, October 5, 2023

8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., followed by a networking reception.

At 12 p.m., there will be a presentation for media on key findings of the 2023 Canadian Mutual Fund and ETF Investor Survey by Lesli Martin, Vice-President, Pollara Strategic Insights.

Where:

Toronto Region Board of Trade (in person)

100 Queens Quay E., suite 1600, Toronto, ON, M5E 1Y3

About IFIC

The Investment Funds Institute of Canada is the voice of Canadas investment funds industry. IFIC brings together 150 organizations, including fund managers, distributors and industry service organizations to foster a strong, stable investment sector where investors can realize their financial goals. By connecting Canadas savers to Canadas economy, our industry contributes significantly to Canadian economic growth and job creation. IFIC website

Christine Harminc IFIC 416-309-2313 [email protected]

Source: The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC)
(Reuters) - Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 92, has stepped down as the chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, ending a more than seven-decade career in which he created an empire spanning from Australia to the United States.

His son, Lachlan Murdoch, will become the chairman of News Corp and continue as the chair and CEO of Fox, the companies said on Thursday.

The transition cements Lachlan's role as the leader of the media empire, putting to rest questions of succession within the Murdoch family.

REACTION

BRITISH FINANCE MINISTER JEREMY HUNT ON LBC RADIO

"Well, he is someone who, love him or loathe him, had a defining influence on all of our lives over the last half century."

"I recognise there'll be lots of other things that he's done over the years that people disagreed with. But I don't think anyone would disagree this was an absolutely formidable operator."

ADVISORY FIRM MADISON & WALL'S MEDIA ANALYST BRIAN WIESER

"Logically one would always have expected him to step aside at some point given his age, and the transition to Lachlan has been conveyed to the world for some time."

"His legacy for the industry  and the world - it's mixed."

"Clearly he's done a lot for journalism, and many of his enterprises still produce a lot of important news which helps keep the world informed in ways that might not have occurred were it not for his leadership."

"But it's impossible to ignore the other side of that, where Fox News amplified toxicity in the US political environment, and other properties similarly impacted other territories."

MICHAEL ASHLEY SCHULMAN, PARTNER AND CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AT RUNNING POINT CAPITAL ADVISORS

"Rupert Murdoch stepping down is the end of a media era that has had its fair share of controversy, including, most recently Fox agreeing to pay a $787.5 million settlement to voting machine company Dominion over its reporting of the 2020 U.S. presidential election."

"And Fox remains entangled in a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit brought forth by Smartmatic."

"I can't help but think that the Dominion and Smartmatic suits have helped influence Rupert Murdoch's decision. Lachlan may not take Fox and News Corp in completely new directions, but he can put a new face on the conglomerate and try to set a new tone."

CI ROOSEVELT'S SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER JASON BENOWITZ

"I'm surprised that he's leaving now. His son Lachlan Murdoch is seasoned and capable of running the business, but of course there's no replacement for someone like the chairman, Rupert Murdoch, who founded the company and built it over decades."

"It turned out to be yet another sort of a long career of smartly building and acquiring and divesting media properties. So yeah, he's irreplaceable in a sense but I think he's leaving behind a business that is sort of as good as he could have left it for his son Lachlan to run."

DANNI HEWSON, HEAD OF FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, AT AJ BELL

"Rupert Murdoch's departure is significant, he's been a force in the media world, a shrewd operator with fingers in more pies than Mary Berry."

"Controversial, charismatic and cantankerous this is a man who leaves big shoes to fill but a man who will have planned his departure down to the last dotted I."

"The media world is unrecognisable from the one he stepped into seventy years ago and the decision to scrap plans to reunite his empire must have smarted."

"His appointment to the role of chairman emeritus suggests he'll still be exerting his influence, just in a less hands on way."

MATTHEW JORDAN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDIA STUDIES AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

"Like in the series Succession, inspired by Murdoch, observers have long questioned where things would go once he was no longer at the helm. Lachlan is the heir apparent, but it is important to understand that this is now a data-driven business machine."

"Fox News runs minute-by-minute ratings, and ties their storylines and coverage to what its audience wants to hear. Now that there are more and more right-wing media outlets like Newsmax, they have to keep the audience glued in to remain profitable."

RODNEY BENSON, PROFESSOR OF MEDIA STUDIES AT NYU

"Murdoch has immeasurably transformed the U.S. media ecosystem, not only ideologically in laying the foundation for the growth of a right-wing media infrastructure, but stylistically and ethically."

"Even if there is conflict within the family, which I would expect to be subdued as long as he lives, whatever his official title, it is difficult to imagine a fundamental reshaping of Fox, given its success as a commercial formula."

ART HOGAN, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST AT B RILEY WEALTH

"Murdoch is stepping away after a tumultuous year at Fox's TV network. While his decision comes as a bit of a surprise, there is certainly some logic to the decision."

"Broadcast TV is in secular decline, and Fox has lost both on air talent and ratings. As one of his sons will be taking over the leadership role, we wouldn't expect to see much of a reaction in the stock, which is unchanged on a year-to-date basis."

PAUL VERNA, PRINCIPAL ANALYST AT INSIDER INTELLIGENCE

"Rupert Murdoch's retirement from the Fox board and the elevation of his son Lachlan to the chairman role come at a momentous time for the company and the media industry."

"As it has in every US Presidential Election cycle this century, in 2024, Fox News will play a central role in shaping public opinion on the right side of the political spectrum in an increasingly divided society."

"And in the broader media landscape, Fox Corp. - like other TV network groups - is grappling with existential questions about the viability of the cable bundle and the challenges in monetizing streaming assets."

THOMAS HAYES, CHAIRMAN AT HEDGE FUND GREAT HILL CAPITAL

"Built an incredible company. Wise to step down at this stage and hand over to next generation."

"He is 92 years old. It's time. His legacy has been creating a counter-balance for traditional news media that allowed both sides of the debate to be heard. Lachlan has had his hands on the wheel for some time so this will be a seamless transition."

MATTHEW TUTTLE, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AT TUTTLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

"I think whenever you get to that age, that's (health issues) always a possibility. You also want the right balance of giving it to the next generation at the right time."

"(Murdoch's legacy is) Huge, good and bad. I think he was the first to make news really entertaining, but his decision to move Fox to the right created MSNBC and politicized news forever."

ED MOYA, SENIOR MARKET ANALYST AT OANDA

"I was surprised he didn't step down a lot earlier. At 92 years old, Rupert Murdoch's transition of power to one of his son's is no surprise for anyone. The timing makes sense given Fox is about to enter a marathon of election coverage and probably try to do a little rebranding."

(Reporting by Aditya Soni, Samrhitha Arunasalam, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Arsheeya Singh Bajawa in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Pooja Desai)
Chicago, IL, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of two highly accomplished senior executives to its leadership team. Chrissy Carr, PE, will join as Chief Engineering Officer, Industries, overseeing operations and profit and loss responsibilities for the electric and gas utilities, telecom, and aviation sectors. Anna Vargas will assume the role of Vice President of Power Engineering, Midwest. Together, Carr and Vargas bring a combined 50+ years of invaluable experience in the electric utility industry, further solidifying Milhouse's commitment to delivering exceptional power and telecom services. Their extensive expertise and track record in the field will undoubtedly increase Milhouses capabilities, enabling the firm to continue providing cutting-edge solutions and services to clients in these critical sectors.

Carr brings over 33 years of experience in the electric utilities industry to Milhouse. Prior to joining the company, she played a pivotal role as a key member of the principal group and the largest global practice management team at one of the largest engineering firms in the U.S. Her leadership was instrumental in expanding a business line from two to over 300 full-time employees and increasing revenue by an impressive 50% in just five years.

I am excited to join a company known for its commitment to innovation and constant quality. We take pride in exceeding expectations and our dedication to excellence extends to every aspect of our work, Carr shares. Together, we will continue to provide exceptional solutions to the electric and gas utilities, telecom, and aviation industries and make a positive impact on the communities we serve."

Vargas brings more than 18 years of utility operations experience to this new role as VP, Power Engineering Midwest within Milhouse. She has a remarkable track record of implementing people-first business strategies and excelling in program and project management. Her career highlights include heading an industry-leading smart meter division to best-in-class performance, successfully leading a customer-facing field organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Vargas extensive experience and strong leadership values of authenticity, fairness, and humility make her an invaluable addition to the Milhouse team. Additionally, she was the first Latina within one of the largest and oldest electric utility providers in the Midwest to hold the title of Chief of Staff in the companys over 100-year history. Prior to joining the utilities industry, Vargas proudly served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I am proud to join a team that prioritizes a diverse and inclusive culture. Milhouse's active commitment to diversity is not just admirable; it's essential. Our diverse team brings together a wealth of perspectives and experiences that drive innovation and creativity in all our endeavors, Vargas shares. I look forward to championing these principles at Milhouse while driving the power sector forward.

Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. is confident that Chrissy Carr and Anna Vargas will play integral roles in the continued growth and success of the company, solidifying its position as a leader in the utilities industry.

###

About Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.

Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. is a full-service engineering firm offering expertise in civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, and environmental engineering, as well as construction and program management. We deliver creative solutions to complex problems around the globe. Driven by our diverse perspectives, we challenge the status quo to pursue a brighter future for the communities we serve. Milhouse has been named a Best & Brightest Companies to Work For for 18 years in a row and is ranked as an ENR Top 500 Design Firm. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Ellen Bremseth Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. 3129655439 [email protected]

Source: Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki made an ambiguous pass to Russian propaganda. He spoke about weapons. He emphasized that Warsaw is now focused on rearming its own army and therefore is not giving Kyiv any military aid.

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Morawiecki said this on the Polsat TV channel. According to him, Poland is not currently transferring weapons to Ukraine, but it will not slow down the work of the arms supply hub.

"We are not currently transferring weapons to Ukraine, as we are arming ourselves with the most modern weapons. We have good relations, we want victory and we are helping to achieve this victory over the Russian barbarian. We will not risk the security of Ukraine, and our hub in Rzeszow, in cooperation with the Americans and NATO, has been working all along and will continue to fulfill its role," Morawiecki said.

By the way, Poland was the first country to provide Ukraine with tanks and helicopters to combat Russian aggression, and other countries were also involved. Now a lot of our equipment is being repaired in the neighboring country. Poland has become a hub for supplies from other countries.

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In total, the amount of support from Poland amounted to more than three billion euros.

However, now, in the context of tense relations, this statement was perceived ambiguously. Especially against the backdrop of the embargo on Ukrainian grain.

As OBOZREVATEL reported, the European Commission has decided not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain exports to the EU, which expired on September 15. It is to be replaced by restrictions that will help to control the volume of products exported from Ukraine. It is up to Ukraine to develop such measures for itself.

In addition, the Polish authorities have announced that they will stop all assistance to Ukrainian refugees in 2024. They will lose the right to free access to healthcare, education, and the labor market, as well as the ability to legally stay in the country and receive benefits. This statement was a continuation of the conflict that has arisen between the Ukrainian and Polish authorities.

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TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) (Montero or the Company) provides the following update on the move in Monteros share price. Montero has a fully funded arbitration case underway for the expropriation of its Wigu Hill rare earth element project against the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania). The in-person arbitration hearing is scheduled to be held at the International Centre for Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID) hearing centre in Washington DC., USA, from 4  8 December 2023. Two other junior mining companies are seeking compensation for expropriation of their Retention Licences in Tanzania, Indiana Resources Limited (Indiana) (ASX: IDA) and Winshear Gold Corp. (Winshear) (TSX-V: WINS).

As developments in each of these cases have unfolded, Montero has seen higher volumes of its shares traded and moves in its share price.

On September 18, 2023, ICSID updated its webpage relating to the Winshear v Tanzania dispute to indicate that the arbitration proceedings had been suspended by agreement of the parties (https://icsid.worldbank.org/cases/case-database/case-detail?CaseNo=ARB/20/25). On September 19, 2023, Winshear announced that they have reached a conditional settlement agreement with Tanzania in relation to their claim against Tanzania for the expropriation of their SMP gold project, but that there was no guarantee that this will be concluded (https://winshear.com/news/).

This follows the announcement on July 14, 2023, made by Indiana that it had been awarded US$ 109.5 million in its ICSID claim against Tanzania (https://indianaresources.com.au/us-109-5m-award-against-tanzania/).

Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero, commented: Indianas substantial damages award and Winshears pending settlement are providing shareholders with recognition that the cancellation of the Retention Licenses by Tanzania was economically catastrophic to each company. Montero is seeking compensation for the loss of its investment in its former flagship Wigu Hill Rare Earth Project due to Tanzanias unlawful expropriation of Monteros Retention Licenses. Montero is fully funded to complete its arbitration hearings with the same lead attorney that represented both Indiana and Winshear earlier this year. Monteros arbitration hearings at ICSID will be held in December 2023.

Montero is represented by Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP and Mr. Thierry Lauriol of Jeantet AARPI. Timothy Foden is leading the ICSID arbitration for Montero and acted as lead attorney for Indiana and Winshear in their arbitration proceedings. Montero has retained Dr. Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (USA) Inc. as quantum expert with full dispute funding secured from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder.

Monteros dispute with Tanzania is also subject to ICSID arbitration. Montero is seeking compensation in excess of CAD$ 90,000,000 for damages and interest for the unlawful expropriation of its Wigu Hill rare earth element project in Tanzania. Montero is also seeking reimbursement of its arbitration costs and fees by Tanzania. The damages claimed are for Tanzanias breaches of the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Canada and Tanzania.

For further information, please see Monteros press releases dated July 21, 2023, April 25, 2023, July 28, 2022, April 12, 2022, November 29, 2021, January 8, 2021 and the ICSID website (https://icsid.worldbank.org/services/arbitration/convention/process/overview).

The ICSID Convention has been ratified by 158 States, including Tanzania. An award issued by an ICSID tribunal is enforceable in any one of those 158 member States as if it were a judgment of one of their own courts. Partly because of this, States often comply voluntarily with the payment terms of such awards.

Background to ClaimsMontero commenced exploration activities on the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project in March 2008 under a Prospecting License and spent over CAD$ 17 million on exploration works in the discovery and development of the project. In 2015 a five-year Retention License was awarded by the Tanzanian Government on the property. This Retention License was expropriated by the Tanzanian Government in 2019 when all previously issued Retention Licenses, which had been cancelled by the Mining (Local Content) Regulations 2018, were put to tender. Montero has made repeated attempts to reach an amicable solution with the Government of Tanzania with no success since that date. Montero filed a request for arbitration with the ICSID on January 8, 2021. On February 9, 2021, ICSID registered Monteros request for the institution of arbitration proceedings to resolve the illegal expropriation matter. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on November 18, 2021, with the appointment of the President, and appointees from Montero and Tanzania.

Qualified Persons StatementThis press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. It has also been reviewed by Mr. Thierry Lauriol, avocat a la cour (Paris, France) and Mr. Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP.

DisclaimerWhile there may be similarities between Winshear, Indiana and Monteros claims against Tanzania, the cases are heard by different arbitral tribunals, and outcomes may differ.

About MonteroMontero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring, and advancing globally significant gold, silver, and base metal deposits in Chile. Monteros board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 38,647,485 shares outstanding.

For more information, contact:Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President, and Chief Executive OfficerE-mail: [email protected]Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671www.monteromining.com

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.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Share Consolidation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the agreement, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Monteros mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the agreement on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Monteros activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Monteros forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Source: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.
Memphis, TN, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Civil Rights Museum brings survivor-turned-civil rights activist, Sarah Collins Rudolph, to speak on her book, The 5th Little Girl: Soul Survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (The Sarah Collins Rudolph Story) as part of its Book & Author Series on Tuesday, September 26. The brave advocate will share her views on forgiveness, reconciliation, and racial justice during the 60th anniversary of the tragic event.

On September 15, 1963, Sarah Collins Rudolph endured a tragedy that shook the nation's conscience. As the "Fifth Little Girl" inside the bathroom lounge of the 16th Street Baptist Church, she experienced the horrifying moment when a bomb, orchestrated by white supremacists, detonated, claiming the life of her sister, Addie Mae Collins, along with Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair.

This egregious act of domestic terrorism reverberated worldwide. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described the bombing as one of the most tragic and vicious crimes ever perpetrated against humanity. It also sparked the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The blast left twelve-year-old Sarah Collins temporarily blind. For decades, she slipped into anonymity. In the book, an intimate first-hand account co-authored by Dr. Tracy Snipes, Rudolph imparts her views on topics such as the 50th-year commemoration, restitution, and racial terrorism underscored by the subsequent deadly violence of the Mother Emanuel massacre in Charleston, SC, and the Charlottesville, VA racial mob violence.

An autographed copy of The 5th Little Girl will be available in the Museums store. The hybrid Book & Author Series event begins at 6:00 pm Central and is free and open for registration. For more information, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.

The book talk series continues October 4, when the Museum highlights the book, A Few Days Full of Trouble, by co-authors Christopher Benson and Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., the cousin of Emmett Till. This discussion will pair with the exhibit opening of Emmett Till & Mamie Till: Let the World See on October 7 at the Museum.

About the National Civil Rights MuseumThe NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from slavery to the present. Since the Museum opened in 1991, millions of visitors worldwide have come, including more than 90,000 students annually. Serving as the new public square, the Museum is steadfast in its mission to honor and preserve the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s assassination. It chronicles the American civil rights movement and tells the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights, serving as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change. A Smithsonian Affiliate and an internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum is recognized as a 2019 National Medal Award recipient by the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the top national honor for museums and libraries. It is a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Top 5% U.S. Museum, USA Today's Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions; Top 10 Best Historical Spots in the U.S. by TLC's Family Travel; Must See by the Age of 15 by Budget Travel and Kids; Top 10, American Treasures by USA Today; and Best Memphis Attraction by The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Business Journal.

 civilrightsmuseum.org 

Connie Dyson National Civil Rights Museum 901-331-5460 [email protected]

Source: National Civil Rights Museum
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile medical provider Scrubs Health Inc. (Scrubs) is pleased to announce it has launched operations in Calgary, AB. Individuals and corporate clients can now use Scrubs for lab testing and other medical services in the comfort and convenience of their home or office.

Scrubs makes it easy for patients to connect with care providers for same-day and next-day bloodwork, electrocardiograms (ECGs) and other specialized tests, from gut microbiome analysis to genetic testing and pre-natal diagnostics.

We are excited to launch in Calgary at a time when access to quality care has never been more challenging, says Peter Verburg, co-founder and CEO of Scrubs. Scrubs provides an alternative to traditional healthcare delivery, working with Calgarians on their terms and schedule.

Healthcare in Canada is ripe for innovation. The customer service experience hasnt evolved much in recent decades or kept pace with the demands of a growing population and technological advancement, unlike in many other industries (and countries). The reasons are complex, but a lack of capacity in the lab system, doctor shortages, fee structures, administration practices and antiquated booking systems have all contributed to long waits for appointments, crowded waiting rooms and time wasted driving between clinics and labs. The situation in Calgary has been especially acute in the past year, with patients reportedly waiting up to six weeks for appointments at lab collection centres.

As a private company, Scrubs has invested in technology and people to offer an alternative, putting the control of testing and other medical services in the hands of patients, and providing quality care whenever and wherever they need it. This more modern service experience is especially helpful for people who have mobility issues or require regular testing to manage chronic disease, and for business professionals and time-constrained individuals and families. By providing a new option for patients at a very reasonable cost, it also takes pressure off the public system.

Scrubs practitioners offer a wide range of lab tests, including general bloodwork ordered by doctors in the public system. Results go directly to the doctor who ordered the test, usually within 24 hours. Individuals struggling to find a family doctor can also book virtual medical consults on the Scrubs platform with Nurse Practitioners.

Scrubs delivers a number of advantages, including:

Same-day and next day service at homes and offices

Mobile collection for most doctor-ordered tests, including electrocardiograms (ECGs)

Self-order STI testing  no doctor visit required, with free follow-ups for abnormal results

Virtual medical consults with Nurse Practitioners

Free prescription delivery in the City of Calgary

Specialized testing that isnt easy to access, such as gut microbiome analysis

Custom lab work  giving patients the power to choose what they want to test, such as hormones or vitamin levels

Scrubs is also excited to announce a new clinic partnership program, providing traditional primary care medical clinics with incentives to extend their services to patients to include at-home lab work. Clinic managers and doctors can find out more about how Scrubs can benefit them and their patients on the company website, at www.scrubshealth.com.

For media inquiries, please contact: Tracy Logan Scrubs Health Inc. E: [email protected] T: 855-833-3339 W: www.scrubshealth.com

Source: Scrubs Health Inc.
To ensure their votes are counted at the Special Meeting of Shareholders, Shareholders must submit their proxies by 10:00 am (Calgary Time) this Monday, September 25, 2023. Shareholders are encouraged to vote FOR the Arrangement with Strathcona.

Combining with Strathcona is superior to the status quo, providing Pipestone Shareholders with the ability to participate in the upside of a much larger, more diversified producer that is expected to benefit from scale, longer-life and better-positioned reserves, improved access to capital and a potential positive re-rating by markets

Have questions or need help voting? Call Kingsdale Advisors on 1-888-659-1824 (toll free in North America), email [email protected] , or visit www.pipestonestrathcona.com

CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (PIPE  TSX) Pipestone Energy Corp. (Pipestone or the Company) today reminded Pipestone shareholders (Shareholders) that time is running out to vote their proxies FOR the proposed arrangement (the Arrangement) with Strathcona Resources Ltd. (Strathcona) that would see Pipestone and Strathcona combine to become one of Canadas largest energy producers.

To ensure their votes are counted at the special meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") being held to approve the Arrangement, Shareholders must submit their proxies by 10:00 a.m. (Calgary Time) on Monday, September 25, 2023. The Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (Calgary Time) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

The Arrangement is expected to enable Shareholders to fully participate in the upside of

a much larger and more diversified producer with 185,000 boe/d average daily production;

a well-positioned reserves base and much longer reserves life at over 38 years;

better access to, and lower cost of, capital;

an extended tax shelter (by over two years); and

a potential positive re-rating by markets.

The independent committee (the Special Committee) of the board of directors of Pipestone (the Board) and the Board have determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Pipestone and the Shareholders. The determinations of the Special Committee and the Board came after a rigorous 18-month strategic review process that began in early 2022 and evaluated over 75 potential counterparties. The Arrangement is also fully supported by management of Pipestone and Riverstone Holdings LLC, a significant and highly sophisticated shareholder in Pipestone, each of whom have entered into support agreements with Strathcona to vote their shares in favour of the Arrangement.

Leading proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC (Glass Lewis) have both recommended that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement. ISS reaffirmed its recommendation upon review of the dissident proxy circular of GMT Capital Corp. (GMT) dated September 15, 2023, stating:

Upon review, the dissident arguments do not appear well supported and there is no clear indication as to whether a rejection of the deal would enhance shareholder value or lead to an enduring improvement in PIPE's share price. As such, ISS continues to recommend shareholders vote FOR the transaction.

Click here to read Pipestones news release on ISSs and Glass Lewis' recommendations dated September 20, 2023, and click here to access copies of the management information circular and related meeting materials (Meeting Materials) as well as Pipestones investor presentation, which provides in-depth rebuttals to GMTs arguments.

Copies of the Meeting Materials are also available at www.pipestonestrathcona.com and under Pipestones SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Pipestone thanks Shareholders for the strong support they have shown so far by voting FOR the Arrangement and encourages all Shareholders to vote FOR the Arrangement by 10:00 a.m. (Calgary Time) on Monday, September 25, 2023. Details on how to do so can be found below.

PIPESTONE SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING

Shareholders must take action to vote by proxy by 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Monday, September 25, 2023

On August 28, 2023, Pipestone filed Meeting Materials in connection with the Meeting. The Meeting is scheduled to be held at 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 and will be held in a virtual-only format that will be conducted via live audio webcast accessible at https://web.lumiagm.com/218234565.

The sole purpose of the Meeting is for the Shareholders to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Arrangement. Further details regarding the Meeting are set forth in the Meeting Materials.

The Board has approved the Arrangement and recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement.

HOW TO VOTE

Pipestone has retained Kingsdale Advisors as its proxy solicitation agent and strategic shareholder and communications advisor in connection with the Meeting. Shareholders with questions are encouraged to contact Kingsdale Advisors by email or at one of the numbers below:

North America (Toll-Free): 1-877-659-1824 Outside of North America (Collect Calls): 416-623-2514 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.pipestonestrathcona.com

VOTE FOR NOW

Details on how to vote can also be found in the Circular under Voting Information. All Shareholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the Meeting by proxy, whether or not a Shareholder is intending to attend the Meeting in person (virtually).

Media Contact

Martin Cej, PartnerLongview Communications and Public Affairs(403) 512-5730[email protected]

Pipestone Company Contact

Dustin Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer(587) 392-8423[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which are based on Pipestone's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. The use of any of the words "believe", "estimate", "anticipate", "expect", "plan", "predict", "outlook", "target", "project", "plan", "may", "could", "will", "shall", "should", "intend", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and 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 information.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding the anticipated benefit of the Arrangement, particularly that the Arrangement will offer certain advantages to the Shareholders; the expectation that the consideration payable to the Shareholders on completion of the Arrangement will enable the Shareholders to participate in the update of a much larger and more diversified producer that will benefit from scale; the expectation that the combined entity will have longer-lasting and better positioned reserves and better access to, and lower cost of, capital; the expectation that the combined entity will benefit from an extended tax shelter (by over two years) and a potential positive re-rating by markets and the expectation that following completion of the Arrangement, Shareholders will continue to participate in the upside of the combined company.

Pipestone believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially, including, but not limited to: the Arrangement may not be completed and may not obtain the required shareholder approval; Strathcona, Pipestone and the combined entity may fail to realize, or may fail to realize in the expected timeframes, the anticipated benefits resulting from the Arrangement; risks related to the integration of Strathcona's and Pipestone's existing businesses, including that the Shareholders may be exposed to additional business risks not previously applicable to their investment, as the business mix and operations of the combined entity will be different than that of Pipestone; if the Arrangement is not completed, Shareholders will not realize the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement and Pipestone's future business and operations could be adversely affected; the combined entity's ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies from integrating the respective businesses of Strathcona and Pipestone following completion of the Arrangement; the ability of the combined business to utilize and apply, or carry forward, tax losses and other tax attributes in the future and discrepancies between actual and estimated production of the combined entity. Such forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and Pipestone does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

Production and Reserves Information

The reserves estimate in this press release is based on Pipestone's internal evaluation and were prepared by a member of Pipestone's management who is a qualified reserves evaluator in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. The growth potential of the pro forma entity is based on: (i) in respect of Strathcona, (a) the report prepared by Sproule Associates Limited dated February 23, 2023 evaluating the petroleum and natural gas reserves and contingent resources attributable to certain of the assets of Strathcona as at December 31, 2022, (b) the report prepared by McDaniel & Associated Consultants Ltd. ("McDaniel") dated February 1, 2023 evaluating the bitumen reserves and contingent resources attributable to certain of the assets of Strathcona as at December 31, 2022, and (c) the report prepared by McDaniel dated February 14, 2023 evaluating the heavy oil reserves and contingent resources attributable to certain of the assets of Strathcona as at December 31, 2022, and (ii) in respect of Pipestone, report prepared by McDaniel dated February 13, 2023 evaluating the crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves attributable to Pipestone's properties as at December 31, 2022. Such estimates constitute forward-looking statements, which are based on values that Pipestone's management believes to be reasonable. For further information regarding the reserves of Strathcona and Pipestone, see the Meeting Materials and the annual information form of Pipestone dated March 8, 2023 for the year ended December 31, 2022, a copy of which is available on Pipestone's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, respectively.

Barrels of Oil Equivalent

This press release contains references to "boe" (barrels of oil equivalent). Pipestone has adopted the standard of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf: 1 bbl) when converting natural gas to boes. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The foregoing conversion ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and do not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading.

About Pipestone Energy Corp.

Pipestone is an oil and gas exploration and production company focused on developing its large contiguous and condensate rich Montney asset base in the Pipestone area near Grande Prairie. Pipestone is committed to building long term value for our shareholders while maintaining the highest possible environmental and operating standards, as well as being an active and contributing member to the communities in which it operates. Pipestone has achieved certification of all its production from its Montney asset under the Equitable Origin EO100TM Standard for Responsible Energy Development. Pipestone shares trade under the symbol PIPE on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.pipestonecorp.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6b4c13ee-aeaf-4834-a812-196880fac2a2

Voting QR code Voting QR code

Source: Pipestone Energy Corp.
Not for dissemination in the United States of America

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Diversified Holdings Inc. ("PDH" or the "Company") (TSXV: PDH) is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") among AJA Health and Wellness Ltd. ("AJA Health"), AJA Therapeutics Inc. ("ATI"), Assured Diagnosis Inc. ("ADI"), James Viccars, Elizabeth Bryant Viccars and Deluxe Holdings Inc. ("DHI"), dated September 20, 2023, 2023 (the "Letter of Intent"), pursuant to which, subject to regulatory approval including that of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), PDH intends to acquire (the AJA Health Acquisition) all of the issued and outstanding class A common shares (AJA Class A Shares) and series 2 preferred shares of AJA Health (AJA Preferred Shares and together with the AJA Class A Shares, the AJA Shares) and the issued and outstanding shares (the ADI Shares) of ADI (the ADI Acquisition) by way of share exchange, three-cornered amalgamation or other similar form of transaction, and to acquire all of the shares held by James Viccars, Elizabeth Bryant Viccars and DHI in the capital of ATI in exchange for shares of PDH (the ATI Share Purchase and together with the AJA Health Acquisition and the ADI Acquisition, the "Acquisition"). The final structure of the Acquisition is subject to receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice.

AJA Health and Wellness Ltd.

AJA Health was incorporated on February 18, 2015 in Alberta under the name MyCare MedTech Inc. The name was subsequently changed on September 6, 2023 to AJA Health and Wellness Ltd. AJA Health is a privately owned Alberta-based Canadian telemedicine company that has developed GOeVisit, an innovative platform which provides virtual consultations 24/7 from coast to coast. GOeVisit is a fully integrated, secure and virtual based health platform to enable and support online, realtime appointments via face-to-face technology or smart phone with a health practitioner at a fraction of the time of a traditional appointment. AJA Healths medical team uses proven virtual practice guidelines to diagnose, treat and prescribe for over 450 episodic medical conditions via computer, tablet or smartphone. Aja Health also operates full-service travel clinics in Vancouver and Surrey, BC.

AJA Health currently has 26,308,383 AJA Class A Shares issued and outstanding and 7,707,690 AJA Preferred Shares issued and outstanding and 2,000,000 performance warrants outstanding which will be exercised into AJA Class A Shares or cancelled prior to closing of the Acquisition. AJA Health anticipates completing a private placement of up to 12,500,000 AJA Class A Shares prior to closing of the Acquisition.

PDH currently owns 6,015,382 AJA Preferred Shares and 5,144,000 AJA Class A Shares for a total of 11,159,382 AJA Shares and will have 11,278,180 AJA Shares upon the debt settlement with AJA Health which will occur prior to closing of the Acquisition.

Prior to completion of the AJA Health Amalgamation, AJA Health intends to issue 1,940,507 shares, at a deemed price of $0.15 per common share as debt repayment as follows: 607,173 AJA Shares to Jim Viccars; 666,667 AJA Shares to Elizabeth Bryant Viccars; and 666,667 AJA Shares to Sanjeev Parsad, to settle $291,076 in outstanding debts. Immediately prior to the closing of the Acquisition, Jim Viccars will own 4,039,542 AJA Shares and Elizabeth Bryant Viccars will own 2,3265,667 AJA Shares and 500,000 performance warrants which are anticipated to be exercised into AJA Shares, for an aggregate number of 2,826,667 AJA Shares.

Assured Diagnosis Inc.

ADI was incorporated on September 22, 2009 in Alberta and is a privately owned Alberta-based company providing Canadians with unprecedented access to North American healthcare facilities under its trademark, MyCare. MyCare products are primarily added as health insurance options to companies and associations in Canada as an addition to their employee benefit packages.

MyCare Health Benefit Option (HBO) and MyCare Advantage Insurance assist members in obtaining a diagnosis of serious illness and arrange diagnostic scans and necessary specialist assessments. This provides more service than the traditional second opinion products attached to many group benefit programs. Medical expertise is delivered remotely via an electronic medical opinion consultation. Members have the option to upgrade to MyCare Advantage Insurance at group rates for medical treatment.

New products were added in August 2023 to assist Canadians forced to wait months and sometimes years for surgeries in the public system: MyCare Diagnostic Plus and MyCare Surgical Wait List Insurance for employee groups and individuals focuses on non-serious surgeries subject to long wait times in the public system. MyCare Diagnostic Plus offers members early access to private MRI and CT scans, diagnostic assistance and information on costs and surgical solutions outside the public system. MyCare Surgical Wait List Insurance utilizes independent surgical facilities to provide surgical solutions, up to $500,000 CAD, for Canadians on a wait list longer than 90 days.

ADI currently has 6,600,000 class A common shares, 900,000 class B common shares and 3,100,000 class D common shares issued and outstanding for an aggregate number of 10,600,000 ADI Shares. Jim Viccars currently owns 2,815,000 ADI Shares and Elizabeth Bryant Viccars currently owns 2,740,000 ADI Shares.

AJA Therapeutics Inc.

ATI was incorporated on April 5, 2019, in the state of Delaware, United States under the name MyCare MedTech USA, Inc. The name was subsequently changed to Aja Therapeutics Inc. on September 5, 2022. ATI has established virtual specialty clinics for special conditions, offering natural, non-prescription solutions and products with the potential to replace opioid drugs for chronic pain. ATI provides telehealth consultations, and a line of products featuring hempflavin; a formulation of over 20 unique flavonoids extracted from the hemp plant including cannflavin, Quercetin/Quercetin-3, Isocannflavin B, Luteolin-7-0, Apigenin and others.

Hempflavin has been proven to assist with a wide range of pain levels, from mild-severe and acute to chronic pain and has been scientifically and clinically proven to be 30 times more effective than NSAIDs, such as Aspirin, with no side effects or long-term damage. Hempflavin contains zero THC and zero cannabinoids.

The total number of shares of common stock which ATI is authorized to issue is 35,000,000, with no par value (ATI Shares), and the total number of shares of preferred stock which ATI is authorized to issue is 5,000,000, with no par value. There are currently 27,000,000 ATI Shares issued and no preferred stock. AJA Health owns 25,000,000 ATI Shares and Each of Jim Viccars, Elizabeth Bryant Viccars and DHI own 500,000 ATI Shares. DHI is controlled by Sanjeev Parsad, a director and officer of PDH and a director of AJA Health.

The Acquisition

The LOI contemplates a share exchange, a three-way amalgamation or other similar form of transaction, pursuant to which both AJA Health and ADI will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of PDH on closing and ATI will be a wholly owned subsidiary of AJA Health. The final structure for the Acquisition is subject to satisfactory tax, corporate and securities law advice for each of PDH, AJA Health, ADI and ATI.

The shareholders of AJA Health will receive up to 31,589,508 common shares of PDH (PDH Shares) at a deemed price of $0.057, assuming that all of the outstanding performance warrants of AJA Health are exercised prior to the closing and that the AJA Private Placement is fully subscribed.

The shareholders of ADI will receive 10,600,000 PDH Shares, at a deemed price of $0.057 per share. Upon completion of the Acquisition, the resulting issuer will carry on the business of AJA Health and ADI.

PDH will acquire the shares held by Jim Viccars, Elizabeth Bryant and DHI in the capital of ATI on a on a 1:1 basis at a deemed price of $0.057. Each of Jim Viccars, Elizabeth Bryant Viccars and DHI, will receive 500,000 common shares of PDH for an aggregate of 1,500,000 common shares of PDH (the "ATI Share Purchase").

Following the Acquisition there will be up to a maximum of 48,400,192 common shares of the resulting issuer outstanding on a fully diluted basis, assuming the private placement is fully subscribed. Jim Viccars will own 7,961,715 common shares of the resulting issuer (16.4%)and Elizabeth Bryant Viccars will own 6,233,334 common shares and, if the performance warrants are exercised, 6,733,334 (13.9%), being 30.3% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the resulting issuer on a fully diluted basis and as such will together be considered a control person.

Prior to completion of the AJA Health Amalgamation, PDH intends to convert $1,691,727 in outstanding loans to AJA Health into 11,278,180 class A common shares in AJA Health at a deemed price of $0.15 per share.

Concurrent with the Acquisition, AJA Health will complete an equity financing of to raise gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 through the issuance of up to 12,500,000 common shares, units or subscription receipts, as the case may be at a deemed price per share of $0.20 (the "Financing").The parties are negotiating the final terms of the Financing and the Company will announce the terms as soon as possible once finalized.

Furthermore, in connection of the Acquisition, it is anticipated that PDH will, among other things: (i) change its name to AJA Health and Wellness Inc., or such other name as may be agreed upon by the parties; (ii) reconstitute the existing directors and officers of PDH with nominees mutually agreed upon by the parties; (iii) enter into employment, consulting or other agreements with key members of the AJA Health and ADI technical teams and management; and (iv) enter into such escrow or pooling agreements as required by the Exchange or as agreed by the parties.

Further information on PDH, including current financial statements, are currently being prepared for filing with the Exchange, and will be filed and posted on SEDAR upon the completion of the information circular that will be prepared in connection with the Acquisition.

The Acquisition will constitute a reverse takeover under the policies of the Exchange. Closing of the Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions including due diligence, the entering into of definitive agreements, the completion of the Financing, receipt of all required shareholder, regulatory and third-party consents, including Exchange approval, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Acquisition will be subject to dis-interested shareholder approval. The Acquisition cannot close until the required approvals are obtained.

Related Party Transaction

As it relates to AJA Health, the Amalgamation is a Related Party Transaction (as such term is defined in Section 1.1 of MI 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions). PDH plans to call a special meeting of security holders to seek security holder approval (the "Meeting").

PDH intends to obtain a formal valuation (as such term is defined in Section 1.1 of MI 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions) and preparing materials for the Meeting. The management information circular, which will constitute the key disclosure document for the purpose of the Meeting, will be provided to PDH's security holders in compliance with applicable corporate and securities law requirements.

Premier Diversified Holdings Inc.

PDH participates in diversified industries through its acquisitions of securities and/or assets of public and private entities which it believes have potential for significant returns. It may act as a holding company (either directly or through a subsidiary) and may participate in management of subsidiary entities to varying degrees. Upon closing of the Acquisition, the resulting issuer will be engaged in the current business of ADI a, AJA Health and ATI as its principal enterprise and will be classified as a Tier 2 Life Sciences Issuer pursuant to the policies of the Exchange.

Trading in the listed securities will remain halted pursuant to section 2.5 of the Policy 5.2.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Sanjeev Parsad"

Sanjeev ParsadPresident, CEO and Director

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.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes forward looking statements that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the expected results of the Acquisition; completion of the transactions contemplated by the LOI and the anticipated timing thereof; completion of the Financing and the anticipated timing thereof and the expected use of proceeds from the Financing. Although the Company believes that any forward looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.

The forwardlooking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forwardlooking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

For further information, contact:

Sanjeev Parsad, President and CEOPhone: (604) 678.9115Fax: (604) 678.9279E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.pdh-inc.com

Source: Premier Diversified Holdings Inc.
IONE, CA, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purebase Corporation (OTCPK: PUBC), (Purebase) is a diversified mineral resource company headquartered in Ione, California. Purebase Corporation representatives were recently invited to attend the Fall 2023 National Concrete Consortium in Portland, Oregon on September 12-14. In attendance were state officials from over 20 state DOTs (Department of Transportation). Also in attendance were representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, universities, the National Ready-Mix Association, and numerous concrete-related producers.



Over the course of three days, Purebase representatives had productive interactions with key DOT officials to better understand how Purebase SCMs (supplementary cementitious materials) utilizing metakaolin could help DOTs with their challenges to approve and implement SCMs into their transportation-related projects. Purebase found what it believes to be growing opportunities for its SCMs in several western states, including Texas in particular, due to the amount of concrete that State consumes across its expansive transportation system.

A common theme at the Consortium was the challenge of locating reliable and consistent sources of SCMs for use in major projects. Several attendees discussed concerns about starting projects only to find that SCM supplies, at times, were interrupted and in short supply, which negatively impacted their projects.

Scott Dockter, CEO of Purebase Corporation, stated at the conclusion of this meeting, we realized that one of our potential strengths over other SCMs is our vast kaolin resource located here in California. Other SCMs sometimes are located outside of the country which subjects them to supply-chain interruptions. We feel that being a reliable and consistent U.S.-based supplier of SCMs may be one of our key advantages over other suppliers.

About Purebase Corporation

Purebase Corporation (OTCPK:PUBC) is a diversified resource company that acquires, develops, and markets minerals for use in agriculture, construction, and other specialty industries.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains statements, which may constitute forward-looking statements. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current plans or expectations of Purebase Corporation and members of its management team as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Risks and other important factors concerning Purebases business are described in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2022, and other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts

Emily Tirapelle - Purebase Corporation | [email protected].
Advanced technology enhances Intracept Procedure training for the treatment of vertebrogenic pain

CHICAGO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPSIS Annual Meeting -- Relievant Medsystems , a company dedicated to transforming the diagnosis and treatment of vertebrogenic low back pain, today announced the release of the Intracept Simulator System, an advanced training platform for the Intracept Procedure.



The Intracept Simulator System is based on Medabilitys SimBone simulation platform, using radiation-free simulation technology to provide an immersive hands-on training experience, including virtual x-ray, computed tomography (CT) imaging, and navigation with a realistic lumbosacral spine model. The system allows a consistent and reliable learning experience using next-generation Intracept Access Instruments and expands training opportunities for physicians.

This technology, combined with the next-generation Intracept Access Instruments, will give physicians the confidence to adopt the Intracept Procedure and maximize its effectiveness in treating vertebrogenic pain, said Ramana Naidu, MD, Director of Pain Management, MarinHealth Medical Center and Interventional Pain Physician and Anesthesiologist, MarinHealth Spine Institute. Initially, I was skeptical about a spinal intervention simulator, but the fidelity and nuance of this system makes it truly feel like the real thing.

We are very proud of our partnership with the innovative team at Relievant Medsystems, aimed at facilitating safe and high-quality training of such an important surgical procedure, said Dr. Patrick Wucherer, CEO and Co-Founder of Medability. Through our collaborative and inventive efforts, we've developed a scalable training solution that not only bolsters Relievant Medsystems' training capacity, but also delivers an engaging, immersive and highly mobile system.

We are dedicated to supporting physicians with clinical training and education to increase procedural efficiency and enable better patient outcomes, said Tyler Binney, President and CEO of Relievant Medsystems. The Intracept Simulator System is an important innovation that will empower more physicians to provide their patients with vertebrogenic pain relief.

The Intracept Procedure is a minimally invasive, long-lasting treatment for individuals suffering from chronic vertebrogenic low back pain. It is a same-day, outpatient procedure that uses targeted radiofrequency energy to stop the basivertebral nerve (BVN) from transmitting pain signals to the brain and takes approximately one hour to perform.

For more information about the Intracept Procedure, visit: https://www.relievant.com/intracept/ .

About Vertebrogenic Pain

Of the 30 million people in the U.S. with chronic low back pain, 1 in 6 are likely to have vertebrogenic pain, a distinct type of chronic low back pain caused by damage to vertebral endplates, the interface between the disc and the vertebral body. Patients typically have pain in the middle of their low back, which worsens when they bend over, sit for long periods of time, or when they are active. A physician can confirm a patients pain is vertebrogenic by observing Modic changes, a biomarker seen on standard MRI that indicates inflammation at the vertebral endplate.

About Relievant Medsystems

Relievant Medsystems is a commercial-stage medical device company transforming the diagnosis and treatment of vertebrogenic pain, a form of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP), with the Intracept Procedure  a novel, clinically proven and commercially available treatment designed to improve the quality of life for millions of indicated patients. For more information about Relievant Medsystems and the Intracept Procedure, visit www.relievant.com.

About Medability

Medability is a provider of customized high-fidelity mixed reality simulators enabling guided teaching and hands-on training of minimally invasive therapeutic and diagnostic interventions in orthopedics, spine surgery and neurosurgery. The SimBone simulation platform is an innovative tech-enabled training and sales tool. It provides medical device companies and training institutions with a simple, fast and affordable solution for high-quality, hands-on training without the need of cadavers and medical imaging devices. Leveraging deep training expertise, integrated high-end technology, built-in assessment and data analytics, the SimBone lets you educate faster at lower costs and facilitates reach and engagement to learn. Find out more about the revolutionary SimBone simulation platform: www.medability.de.

Medability and SimBone are registered trademarks of Medability GmbH. 2023 Medability GmbH. All Rights Reserved.

Media Contact  Relievant Medsystems:

Amy Moon, Bellmont Partners

(952) 564-5733 | [email protected]

Investor Contact  Relievant Medsystems:

Marissa Bych, Gilmartin Group

(805) 305-1244 | [email protected]
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, announced this week the official MOU signed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy Saudi Arabia and WPC Energy President Pedro Miras. The MOU signing officially passes organizing privileges of the World Petroleum Congress to Saudi Arabia who will be hosting the 25th edition in Riyadh in 2026.

In addition to this signing, the World Petroleum Council officially unveiled its new branding at a name-changing ceremony during the opening ceremonies of the 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC). Announced earlier this summer, the World Petroleum Council has officially rebranded to WPC Energy to reflect the organizations commitment to leading the global transition to a low-carbon energy system which can only be achieved through a diverse mix of all energy sources and driven by technology and innovation.

We are witnessing a major industry transformation that demands the best of us all. That is why we have an enormous responsibility to meet these demands, stated Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy. We are addressing all topics and becoming, once again, the largest forum for dialogue on energy transformation. The 24th World Petroleum Congress has been a great success to date and is a turning point in our long history.

The name-changing ceremony occurred during the opening ceremonies on Sunday, September 17, and the MOU signing took place during the first session of the congress, a Ministerial Dialogue with HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud. Following this session, Pedro Miras presented Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser with the prestigious WPC Dewhurst Award which recognizes leadership and contributions to the oil and gas industry. Amin Nasser is only the twelfth recipient of the Dewhurst Award in the nearly 90-year history of WPC Energy.

Thursday, September 21 is the final day of the 24th World Petroleum Congress. Exhibition hours and the congress schedule, including strategic and plenary sessions, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recognizing our SponsorsOCAN is pleased to recognize the Diamond, Platinum and Elite sponsors of the 24th WPC for their support: Accenture, Aramco, CNPC, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, Sinopec, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor, bp, Bennett Jones, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil | Imperial, Petrobas, PwC Canada, S&P Commodity Insights, Sonangol EP and WestJet. OCAN would also like to recognize its government partners including PrairiesCan, the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary for their funding and in-kind contributions and support.

Media accreditation is required to attend, and all registered media will need to provide a WPC media pass upon arrival. For more information about WPC, including the full Congress programme, visit www.wpc24.com.

About the World Petroleum CongressHeld every three years in WPC member countries, the Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary will feature a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future.

About WPC EnergyEstablished in 1933, WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). WPC Energy is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC Energy conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:Rebecca Hurl, Brookline Public RelationsE-mail: [email protected] www.24wpc.com

For further information about the WPC Energy, contact:Sarah Beattie, Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]www.world-petroleum.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17b625a4-7691-4b6d-8828-70e7d17d588c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51f28c22-a4e1-44fa-b5c4-e5397430accd

MOU Signing at 24WPC Signing of MOU, from left to right: Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy and His Royal Highness Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia Dewhurst Award at 24WPC Dewhurst Award from left to right: HRH Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia; Amin Nasser, President and CEO, Aramco; Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy

Source: WPC Canada
STMicroelectronics releases secure software for STM32-powered edge devices connecting to AWS IoT Core

New developer software for STM32H5 leverages ST's Secure Manager to simplify safe connectivity to AWS IoT devices platform

Geneva, Switzerland, September 21, 2023  STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has added new software to its STM32Cube development tools that simplifies connecting high-performing Internet of Things (IoT) devices to the AWS cloud.

ST has released the X-CUBE-AWS-H5 expansion package which enables a seamless and secure connection to the AWS cloud. It contains a set of libraries and application examples designed for high-performance microcontrollers of the STM32H5 series, which act as end devices.

The solution is built on the FreeRTOS open-source real-time operating system and STs Secure Manager embedded security software. The recently announced STM32H5 Discovery kit is available to use with this solution and lets developers easily and securely connect their STM32H5-based prototypes to AWS IoT Core.

The STM32H5 is ready for the next generation of IoT edge devices, bringing the performance to handle complex applications within a tight energy budget, said Daniel Colonna, STM32 Marketing Director, STMicroelectronics. The STM32Cube ecosystem helps developers unleash its powerful capabilities, accelerate development, and, with our latest software, connect securely to the powerful storage and data-analytics services in the AWS cloud.

STM32H5 is one of the most powerful Arm Cortex-M33 MCU series. Devices are programmed with their own immutable identity at the ST factory. Combined with STs Secure Manager, this simplifies registering smart devices to AWS cloud and removes the need for costly infrastructure otherwise necessary to keep the identities of IoT objects secret during their production.

Remote provisioning and administration of credentials will also be available via third-party service providers, during production of devices and in the field.

The isolation properties provided by Secure Manager enable the intellectual property of multiple owners to be protected. This is also known as multitenant IP protection. It is part of a comprehensive set of services that protect the confidentiality and integrity of assets belonging to STM32 developers and partners, through development, manufacturing, and in the field.

This is a perfect fit for edge AI use cases, where models are running on the edge, on devices, protected by the Secure Manager, and further trained and securely updated via the cloud. The STM32Trust TEE Secure Manager makes stronger security simpler.

Overall, the STM32Cube ecosystem with STM32H5 microcontrollers provides developers with a powerful and secure platform for developing IoT applications that comply with future regulations and standards. STM32H5, introduced in March 2023, is the first to support Secure Manager and targets PSA Certified level 3 and SESIP3 certifications.

X-CUBE-AWS-H5 is ready to download now.For more information, please go to www.st.com/x-cube-aws-h5.

STM32 is a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

About STMicroelectronicsAt ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For Press Information Contact:

Michael MarkowitzSTMicroelectronicsTel: +1 781 591 0354Email: [email protected]

Attachments

P4572S -- Sep 21 2023 -- STM32H5 sw for AWS IoT Core_IMAGE STM32H5 sw for AWS IoT Core

Source: STMicroelectronics N.V.
FREMONT, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fremont Company, a food manufacturer located in Fremont, Ohio since 1905, is proud to announce its Fremont Cares, initiative has set a program record, raising $3,200 to support local school lunch programs and food pantries.

According to Chris Smith, President of The Fremont Company, Were a food company, and one of our core values is to feed the world like family. The success of our Fremont Cares program is a testament to the compassion and commitment of our employees and demonstrates our support of the communities in which we live and work.

The program is designed to make a meaningful impact in the local communities where Fremont plants are located. Donations will be directly channeled into Fremont City Schools and Parkway City Schools lunch programs to help pay off student lunch debt, and to stock shelves at the McKinley Community Outreach Center Food Pantry in Willoughby. The Fremont Company employees purchased raffle tickets with a dollar-for-dollar match by The Fremont Company. The raffle featured high value prizes, including a paid day off.

For more information about The Fremont Company and its philanthropic initiatives, including Fremont Cares, please visit https://fremontcompany.com/fremont-cares/

About The Fremont CompanyThe Fremont Company is a fourth-generation owned family company. The Fremont Company has over 100 years experience in the manufacturing of tomato-based sauces, fermented and pickled vegetables, and other specialty foods.

Contact:[email protected]

Source: The Fremont Company
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recently conducted a missile attack on a secret base of the occupiers in the temporarily occupied Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia. As a result, the commander of the 58th Army of the Russian Federation fighting in the Zaporizhzhia direction and the chief of staff were wounded.

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition, several dozen enemy officers were injured. This was reported to OBOZREVATEL by the SSU sources.

About ten of the wounded occupants have already died, the special service said.

According to the source, the SSU found out that the enemy had set up its headquarters at a local engine plant. The information was passed on to the Armed Forces, who began to prepare for the attack.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- On September 19, the Office of Strategic Communications of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced a strike on the headquarters of the Russian military near occupied Melitopol. The agency also released a video of the attack. Kremlin propagandists traditionally claimed that "the attack was repelled by air defense."

- On the night of September 21, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy launched a powerful attack on the Saki airfield in occupied Crimea, where at least 12 occupiers' combat aircraft were stationed.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ValOre Metals Corp. (ValOre; TSXV: VO; OTCQB: KVLQF; Frankfurt: KEQ0, the Company) today reported the completion of the 2023 Phase 1 Diamond Drilling Program at ValOres 100%-owned Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements (PGE, 2PGE+Au) Project (Pedra Branca) in northeastern Brazil.

We are very pleased with the results of the first phase of ValOres 2023 exploration program, where we drilled over 6,150 metres at 8 different zones across the Pedra Branca property. Drilling confirmed the potential to expand resource zones like Trapia 1 and discover new mineralized zones like Salvador, stated Thiago Diniz, Exploration Manager, ValOre Metals Corp. The team continues advancing property-wide resource zones and new targets as we await final assay results over the next 6 weeks.

Highlights

6,152 m drilled in 49 holes distributed along 8 separate exploration and resource zones;

Target ultramafic (UM) rocks intercepted in 42 of 49 holes (794 m of UMs);

1,625 core samples sent to lab, with assays pending for 806 samples from 16 holes:

Resource expansion potential confirmed at Trapia 1, which remains largely open along-strike and down-plunge;

Near surface PGE mineralization drilled at the following zones: Galante, Troia, Nambi, Massape, and Salvador (see Assay Highlights table below).

Table 1: Drilling Totals by Zone

Target Total Drilled (m) # Holes # Holes w/ UMs Total UMs (m) Core Samples Assays Received Assays Pending Galante 790 11 11 169 384 384 0 Troia 1,029 9 6 66 188 188 0 Nambi 665 6 6 76 203 185 18 Ipueiras 228 4 3 27 83 0 83 Massape 380 4 3 18 48 48 0 Cedro 545 2 1 4 14 14 0 Trapia 1,459 5 5 169 308 0 308 Salvador 1,056 8 7 265 397 0 397 Total 6,152 49 42 794 1,625 819 806

Table 2: Core Assay Highlights (g/t 2PGE+Au)

Target Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length** (m) 2PGE+Au (g/t) Summary Interval Galante DD23GE01 56.00 56.63 0.63 0.99 0.63 m @ 0.99 g/t 2PGE+Au from 56 m DD23GE02 10.25 19.30 9.05 0.35 9.05 m @ 0.35 g/t 2PGE+Au from 10.25 m DD23GE03 31.50 32.35 0.85 0.57 0.85 m @ 0.57 g/t 2PGE+Au from 31.50 mand 3.02 m @ 0.15 g/t 2PGE+Au from 35 m 35.00 38.02 3.02 0.15 DD23GE04 26.65 56.60 29.95 0.33 29.95 m @ 0.33 g/t 2PGE+Au from 26.65 m DD23GE05 35.60 48.70 13.10 0.30 13.10 m @ 0.30 g/t 2PGE+Au from 35.60 m DD23GE06 33.00 35.55 2.55 0.63 2.55 m @ 0.63 g/t 2PGE+Au from 33 m DD23GE07 15.00 23.60 8.60 3.18 8.60 m @ 3.18 g/t 2PGE+Au from 15 mincl. 2.10 m @ 5.26 g/t 2PGE+Au from 17.90 m 17.90 20.00 2.10 5.26 DD23GE08 16.70 31.50 14.80 0.15 14.8 m @ 0.15 g/t 2PGE+Au from 16.7 m DD23GE09 24.55 29.65 5.10 0.49 5.10 m @ 0.49 g/t 2PGE+Au from 24.55 m DD23GE10 12.20 19.25 7.05 0.16 7.05 m @ 0.16 g/t 2PGE+Au from 12.2 mincl. 1.05 m @ 0.39 g/t 2PGE+Au from 12.2 m 12.20 13.25 1.05 0.39 DD23GE11 10.60 22.70 12.10 0.25 12.1 m @ 0.25 g/t 2PGE+Au from 10.6 mand 3.9 m @ 0.43 g/t 2PGE+Au from 43 mand 4 m @ 0.22 g/t 2PGE+Au from 55 mand 10.1 m @ 0.6 g/t 2PGE+Au from 75.3 m 43.00 46.90 3.90 0.43 55.00 59.00 4.00 0.22 75.30 85.40 10.10 0.60 Troia DD23TR05 22.25 26.83 4.58 0.75 4.58 m @ 0.75 g/t 2PGE+Au from 22.25 m DD23TR06 23.10 42.90 19.80 0.71 19.8 m @ 0.71 g/t 2PGE+Au from 23.1 m DD23TR07 31.15 47.50 16.35 1.03 16.35 m @ 1.03 g/t 2PGE+Au from 31.15 mincl. 2.6 m @ 4.03 g/t 2PGE+Au from 43.25 m 43.25 45.85 2.60 4.03 DD23TR08 22.45 32.95 10.50 0.57 10.5 m @ 0.57 g/t 2PGE+Au from 22.45 m DD23TR09 52.42 59.43 7.01 1.09 7.01 m @ 1.09 g/t 2PGE+Au from 52.42 mincl. 3 m @ 1.61 g/t 2PGE+Au from 53.1 m 53.10 56.10 3.00 1.61 DD23TR11 62.00 62.80 0.80 0.17 0.8 m @ 0.17 g/t 2PGE+Au from 62 m Nambi DD23NB02 48.64 50.33 1.69 0.56 1.69 m @ 0.56 g/t 2PGE+Au from 48.64 m DD23NB03 40.00 42.05 2.05 0.22 2.05 m @ 0.22 g/t 2PGE+Au from 40 m DD23NB04 32.94 56.57 23.63 1.56 23.63 m @ 1.56 g/t 2PGE+Au from 32.94 mincl. 7.9 m @ 2.80 g/t 2PGE+Au from 42 m 34.10 42.00 7.90 2.80 DD23NB05* 238.44 243.60 5.16 0.23 5.16 m grading 0.23 g/t 2PGE+Au from 238.44 m DD23NB06* 62.00 66.50 4.50 0.48 4.5 m grading 0.48 g/t 2PGE+Au from 62 m DD23NB07* 22.80 24.65 1.85 0.43 1.85 m grading 0.43 g/t 2PGE+Au from 22.8 m Massape DD23MS18* 102.95 103.45 0.50 0.20 0.5 m grading 0.20 g/t 2PGE+Au from 102.95 m DD23MS19* 26.00 33.90 7.90 0.27 7.9 m grading 0.27 g/t 2PGE+Au from 26 m and 2 m grading 2.50 g/t 2PGE+Au from 56 m 56.00 58.00 2.00 2.50

*New assay results in todays release. **Reported core assay interval lengths are estimated to represent 90-100% of true width.

Figure 1: Pedra Branca project property map, highlighting locations of the 2023 drill targets and current resource zones.

Figure 2: Salvador target 3D perspective view (looking NW). Total of 8 holes completed along a 400-metre priority trend, with 7 of 8 holes intercepting a thick package (average ~40-metre zone) of target ultramafic rocks (core assays pending). Salvador remains open in all directions.

Figure 3: Trapia 1 Deposit long section (looking NE). Resource expansion potential demonstrated from the 2023 core drilling, compared with the 2019 and 2022 resource optimized open pits. An additional 300 metres of chromite-bearing UMs was intercepted along dip (core assays pending).

Figure 4: Massape Deposit long section (looking W). DD23MS19 intercepted PGE mineralization 350 m outside of the 2022 resource, confirming resource expansion potential.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

CLICK HERE for a summary of ValOres policies and procedures related to QA/QC and grade interval reporting.

Qualified Person (QP)

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Thiago Diniz, P.Geo., ValOres QP and Exploration Manager.

About ValOre Metals Corp.

ValOre Metals Corp. (TSXV: VO) is a Canadian company with a team aiming to deploy capital and knowledge on projects which benefit from substantial prior investment by previous owners, existence of high-value mineralization on a large scale, and the possibility of adding tangible value through exploration and innovation.

ValOres Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements Project comprises 52 exploration licenses covering a total area of 56,852 hectares (140,484 acres) in northeastern Brazil. At Pedra Branca, 7 distinct PGE+Au deposit areas host, in aggregate, a 2022 NI 43-101 inferred resource of 2.198 Moz 2PGE+Au contained in 63.6 Mt grading 1.08 g/t 2PGE+Au (CLICK HERE for news release dated March 24, 2022). ValOres team believes the Pedra Branca project has significant exploration discovery and resource expansion potential.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Jim Paterson

James R. Paterson, Chairman and CEO

ValOre Metals Corp.

For further information about ValOre Metals Corp., or this news release, please visit our website at www.valoremetals.com or contact Investor Relations at [email protected].

ValOre Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: http://www.discoverygroup.ca/

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although ValOre believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate. These factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information to ValOre. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the future operations of ValOre and economic factors. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and, except as required by applicable law, ValOre does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ValOre undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of ValOre, or its financial or operating results or (as applicable), their securities.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a506576-a6ed-43b8-b38f-10a49b753824https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46da83ad-521f-4fc3-8e6c-c715b1f12a31https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea5f3708-5667-4572-a906-2662884b0006https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af95796d-88d6-4536-9796-8f09b5c196c9

Pedra Branca Project Property Map Figure 1: Pedra Branca project property map, highlighting locations of the 2023 drill targets and current resource zones. Salvador Target Figure 2: Salvador target 3D perspective view (looking NW). Total of 8 holes completed along a 400-metre priority trend, with 7 of 8 holes intercepting a thick package (average ~40-metre zone) of target ultramafic rocks (core assays pending). Salvador remains open in all directions. Trapia 1 Deposit Figure 3: Trapia 1 Deposit long section (looking NE). Resource expansion potential demonstrated from the 2023 core drilling, compared with the 2019 and 2022 resource optimized open pits. An additional 300 metres of chromite-bearing UMs was intercepted along dip (core assays pending). Massape Deposit Figure 4: Massape Deposit long section (looking W). DD23MS19 intercepted PGE mineralization 350 m outside of the 2022 resource, confirming resource expansion potential.

Source: ValOre Metals Corporation
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) has come to a close after five days of engaging conversations centered on the theme Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero. The Organising Committee for Canada (OCAN) is proud to share that the 24th WPC saw over 10,000 unique visitors to the exhibition, over 5,000 delegates in attendance at the Congress, and registrants from 111 countries.

The 24th WPC has been an incredible success, said Denis Painchaud, President & CEO, OCAN. We hit all our topline numbers and have received incredibly positive feedback about the overall experience from participants. I want to thank attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors, as well as our Board, organizing team, employees, contractors and volunteers for making this a truly special event. I would also like to thank Minister Wilkinson, Premier Smith and Mayor Gondek for their participation and support. This event has been a win for the global energy industry, the Canadian energy industry, for Canada and for Calgary.

We are thrilled to celebrate the progress achieved during a week of productive and engaging dialogue at the 24th WPC, said Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy. WPC Energys vision is to facilitate an open dialogue around oil, gas, energy and its products with participation from around the world. We look forward to continuing these important conversations as we look forward to the 25th WPC taking place in Saudi Arabia in 2026.

Notable highlights from the 24th WPC included:

The Opening Ceremony took place on Sunday, September 17 which included a ceremony to officially mark the transition from World Petroleum Council to a new name, WPC Energy. The Opening Ceremony also included a keynote address from the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada and remarks from Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta and Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary.

Day one of the Congress featured a Ministerial Dialogue with HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud. This included an MOU signing to officially pass organizing privileges of WPC to Saudi Arabia, which will be hosting the 25th edition in Riyadh in 2026. Following this session, WPC Energy President Pedro Miras presented Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser with the prestigious WPC Dewhurst Award, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the oil and gas industry.

The exhibition floor was heavily populated all four days, attracting visitors and delegates alike to discover features including the Carbon Tech Expo, Canada House, Digital Poster Plaza and Sustainability & Social Responsibility Pavilion. Sponsors and attending organizations have stated that they enjoyed a tremendous amount of business success at the event and felt that they achieved full value for their investments.

Feedback from attendees has consistently highlighted the strength of WPCs speaker panels. The programme included seven plenary sessions, daily luncheon panels, ministerial sessions with global participation, CEO strategic sessions and technical forums, with government representatives, CEOs, academics and more from around the world.

Congress proceedings concluded with the WPC Excellence Awards (WPCEA), presented Thursday afternoon. These awards distinguish companies, institutions or any public or private organization engaged in the oil and gas industry for promoting or operating with high excellence standards. The 2023 WPCEA recipients included: WPCEA for Social Responsibility: Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju: Lighting More Hopes - Indonesia (Small Company) Marun Petrochemical Company: MAHSHAHR Deserves the Best - Iran (Large Company) WPCEA for Technological Development: Micro-Bac International: Bacterial application for environmental and economical improvements in SWD assets - USA (Small Company) Saudi Aramco: Sensor Ball - Saudi Arabia (Large Company) WPCEA for Gender & Inclusion Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO): Women of Tomorrow  A strategic initiative for Gender & Inclusion  Bahrain

Calgary welcomed people from all over the world to participate in WPC. Hotels, restaurants and event spaces all opened their doors to delegates and visitors  a true demonstration of Calgarian hospitality and a major contributor to the overall success of the event.

Recognizing our SponsorsOCAN is pleased to recognize the Diamond, Platinum and Elite sponsors of the 24th WPC for their support: Accenture, Aramco, CNPC, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, Sinopec, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor, bp, Bennett Jones, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil | Imperial, Petrobas, PwC Canada, S&P Commodity Insights, Sonangol EP and WestJet. OCAN would also like to recognize its government partners including PrairiesCan, the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary for their funding and in-kind contributions and support.

To learn more about what took place at the 24th WPC, please visit www.24wpc.com. To stay connected to WPC Energy and updates regarding the 25th WPC in Riyadh in 2026, please visit www.world-petroleum.org.

About the World Petroleum CongressHeld every three years in WPC Energy member countries, the World Petroleum Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary featured a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future.

About WPC EnergyEstablished in 1933, WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). WPC Energy is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC Energy conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:Rebecca Hurl, Brookline Public RelationsE-mail: [email protected] www.24wpc.com

For further information about WPC Energy, contact:Sarah Beattie, Project ManagerE-mail: [email protected]www.world-petroleum.org

Source: WPC Canada
Americans are taking to permanent jewelry  a trend where jewelry is welded together rather than held by a clasp  at increasing rates. Permanent jewelry first gained traction on social media and soon attracted the attention of brands such as Italian firm Atelier VM as well as Catbird in New York City, which launched permanent jewelry such as welded bracelets into the mainstream.

Although the concept of permanent jewelry has technically been around for centuries, the trend has gathered steam in the U.S. in recent years as

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to GEMXX Corp. (OTC: GEMZ) are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/GEMZ

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) (BVL: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Company's Special Meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") that took place in Vancouver, BC on September 21, 2023.

As more fully described in the Company's Information Circular dated August 9, 2023 (the "Circular"), shareholders were asked to consider and, if thought fit, to pass an ordinary resolution (the "Resolution") to approve the: (i) issuance of a five-year convertible promissory note (the "Note") to defer a US$25 million current liability owed to Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox Gold"); and (ii) creation of Equinox Gold, and/or any affiliates of Equinox Gold, as a new "Control Person" (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV")) of the Company. The full text of the Resolution was provided in Appendix "A" of the Circular. Subsequent amendments to the Circular, announced via a news release issued by the Company on September 13, 2023, did not affect the form or intent of the Resolution.

Fifty-seven percent of shares eligible to be voted at the Meeting were cast and the Resolution was passed by 88.9% of votes cast at the Meeting.

The form of the Note has been settled between Equinox Gold and the Company. Issuance of the Note is subject to both shareholder approval, which was secured at the Meeting, and final approval by the TSXV. The Company expects to proceed with issuance of the Note once TSXV approval is obtained.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Catherine McLeod-Seltzer

Chair

For further information contact:

Barbara Henderson - VP Corporate Communications

Direct: 604-628-1111

E-mail: [email protected]

www.bearcreekmining.com

Subscribe to Bear Creek Mining news

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the TSXV approval of the Note and issuance of the Note. These forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this news release and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to: that the TSXV will approve issuance of the Note; and the expected issuance of the Note. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions expressed above do not occur, and the additional risks described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR+. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181437
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 100% undivided interest in 279 non-contiguous mining claims totaling 9,378 hectares. This acquisition results in a significant expansion of three of its optioned properties known as the Ogani Lake, Maytham, and Superb Lake North, as well as the acquisition a new property named Sydere (collectively, the "Properties"). The Properties are all located in the province of Ontario.

Allan Frame, President & CEO of Beyond Lithium, commented that, "The expansion of three of our properties comes on the heels of our Phase 1 exploration program results. We have now moved 17 projects to Phase 2 exploration and expanded three properties, in addition to the expansion of the Ear Falls project announced earlier this week. The upcoming results from our Phase 2 programs, plus pending results from Phase 1 exploration on several properties will dictate which projects will we dedicate exploration dollars to later this year and in 2024."

He added: "Given the work done to date, we have identified several projects which we believe will be attractive for exploration companies wanting to establish a footprint in Ontario for lithium exploration. Consistent with our business plan which includes project generation, we are about to ramp up our efforts to find partners to advance various projects and provide non-dilutive capital for our company."

The staking for these expansions and the staking of Sydere were conducted by Bounty Gold Corp. ("Bounty Gold") and Last Resort Resources Ltd ("Last Resort") on behalf of Beyond Lithium. The acquisition was completed pursuant to the terms and conditions of a mineral property purchase agreement which also included the previously announced expansions of the Cosgrave and McKenzie properties. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, Beyond Lithium will pay Bounty Gold and Last Resort an aggregate cash consideration of $44,300 and issue a total of 92,880 common shares of the Company. These expansions and the acquisition of Sydere are subject to the exact same NSR and milestones payments terms and condition granted in the original properties optioned in March 2023 (see the Company's March 31st, 2023 news release). Following the recent acquisition, expansion and consolidation of properties, Beyond Lithium now has 61 properties covering over 180,000 hectares.

Ogani Lake Project Expansion

The Ogani Lake Project is located 30 km northeast of the Ear Falls Project which hosts Beyond Lithium's newly discovered spodumene pegmatites zone and 65 km west of Green Technology Metals' Root and McCombe Lithium deposits. The Ogani Lake Project is expanded from 1,427 hectares to 5,177 hectares after beryl was found in several white tourmaline-muscovite pegmatites up to 10 meters wide during Beyond Lithium's phase 1 program (Figure 1). The presence of beryl in pegmatites indicates the source of the pegmatites or the pegmatites' parental pluton is abundant with the right rare-earth fluid composition for the potential of lithium-cesium-tantalum mineralization in pegmatites.





Figure 1: Ogani Lake and McKenzie Bay Projects Expansion Map



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181364_30860390c4b1492a_004full.jpg



Maytham Lake and Superb Lake Projects Expansion

The Maytham Lake and the Superb Lake Projects are located along the Wabigoon-English River boundary zone that has been known for rare-element mineralization with over a 130 km strike length between Linklater Lake to Superb Lake near Nakina. Rare-element mineralization in this region has not been investigated in detail since the 1950s apart from the Superb Lake spodumene pegmatite that is now being explored by Rock Edge Resources Ltd. and the Seymour Lake Lithium deposit owned by Green Technology Metals (Stott and Parker 1997). Beyond Lithium completed the Phase 1 program at the two projects earlier this season.

Assays from the Phase 1 program at the Superb Project show local clusters of elevated Li near contact between a granitic intrusive body and metavolcanic host rocks following similar overall trend as the spodumene pegmatites at the Rock Edge Resources Ltd.'s Superb Lake Project. Likewise, the results from the Phase 1 program at the Maytham Lake Project show local clusters of elevated Li near contact between the granitic intrusive body and metavolcanic host rocks. Based on the encouraging results from the Phase 1 program on trend with the nearby Rock Edge's spodumene pegmatites, Beyond Lithium staked and expanded the Superb Lake Project from 2,054 ha to 2,321 ha and the Maytham Lake Project from 7,400 ha to 9,805 ha in areas.





Figure 2: Superb Lake and Maytham Lake Projects Expansion in Relation to Rock Edge's Spodumene Pegmatite



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181364_30860390c4b1492a_005full.jpg



Sources:

1Stott, G.M. and Parker, J.R. 1997. Geology and mineralization of the O'Sullivan Lake area, Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt, east Wabigoon Subprovince; in Summary of Field Work and Other Activities 1997, Ontario Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 168, p.48-56.

2 Rock Edge Resources Ltd. Superb Lake Project.

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 61 high potential greenfield lithium properties totalling over 180,000 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.sedarplus.ca.

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: [email protected]

Jason Frame

Manager of Communications

Tel: 587-225-2599

Email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181364
Feihe is proud to launch Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, for providing a global platform for brain science research.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Recently, the Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, held its launch ceremony at the Harvard Club of Boston, with representatives from Feihe and Boston Children's Hospital in attendance.

Figure 1

The Initiative is funded by Feihe and renowned neuroscientists from Boston Children's Hospital will take the lead in initiating research programmes to advance the understanding of genetic, nutritional, and environmental impacts on children's brain development and cognition, and to promote basic and clinical research related to the prevention and treatment of children's neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, the Initiative will bring together outstanding research teams and, accordingly, create a world-leading brain science research platform.

Lynn Susman, President of Boston Children's Hospital Trust, said the Initiative will rely on the cooperation platform to conduct basic research on children's brain development. It is believed that the Initiative will accelerate the output and application of cutting-edge academic achievements in neuroscience for the betterment of all humankind.

Youbin Leng, the Chairman and CEO of Feihe, commented that Feihe has researched infant and young children's nutrition for more than ten years. Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, leads in research and clinical practice in the brain sciences. The collaboration will advance Feihe's research on the frontiers of brain science and is expected to provide a solid theoretical basis for early-life nutrition intervention, thereby helping improve human health and quality of life more effectively and contributing to the construction of a community of health for all. Feihe hopes to incorporate the published research findings into future milk formulas to help children grow up healthily and support cognitive development.

Contact:

Yu Wang

[email protected]

https://www.feihe.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181388
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Hertz Lithium Inc. (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a service agreement dated September 19, 2023 (the "PRmediaNow Service Agreement") with PRmediaNow Inc. ("PRmediaNow"). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Service Agreement, PRmediaNow has agreed to provide the Company with media outreach services. PRmediaNow will provide its services for a period of 3 months, which began on or around September 19, 2023 and ends on December 19, 2023. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the PRmediaNow Service Agreement and as consideration for the services provided by PRmediaNow, the Company has agreed to pay PRmediaNow a cash fee of CDN$6,000 + GST for the first month followed by two months at $3,000 + GST per month. PRmediaNow and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest. PRmediaNow's business is located at 1080 St. Germain, Ottawa, ON K1C 2L8. Its email contact is [email protected] and its phone number is Tel: 613-806-7135.

About Hertz Lithium Inc.

Hertz Lithium Inc. is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company currently has one material mineral property, the Lucky Mica Project, located in the Arizona Pegmatite Belt in the Maricopa County of Arizona, USA, which is in the exploration stage. The Company is also working with the PSRF in the development of a novel lithium extraction technology. https://hertzlithium.com

For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kal Malhi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: 604-805-4602

Email: [email protected]

https://hertzlithium.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181436
Automation does not eliminate jobs, rather it repurposes existing jobs and creates new ones.

New position paper offers recommendations on how policy makers and private-sector leaders can be best equipped to take advantage of the opportunity to deliver the many benefits of automation more effectively to their constituencies.

Durham, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) the leading professional society for automation has announced the publication of a new position paper, "Automation Depends on People to Make the World a Better Place."

Automation is all around us, impacting everything from food we eat to clean drinking water to devices we use to reliably communicate to the safety of vehicles we travel in. Advances in manufacturing, technology, sustainability, and safety will all depend upon automation technologies and people working together to bring the most creative and innovative solutions to bear.

But with each innovation in society, corresponding headlines and public concern are amplified that this new development will be responsible for job loss. This has been true of the printing press, the automobile, and the computer - and any newspaper you open today likely has a similar story about automation, robots, or artificial intelligence. In this paper, ISA explains its position that automation does not simply eliminate jobs as some believe, but rather repurposes existing jobs and creates new ones.

"As a society, our focus should be on preparing our workforce to meet the high and growing demand for engineers and technicians," said Claire Fallon, ISA Executive Director. "We must educate enough people to be well versed in automation technologies, as well as the industry standards and conformance programs that support the automation field."

Companies the world over are already citing the need for more qualified staff - a demand that will only continue to grow as technologies progress. There are many resources and training programs in place for automation professionals to advance their careers including those offered by ISA. These can and should be bolstered by additional focus within the K-12, vocational, and higher education communities to prioritize programs for the next generation of automation engineers and technicians.

"Unfortunately, it's a tale as old as time," said Fallon. "US Congress held hearings in 1955 on 'Automation and Technical Change,' and one of the chief findings was that the 'nation is faced with a threatened shortage of scientists, technicians, and skilled labor.'"

Nearly 70 years later, ISA aims to bring the focus back to people, and back to the continued global need for more automation professionals to support our technology, safety, sustainability, and economic development goals.

"ISA has a long history of preparing the automation profession with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and effective," said Steve Mustard, ISA Treasurer and certified ISA trainer. "Keeping our finger on the pulse of technology advances and business challenges ensures that we are able to address upcoming demands and keep the profession evolving."

The position paper is available now on the ISA website.

About ISA

The International Society of Automation (ISA) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1945 to create a better world through automation. ISA's mission is to empower the global automation community through standards and knowledge sharing. ISA develops widely used global standards and conformity assessment programs; certifies professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its members and customers around the world. Learn more at www.isa.org.

Media contact:

Morgan Foor, [email protected]

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181312
Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - RNR Healthcare's Chief Executive Officer Vicky Ramancha announces push for the company's global market entry. The firm is already managing international clients and Vicky Ramancha is pursuing visibility and brand awareness expansion in the Asia Pacific and African markets.

Vicky Ramancha, Chief Executive Officer of RNR Healthcare



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Vicky Ramancha has been negotiating for pharma product procurement for African countries under government contracts. RNR Healthcare has a serious interest in entering the African region as a new emerging market. Vicky Ramancha sees Africa as one of the strongest opportunities for healthcare business, and by establishing networks and presence in Africa, RNR Healthcare is looking to increase quarterly sales significantly.

Earlier, Vicky Ramancha announced an interest in taking the company public in 2025, and that would require a strong revenue channel. Vicky R. says that Africa can provide that strong revenue channel and that is why RNR Healthcare is taking serious consideration in entering the African market.

Currently, RNR Healthcare is working with the US, Middle East and Asian clients, and by adding the African market, Vicky Ramancha aims to build a strong global business ecosystem for RNR Healthcare. Additional markets such as South America and South East Asia are also on target for partnerships and sales.

The company is looking to reinvest its capital into development of the first AI-ran pharmaceutical product production facility with potential locations in the US, Middle East and Asia. Vicky Ramancha adds that focusing on global business helps to strengthen the company's brand as a firm business provider and increase trust for new international clients.

Vicky Ramancha's Africa market strategy for RNR Healthcare is a new revolutionary concept for the business that has been operating primarily in the western markets, however "innovation in strategy and expansion is necessary to grow," says Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Ramancha.

To learn more about the company, visit https://rnr.healthcare.

To subscribe for offers go to https://subscribe.rnr.healthcare/.

Contact

Vicky Ramancha

[email protected]

https://rnr.healthcare

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181383
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Rumbu Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: RMB.P) ("Rumbu" or the "Company"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), is pleased to announce that it has scheduled an Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders to approve, amongst other matters, the Company's Qualifying Transaction (the "Transaction"). The Transaction is the proposed business combination of Rumbu and the Schrader Funeral Home Business located in Smithers, British Columbia (the "Funeral Business") which is owned by Daryl and Jamie Lockyer (the "Lockyers"), with the ongoing public company (the "Resulting Issuer") acquiring the Funeral Business. The Transaction will constitute as a Qualifying Transaction ("QT") pursuant to the rules of the TSXV and is subject to the final approval of the TSXV. If the Transaction is approved by the Shareholders of the Company and it is completed, the proposed Transaction will constitute the Company's QT as set forth in Policy 2.4 of the policies of the TSXV ("Exchange Policy 2.4"). Concurrent with the approval of the QT by its Shareholders, Rumbu plans to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 1,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu at a price of $0.20 per share with minimum subscription of $1,800 consisting of a minimum of nine (9) Public Shareholders, each holding a board lot representing 1,000 Common Shares.

About Rumbu Holdings and the Resulting Issuer

Rumbu is a reporting issuer in good standing in Alberta and British Columbia and its Common Shares (the "Rumbu Shares") are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Currently, Rumbu currently has 6,500,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding, stock options outstanding to acquire 650,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per share until December 10, 2032 (the "Stock Options") and Agent's Options outstanding to acquire 400,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per share until December 10, 2027 (the "Agent's Options"). After completion of the QT, the Resulting Issuer will have 13,500,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding, if the Private Placement is fully subscribed.

About the Funeral Home Business of the Lockyers

The Lockyers jointly own a Funeral Home Business held by Schrader Funeral Home and Cremation Services Ltd. (the "Funeral Business") with a primary funeral home located in Smithers, British Columbia. The Funeral Business is a funeral business that provides all funeral and cremation related services to the public in its market area. The Lockyers believe that Rumbu will allow and provide a vehicle to them to expand their Funeral Business in Western Canada and particularly in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. They also believe that Rumbu will enable them to access faster growth opportunities in this market place today where succession planning is booming. The Lockyers believe that based upon proven results and experience by them in the past that the partnership with Rumbu will fuel growth in the funeral home business and unlock additional potential value.

Non-Brokered Private Placement

Concurrent with the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, Rumbu will complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 1,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu at a price of $0.20 per share. The Private Placement is comprised of minimum proceeds of $1,800 consisting of a minimum of nine (9) Public Shareholders, each holding a board lot, representing 1,000 Common Shares. The Private Placement is not a Related Party Transaction as none of the Subscribers to the Private Placement will be Related Parties. All securities issued in the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months from the date of issue. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be utilized for general working capital purposes and there will be no fees or commissions paid in connection with the Private Placement.

Proposed Qualifying Transaction

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement between Rumbu and the Lockyers, Rumbu will acquire the Funeral Business in exchange for the issuance by Rumbu of 6,000,000 Common Shares of Rumbu (the "QT Shares") at a deemed issue price of $0.20 per Rumbu Share to the Lockyers for a total purchase price of $1,200,000 CDN. The outstanding management and director options of Rumbu and the Agent's Options, as the case may be, shall remain outstanding and shall be governed by their applicable Option Agreements. The QT Shares shall be distributed to the Lockyers pursuant to their instructions on the basis of 3,300,000 Common Shares to Daryl Lockyer and 2,700,000 Common Shares to Jamie D. Lockyer. At this point, Mr. Lockyer will directly own 3,800,000 Common Shares of the Resulting Issuer, as he was previously issued 500,000 Common Shares upon the formation of Rumbu. The Transaction may be considered a "Related Party Transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI-61-101") and Rumbu was required to hold a Special Meeting of the Shareholders of Rumbu (the "Shareholders") and obtain a majority of the minority shareholder approval, as Daryl Lockyer is a Director of Rumbu and the Transaction constitutes a Non-Arms Length Transaction pursuant to the policies of the TSXV. Mr. Lockyer is a Director and Shareholder of Rumbu holding 500,000 Common Shares and 125,000 Options of Rumbu. Therefore, the Transaction will be subject to shareholder approval and Rumbu specifically confirms that it will be seeking shareholder approval under the policies of the TSXV.

Additional Information and Description of Significant Closing Conditions

The closing of the Transaction will be subject to several conditions, including, but not limited to the following:

Approval by the Majority of the Minority Shareholders of Rumbu of the QT;

The receipt of all regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, including the approval of the TSXV and compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and conditions necessary to complete the Transaction;

The completion of the Private Placement;

The maintenance of Rumbu's listing on the TSXV;

The confirmation of the representations and warranties of each party to the Definitive Agreement as set out in such Agreement;

The absence of any material adverse effect on the financial and operational condition of the business or the assets of each of the parties to the Definitive Agreement; and

The delivery of standard completion documentation including, but not limited to, legal opinions, officers' certificates and certificates of good standing or compliance of the parties and other mutual conditions precedent customary for a transaction such as the Transaction.

Directors, Officers and Other Insiders

On the closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the Board of Directors of the Resulting Issuer will consist of five Directors and Shelina Hirji will resign as a Director and be replaced by Jamie D. Lockyer. The following table sets out the names, relationships to the Company and summarizes the backgrounds of all persons who, at this time, are expected to be insiders of the Company upon closing of the QT.

Name and Municipality of Residence Office and Date First Appointed Principal Occupation and

Positions During Last Five Years

Daryl Lockyer

Lethbridge, Alberta























Proposed President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date



















Daryl Lockyer has been involved in the funeral home business for more than 30 years as a mortuary, funeral home manager, executive and director. For the past 20 years, Mr. Lockyer has been the President of The Caring Group Corp., a funeral home business headquartered in Lethbridge, Alberta with funeral homes in Alberta and British Columbia. Mr. Lockyer also provides consulting services to various companies in the funeral home business through Lockyer Management Corp.



Jamie D. Lockyer

Lethbridge, Alberta















Proposed Vice President and Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date













Since 2008, Ms. Lockyer has been an Employee of The Caring Group Corp. in Lethbridge, Alberta, a funeral home business. Ms. Lockyer attended Mount Royal University, receiving her Funeral Director and Embalmer Certificate in 2008 and has in her career been involved in all facets of funeral home operations and management.



Shelina Hirji

Calgary, Alberta





















Proposed Chief Financial Officer of the Resulting Issuer





















Ms. Hirji is designated accountant with over 38 years of experience ranging from infrastructure, construction, mining and oil and gas exploration and production. She has held senior accounting and management roles in both private and public companies and the Alberta Securities Commission. She has an Advanced Accounting Certificate and Diploma from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and is a registered CPA.





Ross O. Drysdale

Calgary, Alberta











Proposed Director and Chairman of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date











Since 1973, Mr. Drysdale has been a lawyer, was a partner of two (2) major law firms for 35 years and was the founder of Drysdale Law in 2010, a specialized corporate and securities law boutique with a particular focus on corporate and securities law practice.

Shane A. Wylie

Calgary, Alberta













Proposed Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date













Mr. Wylie is a Professional Landman and was previously a senior manager with Paramount Resources Ltd. from 1991 to 2020 and now manages ArthurBo Energy Inc., a private company that provides land management and consulting services to the energy industry.





J. Michael Sullivan

Calgary, Alberta















Proposed Director of the Resulting Issuer on the Effective Date















Mr. Sullivan is a Financial Advisor and was previously a senior officer and Chief Financial Officer of a number of publicly listed companies and held contract and executive positions with a number of private companies involved in solar panel fabrication, environmental services, oilsands and frac sands for the past twenty (20) years.





Information Circular

In connection with the Transaction and pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, Rumbu has completed and mailed on this date to the Shareholders an Information Circular for the holding of an Annual and Special Meeting to be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. and which Circular provides for the consideration and voting upon conventional annual meeting resolutions, the new Option Plan and the Proposed Transaction involving the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Funeral Business from the Lockyers, which will constitute the QT of Rumbu. The Resulting Issuer intends to list as a Tier 2 Industrial Issuer in the Funeral Services sector, subject to meeting the requirements of the TSXV.

Sponsorship of Qualifying Transaction

Sponsorship of a QT of a capital pool company is required by the TSXV and the TSXV has granted Rumbu a waiver from sponsorship in connection with the QT.

Resumption of Trading

In accordance with the TSXV policies, Rumbu's Common Shares were halted from trading on May 1, 2023 and will remain so until the documentation required by the TSXV for the QT can be provided to the TSXV. Rumbu's Common Shares will remain halted until completion of the QT.

The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this Press Release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information concerning this press release, please contact:

Ross O. Drysdale

President and Chief Executive Officer

Rumbu Holdings Ltd.

Telephone: (403) 585-3737

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information release or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

Except for statements of historical 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 of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. 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. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company.

The Securities of Rumbu being offered have not been, nor will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent, U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181419
On the morning of September 21, Russian terrorists attacked Drohobych, Lviv region. Enemy missiles hit an industrial facility.

ADVERTISIMENT

At about 6:25 am, three missile strikes were recorded in the town. The head of the Lviv regional military administration, Maksym Kozytsky, reported this on Telegram.

According to him, two Russian missiles hit the industrial facility. As a result of the attack, a workshop caught fire, a three-story warehouse building was destroyed, and there is a fire on an area of about 30 square meters.

Another missile strike was launched at a private two-story warehouse. The attack caused a fire on an area of 20 square meters. Firefighting operations continue at the scene.

According to preliminary reports, there were no civilian casualties as a result of the attacks.

As a reminder, in the morning of September 21, Russian terrorists launched a massive air attack on Ukraine. Air defense systems were triggered in Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia regions, as well as in Rivne and Kyiv, and explosions were heard in Kharkiv and Lviv regions.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Also on September 21, at least six explosions occurred in Kharkiv during an air raid. Russian terrorists hit the city with S-300 missiles.

- In Cherkasy, a Russian missile was shot down, but the falling debris damaged a civilian infrastructure facility in the city center. At least five people were injured, and one more is under the rubble.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Silver Viper Minerals Corp. (TSXV: VIPR) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on September 28th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET.

We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud.

The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website.

For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-vipr-5/.

Join President & CEO Steve Cope of Silver Viper Minerals Corp. as he discusses the silver market, future drill plans and upcoming catalysts at the La Virginia project in Sonora, Mexico.

Commodities to be covered: Gold Silver

About Silver Viper Minerals Corp.

Silver Viper Minerals Corp. (TSXV: VIPR) is a Canadian-based junior mineral exploration company focused on precious metals exploration in Sonora, Mexico. The Company operates its 100% owned La Virginia Gold-Silver Project, acquired from the most recent operator, Pan American Silver Corp. for an NSR, and has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Rubi-Esperanza group of claims internal to those concessions.The project is an early-stage exploration property, targeting a series of laterally extensive intrusive dykes and breccia zones hosting epithermal style gold-silver mineralization.Silver Viper is expanding upon 52,000m and 188 holes of historic drilling (2010-2013), continuing exploration northward into prospective untested ground where our new discovery, El Rubi, was made in Phase 1 diamond drilling. There have been several exciting hits, detailed on our drilling highlights page. Our maiden resource was released in May 2021. A Titan MT Deep Penetrating Geophysical Survey was performed by Quantec in 2022, which our team has been using for mapping and sampling. This garnered several new anomalies to inform our upcoming drill program and eventual update of our resource.

About Red Cloud Securities Inc.

Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing a full range of brokerage services to all investor types focused in the junior resource sector. Our services include Investment Banking, Research, Institutional and Retail Trading, Institutional Sales, and Retail Investment Advisory services.

About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc.

Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry.

For further information:

Silver Viper Minerals Corp.

Steve Cope, President, CEO & Director

4036049646

[email protected]

For additional information contact [email protected] or visit:

www.redcloudfs.com

www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices

www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS

www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc

www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc

www.instagram.com/redcloudfs
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2023) - Smart Lab, the visionary company headquartered in Seychelles, is making waves in the world of market-spread trading with the introduction of its groundbreaking proprietary bot, SMART SP. This innovative technology is set to redefine the landscape of market-spread trading, offering traders an unprecedented edge through real-time data analysis and sophisticated algorithms.

Smart Labs

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SMART SP identifies and capitalizes on market-spread opportunities across various bookmakers, ensuring a seamless trading experience for both novice and seasoned market-spread traders. It represents a paradigm shift in trading strategy, ushering in a new era of precision and adaptability.

The meteoric rise of Smart Lab can be attributed to its distinctive fusion of cutting-edge deep-learning technology, financial expertise, and a forward-looking vision for the future of trading. The company's dynamic team, consisting of AI specialists, seasoned financial analysts, and industry luminaries, has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to create advanced trading solutions that set new standards for the industry.

Upcoming launches from Smart Lab include Smart FX, Smart CM, and Smart CC, each designed to empower traders to navigate different sectors with confidence and precision. These upcoming offerings exemplify Smart Lab's unwavering commitment to delivering innovative solutions that cater to the diverse needs of traders in today's dynamic markets.

Smart Lab invites the trading community and industry experts to explore the future of market-spread trading with the SMART SP bot. To learn more about this groundbreaking technology and to stay updated on Smart Lab's latest innovations, please contact our press office.

About Smart Lab:

Smart Lab, headquartered in Seychelles, is at the forefront of revolutionizing market-spread trading through a unique combination of cutting-edge deep-learning technology, financial expertise, and a forward-looking vision. Its flagship bot, SMART SP, and upcoming offerings such as Smart FX, Smart CM, and Smart CC are designed to empower traders with precision and adaptability, setting new industry standards for trading excellence.

Media Contact:

Contact Person: Christina Hung

Company Name: Smart Lab

Email: [email protected]

Website: smartlab.international

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181374
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

The revolutionary on-premise BI solution cuts through the glut of data to provide businesses with actionable insights



ChristianSteven Software, a pioneering force in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Report Distribution software, continues to help businesses revolutionize their business insights with IntelliFront BI. The browser-based BI solution designed to solve mission-critical large enterprise needs has earned rave reviews from clients who have unlocked the power of real-time insights into their business data for better decision-making.

Why BI Matters

Data has emerged as the cornerstone of success in an increasingly competitive business landscape. Businesses require up-to-date, timely, and accurate data insights to stand head and shoulders above the competition. Business Intelligence tools have become indispensable for business success. Reporting software, data analytics, and dashboard software like ChristianStevens IntelliFront BI drive strategic decision-making, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and drive profitability.

Building upon the demands of todays data-driven business landscape, ChristianSteven Software is committed to providing innovative data analytics and business intelligence solutions that allow businesses to focus on strategic tasks by automating various processes, identifying patterns and opportunities for growth, cost reduction, and time-saving.

Its on-premise, its secure, its IntelliFront BI

IntelliFront BI by ChristianSteven Software is the undisputed data analytics and BI solution that gives businesses complete control over their data. The on-premise browser-based solutions with a SOC2 Type 2 certification ensure the highest data control, security, and compliance standards for every client.

With a distinguished track record in providing unparalleled reporting, distribution, scheduling, dashboards, KPIs, and business processes, IntelliFront BI has consistently risen to the challenge of creating actionable information. This game-changing data analytics software automates, streamlines, analyzes, and predicts business data, enabling businesses to effortlessly oversee and optimize their processes through a single, easy-to-use, secure portal.

I am convinced the future of data analytics lies within this incredible product that continues to evolve before our very eyes, said Lawan, an impressed IntelliFront BI user.

IntelliFront BIs single, easy-to-use portal facilitates creating and sharing reports, KPIs, and dashboards. The browser-based admin module allows the quick creation of static and real-time reports, which can be shared with management and stakeholders through a secure user portal. IntelliFront BIs on-premise implementation offers Active Directory Integration, 2-factor Authentication, Single Sign On, and built-in application security to ensure data integrity, seamless collaboration, and report sharing.

Lauded for its high availability infrastructure and business process automation module, IntelliFront BI integrates with ChristianSteven scheduling suite to automate the export and delivery of reports in standard formats like PDF, XML, and CSV to a variety of destinations like Email, Folder, Google Drive, Slack and more. In addition, the portal provides on-demand real-time information, including serving and curating Crystal Reports and self-service SSRS.

Besides giving users a single, easy-to-use, secure portal, IntelliFront BI allows clients to set up user groups to deliver interactive BI dashboards and reports inside and outside the organization. IntelliFront BI makes data analysis a breeze for all skill levels.

Create visually stunning and interactive reports and dashboards in real-time using a variety of visuals through our browser-based admin module. Also, automatically update your interactive KPI cards with colors, glyphs, goals, measurement units, and aggregation to make them invaluable and unmissable.

Data Excellence Made Simple

By leveraging IntelliFront BI, which, unlike cloud-based solutions, ensures data remains within the clients grasp, businesses can reduce manual data processing through automation, which enhances data-driven decision-making.

IntelliFront BI has improved our reporting management system, says Jack Meadows, IS Manager at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. We can incorporate our own documentation templates for each report, categorize reports into functional groups, and provide dashboards and KPIs geared to each customers needs. Our users like the interface. We can organize our reports, dashboards, and KPIs by groups, which helps our users find the reports they need quickly.

The road to success is paved with insights, and IntelliFront BI allows businesses to visualize trends, predict patterns, and streamline their operations with impact analytics and business intelligence. With its on-premise, browser-based single, secure portal and continuous updates to improve compatibility and ensure security, the data analytics software allows customers to find the aha moment in their journey to data-driven decision-making.

About ChristianSteven

ChristianSteven Software is a world-renowned data analytics and business intelligence solutions provider. With over 5,000 clients in 47 countries, ChristianSteven helps businesses solve mission-critical needs through process automation. From scheduled BI report delivery to browser-based data analytics and mobile-enabled dashboards, ChristianSteven Software shines in data analytics, business intelligence, reporting, report distribution, report scheduling, dashboards, and business process automation.

Visit ChristianSteven to learn more about its solutions, and sign up for a 30-day free trial of IntelliFront BI.



Contact Info:

Name: Christian Ofori-Boateng

Email: Send Email

Organization: ChristianSteven Software

Website: https://go.christiansteven.com/



Release ID: 89107746

If you encounter any issues, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we urge you to notify us without delay at [email protected]. Our expert team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours  ensuring swift resolution of identified issues or offering guidance on removal procedures. Delivering accurate and reliable information is fundamental to our mission.
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COVID-19 has left a lasting impact on the travel industry, with more Australians than ever looking to take a break from the stress of everyday life.



While the pandemic may have shut down tourism across the globe, the industry is being rejuvenated back to pre-pandemic levels by travellers eager to get out and see the world again.

Offering travel packages and group tours to Egypt, group tours of Cape York and tours all around the globe, Inspiring Vacations says despite the rising costs of living, Australians are still committed to saving up and treating themselves with rewarding global experiences.

Up to 90% of Australians have stated that they plan on travelling in 2023, with 46% planning on going on even more trips in 2024 according to Travel Weekly and SkyScanner. This demand is likely thanks to the rise of revenge travel, with Aussies determined to make up for lost time brought on by the pandemic and enjoy a much needed change of scenery. Whether its domestic travel or overseas adventures, Australians are eager to leave lockdowns in the past and give themselves something to look forward to.

The pandemic has also greatly influenced the way travellers can book their holidays and experiences, with rapid digitalisation allowing tourists to make more reservations and book more tickets online than ever before. Families in particular are on the hunt for the best deals possible, opting for all-inclusive deals that they can book well in advance and pay in instalments, such as Inspiring Vacations tours Cape York wide and Egypt tours. TTR Weekly projects that mobile booking and online marketplaces will triple in value by 2025.

Inspiring Vacations offers travellers complete travel packages they can book and manage online, including everything from flights and accommodation to experiences and tourist attractions. With tours of Egypt, tours of Cape York and trips to Europe, Asia, America and beyond, Inspiring Vacations is keeping up with demand and providing Australians with trips far and wide that offer value for money, unique experiences and a break from everyday routines.





About Us: Inspiring Vacations is a leading, award winning tour operator dedicated to creating exceptional, value for money travel experiences for customers across the globe.

Contact Info:

Name: Inspiring Vacations

Email: Send Email

Organization: Inspiring Vacations

Website: https://www.inspiringvacations.com/au



Release ID: 89108007

In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Redline Plumbing LLC (702-935-4465) announces updates to its preventive maintenance and emergency plumbing response services for clients in the Las Vegas Valley.



Redline Plumbing LLCs 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/

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 Plumbings 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: Send Email

Organization: Redline Plumbing LLC

Address: 5828 Spring Mountain Rd. Suite 305 , Las Vegas, NV 89146, United States

Website: https://redlineplumbing-lv.com/



Release ID: 89107898

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Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

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.



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

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 Solutions 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: Send Email

Organization: Sonfu Digital Solutions LLC

Address: 84 Southgate Square #1022, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, United States

Website: https://www.sonfudigital.com



Release ID: 89108002

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SoCalGas' $100,000 Donation to Help Support Restaurants Make Upgrades or Support Employee Benefits

LOS ANGELES , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino Restaurant Association today announced that 35 restaurant owners have been awarded $2,500 grants, with a focused effort in supporting 25 Latino-owned and 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (APPI)-owned restaurants. This inaugural initiative was made possible through a $100,000 grant from SoCalGas and is part of the company's ongoing support for small restaurants recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 2021, SoCalGas has supported 471 small restaurants with over $2 million in grants through the California Restaurant Foundation's Restaurants Resilience Fund.

The grant application was open to restaurant owners in Los Angeles County , with a particular emphasis on Latino and AAPI-owned businesses meeting the following criteria: having a single location, generating annual revenue under $1 million , being SoCalGas customers, and having been in business for at least three years. The goal of the grants is to highlight the solidarity of the Latino and AAPI communities, who have significantly contributed to the diverse culture of Los Angeles in the face of great challenges. The grant recipients will be able to use the funds toward the purchase of interior equipment, technology upgrades, employee benefits or other changes that will support their small business.

"The restaurants who have been awarded grants are focal points in their communities and serve as a gathering place for everyone, so it's important to support local businesses like these, especially during difficult economic times," said Andy Carrasco , Vice President of Communications, Local Government and Community Affairs at SoCalGas and member of the Latino Restaurant Association Board of Directors. "As we celebrate Latino Heritage month, we want to also express our solidarity with the AAPI community, highlight the commonalities, and celebrate the unique cultures reflected in the restaurant's cuisines."

"We are very grateful to SoCalGas for their contribution of $100,000 to the Latino Restaurant Association. This funding has allowed us to give back to our vibrant restaurant community in the form of $2,500 grants," said Lilly Rocha , Executive Director and CEO, Latino Restaurant Association. "As an association, we are committed to going above and beyond for our members and communities. It was important to the Latino Restaurant Association to also offer these grants to those in the AAPI community. Our communities thrive when we come together, and coming together often looks like sharing a meal in one of our local restaurants."

"The grants awarded to these restaurants will not only support jobs but stabilize long standing, culturally oriented, small businesses that are critical for our city to be vibrant and strong," said Senator Maria Elena Durazo . "We are proud of these efforts by the Latino Restaurant Association and commend all of our small business owners who are being recognized and awarded as part of this program."

"La Mascota has been in Boyle Heights since 1952, and in 70 years, we have overcome multiple periods of economic hardship. With this grant from the Latino Restaurant Association, we will be able to take on the rising costs that have especially impacted us over the past few years," said Patty Aparicio , owner of La Mascota. "We appreciate the additional resources that will help us continue serving tamales and sweet breads to the Boyle Heights community."

SoCalGas' ASPIRE 2045 sustainability and climate commitment to net zero emissions, also highlights goals in safety, DE&I in the workplace, and a plan to invest $50 million in underserved communities.

The Latino Restaurant Association (LRA) supports and promotes restaurateurs, small businesses and the Latino restaurant community to ensure the equitable economic growth of the sector. LRA community members come together to network with industry pros, market their brand and learn new ways of making their business more efficient. For more information on the LRA, visit https://latinorestaurantassociation.org/

Media assets

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles , SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States . SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE ), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego .

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on X (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

About the Latino Restaurant Association

The Latino Restaurant Association supports and promotes restaurateurs, small businesses, and the entire Latino restaurant community to ensure the equitable economic growth of the sector. The Latino restaurant community is strong in Los Angeles and coming together for critical issues in our business community allows everyone to thrive. LRA community members come together to network with industry pros, market their brand and learn new ways of making their business more efficient. LRA is committed to going above and beyond for our members and community.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/35-small-latino-and-aapi-owned-restaurants-receive-2-500-grants-from-latino-restaurant-association-301934328.html

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company
WASHINGTON , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, and SAE International jointly presented the 19th Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Innovation Award at the Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Forum. The award was presented to a team comprised of representatives from Structural Monitoring Systems, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp, Delta Air Lines, DR Engineering, Aero X Aviation Services and Delta Engineering for furthering the science and efficacy of nondestructive testing.

The team developed the first FAA-approved application of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for their Comparative Vacuum Monitor (CVM) sensor technology for detecting cracks via inspections on the Gogo (Intelsat) 2Ku wi-fi antenna support structure on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Achieving this milestone in SHM and NDT inspection methods will help carriers significantly increase operational efficiency while reducing operating costs. Performing an inspection with CVM sensors takes an average of 12 minutes at the gate as opposed to repositioning aircraft to a hanger to perform a traditional eddy current inspection. The sensors have been installed on more than 20 aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines.

Members of the 2023 NDT Innovation Award team include the following:

Rich Poutier ; Executive Vice President Business Development, Sales and Marketing; Structural Monitoring Systems, Plc.

Trevor Lynch-Staunton , CTO, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp

Brian Shaigec , Design Engineer, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp

Derrick Formosa , Engineer, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp

Tyler Taylor , Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp

David Piotrowski , Senior Principal Engineer, Delta Air Lines

Dennis Roach ; DR Engineering, LLC

Ron Grigsby , Aero X Aviation Services

Alex Matyashuk, Aero X Aviation Services

Yuriy Matyashuk, Aero X Aviation Services

Billy Pruitt , Aero X Aviation Services

Ben Stanford ; ODA Administrator, Director of Structures; Delta Engineering

Matthew Van Name , FAA ODA UM DAR , Delta Engineering

"A4A congratulates this year's award recipients for the innovation in developing the first FAA-approved SHM inspection method that offers accurate, reliable in-situ monitoring of the structural integrity of the aircraft while also offering a time-saving and affordable alternative to traditional eddy current techniques," said Robert Ireland , A4A Vice President for Safety, Maintenance and Engineering. "Working collaboratively, this team reflects commitment to innovation and in creating the first regulatory-approved SHM application has achieved significant process improvements by applying this SHM technology."

A4A's NDT Forum is marking its 64th year at a four-day conference held in Denver , where industry leaders are meeting to discuss current trends, issues and successes in NDT methodologies. The event features a number of presentations on achievements and lessons learned about technologies that help ensure the longevity and safety of aircraft structures by detecting defects well before they can be seen or cause a failure.

ABOUT A4A

Airlines for America (A4A) members are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and UPS. Air Canada is an associate member.

A4A advocates on behalf of the leading U.S. airlines, both passenger and cargo carriers. A4A works collaboratively with industry stakeholders, federal agencies, the Administration, Congress, labor and other groups to improve aviation for the traveling and shipping public.

For more information about the airline industry, visit our website airlines.org and our blog, A Better Flight Plan, at airlines.org/blog.

Follow us on Twitter: @airlinesdotorg.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/AirlinesforAmerica.

Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/AirlinesforAmerica.

ABOUT SAE INTERNATIONAL

SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion and the Collegiate Design Series.

More at http://www.sae.org.

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SOURCE Airlines for America
Former CEO of Vistra to Partner with Leading Infrastructure Investor

BOSTON , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC (together with its affiliates, "ArcLight"), a leading middle market infrastructure investment firm, has appointed Curt Morgan , former CEO of Vistra Corp., as a Senior Advisor. Mr. Morgan will work with various ArcLight portfolio companies as well as assist in identifying new investment opportunities across the U.S.

"We are excited to welcome Curt Morgan to our Senior Advisor team, which already includes highly experienced and respected leaders in the industry," said Dan Revers , Managing Partner at ArcLight. "He brings to ArcLight decades of experience, having managed one of the leading integrated publicly traded power companies. Together, we will continue to advance our value-add infrastructure strategy focused on the electrification value chain."

Mr. Morgan was most recently CEO of Vistra, an integrated retail electricity and power generation company, for more than five years. During his tenure, he helped establish the company as a power and energy transition leader while transforming it from a single-state provider into one of the largest power producers and retailers in the country.

"As a pioneer and established leader in power and renewable infrastructure investing, I believe ArcLight is well positioned to capitalize on the electrification mega trend and need for sustainable energy that will help power our nation's future," stated Mr. Morgan . "I look forward to helping ArcLight continue to grow, identify new investment opportunities, and drive value from its investment portfolio."

Prior to Vistra, Mr. Morgan was President and CEO of EquiPower Resources, a multi-RTO platform of dispatchable and renewable power generation resources, and FirstLight Power, a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America . He also held leadership positions at NRG Energy, Mirant Corporation, Reliant Energy, and BP Amoco.

Mr. Morgan joins ArcLight's team of Senior Advisors including former DTE Energy Chairman and CEO Gerry Anderson , Toronto Hydro CEO Anthony Haines , and former Entergy Chairman and CEO Leo Denault .

About ArcLight

ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC is an experienced, middle-market, value added infrastructure investment firm. Founded in 2001, ArcLight helped establish infrastructure as an asset class by pioneering an asset-based private equity approach to investing in infrastructure and has since built an experienced and successful investment platform. Based in Boston, ArcLight's investment team employs a value-added, operationally intensive investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,900-person asset management operational partner. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.

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SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners
INDIANAPOLIS , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardagh Group's distribution center in Fairfield, Calif. , was awarded an ENERGY STAR  building certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the eighth consecutive year.

The Fairfield distribution center primarily serves Ardagh's packaging distribution needs on the West Coast to better service the wine industry.

"Ardagh Group's commitment to the environment goes beyond producing infinitely recyclable glass containers; we're dedicated to protecting the communities in which we live and work, by saving energy and reducing our environmental impact," said Alex Winters , Chief Sustainability Officer at Ardagh Glass Packaging. "Initiatives like the ENERGY STAR certification demonstrate Ardagh's aim to be an environmental leader in the packaging industry."

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.

"Improving the energy performance of our nation's buildings is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Cindy Jacobs , Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. "EPA applauds manufacturers for their commitment to energy efficiency as demonstrated by achieving continued ENERGY STAR certifications for their facilities."

Ardagh's Fairfield facility has improved energy performance by installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures and incorporating occupancy sensors for maximum efficiency.

On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers  all without sacrifices in performance or comfort. For more information, visit the ENERGY STAR website .

In July 2023 , Ardagh announced that its glass manufacturing facility in Houston was awarded an ENERGY STAR plant certification.

For more information about Ardagh's 100 percent and endlessly recyclable glass packaging, visit our website .

Download image here .

Notes to the editor

Ardagh Group is a global supplier of infinitely recyclable metal and glass packaging for the world's leading brands. Ardagh operates 63 metal and glass production facilities in 16 countries, employing more than 20,000 people with sales of approximately $9 bn .

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR.

For more information about ENERGY STAR Certification for Industrial Facilities: energystar.gov/plants .

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SOURCE Ardagh Group S.A.
In addition to modern F-16 fighters and long-range air defense systems, Ukraine also needs to strengthen its short-range air defense to destroy enemy attack UAVs. Destruction of Russian drones with missiles may lead to their shortage.

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This was stated by Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine is waiting for the transfer of F-16 aircraft, which will help ensure air superiority and reduce the activity of enemy aircraft, especially in the southern and eastern directions.

Ihnat also noted that Ukraine is now waiting for positive messages from Washington on the provision of additional systems to protect the country, as well as the results of Rammstein.

"The decisions that will be made are related to strengthening our air defense. In particular, we are talking not only about long-range Patriot, IRIS-T and NASAMS systems but also about short-range air defense, which is capable of destroying drones effectively and automatically," the spokesman said.

ADVERTISIMENT

He added that the enemy is using attack drones during its attacks en masse, so Ukraine needs effective and rational weapons to destroy them, as spending missiles to destroy the drones can lead to their shortage.

"We need to understand that strengthening small air defense and mobile fire groups is necessary to eliminate attack UAVs," Ihnat concluded.

It was reported that explosions in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, including the occupiers' military facilities in Crimea, will continue. According to the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat, Ukraine needs to destroy the occupiers and their logistics, as this may affect the course of hostilities.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, on the night of September 21, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy launched a large-scale fire attack on the Saki military airfield in the temporarily occupied Crimea. There were at least 12 combat aircraft.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ADELAIDE, Australia and RALEIGH, N.C. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avance Clinical, the award-winning Australian and North American market-leading CRO for biotechs, announces two key appointments in the US to support its continued global growth.

Kevin Leach joins as Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, based in Massachusetts, USA . Kevin has a background in the biopharma industry with experience in early and late-stage drug discovery and development.

Madison Esely-Kohlman has joined as a Director of Business Development based in Salt Lake City, Utah and is focused on partnering with biotech companies on their Phase I-III clinical trials.

In welcoming both Kevin and Madison, CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said they bring significant expertise that will support Avance Clinical's expanding US and Australian operations as well as our global growth plans.

"We are seeing increasing demand for our biotech-specific services such as ClinicReady and GlobalReady which are designed for pre-clinical, early phase and later phase clinical development. GlobalReady is a unique offering enabling biotechs to start rapidly and cost effectively with Avance Clinical in Australia and transition with our team in the US for later phase trials, with all the benefits of retaining the one CRO," she said.

Kevin Leach PhD, DAB: Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs

Kevin Leach has more than 20 years of experience working in drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical industry and will provide exceptional knowledge and experience to Avance Clinical's biotech clients. He has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Medical College of Virginia and completed his Post Doctoral Fellowship in Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Previously, I was on the client-side working with Avance Clinical. As we were considering the best CRO for our non-clinical and clinical programs Avance was consistently suggested to us as the premier partner in Australia . Once we started working together it was clear to me that the Avance team had a wealth of experience and expertise broadly in drug development and that we were in good hands at Avance.

"I joined Avance because I wanted to be part of an organization that was considered the gold standard in their field, and I felt comfortable that I would be working with highly intelligent, motivated, and experienced colleagues in our shared mission of bringing transformative medicines to patients.

"I am looking forward to applying my past experiences by working with the Avance team to enable sponsors developing diverse medicines of various molecular platforms, for different disease indications to deliver therapies that change and enrich the lives of the patients," Kevin said.

Madison Esely-Kohlman : Director of Business Development

Madison Esely-Kohlman has considerable experience working in specialty drug development services, including in vitro DMPK testing and regulated bioanalysis, and GLP preclinical studies. Madison's expertise includes engaging with clients early in their clinical development journey and supporting them into clinic. In her new role at Avance Clinical, she is looking forward to assisting clients navigate their clinical programs.

"Clinical trials bring not just tangible and thoroughly vetted medicines into the world; they can bring hope to families and individuals. Clinical trials run with expertise and efficiency mean faster access for those patients, and by joining Avance I am part of an organization dedicated to that outcome," she said.

Madison is motivated by assisting US biotech companies to understand and take advantage of the benefits afforded by the Australian clinical pathway.

"A game-changer that really drew me to Avance Clinical as a CRO specifically is their ability to support sponsors in the longer term. The GlobalReady offering empowers our customers to maximize benefits of the Australian clinical network and transition into a global program with teams in the US and elsewhere in the world. My goal is to connect those companies to the resources and expertise available at Avance Clinical, so they have a trusted and capable partner in their programs," Madison said.

About Avance Clinical

Avance Clinical is a full-service CRO for biotechs with a proven track-record for delivering clinical excellence in Australia , New Zealand , and North America . As the largest premium full-service CRO in Australia and North America , Avance Clinical specializes in delivering top-tier clinical trials that yield globally accepted data.

Award-winning CRO for Biotechs

Avance Clinical has been recognised for the fourth consecutive year by Frost & Sullivan in 2023, being awarded the Best Practices Customer Value Leadership for Biotech's award, for its continuous exceptional performance.

Pre-clinical through to Phase I and Beyond

Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical consultancy services with their experienced ClinicReady team right through to Phase I and beyond clinical services leveraging significant Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes that are available in Australia . With experience across more than 110 therapeutic indications, Avance Clinical can deliver world-class, high-quality, internationally accepted data suitable for FDA and EMA review.

Technology

Avance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold-standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, Zelta, Veeva and Medrio are just some of Avance Clinical's technology partners.

www.avancecro.com

Media Enquiries: [email protected]

Please contact our Media Team for more images and logos.

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SOURCE Avance Clinical
NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce that Kevin R. Nowaskey has joined as a Managing Director within the firm's Capital Markets Advisory group. Based in New York City , Kevin will lead the firm's Private Capital Advisory team.

Kevin joins BGL following his leadership and execution of several high-profile secondary transactions.

Kevin joins BGL following his leadership and execution of several high-profile secondary transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side. His expertise augments BGL's capital markets offerings and will enable the firm to meet the growing demand among its clients for access to secondary solutions in private markets.

"We are excited to welcome Kevin to the firm," said BGL's Executive Committee. "The experience and knowledge he brings to BGL will enable us to facilitate secondary transactions of all sizes and complexities and better meet the evolving needs of our clients in this rapidly growing space."

BGL's Private Capital Advisory team offers comprehensive, bespoke secondary advisory solutions to both General Partners and Limited Partners, including LP portfolio sales and acquisitions, direct secondary transactions, co-investment opportunities, portfolio company divestitures, structured secondary transactions, and preferred equity & NAV loan financing. BGL maintains an active network of institutions which seek to invest in, or lend directly to, portfolio companies and private funds across the firm's Financial Sponsor Coverage and broader Capital Markets teams, to access the appropriate capital providers for each transaction.

"BGL is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions, deep market insights, and exceptional client service," said Nowaskey. "I look forward to helping our clients achieve their strategic objectives in this incredibly dynamic landscape, backed by the broader BGL platform and its active network of institutions."

Prior to joining BGL, Kevin was a Director at Eaton Partners, where he led and built out the firm's Private Capital Advisory unit. Previously, Kevin was a Director of the Secondary Market Advisory Group at Duff & Phelps. He double majored in economics and political science at Union College.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago , Cleveland , Los Angeles , and New York , and real estate offices in Chicago , Cleveland , and San Antonio . The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 35 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.

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SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
This initiative aims to better understand substance use and misuse at a national level

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biobot Analytics, a global leader in wastewater epidemiology, was awarded a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health to conduct anonymous, population-level wastewater-based monitoring on drugs and overdose reversal agents. This program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at evaluating the distribution of substance use and misuse on a national level.

Over 100,000 overdose deaths occurred in the United States last year and more than of all overdose deaths in 2022 involved a synthetic opioid, according to provisional data. Biobot's work is a vital step forward in the country's collective efforts to address substance use and misuse. This initiative will play a crucial role in providing valuable data to communities across the country that can inform proactive and effective public health interventions to help prevent overdoses, hospitalizations, and overdose deaths, and inform scientific research.

The program will provide wastewater analysis of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, naloxone, and their metabolites to 70 communities across the United States . The SBIR Phase III contract represents the continuation of Biobot's work supported by NIDA's SBIR Phase I and Phase II grants. During Phase I in 2018, Biobot conducted a wastewater monitoring pilot in North Carolina to provide local officials with information on population-level use of opioids throughout the community to help inform public health support and intervention efforts. During Phase II in 2021, the data generated in Phase I was compared with state and local overdose data and naloxone administration data. With this latest phase, Biobot will focus on understanding the distribution of illicit drug use across many sites and engage public health officials on how the data can be best utilized to help diverse communities.

"Biobot Analytics was originally founded in 2017 to help communities address the opioid epidemic through wastewater monitoring," said Dr. Mariana Matus , CEO and Cofounder of Biobot Analytics. "A main barrier to improving public health response is that public health officials typically only have access to delayed data on individuals who have overdosed, which doesn't reflect everyone living with substance use disorder. With Support from NIDA, we will be able to help public health officials better understand the prevalence and occurrence of high-risk substance use and promote proactive response to prevent overdoses and help people where they are."

For more information on Biobot's High Risk Substance Wastewater Platform, visit our website .

Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under a contract mechanism. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About Biobot Analytics

Biobot Analytics is a global leader in wastewater epidemiology, founded with the goal of transforming wastewater infrastructure into real-time public health observatories. Having worked at hundreds of locations across all US states and territories and several countries, Biobot produces actionable information from wastewater to improve the health of communities around the world. Separately from their infectious illnesses work, Biobot also analyzes wastewater for the presence of High Risk Substances , such as opioids, to help communities better respond to substance use and implement harm reduction programming. More information on our mission and technology is available at our website, www.biobot.io .

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SOURCE Biobot Analytics
With doorstep deliveries, easy recipes, special deals and more, the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative shares all the ways to enjoy Maine Lobster this September 25

PORTLAND, Maine , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) is proud to celebrate the 8th annual National Lobster Day on Sept. 25 and commemorate the legacy of the hardworking men and women behind one of Maine's oldest and most important industries.

For more than 150 years, the lobster fishery has been a vital part of Maine's cultural heritage, symbolizing the state's coastal identity and providing a way of life for generations of families who sustain their coastal communities and protect the resource.

"We're delighted to commemorate National Lobster Day by honoring the people and communities behind this beloved seafood and its positive contributions to Maine ," said Marianne LaCroix , Executive Director of the MLMC. "We invite lobster lovers to celebrate with us by enjoying locally sourced, sustainably harvested Maine Lobsterwhich directly supports the hard-working individuals and families who make this fishery so special."

This National Lobster Day ( Sept. 25 ), the MLMC is making it easy for consumers to join the celebration:

Maine Lobster distributors are offering promotions and discounts including: Get Maine Lobster is offering up to $100 off and free overnight shipping from Portland, ME . They have specials on Maine Lobster tails, live Maine Lobsters, Maine Lobster rolls and more. Luke's Lobster will offer 25% off their National Lobster Day collection between Sept. 24 and 30 , as well as a special half-pound lobster roll available in stores for one day only, Sept. 25 . Hancock Gourmet is offering 20% off with the code LW2023 between Sept. 24 and 30 . Harbor Fish Market is offering six whole cooked Maine Lobsters for $49.99 , plus shipping. For a full list of Maine Lobster suppliers who deliver nationwide, visit LobsterfromMaine.com

Prepare Maine Lobster at home using the MLMC's curated recipes. Bring a taste of Maine into your kitchen with a variety of inspiring dishes, including Maine Lobster tacos and BLTs. If you're new to cooking lobster, the MLMC has you covered with essential step-by-step guides.

Bring a taste of Maine into your kitchen with a variety of inspiring dishes, including Maine Lobster tacos and BLTs. If you're new to cooking lobster, the MLMC has you covered with essential step-by-step guides. Celebrate locally at participating restaurants. From Sept. 24 to 30 , restaurants up and down the coast are celebrating Maine Lobster Week with a variety of unique lobster dishes. View the list of participating restaurants.

From restaurant owners to scientists to multi-generation lobstering families, the fishery wouldn't be possible without people of many different specialties and backgrounds working together to make it happen. Visit our website to Meet the Maine Characters and learn more about the faces and stories of those sustaining Maine's iconic industry.

To stay updated on the Maine Lobster fishery, including how we're pioneering sustainability and sharing ways to enjoy lobster, follow the MLMC on Instagram @LobsterfromMaine and Twitter @LobsterfromME.

About the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC), founded in 2013, is funded by Maine Lobster harvesters, dealers and processors to grow demand, both for whole live lobster and a variety of value-added products. The MLMC supports that objective by promoting the core values of the Maine Lobster industry, which are sustainability and traceability that's deeply rooted in tradition.

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SOURCE Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
Three new facilities in and around Naperville and a new location in Ft. Walton Beach will bring Central Bark's unique approach to whole dog care and enrichment to new communities.

MILWAUKEE , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Bark, the premier whole dog care franchise and industry pioneer, is continuing its aggressive national expansion efforts with the signing of new franchise agreements in Naperville, Ill in the Chicago area and Ft. Walton Beach, in the Florida panhandle. With three new units set for Naperville and single location in Ft. Walton Beach, these two deals mark the brand's first entry into these two communities.

Central Bark, the premier whole dog care franchise, continues its aggressive national expansion in Illinois and Florida .

Leading Central Bark's expansion in and around Naperville is longtime resident Mike Carter , who executed a multi-unit development agreement for three locations. After a 20-year career in the IT consulting space leading software implementations for fortune 500 companies, Carter was simply ready for a change. A lifelong dog lover, he knew there had to be something out there that could combine his passion for dogs and the ability to scale a business.

"As I was contemplating my exit from the corporate world after more than two decades of working for some of the world's largest consulting firms, I knew I wanted to be in business for myself," said Carter. "I looked at all kinds of dog-related businesses because that's a passion of mine, but there was something special about Central Bark. The brand has built an incredible culture and that sense of community is palpable. Plus, Central Bark puts dog safety and whole dog care above everything else. That kind of commitment to the dogs and to their pet parents was something I wanted to be a part of and help grow."

In Ft. Walton Beach, Jossalyn Wallace and Daniel Mobili signed a franchise agreement to bring the first Central Bark ever to the Florida panhandle. Once open, Jossalyn will run day-to-day operations while Daniel finishes his active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force. Joining them on their entrepreneurial journey into small business ownership will be their three dogs: Peanut, Minnie, and Macey.

"For the first time, we realized there was a business out there where we could combine our passion for dogs and our dreams of small business ownership," said Wallace. "That was something we just could not turn down. Central Bark's commitment to whole dog care and its open and inclusive culture that does not discriminate based on breed was important to us. It was an easy decision."

For nearly 20 years, Central Bark has drawn in dogs and their owners across the country to experience its Whole Dog Care, which combines Central Bark's industry-leading dog day care expertise with the latest in canine behavioral science. Enrichment Care provides a healthy and balanced blend of exercise, social group play, learning, rest, and "TLC" to help dogs be healthy, happy, calm, and well-rounded members of the family. Furthermore, Central Bark also offers dog boarding, baths, grooming, a retail market, training and more.

"We are so excited to welcome Mike, and Jossalyn and Daniel, to our rapidly growing Central Bark family," Tim Weiderhoft , Ed.D., CFE, vice president of franchise development for Central Bark. "One new Central Bark at a time, we are changing the dog care landscape from Chicago to Florida . We are different, special, and better for a reason and that is resonating with new franchisees and our customers alike. And we could not be happier that Mike, Jossalyn, and Daniel have decided to join Central Bark and bring our unique approach to Naperville and Ft. Walton Beach. Given their incredible backgrounds and work ethic, we know they will be extremely successful."

Central Bark typically features approximately 6,000  7,000 square feet of indoor space plus over 2,000 square-feet of outdoor play area. Activities include small flexible playgroups, group skills work, rest periods, and personalized one-on-one enrichment sessions. Enrichment add-ons give pups the extra attention they love and the freedom to use their senses, safely exploring with their instincts as they engage with interactive toys, puzzles, and games. For more information on Central Bark franchising opportunities, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising.

About Central Bark:

The Central Bark franchise system was founded in 2003 and now operates under the name Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. For nearly 20 years, the brand has grown to nearly 40 locations across more than a dozen states. The company has hosted over two million dog visits. Central Bark participates in VetFran, the International Franchise Association's (IFA) veteran program, and offers a franchise fee discount to qualifying veterans. Central Bark is also an IFA MinorityFran participant. For more information about franchising with Central Bark, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising or call 866-799-2275.

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SOURCE Central Bark
United Table offers unique global cuisines and helps students celebrate different cultures

CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized leader in contract foodservice management Chartwells Higher Education has announced United Table, a new dining experience focused on global flavors. Students at Northeastern University and the University of Illinois Chicago are the first to experience United Table's bold, modern dining experience that celebrates the stories of cultures, cuisines, and people around the world through authentic dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Research from the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows international student enrollment in higher education is on the rise. According to IIE's Fall 2022 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment, the number of new international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 7% last year, building on the 80% rebound in new enrollments during the previous academic year. With United Table, Chartwells is creating a tailored dining location that not only meets the needs and wants of international students but opens the door for all students to experience new cultures through food.

"There's something special about sharing a meal with friends, family, and even people you've never met before, which is why we're always looking to create food-forward initiatives that bring students together," said Lisa McEuen , CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. "We hope United Tables gives international students a taste of home while also encouraging others to engage with new cultures, people, and foods and ultimately create more meaningful interactions with one another."

Chartwells' culinarians conducted extensive market research and taste tests to create the United Table's special menu, which features a variety of concepts and recipes such as:

Asian kitchens featuring Korean fried chicken, pulled pork banh mi, and chicken biryani

Mediterranean kitchens featuring Turkish ezme salad, beef shawarma, and shatta chicken

Latin kitchens featuring birria tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, and arepas

Global breakfast options featuring English breakfast, calentado, and Japanese fluffy pancakes

"As an international student, when you're away from home, food is something that you really miss because its flavors take you back to happy memories of where you grew up," says a third-year Northeastern student from Greece . "It's been a challenge to find traditional foods in the States so it's a very comforting feeling to be able to come to the dining hall and have something that takes you back to home and makes you feel comfortable."

For more information on United Table please visit chartwellshighered.com.

Media Contact

Meredith Rosenberg

914-935-5326

[email protected]

Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service at over 300 college and universities in the United States . Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company's excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus.

Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com , www.DineonCampus.com .

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SOURCE Chartwells Higher Education
COSMOSS and Chopra Foundation Commitment to Support Mental Health Awareness

COSMOSS + Chopra Foundation will launch series of events and collaborations from January 2024

will launch series of events and collaborations from COSMOSS + Chopra Foundation will host events, discussion panels, talks and wellness retreats

will host events, discussion panels, talks and wellness retreats COSMOSS pledge percentage from all future sales to support Chopra Foundation

LONDON , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate Moss , Founder of COSMOSS, and Deepak Chopra , Founder of Chopra Foundation, are proud to announce a new partnership to support mental health and wellbeing between COSMOSS and the Chopra Foundation.

From January 2024 , COSMOSS, the Award-Winning Wellness brand by Kate Moss , will be working with Chopra Foundation to support wellness and mental health programmes with events and using the NeverAlone.Love platform. They will be collaborating on a series of events to share the values, insight and learnings with both COSMOSS and Chopra Foundation Communities.

Mental Health Awareness

"On behalf of the Chopra Foundation, I am deeply grateful for the collaboration with COSMOSS on creating a more peaceful, just, sustainable, healthier and joyful world with Kate Moss , who is supporting the Chopra Foundation's work." - Deepak Chopra

"When I started to take care of myself, things began to change." - Kate Moss

COSMOSS will be pledging a percentage of sales from hero products from the COSMOSS range to support the Chopra Foundation.

Further information and initiatives to be announced over the coming months.

About:

COSMOSS

COSMOSS is Wellbeing in Kate's world. Grounded in a deep, personal connection to wellbeing, spirituality, and optimism, COSMOSS draws on Kate's extraordinary life experiences, her own wellness journey, and her personal transformation. The nurturing debut collection features six sustainably sourced, Vegan and Cruelty-Free hero products offer natural remedies to restore and rebalance, helping you to find inner harmony and vitality.

"The key to happiness is being comfortable in your own skin. COSMOSS was inspired by my own private journey of wellness and self-discovery." - Kate Moss

Chopra Foundation

The Chopra Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Deepak Chopra and dedicated to improving health and well-being, cultivating spiritual knowledge, expanding consciousness, and promoting world peace to all members of the human family.

The mission of the Chopra Foundation is to advance the cause of mind/body spiritual healing, education, and research through fundraising, especially for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Initiatives include:

Initiating scientific research into mind-body practices to improve human longevity ( Chopra Foundation Institute )

) At-risk children, introducing them to music and art for empowerment, meditation and mind body practices

Low-income women and teenagers, offering them comprehensive pre-natal support to help bring their babies safely to full term and birth weight

Prisoners, teaching them meditation for awareness and peace

Educating healers, about the powerful resources of Ayurveda, mind-body practices and spirituality, through giving scholarships to selected healers to attend specific programs

"Starting at the very first moments in life, to seeing individuals and communities in the world, our lives are inextricably linked. We belong to one another. We hope that our dream will resonate with yours and you will join us in our commitment to global health, awareness, love and peace." Deepak Chopra

Never Alone Chopra Foundation Initiative  A Worldwide Alliance.

Never Alone is forging an alliance of people and organizations dedicated to incubating a new vision for mental and emotional health and the resources available to people seeking support.

Deepak Chopra MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation and Chopra Global, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. He is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described him as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century."

COSMOSS by Kate Moss

https://www.cosmossbykatemoss.com

Chopra Foundation

https://choprafoundation.org

Never Alone

https://neveralone.love

For more information and images for COSMOSS please contact:

The COSMOSS Team at Black & White Communications at [email protected]

For more information about Chopra Foundation please contact:

Media Contact: Kristen Marion , 623-308-2638, [email protected]

General Inquiries: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChopraFNDN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chopra-foundation/

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SOURCE Chopra Foundation
In one of the largest funding rounds in Fintech in 2023, Curve secures additional 58M to support its growth ambitions; Company on Trajectory to Reach Profitability in Early 2024

LONDON , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curve , the financial super app that connects all your existing credit and debit cards to one single card and app, today announced that it has raised an additional 58 million extension of its Series C round, bringing its Series C funding total to over 133 million. The extension round saw participation from Britannia, IDC Ventures, Cercano Management (the venture arm of Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen's estate), Cohen Circle , Outward VC as well many other existing shareholders.

The new funds will be used to improve the overall customer experience (Curve just recently rolled out its new app, which includes a marketplace of financial applets), expand its Flex offerings, and bring exciting new partnerships to the market.



"We are extremely pleased with the interest we received in our Series C extension round and the support we received from our existing shareholders," said Shachar Bialick , founder and CEO of Curve. "It's a testament of the execution of our team, the strength of our product, and business as a whole. This last raise, like any raise, brings with it renewed responsibility to our shareholders and our customers; To build a good product and an exciting business, by executing well. Curve's unique, user-friendly and innovative product is something that investors, partners and customers alike are drawn to naturally, and with this additional cash, we look forward to bringing more people closer to financial independence."

Curve has experienced impressive growth in 2023. Earlier this year, Curve successfully transformed its business model which allowed it to highly improve its gross margin and, in turn, enter a phase of scaling the business in a sustainable way towards the path to profitability.

"Curve isn't just aggregating funding sources into one credit card, they're revolutionising how we perceive and access our money," said Bobby Aitkenhead , co-founder and Managing Director at IDC Ventures. "Thanks to their unique technology and Layer 3 (OTT) approach, they have the capability to intercept the transaction and supercharge the customer experience, with its Double Dip Rewards, or eliminating nasty hidden fees. And they do it seamlessly, without any need for the customer to change the cards they pay with. This in turn gives Curve 360 view of the customer finance, a wealth of data which allows Curve to offer superior, personalised experience for customers, coupled with a strong business model. As they've proven in the past 12 months. Our conviction in Curve grew substantially upon witnessing the remarkable capabilities and proven history of its founder and the team he built around him."

"We're so excited about Curve and its potential to be a payments super app, as well as its ability to change the way consumers treat their cards and credit as part of a holistic payment methodology. It continues to build and provide its users with great value," added Daniel Cohen, Co-Founder, Cohen Circle .

Curve has teased a major partnership with a payments giant, but they remain tight-lipped until the announcement is made public later this month. Additionally, Curve is in the midst of rolling out their new Launchpad interface that paves the road for the development of a financial marketplace. This will allow select third party developers to integrate their financial products and services directly into Curve.

Curve, which launched to the public in 2018 and has amassed more than 4.5 million customers globally, gives customers more control over their money by connecting their financial world into a simple yet powerful interface, offering them more convenience, control and savings over their finances. With Curve, customers have full freedom over their money, eliminating expensive hidden currency conversion fees that banks would otherwise charge them. It also provides a complete financial picture, enabling better budgeting and maximising rewards without a second thought.

To date, Curve has raised 208 million in equity investment and has reached millions of customers around the world with its unique product and innovative partnerships with Samsung, Mastercard, Huawei, Swatch and many other leading brands.

This round was advised by Investec.

For more information, visit www.curve.com .

About Curve

Curve is a financial super app. It is on a mission to be the one-stop-shop for all of a consumer's financial needs; a single point of access to a wide range of financial products and services, bundling together all your money into one smart card and an even smarter app. Unlike other services available in the market today, Curve allows customers to connect and supercharge their legacy banks without signing up to a new bank. Curve is live in 31 markets across the UK and European Economic Area (EEA).

Curve supports Mastercard, Visa, and Diners Club networks. The Curve Card and the E-money related to these cards is issued in the UK by Curve UK Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to issue electronic money (firm reference number 900926). The Curve Card and the e-money related to cards issued in the EEA is issued by Curve Europe UAB, authorised in Lithuania by the Bank of Lithuania (electronic money institution licence No. 73 issued on 22 of October, 2020).

Media Contact:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Curve
PUYALLUP, Wash. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at Sunrise Village in Puyallup, Washington on October 7th . "We are thrilled to open our store at Sunrise Village ," said Jack Williams , Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Puyallup community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."

The new Daiso store at Sunrise Village encompasses 7,092 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke , Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, " Washington based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 104 units in 7 states with more states opening in 2024".

On both Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th , the first 100 customers to shop at the Sunrise Village location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a free goodie bag and a plushie. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community.

Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The Sunrise Village Daiso is anchored by neighboring tenant Famous Footwear and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan , known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in La Mirada, CA.

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SOURCE Daiso USA
NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the urgency of addressing the existential threats of sea-level rise, today a group of champion countries convened a "Summit on Addressing the Existential Threats posed by Sea-level Rise" to press forward with immediate global action. Heads of State, ministers and senior officials gathered to pledge support for concrete action to address these threats.

Without ambitious action and support, these nations potentially face uninhabitability as early as 2050 and total inundation by the end of the century.

At the Summit, leaders committed to address the threats posed by sea-level rise, including through the formation of a new Coalition to build momentum and press for urgent global action. They also called for exploring innovative means to ensure climate financing dedicated to supporting the vulnerable communities, and ways to protect the heritage and culture of affected populations. Germany pledged 1.5 million to support the development of an online repository to preserve and protect Tuvalu's culture and heritage, while Open Society Foundations pledged USD$1.5 million to support Pacific Island Communities most affected by climate change.

"For countries most threatened by sea-level rise, the implications of losing our homelands are catastrophic. Our history, culture and heritage are nourished from our natural environment, the lands we have lived on for centuries" said H.E. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu .

"In the words of our youth: we are not drowning, we are fighting. We do not, and will never, accept that the uninhabitability of our homes is a foregone conclusion. We do recognize that the challenges we face are immense. While these remain our challenges, to be addressed through our right to self-determination and our National Adaptation Plan, implementing Marshallese solutions will require international support" said H.E. David Kabua , President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands .

For Small Island Developing States, especially in the Pacific region, sea-level rise poses existential threats. In particular, global attention and support are now vital for the Pacific Atoll island nations. Without ambitious action and support, these nations potentially face uninhabitability as early as 2050 and total inundation by the end of the century.

"I'm proud to announce the Open Society Foundations' commitment of $1.5 million to help stand up the Pacific Island Communities Climate Fund, a vital tool to combat the looming climate threats and preserve a bright future for these vibrant communities. It is my fervent hope that this investment, along with our litigation and advocacy efforts, can boost the global coalition coming to these island nations' aid," says Mr. Alex Soros , Chair of Open Society.

"This Summit is an opportunity to accelerate global action to urgently address the threats of sea-level rise," said Prof. Kamal Amakrane, Managing Director of the Global Centre for Climate Mobility. "

The Summit was co-hosted during the 78th UN General Assembly by President H.E. Dennis Francis and these countries Tuvalu , Palau , Republic of the Marshall Islands , Tonga , Malta , Denmark and Germany.

Media Contact:

David Lonnberg - Global Centre for Climate Mobility

E: [email protected]

M: +1 347 836 2121

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SOURCE Global Centre for Climate Mobility
Explosions in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, including the occupiers' military facilities in Crimea, will continue. According to Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine needs to destroy the occupiers and their logistics, which could affect the course of hostilities.

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Ihnat said this during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine cannot defend itself against Russian attacks unilaterally.

"You see the results of the work of the Air Force. Take, for example, two ships that were damaged after the Moscow cruiser. They were destroyed by precise strikes of our pilots and other units. There are also strikes on ammunition depots in the occupied territory, in Crimea in particular," Ihnat said.

Thus, frequent explosions have been observed recently in the temporarily occupied Crimea. They are mostly related to attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who hit places of concentration of Russian troops, their military equipment and ammunition depots. The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force noted that explosions in the occupied territories will continue

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"We cannot defend ourselves unilaterally. We have to destroy the enemy and its logistics, including destroying its headquarters, military commands and control bodies in different areas," the spokesman said.

As a reminder, on the night of September 21, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy launched a large-scale fire attack on the Saki military airfield in the temporarily occupied Crimea. There were at least 12 combat aircraft.

As a reminder, the attack on the command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol in the temporarily occupied Crimea was a special operation of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Air Force and the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Enemy military systems and manpower were hit.

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Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
SHANGHAI , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dizal announced today that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted priority review status to golidocitinib, Dizal's investigational JAK1-only inhibitor, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (r/r PTCL). In February 2022 , golidocitinib received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the same indication, making it the first and only innovative drug in China to receive this recognition for PTCL.

"Patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL worldwide face limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. We are pleased with the CDE's decision to grant priority review status to golidocitinib, as it recognizes the potential of this groundbreaking drug to improve survival benefits for this underserved patient population. We are fully committed to expediting the NDA filing process and ensuring that golidocitinib becomes available to Chinese patients as quickly as possible." said Xiaolin Zhang , PhD, Chairman and CEO of Dizal.

Golidocitinib, a JAK1-only inhibitor, aimed to address the r/r PTCL dilemma

PTCL is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that represents approximately 7% to 10% of NHLs worldwide. Patients with r/r PTCL face a poor prognosis, with a 3-year survival rate ranging from 21% to 28%. Currently, there is no established consensus on the standard approach for treating r/r PTCL. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel and innovative treatment options to improve survival in this patient population.

The Priority Review designation for golidocitinib's application was supported by data from the JACKPOT8 PARTB study, a multinational, pivotal study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of golidocitinib in patients with r/r PTCL. The primary endpoint of the study, objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent review committee (IRC), reached 44.3%, with a complete response rate (CRR) of 23.9%. Anti-tumor efficacy was observed across different PTCL subtypes and irrespective of the patients' prior treatment history. The majority of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) could be monitored and well managed in the clinic. These findings, highlighting the superior efficacy and safety of golidocitinib, have been widely acknowledged at prestigious conferences such as ASCO, EHA, ICML, and ASH with five oral presentations for four consecutive years. Recently, the Phase I clinical data of golidocitinib for the treatment of r/rPTCL (JACKPOT8 PARTA) was published in the esteemed peer-reviewed journal, Annals of Oncology (Impact Factor: 51.8).

Driving innovation through the fundamentals of translational science

Dizal, a spinoff of AstraZeneca's oncology translational science center, has established a portfolio of five clinical-stage assets with global competitiveness. Among these, golidocitinib represents a major research achievement deeply rooted in the principles of translational science. Dizal was the first to identify and validate the JAK/STAT pathway as a highly promising therapeutic approach for PTCL, leading to the development of golidocitinib as the world's first and currently the only JAK1-only inhibitor in pivotal trial for T cell lymphoma.

About golidocitinib ( DZD4205 )

Golidocitinib is the first-in-class Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) only inhibitor currently being evaluated in a global, multicenter pivotal study (JACKPOT8 PARTB) in r/r PTCL. At the data cut-off date of February 16, 2023 , Golidocitinib has demonstrated robust and durable anti-tumor activity, with an ORR of 44.3% and a CRR of 23.9%. More than 50% of the patients with tumor remission achieved a complete response. The median relative dose intensity was 100%. Golidocitinib was granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of r/r PTCL in February 2022 . In September 2023 , the CDE accepted the NDA and granted the Priority Review status for the treatment of r/r PTCL. And the Phase I clinical data of golidocitinib for the treatment of r/r PTCL (JACKPOT8 PARTA) was published in Annals of Oncology (Impact Factor: 51.8).

About Dizal

Dizal is a biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. The company aims to develop first-in-class and groundbreaking new medicines, and further address unmet medical needs around the world. Deep-rooted in translational science and molecular design, it has established an internationally competitive portfolio of five clinical-stage assets with two leading assets in global pivotal studies and one already launched.

To learn more about Dizal, please visit www.dizalpharma.com, or follow us at Linkedin or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Dizal, are intended to identify certain forward-looking statements. Dizal does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections, and understandings of the management of Dizal with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond Dizal's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Dizal's competitive environment, and political, economic, legal, and social conditions.

Dizal, the Directors, and the employees of Dizal assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained on this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turnout to be incorrect.

Contacts

Investor Relations: [email protected]

Business Development: [email protected]

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SOURCE Dizal Pharmaceutical
Sustainable consumer packaging leader makes progress toward a renewable future

ATLANTA , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) today published its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, demonstrating progress on all pillars in the company's ESG Vision 2025. The company achieved its climate intensity goals three years early and advanced decarbonization by seeking to set new, science-based climate targets to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions. Ethnic diversity reported among the company's U.S. employee base was more than double the industry benchmark, underscoring its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Graphic Packaging is aggressively pursuing a future fueled by renewable resources. Packaging solutions from the 27-country operation are made primarily with fibers from sustainably sourced trees or recycled materials. Nearly 65 percent of its energy is derived from renewable sources. Most of the company's packaging today is designed to be recyclable, promoting a circular economy.

"We work relentlessly to develop resource-ecient and easily recyclable packaging solutions that use natural resources responsibly," said President and CEO Michael P. Doss at Graphic Packaging. "We enable our customers  the world's leading household brands  to shift toward more recyclable packaging. In addition to helping them meet their sustainability goals, we help shape how they think about packaging their products for the future."

Highlights from the 2022 Graphic Packaging ESG report include:

PLANET

Achieved climate intensity goals three years early, paving way to setting science-based climate targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Diverted 1.1 million metric tons of waste from landfill, 85 percent of which was recovered paper waste that was recycled.

PEOPLE

30 percent ethnic diversity among U.S. employees  2.3 times the pulp and paper industry benchmark (per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022).

employees  2.3 times the pulp and paper industry benchmark (per the 2022). Increased representation of women on the executive leadership team to 33 percent and in vice president roles to 29 percent, with a continued focus on expanding gender diversity.

PRODUCTS & PARTNERS

One-third of fiber-based consumer packaging products were made using 100% recycled fiber content.

On track toward goal of 100 percent of global facilities achieving compliance with a fiber certification standard, demonstrating support of sustainable forest management and sourcing practices for forest products.

Global Sustainability Commitments

Graphic Packaging participates in two global sustainability initiatives. Since 2021, the company has taken actions to establish carbon emission reduction goals aligned with climate science to limit global warming. The proposal has been under review with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) since early 2023. The company also remains committed to incorporating the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) into its business practices and to aligning its sustainability ambition with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"We are making progress every day, delivering positive outcomes for our people, our planet, and ultimately the growth and sustainability of our company," said Michelle Fitzpatrick , Chief Sustainability Officer. "Our purpose is to package life's everyday moments for a renewable future. And we want every one of those moments to be inherently better for people and our planet."

The new ESG report follows announcements in 2022 that Graphic Packaging was recognized as one of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for the third year in a row. In addition, Graphic Packaging received a GOLD medal rating from EcoVadis, which assesses companies on environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, and it achieved a leadership rating for both its CDP climate and CDP water disclosures.

ESG Website and Reporting Frameworks

The 2022 ESG Report and sustainability news can be found on the company's website. Graphic Packaging reports in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards along with providing information aligned with the Taskforce for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework and the United Nations Global Compact Communication on Progress.

About Graphic Packaging Holding Company

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia , is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and fiber-based foodservice packaging in the United States and Europe and holds leading market positions in coated recycled paperboard (CRB), coated unbleached kraft paperboard (CUK) and solid bleached sulfate paperboard (SBS). The Company's customers include many of the world's most widely recognized companies and brands. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available on the Company's website at www.graphicpkg.com.

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SOURCE Graphic Packaging Holding Company
LACEY, Wash. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Coast's largest independent family-owned convenience distribution company, Harbor Wholesale, completed the rebranding of MTC Distributing in Modesto, CA , to Harbor Wholesale. Rick Jensen , President of Harbor Wholesale, states, "We are excited to mark today with the official rebranding of MTC Distributing to Harbor Wholesale, bringing two multigenerational 100-year-old family-owned companies under one banner. This day honors the legacy of MTC and carries forward the vision and compassion of the former owner, Tom Eakin , securing the 265 employees a future within the Harbor Family. It's more than just a rebranding; it's a celebration of new beginnings and enduring legacies." Going forward, MTC Distributing will operate as Harbor Wholesale's Modesto Distribution Center. Modesto remains under the leadership of the current Branch President, Noel Chavez , who says, "We have completed the rebranding process to Harbor, from the colors on our building to trucks and trailers, and our sales materials. It is exciting to see the new changes while driving down the freeways in California and see our trucks and trailers branded Harbor."

"[Harbor]..can bring innovation, upgraded technologies, and expanded products and programs along the West Coast ."

Harbor Wholesale currently operates distribution centers in Lacey, WA , Roseburg, OR , Portland, OR , and now, Modesto, CA. The acquisition of MTC Distributing allows Harbor to expand its service footprint down the West Coast . Jensen states, "As MTC joins the Harbor Wholesale organization, we can bring innovation, upgraded technologies, and expanded products and programs along the West Coast . The rebranding represents tradition meeting transformation as the legacy of MTC joins the vision of Harbor Wholesale. We are honored to be the stewards of this great company and culture as we look towards a bright future together."

Harbor Wholesale and their new Modesto Distribution Center will conduct business as usual while the combined leadership teams continue to evaluate opportunities to bring the best of both companies to their collective customers. Chavez states, "I am excited to say that the acquisition between two 100-year-old independent family-owned companies is going very well. It is unsurprising since we are like-minded in culture, alignment, and company values, which Harbor reinforces daily. Being a part of a larger company has given us a great opportunity to offer our customers more robust QSR foodservice programs like Scratch Dig-in-Chicken, Via Vita Pizza, Split Shift coffee, and Watertown Craft Roasted coffee to enhance their businesses. Our future is bright as the premier distributor on the West Coast and beyond!"

The combined companies serve more than 6,000 independent retailers on the West Coast with collective buying power to enhance customer profitability without sacrificing the excellent service customers have come to expect from Harbor Wholesale and MTC Distributing.

About Harbor Wholesale

Founded in 1923, Harbor Wholesale is dedicated to supporting the local entrepreneurs that provide jobs in their communities, bring convenience to busy lives, and invite us all to experience life around the table. Every day. As the largest independent 4th generation family-owned distributor in the West, Harbor Wholesale now employs over 800 team members and serves over 6,000 convenience stores, independent grocers, and quick-serve restaurants with a great selection of products. These include Harbor-owned brands held under Real Fresh Brands, such as Scratch Dig-in-Chicken, Mountain Fresh, Via Vita Pizza, Split Shift, Watertown Craft Roasted, Mein Street, and Skippers. Harbor Wholesale operates distribution centers in Lacey, WA, Portland, OR , Roseburg, OR , and the newly added Modesto , CA. Harbor Wholesale is a subsidiary of Harbor Foods. For additional information, please visit us at harborwholesale.com or harborfoods.com.

Harbor Wholesale is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein.

Media Contact

Nathan Stromberg

Director of Marketing

Harbor Foods

[email protected]

(425) 251-3810

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SOURCE Harbor Wholesale Foods
Lamb moves into new dedicated specialty role; Cohen to lead Tri-State Region

RICHMOND, Va. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that Gabrielle Lamb has been named Specialty Platform Leader dedicated to targeted products and offerings within core industries, and Darren Cohen has been named Platform Leader of the company's Tri-State Region , effective November 1, 2023 . Both Lamb and Cohen will report to Hilb Group Chief Operating Officer Jason Angus .

In her newly established role, Lamb will be responsible for the growth and development of Hilb Group's specialty-focused lines. She will work closely with agency leaders and producers to implement a targeted strategy promoting retention and new business growth across high-performing Property and Casualty (P&C) offerings and industries including Real Estate, Transportation, Medical Professional Liability, and more.

Lamb joined Hilb Group in 2016 as part of the company's acquisition of PriMed Consulting. She is a graduate of Rider University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Sociology, and her background includes insurance roles in sales and marketing, business development, client services, and producer recruitment and training. Prior to this appointment to lead specialty offerings, Lamb served as Platform Leader of Hilb Group's Tri-State Region .

"As Hilb Group continues to grow, I am honored to be selected for this role," Lamb said. "There is a tremendous amount of potential in the specialty lines for our company and our industry, and I am thrilled to work with our team to create strategies that help grow the business."

Cohen came to Hilb Group in 2020, when Hiram Cohen & Son Inc. joined the company. He assumed the role of Senior Vice President of Carrier Relations and Insurance Strategy in August 2022 , and will be transitioning out of this role to focus on leading the Tri-State Region . Cohen is admitted to practice law in New York State , and currently serves as a lecturer in insurance at Columbia University School of Professional Studies. In his new position, he is charged with growth and leveraging the platform for the benefit of all offices in New York , New Jersey , and Connecticut .

"I look forward to greater opportunities to serve our clients, associates, and agency leadership in the Tri-State area," Cohen stated. "Gabrielle has established an excellent foundation, and I am excited for the next steps of continuing to enhance relationships and growing the long-term potential of the region."

"In taking on these new leadership roles within the Hilb Group organization, Gabrielle and Darren bring broad experience and unique skillsets," Angus said. "Their growth as leaders speaks to both the knowledge and insight they bring to the company and the level of expertise Hilb Group offers to our clients and agencies  as well as the opportunities for career advancement for agency leaders who join Hilb Group."

"Our growth strategy and approach focus on both surrounding ourselves with the right agencies and partnering with talented people to directly impact our current and future success," said Hilb Group Chief Executive Officer Ricky Spiro . "Both Gabrielle and Darren are proof of our belief in the level of initiative and drive our agencies and associates can contribute, collectively and individually."

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]

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SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
National brokerage looks to Anders to formalize and grow program business.

WAUKEE, Iowa , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Holmes Murphy is excited to announce the addition of insurance industry veteran Tim Anders . Anders will serve as the President of Programs where he will be responsible for formalizing existing programs and generating new opportunities for our Managing General Agent (MGA) practice. This will allow the Holmes Murphy team to broaden their capabilities, tailor unique insurance solutions for their clients' needs through closer partnerships with their carrier partners, and positively influence their impact on risk.

"As Holmes Murphy continues to invest in opportunities to broaden capabilities that directly impact our clients, embarking more formally into the MGA space is a great opportunity for us," said Dan Keough , Holmes Murphy Chairman & CEO. "We have a rich, 91-year history of creating, building, and scaling companies through core brokerage services expertise in Property Casualty and Employee Benefits, along with our subsidiary businesses and distribution model. Adding an MGA practice into the mix is just one more way we are looking to enhance the value we bring to our clients, brokers, and insurance carrier partners."

Anders is a highly respected and successful insurance industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience in underwriting, new program development, program management, and leadership. Prior to joining Holmes Murphy , he worked with companies such as Ryan Specialty, Breckenridge Insurance, Zurich , and Atlantic Mutual, and dealt with programs across a variety of industry classes and coverages.

"Tim will use that knowledge and experience to build upon our many unique capabilities and expertise  including industry specialization, captives, and existing program business  and formalize our strategy to create new opportunities as the new leader of our MGA practice," said Tom Stewart , President of the Holmes Murphy PLUS division. "Tim will also be working closely with new and existing carrier partners to develop innovative insurance solutions with binding authority that can enhance the offerings of the carriers. It's a win-win for all involved."

MGAs have been a rapidly growing part of the insurance value chain over the last several years, now representing $70+ billion of premium. Carriers have increasingly looked to MGAs to provide expertise, innovation, and sophisticated underwriting in specific lines of business, helping them to grow and enter new markets.

"We have had several carriers express their interest and excitement in working with us to explore opportunities to work together," said Stewart. "We are excited to be able to now formally offer them this service."

The official name of the MGA practice will be launched in the months ahead.

About Holmes Murphy

"Caring for Your Unique Potential is Our Soul Purpose." That statement is the core of how we do business. We ask the tough questions, avoid the easy path, believe fully in caring for the unique challenges of our clients, impact the industry through innovation, and leverage our greatest assets  the hearts and minds of our people  to advocate on behalf of our clients. That's our approach to risk management and benefits consulting, and it's worked for us since our inception in 1932. As an independent brokerage, we serve clients in every industry and of almost every size, with the ultimate goal of providing exceptional service and caring for our clients' unique potential. We are also the co-founder and co-owner of BrokerTech Ventures, the industry's first broker-led convening platform and accelerator. For more information, visit www.holmesmurphy.com. You can also follow us on Twitter.com (@holmesmurphyins) or on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Contact: Jena Brown

515-345-8934

[email protected]

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All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated

RENO, Nev. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("i-80", or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amended and restated gold prepay purchase and sale agreement (the "A&R Gold Prepay Agreement") with an affiliate of Orion Mine Finance ("Orion"), pursuant to which the Company has received aggregate gross proceeds of $20 million (the "2023 Gold Prepay Accordion") structured as an additional accordion under the existing gold prepay agreement (the "2021 Gold Prepay Agreement") between the Company and Orion (see the Company's news releases dated December 14, 2021 and April 13, 2022 ). The existing $50 million accordion feature remains in place in the A&R Gold Prepay Agreement.

The proceeds from the 2023 Gold Prepay Accordion are expected to be used to support the development, expansion and working capital, exploration, and capital expenditure requirements of the Company's portfolio of precious metals and poly-metallic assets.

The 2023 Gold Prepay Accordion will be repaid through the delivery by i-80 to Orion of 13,333 troy ounces of gold over a period of 12 quarters, being 1,110 troy ounces of gold per quarter over the delivery period with the first delivery being 1,123 troy ounces of gold. The first delivery will occur on March 31, 2024 , and the last delivery will occur on December 31, 2026 . Obligations under the A&R Gold Prepay Agreement, including the 2023 Gold Prepay Accordion, are senior secured obligations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC and Osgood Mining Company, LLC and secured against the Ruby Hill project in Eureka County, Nevada and the Granite Creek project in Humboldt County, Nevada .

In connection with the 2023 Gold Prepay Accordion, the Company has issued to Orion warrants to purchase up to 3,750,000 common shares of the Company (the "New Warrants"). The New Warrants may be exercised at any time at an exercise price of C$3.17 per common share until September 20, 2026 . The New Warrants will be subject to a customary Canadian statutory four month hold period from the date of issue.

In addition, the Company has received conditional approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") to extend the expiry date of the Company's 5,500,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (the "Existing Warrants") originally issued to an affiliate of Orion in connection with the 2021 Gold Prepay Agreement. The Existing Warrants, none of which are held by insiders of the Company, are exercisable for common shares of the Company at a price of C$3.275 per share and were originally set to expire on December 13, 2024 . The Company has extended the expiry date of the Existing Warrants by an additional 12 months to December 13, 2025 , with such extension being effective on October 4, 2023 per the rules of the TSX. All other terms of the Existing Warrants, including the exercise price, remain the same.

The issuance of the New Warrants and the extension of the expiry date of the Existing Warrants remain subject to final acceptance by the TSX and the NYSE American upon satisfaction of customary post-closing conditions.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein 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, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp. is a Nevada -focused, mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio with processing at i-80's centralized milling facilities. i-80 Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol IAU:TSX and IAUX:NYSE. Further information about i-80 Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.i80gold.com or by email at [email protected].

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the availability of the additional $50 million accordion feature under the A&R Gold Prepay Agreement, the use of proceeds from the 2023 Gold Prepay Accordion, and the receipt of final acceptance from the TSX and the NYSE American. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

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SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp
Partnership will map existing evidence around ways to mitigate climate's impacts on health and identify research opportunities to strengthen future policies and solutions

OAKLAND, Calif. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente, the nation's largest nonprofit, integrated health care organization, is supporting the National Academy of Medicine to build and expand the evidence base of solutions to protect against climate change's negative impacts on health and health equity, and to inform future climate research, strategies, and policies.

With a grant from Kaiser Permanente, NAM will spend the next nine months on the initiative to:

Develop a clear inventory of existing research and evidence on the relationship between climate and health

Identify gaps and opportunities to conduct further research

Create a public resource with evidence-based information that allows communities, policymakers, and researchers to pursue the most effective solutions

Climate change and the extreme weather events it drives are creating many types of health issues, both familiar and less recognized. Long-term exposure to air pollution is tied to an increased risk of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease. Pregnant people exposed to extreme heat during pregnancy have increased chances of life-threatening delivery complications. And medical care costs may be higher each year for people living in neighborhoods with less grass and fewer trees and other plants.

"We know of many ways that climate change is harming health. We still have a lot to learn to understand specific ways we can prevent and lessen those impacts, particularly for people who tend to suffer the most," said Seema Wadhwa , Kaiser Permanente's executive director for Environmental Stewardship. "We look forward to continuing to build the evidence and momentum around tangible interventions like improving infectious disease detection, creating clean transportation policies, or keeping children safe during extreme heat events."

While no individual or community is safe from the health burdens of climate change, those with the most exposure to the harmful effects of climate change are also the least protected. Groups at disproportionate risk include children, the elderly, communities of color, low-income communities, and people with chronic illnesses that make them less able to cope with hazards.

NAM's mission is to improve health for all by advancing science, accelerating health equity, and providing independent, authoritative, and trusted advice nationally and globally.

"It is undeniable that climate change is impacting health and we need to act now. We have an opportunity to better understand these impacts, accelerate the development of effective strategies, and safeguard the well-being of our most vulnerable populations in a changing climate," said Victor Dzau , president of the National Academy of Medicine.

Kaiser Permanente and NAM will ensure that the resulting research is available to communities, policymakers, and businesses by creating a publicly facing information portal with key findings and recommendations in lay language.

"For decades Kaiser Permanente has led the health care industry in prioritizing sustainability, and in 2020 we became the first certified carbon neutral health care organization in the U.S. ," said Bechara Choucair , MD, senior vice president and chief health officer at Kaiser Permanente. "The dire health consequences of climate change, which we are experiencing in real time amid deadly wildfires, flooding, and heatwaves, mean we must extend our leadership beyond our facilities and operations to reduce the threat to our members, our communities, and at-risk populations everywhere. I know NAM will bring the level of rigor necessary to this critical undertaking and am excited to partner to build this research agenda."

NAM's previous work in climate change includes the multiyear The Grand Challenge on Climate Change, Human Health, and Equity, a global initiative to improve and protect human health, well-being, and equity by working to transform systems that both contribute to and are effected by climate change.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia . Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.

For more information, contact:

Hilary Costa , [email protected]

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SOURCE Kaiser Permanente
NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LatAmGrowth SPAC (" we ", " us ", " our ", or the " Company "), today announced that the extraordinary general meeting originally scheduled for September 21, 2023 (the " Extraordinary General Meeting ") is being adjourned to September 28, 2023 . At the Extraordinary General Meeting, Company's stockholders will be asked:

to permit the Company to liquidate and wind up early by approving, as a special resolution, the amendment of the Company's amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to (i) advance the date by which the Company must consummate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities from November 27, 2023 to the date after the Extraordinary General Meeting and (ii) allow the Company to remove up to $100,000 of interest earned on the amount on deposit in the Trust Account prior to redeeming the Public Shares in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting in order to pay dissolution expenses of the Company; and



to approve, as a special resolution, Amendment No. 2 to the Trust Agreement to allow the Company to remove up to $100,000 of interest earned on the amount on deposit in the trust account established by the Trust Agreement prior to redeeming the Public Shares in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting in order to pay dissolution expenses of the Company.

As a result of this change, the Extraordinary General Meeting will now be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time , on September 28, 2023 , exclusively via live webcast at the following address: https://www.cstproxy.com/latamgrowthspac/sm2023.

The record date for the stockholders to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting remains the close of business on August 22, 2023 (the " Record Date "). Stockholders who have previously submitted their proxy or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not take any action. Stockholders as of the Record Date can vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. In connection with the adjourned date, the Company has further extended the deadline for holders of the Company's Class A ordinary issued in the Company's initial public offering to submit their shares for redemption in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 26, 2023 . Stockholders who wish to withdraw their previously submitted redemption request may do so prior to the rescheduled meeting by requesting that the transfer agent return such shares.

About LatAmGrowth SPAC

The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to focus its search on high growth companies in Latin America , including Brazil , as well as businesses in the United States that cater to the Hispanic community: (1) with significant technological advantages, and/or (2) that are well positioned to benefit from the favorable structural and secular trends of the emerging middle class.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The definitive proxy statement has been mailed to the Company's stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by Company with the SEC may be obtained free of charge by contacting Company at Pedregal 24, 8th Floor, Molino del Rey , 11000, Mexico City, Mexico . If you have questions about the proposals or if you need additional copies of the Proxy Statement you should contact our proxy solicitor:

Morrow Sodali LLC

333 Ludlow Street , 5th Floor, South Tower

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Shareholders may call toll-free: (800)662-5200

Banks and Brokerage Firms, please call: (203) 658-9400

Email: [email protected]

Participants in the Solicitation

Company and its sponsor, officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Company stockholders. Information about Company's sponsor, officers and directors and their ownership of Company ordinary shares is set forth in the proxy statement for Company's Extraordinary General Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023 , and in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 , which was filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023 . Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the transaction, which were filed by Company with the SEC.

Non-Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Extraordinary General Meeting shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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SOURCE LatAmGrowth SPAC
RESTON, Va. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, was recently awarded a new prime contract to provide combined joint all-domain command and control (CJADC2) analysis and support to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Staff (JS) J6 Joint Assessment Division (JAD). The cost-plus-fixed-fee, single-award contract has a period of performance of five years and six months. The contract has an approximate value of $74 million .

"We are pleased to deepen our 31 years of experience collaborating with the Joint Staff and other DoD organizations through this new contract," said Will Johnson , Leidos Defense Group senior vice president and Logistics and Mission Support operations manager. "Our team was purpose-built with unique domain expertise and analytical capabilities to help JAD accomplish its mission. We look forward to accelerating decision-making advantage for our warfighters in the era of CJADC2."

Leidos will provide analytical, engineering and deployable services to support JAD's operational analysis. This will include demonstration, experimentation and assessment of both emerging and fielded command and control (C2) information systems and procedures. Leidos will assist JAD by producing decision-quality data to improve Joint C2 interoperability on various automation and cloud platforms.

JAD provides the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with a robust capability to conduct full spectrum analysis of joint missions from the laboratory to the operational environments. This produces data-driven assessments and recommendations that support decisions to improve Joint C5I and interoperability to enable a more lethal force.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 46,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia , Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022 . For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022 , and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

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SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.
TYSONS, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union is proud to welcome Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired) Fran M. Beaudette as their new Ambassador.

"What an honor to have someone with General Beaudette's wealth of military experience serve as an Ambassador to help us promote our innovative and life-changing programs," said PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren . "He is highly respected and truly understands the value of service. Having General Beaudette join our team speaks volumes."

During his 32-year career in the Army, Fran served with high performing organizations at varying levels, from a 12-man Special Forces 'A-team' to the 36,000- Soldier and Civilian US Army Special Operations Command. His operational assignments, totaling six years of deployed time, include the first Gulf War; comprehensive Africa experience to include noncombatant evacuation operations in Sierra Leone and the Congo; multiple peacekeeping operations in Kosovo ; numerous deployments in Iraq , Afghanistan , the Philippines and Jordan , all during eras of war, turmoil or crisis.

"I'm proud to represent the PenFed Foundation, one of the nation's most effective and impactful veteran service organizations," said General Beaudette . "The new Foundation leadership understands that veterans are highly trained and experienced leaders. That's why our programs champion veterans through investment, education and advocacy."

Fran is an avid outdoorsman and currently resides in Charleston, SC with his wife of 34 years, Liz. They raised three children: one a Special Forces military spouse, one serving in Special Forces, and one who works for a university.

About PenFed Foundation

Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $55 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. The credit union funds the Foundation's personnel and most operational costs, allowing 99% of incoming donations to go directly to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.

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SOURCE PenFed Foundation
HANGZHOU, China , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Lynk Pharmaceuticals'), an innovative clinical stage company, today announced the successful completion of Series C2 financing. This round of financing was jointly participated by the Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biomedical Industry Equity Investment Fund managed by China Grand Prosperity Investment, Haibang Venture and Howbuy Primary Fund, while original shareholders, New Alliance Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV), increased their investment. Following Series C1 financing on May 31 , this new funding marks another step in the company's continuous growth, bringing the total amount raised in the C-round to 322 million RMB . HaoYue Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor in this transaction.

Founded in 2018, Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a leading company dedicated to the research and development of FIC and BIC drugs targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and oncology. Leveraging the core team's extensive background in medicinal chemistry, biology, clinical development, and commercial development, and with an average of more than 20 years of experience in new drug research and development, Lynk Pharmaceuticals focuses on innovative and differentiated pipeline development. The core of the pipeline is centered around the development of second-generation highly selective and third-generation tissue-specific JAK inhibitors, while also exploring the potential of innovative target-based drug development.

Since its establishment, efficient execution has propelled Lynk Pharmaceuticals rapid development. In the past three months, the Phase II clinical trial data for LNK01001 in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and ankylosing spondylitis have been successively released, with all results demonstrating significant therapeutic effects and a high level of safety. These results highlight the characteristics of small molecule JAK1 inhibitors, that have quick onset action and excellent efficacy. The company has submitted applications for the End of Phase II (EOP2)/Pre-Phase III meeting; several indications are poised to enter Phase III clinical trials, aiming to benefit more patients as soon as possible. Additionally, first patient dosing was achieved in a Phase 1b trial of LNK01004 in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in the first half of this year. The early clinical trial data fromLNK01002 and LNK01003 are also promising while the pre-clinical pipeline development is progressing steadily as well.

Lynk Pharmaceuticals innovative research and clinical development capabilities have been continuously validated and enhanced, positioning the company for a crucial stage of rapid value growth. According to Frost & Sullivan's projections, the market size for JAK1 inhibitors is expected to reach $30.5 billion by 2030, underscoring the significant potential of the future market. Leveraging the considerable market demand in autoimmune diseases and oncology, the company holds substantial commercialization prospects.

Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, Chairman and CEO of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are grateful for the support and trust from Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biomedical Industry Equity Investment Fund managed by China Grand Prosperity Investment, New Alliance Capital, Fenghua Venture , Howbuy Primary Fund and Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) for this round of investment. We also thank Tailong Capital and Liando Investment, the series C1 round investment institutions. Together they have helped us successfully complete the C round of financing. As a company focused on the treatment of autoimmune diseases and oncology, Lynk Pharmaceuticals is committed to developing globally competitive FIC/BIC innovative drugs and delivering differentiated and innovative therapeutic solutions to patients worldwide. We are pleased to see that even amidst the current challenges in the biopharmaceutical capital landscape, Lynk Pharmaceuticals continues to gain support from both new and existing shareholders, demonstrating the capital market's recognition of our team. During this rapid growing stage, we will need to consolidate resources from various aspects, further invest in clinical development, R&D teams, and technology platforms, aiming to provide safer and more effective innovative drugs to patients as early as possible. HaoYue Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor for this financing, and we sincerely appreciate their professionalism and support."

Mr. Ding Yameng, Founding and Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of HaoYue Capital, said, "We are honored to continue assisting Lynk Pharmaceuticals in completing this round of financing. The field of autoimmune diseases is diverse and complex, with significant room for expanding indications and numerous unmet clinical needs, offering distinct opportunities for innovation. Lynk Pharmaceuticals has an internationally competitive and innovative pipeline that is continuously gaining market validation and recognition. We look forward to seeing breakthrough potentials in subsequent clinical validations of multiple highly differentiated candidates from Lynk. We believe that under the guidance of a highly capable and mission-driven team, Lynk Pharmaceuticals will steadily navigate through cycles, embrace the vast blue ocean markets, and provide better choices for patients soon."

About Lynk Pharmaceuticals:

Lynk Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company, was founded in 2018 by senior drug R&D experts and executives from Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for the treatment of cancer, as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Driven by a higher goal, Lynk Pharmaceuticals aims to be a market leader to address unmet medical demands by the development of innovative therapies. To date, Lynk Pharmaceuticals has independently developed several innovative new drugs and successfully completed a number of clinical studies. For more information about Lynk Pharmaceuticals, please visit: https://www.lynkpharma.com

About China Grand Prosperity Investment:

Founded in Beijing in 2010, China Grand Prosperity Investment (Prosperity Investment) plays an important role as a pioneer, leader and advocate of China's FOFs. Based on the advantages of national layout resources and professional asset management capabilities, Prosperity Investment has developed diversified business models such as FOF, secondary fund, direct investment fund, case fund, M&A and PIPE. Prosperity Investment is committed to growing into a local private equity asset management institution which has a better understanding of management and exit strategies in China . Adhering to a market-oriented, professional and industrialized approach, Prosperity Investment has a core focus on strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors, next generation information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and new materials. Their investments cover all stages ranging from angel, VC, PE, to M&A, and aim to promote industrial transformation and improvement through innovation and empowerment of high-quality development for a better economy. Over the years, Prosperity Investment has always adhered to the ESG investment philosophy, aiming to achieve win-win economic, environmental and social benefits, including building long-term competitive advantages and working alongside their partners for a sustainable future.

Shaoxing Binhai New Area Management Committee established the Shaoxing Binhai New Area Biopharmaceutical Industry Equity Investment Fund in August 2020 . Prosperity Investment acted as the executive affairs partner. The fund operates and manages according to the principles of "guidance from government, market operation, scientific decision-making, and risk prevention", fully implementing the economic development strategy of the Shaoxing and Binhai New Area. The total size of the fund is 10 billion yuan . It mainly uses the "sub-fund + direct investment" model for investment and invests in the construction of Shaoxing's new industrial platform of "10,000 acres of land, 100 billion yuan " in the biopharmaceutical industry, to support the development and growth of emerging industries led by the biopharmaceutical industry at the municipal and district levels.

About New Alliance Capital:

New Alliance Capital was established in 2008 and is a fund management company specializing in private equity and venture capital. The main investment directions of New Alliance Capital include TMT and healthcare, covering early, growth, and maturity stages. So far, more than 120 investments have been completed, including nearly 30 IPOs/listed enterprises both domestically and internationally, cultivating a group of industry leaders.

About Haibang Venture:

Haibang Venture was established in Hangzhou in 2010. Haibang has always adhered to a professional and refined investment direction, continuously deepening its presence in critical areas such as life and health, the digital economy, new materials, and high-end manufacturing. For early-stage projects, the fund has explored and summarized a unique investment model characterized by "technology + talent" based on solid industry research. This model has significantly contributed to attracting high-end talents, supporting talent entrepreneurship and innovation, and promoting talent enterprises to enter the capital market.

About Howbuy Primary Fund:

Howbuy, founded in 2007, is a leading independent third-party wealth management company. Howbuy Primary Fund is an affiliated department engaged in VC/PE investment under Howbuy with nearly 20 billion RMB in FOF, industry funds, and co-investment funds under management. Howbuy Primary Fund focus on outstanding funds and companies in healthcare, deep technology, TMT, industrial digitalization and consumer industry.

About Lilly Asia Ventures(LAV):

Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) is a leading biomedical venture capital firm founded in 2008, with offices in Shanghai , Hong Kong , and Palo Alto . Our vision is to become the trusted partner for exceptional entrepreneurs seeking smart capital and to build great companies developing breakthrough products that treat diseases and improve human health.

About HaoYue Capital

HaoYue China Healthcare Fund is a private equity investment fund specializing in China healthcare. With the help of HaoYue Capital's investment banking business, HaoYue China Healthcare Fund invests in healthcare companies with extraordinary growth potential. They empower the success of their portfolio companies and serve investors with returns above market average. They invest in leading companies in key areas across biopharma, medical devices, healthcare services & digital health, and IVD & precision medicine. HaoYue China Healthcare Fund is a private equity investment fund, specializing in China healthcare.

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SOURCE Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
This Marks Five Years of Recognition for Madison Reed

SAN FRANCISCO , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Reed , the prestige beauty brand that has revolutionized the hair color industry, today announced they have won an Allure Best of Beauty Award for Best Hair Color in the Root Coverage category. The winning product is the brand's powder-based temporary root touch up kit and brow filler, The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler. This marks the second year in a row that The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler has won, and five years of recognition for Madison Reed . Recent wins include Root Perfection Root Touch Up Kit & The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler in 2022, Radiant Hair Color in 2021, Color Reviving Gloss in 2020 and Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit in 2018.

" Madison Reed's prestige, salon-quality hair color makes it possible for guests to achieve gorgeous results on their own terms and feel truly confident without sacrificing convenience or ingredients," says Amy Errett , CEO and Founder of Madison Reed . "Being recognized by Allure and their sought-after seal of approval is a true honor and a testament to the efficacy of our products. A simple thank you to Allure and the millions of guests who trust us with their hair color, from the comfort of their own home or at one of our 87+ Hair Color Bars nationwide."

The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler, winner of Best Hair Color in the Root Coverage category in 2022 and 2023, is a multi-use brush-on powder that instantly covers grays and defines brows. Rain, sweat and pillow-proof, this temporary solution provides natural-looking results and stays put until your next shampoo. It is available in six universal shades, and includes two brushes for precise application. The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler is enriched with hair-loving nutrients including keratin, argan oil and ginseng root extract and free of titanium dioxide, parabens, phthalates and gluten.

Allure's Best of Beauty Award is one of the most coveted in the beauty industry. Over the last 27 years, they have become synonymous with efficacy, excellence, and integrity. Allure's team of skilled beauty editors and experts spend months vetting thousands of submissions and testing a variety of products to identify industry standouts. This win follows the launch of Madison Reed's most recent product innovation, Bonding Time Bond Building Treatment  a product that reduces hair breakage by 71% after just one use and is the first bonding treatment designed specifically to protect your color. This is a strategic launch for the brand as they continue to grow their portfolio with innovative hair color and color care solutions.

Madison Reed products can be found online at www.madison-reed.com, Amazon, Madison Reed Hair Color Bars, Ulta Beauty select Ulta Beauty at Target and Walmart locations. With Madison Reed , guests can choose to color their hair on their own schedule from the comfort of their home, or schedule a service with a licensed professional at one of Madison Reed's 87+ Hair Color Bars nationwide. For more information, please visit www.madison-reed.com.

About Madison Reed

Founded in 2013, Madison Reed is a prestige beauty brand that has revolutionized the hair color industry. Madison Reed offers over 55+ shades of high-quality hair color, Smart 8-Free formulas developed in Italy , technology, personalized service, and the freedom to get high quality results whether they color their hair at home or by a professional colorist in one of Madison Reed's 87 and counting Hair Color Bars across the country. Products can be found online at www.madison-reed.com, Madison Reed Hair Color Bars nationwide, Amazon, Ulta Beauty and select Ulta Beauty at Target, Target and Walmart locations.

About the Allure Best of Beauty Awards

Established in 1996 with its signature stamp of approval, the Allure Best of Beauty Awards are considered to be the most prestigious and influential distinction in the health and beauty industry. As universally respected authorities in the world of beauty, Allure's editors are recognized for their knowledge, insight and recommendations. Allure researches and tests thousands of products  from mass to prestige, classic to cutting-edge  to identify the best-of-the-best. Each year's winners represent the most effective and innovative products in the marketplace.

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Medal of Honor recipient and Museum leadership accepts gift during St. Louis Cardinals pre-game ceremony, participates in a fireside chat with Anheuser-Busch employees

ARLINGTON, Texas , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch, a leading American manufacturer and the country's largest brewer, announced a $1 million philanthropic donation to the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) to support construction of the new National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas .

Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski , Retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL), and NMOHMF President and CEO Chris Cassidy accepted the gift from Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth last night during an on-field ceremony at Busch Stadium before the St. Louis Cardinals game against the Milwaukee Brewers. While in St. Louis , Slabinksi and Cassidy also participated in a fireside chat at the Anheuser-Busch headquarters with Whitworth on the values of the Medal and how they can be applied in everyday life.

Chris Cassidy , NMOHMF President and CEO, said: "For as long as there has been a Medal of Honor, Anheuser-Busch has been making a positive impact in their communities. Their generosity will help preserve the legacies of Medal of Honor recipients and inspire the next generation of Americans with their stories of leadership, courage, selflessness and love of country. We are deeply grateful for their support of our mission, and I enjoyed spending time with their team in St. Louis ."

"Anheuser-Busch is incredibly proud to be a founding supporter of the National Medal of Honor Museum as part of our long-standing commitment to serving those who serve," said Brendan Whitworth , CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "This is just one more way that we can honor and recognize the servicemen and women who have sacrificed for our country, especially the more than 5,000 veterans who work at Anheuser-Busch. Thank you to all those who serve, and we look forward to celebrating the opening of this exceptional museum."

Retired Command Master Chief Slabinski was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the U.S. Navy SEALs during the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan . When his team's helicopter was forced by an enemy attack to make a crash landing during the battle of Takur Ghar Afghanistan on March 4, 2002 , his actions aided in the defense of his team's position. For 14 hours, he protected the mountain position until the hill was secure and his team was extracted.

The National Medal of Honor Museum broke ground on March 25, 2022 , and is slated to open its doors in early 2025 with more than 100,000 square feet of space, including 31,000 square feet dedicated to Exhibition Galleries telling the history of the Medal of Honor and the stories of the American heroes who earned it, such as Retired Command Master Chief Slabinski. The Museum also will have dedicated spaces for classrooms, meeting venues, symposiums, memorials and ceremonies.

To date, the NMOHMF has received tens of thousands of donations from donors from all 50 states, Washington, D.C. , Puerto Rico , U.S. Virgin Islands , Guam , and a handful of other countries. The commitment from Anheuser-Busch will be delivered through the Anheuser-Busch Foundation over the next five years.

About the Museum and Monument: The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Leadership Institute will inspire Americans by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat. Serving as a national landmark  and located in America's heartland in Arlington, Texas  the Museum will provide an unrivaled visitor experience and illustrate the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism and courage that runs through all U.S. military service members, past and present. Beyond its state-of-the-art, interactive experiences, a critical part of the Museum's mission will be to use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients to inspire their fellow Americans and motivate them to be their best selves.

A National Monument in Washington , D.C., will commemorate the service and sacrifice of the bravest and most decorated members of the U.S. Armed Forces. To be located in the nation's capital, it will give all Americans the opportunity to reflect on the courage and patriotism that safeguard freedom and democracy.

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

About Anheuser-Busch: At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States .

We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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SOURCE National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation
VANCOUVER, BC , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the mobilization of a diamond core drill to its 5,166 hectare (51.6km2), 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend, 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada . There are now four drill rigs operating at Atlanta  three reverse circulation ("RC") rigs and one diamond core drill. The Company is also pleased to announce the results of its 2023 meeting of shareholders.

Highlights:

Core drilling will focus on a series of six strategically placed PQ holes totaling 1,480m along high-grade corridors in and around the historic Atlanta Pit that will be used for the ongoing metallurgical testing program as well as confirmation of proximal RC hole results.





that will be used for the ongoing metallurgical testing program as well as confirmation of proximal RC hole results. The Company continues to utilize one RC rig to define deeper mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben (" WAG ") while a second RC rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone with closer-spaced drilling designed to better define high-grade zones discovered by Nevada King within the main resource area. A third RC rig is currently drilling a series of widely spaced exploration holes at the Western Knolls prospect, located 5.5km west of the Atlanta Pit , testing a variety of geochemical and geophysical anomalies.





") while a second RC rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the with closer-spaced drilling designed to better define high-grade zones discovered by Nevada King within the main resource area. A third RC rig is currently drilling a series of widely spaced exploration holes at the Western Knolls prospect, located 5.5km west of the , testing a variety of geochemical and geophysical anomalies. From inception of the Phase I drill program in June 2021 , into the continuation of Phase II, Nevada King has drilled 346 RC holes totaling 55,186m and 17 core holes totaling 1,398m , for a total of 56,584m. Assays from 234 drill holes totaling 32,876m have been reported with results pending for 129 drill holes totaling 22,314m .





, into the continuation of Phase II, Nevada King has drilled , for a total of 56,584m. Assays from 234 drill holes totaling 32,876m have been reported with The existing resource model (Table 1 below) at Atlanta is based on 71 historic drill holes and does not incorporate any of the Phase I or II drilling completed by Nevada King to date  drilling that continues to expand mineralization northward and southward outside of the resource model, as well as westward into the WAG.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron , P.Geo ., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

2023 Shareholder Meeting Results

Nevada King reports the results of its annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders held on September 20, 2023 , in Vancouver, BC , Canada . At the Meeting, shareholders approved all of the resolutions detailed in the related management information circular, namely:

Setting the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at four (4);

Electing all nominee directors to the board of directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

Appointing Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, or until a successor is appointed, and authorizing the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration of the auditor; and

Approving the stock option plan of the Company.

Votes representing 114,888,492 shares or 36.51% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company as at the record date were cast. The following table details the results:

Motion Votes For Votes Against Votes Withheld Number of Directors 114,776,331 (99.90 %) 112,161 (0.10 %) N/A Election of Directors:1





Paul Matysek 80,133,803 (90.31 %) N/A 8,595,520 (9.68 %) Collin Kettell 80,141,436 (90.32 %) N/A 8,587,887 (9.68 %) Craig Roberts 84,671,288 (95.43 %) N/A 4,058,035 (4.57 %) William Hayden 84,645,580 (95.40 %) N/A 4,083,743 (4.60 %) Appointment of Auditor2 114,693,349 (99.83 %) N/A 131,641 (0.11 %) Approval of Stock Option Plan3 87,039,929 (98.29 %) 1,515,093 (1.71 %) N/A

____________________________________ 1 26,159,169 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses 2 63,502 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses 3 26,33,470 votes not submitted by participants/brokerage houses

About Nevada King Gold Corp.

Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada , behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016 the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine , located 100km southeast of Ely , (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines ' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada .

The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV " with an effective date of October 6, 2020 , and a report date of December 22, 2020 , as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au

Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag

Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Table 1. NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine

Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp.
The new facility gives teens an appropriate care setting when they're ready for the next step.

SAN ANTONIO , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexus Health Systems, a network of inpatient specialty care hospitals and residential campuses, announced today the grand opening of its San Antonio location. The new center will care for adolescents with brain or spinal cord injury, as well as those with co-occurring behavioral, mental and physical health needs.

N exus is expanding our services and programs to help individuals who have been turned away from everywhere else.

Outside of Dallas and Houston , San Antonio is the next largest healthcare hub in the state; however, there is a void that Nexus is proud to help fill with the programs and services offered, hospital CEO Justin Sanderson said.

"Not only is Nexus expanding our services and programs into an area where they're in high demand, but we're developing programs to help individuals who have been turned away from everywhere else they've tried to seek care," Sanderson explained. "We're offering a place for adolescents to find healing and security, where a true multidisciplinary team is onsite to address their medical and behavioral conditions that brought them to us. That's what sets us apart. With this new location, we're saying, 'Come here. Nexus wants to help you.'"

Adolescents with complex medical, behavioral and mental health needs often need more time in an inpatient setting to make meaningful and lasting progress, which is where Nexus Neurorecovery Center comes in, director of rehabilitation Lyndsey Resnik , OTR, CBIS, LSVT explained.

"An interim between hospitalization and home didn't exist in San Antonio  or many places across the country, in fact. A bridge between the two is of critical importance to help individuals continue progressing through therapeutic services and adequately prepare families and residents to allow for an ease of transition home," said Resnik.

The multidisciplinary team at Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio looks forward to partnering with the medical community in San Antonio and surrounding areas, helping with challenging cases and those who have lacked placement.

Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio has 25 private and semi-private inpatient rooms in addition to a variety of amenities across the two-floor facility. Two transitional suites were designed for families and caregivers to learn and practice skills so they can confidently care for their loved one at home. Additionally, the secured behavioral unit has anti-barricade doors and complete anti-ligature suites.

The 22,278-square-foot inpatient facility also features two rehabilitation gyms with state-of-the-art equipment and a space for music therapy. Multiple living room style lounges on campus are ideal for activities and movie nights.

Many of the individuals the programs will serve are significantly behind or are individuals who never finished school or may have no work experience. Various areas of the campus were specifically designed to empower residents to care for themselves and build skills that could be added to a resume. An expansive rehabilitation kitchen and cantina were designed for residents to have hands-on experience with foodservice work, including math skills, social skills, bookkeeping, food preparation, and other vocational skill development. A horticultural area outside also supports vocational skill development. The design supports Nexus' mission of returning patients to lives of productivity and meaning.

As a leader in specialized care for adolescents with complex needs, Nexus Neurorecovery Center unites psychiatry, internal medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians in one setting. The facility will offer traditional physical, occupational, and speech therapies along with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy/family psychoeducation, and interpersonal psychotherapy. The cross-discipline schedule of services is developed on an individual basis and residents fall within one of two programs:

The adolescents Nexus serves need direction  they may be lost in the system or need support to overcome medical and behavioral health challenges. The True North Residential Program provides the services and positive environment to lift up these adolescents. "True North", a climbing and hiking term, is used to guide people on expeditions. Just like that, Nexus' program gives kids a true north  a point to strive toward. Starting at "base camp", Nexus helps adolescents in their care reach their goals, or their summit. This program will also be offered at Nexus Neurorecovery Center  Conroe .

After a brain injury or spinal cord injury, individuals often require a broad range of services as their level of responsiveness and medical conditions evolve. The RISE Program emphasizes standards of care developed to help patients across all phases of injury recovery. Treatment is not prescriptive, rather the individualized plans are creative and motivating, and ultimately, more effective at helping individuals rise to their maximum potential.

Nexus Health Systems strives to meet the community's and country's needs with every new program developed and facility opened  Nexus Neurorecovery Center  San Antonio is no different.

The facility was designed to create lasting outcomes for residents so they can return to home, school and community environments successfully and confidently, explained Director of Behavioral Health, Christa Brantley , LPC.

"We are creating a place where young people want to come to put the work in and heal themselves," she said.

ABOUT NEXUS HEALTH SYSTEMS

Nexus Health Systems offers a network of inpatient specialty hospitals and residential campuses for children, adolescents, and adults who need a bridge between hospital and home. These post-acute environments continue the progress made thus far after serious injury, illness or other diagnosis. Nexus provides its unique combination of physical, behavioral and mental health services at facilities across Texas .

The Nexus continuum of care enables patients to transition from higher-acuity to lower-acuity environments as progress is made, prioritizing continuity of care and individualized treatment plans. Taking a holistic approach, Nexus' specialized programs guide patients and families through brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, co-occurring behavioral, mental health, and medical needs, medically complex diagnoses and conditions, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Nexus is committed to serving the needs of our community and helping individuals return to lives of productivity and meaning. Learn more at nexushealthsystems.com.

Media Contact

Rebekah Maurin

Senior Copywriter

Design At Work

832.200.8246

[email protected]

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SOURCE Nexus Health Systems
Latson will assume role as CEO effective October 21

AUSTIN, Texas , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Opportunity Austin the economic development organization aimed at fostering job-creating investment in the five-county Central Texas regionannounced Ed Latson , currently chief executive officer of The Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, as the organization's first full-time CEO. The hiring is effective October 21 .

"Ed's passion and deep commitment to the Austin region, coupled with his success at ARMA, undoubtedly makes him the right choice for CEO," Gary Farmer , interim CEO and chairman of Opportunity Austin, said. "Opportunity Austin has helped shape the Austin region into one of the greatest economic development success stories of the past half-century, and we need a leader to keep that momentum going for future generations. I look forward to supporting Ed's efforts as he further develops and advances the organization."

As CEO, Latson will preside over the organization's 5.0 plan and a budget nearing $35 million . The recently unveiled strategy includes four key priority areas for the greater Austin region, enhancing economic resilience, connecting to global markets, filling the talent pipeline and improving quality of life. Latson will also oversee the day-to-day operations of OA and manage a staff of 16 employees.

"This is an important moment for the organization and region," Latson said. "I am honored to be named CEO and am grateful to the board for entrusting me with this role. I look forward to working closely with our investors, regional partners and stakeholders to ensure the Austin area remains a leading economic force."

OA's CEO search was led by OA board member and partner at Locke Lord, Brian Cassidy , and included regional community leaders Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden in addition to several other business leaders. The position yielded more than 700 applications. Following its due diligence and interview process, the search committee recommended Latson to the OA executive board, which approved the recommendation and chose to hire Latson.

"Our goal as a search committee was to find candidates that understood Opportunity Austin's past, the challenges our region faces and who would help maintain and expand the Central Texas region as a leading market for investment and job creation," Cassidy said. "We received a wealth of candidates which further underscores that the region is the place to be. We are confident Ed will continue to position Opportunity Austin on the global stage."

Latson has over 15 years of experience as a leader and advocate for businesses with an emphasis on Central Texas manufacturing. He founded and launched ARMA, a business group dedicated to strengthening the regional manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development and networking. Latson is also a member of Governor Abbott's Semiconductor Taskforce and is an active board member for organizations that include United Way, Junior Achievement, the Capital Area Economic Development District and Austin Community College, among others. Latson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin.

Additional quotes for attribution:

Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden - "Selecting Ed Latson as Opportunity Austin's first CEO is an exciting moment for the organization. As a member of the search committee, we knew that the organization's leader needed to have a strong understanding that the success of Opportunity Austin and the path toward continued success will require a regional approach. I look forward to another exceptional and productive partnership with Opportunity Austin and Ed Latson as their leader."

Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell - "This hiring marks a pivotal moment for Opportunity Austin. We are proud to have found someone that embodies the leadership qualities we were looking for and offers a new perspective for the organization. We are confident that Ed will bring the passion, strategic thinking and vision that will be critical to guiding Opportunity Austin through this next chapter."

About Opportunity Austin

Opportunity Austin is the economic development organization aimed at fostering job-creating investment in the five-county Central Texas region. Top priorities include boosting economic diversification to proactively strengthen the economy, deepening the talent pool through development and attraction, and keeping the Greater Austin region attractive to entrepreneurs, business leaders and site selectors through advocacy on issues such as comprehensive regional transportation system and regional collaboration. Since 2004, Opportunity Austin has helped bring more than 600,000 total jobs to the Austin region. Learn more about Opportunity Austin here .

Media contacts:

ECPR Texas

Victoria Gonzalez or Blake Pousson

956.778.8877 or 512.944.2081

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SOURCE Opportunity Austin
Census Results Demonstrate Success of the PALCUS Make Portuguese Count Campaign

WASHINGTON , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PALCUS, the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States, the singular national organization representing and serving the national Portuguese community, today announces that the data from the 2020 US Decennial Census shows an increase in the population of Americans who claim Portuguese ancestry with a total population of 1,454,262. When compared with the previous decennial census in 2000 and the American Community Survey in 2010, the total from the 2020 Census shows an increase of Portuguese-Americans over the past 30 years. (see figure 1).

The 2020 Census was the first time that Portuguese was assigned an identification code, along with two sub-identification codes for Azorean and Madeiran. PALCUS has been working with the Census Bureau for the past 15 years to ensure that the 2020 Census would be the first time the Portuguese community experienced a true count, and launched a national two-year campaign entitled Make Portuguese Count. All previous population data, including data from the American Community Survey, were estimates based on algorithms designed to project the population counts based on sampling and in all likelihood resulted in undercounts.

"During the 2020 Census, there was a unique opportunity for our community to finally prove that there is strength in numbers," said PALCUS Chair, Katherine Soares . "We are thrilled that not only do these numbers show that our community is growing, but also that the Portuguese population in the United States is no longer just an estimate or approximation. We now have official numbers that tell us how many we are and where we are. The increase in the Portuguese population revealed in the 2020 Census Data demonstrates that our nation-wide campaign, Make Portuguese Count, led by former PALCUS Director Marie Fraley was effective in informing the Portuguese-American community about the importance of self-identifying as Portuguese. We thank Marie, and the dozens of MPC captains who worked across the country for over two years to really get the word out that we are Portuguese and we count."

The goal of the Make Portuguese Count campaign was to ensure that as many Portuguese-Americans as possible were aware of why the Census is important to our community, how to answer Question #7: Race/Origin on the 2020 questionnaire, and encourage Portuguese Americans to fill out the Census. On the proposed question, respondents first check the race with which they identify and under that selection, write in "Portuguese" in the space provided in order to be counted as Portuguese. Thirteen years ago, in the 2010 American Community Survey, 1,405,909 million residents self-identified as having Portuguese ancestry, however PALCUS and other research experts speculate that number may have underestimated the Portuguese-American population . The data for 2010 was based on a survey rather than a total count of the population, and the Census Bureau (before Census 2020) used different methodology to collect data on ancestral origin.

Why is it Important to Have an Accurate Count of Portuguese Americans?

When PALCUS can show educators, legislators, and the business community the strength of Portuguese-Americans in their areas, a stronger case can be made to ensure that the Portuguese-American voice is heard and their concerns and interests are addressed. In addition, the census numbers determine funding and resources such as:

Funding for schools, public safety and roads, highways and bridges in the communities where Portuguese live is determined by population.

Businesses decide where to set up their headquarters and outlets based on U.S. Census data.

Census data. Congressional districts are determined by population.

For us as Portuguese specifically, our strength is in our numbers in local, state and federal elections. Elected officials respond to the fact that Portuguese-American citizens are numerous in their districts and vote at a higher level by approximately 20% more than the national average (Scott, PALCUS Index National Survey , 2017).

, 2017). By writing in "Portuguese" in the Race/Origin question, we can be counted by census tract, city/town, county, state, and national totals.

"The number of Portuguese Americans who indicated that they had Portuguese origins far exceeds the number provided by data collected by the Census Bureau using probability sampling techniques," said Dr. Dulce Maria Soares Scott , PALCUS Research Fellow, Professor at Indiana University and the leading research expert on Portuguese-American data. "We are looking forward to analyzing the data at smaller geographical levels, including county, Congressional district, school district, and census tract levels. A more granular analysis of the data within these smaller geographies will provide our community with a much more concrete picture of exactly where Portuguese Americans reside as well as a better understanding of our socioeconomic and political power in different areas of the United States ."

The 2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A (Detailed DHC-A) provides population counts and sex-by-age statistics for approximately 1,500 detailed race and ethnic groups and detailed American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tribes and villages.

Some of the biggest changes in our Portuguese population include:

California continues to be the state with the largest Portuguese population, with 350,011 Portuguese

continues to be the state with the largest Portuguese population, with 350,011 Portuguese North Dakota is the state with the fewest number of Portuguese, with 703

is the state with the fewest number of Portuguese, with 703 Hawaii went from being the 8th state with the most Portuguese to the 3rd

went from being the 8th state with the most Portuguese to the 3rd Rhode Island , Massachusetts , Alaska , Arkansas , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Maine , Mississippi and Missouri all saw a decline in the number of Portuguese (when 2020 Census data is compared to ACS 2012-2016 5-year estimate data).

For Hawaii , this data may be a result of the different data collection methodology used in Census 2020, which permitted people to indicate a larger number of ancestral origins.

2020 US Decennial Census Resources

About PALCUS

About PALCUS

PALCUS is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia . It was founded in 1991 with the purpose of providing a singular national voice that would advocate for the interests of Portuguese-Americans in the United States . PALCUS is committed to serving the community through increasingly active government relations efforts, the promotion of a greater awareness of ethnic accomplishments and encouraging stronger ties between Portugal and the United States . In this role, we advance the community professionally, academically, politically and culturally, while working to ensure that issues directly affecting our community are addressed through our network of government and community leaders. To learn more about PALCUS, visit www.palcus.org.

Press Contact:

Gracielle Camilo

12024664664

http://www.palcus.org

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SOURCE PALCUS
MENLO PARK, Calif. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient Square Capital , a leading health care investment firm, today announced that David Katz has been named a Partner of the firm. Prior to joining Patient Square, Mr. Katz served as an advisor and Investment Committee member of The Pritzker Organization. Prior to The Pritzker Organization, he spent nine years as a Managing Director at GTCR, where he co-led the Health Care team and served as a member of the firm's Investment Committee. At Patient Square, Mr. Katz will be instrumental in identifying investment opportunities to help patient-centric health care companies grow and thrive.

Mr. Katz brings over 30 years of investing experience, spanning a variety of public and private health care companies. Over the course of his career, Mr. Katz has served on the boards of many private and public companies, including ATI Physical Therapy, Capella Healthcare, Centauri Health Solutions, CHC Healthcare, Curo Health Services, Encore Legal Solutions, Epic Staffing Group, Gevity, NationsBenefits, Natural Nutrition Group, Pro Mach and TrialGraphix. He also serves on the board of the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to serve on the state's Healthcare Facilities and Services Review Board.

"I have known David for a long time and am thrilled that he will be joining Patient Square," said Jim Momtazee , Managing Partner of Patient Square. "We feel very privileged to have someone with his wealth of investing experience and deep relationships augment our partnership and expect that he will help elevate our efforts to deliver for our investors and the patients our companies serve."

"Patient Square's established scale and deep domain expertise in health care differentiates it from other leading investment firms," said Mr. Katz . "I am thrilled to join such a high-caliber team that leverages long-term relationships and unique insights to invest in companies that improve the quality of patient lives."

Prior to his time at The Pritzker Organization and GTCR, Mr. Katz served as a Managing Director and Investment Committee member of Frontenac Company, where he worked for 12 years and led the firm's Business and Industrial Services Team. Earlier in his career, Mr. Katz worked at the Clipper Group and as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Katz holds an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School and a BA in Political Science cum laude from Yale University.

About Patient Square Capital

Patient Square Capital (www.patientsquarecapital.com) is a dedicated health care investment firm. The firm partners with best-in-class management teams whose products, services and technologies improve health. Patient Square utilizes deep industry expertise, a broad network of relationships and a partnership approach to make investments in companies grow and thrive. Patient Square invests in businesses that strive to improve patient lives, strengthen communities, and create a healthier world.

Media Contact:

Doug Allen / Zach Kouwe

Dukas Linden Public Relations

(646) 722-6530

[email protected]

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SOURCE Patient Square Capital
REALLY Wireless customers will benefit from the combined quality of T-Mobile's nationwide 5G coverage and REALLY's cutting edge DeWi Network offering enhanced privacy, speed and coverage, powered by local communities.

AUSTIN, Texas , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- REALLY today announced its new wholesale relationship with T-Mobile, enabling REALLY to accelerate its nationwide availability. REALLY is advancing the future of mobile by bringing the sharing economy to mobile phone service by enabling individuals and businesses to "host" small cell radios on their roof or balcony. REALLY has chosen T-Mobile, America's 5G leader, with the largest and fastest 5G network , for the launch of REALLY Wireless.

This innovative deal brings together REALLY's unique distribution network and team of consumer brand builders with the best of what T-Mobile's network has to offer. This powerful collaboration will enable consumers to combine America's 5G leader with a community-driven, decentralized wireless network focused on providing this incredible new product & service from REALLY to its subscribers.

"T-Mobile is thrilled to collaborate with REALLY Wireless, embracing innovation that creates accretive value proposition within new technologies. What they're building is distinctive, and we're proud to offer our leading nationwide 5G network to further their mission to help communities access the sharing economy," said Dan Thygesen , Senior Vice President of T-Mobile Wholesale and head of T-Mobile's growing wholesale business. "REALLY's leadership team has a proven track record of building disrupting consumer brands, and we know they will do it again."

In anticipation of its launch, REALLY has begun deployment of its decentralized wireless mobile network and is now rapidly covering the population of Austin . Wireless subscribers will be able to use their existing phone or buy a new phone to communicate seamlessly on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network and REALLY's network.

"We're building the modern telecom company focused on the consumer and privacy that gives subscribers the opportunity to support their communities via local residents and businesses who power the network  that's a very unique mission that received major validation today," said Adam Lyons , CEO of REALLY. "Teaming up with T-Mobile gives us the platform we need to bring our services to nearly every American who values privacy and community. REALLY is pioneering a new business model that supports the people, while protecting each and every subscriber's privacy. Nothing like this has ever been done before."

About REALLY:

Founded in 2022, REALLY is the latest venture from CEO Adam Lyons , founder of unicorn TheZebra.com, the top insurance comparison site in the United States . REALLY is paving the way for a new era of community-driven mobile ecosystems. By harnessing the latest infrastructure and technology breakthroughs, REALLY will offer consumers more choice, security, privacy, speed and coverage. REALLY's $18M seed round marks the largest telecommunications seed round in U.S. history.

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SOURCE Really Communications
Vacation rentals have become their own asset class, and with it a new marketplace is here.

BOISE, Idaho , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Revnest launches the first of its kind global marketplace exclusively designed for vacation rental properties. With a vision to transform the way buyers and sellers engage in the short-term rental market, Revnest provides a dynamic platform where agents, investors, buyers, and sellers can connect and transact easily.

"This is just the beginning for Revnest. Our mission is to shape the future of short-term real estate." -- Keith Breon

Traditional real estate platforms often lack specialized tools and resources for the unique asset class of vacation rentals. "Until now, finding existing vacation rentals for sale and similarly, a place to list your vacation rental for sale, has been difficult," said Stefan St. Marie, Revnest Co-Founder and CTO. "Short term rentals are not just a house, they're a business, which makes them a square peg in the current residential listing model. That's why we launched Revnest.com."

Revnest.com is a free to use listing site for buying and selling vacation rental properties.

Revnest is built from the traditional MLS model of providing essential information about each home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, lot size, and year built. Additionally, buyers on Revnest can access detailed data on individual properties including historical seller reports encompassing financials, operating expenses, revenue, occupancy rates, and average daily rates. Revnest also shows live Vrbo/Airbnb links so buyers can see the vacation rental in action along with reviews, listed price per night, and calendar occupancy.

Revnest's commitment to accessibility is demonstrated by its free listing service for sellers and agents. Buyers can browse listings and send direct messages to the owner or agent for free. As part of its ongoing dedication to innovation, Revnest plans to introduce new tools and services that enable consumers to make smarter real estate decisions.

"This is just the beginning for Revnest. Our mission is to shape the future of short-term real estate. We are proud to be the first in the industry to offer this marketplace and network, and are excited to witness how it can transform the buying and selling experience," said Keith Breon , Revnest Co-Founder and CEO.

About Revnest

Revnest.com is the leading public real estate marketplace for buying and selling vacation rentals. It offers an open platform that connects buyers, investors, and sellers of vacation rental properties worldwide. Through Revnest.com, users can access verified short-term rental properties, interact securely with sellers or selling agents, and explore comprehensive property information and financial insights. For more information about Revnest, visit www.revnest.com . Stay up to date with the latest news by following us on Facebook , Twitter/X and LinkedIn . Access thought leadership and news on our Company Articles page.

Media Contact

Stefan St. Marie

425-293-4840

[email protected]

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SOURCE Revnest Inc
AUSTIN, Texas , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sendero Health Plans Inc. (Sendero) announced Wednesday it has named Sharon J. Alvis as the new chief executive officer to lead the nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO), which was created and is funded and owned by Central Health. Sendero offers health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) federal Health Insurance Marketplace .

Before joining Sendero, Alvis served as market president for Curative Insurance Company, where she led development of a new fully insured preferred provider organization (PPO) catering to large employers. During her career, Alvis has served in senior management positions with health plans, hospitals, and physician organizations, including leading multiple start-up HMOs, PPOs, a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Alvis, who lives in Wimberley , has deep ties to Central Texas . "I believe healthcare delivery is ultimately local," she said. "The opportunity to build on and enhance the services Sendero offers to Central Texas intrigues me. I have closely followed the evolution and experience of Sendero Health Plans from its inception and was excited about the potential to directly contribute."

Alvis continued, "With its unique structure and ownership, Sendero, in collaboration with the Central Health System, has a unique opportunity to maximize powerful collective resources. I am challenged and excited about how Sendero can best align and augment the quality of care for Central Texans."

Alvis takes over from acting CEO Perla Cavazos , who will return to her role as Central Health's deputy administrator. Alvis' official start date is October 9.

Prior to her tenure at Curative, Alvis developed and served as president of Vista360health, a Central Texas based HMO serving individuals and small employers; regional vice president in Texas and Louisiana for a Medicare Advantage plan; the CEO of a PHO representing 450 physicians and three unaffiliated hospitals; and as the executive director of the St. David's Health Network and assistant vice president for St. David's Healthcare System.

"It's rare to find someone with Sharon's deep and diverse background in health insurance," said Sendero Board Chair Betty DeLargy .

DeLargy added that Alvis "has experience with Medicare, individual, small and large employers, HMO, and PPO business lines. Over decades, she has built strong relationships with providers  working for them and with them  so she understands their perspective as well as the insurance plan perspective. She has built strong executive teams and staff at several companies. The Sendero Board of Directors believes she's exactly what we need at this moment."

About Central Health

Created by voters in 2004 as Travis County's hospital district, Central Health's mission is to improve the health of the community by caring for those who need it most. The Central Health System's core objective is to provide high quality, equitable healthcare for Travis County residents with low income.

Serving about one in nine Travis County residents, we are building a better safety-net healthcare system that empowers communities and makes them better.

About Sendero

Created in 2011, Sendero Health Plans is an Austin -based, nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization funded and owned by Central Health. Dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, Sendero offers health plans on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace and is available in Travis , Williamson , Hays , Bastrop , Burnet , Fayette , Lee and Caldwell counties.

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SOURCE Sendero Health Plans
Applications Now Open to Apply for EmpowHer and Her Village Grants

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boundless Futures Foundation, a new private foundation, today announced its commitment to provide financial support and leadership resources for aspiring female entrepreneurs starting businesses that aim to solve social issues. The Foundation will make grants to individuals and to mission-aligned nonprofits throughout the US.

Boundless Futures Foundation is built to be a trusted friend on a woman's entrepreneurial journey.

Even though female-founded companies have been bringing in more venture capital investment across increasing numbers of deals in recent years, only about 2% of total start-up venture capital dollars in the US are invested in companies founded by women.1Boundless Futures Foundation sets itself apart from other entrepreneurship-focused foundations by offering no-strings-attached grants for female entrepreneurs  most others take equity in the start-ups that receive funding.

Through personal experience, the Foundation's founders Soon and McKeel Hagerty have seen the power of what a female business leader can do to make an impact on her family, community, and society.

As a serial entrepreneur herself, Soon understands the excitement and the emotional journey that comes along with starting a business. Her entrepreneurial roots run deep, starting when she was a young child. She and her family emigrated from Vietnam to Fresno, California , and they began selling fruits and vegetables from the back of a truck to grocery stores to support their family. They eventually created a wholesale produce business that still exists more than 40 years later.

Soon's family's experience inspired her to co-own and found several businesses including Luxe Communications, Centigrade, a global marketing and events company, and The Good Bowl, a mission- based Vietnamese restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan , that donates $1 per bowl to charity. As Senior Vice President of Brand at Hagerty, Soon played a lead role in transforming the company from a local specialty insurance company to a global, publicly traded lifestyle brand for car lovers that joined the New York Stock Exchange (HGTY) in 2021 with a value of more than $3 billion .

"Starting a new business can mean high stakes with high stress, so Boundless Futures Foundation aims to support female entrepreneurs using a holistic approach to build confidence, embrace community support and make meaningful connections for female entrepreneurs to not only achieve their vision but also drive positive, sustainable change in society," said Soon Hagerty . "Boundless Futures Foundation is built to be a trusted friend on a woman's entrepreneurial journey."

McKeel Hagerty , CEO of Hagerty, first observed the power of women in business when his mother Louise led operations for the family business. In 1995, McKeel, in partnership with his sisters Kim and Tammy, led the business out of its start-up phase. Three decades later, the family company that started as a specialty insurance business has grown to provide products and services for the global collector car market.

Funders Founders Are Not Just

In addition to attracting less invested capital, women entrepreneurs in the US self-report lower confidence in entrepreneurship skills than men do, and, like women globally, still lack equal access to business-related networks, funding, and mentors or role models. 2,3

Boundless Futures Foundation supports female entrepreneurs whose businesses seek to solve social issues through their products and services, and through business models and practices. Boundless Futures Foundation grants provide capital and a supportive network that offers business answers and advice.

The Foundation aims to accomplish the following:

Empower young women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams by providing capital to support a new business that identifies and aims to solve a social issue; EmpowHer grants of up to $25,000 are awarded to female entrepreneurs who are at least 22 years old and are in the early stages of starting a business that addresses a social issue or has a purpose-driven concept embedded in its business model.

young women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams by providing capital to support a new business that identifies and aims to solve a social issue; EmpowHer grants of up to are awarded to female entrepreneurs who are at least 22 years old and are in the early stages of starting a business that addresses a social issue or has a purpose-driven concept embedded in its business model. Embrace entrepreneurs-in-the-making by ensuring that they are not alone on their journey. An Advisory Circle of seasoned female entrepreneurs offers resources including leadership development, skills-building assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support grantees. Their goal is to foster the development of the Foundation's grant recipients, ensuring greater strategic-growth thinking, future financial sustainability, and peer-to-peer networking.

entrepreneurs-in-the-making by ensuring that they are not alone on their journey. An Advisory Circle of seasoned female entrepreneurs offers resources including leadership development, skills-building assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support grantees. Their goal is to foster the development of the Foundation's grant recipients, ensuring greater strategic-growth thinking, future financial sustainability, and peer-to-peer networking. Elevate other nonprofits that pave the way for female business owners. Her Village grants of up to $25,000 are awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit female entrepreneurs.

"We believe in supporting all entrepreneurs; however, there is an imbalance in females acquiring access to resources to launch their own businesses. Having three daughters, we hope to create a world where they will have access and feel supported in their entrepreneurial journey if that's the direction they choose in life," said Soon Hagerty . "It was also important to focus our support on businesses that aim to solve social issues. We believe businesses that can combine both purpose and profit will create a long-lasting impact in society."

Learn more about Boundless Futures Foundation, apply for funding, or obtain other resources by visiting boundlessfutures.org. Follow the Foundation on LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

About Boundless Futures Foundation

Founded in September 2023 by Soon and McKeel Hagerty , Boundless Futures Foundation provides financial support and leadership resources to aspiring female entrepreneurs 22 years of age and older so they can have a boundless impact in society. The Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs in the United States by providing grant funding to individuals in the early stages of starting a business that solves a social issue and to mission-aligned nonprofits. The Foundation also provides access for individual grantees to an Advisory Circle , a supportive network during their entrepreneurial journey. For more information, visit boundlessfutures.org and follow Boundless Futures Foundation on LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

1 https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/female-founders-dashboard-2021-vc-funding-wrap-up

2 https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-202122-womens-entrepreneurship-report-from-crisis-to-opportunity

3 https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/the-womens-entrepreneurship-landscape-is-changing-is-the-ecosystem-ready-to- adapt

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SOURCE Boundless Futures Foundation
Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Cornell Medicine Research Team Open Up New Avenues of Treatment and Prevention of Spinal Pathologies Including Osteoporosis and Cancer

NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, a collaborative team of researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a new stem cell uniquely present in the spine. Vertebral stem cells, distinct from other stem cells in the body, hold the key to understanding a range of conditions affecting the spine  including its higher incidence of cancerous tumor metastases, particularly from breast, prostate, and lung cancers.

For a long time, physicians believed all bones formed in the same way  through a universal process of ossification. However, this study, led by primary investigator Matthew Greenblatt , MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and assistant scientist in the HSS research division, alongside clinical collaborator Sravisht Iyer MD, spine surgeon at HSS, illuminated that certain vertebral skeletal stem cells play a unique and formative role in the development and life cycle of spinal vertebrae. Specifically, the investigators identified a stem cell that is responsible for bone formation in the vertebrae. Their research was made possible by support from a Pershing Square Foundation Cancer Research Prize and a special program established by the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation and Marina Kellen French , Vice President of the Foundation and an HSS trustee, that provides support for clinicians pursuing research as a significant component of their careers.

This significant finding carries profound implications for the field of spine health, including spinal healing, degeneration, treatment approaches, comprehension of degenerative spine disorders  and the potential to lead to breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of vertebral osteoporosis and cancer metastasis.

"Understanding how vertebrae develop will help us more effectively treat patients, screen them before surgical intervention, and will ultimately lead to more effective preventive care and optimized bone health," said Dr. Iyer . "The identification of this unique stem cell in the spine has the potential to significantly enhance our patients' outcomes in spine fusion surgerya procedure performed hundreds of thousands of times in the United States each yearbecause it may allow for us to screen for problems ahead of time," he continued. "The findings may also advance care for people with osteoporosis and, specifically, the 30 to 50 percent of the global population who suffer a vertebral fracture at some point in their lives."

By manipulating bone-like "organoids" made from vertebral stem cells, this study also explored the disparities in metastasis rates between spinal bones and long bones, which include bones of the thigh, leg, arm and forearm. "Traditionally, it was believed that cancer cells were attracted to the spine due to directed blood flow. However, our discovery of this vertebral stem cell provides a likely explanation of why some cancers most often spread to the spine," stated Dr. Greenblatt . "We predict this discovery will lead to the targeting of these cells to disrupt the function and ultimately reduce the spread of cancer to the spine."

The research team for this study included Jun Sun , PhD, first author and a postdoctoral associate at Weill Cornell; Kyle Morse , MD, an orthopedic surgery resident at HSS; and Lingling Hu , PhD, researcher at HSS, and has implications extending far beyond the laboratory and has the potential to impact patient care worldwide. Armed with insights into spine development and evolution, physicians will be able to tailor treatments and surgical intervention with more precision, with hope for improved patient outcomes across the board.

About HSS:

HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 14th consecutive year), No. 2 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" list (2023-2024). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a third consecutive year (2023). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey , Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State , as well as in Florida . In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnosis, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu .

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SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery
The academic health system is recognized for its pioneering use of technology, including artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

TAMPA, Fla. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has been recognized as one of the World's Best Smart Hospitals for 2024 by Newsweek and Statista. This prestigious global accolade is a testament to Tampa General's commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to enable world-class patient care, improve care coordination and streamline hospital operations.

"As a leading academic health system, driving innovation is essential to our commitment to providing world-class care," said John Couris , president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "This recognition demonstrates our team's focus on adopting forward-thinking advancements in technology to maximize new approaches. The end result is better treatments and outcomes for patients now and long into future."

The World's Best Smart Hospitals 2024 rankings showcase the top 330 hospitals globally that are at the forefront of smart health care technologies. This recognition is the result of a comprehensive evaluation process that encompassed recommendations from more than 2,000 hospital managers and medical professionals across 28 countries. Hospitals were assessed in five key sub-categories:

Electronic functionalities

Telemedicine

Digital imaging

Artificial intelligence

Robotics

Tampa General's journey to world-class care is guided by its vision of technology as a crucial element in delivering excellence. In the past year, the academic health system has implemented predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.

One standout example of Tampa General's success in this realm is its partnership with GE Healthcare and the utilization of the CareComm command center. Similar to air traffic control, CareComm functions as a command center for patient care consistently gathering thousands of data points to provide insights, identify trends and drive decisions.

In 2022, Tampa General partnered with Palantir, a leading analytics platform to employ artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to augment critical decision-making on the front lines. Both GE and Palantir have been instrumental in the development and execution of Tampa General's early warning system for the prevention and treatment of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening response to an infection in the body that can move with lightning speed.

Clinical data was aggregated to predict the onset of sepsis and prioritize the activation of a rapid-response team intervention. The predictive analytics algorithm monitors real-time information from Tampa General's electronic health record (EHR) and uses weighted rules-based logic to flag patients at high risk for sepsis.

As a result of this effort, the academic health system has seen a dramatic reduction in mortality from sepsis in patients admitted to the hospital. The mortality rate due to sepsis was reduced by 3%  which accounts for close to 200 lives saved since implementation.

"We're honored to have earned a place among Newsweek's World's Best Smart Hospitals 2024. I attribute this recognition to the continuous innovation driven by our team," said Scott Arnold , executive vice president and chief information officer at Tampa General Hospital. "The latest technologies taking the health care industry by storm  whether artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, telehealth, or something else  are the future of how we can better support our team members and deliver the best care possible to our community."

For more information about the World's Best Smart Hospitals 2024 rankings, please visit this link.

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]

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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
Through Collective Action, Workers Force Amazon to Change Its Unpaid Leave Policy

WASHINGTON , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon workers across the country are demanding real wage increases after the company announced pay rates this week that fall well below the industry standard set by the Teamsters at UPS.

"We got this raise because workers have been organizing for what we deserve, but clearly Amazon can do much better," said Rex Evans , an Amazon worker at KSBD, the company's air hub facility in San Bernardino, Calif. , where he is a member of the Inland Empire Amazon Workers United organizing committee. "While Amazon executives make millions, we still have to choose between paying our bills and buying food. Amazon is clearly scared of worker power, and we are going to keep fighting to be paid fairly and treated with respect."

Amazon's wage announcement comes after a summer of shopfloor actions, petitions, rallies, picket lines, and unfair labor practice strikes by workers at the company, including Amazon drivers who joined Teamsters Local 396 in Los Angeles in April.

"Amazon workers across the country are organizing for the good jobs we deserve. Amazon won't buy us off with peanuts," said Tom Culver , a driver at Amazon's DAX8 delivery station in Palmdale, Calif. , where workers have been on strike over unfair labor practices since June 24 . "When you hear $440 million in pay increases, it might sound like a lot, but we can do the math. That's just 0.09 percent of Amazon's total revenue and it only works out to 75 cents per hour for drivers. Amazon drivers are constantly surveilled and pestered by bosses to rush through our deliveries regardless of high package counts, extreme weather, and aggressive dogs. We know what we are really worth."

Amazon's wages remain far below the industry standard in the package delivery and warehousing industry. UPS Teamsters, including full-time drivers and part-time warehouse workers, organized a national strike threat this year and forced the company to raise minimum warehouse wages by $5.50 an hour. All UPS Teamsters won a contract with first-year raises of at least $2.75 per hour, and the average top pay for Teamster drivers growing to $49 per hour.

"My co-workers and I just overwhelmingly ratified the best contract in our industry, with more money, benefits, and protections," said Bill Aiman , who works at UPS and is a member of Teamsters Local 728 in Atlanta . "Amazon's revenue is five times higher than UPS, so there's no reason Amazon workers should not receive their fair share as well. UPS Teamsters stand with our sisters and brothers at Amazon in the fight for good jobs across our industry."

After Amazon workers took action at a number of facilities nationwide and filed charges at the National Labor Relations Board, the company was recently forced to change its Unpaid Time (UPT) policy. For years, Amazon deducted a full hour of accrued UPT when workers were just a few minutes late for work. Now, UPT will only be deducted in 15-minute increments and workers will earn UPT at double the previous rate. The new policies, while a real win for workers, still do not address the illegal nature of the policy or its effect in violating Section 7 rights.

"This shows that when we organize in our warehouses and unite across facilities, Amazon has to listen to us. This win by workers is going to make a real difference, but we need to keep pushing. Amazon deducts UPT for illegal reasons and uses it as a pretext to fire workers," said Alicia Ozier , an Amazon warehouse worker at DDT6 in Pontiac, Mich. "UPS Teamsters showed the world what workers in this industry can get if we organize and show our power. We are committed to building that same worker power at Amazon."

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S. , Canada , and Puerto Rico . Visit Teamster.org to learn more and follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
New line of Telit Cinterion 5G data cards and LGA modules will leverage Snapdragon X72 5G Modem-RF System

These new products target high-performance routers, gateways and CPEs for consumers and enterprises

IRVINE, Calif. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telit Cinterion, a global enabler of the intelligent edge, today announced that their next-generation of 5G data cards and LGA modules portfolio will use the Snapdragon X72 5G Modem-RF System. This is the latest example of the two companies' commitment to providing device OEMs with the latest technologies to differentiate and future-ready their consumer and enterprise products. For more information on the Telit Cinterion 5G portfolio, visit: https://www.telit.com/modules-overview/cellular-5g/.

Snapdragon X72 is part of the world's first 5G Modem-RF System family ready for 5G Advanced, boosted with AI hardware acceleration to drive the future of 5G in mobile broadband applications. Snapdragon X72 will help Telit Criterion's customers to differentiate their devices, especially for service providers and end-users that demand products with long lifecycles.

Telit Cinterion will use the Snapdragon X72 for a new portfolio that includes a global M.2 data card and two LGA modules: one for North America and the other for use in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe , Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and South America . These new, high-performance modules support 4.4 Gbps peak downloads and 3.5 Gbps peak uploads, making them ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications such as fixed wireless access, mobile broadband, industrial IoT, private 5G and 4K video. Support for OpenWRT allows the new modules to seamlessly provide advanced networking features for a wide range of routers, gateways and CPEs for residential and enterprise use.

The new Telit Cinterion data cards and modules  currently in development  streamline product advancement, making it easier to integrate external peripherals such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet transceivers, without the need for costly adapter components. They also will enable OEMs to run their application software directly on the data card or module, thus eliminating the expense, board space and complexity of an external CPU.

Snapdragon X72 introduces a new modem-RF architecture purpose-built for scalability. The new converged mmWave-sub6 architecture and new mmWave antenna module Qualcomm QTM565 help reduce hardware footprint, cost, design complexity and power consumption. Additionally, OEMs and Telit Cinterion customers can leverage the Qualcomm Advanced Modem-RF Software Suite to further improve sustained performance across a wide variety of consumer and enterprise experiences.

"Snapdragon X72 is designed to drive the next phase of 5G evolution enabled by advanced 5G features, which will help Telit Cinterion customers future-ready their devices," said Anand Venkataraman , Director of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "We're excited to continue bringing our connectivity technology to Telit Criterion customers so they can take full advantage of 5G."

"For over two decades, Telit Cinterion and Qualcomm Technologies have partnered to provide device OEMs with early access to the latest and greatest technologies," said Marco Contento , VP of Product Management, Mobile Broadband, Telit Cinterion. "We're continuing that tradition by making the Snapdragon X72 our foundation for Telit Cinterion's new portfolio of 5G data cards and LGA modules which will raise the bar for what's possible and preferable in mobile-powered devices such as routers, gateways and CPEs."

About Telit Cinterion

Telit Cinterion is a global enabler of the intelligent edge providing complete solutions that reduce time to market and costs, delivering custom designed, ready for market connected devices in addition to maintaining the industry's broadest portfolio of enterprise-grade wireless communication and positioning modules, cellular MVNO connectivity plans and management services, edge-cloud software and data orchestration, and IoT and Industrial IoT platforms. As the largest western provider pioneering IoT innovation, Telit Cinterion delivers award-winning and highly secure IoT solutions, modules and services for the industry's top brands.

For more information, follow us on YouTube, Twitter (X), LinkedIn and Facebook or visit Telit.com.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Copyright  2023 Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Telit Cinterion, Telit, OneEdge, Cinterion, and all associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Telit Communications S.p.A, Telit Communications LTD, Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or their affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts

Leslie Hart

Telit Cinterion

+1 919-415-1510

[email protected]

Lora Wilson

Valerie Christopherson

GRC for Telit Cinterion

+1 949-608-0276

[email protected]

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SOURCE Telit Cinterion
Dates Set for October 20 , 21, and 22, Featuring Over 90 Dealers and Exclusive Collections at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC

NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The iconic Manhattan Vintage Show is back and bigger than ever. This fall, from Friday, October 20th through Sunday, October 22nd , fashion enthusiasts will gather at the renowned Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City for the show's most sensational event of 2023. Breaking new ground, the show is extending to three full days, marking a historic first in its 25-year history. This expansion, driven by new owners Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer , bolsters the vintage resurgence and champions vintage as the future of fashion.

The Manhattan Vintage Show Returns With Three-Day Expansion, Oct. 20 , 21, + 22 at Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC

The Manhattan Vintage Show is New York City's largest collection of vintage and promises an unparalleled experience this October. Open to the public, the event will feature over 90 vintage dealers from around the world , bringing in never-before-seen collections, including rare personal archives from prominent fashion designers.

Amy Abrams , co-owner of The Manhattan Vintage Show and co-founder of Shop Extraordinary Enterprises, has propelled the show into a new era, breathing new life into the vintage industry as a whole. Recently honored as one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business , Abrams envisions vintage as the future of fashion and views The Manhattan Vintage Show as a platform to make vintage more accessible to all. With the introduction of a third day in October, the show extends the shopping experience, inviting both vintage enthusiasts and newcomers to enjoy an extra day of discovery.

" The Manhattan Vintage Show is pushing boundaries within the vintage industry, celebrating vintage fashion as a gateway to authentic self-expression, sustainable style, and unique finds," says Abrams, "It's where the past meets the future."

Under Abrams and Glimer's stewardship, the October show will introduce new vintage dealers, personal vintage archives from legendary fashion designers, and expanded categories like upcycle and pre-loved, broadening its dealer community and consumer base.

A highlight of the upcoming show is the exclusive sale of selected designs from legendary fashion designer Anthony Ferrara's personal collection. Ferrara's influential creations have left an indelible mark on the world of metal mesh clothing and accessories, notably through his eponymous label and Whiting & Davis, and have been worn by celebrities including Cher, Tina Turner , Kim Kardashian , and Gwyneth Paltrow . This limited edition archival collection, meticulously curated by both the designer and Amy Abrams , will be previewed at Shop Extraordinary Enterprises' Regeneration store located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn , prior to being featured for purchase at the Manhattan Vintage Show.

More than just a vintage showcase, The Manhattan Vintage Show is a vibrant celebration of individual and personal style. In addition to an extensive selection of vintage fashion, textiles, and jewelry, attendees can enjoy on-demand vintage tailoring services by Alternew , private changing rooms throughout the venue, and a variety of food and beverages available for purchase.

For ticket information and further details, visit www.manhattanvintage.com , @thevintageshow . Early Access and General Admission tickets are available for purchase on EVENTBRITE.

MEDIA CONTACT & PRESS INQUIRIES

Naomi Shaw , Naomi Shaw Consulting

[email protected]

ABOUT SHOP EXTRAORDINARY ENTERPRISES

Born from a love of retail, Shop Extraordinary Enterprises was established by co-founders Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer to create transformative retail experiences that bolster the courage of entrepreneurs, the spirit of creativity, and the power of human connection. The company, headquartered in NYC, supports entrepreneurs while powering communities in innovative and sustainable ways. The company's portfolio of brands includes Artists & Fleas , a retail showcase for makers and creators since 2003, Regeneration , a marketplace of vintage, thrift, and upcycled fashion, established in 2021, and The Manhattan Vintage Show .

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SOURCE Manhattan Vintage Show
CHICAGO and SINGAPORE , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global capital markets technology platform provider, has just won the FOW Asia Capital Markets Award for Derivatives Trading System of the Year for its TT platform. Global Investor Group presented the award at a dinner ceremony in Singapore .

The FOW Asia Capital Markets Awards recognize the best and brightest innovations in the Asian derivatives industry. Winners are selected by a panel of independent judges with extensive experience in the industry.

TT CEO Keith Todd said: "We're thrilled that the judges recognized TT as Derivatives Trading System of the Year in Asia . The region has long been a vital part of our growth strategy, and we are grateful for the strong support we enjoy there. Clients in Asia and around the world who have chosen TT for derivatives trading are increasingly turning to us as a trusted partner to manage the full trade lifecycle across asset classes. As our derivatives offering continues to expand and we extend the platform into fixed income, FX and equities, our presence in Asia will only grow."

Judges cited TT's very strong business growth in recent years, with an award-winning platform they characterized as "innovation at its best." One judge said: "Two billion transactions in 2022 shows that TT is still the key platform for derivatives traders." Another citation shared by Global Investor Group was: "With the ability to accept order flow from any EMS, OMS or algo provider via FIX, and the recent AxeTrading purchase, this will further cement TT's place in the markets."

The TT platform connects to 60 global derivatives exchanges, including 17 in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, along with a growing number of venues covering additional asset classes. The platform delivers advanced tools for trade execution and order management, market data solutions, analytics, trade surveillance, risk management and infrastructure services to the world's leading sell-side institutions, buy-side firms and exchanges. With two billion transactions in 2022 alone, TT's volume is equivalent to many of the world's largest derivatives exchanges.

TT's presence in the Asia-Pacific region dates back to 2003, when the company opened an office in Sydney . Since that time, TT's footprint has grown to also include offices in Singapore , Tokyo , Hong Kong , Pune and Ahmedabad. The firm this summer opened its newest data center in Taipei , adding to Singapore , Hong Kong , Tokyo , Bangkok , Seoul and Sydney . The acquisition in March of AxeTrading further extended TT's APAC team.

About Trading Technologies

Trading Technologies ( www.tradingtechnologies.com ) is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology platform provider to the global capital markets industry. The company's award-winning TT platform connects to the world's major international exchanges and liquidity venues in listed derivatives alongside a growing number of asset classes, including fixed income and cryptocurrencies. The TT platform delivers advanced tools for trade execution and order management, market data solutions, analytics, trade surveillance, risk management and infrastructure services to the world's leading sell-side institutions, buy-side firms and exchanges. The company's blue-chip client base includes the Tier 1 banks as well as brokers, money managers, hedge funds, proprietary traders, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), commercial hedgers and risk managers. These firms rely on the TT ecosystem to manage their end-to-end trading operations. In addition, exchanges utilize TT's technology to deliver innovative solutions to their market participants. TT also strategically partners with technology companies to make their complementary offerings available to Trading Technologies' global client base through the TT ecosystem.

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SOURCE Trading Technologies
Company also announces that the IMPACT-1 clinical trial is underway with open-label results expected in the coming months

NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Transcend Therapeutics , a biotechnology company developing rapid-acting treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases, announced receipt of a collaborative grant award with Yale University to support first-of-its-kind preclinical research on methylone  Transcend's lead compound for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yale University received a three-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct preclinical research using state-of-the-art microscopy and behavioral methods to understand the neurobiological mechanism underlying methylone's rapid-acting, long-lasting behavioral and therapeutic effects in PTSD.

"We know from a published clinical case series and other research that methylone could hold tremendous promise for the treatment of PTSD," Transcend Co-Founder and CEO Blake Mandell said. "Yale's research, funded by the Department of Defense, will provide invaluable data on the neuroplastic effects of methylone on the brain."

Transcend is currently conducting IMPACT-1, a clinical trial in the United Kingdom evaluating the safety and efficacy of methylone in patients with severe PTSD. Transcend expects top-line data from the open-label Part A by the end of 2023. Following completion of the open-label Part A, Transcend will launch Part B, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, evaluation of methylone with up to 64 patients with PTSD.

"There is a tremendous demand, especially among veterans, for new and effective treatments for PTSD," said Transcend Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor Ben Kelmendi , MD. Dr. Kelmendi also serves as Medical Advisor at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD and co-director of the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science.

Transcend Therapeutics, founded in 2021, is a clinical-stage, neuroscience-focused company developing rapid-acting treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases. The company's mission is to develop new drugs for the millions of people for whom current psychiatric medicines have not worked. Transcend's lead product candidate, methylone, a rapid-acting neuroplastogen, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in PTSD. Transcend's leadership team has made pivotal contributions to 13 FDA approvals and $7B in M&A and public company value. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Transcend has pledged 10% of its founding shares toward nonprofits focused on scientific research and patient access.

Contact:

Tim Granholm

[email protected]

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SOURCE Transcend Therapeutics
Event Celebrates Newly Formed Seoul & New York City Sisterhood

NEW YORK , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The heart of New York City , Times Square , was filled with excitement in celebration this week as Seoul and New York City officially inaugurated their newfound sisterhood, unveiling Seoul City's captivating new visual identity, "Seoul My Soul." This landmark event symbolized a joint commitment to the growth and development of these two urban powerhouses and embodied a shared vision of interconnected cities shaping the urban landscape of tomorrow.

The celebration saw Times Square transformed into an artistic canvas bringing together the energy of Seoul's most exciting B-Boy Crew, The Gamblerz, and the undeniable rhythm of K-Pop. This exchange embodied the bond between these sister cities, showcasing their shared connection of rich cultural heritage and creative inspiration.

The event's highlight was an appearance by Seoul City's newly elected Mayor, Mr. Oh Se -hoon who was in town for the UN Summit. Although NYC Mayor Eric Adams couldn't attend in person, his spirit of collaboration resonated throughout the event, underscoring the unity between these two iconic cities.

"Seoul My Soul," Seoul City's new brand slogan, was officially unveiled to the international market during the event. Mayor Oh Se-hoon introduced it with pride, marking the culmination of a yearlong selection process that engaged the city's residents and global community. Over 850,000 people contributed to the creation of this slogan, highlighting the collective effort to shape Seoul's global image.

During his 20+ year political career, Mayor Oh Se-hoon has always described Seoul as a raw, untouched diamond. Through his devoted leadership, Oh Se-hoon has made it his mission to ensure Seoul is seen as a prosperous, resilient, and global leading city. The new campaign showcases all of Seoul's potential and attractiveness to the world. The new slogan, "Seoul My Soul," represents the city's initiative to showcase its unique identity to global citizens.

The new brand slogan, with its heart symbolizing 'love,' exclamation mark denoting 'inspiration,' and smile symbolizing 'fun,' reflects the affection, inspiration, and fun that Seoul offers to its residents and visitors.

This event successfully cemented the bond between Seoul and New York City and stands as a unique celebration of culture, creativity, and collaboration that will be etched in the memories of both cities for years to come.

ABOUT SEOUL CITY

Located in the western part of the central region of the Korean Peninsula , Seoul , the capital city of the Republic of Korea , has been the center of the country throughout its long history from the prehistoric era to the present day.

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Slovakia's new populist Prime Minister Robert Fico said Thursday that his government was stopping military aid to Ukraine, in the first Western reversal of the kind.
OMAHA, Neb. , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) will release third quarter 2023 financial and operating results on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 , at 7:45 a.m. ET . The company's management team will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:45 a.m. ET .

Parties interested in participating via teleconference may dial 877-407-8293. International callers may dial 201-689-8349. A live webcast of the presentation and materials will be available in the investor relations section of Union Pacific's website at www.up.com/investor. A replay of the audio webcast will be available shortly thereafter.

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

www.up.com

www.facebook.com/unionpacific

www.twitter.com/unionpacific

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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation
SHANGHAI , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Pet Food Brand Promotional Session was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on August 16, 2023 , to introduce U.S. pet food industry innovations and premium quality U.S. pet food to interested professional attendees during Pet Fair Asia 2023. The USDA Agricultural Trade Office at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai hosted a USA Pavilion . LAMB Agriculture Consultancy provided livestreaming services for USA Pavilion exhibitors.

Lashonda McLeod Harper -Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai delivered a welcome speech and a brief overview of the U.S. pet food industry. Regional distributors of U.S. brands including Sunshine Mills , Stella & Chewy's, Timberwolf, Midwestern Pet Foods, Purpose, and Zamzaws. presented on the history, innovative features, and premium quality of their products. These selected presentations strengthened customers' faith in the quality and functionality of U.S. pet foods. Representatives from Sunshine Mills' SQF Level 3 quality management system and Stella & Chewy's pioneering freeze-drying technology greatly impressed upon audience members their stringent quality control and advanced manufacturing technologies. Timberwolf's immune boosting formula with functional herbal ingredients, Midwestern Pet Foods' products with special consideration on cardiovascular health, bone and joint health and coat quality as well as gastrointestinal health solutions delivered by Purpose's innovative probiotics and Zamzaws's Archaeal metabolites, all received heightened attention from the audience on-site and during the livestreaming , showing a trend of pet owners' preference over functional pet foods is also emerging in Chinese pet food markets.

Peng Li , Asia Regional Director of the North American Renderers Association (NARA), gave a presentation to elaborate on the report of pet food production and ingredient analyses in the U.S. pet food industry. and how animal proteins including fresh meats, poultry, seafoods and rendered products, have been major ingredients in U.S. pet foods. Mr. Li went on to demonstrate the delicate cooking process in the U.S. rendering industry and highlighted importance of rendered products in safe, high-quality, and affordable pet foods for all pet families around the globe. When explaining the U.S. pet food industry, he outlined the strengths of the U.S. pet food industry in long-term investment on research, companion animal science, pet food manufacturing technologies, availability, and quality of various pet food ingredients and stressed that convenient access to high-quality rendered ruminant ingredients in U.S. pet food industry poses remarkable advantages in ingredient supply to pet foods made by China .

ATO Shanghai Director Lashonda McLeod Harper , Deputy Director Ted Shibata , and Agricultural Marketing Specialists from the USDA Agricultural Trade Offices in Shanghai, Beijing , Guangzhou , and Shenyang met with representatives of Pet Fair Asia attendees in pet food import, trading, distribution after the session, extended gratitude on development of U.S. pet food distribution channels of individuals, and sought suggestions on the effective delivery of U.S. pet foods to millions of pet families caring about quality and functionality of pet foods via trade services, education and product promotion.

Nearly 3,000 pet food professionals attended this U.S. Pet Food Brands Promotional Session on-site and via livestream. It is estimated similar U.S. Pet Food Brands Promotional Sessions will be held in various regions across China in 2024.

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BUCHAREST, Romania , Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestinda, the innovative no-code trading automation platform for communities, has set a new standard in the world of finance. In a move that transforms the landscape of quant trading for retail, Vestinda now provides extensive support for all asset classes, including Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Crypto, and Commodities within its powerful no-code environment.

This expansion marks a significant milestone in Vestinda's mission to automate trading and investment for everyone. Vestinda users can now access a comprehensive array of asset classes beyond Crypto.

"We're now getting one step closer to our vision of becoming the super-app for investment automation across multiple asset classes and accounts. Launching support for 100,000 asset pairs on our platform is a significant milestone in our journey. We're helping individuals build complete, diversified, and automated investment portfolios. Our commitment to innovation and transparency has never been stronger, and we're excited to see our community embrace this new era for financial markets." - Alin Breaban, founder of Vestinda

Vestinda's Expansion Unleashes a Wealth of Opportunities:

Backtest Across Markets: Get access to 100,000 asset pairs from all global markets.

Risk-free Demo Trading: Users can simulate trading, learn, and get signals on their strategies.

Bullet-proof automation: Users can automate their strategies on top of their accounts at selected Exchanges.

No-Code Environment: Vestinda maintains its commitment to simplicity offering the most flexible no-code environment, and making trading strategy creation and implementation accessible to traders of all levels.

This enhancement embodies Vestinda's commitment to equipping traders with the essential instruments to win in the ever-evolving financial arena. With access to many assets, robust backtesting capabilities, full trading execution, and an intuitive no-code environment, Vestinda empowers everyday traders to become profitable by using the technology that was available only to the financial elite.

In parallel with this product expansion, Vestinda is announcing the successful progress of its first investment round with $500,000 committed from visionary investors. The company is looking to close the first round of $600,000 to accelerate growth and build the future of investment automation.

About Vestinda

Vestinda is a pioneering trading & investing automation platform designed to empower retail traders with the tools they need to succeed in the world of finance. With a strong focus on user experience, transparency, and advanced technology, Vestinda is committed to helping millions of people grow and automate portfolios.

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SOURCE Vestinda
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Middle East peace was not achievable until the Palestinians are granted full rights.

He spoke as the United States appeared to make progress in brokering a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

"Whoever thinks peace in the Middle East is possible before our people achieved their full right is delusional, Abbas said.

Israeli-Saudi normalization would dramatically redraw the Middle East by formally bringing together two major U.S. partners and longtime adversaries.

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.

Saudi and U.S. calls for the Palestinians to make gains under any deal are likely unpalatable for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government. Netanyahu met U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly in New York.

Abbas also called on the United Nations to convene a conference to try to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which collapsed in 2014.

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, West Bank, and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
OSLO (Reuters) -Shares of eBay-backed online classifieds group Adevinta rose 21% early on Friday after the Norwegian company said it had received a takeover proposal from a consortium led by Permira and Blackstone.

Shares in Norwegian media group Schibsted, a major Adevinta shareholder, soared 13% on the news.

The discussions are at an early stage and there can be no certainty as to whether a final offer will be made, Oslo-based Adevinta said.

Adevinta did not disclose financial details of the proposal. The 20% rise in the share price valued the company at just over $11 billion.

Schibsted and eBay expressed their support for the proposal and will retain part of their current stake, Adevinta said.

In 2021 eBay sold part of its stake in Adevinta to Permira for $2.25 billion.

Blackstone and Permira declined to comment on Adevinta's statement.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru and Terje Solsvik in Oslo; editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Jason Neely)
FILE PHOTO: Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, Brazil June 30, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo

(Reuters) - A close aide to Jair Bolsonaro told police the former Brazilian president met senior military officers last year to discuss a military intervention to overturn the election result after he lost, newspaper O Globo and news website UOL reported on Thursday.

Bolsonaro's former aide, Mauro Cid, agreed this month to cooperate with Federal Police, who are investigating the former president for possible crimes, from embezzlement to inciting his supporters' January riots in the capital Brasilia. Police have kept Cid's testimony confidential as they investigate.

According to Thursday's reports, which did not cite their sources, Cid allegedly told police that Bolsonaro sounded out commanders of the armed forces about a draft decree to overturn the election.

Lawyers for Cid did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports. Federal Police said they do not comment on ongoing investigations.

In a statement, Bolsonaro's lawyers denied the allegations.

"During his government, (Bolsonaro) never supported any movement or project that was not supported by law," they said.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes earlier this month authorized the cooperation deal between Cid and the police, and released him from jail, where he has been since May when he was arrested as part of an investigation into the suspected forgery of Bolsonaro's COVID-19 vaccination cards.

Bolsonaro is accused of forging an election denial movement that culminated with the Jan. 8 storming of government buildings in Brasilia by thousands of his supporters. He has already been banned from seeking office until 2030 by Brazil's federal electoral court.

(Reporting by Sao Paulo Newsroom; Editing by Brad Haynes, Mark Porter and Deepa Babington)
FILE PHOTO: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses parliament following an escalation in hostilities over the Nagorno-Karabakh region along the border of Armenia with Azerbaijan, in Yerevan, Armenia, September 13, 2022. Tigran Mehrabyan/PAN Pho

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Armenia needs to be "free of conflict" for the sake of its independence, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told his compatriots on Thursday, after their ethnic kin in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region surrendered this week to Azerbaijan.

The fall of Karabakh, a region that the ethnic Armenian separatists had controlled for three decades with Yerevan's support, has stoked calls in Armenia for Pashinyan's resignation.

"Today we are living in difficult times, suffering untold physical and psychological suffering," Pashinyan said in a televised address marking Armenia's national independence day in which he made no direct reference to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia has benefited from democracy, the rule of law and a principled anti-corruption policy, but it also needs peace, Pashinyan said.

"Peace is a factor that ensures and guarantees security as well as independence and sovereignty," he said.

"(Armenia) must take this path for the sake of independence, for the sake of statehood, for the sake of the future", he added.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Wednesday he valued the fact that Armenia - which had few options - had not tried to interfere in Baku's lightning offensive. Aliyev said this would remove an obstacle to wider peace negotiations between the two Caucasus neighbours.

Pashinyan in 2020 presided over a war in which a newly confident and better-armed Azerbaijan seized control of swathes of territory previously controlled by the separatists, laying the groundwork for this week's capture of the entire region.

Pashinyan nonetheless won re-election in Armenia a few months later.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Kenya's President William Samoei Ruto addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Kenyan President William Ruto urged the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to formally back a security support mission to Haiti, which Kenya has shown a willingness to lead, saying the Caribbean country "deserves better from the world."

The council could vote as soon as next week, diplomats said, on a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting a multinational police deployment. Haiti last year asked for help to combat violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince.

"Kenya is ready to play its part in full, and join with a coalition of other nations of goodwill - and there are many - as a great friend and true sibling of Haiti," Ruto told the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly.

He told the 193-member body that doing nothing for Haiti was not an option.

"As we mobilize to show up for Ukraine, and countries that have experienced the devastating impact of climate shocks including Libya, Morocco and Hawaii, we must not leave Haiti behind," Ruto said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the council last month that a "robust use of force" by a multinational police deployment and the use of military assets was needed to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs.

Kenya said in July it was ready to consider leading such a force and pledged to send 1,000 police officers. The Bahamas has since committed 150 people if the U.N. authorizes the force.

Guterres said Jamaica had pledged to contribute and that Antigua and Barbuda said it would also consider contributing. He urged member states, particularly in the Americas, "to continue to build on this new momentum."

Countries have been wary of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January.

A multinational police deployment would not be a U.N. mission.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, who left in 2019.

Haitians are wary of an armed U.N. presence. The country was free of cholera until 2010, when U.N. peacekeepers dumped infected sewage into a river. More than 9,000 people died of the disease, and some 800,000 fell ill.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: Bull statues are placed in font of screens showing the Hang Seng stock index and stock prices outside Exchange Square, in Hong Kong, China, August 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo

By Scott Murdoch

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Chinese artificial intelligence startup Beijing Fourth Paradigm is set to price its shares at HK$55.6 each, the low end of the price range, to raise HK$1.023 billion ($131 million), a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public.

Fourth Paradigm, which declined to comment, was added to the U.S. "Entity List" this year, which means U.S. suppliers are barred from shipping U.S. technology to it unless they can procure a hard-to-obtain licence from the Commerce Department.

Fourth Paradigm is selling 18.4 million shares in the IPO and had flagged a price range to investors of HK$55.60 to HK$61.16 each, according to its regulatory filings.

It is the second IPO this week to price at the bottom end of the range with Tuhu Car raising $145 million with the final price at the low point.

Three cornerstone investors, headed by New China Capital Management, subscribed for about $96.8 million worth of Fourth Paradigm stock, which equates to 70.6% of the IPO, the filings showed.

Founded in September 2014, Fourth Paradigm's products have been used in finance, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and power, telecommunications, healthcare and other sectors, according to its website.

Fourth Paradigm counts Goldman Sachs, Sinovation, Haitong International Investment and a number of state-backed funds as pre-IPO investors, according to filings.

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Alexander Smith)
A pallbearer holds a portrait of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi while walking in front of the coffin during his state funeral at the Duomo Cathedral, in Milan, Italy June 14, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

MILAN (Reuters) - The wealthy coastal town of Portofino will become the first place in Italy to name a street after the late prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June, after local authorities fast tracked approval.

In Italy, 10 years must normally pass after a death before anyone gets such an honour but in this case an exception was applied as Berlusconi was judged to be one of those "people who have particularly served the nation", regional newspaper Il Secolo XIX reported on Thursday.

The street is set to be renamed on Oct. 14, a couple of weeks after what would have been the billionaire Berlusconi's 87th birthday.

"A small ceremony will be held, in agreement with the family and in particular with fellow local citizen Pier Silvio (Berlusconi)", Portofino mayor Matteo Viacava told Il Secolo XIX.

Pier Silvio Berlusconi, who heads the family TV business MFE-MediaForEurope, has a villa in the town.

The street chosen is a pedestrian one where Berlusconi used to walk when he visited his own villa in the town, a property which is now owned by fashion group Dolce & Gabbana.

(Reporting by Alessia Pe, writing by Keith Weir, editing by Alvise Armellini)
FILE PHOTO: White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo

By Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. is in touch with Indians at high levels after Ottawa said Indian government agents had links to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, and Washington is giving India no "special exemption" in the matter, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.

The United States has been seeking to strengthen its relationship with India. President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit at the White House earlier this year.

Asked whether U.S. concern over the incident could disrupt that process, Sullivan said the United States would stand up for its principles, regardless of what country is affected.

"It is a matter of concern for us. It is something we take seriously. It is something we will keep working on, and we will do that regardless of the country," Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

"There's not some special exemption you get for actions like this. Regardless of the country, we will stand up and defend our basic principles and we will also consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic process."

Canada said on Monday that it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, outside a Sikh temple in June.

Sullivan noted that the United States was in touch with both countries about the topic.

"We are in constant contact with our Canadian counterparts ... and we have also been in touch with the Indian government, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he disagreed with reports suggesting there was distance between Canada and the United States on the issue.

"I firmly reject the idea that there is a wedge between the U.S. and Canada. We have deep concerns about the allegations and we would like to see this investigation carried forward and the perpetrators held to account," he said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jeff MasonEditing by Chris Reese and Timothy Gardner)
Firefighters work at a site in a residential area, damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 21, 2023. REUERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

By Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) -Russia pounded energy facilities across Ukraine on Thursday in its biggest missile attack for weeks, firing what Ukrainian officials saw as the first salvo in a new air campaign against the national power grid.

Power cuts were reported in five Ukrainian regions in the west, centre and east, reviving memories of multiple air strikes on critical infrastructure last winter that caused sweeping outages for millions during the bitter cold.

Officials said at least 18 people were wounded in the air strikes, including a nine-year-old girl, and a regional governor said two people were killed in separate overnight Russian shelling.

"Winter is coming. Tonight (Russia) renews missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure," lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk wrote on platform X.

Grid operator Ukrenergo said it was the first Russian attack on power infrastructure in six months, and reported damage to facilities in western and central regions.

The attack caused blackouts in the Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, it said.

Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement its attack hit military industry facilities, radio intelligence installations and centres for the training of sabotage groups. It said it struck all its targets.

Ukraine has been racing to repair infrastructure after the attacks last winter damaged nearly half its energy system and forced grid operators to impose regular rolling power cuts.

This year, Ukraine has better, Western-supplied air defences, but still has a huge challenge defending against attacks across such a big country.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, visiting the United States following the U.N. General Assembly, condemned what he called "another massive attack".

Outlining Ukraine's needs before a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, he wrote on the Telegram messaging app: "More air defence. More sanctions. More support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines."

Biden was set to announce a new $325 million military aid package for Kyiv, which was expected to include a second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155-millimetre howitzer cannon.

Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, had focused its air strikes since mid-July on port and grain infrastructure, hampering efforts by Kyiv - a major global grain producer - to export food products.

Many of the attacks have also killed civilians, although Moscow denies deliberately targeting them.

Russia did not comment on the new air strikes, and says Ukraine has been attacking targets inside Russia as Kyiv presses on with a counteroffensive in the east and south against Russia's 19-month-old invasion.

DAMAGE ACROSS UKRAINE

Ukraine said Russia had fired 43 cruise missiles at targets overnight in several waves, and that Ukrainian air defences shot down 36 of them.

Loud blasts rocked Kyiv and the surrounding region as dawn was breaking, Reuters witnesses said.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said seven people, including the nine-year-old girl, were injured in the capital. Missile debris fell in the city centre, damaging several buildings, and a Pepsi Co Inc plant in the region was damaged, the defence ministry said.

The interior ministry and regional officials reported blasts in Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskiy, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Maksym Kozytskyi, Lviv's regional governor, said three Russian missiles hit the western city of Drohobych and that an infrastructure facility and warehouses were hit.

In a separate overnight attack, two people were killed by Russian shelling of a dormitory in the southern city of Kherson, governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

The Ukrainian military said its forces had struck the Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight. It gave no details but a Ukrainian intelligence source said the attack inflicted "serious damage" on equipment at the base.

An adviser to Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, said none of Ukraine's missiles had hit their target.

(Additional reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Writing by Tom Balmforth and Timothy Heritage; editing by Philippa Fletcher, Alex Richardson and Gareth Jones)
By Catarina Demony and Lisandra Paraguassu

LISBON (Reuters) - Brazil hopes to attract some 180 billion reais ($36.6 billion) of private investments in new rail and highway projects over the next three years, its Transport Minister Renan Filho told Reuters on Thursday.

The minister travelled to Lisbon to present plans for the projects to European operators and investors, as part of a road show that will continue in Germany, the United Arab Emirates, India and China, he said.

Filho said in an interview that Brazil's government will also invest some 80 billion reais during President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's 2023-2026 term. But roughly 35 tenders should draw over twice that much investment from the private sector.

Brazil aims to expand its freight-focused rail system to carry 40% of exports by 2035, up from 17% currently, he said.

Brazil's Transnordestina railway, which has been under construction for over 15 years but is only half completed, could be key to that expansion, said the minister, part of a powerful political family in the northeastern state of Alagoas.

The Transnordestina was designed to carry commodities like soy, corn, iron ore and gypsum from the state of Piaui north to the northern port of Pecem and east to the port of Suape.

Filho said the first stretch of the 1,700 kilometer (1,056 mi) project, the Piaui-Pecem connection, would be finished by the beginning of 2027. Construction of the full Pecem-Suape route would begin this year and is expected to be completed within five years.

Filho said the national railway plan, set to be presented next month, would include six new passenger routes, including from the capital Brasilia to the central state of Goias and from Sao Paulo to Parana. Brazil currently runs just two inter-state passenger railways.

"We believe this (passenger trains) is an area where we need to advance and grow," Filho said.

($1 = 4.9175 reais)

(Reporting by Catarina Demony in Lisbon and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Brad Haynes and Timothy Gardner)
By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) - A 29-year-old suburban Los Angeles man pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder on Wednesday in the ambush shooting of a sheriff's deputy as he waited at a red traffic light, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said.

Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar was arrested on Monday after an intensive manhunt and a four-hour standoff at a home in the high desert suburb of Palmdale. He was charged with one count of murder after allegedly lying in wait and shooting the deputy, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, on Sept. 16.

"This ambush attack was absolutely unacceptable and an attack on law enforcement as a whole," Gascon said. "Deputy Clinkunbroomer was in uniform, stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle like thousands of other law enforcement officers and deputies do every day when he tragically lost his life while serving his community."

Clinkunbroomer, a third generation law enforcement officer who had recently been engaged to be married, was found wounded in his vehicle by a passerby, who ran to the nearby sheriff's station to seek help.

The deputy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Gascon said that Salazar had followed Clinkunbroomer from the nearby Palmdale Sheriff's station and shot him with a 22 caliber revolver from the front seat of his own vehicle before speeding away.

Authorities did not release a motive for the shooting. A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Nov. 7 at the Anelope Valley Courthouse. If convicted, Salazar faces life in prison, Gascon said.

(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Editing by Sandra Maler)
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada and Japan on Thursday agreed to work more closely together to establishing sustainable and reliable global battery supply chains, the Canadian government said in a statement.

The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation on the supply chains during a visit by Japanese Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, it said, but gave no details.

Canada, home to a large mining sector for minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, wants to woo firms involved in all levels of the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain via a multibillion-dollar green technology.

"As worldwide demand shifts increasingly towards cleaner forms of energy, Canada's critical minerals resources and battery supply chains will play a vital role in how we get there," said Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

Earlier this month a unit of South Korea's Solus Advanced Materials said it would will build a copper foil facility in the province of Quebec, producing technology for EV batteries.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: An advertisement for Huawei's Mate 60 series smartphones is seen outside a Huawei store in Shanghai, China September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - China will not stand by idly if the German government decides to restrict the use of components from Chinese firms such as Huawei and ZTE <000063.SZ> in its 5G network, the Chinese embassy in Berlin said on Thursday.

Germany's interior ministry has proposed forcing telecoms operators to curb their use of equipment made by China's Huawei and ZTE after a review highlighted Germany's reliance on the two Chinese suppliers, according to a government official.

"If the German government really decides to move in this direction without proving that Chinese products pose a security threat to Germany, we will not stand by idly," the embassy said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"Should Germany unjustifiably exclude Chinese companies, this would not only be a violation of the principle of fair competition, but would also harm Chinese companies and Germany itself," the Chinese embassy said.

It added that Huawei and ZTE had long operated in Germany in harmony with German law.

The interior ministry wants to present its approach to cabinet from next week.

(Reporting by Rachel More, editing by Kirsti Knolle)
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Models of military equipment and a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen at an exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China October 8, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File

BEIJING (Reuters) -The Chinese navy wants to hire graduate students to fly shipborne aircraft, and is raising the age limit to expand its search as it seeks to improve the qualifications of its air personnel and build a "strong army".

Besides upgrading its hardware from warships to warplanes, China is also trying to improve the calibre of its recruits, as the military is a career path traditionally favoured by the less educated.

In an advertisement on social media platform WeChat, the People's Liberation Army Navy said it was seeking graduate students with master's degrees in science and engineering who are younger than 26 to pilot aircraft from ships.

Last year, it allowed undergraduates aged 24 or below to apply for the first time. Before that, the limit was high school graduates age 20 and younger.

"The need for high-quality military talent becomes more imperative day by day," the People's Liberation Army Navy said in the advertisement, published on Wednesday. "The mission and tasks of the navy continue to expand. The speed of the strategic shift of the navy is being accelerated."

Candidates must be male with a clean "political history" and no legal or disciplinary history, according to the advertisement.

Training will include three to four years of aviation theory and practical flight training. Those who become pilots will have free medical care for themselves and their immediate family, as well as government-provided housing.

China is in the final stages of preparing its third aircraft carrier - the Fujian - for sea trials, a key step before the warship goes into operational service.

China is aiming to modernise its military by 2035.

As China speeds up training of military aircraft pilots, it has also tried to recruit serving and former British military pilots, prompting Britain to block of such moves.

It has also drawn Washington's attention. The Biden administration in June added 43 entities to an export control list, including an aviation company in South Africa that hired former British military pilots to help train Chinese pilots.

(Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo; editing by Miral Fahmy and Gerry Doyle)
FILE PHOTO: A sign is pictured outside a Google office near the company's headquarters in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 8, 2019. REUTERS/Paresh Dave/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The CEO of internet search engine company DuckDuckGo testified on Thursday that his company struggled to grow its market share because Google was paying key companies billions of dollars to keep its search engine as the default on computers or mobile devices.

THE TAKE: DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg, who was testifying at a trial in Washington to determine if Alphabet's Google broke US antitrust law, was meant to support the U.S. government's argument that Google's big pockets were used to illegally hold back its smaller rivals.

KEY QUOTE:

Weinberg testified that he had pressed particular companies - he did not name them - to use DuckDuckGo as the default and found some interest but ultimately no success because of Google's contracts with the companies.

"We generally saw a lot of interest," he said. "We ultimately decided, this was after three years of trying this, that this was a quixotic exercise because of the contracts."

CONTEXT:

*The government has argued that Google, which has some 90% of the search market, illegally paid $10 billion annually to smartphone makers like Apple and wireless carriers like AT&T and others to be the default in search on their devices in order to stay on top.

*The clout in search then makes Google a heavy hitter in the lucrative advertising market, boosting its profits.

*DuckDuckGo has around 2.5% of the online search engine market because it has not been able to win a default position on devices made by big companies.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
FILE PHOTO: European Council President Charles Michel attends a press briefing ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo

By Gabriela Baczynska

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -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."

Michel will then turn directly to the Chinese delegation to say: "As responsible nations, let's join forces - to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that is hurting so many," the draft says.

China's vice foreign minister, Ma Zhaoxu, is listed to speak at the meeting of the 15-member council.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also expected to attend the council meeting.

China has abstained from votes by the 193-member General Assembly that overwhelmingly demanded Moscow withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop fighting. Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.

China's abstentions appeared to reflect a bid to stay on the diplomatic fence over the war in Ukraine. Beijing has said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, but - in a nod to Russia's unease about NATO - believes all security concerns should be addressed.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Michelle Nichols and Grant McCool)
SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) urged the Bosnian Serb government on Thursday to drop a bill that labels non-profit groups funded from abroad as "foreign agents" and called on lawmakers to reject it if it is presented in the parliament.

The parliament of Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic is scheduled next week to discuss the draft law, which experts say will stigmatise civil society organisations that receive funding from abroad.

"The European Union also strongly calls upon all members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly to oppose this draft law, which aims to intimidate and suppress civil society organisations by branding their representatives as 'foreign agents,'" the EU delegation in Bosnia said in a statement, referring to the Bosnian Serb parliament.

The Bosnian Serb Republic, an autonomous region that was formed after the ethnically-based 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, passed a law in July that re-criminalised defamation despite protests by journalist associations and international criticism.

Adopting this new draft law would bring the Bosnian Serb Republic closer to authoritarian regimes than to the European democracies, the EU said, warning that the draft law directly contradicts the region's commitments to advance European integration and priorities on civil society and freedom of expression and media.

The law was proposed by the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) led by the Bosnian Serb Republic separatist leader Milorad Dodik, and agreed by their coalition members with whom they form a parliamentary majority.

Brian Aggeler, the head of the OSCE mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, asked the Bosnian Serb lawmakers in an open letter to refrain from taking any action that would undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Aggeler urged them to "immediately and permanently" reject the draft law and ensure that all future legislation complies with the international and domestic human rights standards to which Bosnia has committed itself.

Bosnian Serb officials have dismissed objections regarding the bill and pledged to get it adopted by the parliament.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Paul Simao)
FILE PHOTO: Republican Party U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick speaks to supporters alongside his wife, Dina Powell McCormick, at an election night event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. May 17, 2022. Picture taken May 17, 2022. REUTERS/Quinn Glabick

By Jarrett Renshaw

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -David McCormick, a former hedge fund executive who lost the Republican primary for Pennsylvania's open Senate seat last year, will announce on Thursday that he is running again for Senate  this time against three-time incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey Jr.

A U.S. Army veteran and former Treasury Department official, McCormick, 58, will kick off one of the nation's most closely watched races with a speech in Pittsburgh, two sources said. Reuters first reported on Sept. 12 that the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds, would run.

Pennsylvania, one of the nation's most politically competitive states, has tilted toward Democrats in recent years. Republicans in 2022 faced several losses in the state, including candidates for Senate and governor backed by former President Donald Trump.

Republicans view the seat as a potential game-changer in 2024 for control of Congress. Democrats are defending a one-seat Senate majority while facing tough incumbent races in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana - states which backed Donald Trump and other Republicans in recent elections.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter, describes the race McCormick is joining as leaning Democratic.

U.S. Senate Republicans focused on McCormick as they try to line up fresh candidates for 2024, after newcomers with fringe views cost them seats in 2022. Republicans believe he is moderate enough to appeal to suburbanites and stable enough to help other candidates on the ticket.

Pennsylvania had a Republican senator and a Democratic senator for more than a decade until Republican Patrick Toomey retired in January. U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, picked up the Toomey seat last year after beating television celebrity physician Mehmet Oz.

The McCormick campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

McCormick's decision comes after weeks of wrangling over whether Trump at the top of the ticket could be a drag, making it more difficult to oust the well-funded Casey, 63. The popular sitting Democratic senator, whose father was a Pennsylvania governor, has won three state-wide elections.

McCormick is already facing attacks from Democrats about whether he truly lives in Pennsylvania. He changed his residency from Connecticut last year to run for office, but the Associated Press reported last month that McCormick still rents a $16 million mansion in Connecticut.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw. Editing by Heather Timmons and Lincoln Feast.)
FILE PHOTO: Chief Financial Officer Mark Gyetvay of Russia's gas firm Novatek speaks during the Reuters Russia Investment Summit in Moscow September 11, 2007. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA)/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former deputy chief of Russian natural gas producer Novatek was sentenced on Thursday to seven years and two months in a U.S. prison for a scheme to hide millions of dollars of income in undisclosed Swiss bank accounts and submitting a false filing.

Mark Anthony Gyetvay, who served as the chief financial officer of the Russian natural gas company, was arrested two years ago in the United States on tax charges, which he had at the time dismissed as baseless.

Gyetvay was also ordered on Thursday by a judge in Florida's Middle District to serve three years of supervised release and to pay a $350,000 fine and about $4 million in restitution to the United States, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. A federal jury convicted Gyetvay in March.

From 2005 to 2015, Gyetvay concealed his ownership and control over substantial offshore assets and did not file tax returns or pay taxes on millions of dollars of income, prosecutors said.

Gyetvay, who held passports from both the United States and Russia, had been arrested on tax charges related to $93 million hidden in offshore accounts.

He was once the leading voice at Novatek, anchoring conference calls with investors and representing the company at industry events as it seeks funds for liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Grant McCool)
Seasonal firefighters and workers participate in a 24-hours strike against the government's planned labour reforms, in front of the Greek parliament in Athens, Greece, September 21, 2023 REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS (Reuters) -Thousands of Greek public sector workers, including teachers, doctors and transport staff, marched in Athens on Thursday during a strike against planned labour law changes by the conservative government, which was re-elected in June.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government says the overhaul would eliminate undeclared work and boost employment overall, but labour unions and the opposition says it is an assault on workers' rights and would create barbaric conditions.

The one-day nationwide strike called by Greece's largest public sector union ADEDY is the first walkout since the Mitsotakis government's re-election for a second term.

Trains and buses ran a reduced service, state hospitals operated with emergency staffing and many schools closed.

The protesters marched to parliament, where lawmakers were debating the planned changes, which are expected to be passed this week. Mitotakis's government has 158 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament.

"We demand the bill's withdrawal," ADEDY, which represents about half a million workers, said on its website.

The bill would allow full-time employees to get a part-time second job and work up to 13 hours a day unless certain terms apply, such as a conflict of interest. It also enables employers to implement a six-day working week.

"It leaves open the door for us to work as many as 13 hours (a day), and until we are 74," said Lambrini Christoyanni, president of the union representing agriculture ministry employees. "It also puts an end to demands by workers of wage increases - increases that they deserve."

According to the bill, an employee can be fired within the first year of work without warning or remuneration, unless agreed otherwise.

It allows a probation period of up to six months, but also obliges employers to provide detailed terms of work.

Employers face a fine up to 10,500 euros ($11,175) if they fail to declare an employee's extension of working hours or change of shifts.

The bill also introduces fines and a six-month jail term against those who obstruct employees from working during a strike.

Lawmakers with the main opposition, the Syriza leftist party which is expected to elect a new leader on Sunday, said earlier this week that the government was pushing "a secret agenda" against workers.

Greece's Communist Party KKE has called the bill monstrous.

($1 = 0.9396 euros)

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Barbara Lewis)
(Reuters) -Haiti and Kenya established diplomatic relations on Wednesday, according to a statement on social media platform X by Ariel Henry, prime minister of the Caribbean nation.

The move comes amid international discussions over the possibility of Kenya leading a United Nations-backed multinational security force to help police fight escalating gang warfare in Haiti.

The United Nations Security Council could vote on the multinational force for Haiti in about a week, Brian Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for western hemisphere affairs, said in an interview with Voice of America this week.

Henry's government first sought international assistance last October, but despite repeated calls from the United Nations, the request went unanswered until Kenya said it was prepared to lead such a group in July.

With scarce resources, Haiti's police have been battling powerful gangs now estimated to control large parts of the country.

Kenyan President William Ruto and Henry witnessed the signing of the pact establishing ties at the Kenyan mission in New York.

"As the leading nation in the U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti, we are committed to deploying a specialised team," Ruto said in a statement issued by his office.

The team would assess the situation and prepare strategies to ensure long-term solutions, he added.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire in Mexico City and George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by Kylie Madry and Clarence Fernandez)
By Kylie Madry

SANTA LUCIA, Mexico (Reuters) - There is still work to be done with Mexican authorities to smooth over hiccups caused by the government-mandated move of cargo flights from the nation's busiest airport to a farther-away airport, a UPS executive said on Wednesday.

UPS kicked off cargo flights at the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) - a year-old, military-run airport backed by the country's president - last month, said Francisco Ricaurte, the firm's Mexico and Latin America head, in an interview with Reuters at the hub.

Mexico earlier this year ordered cargo carriers stop operating at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM), pushing them to use AIFA instead in a bid to reduce oversaturation at AICM.

Now that the move is complete, "we have to keep working with authorities and every member of the value chain" to make imports at AIFA more agile, Ricaurte said.

The military heads customs throughout the country, including at AIFA.

"If we have to work under these conditions, we need to come to an understanding so that military authorities can be clear about what our operation needs, and if that means making certain processes more flexible, then doing so," Ricaurte said.

The decree requiring the move was decried by cargo carriers when first published.

"They gave us such a short timeline," said Ricaurte. "As an industry, we told the government what was feasible and not feasible... and we were able to get an extension."

Ricaurte added that U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar met with affected firms to discuss the move's implications, a rare confirmation of the U.S. government's concern over the move.

The decree applies only to flights carrying only cargo, while passenger flights are still permitted to bring cargo to AICM.

Ricaurte said UPS was still using its storage facilities at AICM as well as the depot it jointly operates at AIFA.

When the decree came out, AIFA "didn't have any more storage facilities available," said Ricaurte. "We would have had to build one in (three-and-a-half months), impossible."

AIFA is set to shift some 110,000 tons of goods this year, the airport's director said on Wednesday, representing less than a fifth of what AICM moved last year.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
FILE PHOTO: Fences are seen on the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's military said on Thursday that its tanks had struck two "temporary structures" used by the Syrian army in the area of the Golan Heights in violation of a 1974 disengagement accord.

"The strike was carried out after IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers identified the two structures in the area of the security zone yesterday," the military said.

"The IDF holds the Syrian regime responsible for all activities occurring within its territory and will not allow any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty," it said.

The announcement from Israel's military came after at least two people were killed while riding a motorcycle near the Syrian town of Beit Jinn, about an hour north of where the tanks struck, according to two Palestinian sources and one Lebanese security source.

The two Palestinian sources accused Israel of conducting a strike to target the two men, whom the sources identified as militants.

The Syrian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on both incidents.

Israel's military declined to comment on the reported motorcycle strike.

Syria and Israel are formally at war, though a 1974 U.S.-brokered disengagement agreement has kept the frontier largely quiet.

Israel over the past decade has been carrying out air strikes against suspected Iranian-sponsored weapons transfers and personnel deployments in neighbouring Syria.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Gareth Jones)
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is continuing its efforts to seek the prompt release of an employee of Astellas Pharma who has been detained in China since March, Japan's top government spokesman said on Thursday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno was speaking at a press conference after Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday that Beijing was expected to decide soon on whether to formally arrest the Japanese businessman, whom it detained on suspicion of espionage.

The Chinese foreign ministry, when asked if the Japanese employee had been arrested, said foreign nationals in China must abide by the country's laws or be prosecuted otherwise.

"There have been similar such cases of Japanese citizens recently. The Japanese government should step up in educating and reminding its citizens about this," spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko in Tokyo and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Bernadette Baum)
Azerbaijani representatives Ramin Mammadov, Bashir Hajiyev, and Ilkin Sultanov attend the talks with members of the delegation of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in the town of Yevlakh, Azerbaijan September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer NO RESALES. N

By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The ethnic Armenian leadership of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh said on Thursday that it had agreed a ceasefire with Azerbaijan but that key details, including the surrender of weapons, still needed to be worked out.

David Babayan, an adviser to Samvel Shahramanyan, the president of the self-styled 'Republic of Artsakh,' told Reuters that Karabakh Armenians felt abandoned by Russia, the West and Armenia.

He said many important issues had not yet been agreed with Azerbaijan, which sent troops backed by artillery strikes into Armenian-controlled Karabakh on Tuesday in an attempt to bring the breakaway region to heel by force.

"We have agreement on the cessation of military action, but we await a final agreement - talks are going on, we'll see" Babayan, said by phone. "We need to talk through many questions and issues."

"There has not been a final agreement yet," Babayan said.

Under a ceasefire agreement, outlined a day earlier by Azerbaijan and the Russian Defence Ministry, which has peacekeepers on the ground, ethnic Armenian forces are meant to disband and disarm.

But when asked about giving up weapons, Babayan said his people could not be left to die and so would need security guarantees first.

"A whole host of questions still need to be resolved," said Babayan. "We do not know what guarantee of security our people will get - this needs to be resolved."

"At any moment they could destroy us, engage in genocide against us - do you Reuters understand this? The West is silent, Russia is silent, Armenia is silent. What should we do?"

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday said his "iron fist" had consigned the idea of a breakaway ethnic Armenian Karabakh to history.

He said he was ready to peacefully integrate Armenians living there into his own country's structures while preserving their right to practice Christianity.

Babayan scolded the world for leaving his people at the mercy of Azerbaijan.

"It feels like Constantinople in 1453 - we are besieged and surrounded," he said.

"The overwhelming majority of the people here do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan - I do not know what will happen."

"Karabakh has been left on its own: Russian peacekeepers practically don't fulfil their obligations, the democratic West turned away from us, and Armenia also turned away."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
FILE PHOTO: A relative holds a banner with an image of a missing student from Ayotzinapa Teacher Training College during a march to demand justice for her loved ones, in Mexico City, Mexico July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican prosecutors earlier this year requested more arrests of military officials as part of an investigation of the 2014 disappearance of 43 student teachers, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday.

Sixteen new arrest warrants were sought in May by the attorney general's office, Lopez Obrador said during a regular press conference, showing an official letter outlining the request which he said had not previously been made public.

Addressed to the head of the Army, the letter said the 16 suspects had "presumably maintained ties with organized crime, and hence did not prevent the disappearance of the 43 students."

Last year a judge ordered the arrest of 83 officials over the case, including soldiers, police, and state personnel, one a high level prosecutor. Not all the arrests were subsequently carried out, and 21 warrants were withdrawn.

Lopez Obrador did not say how many arrests were made from the new warrants.

The attorney general's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The May arrest orders were made under new leadership at the body investigating the case, after the previous chair stepped down amid criticism.

Lopez Obrador took office in 2018 vowing to uncover the truth around the suspected abduction and massacre of the students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers' College.

Earlier this year, an international panel of experts looking into the case criticized active investigations, saying it had received incomplete information and that the Defense Ministry hid documents about who was involved.

It also said security forces were complicit in abducting the 43, and that Army, Navy, police and intelligence agencies knew, minute by minute, where the students were.

At the time, the Army said it had no comment. The Navy did not respond to a request for comment. Mexico's armed forces have long denied having information about the disappearances.

The remains of only three of the 43 students have so far been recovered and formally identified.

(Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom, Writing by Isabel Woodford; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Mexican cement maker CEMEX is pictured at it's plant in Monterrey, Mexico June 8, 2021. Picture taken June 8, 2021. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican cement maker Cemex is in talks to refinance its $3 billion credit facility with banks, the company confirmed to Reuters on Thursday.

Bloomberg first reported the news, citing interviews with company executives.

"We're in current discussions with our banks, because the biggest amount of debt that is maturing is bank debt," Chief Financial Officer Maher Al-Haffar was quoted as saying.

A "100%" extension to its revolving $3 billion bank debt line is on the cards and is "likely to transform our maturity structure quite nicely," he added.

Executives have previously mentioned the possibility of refinancing debt.

In Cemex's July earnings call, CEO Fernando Gonzalez said a refinancing could be in the cards after rating agency Fitch upgraded its outlook on the company to positive.

"In terms of refinancing, yes, ... although we're quite comfortable with our maturity profile ... this upgrade and the feedback we're getting from the capital markets should give us the opportunity before the end of the year to do some liability management."

He did not give a detailed timeline or say what the new terms would be, but suggested it could improve the cost of borrowing.

Last year, ratings agency S&P estimated that in 2023 and 2024, Cemex would face "debt maturities of less than $500 million," noting that the amount was "highly manageable."

Gonzalez said a strong peso had been "very convenient" in the short term, Bloomberg reported.

Cemex held around three-fours of its debt at the end of the second quarter in U.S. dollars, which have depreciated around 12% against the peso this year.

Al-Haffar said Cemex is also considering issuing local currency bonds to take advantage of the strong exchange rate, the report added, noting that this would be its first debt sale in pesos since 2011.

Cemex has gradually begun to sell off assets in emerging markets like Costa Rica and El Salvador to "invest mainly in the US and Europe," Gonzalez was quoted as saying.

(Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom; Additional reporting by Kylie Madry; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Richard Chang)
ACCRA (Reuters) -Nine people were killed and several injured in an ambush by unknown assailants in northern Ghana on Thursday morning, said Zubeiru Abdulai, head of the local district of Pusiga.

The attack took place near the border with Burkina Faso, where Islamist militants are waging an insurgency. Militant violence in Ghana is rare, but its neighbours Togo and Ivory Coast have seen militants cross their northern borders to wage sporadic attacks.

The attackers shot into two vehicles carrying traders on their way to the market town of Cinkasse, said Abdulai, who added the injured were being treated at the Bawku government hospital. Most of the victims were women, he said.

Police declined to comment.

(Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Christian Akorlie; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning)
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump prepares to speak at a news conference with the family of Gershun Freeman, a Black man whose death in custody at the Shelby County Jail in October 2022 has been classified as a homicide, in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S., March 1

By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -

Nine Memphis-area deputies have been indicted in the killing of a Black man who died after he was beaten by guards and held prone on the ground in a county jail a year ago, the local sheriff said.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said on Wednesday during a news conference that a local district attorney has obtained indictments against nine of his corrections officers in the death of Gershun Freeman, 33, on Oct. 2.

Bonner did not disclose details about the indictments but local news reported that two of the officers face second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges while the other seven face aggravated assault charges.

"Let me be clear, no actions by any Shelby County Sheriff's Office employee caused Mr. Freeman's death ... I stand with these officers," Bonner said during the news conference, adding that the medical examiner determined that Freeman died from a pre-existing heart condition.

The case has garnered more national attention since the Jan. 7 beating death of another Black man, Tyre Nichols, by Memphis police officers who are now charged with murder.

The legal team for Freeman's family, led by high-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said his death was another example of an unarmed Black man killed without reason at the hands of law enforcement.

Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk is handling the case against the officers after Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy recused himself. Bonner is running for mayor in Memphis and Mulroy endorsed his opponent.

Funk's office was not immediately available for comment.

Bonner claimed that the indictments are intended to hurt him politically. Bonner also took exception to Funk releasing edited video footage of the incident in March, saying it was taken out of context and failed to include the "erratic and violent behavior" that led to Freeman being restrained.

The 14 minutes of video shows officers punching, kicking and pepper-spraying Freeman as they attempted to subdue him. It also shows Freeman prone on the ground with a knee on his back for more than five minutes.

Freeman had been taken into custody four days earlier on charges of aggravated kidnapping and domestic violence.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed OpenAI logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

WARSAW (Reuters) - A Polish watchdog is investigating Microsoft-backed OpenAI over a complaint that its ChatGPT chatbot breaks European Union data protection laws known as the GDPR, it said.

OpenAI has already faced at least its second class action lawsuit in San Francisco federal court for allegedly breaking privacy laws. It did not respond to requests for comment when the lawsuit was reported earlier this month.

"The case concerns the violation of many provisions on the protection of personal data, so we will ask Open AI to answer a number of questions," said Jan Nowak, President of Poland's Personal Data Protection Office (UODO).

According to UODO, the unnamed complainant said that OpenAI did not correct false information about them which had been generated by ChatGPT.

The complainant said they were unable to find out which of their personal data was processed by the company, and received evasive and misleading answers to questions.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

In addition to privacy cases, tech companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and Stability AI have been hit with recent lawsuits over the "scraping" of copyrighted materials and personal data from across the internet to train their generative AI systems.

OpenAI's ChatGPT became the fastest-growing consumer application in history earlier this year, reaching 100 million active users in January only two months after it was launched. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in the company.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Jan Harvey)
FILE PHOTO: The 80th Venice Film Festival - Awards Ceremony - Venice, Italy, September 9, 2023. Director Agnieszka Holland poses with the special Jury Prize award for the movie "Zielona Granica" (Green Border). REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland's government plans to run adverts ahead of some screenings of the prize-winning refugee drama "Green Border" to defend its treatment of migrants crossing the frontier from Belarus, a minister said on Thursday.

Directed by veteran Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, the film has drawn a furious response from conservatives in Poland ahead of its release in Polish cinemas on Friday.

The black-and-white film shows a family from Syria and a woman from Afghanistan thrown back and forward across the border by brutal guards indifferent to their suffering, as activists struggle to try to bring them to safety.

Migration has emerged as a main campaign theme ahead of the closely-contested Oct. 15 elections, with the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) saying only its government can ensure border security.

It says the film's depiction of what happens to migrants crossing into Poland from the east dishonours those who are protecting their country.

Deputy interior minister Blazej Pobozy called the film "disgusting slander".

"In arthouse cinemas throughout Poland, screenings will be preceded by a special ad about elements missing in the film", he told reporters.

"Our ads shows the context of the hybrid (border) operation and the course of this operation and what solutions we have introduced to secure the safety of Polish women and men."

It was not immediately clear on what basis cinemas would run the advert.

The Arthouse Cinemas Association, a grouping of 241 small movie theatre operators, said companies running cinemas "decide on their own on all aspects of their business activities, including the film repertoire and advertisements displayed".

Migrants started flocking to the border in 2021 after Belarus, a Russian ally, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering an unofficial route into Europe - a move Brussels said was designed to create a crisis. Poland refused to let them cross.

"Green Border", which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Venice Film Festival, tells the story of refugees, charity workers, activists and border guards, whose lives intersect in the cold, swampy forests between the two countries.

Director Holland has previously rejected criticism of the film, saying that it is "an attempt to give voice to those who are voiceless".

(Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alexandra Hudson)
A view shows the Mucem museum, the Fort Saint-Jean and La Major cathedral before the arrival of Pope Francis for a two-day visit as part of the Mediterranean Meetings (MED 2023) in Marseille, France, September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

By Philip Pullella

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -Pope Francis said on Friday that migrants who risk drowning at sea "must be rescued" because doing so was "a duty of humanity" and that those who impede rescues commit "a gesture of hate".

Francis, 86, spoke at an inter-religious prayer service before a monument dedicated to those lost at sea. Earlier, the city's archbishop, Cardinal Jean Marc Aveline, an Algerian-born Frenchman, criticized politicians who block NGOs and their ships from saving drowning people.

"We cannot be resigned to seeing human beings treated as bargaining chips, imprisoned and tortured in atrocious ways," Francis said. "We can no longer watch the drama of shipwrecks, caused by the cruel trafficking and the fanaticism of indifference."

The pope also said: "People who are at risk of drowning when abandoned on the waves must be rescued. It is a duty of humanity; it is a duty of civilization."

Some NGOs have complained that governments have blocked some of their ships from leaving Mediterranean ports for reasons the groups consider unjustifiable. Some have also complained that their ships are forced to dock at ports far from areas where migrant boats are usually found.

Aveline said "political institutions" commit "a crime just as grave" as that committed by human smugglers when they block rescuers. Moments later, Francis went off script to thank groups that rescue migrants.

"Many times they stop you from leaving because, they say, the ship is lacking something, missing this, missing that. These are gestures of hate against brothers," he said. "Thank you for all you do".

Neither the pope nor Aveline named any Mediterranean governments during the portside event, which had echoes of Francis' first visit as pope - in 2013 to Lampedusa, where he paid tribute to migrants who died at sea and condemned "the globalisation of indifference".

ABOUT 2,500 DEAD OR MISSING.

According to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, about 178,500 migrants have come to Europe in the year to date via the Mediterranean, while about 2,500 died or went missing on the way.

Nearly, 133,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year by sea, according to government data, nearly double the figure for the same period of 2022.

Italian and Greek sea rescue efforts have come under scrutiny following two major shipwrecks. Italy's conservative government has also faced criticism for restricting the activities of charity-run migrant rescue boats.

In February, a migrant boat that had set off from Turkey crashed on rocks near the southern Italian town of Cutro, leaving at least 94 dead. While the vessel was monitored by authorities, the coast guard did not intercept it in time.

In Greece, several survivors of a June 14 shipwreck in which hundreds of migrants died, claimed that their overcrowded fishing trawler capsizedafter a botched coast guard attempt to tow it. Greek authorities have denied this.

The pope, who was greeted at Marseilles airport by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and who will meet twice with President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, is making the 27-hour trip to Marseille to conclude a meeting of Catholic young people and bishops from the Mediterranean area.

While Francis has said often that migrants should be shared among the 27 EU countries, his overall openness towards migrants, including once calling their exclusion "scandalous, disgusting and sinful," has riled conservative politicians, not least in France.

"He behaves like a politician, or the head of an NGO, and not a pope," said Gilles Pennelle, general director of the far-right Rassemblement National party of Marine Le Pen, President Emmanuel Macron's main challenger in last year's presidential vote. He spoke in a telephone interview with Reuters before the pope made his comments praising NGOs who save migrants at sea.

(additional reporting by Layli Foroudi in Paris and and Alvise Armellini in Rome; Editing by David Gregorio and Alex Richardson)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a press conference concluding his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

By Parisa Hafezi and Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Iran has no issue with the U.N. nuclear watchdog's inspection of its nuclear sites, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Wednesday, days after Tehran barred multiple inspectors assigned to the country.

"We have no problem with the inspections but the problem is with some inspectors ... those inspectors that are trustworthy can continue their work in Iran," Raisi told a press conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Iran's move was a response to a call led by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors earlier this month for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the agency on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

"Tehran's decision was in reaction to some unfair statements by the Western members of the IAEA," Raisi said.

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has condemned Iran's "disproportionate and unprecedented" move.

Tehran's move, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is allowed; member states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and each country's safeguards agreement with the agency governing inspections.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Lincoln Feast.)
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea imposed fresh sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities in relation to North Korea's nuclear program and weapons trade with three countries, including Russia, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

North Korea's defence minister and the chief of staff of its military are among the individuals facing new sanctions, the ministry said in a statement.

The sanctions are in response to North Korea's illegal activities that threaten the global community, and peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, the ministry said.

The sanctions targeting four individuals and two entities related to North Korea's weapons trade with three countries, including Russia, involve a Slovakian company, Versor S.R.O., and its chief executive, Ashot Mkrtychev of Slovakia, it said.

The ministry did not provide details of the weapons trade.

The sanctions against the North's defence minister and the chief of staff of the military are in response to the North's nuclear and missile developments, the ministry said.

The move to impose sanctions comes after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said it would be a "direct provocation" if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons program in return for help for its war in Ukraine.

Yoon made the comments in his address to the U.N. General Assembly. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un made a weeklong visit to Russia last week and discussed military cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Jack Kim; Editing by Kim Coghill and Gerry Doyle)
By Maiya Keidan

TORONTO (Reuters) - Residents of the Canadian province of Alberta could save more than C$5 billion ($3.71 billion) in the first year if they transfer money out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) into a new scheme, a study commissioned by the Alberta government found.

The report by consultant LifeWorks, published on Thursday, said a provincial pension would lead to bigger payments in retirement and lower premiums for individuals and businesses, though the CPP has challenged the findings.

For CPP, which dwarfs all other pensions in Canada and acts for 21 million contributors and beneficiaries, such a departure would be a blow to its assets and income.

The study estimates that Alberta should be entitled to a C$334-billion asset transfer from CPP in 2027, based on how much they have contributed to the C$575 billion pension minus how much they have received in benefits.

"I believe that an Alberta pension plan would be fairer," Premier Danielle Smith told a news conference on Thursday. "I believe it's the right decision for our province."

Smith has clashed with the federal government and opposes its plan to cap oil and gas emissions, saying such an move would significantly harm the province's economy.

"The amount the report says could be extracted from the CPP is impossible and based on an invented formula," Michel Leduc, Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Public Affairs and Communications, CPP Investments said in a statement.

"References to how much a province might claim from the CPP Fund should be regarded with caution and a high degree of skepticism until many issues are resolved between federal and provincial governments."

However, he noted the pension respects the right of Albertans to consider withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday that CPP is one of the "crown jewels of Canada".

"The CPP ensures that our parents and all of us can have a safe and dignified retirement," she said. "It is a source of a huge amount of security for every single Canadian, from coast to coast to coast, and it is the envy of the world."

Albertans will have until spring 2024 to submit views on a provincial pension plan to a panel, which will submit a report to the Albertan government.

The government plans to introduce legislation before the end of the year that, if passed, would require a majority of Albertans to give their support in a referendum for an Albertan pension to be established.

Former Premier Jason Kenney announced in June 2020 that his government would study a recommendation from a panel to replace the CPP with a provincial plan. The panel said the change could mean Alberta, which has a young population, may contribute a lower percentage while maintaining similar benefits.

In its most recent annual report for the fiscal year to the end of March, CPP had ranked continued policy debates in the Province of Alberta on possibly exiting the CPP as one of its risks.

Any province has the right to withdraw under the Canada Pension Plan Act but written notice is required, enabling legislation has to be passed and the value of assets to be transferred must be negotiated.

Currently, all other Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, are part of CPP Investment Board.

($1 = 1.3484 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan, additional reporting by Steve Scherer; editing by Barbara Lewis and Josie Kao)
People stand near the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Aquatic Sports Arena ahead of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

By Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) -Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, his first visit to China since 2004 and his latest bid to end more than a decade of diplomatic isolation under Western sanctions.

Assad arrived aboard an Air China plane in heavy fog, which Chinese state media said "added to the atmosphere of mystery", a nod to the Syrian leader's infrequent trips abroad since 2011, when a civil war erupted that has killed more than half a million people.

The Syrian leader is set to attend Saturday's Asian Games opening ceremony with more than a dozen other foreign dignitaries before leading a delegation in meetings in several Chinese cities. He meets President Xi Jinping on Friday and has further meetings on Sunday and Monday in Beijing.

Being seen with China's president at a regional gathering should add further legitimacy to Assad's campaign to return to the world stage. Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and was welcomed back into the Arab League in May.

Faced with a crippled economy and little to show so far from his efforts to rebuild ties with Arab states, Assad is keen for financial support. But any Chinese or other investment in Syria risks entangling an investor in U.S. sanctions under the Caesar Act in 2020 that can freeze assets of anyone dealing with Syria.

"In his third term, Xi Jinping is seeking to openly challenge the United States, so I don't think it's a surprise that he is willing to go against international norms and host a leader like Assad," said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

"It will further marginalise China in the world, but he doesnt care about this," he said.

Assad's visit to China in 2004 was the first by a Syrian head of state since ties were established in 1956. China, like Syria's main backers Russia and Iran, maintained relations with Damascus as others isolated Assad over his crackdown when protests first erupted in 2011.

SANCTIONS

Assad's trip to China, lasting several days, is one of his longest spells abroad since the civil war flared.

Alongside the U.S., Syria faces sanctions from Australia, Canada and European states, but bids to impose multilateral sanctions have not secured the support of the U.N. Security Council, where China and Russia both have a veto.

China has used its veto at least eight times on U.N. motions condemning Assad's government. However, China has not directly supported the regime's efforts to regain control of the country.

Syria, a small oil producer, holds strategic significance for China. It lies between Iraq, a major oil supplier to China, and Turkey, the terminus of economic corridors stretching across Asia into Europe. Syria also borders Jordan and Lebanon.

In 2008 and 2009, Chinese state energy firms Sinopec Corp, Sinochem and CNPC invested a combined $3 billion in Syria, spurred by Beijing's call to acquire global oil and gas assets.

Investments included Sinochem's $900 million purchase of London-headquartered Emerald Energy, which had Syrian assets, although its operations in Syria halted in 2011, a partner firm said. CNPC, which was involved in producing oil at several small blocks, ceased production around 2014.

Analysts doubt Chinese firms are considering returning to Syria, given its poor security and dire financial situation.

"Syria has been trying to get investment from China for a long time ... but the big question is whether any proposals discussed during this visit turn into actual projects," said Samuel Ramani, an analyst at London's RUSI think-tank.

"At the moment, China is pretty frustrated with the West, and Syria is trying to develop ties with more countries, but can that be converted into something tangible?" he added.

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Kinda Makieh in Damascus and Aizhu Chen in Singapore; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Michael Georgy and Edmund Blair)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attend a press conference after their meeting in Sochi, Russia September 4, 2023. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS/File photo

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he does not agree with the negative approach other leaders are showing towards his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Turkish broadcasters quoted him as saying on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in New York after attending the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan said Russia was not a country that could be disregarded and repeated he was hopeful a solution could be found to revive the Black Sea grain initiative, which Moscow quit in July.

"Both leaders and prime ministers have negative approaches towards Putin. Of course, we don't carry or reflect this stance. I also don't find these approaches correct, because Russia is not a regular country," Erdogan was cited as saying.

"Be it with its surface area or its position in the world, Russia has a clear place. In terms of grain production, Russia is one of the few countries in the world now. Now, you cannot disregard a country like this," he said.

NATO ally Turkey has sought to maintain good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. It has provided military support to Ukraine and voiced support for its territorial integrity, but also opposes sanctions on Russia in principle.

Ankara has been working to convince Russia to return to the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative, which it brokered with the United Nations.

After Moscow's withdrawal ended a year of protected exports of grain from Ukrainian ports amid the war, Erdogan has said he would work with Putin, with whom he has good personal ties, to revive the deal, calling on Western countries to do their part.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)
FILE PHOTO: A barge carrying grains is being unloaded at the COMVEX terminal in Constanta harbour, in Constanta, Romania August 1, 2022. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS/File Photo

By Anna Pruchnicka

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine agreed to license its grain exports to Slovakia on Thursday and pushed for a deal with Poland to end restrictions by its neighbours on grain that it has been forced to send overland since Russia's invasion last year.

Slovakia, Poland and Hungary imposed national restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports last week after the European Union executive decided not to extend its ban on imports into those countries and fellow bloc members Bulgaria and Romania.

The countries have argued that cheap Ukrainian agricultural goods meant mainly to transit further west and to ports, get sold locally, harming their own farmers. The EU, which imposed its ban in May, let it expire on Friday after Ukraine vowed to tighten controls.

For much of the last year, some 60% of grain from Ukraine, one of the world's biggest exporters, has transited through the five eastern EU countries.

The row escalated as Ukraine, which turned to land routes to the west after a de facto Russian blockade of its Black Sea ports, filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the bans and threatened retaliatory import restrictions.

Slovakia's agriculture ministry said it had agreed with Ukraine to set up a licensing system for trading in grains, which, once established, would allow a ban on imports of four Ukrainian commodities to Slovakia to be lifted.

"(Ministers) agreed on creating a grain trade system based on issuing and controlling licences," the Slovak ministry said by email. "Until this system is up and running and fully tested, the ban on imports of four commodities from Ukraine remains in place."

Ukraine had agreed to drop its WTO complaint, the Slovak ministry said. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on that. A WTO spokesperson said there was no information at present on a possible cancellation of Ukraine's request for consultations.

Ukraine said its farm minister, in a phone call with his Polish counterpart, agreed to work out a solution to the grain dispute in the interests of both countries.

"There is no person in Ukraine who would be interested in creating any problems for Polish farmers," Ukraine's ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych told Poland's state-run news agency PAP, adding that he thought an accord on the grain issue could be reached.

Spain's agriculture minister said on Monday the bans seemed illegal while his French counterpart said they called European solidarity into question.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy angered his neighbours when he told the United Nations General Assembly Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but that the "political theatre" around grain imports was only helping Moscow.

Polish President Andrzej Duda was expected to meet Zelenskiy in New York, but no such meeting took place. Asked about it in an interview with private broadcaster TVN24, he said "the atmosphere has become tense" and that he felt bitter about Zelenskiy's words.

Yet he also said "of course" they were still friends and that he hoped to speak face to face with Zelenskiy as soon as the opportunity arises.

Ukraine last month announced a humanitarian corridor to release ships stuck in its ports bound for African and Asian markets. The corridor, which hugs the western shores of the Black Sea, aims to circumvent the de facto Russian blockade after Moscow abandoned a deal this summer that had guaranteed its exports during the war.

The first vessel loaded with grain from Ukraine to sail in and out of the Black Sea using the temporary corridor arrived off Turkey's Bosphorus Strait on Thursday.

(Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Jan Lopatka in Prague, Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva; writing by Philippa Fletcher; editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Richard Chang)
FILE PHOTO: A telecommunications worker attaches a ground cable next to fiber lines from a newly installed 5G antenna system made by Ericsson for AT&T's 5G wireless network in downtown San Diego, California, U.S., April 23, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. environmental regulator said Thursday soil sampling for lead in two Pennsylvania towns near telecommunications cables indicate "no threats to the health of people nearby that would warrant" an immediate government response, despite some findings of the pollutant.

The Environmental Protection Agency testing was prompted by an investigation by the Wall Street Journal of lead covered telecommunications cables across the United States. EPA sampled soil for lead near telecommunications cables in the Pennsylvania towns of Coal Center and California.

The EPA has established a national working group to consider next steps to ensure the public remains safe, which may include further analyses to better understand if the cables have released and continue to release lead.

EPA previously said testing in West Orange, New Jersey indicated that "there are no immediate threats to the health of people nearby."

The EPA said the Pennsylvania results do show some soil samples have lead concentrations above an EPA screening level of 400 parts per million.

"EPAs assessment of the data takes into account that most of the areas sampled are covered with grass and are not where children gather for long periods of time," the agency added.

Earlier this month, Verizon said third-party lead soil tests it commissioned and tests by the state of New York in Wappingers Falls concluded the lead levels do not pose a public health risk. Verizon said its third-party tests were consistent with EPA test results in West Orange.

Verizon did not immediately comment Thursday but told Congress this month "we were skeptical of the claims in the Wall Street Journal, but took them seriously because we prioritize the health and safety of our communities and our workforce."

In July, shares of AT&T fell to their lowest levels in thirty years, after analysts downgraded the stock following the report that it left toxic lead cables buried across the United States.

AT&T shares have largely recovered and are now down 2% from prices before the report. AT&T declined immediate comment Thursday.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Timothy Gardner)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to block consideration of a sweeping military funding bill for the fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1, further clouding the outlook on a separate, temporary funding bill to avert government shutdowns at the end of this month.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Makini Brice)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks after viewing the "Burma's Path To Genocide" exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/Pool/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will provide an additional $116 million in humanitarian aid for Myanmar, Bangladesh and the surrounding region to support Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Thursday.

With this new funding, the United States' total assistance for those affected by the crisis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the region totals more than $2.2 billion since August 2017, when over 740,000 Rohingya fled genocide, Blinken said.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson)
Prospectus Supplement

JOHN HANCOCK BOND TRUST JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST JOHN HANCOCK CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II JOHN HANCOCK CAPITAL SERIES JOHN HANCOCK MUNICIPAL SECURITIES TRUST JOHN HANCOCK CURRENT INTEREST JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BOND FUND JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS II JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS III JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES

Supplement dated September 21, 2023 to the current Prospectus, as may be supplemented (the Prospectus)

Effective immediately, in the Selling shares subsection in the Your Account section of the Prospectus under the heading Selling shares in writing for Class A, Class C, Class I, and Class R6 shares, as applicable, the first bullet point is amended and restated in its entirety in each funds Prospectus as follows:

 your address has been changed within the past 30 days or bank of record has changed within the past 15 days, and you would like the payment to be sent to your new address or bank,

You should read this Supplement in conjunction with the Prospectus and retain it for your future reference.

Manulife, Manulife Investment Management, Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by its affiliates under license.
0001671284 false 8000 Norman Center Drive Suite 900 Minneapolis Minnesota 0001671284 2023-09-15 2023-09-15









UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934





Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)





Bright Health Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-40537 47-4991296 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

8000 Norman Center Drive Suite 900 , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55437 Address of Principal Executive Office (Zip Code)

( 612 ) 238-1321

Registrant's telephone number, including area code





Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)





Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):





 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)





 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)





 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))





 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share BHG New York Stock Exchange





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 





If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

o









Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.





On September 15, 2023, Bright Health Group, Inc. (Bright Health or the Company) and Jeff Cook, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, agreed that Mr. Cook will be leaving the Company, effective October 13, 2023. Mr. Cook's duties will be redistributed to other members of the Company's management team. Upon his departure, Mr. Cook will be entitled to receive separation benefits in accordance with the Companys previously disclosed 2021 Severance Plan.









Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.





(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit

No. Description 104 The cover page from the Current Report on Form 8-K formatted in Inline XBRL.









SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.





BRIGHT HEALTH GROUP, INC. Date: September 21, 2023 By: /s/ Jeff Craig Name: Jeff Craig Title: General Counsel and Corporate Secretary









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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2023

Registration No. 333-135506

Registration No. 333-150869

Registration No. 333-157927

Registration No. 333-157929

Registration No. 333-160222

Registration No. 333-164468

Registration No. 333-172041

Registration No. 333-180517

Registration No. 333-187254

Registration No. 333-194624

Registration No. 333-201204

Registration No. 333-205482

Registration No. 333-210053

Registration No. 333-217660

Registration No. 333-218847

Registration No. 333-224781

Registration No. 333-226507

Registration No. 333-228218

Registration No. 333-230097

Registration No. 333-237084

Registration No. 333-254857

Registration No. 333-263579

Registration No. 333-270646

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-135506

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-150869

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-157927

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-157929

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-160222

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-164468

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-172041

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-180517

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-187254

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-194624

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-201204

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-205482

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-210053

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-217660

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-218847

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-224781

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-226507

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-228218

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-230097

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-237084

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-254857

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-263579

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-270646

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

PARATEK PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 33-0960223 (State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization) (IRS employer identification number)

75 Park Plaza

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(617) 807-6600

(Address of principal executive offices)

Novacea, Inc. 2006 Incentive Award Plan

Amended 2001 Stock Option Plan of Novacea, Inc.

2006 Incentive Award Plan

Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Option Plan

2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

2006 Incentive Award Plan (Amended and Restated effective June 2, 2010)

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, As Amended

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Incentive Award Plan, as amended and restated

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2015 Inducement Plan

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Inducement Plan

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Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017 Inducement Plan, as amended

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Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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(Tribune News Service)  A cadre of Bay State lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called on the U.S. Air Force to open up on the status of a planned semiconductor lab at a base outside Boston that they say serves a vital national security need.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, joined by U.S. House Democratic Whip Katherine M. Clark, D- 5th District, and U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan, D- 3rd District, and Seth Moulton, D- 6th District, sent the letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on Wednesday, asking him for a status update on the projects at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.

Work on the $279 million Compound Semiconductor Laboratory and Microsystem Integration Facility at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Lincoln Laboratory campus has already begun. And officials will start taking bids on a separate Engineering Prototyping Facility next year, a source with knowledge of the matter told MassLive.

In their letter, the lawmakers also asked Kendall for an update on efforts to update aging buildings and infrastructure at the MIT campus at the base, which provides critical support for U.S. national security.

The documented facility deterioration threatens [its] future ability to provide advanced mission-enabling technologies to the military, the lawmakers wrote.

The Air Force awarded the contract for the semiconductor laboratory in February 2022, saying the project would provide the new, 161,000 square-foot compound thats required for development of advanced technologies.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2025, the Air Force said in its statement at the time.

Resilient and sustainable infrastructure is critical to Air and Space Force operations and missions globally, Col. Dave Norton, the deputy director of Air Forces Civil Engineer Centers Facilities Engineer Directorate, said in the statement.

The Air Forces engineering center continues to partner with installations enterprise-wide to provide integrated infrastructure solutions required for effective execution of their missions and priorities, Norton continued.

In their Wednesday letter, the lawmakers stressed the importance of both phases of the project, noting that they wanted to ensure that both projects remain on track.

The lawmakers also said they wanted to [seek]clarity on future funding for this project given variances in past budget requests for the project, which first showed up on the Air Forces budgetary radar in 2016, and was the product of seven years worth of advance legwork.

We understand the challenges posed by the construction of the two unique, state-of-the-art facilities, but want to underscore that your engagement with this project has been, and remains, essential to its timely completion, they wrote.

According to the Air Force, MITs lab at the base, which also is home 66th Air Base Group, dates to the 1950s, and it boasts a long history of supporting the nations armed forces with technological advancements.

That means, in turn, that researchers [require] modern and safe facilities to continue to innovate technology for the nation such as radars, lasers and microelectronics that are key to modern defense systems, Norton said.

In their letter to Kendall, Warren, Markey, and the House lawmakers said much the same, noting that the projects will provide the Defense Department with an urgently needed, trusted micro-electronics R&D capability.

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U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon Horvath, a machine gunner with the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, holds a fighting position during an exercise at Camp Adazi, Latvia, on Sept. 16, 2023. The 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team will deploy 3,400 soldiers to Europe to replace the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. (Oscar Gollaz/U.S. Army)

The U.S. Army will send another infantry brigade and division headquarters to Eastern Europe in the coming months, meaning that the Pentagon is sticking with a larger force presence established after Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., will deploy 3,400 soldiers to replace the divisions 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team this fall, the Army announced Wednesday.

The units primarily will be based out of locations in Romania, but also will carry out missions stretching up to the High North, said Col. Martin ODonnell, U.S. Army Europe and Africa spokesman.

Additionally, about 200 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters at Fort Liberty, N.C., will replace a 10th Mountain Division headquarters that has been operating out of Romania.

The deployments are one-for-one unit replacements and will not change the overall U.S. force posture in the region, the Army said.

U.S. Army Pfc. Bishop Durham, a grenadier with the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, trains with Latvian and Polish troops in Adazi, Latvia, on Sept. 16, 2023. The unit will be relieved in Europe by soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Fort Campbell, Ky. (Cesar Salazar Jr./U.S. Army) Army Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, delivers an address at the 79th commemoration of Operation Market Garden at Sint-Oedenrode, Netherlands, on Sept. 17, 2023. (Caleb Pautz/U.S. Army)

There was an ongoing debate in the Pentagon about whether to replace soldiers deployed to Europe at all, NBC News reported earlier this month.

Some U.S. officials argued that those troops and funds could be used elsewhere, NBC reported, citing unidentified defense officials.

Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, said Wednesday that the mission to reinforce NATOs eastern flank remains vital to maintaining security on the European continent.

The 3rd BCT will maneuver along NATOs eastern flank, carrying out exercises with other U.S. and allied units.

The infantrymen and the division headquarters overseeing them give U.S. Army Europe and Africa a larger presence in southeastern Europe and the broader Black Sea region.

Many of the other rotational units now in Europe are concentrated more in the north, with Poland serving as a main operational hub for an armored brigade and various headquarters elements.

The U.S. has roughly 100,000 troops in Europe, up from around 80,000 operating on the Continent shortly ahead of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.
NASA astronaut candidate Francisco Rubio waves as he is introduced as one of 12 new astronaut candidates, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, during an event at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. (U.S. Army)

The reality facing American astronaut and Army Lt. Col. Frank Rubio dawned on him slowly, he said, as a tangle of unexpected hiccups unfolded hundreds of miles above Earth on the International Space Station.

First, a Soyuz capsule  the Russian spacecraft that had brought Rubio to the ISS last September  sprung a coolant leak in mid-December, jeopardizing his ride home. The discovery of a similar leak in another spacecraft attached to the ISS slowed plans to send Rubio and his crewmates a replacement in February.

Rubio and his two Russian crewmates, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, were never in grave danger aboard the ISS as NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos scrambled to secure their journey home. But the incident disrupted the timeline of their six-month-long mission. Rubio, who launched into space with Prokopyev and Petelin on his first spaceflight in September 2022, would spend twice the amount of time hed planned to in orbit. He wouldnt be able to return to his Miami home for a whole year.

When it finally became real that it was going to require me to stay for a full year, [it] was difficult, Rubio, 47, said from the ISS in a Tuesday news conference.

Rubio, floating in zero gravity inside an ISS compartment, reflected on his unexpected year in space as the end of his mission finally nears. He is set to return to Earth on Sept. 27, but not before entering NASAs history books. Last week, Rubio broke NASAs single spaceflight record for continuous days spent in space by an American, the agency announced. NASAs previous record, set by astronaut Mark Vande Hei between 2021 and 2022, was 355 days. Rubio will have spent 371 by the time he returns home.

Would he have signed up for such an extended stay at the ISS from the outset?

Obviously if, if they had asked me upfront before you start training ... I probably would have declined, Rubio said, explaining that he wouldnt have wanted to miss important events with his family.

I just would have had to say, Thank you, but no thank you,  Rubio said.

But Rubio added that he was committed to the mission  and resolving any mishaps along the way  once training for his spaceflight began.

Having the International Space Station going for 23 years requires a lot of individual and family sacrifices, Rubio said. But sometimes thats what you have to do.

While aboard the ISS, Rubio participated in several research projects as NASA prepares for future space missions, the agency said. He grew tomatoes outside of soil to investigate crop production in space, serviced a device for 3D-printed knee cartilage tissue in zero gravity and donned a spacesuit to install new solar arrays on the ISS exterior.

Rubio became a research subject himself as well, as NASA scientists used him and other ISS crewmates to test whether smaller exercise devices could adequately replace the ISS treadmills on future missions to the moon and Mars.

All those projects, however, were overshadowed a few months into the mission. NASA and Roscosmos officials announced in January that the Soyuz intended to take Rubio, Prokopyev and Petelin home had a coolant leak, probably after being damaged in a micrometeoroid strike.

The Soyuz was deemed unfit to serve as a return vehicle. A replacement craft was sent to the station in February. Ultimately, Rubios return date was set for September, confirming that hed break a record  and spend an entire year far away from home.

Its been a mixed emotional roller coaster, Rubio said Tuesday.

Rubio said he was honored to break the record but added that his stint was a team effort. He praised NASA and the other astronauts whod accompanied him on the ISS, shrugging off a question about celebrating the end of his mission with a commemorative patch.

If we do make a patch, they better make a whole lot of them, Rubio said.

When Rubio returns to Earth, his body will need to readjust to bearing its own weight after over a year in zero gravity, he said. It might take him months to feel normal. But Rubio has plenty to look forward to  he said the first thing he will do when he returns home is hug his wife and kids. Then he plans to sit in his backyard in Miami to watch the trees and revel in something else he could never enjoy in over a year spent in space: silence.

You know, up here we kind of have the constant hum of machinery thats keeping us alive, Rubio said. Its very important, but it is just a constant hum that you probably hear in the background. And so Im looking forward to just being outside and enjoying the peace and quiet.
U.S. soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment fire an AT4 anti-tank weapon during Orient Shield at Kamifurano Training Area, Japan, Sept. 14, 2023. (Kalina Hyche/U.S. Army)

Thousands of American and Japanese soldiers have honed their multidomain skills across Japan this month, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific told reporters recently on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Orient Shield, which began Sept. 14 and ends Saturday, involves 1,200 U.S. soldiers training alongside 2,300 Japanese troops on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japans four main islands, and on its southern islands of Kyushu and Okinawa. The exercise gives soldiers practice in intelligence, information, cyber, electronic warfare and space operations.

These exercises, and this training, and these rehearsals are critical to strengthening our alliance, Gen. Charles A. Flynn said Wednesday, according to the transcript of a press conference at Yausubetsu Training Area provided Thursday by U.S. Army Japan.

The 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., which Flynn described as a targeting brain, is taking part in the drills.

The battalion falls under U.S. Army Pacifics 1st Multi-Domain Task Force and is building up to include 500 soldiers next year. It includes sub-units individually focused on all the fields rehearsed during Orient Shield.

The battalion mission is to help U.S. forces enter and operate in strategic parts of the Indo-Pacific, its commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Mroszczyk, told Stars and Stripes at Camp Zama, headquarters of U.S. Army Japan southeast of Tokyo, on Saturday.

Chinas anti-access/area denial strategy uses ballistic and cruise missiles along with air and maritime defense to deter U.S. military operations in the region, according to the Virginia-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

Chinas A2/AD is concentrated around Taiwan and the South China Sea, putting U.S. military forces  such as a Carrier Strike Group  and installations in the region within range of precision-guided cruise and ballistic missiles, the alliance states on its website.

U.S. Army soldiers participate in the Orient Shield exercise at Kamifurano Training Area, Japan, Sept. 17, 2023. (Michael Flesch/U.S. Navy)

The Pentagon released photographs Wednesday of the Tennessee National Guard firing a High Mobility Artillery Missile System that day at Yausubetsu as part of Orient Shield.

Another Washington-based unit on Hokkaido  the 1st Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division  brought its armored vehicles equipped with mortars to Japan, unit commander Lt. Col. Tom Angstadt told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

During the bilateral platoon live-fire the Japanese were firing 155 mm Howitzers and we were firing 120 mm and 60 mm mortars, he said.

Russia, with its own anti-access/area denial capabilities, according to the missile defense alliance, will view the Hokkaido training as a threat, James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple Universitys Japan campus, said in an email Wednesday.

The Russian government has recently been attempting to portray Japan as being back on the path to militarism and a potential threat to Russia, he said. Im not sure it is helpful for Japan and the US to provide fuel for this false narrative.
Work continued on a Marine Corps runway into Oura Bay at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Sept. 15, 2022. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Japanese Cabinet minister this week gave Okinawas governor until Wednesday to approve design changes for a coastal airfield planned to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma or face further legal action from Tokyo.

Tetsuo Saito, the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, on Tuesday notified Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki by letter that the prefecture must approve the changes for a Marine Corps runway under construction at Oura Bay in northeastern Okinawa, a spokesman from the prefectural Department of Civil Engineering and Construction said by phone Thursday.

Tamaki can either approve fresh permits, deny them on new grounds or ignore the request, the spokesman said. If the governor denies the permits again, Tokyo will again order approval. If Tamaki continues to resist, Tokyo may file suit, the spokesman said.

We are looking at these three options and considering what measures to take, the spokesman said. The final decision will be made by Gov. Tamaki.

Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Tamakis refusal to sign off on construction changes in November 2021 kicked off a protracted legal fight that ended Sept. 4 when Japans Supreme Court ordered him to approve the permits.

Tamaki argued that the soft seabed in the construction zone posed a hazard and that Tokyo had failed to consider the environmental impact on the critically endangered dugong, a cousin of the manatee protected by Japanese law.

The airfield being built at the Marine base Camp Schwab is meant to replace MCAS Futenma in urban Ginowan. That base, surrounded by city neighborhoods, is considered inherently dangerous by some Japanese officials.

Tamakis failure to approve the permitting significantly harms public interest, Saitos letter states, according to the spokesman.

The land ministry hopes Tamaki approves the plan, a spokesman from its Water and Disaster Management Bureau said by phone Thursday. He declined to discuss what steps the government would take if Tamaki failed to approve the permits.

The runway project dates to 1995 when two Marines and a Navy corpsman kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old girl. During the mass protests that followed, Ginowan residents called for closing MCAS Futenma.

Schwab was chosen in 1997 and a plan unveiled in 2006. Former Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima approved the project in 2013 and reclamation of the site began five years later.

Successive Okinawa governors have mounted legal challenges meant to slow or kill the project, which was only 14% complete as of May. Out of 13 lawsuits filed, the prefecture has lost seven, four have been withdrawn and two are ongoing, one in Naha District Court and the other in Fukuoka High Court.

The project, originally slated for completion by 2014, will now take until at least 2032 and cost the Japanese government $6.9 billion, at last estimates.
Sailors pause for prayer at the annual Navy Gold Star Programs Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members event at the Kosano Park on Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  Almost 200 sailors who died on duty throughout the Navy in the past year were honored Thursday morning at the homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet with flowers, kind words and support from fellow sailors and their families.

About 100 people attended the Navy Gold Star Programs Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members event at Kosano Park on the naval base.

The eighth annual Bells Across America, an hour-long ceremony, was held at U.S. bases worldwide. Yokosuka Naval Base, the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, marked the event for the third time.

Its important for us to be there for each other, especially as we remember the service and the sacrifice (of those sailors), but also the sacrifice that continues to be made by their families, base commander Capt. Les Sobol told Stars and Stripes at the event.

The ceremony opened with a chaplains prayer, followed by words from Sobol. Thirty volunteer sailors standing in formation in their summer white uniforms read the names of 196 fallen sailors from the past year.

Among the names was Petty Officer 2nd Class Miguel Cortes, an aviation ordnanceman at Yokosuka who died Aug. 24 at a local hospital after he collided on his motorcycle with another motorist outside a base gate.

Yuko Bivins, a Gold Star family member at the ceremony, remembered her late husband, Cmdr. Frank Bivins, who died of cancer in 2017, according to his obituary.

Its been six years since my husband passed away, but coming back here, together with everyone, means a lot, and I can remember my husband and what he has done, she said.

After the reading of fallen sailors names, Sobol, followed by the sailors, brought a flower to the front of the gathering. Then Gold Star family members came forward and finally anyone else at the ceremony.

Taps and a prayer brought the ceremony to an end for another year as sailors and their families paid their respects to Gold Star families.
The USV Ranger, an unmanned surface vessel, completed its first trip to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, with the USV Mariner on Sept. 18, 2023. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  Two of the U.S. Navys first autonomous ships arrived at the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet on Monday, a journey across the Pacific that marked several firsts and tested the ships durability.

The USV Ranger and USV Mariner, both unmanned surface vessels homeported at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., arrived at Yokosuka after several weeks of operations in the Indo-Pacific.

The ships over the past month participated in exercises like Large Scale Exercise 2023  operating in conjunction with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its strike group  while Navy evaluated the new technology, according to Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, head of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One.

During these operations, we seek to gather new insights into these emerging technologies to provide essential learning opportunities for our leadership to set a course for future unmanned projects and additional prototypes; and eventually full integration into fleet operations, Daley told media pierside at Yokosuka on Thursday.

Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, commander of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One, discusses the USV Ranger on the ship's bridge at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

The unmanned vessels long journey also allowed the Navy to gather data from the ships autonomous features, and on the durability of the ships sensor suites, mechanical equipment and other systems, Daley said later aboard the Ranger.

Part of the Navys Ghost Fleet Overlord program  formerly headed by the Defense Departments Strategic Capabilities Office and aimed at developing autonomous capabilities  the two ships can be crewed or operated remotely. When crewed, the ships typically have both sailors and civilian contractors aboard, according to division spokesman Ensign Pierson Hawkins.

The Ranger and Mariner are the Navys first and third USVs, respectively, and represent different stages of experimentation. Built by Gulf Craft in Louisiana, the ships are essentially fast supply vessels that would carry cargo or personnel to offshore sites such as oil rigs.

The Strategic Capabilities Office designed Ranger, but Navy input into Mariners construction allowed it to integrate a few things into the vessel and free up space for more technology and other capabilities, according to Daley.

He said he could not elaborate further on the two ships equipment or capabilities other than that they were similar.

Daley also couldnt comment on the specifics of past operations, such as their exercise performance the past month, but described the ships as force multipliers.

Initially designed as simply a truck intended for transportation, the ships now specialize in surveillance and reconnaissance in underwater, surface and aerial environments, he said.

In one scenario, a guided-missile destroyer and two USVs could potentially replace three destroyers on a tactical level, Daley said. The swap would represent a fraction of the cost and manpower needed to field three destroyers.

The ships could also strengthen defenses against weapons such as ballistic missiles, he said, and the Navy is exploring that capability.

Primarily, the ships would allow the Navy to expand its presence in the Pacific.

Having smaller, capable platforms that can connect tactically allows manned vessels to operate at farther distances from potential enemies while keeping the tactical picture and tactical relevancy, he said.
Comedienne Kathy Griffin and Army Lt. Dan Choi, an Arabic linguist kicked out of the service under the dont ask, dont tell law, speak at a Washington, D.C. rally Mar. 18, 2010, to repeal the militarys ban on openly gay servicemembers. (Leo Shane III/Stars and Stripes)

This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition, Sep. 21, 2011. It is republished unedited in its original form.

NAPLES, Italy  Jeremy Johnson didnt want to get out of the Navy in 2007. He was a petty officer first class with a shot at making chief. But he also didnt want to live a lie.

After dealing with what he called a hostile command environment, Johnson, 34, told his commander in a letter that he was gay, and he was discharged under dont ask, dont tell.

Johnson is one of an unknown number of gay troops discharged under DADT who will seek to reenlist now that the policy ended Tuesday. Its unclear whether there will be room for those men and women in an environment of full recruitment quotas, troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan and a concerted effort to cut defense spending.

Recruiting has been robust recently. Each branch of the military, active duty and Reserve, has met or exceeded its recruiting goals so far this year.

Recruiting is as good as its ever been, said Tom Goering, a retired Navy recruiter who now runs the blog navycs.com. Theres just no seats available.

With unemployment nationwide stubbornly lingering near 10 percent, the economys not helping, he said.

Johnson was a mass communication specialist before being discharged in 2007. He sought help from U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., this year to find out from the Navy how he could re-enlist and do his old job once the DADT repeal took effect.

According to a March letter to the lawmaker from Navy Recruiting Command  provided to Stars and Stripes by Johnson  Johnsons mass communication specialist rating is currently overmanned at 104 percent. So Johnson will be unable to re-enter the Navy doing his old job.

If (Johnson) still desires reaccession in the Navy, he should begin reviewing other rates available that are of interest to him, the letter states. Due to recent successes in retention, decreased attrition, and planned reductions in end strength, vacancies in the United States Navy are very limited.

Re-enlistment options for any Navy veteran discharged under eligible categories are based on the needs of the Navy, Navy Recruiting Command spokesman Jeffrey Nichols said in an email.

Prior service applicants are encouraged to consider other ratings in addition to the rating they held before leaving the Navy.

The greatest needs are in the most challenging career fields such as nuclear power, Navy diver, air rescue swimmers, explosive ordnance disposal and Navy SEALs.

While a sailors discharge paperwork would contain certain classifications if they were discharged for homosexuality, Nichols said it is unknown how many sailors were discharged under DADT and how many are now eligible to re-enlist or plan to re-enlist.

When he heard his old job was overmanned, Johnson said he considered other ratings, but some of them have an age limit that disqualified him.

A lot of us have been handicapped by age, he said. Sailors discharged under DADT will not receive preferential treatment if they attempt to get back into the Navy, Nichols said.

Members separated under DADT who want to return to the military will be evaluated according to the same criteria and requirements applicable to all others seeking re-entry, he said.

For now, Johnson is setting his sights on the Reserves as he gets ready to graduate from college in May.

After that, he said, hes considering the officer route to get back into uniform and into the rhythm again.

When he came out in 2007, he didnt think hed ever have the chance to get back into the Navy. Its not like I was failing professionally, Johnson said. I never really wanted to leave.

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Early German movies and books about the Americans deployed to Ramstein Air Base focused on the swift changes that the soldiers had on the region as well as on fears of corruption, both financial and moral. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

A strange sight greeted me as I entered the special exhibition at the Docu Center in Ramstein village: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

The 2011 video game sat in its green plastic shell atop a pedestal, protected by a display case and bathed in soft lighting, as if it were the Hope Diamond.

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the ways in which the nearby Ramstein Air Base and other bases have been depicted in highbrow art and pop culture over the decades.

An American visitor would maybe be surprised how much German media or German music deals with Ramstein Air Base, said Mario Aulenbacher, the centers director. Its a big difference between the Germans idea of Ramstein Air Base, and the Americans idea.

Mario Aulenbacher, director of Docu Center Ramstein, researched movies, books and video games for a project that examined how American and German artists depicted Ramstein Air Base over the years. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

The movies, books and other works of art highlighted at the center offer an illuminating look at how Americans and Germans have differed in their views of the U.S. military presence in Rheinland-Pfalz, which the Docu Center says has been home of more than 170 U.S. military sites at different times over the decades.

In American pop culture, it seems that Ramstein is just another military airfield in a vast collection of strongholds around the world.

Posters for Hollywood movies are displayed near the video games at the exhibition, along with a blurb explaining how Ramstein is portrayed.

Whether in Air Force One, Mission Impossible: Fallout or Knight and Day, the base is often relegated to a transit hub, a temporary stop for protagonists on their way to or from more interesting locations.

Examples are given of U.S. network television shows that mention Ramstein, but these references are often a single line of hasty dialogue.

An exhibition running at Docu Center Ramstein in Germany showcases American media that refers to Ramstein Air Base, such as the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which has one level that mentions the base. American culture tends to use the base as a stepping stone to or from wars or conflict elsewhere. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Even Call of Duty mentions Ramstein almost as an afterthought, when during a Russian land invasion of Germany, the base is just another battlefield far away from the players location.

But for Germans, the base and the surrounding area hold a deeper meaning. The curated selection of German films, books and art provides a window into the anxieties and sentiments about the American military presence.

Early films, set against the backdrop of Ramsteins establishment in the 1950s, show the fears that Germans had about the Americans moving into the region.

In film portrayals, Germans feared that the Americans brought with them moral decay, a penchant for drunken bar fights and a hunger for tawdry red-light districts.

To give some credit to the sensibilities of those mid-century Germans, on my way to the exhibition I did pass a crass ad for a strip club that said pimp my booty.

A section for movies and TV programs about the 1988 Ramstein air show disaster, which killed 70 people and injured hundreds, highlights how that horrific tragedy continues to resonate in the German psyche. A corner of the exhibit showcases the band Rammstein, which got its name from the airshow disaster.

The special exhibit at the Docu Center Ramstein highlighting movies, video games and books depicting Ramstein Air Base runs until Nov. 5, 2023. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

Later films highlighted another tension, as the Gulf War and especially the 9/11 attacks led to heightened security, the closure of the bases gates and imposing fences that shut out civilians.

In the wake of that, Germans began believing more conspiracy theories about the Americans, said Aulenbacher, who recalled that as a child in the late 1980s, he could simply ride his bike onto the base in Baumholder.

Though the films do not explicitly castigate the American military or NATO, there exists a subtle undercurrent of critique, a common theme of wondering what evils those American troops must be hiding behind their fences and their insistent smiles.

In one show, German detectives search for a killer. The culprit is not the Middle Eastern immigrant they suspected, but instead an American drone pilot with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Docu Center Ramstein features dresses worn in Ein Hauch von Amerika (A Touch of America), a six-episode drama that portrayed burgeoning relationships between Germans and American soldiers in the 1950s. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

A display reminds visitors of the unsettling fact that notorious serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Gary Michael Heidnik once served as soldiers in this region during the Cold War.

My favorite discovery from the exhibit is the horror movie Lost Place, directed by a Kaiserslautern native.

The exhibition inspired me to watch the film, in which four teens venture into the regions forests, where they stumble upon the villain: the U.S. military-industrial complex.

Their happy walk ends when they discover a hidden American base where secret experiments take place, kicking off a plot that ends in a radioactive nightmare.

The movie gave me pause for reflection on the sobering notion that in a real nuclear war, this area would be a primary target.

It encapsulated the duality of life next to Ramstein, where people complain that nothing ever happens, and then a fighter jet zooms overhead.

The assemblage of American and German art at the Docu Center may at times turn into a mere game of recognition for those who have watched these films or a see also Wikipedia page but in real life.

And yet the exhibition also serves as a great entry point into the cultural tapestry depicting the regions complex relationship with Ramstein.

Docu Center Ramstein

Address: Schernauer Strasse 46, Ramstein-Miesenbach. Near the Azur swimming pool, across the street from the Reichswald-Gymnasium.

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 2-5 p.m.; the special exhibition runs through Nov. 5.

Cost: Free

Information: Online: dc-ramstein.de; info@dc-ramsteinde; +49 6371-838-005. Most displays are in English and German. Guided tours are available upon request.
Myrtle-roasted lamb from Touch of Salt, a fine-dining restaurant near Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in Queensland, Australia. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

American troops training in Australia are finding ample opportunities to explore this distinctive culture, including its outstanding cuisine.

A Touch of Salt  situated along Ross Creek in Townsville, Queensland  is the perfect setting for a casual dinner or a special event. Just off Victoria Bridge, this restaurant offers a fine-dining experience in a calm setting without the stuffy pretense.

Reservations are preferred via its website  space is typically available on the day  but A Touch of Salt welcomes walk-ins, too. It is easy to reach by foot from downtown Townsville and about a 15-minute drive from Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville.

A Touch of Salt, situated along Ross Creek in Townsville in Queensland, Australia, is the perfect setting for a casual dinner or a special event. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

I cant say enough about the friendly service. The staff greet guests with a cordial smile, checked on me throughout my meal and attended kindly to every request.

The Touch of Salt menu borders on universal; it accommodates every taste and comes with gluten-free, dairy-free and plant-based options from appetizers to entrees to desserts.

Myrtle-roasted lamb from Touch of Salt, a fine-dining restaurant near Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in Queensland. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

My choice of myrtle-roasted lamb came cooked just as I ordered, with soubise (a thickened onion sauce) a spicy chimichurri and sides of sweet potato and green beans. It cost 44 Australian dollars, or about $28.37. Cleaning my plate was no problem.

A Touch of Salt is typically booked solid, but I lucked out and was seated as a walk-in. My table had a view of the Coral Sea as a tide of patrons filled the dining room.

A Touch of Salt

Location: 86-124 Ogden St, Townsville City QLD 4810, Australia

Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday through Thursday; Noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.

Prices: Appetizers start at 12 Australian dollars. Entrees top out at 24 dollars. Plant-based items 18 to 28 Australian dollars, depending on the size.

Dress: Business casual

Directions: A few blocks north from Queensland Country Bank Stadium, right off the Victoria Bridge. Taxis and public transportation serve the city.

Information: Phone: +61 7-4724-4441; Online: atouchofsalt.com.au
The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat in Nagano, Japan, is accessible year-round. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

The macaque, or snow monkey, is familiar to any Netflix subscriber  the animals are featured on programs like Wild Babies and Night on Earth.

A firsthand, up-close encounter with these iconic primates is an essential experience in the island nation, as any woodland hiker in Japan will attest. A trip to their surroundings in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano prefecture will check that box on your list of Japanese things to do.

The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat in Nagano, Japan, is accessible year-round. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

The macaque is popularly associated with lounging in hot springs in snowy forests, but its national park habitat is accessible year-round, in warm months from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The icy, sometimes slushy winter trail in warmer months is an easy hike from the parking lot to the Joshinetsu Kogens entrance.

The macaques are spread out through the entire park. Many are within camera range, but visitors are prohibited from using drones or other gear that will startle the animals.

The monkeys at Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan, are not afraid to approach humans, and theyre known to deliver a slap to human paparazzi who get out of line. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

There is really no need for any special lens; the monkeys are not afraid to approach humans, and theyre known to deliver a slap to human paparazzi who get out of line.

Otherwise, the rules are few and visitors have free range to watch the monkeys, even right up to the communal hot spring where the macaques congregate and their youngsters play.

Feeding time comes as the park is closing, and park employees throw what looks like a seed mixture to the monkeys. The experience can be intense as the animals exit the hot spring and make for the chow line.

The macaques are spread out through Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano, Japan. Many are within camera range, but visitors are prohibited from using drones or other gear that will startle the animals. (Jennessa Davey/Stars and Stripes)

The drive from central Tokyo can take about three hours on the expressway, but its worth the trip. The mountains are beautiful and warrant a stop to take pictures.

No outside food is allowed in the park, but a pastry and ramen shop are side by side next to the parking lots before the hike to the park.

On the QT

Directions: Set your GPS or Google Maps for 6845 Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano prefecture; roughly a three- to four-hour drive from Tokyo.

Times: Varies by season.

Costs: Park admission is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children.

Food: No food is allowed in the park, at least for humans.

Information: jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed "wholehearted support" for Azerbaijan in a call with counterpart Ilham Aliyev following Baku's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Turkish presidency said.

"President Erdogan reiterated Turkey's wholehearted support for Azerbaijan to Aliyev," Erdogan's office said, adding that the two discussed "the latest situation in the operation initiated by Azerbaijan".

Erdogan's expression of support follows Azerbaijan's announcement on Wednesday that it had regained control over breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time in decades after Armenian separatists agreed to lay down their arms in the face of a military operation that they said killed 200 people.

The stunning collapse of separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his quest to bring the Armenian-majority region back under Baku's control.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

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.

A day after Azerbaijan launched its military operation, Baku and the ethnic Armenian authorities in Karabakh announced a ceasefire had been brokered by Russian peacekeepers.

"Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty as a result of successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh," Aliyev said in a televised address.

He 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.

Late on Wednesday, Armenia's defence ministry said Azerbaijan had fired on its positions along the border between the arch-foes. Such frontier skirmishes are frequent.

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A South Korean KF-16 out of Seosan Air Base, South Korea, takes flight Aug. 20, 2014. (Taylor Curry/U.S. Air Force)

SEOUL, South Korea  A South Korean air force KF-16 fighter crashed Thursday morning shortly after takeoff at a base in Seosan city, about 60 miles southwest of Seoul, according to an air force spokesman.

The KF-16 from the 20th Fighter Wing crashed just after at 8:20 a.m. inside Seosan Air Force Base as it departed for a routine flight, the spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone on Thursday.

South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on the customary condition of anonymity.

The pilot, the only crew member, ejected from the aircraft and was checked out at a nearby hospital; no other injuries or damage to structures occurred, the spokesman said.

The KF-16 was not involved with a joint flight with the U.S. military at the time of the crash, he added.

The incident marks the second KF-16 crash in less than a year. On Nov. 20, a KF-16 pilot ejected from his aircraft before it crashed on a mountain near Wonju, about 50 miles southeast of Seoul, due to a maintenance error, air force officials said at the time.

KF-16s, a South Korean version of the U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon, regularly drill alongside U.S. fighters. The aircraft flew with South Korean F-35A Lightning IIs and U.S. Fighting Falcons near the peninsulas west coast for a rapid and flexible response drill on July 28.

The KF-16 is manufactured under license in South Korea by defense contractor Korea Aerospace Industries.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
Air Force Staff Sgt. William Johnson, left, and cable antenna technicians Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Oropesa and Senior Airman Carlos Reye, feed a pull string into a duct rodder while replacing underground cable at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 23, 2023. (Taylor Slater/U.S. Air Force)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  When July 4 lightning doused the lights that control vehicular traffic across the south end of the runway at this airlift hub in western Tokyo, the repairs demanded more than a trip to the hardware store.

Yokota Air Base, home of the 374th Airlift Wing and headquarters of 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan, may be the only U.S. military airfield where automobile traffic crosses a portion of an active runway. A set of three traffic lights controls the route across the runway south overrun by indicating yellow to proceed and red to stop, with an accompanying alarm bell, while aircraft approach or depart.

The company that installed the light system in June 1997 no longer exists, Tech Sgt. Johnathan Cox, the noncommissioned officer for inspections and evaluations at the 374th Operation Support Squadron, told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday.

With no information available to repair the system, Cox, of Muskegon, Mich., and his collaborators turned to YokoWerx, a 2-year-old, award-winning innovation cell at Yokota, to work the problem.

Traffic waits at a light to cross the runway south overrun at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Sept. 21, 2023. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

From my perspective, what I witnessed happening was this organic collaboration that happened super-fast, because everybody is affected by it, Adrien Sinclair, the YokoWerx chief operating officer, told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday.

The missing lights altered the routine at Yokota, where the day starts for many with a morning commute via two-lane McGuire Avenue from east side homes across the runway overrun to offices and shops on the airfields opposite side.

Human augmentees sitting inside vehicles substituted for the inoperable lights, stepping into the roadway to stand in furnace-like July and August heat to stop traffic until the runway was clear.

Tech Sgt. Joshua Toellner, a volunteer at YokoWerx, heard that Cox was looking for help repairing the disabled lights.

Toellner on Aug. 15 put Cox in touch with Staff Sgt. William Johnson at the 374thContracting Squadron, and Cox, Toellner and Johnson together designed a fix, Cox said.

YokoWerx on Davis Street on the base provided the space for the three airmen to brainstorm and organize the project.

YokoWerx can come in and make rapid changes, Johnson, a Waco, Texas, native told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. Thats what innovation is, a rapid immediate kind of change. So, thats what this cell is empowered to do.

Using spare parts and a 3D printer at YokoWerx, Cox created circuitry in a box to power the light system. The box was installed in the air traffic control tower, where controllers use it like a switch to control the traffic lights. The system required the 374th Civil Engineering Squadron to lay 3,000 feet of copper cable underground between the tower and the three light installations, Cox said.

The installation took three days, Aug. 25 to 28, and Johnson said he was personally relieved when the lights returned to normal operation after nearly two months. He was one of those people on 12-hour shifts making sure cars safely crossed the overrun.

I was actually sitting in the truck and thats what motivated me, Johnson said. I finished my shift, and I was like, Im done. I dont want to do this. It was very, just, boring.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, left, and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak meet with crews training on Abrams tanks in Biedrusko, Poland, in 2022. (Polish Defense Ministry)

The Polish government sought to walk back remarks by its premier that the country had stopped weapons shipments to Ukraine, tapping the brakes on an escalating dispute thats shaken a key wartime alliance.

After Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine, his office aimed to lower the temperature following a heated exchange of barbs this week that has dismayed allies and undermined a relationship has been crucial to aid to Kyiv.

Poland is only carrying out previously agreed supplies of ammunition and armaments, including those resulting from the contracts signed with Ukraine, government spokesman Piotr Muller said. Those include a contract to deliver locally-manufactured howitzers, he added. Poland consistently helped repel Russias attack.

The sparring marked a sharp contrast to the unity on display between the two allies since Russias invasion last year, with Poland a key conduit of weapons and aid to Ukraine. But the comity reached its limit after Warsaw extended a unilateral ban on grain imports to appease restive farmers, an important constituency for the ruling party ahead of a tightly contested election on Oct. 15.

The prime ministers statement on weapons to Ukraine was misunderstood and wrongly interpreted, a government official said on condition of anonymity. Another official said Poland has no more weaponry that can be donated, but ammunition shipments will continue.

The spiraling war of words between Warsaw and Kyiv has alarmed governments committed to supporting Ukraine.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas told reporters that cutting off aid to Kyiv wasnt on the table in talks with his Polish counterpart the day before.

On the contrary, we discussed aid to Ukraine, the Ramstein format, coalitions, supplies  that is, the complete opposite things, Anusauskas said.

An easing also appeared to be possible on the grain front a day after Morawiecki threatened to expand import restrictions to other Ukrainian products. The two countries agriculture ministers agreed in a phone call to seek a solution.

Still, in addition to comments by President Andrzej Duda aimed at Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the last 48 hours, the remarks marked a dramatic change of tone from Polish leadership.

European capitals were caught off guard by the volume of the dispute  and are hoping to see the spat fade quickly, according to an official familiar with the discussions. Another official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, voiced concern that protracted tension with Poland will give other donors an opening to scale back support because of war fatigue.

In the months following the start of Russias invasion, Poland lambasted other Western countries, especially Germany, for being slow in delivering arms to Ukraine.

It became one of Kyivs biggest donors and the first nation to deliver high-end Leopard tanks in February as well as Soviet-era jets and ammunition.

Zelenskyy travels to Washington on Thursday, where hell press President Joe Biden for sustained support to counter Russias war machine  with allies fearing that the conflict will drag on for years  just as hard line Republicans are threatening to halt additional aid.

The Polish-Ukrainian standoff cast sudden doubt on the unity that had defined the neighbors relationship before the grain dispute, a friendship that seemed to epitomize European solidarity with Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Poland is the primary destination for refugees and the gateway to about 90% of all the western aid and military equipment headed for Kyiv.

Tension and disagreements between Kyiv and some of its strongest backers is sure to instill more confidence in the Kremlin that European support for Ukraine is not certain over the long term, said Peter Schroeder, a former Russia analyst at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

The stakes were as clear as ever as the war headed into its 19th month. Russia launched the largest missile barrage to target the Ukrainian power grid since early spring just as Zelenskyy enlisted help in the U.S.

For Poland, the issue is a political one. The ruling Law & Justice party is seeking a third term in office in next months contest, as polls show that it may struggle to secure a majority even as it leads. One poll Thursday showed the countrys pro-European opposition parties may win enough seats in the next parliament to form a government.

Bloombergs Milda Seputyte, Andra Timu, Ott Tammik and Alberto Nardelli contributed to this report.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki greets Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during the delivery of the first Polish Leopard 2A4 main battle tank to Ukraine in February. Poland said this week that it will no longer supply its weapons to Ukraine. (Government of Ukraine)

Poland will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine, saying that it needs to focus more on arming itself against potential Russian aggression.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Wednesday on Polish television that the decision coincided with a diplomatic dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv over grain imports.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, Morawiecki said.

Polands decision to halt weapon shipments does not appear to affect the countrys role as the primary distribution network for getting U.S. and other allied weaponry into Ukraine.

Since Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has moved scores of troops into southeastern Poland to facilitate the flow of arms into the war-torn country.

But the decision, if it holds, would be a dramatic turn of events, considering that Poland has been a primary weapons supplier to Ukraine and one of its staunchest advocates in NATO.

The grain dispute highlights the economic strain Russias war on Ukraine is having on neighboring states and raises concerns about the durability of military support for Kyiv.

It stems from the closure of Black Sea grain shipment corridors because of threats from Russia. That has forced Ukraine to send exports over land, which in turn has flooded Europe with excess grain.

The surplus has angered farmers in Poland, where the ruling Law and Justice Party government is up for reelection next month. The partys base is strong in rural areas.

Ukrainian authorities do not understand the degree to which Polands farming industry has been destabilized. We are protecting Polish farmers, Morawiecki told Polsat News television.

In the U.S., the Ukraine war also is a political hot-button issue, with Republican front-runner Donald Trump and some other candidates indicating that they would scale back or even end support for Kyiv if elected.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is hoping the next U.S. president will turn against his country.

The Russians are counting on the American elections very much, Zelenskyy said at a security conference in Ukraine.

Despite the diplomatic turmoil between Warsaw and Kyiv, allies this week restated that they are committed to Ukraine for the long haul.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told world military leaders during a meeting at Ramstein Air Base that partners supporting Ukraine must continue to dig deep to arm the country.

(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is betting he can bide his time and wait it out, Austin told representatives of about 50 countries at the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He is wrong.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an arrival ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 13, 2022. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg)

The White House is considering formal defense treaties with Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of its plan to get two of its closest allies in the Middle East to formally recognize each other, according to several people familiar with the matter.

The administration of President Joe Biden believes one way to achieve Israeli-Saudi normalization is to offer both security pacts comprehensive enough to require congressional approval, according to the people, who have knowledge of the stance of each of the three countries.

While theres still plenty to negotiate and the talks could break down, officials are making significant progress, the people said.

A deal would hand Biden a major diplomatic win as he heads into elections next year. For Israel, it would open the door to more business with the Middle Easts largest economy and help counter Iranian aggression. It could also encourage other Muslim-majority states in the region and Asia to have friendlier ties with Israel, given the kingdoms status as the guardian of Islams two holiest sites at Mecca and Medina.

In addition, the agreements could ease tensions in the region and help secure its vital oil- and gas-shipping lanes.

Biden discussed the issue with Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday. The Israeli prime minister said hes confident of forging a historic peace between his country and Saudi Arabia. In an interview aired hours later, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Fox News a deal is getting closer every day.

U.S. and Israeli officials have discussed treating the two defense deals as effectively part of the same package to increase the chances of Congress agreeing to them, said several of the people. While many senators are wary of any deal that obliges the U.S. to defend Saudi Arabia, they would be more reluctant to reject a wider pact if such an action hurt Israel, said the people.

The U.S. is determined to foster greater cooperation among its allies in the Middle East, not least to counter the growing influence of China. Revamping its military and security architecture in the region is now seen as crucial, said the people. Last week, it upgraded its defense relationship with Bahrain, albeit not to the extent that it needed to ask Congress for approval. The Saudis have told the U.S. they want a deal that goes further than the one with Bahrain, said the people.

A treaty obligating America to assist Saudi Arabia in case of an attack benefits the whole GCC, said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator with knowledge of the talks between Washington and Riyadh. He was referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-member grouping of major energy exporters including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

Saudi Arabia has asked for firm defense guarantees from the U.S., access to top-notch American weaponry and for assistance in building a nuclear-energy sector as conditions for normalizing ties with Israel. It also wants Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians, but has sent mixed signals as to what it may ultimately accept.

The kingdoms foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan, told Saudi state media this week that his country would do everything to put the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back on the table.

For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, we need to solve that part, Prince Mohammed told Fox, before adding that good negotiations are continuing.

The U.S. is asking Saudi Arabia to curb ties with China in sensitive high-technology areas in return for stronger security ties. Washington may also ask the Saudis to release some political prisoners and reform laws on free speech and criminal justice, according to Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute think tank, who is in contact with Israeli, Saudi and U.S. negotiators.

Washington and Riyadh have reached a broad agreement on the nuclear and security aspects, though many details still need to be worked out, said the people. Saudi Arabia wants not just to build nuclear power plants, but to enrich uranium locally and eventually export nuclear fuel, which the U.S. and Israel remain wary about.

Saudi Arabia has said its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes. But Prince Mohammed, the countrys de facto ruler, reiterated to Fox that if regional rival Iran builds a nuclear bomb, the Saudis will follow suit.

Any nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia will meet the U.S. stringent non-proliferation standards, according to one American official.

The Palestinian issue remains an obstacle given the right-wing bent of Netanyahus governing coalition, said Dennis Ross, a former White House Middle East envoy. The current government is the most religious in the countrys history, with many ministers opposed to any concessions to the Palestinians such as a freeze on more Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Up until now, the focus has been entirely on the bilateral: what they want from us, which the administration seems quite willing to find a way to provide, and what were asking from them in return for that, which the Saudis also seem open to responding to, Ross said in an interview last week. Securing anything significant from the Israeli government for the Palestinians will be very hard.

While Israel is one of Americas closest allies globally, the two dont have a formal defense treaty. Many in Israel have long opposed one, believing it could restrict their ability to strike other states or groups unilaterally. Any pact would need to leave Israel with freedom of action, said one of the people.

A U.S.-Saudi defense pact would fundamentally alter Washingtons posture in the Middle East and as such it would be strategically short-sighted not to seriously explore the merits of doing the same with Israel, said John Hannah, senior fellow at the The Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a Washington think tank with close ties to officials in both Israel and the U.S.

Though talks involving the three countries are moving forward, U.S. officials have urged caution.

There may well be specific things that will be important for us, with regard both to Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as things they will need from each other, as well as things that other parties may well need, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week. Were not there. Theres no guarantee well get there. We believe its profoundly important if we can achieve it, but I would wait to see if something emerges.

Ethan Bronner and Justin Sink contributed to this report.
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown pictured May 11, 2022. (Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON  The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff as the chamber began circumventing a seven-month hold on military promotions by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.

Brown is the first of three generals Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to push through the Senate in the coming days, along with Gen. Randy George for Army chief of staff and Gen. Eric Smith as commandant of the Marine Corps.

The Senate will overwhelmingly vote to confirm them, and these three honorable men will finally be able to assume their positions, Schumer said.

Browns confirmation broke a deadlock over senior military promotions that still leaves some 300 general and flag officers in limbo. Tuberville instigated his hold in February to force the Pentagon to end its policy of giving leave and travel reimbursement to service members seeking abortions and other reproductive health care.

Pressure to end Tubervilles blockade climbed in recent weeks as Democrats and military officials detailed how frozen promotions and appointments impacted military families and national security. On Tuesday, a veterans group decorated a lawn outside the Senate with signs displaying the names and photos of the stalled nominees.

Tuberville continues to obstruct the unanimous voice vote process normally used to confirm batches of military promotions but has repeatedly called on Schumer to vote on nominees one by one. The Congressional Research Service estimated that would take at least 700 hours.

Schumer had resisted putting individual nominees up for a floor vote, fearing it would set a damaging precedent, but relented Wednesday after Tuberville signaled he would attempt to force an individual vote on Smith. Schumer described Tubervilles move as an act of desperation.

We cannot allow Sen. Tuberville to set the Senate on a path that no senator wants to travel, Schumer said. We cannot allow Sen. Tuberville to decide which of our dedicated and brave service members get promoted and which get to languish, which military families are able to settle in their new posts and which must remain in limbo.

Tuberville deemed the capitulation by Schumer a win for the legislative branch of government and said he reserves the right to again seek a cloture vote on an individual nominee  a procedural step that is typically only invoked by the Senate majority leader.

There is nothing wrong with a floor vote on these nominations, Tuberville said. I ran for Senate so I could vote on behalf of the people of the state of Alabama. I didnt come up here just to outsource my job to the Pentagon or the White House yet thats exactly what Democrats want to do.

He dismissed concerns his hold was hurting military readiness and said Schumer is ultimately responsible for letting the logjam of nominees grow to its current size. Still, Tuberville voted Wednesday against a cloture motion to end debate on Browns nomination as well as the final vote to confirm him.

Nothing demonstrates that Sen. Tuberville is the sole cause of this crisis better than his vote against cloture on Gen. CQ Brown today, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Its really quite something that he was willing to file a cloture motion earlier today, and ended up voting against a cloture motion a few hours later.

Brown was approved by the Senate panel, of which Tuberville is a member, during the summer. He will become just the second Black man, after Colin Powell, to serve as the presidents most senior military adviser when Army Gen. Mark Milley retires at the end of the month.

A career fighter pilot, Brown logged more than 3,000 flight hours, including 130 hours in combat, and has served as Air Force chief of staff since 2020. He warned in July that Tubervilles hold will harm troop retention because spouses will compare notes about the disruptions that it is causing.

Brown will begin his chairmanship on Oct. 1. His service alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will mark the first time in U.S. history that the Pentagons top two leadership positions are held by Black men.
A migrant father from Venezuela entertains his 17-month-old daughter in the lobby of a police station where they have been staying with other migrant families since their arrival to the city on May 9, 2023, in Chicago. (Scott Olson, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The Biden administration has moved to provide hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants with work permits, meeting calls from New York and other cities strained by an influx of asylum seekers.

The Department of Homeland Security estimated Wednesday that 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived before July 31 will be eligible to work under the fresh Temporary Protected Status designation. The move, which protects the migrants from deportation, is part of a series of policies aimed at managing the growing number of arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border and in urban centers.

Democratic-led cities have sounded alarms for months about the cost of caring for migrants, many of whom arrive by buses dispatched from border states like Texas with no immediate prospects for legal work.

In New York, which by law cant turn away those who need housing, Mayor Eric Adamss administration estimates 10,000 asylum seekers are arriving each month, an influx that may cost an estimated $12 billion over the next three fiscal years. Venezuelans account for 40% of the asylum seekers currently in New Yorks care, by far the largest share of any country, according to the Adams administration.

Adams thanked Biden for taking this important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care, according to a statement.

I am hoping that this is the start of looking at all of the countries that are coming into New York City and the other municipalities, Adams said on WABC-TV Wednesday. I dont believe any city should have to carry this national problem.

Cities struggling to house new migrants who are overwhelming shelters, social services and already-stretched budgets have become a political issue for President Joe Biden.

Republicans accuse the president of fueling a surge at the border with welcoming policies, while immigrant-rights advocates fault him for not putting enough political capital behind a push to overhaul the nations immigration laws earlier in his term.

The latest move will affect Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. between March 8, 2021, and July of this year. Within 30 days, DHS is also aiming to approve work permits for immigrants who entered the country under a pair of humanitarian parole programs established earlier this year. However, the new policies fall short of recent calls for DHS to eliminate a months-long waiting period for all asylum seekers to work. The agency says only Congress can change that.

The administration is also expanding a program that allows border officials to swiftly deport some immigrant families who have crossed the border and lack a basis to stay in the U.S. It is also sending 800 new active-duty military personnel to the border to assist with logistics, the department announced.

Texas turmoil

Eagle Pass, a Texas city of 30,000 along the Mexican border on the Rio Grande, has seen several thousand migrants arrive this week. It declared a state of emergency Sept. 19 due to the severe undocumented immigrant surge into the city. Officials said the declaration would pave the way for requesting extra financial resources to account for the additional services the migrants would require.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection shut down vehicle crossings at one of the main bridges with Mexico on Wednesday, saying it would remain closed indefinitely due to the influx of immigrants.

Many of the new arrivals are being quickly released into the U.S. because border detention facilities are near capacity, the Washington Post reported, citing unidentified Homeland Security officials. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Wednesday that federal officials had cut razor wire barriers in Eagle Pass intended to stop border crossings, but that hed ordered the Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings and install more razor wire.

Biden has defended his actions on immigration, saying he introduced legislation to address the issue on his first day in office. The administration says it is doing all it can to assist states and cities with the influx and puts the onus on Congress to fix the system.

The president requested $4 billion from Congress for border security and migration mitigation in an emergency spending measure. But that package faces an uphill road to passage, with the Republican-led House girding for a clash with Democrats on their own border demands as part of a fight over how to avert a government shutdown on Oct. 1.

With assistance from Brendan Walsh.

2023 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Migrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Eric Gay/AP)

AUSTIN, Texas  An additional 800 active-duty troops were ordered Wednesday to deploy to the southwest U.S. border as the daily number of migrants crossing has more than doubled this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The newly deployed service members will join roughly 2,500 National Guard troops already assigned to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, DHS said in a statement that rolled out a series of changes meant to increase border enforcement and accelerate work authorizations for some immigrants.

For 90 days, these up to 800 [personnel] will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, information analysis, transportation and supply chain support, until DHS can address these needs through contracted support, a Defense Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Military personnel will not directly participate in law-enforcement activities or have direct contact with migrants.

The official did not specify when troops will travel to the border or where along the border they will offer support.

People look across the border from Mexico at the Texas Army National Guard soldiers with the governors self-styled Texas Tactical Border Force, during Operation Lone Star Task Force West, May 11, 2023, near El Paso, Texas. (Mark Otte, Texas National, Planet Pix via Zuma Press Wire/TNS)

The deployment comes as Border Patrol agents detained roughly 140,000 migrants who crossed between the legal entry points into the U.S. from Mexico during the first 20 days of September, according to a report from CBS News. Thats an average of about 6,900 a day  up 60% from the 4,300 daily crossings seen in July.

In Eagle Pass, Texas, Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. on Tuesday issued a seven-day emergency declaration due to the severe undocumented immigrant surge, according to a statement from the city.

About 3,000 migrants crossed near Eagle Pass on Wednesday alone, Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber told CNN. Eagle Pass is in the county and has a population of more than 28,500.

The Pentagon has been helping the Department of Homeland Security with operations at the border since 2018 when former President Donald Trump declared an emergency at the southwest border. When President Joe Biden took office, he rescinded the declaration but kept troops in place.

The Biden administration also has been changing how migrants can seek asylum among other reforms meant to dissuade people crossing without authorization.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops on a mission along the state border that is separate from the federal troops. Texas Guard members work with the Texas Department of Public Safety to enforce state laws.
Phil Paxsons car plunged off Snow Creek bridge in Hickory, N.C., after Google Maps directed him to the bridge, which collapsed nine years ago, a lawsuit says. (Phil Paxson/Facebook)

When Alicia Paxson left her husband behind at a friends house where they had celebrated their daughter Amelias ninth birthday, the plan was for him to help clean up and drive home later. But when the sun came up the following morning, Phil Paxson was still not home.

Wheres daddy? Amelia asked her mother, who told her daughter not to worry. You know daddy. He is probably out helping somebody.

But Paxson, a 47-year-old Navy veteran, died as he drove back alone on the night of Sept. 30, 2022, using Google Maps for directions. The family is suing Google for negligence.

Their lawsuit claims that Google Maps directed Paxson to travel via Snow Creek Bridge in Hickory, N.C. The Paxson family had recently moved from Florida, so Paxson was unfamiliar with the roads or that a very large section of Snow Creek Bridge had collapsed in 2013 and was never repaired, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the tech giant had been notified several times about the danger posed by the bridge but had not updated its directions.

The bridge had no artificial lighting, and the area was pitch black at 11 p.m., the lawsuit says, adding that it was raining and Hurricane Ian was due to pass through the area. Mr. Paxsons vehicle drove off the unguarded edge of the bridge and crashed approximately twenty feet below.

When Alicia Paxson left the party with their children, she took a different route than her husband. Theres a place where you can go left or right. I went to the right, he went to the left, she said in an interview with The Washington Post almost one year after Phil Paxson died.

The bridge was unmarked and unbarricaded, the lawsuit says. State troopers found his body the following morning in his overturned and submerged Jeep Gladiator, local media reported.

Like so many motorists, Philip put his trust in Google Maps to safely guide him home from the childrens birthday party. His trust in Google Maps, and the failure of the road and bridge-keepers to do their jobs, cost him his life, reads a statement from Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, the law firm representing the family.

Their relationship was a whirlwind and a fairy tale. Alicia Paxson told The Washington Post on Thursday. He was always positive. He would do anything for his friends.

Paxson adored life, his widow said, though he knew how quickly it could pass by. Hey! Come out here and enjoy the sunset. Come and watch the kids riding their bikes, he would call out to her from outside the house, she said. We want to enjoy every minute.

We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family, Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said Thursday. Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps, and we are reviewing this lawsuit.

In addition to Google and Alphabet, Googles parent company, the lawsuit names a number of private property management companies and an individual, saying they are responsible for the chronically neglected bridge and the adjoining land.

A large portion of the bridge collapsed in 2013, earning it the name the Bridge to Nowhere among local residents. From a distance, Alicia explained, the road looks like it just has a pothole in it.

We are filing this lawsuit as a matter of public safety, attorney Robert Zimmerman told The Post on Thursday. Those responsible for our roadways need to know that inaction has consequences.

Zimmerman added that the family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against those believed responsible for taking Phils life. Zimmerman said that Paxson was the main breadwinner for the family and that his death has caused Alicia and the couples two children unimaginable losses.

Zimmerman, who has visited the scene of the incident, described the road as a cliff and a crater, left that way for years.

It would be one thing if the bridge washed out that night, Zimmerman said. We have evidence that for years, Google knew this was a road that was not passable.

In almost a decade, no repairs were made on the bridge, the lawsuit states, adding that the road was also insufficiently lit.

This isnt a situation where Google couldnt have known or didnt have enough time to react, Zimmerman continued. There was all the time in the world to react, and it could have saved Phils life.

The county and North Carolina Department of Transportation say that because the bridge is on a private road, they have no authority to fix it. The bridge was not maintained by local or state officials, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said, adding that the original development company had dissolved, the Associated Press reported.

Two years before Paxsons death, a local resident notified Google on two separate occasions via the suggest an edit feature that the bridge was damaged, according to the lawsuit. The resident received an automated reply that her comments were in review, but Google took no action in response to the notice, the lawsuit adds.

One month after Paxsons death, Google was notified again about the hazardous directions, the lawsuit says. Unbelievably, it adds, the road was still depicted as passable as of April 2023.

Concrete barriers now block the road that Paxson drove down before he died, but only because locals installed them after the incident last year, Alicia explained. When asked what she wants from the lawsuit, Alicia Paxson said: I want people to know it wasnt his fault. For others to be safe.

Paxsons obituary described him as larger than life and always ready for an adventure. The tribute noted that the close-knit family could have moved anywhere, but they chose Hickory.
The Department of Veterans Affairs must improve mental health care access for veterans with suicide risks, senators told VA officials on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in the wake of an inspector general report that found problems with the agencys crisis hotline for suicide prevention. (Joshua J. Seybert/U.S. Air Force)

The Department of Veterans Affairs must improve mental health care access for veterans with suicide risks, senators told VA officials on Wednesday in the wake of an inspector general report that found problems with the agencys crisis hotline for suicide prevention.

Weve had so damn many hearings on mental health, and it doesnt seem like anything has changed, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., told VA officials during a hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Theres no doubt in my mind that you want to do your best for veterans, and youre trying to do the best for your veterans.

But this is really frustrating for me to say, but weve got to do better. We just have got to do better.

Wait times to see mental health specialists are too long, and too few veterans at risk for suicide are actively in the VAs health care system, multiple senators said. New authorities for expanded mental health care access via telehealth have been implemented too slowly, Tester told Matthew Miller, the executive director for suicide prevention at the VAs Veterans Health Administration.

The committee would probably give you anything you asked for when it comes to mental health, Tester, who is the chairman of the Senate panel, told Miller. We just need to make sure that what youre asking for is something that can actually make a difference.

Suicides are multifaceted and complex, Miller told the committee, thanking senators for granting the VA several new authorities via legislation in recent years that are helping the department improve.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., at a Senate hearing in May 2022. (Tom Williams, Pool photo via AP)

The VAs most recent veteran suicide statistics show a slight decrease in suicides among veterans in 2020, but suicides among Americans with military service time far outpaced the rate among civilians. That year, 6,146 veteran deaths were ruled suicides. Data for 2021 is expected to be released in the coming months.

Nonetheless, Miller acknowledged the VA faces many challenges in suicide prevention from technical issues implementing telehealth services to a shortfall of qualified mental health specialists to hire.

With no single cause, there is no single solution to suicide for veterans, he said.

The hearing came just days after the VA inspector general published a report that found a Texas veteran died by suicide within an hour of receiving subpar help from the VAs Veterans Crisis Line in 2021.

The IG report released Sept. 14 found crisis line responders failed to recognize the veterans suicide risk or implement a prevention plan after engaging in a 75-minute, 80-text conversation. The veteran  a male in his 30s with diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, alcohol-use disorder, obstructive sleep apnea and documented past suicidal behavior  advised he was in a shed with a belt around a hook that hangs from the rafters of the shed. Less than an hour after the crisis line conversation, the veteran hanged himself, the investigation found.

In that incident, crisis line staff also failed to properly document communications with the veteran and failed to inform local VA officials in Texas about the death, according to the IG. The inspector general also found the VA was not properly monitoring or reviewing responders conversations and actions with potentially suicidal veterans to ensure the highest quality of care.

Miller said Wednesday that the crisis line has since improved. The VA has installed silent monitors to track call responders actions and is working on improving its ability to maintain records of text messages.

The VAs crisis line has grown in use in recent years. The hotline received more than 750,000 calls before July 2022 to July 2023, about a 12.5% increase from the previous year. Another 250,000 veterans contacted the crisis line via text or chat message during that time, according to the VA.

Miller said the VA has vastly expanded its crisis line, hiring more than 900 individuals to work as responders and quality controllers since 2021 when it had about 550 responders. He told lawmakers that he believes the problems highlighted in the IG report have largely been addressed, and more improvements are imminent.

I, as a veteran, grieve the loss of this veteran. From the painful lens of retrospective review, we wish we could have done some things differently. Its our earnest desire and pledge to apply the wisdom gained through this review to strengthen processes as we continue to serve veterans, who are at the center of all we do, even at this very minute as we answer calls, Miller said. Were better than what was depicted in that report, and we have to do better than what was depicted in that report.

Senators from multiple states lamented the wait times that veterans face in attempting to receive care from the VA, including mental health care. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said waiting periods in her home state stretched from about one week in Nashville to more than 90 days at a rural clinic in northern Tennessee.

I hear a good bit about this from constituents, Blackburn said. This access issue is one we have got to solve.

Miller said the VA is working toward ensuring veterans in crisis receive immediate mental health care when they need it. If a veteran is in crisis, he should be seen at a local clinic, he said.

Same day access is the first step that should be in place at every local facility regarding this, he told senators. Thats what should occur.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said the VA needed to speed up its telehealth improvement efforts to decrease wait times and better respond to veterans when they face a crisis, such as suicidal thoughts. Miller agreed.

I think telehealth is an opportunity to provide the care nationwide that perhaps might not be available, particularly in a rural area, King said. What I hear form my veterans in Maine  they really like the care they are getting from the VA  The question is access  when do they get the care? And thats a large issue.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA session in New York on Wednesday.

The IMF chief later told a Pakistani TV channel that she called for taxing the rich in Pakistan. Both sides described the meeting as positive and constructive.

On his X handle, the prime minister said that during the meeting, they emphasized extending their mutual commitment towards bolstering economic stability and growth in Pakistan.

Very good meeting with Pakistans PM @anwaar_kakar today on ??s economic prospects. We agreed on the vital need for strong policies to ensure stability, foster sustainable and inclusive growth, prioritize revenue collection, and protection for the most vulnerable in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/YkVpju4UqY  Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 20, 2023

Georgieva posted a photograph to X and said that she has a very good meeting with Pakistans PM today on Pakisrans economic prospects.

We agreed on the vital need for strong policies to ensure stability, foster sustainable and inclusive growth, prioritize revenue collection, and protection for the most vulnerable in Pakistan,  she said.

Later speaking with private news channel she said that the IMF was urging Pakistan to tax the rich and protect the vulnerable.

This is what the people of Pakistan also want, she said.
A district and sessions court in Islamabad issued a summon of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for September 25 in an unIslamic nikah case with his third wife Bushra Bibi.

Civil judge Qudratullah has asked the court staff to issue the summon to present the PTI chief in court to the Attock jail superintendent.

The former prime minister was arrested from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on August 5 after being convicted in the Toshakhana case with accusations of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than Rs140 million ($635,000).

Since his arrest, he was shifted to the Attock jail.

While the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had overturned a lower court's decision to jail him, he remains behind bars due to his arrest in the cipher case.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officially arrested the ousted premier  who was removed from power via a parliamentary vote in April last year  and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case last month after booking them under the Official Secrets Act.

Qureshi was taken into custody from his residence in Islamabad in the same case on August 19 while Khan was arrested in the cipher case while he was serving the sentence in Attock jail.

Imran-Bushra marriage case

In May of this year, a district and sessions court in Islamabad rejected the plea challenging the nikah (marriage) of Imran Khan with Bushra Bibi.

The application, according to the court, was inadmissible and fell outside its jurisdiction but, in July another Islamabad court dismissed the civil court's verdict.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Islamabad Muhammad Azam Khan, back then, had remanded the case to a civil judge.

The petitioner, Muhammad Hanif, had claimed that Bushra Bibi was divorced by her former husband in November 2017 and married Khan on January 1, 2018, despite the fact that her Iddat period had not ended, "which is against the Sharia and Muslim norms."

The complainant submitted in the court the statements of Mufti Muhammad Saeed  who conducted the marriage between Imran and Bushra, and Awn Chaudhry  Imran's close friend  one of the witnesses at the wedding.

Saeed, who solemnised the couple's Nikah, had said that the PTI chief married Bushra Bibi during the latter's iddat (the time a woman goes into isolation after her husband dies or divorces her), despite knowing everything.

In his statement to a lower court, Saeed said he had solemnised Khan's Nikah with Bushra Bibi on January 1, 2018, over the assurance of a woman claiming to be the former first lady's sister.

"Then the former premier contacted me again in February 2018 and requested me to solemnise his Nikah with Bushra Bibi again as the first time it was against the Shariah," Saeed stated before the court.

He said that the first time when the Nikah was solemnised, Bushra Bibi's Iddat hadn't ended.

He quoted Khan as saying that Bushra Bibi had been divorced on November 2017 and that there was a "prediction" that the PTI chairman would become the prime minister of Pakistan if he married Bushra Bibi.

Mufti Saeed added that the first Nikah was illegal, which had been solemnised based on the "prediction".

Marriage

In February 2018, the PTI had announced that Khan married Bushra Riaz Watoo, better known now as Bushra Bibi, who is a respected faith healer. The ceremony was held in Lahore.

Although Khan's sisters were not in attendance, the bride's mother and friends attended the intimate ceremony.

Before marrying the spiritual guide, Khan was married twice.

He first married Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of a British billionaire, in 1995, but it ended in 2004. He has two kids  Suleman and Qasim  from his first wife. Both of them live with their mother.

His second marriage was to Reham Khan in January 2015, which dissolved in a short span of 10 months.
Eight terrorists were killed by security forces during two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the militarys media affairs wing said on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the first operation was conducted in the Jani Khel general area of Bannu district.

An intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists. Resultantly, six terrorists were sent to hell while five were apprehended, it stated.

The ISPR said the terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces, including facilitation of motorcycle borne suicide attack on a military convoy in Jani Khel on August 31, during which nine brave sons of soil laid their lives.

The second operation was conducted in the general area Datta Khel, North Waziristan District.

Two terrorists were sent to hell in a fierce encounter between security forces and terrorists, the ISPR said.

It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists and sanitisation of the surrounding areas was being carried out in the area.

Locals of the area appreciated the operation. Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, the militarys media wing added.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader Maryam Nawaz departed for London early on Thursday to meet her father, who is set to return to Pakistan next month.

Reports said that Shehbaz Sharif, who returned to Pakistan on Tuesday after almost a month, is also expected to depart for London later on Thursday. Shehbazs departure within 48 hours of his arrival has led to speculation that all might not be well.

The departures come after Maryam and Shahbaz reportedly met on Wednesday night to discuss important political matters including Nawazs return to Pakistan.

The two are expected to apprise Nawaz on the latest political developments, including reopening of NAB cases in light of a recent Supreme Court judgement.

Sources said that the two leaders could relay an important message to Nawaz.

Nawaz has been in exile in London since 2019 since he was released from jail and allowed to travel abroad on medical grounds.
Mark Hayes appeared in court today after he breached his bail

An alleged drug dealer accused of supplying a bad batch of pregabalin to a man who was later found dead appeared in court today after he breached his bail.

Ballymena Magistrates Court heard that despite it being the second time Mark Hayes had broken his curfew time, police had no objections to the 31-year-old being freed on bail again.

Defence counsel Michael Smyth outlined how both breaches, the latest one being on Wednesday night, arose from Hayes failing to keep his curfew as there was a delay with his taxi.

Hayes, from Maple Drive in Coleraine, is charged with two drug offences alleged to have been committed on 25 August this year including possessing pregabalin with intent to supply and with supplying the class C prescription only drug.

When the alleged dealer first appeared before the court, a police officer outlined how there was a sudden death at the Lighthouse Hostel in Ballymena where a man was found sadly assed away in his room, a box of pregabalin lying beside him.

The post mortem results came back as inconclusive and police are awaiting a full toxicology report, said the officer.

Through police enquiries, a witness came forward to claim they knew Hayes had been taking drugs with the deceased the day before his death, the deceased complained to him tat he gave the defendant 70 to buy pregabalin but he had not got any from him and also that on the day he was found dead, the witness saw Hayes give the deceased a box of pregabalin.

When Hayes room at the hostel was searched, we found a sheet of pregabalin and it appears to be the same brand as the box that was found in the deceaseds room, said the officer.

He added that 145 cash along with a list of names and numbers was also seized, revealing that the name of the deceased was on that list which police suspect are dealing figures.

Arrested and interviewed Hayes denied that he is a drug dealer, claiming that the list was of people he had lent money to and although he accepted going to Belfast to buy pregabalin on Thursday and Friday, he denied giving any to the dead man.

According to the detective, Hayes told police the tablets he bought were different to the usual prescription drugs as the blister pack tinfoil was gold rather than silver.

In court today District Judge Nigel Broderick said whole he was content to relate Hayes again, he warned the 31-year-old you need to be careful to keep all his bail conditions in future.

If you break again you will eventually run out of patience with the court or the police so make sure that you are at home or you will be in Maghaberry, the judge told Hayes, ordering him that as hes barred from being in Ballymena go straight to the train station and go straight to Coleraine.
Officers saw the suspect and his brother buying large cooking pans at an IKEA store.

A crystal meth crime lord known as 'Pablo Icecobar' is facing a 16-year prison sentence after he was caught operating four drug labs in the Netherlands.

The 40-year-old Mexican national was arrested in September 2021 and extradited to the Netherlands where he will be sentenced on November 29.

His 42-year-old Dutch accomplice is looking at 12 years behind bars for his role in the operation.

Dutch police had identified the Mexican three years ago in the Netherlands after a tip-off.

Officers saw the suspect and his brother buying large cooking pans at an IKEA store.

An investigation subsequently discovered that the Mexican had recruited several cooks for four drug labs in the Netherlands where crystal meth - also known as methamphetamine and ice - was made.

Crystal meth. File photo

The drug labs were later discovered and dismantled in Achter-Drempt, Willemsoord and Hauwert. The police also found a drug boat in Moerdijk in May 2019 that was known as the 'narco barco.

According to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, 'Pablo Icecobar's main contact in the Netherlands is a 42-year-old man from The Hague.

He was arrested in July 2021, but has been missing since the end of 2022, according to the Public Prosecution Service, although his case is going ahead.

I am living la vida loca, the main suspect, who according to the Public Prosecution Service uses the EncroChat name 'Pablo-Icecobar', wrote to a certain 'Diorprada' in 2020.

The text includes a photo of a container of methamphetamine. He writes to his contact 'Warmachine': I am Pavel and I can do labs wherever I want.

He adds: I have 3 (labs) in Holland I am the biggest ice producer in Europe. I will open 2 more in 2 weeks.

However, Pablo Icecobar had not realised that the platform commonly used by criminal had been cracked by police just a week after his boasts.

Ice, aka crystal meth or methamphetamine, plays the leading role in this case, the Dutch news site rtvoost.nl reports.

The drug is often sold in crystal form. Use of crystal meth is harmful, but its production is extremely lucrative for criminals. Especially when Dutch and South Americans, especially Mexicans, combine their knowledge to produce methamphetamine and trade it further.

According to the news site, research by the National Criminal Investigation Department established that Pablo-Icecobar had supplied foreign 'cooks' for drug labs of Dutch criminal organisations.

It can be concluded from the chats that he is partly responsible for four drug labs, it adds. The most famous is the drug boat or 'narco barco' found in Moerdijk in May 2019, but he is also behind labs that are being dismantled in Achter-Drempt, Willemsoord and Hauwert.

Other members of the organisation have been linked to a lab in Arnhem where more than 600 kilos of methamphetamine were seized in April 2021.

It has also been established that Pablo-Icecobar exported more than 30 kilos of methamphetamine to Germany.

In September 2021, 'Pablo' was arrested and extradited to the Netherlands. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) is demanding the highest prison sentence against him  16 years, rtvoost.nl writes.

The public prosecutor of the National Public Prosecution Service is quoted as saying: "Given the role of this suspect as leader of the criminal organization, his involvement in four labs, the export of methamphetamine to Germany and the significant previous conviction in the United States, this case only the maximum prison sentence that the law allows us is appropriate."
Dane Flood was located after neighbours became concerned on seeing him standing outside holding a pair of vice grips

The case was heard at Drogheda court.

A 35-year-old man found covered in kerosene at the home of a 90-year-old woman, has been jailed for six months.

Dane Flood was located at an address in Drogheda after neighbours became concerned on seeing him standing outside holding a pair of vice grips.

The defendant, of Scarlet Crescent, Drogheda, was convicted of damaging a kerosene fuel tank and having vice grips used in connection with theft on the morning of 21 May 2022.

Last July, the elderly ladys grandson gave evidence that it was brought to his attention by a neighbour that a man was standing outside the house with vice grips.

This person was covered in kerosene, the witness continued. There was a significant amount of oil spilled from his grandmothers tank and a lot of damage caused.

A pipe had been loosened and a wheelie bin placed under it. There was kerosene in the bin.

The defendant suggested he had been trying to fix it, but the man said that nothing was broken the night before.

A garda said that the incident was reported at 9.10am. At the scene Mr Flood was cautioned. He replied, I did it. I was supposed to be there clearing gutters.

On that occasion Mr Flood, who has previous convictions, made no appearance and a bench warrant was issued for sentence.

He appeared in custody at Drogheda Court last week and pleaded guilty to charges resulting from separate incidents.

Evidence was given that on 3 March 2022 at Scarlet Street he had 20-worth of cocaine and diamorphine.

On the following 4 October he stole two bottles of wine and a bottle of Coke, valued 120.68, at Maxol, Ballymakenny Road.

Gardai removed him from a property in Cherrybrook Drive on 16 February last. The defendant was searched, and a knife found on him.

The court also heard that on 22 March he took a 38.50 bottle of Hennessy from Tesco, West Street, without paying, while at 9am on 23 April gardai received a report of a man and woman arguing at Lower Mell.

They continued to argue in front of gardai and refused to desist.

Mr Flood also took two bottles of Jameson, worth 90, from Tesco, West Street on 25 July.

Solicitor Paddy Goodwin said his client had been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin. He instructed that he was now completely clean.

He suffered personal tragedies during the time of this offending and had a serious drink problem.

Mr Flood has been in custody since 9 August, the solicitor added.

Judge McKiernan remarked that the court was sympathetic to his circumstances.

However, it was very inappropriate behaviour at the home of the elderly lady.

For that incident, consecutive four-month and two-month sentences were imposed, backdated to 9 August.

The other charges were taken into consideration.

Legal aid was granted.
Maria Nistor (21) had since moved back home to live with her brother

A young woman turned to shoplifting to help pay her rent as she was trying to show her family she was independent and could support herself, a court heard.

Maria Nistor (21) had since moved back home to live with her brother, who was more than happy to help support her.

A court heard that Nistor stole more than 1,000 worth of candles on various dates.

Judge David McHugh convicted and fined Nistor 150.

The defendant, of Kinvara Park, Navan Road, Dublin 7, admitted counts of theft and possession of a foil-lined bag.

Sergeant Walter Sweeney told Blanchardstown District Court that Nistor stole groceries worth 149 from Lidl in Blanchardstown, as well as six candles valued at 606, from Home Sense in Blanchardstown and five candles worth 505, from Home Sense on dates in 2019 and 2021.

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said that Nistor was Irish-Romanian, and no one in her family had ever been in trouble before.

Mr Fleming said that at the time of these incidents Nistor was living alone, and renting a room for 700 a month. She was trying to be independent and show her family that she could look after herself, but she struggled to pay her rent and made a foolish decision to do what she did.

Mr Fleming said Nistor was back living with her brother and she had not been in trouble since these incidents.

She was very sorry for her behaviour, and wished to apologise for what had happened.
The 30-year-old is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to the supply the drug.

An Irish army soldier appeared in court in Derry today accused of drugs offences linked to cocaine worth 60,000.

Derry man Caolan Larkin, from Glengomna Road, Draperstown, appeared via video link from the custody suite in Dungannon PSNI station.

The 30-year-old is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to the supply the drug.

He is also accused of possessing cocaine and possessing a small quantity of cannabis.

A police officer told Derry Magistrates Court that on Tuesday police officers searched premises at The Orchard in Draperstown under warrant after the PSNI received information about the possibility of drugs being in the property.

After gaining entry to the property by force, the officers found 1.2kg of cocaine, with a street value of between 50,000 and 60,000.

They also found a small amount of cannabis, a laptop, two mobile phones, a heat sealer and a postal receipt from Portugal.

The officer said: During interview, he [Larkin] made some admissions in relation to the cannabis. Regarding the cocaine, he said some of it belonged to him.

When asked if he was acting under duress, he said, No comment at this time, and he wanted to speak to his solicitor in relation to that question.

Bail is objected to. The two mobile phones and the laptop have yet to be triaged. He is currently off on sick leave from his employment, which is based in the Republic of Ireland.

He has admitted owning some of the cocaine, which means others own the rest of it. Police therefore believe there is a risk of him interfering with the course of justice and with an ongoing police investigation, and there is also a risk of him leaving the jurisdiction.

In relation to finances, it is very clear he now owes money in relation to the cocaine he has now lost. The police would only reconsider our attitude to bail once the mobile phones and laptop have been triaged, in case there is relevant material on them, the officer said.

Applying for bail, solicitor Stephen Atherton said the defendant had no criminal record, nor had he ever come to the adverse attention of the police.

He said the defendant, whose occupation on the charge sheet was listed as army personnel, had been on long-term sick leave for the past six months due to a debilitating health issue.

He said the police objections to bail could be managed by conditions imposed by the court, saying the defendants parents, who were in court, were willing to sign as surety for their son.

Refusing bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said, while the police attitude to bail might change, to make an application now was premature.

The mobile phones have yet to be triaged to find out who else might be involved in this.

He [Larkin] said he owns some of the drugs, which suggests he may be in a partnership. He could owe money to an organised crime gang in relation to the drugs seized. We all know what they are like: they will want their money back.

The investigation is only just beginning. Bail is refused for fear of further offending, due to the amount involved and the possibility he could owe money to other people, he said.

Larkin was remanded in custody to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on October 18.
Aaron Wolfe (29) was charged with the murder of Florence 'Florrie' O'Sullivan (68)

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.
The young woman was out walking and talking on the phone to her mother

A teenager accused of sexually assaulting a young woman while she was out walking and talking on the phone to her mother has been sent for jury trial.

The 19-year-old allegedly pulled the woman into hedges, pinned her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

The teen, who cannot be named, is charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a woman in west Dublin on November 16 last year.

Garda Trevor McDonald previously alleged the woman was out walking when she became aware of a male close behind her. She became increasingly concerned as she neared a footbridge, so she rang her mother.

The accused then pushed the woman into hedging, pinned her to the ground, pulled down her leggings and sexually assaulted her with his hand and finger, the garda alleged.

Blanchardstown District Court had heard the woman struggled with the teenager, and she managed to force him off her and he ran away.

A state solicitor said the book of evidence had been served on the accused, who goes forward to the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.

Judge David McHugh also assigned defence solicitor Michael Staines, one junior and one senior counsel on free legal aid.
The gang, made up of two Albanian leaders and several operators of Chinese origin, also provided support from various points in Spain to other international organizations to launder illicitly obtained funds.

The National Police in Spain have arrested 27 members of a criminal organization that allegedly managed to launder more than 65 million obtained from drug trafficking in just one year through the "hawala" method. an informal payment system parallel to the banking system.

The gang, made up of two Albanian leaders and several operators of Chinese origin, also provided support from various points in Spain to other international organizations to launder illicitly obtained funds.

The investigation began following intelligence reports sent by Europol, thanks to which the members of Albanian origin were identified, who were mainly dedicated to drug trafficking and indoor marijuana cultivation.

Chinese citizens, for their part, delivered large amounts of money to the businesses of their Albanian partners, where they accumulated large amounts of money later delivered to drug traffickers and their "mules" in exchange for financial compensation.

They sent the money to China using the "hawala" method, for which they used a "token" that corresponds to the numbering of a low-value bill, thus evading legal controls in Spain. This procedure does not require traditional bank accounts and leaves few records, which is why it is commonly used for money laundering or drug trafficking.

To carry out such transactions, the sender contacts a local "hawaladar" and gives him the money along with a password that has previously been agreed upon with the recipient. Then, the "hawaladar" contacts his counterpart in the country of destination of the money, who will deliver the corresponding amount to the recipient after ensuring that he knows the password.

In addition, investigators determined that the two Albanian ringleaders, one who acted as a leader and the other as a lieutenant and accountant, had two Chinese coordinators, who managed numerous Asian establishments that serviced the cash requests of the criminal organizations for which they worked.

The first three arrests took place at a home in Madrid, where agents found almost 65 kilograms of marijuana. Seven arrests followed in Madrid, the same number in Malaga, six in Barcelona, two in Seville and one in Alicante and Valencia, respectively.

During the searches, 615,000 in cash, ten luxury watches worth more than 400,000, two high-end vehicles, money counting machines, computer equipment and encrypted mobile phones were seized.

The Albanian leader of the organization was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of illegal possession of weapons and another of illegal detention, since he kidnapped one of the "hawaladers."

The National Police estimates that the gang would have managed to move a total of 65.5 million euros between May 2020 and March 2021.
The informal payment system is the same method used by the Kinahan cartels money man Johnny Morrissey, who it is believed, washed as much as 350,000 a DAY

A still from footage of the raid

A still from the footage shows just some of the cash that was seized

Spanish police have released video footage of an operation that took down a crime gang that had laundered more than 65m in drug trafficking cash in just one year through the hawala system.

The informal payment system is the same method used by the Kinahan cartels money man Johnny Morrissey, who it is believed, washed as much as 350,000 a DAY for the gang.

Following the arrest of Morrissey and his wife Nicola, police in Spain claimed that their Nero Drinks company was at the centre of the cartels most important money laundering operation in the country

They estimate that Morrissey laundered more than 200 million in crime cash in the 18 months leading up his arrest.

Designer clothes were also seized

In this latest operation, the National Police arrested 27 members of a criminal organisation that had used the same system to launder illicitly obtained funds for other international crime gangs.

The gang, made up of two Albanian leaders and several operators of Chinese origin, provided support from bases across Spain.

However, their activities were picked up by Europol which promoted an investigation that led to the identification of the Albanian leaders who, it was discovered, were mainly involved in drug trafficking and indoor marijuana cultivation.

The Chinese citizens, meanwhile, delivered large amounts of money to the businesses of their Albanian partners, after it had been sent to China using the "hawala" method.

This procedure does not require traditional bank accounts and leaves few records, which is why it is commonly used for money laundering or drug trafficking.

A still from footage of the raid

To carry out such transactions, the sender contacts a local "hawaladar" and gives him the money along with a password that has previously been agreed upon with the recipient.

Then, the "hawaladar" contacts his counterpart in the country of destination who will deliver the corresponding amount to the recipient after ensuring that he knows the password.

Investigators determined that the two Albanian ringleaders, one who acted as a leader and the other as a lieutenant and accountant, had two Chinese coordinators, who managed numerous Asian establishments that serviced the cash requests of the criminal organisations for which they worked.

Spanish cops dismantle drugs gangs using 'Hawala' money laundering

This led to the first three arrests at a home in Madrid, where agents found almost 65 kilograms of marijuana.

Seven arrests followed in Madrid, the same number in Malaga, six in Barcelona, two in Seville and one in Alicante and Valencia, respectively.

During the searches, 615,000 in cash, ten luxury watches worth more than 400,000, two high-end vehicles, money counting machines, computer equipment and encrypted mobile phones were seized.

The Albanian leader was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of illegal possession of weapons and another of illegal detention, as he is accused of kidnapping one of the "hawaladers."

The National Police estimates that the gang would have managed to move a total of 65.5m between May 2020 and March 2021.

Johnny Morrissey arrested in Spain

In April, we revealed how gangsters moll Nicola Morrissey had launched a last ditch bid to save the company that had allegedly used to help launder 200 million in cash for crime mobs including the Kinahan cartel.

Documents obtained by the Sunday World show an objection was formally registered against the dissolution of alleged money laundering machine Nero Drinks Company Limited in February.

The objection has forced the UKs Registrar of Companies to suspend a process that would have seen the company struck off and its assets forfeited to the Crown.

On paper, the vegan vodka company is 100 per cent owned by Glaswegian businesswoman Nicola  who is registered as the companys sole director

Her husband Johnny Morrissey, a previous target of the Criminal Assets Bureau who has been detained in custody in Spain on suspicion of money laundering since September, is not linked through company documents to Nero.

However, the US government has alleged that he handed a significant ownership stake in the company to cartel head Daniel Kinahan as compensation for failed drug shipments.

Nicola Morrissey is arrested

In a raft of sanctions announced by the US Department of Treasury in April of last year, the DOT alleged Nero Drinks was designated (sanctioned) for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, John Morrissey.

It said: John Morrissey controls and operates Nero Drinks through his wife, the primary shareholder, who is used as a frontperson for his interests.

Glamourous businesswoman Nicola was also arrested by Spanish police in the raid leading to her husbands capture but was later released without charge.

Images captured by Spanish media showed the 48-year-old sticking up her middle finger at photographers as she was led from the couples villa by officers with the Guardia Civil.

UK authorities believed they had hammered the final nail in the coffin of Nero Drinks in January when the Registrar of Companies issued formal notice that unless cause is shown to the contrary, the company will be struck off the register and dissolved not less than 2 months from the date shown above.

Unexpectedly, however, the move has been met with resistance.

In a notice posted in February, the striking off action was suspended.

Action under section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006 has been suspended, the Companies Office said, as an objection to the striking off has been received by the Registrar.
They are also paying for the rest of the costs to fly him home to me

Devastated mum Elizabeth Rehman is getting her son home from Morocco thanks to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

As revealed here over the last two weeks, the east Belfast mum-of-seven was left traumatised after her 10-year-old son Amir Itakhchi died while living in the north African country with his father, having spent the first nine years of his life in Belfast.

Just 24 hours after learning that Amir had passed away on August 15, she endured the heartbreak of watching his funeral on Facetime.

She had not seen her son in person since May 2022 when his father, who had custody of the child, took him to live in Morocco with his family.

But Amir was an Irish citizen and his mum believed she had to get him home.

Amir Itakhchi, the day before he died on August 15.

Elizabeth (37), who has learning difficulties, was left completely alone and unable to get her son home.

With the help of an advocate, Tracey Morris, she has been able to get the Moroccan authorities to agree that Amirs body should be exhumed and returned to Belfast so he can be buried with his great-grandparents in Roselawn Cemetery.

As revealed last week, Amirs dad had signed papers agreeing that his body could be exhumed, and he could be returned to Northern Ireland. But the costs of the exhumation were going to be just over 5,000.

Now the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has stepped in to at least relieve Elizabeth of some of that anguish.

Amir as a baby with his mother Elizabeth Rehman

The Kevin Bell people are superstars, she said.

They originally thought they wouldnt be allowed to pay the full cost, but once they saw the translated version of the bill they realised the 5,100 cost covered the exhumation and other costs up to getting him to the airport. They contacted me on Tuesday and told me they could pay the whole cost and on Wednesday they transferred the money to the funeral directors.

They are also paying for the rest of the costs to fly him home to me. Im so grateful to them for what they have done.

Elizabeth says shes also extremely grateful to people in east Belfast who have shown her support since her heartbreaking story was first told in this paper a fortnight ago, particularly the Cock and Hen pub, which has rallied behind her.

She is aware that last weeks devastating earthquake could have an impact on getting Amir home quickly, but is prepared for the wait and says shes just glad she will be getting him back.

Last Friday, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the High Atlas Mountains and devastated a large swathe of the country around Marrakesh, where Amir is buried.

More than 3,000 people have died, with several thousand more injured.

Colin and Eithne Bell run the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust  set up to bring home the bodies of Irish people from overseas  in honour of their son who died 10 years ago when he was the victim of a hit-and-run in New York.

Speaking this week about Amirs case, Colin Bell told the Sunday World they were happy that they were able to help.

The fee has been paid, but with the earthquake theres no timeline just yet.

Hopefully well get some movement in the next couple of days, he said.

The Morocco earthquake may delay arrival of body

Now Elizabeth and her advocate Tracey say they are fighting with the Housing Executive to get a home to hold a wake for Amir.

Elizabeth has been homeless for 14 months, sofa-surfing in friends homes and sometimes even sleeping rough on park benches, Tracey explained.

She deserves a proper home where she can at least wake her son when he comes home. She needs somewhere decent where she can grieve and where she can hope to get her kids back to live with her one day..

She hasnt seen her son in person in over a year and now hes coming home dead. She needs a single-let home with two or three bedrooms and we are prepared to go into court if the Housing Executive dont provide something suitable.

The Housing Executive told the Sunday World: We continue to provide this customer with support during her period of homelessness and we have responded appropriately to her current housing needs.

We have made a further offer of suitable, temporary accommodation, but this has been declined.

Tracey Morris

But Tracey says all they have offered Elizabeth is inappropriate accommodation in hostels.

She has been sleeping in my house for the last few weeks because all the Housing Executive is offering her is hostel accommodation, Tracey said.

I have saved the Housing Executive a fortune by having her in my house and they seem to be using the fact shes living with me as a reason to put her at the bottom of the list, which is disgusting.

Am I supposed to put her out on the street to put her to the top of the list?

Elizabeth is a vulnerable adult and she cannot be housed in a hostel where she is vulnerable to drug addicts and alcoholics or taken advantage of by others. Vulnerable people get groomed and preyed upon in hostels.

Her GP has written a letter to the Housing Executive telling them she cannot be housed in a hostel.

People in authority have really let her down but we will go into court and fight for her rights because she has rights under the Mental Health Act to be treated fairly.

Elizabeth Rehman

Amir, a former pupil at Harberton Special School in north Belfast, spent most weekends with his mum in her Templemore Avenue home and weekdays in his Falls Road home with his father Khalid Itakhchi, a barber in north Belfast.

The pair had been in a relationship before Amir was born in Craigavon Area Hospital and spent time in Thorndale Family Centre to assess their parenting skills, before they split up.

Elizabeth was aware that her son, who had autism and ADHD and was under the care of a disability social worker, spent time in Morocco with her former partners family and consented to the visits.

Last year his daddy said he was taking him to Morocco because it had the best special needs schools in the world, Elizabeth told us a fortnight ago.

I spoke to him all the time on the phone, but I hadnt seen him in person since about May last year.

But she was left distraught when Amirs father told her just a few weeks ago that their son had died.

He rang me in tears on August 15 and then came to the house and told me Amir was dead, she said.

Id got a photo of him in his new tracksuit just the day before.

His father said hed been in and out of hospital, and... said he was looked after by a private doctor.

Just 24 hours later, Amir was laid to rest in Morocco.

Elizabeth had barely even any time to grieve for her son when she found herself watching his funeral in Marrakesh on Facetime.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says he will target flavours and point of sales in shops

Disposable vapes will be banned as part of a further crackdown on e-cigarettes, including curbs on flavours and advertising.

The Government earlier this year moved to ban the sale of vapes to children  and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has now said he wants to ban single use e-cigarettes.

Earlier this week, Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe called for disposable vapes to be banned altogether by Government due to their environmental impact.

Mr Donnelly said he was now planning a second piece of legislation to further clamp down on vapes, which would curb flavours and where theyre advertised in shops.

Government looking into banning of disposable vapes

I fully support the policy, Mr Donnelly told the Irish Independent. Im drafting a second vaping bill to address further issues: flavours, point of sale advertising, possibly other issues.

Mr Donnelly said previously that flavours and designs for vapes were child-friendly and that the Government would bring in its own laws if ones at EU level were taking too long.

Minister for the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, has said he wants to see disposable vapes banned, saying they are making the world a worse place.

There are more than 240,000 vapers in Ireland with 13pc of ex-smokers using e-cigarettes, according to the 2019 Healthy Ireland Survey, released by the Department of Health.

Disposable vapes can be difficult to recycle because they contain a battery, which needs to be removed and recycled separately. A public consultation on the issue concluded last month.

Mr Smyth has said disposable vapes could be banned under Circular Economy Act, which allows a ban on single-use plastics, or through an EU directive on single-use plastics.

Id be interested in including a ban on disposable vapes in the Bill, if its something Ossian [Smyth] would find useful, said Mr Donnelly.

Electric Picnic, attended by more than 70,000 people earlier this month, banned single-use vapes from being brought in to the festival.

The UK and France have already announced plans to ban disposable vapes.

In Australia vapes can be bought with a prescription, Germany has banned flavoured e-cigarettes and New Zealand has also banned most vapes and restricted how they are marketed to kids.

Mr McAuliffe recently wrote to Fianna Fail councillors around the country asking about the true cost of disposing of single use e-cigarettes and whether the issue had been raised at council meetings.

The Government earlier this year passed laws banning the sale of vapes to under-18s and to restrict how they are sold and advertised.

Shops found to have sold vapes to children will face fines up to 4,000 or up to six months in jail. For subsequent offences, there is a fine of up to 5,000 or 12 months in prison.

One of the countrys leading vaping businesses, BAT Ireland, criticised the Government for not passing the ban on sale of vapes to children by mid-July, as had been Mr Donnellys intention.

The companys country manager David Melinn said it was unclear why the Government was dragging its heels on the issue.

He said the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill had been due to go before the Oireachtas Health Committee, but the meeting was cancelled and so the ban was still not in place.

Vaping is playing a vitally important role in helping adult smokers to quit, but its important that legislation is in place to ensure under-18s cannot access these products  this legislation will be key to enforcing this, said Mr Melinn.

Vaping should only ever be used by adult smokers who are looking to quit.
It's been reported that around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House on Wednesday ahead of the return of the Dail session.

Protesters outside Leinster House as the Dail resumes after the summer break. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Labour party leader Ivana Bacik has said that protests outside Dail Eireann on Wednesday were profoundly anti-democratic".

It's been reported that around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House ahead of the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws, while some held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

The protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

Protesters hold pictures of politicians outside Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

And mock gallows featuring a hanging effigy were also held up, surrounded by portraits of political leaders including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Thirteen people, 11 men and two women, were arrested over the course of the protests.

Deputy Bacik told Newstalk Breakfast that she supports the right to protest but slammed the demonstrations as pretty dreadful.

Yesterday's event were pretty dreadful, they were profoundly anti-democratic in fact, she said.

I would defend the right to protest; I've protested myself outside Leinster House.

Protesters outside Leinster House as the Dail resumes after the summer break. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

"I think it's very important that people would have a right to protest, a right to freedom of assembly outside our Parliament.

"What we saw yesterday was profoundly anti-democratic.

"The individuals involved, and they were a relatively small number, engaged in violent and threatening tactics, they blocked and obstructed members of the Oireachtas and staff and visitors from entering Leinster House."

She said the protestors blocked "at least two other planned political events" from going ahead due to safety concerns.

"I support the Ceann Comhairle's call for a review of security arrangement around Leinster House.

"I'm a member of the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life that the Ceann Comhairle pulled together.

"I first raised this in the Dail because of concerns about safety of individual public representatives and their staff."

The politician said there should be an onus on social media companies to monitor far right groups using their platforms.

Watch: Gardai stand off against anti-government protesters at Leinster House

"In think what's particularly different now is the fact that... far right groups can spread a message of hate. They can spread disinformation online.

"Indeed one of the focuses of our task force is to look at how we can require social media platforms to promote civility of discourse... to ensure that they're not being used to spread lies, to spread hate.

"It is of concern that small numbers can use social media platforms in this way.

"It is important that we would call on Meta, Twitter and all the other platforms to take much more proactive steps to prevent this happening - and indeed to take down disinformation.

Her comments come as Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail today asked for a review of security arrangements at Leinster House.

Mr O Fearghail, the chair of the Dail as well as the Oireachtas Commission which is responsible for running parliament, has signalled the review involving gardai and Oireachtas security staff will get underway as early as Thursday following yesterdays protests.

Several politicians and staff were verbally abused as they were prevented from leaving Leinster House until gardai escorted a convoy of politicians' cars out of the gate.

It is understood an intern from Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae's office had her phone stolen by protestors as she was making her way from Leinster House with Mr Healy Rae.

Mr Healy Rae later told Independent.ie: 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.
The affected routes include a lot of Central and Eastern European routes, chief executive Eddie Wilson said

Ryanair has announced it will cut its winter schedule at Dublin Airport, blaming the operator's passenger charges for the move.

The cuts will mean loss of connections to cities in Italy and Germany as well as across Central and Eastern Europe.

The airline has cancelled 17 routes and says it has moved its entire Dublin-based enviro-friendly fleet of 19 aircraft, which it says burns 16pc less fuel and emits 40pc less noise, to alternative EU airports that incentivise growth and low-emission aircraft.

The affected routes include a lot of Central and Eastern European routes, chief executive Eddie Wilson said.

Palermo and Sicily will go and Nuremberg in Germany, he said. Genoa in Italy will go.

These routes will no longer be on sale from November 1, reducing passenger numbers for the airline at Dublin Airport by 10pc compared to the same period last winter.

Mr Wilson added that there would also be reduction in the frequency of UK provincial routes. Its going to feed into less tourism, less jobs and less connectivity, he said.

He said the company will assess what it will do when it comes to its 2024 summer schedule, with no decisions on routes as yet. Around 57 aircraft will arrive next year, the airline reported.

No routes will be cut at Cork Airport or Shannon Airport, the chief executive confirmed this morning.

Weve expanded in Cork, for example, Mr Wilson said. Weve got long term deals in Cork where weve got an agreement on charges for the next five years.

Ryanair has also added an extra aircraft in Cork this winter.

He added that the airline has already secured a deal on charges in Shannon Airport until 2031

What youre doing there is that youve got an incentive there to put extra additional capacity there, Mr Wilson said.

The airline said DAA was increasing its already excessive charges by a ludicrous 45pc to fund its 3bn gold-plated CAPEX programme, which includes a portfolio of unnecessary vanity projects which have no benefit for passengers.

Mr Wilson said the move to increase charges by 45pc was regrettable and would have hugely damaging consequences for Ireland.

The Government implemented an innovative industry-leading Traffic Recovery Support Scheme post-Covid, with Ryanair responding with 117pc recovery vs pre-Covid levels, ensuring Irelands recovery of connectivity and tourism.

Dublin Airport isnt Heathrow; Dublin competes for traffic with other European Airports, and with less airline seat capacity returning post covid, airports must respond with incentives to attract that smaller pool of aircraft seat capacity.

Sadly, DAA are oblivious to what is happening at airports elsewhere in Europe.

Airports that have lowered charges and implemented incentive passenger growth schemes for lower-emission aircraft are recovering passenger numbers and growing connectivity.

DAAs policies are putting Ireland at risk of becoming just like Germany, whose passenger numbers are only 75pc recovered vs pre-Covid with reduced connections and tourism because they increased airport and security charges  precisely what DAA are now doing.

What has played out in Germany will now be repeated in Ireland as higher airport charges mean lower passengers which runs counter to Govt policy to develop low-cost sustainable access to support a growing economy. 

The Irish Independent has contacted the DAA for comment.
WARNING: Some people may find the details in this story distressing to read.

SPCA has prosecuted a man over a botched castration attempt on his dog that went horribly wrong, leaving the animal suffering in excruciating pain for weeks.

The defendant was sentenced at Manukau District Court in Auckland on September 19, after being charged with the ill-treatment of an animal. He was sentenced to 160 hours of community work.

SPCA was first notified about the injured dog by police, after two officers visited the mans property on an unrelated matter in May 2022.

They were greeted by a child, who told them their dad had hurt their eight-month-old mixed breed dog by "chopping off his balls".

They found the dog, named Buck, and noticed his testicles were raw and exposed.

Police contacted SPCA and made arrangements for both agencies to return to the property later that morning. Buck was taken into possession of SPCA and emergency veterinary treatment was sought.

Upon examination, the vet noticed some tissue protruding from a wound around Bucks scrotum.

The injury was consistent with a deliberate attempt to perform castration. The tissue was red and inflamed and had some material stuck to the surface that appeared to be plant material.

The veterinarian concluded that Buck would have suffered significant pain as a consequence of this injury, and the initial trauma that had caused his testicle to come out of the body would have been incredibly painful. He would have serious ongoing pain associated with the protruding tissue and skin wound.

When interviewed by SPCA, the defendant said he had been told by a friend that having Buck neutered would cost $50-$100.

He was told that it was possible to neuter a dog by placing a rubber band around the testicles as tightly as possible, and that it would be swollen for two or three days, then after a week the testicles would fall off.

About a month before SPCA became involved, the defendant decided to try the rubber band method and placed a band around Bucks testicles. He noticed a couple of days afterwards Bucks testicles were swollen, and he noticed a cut. Buck also stopped eating for a few days, then started again.

In the second week the defendant noticed a smell similar to that of a dead rat. He also said there were blood marks in places where Buck had lay down.

In the third week, the defendant thought that the rubber band didnt seem to be holding, so he tied a small piece of rope around Bucks testicles. Buck cried when he did this.

The defendant said he knew that he was hurting Buck, but he was trying to fix his mistake. However, he was making it much worse. He didnt call for help because he thought hed get into trouble. He said he had no idea what the rules were in New Zealand when it came to castration, and where he was from, people just did it themselves. The defendant told SPCA he was regretful of his actions and knew Buck was in pain.

SPCA Chief Executive Robyn Kiddle says its difficult to imagine the unnecessary and unacceptable level of pain and distress Buck was put through.

"It is illegal to perform castration on any animal in New Zealand unless carried out by the right people with the right skills such as a veterinarian. Buck would have been in excruciating pain, yet nothing was done to alleviate this.

"At SPCA, we understand the importance of desexing more than anyone and there are ways we can help people to desex their pet. We recently launched a campaign to desex 600 animals in Northland (300 cats and 300 dogs) as well as having other desexing initiatives across the country at different times of the year. If people are struggling to afford to desex their pet or need advice, help is available and I would strongly encourage them to contact SPCA or their local vet clinic to discuss what options are available."

The defendant was also ordered to pay reparation costs of $1142.18 to SPCA.
Fuel company Waitomo says higher fuel prices will "definitely" have an impact on Kiwis' summer road trips.

There are predictions that petrol prices could soar as high as $3.50 a litre for 91 by Christmas.

Brent Crude is edging towards $95 US per barrel.

Waitomo managing director Jimmy Ormsby told Morning Report that global events are having an impact on prices.

"Obviously the Saudis have restricted supply, they like the barrel to be up in that 90 to 100 dollar range which it now is, so hopefully that's enough for them and they let the product flow a bit more so that'll be reflected in the price of a barrel," he says.

"There's also been quite a few refinery shut-downs in the region so it's just a catch up from post-Covid.

"Good news is that data out this week is that the Chinese refineries have doubled their output over June and July. June and July were low months, it's back up to something like 1.2 million tonnes, so that's really positive."

Jimmy describes the forecast as a "bit of doomsday" and says there are a whole range of other factors coming into play too.

"It's what's happening at OPEC, what's happening with refineries, supply and demand, and then obviously we've got a few things we can control at our end like the taxes and what's happening with ETS, so ETS has had a bit of a bounce, obviously, so we're up to 18 cents a litre for diesel and 16 for petrol ... depending on who wins the election, what taxes that go on.

"Labour's committed to putting on 12 cents a litre ... in the leaders' debate they talked about that last night, National on the other hand have said they'd remove the Auckland regional tax and not put the 12 cents on."

As for summer road trips and travelling over the break, Jimmy says motorists will feel the pain.

"It's pretty elastic; the price goes up and that is reflected in demand at the pump, obviously there's a few people in tough economic circumstances out there at the moment.

"We will ultimately see that at the pump and also, we've seen ... a bit of a flat curve in terms of the demand for diesel, which just reflects economic activity."

-RNZ.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins says National's international education announcement is a "nothing policy".

National leader Christopher Luxon says the party is promising to expand work rights for international students, and increase student recruitment from a wider number of countries.

But Hipkins says: "It's another nothing announcement from National. We already have a relatively open border when it comes to international students, there's no cap on how many international students can come in to the country, and international student visas, I think the average visa processing time is 19 days, which is well below the target of 30 days for international student visas to be processed."

"We're seeing international education rebounding after the pandemic. We attract a lot of international students from China, that's been slower to warm up again after the pandemic, not just for New Zealand but for all of the countries where they travel for international education. It's one of the reasons why last year as minister of education, as soon as the border reopened, I visited six different countries in order to promote New Zealand's international education sector to diversify the markets in which we are getting international students from."

Earlier on Thursday, Labour's Ginny Andersen, National's Mark Mitchell, Greens' Ricardo Menendez March, Te Pati Maori's John Tamihere and New Zealand First's Winston Peters took part in a law and order debate on RNZ's Morning Report.

Each candidate was given one minute to open the debate and say how their party would reduce crime in the country.

They then debated gangs, police, prisoner numbers and more.

Follow all the latest updates on RNZ's liveblog:

- RNZ.
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The Mijas councillor for Foreign Residents, Roy Perez, and the councillor for Social Inclusion, Hipolito Zapico, held a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of different social groups involved with Apemex, a programme designed to help foreign senior citizens in the area that is celebrating its first anniversary.

The initiative, which was launched by the foreigners office in 2022, is designed to offer help and support to pensioners registered in Mijas who live alone. The programme has the collaboration of several charitable associations, like Age Care and Age Concern, the Red Cross, La Cala de Mijas Lions Club, The Royal British Legion, as well as Local Police. The group meets every three months in order to continue perfecting a support network that includes bureaucratic processes, medical procedures, and translation and advocacy services. It also organises social meetings so that elderly foreign residents can enjoy a variety of social activities.

Zapico pointed out that the programme offers services to foreigners who have retired to Mijas, especially those with mobility problems.

Over the last 12 months, the town hall has worked closely with volunteer-run associations to offer the necessary services to make sure these people dont feel alone. The programme is run in conjunction with the social services department, which has helped people, mainly British residents, with numerous things such as hospital and doctors appointments, banking procedures and even repatriation, the councillor explained.
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When the Buffalo Bills signed Christian Kirksey to their practice squad after roster cuts across the league, it seemed like it was just a matter of time before the veteran linebacker would get signed to the main roster.

The belief was that Kirksey, 31, would just need some time to get acclimated to the playbook. Kirkseys experience playing for Bills senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb in Cleveland would likely help him get up to speed with the new system. After that, the veteran could take over at middle linebacker or at least see some playing time in a rotation with second-year linebacker Terrel Bernard.
Alexandria, N.Y.  Two Amish children - 1 and 3 years old - died after a pickup truck drove into the back of a buggy they were riding in Jefferson County.

Around 2:18 p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to County Route 2 for a report of a crash between a 2022 GMC pickup truck and an Amish buggy, according to a news release Thursday from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

Charlene Kring, 26, of Lafargeville was driving the pickup southwest when she drove into the back of the buggy traveling in the same direction, deputies said. The six people inside the buggy were injured, they said.

When an officer arrived, deputies said the officer found four children and two adults all seriously injured. The deputy gave medical attention to a one-year-old, who was severely injured.

Other emergency medical crews arrived on scene and determined the 1-year-old had died, deputies said.

The 3-year-old child later died at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, they said.

The two adults were taken to River Hospital in Alexandria Bay while the other two children were taken to Samaritan Medical Center. They were transferred to Upstate University Hospital.

Kring was not injured in the crash, deputies said.

Deputies said they are still investigating the accident and that they will release more information when it becomes available.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
What are the best haunted houses in Upstate New York? The scariest Halloween attractions in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and everywhere in between include spooky hayrides, bone-chilling trails of terror, scream parks, escape rooms and truly terrifying zombie zip-lining.

There are plenty of real-life haunted places across the region, including documented instances of paranormal activity and ghost sightings, but if you want a fun scare this October, check out our list of 20 must-try horror experiences and events for 2023.

Note: Check official websites for hours, pricing; some may require reservations in advance. Also, beware: Some places are not recommended for younger audiences and may require cash only.

* * * * *

Headless Horseman

Featured on the Today show and named the No. 1 horror attraction in America by hauntworld.com and USA Today, this Catskills Region collection of 10 attractions changing every Halloween season includes a theatrical one-mile hayride, corn maze, escape rooms and more.

Location: 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park, NY

More info: headlesshorseman.com

* * * * *

Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park

Frightmare Farms Haunted Scream Park, located half an hour outside of Syracuse, features a haunted house, twisted labyrinth, a condemned mine trail, and a haunted hayride through the forest. Voted scariest experience by syracuse.com readers.

Location: 4816 State Route 49, Palermo, N.Y. 13069

More info: frightmarefarms.net

* * * * *

Dark Matter Scream Works

Rochesters indoor haunted attraction promises to chill your spine with five attractions: Blood Manor, Circus of the Damned, Phobias, Contagion and House of Krampus. A Scare Cam also captures photos of people getting scared and posts them on Facebook.

Location: 296 Greece Ridge Center Drive, Greece, NY

More info: darkmatterscreamworks.com

* * * * *

Nightmare Manor

Another nightmare in Rochester: Try not to freak out as you face toxic zombies in the Undead Zone, the Sinister Sewers beneath the manor, and Hillbilly Hell, an old abandoned ranch filled with (gulp) serial killers.

Location: Southtown Plaza, 3333 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester NY

More info: nightmaremanorhauntedhouse.com

* * * * *

Cayo Industrial Horror Realm

An intense haunted house experience geared for adults featuring a labyrinth of twisted walls with horrific encounters plus real-world conspiracies, conflicts, pandemics and hidden agendas. Children under 12 not recommended.

Location: 530 Harbor Way, Rome, N.Y.

More info: cayoindustrial.com

* * * * *

Frightworld: Americas Screampark

Five terrifying attractions include the Carnival Boneyard, Nightstalkers Reloaded, Eerie State Asylum, Grindhouse and... Insanity. Named the third best haunted house in the U.S. by BuzzFeed.

Location: 1001 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, N.Y.

More info: frightworld.com

* * * * *

Field of Horrors

Things that go bump in the night creep around every corner on attractions like Dr. Morbids Haunted House, Return of the Mummys Curse, and the Condemned Manor. Voted the scariest attraction in the Capital Region; not recommended for children under 10.

Location: 100 Farrell Rd, Troy, NY

More info: fieldofhorrors.com

* * * * *

Zombie Zip-Lining

Zombie Zips? This tour is not for faint of heart. Your nightmare begins with a corpse-guided tour along a serial killer infested forest to then be hauled into the trees among complete, utter horror. Once in the trees you will be launched in complete darkness  alone, afraid and vulnerable  along a screaming steel cable hundreds of feet along Mountain Ridge Adventures awesome Zip Line Park.

Location: 300 Weatherwax Road, Schenectady, NY

More info: mountainridgeadventure.com/zombie-zipline-adventure/

* * * * *

Fright Nights

Formerly known as Fright Nights at the Fair, the expanded location in an 82,000 square foot factory near Carrier Circle features five haunted attractions. The greatest haunt on earth was named one of the 20 best haunted attractions in the Northeast by USA Today.

Location: 1 LePage Place, Syracuse, N.Y.

More info: thefrightnights.com

* * * * *

Rolling Hills Asylum

Do you dare roam the halls alone? Get committed to a 3-hour psych hold, go on a ghost hunt or take a flashlight tour around the authentically haunted institute seen on Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Challenge.

Location: 11001 Bethany Center Rd, East Bethany, NY

More info: rollinghillsasylum.com

* * * * *

The Trail of Terror

Volneys trail of terror features a cursed forest and a 5,000-square foot haunted house filled with old school horror fun.

Location: 475 Clifford Rd, Fulton, N.Y.

More info: Facebook or the-trail-of-terror.business.site

* * * * *

Demon Acres Haunted House & Hayride

Less than 40 minutes outside of Syracuse, Hannibals extreme hayride in the Depths of the Dark Forest and a Demons Den promise scary fun. Other attractions include Jail Break, dropping brave souls in the middle of a prison riot, and an Insane Asylum escape room.

Location: 341 County Route 36, Hannibal, N.Y. 13074

More info: demonacres.com or Facebook

* * * * *

13th Hour Rising Haunted Hayride

An immersive haunted hayride event delivers high-octane fears, phobias and carnage that will make you scream, plus a twisted mind maze dubbed The Passage. Not recommended for children under 8.

Location: Chengerians, 84 Merrit Road, Fulton, N.Y. 13069

More info: 13thhourrising.com

* * * * *

Fright Fest at Six Flags Darien Lake & Great Escape

The Six Flags theme parks get creepy on the weekends in October with zombies, scare zones, haunted mazes, haunted houses and more.

Location: 9993 Allegheny Road, Corfu, NY (Darien Lake); 1172 State Route 9, Queensbury, NY (Great Escape)

More info: sixflags.com/darienlake (Darien Lake) and sixflags.com/greatescape (Great Escape)

* * * * *

Double M Haunted Hayrides & Haunted Houses

For over 25 years, ghost cowboy Scary Harry and the rest of the gang have been haunting Saratoga County with a Double M haunted hayride through dark woods filled with spirits and creatures of unimaginable beings. Other fun includes Brutality, Blood Moon Farm and the Last Inn, where they check in and sometimes dont check out.

Location: 678 NY-67, Ballston Spa, NY

More info: doublemhauntedhayrides.com

* * * * *

Trail of Terror, Hunt

Take a wild ride on a haunted bus, get dropped off in a cornfield and follow the path through multiple shacks, trailers and woods for a unique haunted experience.

Location: 10042 S. River Road, Hunt, NY

More info: facebook.com/TrailofTerrorr

* * * * *

Night Terrors Haunted Farm

As you pass through the farm youll feel the presence of the many restless souls waiting in the darkness at attractions like Maize Mayhem, the Hive, and Spellbound.

Location: 4193 Rte 7 Schoharie, NY

More info: nightterrorshauntedfarm.com

* * * * *

Freak at the Peak

Greek Peak Mountain Resorts mountain coaster will turn into a haunted thrill ride, plus a zombie zip line will soar over the undead.

Location: Greek Peak Mountain Resort, 2000 State Route 392, Cortland NY

More info: greekpeak.net

* * * * *

Wood Creek Hollow

Hollows Hayride is a journey through a desolate town, a Psycho Path walking trail features horror icons, and the Crypt Keepers Courtyard offers food, artisans and a tarot reader. All guests must be 18+ or accompanied by an adult over 21.

Location: 3851 Wood Creek Rd, Rome, NY

More info: Facebook

* * * * *

Tagsylvania

The fear of the Southern Tier features four haunted attractions, including the Orphan House, the Jerkus Circus and Motel 666.

Location: 3037 New York 352, Big Flats, NY

More info: tagsylvania.com

* * * * *

MORE:

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Syracuse, N.Y.  A bar in the citys Tipperary Hill neighborhood has added a catering kitchen and opened a takeout meal service.

The 1331 Food Shoppe opened at the end of August on the ground floor of the Emerald Cocktail Kitchen. Emerald, a three-story restaurant with Syracuses only rooftop bar, opened in June after a complete renovation of what once was George ODeas pub.

Owner Michele Roesch had planned all along to add catering and takeout meals to the options at 1333 W. Fayette St., but she wanted to get Emerald operating first.

The to-go kitchen makes salads, sandwiches, side dishes and full meals to bake at home. Its open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and is closed Tuesday.

This neighborhood and this side of town is full of working professionals who come home from work and just dont want to cook, she said. When I lived on Tipp Hill, I called Door Dash every day. This is a healthy alternative to ordering fast food to be delivered.

The shop is located where the back room of George ODeas was before the renovation. It has its own kitchen, and the entrance is separate from the bar.

Roesch offers complete take-and-bake meals that require 20 to 25 minutes in the oven. She offers each of those in vegetarian and gluten-free version. The menu changes weekly and is listed on the stores Facebook page.

Last weeks meals included a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy and Brussels sprouts. She also served an Irish beef stew to celebrate the midway point to St. Patricks Day.

The turkey dinner from 1331 Food Shoppe inside Emerald Cocktail Lounge. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)

The 1331 Food Shoppe will soon prepare food trays for parties and office meetings.

****

Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. (AND he pays for what he and his guests eat and drink, just so you know.) You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his free weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.

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Syracuse, N.Y. -- A judge on Wednesday took away Burt Marshalls control of his multiple businesses while the Madison County businessmans $92 million bankruptcy case proceeds.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Patrick Radel approved a motion by the U.S. Trustees Office to appoint a bankruptcy trustee to operate Marshalls businesses, which include more than 100 rental properties in the small Madison County village of Hamilton.
Leona Ann Sutherland Shampine Barnett, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Hoschton, Ga., after a long battle with Alzheimers disease.

Born in Winchester, Mass., she lived in the Philippines and Sackets Harbor, before moving to Clay, where she built her life and family.

Her obituary is unique, giving readers glimpses into her personality and her love of life, nature, new experiences, and her family:

She was the mother who would pack handwritten notes into school lunches that read, I love you bunches and bunches!  much to the embarrassment of her children.

If Leona found a wayward ladybug or spider in the house, she would capture it gently in a tissue, release it outside and soothe, There, right back where you belong.

She would tell her children, Learn peoples names. Its the smallest sign of respect, but its everything.

She insisted on trying new foods and new experiences, shouting YOLO! well into her senior years.

The obituary also shared that at age 65, she was the one loudly ordering rounds of horny turtle cocktails on the beach in Saint Thomas. At 72, she was ziplining through the treetops in Ketchikan, Alaska, giggling down the mountain.

She savored life and was grateful for each new morning, the obituary said.

Her obituary goes into detail about her life, but here are the basics:

One of her first jobs was working at Henry and Hines Pharmacy in North Syracuse.

Her first husband was Jimmy Shampine, who rose to racing fame and revolutionized the sport of super-modified racing, according to her obituary. Jimmy died in September 1982 while racing at Oswego Speedway.

Leona would go on to find love and partnership again with her second husband, Brett, a friend of Jimmys, according to her obituary. They moved from New York to Ohio to North Carolina and eventually to Georgia.

Her obituary ends with this:

Leona will be cremated, and dual life celebrations will follow in Upstate New York and Hoschton, Georgia. Leona kept aside a portion of Jimmys ashes, and half of her remains will be mixed with his. Together, they will be interred in the Pine Plains Cemetery... The other half of her remains will await reunion with Brett on his passing. At the end, Leona will be in perpetual union with the two loves of her life, and like the wayward insect gently returned to nature, soothed, being right back where she belongs.

If you have a suggestion for a feature obituary, please email the link and any other information youd like to share to citynews@syracuse.com or call our newsroom at 315-470-2265.
Freedom, N.Y.  A man who drove a pickup head-on into a car driven by his sister, killing his sister and two girls in the Western New York has been charged with murder, troopers said.

State police Thursday announced the arrest of Evan R. Klink, 21, of Freedom.

He was high on drugs at the time, troopers said. Klink purposely drove into the oncoming lane and lost control of his pickup before the collision, they said.

On June 17, Klink was headed west on Freedom Road in the town of Freedom in Cattaraugus County shortly after noon that day when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming sedan driven by his sister, Dahlia J. Klink, 24, also of Freedom.

The crash killed his sister, Dahlia J. Klink, 24; Havanah S. Lopez, 17 and Molly Kibler, 6.

Three people survived the crash: a 4-year-old passenger in the sisters car; a passenger in the pickup, Cameron Klink, 19; and Evan Klink.

Evan Klink was charged with:
Washington  House Republicans clashed with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, accusing him and the Justice Department of the weaponization of the departments 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 presidents 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 Garlands 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 Garlands 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.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  A judge in New York dismissed all charges Wednesday against a Vermont deputy who was involved in a chaotic sidewalk brawl that ended when he was shot multiple times by police.

Judge James A. Murphy said many factors went into his decision, including the prosecutions failure to properly instruct the grand jury on the law as well as improper speculation by witnesses.

Vito Caselnova, who was a sheriffs deputy in Rutland County, Vermont, was involved in the late-night melee in November 2022 with three men from Utica, New York, in the historic center of Saratoga Springs.

Prosecutors said Caselnova and another man shot their guns at each other simultaneously, while defense lawyers said the Utica man fired first.

Police officers responded and shot Caselnova. A bullet fired by officers also grazed his girlfriends arm.

Caselnova was indicted in March on charges including attempted murder and possessing a firearm in a sensitive location. He pleaded not guilty.

Following Wednesdays dismissal, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen will still be able to present the case to a new grand jury, Murphy wrote.

There was no immediate response to email messages sent to Heggen and Caselnovas lawyer, Gregory Teresi, seeking comment.
Dont get caught out by fraud and never let crime pay, says IUMI

International Union of Marine Insurance- A recent, high-profile fraud case has highlighted a number of issues that marine insurers should recognise and learn from if they are to continue to provide a comprehensive service for their assureds and retain their viability as commercial businesses.

A recent, high-profile fraud case has highlighted a number of issues that marine insurers should recognise and learn from if they are to continue to provide a comprehensive service for their assureds and retain their viability as commercial businesses. This was the topic at todays Legal & Liability Workshop as part of IUMIs (International Union of Marine Insurance) annual conference in Edinburgh. The workshop drew on the extremely topical and complex fraud case involving the vessel Brillante Virtuoso and took the opportunity to debate a number of reminders that marine insurers would be wise to consider. Background In July 2011, the Suezmax tanker Brillante Virtuoso (149,601 DWT) was fully laden with a cargo of fuel oil worth around US$100 million and en route Ukraine to China. It was reported that the vessel was under attack by Somali pirates off Aden who (it was said) had fired rocket-propelled grenades into the vessel causing a fire in the accommodation block. The crew were rescued by an American warship and, after a few days, the resurgent fire was extinguished and the vessel towed to safety. The warship found no evidence of pirates and a subsequent investigation by a surveyor (Captain David Mockett) acting on the instructions of the hull insurer found no signs of a rocket attack. Tragically, he was killed in Yemen by a car bomb a few days later. Although the vessel was purchased for US$46 million, its value in June 2011 was only US$13.5 million but it had been insured for US$77 million. The hull war insurers, suspecting foul play, fought a lengthy court case and, in 2019, the High Court in England ruled that an attempted insurance fraud had, indeed, taken place and implicated the vessel owner, the master & chief engineer, and Poseidon, the Aden-based salvor in deliberately setting and fueling the fire on the vessel. The judgment can be found here - https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2019/2599.html. Whilst the hull war insurers were not required to pay-out, the shipowners bank had taken out Mortgagees Interest Insurance (MII) which provides back-up cover to the bank should they lose the benefit of cover provided by the hull policy. Additionally, this MII cover included a clause preventing the MI insurers from suing the shipowner to recover the loss even though the shipowner was found guilty of fraud. Charles Fernandez, Chair of IUMIs Legal & Liability Committee said: Tragically, the surveyor who first attended the vessel, Captain David Mockett, lost his life and that should not be forgotten. The ship was carrying a large cargo of fuel oil which, if spilt, would have caused a significant environmental disaster. Added to this, although two ships officers were implicated, the remainder of the crew were innocent but the onboard fire had the potential to endanger their lives. The key lesson to learn is that underwriters must challenge suspected cases of fraud at the earliest opportunity to ensure wrongdoings are not perpetuated or repeated. By doing this, they might protect lives, livelihoods, the environment and their assureds. A sad reflection from this case is to realise that for some, crime does pay. The insurance community paid-out around US$100million. The bank was reimbursed. A significant salvage claim was paid even though Poseidon, one of the sub-contractors was subsequently implicated in the fraud. The shipowners loan was also paid-off. It was the insurers who picked-up the bill even though the High Court had ruled that a major insurance fraud had taken place. Individual insurers should learn from this case and take steps to protect themselves, and others, from this sort of crime. The conference workshop highlighted a number of issues that would benefit from further investigation: The practice of insuring vessels for more than they are worth. If the Brillante Virtuoso had been insured for US$13.5million and not US$77million then there would not have been the incentive to commit fraud. There was no valid reason for the Mortgagees Interest Insurance to contain a clause that prevented the MI insurers from claiming against the owner when the owners fraud had been established. Although this clause is often included to protect the banks relationship with its client, MI insurers should resist it.

Like other markets, hull insurers strive to provide an effective and prompt claims service but complex claims need to be fully investigated. Underwriters must know who they are insuring and be certain to look beyond shell companies or similar. The surveyor who was sadly killed was appointed by the insurers. As a community, insurers should offer support to the family of anyone they appoint who is injured or killed while working on their behalf. Charles Fernandez concludes: Im extremely pleased that our conference has been able to highlight the many issues this complex fraud has raised in the hope that we can encourage further discussion and, hopefully, bring about some much needed and meaningful change to how certain aspects of marine underwriting is conducted.




KPI OceanConnect and Uni-Tankers collaborate on successful biofuel trial

KPI OceanConnect supplies bespoke B30 biofuel blend to Uni-Tankers M/T Alsia Swan for successful trials on board the 5,700 DWT chemical tanker

Middelfart, Denmark  19 September 2023: Uni-Tankers, a leading tanker shipping company, and KPI OceanConnect, a leading global marine energy solutions provider, today announced they have completed the successful supply and trial of a bespoke blend of B30 biofuel on Uni-Tankers M/T Alsia Swan. The trials are an important step for understanding the emissions performance of biofuel and validating its potential to help cut carbon emissions.



The trial took place in Amsterdam on board Uni-Tankers 5,700 DWT chemical tanker M/T Alsia Swan. KPI OceanConnect arranged for the supply of 34,000 litres of bio grade fuel containing a 30% blend of FAME (fatty acid methyl esters). The fuel supply was part of a two-day trial, which saw emissions for the biofuel measured and compared with emissions for LSMGO under the same conditions.



KPI OceanConnects local team of traders worked with their Uni-Tankers partners to identify a biofuel to meet their bespoke needs. The team oversaw the blending process to ensure the fuel met precise specifications and was on hand for the delivery to ensure the specially blended product supplied for the M/T Alsia Swan trials was good quality.



Throughout the trial, tests were carried out at four different loads to assess the reliability and performance of the bio-fuel blend. Alongside trials of the B30 biofuel, Uni-Tankers ran identical operations for an LSMGO fuel of equal quality, allowing accurate comparisons of the B30 biofuel performance. Sampling and analysis for the trial was performed by a team from FORCE Technology.



In results from the trial, Uni-Tankers saw particulate matter (PM) emissions reduced by as much as 42% when fuel supply was switched from LSMGO fuel to B30. Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were also reduced by 18%. By using a blend of 30% biofuel and 70% fossil MGO, M/T Alsia Swan can cut lifecycle emissions of CO2 by an equivalent amount. In a future of tightening regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, this will be an important interim step ship owners can take to maintain compliance and support decarbonisation.



Jesper Srensen, Global Head of New Fuels and Carbon Markets, KPI OceanConnect, commented on the project: We are very pleased to be partnering with the Uni-Tankers team on this project to deliver high-grade biofuel for their vessel in Amsterdam. By sharing our knowledge and providing expert guidance on fuel strategies, including finding the right biofuel blend ratio to meet the specific needs of vessel operators, we aim to build partnerships with our clients that support their long-term success through the energy transition in shipping. For KPI OceanConnect our close partnership with Uni-Tankers is a model for delivering excellence to our clients.



Lisa Clement Jensen, Head of Strategy at Uni-Tankers, commented: The need to cut emissions is one of the most urgent matters in the shipping industry and we are very pleased to be working with KPI OceanConnect for the biofuel trials on the M/T Alsia Swan. Decarbonization is at the top our strategic agenda and we aim to contribute to a climate-resilient development of the shipping industry. These trials enable us to assess the potential and viability of biofuels as part of our ongoing decarbonization efforts.




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Why it matters: The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal tasked with prosecuting the worst crimes committed against human rights. The court is now prosecuting cyberwar crimes as well, and cybercriminals are already retaliating.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently reported a cybersecurity incident involving its "information systems." The court detected some unspecified "anomalous activity" on its systems at the end of last week, taking immediate measures to respond to this incident and mitigate its impact.

The ICC is hosted in the Dutch city of The Hague, and Dutch authorities are already assisting the Court with the investigation. The ICC hasn't provided any details about the incident yet, but the fact that Dutch authorities are working with the organization is likely proof of a serious breach in the ICC's IT infrastructure.

An ICC official statement says that the Court is still analyzing and trying to mitigate the impact of this incident, while priority has been given to ensuring that the core work of the organization continues unabated. Collaboration with the "Host Country" (i.e., the Netherlands) is "excellent," the Court says, with immediate response and support provided after the breach was discovered.

While working to mitigate this past week's incident, the ICC is also strengthening its cyber-security framework for the future. The Court has decided to "accelerate" the adoption of cloud technologies, even though there are no guarantees that the cloud will provide more security at all.

Furthermore, the ICC also states that support from national states and other stakeholders remains critical to enhance the Court's institutional resilience "under challenging circumstances." The ICC has 123 member states, including all the countries of South America, nearly all of Europe, most of Oceania and half of African nations. The US, China and Russia haven't signed the Court's statute, while 31 other countries have signed but not ratified the statute yet.

The ICC prosecutes international crimes related to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression. The organization, which works independently from the UN and its International Court of Justice, issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for Ukraine invasion in March 2023. The recent security breach could be a retaliation attempt by state-sponsored Russian hackers, or it could be related to the recently stated intention of the Court's lead prosecutor to also investigate any hacking crimes that violate existing international laws.
In brief: Google is being sued by the family of a North Carolina man who drove his car off a collapsed bridge as he followed directions given by Google Maps. It's claimed that Google acted negligently, as it was allegedly informed that the bridge was no longer in use on several occasions, but failed to update its system.

Philip Paxson, a 47-year-old medical device salesman and father of two, drove his pickup truck off the edge of a bridge that had collapsed almost a decade earlier on the outskirts of Hickory, a city about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte, on September 30, 2022. His mother-in-law wrote on a Facebook page that he was returning home from his daughter's ninth birthday, adding that there were no warning signs on the bridge or the road leading up to it.

Paxson's lawyer, Bob Zimmerman, said that he had only recently moved to the area and was unfamiliar with the local roads, relying on Google Maps. It's claimed that the navigation system directed Paxson to cross the collapsed bridge. "Tragically, as he drove cautiously in the darkness and rain, he unsuspectingly followed Google's outdated directions to what his family later learned for nearly a decade was called the 'Bridge to Nowhere,' crashing into Snow Creek, where he drowned," Zimmerman said.

As reported by AP, State troopers who found Paxson's body in his overturned and partially submerged truck had said there were no barriers or warning signs along the washed-out roadway. According to the lawsuit, he had driven off an unguarded edge and crashed about 20 feet below.

The suit also claims that Google had been notified about the collapsed bridge on multiple occasions before Paxson's death and had been urged to update its system. A Hickory resident used Maps' "suggest an edit" feature to warn Google about the collapsed bridge in 2020, and while the company said in an email that it was reviewing the suggestion, it took no further actions.

The lawsuit also names several private property management companies that were responsible for the land and surrounding plots where the crash happened. The original bridge developer's company had dissolved.

"We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family," Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told the AP. "Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit."

Alicia Paxson, Philip Paxson's wife, said, "Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I'm at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can't understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life."
TikTok users pretending to be doctors from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) are increasing. These users post nuisance comments on the video-sharing platform, sparking concerns in the medical community.

Growing Trend on TikTok Starts to Spread Concerns Among Experts

According to The Straits Times, online trolls attached the IMH to their usernames. An example of this is Doctor Daniel Zhang of IMH.

Recently, that particular TikTok user has been spotted leaving comments on videos, saying this video creator ought to see a mental health specialist at the IMH or "remember to take your prescribed medication" and other medical-related content.

So far, the targets of this movement are TikTok creators who dance in public or even do silly things, Today Online reported.

According to The Straits Times, although it was designed to be a sort of "tongue-in-cheek," experts have expressed concerns regarding the harmful effects of these comments, saying they worsen the stigma for people coping with mental health conditions.

TikTok User Shares the Damage Caused by Fake Troll Accounts Impersonating IMH Professionals

As highlighted in the report, this trend of instructing someone to go to the IMH to see a mental health specialist is shameful because the person might end up as the "butt of other people's jokes."

For example, Wabikaeru, a TikTok user, consulted a psychiatrist for 10 years regarding his anxiety disorder and recently stumbled into the trend. The content creator then expressed concerns about how common this trend has become.

Wabikaeru reportedly lost a close family member, his grandmother, to suicide. In a statement to The Straits Times, he shared how people should not make fun of someone who is getting the help and treatment they need for their mental health.

Accounts Were Described as Disrespectful to Actual Doctors While Also Posing Grave Concerns

The creator then said that those with mental health issues should not be the subject of these kinds of jokes. An IMH spokesperson also expressed concerns after saying they knew about the trend.

According to Head Topics, the IMH spokesperson described how the TikTok accounts were disrespectful to actual doctors but noted that they were more concerned "about the resulting discussions on these accounts that trivialize the challenges of persons living with mental health issues."

Read Also: Google Develops AI-Powered 'Augmented Reality Microscope' to Detect Cancer Cells Faster

Certain TikTok Accounts Used Fake Images, Including One Using Kim Jong Un's Photo

It was also revealed that the troll accounts would use stock images of doctors or public figures like North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as their profile photos.

Many of the accounts, which used usernames that display vulgar phrases in Hokkien or make reference to secret societies, made comments telling video creators to visit IMH for a "medical review," a "voice appointment," or a "comprehensive urine test."

"When funny things are repeatedly framed in terms of mental illnesses, it is a matter of time before people begin to take mental illnesses less seriously," Nanyang Technological University psychology professor Albert Lee told The Straits Times. He added that this would make individuals less willing to seek professional help if they need it.

Related Article: Google Launches Revamped Fitbit App: Streamlined Interface, Enhanced Health Features Now Available Worldwide

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Discover MapTiler, the cutting-edge mapping software, and services designed for developers to build custom digital maps with ease. Whether you need maps for a small internal project or an extensive commercial application with millions of users, MapTiler offers the flexibility and personalization you require at a fair price.

With MapTiler, you can design maps according to your own specifications through the user-friendly interface and deploy them with confidence. The MapTiler Maps API allows you to access all the maps, data, and other resources in your MapTiler Cloud account. You can request map tiles, create an image with a location map for your business, search for addresses, and more. These resources can be easily implemented with MapTiler SDK into any website or application. It offers extensive documentation and sample code for easy development.

MapTiler uses a global hosting infrastructure with more than 250 servers on five continents, ensuring fast map and data loading anywhere on the planet. The service also contains pre-made map styles available for customization. MapTiler can offer map visualization that can serve the purpose of any brand.

For limited non-commercial use, all this mapping software is free. There is a simple pricing structure for commercial use and access to premium features. You can choose Flex, which starts at only $25/month, and Unlimited, at $295/month, with increased limits on usage and additional features.

What Is the Importance of a Mapping Platform?

Maps are the medium to communicate complex data with geographical context (geodata). A mapping platform enables companies and governments to easily create, upload, analyze, host, and access geodata for many different purposes. Some platforms allow you to create different types of maps with multiple functions, while others are limited to the standard design, where only routes, establishments, cities, landmarks, and other generic information are displayed.

Features of MapTiler

MapTiler Cloud

MapTiler Cloud is the map API of the mapping platform where you can customize and upload maps or create geodata for online applications. It offers ready-to-use base maps such as street, satellite, 3D, and outdoor maps. It also contains a built-in map editor where you can add or remove different features of the map, adjust its colors, change the language, and adjust the fonts to match the brand of your business or organization. You can also add new points, lines, and polygons to your map's surface and annotate with just a few clicks.

(Photo: Screenshot from MapTiler website, this image has been updated: https://www.maptiler.com/img/home/customize.webp )

Due to its global hosting infrastructure, MapTiler Cloud can house geodata of any size. With the free plan, you can only host up to 100MB. When you upgrade to the mapping software's Unlimited version, for example, you can upload up to 100GB via API or the web interface. Even more hosting space can be requested on a custom basis.

Once uploaded, you can use the data through the API in web and mobile applications. You can also build an application with the source code examples provided directly from MapTiler in its documentation.

JavaScript Maps SDK

JavaScript maps SDKs enable developers to build and integrate their maps as quickly and efficiently as possible. MapTiler's SDK comes with built-in map styles to pick from, showing detailed street-level information, 3D terrain, and satellite imagery for the entire world.

Your data can be displayed in many different ways - from simple maps with markers to dynamic heatmaps and filtered visualizations of millions of features, all using the WebGL technology in a browser allowing modern development of interactive mapping applications with TypeScript. And it comes with hundreds of examples.

You can easily add interactive features to the maps, like zoom control buttons, which enhance the user experience and improve their overall design. It also allows you to visualize a huge number of points to see them as a heatmap or in clusters. The map below, for example, uses SDK JS to visualize the frequency of US schools based on their location by using a heatmap layer for lower zoom levels and a styled circles layer for detailed higher zoom levels.

(Photo: Screenshot from MapTiler website)

You can also display analytics on your map to add more detailed information on different locations. You may use events or statistics to create an interactive choropleth map, showing the population density of each state of a country like the map displayed below.

(Photo: Screenshot from MapTiler website)

MapTiler also enables localization in your map creations, setting the language and even the international borders that match the worldview of your users in a specific region. You can include the local stores established in your area to improve further the content or the geographical information displayed on the map.

Moreover, the SKD offers real-time filters, allowing you to help your audience identify properties like displaying the number of students attending a school specific to the area.

MapTiler's JavaScript Map SDK also offers real-time style changing, enabling you to change the starting map location, language, and borders based on the user's actual real-world location or user settings.

MapTiler has over 70 languages available and a native option for specific locations. You're guaranteed to easily create a map fully optimized for your audience, containing all the essential information to serve their needs.

Benefits of Using MapTiler

Customization - Developers can easily change the styles of their maps based on their objectives or the intended utility with the great built-in map editor.

Cartography quality - All standard MapTiler maps are produced by experienced cartographers. That's why they are so beautiful and good to use.

Fair prices and billing - The pricing is simple and transparent, and in most cases, you'll pay 2 to 4 times less compared to the larger competition.

No user tracking - MapTiler is a pure mapping company that does not track and sell its end-users information for targeted advertisements or any other purpose.

Localization - MapTiler can display the local language native to the geographic location and include the local stores in the area for easier navigation.

Map data hosting - You can upload your own geodata and serve it together with the standard maps from MapTiler Cloud

Offline maps available - The standard maps can also be downloaded and hosted on the private or public cloud of your choice and even offline with MapTiler Server.

Customer care - It is easy for anyone to get in touch with MapTiler's support team for advice on implementation. The API documentation is also there to help too.

Weather visualization - MapTiler offers live and forecast weather data with smooth animations visualized through the Weather API on top of any standard map.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Map customization

Pre-made high-quality map styles

End users' privacy

Code samples and examples

Additional tilesets with terrain, weather, 3D and other data

Fair and transparent pricing

Swiss-made quality

Cons

No routing API service

OpenStreetMap is a key data source that can lack detail in some parts of the world

To address the lack of routing API service, it's recommended you use third-party API services in combination with MapTiler Cloud, like Next Billion.ai. These will add services, like finding the best route or the nearest establishment from your location. Also, you may upload region-specific map data and host it on MapTiler Cloud to supplement the lack of geographic information in specific places.

FAQs

Does MapTiler offer support options? Yes, all MapTiler products include essential customer support for free. The support team is available to answer each inquiry personally. MapTiler also offers a paid Premium Support package for on-time responses and faster resolutions.

What happens when I've maximized the quota in my plan? If you use the free plan service, the operation will pause until next month. If you're using the Flex or Unlimited plan, you will receive overuse charges for additional usage. For users of the Custom plan, there's a soft limit on your usage. If you ever exceed the limit, the service is never stopped. Instead, you will be contacted by MapTiler's sales team to agree on a higher soft limit.

Where can I see the number of map sessions and tile requests I am using? You may access them through the Analytics section that displays the usage analytics of your MapTiler Cloud account for all your individual API keys.

Conclusion

As a mapping software, MapTiler offers different approaches to creating maps for developers. With its easy customization and seamless integration into applications, you can develop maps designed to meet the needs of your target audience. It improves map visualization and comprehension due to the amount of geographic location it can display in its virtual surface area. All with great customer care and at a fair price.

Develop maps for your applications with MapTiler now! Use code TECHTIMES50 to get a special 50% discount on your first three months of subscription.
A Michigan woman's distress call has led to a prompt response from first responders after pedestrians heard her crying for help at the Dixon Lake boat launch. This scenario happened after she attempted to recover her Apple Watch from the depths of an Ostego County outhouse.

(Photo : JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)

An employee demonstrate the new Apple watch inside the newly renovated Apple Store at Fifth Avenue on September 19, 2019 in New York City.

Rescuing the Michigan Woman From a Toilet Dilemma

The Michigan woman found herself in a distressing predicament. She got trapped, necessitating a rescue operation by first responders. Pedestrians who happened to be passing by heard the woman crying for help.

Apple Insider reported that this prompted an immediate dispatch of first responders to the location. Upon the arrival of first responders from various agencies, including Otsego County Emergency Medical Services, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan State Police, a coordinated effort ensued.

They commenced by detaching the toilet seat and then lowered a strap to the woman, skillfully hoisting her to safety from the unenviable predicament.

In an unconventional turn of events, the unnamed woman took it upon herself to enter the toilet through its opening. Her mission? To recover her Apple watch that she dropped.

This unique incident unfolded Tuesday morning at the Dixon Lake boat launch, a Department of Natural Resources facility in Bagley Township, Michigan. These intriguing details were unveiled in a press release by the Michigan State Police (MSP) on Wednesday.

Read Also: Never Get Lost Again With Apple Watch's Backtrack Feature

For the Sake of Apple Watch

Her explanation for this unusual situation was that she had accidentally dropped her Apple Watch into the toilet and had ventured inside to retrieve it but became stuck in the process.

Despite this challenging situation, USA Today reported that the Michigan woman successfully retrieved her watch independently before the rescue operation unfolded. It is worth noting that an Apple Watch typically carries a price tag of from a couple of hundred to a thousand dollars.

Remarkably, she emerged from the incident without any injuries and conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to the first responders. MSP spokesman Derrick Carroll noted the woman's deep appreciation for the first responders who came to her aid.

The MSP strongly discourages venturing into the confined space of an outhouse to recover a lost item, emphasizing the potential hazards associated with such actions.

Police cautioned against such actions, saying that entering an outhouse toilet is not wise due to the associated risks and hazards. Outhouse toilets are not intended for personal entry and pose potential dangers to individuals who attempt to do so.

"If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area. Serious injury may occur," Carroll noted. Dixon Lake is about 230 miles northwest of Detroit.

Related Article: Natural Cycles Gets FDA Clearance: Digital App Can Now Use Apple Watch Temperature Data for Birth Control

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new simulation by NASA astronomers provides a unique perspective of the cosmos through the lens of gravitational waves, which are elusive ripples in the fabric of space-time generated by orbiting celestial objects.

This simulation offers a tantalizing glimpse of the sky, showcasing how upcoming space-based gravitational wave observatories, set to launch in the forthcoming decade, will revolutionize our comprehension of the Milky Way.

Gravitational Waves

The visual representation highlights the gravitational waves originating from a simulated population of compact binary systems encompassing white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes in close-knit orbits.

It foreshadows the potential for producing actual maps based on real-time data once operational space-based gravitational wave observatories come online in the near future.

In this portrayal, intense areas denote sources emitting robust signals, while lighter hues signify those resonating with higher frequencies. Expansive patches of color indicate sources with less precise positional data.

Additionally, a supplementary chart delineates the frequency and intensity of the gravitational signal alongside the sensitivity threshold for the forthcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), an observatory under development by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with NASA, slated for launch in the 2030s.

Over the past six years, NASA noted that terrestrial observatories have identified approximately a hundred cosmic events denoting mergers within systems that unite stellar-mass black holes, neutron stars, or a combination of both.

These signals, characterized by relatively brief durations and elevated frequencies, can manifest in any sector of the sky and emanate from sources far beyond our own galactic realm.

"Binary systems also fill the Milky Way, and we expect many of them to contain compact objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes in tight orbits," explained Cecilia Chirenti, a researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

"But we need a space observatory to 'hear' them because their gravitational waves hum at frequencies too low for ground-based detectors," she added.

Read Also: NASA Discovers Unlikely Large Planet That Should Have Been Destroyed by Its Orbiting Star

Ultracompact Binaries

These systems, classified as ultracompact binaries (UCBs), are projected to be in abundant supply, with the future LISA mission anticipated to unearth tens of thousands of them.

Spotting UCBs proves to be a formidable task, as they often emit feeble visible light, and astronomers currently possess knowledge of only a handful with orbital periods shorter than an hour. The discovery of many new UCBs is a primary ambition of the forthcoming LISA mission.

Leveraging data simulations that mirror these systems' anticipated distribution and gravitational wave emissions, the research team devised a methodology for combining the information into a panoramic representation of the galaxy's UCBs.

This technique is expounded in a paper featured in The Astronomical Journal. Astrophysicist Ira Thorpe from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center underlines the analogy between their image and an all-sky view captured in a specific wavelength of light, akin to visible, infrared, or X-rays.

The potential offered by gravitational waves to revolutionize our observational capacity of the universe is underscored by this representation, evoking aspirations of a future rendition crafted from authentic LISA data for dissemination in various forms.

Related Article: NASA's Parker Solar Probe Captures One of the Most Powerful Sun Explosions Ever Recorded

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
MIT physicist Max Tegmark, a co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, penned an open letter in March advocating for a six-month halt in the development of advanced AI systems.

This letter gained traction and garnered support from over 30,000 signatories, including notable figures like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak. However, Tegmark acknowledged that the intense competition in the tech industry prevented any significant pause in AI progress, The Guardian reported.

Fierce AI Competition

Tegmark noted that while many corporate leaders privately supported the idea of a pause, they felt compelled to continue due to the fierce race between companies.

Tegmark highlighted the challenges in achieving a collective pause, as no single company wanted to slow down development independently. The letter's central concern was the potential emergence of minds beyond human comprehension and control.

It urged governments to step in if a consensus on pausing the development of systems more potent than GPT-4 could not be reached among leading AI companies like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft.

Reflecting on the impact of the letter, Tegmark asserted that it exceeded his expectations. It triggered a significant shift in public discourse and political attention towards AI safety.

The Massachusetts-based physicist pointed to events like US Senate hearings with tech leaders and a global AI safety summit convened by the UK government as indicators of this awakening. He emphasized that the letter liberated discussions about AI concerns, turning them from a taboo subject to a mainstream viewpoint.

The subsequent statement from the Center for AI Safety, supported by numerous tech experts and academics, further emphasized AI as a societal risk comparable to pandemics and nuclear threats.

Tegmark stressed that apprehensions regarding AI span immediate issues like deepfake videos and disinformation to more profound existential risks posed by super-intelligent, uncontrollable AIs.

He cautioned against dismissing the development of highly advanced AI as a distant concern, as some experts believe it could materialize in just a few years.

Read Also: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Generative AI Project Aims to Revolutionize Medical Research to 'Cure' All Disease by 2100

Three Key Goals for the UK AI Safety Summit

Looking ahead to the UK AI safety summit scheduled at Bletchley Park in November, Tegmark expressed enthusiasm.

His think tank outlined three critical goals for the summit: Establishing a shared understanding of AI risks, acknowledging the need for a unified global response, and recognizing the necessity for prompt government intervention.

He maintained that a pause in development remains essential until universally agreed safety standards are met. According to Tegmark, determining these standards will naturally lead to a halt in AI advancement.

He also called on governments to take action regarding open-source AI models, cautioning against making potentially dangerous technology freely accessible.

Related Article: Can AI Bots Solve CAPTCHA Tests Faster and More Accurately Than Humans? Researchers Reveal the Surprising Answer

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is practically all around us - in code generation software, self-driving vehicles, chatbots, navigation systems, robotics, healthcare, and many others. A 2019 Gartner survey revealed that 37% of organizations have embraced AI technology, up from just 10% four years earlier. This translates to a whopping 270% growth over the four years, indicating that AI is here to stay.

Specifically, Statista said the global AI software market is set to hit $126 billion in revenues by 2025. During the same year, up to 95% of all customer interactions will use AI technology, according to Servion Global Solutions. These predictions ultimately mean that individuals and companies need a reliable AI code generator tool to be future-ready.

What Is a Software Code Generator?

A code generation software is a proprietary tool that can produce specific types of code or computer programming languages. Today's programmers often use such software to streamline the entire coding process, ensure consistency, and make coding run smoother and more efficiently. Within the realm of IT, this concept encompasses various nuanced interpretations, often revolving around the intricate procedures involved in transforming human programming syntax into machine-readable language that a computer system can read.

What Is Code Generation by AI?

AI-driven code generation harnesses the power of machine learning models to autonomously craft code based on input specifications that outline its intended functionality. Throughout this process, these models offer context-sensitive code recommendations to aid in code creation. While AI-generated code may not always achieve perfection, it frequently furnishes developers with a pragmatic initial framework for practical and efficient code development.

When picking which AI code generator to use for your organization, look for the following characteristics or functionalities:

Integration

Syntax error detection

Language support

Intelligent code completion

Current code refactoring

Best AI Code Generation Software in 2023

Here are the top 5 best code generation software in 2023 with AI as a key component:

No.1 GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is a collaborative effort between GitHub and OpenAI, which signifies a groundbreaking leap in AI-driven programming support. The GitHub Copilot code generation software extends its virtual hand as you type, proposing not just mere code snippets but entire lines or blocks to streamline your coding journey. You may think of it as your virtual coding partner, tirelessly assisting you in crafting high-quality code with remarkable efficiency.

Its capabilities come from its deep knowledge, meticulously gleaned from public code repositories, enabling it to gracefully navigate the wide body of programming languages and coding paradigms. But what sets GitHub Copilot apart is its ability to transcend rote repetition. Instead, it adapts and evolves in harmony with your unique coding style. As you code alongside it, it learns, refines, and curates its suggestions to align seamlessly with your preferences, transforming into an indispensable ally in your programming workflow.

Features

Predictive Code Generation

GitHub Copilot doesn't just autocomplete; it leaps ahead, suggesting complete lines or blocks of code, thus supercharging your coding speed and efficiency.

Evolving Expertise

GitHub Copilot learns from your unique style with each coding session, delivering personalized suggestions that only get more refined over time. It's a robust coding tool for developers who wish to achieve mastery with each coding session.

Multilingual Proficiency

Armed with insights from diverse public code repositories, Copilot is a polyglot of programming languages, readily comprehending and aiding in many coding languages. It's a solid code generator for projects involving not just one coding language but several.

No.2 Pieces

Pieces is a developer-centered code generation software enabling individuals and teams to store, search, share, refer to, and recycle essential micro-resources within workflows. It is an exceptionally intelligent micro-repository for the myriad of small elements developers encounter throughout their work process. This encompasses screenshots, relevant links, code snippets, workflow context, concise textual notes, and other components.

Its CEO and Technical Co-founder, Tsavo Knott, explains that Pieces also revolutionizes the concept of developer support. He says, 'the app's cutting-edge capabilities and adaptable responses transcend being a mere tool and become an essential partner for every developer striving to enhance their workflow and boost productivity.' Its solid features make Pieces the best AI code generator focusing on developers' needs.

Features

1. First-in-Kind Search & Reference Capabilities

Pieces does away with conventional search and retrieval functions and instead goes beyond the surface of the operating system to offer developers exceptional context-aware capabilities. Whether you're determining the most suitable colleague to collaborate with or precisely locating specific details from previous projects, Pieces can significantly simplify and enhance your information retrieval.

2. On-device Multi-modal Copilot

The Pieces app's generative copilot answers diverse queries encompassing chronology-based prompts, code generation, team-related inquiries, and technical problem-solving. It automatically transforms, generates, and explains code to speed up the troubleshooting and problem-solving processes. The tool also enhances all your saved content by providing titles, tags, suggested searches, content descriptions, links to external documentation, associated collaborator details, and even identifying sensitive information to enhance security.

Moreover, the copilot suggests reusable and valuable code snippets from the local repository or directory and offers real-time suggestions and recommendations for related materials to save, reference, or reuse as you work on your tasks. It is also embedded into your collaboration tools, browser, and IDE, so there's no need for context switching just to generate, curate, and iterate code. Currently, the Pieces copilot supports extracting code from screenshots and will soon extend this feature to videos, expected in Q3 of 2023.

3. Proactive Workflow Shadowing

Pieces helps developers navigate their tasks easier by proactively storing context, resources, contacts, and a chronological record, forming an offline collection of the user's ongoing journey and associated materials. The app saves you hundreds of work hours so you can devote critical resources to other equally important tasks.

4. Extensive Integration Across Developer Tools

Pieces is designed to seamlessly integrate with various development platforms, including Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, and Chromium. The rapid integration possibilities offer richer data contexts and empower developers to execute different tasks directly within these developer ecosystems.

5. Edge ML Models with Rapid Execution

The Pieces app is founded on six meticulously designed edge ML models, which the company developed over three years. What sets them apart is their ability to operate directly on your device, performing a wide range of tasks in a remarkably swift 100 milliseconds. This lightning-fast operation empowers Pieces to dynamically adjust and adapt and offer users personalized suggestions or answers as they switch between windows or shift their focus.

6. Offline, On-Device Operation with Intrinsic Data Privacy

Pieces takes data security seriously, which explains why its core is built upon in-house edge-ML models and agents, guaranteeing that all data fragments remain securely confined to the user's device. It automatically generates related links, tags, titles, and descriptions to enable quick developer tools access and a streamlined workflow. The app is also built on an air-gapped, offline-first architecture with secure cloud opt-in and turn-key features for enhanced security.

7. Optimized Retention & Retrieval

Pieces features the Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), which operates by examining your recent workflow context and utilizing it to "anchor or bias" the copilot's responses before generating them. This helps improve responses and ensures they are tailored to your needs as you save content. In an era when enterprise developers spend around 50-60% of their time searching, retracing their steps, or frequently changing their focus, Pieces presents a revolutionary solution. This platform, which Pieces calls "the Swiss Army knife of language generation models," effectively eases the anxiety of losing valuable information by ensuring that every tab, code snippet, or reference is diligently and securely preserved.

No.3 Tabnine

Tabnine by Codota is a robust AI-driven AI code generator for developers poised to revolutionize the coding experience. Tabnine uses machine learning algorithms to elevate every coding session into a swifter, more efficient, and error-resistant undertaking.

A standout facet of Tabnine is its remarkable adaptability, boasting compatibility with a vast spectrum of over 20 programming languages. This versatility, coupled with its seamless integration into various code editors (including VS Code, Sublime Text, and Atom), establishes Tabnine as the go-to tool for developers spanning diverse platforms. This means you can harness its power regardless of your preferred coding environment.

Tabnine's prowess is rooted in deep learning capabilities, which give it the capacity to deliver incredibly relevant code suggestions. These suggestions aren't mere guesses but smart recommendations that empower developers to craft high-quality code effortlessly.

Features

Deep Learning Prowess

Tabnine's application of deep learning algorithms results in pinpoint-accurate code suggestions, making the quest for excellence in coding an attainable reality.

Multilingual Proficiency

Tabnine's extensive support for over 20 programming languages ensures developers can tap into its capabilities in virtually any coding landscape.

Platform Agnostic

With its integration prowess across popular code editors, Tabnine adapts to your environment, ensuring a seamless coding experience.

Accelerated Onboarding

Enhance the onboarding and training of new team members by integrating a context-aware AI assistant. This initiative lightens the load on senior developers, allowing them to concentrate on essential tasks while new additions swiftly acclimate to your codebase.

Achieve Swift Results

By leveraging Tabnine to generate around 30% of code for millions of users, you can speed up your software delivery process, removing monotonous coding chores. This enhancement elevates your team's efficiency and positions you ahead of the competition, ensuring a rapid stride forward.

No.4 ChatGPT

ChatGPT by OpenAI is a remarkable language model code generation software with a unique knack for crafting code fragments in response to natural language inputs or prompts. It is a potent accelerator for programmers, harnessing its advanced language processing capabilities to expedite code creation. ChatGPT trains some of its models using Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), the same ones used in InstructGPT. It also uses Proximal Policy Optimization to fine-tune its reward models.

Features

Flexible Code Generation

One of its standout attributes is its unparalleled flexibility in code generation. Whether it's code autocompletion or generating entire code segments, ChatGPT adapts precisely to your needs.

Accurate Coding

What sets it apart is its proactive approach to ensuring code accuracy; it engages you with follow-up questions to fine-tune and refine your code for better results.

Debugging

ChatGOT also goes the extra mile by diligently scanning for errors and bugs post-generation, serving as your trusty debugging companion.

Efficiency

The ChatGPT user community consistently sings its praises, highlighting its prompt responsiveness and efficient problem-solving prowess.

Free-to-Use

Perhaps one of its most appealing features is its availability as a cost-free AI code generator, making it a valuable resource accessible to all.

No.5 Replit Ghostwriter

Replit GhostWriter is a potent AI code generator dedicated to empowering programmers to craft the highest quality of efficient code. GhostWriter adeptly auto-completes code snippets as developers type away, drastically reducing the time spent on mundane boilerplate code and the tedious hunt for syntax errors. Its distinctive prowess lies in its real-time code completion capabilities, a feature that transforms the coding experience by leaps and bounds.

What truly sets GhostWriter apart is its seamless fusion with the Replit online code editor, presenting coders with an all-in-one platform for writing, running, and debugging code. This synergy streamlines the development process to an extraordinary degree, making coding more accessible, fluid, and efficient.

Features

Integrated Coding Environment

Within the Replit online code editor, GhostWriter seamlessly integrates, consolidating the entire coding workflow - writing, execution, and debugging - into a unified, frictionless experience.

Syntax Error Prevention

By auto-filling code intelligently, GhostWriter actively prevents common syntax errors, resulting in pristine, error-free code. Consider it as your guardian against code-related headaches.

Real-time Code Completion

GhostWriter's ability to auto-fill code in real-time boosts the coding process, simultaneously diminishing the likelihood of syntactical errors.

Conclusion

One thing is certain: AI-powered code generation software will surely be the go-to tool for developers who want to streamline their workflow and make things more efficient. But with AI code generators sprouting practically everywhere, you should do your due diligence to pick the best code generation software that answers your peculiar needs. This way, you can fully harness an AI code generator's full suite of benefits: smarter coding using fewer resources with the best results possible.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Image via True Anomaly

True Anomaly, a fledgling startup space domain awareness (SDA) founded less than two years ago, has just secured a game-changing $17.4 million contract from the US Space Force Space Systems Command, TechCrunch reports.

Redefining Space Domain Awareness

Traditionally, SDA technologies have primarily focused on spacecraft traffic management and collision avoidance.

However, True Anomaly's approach marks a significant shift in mentality, aligning perfectly with the vision of the US Space Force.

Tom Nichols, Chief Product Officer at True Anomaly, elaborates on this pivotal change in strategy: "It's not just tracking objects to make sure they don't collide; it's also about understanding the activities within the space domain and leveraging that information for informed decision-making."

As a former US Air Force space operations officer, Nichols speaks about his frustration with the limitations of existing SDA capabilities during his military service, which drove him to co-found True Anomaly with CEO Even Rogers.

Their goal? To build better, faster, and more cost-effective SDA capabilities.

The True Anomaly Solution: "SDA Kit"

At the heart of True Anomaly's groundbreaking endeavor lies the "SDA Kit," a comprehensive suite of space domain awareness tools.

This kit comprises four key functions, each with a critical role in reshaping our understanding of space:

DTID (Detect, Track, ID): This function empowers the Space Force to precisely locate and track objects in space.

Characterization: True Anomaly's technology extracts vital information from spacecraft, such as emitted light, to characterize their functions.

TW&A (Threat Warning and Assessment): Using machine learning, this function predicts changes in an object's behavior and identifies anomalies that could pose threats.

Data Exploitation and Integration: By funneling publicly available, commercial, and classified data, True Anomaly's solution enhances event forecasting capabilities.

Read Also: World's Most Powerful X-Ray Laser Has Been Fired Up by US Energy Department

Mosaic Integration and Jackal Spacecraft

True Anomaly's contract also dovetails with their ongoing work on "Mosaic," an integrated software platform for space operations. SDA capabilities will serve as a crucial application layer on this platform, enhancing its capabilities.

Additionally, True Anomaly is set to launch the first two "Jackal" autonomous spacecraft on SpaceX's Transporter-10 ride-share mission later this year.

Jackal will provide the Space Force with unprecedented insights into the activities of American adversaries in orbit, thus enabling more informed decisions.

Shifting the Cost-Benefit Equation

Derek Tournear, the head of the US Space Development Agency, emphasized the significance of True Anomaly's approach at a space security conference in April: "It will cost more to shoot down a single satellite than it will cost to build that single satellite."

In essence, the US can offset threats from anti-satellite missiles by deploying a multitude of spacecraft, a strategy that has the potential to reshape the dynamics of space warfare.

However, this bold approach relies on the industry stepping up to the plate. True Anomaly's co-founder, Even Rogers, who served in the US Air Force, is optimistic about the industry's ability to adapt.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: NASA Wants to Deploy Humanoid Robots on Future Moon and Mars Missions

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Uber Eats is set to introduce a groundbreaking feature-accepting food stamps as a payment method for grocery deliveries.

Starting in 2024, users will have the convenience of using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits within the Uber Eats app to purchase fresh groceries.

The service is also extending its support to Managed Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans, enabling users with flexible spending accounts (FSA) and Flex cards to make payments for eligible items, including nutritious fruits and other healthy foods.

Improving Access to Quality Food

Uber is further enhancing its payment methods to provide "relevant waiver payment" options, expected to be unveiled closer to the launch.

By embracing SNAP payments and similar forms of assistance, Uber Eats aims to make fresh produce and high-quality food items more accessible to a broader audience.

According to Engadget, this initiative can particularly benefit seniors and individuals with mobility challenges. It also caters to those residing in areas outside major urban centers, where transportation options may be limited.

Indeed, Uber Eats is aligning itself with other food delivery services that have already started accepting SNAP payments. Instacart, for instance, initiated this practice in 2020 through a partnership with Aldi.

Similarly, DoorDash announced in June that it would accept SNAP payments in collaboration with over 4,000 grocery and convenience stores nationwide.

Related Article: Uber Eats is Shutting Down 'Ghost Kitchens' in the US, Spam Accounts for Better App Experience

Uber Eats Launches AI-Powered Assistant

Uber Eats is not just revolutionizing payment methods; it's also venturing into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the user experience.

According to Coinspeaker, the platform will introduce an AI-powered assistant that will serve as a virtual guide for users later this year. This chatbot will allow customers to explore new cuisines, discover restaurant and grocery deals, and swiftly reorder their favorite meals.

Uber's chatbot aims to simplify user engagement, empowering customers to initiate conversations and receive personalized recommendations effortlessly.

For instance, users can request budget-friendly Mexican cuisine delivered within 30 minutes, and the AI assistant will promptly provide suitable suggestions. This feature is expected to save both time and effort for Uber Eats customers.

A recent demonstration of the AI tool showcased its versatility by offering picnic snack recommendations, including items like Gouda cheese and chocolate chip cookies from local supermarkets. It caters to health-conscious users as well, suggesting organic options like fresh fruits.

When Food Delivery Meets AI

Uber Eats joins the league of food delivery platforms that recognize the potential of AI to enhance customer satisfaction. Instacart introduced its "Ask Instacart" tool, while DoorDash launched the "DashAI" chatbot to elevate the food ordering and grocery shopping experience.

"Helping to improve access to quality food is incredibly important to our work at Uber, and we're proud to use Uber's technology and extensive local delivery networks to offer SNAP recipients the ability to use their benefits to access fresh groceries conveniently from our app in 2024," said Therese Lim, senior director of product, Uber Eats New Verticals and Uber Direct.

Read Also: Uber Announces AI Chatbot Venture Amid Impressive Q2 2023 Earnings Report

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
JUAN VRIJDAG/AFP via Getty Images

The International Criminal Court (ICC) finds itself entangled in a web of digital chaos as it grapples with the aftermath of a major hacking incident.

Reuters reports that the Dutch-based ICC, renowned for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, now faces severe limitations on its digital operations, casting a shadow over ongoing trials and investigations.

Cybersecurity Incident Unveiled

The situation began when the ICC revealed a "cybersecurity incident" on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the institution.

Since then, details have been scarce, with officials remaining tight-lipped about the nature and origin of the attack.

What is clear, however, is the profound impact it has had on the ICC's core functions.

Digital Paralysis Grips the ICC

As of now, the ICC has been forced to disconnect most of its systems that can access the internet.

This drastic measure means that employees are left without access to email, and documents that were once just a click away are now inaccessible for those not working on-site.

It is a disruption of seismic proportions for an institution tasked with the weighty responsibility of delivering justice on an international scale.

Read Also: UPDATE: MGM Resorts Back to Normal Operations 10 Days Following a Cyberattack

Trial Impacts

Reuters reports that one of the most immediate casualties of this digital breakdown is the trial of Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, who stand accused of leading militias responsible for attacks on Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic.

The proceedings resumed on Thursday, but the ICC's livestream was conspicuously absent, and the galleries, typically bustling with the public and journalists, were eerily silent.

Defense Lawyers Scramble

The situation is dire for the defense teams, like that of Geert-Jan Knoops, who represents one of the defendants.

Knoops expressed concerns about whether the hack had exposed sensitive documents, including potentially confidential information about protected witnesses.

To continue their work, lawyers are resorting to old-school methods of information exchange, such as USB flash drives and paper binders, delivering vital data personally from office to office.

The pace has slowed considerably, leaving defense attorneys grappling with uncertainty about the duration of this disruption.

Russian President Putin

While the ICC grapples with this unprecedented hack, it is worth noting that the court had issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year.

The warrant alleges his involvement in illegally deporting children from Ukraine, a claim vehemently denied by the Kremlin.

This case underscores the ICC's far-reaching jurisdiction and the potential geopolitical implications of its investigations.

Beyond Putin's case, the ICC is currently investigating alleged war crimes in several hotspots, including Ukraine, Sudan, and Afghanistan. The outcomes of these inquiries could have profound consequences for international diplomacy and justice.

What's Next?

As the ICC struggles to regain its digital footing, the overriding question is how long this crisis will persist. Mylene Dimitri, defending Alfred Yekatom, has urged the court to press forward despite the limitations to avoid prolonging her client's trial indefinitely.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: ICC Reports 'Anomalous Activity' in Cybersecurity Systems, Launches Investigation

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Image via Jaguar

Jaguar has announced a strategic partnership with Tesla, granting the British automaker access to Tesla's Supercharger network and committing to Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, Electrek reports.

Jaguar joins a growing list of automakers in North America, including Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, GM, and more in embracing the NACS standard.

The NACS Effect

The automotive industry is well aware of the NACS domino effect initiated by Ford and GM when they announced their adoption of the Tesla NACS standard.

This move set off a chain reaction, prompting other automakers to deal with Tesla, effectively securing access to the extensive Supercharger network as part of the transition to the NACS connector.

Read Also: Electrify America is Also Adopting Tesla NACS Chargers by 2025Will it be the Standard Soon?

According to their press release, all new Jaguar vehicles sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 2025 onward will come equipped with the NACS connector, eliminating the need for adapters.

Additionally, Jaguar will source adapters from Tesla to support current I-PACE owners once they become available.

A Game-Changer for Jaguar EV Owners

Mark Camilleri, director of electrification services at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "Tesla has created a charging network across the globe that delivers fast, reliable, and convenient charging, and we are delighted to be working with them to provide access for Jaguar clients."

Under this agreement, Jaguar EV owners with NACS-equipped vehicles in North America will enjoy seamless access to Tesla's Supercharger network without the hassle of adapters.

This aligns with the approach taken by other automakers who have previously announced their adoption of NACS.

Jaguar's Electrification Course

Jaguar's foray into the EV market began with the I-PACE, a pioneering electric SUV that garnered attention upon its release in 2018.

Despite its initial success, the I-PACE faced challenges, primarily due to its higher price point and recalls concerning its batteries, making it a rare sight on North American roads.

The I-PACE got a minor update this year. However, Jaguar's electric car range was still pretty small.

In 2021, they had to cancel the electric version of the Jaguar XJ sedan at the last minute. Because of this, they came up with a new plan to make more electric cars, but they will not be ready until 2025. They want all their cars to be electric by 2030.

Optimizing Charging with Tesla

Ars Technica tells us that one noteworthy aspect of this partnership is Jaguar's commitment to optimizing charging rates on Tesla's v3 and v4 charger hardware using their in-house battery and power electronics.

This collaboration aims to enhance the charging experience for Jaguar's electric vehicle customers, emphasizing the importance of fast, reliable, and convenient charging, particularly when away from home.

What Lies Ahead

While existing I-PACE owners will not receive native NACS ports, Jaguar's commitment to providing adapters from Tesla ensures that these early adopters can still benefit from the Supercharger network.

Although no specific timeline has been mentioned, other automakers have projected adapter availability by mid-2024.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Tesla Cybertruck Spotted with New Digital Camouflage Wrap

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A recent study delving into brand loyalty has unveiled some intriguing findings. It suggests that Apple has a stronger consumer base than Samsung. However, Netflix still takes the top spot when it comes to the category.



The study, conducted by British energy, technology, and legal firm Bionic, employed a multi-faceted methodology. It harnessed data from UK polling firm YouGov, supplemented by search demand and social media statistics. .

Apple's Strong Reputation and Impression

While Samsung scored slightly higher in brand awareness, with a score of 1.01 compared to Apple's 0.82, Apple excelled in other crucial aspects.

Apple Insider reports that the Cupertino giant outshone Samsung in reputation, impression, and brand stability, securing a remarkable score of 2.62 in comparison to Samsung's 1.15. This underscores Apple's enduring reputation for quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service.

The study could also support a survey which says that more Android users will switch to iPhone because of the major transition in the use of USB-C port.

According to SellCell, this change could potentially lure more Android phone owners to try iPhone 15 or even its predecessors.

The survey reveals that 44% of owners who currently own an Android phone will purchase iPhone 15 after the USB-C port comes.

On the other hand, 66% of Android users believe that it's fine to retain the smartphone brand while only 34% say that it's always a good idea to upgrade to iPhone 15.

Related Article: Apple's iPhone Loyalty Reaches An All-Time High; Android Brand Loyalty Dives

Netflix's Unprecedented LoyaltyDominance

Netflix's dominance in brand loyalty is undisputed. With impressive scores across the board, including loyalty at 2.98, impression at 4.35, and reputation at 3.62, the streaming giant emerged as the frontrunner. Its combined score of 78.57 out of 100 reflects its strong presence in the market.

Comparing Top Technology Firms

Within the top 20 brands with the most loyal users, technology giants Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft make appearances.The iPhone maker secures second spot, Amazon claims the third spot, and Microsoft ranks at number 11. These tech leaders continue to enjoy dedicated customer followings.

Meanwhile, Samsung lags too far at 24th place. While it's "historically-dominant" over Apple, the South Korean tech firm gradually felt the declining sales of smartphones by the time Apple graced the market. It's also attributed to the fact that the latter has continued to market products for premium consumers.

Looking Beyond the Rankings

While brand loyalty rankings provide valuable insights, it's essential to consider broader trends. Recent surveys have shown varying results, with Statista's US-based survey placing Apple ahead of Samsung in loyalty. However, Google Pixel owners' low response rate and a significant portion expressing openness to switching phones suggest that loyalty can be influenced by various factors.

For more Apple-related updates and reports, don't forget to visit Tech Times so you won't miss a single thing about the latest trends.

Read Also: Majority of Teens Consider Android Phones an Outdated Technology Just For Old People

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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"
A cease-fire agreement with Azerbaijan was reached on Wednesday to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, local authorities and Azerbaijani officials said.

The agreement was to go into effect at 1 p.m. local time (0900 GMT), and talks between Azerbaijani officials and the breakaway region's ethnic Armenian authorities on its re-integration into Azerbaijan were scheduled to take place on Thursday in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh.

The deal was reached through negotiations with the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region and envisions the withdrawal of Armenian military units and equipment from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as disarming the local defense forces, according to the region's officials.

It comes a day after Azerbaijan launched military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh and used heavy artillery fire on Armenian positions there, an attack that local officials said killed or wounded scores of people.

Azerbaijan has called the artillery fire an anti-terrorist operation and said it will continue until the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh dismantles itself and illegal Armenian military formations surrender.

It claimed to be only targeting military sites but significant damage is visible on the streets of the regional capital, Stepanakert, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel.

The blasts reverberated around Stepanakert every few minutes on Wednesday morning, with some explosions in the distance and others closer to the city.

The escalation has raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which for more than three decades have been locked in a struggle over the mountainous territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The most recent heavy fighting there occurred over six weeks in 2020.

Azerbaijans Defense Ministry announced the start of the military operation on Tuesday, hours after it reported that four soldiers and two civilians died in land mine explosions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The ministry did not immediately give details but said that front-line positions and the military assets of Armenias armed forces were being incapacitated using high-precision weapons, and that only legitimate military targets were being attacked.

Russia's defense ministry said Wednesday that its peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh had evacuated more than 2,000 civilians, but did not give details on where they were taken.

Armenias Foreign Ministry, however, denied that its weapons or troops were in Nagorno-Karabakh and called reported sabotage and land mines in the region a lie. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashiyan alleged that Azerbaijans main goal is to draw Armenia into hostilities.

Ethnic Armenian officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said in a statement that Stepanakert and villages in the region were under intense shelling. The regions military said Azerbaijan was using aircraft, artillery and missile systems, as well as drones in the fighting.

Residents of Stepanakert moved to basements and bomb shelters, and the fighting cut off electricity. Food shortages persisted in the area, with limited humanitarian aid delivered Monday not distributed due to the shelling, which resumed in the evening after halting briefly in the afternoon.

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, from large-caliber weapons, killing one civilian.

Neither claim could be independently verified.

Nagorno-Karabakh 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. 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, Armenias Health Ministry said. About half of them continue to receive medical assistance, the ministry said.

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India on Wednesday advised its citizens to be careful when traveling to Canada as a rift between the two nations widens 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. 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.

After the travel advisory was issued Wednesday, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada is a safe country.

What were doing is ensuring that there is an appropriate criminal investigation into these circumstances, he said.

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. Modi's 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.

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One of the oldest buildings in Lafayette could become a music museum by 2025
The Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) launched the P2 Initiative on Tuesday, supporting inventors in transforming patented inventions into marketable products.

President of the ASRT Mahmoud Sakr urged inventors to sign up for the initiative starting today -- 19 September -- through the academy's website, without disclosing the registration deadline.

The P2 Initiative will support the knowledge economy, introduce new technologies to Egyptian industry, and contribute to the creation of innovative, highly competitive "Made in Egypt" products, according to today's launch statement.

If chosen, Egyptian-owned and patented inventions will receive financial support.

According to Sakr, the initiative will make use of a range of underutilized Egyptian-registered patents, many of which have promising applications for local and global markets.

The P2 Initiative is part of the ASRT's third executive plan (2022-2026), which aims to reduce Egyptian imports and boost domestic manufacturing.

The academy has recently supported the commercial manufacture of a locally-made electric car, and medical devices for intensive care rooms such as ventilators, Sakr said.

He further added that the ASRT is working with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop plastic grain silos, hybrid rice strains and other technologies to boost agricultural productivity.

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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)
New Orleans has something uniquely wild in its northeast corner. Bayou Sauvage is the largest national wildlife refuge that's completely within a city. Not far from tall buildings, crowded streets and busy shopping strips, the 30,000-acre swath of forest and marsh is a haven for deer, snakes, alligators and more than 340 species of birds.
Not a single doctor provides obstetric care in 17 of Louisianas 64 parishes.

And so far, financial incentives to persuade more OB-GYNs to move to rural communities have not changed that stark fact.

Yet even as medical recruiters double salaries and offer signing bonuses, Louisiana is doing little to help attract a group of health care providers who could fill that dangerous gap: certified nurse midwives.

Across the state, Louisiana hospitals are refusing to hire them, despite their extensive credentials. Others will not give them admitting privileges. Louisiana also pays nurse midwives less through Medicaid than many other states.
Loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water beer, oils, and perfumes were offerings Ancient Egyptians offered to the deceased at Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs.

A rock-cut tomb is a type of burial structure that is created by carving or excavating directly into natural rock formations. Rock-cut tombs are literally carved or excavated out of solid rock. This means that the tomb chambers, corridors, and other features are created by removing the rock material from the surrounding natural formation. Many of these rock-cut tombs feature decorative elements, such as wall paintings, inscriptions, and carvings.

In the Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs, the ancient Egyptians paid homage to their departed by presenting a variety of offerings. These included loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water, beer, oils, and perfumes. These offerings were a heartfelt gesture to honor and ensure the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife, reflecting the profound significance of their beliefs and funerary customs in ancient Egyptian culture.

Types of offerings Ancient Egyptians offered to the deceased as part of funerary rituals at Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs.

The offerings of food, drink, and other goods placed in the Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs were an integral part of the funerary rituals and beliefs of ancient Egypt during the Middle Kingdom period. These offerings were intended to sustain and provide for the deceased in the afterlife, ensuring their well-being and comfort. While the specific offerings could vary depending on the individual and the tomb, here are some common types of offerings found in ancient Egyptian tombs like those at Beni Hasan:

Loaves of bread and cakes were among the most common food offerings. They were often shaped into specific forms, sometimes resembling animals or symbols, and were believed to provide sustenance to the deceased. Offerings of meat, including poultry and fish, were also common. These offerings symbolized the abundance of food and the provision of sustenance in the afterlife. Various fruits and vegetables, such as dates, figs, grapes, onions, and lettuce, were placed in tombs as offerings. These offerings represented the bounty of the land and the continuity of life.

Containers filled with wine and beer, two staple beverages in ancient Egypt, were often included. These drinks symbolized refreshment and enjoyment in the afterlife. Clean, pure water was considered essential for the deceased's well-being. Vessels containing water were placed in tombs to quench the thirst of the deceased.

Fragrant oils and perfumes were used for purification and anointing rituals. They were thought to provide comfort and a pleasant aroma in the afterlife. Burning incense served a dual purpose: it purified the air in the tomb and created a fragrant atmosphere. Incense was often associated with religious rituals. Some tombs included garments, jewelry, and other personal items believed to clothe and adorn the deceased in the afterlife.

Various amulets and ritual objects with protective and magical properties were placed in tombs to safeguard the deceased and ensure a successful journey to the afterlife. Sometimes, miniature models of tools, furniture, and even boats were included in tombs. These items symbolized the tools and possessions needed in the afterlife.

Food, drink, and other goods were offered in the Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs to sustain the deceased in the afterlife. These offerings were often depicted in wall paintings, serving as symbolic representations and practical items for the deceased.

Food and drink are well documented; however, specific prayers from Beni Hasan are not documented; ancient Egyptians often used invocations and spells in their religious practices. These texts, often found in funerary inscriptions, were intended to invoke divine protection and blessings for the deceased.

Beni Hasan's rock-cut tombs are historically momentous

Along the eastern bank of the Nile River, the archaeological site of Beni Hasan in modern-day Egypt stands; these tombs offer an invaluable glimpse into ancient Egypt's life, society, and customs during the Middle Kingdom period, specifically the 12th Dynasty around 1991 BC to 1802 BC.

Beni Hasan's rock-cut tombs are historically significant due to their association with regional rulers and high-ranking officials of the Middle Kingdom. These individuals held key administrative and economic positions in the area and were responsible for managing various aspects of governance. The tombs serve as a testament to the power and influence of these local leaders during this period.

The tombs at Beni Hasan are engineering marvels, with their elaborate construction carved directly into the limestone cliffs. They typically consist of multiple chambers, corridors, and burial shafts, showcasing the architectural expertise of ancient Egyptian craftsmen. The layout of these tombs reflects a belief in an afterlife and the importance of providing a comfortable resting place for the deceased.

The vivid and meticulously preserved wall paintings that adorn their interiors truly set the Beni Hasan tombs apart. These paintings offer a remarkable visual narrative of life during the Middle Kingdom. Scenes depicting agricultural activities, hunting expeditions, fishing, and religious rituals provide invaluable insights into the daily life and culture of the period. Additionally, depictions of foreigners visiting Egypt offer a window into the kingdom's interactions with neighboring regions.

Beni Hasan has been an archaeological exploration and research subject since the 19th century. Egyptologists and scholars have meticulously studied the inscriptions and wall paintings to decode the historical, cultural, and religious aspects of the Middle Kingdom. These studies have contributed significantly to understanding ancient Egypt's social structure, religious beliefs, and economic activities.

The wall paintings of Beni Hasan, meticulously preserved within the rock-cut tombs of this ancient Egyptian site, are captivating windows into the daily life and culture of the Middle Kingdom period. These vivid and detailed artworks, dating back over four thousand years, adorn the tomb interiors, providing a rich narrative of agricultural activities, hunting expeditions, fishing scenes, and religious rituals.

They showcase the society's deep connection with the Nile River and its fertile lands, emphasizing the importance of agriculture. Additionally, the wall paintings offer glimpses of interactions with foreign peoples, highlighting the kingdom's role as a trading hub. Beyond the mundane, these paintings reveal religious beliefs and funerary practices, underlining the Egyptians' profound reverence for the afterlife and their dedication to deities like Osiris.

Beni Hasan's wall paintings, with their exquisite detail and historical significance, stand as invaluable testaments to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt and continue to inspire wonder and scholarly exploration.

Beni Hasan's rock-cut tombs are a remarkable testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom. These tombs, with their intricate architecture and vivid wall paintings, offer a unique opportunity to step back in time and gain insights into the lives, customs, and beliefs of a civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile thousands of years ago. They serve as a bridge connecting the present with a distant past, making Beni Hasan a place of historical and cultural significance that continues to inspire and educate.
Qantas board of directors all received an increase in total pay for the past year, despite the airline suffering repeated blows to its reputation and brand following a customer backlash and revelations of a damaging court case.

Qantas chair Richard Goyder, who has ignored calls to step down from his role, had his total remuneration rise from $658,000 to $750,000 in the past financial year  of which 80 per cent was paid in cash.

Richard Goyder has been Qantas chair since November 2017. Credit: Trevor Collens

As chair, Goyder also receives travel benefits as part of his remuneration package, and is entitled to four long-haul flights and 12 short-haul flights annually. The same number of flights are also provided to his spouse and any offspring under 26.

If Goyder departed the airline tomorrow, he and family members who meet the conditions would be eligible for two long-haul trips and six short-haul trips for each year of service. Goyder has been Qantas chair since November 2017, and also chairs Woodside and the AFL Commission.
One of the countrys most distinguished filmmakers, George Miller, has described the cuts to film and television funding in the NSW budget as retrograde, misguided and naive.

The director of the Mad Max movies and Oscar-winning Happy Feet and its sequel said they would result in an exodus of screen talent to other locations - both within Australia and internationally - that still offered competitive filmmaking incentives.

Theres really no understanding about how these industries work: George Miller Credit: Tim Bauer

Miller, who is deep into post-production on the Mad Max film Furiosa in Sydney, said the Minns governments cuts were particularly damaging to young people coming out of screen training institutions who would be left without work.

It goes without saying really that its pretty retrograde and misguided, he said. Theres really no understanding about how these industries work.
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Eating outJust open Master butcher raises the steaks with dream new shop (and porchetta rolls) at Prahran Market The glamorous 300-square-metre shop, kitchen, smokehouse, rotisserie and deli G. McBean Family Butcher has been a decade-long project for master butcher Gary and daughter Ash. Dani Valent September 22, 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

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Why wouldnt you want to buy a steak sandwich from a butcher? Master butcher Gary McBean poses the question while standing in front of his glamorous new store at Prahran Market. G. McBean Family Butcher is the fruition of a decade-long project to move, rebrand and relaunch his industry-leading Garys Meats, which supplies restaurants including Attica and is favoured by Melbourne foodies including Karen Martini and Alice Zaslavsky. Gary McBean and his daughter Ash have just opened G. McBean Family Butcher at Prahran Market. Pete Dillon The new 300-square-metre shop, kitchen, smokehouse, rotisserie and deli is almost three-times the size of McBeans former store at the other end of the meat hall in Melbournes oldest market, established in 1864. Handsome green tiling, marble flooring and a brass logo set the tone at G. McBean, now the markets largest place to buy meat.

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This is the dream come true, says McBean, who has floated this expansion through three rounds of market board and management. Well expand the range: more free-range pork and lamb, more wagyu, more smallgoods. A backroom smoker means Christmas hams will be prepared onsite for the first time and pates will be ground in a special industrial cutter that emulsifies without heating, improving shelf life, colour and flavour. Intimate steak nights will introduce keen eaters to secret butchers cuts and premium wagyu. McBean will offer a rotating roster of sandwiches, starting with porchetta rolls with crackling. Pete Dillon Until now, the only ready-to-eat food in the meat hall has been the occasional sausage sizzle or sushi pack. McBean will now offer a rotating roster of rolls and sandwiches (its porchetta with lots of crackling this weekend), as well as curries, pies and bolognese to take home. A liquor law loophole that allows butchers to sell alcohol without a licence means customers can buy a snack and beer or wine and take it to the market courtyard for lunch. Our store has been successful to date, but we think the brand-new shop puts us more on a global scale. Ash McBean

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G. McBean Family Butcher is just metres from the old Prahran Market meat hall where Gary McBean, 63, started working as an eight-year-old. My father brought me to where he worked on Saturday mornings, recalls McBean. I was raking sawdust and washing dishes at first, then I got put in charge of the offal window. They taught me how to use a chopper when I was only 10 or 11: Id split the lambs heads open, get the brains and tongues out and line them up in the window. When his father, Ken McBean, bought a butcher shop in Bridge Road, Richmond, Gary moved with him. I was only 14 and in form 3 when Dad told me to leave school and come to work, he says. The meat counter is all ready to roll at G. McBean Family Butcher. Pete Dillon McBean qualified as a butcher under his fathers eye, then followed Ken McBean back to Prahran Market in the 1980s. I was working for dad then I bought the shop next to him, says McBean of the first Garys Meats, which opened on the site of the new butcher shop in 1984, before market management moved him further along the hall. Im going back to where I started and its just a few metres from where I swept up as a little boy, says McBean. Its a far cry from the sawdust days, though. The butcher has spent about $2 million on the equipment and fitout, with design by Wendy Bergman, whose interiors team also worked on restaurant Studio Amaro, which recently opened on nearby Chapel Street.

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Slick new Italian venue brings disco cool, molten jaffles (and 40 types of amaro) to Chapel Street McBean is working with his daughter Ash, 31, the fifth generation of McBeans to work in meat. She qualified as a butcher three years ago after twice winning apprentice of the year. Ive been working in Dads shop for every bit of 15 years, she says. Dad has worked so hard, and weve been among the leaders in Melbourne. Gary McBean has been at the forefront of marinating meats, pushing free-range and ethical meats, as well as dry-ageing (hanging meat to improve flavour and texture), and moving to plastic-free packaging. He was also among the first to push fat as flavour. G. McBean is Prahran Markets largest place to buy meat, with display fridges big enough to rack up whole lambs. Pete Dillon The trend in the 1990s was all about lean meat, says Ash McBean. We decided to scrap that and focus on the high-fat content you get through grass-fed beef thats raised for a few years on green pastures. You end up with a far better product.

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The relaunch comes in a hot environment for both meat and markets. The new G. McBean will inevitably be compared to meat boutique Victor Churchill, which became Melbournes most spectacular place to buy steak when it opened in nearby Armadale in 2021. The Sydney import has a horseshoe-shaped marble dining bar and a workspace that is more exalted altar than boning room. In the produce market stakes, Prahran looks dowdy compared to vibrant South Melbourne, with its plethora of eating places and consistent shoulder-to-shoulder shopping on weekends. The five-year renewal of Queen Victoria Market also puts Prahran Market on notice. Our store has been successful to date, but we think the brand-new shop puts us more on a global scale, Ash says. When people come to Melbourne, we want them to come to G. McBean Family Butcher because they want to see what we are doing here. Stall 501, Prahran Market, Commercial Road, South Yarra, 03 9826 0815, gmcbean.com.au Meet the chefs-turned-butchers helping us to buy (and cook) better meat Good Food hat 15 / 20 Review The verdict on Victor Churchill's 12-seat bar-restaurant

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A Melbourne man will be extradited to Canberra in the custody of police after being arrested on suspicion of murder over the cold case killing of 72-year-old grandmother Irma Palasics, who drowned in her own blood.

Steve Fabriczy, 68, of Rowville faced Dandenong Magistrates Court on Thursday where he applied for release on bail.

68-year-old Rowville man Steve Fabriczy was arrested on Wednesday. Credit: ACT police

In opposing bail, Detective Sergeant Craig Marriott told the court police had serious concerns that Fabriczy  also known as Istvan Fabriczy  could flee the country if released to make his own way to the ACT, as he is a dual citizen of Hungary.

Marriott said they also feared the 68-year-old may interfere with witnesses with his alleged co-offender still on the run.
The latest loss came this week, when a hare-brained federal court challenge brought by Palmer and his $110 million senator Ralph Babet  another of the billionaires eccentric projects  to get the Australian Electoral Commission to count X as a no vote in the Voice referendum, failed. Justice Steven Rares of the Federal Court dismissed Palmer and Babets urgent request for a declaration, ruling that unlike a tick, X was inherently ambiguous. Clive Palmer was last month revealed to be the secret funder of an anti-vaccine mandate case brought against Telstra. Credit: Matt Dennien But never fear, the boys are back for more, with Babet vowing on Thursday to appeal the decision. Clearly, the United Australia Partys money man was undeterred by another legal loss. And there have been plenty of those. Just last month, Palmer was revealed as the secret funder of an anti-vaccine mandate case brought against Telstra. The billionaires efforts to keep his identity a secret failed.

Palmer did get a win, of sorts, when in 2022, the Federal Court found former WA premier Mark McGowan had defamed him, and ordered State Daddy to pay $5000 in damages. Trouble was, the same judgment also found Palmer had in turn defamed McGowan, as the two men engaged in a war of words. Federal Court justice Michael Lee declared the whole thing a waste of court resources and taxpayer money. And in 2021, Palmer lost a High Court challenge to WAs hard border during the COVID pandemic. But wait, theres more. This year, Palmers Singapore-based Zeph Investments brought a mammoth $300 billion claim against the Commonwealth over laws passed by the WA government to stop the billionaires earlier $30 billion claim over his Pilbara mine project. Former attorney-general Christian Porter was recruited into Palmers legal team for that case, but dropped out after the Commonwealth raised concerns about him receiving confidential information about the matter while in government.

This leaves us wondering, who is Palmer going to sue next? TWIGGY ON TOUR While Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrest has developed quite the global messiah complex, its been a turbulent few months on the home front. Loading Just to recap  three key executives in Forrests Fortescue Metals Group, including CEO Fiona Hick, just six months into the job, and former Reserve Bank deputy governor Guy Debelle departed.

Throw in an 11 per cent drop in profit, and a coup in the resource-rich West African nation of Gabon spooking investors, and its enough to almost make us forget that Twiggy and his wife of 30 years, Nicola Forrest, called it quits in July. Andrew Forrest and Joe Biden. Credit: John Shakespeare But none of that could put a dent in Twiggys Mr Worldwide act. Forrest took off on an international investor tour, with the American leg finishing up in New York this week, where the great man and his entourage dropped into the United Nations General Assembly, which held its 78th session. It just so happened that world leaders like US President Joe Biden, Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan were also at the UN to offer their thoughts on the state of the world.

New Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto and energy boss Mark Hutchison also joined the boss in New York for the round of hobnobbing. Forrest didnt get a chance to speak  but we bet he wished he could  and the Fortescue mob were more interested in the Climate Ambition Summit because remember, Twiggy is out to save the world with green hydrogen. Just to remind everyone of this, Fortescue lit up the New York skyline with a drone show spelling out the words Break Up With Fossil Fuels. He then headed back to Perth by private jet. STRIKING GOLD Veteran pollster Gary Morgan reckons hes sitting on a gold mine, well, at least seven of them actually, as well as other mineral deposits, as he moves to tackle the legacy of the reported $100 million or more he and his family have pumped into the Haoma mining company over the years.

But nobody should hold their breath for an end to the companys five-year exile from the ASX, following a spectacular falling-out between the exchange and Morgan, the miners majority shareholder and chairman. Loading Garys polling business The Roy Morgan Research Centre Pty Ltd will take a big chunk of equity  at 27 cents a share, valuing the company at about $135 million by our calculations  in a capital re-structure, with other Haoma shareholders able to get a piece of the action, entitled to three of the new shares for each two of the existing stock they currently hold. But Morgan told us that the exercise was largely aimed at clearing the $52 million in debt to The Morgan Group that Haomas balance sheet is carrying  call it a debt-for-equity swap  about which existing Haoma shareholders will have no complaints, Gary predicted on Monday. The plan is to clear the debt and allow Haoma to crack on with its many mining opportunities in gold, lithium and other rocks, Morgan says. And hes in no rush to get the mining operation back onto the Australian Stock Exchange.
The Victorian governments new housing statement is an attempt to manufacture a crisis to achieve a radical removal of citizen democratic rights.

For months, the government and major developers looking to cash in have attempted to convince the Victorian public that local councils, planning red tape and resident objections have prevented the construction of much-needed new housing.

Two Carlton housing towers will be torn down and redeveloped. And others will follow.

On Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced 44 public housing towers across the state would be demolished and redeveloped over the next three decades.

Theyre old; theyre out of date. They are crumbling; they need to go, the premier said, revealing that the new developments would increase the number of dwellings across the sites collectively from 10,000 to 30,000.
Arsonists have targeted a tobacco store in Melbournes south-east for the second time in just over a fortnight, after a failed attempt earlier this month damaged a neighbouring shopfront.

Firefighters were called to extinguish the blaze on Station Street in Oakleigh about 2am on Thursday. It is expected to be linked to Victorias tit-for-tat arson attacks.

Detectives are investigating whether a fire in Oakleigh is linked to previous arson attacks on tobacco stores. Credit: Nine News

Fire from a torched car spread to neighbouring shops and severely burnt the tobacco shop. Earlier this month, on September 6, the same tobacco shop avoided major damage when an empty shop next door was set alight.

Emergency services said no one was inside the building at the time of the arson attack and no one was injured in the fire.
A three-person panel will investigate the Commonwealths response to the COVID pandemic. Here are six issues it must probe ahead of the next killer bug.

Pandemic preparedness

Within weeks of COVID-19 spawning in China, it became clear the worlds health authorities had been caught unaware and unprepared.

That was also the case in Australia, where within days of the first cases being confirmed on local soil in late January it became clear the country was already running out of masks because stocks had run down after summer bushfires.
Melbournes leading planning academics have slammed the governments plan to demolish and rebuild public housing towers across Melbourne, releasing a joint paper which warns that dislocating low-income communities was known to cause serious harm and even death.

Premier Daniel Andrews described his governments plan to remake the states 44 high-rise public housing towers as the biggest urban renewal project Australia has ever seen, brushing aside criticism from the Greens, the Council to Homeless Persons and others.

We cant search for perfection and then not deliver anything; weve got to get on and build more houses, Andrews said.

Six academics from RMITs Centre for Urban Research  Libby Porter, David Kelly, Priya Kunjan, Iris Levin, Kate Shaw and Liam Davies  released a joint paper on Thursday arguing that the government had failed to justify its claim the towers were no longer fit for purpose.
Dodgy landlords and bad real estate agents are on notice after the launch of a new landlord and agency review website by Tiktoker and tenants advocate Jordan van den Berg.

Van den Berg, known on social media as Purplepingers, launched a website called Shit Rentals this week. The site allows tenants to submit testimonies about landlords, property managers and rentals to van den Berg, who manually uploads them to a public document with the address of the property and the name of the agency visible.

Jordan van den Berg said he made the website in hopes of addressing the power imbalance between renters and landlords. Credit: Wayne Taylor

When you as a renter apply for a property the real estate agent and landlord have so much information about you, and you get nothing on them, he said. Nine out of 10 times listing photos on a rental were from the last time a property was sold. You know nothing of the experience of the previous tenants.

This website is trying to redress some of these wrongs and to help tenants in a rental market that is against them and to help them make a bit more of an informed decision.
Monsters depicted in the departments of hell in Beijings Dongyue Temple. Credit: Alamy This overlooked, 700-year-old temple is a wonderfully macabre but amusing display of how Daoists believe hell is organised. Dusty dioramas depict hells 76 bureaucratic departments, such as those that deal with wandering ghosts or obscene acts. Youll see what happens to thieves, drug dealers and betrayers of secrets: the latter have their tongues sawn off by a demon with a boars head. See travelchina.org.cn Parikkala Sculpture Park, Parikkala, Finland The figures of Parikkala Sculpture Park are hideously freaky. Credit: Alamy This isnt meant to be hellish, but reclusive folk artist Veijo Ronkkonens 500 life-sized concrete figures are creepy. A huge group supposedly practising yoga look more like theyre trying to claw their way out of the ground. As you wander about youll encounter so many awfully bad statues with staring eyes and hideous grins that they look as if theyre being tortured. See patsaspuisto.net

Bar Idea, Kobe, Japan This Gothic fetish bar is strictly for those with strong stomachs. Satanic symbols are everywhere, skulls and stuffed animals sit on shelves and, on the bar, a baby doll straight from a horror movie lies atop a pentagram. Watch out for pet scorpions and python. The staff, liberally sprinkled with tattoos and piercings, occasionally showcase the Japanese art of rope-tying on volunteer victims. See idea666.com The Satanic Temple, Salem, USA What better place for the world headquarters of the Satanic Temple than Salem, infamous for its mass-hysteria 1690s witch hunt? It inhabits a former funeral parlour, where you can now enjoy exhibitions of art related to Satan, witches and the occult. The temple is devoted to social activism that aims to expose religious restrictions, and also conducts historical walking tours of Salem. See thesatanictemple.com Hells Museum, Singapore

Haw Par Villars Hell Museum may cause children (and some adults) to have nightmares. This exhibition at retro theme park Haw Par Villa showcases cultural attitudes to death, but the highlight (at least for those titillated by the bizarre) is the 10 Courts of Hell according to Chinese mythology. Morality tales, supposedly for children, are more likely to cause nightmares: exam cheaters are dismembered. Hundreds of peculiar statues include humans with crabs heads or snails bodies. See hawparvilla.sg Suoi Tien Cultural Theme Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hellish horrors await at Suoi Tien Cultural Theme Park in Ho Chi Minh City. Credit: Alamy Buddhist-themed water park? Whats not to like  if you have kids theyll have a great time splashing amid bearded sages, giant rotating frogs and golden dragons. Just dont be misled by the nice-sounding Unicorn Palace, where a house of hellish horrors awaits in a low-lit space where the occasional animated skeleton pops out to scream at you. Yikes. See suoitien.com
I am booked to fly with Scoot from Melbourne to Bangkok via Singapore. Since these are two separate flight bookings I will have to go through immigration in Singapore, collect my bags, and then check in again for my flight from Singapore to Bangkok. I have three hours between flights in Singapore, any advice for a smooth progress through immigration and check in? B. Kimber, Hampton, Vic

Immigration at Singapores Changi Airport is normally quite quick. Credit: iStock

Since youre flying with the same airline, ask at the check-in desk at Melbourne if you can be ticketed and have your bag checked through to Bangkok. If not, theres plan B. On your flight to Singapore, get a seat as far forward in the cabin as possible. You can do this if you book a seat in either the Scoot-in-Silence cabin or a ScootPlus seat. This will cost a little extra but its worth it to ensure you dont get held up by other passengers leaving the aircraft. These seats are available only on Scoots Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

To enter Singapore, you need to complete an arrival card (www.ica.gov.sg) with a health declaration. Do this online, no need to faff about filling it in when you get there. Make sure you check in online for your flight from Singapore to Bangkok, the line is usually shorter. Immigration processing in Singapore is brisk, Ive done what youre doing and no real problem.

We have the best part of two weeks in June/July for a European vacation, finishing in Vienna. We dont want to jump around too much and prefer to travel by train. What itinerary would you recommend? J. Small, Belmont, Vic
Toronto: The allegation of Indias involvement in the killing of a Sikh Canadian is based on surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, including intelligence provided by a major ally, a Canadian official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The official said the communications involved Indian officials and Indian diplomats in Canada and that some of the intelligence was provided by a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which in addition to Canada includes the US, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Narendra Modi welcomes Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9. Credit: AP

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, did not say which ally provided intelligence or give details of what was contained in the communications or how they were obtained.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation first reported details of the intelligence.
The Egyptian Cabinet approved a proposal by the Emirati renewable energy company AMEA Power to build solar and wind power projects in Egypt with 1,500 megawatts (MWs) capacity, according to a statement on Wednesday.

AMEA Powers proposal to the government includes adding 1,000 MWs to the companys solar power projects in Aswan.

The proposal also includes building a wind power plant in the Red Sea city of Ras Ghareb with a capacity of 500 megawatts.

AMEA Power is currently building 1 gigawatts of solar and wind plants in Egypt through the companys subsidiaries Abydos Solar and Amunet Wind Power.

In December, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other international partners announced a $1.1 billion financing package to support AMEA Power for projects in Egypt.

Founded in 2016, AMEA, which is based in Dubai and is a subsidiary of Al Nowais Investments, is one of the largest renewable energy companies in the region with a clean energy pipeline of over 6 gigawatts across 20 countries.

Egypt targets becoming a regional hub for renewable energy and seeks to contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change.

In June, the Egyptian government updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which includes setting more ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and securing the finances needed to achieve them.

The countrys NDC plan includes reducing GHG emissions from electricity generation, transmission, and distribution by 37 percent by 2030.

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Today, Americans For Prosperity - Wyoming (AFP-WY) released its inaugural Legislative Key Vote Scorecard for the 2023 General Session, highlighting their priorities and state lawmakers votes during the legislative session.

The scorecard can be found by visiting wyomingscorecard.com.

AFP-WY State Director Tyler Lindholm released the following statement:

Our Legislative Key Vote Scorecard highlights the successes AFP-WY has achieved in our first year. The 2023 General Session was largely successful as 7 out of 12 bills in our scorecard were signed and enacted into law. We will continue to advocate and work with legislators to advance priorities like education freedom in the next General Session.

By reigniting the American Dream and unleashing prosperity for all, we can make the Cowboy State a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

The scorecard consists of 12 bills including the following top 3 priorities for AFP-WY during the 2023 General Session:

Notice of Annexation (HB 112): This law requires due and proper notice is given to residents who will be affected by an annexation of their property into city limits.

General Government Appropriations - Senate Amendment 51 (SF 1): This amendment would have expanded Medicaid in the states budget.

Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act (SF 143): This bill would have allowed school choice and returned parental rights to Wyoming residents. Wyoming is currently one of the worst states in the country for education freedom and we will continue to make school choice a top priority in the next General Session.
University of Wyoming Libraries has received a third round of funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support ongoing newspaper digitization work.

The two-year, $263,100 grant will support the ongoing Wyoming Digital Newspaper Project, which began in August 2019 after the first NEH grant was awarded.

The projects current phase involves UW Libraries employees digitizing 100,000 pages of select Wyoming newspapers -- dating from 1867-1963 -- as part of the states participation in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP). After employees digitize the pages, they upload them to the Chronicling America website, a free, searchable database of historic American newspapers. The UW Libraries team has digitized and uploaded more than 200,000 pages to the website since the start of the project.

Newspapers added during the first two rounds of grant funding include The Arapahoe Agency Courier, The Big Horn Sentinel, Bill Barlows Budget and Converse County Review, The Buffalo Bulletin, The Casper Daily Tribune, The Cheyenne Daily Leader, The Cody Enterprise, The Kemmerer Republican, The Laramie Republican, the Park County Herald, the Platte Valley Lyre, The Saratoga Sun and The South Pass News.

This third round of funding will allow continued growth of the collection to reflect the diverse communities and histories of Wyoming, says Bryan Ricupero, the grants principal investigator and UW Libraries digital collections and metadata librarian. Were in the process of selecting new titles to add to the collection, and were planning to expand coverage to include different geographical locations weve not been able to cover yet.

The Wyoming State Archives and UW Libraries are the two primary repositories for Wyoming print and microfilm newspaper collections. Master copies of all microfilmed titles are currently held at the Wyoming State Archives and are available for UW Libraries to duplicate and digitize. This microfilm was created during the National Newspaper Project to standards compatible with the NDNP.

In addition to Ricupero, the Wyoming Digital Newspaper Project team is composed of Rachael Laing, a library specialist and grant project specialist.

Members of UW Libraries Digital Collections office will present on Wyoming digital newspapers Thursday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. The workshop will focus on the content and functionalities of https://wyomingnewspapers.org, which contains approximately 5 million pages of digitized Wyoming newspapers from the late 19th century to 2021. The workshop will be offered in person in Room 302 of Coe Library and online. Those interested in attending should register by going to https://uwyo.libcal.com/event/11114229.
Allies divided over support for Canadas Nijjar killing allegations





TORONTO,

A DAY after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indias involvement in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader, the Canadian media reported that Ottawas 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 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 gurudwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18. India has dismissed Trudeaus allegation as absurd and baseless. 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.

According to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canadas other Five Eyes allies showed little inclination on 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 (NSC) spokesperson Adm John Kirby as perhaps the most supportive of Canada, the CBC report said that Kirby urged India to participate and cooperate in that investigation as it is important to find out exactly what happened.

Kirby, who is also the NSC coordinator for Strategic Communications, said in an interview with CNN: Im going to protect diplomatic conversations and Ill leave it at that. Certainly, the President (Trudeau) is mindful of these serious allegations, and they are very serious. And we support Canadas efforts to investigate this. 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 well 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, read Cleverlys tweet.
Axis Bank robbery: Police arrest five within 24 hrs





Our Correspondent

Balrampur,

In a significant breakthrough, police have successfully apprehended five individuals allegedly involved in a daring bank heist that took place at Axis Bank in Raigarh on Tuesday, resulting in a reported loot of Rs 5.62 crore. The suspects were apprehended during a routine checkpoint inspection near the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border. During the operation, authorities also seized a truck and a Hyundai Creta with Odisha licenced plates, both of which are believed to be linked to the robbery. In a remarkable turn of events, the stolen jewellery and a substantial amount of cash were discovered concealed within the truck. This crucial discovery has provided a significant lead in investigation.

Balrampur Superintendent of Police Dr Lal Umed Singh confirmed the arrests and the recovery of the stolen funds. According to Dr Singh, the breakthrough came when they received information late in the evening about the presence of the Hyundai Creta, suspected to be the getaway vehicle, in Balrampur district, as captured by CCTV footage from the bank in Raigarh. Further investigations led to the interception of the truck at a late-night checkpoint on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border in Ramanujganj. The subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the stolen cash and gold. The Hyundai Creta, which was travelling ahead of the truck, was also detained as part of the operation. Moreover, the police have recovered the pistol and knife believed to have been used in the bank robbery. Currently, the detained suspects are undergoing intensive interrogation, and efforts are underway to match the recovered cash and jewellery. The authorities are also actively pursuing leads related to other individuals involved in the robbery who are currently at large.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took to Twitter to congratulate the Chhattisgarh Police for their successful operation. He expressed his commitment to upholding the rule of law in Chhattisgarh, promising that no individual, whether involved in bank robberies or financial wrongdoing, will escape justice in State. Raigarh Police in a social media message informed that they have successfully recovered the entire sum of cash and gold looted from Axis Bank within 24 hours of the audacious robbery. The recovered loot includes a staggering Rs 4.19 crore in cash and gold valued at Rs 1.43 crore, totalling Rs 5.62 crore. Notably, the swift action by the police led to the apprehension of five suspects directly linked to the heist. These individuals were taken into custody along with the weapons and vehicles believed to have been used in the crime.
Dengue alert in 9 areas of city, over 50 patients found in week





Staff Reporter

Due to intermittent rains, dengue infection has started increasing in Bhopal. More than 50 dengue infected patients have been found in the capital city in the last one week. Due to this, the Health Department has declared 9 areas of the city as dengue sensitive zones. This has been confirmed in the report of the District Malaria Officer. In the report, information has been given that 67 dengue patients were found in sensitive areas this year. According to the report of the Health Directorate, the maximum number of dengue patients in Madhya Pradesh this year has been found in Bhopal. The number of dengue infected here is 262, while so far 183 dengue positive patients have been found in Gwalior and 120 in Indore. As per the report, 1,300 dengue fever patients have been found in the state this year.

District Malaria Officer Akhilesh Dubey said that dengue infection is under control in Bhopal. For the last one week, an average of 9 new patients are being found every day. The average number of patients being seen daily in August was 6. The increase in the number of new patients being found daily in September is partly due to rain. According to DMO Dubey, due to the rain in the past few days, there is a danger of rise in dengue infection in the next two weeks. This is due to the abundance of mosquito larvae that spread dengue infection in most areas. According to Dubey, to control the increasing dengue larvae in different areas of the city, 44 teams are conducting larval surveys and spraying larvicite, so that dengue infection can be stopped before it spreads in the city. A separate 10-bed dengue ward has been created in JP Hospital for the treatment of dengue infected patients.

Four patients are admitted here. Of these, three patients have been admitted for the last four days, while one patient has been admitted on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday. To ensure that the family members of a dengue infected patient do not have to worry about single donor platelets, a blood component separation machine (blood apheresis machine) was installed in the JP Hospital blood bank, so that if needed, single donor platelets can be provided to the dengue infected patient. No need to go to Hamidia, AIIMS or other blood banks for SDP. But, the administration has shifted the blood component separation machine installed here to AIIMS Bhopal.
Exercise utmost caution: India to its citizens in Canada





NEW DELHI,

INDIA on Wednesday advised all its nationals living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes as well as criminal violence in that country. This was stated in an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that came amid the deteriorating diplomatic ties between the two nations 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. India on Tuesday rejected the 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.

In the advisory, the MEA asked the Indian students in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. 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 MEA said in the advisory. 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 India-Canada ties were reeling under some strain for the last few months in view of increasing activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns. Row will not impact military ties: Army: 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.
Staff Reporter

The division bench of Justice Atul Chandurkar and Justice Vrushali Joshi at the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has taken a significant step in addressing concerns over the Environmental Public Hearing held by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on May 29, 2023, on the issue of expansion of the 2x660 MW Koradi power plant. In a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Vidarbha Connect, an NGO represented by Dinesh Naidu, Dr Sharad Pawar, a renowned scientist, and Palamwar, a retired Director from MSEDCL, irregularities in the public hearing process have come under scrutiny. The expansion project by MahaGenco involves adding two 660 MW units to the existing 2,400 MW Koradi power plant near Nagpur city. In response to the PIL, the High Court has issued notices related to Prayer Clauses 1 and 4. These clauses seek a fresh public hearing and directions to the MPCB to take action against MahaGenco officials for failing to control pollution from the Koradi power plant.

Allegations that the procedure prescribed by the Union of India for Environmental Public Hearings, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification of September 14, 2006, was not followed. The PIL also highlighted failure to widely publicise the Public Hearing Notice which prevented residents within a 10-kilometer radius and a large population in the Nagpur Metro region from participating. It also submitted that participants opposed to the expansion being silenced during the hearing. The PIL also raised concerns over the pollution generated by the existing Koradi units and the lack of pollution control measures like Flue Gas Desulphurisers (FGDs) for sulfur dioxide, despite specific conditions in the Environmental Clearance granted in 2010.

It also highlighted that Nagpur being a non-attainment city that has not met National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the new units could exacerbate pollution and pose risks to citizens health. Issues related to radioactive fly ash, breaches of ash ponds, and pollution of the Kanhan river, which supplies water to Nagpur city also were highlighted in the PIL. Advocate Dr Tushar Mandlekar, assisted by Adv Tejas Fadnavis, presented the case on behalf of the petitioners. The respondents include the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, the Ministry of Power, and the Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd (MahaGenco). Adv Mohit Khajanchi represented MahaGenco, while Adv Ravi Sanyal appeared on behalf of MPCB, and Deputy Solicitor General of India Nandesh Deshpande represented the Union of India. Adv Deepak Thakre represented the District Collector.
Nari gets Shakti in Parlt, Legislatures





The new Parliament building had innumerable women visitors on the day when Lok Sabha passed the Nari Shakti Bill with overwhelming majority during special session in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

NEW DELHI :

Lok Sabha passes Womens Reservation Bill with 454-2 votes

THE Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill granting reservation to women on one-third seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies with near unanimity amid demands from the Opposition to extend similar benefits to Other Backward Classes and immediate implementation of the measure before the elections next year. After a spirited eight-hour debate in which 60 members participated, the Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, with 454 members voting in favour and two against it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the voting on the bill. The bill was passed as per the provisions of Article 368 (2) of the Constitution relating to the passage of constitutional amendment bills which requires support of the majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. A few amendments moved by the Government relating to the numbering of the Constitution amendment bill were also cleared by the House.

When the proposed legislation goes to Rajya Sabha for its consideration, it will be called the Constitution (106th Amendment) Bill, officials said. The Bill proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies of State and NCT of Delhi. Similar reservation will also be provided within the seats reserved for SC and ST. The Bill proposes that the reservation will continue for 15 years. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal kicked off the discussion on the Bill that seeks to bring in 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House and all Assemblies. Similar reservation will also be provided within the seats reserved for SC and ST. He stated that the Bill was an important step in womens empowerment and shows the way to the world. The Bill proposes that the reservation will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation.

The Law Minister told Lok Sabha that the provision for implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House and State Assemblies after Census and delimitation was in line with the Constitution. He was responding to a day-long debate on the constitutional amendment bill for womens reservation during which many Opposition members questioned the need for Census and delimitation before implementing the quota for women as it will delay the process. Meghwal said if the Government agrees to provide reservation immediately, it will be against the provisions of the Constitution. He said with the Oppositions support, such a bill may get passed but then it will get stuck in courts. You will then move PILs against it in Supreme Court, he said. We will not allow the bill to get stuck in technical issues, he said. He alleged that some people tried to give the bill 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. Twenty-seven women members cutting across party lines participated in the debate on the bill, with BJP legislators coming out in support of it and the opposition members demanding its immediate implementation.
Nursing students take out protest rally to push for demands





Staff Reporter

Paramedical Nursing students once again cleared their stand not to cast votes in the upcoming Assembly elections, if the State Government would not conduct their examinations. Following the same, the paramedical-nursing students from across the State, under the banner of Nursing Students Organisation, India assembled at Civic Centre and took out a huge protest rally up to the Collectorate on Wednesday. However, observing huge gathering of students on their way to Collectorate, police interrupted them at Ghataghar Chowk. After verbal argument, police used water cannons and resorted to caning on students. As a result many students were injured.

Nursing Students Organisation (NSO) strongly condemned the police action on the silent protest rally. Gopal Parashar, NSO District President, while talking to The Hitavada said, Stung with the partial attitude of the State Government, a large number of nursing students from different districts of Madhya Pradesh gathered in the city to raise their voice through a silent protest. But the district administration did not allow us to remain silent and used water cannons and lathicharge leaving many students injured. According to Parashar, students of B.Sc. Nursing, M.Sc. Nursing and Post Basic Nursing Students are waiting to appear in the examinations since 2020-21. The corrupt officials of the State Government issued affiliation to nursing colleges which did not fulfill fixed parameters, following which these colleges gave admission to students. The case of fake affiliation is in the court and students have to face the burnt.

Unfortunately, neither the State Government took any action against these corrupt officials nor did anything to provide relief to the suffering students. The Organisation demanded the State Government to immediately rectify the issue, provide scholarship to students and declaration of results of GNM students. On behalf of thousands of nursing and paramedical students, Gopal Parashar once again warned that neither the students nor their guardians will participate in upcoming elections if the State Government still maintains the same approach in the issue.
Smriti slams Oppn over demand for immediate implementation of quota





NEW DELHI,

UNION Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday slammed the Opposition over its demand for an immediate implementation of quota under Womens Reservation Bill, asking it whether it wished to follow the constitutional process. Intervening in the discussion on the constitutional amendment bill to provide reservation for women, the Women and Child Development Minister hit out at the Opposition, such as the Samajwadi Party, for demanding reservation for minorities, saying they do not know that reservation based on religion is prohibited by the Constitution.
By Kartik Lokhande

After a gap of one year since expiry of the previous extension, Public Works Department (PWD) has granted another three year extension to attachment of its World Bank Project sub-division to the office of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Gadchiroli Range. In an effort to boost the development in Naxal-affected Gadchiroli Range covering Gadchiroli and Gondia districts, the World Bank Project Sub-Division No 2 under the Chief Engineer of PWD at Nagpur, was attached to the office of DIG Gadchiroli Range in 2010. The said sub-division was attached to the DIG office for a period of five years initially. The attachment was granted extension of three years on June 27, 2016. But, it was granted after over six months since the lapse of the initial period of five years.

Later, one more extension of three years was granted on August 22, 2019 as per the request of the Home Department. However, this extension came to an end on August 21, 2022. Since then, no steps were taken to grant further extension. According to officials familiar with the matter, such an extension could not be granted due to COVID-19 pandemics after-effects on development works. In Gadchiroli district, several works including construction of 14 police stations/sub-police stations in Naxal-affected hypersensitive and sensitive areas as well as of administrative buildings got affected. For, these works were to be executed by PWDs World Bank Project Sub-Division No 2. The works were to be done under Special Infrastructure Scheme. As this was pointed out by DIG Gadchiroli Range on April 24, 2023 through a letter, the Additional Director General of Police (Special Action) sent a letter in this regard on May 8, 2023 to the PWD.

Accordingly, now, PWD has taken the decision to grant further extension of three years to the attachment of World Bank Project Sub-Division No 2 to the office of the DIG Gadchiroli Range. The extension has been approved with retrospective effect from August 22, 2022 to August 21, 2025. During this period, the abovesaid works are expected to be completed to strengthen the security-related infrastructure in the Naxal-hit district.
Will new switchovers impact BJP electoral fortunes?





By Bhavana 'Aparajita'

Shukla

On Wednesday, three more leaders from saffron camp joined the league of turncoats. As The Hitavada had published exclusively on September 10 with the headline More switchovers impending in election year, the Congress party has a reason to smile. Former MP Bodh Singh Bhagat, State Working Committee member and Indore BJP leader Pramod Tandon and Rajesh Patel, trio belonging from different parts of the State, have left the BJP and joined the Congress party. But, The Hitavada has tried to find out how the decision of the trio to switch over to the Congress ahead of the elections will make a difference to the BJPs electoral fortunes to their respective seats. This time the State is witnessing phenomenal growth in the number of turncoat leaders as compared to the last few elections. In a couple of months, more than a dozen prominent leaders have joined Congress.

Balaghats senior BJP leader and former MP Bodh Singh Bhagat joined Congress on Wednesday. He is being seen as a big BJP leader in the region. Bodh Singh comes from an OBC background and Balaghat is a OBC dominated area, in such a scenario his joining the main opposition party Congress is going to make substantial impact on the former one, as the political pundits suggest. Notably, from here, another leader Anubha Munjare (who also belongs to OBC) also joined the Congress ahead of the polls. In another regions too, the saffron party has to face jolt as BJP leader Rajesh Patel of Budhni and State Working Committee member and Indore BJP leader Pramod Tandon also took membership of Congress. BJP leader Rajesh Patels switchover holds significance as he comes from Budhni, the Assembly constituency of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and it has boosted up Congress enthusiasm. While in Indore, State Working Committee member and Indore BJP leader Pramod Tandons goodbye to the saffron party is unlikely to make difference to the BJP in Indore, as election analyst and Senior Journalist, Pankaj (Bhaya) quotes while speaking to the Hitavada.

Within a week, Bodh Singh is the fifth BJP leader to join the Congress, former BJP MLA Parul Sahu Kesari joined the congress on Friday. She was seeking ticket Surkhi in 2018 but denied. She won the election in 2013. But that of Pramod Tandon is unlikely to affect the saffron party. Political analyst and senior journalist Pankaj talking to The Hitavada said that earlier cases of defection will have much impact on Gwalior-Chambal region and upto some extent, it will impact Malwa-Nimar political scenario. But now Mahakoshal has entered in this race, here, the BJP may suffer adverse impact.
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 India's 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 percent 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 another's diplomats.
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the nine brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 509.50 ($6.31).

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered B&M European Value Retail to an underweight rating and dropped their target price for the company from GBX 577 ($7.15) to GBX 513 ($6.35) in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of B&M European Value Retail to an underweight rating and set a GBX 513 ($6.35) price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of B&M European Value Retail from GBX 525 ($6.50) to GBX 640 ($7.93) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 565 ($7.00) target price on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, Shore Capital raised shares of B&M European Value Retail to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th.

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B&M European Value Retail Trading Up 4.0 %

B&M European Value Retail Company Profile

Shares of BME opened at GBX 579 ($7.17) on Monday. B&M European Value Retail has a fifty-two week low of GBX 289 ($3.58) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 592.60 ($7.34). The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 559.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 523.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 313.19, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 1.29. The company has a market capitalization of 5.79 billion, a PE ratio of 1,654.29 and a beta of 1.04.

(Get Free Report

B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

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WBH Advisory Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 4.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,853 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 448 shares during the period. WBH Advisory Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $1,550,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Keel Point LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.4% during the second quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 6,095 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $959,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Covenant Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Chevron by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Covenant Asset Management LLC now owns 9,938 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,564,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares in the last quarter. Valicenti Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Valicenti Advisory Services Inc. now owns 51,992 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $8,181,000 after purchasing an additional 991 shares during the last quarter. Lantz Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Chevron by 1.4% in the second quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 21,197 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,335,000 after buying an additional 293 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sciencast Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Chevron during the second quarter valued at approximately $428,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.00, for a total value of $4,100,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 6,021 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $987,444. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Chevron news, VP Jeff B. Gustavson sold 3,750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.88, for a total transaction of $603,300.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 1,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at $276,391.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Pierre R. Breber sold 25,000 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.00, for a total transaction of $4,100,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 6,021 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $987,444. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Chevron from $197.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 18th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Chevron from $196.00 to $188.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Mizuho raised their price target on Chevron from $209.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Chevron from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $161.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised Chevron from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $165.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chevron currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.61.

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Chevron Stock Down 0.3 %

Chevron stock opened at $166.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $311.25 billion, a PE ratio of 10.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.18. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $140.46 and a twelve month high of $189.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.43. The firms 50 day moving average price is $161.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $160.25.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.13. Chevron had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 13.54%. The company had revenue of $48.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.82 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 28.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 13.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 18th were issued a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 17th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.30%.

Chevron Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

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Clearwater Paper Co. (NYSE:CLW  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $35.14, but opened at $35.92. Clearwater Paper shares last traded at $36.00, with a volume of 510 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CLW has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Clearwater Paper in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of Clearwater Paper in a research note on Friday, September 8th.

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Clearwater Paper Trading Up 1.2 %

The firm has a market cap of $606.41 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.03 and a beta of 0.74. The companys 50-day moving average price is $34.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92.

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The basic materials company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter. Clearwater Paper had a net margin of 3.22% and a return on equity of 13.73%. The firm had revenue of $524.60 million for the quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Clearwater Paper news, VP Michael S. Gadd sold 6,182 shares of Clearwater Paper stock in a transaction on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.68, for a total transaction of $220,573.76. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 61,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,206,558.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 2.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Clearwater Paper

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CLW. Swiss National Bank lifted its position in Clearwater Paper by 7.9% during the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 39,500 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,107,000 after buying an additional 2,900 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Clearwater Paper by 5.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 147,496 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $4,134,000 after purchasing an additional 8,105 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Clearwater Paper by 24.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 91,900 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,576,000 after purchasing an additional 18,312 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in Clearwater Paper by 103.2% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,213 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 616 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in Clearwater Paper by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 14,456 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 1,652 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.38% of the companys stock.

Clearwater Paper Company Profile

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Clearwater Paper Corporation manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products. The Pulp and Paperboard segment manufactures and markets bleached paperboard; Solid Bleached Sulfate paperboard that is used to produce folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging, and top sheet and commercial printing items; and hardwood and softwood pulp, as well as offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting.

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Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) had its price target increased by Truist Financial from $130.00 to $138.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat reports. Truist Financial currently has a buy rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

DLR has been the topic of several other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Digital Realty Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from $112.00 to $131.00 in a research note on Friday, August 25th. 22nd Century Group reiterated a reiterates rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. StockNews.com upgraded Digital Realty Trust to a sell rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup lifted their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $128.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $80.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Digital Realty Trust has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $121.50.

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Digital Realty Trust Trading Up 0.8 %

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

Shares of DLR stock opened at $128.05 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $124.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.79. Digital Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $85.76 and a twelve month high of $133.39. The company has a market capitalization of $38.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 99.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.81%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 378.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Cindy Fiedelman sold 2,770 shares of Digital Realty Trust stock in a transaction on Friday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.00, for a total transaction of $346,250.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Digital Realty Trust

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 11.8% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 30,815,132 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,508,919,000 after purchasing an additional 3,245,264 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.3% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 20,596,456 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,345,318,000 after acquiring an additional 464,694 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.3% in the first quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. now owns 10,020,960 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $985,161,000 after acquiring an additional 26,148 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 74.2% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,324,758 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $834,070,000 after acquiring an additional 3,118,791 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.5% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,170,504 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $704,925,000 after acquiring an additional 176,565 shares during the last quarter. 99.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Digital Realty Trust Company Profile

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Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place" and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Tablet PCs will be distributed to 75,300 first-year middle schoolers in Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Wednesday.

The initiative aims at providing customized education in preparation for the introduction of artificial intelligence-assisted digital textbooks.

Schoolkids will use their tablet until they graduate from middle school and will be given one of five models including Samsung's Galaxy Tab S7 FE and Apple's iPad 9th generation.
V.F. (NYSE:VFC  Get Free Report) and Bosideng International (OTCMKTS:BSDGY  Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation and profitability.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for V.F. and Bosideng International, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score V.F. 2 11 7 0 2.25 Bosideng International 0 0 0 0 N/A

V.F. presently has a consensus target price of $25.74, indicating a potential upside of 43.94%. Given V.F.s higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe V.F. is more favorable than Bosideng International.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets V.F. 1.02% 24.13% 5.17% Bosideng International N/A N/A N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares V.F. and Bosideng Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares V.F. and Bosideng Internationals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio V.F. $11.61 billion 0.60 $118.58 million $0.30 59.60 Bosideng International N/A N/A N/A $3.90 4.90

V.F. has higher revenue and earnings than Bosideng International. Bosideng International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than V.F., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

V.F. pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.7%. Bosideng International pays an annual dividend of $2.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.6%. V.F. pays out 400.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Bosideng International pays out 52.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bosideng International is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

80.8% of V.F. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of V.F. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

V.F. beats Bosideng International on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About V.F.

(Get Free Report)

V.F. Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, procurement, marketing, and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear, and related products for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Outdoor, Active, and Work. The company offers outdoor, merino wool and other natural fibers-based, lifestyle, and casual apparel; footwear; equipment; accessories; outdoor-inspired, performance-based, youth culture/action sports-inspired, streetwear, and protective work footwear; handbags, luggage, backpacks, and totes; and work and work-inspired lifestyle apparel and footwear. It provides its products under The North Face, Timberland, Smartwool, Icebreaker, Altra, Vans, Supreme, Kipling, Napapijri, Eastpak, JanSport, Dickies, and Timberland PRO brand names. The company sells its products primarily to specialty stores, department stores, national chains, and mass merchants, as well as sells through direct-to-consumer operations, including retail stores, concession retail stores, and e-commerce sites, and other digital platforms. V.F. Corporation was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

About Bosideng International

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Bosideng International Holdings Limited engages in the research, design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of branded down apparel products, original equipment manufacturing (OEM) products, and non-down apparel products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through four segments: Down Apparels, OEM Management, Ladieswear Apparels, and Diversified Apparels. It engages in the business of sourcing and distributing of branded down and brand authorization, OEM products, and ladieswear apparels; and non-seasonal apparels, including school uniform and children's wear. The company provides down apparel products under the Bosideng, Snow Flying, Bengen, etc. brands; ladies wear products under the JESSIE, BUOU BUOU, KOREANO, and KLOVA brands; and school uniforms under the Sameite brand. It also offers network consulting and e-business of down and non-down apparel; logistics and storage services; and brand design and development services, as well as operates as an advertisement agency. The company distributes its products through ladies retail, self-operated retail, and retail outlets operated by third party distributors. Bosideng International Holdings Limited was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

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J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by stock analysts at Argus from $170.00 to $150.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Argus price target points to a potential upside of 16.95% from the stocks current price.

Several other brokerages have also commented on SJM. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of J. M. Smucker from $165.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of J. M. Smucker from $129.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 29th. TheStreet lowered shares of J. M. Smucker from an a- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of J. M. Smucker from $157.00 to $135.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 12th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of J. M. Smucker from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $170.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $148.50.

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J. M. Smucker Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SJM opened at $128.26 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -754.47, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.23. J. M. Smucker has a one year low of $125.23 and a one year high of $163.07. The companys fifty day moving average is $143.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $149.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.28.

J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 29th. The company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. J. M. Smucker had a negative net margin of 0.21% and a positive return on equity of 12.96%. The businesss revenue was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.67 EPS. Analysts forecast that J. M. Smucker will post 9.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at J. M. Smucker

In other news, insider Amy C. Held sold 9,917 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.80, for a total transaction of $1,426,064.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $858,773.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 3.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in J. M. Smucker by 85,116.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,102,297 shares of the companys stock worth $333,130,000 after purchasing an additional 2,099,830 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in J. M. Smucker in the 4th quarter worth approximately $219,033,000. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in J. M. Smucker by 5,183.4% in the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,166,529 shares of the companys stock worth $183,577,000 after acquiring an additional 1,144,450 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in J. M. Smucker by 97,245.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 813,804 shares of the companys stock worth $120,174,000 after acquiring an additional 812,968 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in J. M. Smucker by 386.8% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 854,803 shares of the companys stock worth $22,016,000 after acquiring an additional 679,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.08% of the companys stock.

J. M. Smucker Company Profile

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The J. M. Smucker Company manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. It operates in three segments: U.S. Retail Pet Foods, U.S. Retail Coffee, and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods. The company offers mainstream roast, ground, single serve, and premium coffee; peanut butter and specialty spreads; fruit spreads, toppings, and syrups; jelly products; nut mix products; shortening and oils; frozen sandwiches and snacks; pet food and pet snacks; and foodservice hot beverage, foodservice portion control, and flour products, as well as dog and cat food, frozen handheld products, juices and beverages, and baking mixes and ingredients.

Further Reading

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Birch Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report) by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,656 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,220 shares during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson accounts for approximately 2.0% of Birch Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Birch Capital Management LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $3,253,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of JNJ. Peak Asset Management LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Peak Asset Management LLC now owns 13,789 shares of the companys stock worth $2,137,000 after buying an additional 1,171 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 0.9% in the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 748,842 shares of the companys stock worth $116,071,000 after purchasing an additional 6,836 shares in the last quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lifted its position in Johnson & Johnson by 21.8% during the 1st quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 903,546 shares of the companys stock valued at $140,050,000 after purchasing an additional 161,687 shares during the period. Tekla Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Tekla Capital Management LLC now owns 721,779 shares of the companys stock valued at $111,876,000 after purchasing an additional 82,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wisconsin Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Wisconsin Capital Management LLC now owns 15,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,437,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.40% of the companys stock.

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Johnson & Johnson Price Performance

Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $162.91 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $166.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $161.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $423.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.98, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.54. Johnson & Johnson has a 12 month low of $150.11 and a 12 month high of $181.04.

Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement

Johnson & Johnson ( NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.62 by $0.18. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 36.72% and a net margin of 13.35%. The company had revenue of $25.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $24.63 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.59 earnings per share. Johnson & Johnsons quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 28th were issued a $1.19 dividend. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 25th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is presently 96.36%.

Insider Activity

In other Johnson & Johnson news, insider William Hait sold 14,698 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total value of $2,528,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 87,747 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,092,484. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Johnson & Johnson news, VP Peter Fasolo sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.32, for a total value of $3,406,400.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 102,696 shares in the company, valued at $17,491,182.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider William Hait sold 14,698 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $2,528,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 87,747 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,092,484. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JNJ has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $185.00 target price on the stock. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $175.00 price objective on the stock. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $184.00 to $179.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $195.00 to $186.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $170.65.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on JNJ

Johnson & Johnson Profile

(Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Consumer Health segment provides skin health/beauty products under the AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, DR. CI:LABO, NEUTROGENA, and OGX brands; baby care products under the JOHNSON'S and AVEENO Baby brands; oral care products under the LISTERINE brand; TYLENOL acetaminophen products; SUDAFED cold, flu, and allergy products; BENADRYL and ZYRTEC allergy products; MOTRIN IB ibuprofen products; NICORETTE smoking cessation products; and PEPCID acid reflux products.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Free Report).

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $8.69, but opened at $8.90. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shares last traded at $8.95, with a volume of 295,231 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MUFG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 29th. StockNews.com began coverage on Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.71. The firms fifty day moving average price is $7.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $107.62 billion, a PE ratio of 9.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.69.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a net margin of 16.02% and a return on equity of 5.59%. The company had revenue of $20.21 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.74 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUFG. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 100.4% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 5,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 2,708 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 146.6% during the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,901 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 4,102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group during the second quarter worth approximately $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.76% of the companys stock.

About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for MUFG Bank, Ltd. that provides various financial services in Japan, the United States, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Digital Service Business Group; Retail & Commercial Banking Business Group; Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Asset Management & Investor Services Business Group; Global Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Global Commercial Banking Business Group; and Global Markets Business Group segments.

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Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 28,571 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 2,846 shares during the period. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,048,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of PFE. IAM Advisory LLC grew its position in Pfizer by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. IAM Advisory LLC now owns 48,267 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,770,000 after purchasing an additional 2,643 shares in the last quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Pfizer by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Chemistry Wealth Management LLC now owns 39,498 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in Pfizer by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 69,446 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,547,000 after purchasing an additional 1,834 shares in the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Pfizer by 461.1% during the 2nd quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 42,179 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,547,000 after purchasing an additional 34,662 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its position in Pfizer by 17.0% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 1,547,070 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $56,747,000 after purchasing an additional 225,184 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Stock Down 1.1 %

PFE stock opened at $33.61 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 1.82. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $33.44 and a 52-week high of $54.93. The company has a 50-day moving average of $35.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $189.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.59.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.10. Pfizer had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 28.36%. The company had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.36 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.04 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 54.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.33 EPS for the current year.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $62.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. Credit Suisse Group cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, July 14th. They set a buy rating and a $50.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 17th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.35.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pfizer

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 6,200 ($76.80).

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on RIO. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,550 ($68.75) to GBX 5,500 ($68.13) in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 7,400 ($91.66) to GBX 6,800 ($84.23) in a report on Monday, July 24th. Barclays reissued an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 6,400 ($79.28) price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, Berenberg Bank lifted their price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,100 ($75.56) to GBX 6,300 ($78.04) in a research report on Friday, July 28th.

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Rio Tinto Group Trading Up 1.1 %

Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend

Rio Tinto Group stock opened at GBX 5,284 ($65.45) on Monday. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 4,969.80 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 5,104.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.38, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.99. Rio Tinto Group has a 1 year low of GBX 4,424.50 ($54.81) and a 1 year high of GBX 6,406 ($79.35). The company has a market cap of 66.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,243.29, a PEG ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.70.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 10th will be given a dividend of GBX 137.67 ($1.71) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.55%. Rio Tinto Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7,600.00%.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Sawgrass Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 569 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $213,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 2.1% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,524,655 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $757,775,000 after acquiring an additional 51,045 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 1.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,225,632 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $507,488,000 after acquiring an additional 26,965 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 0.5% in the first quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 849,405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $254,949,000 after acquiring an additional 4,308 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 1.7% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 736,301 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $220,996,000 after acquiring an additional 12,650 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Kinsale Capital Group by 19.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 596,157 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $178,937,000 after acquiring an additional 98,435 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.68% of the companys stock.

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Kinsale Capital Group Price Performance

Shares of KNSL opened at $422.06 on Thursday. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $240.35 and a 1-year high of $428.68. The stock has a market cap of $9.77 billion, a PE ratio of 42.85 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.15 and a quick ratio of 0.15. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $386.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $349.61.

Kinsale Capital Group Announces Dividend

Kinsale Capital Group ( NYSE:KNSL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The financial services provider reported $2.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.48 by $0.40. Kinsale Capital Group had a net margin of 22.60% and a return on equity of 29.11%. The firm had revenue of $295.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $282.01 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.92 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. will post 11.56 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 29th were issued a $0.14 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 28th. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.13%. Kinsale Capital Groups payout ratio is 5.69%.

Insider Activity

In other news, COO Brian D. Haney sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $375.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 68,331 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,624,125. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, COO Brian D. Haney sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $414.60, for a total transaction of $621,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 66,831 shares in the company, valued at $27,708,132.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Brian D. Haney sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $375.00, for a total transaction of $937,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 68,331 shares in the company, valued at $25,624,125. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 8,195 shares of company stock valued at $3,146,439. Insiders own 6.00% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on KNSL shares. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $300.00 to $340.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $370.00 to $396.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Kinsale Capital Group in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Kinsale Capital Group from $425.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 31st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kinsale Capital Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $403.50.

View Our Latest Report on Kinsale Capital Group

Kinsale Capital Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc, a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company's commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, excess and general casualty, commercial property, allied health, life sciences, energy, environmental, health care, inland marine, public entity, and commercial insurance, as well as product, professional, and management liability insurance.

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Transcend Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IVLU  Free Report) by 2.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,805 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 781 shares during the quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC owned about 0.05% of iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF worth $886,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Equitable Holdings Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 102,218 shares of the companys stock worth $2,601,000 after buying an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,330 shares of the companys stock worth $479,000 after buying an additional 628 shares during the last quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 30,369 shares of the companys stock worth $760,000 after buying an additional 652 shares during the last quarter. Intelligence Driven Advisers LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Intelligence Driven Advisers LLC now owns 40,361 shares of the companys stock worth $1,003,000 after buying an additional 806 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,760 shares of the companys stock worth $458,000 after buying an additional 925 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:IVLU opened at $26.20 on Thursday. iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $19.53 and a 1-year high of $26.60. The business has a 50 day moving average of $25.81 and a 200 day moving average of $25.31. The company has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.24 and a beta of 0.82.

iShares MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares Edge MSCI Intl Value Factor ETF (IVLU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA Enhanced Value index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap developed ex-US equities, selected using fundamental metrics, and weighted by these metrics and market-cap. IVLU was launched on Jun 16, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Fly-by-night justice minister Cho Kuk's wife Chung Kyung-shim will be released from prison on parole next week after serving most of her prison sentence for forging their daughters credentials for university admission.

A parole board meeting on Wednesday authorized Chung's release since she has already served three years and three months of her sentence.

Chung was indicted in October 2019 and sentenced to four years behind bars in December of 2020 for forging her daughter's credentials for admission to medical school. Her husband has been indicted on the same charges and is still battling the case

She was released for two months last October to undergo back surgery but was sent back to prison in December. She requested a temporary release from prison in April of this year, but her application was refused.

Chung has separately been sentenced to a year behind bars for offenses committed in getting her son into university but is appealing the ruling.
That release could not be found.
Nigeria Customs Service Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Area Command has witnessed a change in its leadership following the assumption of office of a new Area Controller, Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah.

The new Area Controller, who officially assumed duty on Friday 15th September, 2023, took over from Comptroller A.M Adegbite, who was re-deployed to Edo/Delta Area Command.

In his opening remarks prior to the handover, Comptroller Adegbite gave a brief profile of the Commands antecedents, highlighting several areas of achievements and challenges.

Comptroller AM Adegbite specifically stressed on the area of Revenue Generation, stating that though the Command is landlocked, they have been able to collect over Seventeen Billion Naira from January to date.

While showering encomiums on Officers/Men of the Command for their support during his tour of duty, he called on them to redouble their support to the new Controller who he described as a core professional and highly disciplined officer. The outgoing Controller thanked the stakeholders too that graced the occasion and craved their support for the new administration.

In her response, Controller Comfort Senas Ukpanah appreciated the out going Controller for his leadership qualities which resulted in the achievements recorded.

The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah, while addressing other Senior Officers in the Command enumerated her agenda towards changing the paradigm for better efficiency. She commended the appointment of the acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, describing it as well deserved.

Consequently, the CAC charged officers/men of the Command to gear up for the task ahead - a task of transforming the Command through her core cardinal programs which will center on discipline, code of conduct, revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade Inter-Agency collaboration and synergy as well as stakeholder engagement.

She charged all senior officers to redouble their effort in all areas of the Commands operation to enable the Command meet and surpass its Revenue target. The CAC drew their attention to the key performance indicator (KPI) which is Revenue and charged officers to ensure that areas of Revenue leakages are identified and blocked especially now that the Federal Government relies so much on Customs for the GDP growth.

The new Controller also spoke on the need for training and retraining to enable officers be at par with latest operational developments in the service especially in the areas of ICT in view of the imminent full automation of Customs processes and procedures. She also spoke on the need for Senior Officers to mentor the junior ones in line with the theme of the last World Customs day for posterity sake.

According to ASC B.N Udey, acting Public Relations Officer for the command, Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah hails from Mbio-Oku Ikot odung, Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.

She had her early education at the Government store Primary School Atu in Calabar, Cross River State. Then proceeded to Immaculate Conception Girls Secondary School Itak, Ikono, Akwa-Ibom State, where she represented the school at the National Secondary School Science Quiz in 1982 at Lagos, winning several awards and medals.

A graduate of Chemistry from the University of Calabar, Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah had her national Youth Service Corps with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) refinery at Ekpan, Warri, Delta State in 1984.

She enlisted into Nigeria Customs Service as a cadet officer in 1990 and had her basic training at the Nigeria Customs Service Training College, Ikeja 1991. Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah has served at various Commands including but not limited to the following viz:

 Kirikiri Lighter Terminal

Federal Capital Territory Command

Tariff and Trade Department

 Murtala Mohammed Airport Command

Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command

She rose through the ranks and became a full Comptroller in 2022 and was posted to the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone 'A' Headquarters as Comptroller Special Duties, an assignment with a schedule directly under the office of ACG/Zonal Cordinator. And following the recent reshuffle of Customs Area Controllers, Comptroller Comfort Senas Ukpanah was redeployed to Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi Area Command as Customs Area Controller.
A student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Blessing Karami, who was declared missing on September 11, has been found dead.

It could be recalled that Blessing was declared missing after leaving her place of work in Garki, Abuja.

However, according to reports, family sources confirmed that she was found dead on Wednesday evening.

Speaking, Genesis Moses Karami, the deceaseds elder brother who relocated from Kaduna to Abuja to lead the search, said her decomposing body was found in the bush in the Karmo district of the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested one Aminu, the boyfriend of the deceased, who was questioned regarding her disappearance.

During visit to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Durumi, Karami explained to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that on Tuesday evening, when he left the station, he received a strange call giving details about the sisters body, but it turned out to be false.

The caller said he saw a female body in Idu, so we asked him to describe what she was wearing, and he told us exactly what we were told my sister wore to office the day she went missing, the brother had explained to the police.

According to Karami, after he kept trying to contact the DPO and it was not going through, he had to go to the police station at Karmo, but upon reaching there with a group of policemen, the caller kept toying with them as he kept changing locations until they got tired and left.

In a follow-up call later to Karami, he confirmed that his sister had indeed died.

We saw her decomposed body in the bush here at Karmo. Its not something we can move. We have to arrange with the environmental people to come and help us pack.

We cannot travel with it. We just have to bury it here. It seems she died for days due to the nature of the decomposition, Karami said.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group has advised the federal government to effectively mobilise funding in high-growth sectors, which would likely ensure sustainable development in Nigeria.

According to a statement on Monday, Director of Research, NESG, Dr Olusegun Omisakin, noted that, Efforts should focus on domestic revenue mobilsation by expanding the tax net and improving collection efficiency, promoting broad-based investment, packaging, onboarding, and retention of both domestic and foreign direct investments in critical high-growth sectors.

He said, Promoting innovative financing mechanisms, strengthening public and private financial institutions, and enhancing public-private partnerships are essential for mobilising the necessary funds. Hence, it is crucial to shift Nigeria from a predominantly government-led funding approach to a private sector-led investment-driven economy, while also improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public revenue and expenditure.

Also, the group recently announced its 29th economic summit (NES 29), scheduled for October 23 -24, 2023, which disclosed that sustainable development required deepening national financial systems via facilitating and mediating innovative sources, including private equity, development finance, digital financial inclusion, and microfinance.

This years summit theme hints at Nigerias potential for sustainable development, leveraging innovative policies, robust institutions, strategic infrastructural investments, and human capital development," it said.
A gathering of prominent global leaders, including Nigeria's President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as numerous leaders from the public and private sectors, came together to commend the exceptional contributions of Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), to youth development and entrepreneurship in Africa.

GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Oliver Alawuba and Mr. Tony Elumelu

These distinguished leaders expressed their admiration for Tony Elumelu, who also serves as the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, recognizing his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, his advocacy for entrepreneurship, and his dedication to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the continent.

These accolades were bestowed upon Tony Elumelu during the TEF-UNDP Breakfast Roundtable meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

This gathering also served as the platform for the launch of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Impact Report titled The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme: A Decade of Impact.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, urged other capable Africans to follow in the footsteps of Tony Elumelu by investing in youth empowerment. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the continent becomes self-reliant and no longer depends on foreign donors, highlighting Tony Elumelu's role in driving investments, supporting SMEs, and promoting youth entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Sanwo-Olu, in agreement with the minister, recognized Tony Elumelu's efforts in empowering and building the youth. He noted that these efforts align perfectly with Lagos state's initiatives for economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDPs Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, expressed her immense inspiration by Tony Elumelu's vision for African youth. She emphasized the shared passion between UNDP and Tony Elumelu in promoting human development and providing opportunities for individuals to shape their destinies.

Eziakonwa explained the reason behind UNDP's continued partnership with TEF, highlighting the potential impact of having ten individuals like Tony Elumelu each investing $100 million in young people over the next decade. She stressed the tremendous success achieved on the continent with limited investment and envisioned the continent's unstoppable potential if such efforts were multiplied.

She assured participants of UNDP's continued excitement about partnering with TEF and the intention to elevate this partnership to new heights, emphasizing their commitment to this cause.

The meeting provided a platform for global leaders to engage in discussions on critical global issues. Among the participants were the Representative of the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Chief Executive Officer of Generation Unlimited, UNICEF Kevin Frey, and many others. They all concurred that Tony Elumelu's achievements and his passion for youth empowerment deserved unequivocal recognition.

In his presentation, Tony Elumelu commended all partners, including UNICEF, UNDP, and UBA, acknowledging UBA's significant support. He reminded the audience of the inception of TEF seed capital funding, emphasizing its roots in his vision to effect change in Africa using African solutions.

Tony Elumelu articulated the collective goal: "to see young entrepreneurs in Africa build sustainable businesses for themselves and generate viable green jobs, so that our young ones are not left behind in the inevitable green economy that the world will transition to."

He passionately called for increased collaboration to prioritize young Africans, foster economic activities, and alleviate poverty. He emphasized the importance of the beacon lit by TEF and the need for it to shine even brighter with the support and collaboration of everyone. He stressed the urgency of providing economic support to young Africans, addressing the impact of climate change, and ending the migration and hardships faced by the continent's youth.

A gathering of prominent global leaders, including Nigeria's President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as numerous leaders from the public and private sectors, came together to commend the exceptional contributions of Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), to youth development and entrepreneurship in Africa.

GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Oliver Alawuba and Mr. Tony Elumelu

These distinguished leaders expressed their admiration for Tony Elumelu, who also serves as the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, recognizing his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, his advocacy for entrepreneurship, and his dedication to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the continent.

These accolades were bestowed upon Tony Elumelu during the TEF-UNDP Breakfast Roundtable meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

This gathering also served as the platform for the launch of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Impact Report titled The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme: A Decade of Impact.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, urged other capable Africans to follow in the footsteps of Tony Elumelu by investing in youth empowerment. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the continent becomes self-reliant and no longer depends on foreign donors, highlighting Tony Elumelu's role in driving investments, supporting SMEs, and promoting youth entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Sanwo-Olu, in agreement with the minister, recognized Tony Elumelu's efforts in empowering and building the youth. He noted that these efforts align perfectly with Lagos state's initiatives for economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDPs Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, expressed her immense inspiration by Tony Elumelu's vision for African youth. She emphasized the shared passion between UNDP and Tony Elumelu in promoting human development and providing opportunities for individuals to shape their destinies.

Eziakonwa explained the reason behind UNDP's continued partnership with TEF, highlighting the potential impact of having ten individuals like Tony Elumelu each investing $100 million in young people over the next decade. She stressed the tremendous success achieved on the continent with limited investment and envisioned the continent's unstoppable potential if such efforts were multiplied.

She assured participants of UNDP's continued excitement about partnering with TEF and the intention to elevate this partnership to new heights, emphasizing their commitment to this cause.

The meeting provided a platform for global leaders to engage in discussions on critical global issues. Among the participants were the Representative of the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Chief Executive Officer of Generation Unlimited, UNICEF Kevin Frey, and many others. They all concurred that Tony Elumelu's achievements and his passion for youth empowerment deserved unequivocal recognition.

In his presentation, Tony Elumelu commended all partners, including UNICEF, UNDP, and UBA, acknowledging UBA's significant support. He reminded the audience of the inception of TEF seed capital funding, emphasizing its roots in his vision to effect change in Africa using African solutions.

Tony Elumelu articulated the collective goal: "to see young entrepreneurs in Africa build sustainable businesses for themselves and generate viable green jobs, so that our young ones are not left behind in the inevitable green economy that the world will transition to."

He passionately called for increased collaboration to prioritize young Africans, foster economic activities, and alleviate poverty. He emphasized the importance of the beacon lit by TEF and the need for it to shine even brighter with the support and collaboration of everyone. He stressed the urgency of providing economic support to young Africans, addressing the impact of climate change, and ending the migration and hardships faced by the continent's youth.

#UBAatUNGA #TOEatUNGA #Africapitalism #ClintonGlobalInitiative
Korean businesses launched fewer new companies in China in the first six months this year than in Japan for the first time in 33 years.

This seems to be the result of China's slow economic recovery and President Xi Jinping's authoritarian rule that makes investors feel insecure.

According to the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korean businesses set up 87 new companies in China in the first half, 12 fewer than a year earlier.

But they established 118 new companies in Japan, up 46, outnumbering new ventures in China for the first time since the second half of 1989.

Korean companies rushed to China the moment the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, and at one time in the mid-2000s over 1,000 new Korean companies opened there every six months.

But Korea's investment in China has dwindled dramatically amid China's unofficial boycott of Korean products and services that started in 2017 and the COVID lockdown in 2020, and now the figure is in the double digits.
Drug crime on the rise

PHUKET: The epidemic of drug use across the island is increasing, and the number of dealers being arrested is also on the rise, Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkhwan Yodrambam confirmed yesterday (Sept 20).

drugscrime

By The Phuket News

Thursday 21 September 2023 09:31 AM

Photo: PR Phuket

Vice Governor Anupap revealed the news at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Center Committee at Provincial Hall.

Joining the meeting were Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Kitipong Klaikaew as well as Thongchai Somkiatkul from the Ministry of Public Health Region 8 Office along with heads of local government agencies and other relevant officials.

The regular meeting of the anti-drugs committee, the 10th this year, was to review drugs crime statistics and report results of operations according to the action plan under the national policy plan on preventing and suppressing and solving drug problems in Phuket.

Vice Governor Anupap said that there were 200 arrests in Phuket in August for drug offences. Most cases involved methamphetamine (ya bah), followed by crystal meth (ya ice), heroin and cocaine.

In comparison, in July 2023 there were 183 arrests for drug offences in Phuket. The August 2023 figure marked an increase of 17 cases, he noted.

Throughout all of 2022, there were 1,971 arrests for drug offences in Phuket. Already so far this year there have been 2,209 arrests, an increase of 238 cases, he added.

The majority of drug cases this year were possession for personal use (876 cases), but 862 cases were for possession beyond personal use, and 233 cases involved distribution, Vice Governor Anunpap said.

The committee will continue its work on drug use prevention and suppression, the Vice Governor noted.

However, he warned that police and administrative departments were to continue their work to uncover networks that transport drugs into Phuket.
Killer dad admits to murdering more kids

BANGKOK: A man arrested with his wife for allegedly murdering their 2-year-old daughter has also admitted to killing four sons born to one of his three former wives, police said yesterday (Sept 20).

murdercrimepolice

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 21 September 2023 09:31 AM

Songsak Songsaeng is taken into Bang Khen police station in Bangkok. Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham / Bangkok Post

Songsak Songsaeng, 46, and his wife Sunan Nahuanin, 40, from Kamphaeng Phet, were arrested in Pathum Thani. They were taken to Kamphaeng Phet to show investigators where they buried their 2-year-old daughter, after which they were returned to Bang Khen police station in Bangkok yesterday. The girl was found buried under concrete at her mothers house in Kamphaeng Phet, reports the Bangkok Post.

During questioning at Bang Khen police station, a tearful Mr Songsak admitted to having killed his daughter, though he claimed mental illness drove him to commit the crime, according to police.

He said he felt guilty and wanted to apologise for what he had done.

Pol Maj Gen Atthaphol Anusit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureaus Division 2, said witnesses told police the family often quarrelled violently.

The couples arrest came after social media influencer Kanthat Pongpaiboonvej, alias Kan Chompalang, called on police on Sept 10 to help two girls aged 4 and 12 whom local netizens said were often physically assaulted by their father.

When police arrived at their apartment in Bang Khen district, the girls parents were not home.

The couple was known to have three children, but there was no sign of the youngest.

Neighbours said the couple had told them they sent the child to live with her grandfather in another province.

After their rescue, the two other girls told police their parents assaulted their youngest sister, causing her death.

Police later arrested the couple in Pathum Thani province. During questioning, Mr Songsak and Ms Sunan, a delivery rider, admitted to having killed their 2-year-old daughter.

Local media reported the couple were caught while withdrawing cash at the Big C store in Future Park Rangsit mall. Police seized a Honda Jazz from them, which was allegedly used to take their daughters body to Ms Sunans house in Kamphaeng Phet on May 21.

Bang Khen police chief Pol Col Anan Vorasart said yesterday investigators will continue to question the couple to find out why they killed their child.

A police source said Mr Songsak had 10 children by four women. He had one child each with his first and second wives, five with his third wife and three with his current wife.

The suspect admitted that he had killed four children born to one of his former wives.

The murders occurred in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, according to the police source.
Officials attempt to unravel taxi driver woes

PHUKET: Officials met with representatives of taxi groups on the island to discuss issues yesterday (Sept 20) as local taxi cooperatives struggle to cope with the rise in popularity of taxi apps and cheaper fares, and a threat to the taxi cooperatives long-standing stranglehold on exclusive rights to serve tourists at key tourist locations on the island.

tourismtransport

By The Phuket News

Thursday 21 September 2023 11:40 AM

By law, metered taxi drivers have no choice but to be undercut by taxi app drivers. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub / The Phuket News file

The meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Ombudsmans Office (Damrongdharma Center) and branded as to solve problems arising from taxi operations in Phuket Province, was chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkhwan Yodrambam.

Incredibly, the meeting discussed the issue of complaints about the Ratsada VIP Coral Tour group, which serves Ratsada Pier.

The taxi drivers were told that taxi services would be organised by the Ratsada Pier authority, a point they were told a year ago after an incident when one of the taxi co-op drivers physically stopped a fully legal taxi app driver and forced four tourists to use a co-op taxi to go to Patong.

The incident was later deemed by police to have been a misunderstanding, with the co-op driver of the understanding that a concession with Seatran to serve Seatran passengers at the pier empowered the co-op to have exclusive rights to serve all passengers at the pier.

The taxi driver later blasted people who called the taxi co-op mafia.

Yesterday, a year later, apparently that issue still remained unresolved. An official report of the meeting did not mention whether the taxi co-op drivers at Ratsada Pier were still operating under the same misunderstanding.

The Ratsada VIP co-op drivers were told yesterday that Ratsada Pier would regulate parking at the busy terminal, a major jumping off point for tourists heading out to nearby islands.

Signs will be posted to clearly show where general taxis and app taxis will be allowed to serve passengers. Phuket Provincial Police and officials from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) are to strictly enforce the arrangement, and where taxis may park and serve passengers at the pier.

Enforcement is to include cracking down on all illegal taxis at the pier, and to prevent taxi drivers from parking to block the entrance in front of the pier and nearby areas.

The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) is to prepare and provide the materials and equipment for organising taxis and traffic at the pier. The Phuket Provincial Police will formally request the use of such materials and report the results of their operations to the Phuket Provincial Office to process and present to the Governor of Phuket Province.

METERED TAXIS

The meeting also heard complaints by metered taxi drivers who are unable to compete with the fares charged by taxi app drivers.

The fares metered taxi drivers are allowed to charge are set by law, as are those now charged by taxi app drivers. The metered taxi drivers, if they are to abide by the law, have no choice but to be undercut by taxi app drivers.

Officials finally discussing the plight faced by metered taxi drivers follows the drivers filing a formal complaint about their situation in June.

AIRPORT TAXIS

The official report of meeting noted that also discussed was the plight of green plate taxi drivers working for the Phuket Business Car Service Cooperative Limited, who for decades had a stranglehold on serving passengers at Phuket International Airport until Grab became the first the taxi app whose drivers were allowed to pick up passengers at the airport from Sept 1.

Less than a week later, the drivers filed a formal complaint of losing income to taxi app drivers. The formal complaint was received by PPAO President Rewat Areerob on Sept 6.

At the launch of the Grab Taxi service at the airport, Phuket Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode confirmed that the concessions for co-op green-plate taxi drivers to operate at the airport had expired in June. The co-operatives that continue to serve the airport are currently doing so under temporary four-month extensions that expire at the end of October.

The official report of the meeting yesterday gave no details of what transpired or was agreed to regarding the green-plate taxi drivers at the airport.

DATA COLLECTION ON TAXI APP DRIVERS

One development the meeting was clear about was the creation of a database by the PLTO that is to register which taxis are used to provide which taxi app services.

The aim is to collect data that somehow will be used to help develop public transport routes, said the official report.

Such information must be requested from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the official report noted.

Of note, the database as described by the official report of the meeting said that the taxi app services provided will be associated with the actual taxis used to provide the services, not the driver.
PM backs Sustainable Development Goals at UN summit

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday (Sept 20) confirmed Thailands commitment to realising the Sustainable Development Goals at the SDG Summit 2023, saying the country has issued two sets of sustainability bonds that have raised US$12.5 billion (B453bn) in green and social investments at the national level.

environmentpolitics

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 21 September 2023 10:16 AM

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivers a statement on Mobilizing finance and investments and the means of implementation for SDG achievement at the Leaders Dialogue 6 of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Summit 2023, at the UNs Trusteeship Council Chamber, New York, yesterday (Sept 20). Photo: Government House via Bangkok Post

Speaking in New York, Mr Srettha said Thailand has also launched the Thailand Green Taxonomy as a reference tool for economic activities deemed environmentally sustainable, reports the Bangkok Post.

More than 100 companies that make up the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) have pledged to invest $43bn in SDG-related projects by 2030, he added.

Mr Srettha, who also serves as finance minister, delivered a statement at the Leaders Dialogue 6 of the SDG Summit 2023 dubbed Mobilizing finance and investments and the means of implementation for SDG achievement. The event took place at the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The PM is attending the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA78) from Sept 1824. It is his first overseas trip as the head of government, where he is due to meet with national and business leaders.

In this decade, we need transformative actions. We need to foster effective multilateralism and a strong multilateral architecture, which will allow us to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, Mr Srettha said.

My government will play a proactive role on the global stage. We will reach out to our friends and partners to forge collaboration to meet these challenges, he told the forum.

The UN has dubbed this period the Decade of Action, saying political will must go hand in hand with international solidarity.

It is also crucial for the international community to address the SDG financing gap, scale up SDG investment, find innovative sources of finance, and level the playing field regarding international financial architecture, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said in a statement.

Thailand supports the call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reform this architecture, as well as his request for an annual SDG stimulus of $500bn until 2030, Mr Chai added.

According to Mr Srettha, a more people-centred and planet-centric developmental approach is also crucially needed.

Mr Srettha said in the statement delivered to the summit that the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) conceived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, as well as the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG), will help strike a balance among the economic, social, and environmental goals of the SDGs.

Thailand has made the following national commitments to achieving the SDGs, with the aim of improving peoples livelihoods:

1. A pledge to leave no one behind while reaching those furthest behind first, with the aim of alleviating all households living with generational poverty from their plight by 2027.

2. A pledge to promote and protect the human rights of all persons. To promote the right to health, Thailand will adopt measures to ensure the number of households facing health impoverishment is minimised to below 0.25% by 2027.

3. A pledge to foster cooperation and partnerships at all levels in support of climate action, including ensuring access to affordable modern energy services for all by 2030.
President of Ghana urges reparation for slave trade

Xinhua) 09:24, September 21, 2023

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo 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. 20, 2023. Reparations must be paid for the slave trade to address the historical injustices that have shaped the world structure, Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Reparations must be paid for the slave trade to address the historical injustices that have shaped the world structure, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday.

It is time to acknowledge openly that much of Europe and the United States have been built from the vast wealth harvested from the sweat, tears, blood and horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the centuries of colonial exploitation, he told the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

It cannot be easy to build confident and prosperous societies from nations that, for centuries, had their natural resources looted and their peoples traded as commodities, he noted.

"We do not seek to shirk any responsibility for the problems we face that are of our own making, and it bears repeating that we are not craving for sympathy, and do not want to be a scar on anybody's conscience," Akufo-Addo said.

"But, we cannot, and the world should not pretend that the present day economic and social conditions of Africa have nothing to do with the historical injustices that have fashioned the structures of the world," he added.

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, said the president.

"Granted that current generations are not the ones that engaged in the slave trade, but that grand inhuman enterprise was state-sponsored and deliberate," he said, noting that the benefits are clearly interwoven with the present-day economic architecture of the nations that designed and executed it.

"Reparations must be paid for the slave trade," Akufo-Addo said to an eruption of applause.

"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 labor," he said.

He also called for the illicit flow of funds from Africa to be returned to the continent.

While the current picture on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals "is not very bright," Akufo-Addo expressed the hope that "it is within our capacity to turn things around."

A good start would be to make the needed changes to the structures of the United Nations, "then we can rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity," he said.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (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. 20, 2023. Reparations must be paid for the slave trade to address the historical injustices that have shaped the world structure, Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday called on the international community to stand up against any illegal arms trade between North Korea and Russia.

In a 15-minute keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Yoon said, "If North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its [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 [South Korea]," Yoon said.

South Korea, "together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by," he added.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Wednesday that hes delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take effect in 2030, watering down climate goals that he said imposed unacceptable costs on ordinary people. The move angered green groups, opposition politicians and large chunks of U.K. industry, but was welcomed by some in the governing Conservative Party, who chafe at the expense of ending reliance on fossil fuels.

At a news conference, Sunak said he was moving the deadline for buying new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, and also delaying a ban on new natural-gas home heating that had been due in 2035. 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 with a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach.

Sunak said he was tossing out a series of environmental proposals, including new aviation taxes, measures to encourage car-pooling and taxes on meat. To meet net-zero goals, he said, the government would build more windfarms and nuclear reactors, invest in new green technologies and introduce new measures to protect nature.

Sunak argued the U.K. was far ahead of every other country in the world in transforming to a green economy, but said moving too fast risked losing the consent of the British people.

How can it be right that British citizens are now being told to sacrifice even more than others? he said at the news conference, rescheduled from its planned date of Friday after Sunaks plans were leaked to the media.

U.K. greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 46% from 1990 levels, mainly because of the almost complete removal of coal from electricity generation. The government had pledged to reduce emissions by 68% of 1990 levels by 2030 and to reach net-zero by 2050.

Sunak said those commitments remain. But with just seven years to go until the first goalpost, the governments climate advisers said in June that the pace of action is worryingly slow. Sunaks decision in July to approve new North Sea oil and gas drilling also spurred critics to question his commitment to climate goals.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who brought in the 2030 gasoline car target when he was leader, said 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, he said.

News of plans to backtrack broke as senior politicians and diplomats from the U.K. and around the world  as well as heir to the British throne Prince William  gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where climate is high on the agenda. Sunak is not attending, sending his deputy instead.

Greenpeace U.K. policy director Doug Parr said the prime minister was taking the public for fools. Rowing back on home insulation and commitments to help people move away from gas will ensure we stay at the mercy of volatile fossil fuels and exploitative energy companies, Parr said.

Environmentalists were not the only ones blindsided by the move. Automakers, who have invested heavily in the switch to electric vehicles, expressed frustration at the governments apparent change of plan.

Were questioning what is the strategy here, because we need to shift the mobility of road transport away from fossil fuels towards sustainable transport, said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, an industry body.

Ford U.K. head Lisa Brankin said the company had invested 430 million pounds ($530 million) to build electric cars in Britain.

Our business needs three things from the U.K. government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three, she said.

Analyst Tara Clee of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown said the retreat could undermine Britains hard-won reputation for leadership on green technology, threatening the wider economy.

The market has been directing capital to the net-zero transition and has been working in good faith, Clee said. These changes send a message that nothing is set in stone, and committing in earnest to a movable goalpost could be a major business risk.

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 Conservatives 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 it would be incredibly damaging 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, he told the BBC.

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Studio 5 at Cinecitta is firing on all cylinders. In its day, it was Federico Fellinis favorite, in which he filmed La Dolce Vita, Amarcord and Eight and a Half. The directors association with the studio was so strong that a funeral chapel was built on the lot for his memorial service in 1993. This summer, a filmmaker of a different nature, Roland Emmerich, left behind his usual disaster films and used the lot to shoot the sword and sandal series Those About to Die, starring Anthony Hopkins as the Roman emperor Vespasian. The set is dominated by an arena in which the gladiators will fight to the death and an imperial box covered in purple fabric, the color of Roman rulers, along with solid marble stands  fake, of course, a convincing illusion made of papier-mache.

The series, which can be seen on Amazon Prime throughout Europe, is not the only project filmed at Cinecitta in recent months. After almost closing for good just a decade ago, the famous Roman studio complex seems to be experiencing a reversal of fortune. Angelina Jolie has completed filming Without Blood, an adaptation of Alessandro Bariccos book of the same title. Luca Guadagnino also chose Cinecitta for his two new projects: Queer, with Daniel Craig, and Challengers, with Zendaya. The German Edward Berger, the wunderkind who brought us All Quiet on the Western Front, has just directed Conclave, a papal thriller with Ralph Fiennes. Also at Cinecitta, British director Joe Wright has put the finishing touch to his television adaptation of M: Son of the Century, Antonio Scuratis novel about Mussolinis youth. A modern version of The Decameron for Netflix and Ripley, a new take on Patricia Highsmiths character starring Andrew Scott (the hot priest from Fleabag), complete a full-on filming schedule at the location.

'M,' a miniseries that adapts Antonio Scurati's novel about Mussolini's youth, was also filmed at Cinecitta this year. Andrea Pirrello

At the end of August and with Rome still deserted, Europes largest studio, extending over 60 hectares on the southeastern edge of the Italian capital, was full again. Cinecitta is a miniature city, with countless filming spaces, offices, makeup rooms, props departments, and digital laboratories spread across rationalist buildings basking in the shadows of pine trees. Their walls are painted in a shade of orange that is friendly but not loud, and the decor recalls bygone times, with discarded props from past film shoots scattered here and there. The studio was created by Mussolini in 1937, when Il Duce wanted film production to be at the service of fascist propaganda: according to the slogan of the time, films were the strongest weapon.

The history of Cinecitta, like that of 20th century Italy, is a contrast of light and shadow. In its heyday, Ben-Hur, Quo Vadis, and Cleopatra were filmed there, but so were countless cheap historical epics, the so-called sandaloni. There were plenty of classics by auteurs like Visconti and Da Sica, but also patriotic films about the Ethiopian campaign. Extremes meet in Cinecitta: Nanni Moretti filmed part of the recently released A Brighter Tomorrow here, years after rebuilding the Sistine Chapel for We have a Pope, a short distance away from the studio that the Italian Big Brother permanently occupies.

In just over two years, Cinecitta has gone from registering a 30% occupancy rate on its sets in March 2021 to approaching 80%. Since 2021, it has hosted 50 productions, surpassing the Pinewood studios in London, the preferred European location of production giants such as Disney. The studio has also overtaken Babelsberg, on the outskirts of Berlin, which, after a few years of glory, during which it hosted Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson, now faces an uncertain future after being purchased by an American investment fund.

The iconic entrance to Cinecitta studios, southeast of Rome. ANDREA MARTELLA

It is not the first time that Cinecitta has risen from the ashes. In 1943, the studios were bombed by the Allied army, before becoming the favorite filming location for Italian neorealism in the first post-war period. And then in the so-called Hollywood on the Tiber, when the biggest stars on the planet, from Ava Gardner to Kirk Douglas, walked along the Via Veneto to the delight of the paparazzi (a profession that surely would not exist without Cinecitta). In the eighties, in the midst of the transformation of the film industry, it was on the brink of closure.

It would happen again in 2012, when staff layoffs and the construction of a hotel next to the studio as well as an amusement park in the south of Rome were being considered. Cinecitta World was inaugurated in 2014 with sets by Dante Ferretti, who worked with Pasolini, Fellini, and Scorsese. Those in charge of the studio consider its conversion into a luxury resort dead and buried. You come to Cinecitta to work and not to sleep, they say. The only concession to tourism has been the creation of a museum that traces the exciting history of the lots, which Fellini once compared to the cosmic void before the Big Bang  the place where, as if by magic, everything could come from nothing.

Rome is now back in Hollywoods good graces. The city has never gone out of fashion. What was not always there were its services, argues Nicola Maccanico, CEO of Cinecitta studios. The fascination with the history of Cinecitta and Rome are added bonuses, but only if one knows how to offer the right working conditions, he adds. Maccanico also admits the importance of new clients such as Netflix, Amazon, and the television subsidiary of Sky, although he denies any dependence on making series. If in 2022 they accounted for 70% of our filming, compared to 30% from films, this year those percentages have been reversed, he says.

There are other valid explanations to explain this rebirth. In 2021, the Italian Government approved a 40% tax deduction for foreign productions and decided to invest part of the European recovery funds, about 300 million ($3.2 million), in modernizing facilities and building new ones. Since then, Cinecitta has piloted an upgrade of the 19 existing studios and plans to create five more in the coming years. By 2026, its production capacity will have increased by 60%. Three of these sets are external, such as one that recreates ancient Rome, built for an HBO series in 2006, an optical illusion that is difficult not to confuse with the ruins of the city center. Fremantle, an audiovisual content giant in Europe, has signed an agreement to occupy six of Cinecitta's studios permanently for five years. Pinewood and Babelsberg have excellent facilities, and we work with them a lot, but Cinecitta has the added advantage of the Italian tax credit, which is one of the best on the continent, says Andrea Scrosati, CEO of Fremantle in Europe. In addition, Italy offers a unique variety of locations if you have to shoot outdoors.

The set of the film 'Cleopatra,' by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, filmed in Cinecitta in 1962. Mondadori Portfolio (Mondadori via Getty Images)

The light that bathes the Cinecitta site also benefits the studios. Many filmmakers have told me that they wanted to film here to rediscover that intense, warm light of the films of the past, confirms Maccanico. Photos from the filming of Joe Wrights miniseries about Mussolini are reminiscent of the chiaroscuro of Once Upon a Time in America or Gangs of New York, to name just two of the hundreds of movies filmed here, ranging from Roman Holiday to Gladiator.

A few months ago, director Saverio Costanzo  responsible for the television adaptation of Elena Ferrantes My Brilliant Friend  wanted to shoot his new film, Finally Dawn, in the studio. Cinecitta is not just a film studio, it has a unique and inimitable atmosphere, Costanzo says. Cinecitta is us.

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If all goes as planned, citizens of West Bengal might get at least two more routes of Vande Bharat trains running to and from Howrah station soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains virtually on 24 September, including two train routes from Howrah. One of the two routes being readied for the inauguration is Patna  Howrah Vande Bharat Express under the Eastern Railway.

The second route is likely to be Howrah-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express under the South Eastern Railway. The third route among the nine upcoming routes is Puri-Rourkela also to be operated by the South Eastern Railway. As a part of the preparations, a rake from Ranchi is headed for Howrah station today.

The new Vande Bharat Express rakes, this time, are said to have 25 improvements in the seat, toilets, water taps, air-conditioning and so on. According to the Eastern Railway, the new rakes are to have an increase in seat reclination angle from 17.31 degree to 19.37 degree, optimized cushions, colour of seat in executive chair car changed from red to pleasant blue, improved accessibility of mobile charging point under the seats, extended foot rest for seats in executive chair cars and many more. From the past experience and from the feedback received from the passengers, railways has made huge modifications for the smooth journey of the passengers in Patna  Howrah route, according to the CPRO of the Eastern Railway,

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Kausik Mitra. Meanwhile, at least 20 trains were cancelled and four diverted till 5:30 pm following an agitation by the members of the Kurmi community blocking railway tracks in Odisha and Jharkhand today. Even as the protest was declared withdrawn yesterday after the Calcutta High Court observed the agitation as unconstitutional, a mammoth crowd of the Kurmi community members swarmed to the railway tracks near Ghaghra railway station between Chakradharpur and Rourkela in Jharkhand at around 10 am today.

The agitators blocked the train path of trains particularly those headed toward Mumbai from Howrah. Another crowd, bigger than that of Ghaghra, staged a rail blockade at Muri, starting their agitation at around 11.30 am disrupted the main line of vital train lines like HowrahRanchi, Ranchi- Bokaro and so on. Later, late in the evening, the cancelled train services were restored following the withdrawal of agitation by the members of the Kurmi community.
The water regulator of the US state of California has said that the beverage corporate giant Nestle had illegally diverted and bottled water from mountain springs for over 100 years, the media reported.

The bottled water is sold under Arrowhead, a household brand whose label reads Since 1894.

Nestle sold the bottled water business in 2021 and Nestle Waters North America began operating under the new name BlueTriton Brands later, Xinhua news agency reported.

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California State Water Resources Control Board ordered the company to stop drawing water for bottling from most of its water-collection sites in the San Bernardino Mountains by November 1 and has given it 30 days to appeal to the board.

The Board began investigation in 2015 after receiving a number of complaints against Nestle Waters North America from individuals and organisations as well as a petition signed by hundreds of people, according to the agencys documents.

The complaints accuse Nestle of diverting water without a valid right and unreasonably using water, among other allegations.

After eight years of investigation, including dozens of hearings, the board determined on Tuesday that BlueTriton does not have permission to use the water.

The company disagreed, saying its predecessors had been doing so for more than 125 years. It also argued that it takes water that is underground and that the state water board does not have the authority to regulate groundwater.

BlueTriton Brands said it would sue to block the order.
Ahead of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has accused the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) of promoting violence and frustration.

Kanhaiya Kumar, the AICC in charge of the NSUI, and NSUI President Neeraj Kundan alleged that the ABVP, with the backing of the administration and the Delhi Police, was conspiring to disrupt the peaceful academic environment of the campus.

Reacting to the allegations, Ashutosh Singh, media convener of the ABVP, said, We vehemently deny any involvement in the violent acts in the past few days in Delhi University.

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Putting forward videos of the NSUI workers carrying sticks assaulting students, Singh said it is, in fact, the rival groups workers who were involved in such an act.

However, at a press conference at the Congress Headquarters, NSUI president Kundan expressed concern over the administrations alleged bias in favour of the ABVP. What could be the effect of this kind of criminal activities being promoted on the campus will have on the students? When such videos go viral, it will cause panic among their parents too, Kundan said.

The former JNU Students Union president also asserted that the NSUI will stand firm against such nefarious designs, not to be bogged down by the intimidatory tactics of the ABVP.

He pointed out that despite access to ample resources and government support, the ABVP was resorting to violence and hooliganism, which, he said, reflects on their fear of a potential defeat.

He also criticized the administration for extending the deadline for nomination and increasing the age limit arbitrarily.

Speaking to The Statesman, Abhi Dahiya, NSUI candidate for the vice-presidents post, said, ABVP has been in power for the last four years while they (the ABVP) have no work to show to students and hence the violence as a tool to intimidate students at the time of election.

Questioning the ABVP stand on the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) seat distribution system, he said, They talk of standing for student issues while supporting the CUET seat allocation system in University, which lacks transparency in the admission process. Earlier, students used to apply for colleges using their own discretion according to the cut-off percentage. But now, colleges are automatically allocated by the preference seat.

He also accused the ABVP of diverting attention from its own actions by falsely implicating the NSUI in violence.

The NSUI released a 10-point manifesto for the DUSU polls that includes issues like menstrual leave, violence-free campus, grievance redressal, and improved infrastructure.

The Delhi University is holding student union elections for the first time since 2019, with a four-year break forced by pandemic-induced restrictions
A man from Assam has been arrested on the suspicion of transmitting sensitive information to an individual in Pakistan, on Thursday. The Odisha Polices Crime Investigation Department, in collaboration with the Assam Police, arrested the man from Assams Nagaon district.

Assam Police said the suspected spy has been identified as Iqbal Hussain. The arrest of Hussain occurred at his residence in Genduwa Pothar village in Nagaons Batadrava area. Hussain had recently returned to Assam after working in Bengaluru.

Under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, the Odisha CID registered a case against Iqbal Hussain. He is suspected of having exchanged sensitive information with a Pakistani national named Abdul Hale.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu between September 13 to September 29.

A bench of Justice B.R. Gavai, Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra while refusing to interfere with the May 13 CWMA direction said that both the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are regularly meeting and monitoring the water requirements every 15 days.

The bench said that it was not inclined to interfere with the order passed on this aspect by the authority, since the authority and committee were meeting and monitoring the situation every 15 days.

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The bench upheld the allocation of 5000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu, as Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati told the court that allocation of Cauvery water is not just based on the calculation of shortfall in water due to less rainfall but many other factors and it is not the mathematical calculation based on the Cauvery Water Tribunal Award.

ASG Bhati told the bench that both the expert bodies have domain experts from both the States.

Rohatgi told the bench that as per the award modified by the top court by its February 16, 2018, Judgment, Tamil Nadu was entitled to 46 and 36 tmc of water (Thousand Million Cubic feet) in August and September respectively but even if considering the shortfall in the rains, yet Tamil Nadu should have got 19.15 tmc 9.3 tmc of water in these two months. This translates into 7200 cusecs of water per day and the same is further reduced by 25% in the allocated 5000 cusecs of water.

Rohatgi said that he needs water to irrigate standing crops over five-lakh acres of land.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan appearing for Karnataka told the bench that Tamil Nadu needs water for irrigation, whereas Karnataka needs it both for the drinking purposes and the irrigation. He said Cauvery water meets the drinking water requirements of Bengaluru, Mysore and one more city.

Shyam Divan told the bench that besides Cauvery water, Tamil Nadu also gets North-East monsoon.
Rajnath Singh the union defence minister said on Thursday reacting to the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha that he is fully confident to speak on the issue pertaining to China.

Earlier, Congress MP Chowdhury had taken a dig at the defence minister while speaking in the Parliament.

He had challenged him to talk about China. The BJP leader accepted the challenge and said, I have full courage to talk about China. I am ready to talk about it.

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A debate began over Chowdhurys question that disrupted the BJP leaders speech in the Lower House (LS).

Both nations have been in a three-year-long tussle since both sides continue to hold multiple rounds of talks for the disengagement of troops in Galwan following a clash in June 2020.

China released its standard map on August 28. It showed the Aksai Chin region and the state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

Even Rahul Gandhi has been from time to time raising the issue of China and asking PM Modi whether his claims of not losing even an inch to China was true. Gandhi said the Ladakhis know that China has transgressed. In the 2020 Galwan clash, India lost about 20 soldiers while claiming that 43 Chinese soldiers were also killed.
Notorious Punjab gangster Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Deneke, who was part of the anti-India Khalistan movement, has been gunned down in Canadas Winnipeg city, according to various local and international media reports.

Sukha fled to Canada in 2017 allegedly using fake documents and joined the Khalistan terrorist Arsh Dalla. Sukha was believed to the right of Dalla, who is a listed terrorist and wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The incident comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit rock bottom over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another designated Kahlistani terrorist. Canada has accused India of having a role in Nijjars killing in early June this year.

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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.

Earlier on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged New Delhis role in Nijjars murder in June this year and expelled an Indian diplomat.

Also Read: NIA releases names of 43 terrorists and gangsters, some with Canada links

India termed the allegations absurd and politically motivated and asked the Canadian intelligence services India station chief to leave the country in five days in a tit-for-tat move.

The Canadian government has also 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.

In response, India also raised the alert and asked its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of the growing politically-condoned hate crimes against Indian nationals and diplomats in Canada.

Interestingly, Dalas name featured in NIAs latest list of criminals and Khalistani terrorists based in Canada. The list made public by NIA also includes Goldy Brar, and Lakhbir Singh Linda, among others. Linda is a known Khalistani terrorist behind the Punjab RPG incident.
Amid heightened tensions with Canada over the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, BLS International, which facilitates visa services have once again posted a message on its website saying that Indian visa services for Canadians have been suspended due to operational reasons.

Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice, the notice read.

Earlier, the BLS ran the same message on a ticker on its website but it disappeared after a while. The agency has now issued a clarification saying there was some technical glitch due to which the notification disappeared.

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BLS website witnessed a technical glitch, due to which the message did not reflect for a brief period, a statement shared by BLS with The Statesman read.

This comes hours after Canada said that it will adjust diplomatic staff presence in India amid threats on social media.

Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa deteriorated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus shocking allegations of Indian role in Nijjars killing. Moreover, Canadian Minister expelled an Indian diplomat allegedly linked to Nijjars death and revealed his identity, moving away from diplomatic precedents.

India rejected Trudeaus claims terming them absurd and politically motivated and expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move.

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.

Ever since, the two countries have been at loggerheads and announced several moves against each other. While Canada updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India asking them to avoid visiting several places, New Delhi urged Indians in Canada to exercise extreme caution amid rising politically condoned hate crimes.

Update: The government has confirmed that visa services for Canadian nationals have been suspended. For more details, READ HERE
The monastery of Ucles, halfway between Cuenca and Madrid, is a compendium of all the civilizations and aesthetic currents that have come and gone in Spain. The building was conceived as a Muslim fortress to defend Al-Andalus  the part of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule  from the Christian kingdoms in the Middle Ages. It later became the headquarters of the Order of Santiago during the Reconquista, when those kingdoms fought to win back territory from the Umayyad dynasty.

Besides its Arab, Roman and Visigothic vestiges, the monastery also features architectural styles that came much later, including Plateresque, Herrerian and Churrigueresque elements. The list of the architects of Ucles reads like a history of Spanish architecture, wrote George Kubler in Architecture of the 17th and 18th Centuries. This highly eclectic ensemble is an ideal setting for a violin concert by Ara Malikian, whose own style blends European orthodoxy with flamenco and oriental rhythms.

Malikian, 55, is slated to play at the monastery on Friday as part of the 1st Ucles Music Festival, which opened on July 14 and brought other world-famous musicians such as Ludovico Eunadi to this ancient location that was once home to Celtiberian, Roman, Muslim and Christian cultures.

The Lebanese-born musician, who has lived in Spain for more than 20 years, included Ucles as a stop in The Ara Malikian World Tour. With more than 40 albums to his name, Malikians compositions flow somewhere between classical and oriental music, with touches of tango, flamenco and pop that create a hybrid style that defines him. One moment he is paying tribute to traditional Jewish music [Pisando flores] and the next he is dedicating Bourj Hammoud to the Armenian neighborhood where he grew up, wrote Fernando Neira, a music critic for EL PAIS, about one of his performances at Spains Royal Palace in 2020.

Malikians eclectic style goes hand in hand with the heterogeneous nature of the architectural complex known as the monastery of Ucles. David Perez, director of the Fernando Nunez Foundation, the institution that manages the structures heritage, argues that this blend of styles is due to the fact that it was on the border of Al-Andalus. On the outskirts of the monastery there was an Almoravid village [a religious and political movement with a more rigorous interpretation of Islam] that is now being excavated. As evidence of the Muslim past in the architectural complex of Ucles, Perez highlights a 200-meter-long section of wall from the times of the Muslim fortress as well as an Albarrana tower, a defensive structure built by the Muslims in the peninsula in the Middle Ages.

Ara Malikian at the Liceu in Barcelona during the Suite Festival 2023. Mario Wurzburger (Redferns / Getty Images)

The Roman touch is evident in some incisions on the Plateresque facades of the monastery, while the Visigothic influence can be traced to a stone located in the stables and used as an ornament. Just as multiculturalism permeates the architecture of Ucles, so does it define Malikians music and career. The violinist lived as a nomad for much of his life. At the age of 14 he had to leave Beirut due to the Lebanese civil war. The following year he received a scholarship to study music in Germany, then he lived in England and France for a while before finally settling down in Spain at the end of 1998.

The long journey took him further and further away from his academic and classical training, but it has not disappeared altogether from his fusion sounds. Today what I do is for the public, it is neither for the programmers nor for the managers, he said in an interview with EL PAIS in 2015. It is for the audience, which does not ask for perfection nor to hear a composition exactly as it was played 300 years ago. The audience wants to be moved.

His goal will be put to the test inside the monasterys Baroque-style courtyard, created in the first half of the 18th century, during the reign of Philip V, in what represented the final phase of construction that followed the Renaissance stage in the 16th century.

This unique blend of history, architecture and music will come together on Friday at a concert that is attracting 1,200 people to a village with a population of 200.
After hours of uncertainty, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday confirmed that Indian visa services for Canadian nationals have been suspended in view of security threats being faced by the countrys High Commission and Consulate offices in Canada.

Addressing a press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the security threats have disrupted normal functioning of Indian High Commission and Consulates thus visa services have been suspended.

You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications, Bagchi said adding that the government will review the situation on regular basis.

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Not just that, Canadian nationals living in another countries will also not be able to apply for Indian visa. Explaining the decision, Bagchi said that the issue is not about travel to India but inaction of Canadian government against those inciting violence.

A Canadian citizen would not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if they are living in another countryAll categories of visas are suspended. The issue is not about travel to India but the issue is incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely,

Earlier in the day, BLS international, an agency running visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on their website saying the services have been suspended due to operational issues.

The agency removed the notification and said that it was released due to some confusion. The notice reappeared on their website after a while.

Indias decision to suspended visa services for Canadians have come amid deteriorating bilateral ties between New Delhi and Ottawa after Mondays allegations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Addressing the countrys Parliament, Trudeau said that Canadian officials are investigating credible allegations of Indias role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist was gunned down by two masked men on June 18 early this year.

India rejected Trudeaus claims terming them absurd and politically motivated. In a tit-for-tate action, India also expelled a Canadian diplomat after Ottawa identified RAWs Canada station chief and asked him to leave the country.

Later, Canada issued an updated travel advisory for their citizens asking them not to visit several places in India. In retaliation, New Delhi also issued an advisory and asked Indians in Canada to exercise utmost caution in view of rising politically condoned hate crimes.
Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan has once again come out against the Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, over the issue of masappadi (monthly pay-off) paid to his daughter, Veena Vijayan, by the mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, on Thursday, Kuzhalnadan repeated the allegations against the chief ministers daughter in the masapadi controversy. He said neither Exa Logic company nor Veena Vijayan had provided any services to CMRL. Yet Veens company, Exa Logic, has received money from CMRL.

Kuzhalandan asked whether the CMRL had paid money to Veenas company without providing any service to them as alms. If it is said, the money was paid to Veenas company as alms, no further question on it, Kuzhalnadan said.

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Kuzhalnadan said a CMRL officials diary had a reference to a person called PV. Im sure, PV is Pinarayi Vijayan, he said. Then he went on to challenge the CM to prove that the PV in the CMRL officials diary is not of his but is the name of someone else. I will resign as MLA if the chief minister proves that the PV in the CMRL officials diary is not of his, but the name of someone else, he said.

Recently, Vijayan denied the statement in the report that he, among some other politicians, received money from the CMRL. The report said the acronym PV in the CMRLs accounts referred to Pinarayi Vijayan.

There could be multiple individuals represented by the acronym PV. I cannot provide any commentary on the assumptions made by the officers appointed by the Union government. I want to clarify that I have not received any funds from them, Vijayan had said then.

Kuzhalnadan launched a scathing attack against Vijayan and his daughter in August, after it was reported that the Income Tax Interim Board of Settlement (ITIBS), New Delhi, has found that the CMs daughter Veena Vijayans company has received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL without providing any service to them. It has also been reported that the ITIBS also named Vijayan, and UDF leaders Ramesh Chennithala, PK Kunhalikutty, and VK Ebrahimkunju among those who received payment from the CMRL.

Kuzhalnadan also denounced the LDF governments decision to order a vigilance probe against his land deal in Idukkis Chinnakanal. However, he said he would cooperate with any kind of probe into the alleged irregularities in the deal.
The Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Sangma, has come out in support of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, rejecting a request from Adelbert Nongrum, a member of the opposition Voice of Peoples Party, to present a resolution opposing the bill in the House.

Nongrums main concern was the perceived elimination of the need for forest clearance for projects located within 100 kilometres of the international border. In response, the chief minister clarified that while forest clearance might no longer be required, other clearances would still be necessary.

Despite this clarification, Nongrum persisted in his request to proceed with the resolution opposing the bill citing the examples of Mizoram and Nagaland, which had passed resolutions against the amended Forest Act.

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Sangma emphasized that the amended act grants the government full authority over forest management. He explained, Under the new definition, a forest is defined under the Indian Forest Act or any other applicable law.

Furthermore, the chief minister noted that in addition to the opinion of the state advocate general, the director general of forests in New Delhi has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions on the matter. He said, We can seek further clarifications.

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 has already been approved by Parliament. The bill narrows the conservation scope of the Forest Act to specific forest lands, exempts border lands from the requirement to obtain permissions for forest clearance for constructing strategic linear projects of national importance, and permits certain non-forest activities on forest lands, such as operating zoos and eco-tourism facilities.
The Centre has asked Canada to reduce the strength of its diplomats in India citing Ottawas interference in internal matters as relations between both nations plummeted after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of New Delhis role in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, Their numbers here are very much higher than Indias diplomatic presence (in Canada).We have seen Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs. This is being taken into account and parity is being sought in rank and diplomatic strength.

The MEA statement came hours after Canada said that it will adjust its diplomatic presence in India in view of social media threats against them.

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In another major development, India has also suspended visa services for all Canadian nationals. The ban also applies to Canadian citizens living in other countries.

A Canadian citizen would not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if they are living in another country All categories of visas are suspended. The issue is not about travel to India but the issue is incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely, Bagchi said during the presser.

The relations between India and Canada  two major trade partners  have been strained lately due to Ottawas inaction against Khalistani extremists.

However, they hit an all-time low on Monday when Trudeau accused New Delhi of a role in the extra-judicial killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.

India rejected Trudeaus claim and termed his allegations absurd and politically driven.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India in 2020, continued to roam freely and call for violence against India until June 18 this year when two masked gunmen killed him. The killing, according to reports, was a result of an inter-gang rivalry.

Canada has long been acting as a face-haven for India-designated Khalistani terrorists and gangsters who support the Khalistan movement.

Indian government has raised the issue with Canadian officials, including PM Trudeau on several occasions but Ottawa never acted against them.
Coming as a relief, 24 more samples tested negative for Nipah in Kerala Kozhikode which reported two deaths from the virus last week, officials said on Thursday.

Three more results are awaited, they added.

With timely action, the district authorities managed to effectively contain the spread and limited it to just six positive cases,even when they had identified 1,286 suspects.

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Since the scare began, 352 samples were sent for testing and with no positive cases in the past five days, authorities have started to breathe easy, even though caution continues at the two places which reported two deaths.

On Thursday, there were 952 people under observation and the condition of a nine-year-old boy who was positive has turned much better.

The NIV Pune officials are continuing their studies and testing with the bats in the affected two places, but still have not been able to either get a positive result nor have they been able to identify the cause of it.

It was in 2018 that the Nipah was first reported in Kozhikode, in 2019 it was at Ernakulam, only to return to Kozhikode in 2021 and resurface in 2023.
President Draupadi Murmu, while inaugurating the first ever Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, said that the achievement of economic growth by UP is commendable and the state is not only the fastest growing state economy in India but its contribution is important in fulfilling the countrys resolve of becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy.

For this, the efforts of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his entire team are commendable, the President said.

The President, on the occasion of the inauguration of the five-day UP International Trade Show organized in Greater Noida on Thursday, congratulated all the participants of the trade show, and expressed happiness after seeing the exhibition organized here.

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She said the effort to take the products of UP to the markets of the country and abroad through international trade shows is very commendable. Praising the Chief Minister of the state for this, she said that more than 2000 manufacturers are displaying their products in this trade show.

From established industrial houses to new entrepreneurs and representatives of various embassies are present here, which will facilitate in taking the products here to the global market. Uttar Pradesh has made a special contribution to the economic development of the country in the last 6 years. The GDP of UP has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore to Rs 22 lakh crore in 2016-17. This achievement of economic growth is undoubtedly commendable, she stressed.

The President said that in recent years, UP has taken new steps in the field of economic development and investment. As a result of simplifying investment, ease of doing business and accelerating infrastructure development, UP has today become the fastest growing economy in the country. India, which is today the fifth largest economy in the world, is determined to soon become the third largest economy in the world.

Uttar Pradesh has an important contribution in fulfilling this national resolution. UP has resolved to take its economy to one trillion dollars. The UP government and its people are making important contributions towards Indias goal of becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy, she said.

Draupadi Murmu said that a good ecosystem is being developed for MSMEs in UP. UP ranks first among all the states in the country with 96 lakh MSME units. Despite being a landlocked state, the states exports are continuously increasing.

The states exports have increased from Rs 88,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1,75,000 crore in 2022-23. This is the result of the hard work and ability of the entrepreneurs of the state. The entire world community is impressed by the success of the recent G-20 conference. Various G-20 summits were held in Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi and Greater Noida in UP. This trade show now organized in Greater Noida will also definitely be successful, she said.

She said that the declaration adopted unanimously in the G-20 conference includes the goals of local value creation under Unlocking Trade for Growth and identifying the challenges faced by MSMEs and connecting MSMEs at the international level.

More than 400 buyers from different countries of the world are participating in this trade show.

The President expressed confidence that the UP International Trade Show will advance Indias national and international priorities in line with the goals of the G-20. The President described the performance of one district, one product of the state in the event as commendable. She also expressed happiness over the fact that along with products based on handicrafts, young entrepreneurs of the state, especially women entrepreneurs, are showcasing their products. She described the UP International Trade Show as a milestone in the development journey of the state.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of Indian role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar seems politically driven and Ottawa has not shared any specific information regarding that, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Addressing a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada.

The MEA spokesperson said that India, on the other, has shared specific evidence about criminal activities of Canada-based individuals but Ottawa has not to acted upon them.

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From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon.

I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven, Bagchi added.

The already strained ties between India and Canada plummeted after Mondays allegations by Trudea. Interestingly, the Canadian prime minister has been facing embarrassing situation at home as well and the countrys Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also asked Trudeau to come clean with facts.

Nijjar was killed by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in Canadas Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. His murder is believed to be the result of an inter-gang rivalry.

Amid reports that Canada will restructure its diplomatic presence in India, the MEA spokesperson said that New Delhi has asked Canadian officials to have parity with diplomatic presence.

We informed the Canadian government to have parity with diplomatic presence, their numbers are higher and I assume there will be a reduction, he said.
Well, as per a study, the notion that trying to repress negative thoughts is hazardous for our mental health may not be true.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge told 120 volunteers from 16 different nations to stifle their thoughts about traumatic experiences that disturbed them. They discovered that this not only made the individuals unpleasant ideas less vivid, but also improved their mental health.

According to Professor Michael Anderson of the universitys Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 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 well-being perniciously.

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The entire purpose of psychotherapy is to bring up these ideas so that they can be dealt with and stripped of their power. Weve been told in more recent years that concealing thoughts is inherently unproductive and really makes individuals contemplate the thought more  its the old adage, Dont think about a pink elephant, he added.

According to Anderson, these theories have established clinical treatment dogma, with national recommendations citing thought avoidance as a significant maladaptive coping mechanism that should be avoided and overcome in conditions including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others.

Inhibitory control, according to Dr. Zulkayda Mamat of Trinity College, Cambridge, is essential for overcoming trauma in both her own and many other peoples life experiences.

She was interested in learning whether this was a natural talent or a learned skill that could be taught.

Due to the epidemic, we observed a need in the neighbourhood to support people in managing their escalating concern. A secret epidemic of mental health issues was already present, and it was only growing worse. In light of this, we made the decision to see whether we could aid people in coping better, according to Dr. Mamat.

Each participant in the study, which was published in Science Advances, was asked to consider a number of scenarios that could reasonably occur in their lives over the course of the next two years. These scenarios included 20 negative fears and worries they were concerned might occur, 20 positive hopes and dreams, and 36 ordinary and unremarkable neutral events.

The anxieties needed to be ones that currently trouble them and have frequently entered their thoughts. It was abundantly evident that the participants practise suppressing situations were less vivid and more anxiety-inducing than the other events, and that overall, their mental health had improved. But the participants who practised repressing anxious, as opposed to neutral, thoughts, showed the most benefit, according to Dr. Mamat.
2 1st September is World Alzheimers Day; the theme this year is Never Too Early; Never Too Late (to diagnose and manage). Dementia is a common illness that affects elderly people and its prevalence is on the rise, with increasing longevity. More than 55 million people are estimated to live with dementia worldwide, as per 2020 data. One new case is diagnosed every three seconds. As per Dementia India 2020 report, there are about 53 lakh people with dementia in India, with estimated rates of 5-7 per cent of the elderly population. This number is increasing day by day with the exponential rise of the elderly population.

This is going to challenge the countrys health care system. The disorder is common in females, which could be because of their relatively longer life span. It affects the rich or poor and those living in urban or rural dwellers. Dementia is an umbrella term, and there are many types, of which Alzheimers disease is the commonest. There is an abnormality in the amyloid protein of the nerve cell membrane that gets broken at the wrong position and becomes sticky and insoluble, clumps together, and gets deposited in between nerve cells, termed as amyloid plaques, which unusually cannot be expelled from the body. These plaques are toxic causing breaks in the nerve cell connections and also lead to nerve cell death.

There is another protein inside the cells which is meant to be the skeleton of the cell. This becomes abnormal, leading to falling off the skeleton, leading to nerve cell death. Such cell deaths keep occurring gradually in different areas of the brain, hampering the pertinent function of that brain area.

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The next common type is Vascular Dementia which can also be considered as multiple mini-strokes occurring in the brain, leading to a shortage of blood supply, which in turn means a lesser supply of oxygen and glucose leading to nerve cell damage or death.

There are Lewy body and Parkinsons types of dementia, which are due to an abnormality in a protein called alpha-synuclein that misfolds and becomes toxic leading to death or degeneration of nerve cells. Another type of dementia which is common and starts a bit early in life, may be in the sixth decade itself for many, is called Frontotemporal dementia, which is again due to irreversible abnormal protein deposition leading to degeneration. For discussion here, Alzheimers disease type is taken as an example. There is a gradual decline in mental functions such as memory, attention, thinking, reasoning, ability to navigate, planning, decision-making, judgement, and calculation. Higher skill-based functioning such as cooking or financial transactions may be first to go followed by impairment in the basic ones such as the ability to take a bath, brush, comb hair, dress, and groom.

Family members can notice a gradual downward trend in their level of functioning in comparison with their previous functioning. The illness severity increases over time leading to dependency on caregiving relatives, usually elderly spouses or children. Typical Alzheimers disease starts with forgetfulness for recent events or experiences with intact longer-term memory. Gradually it worsens over about five years on average and the person may lose the ability to walk, talk, not able to identify family, and require complete care. It is never too early to diagnose dementia.

The earlier it is done, the better. The psychiatrists or neurologists gather detailed information from a relative about how it started, and the presenting problems, and do memory tests, blood tests, and brain scans. One of the aims of this assessment would be to find out if it is a reversible condition. This includes depression, deficiency of vitamin B12, low thyroid, autoimmune illnesses, confusion due to infection of the urinary system or the chest, and any abnormal growth inside the brain. Many of these conditions are treatable and therefore should be ruled out first.

Detecting dementia early helps in planning their years, and anticipating the increasing care needs. A person with early signs of dementia can choose to nominate any of the relatives to decide for them about care or any other social aspects.

They can consider doing a will when they understand the concept of a will and about their finances while having the decision-making ability. The person must get involved in stimulating activities, such as increasing social interaction, doing problem-solving activities, solving puzzles, and if interested can do sudoku kind of activities.

The DEMCARES team in Chennai in collaboration with a team in London, have developed cognitive stimulation therapy which has modules of activities in group and on individual basis. Similarly, a few mobile apps enhance stimulation or a kind of retraining to the brain and some more are being developed. It is never too late to diagnose dementia. Unfortunately, there is no complete cure as of now, so the condition cannot be reversed, which means a person with dementia will not regain the lost skills.

Education and training to caregiving family members as to how to interact, what to do, and what to expect will reduce their distress, and enhance their ability to care. One could discuss with their treating clinician regarding any social schemes to support patients and their caregivers. Regular activities to keep them engaged in group or at individual level is important, but difficulties may be due to lack of time from the family caregivers. Restlessness comes down with regular structured activities that occupy the mind.

Caregivers support network to try to find practical solutions from one another has been found useful. Caregivers need to take regular breaks from this routine of caring, as characteristically, with the disease getting worse, care needs become more demanding. The role of paid, formal, professional caregivers cannot be underestimated. They stay with the person, ensure personal care, grooming and timely medications, and engage in activities aimed at comfort, while managing basic care and safety.

Caregiving is an art and requires people equipped with caring and communication skills. This reduces the stress on the family members. Training and supervision of such dedicated caregivers helps improve quality of life and maintain comfort. This will prevent the need for residential care facilities, and increase the chance of care at home. Disease-reversing medications or the antibody kind of treatment aimed to remove plaques and tau deposits are under progress with not much success as of yet, though a couple of medications have received conditional approval for use in the USA.

Medications to reduce the speed of worsening are regularly being used. Caregiver distress increases due to the behavioral problems of the person such as aggression or restlessness. Instead of straightaway considering medications to calm them down, there is a need to try to identify the source of these behaviors. This may be due to tooth infection, pain anywhere in the body, constipation, overstimulation, fear due to abnormal experiences, and low sugar levels.

Those wanting to try and prevent or delay the condition can work on the risk factors by improving their lifestyle. Controlling blood pressure, maintaining blood sugar levels, reducing overweight, and avoiding smoking will reduce the risk. Depression must be identified early and treated. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, and engage in meaningful, pleasurable activities. Increase social interaction by spending time with family and friends. Yoga, meditation, and reducing stress due to work, or social problems may all help indirectly. Management of dementia requires a multi-specialty approach.

There is a need for nursing, speech, and language training, to improve hearing, improve vision, and ensure safety at home with help from occupational therapists. There is a need to improve community-level care by training primary care physicians and ASHA workers to identify cases early.

There is a need to increase the number of specialists who can lead the care plan. The geriatric psychiatry team at NIMHANS has provided certified training to over 200 professional caregivers and over 100 general practitioners or specialist physicians. Volunteer training is also underway, and there is a need for community sensitization. Incentives for family caregivers reduce the burden on the public health care system.

(The writer is on the Geriatric Psychiatry Faculty at NIMHANS, Bangalore)
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yis landing in Moscow days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns visit raises intriguing questions about the complex dynamics of international relations. As the world watches, its essential to decipher the subtle moves and underlying motives that shape this diplomatic dance. Mr Yis visit comes at a crucial juncture when Russia seeks unwavering support for its ongoing war in Ukraine. This alliance between Moscow and Beijing is no secret, yet China vehemently denies any direct involvement in Russias military endeavours.

Talks between Mr Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain a mystery though they are believed to have discussed arms supplies from North Korea for Russian forces in Ukraine amid Western sanctions. Could Mr Yis visit be mere coincidence then or is there a grander strategy at play? The United States has accused Russia and North Korea of discussing the sale of North Korean arms to Russia, amplifying concerns of potential military cooperation. Interestingly, China, with its deep ties with both countries, remains enigmatic. China might be playing a calculated game behind the scenes. As an economic lifeline to both North Korea and Russia, Beijing holds considerable leverage. Its role as a trade partner for Pyongyang and its increasing purchases of Russian energy exports give China substantial influence over these nations.

The possibility of China silently greenlighting military cooperation between Russia and North Korea to indirectly aid Moscow in Ukraine seems plausible. Such a strategy would allow China to support Russia and, yet, distance itself from North Koreas actions. China could then deflect blame on Pyongyang while advancing its own interests. This manoeuvre underscores Chinas strategic prowess in using proxies to further its geopolitical goals while maintaining plausible deniability. Mr Yis visit to Moscow not only cements Chinas position as a regional powerhouse but also sends a message to the West. The USA, in particular, has been critical of Chinas economic support to Russia during the Ukraine conflict. A US intelligence report accused China of mitigating the impact of Western sanctions on Russia by increasing energy exports, currency use and potentially supplying dual-use technology. Despite official meetings between China and the US, the ongoing war in Ukraine remains unresolved. China, with its economic clout, could intervene and broker a peace deal. However, China has had ample time to influence the situation but has chosen not to, highlighting Chinas strategic ambiguity.

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Chinas diplomatic approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict raises questions about its role as a global player. While it maintains an objective position on the war, its actions suggest a calculated balancing act. This pragmatism is emblematic of Chinas evolving foreign policy ~ assertive yet cautious, strategic yet subtle. As Mr Yi engages in strategic security consultations with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, the world watches keenly. It is clear that Chinas role in shaping the worlds geopolitical landscape will continue to be a topic of intrigue and scrutiny for years to come.
An opinion piece that you describe, praises or criticizes, on the whole or partly, to cultural or entertainment work. It must be written by an expert on the matter

Stephen King reached an enviable milestone in his literary career long ago. With over sixty international bestsellers, King is the unparalleled master of horror, boasting an overwhelmingly creative universe and exceptional storytelling abilities. In 2014, King made a foray into the noir crime genre with Mr. Mercedes, the first book in a trilogy featuring detective Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney, a private investigator who gradually gained prominence in various King books and is now the protagonist of her own story in Holly (Scribner, 2023).

In his foreword to If it Bleeds (Scribner, 2020), a novella that marked Detective Holly Gibneys first solo flight after the Bill Hodges trilogy, King said, I just love Holly, and I wish she were a real person She just walked into the first book she was in, Mr. Mercedes, and she more or less stole the book, and she stole my heart.

In Holly, Gibney is still the head of Finders Keepers, the private detective agency she inherited from Hodges, focusing mainly on small cases. Young siblings Jerome and Barbara Robinson, well-known to readers of the trilogy, along with their partner Pete, join Holly to solve a peculiar case. Holly skillfully uncovers a thread that reveals a series of seemingly unrelated disappearances. These long-ignored crimes have a common link: a bizarre, elderly couple. Dont worry  there are no spoilers here. Its not a mystery novel, nor a thriller wrapped around a mystery. We know who the bad guys are here. What we dont know is when they are going to cross paths with Holly, how shes going to nail them for their crimes, and what theyll do to Holly in the process. If there is one thing certain about Kings novels, its that his characters never emerge unscathed. The book unfolds in two intertwined timelines. Between 2018 and 2021, we watch these two illustrious professors commit their crimes  the why of their crimes is also revealed. The novel then jumps to the present, when Holly decides to go after the couple. Its the most procedural part of the book, much like a typical crime novel and packed with intricate details.

Hollys solo flight carries a certain risk: the danger of becoming a cliche, someone who evokes sympathy due to her particular flaws. However, Holly Gibney defies these concerns and emerges as a well-constructed character. This novel, along with future stories planned by the author (King has already hinted at some), will ensure her enduring presence in the King universe. Its evident that King understands the importance of continuity in a genre filled with iconic heroes like Sherlock Holmes, Harry Bosch, John Rebus, Petra Delicado and Tess Monaghan.

Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway in a scene from the 'Mr. Mercedes' television series.

Holly has faced significant losses in her life. Her mentor and friend Bill Hodges passed away from pancreatic cancer. Her cousin Janey was killed by a psychopath, who also drove another cousin to suicide. Brady Hartsfield, the antagonist of the Mr. Mercedes trilogy, was responsible for these tragedies. Holly also had a difficult relationship with her mother, Mrs. Charlotte, who tragically succumbed to Covid-19 at the beginning of this novel (which includes more than a few digs at Donald Trump). Holly stopped smoking in If it Bleeds, but here she has succumbed once again to her nicotine addiction. She now confidently maintains direct eye contact during interrogations, stands tall with her shoulders back, and confronts problems head-on. Despite her aversion to violence, she may reluctantly resort to it when required. As a 55-year-old frustrated poet, she has overcome numerous challenges and accomplished a great deal. Holly Gibney is no longer the train wreck we once knew.

One of the secondary plotlines in the book is about young Barbara, an aspiring poet and future Princeton student who is mentored by a legendary author. This storyline adds a fascinating element of love for literature. It is clear that King understands the importance of integrating each layer of the story into the broader plot. This integration plays a decisive role in maintaining the rhythm and final resolution of the book. King stays within the bounds of reality, while still delivering the horror we have come to expect from supernatural tales like End of Watch and If it Bleeds.

King also explores another key element of crime fiction: social themes. Without being preachy, King weaves in elements like the Black Lives Matter movement, Trumps erosive impact on social harmony in the United States, and the Covid-19 pandemic. These themes are seamlessly woven into the plot and the characters attitudes. The pandemic is prominently featured in the novel, (King has tweeted extensively in favor of vaccines, science and facemasks, and against conspiracy theorists), and the authors own attitudes are reflected in the character of Holly. In an afterword, King assures that he would have fairly represented a Covid-denier if he had chosen to include a main character with these views.

You know, just when you think youve seen the worst that human beings have to offer turns out, youre wrong. There is no end to evil, says one of the secondary characters, a phrase that Holly makes her own. The only consolation is that this evil continues to be part of the literary corpus of horror masters like King, and now also in his noir novels. Bill Hodges once confided in Holly that his literary tastes were limited to Michael Connellys stories about detective Harry Bosch, and Ed McBains police procedurals set in the 87th Precinct. In his unique style, Stephen King showcases his crime genre prowess with the exceptional Holly, placing him on par with these timeless classics.

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On the anniversary of the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, the United States, Britain, and Canada, along with the European Union, have once again imposed sanctions on Iran. These sanctions are in response to the Iranian regimes violent suppression of nationwide protests following Aminis death and its ongoing efforts to silence dissent and restrict internet access. Amini was arrested by Irans moral police for not wearing a hijab and died in custody on September 16 last year. While this represents a renewed effort to pressurise the Iranian government, it must be asked if sanctions truly have an effect on a regime that has weathered such measures for decades. Irans history with sanctions dates back to the 1979 revolution and it has grown accustomed to navigating these economic and political challenges.

Over the years, the international community has imposed a variety of sanctions on Iran, targeting its nuclear programme, human rights abuses, and support for terrorism. However, Iran has shown resilience in the face of these measures, adapting its economy and policies to mitigate their impact. One key reason why sanctions often fail is the Iranian regimes ability to control information and suppress dissent. Teheran has a track record of cracking down on protests and dissenting voices, as seen in the aftermath of Aminis death. This oppressive response makes it difficult for internal opposition movements to gain traction, even with the added pressure of sanctions. Moreover, the lack of clear leadership within protest movements has hindered their effectiveness. While the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and other protests have demonstrated widespread discontent with the regime, the absence of a unified leadership structure has made it challenging to coordinate and sustain these efforts over time. Without strong leadership, protests can struggle to achieve concrete political change. The Iranian government has also employed a range of tactics to counter the impact of sanctions. These include diversifying its economy, seeking alternative trading partners and networks to bypass restrictions. Irans ability to adapt and find workarounds has allowed it to mitigate the economic hardships brought on by sanctions. Furthermore, sanctions can sometimes have unintended consequences, affecting the civilian population more than the ruling elite.

Ordinary Iranians often bear the brunt of economic hardships caused by sanctions, leading to a sense of collective suffering that can be manipulated by the regime to bolster its narrative of resistance to external pressure. While sanctions may be intended to pressure the Iranian government into making concessions or changing its behaviour, they have yet to yield significant results. Irans leadership remains committed to its own survival and has shown a remarkable ability to weather economic storms. Thus, the latest round of sanctions imposed by the USA, Britain, Canada, and the European Union, while well-intended, faces significant challenges in impacting the Iranian regime. It is clear that the path to meaningful change in Iran remains uncertain.

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Far away from the manufactured passions of the India-versus-Bharat nomenclature, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and DSP Humayun Muzammil Bhat all came back wrapped in the Tiranga, after fighting their last battle.

They paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Beyond the meaningless divides of religions, castes, and regions, these noble sons of the diversity that is our civilisational land lived, dreamt, fought and died for the nation. Period. While politicians may still be too preoccupied with their own petty agendas to recognise, acknowledge and honour their sacrifice, these selfless warriors leave behind grieving families with small children, aging parents, and a very grateful nation.

To reiterate the obvious, these men were leaders of their respective uniforms who could have conducted the operations from the ringside, but instead chose to lead in the line of fire literally, morally, and physically. That takes courage and integrity, beyond words. As General Norman Schwarzkopf once said, It doesnt take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.

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These men were therefore real men of steel, not straws in the wind, like the supposedly nationalistic rhetoric of those who will never come near the sacrifices that these fine men did. There is perhaps a reason why these men walked the exact same path as Colonel Ashutosh Sharma (Commanding Officer, 21 Rashtriya Rifles), Colonel MN Rai (Commanding Officer, 42 Rashtriya Rifles), Colonel Santosh Mahadik (Commanding Officer, 41 Rashtriya Rifles) and countless others, who simply put, led from the front irrespective of the obvious dangers to themselves.

That reason is the indescribable spirit of purpose, camaraderie, rousing josh and regimentation that besets their instincts ~ they are cut from a very different cloth. These are not accidental heroes, but those who seek to stare the enemy in the eye. Both Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak had been awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry, earlier.

As is the wont of such natural warriors, Colonel Manpreet Singh had opted to take over the command of a battalion in an operational area, when he could have sought a non-operational tenure, given that he had already served his term as a second-in-command of the fine and gallant Rashtriya Rifles unit i.e., 19 Rashtriya Rifles. There is obviously something special in the heartlands of India, be it in the nondescript Mullanpur village of Col Manpreet Singh, village Binjhol of Major Aashish Donchak, or the Tral region of Pulwama, from where DSP Humayun Bhat hailed.

The heart of India continues to beat only owing to the often unseen, unheard, and unrecognised fire of true patriotism that still burns bright in rural India. These are also the traditional catchment areas of recruitment into the hallowed profession-of-arms, as in the case of the justifiably proud and distinguished military family of Colonel Manpreet Singh (his father was a non-commissioned officer), as also in the case of DSP Humayun Bhat, whose father was Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

There is something to be said about the larger comity of 19 Rashtriya Rifles which is populated by, and affiliated to the thoroughly distinguished, decorated, and illustrious, Sikh Light Infantry. Composed of the valorous Ramadasias and Mazhabi Sikhs (named by the revered tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singhji) for their unstinted and unwavering faithfulness towards always doing good, they are arguably the most large-hearted, devil-may-care, loyal, but fierce combatants who truly personify the spirit of Chardi Kala (eternal optimism). Tracing their ancestry to the bold Akali Nihangs, they wear their regimental motto of Deg Teg Fateh (Prosperity in peace and victory in war) on their hearts and sleeves. The sight of them saying their ardaas (prayers) before committing to a battle is one to behold. This sacred practice is then followed by their fearsome charge with war cries of Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal (He who recites the name of the lord, shall forever remain victorious), which sends shivers down the spine of the enemy in terms of its sheer ferocity, audacity, and temerity.

This very paltan i.e., 19 Rashtriya Rifles of the Sikh Light Infantry had earlier neutralized terrorist Burhan Wani who had dared to threaten the integrity and dignity of the Tiranga. These simple but hardy folks have seemingly internalized a missionary-like responsibility to defend their land and faith as an inviolable covenant given that it has stretched back to centuries of selfless soldering culture. It is to this sacred fount and calling, that Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak, owed their indomitable spirit.

Where does such strength of conviction, personal code and purpose that defined the short but honourable and inspirational lives of Col Manpreet, Major Aashish and DSP Humayun Bhat, come from? It only comes from the palpable atmospherics, normalised ethos, and rarefied air where plain words like honour, discipline and commitment are not just empty words but something worth giving their lives for.

These men on the forefront of defending our land are beyond the smallness of empty postures, divides and hate mongering that has consumed so many in terms of regions, religions etc., ~ but not so for these true sons of India, who still do what they do, despite the noise, dissonance and polarisation, in the name of nationalism. India and all its citizens owe them a huge debt and to their families that we will never be able to repay, ever.

But just knowing that, and trying to be better patriots who are just, constitutional, and gentler with each other, could be a starting point. The haunting and moving images of Colonel Manpreets six-year-old son (wearing military fatigues) saluting his fallenwarrior fathers hearse, Major Dhonchaks inconsolable mother wailing but saluting her gallant son, or DSP Humayun Bhats fellow police officer and father laying a wreath on his braveheart son, ought to prick the distracted conscience of the nation.

As Mahmoud Darwish lamented, The wars will end and the leaders will shake hands, and that old woman will remain waiting for her martyred son, and that girl will wait for her beloved husband, and the children will wait for their heroic father, I do not know who sold the homeland, but I know who paid the price.

(The writer is Lt Gen PVSM, AVSM (Retd), and former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry)
Munmun Dhamecha, one of the individuals arrested alongside Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, and Arbaaz Merchant in the 2021 cruise ship drug case, has been denied permission by a special court to retrieve her electronic devices and mobile phones. Lets take a closer look at her background.

On October 3, 2021, Munmun Dhamecha found herself in custody under the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with the Mumbai cruise ship drug seizure. Allegedly, they were attending a party on the Cordelia Cruises Empress ship, where authorities confiscated drugs just off the Mumbai coast.

Munmun Dhamecha is an Indian fashion model hailing from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. She comes from a business-oriented family in Madhya Pradesh and is currently 29 years old.

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In 2019, she graced the runway at the International Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT) in North Delhi Campus. That same year, she also made an appearance on the catwalk at the Asian Designer Week.

Munmun had sought the return of her confiscated belongings, but the NCBs special prosecutor argued that her electronic gadgets contained crucial pieces of evidence, including voice notes and photos. However, despite objections from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the court did decide to return her passport and bank passbook to her.
In their addresses to the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued for their respective transport-cum-energy corridors.

Biden praised the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, saying the initiative would open up investment opportunities on two continents and create a more integrated and sustainable West Asia.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will have two parts  the east corridor connecting India to West Asia and the northern corridor connecting West Asia to Europe. It will include a rail line, which upon completion will provide cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network. It will supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes, enhancing transhipment of goods and services between South East Asia through India to West Asia and Europe.

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Turkish president Erdogan had rejected the corridor announcement at the G20 conference, claiming it was impractical without Turkeys involvement. His request to have Turkish ports be used for the corridor rather than Israels ports came in last.

Erdogan added that the Development Road Project run by Turkey will further boost inter-regional cooperation. The Turkish President briefly mentioned his idea for a transportation route connecting Asia and Europe in a speech that was primarily known for his thoughts on Kashmir, Palestine, and Xinjiang.

We are working to broaden the spirit of collaboration in the energy sector, encompassing the eastern Mediterranean, the Caspian Basin, and the Balkans. Additionally, Turkey is in a geopolitical position in the transportation sector that enables it to assist all projects that will travel through or surrounding it, he added in his UNGA speech. Despite the fact that both corridors will utilize UAE ports, Iraqs Development Road Initiative has a totally different approach.

The Turkey-Iraq Development Road Project seeks to construct a 1,200-km highway and a $17 billion high-speed railway that will reduce travel time between Eastern Asia and northern Europe by 15 days, while pipelines will bring West Asian gas to Europe.

At the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the president of Turkey addressed the Kashmir problem also. The establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan will pave the way for regional peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia, Erdogan added.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan declared on Wednesday that his nation had reclaimed authority over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after separatist Armenian fighters opted to surrender in the face of a military assault.

Aliyev has made significant progress toward his goal of regaining control of Baku over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is populated primarily by Armenians, thanks to the shocking collapse of rebel opposition.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the mountainous area.

A ceasefire agreement to end the hostilities was announced by Baku and the ethnic Armenian authorities in Karabakh a day after Azerbaijan began a military operation in the area.

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According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty as a result of successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh, in a speech that was broadcast on television.

According to Aliyev, the majority of Armenian forces in the area had been obliterated, and the withdrawal of separatist forces had already started.

The separatists claimed that as part of the truce agreement, they had committed to completely dissolve their army and that Armenia had agreed to withdraw all of its forces from the area.

According to Azerbaijans defence ministry, all weapons and heavy armaments are to be surrendered under the guidance of the 2,000-person Russian peacekeeping team stationed there.

Both parties stated that discussions for the reunification of the separatist territory with the rest of Azerbaijan would take place on Thursday in Yevlakh.

On Wednesday night, Russian peacekeepers reported that the truce was still in effect and that no infractions had been noted.

The attack in Baku was the most recent outbreak of violence in the hostile terrain.

Around 120,000 ethnic Armenians now call this territory, which was annexed by Armenian separatists in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union and is now officially recognized as being a part of Azerbaijan, home.

30,000 people died in the fighting, and thousands were driven from their homes.

As the Armenian population of Karabakh fears being expelled, there are worries of a new refugee crisis. The years of fighting have been defined by ethnic cleansing and crimes on both sides.

Hikmet Hajiyev, the president of Azerbaijans foreign policy advisory board, pledged safe passage for the rebels who handed themselves in and stated that Baku favored the peaceful reintegration of Armenians from Karabakh.

The Council of Europes president, Charles Michel, asked Baku to protect the security of the local populace.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, expressed his wish for a peaceful outcome and said that Moscow has been in contact with all parties involved.

Although Putin spoke with Nikol Pashinyan, the prime minister of Armenia, on Wednesday night, the Kremlin stressed that the conflict was Azerbaijans internal matter.
Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya on Thursday urged the community to stay calm, he stated that Hindu Canadians are soft targets, as vigilant and report incidents of Hinduphobia in the face of a recent video by a Khalistani leader threatening and asking them to leave the country.

Hearten by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus indictments, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a designated Khalistani terrorist in India and leader of outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), asked Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave the country,leaving the community shocked and terrified.

I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies, MP Arya

wrote in a long post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

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The Hindu MP said that Pannun is trying to provoke the Hindu Canadians to react and split up the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada that are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties.

Let me be clear. Vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply

connected to the Hindu-Canadian community, Arya, who hails from Karnataka said.

According to him, the direct attack on Hindu-Canadians by Pannun is a further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists.

Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law. I cant understand how glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression, Arya said.

He further pointed out that there would be anger in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialised Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime, he said.

Further, Arya said that it is because Hindu Canadians keep a low profile, they are considered a soft targets, adding that the communitys success cannot be digested by the anti-Hindu elements.

Citing his own case, Arya said he has been repeatedly attacked for raising a flag with Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on Canadian Parliament hill.

Two well-organised groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organisations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our parliament hill, the Hindu parliamentarian stated.

Members of the Hindu community started coming to Canada 100 years ago. The community has people who migrated from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Southeast Asia and even Africa.

According to Statistics Canada, as reported in the 2021 Census, Hindus rose from 1.0 per cent to 2.3 per cent (close to 830,000 people) of total Canadian population from 2001 to 2021.

November is celebrated as Hindu Heritage Month in Canada. Aryas strong statement comes as Pannun announced that protests are slated to take place outside Indian consulates in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver on September 25, calling for expulsion of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma.
Irans parliament has given its approval to the hijab and chastity bill, which introduces stringent penalties for violations of mandatory dress codes. The bill outlines a range of punishments, including fines and prison sentences, for those who do not comply.

This legislation could subject individuals deemed to be dressed inappropriately to imprisonment for up to 10 years. The bill has undergone a three-year trial period. And, if it gains approval from Irans Guardian Council, an unelected body in the countrys theocratic system, it will be a pilot program lasting between three to five years. Subsequently, lawmakers may consider making these measures permanent.

These measures build upon previous initiatives aimed at enforcing strict dress codes and identifying unveiled women, such as the installation of surveillance cameras in public spaces.

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Moreover, individuals found guilty of promoting nudity or mocking the hijab on media platforms or social networks will also be subject to fines. Additionally, vehicle owners can face penalties if female drivers or passengers fail to adhere to the strict dress code.

More about the Hijab and Chastity Bill:

The hijab and chastity bill also targets those who organize violations of the dress code or collaborate with foreign or hostile governments, media, groups, or organizations. Such individuals may face imprisonment for a period ranging from five to 10 years.

The legislation defines unacceptable attire for women as revealing or tight clothing, or clothing that shows parts of the body lower than the neck or above the ankles or above the forearms.

However, mens attire should be just revealing clothing that exposes body parts below the chest, above the ankles, or the shoulders.

This development follows protests that erupted a year ago following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. The morality police detained her for allegedly violating hijab regulations. Amini passed away under suspicious circumstances in a Tehran hospital. The Guidance Patrol, Irans government religious morality police, had arrested her for purportedly not wearing the hijab in accordance with government standards.
In the race for the next US presidential candidate from the Republican party, former President Donald Trump maintains a commanding lead, followed by Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump has 39 percent chances with GOP primary voters in New Hampshire supporting him. This information comes from a recent CNN/University of New Hampshire poll.

After Trump, Indian American candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is emerging as a strong contender and currently holds the second position with 13 percent of the vote share. Following closely behind Ramaswamy is former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who commands 12 percent of the vote.

Interestingly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was previously seen as Trumps primary rival, has experienced a significant drop in support, now standing at 10 percent. He faces competition from three rising candidates: Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who have 13 percent, 12 percent, and 11 percent support, respectively. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott holds 6 percent in the poll, while former Vice President Mike Pence has 2 percent. No other candidate surpasses 1 percent.

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In a notable shift, Ron DeSantis, who was once considered Trumps main competitor, now finds himself in fifth place.

The survey also highlights that a substantial number of voters remain open to changing their minds before the Republican primary scheduled for January next year. Trump supporters appear more resolute in their choices compared to supporters of other candidates. A significant 69 percent of Trump voters in the primary have stated that they have already made up their minds, while only 18 percent of supporters of other candidates have done the same.

Vivek Ramaswamy has drawn attention for his stance on various issues. That includes advocating for changes to the H-1B visa system, which allows skilled foreign workers to work in the US. He has also made headlines for his anti-abortion views, proposals to raise the voting age for Americans, and calls for Ukraine to make concessions to resolve the ongoing conflict.
A news reporter asked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese if he regretted calling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the boss, and Albanese urged him to chill out.

In light of Canadas accusations that the Indian government may have been involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the reporter inquired.

There are significant populations of Punjabi Sikhs in both Australia and Canada.

The reporter was advised by Albanese to cool out a littleWe are in the same place where Bruce Springsteen gave his final performance. I was there and I made the point that he received a really warm welcome from the community, which was made up of a very diverse group of people from the Indian diaspora. Thats all there is to it.

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So, I welcomed Prime Minister Modi to Australia, as I welcome other guests to Australia as well, he added.

The Australian government expressed on Tuesday its serious concern over the charges made by Canada.

Australia notes ongoing inquiries into this subject and is gravely concerned by these claimsWith regard to advancements, we work closely with our partners. Our concerns have been expressed to India at senior levels, according to a representative for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Albanese referred to Modi as the boss in May while the Indian prime minister was visiting Australia. Albanese was speaking at an Indian diaspora community event in Sydney at the time.

Bruce Springsteen was the last performer I watched on this stage, and he did not receive the same ovation Prime Minister Modi has. The Australian Prime Minister had declared that Prime Minister Modi was in charge.

The murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar may have involved the Indian government, according to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday.Nijjar was murdered in June in front of a shrine in British Columbia, Canada.

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Ukraines President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has criticized the United Nations Security Council, describing it as ineffective due to the power of the Russian veto. Speaking at a special Security Council meeting, Zelensky emphasized that the only path to lasting peace is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

Zelenskys address marked a significant moment, as it represented the highest-level direct confrontation over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine within the United Nations.

In the context of the United Nations, veto power is a special privilege held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This privilege allows these nations to block or veto any significant resolution or decision proposed by the Security Council. This means that if any one of these five countries opposes a resolution, it cannot be adopted. It is regardless of the number of affirmative votes from other UN member states.

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The use of the veto power by the permanent members has been a contentious issue within the UN. It can result in deadlock or inaction, particularly when the P5 members disagree on critical global matters.

What does Russian veto mean for the rest?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended Moscows utilization of the veto, asserting its legitimacy. He accused Kyiv and Western nations of selectively adhering to the principles of the 1945 UN Charter. He asserted that they are applying them only when convenient. This exchange sparked a heated discussion within the United Nations.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began with the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. Russian forces launched attacks in various major Ukrainian cities, including Berdyansk, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, and the capital, Kyiv. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed 9,614 deaths in Ukraine as of September 2023. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data

In recent days the Roman Empire has been a trending topic in almost all social networks, in line with a TikTok video in which a young woman said: Girls, you are not aware of how often men think about the Roman Empire. Ask your husband/boyfriend/father/brother, youll be surprised! The women of the (internet) world asked the men around them and, sure enough, they shared their perplexity because apparently the Roman Empire is a thing that men think about very often. Ive been asked to comment on the matter, and I dont even know where to start.

I mean, I dont know where to start without it sounding like a joke: Im on my honeymoon in Italy right now, taking a car trip that has been planned to include two unmissable sites: the battlefields of Lake Trasimeno and Cannae, two of the most famous places where Hannibal defeated the Romans. Friends, I dont live with a man who often thinks about the Roman Empire; I live with a man who often thinks about defeating it.

Many of the men who regularly think about the Roman Empire claim to do so when their mind wanders, when they are on the highway, at the dentists, when they go blank. And thats where Im going. When the chores are done and our inbox has been emptied, when our mind returns to its default setting, my husband thinks about the Roman Empire and I think, wouldnt we be better off with blinds instead of curtains?

The man I live with has very few alpha male traits (its a compliment). He makes the bed and scrubs the dishes, empties the cats litter box and takes out the trash. I am a professional woman with hobbies and with a social life that is, in fact, busier than his. This is not an article about housework or mental load, and as far as I can see, we share the rights and responsibilities in our partnership to a greater or lesser extent. And yet, when my husband gets bored, he googles how big the plain of Cannae was. In case you did not know, the Romans did battle with Hannibal on a plain so that he could not hide his troops, and yet, outnumbered, the guy defeated the Romans in a move that has gone down in the history of military strategy. The plain measures about two kilometers. I know because I saw it yesterday. I spent a while looking at a now cultivated field, and where I saw vines my husband, smiling and bursting with joy, saw a lot of dead Romans. But I dont want to caricature him. Other times, when he gets bored, he looks for information about Napoleons victory at Austerlitz or about Hitlers defeat at Stalingrad. He is a versatile man.

When I get bored, I go to the Ikea website. Or one from another home improvement retailer. Then I write to a friend: hey, where did you get your blinds? Are you happy with them? And I also consult with my mother and my sister. The man I live with spends months without talking to his friends: theyre all at home googling things about the Roman Empire.

Of course, this is something of a caricature. And yet its uncomfortable because it has a lot of truth to it. It is very difficult to write this article without it sounding like a comedy sketch, and I try to say it without pride or prejudice, but I know that there is a grain of truth in it because I am uncomfortable with the image it reflects back to me.

Then I remember Caitlin Morans How to Be a Woman and its insightful observation that men are educated to cultivate a hobby and women are educated to manage a house (and our own body). She gives the example of magazines and remembers the ones her brother read and the ones she read. In magazines aimed at boys, there was talk of cars, video games, sports, Warhammer, and perhaps the Roman Empire: boys were encouraged to have a passion and, sometimes, a skill too. In magazines aimed at girls, they talked about the best sofa if your living room is small, how to tame your hair, which blender was best, and what type of panties will fit your hips better. The sexist sketch writes itself. But it is a sketch that has been ingrained by millennia of cultural history.

I think it would not be enough for him to visit the Ikea website to see if some blinds would be practical for us. I think it would be great if I made up for boredom more often with knowledge and not so much with domesticity. I think it would be nice if there were magazines about video games and manicures, or how the Roman Empire fell and how to renovate your kitchen. I also remember that meme that said carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man, and I look at the man next to me  who has nothing mediocre about him  excited by an empty plain, and I wonder how you deal with those dead times of the day when, instead of thinking about whether you should wash your hair today or tomorrow, you think about defeating an empire.

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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.
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) questions Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young in March 2022 during a House Committee on the Budget hearing on The Presidents Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in the Canon House Office Building in Washington, DC.
Text in which the author defends ideas and reaches conclusions based on his / her interpretation of facts and data

Huaweis new phone demonstrates China can produce cutting-edge hardware despite U.S. restrictions. But the countrys ability to profitably scale its success remains unclear. Lasting victory in the chip war will only be within reach if its companies can live without serious government funding.

The Shenzhen-based company has not explained exactly how seven-nanometer chips ended up in the new Mate 60 Pro smartphone series. However, a teardown by analysts at TechInsights showed the devices Kirin 9000s processors were made in China. The researchers hailed a milestone: their observations suggest Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp produced these without the sophisticated extreme ultraviolet lithography tools of Dutch equipment maker ASML, which Washington has put off limits. Some other components were sourced from non-domestic suppliers, despite U.S. sanctions. All the memory chips appear to come from a legacy range by SK Hynix, even though the company said it has not done business with Huawei since before the rules were introduced.

Gleeful netizens and state media lost no time trumpeting those achievements, while patriotic consumers fueled sales. Huawei is now jacking up shipment targets for the Mate series by 20% to 40 million, local media reported on Tuesday. Analysts estimate deliveries of the Mate 60 Pro could top 5 million this year.

What remains unclear is how accurately SMIC can print designs onto miniscule wafers; any flaw in the famously sensitive technology could decrease the yield of chips. The manufacturer has less experience with this technology than rival TSMC, which has been producing similar products at scale since around 2018. News that the Mate 60 Pro had sold out days after its launch raises the question of whether volumes were capped by the quantity of chips available.

SMIC is already under pressure. The $28 billion company, whose top investors include a state-owned fund, said gross margin halved in the first six months of the year. To keep hitting major milestones, it needs to spend vast sums: research and development costs increased two percentage points from a year earlier to $345 million or 11.4% of revenue, higher than the 8.7% reported by TSMC in its most recent quarter.

State support is generous and may yet grow. SMIC reported $111 million in government grants in the first half, and Beijing is launching a $40 billion fund to generate more cash for the industry. But the pace of progress depends on both how much and how effectively chipmakers invest. Huaweis flashy phones have hogged the limelight: SMICs shrinking margins deserve the same scrutiny.

Huawei started preselling its Mate 60 Pro+ smartphone alongside a new foldable phone in September. The Chinese company started selling its high-end smartphones Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro at the end of August.

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Job Title: Dispatcher (Fresher Jobs)

Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Salary: UGX 39,607,278 /Per Year

Position Number: Kampala-2023-076

About US Embassy:

The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.

Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Peace Corps

Job Summary: Working in the Motor Pool unit of the General Services Office (GSO), the Dispatcher coordinates daily as well as advanced assignments for all drivers to schedule transportation for post personnel and official visitors.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations Management: 65%

Coordinates among users and drivers to meet requests and ensure efficient operations; handles emergency transportation requests as needed.

Arranges work shifts, shuttle and other official trip schedules to meet all transportation needs.

Serves as team leader to provide guidance and direction to chauffeurs on vehicle operations, safety measures, as well as specific instructions on transporting VIPs.

Ensures drivers appearance is presentable, and vehicles are clean and in good operational condition.

Reports any inappropriate behavior and rule violation; ensures compliance with safety regulations.

As back-up to the Motor Pool Supervisor, maintains training records and ensure that each operators training status complies with the Department of State regulations.

Administrative Functions: 20%

Prepares periodic reports on trip scheduling, chauffeurs shift work and

Prepares monthly bills to subscriber agencies.

Assists with motor pool inventory and barcoding.

Coordinates with repair facilities to send vehicles for routine maintenance.

Fleet Management: 15%

Participates in accident investigations.

Analyzes fuel usage and vehicle maintenance data, periodically inspects vehicles, and develops vehicle rotation plans to enhance efficient fleet utilization.

Submits vehicle mishap reports to supervisors within 24 hours; and reports all damage to US Government vehicles or properties, and when citations are issued to drivers.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

The applicants for the United States US Embassy Dispatcher job opportunity should have completed secondary school. Required.

A valid drivers license is required. Strong leadership, technical, and administrative skills.

At least two years of professional driving experience in host country, plus one year motor vehicle dispatcher or fleet management experience is required

Good knowledge of host country traffic laws, vehicle licensing, registration, and procedures.

Detailed knowledge of host country streets, traffic patterns, and commonly visited locations

Basic keyboard skills and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook applications. This may be tested.

Language: English level III (Good working knowledge) Reading/Writing/Speaking is required. This may be tested.

How to Apply:

All those interested in working with the United States Embassy, US Mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 30th September 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Job Title: Psychosocial Counselor (Fresher NGO Jobs)

Organisation: ALIGHT

Duty Station: Kyangwali, Uganda

Salary Scale: UGX 1,900,000  2,000,000 per month

About US:

ALIGHT, formerly the American Refugee Committee (ARC), is an international non-profit, non-sectarian organization that has provided humanitarian assistance and training to millions of beneficiaries over the last 40 years. In 2011, Alight helped nearly 2.5 million people get essential services to regain their health and take back control of their lives. Alight works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to communities of refugees and internally displaced persons in seven countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, including Iraq, Kosovo, and in the Darfur region of Sudan and is currently providing for emergency relief and recovery in Haiti. Alight provides shelter, clean water and sanitation, health care, skills training, microcredit education, protection to help survivors of war and natural disasters to rebuild their lives with dignity, health care, security and self-sufficiency.

Job Summary: The Psychosocial Counselor will be responsible for promoting recovery among refugee and host community children and young people with psychological distress and mental health challenges in line with Inter-Agency Standard Committee guidelines. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting assessment, planning for activity implementation, and monitoring, capacity building of staff and community-based structures on Psychosocial support (PSS) and coordination with other MHPSS partners and colleagues within in provision of quality PSS services for the children, young people and their families while ensuring proper documentation and reporting. Also, he/she will work closely with other sub-sectors like SGBV, legal, community-based services and the community-based structures including Child Friendly Space Facilitators, school clubs and peer to peer support groups leaders at the community level to ensure comprehensive and quality PSS is provided to children experiencing psychological distress and mental disorders like depression, stress, trauma, etc.

The psychological counselor of ALIGHT provides quality psychological care services to refugees and nationals in individual and group sessions at ALIGHT office premises and in the community on outreaches. The PSC operates under the technical supervision of the Clinical psychologist ALIGHT and reports to the Clinical psychologist. The job responsibilities of the psychological counselor of ALIGHT include the following:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibility

Ensuring that the mandate and core values of ALIGHT are always represented and protected in the actions of the psychological counselor of ALIGHT internally and externally while on duty as well as off duty.

Day to day Responsibilities:

Provide comprehensive psychological counseling to refugees and nationals using ALIGHTS MHPSS service provision guides and manuals.

Develop activity-based work plan to guide effective and efficient implementation of planned MHPSS activities.

Support in capacity building of staff and community-based structures on MHPSS including PFA to promote quality provision of MHPSS services.

Monitor regular MHPSS activities being conducted by community-based structures like CFS facilitators, peer to peer support groups, girls and women centers, CPCs, para counsellors, and school clubs and provide additional technical support.

Collaborating closely with other MHPSS partners and ALIGHT sector leads to strengthen referral and timely response.

Ensure MHPSS services are mainstream across ALIGHT protection sub sectors.

Provide psycho-education sessions for clients, their families and community members on a regular basis and as deemed necessary using evidence-based information.

Efficiently and effectively conduct follow assessments to clients who have received MHPSS services for impact analysis of services received.

Carry out awareness raising activities on MHPSS issues young people and adults for appropriate interventions.

Ensure timely and proper documentation (filing, case studies, etc.), information management and reporting on MHPSS activities is done.

Participate in assessment activities and coordination meeting to share information on Alights MHPSS intervention.

Ensure Alights Child Protection and PSEA Policies are observed and demonstrated by the community-based structures working with children in MHPSS activities.

Planning:

Actively participate in the development & submission of the annual, Quarterly, monthly, and weekly workplans and reports timely.

Quality Management:

Provide avenues and channels (formal and informal) that encourage client feedback processes to assess quality of care and service access issues.

Consistently use and apply the procedures and guiding tools of ALIGHTs MHPSS services.

Community empowerment and outreaches:

Develop and implement programs which promote resilience and strengthen positive coping mechanisms within the community, establishment of peer networks, psychosocial support, and social integration.

Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders, camp management and other stakeholders to ensure that the FDSPs receive adequate support at the community level.

Support the community structures in dissemination of relevant information during the Community sensitization forums and meetings.

Help establish and strengthen community-based referral pathway among various services for FDSPs and nationals.

Professional care and growth:

Engage in quality self-care through clinical supervision and debriefings, and other personal self-care activities.

Actively participate in Continuous Learning Sessions (CLS) within ALIGHT.

Any other duties as assigned by the line supervisor.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant must hold a Bachelors degree in Guidance and Counselling, Community Psychology, social work and Social Administration, Adult and Community Education and Development studies.

At least two years of experience performing tasks such as sensitizing communities on MHPSS issues, conducting assessments for MHPSS needs, planning and conducting interventions, referrals, documentation, and reporting.

Previous experience in trauma-based therapies specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Expressive arts, and Play therapy.

Knowledge and experience in Gender Based Violence case management is essential.

Experience working with individuals, families, and groups.

Prior experience working at the community level, with thorough understanding of how to precisely communicate MHPSS issues at local level with cultural considerations.

Fluency in Swahili and ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid license (Class A) are added advantage.

How to Apply:

All candidates should send their applications online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 26th September 2023 at 5:00pm

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Amid growing diplomatic tension between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday reiterated its claim that Ottawas allegations on the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar were politically driven and said the Justin Trudeau government had not shared any specific information with New Delhi.

"We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities against India by individuals based on the Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a press briefing.

The relation between the two countries nosedived earlier this week after Trudeaus allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of the Khalistani separatist in June. New Delhi has 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.

Bagchi said India had asked the western country to reduce its diplomatic strength. Canadian diplomatic presence in India is higher than that of India in Canada; there should be parity of strength and rank equivalence by both sides

Earlier in the day, in a further escalation of the diplomatic war, India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals 'till further notice' amid the diplomatic tussle with authorities in New Delhi citing 'operational reasons' for the suspension.

Bagchi confirmed the move and said the Indian consulate and diplomats in Canada are facing threat from extremist elements.

"You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis, he said.

The spokesperson further remarked that Canada should worry about its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists and for organized crime.

"If you're talking about reputational issues and reputational damage, if there's any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organized crime. And I think that's a country that needs to worry about its international reputation," Bagchi said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the United Nations Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on September 20, 2023.

Ukraines president accused Russia of waging a criminal and unprovoked aggression that undermines all norms of war and the U.N. Charter at a meeting Wednesday of the U.N. Security Council that started with a clash over his speech. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the council that he would not have come if he did not have a proposal to end the 19-month war, starting 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 Zelenskiy and Russias top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, would clash, speak or totally avoid each other. But no confrontation happened because Zelenskiy left the council soon after his address.

The verbal fireworks began at the start of the meeting, before Lavrov arrived, when Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia protested the council presidents decision to allow Zelenskiy to speak ahead of the 15 council members.

He said Albanian President 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 Zelenskiys past as a comedian.

Rama cited the council rule allowing a nonmember to speak first adding, to laughter, that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency, a dig at 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.

Zelenskiy was the next speaker, sitting behind the Ukraine plaque at the Security Councils horseshoe-shaped table in his traditional fatigues.

He called the invasion a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation 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 Zelenskiy went after Russia again for claiming the Soviet Unions 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 has been blocked from taking any action on Ukraine because of Russias virtually certain veto.

Zelenskiy 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.

Zelenskiy 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.

The atmosphere was charged last year when Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba were both at a council meeting during the 2022 General Assembly gathering.

The two foreign ministers did not exchange any words. Lavrov arrived only minutes before his turn to speak and left immediately after. But beforehand, there was tension over the seating arrangement  a placard marking Ukraines seat was moved after Kuleba apparently objected to its placement next to Russias spot.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government marked the symbolic beginning of the new parliament building by amending the Constitution. It picked up the Women's Reservation Bill which reserves one-third of the total seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.

The move is set to change the politics of the country as women will be the largest block among elected representatives to come to the House through this affirmative action. The political parties will be forced to nurture and groom new women leaders to fill up 181 seats in Lok Sabha out of total 543. At 82, the current Lok Sabha has the highest number of elected women members, which makes for around 15 per cent of the total strength.

The actual change, however, will have to wait as the government put a rider that the law will come into force after the delimitation exercise, which is on freeze till 2026. Before the delimitation, a census has to be carried out. As the number of total seats may increase after this exercise, so will the total number of seats for women. The delimitation puts the implementation of women reservation till the 2029 elections, thus taking away some of the sheen off the powerful law, given the high build up before the special session as speculation swirled between early elections to change of countrys name.

History of the bill

The idea to reserve seats for women was first mooted during the Rajiv Gandhi government when it moved bills to reserve one-third seats for women in urban local bodies and panchayats. These could only became law during the P.V. Narasimha Roa government through the 73 and 74th constitutional amendments. The concrete attempt to reserve seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies came in 1996 during the Deve Gowda government when the women representation in Lok Sabha was merely seven percent, and then again in Manmohan Singh government in 2008. The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha in 2010, amid opposition from regional parties which wanted seats reserved for OBC women. The bill lapsed in Lok Sabha as it could not be moved.

With clear majority by its side, Modi government brought the legislation during a special session thus putting its firm stamp on this transformative step. I have been chosen by god for this auspicious step, Modi said in parliament as he talked about women rights. The party has ticked off another promise made in its election manifesto apart from building Ram Temple, doing away with the Triple Talaq and abrogating Article 370.

Emerging from from the successful conduct of the G20 summit, the women reservation legislation gives the BJP an effective campaign slogan of Modi guarantee to espouse the cause of women. Modi government has crafted women as a reliable constituency in the elections, with its several welfare schemes for them, starting from Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ujjwala, to building toilets.

Political experience reveals that women beneficiaries of government schemes tend to override the anti-incumbency otherwise seen during the polls. Various state governments also make women empowerment as their running theme through welfare measures with an eye on votes. The women participation in polls has seen an upswing in the subsequent elections. In 2019, women voters exceeded male voters. Number of women voters has witnessed over 235 per cent increase since the 1971 elections.

However, in terms of women candidates contesting polls, it remained at nine percent in 2019 polls, while it was six per cent in 1999 elections. During the last Lok Sabha, the BJP had given tickets to 53 women candidates, while the Congress to 54. Even among the states, the percentage of women getting elected varied between zero to 14 per cent.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, titled, Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will be in force for 15 years from the day of its commencement, and rotation of the reserved seats will be done during the next round of delimitation exercise.

According to the bill, new sections will be introduced where one-thirds seats shall be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and Delhi assembly.

Demand for sub-quota

Unlike, the last time when rancour marked the debates, all the parties came out in support of the bill, though the Opposition demanded that caste census be done so that provisions be made for reserving seats to women belonging to the OBCs, SC, STs and those belonging to the minority community. Despite raising the demands for quota within quota, parties wanted to be seen on the right side of history as they pledged support. It will be one rare occasion where most of the political parties, including those from the Opposition, had called for bringing the bill, and the debate ranged from who should take claim for the new law.

The Congress and other members of the INDIA alliance hit out the government and questioned the delay in implementation to 2029. Modi government has probably closed the doors of women's reservation till 2029, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The Congress has been pushing for its enactment when the UPA was in power, but owing to opposition from the allies, and lack of numbers the bill could not see the light of the day. Sonia Gandhi made an emotional pitch saying the constitutional amendment to give reservation in local body election was brought by Rajiv Gandhi. I stand here in support of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. From smoke-filled kitchens to flood-lit stadiums, the Indian woman's journey has been a long one. While, supporting the bill in Lok Sabha she pushed for sub-quota for women belonging to SC, ST and OBC communities, and flayed the delay.

They dont want to give reservation to women but this is a panic reaction to counter 26 parties in the INDIA alliance in the 2024 elections. They should bring caste-based census, but they will not. Though they have brought this bill, but people will see through their claims, JDU MP Rajeev Ranjan Singh said. We support the bill. Samajwadi Party which has opposed the bill earlier also looked at the changed scenario as its MP Dimple Yadav supported the bill as even as she demanded that reservation for OBCs, and Muslim women.

BJD MP Pinaki Mishra who had pushed for women's reservation said its actual implementation will be delayed till after the delimitation, moreover, the reservation for Rajya Sabha and legislative council should have been included.

DMK also supported the bill; its MP Kanimozhi stated that no consultative process was followed before bringing the bill even though the government had promised it earlier.

Women and child development minister Smriti Irani recounted the efforts done by Modi government for women empowerment. She claimed that now when the bill is becoming a reality all were trying to claim its as their own.

The last Delimitation Commission in 2008 had set 412 out of the 543 seats as general, while 84 seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes and 47 seats for Scheduled Tribes. Earlier, the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes were 79 and 41 for Scheduled Tribes after 1976 delimitation exercise.

Former Lok Sabha secretary and constitutional expert, PDT Achary said it was unusual for the government to bring the legislation now when its implementation will be frozen till 2026. After the census, the delimitation will be done. If they want to do before they have to bring an amendment and there is no time for next election as it needs a lot of work. So, Lok Sabha in 2024 will not have reservation. This step (bill) has been taken with political considerations. One has to wait for another five years, as one cannot introduce it in middle of the Lok sabha and change the composition of the House. They should have done in next Lok Sabha.

Challenges on ground

But the delimitation exercise comes with another challenge for the government. As the exercise has to be carried on basis of the census and population, the Southern states may stand to lose due to its low population. The government has to make its stand clear as to how delimitation exercise will be conducted otherwise it will increase the north-south divide.

The road to actual implementation is still paved with monumental amount of administrative work. Achary said that the next delimitation will raise the number of seats between 800 to 1,000. It is a massive exercise which takes years. The composition was frozen by Indira Gandhi based on the 1971 census. Otherwise it would have been inequitable for the south. One needs a national vision so that the southern states do not face discrimination.

When the women's reservation finally takes shape, Lok Sabha and state assemblies will see influx of new and larger number of women leaders. This will help increase their participation in policy making and its implementation. Certainly, more women could become claimants to the post of the country's prime minister in the future.






























Tarun Jinaraj, a man accused of killing his wife on Valentine's Day 20 years ago, has once again eluded authorities after jumping his temporary bail. This marks his second escape since evading arrest for 15 years prior to his initial capture in 2008.

Jinaraj, now 47 years old, allegedly strangled his 26-year-old wife, Sajni Krishnan, on April 14, 2003, just three months after their marriage. He committed the heinous act in order to pursue a relationship with his girlfriend from before his marriage. After the murder, Jinaraj managed to successfully assume a new identity, enter into a second marriage, and even settle in Bengaluru with his new wife and their two children.

Authorities finally traced and arrested Jinaraj in 2008 in Bengaluru. However, during his five years in jail, he made several attempts to obtain temporary release on bail. In July of this year, the high court granted him a two-week temporary bail on the grounds that he needed to travel to Bengaluru to access his provident funds.

Under the terms of his bail, Jinaraj was required to keep local police officials informed about his whereabouts in Karnataka and make bi-weekly visits to the nearest police station. However, he took advantage of the situation and absconded once again.

Jinaraj's escape has left authorities puzzled as to how he managed to evade capture for so long and highlights the need for enhanced security measures. The victim's parents, represented by advocate Bhadrish Raju, expressed their disappointment and called for swift action to bring Jinaraj to justice.

The Ahmedabad district court has now issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Jinaraj, and a lookout circular will soon be issued to determine if he has fled the country using a fake identity and passport.
India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals 'till further notice' amid diplomatic tussle between the two G20 countries. Authorities in New Delhi cited 'operational reasons' for the suspension.

This comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory to all Indian nationals in Canada, urging them "to exercise utmost caution."

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said that there are "credible allegations of a potential link" of Indian government and the Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death. Following this, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the head of Indian intelligence in Canada has been expelled as a consequence.

"If proven true this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other," Joly said. "As a consequence, we have expelled a top Indian diplomat."

India has strongly rejected Trudeau's claims as absurd and motivated and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move.

Canada had also approached its allies, including the US, seeking their public condemnation of , 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."
Tensions between India and Canada continue to simmer. With security being a concern, India has suspended processing visas temporarily. South Block has also asked for parity in staff at the Canadian High Commission, paving the way for more diplomats to leave.

We've informed the government of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side, said Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs at a weekly press briefing on Thursday.

The rift has widened over the past few days with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that his government was actively pursuing credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the murder of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In the past 72 hours, India and the Canada have expelled diplomats, and issued travel advisories. But it is the suspension of visas for Canadians, even in third countries, that is likely to be responded by Canadian in a similar fashion that will have the most impact on the relations, with Canada being home to the largest Indian diaspora.

"You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.., said Bagchi.

So far India is dominating the narrative. The allegations made by Trudeau, which he also brought up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 meeting, have not been able to evoke a strong reactions from Canadas allies. It is clear that India has been sharing information with partners. There has been no evidence shared with India so far, Bagchi asserted while India has shared specific information with Canada over terrorists.

Answering a question on reputational damage, Bagchi said, If you're talking about reputational issues and reputational damage, if there's any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a haven for terrorists, for extremists, and organized crime. And I think that's a country that needs to worry about its international reputation.
The Seattle Community Police Commission has recommended the city police chief to relieve from duty and withhold pay for an officer under investigation for joking about and downplaying the death of a 23-year-old Indian student when an overspeeding police car driven by another officer struck her.

Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23 this year. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.



The 21-member commission and its three appointed co-chairs on Wednesday also asked Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz to immediately engage in a workgroup made up of the Community Police Commission (CPC), the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and the Office of Inspector General to address repeated concerns with the culture of policing and police practices at Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Times reported.



Wednesday's letter calls on Diaz to suspend without pay Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), who came under investigation earlier this month after department officials listened to audio from Auderer's body camera during an investigation into the death of Kandula, a student who was struck and killed by a speeding police vehicle in January.



In bodycam footage released last week by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.



Auderer, who was involved in the investigation, can be heard laughing, calling Kandula a regular person and suggesting that the department write a check.



Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway, Auderer said, misstating Kandula's age. She had limited value.



An SPD spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday on the CPC's recommendation, referencing a previous statement about the body-camera video.



The SPOG has said Auderer's statements were taken out of context and that he was mocking lawyers and a legal system that places monetary value on human life.



Auderer also claims he self-reported his comments. However, SPD attorney Rebecca Boatright said an employee reviewing the tape became upset and reported it to their supervisor, who brought it to Boatright's attention. She notified OPA on August 2, according to OPA Director Gino Betts.



Since we only have one side of that conversation and we're told it's been taken out of context, I want to know what is the context that makes that thinking and those words okay? CPC Co-Chair Patricia Hunter said.



This officer spoke when he thought he was in private, not being recorded, CPC Co-Chair Joel Merkel said.



That's what's so alarming, is how comfortable he was in expressing his views when he thought no one was listening.



The CPC firmly believes (Auderer's) statements...are horrifying and raise serious concerns about his attitude toward and interactions with members of the community, and his ability to investigate cases equitably, accurately and without bias and keep the City's residents safe, the CPC letter said.



The comments are having a devastating effect on other SPD officers patrolling the streets.



When something like this happens, it damages years and years of inroads and progress, SPD Officer Mark Mullens told the commission Wednesday. "We have to start all over again."

Kandula from Andhra Pradesh was set to graduate this coming December with a master's degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India.



This month, a federal judge also ruled that SPD had achieved full, sustained and lasting compliance with most of the provisions of a federal settlement agreement intended to transform the agency.



The judge's ruling was a landmark for the city and SPD, and served to essentially end court oversight of police reforms in Seattle, with the exception of two areas: crowd control, including tactics and use of force, and officer accountability.



Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell told media in a press conference Wednesday he cannot comment on Auderer's actions at the advice of legal counsel but shared he believes in the SPD and where they are trying to go.


In the presence of about 5,000 saints and ascetics, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a 108-feet statue of Adiguru Shankaracharya, named Ekatmata ki Pratima (Statue of Oneness), at religious spot Omkareshwar in Khandwa district on Thursday.

Chouhan also performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of an Advait Lok to be constructed at the spot on the Mandhata Hills at a cost of Rs 2,200 crores. The Advait Lok along with the huge statue of Adi Shankaracharya  an eighth century spiritual leader, preacher and scholar and exponent of Advait Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy  is among the most ambitious of the many religious projects announced by the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh.

Most of the projects have been announced during the past year in a run up to the assembly polls scheduled later this year. However, the Adi Shankaracharya statue and Advait Lok projects had been envisaged and announced in February, 2017 by Chouhan during the Narmada Seva Yatra.

The unveiling and foundation stone laying ceremony was originally planned on September 18, but was deferred to Thursday due to heavy rainfall in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan said that the Statue of Oneness will propagate the message of peace and unity across the globe.

Prominent saints including Swami Avadheshanand Giri, Swami Parmatmanand, Swami Swaroopanand and Swami Teerthanand were among the 5,000-odd saints and ascetics who participated in the religious programme involving a lot of rituals. Culture and Tourism Minister Usha Thakur was also present.

As Adi Shankarcharya was born in Kerala, the guests on the occasion were welcome in traditional Kerala style. Traditional dance performances were also held on the ocassion. The chief minister attended some of the rituals along with his wife Sadhna Singh. The couple also served food to the guest saints, ascetics and scholars.

Advait Lok Project

The overall project of Advait Lok of which the Statue of Oneness is a part will be spread on a 11.5 hectare land and is expected to be completed by 2026. This will include a Shankar Sangrahalaya (Museum) and Acharya Shankar International Advait Vendant Institute.

The museum will include a 45-feet high pillar that will highlight 32 incidents of Adi Shankaracharyas life in low relief. The project also includes a guided meditation centre, light and sound show, high-screen theatre, interpretation centre, seven dioramas for true to life presentation of life and works of the Shankaracharya, auto-boat rides on river Narmada, art gallery, traditional dining facilities and a Panchayatan temple.

The Advait Vedant Institute will offer education and research facilities related to the Advait philosophy. The aim is to propagate the Advait Vendant philosophy across the country and the globe. The institute will conduct three-month, six-month short term certificate courses and will be open for all interested persons including professionals apart from students.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Patan of Jabalpur, Congress general secretary in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, Randeep Surjewala said that Congress welcomed the setting up of the statue as Adi Shankaracharya was a centre of faith for everyone.

But only if Shivraj Singh Chouhan could have imbibed the life and teachings of the Shankaracharya. Adi Shankarcharya is the farmer of the state who does not get fair price for the produce; Shankaracharya is also in the form of the one crore unemployed who want means of livelihood; the youth (demonstrating nursing students) who were beaten up and hit by water canon yesterday in Jabalpur also are a form of the Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya is also the name of the tribal brothers and sisters in the state who are constantly facing atrocities in the state, he said.
Mexican journalist and longtime UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan has presented what he claims to be a discovery  two mummified bodies with elongated heads and three fingers on each hand. Images of these enigmatic beings were unveiled in Mexico's Congress and have stirred controversy among scientists and skeptics.

For Maussan, this is a momentous revelation in human history. He firmly believes that these bodies, discovered around 2017 in Peru near the Nazca Lines, are unlike anything known on Earth. He asserts that scientific analysis and study results support the claim that these entities are approximately 1,000 years old and not related to any known Earthly species. Intriguingly, one of them, described as a female, was found to contain eggs inside.

Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao, a respected Peruvian bio-anthropologist, is among the voices of skepticism. She dismisses these claims, citing previous alleged finds that were debunked as frauds. Similar discoveries were once regarded as mutilated mummies of pre-Hispanic children, often combined with animal parts.

David Spergel, former head of Princeton University's astrophysics department, and chair of a NASA report into unidentified anomalous phenomena, insists that samples like these should be made available for testing by the global scientific community.

Maussan, however, is not without controversy. He has previously made claims about remains that were widely criticized. He is also embroiled in a dispute with Peruvian officials over how these specimens left Peru, with questions surrounding their legality.

The testing conducted on these beings is a point of contention. Maussan shared DNA and carbon dating results that he claims support their authenticity. However, a Mexican scientist, at the request of Reuters, reviewed the results and concluded they indicated normal life on Earth. Maussan clarified that the tests were not conducted on the two bodies presented in Mexico to avoid damaging them.

Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez, Director of the Health Sciences Research Institute of the Secretary of the Navy, supports Maussan's claims, stating that based on DNA tests, these beings do not match any known species on Earth.

Radiologist technician prepares to do a CT scan on a tiny body of a specimen, that Mexican journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan says is not related to any known Earthly species, at Noor Clinic, in Huixquilucan, Mexico | Reuters

In contrast, Julieta Fierro, a scientist at Mexico's National Autonomous University's Institute of Astronomy, reviewed Maussan's test results for Reuters and sees less mystery in the data. She argues that the presence of carbon-14 in the samples suggests they are related to brain and skin tissues from different mummies who died at different times. Fierro emphasizes that the results do not indicate the presence of life compounds that do not exist on Earth.

The scientific community remains divided on this extraordinary discovery. Some experts have labeled it unsubstantiated and a hoax. British physics professor Brian Cox has called for independent verification of the specimens to determine their authenticity.

As the world watches with bated breath, the debate rages on. Are these alien corpses the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe, or is this another elaborate hoax in the annals of UFO lore? Only time and further investigation will provide the answers.
The US has urged India to cooperate in any investigation conducted by Canada into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar while brushing off reports that it rebuffed Canada's demand to publicly condemn India.

Stating that the White House was "deeply concerned" about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the murder of Nijjar, national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that India should cooperate in any investigation. "We are deeply concerned. We encourage India to fully cooperate," he said.



Kirby said reports that the US rejected or brushed off Canada's allegations were untrue. "There's been some press speculation out there ... that the US 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 accusation, Canada had asked its closest allies, including the US, to publicly condemn the Sikh separatist leader's killing, but the requests were turned down.



However, despite Washington's clarification, regional analysts believe that Canada has been "severely outgunned diplomatically" in this regard since India is being wooed by Western countries as a counterweight to China.



"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 told Reuters. "This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries," she added.



That its Western allies did not make the noise it desired about the incident though Ottawa had already been discussing the matter with the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, attests to the fact. The UK has refused to publicly criticise India and said bilateral trade talks will continue as planned. A statement from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly too did not mention India by name.



"Britain is in a difficult position, caught between supporting Canada and antagonising India, a country it wants as a trading partner and ally to help confront China," 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. A free trade deal would be a "major political win" for both India and Britain," Bajpaee told Reuters.



"Our Five Eyes partners are understandably reluctant to 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.



Analysts think bringing solid evidence could make some changes, but Canada's options now are limited.



With the current trade volume with India and the number of Indian students heading to Canada, a long-running spat could potentially impact Canada. Jeff Nankivell, president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, told Toronto-based Global News that discord could affect a lot of different economic interests in Canada, both in the higher education institutions and also the local economies where those institutions are located.



"Canada could also impose sanctions targeting sectors or individuals," said John Boscariol, head of the international trade and investment law group at McCarthy Tetrault LLP. "Canada should be very careful in how they do this, to be sure that theyre not shooting their own businesses in the foot," he said.


Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the country is no longer supplying weapons to Ukraine and it is going to focus on strengthening its own defence systems following a row with Ukraine on grain imports.



The Guardian quoted Morawiecki as saying, We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons. Poland was a staunch supporter of Kyiv since the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Poland was one the pioneers to supply weapons to Ukraine and it was also part of a bloc of Western allies, formed to supply weapons to Ukraine. However, Poland clarified that it would fulfil earlier commitments of arms and ammunition supply for Ukraine.

According to reports, Polands ruling far-right party feels that the country is not getting the gratitude it deserves for supporting Ukraine and accepting its refugees.

Morawiecki made the comments during an interview with a private television broadcaster Polsat. The Poland prime minister also talked about military modernisation plans, spurred by Russian aggression in the region.

A government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, appeared to confirm Thursday that Warsaw would not agree to more military aid. He said the country was now only providing supplies of ammunition and armaments that had previously been agreed to, noting that "a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side."

The grain row escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the UN against the import ban. Its alarming to see how some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theatre  making a thriller from the grain. They may seem to play their own role, but in fact, they are helping set the stage to a Moscow actor, The Guardian quoted him as saying.

Following Zelenskyys comments, Warsaw summoned Ukraines ambassador and warned of retaliatory moves.

Poland has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weaponry, including Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets.

Donald Tusk, a top opposition leader, accused Morawiecki and other ruling authorities of a moral and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine in the back politically when they decide to fight on the Ukrainian front, just because it will be profitable for their campaign.

Emotions have been running high after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia last week announced a new ban on Ukrainian grain imports, saying they wanted to protect their farmers from a glut of Ukrainian grain in their markets. The grain lowers prices for local farmers and hurts their livelihood. Kyiv responded with a complaint at the World Trade Organisation against the three countries that sparked even more angry reactions from Poland.

Ukraine was lifting its complaint against Slovakia as the two sides sought a resolution, Slovak authorities said Thursday.

He said a NATO and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine would not be affected. We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

A senior US government official told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the US does not view Morawiecki's statements as a sign of Western unity cracking and expects to see continued leadership from Poland in the effort to help Ukraine.

The official noted that each country that's contributing to Ukraine has its own domestic politics and that's just a reality. Some of these countries are in the middle of election cycles, so they're also in the middle of messaging their publics."The official requested anonymity to brief reporters frankly on the sensitive development.

The German Foreign Ministry said Thursday that "we have taken note of the statement from the Polish side". The ministry added that Ukraine "continues to need our full support". It is important that we in Europe act decisively and in solidarity in this regard. Germany will support Ukraine humanely, politically, economically and with weapons for as long as it needs us, it said.

(With PTI inputs.)
The sensitive evidence recorded by the special presidential panel that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks can only be accessed by MPs for scrutiny, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said on Thursday.



Speaking at the commencement of a two-day debate on the Easter Sunday attacks, Abeywardena said that 87 volumes containing testimonies made at the commission were restricted to be kept at the parliamentary library exclusively for the use of members of parliament.

The opposition had demanded the two-day debate following revelations by UK's Channel 4 early this month that the terror attack was politically manipulated to gain an advantage for the Rajapaksas family, then in the opposition. Channel 4 accused the current chief of state intelligence of organising the attack in cohort with the jihadi group.

Abeywardena said that the panel report was tabled in parliament on February 25, 2022. As per the secretary to the president's notice, 87 volumes containing testimonies made at the commission were restricted to be kept at the parliamentary library exclusively for the use of members of parliament, Abeywardena said. He described it as a move to restrict and protect the identities of witnesses.

He said he was making the statement in response to the speculations made in the press about the motive of restricting public access to testimonies.

The panel was appointed by the president at the time of the attack Maithripala Sirisena. The panel found him guilty of criminal negligence for his inability to prevent the attack despite the availability of prior intelligence.

Later, Sirisena was ordered to pay heavy compensation to the kith of the victims in response to fundamental rights petitions filed by them. The government has come under fire for its continuation with some of the high-ranking security personnel at the time who have been charged with criminal negligence.

Nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ), linked to ISIS, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.

The head of the Catholic minority Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has alleged that all investigations thus far have been political cover-ups.
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 governments 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 Israels 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 Netanyahus 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.

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.

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.

Despite the cordiality between the two leaders, the Manhattan setting and Bidens past misgivings about Netanyahus restructuring of the courts were signs of the strains in the alliance.

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 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.

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 Israels 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.

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Back in August, during the first 2024 Republican presidential primary debate that frontrunner Donald Trump opted to skip, Vivek Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old biotech investor and political rookie, emerged as the central figure, much to the chagrin of other much-experienced candidates.

His towering presence on stage quickly earned the wrath of his competitors who shifted their focus from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Ramaswamy. When former New Jersey governor Chris Christie equated him to ChatGPT, Ramaswamy suggested that the former New Jersey governor seemed to be auditioning for a show on MSNBC, a big slight for hardcore Republicans. He taunted Nikki Haley, who advocated continued American support for Ukraine, by saying that she was eyeing lucrative positions with defence contractors who wanted to prolong the war.



The 38-year-old biotech investor, a self-made billionaire and a self-proclaimed 'anti-woke warrior, has since come a long way, attracting a great deal of grassroots support. According to CNN, Ramaswamy now is next to Trump with 13 per cent support, closely followed by Haley at 12 per cent and Christie at 11 per cent. Ramaswamy's base is more among those who are not registered Republicans and younger likely voters.

With the second Republican primary debate a week away, which Ramaswamy seems to have already qualified, the Indian-American presidential candidate could be at the receiving end of another barrage of attacks from fellow competitors.



Born and raised in Ohio to parents who emigrated from India, Ramaswamy has openly taken a nationalistic stance and claims he will "unapologetically embrace and advance the ideals that this nation was founded on". His positions on burning issues like the Ukraine war, and relations with China and the FBI (that it should be abolished) have found him favour within the GOP support base.



On the Ukraine war, he believes the West should strike a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "What I think we need to do is end the Ukraine war on peaceful terms that, yes, do make some major concessions to Russia, including freezing those current lines of control in a Korean-war style armistice agreement," he told ABC News in June.



With regard to China, Ramaswamy is going for "economic independence" from Beijing, which many say is bad news for the U.S. support for Taiwan.



Another controversial stance of Ramaswamy, which will directly impact Indians, is his idea of gutting the H-1B visa system, the one used by employers to hire skilled foreign workers in the US. He believes it is "a form of indentured servitude that only accrues to the benefit of the company," and that it needs to be replaced by "meritocratic admission".



Ramaswamy was criticised for these comments, particularly because he used the same programme to hire workers for his pharmaceutical company, Roivant Sciences.

A large share of these H-1B work permits issued each year goes to Indian residents and the companies and Indians reportedly made up to 73% of the 4.42 lakh H-1B workers in the 2022 fiscal year.



But that notwithstanding, Ramaswamy bats for a better relationship with India as a means to declare "independence from that Chinese relationship." He wants a stronger strategic relationship with India, including even a military relationship in the Andaman Sea.



Ramaswamy has also been vocal about his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and never shied away from flaunting his Hindu faith. "I was raised in a belief system where there is one true God who empowers each of us with our own capacities," he said. "As we say in the Hindu tradition, God resides in each one of us. In the Christian tradition, you say were all made in the image of God," Ramaswamy told voters during a campaign trail.



Born in Cincinnati as the child of immigrants from Kerala, Ramaswamy grew up speaking Tamil at home with his religious parents who performed pujas. His relatives in Vadakkanchery in the Thrissur district fondly remember Ramaswamy flying down to spend holidays with relatives. The last time he came down was in 2018 with his wife Apoorva and their two children.



While it is a fact that Ramaswamy is having his moment now, many have endorsed the idea that Trump picks him as the running mate. But, Ramaswamy has so far said that he is "not interested in a different position in the government." "I'm not looking at this as building my own career," he added.



That said, a section of US media believe Ramaswamy is Trump's heir apparent. "He's had tremendous success so far going from ... zero point zero in the polls to the third place, or in some polls, second place," GOP strategist Dave Carney was quoted by NPR.



"Half of the vote is still available to non-Trump voters and Ramaswamy is "taking up oxygen" right now. He is dominating a lot of conversation, non-Trump conversation," Carney said. "So it makes it more difficult for anyone else to get their message out."


Ahmedabad, Sep 21 (PTI) Kraft Heinz, the world's fifth largest food company, has launched its first global capacity centre in the country in Ahmedabad, a Gujarat government release said on Thursday.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Gujarat government, the US-headquartered company will hire nearly 1,800 professionals over the next three years as part of their expansion plans in the state, the release said on Thursday.

The facility, which was launched in Ahmedabad on Thursday is Kraft Heinz's first global capacity centre in India, said the release.

The MoU between the company and the state government was signed in Gandhinagar in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Industries Minister Balwantsinh Rajput.

During his interaction with Patel, Kraft Heinz Global Head of Business Services Serge De Vos said after initial discussions, the company decided to set up their first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in the state within six months and has signed the MoU for more employment and investment.

"This centre is the latest step in a major transformation of Kraft Heinz. The company is expanding its technological capabilities through partnerships with tech giants and cutting-edge innovators," Vos said, as per the release.

He added that Ahmedabad city's strategic location, strong infrastructure and skilled talent pool make it an ideal choice for the company's ambitious target in IT, analytics, global business services, finance and supply chain.

The GCC is a dedicated facility established to centralise and enhance specific business functions, such as IT, finance, GBS and supply chain, said the release, adding that it will focus on operational efficiency, innovation by leveraging local talent and resources.

Patel said the state government's 'Gujarat IT/ITeS Policy 2022-27', launched last year to create a strong policy formulation and ease of doing business ecosystem, has been well received by investors, the release said.

He added that 17 MoUs under this policy have been signed so far by the state's science and technology department for creating 29,000 new employment opportunities in the state. PTI PJT PD







The facility commenced today in Ahmedabad is Kraft Heinz's first global capacity centre in India, said the release. TRB

TRB
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 21: A central delegation from the Ayurveda Federation of India (AFI), a prominent unit of the Ayurveda Science Forum registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, held a crucial meeting with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.







The primary purpose of this significant meeting was to propose the incorporation of Ayurvedic treatments into the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay State Employees Cashless Medical Scheme.



Leading the AFI delegation was Acharya Manish Ji, the distinguished founding patron of the organization and the visionary behind Jeena Sikho Lifecare Limited.



Acharya Manish Ji articulated that the inclusion of Ayurvedic treatment facilities within these schemes could potentially benefit the entire population of Uttar Pradesh, which exceeds 27 crores. Ayurveda offers numerous effective medical methodologies, such as Panchakarma (a process for eliminating toxins from the body) and Ksharsutra (a surgical approach for diseases related to the rectum). These methods are not only safe but also cost-effective, providing immediate and lasting relief from various ailments.



It is imperative to underline that the Ayurveda Federation of India represents a collective of over 15 lakh Ayurveda stakeholders, including Vaidyas/Doctors, students, Panchakarma therapists, nurses, pharmacists, clinic assistants, pharma companies, Ayurveda colleges, principals, and more. As a Central Government-recognized Ayurveda Science Forum, AFI stands as the sole representative organization of its kind. Established just two years ago by leading physicians in the country, with Ayurvedacharya Dr. Abhishek serving as the main founder, the organization is committed to advancing Ayurveda as a global healthcare system and addressing the myriad challenges faced by millions of Ayurveda stakeholders.



The Ayurveda Federation of India looks forward to constructive collaboration with the government of Uttar Pradesh and believes that the integration of Ayurvedic healthcare into these schemes will usher in a new era of holistic well-being for the state's residents.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
CHENNAI, India, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a remarkable achievement, 4i apps has earned prestigious recognition at the Oracle Cloud Partner Awards 2023. Our outstanding performance in the "Customer Success Partner of the Year - Cloud/Technology" category has positioned 4i as a leader in the Oracle Cloud ecosystem.



4i apps was honoured with this prestigious award ceremony held at Oracle Cloud World on 17th September 2023 in Las Vegas, USA. This award holds exceptional value as it signifies our selection from a distinguished lineup of Oracle Partners across the globe. The award was presented to 4i apps team by the Oracle in presence of numerous other esteemed organizations.

The Oracle Cloud Partner Awards provide a distinguished platform for acknowledging excellence and innovation in cloud technology spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Amidst fierce competition, 4i apps emerged as a trailblazer, showcasing its unwavering dedication to customer success and groundbreaking technological solutions.



"This recognition in the Oracle Cloud Partner Awards 2023 is a monumental achievement and a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of our team," said Mr. Kathiresh Kumar N, Chief Marketing Officer at 4i apps.



As an Oracle Cloud Partner Awards winner, 4i apps continues to lead the charge in digital transformation, aiding organizations in unlocking the full potential of Oracle Cloud solutions. This recognition reaffirms the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and ensuring customer triumph.



4i apps is a fast-growing global Oracle Cloud partner, having enabled 1000+ organizations on Oracle cloud solutions. With operations spanning over 15 years, 4i apps has established as the preferred the digital transformation partner for many public and private sector organizations. 4i has over 700 very capable and competent consultants and have successfully implemented and delivered solutions across geographies. Our offices are in India, UAE, Oman, Qatar, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia.



Our major services are Oracle Cloud (SAAS/PAAS/IAAS), Oracle Fusion, Oracle EBS, Oracle Apex, Oracle Primavera, and Oracle Technology. We have wide range of clients covering industries like real estate/construction, manufacturing, financial, healthcare, technology, energy/utilities, education, and transportation.



Everest Group has recognized 4i apps as an Aspirant in Oracle Cloud Applications (OCA) Services, PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 & 2023  Global.



4i apps recognized as Contender in ISG Provider LensTM Oracle Ecosystem Implementation and Integration Services  U.S. 2022.



Media Contact:



Premkumar R

+971 58 957 4520

Premkumar.r@4iapps.com



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216147/4iappssolutions.jpg



(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
Noida, Sep 21 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said that investment opportunities have been created and infrastructure has improved in Uttar Pradesh in the last six to seven years.

She was speaking after inaugurating the first edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in Greater Noida in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"I feel happy to come here and extend my best wishes to the participants of the UP International Trade Show. The efforts to bring the UP products to the international market are highly appreciated," Murmu said.

She noted that investment opportunities have been created and infrastructure improved in Uttar Pradesh in the last six to seven years. Uttar Pradesh is a fast-growing economy in the country.

"India is the fifth largest economy in the world and will soon become third. Uttar Pradesh has a major contribution to it," Murmu said.

Over 2,000 exhibitors are displaying their products at the event to showcase prosperous Uttar Pradesh to the world.

Guests, entrepreneurs and exporters from various countries will participate in the programme where over two lakh visitors are expected. Entry for the general public is free from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Security was stepped up across the Gautam Buddh Nagar district, adjoining Delhi, with the deployment of around 8,000 police personnel and a dozen companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the paramilitary forces. Around 1,300 police personnel are deployed on traffic-related duty for the five-day show, a senior official said.

The police also appealed to the general public to avoid the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway between 2 pm and 8 pm and follow its traffic advisory.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kulkarni told PTI that around 8,000 policemen and women, apart from 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the paramilitary forces, are on duty during the trade show.

"Quick response teams are deployed at major security points. We have deployment on rooftops also, there will be CCTV monitoring as well," Kulkarni said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumar Yadav said around 1,300 personnel are deployed for traffic-related duties.

"We have issued traffic advisories over the last few days for the UP ITS so that people could avoid inconvenience due to diversions and restrictions. For today, we have urged the public to avoid the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway between 2 pm and 8 pm," Yadav said.

Through the UP ITS, exhibitors will showcase their products to entrepreneurs and exporters. The products will cover diverse sectors like healthcare, food processing, pharmaceuticals, dairy, electronics and e-commerce, the state government said.

Various departments of the Uttar Pradesh government will showcase the state's potential and development roadmap through their stalls, it added.

"This event underscores the Yogi Adityanath government's commitment to achieving the goal of transforming the state into a one-trillion-dollar economy. The UP International Trade Show is envisioned as a regular fair that will uniquely promote small, medium, and large enterprises from Uttar Pradesh," it added.
Washington, Sep 21 (PTI) Dr Swati Nayak, an Indian scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has been named the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Norman E Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, with the World Food Prize Foundation describing her as an "outstanding young scientist."

Nayak is the South Asia Lead for Seed System and Product Management at the IRRI in New Delhi.

Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the award recognises Nayak for her innovative approach to engaging smallholder farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to equitable access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties, a release from the World Food Prize Foundation said in a tweet on platform X on Wednesday.

The award is given to exceptional scientists under 40 and someone who works in the field of food and nutrition security, hunger eradication in memory of the Nobel awardee and Green Revolutions chief architect Dr Norman Borlaug.

Based in Delhi, the scientist from Odisha, Nayak will formally receive the Borlaug Field Award during a ceremony at the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue October 24-26 in Des Moines, Iowa (US), the release said.

"This moment is a new beginning and a great opportunity to further strengthen my efforts, voice and impact as a field scientist, said Nayak. I look forward to working relentlessly, and ensuring that novel technologies, knowledge and resources reach the farmers faster, while ensuring equity and inclusivity. I am deeply grateful to the World Food Prize Foundation for this honor which echoes our joint pledge to build a resilient food system and a better world for all.

Nayak received a Ph.D. in Competitive Intelligence & Strategic Management for Agricultural Extension Management Strategy at Amity University (2017-2022), a Master in Rural Management at the Institute of Rural Management Anand (2008-2010) and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University (2003-2007).

Nayak dedicated herself to closing the gap between scientific knowledge and its practical applications for farmers and her grassroots experience paved the way for her to be appointed to lead the first-ever dedicated initiative for women farmers approved by the Indian cabinet, the release said.

She crafted a comprehensive blueprint for the programme, collaborating with 10 Indian states to establish a national programme from scratch. Her work laid the foundation for the programme to benefit four million women farmers to date, it added.

"Dr Swati Nayak is an outstanding young scientist who exhibits the traits underlying Norman Borlaugs success, said Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. Together with her team, she created innovative, participatory solutions to the daunting challenge of feeding and nourishing a rapidly growing global population amid climate change, through the rapid scaling up of improved rice varieties, seed systems innovations, and climate-smart technologies around the world.

Nayak, who had joined the IRRI in 2013, has provided pivotal leadership in numerous global flagship programs on rice and rice-based food systems. She is also the Global Lead for Rice and Co-lead for Cereal Seed Systems under the key initiative SeedEqual of CGIAR, a worldwide research partnership focused on agricultural food systems, the release pointed out.

Nayak has organised more than 10,000 extensive on-farm tests for more than 500 rice varieties, working with thousands of smallholder farmers for these meticulously run trials across diverse ecosystems in different countries across Asia and Africa. From this massive effort, she disseminated more than 20 promising climate-resilient and bio-fortified rice varieties, the World Food Prize Foundation said.

Meanwhile, in India, after the award was announced to Nayak, she was congratulated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lala, and Union Cabinet Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha.

"Many congratulations to Indian scientist Dr. Swati Nayak for receiving the prestigious Norman Borlaug Field Award 2023 @WorldFoodPrize. Compliment her work using tech to bring tangible benefits to farmers, and promoting sustainable agriculture," Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu posted on X.
Lahore, Sept 21 (PTI) Pakistan's former premier Nawaz Sharif's return from London next month, ending his almost four-year exile, is possibly in question as the corruption cases against him have been restored after the Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments made to the country's anti-graft laws, a senior leader of PML-N said on Thursday.

Recently, Pakistan's Supreme Court scrapped the new amendments to the country's anti-graft laws, restoring corruption cases against ex-premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi including former president Asif Ali Zardari.

In light of the Supreme Courts striking down the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendments, Nawaz Sharif's party PML-N thinks that these may cause some legal implications for him ahead of his planned return.

Sharif, 73, who is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21 will face all cases in respect of the courts.

A senior PML-N leader told PTI on Thursday that the party supremo Nawaz Sharif, wants a 'protective bail' in NAB's Chaudhry Sugar Mills corruption case.

"Nawaz Sharif also does not want to surrender in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was convicted for seven years and was serving the term at Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore before his departure to London," he said.

The leader further said that Sharif wants certain guarantees in this regard before he gets his ticket booked for Lahore.

There is speculation that the new Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa is not willing to give any guarantee in the Nawaz cases, crushing the hopes of his daughter and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz that the judiciary will uphold justice.

Sharif has been living in London since 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment, which may see the restoration of a Toshakhana case against him.

In 2020, an accountability court declared him a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles case.

He is also accused of obtaining luxury cars from the treasury house by paying just 15 per cent of the price of these vehicles.

Sharif was also convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018.

He was serving a seven-year imprisonment at Lahores Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Mills case before he was allowed to proceed to London in 2019 on "medical grounds".

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also submitted a record of graft cases to accountability courts, asking them to reopen corruption cases involving amounts less than Rs 500 million, the Dawn newspaper reported on Thursday.

According to the PML-N, on arrival to Lahore on October 21, a rally will be held at Minar-e-Pakistan to give Nawaz a rousing welcome.

Maryam Nawaz has asked the party men to gather one million people at Minar-e-Pakistan for the historic welcome of Nawaz.

Jailed premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has alleged that Nawaz Sharif is returning to Pakistan under a deal with the military establishment.

The PML-N has nominated Nawaz Sharif as the party candidate for the slot of prime minister for the fourth time in the upcoming general elections scheduled to take place in the last week of January 2024.
Seattle, Sep 21 (PTI) The Seattle Community Police Commission has recommended the city police chief to relieve from duty and withhold pay for an officer under investigation for joking about and downplaying the death of a 23-year-old Indian student when an overspeeding police car driven by another officer struck her.

Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave when she was crossing a street on January 23 this year. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call.

The 21-member commission and its three appointed co-chairs on Wednesday also asked Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz to immediately engage in a workgroup made up of the Community Police Commission (CPC), the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) and the Office of Inspector General to address repeated concerns with the culture of policing and police practices at Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Times reported.

Wednesdays letter calls on Diaz to suspend without pay Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), who came under investigation earlier this month after department officials listened to audio from Auderers body camera during an investigation into the death of Kandula, a student who was struck and killed by a speeding police vehicle in January.

In bodycam footage released last week by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Auderer laughed about the deadly crash and dismissed any implication Dave might be at fault or that a criminal investigation was necessary.

Auderer, who was involved in the investigation, can be heard laughing, calling Kandula a regular person and suggesting that the department write a check.

Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway, Auderer said, misstating Kandulas age. She had limited value.

An SPD spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday on the CPCs recommendation, referencing a previous statement about the body-camera video.

The SPOG has said Auderers statements were taken out of context and that he was mocking lawyers and a legal system that places monetary value on human life.

Auderer also claims he self-reported his comments. However, SPD attorney Rebecca Boatright said an employee reviewing the tape became upset and reported it to their supervisor, who brought it to Boatrights attention. She notified OPA on August 2, according to OPA Director Gino Betts.

Since we only have one side of that conversation and were told its been taken out of context, I want to know what is the context that makes that thinking and those words okay? CPC Co-Chair Patricia Hunter was quoted as saying by KOMO TV.

This officer spoke when he thought he was in private, not being recorded, CPC Co-Chair Joel Merkel said.

Thats whats so alarming, is how comfortable he was in expressing his views when he thought no one was listening.

The CPC firmly believes (Auderers) statements...are horrifying and raise serious concerns about his attitude toward and interactions with members of the community, and his ability to investigate cases equitably, accurately and without bias and keep the Citys residents safe, the CPC letter said.

The comments are having a devastating effect on other SPD officers patrolling the streets.

When something like this happens, it damages years and years of inroads and progress, SPD Officer Mark Mullens told the commission Wednesday.

We have to start all over again.

Kandula from Andhra Pradesh was set to graduate this coming December with a masters degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University. Her family said she was working toward supporting her mother in India.

This month, a federal judge also ruled that SPD had achieved full, sustained and lasting compliance with most of the provisions of a federal settlement agreement intended to transform the agency.

The judges ruling was a landmark for the city and SPD, and served to essentially end court oversight of police reforms in Seattle, with the exception of two areas: crowd control, including tactics and use of force, and officer accountability.

Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell told media in a press conference Wednesday he cannot comment on Auderers actions at the advice of legal counsel but shared he believes in the SPD and where they are trying to go.
*Police officer should be put on unpaid leave for comments about Indian student's death in Seattle: Police Commission.



South African President Cyril Ramaphosa slams nations for engaging in warfare rather than meeting the basic needs of global community.



South Korean leader warns Russia against weapons collaboration with the North.



Stories related to political developments in Pakistan.*
Warsaw (Poland), Sep 21 (AP) Poland's prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighbouring states escalates.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in an interview late on Wednesday that Poland is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine. He made the comment as his populist party faces pressure from a far-right party in a national election on October 15.

The far-right party, Confederation, says Poland is not getting the gratitude it deserves for arming Ukraine and accepting its refugees.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because now we will arm ourselves with the most modern weapons," Morawiecki said in an interview on Polsat, a private television broadcaster. The prime minister then spoke of a military modernisation plan underway, spurred by fears of Russian aggression in the region.

A government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, appeared to confirm Thursday that Warsaw would not agree to more military aid.

He said the country was now only providing supplies of ammunition and armaments that had previously been agreed to, noting that "a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side."

Poland has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weaponry, including Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets.

A leading security and defense expert, Michal Baranowski, said that Poland gave most of what it could give earlier in the war, and with no plans for shipments of major equipment soon he doesn't see a threat to Ukraine's capabilities in the near term.

Still, he considers the comments as troubling for Ukraine as its seeks to maintain Western support in the war unleashed by Russia.

The message is very bad, both for Poland's reputation but also because Poland has been one of the chief advocates of military aid to Ukraine. Saying Poland will not be sending more weapons means that Poland can no longer play this role," said Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, part of the German Marshall Fund think tank.

He said Poland's attempt to show toughness toward Kyiv should be understood in the context of the election campaign.

In response to Morawiecki saying Poland would now focus on modernising its own forces, Baranowski noted that Poland is capable of both modernising its military and continuing to help Ukraine.

Donald Tusk, a top opposition leader, accused Morawiecki and other ruling authorities of a moral and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine in the back politically when they decide to fight on the Ukrainian front, just because it will be profitable for their campaign.

Emotions have been running high after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia last week announced a new ban on Ukrainian grain imports, saying they wanted to protect their farmers from a glut of Ukrainian grain in their markets.

The grain lowers prices for local farmers and hurts their livelihood. Kyiv responded with a complaint at the World Trade Organisation against the three countries that sparked even more angry reactions from Poland.

Polish and Ukrainian agriculture ministers said Thursday they were working to resolve the situation in a way that takes the interests of both countries into account. Meanwhile, Ukraine was lifting its complaint against Slovakia as the two sides sought a resolution, Slovak authorities said Thursday.

At the United Nations on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that the countries opposing Ukraine on grain were in fact working on Russia's behalf. Poland urgently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to complain on Wednesday.

Morawiecki in the Polsat interview said that Poland would not take steps to threaten Ukraine's security.

He said a NATO and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine would not be affected. We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

A senior US government official told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the United States does not view Morawiecki's statements as a sign of Western unity cracking and expects to see continued leadership from Poland in the effort to help Ukraine.

The official noted that each country that's contributing to Ukraine has its own domestic politics and that's just a reality. Some of these countries are in the middle of election cycles, so they're also in the middle of messaging their publics."

The official requested anonymity to speak to reporters on the subject.

The German Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that we have taken note of the statement from the Polish side.

The ministry added that Ukraine continues to need our full support. It is important that we in Europe act decisively and in solidarity in this regard. Germany will support Ukraine humanitarianly, politically, economically and with weapons for as long as it needs us. (AP) FZH
The anguish of imminent death, explains the French lawyer Frederic Bibal, is the feeling of dread experienced by the victim who  between the moment they suffered the attack or aggression and the moment of death  has become aware of the ineluctable nature of their own end. This is a bureaucratic way of describing the absolute terror that comes with the certainty of a violent end.

In the hearings for the Camargo case in Mexico  which should come to an end this week  it has been difficult not to think about this notion of terror. This anguish symbolizes the doubts that come with a drawn-out legal process but also the doubts that come with an incomplete one.

Last week, a judge sentenced 12 police officers for the murder of 19 people  most of them migrants  in the municipality of Camargo, in northern Mexico. The massacre took place just over two-and-a-half years ago. Its a pioneering sentence: the first case of homicidal violence against migrants that has ended with a conviction in Mexico. Many more pending cases are on the horizon, including the unpunished massacres of San Fernando, a few hundred miles to the south of Camargo, which took place just over a decade ago.

Convictions offer some relief to the families of victims, but they cannot heal the wounds. Questions persist about the dozen other police officers involved  ignored by the authorities  and about how and why the massacre occurred.

Failures in the internet connection at the court have postponed the end of the trial a situation that has been repeated several times in the final stretch of the legal process. Last week, the presiding judge suspended the hearing in which he was going to read his ruling, because there was no wifi.

Of the 12 police officers identified, the judge finally convicted 10 of homicide, abuse of authority and crimes in how they carried out their administrative functions. To another agent, he also added the charge of giving false information in reports. The last one  the collaborating police officer, Ismael Vazquez  was charged with abuse of authority and crimes related to the failure to carry out administrative functions.

This past Tuesday, the hearing was scheduled for the judge to impose the sentences on each of the 12 men, but internet difficulties at the Comprehensive Justice Center in Ciudad Victoria  the capital of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas  prevented this from happening.

The prosecutor has had time, however, to present the judge with the sentences that she considers to be appropriate for those convicted: 969 years in prison for the first 10 officers, 975 for the 11th, and 19 years in jail for police officer Vazquez.

This averages out to about 50 years per officer  the maximum sentence  for each of the 19 murder victims, in addition to more years behind bars for lesser crimes. The prosecutor has requested a significantly-reduced sentence for the repentant police officer, because, without him, the case wouldnt have been able to proceed. These numbers  in any case  are fictitious. The figures serve to calculate the size of the horrors, but they do little else. The Tamaulipas penal code establishes that no one can spend more than 50 years in prison. The session resumed on Wednesday, September 20.

Theres a legal intention to defining the anguish of imminent death. Bibal used the concept a couple of years ago, in the trials for the perpetrators of the Paris terrorist attacks in November of 2015, which left 131 people dead. Those attacks on public places across the French capital  such as the Bataclan Hall, the national stadium and various terraces  resulted in Bibal and his firm calculating reparations for bodily harm. That is, determining how much the life and suffering of those who perished was worth and the suffering of those survived. Dying on the spot isnt the same as being wounded and waiting for the shot, while you listen to the perpetrators, their weapons, their words. Whether you survive or not.

In the Camargo case, however, there were no survivors. 16 Guatemalan citizens were murdered, most of them from the town of Comitancillo, in the southern mountains of the Central American country. A Salvadoran and two Mexicans  alleged to be the people-traffickers  also died. Its possible that more vans were part of the convoy of migrants trying to reach the US-Mexico border at least, this is what several witnesses who lived near the scene of the crime have stated. In any case, if there were more migrants, they continued on their way. All those who remained there died at the hands of police. First, they were shot at. The survivors were then finished off. Finally, the officers burned their bodies.

Following the massacre, one of the questions that the families of the deceased asked themselves was precisely related to the suffering experienced by their loved ones  if they died from the bullets, or if they were still alive when the fire started. The autopsies eased the anguish: everyone was already dead when the flames began to consume the bodies. But the matter didnt end there. The repentant police officer Vazquez pointed out that, after the first attack, his boss  the commander of the special operations group (GOPES) of the Tamaulipas police department, Horacio Rocha Nambo  ordered him to put four women in the trunk of one of the two vehicles that appeared at the scene of the crime. There, Vazquez saw bodies of men all piled up. Some were injured and others were already dead.

At least a quarter of the 19 murder victims were alive after the first attack. They were then piled into a van, before being shot and set on fire. What did they think? Did they know that they were going to be killed, that their bodies were going to be burned, to the point that the bones would break? The families wondered: did they suffer? Did they feel anguish?

Acclaimed novelist Emmanuel Carrere  who covered the Paris trials and wrote a book about the events, V13  remembered the words of French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, while listening to the testimonies of the victims: As soon as you scrutinize the face of a human being, its more difficult to kill him. Did the perpetrators look into the eyes of the fallen, those who were still living?

The Camargo case has been a delicate process: it depended so much on the repentant police officer, that asking him to expand on his statement almost seemed reckless. His words confirmed that the story told by his11 colleagues was a lie  there was no room for other moral questions to be discussed. But the questions exist. And, above all, they point to a bigger question: why did the officers do this?

In Mexico, the reparations that are paid to the victims and the families of victims are measured on an individual basis, depending on the damage caused. The request of the Tamaulipas Prosecutors Office and the State Commission for Assisting Victims is that the figure be 6.1 million pesos per police officer. That is, just over 73 million pesos in total, which would amount to a distribution of about 3.8 million pesos for each family about $220,000. Of course, this is a quick calculation. Its not clear if the judge will accept this figure, or find that the funds should be distributed equally between the affected families.

In any case, amounts like this are important for residents of towns such as Comitancillo, which see its young people journey to the north with around $1,000 or $1,500 in their pockets. The emotional damage to the families is also included in the calculation, although the Commission and the Prosecutors Office havent yet detailed how they have calculated said damage. In this Wednesdays session, the Prosecutors Office will call two experts to testify, who will apparently detail the arithmetic behind the reparations.

In the mountains of southern Guatemala, the events of the last sessions  the conviction, the request for penalties  have reached the families via videoconference. The reactions vary. Alvaro Miranda  the father of Osmar, a boy who was 19-years-old at the time of his death  says: We already know what the sentence is; were waiting for them to say how much each person gets. The question is, why were they executed in this way? It hasnt been cleared up, we dont know only the police were the executors. Was it because they werent paid? We know that the mafia gets paid off. [The court] should have asked the police officers about this.

Mirandas pain  the enormous void of not knowing  collides with Ricardo Garcias satisfaction. His daughter  Santa Cristina  was 20-years-old when she was murdered in Camargo. Im not satisfied with the sentence, because no matter what, my daughter isnt going to return. But I feel happy, proud, because the voice of each family was heard.

I dont want history to repeat itself, he adds. Weve achieved a victory. Not for me, but for the municipality, for the department of San Marcos, for Guatemala and other countries that [see its people] cross the border. What happened to our deceased has no name. It makes me happy that weve achieved justice we dont know how many years [the 12 accused] are going to get, but theyre condemned, theyre going to pay.

Garcia also has a message of peace. Its not that I feel happy because theyre going to be in jail, no. But I feel free. I forgive them for taking my daughters life. Yes, I forgive them. Im human, I need forgiveness too. I forgive you for taking my daughters life. I forgive the 12 [perpetrators]. But they have to pay for what they did. Its a forgiveness thats born in my heart, but at the same time, theyre going to pay for what they did.

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Islamabad, Sep 21 (PTI) Pakistan's accountability watchdog has decided in principle to revive corruption charges against prominent political figures, including ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari after the Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments to anti-graft laws.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted a record of graft cases to accountability the courts, asking them to reopen corruption cases involving amounts less than Rs 500 million, the Dawn newspaper reported on Thursday.

Last week, Pakistan's Supreme Court scrapped the recent amendments to the country's anti-graft laws, restoring corruption cases against public office holders, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The apex court was announcing its reserved decision on jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's plea filed last year, challenging the amendments made to the accountability laws by the then government led by former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Among other things, the amendments limited the jurisdiction of the NAB to cases involving over Rs 500 million.

According to the report, the accountability watchdog wrote to the Federal Investigation Agency, anti-corruption departments in all provinces, banking courts, and the police, asking them to return all cases referred to these departments following the new amendments.

The decision to approach all courts and departments was made in a recent meeting presided over by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt, the report said, quoting a source.

The NAB headquarters has submitted an application before the registrar [of] accountability court Islamabad for [the] reopening of closed cases, the source said, adding that all regional headquarters of the accountability watchdog have also approached regional accountability courts for the purpose.

The report said that the accountability courts had returned white-collar crime cases involving less than Rs 500 million to the watchdog after the new amendments.

The restoration of the old law has reopened cases of several politicians, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shaukat Aziz.

Nawaz Sharif, 73, who is set to return on October 21, ending his self-exile in London, where the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has lived since 2019, may see the restoration of a Toshakhana case.

In 2020, an accountability court declared him a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference. Zardari, 68, and Gilani, 71, are also accused in the same case.

In the case, the NAB accused Nawaz Sharif and Zardari of illegally retaining expensive vehicles gifted to them by various foreign countries and dignitaries instead of depositing them in the Toshakhana. According to the country's top anti-corruption body, Gilani, during his tenure as Prime Minister, facilitated Zardari in retaining the vehicles.

Abbasi may face the LNG terminal case, while Ashraf will face the rental power corruption case.

Other bigwigs whose cases have been reopened are former federal ministers Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Kh Asif, Rana Sanaullah, ex-chief minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz, Faryal Talpur, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Javed Latif, Akrum Durrani, Saleem Mandviwalla, according to the report.

They all benefited under the new law as the trial of those accused with less than Rs 500 million of alleged corruption was stopped.

The NAB is expected to submit the record of all cases to the court in the next two days in order to resume hearings, Economy.pk news portal reported.

The coalition government had made several changes in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance of 1999 through the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022, which Khan challenged in June last year.

These included reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting the anti-graft watchdog's jurisdiction to cases involving over Rs 500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to the relevant authorities.

After prolonged proceedings spanning over 53 hearings, the court concluded the case on September 5 and reserved its judgment, which was declared just a day ahead of the retirement of then-Chief Justice Bandial.
Warsaw, Sep 21 (AP) Poland's prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighboring states escalates.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in an interview late on Wednesday that Poland is no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine.

He made the comment as his populist party faces pressure from a far-right party in a national election on October 15. The far-right party, Confederation, says Poland is not getting the gratitude it deserves for arming Ukraine and accepting its refugees.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons," Morawiecki said in an interview on Polsat, a private television broadcaster. He did not elaborate or explain if and how the two actions were mutually exclusive.

The prime minister then spoke of a military modernisation plan underway, spurred by fears of Russian aggression in the region.

A government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, said on Thursday the country was now only providing supplies of ammunition and armaments that had previously been agreed to, noting that "a series of absolutely unacceptable statements and diplomatic gestures appeared on the Ukrainian side."

Poland has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weaponry, including Leopard 2 tanks and Soviet-era MiG fighter jets. Poles are still largely in favour of Ukraine, believing their nation would be vulnerable if Russia were to prevail just across the border. But there is also a growing weariness in society with the large numbers of refugees.

The Polish-Ukrainian spat comes as Ukraine forces are making slow progress breaking through Russian battle lines in a counteroffensive that has not moved as quickly or as well as initially hoped. Kyiv's leaders are lobbying for a new round of advanced weapons, including longer range missiles.

US Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last weekend that there is a continued need for more weapons and equipment in Ukraine and that allies and partners are looking for ways to address that.

But some US voters are beginning to tire of helping Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington this week as Republican leaders in Congress diverge on how to send more military and humanitarian aid to the country.

A leading security and defense expert, Michal Baranowski, said that Poland gave most of what it could give earlier in the war, and with no plans for shipments of major equipment soon he doesn't see a threat to Ukraine's capabilities in the near term. Still, he considers the comments as troubling for Ukraine as its seeks to maintain Western support in the war unleashed by Russia.

The message is very bad, both for Poland's reputation but also because Poland has been one of the chief advocates of military aid to Ukraine. Saying Poland will not be sending more weapons means that Poland can no longer play this role," said Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, part of the German Marshall Fund think tank.

He said Poland's attempt to show toughness toward Kyiv should be understood in the context of the election campaign. In response to Morawiecki saying Poland would now focus on modernizing its own forces, Baranowski noted that Poland is capable of both modernizing its military and continuing to help Ukraine.

Donald Tusk, a top opposition leader, accused Morawiecki and other ruling authorities of a moral and geopolitical scandal of stabbing Ukraine in the back politically when they decide to fight on the Ukrainian front, just because it will be profitable for their campaign.

Emotions have been running high after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia last week announced a new ban on Ukrainian grain imports, saying they wanted to protect their farmers from a glut of Ukrainian grain in their markets. The grain lowers prices for local farmers and hurts their livelihood. Kyiv responded with a complaint at the World Trade Organisation against the three countries that sparked even more angry reactions from Poland.

Polish and Ukrainian agriculture ministers said on Thursday they were working to resolve the situation in a way that takes the interests of both countries into account. Ukraine meanwhile was lifting its complaint against Slovakia as the two sides sought a resolution, Slovak authorities said.

At the United Nations on Tuesday, Zelenskyy suggested that the countries opposing Ukraine on grain were in fact working on Russia's behalf. Poland urgently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to complain on Wednesday.

Morawiecki in the Polsat interview said that Poland would not take steps to threaten Ukraine's security.

He said a NATO and US hub in the Polish city of Rzeszow used for transporting weapons into Ukraine would not be affected. We are not going to risk the security of Ukraine, he said.

A senior US government official told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the United States does not view Morawiecki's statements as a sign of Western unity cracking and expects to see continued leadership from Poland in the effort to help Ukraine.

The official noted that each country that's contributing to Ukraine has its own domestic politics and that's just a reality. Some of these countries are in the middle of election cycles, so they're also in the middle of messaging their publics." The official requested anonymity to speak to reporters on the subject.

The German Foreign Ministry said: Ukraine continues to need our full support. It is important that we in Europe act decisively and in solidarity in this regard. Germany will support Ukraine humanitarianly, politically, economically and with weapons for as long as it needs us.(AP) RUP

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Washington, Sep 21 (AP) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a whirlwind return visit to Washington on Thursday to shore up US support for Ukraine, this time facing some Republicans who are now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces.

Zelenskyy, in long-sleeve olive drab, came to the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate at a time that the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with US military leaders at the Pentagon.

House Republican leaders promised tough questions for Zelenskyy on how he plans to win Ukraine's counteroffensive against invading Russian forces. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republicans notably chose not to join in greeting the Ukrainian president before the cameras, leaving House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to escort Zelenskyy into the Capitol.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said Zelenskyy's message for a bipartisan group of House lawmakers Thursday was that he's winning.

Speaking to reporters, McCaul played down growing Republican dissent on continuing to support Ukraine with money and arms, saying, The majority of the majority support this."

But McCaul said lawmakers needed confidence that there was a clear strategy for victory for Ukraine.

War of attrition is not going to win this, McCaul said. That's what Putin wants," he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He wants to break the will of the American people and the Europeans.

It is Zelenskyy's second visit to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and comes as Biden's request to Congress for an additional $24 billion for Ukraine's military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance. Back home, Russian launched its heaviest strikes in a month in the hours before Zelenskyy's arrival at Congress, killing three, igniting fires and damaging energy infrastructure as Russian missiles and artillery pounded cities across Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the Ukrainian president our best messenger in persuading US lawmakers to keep vital US money and weapons coming.

It's really important for members of Congress to be able to hear directly from the president about what he's facing in this counteroffensive," Kirby told reporters Wednesday, "and how he's achieving his goals, and what he needs to continue to achieve those goals".

Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with Ukraine, even as he faces domestic political divisions at home. A hard-right flank of Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 race for the White House, is increasingly opposed to sending more money overseas.

Zelenskyy faces challenges in Europe as well as cracks emerge in what had been a largely united Western alliance behind Ukraine.

Late Wednesday, Poland's prime minister said his country is no longer sending arms to Ukraine, a comment that appeared aimed at pressuring Kyiv and put Poland's status as a major source of military equipment in doubt as a trade dispute between the neighbouring states escalates.

Zelenskyy's visit comes with US and world government leaders watching as Ukrainian forces struggle to take back territory that Russia gained over the past year. Their progress in the next month or so before the rains come and the ground turns to mud could be critical to rousing additional global support over the winter.

Russian President Putin, who believes he can outlast allied backing for Kyiv, will be ready to capitalize if he sees Ukraine is running low on air defence or other weapons

Since the start of the war, most members of Congress supported approving four rounds of aid to Ukraine, totalling about $113 billion, viewing defense of the country and its democracy as an imperative, especially when it comes to containing Putin. Some of that money went toward replenishing US military equipment sent to the frontlines.

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who travelled to Kyiv this week, said cutting off US aid during the Ukrainians' counteroffensive would be catastrophic to their efforts.

That would clearly be the opening that Putin is looking for, Kelly said Wednesday. They cannot be successful without our support.

The political environment has shifted markedly since Zelenskyy addressed Congress last December on his first trip out of Ukraine since the war began. He was met with rapturous applause for his country's bravery and surprisingly strong showing in the war.

His meeting with senators on Thursday took place behind closed doors in the Old Senate Chamber, a historic and intimate place of importance at the US Capitol, signifying the respect the Senate is showing the foreign leader.

Zelenskyy received a warmer welcome from both parties on his stop in the Senate. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer flanked him as he walked in. A few lawmakers of both parties wore clothes with blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

McCarthy, who faces more opposition within his Trump-aligned ranks to supporting Ukraine, arranged a separate meeting with Zelenskyy, with a smaller bipartisan group of lawmakers and committee chairmen.

I will have questions for President Zelenskyy, McCarthy told reporters before the visit.

The House speaker said he wanted more accountability for the money the US has already approved for Ukraine before moving ahead with more.

And, McCarthy said, he wants to know, "What is the plan for victory?

Rep Steny Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland who attended the House meeting with Zelenskyy and lawmakers, said that McCarthy made no promises but that Republicans and Democrats were united in supporting Ukraine.

I think the message was not necessarily a promise but a determination to make sure that we could help Ukraine win this war for freedom and for all of us, he said. (AP) SCY

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Ahmedabad, Sep 21 (PTI) One of them has worked as a rag-picker. Another is a widow who struggled to support herself and her two children after the husband's death. A third one is a divorce mother.

In a month's time, these Ahmedabad residents would be flying to Hungary, to work there as truck drivers.

They are part of a group of six women, all in the 20-35 years age group, who have undergone training under the collaborative initiative Trucking For Equality.

Bharti once worked as a rag picker to pay for her education. Rekha, who lost her husband and has two children, faced financial difficulties before getting a job as a city bus driver. Rajni is a divorcee mother.

Hardened by their individual struggles, they are looking forward to take on challenges as truckers in the distant European country, all six of them said.

"We have been given all kind of training, like how to drive big trucks, their maintenance, basic repairing and also language skills. This will be a totally different experience and I am excited," said Rekha Kahar.

"I decided to help my father in running the household, and as I did not have any skill, I took up driving. I learnt everything here and also completed my studies till standard 12th," said Guljan Pathan, another driver.

Most of them come from weaker socio-economic backgrounds. Some are separated from their husbands, or widowed, said Sayani Bhatt, a program coordinator at the city-based NGO Janvikas.

These six women are likely to leave for Hungary around October 23 and will work there for two years, she said.

The NGO has been training women to drive four-wheelers since 2016 as part of its `Driver Ben' programme. The trained women then get jobs as cab drivers, drivers for high-networth individuals and hotels, among other things. But till now, it had not thought of training women to be truck drivers because of the lack of opportunities in India.

A few women got jobs as drivers of buses for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), a city public transport system in Gujarat.

When it came to truck-driving, women faced a glass ceiling. But an opportunity landed up six months ago.

"Baton, a European company, wanted to recruit women truck drivers in Hungary as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, and a consultancy agency approached the Azad Foundation (with which Janvikas is associated) which runs a country-wide initiative called Women on Wheels, training women to be drivers for livelihood," said Bhatt.

The women were trained under a collaborative programme of Azad Foundation, Vega Group of Consultancy and Janvikas, Bhatt said.

"We first shortlisted women on the basis of documentation to ensure they were eligible to secure a visa," she said.

The shortlisted women then underwent a spoken English training programme for two months, after which they were further shortlisted through an exam conducted by the company and then sent to Bengaluru for final training as truck driver, Bhatt said.
Patna, Sep 21 (PTI) A day after the Centre asserted that the census would begin soon after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said the enumeration exercise should commence "immediately".

The JD(U) supreme leader also said the census should have been completed in 2021, claiming that the "decadal census has been delayed in the country for the first time".

Why wait for the 2024 Lok Sabha pollswhy not now? The decadal census should begin immediately. The Centre should start the enumeration exercise immediately," Kumar told reporters here when asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement on the census.

Shah on Wednesday asserted that the census would begin soon after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"The enumeration exercise should have been completed in 2021. This is for the first time, the decadal census has been delayed in the country. There is no need to delay it further. We wanted a caste-based headcount along with the census but the Centre did not agree. Finally, we conducted a caste-based survey on our own," Kumar said.

He claimed that the caste-based survey, in which social groups other than the SCs and STs are also counted, is "beneficial for all".

"It will enable us to work for the development of various sections of society, including those who are deprived. This will help us to know which areas require development," Kumar said.

On the women's reservation bill, Kumar said, The bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha, but what about its implementation? The Centre must move fast on implementing the proposals for the women's reservation. It will be really good if it is implemented at the earliest."

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill granting reservation to women for one-third of seats in the Lower House of Parliament and state assemblies with near unanimity, amid demands from the opposition to extend similar benefits to Other Backward Classes and immediate implementation of the measure before the elections next year.

Kumar also said, "I have always supported women's reservation. There must be assured representation. Our government has ensured adequate representation of women wherever it is possible. The representation of women in Bihar is the highest for any state in the country."

There must be provision for women from SCs, STs, OBCs and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) to get adequate representation, he said.

The chief minister also paid a surprise visit to the main secretariat that houses the offices of several departments, like cabinet secretariat, home, general administration, finance, planning and development, as well as the offices of chief secretary and development commissioner and additional chief secretaries.

I have got information that people working at the main secretariat are not reaching the office on time. So, I came here to inspect their presence. I also came yesterday. We all are working for the betterment of people," Kumar added.
Kolkata, Sep 21 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with senior officials of the Emirati-based multinational conglomerate the Lulu Group in Dubai on September 22, a senior state government official said on Thursday.

The Lulu Group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which operates a chain of hypermarkets and retail companies, is keen on investing in West Bengal and has requested a meeting with Banerjee during her visit to Dubai, he said.

"There is a meeting between Mamata Banerjee and officials of the Lulu Group in Dubai on Friday. There are possibilities of discussion on the company's plans to invest here in the state," the bureaucrat told PTI.

Talking more about the matter, the official said that the state government is keen on welcoming the UAE-based Lulu Group to invest in the retail business and building manufacturing units in West Bengal.

"The group may be given a proposal to set up a big food processing unit. They may also be given offers to invest in the retail business here," the official said.

In case the company invests in West Bengal there will be a huge number of employment opportunities generated here in the state, he opined.

This June, Lulu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali MA said that they will be investing Rs 10,000 crore in India on various ongoing projects over the next three years.

The UAE-based conglomerate has invested over Rs 20,000 crore in the country, Ali also said, adding that his aim is to provide employment to 50,000 people in India and so far his various enterprises have given over 22,000 jobs.
New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) A 22-year-old woman was allegedly attacked with acid by her in-laws in northeast Delhi's Usmanpur area, police said on Thursday.

The woman suffered 25 per cent burn injuries and is currently hospitalised, they said.

An FIR has been registered against the victim's mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law and have started an investigation into the matter. No arrest has been made so far, they added.

"We received information that a woman had received nearly 25 per cent burn injuries after her in-laws threw acid on her. The police team recorded her statement and registered an FIR into the matter," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey said.

The accused are absconding and will be arrested soon, he said.

The victims husband was not at home when the incident happened, police said.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) also issued a notice to the Delhi Police seeking an action-taken report in the matter, along with a copy of the FIR.

"The commission received a complaint from the woman who informed that she was married two years ago and has a six-month-old daughter. After two to three months of her marriage, her husband and in-laws started harassing her. She even had a miscarriage due to her husband's torture. She has informed that her mother-in-law threw acid on her on September 20 and an FIR has been registered at New Usmanpur," DCW Chief Swati Maliwal said.

"The accused must be arrested immediately and strict action should be taken against them," Maliwal said.
New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) A parliamentary panel in its report has observed that the list of ASI-protected sites includes a large number of "minor monuments" and recommended that they should be "rationalised and categorised" on the basis of their national significance, unique architectural and heritage value.

The 'Three Hundred Fifty Ninth Report on 'Functioning of Archaeological Survey of India' by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, was presented to the Rajya Sabha and laid on the table of the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The committee has also observed that the provision of 100-metre prohibited area and 300-metre regulated area around all ASI-protected monuments and sites "generally invites public criticism and inconvenience", and added that they need to be reviewed and made realistic.

The panel has also noted that, till date, 531 monuments or 14.4 per cent of ASI's total 3,693 centrally-protected monuments have been encroached.

However, encroachments from only nine monuments have been removed since 2015, the report said, adding that there is a lack of clarity in the guidelines for preservation and a delay in the classification of centrally-protected monuments.

"The committee recommends that the ASI should conduct a comprehensive survey of encroachments around all monuments under its jurisdiction and document the nature, extent and impact of encroachments on each site to create a database for informed decision-making in this regard," the report said.

The panel advised that the ASI be divided into two wings  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the India Heritage Development Corporation (IHDC)  to make it an effective organisation.

While the former can look after the core mandate of the ASI, i.e. exploration, excavation and conservation aspects, the latter can deal with the ASI's entire revenue, such as ticket collection, conducting auctions, issuing licences, running cafeterias, selling mementos and running sound and light systems, etc., it added.

Highlighting problems with the list of centrally protected monuments, the report said there were a large number of minor monuments with no national significance.

It is estimated that this applies to at least a quarter of the current list of 3,691 monuments. The list, for instance, includes 75 graves of colonial-era soldiers or officials of no notable importance," it observed.

For example, a small brick wall enclosure containing two colonial-era graves of public works department engineer John Albert Cope (died in 1880) and Henry Gassen (died 1877), an employee of a cotton ginning company, in Kumta, Karnataka is a centrally-protected monument, the report said.

"The structure had no architectural value, and the individuals were of no historical significance. Yet, they are supposed to get the same level of protection as the country's most cherished monuments," it said.

The committee recommended that the "list of monuments with ASI should be rationalised and categorised on the basis of their national significance, unique architectural value and specific heritage content," the parliamentary panel report on the functioning of ASI said.

In the report, the committee has also noted that the implementation of the National Policy for Conservation, 2014 by the ASI has been "far from satisfactory".

The committee recommended replacing "archaic and colonial-era related laws with modern techniques for protection and preservation. It also noted the glaring absence of national policies on archaeological exploration and antiquities preservation.

The Ministry of Culture and the ASI should conduct a "comprehensive comparative study of the excavation, conservation and restoration laws of foreign countries to fix the present policy with the best practices being followed globally, the report added.

The Ministry of Culture has informed the Committee that the government is "working to bring an Amendment" of the rules so as to make it "relevant and contemporaneous," the report says.

The report said that the provision of restrictions around protected monuments need to be rationalised as per the significance of the site.

Presently, the same rule applies equally to both significant and insignificant monuments, the report said.

For instance, the rules apply identically to the iconic Ajanta and Ellora monuments as much as to 'Kosminars', unknown cemeteries and tombs, etc.

The panel recommended rationalisation of the list of national monuments by deleting some 'Kosminars' from the list.

The provision of restrictions around centrally-protected monuments was introduced in 2010 through an amendment in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. It prohibits and regulates all activities like mining and construction around 100 metres and 300 metre, respectively, of all the protected monuments.
New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) Voting in Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections are set to take place on Friday after a gap of three years. Twenty-four candidates are in the fray for four posts -- president, vice president, secretary and joint secretary.

Prominent students' groups contesting the DUSU polls are RSS' students wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI), CPI (M)-backed Students' Federation of India (SFI) and CPI (ML) Liberation-affiliated All India Students' Association (AISA).

Here are profiles of candidates fielded by major outfits



NSUI:



It has fielded Hitesh Gulia, a final-year Law Centre-I student, for the president's post. The 23-year-old has completed his graduation from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College.



Abhi Dahiya is contesting for the post of vice president. The 24-year-old is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Buddhist studies.



The NSUI has fielded 24-year-old Yakshana Sharma for the post of secretary. The Hindu College graduate is a final-year LLB student at the Campus Law Centre.



Shubham Kumar Chaudhary, contesting for the post of joint secretary, completed his schooling from GD Goenka School in Vasant Kunj. He completed his graduation from the College of Vocational Studies and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Buddhist studies.



ABVP:

It has fielded Tushar Dedha for the president's post. Dedha completed his graduation from Satyawati College. He is pursuing Masters in Buddhist studies. He joined the ABVP in 2015.

He won the election for college cultural coordinator at Satyawati College in 2016. He was also an executive council member at DUSU.



Sushant Dhankar, the ABVP candidate for the vice-president's post, holds a BA (Honours) degree in English, having graduated from Satyawati College. The Haryana native is currently pursuing Masters in Buddhist studies. Dhankar is also a state-level shooting champion.



The RSS' students wing has fielded Aprajita for the post of secretary. She hails from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh and completed her BA (Honours) degree in history from Dyal Singh College. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Buddhist studies.



Sachin Baisla, the ABVP candidate for joint secretary, graduated from Ramanujan College. He is pursuing a Masters degree in Buddhist studies.



AISA:



Aiyesha Ahmad Khan filed her nomination for the post of president, Anushka Choudhary for vice president, Aditya Pratap Singh for secretary and Anjali Kumari for joint secretary.

While Aiyesha Ahmad Khan is a student of Miranda House College and hails from Patna, Anushka Choudhary is a student of the Law Faculty at Delhi University and is a resident of Bahadurgarh in Haryana.



Aditya Pratap Singh entered the university in 2019 and has been an AISA activist since then, and Anjali Kumari is a first-year student from Miranda House.

The DUSU elections will be held on September 22 after a gap of three years. The elections were last held in 2019.





SFI: Arif Siddiqui has been fielded by SFI for DUSU president. Arif, a resident of Uttar Pradeshs Kannauj district, has completed his graduation from Zakir Hussain College and is currently enrolled in Masters in Buddhist Studies.



Ankit Birpali is its candidate for the vice president's post. He is a first year student of Campus Law Centre. He has completed his graduation from Hindu College.

Aditi Tyagi, a student of MA Philosophy, is in the fray from SFI for the post of secretary. She has completed her graduation from Hindu College.

Nishtha Singh is the candidate for the post of joint secretary. She is from Bihar.



The students' union elections could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, while potential disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.
Jammu, Sep 21 (PTI) Police on Thursday arrested 10 assailants for allegedly assaulting a priest and a women after barging into a temple and a house in two separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, officials said.

In two separate cases registered at Ramgarh and Bari Brahmana police stations, they have been booked for criminal trespass, assault and causing injuries and under Arms Act

In the first case, two assailants - Shubam and Sourav - barged into the temple and brutally assaulted the priest, who has been referred to GMC hospital in Jammu, officials added.

In the second case, assailants forcibly entered a house in Palli village around midnight, physically assaulted a 70-year-old person and women, and damaged their house with a JCB brought from another district, they further said.
After the poor result of the elections on May 21, the leader of the Greek opposition and former prime minister Alexis Tsipras conveyed a very clear message to his leftist Syriza party. If I resign, I will name Effie Achtsioglou as my successor, he said, according to this newspapers sources inside the party. It was not an official announcement, but all parts of Syriza interpreted it as such. Achtsioglou also believed it too, and began preparing for the position. But in Greece, what is planned almost never happens.

In recent weeks, a practically unknown name has emerged: Stefanos Kasselakis. He is an elegant 35-year-old Greek citizen who was raised in the United States, a former Goldman Sachs executive, and a collaborator with Joe Bidens Democratic Party. As if that were not enough, he is the son of a shipowner and CEO of a shipping company, with all the symbolic weight that that implies in Greece. None of these attitudes chime with the traditional Syriza voter, nor with the Greek left in general. He is too urban for the socialists of PASOK and too liberal for the KKE communists. Altogether too modern. But his supporters believe that that is his main virtue: he does not fit, he is disruptive, and he is something new.

And on Sunday, something upset the apple cart: Kasselakis overtook Achtsioglou in the first round of the partys primaries. The newcomer received 44.9% of the members votes, nine points more than the woman who seemed destined to succeed Tsipras. The two will face off next Sunday to decide who leads the Greek opposition and the main left-wing party.

Candidate Effie Achtsioglu, after voting in the Syriza primaries, on September 17 in Athens. ALEXANDROS VLACHOS (EFE)

Until last Sunday, Achtsioglou seemed the consensus figure. A 38-year-old lawyer, she has been active on the left since she was a teenager and counts as her main merit having been Minister of Labor in Tsipras cabinet, a difficult position from which she emerged successfully. At the recent party congress, she presented a program for a new left-wing government, which the local media highlighted was detailed and coherent. A young woman with experience and with support from all sectors of the party, she had everything in her favor. Until Kasselakis arrived.

Back to the tie that Tsipras threw away

In 2015, at the height of the euro crisis, European Union partners  and especially the then-Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel  pressured Tsipras to make savage spending cuts. The young Greek leftist was then forced to renounce many of his principles. But he remained firm on symbolic issues, such as never wearing a tie. The winner in the first round of the primaries, however, dresses in tailored suits and is not averse to perfectly tight Windsor knots on expensive shirts.

Nor is he shy about defending topics that until recently were taboo among Greek progressives: he wants Greece to be a secular country in which the state is separated from the church. He wants LGBTQ+ people to be able to get married and adopt children. He also wants the army to be professional, in a country where the left has never stood out for its criticism of military service, which is still in force. He wants to end the hand in glove relationship between the government and large companies. His critics accuse him that his manifesto is too generic and never gives specifics.

The new it man of the Greek left has received homophobic insults, innuendos, and scorn since he presented his candidacy. From both the political right and the left, they are not very different from the insults, insinuations, and sexist putdowns that have peppered criticism of Achtsioglou.

Kasselakis is new, but he is not alone. He returned from the U.S. with his husband to run for Syriza in the June elections, but was not elected. From the beginning, his main public supporter has been former minister Pavlos Polakis. But his most important supporters are those who were not seen at first glance: the candidates main advisor is the parliamentary deputy Giorgos Tsipras, brother of Alexis, the former prime minister. After the victory in the first round of the primaries, Giorgos Tsipras and figures very close to his brother have decided to show their support in public.

More and more voices in the party claim that, in reality, Alexis Tsipras himself is the one promoting Kasselakis candidacy, although officially he remains neutral. Sources familiar with the renewal process affirm that the former presidents predisposition for the new candidate is not due to internal reasons, but rather because he would have a greater chance of defeating the current prime minister, the conservative Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It is not that Tsipras is now against Achtsioglou, but that he considers that she does not represent a sufficient break from the status quo.

The repeat elections in June were painful for Syriza. New Democracy swept to power with 40.5% of the votes, while the left-wing party only got 17.8%. Tsipras had to resign and left quietly. He spent a long time in the United States.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the conservative prime minister, does not just have a comfortable absolute majority in parliament. He also enjoys firm media, cultural, and political hegemony. Partly thanks to their own merits, but also due to the weakness of the left. Kasselakiss supporters do not so much seek to solve the problems of the progressive camp, but rather to find a kind of left-wing Mitsotakis who can challenge the conservatives in the government face to face. According to them, the paradox is that whoever wants to be the new Tsipras will have to be totally different from Tsipras. And by that reasoning, Kasselakis seems like the perfect candidate.

Effie Achtsioglou did not believe that this type of progressivism could find sufficient support on the Greek left. She was so sure of it that she could not even hide her anger with the result of the first round in the primaries, and declared that the voters did not know what they had voted for. Achtsioglou stated that a debate between the two was necessary to clarify which proposals the militants are choosing. Kasselakis, as if he were an aikido fighter, channeled his opponents blow and returned it with more force: Its time to stop fighting among ourselves and fight against Mitsotakis.

The differences seem to be so great, not only in their manifestos but also in the political culture, that there are rumblings of a split if Kasselakis wins. It wouldnt be the first time in Syriza. The truth is that whoever wins next Sunday will face a difficult scenario. On October 8 there are municipal elections and New Democracy aims to hammer the left again. Its not an easy way to start.

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New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday accused Lt Governor V K Saxena of "illegally" expelling fellows of the Delhi Assembly to stop the work being done in people's interest.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that the services of professionals engaged as fellows with the Delhi Assembly Research Centre, whose contracts were terminated by the assembly secretariat, shall continue in their positions till December 6 and stipends paid to them.

Justice Subramonium Prasad sought the stand of the Delhi legislative assembly secretariat as well as services, and finance departments on a petition by 17 such fellows assailing the termination of their contracts.

Welcoming the decision, the AAP said Saxena was "arbitrarily misusing" his powers.

"Delhi will not be run by those who coerce and misuse their powers. And the fact that LG had expelled the fellows by going against the laws. All of this was a part of his ongoing campaign to stop all the work being done in the interest of Delhi's citizens," the party said in a statement.

The contracts of the Delhi Assembly Research Fellows were terminated on July 5, as per the orders of the Lt Governor. Subsequently, 17 fellows filed a petition in the Delhi High Court.

On Thursday, the high court ordered that the Delhi Assembly Research Fellows will continue to serve in their professional roles. They will be given their stipend.

The court has also instructed the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Services, and Finance Department to take a stand within two weeks on the Fellow's petition, the party noted.

The AAP said the court's order makes it clear that the LG is arbitrarily misusing his powers.

"The Delhi government will not be driven by intimidation but will adhere to the law and the constitution. The LG has an intent on completely undermining and destroying Delhi. The LG had no authority to remove employees. The LG has been consistently working against the law and the Constitution," it said.
Jammu, Sep 21 (PTI) The army on Thursday said an inquiry is underway into the death of a soldier in West Bengal last week, hours after the grieving family staged a protest here against his alleged murder.

Rifleman Amit Singh, a resident of Akhnoor sector of Jammu, was posted in West Bengal and was found dead at a private hotel at Sukna in north Bengal near Siliguri on September 15 with preliminary inquiry by police suggesting suicide.

However, his family alleged he was murdered and demanded an inquiry into the incident. The soldier's last rites were conducted in his Jourian village on Sunday with military honours.

The family took to streets again on Thursday and blocked the main road near their village for over four hours in support of their demand for an impartial inquiry into the circumstances leading to his death. They accused the commanding officer and his wife of the murder.

"Indian army regrets the unfortunate demise of Rifleman Amit Singh. We stand with the kin of the soldier in this hour of grief. An investigation is underway by the Indian Army as well as the local police authorities," Siliguri-based Trishakti corps of Indian Army wrote on X.

It said "appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation/inquiry. Indian army stands committed to fairness and Justice".

Jammu-based White Knight Corps of the Army reposted the tweet of the Trishakti.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

A few showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable.
A posted sign on Atlantic Ave. (between 399 & 401) alerts passersby that the path behind it is public access to the shoreline and, per local ordinance, should not be blocked for any reason. 0920 ws BEACH ACCESS ATLANTIC AVE gw01.jpg Grace White




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)




Israels Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan was the only diplomat who protested the speech of the Butcher of Tehran  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi  at the General Assembly Hall on Tuesday.

Erdan held up a photo of Mahsa Amini, who was murdered a year ago by Iranian police after being arrested for not wearing a hijab properly.

Erdan was subsequently removed from the hall by UN security guards and detained for several minutes.

New moral stain for the UN Erdan wrote on Twitter. 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. 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 split-screen of the reaction to the Butcher of #Iran Raisis lies at #UNGA today is so striking. #Israel protested to honor the memory of #MahsaAmini. The U.S. took notes as he propagandized and threatened. Our @StateDept needs to grow a backbone. pic.twitter.com/GD21DmH9X3  Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) September 19, 2023

History will record that the Butcher of Tehran addressed the United Nations today and not a single democracy said or did anything about the fact that his regimewhich beats, blinds, tortures and rapes women protestersis to be Chair of the U.N. Human Rights Council Social Forum. pic.twitter.com/B5oabEDtZh  Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 20, 2023

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




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.

(AP)
The Town Music Festival  from the same organizers of Rock in Rio  was recently held in Sao Paulo. However, the night of the premiere, with nearly 100,000 people eager to see artists such as Iggy Azalea, Post Malone or Demi Lovato, was marred by persistent rain that caused long lines. Some voices quickly attributed the chaos to the absence of a contract with the Cacique Cobra Coral Foundation  the group that represents a spirit (a chief, or a cacique), who promises to control the weather.

This is one of the best-known examples of magical realism in Brazil: if you want your event to be a success, you must contact Chief Cobra Coral, to guarantee that it doesnt rain. This is a normal superstition, be it among couples who want sun on their wedding day, or private firms that want to host an outdoor gathering. And, behind this popular belief, there are contracts  some of which are quite secretive  signed by city councils and ministries.

Chief Cobra Coral is a spirit of the Umbanda: a Brazilian religion that mixes elements from African, Indigenous and Catholic traditions. Adelaide Scritori  who has worked as a medium since she was a child  is in charge of summoning this spirit. Her husband and right-hand man, Osmar Santos, receives requests from governments or companies to push for meteorological changes.

Once a contract is signed, the medium receives the spirit into her body. Despite being North American in origin, the spirit expresses himself in perfect Portuguese. [The spirit] speaks little  he gets to the point. When he finishes, [Scritori] doesnt know anything about the words he spoke through her, shes not conscious of what she has said, her husband explains by phone. The foundations spokesperson also highlights that the spirit can change the weather, but only so long as he perceives that its due to a greater good, rather than just a whim. For instance, if he prevents rain during a festival, hell have to divert that precipitation to somewhere relatively nearby that needs it.

The Rio City Council is among the foundations best-known clients. The municipal body is especially keen to ensure clear skies on two dates that are marked on the local calendar: the end of the year  which brings together hundreds of thousands of people on Copacabana Beach  and the even more massive Carnival celebrations.

The collaboration between the City Council and the Cobra Coral Foundation is well-known. From time to time, it appears in the municipalitys official newsletter. Even the Ministry of Mines and Energy turned to the spirit two years ago, amidst a serious drought that put Brazils hydroelectric supply at risk.

Most agreements happen behind the scenes; its not very clear how they work or how much they cost. Santos assures EL PAIS that they dont accept a cent of public money. Whats required in return from the authorities, he explains, are flood-prevention projects, the recovery of freshwater supplies, the reforestation of river banks, etc. The [spirit of the] chief often says that we cannot help men permanently if we do for them what they can do for themselves, he emphasizes. The spirit is very environmentally-conscious and has been warning  without success  about the dangers of global warming for decades, Santos laments.

With private companies, the agreements work differently. The foundation remains solvent through Tunikito, a family-owned insurance conglomerate. Santos usually offers to insure companies that seek the spirit chiefs actions. In Rio, its no secret that Roberto Medina  the business magnate and creator of the Rock in Rio festival  has placed significant faith in the hands of the spirit. However, since his daughter, Roberta, has taken over the enterprise, the spiritual collaboration seems to have taken a backseat.

Even so, the chiefs fame remains unbeatable among organizers of outdoor events. One of the main companies in this sector anonymously states: Everyone protects the entity. There are many years worth of contracts. The great event organizers havent given up on seeking [the spirits] help  hes almost omnipresent.

Santos confirms that the chief practically has the gift of ubiquity. He explains that he, as an interlocutor with the spirit of the chief, has traveled around Brazil and halfway around the world to meet those who require his assistance. With a discreet profile, hidden behind dark glasses, he positions himself at the event site and looks up at the sky. He identifies the meteorological conditions  be it atmospheric pressure, humidity, or wind  and talks to the foundations scientific advisors. They prepare a report for the spirit, so that he knows what the outlook is. Subsequently, he decides to act.

Chief Cobra Corals advisors include a technician from the state-run National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and Rubens Villela, a meteorologist and professor at the University of Sao Paulo. This collaboration between science and a supposed supernatural entity  which would perhaps make many academics from the Global North shake their heads  is generally received without fanfare in Brazil. Of course, from time to time, a specific controversy arises.

30 years ago, the Brazilian Meteorological Society sued the foundation for illegal exercise of the profession. However, the case was dismissed. In the end, to avoid further problems, Santos and Scritori created an agency (La Nina) that registered with the professional council of meteorologists and obtained permission to sign contracts.

For Renzo Taddei  an anthropologist at the Federal University of Sao Paulo and author of the book Meteorologists and Prophets of Rain  the science versus religion dichotomy is too limited. Brazil likes to imagine and think of itself in a way that doesnt reflect much of reality, especially when it comes to seeing itself as a Western country, he notes.

Taddei remembers the mark left by millions of enslaved Africans in Brazil, such as the fusion or coexistence of their practices with shamanic, Catholic, Kardecist or spiritist beliefs. Brazilian spirituality has nothing to do with the way the European world imagines religion. The fight between religion and science from Darwins time in England isnt replicated in Brazil. Maybe now its starting a little, because the evangelical population is growing very quickly, he acknowledges by phone.

The work done by Chief Cobra Coral is perhaps the best-known case of a spirit having made the leap to the business and institutional world. Although Taddei emphasizes that, in the Indigenous worldview, for example, its common to dialogue with spirits in an attempt to control the forces of nature. In 1998, a devastating fire devoured the Amazon rainforest in the state of Roraima. Brazil received international aid, but, in the end, the desperate authorities turned to two shamans from the Kayapo Indigenous group. After two days of rituals  coincidence or not  a torrential rainfall managed to stop the flames.

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Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeared Tuesday in Moscow City Court, seeking release from jail on espionage charges, but it declined to hear his appeal and returned the case to a lower court to deal with unspecified procedural violations.

The decision means Gershkovich, 31, will remain jailed at least until Nov. 30, unless his appeal is heard in the meantime and he is released  an unlikely outcome.

Before the session was closed, Gershkovich appeared in the glass defendants cage, smiling at fellow 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 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

There was initial confusion about the outcome when the state news agency Tass reported the court had rejected Gershkovichs appeal, but it later changed its report to say the case was sent to the lower court.

The court proceedings are closed because prosecutors say details of the criminal case are classified. Gershkovich last appeared in court in August when a judge ruled he must stay in jail until the end of November. Tuesdays hearing stemmed from that decision.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy made her fourth visit to Gershkovich on Friday, two days after the reporters parents appeared at U.N. headquarters and called on world leaders to urge Russia to free him. Tracy said later that Gershkovich remains strong and is keeping up with the news, including his parents appeal.

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 told reporters outside court.

Russias Federal Security Service alleged Gershkovich, acting on the instructions of the American side, collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Gershkovich and the Journal deny the allegations, and the U.S. government declared him to be wrongfully detained. Russian authorities havent detailed any evidence to support the espionage charges.

He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to face espionage charges in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB.

Analysts have pointed out that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips after U.S.-Russian tensions soared when Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years  including WNBA star Brittney Griner  have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it would consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict in his trial. In Russia, espionage trials can last for more than a year.

(AP)




The X (Twitter) account of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of former President Donald Trump, fell victim to an apparent hacking incident on Wednesday, sending out numerous false messages, including one that falsely announced the death of his father, former President Donald Trump.

The fabricated message, which declared the passing of the former president, read, Im sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024.

These words instantly ignited a frenzy of concern and confusion among social media users and the wider public.

However, its important to clarify that the message was entirely untrue. Former President Donald Trump was alive and well, and he promptly took to his own Truth Social platform to dispel the rumors and assure the public of his continued existence. The erroneous message had spread like wildfire, despite its baselessness, prompting a flurry of online searches for phrases such as Donald Trump Dead and Is Donald Trump Dead?

Notably, the incident also saw supporters of the former president alleging that his detractors were, in a malicious twist, wishing for his death. The incident added fuel to the already contentious online discourse surrounding the former president and his family.

Within minutes of the false announcement, Raheem Kasam, a prominent figure from The National Pulse, confirmed that Donald Trump Jr.s Twitter account had indeed been compromised by hackers. The revelation shed light on the situation and reassured the public that the former president remained unharmed.

During the hack, other messages were posted on Trump Jr.s Twitter account, which have since been removed. One such message aimed at X owner Elon Musk claimed that Donald Trump owns him. The incident also saw a profane insult directed at President Joe Biden and a reference to interesting messages with the controversial figure Jeffrey Epstein.

Twitter swiftly took action by removing the unauthorized messages from Donald Trump Jr.s account, putting an end to the false claims about the former presidents death and the derogatory remarks that had circulated during the hack.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




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 Wednesday 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, a program which will put more than 20,000 young people on career pathways in the growing fields of 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.

A federal climate corps will prepare a whole generation of workers for good-paying union jobs in the clean economy while helping to fight climate change, build community resilience and support environmental justice, the lawmakers wrote.

The White House declined to say how much the program will cost or how it will be paid for, but Democrats proposed $10 billion for the climate corps in the climate bill before the provision was removed.

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 who has co-sponsored a climate corps bill, said its important to train the next generation of federal land managers, park rangers and other stewards of our natural resources. Neguse and other Democrats have said the program should pay a living wage while offering health care coverage and support for child care, housing, transportation and education.

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 that tackle climate change, including restoring coastal wetlands to protect communities from storm surges and flooding; deploying clean energy projects such as wind and solar power; managing forests to improve health and prevent catastrophic wildfires; and implementing energy efficient solutions to cut energy bills for consumers, the White House said.

(AP)




Ray Epps, a onetime Donald Trump supporter who was the target of a right-wing conspiracy theory about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack that forced him into hiding, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot.

Epps, appearing remotely for a hearing in Washingtons federal courthouse, entered his plea on a charge of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds a day after the case was filed in the Justice Departments massive Jan. 6 prosecution.

The judge scheduled his sentencing for Dec. 20.

After the riot, he became the focus of a conspiracy theory  echoed by right-wing news outlets  that he was a secret government agent who incited the Capitol attack.

Driven from his Arizona home, the former Marine and ex-member of the Oath Keepers extremist group filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News Channel this year, saying the network was to blame for spreading the baseless claims that led to death threats and bullet casings in his yard.

Epps has said he went to Washington to protest the 2020 election, which he falsely believed  based on stories he heard on Fox News  was stolen from the Republican president, who lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

In videos shared widely on social media and right-wing websites, Epps is seen the day before the riot saying, Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol  peacefully. On Jan. 6, video shows him saying, As soon as the president is done speaking, we go to the Capitol. Epps has said he left Capitol grounds when he saw people scaling walls and never actually went inside the building.

Epps said he heard from a relative shortly after he returned home from Washington that his picture was on an FBI website. Soon after, Epps contacted the FBI to provide his information and his attorney told investigators he wanted to cooperate with the investigation.

In the aftermath of the riot, the search for a scapegoat landed on Epps, who was subsequently featured in more than two dozen segments on then-host Tucker Carlsons prime-time show, Epps said in his lawsuit.

A barrage of death threats would force Epps and his wife to sell their home in Mesa, Arizona, and live in a recreational vehicle in the Rocky Mountains, he said in an interview this year on CBS 60 Minutes.

I had to do the necessary things to keep my family safe, said Epps, who described being on the run.

Fox News and a lawyer for Carlson have not responded to messages seeking comment from The Associated Press.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has said he has no knowledge of Epps being a secret government agent. And Epps, who worked as a roofer after serving four years as infantry in the U.S. Marine Corps, has also vehemently denied ever working for the FBI.

The only time Ive been involved with the government was when I was a Marine in the United States Marine Corps, Epps said during a January 2022 interview for the U.S. House Committee that investigated the attack.

Epps was once a member of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group, serving as an Arizona chapter leader before parting ways with the anti-government group a few years before the Jan. 6 attack because the Oath Keepers were too radical for him, he said.

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and other members were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 attack for what prosecutors said was a weekslong plot to stop the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. Rhodes was sentenced in May to 18 years in prison.

Altogether, more than 1,100 defendants have been charged with federal crimes in connection with the riot, and authorities continue to regularly bring new cases nearly three years later. Roughly 670 people have pleaded guilty, and of those 480 pleaded to misdemeanor charges, according to an Associated Press analysis of court records.

(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 Safetys 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 Houses 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.

(AP)




New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday 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 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.

Trump became the first former U.S. 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.

Since then, 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 Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s.

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.

Trump is so far leading a pack of Republican presidential hopefuls seeking the GOP nomination.

(AP)




House Republicans clashed with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, accusing him and the Justice Department of the weaponization of the departments 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 presidents 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 Garlands 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 Garlands 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.

(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-Shibhs newly disclosed diagnosis  post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features  is the latest development to show how the George W. Bush administrations 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-Shibhs 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 commissions 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-Shibhs 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 mans 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 mans persistent demands for an end to the invisible attacks over the years. Bruck estimated that al-Shibhs defense team spent as much as 90% of its time dealing with al-Shibhs 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 its 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. Its 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 defendants 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.

(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 that started with a clash over his speech.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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 verbal fireworks began at the start of the meeting, before Lavrov arrived, when 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 President 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 dig at 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 in 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 Unions 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.

The atmosphere was charged last year when Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba were both at a council meeting during the 2022 General Assembly gathering.

The two foreign ministers did not exchange any words. Lavrov arrived only minutes before his turn to speak and left immediately after. But beforehand, there was tension over the seating arrangement  a placard marking Ukraines seat was moved after Kuleba apparently objected to its placement next to Russias spot.

(AP)




Am Echad an affiliate of Agudath Israel, on Wednesday issued the following statement on the protests during PM Netanyahus visit to the US:

As an organization dedicated to advancing the connection between Israel and the Diaspora and deeply concerned for Israels safety, we would like to express our dismay at the reckless and inciteful rhetoric adopted by the Israeli protest movement during Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus visit to the United States.

Am Echad does not have a position on the process and content of the judicial reform in Israel, out of respect for the ability of the Israeli citizens to form policy on this internal issue. Nor do we support any political party or figure. However, we cannot remain silent when the security of Israels 9 million citizens is being undermined on the United States soil.

Protest installations, such as the Welcome Bibi projection on Alcatraz and Dont Believe Crime Minister Netanyahu on the United Nations building in New York, stray far from internal Israeli debate about checks and balances. They foment anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments in the greater American society and world media.

Needless to say, we fully support the democratic tradition of both Israel and the United States, including the right to rigorous social debate, protests, and demonstrations against government policies. However, democracy and the right to protest cannot be allowed to metamorphose into attempts to undermine the country itself, and thus the security of its people.

We call on the leaders of the Israeli protest movement and their supporters in the United States to behave responsibly and be mindful of the repercussions of their actions for both Israel and the US Jewish community. Nothing can undermine the Israeli efforts against the Iranian nuclear threat like a sign on the United Nations building, calling the delegates not to believe Netanyahus messages on Iran. Moreover, as lessons of the past have shown us, any anti-Israel messaging in the media immediately translates into an uptick in antisemitic attacks on US Jewry.

We urge all responsible American Jewish organizations to show leadership and come out forcefully against such harmful and damaging rhetoric, making it clear that the American Jewish community will not tolerate attempts to undermine Israels safety and will continue to insist on a basic level of decorum and mutual respect in policy debates.

In this historic hour, we all share the responsibility to turn this crisis into an opportunity for a long-overdue consensus-building conversation. We all share the responsibility to return peace and understanding to our people.
For the neighbors who cross her path every day, Thelma Aldana is just a Guatemalan woman living in an apartment in the U.S. capital and who works with migrants. But there is a lot more that they do not know about her. In 2018, Aldana was the attorney general of Guatemala and was investigating corruption when the threat of an attack drove her into exile. More than 40 high ranking lawyers like her have also had to flee their home country. Aldana, now 67 years old, has been invited to talk about democracy at the Centroamerica Cuenta (Central America Counts) Festival in Madrid, Spain.

Question. How do you live in exile?

Answer. In exile, you hit rock bottom as a human being: letting go of your family, your home, your friends, your country, your future, and your job leads to loneliness and anguish. The U.S. is a wonderful country, but English is an obstacle. If you add to that the criminalization and smear campaigns that continue to reach me... Consuelo Porras, the current attorney general, continues to attack us. There are 42 Guatemalan anti-corruption officials in exile, all persecuted by the corrupt in Guatemala. But you have to find the positives, try to be happy and find your inner strength in the same way you have felt hopelessness, fear, and uncertainty. It all goes into making you a better person in the end because you understand the reality of many people, like the four million Guatemalans who are in the United States. My challenge is to be happy and keep my chin up, I work toward that every day. I couldnt even say goodbye to my children, who are 29 and 26 years old. It is very hard.

Q. Is there hope for Guatemala?

A. Sure. Right now we are hopeful that President-elect Arevalo will take office in January.

Q. But his party, Semilla, has been suspended.

A. We are experiencing a coup detat in progress against the elected president and his party because he has upset the status quo. In Guatemala, they are used to stacking the deck every four years so that two like-minded people go to the second round. And this time, surprise! It was not what they had planned. That is why the [current] attorney general is directing the coup detat.

Q. What, then, is your hope based on?

A. If the president-elect does not take office on January 14, it will be a failure for Guatemalan democracy, but also for Central America and the international community for not sufficiently supporting the will of the people expressed at the polls and in the streets in the face of the attack [on democracy] by the attorney general.

Q. Were you surprised by Arevalo's victory?

A. It was surprising, especially to see that his vote came [primarily] from 18 to 35-year-olds. The Guatemalan youth was informed. They voted, and they want Arevalo to take office. I love that young people have become aware of the country they live in. Semilla is a progressive movement that was born from the anti-corruption demonstrations in 2015, and that is what young people have supported.

Q. You have led many investigations against corruption in politics. Would you do it again?

A. Of course I would do it again, we didnt have [enough] time! Despite everything it has cost me and my personal suffering, it was worth it.

Q. To what do you attribute the democratic regression that Central America is experiencing?

A. There is a general phenomenon of weakening the justice system. Corrupt actors are focused on this to ensure their impunity, and that is the big challenge. When the justice system sides with the corrupt, the people are defenseless. This is what Im seeing in many countries.

Q. A few days ago, Lydia Cacho, a Mexican journalist (also in exile), told me that she has found strength through therapy. How do you manage to stay strong?

A. I got an alert from the DEA and I left for El Salvador. I arrived in the U.S. for an interview with CNN and never returned. I didnt know I was going into exile, and I was lucky that some Guatemalan migrant friends took me to a church. The Bible was my therapy. I have read it from cover to cover every year of my exile. Every word. I read four or five pages a day, I meditate on it, and it has helped me a lot. I havent needed a psychologist. Jesus Christ is my psychologist, and he has helped me a lot.

Q. And to forgive?

A. I learned that in the Bible. To stay well, I must not have hatred in my heart, no matter what they do to me. Im fine.

Q. What is your life in Washington like?

A. I live in a studio apartment. I have worked with WOLA (Washington Office for Latin American Affairs), I use the subway and the bus and I really enjoy it because in Guatemala we dont have a subway, and you cant get on the bus. I know the entire subway route from Washington, Virginia, and Maryland. I go to New York, I visit migrants I try to live my daily life in peace.

Q. And what do you like most about it?

A. What I like is the institutionality. I admire countries like Spain or the United States that have institutions, freedom of expression, security, and so on. You can walk through the streets. In Guatemala, I went from my house to the car and from my car to home with secret service agents breathing down my neck. In Washington I fall asleep on the subway! On the journey home, we are all asleep or looking at our cell phones, and thats a peace and security that I did not know.

Q. And yet you would return to Guatemala as soon as you could.

A. Sure! I have a job and a lot of credibility in Washington, but we all want to return. Its hard to ignore the call back home.

Q. If you do manage to return, would you pick up where you left off, investigating corruption?

A. No. I would like to return to teaching. I taught at two universities, and thats what I wanted to do after finishing as attorney general. I hope to do that when I return.

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Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old media magnate who created Fox News, is stepping down as leader of both Foxs parent company and his News Corp. media holdings.

Fox said Thursday that Murdoch would become chairman emeritus of both companies. His son, Lachlan, will become News Corp. chairman and continue as chief executive officer of Fox Corp.

Lachlan Murdoch said that we are grateful that he will serve as chairman emeritus and know he will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies.

Besides Fox News, Murdoch started the Fox broadcast network, the first to successfully challenge the Big Three of ABC, CBS and NBC. He is owner of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

Murdoch is a force in the conservative world, where Fox News Channel has profoundly influenced television and the nations politics since its start in 1996.

Murdoch vowed in a letter to employees that he would remain engaged at Fox.

In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas, Murdoch wrote. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest.

There was no immediate word on why Murdochs announcement came now. Ironically, it is the week author and Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff is publishing a book, The End of Fox News, speculating on what will happen to the network when the patriarch is gone.

(AP)




Google is introducing Bard, its artificially intelligent chatbot, to other members of its digital family  including Gmail, Maps and YouTube  as it seeks ward off competitive threats posed by similar technology run by Open AI and Microsoft.

Bards expanded capabilities announced Tuesday will be provided through an English-only extension that will enable users to allow the chatbot to mine information embedded in their Gmail accounts as well as pull directions from Google Maps and find helpful videos on YouTube. The extension will also open a door for Bard to fetch travel information from Google Flights and extract information from documents stored on Google Drive.

Google is promising to protect users privacy by prohibiting human reviewers from seeing the potentially sensitive information that Bard gets from Gmail or Drive, while also promising that the data wont used as part of the main way the Mountain View, California, company makes money  selling ads tailored to peoples interests.

The expansion is the latest development in an escalating AI battle triggered by the popularity of OpenAIs ChatGPT chatbot and Microsofts push to infuse similar technology in its Bing search engine and its Microsoft 365 suite that includes its Word, Excel and Outlook applications.

ChatGPT prompted Google to release Bard broadly in March and then start testing the use of more conversational AI within its own search results in May.

The decision to feed Bard more digital juice i n the midst of a high-profile trial that could eventually hobble the ubiquitous Google search engine that propels the $1.7 trillion empire of its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc.

In the biggest U.S. antitrust case in a quarter century, the U.S Justice Department is alleging Google has created its lucrative search monopoly by abusing its power to stifle competition and innovation. Google contends it dominates search because its algorithms produce the best results. It also argues it faces a wide variety of competition that is becoming more intense with the rise of AI.

Giving Bard access to a trove of personal information and other popular services such as Gmail, Google Maps and YouTube, in theory, will make them even more helpful and prod more people to rely in them.

Google, for instance, posits that Bard could help a user planning a group trip to the Grand Canyon by getting dates that would work for everyone, spell out different flight and hotel options, provide directions from Maps and present an array of informative videos from YouTube.

(AP)




A security guard was lightly wounded in a stabbing attack at the Givat HaMivtar light rail station in Yerushalayim.

The 20-year-old guard was transported to Hadassah Mount Scopus for additional treatment.

The terrorist was shot and neutralized by security forces at the scene.

United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Moshe Arevlich who was one of the first responders at the scene said, I treated one person for a stab wound and stopped the bleeding. After he was stabilized at the scene, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital while fully conscious. At the time of transport, he was in light condition.

MDA EMT Chaim Blech said, The victim was fully conscious at the light rail station. We were told that he was attacked by the terrorist and was lightly injured in his his hand.

As he fought with the terrorist, a nearby police officer assisted him and neutralized the terrorist. We provided the victim with medical treatment and evacuated him to hospital in mild condition.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
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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.
Recovery in air travel has led SSP to expect revenues to rise. SSP operates brands ranging from its own Upper Crust, to franchises of M&S and Burger King, in airports and train stations in more than 30 countries.

In a statement to shareholders, the company said it expected revenue to hit around 3billion for the year to 30 September with underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to be at 280million.

However, earnings per share will be towards the lower end of the 7-7.5p that had been previously forecast.

In a statement to shareholders, the food business cited a 'continued recovery in passenger numbers' for why revenues have strengthened in recent months

It also said the food business cited a 'continued recovery in passenger numbers' for why revenues have strengthened in recent months.

The business said it expects that revenue for mid-June to the end of September will be 16 per cent higher than the same period last year when offsetting for currency changes.

This is better than in the 10 weeks to June 11, when revenue was up 12 per cent year-on-year.

But when taking into account currency fluctuations the business said revenue was only up 10 per cent in both periods.

SSP Group shares were down by 6 per cent to 230p in afternoon trading on Thursday.

The firm said: 'Our revenue performance is being driven by the continued recovery in passenger numbers, particularly in the air sector, as well as our stronger customer offer and digital proposition.

'In addition, revenues have benefited from price increases and further net contract gains.'

The company said it had struggled in part due to the strengthening of the pound against other currencies it earns.

Patrick Coveney, chief executive of SSP, said: 'We are enjoying a good finish to the year, and there is real momentum across the business as we enter the 2024 financial year.

'Our focus on higher growth markets such as North America and Asia Pacific, as well as our ongoing efforts to enhance our capabilities and increase efficiencies, is delivering strong results.

'Looking ahead, we continue to see significant opportunities for SSP to drive growth and returns.'
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The component stocks in the Index have a market capitalization between $300 million and $1 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets), and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation. The Index is adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization resulting from mergers, acquisition, stock rights, substitutions and other capital events.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM  Free Report) in a research report released on Friday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the shipping companys stock.

Navios Maritime Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of Navios Maritime stock opened at $1.89 on Friday. Navios Maritime has a 12-month low of $1.47 and a 12-month high of $2.97. The stock has a market cap of $43.04 million, a P/E ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64. The businesss 50 day moving average is $1.79 and its 200-day moving average is $1.77.

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Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 24th. The shipping company reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Navios Maritime had a return on equity of 63.17% and a net margin of 26.10%. The company had revenue of $81.90 million for the quarter.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navios Maritime

Navios Maritime Company Profile

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NM. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its stake in Navios Maritime by 36.8% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 20,437 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 5,500 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Navios Maritime by 73.4% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 24,850 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 10,518 shares during the period. MBE Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Navios Maritime in the 2nd quarter valued at $49,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at $53,000. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC bought a new stake in Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at $65,000. Institutional investors own 9.16% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc operates as a seaborne shipping and logistics company in North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, and internationally. It focuses on the transportation and transshipment of dry bulk commodities, including iron ores, coal, and grains. The company operates in two segments, Dry Bulk Vessel Operations and Logistics Business.

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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.
The Venezuelan government took action early on September 20 against the Tren de Aragua gang, an international criminal organization operating from the Tocoron Penitentiary in the state of Aragua, two hours from Caracas. The initial phase of the raid  dubbed the Cacique Guaicaipuro Liberation Operation  was deemed successful. However, there has been no official confirmation of the capture of gang leaders, including Tren de Aragua chief Hector Rutherford Guerrero Flores (aka El Nino Guerrero). Guerrero has managed his criminal enterprise from the prison for over a decade with the tacit consent of government officials. Some reports indicate that the criminals escaped before the prison was seized.

Tren de Aragua has become a problem for the entire region. The significant outflow of Venezuelans in the last five years included many gang members who extended their human trafficking operations and criminal network beyond the countrys borders. The gang formed between 2013 and 2015 out of the labor unions that were building a still-incomplete railway line in central Venezuela. At first, they extorted local merchants and residents, but later expanded their criminal activities to include kidnapping and drug trafficking, ultimately evolving into a transnational organization.

A soldier closes the main gate of the Tocoron penitentiary during a military intervention, in Tocoron, Venezuela, on Sept. 20, 2023. Ariana Cubillos (AP)

Tren de Aragua chief El Nino Guerrero established his headquarters in Tocoron Penitentiary and turned it into a private fiefdom. He financed his prison operation by collecting a weekly fee of $8-$10 dollars from the nearly 3,000 inmates, a common system of prison governance throughout the country. According to a report by independent Venezuelan news outlet Runrun.es, the Tocoron Penitentiary operated without any government oversight, and included a nightclub, swimming pool, shops, betting parlors, a zoo, and restaurants. Several investigations revealed that the gang has operations in at least 13 of Venezuelas 24 states, as well as in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. It is believed to have around 4,000 members and has fought with Colombias National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group to control criminal activities along the shared border.

The government issued a statement that the operation dismantled a center of conspiracy and crime used by an international criminal network against the Venezuelan people. According to the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP), a non-governmental organization (NGO) working to improve human rights for prisoners, some inmates surrendered while others escaped through tunnels and into the mountains surrounding the prison. The OVP issued a statement expressing support for the governments effort to regain control of its prisons, but emphasized the need to hold the pranes (criminal prison leaders) accountable for their crimes instead of allowing them to escape.

Relatives of prisoners watch the military intervention at Tocoron Penitentiary in Venezuela; September 20, 2023. Ariana Cubillos (AP)

The government claims that its massive deployment prevented a large-scale escape from Tocoron Penitentiary. Speaking on the state-owned VTV network, Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos said that its forces protected the human rights of prisoners and safeguarded residents of nearby towns. Nicolas Maduro also made a television appearance to praise the operation. Meanwhile, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on human rights in Venezuela presented its fourth report to the United Nations. The report reveals the Venezuelan governments systematic human rights violations, such as persecution of dissenters, torture, arbitrary detentions, media closures and crimes against humanity. While the number of cases has declined, the report cautions that attacks on civic spaces have intensified, specifically targeting union leaders, activists, and journalists.

No deaths, injuries, or arrests have been reported in Tocoron since 11,000 troops were deployed there. Videos from the scene showed burning shacks that housed prisoners, several hours of explosions, and tanks and armored vehicles from Caracas assaulting the facility.

Military personnel sit on the roof of an armored vehicle during the intervention at the Tocoron penitentiary center in Tocoron, Venezuela, on Sept. 20, 2023. Ariana Cubillos (AP)

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Seabridge Gold Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. Its principal projects are the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell property and Iskut project located in British Columbia, Canada; Courageous Lake property situated in Northwest Territories, Canada; Snowstorm project situated in the Nevada; and 3 Aces project located in the Yukon Territory. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc. and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc. in June 2002. Seabridge Gold Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Core Laboratories Inc. provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs. It offers laboratory-based analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and oil delivered products; and proprietary and joint industry studies, as well as services that support carbon capture, utilization and storage, hydrogen storage, geothermal projects, and the evaluation and appraisal of mining activities. The Production Enhancement segment provides services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations, and production. It offers integrated diagnostic services to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions to improve the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects. The company markets and sells its products through a combination of sales representatives, technical seminars, trade shows, and print advertising, as well as through distributors. The company was founded in 1936 and is based in Houston, Texas.
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.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Lennar: 360 Developers LLC, Alliance Financial Services Inc., Ann Arundel Farms Ltd., Aquaterra Utilities Inc., Arbor Mill Veteran Project 2018 LLC, Asbury Woods L.L.C., Astoria Options LLC, Autumn Creek Development Ltd., Aylon LLC, Azusa Associates LLC, B2 Milpitas LLC, BB Investment Holdings LLC, BCI Properties LLC, BMR Communities LLC, BMR Construction Inc., BMTD LLC, BPH I LLC, Bainebridge 249 LLC, Bay Colony Expansion 369 Ltd., Bellagio Lennar LLC, Belle Meade LEN Holdings LLC, Belle Meade Partners LLC, Black Mountain Ranch LLC, Blue Horizons Estates LLC, Bonterra Lennar LLC, Bramalea California Inc., Bressi Gardenlane LLC, Breton Park Lennar LLC, CAP IL 1 LLC, CL Ventures LLC, CML INACTIVE LLC, CML-MO HAF LLC, CML-MO HAF PARKING LLC, CP Block 6aS LLC, CP Block 8aS LLC, CP Block 9aS LLC, CP Center Apartments LLC, CP Center Garage LLC, CP Red Oak Partners Ltd., CP Vertical Development Co. 1 LLC, CP/HPS Development Co. GP LLC, CP/HPS Development Co.-C LLC, CPFE LLC, CPHP Development LLC, CalAtlantic Financial Services Inc., CalAtlantic Group, CalAtlantic Group Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Arizona Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Georgia Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Texas Inc., CalAtlantic Homes of Washington Inc., CalAtlantic Mortgage Inc., CalAtlantic National Title Solutions LLC, CalAtlantic Title Agency LLC, CalAtlantic Title Group LLC, CalAtlantic Title Inc., CalAtlantic Title LLC, CalAtlantic Title of Maryland Inc., Camarillo Village Park LLC, Cambria L.L.C., Candlestick Retail Member LLC, Cardiovascular Medical Specialists LLC, Carolina Blue LLC, Carson 175 LLC, Cary Woods LLC, Casa Marina Development LLC, Central Park West Holdings LLC, Cherrytree II LLC, Club Bonterra Lennar LLC, Coco Palm 82 LLC, Colonial Heritage LLC, Columbia National Risk Retention Group Inc., Commonwealth Incentive Fee LLC, Concord Station LLP, Coventry L.L.C., Creekside Crossing L.L.C., Crest at Fondren Investor LLC, DBJ Holdings LLC, DCA Financial LLC, DTC Holdings of Florida LLC, Darcy-Joliet L.L.C., Durrell 33 LLC, EL Ventures LLC, EV LLC, Eagle Bend Commercial LLC, Eagle Home Mortgage LLC, Estates Seven LLC, Evergreen Village LLC, F&R QVI Home Investments USA LLC, FLORDADE LLC, Faria Preserve LLC, Fidelity Guaranty and Acceptance Corp., Fidelity Land LLC, Fox-Maple Associates LLC, Friendswood Development Company LLC, GDI MANAGER LLC, Garco Investments LLC, Greystone Construction Inc., Greystone Homes of Nevada Inc., Greystone Nevada Holdings LLC, Greystone Nevada LLC, Greywall Club L.L.C., HCC Investors LLC, HPS Development Co. LP, HPS Vertical Development Co. LLC, HPS Vertical Development Co.-B LP, HPS Vertical Development Co.-D/E LLC, HPS1 Block 1 LLC, HPS1 Block 48-1A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-1B LLC, HPS1 Block 48-2A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-2B LLC, HPS1 Block 48-3A LLC, HPS1 Block 48-3B LLC, HPS1 Block 50 LLC, HPS1 Block 51 LLC, HPS1 Block 52 LLC, HPS1 Block 53 LLC, HPS1 Block 54 LLC, HPS1 Block 55 LLC, HPS1 Block 56/57 LLC, HSP Arizona Inc., HTC Golf Club LLC, Hammocks Lennar LLC, Harbor Highlands Group LLC, Harveston LLC, Haverton L.L.C., Heathcote Commons LLC, Heritage Pkwy East Holdings LLC, Heritage of Auburn Hills L.L.C., Hewitts Landing Trustee LLC, Hingham Properties LLC, Huntley Venture L.L.C., Inactive Companies LLC, Independence L.L.C., Independence Orlando LLC, Isles at Bayshore Club LLC, KMC Real Estate Investors LLC, Kendall Hammocks Commercial LLC, Kentuckiana Medical Center LLC, Kingman Lennar LLC, LB/L  Duc III Antioch 330 LLC, LCD Asante LLC, LCI Downtown Doral Investor LLC, LCI North DeKalb Investor GP LLC, LCI North DeKalb Investor LP LLC, LEN - Belle Meade LLC, LEN - OBS Windemere LLC, LEN - Palm Vista LLC, LEN BPT Investor LLC, LEN Mirada Investor LLC, LEN Notarize Investor LLC, LEN OT Holdings LLC, LEN Paradise Cable LLC, LEN Paradise Operating LLC, LEN-CG South LLC, LEN-Cypress Mill LLC, LEN-Ryan 1 LLC, LEN-Touchstone LLC, LENH I LLC, LENNAR HOMES OF TENNESSEE LLC, LFS Holding Company LLC, LH Eastwind LLC, LHI Renaissance LLC, LMC 10th & Acoma Holdings LP, LMC 144th and Grant Investor LLC, LMC 2401 Blake Street Holdings LLC, LMC 2401 Blake Street Investor LLC, LMC 360 Acoma Holdings LP, LMC 410 S Wabash Holdings LLC, LMC 808 Gateway Holdings LLC, LMC 808 Gateway Investor LLC, LMC 8th Avenue Apartment Investor LLC, LMC 990 Bannock Holdings LLC, LMC Axis Westminster Holdings LLC, LMC Axis Westminster Investor LLC, LMC Berry Hill Lofts Holdings LLC, LMC Berry Hill Lofts Investor LLC, LMC Block 42 Holdings LLC, LMC Build to Core III Investor LLC, LMC Build to Core III LLC, LMC Burnside Holdings LLC, LMC Burnside Investor LLC, LMC Chandler and McClintock Holdings LLC, LMC Charlestowne Holdings LLC, LMC Charlotte Ballpark Developer LLC, LMC Cityville Oak Park Holdings LLC, LMC Cityville Oak Park Investor LLC, LMC Cobalt Holdings LLC, LMC Costa Mesa Holdings LP, LMC Crest at Park West Holdings LP, LMC Denver Gateway I Investor LLC, LMC Denver Gateway II Holdings LLC, LMC Development LLC, LMC Downtown Doral South Holdings LLC, LMC Durham Gateway Holdings LP, LMC Evans School Holdings LLC, LMC Gateway Investor LLC, LMC Gateway Venture LLC, LMC Gilman Square Investor LLC, LMC Horton Street Holdings LLC, LMC Huntington Crossing Holdings LLC, LMC Inactive Companies LLC, LMC Lakeside Holdings LP, LMC Leya Holdings LLC, LMC Living Illinois LLC, LMC Living Inc., LMC Living LLC, LMC Living TRS LP, LMC Millenia Investor II LLC, LMC NE Minneapolis Lot 2 Holdings LLC, LMC New Bern Investor LLC, LMC North Park Holdings LP, LMC Parkfield Holdings LLC, LMC Parkfield Investor LLC, LMC Righters Ferry Holdings LLC, LMC River North Holdings LLC, LMC Spring Street Investor LLC, LMC Stonewall Station Investor LLC, LMC Triangle Square Investor LLC, LMC Venture Developer LLC, LMC Verbena Holdings LLC, LMC West Loop Investor LLC, LMCFX Investor LLC, LMCPNW Marymoor Holdings LLC, LMI - Jacksonville Investor LLC, LMI - South Kings Development Investor LLC, LMI - West Seattle Holdings LLC, LMI - West Seattle Investor LLC, LMI - West Seattle LLC, LMI Cell Tower Investors LLC, LMI City Walk Investor LLC, LMI Collegedale Investor LLC, LMI Collegedale LLC, LMI Contractors LLC, LMI Glencoe Dallas Investor LLC, LMI Lakes West Covina Investor LLC, LMI Largo Park Investor LLC, LMI Las Colinas Station LLC, LMI Naperville Investor LLC, LMI Pacific Tower LLC, LMI Park Central Two LLC, LMI Peachtree Corners Investor LLC, LMI Peachtree Corners LLC, LMI-JC Developer LLC, LMI-JC LLC, LMV 1640 Broadway REIT-DC LP, LMV 1701 Ballard REIT-DC LP, LMV 19H REIT-DC LP, LMV 2026 Madison REIT-DC LP, LMV 85 South Union REIT-DC LP, LMV ATown REIT-DC LP, LMV Annapolis REIT-DC LP, LMV Apache Terrace REIT-DC LP, LMV Block 42 REIT-DC LP, LMV Bloomington REIT-DC LP, LMV Bolingbrook REIT-DC LP (DE), LMV Central at McDowell REIT-DC LP, LMV East Village I REIT-DC LP, LMV Edina REIT-DC LP, LMV Fremont WS I REIT-DC LP, LMV Glisan REIT-DC LP, LMV Grand Bay REIT-DC LP, LMV II Grand Bay Pod V Holdings LP, LMV II Kierland Holdings LP, LMV II NoMo Holdings LP, LMV II Venture Developer LLC, LMV II Wynwood Holdings LP, LMV Kirkland REIT-DC LP, LMV Little Italy REIT-DC LP, LMV M Tower REIT-DC LP, LMV Millenia II REIT-DC LP, LMV Milpitas REIT-DC LP, LMV NE Minneapolis REIT-DC LP, LMV Oak Park REIT-DC LP, LMV One20Fourth REIT-DC LP, LMV QR Build to Core Manager LLC, LMV Rio Bravo REIT-DC LP, LMV Scottsdale Quarter REIT-DC LP, LMV Tysons REIT-DC LP, LMV Vallagio III REIT-DC LP, LMV Victory Block G REIT-DC LP, LMV Warren Street REIT-DC LP, LNC Communities II LLC, LNC Communities IV LLC, LNC Communities V LLC, LNC Communities VI LLC, LNC Communities VII LLC, LNC Communities VIII LLC, LNC Pennsylvania Realty Inc., LNC at Meadowbrook LLC, LNC at Ravenna LLC, LS College Park LLC, LS Terracina LLC, LV Opendoor Investor LLC, LV Opendoor JV LLC, LW D'Andrea LLC, Lagoon Valley Residential LLC, Lakelands at Easton L.L.C., Legends Club LLC, Legends Golf Club LLC, Len - Little Harbor LLC, Len FW Investor LLC, Len Paradise LLC, Len-Angeline LLC, Len-Hawks Point LLC, Len-Land LLC, Len-Land West LLC, Len-MN LLC, Len-Verandahs LLP, LenCom LLC, LenFive LLC, LenFive Opco GP LLC, LenFive Sub III LLC, LenFive Sub LLC, LenFive Sub Opco GP LLC, Lenalto CMBS LLC, Lencraft LLC, Lennar Aircraft I LLC, Lennar Arizona Construction Inc., Lennar Arizona Inc., Lennar Associates Management Holding Company, Lennar Associates Management LLC, Lennar Avenue One LLC, Lennar Berkeley LLC, Lennar Bevard LLC, Lennar Bridges LLC, Lennar Buffington Colorado Crossing L.P., Lennar Buffington Zachary Scott L.P., Lennar Carolinas LLC, Lennar Central Park LLC, Lennar Central Region Sweep Inc., Lennar Chicago Inc., Lennar Cobra LLC, Lennar Colgate Urban Renewal Development LLC, Lennar Colorado LLC, Lennar Colorado Minerals LLC, Lennar Commercial LLC, Lennar Communities Development Inc., Lennar Communities Inc., Lennar Communities Nevada LLC, Lennar Communities of Chicago L.L.C., Lennar Concord LLC, Lennar Construction Inc., Lennar Cory Road LLC, Lennar Courts LLC, Lennar Developers Inc., Lennar Ewing LLC, Lennar Financial Services LLC, Lennar Flamingo LLC, Lennar Fresno Inc., Lennar Gardens LLC, Lennar Georgia Inc., Lennar Greer Ranch Venture LLC, Lennar Heritage Fields LLC, Lennar Hingham Holdings LLC, Lennar Hingham JV LLC, Lennar Homes Holding LLC, Lennar Homes LLC, Lennar Homes NJ LLC, Lennar Homes of Arizona Inc., Lennar Homes of California Inc., Lennar Homes of Indiana Inc., Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction Ltd., Lennar Homes of Texas Sales and Marketing Ltd., Lennar Homes of Utah Inc., Lennar International Holding LLC, Lennar International LLC, Lennar Lakeside Investor LLC, Lennar Layton LLC, Lennar Living LLC, Lennar Lytle LLC, Lennar MF Holdings LLC, Lennar MPA LLC, Lennar MPA WIP LLC, Lennar Mare Island LLC, Lennar Marina A Funding LLC, Lennar Massachusetts Properties Inc., Lennar Middletown LLC, Lennar Monmouth Redevelopers LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP Subsidiary LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture GP Victory Block G Mezz LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II GP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II GP Subsidiary LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II LP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture II Manager LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture LP LLC, Lennar Multifamily BTC Venture Manager LLC, Lennar Multifamily Builders LLC, Lennar Multifamily Communities LLC, Lennar Multifamily Venture DC LP, Lennar New Jersey Holdings LLC, Lennar New Jersey Properties Inc., Lennar New York LLC, Lennar Northeast Properties LLC, Lennar Northwest Inc., Lennar OHB LLC, Lennar PI Acquisition LLC, Lennar PI Property Acquisition LLC, Lennar PIS Management Company LLC, Lennar Pacific Inc., Lennar Pacific Properties Inc., Lennar Pacific Properties Management Inc., Lennar Plumsted Urban Renewal LLC, Lennar Point LLC, Lennar QR Build to Core GP LLC, Lennar QR Build to Core LP LLC, Lennar Realty Inc., Lennar Reno LLC, Lennar Riverwalk LLC, Lennar Sacramento Inc., Lennar Sales Corp., Lennar Sierra Sunrise LLC, Lennar Spencer's Crossing LLC, Lennar Sun Ridge LLC, Lennar Texas Holding LLC, Lennar Ventures LLC, Lennar West Valley LLC, Lennar Winncrest LLC, Lennar at Franklin LLC, Lennar at Jackson LLC, Lennar at Marlboro 79 LLC, Lennar at Monroe LLC, Lennar.com Inc., Longleaf Acquisition LLC, Lori Gardens Associates II LLC, Lori Gardens Associates III LLC, Lori Gardens Associates L.L.C., Lorton Station LLC, Lyons Lennar Farms LLC, Madrona Ridge L.L.C., Madrona Village L.L.C., Madrona Village Mews L.L.C., Majestic Woods LLC, Maple and Broadway Holdings LLC, Menifee Development LLC, Mid-County Utilities Inc., Miralago West Lennar LLC, Mission Viejo 12S Venture LP, Mission Viejo Holdings Inc., Motomic Diagnostics LLC, Multibank 2009-1 CML-ADC Venture LLC, Multibank 2009-1 RES-ADC Venture LLC, NC Properties I LLC, NC Properties II LLC, North American Asset Development LLC, Northbridge L.L.C., OHC/Ascot Belle Meade LLC, One SR L.P., PD-Len Boca Raton LLC, PG Properties Holding LLC, POMAC LLC, PT Metro LLC, Pace Drive Holdings LLC, Palm Gardens At Doral Clubhouse LLC, Palm Gardens at Doral LLC, Palm Springs Classic LLC, Palm Vista Preserve LLC, Patuxent Infrastructure Inc., Pioneer Meadows Development LLC, Pioneer Meadows Investments LLC, Plaza Condominium Ventures LLC, Portside Marina Developers L.L.C., Portside SM Associates L.L.C., Portside SM Holdings L.L.C., Portside Shipyard Developers L.L.C., Prestonfield L.L.C., Quail Roost Lennar LLC, RCCF GP II LLC, RCCF GP III LLC, RCCF GP IV LLC, RCCF GP LLC, RES-FL EIGHT LLC, RES-FL SEVEN LLC, RES-FL VISION ONE LLC, RES-FL VISION TWO LLC, RES-GA CASCADE LLC, RES-GA DIAMOND MEADOWS LLC, RES-GA KAP LLC, RES-GA SOUTHERN PLANTATION LLC, RES-GA THIRTEEN LLC, RES-GA TWELVE LLC, RES-GA WEST LLC, RES-IL ONE LLC, RES-NC ONE LLC, RES-PA LSJ LLC, RES-PA POM LLC, RES-TX BOULEVARD LLC, RH Insurance Company Inc., RH MOA BBCMS 2017-C1 LLC, RH MOA CF 2017-C8 LLC, RH MOA LLC, RH MOA U 2017-C4 LLC, RH MOA U 2017-C6 LLC, RIAL 2014-LT5 CLASS B LLC, RIAL 2014-LT5 LLC, RL BB FINANCIAL LLC, RL BB INACTIVE LLC, RL BB-AL LLC, RL BB-FL ALHI LLC, RL BB-GA LLC, RL BB-GA RMH LLC, RL BB-IL LLC, RL BB-IN AA LLC, RL BB-IN KRE LLC, RL BB-IN KRE OP LLC, RL BB-IN KRE RE LLC, RL BB-MS LLC, RL BB-NC LLC, RL BB-OH LLC, RL BB-SC BROOKSA LLC, RL BB-SC CLR II LLC, RL BB-SC CLR III LLC, RL BB-SC CLR IV LLC, RL BB-SC CLR LLC, RL BB-SC CRRC LLC, RL BB-SC RACEDAY LLC, RL BB-TN BRISTOL LLC, RL BB-TN LLC, RL BB-TN RACEDAY TOWER LLC, RL BB-TX LLC, RL BB-WV LLC, RL CMBS Holdings LLC, RL CML 2009-1 Investments LLC, RL REGI ARKANSAS LLC, RL REGI Alabama LLC, RL REGI FINANCIAL LLC, RL REGI Florida LLC, RL REGI GEORGIA LLC, RL REGI INACTIVE LLC, RL REGI KANSAS LLC, RL REGI MISSISSIPPI LLC, RL REGI MISSOURI LLC, RL REGI NORTH CAROLINA LLC, RL REGI SOUTH CAROLINA LLC, RL REGI TENNESSEE LLC, RL REGI VIRGINIA LLC, RL REGI-AL HP LLC, RL REGI-AL VRC LLC, RL REGI-FL CRC LLC, RL REGI-FL ESH LLC, RL REGI-FL FT. PIERCE LLC, RL REGI-FL GDL LLC, RL REGI-FL ITALIA LLC, RL REGI-FL MRED LLC, RL REGI-FL RDI LLC, RL REGI-FL SARASOTA LLC, RL REGI-FL TPL LLC, RL REGI-FL VARC LLC, RL REGI-GA DRAD LLC, RL REGI-GA HAY DB LLC, RL REGI-GA MHU LLC, RL REGI-GA MPD LLC, RL REGI-GA RLR LLC, RL REGI-MO GMB LLC, RL REGI-MO MOSCOW MILLS LLC, RL REGI-MS Double H LLC, RL REGI-MS OCEAN SPRINGS LLC, RL REGI-NC CIL LLC, RL REGI-NC LITTLE WING LLC, RL REGI-NC MLD LLC, RL REGI-NC Mland LLC, RL REGI-NC RALEIGH LLC, RL REGI-NC SUGARM LLC, RL REGI-NM LLC, RL REGI-SC CTL LLC, RL REGI-SC LAKE E LLC, RL REGI-SC TDG LLC, RL REGI-SC TIG LLC, RL REGI-TN OAK LLC, RL REGI-TN SEVIERVILLE LLC, RL RES 2009-1 Investments LLC, RMF Alliance LLC, RMF Commercial LLC, RMF PR New York LLC, RMF Partner LLC, RMF SUB 1 LLC, RMF SUB 2 LLC, RMF SUB 3 LLC, RMF SUB 4 LLC, RMF SUB 5 LLC, RMV LLC, Raintree Village II L.L.C., Raintree Village L.L.C., Ral-Len BM LLC, Ral-Len LLC, Rannel Capital WeWork Series D LLC, Rannel Holdings LLC, Rannel Interests LLC, Rannel Investments LLC, Rannel Mortgage Investments LLC, Rannel Proprietary Investments LLC, Renaissance Joint Venture, Reserve @ Pleasant Grove II LLC, Reserve @ Pleasant Grove LLC, Reserve at River Park LLC, Reserve at South Harrison LLC, Rialto Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Rialto Credit Partnership GP LLC, Rialto Mezz Partners GP LLC, Rialto Mortgage Finance LLC, Rialto Partners GP II LLC, Rialto Partners GP III - Debt LLC, Rialto Partners GP III - Property LLC, Rialto Partners GP LLC, Rialto RSSF GP LLC, Riverwalk at Lago Mar LLC, Rocking Horse Minerals LLC, Rutenberg Homes Inc. (Florida), Rutenberg Homes of Texas Inc., Rye Hill Company LLC, Ryland Homes Nevada Holdings LLC, Ryland Homes Nevada LLC, Ryland Homes of California Inc., S. Florida Construction II LLC, S. Florida Construction III LLC, S. Florida Construction LLC, SC 521 Indian Land Reserve LLC, SC 521 Indian Land Reserve South LLC, SPIC CPCO Inc., SPIC CPDB Inc., SPIC CPRB Inc., SPIC Del Sur LLC, SPIC Dublin LLC, SPIC Mesa LLC, SPIC NC Fremont LLC, SPIC Otay LLC, SPIC Springs LLC, San Felipe Indemnity Co. Ltd., San Lucia LLC, San Simeon Lennar LLC, Schulz Ranch Developers LLC, Seminole/70th LLC, Siena at Old Orchard L.L.C., Sierra Vista Communities LLC, Silver Springs Lennar LLC, South Development LLC, Southbank Holding LLC, Spanish Springs Development LLC, St. Charles Active Adult Community LLC, St. Charles Community LLC, Standard Pacific 1 Inc., Standard Pacific Investment Corp., Standard Pacific of Colorado Inc., Standard Pacific of Florida, Standard Pacific of Florida GP Inc., Standard Pacific of Las Vegas Inc., Standard Pacific of Orange County Inc., Standard Pacific of Tampa GP, Standard Pacific of Tampa GP Inc., Standard Pacific of Tonner Hills LLC, Standard Pacific of Walnut Hills Inc., Standard Pacific of the Carolinas LLC, Stoney Holdings LLC, Storey Lake Club LLC, Storey Park Club LLC, Strategic Holdings Inc., Strategic Technologies LLC, Summerfield Venture L.L.C., SunStreet Energy Group LLC, SunStreet Manager LLC, TCO QVI LLC, TICD Hold Co. LLC, TIH Hold Co. LLC, Talega Associates LLC, Temecula Valley LLC, Terra Division LLC, Terra/Winding Creek LLC, The Baywinds Land Trust, The Bridges Club at Rancho Santa Fe Inc., The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe Sales Company Inc., The LNC Northeast Group Inc., The Oasis Club at LEN-CG South LLC, The Preserve at Coconut Creek LLC, The Vistas Club at LEN-CG South LLC, Titlezoom Company, Treasure Island Holdings LLC, Treasure Island Member LLC, Treviso Holding LLC, Two Lakes Lennar LLC, U.S. Home Corporation, U.S. Home Realty Inc., U.S. Home of Arizona Construction Co., U.S. Insurors Inc., U.S.H. Realty Inc., UAMC Holding Company LLC, UB 2018C14 MOA LLC, USH - Flag LLC, USH Equity Corporation, USH LEE LLC, USH Leasing II LLC, USH Leasing LLC, UST Lennar HW Scala SF Joint Venture, VII Crown Farm Investor LLC, Venetian Lennar LLC, Vineyard Land LLC, Vineyard Point 2009 LLC, Vista Palms Clubhouse LLC, WCI Communities, WCI Communities Inc., WCI Communities LLC, WCI Towers Northeast USA Inc., WCI Westshore LLC, WCP LLC, WIP Lennar OHB LLC, Waterview at Hanover LLC, West Lake Village LLC, West Seattle Project X LLC, West Van Buren L.L.C., Westchase Inc., Westchase Ltd., Westfield Homes USA Inc., White Course Lennar LLC, Wild Plum JV LLC, Willowbrook Investors LLC, Winncrest Natomas LLC, Woodbridge Multifamily Developer I LLC, Wright Farm L.L.C., and YLRichards4Acres 2015 LLC.

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Tyler Technologies, Inc. provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Software, and Platform Technologies. The company offers financial management solutions, including modular fund accounting systems for government agencies or not-for-profit entities; utility billing systems for the billing and collection of metered and non-metered services; products to automate city and county functions, such as municipal courts, parking tickets, equipment and project costing, animal and business licenses, permits and inspections, code enforcement, citizen complaint tracking, ambulance billing, fleet maintenance, and cemetery records management; student information and transportation solutions for K-12 schools; and financial management systems. It also provides a suite of judicial solutions comprising court case management, court and law enforcement, prosecutor, and supervision systems to handle multi-jurisdictional county or statewide implementations, and single county systems; public safety software solutions; systems and software to automate the appraisal and assessment of real and personal property, as well as tax applications for agencies that bill and collect taxes; planning, regulatory, and maintenance software solutions for public sector agencies; software applications to enhance and automate operations involving records and document management; and data and insights solutions. In addition, the company offers software as a service arrangements and electronic document filing solutions for courts and law offices; software and hardware installation, data conversion, training, product modification, and maintenance and support services; and property appraisal outsourcing services for taxing jurisdictions. It has a strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services for cloud hosting services. Tyler Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price

S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price

S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity All the trading advice youve ever received boils down to this (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price
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.
Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc. is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Neuberger Berman LLC. The fund is co-managed by Neuberger Berman Management LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in municipal bonds which have income that is exempt from federal income tax and California state personal tax. It invests in securities with remaining maturities of less than 15 years. The fund seeks to maintain a weighted average duration of between three and eight years. It invests in securities rated in the four highest categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Neuberger Berman California Intermediate Municipal Fund Inc. was formed on July 29, 2002 and is domiciled in the United States.
The terms colonization and decolonization have slowly gained traction in mass media, social organizations, academic circles, political discussions and online platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The debate over decolonizing museums or addressing historical reparations for people of African heritage highlights the increasing awareness of latent coloniality, and the importance of engaging with these concepts to better comprehend and navigate the reality of our world today.

A growing group of people seeks to investigate, question and challenge the enduring impacts of colonialism in power structures, collective imaginations and daily life. What do we mean when we talk about coloniality? Simply put, its about recognizing that many of our behaviors, customs and social structures originated in the colonial era and persist today. Our current understandings of gender, race, and class are deeply influenced by the weight of colonial legacy. The process of racialization continues to shape notions of social class, while constructs of beauty and success are intertwined with gender, race and class. This system has become internalized, and we view it as natural because the legacy of colonization shapes our worldview.

By accepting colonial heritage as the norm, we disregard the need to dismantle political and economic borders. On May 25, the vice president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, remarked: Its disheartening to hear some leaders rejoice over Bolivia and Chiles protective legislation for lithium, as if it means everyone will flock there to buy it. We should aspire to be Malaysia or Korea, rather than reverting to the colonial era of Potosi. Fernandez noted Argentinas historical belief in its superiority because of its European heritage and whiteness, and said the extractivist colonial mindset persists in other Latin American countries.

In cultural spaces, just like in politics, the issue of decolonization is gaining momentum. Take the literary novel, for instance, which has long been a key vehicle for expanding Western culture. Concerns now arise about the novels deeply ingrained 19th-century attributes that dictate notions of individuality, authorship and linear narrative. When embracing decolonization, the novel breaks free from traditional storytelling methods, challenges established norms, redefines timelines, questions established voices and plays with dimensions of space and time. Its a journey towards disorganization and reevaluation of the literary canon.

Fashion, as an industry, has consistently perpetuated racist, classist and patriarchal notions about the body while prioritizing the consumption of goods over the well-being of our planet. The standards of beauty in fashion have been predominantly based on a white, European and extractivist perspective. In Latin America, the interconnections between fashion, tourism, and colonialism are evident. The aesthetic and cultural perceptions of the land and its inhabitants are often exoticized, serving the fleeting desires of tourists who celebrate their destination without considering the consequences. This cycle allows fashion and tourism to thrive while perpetuating a colonial model that perpetuates racial inequality. Its a system where some benefit at the expense of others.

Recently, there has been growing public interest in news, analysis, and denunciations of racist advertising campaigns. For example, Colombians are rejecting the promotion of Cartagena as an attractive tourist destination despite its social and physical fragility. Mexican environmentalists and indigenous communities have joined forces to fight the Mayan Train project in the Yucatan Peninsula. Both academia and the media now engage in conversations about decolonization and actively work to combat racial bias and racism in Latin America and other multiracial nations.

The connection between race, class, and gender in colonial fashion and tourism is well-known. Audiences are now questioning historically patriarchal industries and exploring alternative forms of creation and sustenance that challenge power dynamics. Understanding and addressing the colonial heritage behind these practices is crucial. To achieve this, collective voices advocate urgently for the ongoing decolonization of mentalities, practices and power structures.

Decolonial thinking is a powerful tool that helps us understand the pasts connection to the present and shapes future possibilities. In Latin America and the Caribbean, intellectuals have long questioned the relationship between modernity, colonialism and oppressive structures. Frantz Fanon viewed decolonization as dismantling power structures, including the inseparable network of racist, patriarchal, and extractivist relations that harm both people and the planet. Decolonization is both a structural problem and an individual mindset, requiring collective action to challenge and dismantle beliefs and attitudes.

Challenging the romanticized notions of miscegenation is crucial in understanding its impact on racial democracies. Behind this concept lies an anti-blackness endeavor rooted in the Americas, aiming to whiten populations and cultures. This endeavor is still prevalent today, evident in the displacement of Haitian people and the unwelcoming attitude toward Black migrants. Such attitudes maintain prejudiced and stereotypical beliefs about the Black community. Haitian writer Lyonel Trouillot aptly reminds us that Our country is not cursed, but rather the product of human actions and governance. The notion that Haiti is a cursed country due to its non-Catholic beliefs originates in colonialism, perpetuating the numerous humiliations and injustices faced by its people daily.

Feminist discourse calls attention to the gender perspective on social issues, while decolonial thought takes a broader anti-patriarchal approach by considering race, class and power dynamics. It challenges dominant narratives that perpetuate various forms of violence and suggests alternative ways of engaging. With increased visibility in political and cultural contexts, decolonialization has gained momentum and sparked discussions about colonial legacies. Its not a theoretical framework  decolonization aims to actively transform colonial structures, mentalities, and practices in pursuit of social justice. Its not a metaphor  its a call to reconfigure power.

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Asana, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a work management platform for individuals, team leads, and executives in the United States and internationally. Its platform helps organizations to orchestrate work from daily tasks to cross-functional strategic initiatives; and manages product launches, marketing campaigns, and organization-wide goal settings. The company serves customers in various industries, such as technology, retail, education, non-profit, government, healthcare, hospitality, media, manufacturing, professional services, and financial services. The company was formerly known as Smiley Abstractions, Inc. and changed its name to Asana, Inc. in July 2009. Asana, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Amcor (NYSE:AMCR) pays an annual dividend of $0.49 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 5.66%. AMCR 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 3 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio is 69.01%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, AMCR will have a dividend payout ratio of 67.12% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for AMCR.
As of June 30, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 294 apartment communities containing 88,659 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.
Devon Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company was incorporated in 1971 by John Nichols and his son J. Larry Nichols and later went public in August 2000. The company has since grown to be included in the S&P 500 and is one of the first energy companies to introduce resolutions requiring the company to monitor its impact on global warming. One time a major player in the global oil market, Devon has since sold off its offshore holdings in an effort to focus on US production and its transition to a lower-carbon future.

Devon Energy merged with WPX in early 2021 in an all-stock merger of equals. The new company is primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the US midwest. The company operates more than 5,100 wells in Oklahomas Delaware Basis, Eagle Ford Group, and the two locations in the Rocky Mountains. As of late 2022, the company laid claim to 1.625 million barrels of reserves including 44% petroleum, 27% natural gas liquids, and 29% natural gas. Daily production was running in the range of 300,000 BPD in petroleum liquids, 125,000 BPD in natural gas liquids, and 920 million cubic feet of natural gas.

Rick Muncrief, formally CEO of WPX, is now the head of Devon Energy. Mr. Muncrief comes to the table with more than 40 years of experience including 27 years with one of the US Big Three Oil Companies. WPX Energy (Williams Production and Exploration) brought properties in the Williston and Permian Basins to the combined company. Its proven reserves were roughly 527 million barrels of oil and equivalents. The company also owns and operates a midstream network of pipelines and storage facilities it uses to market and deliver its products.

Devon Energy Corporation has pledged to reduce its GHG impact to net zero by 2050. This will be done by a variety of methods that include improving efficiency and leakage, a reduction in flaring, and the electrification of its operations. Near-term goals include a 50% reduction in GHG by 2030 including a 65% reduction in methane release and a 100% reduction in flaring. The company is also focused on reducing its environmental impact by relying on recycled water wherever possible and plans to reduce freshwater usage by 90% in the most active areas. Total greenhouse gas emissions have been in decline since 2018 and fell 17% between 2018 and 2020 alone.
Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. This segment also offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment provides corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Horace Mann Educators Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an insurance holding company in the United States. The company operates through Property & Casualty, Life & Retirement, and Supplemental & Group Benefits segments. Its Property & Casualty segment offers insurance products, including private passenger auto insurance and residential home insurance; and provides auto coverages including liability and collision, and property coverage for homeowners and renters. The Life & Retirement segment markets tax-qualified fixed, fixed indexed, and variable annuities; and internal revenue code for educator, which allows public school employees and employees of other tax-exempt organizations, such as not-for-profit private schools, to utilize pretax income to make periodic contributions to a qualified retirement plan. Supplemental & Group Benefits segment offers employer-sponsored products including accident, critical illness, limited-benefit fixed indemnity insurance, term life, and short-term and long-term disability, as well as worksite direct products, such as supplemental heart, cancer, disability, and accident coverage. The company was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois.
IT Tech Packaging, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the production and distribution of paper products in the People's Republic of China. It offers corrugating medium papers to companies making corrugating cardboards; and offset printing papers to printing companies. The company also provides tissue paper products, including toilet papers, boxed and soft-packed tissues, handkerchief tissues, and paper napkins, as well as bathroom and kitchen paper towels under the Dongfang Paper brand. In addition, it produces and sells non-medical single-use face masks, and medical face masks. The company was formerly known as Orient Paper, Inc. and changed its name to IT Tech Packaging, Inc. in August 2018. IT Tech Packaging, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Baoding, the People's' Republic of China.
Google logo and AI Artificial Intelligence words are seen in this illustration taken, May 4, 2023.

Google will soon require that political ads using artificial intelligence be accompanied by a prominent disclosure if imagery or sounds have been synthetically altered.

AI-generated election ads on YouTube and other Google platforms that alter people or events must include a clear disclaimer located somewhere that users are likely to notice, the company said in an update to its political content policy.

The new rule starts in mid-November, just under a year before the U.S. presidential election. It will also affect campaign ads ahead of next years elections in India, South Africa, the European Union and other regions where Google already has a verification process for election advertisers.

Though fake images, videos or audio clips are not new to political advertising, generative AI tools are making it easier to do, and more realistic. Some presidential campaigns in the 2024 race  including that of Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis  already are using the technology.

The Republican National Committee in April released an entirely AI-generated ad meant to show the future of the United States if President Joe Biden is reelected. It employed fake but realistic photos showing boarded-up storefronts, armored military patrols in the streets, and waves of immigrants creating panic.

In June, DeSantis campaign shared an attack ad against his GOP primary opponent Donald Trump that used AI-generated images of the former president hugging infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Last month the Federal Election Commission began a process to potentially regulate AI-generated deepfakes in political ads ahead of the 2024 election. Such deepfakes can include synthetic voice of political figures saying something they never said.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, co-sponsor of pending legislation that would require disclaimers on deceptive AI-generated political ads, said in a statement that Googles announcement was a step in the right direction but we cant solely rely on voluntary commitments.

Several states also have discussed or passed legislation related to deepfake technology.

Google is not banning AI outright in political advertising. Exceptions to the ban include synthetic content altered or generated in a way thats inconsequential to the claims made in the ad. AI can also be used in editing techniques like image resizing, cropping, color, defect correction, or background edits.

The ban will apply to election ads on Googles own platforms, particularly YouTube, as well as third-party websites that are part of Googles ad display network.

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Two Harbors Investment Corp. is an externally managed REIT focused on the US residential mortgage market. The company strives to produce risk-adjusted returns by managing a portfolio of RMBS and other loans paired with a mortgage servicing business. The company delivers returns in the form of dividends primarily with a secondary goal of capital growth. The firm was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Minnesota.

Two Harbors Investment Corp. is in business to invest in, finance, and manage a portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities. These may include non-agency securities and mortgage servicing rights as well as other financial assets (about 5% to 10% of the portfolio). However, the bulk of the portfolio is in agency-backed RMBS. The fund's strategy of pairing a mortgage servicing business with an RMBS portfolio is unique in the industry and provides many advantages for investors that include reducing exposure to interest rate fluctuations and their impact on mortgage spread.

The companys focus on agency-backed RMBS provides a level of safety because the principal and interest are backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other government agencies.

The companys portfolio of mortgage servicing rights allows the company to capitalize on its experience in mitigating credit risk and is supported by a robust pipeline of new business. Originators provide new business on a continual basis as new loans are created. The company may also buy bundled loans from originators or other mortgage loan owners in order to earn fees for services.

Two Harbors Investment Corp. chooses to be taxed as a REIT. As such, the company distributes at least 90% of its taxable income in the form of dividends. Two Harbors Investment Corp. was externally managed until 2020. The switch to internal management better aligns the companys goals with those of shareholders and improves the transparency of operations. Investors who wish to enroll in a share purchase or DRIP, dividend reinvestment program, should contact the companys plan administrator, Equiniti Trust Company. Investors must be shareholders of record to participate in the plan.
EOG Resources, Inc. is a leading independent exploration and production company focusing on the oil and gas industry. Based in Houston, Texas, EOG's mission is to provide energy solutions that power the world while adhering to the highest environmental and safety standards. With its robust portfolio of assets, talented management team, and commitment to technological advancements, EOG Resources has emerged as a key player in the energy sector.

EOG Resources operates in multiple locations across the globe, primarily focusing on North America, including the United States, Canada, and Trinidad. The company's primary products and services revolve around the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. EOG Resources serves a diverse range of customers, including industrial, residential, and commercial sectors, as well as other energy companies.

EOG Resources is committed to minimizing its environmental impact. The company employs advanced drilling techniques and utilizes cutting-edge technologies to maximize production efficiency while reducing emissions and water usage. EOG's sustainability efforts align with its mission to provide reliable energy solutions for a sustainable future.

EOG Resources boasts a highly experienced and accomplished management team led by key executives with industry knowledge and expertise. Ezra Y. Yacob, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has driven the company's strategic growth initiatives. With a strong background in geoscience and leadership roles, Mr. Yacob has been with EOG Resources since 2005. He has served in various key positions, including President and Executive Vice President of Exploration and Production.

Lloyd W. "Billy" Helms, Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer, joined EOG Resources in 1995 and has held several significant leadership positions within the company. Mr. Helms has been pivotal in overseeing the company's operations, exploration activities, and production strategies.

Timothy K. Driggers, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been integral to EOG Resources since 1995. Mr. Driggers' financial acumen and expertise have contributed to the company's financial stability and growth.

EOG Resources has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance, with steady revenue growth and healthy profit margins. EOG Resources has successfully navigated market fluctuations and achieved long-term financial stability.

When considering the company's valuation metrics, EOG Resources has been favorably positioned compared to its industry peers. The company's valuation metrics, such as price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, have reflected investor confidence in the company's future prospects and financial strength.

With significant price movements and trading volume, EOG Resources' stock performance has been notable. The company's stock has demonstrated resilience, responding to market conditions and reflecting investor sentiment. Recent news and events, including industry trends, regulatory changes, and geopolitical factors, have influenced EOG's share price.

EOG Resources operates in a dynamic and competitive industry highly influenced by global market conditions, regulatory policies, and technological advancements. The company competes with international and domestic players and strives to maintain a competitive edge through its operational excellence, technological innovation, and strong asset portfolio.

EOG Resources is well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in the energy sector. The company continues to explore and develop new reserves, expand its operations and optimize production techniques. EOG's focus on technological advancements, such as utilizing data analytics and artificial intelligence, enhances its capabilities in identifying and extracting hydrocarbon resources efficiently.

Like any company operating in the energy sector, EOG Resources faces various risks and challenges that can impact its operations and financial performance. Investors and stakeholders must be aware of these factors when evaluating the company's prospects.

EOG Resources' revenue and profitability are closely tied to crude oil and natural gas prices. Fluctuations in commodity prices can significantly impact the company's financial results. Factors such as global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and economic conditions can lead to price volatility, posing a risk to EOG's revenue and profitability.

The energy industry is subject to extensive regulations related to drilling, production, emissions, and environmental impact. Regulation changes, especially those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources, can require significant investments and impact the company's operational costs. Non-compliance with regulations could result in penalties and reputational damage.

EOG Resources relies on advanced technologies and innovations to efficiently explore and produce hydrocarbon reserves. However, technological advancements also bring inherent risks, such as data security threats and potential operational disruptions. Additionally, adopting new technologies may require substantial investments and successful implementation to yield desired results.

The energy sector is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. EOG Resources competes with both established energy companies and emerging players. Intense competition can lead to pricing pressures and reduced margins. Moreover, market conditions, such as supply and demand imbalances, can impact the company's ability to sell its products at favorable prices.

EOG Resources operates in a global industry influenced by geopolitical tensions, trade policies, and macroeconomic conditions. Political instability, conflicts, and economic downturns in key markets can disrupt operations, impact demand for energy products and create uncertainty in the business environment.

EOG Resources has implemented various risk management strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of these risks and challenges:

EOG maintains a diverse portfolio of assets across multiple regions, allowing it to mitigate risks associated with specific geographic areas or regulatory environments. This diversification strategy helps spread risk and minimize the impact of localized disruptions.

The company emphasizes operational efficiency, cost discipline, and continuous improvement. By optimizing its operations, EOG aims to enhance productivity, reduce costs and mitigate the effects of commodity price fluctuations.

EOG Resources is committed to responsible environmental practices and sustainability. By proactively managing ecological risks and adopting environmentally friendly technologies, the company aims to mitigate regulatory and reputational risks.

EOG maintains a solid financial position, enabling it to weather market volatility and fund strategic initiatives. The company's prudent financial management and capital allocation strategies provide a cushion against potential economic downturns and industry challenges.
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.
Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across 20 states in the United States and the District of Columbia. In addition, the company is involved in the electricity generation, wholesale energy purchases and sales, commodity risk management, fuel production, and fuel logistics management activities. It serves approximately 3.5 million customers with a generation capacity of approximately 37,000 megawatts with a portfolio of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. The company was formerly known as Vistra Energy Corp. and changed its name to Vistra Corp. in July 2020. Vistra Corp. was founded in 1882 and is based in Irving, Texas.
Accenture plc is a global professional services company that operates in various industries worldwide. With a mission to provide exceptional strategy and consulting, interactive technology, and operation services, Accenture has established itself as a leader in the professional services sector. The company's headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland.

Accenture offers its diverse client base a wide range of products and services. Its application services cover areas such as agile transformation, DevOps, software and quality engineering, data management, and intelligent automation. The company also provides strategy and consulting services, focusing on data and analytics, metaverse, sustainability, and HR transformation. Accenture's technology services encompass cloud infrastructure management, AI, and technology consulting. Additionally, the company offers engineering and R&D digitization, business process outsourcing, and various services related to technology innovation.

Accenture is led by a highly experienced and accomplished management team. Julie T. Spellman Sweet serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Accenture, bringing her expertise in driving growth and delivering strategic value to clients. Kathleen R. McClure is the Chief Financial Officer overseeing the company's financial operations. Gianfranco Casati serves as the Executive Chairman of Growth Markets, and Jean-Marc Ollagnier leads as the Chief Executive Officer of Europe. James O. Etheredge holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of North America. These executives bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to their respective roles, contributing to Accenture's success.

Accenture has consistently delivered strong financial performance over the years. The company has reported substantial revenue, impressive earnings, and healthy profit margins. Accenture's financial performance reflects its ability to generate significant income and maintain a strong market position. Furthermore, the company has effectively managed its debt levels, ensuring financial stability and flexibility.

Accenture's valuation metrics, such as price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratio, are generally favorable compared to industry peers. The company's strong financial performance, market leadership, and growth potential contribute to its favorable valuation. Investors recognize the company's value and prospects, which may be reflected in the stock's performance.

Accenture operates in the broader professional services industry, which is characterized by intense competition and evolving trends. The industry's landscape is constantly changing due to technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in client demands. Accenture competes with other major professional services firms, each vying for market share and differentiation. Its strong reputation, global reach, and comprehensive service offerings give it a competitive advantage. Moreover, Accenture's ability to leverage emerging technologies and provide innovative solutions positions it well in the industry.

Accenture has numerous growth opportunities in various areas. The company can leverage its expertise in emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and automation to drive innovation and expand its service offerings. Additionally, Accenture can explore new markets, capitalize on digital transformation initiatives and pursue strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities. The company's strong relationships with key customers and ability to provide tailored solutions enable it to seize growth opportunities effectively.

While Accenture has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, it faces certain risks and challenges. Changes in consumer preferences, technological disruptions, and evolving regulatory landscapes pose potential dangers to Accenture's business. Consumer preferences can shift rapidly, requiring the company to stay agile and continuously innovate to meet changing demands. Moreover, technological disruptions, such as advancements in artificial intelligence or automation, can impact the traditional service offerings of professional services firms. Accenture must stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and adapt its services to remain relevant and competitive.

Additionally, regulatory changes can introduce uncertainties and compliance challenges. As governments worldwide implement new regulations and policies, Accenture must navigate the evolving landscape to ensure compliance while providing valuable services to clients. Close monitoring of regulatory developments and proactive engagement with relevant stakeholders is essential for the company to mitigate potential risks.

Despite these challenges, Accenture's robust risk management strategies and ability to anticipate and respond to market dynamics position it well to address potential risks. The company's focus on innovation, investment in talent development, and strategic partnerships contribute to its ability to overcome challenges and sustain its growth trajectory.
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The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year

Traditional businesses typically become stagnant or outright 'boring' due to a combination of positive and negative factors. On the positive side, stagnation and stability come from the 'if it's not broken, don't fix it' attitude of doing things the same as before just because they've been working. However, on the negative side, not adopting technological advances places a tight cap on the potential growth of the space. Today, real estate can be argued to have fallen into this category since it is a business that has been done virtually

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The following companies are subsidiares of Boston Scientific: 34 Biomedical Merger Corp., 9357-1867 Quebec Inc., Acurate Industria e Comercio Ltda., Advanced Bionics, Advanced Stent Technologies, American Medical Systems, American Medical Systems Europe B.V., Apama Medical, Apama Medical Inc., Asthmatx, Atritech, Augmenix, Augmenix Inc., Augmenix K.K., BSC International Medical Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BSC Medical Device Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BTG, BTG Australasia Pty Ltd, BTG Europe B.V., BTG IM Holdings Ltd., BTG International (Holdings) Limited, BTG International Asia Limited, BTG International Canada Inc., BTG International Germany GmbH, BTG International Healthcare Inc., BTG International Healthcare LLC, BTG International Healthcare Limited, BTG International Inc., BTG International Limited, BTG Limited, BTG Management Services Limited, BTG Medikal Limited Sirketi, Bard Electrophysiology, Barosense, Biocompatibles Inc., Biocompatibles International Limited, Biocompatibles UK Limited, Boston Scientific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Boston Scientific (South Africa) Proprietary Limited, Boston Scientific (Thailand) Ltd., Boston Scientific (UK) Limited, Boston Scientific AG, Boston Scientific Argentina S.A., Boston Scientific Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Boston Scientific Benelux NV, Boston Scientific Canada Limited, Boston Scientific Ceska republika s.r.o., Boston Scientific Chile SpA, Boston Scientific Colombia Limitada, Boston Scientific Comercial de Costa Rica BSCR S.R.L., Boston Scientific Far East B.V., Boston Scientific Gesellschaft m.b.H., Boston Scientific Group plc, Boston Scientific Hellas S.A., Boston Scientific Hong Kong Limited, Boston Scientific Iberica S.A., Boston Scientific India Private Limited, Boston Scientific International B.V., Boston Scientific International Finance Limited, Boston Scientific International S.A., Boston Scientific Israel Ltd., Boston Scientific Japan K.K., Boston Scientific Korea Co. Ltd., Boston Scientific Lebanon SAL, Boston Scientific Limited, Boston Scientific Ltd., Boston Scientific Medical Device, Boston Scientific Medical Device Limited, Boston Scientific Medizintechnik GmbH, Boston Scientific Middle East FZ-LLC, Boston Scientific Middle East SAL, Boston Scientific Nederland B.V., Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation, Boston Scientific New Zealand Limited, Boston Scientific Nordic AB, Boston Scientific Peru S.A.C., Boston Scientific Philippines Inc., Boston Scientific Polska Sp. z o.o., Boston Scientific Portugal - Dispositivos Medicos Lda, Boston Scientific Pty Ltd, Boston Scientific Romania S.R.L., Boston Scientific S.A.S., Boston Scientific S.p.A., Boston Scientific Scimed, Boston Scientific Scimed Inc., Boston Scientific Services Private Limited, Boston Scientific TIP Gerecleri Limited Sirketi, Boston Scientific Technology & Engineering Services Private Limited, Boston Scientific Uruguay S.A., Boston Scientific Vietnam Company Limited, Boston Scientific de Costa Rica S.R.L., Boston Scientific de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Boston Scientific del Caribe Inc., Boston Scientific do Brasil Ltda., Bravo Bidco Limited, BridgePoint Medical, Cameron Health, Cardiac Pacemakers Inc., Cardiac Pathways Corp, Catheter Innovations, Claret Medical, Claret Medical Inc., Cosman Medical, Cosman Medical LLC, CryoCor, Cryterion Medical, Cryterion Medical Inc., Cryterion Medical Ireland Limited, EKOS LLC, EMcision, EMcision International Inc., EP Technologies, EP Technologies Inc., Electron Acquisition Corporation, EndoChoice, EndoChoice Holdings Inc., EndoChoice Inc., EndoChoice Innovation Center Ltd., EndoChoice Israel Ltd., Endotex, Enteric Medical Technologies, Galil Medical Inc., Galil Medical Ltd., Galil Medical UK Limited, Guidant, Guidant Delaware Holding Corporation, Guidant Europe NV, Guidant Puerto Rico B.V., Hong Kong Medtech Trading Limited, Intelect Medical, Millipede, Millipede Inc., NXT Merger Corp., Notebook Merger Sub Ltd., Novate Medical Limited, NxThera, NxThera Inc., PT Boston Scientific Indonesia, PneumRx GmbH, PneumRx LLC, PneumRx Liimited, Protherics Medicines Development B.V., Protherics Medicines Development Limited, Protherics UK Limited, Provensis Limited, RMI Acquisition Corp., Remon Medical Technologies, Rhythmia Medical, Robert S. Smith M.D. Inc., Roxwood Medical Inc., SNS Merger Corp, Sadra Medical, Sadra Medical Inc., Securus Medical Group, Securus Medical Group Inc., Special K Merger Corp., StarMedTec, Stream Enterprises LLC, Symetis, Symetis SA, Target Therapeutics, Target Therapeutics Inc., The LumenR Tissue Retractor System, Veniti, Veniti Inc., VertiFlex, Vertiflex Inc., Vessix Vascular, Xlumena, Zuma Investment Pty Ltd, iogyn, nVision Medical, and nVision Medical Corporation.

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The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a long and impressive history of innovating and developing medicines that improve the lives of patients around the world. Founded in 1887 when William McLaren Bristol and John Ripley Myers purchased the Clinton Pharmaceutical Company, the company was initially named Bristol, Myers and Company. Its first nationally recognized product, Sal Hepatica, was released in the 1890s.

Bristol Myers-Squibb offers chemically synthesized drugs and biologics administered through injections or infusions to patients. The company's pharmaceutical portfolio includes a large number of well-known products. BMS's primary research and development sites are in New Jersey, California, Spain, Massachusetts, New York, Belgium, Japan, India and Massachusetts. The company's products sell to wholesalers and distributors around the world.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has a robust pipeline of investigational medicines in its pipeline. In addition, the company has established strategic collaborations and partnerships with various companies, successfully launching new products. These partnerships and investments generate portions of the company's revenue.

Bristol Myers-Squibb has acquired several companies over the years, including Medarex in 2009, ZymoGenetics in 2010, Inhibitex Inc. in 2012, Amylin Pharmaceuticals in 2012, iPierian in 2014, Flexus Biosciences in 2015, Cardioxyl in 2015, Padlock Therapeutics in 2016, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals in 2017, IFM Therapeutics in 2017, Celgene in 2019, Otezla in 2019, Forbius in 2020, MyoKardia in 2020 and Turning Point Therapeutics in 2022.

In 2005, the company divested individual consumer products and its subsequent consumer products businesses. In December 2014, the company received FDA approval for its cancer drug, Opdivo, used to treat skin cancers that do not respond to drug therapies. In 2019, the company divested its consumer health business, UPSA, to Taisho.

The company has also faced several scandals, lawsuits and investigations over the years, the biggest of which is the ongoing $1 billion lawsuit from Guatemala for the company's role in a 1940s experiment that infected hundreds with syphilis. In 2001 BMS faced an accounting scandal that resulted in a restatement of revenues from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, BMS faced a lawsuit based on illegally maintaining a monopoly on Taxol, a chemotherapy medication. The former head of the pharma group and the ex-CFO were indicted for federal securities violations in 2005. In July of 2006, an FBI raid on the company's corporate offices revealed that the company took steps to delay the release of a generic version of one of its drugs.

BMS began a significant restructuring in 2009, focusing on the pharmaceutical business and biologic products, productivity initiatives and cost-cutting. The U.S. attorney forced the company into oversight and appointed a monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Lou Schmukler joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010 as global product development and design president.

In 2013, Forbes magazine ranked the company as the drug company of the year. Dr. Giovanni Caforio took the reigns as CEO in 2015. In 2017, reports began to surface that activist investor Carl Icahn took a stake in the company, widely seen as a signal for a potential future takeover.

As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to experience success and growth, the company is committed to delivering innovative treatments to patients and staying ahead of the curve in the biopharmaceutical industry. With its focus on research and development and a long and rich history of delivering innovative medicines, BMS offers an excellent long-term investment opportunity.
Chinese researchers have genetically modified silkworms to produce spider silk. The threads from these silkworms combine the mechanical properties of synthetic fibers such as nylon, which is one of the most resistant, and Kevlar, a material used in bulletproof vests. The authors of the work, published in the scientific journal Matter, believe that the mass production of spider silk could be an alternative to synthetic materials, which  due to their resistance  become an environmental problem when they reach the end of their use.

Silk production is a wonder of nature that humans have taken advantage of. Millennia ago, somewhere in East Asia, specimens of the wild silkworm (Bombyx mandarina) began to be bred in captivity. In the process of domestication, the silkworm moths lost the ability to fly, and began to depend on its breeders to feed them white mulberry leaves. The domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) had been created. The moths cannot fly, but they are still magnificent animals. A moth can lay hundreds of eggs containing tiny worms measuring just a few millimeters. When these worms emerge from the egg, they increase their size 40-fold in about six weeks. Then, they stop eating and their head becomes bigger. With the moment of metamorphosis nearing, the worm secretes a silk thread from its head, spinning to create a cocoon. At this point, the sericulturists boil the cocoons, with the chrysalis inside, and after a drying process, unravel it. The fiber can exceed 1,000 meters in length. The silk is shiny, light, very soft, breathable, biodegradable and relatively resistant, but it lacks other mechanical properties that have limited its use to the textile industry, some medical applications and little else.

Now, researchers from several Chinese universities argue that it is possible to create silk as resistant to tension as nylon fishing lines and as hard as Kevlar, another synthetic material known for its strength. To achieve this goal, they turned their attention to spiders. Like the B. mori silkworm, most of the 41,000 known arachnid species produce silk. And some, like Darwins bark spider, which inhabits the shrinking jungles of Madagascar, make the toughest animal fiber ever detected. In physics, toughness refers to a materials ability to withstand deformation until it breaks. Both worm and spider silk are natural polyamides, while, nylon and Kevlar are synthetic polyamides. The latter have brought great benefits to society, but they are among the biggest polluters due to their durability, and sustainable substitutes need to be urgently found.

Scientists force transgenic worms to spin their spider silk to analyze its properties. Junpeng Mi

With this in mind, the Chinese scientists considered the possibility of producing spider silk. Except for some tests in the laboratory, mass production of spider silk appeared seemingly impossible: no species of spider has been domesticated, which would allow certain traits to be selected. Additionally, spiders are territorial and tend to eat one other. For these reasons, large-scale breeding of spiders did not seem to have much of a future. The other option was to turn to genetics, and that is what the scientists decided to do.

Using CRISPR gene editing technology, they inserted genes that express spider silk proteins into the secretory glands with which the silkworm creates its own. They did this with microinjections, while the silkworms were still inside the eggs. After hatching, they were allowed to complete their life cycle until, in the moth phase, they mated with other, non-genetically modified moths. From the next generation, the researchers selected several worms, some of them mutants. They were all capable of secreting silk. When the scientists forced the silkworm to spin the silk (see image above), they analyzed it to determine its chemical structure and mechanical properties.

The silk thread from the mutant worms showed an impressive tensile strength (1.3 GPa) and toughness (300 MJ/m), surpassing Kevlars toughness 6-fold, the authors write in the conclusions of their work. The first property  strength  is expressed in gigapascals, the unit of pressure. For comparison, the first nylon patented (not invented) by chemical giant DuPont almost a century ago had a tensile strength of 0.08 GPa, although current versions have greatly improved. The other property  toughness  is expressed in joules per cubic meter. The value achieved by spider silk is one of the highest ever recorded for a fiber, either synthetic or man-made.

In a press release, the lead author of the study, Junpeng Mi, a researcher at the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering at Donghua University (China), argued that spider silk is a strategic resource in urgent need of exploration. For Mi, this material could have a wide field of applications, starting with medicine. This type of fiber can be utilized as surgical sutures, addressing a global demand exceeding 300 million procedures annually, he said.

Spider silk fibers could also have applications in clothing with new properties, bulletproof vests, smart materials, aerospace technology and biomedical engineering. The key, he said, is to take what they achieved with a few worms in the laboratory, and scale up the process.

Silkworm silk is presently the only animal silk fiber commercialized on a large scale, with well-established rearing techniques, said Mi. Consequently, employing genetically modified silkworms to produce spider silk fiber enables low-cost, large-scale commercialization.

Silk fibers produced by transgenic silkworms. Junpeng Mi

One possible obstacle, however, is cost, according to Gustavo Plaza, a professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPC). Technically, it is viable and could be commercially viable, but we would have to look at the cost compared to that of synthetic fibers, said Plaza, who has studied both synthetic materials and various kinds of spider silk and silkworm fiber.

The Spanish researcher agrees with Mi that spider silk combines the best of fibers such as nylon and Kevlar. He explains that spiders produce up to seven different types of silk. The best threads are those from the spokes of their cobwebs, he said. But the spiders system for secreting its silk is as sophisticated as the silkworms process. So much so that humans have not been able to replicate it. We have dissolved the silk and using those same proteins to spin it again has not given it the same properties. We havent been able to copy spiders or silkworms, he explained.

A decade ago, another attempt was made to get worms to make spider silk. The researcher behind that effort was Randy Lewis, a recently retired professor at Utah State University in the United States. Lewis  who did not take part in the study published in Matter  says the Chinese scientists have made two important advances.

The first is that they have identified the fundamental protein structure of the silk fiber and what makes it strong, he explained. The second thing is that they have created silkworms that produce the spider silk protein in the cocoon fiber instead of the silkworm protein. The latter is what differentiates this work from others. In previous studies [like the one Lewis carried] there was always some silkworm protein present in the fiber.

Lewis agrees with Plaza and Mi that with this process, it is clearly possible to produce spider silk fibers on a large scale.

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Energy Transfer LP is a limited partnership operating midstream energy assets in the US. The company is an integrated and diversified play on energy that deals in natural gas and crude oil and their derivatives. The companys operating territory spans the North American energy infrastructure system with operations in 41 states and Canada and is systemically important.

The company was founded n 1995 by Kelcy Warren and Ray Davis. The company was private until 2004 when it IPOd. It operated as a stand-alone business until 2011 when it joined forces with Regency Energy Partners to purchase assets from Castleton Commodities International and begin a growth phase. As of 2022, Mr. Warren remains as Chairperson. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas but maintains an international office in Beijing.

Among other notable acquisitions are the purchase of Sunoco and Sunoco logistics partners and the eventual absorption of Regency Energy Partners. The company was formerly known as Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and changed its name to Energy Transfer LP in October 2018 along with some internal structural changes.

Today the company operates a vast network of natural gas and crude oil collection, processing and storage facilities along with the pipelines to move it. The companys subsidiaries include but are not limited to Sunoco LP, Sunoco Logistics Partners, USA Compression Partners and it owns 100% or a controlling interest in pipelines that include the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Bayou Bridge Pipeline and the Florida Gas Transmission Pipeline.

Energy Transfer Partner LP owns or controls more than 120,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure, including natural gas, crude oil and derivative vehicles. The company controls or owns five natural gas storage facilities and over a dozen natural gas or LNG processing plants. The company can compress and deliver LNG to transport vessels as well as process, store and deliver propane. Its downstream operations include wholesaling natural gas and derivative crude oil products to utility companies, industrial users, and consumers.

As of 2022, the company employed more than 11,000 people and brought in more than $39 billion in net revenue. Roughly 30% of the nation's natural gas is moved by Energy Transfer Partners LP infrastructure and growing. Projects in the works include newer, more efficient processing plants and the interstate Gulf Run pipeline.

Natural gas is a crucial factor in the switch to green energy. Not only is it the cleanest of all petroleum-based energy sources, but it is easy to store and use, making it ideal as a backup source for intermittent energy like solar and wind. Natural gas is also important as a feedstock for plastics and other products critical to the health industry. Natural gas is also important for making ammonia, a necessary fertilizer for todays food chain.

As an MLP, Energy Transfers Partners pays a large share of its earnings as dividends. Investors of record can enroll in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan or DRIP and have their distributions paid in shares.






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.
In 2017, Douglas Rushkoff had a revelation. He was invited to a conference at an exclusive resort in the California desert, only to realize it was actually a private meeting with five billionaires. They didnt want to talk about technology trends, Rushkoffs specialty as a writer and university professor. Instead, they wanted to discuss how to prepare for a catastrophic event that could potentially destroy civilization. Events like an environmental collapse, social unrest, nuclear explosion, solar storm, uncontrollable virus, major computer sabotage or a rebellion by artificially intelligent machines. The billionaires discussed things like whether to build private, underground bunkers in remote parts of Alaska and New Zealand, whether climate change was more likely than biological warfare, and the best strategies for ensuring that their security guards wouldnt turn against them during the apocalypse.

The media theorist, writer, columnist, lecturer, graphic novelist and documentarian best known for his association with the early cyberpunk culture and Marxist ideas was shocked by that meeting. He knew, of course, that the tech elite is immensely rich, but he didnt know they also assume the world is going to hell. They have a Plan B for that  fleeing to somewhere safe. The ultra-rich have grand aspirations beyond luxury bunkers. Jeff Bezos plans to travel to space, while Elon Musk aims to colonize Mars. Venture capitalist Peter Thiel seeks to reverse the aging process, while OpenAIs Sam Altman and Googles Ray Kurzweil envision uploading their minds to computers. Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg finds solace in the metaverse. These are the various ways they hope to escape the worlds problems and leave the rest of humanity behind, problems that they helped create.

Douglas Rushkoff, author of 20 books, three documentaries and a weekly podcast, explores the thinking and behavior of the tech super-elite in his book, Survival of the Richest (2022). Many people look at these tech titans as our heroes, as people to emulate, he writes. But the vision of the future that these people have is very dark, and I want to help people see that their ideas are silly.

Question. Have you been contacted by any technology executives since you published the book?

Answer. After the book launch, I had a couple of talks booked  one with a hedge fund and another at a conference for top executives  and both got cancelled. But I receive daily emails from startup owners seeking my feedback on their business plans. You know, I go to business schools and try to convince the young audience that its okay to earn just $50 million. Thats what I do. I tell them, if you set your sights at $50 million, you can have a much more relaxed career and a greater probability of success. And you can build a company that does much less damage, that maybe even does good. Usually I start by saying, Is anybody here willing to make $50 million? No one raises their hand. And by the end of the talk, maybe Ill get four or five people out of 100 to say, yes, Im willing to settle for $50 million and take this other business path. And thats a start.

American writer Douglas Rushkoff in Times Square, New York City. Seth Kushner

Q. Is your main criticism directed towards capitalism itself, the technology tycoons or a combination of both?

A. I explore this question extensively in my book. For over a decade, I attributed the transformation of the open, collaborative and creative culture of the early internet into just another consumer product solely to capitalism. Ive learned to see this kind of techno-autism as the same essential urge as extractive capitalism, as ways of understanding the world through the balance sheet, through numbers and symbols, rather than acknowledging other sorts of human values.

Q. The mentality you talk about in the book  how would you define it?

A. Its the idea that with enough money and technology, these people can escape from the damage theyre creating with money and technology. Its a way of thinking that theres always another technological or market solution to the last set of problems. And that wealthy individuals can avoid any harm, that they can keep rising above the rest. This mindset is an extreme form of atheism that says that human beings are just material and have no soul, that theres no meaning in reality, that all of life is just information, and that all that matters is to spread your genes and your memes. Its thinking that success is buying Twitter and getting as many women pregnant as possible.

Q. There have always been dominant and powerful elites. What makes the ones today any different?

A. Two things. First, they never had the ability to destroy the world before. Carnegie and Rockefeller owned large monopolies, but tech billionaires go much further. Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great could conquer, kill and rape, but they did not endanger all of humanity. That only came about with the nuclear trigger. The other difference is that, as individuals, they have more power over more things. Elon Musk, for example, not only owns the main digital public square. He also has companies that are leaders in space travel and make the satellite systems that militaries depend on for navigation. These people are not controlled by any government and have very little sense of social responsibility.

Q. You say in the book that they are selling their escape plans as solutions for all of humanity.

A. Bezos has demonstrated that in our world, individuals can accumulate enough wealth to develop their own space program and pursue the ultimate exit strategy. They rely on astute marketing advisors and espouse effective altruism, believing that the progress they create  be it artificial intelligence, robots or augmented humans  are of greater significance than human beings. Their vision extends to trillions of future artificial intelligences inhabiting the galaxy, prioritizing their experiences over the current population of eight billion individuals. They are smart enough and clear-headed enough to see that. Theyre not trapped in human emotionality, and theyre able to pull back and see the equation from a much more rational place, like Ayn Rand or Jeremy Bentham.

Q. Some of the billionaires you write about recently testified in the U.S. Senate. Do you think that will bring them back to Earth?

A. When I first saw Sam Altman [CEO of OpenAI] calling for regulation, my first thought was very cynical. Heres the guy who has the first monopoly on AI, and of course he wants regulation right now. But as I watched him, I started to get the feeling of, here is a nice Jewish boy who built this technology and now realizes hes over his head. He doesnt know what to do. Its more powerful than he realized it would be, and hes asking for help. If we dont engage with them, the Oxford philosopher who invented effective altruism will and teach them that its okay to make all the money you want and not worry about a thing as long as you give money to charity. And thats dangerous. So, I think we need to take them at their word that they need to be regulated. We could create some kind of data pool that all AIs have access to and learn from, but its use is subject to rules and AIs that dont behave appropriately are banned. A friend of mine, science fiction writer David Brin, came up with the idea of incentivizing AIs to monitor each other and report those who are doing something wrong.

Q. In the book you describe many technological solutions developed by this elite to save the planet. Which ones most appealed to you?

A. I mean, the smaller and more local they are, the more appealing they are to me. People who are looking at embracing the complexity of nature rather than oversimplifying it. Regenerative agriculture is interesting to me. And people who want to make the electric grid more intelligent, even using AI to help distribute electricity. I dont believe we can generate enough power to support the world as we currently operate it. Im more a fan of what we call degrowth, something as simple as borrowing a tool from your neighbor instead of buying a new one yourself. Its not a great techno solution, I guess, but I love the idea of libraries where you borrow tools instead of just books so that we dont need to manufacture so many things.

Q. You say that technology cannot be the solution to our problems because no one has been able to stop fascism when inequality soars, and no society has avoided collapse when resources have been overexploited. Are we doomed?

A. If an addict cant overcome addiction, he will eventually die. In Porto Alegre [Brazil], there was a tornado two weeks ago that killed 47 people. Floods in Libya may have killed over 10,000. All this is happening right now. We may not be able to avoid catastrophe, but we can choose how we deal with it. Are we going to do it as compassionate human beings who care for each other, or will we each go our own way? That will determine everything. You know, the more that we depend on each other, the less things we need to buy, the less energy we need to spend, the less slaves we need, the less war and strife we need to create. Most of us dont need to understand the geopolitics. What we can do is relieve the stress on the global supply chain. We can relieve the stress on world leaders and on geopolitics by taking better care of ourselves and each other.

Q. You compare these billionaires to the cartoon coyote that falls off a cliff chasing the roadrunner and looks down to find nothing underneath its feet.

A. Thats the moment they said, Uh-oh, I pushed too far. One of those moments was the election of Trump when all of the technologists who think of themselves as progressives, liberals and climate-caring people  they realized they created this monster. They realized their platforms helped to generate the confusion. They made a lot of humanity vulnerable to authoritarian rulers. Now they want to fix things using the same kinds of tools that they used to break things. And that doesnt work.

Q. Why do their plans always involve starting from scratch?

A. I dont think we need to find another place to start over, whether its the Moon, Mars, the ocean or a new piece of land. This is our adolescence as a civilization. We are in that toxic phase prior to a big change. And I believe we can do it. But the change we need is more of a mental shift than a technological one. I hate to say it, but the greatest probability we have of avoiding a major disaster may look more like magic than science. If there was a sudden shift, a global shift in how we think about things... I know it sounds like a fantasy, but thats what its going to take.

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Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

Never has our world needed peace more. This years theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.

Tipperary Peace Convention with the support of TASK Community Care, will host an Ecumenical Reflection Service at St. Marys Church of Ireland, John Street, Tipperary Town, on Thursday, September 21st at 11 am, to mark the day. The Reflection Service will include appropriate readings, music and reflections. All are welcome to attend. The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. Without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. You are invited to join the United Nations call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, commenting in advance of International Day of Peace said; Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.

2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18  19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone.

2023 is also the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and

Punishment of Genocide. IDP 2023 encourages all youth to be ambitious in their engagement as positive and constructive social agents, to join the movement to reach the SDGs and contribute to building sustainable peace. Together we can help to lead our world towards a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.

Everyone is invited to join the event. Music will be provided by the Rockwell Music Academy and by Cahir to Sing.
House Republicans clashed with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, accusing him and the Justice Department of the weaponization of the departments work in favor of President Joe Bidens son, Hunter. Garlands appearance before the House Judiciary Committee was the 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 presidents son.

Republicans on the committee  led by Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman  set the tone with accusations that the Justice Department is favoring the Biden family, while targeting his opponent, Trump. Theres one investigation protecting President Biden. Theres another one attacking President Trump, Jordan, Republican of Ohio, said in his opening statement. 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.

He added, I am not the presidents lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congresss prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people.

The central line of questioning in Republicans arsenal surrounded 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 the necessary charges to the younger Biden.

Early in the hearing, Republican Rep. 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 a promise not to interfere.

His testimony also comes just over a week after Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., launched an impeachment inquiry into his boss, President Biden, with a special focus on the Justice Departments handling of Hunter Bidens yearslong case.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless and worked to focus the conversation on policy instead. 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.

Asked by Republican Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina 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.

Weiss, since 2018, has overseen 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.

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.

Democrats labored to undermine what they see as Republican misinformation in their ongoing defense of Trump, who is now the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in next years election. They say Republicans are trying to detract attention from the indicted former presidents legal challenges and turn a negative spotlight on Biden.

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.

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.

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Fionn OShea and Gabriel Byrne can be seen sharing the role of the late Irish playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett in a new trailer for upcoming Sky Original film Dance First.

Normal People star OShea, 26, plays a young Beckett trying to establish himself as a writer, whilst The Usual Suspects actor Byrne, 73, stars as an older version of the playwright.

The trailer also features Game Of Thrones actor Aidan Gillen as Dubliners author James Joyce, who was friends with Beckett.

The trailer opens with a scene of Beckett getting the Nobel Prize In Literature, before a clip plays of a younger version of the writer meeting Joyce as he tells him he has a great respect for his work.

Later, Joyce offers Beckett some advice, saying: The important thing is not what we write but how we write. We must write dangerously, Beckett.

The first half of the trailer is in black and white and the ending turns to colour as an elderly Beckett is seen at what looks to be a funeral.

The cast ensemble includes English actress Maxine Peake as Barbara, Game Of Thrones actor Robert Aramayo as Alfred Peron, Northern Irish actress Bronagh Gallagher as Nora and Red Rock actor Barry OConnor as William Beckett.

The film offers an in-depth look into one of Irelands most famous writers, who was known for plays including Waiting For Godot, Endgame and Happy Days.

Across the years, a number of famous actors, including Sir Ian McKellen, have starred in Beckettian plays.

Sir Ian was in a West End production of Waiting For Godot with Sir Patrick Stewart in 2009 and Harry Potters Daniel Radcliffe was in an Old Vic production of Endgame in 2020, which got cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.

Dance First is directed by The Theory Of Everythings James Marsh and will be released in cinemas from November 3, becoming available on Sky Cinema in December and on Sky Arts and Freeview in 2024.
Over 1 million in funding will be made available to dozens of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) for anti-racism projects.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe OBrien, made the announcement today (September 21), and confirmed 24 NGOs and community organisations will receive 1.3 million to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion.

Grants of up to 100,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist with the implementation of the National Action Plan against Racism, published March 21, 2023.

The funding call arises from Action 2.14 of the plan, which states: "Provide funding for national and local initiatives that aim to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion, in order to support the implementation of this plan and the achievement of its objectives."

One hundred thousand euro will be allocated to the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre for a mixed methods study, while the Immigrant Council of Ireland will receive 98,000 for their 'Show Racism the Red Card' project.

The National Youth Council of Ireland will be allocated 88,500 to help empower young people and change racism through "targeted and mainstream inclusion in youth work".

Longford Africans Network will receive 10,000 for a training and development program, with 7,800 going towards the Mendicity Institution to help international protection applicants train for employment.

Ninety eight thousand euro has also been allocated to the Irish Traveller Movement for their Yellow Flag programme, which aims to promote greater understanding and valuing of cultural diversity within school communities.

Speaking at Dalymount Park, home of one of the successful applicants, Bohemian F.C., Minister OBrien said, "I am delighted to announce the results of the first funding call under the Ireland Against Racism Fund.

"This fund is a key element of the National Action Plan against Racism, and the grant awards announced today will assist 24 projects, both local and national, in undertaking important work that will support the objectives of the action plan.

"I was hugely impressed with the calibre of applications to the fund, and I look forward to seeing the various projects and initiatives bear fruit over the next 12 months and beyond."

A full list of funded projects is available here.
A new inquest has been directed by the Northern Ireland Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, into the death of a man who was murdered weeks after the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.

The body of Thomas Lockard was discovered in the Republic of Ireland two days after he disappeared from his south Belfast home.

Nobody has been convicted over the death.

The legal firm representing Mr Lockards family said the inquest will not be affected by the Governments new legacy act because it occurred after the signing of the 1998 peace deal and because it is not a Troubles killing.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which received royal assent on Monday, will halt future civil cases and inquests relating to Troubles deaths.

Mr Lockard, 34, disappeared from his home on April 25 1998.

His badly beaten body was found two days later at the side of a road at Raskeagh in Co Louth.

Following representations from KRW Law on behalf of the next of kin, Ms King has this week written to the Presiding Coroner of Northern Ireland, Mr Justice Humphreys, to direct a new inquest into the death of Mr Lockard.

In a letter on her behalf to the legal firm, it was stated that evidence suggests the death of Mr Lockard occurred in Northern Ireland.

The letter also said that a previous inquest held in Co Louth was conducted on the basis of limited evidence and did not address the wider circumstances of the death.

A spokesperson for KRW Law said the family of Mr Lockard have fought for years to find out what happened to him and have been bereft by the failure to gain justice.

His death was previously investigated by the Garda and the RUC.

A more recent PSNI investigation led to a number of people being charged with murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping. However, the charges were later withdrawn.

Barry ODonnell, associate solicitor at KRW Laws conflict litigation department, said: This is really the news the family have been waiting for.

They have been both patient and resilient in their push for an inquest.
September 21, 2023





In todays world, financial advice is just a Google (News - Alert) search away. Type investment strategies into the search bar, and youll get more than 600 million responses; if you type get out of debt, youll get nearly twice as many total results.







The problem with all of that advice, however, is that it is not personalized to each user. Google can provide you with an endless number of investment strategies, but none of them will be founded upon your unique financial profile. Likewise, it can lay out a plan for paying down your debt, but it cant tell you how to adjust your particular budget to make that plan a reality.

WallyGPT is a technology that provides a different kind of solution to this approach. By combining the power of artificial intelligence with personal financial data, WallyGPT takes technology-driven financial advice to a new level. Those who use the AI-powered personal finance app gain access to insights that apply to their specific financial situation.

"Financial advice needs to be holistic and based on the user's comprehensive financial data," says Saeid Hejazi, founder of WallyGPT. "As an AI personal finance advisor, WallyGPT provides deeper insights and helps people research and make financial plans through conversations."

Leveraging the power of AI to provide financial advice

Recent advances in the field of generative AI have opened the door to a new world of computer-driven advising. Generative AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, respond to any conceivable user inquiry in a way that feels natural and conversational. Rather than spitting out a list of pages that may contain insights, generative AI gives you an answer.

The power and capabilities of ChatGPT have captivated the world, Hejazi says. Ask it to write you a blog post on any topic  from knitting to nuclear fusion  and youll have one generated in seconds. Ask it how to bake a carrot cake, and youll get a detailed recipe instantaneously. It even provides an Instacart plugin that will let you order the ingredients you need.

ChatGPT brings incredible convenience and efficiency to the process of acquiring information. Nevertheless, when it comes to financial advice, a tool like ChatGPT is limited in the insights it can provide.

Consider someone who is seeking advice on how to financially prepare for a wedding, Hejazi offers. If you asked ChatGPT or one of the other generative AI engines how much it would cost for a two-day wedding with 100 invited guests in Athens, Greece, and how to save for it, it would only be able to answer the first half of your question. It could tell you what the price tag (News - Alert) would be, but it couldnt tell you how to come up with the funds.

The problem, Hejazi explains, is that ChatGPT knows very little about you and your financial situation. It knows you are interested in a wedding in Greece, and that you would like to save for it rather than finance it, but it does not know the financial resources and limitations you have.

Empowering AI to provide personalized financial advice

ChatGPT cant take into consideration your unique financial picture, Hejazi says. It doesnt know your income, how much you have in savings, the debt that you are carrying, or your spending patterns. Any advice ChatGPT provides, whether it is related to paying off debt, planning for retirement, shopping for insurance, or investing in the stock market, will suffer from the same limitation.

WallyGPT does away with those limitations because it formulates its insights based on the users actual financial data.

By providing WallyGPT with access to your personal financial data  something that over 200 million people in the US have already done as part of their interaction with other fintech services  you allow it to provide you insights based on your unique context, Hejazi explains. WallyGPT can give you a complete answer to your question about the wedding in Greece or any other financial issue you find yourself facing. Because it knows your income, savings, debt, and spending patterns, it can advise you on the optimal way to pay off debts, prepare for retirement, address your insurance needs, and a variety of other financial challenges.

Here are some of the ways that WallyGPT is already helping users:

Uncovering empowering insights on spending patterns complete with benchmarking based on those in similar financial situations.

Providing personalized recommendations for restaurants that fit your budget and tastes.

Providing personalized recommendations for restaurants that fit your budget and tastes. Researching and developing personalized strategies for retirement planning, wedding planning, debt repayment, and other financial goals.

Providing personalized recommendations for credit cards and insurance products.

Financial experts point to a lack of financial literacy as one of the main barriers to financial success. WallyGPT is the future of financial literacy.

It puts personalized, contextualized, and up-to-date financial insights in the palm of your hand. With WallyGPT, anyone can gain access to the type of personalized financial advice that empowers them to achieve the financial success they have always dreamed of.
[September 20, 2023] DHI Group, Inc. Named to Newsweek's List of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for 2023 Tweet

Newsweek today announced their annual rankings for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list, and DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX), a leading provider of AI-powered career marketplaces and the parent company of Dice and ClearanceJobs, was ranked #47. 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. "Being named to Newsweek's list is recognition of the efforts of our leaders, employees and their active investment in our culture of teamwork, innovation and inclusivity," said Art Zeile, Chief Executive Officer of DHI Group, Inc. "I value all our team members nationwide and I'm constantly impressed by their passion to connect technology professionals with careers they love and employers with talent to drive their own workforces." 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 organization's 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."



This latest achievement comes on the heels of DHI Group, Inc. being certified for the second year in a row by Great Place to Work, a certification earned for leadership encouraging employees to balance work and life as well as making new hires feel welcome when joining the Company. For the full Newsweek list of 2023's Most Loved Workplaces, please visit: https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-loved-workplaces-america-2023

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. 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 About DHI Group DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX) is a provider of AI-powered career marketplaces that focus on technology roles. DHI's two brands, Dice and ClearanceJobs, enable recruiters and hiring managers to efficiently search for and connect with highly skilled technology professionals based on the skills requested. The Company's patented algorithm manages over 100,000 unique technology skills. Additionally, our marketplaces allow tech professionals to find their ideal next career opportunity, with relevant advice and personalized insights. Learn more at www.dhigroupinc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920020768/en/

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[September 20, 2023] Terra Drone Expands into Agriculture Sector; Business Acquisition from Avirtech Tweet

Japan's Terra Drone Corporation announced " Terra Agri ," a new service aimed at sustainable agriculture globally to advance technology-driven precision agriculture from Southeast Asia to the world.

Terra Drone Corporation announced " ," a new service aimed at sustainable agriculture globally to advance technology-driven precision agriculture from to the world. Avirtech specializes in providing pesticide spraying and mapping services using drones. And developed the world's first gimbal-based spraying for high precision. TOKYO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology provider, expands into the precision agriculture sector by acquiring the business of Avirtech, a leading startup providing agricultural drone spraying and mapping service in Southeast Asia. Terra Drone establishes a new company Terra Drone Agri in Malaysia. And develops its business in Malaysia and Indonesia under the new business brand "Terra Agri". By reducing pesticide use and achieving growth with a significantly lower carbon footprint, drones empower farmers to become climate-smart. Leading drone research firms, including Drone Industry Insights, recognize Terra Drone as one of the top drone service providers worldwide. Terra Drone has successfully completed over 3,000 surveys and inspection projects in 10 countries, while its subsidiary Unifly's the unmanned traffic management (UTM) system has become the most widely adopted in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.



Avirtech specializes in providing pesticide spraying and mapping services using drones and artificial intelligence (AI). The company's solutions assist palm oil farmers and plantation companies to minimize crop failures, reducing operating costs by 30%. Executing up to 4,000 flights daily, Avirtech has contributed to the scientific cultivation of over 200,000 hectares of land in Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia and Malaysia are recognized as major palm oil producers, accounting for around 80% of global production[1]. However, these countries face serious issues including deforestation, ecological impacts, harsh labor conditions, labor shortages, and other environmental problems. Moreover, soaring prices stemming from a shortage of palm oil supply have become a major concern.

Through these businesses, Avirtech has helped solve labor shortages, enhance worker safety, and boost productivity in the palm oil industry. Also, Avirtech is expected to continue addressing these issues and support sustainable palm oil production while also delivering value as an ESG investment. The integration of Terra Drone's global leadership in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology with Avirtech's precision farming prowess has driven the growth of Terra Agri. The primary focus market for this new business is Indonesia and Malaysia. Notes to editors: [1]: Source: USDA "Palm Oil 2023World Production"

https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/cropview/commodityView.aspx?cropid=4243000 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/terra-drone-expands-into-agriculture-sector-business-acquisition-from-avirtech-301931305.html SOURCE Terra Drone Corporation

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[September 20, 2023] Atlys Raises $12 Million in Series A Tweet

Atlys has raised USD 12 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Musical Duo Chainsmokers, South Park Commons, Pinterest Founders and other investors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920618287/en/ Mohak Nahta, Founder, Atlys (Photo: Business Wire) The funds raised will be used to expand the platform's product offerings for travellers, attract customers, and further strengthen the team through talent acquisition. Atlys had previously raised a USD 5 million seed round in 2021. The world is rapidly moving towards e-visas. Over 60% of countries have already adopted e-visas, and more have announced their plans to move to e-visas in the near future. Atlys is at the forefront of this shift and offers a world-class experience for travellers across the globe. With Atlys, travellers can easily apply for visas through the digital platform from anywhere n the world and get their visas on time.



As an avid traveller himself, Mohak Nahta, founder of Atlys, found the visa process to be tedious, uncertain and not at all traveller-friendly. He realised that the solution had to be digital and set out to build an app, which led to the launch of Atlys. "Our USP is to transform a process riddled with anxiety into one with certainty. By leveraging over a million data points, we're able to predict when you're going to get a visa, reduce visa rejection rates, and we have built the tech to make that happen," said Mohak Nahta, founder, Atlys.

He added, "We believe every Indian should have the opportunity to travel anywhere without the burden of complex visa processes. Atlys can help Indians get visas on time to over 100 countries and has reduced the time for applying for a visa to under three minutes." Atlys aims to eliminate uncertainty, lengthy documentation and high visa fees by providing a simplified solution for visa applications. The traveller-centric solution provides a visa guarantee within a promised window through its app and website. So far, 99.2% visas come on time. It has also partnered with governments to facilitate visas and help them reduce overstays. "Travel is a fast-growing category in India that is seeing strong tailwinds post Covid. Over 10 million new passports are being issued in India every year, adding materially to the base of travel aspirants from India. Visa is a critical pain point for travellers and Atlys is building a next-gen platform to transform visa applications for travellers globally and reimagine international travel. We're very excited to join Mohak and team on their mission to enable travellers across the globe to travel with more freedom," said Shraeyansh Thakur, Principal, Peak XV. "Atlys' commitment to removing visa-related barriers aligns with the growing aspirations of Indians to explore the world. We're excited to join Atlys on its mission to transform the visa application process and solve larger travel-related pain points in India. Our partnership with Mohak represents a significant step towards Atlys' efforts to streamline global mobility. Their strategy to offer a new age visa service that's economical, risk-free and data-driven will encourage quicker adoption of newer, more efficient procedures," said Mayank Khanduja, Partner, Elevation Capital. In addition to visas, Atlys' goal is to solve numerous other pain points that people face with international travel. This includes areas like credit for travel, remittance and travel insurance. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920618287/en/

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[September 20, 2023]

CXO Innovation Summit: Chief Transformation Officer Summit, Singapore to be Held on 25 October 2023

Managing Change to Achieve Strategic Business Outcomes: CTrO Summit

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 25th October 2023, the Chief Transformation Officer Summit in Singapore will host 60+ top-level professionals who drive transformative changes in people, data, & infrastructure in their organisations! Following the success of our previous events in Singapore in October 2022 and London in June 2023, we are confident that this summit will provide invaluable opportunities to learn from and connect with C-Suite peers in the transformation field!

At PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, the summit will bring together 60+ Chief Transformation Officers from various industries to explore topics including Transformative Technology, Future of Work, Partnership & Ecosystem Strategy, and Digital First. We will deliver the agenda in formats of Interactive Panels, Roundtable Discussions and Lightning Talks, creating the best platform for in-depth explorations and exchanging insights.

This gathering of Chief Transformation Officers will be your best opportunity to meet senior-level peers from the APAC region, hear the challenges others are facing, and share your stories of success or failure! Ample networking sessions throughout the summit will facilitate invaluable conversations and connections.

The panels and talks are delivered by 12+ industry-leading speakers from Prudential, DBS Bank, L'Oreal, Philips, HSBC, foodpanda, Kellogg Company, Munich Re (Group), Liberty Mutual  Asia and more!

Check out the full speaker lineup here.

Register or nominate your CTrO by visiting: https://cxoinnovation.com/ctro-singapore-registration

( *Please note as this is a senior level event, all passes are subject to approval.)

What We Will Cover

In the well-tailored agenda, 5 main topics will be presented by 12+ industry-leadingspeakers:







Key Transformation Trends, Insights and Forecasts : What chief transformation leaders need to know in the face of 2024

: What chief transformation leaders need to know in the face of 2024 Digital-First : From digital transformation to digital-first: putting people first, technology last

: From digital transformation to digital-first: putting people first, technology last Future of Work : How to transform teams and workplaces to be future-oriented?

: How to transform teams and workplaces to be future-oriented? Partnership & Ecosystem Strategy : Activating collaborative ecosystem with the power of partnership

: Activating collaborative ecosystem with the power of partnership Transformative Tech: How to unify scattered technologies in your organisation to help business thrive

Visit the summit page to find out more about the event: https://cxoinnovation.com/chief-transformation-summit-singapore

Who Will Attend?

You will be able to dive deep into the transformation world with industry leaders from across various industries. The peers you will meet include:

Chief Transformation Officer, Digital Solutions, Life & Health, AMEA, Munich Re (Group)

Chief Information Officer, AMEA, Kellogg Company

Data & Analytics Transformation Director, L'Oreal

Deputy CEO, Transformation and Growth, Mandai Wildlife Group

Group Director, CoE Transformation , Prudential

, Director of Strategy & Transformation, Schneider Electric

Director, Finance Transformation PMO Lead, Lenovo

Head of Transformation, Singapore Pools

Chief People Officer, foodpanda

Chief Transformation Officer, IBM Singapore

Head of Strategy, Regional Bancassurance, DBS Bank

Chief Operating Officer, Daraz

Head of Technology Partner Relations, SMRT

Chief Information Officer, World Vision

Director (Tech & Digital Transformation), Thomson Medical

The Chief Transformation Officers Summit in Singapore this October is the best place for you or your CTrO to gain insights for 2024 from the best minds in the field!

Register or nominate your CTrO to join the gathering: https://cxoinnovation.com/ctro-singapore-registration

( *Please note as this is a senior level event, all passes are subject to approval.)

Why the CXO Innovation Summits

This summit is highlighting the following features:

Exclusive Gathering of C-Suite Leaders: The invite-only attendance of 60+ top-level executives ensures that the summit will be the best opportunity to hear and get heard, exchange new insights & gain assurances from the other CTrOs.

The invite-only attendance of 60+ top-level executives ensures that the summit will be the best opportunity to hear and get heard, exchange new insights & gain assurances from the other CTrOs. Unrivalled Event Experience: The summit will take place at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay in Singapore , offering great connectivity, supreme service and a prestigious venue. In all session formats, attendees can enjoy learning from industry-leading speakers, engaging with C-Suite peers, and participating in in-depth discussions at roundtables.

The summit will take place at in , offering great connectivity, supreme service and a prestigious venue. In all session formats, attendees can enjoy learning from industry-leading speakers, engaging with C-Suite peers, and participating in in-depth discussions at roundtables. Concurrent Summits with Customer Experience Experts: The Chief Customer Experience Officer Summit will take place at the same time, concurrently with the event. During the Networking Breaks and Buffet Lunch, over 120 C-Suite professionals from the Transformation and CX industries will convene. Don't miss the chance to join such an influential moment in Singapore in late 2023!

Join the CXO Community

The Chief Transformation Summit Singapore gathers transformation leaders that seek a competitive edge and foster innovation in their organisations. Featuring industry-leading speakers, insightful sessions, and extensive networking chances, attendees will gain valuable takeaways and actionable strategies. Save the date and seize this thrilling opportunity!

The CXO Innovation Team is honoured to host this exclusive and captivating community once more. Join our LinkedIn CXO Community and stay tuned by following our social media for more exciting updates:

This CXO Innovation Summit Series is delivered by BEETc, an event company specialised in bringing together Senior Level Thought-Leadership Conferences, internationally.

Media Enquiries:

Jabin Wang

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cxo-innovation-summit-chief-transformation-officer-summit-singapore-to-be-held-on-25-october-2023-301933711.html

SOURCE BEETc
[September 20, 2023] Nishan Forum on World Civilizations to kick off in Qufu Tweet

BEIJING, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn: The Ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations and the 2023 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival will be held in the hometown of Confucius at the foot of Nishan Mountain in Qufu, Shandong province, from Sept 26 to 28. Under the theme of "Common values for mankind and a community with a shared future for mankind - strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to jointly address global challenges", the ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations will feature a number of activities, including a main forum, high-level dialogues, keynote speeches, interviews with ministers and diplomats, 10 sub-forums in Qufu, and three overseas sub-forums in Thailand, Austria and Italy. The Nishan forum, which will feature government officials, scholars, descendants of Confucius and youth representatives from around the world, is aimed at promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture and other brilliant cultures across the world, as well as enhncing communications and mutual learning between different civilizations.



In recent years, Shandong, as the home province of Confucius and an important source of Chinese traditional culture, has made great strides in expanding the international influence of Chinese civilizations and stimulating the vitality of cultural innovation and creativity so as to build a new highland for cultural exchange and mutual learning. The province has also called for the establishment of a global exchange platform to advance the construction of the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies and the Nishan forum in an integrated manner. Starting in 2020, the Nishan forum and the Confucius festival have been held as an integrated event.

Furthermore, Shandong has been bolstering the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese cultures. The province has made solid progress in enhancing cultural confidence, vitalizing traditional cultures and advancing regional cultural heritage and demonstration projects. Shandong is aiming to strengthen cultural exchanges with the world and promote traditional cultures to a wider audience through events and initiatives such as the Nishan forum, the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, the integration for global Chinese classics, the "Masters of Confucianism" plan and a demonstration area for the inheritance and development of traditional cultures. The province is striving to be a pioneer in the inheritance and development of Confucian culture, the internalization communication of traditional Chinese cultures and the exchange and mutual learning of world civilizations. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/nishan-forum-on-world-civilizations-to-kick-off-in-qufu-301934215.html SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn

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[September 21, 2023] Novozymes OneHealth and Juneyao Health announced a strategic partnership at 14th ACN Tweet

Chengdu, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 14th Asian Congress of Nutrition(ACN), held in Chengdu, China from September 14th to 17th, 2023 brought together experts and enthusiasts in the field of nutrition.

Hubei Juneyao Health Drinks Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as "Juneyao Health") and Novozymes OneHealth Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Novozymes OneHealth") announced a strategic partnership and signed an agreement during the 14th ACN. Juneyao Health is a leading probiotics company in China that focused on providing high-quality and innovative health products designed to improve consumers' quality of life. The company has gradually built an innovative ecosystem that spans from basic research to industrial production to consumer sales, creating a technology-driven core competitive edge. In addition, after more than 2 years of dedicated work in the field of probiotics. Juneyao Health will soon launch a new generation of probiotic product lines that utilize cutting-edge international and domestic technologies to improve product quality, efficacy, and user experience, enabling more consumers to enjoy better health. Novozymes OneHealth is the Human Health unit of one of the world's leading biotech companies, Novozymes. Novozymes OneHealth is on a journey to deliver clinically proven and targeted biological solutions of probiotics, enzymes, and other bioactives. Mr. Ding Gangqiang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Council of the Chinese Nutrition Society, delivered a speech congratulating the successful hosting of the strategic signing ceremony. Mr. Cheng Xian, General Manager of Novozymes OneHealth China, Dr. Barry Kiely, Senior Director of Research and Development at Novozymes OneHealth, Ms. Gao Sha, Head of Strategy and Marketing at Novozymes OneHealth China, and Mr. Liu Kun, Sales Head of Novozymes OneHealth China, Mr. Wang Junhao,President of Juneyao Group and Chairman of Juneyao Health, Ms. Wang Chenchen, Deputy General Manager of Juneyao Health, Ms. Yang Yiyin, Director of Strategic Investment/Digital Insight Department of Juneyao Group/Juneyao Health, attended the event and witnessed the ceremony. This cooperation is not only a sign of close partnership between the two companies, but also gives new momentum to Chinese health brands and probiotics industry and creates opportunities for joint development.



This strategic collaboration aims to build a long-term and stable partnership, covering various areas such as information exchange, scientific research cooperation, new product development, and market promotion. Particular emphasis will be placed on technical innovation in probiotic strains. Additionally, it seeks to boost global market vitality and facilitate the construction of integrated research teams. Novozymes OneHealth's star probiotic strain, IBme (Bifidobacterium longum 35624), will be applied in Juneyao Health's next-generation probiotic products.

Representing both parties, Mr. Cheng Xian and Ms. Wang Chenchen signed the agreement. The dignitaries present gathered for a group photo to capture the memorable moments of this joint journey and to witness the determination of both sides to move forward hand in hand. As we move forward, our shared vision remains clear: to further explore the potential of probiotics to improve human well-being. Through rigorous research, clinical validation and sustainable nutritional strategies, we aim to provide practical solutions that can positively impact the lives of people worldwide. The 14th ACN served as an excellent platform to introduce this partnership and its promising prospects for the field of nutrition science and public health. We are confident that with commitment and collaboration, our efforts will contribute to a healthier and more prosperous future for all. Together, Juneyao Health and Novozymes OneHealth are committed to promoting a harmonious relationship between nutrition and well-being and strive to set new standards in this field. In the "Human Microecology and Nutritional Health" sub-forum on September 17th, Dr. Barry Kiely, Senior Director of Research and Development at Novozymes OneHealth delivered a speech on Scientific strategy and clinical evidence for Precision probiotics. He talked about how to feed the future through sustainable nutrition and highlighted the significant roles of two key probiotic strains developed by Novozymes OneHealth Bifidobacterium longum 35624 & 1714. Dr. Kiely emphasized that these probiotic strains are noteworthy for their potential contributions to improving human health and well-being. Bifidobacterium longum 35624 has been clinically shown to help ease the abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation that impact quality of life. In their most recent Global Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the World Gastroenterology Organization acknowledged the Bifidobacterium longum 35624 strain as being the most efficacious probiotic strain for specific gut discomfort . Bifidobacterium longum 1714 targets the gut-brain axis and has been shown in two placebo-controlled clinical trials to help adults handle the psychological and physical responses to stress, significantly reduce cortisol output in response to stress and maintain a calm state of mind and emotional balance during stressful times. Dr. Kiely stressed the importance of continued research and clinical trials to substantiate these potential benefits and to ensure that probiotics like Bifidobacterium longum 35624 and 1714 can be effectively integrated into sustainable nutrition strategies to support human health. With this partnership, we are not only strengthening our commitment to advancing the science of nutrition but also forging a path toward a healthier and more resilient future for individuals around the world. We invite all stakeholders to join us on this journey of discovery and innovation in the pursuit of improved well-being for all.



Tim Brown [email protected]

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President Joe Biden listens to his Brazilian counterpart, Lula da Silva, on Wednesday in New York. KEVIN LAMARQUE (REUTERS)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva  a former metalworker turned statesman  and Joe Biden  the most pro-union president in U.S. history  joined forces on Wednesday in defense of workers. On the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly, the two leaders presented an initiative called the U.S.-Brazil Partnership for Workers Rights. Lula  who is the leader of the Workers Party (PT)  knows a lot about protecting worker rights, but Biden too is a vocal advocate, as seen in his support for unions even in the midst of the autoworker strike, which could cripple the all-important auto sector.

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, and Im honored were going to launch a new partnership for workers rights, said Biden, who pointed out that his father never went to university. Growing up in my household, my dad used to have an expression. Hed say, A job is about a lot more than a paycheck. Its about your dignity. Its about respect. Its about being able to look your child in the eye and say, Honey, its going to be okay, and mean it.

More information The question we should be asking is not how much growth we can achieve, but what kind

Lula also used his personal experience to illustrate the importance of the joint initiative. I worked 27 years inside a plant. Ive seen unemployment. Ive experienced unemployment, he said. Switching into statesman-mode, the president pointed out how the association will benefit both countries: I believe that the relationship between the U.S. and Brazil will improve and that we can behave as friends seeking a common objective: development and improving the lives of our people.

The meeting on Wednesday was the second time Lula and Biden have met in person, and the third time that they have held an official conversation (they did so by telephone in August). When asked about the importance of the common initiative, senior officials from the Biden administration underscored that Brazil and the United States have many common interests. In a press call on Tuesday, these sources said the pact highlights the fact that the U.S.-Brazil relationship is not just bilateral, its global in nature  the two largest exporters of food in the world, important leaders on climate, and on issues from food security to nonproliferation. The conversations that we had with Brazil are bilateral, regional, and global in nature.

The Partnership for Workers Rights is another area where theres a clear affinity and complement between the United States and Brazil, but also between our two presidents as really this being one of the top priorities, making sure that working families have their rights protected, they added.

The non-binding partnership, which may be extended to other countries, is aimed at addressing problems such as forced labor and child labor, investor liability and discrimination in the workplace. In recent years, the United States has seen a sharp rise in migrant child labor, even in large companies.

The initiative comes as Biden seeks to win over middle-class voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. For the past month, the U.S. president has been in campaign mode, trying to sway the middle class with speeches and electoral policies directly aimed at them.

In Brazil, millions of people were lifted out of poverty thanks to the Bolsa Familia (Family Allowance) program that was implemented during Lulas first term. Since taking office again, the Brazilian president has relaunched the program in the hopes of creating a better life for all.

The meeting between Biden and Lula took place in a hotel in New York at noon Wednesday. Lula was the first speaker to open the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, talking passionately about the imperative need to end hunger.

Relations between Brazil and the United States have improved since Lula returned to power, following his win over the far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro. We have two presidents that are uniquely aligned in their common vision for how the economy should work for workers, senior officials told reporters on Tuesday.

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[September 21, 2023] The Education Market in UAE to grow by USD 817.5 million from 2022 to 2027 | the market is fragmented due to the presence of prominent companies like Al Jazeera Academy, American School of Dubai and AMIDEAST Inc. - Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The education market in UAE is estimated to grow by USD 817.5 million from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.55%. The education market in the UAE is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer education market in UAE are Al Jazeera Academy, American School of Dubai, AMIDEAST Inc., ASPAM Indian International School, Blackboard Inc., Brighter Prep, British Council, Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, GEMS Group Holdings Ltd., Higher Colleges of Technology, International Schools Services, JSS Pvt. School, Liwa International School, Meccademia, Option Training Institute FZ LLC, Regent International School, Taaleem, Tutor.com Inc., United Arab Emirates University, and Zayed University. The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Sample before buying Company Offering: American School of Dubai - The company offers pre-K, elementary, middle school, and high school education.

The company offers pre-K, elementary, middle school, and high school education. Blackboard Inc. - The company offers online education services such as higher education, and further education.

The company offers online education services such as higher education, and further education. Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills - The company offers online learning advancements such as Standford Online , MIT Online, and Harvard Online .

The company offers online learning advancements such as , MIT Online, and . For details on companies and their offerings  Buy the report! Market Dynamics Impactful driver- Increasing student enrollment

Increasing student enrollment Key Trend - Rising awareness of early education

- Rising awareness of early education Major Challenges - Rising interest in studying abroad The rising interest in studying abroad is a significant challenge restricting market growth. There are significant costs associated with education in the UAE, particularly as regards higher education. Several students are going on to obtain advanced skills and opportunities in foreign countries. The exposure of students to many learning opportunities is provided by studying outside the country. Scholarships are offered by the Government for students who wish to study abroad at a reputed foreign university. For example, every year the Ministry of Education grants 200 to 300 scholarships to UAE nationals to travel to various countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, and Japan. The Ministry of Higher Education's Shorik initiative helps high school graduates choose universities and majors when studying abroad. Hence, these factors are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period. Market Segmentation By End-user, the market is classified into K-12 education and higher education. The market share growth by the K-12 education segment will be significant during the forecast period. Factors such as the fast growth of the economy, an increasing number of international migrants, and a surge in demand for quality English-medium education are contributing to this segment's growth. To stimulate the growth of the K-12 education segment during the forecast period, it is ensured by governments in Abu Dhabi , Dubai , Sharjah , and other emirates that any local children will be admitted to international schools free of charge. Primary and secondary schools in the UAE are using advanced digital technologies to enhance learning. Additionally, several initiatives have been undertaken to address the growing need to deploy advanced technologies in the K-12 system. For example, Alef Education, a private education technology company, provides technology-based education solutions at a school in Abu Dhabi. Hence, the increasing number of private schools offering high-quality education is expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View Sample Report Related Reports: The India - professional online courses market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.24% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 2,782.59 million. The report extensively covers market segmentation by product (technical courses and non-technical courses), and end-user (individual learners, organizational learners, and institutional learners). The prevalence of web-conferencing solutions is the key factor driving the growth of the market. The corporate training market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.69% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 56,928.67 million. The report extensively covers market segmentation by product (technical training and non-technical training), type (blended and e-learning), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). One of the key factors driving the corporate training market growth is the increased need for skilled employees.







Education Market Scope in UAE Report Coverage Details Historic period 2017-2021 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.55% YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.26

TOC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation by End-User 7 Market Segmentation by Ownership 8 Customer Landscape 9 Geographic Landscape 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 11 Company Landscape 12 Company Analysis 13 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact US: 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/the-education-market-in-uae-to-grow-by-usd-817-5-million-from-2022-to-2027--the-market-is-fragmented-due-to-the-presence-of-prominent-companies-like-al-jazeera-academy-american-school-of-dubai-and-amideast-inc---technavio-301934236.html SOURCE Technavio

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[September 21, 2023] Sumsub Enables Non-Document UK Customer Onboarding in Five Seconds with via Major Banks Tweet

Non-Document Verification capability, enabled by OneID, onboards end-users nearly instantly, via data from leading UK financial institutions LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumsub , the leading global full-cycle verification platform, is announcing the introduction of its Non-Document Verification solution in the UK. Customers across the fintech, crypto, ecommerce, online gaming and transportation industries, among others, can now onboard their users via official bank records securely with near-instant identity verification, while staying compliant with UK regulations. Non-Document Verification is also currently available in Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Ghana, Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands. The solution is made possible through its strategic partnership with OneID, a UK Government-certified identity provider. Users are supported by OneID during their journey, ensuring compliance with personal data regulations. Sumsub is the first global firm to offer document-free verification services as part of a holistic compliance solution across the whole user journey. The offering signifies a pioneering approach to full-cycle user verification globally, while local providers do offer document-free verification in singular markets. Through OneID, Sumsub can offer document-free verification for 95% of the adult population. The solution will facilitate customer identity verification via data from major institutions, including Barclays, Bank of Scotland, Chase, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, MBNA, Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Santander, Starling, TSB, Ulster, and Virgin Money. The Non-Document Verification soluton offers a number of benefits for clients, redefining the user verification landscape. OneID enables Sumsub to provide lightning-fast verification in less than five seconds - far quicker than the industry's average onboarding time of two minutes. The process will verify users without the need for them to upload pictures of identity documents.



During the onboarding process, users firstly select their bank and are directed to its page or app within the same session window. Once logged into their bank account, here they provide consent for personal data sharing, which is required for the verification. Finally, Sumsub instantly retrieves and verifies the required data, successfully onboarding the new customer without any documents. Document-free verification leads to low drop-off and high conversion rates due to the seamless user experience. Furthermore, Sumsub simplifies the process with a user-friendly, code-free approach, allowing customer compliance teams to effortlessly adapt to diverse regulatory and country-specific needs via its Workflow Builder and Web software development kit (SDK) integration, removing the need for in-house developers. Sumsub enables its customers' teams to build its solution into their own user flow, while incorporating their own corporate branding into the SDK and interface for end-users.

"We are pleased to be providing swift onboarding solutions for UK clients. The UK is one of the first European markets in our portfolio for Non-Document Verification, and we're confident this will take the ID verification user experience to the next level. We are replacing complex authentication procedures for UK-based clients with a unique online banking log-in eliminating identity fraud, duplicate accounts and bot-based verification attempts," explains Andrew Sever, Co-founder and CEO of Sumsub. "We are dedicated to providing a secure, efficient, and seamless onboarding experience for users while empowering businesses to meet regulatory requirements effortlessly." "We are delighted that Sumsub has chosen us to be their partner to provide their document-free identity solution," says Paula Sussex, CEO of OneID. "We are proud that we enable Sumsub to promise their customers a quick and easy experience that covers around 50 million individuals in the UK" "According to UK AML regulations, document-free solutions can be utilised, provided that they incorporate additional security measures. These are essential for establishing a connection between a user and their claimed identity, which has been independently verified by an external data source," adds Tony Petrov, Chief Legal Officer at Sumsub. "We ensure that the non-document verification process is secure from fraud and misuse and we can assure that users claiming a particular identity are in fact the person with that identity due to our advanced electronic identification technology." For more information, please visit https://sumsub.com/lp/1click-uk-document-free-verification/. About Sumsub Sumsub is a full-cycle verification platform securing the whole user journey. With Sumsub's customizable KYC, KYB, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention solutions, you can orchestrate your verification process, welcome more customers worldwide, meet compliance requirements, reduce costs, and protect your business. Sumsub has over 2,000 clients across the fintech, crypto, transportation, trading, e-commerce and gaming industries including Binance, Mercuryo, Bybit, Huobi, Unlimit, DiDi, Poppy, and TransferGo. https://sumsub.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099263/Sumsub_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sumsub-enables-non-document-uk-customer-onboarding-in-five-seconds-with-via-major-banks-301934423.html

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[September 21, 2023] TO THE NEW recognized in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services Tweet

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TO THE NEW, a leading global digital technology services company, is delighted to announce its recognition as a Niche Player in the '2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services' report. Gartner has evaluated 21 vendors for their ability to execute and completeness of vision in leveraging public cloud platforms for IT transformation. We believe this recognition underscores TO THE NEW's expertise in harnessing the power of public cloud technologies and its commitment to reshaping industries in a cloud-first world by delivering specialized cloud transformation journeys. The evaluation was based on TO THE NEW's ability to execute and completeness of vision. TO THE NEW helps businesses design, build, and maintain their multi-horizon cloud transformation journeys, with end-to-end cloud engineering services including, implementation, modernization, 24x7 managed services, DevOps, and cost optimization. Its proprietary solution on AWS cost optimization and FinOps services, CloudKeeper, brings guaranteed savings on AWS spends, of up to 25%, and has delivered over $100 million in savings to its 300+ clients across the globe. Commenting on this recognition, Deepak Mittal, CEO & Co-founder, TO THE NEW, said, "We are pleased to be acknowledged in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services. We feel that this recognition validates our relentless dedication to delivering exceptional cloud-native solutions and transformational services. We are committed to making investments in our in-house IPs and, most importantly our global talent, which has been the cornerstone of our success. We remain committed to driving innoation, providing valuable services, and being a trusted partner in our clients' digital transformation journeys."



With its deep domain expertise and engineering mindset, TO THE NEW strives to benefit organizations in different stages of their cloud journey. Founded in 2008, TO THE NEW is one of the fastest-growing companies, with a CAGR of over 60% since 2017. The company's passionate team of 2500+ 'Newers' is spread across its headquarters in Singapore and delivery centers in Delhi, Dehradun, Dubai, NYC, and Sydney. TO THE NEW is an 8-time winner of the prestigious Great Place to Work award. The company has also been recognized as one of India's Top 100 Companies to Work For and is among the Top 50 IT Workplaces in India. We feel that this research can help global enterprises trust TO THE NEW to be among the other providers dedicated to cloud transformation services.

For more information, Gartner subscribers can download the full report at https://www.gartner.com/document/4642499?ref=solrAll&refval=378141163& Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services, Mark Ray, Craig Lowery, Tobi Bet, et al., 16 August 2023 Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. GARTNER and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks 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. About TO THE NEW TO THE NEW is a digital technology services company that provides product engineering, cloud, and FinOps services to enterprises, SaaS, and consumer tech companies. TO THE NEW is recognized by global analyst firms like Forrester, Everest, ISG, and Zinnov for its capabilities in digital engineering, cloud, OTT, and data & analytics. The company leverages its deep partnership with all leading hyperscalers like AWS (Premier Partner), Azure, and GCP to provide end-to-end cloud professional and managed services to its customers. To know more, visit https://www.tothenew.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217265/TO_THE_NEW_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/to-the-new-recognized-in-the-2023-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-public-cloud-it-transformation-services-301934523.html SOURCE TO THE NEW

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[September 21, 2023] Kerrigan Advisors Represents Gosch Auto Group in Sale of Gosch Ford Escondido Tweet

Kerrigan Advisors, the premier sell-side advisor and thought partner to auto dealers nationwide, represented Hemet-based Gosch Auto Group in the sale of Gosch Ford Escondido to Aaron Automotive Group, led by Vikas Mehandroo. The transaction marks the 203rd dealership sold by Kerrigan Advisors since 2015 and the 32nd franchise sale in 2023, making the firm the most active in the industry. "Kerrigan Advisors was honored to represent the Gosch family in this strategic divestiture of Ford Escondido," said Gabe Robleto, Vice President, Sell-Side Advisory of Kerrigan Advisors. "It's a complex business decision to sell a high performing dealership in a growth market. We're pleased to have been able to identify a buyer who understood the value proposition of Ford Escondido and the attractive growth dynamics of Escondido and the San Diego market." The Gosch family opened their first Ford dealership in Southern California almost 60 years ago, when family patriarch Jack Gosch opened Jack Gosch Ford in downtown Hemet. His timing was impeccable, as it was just three months after the Ford Mustang was introduced. The Gosch family currently owns auto dealerships in Hemet, Temecula and Escondido. Over the years, the larger team grew to over 620 employees; collectively they have sold over 400,000 vehicles to local customers - and have serviced millions of cars. "We've been successful in Escondido and in all of our locations because we know the communities we serve and our employees care about our customers, which is critical to a thriving dealership business," said Marc Gosch, Co-Owner of Gosch Auto Group. "Kerrigan Advisors' team offered that same level of commitment to us as their customer. The firm's professionalism, deep industry knowledge and their team's dedication to client service showed throughout this transaction. They understood our needs and expertly guided us through the sales process." Eric Gosch, Co-Owner of Gosch Auto Group continued, "The Kerrigan Advisors' team knew how to find the right buyer and meet the strategic transaction goals of our group. We were in excellent hands with Erin Kerrigan and Gabe Robleto leading the way. That's why we chose them - we knew they would deliver the results we expected." Located in San Diego, one of the highest volume auto retail markets in California and ranked as the 12th best place to live in the U.S., Gosch Ford Escondido is a thriving image-compliant dealership representing the top domestic brand in California, Ford, which has one of the most popular lineups of trucks and SUVs. In 2022, the Ford Bronco ranked one of the tp large SUVs sold in California and was named North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year. Escondido is a growing San Diego suburb, home to 153,000 residents, with a high-volume auto market and a population increase of 15% since 2000. The dealership has an expansive real estate footprint of over 9 acres in a high-traffic location, making it an optimal dealership to buyers.



"Buyers are attracted to high-volume markets that sell top brands like Ford, which is one of the leading non-luxury franchises in California," said Erin Kerrigan, Founder and Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors. "This sale demonstrates the value proposition of Kerrigan Advisors' professional sale process in identifying the best buyer at the highest blue sky value on behalf of our clients. We are thrilled for the Gosch family and grateful for the opportunity to represent them on this valuable transaction." Kerrigan Advisors is the most active sell-side advisor on larger transactions in the auto retail industry. The firm attributes its success to its team's laser focus on fulfilling each client's personal and professional goals. In addition to its sell-side advisory work, the firm offers strategic consulting services to dealers and their families, including growth planning, capital raising, and acquisition valuation analysis, creating value for their clients at every stage of the auto retail lifecycle.

About Kerrigan Advisors Kerrigan Advisors is the premier sell-side advisor and thought partner to auto dealers nationwide. The firm advises the industry's leading dealership groups, enhancing value through the lifecycle of growing, operating and, when the time is right, selling their businesses. Kerrigan Advisors has represented some of auto retail's largest transactions and advised more of the largest dealership groups in the U.S. than any other buy/sell firm in the industry. Led by a team of veteran industry experts with backgrounds in investment banking, private equity, accounting, finance and real estate, the firm does not take listings, rather they develop a customized approach for each client to achieve their personal and financial goals. In addition to Kerrigan Advisors' sell-side advisory and capital raising services, the firm also provides a suite of consulting services including growth strategy, market valuation assessments, capital allocation, transactional due diligence, open point proposals, operational improvement and real estate due diligence. Kerrigan Advisors monitors conditions in the buy/sell market and publishes an in-depth analysis each quarter in The Blue Sky Report, which includes Kerrigan Advisors' signature blue sky charts, multiples, and analysis for each franchise in the luxury and non-luxury segments. To download a preview of the report, click here. The firm also releases monthly The Kerrigan Index composed of the seven publicly traded auto retail companies with operations focused on the US market. The Kerrigan Auto Retail Index is designed to track dealership valuation trends, while also providing key insights into factors influencing auto retail. To access The Kerrigan Index, click here. To read the 2022 Kerrigan Dealer Survey, click here. To read the 2023 Kerrigan OEM Survey, click here. Kerrigan Advisors also is the co-author of NADA's Guide to Buying and Selling a Dealership. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921282601/en/

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[September 21, 2023] SMArtX Advisory Solutions to Launch Pioneering SMArtY Platform with Russell Investments' Model Portfolios Tweet

Revolutionary Strategist Platform Unveils Access to Premier Asset Management Strategies WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SMArtX Advisory Solutions ("SMArtX"), a leading innovator in unified managed accounts (UMA) technology and architect of the SMArtX turnkey asset management platform ('TAMP'), today announced its strategic collaboration with Russell Investments as the inaugural asset management firm to offer its investment strategies through the innovative SMArtY platform. SMArtY, developed by SMArtX Advisory Solutions, is a manager-sponsored no fee strategist platform that harnesses the power of SMArtX's acclaimed managed accounts technology. The platform will launch to the public on September 28th and professionals can join the waitlist for exclusive early access. (Join the waitlist HERE) SMArtY is poised to revolutionize the industry by providing fee-sensitive advisors with an array of robust features, including tax services, automated account rebalancing coupled with seamless trade execution, and access to third-party model investment strategies - all without the burdensome costs associated with conventional wealth management solutions. Jonathan Pincus, CEO of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the relationship, stating, "We are excited to welcome Russell Investments as the pioneer asset manager on our groundbreaking SMArtY platform. By uniting MArtX's state-of-the-art managed accounts technology with Russell Investments' world-class asset management prowess, we are presenting traditional RIAs, wrap fee advisors, and financial planners with an unparalleled cost-free solution to address their investment management needs."



"We're honored that the SMArtX Platform will feature our tax-managed model strategies as the foundational offerings," said Brad Jung, managing director and head of North America Advisor & Intermediary Solutions at Russell Investments. "Advisors will find multi-manager solutions on the newly launched platform that feature 50 years of manager research expertise with a sophisticated tax-managed investing approach at their core." Having revolutionized managed accounts for the past decade, SMArtX's visionary technology now extends its transformative influence to a broader spectrum of firms through the SMArtY platform, offering them access to cash management tools, tax impact analysis, and tax harvesting technology - all seamlessly integrated within a UMA framework.

The SMArtY platform is set to further expand its lineup of esteemed asset managers and augment its already impressive array of features. To learn more about the pioneering SMArtY platform and secure your spot on the waitlist, please visit: HERE. About SMArtX Advisory Solutions

SMArtX Advisory Solutions is an award-winning unified managed accounts technology provider and manages SMArtX, a turnkey asset management platform ('TAMP'). SMArtX's API-first, cloud-native technology operates within a modular, micro-services architecture, providing clients a tailored solution catered to their unique specifications. SMArtX is available as an off-the-shelf TAMP for advisors seeking a wider selection of investment product and ease of use, while automating the investment processes and simplifying the everyday tasks of managing client accounts. SMArtX also licenses its proprietary technology to enterprise firms looking to create, customize, or upgrade their existing managed accounts technology as a standalone or fully integrated solution. Learn more at www.smartxadvisory.com About Russell Investments

Russell Investments is a global investment solutions firm providing a wide range of services to institutional investors, financial intermediaries and individual investors around the world. Building on an 87-year legacy of continuous innovation to deliver exceptional value to clients, Russell Investments works every day to improve the financial security of its clients. The firm has $297.9.3 billion in assets under management (as of 6/30/2023) for clients in 30 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments has 17 offices in major financial centers, including New York, London, Toronto, Tokyo and Shanghai. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartx-advisory-solutions-to-launch-pioneering-smarty-platform-with-russell-investments-model-portfolios-301934310.html SOURCE SMArtX Advisory Solutions

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[September 21, 2023] Calderwood Wins Best Offshore Governance Firm Again at US Industry Awards Tweet

Calderwood, a leading Cayman Islands boutique fund governance firm, has been named 'Best Offshore Governance Firm' at the HFM US Services Awards 2023 for the second year in succession. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921142469/en/ Calderwood Wins Best Offshore Governance Firm Again at HFM US Awards (Photo: Business Wire) The HFM US Services Awards is one of the fund industry's most prestigious events and Calderwood received this accolade at a ceremony held at Guastavino's in New York on 13 September. Calderwood co-founders, Ronan Guilfoyle and Wade Kenny collected the award on behalf of the firm, with directors Laura McGrath and Charles Thomas. "We are so delighted to be recognised by HFM again, especially to win back-back awards and to spend another great evening in New York with our industry colleagues has been very special," Mr. Guilfoyle said. "This award is testament to our incredible team and in paricular to our fantastic clients in the US who continue to put their trust and faith in us."



The awards recognise excellence among US hedge fund service providers across a range of metrics, focused on innovation and client service, as well as strong and sustainable business growth over the past 12 months. After a rigorous selection process, with a judging panel comprised of leading hedge fund executives, awards were presented in a range of categories. Receiving its second award in two years, Calderwood was able to demonstrate another strong year of growth, in terms of client numbers and the continued expansion of the team. The Calderwood team of highly experienced independent directors has now grown to nine, with the appointment this year of UK barrister Clare Price, following the 2021 hires of US hedge fund counsel Laura McGrath and Cayman Islands attorney and regulatory expert Anna Goubault.

Calderwood's fundamental approach to governance is to provide highly experienced independent directors with a limit on each director's number of relationships to ensure the appropriate attention can be given to each client. This has generated the firm a first-class reputation for helping clients navigate a constantly changing regulatory landscape. Since launching in 2016, Calderwood now has some 300 fund manager relationships. The firm also offers a range of specialist regulatory and compliance services and has a presence in Asia and Europe, to provide time sensitive services in these time zones. Further information on the HFM US Services Awards 2023 , including the full list of winners, can be seen here. About Calderwood Calderwood is a fund governance firm founded in March 2016, which opened for business in June 2016. Our services include the provision of CIMA registered, independent directors to investment funds. Our directors have on average over 20 years professional services experience including 10 years in a fiduciary capacity. We have served as independent directors on some of the largest funds in the industry and, as such, are well positioned to offer some of the most experienced independent directors in the governance sector. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921142469/en/

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[September 21, 2023] Riverside University Health System to Implement FloPatch by Flosonics, Revolutionizing Precision Fluid Management in Sepsis Care Tweet

Riverside University Health System is proud to announce the implementation of FloPatch by Flosonics Medical. As a pioneer in adopting new, ground-breaking medical technology, Riverside is making a significant leap forward in healthcare innovation, particularly in the life-saving area of sepsis management. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921489339/en/ Revolutionizing Sepsis Care: FloPatch by Flosonics Medical, a groundbreaking, wireless, wearable Doppler ultrasound, now implemented at Riverside University Health System for precision fluid management. (Photo: Business Wire) FloPatch is a revolutionary tool that facilitates real-time precision in IV fluid management in sepsis. This FDA-cleared, wireless, wearable, point-of-care, Doppler ultrasound system empowers clinicians to accurately assess a patient and determine the most appropriate therapeutic intervention. "FloPatch rapidly provides non-invasive hemodynamic data that help guide the clinician's management of complex patients. I'm excited to have this tool to incorporate into our sepsis program as ell as use it to manage other critically ill patients," said Dr. Korbin Haycock, Co-Sepsis Chair, Ultrasound Director, and Emergency Medicine Physician at Riverside University Health System.



Specifically engineered for quick, reliable assessments, FloPatch adheres to a patient's neck over the carotid artery. It immediately starts capturing real-time blood flow data for each heartbeat. This data is then wirelessly sent to a secure iOS app for healthcare providers, which not only displays real-time Doppler data but also uses advanced analytics to break down each heartbeat into key metrics. Such data enables informed, time-sensitive decisions at the bedside, a level of precision that is indispensable in complex and urgent medical scenarios like sepsis management. "Timing of assessment and appropriate fluid resuscitation is critical in sepsis. Our code team has seen firsthand how efficient FloPatch is in assessing both responsiveness and tolerance in sepsis and septic shock," said Jaclyn Bond, Director of Nursing at Riverside University Health System. "We are excited and proud to be one of the early adopters of this cutting-edge technology, and the timing couldn't be better as we raise awareness during Sepsis Awareness Month."

Dr. Destry Washburn, Co-Sepsis Chair and Intensivist at Riverside University Health System, concurred: "FloPatch will help us better manage sepsis patients as they triage from the ED to ICU because FloPatch travels with the patient. This will facilitate better communication between our nurses and clinicians as we continue their fluid resuscitation in the hospital, which will lead to more comprehensive care for our patients." About Riverside University Health System Riverside University Health System has been a cornerstone in healthcare for Riverside County for over 50 years. With a steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical science and technology, Riverside continues to set the standard for healthcare excellence in the region. About Flosonics Medical Flosonics Medical is a Canadian medical device company engaged in the research and development of innovative ultrasound technology. Founded in 2015, the company's mission is to improve patient care and the practice of medicine through technology-enabled solutions and ground-breaking clinical research. For more information, visit www.ruhealth.org and http://www.flosonicsmedical.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921489339/en/

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[September 21, 2023] Project Venkman Wants You to Party with Bill Murray Tweet

AUSTIN, TEXAS, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Project Venkman is excited to announce the addition of a new membership tier in the Bill Murray 1000 Membership Program. The Bill Murray 1000 is the premier celebrity membership program offering 1000 true Bill Murray super-fans unique opportunities to attend one-of-a-kind in-person events with iconic actor, comedian, and writer.

Bill Murrays birthday is September 21, and Project Venkman is celebrating by giving his fans a free membership to Bill Murray 1000 and a free chance to party with Bill Murray. The Open Edition membership tier is a new, no-cost entry point for Bills fans to learn more about Bill Murray 1000 and enter raffles for tickets to the next in-person event with Bill Murray. In addition to ticket giveaways, an Open Edition membership is an access pass to play games, purchase custom merch, and join our Discord channels for true Bill fans. In the week leading up to Bill Murrays birthday, Project Venkman will airdrop Open Edition memberships directly to the digital wallets of Bill Murray 1000 Original Bill and Destinations membership owners to make sure they receive Open Edition memberships that they can keep for themselves or share with others. Project enkman is covering all costs of the airdrop, so this is completely free for members.



Open Edition memberships can be claimed at billmurray.club . You can claim with just an email address or you can claim with a digital wallet. By simply claiming an Open Edition membership you will be eligible for the event ticket raffles. Project Venkman is covering all costs of anyone claiming with an email address, so this is a fun, simple, and free way to join Bill Murray 1000. Finally, on September 21, the Bill Murray 1000 will celebrate Bill Murrays birthday on Opensea where the Open Edition will be listed as a Notable Collection on the homepage. Project Venkman is offering a free Open Edition mint to anyone who wants to mint their own memberships. Minting one or many Open Edition memberships is completely free, however, the costs of transferring the memberships to your wallet will be the responsibility of the wallet owner.

This a very sweet, very inclusive group of people, like Deadheads or Comicon people, said Bill Murray at a member event in January, they bring a friend or a loved one and they are enjoying the fun. And the food is fantastic!

To claim a Bill Murray 1000: Open Edition membership go to: billmurray.club About Project Venkman Project Venkman is a leading Web3 studio focused on community building and celebrity memberships. The company is dedicated to creating once-in-a-lifetime fan moments.

projectvenkman.com





Rick McDonald Tech Operations Project Venkman rick at venkmanholdings.com

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[September 21, 2023] Replay announces partnership between product company Syena and JURA Bio to advance T cell receptor NK therapies in cancer Tweet

Replay announces partnership between product company Syena and JURA Bio to advance T cell receptor NK therapies in cancer Collaboration leverages JURA Bios T cell receptor (TCR) discovery platform to discover and develop innovative therapies by applying AI/machine learning



San Diego, California, London, UK, and Newport Beach, California, September 21, 2023  Replay, a genome writing company reprogramming biology by writing and delivering big DNA, announced today a research collaboration between JURA Bio, a biotechnology company developing immune-based therapeutics using machine learning and synthetic biology, and Syena, a cell therapy product company and subsidiary of Replay, to develop T cell receptor (TCR) based therapies. JURA Bios highly differentiated TCR discovery platform has transformative potential and combines the power of synthetic biology with that of machine learning. We look forward to working with them to identify high performing TCRs recognizing challenging but therapeutically important targets such as KRAS G12D, said Adrian Woolfson, Executive Chairman, President, and Co-Founder of Replay. JURA Bios unique AI tools and expertise in synthetic libraries offer a differentiated approach for discovering TCRs. This will be invaluable in helping Replays cell therapy product company Syena to advance novel TCR-NK therapies into the clinic. Were thrilled to announce our first partnership with Replay and its product company Syena. This partnership validates our approach of using synthesized human T cell repertoires to generate safe and effective libraries to discover antigen specific TCRs at scale, said Elizabeth Wood, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, JURA Bio. The human immune system is a powerful source of safe and effective immune receptors, and while one patient might lack a TCR necessary to fight cancer, it may be present in another. By leveraging machine learning to rewrite the gene synthesis process from the ground up, we can produce extraordinarily high-quality immune receptors libraries to discover and train probabilistic machine learning models to ensure a faster development process that identifies TCRs recognizing the most challenging therapeutic targets. Lachlan MacKinnon, CEO and Co-Founder of Replay, said: We are delighted to be partnering with JURA Bio and their innovative team of synthetic and computational biologists to develop highly differentiated TCR-NK cell therapies. This new partnership is an exciting opportunity for Replays cell therapy product company Syena to leverage JURA Bios powerful toolkit of machine learning and synthetic protein design, coupled with their extensive expertise, and to use this to advance the development of our engineered TCR-NK cell therapy programs. JURA Bio will receive an upfront payment as well as research funding for the period of the partnership. The details of the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. If the option is exercised, Replay and its cell therapy product company Syena will be responsible for global development and hold exclusive worldwide commercialization rights on all TCR-NK therapies resulting from the partnership. JURA Bio will be eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments in addition to tiered deferred option payments on global net sales for products based on TCRs arising from the collaboration, as well as royalties on products utilizing at least one of the licensed technologies. Replay launched Syena, an oncoloy-focused product company, with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in February 2023. The engineered TCR-NK technology in Syena is based on the scientific discoveries of Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy at MD Anderson.



In areas where conventional methods are insufficient, machine learning emerges as the catalyst that unlocks the full potential of cell-based therapy and personalized medicine, said Julie Norville, Founder and Chief Technical Officer, JURA Bio. We founded the company in 2017 as a synthetic biology and probabilistic machine learning entity. Our team has built all the tools necessary to define machine-learning driven candidates at an incredible scale, and has been able to test and develop these with incredible speed. We look forward to working with Replay and its cell therapy product company Syena to develop new treatments to address cancers with high unmet medical need. Most existing generative machine learning workflows face a fundamental bottleneck in their ability to synthesize and test their candidates of choice. JURA has built an ML-first workflow that incorporates the relevant underlying chemistry, physics, and biology, as well as developing a statistical framework for evaluating model quality that allows them to build and train flexible and reliable models from huge amounts of data. JURA Bio can propose, build, and physically assay candidates at a scale previously unimaginable.

JURA Bios ML-improved gene synthesis technology has generated an off-the-shelf library of 100 billion potential human and improved TCR candidates that are ready for antigen-specific TCR discovery and development. The company has already discovered high-value TCRs for prostate cancer and other key neoantigen targets that have never been before recorded in key HLA-types. In another example, JURA Bio has generated a polyclonal candidate pool for six melanoma patients that were refractory to MART-1 specific adoptive cell therapy. These six patients failed to respond to adoptive transfer of autologous cells from healthy donors. Using an off-the-shelf HLA-matched variational synthesis library of TCR candidates, JURA Bio identified 10 candidates for expansion and engineering to create a truly personalized therapeutic polyclonal candidate pool for each individual. The company has also manufactured peptidome and virodome-scale libraries of antigens to help determine the underlying mechanisms of autoimmunity. It is remarkable how little we know about the cell identities underlying and driving autoimmune disease. We are not able to reliably say how many are restricted to specific individuals or shared by common mechanisms population wide. In having the ability to screen at the scale of human peptidomes, we will not only learn a lot about potential therapeutics, but also better understand the underlying heterogeneity of autoimmune disease, said Everett Meyer, Associate Professor of Medicine, Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Director Stanford Cellular Immune Tolerance Program. "AI-ML and multiplex libraries are useful tools individually, but when combined together they can generate remarkable synergy, known as ML-ML variational synthesis. This has the potential to generate billions to trillions-fold of potential candidates. The mastery of this strategy for TCR, MHC, and T-cell engineering at JURA is without competition and in huge demand," said George Church, Ph.D., Founder & Scientific Advisory Board Chair, JURA Bio. Additional members of JURA Bios scientific advisory board include Debora Marks, PhD (Harvard), David Hafler, MD (Yale), Jay Fishman, MD (Harvard/MGH), Melina Fan, PhD (Addgene), Kevan Herold (Yale), Lester Mackey (Microsoft Research/Stanford), and Everett Meyer, MD/PhD (Stanford). Ends About Replay Replay is a genome writing company, which aims to define the future of genomic medicine by designing, writing, and delivering big DNA. The Company has assembled a toolkit of disruptive platform technologies  including a high payload capacity HSV platform, a hypoimmunogenic cell therapy platform, and a genome writing platform  to address the challenges currently limiting clinical progress and preventing genomic medicine from realizing its potential. The Companys hub-and-spoke business model separates technology development within Replay from therapeutic development in a portfolio of product companies that leverage its technology platforms. For example, the Company recently incorporated a first-in-class engineered TCR-NK cell therapy product company using technology developed by Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Replays synHSV technology, a high payload capacity HSV vector capable of delivering up to 30 times the payload of AAV, is utilized by Replays four gene therapy product companies, bringing big DNA treatments to diseases affecting the skin, eye, brain, and muscle. Replay is led by a distinguished team of academics, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The Company raised $55 million in seed financing in July 2022 and is supported by an international syndicate of investors including: KKR, OMX Ventures, ARTIS Ventures, and Lansdowne Partners. Replay is headquartered in San Diego, California. For further information please visit www.replay.bio and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter .

About JURA Bio Founded in 2017, Jura Bio has developed an end-to-end platform of computational and synthetic biology framework for the discovery and development of genetic medicines. Therapeutic success depends on the TCR-epitope-HLA synapse, and Jura is developing a map from any antigen+ HLA to any TCR candidate. A map would enable the development of TCRs that are effective and able to target the correct antigen, that is potentially safer with no off-target effects and tunable affinity. JURA Bio is based in Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.jurabio.com . Contacts: Replay Dr Adrian Woolfson/Lachlan MacKinnon

[email protected] ICR Consilium  Media relations Amber Fennell/David Daley/Isabelle Abdou

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SugarCRM Celebrates Thriving User Community Milestone: 10,000 SugarClub Members Worldwide and Growing

CONNECTED 2023 - SugarCRM, provider of the award-winning AI-driven CRM platform, today announced it has reached a major milestone for its online SugarClub user community, with a total of 10,000 members worldwide, along with a call for entries for its 2024 SugarCRM Customer Breakthrough Awards.

The announcement was made today at Sugar's Connected customer conference held in Austin, Texas.

"We launched SugarClub in August 2020, and nearly three years later, we have reached 10,000 global members," said Chris Pennington, SugarCRM's Chief Customer Officer. "This milestone is a testament to the value of peer-to-peer learning and expert advice that makes SugarClub a key community for customers worldwide to connect and help enhance the user experience, drive user adoption, and inspire innovation."

Built on three main pillars to engage, learn, and explore, SugarClub centralizes key resources including product information, training and certifications, events, announcements, and more, enabling customers to realize the full potential of their Sugar platform, as well as benefit from peer-to-peer networking and engagement.







Additionally, the company announced the call for entries is now open for Sugar's global awards program, which recognizes customers and partners worldwide for breakthrough customer experiences that fuel business growth in eight awards categories. These categories include regional Customer of the Year in Asia-Pacific, EMEA, Latin America, and North America, and a new category that celebrates industry excellence for businesses across manufacturing, wholesale and distribution.

Nominations close Nov. 11. Winners will be announced on Jan. 8, 2024. For more information and to submit a nomination for the 2024 SugarCRM Customer Breakthrough Awards, visit: www.sugarcrm.com/customer-breakthrough-awards.

About SugarCRM

SugarCRM is a CRM software that helps marketing, sales, and service teams reach peak efficiency through better automation, data, and intelligence so they can achieve a real-time, reliable view of each customer. Sugar's platform provides leading technology in the sales automation, marketing automation, and customer service fields with one goal in mind: to make the hard things easier.

Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on Sugar by letting the platform do the work. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sugar is backed by Accel-KKR.

For more information about SugarCRM, visit: www.sugarcrm.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921749534/en/
The Joe Biden administration announced Wednesday measures to ease the bottleneck that the U.S. immigration system has created in many cities in the United States. For a second time, the government has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a legal status granted to Venezuelans who are already in the country. This will allow 472,000 Venezuelans to obtain work permits and protect them against deportation for 18 months. The TPS program was launched by Biden a few years ago, and last summer it was extended by Alejandro Mayorkas, the head of Homeland Security. The measure will only apply to Venezuelans who arrived in the United States before July 31, 2023.

A source from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that the decision was made in response to the extraordinary conditions in Venezuela, which prevent Venezuelan nationals from safely returning to the country. As a result, the U.S. government has extended TPS for Venezuelans, a policy that was set to expire in March 2024 and will now do so in 18 months. As of October 1, the U.S. government will also expedite work permit procedures for migrants who have an appointment with immigration authorities.

This was one of the main demands of several mayors in the country, who complained that shelters in their cities were overwhelmed by the spike in migrant arrivals. The mayors, in particular the Democrat leaders in New York and Denver, as well as some cities in California, had called on the federal government to speed up the procedures to enable migrants to work and continue their path within the country.

More information Texas separates migrant families, detaining fathers on trespassing charges in latest border move

By extending TPS, Biden seeks to relieve the pressure caused by the rise in undocumented migrants. With this goal in mind and in view of the 2024 presidential election, the U.S. president also announced tighter border security. On Wednesday evening, the government said that it will accelerate the deportation of families who arrived in the United States irregularly. The move comes after the Department of Homeland Security reported a record-high number of irregular crossings in August. That month, authorities detained 91,000 migrants who made the trip with a family member. It was the highest figure recorded in four years. Authorities have deported some 1,600 people from the same family and promise to increase the speed of deportations in the coming weeks.

The Biden administration will also send 800 soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border to boost security. That will bring the total number of soldiers at the border to 3,300. The government previously deployed 2,500 members of the National Guard to several hot spots along the border. The decision comes amid a rise in migrant crossings, particularly into Texas. U.S. media have published images of the hundreds of people who have arrived and are now waiting to be processed in communities in the Republican stronghold. Some news outlets indicate that up to 8,000 people cross the border every day.

U.S. authorities have not confirmed this figure, but admit that there has been a significant increase in migrant arrivals. They said the official numbers will be released soon. Homeland Security has confirmed that the capacity of detention centers has been expanded to 23,000 people. Starting today, these centers  made up of large white tents  will be able to receive an additional 3,250.

The United States has deported 250,000 people since May 12, when Title 42 came to an end. This policy  a Covid-19 restriction introduced under the Donald Trump administration  facilitated fast-track deportations on the grounds of health concerns. The Democratic government left the measure in force for two years and used it as a tool to streamline border management. When it expired, the government braced for a surge in migrant arrivals. While this was not seen immediately, figures indicate that the migratory flow has risen at a constant rate since then. The 2022 fiscal year (October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023) is shaping up to record the highest number of illegal crossings in recent history.

The U.S. government argues that conditions that have led to an increase in migration have not changed, citing the economic impact of the pandemic, climate change and the need to flee authoritarian regimes.

Republican voters consider cracking down on irregular immigration a top priority, and it is one of the main issues of the Republican presidential primary. Former U.S. president Donald Trump considers his hard-line position on immigration as one of his strong points: during his administration, migrant families were separated at the border in the hope that this would reduce the number of crossings.

The Biden government, however, calls on Republicans in Congress to support a special request for $4 billion for border control and other measures to combat illegal crossings. Without this money, the administration says that it will be unable to address the situation at the U.S-Mexico border.

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[September 21, 2023] Hikvision technology makes a difference in saving Sumatran endangered species Tweet

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- Hikvision has joined hands with PT Alam Bukit Tigapuluh (PT ABT) and WWF-Indonesia to protect endangered species in Sumatra, one of the most biodiverse regions on the Earth. Sumatra also has one of the highest rates of deforestation on the planet, sometimes with devastating consequences. The Sumatran tiger population numbered at 1,000 in 1978. However, the current number is less than 400. Apart from the Sumatran tiger, the population of the Sumatran elephant and tapirs is also declining. Therefore, the existence of national parks and ecosystem restoration areas has become vital in preserving the forest and protecting the animals. Committed to sustainable forest management, PT ABT was granted an ecosystem restoration license for a concession of 38,665 ha forest area in Bukit Tigapuluh landscape, located in Tebo District, Jambi (ABT area) in 2015. Now, working in partnership with PT ABT and WWF Indonesia, Hikvision is applying its cutting-edge technologies in the ABT area, bringing more hope to the endangered species. Save our "furry friends" Being a tropical lowland forest, the ABT area has very challenging conditions and high-level maintenance requirements. To play a positive role in this conservation project, Hikvision cameras help monitor the area 24/7. In addition, the cameras can also monitor the movement of animals using intelligent technology, especially the endangered species that may come across the area. As long as animals come into the area under the coverage of Hikvision cameras, images can be captured. The wide home range of the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran elephant makes it difficult to monitor them all. Therefore, the captured images of animals within the range are particularly significant. Hikvision cameras incorporate the latest technology that provides high-quality images to assist observation of animals. In this way, the anials' activity patterns can be learned and further studied.



Fortunately, in February 2023, a Sumatran elephant was captured on camera within the ABT area. This rare sighting serves as a testament to the outcomes of diligent forest restoration and protection efforts. It also underscores the crucial role played by technology in ensuring the survival of one of Sumatra's treasured endemic species. Highly intelligent and reliable video monitoring 24/7

To ensure the best possible images of the animals and accurately detect their activities, Hikvision has utilized advanced video technologies, including ColorVu. These cameras feature advanced lenses and high-performance sensors, enabling clear day and night images, so the activities of Tapirs, Sumatran tigers, and Sumatran elephants can be observed in detail with vivid color, even in low-light conditions. Thermal and Optical Bi-Spectrum Speed Dome Cameras have been installed to ensure reliable operation in adverse weather and darkness. Equipped with Hikvision's advanced algorithms, these cameras detect movements based on rules such as Line Crossing, Intrusion Detection, and Entrance & Exit Detection. Alarms are then sent to operators to notify them about the areas traversed by these animals. The bi-spectrum feature combines visual and thermal images, enabling operators to directly monitor the events. Due to the challenges of deploying power supplies and network cables in the forest, Solar-Powered Standalone Security Cameras have become a more practical solution for off-grid monitoring. These self-sufficient units are waterproof and windproof. "In tropical rainforests, we feel quite challenging to observe the wildlife in low-light conditions. However, Hikvision's innovative technology have brought positive changes to our work, capturing clear and colorful images," said Dody Rukman Bratamidjaja, CEO of PT ABT, "More than that, it has also improved our efficiency in terms of time and manpower, compared to the previous manual approach." "Hikvision is so proud that our solutions can help conservationists revolutionize the way they learn about the animals. We hope the improved wildlife observation and protection solutions can help the ABT team to better safeguard the wildlife and biodiversity in Sumatra," said Michael Chen, Country Manager of Hikvision Indonesia. Join us now Hikvision is committed to exploring how innovative technology can secure the sustainability and biodiversity of the world. The company has launched the Global STAR Program for Social Good, aiming to benefit communities and protect our valuable nature and culture. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hikvision-technology-makes-a-difference-in-saving-sumatran-endangered-species-301934841.html SOURCE Hikvision Digital Technology

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[September 21, 2023] Avaya's Momentum in Canada Continues to Build Tweet

Avaya, a global leader in customer experience solutions, discussed market momentum in one of its most important markets - Canada. Galib Karim, GVP of America's International Sales and David Robertson, President of Sales and Managing Director for Avaya's Canada business, outlined Avaya's vision for customer experience (CX) solutions, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, cloud migration, and Canada's continuing role as a growing business for the company in remarks at an event attended by analysts, consultants, customers, partners, and company officials in Toronto. The business update briefing preceded a planned ribbon-cutting event last Thursday where Robertson, officially opened a new Avaya office in Ottawa that brings together employees in sales, services, support, research and development, and product management roles. The office opening demonstrates Avaya's continued investment in Canada, the company's third largest market and in which Avaya is a leading provider of contact centre solutions based upon market share among competitors. During the event, Robertson highlighted the company's work in Canada across key industries such as public sector, finance, insurance, retail, education, and healthcare. Avaya's communications service providers and reseller partners also play an integral role with customers. Leading Canadian brands count on Avaya solutions with a growing list of customers including Bruyere, CAA (Canadian Automotive Association) Club Group, Hydro Ottawa, McMaster University, and Michael Garron Hospital. "Canadian businesses and government agencies continue to rely on Avaya as a trusted partner to help them modernize, deliver differentiating customer experiences, and enable them on their journeys whether migrating to the cloud or remaining on premise and adding value over-the-top," said Galib Karim, GVP of America's International Sales, Avaya. "Canada remains an integral part of Avaya's global business foundation and the company's leading efforts in contact centre solutions, which are built on top of a strong network of partners and service providers. Customers in Canada continue to tell me that Avaya's approach of delivering 'innovation without disruption' by enabling customers to migrate to the cloud at their pace, sets us apart and is an engine of our growth and relevance in this key global market." Innovation and Cloud are Driving Demand At the event, Karim said that enabling cloud-based innovation deployed on top of existing communications investments is powering interest for Avaya in Canada, as many companies are migrating their on-premises solutions to cloud. Progress in cloud comes alongside momentum in Avaya Experience Platform, which offers an AI-powered, contact centre-as-a-service collaboration platform. Avaya recently introduced a suite of hybrid Avaya Experience Platform services, Avaya Experience Platform Connect, which empowers organizations to leverage their existing on-premises infrastructure for voice routing, call handling, and more, while accessing omnichannel voice and digital channels from the cloud. Call Center Elite voice agents can now leverage advanced functionalities such as WebRTC voice, AI Noise Removal, and personalized unified agent desktops through Avaya Experience Platform Workspaces. Karim underscored Avaya's momentum in Canada by identifying some Canadian customers who were recent new wins and renewals, including: Acadia University, Brandon Clinics (Manitoba), select Canadian Tire stores, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Shared Health Manitoba, and Steele Auto Group. Key work is also being done with partners to modernize and work toward the strategic vision of the Canadian federal government and Shared Services Canada. Innovation Drives Avaya's Role in Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Services for Canada As Canadian Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) transition 9-1-1 emergency systems to more modern technology that can process text, pictures, voice, and video, they are increasingly trusting Avaya and its partners to help them make this move prior to the March of 2025 deadline per the Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission (CRTC) timeline to become Next-Generation 9-1-1 systems. Karim lauded Avaya's work with partners like; Komutel, a multi-sided and industry leading PSAP organization for ambulance dispatch communications; Netagen, an Avaya systems integrator providing a fully managed, all-in-one NG9-1-1 solution; and communications service providers like Bell, as the company continues to play a leading role moving Canada's NG9-1-1 efforts forward. He outlined groundbreaking work done procesing the first NG9-1-1 test calls with a large provincial healthcare provider, where Avaya is assisting in the transition of more than 20 central ambulance communications centres, over 1,000 telephone lines, and more than 200 operator positions. Ottawa Police Service is also upgrading their Avaya solution to prepare for Next-Generation 9-1-1. Avaya was also recently named a provider for a new project within the Province of British Columbia and processed the first tests of NG9-1-1 at the Toronto Fire Services Dispatch Communications Centre.



"We are proud of our joint successes thus far with Avaya and have shared many key milestones," said David Patterson, President, Netagen. "Most recently, we assisted our customers with the rollout of NG9-1-1 solutions across Canada." Customer Experience (CX) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Top Customer Interests

As a leader in contact centre solutions in Canada, Robertson outlined how customers are increasingly seeing their contact centres at the "tip of the spear" for driving differentiating experiences for their customers. With AI innovation super-charging CX solutions, customers are turning to Avaya to help them bring massive innovation into their contact centres. As more customers are looking to ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies, they are seeking an integrator to bring it all together, and Avaya is well-positioned to play that role often as the contact centre incumbent. Robertson pointed out that this was indeed the case at ENGAGE, Avaya's global customer conference held in June in Orlando, Florida, where many Canadian customers learned about how to integrate new cloud-based AI capabilities on top of their installed investments. Partner Ecosystem is Driving Momentum for Avaya in Canada Avaya works with more than 200 partners across Canada, connecting the company's products, services, and innovations with customers by geography and industry. In addition, Canadian communications service providers that sell Avaya solutions and are among the top five distributors globally. Those partner relationships are strong, strategic, and growing. "Avaya continues to be a strong strategic ally for Network Telecom as we support public and private sector customers including multiple school boards. We prioritize service at the center of our operations, with a deep understanding of hybrid solutions and how they benefit our customers and allow us to support their transition to the cloud at their pace," said Cathy Waddle of Network Telecom. "Together we deliver innovative solutions to our loyal customer base." Avaya Continues to Invest in its Operations in Canada Last week, Robertson officially opened a new Avaya company office in the nation's capital of Ottawa. In particular, employees who support product development and product management for cloud and on-premises products like the Avaya Experience Platform and Avaya Cloud Office will occupy the new Ottawa office, along with their colleagues from sales, sales engineering, solution consulting, solution architects, services, and support. Robertson also highlighted investments in cloud data centres, reinforcing the company's capabilities to meet the high expectations of Canadian companies and government entities for data sovereignty and resilience, especially as demand increases for cloud-delivered innovation within an AI-powered contact centre. Avaya's Notable Presence at the CCTC Networking Event in Toronto Avaya's leadership and influence in the Canadian market continues to grow. Kirk Jones, Senior Director of Product Management, presented at the recent Canadian Communications and Technology Consultants (CCTC), a premier professional organization, event in Toronto. Jones led discussions as part of a panel of industry experts surrounding the need for both cloud and on-premise solutions, and how advancements like AI will aid in real time translations. Jones emphasized Avaya's commitment to Canadian customers by understanding and fulfilling their evolving needs. "Avaya's footprint across the Canadian market reflects its unmatched pedigree from telephony, but today, the story is more about leveraging the cloud with AI-driven innovation to make employees more productive and businesses more agile," said Jon Arnold, Principal, J Arnold and Associates. "Many companies across Canada use Avaya solutions whether they know it or not, including many businesses and campuses where you can see Avaya's phones. It's a great reminder of how extensive Avaya's presence is in Canada, and based on their recent performance, that presence is clearly growing." Additional Resources: Read our blog, How Are You Protecting Your Customer Data? Unlock Trust and Compliance by Ensuring Data Sovereignty.

Learn How Well-Established Enterprises Can Achieve Innovation without Disruption.

Read about how McMaster University Improves Collaboration and Communication Between Students and Faculty.

Choose your journey to experiences that drive business momentum with Avaya today. About Avaya Businesses are built by the experiences they provide, and every day, millions of those experiences are delivered by Avaya. Organizations trust Avaya to provide innovative solutions for some of their most important ?ambitions and ?challenges,? ?giving them the freedom to engage their customers and employees in ways that deliver the greatest business benefits. Avaya contact center and communications solutions power immersive, personalized, and unforgettable customer experiences that drive business momentum. With the freedom to choose their journey, there's no limit to the experiences Avaya customers can create. Learn more at www.avaya.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements discussed in this release as well as in other reports, materials and oral statements that the Company releases from time to time to the public constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Generally, words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "could," "intend," "believe," "plan," "target," "forecast" and similar expressions or the negative thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated economic performance and financial condition and other similar matters. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected by the management of the Company. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual events or results may differ significantly from these statements. Actual events or results are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. It should be understood that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Given these risks, investors and analysts should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These statements constitute the Company's cautionary statements under the PSLRA. All trademarks identified by , TM, or SM are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Source: Avaya Newsroom View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921648388/en/

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[September 21, 2023] Eastern Michigan University Becomes State's First Higher Education Institution to Adopt ZeroEyes' AI Gun Detection Solution Tweet

ZeroEyes Chosen Through Competitive Selection Process to Protect Michigan's Second-Oldest University PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZeroEyes , the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced that Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Washtenaw County, Mich., will deploy ZeroEyes' solution across its campus to protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related violence. EMU selected ZeroEyes following an extensive selection process and is the first higher education institution in Michigan to adopt an AI gun detection solution. ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software will be layered on EMU's existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images will instantly be shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they will dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence, including visual description, gun type, and last known location, to local staff and the campus police force in as fast as 3 to 5 seconds from detection. Throughout this process, ZeroEyes does not conduct any kind of facial recognition, eliminating the risk of bias based on skin color or other personal characteristics. "The integration of ZeroEyes will continue Eastern's commitment to providing a safe campus experience for all who study and work here," said James Smith, President of Eastern Michigan University. "Ensuring a secure, inclusive, and open campus environment is an ongoing commitment by our Department of Public Safety (DPS) leadership and campus staff." Located in Ypsilanti, Mich., EMU has an 800-acre campus, with 14,000 students and nearly 2,000 employees. ZeroEyes is the latest addition to an expanded, comprehensive, and multilayered range of security measures the university has implemented to help ensure a safe community. Other solutions include a hi-tech police dispatch center that monitors over 1,000 security cameras 24/7, key locks on classroom doors, newly installed over the summer with additional locks being added throughout the year, an emergency text alert system, and residence hall key card entry for students. "In the event of gun-related violence, the advance notice offered by ZeroEyes will provide our first responders with the opportunity to intervene proactively and potentially de-escalate the situation," said Matthew Lige, Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at Eastern Michigan University. "It will also provide Department of Public Safety staff the ability to notify the campus community with timely and accurate information in order to make informed safety decisions." "Eastern Michigan University's dedication to the safety and welfare of its community is truly admirable," said Mike Lahiff, CEO, and co-founder of ZeroEyes. "By choosing to impleent ZeroEyes technology, the campus is showcasing its unwavering commitment to establish a safe and trusted learning environment. We are proud to provide the first AI gun detection solution adopted by a higher ed institution in Michigan."



About ZeroEyes

ZeroEyes delivers a proactive, human-verified AI gun detection software solution that integrates into existing digital security cameras and helps to mitigate mass shootings and gun-related violence by reducing response times, providing actionable intelligence with images and delivering clarity among chaos  ultimately saving lives. ZeroEyes' patented solution has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a promising anti-terrorism technology and is the first video analytics technology to receive SAFETY Act DT&E Designation. Founded by Navy SEALs, Special Operations military veterans, and technologists, ZeroEyes dispatches accurate and real-time actionable intelligence about the illegal brandishing of a gun near or in an occupied area or building, to local staff and law enforcement with an image of the shooter(s) and location of the threat, in as fast as 3 to 5 seconds from the moment the gun is detected. The ZeroEyes team also provides tech consulting, installation assistance and practice drills for active shooter events to enhance safety at schools, corporate and government facilities. Headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area, the company's affordable and effective gun detection solution has been adopted by the US Department of Defense, leading public K-12 school districts, colleges/universities, healthcare facilities, commercial property groups, manufacturing plants, Fortune 500 corporate campuses, shopping malls, big-box retail stores and more. Learn more about ZeroEyes at ZeroEyes.com.

About Eastern Michigan

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eastern-michigan-university-becomes-states-first-higher-education-institution-to-adopt-zeroeyes-ai-gun-detection-solution-301934646.html SOURCE ZeroEyes

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[September 21, 2023] Northern Data Group: Europe's Largest Deployment of NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs to Expand Taiga Cloud's Generative AI CSP Offering Tweet

EUR 400 million investment into highly sought-after NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPU hardware

Taiga Cloud now boasts Europe's largest cluster of NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core and H100 Tensor Core GPUs

Taiga Cloud is positioned to meet surging demand for Generative AI GPUs across Europe FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiga Cloud, Europe's first and largest Generative AI Cloud Service Provider and part of Northern Data Group, announced that Damoon Designated Activity Company (Damoon), a company Northern Data Group has recently acquired, with closing of the transaction expected in Q4 2023, has purchased over 10,000 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, at a total cost of approximately EUR 400 million. The purchase of 20 NVIDIA H100 GPU Pods  each made up of 512 H100 GPUs  builds on Taiga's position as Europe's largest independent cloud service provider of NVIDIA hardware, now with over 19,000 NVIDIA H100, A100, and RTX A6000 GPUs in total, enabling Taiga to offer substantial compute power to the market. The purchase by Damoon is a major milestone for Taiga Cloud, which is on track to become Europe's leading Generative AI Cloud Service Provider. It will begin installing the H100 GPUs on a coordinated deployment schedule, with customer access beginning late Q4 2023. Taiga plans to have more than 10,000 H100 GPUs fully deployed by mid-2024. This large-scale deployment will underpin Taiga's Cloud Service Provider (CSP) offering. Taiga Cloud offers flexible and secure access to the latest and most advanced GP compute power, which is shaping the Generative AI industry, and is capable of meeting the surging demand for Generative AI GPUs across Europe. Its European data-sovereign Cloud provides high-speed, low-latency, clean-energy compute power for organizations to create, train, and deploy new Generative AI solutions.



Taiga Cloud is building out its NVIDIA H100 GPU infrastructure into pods of 512 GPUs, connected into islands of four pods each (2,048 GPUs) using NVIDIA BlueField DPUs and the NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand platform. This configuration offers efficient and quick means of training LLMs, and offering businesses Generative AI solutions in a much shorter timeframe. Taiga Cloud's NVIDIA H100 GPU islands will be spread across its European, clean-energy data center estate, providing additional resilience and redundancy. Since launch, the demand for NVIDIA H100 GPUs has been immense, as the GPUs have been identified as crucial for the next stage in Generative AI development among Big Tech companies as well as start-ups. The higher performance delivered by the NVIDIA H100 GPUs can increase the speed of research modeling and AI-aided design.

Karl Havard, Managing Director, Taiga Cloud, Northern Data Group's Cloud Division, commented: "Unlocking the true potential of AI and ML is firmly established as a priority for businesses, regardless of sector or size. Taiga Cloud's substantial investment into NVIDIA's highly sought-after H100 GPUs firmly establishes our brand at the center of delivering this innovation and underpins Taiga's ambition to make computing power accessible to organizations across the region. Based in Europe, Taiga Cloud provides access to the largest in-region clean-energy-powered, scalable AI and ML compute capacity, helping our customers achieve data sovereignty while meeting European ML and AI compliance standards." About Taiga Cloud: Taiga Cloud is Europe's first and largest Generative AI Cloud Service Provider. Part of Northern Data Group, we provide a flexible, secure, and compliant cloud-based ultra-fast GPU Network, powered by the latest generation of NVIDIA hardware to meet organizations' most ambitious compute needs. High-intensity large-scale processing power is crucial for accelerating Generative AI models and research which will deliver a new era of technological breakthroughs. Taiga's energy-efficient Cloud is powered by Europe's largest cluster of NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core and H100 Tensor Core GPUs, helping enable organizations to accelerate AI and ML innovation on demand, with technology that is fully scalable and up and running within an hour. About Northern Data Group: Northern Data Group (ETR: NB2) is a provider of energy-efficient High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure to businesses and research institutions, utilizing GPU- and ASIC-based solutions. Our flexible compute power fuels innovation in our three core business divisions: Taiga Cloud, Ardent Data Centers, and Peak Mining. Through our HPC infrastructure, we pioneer ambitious computing innovation that drives progress in the AI, ML, and Generative AI industries. Our close collaboration with industry-leading manufacturers including Gigabyte, AMD, and NVIDIA is fundamental to the acceleration of innovation across sectors including life sciences, financial services, and energy. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217499/Taiga_logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northern-data-group-europes-largest-deployment-of-nvidia-h100-tensor-core-gpus-to-expand-taiga-clouds-generative-ai-csp-offering-301934954.html

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[September 21, 2023] Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company, Recognized as INSURTECH100 Leader for Industry-Shaping Innovations Tweet

PARK CITY, Utah, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company (Oka), a leading climatetech whose mission is to insure every carbon credit, is thrilled to announce its inclusion in the sixth annual InsurTech100 list, compiled by specialist research firm FinTech Global . This prestigious list celebrates the most innovative and forward-thinking tech companies transforming the insurance sector. Oka was chosen by a panel of analysts and industry experts who voted from a list of over 1,900 contenders. The selected few were acknowledged for their inventive technological applications to solve a significant industry challenge or bolster efficiency throughout the insurance value chain. Chris Slater, Founder and CEO of Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the recognition, stating, "Being included in the InsurTech100 list is a tremendous honor for Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company. It validates the tireless efforts of our team to drive positive change in the insurance industry and contribute to a more sustainable future."



Oka is dedicated to providing the first-of-its-kind carbon insurance tailored for carbon credit sellers and corporate buyers, embedding insurance at the point of sale.Oka's mission is to insure every carbon credit and provide innovative insurance solutions that will replace credits if reversed or invalidated, delivering confidence and protection in an unregulated and uninsured market. Their innovative approach is aligned with the growing global focus on environmental responsibility, making it a standout choice for inclusion in the InsurTech100 list. FinTech Global's director, Richard Sachar , commented, "The widespread availability of generative AI capabilities has opened the doors for even greater innovation within insurance. We're entering a new wave of digitalisation, and insurance firms need to be prepared. The InsurTech100 will help top-level insurance executives in discerning the tech pioneers revolutionizing key areas like underwriting, pricing, distribution, and data analytics."

Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company, extends its heartfelt appreciation to FinTech Global for recognizing its dedication to revolutionizing the insurance sector and supporting climate goals. About Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company Follow Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company

LinkedIn Media Contact

Chris Slater

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oka-the-carbon-insurance-company-recognized-as-insurtech100-leader-for-industry-shaping-innovations-301935009.html SOURCE Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company

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[September 21, 2023] Blue Water Development Announces, "Blue Turns Pink" Campaign in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tweet

All Blue Water Properties Nationwide are Participating with a Goal to Raise $50,000 OCEAN CITY, Md., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Water Development, a leading outdoor hospitality company, is proud to announce its "Blue Turns Pink" campaign in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The company is dedicated to raising $50,000 across all its properties to support breast cancer research and awareness initiatives. Breast cancer affects millions of lives every year, and Blue Water Development is determined to make a positive impact by mobilizing its campers, hotel guests, team members, and communities to join the fight against this devastating disease. Throughout the month of October, all Blue Water Development properties will be transformed into Destinations for Strength in support of breast cancer patients and survivors. The "Blue Turns Pink" campaign will include a series of activities and initiatives aimed at raising funds and awareness: Pink Merchandise: Visitors to Blue Water Development campgrounds will have the opportunity to purchase pink t-shirts and other limited-edition merchandise, with all proceeds going toward breast cancer research and support organizations.

Visitors to Blue Water Development campgrounds will have the opportunity to purchase pink t-shirts and other limited-edition merchandise, with all proceeds going toward breast cancer research and support organizations. Fundraising Events: Properties will host various fundraising events such as pink-themed hikes, bake sales, and community gatherings, with the proceeds allocated to the campaign.

Properties will host various fundraising events such as pink-themed hikes, bake sales, and community gatherings, with the proceeds allocated to the campaign. Blue Wears Pinks Day: On Friday, October 6th Blue Water team members, across all properties, will be wearing pink and captuing the spirit of the day by snapping photos to share on social media. This will be a visual symbol of how we can make a difference and spread a powerful message of hope.

On Blue Water team members, across all properties, will be wearing pink and captuing the spirit of the day by snapping photos to share on social media. This will be a visual symbol of how we can make a difference and spread a powerful message of hope. Online Donations: Blue Water Development's campgrounds' booking websites will each feature a dedicated donation opportunity where guests booking a trip can contribute to the cause, regardless of their travel date.

Blue Water Development's campgrounds' booking websites will each feature a dedicated donation opportunity where guests booking a trip can contribute to the cause, regardless of their travel date. Community Engagement: Blue Water Development encourages guests, campers, and team members to share their stories and messages of support on social media using the hashtag #BlueTurnsPink to spread awareness and inspiration.



Delana Meyer Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Water Development. "'Blue Turns Pink' is about uniting our community and turning our properties into Destinations for Strength to show our support to everyone impacted by cancer. We invite everyone to join us in this truly important campaign." To learn more about the "Blue Turns Pink" campaign and how you can contribute to reaching the $50,000 goal, please visit the Blue Water Development website at www.bwdc.com/our-story/giving-back/

About Blue Water: Founded in 2002, Blue Water specializes in investing, developing, and managing RV resorts, campgrounds, hotels, and attractions. Blue Water's integrated approach to marketing, revenue management, and operations has quickly established itself as a hospitality industry leader. With dozens of resort-area properties in East Coast states from Maine to Florida, and new additions out west in Texas, Montana, and Oregon, the Blue Water family is committed to creating elite assets, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and enhancing the communities we serve. To learn more, visit BWDC.com. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-water-development-corp/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueWaterDev/ Tim Wright

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-water-development-announces-blue-turns-pink-campaign-in-support-of-breast-cancer-awareness-month-301935085.html SOURCE Blue Water

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[September 21, 2023] OPTIMATUM SOLUTIONS JOINS INC. 5000 LIST Tweet

Record 3-year growth powers Optimatum onto list NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimatum Solutions LLC ("Optimatum") today announced its addition to the Inc. 5000, an annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. This prestigious ranking represents some of the highly successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segmentindependent, entrepreneurial businesses. "To make the Inc. 5000with the fast growth that requiresis truly an accomplishment," says Inc. Editor-in-Chief Scott Omelianuk. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies building our future." Optimatum is a vendor management firm focused exclusively on the HR Supply Chain - encompassing the programs, processes and vendors that deliver employer-sponsored healthcare, retirement and HR Systems. Additionally, Optimatum, in the role of "Your Operating Partner for HR Operations" supports organizations throughout the M&A lifecycle, simultaneously capturing value through harmonization along the HR workstream. "This exciting milestone is a recognition of our ability to create value for our clients," says David Neikrug, Chief Executive Officer. "Companies are challenged by vendor management, a complicated, time-consuming and data-intensive process," says Neikrug. "We offer a freh set of expert eyes and a unique solution that produces better outcomes."



Clients who deploy Optimatum's solutions routinely enjoy mitigated costs, improved compliance and streamlined HR processes. "Whether your organization is undergoing a merger or acquisition or looking to improve HR efficiencies, Optimatum drives solutions at a time when wastefulness is a luxury we can no longer afford," Neikrug says. He adds, "We owe this honor to our dedicated team, who every day deliver on our promise to improve the HR workstream and achieve operational efficiency for our clients. I'm thrilled about this recognition of their efforts."

About Optimatum Solutions LLC Optimatum is a vendor management firm that focuses exclusively on the HR Supply Chain, Delivering HR Operational Efficiency Through Vendor Accountability with turnkey solutions that improve the financial, operating performance, transparency and accountability of HR programs while still maintaining existing vendor relationships. Our support of the HR workstream during the M&A lifecycle encompasses operational due diligence, day-one readiness and post day-one synergies. As Your Operating Partner for HR Operations - we assist sponsors in leveraging the aggregate purchasing power of their portfolio to capture value and drive margin expansion. The Inc. 5000 list and methodology

The proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2022. The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. The class of 2023 includes companies who have added nearly 1.2 million jobs to the economy over the past three years. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/optimatum-solutions-joins-inc-5000-list-301935087.html SOURCE Optimatum

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Fortune Media and Great Place To Work Name Workato to 2023 Best Workplaces in Technology List

Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have selected Workato, the leading AI-powered enterprise integration and automation platform, for the 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Technology List. Earning a spot means that Workato is one of the best companies to work for in the country. The Best Workplaces in Technology award is based on an analysis of survey responses from over 162,000 current employees from Great Place To Work Certified companies in the tech industry.

"Our team is thrilled to be recognized as one of the 2023 Best Workplaces in Tech. At Workato, we value employees, culture, and a collective purpose, which is why this honor is such a proud moment for our company," said Carle Quinn, Chief People Officer at Workato. "As we help shape the future of work, we are very intentional in creating innovative technologies where every person is valued and given the freedom to do what they are uniquely gifted to do while living out their life's purpose. I'd like to thank the entire Workato team for continuing to make our workplace inclusive, safe, and above all else, a great place to work."

The Best Workplaces in Technology list is highly competitive. Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, determines its lists using its proprietary For All Methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America's largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1.3 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 7.5 million employees this year alone.

Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier.

"Congratulations to the Best Workplaces in Technology," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "These companies know that it isn't the industry - but the company - that determines the employee experience. By putting people first, they are reaping the rewards: higher levels of performance, innovation, and customer experience."

"Fortune congratulates the Best Workplaces in Technology," says Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell. "Creating a vibrant workplace culture that draws the best talent in technology is vital for the success of the leaders in this highly competitive industry. It is also what's needed to ignite innovation and deliver best-in-class performance."

Named a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for iPaaS, Workato enables enterprises to automate their business processes across the organization by integrating their applications, data, and experiences. Designed with best-in-class security and governance, scalability, performance, and availability, Workato's low-code, no-code platform makes it easy for IT and business teams to integrate their applications and automate their processes, drawing from thousands of automation "recipes" built by the Workato community. With Workato's democratized approach to automation and integration, business technologists are empowered to fuel their organization's digital transformation.

This announcement follows a year of milestones for the compay including being named on this year's Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials List, and Fortune Best Workplaces in Bay Area List. Workato also celebrated being named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list, announcing its AI@Work capabilities which help drive business efficiencies at scale and a collaboration with OpenAI.







To learn more about Workato and the future of AI and automation, please visit www.workato.com.

About Workato

The leader in AI-powered enterprise automation, Workato helps organizations drive business efficiency at scale without compromising security and governance. Built for Business and IT users, Workato is trusted by over 17,000 of the world's top brands, including Broadcom, Intuit, and Box. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Workato is backed by Altimeter Capital, Battery Ventures, Insight Venture Partners, Tiger Global, and Redpoint Ventures. For more information, visit workato.com or connect with us on social media:

About the Fortune Best Workplaces in Technology List

Great Place To Work selected the Best Workplaces in Technology by gathering and analyzing confidential survey responses from more than 162,000 employees from Great Place To Work Certified companies in the technology industry. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index Survey. Great Place To Work determines its lists using its proprietary For All Methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America's largest ongoing annual workforce study. In the last year, 1.3 million survey responses were received, representing the work experiences of 7.5 million employees.

To get on this list next year, start here.

About Great Place To Work

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and For All Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List.

Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more.

About Fortune

The Fortune mission is to change the world by making business better. We achieve that by providing trusted information, telling great stories, and building world-class communities. We measure performance by rigorous benchmarks. And we hold companies accountable. Our goal is to make Fortune a force for good through its second century and beyond. For more information, visit www.fortune.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921082149/en/
[September 21, 2023] China Construction Bank Celebrates 25th Anniversary in Singapore Tweet

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat attended as Guest of Honour SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Construction Bank Corporation ("CCB" or the "Group") Singapore Branch ("CCB Singapore" or the "Branch") celebrated its 25th anniversary with the classical concert "Rhapsody Melody  CCB Night of Classics". The concert was performed by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra on September 19, 2023 at Lee Foundation Theatre of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. More than 300 guests attended the event, including representatives from Singapore government agencies and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore, senior management from fellow Chinese companies in Singapore and CCB Singapore's customers and business partners. Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Tian Guoli, Chairman of China Construction Bank Corporation, noted in his video speech for the event, "CCB Singapore Branch's accomplishments over the past 25 years were made possible thanks to both the favorable business environment in Singapore and the trust and support from our business partners and friends from various sectors. As China and Singapore embark on a new chapter of a "comprehensive and high-quality forward-looking partnership", both countries will enhance the cooperation in areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green development. China Construction Bank will continue leveraging its strengths to actively contribute to the integration and exchange of the two economies." Ms. Sun Nianbei, General Manager of CCB Singapore Branch, said at the event that the Branch has kept pace with the times over the past 25 years and achieved high-quality growth. It is deeply involved in the process of the RMB internationalization by providing highly specialised financing and transaction services; it actively supports green finance by participating in major infrastructure projects and takes the promotion of Fintech innovation as one of its core strategies. Upholding the commitment to building a comprehensive and integrated cross-border financing platform for customers in China and ingapore, the Branch will continue to serve the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. As a capable, responsible, and caring corporate citizen, CCB Singapore will strengthen the connections and integration with local communities, and contribute back to the society.



Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, remarked in his speech that over the past 25 years, CCB has continuously deepened its presence and built meaningful partnerships in Singapore, to become one of CCB's largest overseas nodes. He said that financial cooperation is a key pillar of the robust and longstanding partnership between Singapore and China and given Singapore's strengths as an international financial centre, there will be many opportunities, especially in sustainable finance, Fintech and infrastructure financing, for CCB and Singapore to collaborate and create a better future for the region and the world.

Mr. Zhu Jing, Charge d'affaires, Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, commented in his speech, "In the past 25 years, China Construction Bank Singapore Branch has shown the leading advantages and global vision as part of a major Chinese state-owned bank with exemplary performance in business, profitability, and asset quality. Hope CCB Singapore Branch will effectively bridge the financial communication between China and Singapore, actively explore broader cooperation in emerging fields such as green finance, digital finance and fintech, and contribute to a higher economic and trade relations between China and Singapore." China Construction Bank Singapore Branch was established in March 1998. Over the past 25 years, the Branch's business scope expanded significantly and its business scale has continued to grow. In 2017, CCB's group-level infrastructure financing service centre and private banking centre were established in Singapore. In December 2020, the Branch obtained the Qualifying Full Bank License (QFB), becoming the third Chinese bank to obtain the QFB license in Singapore. In 2021, CCB Singapore's Commodity Trade Financing Center, Investment Banking Transaction Centre and Fintech Innovation Centre were established. With these five business centres, CCB Singapore will deliver comprehensive and integrated financing and investment services to customers in China and Singapore. About China Construction Bank Corporation China Construction Bank Corporation, headquartered in Beijing, is a leading large-scale commercial bank in China. Its predecessor, People's Construction Bank of China, was established in October 1954. It was listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in October 2005 (stock code: 939) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in September 2007 (stock code: 601939). At the end of 2022, the Bank's market capitalisation approximated US$158,541 million, ranking fourth among all listed banks in the world. The Group ranks second among global banks by Tier 1 capital. The Bank provides customers with comprehensive financial services, including corporate finance business, personal finance business and treasury and asset management business. With 14,356 banking outlets and 352,588 staff members, the Bank serves 739 million personal and 9.35 million corporate customers. The Bank has subsidiaries in various sectors, including fund management, financial leasing, trust, insurance, futures, pension and investment banking, with 24,094 staff members, and has nearly 200 overseas entities covering 31 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.ccb.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/china-construction-bank-celebrates-25th-anniversary-in-singapore-301935098.html SOURCE China Construction Bank Corporation

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[September 21, 2023]

Proofpoint Wins Four Comparably Awards for Exceptional Company Culture, Compensation and Benefits

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proofpoint, Inc. , a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, announced today it was honored by workplace culture leader Comparably for having the Happiest Employees, Best Company Compensation, Best Company Perks & Benefits and Best Company Work-Life Balance. In Comparably's assessment of core culture metrics, Proofpoint achieves an A+ rating and 4.9 out of 5 score for Overall Culture.



With over 15 million anonymous ratings on 70,000 companies, Comparably is one of the most used platforms for employer branding and a trusted third-party site for workplace culture and compensation. The Comparably Awards are based on sentiment ratings provided by employees who anonymously rate their employer throughout the year. Nearly 20 core culture metrics are measured, from leadership and work environment to career growth and company outlook.

This recognition is especially meaningful ecause it comes directly from our employees, said Ashan Willy, chief executive officer at Proofpoint. Our people-centric approach to cybersecurity extends to supporting our employees and cultivating a positive, inclusive and inspiring workplace that fosters collaboration and innovation. The strong rankings by Comparably are a clear reflection of the trust, commitment and passion that permeate our organization.







These four awards join additional recent honors for Proofpoints workplace and culture. Earlier this year, Proofpoint was named a Best Company: Bay Area and Best Teams: HR by Comparably. Proofpoints human resource strategy was also honored by the Espresa Culture Benefits platform with an Innovation and Excellence award for the past two years. In the UK, Proofpoint won Best Employee Wellness Program at the 2023 Health and Wellbeing Awards hosted by Business Awards UK. These awards validate Proofpoints global commitment to total well-being, learning and development, and recognition programs for employees and their families.

Proofpoint is a global organization with over 4,500 employees. For more on Proofpoints career opportunities, please visit www.proofpoint.com/careers.

About Proofpoint, Inc.

Proofpoint, Inc. is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that protects organizations greatest assets and biggest risks: their people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including 85 percent of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions that mitigate their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web. More information is available at www.proofpoint.com.

Connect with Proofpoint: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Proofpoint is a registered trademark or tradename of Proofpoint, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

PROOFPOINT MEDIA CONTACT:

Estelle Derouet

Proofpoint, Inc.

[email protected]
Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., listens as President Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, on May 25, 2023.

Senate confirms chairman of Joint Chiefs, as Tuberville continues to block hundreds of military nominees The Republican Alabama senator said on Wednesday that he plans to hold up other nominations unless the Pentagon ends its abortion policy

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gen. CQ Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, putting him in place to succeed Gen. Mark Milley when he retires at the end of the month. Browns confirmation on an 83-11 vote, months after President Joe Biden nominated him for the post, comes as Democrats try to maneuver around holds placed on hundreds of nominations by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville over the Pentagons abortion policy.

The Senate is also expected to confirm Gen. Randy George to be Army Chief of Staff and Gen. Eric Smith as commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps this week.

Tuberville has been blocking the Senate from the routine process of approving military nominations in groups, frustrating Democrats who had said they would not go through the time-consuming process of bringing up individual nominations for a vote. More than 300 nominees are still stalled amid Tubervilles blockade, and confirming them one-by-one would take months.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reversed course on Wednesday and moved to force votes on Brown, George, and Smith.

Senator Tuberville is forcing us to face his obstruction head on, Schumer said. I want to make clear to my Republican colleagues  this cannot continue.

Tuberville did not object to the confirmation votes, saying he will maintain his holds, but is fine with bringing up nominations individually for roll call votes.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that Browns confirmation, along with expected votes on Smith and George, is positive news. But we should have never been in this position, he said.

While good for these three officers, it doesnt fix the problem or provide a path forward for the 316 other general and flag officers that are held up by this ridiculous hold, Kirby told reporters.

Brown, a career fighter pilot, was the Air Forces first Black commander of the Pacific Air Forces and most recently its first Black chief of staff, making him the first African American to lead any of the military branches. His confirmation will also mark the first time the Pentagons top two posts were held by African Americans, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as the top civilian leader.

In a statement late Wednesday, Austin said Brown would be a tremendous leader as the new chairman.

Brown, 60, replaces Joint Chiefs Chairman Army Gen. Mark Milley, who is retiring after four decades in military service. Milleys four-year term as chairman ends on Sept. 30.

Tuberville said on Wednesday that he will continue to hold up the other nominations unless the Pentagon ends its policy of paying for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. The Biden administration instituted the policy after the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to an abortion and some states have limited or banned the procedure.

Lets do one at a time or change the policy back, Tuberville said after Schumer put the three nominations up for a vote. Lets vote on it.

In an effort to force Tubervilles hand, Democrats had said they would not bring up the most senior nominees while the others were still stalled. Theres an old saying in the military, leave no one behind, Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed said in July.

But in a frustrated speech on the Senate floor, Schumer said Wednesday he was left with no other choice.

Senator Tuberville is using them as pawns, Schumer said of the nominees.

The votes come as a host of military officers have spoken out about the damage of the delays for service members. While Tubervilles holds are focused on all general and flag officers, they carry career impacts on the militarys younger rising officers. Until each general or admiral is confirmed, it blocks an opportunity for a more junior officer to rise.

That affects pay, retirement, lifestyle and future assignments  and in some fields where the private sector will pay more, it becomes harder to convince those highly trained young leaders to stay.

Senator Tubervilles continued hold on hundreds of our nations military leaders endangers our national security and military readiness. It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees, Austin said, noting he would continue to personally engage with members of Congress in both parties until all of these well-qualified, apolitical officers are confirmed.

Tuberville said he has not talked to Austin since July about the holds.

The blockade has frustrated members on both sides of the aisle, and it is still unclear how the larger standoff will be resolved. Schumer did not say if he will put additional nominations on the floor.

The monthslong holds have devolved into a convoluted procedural back and forth in recent days.

Tuberville claimed victory after Schumers move, even though the Pentagon policy remains unchanged.

We called them out, and they blinked, he told reporters of Schumer.

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[September 21, 2023] SmartRecruiters Expands its Reach in APAC with the Launch of a New Australia Data Center Hosted by AWS Tweet

SAN FRANCISCO and SYDNEY, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartRecruiters, the industry's leading All-in-One Hiring Platform, is excited to announce a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. The company is proud to unveil its latest endeavor  the launch of a state-of-the-art data center in Australia, hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This expansion marks a strategic move to better serve clients in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, ensuring greater reliability, scalability, and security for their data needs. The new Australia data center represents SmartRecruiters commitment to meeting the growing demand for data services in the APAC market. This facility leverages AWS's cutting-edge infrastructure, offering businesses in the region the opportunity to access advanced cloud computing and data storage solutions while adhering to the highest industry standards for security and compliance. Key benefits of the new Australia data center include: Enhanced Data Accessibility:

Clients in the APAC region will experience reduced latency and improved data accessibility, resulting in faster response times and a better overall user experience. Scalability:

The new data center allows SmartRecruiters to scale its services seamlessly, accommodating the evolving needs of businesses across various industries. < >High-Level Security:





Security is a top priority at SmartRecruiters. The Australia data center is equipped with robust security measures to protect clients' data, including advanced firewalls, encryption, and continuous monitoring. Compliance:

SmartRecruiters ensures that all data center operations are fully compliant with relevant data protection and privacy regulations, providing clients with peace of mind.





Reliability:

With redundancy and failover mechanisms in place, our growing customer base in the region can trust that their critical data and applications will remain accessible even in the event of unforeseen disruptions. "This expansion is a testament to our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our clients in the APAC region. By providing them with a world-class data center that leverages AWS's expertise, we are empowering businesses to innovate and grow while ensuring their data remains secure and accessible. I'm beyond proud to see how far we have come in the region after only a short few years," said Rich Lewis-Jones, VP of APAC. SmartRecruiters is confident that this strategic expansion will further solidify its position as a global leader in the talent acquisition space. With the new Australia data center, the company aims to foster innovation, enable digital transformation, and support the growth of businesses throughout the APAC region. To learn more about SmartRecruiters and the company's commitment to the APAC region, join us at HS APAC 2023 in Sydney. About SmartRecruiters SmartRecruiters enables Hiring Without Boundaries by freeing talent acquisition teams from legacy applicant tracking software. SmartRecruiters' next-generation platform serves as the hiring operating system for 4,000 customers like Bosch, LinkedIn, Skechers, and Visa. Companies with business-critical hiring needs turn to SmartRecruiters for best-of-breed functionality, world-class support, and a robust ecosystem of third-party applications and service providers. For more information visit www.smartrecruiters.com or www.linkedin.com/company/smartrecruiters View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartrecruiters-expands-its-reach-in-apac-with-the-launch-of-a-new-australia-data-center-hosted-by-aws-301935107.html SOURCE SmartRecruiters

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[September 21, 2023] Volunteering to Help Local Veterans Tweet

Corvias team members demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the community by answering a call from Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) for a recent volunteer project. OSDRI, a long-time philanthropic partner of Corvias, recently requested help in preparing for its annual veterans' assistance event. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921539891/en/ Corias team members volunteer for Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, which strives to strengthen the veteran community. (Photo: Business Wire)



In preparation for the event, OSDRI was seeking help to restock its pantry, do some light landscaping and general cleanup. Three days later, several Corvias team members reported to OSDRI headquarters ready to work. This effort was one of many ways that Corvias team members continually embrace the company's three core principles to deliver the best customer service, be the best place to work and to generously give back to the communities where it operates.

Corvias Chief Executive Officer, Chris Wilson, expressed pride in the team's dedication to community, stating, "Our core principles guide us in all that we do. It's wonderful to see our team members embody these principles and selflessly respond to an urgent need. We are honored to support Operation Stand Down Rhode Island in their mission to strengthen the veteran community." In May 2023, Corvias celebrated its fifth year supporting OSDRI by volunteering for its annual Boots on the Ground memorial that honors fallen heroes. Corvias also gives back by supporting the educational goals of military families; its local communities; conservation of the earth's natural resources; local entrepreneurs, with a focus on minority, veteran and women-owned business enterprises; and making Corvias the best place to work for its employees. In 2022, Corvias employees donated more than $40,000 to non-profit organizations. With its 2:1 employee donation match, approximately $120,000 was donated in all. About Corvias As a privately-owned company headquartered in Warwick, RI, Corvias partners with higher education and Department of Defense institutions nationwide to solve their most essential systemic problems and create long-term, sustainable value through our unique Solutions Through PartnershipsSM approach. Corvias pursues the kinds of partnerships that materially and sustainably improve the quality of life for the people who call our communities home, purposefully choosing to partner with organizations who share our values and whose mission is to serve as the foundational blocks, or pillars, of our nation. To learn more, please visit: www.Corvias.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921539891/en/

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New IDC Industry Taxonomy Reveals That Software and Information Services, Capital Markets, and Life Sciences Will Lead Worldwide ICT Spending Growth Through 2027

Worldwide spending on information and communications technology (ICT) reached nearly $4.7 trillion in 2022 and, after a slightly slower 2023, is forecast to grow steadily through 2027 with a 5.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to the latest update to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide ICT Spending Guide: Enterprise and SMB by Industry.

Despite a slowdown across various segments of this industry in the past year and recent layoffs, Software and Information Services will be the fastest growing industry over the 2023-2027 forecast period, generating an 11.4% CAGR as technology companies have engaged in some course correction initiatives after rapid expansion in investments and hiring seen in previous years. Capital Markets will be the second fastest growing industry with a CAGR of 10.2% followed by the Life Sciences industry with an 8.8% CAGR, partially driven by growth in China.

The three industries (excluding Consumer) with the largest ICT investments in 2022 were Banking, Federal/Central Government, and Telecommunications. Together, these industries generated $715 billion in ICT spending worldwide. Software and Information Services and Retail were the next largest industries in terms of ICT spending in 2022, giving the top 5 industries a combined share of overall spending of nearly 35%.

A graphic illustrating worldwide share of ICT spending in 2022 and five-year CAGR by industry is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

From a technology perspective, growth will be driven by Software with a 12.0% CAGR, driven by investments in Enterprise Resource Management Applications, Content Workflow and Management Applications, and Security Software. The fastest growing technologies within the Software category include Artificial Intelligence Applications (36.3% CAGR) and Integration and Orchestration Middleware (22.1% CAGR). Hardware and Telecom Services will be the two largest areas of ICT spending, but also the slowest growing with CAGRs of 4.2% and 2.6% respectively. Business Services and IT Services will see growth near the overall market average.

The United States will be the largest geographic market in terms of ICT spending, forecast to reach $2.38 trillion in 2027. Western Europe will be the second largest market in 2027 with investments totaling $1.19 trillion, followed by China at $721 billion. Latin America will see the fastest spending growth with a five-year CAGR of 8%, followed by USA and China.

This version of the Spending Guide utilizes IDC's new industry taxonomy, described in the recently published study, IDC's New Industry Framework, Definitions, and Transition Plan (IDC #US51064723). The taxonomy update brings deeper analysis capabilities to market through enhanced visibility into sectors, sub-sectors (sector detail level), and industries, increasing the total number of industries covered from 20 to 28. The expansion was developed in response to customer demand and created by researching existing industry taxonomies, including economic standards, client inquiries, technology vendor target industries, and competitive taxonomies.







"The introduction of the new IDC Industry taxonomy marks a significant leap forward in our ability to support our clients' industry segmentation needs. With more modern categorization and granular, value chain-based segmentation, IDC data users are better equipped to identify, analyze, validate, and action questions and insights specific to the industries they serve," said Eileen Smith, program vice president, Data & Analytics at IDC. "Analysts and strategists can track trends across more industries, validating assumptions while understanding nuances of buyer behavior and whether these change in adjacent segments. Executives and their teams can better inform strategic decisions and justify tactical actions, such as acquisitions, partner selection, resource allocation, and territory and campaign planning at granular industry levels."

A graphic illustrating IDC's new industry taxonomy is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

The IDC Worldwide ICT Spending Guide: Enterprise and SMB by Industry quantifies ICT spending for around 120 technologies by 28 industries and five company sizes across nine regions and 53 countries. Unlike any other research in the industry, the comprehensive spending guide was designed to help IT decision makers to clearly understand the industry-specific scope and direction of ICT spending today and over the next five years.

About IDC Spending Guides

IDC's Spending Guides provide a granular view of key technology markets from a regional, vertical industry, use case, buyer, and technology perspective. The spending guides are delivered via pivot table format or custom query tool, allowing the user to easily extract meaningful information about each market by viewing data trends and relationships.

For more information about IDC's Spending Guides, please contact Eileen Smith at [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

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[September 21, 2023] DMCC BOOSTS MAJOR CHINA FDI PUSH DURING SHENZHEN AND HONG KONG ROADSHOWS AS IT SIGNS MOU WITH HKME Tweet

As part of its flagship Made For Trade Live roadshow, DMCC visited cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong to showcase Dubai's integrated business ecosystem and DMCC's attractive offerings

MoU with HKME to promote innovation and bilateral trade, contributing to China's Belt and Road Initiative

Ahmed Bin Sulayem , Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, received Extraordinary 40 Award at the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong (JGW)

DMCC unveiled its latest Future of Trade special edition report focused on the rise of lab-grown diamonds HONG KONG and SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DMCC, the world's flagship free zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, successfully concluded its roadshow to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship with China and exploring new opportunities for economic cooperation, trade and foreign direct investment. During the visit, DMCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong-Middle East Business Chamber Limited (HKME) to promote innovation and bilateral trade. The agreement will see both entities collaborate on the exchange of market best practices, transfer of knowledge and professional expertise, as well as the provision of trade and logistical support. In turn, this will support the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening economic cooperation between the countries along the proposed "Belt and Road" route. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: "We are delighted to be back in China as we continue on our path of strong and collaborative growth. China occupies a key position as one of DMCC's top strategic markets, while DMCC has becomea preferred destination for Chinese businesses with more than 800 now established in our award-winning community. With over USD 77 billion in non-oil trade recorded last year between China and the UAE, we expect our cooperation to be even further boosted through the UAE's impending membership of BRICS, which will enhance the strength and capacity of the One Belt One Road initiative."



He added: "As DMCC, we will continue to roll out customised services to further support the growth of our Chinese members and stakeholders, while the recently signed MoU with HKME continues to underscore our unwavering commitment to enhancing the business environment, fostering increased trade volumes and promoting shared economic growth." His Excellency Shaikh Saoud Ali Almualla, Consul General of the UAE in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, added: "Business and trade are at the forefront of economic growth and prosperity. The UAE and China share a vision of mutual growth and prosperity, and our collective responsibility is to nurture and expand these ties. I must thank DMCC for standing as a beacon of excellence and innovation in this endeavour, providing a driving force for trade facilitation and fostering greater connectivity between major trade hubs such as Dubai and Hong Kong."

During the roadshow, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, was awarded the Extraordinary 40 Award, alongside prominent industry leaders, for his role in driving the global diamond and jewellery industry forward. He also participated in a panel discussion at the Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong (JGW), one of the world's most prominent jewellery events, titled "From Rough To Brilliant: Charting A Course For An Exciting Future," during which he shared insights on Dubai's journey to becoming a leading global diamond trading hub. The visit also saw DMCC release a special edition of its Future of Trade thought leadership report focused on lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), titled "Coming of Age  The Future of Lab Grown Diamonds". The report examines the dynamics that have driven the meteoric rise of the LGD market segment over the past few years. The release of the LGD-focused report comes following a successful inauguration of the LGD Symposium hosted by DMCC in July 2023. This roadshow series marks the second visit to China this year, following the Made for Trade China roadshow across the commercial and trade hubs of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing in June 2023. DMCC showcased Dubai's thriving business environment and how DMCC acts as a central platform and business district of choice for Chinese companies to expand in Dubai and internationally. DMCC has made it a priority to attract Chinese businesses to Dubai by creating a customised ecosystem, including the Yingtian Chinese Business Centre DMCC and a Mandarin version of its website. To further assist Chinese companies, DMCC opened a China Service Centre in Almas Tower with Mandarin onboarding support across all client touchpoints. In 2020, DMCC also opened a representative office in Shenzhen to facilitate the setup process for Chinese businesses. About DMCC Headquartered in Dubai, DMCC is the world's most interconnected Free Zone, and the leading trade and enterprise hub for commodities. Whether developing vibrant neighbourhoods with world-class property like Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai, or delivering high performance business services, DMCC provides everything its dynamic community needs to live, work and thrive. Made for Trade, DMCC is proud to sustain and grow Dubai's position as the place to be for global trade today and long into the future. www.dmcc.ae View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dmcc-boosts-major-china-fdi-push-during-shenzhen-and-hong-kong-roadshows-as-it-signs-mou-with-hkme-301935134.html SOURCE Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

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[September 21, 2023] Zefiro Methane Corp. & X Machina Capital Strategies to Co-Host 2023 NYC Climate Week Event Tweet

BRADFORD, Pa., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) and X Machina Capital Strategies (XMC) today announced that they will be co-hosting an event this evening as part of Climate Week 2023 in New York City. The event, titled Unlocking Innovation Through Sustainable Investment, will be held in midtown Manhattan and will provide key sector stakeholders, investors, and members of the media the opportunity to learn more about Zefiro and XMCs efforts to facilitate investment in the hydrocarbon economy.

Specifically, this invitation-only gathering will feature insights from numerous members of Zefiros management team regarding the Companys ongoing nationwide initiatives to reduce methane emissions by permanently plugging orphaned oil and gas wells. According to an estimate published in June 2023 by the University of Cincinnati, there are more than four million of these abandoned sites spread out across 26 different states. Numerous studies have also indicated that many of these wells are currently emitting methane that is approximately 25-84 times more potent than carbon dioxide and can seriously harm surrounding areas air and drinking water quality. Zefiros series of recent investments in its operational capacity exhibit a commercially viable and scalable solution to this problem, and the Companys current work at a variety of active job sites has led to on-the-ground crews across the country locating and plugging an increasing number of these potentially toxic sites.





Zefiro and XMC will be hosting a two-hour event during Climate Week NYC in midtown Manhattan where presentations will be delivered on the topic of sustainable investment in the hydrocarbon economy. A networking reception will follow, with cocktails and hors doeuvres served to guests.

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access the Investors section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media. As the hydrocarbon space continues to evolve, Zefiro and XMC are working hand-in-hand to make targeted investments in projects that can produce immediate public health benefits for our communities, said Talal Debs, Founder and Chairman of Zefiro and Founder of XMC. We cannot build a bridge to cleaner tomorrow without remediating the legacy environmental issues affecting the lives of countless Americans today, and we are proud to be co-hosting this event during such an important moment in the drive toward a more sustainable future. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. Curt Hopkins Curt Hopkins, CEO For further information, please contact: Zefiro Investor Relations

1 (800) 274-ZEFI (274-9334)

[email protected] For media inquiries, please contact: Rich Myers - Profile Advisors (New York)

[email protected]

(347) 343-2999 About Zefiro Methane Corp. Zefiro develops methodologies to reduce methane emissions by plugging orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells, while originating carbon offsets. Under executive leadership to include the former carbon market team at J.P. Morgan, Zefiro actively deploys crews to decommission wells throughout the United States. With unprecedented global demand for carbon offsets as corporations and institutions work towards net-zero targets, Zefiro is strategically aligning with industry leaders for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements regarding the Company, the Companys business, the industry in which the Company operates, the Companys opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Companys available cash resources and other statements about future events or results. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely manner. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8138e1a7-dbab-4761-9aae-bf51f1fa9b4f



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[September 21, 2023] Wootzano's Presence in the US Reaches New Heights Tweet

SEDGEFIELD, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wootzano Limited, the leading British robotics company, is making waves in the US market having recently been selected for the esteemed TechCrunch Battlefield 200 in San Francisco this year. Wootzano demonstrated their unparalleled robotic packing system for post-harvest and robotic electronic skin that enables its robots to feel and handle delicate produce. With an immediate ROI and proven labour-saving solution, Wootzanos AI-enabled robots have incredible advantages compared to human only labour, making them the ideal solution for agricultural operations across the US struggling to source workers. Dr Atif Syed, CEO and Founder of Wootzano Limited, said: Having expanded into the US earlier this year, we are thrilled to have been selected for this year's Battlefield 200 in San Francisco. As we continue to expand across the state, it's incredible to be among so many incredible innovations, especially as we push our labour-saving solution, Avarai, across new agricultural horizons in the US market. The decision to select Wootzano for TechCrunchs Battlefield 200 comes at an especially opportune time as the robotics market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2025. With the cost savings and increased production capacity offered by Wootzanos advanced technologies, the company is being touted as a major player in the industry. Alongside the economic advantages of enhanced productivity and cost savings, Wootzanos AI-enabled technologies provide an additional opportunity to become more sustainable through reducing food waste.



Anyone interested in learning more about their labour-saving solutions and robotics technology can visit their website at: www.wootzano.com This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings, operating cash flows, the outlook for markets and the demand for products. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those current expectations. Wootzano Limited assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

WOOTZANO LIMITED Wootzano is a British state-of-the-art robotics company based in Sedgefield, in the northeast of England. Their highly dexterous robotic system, AvaraiTM, is crafted to meet the needs of the post-harvest industry by supplementing a struggling workforce in the packing of delicate, soft produce. Each feature is designed with the customer in mind to provide an immediate solution, without compromising on standards. The award-winning electronic skin provides a greater sensory awareness to the robotic hands and enables it to know the precise force needed to delicately pick and pack soft produce without causing internal or external damage to the fruit. Paired with the cutting-edge vision technology and sophisticated machine learning algorithms the systems can learn and see in real time, giving the customer a system that only gets better over time. About Startup Battlefield TechCrunchs Startup Battlefield 200 is the worlds preeminent startup competition. Startup Battlefield 200 will showcase the top 200 startups from around the globe, across multiple industries. All 200 companies will go through training, have access to masterclasses, private receptions, communities and investor meet and greets. Companies that launched on our stage include Vurb, Trello, Mint, Dropbox, Yammer, Tripit, Redbeacon, Qwiki, Getaround, and Soluto. About TechCrunch Disrupt TechCrunch Disrupt is the worlds leading authority in debuting revolutionary startups, introducing game-changing technologies, and discussing whats top of mind for the tech industrys key innovators. This year, Disrupt gathers the best and brightest entrepreneurs, investors, hackers, and tech fans virtually and in-person for interviews, demos, Startup Battlefield 200, Networking, and more.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b61ea26c-1d85-4f3c-9e9c-5438ec68541e

Contact: [email protected]

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[September 21, 2023] Supply Chain Analytics Market to Reach a Valuation of USD 32.18 Bn by 2030 at a Staggering CAGR of 20.32%, Fueled by Surge in Business Data Volume Across Diverse Sectors, Estimates Kings Research Tweet

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent report published by Kings Research, in 2022, the global Supply Chain Analytics Market was worth USD 5.96 billion and is foreseen to reach USD 32.18 billion in revenue by 2030, depicting a 20.32% CAGR between 2023 and 2030. The surge in business data volume across diverse sectors has emerged as a pivotal catalyst driving the expansion of supply chain analytics. As an increasing number of organizations digitize their operations, data collection has become ubiquitous throughout the entire supply chain process, resulting in a wealth of data available for analysis, fostering insights, and enhancing overall performance. This data encompasses information from suppliers, customers, logistics providers, and a myriad of other sources. Moreover, with the rapid integration of cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and AI, the supply chain's data generation is poised to perpetuate its exponential growth. Get a Sample PDF of the Report: https://www.kingsresearch.com/request-sample/supply-chain-analytics-market-107 Competitive Landscape The key strategy adopted by prominent companies in the global supply chain analytics market for expanding their customer base revolves around prioritizing product launches. As part of their efforts to expand their business globally and increase their competitiveness, companies are utilizing various strategic measures, such as acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, product introductions, and collaborations. For instance, in April 2023, SAP SE has recently announced significant developments to supply chain solutions, which provide organizations with data-driven insights into their supply chain operations in order to improve their sustainability and resilience. It incorporates powerful artificial intelligence (AI) into SAP digital manufacturing, provides 3D product and operation views, adheres to sustainable packaging guidelines, and has integrated powerful artificial intelligence (AI) into the SAP digital manufacturing solution. Prominent companies profiled in the supply chain analytics market include: Oracle

QlikTech International AB

Infor

Kinaxis Inc.

Manhattan Associates

The AnyLogic Company

IBM Corporation

SAS Institute Inc.

SAP SE

MICROSTRATEGY INCORPORATED

TABLEAU SOFTWARE, LLC

TIBCO Inquire Before Buying This Report: https://www.kingsresearch.com/enquiry/supply-chain-analytics-market-107 Trending Now: Maersk Opens Innovation Center to Accelerate Supply Chain Innovation Maersk, the world's largest container shipping company, opened a new innovation center in Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2023. The center is called the Maersk Innovation Center and is designed to accelerate supply chain innovation at an enterprise level. The Maersk Innovation Center will concentrate on four crucial areas to speed up supply chain innovation: sustainability, digitalization, collaboration, and open innovation. The institute will investigate strategies for improving supply networks' sustainability, such as cutting waste and emissions. It will also look into how to leverage digital technology to increase supply networks' effectiveness and transparency. To work together on cutting-edge technologies, the center will assemble partners from all points throughout the supply chain. Additionally, it will analyze fresh perspectives and methods and will promote research and education. The Global Supply Chain Analytics Market is segmented as: By Component Solution

Services Availability of Software Solutions Drives Supply Chain Analytics Market Expansion By component, the solution segment is anticipated to continue its dominance, registering a valuation of USD 24.27 billion by 2030. This segmental growth is due to the widespread availability of software solutions designed to address challenges related to supply chain management. These software solutions can be used by businesses to gain knowledge, improve decision-making, and enhance supply chain efficiency. Increased demand for supply chain analytics software, combined with the development of new technologies and methodologies to meet the unique requirements of various industries and organizations, has led to the development of these solutions for increasing efficiency and lowering costs. The market for supply chain analytics is anticipated to expand significantly, largely as a result of the widespread adoption of software solutions. Ask for Customization: https://www.kingsresearch.com/customization/supply-chain-analytics-market-107/a>



By Deployment Cloud-based

On-Premises Rising Adoption of Cloud-based Solutions to Empower Businesses

By deployment, the cloud-based segment is estimated to lead the global supply chain analytics market with a valuation of USD 27.07 billion by 2030. Cloud-based supply chain analytics solutions provide various benefits, such as enhanced precision and the capacity to optimize supply chain performance. Consequently, industries spanning electronic production to logistics are witnessing a rise in the adoption of these solutions. SAP, for instance, offers a suite of cloud-based supply chain analytics solutions, including SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain and SAP Business Network for Logistics. These tools empower businesses to attain full end-to-end visibility and real-time tracking across the network, spanning manufacturing to the end consumer.



Soaring Demand for AI and IoT Retail Industry to Drive Supply Chain Analytics Market Progress The retail sector and the application of supply chain analytics have been significantly impacted by the combination of AI and IoT technologies. Retailers are utilizing these technologies to enhance every aspect of their supply chains, from purchasing to selling. Businesses operating in the retail industry can gain significant knowledge about supply chain operations, optimize performance, and provide wider access to insights based on data analysis by utilizing the capabilities of AI and IoT. Over time, this strategy may help to further streamline operations, boost efficacy, and bolster profitability. The transformation of the retail industry caused by the development of online shopping has also given rise to new supply chain analytics tools that are specially designed for e-commerce companies. Retailers now have a wealth of opportunities to organize their supply chains and promote sustainable outcomes due to these developments. Retailers can make sure they are well-equipped to handle the needs of the expanding e-commerce sector by embracing cutting-edge technologies and putting the best practices into effect. Purchase This Comprehensive Research Report for Valuable Market Insights: https://www.kingsresearch.com/buy-now/107 Mounting Need for Operational Streamlining in North America to Support Supply Chain Analytics Market Proliferation North America dominated the global supply chain analytics industry and is anticipated to retain its position over the review period, with a valuation of USD 10.69 billion by 2030. This dominance can be attributed to the accelerating need for operational streamlining, cost reduction, and supply chain optimization, prompting widespread adoption of AI and IoT technologies. Healthcare and retail have especially benefited from these innovations. The retail industry, driven by tech giants and the boom of big data, is harnessing supply chain analytics to gain profound insights, enhance operational efficiency, and bolster profitability. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical and healthcare firms are grappling with the challenges posed by inventory surges, the global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing adoption of supply chain management solutions. Overall, the north america supply chain analytics market is set to observe continual expansion, with the United States playing a pivotal role in this upward trajectory. For more information on the report, visit: https://www.kingsresearch.com/supply-chain-analytics-market-107 Key Points from TOC: Chapter 1 Introduction of The Global Supply Chain Analytics Market 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Market Segmentation 1.3 Research Timelines 1.4 Limitations 1.5 Assumptions Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Research Methodology 3.1 Data Collection 3.1.1 Secondary Sources 3.1.2 Primary Sources 3.1.3 Research Flow 3.2 Subject Matter Expert Advice 3.3 Quality Check 3.4 Final Review 3.5 Bottom-Up Approach 3.6 Top-down Approach Chapter 4 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market Outlook 4.1 Market Evolution 4.2 Overview 4.3 Market Dynamics 4.3.1 Drivers 4.3.2 Restraints 4.3.3 Opportunities 4.3.4 Challenges 4.4 Pricing Analysis 4.5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.6 Value Chain Analysis 4.7 Macroeconomic Analysis Chapter 5 Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Chapter 6 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market, By Component Chapter 7 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market, By Deployment Chapter 8 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market, By Vertical Chapter 9 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market, By Geography Chapter 10 North America Chapter 11 Europe Chapter 12 Asia Pacific Chapter 13 Middle East & Africa Chapter 14 Latin America Chapter 15 Global Supply Chain Analytics Market Competitive Landscape 15.1 Overview 15.2 Key Developments 15.3 Key Strategic Developments 15.4 Company Market Ranking 15.5 Regional Footprint 15.6 Industry Footprint Chapter 16 Company Profiles 16.1 Oracle 16.1.1 Key Facts 16.1.2 Financial Overview 16.1.3 Product Benchmarking 16.1.4 Recent Developments 16.1.5 Winning Imperatives 16.1.6 Current Focus & Strategies 16.1.7 Threat from competition 16.1.8 SWOT Analysis 16.2 SAP SE 16.2.1 Key Facts 16.2.2 Financial Overview 16.2.3 Product Benchmarking 16.2.4 Recent Developments 16.2.5 Winning Imperatives 16.2.6 Current Focus & Strategies 16.2.7 Threat from competition 16.2.8 SWOT Analysis 16.3 IBM Corporation 16.3.1 Key Facts 16.3.2 Financial Overview 16.3.3 Product Benchmarking 16.3.4 Recent Developments 16.3.5 Winning Imperatives 16.3.6 Current Focus & Strategies 16.3.7 Threat from competition 16.3.8 SWOT Analysis 16.4 SAS Institute Inc. 16.4.1 Key Facts 16.4.2 Financial Overview 16.4.3 Product Benchmarking 16.4.4 Recent Developments 16.4.5 Winning Imperatives 16.4.6 Current Focus & Strategies 16.4.7 Threat from competition 16.4.8 SWOT Analysis 16.5 MICROSTRATEGY INCORPORATED 16.5.1 Key Facts 16.5.2 Financial Overview 16.5.3 Product Benchmarking 16.5.4 Recent Developments 16.5.5 Winning Imperatives 16.5.6 Current Focus & Strategies 16.5.7 Threat from competition 16.5.8 SWOT Analysis Continued Browse Complete TOC: https://www.kingsresearch.com/toc/supply-chain-analytics-market-107 About Us: Kings Research stands as a renowned global market research firm. With a collaborative approach, we work closely with industry leaders, conducting thorough assessments of trends and developments. Our primary objective is to provide decision-makers with tailored research reports that align with their unique business objectives. Through our comprehensive research studies, we strive to empower leaders to make informed decisions. Our team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds and a wealth of knowledge in various industries. At Kings Research, we offer a comprehensive range of services aimed at assisting you in formulating efficient strategies to achieve your desired outcomes. Our objective is to significantly enhance your long-term progress through these tailored solutions. Contact Us Kings Research

Phone: (+1) 888 328 2189

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: https://www.kingsresearch.com

Blog: https://www.kingsresearch.com/blog

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Our Media Properties: Data Demand, AITech365, Martech360, Read Magazine, IT Digest View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supply-chain-analytics-market-to-reach-a-valuation-of-usd-32-18-bn-by-2030-at-a-staggering-cagr-of-20-32-fueled-by-surge-in-business-data-volume-across-diverse-sectors-estimates-kings-research-301935162.html SOURCE Kings Research

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INFINIQ Launches AI-Data Service Platform 'AI-Studio' and AI-powered Video Search and Abnormal Behavior Monitoring Solution 'HEIDI-ai MAX'

AI-Data specialized IT company INFINIQ unveiled its AI-Data Service platform 'AI-Studio' and AI-powered Video Search & Abnormal Behavior Monitoring Solution 'HEIDI-ai MAX' at the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo 2023 held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in the USA from September 20th to 21st, drawing significant attention especially from autonomous driving AI development firms and smart factory related area visitors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921065543/en/





ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo 2023 Exhibition Venue (Photo: INFINIQ)

The AI-Studio platform, which was introduced in the North American market, streamlines, and speeds up the entire process of AI learning, publishing, and data processing required for AI application development within a single seamless platform. This can greatly reduce AI development time and enhance business productivity. It is offered in both on-premise and SaaS models to meet customer business needs.

HEIDI-ai MAX is an AI-powered video monitoring solution that allows for quick and accurate searches of specific individuals in large video footage through natural language and image search. Additionally, it monitors abnormal behavior and events in specific zones. It uses AI to proactively address various potential risks in industrial settings and allows for the utilization of video analysis results 24/7 in main critical facilities & public places.

Furthermore, INFINIQ's pre-existing data anonymization solution changed its name to Heidi-AI Private, which has user-friendly interface & enhanced security through dedicated client software. This solution effectively helps respond to Privacy Regulations with features such as Compliance Reports, Audit Logs, and Dashboards.

INFINIQ CEO Park Jun Hyung said, "Enhancing AI competitiveness and effectively utilizing diverse data to enhance business productivity is one of the challenges that digital transformation companies face," adding "INFINIQ positioned itself as a bridging partner for clients by assisting AI application development with AI-Studio and resolving customer issues through Heidi ai."

About INFINIQ

Korea's No.1 AI platform specialist company, INFINIQ, has been continuously improving customer business productivity through partnerships with global automotive companies and the development of various services based on AI Vision and AI platforms since starting AI data processing services in 2016.

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[September 21, 2023] Socure Achieves 376% Revenue Growth from 2019-2022, Appoints Seasoned Technology Leader as CFO Tweet

Former Forter, Rackspace and Amazon executive Aaron Barfoot brings IPO experience to help scale identity verification leader now working with more than 1,800 companies globally INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Socure , the leading provider of digital identity verification and fraud solutions, has achieved 376% revenue growth from 2019 to 2022 and appointed seasoned technology leader Aaron Barfoot as the company's new Chief Financial Officer to help drive Socure's next phase of hypergrowth. Barfoot brings over 20 years of experience driving growth and building high-performance finance teams in the B2B technology industry, including experience taking high-growth software companies into public markets. He will lead Socure's finance, legal, people and operations teams and serve as a strategic partner to Socure founder and CEO Johnny Ayers as Socure continues to achieve its goal of being the world's most accurate and inclusive identity verification and risk prevention provider. Barfoot joins Socure as the company continues on its path toward strong, profitable growth. Today, Socure services over 1,800 companies, including four of five of the largest banks, 13 of 15 leading card issuers and more than 400 of the largest fintechs, online gaming operators, government agencies, eCommerce marketplaces and enterprises across all consumer industries. Recent highlights include: Nearly 400 new customers were added in the last year, with an 85% year-over-year ( June 2022 to June 2023 ) increase in the average deal size.

to ) increase in the average deal size. The volume of existing customers' identity verification calls rose by 58% year-over-year ( June 2022 to June 2023 ) and new sales to existing customers increased 47% over the same time period. The enormous lift in both reflects Socure's dedication to partnering with customers deeply to solve their toughest and constantly evolving digital identity challenges.

to ) and new sales to existing customers increased 47% over the same time period. The enormous lift in both reflects Socure's dedication to partnering with customers deeply to solve their toughest and constantly evolving digital identity challenges. The company recently announced its $70M acquisition of Berbix , the developer of the highest-accuracy document verification solution with a patent-pending forensics engine. Socure has integrated the Berbix technology into its Predictive Document Verification (DocV) 3.0 solution to deliver the market's highest levels of accuracy, speed, user experience and fraud reduction.

, the developer of the highest-accuracy document verification solution with a patent-pending forensics engine. Socure has integrated the Berbix technology into its solution to deliver the market's highest levels of accuracy, speed, user experience and reduction. The company also secured a $95M credit facility with J.P. Morgan to further strengthen the company's financial position.

with J.P. Morgan to further strengthen the company's financial position. Named to the Inc. 5000 for the second consecutive year, Socure is the only identity verification and fraud detection vendor among its ranks in 2023.



Prior to joining Socure, Barfoot spent four years in the e-commerce fraud sector as CFO at Forter, where the company grew 4x during his tenure. His background includes a broad range of high growth companies, ranging from startups generating $3 million in revenue to public corporations worth $300 billion. As Vice President of Finance at Rackspace, one of the original cloud computing solution providers, Barfoot guided the company's transformation from a private company with $180M in revenue to a $2.2B public entity, playing a pivotal role in the IPO process. He has also held senior leadership positions at several market-leading enterprises, including Amazon  where he spearheaded several mergers & acquisitions for AWS  and CFO at both Anaconda, Inc. and ClearDATA.

"Online identity verification has become more critical than ever as consumers have taken the most essential facets of their personal and work lives online. From shopping on e-commerce sites to conducting virtual doctor visits and applying for home mortgages, fast and accurate identity verification is a core component of unlocking trusted transactions. Yet businesses and government agencies too often still rely on legacy identity verification methods, like checking Social Security numbers and credit histories to confirm people are who they claim to be," said Barfoot. "With fraudsters becoming more sophisticated, Socure's generative AI innovations are uniquely positioned to lead the next era of identity verification. I look forward to working with Johnny and the rest of the team to ensure we can meet the size of the opportunity for the long term." About Socure

Socure is the leading platform for digital identity verification and trust. Its predictive analytics platform applies artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques with trusted online/offline data intelligence from physical government-issued documents as well as email, phone, address, IP, device, velocity, date of birth, SSN, and the broader internet to verify identities in real-time. The company has more than 1,800 customers across the financial services, government, gaming, healthcare, telecom, and e-commerce industries, including four of the top five banks, 13 of the top 15 card issuers, the top three MSBs, the top payroll provider, the top credit bureau, the top online gaming operator, the top Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) providers, and over 400 of the largest fintechs. Marquee customers include Chime, SoFi, Robinhood, Gusto, Public, Poshmark, Stash, DraftKings, the State of California, and Florida's Homeowner Assistance Fund. Socure customers have become investors in the company, including Citi Ventures, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, Capital One Ventures, MVB Bank, and Synchrony. Additional investors include Accel, T. Rowe Price, Bain Capital Ventures, Tiger Global, Commerce Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, Sorenson, Flint Capital, Two Sigma Ventures, and others. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/socure-achieves-376-revenue-growth-from-2019-2022-appoints-seasoned-technology-leader-as-cfo-301934986.html SOURCE Socure

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[September 21, 2023] Call for Entries - Michelle Lang Fellowship in Journalism Tweet

Postmedia is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 Michelle Lang Fellowship in Journalism. The Michelle Lang Fellowship is awarded to a promising journalist at the beginning of their career, providing the opportunity to grow their skills in the profession and bolster their experience with a full year working in two of Canada's busiest newsrooms. The Fellow will divide their year between stints working for the National Post and in Postmedia's Calgary newsroom (Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun). "The Michelle Lang Fellowship was created to honour a courageous and exemplary young journalist who paid the ultimate price while doing critical work. We are proud to honour her legacy with this fellowship, supporting and encouraging the next generation of journalists and to further Michelle's legacy of investigative and human-interest journalism," said Duncan Clark, Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Postmedia. The fellowship includes a special project which allows the recipient to focus on a topic of primary importance to Canadians. Their work on the project will contribute to a national conversation and allow the Fellow to become a subject expert on a topic deserving of wider attention. Special project topics explored by past Fellows have included: a searchable database of Canadian political campaign donations, the impacts of lack of internet access on children's education in rural and low-income communities and Canada's changing workforce. The fellowship includes a salary for the year, with funding provided by Postmeda and the Michelle Lang Trust.



The fellowship was established in honour of Michelle Lang, an award-winning Calgary Herald journalist who was killed on December 30, 2009, along with four Canadian soldiers while covering the Canadian military's operations in Afghanistan. She was the only Canadian journalist killed while reporting on the Afghan war. The Fellowship is open to applicants from any educational background with strong writing and communication skills, a natural curiosity and a desire to effect change through journalism. To learn more and apply for the Michelle Lang Fellowship visit Postmedia's Careers website. The deadline for entries is October 13, 2023, and the Fellowship is expected to begin in January 2024.

About Postmedia Network Inc. Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), is a Canadian newsmedia company representing more than 130 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences Our expertise in home delivery and expanding distribution network powers Postmedia Parcel Services. For more information, visit: www.postmedia.com, www.postmediasolutions.com, and www.postmediaparcelservices.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921754730/en/

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 12:20 | World, All

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping's invitation to visit China in October for an international forum on Beijing's signature Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative, Russia's Tass news agency said.

In a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in St. Petersburg, Putin expressed his support for the infrastructure project, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, saying it "harmonizes our ideas to create a vast Eurasian space" and is fully in line with the interests of Moscow and Beijing, the agency said.

Putin also told Wang that Russia is willing to resolve the Ukraine crisis "through dialogue and negotiation," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Russia is currently at war with Ukraine after launching an invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.

The president said Russia is eager to maintain close coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS mechanism, "to resist unipolar hegemony and bloc confrontation" and "to safeguard international fairness and justice," the ministry added.

His remarks indicated opposition to the U.S.-led international order. Wang supported Putin's view, saying "the world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity," the ministry said.

BRICS -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- agreed in August on the addition of six new members.

During his four-day trip to Russia through Thursday, Wang agreed with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Wang and Patrushev also met with Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, in Moscow on Tuesday and the three agreed to further collaborate to jointly safeguard regional security and stability, according to the Chinese ministry.

Related coverage:

Ukraine's Zelenskyy, Russia's top diplomat avoid face-off in U.N. meeting

China, Russia top diplomats discuss Ukraine war ahead of Putin visit

North Korea reaches "satisfactory agreement" with Russia at summit
[September 21, 2023] Trading Technologies' TT platform named Derivatives Trading System of the Year at 2023 FOW Asia Capital Markets Awards Tweet

CHICAGO and SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global capital markets technology platform provider, has just won the FOW Asia Capital Markets Award for Derivatives Trading System of the Year for its TT platform. Global Investor Group presented the award at a dinner ceremony in Singapore. The FOW Asia Capital Markets Awards recognize the best and brightest innovations in the Asian derivatives industry. Winners are selected by a panel of independent judges with extensive experience in the industry. TT CEO Keith Todd said: "We're thrilled that the judges recognized TT as Derivatives Trading System of the Year in Asia. The region has long been a vital part of our growth strategy, and we are grateful for the strong support we enjoy there. Clients in Asia and around the world who have chosen TT for derivatives trading are increasingly turning to us as a trusted partner to manage the full trade lifecycle across asset classes. As our derivatives offering continues to expand and we extend the platform into fixed income, FX and equities, our presence in Asia will only grow." Judges cited TT's very strong business growth in recent years, with an award-winning platform they characterized as "innovation at its best." One judge said: "Two billion transactions in 2022 shows that TT is stil the key platform for derivatives traders." Another citation shared by Global Investor Group was: "With the ability to accept order flow from any EMS, OMS or algo provider via FIX, and the recent AxeTrading purchase, this will further cement TT's place in the markets."



The TT platform connects to 60 global derivatives exchanges, including 17 in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, along with a growing number of venues covering additional asset classes. The platform delivers advanced tools for trade execution and order management, market data solutions, analytics, trade surveillance, risk management and infrastructure services to the world's leading sell-side institutions, buy-side firms and exchanges. With two billion transactions in 2022 alone, TT's volume is equivalent to many of the world's largest derivatives exchanges. TT's presence in the Asia-Pacific region dates back to 2003, when the company opened an office in Sydney. Since that time, TT's footprint has grown to also include offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Pune and Ahmedabad. The firm this summer opened its newest data center in Taipei, adding to Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul and Sydney. The acquisition in March of AxeTrading further extended TT's APAC team.

About Trading Technologies Trading Technologies ( www.tradingtechnologies.com ) is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology platform provider to the global capital markets industry. The company's award-winning TT platform connects to the world's major international exchanges and liquidity venues in listed derivatives alongside a growing number of asset classes, including fixed income and cryptocurrencies. The TT platform delivers advanced tools for trade execution and order management, market data solutions, analytics, trade surveillance, risk management and infrastructure services to the world's leading sell-side institutions, buy-side firms and exchanges. The company's blue-chip client base includes the Tier 1 banks as well as brokers, money managers, hedge funds, proprietary traders, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), commercial hedgers and risk managers. These firms rely on the TT ecosystem to manage their end-to-end trading operations. In addition, exchanges utilize TT's technology to deliver innovative solutions to their market participants. TT also strategically partners with technology companies to make their complementary offerings available to Trading Technologies' global client base through the TT ecosystem. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trading-technologies-tt-platform-named-derivatives-trading-system-of-the-year-at-2023-fow-asia-capital-markets-awards-301934994.html SOURCE Trading Technologies

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[September 21, 2023] Stewart Investors Receives the Morningstar ESG Commitment Level Designation of "Leader" Tweet

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stewart Investors, a long-only active equity specialist and global leader in sustainable investing, today announced it has received a Morningstar ESG Commitment Level of Leader, the highest designation in the assessment by Morningstar Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research. Stewart Investors is one of only eight asset managers out of 108 global firms evaluated to receive the Leader ranking by Morningstar. The designations range from Low to Basic, Advanced and Leader. According to the Morningstar ESG Commitment Level Research paper dated Aug. 30, 2023: "Stewart Investors has very strong sustainability credentials and puts ESG at its core, making it among the industry's finest sustainability managers. Stewart has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ESG issues and boasts one of the industry's strongest sustainability philosophies." The Morningstar ESG Commitment Level is a qualitative assessment that aims to help investors identify the asset managers dedicated to delivering sustainability outcomes. To arrive at the Morningstar ESG Commitment Level for individual firms, the firm's analysts evaluate the asset managers on three key pillars: philosophy and process; resources; and active ownership. Based in Edinburgh, and with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Sydney, Stewart Investors manages more than $18 billion globally, focusing on Asia Pacific, emerging markets, regional, and worldwide sustainable equity strategies. "We are thrilled to be recognized by Morningstar for our decades-long commitment to finding what we believe to be the best companies that are well placed to contribute to, and benefit from, sustainable development," said Alexia Zavos, head of client engagement at Stewart Investors. "We strongly believe that positive sustainable outcomes and long-term profitability are two sides of the same coin. We do not choose between sustainability positioning and corporate quality. Both remain central to our investment philosophy." About Stewart Investors Stewart Investors, with more than $18 billion in assets under management as of June 20, 2023, is an active, long-only equity manager and global leader in sustainable investing. Based in Edinburgh, the firm also has offices in London, Singapore, New York and Sydney. For more information, visit: www.stewartinvestors.com.







Media inquiries:



Margaret Kirch Cohen Richard Chimberg

Newton Park PR, LLC Newton Park PR, LLC

+1 847 507 2229 + 1 617 312 4281

[email protected] [email protected]

This document has been prepared for general informational purposes. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to give advice. This is not an offer document and does not constitute an offer or invitation or investment recommendation to distribute or purchase securities, shares, units or other interests or to enter into an investment agreement. The information contained within this document has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and accurate at the time of issue but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, or completeness of the information. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Actual actions or results may differ materially from those discussed. There is no certainty that current conditions will last, and Stewart Investors, part of First Sentier Investors, undertakes no obligation to correct, revise or update information herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Source: The Morningstar ESG Commitment Level Research Paper dated Aug. 30, 2023  2023 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Important Information

This press release is intended for information only, aimed solely at the media and should not be further distributed to individual and/or corporate investors, and financial advisers and/or distributors. The information included within this document and any supplemental documentation provided should not be copied, reproduced or redistributed without the prior written consent of First Sentier Investments. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stewart-investors-receives-the-morningstar-esg-commitment-level-designation-of-leader-301935211.html SOURCE Stewart Investors

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[September 21, 2023] Varo Bank Introduces "Varo to Anyone" Tweet

First U.S. Techbank Offers Free, Instant People-to-People Payments to Anyone with a U.S. Debit Card SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Varo Bank, N.A. , the first nationally chartered consumer techbank in the U.S., today announced the official launch of "Varo to Anyone," a free, instant payments service with money sent, received, and stored from Varo Bank accounts insured up to $250,000. Varo to Anyone transfers can be sent to anyone with a U.S. debit card, no matter where they bank. Varo to Anyone's three-month development cycle and no-fee basis truly demonstrates Varo's bank charter ... in action. Unlike most popular payment apps, Varo to Anyone is specifically designed to send payments to anyone with no fees, backed by an FDIC-insured national bank. The speed, cost-effectiveness, and security inherent in Varo to Anyone are made possible by Varo's national banking charter and distinctive tech bank business model. Customers will find Varo to Anyone on the "Move Money" page inside the Varo app and can send money instantly to anyone with a U.S. bank account, no matter where they bank, by allowing access to phone contacts or inputting the recipient's U.S. phone number or email manually. After sending the money, the recipient will get a text or email notification about the payment with instructions on receiving their funds by entering their debit card information in Varo Bank's portal. "Shortly following the successful launch of Zelle Varo is continuing its investment and innovation in payments with Varo to Anyone. We are providing the ultimate instant money flexibility, with no fee structure and the security only a bank provides," said Colin Walsh, CEO of Varo Bank. "Varo to Anyone's three-month development cycle and no-fee basis truly demonstrates Varo's bank charter with FDIC insurance in action."



Varo's focus on technology and machine learning means that it can offer an increasing range of services to help consumers living paycheck to paycheck progress in their financial lives  including higher rate savings, small-dollar advances and lines of credit. By offering a range of cost-efficient instant cash payments with a tech company's speed of innovation rather than a traditional bank, Varo passes savings on to customers through low-fee or no-fee services. For more information about Varo, visit Varomoney.com .

About Varo Bank, N.A. Varo Bank is a new kind of bank ? the first nationally-chartered consumer techbank in the U.S., built from the ground up with a focus on the needs of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. From credit building to savings to faster payments, Varo has a complete solution to help hard working people make progress in their financial lives. Varo combines the capabilities and nimbleness of a technology company with the security and oversight of a regulated financial institution, enabling agile product design that provides technology-first solutions such as Varo Believe , a secured card to help build credit; Varo Advance , to help stretch hard-earned dollars between paychecks; and a high-yield savings account , offering rates up to one of the nation's highest APY rates. Varo has been named as one of the Inc. 5000 2023 fastest growth companies in the U.S., CNBC's 2023 list of the World's Top Fintech Companies, one of Forbes' World's Best Banks, and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. For more information on Varo Advance, Varo Believe, and other offerings such as Perks, visit www.varomoney.com , like Varo Bank on Facebook , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @varobank. 2023 Varo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Media Contact: Audrey Jacobson, Consort Partners

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varo-bank-introduces-varo-to-anyone-301935202.html SOURCE Varo Bank

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[September 21, 2023] Robert and Arlene Kogod Provide Monumental $15M Gift to American University's Kogod School of Business Tweet

American University's Kogod School of Business received a $15 million gift from school namesake, Robert Kogod, and his wife, Arlene, to establish three endowed chairs as part of the institution's ongoing investment in impactful scholarship and teaching. The gift is the largest single contribution in the Kogod School's history, and the Kogods are the second highest individual donors in American University's Change Can't Wait fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $433 million to date toward AU's $500 million goal. Their support will further the pathbreaking scholarship of Kogod's faculty in key areas of academic focus. The funds will endow three departmental chairs, two at the Kogod School of Business and a third as a joint appointment at Kogod and the American University School of Public Affairs. The newly minted Arlene R. and Robert P. Kogod Eminent Scholar Chairs will be established in key areas of focus, expertise, and impact at American University: finance, marketing, and sustainability. Valentina Bruno and Sonya Grier, two current Kogod faculty members, will be appointed Kogod Eminent Scholar Chairs, and the third will be identified at a later date. Endowed faculty positions are universally recognized as a hallmark of academic quality. Holding an endowed position is one of the greatest honors in academia, conveying the individual's great expertise and sustained record of achievement. "The Kogod name is associated with excellence and impact throughout D.C., and their generous support will enhance academic and experiential opportunities for our students, support our expert faculty members in their changemaking scholarship, and continue AU's momentum in our community and beyond," said American University President Sylvia Burwell. "The Kogods' gift is a transformational part of the Change Can't Wait campaign, which is advancing American University's leadership in scholarship and learning with impact." Kogod School of Business Dean David Marchick also expressed his gratitude to the Kogods, saying, "We are deeply gratefu to Robert and Arlene Kogod for this exceptionally generous gift. The Kogods' impact cannot be understated; I cannot imagine our school or our city without the lasting imprint of their vision. These new Kogod Eminent Scholar Chairs will be pillars of our community, and these appointments recognize their leadership and contributions to Kogod and in their respective fields of scholarship."



"Few things are more important than education," Robert Kogod said. "It provides a solid basis for life-an impetus for continual personal growth and exploring what is possible. Arlene and I are truly inspired by American University's vision to invest in the next generation of thinkers and educators to equip students to pursue success with integrity and to ultimately create a better world." The Kogod Eminent Scholar Chair in Finance is Valentina Bruno, professor of finance and Kogod faculty excellence fellow in finance at American University. Professor Bruno holds prestigious positions internationally as a research fellow at the Center for Economic Policy Research, faculty research member at the European Corporate Governance Institute, and associate editor at the Journal of Banking and Finance.

Sonya Grier, professor of marketing at Kogod, will hold the position of Kogod Eminent Scholar Chair in Marketing. An interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and consultant, Professor Grier's expertise spans across race, diversity, and market dynamics. In addition to her newly appointed role of endowed chair in marketing, Professor Grier is cofounder of the Race in the Marketplace Research Network and serves on the editorial board for the Advertising and Society Quarterly, Journal of Consumer Affairs, and Journal of Public Policy. The Eminent Scholar Chair in Sustainability, which will be a joint appointment in the Kogod School of Business and the School of Public Affairs, will be identified through a comprehensive, national search. The notable gift will continue to propel Kogod's momentum in these key program departments and enhance the school's position as a leader in these focus areas. Professor Bruno, Professor Grier, and the prospective third Eminent Scholar Chair in Sustainability will join the roster of the five previously appointed endowed faculty at Kogod. ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU's faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers who shape the future from sustainability to social justice to the sciences. Building on our 129-year history of education and research in the public interest, we say "Challenge Accepted" to addressing the world's pressing issues. Our Change Can't Wait comprehensive campaign creates transformative educational opportunities, advances research with impact, and builds stronger communities. ABOUT KOGOD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: American University's Kogod School of Business, established in Washington, D.C., more than 60 years ago, aims to equip and empower its community to use business as a force for meaningful change. Kogod graduates are not only leaders on Wall Street and in the corporate world, but also work for nonprofits, government agencies and social service organizations. Washington, D.C., serves as a laboratory for learning through work, internships, and other forms of experiential education. Kogod is the oldest accredited business school in Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), which represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921174783/en/

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[September 21, 2023] Rain Announces $9.7M in Seed Financing to Enable Rapid Wildfire Response with Prepositioned Autonomous Aircraft Tweet

Rain, a leader in aerial wildfire containment technology, announced an oversubscribed seed round, closing $9.7 million in financing earlier this year to provide fire agencies the ability to contain wildfires before they grow out of control with prepositioned autonomous aircraft. DBL Partners led the round, with participation from VoLo Earth Ventures, Kapor Capital, and Convective Capital. Other investors include Immad Akhund, Brian Bjelde, Steve Blank, John and Patrick Collison, Edward Fenster, Dylan Field, Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, Geoff Ralston, and Blake Scholl. The funding will be used to advance pilot projects in the United States. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921680309/en/ Last fall, Rain equipped a small helicopter with firefighting gear and sensors to demonstrate an end-to-end wildfire mission. Rain technology enables fire agencies to rapidly contain early-stage wildfire ignitions with autonomous helicopters prepositioned in high risk areas. (Photo: Business Wire) Founded in 2019, Rain draws on fire agency insights and personal experience with extreme wildfire to create the first autonomous rapid wildfire suppression system, addressing the urgent need to scale, expedite and modernize response to the growing number of wildfires. Rain adapts autonomous aircraft with a wildfire intelligence system to rapidly perceive, understand and suppress early-stage wildfire ignitions, capabilities not yet seen in wildfire technology. This technology enables the prepositioning f firefighting aircraft in high wildfire risk areas and works with existing wildfire detection systems that remotely dispatch Rain-equipped aircraft as soon as ignition is detected, deploying the aircraft within seconds and reaching a nascent fire within minutes. New research shows that a 15 minute improvement to wildfire response time could generate an economic benefit of $3.5-8.2 billion dollars in California alone. In the U.S. total annualized costs associated with wildfire average $348 billion per year. With extreme wildfires estimated to rise 14% by 2030, the collective problem is only getting worse.



"As I write this, my hometown is burning. Paradise, Greenville, Lytton, Lahaina and too many other towns have burned to the ground," said Maxwell Brodie, Rain CEO and co-founder. "Every year catastrophic wildfires claim lives, destroy entire communities, and diminish the carbon reduction efforts of nations and states. Rain's technology enables a wildfire response time so fast that we can actually stop fires before they have a chance to grow out of control. Early response timing, like any emergency, can make all the difference in a successful outcome." "Catastrophic wildfires are a climate flywheel we cannot ignore," said Nancy Pfund, Founder and Managing Partner, DBL Partners and board member at Rain. "18% of total global fossil fuel CO2 emissions were emitted by wildfires in 2021. The CO2 emissions from the 2023 Canadian wildfires are approaching three times the annual emissions of the state of California. Working with firefighting professionals, land owners and managers, conservation experts, residents, government officials, insurers, utilities and other constituencies, Rain can help to catalyze a new, more effective approach to preventing the spread of unwanted wildfires. Rain's 21st century technology not only promises to drive better wildfire outcomes, it will also help to create important new markets, and jobs. As an impact venture capital firm, we at DBL see Rain's mission as the epitome of Double Bottom Line Investing."

So far in 2023, both the White House and Congress have authored policy guidance encouraging or requiring fire agencies to develop plans to adopt autonomous aircraft for rapid wildfire suppression. "Forests have reached a critical tipping point, releasing more carbon due to wildfire than they are able to store. Rain's platform, as the future of autonomous aircraft for wildfire protection, will save billions of dollars in expense and allow insurers the ability to improve their wildfire risk adoption, protecting property, electric grids, and human and planetary health," stated investor Kareem Dabbagh, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, VoLo Earth Ventures. "The steady rise of catastrophic wildfires is plain to see. Aerial firefighting is one of the most important use cases for autonomous flight, where Rain's technological leaps can shorten response times, keep pilots out of harm's way, and increase total fire suppression capabilities at a time when we sorely need them," said John Collison, President of Stripe. "Bring on the firefighter drones!" About Rain Rain, a leader in aerial wildfire containment technology, is helping fire agencies more rapidly suppress wildfires during the earliest stages of ignition, before they grow out of control. Rain adapts autonomous aircraft with wildfire intelligence to rapidly perceive, understand, and suppress wildfires, which enables numerous aircraft to be prepositioned in remote locations resulting in accelerated response time. Developed in tandem with fire professionals, Rain is a privately held company headquartered in Alameda, California. Visit www.rain.aero for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921680309/en/

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[September 21, 2023] Cogeco Communications to participate in the 22nd Annual CIBC Eastern Institutional Investor Conference Tweet

MONTREAL, Sept. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA) announced today that it will be participating in the 22nd Annual CIBC Eastern Institutional Investor Conference being held in Montreal on Thursday, September 28, 2023. On this occasion, Patrice Ouimet, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cogeco Communications Inc., will participate in an interactive discussion at 8:35 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time). An audio replay of the discussion will be available on the Investor Relations page and the Events and Presentations page of Cogeco Communications Inc.'s website following the conference.



ABOUT COGECO COMMUNICATIONS INC. Rooted in the communities it serves, Cogeco Communications Inc. is a growing competitive force in the North American telecommunications sector, serving 1.6 million residential and business customers. Through its business units Cogeco Connexion and Breezeline, Cogeco Communications provides Internet, video and phone services in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario as well as in thirteen states in the United States. Cogeco Communications Inc.'s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).

INFORMATION: Youann Blouin

Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications

Cogeco Communications Inc.

Tel.: (514) 297-2853

youann.blouin@cogeco.com SOURCE Cogeco Communications Inc.

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[September 21, 2023] Make It Movement Launches National Marketing Pilot to Rapidly Build a New Generation of Young High-Skilled and High-Income Professionals Tweet

New purpose-based and motivating marketing initiative helps young people start their journey  while in middle and high school  of discovering their professional aspirations and high-skill/high-income careers soon after high school Students across Texas will see a live-stream from AT&T stadium  home of the Dallas Cowboys  on the new program on Oct 6th at the YTEXAS summit AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Make It Movement , a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect young people to a new world of high-skilled and high-income careers that neither they nor their parents most likely don't know about or fully understand, announced today a new national marketing pilot program to engage and inspire millions of students while they are in middle and high school to start their journey of discovering their talents, purpose and paths of achieving their full potential. Working with teachers, school counselors, career and technical education (CTE) instructors, parents and employers, the Make It Movement is dedicated to delivering rapid and impactful awareness of the high paying skilled careers in cities and states across America. As the national skills gap plaguing the current and incoming workforce widens, especially in the high-skill industries, there is a critical need for a new generation of young, skilled, and motivated professionals. Coupled with the Biden Administration's Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, a lofty $1 trillion national plan to help upgrade the nation's crumbling infrastructure, there is a deluge of funding for roads, bridges and other projects, but not a trained and motivated workforce to fill these professions. For instance, the manufacturing skills gap could potentially reach 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, according to a study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute. And earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce projected that there is a assive shortage of skilled professionals that is already seriously impacting other industries reliant on young high-skilled professionals.



Roy Spence, the Make It Movement Founder, said that, for decades, America seems to have tried everything to convince young Americans to skill up and fill the demand for these "life-changing careers." Our initiative seeks to meet middle and high school students where they are and inspire and activate them to take the first step by going to MakeItMovement.org . They can "start their Journey" by answering four simple but insightful online questions like, "Do you want to work inside or outside?" Middle and high school students and recent graduates or those that have left high school can match up to their most ideal career based on talents, aspirations, preference and work setting. The Make It Movement, with their partners in purpose, including community colleges, technical colleges, workforce solution agencies in Austin, Texas and all over America, can then deliver a clear path for students to explore these career choices while they are in middle and high school.

Through training and educational courses, these future leaders can land life-changing careers for themselves and their families. Median annual salaries for these high-skill and high-income careers can range anywhere from nearly $60,000 for a welder or professional in the culinary fields, over $70,000 for electricians and health care technicians, and up to nearly $100,000 for advanced manufacturing and information technology-related positions. "When I founded the Make It Movement, I was on a mission to discover 'Is there anything that we as Texans and Americans agree on?' But then it hit me: We all want our kids to be successful, to become financially independent doing what they really are good at and love to do," said Spence. "Our campaign asks: 'If you have the will, go to makeitmovement.org and start your journey of discovering your purpose and career paths  while you are in school  where you can Make it in America soon after graduating from high school." Spence explained that, "Across Austin, Texas and America, we can't wait until after high school to give our young people the encouragement, confidence and tools they need to succeed in highly skilled careers. We have a massive nationwide skills gap impacting our future while at the same time we have millions of high school students in Texas and America who have no idea on how to best embrace and fulfill their full potential. Not simply jobs, these skilled life-changing opportunities are careers that will allow the next generation to become financially independent doing what they love to do soon after high school." He continued: "By building pathways to success through excitement and confidence, the Make It Movement helps young professionals to tap into their core strengths and aspirations and guide them towards a support network of school counselors, career and technical education instructors, community and technical colleges and local workforce solutions agencies close to home." For the Make It Movement, the pilot initiative in Austin and central Texas seeks to tap into the tens of thousands of local skilled positions that go unfilled each year. Partnering with Austin Community College, Texas State Technical College and Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Rural Area Workforce Boards, as well as various local technical and manufacturing associations, the Make It Movement seeks to educate and provide confidence to young people seeking a high-income career while in school. As part of its Austin launch, the Make it Movement will live-stream information for students in middle and high schools across Texas on the new pilot program. This will be done on the morning of Oct 6th at the YTEXAS summit at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The Make It Movement was founded by advertising visionary Roy Spence, co-founder and chairman of the global advertising firm GSD&M and co-founder and chairman of the Purpose Institute in Austin, Texas. He and his partners co-created and produced culture-changing marketing initiatives like "Don't Mess with Texas," campaigns for Southwest Airlines, and the United States Air Force. About the Make It Movement:

The Make It Movement, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is a purpose-driven initiative that uses marketing as a force for good to inspire millions of students everywhere  while they are still in school  to start their journey of discovering their purpose and high-skill/high-income careers where they can become financially independent doing what they love to do soon after high school. The Make It Movement has brought together a coalition of organizations who know there is more than one way to Make It in Central Texas and in America. For more information, please visit makeitmovement.org . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/make-it-movement-launches-national-marketing-pilot-to-rapidly-build-a-new-generation-of-young-high-skilled-and-high-income-professionals-301935393.html SOURCE Make It Movement

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[September 21, 2023] Grant Funding Aims to Improve Safety & Security in New Mexico Schools Tweet

In an emergency, every second counts, which is why New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) aims to bring first-of-its-kind school safety technology that enables secure media sharing between schools and first responders to New Mexico communities. This will allow school administrators to share lifesaving pictures, live video, text messages, school floorplans, and any other critical information directly with 911 in real-time. The increasing threat of violence in our schools is disruptive and instills fear in our educational communities. Since the Columbine High School mass shooting in April 1999, more than 356,000 children have been exposed to gun violence and New Mexico is not immune. Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant that supports safe and healthy schools, funding is available to put lifesaving communication tools in the hands of New Mexico educators. These tools will allow faster notification in an emergency and instantly connect police, fire and medical first responders in a robust information sharing network powered by Mutualink, the leading technology provider for automated emergency response solutions that deliver unprecedented coordination and response. "We are doing everything in our power to make sure that safety measures are in place sothat everyone in our education system can stay focused on our most important charge, educating our children," said Secretary Dr. Arsenio Romero. "Having this state-of-the-art safety system in place contributes to our collective peace of mind in knowing that, heaven forbid, tragedy strikes, we are best prepared to keep our kids safe."



The more information public safety has at their fingertips, the quicker they can respond and resolve a crisis. Many times, it is just a false alarm or a minor situation that can be resolved quickly bringing relief to students, parents, and educators faster. In a serious emergency, like an active assailant, communications are instantly bridged between schools and multiple response agencies at the press of a panic button and critical components of the school's emergency operations plan are automatically shared with responding agencies. This single stream of information improves coordination and reduces misinformation that causes confusion, response delays, and tragic loss of life. For more information on automated response systems, watch this video.

School Superintendents only have until September 28th to apply. Grant Applications can be found here and submitted through the New Mexico Public Education Department. About Mutualink, Inc. Mutualink, Inc. is the leading technology provider of a best-in-class intelligent multimedia response network that enables public safety agencies and schools to securely share voice, text, video and data (maps, evacuation plans, staff accountability lists) for revolutionary collaboration in a crisis. Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act for interoperable communications, partners and clients trust Mutualink, Inc. to provide innovative, scalable, secure solutions they rely on every day and in any emergency. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921292998/en/

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[September 21, 2023] iBio Announces Amendment to Credit Agreement with Woodforest Tweet

 Extends maturity date to December 31, 2023   Allows time to close pending sale of CDMO facility  BRYAN, Texas and SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iBio, Inc. (NYSEA:IBIO) (iBio or the Company), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody immunotherapies, today announced its wholly owned subsidiary, iBio CDMO LLC, and Woodforest National Bank (Woodforest) have entered into a sixth amendment (the Amendment) to their November 1, 2021 credit agreement (the Credit Agreement), extending the Agreements maturity date from November 1, 2023 to the earlier of December 31, 2023 or the acceleration of maturity of the term loan in accordance with the Credit Agreement. The extension of the maturity date is intended to afford the Company sufficient time to close the pending sale of its cGMP biologics manufacturing facility (the CDMO Facility), which is anticipated to occur before the end of calendar 2023.

The sale of the CDMO Facility will complete the divestiture of iBios contract development and manufacturing business in Texas, paving the way for the Companys continued advancement of its AI drug discovery platform and immunotherapy pipeline out of its research and development center in California. The sale of our facility will mark an important turning point for iBio and our full transformation into an antibody discovery and development company, said Martin Brenner, DVM, Ph.D., iBios Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. Over the past year, we have made critical investments into our tech stack, our people, and our preclinical pipeline to create a next-generation antibody discovery company that integrates the best of science and machine learning to tackle drug discoverys most difficult challenges. I look forward to our teams continued innovations and what they may bring to the rapidly evolving field of immuno-oncology at iBio and with our partners. We appreciate Woodforests flexibility providing iBio the time necessary to close on the sale f the facility, said iBios Chief 47Financial Officer, Felipe Duran. Once the sale closes and the Woodforest loan is paid in full, the net proceeds will extend our cash runway to help support continued advancement of our immuno-oncology assets and AI-based drug discovery platform.



About iBio, Inc. iBio develops next-generation biopharmaceuticals using computational biology and 3D-modeling of subdominant and conformational epitopes, prospectively enabling the discovery of new antibody treatments for hard-to-target cancers and other diseases. iBios mission is to decrease drug failures, shorten drug development timelines, and open up new frontiers against the most promising targets. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements regarding the closing of the sale of the facility before the end of calendar 2023, and the value of the proceeds from the transaction. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Companys ability to complete the sale of the CDMO Facility as planned, the Companys ability to continue to execute its growth strategy; the Companys ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to its ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of the Companys product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; the Companys ability to maintain its license agreements; the continued maintenance and growth of its patent estate; the Companys ability to obtain or maintain the capital or grants necessary to fund its research and development activities and whether the Company will incur unforeseen expenses or liabilities or other market factors; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to its manufacturing facility; competition; the Companys ability to retain its key employees or maintain its NYSE American listing; and the other factors discussed in the Companys filings with the SEC including the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022 and the Companys subsequent filings with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: Stephen Kilmer

iBio, Inc.

Investor Relations

(646) 274-3580

[email protected] Susan Thomas

iBio, Inc.

Media Relations

(619) 540-9195

[email protected]





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[September 21, 2023] Choctaw Nation Install the Quick Custom Intelligence Enterprise Platform Across All 22 Choctaw Nation Casinos Tweet

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a renowned name in custom data solutions, proudly announced the purchase and swift installation of the QCI Enterprise Platform across all 22 Choctaw Nation Casinos. Achieving this ambitious deployment in just over a month stands as a testament to QCI's unwavering commitment to excellence and efficiency. The present phase of the partnership finds both entities deeply engrossed in the crucial stages of data validation and training. However, with momentum on their side, they are gearing up for a landmark launch to the host team by the end of September. Walter Allen, Choctaw Nation's Corporate Senior Director of Player Development, expressed his enthusiasm about this landmark deal, stating, "This partnership with QCI represents not just a business decision, but a symbol of growth and advancement for Choctaw Nation Casinos. Their Enterprise Platform is a game-changer, and having it installed across all our casinos showcases our dedication to providing unparalleled experiences to our patrons. We are truly excited about this collaboration and its future prospects." Echoing Mr. Allen's sentiments, Andrew Cardno, Chief Technology Officer of QCI, commented, "This deployment at Choctaw's 22 casinos is not just one of the most significant partnerships for QCI but a representation of what happens when two visionaries come together. Thespeed and scale at which we've executed this project exemplifies our team's dedication and the mutual trust shared between QCI and the Choctaw Nation."



Looking ahead, this groundbreaking partnership is poised for even greater achievements. Both QCI and Choctaw Nation Casinos are dedicated to nurturing this collaboration, with plans to embark on a series of enhancements in the coming months and years. The synergy between the two giants promises to lead to innovations that will reshape the landscape of casino experiences, ensuring patrons receive not just superior services but memorable moments every time they step into a Choctaw Nation Casino. ABOUT The Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 212,000 tribal members and 12,000-plus associates. This ancient people have an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation's vision, "Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture," is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity.

ABOUT QCI

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI AGI Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 150 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and The Bahamas. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $24 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI's data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choctaw-nation-install-the-quick-custom-intelligence-enterprise-platform-across-all-22-choctaw-nation-casinos-301935605.html SOURCE Quick Custom Intelligence

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 10:35 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Wednesday to begin outlining early next week the pillars of a new economic stimulus package that he described as "drastic," as Japan's economy has shown few signs of achieving a sustainable growth path.

At a press conference during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Kishida said fresh economic measures would include steps to respond to sharp price hikes, promote wage and investment growth, and mitigate the adverse effects of a declining population.

Kishida added his government is aiming to finalize the package by the end of October and submit a draft supplementary budget to fund it to parliament "in a timely manner" under the new Cabinet.

"Under the new administration, we will address issues that cannot be postponed," Kishida said.

The government said earlier this month that Japan's economy grew an annualized real 4.8 percent in April to June, revised down from 6.0 percent reported earlier, hurt by sluggish capital spending and private consumption.

The world's third-biggest economy expanded for the third straight quarter. Analysts, however, have warned that the state of the economy is not as good as the headline figure indicated, amid the relative weakness of domestic demand.

Consumer sentiment has been worsening due largely to an upturn in global energy and food prices, triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022.

As for Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, crippled by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, Kishida said he will continue explaining the safety of the discharge to the international community.

Beijing has criticized Tokyo for disposing of "nuclear-contaminated water" in the Pacific Ocean, imposing a blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports immediately after the release began on Aug. 24.

Kishida said his government has been eager to "maintain close communication at all levels" with China to jointly tackle common challenges, urging Beijing to take "responsible" actions.

But he added that nothing had been decided regarding whether he will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping by the end of the year.

Related coverage:

Japan PM vows to spend 3 bil. yen to help achieve world without nukes

Japan's trade deficit falls to 930.5 bil. yen, exports to China slump

People aged 80 and over top 10% of Japan's population for 1st time
Scary headline dominates the local news tonight . . . A sordid story of a creeper rolling through local streets looking for lady victims not so long ago.

Here's the word . . .

Major developments announced in four KCK cold case murders KCK police announced the arrest of Gary Dion Davis, a truck driver, now charged in two murders that date back more than 20 years.

Gary Dion Davis, Sr. is charged with the second degree murders of Pearl Davis, also known as Sameemah Mussawir in November 1996, and Christina King on Dec. 25, 1998.



Kansas City, Kan. Police found Davis body in a home on Lafayette Avenue. Two years later, officers located Kings body behind an abandoned building in the city.



Detectives sent evidence from each case to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in Topeka to be tested.



Detectives from the KCK Cold Cases Unit revisited the case recently and were able to match DNA evidence from both murder scenes with Davis DNA profile.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KCK Cold Cases unit links suspect's DNA to two previously unsolved homicides Kansas City, Kan. cold cases unit believe they've solved the homicides of Christina King, Pearl Davis.
NIAGARA FALLS, ONT.Premier Doug Ford is scrapping his controversial Greenbelt land swap in a desperate bid to salvage his sputtering Progressive Conservative government.

In a stunning U-turn following the eruption of the $8.28-billion scandal last month, a glum-sounding Ford announced Thursday he was reversing the removal of the 7,400 acres from the two-million-acre protected swath of land.

It was a mistake to open the Greenbelt, he said following weeks of mounting pressure to return the lands that his own governments housing supply task force insisted were not needed. Im very, very sorry.

The controversy has forced the resignation of two cabinet ministers and two key aides so far, and sent the Tories poll numbers plunging.

I made a promise to you that I wouldnt touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise, the premier told reporters in the parking lot of a hotel where he was attending a PC caucus retreat to prepare for Mondays return of the legislature  and got an earful from his own MPPs about the heat they have been taking.

As a first step to earning back your trust, Ill be reversing the changes, he said, joined by most of his cabinet. We moved too quickly and we made the wrong decision  it caused people to question our motives.

Neither Silvio De Gasperis nor Michael Rice  the two most prominent developers whose land was taken out of the Greenbelt to build housing  was available for comment.

Their land would be worth billions of dollars if it could be developed and considerably less if homes cannot be built.

Asked if the government fears lawsuits from disappointed developers, the premier said, I cant predict the future, but my main goal is to work with the builders because theyre part of this solution.

A senior Progressive Conservative official, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations, said the government does not believe the spurned developers will sue over the change.

Thats because each of them has other projects in the pipeline that will require provincial co-operation and approvals.

It wouldnt be in their long-term interest to pursue litigation, the insider said.

Ford said the fast-growing province remains in a housing crisis where a shortage of homes has led to skyrocketing prices. His government has set a goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

One developer, who attended the wedding of Fords daughter last year and had stakes in two small parcels totalling about 23 acres that were removed from the Greenbelt near Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville, said he had no problem with Fords reversal.

We respect and agree with todays announcement by the provincial government to put the lands back in the Greenbelt, said Shakir Rehmatullah, president of Flato Developments.

Rehmatullah said his company will continue to build homes in accordance with all municipal and provincial requirements, and will look forward to continuing to address the need for more, diverse housing in the province.

The Greenbelt reversal is a significant flip-flop for Ford, who last month had insisted no one had preferential treatment in the land swap  contrary to an Aug. 9 report from auditor general Bonnie Lysyk that found it favoured certain developers  and stressed the properties were needed to tackle the housing shortage.

This comes down to one thing: making sure that we build homes as quickly as possible. What were doing is trying to build the 50,000 homes for people that need it, he said on Aug. 11, referring specifically to the 7,400 acres in question.

Critics questioned the sincerity of Fords reversal and apology following damning reports last month by the auditor general and provincial integrity commissioner J. David Wake into the land swap.

It shouldnt have taken Mr. Ford and his ministers getting caught making shady backroom deals with speculators for Ford to do the right thing, New Democratic Party Leader Marit Stiles told reporters at Queens Park.

In the swap, 14 of the 15 parcels of land were personally selected by former municipal affairs and housing minister Steve Clarks chief of staff, Ryan Amato, with input from select developers and bypassing advice from neutral civil servants in a process Ford has acknowledged was not up to par.

This is the same premier who called the Greenbelt a scam, a field of weeds just a couple of months ago, said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. How can we trust that he wont try the same thing again with his Greenbelt review in a year or two?

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said many questions remain about the swap.

Ontarians need to get to the bottom of this, Fraser said.

Phil Pothen of the lobby group Environmental Defence called for more Greenbelt protections to ensure future governments cant try this again and warned more urban sprawl will only worsen Ontarios housing shortage.

The premiers dramatic change of heart came the day after Kaleed Rasheed quit as public and business service delivery minister and left the Tory caucus after misleading the integrity commissioner during an ethics investigation into Clark, whose Labour Day resignation took the premiers office by surprise and forced a quick cabinet shuffle.

Rasheeds office provided incorrect dates for a winter 2020 trip to Las Vegas, where he said he ran into Rehmatullah. Fords principal secretary at the time, Amin Massoudi, and Jae Truesdell, who resigned Thursday as the premiers director of housing policy, were also on the trip.

Wakes report said Rasheed acknowledged being close friends with Rehmatullah and said he was shocked to see him in a Las Vegas hotel. But CTV reported the trio had massages scheduled at the same time on the same day at the same spa, raising questions as to whether it was a chance meeting.

To be very frank with you, not advised, Ford said when asked about the discrepancies.

In his Aug. 30 report, the integrity commissioner found Clark violated the Members Integrity Act by putting his head in the sand and not properly supervising Amato, who resigned Aug. 22.

The next day, the RCMP branch that probes corruption and political crimes announced it was looking into irregularities related to the land swap after the case was referred by the Ontario Provincial Police to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

I dont get involved in any police investigation at all, Ford said Thursday. They have a job to do.

He maintained a previous Liberal governments scandal over the cancellation of two natural-gas-fired power plants before the 2011 election  which resulted in an OPP investigation and jail time for former premier Dalton McGuinty chief of staff David Livingston over the wiping of computer hard drives  was worse because of the $1 billion in extra costs to move the plants elsewhere.

With files from Sheila Wang and Brendan Kennedy

Rob Ferguson is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @robferguson1

Kristin Rushowy is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @krushowyRobert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie
Gary Williams recently received recognition posthumously for his participation in MABELLEarts, an Etobicoke community organization.

Williams was awarded an Urban Hero Award in the category of social issues for his work.

I just wish he wouldve been here to receive it himself, said Rob Howard, manager of the food security program at MABELLEarts.

Howard worked with Williams at MABELLEarts and described him as a gentle giant.

He was a big, huge guy, but really gentle, always looking out for everybody, Howard said. There were days when I didnt have all the staff available and there were things that I needed help with, and I could always count on Gary. I would call him up and he was always willing to come down and help me out.

Williams was nominated for the award by Leah Houston, the executive director of MABELLEarts. She said she met Williams and his wife through their desire to contribute to the organization's food bank during the pandemic.

People were devastated when he passed, she said. I think he was just a reassuring presence. When youre in need of food, and add to that the global pandemic, and youre scared, to see someone like Gary week after week delivering your groceries with a smile, means a lot.

One of the things we did, especially in the early days (of the pandemic) was actually delivery to the door of food, Houston said. So, people who maybe had COVID, or were really scared to leave the house because they were seniors, we actually delivered right to their doors and Gary was a big part of that.

As for her reason for nominating Williams for the award, Houston said it had a lot to do with his commitment to the MABELLEpantry and the impact he had on the community through his work.

Howard said knowing that Williams won the award feels well deserved and acknowledged Williams wifes contributions to MABELLEarts as well.

Both he and his wife, Lynn Williams, are deserving of the award, Howard said. Its a very well deserved award, theyre pretty core members of the community.
Born out of a need for support in communities affected by poverty, Rexdale Community Hub is being recognized for its continuous efforts to assist those in North Etobicoke.

In the early 2000s, there was a report (called) Poverty by Postal Code published by United Way, said Amra Munawar, the executive director of Rexdale Community Hub. They identified certain suburbs where there was more poverty and explored what are the main reasons, and thats where The Hub idea came up, how to support these communities when it comes to poverty reduction, unemployment and creating more community spaces and resources.

After the report was published, hubs were established in different areas in Toronto based on community needs. Rexdale Community Hub works in collaboration with other organizations, such as Rexdale Community Health Centre, to provide support to those in the community.

The Hub is not just a space where we provide services to the community, it is a space where the community gathers, Munawar said. They bring their skills and talent, and also provide some programming to the community at the same time.

As a recent winner of an Urban Hero Award in the category of Social Issues, Rexdale Community Hub is being acknowledged for its support to the community during the pandemic.

Munawar said she nominated The Hub because of its pandemic response, specifically noting the distribution of food and personal protective equipment and the establishment of COVID-19 vaccination and testing centres.

During the pandemic, The Hub played a very important role, she said. We engaged residents online ... we kept sharing information with residents in terms of if you need food resources, where to go, or if you want PPE, where to go, or if you want vaccinations, where you can go.

Munawar said Rexdale Community Hubs Urban Hero Award win brings a sense of pride to those who have contributed to its efforts in making an impact on the community.

Im so proud of it, Munawar said. We did not disappoint our community during the pandemic, so Im so proud of our work.
Zero Days

Ruth Ware

Simon & Schuster Canada

2023, 357 pages

ISBN: 9781982163419

Zero Days is the latest entertaining suspense novel by Ruth Ware. Jacintha Jack Cross and her husband Gabe are talented security breach specialists hired by companies to see how protected their systems are. Jack tests the companies strengths and weaknesses on site while Gabe does the same but from his computer at home. Even the best security breach specialists can have an off day and when Jack finally arrives home after her latest assignment she finds that Gabe has been murdered. And to make matters worse, the police seem to be looking at her as their prime suspect.

Caring about little more than finding her husbands murderer, Jack leaves a police interview and sets off on her own. But finding a murderer while attempting to evade police proves difficult especially with little more than the clothes she is wearing. Can Jack learn about what is going on that resulted in Gabes brutal killing before the police apprehend her?

Zero Days is an exciting thriller that really is hard to put down.

Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys

Liz Ireland

Kensington Publishing

2023, 281 pages

ISBN: 9781496737830

Its never too early to start gathering novels to read during the holidays. If you enjoy a fun cozy mystery with a festive touch you will want to check out Liz Irelands latest novel in her Mrs. Claus Mystery series, Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys.

This latest mystery is set at Santaland just prior to Thanksgiving where everyone is preparing for their first Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Gobbles the turkey and featured guest at Castle Kringle has gone missing. Did he escape or did someone take him? And while this incident is disturbing, things get worse when a cousin of Nick Claus is poisoned at a dinner. When Mrs. Claus starts investigating these mysteries she is threatened. What is going on in Santaland?

Readers of cosy mysteries will gobble up this seasonal novel with a fun plot and featuring naughty and nice humans, elves and reindeer.

Wild Irish Rose (MP3 audio book)

Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles, read by Nicola Barber

Brilliance Publishing

2022, MP3-CD

ISBN: 9781799789338

Those who enjoy listening to historical mystery novels may be interested in the Wild Irish Rose which is part of the Molly Murphy Mystery series. This cozy historical novel written by Rhys Bowen and her daughter Clare Broyles takes place in New York City in 1907.

Former private detective Molly Murphy Sullivan becomes involved in a murder mystery after accompanying some friends to Ellis Island where a murder has recently occurred. Molly wants to help the woman who is a suspect in the case as the woman not only looks like Molly but, like Molly, she arrived at Ellis Island from Ireland. Wanting desperately to clear the womans name, Molly gets involved in the case even though her policeman husband is concerned about her involvement in the matter.

This audio book is approximately 9.5 hours long and is one MP3-CD.
Roland Gulliver is endlessly enthusiastic. Whenever he talks about books or the festival of authors, whether at the front of a room full of people or on the phone, his enthusiasm is palpable.

He became the director of the Toronto International Festival of Authors in 2020  obviously a difficult time for a festival that had always been in person, attracting some of the best known writers in the world and many sold-out audiences.

This years event runs Thursday to Oct. 1.

I love walking around Toronto and seeing people reading, Gulliver said. Id like to think that  maybe after food  Toronto is a city of readers. I love how people just do it all the time, in the park and underneath the street lights. Im fascinated to explore  do they know what the festival is? Do they know what a book event is?

This is his fourth festival, although its only the second hes been able to do live, and attracting new audiences is very much on his mind. Last year, there were many events that attracted only a few audience members live, although Gulliver pointed out there were many sold-out events, too, including marquee ones such as an appearance by English author Ian McEwen. But some events at which they thought readers might be more adventurous werent quite as successful as we hoped.

Coming out of the pandemic, the festival has its eyes on efforts to build a new festival, Gulliver said, and we have to build that energy and atmosphere and build it so that its, in all the traditional ways, engaging and exciting and eye-catching, but also in a way that works for traditional audiences, but also how to find new audiences.

That includes engaging people who might be near the harbourfront for a Blue Jays game or who live in the area. Its about the books, yes, but its also about the experiences.

Some of the things the festival has put in place include a Pulp Fiction stream of events to appeal to fans of genre fiction, introducing horror and romance and fantasy as part of the program. Theres also a manga series with Makoto Yukimura and his Finland saga: its set in Canada with Vikings, but hes never been to Canada before. Until now.

There will also be a giant, five-metre swing set. It will be part of an aerial dance storytelling performance, but it will also offer people the opportunity to have a shot on the swings and a sense of fun and joy, said Gulliver, and make the festival feel more engaging and accessible and open to different kinds of audiences.

Five reasons to come to the fest of authors

Come for the big names 

There are always marquee draws at TIFA, which has been attracting audiences for 49 years. This year, big-draw international authors include U.S. writer Richard Ford, Irish writer Anne Enright (full disclosure: Ill be interviewing her on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.). Domestically  although most of these authors are internationally celebrated  Margaret Atwood, Sarah Polley, Michael Crummey, M.G. Vassanji, Alberto Manguel, Michelle Good, Catherine Hernandez and Emma Donoghue, among many others, are slated to appear in the Conversation series of talks. Crummeys event will be off site in whats being dubbed a Kitchen Party at the Supermarket venue in Kensington Market. And Atwood is taking part in two quite different events: the first, on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., is a collaboration between Atwood and Theatre of War Productions, in which shell perform her short story Impatient Griselda, included in her latest book, Old Babes in the Wood. That story is in response to Patient Griselda, written by Giovanni Boccaccio in 1348 during the bubonic plague, which will also be performed by a group of actors including Jesse Eisenberg (of The Social Network and Fleishman Is in Trouble fame). Atwood will also take part in the PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk on Sept. 24.

 stay for the new discoveries

One of the joys of TIFA has always been the serendipity of discovering new authors, whether debut authors from here or international authors who are in Canada for the first time. You can also discover some of the secrets of writing from first-rate authors: for example, Shyam Selvadurai is holding a workshop/master class on elements you can incorporate in your own writing to create a sense of place. Other writers sharing their craft secrets include Kyo Maclear on Finding Your Narrative Edge in Memoir and David Bezmozgis on tone. Even if youre not a writer, a workshop like this will make you a better reader.

Multilingual events

Toronto is one of the great multicultural cities of the world and this years festival features a number of multilingual events that unite writers and translators. Events will be presented in Arabic, Bengali, Tamil and other languages, as well. For instance, Walid El Khachab, an Egyptian Canadian poet, and Jackleen Salam, a Syrian Canadian poet, will read Arabic poetry and talk about changes in Arabic poetry under the heading Born Free? Taking Flight  Dreams of Democracy.

Its going to be a swinging time

Instagram feeds are going to fill up with photos of audiences and authors on a five-metre-high swing set that will act as a centrepiece for the festival, a sort of user-friendly massive art installation. Musical performances, too, include Tara MacLean for an evening of music and stories, or try meeting a new generation of Black Canadian poets in an event curated by Britta B. that pushes the rules of language and music.

Stay for a day, the weekend or a week

TIFA has become more flexible in its pricing, perhaps reflecting its desire to attract audiences on their own terms. Single day passes are $39.99; a weekend pass is $69.99, while a full festival pass is $199.99. The website at festivalofauthors.ca has become better at suggesting events. For example, if you bought a day pass for a day  lets say Sept. 23  to see the Born Free? panel, it will show you what else is available on that day, including a performance titled A Musical Journey to the Middle East, a book signing by Makoto Yukimura or Brontes Reimagined with writer Rachel Cantor.

Deborah Dundas is the Stars Books editor. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @debdundas
KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 19:38 | All, Japan

Japan's Fair Trade Commission warned Google and other tech giants on Thursday that using news content from news media on their online platforms without proper compensation could potentially violate antimonopoly laws.

The warning comes amid growing global concerns that these platforms are generating substantial revenue from the internet distribution of news, while news media operators, including newspapers, magazines and broadcasters, seem to be grappling with exploitation due to inadequate compensation.

In its report released on the same day, the fair trade body highlighted six potential violations of antimonopoly laws. It urged online platforms to transparently disclose their criteria for compensating news content usage and indicated that it would take stringent actions against any violators.

Four of the examples concern possible violations by Yahoo Japan Corp. and other news portal operators, including refusing to renegotiate contracts despite a significant drop in the number of viewers for news outlets' websites due to a change in display methods on portals.

The remaining two cases involve potential breaches by search engine operators, such as Google LLC. The breaches include limiting the visibility of news content from rival platforms in search results rankings.

Google said in a statement that it will examine the report before explaining its services and work involving news outlets, companies and the general public.

In February 2021, the FTC urged information technology giants to clarify terms with news outlets through a survey on digital advertising, but it judged that no substantial improvement had been made in the environment.

This time, the commission compiled the report based on a survey of news content providers, IT giants and general consumers.

It stressed the importance of appropriate negotiations between news platform operators and news media operators from the perspective of improving fairness and transparency, as well as ensuring a fair and competitive environment.
The Carnival is over, but assessments of the weekend festivities in Tobago are still being m
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences has recognized 58 students with a wide range of scholarships, highlighting their incredible ambition, exceptional talent and dedication to success.

Administering the scholarships is always rewarding because there are so many inspirational, outstanding and compelling students, Todd Romero, associate dean of undergraduate studies, said. At UH, and at CLASS especially, students are always doing so well in every way imaginable, taking on internships, belonging to university-based and community-based organizations, and tutoring as they perform at a high level.

These scholarships serve as a testament to the colleges commitment to academic excellence and its dedication to empowering students to pursue their passions. A total of $72,000 college-level scholarships have been awarded for the 2023-24 academic year, commending students with individual awards ranging from $500 to $2,500.

The scholarships enabled me to travel to the Middle East and get that cultural knowledge that you cannot get without traveling, said Ibrahim Islam, an Honors sophomore double majoring in middle eastern studies and computer sciences. I went to Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, and I did a backpacking trip through the borders and the cultures, experiencing cultural knowledge firsthand.

Islam, a recipient of the David and Jackie Gardner Scholarship, is interested in Arabic culture, specifically the intersection of gender, disability and the Quran. He is fascinated by the effects of media and technology on the development of culture and global politics. How does what is printed affect society? he questions, mulling over the before and after of technological developments, such as the internet, that have changed the overall human experience.

These scholarships are just so crucial for not just me but a lot of first-generation students, sophomore Omar Castanon said. I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and no one in my family had been to a university or knew the resources available. This just gives you a hand up on that opportunity and the confidence to continue to pursue your higher education.

Castanon was awarded the CLASS Scholarship and has been heavily involved in different organizations and resources provided by UH. He is an incoming director for the Metropolitan Volunteer Program, the national communications coordinator for the Residential Hall Association as well as an active participant on the UH Orientation team. He will continue to live on campus for his second year, pursuing a major in strategic communication and a minor in human development and family studies.

"It was very emotional being at Orientation and knowing that I could potentially help other students who are Hispanic or first-generation and visiting a four-year university while potentially thinking its not a possibility, Castanon said. It is definitely possible, and the scholarships make it happen.

CLASS offers multiple scholarships at the college level, in addition to scholarships offered by specific departments within the college accumulating an estimated $845,000. Funds from alumni associations, endowments, donors and grants provide students with unique opportunities for growth and success.

A vital asset is also the people who came before you and your professors, said Sarah Belew, a psychology senior and Honors student. Just ask  even if they do not respond or are not helpful themselves, they could redirect you to the correct place for scholarships or ways to best benefit you at that time.

Currently working in the Petoskey Center, a small, specialized mental health private practice serving the greater Houston-area, Belew hopes to grow her clinical and research experience in preparation for graduate school. Active in the Bonner Leaders program, Belew hopes to continue to work with children within a school or family setting.

These winners really represent the tradition of excellence that is being performed at the college, and the dynamic of work that students are doing in and out of the classroom really rises to the top, Romero stated. These are students who will go on to be leaders in their fields, and it is an honor to be able to support them in a small way.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing new rules that will restrict the entry and use of Russian-registered cars in the country.

Yle reported that this was reported by Ukrinform.

"Like Finland, Norway will impose restrictions on the import and use of cars registered in Russia in Norway," said Secretary of State Eivind Vad Petersson.

He also added that the Norwegian authorities are currently considering how to do this.

Read also: Norway to send about 50 cargo carriers to Ukraine

Earlier, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia closed the entry to their territory for owners of Russian cars.

As reported, in early September, the European Commission explained that entry to the European Union by cars registered in Russia is prohibited.
Ukraines air defense units destroyed 36 out of 43 Russian cruise missiles fired from 10 enemy strategic bombers last night.

The relevant statement was made by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

On the night of September 21, 2023, around 03:40 a.m., Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with the Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 air-launched cruise missiles. A total of 43 cruise missiles were fired from 10 Tu-95ms strategic bombers to the west of Engels, the report states.

Russian invaders fired missiles in several waves. Enemy projectiles crossed Ukraines airspace from different directions, changing the route continuously.

Following the combat performance of the Air Forces units and systems, in cooperation with the air defense units of the Defense Forces, a total of 36 cruise missiles were destroyed, the Air Force noted.

Ukraines surface-to-air missile units, fighter jets, mobile fire teams, and other forces contributed to repelling Russias overnight missile attack.

Additionally, around 06:00 a.m., Russian troops struck the city of Kharkiv with the S-300 guided missiles. Emergency services are working at the scene.
The absence of regular unit rotations out of combat duty is highly likely one of the most important factors contributing to low Russian morale.

The relevant statement was made by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom on the social media platform X, referring to the latest Defence Intelligence update, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today, 21 September 2023, is the anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement of the 2022 partial mobilisation which saw around 300,000 Russian reservists called up to serve in Ukraine, the report states.

On September 15, 2023, Russian State Duma Defence Committee Chair and former general Andrei Kartapolov reiterated that mobilised personnel were obliged to serve for the duration of the special military operation.

In his words, it was not possible for personnel to be rotated out of the operational zone during their service.

The absence of regular unit rotations out of combat duty is highly likely one of the most important factors contributing to low Russian morale, and the Russian Armys failure to conduct higher-level training since the invasion. The lack of such training is highly likely contributing to Russias difficulties in conducting successful complex offensive operations, the UK intelligence concluded.

A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and September 21, 2023, Russias total combat losses in Ukraine reached about 274,470 troops.
The Security Service of Ukraine and the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a massive fire attack on Russias Saky military air base in the temporarily occupied Crimea last night.

This is reported by Ukrinform, referring to sources in the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the data from our sources, at least 12 combat aircraft (Su-24 and Su-30) were in the airfield, as well as the Pantsir missile system. A training base of the Mojaher unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators was also located there. Russians use these UAVs to coordinate their air attacks and as combat drones, the interlocutors told.

According to them, Ukrainian attacks reached the target and caused serious damage to Russian military equipment.

The Security Service of Ukraine mentioned that Ukrainian defenders had used drones to overload Russias air defenses, and then fired the Neptune missiles.

Pro-Russian Telegram channels are confirming the significant damage and losses. At least 30 Russian servicemen were reported killed.

The Security Service of Ukraine expressed confidence that Russian occupiers can no longer feel safe within the temporarily occupied Crimea.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have recently struck a secret Russian base in temporarily occupied Melitopol, killing about ten Russian officers and wounding two Russian commanders.

Sources in the SBU told this to Ukrinform.

"At first, the Security Service discovered that the occupiers had set up their headquarters at a local motor factory. The information was passed on to the military, and then , ogether with them, they struck the target. As a result of the missile attack, the commander of the 58th Army of the Russian Federation, which is fighting in the Zaporizhzhia sector, as well as their chief of staff, were wounded," the sources said.

They noted that in addition to the Russian commanders, the strike had also wounded several dozen Russian officers.

"About ten of them have already left for the Kobzon concert," the SBU said.

On September 19, the Department for Strategic Communications of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Ukrainian forces had struck a Russian headquarters near the temporarily captured city of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 17:54 | Arts, All, Japan

Studio Ghibli Inc., the production company of anime director Hayao Miyazaki, is set to become a subsidiary of Nippon Television Network Corp., with the major Japanese broadcaster aiming to help manage the studio, the companies said Thursday.

Nippon Television plans to acquire 42.3 percent of voting rights at an undisclosed price on Oct. 6 to become the studio's leading shareholder. It said it aims to build on its longtime relationship with the company, which has included its airing of many of the studio's films starting with "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" in 1985.

With board member Miyazaki now 82 and Toshio Suzuki, the current president, 75, the studio had been considering who should take over its running, with Miyazaki's eldest son and anime producer Goro Miyazaki's name repeatedly brought up as a potential candidate, they said.

But Goro Miyazaki has declined, and was quoted in the statement as saying, "It is too much to shoulder by myself. It is better to leave it to somebody else."

Nippon Television's Senior Operating Officer Hiroyuki Fukuda will be the studio's new president, replacing Suzuki, who will become the chair of the board.

"Managing (a company) is tough. We want to concentrate on production," said Suzuki at a press conference.

Fukuda said, "I know there are expectations (in the studio) to make something new so I want to help bring it about."

In addition to airing Miyazaki films on TV, Nippon Television has also invested in the studio's filmmaking, starting with "Kiki's Delivery Service" released in 1989. It also helped establish the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka in western Tokyo, which opened in 2001.

Related coverage:

Renowned Ghibli anime art director Nizo Yamamoto dies at 70

Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's new anime film released, 1st in decade

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Sweden has donated ten Stridsvagn 122 tanks (modernized Leopard 2A5s) to Ukraine, and they are already on the battlefield.

Mats Ludvig, Operations Commander, Army Staff, said this in a statement posted on the website of the Swedish Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports.

"We have given them all that we can in terms of great materiel and good knowledge. We wish them all the luck in the world and that they succeed in freeing their country," Ludwig said.

According to the statement, for more than 30 years, it has constituted the backbone of Swedish mechanized brigades. Now, the Ukrainian army has some ten tanks to use in their fight to free their country. The tanks are manned by soldiers that were trained in Sweden, by the Swedish army.

According to Ludvig, on February 24, 2023, on the anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the political decision was made, which meant that Sweden were to donate some ten tanks to Ukraine.

The Swedish Armed Forces army units, led by the Army Staff, had already prepared for this decision, including the training of Ukrainian personnel on how to use the Swedish tanks.

Sweden used to have a total of 120 armored tanks; a tenth of which have been donated to Ukraine.

Photo: Swedish Armed Forces
Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk has shared a video, showing the combat performance of Ukraines air defense units on the night of September 21, 2023.

The relevant video was posted by Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The combat performance of the Air Forces surface-to-air missile units on the night of September 21, 2023, Oleshchuk wrote.

He thanked everyone protecting the Ukrainian sky.

A reminder that last night Ukrainian forces destroyed 36 out of 43 Russian air-launched cruise missiles, attacking the countrys territory.

Video: Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Germany has handed over another package of military support to Ukraine.

The list of the military assistance provided by the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine has been updated on the website of the German Federal Government, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, Ukraine received 17 SatCom terminals, one antenna hub station, four truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and four semi-trailers (51 and 45 accordingly were handed over before), 12 Zetros trucks (188 were delivered before), and WISENT spare parts.

All the machinery and equipment delivered to Ukraine were taken not from Bundeswehr but industry stocks.

Earlier this week, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, totaling EUR 400 million.

Photo: Daimler Truck AG
Ukraine and Switzerland have discussed humanitarian demining, the participation of Swiss companies in Ukraine's recovery and the strengthening of economic cooperation.

That's according to the press service of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"We hope to strengthen cooperation with Switzerland in a number of areas. First and foremost, this is the area of humanitarian demining, in which Switzerland plays a leading role in the world. This is participation in recovery projects. Undoubtedly, Ukraine is interested in investments and joint projects of Swiss and Ukrainian businesses, strengthening of economic and trade cooperation," said First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.

During the meeting, the parties discussed topical issues of humanitarian demining. Svyrydenko said Ukraine was currently completing the preparation of the working wording of the National Mine Action Strategy. The project will be presented during a major event on humanitarian demining, which will soon take place in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Economy also spoke about the current state of survey and clearance of Ukrainian lands, the available capabilities of mine clearing operators and the need for equipment, machinery, qualified bomb disposal experts, etc. Currently, Ukraine is intensively working with partners on contracting the necessary equipment. Moreover, Ukraine is interested not only in the supply of, for example, mine-clearing vehicles, but also in the localization of their production in Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the efforts that the governments of the two countries should make to promote contacts between Ukrainian and Swiss businesses, and to strengthen economic cooperation between the countries.

Photo: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
The three EU countries that have imposed national bans on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products - Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria - are ready to consider the mechanism of joint verification and approval of supplies proposed by Ukraine.

The Ministry of Economy reported this, citing a comment made by Taras Kachka, deputy minister of economy - trade representative of Ukraine, on the air of the National Telethon, according to Ukrinform.

"On Monday, we presented our plan to control agri-exports to all neighboring countries. We had a very good response from Romania and Bulgaria, which reacted quite positively and did not introduce national bans. The other three countries, including Poland, are also giving positive signals of their readiness to consider the mechanism proposed by Ukraine," Taras Kachka explained.

In his words, Ukraine has proposed to introduce a mechanism for joint verification and approval of supplies of four types of agricultural goods (wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds) to five EU countries.

Read also: Ukraine calls on Poland to put aside emotions in grain issue

"This will not solve the problem completely. It will actually indicate that trade between Ukraine and these five EU countries will be in a manual mode. But it will be a step forward and a rejection of bans that are unacceptable to us. The Ukrainian proposal can become the basis for resolving the issue of agri-exports to the five EU countries," Kachka said.

According to him, the Polish side has already stated that it is ready to work on solving this problem.

"I believe that by the end of the week we will be able to reach a compromise. After all, it is important for both Poland and Ukraine to develop cooperation, trade, agriculture and take care of the interests of each other's farmers, not just respond to public criticism," Taras Kachka assured.

Earlier, Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus announced the readiness of the Polish side to find a solution to the problem of Ukrainian grain.

To recap: On September 15, 2023, the European Commission (EC) announced that due to the work of the Coordination Platform and temporary measures, market distortions in the five member states bordering Ukraine had been eliminated. In this regard, the EC decided not to extend its decision to ban the import of goods from Ukraine. The EC noted that Ukraine should take measures to prevent any market distortions in neighboring member states.

On the same day, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary unilaterally imposed a national ban on imports of agricultural goods from Ukraine. After that, Ukraine filed a WTO case against these countries.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has attracted a USD 1.25 billion grant from the United States through the World Bank's PEACE in Ukraine Trust Fund.

According to Ukrinform, the Ministry of Finance reported this.

"Today, on September 21, the state budget of Ukraine received a grant from the United States in the amount of USD 1.25 billion through the World Bank's Multi-Donor Trust Fund," the statement said.

The funds are part of the fifth additional financing under the World Bank's PEACE in Ukraine project.

The goal of the project is to partially compensate for state budget expenditures, including social and humanitarian expenditures not related to security and defense. In 2023, Ukraine received USD 9.7 billion in direct budget support from the United States in the form of grants.

The funding raised is used to reimburse state budget expenditures: pension payments, payments to the State Emergency Service employees, salaries of healthcare workers providing services under the medical guarantees program, civil servants, and teachers.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the state budget of Ukraine has already received USD 21.7 billion from the United States. Financial aid from the U.S. is provided on non-refundable terms, which allows us not to increase the debt burden on the state budget," Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said.

As reported earlier, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, together with the World Bank, is implementing the PEACE in Ukraine Project and ensuring transparency in the attraction and use of funds. In cooperation with Deloitte Consulting, which is implementing the USAID SOERA project, the Ministry of Finance is monitoring the use of direct budget support from the U.S. government, and with the auditing company PriceWaterhouseCoopers Ukraine, it is checking the eligible public expenditures made by Ukraine in 2022 under the Project.
The ministers of agriculture of Slovakia and Ukraine have agreed to create a grain trade licensing system that will allow them to lift the ban on imports of four Ukrainian goods to Slovakia.

According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture of Slovakia provided to Reuters.

Ukraine has agreed to suspend the complaint it filed against Slovakia with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The ministers agreed to establish a grain trade system based on the issuance and control of licenses. Until this system is in place and fully tested, the ban on imports of four goods from Ukraine remains in place, the Slovak ministry said in an email.

The ministry did not provide details on how the licensing system will work.

The day before, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi discussed the export of Ukrainian agricultural products with Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic Jozef Bires.

As reported, on September 15, 2023, the European Commission (EC) decided not to extend the ban on the import of agri-products from Ukraine. The EC also noted that Ukraine should take measures to prevent any market distortions in neighboring member states.

Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary unilaterally imposed a national ban on imports of agri-goods from Ukraine. After that, Ukraine filed a complaint with the WTO.

On September 19, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy reported that the Cabinet of Ministers approved a new procedure for exporting corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and wheat. According to it a license from the Ministry of Economy is required in coordination with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy to supply these crops to five EU member states bordering Ukraine.

Photo: ANSA/EPA
The cargo ship Resilient Africa arrived off Turkey's Bosphorus Strait on Thursday, the first vessel loaded with grain from Ukraine to sail in and out of the Black Sea using a temporary corridor.

That's according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

The ship left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk this week with 3,000 tonnes of grain.

The agreement extending the Black Sea grain export deal, signed by Ukraine, the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022, expired on July 18, 2023. A similar agreement was concluded by the UN, Turkey and Russia.

On July 17, 2023, Russia sent Turkey, Ukraine and the UN its objections to the extension of the grain deal and, in fact, terminated its effect.

On August 10, Ukraine announced new temporary routes for merchant ships sailing to and from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. These routes are primarily used to enable the exit of civilian vessels that have been in the Ukrainian ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyi since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.

On September 16, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Oleksandr Kubrakov said that after using the temporary corridor, the bulk carriers Resilient Africa and Aroyat had confirmed their readiness to use the route to enter the port of Chornomorsk to load almost 20,000 tonnes of wheat for African and Asian countries.

World wheat prices began to fall immediately after the first ship with grain left a Ukrainian Black Sea port, for the first time since Russia announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in New York signed a joint declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, announced this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Today in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama signed a joint declaration on the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine," he said.

Zhovkva said that Albania, which currently presides over the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member and has been a member of NATO since 1999, had become the 25th country to formalize clear support for Ukraine's membership of the military alliance.

"Symbolically, this happened on the eve of the anniversary of a joint address made by the president, the Verkhovna Rada chairman and the prime minister of Ukraine to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on September 30, 2022 regarding Ukraine's application for membership in NATO," he said.

According to him, with this declaration, Albania supported Ukraine's NATO membership and remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine on its path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.

He also said that in the document, Albania had declared its readiness to provide political, military, technical, defense and humanitarian support to Ukraine as part of bilateral and international cooperation. Albania will support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

In addition, Zhovkva noted that Albania had expressed its readiness to participate in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.

"In addition, during the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Edi Rama officially announced Albania's readiness to join the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine in providing security guarantees to our state," Zhovkva said, adding that Albania will thus become the 29th country in this list of Ukraine's allies.

Photo: Igor Zhovkva / Facebook
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks in New York with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel.

That's according to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

Zelensky briefed Scholz on the situation on the frontline and the priority needs of the Ukrainian defense forces. The president emphasized the importance of further bolstering Ukraine's air defense to protect civilian infrastructure on the eve of winter and the functioning of the grain corridor. Zelensky said that additional air defense capacities would allow enhancing the protection of the Black Sea ports and the historical heritage of Odesa.

The talks with von der Leyen, Iohannis and Gabriel were primarily focused on preserving the single market principle and free access of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU market.

"Ukraine is a future member of the European Union. Therefore, we must work together already today to continuously liberalize trade within the EU single market, prevent any unilateral restrictions in the future and protect the competitive advantages of each EU member in conditions of free trade," Zelensky said.

He also said that Ukraine, together with Romania and Bulgaria, is looking for ways to increase transit along the EU's Solidarity Lanes. In particular, Romania ensures more than 60% of the transit of Ukrainian grain through its territory.

The parties also discussed alternative transportation routes through Romania and Bulgaria, which would significantly increase transit volumes and reduce the burden on the domestic markets of these countries.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 10:20 | All, Arts

A rare complete set of 46 ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai featuring Mt. Fuji of Japan will go up for sale at Christie's in New York in March.

The auction house said it expects the prints in the series titled "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," made between 1830 and 1833, to fetch a total price "in the millions" of U.S. dollars.

"The last time a complete set appeared on the market was more than 20 years ago, in 2002," said Takaaki Murakami, the head of Christie's Japanese and Korean art department in New York.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a master Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print maker in Edo, now Tokyo. The Mt. Fuji series, which is among his most celebrated work, depicts the peak of Japan's highest mountain, southwest of Tokyo, from different vantage points in different seasons, according to information on Christie's website.

"Some of the prints in this set are earlier impressions, while others are later impressions. This series was not issued as a set but rather was published in several installments," said Murakami.

In March, a single print of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" from the same series sold for $2.76 million at Christie's. Murakami said the earlier auction is not "comparable" to the upcoming one for a full set.

According to the auction house, the seller is a U.S. citizen.

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FEATURE: Japanese artists explore using generative AI for creating new manga

Italian painting looted by Nazi Germany in 1940 found in Japan
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba discussed Japans engagement in the Peace Formula and the need to create a Special Tribunal with newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoko Kamikawa.

Good to meet Yoko Kamikawa. We discussed Japans engagement in the Peace Formula and the need to create the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine, Kuleba posted on X, following the meeting in New York.

Ukraine is interested in active part of Japan and Japanese businesses in our countrys recovery, the minister noted.

As reported, Ukraines top diplomat held many meetings on the margins of the UN General Assembly, in particular, with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and foreign ministers of Guyana, Mauritania, Mexico, and the Netherlands.

Photo: @DmytroKuleba
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at a meeting with his Polish and Ukrainian counterparts Andrzej Duda and Volodymyr Zelensky in New York that the differences between Ukraine and Poland should be resolved as quickly as possible.

That's according to Lithuania's broadcaster LRT, which refers to the Lithuanian presidential administration, Ukrinform reports.

"The differences between Ukraine and Poland should be resolved as quickly as possible due to the common, most important goal - the defense of Europe against Russia's aggressive expansionist policy," Nauseda said.

According to him, Poland's role in providing support to Ukraine is exceptional, and solutions must be found, because the further deepening of the crisis would be irresponsible.

Nauseda stressed the importance of understanding that it is not about the security of individual countries, but of the entire region and even the continent.

"As history shows, only by joint efforts, supporting and helping each other can we counter the danger of external threats. Meanwhile, public disagreements, regardless of the reasons, not only undermine unity, but also help the enemy's propaganda," he said.

The three presidents also talked about easing grain transportation procedures through Poland and increasing transit through Lithuania, thereby reducing pressure.

In May 2023 the European Commission banned the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania at the insistence of these countries. On June 5, the ban was extended until September 15, 2023.

The European Commission announced on September 15 that the EU would not extend temporary restrictions on Ukrainian grain. After that, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced their decision to unilaterally block the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and stopped participating in a coordination platform, which was created under the auspices of the European Commission to resolve this issue.

Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said on September 18 that in accordance with the agreement on the rules and procedures for resolving disputes of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, Ukraine had submitted demands for holding consultations with Slovakia, Poland and Hungary within the WTO.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine would limit imports from Poland and Hungary if these countries did not lift the grain embargo.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, in turn, warned on Wednesday that Poland would impose an embargo on more agricultural products from Ukraine if the Ukrainian authorities increase the degree of tension in the grain dispute, including by banning the import of Polish vegetables into Ukraine.

Photo from the archives
There was no trilateral meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Andrzej Duda of Poland and Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania in New York.

Ukrainian presidential press secretary Sergii Nykyforov told this to Ukrinform.

"Nauseda probably met with both presidents separately, but he did not have a formal bilateral meeting with Zelensky either," Nykyforov said.

Lithuanian media reported earlier that Nauseda said at a meeting with Duda and Zelensky in New York that the differences between Ukraine and Poland should be resolved as quickly as possible.

"The differences between Ukraine and Poland should be resolved as quickly as possible due to the common, most important goal - the defense of Europe against Russia's aggressive expansionist policy," Lithuania's broadcaster LRT quoted Nauseda as saying.

Nauseda expressed his position to Duda and Zelensky. It is not clear from Lithuanian media reports whether it was a joint meeting or a separate dialogue.

According to the Lithuanian president, Poland's role in providing support to Ukraine is exceptional, and solutions must be found, because the further deepening of the crisis would be irresponsible. Nauseda stressed the importance of understanding that it is not about the security of individual countries, but of the entire region and even the continent.

"As history shows, only by joint efforts, supporting and helping each other can we counter the danger of external threats. Meanwhile, public disagreements, regardless of the reasons, not only undermine unity, but also help the enemy's propaganda," he said.

In May 2023 the European Commission banned the import of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania at the insistence of these countries. On June 5, the ban was extended until September 15, 2023.

The European Commission announced on September 15 that the EU would not extend temporary restrictions on Ukrainian grain. After that, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced their decision to unilaterally block the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and stopped participating in a coordination platform, which was created under the auspices of the European Commission to resolve this issue.

Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said on September 18 that in accordance with the agreement on the rules and procedures for resolving disputes of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, Ukraine had submitted demands for holding consultations with Slovakia, Poland and Hungary within the WTO.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine would limit imports from Poland and Hungary if these countries did not lift the grain embargo.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, in turn, warned on Wednesday that Poland would impose an embargo on more agricultural products from Ukraine if the Ukrainian authorities increase the degree of tension in the grain dispute, including by banning the import of Polish vegetables into Ukraine.
In Washington, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has held a meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, House Republican Leader Steve Scalise and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As part of his working visit to the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, House Republican Leader Steve Scalise and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the report states.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine is sincerely grateful to the House of Representatives, Congress, both parties, the President of the United States, his administration and the entire American people for their unwavering support.

Together, we have made significant progress in defending democracy, freedom and dignity  the values on which both our countries are based. The suffering of the Ukrainian people from Russian war crimes is enormous, but more than half of the occupied Ukrainian territories have been liberated from Russian invaders, and we clearly see that complete victory is getting closer, Zelensky said.

The President of Ukraine briefed the meeting participants on the current situation on the battlefield.

The parties discussed Ukraines priority defense needs and enhancing the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense, especially in view of the approaching winter period.

President Zelensky emphasized that Ukraines victory will guarantee that neither Russia nor any other dictatorship will be able to destabilize the free world.

And to win, we must stand together. And win together. We count on you, on your constant support, Zelensky emphasized.

A reminder that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the United States to take part in the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. On September 21, 2023, President Zelensky is planning to meet with President Biden in Washington.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
In Washington, D.C., President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and senators.

The Head of State noted that the meeting was another confirmation of the strategic partnership between the two states, the Presidents Office informs.

"Thanks to the Senate, thanks to the President of the United States, thanks to every citizen of the United States, Ukrainian soldiers are clearing our land of Russian invaders. Supporting Ukraine means strengthening NATO's eastern flank. And our victory will be a joint victory of the peoples of Ukraine, the United States and the entire free world," Zelensky said, addressing the meeting participants.

He briefed the senators on the current situation at the front, Ukraine's priority defense needs and the necessity to boost the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense, especially as winter approaches.

The President thanked the attendees for each of their votes in support of Ukraine, for each bill aimed at bringing Russia to justice, imposing sanctions on Russian criminals and achieving a just peace.

Zelensky expressed hope that Congress would continue to adopt important decisions to financially support our country. The absolute importance of responsibility for the use of the assistance provided and the implementation of appropriate reporting was emphasized separately.

The Head of State discussed the implementation of the Peace Formula with the senators, in particular the need to involve the states of the Global South in this process, as well as global geopolitical challenges.

The parties emphasized the importance of the post-war recovery of our country and welcomed the appointment of U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the USA. He took part in the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. On September 21, the President arrived in Washington, where, in particular, he is to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 09:32 | World, All

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the same session of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday but avoided being in the room at the same time, as the war between their countries is well into its second year with no end in sight.

Zelenskyy, making his first in-person appearance at the U.N. council's chamber in New York since the beginning of Russia's invasion, called for Moscow to lose its veto power as one of the five permanent members of the world body's most powerful panel.

He made an appeal for reform of the Security Council to overcome its "deadlock," stressing that the composition of its five permanent members -- also including Britain, China, France and the United States -- does not reflect the realities of the current world.

As he asserted that it has been impossible for the council to help stop the war "because all efforts were vetoed by the aggressor," Russia's delegation was present but without Lavrov.

As part of his proposals, Zelenskyy said that "any participation of the Security Council membership should be suspended for a period of time when such a state resorts to aggression against another nation in violation of the U.N. Charter."

Coinciding with the annual U.N. General Assembly, the meeting of the 15-member council on Russia's war against Ukraine was convened under the theme of "upholding the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter through effective multilateralism."

Zelenskyy, who left the room before Lavrov appeared, said it is "unjust" that billions of people lack permanent representation on the council and called for it to be expanded to include more countries, such as India and Japan.

The open debate was attended by leaders and top diplomats including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Kishida, sitting next to Zelenskyy at the iconic horseshoe table, condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and argued it is time to return to the "unshakable principles" of the existing world order and the U.N. Charter, created after World War II.

The Japanese prime minister said the war in Ukraine must end immediately and the international community should step up efforts to "work toward a world of cooperation, not division and confrontation."

"To this end, strengthening the functions of the United Nations is an urgent task," he said. "The Security Council must be enlarged in both its permanent and nonpermanent seats to better reflect the realities of today's world, including Africa."

Lavrov entered the chamber about two hours after the debate began. He delivered a lengthy statement justifying Russia's actions against Ukraine.

Lavrov accused the United States and other Western countries of interfering in internal affairs, while claiming that Russia has fulfilled its obligations under the U.N. Charter.

He said the West "selectively" and "on a case-by-case basis" has used the norms and principles of the charter in an attempt to meet its "selfish geopolitical needs."

Just before Lavrov's remarks, Blinken had his turn and underscored that Russia has "shredded the major tenets" of all kinds of international rules for over a year and half and "flouted one Security Council resolution after another."

"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."

Related coverage:

Ukraine's Zelenskyy in U.N. speech outlines global stakes in Russia's war

China, Russia top diplomats discuss Ukraine war ahead of Putin visit

North Korea reaches "satisfactory agreement" with Russia at summit
KYODO NEWS - Sep 21, 2023 - 20:54 | All, Japan

Former Japanese lawmaker and YouTuber GaaSyy, who has been indicted on five charges including habitual online intimidation of celebrities, was released Thursday on bail after posting a 30 million yen ($203,000) bond.

The 51-year-old defendant, whose real name is Yoshikazu Higashitani, admitted to the charges and apologized for causing "huge psychological pain and economic damage (to the victims)" during his first trial hearing at the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday.

His defense lawyer, who requested bail the same day, denied that his client's actions amounted to habitual threats.

GaaSyy became a popular YouTuber, posting videos about celebrity scandals on his channel. He was elected on the ticket of a minor opposition party under the proportional representation system in July last year, but was expelled from the House of Councillors in March for not attending any sessions of parliament.

According to the written indictment, GaaSyy allegedly intimidated Japanese actor Go Ayano, 41, and three other individuals on YouTube between February and September last year.

GaaSyy was placed on an international wanted list at one point, as he had been in the United Arab Emirates. Japanese police arrested him upon his return in June.

Related coverage:

Ex-lawmaker, YouTuber GaaSyy admits to threatening celebrities

Ex-lawmaker, YouTuber GaaSyy faces new intimidation charge

Ex-lawmaker YouTuber GaaSyy indicted over online threats
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 21st Sep, 2023) The Museum of the Future will host a Countdown to COP28 session led by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, alongside Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-level Champion for COP28. This special session will take place during the closing of Climate Future Week, scheduled at the Museum of the Future from 26th to 30th September, 2023.

The COP28 Presidency is calling on all parties to disrupt business as usual, unite around decisive action, and achieve game-changing results by focusing on four key areas: fast-tracking a just and orderly energy transition, addressing climate finance, prioritizing people's lives and livelihoods, and ensuring full inclusivity.

The inaugural Climate Future Week marks a key milestone during the UAE's Year of Sustainability as the country gears up to host COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with key sessions setting the scene for important discussions around the future of our climate.

This week-long event, held at the Museum of the Future in collaboration with Fiker Institute, supports the UAEs NetZero 2050 strategy and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to raise awareness of the significant challenges posed by climate change, while cultivating forward-thinking discussions and leveraging global environmental leadership to build tangible solutions for a more sustainable future. With themes covering Progress, Impact and Advancement as the main pillars, the event will include a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, insightful presentations, fireside chats, hands-on workshops and various activities led by experts in the climate, environmental and sustainability sectors with emphasis on architecture, design, technology, agriculture, creative industries and business.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation is set to highlight the role that artificial intelligence can play in climate resilience, while Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade will discuss the future of sustainable global trade. Also scheduled, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, will open the proceedings, highlighting the future of climate and the importance of planning for the path ahead, while Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), will address sustainable tourism initiatives and the D33 Agenda.

The event will also see Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF take to the stage to discuss innovation in nature conservation.

Al Olama commented, Under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and aligned with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE is supporting international efforts and bolstering global partnerships to protect communities and societies. Climate Future Week held during the UAE's Year of Sustainability, is a key platform for launching meaningful and effective dialogues at the national, regional and global levels, exchanging best practices, and developing plans and strategies in order to develop robust solutions to address the present challenges facing our planet, as well as those which may arise in the future.

Al Olama went on to underscore the importance of employing advanced technologies in the sectors of sustainability, environmental and climate protection, including artificial intelligence applications, which are able to accelerate the implementation of innovative technologies and qualitative solutions. This will further enhance opportunities for cooperation between various governments, institutions, and the private sector, thus contributing to achieving important milestones in international efforts to protect the earth.

This week will include around 30 sessions, 20 of which are public sessions, six workshops, and three flagship activations, including climate film screenings, a regional environmental photography exhibition and a climate start-up majlis.

It is set to highlight the global efforts towards a more sustainable future. The event is focused on driving climate action and delivering sustained outcomes around climate resilience as well as supporting the climate transition. As the regions most impactful gathering, it invites local, regional and global thought leaders and pioneers to launch new future technologies that support the drive against climate change, while also encouraging partners, stakeholders, and the wider public to collaborate in playing their part in building a better future for all.
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The 24th Tangshan China Ceramic Fair, a prestigious platform celebrating the art and business of ceramics, opened its doors recently in Tangshan City, Hebei Province. As global brands and discerning buyers converge, a particular exhibitor from Turkey captures the imagination with his mesmerizing collection.
USM Business Welcomes Outstanding 2023-24 EAGLE Scholars Program Cohort

Thu, 09/21/2023 - 02:08pm | By: Bailey Harris

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) College of Business and Economic Development is pleased to announce the 2023-24 selections for the EAGLE Scholars Program.

This prestigious scholarship and leadership development program is committed to fostering the growth and success of motivated undergraduate business students who embody integrity, a strong work ethic, dedication to completing their degrees, financial need, and outstanding academic achievement. The 2023-24 EAGLE Scholar recipients include:

Julian Atehortua  Junior, International Business; Hometown: Rionegro, Colombia

 Junior, International Business; Hometown: Rionegro, Colombia Lainey Bartlett  Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Vancleave, Mississippi

 Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Vancleave, Mississippi Abby Box  Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

 Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi DeAnthony Dickerson  Junior, Entrepreneurship; Hometown: Starkville, Mississippi

 Junior, Entrepreneurship; Hometown: Starkville, Mississippi Kathleen Garraway  Senior, Human Resources Management; Hometown: Madisonville, Louisiana

 Senior, Human Resources Management; Hometown: Madisonville, Louisiana Maggie Gressett  Senior, Marketing; Hometown: Lake, Mississippi

 Senior, Marketing; Hometown: Lake, Mississippi Alejandro Hung  Junior, Finance; Hometown: Porlamar, Venezuela

 Junior, Finance; Hometown: Porlamar, Venezuela Faith Kitowski  Junior, Merchandising; Hometown: Plover, Wisconsin

 Junior, Merchandising; Hometown: Plover, Wisconsin Andrew Myers  Senior, Accounting and Finance; Hometown: Slidell, Louisiana

 Senior, Accounting and Finance; Hometown: Slidell, Louisiana Haeden Overby  Senior, Hospitality and Tourism Management; Hometown: Oxford, Mississippi

 Senior, Hospitality and Tourism Management; Hometown: Oxford, Mississippi Ashlyn Roche  Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Mandeville, Louisiana

 Junior, Accounting; Hometown: Mandeville, Louisiana Desiree Rodriguez  Senior, Marketing; Hometown: Biloxi, Mississippi

 Senior, Marketing; Hometown: Biloxi, Mississippi Charla Thomas  Senior, Accounting; Hometown: Clinton, Mississippi

 Senior, Accounting; Hometown: Clinton, Mississippi Andrew Welch  Senior, Finance; Hometown: Hamilton, Mississippi

Russ Willis, director of the EAGLE Scholars Program, went on to congratulate these outstanding students and welcome them into a community of dedicated scholars and leaders.

I am pleased to welcome these new EAGLE scholars to this program, said Willis. Their selection into the program is not only an indication of what they have already accomplished at the university, but also their potential to be the next generation of ethical business leaders. This program helps students grow and mature in their professional development. We are not just training them for their first job but to be difference makers for their entire careers.

Dr. Bret Becton, dean of the college, had similar sentiments. This cohort is comprised of exceptional students who embody the type of integrity and dedication the EAGLE Scholars program was created to foster. Their achievements reflect their commitment to excellence, and we look forward to supporting them in their academic and professional journeys, said Becton.

EAGLE Scholars receive annual scholarships of up to $8,000, with the possibility of additional support for study abroad or summer school programs, amounting to up to $2,000. In addition to financial assistance, EAGLE Scholars are provided with invaluable opportunities to participate in a comprehensive series of leadership and professional development programs tailored to enhance their collegiate experiences.

The selection process for EAGLE Scholars is highly competitive, with candidates being evaluated on several criteria, including their work ethic, clear career goals, and a demonstrated commitment to completing their degrees. The scholarship is eligible for annual renewal, and program activities are customized to align with the student's academic progress.

For prospective applicants, the application window for the 2024-25 EAGLE Scholars Program is already open and will close on March 1, 2024. Learn more on eligibility and the application process.
The application period for student teams to enter the University of Wyomings 24th annual John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition is open until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16.

The competition is designed to encourage college students across Wyoming to act on their talents, ideas and energy to produce tomorrows leading businesses.

The John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition is a springboard at the University of Wyoming for students pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams, says Chris Haller, director of the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics. We look forward to cultivating a new crop of student teams that will be growing their businesses.

Student teams at the undergraduate and graduate levels from UW and Wyoming community colleges are invited to compete for cash prizes to help grow their businesses.

The competition features the following rounds: Round 1, executive summary application; Round 2, virtual pitch and written business concept; and Round 3, final presentation. The first two rounds will occur during the current semester, and Round 3 will take place April 24-25.

This past spring, eight teams competed in Round 3, with winners receiving $71,500 in prize money toward their businesses. Four of the 2023 teams participated in a course called Business Model Creation and Launch (ENTR 4700) offered by the UW College of Business. The course assists teams in developing and strengthening their business models, including aspects such as sales channel and marketing strategy, revenue model, cost structure and financials, and competitor analysis in preparation for their final presentations.

Last years competitors took advantage of several business resources and mentorship opportunities we were able to provide, says Corey Billington, the course instructor. It is important for us to continue to foster connection and community for these teams so that we can retain their energy and enthusiasm while simultaneously diversifying our Wyoming economy.

For students interested in learning more and applying, the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics will host an in-depth Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition information session and lunch Thursday, Oct. 5, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 123 of the College of Business Building.

Teams interested in competing should apply at www.uwyo.edu/business/entrepreneurship/ and click the competitor links. For more information, email Josie Voight, project coordinator, at voight@uwyo.edu.
Small-business owners will have an opportunity to delve deep into business financials Thursday, Sept. 28.

Pete Mancuso and Rob Condie will lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network business fitness webinar titled The Ins and Outs of Business Financials from noon-1 p.m. To register, go here. Registration is free.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

This webinar will dive into the differences between the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet. The webinar also will go into more detail on the different types of accounts and subaccounts small-business owners may encounter as they learn about business accounting. This webinar will be helpful for entrepreneurs who are already in business as well as those who have yet to launch.

Mancuso is a certified public accountant at Hallows & Co., a full-service accounting firm -- with offices in Rock Springs and three locations in Utah -- that specializes in small businesses. Condie is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties.

For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu.
A tourist visits Shanghai Film Museum in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 20, 2023. The 34th Shanghai Tourism Festival opened on Sept.16 and will last until Oct. 6, aiming to boost cultural and tourism consumption.

A total of 70 tourist attractions in Shanghai, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai wildlife park and Fengjing ancient town, as well as a raft of museums and parks, offer 50 percent discount on admission tickets from Sept. 16 to 22. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

A kid visits Shanghai Natural History Museum in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 20, 2023. The 34th Shanghai Tourism Festival opened on Sept.16 and will last until Oct. 6, aiming to boost cultural and tourism consumption.

A total of 70 tourist attractions in Shanghai, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai wildlife park and Fengjing ancient town, as well as a raft of museums and parks, offer 50 percent discount on admission tickets from Sept. 16 to 22. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

A tourist takes photos at Shanghai Film Museum in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 20, 2023. The 34th Shanghai Tourism Festival opened on Sept.16 and will last until Oct. 6, aiming to boost cultural and tourism consumption.

A total of 70 tourist attractions in Shanghai, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai wildlife park and Fengjing ancient town, as well as a raft of museums and parks, offer 50 percent discount on admission tickets from Sept. 16 to 22. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Tourists visit Shanghai Natural History Museum in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 20, 2023. The 34th Shanghai Tourism Festival opened on Sept.16 and will last until Oct. 6, aiming to boost cultural and tourism consumption.

A total of 70 tourist attractions in Shanghai, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai wildlife park and Fengjing ancient town, as well as a raft of museums and parks, offer 50 percent discount on admission tickets from Sept. 16 to 22. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses a national teleconference on forest and grassland fire prevention and control work this winter in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Thursday stressed the importance of efforts to prevent and fight wildfires this winter.

The world has this year experienced increasing adverse environmental factors such as high temperatures and extreme weather, posing challenges to forest and grassland fire prevention and control work, Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at a national teleconference.

In high-risk zones, fire services should inspect hazards in power transmission lines, oil-and-gas pipelines and agricultural production, he said.

He urged early improvements to emergency response, monitoring, warning and equipment-preparation procedures, calling for increased investment in fire-prevention and fire-fighting infrastructure and personnel. 
A report presented Thursday to the U.N. Human Rights Council accuses all parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia of widespread atrocities, many amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, despite a peace agreement signed nearly a year ago.

The blistering 21-page report from the three-member International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia documents wide-ranging atrocities committed since the conflict between the government and the Tigray Liberation Front erupted November 3, 2020.

In presenting the report, Mohamed Chande Othman, commission chair, warned that the failure of last year's agreement to end the hostilities has shattered optimism that the pact "would pave the way for an end to one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century, one which has devastated communities across northern Ethiopia."

600,000 deaths

The United Nations and other institutions estimate about 600,000 civilians in Tigray died and more than 2 million were displaced from November 2020 to August 2022.

"Not only has the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement failed to bring about any comprehensive peace," said Othman, "but atrocities are ongoing, and conflict, violence and instability is now near national in dimension."

He said the commission's investigation clearly shows the Ethiopian government and forces under its control, as well as the Eritrean forces in Ethiopia, continue to commit serious violations and atrocity crimes throughout the northern region.

"The Ethiopian national defense forces, Eritrean defense forces, regional forces and affiliated militias perpetrated violations in Tigray on a staggering scale, he said. "These included mass killings, widespread and systematic rape and sexual violence against women and girls, deliberate starvation, forced displacement and large-scale arbitrary detentions. These amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The commission report confirms that Tigray forces and allied militias also have committed gross violations against civilians in the Amhara and Afar regions, "including killings, widespread rape and sexual violence, destruction of property and looting, also amounting to war crimes."

The commission notes grave violations have spread beyond the north of the country to Oromia, where it uncovered "ongoing patterns by government forces of arrest, detention and torture of civilians."

Othman said, "These atrocities  past and ongoing, regardless of the affected region or community  are having severe and ongoing impacts on survivors, victims and their families and have seriously eroded the fabric of society."

He added: "The need for a credible and inclusive process of truth, justice, reconciliation and healing has never been more urgent."

Justice process criticized

The report notes the government of Ethiopia has failed to effectively prevent or investigate violations and has instead initiated a flawed transitional justice consultation process in which victims remain overlooked.

The commission urged the Human Rights Council to ensure continued robust international investigations and public reporting of the situation in Ethiopia.

This advice did not sit well with Ethiopia's permanent representative at the U.N. in Geneva, Tsegab Kebebew. He said the commission's report and findings were based on highly questionable methodological approaches and from very remote locations, which "have grossly mischaracterized the positive and widely acclaimed political developments in Ethiopia."

He called the report substandard, professionally deficient and conspicuously political, noting that since the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, Ethiopia has redoubled its efforts to consolidate peace in the country.

"However, we noted with profound regret that the commission has not shown any inclination to recognize the tremendous progress registered in Ethiopia in the silencing of guns  following the African Union-led and Ethiopian-owned peace process," he said.

African Group backing

Ethiopia received support from the African Group at the U.N., which told the council that Ethiopia's Transitional Justice Policy "will make significant contributions to restoring peace and security, dispensing justice and ensuring compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law."

The African Group said it welcomed the measures taken by Ethiopia and "in light of these developments, the group welcomes the decision of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to terminate the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Ethiopia."

It added that the African Group understands that with the submission of its final report, the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia "henceforth stands terminated by the council."

The African Group found welcome backing from the Eritrean government, which called on the Human Rights Council to engage constructively with the government of Ethiopia and "requests the council not to extend the mandate of the commission."

The council will vote next month on whether to renew the commission's mandate after its scheduled expiration in December.
Representatives for ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh met Thursday with the Azerbaijan government to discuss the future of the breakaway region.

The talks in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, come a day after local fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to lay down their arms to end an offensive by Azerbaijans forces.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold its own talks about the situation on Thursday.

Gunfire was reported Thursday in the main city in Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Stepanakert and Azeris call Khankendi. Ethnic Armenians accused Azerbaijan of violating the cease-fire, which Azerbaijans defense ministry denied.

Russia, which has peacekeepers in the region, said Thursday it had evacuated 5,000 civilians from the area.

Thousands of protesters gathered Wednesday in Yerevan, Armenias capital, to call on the government to protect Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used a televised address Wednesday to claim victory, saying Azerbaijan had restored the regions sovereignty.

Azerbaijan said it launched its operation Tuesday 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.

Along with Russia, the EU and the United States have an interest in the region and have held talks that are expected to continue, according to Mary Glantz, senior advisor on Russia and Europe Center at the United States Institute of Peace.

The security of both sides and maintaining some sort of peace between those populations going forward is going to be a key issue [for] the international community  not just Russia and Turkey, but the EU and the United States, Glantz told VOAs Azerbaijan Service.

The security council will be convening to discuss the ongoing issues in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which, Glantz hopes, will be able to reach some sort of plan to ensure peace going forward.

The military conquering of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan is just a piece of it, she said. Reintegrating the actual populations  having them live together side by side, the ethnic Azerbaijanis and the ethnic Armenians  is going to be an ongoing process.

Some information for this story provided by the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
President Joe Biden met with his Brazilian counterpart on Wednesday and launched a joint effort to improve work conditions  one of the few key areas of agreement between the two leaders, whose views on Russia and China do not align.

Both presidents stressed their convergence in remarks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, as they launched the global workers' rights initiative.

"The two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere are standing up for human rights around the world and in the hemisphere," Biden said. "That includes workers' rights."

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has called for greater recognition for developing nations like his, described their meeting as "the rebirth of a new era in the relationship between the U.S. and Brazil. It is a relationship of equals."

Valerie Wirtschafter, who researches the region at the Brookings Institution, told VOA that Washington and Brasilia are finding a diplomatic balance under Biden and Lula. Both followed presidents who were better known for their bold public pronouncements than for their skills at delicate diplomacy.

"There will likely always be divergences between Brazil and the U.S. with respect to foreign policy, but I think the Biden administration has so far done an effective job of avoiding a whole-cloth dismissal of Brazil's foreign policy ambitions, while pushing back when necessary," she said.

'Brazil is back'

Lula, who served two terms as president from 2003 to 2011, was re-elected in 2022 and has spent the first year of this presidential stint on a diplomatic blitz, visiting more than 20 countries and meeting with dozens of heads of state. He recently took over the presidency of the Group of 20 major and developing economies, known as the G20.

"Brazil is reencountering itself, the region, the world and multilateralism," he said during his speech Tuesday at the General Assembly  the first time he has taken his place at the distinctive green marble-backed rostrum since 2009. "As I never tire of saying, Brazil is back. Our country is back to give our due contribution to face the world's primary challenges."

But as Wirtschafter noted, Brasilia is careful about which challenges it discusses with which partner.

"Issues like workers' rights and climate change seem to be clear areas of overlap between the two nations, and offer fruitful potential for meaningful cooperation outside of much of the rhetorical noise," she said.

She cited the Brazilian leader's "recent eyebrow-raising rhetoric  including, to name a few, statements about a thriving democracy in Venezuela and off-the-cuff comments that he later walked back about not arresting [Russian President] Vladimir Putin if he attended next year's G20 summit in Brazil."

The White House said the two discussed both Venezuela and Ukraine in their closed-door meeting, with Biden tying democratization in Venezuela to sanctions relief, and with Biden expressing his concerns about the effects of Russia's invasion on the global food supply.

That summary of their meeting did not mention another sensitive diplomatic issue that has divided much of the world. Earlier this year, Lula traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to build business ties.

"There seems to be a concerted effort by Brazil's foreign policy establishment not to view the growing systemic competition between China and the United States in terms of a zero-sum game," analyst Ryan Berg, director of the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote at the time.

"Hence, Brazil will tend to compartmentalize its relationship with partners based on specific affinities. In theory, this allows its foreign policy to engage with a wider range of actors."

Leaders laud labor

Biden and Lula described their new partnership on labor as a way to stop the exploitation of workers and forced and child labor, as well as workplace discrimination, and create a possible template for others in the G20 to join.

The two leaders also want guarantees that the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy emphasizes workers' rights.

Biden sees support from organized labor as an essential part of his 2024 reelection effort, stressing that his policies will create factory and construction jobs that do not require a college degree.

Lula got his start in politics as the leader of a powerful metalworkers union and, on Wednesday, highlighted that he spent more than two decades in factories and has no degree himself.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
Canada's High Commission said Thursday it would "adjust" the number of its diplomats in India after threats on social media against staff, as a diplomatic row with New Delhi escalates.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded India treat with "utmost seriousness" allegations that Indian agents played a role in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver.

The fallout prompted diplomatic expulsions and a forceful denial from India, which said any suggestion it played a role in Nijjar's killing was "absurd."

"In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats," Canada's mission said in a statement.

"With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India," it added.

"As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India."

Earlier on Thursday, India's official visa processor in Canada said it had been told to stop handling applications.

Shortly after the announcement was splashed across Indian media, BLS International removed the notice from their website. There was no immediate comment from India's foreign ministry.

The suspension of visas comes a day after India's foreign ministry said it was concerned for the safety of its citizens in Canada because of "politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence".

"Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," a ministry statement said Wednesday.

"Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid traveling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents."

The advisory did not name specific cities or locations for Indians to avoid.

Nijjar was shot dead by two masked assailants outside the Sikh temple he presided over in Surrey, an outer suburb of Vancouver.

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.

He had denied those charges, according to the World Sikh Organization of Canada, a nonprofit organization that says it defends the interests of Canadian Sikhs.

The Indian government accuses Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalists who advocate the creation of an independent Sikh state to be carved out of northern India.
Scorching conditions have come early to parts of Australia, with an extreme fire danger warning issued for Sydney and emergency crews battling blazes across Tasmania and Queensland.

A record spell of September heat is baking southern states in temperatures up to 18 degrees Celsius above average.

About a dozen towns in the country's southeast have already broken longstanding September temperature records.

The spring heat has intensified the risk of bushfires.

Almost 70 blazes are burning across the state of New South Wales. Several are out of control. An extreme fire danger warning was issued Tuesday for Sydney and surrounding areas.

Emergency crews have fought fires on the citys suburban fringes. Flames threatened homes near the township of Wedderburn, 80 kilometers southwest of downtown Sydney. The outbreak was fueled by a combination of warm temperatures, strong winds and tinder-dry scrub and forest.

Jason Johnson, an incident controller with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service told reporters that conditions are challenging for crews.

It is a very dangerous thing that we do, not only the fire, the heat that the guys have to deal with out on the ground, exhaustion. Obviously, they are all volunteers so they may be coming from work and actually going out and fighting the fires," he said. "We are looking at some very hot days over summer and well be prepared for whatever comes up for us.

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared that an El Nino is underway in Australia. The weather pattern is linked to hot, dry conditions that can increase the threat of wildfires.

At Wallacia, on the western outskirts of Sydney, firefighters and a helicopter spent much of Tuesday trying to control a blaze that came close to several properties.

Homeowner Steve Dunbar told local media that the flames were intense.

It was raging, mate. It was really, really on fire. There was trucks everywhere, there was trucks all in this area here, the helicopter was bombing it. A lot of smoke, a lot of flames," he said. "We were just basically standing back waiting to protect the houses but it was worrying for a while, absolutely.

Cooler conditions Thursday have provided some relief, but many fires continue to burn.

Scientists have warned that climate change is making Australia more vulnerable to fires and other natural disasters.

The 2019-20 "Black Summer" fires destroyed an area of land the size of the United Kingdom.
On September 18, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave an exclusive interview to the U.S. television program PBS NewsHour ahead of his speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

Under Erdogan's two-decade-plus rule, Turkey has become one of the worlds most prolific jailers of journalists and human rights activists.

The interviewer, Amna Nawaz, asked Erdogan if he is threatened by these people.

Erdogan became combative, questioning why Nawaz was interested in the topic and chalking up the prosecutions to the countrys courts, which he implied are independent:

Turkey has a state of law. Such decisions can only be made by the judiciary. And if this is what the judiciary has decided to do, let the decisions or the judgments of the judiciary be respected and executed.

When asked follow-up questions regarding the prosecution of his opponents, the Turkish president became combative:

Don't interrupt. You have no right to interrupt. You're not going to interrupt me. And respect me. And you are going to respect the judgment of the judiciary, as well.

The American judiciary is a full-fledged judiciary. So is the judiciary of Turkey. And you have to respect that. We are a state of law, and inside that state of law, this is how we lived, and this is how we will keep on living.

That is misleading. Despite claims of judicial independence, Erdogan has used Turkeys courts to target dissent.

Following a failed July 15, 2016, coup, Turkish authorities sought to purge followers of Fethullah Gulen, an exiled cleric living in the United States, from the civil service, military and academia. Erdogan blames Gulen, a former ally, for the 2016 coup. Gulen denies any role in the plot.

In July 2022, Turkeys then internal affairs minister, Suleyman Soylus, said authorities had detained 332,884 and arrested 101,000 people following the coup attempt over their alleged affiliation with the Gulen movement, which Turkey labeled a terrorist organization.

Erdogan called the coup attempt a gift from God that allowed him to cleanse our army.

Critics said it gave him a pretext to purge the judiciary of dissenting voices, as Turkish authorities jailed or dismissed thousands of judges and prosecutors from their posts.

The Belgium-based Arrested Lawyers Initiative, which advocates for lawyers and human rights defenders in Turkey, said years of relentless targeting of the independence of the Turkish judiciary has given Erdogan absolute control over it.

According to a May 2020 Reuters investigation, the purge hollowed out Turkeys justice system even as the caseload exploded.

Reuters found that following the purges, 45% of Turkeys roughly 21,000 judges and prosecutors had three years of experience or less. Lacking experience, the loyal and inexperienced judges were tasked with handling a dramatic spike in workload from coup-related prosecutions.

Lawyers interviewed by Reuters also said the increasingly common practice of switching judges during trials was a means for the government to exert control over the courts.

Lawyers who opted to defend individuals in terrorism cases have been targeted with prosecution.

In its 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. State Department, citing human rights organizations, said that as of November 2022, Turkish authorities had prosecuted more than 1,600 lawyers, arrested 615, and sentenced 551 to lengthy prison terms on terrorism-related charges since the 2016 coup attempt.

Authorities have charged people, including members of parliament, with supporting terrorism merely for sharing news articles on social media advocating peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is banned in Turkey.

Turkey Tribunal, a Belgium-based nongovernmental organization set up to adjudicate human rights violations in Turkey, said Turkeys courts have failed to protect fundamental rights, leaving citizens under the arbitrary exercise of power by the Executive.

In February 2020, Dunja Mijatovic, Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, called on Turkey to restore judicial independence, saying the rule of law in the country was severely threatened.

Mijatovic said Turkish authorities needed to reverse the measures implemented under the post-coup state of emergency, which had devastating consequences on judicial independence and impartiality and threatened the rule of law and human rights in Turkey.

Mijatovic further expressed alarm that Turkeys judiciary had displayed unprecedented levels of disregard for even the most basic principles of law, particularly in terrorism-related cases.

During the PBS interview, Nawaz asked Erdogan about the prosecution of Osman Kavala, an activist and philanthropist who was sentenced to life in prison in July 2022 for financing anti-government protests.

Amnesty International said the prosecuting authorities had "repeatedly failed to provide any evidence substantiating the baseless charges that Kavala, who had been involved in civil society projects for decades, was attempting to overthrow the government.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Europes highest court, concluded that the arrest and pre-trial detention took place in the absence of evidence to support a reasonable suspicion he had committed an offense.

The court found that Turkey had essentially prosecuted Kavala to reduce him to silence as a human rights defender.

The ECHR called on Turkey to immediately release Kavala, citing the violations that occurred in his prosecution.

Although Turkey is a party to the European Convention on Human Rights and was bound to follow the courts decision, Turkish authorities refused to release Kavala.

In July 2022, the court, for only the second time in its 63-year history, initiated infringement proceedings against Turkey for not abiding by its ruling.

Helen Duffy of the Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project, a New York-based nongovernmental organization, said the ruling is an acknowledgment of Turkeys ever-deepening rule of law crisis."

The World Justice Project, a Washington-based international civil society organization seeking to "advance the rule of law around the world," ranked Turkey 116th out of 140 countries in its 2022 Rule of Law Index.
Haiti and Kenya established diplomatic relations on Wednesday.

The move comes amid international discussions over the possibility of Kenya leading a United Nations-backed multinational security force to help police fight escalating gang warfare in Haiti.

The United Nations Security Council could vote on the multinational force for Haiti in about a week, Brian Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for western hemisphere affairs, said in an interview with Voice of America this week.

Henry's government first sought international assistance last October, but despite repeated calls from the United Nations, the request went unanswered until Kenya said it was prepared to lead such a group in July.

With scarce resources, Haiti's police have been battling powerful gangs now estimated to control large parts of the country.

Kenyan President William Ruto and Henry witnessed the signing of the pact establishing ties at the Kenyan mission in New York.

"As the leading nation in the U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti, we are committed to deploying a specialized team," Ruto said in a statement issued by his office.

The team would assess the situation and prepare strategies to ensure long-term solutions, he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UN Security Council  and he doesnt hold back. We take a look at the latest on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Plus the U.S. Congress discusses Taiwan while it seems unable to agree on a way to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Cardinal, Louis Sako, is asking for more Vatican support to regain his title of patriarch, stripped from him in July by the Iraqi president. Analysts and others say the move was likely instigated by a Chaldean Catholic militia leader with ties to Iran seeking a land grab.

Sako and observers accuse Rayan al-Kildani, a leader of a nominally Chaldean Catholic militia in Iraq, the Babylon Brigades, and closely tied to Iran, of getting him stripped of his title as patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic church, one of the worlds oldest Christian churches in communion with Rome.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned al-Kildani in 2019 for alleged human rights abuses, while critics accuse him of seeking control of Chaldean Church assets, including properties that Sako oversees. Sako is appealing for more help from the Vatican to restore his position.

I want the Vatican also to take a strong position, Sako told reporters through an interpreter in an online forum this week. We need to resolve this problem and defend this very old church. Weve 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.

Sako helped organize Pope Francis historic visit to Iraq in 2021, meant to reconcile various religious and ethnic communities. But analyst Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy told VOA that Iran is using militia leader al-Kilani to grab church and other Christian property in Iraq.

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, Knights said. Thats 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. Its the only thing that is holding Rayan al-Kildani back.

Joseph Amar, an emeritus professor of Christianity in the Middle East at the University of Notre Dame, told VOA that while other Christian denominations in Iraq also recognize Cardinal Sako as their advocate and spokesman and stand with him, there are concerns for the communitys future, as numbers have dwindled to some 150,000 following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, while Irans influence grows in government. Sakos own leverage is a concern.

But with his actual authority diminished the way it is, that rallying point is going to diminish also, Amar said. Because he wont be able to deliver the way he has in the past. He had all of the contacts in the West behind him. Other Christian minorities recognized that, so they made common cause, which gave them all strength. Now with the degree of the exodus, theres just very few people left to rally behind him. Iran knows this."

Amar said that the Vatican is being super careful here because it doesnt know who to talk to in Iraq right now because of the chaos in the government.
TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday expressed Tehran's all-efforts readiness to help ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.

He made the remarks in a message addressed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to congratulate him on Armenia's Independence Day, while reacting to the recent tensions in the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office.

Raisi said Iran, within the framework of its neighbor-oriented policy, demands improved security, convergence and welfare in the South Caucasus region.

In a separate congratulatory message to Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan on the same day, Raisi hailed the expanding bilateral cooperation over the past years.

He added this is indicative of the positive and promising perspective and future of bilateral relations, expressing hope that ties between the two friendly and neighboring countries would further develop and deepen in different areas and dimensions in the coming years, benefiting the two peoples.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, demanding the ethnic Armenian forces withdraw from the territory.

On Wednesday, the Azerbaijani government and ethnic Armenian forces in the region agreed to a Russian-proposed cease-fire, taking effect on the same day.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads over Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. They fought a war over the region in the early 1990s, which ended with a cease-fire in 1994. A new round of armed conflict broke out along the contact line on Sept. 27, 2020, before Russia brokered the 2020 truce. 
Kenya is marking 10 years since a group of Somali al-Shabab militants attacked a major shopping mall in Nairobi, killing more than 60 people. While terror threats in the capital have since decreased, the group continues to perpetrate attacks along Kenya's coast and in the countrys northeastern region.

One Saturday in 2013, four armed men from the al-Shabab terror group stormed Westgate Mall, attacking shoppers and killing anyone on sight.

The attack was followed by a siege, wherein the attackers engaged security forces in a gun battle for days. In the end, 67 people were killed and more than 150 were injured.

Thirty-six-year-old John Wangombe worked as an IT expert and was among the hundreds trapped in the mall that day. The father of three said he is happy to be alive.

"Now things have changed. At that time, I was single and now I am married. I would say thank God he gave me another chance to live. I would say the country is a bit secure. We don't have an al-Shabab attack at the moment in our city. The security is now better compared to that time," he said.

Kenyan security forces were criticized for how they handled the attack and for lack of coordination in dealing with the militants.

Richard Tuta, a Nairobi-based security analyst, said the mall attack has changed how Kenyan security forces deal with terror threats and attacks.

"It has even shaped how our security agencies are structured currently. If you look at how our security agencies were structured before and after, a lot has changed. Secondly, now we have a well-trained, well-equipped, well-structured anti-terror police unit that is fused with the intelligence component within it, unlike before," he said.

In October 2020, a Kenyan court found two men guilty for their roles in the deadly 2013 mall attack. Convicted of conspiring with and aiding the attackers, the men were sentenced to prison.

But the security improvements and some courtroom convictions have yet to heal the hundreds who survived and lost family and friends.

In 2015, the mall reopened for shopping. Wangombe has since visited the mall, but bad memories prevent him from returning.

"I would say the security was a bit better. You could see the security guys looked experienced. But even with that security, there is that fear that you have: It can happen again. I remember where we were hiding. I remember that building where I used to work. If I go there, it will bring bad memories," he said.

A heightened security presence in the capital has reduced the number of attacks, but al-Shabab continues to carry out frequent attacks in northeastern and coastal regions.

Tuta said eradicating terrorism is no easy task.

"Terrorism is something that is there to stay. It's there to stay. It's not something that one country can boast of that it has done away with it. Actually, what it can do is to transform itself in terms of operations and in terms of selections of targets and in terms of how they undertake it. But it will be there for a while  because, remember, this is an ideology," he said.

Al-Shabab has vowed to wage war against Kenya until Kenyan troops are withdrawn from the country, where they were deployed in 2011.
Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish woman who died in custody a year ago, and billionaire Elon Musk were among a field of nominations put forward Wednesday for the EU's top rights prize.

The European Parliament's three biggest political groups each backed Amini as the recipient for this year's Sakharov Prize, making her the front-runner for the award, which will be presented in December.

The legislature's small far-right bloc was the only one to nominate Musk, the tech titan behind X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, as well as electric car company Tesla and space rocket firm SpaceX.

Other parliamentary groupings put forward activists from Afghanistan, Georgia, Nicaragua, Poland, El Salvador and the United States as their nominations.

Amini died at age 22 on September 16, 2022, while being held by Iran's religious police for allegedly breaching the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Iranian authorities, fearing the anniversary of her death could renew widespread street protests, detained her father and warned her family not to publicly mark the occasion, rights groups said.

Security forces also blocked access to the cemetery where Amini is buried.

But Persian-language channels based outside Iran showed Iranians in major cities in the country, including Tehran, yelling anti-government slogans.

Rallies also took place around the world, including in Paris, Sydney, Toronto and New York.

Amini has become emblematic of a movement in Iran calling for "Women, Life, Freedom," seen as the biggest challenge to the country's clerical-run government.

The EU lawmakers' nominations of Amini for the Sakharov Prize include the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement.

Musk was put forward by the Identity and Democracy grouping in the parliament, which counts nationalistic and extreme-right lawmakers among its members.

Musk has sought to portray himself as a champion of free speech, but has been criticized by some rights groups as permitting increased anti-Semitic rhetoric and other hate speech on X.

He also has courted controversy for allowing Donald Trump, the scandal-plagued, twice-impeached former U.S. president, and other populist figures adored by the far-right back onto X.
Morocco plans to spend at least $11.7 billion in a post-earthquake reconstruction plan over the next five years, the royal palace said Wednesday.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck 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 government'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 $3,000 to affected households.

It also pledged to offer reconstruction aid of $14,000 for collapsed homes and $8,000 for damaged ones.
U.S. President Joe Biden met Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. They discussed Irans nuclear threat, Israels expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, and its attempts to overhaul the countrys judicial system, which critics say is a threat to democracy. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.
Kai Koerber was a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman killed 14 students and three staff members there on Valentines Day in 2018.

Seeing his peers  and himself  struggle with returning to normal, he wanted to do something to help people manage their emotions on their own terms.

While some of his classmates at the Parkland, Florida, school have worked on advocating for gun control, entered politics or simply taken a step back to heal and focus on their studies, Koerbers background in technology  hed originally wanted to be a rocket scientist  led him in a different direction: to build a smartphone app.

The result was Joy: AI Wellness Platform, which uses artificial intelligence to suggest bite-sized mindfulness activities for people based on how they are feeling. The algorithm Koerbers team built is designed to recognize how people feel from the sounds of their voices  regardless of the words or language they speak.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the first thing that came to mind after weve experienced this horrible, traumatic event  how are we going to personally recover? he said. Its great to say OK, were going to build a better legal infrastructure to prevent gun sales, increased background checks, all the legislative things. But people really werent thinking about ... the mental health side of things.

Like many of his peers, Koerber said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for a "very long time" and only recently has it gotten a little better.

So, when I came to Cal, I was like, 'Let me just start a research team that builds some groundbreaking AI and see if thats possible,' said the 23-year-old, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley earlier this year. The idea was to provide a platform to people who were struggling with, lets say sadness, grief, anger ... to be able to get a mindfulness practice or wellness practice on the go that meets our emotional needs on the go.

He said it was important to offer activities that can be done quickly, sometimes lasting just a few seconds, wherever the user might be.

Mohammed Zareef-Mustafa, a former classmate of Koerber's who's been using the app for a few months, said the voice-emotion recognition part is different than anything I've ever seen before.

I use the app about three times a week, because the practices are short and easy to get into. It really helps me quickly de-stress before I have to do things, like job interviews, he said.

To use Joy, you simply speak into the app. The AI is supposed to recognize how you are feeling from your voice, then suggest short activities.

It doesnt always get your mood right, so it's possible to manually pick your disposition. Lets say you are feeling neutral at the moment. The app suggests several activities, such as 15-second exercise called mindful consumption that encourages you to think about all the lives and beings involved in producing what you eat or use that day.

Yet another activity helps you practice making an effective apology. Feeling sad? A suggestion pops up asking you to track how many times you've laughed over a seven-day period and tally it up at the end of the week to see what moments gave you a sense of joy, purpose or satisfaction.

The iPhone app is available for an $8 monthly subscription, with a discount if you subscribe for a whole year. Its a work in progress, and as it goes with AI, the more people use it, the more accurate it becomes.

A plethora of wellness apps on the market claim to help people with mental health issues, but its not always clear whether they work, said Colin Walsh, a professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University who has studied the use of AI in suicide prevention. According to Walsh, it is feasible to take someones voice and glean some aspects of their emotional state.

The challenge is if you as a user feel like its not really representing what you think your current state is like, thats an issue," he said. "There should be some mechanism by which that feedback can go back.

The stakes also matter. Facebook, for instance, faced criticism for its suicide prevention tool, which used AI (as well as humans) to flag users who may be contemplating suicide, and  in some serious cases  contact law enforcement to check on the person. But if the stakes are lower, Walsh said, if the technology is simply directing someone to spend some time outside, it's unlikely to cause harm.

Koerber said people tend to forget, after mass shootings, that survivors dont just bounce back right away from the trauma they experienced. It takes years to recover.

This is something that people carry with them, in some way, shape or form, for the rest of their lives, he said.
Washington said Thursday that Poland remained a close ally of Ukraine, after Warsaw said it would no longer provide Kyiv with weapons amid an escalating dispute over food imports.

At a press briefing Thursday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan played down the dispute.

When I read the headlines this morning, I was of course concerned and had questions. But Ive subsequently seen the Polish government spokesman come out to clarify that in fact Polands provision of equipment, including things like Polish-manufactured Howitzers, is continuing and that Poland continues to stand behind Ukraine, Sullivan said.

Weapons transfers

Questioned about his countrys support for Kyiv on Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that no new weapons would be sent to Ukraine.

We are no longer transferring any weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming ourselves with the most modern weapons, he told Polands Polsat News.

Warsaw later clarified that it was continuing to supply arms and ammunition that were part of previously agreed upon deliveries.

Poland has until now been one of Ukraines closest allies since Russias invasion in February 2022. The country has taken in an estimated 1.6 million refugees and has provided Kyiv with significant military support, including German-made Leopard 2 and Soviet-era T-72 tanks, along with MiG-29 fighter jets.

Poland has been one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine in terms of generating support to give the more risky weapon platforms  pushing the Germans and saying it was going to give tanks to sort of push the Germans and the U.K., and a similar way with fighter jets, said Patrick Bury, a security analyst at Britains University of Bath.

Escalation

The timing and tone of Morawieckis words surprised many of Polands allies, said Marcin Zaborowski, policy director of the Future of Security Program at GLOBSEC, a Bratislava research group.

I see a high level of escalation. The statement about stopping to send new arms to Ukraine was, in my opinion, completely unnecessary, and it echoed in a very negative way in the world, Zaborowski told Reuters, adding that Polish elections set for October 15 were exacerbating the tensions.

What an average Ukrainian citizen would hear is that Poles stop helping. Of course, there is hope that this rhetoric will be reversed after the elections, but some kind of capital of common trust, which has been built in the recent months, will be seriously tarnished.

Grain imports

The dispute began after Poland, Hungary and Slovakia imposed unilateral bans on the import of some Ukrainian food products last week, after temporary European Union restrictions expired.

European states bordering Ukraine have provided a key alternative route to global markets for Ukraine, as Russias invasion cut off many routes through the Black Sea. However, several neighboring states claimed the Ukrainian imports were not transiting through Europe but were instead being sold on local markets and undercutting their own farmers.

Ukraine immediately lodged a complaint at the World Trade Organization. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told delegates at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that it was alarming to see how some in Europe ... are helping set the stage for a Moscow actor.

Ambassador summoned

Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador following Zelenskyys comments. Polish President Andrzej Duda likened Ukraine to a drowning man.

Of course, we have to act in a way to protect ourselves from being harmed by the drowning one, because once the drowning man hurts us, it will not get help from us, Duda told reporters Tuesday.

Both sides appeared to try to de-escalate the dispute Thursday. Ukraine's agriculture minister said he had agreed with his Polish counterpart to work out a solution to the trade dispute. Kyiv also agreed to license its grain exports to Slovakia.

Russia likely sees splits in Western unity, Bury said.

Its not a good look, and of course that is how Russia will view it. Now the question is, do we give them any more evidence of it, or is that just a line drawn under it? he told VOA.
When protests whirled by his home early this week, Khalid Alkowash, 42, a local government worker in Derna, Libya was concerned but not surprised.

Thousands of people were dead and thousands more missing because dams that were known to need repair burst. People were angry. And now, with most journalists barred from working in Derna, locals have increasingly few outlets to express this anger publicly.

"They were out of their minds, Alkowash said outside his home near the city mayors house, charred from fires set by protesters. They were breaking things, shouting, chanting.

The massive floods in eastern Libya hit Derna Sept. 11, sweeping entire neighborhoods into the sea, and devastating the region. The International Organization for Migration says more than 43,000 people were displaced. Divers pulled 125 bodies from the sea on Wednesday, and rescue workers are searching for thousands more.

On Monday, Dernas main square was crowded with thousands of protesters, who started the day, chanting, God is Great! and Libya is One Nation! As the day dragged on, they began calling for the fall of the government and the resignation of the citys mayor.

By phone from Derna on Wednesday, Safwat Elgiathi, a 24-year-old middle school teacher, said residents are angry at every level of government that could have prevented the infrastructure failure that led to the floods.

We have every kind of aid, he said. [We need] responsibility.

Journalists ordered out

Oversight from outsiders moving forward, however, appears to be unlikely, according to locals.

In the days following Mondays protest, many international journalists were ordered to leave the city. Others attempting to travel to Derna were turned back. Prior to the protest, regional authorities refused entrance to multiple international news teams.

Some officials said journalists were disrupting the work of the rescue and recovery missions and others warned of potential breakouts of diseases, which is one of many calamities that can befall cities after major floods.

For residents, the departure of the media was worrying because the world has to see what happens here, said Elgiathi. But as they struggle with trauma and the daily toil of searching for bodies, he said reporters are not the first concern.

Many people have left Derna, he added, but he and others remaining plan to stay to locate and bury the missing. On the night of the floods, his aunt, her family, other cousins and many of his friends all disappeared.

It was a terrifying and painful night, said Elgiathi. Peoples screams that night still echo in my ears to this day.
Warming relations between North Korea and Russia could last as long as the war in Ukraine continues, making Pyongyang either disposable or expandable to Moscow, depending on its need for ammunition and interest in overturning the U.S.-led international order, experts said.

As U.S. President Joe Biden called on global leaders to support Ukraine at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned home after his six-day trip to Russia, during which he pledged to provide "full and unconditional support" for Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.

Kim arrived in Pyongyang in his private train on Tuesday evening, North Koreas state-run KCNA said the following day. His "good will visit" to Russia "opened a new chapter of the development" between the two countries, touted KCNA on Tuesday as Kims train crossed the border.

Using a slightly different tone from North Koreas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday that Kim and Putin did not sign any agreements on cooperation, military or otherwise.

Putin said during his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday that Russia does not intend to violate any sanctions on North Korea. Putin made his remarks two days after meeting with Kim.

KCNA said on Sunday that Kim discussed defense and security cooperation and exchanges with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Vladivostok.

Kim's trip included a summit with Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome satellite launch facility in Russias far eastern Amur region on Sept. 13 and inspections of fighter jets in Komsomolsk-on-Amur as well as the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok on Saturday.

Although the specifics of possible but unsigned arms deals between Pyongyang and Moscow were not made public, world leaders gathered at the United Nations are concerned that North Korea and Russia would exchange items banned by the U.N.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries expressed concerns over "Russia-North Korea cooperation" that "could lead to violation" of U.N. sanctions.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned in his speech before the U.N. on Wednesday that Seoul would consider any arms deals between the two nations "a direct provocation."

North Korea needs technological help to send a spy satellite into orbit after failed attempts in May and August. But the technology used to launch satellites into orbit could be also used to enhance intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are banned by the U.N. sanctions on the North.

Russia wants to replenish its depleting stockpiles of ammunition and artillery shells to sustain its war in Ukraine. It turned to North Korea late last year for those weapons, the U.S. said, even though U.N. sanctions prohibit importing arms from Pyongyang.

Although their military needs brought Kim and Putin together, some experts say their new relationship is based on short-term transactional exchanges bound to end when their needs no longer exist.

Cho Han-Bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a think tank in Seoul, said the Kim-Putin bonding is a temporary alignment rooted in Russias need for weapons to fight in Ukraine.

"North Korea and Russian wont be closely drawn together as they are now if Putins needs for the war in Ukraine are satisfied," he said.

Won Gon Park, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, agreed.

"The relationship between North Korea and Russia is a kind of marriage of convenience rather than strategic partnership," he said.

Putin and Kim are cooperating to evade sanctions, he added, as both countries are isolated by international and U.S.-led sanctions designating them as countries that commit illegal acts.

Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the U.S.-led coalitions since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. North Korea has been sanctioned by multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions for testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, especially since 2016.

Attempts to pass new U.N. sanctions on North Koreas record number of missile launches last year had been blocked by Russia and China, permanent members of the Security Council.

Other experts, however, view the war in Ukraine as unlikely to end soon and see a continuation of the Kim-Putin relationship despite differences in their trajectory of cooperation.

"Putins calculation is more short-term than Kims," said Alexander Korolev, an expert in Russias foreign policy at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

After Putins weaponry needs are fulfilled, "Kim could theoretically be disposed of at some point, but the problem is that the war in Ukraine is unlikely to end soon, and even if it ends, the sanctions regime against Russia will stay for longer, which makes Putin more willing to consider longer term cooperation," Korolev said.

He added that Kim is not essential to Putin in countering the U.S.-led international order in the long run because "China is a better partner for that."

"Moreover, given how close North Korea is to China, closer Russia-North Korea cooperation could be a convenient and less visible way for China to support Russia when necessary," Korolev said.

The warming Kim-Putin relationship "is also about diversifying their options, such as exchanging and securing assets that cannot be gained from Beijing  particularly ammunition and military technologies," said Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, a senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Kim, on the other hand, might want "a longer-term partnership" as he needs "a whole range of things," said Samuel Wells, a Cold War fellow at the Wilson Center.

But Putin is probably satisfied with short-term transactional exchanges because "the Russians dont need that much from the North Koreans," Wells said. "A lot of it depends on how the Ukraine war goes."

Some expect the recent warming of Kim-Putin relations may outlast immediate needs for Russias war in Ukraine, evolving into strategic cooperation to overturn the U.S.-led international system, also their common goal.

"Even after the war in Ukraine, both of these countries will want to maintain this newly established allied relationship," said Joseph DeTrani, special envoy for six-party denuclearization talks with North Korea during the George W. Bush administration.

"Both Putin and Kim want a long-term strategic partnership" to "challenge the U.S.-led international order" and each has the other to come to their aid during conflicts, he said.

Although North Korea is "a partner of convenience" for Russia, said Evans Revere, "Putin no doubt sees Pyongyang as a tactically useful partner because of its ability to challenge the U.S.-led alliance system." Revere served as the acting assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs during the George W. Bush administration.

"Moscow finds the DPRK [North Korea] a useful tool to remind the United States that, just as Washington is finding ways to hurt Russia by supporting Ukraine, Russia can threaten U.S. interests by supporting North Korea," he added.
Ukrainian officials said Thursday that Russian forces carried out aerial attacks on multiple cities overnight, killing at least two people.

Ukraines military described the Russian action as a "massive missile attack on the civilian infrastructure of a number of regions."

Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor of Kherson, said a Russian strike hit a residential building, killing two people and injuring five others.

Sergiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram that debris fell on the Ukrainian capital after air defenses shot down Russian missiles.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said seven people were injured and several buildings were damaged.

In northeastern Ukraine, the regional governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, said at least six Russian strikes hit the city of Kharkiv and damaged civilian infrastructure.

Russia said Thursday it destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the annexed Crimean Peninsula and nearby Black Sea.

The Russian defense ministry said it also downed three Ukrainian drones over the Kursk, Belgorod and Orlov regions of Russia.

Poland aid

Poland said Thursday it will only supply Ukraine with previously agreed to deliveries of ammunition and armaments.

The statement from a government spokesman came a day after Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced an end to weapons transfers to Ukraine as Poland works to arm itself with the most modern weapons.

There have been tensions between Poland and Ukraine since Poland instituted a temporary ban on imports of grain from Ukraine to protect Polish farmers.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Thursday that his government is appealing for more international support in its long-running war against al-Shahab militants.

In an exclusive interview with VOA, Barre says he will appeal to the U.N. General Assembly this weekend about removing an international arms embargo so Somalia is capable of eliminating al-Shabab, a U.N. and U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has fought the Somali government for 16 years.

Barre said Somalias first priority is security, which he said cannot be fully achieved without a well-trained and well-equipped Somali national army.

We need and would implore the world community for a complete lifting of the arms embargo that has been imposed on Somalia since 1992," he said. "By doing so, our security forces would be able to take full control and responsibility of the countrys security.

The embargo was imposed during Somalias early 1990s civil war.

Barres appeal comes as the African Union Transition Mission, or ATMIS, in Somalia, announced the start of the second round of a planned troop withdrawal. AU forces have been stationed in Somalia since 2007.

Barre, who is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday, said he would give a comprehensive overview of Somalia's progress.

The prime minister said he aimed to shed light on the nation's achievements in diverse areas like poverty reduction, health care, education, economic growth, human rights, peace, security, and climate change.

Somalia's army is in the middle of a military offensive against al-Shabab. Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "total war" against the militants in August 2022, al-Shabab fighters have withdrawn from some of the groups central Somalia strongholds under pressure from the army and allied local militias.

According to government military officials, the role of international partners in the ongoing operations has been limited to airstrikes against al-Shabab fighters and vehicles, which Barre says is not enough.

In fact, many countries support us in different ways in the fight against al-Shabab, primarily the United States, European Union, Turkey, and the African Union troops. The question is, though, is if their support is at the level we would like to be. I would say it is not enough, he told VOA.

Barre said there are grounds for optimism that the current battle against al-Shabab will successfully eradicate the terror organization.

If we were talking about al-Shabab militants threatening Mogadishu security, now, we are talking about fighting with them in their remote strongholds, and that is a sign of optimism, and that peace and stability is on the horizon, Barre said.

Barre said there was a need for concerted international efforts to protect gains made over the years and ensure sustained pressure against al-Shabab.
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)
South Korea Thursday imposed new sanctions on 10 individuals and two entities for involvement in illegal financial transactions related to North Korea's nuclear program and arms trade with three countries, including Russia.

South Koreas Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement the action was taken to sternly respond to North Korea's illegal activities that pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the international community.

North Koreas top military officials, including Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam, are among those facing new sanctions.

Kang was seen accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who traveled last week to Russias Far East for a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising new concerns about the military cooperation between the two countries.

Their direct talks have alarmed U.S. and South Korean officials over the prospect that North Korea could provide Russia with ammunition for Ukraine in exchange for Russian economic aid and advanced technology for North Koreas satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.

If North Korea gains the information and technology needed to enhance its weapons of mass destruction capabilities in exchange for supporting Moscow 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, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday.

Thursdays announcement was the 12th time South Korea, under Yoons administration, has imposed unilateral sanctions against North Korea, bringing the number of sanctioned individuals to 64 and entities to 53.
Thailand has some of the worlds strictest laws against criticizing the countrys monarchy, with up to 15 years in prison for each offense. At an exhibition in New York this week, which featured the stories of 25 people prosecuted under the law, the Thai Kings disavowed son came and told reporters he was there to learn about the issue.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second son of Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn, now lives in New York City and attended the opening of an exhibition at Columbia University, Faces of Victims of 112. The exhibit features the stories and portraits of 25 people prosecuted under Thailands harsh lese-majeste law, Article 112 of the criminal code.

His appearance marked the first time anyone so closely linked to the monarchy has openly paid attention to activism against the controversial law. Vacharaesorn is one of the four sons of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 71, and his second wife, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (formerly known as Yuvadhida Polpraserth), whom he married in 1994. After the couple divorced, Vajiralongkorn disavowed Vacharaesorn, his three brothers and mother. His sister remained in the royal fold.

Exhibition creator Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai academic charged under Section 112, now lives in exile in Kyoto, Japan. At the opening, he told VOA Thai that the exhibition is trying to raise international awareness of a law frequently used by Thailand's previous government backed by the military to silence dissent in the name of protecting the Thai royal family.

The former prince announced on his personal Facebook page that as a Thai living in New York, I will attend (the exhibition), and that I love and revere the institution (monarchy).

VOA Thai was able to ask the 42-year-old two questions. The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity:

VOA Thai: Why do you attend this exhibition?

Vacharaesorn: I came (to the exhibition) because, from my personal opinion, it is better to know than not to know. Everyone has their own opinion and viewpoint, based on their experiences. It does not matter if we listen to them or not, they will still hold on to their opinions. So, not listening to them will not change their views in any way.

Then, knowing is better than not (knowing). It is each persons decision to agree or not. Still, listening to them and being aware of it all is the best thing (we can do).

VOA Thai: What is your view on Section 112?

Vacharaesorn: Section 112 is a sensitive issue (in Thailand). People have different opinions about it and we cannot say who is right or who is wrong. What matters is that we listen to each other, to the reasons. You can have your own (reasons), but listen to theirs and reflect them on ours.
The United States on Wednesday announced a $255 million program it says will support emerging democracies.

As part of the effort, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is providing a loan of up to $100 million to Siddhartha Bank to facilitate loans to small and medium businesses in Nepal.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power announced the funding on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

USAID is providing $23 million for projects in Malawi, Zambia, Nepal and Ecuador, which the agency says will go toward stabilizing democracy, promoting job growth and mobilizing investment.

Another project in Tanzania is aimed at developing a digital portal to cut down on graft and corruption in public procurement.

The initiative also includes $110 million from companies and charitable organizations for projects such as developing battery storage systems in Malawi, electrification projects in Zambia, boosting food security in Malawi and enhancing cybersecurity in Moldova.

"Taken together, every safer birth, every more transparent government institution, helps give people greater confidence that their government works for them and can actually meet their needs," Blinken said. "And all of that comes together in building support and building the power of democracies that are actually delivering concrete results."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
The other two Iranians granted clemency by the U.S. under the deal, Mehrdad Ansari and Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, arrived in Tehran late Monday after being flown to Qatar earlier in the day.

Court filings seen by VOA show Kambiz Attar Kashani was released Monday from a federal prison in Michigan after receiving a presidential commutation of his sentence, while Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi and Amin Hasanzadeh received presidential pardons as they awaited trial on federal charges. The clemency letters for the three men, signed by President Joe Biden on September 14, had similar conditions attached.

The United States has put conditions on clemencies granted to three Iranians who were part of this weeks prisoner swap, leaving the door open to potential further legal action against the men, VOA has learned.

Kashani, an IT manager who is a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, was released from a federal correctional institution in Milan, Michigan, on Monday, according to his Bureau of Prisons inmate locator record, seen by VOA on Tuesday.

Kashani had been detained since his January 2022 arrest and was later sentenced to 30 months in prison. He was convicted of illegally exporting U.S. goods and technology to end users in Iran, including its central bank, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. He was freed five months before his originally scheduled release of February 2024.

Kashani's lawyer, Babak Hoghooghi-Esfahani, did not respond to a VOA message sent Tuesday requesting comment on Kashani's plans.

Afrasiabi, a political commentator and author with U.S. permanent residency, had been awaiting trial since being charged by New York federal prosecutors in January 2021 with allegedly acting as an unregistered agent of Iran.

Court filings showed Afrasiabi's attorney, Sabrina Shroff, asked a judge on Monday to cancel his then-upcoming trial in January due to his criminal case being "resolved [by] the actions of the Executive Branch" of the U.S. government. She also requested that Afrasiabi be released from pretrial supervision of his movements and that his bond payment be refunded to him.

A subsequent Tuesday filing by the federal prosecutors in Afrasiabi's case asked the judge to grant his lawyer's requests. But the prosecutors also wrote that because Afrasiabi's pardon "is conditioned on a number of terms," they were asking the judge to dismiss the charges against Afrasiabi "without prejudice."

The judge approved the government's motion in another filing later Tuesday, meaning Afrasiabi's case was terminated. But the dismissal of charges "without prejudice" means prosecutors can reopen the criminal case against Afrasiabi under certain conditions.

Hasanzadeh, an engineer, had been awaiting trial since being arrested in November 2019 on federal charges, including stealing technical data from a U.S. company and sending it to an Iran-based sibling involved in military research, and fraudulently concealing his own Iranian military affiliation from U.S. immigration authorities who granted him permanent residency in 2013. Hasanzadeh's permanent residency expired on August 23, according to a filing that day by his lawyers.

In a Wednesday filing, the prosecutors in Hasanzadeh's case asked a judge to dismiss the charges against him "without prejudice," mirroring the request made by Afrasiabi's prosecutors. Hasanzadehs lawyers responded Thursday by filing their own request for the judge to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning permanently. The attorneys cited Hasanzadeh's previous motions seeking a permanent dismissal because of his ongoing wait for a trial date and the governments alleged violation of his right to a speedy trial.

The judge ruled Sept. 25 in favor of the federal prosecutors and dismissed Hassanzadeh's charges "without prejudice," noting that he "must follow the four conditions set forth in the pardon."

Biden's commutation for Kashani and pardons for Afrasiabi and Hasanzadeh had identical conditions for the three men. They include not committing any additional crime against the U.S. or violation of U.S. laws; waiving and releasing "any and all claims, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatsoever kind and nature against the U.S., its agents, servants and employees," and not accepting or receiving "any financial benefit, directly or indirectly, in any manner or amount, from any book, movie, or other publication or production, in any form or media, about [their] situation."

Afrasiabi and Hasanzadeh had one additional condition to their clemencies: waiving "any and all claims to funds already seized as part of the prosecution of offenses subject to this pardon."

Biden wrote in the clemency letters that if at any time the three men violate one or more of the terms of their clemencies, he or a future president has "complete discretion" to void Kashani's commutation and reimpose the original sentence and to void the pardons of Afrasiabi and Hasanzadeh.

Jason Brodsky, policy director of U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, told VOA that he believes the conditions placed on the clemencies for the three men demonstrates the U.S. concern that these individuals may commit the same crimes again.

Brodsky pointed to an appearance by Afrasiabi on Chinese state TV network CGTN in July. This raises a question of whether he will continue to serve the interests of the Islamic republic without registering as a foreign agent in the future  especially as he remains on U.S. soil, Brodsky said. Afrasiabi has denied acting as an agent of Iran.

Hasanzadeh has been on supervised release at his Michigan home since March 2021, before which he was in pretrial detention. In their August 23 court filing, his attorneys said the expiration of his permanent residency will make it "substantially harder" for him to prove his "lawful status for purposes of obtaining employment and certain public benefits." The letter also said it will be "likely impossible for him to return to the U.S. were he to travel internationally."

One of the attorneys, Benton Martin, declined to comment when VOA contacted him Monday to ask about Hasanzadeh's status.

Asked by VOA if Hasanzadeh risks deportation after losing his permanent residency, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan responded Wednesday by referring the question to the Department of Homeland Security. There was no immediate response to a VOA request sent to that department on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared before the U.N. Security Council in New York on Wednesday for the first time since Russias invasion to garner support for his country and accuse Russia of carrying out a criminal and unprovoked aggression that shatters the norms of war and the U.N. Charter.

During a somewhat contentious meeting, Zelenskyy promoted action taken, including arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.

"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," Zelenskyy said.

The council has met dozens of times and voted repeatedly since Russia invaded 19 months ago and has demanded that the Kremlin remove its troops from Ukraine, though it has been unable to take any action on the matter because Russia has a veto.

Zelenskyy urged support of the Ukrainian effort, emphasizing that his peace proposal begins with adherence to the charter that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 U.N. member nations.

Prior to the meeting, there was speculation about whether Zelenskyy and Russias top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, would confront one another, hold a discussion or just avoid each other. But Zelenskyy left the council soon after his address.

There were heated words exchanged, though, as the meeting kicked off before Lavrov arrived. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia protested Albanian Prime Minister Edi Ramas decision to allow Zelenskyy to speak ahead of the 15 council members. Nebenzia accused Rama  this months council president  of trying to reduce the meeting to a one-man stand-up show, asserting it would result in nothing more than a spectacle  a dig at Zelenskyys career as a comedian before being elected Ukrainian president.

Rama cited the council rule allowing a nonmember to speak first and said, This is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency, which prompted laughter at Russias claim that its offensive against Ukraine is a special military operation.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres then briefed the council, noting that Russias invasion 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 said.

Guterres reiterated his condemnation of the war and called 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.

Zelenskys speech came at a time when some are questioning the Ukrainian war effort. Kyivs counteroffensive is being met with staunch Russian defense, and cold weather soon will render some rural roads impassable.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also addressed the Security Council on Wednesday, condemning Russia for its repeated violations of the U.N. Charter.

Russia has shredded the major tenets of the United Nations Charter, the universal declaration of human rights, international humanitarian law, and flouted one Security Council resolution after another, the top U.S. diplomat said.

Zelenskyy will travel to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden, where Biden is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine.

Biden has been a staunch advocate of Ukraine and has asked other world leaders to stand with Kyiv to end the war.

Some members of the U.S. Republican Party have questioned the need to continue sending arms and aid totaling billions of dollars to Ukraine.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was meeting with U.S. leaders Thursday in Washington as he seeks more support for his countrys fight against a Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy scheduled talks with both Democratic and Republican congressional leaders and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon before an afternoon meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House.

The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the funding, which includes more than $20 billion for defense, would have a "significant impact on Ukraines fighting" in coming months.

"Its really important for members of Congress to be able to hear directly from the president about what he's facing in this counteroffensive," Kirby said, "and how hes achieving his goals, and what he needs to continue to achieve those goals."

Additional support for Ukraine has met resistance from some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

"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," McCarthy told reporters Wednesday. "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."

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he would make the case for "sustained support of the Ukrainian cause, not out of charity, but out of primary focus on Americas interests."

McConnell was critical of Biden, saying he has been too timid in making the case that the United States has "a fundamental interest in Ukrainian victory and European security."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwes harmonized elections held IN August this year were peaceful and credible.

Addressing delegates to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Mnangagwa said the country continues to entrench democracy and the rule of law.

He said, Following the recently held 2023 general elections, Im pleased to highlight that our country enjoyed peace before, during and after our free, fair, transparent and credible elections. The Zimbabwe has been under the illegal unilateral economic sanctions for 23 years imposed by some western countries. These sanctions were designed to subjugate the sovereign will of the Zimbabwean people. We therefore demand that the unjustified unilateral sanctions be unconditionally lifted, including those imposed on countries like Cuba.

He said Zimbabwe inspite of these debilitating sanctions the people of Zimbabwe have become masters of their own destiny. This is anchored on a philosophy that as a people, we have the duty and responsibility of developing our country, using our own domestic resources.

He said the restrictive measures imposed by the West on Zanu PF officials following claims of election rigging and human rights abuses, constitute an obstacle to the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Zimbabwean leader, who is serving his second term amid concerns by the opposition that the harmonized elections were allegedly rigged, said developed nations should stop sabotaging less powerful countries.

He said, We strongly condemn tendencies by some powerful countries who preach peace, human rights and democracy and yet clandestinely fund conflicts and the unconstitutional changes of governments, for their own narrow interests. We, further, condemn the use of unilateral and illegal sanctions as a foreign policy tool at the disposal of some powerful nations, such as those sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and countries like Cuba. Such actions hamper the trust, global solidarity and multilateralism we desire. It is important that we channel our collective efforts towards building peace and driving forward our development agenda, for shared prosperity. There is much more that unites us, than that which divides us.

The Southern African Development Community has over the years campaigned for the lifting of targeted sanctions imposed on Zanu PF officials and some companies in Zimbabwe. At the United Nations General Assembly, President Hage Geingob of Namibia and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the removal of the restrictive measures.

Geigngob said, Selective punitive measures against Zimbabwe and Venezuela must also be lifted, as these measures constitute an obstacle to the implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

But opposition activists say Mnangagwa should first resolve the political crisis in his country before condemning the targeted santions.

This has become a boring song at the U.N General Assembly. President Mnangagwa should fix whats happening in the country instead of attacking some nations about these sanctions, said newly-elected legislator, Descent Collins Bajila of the Citizens Coalition for Change.
RAMALLAH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit the Palestinian territories in October, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday.

Guterres informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of his upcoming visit during a meeting on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

It will be Guterres' first visit to Palestine since 2017 when he traveled to both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

During their meeting, Abbas discussed with Guterres "the necessity of binding Israel to all agreements signed with the Palestine Liberation Organization and stopping its unilateral measures," according to WAFA.

For his part, Guterres expressed hope that the Palestinians will obtain their rights and the State of Palestine will become a full member of the United Nations, the report added.

In 2012, the UNGA granted Palestine non-member observer state status. Palestinians aspire to full UN membership, which would give international recognition to their future state based on the 1967 borders.

They seek to establish an independent state alongside Israel in all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem as its capital. 
Jeffrey Bean and Andrea Syglowski in Theresa Rebecks Dig. Photo: James Leynse

Sometimes, in watching a play, you get the surreal, frictionless feeling of seeing one event after another pile up in front of you without a sense of why its all happening. The characters may explain their motivations, and there might be a sort of structural logic to the thing, but the action youre watching is disjointed from actual human behavior  like youre watching them speed by through the windows of a train. When trying to explain why a character made such-and-such decision  say, when talking to your friend after a performance  you fall back on excuses like, Well, I guess thats just what the playwright decided to do.

Such is the experience of watching Dig, Theresa Rebecks play about a small-town plant shop. It comes with a lot of potted action, very little of it able to take emotional root. Roger (Jeffrey Bean) is the grump who owns the shop, which happens to be named Dig (one character bafflingly insists thats a bad name for a plant store because you dont actually know what kind of store that might be) and which also happens to be failing because what else ever happens to a small business in a play? His friend Lou (Triney Sandoval) has a troubled daughter, Megan (Andrea Syglowski), whos in recovery and recently left prison after being jailed for accidentally killing her infant son.

Rebeck (of Bernhardt/Hamlet, Mauritius, and, yes, season one of Smash, plus a lot more TV work) tends to favor a concept-forward approach, underlining her metaphors to the extent that they overshadow the people shes writing about. In this case, the theme is explicated in the first scene: Lou brings Roger a plant that he has nearly killed by under and then overwatering, Roger begrudgingly tells him, Its fine. I can save this plant. Guess what? Hell also try to do the same with Megan, and he lets her volunteer at the store to provide routine and purpose. At first, shes spiky and unstable  she lashes out at a customer in predictable You dont know me! fashion  but she soon helps him spruce up the shop, improving his customer service and convincing him to stock some overpriced orchids. Eventually, in a development that made my heart pang in sympathy with Syglowski as a performer, she considers a romantic relationship with him.

The play continues like that, each new development clangingly obvious on the level of plot and baffling on the level of character. The cast members are generally able in individual scenesI enjoyed Syglowskis tangled slinky of nerves early onbut they struggle to make coherent sense of the way Rebecks plot forces them to bend in strange directions. Rebeck, whos directing her own work, isnt much help on that front. Greg Keller, a standout in so many Off Broadway productions, works uphill as a stoner comic-relief employee who hates Megan at first (and later on, suddenly enables her), and Mary Bacon does what she can with a talkative, initially judgmental Christian customer. In the case of Megan, theres something to a play that asks what it would take to rehabilitate a person trying to process such tremendous guilt, but even there, Rebeck doesnt stick to her own convictions. As the plot keeps speeding forward, Rebeck introduces new information about the circumstances of Megans crime that potentially absolve her and invalidate the premise of the play. If were not here to watch a redemption plot, what exactly are we here for?

After watching Dig, its hard to say. But I will admit that the design of the store itself (by Christopher and Justin Swader) looks pretty appealing. Theyve put a cute little serifed logo over the door and houseplants in homey ceramics ring the stage. The cozy vibe undermines a lot of the dialogue about how the store is failing (Id happily buy a plant or two there), but it does work as a convincing facsimile of a lived-in place that a bunch of people might care deeply about. I worried, stepping around the pots at the front of the stage to make my way to the bathroom at intermission, that I might knock one over and accidentally mangle one of the plants in the process  before I noticed that all the plants, much like the characters, are unmistakably plastic.

Dig is Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters.

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Travis Scott. Photo: Erika Goldring/WireImage

Travis Scott cant pick up the phone, baby  its at the bottom of the ocean. An attorney for Scott mentioned it in the ongoing civil litigation against the rapper over his 2021 Astroworld Festival, where ten people were killed and thousands more injured. Rolling Stone reports that attorneys for the plaintiffs had filed an emergency motion to compel production of Scotts phone and other devices. In a September 15 hearing, Scotts attorney, Steve Brody, reportedly said that records from Scotts manager, David Stromberg, who had never turned his phone over for imaging, could be provided by September 27, but acquiring Scotts phone wouldnt be so easy. Thats because it fell off a boat in January of 2022 and landed somewhere at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico and is not able to be retrieved, Brody told a judge. He went on to explain that they could not get the messages from Apple or Scotts phone carrier, either, and Scott had not backed up his phone to iCloud.

Now, looking back, yeah, in an ideal world, his phone would have been imaged on November 6 or November 7 or November 8, Brody admitted. Or the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, any time until it fell into the ocean in January of 2022, added the shocked judge, Kristen Hawkins. Brody went on to acknowledge that in an ideal situation, that would have happened. It did not.

As to how Scotts phone ended up in the bottom of the ocean? The rapper was indeed in Mexico in January 2022, two months after the festival. Scott was spotted leaving Cabo San Lucas on January 14, and in an interview around the time, his producer, Wheezy, said Scott had been working on his album Utopia there. Scotts team had contested previous attempts to acquire his phone, saying it had confidential information and that the request was unreasonable. Scott and others involved with the festival are facing a massive, multi-district litigation combining hundreds of individual suits. He was previously not charged by police over the deaths and injuries.

The phone revelation came before Scott was questioned for eight hours in a deposition on September 18. Now, plaintiffs attorneys are counting on Strombergs phone and messages, which Brody claimed would show the vast majority, if not all, relevant texts with Mr. Scott related to this event. Scott will be questioned again in October after those messages are reviewed.
Photo: RMN-Grand Palais/Patrice Schmidt/Art Resource, NY

It is a cliche: the work of art that scandalizes audiences upon its debut, only to get its due once the shock of the new fades away. Edouard Manets 1863 masterpiece Olympia, the star of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts gigantic new show Manet/Degas, in some respects fits this description. It was attacked when it was first exhibited at a salon in Paris in 1865, described as ugly and repulsive and rancid. Its subject, a nude courtesan who looks right at the viewer while a Black maid looks at her, was called a female gorilla. The painting was rehung near the ceiling to hide it from appalled critics, and it never sold during Manets lifetime. However, the difference between Olympia and other great works of art that initially faced comparable revulsion is that Olympia shocks still.

Manet was only 33 when Olympia received its rude welcome, but he had already established himself as a rule-breaker and a provocateur with the exhibition two years earlier of The Luncheon on the Grass, which featured two rakish men in modern dress and two women, one of them nude, in an Edenic landscape. Olympia was similarly perverse. While audiences were likely used to paintings of nudes  the courtesans languid pose appears to be based on Titians Venus of Urbino, which was painted in the 1530s  it was another thing to suggest that this slender jezebel was a Venus herself. Manets painting was seen as an offense, an affront, a joke. (Manet wrote to Baudelaire looking for comfort. The poet told him to take it on the chin: Do you think you are the first man put in this predicament?)

Viewers had come expecting handsome renderings of light and shadow done with little to no brushwork showing. But Olympia is not smooth or easy. The composition is awkward, exaggerated, blocky. The colors are harsh and high contrast, especially the two figures  one a creamy white, the other nearly as dark as the Japonisme backdrop  that dominate the paintings shallow space. Olympia represents the beginning of the modern mind, the birth of a new consciousness. What shocks us now, though, is that servant and her enigmatic gaze, which seems to cast the whole order of the universe into fresh doubt.

The model for the courtesan is Victorine Meurent, who posed for Manet many times, including for Luncheon. Her nakedness is blatant, audacious, expunged of the godly glow that characterizes Titians Venus and other idealized mythic subjects. Her expression is unashamed and confrontational, so different from those of the passive odalisques that came before her. She reclines on a bed of white silken pillows and sheets, propped up on her right elbow. One hand holds a flowered shawl, but the other, covering her pudenda, is where the eye immediately goes. We are stopped here. So close, so far, so challenging, so What are you looking at? She wears a black bow adorned with a pendant around her neck while she kicks off one slipper, undressing before our eyes. Her whole demeanor is an invitation to approach and a warning to stay away. A black cat at her feet looks directly at us with big staring eyes and arches its back.

The Black model is Laure. We do not know her last name, though like Meurent she posed for Manet multiple times. She is dressed in a light pink, holding a bouquet of flowers. If Meurent is a representative of sex, decadence, and freethinking, then Laure looks on inscrutably, a silent supplicant, witness, judge. The artist Lorraine OGrady has written that Laure was made to disappear into the background drapery, that she is not a real person, only a robotic servant, and that she is not permitted to make us feel guilty, to accuse us as does the slave in Toni Morrisons Beloved. There is, indeed, something troubling even now  perhaps especially now  about her appearance and disposition, and it would be easy to cast her as an unconscious symbol of racial inequity, caste hierarchies, and narrowness of mind. After all, only the white body is meant to be admired and desired here. In comparison, the Black body can be seen as a prop, a human vase to exhibit the flowers.

But Manet has not painted her crudely or without tenderness, and there is an awareness of Laures presence and her thoughts as she looks upon Meurents prone figure. How deep that awareness may be is impossible to say, though on a visit to Brazil as a 16-year-old, Manet wrote, All these wretched people appear overwhelmed; the power that the whites have over them is extraordinary  but as slaves they are not allowed shoes. He described Laure in his journal as being very beautiful.

Manet was born into wealth. His mother was the daughter of a diplomat and the goddaughter of Swedish royalty. His father was a magistrate and head of personnel at the Ministry of Justice. Manet veered from that path and pursued painting. He is a master of the color black; few artists have ever painted such rich combinations of this shade. His brush handling is simultaneously studied and quick, deft and unpredictable. He was instrumental in breaking the strangle-hold on painting that was classic western perspective. Before him, there had been Delacroix, Turner, Corot, Courbet, and others. After Manet, art was up for grabs.

Although it took a long time for western audiences to even see Laure properly, there is something in her pose that breaks with other conventions of perspective. Like the viewer, she is looking at Meurent. But the viewer can see her too. So here lies another reading of the painting: It is almost as if Manet were asking us to see the courtesan, this modern Venus representing the depths and peaks of European culture, through another set of eyes, dimly glimpsed in the background.

Manet/Degas opens September 24 at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Photo: Getty Images / Kent Nishimura

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We find each other in the middle of nowhere, a very, very dubious location that stretches for a kilometer, Werner Herzog tells me shortly after we meet near a parking lot on an overcast morning in Altadena, California. The filmmaker is a droll and enigmatic conversationalist, so when he says were like explorers of the 19th century, its not totally clear hes joking. We are, in fact, far removed from the era of Arctic expeditions  outside the fence that borders NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which controls Americas planetary rovers and space probes.

Early in his forthcoming memoir, Every Man for Himself and God Against All, Herzog describes breaking into this facility to get footage for a nascent film project. I thought we could discuss his gonzo mission near the perimeter he once scaled, but he has other ideas. Theres an area at the top of the hill with picnic benches, he suggests. Once were settled, he tells me, I clomb the fence, explaining that he prefers old terms like clomb (instead of climbed) from the time of Wordsworth and Coleridge. This is the only point in our interview when he musters more than a chuckle.

Twenty years ago, scientists were crashing the Galileo probe into Jupiter because it was out of fuel, and Herzog wanted to film them celebrating and mourning the 14-year mission. Normally, I dont get caught, he says. I bamboozle them out of their wits. Herzogs exploits usually end with either good footage or a good story; this one had both. Let that madman in with his camera, he recalls officials in Washington saying.

Madman is an honorific here. Herzogs best-known protagonists are coils of mad obsession and hubristic folly who usually end up in dire straits: Think Lope de Aguirre amid swarming monkeys in Aguirre, the Wrath of God, or Timothy Treadwell mauled by a bear in Grizzly Man. Their drive is rivaled only by the feats that brought their stories to the screen. In Fitzcarraldo, the character Brian Fitzgerald drags a steamship through the jungle, so Herzog did the same.

Now, at 81, the director is turning his lens on his most astonishing creation: himself. It is not a biography, Herzog says of his memoir. Its more in the landscapes, the poetry.

Its also a strange project for him. Herzog is hostile to introspection, writing at one point, If you harshly light every last corner of a house, the house will be uninhabitable. He also has a fluid relationship with facts. I ask him about ecstatic truth  the phrase he coined for narrative flourishes that claim to reveal deeper insights  and whether he has applied this philosophy to his life story. I always give some question marks to fuzzier memories, he says. (I dont think it was a dream, although its always a possibility, he writes of one.) As for his choice of medium, Herzog, who has written several books, says, People speak of me as a filmmaker, and I think you should first and foremost speak of me as a writer. Theres no one who writes like me.

Indeed, his memoir is as singular as his films, rich with weird and indelible images (The whole slope behind the house was suddenly alive with weasels) and poetic ruminations (Could I not break the spell that prevented her from dying?). It is fueled by characters who are a little scary. When he was a kid, Herzog stabbed his brother during a fight. Decades later, the brother set Herzogs shirt on fire at a dinner party. Both men found this joke hilarious, their violent rivalry echoing Herzogs love-hate relationship with the star of Aguirre, Klaus Kinski, captured in the documentary My Best Fiend.

His friendship with Kinski is among many formative experiences Herzog details. Kinski terrorized the boarding-house where Werner lived as a child after moving to Munich from the Bavarian village of Sachrang with his mother and brother. My mother, he writes, took the job of evicting the mercurial actor after he locked himself in their communal bathroom for a day and a half and smashed it to smithereens. What makes the new book special in the Herzog canon is how it collapses time, such that disparate moments in history  from town criers to the internet, peasants scythes to robot farmers  collide on the highways of his mind. After the laboratory break-in, Herzog found footage shot by astronauts on the station that had launched Galileo. He charmed them into appearing in The Wild Blue Yonder by identifying which of them knew his way around an udder. I wasnt a creature of the film industry, he writes, just someone who at the end of the war had learned how to milk cows.

I first encountered Herzogs work when I got my wisdom teeth pulled as a teenager and binged some of his short documentaries  The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner, The Dark Glow of the Mountains  while delirious on painkillers. When we meet, I embarrass myself by showing him a photo of us at a 2009 book signing. (I remember the event, he says. Of course, I do not remember you.) His distinguishing feature is his voice, a thickly accented monotone that lends a disarming matter-of-factness to his epic themes: the lunacy of men, the pitiless grandeur of nature. His voice-over style is influenced by hypnotism (the cast of his film Heart of Glass acted under hypnosis), but it sounds indistinguishable from his everyday speech. This blurring of person and persona has won him a second life online, where a Herzog parody account boasts tens of thousands of followers, and his performances in films like Jack Reacher and shows like The Mandalorian inspire delight and imitation. I am a grateful victim of such satirists, he writes, though he remains defiantly offline and doesnt use a cell phone.

Herzog clarifies which aspects of his work are earnest and which tongue-in-cheek: He was being funny when he listed psychoanalysis as one reason the 20th century was a mistake. But hes dead serious when he defends Hiroo Onoda, the protagonist of his 2021 novel, The Twilight World, as not a madman. (Onoda, a real-life Japanese soldier motivated by the fanatic worship of his countrys emperor-god, famously kept fighting World War II for decades after it ended.)

Herzog favors privacy, even as a memoirist. He has been married to his third wife for more than 25 years but admits to having few friends (You could probably classify me as a loner) and mostly avoids his fans. Its an isolated existence that his book only partly illuminates. When I ask how he decided what to share and what to withhold, he responds cryptically: It comes easily when you are a grown-up man  you know instantly. Some things are appropriate for films or books, but others are simply life. Let it stay life, he says.

But life, abrupt and unfathomable, has a way of intruding on all his projects, whether they be fictions or not. Every Man for Himself and God Against All ends in the middle of a sentence  it would be sought out by herds of deer, as though  which I think is a typo until he corrects me. You forgot the foreword, Herzog says, instructing me to open my dog-eared copy to page two. I was just working on the end of my book, I read aloud as he watches me with an inscrutable expression. The memoirist describes a hummingbird hurtling toward him as he writes: At that moment, I decided to lay down my pen.

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YAOUNDE, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Cameroonian army said Thursday that its troops had killed three militants from the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country's Far North region.

Militants from the terror group raided Galdala, a village in the Mayo-Tsanaga division of the region on Wednesday night and were subsequently ambushed by the army while returning with the looted goods to their base, said an army official in the region who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Local media had reported that villagers were starting to evacuate the area due to deadly attacks in recent weeks.

Boko Haram, a terrorist group originating in Nigeria, has been operating in the Far North region since 2014, posing a significant security threat to Cameroon. 
Cheri Rendler's story at the Cathlamet Library is a kind of epilogue to the career she's already had. A retirement job, she calls it.

"I did not always want to be a librarian," Rendler said. "I wanted to be a schoolteacher, or a veterinarian, or the great American novelist."

She grew up in the Bay Area in California. She attended the University of Washington and received a degree in English Literature, along with a certificate in fiction writing.

"But as we know," she told me, "fiction writing doesn't pay any bills. It takes an incredible amount of discipline, which I found was hard to sustain for the whole day, that creative element.

"Bills had to be paid, so I ended up getting a job with the post office. I was a letter carrier for six years in Seattle."

Her route was physical, with plenty of hills and stairs, and a heavy bag.

After awhile, she began to realize she wasn't happy and she just didn't want to do it any more. She began to question her purpose.

"I love books," Rendler thought. "I'm one of those librarians: I'm going to be a librarian because I love books and I love reading."

So she began her career at the very bottom of the King County Library System, working six hours a week shelving books.

After subbing all over King County, Rendler would work her way up to circulation supervisor at the Lake Forest Park branch, where she started.

When her husband, who she met while working at the post office, got transferred to Boise, Idaho, she decided to continue her career with the library system there.

Uncertain where to focus, and still without a masters in library science, Rendler's on-the-job training continued. She worked in a number of different systems, in libraries big and small in Boise.

In the smaller libraries, comparable to the Cathlamet Library, she got to know a lot of people and was doing a little bit of everything.

Rendler would go on to earn a degree in library science from Emporia State University, through a cohort style online program. It took two years with weekend intensives, while working full-time.

"It was nice to get the education and the piece of paper," she said. "In Idaho you can be a librarian without a piece of paper, but in Washington state, to have the office title, you have to have the piece of paper."

"I like helping people, it's always different every single day, even when it's challenging," she added. "As I got farther removed into management, I really enjoyed the puzzle piece aspect of it."

During the latter part of her career, she ended up working in collection management, where they were in charge of selecting, ordering, and processing all of the library materials, and dealing with questions of what to weed out and what to keep.

Like many at the time, retirement came with the onset of covid-19.

"It was a lot," Rendler said. She and her husband wanted to return to western Washington where she could be closer to her parents, who live in Wahkiakum County.

Rendler started volunteering at the Cathlamet Library two days a week in November. Her experience made her a good fit when outgoing librarian Carol Blix decided to retire.

This new librarian, who officially started on Saturday, thinks it is important to come in for a period of time and just figure out what is going on, what is important, what the community is focused on, and where the gaps are, before making any changes.

She hopes to take the first four to six months to figure that out and get to know the volunteers. Listen to their ideas. Maybe have a community survey.

"Carol's shoes are going to be big to fill," Rendler said.

Rendler's lists Albert Camus and Elizabeth Berg as a couple of her favorite authors. She loves mysteries and what she calls contemporary women's fiction. Jonathon Kellerman is her go to guilty read.
Garrone movie won critical acclaim for film after its premiere in Venice.

Italy has selected the migration-themed movie Io Capitano by acclaimed director Matteo Garrone as its candidate for Best International Film at the 96th Academy Awards next spring.

Based on the real-life story of the perilous journey of two young Senagalese men from Dakar to Italy, Garrone's film stars Moustapha Fall and Seydou Sarr.

The critically-acclaimed movie had its world premiere earlier this month at the Venice Film Festival where Garrone won best director, Sarr won best young star, and Claudia Cravotta won best production director.

Garrone, who is celebrated for films including Dogman and Pinocchio, was joined by the cast of Io Capitano at a private audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican last week.

Pope Francis meets Matteo Garrone, Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall at the Vatican on 14 September. (CNS photo/Vatican Media).

Io Capitano was selected by Italian cinema body ANICA, beating 11 other movies in the running for Italy's Oscar entry.

The film's nomination as an Oscar contender comes as Italy's right-wing premier Giorgia Meloni promises tighter controls on migration, claiming that a surge of migrant arrivals on the island of Lampedusa is putting Italy under "unsustainable pressure".

Over the years, Italian films have won 11 Oscars, the most recent being Paolo Sorrentinos La grande bellezza (The Great Beauty) in 2013.

In December the Academy will choose a shortlist of 15 films for the Best International Film category before announcing the final five Oscar contenders in January.

The Oscars ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on 10 March 2024.

Cover image: Io Capitano, official still, photo credit Greta De Lazzaris.
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South Koreas ambassador to Japan said high-level talks are underway for a three-nation summit with China poised to happen this year, and it wouldnt affect ties with the US. Those discussions are going well, Yun Dukmin, Seouls envoy to Japan said in an interview. There may be a Camp David effect that prompted China to reach out to its neighbors, Yun said, adding that a summit with Beijing wouldnt hurt relations with Washington after the historic meeting with the US. Senior officials from the three Asian nations are set to meet in Seoul on Sept. 26.

South Korea is working to revive three-way summits among Japan and China that have stalled since 2019 due initially to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Beijing has been angered by President Joe Bidens historic summit in August at the Camp David presidential retreat with the leaders of South Korea and Japan, saying its a deliberate attempt to sow discord among the Asian neighbors.

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The relationship between Japan and South Korea has progressed so rapidly that its become an environment that China hasnt experienced in the last 10 years or so, Yun said on Wednesday. It would be better for the stability of the region if the neighboring countries cooperate and get along well rather than confronting each other like this.

Appointed to his post about two months after President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022, Yun said ties between South Korea and Japan are starkly different from when he started. Relations were fraught due to a dispute over compensation for Korean workers during Japans 1910-1945 colonial rule of the peninsula. In March, Yoon removed a roadblock in relations when Seoul dropped its demand that Japanese firms compensate Koreans conscripted to work at Japanese mines and factories, but would create its own fund for them.

Read: Japan, South Korea Reach Groundbreaking Deal to Mend Ties

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The breakthrough to end a feud that had disrupted ties on everything from trade to security drew praise from Biden, whos been trying to convince the two US allies to present a more united front against China and North Korea.

Biden has sought support from partners to stymie Beijings access to advanced semiconductors. Japan restricted exports of some chipmaking tools, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands. South Korea has been a bit hesitant as major companies such as Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. depend on China as a market and manufacturing site for their memory chips.

The ambassador said it may be just a matter of time before semiconductor makers in China move up the value chain and eventually surpass whats made by South Korean giants in the country. He said South Korean mobile phone makers, department store operators and automobile firms have all seen their market share slide in China as the domestic industries advanced.

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Were still very much dependent on China, but a surprising number of companies have moved out of China, Yun said. We cant completely abandon the Chinese market, but overall, the Chinese market is not going to stay open continuously. So in that sense, these next few years are a very important time for Koreas semiconductor companies.

Meanwhile, relations with Japan have progressed very rapidly and this will cause a major shift in the regional strategic landscape, Yun said.

When I first arrived here last year, the whole Japanese society was very, very cold toward Korea, to the point where I wondered if it was possible for them to be so cold, he said.

Yun is looking to use the current momentum to forge another declaration with Japan as they did a quarter century ago to lock in improved ties, which could keep trade flows stable in the face of political tensions.

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South Korean companies are starting to invest in Japan again, he said. This includes small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as giants such as Samsung, which is looking at an R&D center in the greater Tokyo region.

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Yun said security cooperation with Japan and the US is set to expand as they face nuclear threats from the likes of North Korea. Biden has assured Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the US nuclear policy known as extended deterrence remains in place. The strategy refers to exerting a force strong enough that it convinces an adversary it cant achieve its military and political goals through aggression.

North Korea in the past few years has tested a barrage of missiles designed to hit South Korea and Japan, as well as intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to deliver a warhead to the US mainland. That could raise some difficult questions for Washington, the ambassador said.

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Theres this question of whether or not the US would retaliate against Pyongyang at the expense of New York if Tokyo or Seoul were attacked, he said.

More comments from the interview:

On wastewater release from the Fukushima nuclear site:

 The Japanese prime minister also said in his meeting with our President that he would never interfere in any way that would compromise the safety of the Korean people.

On tourism:

 We are now talking increasing flights and resuming those flights between regional cities that were lost due to Covid. Its taking a little longer, but the infrastructure is being replenished, so we are hoping that this congestion with Japan will improve.

On Kim Jong Uns trip to Russia:

 Well have to wait and see if its just a show or something substantial and I think its very politically motivated to take pictures and do things this way when in fact its something that can be done covertly without making a big deal about it.

--With assistance from Isabel Reynolds and Sam Kim.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian court has sentenced to death the prime suspect in a "terrorist" attack in August on the Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern city of Shiraz, the judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency reported on Thursday.

The main defendant, a Tajik national, has been given a double death sentence by a court in Shiraz, which is also the capital city of the southwestern province of Fars, Mizan quoted Fars Chief Justice Kazem Mousavi as saying.

He added that the suspect's affiliation with the Islamic State "terrorist group" has been proved to the court on the basis of investigations and the defendant's confessions.

Mousavi said that two other suspects, also foreign nationals, have each been sentenced to five years in prison and expulsion from Iran for complicity in "collusion to disrupt the country's security."

He noted that the rulings can be appealed at the Iranian Supreme Court, stressing that the convicts can file their objections within a legal period of 20 days.

On August 13, two people were killed and seven others were injured when an armed assailant attempted to break into the shrine at a main gate, opening gunfire on several staff and worshipers. 
Large commercial energy users have accused Australias major gas producers of predatory pricing, telling a parliamentary hearing that a mandatory code of conduct is vital to protect households and businesses from gas producers unfair market power.

Andrew Richards, the chief executive of Energy Users Association of Australia, which represents manufacturers of everything from toilet paper to steel, told a Senate hearing into a new mandatory code of conduct for the gas industry that large energy users are still paying excessively high gas prices and have little or no bargaining power to negotiate better deals.

The mandatory gas code extends a $12-a-gigajoule cap on domestic gas sales until 2025. Credit: Bloomberg

Even the largest gas users often find themselves at a severe disadvantage that has meant they have no choice but to pay more than $30 a gigajoule for gas when they used to pay $5, Richards said.

Some of the behaviour of the gas industry can only be described as predatory, he said.
While billionaire mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrest has developed quite the global messiah complex, its been a turbulent few months on the home front.

Credit: John Shakespeare

Just to recap  three key executives, including CEO Fiona Hick, just six months into the job, and former Reserve Bank deputy governor Guy Debelle departed.

Throw in an 11 per cent drop in profit, a coup in the resource-rich West African nation of Gabon spooking investors, and its enough to almost make us forget that Twiggy and his wife of 30 years, Nicola Forrest, called it quits in July.

But none of that could put a dent in Twiggys Mr Worldwide act. Forrest recently took off on an international investor tour, with the American leg finishing up in New York this week, where the great man and his entourage dropped into the United Nations General Assembly, which held its 78th session.
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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He told this masthead the tension between potential and current councillors had escalated and was becoming increasingly abusive and personal. City of Swan former mayor and election candidate Kevin Bailey said tensions were high in the race for the October 21 vote. Credit: Facebook Nobody deserves that kind of treatment, whether its aimed to discredit me or just insult and upset him, that is just disgraceful, Bailey said. The motivation behind that can destroy anyones will to come back and continue to try and serve their community, and weve seen it before and it is just the most disgusting behaviour. Bailey served as a City of Swan councillor from 2005 through to 2021, taking a break from local politics before now running again for mayor. WAtoday is not suggesting that Bailey is linked to the vandalism.

He believed the aggressive tactics deployed in the election race this year were linked to the preferential voting system. Theres a cohort, not only in Swan, but in other parts of the city  you see it in Melville  where they seem to think that its that kind of behaviour that gets them the results theyre looking for, he said. I think a lot of its got to do with the change of the way the election is being conducted. Youve got the preference scenario. Youve got multiple candidates from all walks of life, the mayoral thing for the City of Swan, particularly, now going to popular elected, its a pretty crazy space, but this time has been a lot more intense. Stealing charges over late-night corflute heist

The City of Swan isnt the only local government suffering from bad sportsmanship. Police have charged councillor Jesse Jacobs with stealing after a late-night call-out in Canning Vale on Sunday. A police spokesperson said officers were called out about 11.40pm to reports that two people were stealing election signage and a 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene, near the intersection of Brennan Avenue and Fitzgerald Loop. Police allege signs relating to the incident were located in the 39-year-olds car. Hours later, about 3am on Monday, police arrested Jacobs and charged him with stealing, alleging he was the person working with the 39-year-old.

City of Canning mayor Patrick Hall, whose election corflutes were targeted, called on his fellow councillor to resign, and opened the citys council meeting on Tuesday evening by imploring Jacobs to excuse himself from the chamber. City of Canning mayor Patrick Hall says it was fellow councillor Jesse Jacobs who stole some of his election corflutes and is now facing stealing charges with police. Credit: Facebook Yesterday I called publicly on councillor Jacobs to resign as an elected member of this city, and that I believe I felt that would have been the best interests of this council, the City of Canning as an organisation and the City of Cannings community, until this matter is determined appropriately by a court, Hall told the meeting. Councillor Jacobs has not yet chosen to do so. Councillor Jacobs, in the best interest of this council and its reputation ... I do respectfully  and I mean that, respectfully  invite you to reconsider your position and leave the chamber and take no further role in this meeting.

And should you do so, I can say quite frankly that is not to be considered by any person to be an admission of guilt; there is of course a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Jacobs denies the allegations and refused to leave the council meeting on Tuesday. When shown CCTV footage by a Channel Seven reporter on Monday, he disputed the person pictured was him. Jacobs took to social media to address the incident late on Monday. Some people, perhaps because of their lack of any real policy or vision, will offer a running commentary about their signs or lack of organisation to keep any up, he said.

I anticipate as we are getting to the business end of the campaign I expect the negativity from certain folks to increase before it decreases. Loading Have I lost signs, sure I have. Do I harp on about it? No. Jacobs is due to face Armadale Magistrates Court on October 6. He has denied being involved in the incident. Tensions within electoral divisions is not going unnoticed. A report released last week by the Local Government Standards Panel shows 203 allegations were made regarding councillors conduct in the 2022-2023 financial year, up from 130 the previous year.
The Productivity Commission is calling on the federal government to give international airlines unlimited access to Australia, saying it would immediately lower costs for passengers.

In its submission to the Senate inquiry into the governments decision to block Qatar Airways bid for more Australian flights, the Commonwealth economic advisory body said restricting access to carriers increased prices and impeded access to quality services.

These effects are ultimately felt by the community, particularly passengers travelling abroad, tourism operators and users of international freight services, the Productivity Commission said.

Transport Minister Catherine King made the decision to reject Qatar Airways from adding flights to Australia. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Airlines can fly to and from Australia under one of two government agreements known as bilateral air service rights or open skies agreements. The majority of approval decisions, including the one on Qatar Airways, are governed by the former, which give airlines two chances a year to apply for more services into Australias biggest airports.
Median house prices in a string of suburbs across south-east Queensland have topped the $2 million mark, off the back of soaring demand for beachside property and interstate migration.

Four years ago, not a single suburb in Queensland had a typical house price above $2 million.

House prices have soared in Surfers Paradise. Credit: iStock

Houses in Surfers Paradise reached a median sale price of $2.42 million, rising 17 per cent over the year to June, and 91.3 per cent over the past five years, the latest Domain House Price Report for the June quarter shows.

Brisbanes Hamilton and New Farm both reached medians of $2.3 million, following respective annual growth of 4.5 per cent and 2.7 per cent, while prices fell 0.8 per cent in Ascot to $2.17 million.
An employee works on a guitar in a workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 25, 2020. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

GUIYANG/MOSCOW, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world.

In a music studio on the outskirts of Moscow, Russian guitarist Grigory Novikov is plucking a classical guitar from Zheng'an County, revelling in the beautiful melody of a Russian classic.

Novikov, 44, began learning classical guitar in his youth. Over the past nearly 30 years, he has played numerous guitars. Today, he has a special liking for this one from China.

"By chance, I acquired a guitar from Zheng'an County through a Chinese distributor, which deepened my understanding of Chinese guitar craftsmanship and music culture," he said.

Novikov not only plays Chinese-made guitars himself but also recommends them to others. He believes that even though guitar is a Western musical instrument, Chinese-made guitars excel in terms of material selection, craftsmanship, sound quality and tone.

One of his students, who has been learning from him online for many years, won an award in this year's competition for young guitar professionals, using a Chinese guitar that Novikov lent him.

The young man is so delighted with the guitar that he played it while recording videos, preparing for the competition and even in this year's virtual competition.

Back in Zheng'an, a county more than 6,000 km away from Moscow, the Guitar Culture Industry Park receives a steady stream of orders from around the world. It is home to over 120 guitar-related firms.

"I can't imagine that there was nothing here 10 years ago," said Zhu Meifang, director of the Zheng'an Ruixin Industrial Park Management Service Center.

Due to geographical and transportation constraints, Zheng'an County in the northern mountains of Guizhou Province used to one of the most impoverished counties in China.

It started making guitars in 2013 when China initiated the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Ten years on, Zheng'an County has become a guitar manufacturing center in China, producing over 6 million guitars annually, accounting for about one-fifth of China's and one-seventh of the world's guitar production.

"We do OEM production for more than 100 global brands, producing over 400,000 guitars annually, 95 percent of which are for export," said Zheng Chuanjiu, founder of Zunyi Shenqu Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the first guitar factory to settle in Zheng'an County in 2013.

A decade on, Shenqu has become a leading local enterprise, with its products exported to countries joining the "Belt and Road Initiative," such as Turkey, Russia, and Romania, with an annual output worth 400 million yuan (56 million U.S. dollars).

At a music instrument and equipment event held in Anaheim Convention Center in California on April 13, Hakan Kutlu, general manager of a Turkish company engaged in guitar sales, said they order over 10,000 guitars annually from Shenqu company.

"The reasons I order Chinese instruments are the good quality, high cost-effectiveness, and customer popularity," he said.

At the exhibition, another guitar company from Zheng'an, Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd., attracted the attention of guitar enthusiasts from various countries with its independently developed all-bamboo smart guitar.

Zhao Jianfeng, founder of Natasha, told reporters that traditional guitar manufacturing heavily relies on imported wood such as spruce and rosewood. They have invented an intelligent guitar made of bamboo, providing a richer playing experience through innovative technologies such as embedded sound cards and chips.

"Guitars originated in the West and have accumulated craftsmanship and brand deposits for hundreds of years. If Chinese independent brands want to stand firm in global competition, they must work on improving quality and highlighting their unique features," Zhao said.

In recent years, Zheng'an has focused on spawning independent brands and enhancing the core competitiveness of the guitar industry, and has obtained 288 guitar-related patents and 77 trademarks, and promoting more independent brands to go abroad.

In the master workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park, Zhang Weiyi, with his team, has created high-end guitars for global buyers.

"From material selection to making various components like the headstock and soundboard, to painting and assembly, making a handmade guitar takes an average of over 100 days, sometimes even up to six months," Zhang said.

In addition to refining craftsmanship, Zhang also incorporates Chinese culture into guitar-making. He has integrated elements such as Miao silver ornaments into guitar designs, which have been well received by buyers worldwide.

Last year, his workshop produced a total of 172 guitars worth nearly 10 million yuan (1.4 million dollars).

"What is rooted in the nation will flourish in the world," Zhang believes. Guitars are not just musical instruments but also carriers of culture.

In addition to exporting guitars to the world, Zheng'an has also invited well-known guitar performers from countries like Sweden, Spain, and Brazil to promote the development of local guitar culture.

"The Belt and Road Initiative has provided Zheng'an with a broad platform for external exchanges," said Zhu Meifang. 

A worker sprays paint on a guitar in a workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 25, 2020. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Students learn to play ukulele at a primary school in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2022. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

People learn to play guitar at a showroom of Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 13, 2022. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Employees work on guitars in a workshop of Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 2, 2023. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world.(Xinhua/Luo Fei)

Zhao Jianfeng adjusts a guitar at a showroom of Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Luo Fei)

A customer tries a guitar at a showroom of Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 1, 2023. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Luo Fei)

Russian guitarist Grigory Novikov plays a guitar during a concert in Perm, Russia, April 2, 2021. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world.(Xinhua)

An employee works on a guitar in a workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 25, 2020. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A worker puts a semi-manufactured guitar on a shelf in a workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 25, 2020. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A student of Russian guitarist Grigory Novikov plays a guitar produced by Natasha Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. at a musical school in Perm, Russia, Aug. 23, 2022. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua)

Zhang Weiyi works at the master workshop of the Zheng'an Guitar Culture Industry Park in Zheng'an County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Sept. 2, 2023. After more than 200 elaborate and lengthy manufacturing procedures, exquisitely crafted guitars come out as signature products of Zheng'an County in southwestern China's Guizhou Province.

These works of art are then distributed through the China-Europe freight trains, water transport and other means to the world. (Xinhua/Luo Fei)
On 11- 15 September 2023, under the aegis of the WCO Anti-Corruption & Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme, WCO Experts met with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) officials in Arusha, Tanzania, to support the monitoring and implementation of integrity initiatives in the area of Customs operations in line with the Revised Arusha Declaration.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mathew Ruangisa Dismas, the TRA Acting Regional Manager, highlighted the importance of measuring Customs operations effectively to ensure, promote and monitor integrity. In this regard, he referred to the progress made in the development of the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) and the importance of its application while reviewing and finalizing the indicators for the TRA Anti-Corruption Action Plan.

In view of the establishment of an evidence-based performance measurement system in line with the PMM, TRA officials revisited and reflected on the methodology to develop and finalize the indicators for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs operations to monitor integrity. The active discussions tied the lessons learned to specific targets and indicators to be addressed in the updated Anti-Corruption Action Plan of the TRA.

While benefiting from a sustainable partnership with the A-CIP Programme, the TRA has been at the forefront in applying the WCO PMM and improving its performance in reporting mechanisms for corruption misconduct and malpractice, disciplinary compliance and maturity of anti-corruption and integrity preventive measures to achieve an advanced level of integrity.

The WCO A-CIP Programme currently supports more than 20 countries in five WCO regions, with funding from Norad and Canada.

For more information, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), under the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund  China, successfully delivered a national workshop for the Customs Laboratory of Kenya Revenue Authority. The workshop was held from 4 to 8 September 2023 at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Laboratory is located.

The objective of this initial workshop was to enhance the technical capabilities and knowledge on tariff classification on chemicals of the KRAs Customs Laboratory.

The workshop was facilitated by a Technical Officer of TTA (chemist) and a recognized expert on Customs laboratory matters from Spain.

A general overview of the WCO and its missions, the Harmonized System and the General Interpretative Rules were discussed. Over the course, a wide range of topics related to issues related to Customs Laboratories were addressed. These included general and policy topics, such as the different models of Customs Laboratories, the needs that a Customs Laboratory addresses in Customs Administrations, and the use of the Customs Laboratory Guide. The value of cooperation and networking between Customs Laboratories was discussed, including looking at several examples, in particular, the WCO Regional Customs Laboratories, the CLEN (Customs Laboratories European Network) initiative, and the SAMANCTA Database.

Moving into more HS specific areas, sampling procedures were shown and the HS classification of products of Sections V, VI and VII, classification of chemicals of Chapters 28 and 29, and practical cases were discussed. A specific presentation on drugs and detection kits and their analysis was also shown.

The identification and classification of textile products (fibres, yarns, fabrics and other textile articles) were put into practice with several application examples and exercises on the microscopic identification of fibres undertaken by participants.

A visit to the KRA Customs Laboratory was arranged by the host.

The workshop was attended by the chemists from different departments involved in chemical analysis and classification of goods from the KRA Customs Laboratory.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with heads of U.S. friendly groups and think tanks as well as people from all walks of life on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States should strengthen communication and properly manage differences in line with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said Wednesday.

Han made the remarks when meeting with heads of U.S. friendly groups and think tanks as well as people from all walks of life on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

China and the United States should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in Bali, Indonesia, said Han, who also called on U.S. participants of the meeting to play an active role in promoting China-U.S. cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, so as to boost the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations.

At present, the Chinese economy is recovering and transitioning from high-speed growth to high-quality development. China pays great attention to the growth of economic volume and even greater attention to boosting the quality and efficiency of its economic growth, said Han.

China will unswervingly pursue opening up at a high level, seek win-win cooperation with other countries, and provide a constant driving force for world economic recovery and growth while offering mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities for investors worldwide, said Han.

Commending China's pursuit of green, low-carbon and sustainable development, participants from the U.S. side hope that the United States and China will maintain contact and personnel exchanges at all levels and promote the steady development of U.S.-China relations, adding that they are willing to continue to work towards this end. 
BEIRUT, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The newly-appointed European Union (EU) Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele on Thursday assured the EU's continued commitment to support Lebanon in recovering from its crisis.

"The EU is committed to supporting Lebanon and its people to put the country on the path to recovery," De Waele said during her meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Slim, according to the National News Agency.

De Waele stressed the EU's continued support for state institutions, noting "the importance of carrying out structural reforms that will help Lebanon restore international confidence."

The two officials also discussed an EU-funded project to control borders while emphasizing the importance of the project for Lebanon.

For his part, Slim praised the EU's continued support for Lebanon, especially the Lebanese army, stressing that "it has become very urgent to address the Syrian displacement issue, which is the responsibility of the international community as a whole." 
NANJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with guests from South Africa, Suriname, Nigeria and Pakistan, who are here to attend the 2023 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday.

When meeting with South African police minister Bheki Cele, Wang said that China is ready to work with South Africa to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain the momentum of friendly exchanges, promote cooperation mechanism at all levels, strengthen cooperation in law enforcement capacity building, and make greater contributions to the development of China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

Cele said he is willing to actively promote the implementation of the consensus reached by the two sides and strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation between South Africa and China.

When meeting with Surinamese justice and police minister Kenneth Amoksi, Wang highly appreciated Suriname's adherence to the one-China principle and hopes to strengthen personnel exchanges, deepen collaboration in security for the Belt and Road, combating transnational crimes and law enforcement capacity building, and push for new achievements in China-Suriname strategic cooperative partnership.

Amoksi expressed willingness to continue to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation with China, and to jointly cope with risks and challenges.

When meeting with Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of the national police force of Nigeria, Wang said that China is willing to work with the Nigerian side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen personnel exchanges and mechanism building, severely crack down on crimes against Chinese citizens in Nigeria, raise the level of cooperation in investigation, fugitive tracking and law enforcement capacity building, and advance the development of China-Nigeria strategic partnership to a deeper and higher level.

Egbetokun expressed willingness to actively and effectively implement the consensus reached between the two countries and deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security.

When meeting with Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Pakistan's former minister for narcotics control, Wang expressed the hope that the two sides will coordinate development and security, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, and jointly contribute to promoting the development of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and speeding up the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era.

Bugti said that Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China and actively promote the steady and healthy development of Pakistan-China relations. 
BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- India on Thursday suspended visa services in Canada, scaling up its diplomatic tension with Ottawa over the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader.

"Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice," the Indian private agency BLS hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians said on its website Thursday.

The suspension came after the Indian government's advisory on Wednesday, warning its citizens in Canada against traveling to areas that are prone to anti-India activities.

On Monday Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India reacted by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat on Tuesday, citing the Indian government's growing concern over the interference of Canadian diplomats in India's internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

So far none of Canada's closet allies has publicly criticized the Indian government after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the parliament on Monday that national security agencies were investigating "credible allegations" that the "agents of the government of India" could be involved in the killing of the prominent Canadian Sikh leader.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson told reporters the trade talks with the Indian government "will continue as before" on Tuesday.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told the press on Tuesday that Britain would "listen very, very carefully to the serious concerns that have been raised by Canada," without mentioning India.

The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that Trudeau tried to push for a joint statement among its closest allies in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations including the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, to condemn India prior to last week's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, yet was turned down by the United States and others.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has denied such claims. Canadian Foreign Ministry also denied the claims but confirmed that Trudeau did raise the issue to U.S. President Joe Biden and Sunak this week following his Monday statement in the Canadian parliament.

Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned," wanted the matter to be handled in a "transparent" way, and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation, in an interview with U.S. media on Wednesday. India rejected the idea it was involved in the murder.

Anonymous official sources said that Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will further clarify India's position during his visit to New York on Saturday to attend the UN General Assembly, and then possibly pay a bilateral visit to Washington D.C. after his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, according to Indian media.

Jaishankar has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the developments related to Canada, Indian media reported.

Nijjar had been a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent homeland for the Sikh community in India's northwestern Punjab region. Nijjar was killed outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey, Canada's British Columbia, on June 18. 
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Lizu Village while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected the city of Jinhua in east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday morning.

Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. 

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Lizu Village while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits Lizu Village while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits an international trade market while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits an international trade market while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits an international trade market while inspecting Yiwu City of Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 20, 2023. Xi visited a village and an international trade market in Yiwu City of Jinhua to learn about the development of local distinctive industries, and the efforts in promoting rural revitalization and boosting foreign trade and high-quality development. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
Today

Spotty AM rain or snow shower then mix of clouds and sun. Chilly.

Tonight

Turning out mostly clear and cold with lighter winds. A killing freeze likely with mid to upper 20s for many.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny and continued chilly; below freezing temps to start the day.
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
READING, Pa.  The Berks County Board of Commissioners on Thursday urged swift action by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass the bill to move the state primary election date to March 19 from the scheduled April 23.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate approved the bill which must now work its way through the House.

Commissioner Lucine Sihelnik said she was calling on the House to move quickly.

"This was led by Senator (Judy) Schwank and it really does give voters more of a time to decide on the presidential nominees, and it also does avoid the Jewish holiday of Passover," Sihelnick said.

"And so, as this bill moves (to the House), I'm going to call on them to move with haste because as we know, our Election Services Department is standing and ready," she said, "but what this really will do is compress the amount of time that we have as a county to prepare for all the election services related matters and processes and procedures and our duties."

Sihelnik serves as chair of the elections board, which canceled its usual Thursday afternoon meeting.

Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach also stressed the urgent nature of the action.

"On the move to move up Election Day, I have my one request that there is an immediate action on this one way or the other," Leinbach said. "There are impacts on counties relative to polling places and (other) requirements."

"We need action immediately," the chairman of the commissioners added. "We don't want to see this drag until the end of November. That will be too late and [will] make it very difficult for counties to respond."

Leinbach went on to say he has mixed feelings about the issue, primarily because of the timing.

"I absolutely get moving up the deadline to make Pennsylvania more relevant in the selection process," Leinbach noted. "Most of my adult life, Pennsylvania, in most primaries, has been irrelevant because it's largely been decided on by the time we get there."

"But this is something that should have been dealt with early in the year, not at this point in time," he said. "I'm not being harsh here, but the legislature and the governor's office often don't realize all the impacts on county, so I just encourage quick action."
WYOMISSING, Pa.  Candidates for the Berks County Board of Commissioners will have a few chances to let voters know where they stand during at least two candidates' forums.

Candidates for the four-year term will be part of the panel discussions moderated by the League of Women Voters of Berks County. On the Democratic side are Dante Santoni and Jess Royer. They will be challenging Republican incumbents Christian Leinbach, who is the current chairman of the board, and Michael Rivera.

The first forum will take place at the Wyomissing Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. Registration is requested by contacting Ann Sheehan at ann@wyopublib.org or by calling the library at 610-374-2385.

The second forum will happen at Albright College on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Contact Dominic Polo Nanni at dnanni@albright.edu for more information about that event.

The public is invited to attend both events.

The League of Women Voters of Berks County is a non-partisan organization which encourages informed and active participation in government at all levels. The League neither supports nor opposes political candidates or political parties.
BEIRUT, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Army Command said in a statement on Thursday that the army has stopped 1,000 Syrians from illegally entering Lebanon since the beginning of this week.

"Within the framework of combating people smuggling across land borders, army units thwarted, on various dates during the current week, attempts to infiltrate about 1,000 Syrians into Lebanon," said the statement.

The army added that it has prevented thousands of Syrians from informally entering Lebanese territories over the past weeks.

Lebanese authorities have been calling for support from the international community to return Syrian refugees to their homeland while the security forces have been trying to crack down on human smuggling in areas close to the border with Syria.

With an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees residing within its borders, Lebanon bears the weight of hosting the largest number of refugees per capita. The presence of Syrian refugees has put a strain on Lebanon's already ailing economy and created widespread discontent among its citizens. 
READING, Pa.  Reading parking garages will soon be gateless.

"It's convenient," said Shannon Rivera, who lives in Reading.

Once the gates are gone, drivers will pay anytime between entering and exiting the garages.

People can pay through an app, via text, online or at a walkup pay station. Drivers are encouraged to set up accounts with the ParkMobile or Text2Park platforms in advance.

"There will be no barrier blocking you from coming in, slowing you down," said Nathan Matz, executive director, Reading Parking Authority. "There should be no more lines at the beginning of coming into work."

Installations of the new system is underway at four locations: Front and Washington, Second and Washington, Third and Washington (the Chiarelli Plaza Garage), and Poplar and Walnut streets.

Cameras with license plate readers take a picture of each vehicle's license plate as it enters and exits the garage. Then, it compares how much time the driver paid for and how long they actually parked.

Rivera says she parks in a garage daily.

"It's kind of nice to just drive in and park," she said.

Matz says the change will also make getting in and out of events faster.

"We used to have delays on large events anywhere up to four hours, sometimes more, for people exiting a single garage," he said.

Ashley Hoffman, of Pottstown, parks in the garage when coming to work, and says she'd sometimes get stuck in backed up garage traffic when there were events.

"What I like about it is the fact that no longer do I have to wait for the gate to open and close, so that has sped up my exit and entrance of the parking garage," Hoffman said.
MAIDENCREEK TWP., Pa.  Over the course of 10 months and 14 previous nights of a conditional-use hearing in Maidencreek Township, testimony was received from the applicant and the township.

On Wednesday night, residents who signed on as parties to the proceedings finally had an opportunity to start presenting their own testimony.

Maidencreek Associates LP, Plymouth Meeting, is seeking a conditional use to allow the construction of a 930,000-square-foot building for wholesale business, storage and warehousing at Route 222 and Evansville Road.

The facility is being proposed on an 80.76-acre tract on Route 222 near the Schaeffer Road roundabout.

When the hearings began last November, about 20 residents signed on as parties, meaning each one will have the opportunity to present their own cases with their own witnesses.

Carol Anne Donohue, a resident party who is also an attorney, said she was not representing the residents, but would assist them in the case of objections.

Donohue was quickly put to work as Gregg Adelman, the attorney for the applicant, began to lodge objections to exhibits presented by the first party, Cliff Panneton.

Panneton attempted to present exhibits from industry publications to try to prove that the traffic impact studies conducted by the applicant were not factual.

Adelman objected, saying the articles were hearsay and that he had no opportunity to cross-examine the authors of the claims.

Wyomissing attorney Jeff Bukowski  who was appointed by a Berks County judge to serve as a hearing officer to make decisions on sustaining or overruling on objections  sustained several of the objections. On most others, he said he would take them under advisement and rule at a later time.

"I understand that this is quasi-judicial, but we need flexibility because we are the residents here, and we are the ones who are going to be impacted," Donohue said.

She added that she is aware of many conditional-use hearings where testimony was admitted with no expert witnesses.

"And I know that the courts have ruled that the non-expert residents' testimony should be weighed," Donohue said. "These are reliable industry-used publications. We're not picking People Magazine or the Inquirer. We're picking reliable industry information."

Donohue argued that the residents do not have the resources to bring in expert witnesses.

Bukowski said many of the documents being presented for the board's consideration were inappropriate.

"And yes, you might need to hire an expert if you want to get some of this in, and that's your right," Bukowski said.

"That's unfortunate," Bukowski said of residents' inability to afford expert witnesses, "but that doesn't mean you can't get around that and present reliable sources."

"You're creating a record," he added. "And part of the record is what I rule on these exhibits. You can challenge that in the future if you think my decisions are wrong. But I'm giving you all the leeway you're entitled to present the evidence."

Panneton said he questioned the location of a driveway for the warehouse off the Schaeffer Road roundabout.

"We also did an extensive search for anywhere in the United States," Panneton said. "This would be the first time in Pennsylvania and possibly in the USA that a warehouse is directly feeding off a roundabout on a major highway. Do we want to risk an experiment in our community?"

Another resident with party status, Rick Zerbe, also called into the question the safety of the driveway for the warehouse being located as the fourth leg of the roundabout.

The next two hearings have been scheduled for Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the township building.
LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office announced an arrest in a fatal drug overdose from October 2021.

The DA, along with PSP, say Eugene Lewis, 49 of Bethlehem, is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, a felony of the first degree.

A media release says the arrest is connected to an incident from Oct. 11, 2021.

Officials say just after 4 p.m. police arrived at a home in the 1700 block of Riverbend Road in Lower Macungie Township for a report of a deceased female.

The victim, Leslie Sherman, 43, was found dead in her bedroom, police report.

Officials confirm Sherman died from mixed drug toxicity of Diphenhydramine, Acetyl Fentanyl, Fentanyl and Loperamide.

Her death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner.

The media release described the scene at the home saying that near Shermans body, troopers found several glassine baggies labeled BROKE OPPS as well as a danger skull and sketch of Benjamin Franklins head, all in red ink.

The bags had indications of recent use, officials continued to report.

A confidential informant found Sherman deceased and said they were both heroin users.

The confidential informant said that he/she had bought heroin from a person in Bethlehem on Oct. 9.

The confidential informant continued to tell police they gave some of the bags of heroin to Sherman and kept others for their own use.

According to the DA's office, The informant said the baggies had the term BROKE OPPS stamped on them. The informant told investigations that he/she didnt believe Sherman had gotten heroin from anyone else because the confidential informant usually got it for Sherman.

The investigation determined that Lewis had sold the BROKE OPPS heroin to the confidential informant and several undercover drug buys were conducted. During those undercover drug purchases, the heroin had the same stamp as the ones found near Shermans body at the time of her death.
EASTON, Pa. - It's been five years in the making, but people are now moving into The Commodore in Easton. The apartment part of the building is done, while work is still underway in the retail spaces and much-anticipated rooftop restaurant. 69 News got an exclusive look inside.

69 News has been following the journey of The Commodore since 2018.

"The way that we looked at this project was that it was truly a marquee asset, something that the city had to be proud of for many years to come," said Garett Vassel, the president of Optima Durant Group and the developer of The Commodore. "It really is the entrance to the state of Pennsylvania."

So even through a pandemic, price hikes and supply chain issues, using premier materials was important to Vassel.

"It's real brick," said Vassel. "It's steel."

The Commodore just got its initial certificate for occupancy from the city, so now, people are moving in. Gregg Jones was the first to get his key, or rather, his key code. Everything's digital.

"I got my installation man here right now hooking it up for me, so I'll have Wi Fi," said Jones.

"Visitors that are coming down at the front, you'll be able to receive it as a FaceTime call," said Vassel.

Jones has one of the building's 38 apartments that come in all shapes and sizes. Almost all of them have views of the Delaware and/or Lehigh rivers. Some rooms are right over the free bridge.

"All of the parades also end right here and go up to the park," said 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori.

"And even the bike races," said Vassel. "We have the train coming across Belvidere trestle."

There are still units available, so people are scheduling tours.

"All built-in microwaves," said Vassel.

Rent is around $2,000 to $3,000.

But The Commodore isn't just for its residents. Retail spaces are being finished up. Clever Girl Winery and Agamon Bakery will be on the Northampton Street side of the building.

"They've already been great partners. We've been putting little gifts in for residents as people are moving in and having bottles of wine," said Vassel.

Developers are in talks with a variety of businesses to fill the last retail area, facing Larry Holmes Drive.

Crews are currently crafting the outdoor and indoor dining spaces for the building's rooftop restaurant called Thyme. It's going to be run by the owners of Zest and is expected to open by the end of the year.

"I envision this being the type of space where people will want to have events," said Vassel.

Vassel says people have already started calling and asking about holding weddings here.

Each detail has been carefully constructed.

"You have the City of Easton clock. This is truly a window. It's a window pane you can look out of," said Vassel.

The restaurant is one of many things Jones is excited about.

"The building's gorgeous," said Jones. "Looking forward to everything being done."

With the Northampton Street sidewalk opened up, Vassel says he's approaching the finish line.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Loved ones, strangers and even a police association are donating to the GoFundMe set up for the victims of a double homicide in North Catasauqua.

The page says money is going toward the mother and daughter's funeral services, and anything leftover will go to Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.

As donations top $25,000 for the GoFundMe page of Rosalyn and Rianna Glass, Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley is connecting with local school districts.

"We understand that teens are going to be aware, and maybe they may want to reach out, and maybe they may find themselves in a similar situation, and they want to talk to us," said Braley Veras, the children's advocacy director at Turning Point of Lehigh Valley.

Veras has conversations with students about teen domestic violence all the time.

"I think we've often made a mistake of creating a hierarchy of like how abuse happens, and we think that it's more intense for adults, and it's less than tense for teens, and in my experience it's not the case. It's the same statistics across the board," said Veras.

"One in three adolescents is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner," said Lauren Duff, the director of communications at Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence adds while 82% of parents are confident they'd know the signs, 58% don't.

Among what to look for: isolation, jealousy and control, including digital control.

"Asking for their passwords or demanding that they share passwords to email or social media accounts, monitoring what they're doing on those accounts, constant texting and phone calls, wanting to know where they are, who they're with," said Duff.

"Relationships should look, sound and feel safe," said Veras.

Veras says teens often tell him they feel stuck. He assures there are safety plans to get them out.

"There are people who are willing to step in and guide you, not tell you what to do, but sort of support you to navigate those, those complex situations," said Veras.

The coalition stresses you don't need to know for sure if it's abuse, or that you want to end a relationship, to reach out for help.

"Talk to somebody if you are unsure," said Duff. "Establishing that norm, that it's okay to talk about these things, abuse can happen to anyone, it's not the person's fault that is experiencing the abusive behaviors, can help to open up those lines of communication."

Turning Point has several confidential locations. More information and its 24-hour hotline can be found on its website.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence's website connects people with resources across the state.

The National Helpline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
HARRISBURG, Pa.  College-bound students and families looking to apply for financial aid for the 2024-25 school year will have to wait a bit longer for the application to become available.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency says the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form for the upcoming school year will be available in December 2023, rather than the usual date of Oct. 1.

PHEAA said the application is delayed this year as the FAFSA undergoes changes as a result of the FAFSA Simplification Act.

In 2020, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act, which aims to streamline the FAFSA process. The new, shorter form is expected to be easier for students and parents to complete, with simplified questions and data automatically populated by the Internal Revenue Service for tax filers.

The changes are said to make Pell Grants and other federal aid more accessible.

"Completing the FAFSA is a critical step in the financial aid process, explained state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, PHEAA board chairman. "It is the application for federal and state aid programs, including the PA State Grant Program."

Students and families are encouraged to check the FAFSA website for announcements about when the form will be available.

"In the meantime, you can be proactive and check to see if your Federal Student Aid (FSA) identification account is ready," added James H. Steeley, PHEAA president and CEO.
POTTSVILLE, Pa. - If you're looking for one of the cheapest average rents per square foot in the U.S., you only have to make your way to Pottsville in Schuylkill County.

That's according to a new study done by New Jersey Real Estate Network, analyzing data from at least 1,000 listings.

Pottsville came in at number three in the country at 76 cents a square foot.

"We haven't seen any sort of robust demand or increase in rents that one would have expected over the last 20 years," said Allentown-based developer Nat Hyman.

Hyman is no stranger to the area. He owns 13 properties in Pottsville, with some under construction.

"We've seen some up-tick with the other increases in rent, but not much," Hyman said.

That's a much different picture then what's happening in the Lehigh Valley. According to RentData.org, the fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Lehigh, Northampton and even Carbon County is just under $1400 per month.

Yet in Schuylkill County, a two-bedroom drops to $843 monthly.

"People tend to migrate on major arteries. So yes, you go 78-West but then you have to get on 61 North and 61 rapidly turns from a highway - with a lot of traffic lights by the way - into a street so the commute isn't great if you're going to New Jersey or a major city," Hyman said.

"I also think Pottsville has been challenged for a lack of industry. Of course, you have Yuengling Brewing there, but there isn't a whole lot more."

Two other Pennsylvania towns made the top 10 list. Johnstown was number 1 at 65 cents a square foot, and Altoona took eighth place at 87 cents a square foot.

As for Pottsville, Hyman says he expects to see more migration as more people get priced out of other areas.

"I think those two issues have to be addressed," Hyman said.
BUCKINGHAM TWP., Pa. - A fallen soldier from Bucks County who served in Vietnam is getting special recognition.

A bridge in Buckingham Township was renamed Thursday in honor of Private First Class Allan Griffin.

It's now the PFC Allan G. Griffin U.S. Army Memorial Bridge.

Griffin, a native of New Jersey, was living in New Hope when he was drafted in 1966.

He died in a helicopter crash in 1967.

It's believed Griffin's actions saved the lives of eight other soldiers. But it wasn't the first time he risked his life on the battlefield.

"In combat, twice, he was seen leaving his line of defense to go forward and bring his comrades back who were injured or dying in battle, without sake of his own life. So amazing the amount of courage and valor someone can have at such a young age," said Ed Preston, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Preston said the bridge dedication was the group's seventh one this year, and fifth in Bucks County.

In all, they are planning to do 136 dedications.
CHENGDU, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Wufeng, former director of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, on Thursday stood trial for accepting bribes.

The case was heard by the Intermediate People's Court of Deyang in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Between 2003 and 2022, Zhang allegedly took advantage of his various positions to assist other individuals and entities on issues such as project contracting and career promotions. In return, he accepted money and property valued at a total of more than 16.47 million yuan (about 2.25 million U.S. dollars) between 2006 and 2022, according to the Deyang Municipal People's Procuratorate.

In court, the prosecutors presented their evidence, which the defendant and his lawyers then cross-examined.

Zhang pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

A verdict will be announced in due course. 
NORRISTOWN, Pa.  The Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue Team were recognized by the Montgomery County commissioners at their meeting Thursday morning. The team was honored for their response to the explosion on Friday, March 24, just before 5 p.m. at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Berks County.

The force of the explosion caused a major collapse of the initial building and significant damage to the adjoining structure, said Joseph Dishler, Task Force Leader of the Search and Rescue Team.

Local emergency services responded immediately and engaged in fire suppression services.

After several hours of operation and reports of people still missing, Dishler said, Berks County officials contacted the Montgomery County Department of Public safety requesting technical rescue resources.

Shortly after 9 p.m. the Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue Team was dispatched, Dishler noted. They sent four apparatus and 13 specialists to the site.

Female rescued

Dishler went on to describe a dramatic rescue of a female Palmer employee by the team. When they entered the building at a different spot after several unsuccessful searches at other access points they heard a faint cry, Dishler noted. Without hesitation these members lowered themselves down into this space, he said, which ended up being filled with waist-deep water. Hailing in to confirm the voice, they began to climb toward the voice under all the unsupported I-beams, conduits, concrete blocks, and industrial racking and equipment.

As they worked their way 20 feet into the dark, they hailed again and heard a voice coming from the right side. Using their helmet lights to see between two large metal tanks 18 inches apart they located a female subject that was 16 feet farther away from them in rising water, Dishler said.

Two rescue squad members, he continued, made their way to the female and worked to free her legs that were pinned below the water line while at the same time working with the medical team to provide the emergent care her conditions demanded.

The team carried her over and under all the debris through the water to return to their entry point that was nearly 25 feet away from where they entered.

While this rescue was being conducted beneath the pile, another squad along with local fire agencies and state K-9 resources were clearing a path to allow for safe transport of the survivor across the pile where medics were awaiting them. In less than 20 minutes from when rescuers first heard her, she was being transported to the hospital.

The team members worked until 6:45 a.m. the next day and located one of the employees who did not survive before being relieved by the state team.

Dishler concluded his remarks, I could not be more proud of our team and I deeply appreciate the support of the Department of Public Safety and the confidence of the commissioners that enabled us to deliver essential services to the residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas.

Commission chair Kenneth Lawrence told the team, many who were in attendance, Thank you all for always being there, its amazing what you all do, and I commend you for being here and you, Joe, for the leadership of your team.

Commissioners Jamila Winder and Joseph Gale also commended the Search and Rescue Team.

Grants

Earlier in her remarks, Winder informed the meeting about recent grants the county had received to help some of its programs that help the community. The Department of Health and Human Services secured a $4.5 million, 5-year grant for the Overdose Data to Action program. It will enable the county to access advanced data to improve drug-fighting efforts.

The county also received a $45,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Industry to support digital literacy efforts. Finally, the Montgomery County Planning Commission received a $30,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for work on the countys economic development plan, Montco 2050.

In addition, the commissioners approved a resolution authorizing three funding contracts with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for federal highway, transit and Geographic Information Services (GIS).

Scott France, Executive Director of Planning, told the commissioners that through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission the county would receive $156,000 for the supportive regional highway plan, $77,400 for transit plans and $26,000 for the region wide GIS plan.

Major contracts

The commissioners awarded an Assets & Infrastructure contract for Engineering Services for Bridge #10, Woodmont Road over Arrowmink Creek in West Conshohocken Borough to SAI Consulting Engineers, Lemoyne, Pa. in the amount of $520,116.66.

In addition, a Health & Human Services contract for Community Based Care Management in the amount of $854,871.00 was awarded to Access Services, Fort Washington, Pa.
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa.  More than $5 million in state funds were awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to benefit residents of Bucks County, state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced Thursday.

Federal Victim of Crime Act funds totaling $4,371,113 were awarded as follows:

Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) Bucks: $1,567,916.

A Woman's Place: $718,405.

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania: $563,305.

SeniorLAW Center: $1,531,487.

PCCD also awarded Bucks County $920,347 in continuing county adult probation and parole grant funds.

The federally funded Victims of Crime Act supports the provision of direct services to victims of crime. This includes a broad array of services for victims ranging from crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling and criminal justice advocacy.

"We are fortunate to have incredible victim services organizations providing vital assistance to some of the most vulnerable residents of Bucks County," said Santarsiero.
Perkiomen Valley School District officials say they were forced to dismiss early Thursday due to a bomb threat.

The threat was not sent directly to the school district. It was sent to the parent company of the Reading Eagle and Pottstown Mercury newspapers.

According to the Mercury, the threat referenced transgender bathroom proposals being discussed by the school board.

The board is considering a policy to restrict the use of restrooms and locker rooms based on biological gender. Last week, the board rejected the proposed policy and sent it back to the policy committee.

Thursday's threat accused officials of being "willing to put girls at risk of being sexually assaulted and raped."

Perkiomen district officials confirm in a Facebook post Thursday's threat is unrelated to a rash of bogus threats being made to school districts across Pennsylvania.
To identify the cheapest and most expensive states for college tuition in the U.S., MoneyGeek analyzed undergraduate tuition data from 2013 to 2023.

Cheapest and most expensive states for college tuition Here are some key findings from our analysis The South and Midwest boast the lowest tuition costs in the US Western states have seen notable tuition increases in the past decade The Northeast is home to some of the nation's priciest colleges Among Northeastern states, Vermont is the priciest Northeastern states also have the highest private tuition costs in the US

Originally published on moneygeek.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 10th China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue will be held in Beijing on Sept. 25 as agreed by the two sides, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

The dialogue will be co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, said the statement. 
Palestinian health officials say the death toll over a day of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip has risen to six. Officials said on Wednesday that an Israeli military raid in a West Bank refugee camp killed at least one Palestinian. Four Palestinians were killed in a raid late Tuesday on the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, known as a militant stronghold, and at least three of them were claimed as militant fighters. Another Palestinian was killed in the Gaza Strip, where youths have been staging violent protests at a separation fence. It is part of some of the worst violence to rock the West Bank in some two decades.
Officials are warning that a disease outbreak in Libyas northeast, where floods have killed thousands, could create a second devastating crisis as adults and children fell ill from contaminated water. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said Monday that there are nine U.N. agencies responding to the disaster and working to prevent diseases from taking hold. It added the World Health Organization sent 28 tons of medical supplies to the devastated country. The head of Libyas Center for Combating Diseases said in televised comments Saturday that at least 150 people suffered diarrhea after drinking contaminated water in Derna.
LUXEMBOURG, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Insured Brazil Power Finance S.a r.l., a private limited liability company (societe a responsabilite limitee), incorporated and existing under Luxembourg law, having its registered office at 16, rue Eugene Ruppert, L  2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (Registre de Commerce et des Societes, Luxembourg) under number B 217648 (the "Company"), previously launched a consent solicitation (the "Solicitation") in relation to its outstanding 9.850% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the "Notes"), pursuant to the consent solicitation statement, dated September 13, 2023 (the "Statement"). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this announcement (the "Announcement") have the meaning assigned to them in the Statement.

The Company today announces that the Solicitation expired as scheduled at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on September 20, 2023, and that the Company has received the Requisite Consents, including from Holders owning at least the 56.25% aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes and from Uninsured Lenders owning at least 56.25% aggregate outstanding principal amount of debt under the Uninsured Loan Agreement as required under the Company Intercreditor Agreement. Since the Solicitation has expired, consents thereunder may no longer be validly revoked, unless required by applicable law. As of the Expiration Time, the scaling factor was 83.3925% (the "Scaling Factor") and is no longer subject to change.

The Company expects to receive all consents required under the Debenture Indenture, the Company Intercreditor Agreement and the Project Intercreditor Agreement necessary to effectuate the CELSE Proposed Amendments and Agreements. The Company expects the Effective Time to occur on September 21, 2023, on which date the Company intends to enter into a supplemental indenture with respect to the Notes giving effect to the Indenture Amendments. The Indenture Amendments will become operative with respect to each series of Notes only upon payment of the applicable Consent Effectiveness Payment, as described below.

As previously announced, the Consent Consideration due to Holders who validly delivered (and did not revoke) their Consent at or prior to the Expiration Time is payable in two instalments: (a) the Consent Effectiveness Payment of R$5.00 per R$1,000 Original Principal Amount of the Notes, multiplied by the Scaling Factor, will be payable to such Holders on September 25, 2023 (the "Initial Settlement Date"); and (ii) the Additional Consent Consideration of R$25.00 per R$1,000 Original Principal Amount of the Notes, multiplied by the Scaling Factor will be payable to such Holders on the Final Settlement Date, which will be the date that is the earlier of (a) 20 business days following the Expiration Time; and (b) the business day immediately prior to any date that the Notes are scheduled to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. The Consent Consideration is denominated in Brazilian Reais but will be settled in U.S. dollars as converted based on the selling rate for Brazilian Reais into U.S. Dollars reported by the Brazilian Central Bank on the "PTAX VENDA800" screen at 5:00 p.m. (Sao Paulo time) on September 21, 2023.

Payment of the Consent Consideration to consenting Holders is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the Solicitation set forth in the Statement. The Company expects that the conditions to the Solicitation will be satisfied on or before the Initial Settlement Date.

The Notes are currently listed on the Official List of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (the "LuxSE") and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF market of the LuxSE.

The Company has engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as sole structuring and lead solicitation agent, and Banco Bradesco BBI S.A., Banco BTG Pactual S.A.  Cayman Branch, Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. and Santander US Capital Markets LLC, as co-solicitation agents for the Solicitation. D. F. King & Co., Inc. has been engaged to act as the information agent for the Solicitation. Any questions or requests for assistance concerning the terms of the Solicitation may be made to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at ny.liabilitymanagement@citi.com, +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll free) or +1 (212) 723-6106 (collect), Banco Bradesco BBI S.A. at +55 (11) 3847-5610 (collect), Banco BTG Pactual S.A.  Cayman Branch at ol-dcm@btgpactual.com, +1 (212) 293-4600 (collect), Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. at +1 (212) 824 5083 (collect), or Santander US Capital Markets LLC at +1 (855) 404-3636 (toll free) or +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect). Questions or requests for assistance relating to the procedures for delivering Consents or additional copies of the Statement and any related documents may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at celse@dfking.com, +1 (800) 290-6427 (toll free) or +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect). The Statement and other related documents are available electronically at www.dfking.com/celse.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company cautions you that statements included in this Announcement that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may not materialize or prove correct. These include, among others, statements with respect to the terms and timing for the payment of the Consent Consideration, the timing of the Effective Time and any expectations with respect to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent for the Solicitation and the other consents required to effectuate the Refinancing. There can be no assurance that the transactions contemplated in this Announcement will be consummated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement included in this Announcement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.

Other Important Information

The Solicitation Agents take no responsibility for the contents of this Announcement. This Announcement must be read in conjunction with the Statement. This Announcement and the Statement contain important information which should be read carefully and in its entirety before any decision is made in connection with the Solicitation. If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, accountant or other independent financial adviser.

This Announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities, nor a solicitation of consents.

The Notes described herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and they may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/swiss-insured-brazil-power-finance-sa-rl-announces-the-expiration-of-and-receipt-of-requisite-consents-under-the-consent-solicitation-in-relation-to-its-outstanding-9-850-senior-secured-notes-due-2032-reg-s-cusip--isin-l8915--301934202.html

SOURCE Swiss Insured Brazil Power Finance S.a r.l.
WARSAW, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Poland will not send weapons to Ukraine anymore, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday night.

The announcement came as Polish-Ukrainian relations became strained owing to the extension of a ban by Warsaw on Ukrainian grain import. The European Union last week lifted such restrictions.

Speaking on private TV channel Polsat News, Morawiecki said Poland was helping Ukraine but could not agree on any destabilization of the Polish market by grain imports from Ukraine.

The grain onto the Polish market had depressed prices and led the government to introduce price guarantees and ultimately the ban on imports, he said, adding that the transit of Ukrainian goods will be maintained.

Morawiecki also said that instead of sending weapons to Ukraine, Poland was now "defending ourselves."

On Thursday, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told the Polish Press Agency that the country would carry out previously agreed arms deliveries to Ukraine. 
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We are accepting applications for our all our academic programmes for 2024.

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Closing date: 30 November 2023

Should you need more information, one of our helpful staff members will get back to you.

Email: academicprogrammes.wsg@ds.wits.ac.za
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Wednesday that vaccines should be treated as global goods and available to all countries and companies, the Prime Minister's office said in a statement here.

Addressing the conference on "Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response" held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kakar said that the intergovernmental negotiations under the auspices of the World Health Organization should determine the distribution of the vaccine.

"We should also commit to remove trade barriers, strengthen supply chains, and facilitate the movement of medical and public health goods by diversifying manufacturing capacities across the regions and promoting technologies for the developing countries," he said.

Kakar said that the pandemic raised global concerns including inequity in the vaccine distribution among the rich and the poor, resistance by the corporate sector, and insistence upon property rights.

Kakar added that scientific research should be accessible to the entire global community as guaranteeing access to every critical scientific breakthrough or discovery is crucial for preserving human lives.

He said that it was time for the international community to rise to the challenge and ensure better preparedness through legally binding obligations for building resilience against future pandemics. 
Investec Group provides various financial products and services in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and internationally. The company offers wealth and investment products and services, including portfolio management, wealth management, fund management, and custody related services; discretionary wealth management, financial planning, stockbroking, and investment advisory services for private clients, charities, and trusts. It also provides specialist banking products and services comprising private banking products, such as property finance, lending, savings, foreign exchange, private capital, life assurance and investment products, and transactional banking services; deposit raising, treasury solutions, and investment related activities; corporate and investment banking products, including lending, advisory, hedging, cash deposits and savings, and equity placement services to government, institutions, corporates, private equity, and intermediaries. Investec Group was founded in 1974 and is based in Sandton, South Africa.
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth. The index represents approximately 50% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index. The Index is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
China Pharma Holdings, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded pharmaceutical, and biochemical products primarily to hospitals and private retailers in the People's Republic of China. The company offers products in the form of dry powder injectables, liquid injectables, tablets, capsules, and cephalosporin oral solutions. Its products include Cerebroprotein Hydroloysate injection to treat memory decline and attention deficit; Gastrodin injection for tiredness, loss of concentration, poor sleep, and traumatic syndromes of the brain; Propylgallate injection to treat cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and after surgery complications; Ozagrel Sodium to treat acute thrombotic cerebral infarction and dyskinesia; Alginic Sodium Diester injection for ischemic heart, cerebrovascular, and high lipoprotein blood diseases; Bumetanide injection to treat edema diseases; and Candesartan for hypertension. The company also provides Roxithromycin dispersible tablets for pharyngitis and tonsillitis; Cefaclor dispersible tablets for tympanitis, lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infections, and skin/skin tissue infection; Cefalexin capsules for acute tonsillitis; Andrographolide for sore throat caused by upper respiratory tract infection; Clarithromycin granules and capsules; and Naproxen Sodium and PseudophedrineHydrochlorida sustained release tablets. It offers Hepatocyte growth-promoting factor, Tiopronin, Compound Ammonium Glycyrrhetate S, and Omeparzole for the treatment of digestive diseases. The company provides Vitamin B6 injection; Granisetron Hydrochloride injection to treat nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy during the treatment of malignant tumors; Noni Enzyme, a food supplement; sanitizers; and masks. It offers its products through distributors, its network of sales offices, and sales representatives. The company is based in Haikou, the People's Republic of China.
The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: AVK Holdco UK Limited, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CMI 2020 Holdings LLC, CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., Centro de Fomento para Inclusion S. de R.L. de C.V., Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Chile SpA, Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration International Corp. External Profit Company, Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins Hydrogen Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Motorenwerke Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Power (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins New Power S.L., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Patton Acquisition LLC, Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Ltd., Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India Private Limited, Cummins Turbo Technologies, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins S.A. Sucursal Bolivia, Distribuidora Cummins S.A. Sucursal Uruguay, Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Energy-Ventures Angola Lda., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Meritor, Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, OOO Cummins, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., Sky Power Holdco LLC, TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc..

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The following companies are subsidiares of Laboratory Co. of America: 1957285 Ontario Inc. dba Quality Underwriting Services, 2089729 Ontario Inc., 2248848 Ontario Inc., 3065619 Nova Scotia Company, 3257959 Nova Scotia Company, 8165335 Canada Inc., 8348596 Canada Inc., 896988 Ontario Limited, 9279-3280 Quebec Inc., Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., Assets of Pathology Inc, Beacon LBS IPA Inc., Beacon Laboratory Benefit Solutions Inc., CannAmm GP Inc., CannAmm Limited Partnership, Center for Disease Detection International, Center for Disease Detection LLC, Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc., Chiltern, Clearstone Central Laboratories (U.S.) Inc., Clearstone Holdings (International) Ltd., Clinical Outreach Laboratory Services, Clipper Holdings Inc., Colorado Coagulation Consultants Inc., Colorado Laboratory Services LLC, Correlagen Diagnostics Inc., Covance Inc., Curalab Inc., Cytometry Associates Inc., Czura Thornton (Hong Kong) Limited, DCL Acquisition Inc., DCL Medical Laboratories LLC, DCL Sub LLC, DIANON Systems Inc., DL Holdings Limited Partnership, Decision Diagnostics L.L.C. (aka DaVinici/Medicorp LLC), Diagnostic Services Inc., DynaLifeDX, Dynacare - Gamma Laboratory Partnership, Dynacare Company, Dynacare G.P. Inc., Dynacare Holdco LLC, Dynacare Laboratories Inc., Dynacare Laboratories Limited Partnership, Dynacare Northwest Inc., Dynacare Realty Inc., DynalifeDX Infrastructure Inc., Envigo's nonclinical contract research services business, Esoterix Genetic Counseling LLC, Esoterix Genetic Laboratories LLC, Esoterix Inc., Execmed Health Services Inc., FirstSource Laboratory Solutions Inc., GDML Medical Laboratories Inc, Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratories GP Inc., Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratory Limited Partnership, HHLA Lab-In-An-Envelope LLC, Health Testing Centers Inc., Health Trans Services Inc., Home Healthcare Laboratory of America LLC, IDX Pathology Inc., Impact Genetics Corporation, Impact Genetics Inc., Kaleida LabCorp LLC, Lab Delivery Service of New York City Inc., LabCorp BVBA, LabCorp Belgium Holdings Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Canada) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (China) Inc., LabCorp Colorado Inc., LabCorp Development Company, LabCorp Employer Services Inc., LabCorp Health System Diagnostics LLC, LabCorp Indiana Inc., LabCorp Japan G.K., LabCorp Limited, LabCorp Michigan Inc., LabCorp Nebraska Inc., LabCorp Neon Ltd., LabCorp Neon Switzerland S.a.r.l., LabCorp Specialty Testing Billing Service Inc., LabCorp Specialty Testing Group Inc., LabCorp Staffing Solutions Inc., LabCorp Tennessee LLC, LabCorp UK Holdings Ltd., LabWest Inc., Laboratoire Bio-Medic Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Lifecodes Corporation, LipoScience Inc., Litholink Corporation, MEDTOX Scientific Inc., MNG Laboratories, MedAxio Insurance Medical Services GP Inc., MedAxio Insurance Medical Services LP, Medical Neurogenitics LLC, Medtox Diagnostics Inc., Medtox Laboratories Inc., Monogram Biosciences Inc., Monogram Biosciences UK Limited, Myriad Autoimmunes Vectra Testing Business, NWT Inc., National Genetics Institute, New Brighton Business Center LLC, New Imaging Diagnostics LLC, New Molecular Diagnostics Ventures LLC, Orchid Cellmark ULC, Ovia Health, PA Labs Inc., Paclab LLC, Path Lab Incorporated, Pathology Associates Medical Lab LLC, Pee Dee Pathology Associates Inc., Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc., Persys Technology Inc., Pixel by LabCorp, Princeton Diagnostic Laboratories of America Inc., Protedyne Corporation, SW/DL LLC, Saint Josephs-PAML LLC, Sequenom Biosciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Tandem Labs Inc., Toxikon Corporation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., Visiun, and Yakima Medical Arts Inc..

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GE is a multi-national conglomerate that was originally incorporated in 1892. The company was founded by Thomas Edison as the Edison General Electric Company and shortened its name to General Electric following a merger with two other early electric pioneers. The name was later shortened again to GE. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts but has operations on a global scale. One of the original 12 Dow stocks, the company was a component of the index for 122 years until its ousting in 2018.

Originally intended to make and market Edisons incandescent lamp and following products, the company grew over the years through mergers, acquisitions, and natural expansion into newly created fields. Among the many early accomplishments is the creation of RCA and NBC which will both become forces of their own. Other major innovations include the worlds first turbine superchargers, industrial gas turbine engines, and the first jet engine. In the field of computing, General Electric Company is credited as being one of the 8 major computer companies of the 1960s and shares responsibility for todays digital world. In regard to its employees, two were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work with the company.

Today GE operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates through four segments including Power, Renewables, Aerospace, and Healthcare although there are plans in the works to split the company into three separate entities. The three new companies would be GE Vernova (power and renewables), GE Health, and GE Aerospace. The spin-offs are expected to be completed by 2025.

The Power segment offers a variety of turbine engines for power production as well as the full range of services from plant construction to retrofit and refit. The Renewables segment is focused on solutions for renewable energy including wind and hydro and the technology to operate them. The Aviation segment manufactures aircraft engines of all varieties and the Healthcare segment offers technology for imaging, monitoring, diagnostics, and drug discovery to health and medical facilities.

General Electric is committed to helping the world transition to a greener way of life and is exiting the new-build coal-fired power industry. Instead, its advancements in wind, grid efficiency, and natural gas are being deployed around the world helping to reduce emissions and generate cleaner energy for businesses, industry, and communities. The company is targeting 2030 for its own carbon neutrality and 2050 for net zero emissions.
TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the European Union (EU) stressed the importance of continuing talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift sanctions on Iran in a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell exchanged views on proposed new steps to achieve those goals in a meeting on Wednesday.

They discussed the latest developments and progress of the nuclear negotiations, as well as the latest developments in bilateral relations and on the regional and international scenes.

The statement said the European side expressed satisfaction with the recently implemented prisoner swap agreement between Tehran and Washington, and was briefed on the process of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the Iranian side's assessment of the political talks with the E3 group of France, Germany, and Britain.

The EU official, as the coordinator of the nuclear negotiations, expressed his readiness to follow up on the talks and hold the necessary consultations.

The two sides also agreed to take concrete steps within an agreed framework and prepare the ground for maximum understanding among all sides. 
First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. The company provides underwriting services for bank-eligible securities and other fixed-income securities by financial subsidiaries; sells loans and derivatives; and offers advisory services. In addition, it offers commercial and business banking for business enterprises, consumer banking, and private client and wealth management services; and capital markets, professional commercial real estate, mortgage warehouse and asset-based lending, franchise and equipment finance, and corporate and correspondent banking. Further, the company provides transaction processing services including check clearing services and remittance processing, credit cards, investment, and sale of mutual fund and retail insurances, as well as trust, fiduciary, and agency services. First Horizon Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as consumer staples, industrials, consumer discretionary, materials, healthcare, financials, information technology, energy, telecommunication services and utilities. The Fund generally invests at least 90% of its assets in securities of the Index and in depositary receipts representing securities of the Index. BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
Johnson & Johnson is a US-based multinational pharmaceutical company that started in the early 1870s. Robert Wood Johnson began training as a pharmacist at 16 and founded his 1st company in 1873. That company would be disbanded by 1886 when Johnson joined his brothers to form today's entity. The companys first line of products was sterile surgical dressings which were soon followed up by household products and medical guides.

Today, Johnson & Johnson is one of the worlds largest companies. It is ranked 36th on the 2021 Fortune 500 list and is a Dow Jones Industrial Average member. The company operates via 250 subsidiaries with operations in 60 countries and product sales in 175. As of 2021, annual sales were in the range of $95 billion and growing. The company is also a leader in equality and the advancement of womens rights. Johnson & Johnsons workforce was nearly 50% female by 1910, and many held significant positions of responsibility.

Among the companys many advances in health care is the advancement of sterile conditions to prevent postoperative and secondary infections. Products include sterile gauze, cotton and dressings, and the development of the industrial sterilization process. However, the product that launched the company to success was the combination of a sterile dressing with tape. The company called the new products Band-Aids, which is now synonymous with small, prepackaged bandages. Another major win for the company was Johnson & Johnson Baby Soap.

Today, Johnson & Johnson operates in 3 segments: Pharmaceutical, Consumer Health and MedTech. The Consumer Health segment alone covers brands like Aveeno, Listerine, Tylenol, Zyrtec, Band-Aid and Neosporin, which are among the worlds most recognizable brands. The companys purpose is to blend science and ingenuity to change the trajectory of health for humanity profoundly.

The Pharmaceutical segment offers products in all segments of the healthcare spectrum and has partnerships to develop new drugs with at least 10 other major healthcare providers and dozens of smaller research facilities. Products are offered wholesale to retailers and through healthcare systems. The MedTech segment develops and manufactures various healthcare devices and diagnostic tools. Among the many recognizable products from this segment are ACUVUE contact lenses.

Johnson & Johnson went public in 1944 and began paying dividends soon after. The company began increasing its dividend payment in 1962 and has increased it yearly. The company is a member of the Dividend Aristocrat Index and qualifies as a Dividend King with more than 50 years of consecutive annual increases. The company employs more than 142,000 individuals and serves more than 1 billion daily. Regarding the companys health, its track record of dividend payments is backed up by a AAA credit rating. Johnson & Johnson is one of only 2 US corporations with such a rating and is more trusted than the US government.

The company announced plans to split into two publicly traded companies in 2021. The move is expected to be complete in late 2023 and will result in a Consumer Health company and a Pharmaceutical company.










S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price

S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price

S&P 500 4,193.80 DOW 33,052.87 QQQ 350.87 Oil swings have led analysts to recommend these 2 stocks Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) J&J stock down as business unit mulls talc-related bankruptcy Caterpillar crawls into a new buying opportunity Is Gold Really Boring? (Ad) Stock market today: World shares mostly higher ahead of Fed decision on interest rates The Digital Face of Real Estate, Your Best Bets This Year New CBOE special perk helps traders target income every weekend (Ad) 5 discounted opportunities for dividend growth investors Why Amazon, Zara, and H&M Are Losing Customer Loyalty and Paying a Very Costly Price
Range Resources Corporation operates as an independent natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil company in the United States. The company engages in the exploration, development, and acquisition of natural gas and oil properties. It markets and sells natural gas and NGLs to utilities, marketing and midstream companies, and industrial users; petrochemical end users, marketers/traders, and natural gas processors; and oil and condensate to crude oil processors, transporters, and refining and marketing companies. The company was formerly known as Lomak Petroleum, Inc. and changed its name to Range Resources Corporation in 1998. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.
VIENTIANE, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC) has procured another electric multiple unit (EMU) train, which will arrive in the Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday, aiming to accommodate the growing number of passengers.

Anongdeth Phetkaysone, deputy director of the LCRC, said that the EMU train has been purchased to support passenger transportation both domestically and internationally, in order to support the increase in passengers and prepare for Laos' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Visit Laos Year 2024, the local Pasaxon newspaper reported on Thursday.

LCRC is a joint venture based in Vientiane responsible for the operation of the railway's Lao section.

Since its opening in December 2021, the China-Laos Railway has carried 3,197,600 passengers, averaging 4,889 passengers a day and with a record high of 10,197 passengers in one day. In 2023, it carried 1,759,900 passengers in a period of just over eight months.

In terms of freight transport, a total of 5,381,900 tons of goods was exported, averaging 8,229 tons a day, with a maximum of 15,250 tons shipped in one day.

The main categories of goods carried on the railway were fruit, potato flour, barley, rubber, beer, iron ore, concentrated iron ore, and chemical fertilizer, said Anongdeth.

So far this year, the volume of goods exported reached 3,101,400 tons, an increase of 138 percent compared to the same period last year, with an average of 11,928 tons shipped each day, and a maximum shipment of 15,250 tons in one day. 
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.
Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR) pays an annual dividend of $1.90 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 4.66%. POR has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The company has been increasing its dividend for 17 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 85.97%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, POR will have a dividend payout ratio of 61.29% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for POR.
Magellan Aerospace Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engineers and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components for aerospace markets in Canada, the United States, and Europe. It offers aero engine products, such as laser welded honeycomb and filament wound tubes, engine frames, frames, compressor components, bypass ducts, hot section components, and aeroengine and helicopter drive shafts, as well as other flight safety critical machined components, including discs, seals, and spacers; and aerostructures comprising landing gear systems, wing ribs, spars and skins, bulkheads and fuselage components, tailcone assemblies, composite wing and fairing structures, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, plug and nozzle, exhaust systems, crown modules, and vane boxes and transition ducts. The company also designs, engineers, and manufactures assemblies and components, such as stage rocket motors, solid propellant rocket motors, and rocket weapon systems; wire strike protection systems for helicopter safety; space solutions, including small satellite bus platforms, satellite subsystem equipment, as well as offers services for satellite assembly, integration, and testing; and aluminum and magnesium alloy sand castings, such as engine mounted accessory gearbox housings, helicopter power transmission housings, auxiliary power unit inlet and gearbox housings, engine front inlet and intermediate cases, engine front frames and fan cases, pump and accessory drive housings, and environmental control housings. In addition, the company offers maintenance, repair, and overhaul for various engine and components, as well as lifecycle management services to logistics, fleet management, and engineering services. Magellan Aerospace Corporation was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada.
Albany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the textile and materials processing business. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, towels, nonwovens, building products, tannery, and textiles. This segment offers forming, pressing, and drying fabrics, as well as process belts; and engineered fabrics. The AEC segment 3D-woven and injected composite components for aircraft engines composite airframe and engine components for military and commercial aircraft. It operates in the United States, Switzerland, Brazil, China, France, Mexico, Italy, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1895 and is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire.
TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry discussed improving bilateral ties in New York, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the two foreign ministers held "comprehensive, positive and fruitful" talks on issues of common interests, according to a statement released by the Iranian ministry.

The ministers highlighted their countries' civilizational and historical backgrounds and cultural commonalities, stressing the need for the continuation of the talks between Iranian and Egyptian officials to smooth the path and take steps toward safeguarding the common interests.

They also emphasized that promoting bilateral relations and cooperation will not only safeguard the two countries' interests but also have positive regional impacts.

Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have announced a willingness to mend bilateral ties by settling differences on certain issues. 
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc. as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. The Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index. The Fund's investment advisor is BlackRock Fund Advisors.
Wells Fargo & Company is a multinational financial services company that has established itself as a prominent player in the global financial industry. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Wells Fargo operates in 35 countries and serves over 70 million customers worldwide. Its rich history and successful mergers and acquisitions have contributed to its significant global presence.

As a comprehensive financial services provider, Wells Fargo offers a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer financial services. The company's mission is to satisfy its customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo aims to achieve this by providing exceptional service, acting with integrity, fostering diversity and inclusion, and contributing positively to the communities it serves.

Wells Fargo's extensive product and service portfolio caters to various market segments. The company serves individual consumers, small businesses, corporations, and institutional investors. Its key customers encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from everyday banking customers to high-net-worth individuals and large corporations. Wells Fargo aims to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers through personalized solutions and innovative offerings.

The company has achieved several notable milestones and received recognition for its contributions to the financial industry. Wells Fargo has been ranked as one of the "Big Four Banks" in the United States, alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. It is also recognized as one of the largest banks in the country by total assets, deposits, and market capitalization. Wells Fargo's commitment to delivering quality financial services has earned it a position among the most valuable bank brands.

Wells Fargo is led by an experienced and capable management team that guides the company's operations and strategic direction. The leadership team consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and extensive finance, banking, technology, risk management, and customer service expertise. The Chief Executive Officer and President of Wells Fargo is Charles W. Scharf, who brings a wealth of experience in the financial industry. The management team also includes key executives such as Michael J. Santomassimo as the Chief Financial Officer and Scott Powell as the Chief Operating Officer. Each management team member contributes their professional background, accomplishments, and expertise to ensure the company's success.

Wells Fargo has demonstrated consistent financial performance over the years, driven by its diverse business segments and strategic initiatives. The company has reported steady revenue growth, reflecting its ability to attract and retain a large customer base. Wells Fargo's revenue metrics indicate its success in generating income through its various financial services and product offerings.

Earnings metrics illustrate the company's profitability and stability. Wells Fargo's focus on prudent risk management practices and diversified revenue streams contributes to its ability to generate sustainable earnings. Profit margin metrics showcase the efficiency of Wells Fargo's operations. The company's ability to manage costs effectively while generating revenue is key to maintaining healthy profit margins. Debt levels play a significant role in evaluating the company's financial position. Wells Fargo's management strives to maintain a conservative approach to managing debt, ensuring a strong balance sheet and financial stability.

Wells Fargo's valuation metrics are influenced by a range of factors, including its market position, financial performance, growth prospects, risk profile, and investor sentiment. Factors driving Wells Fargo's valuation include its brand recognition, customer base, diversified business segments, and ability to generate consistent earnings. Changes in investor sentiment, market conditions, and regulatory developments can also impact the company's valuation over time.

Investors closely monitor Wells Fargo's stock performance, assessing its ability to deliver value over the long term. The stock has had issues in the past due to news or events that have affected the company's share price, such as regulatory actions, the global pandemic, and strategic initiatives. These factors should be considered in analyzing its market performance.

Wells Fargo operates in the highly competitive financial services industry, which is subject to evolving regulatory frameworks and technological advancements. Understanding the broader industry in which the company operates is crucial to assessing its competitive positioning.

Wells Fargo competes with other major banks and financial institutions domestically and internationally. The company leverages its brand recognition, extensive product and service offerings, customer relationships, and technological capabilities to gain a competitive advantage. However, it also faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, changing customer preferences, and disruptive market forces.

Wells Fargo has identified several growth opportunities within its diverse business segments. The company aims to deepen relationships with existing customers, attract new customers and expand its presence in key markets. In consumer banking, Wells Fargo focuses on enhancing digital capabilities, improving customer experience, and providing innovative solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The company seeks to leverage its strong brand and customer base to drive growth and increase customer loyalty. In wealth and investment management, Wells Fargo aims to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. The company's expertise in wealth management positions it well to capture opportunities in an increasingly complex investment landscape.

As with any financial institution, Wells Fargo faces various risks and challenges. It is important to comprehensively analyze potential risks and challenges to understand their potential impact on the company's performance. Factors such as regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, economic downturns, and reputational risks pose challenges to Wells Fargo's operations. The company has implemented robust risk management strategies, invested in technology and security measures, and enhanced compliance frameworks to mitigate these risks. Ongoing efforts to prioritize ethical conduct, transparency, and stakeholder trust are integral to managing risks effectively.
Baima Chilin (1st L), president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, delivers a speech during a seminar on human rights in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 20, 2023. Chinese and European specialists and officials gathered here for the seminar on human rights on Wednesday, focusing on China's path to modernization as well as on the diversity of human rights among different civilizations. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and European specialists and officials gathered here for a seminar on human rights on Wednesday, focusing on China's path to modernization as well as on the diversity of human rights among different civilizations.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights, held both online and offline, was attended by more than 130 human rights experts, officials and representatives from political parties and social organizations.

In his opening address, Baima Chilin, president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, called on countries to promote positive progress in global human rights governance through solidarity and cooperation, and to promote the free and comprehensive development of all people in the process of modernization.

All countries should also join hands to find solutions to problems and challenges that exist in the field of global human rights, he added.

"At a time of tension in international relations, it is apparent that there are various efforts being made to weaponize the human rights debate," Neil Davidson, Labour member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, said.

The considerable diversity in the governance of human affairs suggests that the policy for one society is unlikely to apply to another society with different priorities, traditions, history and cultures, Davidson said, noting that "the purpose of discussion should be to learn from one another, to share experiences and to understand one another, not to promote division between peoples."

Building mutual respect is one step to reducing rising tensions in today's world, he said, adding that "discussion on human rights, with the objective of mutual understanding between countries, can only serve to improve relations."

Oliviero Diliberto, Italy's former justice minister, also dean of the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome, noted that Italy and China enjoy close relations as they recognize and respect differences between their civilizations and cultures, as well as seek common ground and a common goal of cooperation.

In his video message, Diliberto also praised the fruitful academic exchanges and cooperation in law between Italy and China in recent years, which functioned as a bridge between civilizations to foster dialogue.

Three parallel sessions were held during the seminar, with participants discussing such topics as the development of modern human rights philosophy, and the evolution of human rights civilizations in the digital age.

The 2023 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Faculty of Law at Sapienza University of Rome. 
Artists perform a traditional Chinese opera in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. [China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua]

SOFIA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua)  East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges.

Representatives of Bulgarian media circles, tourism businesses, and other professionals in attendance also learned about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), could taste Chinese tea, and could visit a thematic photo exhibition and an exhibition of porcelain products.

On the sidelines of the event, representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" based in the town of Panagyurishte near the capital Sofia signed a cooperation agreement.

Ye Jianchun, governor of Jiangxi Province, said he sincerely hoped that the event provided a new opportunity and a new starting point to bring exchanges and cooperation to a new level.

Ye said that especially since Jiangxi and Sofia District officially established twinning relations in December 2020, the exchanges and cooperation between them continued to expand, and the friendship between people continued to deepen.

Julian Lekov, governor of Sofia District, said that he and Ye signed on Wednesday morning an agreement reaffirming the desire for partnership between Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Lekov said that the agreement laid the foundation for a future partnership between five of the municipalities in Sofia District and Jiangxi Province.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dong Xiaojun, who also attended the event, said he sincerely hoped that it would boost interpersonal and cultural exchanges between Bulgaria, Jiangxi and China, and advance economic and social cooperation and development between the two countries.

"The event was extremely interesting, very useful for those present there and for Bulgaria in general, because they introduced us to the history, culture and present day of Jiangxi Province," Snezhana Todorova, president of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, told Xinhua.

It was exciting, beautiful and perfectly organized, Todorova added.

Representatives of China's Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and of Bulgaria's Multi-Profile Hospital "Uni Hospital" sign a cooperation agreement in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. [China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua]

People visit an exhibition of Chinese porcelain products in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. [China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua]

A staff member demonstrates a Chinese tea ceremony in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sept. 20, 2023. East China's Jiangxi Province was the subject of a presentation held at the China Cultural Center here on Wednesday. Beyond a general introduction, the event was aimed at encouraging exchanges. [China Cultural Center in Sofia/Handout via Xinhua]

(Source: Xinhua)


Before she retired, in July this year, Qin Guangwei was Vice-President of Yancheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences (in Yancheng, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province). As an agricultural technician, during the past three decades, she was dedicated to increasing grain production, and also to conserving and improving soil.

While popularizing agricultural techniques among farmers, many rural residents (in Yancheng) grew to accept her as a trustworthy, intimate friend. Given her outstanding achievements, she received many awards throughout the years. For example, she received the National May 1 Labor Medal, and she was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder and a National Advanced Worker.

Work Relayed Through Generations

Qin Zhiyi, Qin Guangwei's father, was also an agricultural technician. As a little girl, Qin Guangwei was impressed by her father's deep commitment to his profession, and by his profound love for rural residents and the fertile land. Qin Guangwei was determined, from a young age, to follow in Qin Zhiyi's footsteps.

In 1987, she began working at Yancheng Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau, shortly after she graduated from Yancheng Agricultural School, a vocational school dedicated to cultivating rural cadres.





Within a short time, Qin Guangwei was assigned to work at a village in Yancheng. At first, some of the farmers questioned whether she, a delicate, urban woman, could endure the harsh working and living conditions of the rural area. She proved, through her actions, that she was tough enough to handle the work.

While working hard to improve her professional skills, she learned from rural residents' experiences in farming. Gradually, she gained the trust of many farmers, who treated her like a family member.

"Keeping in mind my dad's words, I always treat others with sincerity. As a result, many people, including farmers, have become my intimate friends," says Qin Guangwei.

Her heart has filled with delight every time a farmer has told her that he/she increased grain production or improved the quality of crops and/or fruits by using the scientific and technological knowledge taught by Qin Guangwei in production.

"In recent years, many agricultural technicians have improved their ability to popularize agricultural techniques (among farmers). However, the technicians should conduct investigations in rural areas (across the country), so they can better understand farmers' difficulties in production," Qin Guangwei has been quoted as saying.

Committed to Helping Farmers Live Better Lives

Although Yancheng boasts the largest area of agricultural land in Jiangsu, some of its soil contains much salt, which causes low soil fertility. During the past several decades, Qin Guangwei has remained committed to her original aspiration  helping farmers live better lives. She has also led her colleagues in using modern agricultural techniques to improve Yancheng's soil quality, so farmers can increase their grain production.

Given their persevering efforts, to promote and apply agricultural techniques to improve the soil, the once-unproductive saline-alkali marsh has been transformed into a "granary." As a result, Yancheng has become an important grain-production base in the country.

To help farmers increase grain output, Qin Guangwei stresses agricultural technicians should strive to improve soil quality. She also stresses technicians should use scientific and technological knowledge in production, so they can help farmers improve the quality of their crops. She believes that, in turn, will promote agricultural development.



"Land is alive. Like human beings, it will repay you for the care it receives. However, if you do not treasure and/or protect it, or even do harm to it, land will bring catastrophes to you," says Qin Guangwei.

She was a deputy to the 12th and 13th National People's congresses (NPC). Through investigations, she discovered greater efforts had to be made to protect and improve the quality of farmland. She made several proposals to promote rural revitalization, and to promote the legislation of the Farmland Protection Law.

During the Third Session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee (held in June 2023), the first review of the (Draft) Law of the People's Republic of China on Ensuring Food Security was conducted. "I was gratified to learn the draft contains a chapter for Farmland Protection.' In addition to setting boundaries for urban development, the chapter contains provisions for the redlines of the delineation of farmland, of the preservation of permanent basic farmland, and of the land's ecological protection," Qin Guangwei has been quoted as saying.

She has not only played an important role in both promoting grain production and improving the quality of farmland, but she has also put much effort into helping people around her better understand the importance of food conservation.

As a mother, Qin Guangwei always teaches her daughter, through her words and her actions, and she encourages her daughter to cherish food. She also encourages her relatives and acquaintances to form the good habit of saving food.

"We should save on every grain of food ... Each time we have a meal, we should think of farmers' tremendous efforts to grow grain. So, let's start from now to save food," she says.

Qin Guangwei is still concerned about rural residents' well-being, even though she retired from Yancheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences two months ago. She is always ready to help farmers solve technical problems in their production. "My heart is filled with delight, as I work with farmers (in fields)," says Qin Guangwei.

Throughout the years, Qin Guangwei has performed her duties as an agricultural technician, and she has explored ways to promote agricultural development. "It is my lifelong goal to study how to achieve high grain yield, and how to conserve and improve soil," says Qin Guangwei.

Photos Supplied by Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly September 2023 issue)
Plant crops in spring, and enjoy a good harvest in autumn. Normally, each September, rural China is covered with crops, such as sorghum or paddy rice.

In 2022, the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, issued a notice of launching a women's campaign focusing on grain production and food conservation. The campaign stresses the significance of food security; as such, it spurs women to contribute their strength to the promotion of grain production and food conservation.

Training has been provided to women farmers, and more support has been provided to grain-production bases, where women make up much of the workforce. Food conservation knowledge and techniques have been promoted widely among women.

Women scientific and technological workers and skilled women farmers have been encouraged to teach good and efficient grain-production practices. Sales of good-quality agricultural products have been promoted among demonstration rural entrepreneurship bases nationwide.

Women's federations, across the country, have organized various activities to foster women's participation in, and their contributions to, grain production and harvesting, food conservation, and rural revitalization. Under the blue sky, dotted with floating clouds, people celebrate the harvest  year after year.

Harnessing Women's Strength

Answering the call to participate in the women's campaign focusing on grain production and food conservation, women's federations have encouraged women, from all segments of society, to contribute their strength in grain production and food conservation.

Science, Technology a Good Drive

Qi Li is an expert with a spring-ploughing service group in Northeast China's Jilin Province. She often communicates with farmers  via WeChat, phone calls and/or video chats  and she answers their questions about grain production. During the spring-ploughing season, earlier this year, Jilin Women's Federation helped the women scientific and technological workers' association, in the province, form an expert-service group. Experts, like Qi, have since helped farmers solve various problems they have encountered in their agricultural production.

Henan Province is key to grain production in Central China. Huang Jihong is director of an important laboratory, based in Henan, which focuses on biological processing and the nutritional function research of wheat. Huang and her colleagues have worked for years on the development of key techniques related to wheat processing.

Peng Shuiping is a member of the board of a paddy-rice-plantation cooperative in Xiangtan County, in Central China's Hunan Province. Peng and her fellow villagers are determined to grow good-quality paddy rice, and to help maintain the reputation of rice produced in Hunan. "I want to make my contribution to safeguarding the food security of our country," Peng says.

"As the temperature rises, paddy rice will grow faster. It is important to keep rice sheds well ventilated. We need to expose the rice to cold air, from bottom to top, to ensure the rice seedlings will adapt to the change in temperature, step by step." That advice was provided by Zhou Zhishu, an expert working with the agriculture and rural affairs committee of Nanchuan District, in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.



Since the women's campaign (focusing on grain production and food conservation) was launched, women scientific and technological workers, and women farmers, across the country, have been called on to use science and technology to boost agricultural production.

Yunnan Women's Federation has called on women and families, in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, to participate in agricultural production and processing. The federation has also called on rural cooperatives, composed mainly of women farmers, to develop green (environmentally friendly) agriculture. In addition, the federation has urged women scientific and technological workers to put their research to use; for example, to develop good-quality seedlings and other green agricultural products.

Hubei Women's Federation, in Central China, has called on rural women to attend training and learn techniques that will help them increase grain production. Women scientific and technological workers have also been called on to give farmers technical guidance and support, so the farmers will achieve high-quality development in grain planting, seedling research and farmland protection.

Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, both in Northeast China, have encouraged model women farmers and women scientific and technological workers to share their good practices in grain production and food conservation.

Jiangxi Women's Federation, in East China, has worked with the province's agriculture and rural affairs bureau to select 20 outstanding women in grain production, and that has attracted more women and families to participate in agricultural production.

Enabling Atmosphere

"We have contracted land, on which we should grow crops. Women in Shuanglong are skilled. Women can surely hold up 'half the sky' in grain production," says Jiang Weiguo, first Party secretary of Shuanglong, a village in Zunyi, a city in Southwest China's Guizhou Province. Jiang was dispatched to the village by Zunyi Women's Federation. The women's federation of Shuanglong Village has united and guided women, so the women and their families better play their roles in maintaining food security of the country, Jiang adds.

To create an atmosphere that enables promotion of the importance of food conservation, Shandong Women's Federation and Anhui Women's Federation, both in East China, have produced and/or screened videos that advocate a green lifestyle, such as promoting the importance of cherishing food and eliminating waste.

Guangxi Women's Federation, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, encourages women to promote a thrifty lifestyle that emphasizes food conservation.

Shaanxi Women's Federation, in Northwest China, has called on March 8th Red-Banner Holders, Women Pacesetters for Achievements and Most Beautiful Families to take the lead in food conservation. Women have been encouraged to play their roles in family education, by teaching their children the significance of saving food.

The women's federations of Hebei, Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, and of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, have also called on women to raise awareness of food conservation, and to contribute their wisdom and strength in the advancement of the high-quality development of grain production.

Children Enjoy Happy Harvest

China National Children's Center, in collaboration with relevant government departments, in 2020 launched a themed activity to guide children and teenagers, nationwide, to experience the joy of harvesting grain.

To date, the activity has been organized three times (once every year). It will be held for the fourth time in late September. Children and teenagers are encouraged to participate in forums on harvesting, the collection of calligraphies, drawings and paintings, the shooting of videos about harvests, tea culture or family catering workshops, art performances and celebrations of the annual harvest festival. This initiative has helped children and teenagers develop an interest in farm work.

Photos Supplied by Interviewees and VCG

(Women of China English Monthly September 2023 issue)
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]

(Source: Xinhua)
BAGHDAD, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Four Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in an airstrike in Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, the Iraqi military said on Thursday.

Iraqi warplanes carried out Tuesday airstrikes on IS hideouts in the rugged area of Wadi Zghaitoun, southwest of Kirkuk, the capital city of the cognominal province that is some 250 km north of Baghdad.

The airstrikes were conducted based on intelligence reports, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

On Thursday morning, a joint army and intelligence force arrived at the bombarded site, found four bodies of IS militants, seized four rifles, and carried out controlled explosions of four explosive belts and other equipment, the statement said.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
Hunter Biden departs the US Federal District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 26. Special counsel David Weiss says Hunter Biden should be required to attend his first court appearance on gun charges to promote the publics confidence that President Joe Bidens son is not receiving special treatment.
William Mcalpin Aycock IV is charged with felony secret peeping after Asheville police say hidden cameras were found in the bathroom of a South Asheville Starbucks.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and advocacy groups rallied Wednesday to push the federal government to cover the costs of cleaning up nuclear contamination. Radioactive waste from bomb-making materials was dumped in the north St. Louis County area during World War II, and the effects are still being felt today.
Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series.

During the 48-minute lecture, the astronauts introduced scenes from their work and life in the Mengtian lab module.

They also demonstrated various interesting experiments in the microgravity environment, such as spherical flame and metal gyroscope experiments, and those showing the law of momentum conservation. They also explained the scientific principles of these experiments.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at the Beihang University in Beijing. Around 2,800 students joined the lecture at these sites.

During the livestreamed lecture, the astronauts interacted with students in the classrooms on Earth.

In the future, more space lectures will be given during the space station's application and development stage, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

As China's national space laboratory, the Tiangong space station plays a pivotal role in science popularization and education.

The Shenzhou-13 and Shenzhou-14 astronaut crews have previously given three "Tiangong Class" lectures, which received warm responses. 

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at a primary school in Zigui County, Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Wang Huifu/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at Beihang University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at a primary school in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Cao Jianxiong/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at a middle school in Gaomi City, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Li Haitao/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series at a primary school in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Ge Chuanhong/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Yan'an Science and Technology Museum in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Deng Zhihong/Xinhua)

Students learn about spacecraft models at the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Yan'an Science and Technology Museum in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Deng Zhihong/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Yan'an Science and Technology Museum in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Deng Zhihong/Xinhua)

A student asks questions to astronauts at the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Yan'an Science and Technology Museum in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Deng Zhihong/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Ejin Banner of Alxa League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Ao Qi/Xinhua)

Students conduct experiments in Ejin Banner of Alxa League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Ao Qi/Xinhua)

Students attend the fourth live class of the "Tiangong Class" series in Ejin Banner of Alxa League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 21, 2023. The fourth live class from China's space station was held on Thursday afternoon, delivered by the Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao to students on Earth.

Five classrooms are set on the ground, including one at Beihang University in Beijing.

This was the first science lecture delivered from the Mengtian lab module of the Tiangong space station and the fourth in the "Tiangong Class" series. (Photo by Ao Qi/Xinhua)
Officials in San Mateo, California suspended an entire art exhibition in July after complaints from police officers about two paintings by veteran, Bay Area-artist Diego Marcial Rios. The scheduled six-week exhibition went on display July 17. Several days later the show and all exhibitions at the citys galleries were canceled.

In an email, Rios was told, Some of your paintings have caused concern amongst city employees both at city hall and at other facilities. The Art Newspaper explained that members of the municipal police department took offense to Rioss paintings, particularly two that drew attention to instances of police killings of people of colour. One of them contains a red figure with his hands raised and a skull where a face would be under the words Stop Killing Us; the other shows a skeletal police officer holding what looks like a taser while running above the words: Will Kill Blacks and Mexicans Cheap!

Diego Marcial Rios (diegomarcialrios.com)

Rios recently spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the incident.

Erik Schreiber: Can you tell us briefly about your background and about how you became an artist?

Diego Marcial Rios: Ive been an artist my entire life. Im in my 60s. My professional art career started at about age 11. I started illustrating international and national magazines at that age. Ive been at this a long, long time. Ive had maybe 500 exhibitions in the last 30 years. I have artwork in many American museums, as well as museums abroad.

Ive also been a political and social activist since I could walk, since the time of Cesar Chavez. I grew up on the picket lines. My parents were political activists and would bring the family along and have us involved with political actions. My earliest memories, as a boy of three or four years old, are of participating in an antiwar protest. I marched with the United Farmworkers.

ES: What are your goals as an artist?

DMR: Im a political artist. The artwork is designed to inspire political thought, to increase discussion among people and to document my current thinking.

ES: What are the central concerns or themes in your art?

DMR: Mans inhumanity to man. Social injustice and corruption. Ive seen the world. I take on the subject in my artwork.

We live in a society and a world that is unjust. The capitalist system is vastly unjust, and its particularly unjust and brutal toward the lower socioeconomic classes. Poor whites, poor Mexicans, poor blacks, or individuals of color who dont have money or authority are sincerely abused by the system, and this is wrong.

ES: Who would you name among your major artistic influences?

DMR: The number one is Jose Clemente Orozco. He was a famous Mexican muralist who produced a fantastic mural I saw as a small child that vastly affected me: Man of Fire [Hombre de Fuego, 1939]. I was inspired by that at age three or four. I looked at that and I was never the same again. I knew I wanted to work in social justice and I also knew I wanted to be a political artist.

Mexican muralist Jose Clemente Orozco's Man of Fire

ES: How did the exhibition at the San Mateo City Hall come about?

DMR: About two or three years ago, I sent some pics to an open call for artists. They eventually got back to me and said, Hey, do you want to show some of your work at the City Hall Art Gallery? I said, Okay. As agreed, I came to the art space with the work I said that I was going to bring and I hung it with my assistant. I hung 20 paintings at the City Hall Art Gallery, but the city has various other art sites. They have a site at the library where they show artwork, and they have another site in the interior of the city hall.

One or two days later, I got a strange email from Fox News. The email said that that the artwork had been taken down because of the objections of a couple of individuals in the police department. I was stunned, because I wasnt informed of that at all. So, I called up these guys and said, Whats happening here? It took a number of telephone calls.

I found out later that they had taken down the entire art show due to a couple of police officers objecting to the subject matter of two pieces. One was called Please Dont Kill Us. The other was called Will Kill Mexicans and Blacks Cheap, Have a Good Day. Im a political artist. What do they expect? I hung political artwork. These pieces pissed off a couple police officers, and because of that, they took down the entire show. Not only did they take down my show, but they also took down all the other work currently up and running in the city. Everyones art show came down due to the objections to my artwork.

ES: What about future shows at city galleries?

DMR: To be honest with you, these guys are a bunch of amateurs, at least in their behavior toward professional artists, which is not good. They sent some sort of a lame letter saying, Were revising our selection process for the future, and as a result of that, we had to take down all the shows. Thats just their lame, administrative excuse for taking down some artwork due to the political subject matter. A couple of police officers got pissed off at a couple of artworks that made them upset, and they took down all the work as a result.

'Please Dont Kill Us' by Diego Marcial Rios

I talked to a gentleman from the library system. He told me theyd taken down the artwork from the libraries as well, as well as some other places. Again, the same root cause of it was censorship by the police department. This is censorship, and political censorship, at its most blunt.

ES: Have you ever encountered this kind of thing before?

DMR: Ive been a political artist for 30 years. Youre always going to have some people objecting to the subject matter and my perspective, and the iconography of the work could also offend people. But no ones ever taken down the work. If they ever had an objection to it, I always offer to switch it out. I did that at this gallery. I very graciously contacted them and said, Just get back to me, and Ill switch out the pieces. No big deal. Have I ever had anything like this happen before? Never before.

They had to take down everybody elses artwork, too, because they didnt want me crying racism. Im the only colored guy who had artwork up. If they had just taken down my artwork, they would have had people jumping and yelling, You guys are a bunch of racists. To avoid that happening, they did something that is almost equally stupid: they took down everybodys artwork. These guys were amazing. They would have been better off buying an art gallery and having the exhibition shown there, rather than [inviting] the international as well as national attention this current activity [has gained]. They didnt have to go about this. They took it upon themselves to do this.

They dont have the right to take down artwork just because a couple of people have objections to it. I mean, whats the purpose of art? The purpose is to inspire beauty, to inspire thought and to inspire communication. A couple objections from some police officers doesnt give those police officers the power to take down an entire show. Again, that is censorship and cultural oppression at its most blunt.

'Will Kill Mexicans and Blacks Cheap, Have a Good Day' by Diego Marcial Rios

ES: How will you respond to this act of censorship?

DMR: I contacted the ACLU and another large organization. I simply protested it. Thats all that I can do at this pointand not work with them again. I got back my artwork and I took it out of there.

But one thing that I know has to be done is that we have to bring attention to this. This is an injustice. With injustice like this, you have to bring attention to it, so they dont do it again. [Attention] is the last thing they wanted, and thats exactly what they got. Im so completely stunned that they were as stupid as this. Two large publications in London published articles on this stuff. When you say the name San Mateo, people are going to say, Oh, those bigoted individuals over there. They couldnt have done a worse publicity job for their city.

ES: What are your thoughts about police violence and about the role of the police in general?

DMR: The role of the police is to keep the classes in line, by and large. Who takes the brunt of this? Poor whites, blacks, and Mexicans. Unfortunately, the African Americans take the absolute brunt of all this police brutality, and its not going to stop. Black Lives Matter never went far enough. To make an effective change in the police department, you have to start from the ground up. The way the system is, the prisonindustrial complex, they can make superficial changes here and there, but youre still having blacks murdered all the time. Youre still having poor whites, the lower socioeconomic strata mistreated and brutalized all the time. Look whats happening with the Mexicans. Talk about brutality at the border. The police exist as a mechanism to keep the classes in sync.

ES: How has this episode affected your approach toward your art?

DMR: I continue to do what Im going to do and continue to show, publish and all that. But Im going to make sure that people remember this happened, so it wont happen again. It didnt affect me in the least. Its taken up some time. Big deal.

ES: What larger points would you like to make in relation to this incident?

DMR: Individuals who are oppressed must fight for their freedom however they can, either with writing, art or peaceful protest. Individuals who are oppressed have to make change. To make that change, use what is at your disposal. But never give up. Please study Marxism and socialism. When I was a boy, I started reading Trotsky. I started reading Marx. Itll certainly give you a sharper perspective and a very objective way of looking at the world. And its a very constructive way of looking at the world. You look at the world in terms of economic strata, and that gives you a lot of power. Knowledge is power.
US President Joe Biden addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at United Nations headquarters. [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]

The Biden administration used Tuesdays meeting of the United Nations General Assembly as a platform to launch a full-throated tirade against Russia, of the kind made by countries before they declare war.

In his speech to the UN Tuesday, 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.

Biden asserted that Russia alone bears responsibility for the war in Ukraine. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because Russias price for peace is Ukraines capitulation, Ukraines territory, and Ukraines children.

This was not just a speech; it was an unrelenting attack on any notion that the United States is open to a negotiated settlement of this war.

The White House is demanding the unconditional surrender of Russia, accompanied by the overthrow of its government and its territorial break-up. Achieving this goal is impossible without direct US involvement, transforming a proxy war into a direct conflict between the United States and Russia.

The conflict in Ukraine is already Americas war, for which the US and NATO are providing logistics, weapons and intelligence. But the failure of Ukraines counteroffensive has led the Biden administration to conclude that achieving its objectives is impossible without turning the current proxy war into a full-scale conflict involving the deployment of US-NATO troops.

It has been widely asserted in the American media that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes a change in the American government would lead to a shift in policy. This is a delusion. Nevertheless, it is the aim of the Biden administration to preempt such a policy shift by escalating the conflict to a point where, well before the 2024 election, the war will have involved a commitment of US prestige and resources, including manpower, that makes a diplomatic and non-military solution impossible.

Bidens remarks were followed by those of his attack dog, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose statements bordered on total insanity. Zelensky referred to Russia and Russians as evil and as terrorists, and accused them of carrying out genocide against Ukraine.

Zelensky 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.

As Biden and Zelensky were making these chilling statements, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at Ramstein Air Base in Germanya key logistics hub for the American war effort.

Milley declared, The United States and its allied countries are rich, powerful, with significant military resources that are capable of sustaining this fight, in President Bidens words, as long as it takes.

The statements by leading US officials were accompanied by equally reckless and provocative assertions in major newspapers. In an editorial entitled Biden has done a lot for Ukraine. But not enough, the Washington Post wrote that Mr. Biden should stop dawdling and provide Kyiv with ATACMS, referring to the long-range missile system that would be used to strike deep within Russian territory.

The US and NATO are already in an undeclared war, providing logistics, weapons and intelligence. The only thing Ukraine is supplying is the bodies. The next step is the direct involvement of US troops.

This will require the massive mobilization of American and European military forces, including the possibility of a draft. The US military is making active preparations for just such a war. The fall 2023 edition of the US Army War College Quarterly included an article, A Call to Action: Lessons from Ukraine for the Future Force. It stated that:

The Russia-Ukraine War is exposing significant vulnerabilities in the Armys strategic personnel depth and ability to withstand and replace casualties. Army theater medical planners may anticipate a sustained rate of roughly 3,600 casualties per day. ... With a 25 percent predicted replacement rate, the personnel system will require 800 new personnel each day. For context, the United States sustained about 50,000 casualties in two decades of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. In large-scale combat operations, the United States could experience that same number of casualties in two weeks.

The extreme recklessness of the United States in escalating the Ukraine war is a testament to the intersecting social, political and economic crises gripping the United States. The wealth of Americas financial oligarchy, dependent on continuous government bailouts financed by debt monetization, is haunted by the prospect of what it calls the erosion of dollar dominance.

At home, the ruling class faces a growing strike movement. This is not the first time that the growth of domestic opposition has become a major factor in the escalation of the ruling classs war plans.

The struggle against war must develop by fusing the growing social struggles by the American working class with opposition to American imperialism. The social demands of workers must be linked with the effort to end the war as part of a global struggle for socialism.
Auto workers in India and Sri Lanka made the following statements in support of the struggle being waged by United Auto Worker members at the Big Three auto companies in the US.

The entrance to the Renault Nissan car assembly plant in Tamil Nadu, India.

The first comment is from a member of the rank-and-file committee at the Renault-Nissan plant outside Chennai, the Tamil Nadu state capital, in India. The Chennai plant employs about 6,000 workers, at least half of them designated as contract employees or trainees, meaning they are denied permanent status and paid much lower wages.

The developments in the US with the UAW bureaucracy show that irrespective of where they live, workers face the same situation.

Despite 97 percent of UAW members voting for a strike, the union bureaucrats are holding back this struggle to favour the corporations. If the UAW wanted a real fight, it would widen the struggle and strengthen it. Instead, the UAW bureaucracy is weakening this battle and confining it to strikes at a few plants. This is no doubt a path to capitulation.

My brothers and sisters in the US do not believe the UAW bureaucracy and are determined to fight the corporates.

We need to share this information as widely as possible with our fellow workers. We are already doing this through our rank-and-file committee, but we will have to do it on a wider scale and extensively utilise social media.

The corporate management, with the backing of the trade union bureaucracy, are spying on us to target activist workers and their leaders. Because of this, we face challenges in organising the work of our committee.

The bosses are imposing drastic conditions on auto workers. In Indian factories they are setting up CCTV (close-circuit television) cameras without any consent or agreement from workers. They are restricting mobile phone usage during working hours and extending our working day beyond eight hours. I would like to highlight the fact that internationally we all face the same ruthless conditions.

In December last year our committee issued a statement entitled Rank-and-file Committee at Renault-Nissan plant in India opposes union attempt to ram through wage-cutting contract. The statement explained how the trade unionsRenault-Nissan India Thozhilalar Sangam (RNITS) and the United Labour Federation (ULF)are working with management to betray the workers and carry out the agenda of the corporates.

Last years statement said: For more than four years, the unions kept us entirely in the dark about what was happening in the arbitration/negotiation with Renault-Nissan. Now, fearing growing rank-and-file anger over their inaction, the unions have connived with management to ambush usforcing us to vote on-the-spot on an agreement that we havent seen, let alone studied and discussed.

This is how the trade unions operate to keep workers in poverty. Trade union bureaucracies are not for workers but for management.

This is not just happening at the Renault-Nissan factory but also at the Ford factory in Tamil Nadus Sriperambatur-Oragadam industrial belt where the unions betrayed workers fighting to stop the destruction of thousands of jobs.

Last year Ford, with the agreement of the Chennai Ford Employees Union (CFEU), closed its assembly plant in Tamil Nadu. They insisted workers have faith in the Indian legal system to secure their jobs and win sufficient compensation. This was an utter fallacy. In this way the union created a safe path for the corporates to wash their hands of workers by paying meagre compensation and destroying thousands of jobs.

It is very clear that this is an international phenomenon.

Prasad, is a professional painter in the auto industry at the Mr. Painter company in Vauxhall Street, near central Colombo, Sri Lanka. The company employs about 600 workers. Its news to me about the deteriorating conditions of auto workers and their struggle in America. It now seems that workers in every country have to undergo the same issues, he said.

As workers we must support them [the American workers]. Everything is built by the workers, but only a few people enjoy the benefits. There must be fairness for the American workers demands.

Suranjith, a young auto worker with the same company, has 15 years experience in the industry as a polisher, having worked on Fords, Land Rovers, Jaguars, Audis and other brands in Dubai and Sri Lanka.

The American workers struggle in 1886 which led to the Haymarket massacre made it possible for workers around the world to win an eight-hour working day, he said.



Referring to the struggle of UAW members, he said, If workers around the world are engaged in struggles, then we must support them. As a contract worker Im paid according to the quantity of work that Im assigned. This means there are days without any work and therefore without any payment.

I used to think that American auto workers led a better life and even wished to go there to work. It seems though that the conditions American workers confront today are comparable with what Sri Lankan workers face.
An oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee was a display of the mounting crisis of the US political system. Fascistic Republican House members branded Attorney General Merrick Garland an instrument of the Biden White House in whitewashing the presidents son, Hunter, over his corrupt business activities in Ukraine and China.

Meanwhile, Democrats sought to defend Biden and rebut the Republicans promotion of conspiracy theories, while saying virtually nothing about the crimes of ex-president Donald Trump. These are of infinitely greater political and constitutional significance than the money-grubbing of Hunter Biden, whether or not some of the payoffs were subsequently passed on to his father, who was then vice president in the Obama administration.

The hearing was dominated by ultra-right Republicans, including the committee chair, Jim Jordan, and fascist representatives such as Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, Troy Nehls and Ken Buck. For the most part, they did not permit Garland to answer their questions, voicing various charges and conspiracy theories, demanding he respond, and then cutting him off to go to the next question before he could do so.

There was little effort by the Democrats to object to this procedure, which more resembled a kangaroo court or a Star Chamber proceeding than an actual hearing.

In his prepared statement and during the few occasions where he was able to actually address the charges over Hunter Biden at any length, Garland did little more than repeat a description of the Department of Justice worthy of a childrens textbook.

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 claimed.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appears before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

Every worker and any serious analyst of American society knows this is not true. There are two systems of justice, as the Republicans claim, but those systems are divided by class, not political party.

Hunter Biden was able to get away with transparently corrupt influence peddling under the Obama-Biden administration, and the Trump administration only began an investigation when it seemed politically advantageous to the White House. Even then, the Justice Department found that his relations with Ukrainian oligarchs and Chinese billionaires were unseemly, but not illegal.

Donald Trump pursued a corrupt business operation over many decades in Democratic-controlled New York, without any repercussions. In the Trump administration, his son-in-law Jared Kushner established lucrative relationships with the Saudi royal family that netted him billions, not millions, without any legal consequences.

No one on the Judiciary Committee, however, was interested in pursuing the issue of two systems of justice from that standpoint. That is because both parties, the Democrats as much as the Republicans, represent the class interests of the corporate elite, the financial aristocracy that dominates American society.

The very day of the hearing, President Biden was in New York City, spending much of his day schmoozing with the super-rich at two well-attended fundraisers for his reelection campaign. In remarks to his audiences, he declared, Im running because democracy is at stake and because, 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.

These remarks were made largely out of sight. No Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee sought to indict his or her Republican colleagues for the assault on democracy which Trump and his supporters are spearheading.

In response to repeated questions from Republican members, and threats to find him in contempt or even impeach him, Attorney General Garland refused to answer questions about internal discussions within the Department of Justice on the Hunter Biden case, including any discussions he has had with US Attorney David Weiss, who has been leading that investigation.

He noted that Weiss was appointed a US Attorney for Delaware by Donald Trump, and that he had retained Weiss in office in order to preserve continuity in the investigation. When Weiss requested it, Garland said, he named him a special counsel, allowing him to extend his investigation and bring charges against the younger Biden in other states, if warranted.

The only charges made public so far against the presidents son are comparatively minor: two counts of failure to pay income tax, and one count of filing a false application to obtain a gun permit. No charges have been brought over either the Ukraine or China financial dealings, which have been the main focus of the right-wing media and the Republican Party, although these may still be under investigation.

Garland said that he had pledged during his Senate confirmation hearing not to interfere in any way with Weisss investigation and he claimed that he had not done so, and that the White House had not put any pressure on him to intervene.

These claims were assailed by the committee chair, Jim Jordan, who began the hearing with the declaration, in a near shout, that The fix is in. Even with the face-saving indictment last week of Hunter Biden, everyone knows the fix is in.

Jordan was referring to the indictment of Biden on gun charges, after the collapse of a plea deal during the summer which would have allowed the presidents son to take a delayed plea, with the charge to be dismissed if he remained drug-free for the next two years.

The unedifying spectacle continued for five hours, with Republican members raising a series of conspiracy theories popular on right-wing media, such as the claim that Ray Epps, one of those arrested for the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, was a secret informant or agent provocateur of the FBI. This is an effort to paint the entire mob assault, instigated by Trump, as a false flag operation by the deep state. Epps actually pled guilty to misdemeanor charges the day before the House hearing.

In one of the more bizarre episodes, fascist Republican Matt Gaetz pressed Garland on the burning issue of Hunter Bidens art work, including a painting he sold to a major Democratic financial supporter. Eight months later, President Biden appointed the donor to an unpaid position on the Commission for the Preservation of Americas Heritage Abroad.

Democrat Steve Cohen then sought to raise the issue of the FBIs investigation of Gaetz on sex-trafficking charges, which was closed without any charges being broughta demonstration of the Democrats embrace of the method of political mudslinging, and their refusal to raise the issue of the attempted political coup by Trump to establish himself as a dictator-president.

In fact, there was virtually no mention at the hearing of the name of the ex-president, now the heavy favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, as the entire Republican Party moves drastically towards fascist authoritarianism.

The Republicans spent little time questioning Garland about his decision to name Jack Smith a special prosecutor, leading to federal criminal charges related to January 6 and to Trumps unauthorized retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left office.

Democrats made barely any reference to the attempted coup, and none at all about the role of the congressional Republicans, including many members of the Judiciary Committee, in the events leading up to January 6.
In explosive congressional testimony that has been buried by the news media, former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund accused US Army Lieutenant General and current Director of the Army Staff Walter Piatt, as well as former acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, of preventing D.C. National Guard troops from assisting outnumbered police and protecting Congress during Donald Trumps January 6, 2021 coup.



Sund testified on Tuesday, September 19 before the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, which is charged with overseeing the US Capitol Police Department. Under oath, Sund said that after the Capitol Police Board granted his request to appeal to the Pentagon for National Guard assistance at 2:09 pm on January 6, it took over three and a half hours for troops to actually arrive.



Every member of the Capitol Police Board on January 6, which was then composed of House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger and Architect of the Capitol James Brett Blanton, has either resigned or been fired since the attempted coup.



Irving was first appointed to the position by then-Republican Speaker John Boehner in 2012 and continued under Republican Paul Ryan and then under Democrat Nancy Pelsoi. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Stenger was appointed by Republican Mitch McConnell, while former Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton was appointed by Trump. As chief of the Capitol Police, Sund answered to the board and served as a nonvoting member, which is why he needed approval from Stenger and Irving to request National Guard troops.



Sund told the subcommittee, After I received approval to call in the National Guard I then had to beg the Pentagon officials to send us help. I was repeatedly denied assistance by the Army Lieutenant General [Walter] Piatt, citing concerns over optics of the National Guard on Capitol Hill.



He continued, The D.C. National Guard, many of whom were standing within eyesight of the Capitol, and whose motto is Capitol Guardians, would not arrive until almost 6 pm, after the fighting was over and the Capitol Grounds were secured. The New Jersey State Police arrived before they did. To add insult to injury, the inspector general for the Department of Defense considered the response, quote, appropriate.

Sund explained that Besides the [D.C. Metropolitan Police Department], the National Guard was the next largest cadre of personnel that could be deployed to assist my officers. We desperately needed those boots on the ground.



The fact that the chief of police responsible for the legislative branch of government was repeatedly denied assistance by the Pentagon is indefensible, he concluded.

Trump installed Miller, a longtime Special Forces operative and Trump loyalist, as acting head of the Pentagon to replace Mark Esper, whom he removed two days after the media called the 2020 election for Biden. This was part of a broader purge, in which Trump placed far-right supporters in top Pentagon positions as part of the conspiracy to overturn the election.



The ranking member of the committee, Democratic Representative Joseph Morelle of New York, agreed with Sund that the nonresponse of the Pentagon to his urgent pleas for help for over three hours was unconscionable. Morelle asked Sund if he was aware at the time of an extraordinary memorandum issued by acting Secretary of Defense Miller 48 hours before the attack on Congress. Millers memo barred D.C. National Guard troops under the command of Gen. William Walker from deploying with weapons or riot control gear, or physically interacting with protesters.



The memo also forbade National Guard soldiers from sharing equipment or intelligence with the police.



Sund testified that not only was he not aware of these restrictions until after that attack, but that during a January 5 meeting with many of the top law enforcement officials in D.C., including the FBI and the commanding general for the D.C. National Guard... nothing was said to me on that conference call, and that was also with the Capitol Police Board.



Sund continued: It sure as hell would have been great to know that they put out this memo restricting the National Guard from assisting my men and women in advance of January 6. Knowing now that they were so damn concerned about the violence they were expecting to come on January 6 and no one ever told me about it?

In testimony before Congress on September 19, former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund held up a memo issued by then-acting Secretary of Defense Miller that disarmed National Guard troops and forbade them from deploying to the Capitol. [Photo: C-SPAN.org]

The soldiers, Sund said, were within eyesight of the Capitol. He continued: They can immediately respond, no authorization from higher headquarters. Many were within eyesight with their riot gear, which they were not supposed to have per Millers memo.



The National Guard, Sund continued, who is only two miles from our headquarters, sat and waited for the evening crew to come in while the Pentagon was still sending resources to protect generals homes. They sent me nobody to help my men and women.



Morrelle noted that Sund had stated in a previous interview, There was a concern in the administration about the president [Trump] invoking the Insurrection Act and concern at the Pentagon about him declaring martial law, or activating the military in support of his claims.

The Democratic congressman asked Sund if he suspected that played a role in the Pentagons unwillingness to allow the National Guard to respond to the Capitol? That those hours, that was being debated?



Sund confirmed that while writing his book Courage Under Fire, I started finding out there was a lot of concern within the presidents cabinet about him invoking the Insurrection Act and that was one of the hypotheses I came up with, that they were concerned about him invoking it and thats why they would want to delay.



He added, And think about, the Secretary of Defense [Christopher Miller] has come out and stated in testimony he was not putting National Guard anywhere east of 9th street northwest. Which means toward the Capitol. So why would that be?

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller address media at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. November 17, 2020 [Photo: Department of Defense U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders]

For some reason they wanted to do everything they could to keep National Guard away from the Capitol.



Left unsaid throughout the committee hearing, by either Sund or any Democrats or Republicans, was that Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes, who was in direct communication with Trump political crony Roger Stone in the lead-up to the coup, was also waiting for Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act and call on the Oath Keepers to arrest/execute Trumps political enemies.

On May 25, Elmer Stewart Rhodes III was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy. [Photo: Alexandria Sheriff's Office]

Questioned by Morelle if the situation would have differed had the National Guards quick reaction force been able to deploy, Sund replied, If they would have followed their emergency authority and they had deployed the [Quick Reaction Force], we could have had close to 200 National Guardsmen, men and women, here fairly quickly. That could have been a game changer... we could have absolutely used their assistance.



To explain his own departments inability to predict or plan for the attack, Sund pointed a finger at his former assistant chief of police for Protective and Intelligence Operations, Yogananda Pittman. Pittmans division had authored a January 3 intellgence report that included messages from Trump paramilitaries stating their intent to storm the capitol and kill the palace guards, which Sund said referred to the Capitol Police.



Despite Sund issuing an all hands on deck order for January 6, the intelligence division under Pittmans command, according to Sund, had two-thirds of their personnel working from home that day... and only had one intelligence analyst assigned to monitor the January 6th events.



Sund also blamed the federal intelligence agencies for failing to share with Capitol Police all the information, and informants, they had collected prior to the attack. He said, If the intelligence had been accurately reported and the FBI and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) had followed their established practices, I wouldnt be sitting here today.



Sund began serving as the acting chief of the Capitol Police in 2017 and was in charge of protecting the legislative body as it met to certify the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. Neither Sund nor former D.C. National Guard Commander William Walker were called to testify publicly in front of the now-defunct House Select Committee on January 6.

Army Maj. Gen. William Walker, commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, speaks during a Senate hearing on March 3, 2021 on the January 6, attack on the US Capitol. [AP Photo/Greg Nash/Pool via AP]

This was not a mistake or oversight by the Select Committee, which held 10 public hearings and published an 800-page report on the attack. In its report, the committee, which was dominated by Democrats but included two Republican war-hawks, Adam Kinzinger (Illinois) and Liz Cheney (Wyoming), presented a false one-man coup narrative, limiting responsibility for the January 6 attack to Trump and a narrow circle of enablers. The report attributed failures by the police and military to plan or deploy forces to protect Congress from pro-Trump insurrectionists to incompetence or miscommunication.



This lie is aimed at whitewashing the role of key institutions of the US state in the coup, including the majority of the Republican Party, US Supreme Court justices, police-intelligence agencies, and the military.



Despite his damning testimony, Sund himself gave aid and comfort to this lie, as well as to Trump and the Republican Party as a whole, by blaming then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for not approving his request for National Guard support on January 3 and during the initial hour of the siege.



Three days before the attack, Sund first approached Irving and Stenger about issuing a formal request to the Pentagon from the Capitol Police Board for National Guard support, which both men shot down. In his book and in his testimony, Sund claims that Irving and Stenger also rejected issuing a request for National Guard support for approximately 71 minutes on January 6, beginning at 12:58 pm.

At the hearing, Sund attributed their reluctance to request National Guard troops largely to alleged opposition from Pelosi.

In campaign speeches and interviews, Trump has repeatedly blamed Pelosi and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for refusing my offer of 10,000 National Guard soldiers.

Pelosi, of course, had good reason to fear the deployment of thousands of troops at the initiative of Trump. The fascistic president had repeatedly threatened to deploy troops to put down protests against police killings, and on June 1 had mobilized military police to brutally attack protesters across from the White House, threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act and declaring himself the president of law and order.

Having declared the election rigged and mobilized his supporters to block certification of Joe Bidens election, Trump was perfectly capable of seeking to use military force to shut down Congress on January 6 and carry out a coup to remain in power as de facto dictator.

But neither she, nor Biden or any other Democratic politician sought to warn the population of the acute danger of a coup, for fear of triggering a mass movement that would threaten the entire political system and the profit system it upholds. On the contrary, she downplayed the threat, covered up the nexus between the White House, the Republican Party and fascist militias, and pleaded for unity with the Democrats Republican colleagues.

The coverup and complicity continue. To this day, none of the generals who refused to defend Congress, yet sent security teams to protect their own homes, has been charged with a crime. This includes former acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, who issued the unprecedented memorandum disarming Walkers National Guard soldiers before the attack.

General Piatt, far from being cashiered for his role on January 6, has since been elevated to director of the Army Staff. Gen. Charles Flynn, who was also on the call with Piatt when he denied Sund and D.C. National Guard commander Walkers request for troops, is the brother of Trumps one-time national security adviser Michael Flynn, a fascist QAnon supporter who was deeply involved in the plot to storm the Capitol and block the transfer of power. Charles Flynn has since been promoted to the post of commanding general of the United States Army Pacific, where he helps prepare the US military for war with China.


After six weeks on strike, nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, recently voted overwhelmingly to continue their strike for increased staffing and better nurse-to-patient ratios. The vote shows remarkable determination, especially given that the union is starving workers out without strike pay, and the hospital cut off of their health insurance on Labor Day weekend.

Striking nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in New Brunswick, New Jersey

The strike began on August 4, when more than 1,700 nurses walked out and began picketing in front of the New Brunswick hospital. In addition to improved staffing and ratios, the nurses are demanding raises, a cap on health insurance costs and health benefits in retirement. Nurses insist that the new contract must include improved patient ratios. They understand that the outcome of their strike will set a precedent for other hospitals.

The strike must be expanded to the other two RWJUH campuses and to the broader working class. Expanding the strike will require the nurses to take control away from the leadership of the United Steelworkers (USW), which is steering them toward defeat.

The union is allowing the nurses to be worn down and subjected to increasing financial pressure. It is refusing to mobilize any of its 1.2 million members to demand the restoration of healthcare, and has not provided one cent of strike pay out of its hundreds of millions in assets.

The USW has isolated the New Brunswick nurses from the nurses at the Rahway and Somerset campuses of RWJUH. Some of these nurses belong to other labor unions, and others are not in unions. This situation reflects the balkanization of healthcare workers throughout the country, which serves to block them from waging united struggles. Nevertheless, these workers perform the same jobs, face the same intolerable conditions, share the same interests and must join forces.

Federally-mediated talks are at a standstill. During the last negotiation session on September 14, the hospital demanded that the USW either accept an offer that it made on August 2 or send the nurses back to work and submit the dispute to binding arbitration. The August 2 offer would provide nurses with a bonus of $20 per hour if their units are not staffed according to guidelines. This bonus would not be paid, however, if a nurse called out sick. This offer would institutionalize understaffing at a cost that the hospital finds acceptable.

The USWs counterproposal was to remove the clause about calling out sick, but RWJUH refused. The union then rejected the offer without submitting it to the membership for consideration, understanding that it would have gone down in flames.

In the recent vote, the USW presented workers with three options: either accept the hospitals August 2 offer, go back to work and submit the dispute to binding arbitration or to continue to strike. Nurses voted by 90 percent to continue their strike.

The nurses were fully justified in choosing this option, but the USW has no strategy for victory. Well get back to the table one of these days and get them what they want, Judy Danella, president of USW Local 4200, complacently told NJ.com. With this comment, the union official (who received a salary of approximately $160,000 from the USW in 2022) revealed her complete lack of urgency and her intention to continue down the same dead end, even as the nurses struggle to make ends meet.

Nurses who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site described their situation as stressful. Some are receiving unemployment benefits, and many cannot afford COBRA health plans for their families. As a result, they take the risk of remaining uninsured.

RWJUH has taken a hard line, knowing full well that any concessions it makes at this hospital will be demanded by nurses at its two other facilities. Moreover, there is industry-wide pressure against even modest improvements in working conditions, wages and other gains.

RWJUH has refused to meet more than occasionally for negotiations, and no new meeting has been scheduled. The hospitals recent ultimatum to the nurses reflected the administrations belief that it is in a strong position. In addition, RWJUH has gone on the offensive. It has gotten a superior court judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the striking nurses. The order treats nurses as criminals, forbidding them to block entrances to the hospital, disrupt traffic and intimidate workers and visitors.

Consistent with this treatment, workers also report that security has become extremely aggressive toward them. One nurse told the WSWS that a friend had been pushed by a security guard for marching on the sidewalk, which is public property. RWJUH claims that the nurses are threatening peoples safety, and that security has to videotape the strikers because they are getting out of control.

The RWJUH nurses have shown great strength in choosing to strike. But the strike will not succeed if the USW bureaucracy remains in control. This is the lesson of one struggle after another over the last two years, from the Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers whose strike was canceled in favor of a sellout deal in late 2021, as well as the bureaucratic sabotage of struggles on the railroads, at UPS and the struggle now underway in the auto industry.

The only way to strike a powerful blow against RWJUH is for the New Brunswick nurses to take control of the strike by forming a rank-and-file committee that is independent of the union and of both big business parties. Expanding the strike is an urgent necessity. The New Brunswick nurses can do this by reaching out to their brothers and sisters at the Rahway and Somerset campuses of RWJUH. They must also appeal to the 85,000 workers at Kaiser Permanente who recently voted to strike. The New Brunswick nurses will find powerful allies among healthcare workers and among other sections of the working class.
Autoworkers at Hyundai Motors in South Korea reportedly approved a new contract on September 18. The deal, however, received support from barely half the unions membership, making clear there is broad discontent towards what is a sellout. Furthermore, the union bureaucracy imposed the contract at a time when other sections of the working class are similarly moving into struggle.

The logo of the Hyundai Motor Co. is displayed at the automaker's showroom in Seoul, South Korea. [AP Photo/Lee Jin-man]

The vote took place after the union, the Hyundai branch of the Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU), reached a pro-company deal the previous week. It includes a 111,000 won ($US83) per month raise or 4.8 percent of a workers basic salary, so-called performance-based bonuses equal to 400 percent of a workers basic monthly salary, a one-time bonus of 10.5 million won ($US7,910), and 250,000 won ($US188) in gift certificates.

From a total union membership of 44,643, only 22,703 reportedly voted to approve the contract, or just barely more than 50 percent of the total union membership. The turnout rate was 86.5 percent. By comparison, 88.9 percent of the total membership voted in August to strike for better pay and conditions, showing the willingness of workers to fight.

The KMWU, however, accepted Hyundais offer with only minor adjustments to better sell the deal to workers. The company union refused to address the demand for a detailed plan on the companys transition to electric vehicles, a process that is predicted to lead to massive job cuts. The agreement does nothing to stop discrimination against non-regular workers. These workers are paid significantly less than their regular counterparts and lack basic job protectionslike temporary part-time workers in the US automotive industry.

The KMWU announced the pro-company deal on the night of September 12 and then promptly called off a partial strike planned for the following two days. The stoppage was scheduled to last only four hours each day in order to limit the impact on the company. In all likelihood, the strike was announced as window dressing for the deal, by giving the impression that the union was fighting for its members.

The vote for the deal is less an endorsement than a recognition by workers that the union bureaucrats will not fight for anything better. For the past five years, the KMWU Hyundai branch has imposed one sellout deal after another without even the pretense of a struggle. In 2020, the union supported a wage freeze.

Faced with declining economic conditions stemming from a trade dispute with Japan in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the US-instigated war against Russia in Ukraine, the unions have worked to protect South Korean big business. Companies like Hyundai are enjoying record profits.

The KMWU is one of the most influential within the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which claims a membership of more than 1.2 million. The KCTU postures as a militant and even at times anti-capitalist organization, but it is aligned with the opposition Democratic Party (DP), one of the two main parties of bourgeois rule in South Korea. Like the DP, its fearful of a broader, working-class movement that spirals out of its control and threatens the political establishment and the profit system itself.

The KMWUs betrayal of workers at Hyundai is the modus operandi of union bureaucrats around the world. US autoworkers now struggling against the Big Three also face the opposition of the United Auto Workers bureaucracy. Claims these bureaucrats can be pushed to the left or made to fight for the membership fly in the face of decades of bitter experiences.

South Korean auto companies view the conclusion of an agreement at Hyundai, the largest auto manufacturer, as an important step to isolating and imposing similar deals on other sections of workers in the industry. At Kia, which is owned by Hyundai, 26,700 workers also overwhelmingly voted to strike by 82.5 percent. However, as of September 18, the KMWU Kia branch announced that it is keeping its members on the job, proposing only to halt overtime production beginning in October.

Struggles are also emerging at GM Korea and Renault Korea. At the former, workers rejected a proposed KMWU-negotiated deal that included a paltry 70,000 won ($US52.70) basic monthly wage increase in a vote held on September 12 and 13. No strike is planned and negotiations are scheduled to resume after the long Chuseok holiday, which begins September 28 and will last to October 3.

The union sellouts are not limited to the auto industry. Last week, railway workers belonging to the KCTUs Korean Railway Workers Union (KRWU) struck for the first time since November 2019. The walkout took place from Thursday to Monday morning. The KRWU similarly worked to limit the impact of the strike as much as possible, ensuring that the majority of trains continued to run. Services were only cut by approximately 20 percent.

The union ended the strike without workers demands being met. No further strikes have been announced, but an additional strike is supposedly being planned. A KRWU official claimed, The first strike was a kind of warning, but the second one will be an indefinite general strike.

Workers are demanding improved conditions and a scheduling system that prevents workers from having two-night shifts in a row as well as more days off. They are also demanding the expansion of public railway services and are opposed to steps towards privatization that will mean the loss of jobs and conditions.

On September 1, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport cut the number of trains operated by SR Corporation that ran between Seouls Suseo Station and the city of Busan, sending the trains to other lines that had only been operated by the government-owned Korail KTX trains. SR, which operates independently of the government, was founded in 2013 to compete with Korails KTX services.
British comic, actor and social commentator Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and controlling and abusive behaviour by four women, all anonymous. Their unsubstantiated claims were put forward in a joint investigation, begun four years ago, by the Times, Sunday Times, and Channel 4s Dispatches programme. Published over the weekend, the allegations have quickly dominated world news reporting. Considerable resources have been expended in the effort to discredit and destroy Brand.

The attack on the comedian has all the earmarks of a #MeToo-style hit job, such as those organised against actors Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp and numerous others. In Brands case, there is also the matter of his anti-establishment positions on various questions, including the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a video statement, Brand insists he absolutely refute[s] the allegations. He adds that at one period in his life I was very, very promiscuous. Now during that time ... the relationships I had were absolutely consensual. I was always transparent about that then  To see that transparency metastasised into something criminal, that I absolutely deny, makes me question: is there another agenda at play?

He further asserts, referring to his podcasts and other public presentations, that 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.

Brands video refuting the media attack has been viewed almost 69 million times on X/Twitter, and received almost 200,000 likes.

The hysterical response to the Brand story in the media, with the Guardian and other nominally liberal newspapers far in the lead, undermines basic legal and democratic principles. It has pre-emptively judged Brand guilty, rendering him a pariah and jeopardising any chance of a fair trial if that were ever on the cards in the future.

As it stands, the first and only legal process began Monday, when a complaint was submitted to Londons Metropolitan Police about an event alleged to have taken place in Soho in 2003. There are currently no police investigations and no charges.

The presumption of innocence on which any democratic society is based means Brand is not guilty of anything until proven so in a court of law. But entirely the opposite impression is given in the medias coverage, with words like allegedly only grudgingly included as an unfortunate legal nicety.

To justify this, there has been a deeply reactionary attempt to hive off a supposedly separate sphere, a gray area, of legal rights from broader society. In a tweet reposted by popular legal commentator The Secret Barrister, a senior lawyer wrote, I think lawyers are slightly struggling with innocent until proven guilty. Of course that has a definite place as a legal concept

That does not, however, mean that legal processes are the only way that someone can be judged to be found wanting. Life is full of occasions where we pass judgement on the conduct of others. That conduct can fall short of criminality but can include criminality that gets nowhere near the courtroom

[W]e fall into error if we think that the criminal process is the only arbiter of whether someone has done something wrong.

This is a recipe for McCarthyite witch-hunting. A legal system not underpinned by the presumption of innocence is run by rumour, prejudice and snap judgements based on incomplete information. It is a fertile environment for state and media assaults, personal vendettas, and whisper campaigns.

An atmosphere has been created in which Brand is not only treated as if convictedand, it should be added, beyond the point of rehabilitationbut totally non-personned.

The BBC and Channel 4 have removed some content featuring Brand from their streaming services and YouTube has demonetised his accounts. Upcoming dates in Brands stand-up tour have been postponed. Talent agency Tavistock Wood has terminated all professional ties and Bluebird publishers have pause[d] all future publishing with him. The perennial political coward Jeremy Corbyn has dropped Brand from his upcoming poetry book co-edited with former union boss Len McCluskey.

A second feature of the coverage of the Brand allegations has been the rush to substantiate them with references to how he has conducted himself in his public life. Several graphic stand-up routines and Brands asking production staff to get the phone numbers of people in his audiences he found attractive are among the examples given of the open secret of his attitude towards women, as if betraying a criminal mind.

But none of this is illegal. In fact, as the commentators frequently admit, it was par for the course at the timeor at least for Brands off-the-wall, provocative, self-professed sex addict persona that won him great success across the media.

Much of the fevered character of the present coverage stems from members of the affluent-middle-class commentariat climbing over one another to atone for their past failure to denounce what must now be treated as an unconscionable evil. With his lurid lifestyle, Brand is something of a ready-made villain for the #MeToo age, to be performatively denounced with the appropriate degree of self-flagellation for ones own past complicity.

As with many previous sexual assault scandals, this is bound up with the hyper-conservative suggestion that sex itself is borderline criminal. The Guardians media editor Jim Watterson writes that Hypersexualisation and graphic depictions of sexual desire were part of his public personawhich is not illegal, but may have been considered red flags by those hiring him to present their shows.

Another clear agenda is to cast a shadow over any media not vetted by the traditional gatekeepers of public opinion. Brands eclectic mix of oppositional viewsfirst broadly leftism, now centred on the politics of uniting left and rightbroadcast in five 1020-minute videos a week on his YouTube channel, have won him over six million subscribers.

His opponents have used the allegations against him to declare open season on this platform. The vindictive glee is evident in Wattersons analysis piece, titled, Now well see how many bought Brands anti-mainstream media shtick. Other headlines include, Russell Brands wonderland: the online soapbox where the star pushes his free speech and Inside Russell Brands conspiracy-fuelled cult online following.

The absurd, censorious claim has even been made that Brands whole social media presence was built up as a defence against potential sexual assault claims. These are brought together by the Daily Mail in the article, Did Russell Brand know this was all coming? Fellow comics and experts claim star spent four years grooming online cult following to support him when rape allegations become public.

The World Socialist Web Site does not support Brands anarchistic views, which are all over the political map, combining denunciations of the US-NATO war against Russia with thoroughly reactionary endorsements of the January 6th insurrectionists and the Wuhan Lab lie.

However, we do not impose a political criterion on whose democratic rights are to be respected.

Legal and democratic rights must be defended to put an end to the situation where public figures and artists can be torn down purely through maliciously intended allegations and gossip. It should not need explaining what enormous power this gives those with the most influence on the media and politics, and the injustice which can be wrought.

Very recently, actor Kevin Spacey has seen a British court dismiss the last of several criminal charges brought on the basis of allegations which have nonetheless destroyed his life.

A mass opposition to the NATO-Russia war, and to capitalism, cannot be built without securing the broadest possible understanding of and commitment to democratic rights. Brands trial, judgment and sentencing by media must be opposed.
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. 
ISTANBUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A marble portrait of the head of King Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, was unearthed in the western Black Sea region of Turkiye, local authorities said Thursday.

The finding came during the ongoing excavations at the Prusias ad Hypium Ancient Theater in the province of Duzce, said the local municipality on its website.

It added that the piece was delivered to the Duzce Konuralp Museum to be examined and displayed.

Meanwhile, the museum stated that the Alexander head, measuring 23 cm from the top of the head to the neck, is dated back to the 2nd century AD.

"The king was depicted with deep, upward-looking eyes and a slightly open mouth that does not reveal the teeth," the museum's statement was quoted by the municipality as saying.

"The long, curly hairstyle thrown up to the neck on both sides and the two tufts of hair in the center of his forehead, parted towards the back and sides, are like the mane of a lion," the museum said, noting that this portrayal is unique to Alexander the Great.

During the excavation project that has been carried out over four years, archaeologists from the municipality have uncovered a significant portion of the ancient theatre and excavated numerous historical handicrafts and statues at the site. 
This photo taken on Sept. 20, 2023 shows a scene of the inaugural Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, an international cultural initiative honoring achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation, were announced on Wednesday.

Hosted by southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of the giant panda, the Golden Panda Awards will take place every two years.

The award show received a total of 7,024 film and television works as submissions, with 4,927 international submissions. Among the 90 nominated works, 53 were overseas entries. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

CHENGDU, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, an international cultural initiative honoring achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation, were announced on Wednesday.

"Jojo Rabbit" won the Best Film award, and the first season of "1923" took home the Best TV Drama award.

Hosted by southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of the giant panda, the Golden Panda Awards will take place every two years.

The award show received a total of 7,024 film and television works as submissions, with 4,927 international submissions. Among the 90 nominated works, 53 were overseas entries.

This inaugural edition provided participants from around the world with the opportunity to cultivate a deeper sense of cultural unity and foster cultural exchanges.

"All works transcend borders, race and culture," said Zhang Yimou, a renowned Chinese director and chairman of the inaugural Golden Panda Awards jury. "Good works serve as a bridge that connects people from all around the world who appreciate art and beauty, as well as inspiring and thought-provoking creations."

At the first Golden Panda International Culture Forum, held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Golden Panda Awards, more than 300 Chinese and foreign participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, deepening cultural exchange, and jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Speaking of new challenges in the 21st century, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Erik Solheim said there should be more cooperation, not less, and the world needs to work with China more than ever.

Nabil Fahmy, former foreign minister of Egypt, said art is a key medium through which people of different countries can understand each other's culture and civilization.

The panda has been a fitting cultural symbol of the Golden Panda Awards. Earlier this week, members of the jury and participants of the award show visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

During the tour, they observed the pandas at play and attended informative presentations about their habits and lifestyles. It was the first time for many of the visitors to watch giant pandas up close.

"Giant pandas are cute and friendly," said Chinese actor Cheng Taishen, who was nominated for the Best Actor award. He expressed his hope that the awards will represent the standard of Chinese film and television and will be loved by friends from all over the world.

Renowned American special effects artist, Douglas Smith, said that the reason why giant pandas are so attractive is largely because they present a comfortable and desirable way of life.

"We bring our daughter to China every summer to let her learn about Chinese culture. My love for giant pandas is beyond words," he added. 

Douglas Smith (L), a renowned American special effects artist, attends the inaugural Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, an international cultural initiative honoring achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation, were announced on Wednesday.

Hosted by southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of the giant panda, the Golden Panda Awards will take place every two years.

The award show received a total of 7,024 film and television works as submissions, with 4,927 international submissions. Among the 90 nominated works, 53 were overseas entries. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Zhang Yimou, a renowned Chinese director and chairman of the inaugural Golden Panda Awards jury, attends the inaugural Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, an international cultural initiative honoring achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation, were announced on Wednesday.

Hosted by southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of the giant panda, the Golden Panda Awards will take place every two years.

The award show received a total of 7,024 film and television works as submissions, with 4,927 international submissions. Among the 90 nominated works, 53 were overseas entries. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Members of the jury of the inaugural Golden Panda Awards are seen on stage in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, an international cultural initiative honoring achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation, were announced on Wednesday.

Hosted by southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of the giant panda, the Golden Panda Awards will take place every two years.

The award show received a total of 7,024 film and television works as submissions, with 4,927 international submissions. Among the 90 nominated works, 53 were overseas entries. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)
New York State Police said there were multiple serious injuries sustained in Thursday's crash on Interstate 84

At least one person is dead and over 40 others are injured following a rollover bus crash in New York state on Thursday, authorities said.

The bus was carrying students from Farmingdale High School in Nassau County who were on their way to a music event for band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, when it crashed on Interstate 84 in Wawayanda in Orange County around 1:20 p.m. local time, according to ABC affiliate WABC and CNN.

The bus came to a rest on its side in the middle of a wooded area between the eastbound and westbound sides of the highway, as seen in footage shared by FOX affiliate WNYW.

One adult was killed as a result of the crash, New York State Police said, per NBC affiliate WNBC.

There were multiple serious injuries sustained in the crash, the NYSP said in a news release.

Related: Boy, 14, Dies After ATV and Truck Collision Killed His Brother, Injured 4 Others

Of the 46 people injured, a majority of them were young people, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, WNBC reported. Five young people were transported to local hospitals in critical condition, he added.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by this accident, Neuhas said in a post on his Facebook page.

The bus involved in Thursdays crash was one of six buses transporting the band members to Pennsylvania, according to WNBC. It is unclear what caused the crash.

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All after-school activities at Farmingdale High School were canceled Thursday following the crash, WNBC reported.

The westbound side of I-84 was closed at exit 15A while authorities investigated the incident, according to a news release from the NYSP.

A reunification center has been set up at the Diana Physical Education Building at Orange County Community College on East Conklin Avenue in Middletown, N.Y., WNBC reported.

Related: Aspiring Firefighter, 17, Facing 'Difficult' Recovery After Dune Buggy Flipped Over and Caught Fire

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was briefed on the incident and offered her support to those impacted by the tragic crash, according to CNN.

We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary, the governor said. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation.

A press briefing about the incident is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, according to the NYSP.



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The accident occurred when a helicopter was transferring supplies to the submarine off the town of Kommetjie, said the South African Defence Department

RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty South Africa's Type 209 submarine, the Manthatisi (foreground), arrives in Simonstown 07 April 2006, which is to be the sub's home port.

The South African Department of Defence said Thursday that three navy crew members died and an officer is in critical condition after they and three others were swept off from a submarine due to a high wave.

According to the department, per the South African Government News Agency, the accident occurred Wednesday when an Air Force Lynx helicopter was transferring supplies to the SAS Manthatisi submarine off the town of Kommetjie near Cape Town.

All seven crew members were rescued but three of them were pronounced dead, with one senior official in critical condition," the department said, per the news agency. The other crew members were being treated in hospital.

Related: 3 Sailors from Same Aircraft Carrier Found Dead in Less Than a Week, Navy Says



It is with deep sadness that the SANDF announces the tragic loss of three SA Navy submariners off Kommetjie on 20 September on board the SAS MANTHATISI, the Department of Defence said in a statement shared on Facebook.

The three navy personnel who died from the accident were identified by the department as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela.

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An investigation into the accident will take place, the South African Government News Agency reported.

Related: 3 Soldiers Dead, 1 Injured After 2 U.S. Army Helicopters Collide in Alaska



In its statement, the Defence Department said Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, acting Secretary of Defence Thobekile Gamede and other officials extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues of the submariners who tragically lost their lives.

Related: Navy SEAL and Father of 2 Dies After Free-Fall Parachute Accident: 'He Will Never Be Forgotten'

Additionally, four soldiers were killed and another two were critically injured Wednesday in a separate road incident near the South African city of Upington. The Department of Defence said in a statement via Facebook that a SAMIL 50 army truck was towing another SAMIL 50 when the truck that was being towed had a tire burst, resulting in both vehicles being rolled. The soldiers were ejected and a vehicle landed on top of them.

The department added the families of the deceased were notified.

Cyril Xaba, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, expressed his sadness about the deaths via a statement posted on the South African Parliament website.

The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans commends the joint rescue efforts of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the SA Navy and Air Force for their joint efforts in the rescue operation, read the statement.

The committee sends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased Navy Officers," the statement continued. "The committee is with them during this very difficult time and wishes the naval marines who survived the incident a speedy recovery.







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Authorities found the boy and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to multiple outlets

A 3-year-old boy died Wednesday after he was swept away as his family tried to cross the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Troopers located the boy after responding to reports that a child had been swept away, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety told ABC News. He was then transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, ABC News, Spectrum News 1 Austin and NBC affiliate WOAI-TV reported.

Getty

The boy, who has not been identified at this time, was pulled by the force of the current as the family tried to cross the river in Eagle Pass, north of the marine barrier, which Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had installed in order to prevent crossings, according to the outlets.

The Texas Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Related: At Least 39 Dead and 29 Injured in Migrant Center Fire Near U.S.-Mexico Border

The journey through the river near Eagle Pass is often harrowing because there are steep drop-offs that can cause people to be pulled away among some shallow parts of the water, per ABC News.

Wednesday's death occurred amid a surge of migrant arrivals in the region, with Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas estimating that between 4,000 and 7,000 migrants have arrived in recent days, according to ABC News and Spectrum News 1 Austin.

Related: How Jose Hernandez Became First Migrant Farm Worker to Go to Space: 'The Best Disneyland Ride' (Exclusive)

Citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador recently said that authorities along the border have faced over 142,000 encounters in the first half of September, per Reuters.

Related: Texas National Guard Soldier Missing and Feared Drowned amid Rescue of Migrant from River

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According to The Intercept, more people have died attempting to cross the border in the last three fiscal years than at any other time in recorded U.S. immigration enforcement history.

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Influencer Alix Earle has spoken candidly about her fathers affair with the sex worker who brought down the former governor of New York.

The Tik Tok star told the Call Her Daddy podcast, that she clearly remembered the day in 2008 when news broke of her father Thomas TJ Earles affair with her now-stepmother Ashley Dupre.

I remember the day very clearly, the 22-year-old said on the podcast. Paparazzi had shown up at my house and my mom quickly kind of got me and my sister out of the house over to our cousins.

At the time, Earles father was cheating on his wife Alisa with Dupre, who was embroiled in a sex scandal with then-New York governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in the wake of it.

When the media descended on her New Jersey home, Earle admitted she wasnt aware of the situation and thought the press had come to interview her neighbours.

I didnt know they were paparazzi, she said.

The press inevitably caught up with her. It was in like fourth grade. I started to kind of hear commentary from people and I had an iPad at the time, Alix admitted. Im Googling my family and all of a sudden, I see that the past two years of my life had been a lie.

My dad had an affair with someone who was well-known for her job having sexual relations with high-class people and one of them was even the governor of New York, she continued. She was very well-known from that and in turn, my dads affair became a very public situation.

Seeing the news in front of her, Earle confessed she felt as though her world crashed down in that moment. With that being said, the TikTok star thanked her mom and 20-year-old sister Ashtin for protecting her from the noise of the scandal.

She proclaimed: I didnt know the severity of what had happened between my parents because my mom was super, super mature about it and didnt speak to us about it and didnt put that stress that she was going through onto us.

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I kind of figured it out myself and then I proceeded to deal with it myself, she went on.

TJ and Dupre wed five years later, but Earle wasnt introduced to her until he had moved out of their house, officially breaking things off with her mother.

I was told that I had to be respectful to this woman and we had to be nice to her. I wanted to rip her head off. It was very weird because I felt like I was a 10-year-old having to be more mature than someone 20, 30 years older than me, she said.

But even when the media coverage ended, she was left with the repercussions. According to her, parents would approach her mother and tell her they didnt want their children hanging out with her daughter due to the circumstances.

She would have to sit me down and be like, They dont really respect us, she said.

On top of that, being around her classmates brought about feelings of humiliation.

My teacher in high school was talking about this governors affair and said exactly what had happenedwho it had happened withand like looked me in the eyes while this was going on in class, the makeup enthusiast added.

I remember my classmates looking at me and like, laughing because this was about my family. And this was something he was literally teaching in history class.

Now, a decade and a half later, the Earle family presents more than just a united front  theyre close friends. With younger step-siblings, Izabel, 10, Penelope, 8, Thomas, 6, Alix, Alisa, Ashtin, and TJ all spend time going to family dinners in the Hamptons and regularly see each other in New Jersey.
Amal Clooney was spotted on the way to dinner with a friend on Wednesday

BeautifulSignatureIG / Shutterstock / SplashNews Amal Clooney seen headed to dinner in New York City

Amal Clooney was sparkling while stepping out in New York City.

The barrister and wife of George Clooney looked stunning as she headed out for a dinner date on Wednesday.

Wearing a sparkly silver and white mini dress under an oversized navy blazer, Clooney, 45, paired the look with shiny stiletto heels and a matching clutch bag. She also let her brunette hair down into a side-parting, with one side behind her ears.

The mother of 6-year-old twins Ella and Alexander appeared to be in great spirits as she made her way to meet a friend on the evening out.

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BeautifulSignatureIG / Shutterstock / SplashNews Amal Clooney sparkles in New York City

Related: Emma Thompson Chews on George Clooney's 'Reserved' Seat Sign Next to Amal in Hilarious Venice Photo

Earlier this month, Clooney teased her husband during her acceptance speech at the DVF Awards. Hosted by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg in Venice, Italy, Clooney was awarded for her work in advocating for victims of abuses worldwide.

I am here in Venice with my husband; he is a rising star, Clooney joked. She then told the crowd about how special Venice was to the couple due to them tying the knot there in 2014.

Related: Amal Clooney Sparkles in Silver During Date Night with Husband George Clooney on Lake Como

As we sailed through the city in the last two days, I thought how incredibly lucky I am because somehow our incredibly different worlds collided one day 10 years ago in Lake Como, Clooney added. I just think about the millions of things that had to happen in both of our lives to bring us to that moment and how grateful I am for that luck, my love.

Clooney then thanked her husband for being the brightest light in my life and for taking her breath away like the city of Venice. The couple looked glamorous for the occasion as Clooney wore a Christian Dior by John Galliano pink lace gown, while the actor sported a classic black suit.

The couple first met in 2013 through a mutual friend over dinner at the Ocean's Eleven star's home in Italy. They then began communicating and had their their first date in London.

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2023 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals - Credit: Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Australias University of Melbourne will host the Swiftposium 2024 in February to better understand Taylor Swift s global impact. The three-day event will be an international academic symposium and will coincide with Swift bringing her Eras Tour to the country.

While Swift has been the subject of several university courses in the U.S., this is the first time a global symposium is being held to examine her impact on everything from the music industry to fandom to pop culture to the economy. The event will take place Feb. 11-13 at the University of Melbourne, as well as online. It has been collaboratively organized by scholars from seven universities across Australia and New Zealand.

More from Rolling Stone

Swiftposium is a hybrid academic conference for scholars to engage in critical dialogue about Swifts popularity and its profound implications for a range of issues including gender, fandom, popular culture, literature, the economy, the music industry, and more, the events website notes in a call for proposals. The site offers a list of possible topics, adding, Critical engagement with the Taylor Swift phenomenon is encouraged, and diverse voices and opinions are welcome.

Dr. Jennifer Beckett from the University of Melbourne is one of the Swiftposium organizers. She confirmed to the BBC that the idea for the symposium began with a half-serious tweet earlier this year, but has since snowballed.

Taylor Swift really does have a very concrete impact globally, across things that affect all of us, Beckett told the BBC. World leaders are begging for her to bring the Eras Tour to their country because of the economic benefits that it brings.

Speakers for Swiftposium will be finalized in the coming months. Beckett added that there are plans for a ticketed event for fans to take part and they would love Swift herself to participate.

If Taylor Swift wants to come, I think all of us would have to spend some time picking our jaws up from the ground, but that invitation is definitely there, Beckett said. TayTay if you want to come, wed love to have you.

Last month, Arizona State University announced a new class, Psychology of Taylor Swift  Advanced Topics of Social Psychology, to teach advanced topics in social psychology that examine the Swifts work, her life, and her fans including romantic relationships, fiction/escapism, revenge, and social development.

ASUs class is just the latest university offering on Taylor academia. Earlier this year, Stanford University held a All Too Well (Ten Week Version) course as part of the schools Italic 99 courses, which was touted as an in-depth analysis of Taylor Swifts All Too Well.

Last year, NYU offered students at its Clive Davis Institute a bespoke Taylor Swift class taught by Rolling Stones Brittany Spanos. I want them to have fun listening to music and engage with pop music beyond the idea of pop as guilty pleasure, Spanos told NYU Local. She added that she hoped students learn how to appreciate that type of songwriting and listen to her and understand her beyond the way that the public has shaped her.

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When the first trailer for Cocaine Bear dropped in late 2022, everyone howled in delight that such a B-movie concept had been green lit into existence. Then finding out it was also directed by Elizabeth Banks and starred a great cast including Keri Russell , Margo Martindale, and Ray Liotta was cause for even more incredulity and excitement. One of the architects of Cocaine Bear's path to existence is producer Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You), who helped shepherd screenwriter Jimmy Warden's (The Babysitter) insane script to the right eyes... and voila, Cokie was born.

With Cocaine Bear available on a new 2-disc 4K HD combo edition featuring an alternate ending, deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and a feature commentary, SYFY WIRE caught up with Duffield to find out how they were able to sell such a crazy idea, what changed from script to screen, and the status of Cocaine Bear 2.

Producer Brian Duffield reveals how Cocaine Bear actually got made

(from left) Stache (Aaron Holliday) and Daveed (OShea Jackson, Jr.) in Cocaine Bear (2023)

(from left) Stache (Aaron Holliday) and Daveed (OShea Jackson, Jr.) in Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks. Photo: Universal Studios

In case you're wondering, the screenplay for Cocaine Bear always featured that title, even when it was just a spec script that Warden floated to Duffield, his friend and fellow writer, a few years ago. "I think we both thought it would, at best, be a really cool writing sample for Jim," Duffield said of its humble origins.

RELATED: Cocaine Bear's Elizabeth Banks on Possibility of Directing a Sequel

As long-time friends, Duffield said they would always exchange scripts for feedback. "He texted me the premise of Cocaine Bear, which I'd never heard of before, and he had his very Jimmy take on it," he laughed. "I think he had pitched it to other people, but they were like, 'Hmm?' But I was like, 'Hell yeah, let's go!' He sent me like a full script a month or two later. I read it and it was very, very similar to what the movie is on screen."

Duffield said that aside from an alternate opening with the kids, Dee Dee and Henry already doing the cocaine found in the park, then jumping to a flashback, everything unfolded in much the same way. "It was really great and fun and unique and very Jimmy," he remembered. "So, he's like, 'What should we do with it?' I knew it would do really well for him as a sample. But the goal is always  especially [from my] mentor / producer angle  is to get the writer paid." Not long after, Duffield's friend and producer, Aditya Sood, called for a catch up. Having recently joined Lord Miller, the production company of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Sood asked if Duffield had any comedy scripts.

"I was like, 'I have no comedies at all. But my buddy, Jimmy, has a really great script that I'm producing that you guys would be great for,'" Duffield said. "He's like, 'What is it called?' I said, 'It's called Cocaine Bear, and I'm not telling you anything else.' I sent it to him and the next night, he was like, 'It's great. We should show it to Chris and Phil, and Jimmy was ecstatic."

How Banks Nailed Her Pitch

(L-R) Elizabeth Banks and Cocaine Bear onstage at the Academy Awards

(L-R) Elizabeth Banks and Cocaine Bear speak onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

With Lord Miller behind the script, the director collective Radio Silence [Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella] signed on to direct it. "Radio Silence loved it," Duffield remembered. "Then we went to Universal and they were like, 'Absolutely, yes!' So, it was very fast and all of a sudden off to the races."

But then two majors shifts put Cocaine Bear in some serious distress. "COVID happened and Radio got offered their dream job, which was to go off and do Scream," Duffield revealed. "With the one-two punch of that, we thought me might be sunk. But Universal were always gung-ho."

RELATED: How Matthew Rhys Ended Up in That Hilarious, Shocking Cocaine Bear Cameo

The team continued to meet potential directors, and then Banks came in to pitch for the job. "She did a full song and dance for the studio, which was extremely funny," he said. "She used a PowerPoint because it was a COVID [meeting], but she kept sneaking very graphic mauling wounds into the slide," he laughed. "People would recoil and then we'd hear her just cackle. She very quickly, got the job."

Additions and Subtractions

Matthew Rhys in Cocaine Bear (2023)

Matthew Rhys in Cocaine Bear (2023) Photo: Universal Pictures

In August 2021, the entire Cocaine Bear team  sans Duffield  shipped off to Ireland to film the movie on location. "My son was born in pre-production of Cocaine Bear and I was in a early prep for my next movie," he said of the fast timeline. "But I was able to hand my son off to my wife and mother-in-law to go to Ireland and then quickly come back. What I'm really proud of about Cocaine Bear is that Jimmy was always the only writer. Usually, you get fired when they love you," he joked. "But he was on set the entire shoot. And I was never approached by Chris or Phil, or by Elizabeth," he said of rewrites. "I think she knew that Jimmy cracked the code of the bear doing cocaine and she really valued him.

"And she definitely brought a lot to the movie like opening with Thorton's (Matthew Rhys) plane crash," Duffield added. "Elizabeth thought it would really help set the stage."

He said Banks also did a lot of work to make the opening 20-minutes do what it needed to do in terms of introducing the concept, the cast, and the bear. "In the edit, the biggest challenge for Elizabeth was getting to Cocaine Bear as fast as possible. You have to produce so many characters and try to get the audience invested in these characters before Cokie shows up," he said of the bear's in-house nickname. "It was always about asking: Do we need all these scenes with this character, or all of these things with that character? Like, there's a couple of scenes in that first 20 minutes that we would lose, and then it felt like you never really got invested in that character. So then we put it back, but then it felt like it's taking a little bit too long to get to the main event, which is the bear. As I recall, every cut I saw was a different version of that opening 20-minutes or so. It was working to find that right balance."

The Bear Necessities

VFX of the bear in Cocaine Bear (2023)

Behind the scenes of Cocaine Bear (2023) during VFX Photo: Weta FX/Universal Pictures

As a producer on Cocaine Bear, Duffield said he managed to suck up as much knowledge as he could to prep for his second film as a director, No Will Save You, an original alien invasion movie he wrote coming out this Friday, September 22. It features a lot of VFX work, which Duffield said he got plenty of lessons about working on Cocaine Bear.

RELATED: 'That's a hell of a title': Watch 'Cocaine Bear' stars react to hearing film's name and premise

"I got to be in all of Elizabeth's meetings with Weta FX, and also being on set seeing how specifically they were shooting the bear," he said. "They had more money and a harder job, I think, than we did on No One Will Save You, because it's a bear in the daylight and you know what a bear looks like. They had more resources towards the bear, but they had to because it's a bear and for most of the movie, it's in broad daylight."

Having worked on a string of original IP films since 2017's The Babysitter, Duffield said it's been gratifying to see audiences respond to the smaller and weirder things that have managed to get made. "In terms of why I'm doing these original things instead of the IP things, no one has really asked me to do the franchise stuff. So I gotta feed my baby somehow. It might as well be with cocaine," he joked.

And in truth, the success of Cocaine Bear means it could be the first of a franchise, which he hopes happens because he can confirm that Warden has ideas. "Oh, Jimmy's had ideas for many [sequels] since the very beginning," he laughed. "He has a big wish list of things he would love to do. We'll see what happens after after the [WGA] strike. I've not read Cocaine Bear 2 yet, but I would love to someday."

Cocaine Bear is available now as a 2-disc combo edition on 4k Ultra HD, Blu-ray + Digital code. You can also watch Cocaine Bear: The True Story documentary streaming now on Peacock.
CHICAGO  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.

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.

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 ahead of time. 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 obstruction! 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.

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!"

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 their pouring 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 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?

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.


People take part in a presentation of the Russian version of the Belt and Road Portal, the official website of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), held at the China Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A presentation of the Russian version of the Belt and Road Portal, the official website of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was held at the China Cultural Center in Moscow on Wednesday.

In a welcoming speech, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Russia Sun Weidong noted that ten years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the initiative of jointly building the Belt and Road.

Over the course of a decade, the BRI, guided by the spirit of cooperation for mutual benefit and common gain, has continuously facilitated the connectivity in policy, trade, transportation, finance and people-to-people exchanges in the Belt and Road countries, and positively contributed to common development in the countries and the prosperity and stability throughout the world, he said.

The Chinese diplomat stressed that Russia has always been a supporter and important partner in the Belt and Road international cooperation. The development of the Belt and Road and the advancement of China-Russia cooperation require the effective and uninterrupted exchange of information.

He added that China's Belt and Road Portal is an authoritative official online platform that is able to provide timely and comprehensive information on the Belt and Road. It will provide the Russian side with comprehensive and practical services with regard to its participation in the implementation of the initiative.

Jing Ruyue, secretary-general of Xinhua News Agency, noted that this year marks the BRI's 10th anniversary. Xinhua will use the portal to provide reliable and timely information about the Belt and Road in multiple languages, and use the agency's advantages to strengthen China-Russia information exchanges and cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road.

Xinhua will continue to strengthen its news gathering and editing capabilities to expand the delivery of information related to China and Russia. It will continue to create a China-Russia platform for cooperation and exchanges to boost the international influence of the BRI. Xinhua will also display the advantages of high-level think tanks to deepen exchanges and cooperation in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Xinhua will continue to make full use of its advantages to provide high-level news and information services for exchanges between China and Russia, and continue to effectively promote the Belt and Road, Jing added.

Vladimir Zakharov, former deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said at the presentation that the BRI has grown to a global initiative to unite the destinies of the peoples worldwide and provide promising prospects of economic and social development for various countries.

He added that the portal will provide truthful and objective information, guide the international community toward full cooperation, and contribute to the building of human community with a shared future.

In his speech, Vitaly Mankevich, president of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said that the two countries' relations have been developing well, with close economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges, which display the benefits of the BRI.

The BRI is highly appreciated in Russia at various levels, and its significance is widely recognized, Mankevich said, adding that the Belt and Road Portal will become an important platform to provide Russian enterprises with the opportunity of discovering examples of cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road, and a platform to guarantee mutual understanding and fruitful communication.

A ceremony was also held on Wednesday at the center for the signing of an agreement by users of Xinhua Silk Road information products. In addition, cooperation agreements were signed between the Eurasian Bureau of Xinhua News Agency and the Ulyanovsk State University, the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. These agreements are expected to further contribute to expanding cooperation in the study and promotion of Xinhua Silk Road products, and boosting cooperation in the information and news sector. 
Fox News

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview that aired Wednesday on Fox News that he is ashamed of some of the kingdoms regressive laws after a retired teacher in his country was sentenced to death this summer over tweets that were critical of Saudi leadership.

Shamefully, its true. Its something I dont like, bin Salman told Bret Baier , who conducted the interview from Saudi Arabias Sindalah Island.

After Baier asked him why he couldnt use his position to change laws he disagreed with, bin Salman replied: We are doing our best.

We have already changed tens of laws in Saudi Arabia, and the list has more than 1,000 items. In the cabinet they have only 150 lawyers, so Im trying to prioritize the change day by day, he said.

But we are not happy with that. We are ashamed of that. But [under] the jury system, you have to follow the laws and I cannot tell a judge [to] do that and ignore the law, because thats against the rule of law. But do we have bad laws? Yes. We are changing that, yes.

Mohammad Alghamdis death sentence came after he ran two anonymous accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, which together had only 10 followers. He mainly reshared posts critical of the government, according to Human Rights Watch, but sometimes made his own posts.

Dramatic Saudi Arabia Getaway Could Cost This American Mom Her Daughter

While its unclear how Alghamdis identity became known to authorities, a former X employee who passed users personal details to the Saudi government was found guilty last year of spying on behalf of the country

Do you think that guy is going to get killed for that post? Baier asked.

Well, I believe there are a few steps and trials, bin Salman replied. Im hoping that [in] the next phase of trials, the judge there is more experienced and they might look at it totally differently.

Alghamdi can appeal the verdict, which was handed down July 10 by the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh, according to court documents reviewed by Human Rights Watch.

Anther notable exchange in the interview related to a $2 billion investment the countrys sovereign wealth fundwhich the crown prince controlsmade to the firm of former President Donald Trumps son-in-law and former senior adviser, Jared Kushner .

As for the hefty investment, which Kushners firm Affinity Partners received a few months after Trump left office, bin Salman said that if Trump were to become president again, the money would stay where it is.

Its a commitment that the [Public Investment Fund] have, and when PIF have a commitment with any investor around the globe, they keep it, he said, before strongly suggesting that that money would affect Trumps decisions if he were president.

He also demanded that Saudi Arabia be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon if its regional rival Iran were to acquire one.

We are concerned [by] any country getting a nuclear weapon, he added. Thats a bad move.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Officials have determined the cause of death of Angus Cloud, who died this summer at age 25.

The Euphoria star was found dead on July 31 at his family home in Oakland, California. His mother, Lisa Cloud, was adamant the following week that the actor did not intend to end his life and had died accidentally, which the coroner has now confirmed.

The Alameda County Coroners Office in Northern California told multiplemediaoutlets that Cloud died of acute intoxication after an accidental drug overdose. He had cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and benzodiazepines in his system when he died, according to the coroners office.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin or Halcion are depressants used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety, sleep disorders like insomnia and involuntary seizures. Theyre also commonly used as recreational drugs.

Fentanyl has become one of the most prominent issues in the opioid epidemic, as the synthetic painkiller is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is often dangerously used by drug dealers as a cutting agent for cocaine.

Fentanyl contributed to a dire new national record in 2021 when more than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses. In the state of Kentucky alone, the opioid was found in almost 73% of overdose deaths that year, per the states Office of Drug Control Policy.

Cloud, who played a charming drug dealer named Fezco on Euphoria, was mourned on social media by his co-stars. Sydney Sweeney described him as an open soul with the kindest heart. Zendaya said she was grateful for the opportunity to call him a brother.

Cloud died three weeks after his 25th birthday.

Cloud died three weeks after his 25th birthday.

Clouds family shared a mournful statement with TMZ after he died.

As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways, it read. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend.

Clouds mother shared in a Facebook statement four days later that the actors father, Conor Hickey, had recently died from mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that had reportedly spread to Hickeys lungs and heart.

Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence, the family statement concluded. We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone.

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

Related...
Tesla CEO Elon Musk visits with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York, as speculation grows over Tesla's next overseas plant location.

The EV maker's two latest gigafactories were launched in Texas and in Germany, with the former aimed at Cybertruck production.

Tesla is thought to be considering other options for the site of its next plant, including India.

Tesla has been on something of a factory-building spree early on in this decade, and it's not done yet. After bringing online the Austin, Texas, and Berlin gigafactories in 2022, the automaker is currently in the early stages of planning a new site in Mexico. But it won't open for a few years.

It has been Europe, however, where Tesla has faced the most demand growth, especially early on in the pandemic when EV sales surged in western Europe.

After exporting cars from gigafactory Shanghai and from the US to Europe, Tesla has been able to begin production at its Berlin-Brandenburg site in 2022, which was built entirely during the pandemica rare feat in the industry.

Now, Tesla is now said to be looking at Turkey for its next plant location, months after rumors arose that it was also considering India.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan just before the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, amid a PR push by the country to host Tesla's next plant.

But the timing of the decision, as well as plant construction, remains uncertain. Earlier this year Musk was said to be scheduled to make a decision on Tesla's next overseas plant sometime in 2023, though it's unclear if this urgency remains.

Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Tesla's first and only plant on the European continent, just outside of Berlin, was a curious choice in many regards, first and foremost from the standpoint of land and labor costs, if not proximity to suppliers.

At the time, Berlin-Brandenburg was viewed by some industry analysts as a location no German automaker would consider for a new plant, simply due to labor costs.

In fact, quite a bit of Germany's auto industry had moved to countries in Eastern and Central Europe over the past three decades, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, amid yet another wave of industrial migration to China.

Hearst Owned

Turkey, on the other hand, would certainly offer Tesla lower labor and energy costs than many other countries in the region, with a number of automotive suppliers already calling the country their home.

The country would also be an effective location for export to other parts of Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle Eastan advantage that India would not be able to match.

Turkey (or another overseas plant) won't be the site of production for Tesla's $25,000 car, at least not at first. The timing required for the construction of a new plant won't match the expected timeline of the automaker's planned affordable model, development of which is currently thought to be concluding.

If Tesla waits any longer, such as for the completion of a new plant, its planned $25,000 car could arrive in a drastically different landscape where Tesla will face plenty of competitors in this segment at home and overseas.

This is already happening in China where several affordable EVs priced below $20,000 have debuted and have managed to see a lot of market success in a short period of time.

At the moment, Tesla's most immediate priority is the start of full-scale Cybertruck production in Austin, Texas, with the first delivery event still expected to take place in the fall of this year.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Unique to the Austin Uchiba will be a Perfect Pairs menu that offers bites paired with cocktails, such as a spam musubi with tepache, a fermented beverage made with pineapple.

Austins best known fine dining restaurant is getting into the bar business. Kind of.

Uchiba may translate to Uchi bar, but the new concept from Hai Hospitality is undeniably a restaurant once you see the menu and take a look at the handsome space with its seating alcoves, sushi bar and lounge.

First things first, the bar: Unlike Uchi and Uchiko, Uchiba will serve liquor, including a roster of Japanese whiskeys and a menu of unique cocktails. Those cocktails should go well with comforting bar food and hot dishes, while the bar's sake and wine lists should complement the sushi offerings.

The lounge area at Uchiba features a whimsical mix of vintage and new pieces meant to give the space a personal and lived-in feel.

The team of architects and designers created Uchiba to be a warm, lived-in space blending vintage and modern touches that create an intimacy the operators hope stands in relief to the shiny new downtown glass tower in which it sits.

We toured the space, got our eyes on some menu items and talked to principals about what diners (and drinkers) can expect when Uchiba opens to the public in early October.

Where is the new restaurant?

Uchiba is on the ground floor of the new Google Tower at 601 W. Second St.

When does it open?

The restaurant opens for dinner on October 6.

The yakitori section of the menu features chicken thighs with sweet chili and kimchi.

Who is the chef?

Uchi owners have made a point of promoting from within since first expanding with Uchiko in 2013. Chefs often rise through the ranks at one of the Uchi properties, preparing them to take over a kitchen of their own. Such is the case with Lithuania native Vaidas Imsha, who will serve as Uchiba's chef de cuisine.

The chef has been serving as executive sous chef at Uchi for several years. Executive pastry chef Ariana Quant, who oversees the pastry program of all Uchi and Uchiko restaurants, says that Imsha is uniquely qualified to work with the kind of food Uchiba creates: Uchi-level precision but comforting like bar food.

Grilled scallop with soy butter is one of the two hot tastings at Uchiba, along with the famous hot rock beef dish that gives diners the chance to cook their own dinner.

The way his brain works with food is really fitting with this place. Its not traditional in any sense and he always has some crazy ideas that always lend itself well to this type of food, Quant told the American-Statesman.

One example of such culinary thinking: Imsha has crafted a dish of rutabaga noodles with chicken skin relish and gruyere foam that the Uchiba culinary team says eats both like chicken wings with blue cheese and pad Thai.

Dishes like bao and dumplings will make Uchiba different from Uchi and Uchiko.

What makes Uchiba different from Uchi and Uchiko?

If the rutabaga dish wasnt enough of a diversion for you, Quant points to the fun delivery systems of many of Uchibas dishes as a main point of differentiation. Diners will find an array of buns, bao, dumplings and yakitori dishes. An example of these types of dishes: chicken dumplings filled with chawanmushi foam, green onion sauce and charred shallot. The biggest difference between Uchiba and its two sister restaurants in Austin is the introduction of liquor.

Uchiba uses a kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) machine to create mounds of seasonally flavored icy desserts. "They are playful for this space, and something you definitely want to share," executive pastry chef Ariana Quant said.

Liquor, you say?

A play on the classic Queens Park Swizzle, Uchiba's Zilker Park Swizzle is made with mint, jasmine tea and rum.

Yes, Uchiba pulls some of its design and menu cues from Japanese whiskey bars. There will be more than 20 Japanese whiskeys on offer, and the bar, led by beverage director Jason Kosmas, is also teaming with the kitchen to create Perfect Pairs, combinations of bites with cocktails. Those pairings include a grilled Spam rice ball with a tepache (fermented pineapple) topped with pineapple amaro.

A lot of what the menu is about is bringing experiences, Kosmas said. My favorite pairing is oysters and martinis. So, were going to take our house martini and serve it in miniature size with naked oyster and the martini has a mignonette-pickled onion, so the whole thing just goes together.

The design aesthetic of the Uchiba bar nods to the whiskey bars of Japan.

How is Uchiba similar to Uchi and Uchiko?

Nigiri sushi, including selections for Toyosu Market, rolls, cold tastings and hot tastings, all familiar to those who have dined at Uchi and Uchiko, will be on the menu. And, yes, the hama chili and Zero Sen roll are on there.

Lovers of Uchi and Uchiko will recognize nigiri sushi bites.

How do I make a reservation?

Reservations are live at uchiba.uchirestaurants.com.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Uchiba restaurant to open soon in Austin. Get a first look inside.
Claim:

A video that went viral in September 2023 showed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy performing a belly dance.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In September 2023, a video went viral, allegedly depicting Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, belly-dancing. One viral post on X, formerly known as Twitter, read "Zelensky has really come a long way, from entertainer and dancer to a global celebrity now being promoted by the military-industrial complex as billions of dollars are released in the name of the American people."

Zelensky has really come a long way, from entertainer and dancer to a global celebrity now being promoted by the military-industrial complex as billions of dollars are released in the name of the American people. WATCH pic.twitter.com/YcqybeUgLL  Simon Ateba (@simonateba) September 20, 2023

The caption of another post with the in-question video claimed "This is Zelenskyy. I wonder if he's ever been to Epstein Island." Moreover, Google and Yandex (a Russian search engine) reverse-image search results showed that the video in question was shared by various Russian-language accounts. (Ukraine and Russia have been at war since Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022.)

(X user @unhealthytruth)

However, this is not an authentic video of Volodymyr Zelenskyy performing a belly dance. The original video, published on June 1, 2023, showed Pablo Acosta, a dancer from Argentina.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs9QmkrviAr/

When we compared the "Zelenskyy" video to the one published on @pabloacostabellydance Instagram account, it became clear that the viral footage had been digitally manipulated to superimpose Zelenskyy's face on Acosta's body. Therefore, we rated this claim as Fake.

(X user @unhealthytruth and Instagram account @pabloacostabellydance)

Although the in-question video did not show Zelenskyy, but rather an Argentinean belly dance, footage of the Ukrainian president dancing can be found online. Zelenskyy, before becoming the president of Ukraine, was an actor and comedian, and in 2006 won the Ukrainian version of Dancing With the Stars, a dance competition television series.

This is not the first time we have fact-checked deepfake images and videos related to Zelenskyy or the Ukraine War. In March 2022, a poorly done deepfake video of Zelenskyy asking civilians to lay down their arms to the Russian military was widely shared on social media. The same month, we fact checked a deepfake video showing Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly announcing the end of Russia's war with Ukraine. If you want to read more about deepfakes and how to detect them, check out our 2021 collection of digitally edited videos.

Sources:

Evon, Dan. "Bad Deepfake of Zelenskyy Shared on Ukraine News Site in Reported Hack." Snopes, 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/03/16/zelenskyy-deepfake-shared/.

---. "Putin Deepfake Imagines Russian President Announcing Surrender." Snopes, 18 Mar. 2022, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/putin-deepfake-russian-surrender/.

Lee, Jessica. "Deepfake or Not? Snopes Debunked These Videos in 2021." Snopes, 20 Dec. 2021, https://www.snopes.com/news/2021/12/20/deepfake-videos-2021/.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dancing With the Stars Ukraine. Zellenskyy Dance Won DWTS in 2006! www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlJywp7E3Gw. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.

 "  "   . https://www.unian.ua/society/24648-serial-tantsi-z-zirkami-divilasya-tretina-ukrajini.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.
Philip Paxson was using a GPS to navigate his way back home in September 2022, when he drove onto an unmarked, unbarricaded bridge, according to the lawsuit

Phil Paxson/Facebook Phil Paxson

The family of a man who died last year after GPS instructions sent him into the water is suing Google and the owners of a collapsed bridge for their alleged roles in the incident.

Philip Paxson, 47, was using his GPS to navigate his way back home on Sept. 30, 2022, when he drove onto an unmarked, unbarricaded bridge and into a creek in Hickory, North Carolina, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court.

The father of two was driving home from his daughters ninth birthday party after helping clean up after the party, per the suit. It was a dark and rainy night, and Paxson was generally unfamiliar with where he was driving.

Paxson tragically drowned after his car went over the Snow Creek Bridge, which allegedly had not been repaired following its collapse in 2013, the lawsuit added.

Related: Boy, 14, Dies After ATV and Truck Collision Killed His Brother, Injured 4 Others

Multiple individuals previously contacted Google Maps about the collapse in order to have the route information updated, according to the lawsuit.

A woman on Sept. 20, 2022, attempted to suggest an edit to the map, but Google took no action, per the suit.

As of April 6, 2023, the bridge was still labeled as passable on Google Maps, even though Google had been placed on notice yet again surrounding the hazards, according to the suit.

Wade County Clerk of Superior Court This image featured in a lawsuit showed Phil Paxson's car after it flipped off the Snow Creek Bridge in September 2022.

Google is accused of failing to take reasonable measures to ensure its maps were both accurate and reliable, as well as failing to respond to the reports in a timely manner and disregarding feedback about the bridge's dangers.

Paxson was like many other motorists and put his trust in Google Maps to safely guide him home on the day of the crash, according to a statement from Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, the law firm representing Phils family.

His trust in Google Maps, and the failure of the road and bridge-keepers to do their jobs, cost him his life, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky managing partner Larry Bendesky said in the statement.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said: "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," Castaneda added.

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Hickory businessman James Tarlton and the companies Tarde LLC and Hinckley Gauvain LLC have been listed in the lawsuit as owners of the bridge and the nearby land, according to The Hickory Daily Record.

The lawsuit said that the companies and Tarlton refused to place reasonable and proper barricades in front of the hazard to alert drivers to the deadly drop in addition to their refusal to properly maintain the bridge itself.

Tarlton and the companies did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Wade County Clerk of Superior Court This photo of the Snow Creek Bridge was taken after Phil Paxson drove into a river in Hickory, North Carolina in September 2022. The image was included in a lawsuit.

Related: Family Files Suit Over Store Janitor Found Dead in Bathroom 4 Days After She Went Missing

Paxson, a U.S. Navy veteran, as described in the suit, left behind two daughters, ages 7 and 9, and his wife, Alicia Paxson.

Per the New York Post, Alicia said the situation still doesnt seem real."

Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and Im at a loss for words they can understand, she explained, 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.



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A screenshot from the TikTok by Lina Lutfiawati on March 3, 2023 @lilumukerji/Tiktok

A TikToker was jailed in Indonesia over a video in which she ate pork and uttered an Islamic phrase.

Lina Lutfiawati, who identifies as Muslim, apologized but was sentenced to two years and fined $16,245.

Indonesia's population is majority Muslim, and eating pork is forbidden by Islam.

A TikToker has been sentenced to two years in prison by an Indonesian court after she filmed herself uttering an Islamic phrase and then eating pork, according to multiple reports.

Lina Lutfiawati, who uses the handle @lilumukerji on TikTok, posted a video on March 9 showing her eating and talking to camera during a trip to the tourist island of Bali.

The 33-year-old reportedly said "Bismillah"  an Arabic word meaning "in the name of God"  before she ate a piece of crispy pork skin.

Eating pork is forbidden in Islam, and Lutfiawati later apologized, according to Al Jazeera.

But a court on Sumatra island sentenced her to two years behind bars and fined her $16,245, CNN reported.

Lutfiawati, who has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, identifies as Muslim and uses the Indian name Lina Mukherjee on social media, due to her love of Bollywood, according to the BBC.

She was found guilty under Indonesia's strict blasphemy laws of "spreading information aimed at inciting hatred against religious individuals and specific groups," CNN reported, citing court documents.

"I know I was wrong but I really did not expect this punishment," she told reporters after her sentencing on Tuesday, CNN reported. According to the BBC, she said she did it out of curiosity.

About 87% of Indonesians are Muslim, and there have been several recent instances of punishments under blasphemy laws.

In April, a Christian YouTuber was sentenced to 10 years in prison for posting insulting remarks about Islam, according to the US State Department's overview of religious freedoms in Indonesia.

And in June, police in Jakarta arrested six people on blasphemy charges after they offered free gin to anyone named Mohammed or Maria, the State Department said.

Read the original article on Insider
Dancing with the Stars is set to kick off Season 32 on September 26, and the cast is eclectic. Actress Jamie Lynn Spears was paired with pro Alan Bersten. One person who will not be feverishly voting for Jamie Lynn is her big sister, Britney Spears. Thats right, Britney feels her sisters new career move is ill-timed because of her divorce from Sam Asghari.

But Jamie Lynn is facing more backlash because of alleged special treatment on the show. The Blast has the details.

Is Jamie Lynn being treated differently than her competitors?

DWTS fans are upset because Jamie Lynn is rehearsing near her home in Tennessee. Usually, the cast practices in a studio in Los Angeles. Jamie Lynn has a 15-year-old daughter, Maddie, and a five-year-old daughter named Ivey. Obviously, being home with her children is a priority for her.

Almost all of the celebrities are working on their moves in Los Angeles. But the production team is still letting Jamie Lynn practice near her home. DWTS has accommodated other contestants before and allowed them to practice in other locations.

But the folks on social media arent happy with the perceived special treatment. One user tweeted, Emma Robert[s] & Jamie Lynn Spears have the same energy. Bitchy spoiled white girl babies coasting off the success & name of their more famous relatives. Not as talented as those said relatives either. Harsh!

Another posted, How is Jamie Lynn Spears considered a star. And what do you mean ALLOWED? A fan tweeted, They must be hurting for contestants for this concession

Some fans have Jamie Lynns back

But other fans stood up for Jamie Lynn. So are all the stars. The pros travel to them, one user wrote. Thats great to hear! Best of luck to Jamie Lynn Spears on her journey with Dancing With the Stars! a follower tweeted.

Jamie Lynn plans to donate her salary to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA writers strikes. Im not sure why fans are so annoyed with her. She is doing a good deed to help others, yet she is being slammed for practicing in Tennessee. Maybe we should all just see how she does in the ballroom.

Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars premieres Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+ and will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

TELL US  DO YOU THINK THAT JAMIE LYNN IS RECEIVING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT? WHAT ARE HER CHANCES OF BRINGING HOME THE MIRRORBALL?

Koko Iwasaki and Matt Walsh, Dancing with the Stars

Will this contestant waltz away from the show? Reality News Kim Stempel 1 day ago

Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney Spears

Oops! Did Jamie Lynn anger Britney again? Reality News Kim Stempel 3 days ago

Dancing With The Stars Ryan Lochte Cheryl Burke

Cha-cha-cha-controversy Features Madeline Lylo 3 days ago

The post Jamie Lynn Spears Getting Special Treatment on DWTS, Facing Backlash From Fans appeared first on Reality Tea.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton dropped a number of conspiracy bombs in his first interview since his acquittal on corruption charges at his impeachment trial over the weekend.

The states top lawyer spoke to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a pre-recorded interview that aired Wednesday night. Carlson congratulated the 60-year-old on avoiding the impeachment conviction and claimed he was fascinated by the case, despite Paxtons own staff blowing the lid on their boss for allegedly giving real-estate tycoon and donor pal Nate Paul special treatment.

Carlson made no attempt to broach the allegations throughout the 46-minute interview. Paxton allegedly intervened on a federal fraud probe into Paul, accepted bribes from Paul, ordered staff to research for Paul, and invented fake COVID-19 gathering restrictions to postpone Pauls foreclosure auctions.

D-Day Arrives for Texas AG Ken Paxton. Is He Toast?

Paxton did not testify throughout the trial nor did he even attend most days, and an FBI investigation is still underway. He was acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment by the Texas Senate on Saturday.

It was crazy, Paxton said. I truly believe it became very political, and I am sitting here because of my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and I was delivered, because it wasnt just about the law, it became political completely, and I didnt know how it was going to turn out on the political side.

They created a lot of harm to the state of Texas by doing it this way, he added, lamenting that he wasnt paid for some reason after his June suspension.

Paxton blamed Democrats for his impeachment, though nearly half of the state representatives60 out of 121 totalwho voted to impeach Paxton were Republicans. Without providing evidence, Paxton theorized that his impeachment was a plot by the Biden administration and other groups in Texassome of whom, he added, were Republicans. He did not name names.

Developer at Center of Texas AGs Impeachment Scandal Arrested by Feds

Paxton said he had no idea why he was being impeached and said it was horrible, blasting those who he says betrayed him, notably House Speaker Dade Phelan and former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, who wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal saying Paxton would be convicted.

The attorney general said viral video replayed by Carlson that appears to show Phelan drunk on the House floor was unbecoming of a Speaker, adding that he was horrified and asked for an investigation, but instead they came after me.

Paxton said he was eager to speak out about the allegations but noted he was barred by a trial gag order imposed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and could not defend what was being leaked. He accused House impeachment managers of bypassing the order and leaking damaging information to media outlets. I just had to take it, Paxton opined.

It was very difficult to deal with, he said. It wasnt fair.

Believing his career is far from over, Paxton said it was possible he could take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Everythings on the table for me, he said.

Im re-energized to do the things the voters sent me to do, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit is set to be held from Nov. 8 to 10 in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, the organizers said on Thursday.

As this year marks the 10th year that the WIC Wuzhen Summit is held, the 2023 edition will feature new activities including the awarding of honorary titles and the inauguration of a global youth leadership program under the framework of the WIC.

Themed on "Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the summit will be attended by guests from home and abroad.

This year's event will feature 20 sub-forums on topics such as the Global Development Initiative, coordinated transformation toward digitalization and green growth, and artificial intelligence. 
Kerry Washington has opened up about the effect her eating disorder had on her.

Washington spoke candidly about the physical and mental impact of the eating disorder during a sit-down interview with Robin Roberts for an upcoming 20/20 special planned to air on Sunday 24 September. A preview of the interview was shared on Good Morning America on Thursday 21 September, in which Washington explained that she had contemplated suicide during the height of her eating disorder.

She also read an excerpt from her memoir Thicker Than Water, which is set to be released on 26 September. The actress shared that, by the time she arrived at college, her relationship with food and her body had become a toxic cycle of self abuse that utilised the tools of starvation, binge eating, body obsession and compulsive exercise.

I could feel how the abuse was a way to really hurt myself, as if I didnt want to be here, she told Roberts. It scared me that I could not want to be here because I was in so much pain.

Roberts then asked the Scandal star if she had considered suicide. Washington responded: Yeah. Yeah ... The behaviour was tiny little acts of trying to destroy myself.

The actress admitted that she began to pray for help with her eating disorder as it became more difficult to maintain her perfect image.

The first thing that put me on my knees  like the first time I got on my knees and prayed to some power greater than myself to say like: I cant do this, I need some help  was with my eating disorder, she recalled.

She continued: I was good at performing perfect. I was good at control. I could party all night and drink and smoke and have sex and still show up and have good grades.

I knew how to manage; I was so high-functioning and the food took me out. The body-dysmorphia, the body-hatred, it was beyond my control and really led me to feeling like: I need help for somebody, or something, bigger than me because Im in trouble and I dont know how to live with this.

Looking back on her experience, Washington said she is currently in a much better place, although she still needs to check herself with her eating disorder.

I wouldnt say that I never act out with food, its just very different now, she said. Its not to the extreme. Theres no suicidal ideation, that is not where I am anymore. But I know: Oh, Im really into this chocolate, this is good information for me. The bottom has gotten a lot higher where just a little discomfort with it is enough for me to know this is a way to check myself.

But it definitely looks a lot healthier. Its a lot easier. Its a lot saner than it used to be.

This isnt the first time Washington has spoken about her condition. In 2020, she shared the shame she felt about her eating disorder with Essence.

Id eat anything and everythingsometimes until I passed out, she told the magazine. But then, because I had this personality that was driven toward perfectionism, I would tell people I was at the library, but instead go to the gym and exercise for hours and hours and hours. Keeping my behaviour a secret was painful and isolating. There was a lot of guilt and a lot of shame.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beats helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040
Kylie Jenner has proved a picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case, worth assuming she and Timothee Chalamet are closer than ever.

The 26-year-old reality star was photographed at the Prada Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan on 21 September, where she let her iPhone screen wallpaper speak for her current relationship status. For the event, Jenner was seen dressed in blacked-out sunglasses and a shimmery chainmail skirt  both by Prada, of course.

However, it wasnt Jenners ensemble that caught the photographers eye. In a candid still captured by Elle Mexico, the mother of two lowered her sunglasses when she exposed the wallpaper on her phone: a gushing selfie of her and the Dune actor.

In the photo, the two A-listers are seen with their faces squished together, as the 27-year-old actors lips lightly brush over Jenners cheek. A zoomed-in screenshot of the selfie showed the beauty moguls subtle smile and rosy complexion.

For the past few months, speculation has stirred that Jenner and Chalamet are dating following her split from Travis Scott. The rapper  who shares daughter Stormi Webster, five, and son Aire Webster, 19 months, with the reality star  confirmed his breakup with the youngest Jenner sister in April of this year.

From Jenners car being spotted at Chalamets Los Angeles home to the pair kissing at the Beyonce Renaissance World Tour, the rumoured couple has done about everything accept publicly announce that theyre dating.

Earlier this month, Chalamet accompanied the Kylie Cosmetics founder to an intimate dinner in celebration of designer Haider Ackermann for New York Fashion Week. A few days later, they packed on the PDA at the US Open on 10 September. Jenner appeared to lean into Chalamet, turning her head to sneak a few kisses at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

While their physical chemistry has recently been on display, both Jenner and Chalamet are committed to keeping the details of their relationship private. In a video published by TMZ on 20 September, Chalamet kept his lips sealed when asked about Jenner.

The Call Me By Your Name star was stopped outside Cartier and questioned by paparazzi about their rumoured relationship. However, Chalamet paid no attention as he flashed them a little smirk, before putting his headphones on and walking away.

Chalamets been previously linked to a number of celebrities, including Lily-Rose Depp, Lourdes Leon, and Eiza Gonzalez. Prior to Jenners six-year relationship with the ASTROWORLD rapper, she dated 33-year-old rapper Tyga.
Pedro Almodovar has long been cinemas greatest sensualist, always eager to plunge headfirst into tales of bedroom acrobatics and familial psychodrama. Many of the filmmakers movies seem to yelp with lurid camp from the title down: Labyrinth of Passion. Live Flesh. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Pain and Glory . So youd think, for Strange Way of Life, his sweaty, 30-minute ode to classic Hollywood Westerns, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal as gay cowboy lovers, thered be more well, sex.

I wanted to see if I could do a different kind of sexy, the 73-year-old explains, in his mischievous Spanish purr. For example, that moment where Ethan is doing his bowtie, and hes staring at Pedros butt with the bed right in the background that was very erotic!

Ive shot many sex scenes in my career, mainly in the Eighties, he continues, citing his 1987 thriller Law of Desire  which opens with an extended sequence of masturbation and is rooted in the premise of Antonio Banderas seeming to go insane after first experiencing gay sex. I was much younger then. It was the beginning of my career and I needed to do that  we were talking about desire, about carnal knowledge. It was necessary. Now, though? I am much more interested in the nakedness of gazes and words  especially words that have never been heard in a Western before.

The director is at home in Madrid, sitting cheerfully at his desk in a loud patterned shirt, his hair cut into thick tufts of sheepdog white. He is video calling from the same computer he uses to type up his scripts and is surrounded by sheets of paper: printouts of completed drafts, old scripts that went nowhere, half-formed sketches. I dont know if you can see these, he says, pointing behind his back, but those are my two Oscars. Theyre the only awards that I have at home. The rest  the other 100-something  Ive got in my [production company] office. He hovers over his two biggies  one for Best Foreign Language Film for 1999s All About My Mother, and one for Best Original Screenplay for 2002s Talk to Her. They are like my bodyguards.

Unlike any number of international filmmakers who get overlooked by Hollywood until theyre deep into their careers  think the Oscars completely ignoring South Koreas Bong Joon-ho until Parasite  Almodovar has always been embraced by the US despite the language barrier. Its likely down to his unique tone, which tends to merge John Waters-style kitsch with the sizzling melodrama of soap operas. His eye for talent has helped, too, with many of the actors he plucked, often from obscurity, becoming international stars of film and fashion soon after, from Banderas and Penelope Cruz to Javier Bardem and Rossy de Palma. But he always said no to directing American films, despite flirting with projects as wide-ranging as the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg vehicle Sister Act to an early incarnation of Brokeback Mountain.

Something has shifted in recent years, though. At least when it comes to writing outside of his native tongue. His admiration for Tilda Swinton led him to cast her in his English-language short The Human Voice in 2020, while next week  for one night only  cinemas are playing Strange Way of Life, which serves as a further tease of what he might look like in a non-Spanish context. He is quick to caveat, though, that both films were shot in Spain and financed with European money  working from inside the American machine still holds little appeal.

Many, many journalists thought I was addicted to heroin, and I was not

I have a specific way of working and my intuition has told me that it is not the way to work in Hollywood or with the studios, he says. I mean, I am an artisan. He glides his hand over his desk. Everything here, I make the choice. I do everything. He says he is horrified when he watches a TV series and the director of an episode is barely credited. Even when you read [industry newspapers], they talk about the actors but not the directors. I mean, if you are Scorsese or Tarantino, you are there  but it seems to me that the director is just a part of the crew. It is a question of power. My sense is that the director in that system has a lot of voices that they need to hear. Theyd have to listen to the producers, the actors  even the agents, in some cases. I dont feel that that would be a system in which I could work.

He loves their actors, though. Writing about his 2022 Oscar season experiences for film review site IndieWire, he recalled cornering the likes of Licorice Pizzas Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman and praising them to the hilt. Hes also spoken highly of Cate Blanchett, whos long been attached to a mystery project that should prove to be his debut English-language feature film. Similarly, he wrote that he longed for the tall and beautiful Zendaya to star in films with real characters where she can develop what she has already demonstrated  that she is a great actress. He thinks much the same of Pascal, who has spent the past few years in expensive TV spectacles such as The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. They met years ago through friends  Pascal was working with a number of Spanish actors on the Netflix series Narcos  with the actor telling Almodovar that he grew up on his movies. That made me feel very old, he jokes.

Here come cowboys: Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal in Strange Way of Life (Pathe)

He really is an actor, Almodovar beams. He can do comedy and drama. He can do musicals and classical theatre. I feel like people are pigeonholing him. One of my hopes is that, after people see Strange Way of Life, a light bulb might go off in peoples heads and theyll say, he can do more than what were employing him to do. Not only epic roles! I dont have anything against epic roles, but he is more well-rounded as an actor than that.

Strange Way of Life was shot on the same outdoor sets in Almeria, Spain, where Sergio Leone shot A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Sixties  it lends the film the feel of a ghost story, icons retracing the footsteps of icons. For Almodovar himself, it meant revisiting the lush landscapes and saloon doors of the films that sparked his love of cinema. He grew up under the Francoist dictatorship, or as he calls it today in hell, and dreamt of escaping to London as a teenager.

I was very young, and I was repressed, he says. Hed seen photographs of Carnaby Street in Spanish newspapers, and finally ventured to London in 1971, basically looking for freedom  glam rock was expanding everywhere, and youd go onto the street and see people your age all wearing makeup and enormous boots. It was the moment of gay power. There hed become a regular at The Sombrero, a nightclub on Kensington High Street whose clientele included David Bowie (there were rumours he had a boyfriend who worked there, he recalls, mischievously), and visit cinemas around the clock  soaking up Westerns, musicals, underground movies.

Elegant women secretly spiralling out of control: Penelope Cruz in Volver (Shutterstock)

He remembers briefly working as a housekeeper for a woman who lived near Highgate Cemetery and claimed to be a Rothschild, who offered him lodging even after discovering he was no good at dusting. She would have these parties with these high-society housewives and they would talk about movies, he says. And because she knew Id seen everything, shed show off and say, Oh, Pedro has already seen it! to all of the other ladies and be so proud.

Hed return to Spain in 1972 amid the dying days of Francos regime, yet many of Almodovars eventual films bore echoes of those rooms in Highgate  from the hectic glamour of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! to the throngs of widows gossiping about phantoms in Volver, hes always been drawn to tall, elegant women being conspiratorial and sophisticated yet secretly spiralling out of control. Its only recently, though, that hes been more transparent about the autobiographical elements in his work. Some have been more obvious than others: 2004s Bad Education was inspired by boys at his Catholic boarding school who were abused by the priests there; his gorgeous 2019 film Pain and Glory cast Banderas as a kind of Almodovar surrogate, a filmmaker looking back on his life and romantic regrets.

Both Pain and Glory and Strange Way of Life share parallels in that respect  they revolve around a queer man of a certain age reuniting with an old lover, and pondering whether fate has provided them a second chance. Almodovars personal life has always been shrouded in ambiguity  he reportedly lives alone today apart from his cats, yet was rumoured for years to be in a long-distance relationship with a photographer  but he says he has thought a lot about past relationships in recent years.

Artist and muse: Almodovar and Antonio Banderas on the set of Pain and Glory (Shutterstock)

I myself would love to relive a moment like the one that Antonio [experiences] in Pain and Glory, where he has the chance to meet up again with an old love, he says. Its almost like a wish that I would like to fulfil. But its also a very dramatic situation, too  I like to tell stories of very passionate relationships interrupted [by something] thats outside of [the couples] control.

Years ago, he used to bridle at theories about his personal life. But now hes loosened up. At my age, Im feeling more comfortable with interpretation, he says. Its true that theres always been an autobiographical element hidden in my characters. That said, sometimes people are confused. Many, many journalists thought I was addicted to heroin, and I was not. Banderass heroin-injecting filmmaker in Pain and Glory was him, he says, but only up to a point. I did know many people in the Eighties who were addicted because it was very popular back then. People dont believe me, though. The difference is that now I dont mind if they believe me or not.

His work, though, cant help but play host to the many roads hes travelled. I am very much inside my movies, he says, as he thumbs through the pages decorating his desk. Many are different genres, of course, but they do share the same soul.

Strange Way of Life is in cinemas for one night only on Monday 25 September, and features an exclusive recorded Q&A with Almodovar
America's biggest rock festival is back for its final day. The 2023 Louder Than Life festival, which first debuted in Louisville in 2014, has taken over the Highland Festival Grounds, 937 Phillips Lane, at the Kentucky Exposition Center since Thursday.

The heavy metal, rock, punk, and alternative headliners music festival has a rocking lineup of nearly 100 performers heading to Louisville for the four-day event. Headliners include Foo Fighters, (who played a killer set Thursday night) and Green Day (making its festival debut), plus Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Queens of the Stone Age, Limp Bizkit, Megadeth, Turnstile, and Rancid.

The fans spoke and we listened," Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents said previously. "The Foo Fighters, Green Day, Tool and Avenged Sevenfold were our most fan-requested bands for 2023, so being able to deliver this massive lineup to them is so special.

Weezer, Godsmack, Pantera (on tour for the first time in two decades,) Corey Taylor, and recently added Oliver Anthony will also play Louder Than Life 2023.

In addition to music on five stages, festivalgoers will also enjoy four days of award-winning whiskey, bourbons, spirits, craft beer and some of the best food Louisville has to offer, as well as sponsor activations that celebrate the bourbon culture and culinary heritage of Kentucky.

Remember to register your wristband before you arrive at the Louder Than Life entrance gates. Registration is mandatory for entry. The registration code is listed on the back of the RFID saddle of your wristband.

Louder Than Life Tickets: Here's how to get 2023 tickets to the heavy metal festival in Louisville

Louder Than Life 2023 lineup: Your guide to who's performing at the metal music festival

What is the weather like on Sunday at Louder Than Life?

You're in for more perfect weather, Loudmouths. Sunday's forecast calls for partly sunny skies, with a high of 81 degrees. Sunday evening, expect much of the same, with a low of around 69 degrees.

Weather: 'Pretty optimistic forecast' expected for Louder Than Life. What to know

Louisville restaurants, including Pizza Lupo, fuel the masses at Louder Than Life

Max Balliet of Pizza Lupo throws pizza dough at Louder Than Life on Sunday. Sept. 24, 2023

To get through one  or four days  of a music festival, you need fuel. From noodles to tater tots to lobster rolls to ice cream cones, dozens of food vendors offered plenty of options for on-the-go dining during Louder Than Life.

Several Louisville-area restaurants were serving dishes to give festival-goers a taste of the city. That included Pizza Lupo, a popular pizza restaurant that opened in 2017.

While the place usually specializes in the style of wood-fired Neapolitan, Pizza Lupo co-owner/chef Max Balliet wanted to switch things up for the festival.

The big challenge was to find a pizza style we could serve to a lot of people quickly and without sacrificing quality, he told the Courier Journal. I thought I could do a really solid New York-style and feed hundreds of people a day. That was the goal.

Max Balliet poses with his tattoo at Louder Than Life on Friday. Sept. 22, 2023

To prepare for the event, Balliet made 1,500 pounds of pizza dough. He did the same for Bourbon & Beyond last weekend.

Its a lot of work to get everything prepped, Balliet said. Its a grind. But the staff loves it. And its a good way to mix things up.

On Saturday, he and his staff cooked up more than 250 28-inch pizzas, to be served by the slice.

Those $10 slices were popular on Sunday, too, with a steady of line of customers checking out Pizza Lupos display case for the special toppings of the day.

As a former touring musician, Balliet said he enjoys combining his passions of food and music. He also said its important for events such as Louder Than Life to feature local restaurants.

Theres a lot of great restaurants that do this and I wish that theyre more, he said. If you come to Louisville and from youre of town, you want to try some local offerings.

Other participating restaurants included Guss World Famous Chicken, Longshot Lobsta, Spinellis Pizza, Merles Whiskey Kitchen and Big Mommas Soul Food Kitchen.

'Rock 'n' roll is big again.' We caught up with AWOLNATION after its Sunday set at Louder Than Life

AWOLNATION, a California-based rock band, played Sunday at Louder Than Life.

Near the end of his Sunday afternoon set at Louder Than Life, Aaron Bruno shared with the crowd that he never got to attend his high school prom.

Perhaps the lead singer of AWOLNATION, a California-based rock band, was feeling nostalgic. Music, he said later, has a way of bringing up old memories.

After forming the band in 2010, AWOLNATION became known for hits such as Sail and Run.

Bruno arrived in Louisville early Sunday, following a previous tour stop near Chicago. This marked his first time playing Louder Than Life.

I just think music is in a really good place where rock n roll is big again, he told the Courier Journal after his set. Im a huge fan of Turnstile and Queens of the Stone Age. Im just happy to be on the flyer with them.

He remembers listening to some of the bands on the lineup while in middle school.

Theres a nostalgia listening to a band like Green Day, he said. You let some angst out. It makes you feel good.

Louder Than Life set is a homecoming for The Bronx bassist, a Camp Taylor native

The Bronx rocked the Revolver Stage at the Louder Than Life music festival on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023

It was a big weekend for The Bronx at Louder Than Life. The band's bassist, Brad Magers is a Louisville local and is the former owner of Gold Bar.

Its absolutely amazing because we never play here, Mager, a Camp Taylor native said about playing in his hometown.

The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is considering this stop in Louisville part of its anniversary tour. The group was supposed to play Louder Than Life in 2020 but never had the opportunity after the festival was canceled due to COVID-19.

Brad Magers, from the band The Bronx signs an autograph at Louder Than Life on Sunday. Sept. 24, 2023

Were just happy to still be doing it, Magers said while signing a fans banana costume.

Aside from playing a hometown concert, the bands frontman, Matt Caughthran, spent the weekend showcasing his love of art, sailor tattoo history and spiced rum at the Sailor Jerry tent.

I hope this tent has given [festival goers] a solid hangover first and foremost, Caughthran said while sipping a Sailor Jerry spiced rum drink and chuckling.

Caughthran is the host of the Sailor Jerry Podcast, which pays "homage to all the things we love, from tattooing [and] travel, to food, music [and] beyond," according to its website. He believes the podcast and Louder Than Life are a perfect pairing because they both celebrate counterculture.

The Bronx singer Matt Caughthran at Louder Than Life on Sunday. Sept. 24, 2023

As The Bronx members look to enjoy the remaining few hours of the festival, the group cant help but be appreciative of Louisville.

Its like a second home, Caughthran said.

'We've had a blast playing here,' Death Valley Dreams says Sunday

Jon Nova, left, and Nick Coyle, of Death Valley Dreams, at Louder Than Life on Sunday. Sept. 24, 2023

Nick Coyle and Johnny Nova of Death Valley Dreams took the stage early Sunday for their sixth show ever as a group.

The duo, influenced by bands such as Pink Floyd, The Cure, The Killers, and Sex Pistols among others, released a new single Leave Me Alone on Friday. The band played the single today, noting it was only the second time theyve played it.

Its been a hectic couple of weeks planning the release of this single and [Louder Than Life], Coyle told the Courier Journal.

The two have been in and out of a variety of bands together since 2004, but this marks their first trip to Louder Than Life.

Well be here next year, Nova said. Weve had a blast playing here.

Coyle shared that the audience and environment of Louisville and the Danny Wimmer Presents crew have made this festival a destination.

Its been wonderful, the Danny Wimmer festivals are so well put together, Coyle said.

For these Louder Than Life fans, the party starts in the parking lot

As thousands of people made their way into the Highlands Festival Grounds on Sunday for the final day of Louder Than Life, some music lovers, like the ones pictured here, set up mini tailgating areas surrounding the venue.

For some festival-goers, the party starts in the parking lot.

As thousands of people made their way into the Highlands Festival Grounds on Sunday for the final day of Louder Than Life, some music lovers set up mini tailgating areas surrounding the venue. Yard games, such as cornhole, were set up and, when passersby stopped by to chat, they were met with the offer, Do you want a beer? Or a shot of Fireball?

Sitting in a circle under a tent in the parking lot, Christian Campbell and several friends sipped beers while waiting to enter the festival.

Campbell, who traveled about 400 miles from Canada, still had a sour taste in his mouth about Limp Bizkits set from Friday, when lead singer Fred Durst demanded cameras be turned off during its set on the Space Zebra stage.

We drove seven hours to see Limp Bizkit, he said. Shy of that, this has been a great experience.

Campbell and his friends, who traveled from different areas, met in 2016 at a music festival.

Now, were family, he said

How many people are at Louder Than Life?

The scene during Silly Goose's set at Saturday's Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Ky. Sept. 23, 2023

As of Sunday afternoon, Louder Than Life has seen more than 160,000 Loudmouths come through the gates at the Highlands Festival Grounds to rock out, Kristine Ashton-Magnuson, a publicist for the festival, told the Courier Journal.

The festival was anticipating roughly 40,000 attendees each day over the course of the four-day festival. On Sunday alone, the festival drew more than the estimated 40,000, Ashton-Magnuson shared.

The festival will release exact attendance numbers in the coming days, but for now, Ashton-Magnuson and others consider this year's attendance to be a success" and on par with past years.

In 2022, 275,000 fans turned out for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life, creating over $43 million in local economic impact, an attendance boom at distilleries along the urban bourbon trail, and more than 50,000 hotel nights, according to Danny Wimmer Presents, the organization behind both festivals. Last year, passes for both festivals were purchased in all 50 states and over 25 countries, making both Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life international destination festivals, shining a spotlight on Louisville to the world.

Space Zebra Stage

Holy Wars: 12:55 p.m.

Boston Manor: 2:05 p.m.

Rival Sons: 3:25 p.m.

The Interrupters: 4:55 p.m.

Turnstile: 6:40 p.m.

Green Day: 8:55 p.m.

Loudmouth Stage

Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age performs at the Boston Calling Music Festival on Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Allston, Mass.

Thousand Below: 12:25 p.m.

Senses Fail: 1:30 p.m.

Awolnation: 2:45 p.m.

Flogging Molly: 4:05 p.m.

Run The Jewels: 5:45 p.m.

Queens Of The Stone Age: 7:40 p.m.

Disruptor Stage

As You Were: 1:15 p.m.

Letdown.: 2:25 p.m.

Sleep Theory: 3:35 p.m.

Rain City Drive: 4:45 p.m.

Viagra Boys: 6 p.m.

Mayday Parade: 7:40 p.m.

Revolver Stage

Death Valley Dreams: 12:40 p.m.

Reddstar: 1:50 p.m.

The Bronx: 3 p.m.

Jehnny Beth: 4:10 p.m.

DeathByRomy: 5:20 p.m.

Billy Talent: 6:45 p.m.

Road Hounds Stage

Two Sides Of Me: 1:30 p.m.

HXLA: 2:30 p.m.

Over The Moon: 3:30 p.m.

Archers: 4:30 p.m.

JVK: 5:30 p.m.

The Emo Night Tour: 6:30 p.m.

Louder Than Life 2023: Lineup, stages and set times for Sunday in Louisville

Road closures around Highland Festival Grounds

Heading to Louder Than Life today? You might need a heads-up about some road closures in the area.

Gate 1 of the Kentucky Exposition Center, where parking is located, is closed, so people going to the festivals will need to use Preston Highway to enter through Gate 6 or Crittenden Drive to access Gate 2 and Gate 4.

Phillips Lane from Preston Highway to Freedom Way has been closed since Sept. 4. There are a few interstate ramp closures that might impact your drive, too:

Interstate ramp closures now through Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Interstate 264 Eastbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

Interstate 264 Westbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

Interstate 65 Northbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

Interstate 65 Southbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

Where can I park on Sunday at Louder Than Life?

Fans rock out to Tigercub on the first day of Louder Than Life on Thursday, September 21, 2023

General parking will be available at the Kentucky Expo Center for a daily fee of $30. Parking is not reserved and your vehicle will be parked based on your arrival time and entrance point into the Kentucky Expo Center parking lots. Visit any of the Entrance Gates at the Kentucky Exposition Center, including Gate 2, Gate 4, and Gate 6. It is suggested to arrive early if youd like to park on-site.

Parking lots open at 10 a.m. Cash will be accepted.

What happened Saturday at Louder Than Life?

Avenged Sevenfold stops set, three times, for fans with medical emergencies

Music fans came together at the Louder Than Life music festival on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023

Avenged Sevenfold lead singer Matt Shadows stopped the bands set mid-song three times after fans near the front of the crowd at the Loudmouth stage had medical emergencies Saturday night.Its a long day with not a lot of water, Shadows said.Fans cleared the area allowing security staff the access the area and an all-clear was given both times after a short stop.Were sorry, guys, but someones life or injuries are way more important than this, Shadows said.

Afterlife: 'One of the best festivals we've ever played'

Music fans came together at the Louder Than Life music festival on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023

After last performing for Louisville fans back in 2019, Afterlife lead singer Tyler Levenson said coming back to play at Louder Than Life was incredible thanks to the energy from the fans.

It was amazing, Levenson said. This is possibly one of the best festivals weve played ever. Super exciting.

The band hasnt released a new album since dropping its second album, Part of Me, in 2021, but Levenson said it is focusing on releasing singles for now with the possibility of a new album sometime in the future.

Levenson and the rest of Afterlife  guitarist Andrew McGuire, bassist Tristan Edwards and drummer Luke Walkinshaw  first came to Louisville to play at the Diamond Pub Concert Hall while touring with heavy metal group Ice Nine Kills.

Levenson said he hasnt gotten around Louisville much to experience everything the city has to offer but was looking forward to it after thrilling the crowd on the Disruptor stage.

Were having a fantastic time rocking and rolling right now, he said. Definitely looking forward to everything the city has in store for us.

'I'm still coming down.' Behind-the-scenes with Strange Kids at Louder Than Life

The band Strange Kids, left, do an interview with Road Hounds lounge at Louder Than Life on Saturday. Sept. 23, 2023

Fresh off the stage, Josh Balz of Strange Kids was candid as he began an exclusive Q&A with the Courier Journal in the Road Hounds Lounge at Louder Than Life.

To be completely honest, I was terrified, Balz said. Im still coming down.

Hed been so nervous, that hed even taped the lyrics to his newest songs to the floor. Once he was on stage, he had a daunting moment as he looked out to the crowd.

Why isnt anyone singing? he wondered, laughing. I forgot we havent released (the songs) yet.

Kyle Therrien, from the band Strange Kids, signs a guitar for the Road Hounds lounge at Louder Than Life on Saturday. Sept. 23, 2023

Balz isnt new to the spotlight by any means. Hes well-known in the music world for his role as a keyboardist in the successful band Motionless in White, but Strange Kids is a relatively new endeavor.

When Balz teamed up with musician Jake Simons for Strange Kids, they aimed to combine their polarizing taste in music to create a sound that is dark, thought-provoking and full of sonic textures, according to their Spotify page. Simons was a classically trained pianist as a child, who was influenced by Radiohead, Bjork and countless UK TripHop artists. The idea was to establish a new voice.

The band Strange Kids, left, do an interview with Road Hounds lounge at Louder Than Life on Saturday. Sept. 23, 2023

Their first single in 2018 Wind Me Up, has more than a million listens on Spotify. Strange Kids' newest song, Silhouette, just dropped on Spotify on Tuesday.

A new name in rock 'n' roll? Take a step into the immersive Road Hounds lifestyle

There was a new name in rock at Louder Than Life, and it's about to shake up the music world.

Or rather, create its own world.

Road Hounds name was all over Louder Than Life this weekend, even on one of the stages. But this big new name in music isnt a band  its a new metaverse for rock music lovers. Now that its moving out of beta testing and searching for subscribers, it's likely heading into Loudmouths homes throughout the world.

But what is it exactly? The Courier Journal sat down with Road Hounds Chris Ingham to find out.

The concept for Road Hounds started as a COVID-19 lockdown project aimed at creating a hangout space for people passionate about rock music.

We sat there, bored, thinking how do I connect? Ingham explained. We needed something more fabulous than social media in its current form.

Raven Gray performed on the Road Hounds Stage at the Louder Than Life music festival on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023

Participating in Road Hounds is meant to feel like walking through a city. The rock fans experience the world as an avatar, and its an immersive community. Within the world, there are different zones where participants can experience classic rock, interviews and up-and-coming musicians.

The one thing that you know when you go in is that its for rock fans, so youre going to find someone you can talk to, Ingham said.

The big hope with the platform, Ingham said, is that by having such a dynamic environment people will start talking to each other, encouraging each other, forming bands and supporting bands.

When Road Hounds comes to an event like Louder Than Life, the idea is to connect with bands that are performing on the smaller stage that need a platform. Using a digital platform and this body-scanning, immersive technology lesser-known groups can build a worldwide fanbase.

I want to get the message out to everyone whos got that in-built passion for rock music  and you know it when youve got it, if you like it when youre 16, you like it when youre 66  youve got the bug so do something with it, Ingham said.

Louisville-based manager talks up-and-coming musicians, acts at Louder Than Life

Scott Frazier, left, is a Louisville-based manager for 10th Street Entertainment in Los Angeles. Here he's pictured with his client, Bailey Zimmerman, center, who's at a plaque presentation for Fall in Love and Rock and a Hard Place, which were certified gold and platinum. Fall in Love reached #1 at country radio and the follow up Rock and a Hard Place  as of this week lands at Top 20 at both Airplay Charts in 5 weeks!

While the third day of Louder Than Life was full of bands from across the country  and the world  one Louisville native was happy to be home as thousands of fans poured into the Highland Festival Grounds on Saturday.

Scott Frazier, manager for some of musics hottest acts  including up-and-coming country artist Bailey Zimmerman  was keeping an eye on some of his other talent like West Palm Beach, Florida-based Afterlife, whom Frazier manages, along with The Hu and Asking Alexandria, which are signed with the same label.

Afterlife is set to take the Disruptor stage just before the evening hours on Saturday.

Frazier said Zimmerman has had a busy year, including having three No. 1 singles in 2023.

Baileys continued to have an upward trajectory and its super exciting, Frazier told the Courier Journal. Zimmerman is working on headlining a tour in 2024 that will head to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Frazier added.

Scott Frazier is a Louisville-based manager for 10th Street Entertainment in Los Angeles. Country sensation Bailey Zimmerman, pictured here, is performing at a sold out show at Louisville Palace in 2022.

Back in Louisville, Frazier continues to work with new acts while working with the country division of 10th Street Entertainment, which oversees major acts like Motley Crue, Papa Roach, and Blondie, who appeared at Bourbon & Beyond last weekend.

Frazier, who still lives in Louisville, said that while some of his clients are big in the country scene, hes happy to still have roots in the rock scene.

I want to stay integrated here in Louisville, he said. This is home.

Log Still Distillery on what sets its bourbon apart at Louder Than Life

Ashley Jaggers makes a Goldrush cocktail at the Log Still distillery booth at Louder Than Life on Saturday. Sept. 23, 2023

Log Still Distillery is back at the Highland Festival Grounds on the heels of a big win last weekend at Bourbon and Beyond.

The distillerys Monks Road Wheated Bourbon took home first place in Fred Minnicks Peoples Choice Award and second place in Fred Minnicks blind tasting, so The Courier Journal stopped by the tent at Louder Than Life to see what sets this brand and its bourbon apart.

I feel that this bourbon is very approachable, even for someone thats not into bourbon yet, said Denise Ingle, the chief brand and sales officer at Log Still Distillery. Its very smooth. There are caramel and classic notes in there, and all around, its a very solid bourbon and were really proud of it.

Ingle says the bourbon is a natural fit for a music festival because the company has an amphitheater on its grounds in Nelson County. The company is known for its cocktail program, and it brought its Gold Rush 47 to the festival. The cocktail is named for the distillerys historic DSP number. Even though Log Still is a relatively new distillery, Ingle says they were able to adopt that low number because the company operates on historic ground.

The Amp at Log Still, a scenic outdoor amphitheater

Log Still set up a campsite inside its tent complete with a firepit and log seats that were cut from the distillery grounds. There are even a few live trees, which Ingle says, will be planted on the grounds as a way to celebrate its participation in this years festivals.

What happened Friday at Louder Than Life?

Fred Durst stops set at Louder Than Life, demands cameras turned off

Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit came out to a Yacht rock intro and carried 'dad vibes' dress while performing at Friday's Louder Than Life music festival. Sept. 22, 2023

Some Limp Bizkit fans at Louder Than Life wound up disappointed Friday after lead singer Fred Durst demanded cameras be turned off during their set on the Space Zebra stage.

We wont continue until the cameras are turned off, Durst said. We didnt come here to be on TV.

Several upset fans at the festival took to social media to voice their thoughts on the outburst, saying it was unfair to fans forced to stand in the back of a crowd of thousands.

Today has been great until Limp Bizkit came on and had the cameras turned off, one user wrote. It is a shame because I was looking forward to seeing them but couldnt get close."

People perched upon a friend's should to see the Limp Bizkit set after Fred Durst demanded the video cameras that project the concert on the large side screens be turned off at Friday's Louder Than Life music festival. Sept. 22, 2023

Had a panic attack (because) Limp Bizkit turned the cameras off and people bum-rushed the stage and I nearly got trampled, so thats good, wrote another user.

Louisville band FoxBat brings metalcore music to Louder Than Life

Jack Cummins, 24 of Louisville, secured a spot at the front of the stage about a half hour before FoxBat took the stage at Louder Than Life Friday.

Louisville-based FoxBat was full of pride for its home city when it took the stage a Louder Than Life on Friday.

Were [expletive] FoxBat, and were from right [expletive] here, frontman Clay Nevels shouted out to the crowd, on more than one occasion during the band's set.

The band plays a mashup of metalcore and post-hardcore music, and it has a strong reputation for having a good time with its fans. That was on full display Friday afternoon as Nevels led the crowd in a dramatic display of head-banging, mosh-pitting, and at one point, even a conga line.

Jack Cummins, 24 of Louisville, had secured a spot at the front of the stage about a half hour before the show began. Cummins said hed been a fan of FoxBat since it launched its first EP, and that hes seen them perform at least a handful of times over the years. He appreciates their sound because its a classic metal vibe, but in a way, he says he feels like its made for Louisville.

Its really nice to have that at our disposal, he said. Most local bands have way different sounds and genres. The metal isnt really out there locally.

Want to own a piece of art from Blink-182? What about GWAR? Check out the art exhibit at Louder Than Life

Poster art from artists including muralist Shepard Fairey were on display as part of the Art and Sound exhibit hosted by Artists for Trauma at Louder Than Life 2023 at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 22, 2023

Dozens of pieces created and inspired by artists over all genres of rock were for sale as part of the Art and Sound exhibit hosted by Artists for Trauma during Louder Than Life weekend at the Highland Festival Grounds.

Posters and hand-painted art created by Blink 182s Travis Barker, rapper Mickey Avalon, Janes Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro and original GWAR member Colette Miller, among other artists, are available.

Posters from other well-known artists, including muralist Shepard Fairey and American painter Jim Evans, better known as T.A.Z., also contributed pieces to the exhibit.

Eddie Donaldson, executive advisor for Artists for Trauma, said he was excited to partner with Louder than Life producer Danny Wimmer to create a space at the festival.

Eddie Donaldson, executive advisor for Artists for Trauma, holds a custom bat created in partnership with the Louisville Slugger Museum at the Art and Sound exhibit at Louder Than Life 2023 at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville on Sept. 22, 2023.

Art heals and theres no better intersection than a Danny Wimmer festival, he said.

The nonprofit organization, founded by Laura Sharpe after she was critically injured in a helicopter crash in California that killed three others in 2008, focuses on creating art programs to help trauma victims recover by connecting with the arts. The organization has hosted free workshops for veterans and trauma survivors in Louisville, including an event in August.

Prices for pieces in the exhibit range from $350-$10,000 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity, Donaldson said.

Want a free tattoo at Louder Than Life? Now's your chance

Christopher Waugh will be tattooing Louder Than Life festival-goers for free at the Sailor Jerry booth. It's an opportunity to walk away with a piece of art, on this flash sheet, that embodies the Sailor Jerry spirit.

A dozen or so Loudmouths are getting a chance to make sure their Louder Than Life memories last for the rest of their lives.

This year, the Sailor Jerry tent is offering complimentary tattoos to festivalgoers.

Its almost like a souvenir, Louisville tattoo artist Christopher Waugh said Friday while he was preparing his workstation in the tent as Fame on Fire blared in the background.

The iconic rum brand is named for prominent tattoo artist Norman Keith Collins or Sailor Jerry. Throughout the weekend, Waugh will recreate some of Sailor Jerrys popular designs such as a cherry with wings, an eight ball with a screw, a volcano and a panther.

Chef Heske holds hands with Parker VanHoosear as Heske gets her first tattoo from artist Christopher Waugh at the Louder Than Life music festival on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023

More: 'Like a souvenir.' Local artist inks free tattoos at Louder Than Life in Sailor Jerry booth

He was the godfather of tattooing, said Dana Dynamite, who was handling marketing for the brand at the festival. A lot of people know him, and we honor him with his traditional tattoos.

Waugh, who is opening his own shop at 1436 Bardstown Road later this year, has tattooed at conventions before, but this was his first time doing it at a music festival. He said he can reasonably finish a tattoo every 30 to 40 minutes, during the four-hour sessions, which begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The complimentary tattoos have been exceedingly popular, Dynamite said, and most of the spaces have already been reserved. A few people who have signed up for this weekend's sessions are overflow from last weekend at Bourbon and Beyond.

Chef Heske smiles after receiving her first tattoo from artist Christopher Waugh at the Louder Than Life music festival on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023

Even some of the Louder Than Life stars are getting in on the action. A couple members of the band The Bronx, which will play on Sunday night on the Revolver Stage, have signed up to get tattoos at the Sailor Jerry tent after they play their set, Dynamite said.

Why Blackened whiskey is the most rock 'n' roll bourbon at Louder Than Life

Bartender Savannah Heavrin, who was rocking some sunglasses with big, bold spikes Friday at Louder Than Life, took a few minutes at the Blackened tent to share what makes this whiskey so rock n roll.

Blackened whiskey isnt a stranger to the Louder Than Life lifestyle.

This is, after all, Metallicas whiskey, and the company actually plays music to it while its maturing, which is a process called sonic enhancement.

On Friday, Bartender Savannah Heavrin, who was rocking some sunglasses with big, bold spikes, took a few minutes at the Blackened tent to share what makes this whiskey so rock n roll.

The vibrations actually get the flavoring to seep in and expand in the barrels, Heavrin said. I think that in itself is very cool, but the taste itself is very smooth and has a sweeter taste to it.

Blackened began as a collaborative effort between Metallica and Master Distiller and Blender Dave Pickerell. The spirit is named for the song "Blackened," which was released in 1988. Pickerell passed away in late 2018, shortly after the spirit launched. Master Distiller Rob Dietrich took over.

Also, for the bourbon lovers out there, Blackened has also just launched a collaboration with Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, founder of Louisville-based Rabbit Hole Distillery for the 2023 release of its "Masters of Whiskey Series." Dietrich and Zamanian created the Blackened x Rabbit Hole Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky. Finished in Calvados Casks, the blend is bottled at cask strength at a proof of 106.59, and non-chill filtered. It features notes of apple butter, rhubarb, honey suckle, graham cracker, and macadamia nut on the nose and hints of ripe pear, cinnamon stick, smoky campfire, field clover, honey, and black walnut on the palate.

What happened Thursday at Louder Than Life?

Two Louisville area bands take the stage on Day 1 of Louder Than Life

Two Louisville bands were invited to play on the opening day of the 2023 Louder Than Life music festival.

"It was my first time playing a festival and it was the most incredible experience I have ever had in my life," Guerrilla Warfare drummer Garett Hood told the Courier Journal. "It was amazing."

A large gathered in front of the Destroyer Stage at 2:15 p.m. for what the band said was their first time playing for a crowd so large and in the daylight. Foster Lucas (guitar)and Trevor Neely (bass guitar) said the band is used to only playing in small dark venues at night.

"I've worked these stages at Louder Than Life as a stagehand for the past few years so to get to come out on stage and perform was really neat," Lucas said.

White Reaper performs on the opening day of Louder Than Life on Thursday, September 21, 2023

"It was amazing to see so many people we know out in the crowd," Neely added. "I have been influenced by other Louisville bands who I have seen perform here and I hope we did the same for someone out in the crowd today."

Another Louisville band, White Reaper, played the Loudmouth stage at 3:15 p.m. Tony Esposito and Ryan Hater said the band has been on the road for quite some time and just got home after playing Riot Fest in Chicago.

"Before that, we did a run with Weezer, [who] is headling tonight," said Ryan Hater.

Is that country music artist Oliver Anthony at Louder Than Life?

Oliver Anthony on at Big Bourbon Bar at Louder Than Life Thursday afternoon. Sept. 21, 2023

Although billed as a four-day rock festival, country music artist Oliver Anthony drew a huge crowd at the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar Thursday afternoon.

Anthony was a late addition to the festival's lineup after the viral success of his No. 1 hit "Rich Men North of Richmond."

As Anthony came out on stage, the voluminous crowd began chanting "USA, USA." The country music artist played a relatively short set, about 30 minutes, compared to bands on the other three stages which were playing simultaneously for about 45 minutes.

"I can't hear a thing up here on stage," Anthony told the crowd. "I hope the music sounds OK to all of you out there."

Oliver Anthony on at Big Bourbon Bar at Louder Than Life Thursday afternoon. Sept. 21, 2023

The crowd replied enthusiastically especially when he played "Rich Men North of Richmond."

Anthony will appear for a second show on Friday at the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar. And here's our advice, get to the space at least 30 minutes before his set which, if it's at the same time as Thursday, will be at 4 p.m.

Louisville-based Guerrilla Warfare performs Thursday at Louder Than Life

Louisville-based Guerilla Warfare performs on the opening day of Louder Than Life on Thursday, September 21, 2023

Guerrilla Warfare, a Louisville-based band, took the stage around 2 p.m. as the first local performers at the music festival. It performed a never-before-heard song in support of victims of domestic violence.

"It's the first time we've ever played a show this big," said Garrett Hoop, drummer for Guerrilla Warfare. "We've worked our entire lives to play a festival this big. Thank you so much for coming out. "

Hoop told the crowd the band doesn't have a record yet but hopes to come out with one soon. But did tease a new single, "Ultra Violet."

I now pronounce you Louder Than Life: Couple says 'I do' in marriage at festival

Bridget and Martin Arrieta, of Evansville, get married in front of the Louder Than Life sign on the first day of Louder Than Life on Thursday, September 21, 2021

Bridget and Martin Arrieta, a couple from Evansville, Indiana, got hitched in front of the Louder Than Life sign Thursday. The couple decided to get married surrounded by "family" who all share a common love for music.

"The first time I came here, I was blown away. The people are amazing here," Bridget said. "We take our vacation here every year. It's bada***."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louder Than Life is back! Your guide for Day 4 in Louisville
The poster from the fifth Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market. The seventh rendition of the popular event is Sunday at Lakeland's Swan Brewing and a portion of Pine Street. A pre-event concert takes place Saturday night at Union Hall in Dixieland.

LAKELAND  Lukas Diaz-Ames said he hopes his band will help usher in a proclivity for punk.

Diaz-Ames is the bass player for the Tampa-based, five-piece, punk band the Abortion Twins, who will be part of an unaffiliated Saturday night pre-party show in Lakelands Union Hall for the seventh Lakeland Punk Flea Market.

From noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, at Lakelands Swan Brewing and a section of Pine Street, a mosh pit of merchants will gather to sell a variety of punk goods  jewelry, classic vinyl records, goth and punk club wear, clothing, stickers, custom-designed vintage dinnerware and other items, such as what Mims-based vendor Jeepers Creepers describes as the macabre, the curious and the odd.

Diaz-Ames said its the spirit of nonconformity surrounded by the relative conformity of downtown Lakeland that makes the Punk Rock Flea market a dichotomous diversion.

Some smaller towns can be a lot of fun. It seems like all too often the bigger (punk rock) acts skip over them. Or perhaps there just aren't always a lot of bands playing a lot like there are in bigger cities," said Diaz-Ames, whos played with the Abortion Twins since 2014. "The flea market is a great way to focus on the genre and bring exposure to it."

For those who arent punk enough, very briefly, in the mid-1970s, punk was a rock movement that consisted of short, fast songs, minimal instrumentation and screeching vocals often consisting of political, anti-establishment lyrics. That anti-establishment aura continues to this day all over the world, manifesting in various socially subtle or profound stages.

The first two Punk Rock Flea Markets were held in 2019, (the event was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19), the third Sept. 26, 2021, and the fourth March 27, 2021. The fifth edition was held Sept. 25, 2022, and March 26, 2023, the sixth flea market-punk band concert took place.

In 2019, only 19 vendors participated. This year, there are more than 80 product vendors and nine food trucks coming from across Polk County and as a far as Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, Ocala and Savannah, Georgia.

Dan Thumberg, Swan Brewing owner who co-founded the local brewery in 2018, said this years edition of the annual punk rock spectacular will be epic. He said vendor and visitor participation continues to grow each year and it has become one of the most-attended outdoor events in Lakeland. Thumberg called the Punk Rock Flea Markets a PG-13 event with something for everyone, punk or not.

Weve worked hard over the past six events to make sure weve got the proper footprint. We have different areas and plenty of things for people to do. I feel like weve really dialed-in the perfect event, he said.

'Remember we're not alone' Lakeland filmmaker aims to bring hope to those with depression

In addition to merchandise booths, among the food vendors for the 2023 Punk Rock Flea Market will be: Connors Goody Bag from Safety Harbor; SB&B Seafood Market from Lakeland; Buddha's Blissful Bites from Ruskin; This Little Pig from Tampa; Nah Dogs Vegan Hot Dog Cart from St Pete; and Brazilian Fun Foods from Tampa.

Its not all sales at the flea market, its also about driving punk music being performed by five bands: These Times (Lakeland), Bully for You (Lakeland), Victims of Circumstance (St. Petersburg), Flagman (Orlando), Bargain Bin Heroes (Fort Myers) and Swearwolf (Titusville). And joining the Abortion Twins for the Saturday night show (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) will be Wolf Face (St. Petersburg), Low Season (St. Petersburg), Feed the Geese (Riverview) and Torchmouth (Lakeland).

All T-shirt and food sales at the flea market go to Pet Skunk Advocates and Rescue in Tampa and the Rose Dynasty Foundation Inc., a Lakeland non-profit group that works with LGBTQ youth to raise money for local charities.

The Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market is supported by Ink Screen Printing, Art Crawl, LKLD Magazine, Rose Dynasty Foundation, Black T-Shirt Productions and Boards for Bros.

If you go

WHAT: Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market Vol. 7

WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24

WHERE: Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland

COST: Free INFO: 863-703-0472; www.swanbrewing.com/prfm; Facebook: Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Vol. 7

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 7th rendition of Lakeland's Punk Rock Flea Market is Sunday
While Mauricio Umansky dances his way towards a mirror ball trophy on Dancing With the Stars, hes dealing with some real estate fails behind the scenes. The dreaded $32 million Malibu Mansion sale continues to haunt Mo.

The predicament started when Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, requested Mauricio sell the confiscated house on his behalf.

Mangue consented to sell the mansion and pay a $10 million fine to the Justice Department with a portion of the sales. Then give the remainder to nonprofits in his home country. Its alleged Mauricio cheated the buyer and the buyers agent out of the sale of the manse. Mo claims in court documents that the cases statute of limitations has run out. But that might not be working for him because now hes been accused of not turning over texts. Oh Mauricio, tsk, tsk.

The tale of the texts

According to Radar Online, Kyle Richards hubby might be in more trouble. Is this why Kyle and Mo suddenly separated? Because now its giving protecting assets.

Mauricio is on the hook for defrauding an investor and his real estate agent by secretly selling the Malibu property to HIMSELF and a partner, who then resold the house a year later for a profit, according to the lawsuit.

But wait, theres more! The buyer allegedly cheated out of the mansion sale, Sam Hakim, isnt letting Mo off that easy. He recently filed a motion demanding Mo to hand over texts exchanged with co-buyer Mauricio Oberfeld between 2016 and 2017.

Sams lawyer said, This motion is prompted by the fact that over the last several years, Umansky has stated he has no responsive Messages after July 2016. However, his cohort, Mauricio Oberfeld made a recent production that contains Messages with Umansky after July 2016. Oop! This means Oberfeld basically dropped a dime on Mo and now the sharks are circling.

The attorney added, Indeed, dozens of other Messages that Umansky withheld from production for three years and finally produced last October helped to establish a prima facie finding by the Court that he had defrauded the seller and United States government.

Additionally, Sams legal team said Oberfeld admitted to trashing incriminating text messages. So at least some of them cannot be obtained from another party. Dun, dun, dunnnnnnnn.

The deleting game

If it turns out Umansky also deleted Messages, then Hakim has a right to discover the circumstances involved with any such deletion and what steps Umanskys counsel undertook to recover any deleted Messages, the lawyer concluded.

This is not good news for Mauricio, his real estate firm, or his mobile phone provider. Sam claims he offered to buy the property for $40 million but was ordered not to put his offer in writing. He is currently seeking $35 million in damages. He asserts that afterward, he learned Mauricio had made tens of millions and bought the house for himself.

The broker who worked for the Umansky-owned UMRO Reality Corporation, commonly known as The Agency, assisted Oberfeld in buying the Malibu manse, according to court filings.

You guys Mauricio is in a whole situation. Could this be why he and Kyle are laying the groundwork for a divorce?

TELL US  IS MAURICIO ABOUT TO LOSE THIS CASE? DO YOU THINK HE DELETED TEXTS?

Mauricio Umansky

A likely story. Reality News Jonah Wardell 8 hours ago

Would this trio bring down the ballroom? Reality News Kim Stempel 3 days ago

Mauricio is still trying to leave that Malibu mansion in his rearview. Reality News Allisun 1 week ago

The post Mauricio Umansky Accused of Failing To Turn Over Texts in $32 Million Mansion Battle appeared first on Reality Tea.
No One Will Save You filmmaker Brian Duffield has experienced many twists and turns throughout his 13-year career.

After making the Black List in 2010, he pulled off the same feat in 2011 with his Jane Got a Gun spec script, which went on to endure one of the most dramatic journeys to the big screen in recent memory. In 2013, Duffield was hired to write the dystopian sci-fi film Insurgent, the sequel to Divergent (2014), and that became one of the assignments that helped him realize that he was better suited for writing on spec. In 2014, Duffield made the Black List again for his spec The Babysitter, and his produced spec scripts now include Jane Got a Gun (2015), The Babysitter (2017), Underwater (2020), Love and Monsters (2020) and No One Will Save You (2023).

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The Pennsylvania natives recent directorial career has been just as eventful as his screenwriting career. His critically acclaimed debut, Spontaneous, was hit hard by the one-two punch of a corporate shakeup and the Covid-19 pandemic, and then it was unceremoniously sent to VOD in October 2020. (Love and Monsters, a script Duffield sold in 2012, received the same type of release just two weeks later.) And now, his widely praised No One Will Save You is being released on Hulu without the promotion of its star and producer, Kaitlyn Dever, due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

No One Will Save You is a sci-fi thriller that hooks the audience with the high concept of an alien home invasion, but then it turns into a character study about self-forgiveness and compassion. What makes the film all the more impressive is that it manages to tell the story of Devers alienated character, Brynn Adams, with virtually no dialogue.

Duffield wrote the film in 2019, and then the pandemic again upended his plan of getting the ball rolling in 2020. In April 2021, 20th Century Studios bought Duffields original script with Dever attached, and production began a year later in Louisiana. But then a new concern entered the equation in the form of Jordan Peeles Nope (2022), which, per its early marketing, appeared to also be an alien invasion thriller. So Duffield proceeded to keep tabs on the film during his own production.

We were all very anxious about Nope and if it was going to do Greys [archetypal Grey aliens], Duffield tells The Hollywood Reporter. I was producing Cocaine Bear at the time, too, so we talked to people at Universal. And they were like, Were not going to tell you anything, but you dont have to lose sleep. Theyre very different movies, thankfully.

Below, during a recent conversation with THR, Duffield also discusses some of his other unproduced screenplays, before detailing his frustration with Spontaneous pandemic release.

So you seem to thrive when writing on spec, and No One Will Save You is no exception. And I find that interesting because the high concept of an alien home invasion practically sells itself. Do you just prefer to throw a script on the table versus pitching ideas in the room?

Yeah, Im probably way better at writing than pitching. Earlier in my career, I would say what my idea was for something, and the reaction would be pretty muted or uninterested. But then I would write it, and people would go, Oh, I get it. So that was a really good lesson for me. Now, my reps dont know what Im working on, and I dont tell anybody. And when theres a finished script, Im like, Here it is. So I dont get discouraged by doing it that way.

When you have a studio job, they usually want you to outline, because they want to approve all the different steps of the process, as they should. Ive just always liked the trial and error of discovery and changing my mind, and thats harder on an assignment. Theyre paying you, and they want to agree with the choices that youre making and know that theyre the right ones. On the spec side, you might not like the spec, but if you really like the spec, its all done.

Kaitlyn Dever as Brynn Adams in 20th Century Studios NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU

To establish a timeline, you sold No One Will Save You at least 15 months before Nope came out, so you certainly werent inspired by that.

Yeah, it was a nightmare [situation].

But how much did the UFO-related headlines from the last few years factor into this?

They didnt, really. I wrote No One Will Save You at the end of 2019, and then we started getting the groundwork together to go out with it at the start of 2020. And then everything happened in 2020, which put a big pause on that. And back in 2019, you had the Tom DeLonge [alien] stuff. It wasnt quite as mainstream as it is now, and no one really knew about Nope at the time.

But then we were all very anxious about Nope and if it was going to do Greys [archetypal Grey aliens]. (Laughs.) They just had the poster with the cloud over the town for a while, and then we were shooting No One Will Save You when the trailer for Nope came out. And we were like, This feels pretty different. I was producing Cocaine Bear at the time, too, so we talked to people at Universal. And they were like, Were not going to tell you anything, but you dont have to lose sleep. Theyre very different movies, thankfully.

As the years have progressed, its been fun to see all of this become a little bit more mainstream and weirdly accepted as fact. It felt like there was a moment in the last couple of years where everyone was just like, Yeah, the government knows. It went from Tom DeLonge is crazy to Tom DeLonge is correct, and he has been the champion of the truth all this time. Its super cool that hes our guy.

Oddly enough, I just watched Toms own alien movie recently.

I just found out about [Monsters of California] yesterday! I had no idea. I love when musicians direct movies. Thats a real specific niche that doesnt happen all too often, so Im very excited to watch that.

Kaitlyn Dever had just worked with 20th and Hulu on Rosaline prior to your movie, so did they first suggest her for Brynn?

No, when we showed the script to 20th [Century], Caitlyn was already attached. She was definitely attached to Rosaline at the time, but I cant remember if she had shot it yet or was getting ready to go shoot it. But we cast Kaitlyn independent of 20th, and they were stoked that she was a part of it.

Director/Writer Brian Duffield and Kaitlyn Dever on the set of 20th Century Studios No One Will Save You

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the lack of dialogue. I think Brynn only says seven words in the film. Did the studio have any hang-ups about that choice? Did they ever push for a bit of voiceover?

No, definitely never voiceover. What was exciting and fun about working with 20th was that the dialogue never came up. It was always about clarity. This is an ambitious movie that takes swings and plays with a fair amount of ambiguity. And so we had a lot of conversations about that fine line between being ambiguous versus unintentionally ambiguous versus annoying. It was making sure that the audience understood what we wanted them to know and what we wanted them to question.

But the actual dialogue of it all never came up beyond the studio kind of chuckling that they werent going to be able to ADR any band-aids on this one, although we did more ADR on this movie than people would assume. Theres a lot of ADR because even Kaitlyns breaths tell the story. And so we had had a couple of days of ADR with Kaitlyn where we really just fine tuned that delivery. There were also so many explosions and bangs that we just needed to do a lot of clean-up.

Perhaps you made up for the lack of dialogue with more action and parentheticals in the script, but how many pages did it end up being?

Id have to look, but it was always in the nineties.

Thats pretty standard for you.

Exactly. It came from years of being a script reader and the nightmare of having to read a couple of scripts a night. Youd open the first one, and if it was 117 pages, youd instantly hate it. The whole purpose of these scripts is for someone to buy them, and thats a really bad starting place. And so it just wormed its way into my head that with 85-to-95 pages, a script reader is going to start off loving your script before theyve even read a word.

But I feel the same way about watching movies. So the intention with this one was always 90 minutes. Youre in and youre out. Its relentless and aggressive, and if it was any longer than that, youd just start getting tired in a bad way. When this movie ends, the goal is for the audience to have that exhale moment. At two hours, youre really kind of pushing people to sustain that energy, so the goal is always that 90-minute sweet spot.

The first spec script that got the ball rolling for you was Your Bridesmaid Is a Bitch, and its one of the few scripts Ive read in one sitting. Is there a zero-percent chance of it getting made at this point? Or near zero?

Its zero because of me. (Laughs.) I havent read it in so long and I feel like it would be an awful experience to read something I wrote 14 or 15 years ago. I wrote it a couple years before anyone noticed it, too. So I feel like I would rip my face off reading it now. But if a cool filmmaker came to me about it, Id be open to it, but its just never at the forefront of my mind. I worked on it for so long and then it didnt happen. So I never dream about it anymore, and I have to wake up being like, Ive got to work on that. I think I just grew up too much.

What tone did you imagine for it? More Sarah Marshall or more (500) Days of Summer?

Between the two, probably more 500 Days. Working with Skydance on it, I had a really wonderful experience with them, and its rare, for me, to have a good experience. (Laughs.) But it became more comedic because they were at the stage where they were trying to figure out what they wanted to do as a company. They bought Bridesmaid before True Grit even came out, so it was early days. I remember talking with [Skydance CEO] David Ellison during one of our script meetings about the paparazzi photos of Tom Cruise hanging off of the Burj Khalifa, so thats how long ago it was now. But they want it to be a little bit more of a studio comedy, a Sarah Marshall comedy, which makes total sense. So it got a little bit funnier and bigger, but when I first started writing it, I thought it was going to be the size of the Duplass The Puffy Chair. But at the time, I couldnt even afford to make it for $2K. So when a studio wanted to pay me for it, it really changed my life and gave me my career. So I was happy to abandon my directing aspirations if it meant getting out of credit card debt.

A lot of aspiring writer-directors go through this before theyre finally able to direct, but as you just touched on, did you have to sell a lot of your scripts for some brand name to direct?

Yeah, it was a mixture of things. I tried really hard to get certain movies made, and then they just never happened for a variety of reasons. So that was kind of happening, and then there were some scripts I wrote that were so huge that no one was ever going to green-light me to direct them. And then there were some that were a little bit smaller that I probably could have directed, but for whatever reason, I didnt feel like I should have.

I also really wanted to have the experience of learning from directors. My first day on set was the first day on Jane Got a Gun, which is not great. (Laughs.) So I really wanted that experience of learning from directors, and bluntly, I learned a lot of what not to do. But I had a really great experience with Matt Shakman, who directed a pilot that I wrote for USA called Olive Forever. It sadly didnt get picked up, but I learned a lot from Matt about everything. It was such a good experience that I now know what to emulate and strive for. And weirdly, just being the producer for Matt on that pilot, that was when I was just like, Okay, its time to direct, even though Matt is one of the few people that I would give up a script for him to direct.

You also originated Underwater (2020) and Love and Monsters (2020), both of which I enjoyed a great deal. Do you still feel plenty of ownership over those movies even though other writers and directors made them their own?

Not particularly. In some instances, its great, and in others, its not great. (Laughs.) Sometimes, its not bad at all that I dont feel ownership, because I knew what I was signing up for and they paid me. And thats part and parcel of being a working screenwriter. But I absolutely feel so much more ownership over No One Will Save You and Spontaneous just because both cases began and ended with me, for better and worse. And even on something like the Olive Forever pilot that Matt [Shakman] directed, I didnt feel the same ownership, but I was still really excited to go to the concert with my friends. It was that kind of feeling. And now, as director, it feels like Im the band, which is a little stressful.

Charlie Plummer and Katherine Langford in Spontaneous

Your directorial debut Spontaneous (2020) received near universal critical acclaim. Did the warm reception make its VOD release all the more frustrating?

Yeah, but it was such a hard process just getting it out the door. We were made by Awesomeness, and once we more or less finished shooting, they sold. So for a while, it became a real legal question of who owned us, and I never quite got confirmation of who owned us until the movie came out more or less. So it was scary and frustrating to be part of a movie where youre like, Are we ever going to finish? There were huge months of time where I wasnt able to work on the movie for a variety of reasons. So it was really frustrating to have a movie that was 90-percent edited, and then wed have to go off and not know what was happening.

I got so frustrated that I paid for reshoots that happened in my garage. Hayley Law came over, and we shot things in my daughters room before she was born. It was absurd and very stupid, but I could never get an answer about what was going on. And then Covid hit, and that was very stressful. I was like, Well, now what the hell is happening?

As far as I know, no one at Paramount has ever watched the movie. Ive never had that conversation with anybody. I got ghosted at my playbacks, and so that was very strange and bizarre, just in and of itself. So I didnt really know how we were at Paramount to begin with, and then I never heard from anyone at Paramount, which, in hindsight is probably a good thing. They probably wouldve had notes.

And then mid-pandemic, we were told, Oh, its coming out in a month, and that was honestly a relief. Once it goes out, its on Pirate Bay forever. I know that is the last thing a filmmaker should say, but we hadnt heard from anyone at Paramount. And then we were like, Well, hopefully the release doesnt inspire someone to watch the movie and then say, Oh, we shouldnt release this.

But then it came out, and people really liked it. Releasing a movie during Covid was already so weird and strange, and its a movie about kids exploding, so its a tough elevator pitch. The reviews certainly helped me feel like it wasnt a bit of lunacy. They made me feel better. I didnt have to feel like I spent five years killing myself and paying out of pocket for a movie that everyone hated. So Im not resentful or bitter. My manager, by the time he figured out who he should yell at, they were fired. Paramount was going through so many changes and so much turnover, and we were this sub-$5 million acquisition.

Our crew also kept getting laid off in post. A couple of weeks before delivering the movie, our post coordinator got laid off. So it was just such a weird nightmare of what happens when a studio is going through massive changes or collapsing in the case of Awesomeness. So we were this leftover movie, but Im glad that its out. Im also glad that 20th liked it enough that they took a swing on me for No One Will Save You. As a filmmaker, all I want is for someone to like the last thing I did so theyll give me another chance.

From a Covid release to a strike-impacted release, have you cursed the heavens at all?

(Laughs.) Releasing a movie in Covid and then releasing a movie where my actors cant tweet about it, hopefully its not a trend. Its such a bummer, too, because Kaitlyn is so wonderful in the movie. Shes also a producer on the movie, and its such a shame that she cant be front and center. She deserves to be, and now people are stuck with me as the voice of the movie. Shes much better at this than I am.

Kaitlyn Dever as Brynn Adams in 20th Century Studios No One Will Save You

Based on how well No One Will Save You turned out, did anyone try to make a last-minute push for theatrical?

It never really came up, and it was also never really something that I pushed for. We shot it knowing it would be on Hulu, and I think I always liked the idea of people getting to watch a home invasion movie in the dark of their home.

As you mentioned earlier, you were a producer on Cocaine Bear, which shot in Ireland. Did your ties to that country factor into you working on it? [Writers Note: Duffields family moved to Ireland when he was nine.]

It had zero percent to do with me and everything to do with tax breaks, but it was very funny that we wound up there. It subbed in for the south, where most movies shoot anyway.

Like Bridesmaid, I also read Vivien Hasnt Been Herself Lately in one sitting. Could the potential success of the new Exorcist reignite that project somehow?

Its always kicking around, but I think I need a break from housebound horror for at least another movie. That one always got close to going, but never managed to sneak into pre-production. Id still like to do it someday.

Im not trying to ask the What really happened on Jane Got a Gun? question, but if one of your projects was going to get the Mank or The Offer treatment, that one would be the most compelling narrative, right?

Nothing will ever come close to that insanity. Ive had a few inquiries about writing a book, but Im not masochistic enough to relive it yet. Maybe when Im eighty.

***

No One Will Save You premieres Sept. 22 on Hulu. This interview was edited for length and clarity.

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The Taste of Things, a foodie period romance from French-Vietnamese filmmaker Tran Anh Hung will be Frances official contender for the 2024 Oscars in the best international feature category. The film, starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel, premiered in Cannes under the title The Pot-au-Feu, where it won the best director prize. IFC Films and Sapan Studios have U.S. rights and will release the film stateside.

Set in 1885, the film follows the in-the-kitchen and in-the-bedroom romance between top chef Dodin Bouffant (Magimel) and his personal cook and lover, Eugenie (Binoche). They have been together for decades and he is desperate to marry her but she has steadfastly refused, afraid doing so will mean losing her independence. The Taste of Things was a critical and audience favorite in Cannes, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it one of the most appetizing, art house food porn flicks to come along in a while.

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The decision by Frances Oscar selection committee surprised many, who had expected Justine Triets Cannes Palme dOr winner Anatomy of a Fall to be a shoo-in. The film, starring German actor Sandra Huller as a writer who may have killed her husband, is still expected to get a full awards-season push by Neon, who will bow it in the U.S. on Oct. 13.

The Taste of Things could be seen as a more mainstream pick by the selection committee, which is eager to secure an Oscar win after what, for France, has been an exceptionally long drought. In the last 10 years only two French movies  Deniz Gamze Erguvens Mustang in 2015 and Ladj Lys Les Miserables in 2019  have received Oscar nominations. Neither won. France has not won an Oscar for best international film since Regis Wargniers Indochine in 1993. For a country that considers itself the birthplace of cinema, thats a problem.

Picking a crowd-pleaser like The Taste of Things could be a bid to appeal to more mainstream academy voters who failed to go for the last two, more art house, French Oscar selections: Alice Diops Saint Omer and Julia Ducournaus Titane, neither of which was nominated.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the films on the 2024 Oscar shortlist on Dec. 21. The five nominees will be announced Jan. 23. The 95th Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 10.

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Peso Pluma has canceled another concert in the wake of being threatened by a Mexican cartel.

The Mexican singer, who is currently on his Doble P Tour, was scheduled to perform at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico on Oct. 14. However, Pluma's record label Prajin Music Group announced in a statement Wednesday that the concert has been canceled.

"Our objective is to protect the fans and the team," the statement, which was shared on Pluma's and the label's Instagram stories, read in Spanish. "For the security of everyone involved, we will be canceling our show in Tijuana. Many thanks to all of our fans for understanding. We love you."

The cause of the concert's cancellation was not disclosed in the announcement.

The concert cancellation is the latest in a string of scrapped performances for the regional Mexican singer, who was threatened by a Mexican cartel last week ahead of his October Tijuana show.

Peso Pluma, who was threatened by a Mexican cartel last week, canceled his upcoming concert in Tijuana, Mexico, in a statement Wednesday.

USA TODAY has reached out to Pluma's representative for further comment.

A banner threatening the 24-year-old, whose real name is Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija, was posted on a bridge in the border town of Tijuana on Sept. 12. It was signed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, reported The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"This goes to Peso Pluma. Refrain from presenting yourself on October 14 because it will be your last show due to your disrespect and loose tongue. You show up and we are going to (break you)," the banner said.

Pluma's concert at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, which was set for Sept. 14, was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances," as well as his shows in Rosemont, Illinois, and Indianapolis on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16, respectively.

Pluma's official website lists his next show in Reno, Nevada, on Sept. 28.

The narcocorrido genre, often accused of glorifying drug cartels, has been exploding in popularity, reaching global pop charts and filling arenas. Pluma, who is from Zapopan, Jalisco, is one of the leaders of the new era of corridos, which are Mexican narrative songs, or ballads, that recount a heroic struggle.

Ahead of the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12, Pluma told The Associated Press that "it feels great hearing all these people from different countries listening and singing my songs."

"It's just a dream, and I'm very grateful for the genre that I do. It's going global; it's breaking down barriers," Pluma told AP. "I'm just thankful for all the people that are supporting Mexican music."

He also made history that night as the first Mexican performer at the awards show.

'It will be your last show': Peso Pluma threatened by Mexican cartel ahead of Tijuana concert

Peso Pluma, Taylor Swift make history, Shakira's return, more top moments from 2023 MTV VMAs

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Peso Pluma cancels Tijuana concert after Mexican cartel threat
Philanthropist, collector, and car guy Peter Mullin has passed away.

The founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, had a lifelong love of French cars and Art Deco style furniture all housed in the museum.

You can still see the collection Fridays and Saturdays if youre in SoCal.

Peter Mullin, lifelong collector of beautiful French cars, founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum, generous philanthropist, and Pebble Beach winner, has died. He passed away September 20 in Big Sur, California.

Mullin rose from humble beginnings in Southern California to found a financial empire that allowed him to pursue his artistic enthusiasms, particularly with French cars. Mullin started out in college at the UC Santa Barbara as an art major but came to a realization early on that made him change his major to economics.

A friend and I were working for an artist, a man of considerable talent, but there came a point where he couldnt afford to pay us, Mullin once told Autoweek. I realized that something was wrong, here was this guy who had all this artistic talent, but who couldnt make a living at it. So I went into business instead.

He founded Mullin Consulting in Los Angeles when he was just 28 and cofounded M Financial Group 10 years later. His businesses were successful enough to allow him to pursue his first passion, French cars of the 1930s.

Pebble Beach Concours

He amassed one of the finest collections of Bugattis, Delahayes, and Delages the world may ever know. You can see them at the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, Calif., where he houses many of them.



Mullin also won many concours around the world, including Pebble Beach in 2011 for his 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne.

While Mullin owned many beautiful French cars, the 2011 entry didnt fit the script for Pebble Beach winners. Most of those were black, with long hoods, flowing fenders and short cockpits way in the back. The Voisin was none of that, instead, its beauty was as much in its detail as in the large, rounded profile.

The car sported interior fabric that Mullin said was the original pattern, and in fact he found the original machine that made it and had a new set made for the C-25.

And there was a cool little two-cylinder hydraulic pump in the back that retracted the sliding roof. As the roof receded, it parked in one of three stops that allowed the openings in the roof to align with the rear window so the driver could see out back.

Another interesting car in the collection is the Bugatti Type 64. Now you may think there was no Type 64. It was still in the drawing stages when Jean Bugatti, Ettores son, died in a testing accident behind the wheel of a Bugatti race car. Mullin took those drawings to Stewart Reed, then chair of Transportation Design at Art Center, and basically had the car built.



Mullin Automotive Museum

The Mullin Automotive Museum joined forces with Steward Reed Design and Automobile Metal Shaping of Kimball, Michigan, for the build, Autoweek reported in 2012. The group used many techniques dating from 1939 including hand-forming the body. Period-correct features like papillon doors and riveted body structure were included.

The build was an important project for Peter Mullin, museum chairman.

Weve dedicated much of our efforts at the museum to honor the Bugatti family and the marque, but never have we done something of this scale, Mullin said at the time. I cannot imagine a greater token of respect to the Bugatti family than to help finish Jean Bugattis beloved final masterpiece.

In recent years Mullins wife Merle has shown the cars from their collection. Unlike many owners, Merle drives the cars herself, both in the rallies that often accompany concours, and then over the ramp to collect the frequent awards.

The story of how the pair met goes something like this: She was a docent at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Mullin was there to tend to something on one of his cars. He stepped over the rope to get to the car. She stopped him. They got married. Thats the way we heard the story, anyway.

You can see many of the best cars from the collection at the Mullin Automotive Museum. Its open Fridays and Saturdays, but you have to reserve tickets well in advance. Its well worth the trouble.

Share your thoughts and memories of Peter Mullin in the comments below.
A group of 22 journalists from 14 countries concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday, after gaining first-hand knowledge about the region's development and diverse culture.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was moved into a state prison in Kern County, California, on Tuesday night as part of his 10-year prison sentence for shooting Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion .

Officials moved Lanez from a Los Angeles jail to the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, about 140 miles north of L.A.,according to The Messenger, which first reported the news. The report says that Lanez will spend three to six months there before spending the remainder of his sentence at another facility.

The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office accused Lanez, whose given name is Daystar Peterson, of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in both of her feet after leaving a party in July 2020. After a two-week trial in December, a Los Angelesjury found Lanez guilty of all three charges against him: assault with a semiautomatic firearm; having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He faced a maximum sentence of 22 years and possible deportation to Canada.

The 31-year-old Say It rapper was denied a new trial in May, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August and was denied bail earlier this month.

Lanez attempted to leverage his celebrity status to lead acampaign of misogyny against Megan Thee Stallion, whose given name is Megan Pete. Men, mainly Black men, in the music industry attacked her credibility and used the conflict in their lyrics or jokes.

Megan addressed the harm it did to her while on the stand at the trial and again in anopinion piece for Elle.

I wish he would have just shot and killed me if I would have known I would go through this torture, Megansaid in court last year. Ive been made to be the villain. Hes the villain.

As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable, she said. Not only did I survive being shot by someone I trusted and considered a close friend, but I overcame the public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see.

Lanez alsoreleased two statements after being sentenced  one in which he said he took full responsibility for the shooting and a subsequent one in which he claimed he was wrongfully convicted.

Related...
Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of Fox News and News Corp. In his place, his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch will take over to become sole chairman of both companies.

The change in leadership comes amid much speculation that Ruperts three children from his second wife - Elisabeth, 55, Lachlan, 52, and James, 50 - each vied for the opportunity to control the media empire, mirroring the critically-acclaimed HBO drama series, Succession.

In fact, the Murdoch family has served as inspiration behind the award-winning show, which came to an end this year after four seasons. While the eldest boy Kendall Roy lost out on becoming CEO of the fictional Waystar Royco, his real-life counterpart Lachlan has now been named his fathers successor.

In April 2023, a cover story from Vanity Fair claimed that Rupert believed a Darwinian struggle would produce the most capable successor to his media empire. He pitted his kids against each other their entire lives. Its sad, a person close to the family told the outlet. The source described Lachlan as the golden child of the family, partly because he shared his fathers right-wing politics. His eldest daughter, Elisabeth, quit the family business in 2000, while James climbed the ranks after his brother Lachlan moved to Australia, following an alleged disagreement with Fox News chief Roger Ailes and chief operating officer Peter Chernin.

However, Rupert was apparently known for avoiding the topic of naming an heir apparent, as he was once reported by the Irish Times as saying: Let the chips fall where they will.

According to Vanity Fair, the decision for Lachlan to succeed their father was likely decided by his two siblings, all of whom sit on the companys board of trustees. Not to mention, Rupert is also the father to daughter Prudence, 65, from his first marriage to Patricia Booker; and daughters Grace, 22, and Chloe, 20, from his third marriage to Wendi Deng Murdoch .

As Lachlan takes over as sole chairman of both Fox News and News Corp, where does that leave everyone else?

From Lachlan to Elisabeth, this is a whos who of Rupert Murdochs family.

Lachlan Murdoch

Lachlan was born on 8 September 1971 in London. He studied philosophy at Princeton University and graduated with a bachelors degree in 1994.

His father seemingly began training Lachlan to become his heir as early as 1989, when Lachlan was just 18 years old. He interned in Australia for three months at the Daily Mirror, before being appointed general manager of Queensland Newspapers at age 22. Lachlan was later named an executive of News Limited in 1995, executive director of News Corp in 1996, and deputy chief operating officer in 2000.

Lachlan was appointed to the News Corp board in 1996, becoming deputy chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox.

(Getty Images)

However, he abruptly resigned as an executive at News Corp in July 2005, amid speculation of a rift with Roger Ailes, the disgraced chairman and CEO of Fox News, Fox Television Stations and 20th Television. Lachlan returned as non-executive co-chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox in 2014 and was named executive chairman of 21st Century Fox one year later. After 21st Century Fox was acquired by Disney in March 2019, Lachlan was named chairman and CEO of the Fox Corporation.

He married British-born Australian model and actor, Sarah Murdoch nee OHare, in 1999. They share three children: sons Kalan Alexander, 19, and Aidan Patrick, 17, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 13.

Lachlan moved his family back to Australia in March 2021, according to Vanity Fair.

James is Ruperts second son and the youngest of his three children with his second wife, Anna Murdoch - whom Rupert was married to from 1967 to 1999. Speaking to Vanity Fair, a former News Corp executive described James as a lone wolf whose liberal political views are the exact opposite of his fathers and brothers right-leaning views.

He was born on 13 December 1972 in London, and was regarded early on as the brightest of the Murdoch children, but was also something of a rebel. He began his career at 15 as an intern at the Sydney Mirror, but made headlines when he was photographed asleep on a sofa at a press conference.

James went on to study film and history at Harvard University, where he also worked on the schools satirical magazine, the Harvard Lampoon. He dropped out of Harvard in 1995 to start an independent hip hop record label, Rawkus Records, with friends. The company was bought by News Corp in 1998.

He joined the family business that same year, becoming head of News Corps music division. James is credited with sparking his fathers interest in the internet. In May 2000, James was appointed chairman and chief executive of News Corps failing Asian satellite service, Star Television, and he moved to Hong Kong.

(EPA)

James was named CEO of British Sky Broadcasting group in 2003, of which News Corp owned a controlling minority stake. The move was controversial, as many believed James was too young and inexperienced to run the UK media company.

After his older brother Lachlan stepped down from his executive positions at News Corp in 2005, James was suddenly viewed as his fathers new heir apparent. He stepped down as CEO of BSkyB in 2007 and subsequently took over the development of News Corps television, newspaper, and related digital assets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

After his father announced he would be leaving his position as CEO of 21st Century Fox in 2015, James quickly took over Ruperts position. But when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, it ended James tenure as CEO.

He ultimately resigned from the board of directors of News Corp in July 2020, stating in his resignation letter that it was due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Companys news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.

James married Kathryn Hufschmid in 2000. The couple share three children: Anneka, born 2003; Walter, born 2004; and Emerson, born 2008. His wife previously worked for the Clinton Climate Initiative, a charitable foundation set up by the former US president Bill Clinton in 2006. In 2020, the couple each donated $615,000 to President Joes Biden election campaign.

According to Vanity Fair, James is allegedly horrified by Fox News and tells people the networks embrace of climate denialism, white nationalism, and stolen election conspiracies is a menace to American democracy.

Sources also claimed to the outlet that James and Lachlan no longer speak, as it was a big slap in the face when Lachlan returned to the family business in 2015. Lachlan allegedly accused his younger brother of leaking stories to the writers of Succession. However, another source close to Lachlan denied that he told his father this.

Elisabeth Murdoch

Elisabeth Murdoch is Ruperts second daughter and eldest of his three children with ex-wife Anna Murdoch.

She was born on 22 August 1968 in Sydney, Australia and was named after her paternal grandmother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Elisabeth graduated with a bachelors degree from Vassar College in 1990.

She began her career at News Corp as a manager of programme acquisitions at her fathers FX Networks, before purchasing NBC-affiliate television stations KSBW and KSBY with her then-husband, Elkin Kwesi Pianim, on a $35m loan secured by her father. After selling the news stations for $12m, she relocated to London to work for BSkyBs CEO Sam Chisholm. But while Elisabeth was named second-in-command to Chisholm, according to a profile in the New Yorker, her younger brothers had been elevated to bigger jobs.

She left BSkyB to launch her own film and television production company, Shine Limited, in 2001. Ten years later, it was acquired by her fathers News Corp. Elisabeth currently serves as executive chairman of the global TV and film production and development company, Sister, which she established in 2019.

Elisabeth, Murdochs second daughter, arriving at the British Fashion Awards in 2016 (Getty)

She welcomed two children with ex-husband Elkin Kwesi Pianim: daughters Cornelia, born in 1994, and Anna, born in 1997. They divorced in 1998. In August 2001, Elisabeth married public relations executive Matthew Freud, the son of former MP Sir Clement Freud and great-grandson of Sigmund Freud. She went on to have two more children with Freud: daughter Charlotte, born in 2000, and son Samson, born in 2007. In 2014, she and Freud filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage.

While Elisabeth shares much of the same liberal political views as her brother James, she has remained close with Rupert and Lachlan so as to enjoy the time she has left with her father, a source told Vanity Fair. Shes terrified of Rupert dying mad at her, they said.

Elisabeth publicly admitted to lobbying for her brother James to be demoted at the familys News Corp media empire over his handling of the 2011 phone hacking scandal. Since then, the brother and sister have reportedly maintained a complicated history, according to Vanity Fair.

Prudence Murdoch

Prudence Murdoch is Ruperts eldest child and daughter from his first marriage to ex-wife Patricia Booker. She was born in August 1958 in Adelaide, South Australia, but moved to London with her father after her parents divorce in 1967.

Compared to her younger siblings, Prudence has largely stayed out of the family business. She was once described by Vanity Fair in 2008 as the only one of [Rupert Murdochs] children not directly competing for his business affections.

Prudence MacLeod, eldest daughter of Rupert Murdoch, leaving Spencer House, London, after the wedding reception for Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall. (PA)

Most recently, a former News Corp executive referred to Prudence as a wild card when it came to who she believed should take over their fathers media empire. According to Vanity Fair, Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James each have one vote on the board of trustees.

In 1985, Pruedence married English financier Crispin Odey, but they were divorced just 15 months later. She went on to marry businessman Alasdair MacLeod in 1989, who soon began working for Prudences father. They have three children: James, born 1991; Angus, born 1993; and Clementine, born 1996.

Grace and Chloe Murdoch

Rupert shares his youngest two children, Grace and Chloe, with ex-wife Wendi Deng Murdoch. The billionaire businessman met the Chinese-born American entrepreneur in 1997, while she was working as an executive at the News Corp-owned Star TV in Hong Kong.

(Getty Images)

Wendi, who is 37 years his junior, married Rupert in 1999, less than three weeks after his divorce from his second wife, Anna Murdoch, was finalised. The former couple went on to welcome two daughters - Grace, born in 2001, and Chloe, born in 2003 - before their divorce in June 2013.

Their daughters both grew up in New York City and attended the prestigious Brearley School in Manhattan. They live in New York City with their mother. Grace is currently a student at Yale University, while Chloe studies at Stanford University.

According to Vanity Fair, Ruperts two youngest daughters have a financial stake in the family business but have no voting rights.
A CNN-University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday shows that DeSantis has dropped 13 points since a survey conducted in July

Win McNamee/Getty, Ivan Apfel/Getty, Roy Rochlin/Getty Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy , Nikki Haley

A new poll puts Ron DeSantis in fifth place among 2024 Republican presidential candidates, with some candidates  including tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley  surging ahead, but still not quite enough to pose a serious threat to former President Donald Trump.

The CNN-University of New Hampshire poll released Wednesday shows that DeSantis has dropped 13 points since a survey conducted in July. The poll shows DeSantis sitting at 10% among likely GOP primary voters, with Ramaswamy at 13% and Haley at 12%. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, meanwhile, is at 11%. Trump is still the first choice, at 39%.

The news is the latest in a series of setbacks for DeSantis, who announced his presidential campaign in May and was initially thought to be the candidate who could take on Trump.

Related: Former DeSantis Mega-Donor Says He's Not Ready to Contribute to Any 2024 Presidential Candidates

AP Photo/Meg Kinnard Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a 2024 presidential campaign event in South Carolina

In the months since, his presidential campaign reportedly fired numerous campaign staffers amid financial woes and lackluster poll numbers, as wealthy donors publicly announced they weren't ready to support the governor's presidential ambitions.



Just this week, billionaire Ken Griffin  who previously donated $5 million to a political action committee backing DeSantis gubernatorial reelection bid  told CNBC: I dont know his strategy. Its not clear to me what voter base he is intending to appeal to.

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Other donors and political strategists have wondered the same. In recent years, DeSantis has focused much of his campaign energy on promoting his extreme positions on things like book bans and abortions  as well as a more-than-year-long fight with Walt Disney World that's turned many donors off.

But the DeSantis campaign has also been accused of being "too online," as it has promoted memes and ads that have at times caused controversy (like one anti-LGBTQ+ ad attacking Trump for celebrating Pride Month) and have seemingly only been directed at a narrow audience.

While DeSantis' poll numbers have dropped, Ramaswamy, Haley and Christie have seen a dramatic improvement in recent weeks. (Former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott seem to have largely fallen off people's radars, along with a handful of others in the race who have struggled to garner attention.)

Related: Ron DeSantis and Other Republican Candidates Show Support for Donald Trump in First 2024 Debate

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy chat at the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23, 2023

Ramaswamy, a far-right entrepreneur, made a name for himself for being outspoken against companies using their platforms for social causes, and has criticized things like critical race theory, self-victimization and efforts to stop climate change.

Haley, meanwhile, has been one of the few Republicans to criticize Trump, calling him "the most disliked politician in America," and saying, It is time for a new generational conservative leader," during the first Republican primary debate, which aired on Fox News in August.

"We have to look at the fact that three-quarters of Americans don't want a rematch between Trump and Biden. And we have to face the fact that Trump is the most disliked politician in America. We can't win a general election that way," she said.

All of the candidates  with the exception of Trump  are expected to participate in the second Republican primary debate, which will be held Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. ET.

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Patitz, who died of breast cancer in January, starred alongside Linda Evangelista , Christy Turlington , Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell in the iconic "Freedom! '90" music video

Getty (From left to right) Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz

Any mention of George Michael's Freedom! 90 music video would immediately conjure up a powerful image of Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and the late Tatjana Patitz, who died in January of metastatic breast cancer at 65.

Alone, the models were a commanding presence, but as a collective, their force was strong enough to shake up the industry for decades to come.

Thats why AppleTV+s new docuseries, The Super Models  which peels back the layers of the lives of Evangelista, 58, Crawford, 57, Turlington, 54, and Campbell, 53, as told by them  may have come as a surprise to fans as it fails to truly include Patitz, who was also considered one of the original supermodels.

Related: Supermodel Tatjana Patitz Dead at 56

Patitz was a Germany-born, Sweden-raised model who set her roots in California after her career kicked off in the 1980s.

Although starring in Michael's music video (and being shot for a memorable cover of British Vogue with the same group) was what really put Patitz in the public eye, she landed herself in the pages of various Vogue editions (she earned six covers across the publication) as well as other magazines like Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan.

She also worked with the industry's established photographers including Peter Lindbergh, Herb Ritts and Patrick Demarchelier.

Despite all of this, Patitz is barely featured in The Super Models. She's shown a few times on screen in scenes from the '90s  including while filming the iconic music video, as well as in photoshoots with the featured supers. The second episode is also dedicated to her memory.

Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Tatjana Patitz walks the Etro Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2019-2020 fashion show

Related: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and More Show Fans the Life of 'The Super Models' in New Trailer

However, her legacy lives on within fashion's "fab five." After her death, Crawford, Campbell, Evangelista and Turlington paid their respects to their runway comrade.

"We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together," Crawford wrote on Instagram, while Campbell reflected on the times they had together as friends in Los Angeles.

"Tatjana took me in, under her wing. I stayed in her apartment for a night in Paris on my way home on the floor of her cool pied de terre on the left bank. You are unforgettable and are forever in my heart," added Turlington.

Related: These Are the '90s Supermodels Who Weren't Featured in 'The Super Models'  but Should Have Been

On what would've been Patitz's 57th birthday, Evangelista shared a tribute post to Instagram. "I know your sweet soul is with the angels."

Jeff Spicer/Getty (L-R) Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista walk hand in hand at Vogue World

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Leading up the release of the highly anticipated documentary, Evangelista, Campbell, Turlington and Crawford reunited for Vogue's September issue, the most notable issue of the year.

The foursome then appeared at the magazine's Vogue World fashion show, making an epic catwalk comeback while walking hand in hand in glorious metallic gowns. Neither of these appearances made mention of Patitz either, and despite many other iconic models making their marks on fashion in the 1990s, they were not included in the series.



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Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, identified by police as a suspect in the slayings, died in a car chase with authorities on Wednesday

GoFundMe Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon, their sons Adriel and Diego

A family of four and their three dogs were all found shot dead in their home in Romeoville, Ill., just 26 miles outside Chicago Sunday.

Now, Nathaniel Huey, Jr., 31, of Streamwood, Ill., who local police had considered a suspect, is dead following a pursuit by law enforcement in Catoosa, Okla., some 650 miles away from the slayings, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne said at a press conference Wednesday.

Huey, who was driving when police attempted to make a traffic stop, immediately attempted to elude the officers resulting in a single car crash, Burne said.

The car burst into flames, and officers heard what sounded like two gunshots, Burne said. Huey was found shot dead, his body slumped in the drivers seat. A woman, who police have not identified but investigators also believe is connected to the familys killing, was in critical condition from another gunshot wound at the time of the press conference.



Related: Ill. Family of 4 Found Fatally Shot Were Likely Killed in Targeted Attack, Say Police: Not a Random Incident

When Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two young sons, Adriel and Diego, were found dead inside their home, police quickly said they did not believe it to be a murder-suicide but rather a targeted attack.



Alberto Rolon Facebook Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon and their sons Adriel and Diego

Police had performed a wellness check Sunday after one of the parents did not come into work and did not answer repeated phone calls, according to police, who believe the family was murdered sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.



Related: Ill. Parents, Their 2 Children and 3 Dogs Found Fatally Shot, Police Say It's 'Not a Murder-Suicide'

The family had recently moved to the community and often kept mostly to themselves, Lynn Phillips, a neighbor, told PEOPLE earlier this week.

"I'm devastated," she said. "I've cried on and off since last night."

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Authorities said that they located Huey and the woman with a relationship to Huey after her relatives reported her missing September 19. The Catoosa Police Department noticed the reported license plate in their jurisdiction Wednesday, Burne said at the press conference, and attempted to make a traffic stop, leading to the car chase.

Police say the investigation into the familys murders is still ongoing.



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TSMC is in talks with Arizona officials to build its chip packaging facility in the state, Katie Hobbs , governor of Arizona, said in Taipei after visiting the world's No.1 foundry's headquarters, reports Bloomberg. If the plan comes to fruition, then TSMC's will have a vertically integrated chip production chain in the USA for the first time ever.

TSMC has built Fab 21 in Arizona and is currently installing production tools there. The company is also building up the second phase of the fab and has approved plans to invest $40 billion in these two production facilities. But the company apparently does not want to stop there and is discussing the possibility of building an advanced packaging fab in the state, too, as this will help it to assemble complex system-in-packages for its clients from the U.S. on American soil.

Traditionally, TSMC has declined to directly admit talks about a new production facility. In its statement, TSMC conveyed its gratitude for the productive interactions with Governor Hobbs and indicated that it remains optimistic about fostering even closer ties in the coming years.

"We believe the dialogues that we held during this visit will help us to work together even more closely in the future," a statement by the company published by Bloomberg reads.

Hobbs joins a wider U.S. team visiting Taiwan, where conversations between authorities and businesses center on Taiwan's pivotal position in the semiconductor industry. In addition to working with TSMC on chip production, Laurie E. Locascio, the Under Secretary of Commerce, mentioned that the U.S. is initiating R&D discussions with TSMC, aiming to integrate more technology from the world's leading chip contract manufacturer domestically.
A man and woman were killed in a shooting that occurred Wednesday in Hiram, according to Police Chief Mike Turner: There was some kind of former relationship

Google Maps Walmart in Hiram, Georgia.

Two people are dead in an apparent murder-suicide that happened inside a Walmart store in Hiram, Georgia, on Wednesday, according to police.

The shooting occurred at around 7:30 p.m. local time in the Walmart located at 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. In a press release obtained by PEOPLE from the Hiram Police Department, the deceased were identified as Zoey Nicole Messenger, 20, and James Wyatt Nicholas Norton, 26. Nortan was a Walmart employee.

Per the release, initial investigations indicate "the deceased had previously been involved in a relationship." Norton approached Messenger in the store, where they appeared to have a brief conversation. Norton then pulled a gun and shot Messenger, before then turning the gun on himself.

"The senior officer on the scene took control of a handgun found with the two people and summoned medical assistance and additional law enforcement support, which was provided by the Paulding County Sheriffs Office," the Hiram Police Department stated, "The rest of the store was checked for other victims or suspects, but none were located."



According to the statement, "Lifesaving measures were initiated by the initial responding officers and continued with medical and fire personnel as they arrived. Due to their critical conditions, both persons were transported to Kennestone Hospital where both succumbed to their injuries."

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Related: Delphi Suspect Claims White Nationalist Pagans Killed 2 Teens  Despite Allegedly Confessing to Wife

You can imagine [being] in there shopping, you know, picking up stuff for your family when shots ring out, the chief told Fox 5 Atlanta. Not only for the victim herself, but for the other people in there  the fear that had to be, you know, instilled by this type of event.

It is very unusual for us, he added. We have not had an incident like that in the two plus years that Ive been here.

Related: Airport Worker Murdered Workplace Crush's Boyfriend After She Rejected Romantic Advances

A witness told the outlet that "as soon as I heard the second shot, I ran straight for the exit because I heard the gunshot come from my left side, so I ran to the right exit." Added Devani Lopez, "I ran straight for the car. I could see everyone running for their lives. Everyone was just so panicked and scared."

I just hid in the backseat, Lopez said, adding that he saw everyone gathered in the entrance.

Were heartbroken by what happened at our Hiram store tonight," Walmart said in a statement, according to ABC News. "Our priority, right now, is the safety of our associates and customers. The store will remain closed while we work with law enforcement during their investigation.

Walmart did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

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Vicky Krieps is no ordinary actress. Paul Thomas Anderson knew that when he hired her to stand up to Daniel Day-Lewis in 2017s Phantom Thread. After that breakout role, the Luxembourg-born actress was inundated with Hollywood offers. She chose to keep herself grounded with her German husband and two children (now 8 and 12) in Berlin, turning down the studio films  and a lot of potential paydays  that came her way. She never took on a Hollywood agent. Casting agents got the message, and she has been sent more quality fare ever since.

I remember people saying I was stupid, she told IndieWire during a recent interview, sitting on the lobby stairs in a quiet corner of the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Her indie Western, directed by and co-starring Viggo Mortensen, The Dead Dont Hurt, was on offer at the annual festival.

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It was like a poison. I could feel people going, You are now the chosen one. We are very important people, sit down, lets have coffee,' she said. I didnt know what we are talking about; were not talking about anything that I can grasp, other than, You are wonderful, we love you. So, I turned my back on this, and I went to France to do Bergman Island.'

She followed the Mia Hansen-Lve meta romance with a wide range of other films and roles, including Mathieu Amalrics Hold Me Tight, M. Night Shyamalans Old, and Cannes Un Certain Regard pick, Corsage, when landed her a Best Performance win at the festival in 2022.

She considered Old an independent movie, one that was shot during COVID and later sold to Universal Pictures.

[Shyamalan] produced it himself, so it didnt feel like a big studio film, she said. Because he didnt have the money. Its about a woman who is living in New York, she has everything and wants something more. And then she realizes, Actually, I have everything. Its all there. When youre old, all this stuff doesnt matter. We stress ourselves with all these ideas about what we need and where we are running to and then when youre older: Oh, actually, thats what its about: sitting somewhere with someone having a nice conversation or being in love. So even that movie, to me, had a very strong personal meaning.

Old Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Shot in Mexico, The Dead Dont Hurt required that Krieps master a period French-Canadian accent as Vivienne, a single woman selling flowers in the market in San Francisco who marries Mortensens Nevada frontiersman.

I tried to do a French-Canadian accent, but from 1850, so it would have been very different than today, she said. Softer and more French. Viggo was very strict with me, because he likes things to be right. He has a good ear, and hes a composer, so his mind is the mind of a composer, quite precise and exact, which is the opposite of what I am. But thats now in the movie, thats the relationship, because I was the wild child, and he was the one trying to get the order in there. And I kept saying, But why, but no, but why? Explain to me? What if I do this? I would just not do what was supposed to be done. I think it was quite annoying or disturbing to him. But eventually, he would then always see: Oh, but thats interesting.'

Krieps cant keep from resisting her directors. Its like an inner thing, she said. I have always wanted to push everything away that feels like an order or a constriction or a convention. Especially the convention of moviemaking: But this is the schedule. And then I always say, But if we dont do the schedule? So everyone agrees: Oh, no, no, its on the paper. And now the paper is super-human, or it takes over?

Of The Dead Dont Hurt, she recalled similar pushing. So on my end, working with [Mortensen], on the one hand, it was annoying me, because I had to work with someone who does care about structure, she said. But again, I could use it. Its always push and pull in relationships, and even the director-actress and costar relationship. That is when it gets interesting.

Clearly, Mortensen was managing a challenging period production on location with horses and guns and a limited budget. When it came to acting together in scenes, she wanted him to be the actor. I always wanted to make sure I am now dealing with the actor and not the director, Krieps said, because I didnt want it to feel like hes a director. I always tried to pull it down. Maybe thats why I had this urge to always break as much as I could the expected. It was maybe to make it about acting, so that hes in that moment, the actual, with me.

The Dead Dont Hurt TIFF

In one scene, in which Mortensen returns after fighting in the Civil War  leaving his wife to fend for herself in a dangerous environment for a single woman  Krieps chose to play the scene differently from the way it was written.

It definitely felt like shes happy he is returned, and its a happy scene, so that was what the crew was expecting and he was expecting, and I decided on purpose to not tell him, to get this moment, because I could feel inside of me, Thats absolutely wrong,' she said. He comes with his horse up to me, and as he comes closer he can see Im not smiling. Im not moving. Im not talking. Im upset. I say nothing. And the first take was incredible, because the whole crew was holding their breath, because they were like, Whats happened? What is the scene? Because they didnt know what made Vivienne so strong. That day, Vivienne told everyone what happened to her. Thats the one day where I think everyone in the crew understood what this woman went through. So many things in the movie were born like this.

Krieps did go on to explain to Mortensen why she did what she did. Im not doing it against anyone, she said. I do it for the movie. I said, Well, you went to war, but I had war here, too.'

Krieps brought inner strength and rebellion to portraying this indomitable frontier woman. Did Mortensen utilize her contributions in the editing room? I do have the feeling that after he started editing, there was a different energy, as if he understood, she said. When she saw the final film, it felt very good. And I felt understood. And everyone needs that. Because I saw his way of giving back to me.

Mortensen and Krieps were able to talk at the festivals about the movie, which is currently seeking a buyer, because they obtained interim agreements from SAG-AFTRA. It was one of those movies that suffered exactly from the system, because why would a movie like that be so difficult to make?, she said. I dont know how many years he took, and its not like hes nobody, either. And its not like its a bad script. Why would this movie have such a hard time to live? It is part of the system thats fucked, which is why theres a strike.

Next up: In September, Krieps is performing a re-enactment for a Jim Sheridan documentary. Im doing something super crazy, she said. Jim Sheridan is doing a documentary about a real-life murder case, and hes been on that for seven years as hes working to solve the case. So, by now, hes already gathered evidence and solved things that went back to court and already advanced the case. Its one of those cases where certain people dont want it to be solved, and hes obsessed with it. So hes doing a documentary and in his documentary is a bit of fiction on the woman who was murdered. I thought it was completely nuts. But I love it.

And in October, New Yorks Metrograph is mounting a Vicky Krieps retrospective, showing six of her films.

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The woman attempted to lower herself into the toilet in an effort to rescue her Apple Watch, said Michigan State Police

Michigan State Police/ Twitter

A woman was rescued after she got stuck in a public outhouse at Dixon Lake in Bagley Township, Michigan, on Tuesday after trying to retrieve her Apple Watch, according to the Michigan State Police Department.

In the Wednesday press release, police said that Conservation Officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Gaylord Post and Otsego County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene after the woman called for local first responders.

The MSP Seventh District also shared the news on X (formerly known as Twitter).

According to the release, first responders heard the woman yelling from the outhouse. She dropped her Apple Watch in the toilet, and in an effort to retrieve it, she lowered herself into the toilet, police said. Once she was in the toilet, she was stuck and needed help getting out.

The first responders removed the toilet, and made a strap to hoist the woman out to safety, the statement reads.

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MSP spokesman Derrick Carroll told the Detroit Free Press the unidentified woman retrieved her watch before she was rescued. The woman, who did not suffer any injuries, thanked first responders, Carroll told the outlet.



Related: Mountain Biker's Apple Watch Helped Save His Life After Crash Left Him Paralyzed: 'Nobody Knew Where I Was'

The police statement concluded with a warning, If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area. Serious injury may occur.

A spokesperson for Michigan State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional information on Wednesday.

Related: Runner Credits Apple Watch for Saving His Life After Fall in E.R. Bathroom Leads to Brain Surgery

Last year, a woman in Washington state was also rescued from a public outhouse. The April 2022 incident occurred when a woman in her 40s plummeted headfirst into the public toilet at Olympic National Forest in an effort to retrieve her lost cell phone.

After the incident, the Brinnon Fire Department posted on Facebook that the woman first attempted to dissemble the toilet herself. Once the toilet was disassembled and exposed, she tried to lower herself into the opening with dog leashes. The leashes didn't help her escape the toilet, Brinnon Fire Chief Tim Manly said in the statement.

"After 15-20 minutes of attempting to get out, she used her phone to call 911," Manly added.

Members of the Brinnon Fire Department Rescue 41 and Quilcene F&R Aid 21 responded to the incident. Manly explained that teams worked together to create a makeshift cribbing platform for the woman to access, so she exited the outhouse by first pulling herself onto the platform and then standing up to exit.

Once the woman was rescued and sustained no injuries, Manly and first responders advised the woman to seek medical attention, due to her exposure to human waste.



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This image provided by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), shows the artistic rendering of giant rhinoceros, Paraceratherium linxiaense. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- After billions of years of evolution, Earth has borne witness to the ebb and flow of life. The time span of humans stepping onto the historical stage is but a fleeting instant in Earth's vast timeline.

Contemporary scientists persistently delve into their studies on the ancient Earth with unwavering dedication, endeavoring to construct a comprehensive portrait of the entire evolutionary saga.

But how can they uncover the deep-seated mysteries that have been hidden for such a long time? Hezheng, a remote county in northwest China's Gansu Province, may have some answers. The county has managed to preserve a wealth of fossil specimens and geological strata, due to its unique geological structure.

Here, people have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the Earth looked like from the time following the extinction of dinosaurs to the period preceding the emergence of humanity.

FOSSILS ALL OVER THE GROUND

Hezheng County is situated within the Linxia Basin, and at the juncture of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau. During the 1950s and 1960s, the county was renowned for a distinctive Chinese herbal medicine known as Long Gu, meaning dragon bones in Chinese, which is believed to be effective in soothing the heart and calming the nerves. Back then, nobody even imagined that this natural substance could reveal an undiscovered facet of this rugged mountainous terrain.

The man behind the great discovery was the vertebrate paleontologist Qiu Zhanxiang.

In the 1960s, Qiu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) had just graduated from Moscow University and embarked on an investigative journey to Hezheng County. He soon learned that local farmers were unearthing and selling items such as Long Gu that bore a striking resemblance to paleontological fossils.

Long Gu, a substance widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, has now been scientifically confirmed as the skeletal remains of ancient large mammals. However, in the 1960s, numerous farmers sold a substantial quantity of these fossils due to their limited knowledge and financial hardships. In some cases, they even broke the fossils into pieces, selling bones and teeth separately in pursuit of maximum profit.

Following extensive collection and research, Qiu appealed to the local government to gather specimens from the local residents and establish museums to safeguard the fossil species.

"Once a fossil was damaged, its unique historical value would be irrevocably lost. These specimens are vital data and evidence for the study of ancient Earth," said Qiu, the 87-year-old expert.

In 1987, Qiu, in collaboration with researchers from the Gansu Provincial Museum, published the first-ever academic paper on new species derived from Hezheng fossils. This paper introduced Acerorhinus hezhengensis, notable for its absence of a nasal horn, which garnered widespread attention both domestically and internationally, and brought Hezheng, a place rich in fossils, to the spotlight.

In 2003, Hezheng County built the country's first museum on late Cenozoic paleo-mammal fossils.

Today, the Hezheng Paleozoological Museum boasts a collection of over 40,000 ancient animal fossils, which are categorized into three classes, 17 orders, and encompass over 250 distinct species, including 43 classified as first-class finds. Among the wealth of fossils, a representative discovery is the giant rhinoceros fauna dating back 26.5 million years.

"The abundance, diversity and exceptional preservation make it a rarity on a global scale," said Zhang Hailian, an instructor with the museum.

STORIES OF EARTH PREDATING EXISTENCE OF HUMANITY

Around 65 million years ago, the era of dinosaurs came to an end, followed by the emergence of humans seven million years ago. But what creatures inhabited Earth during the vast intervening 60 million years or so?

People's fascination with ancient beings often centers on the colossal dinosaurs or diminutive single-celled organisms like paramecia. Yet, this is just a fraction of Earth's extensive evolutionary history, with countless untold stories awaiting discovery.

The fossils unearthed in the Hezheng area now bridge this intriguing gap in people's knowledge. Today, the area encompassing Linxia Basin, Hezheng County, Guanghe County, and Dongxiang County, collectively known as the Hezheng area.

It is at the forefront of vertebrate paleontology circles, boasting a wealth of Cenozoic fossils including over 250 species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. Among them, more than 80 are newly discovered species. These fossils hail from the period after the dinosaurs' demise and precede the arrival of humans, providing a vital window into the enigmatic history of Earth.

Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, which administers Hezheng, is merely 8,000 square kilometers, yet it hosts 100 fossil discovery sites, with Hezheng County leading the way in uncovering these invaluable relics.

"Hezheng is a treasure trove of ancient animal fossils," said Deng Tao, director of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS.

Deng added that the elevation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau plays a crucial role in the richness of fossils found within the Hezheng area.

"The collision between the Indian subcontinental plate and the Eurasian plate instigated the ascent of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, thrusting the surrounding Linxia Basin into an era of heightened geological activity. During this period, sediments were continually deposited into the Linxia Basin, enshrouding the remains of recently deceased animals," Deng explained. "Over thousands of years, these remains underwent fossilization, ultimately transforming into the fossils we now uncover."

DEDICATION OF THREE GENERATIONS OF RESEARCHERS

Under the leadership of Deng, a collaborative Sino-American team successfully identified a novel species of giant rhinoceros, Paraceratherium linxiaense, which thrived approximately 26.5 million years ago. During this period, northwest China experienced a warm and humid climate, with towering trees gracing the landscape. The giant rhinoceros would have dined on leaves found at the very tops of these trees.

Moreover, the Hezheng area is home to a multitude of the world's most exceptional fossils. In June, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS and the Hezheng Paleozoological Museum jointly released 10 world-leading research findings relating to Cenozoic fossils uncovered in the Hezheng area.

These revelations include the area's significance as a gathering ground for giant rhinoceroses, the world's largest terrestrial mammals, and fossils of the earliest savanna fauna and the unique Hezheng sheep.

Deng, a student of Qiu Zhanxiang, is a second-generation scholar dedicated to the study of ancient animal fossils in the Hezheng area.

When Qiu first arrived in Linxia, he was under 30 years old and brimming with enthusiasm. Now, in his advanced years, he continues to lead the charge in fossil research and preservation. His students such as Deng have taken up the mantle of their mentors, ensuring that research in the Hezheng area thrives and yields continuous results.

Jiangzuo Qigao, an associate researcher at Peking University, represents the third generation of researchers committed to exploring the Hezheng fossils.

"Our current discoveries merely scratch the surface of what lies beneath in the Hezheng area, and the future holds vast research prospects," Jiangzuo Qigao added. 
At least two adults died when a bus carrying high school students from Long Island, New York, crashed while heading to band camp in Pennsylvania, state police said.

Dozens were hurt in Thursday's rollover accident in Orange County, which is about 60 miles north of New York City, officials said.

As of midday Friday, 18 people -- 16 children and two adults -- remain hospitalized, according to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Five students remain in critical condition, state police said on Friday.

PHOTO: A bus rolled over and crashed in Orange County, New York. (WABC)

MORE: Bus carrying locals and migrants crashes in Mexico, killing 16

The bus, carrying students from Farmingdale High School, rolled over and slid off Interstate 84, down into a 50-foot ravine around 1:12 p.m. on Thursday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Multiple occupants were ejected from the motor coach, National Transportation Safety Board investigator John Humm told reporters on Friday.

The motor coach, operated by Regency Transportation, "departed the travel lane, penetrated a roadside cable barrier and came to a rest on its left side in the median," Humm said.

PHOTO: Beatrice Ferrari is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy of Daniel Aldieri)

The two adult passengers, identified as Beatrice Ferrari, 77, from Farmingdale, New York and Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, were killed, state police officials said.

"There's a lot of families that need some love tonight. And we extend that from 20 million New Yorkers," the governor said.

PHOTO: Gina Pellitierre is seen here in an undated file photo. (Molly Tittler-Ingoglia)

Pellettiere was listed as the school's Director of Bands on its website. She was the chairperson of the Nassau All-County Division 5 Symphonic Band for many years, as well as guest conductor for both Nassau and Suffolk All-County Festivals, according to the school's website.

She leaves behind a 2-year-old son, a family friend told reporters on Friday.

PHOTO: A bus rolled over and crashed in Orange County, New York. (WABC)

A faulty front tire was a factor in the crash, the governor and investigators said. The investigation is ongoing.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Investigators will look at seatbelt usage, the mechanics of the bus and its "general crashworthiness," among other factors, Humm said.

MORE: Dozens injured in NYC bus collision: FDNY

A total of 40 students and four adults were aboard the bus, according to the state police.

"It really was a difficult scene to process," New York State Police's Greg Spak, who has been a state trooper for more than 20 years, told reporters Friday. "I've never seen anything like that before."

Spak said some of the children were "extremely hurt" and he felt an urgent sense to get them to help "right away."

PHOTO: A bus rolled over and crashed in Orange County, New York (WABC)

Hochul said that it took 45 minutes for first responders to get all of the victims out of the ravine.

"These high school students, many of them freshmen, were surrounded by this chaos, but they endured. They were strong," she said.

Farmingdale School District officials were at the scene, the district said.

Five other buses from the school that were traveling to the camp returned to Farmingdale, but made a stop on the way to give students the chance to meet with grief counselors, the district said.

Donna Baltch, a Farmingdale resident, told WABC that her niece was on one of the buses that returned. Baltch, who is also the parent of a Farmingdale High School 10th grader, said she and other parents spent the afternoon trying to figure out what happened and support each other.

"These poor kids, these kids are going to be traumatized for the rest of their lives," Baltch told WABC. "All the families, we always, always come together for each other. I don't care if it's 3 o'clock in the morning, I will be there for these kids."

PHOTO: A bus rolled over and crashed in Orange County, New York. (WABC)

Farmingdale High School is open today, which Blakeman called a "very good and wise choice because they have so many good resources there for the children and the families."

"It was a way to bring the high school community together," he said at a press briefing Friday.

Additional counseling will be provided at the Howitt Middle School over the weekend and Farmingdale High School next week.

The Farmingdale-Freeport high school football game scheduled for Friday night is postponed with no makeup date announced.

2 killed when bus carrying high schoolers crashes on way to band camp originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel, Ukraine, Iran: Joe Biden visits the UN
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida  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 over a decade from the drug deals and faced up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to sell 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 Thursday 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.

Addicted Why is drug rehab such a challenge for addicts? Here are 4 reasons.

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: Palm Beach man had inappropriate relationship with high school student, sheriff 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 Thursday. "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, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 70-year-old Florida woman sentenced for selling $1M worth of quaaludes
A llama standing against a green backdrop in Peru. Machu Picchu is a remarkable place to visit. Read on for more interesting facts about this travel destination.

The charm of Machu Picchu has been appreciated by many for years, making it a well-known tourist destination in South America. Many know the destination simply by its most popular inhabitant, the llama. The cultural and historic importance of Machu Picchu is lesser known by its visitors but is of critical importance for the city to be fully appreciated.

If you plan to visit Peru, these 16 interesting facts (listed from commonly known to least known) about Machu Picchu may increase the quality of your trip and even encourage you to make a few extra stops along the way.

Photo by Eddie Kiszka

16. The Name and Meaning of Machu Picchu

The name Machu Picchu translates to old mountain or old peak in the Quechua language. Quechua was the language of the Inca Empire and is still spoken by about eight million people. It is also currently the most spoken indigenous language in the Americas.

15. The City in the Clouds

The city is located in a cloud forest in the mountains. Machu Picchu is located between the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest, so the weather is unique and produces a very lush and misty climate even though nearby areas are dry and plain.

14. How Elevation Helped Preserve the Archaeological Site

The city is an incredibly important archaeological site that has been protected by its mountainous elevation. Machu Picchu was somewhat secluded due to its location and, as a result, evaded attention from traveling conquerors. There were conquistador attacks that sporadically occurred during the time, which the city would have evaded because of the high elevation.

13. Machu Picchu was a Huge Empire

The Inca Empire was one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America and lasted from 1483 to 1533. In the 16th century it reigned as one of the largest empires in the world and remains the largest native state in the western hemisphere.

12. Transportation to the Ruins

On the road and trail to Machu Picchu. The trail is 26 miles long and affords travelers with many places to stop, eat and even stay.

There are only two ways to get to the mountainous ruins. Since the ruins are in a remote location, travelers either have to take a train from Cusco, which drops people off at the base of the mountain then take the bus, walk or hike the Inca trail. The 26 mile trail to Machu Picchu is lined with camp sites for visitors (government subsidized areas of land owned by local families) and local venders, so the trail can be leisurely hiked.

11. Machu Picchu is Internationally Protected

In 2007, Machu Picchu was declared one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The selection process includes more than 100 million people from around the world voting online. On top of this recognition that was announced by the New Open World Corporation (NOWC), Machu Picchu has been a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site since 1983. This means in the event of a natural disaster, war, pollution or funds deficiency that leads to a sites deterioration, nations that signed the treaty are committed to assisting with emergency aid.

10. Machu Picchu is the Lost City that was Never Lost

Although Machu Picchu is commonly referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, it had people living in the area, so it was well known. It is also technically a citadel located on a mountain ridge, so its coined name is inaccurate.

9. The Construction of the Ruins is Seemingly Otherworldly

Machu Picchu ruins. The complex architecture of this site makes for a very interesting discussion.

The Incas did not use any mortar to construct Machu Picchu. It was completed with the ashlar technique, which is the process of cutting stones with extreme precision so that they stack on one another with no room in between them. The ashlar technique and the carefully shaped doors, windows and walls of Machu Picchu buildings make it practically earthquake proof. Peru has high seismic activity so this was an impressive architectural technique for the time. Because of this innovation, many people think that extraterrestrial beings played a hand in its construction.

8. The Complex Architecture of the Ancient Ruins

Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings. The site, which was built around A.D. 1450, could maintain about 500 to 750 people. This was a relatively small build for the Incas. Two architecturally significant features of the ruins are the rectangular ground plots made for houses (which are an early representation of modern building techniques) and the drainage system, which still works today and carries heavy rainwater through little channels underneath the buildings.

7. Helicopters are Prohibited Near Machu Picchu

To protect wildlife, endangered species and to preserve the ruins, there is a no fly zone above Machu Picchu. As another conservation effort, there is a limit on the number of visitors per day (which is capped at 2,500) and a one-way walking system through the hiking trail.

6. Scholars Do not Know What Machu Picchus Purpose Was

Historians still debate what the purpose of the citadel was because Incas did not have written language and therefore it was not recorded. There are many theories regarding the use of Machu Picchu to this day. Some common theories include that it was a royal estate for an emperor, religious site (due to its high elevation) or served a multitude of purposes.

5. The 100 Year Dispute Between Yale University and The Peruvian Government

Yale professor Hiram Bingham made the western rediscovery of the ruins in 1911 with the help of local farmers. As a result of this discovery, there was a 100 year dispute about artifacts taken from Peru by professor Hiram and his excavation team. The artifacts were the cultural property of Peru and included objects like human remains, ceramics and jewelry. Finally, in 2012, after settling the contractual dispute, Yale returned the artifacts to the Peruvian government.

4. There are No Information Posts on the Machu Picchu Hike

As an attempt not to clutter the site, there is virtually no information about Machu Picchu at the actual site. To get to the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon, which provides historical context about the ruins, visitors must take a 30 minute walk down a dirt road near the base of the mountain.

3. The Incas Disappearing Act

The Incas mysteriously abandoned Machu Picchu around 1572, even though it would have been nearly inaccessible for conquerors due to its location. Although Spanish conquistadors eventually ended the Inca Empire, the site was abandoned before that time, so the peoples disappearance remains unclear to scholars.

2. The Foreign Grazers Of Machu Picchu

The favorite resident of Machu Picchu: llamas.

Llamas are large mammals (weighing anywhere from 290 to 440 pounds at full adult size) related to camels. They are often pictured photo bombing visitors in front of Machu Picchu. The Incas valued them for their wool and nutrient rich poop that was used as crop fertilizer. But, surprisingly, llamas arent native to this area in Peru, they were actually brought in specifically for tourism. The preferred habitat of llamas (and alpacas) is evident in their preferences for altitude. Generally, they prefer altitudes of 13,000 feet and above and Machu Picchus altitude is just under 8,000 feet.

1. Leonardo Da Vinci Could Have Visited Machu Picchu

Although the height of the Incan Empire may seem like an extremely old time period, it was actually not that long ago. Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa during the height of the Incan Empire, around 1503-1506, and Machu Picchu was built around 1450. This may surprise some, since not many historical reference points are provided when discussing the significant advancements of the Inca people.
September 16 marked the official start of Oktoberfest -- and if heading to Munich, Germany, for the annual 16-day party isn't on your radar, there are still plenty of other ways to partake in that joyful celebration. Whether you plan to throw your own Oktoberfest shindig or just want to enjoy Bavarian pretzels and strudel from the comfort of your own home, Aldi has you covered.

Aldi's German Week is taking place from September 20 to 26 this year, or even beginning September 17 at some locations. Coinciding with Oktoberfest, the event gives customers the opportunity to purchase an extensive list of authentic German foods that are only available from Aldi during its biannual German Week.

Most of the items will contain the recognizable Deutsche Kuche label, but many German products that fall under the Specially Selected brand will also be available. Fan-favorites cheese spaetzle and Bienenstich almond cake will be in the frozen section, while other items will be found refrigerated, in the Aldi Finds aisle, or in other areas of the store.

Oktoberfest at Aldi also brings back everyone's favorite -- Bavarian soft pretzels. In a Reddit poll conducted by the Aldi fan site Aldi Things, these pretzels topped the list of favorite German Week foods. Fans recommend serving it with a traditional side of spicy or beer mustard, or with the modern update of nacho cheese.

Read more: The Most Delicious Aldi Finds Of All Time

Favorite Items Go Quickly

Aldi Bavarian soft pretzels - Aldi

Many of Aldi's German Week products have been known to sell out fast, so fans try to gather as much of their old picks and potential new favorites as they can. "Looking forward to having the frangipane tart again -- all flavors of that are so delicious," commented one fan on an Aldi subreddit. "I am hoping to stock up!" replied a frangipane enthusiast. "The herring fillets are the only reason I keep track of Aldi's German week," another Redditor wrote.

Jaffa cakes, a product that many Aldi customers adore, may be harder to find. The chocolate-covered spongy cookies with a layer of jelly filling are irresistible to many shoppers, but the German Week favorite seems to be absent from 2023's lineup. Luckily, one Redditor spotted some in their local store, giving hope to Jaffa cake fans everywhere.

Even better news for thrifty fans of the German-based grocer is the fact that some of the items are currently listed as Aldi Savers. German-style sauerkraut is marked down from $1.65 to $1.39, and Bavarian or beer bratwurst, normally $5.69, is currently $4.49. And, of course, if you're going to buy bratwurst and sauerkraut, it makes sense to head over to Aldi's liquor store and pick up some Wernesgruner Pilsner to wash it all down. Not only is it a German beer, but it's also one of the best Aldi beers you can buy.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Lawyer by day, mirrorball by night.

Splash News

Best believe Amal Clooney is still bejeweled  and shes got the wardrobe to prove it. On Wednesday, the human rights lawyer pulled all the stops while grabbing dinner after a day spent at the United Nations Assembly in New York City. Trading her tailored pantsuit from earlier in the day for an oversized navy blazer, Clooney paired the breezy business casual piece with a shimmering silver Prada minidress that featured a scoop neck design and a micro-mini length.

The philanthropist styled the Mirrorball-esque frock with a pair of holographic silver pointy-toe pumps, tiny stud earrings, and a matching clutch, and she wore her honey-highlighted brunette hair down in voluminous waves with a deep side part. As for glam, Amal slicked on a pink lip and had feathered lashes for the occasion. She rounded out her look with a glowing, bronzy complexion.

Related:

While the A-listers husband, George Clooney , was noticeably absent during the outing, Amals appearance comes shortly after the pair took Italy by storm when attending the Venice Film Festival (among other events) earlier this month.

Getty Images

Aside from just looking like the ultimate couple goals (which they accomplished many, many times) during their European vacation, Amal also proved that she and George know how to have fun by teasing him during her acceptance speech at the DVF Awards hosted by Diane von Furstenberg.

I am here in Venice with my husband; he is a rising star, Clooney joked before noting the special significance of Venice in their relationship. As we sailed through the city in the last two days, I thought how incredibly lucky I am because somehow our incredibly different worlds collided one day 10 years ago in Lake Como. I just think about the millions of things that had to happen in both of our lives to bring us to that moment and how grateful I am for that luck, my love.

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Read the original article on InStyle.
If you've spent any time on a college campus, in a dimly lit club, or at a backyard BBQ in the 2000s, you probably had a run-in with Four Loko. The intensely boozy beverage was invented in 2005 by a group of fraternity brothers determined to create the ultimate party drink. The creators dubbed their alcoholic energy drink Four Loko in honor of the original four ingredients that give the beverage its intense buzz: caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood. The drink is known for its fast-acting buzz and mood-boosting energy, but we did not expect Four Lokos to be enjoyed in frappe form. The frozen drink, usually reserved for sweet blends like coffee and mocha, can be found mixing with your favorite Four Loko flavor in Bolivia.

One TikToker shared this surprising discovery with followers, claiming, "They also sell them in 3 packs and have representatives promoting them at the store." The colorful blend of blue and purple topped with whipped cream and matching blue syrup looked surprisingly appetizing until we remembered just how strong this frozen beverage must actually be. Commenters were shocked that this Bolivian bakery was serving such high alcoholic content in the middle of the day but were extremely curious about how it tasted. Luckily, we are pretty sure you could try to recreate the viral concoction by blending your favorite Four Loko flavor with some ice.

Read more: The Absolute Best Energy Drinks, Ranked

Customize Your Own Four Loko Frappe

Four loko cans

While you may not be able to get your hands on a freshly blended Four Loko frappe in any U.S. food courts, you can still crack open a carbonated can and attempt to recreate the eye-catching beverage at home. A creator on TikTok shared their boozy concoction that looks surprisingly easy to make. Simply add your favorite flavor of Four Loko to a blender with ice and combine until smooth. What you're left with is a drink similar to a margarita, with double buzz. You can even sprinkle in all your favorite toppings for an extra bit of fun. Consider adding sour gummies or popping candies to your drink for a bite of texture, or experiment with popping boba at the bottom of your cup. Top with whipped cream and flavored syrup for the ultimate finish.

At one point in history, Four Loko was almost banned from America due to its high mixture of caffeine and alcohol. Its reputation for being a "blackout in a can" caught on rather quickly, especially amongst college students who loved the intense buzz they experienced while remaining fully alert thanks to the intense caffeine content. While the drink no longer contains caffeine, the alcohol content within still packs quite a punch, and blending it into a boozy frozen treat will definitely amuse your party guests and their taste buds.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
Chain Reaction is Sourcing Journals discussion series with industry executives to get their take on todays logistics challenges and learn about ways their company is working to keep the flow of goods moving. Here, Anton Bar, VP market data at transportation, logistics, supply chain and storage company Freightos, discusses how to navigate unexpected supply chain disruptions with data and why investing in digital solutions is important.

Anton Bar, VP market data, Freightos

Name: Anton Bar

More from Sourcing Journal

Title: VP Market Data

Company: Freightos

What are the main things brands and retailers could do (or stop doing) right now that would immediately improve logistics?

In the short term, brands and retailers can stop compromising the level of service they receive.

You can book a passenger flight in ten minutes, but it can take a week to sort a shipment using painfully slow manual- and paper-based processes.

Digitization in logistics still lags behind other industries, and the customer ultimately pays. Want to change things? Ask ocean carriers to provide standard application programming interfaces (APIs) for quoting, booking and tracking shipments. Electronic data interchanges (EDIs) should have been abandoned decades ago, yet they still are relied upon. The more data carriers provide, the easier and more streamlined logistics can be for shippers.

In the long term, shippers can hedge for freight costs in the same manner that McDonalds hedges soybean pricesvia index-based futures contracts. This allows McDonalds to lock in inputs and ensure reliable costs.

When it comes to supply chain logistics challenges, there are things companies can fix, and things that are beyond their control. How can the former help the latter?

The more clarity and data you have in your supply chains, the easier it will be to deal with events beyond your control. For example, say one of your export-side ports is hit by high waves in China or India. Monsoon season affects shipping. The faster you hear about gathering storms in the East, the faster you can reroute your shipments to nearby ports and keep your supply chains moving.

Companies that monitor their supply chain lanes using our new Freightos Data Terminal stay informed on blanked sailings, tariff changes, labor disputes, port disruptions, weather and more. Theyre also monitoring market pricingdata that comes in handy when selecting carriers or renegotiating contract rates.

Some things will always be outside your control, but the faster and more accurately you are informed of them, the more proactive decisions you can make in response to avert or minimize their effects.

What areas of logistics arent receiving the industry attention it deserves?

It should be much easier in the 21st century to ship a box of beans than to fly a person overseas. And yet, you can book a passenger flight in minutes from your phone, but still need scores of emails, phone calls and maybe even a couple of faxes to ship a box (and a box doesnt even need headsets and a bag of pretzels).

Companies of all sizes should take better control of their supply chains. On the multinational side, enterprises are exploring direct electronic booking connections with their freight forwarders, wherein the company controls the actual shipment details, down to the specific flight.



On the small to mid-sized business (SMB) side, market intelligence solutions can provide invaluable and unprecedented levels of insight into pricing, port conditions, performance indicators and market events. Its a far cry from the days where you called for pricing and waited 48 hours just to find out how much a potential shipment would cost. Market intelligence is a real game changer for SMBs, and forward-thinking businesses are seeing bottom-line results from plugging market data into their logistics decision-making processes. Thats where Freightos Terminal comes in.

What is your company doing to make the movement of goods more sustainable?

The Freightos Group is proud of its CO2 emissions calculator and the environmental impact reporting on our booking platforms. Further, Freightos Data helps companies make better logistics decisions. This, in turn, helps companies and carriers identify underperforming or wasteful routes, and replace them with more direct or efficient options which is ultimately better for the environment.

What is the one thing brands and retailers could be doing to make better use of technology to improve logistics?

Brands and retailers can now build out their tech stacks in ways that were unimaginable two years ago. One easy thing companies of all sizes can do to drive results is adopt and invest in digital solutions that provide pricing, booking and transparent visibility into supply chains and logistics processes. A little clarity can go a long way in controlling your supply chain.

Are you optimistic about the state of supply chains in the next few years?

The freight industry is a resilient one. Lets not forget that, despite a pricing volatility spike over the past two years, supply chains have remained stablefor the most part. Carriers have faced extremely challenging industry headwinds before and have risen to meet the challenge. I put my faith in the professionals at carriers, forwarders and shippersthey have what it takes to face current problems and find solutions that will keep supply chains flowing and retailers shelves stocked.

Click here to read the full article.
Cindy Crawford said she was left traumatized by a haircut early in her modeling career.

Its a revelation she makes in a new four-part documentary series on Apple TV+ called The Super Models, which follows the careers of Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell  otherwise known as the Big Four. And while Crawfords career in particular comes with many highs, having her hair chopped without her consent wasnt one of them.

She recalled being a young model with plans of going to college when she got an exciting opportunity to head to Rome for a shoot. The photographer had made requests beforehand that Crawford cut her long hair short for the project, requests that she and her agency declined. Ultimately, her wishes werent followed.

The very first night, they send the hairdresser to my room to give me a trim, Crawford says in part one of the series, adding that the stylist then proceeded to comb my hair, put it in a ponytail and chop my ponytail off without asking. I was in shock. And I just sat there in a hotel room in Rome crying. And if people wonder why Ive never really cut my hair since then, thats why. Because I was so traumatized.

Crawford's new do made its debut in photos for the September 1984 issue of Italian Vogue  a great accomplishment for her at the time, although she doesnt remember it fondly.

It wasnt that I didnt like my hair short, it was that I hadnt voted myself in to having short hair, she says. I really felt I was not seen as a person who had a voice in her own destiny.

Others in the modeling industry have shared similar experiences. One incident was even caught on camera on Tyra Bankss Americas Next Top Model. During Season 5s infamous makeover episode, Cassandra Jean Amell, nee Whitehead, had her long brown hair cut and colored into a short blond pixie. It wasnt just cutting an inch and a half of hair for me. It was the last straw of them completely trying to change who I was, she said during the episode.

People outside the industry can also relate.

Jordyn Eisenpress, a lawyer in New York City, tells Yahoo Life that she was 16 when she went in for a haircut that ended up being more drastic than she intended. She recalls the hairstylist showing her how much length needed to be cut for dead ends and ultimately convincing her to commit to something shorter.

I hated it but pretended to love it because I didnt want to make the hairstylist feel bad. Its not like she could have fixed it, says Eisenpress. I think it was just the permanency of it that made me anxious. ... It was literally years before I got it cut again, and I swear in 14 years my hair has still never grown back to the length I lost that day.

Countless others have taken to social media to share their haircut horror stories, which have ended in tears  and years spent avoiding another hairstylists chair. Why? Its deeply distressing to get a bad haircut or a haircut that you dont like, says clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg. A persons hair is a very strong part of their identity.

Maddie Spear, therapist and founder of Flourish Wellness, agrees.

Even though it might seem a little silly at first, hair matters, she says. Not necessarily because of hair itself having intrinsic value, but more about how it can help represent identity, presentation and even a sense of control. Hair helps dictate how we are seen in the world, along with other parts of our identity presentation.

Feeling out of control of this visual part of identity can have a negative impact on bodily autonomy, which is how Crawford expressed feeling. This hairstylist stripped her bodily autonomy and confidence with her appearance. It may take some time to build that trust up with anyone in regards to her hair, Spear explains.

Not all experiences are bad, of course. In fact, having input in a decision like a drastic haircut can positively impact someone, according to experts  as well as Evangelista and Turlington, who also share their experiences in the new series.

Evangelista tells the story of getting her hair cut while working with photographer Peter Lindbergh, explaining that it wasnt done until she had time to think it through and agree to it herself. The new look seemed to get her dropped from runways during Milan Fashion Week but ultimately scored her the cover of Italian Vogue  the first of many Vogue covers to come.

This is the moment where I thought I made it, she says in the second episode of the documentary. I think thats where I really gained confidence, and it just kept going from there.

Alternatively, Turlington decided to cut her hair while in the middle of a contract that didnt allow such drastic changes to her appearance.

I realized that I really hadnt been happy with the Calvin Klein contract. ... I sort of renegotiated my deal with Calvin by cutting my hair, she says. When we were cutting it  we were laughing and saying, Oh, Im gonna get in so much trouble. I didnt really think I was gonna get in trouble, but it definitely was not received well.

Greenberg says such an act of defiance can be freeing.

Its an act of taking back your power, or having control over something, she says.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Gavin Newsom, governor of the U.S. state of California, on Wednesday lashed out at the fossil fuel industry for the climate crisis.

"This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis. ... It's not complicated. It's the burning of oil. It's the burning of gas. It's the burning of coal. And We need to call that out," Newsom told the Climate Ambition Summit, held during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.

"For decades and decades, the oil industry has been playing each and every one of us in this room for fools," he told top world leaders who gathered for the summit convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"They've been buying our politicians. They've been denying and delaying science and fundamental information that they were privy to, that they didn't share, or they manipulated. Their deceit and denial going back decades has created the conditions that persist here today," he said.

Despite California's long history of leadership in climate action, the state is a victim of climate change, said Newsom.

California is burning up, choking up, heating up, with wildfires and floods and droughts. Places, lifestyles, and traditions are being destroyed right in front of our eyes despite California's leadership and climate ambition, he said.

"I say all of that ... with a spirit -- not of a closed fist, but of an open hand -- in an appreciation that we are all in this together, and mindful that all of us have unique circumstances, all of us have unique traditions, all of us have unique challenges," he said. 
This article originally appeared on Outside

A 30-year-old woman from Grand Junction, Colorado, is in critical condition after a fall and dramatic rescue which occurred on Monday, September 11, on The Great White Wall, a 1,300 foot climbing route in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Becca (the family asked that we not divulge her last name for the sake of privacy) was about thirty feet up the fourth pitch when her foothold broke. The one piece of protection she had below her ripped from the wall when her rope came taught, and she hit the ledge at the base of the pitch hard. Becca sustained multiple broken bones, a punctured lung, and a severe head injury which left her immediately unconscious.

Becca's partner, Skyeler Congdon, said that she was on terrain well-within her abilities. Becca had recently climbed a much harder rout in the same style in Unaweep Canyon in Western Colorado. "She's a strong and competent climber. It was just one of these unfortunate situations where her hand holds weren't good enough to catch her when the foothold broke."

A Bold and Daring Rescue

Becca's fall occurred at roughly 7:30 A.M. Congdon was torn over what to do when she did not regain consciousness. "You never want to leave an unconscious victim," he said. "I thought about lowering her, but I didn't have any way to protect her spine." Ultimately, he decided to get help as quickly as possible. He secured her to the anchor, rappelled down to the start of the route, and "ran as fast as I could up the gully, back to the ranger station."

When Congdon arrived at the ranger station, he was surprised to find nobody was there. So Congdon got in his car and "hauled ass another 15 minutes to cell reception," where he called 911. After a frustrating run around with Montrose dispatch transferring him to Delta, then Delta transferring him back to Montrose, and Montrose trying to transfer him back again, he "lost his shit and told them 'this girl is going to die, I need rescue support now.'" Montrose relayed the report to Black Canyon district ranger Ryan Rees, who called Congdon, told him to stay put, and that rescuers would soon be on their way.

Rees and District Ranger Ryan Thrush--who took charge of the response as Incident Command--called the park's two paid climbing rangers, Tom Schaefer and Philippe Wheelock, at roughly 11:15. Schaefer was at his home in Crested Butte, Wheelock was out hunting 45 minutes from the nearest road. Both rangers were off duty, but immediately began making their way to the North Rim ranger station, more than two hours of drive and hike time away for each. Schaefer quickly dispatched the SAR team--composed of employees and volunteers from numerous locations in a roughly two hour radius--to respond to the North Rim. Wheelock brought climber and volunteer Charlie Faust with him, and Schaefer was accompanied by flight medic and Senior NPS Volunteer, Mike Kingsbury, who happened to be in Crested Butte and available.

Looking west toward the Painted Wall, in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The climbing rangers involved in Monday's rescue--all veterans of the Black Canyon--described it as one of the most difficult, complex, and risky of their careers. (Photo: Starcevic/Getty)

It was 1:20 P.M. when Schaefer arrived at the ranger station. Seven other volunteers were already assembled, including long-time Black Canyon climbing ranger, now SAR volunteer and Black Canyon climbing guidebook author, Vic Zeilman. Thrush had spent the last two hours on the phone with various helicopter operators. None of the park's normal short-haul programs were available, but a Black Hawk helicopter capable of hoist operations from High Altitude Aviation Training Site (HAATS) was, pending weather and various other factors. A successful helicopter evac is never a guarantee, even with a helicopter you are accustomed to working with, so Schaefer also planned a massive 1,300-foot litter raise. Either way, the first order of business was to reach Becca. At that point, she had been alone, seriously injured, and presumably unconscious for close to five hours, and HAATS had communicated they would not fly unless the patient was still alive.

Zeilman and Kingsbury started descending the Long Draw gully--a steep choke filled with loose boulders and scree that drops 1,800 feet in one mile--at 1:45 P.M. Wheelock and Faust arrived about 15 minutes later, and rapidly followed them down to the base of Great White Wall. Zeilman led the first pitch, which Wheelock and Kingsbury followed. Wheelock then linked the second and third pitch (a physically demanding section), just barely making the ledge after a full 210 feet. Wheelock radioed to Schaefer that Becca was unconscious but still had respirations and a pulse, and Schaefer relayed the message to HAATS, who began to prepare for flight. Wheelock then belayed up Kingsbury, who climbed quickly despite the massive amount of medical equipment on his back, and hauled a static line from his harness. Wheelock estimated that, all in all, it had taken approximately one hour for the whole three-person team to climb three pitches and access the ledge by about 3:30 P.M.

Once Kingsbury arrived, he began to administer patient care. Kingsbury, who Wheelock described as "an ace flight medic used to tight spaces," managed to put on a C-Collar, and insert two IV picks--one on each arm--through which he began to pump fluids and life-supporting narcotics. This was made more complicated by the fact that they were on a narrow, sloping ledge full of loose rocks, with other rescuers directly below them, including Zeilman, who was busy ascending Kingsbury's static line to build an anchor and establish another fixed line at the top of pitch two.

It was roughly 4:00 P.M. when HAATS got the message that Becca was alive. Flight time from their base in Eagle would be about 38 minutes, it would take another half hour to put together a flight plan and safety briefing, and the HAATS pilot wanted to be out of the canyon by dark. There was time, but not much of it. A helicopter rescue at that point was far from guaranteed.

Becca and a HAATS flight tech get hauled up into the Black Hawk helicopter at the conclusion of an extremely complex and daring rescue. (Photo: Vic Zeilman)

So Schaefer--who was manning Ops back on the canyon rim--continued with the contingency plan. He organized two additional teams to assist the Climb Team already in the canyon: the Gully Team, which would descend the Long Draw in order to help transport the patient; and the Rim Team, which would rig the 1,300-foot raise on the wall opposite the climbers--a wall they had never practiced a raise or lower on before. A direct raise above the climbers was not possible due to the ledgy nature of the wall, and incredibly chossy terrain, creating a massive overhead hazard for both Becca and the rescuers below.

Back on the wall, Wheelock and Zeilman had set up a dual-tension two-rope system and began lowering Kingsbury, who descended with Becca (IV ports, C-collar, and all) on his back. They arrived in the gully somewhere between 5:00 and 5:30 P.M. where the Gully Team--consisting entirely of volunteers, with the exception of team-lead Rees--began packaging her for transport. At this point, Nick Wasser--ex-Black Canyon climbing ranger, registered nurse, and SAR volunteer--was being lowered down the 1,300-foot wall. He was one-third of the way down when HAATS called and said the helicopter was inbound. At first HAATS wanted to come in above the rescuers, which Wheelock and others vehemently opposed given the rockfall hazard that would create. Once an alternate flight plan was established to enter the canyon and fly up Long Draw from below the rescuers, Wasser was lowered the rest of the way to the gully, landing about 200 feet above the Gully Team and Becca.

When the Black Hawk arrived it made its way as high up the gully as possible, about 600 feet downhill of the Gully Team. Two flight techs were lowered from the helicopter, which flew off to wait at the North Rim. The flight techs hiked up the gully, and told the Gully Team they would have to bring the patient down 600 feet, and that they had thirty minutes to pull it off. The time was roughly 6:30 P.M.

(Photo: MarcPo/Getty)

At this point, there were two options: lower Becca at breakneck speed and run the risk of the helicopter leaving, putting them even further from the Rim Team's raise system; or begin making their way 200 feet up the gully to interface with the Rim Team, and get raised 1,300 feet up the wall. Schaefer estimated the rope raise alone would take about an hour and a half, not including the time to get the litter up to Wasser for the raise. Becca had now been unconscious for 11 hours. Schaefer knew the terrain in the gully was incredibly loose scree, and would be difficult to travel in either direction. From up on the rim, he did not feel he was in the right position to make the call. He asked Wheelock and Rees to do so instead.

Wheelock--a current Rigging for Rescue instructor with more than 25 years of climbing and SAR experience--began to do some mental math. "The lower would require all three of our ropes, which meant we'd have to pass two knots. It would take a minute or two per knot pass. So that would leave us something like 25 minutes to descend 600 feet. I knew it would be tight, but based on my experience, and the experience of the team, I calculated that we could pull it off."

Wheelock knew that the helicopter could bug out and decide to leave at any moment if it got too dark, too windy, if the pilot just didn't like how it felt. But he decided to go down, knowing that if it worked out, it would be the quickest way to get Becca to definitive care. "There were no good options," he said, "just options." He took the three biggest members of the Gully Team and told them "you're going to take this litter, put it on your hip, and you're going to run down this gully as fast as you can, and we'll belay you down and basically all we can do is keep you from going into the river."

Faust and Wheelock put the Gully Team and Becca on a lower system. They raced down the first rope to its end, passed the first knot, raced down the second rope, passed the second knot, and began down the third rope. Finally they were at the pickoff point. The Black Hawk flew in, lowered the hoist, and one of the techs clipped himself and Becca into the cable. They were hauled up into the Black Hawk, which departed for Montrose airport at about 7 P.M., with not a minute to spare.

The Current Situation

From the Montrose airport, Becca was transferred to a CareFlight helicopter, which took her to Saint Mary's hospital in Grand Junction. She was still unconscious, but alive.

Since then, her condition has improved slowly, but continually. She is no longer technically in a coma. She has begun to show signs of consciousness, and the ability to move digits and limbs. In spite of multiple broken bones, her doctors do not think any will require surgery to repair.

As of Monday, September 18, Becca had begun to "respond periodically when asked questions," according to her parents. "For example... she has responded to the nurse to signal two fingers and then three fingers when the nurse showed her that many fingers." She is still on a ventilator, but largely as a precautionary measure in case of any situation that might necessitate an emergency surgery. At this point, the ventilator is providing very little support, and she is breathing mostly on her own.

Becca's parents expressed their profound gratitude to the more than 25 employees and volunteers who participated in the rescue. "We want to thank all the members of the search and rescue team and acknowledge that we know a number of those people risked life and limb for her. Also her climbing partner, Skyeler. He did all the right things, took care of her, secured her, got down and got help. He was a hero, himself." On Sunday, they drove from St. Mary's Hospital to the North Rim ranger station to meet with the SAR team and say thank you in person--a rare and heartfelt gesture that was deeply appreciated by the entire SAR team.

(Photo: GoFundMe Page)

"Becca is a well-known, liked, and respected member of the tight-knit Western Slope climbing community; and a loving, intentional, and generous friend," one friend commented. "Her drive to push self imposed boundaries is contagious, and her eagerness to accept and meet challenges--in climbing and life--is an inspiration." Another friend referred to Becca as "a badass with a huge heart... a person who feels deeply, loves climbing, her partner, her amazing dog, travel, her friends, self-improvement, yoga, and so much more. She is a great climbing partner--smart, safe, and competent. It is unimaginably tragic that this happened."

The family has established a GoFundMe, and is kindly asking for donations to help defray the cost of Becca's mounting medical bills. The GoFundMe page also includes a touching tribute from Becca's partner, Parker, who described her as "a deep, thoughtful and complex woman with a wonderfully multifaceted nature... honest, curious and [someone who] can light up a room with her smile and eyes."

To help support Becca, please visit the GoFundMe here.

A Program in Peril

Climbing rangers Schaefer, Wheelock, and Zeilman all described Monday's rescue as one of the most difficult, complex, and risky of their careers--each of which spans more than a decade. Cumulatively, they have 25 years of SAR experience in the Black Canyon.

"Having the time to train and work with this team and the camaraderie and friendship is what inspires confidence in being able to pull off a rescue like this," said Schaefer. "Everyone played a role. We don't do a ton of rescues like this, but because of how dedicated everyone is--all the years of working together and planning for something like this--we were able to get the job done."

Wheelock agreed that this was a team effort, made possible not only by many years of hard work by all parties involved, but also support from the park's previous administration. Unfortunately, that support has been increasingly absent under the park's new superintendent, Stuart West, who was hired in early 2023, and described himself at an all-department meeting as someone who was "there to trim the fat."

Under West, the climbing rangers and SAR program have undergone a variety of concerning changes. Around mid-August, Schaefer, Wheelock, and the rest of the park staff (including Law Enforcement Officers) were locked out of the North Rim Ranger Station where all EMS and Climbing Patrol equipment had been located for decades. The locks were changed while Wheelock was on his days off, and when he showed up for his next shift, he was unable to get in. Wheelock was then informed that he and Schaefer would need to return their emergency response vehicles to headquarters, remove all their personal effects from the ranger station, and begin traveling to the North Rim in their personal vehicles. At that point he took sick leave, during which he met with West and "begged him to change the locks back so that he and the rest of the staff could access emergency medical equipment." Schaefer made the same urgent request, and a week later, the locks were finally changed back.

But the damage at that point was done. For years, Wheelock, Schaefer, and other rangers had relied upon a functional system that included storing their personal patrol gear, as well as emergency response go bags, at the North Rim Ranger Station. Suddenly, they could no longer rely on that resource, and were forced to figure out a new system on the fly. All of the above added unnecessary stress, anxiety, and confusion to the initial stages of the rescue that occurred on Monday.

"Our morale is dependent on getting support from the administration," Wheelock said. "This isn't fat you're trimming. You're cutting through muscle and hitting bone. We feel incredibly undervalued right now, and are really struggling to maintain a vision of the future that resembles what we saw on Monday--an incredibly diverse, highly skilled group of individuals coming together to solve a really complex and dangerous problem, and succeed. To have that disappear at the expense of policy is a tragedy. Not just for us, but also for the public."

Wheelock and Schaefer agreed that at the rate things are going, it's likely there won't be a climbing ranger program or volunteer SAR team at all at Black Canyon National Park next year. "And I know none of us want that," said Schaefer, "but that's the direction our superintendent and administration has chosen to take. And we're trying really hard to come up with solutions to combat that, because at the end of the day, visitor and rescuer safety is completely dependent on those elements."

While the future of the Black Canyon Climbing Ranger and SAR program is uncertain, what can be said with one hundred percent certainty is that without their expertise and bravery, Becca would now be dead, not recovering in a hospital in Grand Junction. That is a fact. It's not just the climbing rangers who deserve better--it's climbers like Becca, too. Any tax-paying American who wants to visit our national parks deserves better. We all do.

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LONDON  Its been a busy nine months for Hailey Biebers beauty brand Rhode, which she went direct with in June 2022.

This year, she launched in the U.K. with an instant sell out collection of the serum, a moisturizer and a lip treatment all under 30 pounds; she introduced a facial essence to mark the anniversary of her brand, and brought out a limited-edition of the lip peptide treatment inspired by Krispy Kremes strawberry glazed donut.

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The 26-year-old is now ready to venture into a new category  color  with four tinted versions of the peptide treatment to coincide with Rhodes European expansion.

Hailey Bieber Rhode

I love correlating everything to food and different things, Bieber said in an interview from sunny Los Angeles.

The shades are named ribbon, toast, raspberry jelly and espresso. The first is a delicate shade of pink thats a subtle hint to her past as a ballet dancer and the pointe shoes she used to wear; meanwhile, the rest are a nod to her day-to-day activities, from eating toast with jelly to drinking coffee, which she only has one cup of a day.

The decision to start with the lip treatment was a natural progression.

It makes a lot of sense because its an existing formula that we already have and as we expand, I want it to always feel like its a high rate of skin care and makeup thats enhancing your natural features and skin, said Bieber, who is set on making sure that her brand is recognized as a skin-first brand.

As soon as she started working with her labs, she had plotted the idea of what her products would look like if they were to move into the color category.

Bieber, a self-proclaimed formula-head, delves into the making of the product from start to finish. She understood that adding color to the lip treatments would result in changing the formula, which is why she opted for them to be unscented.

I didnt want us to start being overwhelmed with the smells. I want it to feel a little bit different than the regular peptide treatment, she said, suggesting that for a bit of scent, it should be layered with the scented peptide treatments.

This is the drop for fall and winter colors, although they can work for any season. I feel like it is nice to have these berry, brown and beige shades. I swear I wear a different one every single day, she added, pointing out that she was wearing the espresso shade.

Hailey Bieber for Rhode

As Rhode readies itself for the rest of Europe, she wanted to treat her customers with something new they can get their hands on.

Feedback is an area that she has been monitoring behind the scenes. She reveals that the most dedicated fans of the brand have managed to get their hands on her products no matter the hurdles in place.

The Rhode lip treatment is on pace to sell a million this month, its been their top-selling product since launch and has generated 6,300 reviews giving the product five stars. The total waitlist for the product have totaled to 570,000.

Some will get a P.O. box in America, get it sent there and then someone ships it to them. People have been super committed, so I really appreciate that, Bieber said with a grin.

Brand accessibility is a key pillar to the Rhode strategy and with the big fan base, it has allowed the company to order larger quantities and reduce costs.

Bieber is open and hopeful about the future of her brand. She wants to partner with a retailer at some point to give her customers even easier access to her products.

Thats definitely part of the plan going forward. I want it to be really thoughtful and really planned out. I see us doing a pop-up in the next year maybe as thats a fun way to interact with people, chat to them and to talk about the products with them, she said.

Hailey Bieber for Rhode

Bieber credits Rhode with teaching her the ins and outs of building a business. She explains that the brand has become the topic of her everyday conversations, from thinking of new products, discussing development ideas to the marketing side.

She was recently named in WWD x Beauty Inc x FNs Women in Power list for her beauty brand and the Rhode Futures Foundation, which met its goal of supporting 1,000 women and their families by 2023. That entails donating at least 1 percent of sales to different organizations that provide women of color with resources needed to direct their own futures, according to its website.

My biggest advice would be, as women, I feel like our intuition and our gut is so powerful. Listening to your gut is always really important when building a business because theres been multiple times where Ive had to fight to do what my gut was telling me when other people potentially didnt agree, Bieber said.

In an interview earlier this year, Melanie Bender, chief executive officer of Rhode, told WWD that the brand crossed the eight-figure threshold over a six-month period with just 11 days of selling. Were going in there and making big orders for a young brand like us, which then lets us tap into more of those cost efficiencies that you typically dont get until youre maybe a LOreal or Estee Lauder.

Bender said the brand has had international reach from the get-go  it launched in the U.S. in June last year followed by Canada, and the U.K.

About 50 percent of our traffic comes from outside the U.S. despite not really doing any active marketing in those international markets, Bender said.

India is one that Im particularly excited about because of what a huge and growing beauty economy it is. Its our number-two international source of traffic after Canada, she added.

The road for Rhode is only getting bigger.

Launch Gallery: Hailey Bieber's Style Evolution Through the Years

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King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed to France yesterday and attended a state banquet at the iconic Palace of Versailles. And today, both royals have delivered speeches in French as they carry out a busy day of engagements in Paris.

The King addressed the French Senate in a keynote speech that saw him become the first British royal ever to make a speech from the Chamber. He received a rousing standing ovation from French Parliamentarians for the address, which began with him describing his honor at being invited to make such a speech. As expected, the King paid tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth, who he noted that president Macron once described as the golden thread that binds our nations.

EMMANUEL DUNAND - Getty Images

When my mother died almost exactly one year ago, my family and I were moved beyond measure by the tributes that were paid to her across France, the King said. This morning, I read again the deeply touching words of condolence that Your Excellencies, Presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, wrote at that time. You described Her late Majesty as having embodied the dignity of our own democracy and that as She loved France, France loved her. I can hardly describe how much these words meant to me, and to my entire family. I can only thank you, and the people of France, for the great kindness you showed to us, and our people, at a time of such grief.

The King also spoke of his own relationship with France, noting that this is his thirty-fifth official visit to the country yet his first state visit. Speaking of alliances between France and the U.K he took the opportunity to show his support for the people of Ukraine. Together, we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Together, we are steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph, and that our cherished freedoms will prevail.



It was expected that the King would speak extensively in French, however it may have been more of a surprise to many that Queen Camilla also delivered a speech in French during a visit with Madame Macron to launch a new U.K - France literary prize at the French national library.

Chris Jackson - Getty Images

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you will forgive my slightly rusty French, but it is now 60 years since I was a student at the Institut Britannique in Paris, Camilla began. It is a huge pleasure to be here with Mme Brigitte Macron today, in this wonderful library, to launch the Prix de LEntente Litteraire.

The Queen added, Brigitte Macron and I share a deep love of literature and a passion to promote literacy: through our respective work, we have seen first-hand the life-changing power of books to bring us joy, comfort, companionship, laughter and tears, opening our eyes to others experiences and reminding us that we are not alone.

Pool - Getty Images

Following their respective addresses, the royal couple were scheduled to make a joint visit to Le19M Campus on the outskirts of Paris which is home to craft houses. It is the location of a new Metiers dArt Fellowship Programme launched in February 2023 by Charless charity The Princes Foundation and Chanel. The couple will also visit Notre Dame Cathedral later today.

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The king of the United Kingdom will be united with the king of luxury in Paris later today.

Charles III will meet with billionaire LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault on Thursday afternoon, according to Reuters. The one-on-one will take place at 5:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. local time) at the British Embassy in Paris.

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King Charles arrived in France on Wednesday for a three-day state visit designed to revive the two nations bilateral connection after the fallout from Brexit. The British monarch was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron with a lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night. More than 150 A-listers were seated at one 197-foot-long kings table inside the spectacular 17th-century palace. The guest list included celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant, as well as entrepreneurs, athletes, and politicians. Arnault was also present, as reported by The Guardian.

Helene Mercier and Bernard Arnault arrive at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the state banquet.

The 74-year-old businessman has been the chairman and CEO of LVMH since 1989. Over the past three decades, he has expanded the French company into the successful luxury conglomerate that it is today. Arnaults 75-brand empire is now valued at $500 billion, while his personal fortune totals roughly $170 billion. He is currently the second-richest person in the world, behind Elon Musk and his $241 billion. For comparisons sake, the kings personal net worth is estimated at $2.3 billion (1.8 billion).

King Charles and President of France Emmanuel Macron toast during the state banquet.

The monarchs trip follows a Franco-British summit that was held earlier this year in a bid to mend relations between the two countries. Repairing the alliance between Britain and France may result in significant mutual benefits, from unlocking trade and investment to boosting economic growth. (Not that Arnault needs any help with that.) King Charles did his part to bolster the bond by making a poignant toast at the banquet.

Inside the lavish state banquet at the Palace of Versailles.

I would like, if you would allow me, to raise a toast to President and Madame Macron and to the French people, as well as to our entente cordialea sustainable alliance, the royal said. Whatever lies ahead, may it endure, faithful and constant, for centuries to come.

Macrons toast was equally positive.

Despite Brexit and because our ties are so old, I know that we will continue to write together part of our continents history, he added.

Well have to wait and see what the king of luxury has to say.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla are on their first state visit to France, spending three days in Paris and Bordeaux. And no trip to the countrys capital would be complete without stopping at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.

The King and Queen arrived at the Paris cathedral this afternoon alongside President and Madame Macron to see how restoration work is progressing following the devastating April 2019 fire. Construction workers and craftspeople stopped to catch a glimpse of the royals as they met with firefighters who battled the blaze and those involved in rebuilding the historic building. After the royal and presidential couple posed outside the cathedral, they waved to workers lined up on the balcony of the building.

Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images

In his speech the evening before at the Palace of Versailles, Charles had spoken of being utterly appalled by the scenes of devastation when the fire broke out.

Having been utterly appalled by the scenes of such devastation following the catastrophic fire four and a half years ago, my wife and I look forward to visiting that magnificent cathedral tomorrow, to see for ourselves how centuries-old crafts have been revived and passed onto apprentices who are helping to restore Notre Dame to its former glory, the King told state banquet guests. In this regard, we were both, my wife and myself, so deeply sorry to hear of the death of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, one of Frances great soldiers, who led the restoration work there in his inimitable and charismatic way. We pay tribute to all he achieved.

The King also pointed out that U.K. craftsmanship was playing a role in the restoration. As it happens, woodworkers offer an unexpected example of our modern bonds, he said. Marlin Hendry from the hills of Devon, and Mike Dennis, apprenticed in the valleys of South Wales, arelike many talented artisansusing traditional tools to fashion strong and beautiful new beams for the roof of Notre Dame from their workshop in Normandy.

Chris Jackson - Getty Images

The foundation stone for Notre Dame was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163 and it is one of Frances most recognizable monuments. The fire began on the evening of April 15, 2019, starting in the attic and destroying the oak roof beams and supporting lead roof. More than 500 firefighters fought it, saving the rest of the cathedral. President Macron committed to rebuilding it and more than 800 million was pledged for reconstruction and renovation works within 24 hours of a global appeal. The works are on track to be completed by the end of 2024.

Earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited a Paris flower market named after Queen Elizabeth where they met local florists. The market was formally renamed during the Queens state visit in 2014.

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Researchers say sloths aren't lazy, they're just "energy efficient." (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Getty Images)

For more than 30 days, people in a northern Montenegro village have been lying down in the streets. Its part of their annual Laziest Citizen contest that was created 12 years ago to mock the theory that Montenegrins are among the laziest humans on the planet. But maybe emulating the behavior of a sloth isnt as bad as we think. In contrast to our fast-paced, high-stress human lives, there are plenty of animals that lead a much slower existence and still manage to survive and thrive. Today, humans depend on their intelligence and technology for survival, Ron Magill, communications director at Zoo Miami tells Yahoo Life. Animals have much greater instincts and finely tuned senses that they depend on that have become dulled in humans. But you dont have to compete in a Laziest Citizen contest to benefit from what experts say are the potential perks of slowing down. Here are four lessons we can learn from our lazy animal friends.

Participants compete in an annual "laziest citizen" competition in Montenegro. (Milos Vujovic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Lesson #1: Conserve energy like a sloth

The very definition of the word sloth is an unwillingness to work or make any effort. But some say we humans have these slow, shaggy beasts all wrong. They are not lazy, they're energy efficient! Amelia Symeou, ecology coordinator for the Sloth Conservation Foundation tells Yahoo Life. The entire remit of sloth evolution is energy conservation  everything from their noses to the architecture of their muscle fibers have evolved to use as little energy as possible.

Symeou, who conducted a recent study on sloths, says these creatures have the slowest metabolic rate of any land mammal and therefore digest their food at an especially slow pace. Their daily caloric intake is very low, likely less than 400 calories per day, adds Symeou. It takes around 28 days for them to digest one leaf! Also, these large tropical animals are blind during daylight hours, which means their movements must be slow and deliberate to safely navigate the rainforest treetops. And by slow, we mean slow. At top speed, sloths move at about 1.5 miles per hour. Symeou says these calculated activity patterns protect sloths from attracting the attention of predators.

Magill says that by examining these lazy behaviors, humans might learn how to better conserve their own energy and accept that rest is an important part of survival. Rather than interpreting someone who sleeps in as being lazy, it is perhaps better to understand that they are simply recharging so that they can do their awake activities more efficiently and effectively. So the next time you are accused of acting like a sloth, maybe just say thank you.

Lesson #2: Embrace your inner slug and use less resources

Mollusks have a knack for survival because they use less resources. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Getty Images)

New research is challenging Darwin's survival of the fittest theory and instead suggesting a new concept for longevity: survival of the sluggish.

In a study which analyzed 300 species of molluscs including slugs and snails, researchers discovered that the species with lower basal metabolic rates were most likely to survive extinction. We think its because those organisms with lower physiology require less resources, Bruce Lieberman, co-author of the study and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas, tells Yahoo Life. Especially when conditions change, including climate, the overall available resources will typically decline. Those organisms that need less resources will therefore tend to survive. Lieberman says the research team knew physiology was an important element of extinction, but they didnt think it would be so overwhelmingly important.

But before you decide to become a couch potato, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, modern-day humans are quite different from the soft-bodied invertebrates examined in the study. However, when it comes to our consumption habits, Lieberman says the study offers some overarching themes we could learn from. By wasting less food and energy, we as a species will increase the availability and the amount of resources, thereby benefiting our species, Lieberman says. Were not saying dont move around nor are we disputing the benefits of exercise  keep on exercising people! Rather, we argue by analogy that, especially during times of climate change, the odds of surviving in the long term can increase if we use less resources. Considering that humans have already depleted the amount of available resources the Earth has to give us this year, maybe these slugs are on to something. So, go ahead, be a slug! You can tell people youre just saving the human race.

Lesson #3: Make like a bear and take the easy route

Grizzly bears sometimes avoid exertion by using man-made trails in parks. (Muhammed Selim Korkutata/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

If youve ever crossed paths with a bear, there may be a reason for that. Turns out they like to take the easy route  just like we do! A recent study explored the movements of grizzly bears and found that these massive mammals prefer to avoid steep hills and overexertion, which often leads them to the human-built trails found in parks. But this doesnt necessarily mean they are lazy. They are not lazy in the sense that we use that term, Charles Robbins, a professor at the Washington State University Bear Center who oversaw the study, tells Yahoo Life. Their goal in food-limited environments is to be energy efficient, which means to take the lowest-cost path, forage as efficiently as possible and conserve as much energy as possible.

The study also found that bears move at a slower pace than researchers expected. Most animals do move at the most efficient speed to minimize cost per unit time and distance. Just watch humans walking, and youll notice that most of us walk at a relatively narrow range of speeds, explains Robbins. We found that grizzly bears dont move as fast as they should based on that assumption.

Robbins says one of the main reasons bears are just fine taking their time is because these powerful predators dont have to worry about being visibly exposed like prey animals do. When asked if he believes humans also possess this innate urge to avoid exertion, Robbins says, Certainly to some extent. Evolutionarily, there have not been hamburgers, fries, candy bars, chips, available 24 hours a day within a few hundred yards. If you were a human for thousands of years previously, you would want to do the same thing that bears do: conserve energy and consume or store as much food energy as possible during good times. But he says unless you plan on hibernation for at least five months to burn that stored energy, adopting a bears behavior is probably not going to benefit your health or your waistline. In other words, opt for a nap instead.

Lesson #4: Learn from the lions and prioritize rest

Researchers say we can learn more about our sleep habits by looking at the lions. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A typical day in the life of a lion includes about 20 hours of rest. These big cats walk an average of two hours daily and spend about an hour eating. That might sound like theyre being lazy, but Magill says being king of the jungle isnt easy. The hours that they are awake often require tremendous amounts of energy and stamina in order for them to hunt and kill prey that is fast and strong, the animal expert explains. In addition, the battles with other lions over territory can be a matter of life and death that need incredible bursts of speed and strength. At a time when nearly one in five Americans uses medication to help them get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep, Magill says lions might teach us a thing or two. We could learn a lot from the animals on how to prioritize rest to help ensure a more productive overall lifestyle.

Speaking of productivity, Devon Price, author of Laziness Does Not Exist: A Defense of the Exhausted, Exploited, and Overworked, tells Yahoo Life that in order to slow our lives down, we need to dispel the theory that our worth is determined by our productivity  a theory that doesnt exist in the animal world. Animals are not neurotic. They eat when theyre hungry, they sleep when theyre tired. They dont question whether theyve written enough emails to deserve to go use the litter box, right? Price, who is a psychologist and professor at Loyola University Chicagos School of Continuing and Professional Studies, says we dont ask animals to justify their lazy behavior, so why should we put that pressure on ourselves? If we could feel about ourselves and the other people around us, the way we feel about our pets, we would have a much more compassionate society and we wouldnt all be working ourselves to the bone so much.
The region of Liguria is a long, skinny region in the northwest of Italy. Known for its dramatic coastline and verdant Liguria, it is the picture of what everyone envisions Italy to be. Its main city, Genoa, has birthed some of the most famous Italian culinary creations, such as Genoa salami, linguine, and basil pesto. However, the city and region are perhaps best known for making the best of world one of its most famous flatbreads: focaccia.

Characterized by its golden crust, fluffy interior, and crisp, olive oil-drenched exterior, focaccia has served as the country's chief flatbread since the days of the Etruscans of north central Italy, several thousand years ago. The bread is made with a combination of flour, salt, extra virgin olive oil, and a leavening agent, which is traditionally brewer's yeast. This all comes together in an aerated dough, which is pressed down by the baker's fingers and mottled with individual dimples. The bread is then drenched in more olive oil and salt before being baked in a hot oven. The result is a beautifully crispy exterior and a light, fluffy interior.

This type of focaccia, known as focaccia Genovevse or fugassa, is the kind everyone knows and loves. However, Liguria itself is home to several different types of focaccia, each with a different preparation. These breads have formed the core of the region's cuisine, and have each contributed to the high standard placed on focaccia from the region.

Read more: 20 Italian Dishes You Need To Try At Least Once

The Origins Of Ligurian Focaccia

Focaccia di Recco - Framarzo/Shutterstock

Foccacia is believed by many historians to have emerged in Italy sometime during the Etruscan period before the establishment of the Roman Empire. It is likely that the original focaccia was unleavened, directly connecting it to Liguria's oldest focaccia, the Focaccia di Recco. Unleavened means that there is no yeast in the bread, thereby making it flat. Instead, Focaccia di Recco consists of the base ingredient dough of flour, water, and olive oil formed into two very large rings of dough that have been stretched thin. Between the rings are sandwiched dollops of fresh cheese. The two rings are sealed together, doused with olive oil, and baked in the oven until bubbling and crispy.

The first written record of Focaccia di Recco dates back to the 12th century. Local legends, however, speak of ancient Saracen pirates hiding out in the Ligurian hills and making the first Focaccia di Recco with ingredients they could scrounge from the land. As focaccia would eventually evolve into the staple flatbread of dockworkers and fishermen alike, it tracks that its beginnings would be with seafaring pirates. It's also likely the recipe traveled up from neighboring Tuscany, where the Etruscans originally settled.

In 2012, Italy recognized Focaccia di Recco with an IGP or Indicazione Geografica Protteta. This means that the bread has a specific quality and can only be produced in the region. The ancient recipe is thereby protected by government decree, furthering Liguria's position as Italy's top focaccia maker.

Other Ligurian Focaccia & Regional Differences

Focaccia varieties - Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock

As there are hundreds of shapes of pasta in one area, so too in Liguria are there different types of focaccia. Though the fugassa is the one that ended up being the most well-known there are a few other region specific specialties that are worth noting for their significance. One of them is the Focaccia di Voltri, which is disk-shaped and made with flour, water, salt, extra virgin olive oil, and brewers yeast. It doesn't rise as much as fugassa, but it does have the same crispy exterior thanks to the olive oil and polenta meal it's coated in.

Other important focaccia from the region include the farinata, which is water, salt, and chickpea flour baked in a sheet. Sardenaria focaccia originates from the town of Sanremo and is made either with anchovies or sardines, both of which proliferate the Ligurian coast.

It is the variety of Ligurian focaccia that makes the region stand out from the other focaccia commonly found across Italy. In Veneto, for example, focaccia is a sweet bread made with butter and sugar instead of olive oil and salt. Focaccia barese, a standard in southern Italy, is made using durum wheat and is traditionally flavored with rosemary, salt, tomatoes, and olives. Tuscan focaccia is heavily dimpled and also comes flavored with lots of herbs and spices. It is, however, the closest relation to fugassa.

Why Ligurian Focaccia Is The Best

Basket of focaccia genovese - BalkansCat/Shutterstock

By far the most famous of all Ligurian focaccia, focaccia Genovese is considered by many to be the absolute best. Generations of Ligurian fishermen and dockworkers would agree. One of the likely reasons this particular focaccia is so well known is because of Genoa's status as an Italian port. The dockworkers there ate this focaccia practically every day. It was their fuel. As Genoa's reputation as a port grew and it became more busy and exported more goods, the methods for which they made focaccia likely followed. We know this because the way focaccia Genovese is made continues to influence how focaccia is made throughout Italy and the world.

What distinguishes fugassa from the rest of Italian focaccia is just how crispy it is. Just before the final rise, a salt brine is poured over the bread. When the bread enters the oven, the water of the brine steams while the salt crystalizes on the top of the bread. Along with the drenching of extra virgin olive oil, the fugesse becomes extra golden and crispy.

It could also be the variety and the legendary status of focaccia throughout Liguria that gives the region such a reputation. There is no denying, however, that if one wants the best focaccia, the place to go is Liguria. Whether it is the salty and crisp fugassa, the thin and cheesy Focaccia di Recco, or the anchovy covered Sardenaria, there is a focaccia for every taste in Liguria.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Wilderness Usawa Serengeti just opened in Tanzania, and T+L contributor and hotel expert Jackie Caradonio was the first to review it.

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

It was what the guides in Serengeti National Park call a small crossing  slight in both the number of animals involved (no more than 100) and the number of humans who witnessed it (just a handful). But it was hardly minor to me.

The zebras were casual  too casual, I suspected  as they trotted across the Mara River. Murky brown water swallowed up their legs and haunches, yet they remained unhurried. All was peaceful.

Then the crocodiles came. At first one, then two  then six  and within seconds, they had taken hold of an adolescent. The water splashed and bubbled, the young equine scuttled, the crocodiles worked in unsettling concert. Suddenly, the zebra broke away, bucking its hind legs in one last Hail Mary attempt at escape. But it was too late. At the first sight of red, I put my binoculars down and trained my focus on the distant savannah.

Noticing the tears welling up in my eyes, Chrisple Sikawa, my guide from Usawa mobile camp, offered the salve of logic. This is the circle of life, he said. You wouldnt want the crocodiles to go hungry, would you?

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

Heartbroken as I was, I knew he was right. I also knew that such dramatic sightings are precisely the reason one comes to Tanzanias most famous safari destination: to see the wilderness at its most brazen and brutish, as real as it has ever been or ever will be.

Thats the promise of the great migration, the mass journey of roughly 2 million wildebeests and zebras, and the headlining act of almost any Serengeti safari. The event is constant and year-round, spanning 500 miles from the southern Serengeti to Kenyas Masai Mara, just north of the Tanzania border, making it a moving target for the nearly 500,000 tourists who come to the national park every year.

That transient nature is what enticed Keith Vincent, co-founder and CEO of the hospitality company Wilderness, to create Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, a roving camp that opened on its first of nine eventual sites across the Serengeti on July 26. In the old days of guiding, you had a vehicle and a tent, and you moved wherever the wilderness went and set up camp along the way, Vincent says. With Usawa, I wanted to give that freedom back to our guests.







Wilderness Usawa Serengeti

 A luxury mobile camp, Usawa travels across the Serengeti National Park, popping up seasonally in nine locations across the national park, all set along the path of the great migration.



 The camps six en-suite tents are designed to have minimal impact on the environment, with off-grid power and water systems, and an innovative design that requires only manpower to build and disassemble.



 The main attraction of any stay at Usawa are the daily game drives and safari walks, during which guests can glimpse the great migration, big five animals, and other wildlife.



 Usawas custom-designed tents are decorated with art, furniture, and crafts made exclusively by Tanzanian artisans.



 The camps all-inclusive rates include three meals a day, all game drives and safari walks, and on-the-ground support from the moment your journey starts.















To do so, Vincent first had to strip down the luxury safari camp experience regularly found at other Wilderness camps. There are no plunge pools or spa treatments at Usawa, but rather a wide-open expanse on the crest of a remote hill, where six guest tents and a larger main tent are wrapped 360 degrees in mesh and canvas, giving a sense of near-total exposure to the elements. The entire operation is off-grid, with lighting supplied by rechargeable lanterns and solar-powered lamps (romantic or vexing, depending on your task) and showers fed by buckets of manually heated water that funnel into taps by simple gravity (and, boy, do they feel amazing).

Still, nothing comes close to roughing it. King-size beds are dressed in crisp white linens, bathrooms are stocked with Inaya Zanzibars all-natural products, and decor is a curated assemblage of local design and ingenuity. The greatest luxury of all, however, is Usawas connection to nature: the cool breezes that drift through your tent, the sound of raindrops and elephants trumpeting as you drift to sleep, the first sliver of early morning sun as it stretches across the horizon to gently wake you.

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

But the real fun of it, Vincent insists, is the chase. Thus, Usawa moves with the great migration  from the souths calving season, during which hundreds of wildebeests are born every day, to the mass crossings that take place on the Mara River  with Wilderness operating up to three identical camps at any one time, while a fourth transitions to the next site. Guests can easily follow the action, hopscotching from camp to camp. Once the herd moves on, Wilderness packs up and makes for the next location, leaving no trace behind.

Over five days at one of the camps northern locations, I found that, however great the migration itself is, it was only a small part of any experience in the Serengeti, which is home to one of the most wildlife-rich expanses in Africa. Spanning more than 5,500 square miles, it is the quintessential picture of sub-Saharan wilderness, home to an abundance of big cats, as well as the rest of the Big Five animals (including a growing population of rhinos), plus giraffes, elephants, hyenas, and more than 500 bird species.

But, in the end, it was the great migration that once again beckoned. Though the heartache of our earlier sighting was still fresh in my mind, I agreed to let Sikawa show me what he called the magic of a big crossing. And so, we set out for the Mara, tracing its banks until a massive swirl of dust caught our attention  a scuffle of hooves pounding the dirt, Sikawa explained.

We arrived at its source minutes later, just as the first wildebeests were crossing, grunting and bucking all the while, literally running for their lives. One by one, as they made their safe passage across the river, they surrounded our vehicle, their mews nothing short of celebratory to my ears. The crossing carried on for close to an hour, and when the dust finally settled, not a single casualty had occurred. Then, a calf, clearly exhausted, dropped onto its knees to nurse from its mothers teat. I felt the tears welling up once again, and this time they poured out like rain. It had been quite the journey  for all of us.



The Rooms

Designed by Luxury Frontiers (whose other hospitality projects include Camp Sarika by Amangiri in Utah and Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico), Usawas six en-suite tents are made from overlapping swatches of canvas and mesh to eliminate the barrier between the indoors and the great outdoors.

Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Still, every creature comfort has been accounted for. King-size beds are dressed in luxury linens; minibars are stocked with fresh coffee, tea, and snacks; and toiletries are from all-natural skincare brand Inaya Zanzibar. Interiors throughout the camp showcase Tanzanias artisans and designers: handwoven baskets, blankets, and pillows are sourced from a local collective that empowers women to achieve financial independence. Glassware, beaded chandeliers, and leather details come from Sanaa, a non-profit that teaches lucrative crafts to those with disabilities. And tables and chairs made from upcycled plastic are the ingenious creation of Arusha-based DuniaDesigns.

Outside, my husband and I lounged on our hammock (often with a bottle of South African rose) or watched the surrounding hills through binoculars from a pair of canvas chairs. We regularly witnessed game driveworthy sightings right outside our tent, from a family of elephants crossing the hills to the hundreds of zebras and wildebeest that wandered right through camp.

Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

Food and Drink

Usawa is all-inclusive, including spirits and a wide selection of wines from the African continent. The culinary team takes full advantage of Tanzanias robust farming culture, serving both international and traditional Swahili dishes. Okra takes on heavenly forms in spicy curry, South African syrah sings with fragrant Zanzibari-spiced pilau rice, and creamy mtori soup, made with fresh plantains, is equal parts sweet and savory  and utterly irresistible.

All mealtimes and menus are customized for guests as they plan each day with their guide. Pre-safari breakfasts are lavish spreads of porridge, fruit, pastries, and made-to-order eggs. Lunch is served overlooking the savannah at the edge of camp, or as a picnic on game drives. Dinners are multi-course affairs served under the starry night sky or in the main tent.

Experiences and Amenities

Activities are centered on the magnificent theater that is the great wilderness of the Serengeti. As Usawa travels among nine locations throughout the national park, guests are afforded the chance to witness the great migration up-close in its many phases. From January to March, the southern Serengeti bears witness to the birth of thousands of wildebeests (an estimated 800 calves are born each day). Come July, the herds move north and river crossings are the main event.

Jackie Caradonio/Travel + Leisure

Game drives and bush walks are offered daily. One morning we set out straight from camp on foot, skirting a family of elephants as they broke down an entire acacia tree for an afternoon feast, then catching sight of a cheetah sprinting across the hillside 100 yards away. On a drive the next day, we encountered a mother cheetah and her cubs, the white of their bellies fat and round, the scruff of their chins blood-stainedand vultures circling overhead in pursuit of the remains of their kill. We waited patiently outside a cluster of bushes for a leopard to at last poke out its spotted head; watched a thick-maned lion perch proudly atop a boulder, keeping a watchful eye over a valley filled with prey; and counted the many crocodiles ominously patrolling the banks of the river.

Family-friendly Offerings

Usawa welcomes children from six years old. Buy-outs are available for families with members of all ages. All safari activities can be customized to accommodate different ages and abilities.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Wildernesss greatest ambition in creating Usawa was to create a safari camp that would minimally impact the Earth. Power is provided by solar panels and portable batteries that are recharged at a main power bank. Tents are constructed only by employees, ensuring the least possible disturbance to the native wildlife and enabling the camp to be easily and quickly moved from location to location. Well leave no trace, Vincent says. One storm, and the grassland will look like weve never been there.

To preserve the land, Usawa has forgone constructing sewage systems, employing a series of innovations to stay more eco-friendly. Toilets operate on portable septic systems, with waste routinely removed from the park or used to fertilize the grounds when possible. Filtered cold and hot water are supplied to guests throughout the day. Showers are especially clever in their operation, supplied by heated water that is manually fed into overhead buckets then funneled into taps. Simply pull the chain for a steamy cascade.

Usawa is not ADA compliant, which is typical for safari camps like this one.

Location

To arrive at Serengeti National Park, travelers can fly via Hamad International Airport in Doha to Kilimanjaro International Airport, then connect from Arusha Airport to one of Serengeti National Parks airstrip. Wilderness plans all itineraries end-to-end with VIP travel perks, including Al Maha service when flying with Qatar Airways. In Arusha, we stayed at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, a Travel + Leisure Worlds Best Awards 2020 winner set on a coffee farm.

Usawas nine locations stretch from the southern Serengeti National Park to Tanzanias northern border with Kenya. Up to three camps will operate simultaneously to allow guests to follow the great migration as closely as possible. Wilderness arranges guest stays based on predictions of the great migration path.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Safaris are admittedly costly, but Wildernesss all-inclusive pricing includes everything: accommodations, unlimited meals and beverages, all activities, and transfers within Serengeti National Park. Wilderness also partners with airlines such as Qatar Airways to offer discounted flights for safari goers. Nightly rates at Usawa start at $950 per person, with a minimum two-night stay.









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Grant Gillon has officially been named the winner of FOX's "MasterChef: United Tastes of America," beating out 20 other contestants for the ultimate title. Every competitor on the series was repping their own region and Gillon told us in an exclusive interview that he felt really proud to bring home the trophy to Iowa.

"To come out on top, it's surreal, to say the absolute least," he admitted. "I am really proud of how I held myself together. I had a little blip right away in my appetizer, but fought right back and finished out really strong with my entree and dessert."

In the finale, Gillon impressed culinary icons Gordon Ramsay , Aaron Sanchez, and Joe Bastianich, with his mix of Midwestern and Italian fare that featured an appetizer of creamy raviolo al uovo, an entree of perfectly cooked pork medallions and fennel, and a decadent dessert of coffee and beer-infused torn stout cake. He explained that his unique food fusion comes from growing up in Iowa and watching his grandmother from Sicily, Italy, in the kitchen.

"Any time we went over there for Sunday dinner, the things that she would make were very Italian and things that I hadn't quite heard of or had the opportunity to try before," Gillon said. "I'm fortunate to be able to have drawn from that many years later in this competition."

Read more: This Is How You're Ruining Your Beer

Putting Midwestern Cuisine On The Map And What's Next

Grant Gillon cooking in MasterChef challenge - FOX Entertainment

Gillon said he was thankful to show that Midwest cuisine is more than just meat and potatoes and hopefully convince viewers it's not just a flyover state. "I really hope that it shows that the Midwest has, not only myself, but my entire Midwest team was so strong this year," he explained. "We've got a lot of great cooks, both amateur and professional. Give us a wave, but maybe land next time you're flying over too."

The beer salesman was also determined this season to show that beer belongs in fine dining and he seems to have proven that with "MasterChef" judge Aaron Sanchez. After tasting Gillon's entree in the finale, Sanchez admitted he'd put his own version of the alcohol-infused fennel on his menu. "I've shown that there are flavor profiles within different kinds of beer that absolutely fit in with fine-dining and high-end restaurants," Gillon said. "I hope that sheds a little light there and that maybe it catches on a little bit more. We see a lot of spirits, and we see a lot of wine. Beer can make its way into the restaurant world, as well.

As for what the future holds after winning this prestigious title? The series champ revealed he's already working to get his own eatery up and running. "My goal from the beginning of this has been to open my own farm-to-table restaurant in my hometown of Altoona, and that is still my current plan," he said. "My goal right now is to be able to put my mark on my hometown and have something that the whole town can enjoy."

"MasterChef: United Tastes of America" episodes are available to stream on the FOX app and Hulu.

Read the original article on Mashed.
BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved good results to date in securing grain harvests despite the impact of multiple adverse factors, according to recent government data, with the country on course for a bumper harvest for the year as a whole.

Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said in a recent press conference that the country's early rice output has increased this year with the help of various efforts, laying a good foundation for the annual grain harvest.

China's total grain output consists of three parts -- early rice, summer grain and autumn production. Figures released in July show the total summer grain output at 146.13 million tonnes this year, marking another robust summer grain harvest.

Autumn grain production, the lion's share of the annual grain output, is generally stable, which Fu said is conducive to a stable or higher level grain output throughout the year.

However, the grain harvest has not come easily this year as China had experienced adverse weather events. Typhoon-induced heavy floods swept across large swathes of the country, resulting in significant damage to vital crops.

Multi-pronged measures have been taken to ensure the food harvest, including increasing various funds and strengthening personnel and technical support.

The central government has allocated more than 9.68 billion yuan (about 1.35 billion U.S. dollars) in various flood prevention and relief funds for disaster-stricken areas since the beginning of this year's flood season.

Specifically, the Finance Ministry has allocated 2.4 billion yuan in subsidies for fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural sprays to improve the yields of autumn grains such as corn and soybeans, while strengthening their resistance to detrimental environmental factors.

Another 200 million yuan of disaster relief funds has been earmarked for the use of agricultural machinery to conduct harvests and dry the soggy grain in central China's Henan Province, which had experienced prolonged periods of rainy weather that would affect the wheat harvest.

Since the beginning of August, the city of Wuchang, known as the main production area of high-quality rice in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, has been seriously affected by floods.

Groups of sci-tech workers in agriculture were organized by local governments and provincial science institutions to guide farmers in affected areas to save crops and reduce losses using scientific methods.

In Baimazhuang Village in the city of Zhuozhou, one of the areas in northern Hebei Province hit by floods last month, all 690 mu (46 hectares) of arable land in the village was flooded, according to Yang Hong, Party secretary of Baimazhuang Village.

However, thanks to government aid, 300 mu of farmland in the village once again met the conditions needed to resume cultivation, and replanting was able to start, Yang added.

China aims to stabilize its annual grain output at over 650 billion kg, according to the country's 2023 government work report. 
It's not often someone becomes a knight in the 21st century, especially a beer knight.

But Milwaukee restaurateur and chief operating officer of the European-inspired Lowlands restaurant group Ileana Rivera did just that on Sept. 2 in Brussels, Belgium.

In a ceremony at the historic Brewers House at La Grand-Place, Rivera was inducted into the Knighthood of the Brewers Paddle as an honorary knight in recognition of her efforts to spread authentic Belgian bier culture in Wisconsin at Lowlands' restaurants. Like all Belgian Brewers Guild knights, Rivera was also recognized for her role as a "true Belgian bier ambassador."

Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican descent, was the only American-born restaurateur honored this year, as well as the first Wisconsin woman and first Latina to be knighted by the organization, which dates back centuries. Rivera is the second honorary knight at Lowlands, following in the footsteps of the restaurant group's chief executive officer Eric Wagner, who was knighted in 2012.

"This is quite the honor for Ileana, and everyone at Lowlands Group could not be more excited," Wagner said in a statement. "She earned this over 15 years of working directly with our brewing partners, importers and distributors and introducing not just Lowlanders to the worlds greatest biers but also thousands upon thousands of customers and other bier enthusiasts and aficionados."

For the past 15 years, Rivera has led the development of the beer and beverage program at Lowlands. According to a release by Lowlands, Rivera has helped the restaurant group establish "one of the largest Belgian bier programs by scale and sales in the country."

Before moving through the ranks and becoming beverage manager at Cafe Hollander on Downer and later Lowlands COO in January 2020, Rivera began her career with Lowlands as a bartender at Centraal Grand Cafe and Tappery. There, she said she "immediately fell in love" with the taste of Belgian beer.

"It was like way different!" she recalled. "Growing up in Wisconsin, we're used to Pilsners and lagers; there's nothing wrong with that, but I found with Belgian biers, there's just more to it."

Lowlands Group COO Ileana Rivera smiles with a beer at her knighting ceremony in Belgium on Sept. 2, 2023.

How does Lowlands Group celebrate Belgian bier culture?

Alongside Wagner, Rivera has worked with world-renowned Belgian brewers  including a sixth-generation brewing family  to create new beers only available at Lowlands restaurants. Rivera said her team works to emphasize and educate others on the stories and tradition behind each beer.

Over her career, Rivera estimates she's traveled to Belgium at least eight times, where she's met with Belgian brewery owners and collaborated on beers.

"I've been able to go there, and there I am networking with all of these brewery owners, tasting all their biers, figuring out how we can carry their biers and (telling them) that I'm going to take care of their biers," she said. "I'm going to continue their stories. I'm going to make sure it's getting carried in the right glasses, and, hopefully, teaching our staff and our guests the importance of Belgian bier culture."

She said, thankfully, it hasn't been too hard to get Wisconsinites on board with Belgian beer.

"We love beer in general here," she said. "So, it wasn't like it was this hard thing for me to kind of capture an audience. ... There's such a variety that there's a bier for everyone."

Ileana Rivera participates in a knighting ceremony in Belgium on Sept. 2, 2023. Rivera, COO of the Lowlands Group, was honored by the Belgian Brewers Guild as a Knight of the Brewers' Paddle.

How does Belgian Brewers Guild knighthood work?

Rivera's knighthood ceremony was part of the Belgian Brewers Guild's 23rd annual Belgian Beer Weekend, a three-day festival in Brussels that honors St. Arnould, the 11th-century patron saint of brewers.

Instead of the typical sword, new Knights of the Brewers' Paddle are "tapped on each shoulder with a mash paddle, an integral tool of the brewing process."

As the direct descendant of the secular Guild of Brewers, the Knighthood of the Brewers Paddle and the Belgian Brewers Guild have roots dating back to the 13th century.

According to a news release from Lowlands, the guild is one of the oldest professional organizations in the world and is "dedicated to preserving and honoring the traditions and nobility of the brewers trade and those who have rendered loyal services to the brewing profession."

Rivera said it was an honor to be inducted into such a storied organization alongside 17 people "from all walks of life" who are each doing "special things to show why beer is important."

"This year means so much to me because we've also just started rebuilding (due to the pandemic) ... which means emphasizing, reteaching and reinvigorating what we represent, which has such a strong emphasis on Belgian bier," she said.

Additionally, with September marking Rivera's 15th anniversary with Lowlands, she said being knighted represents an extra special "double blessing."

At the end of the day, she said, the success she, Wagner and the rest of the Lowlands team have had with Belgian bier comes down to their authentic relationships with Belgian brewers.

"Eric has taught me about building relationships, and that's the most important thing if you really want to ensure that you're selling properly, is to get involved with them," Rivera said. "(The brewers) aren't just partners; they're our friends."

RELATED: From Miller to Lakefront, here are 5 brewery tours to check out in Milwaukee

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee woman named Wisconsin's first-ever female beer knight
House Beautiful editors are lucky to see beautiful new home goods every day. For our 2023 Shopping Issue, we highlighted seven of the most exquisite new pieces of furniture, tableware, bedding, and decorative objects we've come across lately to collect and gift. Like the best home stores across the country, they bring something unique and personal to your decor. Whether they're made of wood, porcelain, or recycled textiles, these extraordinary, artisan-made treasures don't just fill the homethey feed the soul.

Chaunte Vaughn

KNOCKDOWN CHAIR

Jeremy Kamiya, Kamiya Furniture, High Point, NC

"I wanted to do something that is hard to reproduce and would set me apart," says Jeremy Kamiya, founder of Kamiya Furniture. He takes what he calls "an honest approach" to woodworking: no nails, no screws, no stains. Finding inspiration in the 1,300-year-old five storied pagoda at the Horyuji temple in Japan, which withstands earthquakes in part because it's made with fitted joints in lieu of nails, Kamiya approaches his designs as if he were playing with Lego bricksfitting the pieces together seamlessly. He creates simple silhouettes with precision-fit joinery techniques, polished brass wedges, or wood pins, noting, "Function will inform the design, but form has final say."

Shop Kamiya Furniture







Chaunte Vaughn

ALPAGE SMALL OVAL, MALLORCA OVAL, AND SOPHIA OVAL TRAYS

Stephanie Dawn Matthias, Los Angeles, CA

After studying ceramics in college, Stephanie Dawn Matthias worked as a private chef and a doula. But she reexamined her life during the pandemic and went back to the studio in 2022. "I wanted to return to creativity," she says. Today, her durable, high-fire, small-batch porcelain pieces embody vintage vignettes of the European countryside, which she recalls from time spent in the South of France and Tuscany, and childhood summers in the Austrian Alps. Each finished piece, she says, "is a blend of the past and now."

Shop Stephanie Dawn Matthias Ceramics









Chaunte Vaughn

JANUS LAMP AND RHODES LAMP

Danny Kaplan, Danny Kaplan Studio, Brooklyn, NY

"It became this meditative thing for me," says Danny Kaplan, explaining what it felt like to learn wheelthrowing at his local pottery studio. "I would lose myself for hours." Trained as a painter at the New School Parsons School of Design, Kaplan started his own ceramics studio in 2017, crafting furniture, vessels, and lighting. His hand-built and wheel-thrown sculptural piecesoften assembled on top of each otherembody a modernist aesthetic borne out of ancient shapes. "It's all about pushing the material and reinterpreting classical forms," Kaplan says. "They begin with symmetry, but often evolve to have more looseness in the final result."

Shop Danny Kaplan Studio







POPSICLE AND COLUMN BRUSHES, WALNUT SPOONS, WHISK BROOM, PINSTRIPE SPOONS

Aspen Golann, Berwick, ME

"I enjoy watching my new life degrade these clothes," says Aspen Golann, carving wood wearing a ragged pencil skirt and blouse that met the dress code of her old job as a private school teacher. She stumbled onto a new career by following some people carrying wood into what turned out to be a school for trades, including furniture making. Golann enrolled six months later. Today, she crafts functional objects with the look of modern sculpture entirely by hand. No electricity. No noise. "The silence is a bit of why I do this," she says. "There aren't a lot of jobs that allow you to spend that kind of time in your own head."

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Chaunte Vaughn

RUE DE L'EGLISE QUILT

Marilyn Armand, Le Point Visible, Bedford, Quebec

Seven years ago, when Marilyn Armand moved to Quebec, she learned heritage quilting from a local women's group. This led her to realize that, as she says, "I want to make quilting alive again, to explore it as a piece of art." She launched Le Point Visible, repurposing textiles to create modern, vibrant quiltswhich can take 50 hours each to completein patterns inspired by nature and architecture. "I don't waste anything; smaller scraps can be used as table runners or cushions," says Armand, who works with upcycled 15-to-120-foot rolls of new fabric that companies usually toss. "I love what I do. It's been five years and there hasn't been a day that I didn't want to quilt."

Shop Le Point Visible







Chaunte Vaughn

NOCON BOWLS AND NOCON MIRROR UNTITLED NO. 16

Jennifer Nocon, Los Angeles, CA

"I take inspiration from recurring patterns in nature, the way things like spirals, feathers, vines, leaves, and water crystals organize themselves in order to grow," says ceramist Jennifer Nocon. Whether she's creating the serpentine detail of a lamp base or the hypnotizing swirls of a bowl, for Nocon, the process is everything. "It starts when the form of the ceramic piece is finished but not yet dry," she says. "Then I apply an underglaze and draw through it with a carving tool to reveal the color of the clay body underneath. I never know how a piece will look until it's finished."

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Chaunte Vaughn

HOSFELT TABLE

Luis Pena, PenaMade, San Francisco, CA

Furniture maker Luis Pena was introduced to woodworking watching his dad tinker in the garage. "He built a bookcase for me, and it really stuck that you can make your own things," he recalls. "It gave me confidence." Fast-forward 30 years and Pena is now a dad himself. A bookshelf he made for his daughter is part of his collection of more than a dozen pieces distinguished by their intricate yet playful geometry. "Woodworking is an accumulation of my entire creative historyfrom graphic design to commercial film director," Pena says. "It tells a story, it evokes emotion."

Shop PenaMade

These extraordinary, artist-made treasures dont just fill the homethey feed the soul.

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Statement necklaces just got the royal seal of approval.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Yesterday, King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla , made their very first state visit to France since Charles ascended to the throne. To mark the momentous occasion, Camilla paid homage to the country's rich history in the world of fashion by wearing a dramatic Dior couture gown that came with a matching cape  but even a piece of one-of-a-kind French fashion couldn't outshine her necklace.

In what could have been seen as an homage to the fictional Heart of the Ocean from the 1997 film, Titanic, Camilla wore her beloved diamond-and-sapphire necklace, which a British jewelry expert from Steven Stone explains has become one of her favorite pieces. Of course, being that it may just be the reigning queen of statement necklaces, the history and heritage also come with a hefty price tag.

"Its heart-warming to see that Queen Camilla wore Queen Elizabeth IIs King George VI Victoria Suite for the state dinner at the Palace of Versailles as a sweet nod to Queen Elizabeth II. Gifted to the late monarch by her father on her wedding day in 1947, the suite was undoubtedly among her most meaningful jewels," Maxwell Stone, Steven Stone's resident jewelry expert, said via email. "The King George VI Victoria Suite consists of a sapphire and diamond cluster line necklace, a pair of sapphire earrings, and a bracelet  though the bracelet wasnt originally part of the set and was actually commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II sometime during the 60s. I'd estimate the suite to be worth a staggering 5 million (about $6.2 million)."

Camilla's gown featured a V neckline to show off the necklace, and the dress had bracelet-length sleeves so that her shimmering accessories could catch the light, as well. She finished the look with a dark clutch.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Related: Camilla, Queen Consort, Is Reportedly "Astounded" by Prince Harry's Memoir Accusations

"The incredible sapphire and diamond cluster line necklace originally featured 18 sapphires, sat on a gradient, ranging from 8-to-30 carats, before it was redesigned in 1952. The huge sapphires are surrounded by a halo of diamonds, and linked together by additional single-stone diamonds, which are between 0.8 and 1.5 carats. The sapphire earrings look to be 15 carats," Stone continued. "This isn't the first time that Queen Camilla has worn the suite and she famously wore it to King Charles' first state banquet  an evening which also marked the first official state visit hosted by the U.K. since he became monarch."



The king and queen's first state visit to France includes stops in Paris, Versailles, and Bordeaux and wraps up this Friday. Originally, the visit had been on the calendar for March of this year, but it had to be postponed due to strikes and protests across France.



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The Ride Snowboards crew certainly is a hard crew to beat. All genuine homies, their must see film 'Rated R' is premiering this Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah at Venue 6SIX9. The movie features athletes Savannah Shinske, Jed Anderson, Spencer Schubert, Jacob Krugmire, Dan Liedahl, Jill Perkins, Cole Navin, and Reid Smith. It was produced by Torment Media, and directed by Jake Durham, with art direction from Cole Navin. Peep the trailer below.

If you have to miss the Salt Lake City premier, do not worry - because this film is going on TOUR. You will be able to catch the Ride crew in Denver, Minneapolis, and many more.

Ride Snowboards is a renowned brand in the snowboarding industry, known for its innovative designs and high-quality gear. Established in 1992, Ride has continuously pushed the boundaries of snowboard technology, offering riders cutting-edge boards, bindings, and apparel. Their commitment to performance and style makes them a favorite among snowboard enthusiasts worldwide.

We are always on the lookout for amusing, interesting, and engaging snow-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you are a professional rider 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 SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality snowboarding videos.

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Nestled amidst the vibrant tapestry of Mexico City is REVUELTA Queer House, a space of empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community. Mexican visionaries Dimitri Voulgaris and Fernando Signoret founded REVUELTA Queer House. At the forefront of REVUELTA Queer House is Kile J Atwater. They are a passionate advocate for acceptance and diversity.

Having spent a year in Mexico City after traveling between New York, Houston, and Mexico for artistic and personal pursuits, Kile J settled in Mexico City. Their journey underscores the intersection of privilege and responsibility. While acknowledging their privilege, Kile J is steadfast in their commitment to championing justice and equity, a mission transcending borders.

Travel Noire sat down with Kile J to discuss their role as Manager of Cultural Programming at REVUELTA Queer House.

Photographer: Lexi Webster

TN: How did you first learn about REVUELTA?

Kile J: The name was introduced to me during the opening reception of the space. REVUELTA translates to revolt. Queer people worldwide have rebelled against hetero-patriarchy, white supremacy, and racism long before it was a trend. REVUELTA Queer House is a physical reminder that we belong and are not going anywhere.

TN: What inspired you to join REVUELTA?

Kile J: I was in a coffee shop discussing with close friends how I wished there was a space for queer people in the city. I desired a physical space where there wasnt such an atmosphere around partying or cruising  an alternative where the queer community could converse honestly.

In New York, I was the Head of Brand Partnerships for Ethels Club, a community space built around the wellness of Black, Brown, AAPI and queer communities. I had missed the feeling of organizing safe spaces and programs where diverse people could meet each other through cultural experiences.

TN: How do you plan to foster community and inclusivity through your curated events?

Kile J: I am consulting with community leaders, artists, activists and curators in Mexico City. I aim to ensure my events are intentional and encapsulate the queer experience thoughtfully and equitably. I want to encourage cultural exchanges. For example, curating programs that celebrate the Black and Afro-queer communities and the Asian queer communities to promote global solidarity within the context of queerness and the experiences of historically marginalized people.

TN: What events have you curated so far? What events are in the pipeline?

Kile J: My mission for the space has been to create cultural events that people may have yet to see. For example, we curated an event to serve as a social night for the lesbian community.

Thai queer culture is often not celebrated in Mexico City. We created a Thai Brunch event in collaboration with a Queer Thai, Che Eric Phanngavong.

I am also organizing with the Afro-Mexican Community to give opportunities to center the space around themes of anti-racism and inclusivity. [It] is a meaningful conversation that needs to be had in Mexico City.

I am organizing with many queer Mexican artists to make sure they always feel seen and represented in the space. The Mexican LGBTQ+ community is the foundation of this space and highly deserving of recognition and celebration in this community.

TN: What can people expect when they visit REVUELTA?

Kile J: When people come to REVUELTA, they should expect to see members of the queer community in various expressions of gender and identity feeling comfortable in their skin, lounging in a peaceful environment. Suppose they are not a part of the queer community. In that case, they should be allies to the space and completely open to exploring and supporting an environment that celebrates queerness in Mexico City upon entering.

TN: Anything else you would like to share?

Kile J: I am humbled to have this opportunity in Mexico City. I do not take it for granted. Because of what I experienced as a Black queer person, I feel honored to create spaces globally where queer folks can feel safe and seen.

This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
During a ceremony and press conference Wednesday in New York, seven drawings by the Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele were returned to the heirs of their former owner, Fritz Grunbaum, whose art collection was stolen by the Nazis during World War II.

The early 20th century works were all voluntarily surrendered by the institutions and collectors that held them after Manhattan District Attorneys Offices Trafficking Antiquities unit presented evidence that they had been stolen, District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. said in a statement.

Fritz Grunbaum was a Jewish Austrian cabaret performer whose work defined cultural life in 1930s Vienna, according to the Holocaust research project Music and the Holocaust. His routines, which often openly derided Nazism and Hitler, were eventually banned, and Nazis arrested Grunbaum in 1938. His wife, Elisabeth, was later forced to turn over her husbands art collection  which Bragg said Wednesday included hundreds of pieces  to the Nazis.

Grunbaum was imprisoned at Dachau, a concentration camp in southern Germany, where he died in January 1941. Elisabeth died at a concentration camp in Minsk, Belarus, the following year, said Timothy Reif, one of Grunbaums heirs, at Wednesdays ceremony.

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 in a statement. We still have so much to learn from Fritz Grunbaum and these seven pieces that he found to be so beautiful.

The 81 pieces Grunbaum collected from Schiele, who completed much of his work in the few years before his death in 1918 at just 28, were primarily self-portraits or drawings of Schieles wife, Edith. Grunbaums collection included I Love Antithesis, a colorful watercolor painting of the artist, and Girl Putting on Shoe, which was previously held by MoMA.

Schieles drawings were deemed degenerate by the Nazi party  a term they used to describe works of modern art theyd decided could endanger public security and order, per the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Nazi officials looted countless pieces of degenerate artwork from museums, galleries and private owners during World War II, in part to help fund the party; many have since ended up being displayed in prestigious galleries and museums around the world.

Advocates have for decades attempted to identify the owners from whom the artworks were stolen. In the case of Grunbaums Schiele collection, the works changed hands repeatedly after they were seized and sold by the Nazis, ending up for sale at one point by a Swiss auction house and later in the collection of a New York-based gallerist in the mid-1950s, who sold them again, Bragg said. Before they were returned to Grunbaums heirs, the works were last held by MoMA, the Morgan Library, the Ronald Lauder Collection and the Vally Sabarsky Trust in New York, as well as the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in California.

Earlier this week, additional Schiele pieces were seized from three US museums amid other efforts to reunite Grunbaums collection, though they currently remain at the museums pending further investigation.

At least six of the returned Schiele works will be sold at auction to fund the Grunbaum Fischer Foundation, a scholarship program for young musicians, said Reif, whose paternal grandfather was Grunbaums first cousin, in an interview with the New York Times.

Your recovery of these artworks reminds us once again that historys largest mass murder has too long concealed historys greatest robbery, Reif said at Wednesdays ceremony. Remembering (the Grunbaums) lives defeats Hitlers plan to erase this brave Jewish mans name from the book of history.

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Ordering food at a restaurant without glancing at the prices is a luxury. Most of us glide our eyes toward the right side simply because it's good to know how much you're about to pay for the food you want to order. Sometimes, even the most meticulous price-calculating minds underestimate the bill. Paying a few bucks over the anticipated cost isn't a biggie, but add a few hundred dollars to the total, and it's enough to make people hyperventilate.

Well, some will hyperventilate and still pay the bill. Others will inexplicably call the cops. At least that's what one Karen visiting Singapore did. According to AsiaOne, Junko Shinba decided to dine at Paradise Group-owned Seafood Paradise in Clarke Quay. She ordered the chili-crab dish made with Alaskan King Crab, per a waiter's suggestion. Little did she know that the bill would amount to over $700. Furious, she called the police, claiming she was kept in the dark about the real price.

Read more: Waiters Reveal What Restaurants Get The Best Tips

The Customer Had To Pay Anyway

Alaskan King Crab - Lightasafeather/Getty Images

Crab is expensive, but Alaskan King Crab is a part of Seafood Paradise's seasonal menu and is pricier than other varieties. It is priced at around $20 per 100 grams, but Shinba alleged that the restaurant staff didn't explain this to her. However, the menu reflected the per-gram pricing. The crab weighed over 7 lbs in total.

In a statement to Insider, Paradise Group shared that the waiters had communicated the per-gram pricing to Shinba. The restaurant reportedly brought out the whole crab to show her group for confirmation. Shinba was allegedly unaware that the whole thing would be cooked for her group. "We all became speechless, knowing that one dinner for four adults cost that much," she told AsiaOne. According to Shinba, there were three plates of crab along with other dishes that they ordered, and they couldn't finish everything.

According to Paradise Group, the restaurant manager even assisted the crabby customer as she made a police complaint. She reportedly contacted the Singapore Tourism Board, as well. In the end, one of the members of the group paid for the meal with his credit card. They were even offered a discount of around $78 after the group claimed they didn't have enough money to clear the bill.

Read the original article on Mashed.
The president of the 1,100-member Apartment Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania has concerns about an Erie City Councilwomans proposal for a new landlord-tenant law.

But after initially calling the proposal a bad idea that could hurt both landlords and renters, Brandon Penn said he is now "cautiously optimistic" that the legislation could be a benefit to both sides.

Penn said he spoke with Erie City Council President Chuck Nelson about the proposed ordinance, which is being spearheaded by two members of council, Susannah Faulkner and Jasmine Flores.

A sign outside an apartment building in southeast Erie announces that rental units are available.

Penn, who has led the organization since 2021, criticized the proposal in an interview with the Erie Times-News Wednesday, and added that he and other members of the association planned to attend City Councils regular meeting on Wednesday night to express concerns about Faulkners suggestion.

Other cities have enacted or are exploring such laws, which seek to protect renters from unjust eviction and exorbitant rent increases.

Previous coverage: Erie councilwoman pushing for new citywide just cause eviction law to protect renters

However, Penn said Thursday that he and other Apartment Association members will wait until City Council's Oct. 4 meeting to address the seven-member panel on the issue.

I still have questions. But after my conversation with (Nelson) I think they are trying to implement some good things, said Penn, a licensed real estate agent who owns and/or manages roughly 300 local rental properties.

We have to see the ordinance they will draft," Penn said. "Depending on what the ordinance says, I may have other things I want to bring up.

'A lot of fear': Rent hikes across the country mean eviction notices for many Americans

During City Councils Sept. 6 meeting, Faulkner announced that she is working with Flores and statewide housing lawyers and advocates to craft the citys first just cause eviction ordinance.

Faulkners proposal is a work in progress; she said a draft of her proposed ordinance has been submitted to City Solicitor Ed Betza for his review. She hopes to present the ordinance for a first reading as soon as City Councils Oct. 4 meeting.

Erie City Councilwoman Susannah Faulkner.

Faulkner's proposal

The law, Faulkner said, would further define the legal grounds for eviction for landlords and renters in Erie, address affordable housing and prevent homelessness before it happens.

On Wednesday night, Faulker said her ordinance would be titled the "Erie Rental Housing Ordinance" and it has three major components:

Provisions to protect tenants from retaliation "when they request repairs" to their rental units or report housing/building code violations.

To ensure that "survivors of domestic and sexual violence have equal access to safe housing." An example would be the quick changing of a rental unit's door locks after a domestic violence incident or being "doubly victimized" if an abuser damages the rental unit.

Protecting tenants from being evicted through no fault of their own and giving tenants a 60-day notice on rent increases. Penn said that currently, notice of at least 30 days is typical for a rent increase.

Faulkner added that the ordinance would also outline specific good cause reasons for eviction, such as nonpayment of rent or violating specific terms of a lease.

The Times-News previously reported that such stipulations are common components of what are widely known as "just cause" or "good cause" eviction laws nationwide, which seek to further specify what can lead to eviction and give tenants the right to renew their leases.

Faulkner has acknowledged that Pennsylvanias Landlord/Tenant Act states core reasons for eviction; it requires a landlord to give tenants written eviction notice for both nonpayment of rent or any breach of the lease/end of the lease term.

If City Council signs off on the new ordinance, Faulkner said, Pennsylvania would be the third city to enact such a law, following Philadelphia and State College.

City Council took no action on the issue Wednesday night.

Erie Landlord group has concerns, questions

Penn has said state law is sufficiently fair in terms of protection for tenants, and that a new landlord-tenant ordinance in Erie make it more difficult for landlords to evict problem tenants when they have good reason for doing so.

The Apartment Association understands that Faulkners proposal is a work in progress, Penn said, and his organization is willing to work with her to provide input.

Faulkner said she and Flores are willing to collaborate with the Apartment Association and others in regards to the proposed ordinance.

National debate: Rent control laws on the national level? Biden administration offers a not-so-subtle push

Affordable housing, particularly for renters, is an issue in Erie, where the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Erie is $725, according to Zumper.com, an online, nationwide real estate platform.

Further, 48% of Eries nearly 45,000 housing units are rentals and more than 25% of the city's residents live below federal poverty guidelines, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Local social justice organization Erie County United supports the just cause proposal.

Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Landlord Association has concerns about new eviction law for Erie
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
WASHINGTON - The Biden administration is granting temporary legal status to 472,000 Venezuelan migrants who are already in the U.S., a major step toward aiding asylum seekers as the number of migrants at the southern border is on the rise again.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas  citing political instability in Venezuela preventing the safe return of migrants  extended the temporary protected status designation by 18 months for Venezuelan migrants who arrived in the U.S. this year prior to July 31.

The move Wednesday was applauded by Democrats who have pushed the White House to do more to help migrants seeking asylum and blasted by congressional Republicans from Texas who accused the Biden administration of further enflaming unrest at the border.

"The Biden administration is making the border invasion worse," U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in a statement. "This news will incentivize even more illegal aliens from Venezuela to come."

The action allows eligible Venezuelan migrants to work in the U.S. and adds to the 242,700 Venezuelans who already qualified for temporary protected status before Wednesdays announcement. Mayorkas said Venezuelan migrants who arrived after July 31 will be removed from the U.S. if they don't have a legal basis to stay.

President Joe Biden speaks as he meets with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ORG XMIT: NYSW317

Other moves target border, work permits

A political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela over the past decade has pushed at least 7.3 million people to migrate, mostly to neighboring Latin American countries, but more recently to the U.S. Many have made their journeys through the dangerous Darien Gap, a remote jungle between Colombia and Panama that is treacherous and often deadly.

The Biden administration also announced the deployment of an additional 800 military personnel to the southern border and touted escalated efforts to prosecute individuals smuggling drugs or persons into the U.S.

In another significant change praised by immigrant advocates, the Homeland Security department extended the validity of work permits for asylum seekers from two years to five, easing the financial hardship of paying $410 each renewal and reducing the department's enormous backlog of applicants.

"People need to be able to work while they wait for their asylum application to be processed," said Conchita Cruz, co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. "In some cases, that could take up to a decade."

Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border increased in July and August after initially dropping sharply in May and June after the Biden administration launched a new policy requiring migrants heading to the U.S. border to first seek protection in Mexico.

President Joe Biden adopted the rule following the expiration of Title 42, a COVID-19 pandemic policy that allowed the U.S. to cite fears of spreading the virus as a reason to expel migrants.

The border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday announced a state of emergency after nearly 6,000 migrants crossed the Rio Grande River from Mexico over a two-day period.

Venezuelan migrants sleep during their travel in a pirogue to Meteti, thorugh the Chucunaque river from Canaan Membrillo village, the first border control of the Darien Province in Panama, on October 12, 2022. Halfway into 2023, nearly a quarter million migrants have crossed the Darien Gap, the dense jungle separating Panama and Colombia, already breaking last year's record, Panama's government said on July 31, 2023.

Democratic mayors, governors praise action

The White House has faced recent pressure from Democratic mayors from major U.S. cities, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, and governors to take action to allow newly migrants to work legally. In New York City, more than 116,000 asylum seekers have arrived since the spring of 2022.

Adams, who said he spoke to the White House Wednesday might about the announcement, called the action an "important step that will bring hope to the thousands of Venezuelan asylum seekers currently in our care."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, also applauded the move, saying she is grateful the Biden administration "acted so speedily" to grant one of New York's top priority but adding there's more work to do to address the migrant crisis.

"The State of New York is prepared to immediately begin the process of signing people up for work authorization and getting them into jobs so they can become self-sufficient," Hochul said.

Like Cruz, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, slammed the granting of temporary status to Venezuelans. "When Biden tells migrants 'do not come to the US' and then creates a magnet like work permits, it undermines all deterrence," Cornyn said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration would prefer to address surging migration in a bipartisan way with the help of Republicans but added, "Right now, we are doing it in the best way that we can."

Recently arrived migrants gather outside of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on August 14, 2023 in New York City.

Temporary protected status, or TPS, has long been a contentious partisan issue, with Republican critics arguing a temporary designation should not become a permanent immigration program. For years, Congress has feuded over granting temporary protected status to Venezuelans while trying to end the program in countries such as Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Former President Donald Trump attempted to end the designation for those countries, but that effort was tied up in court. But on his very last day in office, Trump conceded and was the first to grant TPS to Venezuelans.

In June, the Biden administration reversed the Trump-era termination of other nationalities.

A minority of Republicans in the Florida delegation, including Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, have previously expressed support for granting temporary legal protection to Venezuelans. Rubio's office did not respond to a request for comment on the Biden administration's move.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, commended the Biden administration for taking steps to allow "hundreds of thousands of families  who arrived fleeing dictatorship and seeking freedom and opportunity  to build new lives and contribute to our community.

Contributing: Associated Press. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden administration offers temporary protection status to Venezuelans
East China's Jiangsu Province has been sending medical workers to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over the past years. Thanks to their continuous efforts, medical services in areas that received the medical aid have been largely improved.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




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
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to project their unified front at the White House on Thursday as the two leaders made the case for continued U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia amid a backdrop of GOP infighting on the matter on Capitol Hill.

Biden hosted Zelensky at the White House as the Ukrainian president made the rounds in Washington, including meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill who have been skeptical of funding for Ukraines war effort.

Today Im in Washington to strengthen our coalition to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world, Zelensky said in an Oval Office meeting with Biden. And I started my day in the U.S. Congress to thank its members and the people in America for rolling big, huge support. I felt trust between us. It allowed us to have frank and constructive dialogue.

Zelensky said he and Biden would discuss weapons being sent to Ukraine with a special emphasis on air defense.

It marked the second time in the past year the two men have met at the White House, since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Biden also traveled to Ukraine in February of this year to meet with Zelensky in Kyiv.

The people of Ukraine have shown enormous bravery, Biden said at the start of the meeting Thursday.

Backdropping the Ukrainian presidents stop in Washington is a supplemental funding request the Biden administration sent to Congress last month that would include another $24 billion in military, humanitarian and financial assistance for Ukraine.

The U.S. has already provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, with Biden making the argument on the world stage that Russias invasion is a threat to democracy globally, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would look to invade another country if it takes or carves up Ukraine.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said that he would like to see the $24 billion supplemental request for Ukraine be brought to a vote as a stand-alone bill, as opposed to attaching it to additional government funding that Ukraines supporters feel would allow the assistance to more easily pass through a narrowly divided Congress.

But a minority of Republicans in Congress and some leading presidential candidates, including former President Trump, have pushed back on continued funding for Ukraine, arguing it is not in the United Statess interests to be sending money to the war-torn nation to fight Russia.

Hours before Zelensky arrived on Capitol Hill, more than two dozen Republican lawmakers wrote to Biden saying they oppose additional spending for Ukraine, asking questions about where the moneys going and whether Kyiv is making progress against Russia.

Zelensky also made a stop Thursday to the Pentagon. Earlier this week, Zelensky was in New York City for the annual United Nations General Assembly gathering to make his case to the international community for continued support.

Zelensky arrived at the White House to an honor guard lining the driveway, and the president and first lady Jill Biden standing outside waiting for him and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska.

The Ukrainian president exited a vehicle in front of the South Portico, where the Bidens were standing, and the four of them stood in a line together for a few minutes.

Very important, Zelensky said to a shouted question about how important the visit is as the two couples posed for photographs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Dupree school system has been without three employees since late August when the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe voted to ban them from the reservation where the public school is located due to an ongoing dispute over allegations of abuse of students.

DUPREE, S.D.  A child abuse allegation against a teacher at Dupree Elementary School prompted the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to take the unusual step of banning the teacher, a principal and the superintendent from reservation lands where the public school is located.

As a result, the three employees have been unable to work at the school since the beginning of the new academic year in a district with high-need students and a poor track record of student achievement.

Tribal police continue to investigate the abuse allegations, which include slapping one child and forcefully grabbing another. The teacher could face criminal abuse charges while the two administrators could be charged with breaking a South Dakota law that requires many professional employees to report potential abuse.

Those banned from the reservation, or excluded in legal terms, include longtime teacher Sarah Shaff, Dupree Elementary School principal Cindy Lindskov and superintendent Keith Fodness, who also had to leave his home in Dupree due to the exclusion.

The Dupree School District serves about 370 students in grades K-12 and 100% of the students are considered economically disadvantaged by the state.

The exclusion of the employees from the lands of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) appears legal under the tribes status as a sovereign nation, though an attorney for the three non-Native employees is challenging the legality in tribal court.

And yet, the exclusion of the employees by the tribal council, and the handling of the abuse claims by tribal authorities, has caused division among many in this sparsely populated region of north-central South Dakota.

The exclusion and investigation have continued even though the two parents who filed the initial child abuse allegations have dropped their legal claim, according to tribal court records obtained by News Watch.

Questions have been raised about the handling of the case by tribal officials, with some locals expressing concern that the dramatic step of exclusion was taken before the abuse claims were fully investigated.

The exclusion requires further tribal court action before it can be lifted.

Dupree, S.D., is located between Faith and Eagle Butte and is part of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, even though the local schools there are public schools not affiliated directly with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Some fear the loss of three staff members will negatively impact the hundreds of children in the district and that it could make it more difficult to hire educators on reservations, a problem compounded because of an overall teacher shortage.

The kids are absolutely the losers in this, all the kids, said state Rep. Oren Lesmeister, a Democrat from Parade, who represents the area that includes the Dupree schools.

Beyond that, it makes it harder for any teacher to want to come work here because basically at any time they could lose their job instantly, which is a big deal across the state but especially on our reservations.

And hovering over the entire situation is a concern that the exclusion of three white teachers by the tribal council could damage fragile race relations on and off the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

I hope it doesnt become that, said Medina Matonis, a member of the Dupree School Board. Theres no reason to turn this into an Indian versus white person thing. Theres no need for this to be seen as racial.

News Watch contacted or tried to contact several people involved in the exclusion, though many did not want to be interviewed. Fodness and Lindskov declined comment.

A call to the office of CRST chairman Ryman LaBeau was not returned. Jason Rumpca, a Pierre attorney representing the three school employees, also declined comment.

CRST police chief Charles Red Crow confirmed to News Watch that a child abuse investigation is underway by his department.

Dupree, S.D., is located between Faith and Eagle Butte and is part of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, even though the local schools there are public schools not affiliated directly with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Red Crow said the tribe doesnt have authority to bring criminal charges against non-Native Americans. But it would turn its finding over to the FBI for further action if it determines that child abuse or any other crime did occur, he said.

After seeing extensive debate surface on social media, the tribe expounded on the situation in a letter to tribal members on Aug. 23, explaining the tribes efforts to protect its children and stating that due process is being followed in regard to its investigation and the exclusion of the three school employees.

The letter indicates that Shaff faced allegations of alleged physical and emotional abuse against multiple children. It states that Lindskov and Fodness failed to adequately investigate or report the abuse claims.

The letter said the administrators failed to act legally under a South Dakota law that requires people in numerous professions to report allegations of child abuse or neglect.

In a complaint filed in tribal court on April 23, parents Lance Jordan Frazier and Harold Gabriel Hollow said they were seeking $1.2 million and/or $1.0 million in punitive damages for emotional distress, mental anguish and racial profiling, defamation of character" due to abuse of a son and daughter.

The complaint alleges that in October the boy told the men that Shaff hit him in the head if his schoolwork was wrong, and that she also intimidated the boy and other students of color in the classroom.

The complaint states that the girl told them that Shaff grabbed her arm so tightly that it caused pain.

The claim also notes that the boy has since undergone counseling and has stomach pains due to emotional trauma when he returns to the school.

Rumpca has filed motions to dismiss any charges of wrongdoing and argues that the tribe does not have jurisdiction over the activities of non-tribal members.

In a subsequent court filing, Rumpca noted that on Aug. 22, Frazier and Hollow voluntarily dismissed their child abuse complaint and their monetary settlement request.

Matonis said she hopes the community will remain focused on the facts and continue to do what is best for children in the school system.

Robyn Depoy is a rancher from Lantry who has kept a close watch on the dispute between the tribe and the school employees and is frustrated that the tribal council appears to have acted to exclude the employees before fully investigating the claims against them.

Lesmeister, the House minority leader, said the South Dakota Professional Practices Commission reviewed and then dismissed a complaint filed against Lindskov and Fodness. He said he was unsure if the state is continuing to investigate Shaff for any professional violations.

This article was produced by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit journalism organization located online at sdnewswatch.org.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Tribe bans Dupree educators from reservation over child abuse allegations
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.
Its common for parents to hope their children will have a better life than they did, but for many of us, this dream has come to feel more like a pipe dream.

As a retired teacher and the mother of two, I always told my students and sons that with hard work, they could achieve their vision of the American dream.

Jeanene Cooper

Today, I fear this opportunity is slipping away. Old and young, conservative and liberalit seems like so many are struggling and worrying about the future. They worry when they go to the gas station and watch the numbers tick up. They worry when they go to the grocery store and have to leave basic groceries on the shelf. They worry about whether theyll be able to buy a home as they watch even their rent costs skyrocket. And they worry about their childrens education while wondering what kind of life we are leaving to the next generation.

Yet, Washington politicians seem unfazed. They continue to tax and spend like drunken sailors while daily life becomes too expensive for hard working Americans.

Enter the accountant Nikki Haley the no-nonsense mom, former governor, and former UN ambassador who will call out politicians on both sides of the aisle.

She speaks in plain language. She talks about the price of cereal. She talks about young Americans being locked out of the housing market. She talks about parents fighting to have a say in their childrens education. And on the debate stage, she called out every Washington politician  from Joe Biden to Donald Trump to Ron DeSantis  for supporting runaway spending.

Haley says what others are thinking but are too afraid to say. She calls it like she sees it. And she promises to get to workcut up Congress credit cards, end wasteful earmark projects, and force Congress to balance the budget just like families around the country do.

So, how do I know her promises arent empty political platitudes? Because Nikki Haley has an extensive record of putting in the work and getting results. Just look at what she did as governor of South Carolina. When she took office, South Carolina was in economic distress. So, Haley got to work, becoming a jobs governor by almost obsessively recruiting companies to the state and, with them, bringing tens of thousands of new jobs for her constituents. Governor Haley turned South Carolina into a manufacturing powerhouse, earning the state a nickname, the Beast of the Southeast.

Additionally, Haley began her term in office by going into every state agency and getting rid of the dead weight. She got rid of bureaucrats who werent up to snuff, cut regulations, cut agency budgets, and made sure every state agency was working for the people. During her time as governor, Haley demonstrated how to effectively drain the swamp.

She took the same tenacious stance at the United Nations. From the day she walked into UN headquarters in New York, Haley let it be known that there was a new sheriff in town. She stood up to our enemies, had the backs of our allies, and cut unnecessary spending, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Ambassador Haley demonstrated the wisdom it takes to control costs while keeping America safe.

But now we find ourselves at this pivotal moment, a time when Joe Biden is trying to convince Americans that Bidenflation is good for us, leaving voters to rightly question whether our representatives are completely detached from reality. Fortunately for America, we can find hope in Nikki Haley who has both feet grounded in the real world.

That is what America needs more than anything. We need the hopeful reassurance that our political leaders understand our struggles and have real solutions for these problems. That is what Nikki Haley brings to the table. She has lived the average Americans life and so she understands these average American challenges.

Her steady, sensible leadership is a welcome respite from the demagoguery, drama, and incompetence that has dominated the political stage for several years. Her moxie, compared to her timid opponents, is refreshing. And when I hear Nikki Haley elaborate on her vision for our future, I am brought back to feeling that sense of hope once again.

We know the problems too well, but without solutions, there is no hope for a better tomorrow. Thats why we so need Nikki Haley at the tip of the spear, steadfastly leading us to attainable improvements in our daily lives. Her experience demonstrates her proven expertise as a strong leader who can garner the consensus needed to implement solid solutions. I have no doubt that President Haley will reawaken a future filled with possibilities where my sons and past students can once again pursue the promise of a better life.Jeanene Cooper is a resident of Newmarket, graduate of the University of Michigan, retired English teacher, author of two novels, wife, and mother of two sons. Her passion for bettering peoples lives led her to run in 2022 as a Republican in Rockingham 10 for the New Hampshire House. Currently, Jeanene is volunteering her time to helping elect the strong leader America needs, serving as a New Hampshire Co-Chair on the campaign to elect Nikki Haley as President.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Nikki Haley brings hope to struggling Americans
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.
A Pennsylvania woman is accused of running over her boyfriend, leaving him injured in the driveway until their 3-year-old got help, news outlets report.

State police responded to a call at about 10 p.m. Sept. 16 from Hempfield Township and arrived to find a man covered in dirt with tire marks across his torso, PennLive.com reported.

Investigators say the man was fighting with his 29-year-old girlfriend when she hit him with her car and drove away, according to court documents obtained by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Documents said a 9-month-old was inside the vehicle at the time, the newspaper reported.

The couples 3-year-old child ran to a neighbors house for help, telling the neighbor, Daddys hurt, court documents say, WPXI reported.

Were just thankful that this child had the wherewithal to seek help for this injured man, Trooper Clifford Greenfield told the station.

The boyfriend was in the driveway for 30 minutes before an ambulance arrived and took him to a hospital, a neighbor told the Tribune-Review.

Court records show the mother was arrested the same day and is facing charges of simple assault, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children.

Her bail has been set at $150,000, records show.

Hempfield Township is roughly 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Deputys baby hospitalized after being left in vehicle for 3 hours, Texas sheriff says

Contractor, a dad of two, is killed by bursting water pipe cap, Wisconsin cops say

Woman hides in ex-boyfriends car with knife then tries to kill him, PA officials say

Pet groomer accused of killing goldendoodle is arrested at dog show, Oklahoma cops say
A search for a grizzly bear believed to have been shot in an attack on a deer hunter has shut down part of a Montana national forest, officials reported.

A hunting party notified authorities of the attack on Yellow Mule Trail near Big Sky shortly before 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office search and rescue team said in a news release.

A grizzly attacked a hunter who was stalking a deer, sheriffs officials said. The local sheriffs office requested help from Gallatin County.

A helicopter airlifted the injured hunter to a Bozeman medical center, the release said. No information was provided on the hunters medical condition, but the Billings Gazette reported the hunter was severely injured.

The Buck Ridge Yellow Mule area in the Custer Gallatin National Forest has been closed to visitors while officials try to track down the bear, rangers said in a news release.

The hunter shot at the grizzly and may have wounded the animal, rangers said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Forest Service staff are investigating the incident and are trying to locate the bear, the release said.

Call 406-522-2520 for more information on the closure.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize youre a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually dont want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Dont scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Dont let kids run away from the bear. It could think theyre small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Dont make any sudden movements.

Dont drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, dont run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Dont climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

Grizzly killed hiker near Yellowstone, officials say. Then it broke into home for food

Grizzly charges at hunters in thick brush, Idaho officials say. Then its shot dead

Spooked grizzly charges anglers in Montana wilderness. One of the fishermen had a gun
Here's what community members had to say in three recent letters to the editor we received. Submit your own thoughts here.

Joe Biden 's impeachment inquiry is outrageous, Indiana lawmaker comments ridiculous

Today, I read an article about opening an inquiry to impeach President Joe Biden. I had to laugh out loud, out of outrageousness, because this is nothing short of, but, er, excuse the pun, 'A WITCH HUNT.' Where have we heard that term before? The Republican-controlled House has no evidence and is going to waste our tax dollars on getting even with the Democrats because their almighty God was impeached by the House on egregious crimes against the United States. They need to focus on issues that affect our nation, not revenge.

The two most ridiculous comments by 'lawmakers,' for lack of a better term, were from Mike Braun and Jim Banks.

"Serious allegations have come to light about President Biden's involvement with his son's overseas business dealings that can't be ignored. We need to get to the full truth, and an impeachment inquiry is the right way to do that," Mike Braun said.

So, I have to ponder about his vote on Donald Trump 's impeachment hearings. If Braun truly believes "serious allegations" need to be the way "to get to the full truth," then why did he "ignore" Trump's crimes and doesn't he believe the pendulum should swing both ways? According to Braun, Trump did not have "serious allegations that came to light," which in reality couldn't be further from the truth. I guess he thinks inciting an insurrection over a temper tantrum through losing an election isn't serious. Remember, Mike Braun voted to support Trump in his efforts to overthrow our government. Braun is MAGA big time and now he wants to run our state. I'll pass. I don't want some right wing MAGA fool running Indiana.

Then, there was Jim Banks' comment: "Joe Biden is the most corrupt president to ever live in the White House and he deserves to be impeached." All I can say about that stupid comment is we've all seen how truthful and honorable Donald Trump has been and is now.

Stepheny Tays

Westfield

Sen. Mike Braun speaks to the press in the U.S. Capitol during the impeachment trial.

Governor candidate Suzanne Crouch 's 'Axe the Tax' plan only helps Indiana's wealthiest

I recently listened to an episode of the All Indiana Politics podcast from WISH-TV. They interviewed current Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate, Suzanne Crouch, on her goal of repealing Indiana's state income tax. Unfortunately, it was a disservice to Hoosiers to allow Crouch to escape unscathed while she gave mealy-mouthed answers to real concerns.

When asked how she would replace lost income tax revenue, Crouch had the audacity to say that the 'how' isnt important to her  she simply wants to get money back into Hoosier pockets. An admirable goal for sure, but heres the kicker, according to the Indiana State Budget Agency, Indianas already low 3% flat tax rate makes up a whopping 35% of state tax revenue. Crouch offers no answer in the interview or on her campaign website on how Indiana would recoup over one-third of its lost tax revenue. Indiana already spends approximately 45% of its budget on education, and approximately 25% on health and human services. To Axe the Tax, as Crouch wants, would leave Indiana less educated and less healthy. Never mind the fact that Indiana is already considered one of the least-educated and least-healthy states in the nation.

When asked about other states such as Texas or Florida, which have no income tax, Crouch again fails to answer. She says that she wants Indiana to be a leader among states. The only problem is that Indiana is not Texas or Florida. In 2023, Texas received almost $25 billion in oil and gas tax revenue, and Florida regularly received upwards of $100 billion in tourism revenue. I dont know if you noticed, but Indiana is lacking in oil and tourist attractions.

Other states with no income tax revenue also pay the price: South Dakota and Wyoming spend the least on education. New Hampshire and Texas have some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Washington states gasoline tax is a whopping 69% higher than Indianas.

Lets look at what this Axe the Tax position really is about: reducing the tax burden for the rich. Indianas mean salary is roughly $55,000. At our current 3% tax rate you would expect to pay about $1,600 in income tax. In the grand scheme of things, not a huge savings when you consider the fact that other taxes will have to go up to replace that revenue. Meanwhile, someone who makes $1 million dollars per year would save a whopping $30,000. Repealing the state income tax would be a grave disservice to Indiana, and to suggest the motive is to put money in Hoosier pockets is laughable.

Andre Pawlowski

New Palestine

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch speaks during Indiana's oath of office ceremony Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Governor race focused on the wrong issues, candidates only want to break things

What happened to us?

Traditionally Hoosiers valued honesty, hard work and education to make things better for the generation after ourselves. Building a community by taking the best each of us could offer and adding our share to the pile.But something bad has happened. All the people Ive seen running for governor are focused on issues that are not important to making things better for anyone. Were focused on issues that dont really matter. Were listening to people telling us to exclude, and were valuing division. We elect people who want to break things, who run campaigns telling us how broken it already is.

We must do better. All of us.

Alex Johnson

Indianapolis

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Readers' views: Mealy-mouthed politicians doing their best worst work
By Xinhua Writers Cheng Jialin, Liu Yinglun

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- From liquor-laced latte to pop star-tribute bubble tea, Chinese coffeehouse and teahouse brands are pushing the boundaries of China's beverage market with a firm grip on upgrading consumption trends.

Two weeks after its breakout debut, the new latte from Luckin Coffee, infused with the traditional Chinese spirit called baijiu, still has many people across China on the edge of tipsiness. The beverage has been created in collaboration with Kweichow Moutai, one of China's most famous liquor brands and a well-known producer of baijiu. The venture saw over 5.4 million cups sold on the first day, grossing 100 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars).

The latte followed a string of market sensations created by Chinese coffeehouse and teahouse operators this year, pointing to the industry's potential for spurring catering consumption.

Industry data shows that China's coffeehouse market was worth 119.1 billion yuan in 2022 and could expand to 190 billion yuan in 2024. The market value of teahouses is expected to total 145 billion yuan this year.

"Chinese coffee and tea consumers are looking for eye-opening drinks," said Wang Xu, deputy director of the Research Office of the Institute of Consumer Goods Industry of the China Center for Information Industry Development. Chinese coffeehouses and teahouses are going all out to woo such consumers by constantly coming up with new recipes and expanding their menus.

REFRESHING EXPERIENCES

Shoppers for the baijiu-flavored latte flooded Chinese social media sites with photos of the cups and the iconic red-and-gold paper bag resembling Moutai packages, as well as discussions on the taste. Short videos trended on the internet featuring fathers saying it was their first sip of coffee and sons saying it was their first sip of Moutai.

The latte is a success story of cross-over innovation, bringing together two drinks that are widely consumed in the Chinese and Western cultures, as well as two Chinese companies that have different production systems, sales channels and customer bases, said Wang.

"As a representative of China's high-end alcohol, Moutai's unique status in particular prompted me to find out what a Moutai-flavored latte really tastes like," a college student who bought the coffee told Xinhua.

China's coffeehouse and teahouse businesses are no stranger to cross-over smash hits that can excite consumers. Before Moutai, Luckin Coffee collaborated with Coconut Palm Group, a household coconut milk manufacturer, to create a coconut milk latte that caused a nationwide frenzy.

So far this year, Chinese teahouse and coffeehouse brands have rolled out nearly 100 cross-over product series with partners like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, as well as video game creator miHoYo. The latest campaign from teahouse chain Nayuki -- a new bubble tea drink paying tribute to Chinese pop star Jay Chou -- sold 1.46 million cups on the first day.

The cross-over collaborations are part of efforts by Chinese brands to expand their customer bases. "We are seeking cross-overs that are meaningful, heartfelt and can strike a chord with our customers," said Guo Sihan, deputy general manager of teahouse chain Lelecha.

REFINED TASTE

"I like Luckin's fruit coffee series, such as Orange C Americano. It is more refreshing and healthier, and has a richer feel in the mouth than an ordinary Americano," said Tian Yuan, a loyal customer of Luckin Coffee.

Tian's craving for healthy beverages made from quality ingredients is spreading among Chinese consumers, who are able and willing to spend money to please themselves.

Affected by the trend, teahouses in China have switched from instant tea and milk powder to premium Chinese tea varieties like Dancong tea, white tea and jasmine tea. Coffee drinks with flavors including coconut juice and seasonal fruits saw sales grow faster than plain ones, according to a report from food delivery service provider Eleme.

"Consumers can pursue cost-effectiveness and consumption upgrade at the same time. Most of them are willing to pay reasonably more for something they really desire," Kevin Yin, head of Asia Consumer Research at J.P. Morgan, said about the Moutai-flavored latte phenomenon. At 19.9 yuan a cup after discounts, the Moutai-tinged latte is currently the most expensive coffee available at Luckin's online store.

The recent coffeehouse and teahouse sensations came as China's overall consumption warmed with the help of supportive policies. Official data shows that retail sales in services surged 19.4 percent in the first eight months of the year. The catering sector in particular maintained strong momentum, with combined revenue up 12.4 percent in August from a year ago.

Industry insiders see potential for further upgrading of the sector enabled by the spending power of the customer base. An August report from Questmobile, a mobile internet business intelligence services provider, showed that 22.3 percent of coffeehouse consumers and 16.8 percent of teahouse goers spent over 3,000 yuan shopping online in June alone, while China's per capita disposable income stood at 19,672 yuan in the first half of this year. 
Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke were arrested last month and face six felony child abuse charges

Moms of Truth/ Instagram Jodi Hildebrandt

Jodi Hildebrandt, the embattled sex therapist who faces six felony child abuse charges in Utah, has reportedly agreed to have her counseling license frozen amid allegations of child abuse against her and her business partner, Ruby Franke.

Given the heinous abuse allegations, the agency felt that the surrender of the license was the best course of action to protect the safety of Hildebrandts patients and clients, Margaret Busse, the executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce said in a statement to the media on Tuesday.

The agreement, obtained by PEOPLE, sees that Hildebrandts license will be frozen amid the criminal charges against her and she has a hearing before the state's Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Board, which will determine the future of her ability to practice in the state. Hildebrandt has been a licensed clinical mental health counselor in Utah since 2005.

Despite agreeing to freezing her license, the agreement states Hildebrandt "does not herein admit any wrongdoing" in regards to her arrest and six felony child abuse charges.

Hildebrandt, 54, was arrested at her home in Ivins, Utah, late last month alongside Franke, a former family vlogger who amassed millions of viewers on YouTube before teaming up with Hildebrandt to share controversial parenting advice under their Moms of Truth social media page.

Franke, 41, also faces six felony charges for child abuse after police found her two youngest children emaciated at Hildebrandts home on August 30, police have said.



Related: Woman Charged Alongside Ruby Franke Broke Confidentiality as Therapist. Patient Says She 'Destroyed My Life' (Exclusive)

Moms of Truth/ Instagram Jodi Hildebrandt

Officers responded to the southwestern Utah home after a neighbor called 911 to report Frankes 12-year-old son had allegedly escaped Hildebrandts house and came to his home pleading for food and water. The boy allegedly had visible wounds and markings from being bound with duct tape, authorities said.



Responding officers from the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department soon allegedly found Frankes 10-year-old daughter in a similar physical condition of malnourishment inside Hildebrandts home and transported both children to a local hospital. Frankes two teenage children were later taken into custody at the familys home in Springville, Utah, about four hours north of Ivins.

Related: A Timeline of Ruby Franke's Rise and Fall: From Family Vlogger to Child Abuse Charges

In the weeks since their arrest, family, neighbors, and former patients have all spoken out against the women, who are currently being held without bond in a Utah jail, awaiting their next court hearing expected to take place in early October.

Hildebrandts niece Jessi Hildebrandt recently told local KUTV2 News in Salt Lake City that she experienced physical and emotional abuse that was similar to the alleged abuse her aunt and Franke carried out against Frankes children.



This is a pattern, Jessi said.

Related: Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt's Court Hearing Delayed as Court Officials Review 'Copious' Information

One of Hildebrandts former patients, Adam Steed, told PEOPLE recently that the Mormon therapist had destroyed his life through her counseling.



Her doctrine is that she believes that relationships need to die before they can be reborn, Hildebrandts former patient said.

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.



A number of Frankes family members and neighbors have offered similar accounts in recent weeks, claiming they too attempted to warn authorities about red flags and potentially abusive behavior from the once popular Mormon family vlogger.

"Me and my family are so glad justice is being served, Frankes oldest daughter Shari, 20, wrote on Instagram after her mother was arrested. We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up."

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.

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Read the original article on People.
A South Carolina teacher was reported by her students for teaching Ta-Nehisi Coates  Between the World and Me. According to the Washington Post, English teacher Mary Wood sought to teach her all-white class about what it means to be Black in America using Coates literature. However, she was reported by two of her students. They notified the school board that Wood was attempting to discuss race in the classroom.

The students wrote in emails that the book made them ashamed to be white, the outlet documented. [Her lesson] violated a South Carolina proviso that forbids teachers from making students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of their race.

Students also expressed that reading Coates book felt like reading hate propaganda towards white people. I understand in AP Lang we are learning to develop an argument and have evidence to support it, yet this topic is too heavy to discuss, another student wrote to the board. I actually felt ashamed to be Caucasian.

After receiving complaints, school administrators demanded Mary Wood to stop teaching the lesson. The administration sent her a formal letter of reprimand and also placed a copy in her file. It instructed her to keep teaching without discussing this issue with your students,' the outlet added.

Following the controversy, other teachers called for her to be fired for breaking the law. One of her colleagues expressed she was confused to see Wood still have a job. While the outlet doesnt state whether or not Marys job was threatened, the Post did include a statement regarding the school districts feelings regarding the teacher.

The district declined to answer questions about Woods employment, but board members have previously said the power to punish teachers rests with school-level administrators. Wood said she has received no discipline beyond the reprimand letter, it read.

Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates testifies during a hearing on slavery reparations held by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. The subcommittee debated the H.R. 40 bill, which proposes a commission be formed to study and develop reparation proposals for African-Americans.

According to SCstatehouse.gov, South Carolina passed S246 in early 2023. The bill required teachers to implement policies respecting the intellectual freedom and dignity of each student, teacher, and staff member. However, much like Floridas infamous law, the bill demands that instruction and teaching materials on the topics enumerated in this section must be consistent with six principles related to race and gender.

These six principles include: no race is inherently superior to another race; no person is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, solely by virtue of the individuals race or gender; no persons moral character is inherently determined by his race or gender; a person, by virtue of his race or gender, does not bear personal responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or gender; a person should not be instructed that he must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress for actions, in which he played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race or gender; and an individual should not be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment due solely to his race or gender.

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The five now-former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols' civil rights will have a federal trial set for May 2024.

The five men  Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith  had their first federal report date Thursday afternoon. Judge Mark Norris originally targeted March 2024 for trial but pushed it back due to scheduling conflicts for the defense attorneys.

The five officers were indicted in federal court Sept. 12, months after being indicted in state court. They each face four charges: one count for depriving Nichols of his right to be "free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer," one count of deliberate indifference to Nichols' medical needs and a failure to render aid, one count of tampering with evidence in an effort to cover up their crimes, and one count of intentionally omitting material information and providing false and misleading information.

This combo of booking images provided by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office shows, from left, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith. The five former Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the arrest and death of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died three days after a confrontation with the officers during a traffic stop, records showed Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

The case, according to federal prosecutor David Pritchard, was a death penalty eligible case, but the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee will not pursue that. The maximum sentence the five former officers face is life in prison.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Attorneys for the officers also have filed motions to have the conditions of their pretrial release adjusted, with one attorney, Michael Stengel, asking that they be allowed to communicate with each other so long as they do not discuss the federal case.

Stengel, who represents Haley, also said he did not want his client to accidentally violate the terms of his release by unknowingly speaking to someone who could be a potential witness. An example of that, he said, was when a current officer with the Memphis Police Department called Haley to "check up on him." Stengel said he does not know if that officer will be a witness, but pointed to that as a potential problem.

In court Thursday, the five former officers each sat in a different row of seats around the courtroom. Smith sat closest to the attorneys, on a side where the public could not sit. Bean sat in the first row on the right side of the courtroom, Mills sat in the first row on the left side, Martin sat in the second row on the left and Haley sat in the fourth row on the left. Each was asked to raise their hand by Norris when their attorneys introduced themselves.

Federal civil case will not go to trial until 2025

A scheduling order from Norris, who is also the judge in the civil case filed by RowVaughn Wells  Nichols' mother  against the officers, Memphis Fire Department personnel, the City of Memphis and MPD Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis, set the civil trial for Jan. 17, 2025.

The scheduling order in the civil case came after Norris granted a stay in the civil case for the five criminally charged officers, and denied the stay for former officers Preston Hemphill and Dewayne Smith. The City of Memphis opposed the stay.

"At the outset, the court denies the indicted and non-indicted defendants' requests for a stay of 'all proceedings' insofar as they define 'all proceedings' to also include plaintiff's claims against the defendants who do not want a stay," Norris wrote in the ruling.

More: Shelby County judge considering trying ex-Memphis officers separately in Tyre Nichols case

A stay for those criminally charged was granted in part, with Norris writing that "while the court applauds the attempts by various parties to strike an appropriate balance between the timely advancement of the claims in this matter and the indicted defendants' Fifth Amendment rights, these compromises open an avenue of discovery that would likely entangle the court in discovery disputes that would result in considerable delay."

As for Hemphill and Dewayne Smith, Norris ruled that since the two have not been indicted Norris "cannot compare the extent of two cases' overlap," and that a stay will not be granted for them.

Other than the five criminally indicted officers, the civil case is to proceed on schedule. The five officers are also to submit a status report about their criminal cases on Nov. 1, and every 60 days after that.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Federal criminal trial for Memphis cops in Tyre Nichols case set
The Broadell neighborhood has been the village to generations of African-American residents off Murchison Road in Fayetteville. The neighborhoods story weaves through the stories of the two historically Black institutions located nearby: E.E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University.

Cynthia Leeks, the seemingly tireless president of the Seabrook-Broadell Neighborhood Community Watch , wants to see that history preserved. Especially while there are people still around to tell their part of the story  these are the neighborhood elders, as Leeks calls the longtime residents who are part of the village that helped nurture her.

We still have people who live in their homes who built those homes, she said.

'We've got a lot of work to do': How Fayetteville plans to revitalize Murchison Road corridor

Leeks, a military wife who is a retired human resources manager, lives in Broadell and grew up in nearby Seabrook Hills. She has been a community ambassador for the city in its efforts to revitalize the Murchison Road corridor. She is the lead organizer for the Seabrook-Broadell neighborhood watch's National Night Out, part of a national crime prevention event.

The efforts show she cares about her neighborhoods future and current circumstances.

But also its past.

Members of the Seabrook-Broadell Neighborhood Community Watch, John McDonald, left to right, Danita McDonald, Cynthia Leeks, Helen Pierce and Roserita Hill Simmons.

Fayetteville's living history

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Leeks and her community watch, architectural historians came this summer to survey older Broadell houses and other potential historical features. The teams work will help guide the city and state in any future preservation efforts for the neighborhood.

The team is with the Kraemer Design Group, hired by the city and which has offices in Detroit; Toledo, Ohio; and Charleston, South Carolina. Team members led by architectural historian Cassandra Talley toured Broadell and conducted research, working with librarians and historians at Fayetteville State University and the Cumberland County Library, as well as conducting research at the State Archives.

As part of the survey, Leeks helped pull together some of the elders for Kraemer staff to conduct one-on-one interviews in the multipurpose room at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. There were 18 interviewees in all, says Leeks, who described her role the day of the interviews as running around serving as host.

It was a very successful day, she says. Our eldest person was 91.

She also took Talleys team to the old Orange Street School, which was built in 1915 and is now the site of a museum and community center.

The reason I did that is because E.E. Smith is in the center of our community, Leeks says of the school on Seabrook Road. Orange Street School was the birth of E.E. Smith school.

Community center comes to Orange Street: 'Instill confidence and bring cultural awareness:' 2 Fayetteville organizations start center to uplift community

When it comes to historical value, what does preserve really mean?

The design group's work is funded by a $40,000 grant; $24,000 of the money comes from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and the city match is $16,000, according to Chris Cauley, who is the citys director of economic and community development.

Cauley says the Kraemer Design Group will present its findings to the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee.

They will make a recommendations on whether anything needs to go on the National Register of Historic Places, he said.

A state agency will decide if any Broadell sites or sections can go on the state or local historic designation, he said.

Chris Cauley

Properties on the National Historic Register, Cauley said, bring into play the citys Historic Resources Commission along with restrictions related to development.

From there it is up to (Fayetteville) City Council on what happens next, Cauley said.

He said, based on his experience, he did not see the more restrictive historical designations as likely.

A lot of the construction in that neighborhood does not go as far back as the history of the neighborhood, he said. Some stuff has been torn down and rebuilt over time. There may be some individual sites and structures they determine are contributing to history.

He added: Its not just always about old; it could be about important persons.

Even if Broadell does not get a federal or state historic designation, the Fayetteville City Council has several options it might pursue, he said, including signage, a resolution and other measures that note a locations historical value.

It kind of comes down to what does preserve mean? he says.

If the desire is to limit development to single-family homes, the neighborhood is already zoned to ensure that, he says.

If more protection is sought, it could place some limitations on owners of their properties, he says.

Cynthia Leeks places books into the newly installed little free library at the Murchison Townhouses on Rosemary Street on Friday, April 22, 2022. Leeks, who is president of the Seabrook-Broadell Community Watch, has led ongoing efforts to achieve historical recognition for the area.

Historians describe unbelievable first-hand accounts of civil rights era

Charles Broadfoot was the original developer of Holly Springs, which became affectionately known as Broadell, according to a community history in the city's application to the states Historic Preservation Fund. Broadell was developed in 1956, and some of the first owners were the Cone, McNair and Brown families, the history reads.

The Kraemer design team said in a statement that its survey team in Broadell looked for historic buildings, structures, sites, and objects that still retain a high degree of historic integrity.

The Seabrook-Broadell neighborhood is a fantastic collection of Mid-century Modern style houses set on large lots with mature trees and lush landscaping. As a neighborhood developed specifically for the Black middle class this place has an important story to tell about Fayettevilles history.

People such as the elders the team interviewed, provide a finer level of detail than most other sources can provide, the Kraemer statement said.  For instance, by speaking with residents we gained insight into how people purchased their homes and how important E. E. Smith High School is to the community.

A map of the Broadwell community study area in Fayetteville, NC, where a team of architectural historians over the summer of 2023 researched buildings and history and talked to residents.

Team members say the interviews included standout moments.

Getting firsthand accounts from people who lived through segregation or the sit in protests of the 1960s is unbelievable, they said in the statement. You are sitting across the table from someone who lived through one of the most important eras in modern history. As historians, that is profoundly important and its essential testimony for the work that we do.

The Kraemer group noted the dedication and assistance of Nicholle Young St. Leone, with Fayetteville States archives; Leeks; Georgeanna Pinckney, president of Greater Life of Fayetteville; and Dr. Tamara Holmes Brothers, a historian and researcher.

The dedication of people in the neighborhood to preserve their history and community also stood out to us, the design group said in the statement.

The next stop on the African American Heritage Trail?

Leeks of the community watch says Broadell was a product of redlining  the racially discriminatory practice of steering African Americans into certain neighborhoods and away from others. She wants that story remembered but also the story of resilience and excellence told in the lives of many people from the neighborhood who became leaders in the community and city.

Leeks credits Dr. Brothers and her unofficial study on Broadell for sparking increased interest in the area's historical roots. Brothers published the study in 2010 as a graduate student at UNC-Greensboro and while she was working as a fundraiser at FSU. She created a video on Broadell that resides in the archives of Fayetteville State University and the Local & State History room at the downtown county library.

She is currently the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion manager at the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, and vice chair of the NC African American Heritage Commission.

Brothers said the study is the first step toward nominating a property for historical recognition by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office.

Dr. Tamara Brothers

Brothers, a third-generation graduate of E.E. Smith, describes her work in Broadell as a calling. She said she is inspired by words she heard several years ago from her late aunt, Dr. Beverly D. Miller, a Fayetteville State professor. At the time, Miller was working on her doctoral degree, a study of the Chesnutt sisters  They were influential, African-American educators who hailed from one of Cumberland County's foremost families.

Before she passed, she told me I would be the one to carry the torch, Brothers says.

Leeks made sure information from Brothers research was added to the grant application to the Historic Preservation Office.

Based on her study, her findings, she interviewed several people in the community  It actually started with her.

When it comes to preserving the Broadell story, Leeks says she and her neighbors have one very specific wish: That the neighborhood is a stop on the African-American Heritage Trail, which is made up of sites in Fayetteville and Cumberland County that chronicle the Black experience.

The overall goal for the Seabrook-Broadell Community Watch is to preserve the story of the village.

That is our hope, Leeks says.

Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville neighbors want to save area's Black history. Here's how
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) strongly reaffirmed his support for Ukraine after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, saying that any opposition to aiding the country was un-American.

Meeting with President Zelenskyy only affirms my one thousand percent support for Ukraine, Fetterman said in a statement.

Zelensky met with lawmakers Thursday in his second visit to Washington, D.C., where a growing number of Republicans have voiced their opposition to providing Ukraine with more support in its effort against Russia. The Ukrainian leader told lawmakers that if that country did not get the aid, we will lose the war, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Criticism has been building in the House, where a handful of Republicans have called on the U.S. to cut off funding for Ukraine entirely. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) declined a request from Zelensky to address Congress on Thursday, saying that there was not enough time.

Zelenskys visit comes as the GOP conference is in turmoil over advancing funding bills by the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. At the center of the funding bills is approving additional aid for Ukraine  a request made by the White House but opposed by a handful of conservatives.

Fetterman blasted those who are opposed to funding more aid to Ukraine in his statement.

If you cant support Ukraine right now, thats un-American and youre not standing up for democracy, Fetterman. The people of Ukraine had the courage to stand up and fight an evil empire, but now Republicans in the House do not even have the guts to have their back and support them. This is totally despicable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Priscila Sanchez was a young student in Floridas public school system, she excelled academically, fearing that if she didnt her teachers might call her parents in  and the authorities would find out her family was undocumented.

I never wanted my parents to come in and be called for something that I did wrong. So my thought process was, I have to be really good and not cause any problems, Sanchez said.

Sanchez, 31, came to Palm Beach from Mexico two decades ago with her family. She said the first time she understood what being undocumented meant was when she couldnt afford to go to college. Sanchez was barred from legally working in the country and did not qualify for federal student aid.

It was a shock because I thought I was going to be able to keep on going. But it was a stop, she said.

She graduated high school in 2010, thinking that higher education was out of reach. But then, a 2012 policy memo from President Barack Obamas Department of Homeland Security changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of undocumented youth. It established what became known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a federal program for eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children that shields them from deportation and grants them work permits.

The Miami Herald spoke to half a dozen former and current program recipients in Florida, where about 23,000 program recipients lived as of March 2023. Its the state with the fifth-largest population of Dreamers, as program beneficiaries are known. The program has been a turning point in their lives, allowing them to pursue degrees and careers and to live without fear of being sent away from the only country they have known as adults.

Sanchez entered the program in 2014, the same year that Florida law mandated that public colleges and universities waive out-of-state fees for undocumented residents. She started working at Dunkin Donuts and got a full ride through TheDream.US, an organization that gives college scholarships to undocumented youth, to pursue a bachelors degree in social work at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

She now works as a social worker helping students at a majority-Latino, South Florida public high school, including immigrant youth. She sponsors a club that supports recently arrived newcomers.

The Dreamers program has meant hope and opportunity for me, she said.

But years-long, ongoing litigation that activists, lawyers and program beneficiaries fear could lead to its eventual termination has thrown the lives of recipients like Sanchez into a loop, as they grapple with the possibility of becoming undocumented again or returning to home countries they have not seen since childhood.

Sanchez said that shes planning to go back to school and get her masters degree in social work and get the clinical license to practice. But the uncertainty around the litigation makes her hesitant to take that next step.

What if you get denied and regardless of whatever you have done here, you have to go back? she said.

On Sept. 13, a federal judge declared for the second time that the program is illegal, although he kept it in place for current beneficiaries. Legal experts say the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to ultimately decide the programs fate.

We dont really have the safety to plan for a bigger picture, or plan for the future. We dont have that luxury, said Karen Patricio, a Mexican-born, Central Florida-raised Dreamer and immigration activist with the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

Beneficiaries from around the world

There are about 579,000 active beneficiaries of the program in the U.S., according to federal data from March 31 of this year. Eighty percent hail from Mexico. But recipients are from all over the world, including South Korea, Israel, France, New Zealand, Liberia, and Chile. The average age of arrival to the U.S. was six years old.

The program doesnt confer a legal immigration status. But it allows recipients to work, to not be deported, and travel internationally for humanitarian, educational or professional purposes. Recipients can renew the benefits every two years.

To join the program, eligible individuals must meet various requirements, including being 15 or older when applying unless they are in deportation court proceedings or have a deportation order; being a current student or having already graduated high school or a GED program; not being convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors; and arriving in the country before they were 16 as long as they were born on or after June 16, 1981. They must also meet certain residency and physical presence requirements, including being in the U.S. on June 15, 2012.

Three-quarters of Americans support the federal government offering permanent legal status to undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children, according to a 2020 Pew Research Center poll. But the program has faced several legal threats to its existence, including lawsuits and presidential executive action.

Every day Americans want the president and Congress to do something about it. And yet, nothing happens. What else is it going to take? said Gabriela Pacheco, a former beneficiary from Miami and immigration-rights activist.

Paloma Bouhid, a 27-year-old small-business owner from Tampa, came to the U.S. from Brazil in 1999, a month shy of her third birthday. She remembers sleeping in a bowling alley while her parents cleaned the place during the night shift before daycare and school. She and her older sister were too young to be left alone.

Bouhid, who became a beneficiary during her senior year of high school, described the program as a huge transitional point. After graduating from Florida Atlantic University, she worked at Disneys hotels and parks, until the company laid her and thousands of other employees off during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then launched an organizing business in Orlando at the beginning of 2021, and has built up a steady roster of clients.

It was very much the epitome of what they say that the American dream is, to come here and create something of your own and become successful at it, she said.

But she said that the program that let her stay in the U.S. was always meant to be a stepping stone to something more permanent so it would be less vulnerable to legal attacks.

Give us the opportunity for that citizenship. I think thats what any... recipient wants, she said.

Ongoing legal challenges

Pacheco, who was born in Ecuador, recently became a U.S. citizen, 13 years after she walked from Miami to Washington D.C. to advocate for undocumented immigrants. Shes the director of advocacy, communications and development for TheDream.US. But in September 2017, when President Donald Trumps administration announced a wind-down of the program, she was still a recipient facing a recent cancer diagnosis.

Knowing that they could potentially take it away, and the devastation it would have in my life, with losing my job, losing the health insurance that I needed to buy medicine and see the doctors its just cruel, she said.

Federal courts halted the measure in the months after. In June 2020, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump policy because it didnt follow the proper administrative process. Six months later, on his first day in office in January 2021, President Joe Biden signed a memo asking Homeland Security to take all actions to protect the program.

Six months after that, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas declared that the 2012 memo establishing the Deferred Action program was unlawful. He said Homeland Security could still renew benefits for current recipients and accept new applications. However, it could not grant protection for first-time applicants. The ruling came in a lawsuit Texas and other states filed in 2018 to end the program, arguing that it was illegal.

Britney Ortiz, 20, a University of Central Florida marketing student who moved to Orlando from Mexico 16 years ago, submitted her program application documents towards the end of Trumps term. But the federal judges decision has left Ortiz in limbo since.

Ortiz, heartened by her dads advice to never give up, hopes to open a business marketing firm one day. But not having any legal status has created hurdles. She lost a scholarship because shes undocumented, and takes the bus to school because she cant legally drive in Florida. A lot of companies wont accept her internship applications because she doesnt have a work permit or Social Security number.

In October 2021, Homeland Security finalized a federal rule to replace the 2012 memo. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described it as our effort to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action program to the fullest extent possible and called on Congress to provide Dreamers with the permanent protection they need and deserve.

Thats the regulation Judge Hanen declared unlawful on Sept. 13, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals asked him to consider the new rules legality. He kept the same conditions in place for current recipients and first-time applicants as in his previous ruling.

Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, an attorney with Ropes & Gray, a global law firm headquartered in Boston that partnered with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to represent Dreamers in the lawsuit, said they would appeal. One of the key strategies will be attacking the state of Texas standing, or ability to bring the lawsuit, using recent Supreme Court decisions that set a higher standard for states to prove harm. If needed, he told reporters during a recent press call, they would go all the way up to the Supreme Court.

We dont think that Judge Hanens opinion is the last word on this, he said.

Give us that citizenship

As the federal litigation continues, Deferred Action beneficiaries in Florida weigh how to move forward with their lives amid the possibility that the protections that have opened doors for them could end.

Murilo Alves, 26, first came to South Florida from Brazil when he was three. His family moved to the U.S. for good when he was eight. Hes now a second-year medical student who was inspired to pursue his career by the superhero volunteer physicians who gave his family healthcare through local groups and churches. The Deferred Action program made it possible for him to go to medical school, said Alves, who was part of a campaign earlier this year asking the Florida Legislature to not repeal the 2014 law that allows undocumented residents to pay in-state tuition.

I love this country and I grew up here. To me, Im a native Floridian in everything but on paper, he said. The program was a recognition of that and it gave me the opportunity to live the life I always wanted.

But hes paying for his schooling with scholarships and private loans, and fears what could happen if the program shuts down.

What if I cant renew? Im stuck with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, he said. At any moment, we could get it revoked and have to go back to our original countries.

Cezanne H., a South Florida woman who asked that her last name not be used because some of her relatives are undocumented, came from Canada more than 20 years ago. Unable to legally work in the U.S., she took whatever jobs she could land in the decade after graduating high school. Then, the Deferred Action program began when she was 28.

I remember sitting on my couch with my toddler son and hearing President Obama making the announcement. I was flabbergasted. It had been years of waiting for something to happen. she said. I finally had a chance to make his life better and easier.

She became a beneficiary of the deferred action program, and has since graduated with a bachelors degree in business administration with the help of a TheDream.US scholarship. Her son is now a teenager. But now, approaching her 40s, she grapples with the possible end of the federal protections that have given her the ability to build a career and an adult life in the United States.

You are stuck in this weird medium where you cant go forward, but you dont want to go back. she said All of us are in this limbo. Where do you go from here?
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
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.
Pennsylvania governor announces automatic voter registration in key swing state

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday -- which is National Voter Registration Day -- that the state will now automatically register residents to vote while getting their driver's license or state I.D.

"I made a commitment when I was campaigning for this office that we would bring automatic voter registration to Pennsylvania and break down the barriers for legal eligible voters," Shapiro said in a video posted on social media.

"This is a key step to make our elections more secure," he said.

PHOTO: Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro is seen at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony during Wawa Welcome America on July 04, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images, FILE)

Automatic voter registration (AVR) is the process by which people are automatically registered to vote as they enter their personal information into other government agencies, such as a Department of Motor Vehicles. Residents have the choice to opt out of being registered.

A Pennsylvania Department of State spokesperson told ABC News that people who are not eligible to vote will not be presented with the voter registration screen during any of the DMV processes.

Jessie Allen, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told ABC News that voter registration could help enroll people who would otherwise forget to register to vote. People who would have instead scrambled to register close to Election Day will not have to worry about their status, she said.

PHOTO: In downtown Reading, Penn., on Nov. 6, 2020 people marched and protested in opposition to the possibility that some of the votes from the 2020 November election would not be counted. (Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images, FILE)

"If you have to take an affirmative step to do it, then you might wind up being closed out of an opportunity that you're otherwise eligible for; you just haven't checked the box. This way, if you're automatically registered, because you have a driver's license, and you realize two weeks before an election, you want to vote; you'll be able to vote," Allen said.

MORE: Republicans, Democrats in Virginia make last push to encourage early voting

It also could help with voting record accuracy, Allen said.

"Voter records are already often linked with motor vehicles, because they want people to be accurate. So this way, for example, if somebody changes, addresses, or gets married and changes their name, and goes and gets a new driver's license, it would automatically update the voting record, and make it more accurate."

But some criticized the move, arguing there could be downsides to expanding the pool of voters.

"Making it easier for uninterested, uninformed people to wield political power will inevitably lead to terrible political choices. It expands the pool of citizens to conscript into jury duty, and gives more votes to harvest," the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania said.

Previously, 24 states (including the District of Columbia) had implemented AVR, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

And with Pennsylvania being a battleground state, AVR could be a major factor for Pennsylvania voters heading into the 2024 election.

MORE: Republicans, Democrats in Virginia make last push to encourage early voting

"Part of the reason why this is somewhat of a big story is that Pennsylvania was also one of the states that was being pretty heavily challenged in terms of voting in the 2020 presidential election," William Rosenberg, a political science professor at Drexel University, told ABC News.

PHOTO: Official ballot drop boxes are stored at a warehouse in Bucks County, Penn. on Sept. 22, 2020. (Rachel Wisniewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

Although Pennsylvania flipped blue in 2020 without AVR, Rosenberg says that AVR could still be seen as a disadvantage to Republicans, because "when it becomes easier and easier to vote, it's to the disadvantage of Republican candidate, because that means that there's likely to be more turnout, particularly among Democrats that might be somewhat disadvantaged by the prior restrictions that are in place."

Pennsylvania's governor framed AVR as being important for the state's future.

"Now more than ever, we need an engaged citizenry to move our country and our commonwealth forward," Shapiro said in the video posted to social media.

Pennsylvania governor announces automatic voter registration in key swing state originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A Brevard County grand jury has indicted a Palm Bay father suspected of brutally beating his 12-year-old son and leaving him to die from his injuries in a locked laundry room while the rest of the family left for Connecticut.

Noah Godleski, 12, of Palm Bay was found dead in the laundry room of his family's home late Friday night. Police said there was evidence his body had been there for "a lengthy period."

The indictment  coming almost two years after the homicide was reported  charges Jason Godleski with first-degree murder in connection with the October 2021 death of Noah Godleski. The grand jury met this week to hear prosecutors present evidence in the case. The family had already been investigated by the Department of Children and Families in connection with abuse claims involving the same child the year before.

More: Brevard sees 13 confirmed child homicides in 2020-2021; DCF had investigated multiple families

The boy's death  described as 'horrifying' by then-Palm Bay Police Chief Nelson Moya  was one of seven child homicides reported in Brevard County for the year 2021 and followed a higher than usual number of homicides involving children countywide for a two-year period stretching back to 2020, medical examiner records show.

In the case involving Noah Godleski, his 35-year-old father was formally charged in the indictment with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect, child abuse and tampering with evidence.

"The grand jury heard testimony from investigators with the Palm Bay Police Department and the Brevard County medical examiner before returning with the indictment," said Todd Brown, spokesperson for the Brevard County State Attorney's office.

The indictment was sought by prosecutors after Godleski attempted to fire his attorney who had negotiated a plea deal in August. If convicted, Godleski could face up to life in prison.

Then Palm Bay Police Chief Nelson Moya hold a news conference about the death of 12-year-old Noah Godleski.

The incident unfolded after Godleski walked into the police department lobby on Oct. 22, 2021, and told dispatchers that his son had died in their home on Colonial Drive.

"I needed to report that (Noah) passed away in his sleep. I will give you guys my address and the key,' Godleski told detectives. He then told police that he knew police would 'come down here an take me away, but can I just have a cigarette?'" court records show.

(Noah's) in the first door on the right when you enter the front door and I have the key. Theres also a dog there . so you want to get someone there for the dog."

More: Titusville woman charged with firing gun at school bus, police say

Detectives went to the home and carried out an investigation, determining that the boy had been severely beaten and locked in the laundry room. The boy, who was struck behind the head and in the face, later died alone in the laundry room, records show.

The family  including the boy's mother  left the state along with their other children at Godleski's urging, reports show. Godleski, who said he did not intend for the child to die, later returned to talk with the officers, court records show.

Samarial Dubose, Godleski's wife, took a plea deal on an aggravated manslaughter charge in the case. She told detectives that the boy  who had been been wearing diapers because of having accidents  was in the laundry room having an argument with Godleski.

Dubose said she heard the laundry room door shut followed by a loud noise, like something hitting the washing machine, reports show. She heard Noah crying for several minutes as his father yelled "incoherently," Dubose told detectives, adding that as the cries dwindled to moans, she went to her room to go to sleep. She later mentioned possibly taking the child to the emergency room if he wasn't walking by the next day. No efforts to call for help, however, were made, police say.

By the third day, Godleski  who police said did a search on his computer for "concussion treatments"  told the family they were heading to Connecticut and to "trust him," court records show.

Dubose was sentenced to 30 years in state prison as a result of her plea agreement.

No trial date has been set for Godleski. He remains held at the Brevard County Jail Complex on a no-bond status.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard grand jury indicts Palm Bay father in death of 12-year-old son
URUMQI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Mamatjan Yasin always exudes joy at his workplace. A construction foreman, the swarthy, burly man has a hectic schedule, checking each process diligently as he believes that they are not just building a house, but also crafting happier lives for the locals.

Mamatjan Yasin was born in Koxtakal Village of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture on the brink of the Taklimakan Desert in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where the barren land has long hindered the local economic growth.

Local authorities therefore provided vocational training to residents, helping them master construction skills and pursue a better living.

According to the regional department of housing and urban-rural development, since 2020, Xinjiang has trained more than 410,000 technical personnels in the construction field, and more than 320,000 new jobs were created in the sector.

Mamatjan Yasin's career in the construction sector began early, learning informally from experienced workers in the village, but initially limited to performing odd jobs.

In late 2021, he became one of the first individuals to receive vocational training in the village and obtained his certificate in January 2022.

"We used to purely rely on experiences to build houses but now every step has a strict standard which we should always conform to," Mamatjan Yasin said.

By constantly honing his skills, Mamatjan Yasin eventually set up his own team of workers, swiftly gaining a reputation for their exceptional expertise.

His wife has been a constant source of support in his career. "He used to earn about 5,000 yuan (about 697 U.S. dollars) a month, and now our monthly income has quadrupled to about 20,000 yuan," she said.

These days Mamatjan Yasin is busy renovating his own house and the family is even planning to purchase a new house in the county seat.

He said that the most enjoyable moments after work involve decorating their home with his wife. "I'm so excitedly looking forward to the day when my dream house will become a reality." 
A Grovetown man was recently arrested after an internet investigation led authorities to believe he possessed child pornography.

Eric Longacre, 40, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography.

On Aug. 14, the Grovetown Police Department Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at a home in the 4000 block of Rosedale Place after receiving information from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force that Longacre possessed child pornography, according to a news release.

Longacre was taken into custody and several electronic devices were seized, according to the release. Investigators later determined he had multiple videos and files containing child pornography.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are forthcoming, according to Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens.

Billboards raise questions in Augusta: Vandalism or advertising? Here's the story behind the 'graffitied' Morgan & Morgan signs

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Columbia County man charged with possessing child pornography
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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
What is someones life worth? A million dollars? A billion?

Our nation this week released $6 billion to gain the freedom of five Americans who had been imprisoned in Iran on a myriad of questionable charges. Do the math: Thats $1.2 billion for each U.S. citizen to come home.

The Biden administration quickly announced that the deal made five families whole again. Thats certainly true. Three men who were identified and two others whose names have been withheld had been jailed by Iran for reasons that seemed immensely unjust. They've come home. That's great news.

Given that the money was paid to gain the freedom of innocent people taken hostage by a nation that consistently behaves like a pirate state, the White House went to great lengths to claim that the $6 billion was not some sort of modern-day ransom. The $6 billion actually belonged to Iran. No U.S. dollars were turned over to the Iranians.

Thats all true, too. But as with so much of the story of terrorism now and how America responds, there is a disturbing backstory.

Is there anything normal in dealing with Iran?

Americans freed from Iran return to the US

First, the $6 billion. It was money paid for oil that the Iranians sold across the world. Under normal circumstances, where nations actually trust each other enough to craft respectable goods-for-services business deals, the money would have been deposited in Iranian banks years ago.

But dealing with Iran is never normal.

In 2018, after scrapping the highly questionable and controversial Iranian nuclear deal that had been negotiated by the Obama administration and several other nations, then-President Donald Trump, citing Irans uptick in terror activities, ordered the $6 billion to be held in South Korean banks.

Trumps goal was to stop Iran from its long history of funding terrorism. But Trump was not the first president to freeze Iranian assets this way. President Jimmy Carter started the frozen-funds trend four decades ago.

Which brings us to those frozen assets. Why hold them?

One reason was to punish Iran for its years of hostage-taking and terrorism. Another was to limit the amount of money the Iranians could use to fund their proxy killers such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip and on the West Bank and a myriad of thugs in Iraq. To name just a few.

Targeting 'frozen' assets

But yet another reason is worth examining now, especially in light of the recent release of the $6 billion.

For the past two decades, Irans so-called "frozen" assets  held in a variety of U.S. government accounts and elsewhere in banks  have been targeted in lawsuits filed by American victims of terrorism.

Without the U.S. military attacking Iran as punishment for killing Americans, terror victims have increasingly turned to the court system for some measure of justice. Think of this as a complicated version of an injury lawsuit. Someone is hurt or killed and the courts are left to dole out punishment, usually with a monetary judgment.

Here in New Jersey, Stephen Flatow, of West Orange, led the way against Iran, first by convincing Congress to pass the Flatow Amendment that allowed U.S. citizens to circumvent the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and file lawsuits in American courts against state sponsors of terrorism.

Flatows daughter, Alisa, was killed in an Iranian-financed suicide bombing, carried out by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 1995 on a road in the Gaza Strip. Instead of retreating into his sorrow like so many terror victims, Flatow embarked on a brave crusade to punish Iran.

After lobbying successfully to change U.S. law, Flatow took his new legal weapon to a federal court in Washington, D.C., and won a judgment against Iran of nearly $250 million.

But he never collected  not in Iranian money, anyway.

September 19, 2023: Family members embrace freed US Emad Shargi after disembarking from an airplane at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The United States and Iran, on Sept.18, 2023, swapped five prisoners each in one of the arch-foes first deals in years as Tehran gained access to $6 billion in frozen funds. The five Americans freed by Iran, including one held for eight years, flew out of Tehran in a Qatari jet, hours after the unblocked funds were deposited in accounts managed by Qatar.

Flatows attorneys targeted more than $400 million in frozen Iranian funds, held by the Pentagon. Iran paid the money in the 1970s for tanks, fighter jets and other military equipment being sold by the U.S. But when Irans mullahs seized control of Iran in 1979 and took U.S. diplomats as hostages, Carter, then the president, froze the military funds.

Flatow hoped to dip into that frozen cash. But the Clinton administration, fearing possible damage to future Iranian relations if the money was given to Flatow and other U.S. terror victims, set up numerous legal roadblocks. The Bush administration played the same game.

U.S. authorities ended up with a compromise. The U.S. would officially hold on to the frozen Iranian money, but gave Flatow a check in U.S. funds for fraction of what he was owed. The idea was to offer some financial comfort to Flatow and place a lien of sorts  in legal terms, a subrogation  on the frozen Iranian funds for some sort of negotiation later when the Iranian mullahs decided to behave like civilized people.

Other families were also compensated like this, including the Dukers of Teaneck, New Jersey and the Eisenfelds of West Hartford, Connecticut, whose children were killed in a Palestinian Hamas bombing in Jerusalem in 1996 that had been financed by Iran. They received a fraction of what the court ordered Iran to be paid. But at least it was something -- but again, with a lien or subrogation against Iran that would be settled sometime in the future.

Analysis: Americans are freed from Iran. So, why is the prisoner swap controversial for Biden?

More time, more lawsuits

Bolstered by the legal victories by the Flatow, Duker and Eisenfeld families, the list of terror victims who filed lawsuits continued to grow and even included former Associated Press reporter Terry Anderson, who had been taken hostage by Irans Hezbollah in the 1980s.

Perhaps the most consequential lawsuit was filed by the families of the more than 200 U.S. Marines killed in the Hezbollah terrorist bombing in 1983 in Lebanon. In March, after years of legal wrangling, a federal judge in New York ordered Iran to pay more than $1.3 billion as compensation for its financing of the 1983 bombing. Once again, Irans frozen assets were targeted.

Full disclosure: I chronicled these stories in my 2014 book, The Bus on Jaffa Road. I also edited Flatows 2018 memoir, "A Father's Story," and contributed an essay to another book of collected writings by Sara Duker and Matthew Eisenfeld, who died in the February 1996 bombing of the Number 18 bus in downtown Jerusalem. Duker, a promising biologist, and Eisenfeld, a rabbinical student, were in a budding romance that many friends believed was destined for marriage.

The legal glue behind all of these intensely emotional court cases has long been Irans money that had been frozen by U.S. authorities as a way of punishing Iran for its terrorist activities. Iran, which did not even bother to show up in court to contest many of these lawsuits, nevertheless seemed acutely aware that it could lose billions in frozen assets.

Which brings us to the next piece of this saga.

In 2015, the U.S., along with China, Russia, France, Great Britain and Germany, worked out a plan in which Iran promised to curtail its development of a nuclear bomb. In return for the deal  and for releasing four U.S. hostages  Iran demanded money.

The Obama administration sent Iran $1.7 billion  the $400 million that Flatow and the other victims had been targeting and another $1.3 billion in interest on those frozen assets. When Trump canceled U.S. involvement in the nuclear deal in 2018, Iran did not return the money.

Instead, Iran offered to return other U.S. citizens it had unjustly imprisoned in return for more frozen assets.

What to know: Iran releases five Americans in prisoner swap deal negotiated by Joe Biden

Who is still missing?

Which bring us to the $6 billion paid to Iran.

Yes, five U.S. citizens were brought home. Five Iranians, convicted in U.S. courts of non-violent crimes and imprisoned, were also told they could return to their homeland. Two went back; three others opted to stay in America.

Meanwhile, other Americans are still imprisoned in Iran  or are missing.

One of the missing, Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent, reportedly on assignment for the CIA, was abducted by Iran more than 16 years ago. U.S. authorities think Levinson, who would be 76 now and suffered from diabetes, is believed to have died in an Iranian jail. Iran wont confirm or deny this  or say anything about Levinsons whereabouts or return his body to his family.

But Iran now has $6 billion to spend. It promises not to use the money for terrorism.

Back here, America is left to wonder how much a life is really worth.

Mike Kelly is an award-winning columnist for NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, as well as the author of three critically acclaimed non-fiction books and a podcast and documentary film producer. To get unlimited access to his insightful thoughts on how we live life in the Northeast, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kellym@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Iran prisoner swap: On NJ backstory and frozen assets
The last time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington following the Russian invasion of his country, he was invited to speak to a joint meeting of Congress.

His upcoming visit this week to the U.S. Capitol will look more than a bit different.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told HuffPost on Monday that Zelenskyy will meet with a select group of lawmakers and party leaders in a bipartisan setting when he visits the House side of the U.S. Capitol.

Were going to do a bipartisan meeting. A group of members. Hakeems going to have some, Ill have some, based on the committees and stuff, and well do a meeting together, McCarthy said, referring to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Zelenskyy is expected to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York this week and then go to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden . The Washington Post reported he was expected to arrive in the capital on Thursday.

Thursday is currently the last working day of the week in Washington scheduled for House lawmakers. However, with House Republicans wrestling over how to pass legislation keeping the government open past Sept. 30, McCarthy has threatened to hold representatives longer.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) waits for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver his address to a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 21, 2022.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) waits for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver his address to a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 21, 2022.

Still, the change in atmospherics could not be sharper. McCarthy, since taking the gavel from now-speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) when Republicans took control of the chamber, has had one-on-one meetings with the leaders of Italy, the United Kingdom and India when they have visited.

In addition to inviting Zelesnkyy to speak to Congress and make the case for more U.S. aid directly to lawmakers as well as to the American public, Pelosi gifted Zelenskyy with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol on the day of his visit, and Zelenskyy gave her a Ukrainian battlefield flag signed by soldiers. The pair also made brief remarks at a photo-op.

But as the war has passed the 18-month mark, there are signs of war fatigue, especially among Republicans. A CNN poll released in early August found 71% of Republicans opposed more aid to Ukraine and 59% thought the U.S. had done enough already to support the country.

Donald Trump, the leader in the Republican presidential primary who is campaigning while out on bail from various indictments, has said publicly he could negotiate a quick end to the war but has in the past suggested Russia be allowed to keep some of the land its occupied, a condition Ukrainians reject.

Zelenskyys visit comes as Congress is mulling whether and how to fulfill Bidens request for about another $20 billion in aid to Ukraine as part of a supplemental spending request also including disaster aid.

McCarthy said Monday his fellow House Republicans were split on the issue and hinted that he may try to tie additional aid, a high priority for the White House, with border enforcement changes sought by House Republicans.

I think theres a number of people who want to make sure its successful there. They also want to make sure the American border is secure, too, he said.
A judge ordered a child sexual assault case to be sealed after police charged a city of Las Cruces digital media manager with over two dozen sexual assault crimes against children.

Dominic Aragon, 38, stands charged with 16 counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in varying degrees and nine counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor. Aragon was arrested on Sept. 20 in El Paso, Texas. He remains in the Dona Ana County Detention Center as of this articles publication. However, the details of the allegations are unclear.

Third Judicial District Judge Conrad Perea sealed the case on Sept. 7, according to online court filings, which were removed from public access around 9 a.m. on Sept. 21.

New Mexico law stipulates that a judge may not seal a case simply because both parties agree to seal. Instead, the judge must find that:

The existence of an overriding interest that overcomes the right of public access to the court record.

The overriding interest supports sealing the court record.

A substantial probability exists that the overriding interest will be prejudiced if the court record is not sealed.

The proposed sealing is narrowly tailored.

And no less restrictive means exist to achieve the overriding interest.

City confirms Aragon's termination

We have been fully cooperative with police for their investigation. As soon as we were notified of his arrest, we began processing his termination, Mandy Guss, the director of communication and Aragons former manager, said in an email.

According to his LinkedIn page, Aragon worked for the city of Las Cruces for over 16 years. A New Mexico State University graduate in 2008, Aragon started as a media production specialist before becoming a digital media manager in January 2023.

In that role, Aragon managed the citys social media pages and responded to media inquiries if other communication staff were unavailable.

Guss also said that, as far as the city knew, none of the allegations occurred on city property or used city resources.

Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Former Las Cruces staffer charged with child sexual assault crimes
One idea is for Congress to cut off its own pay.

Another would require the U.S. House and Senate to work continuous seven-day work weeks until a resolution.

As Washington barrels toward a possible federal government shutdown, some members of Congress are proposing and advocating for legislation to make federal spending impasses more painful  for Congress.

Though the bills stand little chance of becoming law before the looming Oct. 1 deadline to avert a federal government shutdown, members of Congress are championing the proposals, which they hope will help avert future last-minute spending negotiations.

"It's pretty straightforward. The basic element of our job is to govern," Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Democrat of Virginia, said. "If we are unable to fund the government, at the very least we shouldn't be getting paid."

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) departs from a House Democrat caucus meeting on May 31, 2023. / Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

In May, as Congress faced the prospect of a debt default, Spanberger and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania, introduced the "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act," which would block the pay of members of Congress if the public debt limit is reached or a federal government shutdown occurs.

On Wednesday, Rep. Angie Craig, Democrat of Minnesota, formally announced her own version of such a bill.

Other House members are scheduled on Thursday to announce the formal introduction of similar bills to strip Congress of pay during shutdowns.

Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, has been seeking a vote on his own version of shutdown prevention legislation. His bill, dubbed the "Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023," would prohibit Congress from taking a break or returning home if they miss a deadline to pass spending legislation.

"There are hard adult conversations [about spending] that need to happen," Lankford told CBS News. "But having a government shutdown and imposing hardship on other people is not the way to do it."

Sen. James Lankford at a hearing on July 12, 2023. / Credit: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

A pair of Democratic lawmakers representing Virginia have introduced separate legislation that would also prohibit Congress from recessing or shifting to other business if it fails to meet a deadline to pass its spending bills. Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Don Beyer, who collectively represent at least 100,000 federal workers, have dubbed their bill the "End Shutdowns Act." The legislation would also require Congress to revert to prior spending levels in the case of a shutdown to ensure federal agencies can still function.

"It's almost 'reverse leverage.' It takes away shut down as leverage," Kaine told CBS News. "And it takes away these hostage-taking techniques."

Beyer said the legislation would help Congress better focus as spending bill deadlines approach. He told CBS News, "Basically all our efforts should be to just find a resolution to this conflict and get our government funded."

As part of his advocacy for his legislation, Beyer on Wednesday released letters from some of his constituents who are worried about the prospects of a shutdown. One letter said there is concern about "families facing difficulty paying their rent, mortgages or other bills."

Another letter from a federal contractor in Virginia asked, "Do I borrow money or do I layoff my hard-working employees?"

Rep. Don Beyer gavels to order a hearing on November 16, 2022. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents tens of thousands of federal workers, has urged Congress to be more aggressive about avoiding shutdown deadlines. Everett Kelley, the union's national president, said he's been urging his members to call Congress to advocate for an end to the impasse and new protections to avert shutdowns.

He told CBS News that 60% of Americans live "paycheck to paycheck. Just imagine payday with no paycheck."

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McCarthy faces pressure to unite GOP and avert shutdown
A federal lawsuit filed last month seeks to remove the residency requirement New Jersey law requires for terminally-ill patients to seek medically assisted suicide.

The lawsuit was filed by Compassion & Choices on behalf of cancer patients in Delaware and Pennsylvania and two New Jersey doctors, per the organizations press release about the suit.

In 2019, the state passed the New Jersey Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, which allowed New Jersey residents with terminal illness diagnoses who meet certain criteria to seek medically assisted death. The suit alleges that the nonresident cancer patients are discriminated against by the State of New Jersey, based solely on their lack of residency status.

Related

This discriminatory denial violates the United States Constitution, the suit alleges. The group seeks a declaration that the Acts definition of qualified terminally ill patient and residency requirement violate Equal Protection Clause of the United States.

New Jersey isnt the only state whose residency requirement has been challenged.

Oregon removed its residency requirement after a lawsuit challenged the requirement as unconstitutional, per The Associated Press. Compassion & Choices was behind this lawsuit as well.

In a settlement, the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Medical Board agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement and to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law, according to The Associated Press.

Another state, Vermont, faced a similar situation.

Compassion & Choices filed a suit on behalf of a Connecticut resident and a Vermont physician claiming its residency requirement violates the Constitutions commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities clause, per The Associated Press. Vermont settled the case and changed its law to remove the residency requirement.

At the time, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee Mary Hahn Beerworth said in front of a Vermont legislative committee, To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion.

Related

U.S. states removal of residency requirements for medically assisted suicide comes as Americas northern neighbor Canada faces controversy for looking toward expanding medically assisted suicide to mature minors. The country is considering repealing part of Canadian law that prevented individuals with mental illness as the sole underlying reason for assisted suicide by 2024.

U.S. laws arent as permissive as Canadas or some countries in Europe. California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Oregon and Washington have physician-assisted suicide policies and the states require a patient to have a terminal illness and a six-month prognosis.

Nevada was considering legalizing physician-assisted suicide this past legislative season, but the governor vetoed the bill.

In a testimony before Nevada politicians, Reno doctor Kirk Brolander said what he saw as a flaw with the bill, A misdiagnosis coupled with poor prognostication results in a patient getting a lethal prescription when they could have years of good quality life left to live.
Power matters when it comes to charging electric cars. Generally, the more Watts, the faster the potentially tiresome business takes place.

The fastest public car chargers offer up to 400kW, nearly 130 times the power you get from a three-pin socket at home. Its enough to fill even the largest electric car batteries in record time. A long range Hyundai Ioniq 5 for example, on a 350kW charger, can get from 10% to 80% in around 18 minutes. Thats nearly 14 miles of added range every five minutes.

Of course, if you can, its vastly cheaper and more convenient to charge your electric car at home. But home chargers, which use alternating current (AC) rather than the direct current (DC) of rapid public ones, are much slower. Getting a full battery is typically an overnight affair.

The slowest home chargers run at 3.2kW, though most are 7.4kW which is about the same power as your home cooker circuit. These will fully charge a car like the long range Ioniq 5 in a rather pedestrian 11 hours or so.

Faster, 22kW AC home chargers are available, though. They sound appealing and can potentially slash your charging time to a third. But is the mindset of maximising your charging power at home a fallacy? Should you buy one? Probably not, and heres why.

First, its normally a hassle, and often a very expensive one, to get 22kW out of your home power supply. Almost all British homes run on single-phase electricity, but 22kW needs three-phase. This is essentially three standard power supplies in one.

22kW has traditionally been reserved for power-hungry commercial applications. If you want it at home you can usually get it, and some of the newest homes do indeed have it as standard, but youll need a new connection running to the street or the substation, and this comes at a price. The cost is typically between 3,000 and 20,000 depending upon how far away that nearest connection is. The charger itself is also more expensive. Budget on around 1500 rather than 500 as a starting point.

And the problems dont stop there. Once youve bought an expensive 22kW power supply and charger, you may be gutted to find your car wont charge that fast on AC anyway. Surprisingly few cars support 22kW AC. Teslas Model S and Model Y do for example, but not the very popular Model 3, which maxes out at 11kW. The latest Corsa-e also has a maximum of 11kW while 22kW is a 1750 option on Audi Q8 e-trons.

The reason is that in Scandinavian countries, Germany and the Netherlands, where all domestic supplies are three-phase, the vast majority are only 11kW. so thats the standard. A surprising exception to the rule are the latest versions of the relatively modest Renault Zoe, which does support 22kW.

Few drivers need 22kW charging anyway. According to Octopus Energy, a leader in domestic EV charging tariffs, on average their customers charge for two to three hours overnight, two to three times per week. When these drivers need faster charging, its usually away from home on longer journeys. There would be little speed or economic advantage in opting for 22kW at home.

Hive EV Charging review

A better option for some homes might be to have three 7.4kW chargers instead. Multi-car households are increasingly going to be all-electric. You can charge three vehicles at once on a standard domestic supply if youve got a driveway big enough. Itll stop family squabbles  therell be no emotional pleas of I need the charger tonight, or similar.

You will however require what the power people call load management or dynamic load balancing. You can only have all three cars charging flat out when theres no other load, so the chargers need to know how much the other appliances in your home are consuming, and manage demand accordingly.

Without such intelligence, the cars will summon up their maximum rates and bang goes the main fuse as they overload the supply. With proper management, the cars are controlled and, when the dishwasher and tumble drier go off, the power available for the cars gets a boost.

New homes are often adopting 22kW when theyre electric only. In West Wales for example, properties are now being built without gas supplies but with electric car chargers. The Distribution Network Operator is saying that cooking, heating and car charging means theyre going to need a three-phase supply for all that demand across the home.

Thats not to say 22kW cant be great for some drivers. Those with high daily mileages who really do need a full charge every day for example, or small businesses  a restaurant that can offer a meaningful charge to customers for the duration of a typical leisurely lunch. On balance though, most people need to think very hard before going to the expense of a three-phase charging in the home. Its likely to be a waste of a lot of money.

As one industry expert said to me, In the domestic world my heart goes out to people who have been misled into spending that kind of money  I was told I needed to spend 25 grand to upgrade my house supply so that I could charge my EV  that kind of thing.

Itll just cause a whole cycle of horror stories of people who feel theyve been taken to the cleaners.
While descending to the moon's surface on July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin struggled with alarms from an overwhelmed computer and spotty communication with mission control in Houston, where controllers frantically flipped through notes to identify error codes. After enduring a nerve-wracking 13 minutes and overshooting their landing site by 4 miles (6 kilometers), the crew managed to touch down unharmed near the moon's equator with just 15 seconds' worth of fuel left, and radioed home a much-awaited message: "The Eagle has landed."

Between 1969 and 1972, the U.S. landed 12 astronauts on the moon as part of the Apollo program, which was formed primarily to beat the former Soviet Union to the moon in the heat of the Cold War. Now, more than 50 years after the first human landed on the moon, interest is once again surging to visit our celestial neighbor. This time, though, spacefaring nations are eyeing the lunar south pole, which has become a hotspot for both short- and long-term space exploration.

Related: Scientists map 1,000 feet of hidden 'structures' deep below the dark side of the moon

Why focus on the lunar south? Because there, scientists think countless permanently shadowed areas host abundant deposits of frozen water that could be mined for life support and rocket fuel.

However, "it is speculation really; nobody knows" if there's plentiful water there, Martin Barstow , a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester in the U.K., told Live Science. "And that's why it is important to go look."

Recently, multiple nations have been trying to do just that.

Tracks from India's lunar rover appear on the grey, dusty surface of the moon's south pole

Race to the lunar south

Russia's Luna 25 lunar probe attempted to land near the south pole on Aug. 19 but crashed after erratic communications following an important orbit maneuver, creating a 33-foot-wide (10 meters) crater on the moon's southeastern region.

A rare glimpse of success in the moon-landing pursuit came on Aug. 23, when India became the first nation to touch down near the lunar south pole with its Chandrayaan-3 mission. There, the country's robotic lander-rover duo spent a lunar day exploring the nearby region. The solar-powered explorers confirmed the presence of sulfur , an infrastructure-building ingredient that could be key to future camps; measured lunar temperature by inserting a probe into the soil for the first time; and likely detected a moonquake . In early September, the mission team put the duo into sleep mode, in hopes that fully charged batteries would push through the bitter night and wake up at the next lunar sunrise.

In 2026, China is planning to send its Chang'e-7 spacecraft on an ambitious endeavor to the lunar south pole. According to the mission plan, the spacecraft will consist of an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and a small, flying probe that will hunt for water ice in shadowed regions. Later this decade, NASA's Artemis moon program aims to land a crew near the south pole for a weeklong mission, with an Australian rover piggybacking on one of the missions.

The sunrise casts a warm glow around the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 21.

Home, home on the moon?

For many nations engaged in the new space race, the goal is not just to visit the south pole  but to build a permanent presence there.

"With 50 years of technological progress, anybody can go to the moon  this time, to stay," Jack Burns , director of the NASA-funded Network for Exploration and Space Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder, told Live Science.

NASA's Artemis program, for example, aims to build a cabin on the moon for astronauts to live and work for two months at a time, when they will hone technology by using local resources, like water ice, for life support and rocket fuel generation.

"The idea of manufacturing in space is very interesting to a lot of people, but nobody has really done it yet," Barstow said. "And that, I think, is where we are sitting right now. We all know what we want to do. We can even conceive how we might do it. But we have to do those first engineering tests and see if we actually can."

Related: New poppy seed-sized fuel pellets could power nuclear reactors on the moon

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Future space missions will grapple with the challenge of building materials that are both lightweight and strong enough to sustain launch loads. "We don't yet have the facilities to do that," Barstow said. Although getting to the moon's south pole is more challenging than a straightforward path to its equator, we already have the technology to do so. For example, the only way to land on the moon's south pole would be to perform a rocket-powered controlled descent. "The principles of that are fairly straightforward," Barstow said. The more pressing challenge will be nailing down how to land safely.

Ultimately, the pursuit to establish a sustainable presence on the moon will also serve as a stepping stone to get to Mars, scientists say.

Although we may have the technology to send humans to visit the Red Planet, the costs involved are extremely high, and "no one government has the appetite for investing that amount of money that it requires just now," Barstow said. The logistics and human cost of establishing a Mars colony are also an open question in need of extensive research. With the race back to the moon finally kicking off in force, it may still be decades before any "Eagle" lands on Mars.
A Lubbock man was found guilty of three federal charges, including one felony and two misdemeanor offenses, in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach in Washington, D.C.

Federal officials say his actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, according to a statement released this week by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Case of Lubbock businessman and musician accused in Capitol riot moved to D.C.

Ryan Scott Zink, 34, was found guilty on Sept. 13 after a jury trial in U.S. District Court. Zink was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, a felony offense, as well as two misdemeanor offense of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

According to evidence presented during the trial, On Jan. 6, 2021, Zink marched from the area near the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. to the United States Capitol and by approximately 1:45 p.m., stood immediately outside the restricted grounds on the east side of the Capitol. At about 2:00 p.m., other rioters had violently breached the barricades marking the restricted area near Zink and shortly thereafter, he entered the restricted area and marched through the plaza with others. Zink then made his way up the stairs of the Capitols Central East Portico.

While on restricted grounds immediately outside the Capitol building, Zink filmed a series of video clips while on the Capitol grounds. In one clip, the defendant recorded himself stating, We knocked down the gates! Were storming the Capitol! You cant stop us! In the same video, Zink panned the phone camera to show the crowd around him and later began chanting, We want Trump!, as he moved through the crowd at the footsteps of the Capitol.

Zink is the heard shouted, staring into his recording device: You all want to know how its going? We are going to bum rush this ****! In a second video, the defendant filmed the crowd as it attempted to breach the Rotunda Doors to the Capitol. Zink stated, Theyre not going to get this one. In a third video, Zink shouted, You wanted to see what its become? Were in the doors! Towards the end of the video, the defendant turned the camera to capture another individual smashing a window near the Rotunda Doors.

Zink later wrote to an associate about his involvement in the Jan. 6 riots, stating Broke down the doors pushed Congress out of session I took two flash bangs Im ok Ill be posting pictures in a little bit when we get back Im hurt but we accomplished the job and Im afraid the time for rioting is over better clean those guns and invest in some level 4 armor.

Zink was arrested on Feb. 4, 2021, in Texas.

U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Boasberg will sentence Zink on Dec. 18, 2023.

All charges carry potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas.

This case was investigated by the FBIs Dallas and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 396 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock man found guilty on federal charges in Jan. 6 Capitol riot
BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- At the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 21, 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the Global Development Initiative (GDI), offering the international community another significant public good.

Two years on, the initiative, which aims to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated, and inclusive growth, has won increasing recognition and support.

Analysts opined that with the GDI, China is blazing a trail for global development, which diverges from the Western-dominated development models, playing a pioneering role in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

NEW MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT

China introduced the GDI at a time when development across the world, particularly in developing countries, was going through a rough patch.

Unilateralism, protectionism, and anti-globalization are running rampant. Transnational challenges are intensifying, with frequent outbreaks of regional conflicts. Clinging to the Cold War mentality, some Western countries are bent on provoking bloc confrontations, putting global security at greater risk.

To navigate through those hurdles and unlock a path forward, balanced, coordinated, and inclusive development is of paramount importance. That means no country should be left in the lurch, and developing nations -- whose development interests have been overlooked for far too long -- deserve more attention and support.

With its influence and experiences, China is trying to galvanize the world economy and create fairer bases for all nations to prosper, said Waleed Gaballah, a professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University.

The GDI is an initiative that "is built on maintaining cooperation and achieving interests for all without leaving any country behind," pointed out Gaballah.

Referring to the GDI as "an inclusive and coherent proposal for a new international order that is just and equitable," Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said at the recently-concluded Group of 77 and China Summit in Havana that the initiative is helping "place knowledge-based development at the center of the priorities of the international system."

By rolling out a set of initiatives including the GDI, China is propelling the world "into a new paradigm, where we think about the one humanity first, before we think about national interests," said Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairwoman of the German think tank Schiller Institute.

INDISPENSABLE ROLE

To effectively implement the GDI, China, a developing country, prioritizes the urgent needs of developing countries, proposing a range of practical measures to empower developing countries in crucial areas including poverty reduction, food security, industrialization, and connectivity.

China's efforts are bringing tangible benefits. According to a report released by the Chinese government in June, in just the past year, China has established over 100 projects to promote the GDI, benefiting nearly 40 developing countries. Additionally, China has set up 1,000 capacity-building projects and provided 20,000 training opportunities in relevant countries.

"Every day, we see the Chinese initiatives are embodied in Chinese projects on real ground," said Gaballah, the Egyptian economist, adding that he "expects momentum in the Chinese projects and actions for promoting the process of development in general."

Enhancing the voice and representation of developing countries in the global governance system is also an essential aspect of the GDI. In such events as the largest-ever expansion of the BRICS mechanism and the successful inclusion of the African Union in the G20, China has all played an indispensable role.

"The GDI, in specific, has great practical importance," said Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, noting that the initiative deals with all kinds of projects and necessities that either developing countries or the least developed ones need the most.

China's goals contained in the GDI are right, said Akkan Suver, head of the Istanbul-based Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation. "They have created a different atmosphere ... (and) enabled people to live better, move better, and achieve better."

EXPANDING GROUP OF FRIENDS

Having witnessed the far-reaching dividends brought about by the GDI, more members of the international community are joining the symphony of development, becoming ardent supporters and active participants in this initiative.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated that the GDI aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations and that China's efforts in assisting developing countries in their common development goals are unparalleled.

So far, over 100 countries and international organizations have voiced support for the GDI, and more than 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has also signed cooperation memorandums of understanding with more than 20 countries and international organizations.

Inspired by the GDI, the world is rallying together to create an unstoppable tide in the quest for equitable development and a just global governance system.

However, it cannot be ignored that at this very moment when global unity is urgently needed, certain Western countries, in a bid to maintain their hegemony, are willfully sabotaging international collaboration.

They advocate for decoupling and form exclusive cliques with the intention of obstructing development in other nations through technological monopolies and trade barriers. For the world as a whole, these countries represent the direst threat to development.

While the West "keeps working tirelessly" to maintain all economic gains from its hegemony, the economic order where the West occupies a dominant position "has become weak," argued Gaballah.

These countries must mend their ways and heed the call of the majority of nations around the world, who aspire for development and unity, and abhor hegemonism and confrontation, according to the scholar.

Global development efforts should be a collective endeavor involving people from all nations. China has always been ready to join hands with other countries to pursue such a goal.

With a focus on addressing the fundamental obstacles to human development, the China-proposed GDI is bound to go even further, said Suver. "I believe the initiative will be more productive in the coming years." 
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is calling on the Arizona congressional delegation to help pass a bill that requires every state to keep standardized felony conviction records.

Mitchell said prosecuting people who are in Arizona from another state can be a challenge if their home state records do not include enough identifying information.

"My prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court, that the person has a felony conviction, and some states do not keep adequate records for that," Mitchell said. "So we've asked the congressional delegation to pass legislation that requires certain minimums."

Mitchell said other states should maintain adequate identifying information on defendants, "so that if we have to prove that that person has a felony conviction, we're able to match it up to the individual sitting in court."

Maricopa County, for example, adds a person's fingerprint on sentencing documents, Mitchell said.

The county attorney brought up the issue while announcing charges for the man who shot and killed CVS employee Michael Jacobs at a CVS store in Mesa earlier this month. Mitchell said 38-year-old Jared Sevey was indicted on six counts: first-degree murder; burglary; two counts of disorderly conduct; tampering with evidence; and misconduct involving weapons, because Sevey was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona county attorney calls for standard felony conviction records
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.
WORCESTER - It's not just legislators who are fed up with the Cannabis Control Commission's lack of responsiveness. Members of the public who have petitioned the body to address concerns with the amount of billboard advertisements advocating the use of marijuana are also unhappy.

While the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, acknowledged receipt of the letter, he refrained from commenting on its contents beyond saying that the letter has been read and filed and will be addressed in the future.

Were working with the co-chair on next steps, Gomez said, adding that the committee will give the agency time and an opportunity to work out its internal issues. People have voiced their concerns.

Those people include three women who attended the Tuesday Joint Committee hearing at the commission's headquarters in Union Station. They have individually been pressing the commission to more closely regulate billboard advertisements promoting cannabis.

Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Sen. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, said the committee will give the Cannabis Control Commission, the regulatory agency overseeing the state's marijuana industry, time to sort itself out before acting on a request to enact oversight of the body.

We dont believe the laws regulating billboard advertisements are enforceable, said Ornella Quinn, a Berlin mother and activist. All three women, and others testifying regarding a proposal to ban billboard advertising of cannabis and its derivative products and retailers, suggested the ads go the way of tobacco advertising, banned in 1999.

Current regulations require that 85% of the audiences targeted by cannabis advertisements be composed of adults. The women point out that it is impossible to limit billboard viewership to adults.

Violations on case-by-case basis

Theresa Hoggins, left and Ornella Quinn, would like all cannabis ads to disappear from Massachusetts billboards, and testified Tuesday in support of the bill that would ban marijuana ads.

The women contend the billboard ads violate the law, and despite numerous meetings with the commission, the agency has not taken action to sanction the violators nor stop the violations from occurring. The commission, the women reported, had indicated it would address violations of the law on a case-by-case basis.

We have lost confidence in the ability of the CCC to regulate billboard advertisements, Quinn said. The bill banning billboard ads was filed by Rep. Patrick Joseph Kearney, D-Scituate.

We all know kids learn to read by reading billboards, said Theresa Hoggins. Many of the advertisements for cannabis are located in close proximity to colleges and universities, as well as clustered on billboards along the states major highways.

Cannabis for everyone reads one of the billboards on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Springfield. Life is better with cannabis reads another one, said Hoggins. 'Keeping Spirits High,' 'Making Life Better' What kind of message is this sending to children? she asked.

The advertising campaigns, they contend, normalize cannabis use and consumption, and send a message that the substance can safely be consumed by all.

The women cited research that indicated cannabis can have detrimental effects on the developing brains of children and adolescents. Hoggins cited a Danish study conducted over decades that examined medical records of 6 million people. The findings: 30% of schizophrenia cases in men between 21 and 30 could have been prevented through restricting use of marijuana.

Amy Turncliff, left, of RockFern Scientific Consulting, sits with Theresa Hoggins, after both testified at the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy hearing Tuesday, advocating to ban all billboard advertisements of cannabis, cannabis products and retailers.

Amy Turncliff, managing director of RockFern Scientific Consulting, a consulting firm marrying science and neuroscience, said exposure to cannabis advertising increased the risk of its use as well as the intention to use. Marijuana use among adolescents can increase the risk of cannabis use disorder as well as increase incidences of bipolar episodes, schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Other bills before the committee included a measure that would bar employers from interfering with workers unionization attempts. The measure, called a labor peace agreement, would ensure those workers who chose to unionize are not intimidated, retaliated against or in any way stopped from forming labor unions in cannabis workplaces.

While the women supported the advertising ban, Duane Harden, a social equity marijuana entrepreneur who runs a delivery company in Western Massachusetts, said the only information the public has about his business is through advertising.

When you click on the commission website to look for a retailer or distributor, the delivery service is not listed, Harden said. Billboards are our only way to get the word out.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Witnesses say billboard ads could prompt kids, teens to try marijuana
A teen girl was found safe on Wednesday after being missing for days, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

The 15-year-old, who The Arizona Republic is not naming to protect her privacy, went missing on Friday and was reported missing by her mother on Monday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The mother reported to police she last saw the girl around 6 a.m. Friday when she dropped her off at the school bus stop near her residence. She said her daughter attended school on Friday but never returned home, the Sheriff's Office said.

On Monday, the mother contacted the school and learned she did not attend school on Monday, the Sheriff's Office said. The girl did not have a phone with her.

The Sheriff's Office asked the community for help in finding her on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Sheriff's Office announced she had been found safely. Officials did not say how or if any tips led to the discovery.

Authorities did not specify where she was found.

Reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda covers breaking news for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at laura.sepulveda@arizonarepublic.com or on X @lauradaniella_s.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Missing 15-year-old from Mesa found safe
It's not just preservationists who'd like the city to keep the wrecking balls tethered. Across from the former Del Bene Produce building in Eastern Market, where sunlight gleamed off strips of aluminum in a pile of rubble, a pragmatist was also weighing in.

The four-story red brick building at 2501 Russell Street has stood empty with the street barricaded since a chunk of the south wall collapsed late Saturday morning, exposing the top two floors to the elements and a steady parade of sightseers.

The market is already one of Detroit's leading tourist attractions, but this was something as fresh as the Michigan-grown produce: a gaping wound in a 126-year-old building, guilt-free for gawking because the one and only injury wasn't serious.

Paul Grout, right, talks to workers Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, about the building that partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Grout is hoping to help save the historic building.

Royal Oaker Paul Grout was among the bystanders, but as a general contractor, he was peering Tuesday with a practiced eye. He had invited a structural engineer to the site, the engineer's associate had unleashed a drone, and "based on what we saw," Grout said, "the building's not in that bad shape."

Without anyone venturing inside, the city declared its intention over the weekend to finish the job that the mysterious wall-slide started. Unsafe, decreed the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, along with the Detroit Fire Department. Gotta go.

Could be, Grout said, but "let's slow down a little. Let's do this right."

Paul Grout, right, talks to workers Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, after a building partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Grout is hoping to help save the historic building.

Let's actually inspect the building, he said, examine the merits of demolishing vs. refurbishing, and consider every angle of the big picture.

Then  whoa  the Metro Times reported on Wednesday that the City of Detroit would consider a plan to stabilize and then rebuild the Del Bene. It even suggested using a drone for an inspection, in which case Grout knows a guy.

It would be bad business  and outright malfeasance  to let a dangerous building shed bricks at Russell Street and Winder. But a handsome structure that dates to 1897, one year before the Spanish-American War, deserves deliberation before obliteration.

Lindsay Studders, 37, of Grosse Pointe Park looks on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at the building that partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, as she and a friend were coming down to shop during Tuesday market day.

A sprint to razing would say something untoward about the city, which has historically favored bulldozers over blueprints. When so many people remain eager to believe the worst about Detroit, a quick decision might also suggest something unsettling about the rest of Eastern Market.

Many of the familiar or functional properties across the market's 43 acres are a century old. If the current home of Jabs Gym, J'adore Detroit, Detroit Vs. Everybody, Brooklyn Outdoor and Beyond Juicery and Eatery can't be saved, is that a whisper others can't be trusted?

Boom times before the collapse

Dan McCarthy, 60, owns Cost Plus Wine Shoppe and the vintage 1894 building it anchors. He gets his exterior tuckpointed every six or seven years to repel moisture, and "it's dry as a bone," he said.

Dan McCarthy, owner of Cost Plus Eastern Market Wine, talks about his diligence in tuck-pointing the brick on his building on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, after a building partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

He said his neighbors on Market Street, including Vivio's and DeVries & Co., are as proactive as he is. Their block will outlast Keith Richards' great-grandchildren.

Other businesses have had hiccups, like the water damage from an upstairs fire that has left Supino Pizzeria closed since April, and the market is still dealing with a tragedy: Vivian Carmody, the wife of CEO Dan Carmody, was killed by an alleged drunk and stoned driver and Carmody was injured as they walked to dinner in Lafayette Park last month.

Beyond that, "the market is booming. It's never been so busy," McCarthy said.

Now comes the crash of bricks and glass to the asphalt, and again: if the Del Bene building truly needs to go, then bon voyage.

But if a building with a reinforced concrete frame can be shored up, it stiffens the reputation of everything around it in a place so beloved that Debby Greene, 68, made a 250-mile trip from Rogers City to shop for flowers  and confirmed when it comes to Detroit, some people will believe anything.

Debby Greene, 68, of Rogers City, shops for produce in Eastern Market on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, near the historic building that partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Greene's granddaughter had a volleyball match scheduled in the suburbs, so the market wasn't her only destination. And in truth, on an apples-and-vegetables-heavy Tuesday, flowers were in disappointingly short supply.

She and a friend were having a grand time anyway, and as she inspected a bell pepper, Greene found herself reminded of a lesson in outsized reputation she learned when she was on the board of the Michigan Municipal League.

The league was holding its annual conference at the MGM Grand in Detroit, and she ran into two gentlemen there who were attending a railroad convention.

"We're really disappointed," one of them told her, and as far as she can tell he was serious. "We've been here a day, and we haven't seen a dead body yet."

White trucks and a white dress

Beyond Juicery on the Del Bene's first floor was plastered with large orange stickers headlined, "Notice of Building Closure."

After a building partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, the Free Press interviews on-lookers as to what they think about the future of Detroits beloved Eastern Market on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

So were the Germack nuts and coffee store next door and the Electric Park Tattoo shop around the corner on Adelaide, where two hulking trash receptacles sit on the sidewalk and the awning reads, "The World's Very Finest Tattooing Between Two Dumpsters."

Three white trucks had been allowed to ease past the blockade on Russell, one each from DTE Energy, Traffic Management Inc. and an underground construction company called InfraSource. At least Ford was having a good day; they were all F-150s.

Across the street, Mike Tinsley of Detroit and Matthew Andrus of Westland spoke softly to one another as they studied a familiar storefront. Tinsley, 32, the regional manager, wore a Beyond Juicery hat. Andrus, 29, one of the shop's co-owners, carried a company backpack.

Beyond Juicery and Eatery regional manager Mike Tinsley, 32, of Detroit, left, and co-owner Matthew Andrus, 29, of Westland, talk about the uncertain future of their store Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, after the building where their business was housed, partially collapsed in Eastern Market on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Tinsley said he was just glad everyone was safe. Andrus and his partners also own shops at Wayne State and in the New Center, and he said the Eastern Market employees will be offered hours there.

From the front, the building looked sturdy and the shop seemed undisturbed, ready to serve everyone a smoothie.

"Might not be good," Tinsley said, smiling just a little. "The power's off."

Sandra Segura, 66, stopped her bicycle on a corner with a view of the battered south facade. She'd come from the apartment she and her husband share on the riverfront, and she carried a yoga mat over her shoulder in a sling.

Sandra Segura, 66, of Detroit, looks up at what was once an event space called The Loft at jadore Detroit Detroit on Sept. 19, 2023, where her daughter's wedding reception took place in December of 2022, which is now open and partially collapsed in an Eastern Market building that occurred Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. "It's hard to look at we had a major family event there," she said.

On the fourth floor, she said, where chandeliers were visible through the empty space in the wall, her daughter held her wedding reception last Dec. 23, a bit of warmth on a 10-degree day amid a snowstorm.

"Just kind of shabby chic," Segura said of the venue known as J'Adore Detroit. Murals on the walls, some cute couches, her son's jazz combo playing when the D.J. took breaks.

The radiant bride, Army Capt. Mia Segura, 27, is currently stationed in Poland. The wall that kept her safe and warm as her parents danced is gone, exposing the cement slab floor.

Sandra Segura, 66, of Detroit, left and her husband Juan Sequra, 62, reminisce on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, about the wedding reception for their daughter's wedding in December of 2022 that was held in an event space The Loft at jadore Detroit, that is now open and partially collapsed in an Eastern Market building that occurred Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

"I feel like part of our family history fell into Winder Street," Segura said.

Grout, 65, said he can put it back.

The contractor already works with a building a few blocks over, on Russell at Gratiot Avenue. He and structural engineer Robert Walz have done plenty of projects, he said, and daunting as it may seem from the sidewalk, "it's not that big a deal."

He's a hired gun, mind you. This would be a job, not a donation. And, like the city, he's operating on too little information.

But he said he's been in touch with building landlord Scot Turnbull, who has an investment and a fair amount of sweat equity to protect, and who shares Grout's preference for keeping the Del Bene upright.

Do the rebuild, Grout said. Then check back with him in a hundred years.

Reach Neal Rubin at NARubin@freepress.com, or via TwiX at @nealrubin_fp.

To subscribe to the Free Press for as little as $1, click here.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastern Market Del Bene Produce building can be saved, expert says
Hi OnPolitics readers! The crowded field of Republican presidential hopefuls is gearing up for another debate next week. No, Donald Trump wont be there.

The debate, which is being held Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, is expected to feature Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence and other Republican rivals. But Trump, who is 40 points ahead in some state and national polls, is skipping the event, USA TODAYs David Jackson reports.

USA TODAY has a look at what each challenger needs to do during the event, and how theyre trying to defeat the current frontrunner:

DeSantis: The Florida governor may hit Trump over his abortion stance and argue that the former president doesnt support the restrictions religious conservatives have rallied around.

Haley: The former South Carolina governor needs to maintain the momentum from her well-reviewed performance in the first GOP debate, and she may echo her most-quoted line from the Milwaukee event: "We have to face the fact that Trump is the most disliked politician in America."

Pence: The former vice president has touted his work as Trumps former running mate, but during the upcoming debate hell likely try to cast himself as the true conservative when compared to Trump.

Vivek Ramaswamy: The entrepreneur is trying to out-Trump Trump, with proposals that would give the president sweeping powers.

Chris Christie: The former New Jersey governor will likely stick to a familiar playbook: being one of Trumps most vocal critics, especially over his four criminal cases.

Read more here: This is what Donald Trump's Republican rivals need to do to win in California

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Donald Trump's Republican rivals want to win the second GOP debate
Recent flights over Colorado's historic Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fire burn scars revealed a troubling observation: Three years after the state's largest wildfires scorched nearly 400,000 acres, nearly half of those acres are still so severely burned that little to no regrowth has taken place.

That has caused concern among a cadre of local researchers from federal and state governmental agencies, Colorado State University, conservation groups and private industry studying the vast scar from 2020.

Sarah Beck, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests fire recovery coordinator, said more precise aerial mapping of the scar will be forthcoming, but for now, large areas of the burn scar are not seeing expected revegetation recovery.

"These patches of high burn severity are so large there is a real possibility of recovery taking 50 years or longer," she said. "It's really concerning. I dont think we have seen this in North America. I think this is a new condition in complexity."

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests lands are completely singed in the Cameron Peak Fire burn area in Northern Colorado on Aug. 11. Recent events, like the High Park and Cameron Peak fires, burned so intensely that few living seed sources remain to regenerate the forest.

Band-Aids such as aerial mulching, installation of check dams and tree seedling plantings were applied after the fires ripped through three major watersheds  Poudre, Big Thompson and Colorado rivers  to reduce impacts of post-fire devastation. They helped, but still the fire's impacts were staggering:

Faced with an enormous job, Forest Service hatches new plan to help burn scars recover

With the enormity and complexity of post-fire impacts still looming three years later to human safety, critical water supplies, recreational facilities and fish and wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service has begun a new approach.

In August, it announced a partnership with the nonprofit conservation organization American Forests to develop a longer-term reforestation strategy for the burn scars. The planning will continue to be developed collaboratively with input from community-connected partners, research institutions and local and state agencies.

"The problem is really big, and it is not something we have the capacity to tackle alone," Beck said.

At left, The Nature Conservancy's Catherine Schloegel, Watershed Forest Manager, and volunteer Amy Williams measure the growth of a ponderosa pine tree at a Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed project near West White Pine Mountain on Sept. 12. The location burned in both the High Park and Cameron Peak fires. The Nature Conservancy, along with government and other non-government entities, is working to plant ponderosas in areas not regenerating following recent severe wildfires.

The plan will focus on establishing a priority list and the best strategies to address the problems as identified by the vast amount of research being applied to the burn scars.

The Forest Service has received $111 million from the federal government for post-fire recovery efforts. About $22 million of that went to aerial mulching of 10,000 acres in the Poudre and Big Thompson watersheds.

The 112-day Cameron Peak Fire was the state's costliest wildfire to fight at $134 million.

'We need to give nature a nudge'

The lack of revegetation will be a focus of the new strategy.

Beck said in the large severe burn areas, the natural seed bank was destroyed, making natural dispersion of seeds from surrounding vegetation difficult. This is especially true on steep slopes.

"In some of these areas, if we are going to wait for natural seed dispersion, we are talking decades and decades to see revegetation," she said. "In these areas, we need to give nature a nudge."

That nudge is called nucleation planting.

A small ponderosa pine tree, about two years old, grows near West White Pine Mountain on Sept. 12. The tree lives in a patch, which burned in both the High Park and Cameron Peak fires, planted and monitored by The Nature Conservancy through a project let by Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed. Various government and nongovernment entities are working to plant ponderosas in areas not regenerating following recent severe wildfires.

The idea is to focus on small areas, about a quarter of an acre, that are favorable for growing conditions where a concentration of planted grasses, wildflowers, and trees have a greater chance to take hold and disperse seeds. The expectation is regeneration will infill sooner than if nature is left on its own.

Jeff Stahla, Northern Water spokesperson, said the strategy allows for a solution in the scope of what agencies can do on such a large landscape. "What this does is put in plugs here and there across a bald landscape in the hope that the seeds spread out.''

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and other nonprofit groups have already planted more than 10,000 ponderosa pine and blue spruce seedlings in strategic areas of the burn scar with the help of volunteers. The trees are grown locally at the Colorado State Forest Service tree nursery in Fort Collins using local seed sources.

Other strategies, such as aerial mulching, check dams and wattles will continue to be evaluated for effectiveness and considered to help dissipate impacts of heavy rain in critical areas.

Also, fire prevention measures such as mechanical thinning of trees and other vegetation and prescribed burns will continue to take place to prevent risk to communities from future fires.

Cameron Peak, East Troublesome fires will forever change the landscape

Beck said the severity of the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome burn scars, high elevation at which they burned and climate change will likely result in a much different forest than before the fires.

One of the reasons the Cameron Peak Fire burned so hot in areas was abundant fuel in the fire's path  dead and dying trees from drought and beetle kill.

The Cameron Peak Fire burned mainly lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce. Mainly ponderosa pine and blue spruce are being replanted. Lodgepole pine trees have already reseeded in some areas within the burn scar thanks to their ability to disperse seeds induced by fire.

Ponderosa pines grow at the Colorado State Forestry Service Nursery in Fort Collins on Aug. 31. A shortage of seedlings has been a hindrance to planting efforts nationwide.

"This landscape will never look the same as before the fires in our lifetimes and maybe not for our children's children," Beck said.

Stahla said areas of the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fire burn scars will look like areas damaged by the 2002 Hayman Fire northwest of Colorado Springs, where more than 20 years later some of the burn scar has not regenerated.

"We can be pessimistic how it's never going to recover," he said. "I would prefer looking at it as the glass is half full. It will recover, but it will look different in our lifetime and for our grandchildren not even born."

Cameron Peak Fire impacts

208,913 acres

325-mile-long fire perimeter, roughly the driving distance from Fort Collins to Grand Junction

More than 1,050 stream miles, about 60% of which were located in the Poudre watershed

124 trail miles, including 95 miles in the Poudre watershed

32 miles of Wild and Scenic-designated river corridor burned

Three watersheds affected (Poudre, Big Thompson and Laramie)

At least five reservoirs that store and deliver water to the Front Range for agriculture and drinking water needs damaged

At least 16 mountain communities and neighborhoods in the burn area or immediately adjacent to it affected

492 structures destroyed (residential and outbuildings)

Source: Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, CSU

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Bare Cameron Peak, East Troublesome burn scars worry wildfire experts
Editors note: Dan Perry is the former Cairo-based Middle East editor and London-based Europe/Africa editor of The Associated Press and author of two books about Israel. Gilead Sher is the former chief of staff of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and a senior peace negotiator. He has written and edited five books, most recently Reflections on Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and Beyond. The opinions expressed in this commentary are their own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting the United States this week and can be expected to trumpet the opposition against him back home, with protests on the streets and an unfettered media, as a reflection of a healthy democracy.

Dan Perry - Courtesy Dan Perry

He is set to meet Wednesday with President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. But the US leader and Israels other friends in America should not be fooled: Netanyahu has not only launched an attack on the democracy that brought him to power, but he and his allies are coming for Israels journalists.

The special US-Israeli relationship has been based on their shared democratic values since Israels founding. A cornerstone of those shared values is both countries historic commitments to a free press. Israels journalism, as in the United States, is freewheeling and independent, and reporters are famously skeptical and often critical of any government.

Gilead Sher - Courtesy Gilead Sher

As in the United States, Israeli governments have always viewed a free press as inviolate because of the central role it plays in upholding democracy and fostering government transparency and accountability  until now.

US media has already reported the facts showing that Netanyahus government has been undermining the rule of law, political participation, Palestinian rights and Israels Supreme Court. Missed so far, however, in most mainstream US news, are the governments initiatives to erode Israels free press and gradually turn Israeli media into government propaganda vehicles. This is no exaggeration.

While Netanyahu claims that Israels legal system has too much power and says judicial reforms are needed to create a better balance, he has generally avoided comment on the non-judicial aspects of the overhaul. His position is rejected by the overwhelming majority of Israels legal experts, security establishment and business community. Biden must stand firm on this front in any one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu.

For example, Netanyahus government has proposed wiping out the existing, apolitical state regulatory bodies and handing news supervision (as well as the ratings measurement) to the government  a de facto political takeover of the broadcasting channels side.

The government also wants to eviscerate the excellent public channel, Kan (Israels version of the BBC), officially known as the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. And it has proposed eliminating the requirement that cable providers offer the two main independent television channels, known for their tough journalism, and it is engineering ways of starving these channels of advertisement. Lastly, the government is almost universally expected to funnel funds to Channel 14, a channel that parrots the right-wing talking points disseminated by Netanyahus apparatus.

And the government is not content with trying to neuter Israeli media. Another government official has proposed withholding press accreditation from foreign journalists deemed hostile. Doing so would win Israel zero sympathy from the foreign media but clarify the kind of benighted regime that is in charge.

There is still more, all pointing in the same direction: empowering government control over news broadcasts, strengthening media bodies the government favors and weakening to the point of destruction those platforms it perceives as critical. Imagine how Americans would react if Biden sent government money to MSNBC or if former President Donald Trump had sent government money to Fox News.

This assault on the media is straight out of the cynical playbook implemented by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who transformed what had been a jewel in the democratic crown of post-communism into an autocracy run by one man. Like Orban, Netanyahu knows its easier to engineer permanent rule with a domesticated press and hobbled opposition.

And indeed, as already stated, Netanyahus government has targeted much more than the free press. It has proposed 225 unilateral laws that in sum would turn Israel into an authoritarian state, eliminating its liberal democracy  and it has begun legislating some. These include specific measures to weaken the political opposition, such as removing judicial oversight of the parliaments ability to bar opposition parties from running. Other measures would expand the authority of religious Jewish courts not beholden to secular law in which men enjoy superior status to women and the LGBTQ community is treated as an abomination.

The shamelessness is mesmerizing. Another proposal would strike from the books the crimes of fraud and breach of trust by politicians, which are precisely two of the three corruption charges Netanyahu faces in court, in an ongoing trial. (Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.)

Netanyahus government is doing all this with a coalition that did not win an outright majority of votes and is in power only because unwise splits in the opposition caused 12% of its vote not to be counted  two splinter groups fell just under the minimum percentage 3.25% of the vote needed to get into parliament.

It is a legal parliament majority, but the vote was by no means a mandate to kill off the democracy that has underpinned the special relationship with the United States. Some of the proposed laws may ultimately not pass, but the coalition has shown its true face.

The US president is of course free to meet with whomever he chooses. Biden knows that Netanyahu will use any such meeting to try to weaken the popular pro-democracy resistance at home, where fears about a decline in Israels special relationship with the US are partly behind his flagging support. He will undoubtedly claim the relationship with America is as strong as ever.

Heres hoping that Biden will make clear at Wednesdays meeting and in the weeks to come, that destroying the free press is not a value the United States can share or support in any form. That message will find its way back to Israel and will perhaps hasten the day when this disgraceful, obscure authoritarian chapter is over.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TOKYO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2023 kicked off here on Thursday with a record number of exhibitors, among which Chinese firms caught the eyes of game professionals and enthusiasts.

A record total of 787 companies and organizations from 44 countries and regions are showcasing their products and services at this year's show held at the convention center of Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.

Occupying the whole of Makuhari Messe for the first time in four years following the lifting of COVID-19-related restrictions, the in-person event is forecast to attract some 200,000 visitors over the four days through Sunday.

The event has attracted 406 exhibitors from overseas, including 78 Chinese firms such as well-known developers NetEase Games and Hoyoverse, whose booths were crowded with game lovers and professionals from all over the world.

While Chinese-made titles such as Genshin Impact and Knives Out are becoming globally acclaimed, many Chinese exhibitors at TGS 2023, including game art solution provider Sheer Tianyi Technology, also expressed their ambitions for business expansion and transformation to garner a stronger presence in the global market.

"In the last four years, a lot of really big mobile game companies like Hoyoverse, for example, have released a huge amount of titles, which have brought mobile gaming into a much bigger player base outside of East Asia as well," Bradley Thomas Jolly, a game enthusiast originally from Australia, told Xinhua.

The frequent TGS visitor said this year's event, with a much larger focus on mobile gaming given its increasing popularity, also features a large number of indie games, which boasts a growing space here in the country.

According to the organizer, the number of exhibition booths at TGS 2023 almost doubled from the 2022 level to 2,682, while a total of 2,291 game titles covering various genres will be showcased during the event.

In addition, themed seminars, business forums, and Japan Game Awards 2023 will be also held online on the sidelines of TGS 2023. 
An Oregon mother was jailed for 30 days after she admitted to waterboarding her baby son and putting him in a freezer to get a reaction from the childs father.

Sharday McDonald, 30, was arrested after sheriffs deputies were called to her home and discovered that she had shoved the baby boy into a freezer after torturing him.

Now she has pleaded guilty to charges of criminal mistreatment, identity theft and tampering with a witness. Authorities in Gresham, Oregon, discovered the abuse during a welfare check at McDonalds residence on 28 October 2021.

According to court documents obtained by FOX13, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office responded to 911 calls reporting that a baby was placed inside a freezer. When officers responded to the scene, they discovered that Mcdonald had waterboarded the minor and shoved him in the freezer.

Law enforcement also found pictures of the baby being abused. In the photos, Mcdonald is holding the baby by his onesie as the child appears to be holding his breath while his mother dumps water over his head.

An incident report stated that the youngster was held At a downward angle, where his hip, legs and feet were higher than his head (almost upside down) with water running over his face. And it added: The only place the water could go (in that picture) was in his nose (at that angle).

McDonald initially told detectives that she didnt want to harm the child.

She later admitted that she acted out of spite to see if the babys father gave a f*** at all and to force him to return to her apartment.

Im about to show you real quick. You dont want him? McDonald reportedly shouted when officers arrived at the scene, per FOX13. Let me show you about this little f****** baby, I dont give f*** about.

McDonald pleaded guilty to the charges earlier this year and was sentenced to spend 30 days in jail on 19 September.

She is being held at Multnomah County Detention Center and will be released on 6 October.
Does it seem like there are a lot of books getting challenged and banned in public schools in Florida?

According to nonprofit organization PEN America's latest report, "Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor," there are more books bans here than in any other state, by a wide margin. The number of public school bans in the U.S. under PEN America's definition increased 33% in the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year, the report said, and over 40% of those happened in Florida.

Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate hopeful Ron DeSantis has made parental rights a keystone of his gubernatorial career. In 2022 he signed the Parental Rights in Education Bill, dubbed "Dont Say Gay by opponents, which barred discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grades, later expanded through K-12. This year DeSantis signed HB 1069, which restricts books that include sexual conduct from grades that are not age-suitable. In August the state released a compiled list of books that had been challenged in Florida school districts, which some have feared will increase the chances of schools removing books without a formal challenge.

PEN America and other advocates claim that the growing book-banning movement is meant to erase narratives by and about LGBTQ people and people of color while whitewashing American history. Proponents say the restrictions are meant to protect children from sexually graphic and explicit stories and provide parents with control over what their children see.

Here's what you need to know, by the numbers.

PEN America: Florida is the nation's book banning leader, according to national free speech group

How many books have been banned in U.S. schools?

School book bans by state as of June 30, 2023, according to PEN America.

Nearly 6,000: Banned books in the U.S. since July 2021

3,362: Books banned in the 2022-23 school year, compared to 2,532 the year previous

1,557: Unique titles banned in the 2022-23 school year

1,480: Authors, illustrators and translators affected

Over 75%: The number of banned books that were young adult books, middle-grade books, chapter books, or picture books

153: Number of school districts with book bans

8: Number of states that enacted legislation that either directly facilitated book bans or created conditions for local people or groups to pressure educators and librarians into removing books in the last 12 months.

63%: Percentage of all book bans that occurred in those eight states

How many books have been banned in Florida during the 2022-23 school year?

40%: Percentage of all book bans that happened in Florida

1,406: Number of book ban cases in Florida, compared to 625 in Texas, 333 in Missouri, 281 in Utah and 186 in Pennsylvania

33: Florida school districts with book ban cases

386: Books removed from Florida schools, according to the Florida Department of Education (see book ban definitions, below)

Why are books being banned?

Among books banned during the 2022-2023 school year:

48%: Percentage of banned books that dealt with violence or physical abuse, including books that include sexual assault

42%: Percentage of banned books that cover topics on health and wellbeing, including mental health, bullying, suicide, substance abuse, sexual wellbeing and puberty

33%: Percentage of books banned that detail sexual experiences between characters

30%: Percentage of banned books that included characters of color and themes of race and racism

30%: Percentage of banned books that included representations of LGBTQ+ identities

29%: Percentage of book bans that include instances or themes of grief and death

6%: Percentage of banned books that included a transgender character

"As with previous reporting, books concerning difficult topics that young people might face have continued to be among the most targeted for suppression during the 202223 school year," the report says. "This years book bans also disproportionately affect books about the experiences of marginalized identities."

PEN America points out that many of the banned books in their index fit into multiple categories.

What do Americans think about book bans?

Some Florida teachers took to closing their schoolroom libraries for fear of prosecutiojn under Florida vague new education law.

According to a May 2023 Ipsos/NPR poll:

65%: Americans who said they oppose book bans by school boards

69%: Americans who said they oppose book bans by state lawmakers

According to an August 2023 We Believe x Ipsos poll:

7%: Parents who believe books should be removed at the objection of a single parent

'A chilling effect': What happens to our culture when books are banned

Who is calling for book bans?

At least 50: Groups involved in pushing for book bans at the national, state, and local levels

284: Number of chapters of Florida-based Moms for Liberty, in 44 states

20: Local affiliates claimed by Citizens Defending Freedom mostly in Texas and Georgia

15: States with local affiliations of Oregon-based Parents' Rights in Education

81%: Percentage of the 153 school districts with book bans that are near a chapter or affiliate of one of these groups

Over 100: Number of books a single person challenged in Escambia Public Schools.

How does PEN America define a book ban?

It is important to expose the book ban hoax about Florida schools.



Florida empowers parents by ensuring curriculum transparency and will continue to ensure that our tax dollars are spent on education, not indoctrination. pic.twitter.com/mQdr4Adbgj  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 8, 2023

Unlike Gov. DeSantis and the state Board of Education, who consider a book banned only if the state specifically blocks it, PEN America defines a school book ban as "any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, that leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished."

In PEN America's view, if a student is prevented from accessing a book in a school classroom or library or a teacher is prevented from including it in a curriculum, for whatever reason, it's the same as a ban. The numbers also include books classified as "banned pending investigation," or books that have been removed while they are reviewed, as those books remain unavailable to students and reviewed books can remain off school shelves for long periods of time.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Books bans in Florida: Report details rise in book banning in schools
CLARKS HILL, Ind.  Two men's argument Thursday morning inside a home on White Street in Clarks Hill ended when one of the men struck the other in the head with a hammer, according to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were dispatched about 10:25 a.m. Thursday to the report of a domestic battery. When they arrived, the victim recounted the argument and assault. He refused medical treatment at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies from Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, along with Indiana State Police, cordoned off the area and began a search for the man using police dogs, drones and officers. He has not been located.

The man deputies are searching for is suspected of domestic battery with serious bodily injury, according to the sheriff's office.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Police: Argument leads to battery with a hammer to the victim's head
PANAMA CITY BEACH  With the Gulf of Mexico the driving force behind local tourism, Daryl Paul says he believes lifeguards play a vital role in the Beach's success.

As beach safety director for Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, Paul said his lifeguards so far this year have rescued about 220 beachgoers from drowning. They also have made about 2,300 public public assists, where they enter the water to prevent a rescue; as well as more than 970,000 public contacts, where they talk to beachgoers about how to stay safe at the beach.

PCB's lifeguard season runs from the beginning of April until the end of September. During that time, guards are stationed throughout the day in towers on each side of the Russell-Fields Pier. They also patrol other areas of the city's coast on ATVs and jet-skis.

Panama City Beach lifeguards so far this year have performed about 220 rescues, approximately 2,300 public public assists and more than 970,000 public contacts.

"The beach, the coastline, is what's bringing all of our tourism to Panama City Beach and Bay County," Paul said. "Everybody's coming here to get them a beach chair and a little spot on the world's most beautiful beaches, and rip currents are a real danger.

"Some rip currents are easier to spot than others, and that's why you need somebody on the shoreline to advise people."

Rip currents are fast moving currents created by deep channels in surrounding sandbars. These channels often run perpendicular to the shoreline and cause water to funnel faster out into deeper waters of the Gulf. Rips can vary in strength, depending on how developed the channels are, and they can sometimes be identified from shore where there is a gap in the wave break  areas where the white caps of the breaks are less noticeable.

Paul noted one of the biggest challenges that faced his lifeguards this season was keeping beachgoers out of the Gulf under double red flags, when the water is closed under penalty of $500 fines because extremely dangerous rip currents are present.

He believes the issue mostly stems from defiant beachgoers set on swimming no matter what, not lifeguards failing to educate the public on the local law.

"You can put a sign, you could put a flag, you could do anything you can," Paul said. "To me, I think if you put a fence out there, it's not going to keep people from getting into the water. It just further proves that you need to have a trained professional, a trained lifeguard who is there."

Nine people drowned in Bay County this year, with six happening off the coast of Panama City Beach, and three happened on unincorporated Bay County beaches outside the city limits. Two of the drownings occurred under single red flags, and seven occurred under double red flags. All happened between June and July.

The victims of every local drowning this year were tourists who died after being caught in a rip current.

"People usually clamor on to (that) there was nine drownings, but they don't really see everything else that we've done," Paul said. "They were nine drownings, but there were 218 rescues and 2,338 public assists. ... I understand even one drowning is too much, but all the other information, I believe, is just as critical.

"Our guards are definitely out there working it. They're on the front line."

Gulf drownings: Georgia tourist drowns in rip current off Bay County beach, making nine this year

Though lifeguards will no longer be stationed at the city pier starting Oct. 1, Paul said his department currently has seven full-time lifeguards who will continue to patrol the coast throughout the off season.

He also said one of his goals for 2024 is to begin the lifeguard season sooner in the year, since the tourism industry in Panama City Beach continues to boom, bringing more and more tourists to the area.

"Panama City Beach has really changed since I was a kid growing up here," Paul said. "It's more of a year-round destination, and so spring breakers are coming down a lot sooner, they're staying longer. ... Next year will be a little different. I'm going to push to try and be out there a little earlier.

"We'll be ready for sure."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach lifeguards rescue 220, assist 2,300 so far in 2023
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.

A wildfire approaches the Greek village of Avantas on Aug. 21, 2023. (Konstantinos Tsakalidis / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Leaf-peeping, apple-picking, choosing the perfect pumpkin. Fall activities have returned, but a Vermont autumn wouldn't be complete without the chance to get lost among 10-feet tall stalks of corn.

Corn mazes are open now, offering visitors a chance to test their sense of direction, puzzle-solving skills and, in some cases, sheer sense of will. Of course, some mazes are designed to be easier to navigate than others.

A couple prominent corn mazes end their season halfway through October, while others will remain through Halloween. A few host spooky days or events leading up to All Hallows' Eve or have a pumpkin patch on the premises for grabbing fall decorations or jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

So, get your comfy shoes, bag of snacks, can-do attitude and maze-solving strategy  there are about a dozen mazes across Vermont and the nearby area to explore.

A fork in the road at Sam Mazza's Farm Market corn maze on Oct. 16, 2022.

Corn mazes in Chittenden County

If Chittenden County corn mazes were compared to schools, then the elementary maze would be Isham Family Farm, middle school challenge would be Whitcomb's Land of Pumpkins & Corn Maze and the high school-level puzzle would be Sam Mazza's Farm Market.

The three mazes have come to be known for their varying puzzle designs each year, incorporating fun and learning along the way and surprises to find among the stalks. Here's what to know about these three local mazes.

Isham Family Farm

This year corn maze navigators can make their way through the stalks looking for the four Vermont animals: the varmint, critter, holy cow and jeezum crow. Among the two-acre challenge, the experience includes elements of fun in dead-ends, misdirection and helpful signs. The maze also celebrates the four b's: birds, bees, bugs and butterflies.

Season: Sep. 3 through end of October or after a couple hard frostsHours: Everyday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Address: 3515 Oak Hill Road, WillistonCost: $5 per person or $20 per family (cash and Venmo accepted)More info: ishamfamilyfarm.com, 802-872-1525 or farmermike@ishamfamilyfarm.com

Whitcomb's Land of Pumpkins & Corn Maze

Whitcomb's four-acre maze's five checkpoints highlight daily chores that keep the farm operational. By visiting each checkpoint, visitors can get the letters needed to solve a word scramble. There's also a candy jackpot in the maze and a hidden marked ear of corn, that when found, earns the finder a free small pumpkin or some gourds to take home.

Season: Begins Sep. 16 Hours: Wednesdays 1 to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Address: 347 Fay Lane, WillistonCost: $6 ages five and up, Free for children four and youngerMore info: whitcombslandofpumpkins.com, whitcombslandofpumpkins@gmail.com

Sam Mazza's Farm Market

At Sam Mazza's, there are 12 checkpoints in its sprawling corn maze to help orienteers make their way through seemingly endless stalks without getting lost. This year's theme is dinosaurs. Budding paleontologists can bring their knowledge and attention to detail to assist them making it through the puzzle.

Season: Sep. 8 through Oct. 31Hours: Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Address: 277 Lavigne Road, ColchesterCost: $11 for ages 12 and up, $6 for 3 to 11 years old, Free for two and underMore info: sammazzafarms.com, (802) 655-3440, smazzafarms@comcast.net, facebook.com/sammazzafarmmarket

Not just in Greek myth or relegated to a labyrinth, a minotaur inhabits the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville on Oct. 5, 2019.

Corn mazes worth the drive

Looking to take your corn maze skills to the next level or have a unique day trip experience? Here are a couple worth consideration.

Great Vermont Corn Maze

The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville would be the collegiate level corn maze. The largest corn maze in New England is celebrating 25 years of "cornfusion" this year. There's the big maze, a 24-acre sprawl with tunnels and bridges that can take puzzlers two to four hours to complete. Or, there's the scenic maze which offers directions and can be completed within an hour. An emergency exit trail allows those needing a quick exit to utilize the facilities or grab a snack and then get back to where they left off. There's also an extensive children's play area. Expect the visit to take most of the day  at an hour and a half drive from Burlington and multiple hours, potentially, in the maze.

Season: July 29 through Oct. 15Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to noon entrance (closed Tuesdays); Saturdays and Sundays maze entrance from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Address: 1404 Wheelock Road, DanvilleCost: $25 per person ages 16 to 59, $15 for 5 to 15 and 60+, Free for four and under. Tickets tend to sell out on weekends and holidays, so ordering in advance is recommended. Buy tickets online at greatvermont.cornmazetickets.com or call/text 802-397-8574. (Visitors age 15 and younger require direct adult supervision.)More info: vermontcornmaze.com, 802-748-1399, info@vermontcornmaze.com

Fort Ticonderoga Corn Maze

Just over the border into New York and still on Lake Champlain is a unique experience that combines exploration of history and a corn maze. The Heroic Corn Maze at Fort Ticonderoga employs clues that connect to the story of the fort. There are two phases to the maze; this allows visitors the option to continue further. There are also ways to exit quickly, if needed. The drive is about an hour and a half from Burlington, but the site offers visitors many more experiences than the corn maze.

Season: July 29 through Oct. 15Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry into corn maze at 4:30 p.m. each day.Address: 102 Fort Ti Road; Ticonderoga, New YorkCost: Admission to the museum includes the corn maze. $27 for adults, $25 for seniors, $13 for ages 5 to 15.More info: fortticonderoga.org, (518) 585-2821, info@fort-ticonderoga.org

Wandering through rows of corn looking for the exit at Sam Mazza's Farm Market corn maze on Oct. 16, 2022.

Corn mazes across Vermont

If life-size walking puzzles are your thing, there are more corn mazes across Vermont open for exploration. Here are some others to try and their approximate driving time from Burlington.

Percy Farm Corn Maze , Stowe. 45 minute drive.Info at: gostowe.com/listing/percy-farm-corn-maze; facebook.com/percyfarmcornmaze/

Peck Farm Orchard , East Montpelier. One hour drive.Info at: peckfarmorchard.com/corn-maze

Hathaway Farm & Corn Maze , Rutland. 1.5 hour drive.Info at: hathawayfarm.com

River of Life Camp Corn Maze , Irasburg. 1.5 hour drive.Info at: riveroflifecamp.com/news-and-events/corn-maze/

Kingdom Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch at Simpson Farm , Sutton. 2 hour drive.Info at: kingdomcornmaze.com.

Gaines Farm , Guilford. 2.5 hour drive.Info at: gainesfarm.com.

Equinox Valley Nursery, Manchester. 2.5 hour drive.Info at equinoxvalleynursery.com/pumpkin-patch.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Corn mazes across Vermont and Lake Champlain area
A Republican candidate for Missouri governor on Monday vowed to burn books if elected after he was criticized for a video showing him burning cardboard boxes with a flamethrower.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows state Sen. Bill Eigel , a Weldon Spring Republican who is running for governor in 2024, and state Sen. Nick Schroer , a St. Charles Republican, using flamethrowers to torch a stack of boxes at a fundraising event in Defiance in St. Charles County on Friday.

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, Eigel said in a statement to The Star on Monday. 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.

Eigels remarkable comment promising to burn books comes as he embarks on a campaign for governor attempting to appeal to the staunch right wing of the Missouri Republican Party. Public book burnings typically illustrate extreme censorship related to political, cultural and religious materials. They often invoke historic atrocities such as burning of Jewish texts in Nazi Germany or racist bonfires by the Ku Klux Klan.

Eigel will face a primary that features two of the states top Republicans, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Photos and video of Eigel and Schroer using the flamethrowers have been shared hundreds of times on social media over the past two days.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who is running for governor, in a statement criticized Eigel saying that he and his extremist allies idea of campaigning for governor is using a flamethrower to burn whatever he doesnt agree with.

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, Quade said. We deserve a government thats going to work to solve real problems, not make political stunts.

Schroer, reached by phone on Monday, said the video was taken during an event called Freedom Fest hosted by the St. Charles County Republican Central Committee. He and Eigel were burning empty boxes to help the committee raffle off a flamethrower, he said.

The Republican state senator criticized those who said he was burning books, saying that they were spreading false information. Schroer on Friday shared a photo of himself using the flamethrower, saying he was Burning down the swamp!

Democrats and liberal activists on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, also quickly condemned the video, accusing the Republicans of simulating the burning of books. Some incorrectly said the two lawmakers were actively burning books.

Next time, dont forget your hoodsinhaling fumes from burning books and crosses is noxious business, Jess Piper, the executive director of Blue Missouri, a group that fundraises for Democrats, wrote in response to one of the videos, drawing a comparison to burnings by the Ku Klux Klan.

Debbie McFarland, a committee member and organizer of the event, told The Star that the two Republican senators were burning empty boxes, including trash and empty wine boxes. She painted criticism of the video as a liberal leftist narrative.

While the boxes that Eigel and Schroer burned were empty, criticism of the video comes as some Missouri Republicans have targeted book content. This year, House Republicans agreed to cut from the state budget $4.5 million for libraries in retaliation for a lawsuit on behalf of two library groups challenging a new state law that bans certain materials in school libraries.

Those funds were later restored in the Senate this year.

Eigel on Monday posted another angle of the video on social media, calling on people to visit his campaigns website to fight back against these woke radicals.
Republicans in a new letter to the White House are vowing to oppose further aid to Ukraine, asking questions about where the moneys going and whether Kyiv is making progress against Russia.

The American people deserve to know what their money has gone to. How is the counteroffensive going? Are the Ukrainians any closer to victory than they were 6 months ago? What is our strategy, and what is the presidents exit plan? What does the administration define as victory in Ukraine? reads the letter, with more than two dozen signatures from senators and members of Congress.

The lawmakers argue in the letter that it would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant the White House request for additional aid without answers to the inquiries.

For these reasonsand certainly until we receive answers to the questions above and others forthcomingwe oppose the additional expenditure for war in Ukraine included in your request.

Republican Sens. JD Vance (Ohio), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Mike Braun (Ind.) are among the signatures, as are GOP Reps. Chip Roy (Texas), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Clay Higgins (La.) and Byron Donalds (Fla.).

Yesterday at a classified briefing over Ukraine, it became clear that America is being asked to fund an indefinite conflict with unlimited resources. Enough is enough. To these and future requests, my colleagues and I say: NO, Vance wrote on X, sharing the letter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is returning to Washington on Thursday, less than a year after his last visit to the U.S. capital, and is expected to meet with congressional leadership and some lawmakers during his visit.

President Biden has requested $24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine as the country continues to fend of Russian aggression, a year-and-a-half after Moscow invaded its neighbor.

The vast majority of Congress remains unaware of how much the United States has spent to date in total on this conflict, information which is necessary for Congress to prudently exercise its appropriations power. It is difficult to envision a benign explanation for this lack of clarity, the lawmakers letter reads.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday it has charged Tiffany Carr, 54, and Patricia Duarte, 57, with three felonies in connection with the theft of millions of dollars intended to help victims of domestic violence.

In this Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, file photo, Tiffany Carr, executive director of Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, left, speaks at a news conference held by Gov. Jeb Bush, background right, to announce a public awareness campaign designed to prevent disaster-related domestic violence, in Tallahassee, Fla. On Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered an investigation into a nonprofit domestic abuse agency whose CEO, Carr, had received $7.5 million in compensation over a three-year span.

Duarte, of Tallahassee, turned herself into law enforcement Wednesday.

Carr of Port St. Joe served as the Chief Executive Officer and Duarte the Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The not-for-profit organization was established by the Legislature in 2012 to award state and federal grants to local groups that provide shelter and care for battered spouses and children.

FCADV oversaw more than $52 million annually in funding and was required to submit an annual budget to the legislature for approval.

The relationship ended in 2020 and the state dissolved the organization the next year, following a Department of Children and Families Inspector General office forwarding information to FDLE and a six-hour Florida House hearing that gathered public testimony.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said the FDLE found Carr and Duarte had participated in a scheme that awarded themselves grossly inflated salaries and paid time off.

FDLE investigators said the two submitted false quarterly reports, billed the state for vacant positions, and charged for services never provided.

Moody pegged theft of more than $3.7 million in bonuses and vacation alone paid to Carr and Duarte by a compliant Board of Directors.

During our investigation it became clear the only thing these FCADV executives were serving were each other. Their selfishness and greed came at the expense of domestic violence victims who needed their organization the most, said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Carr.

Their alleged scheme began to unravel after lawmakers on a Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee publicly expressed disbelief of answers provided by the FCADV board of directors and officials.

An investigation by the Miami Herald of the coalitions spending practices prompted a Florida House hearing which revealed Carr was able to cash in more than $7 million in PTO earned in less than four years.

Under questioning by committee chair Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, and Rep. Randy Fine, R- Palm Bay, board members either failed to acknowledge they were aware of the generous time off provisions Carr and Duarte had received or said they misunderstood the benefit package they awarded the two.

We, we, miscalculated, then Board Chair Melody Keeth told Fine when asked for an explanation of a multi-million dollar paid time off provision.

Rep. Randy Fine questions Former Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) Board Chair Melody Keeth on a pair of memos during a meeting of the Florida House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee where members of the FCADV board were publicly interviewed as part of an investigation into the board's mismanagement Monday, Feb. 24, 2020.

That may be the understatement of this hearing, said Fine.

The hearing revealed that Carr was paid $7.5 million over three years.

Carr and Duarte face charges of participation in an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and official misconduct, all felonies.

Back story: Domestic violence group sues own insurers over ongoing Tiffany Carr scandal

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on Twitter: @CallTallahassee

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FDLE charges ex-domestic violence agency heads in fraud case
SHIJIAZHUANG, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed in a factory blast in Dongguang County, north China's Hebei Province, on Thursday, local authorities have said.

A fire broke out at the factory at approximately 11 a.m. and it triggered an explosion, according to the county's emergency management bureau.

The cause of the incident is under investigation. 
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., on Wednesday offered to "save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week" if House Republicans "stop trying to shut our government down."

Fetterman issued the statement poking at congressional Republicans  in his words, "those jagoffs in the House"  as he was presiding over the Senate in shorts, sneakers and a short-sleeve button-down shirt, without a tie.

His wardrobe while presiding was a first for the Senate.

The world didnt spin off its axis, Fetterman later told NBC News. I think we will still go on."

His comments come just days after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., quietly changed the chambers informal dress code to allow senators to wear casual attire on the floor. It had previously required men and women to dress in business attire, although it was often flouted.

Fetterman, a first-term senator who's often seen at the Capitol wearing a hoodie and shorts, is a prominent beneficiary of the new rule.

The loosened dress code has been ridiculed by Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who joked 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, Collins added.

House Republicans are struggling to find a path to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to pass a funding bill but center-right and far-right factions of the party have been unable to come to a compromise.

Wednesday was not the first time Fetterman has made fun of his clothing tastes while also taking a jab at a Republican.

After Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said Monday that Fetterman "has got a lot of problems" and his dress is "dumbing down" standards, Fetterman tweeted out the video and wrote, "I dress like he campaigns."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON  The Senate confirmed one military nominee to a new post on Wednesday and is set to approve two more, maneuvering around a monthslong hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., in protest over a Department of Defense policy.

Military promotions for decades have been approved at large without controversy. But Tuberville has held up about 300 promotions for senior military jobs since February in protest of a Pentagon policy that includes some paid leave and other expenses for service members traveling to have an abortion.

In remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., criticized Tuberville's blockade and said he would seek to advance the nominations of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. C.Q. Brown; the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric Smith, and the Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George.

The Senate confirmed Brown on Wednesday evening. The upper chamber is also expected to confirm George and Smith this week.

These men should have already been confirmed. They should already be serving in their new positions, Schumer said. The Senate should not have to go through procedural hoops just to please one brazen and misguided senator.

"Sen. Tubervilles obstruction is pushing the Senate down this road and where it goes from here will depend on all of us," Schumer also said Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin congratulated Brown on his confirmation as the nations highest-ranking officer and criticized Tuberville for holding up promotions for hundreds of others.

Senator Tubervilles continued hold on hundreds of our nation's military leaders endangers our national security and military readiness, Austin said in a statement. It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees.

Tuberville and some of his Republican colleagues have said Schumer could schedule individual votes on officers. Democrats have rejected that as unwieldy, and a Congressional Research Service report showed that voting on each officer would require the Senates sole attention for a month.

Tuberville said in remarks on Wednesday that his hold will remain in place as long as the Pentagon's abortion policy stands.

"Lets do one at a time or change the policy back, Tuberville said. "Lets vote on it.

Democrats have put holds on promotions in the past, too. Notably Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., prevented votes in 2019 for two weeks over her concern that then-President Donald Trump had retaliated against an officer who had testified in his first impeachment hearing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senate confirms top military officer despite Tuberville abortion block
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy blasted the idea that indictments obtained by the Nashville District Attorney against multiple Shelby County corrections officers were political in a news conference Thursday.

Mulroy held his news conference a day after Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner announced that Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk had obtained indictments for multiple corrections officers in the October death of Gershun Freeman in the Shelby County Jail, known as 201 Poplar.

Bonner, who is running for Memphis mayor, had called the indictments political, saying none of his deputies were responsible for Freemans death.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy speaks to the media after holding a summit with other state and local officials and community organizers to talk about reducing crime in Memphis at the Urban Child Institute in Crosstown Concourse on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Mulroy said he was surprised and somewhat frustrated by Bonners remarks, and that while he has endorsed one of Bonners opponents in the race, former Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner, he did so before Freemans death and even before Bonner announced his own run for mayor.

Just suppose for a moment that I hadnt recused for myself and an indictment would have issued, what would Sheriff Bonner have said? He wouldve said it was political, said Mulroy, who recused himself from the case. I did everything I could to take politics out of it.

Two officers, Stevon Jones and Courtney Parham, were charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault while acting in concert with others. Jones was also charged with assault causing bodily harm. Jones also faces an additional count for assault.

Jeffrey Gibson, Anthony Howell, Damian Cooper, Ebonee Davis, Lareko Donwel Elliot and Chelsey Duckett were charged with aggravated assault resulting in the death of another, according to court records.

Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who is also a mayoral candidate, speaks to the Frayser Exchange Club at Ed Rice Community Center on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

One officer's name was redacted from the indictment, but was also charged with aggravated assault resulting in death of another.

Funk was chosen to handle the case by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, following standard procedure with a district attorney recused from a case.

The release of video by Funks office was also in standard keeping with how that office handles video release in cases such as officer-involved shootings.

52 deaths since 2016: Why Shelby County Jail's mortality rates have been rising in recent years

In his remarks, Mulroy pointed out that the process of indictments being obtained against these correctional officers was the same process used to indict former Memphis Police Department officers in the death of Tyre Nichols.

The sheriffs deputies who have been indicted are innocent until proven guilty, just like the MPD officers in the Tyre Nichols case are innocent until proven guilty, Mulroy said. But by the same token, I believe we should presume that the grand jurors  acted in good faith, and similarly I think we should presume both the DAs involved acted in good faith absent actual evidence to the contrary. For a public official to publicly say otherwise in the absence of any real evidence is, in my view, regrettable.

Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Shelby County DA fires back at sheriff after Gershun Freeman indictments
Vladimir Putins backyard just got a whole lot smaller.

A year and a half after the Russian presidents rash, illegal, blundering invasion of Ukraine, Russian peacekeepers have been forced to admit defeat in the faraway enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, handing control back to Azerbaijan after a 24-hour military offensive, which killed a senior Russian officer.

For Azerbaijan, which began talks with Karabakhs Armenian separatist leaders on Thursday to formally take back control of the region, it looked like a surprisingly swift conclusion to a 35-year conflict that has cost thousands of lives.

But for Putin's Russia, its an equally stunning loss, proof that Moscow's writ no longer holds in the Caucasus and that the post-Soviet security bloc Putin set up to mirror NATO in the regionthe Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)is a spent force.

And the Russian dictator has only himself to blame.

In the two full-on wars fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, from 1988 to 1994 and again in 2020, the separatists had full military and political support from Armenia itself and, indirectly, from Russia.

Attack Drones Dominating Tanks as Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Showcases the Future of War

But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Caucasus calculus has changed. Armenia took no action as Azerbaijan moved to cut off its supply route to Nagorno-Karabakh, the Lachin Corridor, over the past year. Then, earlier this month, Armenia held its first joint military exercises with the United States, clearly turning its back on the CSTO.

On Tuesday, emboldened by events, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev ordered the offensive, his troops quickly capturing key heights and strategic junctions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The separatists crumbled, agreeing to a ceasefire backed by Russian peacekeepers.

Amid the violence at least two Russians were killed, reportedly including the deputy commander of Russias North Fleet submarine forces, Captain First Rank (Colonel) Ivan Kovgan, who was seconded to the region with Russian forces stretched desperately thin.

Under the terms of the CSTO, any military aggression against one member is seen as an attack on all of them, just like NATOs Article 5, but Russia did nothing to stop the latest incursion.

In an interview earlier this month with Politico, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spelled out clearly what was going on: Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to guarantee its safety and had to assert its own independence. As a result of the events in Ukraine, the capabilities of Russia have changed, Pashinyan said. We want to have an independent country, a sovereign country, but we have to have ways to avoid ending up in the center of clashes between West and East, North and South."

It is clear that the bloodshed is not yet over. Thousands have joined protests on the streets of Yerevan this week to protest Pashinyans perceived desertion of Armenians inside Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh. Despite the ceasefire, there are still reports of fighting in the mountainous region.

The Karabakh conflict began in the late Soviet era when Armenians inside the enclave demanded that it be transferred from the control of Azerbaijan to Armeniaboth then still Soviet republics.

The main man in Soviet Azerbaijan was Heydar Aliyev , a former KGB official who became the first president of independent Azerbaijan in 1983. After his death in 2003, his son Ilham took over, thanks to rigged elections, and has held power ever since after doing away with constitutional term limits.

The Gravedigger Who Fears Digging His Own Sons Grave in Nagorno-Karabakh

If Putin, abandoned by yet another ally as Armenia turns towards NATO, is the big geopolitical loser in the latest Caucasian crisis, the big winnerthis may have a familiar ringis Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has long been Azerbaijans key ally, supporting it through the various Karabakh conflicts. As Aliyev carved out a post-Soviet role for his nation, primarily as an energy producer, he has developed increasingly close ties with the Turkic-speaking nations of Central Asia and with Erdogan himself.

In June 2021, Aliyev even took Erdogan on a visit to an area of Nagorno-Karabakh recaptured the previous year in a 44-day conflict that laid the ground for this weeks victory. Armenia called the visit an outright provocation against regional peace and security, but the Turkish leader's message was unmistakable: that this is now his backyard.

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Value of assets seized in Singapore's largest money-laundering case swells to S$2.4 billion. (PHOTO: Singapore Police Force)

SINGAPORE  The value of assets seized or frozen in the largest-ever money-laundering case in Singapore has swelled to more than S$2.4 billion, police said on Wednesday (20 September).

The initial amount of cash, houses, luxury cars and other assets amassed by 10 foreigners arrested on mid-August was S$1 billion. Then, early in September, prosecutors said that the figure has gone up to S$1.8 billion.

Police said in a statement that more assets were seized during additional operations, including bank accounts with a value of more than S$1,127 million, more than S$76 million cash (including foreign currencies), and S$38 million of cryptocurrencies.

As many as 68 gold bars, 294 luxury bags, 164 luxury watches, 546 pieces of jewellery, and 204 electronic devices, such as computers and mobile phones, were also on the list.

Prohibition of disposal orders were also issued against more than 110 properties and 62 vehicles with a total estimated value of more than S$1,242 million. The orders were also issued against bottles of liquor, wine and multiple ornaments.

Investigations, police said, are still ongoing.

Singapore lawmakers filed a total of 32 questions  ranging from anti-money laundering initiatives by the government to data on past suspicious transaction reports  related to the money laundering case during the latest sitting of Parliament on Monday.

In response to the queries by Members of Parliament from the People's Action Party (PAP) and Workers' Party (WP), and Non-Constituency MPs from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling said that the Ministry of Home Affairs, together with various other ministries, will respond to the queries in a ministerial statement in October.

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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
A road sign outside of Spaceport America points towards the site's Vertical Launch Area and Truth or Consequences, N.M. The spaceport is profoundly and purposefully isolated in the New Mexican desert.

SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M.  On the way to space, the passenger sees few things  the delicate blue ring of Earth's atmosphere, the dense matte black void approaching and Elephant Butte Lake and the San Andres mountains of New Mexico off to the right.

These are the sights from a Virgin Galactic spaceship, which brings paying tourists to space from Spaceport American, just 100 miles from El Paso in the southern New Mexico desert. One hundred or so miles in the other direction, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches its rockets from Van Horn, Texas.

The region surrounding El Paso is becoming a burgeoning aerospace network, of which space tourism is just a single, emerging node.

The Borderland has a rare combination of wide open spaces for experimental rockets, launch sites  such as Spaceport America and White Sands Missile Range, the "Birthplace of America's Missile and Space Activity"  and schools such as the University of Texas at El Paso, training the next generation of aerospace engineers.

"We can have a complete aerospace ecosystem," said Scott McLaughlin, the executive director of Spaceport America. "We can design, we can do basic research, we can develop, manufacture and test  and we can go to space."

The global aerospace industry is worth $447 billion now and, by some estimates, will be worth over a trillion dollars by 2030. But visions on how to corner part of the rapidly expanding aerospace market in the Borderland are still worlds apart.

Some, such as the New Mexico-based Space Valley Coalition, want to accelerate aerospace's commercial and entrepreneurial market. But groups like the UTEP-led Paso del Norte Innovation group are skeptical of a start-up heavy economic growth model, instead promoting advanced manufacturing and government collaboration.

The two groups are among the 16 national finalists for a $160 million federal grant to ensure "the U.S. remains globally competitive in key technology areas for decades to come." The winners of the grant are expected to be announced in November.

If either group wins, the region will be even better poised for economic and cultural redefinition in the coming years. But these differing visions of how to develop the aerospace ecosystem, as well as concerns over the accessibility of space travel, remain unresolved.

Nascent space tourism finds home in Borderland

Already, the elements of an aerospace ecosystem are coming together in the Borderland, and ambitions for the region are running high.

"We're hoping for a cultural change," said McLaughlin. "Imagine being able to watch a rocket take off literally an hour from your house."

Most of that hour drive is along a two-lane road from Las Cruces, New Mexico, dotted with potholes and cattle guards. Only the San Andres mountains are visible. Then, a few road signs  Milky Way, for one apt example  and guard booths appear. Spaceport America emerges out of the desert.

The isolation is intentional. Here, the sky is empty, the weather is calm and there's enough open space that debris would unlikely cause much damage to the ground below. Blue Origin takes off 30 miles down a two-lane road from Van Horn for similar reasons.

Uniquely, however, Spaceport America is located in the White Sands Missile Range's no-fly zone, where experimental launches are common and commercial air travel is generally forbidden.

"Because that is such a rare and unique thing," said McLaughlin, "both coalitions wanted to add it to their portfolio ... that is our driving force, to help all the entities in the area grow their aerospace ecosystem."

A spaceport had been under discussion in New Mexico since the 90s, said McLaughlin, and was finally completed in 2011 with over $220 million of public funds from the state of New Mexico and Dona Ana and Sierra counties. The aim was to develop commercial spaceflight and subsequently, a profitable aerospace subeconomy for the region.

Although Virgin Galactic spaceships have taken off periodically since 2020, true commercial space flight arrived only when it launched its first batch of civilians on Aug. 10, 2023, over a decade after Spaceport America was completed.

Once the company gets comfortable sending civilians to the edge of space, Virgin Galactic hopes to reach a launch cadence of 400 flights per year  more than one flight to space every day. So far, it has only achieved one launch a month, and only for the past three months.

Virgin Spaceship Unity takes off during the Galactic 02 Launch on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Spaceport America.

Is space reserved for lucky or rich?

Despite Virgin Galactic's hopes for space travel to become as accessible and democratic as taking an airplane, space remains far out of reach for most of the region's residents.

A ticket aboard a Virgin Galactic ship costs $450,000 for technically only three minutes in space. (The exact price of a flight on Blue Origin's New Shepherd rocket is undisclosed but also hovers in the six figures.)

For paying customers on their path to become astronauts, there's a dedicated lounge in the spaceport, well stocked with protein bars and sparkling water, custom-tailored black space suits and a leather-bound astronaut logbook to sign upon descending from space.

Richard Branson, the company's billionaire founder, is Astronaut 001. Customers are shuttled out to the spaceship in a fleet of Land Rovers, and their guests are treated to parfaits and matcha lattes on demand.

Spectators watch as the Virgin Spaceship Unity takes off on the runway during the Galactic 02 Launch on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Spaceport America.

McLaughlin acknowledged that Spaceport America "has always received some criticism for our first customer  marketing to wealthy individuals."

"We understand that, and we can't entirely disagree with that criticism," he said. But he added that progress in new areas of technology  like the nascent internet and early automobiles  were often reserved for wealthy individuals who "pushed the envelope."

From this perspective, companies and entities such as Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Spaceport America are bringing "high-paying aerospace jobs that wouldn't exist otherwise," added McLaughlin, advancing the trajectory of aerospace development.

"They're not going to space," he said, "but they're building the aerospace ecosystem."

Passengers of Virgin Galactic's Galactic 02 commercial spaceflight experience zero gravity on Thursday morning, Aug. 10, 2023.

Space Valley faces 'second space race'

The future of space in the region goes far beyond space tourism, which accounts for "less than 1% of the space market today," said Randy Trask, president of the New Mexico Trade Alliance.

The New Mexico Trade Alliance is part of the Space Valley Coalition, a mix of private and public groups that want to unite America's diffuse commercial space industry into a fully-fledged aerospace ecosystem along the Rio Grande and build a "self-sustaining sector" with employment opportunities.

"We need the residents of Space Valley to understand the big picture," Trask said.

Models of Virgin Spaceship Unity sit are on display during the Galactic 02 Launch on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Spaceport America.

"We're almost in a second space race, militarily and commercially," Trask said, a race that is "going to be won by private sector innovation."

The Space Valley Coalition proposes an "acceleration of the commercial space market" as a boon for the Borderland, generating a regional culture of interdisciplinary collaboration while appealing to the nation's security needs.

Academics, researchers and manufacturers in the aerospace industry "work in silos," said Trask. The coalition wants to break down barriers by establishing an aerospace-friendly region like Space Valley.

Space Valley is also hoping to replicate Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial model. The coalition is building innovation facilities and supporting "starts-ups and small to mid-size companies from concept to product."

The stakes are high. Trask predicted the aerospace industry would be worth $3 trillion by 2040.

"Space will impact all sectors," Trask said. "It's not just rocket scientists who will get jobs."

UTEP aims to turn off the aerospace' talent vacuum' in El Paso

UTEP's Aerospace Center  the leader of Paso del Norte Innovation for Defense and Aerospace Engine, another of the 16 finalists for the grant  has that exact mission: to train rocket scientists for "for high-paying, in-demand careers."

"Over the last decade, the Aerospace Center has placed more than 800 of our graduates in high-paying careers in the aerospace and defense workforce including NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin," its website reads.

But too often, students leave El Paso and seek employment elsewhere, where manufacturing, design and production jobs are more abundant, said Ahsan Choudhuri, associate vice president and founding director of the Aerospace Center.

Ahsan Choudhuri, associate vice president and director of the UTEP Aerospace Center, speaks at a news conference held by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Downtown's Blue Flame Building to announce that a UTEP-led coalition won a $40 million grant to grow aerospace and defense manufacturing in the region.

"This creates a huge talent vacuum in our community. If your young people leave your town, your economy gets really hammered," Choudhuri said. "That's what's happening to us."

Although Choudhuri is trained as an aerospace and mechanical engineer, his ambitions far transcend those of a typical academic. He speaks instead in terms of his duty to the El Paso community.

"Our sole purpose," he said, "is to take kids from El Paso zip codes and put them in the aerospace and defense industry."

Jose Gonzalez, right, director of operations, and Tomas Mijares, field engineer, for German company Aconity3D's U.S. operations based inside the El Paso Airport's new Innovation Factory. The UTEP graduates came back to El Paso to work for the company. They stand by one of its 3D printing systems inside the facility July 19.

Choudhuri agreed that issues of local economy and national security can be addressed together by a robust aerospace manufacturing industry. However, he did not think that Space Valley's vision of "a culture of entrepreneurship" that Space Valley promotes is realistic for the region.

"Commercial space is not big enough. It's in infancy right now," Choudhuri said. "That's not a solution for me."

Reinventing the Paso del Norte region

The solution the Paso del Norte group envisions is to revive the region's small and medium manufacturing industry, appeal to national defense priorities and redefine El Paso as an aerospace manufacturing hub.

It aims to generate over a billion dollars in funding over the next 10 years, Choudhuri said  an ambitious sum to build an infrastructural base for aerospace firms to innovate and generate well-paid middle-class jobs.

"Our infrastructure includes physical infrastructure, digital infrastructure, talent infrastructure and innovation infrastructure," Choudhuri explained.

This model is exemplified by consolidated and efficient ecosystems such as Florida, which hosts the civilian space program, less traditional firms like SpaceX and aerospace manufacturers. The industry generates an estimated $11.2 billion in wages in the state.

But since "the civilian space program is minuscule" compared to the Department of Defense  whose monthly budget far outstrips NASA's for the entire year  "I have to tap into the massive [Department of Defense] funding," Choudhuri said.

"The two priorities  the national priority to build small and medium manufacturers to support our aerospace defense industrial base, and our original priority to build our manufacturing base  start to really converge," Choudhuri said.

This means pursuing federal grants with a strategy that emphasizes the region's contributions to national security, like the $40 million Build Back Better grant it won in 2022.

Part of the 2022 grant went towards developing the Advanced Manufacturing District, a 250-acre, city-led site near the El Paso International Airport, where businesses can collaborate with aerospace and defense researchers once development begins next year.

More: UTEP-led coalition wins $40M grant to grow aerospace, defense manufacturing in region

"The manufacturing that survives or thrives in the U.S. will not be because of cheaper labor," said Choudhuri. "It has to be advanced manufacturing."

For the $160 million federal grant, UTEP's Aerospace Center and the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation are allied with El Paso city and county government, as well as the Rio Grande Council of Governments, the National Center for Defense Machining and Manufacturing, Workforce Solutions Borderplex, El Paso Community College and Spaceport America.

More: Innovation Factory opens at El Paso airport as part of UTEP-led manufacturing initiative

But, for Choudhuri, these grants are only the beginning of rebuilding the El Paso economy based on aerospace manufacturing. "$1.2 billion is nothing," he said. "Really, I have a bigger number in my mind that I don't talk about."

"El Paso has all the elements to be a national player. It's just that we never believed in ourselves," Choudhuri said. "Now we do."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Space tourism, manufacturing poised to revitalize El Paso region
WASHINGTON  The Republican knives are out for Donald Trump after he criticized anti-abortion legislation that conservative states across the country are pursuing, restrictions made possible by the three Supreme Court justices he chose as president.

GOP rivals, even some who rarely criticize him, are putting Trump on blast for calling six-week abortion bans a terrible thing and a terrible mistake on NBCs "Meet The Press." Social-conservative activists are excoriating Trumps comments as a betrayal after he refused in the interview to commit to federal abortion restrictions.

Trumps remarks indicate that he will seek to downplay abortion in the general election, despite his role in the fall of Roe v. Wade, as he publicly concedes that its now a political loser for the GOP. 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 on his social media platform on Tuesday.

But President Joe Biden and Democrats are treating his newfound hesitations as a deceitful ploy to cover over a political vulnerability on abortion, one that they intend to exploit next fall.

Lets be clear: Donald Trump is responsible for ending Roe v. Wade. And if you vote for him, hell go even further, Biden tweeted.

Its far from clear that the torrent of Republican criticism for Trump will dent his large lead in the 2024 presidential primary. But it represents a new test  and opportunity  for Trumps GOP skeptics to try and weaken him. Still, some GOP allies of Trump maintain that, regardless of his rhetoric, theyre optimistic he would sign federal abortion restrictions if he returns to the White House and Congress were to pass them.

Prominent abortion foe says 'Trump should not be the GOP nominee'

Leading the pushback to Trump was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed his states six-week abortion ban after the fall of Roe v. Wade.

I dont know how you can even make the claim that youre pro-life if youre criticizing states for enacting protections for babies that have heartbeats, DeSantis told Radio Iowa on Monday. I think if hes going into this saying hes going to make the Democrats happy with respect to right to life, I think all pro-lifers should know that hes preparing to sell you out.

DeSantiss remarks drew backing from Bob Vander Plaats, a prominent social-conservative activist based in Iowa, who praised the Florida governor's comments on social media, writing: The scripture states out of the heart, the mouth speaks. I think @realDonaldTrump revealed his heart on @MeetThePress.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., launched a rare criticism of Trump.

President Trump said he would negotiate with the Democrats and walk back away from what I believe where we need to be, which is a 15-week limit on the federal level, Scott said Monday at a Mason City, Iowa, town hall, adding that Republicans must impose some national restriction in order to stop California, New York, Illinois, from having abortions on demand.

Kim Reynolds, the popular Republican governor of Iowa, also chimed in to reject Trump's assertion and defend her state's restrictive abortion law.

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.  Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) September 19, 2023

Trumps remarks drew blowback from anti-abortion advocates, who insist Republicans should fight to restrict abortion nationwide.

Were at a moment where we need a human rights advocate, someone who is dedicated to saving the lives of children and serving mothers in need. Every single candidate should be clear on how they plan to do that, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of SBA Pro-Life America. She said Congress should impose a 15-week ban as a national minimum standard.

Anti-abortion activist Lila Rose called the remarks pathetic and unacceptable, saying that Trump wants to compromise on babies lives so pro-abort Dems like him and added, Trump should not be the GOP nominee. Tony Perkins, who leads the Family Research Council, labeled Trumps comments not acceptable. Trump's former lawyer Jenna Ellis said Perkins was being too kind to her former boss: This is a non-negotiable issue, she responded.

Students for Life Actions Kristan Hawkins published a letter to Trump saying that his remarks were tremendously discouraging to activists and volunteers. Heartbeat Laws are far from terrible. They should be an absolute minimum for any Republican candidate committed to protecting many from death by direct abortion.

GOP senator says Trump is pursuing 'safer political ground' by downplaying abortion

After the pile-on, Trump took to social media Tuesday to remind his conservative critics he was responsible for building the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade, which occurred last year on a 5-4 vote with all three Trump appointees in the majority. While celebrating that achievement, he also expressed concerns about the politics of abortion for Republicans going forward.

I was able to do something that nobody thought was possible, end Roe v. Wade. For 52 years, people talked, spent vast amounts of money, but couldnt get the job done. I got the job done! he wrote, arguing that with Roe v. Wade no longer, the power to negotiate is with the Pro Life Movement.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Trumps abortion comments were not surprising and indicate that hes already pivoting to the general election.

He probably feels like thats better political ground. And hes probably right. Thats probably safer political ground, Cramer said. I think hes largely on to the general election. Hes probably right to do that. I think thats where hes got the most work to do.

Hes certainly not as pro-life as I am, with a statement like that, the senator added. But on the other hand, if we have to fight these state by state, and we probably do, my states in pretty good shape.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he'd urge Trump to support the 15-week federal abortion limit pushed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

He was a very pro-life president, Hawley said in an interview. If hes the nominee of the party, and I fully expect hes going to be, then I will support him.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., the chair of the GOPs Senate campaign arm, said he favors some federal abortion restrictions: Yeah, there should be limits on late-term abortion. Of course.

But when asked about Trumps refusal to commit to that, Daines, who has endorsed Trump, defended him. President Trump did more for protecting the unborn than any president in modern history, Daines said.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who chairs his party's Senate campaign arm, said Democrats wont let Trump backtrack on abortion.

Its pretty hard to move to the center when he is the man responsible for having Roe v. Wade overturned. We have to remember that the reason women have fewer reproductive rights in this country is because of Donald Trump. Full stop, Peters said.

Peters indicated he doesn't doubt that Trump would sign federal abortion restrictions if given the opportunity.

I dont trust anything that Donald Trump says, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officer has been indicted on official misconduct and theft of property charges for putting at least $60,000 worth of gas using a state fuel card over 13 years, according to an indictment obtained by News 2s sister station, WATE.

The indictment signed by the grand jury earlier this week alleges that between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 1, 2023, James Buchanan used the states credit to purchase $60,000 worth of gas.

In June, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced that it was investigating allegations made against a TWRA officer in Morgan County.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

An evidence log says the TWRA seized four gas cans full of gas, along with 24 other gas or fuel cans, a WEX Fleet Card, a US Bank Card and miscellaneous gas receipts.

An affidavit says the investigation began in May 2023 after an internal auditor was notified in February of possible fraudulent gas card use.

During the TWRAs internal analysis, the auditor found that between August 2008 and February 2023, Buchanan spent $119,002 on 50,925.7 gallons of fuel, but only traveled 227,357 miles, meaning his issued vehicle would have only been getting three to four miles per gallon.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

In March, TWRA investigators placed a GPS tracker on the vehicle Buchanan was assigned.

The affidavit also says investigators surveilled Buchanan and saw him filling fuel cans in the back of the vehicle on at least four occasions. It adds that on multiple occasions, an investigator saw the GPS tracker on the vehicle was seen leaving Buchanans residence, going to a gas station, and then returning to the residence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
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
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet departed here on Thursday morning for New York, the United States, to attend the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a spokesman said.

Hun Manet will address the UNGA on Friday (New York time), according to an official schedule.

"His speech will focus on three key dimensions, namely the global context, Cambodia's socio-economic progress, and Cambodia's commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Transformative Actions," Meas Sophorn, head of the prime minister's spokesperson unit, told reporters before departure.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, the Cambodian leader will engage in bilateral meetings with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and various foreign dignitaries during his stay in New York, he added.

Hun Manet will return to the country on Sept. 25, Sophorn said.

The 78th UNGA session is scheduled to run on Sept. 19-26, 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." 
A "massive" Russian missile attack on at least six cities across Ukraine killed at least two people and left more than 20 others wounded Thursday night, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrenergo, the country's electrical grid operator, said on social media that the missile barrage was Russia's first successful attack targeting energy facilities in months, and it reported partial blackouts in five different regions across the country.

"Tonight, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine," deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office Oleksiy Kuleba said, warning that "difficult months are ahead" for the country as "Russia will attack energy and critically important facilities."

The strike came as Ukraine's frigid winter months approach and just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned at the United Nations General Assembly that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was not afraid of weaponizing nuclear power.

Political divide emerges on Ukraine aid as Zelenskyy heads to D.C.

Zelenskyy warned from the U.N. podium that if Russia is allowed to win the war in Ukraine, other countries will be next.

"The mass destruction is gaining momentum," he said. "The aggressor is weaponizing many other things and those things are used not only against our country, but against all of yours as well."

One of those weapons, Zelenskyy said, is nuclear energy, and the greatest threat is at the sprawling Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russian forces for more than a year.

For several months, Ukraine's counteroffensive has been partly focused on liberating territory around the facility, amid fear that Moscow could deliberately cause a radiation leak there to use as a false pretext for further aggression.

For 18 months, the ground around the massive complex, and even Europe's largest nuclear power plant itself, has repeatedly been targeted in missile and drone attacks. The clashes around the sensitive site have drawn dire warnings from the United Nations nuclear energy watchdog as engineers have had to regularly take its six reactors offline and rely on backup power to keep the plant safely cooled.

Ukraine remains heavily dependent on nuclear energy. It has three other plants still under its direct control which, combined, power more than half the country. That makes them too important to shut down, despite the risks of Russian attacks.

But until now, only Moscow was capable of providing fuel for Ukraine's Soviet-era nuclear reactors. So, as part of a wider strategy by Kyiv to sever any reliance on Russia, Ukraine partnered with the Pittsburgh-based company Westinghouse to develop its own fueling systems to power its plants. The first such system was installed this month at the Rivne plant.

U.S., Ukrainian and Swedish flags flutter in front of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, in Varash, Ukraine, Sept. 10, 2023. / Credit: ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP/Getty

The plant is now being fired by fuel produced at a Westinghouse plant in Sweden.

Ukraine's Minster of Energy, Hermann Galuschenko, told CBS News it's a shift that was a long time coming. He said it gave him pride to see nuclear fuel being fed in to power the reactors recently at the Rivne plant for the first time under the new system.

"I'm proud that even during the war, we managed to do some historical things," he said. "We should get rid of Russian technologies in nuclear."

(From L) President and CEO of the Westinghouse Electric Company Patrick Fragman, Ukrainian Minister of Energy German Galushchenko and President of Energoatom Petro Kotin shake hands after the first load of Westinghouse nuclear fuel was fed into the Soviet-era reactors at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, in Varash, Ukraine, Sept. 10, 2023. / Credit: ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP/Getty

Ukraine is still haunted by the 1986 nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. One of the worst man-made catastrophes in history, the Chernobyl meltdown left millions of acres of forest and farmland contaminated and caused devastating long-term health problems for thousands of people in the region.

As Ukrainian forces battle to push Russia out of Zaporizhzhia, the lingering fear is that the Kremlin could be preparing to sabotage that nuclear power plant with mines or other military explosives.

Bank of England pauses interest rate hikes for first time since December 2021

Zelenskyy arrives on Capitol Hill with GOP divided on Ukraine aid

Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals
Ukrainian Strykers and Marders have broken through the main Russian line of defense.

In what the Institute for the The Institute for the Study of War calls a significant inflection, Ukrainian mechanized forces have for the first time breached Russias main line of anti-tank ditches and dragons teeth obstacles near the village of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

That breach, geolocated by ISW as well as The Wall Street Journal , has allowed U.S.-donated Stryker and German-donated Marder armored vehicles to pass beyond those lines, according to ISW.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1704815837100523528

Though small and heavily contested, the breach is significant. It gives Ukraine a better chance to push more armor through, expand the growing Robobytne-Verbove salient and move closer to the goal of cutting off the so-called land bridge to Crimea. With this goal in mind, Ukraine is attempting to push south, through or around Tokmak on the way to Melitopol. There is also an effort to drive down to the Azov Sea port city of Berdiansk.

The advance is exacting a major toll, however.

We are pushing through, a Ukrainian officer told The Wall Street Journal . We are destroying them. But the price

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1704878178571853881

As Ukraine races to achieve its objectives, the mounting casualties on both sides will be a huge factor. Kyiv and Moscow each have committed a large bulk of reserve forces, with Russia moving in its vaunted airborne troops to backfill the losses. Russia is also trying to maintain its hold on Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast and is still massing some troops near Kupiasnk in Kharkiv Oblast. These actions raise additional questions about how well Russia can defend in Zaporizhzhia should Ukraine advance past Russia's defenses in-depth that were built up over many months.

Clearly understanding whats at stake, the Russians are putting up a fierce fight, pounding the Ukrainian forward positions with artillery, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said its forces repelled a Russian attack in that sector while the Russian Defense Ministry said two Ukrainian attacks in that area were repelled by actions of the Russian Group of Forces units, air strikes and artillery fire.

Pro-Russian military bloggers offer a range of insights on the current state of play in the salient.

Ukrainian forces were defeated in that area, according to the Operation Z Telegram channel.

After a three-week break, Kyiv massively threw Western and other equipment into battle - and was extremely unsuccessful. Scouts from the 22nd GRU special forces brigade spotted the attack and directed fire at the enemy for seven hours of battle.

A burning Ukrainian armored vehicle reportedly near Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. (Operation Z Telegram)

Attack drones covered an assault group of Ukrainian troops on the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region between the villages of Robotyne and Verbove, forcing a Ukrainian retreat, the head of the We are together with Russia movement, Vladimir Rogov, said on his Telegram channel.

The Grey Zone Telegram channel noted the unprecedented number of units Ukraine has committed to this push hoping to create a gap in our defense and break through to Tokmak.

In addition to pushing east toward Verbove, Ukrainian forces are also attacking west, to the small village of Novoprokopivka just south of Robotyne, according to Grey Zone. That town sits along the key TO-408 highway that runs south to Tokmak.

The town of Novoprovopivka is another Ukrainian objective, according to Russian milbloggers. (Google Earth image)

Though Russian aviation assets have delayed the advance, Ukraine managed to create excessive pressure on our forward formations after transferring reserves to this sector from other directions, according to Grey Zone. The enemy forces and means concentrated on the Robotyne-Verbove sector are perhaps comparable only to the Bakhmut section of the front - on its southern flank and in the center.

Regardless, the fight for gaining territory before the rains come is clearly intensifying and with it, the casualty lists are bound to balloon.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here .

The Latest

In the wake of Russia and Ukraine launching new waves of large-scale airstrikes overnight, as you can read about here , Zelensky, as we noted above, arrived in Washington for talks with Biden and with senators, amid renewed calls for military aid.

https://www.twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1704942970984603851?s=20

Posting to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Ukrainian president said that Kyiv is sincerely grateful for U.S. support and that it can clearly see that victory is getting closer. He continued:

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the National Pentagon 9/11 Memorial on September 21, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Zelensky is visiting Washington and will have an Oval Office meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden in the afternoon. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

I emphasized that a Ukrainian victory will ensure that neither Russia nor any other dictatorship destabilizes the free world again. To win, we must all stand together and work together.

U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023. Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

A visit to the U.S. Capitol saw Zelensky meet with leaders of the Republican-led House of Representatives and House National Security Committees, followed by a private session with the full U.S. Senate.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen arriving at the Capitol, accompanied by Democratic House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries:

https://www.twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1704854192526127495?s=20

Zelensky told reporters that they had a great dialogue. He added that he spoke with U.S. lawmakers about the situation on the battlefield as well as Ukraines priority needs, chiefly additional air defense equipment.

After the Ukrainian leaders meeting with senators, the Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer told reporters:

There was a single sentence that summed it all up, and Im quoting him verbatim, Mr. Zelensky said: "If we dont get the aid we will lose the war."

As for what the next aid package will consist of, we will have to wait for a few more hours, although White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said it will include air defense systems. On the other hand, we also know that the $325-million package will not include the ATACMS long-range missiles that Ukraine has long campaigned for.

Author's note: See bottom of this post for update of what the package includes

https://www.twitter.com/simonateba/status/1704916030185681036?s=20

In a measure of how the mood has shifted in Washington since Zelenskys last visit, nine months ago, the Ukrainian leader arrived amid a spending battle, with Republicans proposing a stopgap bill without new funding for Ukraine. Senate majority leader Schumer described that as an insult to Ukraine and a gift to Putin. Schumer added: I cannot think of a worse welcome for Zelensky.

https://www.twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1704923004851876101?s=20

At this point, the Republican leadership in the Senate still generally supports Ukraine in its war efforts, although the situation is more divided in the House, where military support for Kyiv faces more hostility.

Is Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think I have to commit anything, and I think I have questions for him, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told ABC News.

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, McCarthy continued.

https://www.twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1704869595759194588?s=20

After meeting with Zelensky, McCarthy said that he had asked the Ukrainian leader What do you need?, and that the president responded by saying they needed air cover, as well as long-range artillery that could reach Russia-occupied Crimea  very likely a reference to ATACMS.

As an aside, another long-range weapon that is supposed to be heading in the direction of Ukraine, the U.S.-donated Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) , appears to have been delayed again.

https://www.twitter.com/RALee85/status/1704585435647807865?s=20

GLSDBs, a fairly recent adaptation of the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), were first promised to Ukraine in February , but the Pentagon said in June that they wouldnt arrive until the Fall. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that their delivery is still months away.

Based on the descriptions of the battlefield situation that Zelensky provided today, McCarthy said that we wouldnt send our troops in under those conditions without the provision of greater air cover.

The F-16 fighter is at the top of the list when it comes to providing Ukraine with more capable air power assets, with the Netherlands and Denmark , as well as Norway , having already committed to providing the fourth-generation fighters.

Now, Belgium, too has said it is considering supplying Kyiv with F-16s, according to a statement from Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

I have asked Defense to see what use our F-16s could have in Ukraine, Reuters reports De Croo told Belgian broadcaster VRT. We need to consider all options.

A Belgian Air Force F-16. GERARD GAUDIN/AFP via Getty Images

https://www.twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1704756900535898403?s=20

Like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, Belgium is also replacing its F-16s with F-35 stealth jets. However, the Belgian Ministry of Defense had previously said that its F-16s were too old to be of practical value to Ukraine. De Croo has now said that they could still be of use, including for pilot training .

https://www.twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1702730833201631606?s=20

In a surprising development, Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, has said it will no longer send weapons to Kyiv. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said today that the country would instead focus on its own defense priorities, with its armed forces currently undergoing wide-ranging modernization.

We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons, Morawiecki commented.

https://www.twitter.com/clashreport/status/1704838920477761615?s=20

However, the trigger for the decision appears to have been the escalating row over grain exports. The dispute here centers around the European Commission having allowed Ukrainian grain sales across the bloc, which Polish farmers see as unfair competition.

Morawieckis announcement came only hours after Warsaw summoned Kyivs ambassador over the grain exports issue.

Former Polish prime minister and ex-European Council president Donald Tusk accused the government in Warsaw of stabbing a political knife in Ukraines back as a political move ahead of Polands October elections.

Better news for Ukraine comes from Sweden, which, according to reports today, has transferred 10 Leopard 2 main battle tank variants to Ukraine. The tanks, which are known as Stridsvagn 122 in Swedish service, are equivalent to the Leopard 2A5. Ukrainian crews for the new tanks have already been trained in Sweden.

https://www.twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1704871520676331991?s=20

An oil depot near an airport in Sochi was hit by a suspected Ukrainian drone strike early Wednesday morning. The attack created a huge fire that engulfed the oil depot in the Black Sea resort town where Russian President Vladimir Putin has a home.

According to Agentstvo, an investigative site launched in 2021, the drone fell 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence in Sochi, Newsweek reported .

Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Russia's Krasnodar region, said on his Telegram channel that a fuel tank caught fire, causing a blaze about 100 square meters in size. No casualties were reported.

Sochi is roughly 350 miles from Ukrainian-controlled territory, which would make this a very long-range drone strike if it was not launched by sea or within Russia's own borders.

https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1704391813040087522?s=20 https://twitter.com/SamRamani2/status/1704433626589409330?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1704378748370399423?s=20

Finally, regular readers will no doubt be familiar with the use of the M1910 Maxim machine gun , a design that predates World War I, by Ukrainian forces. As well as arming Soviet-era military vehicles , the venerable Maxim is now also apparently being used to tackle the ever-present Russian drone threat. In this configuration, a trio of these water-cooled guns are seen being tested, apparently from the rear of a flatbed truck. We have seen similar concepts for the anti-drone role before.

https://www.twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1704554954478780492?s=20

Thats it for now. Well update this story when theres more news to report about Ukraine.

UPDATE:

As expected, the latest round of aid to Ukraine did not include ATACMS, but it did include additional capabilities to strengthen Ukraines air defenses as well as more dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM), anti-tank weapons, and other equipment.

The package, valued at up to $325 million, includes:

AIM-9M missiles for air defense;

Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);

Avenger air defense systems;

.50 caliber machine guns to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems;

155mm artillery rounds, including DPICM;

105mm artillery rounds;

Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;

Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;

Over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition;

59 light tactical vehicles;

Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing; and

Spare parts, maintenance, and other field equipment.

Contact the authors: howard@thedrive.com, thomas@thedrive.com
The University of Missouri System Board of Curators on Thursday voted to approve naming its wetlands institute for donor Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.

The meeting was at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and was livestreamed.

The Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems is the new name for the Institute announced in March in a ceremony at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on the Missouri River.

The institute will make a difference, said Christopher Daubert, dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

"It will serve as a national center of research, knowledge and best management practices impacting fisheries, wildlife, wetlands and aquatic systems," Daubert said of the institute. "Our faculty will train the next generation of aquatic systems conservationists, environmental scientists and researchers."

It's a partnership among MU, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.

"The institute will attract top-tier faculty, staff and students," Daubert said.

He added that Morris is deserving of the honor.

"He is internationally recognized for his commitment to natural resources and conservation," Daubert said.

Morris founded Bass Pro Shops selling fishing tackle in the back of his father's store in 1972. Based in Springfield, Bass Pro Shops employs 40,000 people in 200 stores with more than $4 billion in annual sales.

"This will be an exciting initiative that focuses on the importance of water in our state," said Mun Choi, University of Missouri System president and MU chancellor, during a post-meeting news conference.

He noted the state's two major waterways, the Mississippi River and the Missouri River.

The institute also will tie in with the Missouri School of Journalism's Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, funded by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, said curator Robin Wenneker.

The institute will help replenish leadership in conservation said curator Robert Fry.

"This will provide for the development of new, educated people to take over leadership from those who are retiring," Fry said.

The institute has a $30 million endowment it plans to build over the next 10 years for the continued operation of the institute.

A $1.7 million donation from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation established the institute, supported by a leadership donation from Morris.

MU Health Care decision to end treatment for transgender youth

During the news conference, Choi and board Chairman Michael Williams addressed the MU Health Care decision to stop treatment for transgender youth, including those who already were patients.

A state law took effect last week prohibiting puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for those under 18 seeking gender transition. It allowed for those already receiving the treatments to continue, but with a catch, officials have said.

The move has been criticized by local legislators, which Choi acknowledged.

"The liability that we saw and our ability to continue to provide treatment was a great concern," Choi said.

Less than a dozen individuals were affected and they were referred to location where they could be trreated, Choi said.

"We had no other option," he said.

It was the section of the law that allowed patients to file a legal cause of action up to 15 years after any procedure and damages of $500,000 or more that resulted in the decision, Williams said.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri wetlands institute named for Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris
Two copper kettles holding 45 gallons each of specially prepared bean soup were just one of the ways Ashland County veterans were thanked for their service on Monday, which was designated as Veterans Day at the Ashland County Fair.

As part of the tribute, veterans could eat for free from noon-6 p.m. The menu included cornbread baked by the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center culinary students, who also helped blend the soup in the kettles and serve the meal.

"The veterans set us all up, and we came out to stir," along with making the cornbread, said Kathy Diederich, culinary careers management instructor.

"We're all volunteers," said Mary Ann Dull from the American Legion Auxiliary of all those involved in the endeavor of honoring veterans.

By 3 p.m. nearly 50 gallons of the soup had been consumed. Only four trays of cornbread out of 10 were left.

Veterans listen to speaker Greg Gorrell at the veteran program at the fair Monday.

"It's not just dumping stuff in (the mixture)," said American Legion member Mike Hunt, who calculated seven different kinds of beans, three different cuts of ham, about 10 gallons of sauce and a very specific combination of spices cooking in the vats.

"They call it secret seasoning," Dull said.

Hunt, who served in the Army in Desert Storm and Iraq, said, "We started soaking the beans at 9 a.m. on Sunday, then came back at 10 or 11 a.m. to strain them, wash the kettles, rewash the beans and put everything in the kettles."

The recipe has changed slightly through the generations, he said.

Not yet sure of the numbers for this year, Hunt said 550 veterans were served last year.

Ronald Dull, an Ashland American Legion Post Commander for 17 years and an Ohio Legionnaire of the Year award winner, said he learned about the bean soup treat in 1986 at the Huron County Fair. In 1988, Dull, who served in the Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969, and associates cooked nine roasters of bean soup at the American Legion for the Ashland County Fair, before later coming up with the idea of purchasing the kettles.

Veterans do the Walk of Honor Monday at the Ashland County Fair, which was Veterans Day.

The event in the Veterans Building has been put together every year for almost 40 years, said David Harry, by local veterans organizations including AMVETS, the American Legion, DAV and Vietnam Veterans.

"I've been doing this for 33 years," said Harry, an Army veteran of Desert Storm and the National Guard who calls himself "kind of a historian for the VFW."

He pointed out the Wall of Honor photographs lining the walls of the building, designed to honor or memorialize anyone in uniform from Ashland County.

As directed by Harry, the Ashland County Honor Guard stepped off from the Veterans Building for the Walk of Honor at 10:45 a.m. on Monday and proceeded to the Cheyenne Spidel Memorial Pavilion for the Veterans Service sponsored by Hospice of North Central Ohio. Noah Gangi from Hospice was the master of ceremonies.

Danielle England sings the national anthem during Monday's Ashland County Fair tribute to veterans.

Speaker Greg Gorrell, an Ashland High School and Ashland University graduate who served with the Ninth Infantry Division in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, recited the grim statistics of service men and women killed, wounded or missing in action from the wars and conflicts in which the United States has been involved, beginning with the Civil War.

"These numbers are staggering," Gorrell said, and must be added to all who have been impacted by "wounded hearts and wounded spirits."

"The cumulative effect in defense of freedom is almost beyond comprehension," he said.

"You are the patriots of this nation," Gorrell told the veterans gathered in the Pavilion, thanking them for "a job well done."

Greg Gorrell

He was told by a friend the best way to thank veterans is by "embracing the freedoms they fought for and standing on and defending the moral high ground."

Gorrell encouraged them to "share your story with those you love," something he himself was unable to do for years, so that it will not be "lost forever."

Mary Ann Dull also expressed her gratitude to veterans for their "time, bravery and sacrifice for this country."

Another treat for veterans on Monday was the opportunity to sign up for a raffle held by the Old Uniontown Quilt Guild members whose quilts were on display in Mozelle Hall.

The theme of the quilts to be donated to veterans was "something patriotic," said Nancy Boyd, showing off a wall of quilts punctuated by red, white, and blue.

Timber Banks wrestles with her market lamb during judging at the Ashland County Fair on Monday.

Thirty-one quilts and seven afghans was given to veterans.

Monday at the fair also featured dairy, sheep, rabbit and poultry shows; harness racing; and a small animal costume contest.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland County veterans honored at fair
Kenneth Chesebro is an active pro-Trump lawyer who allegedly helped coordinate the plan to recruit fake electors. He faces charges of violating the RICO act, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree and other charges.

MADISON  The list of potential witnesses for attorney and Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro's Georgia election interference trial includes several Wisconsin officials as the state remains at the center of the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

Chesebro is one of 18 defendants charged along with former President Donald Trump last month with violating Georgia's racketeering laws in an effort to overturn the results of President Joe Biden 's election win. All 19 have pleaded not guilty.

Chesebro and attorney Sidney Powell were separated from the case and will have a joint trial starting Oct. 23. Chesebro faces seven charges related to his plan to put forward slates of false electors from swing states including Georgia and Wisconsin.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee hears motions from attorneys representing Ken Chesebro and Sidney Powell in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

His plan was spelled out after the election in a memo dated Nov. 18, 2020  the same day Trump asked for recounts in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

On Dec. 14, 2020, Democrats met in the state Capitol to lawfully cast the state's 10 electoral votes for Biden. At the same time, 10 Republicans gathered in another part of the Capitol to fill out paperwork claiming Trump had won. They submitted their filings to Congress, the National Archives, a federal judge and then-Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette.

Wisconsin's fake electors have said they held the meeting to ensure the state's electoral votes were cast for Trump if a court later determined he was the true winner of the state.

Several of the false electors were party leaders in their county or congressional district at the time but no longer hold those positions.

One, Bob Spindell, remains a Republican appointee to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. He is one of the potential witnesses listed in a Thursday court filing by Chesebro's attorneys.

Bob Spindell, a Republican member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Andrew Hitt, then-chairman of state Republican Party, was also on the fake electors slate and is listed as a potential witness.

Other potential witnesses with Wisconsin ties include Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming, RPW executive director Mark Jefferson, GOP attorney Joe Olson, attorney George Burnett, attorney James Troupis and WEC chairman Don Millis. Also on the list are Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty president and general counsel Rick Esenberg, WILL senior counsel Brian McGrath, WILL deputy counsel Luke Berg and WILL associate counsel Katherine Spitz.

Biden defeated Trump by about 21,000 votes in Wisconsin. The results of the election have been upheld by multiple recounts, court rulings and a report from a conservative law firm.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin officials listed as potential witnesses in Chesebro trial
A woman was rescued from an outhouse toilet after she got stuck in it while trying to retrieve her Apple watch.

A woman was rescued from an awkward situation by first responders after bystanders heard her yelling for help.

First responders were called to the Dixon Lake boat launch on Tuesday morning after a woman was heard screaming for help, Michigan State Police said in a statement. When they arrived at the scene, they found the woman stuck inside an outhouse toilet.

A woman was rescued from an outhouse toilet after she got stuck in it while trying to retrieve her Apple watch.

The woman told authorities she had dropped her Apple Watch in the toilet and lowered herself inside in an attempt to retrieve it when she got stuck and could not get out.

Authorities removed the toilet, and a strap was used to pull the woman out to safety, according to police.

The toilet was removed to hoist the woman out to safety.

MSP spokesman Derrick Carroll told Detroit Free Press the woman had managed to retrieve her watch before her rescue and was not injured. Carroll remarked on the woman's gratitude towards the first responders that saved her.

'Perilously high': 19-year-old daredevil saved after stunt left him dangling from California's tallest bridge

More: Person trapped at the bottom of 100-foot California ravine rescued after 5 days

Meanwhile, authorities have advised the public to refrain from venturing inside the containment area to retrieve lost items as serious injury could occur.

Dixon Lake in Bagley Township is approximately 230 miles northwest of Detroit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman rescued from outhouse toilet after retrieving lost Apple Watch
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel's foreign minister said on Thursday that a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia could be completed by early 2024.

"I think there is certainly a likelihood that in the first quarter of 2024 ... we will be able to be at a point where the details (of an agreement) are finalized," Eli Cohen told Israel's Army Radio.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud expressed hope for the normalization negotiations on separate occasions.

Netanyahu said during his visit to the UN General Assembly that a normalization deal is "within reach," according to a statement released by his office.

The Saudi crown prince told Fox News that "every day we get closer (to a deal)," but stressing the welfare of Palestinians remains an issue.

The main obstacles between the two countries include Saudi Arabia's desire to have a civilian nuclear program and the need for progress in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Cohen expressed his confidence in the negotiation, adding "the gaps can be bridged."

Israel has official ties with only a handful of Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Morocco agreed to normalize their ties with Israel in 2020. 
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. 
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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, the International Day of Peace, called for efforts to achieve peace for all.

"Let us commit to build, drive and sustain peace for all," said the UN chief, noting that "people and our planet are in crisis" while this day is being observed.

Guterres stressed that peace is "the result of action, the action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind."

It is also the action "to end the war on our planet and its natural gifts," to uphold and protect the human rights and dignity of every person, to use the timeless tools of diplomacy, dialogue and collaboration to defuse tensions and end conflict, and action for those millions of people living through the horrors of war, Guterres said.

"Peace is not only a noble vision for humanity. Peace is a call to action," he stressed.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on Sept. 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this day as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year's theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. 
Alimentele care iti distrug creierul - Evita sa le consumi

1. Alimente cu un continut ridicat de zaharExcesul de zahar poate avea efecte daunatoare asupra creierului. Studiile au aratat ca un consum ridicat de zahar poate duce la deficiente in memorie si capacitatea de invatare, precum si la reducerea plasticitatii cerebrale. De asemenea, [citeste mai departe]
President Iohannis on new tax measures: Step in the right direction, we know we have systemic problems The new tax measures prepared by the government are "a step in the right direction", in the context of "systemic problems" in Romania, president Klaus Iohannis said Wednesday in a press statement. "A step in the right direction. We must see things as they are. The fact that now will not solve all the systemic problems accumulated in 30 years is again something that is easy to understand, but steps must be taken. We can't continue to pretend that public money is often spent inefficiently, we can't turn a blind eye to tax evasion and we can't let resources that should be available to the local Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro

Sursa articol si foto: stiripesurse.ro

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- Presedintele Ungariei, Katalin Novak, a declarat miercuri, in urma unei intrevederi cu presedintele Romaniei, Klaus Iohannis, ca Ungaria semnaleaza intentia de a cumpara mai mult gaz din Romania, pentru a reduce dependenta de Rusia si a sustinut ca proiecte de exploatare precum Neptun Deep ar trebui

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- Romania risks losing 75 billion euros if it does not implement the package of measures to reduce the budget deficit, 46 billion euros from the Cohesion Policy and 29.3 billion euros from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), said on Wednesday evening, the minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos,

- President Iohannis: An extended UN Security Council could include important additional voicesAn 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,

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Hungary has formally taken over the rotating presidency of the Central European exchange programme for university studies (CEEPUS) from Poland, Janos Csak, the minister for culture and innovation, said in Warsaw on Wednesday, following a meeting of representatives of the schemes member states.

Speaking at a press conference, Csak noted that the CEEPUS programme had been launched in Budapest in 1993 with the aim to promote mutual knowledge sharing among university students, teachers and other fellows in central and eastern European and Western Balkan countries.



The scheme has been highly successful with the number of participants increasing steadily over the past years and spending several months in host countries, he said.



The scheme will be expanded to have new members such as Ukraine offering participation of Ukrainian students in its programmes, the minister added.



Representatives of the member states signed at the meeting an international agreement on the new CEEPUS programme for 2025.
This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows a scene at the China-Cambodia "Peace Angel-2023" joint humanitarian exercise in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The exercise came to a successful end on Thursday at the Royal Cambodian Army's Special Forces Command in Phnom Penh. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The China-Cambodia "Peace Angel-2023" joint humanitarian exercise came to a successful end on Thursday at the Royal Cambodian Army's Special Forces Command in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha and leader of the Chinese observation group Wang Shuqian, as well as military attaches of foreign countries to Cambodia attended the closing ceremony in which a joint humanitarian rescue exercise was performed by both militaries.

In the joint exercise, both soldiers conducted disaster site search and rescue, treated the sick and wounded, and prevented and controlled communicable diseases.

Speaking at the event, Seiha said the joint exercise was a new starting point for solidarity and cooperation between the two militaries and friendship between the two peoples, and was of great significance for the two countries in developing a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and in building a community with a shared future.

Meanwhile, Wang said the joint humanitarian exercise was a milestone in promoting practical exchanges between China and Cambodia, and a new manifestation of the deep friendship between the two countries.

"In-depth exchanges between both militaries on health services have improved their abilities to jointly carry out international humanitarian medical rescue," he said.

At the closing ceremony, officers and soldiers of both sides who had an outstanding performance in the exercise were awarded honorary certificates issued by the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence.

Also at the event, the Chinese army donated medicine and other medical supplies to the Cambodian Royal Army.

In the joint exercise, which began on Sept. 16, both sides mobilized more than 700 troops and used more than 1,000 sets of equipment including Y-20 transport aircraft, Y-9 medical ambulance aircraft, disinfection drones, negative pressure ambulances, and tent hospitals. 

This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows a scene at the China-Cambodia "Peace Angel-2023" joint humanitarian exercise in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The exercise came to a successful end on Thursday at the Royal Cambodian Army's Special Forces Command in Phnom Penh. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
The money the government plans to spend on the takeover of Liszt Ferenc International Airport could instead be invested in comprehensive upgrades to Hungarys rail network, the opposition Socialist Party said.

The 1,536 billion forints (EUR 4bn) the government reportedly wants to spend on Liszt Ferenc International operator Budapest Airport could be spent on the public procurement of 115 electric locomotives, motor trains and doubling the train fleet, Laszlo Varga, the partys deputy leader, told an online press conference.



Neither do budget and air transport experts think the governments purchase would be justified, he said.



The government has recently spent 700 billion forints on the takeover of a mobile service provider, so the funds are there, but the cabinet isnt spending them in the right places, Varga said, referring to Antenna Hungaria and state-owned Corvinuss acquisition of Vodafone Hungary.



Hungarys rail network is in crisis, lacks funding, and there are not enough trains or staff, he said.



Half of the money to be allocated towards the takeover of the airport would be enough to replace the entire rolling stock fleet, while the other half could be enough for comprehensive network maintenance, he said.



Varga called on the government to reconsider its plans and embark on a broad upgrade of the countrys rail network.



MTI Photo: Attila Kovacs
The Netherlands and US sci-fi writer John Scalzi will be the guest of honour at this years International Book Festival which will also feature a roundtable of EU Literature Prize laureates between Sept 28 and Oct 1, the organisers said.

The Netherlands will offer at its national stand presentations by top contemporary authors such as writer-journalist Arnon Grunberg, essayist-sociologist Abram de Swaan, writer, theatre and opera director Martin Michael Driessen and Annamarie Bon, the widely popular author of children and youth books, the Dutch embassys press and cultural attache told a press conference.



The programme has been organised for two years in cooperation with the Budapest ELTE University of humanities and the department of Netherlandic studies at the Karoli Gaspar Reformed University, and includes presentations on Dutch-Hungarian ties and panel discussions with Hungarian translators and experts of Dutch works, he said.



Multi-award winning author John Scalzi, the former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, will be hosted at a podium discussion on September 30 in the afternoon, said Krisztian Kovacs, communications director of the Hungarian publishing house of Scalzis works.



The American star authors invitation as a guest of honour to this years festival is an excellent opportunity for building bridges between classic fiction and high-standard popular literature, he said.



Scalzi will receive the Grand Award of Budapest from the citys mayor on the opening day, Katalin Gal, the president of the association of Hungarian publishers and book sellers (MKKE), said. The festival will feature 40 international authors and 180 programmes with some 200 book-signing events, she said.
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
Identity theft is a frustration no one wants to deal with. Thankfully the Federal Trade Commission has some ways to protect your identity. Check your credit report. You are entitled to see your credit report for free once a year. If you see anything unusual, that is a sign you need to see if
The success of some entrepreneurs cannot be explained by their educational background. There are many billionaires who did not receive higher education. Contrary to popular belief, having a college degree had no bearing on their ability to succeed or prevent them from becoming some of the most successful entrepreneurs in history. Such is the story of Kerala-born billionaire educational entrepreneur Sunny Varkey who is just a high-school pass-out but is today one of the richest Indians in Dubai.

Sunny Varkey's story is about a middle-class man who put in his blood and sweat to make it big in designing, developing and operating educational services. Varkey founded the GEMS Education Group, which now has a network of more than 80 schools spread out over the globe. GEMS is the largest operator of private kindergarten-12 grade schools in the world. Additionally, Sunny has formed alliances with UNESCO, Microsoft, the World Economic Forum, and the Clinton Global Initiative. According to Forbes, Sunny Varkey has a net worth of $3.2 billion. Lets know about Indian educational entrepreneur Sunny Varkey who started from scratch, made it big in Dubai and is an inspiration for all.



Sunny Varkeys Life, Education And Business Journey



Sunny Varkey was born in 1957 in Kerala to educator parents. His father had accepted a position at a bank, and the family moved to Dubai in 1959. There, his parents used to teach the Arabs. Sunny completed his official schooling in the United Kingdom and Dubai.

Sunnys parents founded Our Own English High School in Dubai in 1968 to educate migrant students. During this time Sunny was employed with a bank and later worked in the hotel and healthcare industry. After growing disillusioned with his career, Sunny eventually decided to teach in the school his parents founded.

Sunny had lofty dreams and a strong desire to establish his own business. He founded Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) in 2000 with the dream of providing students with a high-quality education. In 2003, he inaugurated a school in England. He built a school and extended his company in India in 2004. The GEMS group now has operations in Singapore, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, the United States, and Switzerland. Sunny Varkey serves as the chairman of the Varkey Group, an umbrella corporation. He also set up the charitable Varkey Foundation.

Sunny Varkey's initiatives have received widespread recognition. He was appointed the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education Partnerships. He received an award of distinction from the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Government honoured him with the Padma Shri Award.

Sunny Varkeys Realtime Net Worth

As per Forbes Realtime Billionaire Index figures, Sunny Varkeys realtime net worth as of 21-09-2023 is USD $3.2B (2,66,03,52,00,000.00 Indian Rupee approximately).
As an avid traveler, Ive forever been on the lookout for incredible journeys and epic escapades. I find my home in unique and soul-thrilling adventures. Recently, while looking for another such adventure, I came across AlUla, a hidden gem of Saudi Arabia. The images I saw online were nothing short of stunning, and in that moment, I was absolutely certainthis ought to be my next travel destination.

Step Back In Time

As I arrived in AlUla, I felt the need to know more about the city. The citys well-preserved architecture was beautiful to behold. I sensed an almost irresistible beckoning as if the very structures themselves were extending an invitation to explore more about their past. The city is truly a living museum of preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings, and natural and human-made monuments that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history.

I learned about the citys ancient history and its significance in trade. The city was not only the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, but it also transformed into an essential crossroads along the renowned incense-trading routes running from southern Arabia, north into Egypt, and even beyond.

AIUla is a masterpiece. From dramatic rock formations and sand-swept dunes to archaeological ruins depicting ancient cultures lives, a treasure trove of experiences awaits here. I enjoyed immersing myself in AIUla's magical adventure.

Magnificent Heritage Sites

A trip to AIUla would be incomplete if you didnt visit its heritage sites. I assure you the adventure of a lifetime awaits you. I was awe-struck when I visited AlUla Old Town, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, and Hegra. From remnants of ancient mud-brick walls and well-preserved tombs to red-rock mountains, rock art, and ancient pilgrimage corners, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary! While visiting Hegra, I was overwhelmed by the ancient architecture surrounding the site in Jabal AlAhmar, Jabal AlBanat, and Jabal Ithlib. These places are home to numerous magnificent tombs and mountains. Your senses are sure to have a treat!

Oasis Adventure Like No Other

AlUla is more than just history. Its about the spell-binding natural beauty that wraps it. The extensive desert landscapes, mazes of dramatic rock formations, endless sand-swept dunes, citrus groves, and millennia-old lava flows offer amusement and thrill to adventure seekers. I visited the sensational Elephant Rock, where sunsets blanket magnificent rock formations in red and millions of stars envelope the night sky. Further delights awaited me at Harrat Viewpoint, where I sat atop an ancient volcanic mountain. I simply immersed myself in the sheer beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Continuing my journey, I ventured further to Heritage Oasis Trail, best enjoyed with a guided tour of local Rawi. He informed me about the history and the science behind the lush green palm groves and more. You must visit to know all about it! Daimumah and Sharaan Nature Reserve embodied sheer beauty, offering stunning sights with remarkable art installations and abundant captivating scenery, including majestic creatures like the Ibex and the Arabian Leopard.

From stargazing and rock art and inscriptions to sandstone rocks, lush plains, and red rock cliffs, AIUla has it all.

Incredible Maraya

As I travelled to Asher Valley, I was in for an exhilarating surprise as I beheld Maraya, an ecstatic art tower. The awe-inspiring structure is covered in 9,740 mirrored panels that reflect the enchanting landscape that surrounds AIUla. This beautiful structure has earned its place in the Guinness World Records as the largest mirrored building in the world.

I found myself spellbound by this place, primarily because of its heritage and the incredibly versatile and multi-purpose venue. Maraya has hosted elite musical performances by icons such as Alicia Keys, John Legend, OneRepublic, Usher and Seal, and other regional performers.

Yet another remarkable facet of this destination is Maraya Socialan exciting rooftop dining experience. Perched atop the building, I must confess, the place is nothing short of astounding! This innovative dining concept by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton is one to experience. And the best part about the dining experience here is that AlUla-grown ingredients inspire the menu. I had some of the best dishes Ive ever tasted! Maraya is a must-visit to witness its beauty!

Food Paradise

The dining experience in AIUla will never disappoint! I was definitely in a food paradise with an array of delectable cuisines found in mesmerizing locations. If youre looking for a fine dining experience or just a casual bite, AlUla has it all! I was surprised to find French cuisine at AIUla. ENTRECOTE CAFE DE PARIS served some of the most tantalizing flavours I had ever savoured. I absolutely loved the butter sauce and fries. Harrat at Banyan Tree, Saffron, Somewhere, Suhail, Tama at Habitas, The Heart of the Oasis, Myazu, and Okto have become some of my favourite restaurants! The cuisine holds flavours from across the globe. I got to experience a little bit of the whole world at AIUla. Thats what made my trip to AIUla extra special!

Parting Words

As I departed from AlUla, I was overwhelmed with a sense of sadness. I didnt want to leave! It was an incredibly memorable experience for me. I recommend visiting AIUla because its an alluring blend of history, scenic beauty, and warm Arabian hospitality. Its every travellers dream and will leave you longing for more!

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the allegations made by Canada against India are "politically driven" with a "degree of prejudice." Responding to a volley of questions amid a diplomatic standoff over Khalistani sympathiser Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, ''The funding of Canada-based Khalistani extremists from Pakistan is a much serious issue.''

"Among other issues, the ongoing funding of Khalistani extremists based in Canada from Pakistani soil is a much more serious issue," the MEA official said while replying to reporters. "We've informed the Govt of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence," he added.

While maintaining that Canadian diplomatic interference in India's internal affairs is a big factor, the MEA official said that there will be a reduction of Canadian diplomats serving in the country. "Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side," Bagchi said.

Replying to a question on the suspension of visa services in Canada, the MEA Spokesperson said, "You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis..."

Responding to the allegations made by Canada regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the MEA official said, "Canada has shared no specific intelligence on the case yet." "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon," Bagchi told reporters.

On Canada's allegations of India's involvement in Nijar's killing, the MEA spokesperson said, "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven."

#WATCH | On allegations by Canada, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, "Yes these allegations were raised by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau with PM (Modi) and PM rejected them." pic.twitter.com/FDxZ1Rc8aw September 21, 2023

The reaction from the MEA came shortly after India on Thursday suspended the issue of visas to citizens of Canada "till further notice". A notice by BLS International - a private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadian nationals - said, "Due to operational reasons... Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice".

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were 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). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.



The updated travel advisory for Indian students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd.
Indian Mission in Canada has temporarily halted the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens, citing 'operational reasons'. The decision comes amidst a significant international dispute concerning allegations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, asserting intelligence connecting New Delhi to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorists. A notice from BLS International, an online visa application center, confirmed the suspension of visa services. "Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the BLS website said.

The Indian Visa Application Center Canada released an official statement regarding the suspension, citing "operational reasons" as the cause for the abrupt halt in visa services. The statement read, "Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates."

It may be recalled that India and Canada have been involved in a diplomatic rift for the last few days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's statement against India. Trudeau recenlty alleged New Delhi's hand in the killing of Nijjar. Canada also expelled India's top diplomat to Ottawa. Rejecting the allegations, India also reciprocated by expelling Canada's top diplomat to New Delhi.

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.
New Delhi:The assassination of Hardeep Nijjar has placed considerable strain on the relationship between India and Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's levying of significant accusations against the Indian government. Trudeau pointed to the alleged involvement of an official from the Indian High Commission in Canada, further intensifying the diplomatic tension.

Tonight on Zee News' prime time show - DNA, anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain conducted an in-depth analysis of Justin Trudeau's political motivation and Ind-Candian citizens' situation in Canada.

A substantial post was made by Chandra Arya, an MP from Trudeau's Liberal Party, on the microblogging platform X. In this post, Arya shed light on the fears within the Hindu community in Canada stemming from Khalistani activities.

Justin Trudeau's accusations against India encompass two key facets. Firstly, Trudeau asserts that India is meddling in Canada's domestic matters. Secondly, there is outrage over the death of a Canadian citizen.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada's opposition Conservative Party, raised doubts about Trudeau's allegations. In one of his statements, he emphasized the necessity of concrete evidence before passing judgment on Trudeau's claims, which, at present, remain unsupported.

It's important to highlight that there is uncertainty surrounding the citizenship status of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar, whom Justin Trudeau refers to as a Canadian citizen. Canadian news outlet Global News has cast doubt on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's citizenship, revealing that his application for citizenship was rejected three times. This raises questions about when and how Nijjar acquired Canadian citizenship.
In India, businesses must comply with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regulations, which require them to issue GST Invoice Bills for all taxable supplies and transactions. A GST Invoice Bill is a legal document that records the details of the transaction, including the goods or services provided, their quantity, value, and tax rate.

There are different types of GST Invoice Bills that businesses need to issue using the billing software. In this article, we will explore the concept of GST Invoice Bills in India, discuss their types and components, and provide a step-by-step guide on creating them using efficient billing software.

What is GST Invoice Bill?

A GST invoice bill serves as an official record provided by a registered supplier to their customers or clients for the provision of goods or services. It can be issued by a registered supplier using good billing software available in the market. This document holds significant importance as it aids in the calculation of tax obligations for both the supplier and the recipient involved in the transaction. Under the GST regime, a valid invoice is crucial for claiming input tax credit (ITC), which is the mechanism that allows businesses to set off the tax they have paid on purchases against the tax they are liable to spend on their sales.

What are the different types of GST Invoice Bills?

There are several GST invoice bills, each designed to cater to different types of transactions. The main types include:

Tax Invoice:

A tax invoice is the most common GST bill to supply taxable goods or services. Every GST-registered individual providing taxable goods and services (B2B or B2C) must compulsorily issue this invoice. Generate GST invoices using billing software when moving stock between states. It includes the details of the supplier, recipient, description of goods/services, quantity, value, and taxes charged.

Bill of Supply:

When a registered supplier deals with exempted goods/services or is under the Composition Scheme, which issues a Bill of Supply in the place of a tax invoice with the help of billing software. It contains similar details to a tax invoice but does not include any tax amount, as no tax credit is involved.

Invoice-cum-Bill of Supply

Generate a combined Invoice-cum-bill of Supply in billing software for unregistered recipients receiving taxable and not-taxable/exempted goods/services.

Revised Invoice/Supplementary Tax Invoice

A taxable individual can generate a revised or additional tax invoice upon identifying a deficiency in the initially issued primary tax invoice. Alternatively, a debit or credit note may also be employed.

Credit Note:

A credit note is issued if there is a reduction in the supply value or if goods/services are returned. The credit note can be quickly issued through billing software. It adjusts the value of the original invoice and reduces the tax liability accordingly.

Debit Note:

A debit note is issued when there is an increase in the supply value. It adjusts the value of the original invoice and increases the tax liability. Good billing software issues debit notes in just simple steps.

What are the Essential Components of a GST Invoice Bill?

A well-structured GST invoice bill issued using effective billing software should include the following components:

Name, GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number), address, and supplier contact information. Name, address, GSTIN (if registered), and recipient's contact information. A unique invoice number and the date of issuing the invoice. Information about the supplied goods or services, encompassing quantity, individual price, and overall value. HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) code or SAC (Services Accounting Code) for categorising goods and services precisely. The taxable value of goods or services before applying taxes. Applicable Tax rates of Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), Integrated GST (IGST), or Union Territory GST (UTGST) charged. Total Invoice Value payable after adding taxes to the taxable value. Place of Supply Shipping and Billing Address Terms of Payment and Delivery

How to Create a GST Invoice Bill?

Creating a GST invoice bill involves a structured process to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Choose a reliable accounting or billing software that supports GST-compliant invoice generation. Enter the supplier's and recipient's details accurately, including names, addresses, and GSTIN. Enter a unique and sequential invoice number to the invoice. Ensure that the numbering follows a consistent pattern. Enter the date of the invoice and the shipping address. Description of supplied goods or services, which includes quantities and unit prices. Select the appropriate HSN or SAC code. Enter the applicable GST rates (CGST, SGST, IGST, or UTGST) based on the item description and HSN/SAC code. Compute the taxable value by adding the item values and applying the calculated taxes. Sum up the taxable value and taxes to determine the total invoice value. Specify the terms of payment, delivery, and any other relevant conditions. Review all the entered details for accuracy and compliance with GST regulations. Save the invoice in a secure format (PDF or electronic) and share it with the recipient.

Conclusion

A GST invoice bill is a crucial document that facilitates transparency, accountability, and compliance within the GST framework. It can be issued in just some simple steps using billing software. Understanding the types and components of a GST invoice bill and following the correct process to create one is essential for businesses operating under the GST regime. By adhering to these guidelines, companies can ensure smooth transactions, accurate tax calculations, and seamless documentation of their supply of goods and services.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2023. Guterres on Thursday stressed the importance of multilateral institutions that match a multipolar world that is in the making. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday stressed the importance of multilateral institutions that match a multipolar world that is in the making.

"We are moving toward a multipolar world. Multipolarity is creating new opportunities for different countries to lead on the global stage. But history teaches that multipolarity without strong multilateral institutions creates serious risks. It could result in even greater geostrategic tensions, chaotic competition and further fragmentation," he told a preparatory ministerial meeting of the Summit of the Future.

Multilateral institutions will only survive if they are truly universal. Next year's Summit of the Future is a unique opportunity to help rebuild trust and bring outdated multilateral institutions and frameworks into line with today's world, based on equity and solidarity, he said.

The summit is more than an opportunity. It is an essential means of reducing risks and creating a safer and more peaceful world, he added.

Guterres welcomed member states' agreement to adopt an inter-governmentally negotiated Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future, reaffirming the UN Charter, reinvigorating multilateralism, boosting implementation of existing commitments, and agreeing on solutions to new challenges.

"The Pact for the Future will be your contract with each other and with your people. It represents your pledge to use all the tools at your disposal at the global level to solve problems - before those problems overwhelm us," said Guterres.

The challenges facing the world are universal. They require universal solutions and cannot be solved through small groupings of states or coalitions of the willing. The United Nations is the only forum where this can happen, he said, adding that it will also be important to welcome the contributions of civil society, academia, the private sector, and other important stakeholders.

The stakes are high. A substantive, comprehensive Pact for the Future has the potential to turbo-charge implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said. "It will help to determine whether we meet the serious challenges of today and tomorrow, or continue down the path of social, financial, political, and environmental breakdown."

This pact will fully complement and reinforce global efforts to achieve the SDGs and create a more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable world today. But time is running out, he warned.

In the past two years, new conflicts have emerged and geopolitical tensions are higher than ever. Humanity has crossed a new Rubicon with generative artificial intelligence. There are signs of climate breakdown. Billions of people around the world have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis. And more countries than ever are struggling with debt distress or default, he noted.

"We cannot inch toward agreement while the world races toward a precipice. We must bring a new urgency to our efforts, and a shared sense of common purpose," the UN chief said.

Guterres urged ministers to redouble their efforts over the coming year to ensure that the Pact for the Future is ambitious and transformative.

"The Summit of the Future must also be a moment to reinforce the connection between global governance, and the people of the world. The Pact for the Future must reflect the priorities and concerns of women and men struggling to feed their families, and communities bearing the brunt of the climate emergency. It must offer solutions for a better, fairer, more peaceful, and more sustainable world. Above all, it must demonstrate that multilateralism can deliver for everyone, everywhere," he said. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2023. Guterres on Thursday stressed the importance of multilateral institutions that match a multipolar world that is in the making. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C) speaks at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2023. Guterres on Thursday stressed the importance of multilateral institutions that match a multipolar world that is in the making. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C, Front) speaks at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2023. Guterres on Thursday stressed the importance of multilateral institutions that match a multipolar world that is in the making. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
Amid the growing tensions between India and Canada, another Khalistan sympathiser gangster Sukkha Duneke or Sukhdool Singh was gunned down by unknown assasilants today. Sukkha was on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to reports, there were around 18 cases registered against Sukkha in India in different cases. Sukkha fled to Canada on fake passport in 2017. He was said to be a close aide of Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dalla. Duneke was part of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga district. According to reports, Lawrence Bishnoi Gang has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sukkha fled to Canada when the NIA and state police had launched an operation to nab him. Winnipeg Police have confirmed the incident of shooting in the area of Aldgate Road on September 18, but have not confirmed it as being fatal. The Winnipeg Police have also not named Sukhdool Singh as the victim.

On the other hand, Punjab Police has been carriying out action across the state today to nab the close aides of Goldy Brar. Police raids are going on in Moga, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar rural. Police teams are also present at Sukkha's residence in Moga.

While the Canada and India have been involved in a diplomatic war for the last few days, the NIA has also launched a crackdown against Khalistani terrorists and their supporters.

In the past few months, many Khalistani terrorists including Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been killed in Canada and Pakistan by unknown gunmen. Many reports have credited the killings to their internal rivalry over control of different organisations and Gurudwaras as these have huge involvement of money.

While Canada has accuded India of killing Nijjar through its agents, New Delhi has rejected the allegations terming it baseless and politically motivated. A recent report by Zee News revealed that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been funding Khalistani terrorists in Canada to carry out anti-India activities.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday issued details of 43 individuals associated with 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.
OTTAWA: Amid the India-Canada diplomatic standoff, Canadian MP Chandra Arya alleged that the extremist elements are attacking and threatening Hindu-Canadians to go back to India. He has also urged all the Hindu-Canadians in the country to stay calm, and vigilant and report any untoward incident to law enforcement agencies. Notably, Chandra Arya is an Indo-Canadian leader who comes from the Liberal Party of Canada, the same party as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India, Arya posted on X (formerly Twitter). I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies, he added.

Few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India.

I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are pic.twitter.com/z3vkAcsUDs September 20, 2023

He further said that the Khalistan movement leader is trying to provoke the Hindu Canadians to react and divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada. However, Arya also clarified that a majority of Canadian Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement. Let me be clear. Vast majority of our Canadian Sikh brothers and sisters do not support the Khalistan movement. Most Sikh Canadians may not publicly condemn the Khalistan movement for several reasons but they are deeply connected to the Hindu-Canadian community. Canadian Hindus and Sikhs are connected through family relationships and shared social and cultural ties, he further said.

Arya stated that this direct attack on Hindu Canadians by the leader of the Canadian Khalistan movement is the further escalation of the recent attacks on Hindu temples and public celebration of the assassination of Hindu Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by terrorists. Canada has high moral values and we fully uphold the rule of law, he added.

He further expressed dismay at glorification of terrorism and hate crime being allowed in the name of freedom of expression. I cant understand how the glorification of terrorism or a hate crime targeting a religious group is allowed in the name of freedom of speech and expression. There would be an outrage in Canada if a white supremacist attacked any group of racialized Canadians asking them to get out of our country. But apparently, this Khalistani leader can get away with this hate crime, he said.

Arya added that the Hindu Canadians keep a low profile, are considered soft targets, and the anti-Hindu elements cannot digest the success of Hindu-Canadians. Two well-organized groups claiming to represent their faiths have been attacking Hindu-Canadian community leaders, Hindu organizations and even me. For over ten months, I have been attacked for raising a flag with our Hindu religious sacred symbol Aum on our parliament hill, he stated.

Arya further called upon Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant.

As Canadians, we can be proud of our Hindu faith and heritage and our impressive contribution to the socio-economic success of our country Canada, he added. Earlier on Monday, in a further souring of ties, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India. This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country.

India has outrightly rejected the allegations, dubbing it as "absurd" and "motivated". In a reciprocal move India then expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country. Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
OTTAWA: 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.
NEW YORK: UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called for an expansion of the United Nations Security Council, backing India's bid for a permanent membership of the UN body, along with Brazil, Germany and Japan. He emphasised that Africa deserves a louder voice on the world stage. In his opening remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Cleverly said, "I will summarize by saying that the challenges the world presents us are legion. But we do have the opportunity to make positive progress. We do have the opportunity to get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track."

"It is going to mean that we work with our traditional friends and allies, but it also means that we have to give voice to the emerging powers in the world. The UK has encouraged an expansion of the United Nations Security Council for example, we believe that India, Brazil, Germany, Japan should have permanent membership, and Africa really deserves a louder voice on the world stage," he added.

Notably, reforms in the global systems have been an issue continuously raised by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at global fora. During his concluding address at the G20 Leaders Summit in Delhi, 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.

Further, in his address at the Council on Foreign Relations, Cleverly spoke about his visit to Beijing. He said he spoke with the Chinese government about areas where the two nations "have deep, deep disagreements." He spoke about China's treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang, their failure to abide by the commitment to freely enter Hong Kong and their "aggressive posture" across the Taiwan Strait.

Cleverly said he engaged with them on some of the issues, which included economic recovery, after the conference, and how to take benefit from artificial intelligence. The UK Foreign Minister said Russian President Vladimir Putin believed that he could outlast Ukraine and its friends around the world. However, he was wrong. He lauded the US for providing military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a "leading supplier of military aid" to Kyiv. He noted that the support of the UK, US and other nations around the world has made a difference in giving the "Ukrainians a fighting chance at the beginning of this conflict."

"The US is the leading supplier of military aid to Ukraine and I pay tribute to your nations generosity. And the Ukrainians are making the most of their support. And I know sometimes theres frustration with the pace of their counter-offensive, Ive had military briefings, and whilst I dont want to bore you with the details, the Russian occupying forces have spent a huge amount of time and effort fortifying the whole of that southern part of Ukraine, meaning that any advance would inevitably need to be both slow and methodical," Cleverly said.

"Russia has suffered many times more fatalities in combat in just over eighteen months than the Soviets did during their 10 years in Afghanistan. That level is unsustainable," he said, adding that the UK will continue to call on the international community to offer support to Ukraine.
IndiGo Airlines, Indias largest domestic air carrier, has announced codeshare connections to San Francisco via Istanbul, effective September 25, 2023. This expansion of IndiGo's codeshare network in partnership with Turkish Airlines now links to five destinations across the United States of America. Further, with the launch of the San Francisco route, IndiGo's codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines will expand to connect travellers to a total of 39 destinations. IndiGo will launch daily Istanbul-San Francisco flight under the codeshare agreement.

The establishment of a connection between India and San Francisco is expected to prove beneficial for leisure, educational and business passengers of both the nations. This new connection will further bolster the airlines international connectivity, which has seen a massive growth in recent times. IndiGo recently launched flights to 8 countries in 2023.

San Francisco on the West Coast of the United States is renowned for its iconic attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and historic cable cars. The city is often referred to as the Silicon Valley for IT professionals, given its proximity to the epicenter of the tech industry. The city is home to major tech companies and startups, offering ample career prospects and networking opportunities for IT experts.

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.
Akasa Air, India's newest airline, within a year of starting its commercial operations, is facing a "state of crisis". However, amid mass pilot resignations, the airline has received the green signal to start international flight operations. As per the airline, the brand will start commercial operations in the Middle East region, which caters a large number of flyers to and from India. On the other hand, Vinay Dube, clarified media reports stating that the airline is not going to shut down. In fact, the airline is offering hefty bonuses to new pilots for joining the airline.

"I urge you not to be alarmed or distracted by media headlines, especially those that are speculative and claim that the airline will shut down. We are never more confident about our future and continue to invest prudently, with longer-term financial success in focus," Akasa Air Founder and CEO Vinay Dube told the staff on Wednesday.

Dube also asserted that shortage of pilots is an issue that the airline industry has faced for decades and said that it has a ten-year plan that covers pilot recruitment, training and career upgrades. "In fact, as of today we have enough pilots at various phases of their training to fly over 30 aircraft," he said.

Legal Action Against Pilots

On Tuesday, the airline told the Delhi High Court that it is in a "state of crisis" following the "sudden and abrupt" resignation of over 40 pilots who left the airline without serving the mandatory notice period. SNV Aviation Private Limited, which flies under the brand name Akasa Air, has sought 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 (CAR)...".

The high court has fixed the airline's plea for hearing on Friday. The high 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. On Wednesday, Dube emphasised that Akasa Air is a well-run airline with strong finances and a solid plan, as much for growth as it is for contingencies.

In its plea, the airline said its officials met DGCA representatives several times to explain their difficulties but failed to receive any response or assurance from the authorities after which it gave a representation to the Minister of Civil Aviation. The petition said the DGCA's inaction in the face of the crisis is at odds with its statutory duty to act in public interest.

According to Dube, 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. In the last thirty days, the airline rationalised its network and that it chose to fly less and give up market share in the short term.

In a statement, Akasa Air said it has approached the Bombay High Court to obtain a stay against a small set of pilots who abruptly resigned and abandoned their positions without serving their mandatory six-month notice period.

"Given the acts of these pilots resulted in immense passenger inconvenience, Akasa Air approached the DGCA and agreed with them to request the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi to pass orders for implementing the interim order in relation to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) dated 16.08.2017 governing compliance of mandatory contract notice period requirements by pilots," it added.

International Operations

The airline, which started flying in August last year and currently has a fleet of 20 aircraft, has received approval from the civil aviation ministry for starting international flights and the first overseas flight is likely by year-end. The airline is targeting destinations within the range of a Boeing 737 MAX from India in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Dube said in a statement.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has recognised the strength of Akasa Airs operations and we have been designated as an International Scheduled Operator. 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. We are also on track to announce a 3-digit aircraft order by the end of this year to serve the growing travel demand," said Dube.
New Delhi: Get ready to celebrate the special day of Bollywood's queen in style! Kareena Kapoor Khan, the embodiment of talent, grace, and glamour, is taking another round the globe and will celebrate her 42nd Birthday this year. To make this occasion even better, Tata Play Binge has curated a list of binge-worthy movies that showcase the diverse talent of this Bollywood Queen. From her iconic roles to her unforgettable performances, Kareena has etched an indelible mark in the world of cinema. Her nonchalant, unapologetic demeanour is also something that adds the X-factor and the oomph to her characters and brings them to life. And now, well let the list below talk for us grab your popcorn, settle into your comfy couches, and join us on a cinematic journey through some of her most sensational movies. It's time to binge-watch like a true Bollywood enthusiast and shower all the love on the one and only Bebo! Happy Birthday, Kareena!

Here's a curated list of must-watch movies to make Kareena Kapoor's birthday a blockbuster event on Tata Play Binge!

Veere Di Wedding

Kicking off our list is the sassy and bold film Veere Di Wedding. Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Kalindi, one of the four best friends navigating life's ups and downs. Watch how these 4 women manoeuvre over their lives and make decisions that impact one another. With its refreshing take on modern relationships and a dose of girl power, this movie is a perfect choice for a girls' night in.

Jab We Met

Jab We Met is a Bollywood classic that can never get old. This cult by Imtiaz Ali has been the epitome of good writing, great acting and iconic moments that relate. Kareena Kapoor's portrayal of Geet, a vivacious and free-spirited girl, is a treat to watch. Geet directly reaches to every viewer and makes them her own with her powerful performance, which looked and felt so much at ease. Join Geet and Aditya as they embark on an unforgettable journey of love and self-discovery.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

For a dose of family drama and Bollywood extravagance, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is the way to go. Inspite of having the two superstars Bollywood could ever produce in the same frame, Kareena Kapoor Khan outshines them all as the vivacious Poo, the glamorous and confident fashionista! This film is a rollercoaster of emotions and features an ensemble cast that will keep you entertained throughout. Kareena has been able to make every scene her own and has managed to leave a mark in this star studded and celebrated cast.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Prepare to be moved by Kareena Kapoor Khans heartwarming performance as Rasika in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. This touching film tells the story of a mute Pakistani girl and her journey to reunite with her family in India. Kareena's chemistry with Salman Khan is a highlight of this emotional rollercoaster. Though the movie highlighted more on Salmans journey to ensure the girl meets her mother all the way to Pakishtan. But Kareena managed to connect with her audiences even through minimal screen time.

Ki & Ka

This slice of life movie really turned the tables and took stereotypical subjects head-on. Ki & Ka is a unique romantic comedy where Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Kia, a career-oriented woman, while Arjun Kapoor plays Kabir, a man who chooses to be a homemaker. This film challenges traditional gender roles and offers a fresh perspective on relationships, where Kia is seen making some bold decisions as a hard core business woman and still exploring the softer nuances of being a giving and caring partner. Watch this movie for a clearer vision and a different perspective in life.

Chameli

To appreciate Kareena Kapoor's versatility, don't miss Chameli. In this gritty and realistic drama, she plays the title role of a streetwalker. Her transformation into Chameli is remarkable, showcasing her ability to tackle complex and unconventional characters. Chameli was also one of the few initial movies that helped Kareena break the shackles of being typecast into conventional roles. This helped her take challenging and off beat roles and be accepted as a versatile actor.

Whether you're in the mood for a lighthearted romantic comedy or a thought-provoking drama, these Kareena Kapoor movies on Tata Play Binge have something for everyone. So, celebrate the birthday of the Bollywood queen with a movie marathon you won't forget!
New Delhi: A modest investment can yield substantial long-term profits if you plan to embark on this fragrant entrepreneurial journey. In todays Business project identification, we shall be talking about manufacturing of Dhoop Battis.

In the vibrant Indian society, the burning of Dhoop or Dhoop Batti that emanates a captivating fragrance, holds a sacred place in ritual ceremonies. Dhoop Batti, derived from the extracts of dhoop trees (Vateria Indica and Canarium strictum). Dhoop Batti paste, a harmonious blend of ghee, herbs, and dhoop tree extracts, offers a delightful olfactory experience. These aromatic pastes take the form of cones or sturdy sticks, enriching spaces with their alluring scents.

According to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) feasibility report, "The product Dhoop Batti (Incense sticks) is now-a-days becoming very popular in ritual ceremonies like havan etc. In market Dhoop Batti is also sold in bulk quantities. The local vendors do repacking in small quantities. Hence, it is presumed that if this type of unit is set up it will earn good profit."

KVIC has broken the Cost of Project into the following

Cost of Project For Dhoop Batti Manufacturing

Land Rented/Owned Building & Civil Work (2000 Sq Ft)

Plant & Machinery: Rs 4.40 lakh

Furniture & Fixtures: Rs 0.50 lakh

Pre-operative Expenses: Rs 0.44 lakh

Working Capital Requirement: Rs 7.66 lakh

Total: Rs 13 lakh

MEANS OF FINANCE For Dhoop Batti Manufacturing

Own Contribution: Rs @10% 1.30 lakh

Term Loan: Rs 4.81 lakh

Workign Capital Finance: Rs 6.90 lakh

Total: Rs 13 lakh

KVIC has computed an estimated gross sales of Rs 41.47 lakh (1st Year), Rs 50.53 lakh (2nd Year), Rs 55.53 lakh (3rd Year), Rs 60.72 lakh (4th Year), Rs 66.09 lakh (5th Year).

Net Profit of Rs 8 lakh in first year, Rs 11.62 lakh in second year, Rs 12.44 lakh in third year, Rs 14.33 lakh in fourth year and Rs 16.24 lakh in fifth year.

(Disclaimer: This article is for sole information purpose and for readers' project identification. The earning calculator is also mostly based on assumptive figures to give an example of certain type. The Zee News article does not intend to give any financial advice of any sorts. For initiating any venture, you must do your own due diligence and market research.)
Rajasthan BSTC Pre-DELED Result 2023: The Rajasthan Department of Elementary Education will release the Rajasthan BSTC Pre-DEED Result 2023 soon. According to reports, it is due in September, although there has been no official confirmation. Candidates who took the Pre DELEd admission exam can get their results whenever they are available. Over 6 lakh applicants took the exam, which was held on August 28, 2023. Registration for Rajasthan BSTC commenced on July 10, 2023, and closed on July 30, 2023. The exam took place on August 28, 2023. The date of the results has not been announced yet.

Rajasthan BSTC Pre-DELED Result 2023: Steps to check here

Visit the official website - panjyikpredeled.in

Click on the official link for Rajasthan BSTC Pre DElEd result

Enter your registration number and other details

Rajasthan BSTC Pre DElEd result will be displayed on the screen

Download the result and keep a copy of the same

On August 28, 2023, the Rajasthan BSTC Pre DEIEd test was held across 2,521 examination venues. The exam was administered in a single shift from 2 to 4 p.m.The exam attracted approximately 6 lakh participants.
US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, recently took a ride in an electric bus in New Delhi and said that such modes of public transport "can change the world!". India and the United States have joined forces to launch as many as 10,000 electric buses across the country, bringing about a significant transformation in India's public transportation system, reported ANI. The two countries entered into partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden State visit to the US earlier this year.

"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...," Garcetti told ANI.

"Together, through the 75+ years of the U.S.-India partnership, we've enhanced electricity access, supported energy institutions, & reduced millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The deployment of 10,000 electric buses reinforces our commitment to #cleanenergy. We are paving the way for cleaner cities, fresher air, & healthier lives. Come, lets take a ride together!" Garcetti wrote in X.

Together, through the 75+ years of the U.S.-India partnership, we've enhanced electricity access, supported energy institutions, & reduced millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The deployment of 10,000 electric buses reinforces our commitment to #cleanenergy. We are pic.twitter.com/kmUG9QilcP September 21, 2023

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal further said the electric buses in the national capital are more than just vehicles and are, in fact, "a step towards a cleaner, quieter, and greener future". He also thanked the US Ambassador for his support for green and sustainable transportation. "Delhi's electric buses are more than just vehicles; they're a step towards a cleaner, quieter, and greener future," the Delhi CM posted further.

Taking to his official handle on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, "Hope you enjoyed the ride H.E. @ericgarcetti @USAmbIndia. Your recognition of the revolutionary power of electric buses is inspiring. Thank you for your DTC bus experience and your support of our unwavering commitment to green and sustainable transportation."
TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. sanctions against Iranian banks have hurt the country's plastics industry badly, making it difficult for the manufacturers of downstream products in the industry to import materials due to the obstacles that sanctions have generated in terms of money transfer, business insiders said.

Amir-Hesam Milani, CEO of Iran's Milan Plast Industrial Group, said the sanctions, although not specifically targeting the plastics industry, have had a significant negative impact on his company's operations, making it extremely difficult to transfer money into and out of the country and place orders to buy goods from other countries.

"Our bank accounts have a lot of money, but we can't buy the goods we need and store them in our warehouses, which is bad for the circulation of commodities," he added.

Milani is a participant of the 17th International Exhibition of Plastics, Rubber, Machinery and Equipment, a four-day event that ended on Wednesday in the Iranian capital of Tehran. More than 700 companies attended the exhibition, including 560 from Iran and more than 200 from other countries.

At the same event, Alireza Shahabadi, CEO of Arka Plast, an Iranian company that imports plastic injection machinery, said the sanctions were bothering him as it caused great difficulty for him to transfer money and place orders.

The U.S. sanctions on Iran intensified after Washington's unilateral withdrawal in May 2018 from a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Tehran and world powers as the U.S. tried to exert "maximum pressure" on the Islamic republic.

The U.S. sanctions on Iranian banks and the country's larger financial sector have grave humanitarian consequences, as the move has made it nearly impossible for Iran to pay for the imports of some essential materials, including those for rare disease patients in Iran. Pharmaceutical and medical companies around the world have been forced to comply with the sanctions out of concern for potential penalties. 
New Delhi: Amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Oswasi demanded a discussion in the Parliament Special Session. "Tomorrow is the last day of the Parliament and we demand a discussion should be held on the issue. Government should hold a discussion on this in Parliament," Oswasi demanded.

The statement from the Oswasi came amidst tensions in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 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.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed 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.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd."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" the statement said.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today paid a surprise visit to Delhi's Anand Vihar Railway Station where he interacted with coolie/porters. Gandhi also donned the porter uniform and carried a suitcase on his head to some distance. According to reports, the Congress leader also interacted with porters about their lives and struggles. This is yet another visit to a public place by the Congress leader. Since taking out Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi has been visiting different places in an outreach to the common masses ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Earlier in August, Gandhi visited Delhis Azadpur Mandi after a video of a vegetable vendor went viral on social media. Gandhi then interacted with vegetable and fruit vendors and discussed the skyrocketing prices of vegetables. Before that, Rahul Gandhi met farmers in Haryana's Sonipat. During the meeting, he not only sowed seeds but also rode a tractor.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party has changed its strategy and has been directly holding interaction with public through Rahul Gandhi.
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party national vice president, Baijayant Panda's secretary has received a threatening call from an unknown person who said that he would be killed in the same way as Naba Das, a BJD leader who was killed earlier this year.

The office of Jay Panda issued a press release in which it said, "A threat call was received by an assistant of Jay Panda, National Vice President of BJP, in which the caller threatened that "the same thing will be done to Jay Panda which was done to Naba Das" (the Odisha Cabinet Minister who was assassinated in broad daylight earlier this year). Whether this constitutes a real threat or was a juvenile prank is not possible for us to determine. Since such a message should not be taken lightly, a complaint with all the details of the threat call has been lodged with the Delhi Police yesterday, who are investigating the matter."

A threat call was received by an assistant of Jay Panda, National Vice President of BJP, in which the caller threatened that "the same thing will be done to Jay Panda which was done to Naba Das)...A complaint with all details of the threat call has been lodged with the Delhi pic.twitter.com/xFpQyUEvji  ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Interestingly, on Wednesday 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 had 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.
New Delhi: Veteran actor turned politician Hema Malini on Thursday lauded PM Modi after the clearance of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha and said No other PM has done such things.

Talking exclusively to ANI, Hema Malini said, Whatever PM Modi has done, he has done it with a good motive. No other PM has done such things...It's their (Opposition's) job to do it (oppose the bill), we don't bother about it..."

The bill was passed after a day-long debate in which several leaders across party lines put forth their views. The Congress was represented by its Parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi who urged the government to look into OBC and SC quota for women in the bill.

After hours of fierce debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Women's Reservation Bill with 454 votes which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

In a historic move, the Vice-President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising 13 women Rajya Sabha members for the day as the house discusses the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, 2023.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman emphasized that the presence of women MPs on the chair would send a powerful message to the world at large and it would symbolize that they held a commanding position during this epochal moment of change.

The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Womens Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament.
YANGON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar police arrested four suspected drug traffickers in the country on Wednesday, according to statements released by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) on Thursday.

In Shan State of eastern Myanmar, anti-narcotic police arrested two suspects in Tachileik Township and confiscated 12,000 stimulant tablets from them, the CCDAC said.

In the Mandalay Region of central Myanmar, police arrested one suspect in Chanmyathazi Township and seized 3,200 stimulant tablets from him, it said.

In Yangon Region of southern Myanmar, police arrested one suspect in Hlaingthaya Township and confiscated 2,800 stimulant tablets from him, it said.

The suspects were charged under the Southeast Asian country's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, and further investigations were underway, it said. 
NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- India's Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday introduced the Women's Reservation Bill in the upper house of the Indian parliament for discussion, local media reported.

The bill seeks to provide one-third reservation to women in the lower house of the parliament and state assemblies, which are the states' lawmaking bodies.

On Wednesday, the lower house of the Indian parliament passed a bill with near unanimity after hours of fierce discussion.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked all lawmakers who voted for the bill in the lower house. He called it a "historic legislation" that will enable greater participation of women in the country's political process.

The bill will now require approval from the lawmakers in the upper house and the Indian president before it finally becomes law.

The Women's Reservation Bill was first proposed in 1996 in India and had been pending for decades. 
YANGON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has extended its visa-free entry for visitors with diplomatic and special passports from four more countries, the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday.

The additional four countries that are now eligible for visa exemptions include Belarus, Morocco, Nepal, and Japan, the report said.

The move is aimed to foster stronger diplomatic ties and encourage tourism between Myanmar and these nations, it said.

The decision came as part of a reciprocal visa agreement between Myanmar and these nations, allowing diplomats and special passport holders to enjoy stays in the country ranging from 30 to 90 days, it said.

Apart from the four newly-added countries, nations that are eligible for visa exemption from Myanmar include Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, Sri Lanka, and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

U Hla Myint, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, said that the moves, including visa-free entry and visa-on-arrival, will help increase the arrivals of tourists in the country.

According to the tourism ministry, Myanmar attracted a total of 751,216 international tourists in the first eight months of 2023. 
KABUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Police have destroyed more than 300 acres of hashish in east Afghanistan's Paktia province, said a statement of the Ministry for Interior Affairs on Thursday.

The counter-narcotics police have recently cleared 325 acres of hashish in Aryub district, the statement said, adding that the war on illicit crops and illegal drugs would continue until the country is free of drug menace.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to fight against illicit crops, including poppy and hashish, drug processing, and drug trafficking. 
WELLINGTON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Experts call for caution as New Zealand has detected the highly mutated COVID-19 variant BA.2.86, known as "Pirola," in wastewater samples taken earlier this month.

"Pirola," the Omicron subvariant detected by the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research, has been declared a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization, and has been gradually spreading around the world since it was first discovered in Denmark and Israel in late July.

There are currently no indications that it is substantially more severe or infectious than other subvariants circulating in the communities, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The variant stands out because it has a much larger number of mutations than other variants that have taken off over the last year or so, Prof. Michael Plank of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand's mathematical modeler of COVID-19, said on Thursday.

"The fact that cases of BA.2.86 popped up around the same time in countries with good genomic surveillance suggested we might just be seeing the tip of a rapidly growing iceberg," Plank said.

That led to concerns that the variant could bypass immunity from vaccination and previous infections and spread explosively like Omicron did when it first burst onto the scene in late 2021, he said.

However, since then, although BA.2.86 has managed to get a foothold in lots of places, it hasn't shown a major growth advantage, Plank said, stressing the importance of maintaining good surveillance to prevent it from spreading faster.

Michael Baker, professor at the University of Otago, Wellington, said it shows how the COVID-19 virus is still capable of "big evolutionary jumps," which is a further reminder that the pandemic remains unpredictable and is certainly not over. 
NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Thursday said it had asked Canada to reduce the number of its diplomats posted in India amid a diplomatic row, according to official sources.

New Delhi cited the "interference of Canadian diplomats in Indian affairs" as the reason for the move.

"The Canadian diplomatic presence in India is larger than what India has and accordingly needs to be downsized," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told media.

"We have informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in diplomatic presence. Their numbers are very much higher than ours in Canada."

The step came hours after India suspended visa services in Canada.

Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa took a hit after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that Indian agents played a role in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader near Vancouver in June.

India outrightly denied the allegations and described them as "absurd and motivated."

India has issued an advisory to Indians living in Canada, urging them to exercise utmost caution.

Canada has suspended talks on a trade deal with India. 
ISTANBUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain arrived off Turkiye's Bosphorus Strait on Thursday using a temporary "humanitarian corridor."

The Ihlas news agency said the ship "Resilient Africa" anchored off the Sariyer district at the Black Sea entrance of the Bosphorus Strait.

The vessel will later pass through the strait, heading to Israel, according to the agency.

Ukraine announced in August a "humanitarian corridor" to allow grain shipment after Russia withdrew from a UN-brokered grain agreement.

Russia and Ukraine separately signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, allowing Ukraine to export its grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports.

Renewed twice, the agreement collapsed on July 17 after Moscow said it pulled out of the deal. 
BUDAPEST, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's ruling parties are holding back their support to Sweden's NATO accession this year after a Swedish public service television produced a controversy film about Hungary.

Mate Kocsis, group leader of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party Fidesz, expressed his reservations during a press conference in the northern Hungarian city of Esztergom on Thursday.

Referring to the Swedish film presenting Hungary as a bad example of democracy in the European Union, Kocsis highlighted the need for further clarification on the film, an educational production for schoolchildren, before making a decision.

The ruling parties in Hungary's parliament consider the film to be misleading, according to the party leader.

Kocsis said his political group was awaiting an explanation from the Swedish authorities, emphasizing that they could not expect Hungarian parliamentary and factional support for Sweden's NATO membership in the wake of the film.

The Swedish NATO accession issue has been under discussion for nearly a year. Within the military alliance, only the Turkish and Hungarian parliaments are yet to approve Sweden's membership.

Kocsis said the chances that the Hungarian Parliament would vote on Sweden in the current autumn session, which will begin next week and last until February 2024, were "low." 
ROME, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Fire ants, one of the world's most aggressive invasive species, have recently appeared on the southern Italian island of Sicily. At least 88 nests have been discovered near the city of Syracuse. These pests can kill small livestock, overwhelm crops, and can cause illness and even death in people.

Analysts say that the major factors behind their spread are international trade and tourism combined with a changing climate, and the problems they are causing are diverse.

"Ecosystems evolve over millions of years and are delicately balanced," Adriano Martinoli, a researcher with the Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences of Italy's University of Insubria, told Xinhua recently.

"When a new species is introduced to an ecosystem, they can thrive because they aren't part of the balance. They may not have any natural predators, and so they expand and they can impact the entire ecosystem," Martinoli said.

Italy is witnessing many of these problems earlier than other countries due to its location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea -- which makes it more vulnerable to a changing climate -- and its status as a major European exporter and importer, said Martinoli.

Fire ants are not the sole headache for Italy. The blue crab, a native of the Atlantic coast of North America, first appeared in Italy in the 1950s. But its reach expanded dramatically last year due to warmer sea temperatures. Now, the crab is obliterating native species important to Italy's culture and cuisine, including mussels, clams and oysters. Furthermore, blue crabs are cannibalistic -- they will eat smaller crabs of their own species once the native species are gone.

The government of Italy is considering a state of emergency and is encouraging people to eat the invading crabs. Websites have published blue crab recipes, and the crabs now appear on restaurant menus. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was even photographed holding a plate of cooked blue crabs while on vacation last month.

According to Martinoli, the forces behind the spread of blue crabs -- rising sea temperatures and a lack of natural enemies -- are probably too powerful for a strategy like the government's to have a lasting impact.

The tiger mosquito is also on the list. Native to Southeast Asia, it brings the risk of yellow fever and dengue fever to Italy. The pine tortoise scale, a small insect originally from North America, is slowly killing off the majestic pine trees of Rome and other Italian cities.

"These issues will cause an increasing number of problems, both in terms of human health and in changes to ecosystems," Martinoli said. "Options are limited and so it's something the world will have to adapt to." 
People take part in a demonstration in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 21, 2023. Thousands of civil servants and private sector workers across Greece walked off their jobs on Thursday to join rallies in protest of a labor bill submitted to Parliament by the government. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

ATHENS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of civil servants and private sector workers across Greece walked off their jobs on Thursday to join rallies in protest of a labor bill submitted to Parliament by the government.

The public sector umbrella union ADEDY and other labor unions called for the 24-hour strike, demanding the bill's withdrawal. In their press releases, they argued that it undermines workers' basic rights.

However, according to the government, it will help tackle the problem of undeclared labor and will allow workers to increase their income.

Among other provisions, the bill sets the conditions for full-time employees to get a second job as long as the total daily working hours do not exceed 13 hours. It stipulates strict fines for employers who fail to properly declare employees' working hours.

Furthermore, it sets conditions for a 6-day working week and foresees fines for strikers who obstruct other employees at work.

This is the first major labor mobilization of this autumn since the conservatives were reelected to office in summer and secured parliamentary majority.

Yannis Roupas, member of the board of directors of the Teachers' Federation of Greece, was among protestors on Syntagma square in front of the country's Parliament.

"If this bill passes, we lose for good our right to live with a salary in dignity, rights that have been won by the labor movement for over 100 years," he told Xinhua.

"I am here, because all together, workers, pensioners, the unemployed must stand up against government policies that constantly lead us to poverty," pensioner Katerina Malakou said.

Seasonal contracted firefighters formed a large group a few steps further. Their main request is to be eventually hired as full-time personnel throughout the year rather than merely during the "summer period."

The country needs firefighters for more than six months, said Giorgos Draganakis, vice-president of the Panhellenic Association of Contract Firefighters, stressing that the state should not turn its back on seasonal firefighters who help in massive wildfires and floods.

"We live with a wage for six months, then we receive unemployment benefits for three months, and we are struggling with no income at all for the other three months," he said. 

People take part in a demonstration in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 21, 2023. Thousands of civil servants and private sector workers across Greece walked off their jobs on Thursday to join rallies in protest of a labor bill submitted to Parliament by the government. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

People take part in a demonstration in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 21, 2023. Thousands of civil servants and private sector workers across Greece walked off their jobs on Thursday to join rallies in protest of a labor bill submitted to Parliament by the government. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

People take part in a demonstration in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 21, 2023. Thousands of civil servants and private sector workers across Greece walked off their jobs on Thursday to join rallies in protest of a labor bill submitted to Parliament by the government. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
CHICAGO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The impact of the strike launched by the Detroit-based United Auto Workers (UAW) against the Big Three U.S. automakers is spreading as the strike enters the sixth day.

General Motors (GM) Co. is idling its Fairfax plant in Kansas where 2,000 hourly employees work, as a result of the impact of the UAW strike at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri.

"It is unfortunate that the UAW leadership's decision to call a strike at Wentzville Assembly has already had a negative ripple effect, with GM's Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas being idled today and most of its represented team members leaving the plant as there is no work available," the Detroit News quoted GM as saying in a statement Wednesday.

The layoff is due to a shortage of stamped parts supplied by Wentzville's stamping operations to Fairfax. Employees will not receive supplemental pay from GM while they're laid off.

Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV face the same problem.

Stellantis on Wednesday said it was immediately laying off 68 workers at its machining plant as a result of the UAW's strike at its Toledo Jeep plant in Ohio. Hundreds more at the Toledo machining facility could be laid off soon if the strike does not stop.

The automaker further anticipates another estimated 300 layoffs at Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting plants in Indiana, according to a statement sent by Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson.

Ford already temporarily laid off the rest of 600 workers at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne last Friday.

Unifor, a union representing the Big Three U.S. autoworkers in Canada, and Ford had struck a tentative agreement Tuesday night in the 24-hour extended negotiations after their previous contract expired at Monday midnight, averting a strike for the Dearborn-based automaker.

Details on the deal won't be released until after they are shared with Unifor members at ratification meetings to be held "in the near future," according to a news release.

The deal between Unifor and Ford put additional pressure on the UAW's negotiations with the Big Three U.S. automakers, which have yielded no significant breakthroughs by Wednesday.

Besides a 20-percent wage increase offered last Thursday, GM's current offer to the UAW comes with no plant closure. In an opinion piece in the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday, GM President Mark Reuss called his company's contract proposal a record offer, saying the union's demands would be "untenable."

The UAW is spreading "myths" about what GM can afford and what it's offering, Reuss said. GM's offer "recognizes the many contributions our represented team members make to our company - past, present and future."

GM is addressing the tiered-wage system. The Big Three have proposed cutting the time it takes to get to the top rate to four years from eight, Reuss said.

GM is pushing to have an all-electric lineup in 2035, and is "at a pivotal point in our journey as we transition to an all-EV future," Reuss said. "As we started our transformation to EVs, we made sure we had work for the entire manufacturing team so we could bring everyone along on our transformation."

UAW President Shawn Fain insisted that the 20-percent not-compounded wage increases offered by automakers are "not enough" after what the union sacrificed during the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler LLC, now part of Stellantis. He particularly targeted GM CEO Mary Barra who made nearly 29 million dollars in 2022, saying the ratio of Barra's compensation to that of a median employee is estimated to be 362 to 1.

The UAW originally requested 40 percent not-compounded or 46 percent compounded wage increases, which have dropped to 36 percent. The union also demands an end to wage tiers.

If the union does not see serious progress in negotiations with Ford Motor Co., Stellantis NV, and General Motors Co., it will spread the strike to more plants Friday, said Fain in a video released late Monday on YouTube.

It's clear the Big Three U.S. automakers and the UAW are far apart in talks, the Detroit News quoted Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University. Unless the union pulls back on some of its demands, getting a deal with GM will be difficult, he said. 
HOUSTON, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Roughly 4,000 migrants on Wednesday moved into Eagle Pass, a border city in the U.S. state of Texas, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to declare "an invasion" at the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday evening.

This came hours after the mayor of Eagle Pass issued a local disaster declaration to seek more resources.

"I officially declared an invasion at our border because of Biden's policies," the Republican governor said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We are building a border wall, razor wire and marine barriers. We are also repelling migrants," he said, repeatedly calling the White House border policy a "failure."

The number of migrants crossing the southern border into the United States has surged rapidly and border officials have made more than 45,000 migrant encounters in the last five days alone both at the ports of entry and between them, according to a Fox News report.

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will offer temporary legal status to more than 470,000 Venezuelan migrants who entered the United States by July 31.

The designation will speed up the process for eligible migrants to obtain U.S. work permits to ease the pressure on New York, Chicago and other cities struggling to support migrants with strained shelter and social services. 
NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as the chairman of Fox and News Corp after a seven-decade career of building one of the world's most influential and controversial media empire.

Murdoch, 92, will become chairman emeritus at both companies, effective at board meetings in November, Fox announced Thursday.

His eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, who has served as co-chair of News Corp, will become sole chair of that company and continue as chief executive officer of Fox.

"For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change. But the time is right for me to take on different roles," the media mogul wrote in a letter to staff.

Murdoch started his global media empire with a single newspaper in Adelaide, Australia, at the age of 21, inherited from his father.

In addition to conservative Fox News network, which has reshaped current U.S. cable news and influenced the nation's politics, Murdoch is owner of The Wall Street Journal, The Times, The Sun, New York Post, and other publications.

He has also built up pay-TV giant Sky in Britain and controlled the Hollywood studio which has produced "Avatar" and "Titanic."

Forbes estimated the Murdoch family's net worth at roughly 19 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.

His empire has suffered a series of blows in recent months. In April, Fox was forced to pay 787 million dollars to settle a defamation lawsuit related to its coverage of false claims on the 2020 presidential election, and later fired its most popular host Tucker Carlson.

"Murdoch is one of a handful of media barons, along with the likes of John Malone, Ted Turner and Sumner Redstone, who shaped the modern era of media," The Wall Street Journal commented. "He has wielded influence in political and financial capitals, earning credit from his boosters and blame from his critics." 
New Delhi: Google, the gaint search engine, has a tradition of commemorating noteworthy individuals and national milestones with its distinctive doodles. Today, the spotlight shines on Armenia's Independence Day in the form of a captivating Google Doodle. The animated doodle artfully depicts the Armenian Tricolour flag, which consists of three equally proportioned horizontal stripes: apricot at the bottom, blue in the center, and red at the top. This flag design, now an emblem of Armenia, was officially adopted by the Armenian Supreme Soviet on August 24, 1990.

Celebrating Armenia's Independence Day: A Journey of Resilience and Freedom

Armenia's Independence Day, celebrated on September 21st, is a significant occasion that marks the nation's hard-fought struggle for sovereignty and the preservation of its cultural heritage. This day carries profound historical and emotional significance for Armenians worldwide as they commemorate their independence and reflect on their enduring commitment to freedom, resilience, and national identity.

A Historical Overview: Armenia's quest for independence is a story of perseverance and resilience that spans centuries. The modern history of Armenia's struggle for sovereignty began in the early 20th century, with the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Revolution. On May 28, 1918, Armenia declared its independence from the collapsing Russian Empire, forming the First Republic of Armenia. This declaration marked the first time in centuries that Armenians had the opportunity to govern themselves as an independent nation.

However, Armenia's independence was short-lived, as it faced numerous challenges, including invasions by neighboring countries and the turmoil of World War I. In 1920, Armenia was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, where it remained until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. September 21st, 1991, is the date Armenians celebrate as their true Independence Day when the country finally regained its freedom after seven decades of Soviet rule.

The Significance of Independence Day

Armenia's Independence Day is a momentous occasion that holds great significance for Armenians worldwide. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration of their nation's history and resilience. Here are some key aspects of the significance of this day:

Commemoration of Struggles: Independence Day serves as a reminder of the many hardships and sacrifices made by generations of Armenians to secure their nation's sovereignty. It honors the memory of those who fought for freedom and those who continue to defend Armenia's independence today.

Celebration of Culture: Armenia's cultural heritage is rich and diverse, spanning centuries. Independence Day provides an opportunity to showcase and celebrate Armenian culture through music, dance, art, and cuisine. Traditional dances like the Kochari and the captivating sounds of the duduk, Armenia's national instrument, are integral parts of the celebrations.

National Unity: Independence Day brings Armenians together, fostering a sense of national unity and solidarity. It is a day when people from all walks of life, regardless of their differences, come together to celebrate their shared history and aspirations for the future.

Reflection on Achievements: Armenians use this day to reflect on the progress made since regaining independence. It is an occasion to acknowledge the challenges the nation has overcome and to set goals for the future, building a stronger and more prosperous Armenia.

Global Armenian Diaspora: Armenia's Independence Day is not only celebrated within its borders but also by the Armenian diaspora scattered around the world. Armenians in different countries come together to commemorate their heritage and support their homeland.

Celebrations and Traditions

Independence Day in Armenia is marked by a variety of festivities and traditions. The capital city, Yerevan, comes alive with parades, concerts, cultural events, and fireworks. The Armenian tricolor flag, symbolizing the nation's past, present, and future, flies high, adorning streets and public spaces. Families gather for picnics and feasts, sharing traditional dishes like dolma, lavash, and Armenian barbecue.

One of the most significant events of the day is the Military Parade, where Armenia showcases its armed forces' strength and readiness. This parade serves as a testament to Armenia's commitment to defending its independence and territorial integrity.

Armenia's Independence Day on September 21st is a day of profound significance that reminds Armenians of their rich history, their enduring commitment to freedom, and their unbreakable spirit. It is a celebration of a nation that has overcome adversity, preserved its culture, and is working towards a brighter future. As Armenians around the world come together to commemorate this special day, they stand united in their shared commitment to their homeland and the values of freedom, resilience, and national identity that it represents.

Google Doodle Honors Hedwig Dohm on Her 192nd Birthday
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti 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, and they help us reduce our carbon 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.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.
Since coming on the scene, cryptocurrencies have fired the imaginations of online traders, currency speculators, and mathematicians alike. The leading digital currency, bitcoin, is currently priced at approximately $26,550 per coin, representing a ~60% increase year-to-date. And it looks like bitcoin will see a strong upward pressure on that price over the next year.

The bitcoin algorithm has a built-in halving mechanism, whereby the reward given to miners for solving a blockchain link is cut in half. The process takes place about every four years, and is next expected in May of 2024. The bitcoin halving has happened regularly since 2012, and has historically had a positive effect on the digital currencys price, as well as on the share prices of bitcoin-related stocks.

That last gives investors a chance to get in early. The predictability and regularity of the bitcoin halving makes now the right time to start looking into bitcoin stocks, to find an attractive point of entry well before this catalyst takes place. Wall Streets analysts can help with this; theyve been pointing out solid choices among the bitcoin mining companies, anticipating a rise in price.

A quick look at the TipRanks data shows that their latest picks have several common attributes that should bring in investors. Well look at two bitcoin mining stocks, each currently priced under $5 per share, and boasting a Strong Buy consensus rating. Additionally, some are projecting triple-digit upside potential for the coming year. Here are the details.

Bitfarms (BITF)

Well start with Bitfarms, a bitcoin mining company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, and operating with 11 bitcoin mining facilities  farms, as the company calls them  located in 4 countries. The company has approximately 56,200 mining rigs deployed. Bitfarms can boast a hashrate of 5.6 EH/s, and generates an average of 12.4 bitcoins per day.

Bitcoin mining wont happen without power, and bitcoin miners also operate the large-scale power generation facilities needed to support their data center operations. Bitfarms has 240 megawatts of power generation planned, and this past August the company announced the start of a 50 megawatt deployment plan, located in Paraguay, for the generation of hydroelectric power. The plan is the first phase from a set of contracts totaling 150 megawatts in hydropower development. The current phase is located near Bitfarms existing Paraguay facility, and is expected to go online in 1Q24.

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In addition, Bitfarms is expanding its Argentina operations. The company added 3,150 modern mining rigs to its Rio Cuarto facility, and has planned deliveries for another 1,068 rigs, scheduled for installation this month.

Bitfarms activity to expand its power generation and farming network is bringing results. The companys 2Q23 financial report showed that the company mined 1,223 bitcoins during the quarter, and its hashrate, as of June 30, was up 10% from Q1 and stood at 5.3 EH/s. That hashrate alone shows one measure of the companys expansion  two months later, in August, the hashrate was up to 5.6 EH/s. The company has targeted a 7.0 EH/s hashrate for the first quarter of next year.

In a recent update for Augusts production numbers, Bitfarms reported mining 383 bitcoins during the month. This was up from 378 mined in July, although it was down from 534 bitcoins generated in August of last year. The 383 figure was in-line with Bitfarms monthly production during the first 8 months of this year  and the year-to-date total of 3,281 bitcoins is higher than the equivalent figure, 3,252, from last year. Of the bitcoins mined in August, Bitfarms sold off 323, generating $9 million in total proceeds. The remaining 60 bitcoins were added to the companys treasury, increasing its holding to 654 bitcoins. Bitfarms valued this holding at $17.8 million, based on the August 31 price.

According to Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Josh Siegler, Bitfarms has plenty of strength as it heads into next year, which investors might be overlooking right now. He writes, We continue to believe the Bitfarms story may be under-appreciated by investors. The company has demonstrated substantial progress in establishing a clear line-of-sight for near-term growth and improving its cash expenses, in our view. With a strong balance sheet and higher visibility to energizing Argentina, we believe BITF may be unfairly receiving a discount on its valuation relative to peers. If Bitfarms achieves its near-term hash target  while demonstrating improved free cash flow and unit economics, we believe there may be significant upside to the stock price.

Significant upside, indeed. Along with an Overweight (Buy) rating on the shares, Seiglers $3 price target implies a robust upside potential of 168% for the next 12 months. (To watch Sieglers track record, click here.)

The Street would appear to be in agreement, as all 3 of the recent analyst reviews are positive, for a unanimous Strong Buy consensus rating. The shares are currently priced at $1.12, and the average price target of $3.67 is even more bullish than Sieglers, indicating potential for a 228% gain over the coming year. (See Bitfarms stock forecast.)

Cipher Mining (CIFR)

Next up is Cipher Mining, another growing concern in the bitcoin mining industry. Cipher is a US-based firm currently in the process of building out its primary mining facility, in Odessa, Texas, which came online in November of last year. The facility is scheduled to reach completion before the end of this quarter, which will bring Ciphers total bitcoin mining hashrate to 7.2 EH/s. The company reported a total hashrate of 6.8 EH/s as of the end of 2Q23.

Cipher has two additional mining facilities, both wind-powered, located in Alborz, Texas and Bear and Chief, Texas. These sites can operate at 40 and 20 megawatts respectively. Among its three active sites, the company has 68,000 miners deployed, and at the end of August this year had a potential capacity to mine as many as 16.1 bitcoins per day.

In the firms most recent production update, for August of this year, Cipher reported mining a total of 357 bitcoins. This was down 15% month-over-month, and after sales of 355 bitcoin, the company had an account balance of 519 bitcoin available. At an estimated price of $27,000 per bitcoin, this holding is worth over $14 million. Cipher management reports that the company is on track to meet its current expansion and production goals.

While Ciphers core business is bitcoin mining, the company is also building out its power generation capacity  and that has caught the attention of BTIG analyst Gregory Lewis. He sees the companys potential as a net-seller of electricity as a clear benefit, complementing the firms success at entering low-cost power contracts, and writes, The company has a very low-cost fixed-price power purchase agreement at ~$0.027/kWh (expires 2027) with the ability to opportunistically sell electricity back to the grid. Cipher has one of the lowest cost structures in the BTC mining industry creating attractive unit economics allowing the business to operate through the cycle. In the near term, Ciphers core business should remain BTC mining, but longer term we see the opportunity to become a more integrated player in the energy-generation space.

Taking this forward, Lewis puts a Buy rating on CIFR, and his $6 price target points toward a potential one-year gain of 124% for the stock. (To watch Lewis track record, click here.)

The analyst consensus view on Cipher is unanimous, a Strong Buy based on 6 positive ratings set over the past 3 months. The stock has a $5.25 average price target, suggesting a 96% increase from the current share price of $2.68. (See Ciphers stock forecast.)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
This insightful article highlights the best countries in the world and how their progressive economic policies benefit their citizens. For a quick overview, proceed directly to the 8 Most Liked Countries In The World In 2023.

A nation's perception influences its trade opportunities, investment climate, and desirability. It's believed that 'country branding' affects the appeal of its products, the credibility of its industries, and the allure of its investment opportunities. Consequently, the most liked countries in the world in 2023 are poised to enjoy economic and social advantages due to their reputation.

Several factors determine a nation's likability; for example, participation in multilateral forums and adherence to global norms and treaties can enhance a country's image. Additionally, soft power that includes cultural exports, educational opportunities, and international outreach, distinguishes the best countries in the world.

The Correlation Between Economic Freedom and Business Growth

The Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom of the World report consistently highlights the link between economic freedom and business growth. The study evaluates countries based on metrics such as legal structure, security of property rights, access to sound money, international trade freedom, and business regulation. Countries with high scores on these parameters, such as Switzerland, New Zealand, and the US, exhibit an environment favorable for business expansion. These nations present minimal bureaucratic hurdles, allowing businesses to seamlessly engage with global markets and access capital.

Consequently, these economically free nations, as identified by the Fraser Institute, regularly rank among the most admired countries for business. The relationship between economic freedom and growth is positive for a country's likability: as companies prosper in these nations, their success stories bolster the nations' global business appeal. Such positive reputations enhance their standing as some of the most liked countries in the world for business endeavors.

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After the Second World War, Japan's economy was devastated, having lost much of its industrial infrastructure. In response, Japan implemented economic reforms, many of which facilitated the growth of companies like Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM). Toyota notably benefited from Japan's export-oriented growth strategy, expanding into overseas markets. By the 1960s and 1970s, Toyota vehicles were gaining substantial traction in global markets, especially in the US. Presently, Toyota employs over 300,000 people and is the most valuable Japanese company with a market cap of $318 billion, ranking among the biggest car companies by sales volume. Notably, post-WWII, Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE:TM) collaborated with the US to adopt advanced vehicle manufacturing techniques, underscoring its free trade policies.

Toyota's Q4, 2023 earnings call revealed an anticipated production volume of 10.1 million units for the upcoming fiscal year. Owing to enhancements in semiconductor supply, sales volumes are forecasted to rise across all regions. The company reported sales of 8.82 million consolidated units in 2022 and projects sales of 9.6 million units for the fiscal year ending March 2024. Additionally, combined sales for Toyota and Lexus stood at 9.61 million units in the previous fiscal year, with projections reaching 10.4 million units by the end of their current fiscal year.

Similarly, Amazon Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) has reaped the benefits of the US's robust business infrastructure. In its early days, Amazon enjoyed a tax advantage: its mail-order merchants weren't required to collect sales tax for transactions in states where they had no physical presence. This policy provided Amazon Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) a competitive advantage over conventional brick-and-mortar stores, allowing for innovation, expansion, and flexibility in business strategies. Owing to the US's business-friendly environment that favors minimal government intervention, Amazon Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) 's annual revenue surged to $514 billion in 2022. RiverPark Advisors, in their Q2 2023 RiverPark Large Growth Fund investor letter, commented:

"Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) generated $127 billion of revenue (2% ahead of expectations) and nearly $5 billion of operating income (57% better than expectations) in Q1 2023, driven by rebounding online sales and strong incremental gross margins. During the company's earnings conference call, Amazon management pointed to easing inflationary pressures, higher productivity gains, and lower expected capital spending for the remainder of the year. The only negative in the quarter was slowing AWS revenue growth, which we believe will rebound later in the year."

Countries seeking economic freedom and business prosperity often adopt judicious economic policies beneficial to investors, as exemplified by Toyota and Amazon. Thus, the most liked countries in the world in 2023 aren't merely tourism hubs but nations empowering their citizenry for financial stability and societal welfare.

With that, let's move to the most respected countries in the world!

25 Most Liked Countries In The World In 2023

Our Methodology

We utilized three primary sources to determine the most liked countries in 2023: the OECD's Migration Policy Database's "Attractiveness Score for Potential Migrants" category, US News' rankings of preferred living destinations, and the World Happiness Report 2023. After selecting the top countries performing well across all three sources, we averaged their rankings and ranked them based on the average rankings in descending order.

Based on our findings, here are the countries with the best reputation in 2023:

25. Spain

Composite Ranking: 25

Spain boasts a diverse economy with lucrative tourism, automotive, and renewable energy investment opportunities. The country's life satisfaction and work-life balance indicate its desirability. The nation is immigrant-friendly, having implemented policies like entrepreneur visas and a golden visa program for property investors. Notably, Spain's property markets are one of the best in Europe, owing to its well-developed infrastructure, so it's sound from an investment point of view.

24. Czech Republic

Composite Ranking: 24

A member of the EU, the Czech Republic presents economic stability, as its central European location and skilled workforce make it an ideal business hub. The country has an impressive employment rate of 79.8% for foreign-born individuals. The country also simplifies immigration processes for EU citizens and offers Blue Card programs for non-EU skilled workers. Czechia has also consistently ranked as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region, evidenced by FDI, which made up 3.6% of its GDP in 2022.

23. Slovakia

Composite Ranking: 23

The Slovak Republic has a strong industrial foundation, emphasizing automotive, electronics, and IT services. Slovakia also provides support systems for immigrants, including integration courses and special work permits. Slovak Republic is also among the largest per capita car producers as it has Volkswagen, Kia, and Peugeot manufacturing plants, eventually generating a significant portion of its GDP from exports.

22. Hungary

Composite Ranking: 22

Hungary offers an attractive investment climate in the automotive, ICT, and pharmaceutical sectors. The nation's strategic geographical position (it shares borders with Ukraine, Slovakia, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia) facilitates unparalleled logistical advantages, practically acting as a gateway between Western and Eastern Europe. The country also offers a Residency Bond Program, giving residency permits to significant investors. Although Hungary experienced a sharp decline in foreign direct investment in 2022, it reported heavy investments in 2020 and 2021.

21. Estonia

Composite Ranking: 21

Estonia is a digital powerhouse renowned for its e-governance and tech-driven initiatives. It's a leading hub for startups, especially in the ICT sector, which is why FDI (foreign direct investments) made 9.2% of the country's nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2023. Being a member of the EU, Estonia has 46 preferential trade agreements, enabling a free investment inflow and outflow. Moreover, Estonia's e-residency program allows global entrepreneurs to establish and run a European company digitally, which enhances its appeal to foreign professionals.

20. Japan

Composite Ranking: 20

As the world's 3rd largest economy, Japan offers advanced infrastructure and a skilled labor force that make it one of the most liked countries in the world in 2023. Leading sectors include automotive, electronics, and robotics, which employ millions. As of current, Japan makes 45% of all industrial robots worldwide, most of which are imported by China.

Japan has been focusing on attracting foreign talent, especially in technology and healthcare, through its Highly Skilled Professional visa system. Notably, Japan has one of the best healthcare in the world, as the average out-of-pocket expenses for Japanese citizens are only around 9% of total healthcare costs. Health and employment security, along with an innovative landscape, make Japan one of the most attractive countries in 2023.

19. Slovenia

Composite Ranking: 19

Slovenia, an eco-friendly and innovative economy, is heavily focused on pharmaceuticals, machinery, and automotive sectors. Currently, 17.7% of Slovenia's population is foreign-born, and 67.6% of these individuals are employed, per the OECD. The country's well-developed trade infrastructure, especially the Port of Koper, provides it pivotal access to markets within Europe and the broader Mediterranean region.

As a member of the European Union since 2004 and the Eurozone since 2007, Slovenia upholds a stable monetary environment. The nation's commitment to innovation is also evident from its consistent R&D investments, which approached 2.139% of its GDP in 2021.

18. Portugal

Composite Ranking: 18

Specializing in renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture, Portugal provides a range of investment opportunities. A notable 79.6% employment rate for immigrants demonstrates Portugal's inclusive stance. Its Golden Visa program, offering residency for significant property or entrepreneurial investments, is popular among global investors. In recent years, Portugal's capital, Lisbon, has gained traction as a budding tech and startup hub, further propelled by initiatives like the Web Summit, one of the world's largest tech conferences.

17. France

Composite Ranking: 17

France is among the countries with the highest GDP per capita, currently standing at $42,650, which aligns with good education, healthcare, and public services, factors that indirectly support business operations and the workforce's well-being. The nation also outranks many other high-income countries with a healthcare expenditure of 12.2% of GDP and boasts reliable health facilities.

France's talent passport schemes, designed for international professionals and startup founders, promote a diverse work culture. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, launched a $5 billion fund to support investments in the tech sector in 2019, $2 billion of which was intended to help startups scale up.

16. Belgium

Composite Ranking: 16

As Belgium has no trade restrictions and works as a gateway to 500 million European consumers within a 500-mile radius, investors prefer it for its logistics performance. The nation's infrastructural assets, like the Port of Antwerp, the second largest in Europe, further boost its business logistics by handing over 200 million of freight each year. Notably, Brussels' role as the de facto capital of the European Union amplifies Belgium's significance on the political and economic stage. The country's healthcare, considered one of the best in the world, is supported by esteemed medical research institutions such as Hasselt University and the University of Antwerp.

15. Germany

Composite Ranking: 15

Europe's largest economy, Germany, is a powerhouse in engineering, automotive, and finance. Comprehensive integration initiatives, like language and vocational courses, underline Germany's dedication to a multicultural ethos. The foreign-born population stands at approximately 18.8% of its total residents, and 68.3% of them are employed. The nation's infrastructure includes world-class logistics, transportation networks, and connectivity, making it an ideal nexus for pan-European trade. Notably, Germany's R&D expenditures surpassed 3.1% of its GDP in 2021, focused on collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.

14. Austria

Composite Ranking: 14

Austria is among the countries with the best reputation, as its capital, Vienna, is often ranked among the world's best cities for quality of life. Since companies are eligible for a 14% research bonus from the government in Austria, it fosters a more in-depth R&D culture in the country. The Red-White-Red Card system in Austria is tailored for skilled workers, graduates, and self-employed individuals, particularly from developing nations, for a transparent residency-acquiring procedure. Austria is also a gateway between Western and Eastern Europe as it's a landlocked country sharing the border with 8 European nations, providing businesses unparalleled access to emerging markets.

13. United Kingdom

Composite Ranking: 13

The UK is one of the most desirable countries in the world. The country has a multifaceted stance on economic freedom. The UK has a high-spending consumer base and educated workforce that collectively attract generous investments.

London's City and Canary Wharf districts are the epicenters of European finance and serve as global magnets for banking, insurance, and fintech. While immigrants are largely welcomed, concerns have arisen, as seen in the Brexit vote. Notably, the country has eliminated the quota for highly skilled workers and supports easier labor market integration for them.

12. United States Of America

Composite Ranking: 12

The USA tops the countries with the most immigrants and continues to be one of the world's favorite countries. With a GDP per capita of $76,398 and an overall GDP of $25.5 trillion, it stands as the world's largest economy. The 70% employment rate for the foreign-born population, as reported by the OECD, combined with a comprehensive social welfare system, underscores the USA's appeal as one of the best countries to live in. The US is one of the best countries for business, given that it accounts for 41% of the global equity. If we minus the geopolitical factor, the US sits at the top, among the most liked countries in the world.

11. Ireland

Composite Ranking: 11

Dubbed Europe's tech capital, Ireland is home to numerous global IT behemoths. The Celtic Tiger's GDP growth rate consistently outpaces many of its European counterparts and is home to an export-driven economy. The nation's Critical Skills Employment Permit addresses talent gaps in sectors like technology and healthcare. Backed by a young, skilled, and English-speaking workforce, the nation extends a compelling invitation for businesses eyeing European market access

10. Luxembourg

Composite Ranking: 10

As a premier financial center, Luxembourg excels in banking and investment. Boasting a GDP per capita of $128,820, the nation provides one of Europe's highest living standards, a big reason it's among the most liked countries in the world in 2023. Its Blue Card program for non-EU skilled workers underscores a high employment rate for international residents. The country's favorable tax regime, coupled with over 80 double tax treaties, minimizes the risk of international double taxation.

9. Finland

Composite Ranking: 9

Consistently ranked the world's happiest country for six consecutive years, Finland offers residents freedom in life choices, robust social support, and an array of welfare benefits. The Finnish Startup Permit attracts innovative international entrepreneurs.

Additionally, its welfare system guarantees high-quality healthcare, education, and social services. Helsinki, Finland's capital, has rapidly evolved into a tech and startup epicenter, with entities like Slush, one of the world's leading startup events where startup founders and tech talent can meet with top-tier international investors.

Click to continue reading 8 Most Liked Countries In The World In 2023.

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Disclosure: None. 25 Most Liked Countries In The World In 2023 was originally published at Insider Monkey.
Key Insights

African Rainbow Minerals' significant retail investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

A total of 25 investors have a majority stake in the company with 38% ownership

Institutional ownership in African Rainbow Minerals is 31%

If you want to know who really controls African Rainbow Minerals Limited (JSE:ARI), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 57% stake, retail investors possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Retail investors gained the most after market cap touched R35b last week, while institutions who own 31% also benefitted.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about African Rainbow Minerals.

See our latest analysis for African Rainbow Minerals

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About African Rainbow Minerals?

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.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in African Rainbow Minerals. 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. 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 African Rainbow Minerals' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in African Rainbow Minerals. Our data shows that Public Investment Corporation Limited is the largest shareholder with 11% of shares outstanding. With 3.9% and 3.4% of the shares outstanding respectively, Fairtree Asset Management (Pty) Ltd and Allan Gray Proprietary Ltd. are the second and third largest shareholders.

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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.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of African Rainbow Minerals

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

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 African Rainbow Minerals Limited 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 R214m 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 -- including retail investors -- own 57% of African Rainbow Minerals. 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:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for African Rainbow Minerals (1 is concerning) that 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.
China, Mongolia agree to deepen security cooperation

Xinhua) 09:38, September 21, 2023

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MEXICO CITY, September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "aa-" (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of "aaa.MX" (Exceptional) of Sompo Seguros Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Sompo Mexico) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Sompo Mexico is a subsidiary of Sompo America Insurance Company (SAIC) and a member of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH). Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (SJ) is the core operating unit of SOMPO Holdings, Inc. (SOMPO Holdings), the ultimate parent and one of the largest non-life insurance groups in Japan. Sompo Mexico is well-integrated into the group.

The ratings reflect SJs balance sheet strength on a consolidated basis, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The ratings recognize Sompo Mexicos integration and support from SIH and SJ, through SAIC, which provides synergies and operating efficiencies to the Mexico subsidiary. Sompo Mexico maintains the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the companys small market share, even though its combined ratio and profitability levels compare well with the industry.

Sompo Mexico initiated business in 1998; the company underwrites property/casualty business and stands as a strategic hub from which SIH plans to continue expanding operations into other Latin America markets. Sompo Mexico follows the groups international strategy and underwrites mostly referred business from SJ, but with a growing interest in its domestic market.

Sompo Mexicos risk-adjusted capitalization also is supported by the companys solid reinsurance program and small retention profile, as well as historical positive bottom-line results reflected in good profitability metrics and conservative profit retention policies. Sompo Mexicos strong underwriting results are mainly a consequence of underwriting referred business for the Mexico operations of SJs global clients, and commissions from a diversified reinsurance program with highly rated reinsurers, which includes SJ as the program leader. In addition, the companys conservative investment policies provide a steady flow of revenues in support of net income.

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In 2022, Sompo Mexico achieved positive bottom-line results through profitable underwriting, which were strengthened further by investment income; the company posted a return-on-equity ratio of 10%. The company benefits from being integrated into SIH, gaining operational leverage through the same systems, procedures and ERM practices.

Rating actions taken on SJ will most likely result in equivalent rating actions for Sompo Mexico, unless AM Best determines that the strategic importance of the Mexico subsidiary to SJ has decreased. Negative rating actions could occur if there is material deterioration in SJs risk-adjusted capitalization caused by substantial investment losses or a large-scale natural catastrophe. Negative rating actions also could occur if there is significant deterioration in SOMPO Holdings credit profile, including its risk-adjusted capitalization, financial leverage or interest coverage levels.

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/20230921710288/en/

Contacts

Juan Pablo Castro

Associate Financial Analyst

+52 55 11027 2720, ext. 133

juanpablo.castro@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Eli Sanchez

Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122

eli.sanchez@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com
Two area businesspeople were indicted Tuesday, accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $7.8 million in small business loans under the CARES Act.

Sharhabeel Shreiteh, an accountant in Palos Hills, and Tracy Mitchell, a Joliet business owner, allegedly engaged in fraud related to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by the CARES Act to cover lost revenue due to economic disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, according the a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Northern District of Illinois.

Shreiteh, 43, of Crete, was charged with 13 counts of wire fraud and his arraignment had not yet been scheduled, according to the release. Mitchell, 49, of Plainfield, was charged with 10 counts of wire fraud and he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment hearing Tuesday in federal court, according to the release.

Under a PPP loan, the interest and principal of the loan was forgiven if businesses spent a certain amount of the loan on essential expenses, like payroll and rent, according to the release.

The indictment alleges Shreiteh and Mitchell recruited sole proprietors, self-employed people and businesses to provide personal identifying information, bank statements and other documents and then submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications, according to the release.

Each application contained misrepresentations and false statements to inflate the applicants payroll, income and other expenses, according to the release.

In exchange for preparing and submitting the fraudulent applications, Shreiteh and Mitchell received at least $1,000 to $4,000 per successful loan, according to the release.

Michael Ettinger, Mitchells attorney, said his client will fight the charges and go to trial.

An attorney for Shreiteh did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Corona, California-based Ace Commercial Insurance Center (Ace). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Logo (PRNewsfoto/Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.)

Ace is a specialist insurance broker serving the trucking industry primarily in Southern California. Jackie Hoang, Anhdy Nguyen and their team will remain in their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher's Southwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

"Ace is a well-regarded agency that expands our transportation market expertise in the Southwest," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "I am very pleased to welcome Jackie, Anhdy and their associates to Gallagher."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella, VP - Investor Relations Media: Paul Day, Communications Manager 630-285-3661/ ray_iardella@ajg.com 630-285-5946/ paul_day1@ajg.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arthur-j-gallagher--co-acquires-ace-commercial-insurance-center-301934727.html

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
f11photo / iStock.com

Higher education is often associated with higher earnings. For instance, in 2021, the median earnings of workers with a masters or higher degree were $74,600, or 21% higher than the earnings of those with a bachelors degree  $61,600.

See: 8 Passive Income Streams That Arent Worth It

Find: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

And the median earnings of those with a bachelors degree were 55% higher than the earnings of those who completed high school, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

However, degrees from certain universities can increase salaries by much more  as much as $94,000. A new Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Salary Impact ranking listed schools in order of their impact on graduates salaries and how this relates to the cost of attending the college.

Here are the top 10:

1. University of Pennsylvania  Philadelphia, Pa.

Average net price: $14,851

Time to pay off net price: 8 months

Value added to graduate salary: $84,761

2. Princeton University  Princeton, N.J.

Average net price: $11,080

Time to pay off net price: 6 months

Value added to graduate salary: $82,433

3. Columbia University  New York, N.Y.

Average net price: $12,836

Time to pay off net price: 8 months

Value added to graduate salary: $71,540

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology  Cambridge, Mass.

Average net price: $5,084

Time to pay off net price: 2 months

Value added to graduate salary: $94,213

5. Harvard University  Cambridge, Mass.

Average net price: $13,259

Time to pay off net price: 9 months

Value added to graduate salary: $65,114

6. Stanford University  Stanford, Calif.

Average net price: $7,200

Time to pay off net price: 4 months

Value added to graduate salary: $79,187

7. Missouri University of Science and Technology  Rolla, Mo.

Average net price: $12,682

Time to pay off net price: 10 months

Value added to graduate salary: $56,672

8. Claremont McKenna College  Claremont, Calif.

Average net price: $20,114

Time to pay off net price: 1 year, 1 month

Value added to graduate salary: $69,374

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9. Yale University  New Haven, Conn.

Average net price: $16,341

Time to pay off net price: 11 months

Value added to graduate salary: $66,961

10. Babson College  Wellesley, Mass.

Average net price: $31,267

Time to pay off net price: 1 year, 6 months

Value added to graduate salary: $81,604

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Attending These 10 Colleges Can Boost Your Salary Significantly (by as Much as $94K)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for B&M European Value Retail is UK7.78 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

B&M European Value Retail is estimated to be 26% undervalued based on current share price of UK5.79

The UK5.94 analyst price target for BME is 24% less than our estimate of fair value

How far off is B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for B&M European Value Retail

The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. 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:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK356.4m UK363.5m UK395.5m UK433.0m UK474.5m UK504.4m UK528.7m UK548.7m UK565.5m UK580.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x9 Analyst x9 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 6.29% Est @ 4.82% Est @ 3.79% Est @ 3.06% Est @ 2.56% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.5% UK331 UK314 UK318 UK324 UK330 UK327 UK318 UK307 UK295 UK281

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK3.1b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.4%) 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 7.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK580m (1 + 1.4%)  (7.5% 1.4%) = UK9.6b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK9.6b ( 1 + 7.5%)10= UK4.7b

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 UK7.8b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK5.8, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 26% 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

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 B&M European Value Retail 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 7.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.226. 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 B&M European Value Retail

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Multiline Retail market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For B&M European Value Retail, we've compiled three further aspects you should assess:

Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for B&M European Value Retail we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does BME'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 LSE 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.
Supreme Plc (LON:SUP) shareholders won't be pleased to see that the share price has had a very rough month, dropping 27% and undoing the prior period's positive performance. Looking back over the past twelve months the stock has been a solid performer regardless, with a gain of 12%.

In spite of the heavy fall in price, given about half the companies in the United Kingdom have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") above 15x, you may still consider Supreme as an attractive investment with its 9.4x P/E ratio. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/E at face value as there may be an explanation why it's limited.

Supreme hasn't been tracking well recently as its declining earnings compare poorly to other companies, which have seen some growth on average. It seems that many are expecting the dour earnings performance to persist, which has repressed the P/E. If this is the case, then existing shareholders will probably struggle to get excited about the future direction of the share price.

Check out our latest analysis for Supreme

Keen to find out how analysts think Supreme's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start.

Does Growth Match The Low P/E?

In order to justify its P/E ratio, Supreme would need to produce sluggish growth that's trailing the market.

If we review the last year of earnings, dishearteningly the company's profits fell to the tune of 13%. Unfortunately, that's brought it right back to where it started three years ago with EPS growth being virtually non-existent overall during that time. Therefore, it's fair to say that earnings growth has been inconsistent recently for the company.

Shifting to the future, estimates from the two analysts covering the company suggest earnings should grow by 5.3% over the next year. That's shaping up to be materially lower than the 10% growth forecast for the broader market.

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With this information, we can see why Supreme is trading at a P/E lower than the market. Apparently many shareholders weren't comfortable holding on while the company is potentially eyeing a less prosperous future.

The Bottom Line On Supreme's P/E

Supreme's recently weak share price has pulled its P/E below most other companies. Generally, our preference is to limit the use of the price-to-earnings ratio to establishing what the market thinks about the overall health of a company.

As we suspected, our examination of Supreme's analyst forecasts revealed that its inferior earnings outlook is contributing to its low P/E. At this stage investors feel the potential for an improvement in earnings isn't great enough to justify a higher P/E ratio. It's hard to see the share price rising strongly in the near future under these circumstances.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Supreme, and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So 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.
Key Insights

Berkeley Group Holdings' estimated fair value is UK83.78 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Berkeley Group Holdings is estimated to be 50% undervalued based on current share price of UK41.95

Our fair value estimate is 94% higher than Berkeley Group Holdings' analyst price target of UK43.18

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of The Berkeley Group Holdings plc (LON:BKG) as an investment opportunity 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 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 Berkeley Group Holdings

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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 discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK339.2m UK360.5m UK300.9m UK326.0m UK593.0m UK671.4m UK736.3m UK789.2m UK832.2m UK867.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x9 Analyst x9 Analyst x7 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 13.22% Est @ 9.67% Est @ 7.18% Est @ 5.44% Est @ 4.22% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% UK312 UK306 UK235 UK235 UK393 UK410 UK415 UK409 UK398 UK382

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK3.5b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK867m (1 + 1.4%)  (8.6% 1.4%) = UK12b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK12b ( 1 + 8.6%)10= UK5.4b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK8.9b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK42.0, the company appears quite undervalued at a 50% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

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 Berkeley Group Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.214. 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 Berkeley Group Holdings

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Consumer Durables market.

Opportunity

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

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. 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. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Berkeley Group Holdings, we've put together three further items you should consider:

Risks: As an example, we've found 2 warning signs for Berkeley Group Holdings (1 is significant!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does BKG'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.
Student loans for 1,200+ Phoenix University enrollees cancelled over misleading ad campaign.

The Biden administration plans to cancel $37 million in student loan debt for about 1,200 students who enrolled at the University of Phoenix from Sept. 21, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2014 and applied for relief under the borrower defense loan discharge program.

Following an investigation, the Department of Education (DOE) said it found that the universitys national ad campaign misled prospective students by falsely representing its partnerships with thousands of corporations, including Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Adobe and AT&T. The ads gave the impression that students would benefit from these partnerships by providing, for example, hiring preferences at those companies.

The school told borrowers that a degree from Phoenix would help get your foot in a few thousand doors and that its partners were looking specifically at University of Phoenix students for hire instead of any other school, the DOE said in a statement.

But none of that was true, the DOE said. In fact, the schools relationship with corporate partners did not result in any benefits to impacted Phoenix students, the Department said. Corporate partners let Phoenix display their insignias and names in a career database portal, which gave the false impression that Phoenix offered unique job opportunities, when in reality all the jobs posted were available to the general public.

Students who applied for federal loans under the borrower defense loan discharge program may qualify for relief because they have been affected by this finding, the DOE said. The program seeks to provide relief to students enrolled in a school based on misleading information from the school.

The DOE said it will notify affected borrowers by early October that their applications have been approved. The remaining loan balances of these borrowers will be zeroed out and their credit trade lines deleted, the Department said. Any payments these borrowers made to the DOE on these loans will also be refunded.

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The Department said it intends to initiate a recoupment proceeding against Phoenix to seek repayment of the liabilities associated with these approved claims at a later date.

The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll, said Richard Cordray, chief operating officer of DOE Federal Student Aid.

Clock ticking to begin student loan repayments

The Biden administration has now approved more than $117 billion in debt cancellations, including $14.8 billion in relief for 1.1 million borrowers who were taken advantage of by their colleges, the DOE said.

But the clock is ticking to begin student loan repayments. Following the Supreme Court's decision last June to strike down Bidens student loan forgiveness plan - which would have given qualifying borrowers up to $20,000 in federal student debt relief - repayments begin in October.

To prepare to start paying student loans again, the first step is getting the facts straight by logging into your account at StudentAid.gov to review the list of all your federal loans, as Kiplinger previously reported.

Check your loan details such as the service providers name, how much youve paid, and your remaining balance, as reported. Make sure your contact information is correct so youll receive important notices. You should also go to your service providers website to review the financial information there and, if needed, update your personal data.
AROUND THE world, dealmaking is in a rut. A combination of higher interest rates, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty has put a hold on joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. One exception is targets with AI in their name. Another, less obvious one, involves a less catchy initialism: ADCs.

Makers of these antibody-drug conjugates, to give them their full name, are all the rage among the worlds biggest drugmakers. Pfizer is paying $43bn for Seagen, which in turn has just teamed up with Nurix Therapeutics, a smaller biotechnology firm, to work on this class of drugs. Amgen, AstraZeneca and Merck have also placed billion-dollar bets on ADCs. In the past five years licensing deals worth $60bn have been signed for such therapies. The number of such deals tripled in that period, to 26. So far this year 18 have been signed, outpacing similar deals involving other emerging cancer drugs.

ADCs arent new. The first was approved in 2000 for types of leukaemia. They act like guided biological missiles: a payload of toxic chemotherapy is carried by antibodies able to seek out cancer cells directly. Because they bypass normal tissue and go straight for their targets, they let patients receive higher doses that would otherwise cause too much collateral damage.

Two developments explain the frenzied stockpiling of these anti-cancer weapons of late. One is increased clinical confidence. Enhertu, an ADC developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, a Japanese biotechnology company, was first approved in America in 2019. But after another set of trials in 2022 showed that it allowed breast-cancer patients to live almost twice as long without relapse as those treated with standard chemotherapy, its approval was extended to different types of breast and lung cancer. Regulators have cleared a dozen other ADCs, which are now routinely used to treat some of the deadliest cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and breast cancer.

More than 140 new ADCs are currently in clinical trials. Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi all have therapies in late-stage tests. AstraZeneca and Merck have each formed a joint-venture with biotech firms in China, to take advantage of Chinese regulators more relaxed rules for early-stage trials, which helps accelerate the drugs development. Susan Galbraith, who oversees oncology research and development at AstraZeneca, says that the timeline for drug testing in China has been significantly reduced in the past decade.

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Clinical success has, in turn, boosted commercial confidence. Sales of Enhertu exceeded $1.2bn in 2022. Revenue from Trodelvy, a similar drug approved for advanced breast cancer and sold by Gilead Sciences, rose by 79% last year, to $680m. Kadcyla brought in $1.1bn for its Swiss developer, Roche, in the first half of this year. Evaluate, a provider of health-care data, forecasts that ADC sales could reach nearly $30bn by 2028, up from around $7.5bn last year (see chart).

Some of these wagers could misfire. It is unclear just how well the drugs will work in combination with others, such as immunotherapies. They are also complex to make. Any deals involving Chinese partners could unravel if Sino-Western tensions increase. For now, though, ADCs are a global arms race worth cheering.

To stay on top of the biggest stories in business and technology, sign up to the Bottom Line, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.

 2023 The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved.

From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on https://www.economist.com/business/2023/09/21/big-pharma-cant-get-enough-of-one-class-of-cancer-drugs
When does your workday start? Is it the moment you leave your apartment for the subway? When you read your first Slack message while waiting for coffee in your office building lobby? Or is it when you get to your desk, open your laptop, and log into your inbox? If you ask workers, theyre likely to say commuting counts as work. You can imagine what their superiors think.

The commute is just one way bosses and workers often disagree on what counts as a productive workday. The back-and-forth is what has landed most companies in a seemingly endless war with their employees over the return to office. When it comes to remote work (and whether its actually as productive as being in the office), the problem actually boils down to fundamental differences in perspective.

Thats according to the latest National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper from economists Jose Maria Barrero, Nicholas Bloom, and Steven J. Davis. It pinpoints the two big disconnects between managers and workers that are stalling return to work efforts. First: Workers think nixing the commute directly leads to greater productivity because it puts more hours back in their day. Second: Workers arent grasping the managerial challenges of leading a remote workforce.

The real dilemma is that the two sides make valid points. The commute is, by definition, time spent not working, although many workers who stay home end up spending the extra hours on their jobs anyway. And even the staunchest pro-flexibility experts acknowledge that in-person work is critical for early career workersand that middle managers are mired in the unenviable position of enforcing the in-office mandates of the higher-ups and assuaging the concerns of the entry-level workers digging their heels in. The mismatched understanding of what matters most (and what actually impacts productivity) explains why were stillafter all this timeplaying tug of war.

The matter of commuting

Accounting for commute time is a big deal when assessing the effectiveness of remote work, Barrero, one of the researchers and an assistant finance professor at Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) Business School, tells Fortune. Among respondents who told Barrero theyre more productive at home, nearly all (86%) say the time they save by not commuting is a major perk and one of their favorite parts of working from home.

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Consider someone who works eight paid hours a day, lives thirty minutes from the office, and accomplishes the same amount whether working from home or the office, the authors wrote in the working paper. Total time devoted to work is nine hours per day when commuting and eight hours per day when working from home. So, the worker perceives (correctly) that he or she accomplishes the same amount in 11 percent less time when working from homea big productivity boost!

Workers thus have more hours back for other activities, whether it be leisure or childcare. While theyre not always spending these hours on their job, many do end up spending it getting more work done. Thats probably more productive than employers assume.

Each year, the average American spends nearly $8,500 and 239 hours traveling to and from work, per data from Clever Real Estate. That's 31% more money (and 20% more time) than pre-pandemic. Across workers in professional sectors, that adds up to 16 billion hours and $578 billion per yeara steep price to pay for face time and in-person brainstorms.

To that point, Barrero, Bloom, and Davis cite their WFH Research data that finds that nearly half (43%) of workers with remote-capable jobs say theyre more productive at home; just 14% said theyre less productive. (The remaining 43% said they were about the same in either place.)

Still, though, WFH Research also finds that fully remote work is associated with 10% to 20% lower productivity than fully in-person work. Barrero explained the disparity to Fortune in July: In many of the studies we cite and in some of our own survey evidence, workers often get more done when remote simply because they save time from the daily commute and from other office distractions. This can make them look more productive on a per day basis, even if it means theyre actually less productive on a per hour basis.

The ongoing discrepancy in perspective has been ongoing for quite some time. Back in January, research from the Harvard Business Review found that employees tend to include their time commuting to work in their assessment When that commute is eliminated, they view it as a productivity increase. Employers, naturally, instead see it as less bang for their buck.

The labyrinth of hybrid work has turned managers into shock absorbers

While workers may be quick to say bosses want them in office to keep a closer eye on them (considering all the productivity paranoia going on, who can blame them?), its a little more nuanced than that. What workers think may be more productive for them is not always more productive for managers. This can leave employees blind to their managers plight, the working paper finds.

Senior managers in particular are worried about how a remote workforce would wallop company culture, the researchers write. Namely, they fear it would reduce opportunities for training and upskilling among greener workers, which would have a domino effect on the whole companys productivity. It contributes to that 10% to 20% productivity decline the researchers found.

Supervising, training, mentoring, and building firm culture is much harder with fully remote workers than with workers who come in a few times per week, Barrero previously told Fortune. Challenges in communicating remotely and lack of motivation are the main issues preventing fully remote workers from being more productive, he said. Theres also growing evidence that remote work is conducive to budding relationships with peers, and likely to hamstring their opportunities for earning potentialand for talent development in young workers.

Its not easy being the boss, especially when tasked with both enforcement and acquiescence as the norms of the workplace continue evolving at a rapid clip. Two-thirds of leaders say they have more responsibilities now than they did before COVID, and their rates of reported burnout are through the roof.

As O.C. Tanner Institute VP Gary Beckstrand wrote for Fortune, middle managers have become companies invaluable shock absorbers. Theyre less likely than workers above or below them to feel appreciated, and theyre more likely to say that, since 2020, theyve struggled more with mentoring employees and communicating effectively. A major way to fix the issue, sorry to say, is more in-person collaboration, Beckstrand wrote. When managers feel connected to their teams, the odds that an organizations culture will thrive increase 18-fold.

But when it comes to in-person work, Barrero says bosses underestimate how amenable employees might be to the upsides. Workers, especially younger ones, are well aware of how beneficial in-person gatherings can be. Actually, [the] share of people who want to be fully remote is highest for older workers, and increases with age, he says. I think managers and the public are perhaps a bit too cynical about workers' perceptions of in-person work. Many workers seem well-attuned to the tradeoffs of interacting remotely.

Luckily, the solution isnt nearly as vexing as it may seem. As the experts have maintained for years, a flexible hybrid schedule is almost always the proper approach.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include an analysis of commuting costs.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Key Insights

InterContinental Hotels Group's estimated fair value is UK63.97 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

InterContinental Hotels Group's UK62.98 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is 4.8% higher than InterContinental Hotels Group's analyst price target of US$61.04

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing 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.

View our latest analysis for InterContinental Hotels Group

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$687.8m US$730.1m US$797.0m US$886.0m US$942.6m US$988.7m US$1.03b US$1.06b US$1.09b US$1.11b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x8 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.39% Est @ 4.89% Est @ 3.84% Est @ 3.10% Est @ 2.58% Est @ 2.22% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% US$634 US$621 US$626 US$642 US$630 US$609 US$584 US$555 US$525 US$495

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.9b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$1.1b (1 + 1.4%)  (8.4% 1.4%) = US$16b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$16b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$7.2b

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$13b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK63.0, the company appears about fair value at a 1.5% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 InterContinental Hotels Group 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 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.188. 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 InterContinental Hotels Group

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Hospitality market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Total liabilities exceed total assets, which raises the risk of financial distress.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Next Steps:

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 InterContinental Hotels Group, there are three pertinent items you should explore:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for InterContinental Hotels Group that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does IHG'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 LSE 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.
RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Square , one of the nation's leading sponsors of tax-advantaged real estate investments and an active developer and manager of housing communities, announced today that Natalie Stephens has been promoted to regional vice president, Southwest sales. In her new role, Stephens will provide sales and marketing support for broker-dealers, registered representatives and registered investment advisors throughout Southern California, Nevada and Hawaii.

"Natalie Stephens is an exceptional talent who brings a high level of energy and expertise to her work at Capital Square," said Louis Rogers, founder and co-chief executive officer of Capital Square. "She will do an excellent job of assisting financial advisors and their investors in her new role as regional vice president of Southwest sales."

Stephens joined Capital Square as an associate vice president in January 2022, providing sales and marketing support to financial advisors in the company's Central and Northeast territories. She has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services arena, having held sales and marketing roles for some of the most successful distributors of real estate-based investment programs in the country, including Griffin Capital, Grubb & Ellis Securities and KBS Capital Markets Group. She began her career in 2007 as an internal wholesaler with MetLife Investors.

"Natalie is a proven and respected sales professional, with extensive experience and a sophisticated understanding of complex financial investments and how they can benefit appropriate investors," said James Brunger, chief sales officer. "She immediately established herself as a key member of the Capital Square sales team when she joined us nearly two years ago, and I have every confidence that she will continue to impress as she leads our sales efforts throughout the Southwest."

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Stephens holds FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 licenses. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in real estate from Georgetown University, which she expects to receive next year.

Shayna Goodin will provide internal sales support for Stephens.

Since its formation in 2012, Capital Square has raised more than $3 billion in equity from investors for its tax-advantaged real estate investment offerings. The company has consistently ranked as one of the leading sponsors of Delaware statutory trust (DST) investment programs for investors seeking the advantages of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges and is also an active sponsor of qualified opportunity zone funds, development LLC's and Capital Square Apartment REIT, a real estate investment trust that invests in multifamily communities throughout the Southeast.

About Capital Square

Capital Square is a vertically integrated national real estate firm specializing in tax-advantaged real estate investments, including Delaware statutory trusts for Section 1031 exchanges, qualified opportunity zone funds for tax deferral and exclusion and a real estate investment trust (REIT). In recent years the company has become an active developer of mixed-use multifamily properties in the southeastern U.S., with eight current projects totaling approximately 2,000 apartment units with a total development cost in excess of $600 million. Since 2012, Capital Square has completed more than $7.5 billion in transaction volume. Capital Square's related entities provide a range of services, including due diligence, acquisition, loan sourcing, property/asset management and disposition, for a growing number of high-net-worth investors, private equity firms, family offices and institutional investors. Since 2017, Capital Square has been recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation for seven consecutive years. In 2017, 2018 and 2020, the company was also ranked on Richmond BizSense's list of fastest growing companies. Additionally, Capital Square was listed by Virginia Business on their "Best Places to Work in Virginia" report in 2019 and their "Fantastic 50" reports in 2019 and 2020. In 2023, Capital Square was recognized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch as one of the region's "Top Work Places." To learn more, visit www.CapitalSq.com .

Contact:

Jill Swartz

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949-427-1389

jill@spotlightmarcom.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-square-promotes-natalie-stephens-to-regional-vice-president-of-southwest-sales-301934545.html

SOURCE Capital Square
By Greg Roumeliotis, Anirban Sen and David Carnevali

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. Steel Corp is locked in a spat with rival steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs Inc over a confidentiality pact that would allow the latter to participate in a sale process that is underway, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

U.S. Steel has not opened its books to Cliffs since announcing on Aug. 13 it will explore a sale, even as it accepts initial bids this week from other potential acquirers, because Cliffs will not agree to its conditions, the sources said.

Cliffs has refused to sign a six-month standstill agreement that would prevent it from challenging U.S. Steel's board of directors, because it wants to keep its options open as it pursues the company, the sources said.

U.S. Steel has made the standstill a condition to allowing Cliffs to carry out due diligence and participate in its sale process, the sources added. It has also told Cliffs that all bidders are being granted access to its sale process on the same terms, according to the sources.

Cliffs opened its books to U.S. Steel, given that close to half the value of its $7.1 billion offer is in stock, the sources said. Cliffs has also delivered letters to U.S. Steel from Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, UBS, MUFG and Truist Securities attesting to their commitment to fund its bid, the sources added.

The banks did not need to review U.S. Steels books to commit to a deal because of the merits of the potential combination, according to one of the sources.

Cliffs also did not need access to U.S. Steel's books to press ahead with its bid, but has tried to negotiate a confidentiality agreement so it can be part of the sale process, that source added.

U.S. Steel has said it has received interest from "multiple other parties" in a potential deal involving the entire company or some of its assets, but has not named them. Reuters has reported that ArcelorMittal is one of the parties that has been working on a potential bid for U.S. Steel.

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It remains unclear whether U.S. Steel will agree to a deal with any party. The sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters. Representatives for U.S. Steel and Cliffs declined to comment. ArcelorMittal did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Cliffs would break into the world's top 10 steel producers, which are mostly from Asia, should its bid for U.S. Steel succeed. Cliffs' commitment to keeping U.S. Steel's blast furnaces running has won it the support of United Steelworkers. The union's workers at U.S. Steel will only support Cliffs as an acquirer, its international president Thomas Conway has said.

Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves has said in interviews and earnings calls that criticism of blast furnaces' carbon emissions ignores that electric arc furnaces cannot make the steel many car makers want. U.S. Steel has been gradually transitioning to electric arc furnaces, which are cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.

U.S. Steel on Monday forecast third-quarter profit above Wall Street estimates and said each of its segments outperformed prior expectations, driven by a decline in raw material costs and higher prices for flat-rolled products. It said its forecast included the projected impact from the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, which has weighed both on U.S. Steel and Cliffs given that car makers are major customers.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis, Anirban Sen and David Carnevali in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq-CM: CODX) (the "Company" or "Co-Dx"), a molecular diagnostics company with a unique, patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests, announced today that Co-Diagnostics will be presenting at the Gilmartin Group Annual Emerging Growth Showcase.

Dwight Egan, Company CEO, will be participating in a fireside chat discussing Company progress on its forthcoming Co-Dx PCR Home platform on Thursday, September 21 at 11:00 AM ET. The discussion can be accessed virtually through the Events and Webcasts section of the Co-Diagnostics website.

The Co-Dx PCR Home platform is subject to FDA review and is not available for sale.

About Co-Diagnostics, Inc.:

Co-Diagnostics, Inc., a Utah corporation, is a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art diagnostics technologies. The Company's technologies are utilized for tests that are designed using the detection and/or analysis of nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA). The Company also uses its proprietary technology to design specific tests for its Co-Dx PCR Home platform and to locate genetic markers for use in applications other than infectious disease.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/co-diagnostics-inc-to-participate-in-gilmartin-group-annual-emerging-growth-showcase-on-sept-21-301934872.html

SOURCE Co-Diagnostics
Mastercard keeps detailed records of the spending habits of its credit card holders, which it then sells to third-party companies  often without customers' knowledge.

That's according to a report published Thursday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), which says that Mastercard has built a separate division dedicated to the selling of customer transaction data which has become a huge revenue stream for the global payments technology company.

The problem is that most consumers are not aware of the degree to which their data is being tracked and sold or that the sale of such personal data exposes them to identity theft and scams, in addition to "creepily invasive" advertising, the consumer advocacy group warns.

"Mastercard is so opaque about its data sales it's almost certain most cardholders don't realize what the company is doing with their data," R.J. Cross, policy analyst for U.S. PIRG, told CBS MoneyWatch.

The data Mastercard sells is "aggregated and anonymized," meaning third-parties don't have customers' individual information, according to the PIRG report. While that mitigates some of the consumer risks that come with data monetization, it does not prevent companies from "reaching people on an individual level based on data" or being bombarded with annoying ads, according to the consumer agency.

With that in mind, consumer advocates from nine organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Digital Democracy, sent a letter to Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach this week asking him to stop selling customers' data.

Mastercard, the nation's second largest credit card issuer, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from MoneyWatch Thursday.

Rise of data brokers

In the past decade, U.S. companies have come to realize there are big bucks in storing and selling the spending habits of customers. Companies involved in this practice have become known as data brokers.

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Data brokers sell consumer information they've collected to third-party marketers who then use the intelligence to build and push targeted ads to individuals based on their race, geography, age, education or other demographics.

The data-broker industry, which is expected to reach $462 billion by 2031, has come under increased scrutiny from Congress and regulators in recent years. Lawmakers have probed top executives of major tech companies, as well as smaller data brokers, for information about their handling of consumers' location data from mobile phones, and the steps they have taken to protect the privacy rights of individuals.

From card companies to car companies

To be sure, Mastercard isn't the only credit card company engaging in the practice. American Express sells data through third-party analytics company, Wiland, according to news site Marketing Brew. Visa, the nation's largest credit card issuer, sold its cardholder data for a period, but shut down its private data selling operation in 2021, Marketing Brew reported.

Cellphone companies also sell data that customers generate from using apps.

Automakers are also steeped in consumer data, Cross said. "Cars collect so much personal information it's shocking  and they are no stranger to data breaches, too," she said.

Advanced features on cars such as touch sensors, cameras and GPS, collect data from drivers and passengers that is often stored by the car company, according to Mozilla. Car manufacturers sell personal data that they're willing to share with government agencies or law enforcement without a court order, a Mozilla Foundation study published this month found.

In 2022, Google agreed to pay a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states in connection with an investigation by state attorneys general into how the company tracked users' locations. The investigation by the states found that Google continued to track people's location data even after they selected a privacy setting to block the company from doing so.

Cross said she recently applied for a Mastercard to see if the company gives customers the option to opt out of having their data sold to third parties.

"In all the materials I saw, none of them clearly stated what's happening and I never was given a box to check saying 'Yes, I consent to Mastercard selling my data,'" she said. In other words, "By default, just by having a Mastercard, your data is being sold," Cross said.
shapecharge / Getty Images

Whenever theres the threat of a government shutdown  and it seems to happen with increasing frequency these days  you can usually count on chatter about Social Security checks being stopped or delayed. Thats the case now, as lawmakers face a Sept. 30 deadline to either fund the government or shut it down.

Retirement Savings: 5 Expenses You Can Easily Cut, According to Experts

Learn: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

After being asked by readers about the possibility of Social Security payments being halted in the event of a government shutdown, the Verify fact-checking website reached out to several experts to see if thats the case.

First Year of Retirement: 2 Things To Save and 3 Things To Splurge On

Their answer?

No, Social Security payments will not be stopped  all beneficiaries will continue getting their checks as usual. But there are other problems that could impact Social Security if the shutdown lasts long enough.

As for the checks: Social Security benefits are among those that keep being paid during a government shutdown because theyre authorized by Congress in laws that do not need annual approval, David Wessel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told Verify.

Verify also reported that Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs fall under a mandatory spending category rather than discretionary spending  and mandatory spending programs continue to function during a government shutdown.

Government shutdowns typically mean that all but essential federal agencies stop their work, USA Today reported. Because Social Security is an essential agency, recipients will continue to get their checks during a shutdown.

But if the shutdown drags on long enough, it could still have negative consequences for 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.

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A shutdown would force beleaguered Social Security Administration employees to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends, he added. They would also be limited to performing only the most basic tasks.

Non-automated and non-exempted SSA operations would come to a screeching halt, Richtman wrote. Current work backlogs would begin to grow again. If that happens, seniors hoping to submit new Social Security claims, replace Social Security cards, or report a change in status may experience delays until the shutdown ends.

That will bring no joy to Social Security beneficiaries who already face customer service issues with the agency.

Earlier this year a group representing SSA employees issued a warning that the agencys staffing and funding crisis could lead to more Americans being denied the benefits they deserve.

The warning was given during a June 2023 gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., according to a 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 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.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Could Social Security Checks Be Stopped With a Government Shutdown?
NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunderfoot, an award-winning global marketing and creative agency with dual headquarters in New York City and Bilbao, Spain, today announced its rebranding as Terra .

Global digital marketing agency Thunderfoot has rebranded to Terra. The new brand will serve as a platform for the agencys next decade of growth.

Founded in 2013 as Longneck & Thunderfoot before transitioning to Thunderfoot in 2020, the company now boasts a team of over 50 marketers, creators, and developers located on four continents. A three-time honoree by Inc. as one of America's fastest-growing companies, the agency's work has been recognized by the Content Marketing Awards, Awwwards, the MarCom Awards, Orpetron, and the AVA Digital Awards. Additionally, their client roster includes well-known industry leaders such as Airbnb, AXA, Healthline, Publicis Groupe, and the United Nations.

The agency's Managing Partners, Cooper Pickett and Remy Bernstein, emphasized that the rebrand wasn't about presenting a "bigger and better" company. Instead, the goal was to craft an identity that encapsulates the impressive talent and capabilities of their team. "As a marketing agency, our own brand sets the standard for what we can offer clients," Pickett stated.

"We want every client to say, 'I want a brand as smart and engaging as yours,'" Bernstein added. "And we believe that we have built something to that standard."

The symbolism behind Terra extends beyond just a global client portfolio to the team itself, which communicates in six native languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Basque. "I am incredibly proud of our team's diversity and expertise and have always wanted to integrate a multilingual component into our brand," Pickett continued. "Our new identity sends a strong message of inclusivity, creativity, and what is possible when talented people from different backgrounds come together as a team."

The new brand will serve as a platform for the agency's next decade of growth  and expectations and spirits alike are high. "The future for Terra is ambitious, and our maximalist brand reflects that," Bernstein said. "We envision ourselves at the vanguard of creative marketing, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and turning novel ideas into digital realities. Our ethos is constant growth, which ensures our strategies are both cutting-edge and rooted in genuine human connection."

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Terra's coming-out party starts in earnest next week, where the company is a headline sponsor of the Design Matters Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

To learn more about Terra, visit terrahq.com or contact the Client Operations Lead, Daniel Bakare, at daniel@terrahq.com.

Cision

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SOURCE Terra
An analysis of the company's dividend history, yield, growth rate, and sustainability

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (EIM) recently announced a dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on 2023-09-29, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-21. 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 Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Funds dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

Understanding Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company. It consists of Municipal bond fund, California municipal bond fund, and New York municipal bond fund. The company's investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular federal income tax, alternative minimum tax, and taxes in specified states. Its investment strategy is to invest primarily in higher quality bonds.

Delving into Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's Dividend Performance

Tracing Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's Dividend History

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2002. Dividends are currently distributed on a monthly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Delving into Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's Dividend Performance

Analysing Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.55% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.26%. This suggests an expectation of decrease dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's annual dividend growth rate was 2.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to -0.60% per year. And over the past decade, Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -4.30%.

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Based on Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund stock as of today is approximately 4.42%.

Delving into Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's Dividend Performance

Assessing Dividend Sustainability: 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 2023-03-31, Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's dividend payout ratio is 0.00.

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's profitability 2 out of 10 as of 2023-03-31, suggesting the dividend may not be sustainable. The company has reported net profit in 6 years out of past 10 years.

Considering Growth Metrics for Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund's growth rank of 2 out of 10 suggests that the company has poor growth prospects and thus, the dividend may not be sustainable.

Conclusion

While Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund has consistently paid dividends, its negative growth rates and low profitability and growth ranks raise questions about the sustainability of its dividends. Investors should 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.


ZHENGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry is being held in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, from September 18th to 22nd. With the motto of "Gathering the advantages of the industrial chain and co-creating the future of the diamond material", the Conference invites the most influential scientists and entrepreneurs to give speeches and hosts high-end dialogues around the technological frontiers, industry trends and hot issues in the global field of artificial diamonds. At the same time, there will be activities such as the 2023 Grown Diamond Exhibition and the 2023 Grown Diamond Design Competition, according to the organizing committee.

The 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry kicked off in Zhengzhou, China.

China's artificial diamond sector started in 1963 and has been industrialized in Zhengzhou. After 60 years of development, it has been praised: "For Global diamonds, look to China; For Chinese diamonds, look to Henan." At present, China has become a major country in the global superhard materials industry, with artificial diamond production accounting for about 95% of the global total, of which 80% is produced in Henan. The Zhengzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone, the major cluster of Zhengzhou's artificial diamond industry, owns rich innovative resources such as listed companies, universities, and industry associations. Now, it is accelerating the construction of an internationally recognized and leading domestic artificial diamond industry base.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=442340

Caption: The 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry kicked off in Zhengzhou, China.

Cision

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SOURCE Organizing Committee of 2023 Conference on Diamond Industry
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.

Top 5 Upgrades:

Seaport Research upgraded Enphase Energy (ENPH) to Buy from Neutral with an $185 price target. The firm thinks as Enphase will benefit from ongoing share repurchases, continued robust growth in Europe's residential solar market and "a clear emergent recovery in U.S. residential solar installations" by mid- to late-Q2 of 2024.

Deutsche Bank upgraded Five9 (FIVN) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $80, up from $75, which represents 20% potential upside. The firm believes the company's momentum from recent bookings strength amid a favorable backdrop for cloud contact center spend is likely to reaccelerate Five9's revenue growth.

BofA upgraded Nutanix (NTNX) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $50, up from $39, as the firm sees fundamentals improving over the next few years and sees renewals driving a higher amount of ACV billings growth following FY24.

Truist upgraded International Paper (IP) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $43, up from $30. The firm is increasing its estimates and targets for all containerboard producers as it believes that the containerboard market is reaching a positive inflection point and poised for recovery due to improving demand from the end of destocking and increasingly balanced inventories.
FILE - A road cuts through a flooded area south of Perry, Fla., following the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Aug. 30, 2023. Florida agriculture losses from Hurricane Idalia are estimated at between $78 million and $371 million, with producers also suffering widespread damage to such infrastructure as irrigation rigs and fences. That's according to a preliminary report Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 from the University of Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Florida agriculture losses from Hurricane Idalia are estimated at between $78 million and $371 million, with producers also suffering widespread damage to such infrastructure as irrigation rigs and fences, according to a preliminary report Thursday from the University of Florida.

The Category 3 hurricane came ashore Aug. 30 along Florida's Big Bend region with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph (205 kph), sweeping across rural areas that include crops such as peanuts and cotton as well as cattle, poultry and aquaculture operations.

Predicted losses for livestock are pegged at between $30.1 million and $123.4 million, according to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences report. Estimates for field and row crop losses are between $30.7 million and $93.6 million, with greenhouse and nursery products accounting for between $4.7 million and $68.8 million.

Researchers said the wide ranges in these estimates will narrow as more on-the-ground assessments are completed. The storm's main farm impacts occurred in Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties in an area between the Gulf of Mexico and the Georgia state line. Four people in Florida were killed during the hurricane, according to medical examiner reports to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Each storm brings different windspeeds and rainfall, and even though our methods allow us to estimate a credible range of losses given certain characteristics of a storm, we still rely on first-hand reports to fully understand the losses and damages caused by a particular storm, said Xiaohui Qiao, a university research professor and data analyst.

The preliminary loss estimate does not include agricultural infrastructure, but the report found some of the worst losses were to irrigation systems, roofs blown off farm buildings and damage to fence lines. Researchers have difficulty calculating these losses initially using a variety of data sources and modeling because there isn't enough baseline data available from past storms.

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However, we do believe that Idalia will help us gather critical information to build this baseline data for future assessments, said Christa Court, assistant professor in the university's Food and Resource Economics Department.

Also Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced an assistance program targeted at repair or replacement of existing irrigation systems. The program offers a reimbursement rate of 75% up to a maximum of $150,000 per producer or entity except those covered fully by insurance, according to a news release.

Simpson said the program will support our hardest-hit growers who lost much of their 2023 crop and are now looking for ways to repair or replace hundreds of irrigation systems ahead of next growing season.

The university's report is one of several ways federal and state agencies determine how to distribute response and assistance in natural disasters such as hurricanes. A final report will be released in the coming weeks that will include county-by-county agricultural loss estimates.

Florida agriculture and related industries such as processing accounted for more than $270 billion in sales revenue and supported some 2 million jobs in 2022, the University of Florida estimated. Only the tourism industry is larger in Florida.
Transparency Market Research

The increasing global energy demand, particularly in emerging economies, presents opportunities for the expansion of artificial lift systems in new markets

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The artificial lift systems market was estimated to have acquired US$ 6.6 billion in 2018. It is anticipated to register a 5 % CAGR from 2019 to 2027 and by 2027, the market is likely to gain US$ 12.3 billion.



The key element driving the market for artificial lift systems is the data-driven decision-making. Software plays a pivotal role in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from artificial lift systems. Operators rely on software solutions to monitor well performance, identify issues, and make data-driven decisions for optimizing production.

The demand for artificial lift systems is also being driven by remote monitoring and control. Modern artificial lift systems are equipped with sensors and control systems that generate a wealth of real-time data. Software enables operators to remotely monitor and control these systems, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.

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=1954

Market Snapshot:

Report Coverage Details Estimated Value US$ 12.3 Bn Growth Rate - CAGR 5% Forecast Period 2019-2027 No. of Pages 176 Pages Market Segmentation By Component, System, Region Regions Covered North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Companies Covered Schlumberger Limited, Weatherford International Plc, Baker Hughes, a GE Company, Apergy Corporation, Borets International Limited, etc

Key Findings of the Market Report

By component, the software component segment of the market is expected to reach a value of ~US$ 2.6 billion by 2027-end.

The dominance of the software segment in the artificial lift systems market can be attributed to several major factors, including efficiency enhancement, cost reduction, remote field operations, and asset management. Safety and compliance, and historical data analysis are other major factors fueling the segmental growth.

By System, the sucker rod lift segment is anticipated to reach a value of ~US$ 5.1 billion by 2027, owing to the major factors such as proven technology, cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and energy efficiency.

Compatibility with deviated wells, as well as reliable artificial lift method are other factors driving the segmental growth.

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Market Trends for Artificial Lift Systems

Artificial lift systems are increasingly integrated with digital technologies and automation to enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote control, improving system performance and reducing downtime.

The ability to remotely monitor and control artificial lift systems through IoT (Internet of Things) platforms is gaining traction, allowing operators to optimize production from anywhere.

AI and machine learning are being utilized to analyze large volumes of data from artificial lift systems, providing valuable insights for predictive maintenance and operational optimization.



For Customization or Any Other Queries, Get in Touch with Our Industry Experts at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=1954

Global Market for Artificial Lift Systems: Regional Outlook

Various reasons are propelling the growth of the artificial lift systems market in different regions. These are:

North America

The abundant shale resources in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, have led to a significant increase in unconventional oil and gas production. Artificial lift systems are essential for optimizing production from shale wells, especially as reservoir pressure declines.

North America has a substantial number of conventional oil and gas fields that are reaching maturity. Artificial lift systems are crucial for extending the production life of these fields and maximizing recovery.

Ongoing advancements in artificial lift technologies, such as the development of high-efficiency electric submersible pumps (ESPs), smart pumping systems, and automation, are driving their adoption in North American oil and gas operations.



Asia Pacific

Many countries in Asia Pacific, such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia, have substantial oil and gas reserves. Exploration and production activities in both onshore and offshore fields are expanding, necessitating artificial lift systems for efficient reservoir recovery.

The region has a significant presence of offshore oil and gas fields in the South China Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Australian coast. Deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects require advanced artificial lift systems to overcome the challenges of high-pressure environments and maximize production.

Several mature oilfields in Asia Pacific require enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, including artificial lift systems, to maintain or increase production rates.



Global Artificial Lift Systems Market: Key Players

A few dominant firms hold the majority of the market share in the artificial lift systems 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 Artificial Lift Systems market:

Schlumberger Limited

Weatherford International Plc

Baker Hughes

a GE Company

Apergy Corporation

Borets International Limited

Superior Energy Services Inc.

National Oilwell Varco

Halliburton Inc.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Flowco Production Solutions

Novomet

OiLSERV



Partial Table of Content (ToC):

1. Executive Summary



1.1. Market Outlook

1.2. Key Facts and Figures

1.3. Key Trends

1.4. TMRs Growth Opportunity Wheel

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Segmentation

2.2. Market Indicators

3. Market Dynamics

3.1. Drivers and Restraints Snapshot Analysis

3.1.1.1. Drivers

3.1.1.2. Restraints

3.1.1.3. Opportunities

3.2. Porters Five Forces Analysis

3.2.1. Threat of Substitutes

3.2.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

3.2.3. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

3.2.4. Threat of New Entrants

3.2.5. Degree of Competition

3.3. Regulatory Scenario

3.4. Value Chain Analysis

3.5. List of Hardware Vendors  Artificial Lift Systems Market

3.6. List of Software Vendors  Artificial Lift Systems Market

3.7. Global Crude Oil Production Outlook, by Region, 2018

4. Digitalization in Artificial Lift Systems

4.1. Introduction

4.1.1. Strategic Investment

4.1.2. Joint Venture

4.1.3. New Product Development

4.2. Key Developments

4.3. Key Findings

4.4. Recent Developments and Successful Implementations

4.5. Comp Analysis, by Key Providers

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Key developments in the global artificial lift systems market are:

In 2023, Baker Hughes Company launched a new artificial lift system that uses gas lift and ESP technology together to improve production in challenging wells.

In 2023, Halliburton developed a new ESP system that is designed to operate in extreme temperatures and pressures.

In the same year, Schlumberger acquired Endeavor Energy Services, a leading provider of coiled tubing services. The acquisition expands Schlumberger's portfolio of artificial lift solutions.

In 2022, Weatherford awarded two five-year artificial lift contracts by Tatweer Petroleum in Bahrain.

In 2022, ChampionX acquired the US Rod and Patriot Pump, two leading providers of sucker rod pumps.



Global Artificial Lift Systems Market Segmentation

Component

Hardware (Pump, Motor, Cable System, Pump Jack, Sucker Rod, and Others)

Software

System

Electrical Submersible Pumping (ESP)

Sucker Rod Lift

Progressing Cavity Pumping (PCP)

Gas Lift

Hydraulic Pumping

Others (including Plunger Lift)

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:

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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.

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MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (AP)  Governments, organizations and businesses have set ambitious goals to combat climate change. But it is far from clear that those goals can be met without forcing people to do -- or not do -- certain things.

And that is causing some consternation, even among some people who acknowledge the need to slow the warming of the planet.

This week, New Jersey has gone into more detail about its climate change goals, including its proposed ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, and a push to decarbonize public and private buildings by switching from natural gas to electric heating and appliances.

It's part of an effort by the Democrat-controlled state to reduce its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.

Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner, hesitates to use the word mandate in describing the state's plans.

There are interests out there that tune into the narrative of heavy-handed government forcing people to do things, he said. That is not what is happening.

On Thursday, his agency held an online public hearing about its plan  required by state law  to adopt California's Clean Cars policy requiring car dealers to phase out the sale of internal combustion vehicles and end them by 2035.

And while nothing would stop someone from buying a new gasoline-powered car in another state and bringing it to New Jersey, or continuing to own and drive a gas-powered car they already own or purchase a used one, the move drew fire.

John Burzichelli, the New Jersey Assembly's former deputy speaker, opposes the move as a mandate.

I can tell you that the tone of New Jersey residents when they hear the word mandate, whether it be for the potential of gas stoves in their homes or how an automobile will be propelled, mandate is a word that concerns them," said Burzichelli, a Democrat currently running for the state Senate.

His family has two cars  one electric and one gas-powered.

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That's a choice I made, he said. "I think the marketplace will dictate what people buy.

Ray Cantor, with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, also decried mandates regarding gas-powered vehicles, saying the cost of a car woul be pushed beyond beyond the menas of many in the middle class, not just low-income people.

We should not be telling people, as California is, that your only solution if you are a low or moderate-income person, is to ride-share, or buy a bike or hope there will be an (electric) bus in your neighborhood," he said.

Many of the world's countries signed the Paris climate accords, obligating them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to certain levels.

Yet actions taken thus far are not nearly enough to meet the goal of holding the increase in global average temperatures to below 2C above pre-industrial levels. China and India, two of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters after the U.S., have pledged to reduce emissions, but still rely heavily on coal-fired power generating plants.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a five-year delay in banning new gas and diesel cars that was due to begin in 2030, citing the unacceptable costs of those climate goals on ordinary people.

In the U.S., states including Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine have adopted climate laws, and legislation is pending in Michigan.

Anjuli Ramos, New Jersey director of the Sierra Club, agreed that meeting climate goals requires urgent action. But she said New Jersey's steps are "not really a mandate.

This is us transitioning to where the market is already going, she said. It's not like the car police are going to go up and down the street taking away every gasoline-powered vehicle."

New Jersey banned single-use plastic bags at grocery and other stores in 2022, a step unpopular with many consumers but one environmentalists say drastically reduced pollution. Some environmental mandates like banning certain air condition coolants and lead in gasoline were once controversial but now are accepted.

New Jersey is also moving to decarbonize buildings by incentivizing a switch from gas-fired furnaces and stoves to electric appliances and heat pumps.

A document released Tuesday said that by 2050, at least 90% of the state's residential and commercial buildings must be electrified to meet New Jersey's clean energy and climate goals. Thus far it hasn't banned gas appliances in new construction like San Francisco and New York City have already done.

LaTourette, New Jersey's environmental commissioner, cited the 1970s when the Clean Water Act was approved by the federal government to stop many of the worst pollution practices.

The rivers were literally on fire and the air was orange at times, he said. We acted collectively as a government and said, Were not going to tolerate this.' Those statues did their job; the water is cleaner. We need to do the same thing for our climate.

___

Follow Wayne Parry on X, formerly known as Twitter, at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

Check out our latest analysis for Laurentian Bank of Canada

How Fast Is Laurentian Bank of Canada Growing?

If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. It certainly is nice to see that Laurentian Bank of Canada has managed to grow EPS by 22% per year over three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be beaming.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. It's noted that Laurentian Bank of Canada's revenue from operations was lower than its revenue in the last twelve months, so that could distort our analysis of its margins. It seems Laurentian Bank of Canada is pretty stable, since revenue and EBIT margins are pretty flat year on year. While this doesn't ring alarm bells, it may not meet the expectations of growth-minded investors.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

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While we live in the present moment, there's little doubt that the future matters most in the investment decision process. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for Laurentian Bank of Canada?

Are Laurentian Bank of Canada Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's said that there's no smoke without fire. For investors, insider buying is often the smoke that indicates which stocks could set the market alight. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. However, small purchases are not always indicative of conviction, and insiders don't always get it right.

One positive for Laurentian Bank of Canada, is that company insiders spent CA$62k acquiring shares in the last year. This might not be a huge sum, but it's well worth noting anyway, given the complete lack of selling.

Is Laurentian Bank of Canada Worth Keeping An Eye On?

For growth investors, Laurentian Bank of Canada's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. Growth in EPS isn't the only striking feature with company insiders adding to their holdings being another noteworthy vote of confidence for the company. In essence, your time will not be wasted checking out Laurentian Bank of Canada in more detail. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 1 warning sign for Laurentian Bank of Canada that you should be aware of.

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of Laurentian Bank of Canada, you'll probably love this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

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

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The United States is currently experiencing a significant shift in its housing market dynamics, according to MoneyTalksNews. A generation that has long been characterized as renters is now making its mark on the real estate landscape. In the MoneyTalksNews analysis, the millennial generation was approximated as being ages 25-44 as of 2022  the combination of the 25-34 and 35-44 age cohorts.

See: More Americans Can Afford To Buy a Home in These 20 Cities

Find: 5 Reasons the Housing Market is Reversing

From bustling cities to serene suburbs, millennials are redefining the map of homebuying in the United States.

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 74.4%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 10,112.

Median loan amount: $1,065,000.

This Silicon Valley tech hub offers high-paying job opportunities, making it an attractive destination for tech-savvy millennials. The desire to live and work near major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook is a significant factor driving home purchases in this area.

2. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 70.6%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 31,416.

Median loan amount: $615,000.

Seattles booming job market, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors, has led to a surge in millennial homeownership. The citys vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes and presence of tech giants like Amazon contribute to its popularity among young homebuyers.

3. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 70.6%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 24,698.

Median loan amount: $875,000.

San Franciscos proximity to Silicon Valley, rich cultural scene and stunning views make it a prime choice for millennials. Despite the high housing costs, many are willing to invest in the citys real estate market due to career opportunities and lifestyle benefits.

4. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 70.5%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 24,505.

Median loan amount: $425,000.

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Austins thriving tech scene, lower cost of living compared to tech hubs on the coasts, and vibrant music and cultural scene make it an appealing destination for millennials seeking career growth and a high quality of life.

5. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 67.4%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 27,521.

Median loan amount: $495,000.

Denver offers millennials a blend of outdoor recreational opportunities, a booming job market and a more affordable housing market compared to some coastal cities. The citys commitment to sustainability and its strong sense of community also appeal to this generation.

6. Salt Lake City, UT

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 67.1%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 8,355.

Median loan amount: $455,000.

Salt Lake Citys robust job market, access to outdoor activities, and affordable housing options are major draws for millennials. The citys growing tech sector and quality of life contribute to its popularity.

7. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 67.0%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 27,977.

Median loan amount: $515,000.

Bostons concentration of world-renowned universities and hospitals, along with a diverse job market, attracts millennials looking for career advancement and educational opportunities. The citys rich history and cultural scene are added bonuses.

8. Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 65.5%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 5,378.

Median loan amount: $215,000.

Buffalo offers affordable housing and a sense of community that appeals to millennials seeking a more laid-back lifestyle. The citys proximity to the Great Lakes and its growing healthcare and technology sectors contribute to its attractiveness.

9. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 65.4%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 34,434.

Median loan amount: $325,000.

Philadelphias rich history, diverse job opportunities, and relatively affordable housing market make it an appealing choice for millennials. The citys vibrant neighborhoods and cultural attractions also contribute to its popularity.

10. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin

Millennial share of home purchase loans: 65.4%.

Total millennial home purchase loans: 29,552.

Median loan amount: $325,000.

The Twin Cities offer a balance between career opportunities, affordability, and a high quality of life. Millennials are attracted to the regions strong job market, education options, and recreational activities.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Housing Market 2023: Heres Where Millennials Are Buying Homes Throughout the US
One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX:S63).

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity.

See our latest analysis for Singapore Technologies Engineering

How Is ROE Calculated?

Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Singapore Technologies Engineering is:

20% = S$546m  S$2.7b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this is that for each SGD1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made SGD0.20 in profit.

Does Singapore Technologies Engineering Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Singapore Technologies Engineering has a superior ROE than the average (7.8%) in the Aerospace & Defense industry.

roe

That's clearly a positive. With that said, a high ROE doesn't always indicate high profitability. Especially when a firm uses high levels of debt to finance its debt which may boost its ROE but the high leverage puts the company at risk. Our risks dashboardshould have the 2 risks we have identified for Singapore Technologies Engineering.

How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?

Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used.

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Combining Singapore Technologies Engineering's Debt And Its 20% Return On Equity

Singapore Technologies Engineering clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 2.27. While its ROE is pretty respectable, the amount of debt the company is carrying currently is not ideal. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.

Summary

Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE.

But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.
INCHEON, KOREA, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under the leadership of the newly appointed President Lee Hak-Jae, Incheon International Airport is setting forth on a renewed path, crafting various strategies to encourage collaborative growth with business partners including logistics companies and airlines.





Enhancing Customer Convenience through Advanced Infrastructure

Currently, the Incheon International Airport Free Trade Zone includes an airport logistics complex and cargo terminal areas, offering a competitive environment to clients through efficient customs procedures, duty-free benefits, and a range of incentives.

Companies situated in this zone enjoy the freedom to conduct manufacturing, logistics, and trade activities without hindrance, alongside perks such as reduced rental fees and deferred customs duties.

Currently, the freight terminal houses eight cargo buildings, three air freight warehouses, four specialized processing facilities, and two customs bonded areas, establishing a solid foundation for a logistics hub.

Furthermore, Incheon International Airport is actively involved in the development of a modern cargo terminal and is pioneering autonomous cargo towing technology to enhance its operational efficiency and sophistication. This initiative is expected to significantly upgrade the logistics services available to customers.

Moreover, the airport administration is focusing on expanding transportation options to facilitate customer convenience. Plans are underway to add new transportation methods, including additional bus services, to ensure easier access to the logistics complex.

Expanding Collaborative Marketing with Clients

Incheon International Airport is also investing effort in amplifying the marketing activities of its client companies. Recently, the airport partnered with Jeju Air to host a 'Joint Information Session to Boost Air Cargo Volume in the Vietnam Region'. The two-day event, held from May 31 to June 1 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, targeted logistics stakeholders in the region.

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As a vital component of the airport's ongoing 'Air Cargo Incentive Program' aimed at increasing air cargo volume, this initiative successfully attracted approximately 150 representatives from 61 Vietnamese forwarding and logistics firms, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response.

Looking ahead, Incheon International Airport plans to hold joint information sessions with FedEx later this year and initiate online marketing campaigns in collaboration with China Airlines and UPS. Through continuous discussions, the airport plans to broaden its collaborative marketing efforts with an increasing number of clients in the near future.

Customized Support for Stimulating Growth in New Cargo Sectors

Incheon International Airport is actively striving to enhance cargo volume, with a primary focus on extending substantial support to emerging growth sectors in the cargo industry, aiming to significantly increase the overall throughput.

Recently, Incheon International Airport achieved a world-first by obtaining CEIV certification in three key growth areas: perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and lithium batteries. This achievement underscores the airport's commitment to engaging with companies in these fields, understanding customer requirements and offering tailored support.

In the perishable goods sector, the airport is actively collaborating with organizations such as the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Simultaneously, in the pharmaceutical sector, it is in discussions with leading companies such as Celltrion and Samsung Biologics to optimize logistics and transportation processes. Plans are also in the works to initiate a collaboration with the Korea Biomedicine Industry Association (KoBIA).

Collaborating with Leading Global Logistics Companies

To foster mutual growth with its clients, Incheon International Airport is enhancing its infrastructure in collaboration with prominent global logistics firms.

The airport has established a partnership with FedEx, a foremost company in air cargo handling, to further develop the air cargo logistics sector. In addition, the airport is intensifying its business relationship with DHL, following the recent expansion of its cargo terminal.

Opened in October 2022, the FedEx terminal emerged as a landmark project constructed using the Build-to-Suit (BTS) model and subsequently leased. This significant collaborative project involved investments of 53.5 billion KRW from Incheon International Airport and 40.5 billion KRW from FedEx. This approach entails the construction of the cargo terminal by Incheon International Airport, with operations overseen by the user.

DHL has been operating a cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport since 2007. The recent expansion project amplified the facility's size from 19,000 m2 to 58,000 m2, significantly increasing the hourly express cargo handling capacity from 8,100 to over 20,000 units.

Furthermore, Incheon International Airport maintains continuous interactions with global logistics companies, aspiring to achieve mutual growth through sustained collaborations.

Lee Hak-Jae, the President of Incheon International Airport, emphasized, "Incheon International Airport will continue its collaborations with international logistics companies to enhance the infrastructure, laying a strong foundation to leap forward as the leading logistics hub in Northeast Asia."

Media Contact

Brand: Incheon airport

Contact: Logistics Marketing Team

Email: hphong@airport.kr

Website: https://www.airport.kr/

SOURCE: Incheon airport




Potential SilverBow Resources, Inc. (NYSE:SBOW) shareholders may wish to note that the Independent Chairman of the Board, Marcus Rowland, recently bought US$370k worth of stock, paying US$37.00 for each share. We reckon that's a good sign, especially since the purchase boosted their holding by 97%.

See our latest analysis for SilverBow Resources

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At SilverBow Resources

In fact, the recent purchase by Marcus Rowland was the biggest purchase of SilverBow Resources shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of US$34.40. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Marcus Rowland was the only individual insider to buy during the last year. We note that Marcus Rowland was also the biggest seller.

You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. SilverBow Resources insiders own about US$24m worth of shares. That equates to 2.8% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

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So What Do The SilverBow Resources Insider Transactions Indicate?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Given that insiders also own a fair bit of SilverBow Resources we think they are probably pretty confident of a bright future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. For example, SilverBow Resources has 4 warning signs (and 2 which don't sit too well with us) we think you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions 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.
Potential Ricardo plc (LON:RCDO) shareholders may wish to note that the Chairman, Mark Clare, recently bought UK103k worth of stock, paying UK5.13 for each share. However, it only increased shareholding by a small percentage, and it wasn't a huge purchase by absolute value, either.

See our latest analysis for Ricardo

Ricardo Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Notably, that recent purchase by Mark Clare is the biggest insider purchase of Ricardo shares that we've seen in the last year. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK5.10. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months Ricardo insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership

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. From what we can see in our data, insiders own only about UK570k worth of Ricardo shares. It's always possible we are missing something but from our data, it looks like insider ownership is minimal.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Ricardo Tell Us?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. However, we note that the company didn't make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. While the overall levels of insider ownership are below what we'd like to see, the history of transactions imply that Ricardo insiders are reasonably well aligned, and optimistic for the future. 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. You'd be interested to know, that we found 1 warning sign for Ricardo and we suggest you have a look.

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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.
Multiple insiders secured a larger position in Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:B) shares over the last 12 months. This is reassuring as this suggests that insiders have increased optimism about the company's prospects.

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 Barnes Group

Barnes Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by President Thomas Hook for US$1.3m worth of shares, at about US$38.09 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of US$35.67. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

In the last twelve months Barnes Group insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Barnes Group is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

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. It appears that Barnes Group insiders own 4.5% of the company, worth about US$82m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Barnes Group Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Barnes Group shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Barnes Group insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. 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. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for Barnes Group that deserve your attention before buying any shares.

But note: Barnes Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions 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.
Many American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) insiders ditched their stock over the past year, which may be of interest to the company's shareholders. When analyzing insider transactions, it is usually more valuable to know whether insiders are buying versus knowing if they are selling, as the latter sends an ambiguous message. However, shareholders should take a deeper look if several insiders are selling stock over a specific time period.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for American Express

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At American Express

The insider, Monique Herena, made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$2.6m worth of shares at a price of US$173 each. While we don't usually like to see insider selling, it's more concerning if the sales take place at a lower price. It's of some comfort that this sale was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is US$157. So it is hard to draw any strong conclusion from it.

All up, insiders sold more shares in American Express than they bought, over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

I will like American Express better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Insider Ownership Of American Express

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. American Express insiders own 0.1% of the company, currently worth about US$161m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At American Express Tell Us?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded American Express shares in the last quarter. It's great to see high levels of insider ownership, but looking back over the last year, we don't gain confidence from the American Express insiders selling. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions 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.
Intesa Sanpaolo

Intesa Sanpaolo: Circular Economy in Locatelli's Photos at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin

Intesa Sanpaolo: Circular Economy in Locatelli's Photos at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin

A mine in Norway turned into a data centre, harnessing the coolness of the underground and sea waters; a nuclear reactor transformed into an amusement park; Ligurian basil cultivated underwater

TURIN, Italy, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A mine in Norway turned into a data centre, harnessing the coolness of the underground and sea waters; a nuclear reactor transformed into an amusement park; Ligurian basil cultivated underwater. These are some of the stories showcased in the exhibition Luca Locatelli: The Circle, which will open its doors to the public on September 21 at the Gallerie d'Italia of Intesa Sanpaolo in Turin. The exhibition, scheduled to run until February 18 and curated by Elisa Medde, guides the audience through 18 stories in 10 European countries (6 stories are set in Italy), documented by Locatelli during his journey into the circular economy in Europe.



Supporting the photographer in his work is Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo, with specialised support from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "We must take responsibility for the planet," emphasised the president of the Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo, Gian Maria Gros-Pietro. "I was deeply struck by the urgency with which we must respond to the situation. In half a century, he continued, we have reduced the planet's biodiversity by more than half. This change, which has occurred in 50 years versus the estimated 3.5 billion years since life has existed on the planet, when compared to a 24-hour day, is equivalent to little more than a thousandth of a second. This gives us an idea of the extreme urgency to change the way we are impacting the planet. According to Gros-Pietro, Intesa Sanpaolo shares the responsibility of guiding the European economy towards a positive and sustainable evolution. To achieve this, there needs to be a shift from linear production models, which turn resources into products and then into waste, to circular economy models that ensure the recoverability of materials and resources. However, this requires changing the scientific principles on which products are based, altering their design, and all production cycles, which requires substantial investments that must be socially sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate this need, and for us, art is a very important tool to this end.

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Locatelli, who won the World Press Photo in 2020, travelled across Europe for two years, looking for innovative circular economy projects. The Circle, he explained, is an exhibition that embraces the culture of change and circularity, which is the most suitable cultural approach to restore balance with our planets natural resources.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/048d9a35-6238-4801-a3d8-5f53e50f0df3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66700b3e-7d9b-4b76-bc31-f8719bee056a




Kelloggs MBA Class of 2025 in comprised of 48% women. Kellogg photo

We see it time and time again: A low GPA is not an insurmountable hurdle to admission to an elite MBA program. That fact was reinforced again today (September 21) with the release of Northwestern Kellogg School of Managements MBA Class of 2025 profile.

Kelloggs new class bears all the hallmarks of its avowed commitment to diversity: 42% of the domestic population are U.S. students of color, 13% are in the first generation in their families to pursue an advanced degree, and 9% are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Forty-eight percent are women, once again putting Kellogg among the global leaders in the MBA enrollment of women.

But undergraduate GPA is where applicants can really find hope in their quest to join an elite M7 program. Once again this year, an applicant (possibly more than one) earned admission to the Kellogg School with a sub-3.0 GPA  this year that low was 2.8, up from 2.6 last year and 2.4 in the 2021 intake.

NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG BY THE NUMBERS 2020-2023

Northwestern Kellogg Class of 2025 Class of 2024 Class of 2023 Class of 2022 Class Size 529 503 508 559 Women 48% 48% 49% 40% Internationals 39% 38% 36% 26% Underrepresented Minorities 19% 23% 23% NA LGBTQ+ 9% 8.2% NA NA First-Generation Students 13% NA NA NA Countries NA NA NA 48 Mean GPA 3.70 3.70 3.70 3.60 GPA Range 2.8-4.0 2.6-4.0 2.4-4.0 2.5-4.0 Mean GMAT 731 729 727 727 GMAT Range 620-780 620-780 630-780 640-770 Median GRE Verbal 163 162 162 163 Median GRE Quant 163 163 165 163

AFTER CAMPAIGN, SCHOOL-RECORD 19% OF CLASS HAILS FROM TECH

Second only to the pandemic-inflated intake of 2020, this years MBA class is among the largest in Kellogg history at 529 students, up 26 seats from last year. And a near-record number of those seats are taken by international students, who comprise 39% of the class, up 1 percentage point from last year and just shy of the 40% from 2015.

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Another near-record: Graduate Management Admission Test average, which Kellogg reports as 732, almost certainly good enough to keep Kellogg in the company of schools with the highest average scores and second in school history only to the MBA Classes of 2019 and 2020, both of which notched 732. This years class GMAT range is 620-780, which at the lower end is among the lowest reported by the school  and, like GPA, another source of solace for the bright student who perhaps doesnt test well.

One class record did fall in 2023: the number of students who hail from the tech industry. Thats 19%, up from 17% last year, a direct result of Kelloggs efforts in late 2022 and early 2023 to court workers in the tech industry who had been laid off en masse during the industrys historic downsizing.

Kellogg continues to emphasize building a diverse community across many dimensions  including a broad spectrum of lived experiences, demographics, perspectives from around the world and career focus  to ensure a breadth of viewpoints and strengths in each class. Emily Haydon, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, writes in a blog. She points to individual students, among them one who contributed to corporate efforts to assist millions of Floridians during Hurricane Ian in September 2022; another who led a national campaign with one of Indias public policy think tanks to ensure the well-being of 29 million senior citizens during Covid-19; and one who performed an emergency procedure on a patient with a brain aneurysm rupture and supported post-operation care using novel techniques.

This years class reflects the empathetic, collaborative spirit so core to Kellogg, Haydon continues. These traits are identified in our admissions process and nurtured throughout the student journey.

Source: Northwestern Kellogg

NEW STUDENTS HAIL MOSTLY FROM CONSULTING INDUSTRY

Like most B-schools in recent years, Kellogg reports its adherence to two methods of reporting race and ethnicity in its MBA class profiles, using both Federal Reporting Guidelines as advised by the Graduate Management Admission Council, and Multi-Dimensional Reporting, which allows students to select multiple categories of race and ethnicity if they identify with those categories. This means if a student identifies as both Black and Asian, he or she is counted in both the Black and Asian categories under Multi-Dimensional Reporting, as opposed to being classified as multi-racial under Federal Guidelines Reporting. In Multi-Dimensional Reporting, Kelloggs minority cohort is 19%, a few points down from last year, while according to the federal standard it is 42%. In the former measure, the class is 7% Black and 24% Asian; in the latter, 6% Black and 20% Asian. In both measures, the class is comprised of 10% Hispanic/Latinx students.

The new Kellogg MBA class has the same average length of work experience as its immediate predecessor: 62 months. Aside from its huge cohort of techies, new students hail mostly from consulting (26%, up from 24%) and financial services (19%, same as last year). Those with experience in the government/education/nonprofit, consumer products, and healthcare/biopharmaceuticals sectors all comprise between 3% an 5% of the new class.

Business majors comprise 50% of the Kellogg Class of 2025, up from 45%, while STEM majors are 38%, same as last year. Those with humanities majors are 25%, up from 24%.

Source: Northwestern Kellogg

DONT MISS WHARTON MBA CLASS OF 2025: APPS FALL AGAIN, BUT PENN REACHES PARITY FOR A 3RD STRAIGHT YEAR and KELLOGG MBA CLASS OF 2024: GPA, GMAT & INTERNATIONALS ALL UP

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(Bloomberg) -- The seemingly low-stakes world of text and email customer messaging revealed some big fortunes Wednesday, as marketing technology firm Klaviyo Inc. began trading in New York.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Andrew Bialecki founded the Boston-based company in 2012 and it grew rapidly, attracting investors including Summit Partners, Lone Pine Capital and Shopify. Klaviyos $30-a-share offering price valued it at more than $9 billion based on its fully diluted share count.

The stock rose 9.2% Wednesday to close at $32.76 in its trading debut.

Thats set to make Bialecki, 37, very rich. He still owns about one-third of Klaviyo, making him the companys largest shareholder, a stake worth $3.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Born into a family of small business owners, Bialecki calls himself a proponent of ownership and independence.

My advice to founders: Raise as little as you need and prove some traction with customers, Bialecki told Inspired Capitals Alexa von Tobel in a 2022 podcast. Once you do that, fundraising for the rest of your life gets a lot easier.

Read more: Shopify-Backed Klaviyo Draws BlackRock to $518 Million IPO

After studying physics, astronomy, and astrophysics at Harvard University, Bialecki joined retail analytics firm Applied Predictive Technologies as an engineer. He later worked at marketing software companies Performable and Rocktech Digital before starting Klaviyo, which enables businesses to create targeted marketing campaigns, track customer behavior, and analyze their performance.

He was joined by Ed Hallen, an MIT graduate who also worked at Applied Predictive Technologies and is now the companys chief product officer. Hallen, 41, owns a stake in Klaviyo worth $1.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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Bialecki and Hallen have already begun cashing in on their companys success. Bialecki sold almost $30 million of stock in a repurchase program in 2020, while Hallen sold shares worth $90 million between 2020 and 2021.

Klaviyo had net income of about $15 million on revenue of $321 million for the first six months of 2023, compared with a loss of $25 million on revenue of $208 million for the same period last year. Its initial public offering raised $576 million.

In its prospectus, Klaviyo says efficiency is part of our DNA. Of the $455 million in primary capital it had raised before the companys IPO, the company says it spent only $15 million in the operation of its business.

Klaviyo joins a mini-wave of companies going public in September, including Instacart and Arm Holdings Plc, ending the longest lull in US listings since the financial crisis.

We believe in aiming long-term, getting close to the customers and being a disciplined company, Bialecki said in a Bloomberg Television interview Wednesday. I am excited for public shareholders, and to have them.

(Updates with closing share price.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Korea's Blockchain Developments Set To Impact Institutional Finance

Korea Investment & Securities has taken a major step in the blockchain industry by creating the first infrastructure for issuing token securities. Known as Korea Investment ST Friends, the consultative body developed a system to handle all processes for issuing and redeeming token securities.

The infrastructure runs on a cloud platform, allowing it to adapt as regulations evolve for this nascent asset class. The system integrates with existing securities trading infrastructure through proprietary technology developed by Korea Investment & Securities. Patent applications are in progress for innovations like smart contract dividends, distributed ledger deposits for instant trades, and personal information protections.

[Translated] We expect this issuance infrastructure to be an important inflection point in the process of incorporating distributed ledger technology into institutional finance. We will strive to discover high-quality assets that reflect investor demand while establishing a stable system and protecting investors. Choi Seo-ryong told Decenter.

In Busan, the city government is also building a blockchain mainnet to consolidate services using different networks onto one local platform. The goal is better interconnectivity and quality of private services by defining requirements for performance, security, and technical standards. A digital asset exchange corporation will launch in Busan this November after a public selection process. The chosen consortium will outline detailed plans at November's BWB 2023 event, with full operations targeted for 2024. At first, the exchange won't support virtual assets or token securities, focusing instead on blockchain trading of assets like precious metals.

Both the securities token issuance platform and Busan's blockchain mainnet exemplify Korea's leadership in institutional blockchain adoption. The developments are expected to improve investor protections and interconnectivity while creating a robust "Blockchain City" in Busan centered around its digital asset exchange. Meanwhile, the Busan Blockchain Alliance will announce 100 participating companies at BWB 2023. The city aims to encourage the overseas expansion of blockchain innovators proven in its regulation-free zone.
Systemic therapy approved for second-line treatment of adults with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) demonstrates effectiveness in routine clinical practice.

TOKYO, September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd, today announced the acceptance of an extensive programme of data to the annual meeting of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancers Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumour Group (EORTC-CLTG), taking place from the 21st  23rd of September 2023 in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Four studies across a range of European countries, the USA and the UAE, aim to collect robust evidence in a real-world clinical setting for Poteligeo (mogamulizumab), the first-in-class humanised monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy approved in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS) who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.

Danie du Plessis, Executive Vice President of International Medical Affairs, Kyowa Kirin, commented: "The studies presented at EORTC-CLTG demonstrate our long-term commitment to expand the evidence base for the effectiveness of mogamulizumab in real-world settings. Our ongoing research programme in CTCL extends across a wide geographic area, recognising the patient perspective, clinical endpoints and the diversity of healthcare systems, all part of our ambition to improve outcomes for those affected by mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome."

Data from OMEGA (France) represents the first published real-world evidence generated by KKI regarding the effectiveness of mogamulizumab. OMEGA, a completed, retrospective, real-world, non-interventional observational study, described real-world effectiveness and tolerability of mogamulizumab in patients with MF and SS.

Alongside the data from OMEGA, interim data from two of the other studies  MINT (Germany) and MIBERIC (Spain and Portugal)  support the effectiveness of mogamulizumab in real-world clinical practices and are in line with efficacy and safety data demonstrated in global clinical trials. Across all three trials no new safety signals were seen. The fourth study  PROSPER (USA, UAE, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, UK)  is an ongoing study investigating the impact of mogamulizumab in patients with MF and SS from the patient perspective assessing symptoms and health-related quality of life, as well as impact on their primary care partners, also in the real-world clinical setting.

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Professor Chalid Assaf, Director of the Department of Dermatology, HELIOS Klinikum Krefeld, and lead author of the MINT study, commented: "CTCL can have a severely detrimental impact on patients health-related quality of life, with sometimes far-reaching consequences for those living with the disease as well as their families. The real-world evidence being generated by Kyowa Kirin raises the standard of information available to those involved in treating mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome helping to inform decisions that support optimal patient care."

Table 1. Overview of mogamulizumab study programme for presentation at EORTC-CLTG

Trial Name and Presentation Type Lead Author Abstract Title OMEGA (oral abstract) Prof. Marie Beylot-Barry, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, France Efficacy and tolerability of mogamulizumab in patients with Mycosis Fungoides or Sezary syndrome. Retrospective and real-world data from centres of the French Study Group of Cutaneous Lymphoma MINT (oral abstract) Prof. Chalid Assaf, Helios Hospital, Germany Mogamulizumab in patients with mycosis fungoides or Sezary syndrome: Interim analysis of the German non-interventional MINT study MIBERIC (poster) Prof. Pablo Ortiz Romero, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Spain Real-world effectiveness of mogamulizumab in patients with Sezary syndrome or mycosis fungoides in Spain and Portugal: The MIBERIC study PROSPER (poster) Prof. Julia Scarisbrick, University Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom A Real-World International Observational Study of Mogamulizumab in Adult Patients with Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome (PROSPER study NCT05455931)  UK

To view the full press release, click here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920145186/en/

Contacts

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

Media

Stacey Minton

Email: Stacey.Minton@kyowakirin.com
A view shows the Tesla logo on the hood of a car in Oslo

By Tom Hals

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - A legal team that forced Tesla's directors to agree in July to return more than $700 million in compensation to the automaker for allegedly overpaying themselves are now seeking a huge payday of their own.

The lawyers want a judge to approve $229 million in fees, or $10,690 an hour, according to a Sept. 8 filing in Delaware's Court of Chancery.

The proposed fee award, if approved, would be among the largest ever to result from a shareholder lawsuit filed against a board. The sum would be distributed among lawyers from four firms that spent several years building a case against the compensation paid to Tesla's directors from 2017 to 2020.

The legal fee and the settlement must be approved by a Delaware judge at a hearing scheduled for October.

The 12 director defendants, including James Murdoch and Larry Ellison, agreed to return $735 million in compensation, forego another potential $184 million and overhaul the way the board determines director pay. The money from the settlement will be paid to Tesla and benefits shareholders indirectly, a type of case known as a derivative lawsuit.

The law firms estimate the total settlement value at $919 million and are seeking 25% of that as fee. They are also seeking about $1 million in expenses.

Partners and other staff from the law firms of Bleichmar Fonti & Auld and Fields Kupka & Shukurov, both of New York, each billed more than 10,000 hours on the case. McCarter & English attorneys and staff in Wilmington, Delaware and Ronald King, a Lansing, Michigan-based attorney with the Clark Hill firm, also billed hundreds of hours.

George Bauer of the Bleichmar firm declined to comment and attorneys from the other firms did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Courts review fee requests by examining the need to reward risk-taking and effort while preventing a disproportionate windfall that can undermine confidence in the legal system, said David Paige, the founder of Legal Fee Advisors, a consulting firm.

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Paige said it was difficult to compare lawyers' bills across different types of contingency-fee cases, but he called the Tesla plaintiffs' request "extraordinary" compared to hourly rates that top out around $2,000 for star corporate attorneys. Paige said the court will ultimately have to assess the size of the fee against the benefit of the litigation.

The Telsa directors have not objected to the fee request but are expected to do so, according to a court filing by the plaintiffs' lawyers.

Attorneys for the directors did not respond to a request for comment.

Delaware courts have approved higher hourly rates. In 2012, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed a $304 million fee in a Southern Copper shareholder lawsuit involving $2 billion of damages. The fee worked out to $35,000 an hour, and the defendants opposed it. The state's high court said judges should examine the outcome achieved, not the hourly rate.

The Delaware Court of Chancery judge overseeing the Tesla case, Kathaleen McCormick, has scheduled a hearing on Oct. 13 to approve the settlement and the fee. Tesla shareholders have until Friday to file an objection.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; editing by Amy Stevens and Marguerita Choy)
Alorica's Newest Site to Meet Growing Talent Demand, Ensure Business Continuity and Empower the Local Economy

IRVINE, Calif., September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alorica Inc., a global leader in customer experience solutions, has opened its newest location in odz, Poland. The latest example of their ambitious geo-diversification plan, the company has invested in Poland as an integral part of its service expansion, based on its multilingual capabilities, highly skilled talent, and progressive digital investments.

Earlier this year, Alorica announced its expansion in EMEA, with launches in Poland and Egypt, in addition to its existing operations in Sofia, Bulgaria. This investment targets high-growth markets with scalable talent, leveraging innovative technologies to engage employees and customers through work-at-home and onsite programs. The companys experienced team offers CX design, deployment and operations in over 30 languages, to leading companies across a range of in-demand industries.

Matt Sims, President of EMEA Operations at Alorica, emphasized the benefits that the new office brings to businesses seeking global expansion. "Our scalable and flexible solutions enable companies to globalize their business, especially with our strong and expansive language support. We provide customized delivery capabilities based on longstanding operational expertise and global best practices," he said.

With the launch of its new site, Alorica plans to hire hundreds of locals in the area for both onsite and remote careers. Spanning over 4,700 square meters across two floors, the new officewhich is strategically located in the REACT building near Galeria Lodzkboosts capacity to accommodate 650 employees to start and offers attractive amenities, accessible transportation and surrounding retail stores to help promote economic development and promising career prospects for the local workforce.

Leading the operations at our new odz location is Polands Site Director Kamila Wozniakowska, a odz native with an impressive 14-year tenure in the BPO industry. "Kamila's journey began in operations as an agent, and her extensive industry knowledge is complemented by her expertise in operations and project management. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded business improvement projects in high-velocity settings and has adeptly managed digital transformation operations and relationships with key clients. Her local roots and industry acumen make her an invaluable asset to both Alorica and the odz community," said Sims.

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The centralized new location is efficiently equipped to accommodate both on-site and work-at-home options, catering to a multicultural and multilingual team. This investment underscores Alorica's commitment to contributing to the region's progress in becoming a world-class business hub. Alorica Poland has already begun forging strategic partnerships locally to bolster talent acquisition in the country through collaborations with industry associations and leading educational institutions. These partnerships enable the company to recruit top-tier professionals, contribute to enriching the local economy and fostering community development. Last year alone, Alorica promoted over 5,000 team members in which more than half were women, which led to the company earning an award for Achievement in Developing & Promoting Women.

"Alorica is a well-recognized global CX provider that Im excited to help lead here in my country as the company continues to grow across EMEA," said Kamila Wozniakowska, Alorica Polands Site Director. "Not only does Alorica stand out for its industry-leading solutions, but also for its award-winning culture. As the largest family-founded and minority-owned BPO, Alorica is deeply rooted in its commitment to diversity, inclusivity and vision to make lives better for its employees, customers and local communities. This includes supporting team members professional development, leading corporate social responsibility initiatives and focusing on environmental sustainability efforts."

As a testament to its customer-centric dedication, Alorica has recently been named a finalist in the ECCCSAs Awards for Best BPO partnership. This accolade highlights the importance Alorica places on partnerships with its customers, ensuring that each collaboration is tailored to meet specific needs and deliver exceptional results.

About Alorica

Alorica creates insanely great digital customer experiences at scale. Our team of 100,000 solutionists, technologists and operators partner with global brands and disruptive innovators to deliver digitally-charged, tailored interactions customers crave. With a track record of creating long-term loyalty, Alorica brings actionable insights, proven processes and CX leadership to transform clients business needs, whether theyre focused on digital optimization, customer engagement or market expansion. Through strategic partnerships with best-in-breed technology, we design, integrate and optimize digital solutions personalized to reach clients most desired outcomes now and for the future. Alorica drives CX innovation for the best clients around the globe from its award-winning operations in 17 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.alorica.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921858274/en/

Contacts

Ana Oliveira, Alorica

+351 910 086 170 / Ana.Oliveira@Alorica.com
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From September 6th to 8th, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and the 26th ASEAN-China Summit were held in Jakarta. During these events, four proposals were presented to build a stronger ASEAN-China community with a shared future. As part of the sustainable development segment of the summit, LONGi was invited to participate in the Indonesia Sustainable Development Forum and engaged in in-depth discussions with local government officials, multinational organizations, enterprises, civil society organizations, and associations on key driving factors and opportunities for decarbonization and sustainable economy.

LONGi has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with strategic partners PT Adaro, PT Medco, and PT Energi Baru TBS to supply advanced modules for multiple projects in Indonesia. Utilizing LONGi's manufacturing expertise, the partners aim to enhance power generation capabilities and meet customer needs. Furthermore, LONGi will explore local solar module production facilities and participate in Singapore's EMA 4GW electricity procurement project through the INSPIRA consortium, a collaboration formed by the three strategic partners to export green energy to ASEAN countries.

Frank Zhao, LONGi's Head of Asia Pacific, expressed his pride in partnering with PT Adaro, PT Medco, and PT Energi Baru TBS, highlighting the strong mutual trust between the companies. Their shared goal is to support Indonesia's energy transition, and LONGi will continue to provide affordable, high-efficiency, and reliable photovoltaic modules.

During a high-level roundtable discussion at the forum, Frank shared his insights on energy transformation. He emphasized the global concern regarding climate issues and the decreasing cost of renewable energy as driving forces behind the energy transition. LONGi firmly believes that photovoltaics will play a pivotal role in the long-term "dual carbon" strategy, and through technological innovation and cost reduction, they are committed to making solar energy accessible to all.

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Despite the fact that coal and oil account for over 70% of the country's energy supply, the Indonesian government acknowledges the transformative potential of solar photovoltaic power generation and plans to add a substantial 66 GW of solar capacity by 2030. LONGi is committed to dedicating substantial resources and working closely with strategic partners to unlock the prospects offered by this promising market.

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/en

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/longi-signs-loi-to-foster-sustainable-development-in-indonesia-301934358.html

SOURCE LONGi
Key Insights

Viva Energy Group's estimated fair value is AU$3.08 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With AU$2.88 share price, Viva Energy Group appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for VEA is AU$3.32, which is 7.7% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Viva Energy Group Limited (ASX:VEA) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. 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.

View our latest analysis for Viva Energy Group

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To 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:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$128.0m AU$236.0m AU$350.0m AU$381.0m AU$404.1m AU$423.7m AU$440.7m AU$455.7m AU$469.3m AU$481.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.07% Est @ 4.85% Est @ 4.00% Est @ 3.40% Est @ 2.98% Est @ 2.69% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 9.7% AU$117 AU$196 AU$265 AU$264 AU$255 AU$244 AU$231 AU$218 AU$205 AU$192

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$2.2b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. 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 9.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$482m (1 + 2.0%)  (9.7% 2.0%) = AU$6.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$6.4b ( 1 + 9.7%)10= AU$2.6b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$4.7b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$2.9, the company appears about fair value at a 6.6% 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

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Viva Energy Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.528. 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 Viva Energy Group

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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 Viva Energy Group, we've put together three additional factors you should explore:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Viva Energy Group you should know about. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for VEA's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies leading the Luxury Goods Market are LVHM (France), Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (Switzerland), Kering SA (France) , Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Hong Kong), The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (U.S.), Luxottica Group SpA (Italy), The Swatch Group Ltd. (Switzerland), LOreal Group (France), Ralph Lauren Corporation (U.S.), Shiseido Company, Limited (Japan), and more players profiled.

Luxury Goods Market

Luxury Goods Market

Pune, India , Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global luxury goods market size was valued at USD 272.74 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow from USD 284.00 billion in 2023 to USD 392.40 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.

Luxury products signify the status symbol of an individual. Businesses focus on high-income populations with visually appealing designs and technology-integrated products. For instance, NFC-installed chips in jewelry; a product called Verselux was created by Cathy Hackl in March 2023. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in its report titled "Global Luxury Goods Market, 2023-2030."

Get a Sample Research PDF:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/luxury-goods-market-103866

List of Key Players Profiled in the Luxury Goods Market:

LVHM (France)

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (Switzerland)

Kering SA (France)

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Hong Kong)

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (U.S.)

Luxottica Group SpA (Italy)

The Swatch Group Ltd. (Switzerland)

LOreal Group (France)

Ralph Lauren Corporation (U.S.)

Shiseido Company, Limited (Japan)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 4.7% 2030 Value Projection USD 392.40 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 272.74 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 210 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Product Type

By End - User

By Distribution Channel

By Region Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Luxury Goods Market Growth Drivers Rising Number of Wealthy Population to Boost Market Expansion The inclination toward Sustainable Products to Offer Market Growth Opportunities

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/luxury-goods-market-103866

Segments:

Fast Fashion Trend Increases Demand for Clothing Segment

By product type, the market is categorized into watches & jewelry, perfumes & cosmetics, clothing, bags/purses, and others. Fast fashion trends and demands from both men and women led the clothing segment to hold a significant market share.

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Inclination Toward Grooming by Women to Increase Demand for Luxury Items

By end-user, the market is divided into men and women. The women segment dominates the market due to availability of numerous luxury products such as bracelets, cosmetics, earrings, fragrances, and handbags.

Online Channel to Hold Largest Share due to Greater Convenience in Purchasing

Based on distribution channel, the market is bifurcated into offline and online. Due to the presence of stores and shops, customers can touch and feel the product, which allows the offline segment to hold a significant market share.

Geographically, the market is studied across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.

Report Coverage:

The report offers:

 Major growth drivers, restraining factors, opportunities, and potential challenges for the market.

 Comprehensive insights into regional developments.

 List of major industry players.

 Key strategies adopted by the market players.

 Latest industry developments include product launches, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.

Drivers & Restraints:

Increasing High-net Worth Population to Spur Demand

An increasing population with high net worth drives the market for luxury goods. Businesses selling luxury goods concentrate on Gen-Z and millennial audiences by offering customized products. Around 2,153 billionaires have more wealth than 60% of the global population, which is 4.6 billion, according to the data published in January 2020 by Oxfam International.

On the contrary, purchasing or renting second-hand luxury products hinders the luxury goods market growth.

Get a Quote Now:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/luxury-goods-market-103866

Regional Insights

Increasing Disposable Income of Individuals in Asia Pacific to Augur Market Growth

Asia Pacific holds the largest luxury goods market share due to its growing population and peoples high disposable income. The availability of luxury items is another factor contributing to the regions market growth.

Due to the presence of large players in the region, the luxury items market in Europe holds substantial share.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players Focus on Acquisitions to Sustain Position

Major companies in the market maintain robust product portfolios to maintain their position in the market. Partnerships, acquisitions, and new product developments are prioritized by luxury item companies to maintain dominance.

COVID-19 Impact:

Low Product Demand during Pandemic Harmed Market Growth

Reduced salaries and loss of jobs during the pandemic made it difficult for the population with low-wages to purchase luxury products. Travel restrictions globally lowered the demand for luxury goods available at cruises and airports at duty-free shops.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/luxury-goods-market-103866

Detailed Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Overview of the Parent Market Industry SWOT Analysis Recent Industry Developments Supply Chain & Regulatory Analysis Qualitative Analysis (In Relation to COVID-19) Impact of COVID-19 on the Market Supply Chain Challenges Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Global Luxury Goods Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Product Type Watches & Jewelry Perfumes & Cosmetics Clothing Bags/Purses Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-User Women Men Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Distribution Channel Offline Online Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa



TOC Continued!

Key Industry Developments:

November 2022: Estee Lauder Companies, Inc., a global cosmetics maker, acquired Tom Ford, a luxury footwear, handbags, and accessories brand, to expand its business in the Chinese luxury beauty products industry.

Read Related Insights:

Cosmetics Market to Hit USD 417.24 Billion by 2030 | With a CAGR of 4.2%

Perfume Market Size to Worth USD 69.25 Billion by 2030 | With a 5.36% CAGR

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Key Insights

Malakoff Corporation Berhad's significant private companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

50% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders

37% of Malakoff Corporation Berhad is held by Institutions

Every investor in Malakoff Corporation Berhad (KLSE:MALAKOF) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 39% stake, private companies possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Institutions, on the other hand, account for 37% of the company's stockholders. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Malakoff Corporation Berhad.

Check out our latest analysis for Malakoff Corporation Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Malakoff Corporation Berhad?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Malakoff Corporation Berhad. 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 Malakoff Corporation Berhad's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Malakoff Corporation Berhad. The company's largest shareholder is Indra Cita Sdn Bhd, with ownership of 38%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 12% and 10%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 2 shareholders collectively control more than half of the company's shares, implying that they have considerable power to influence the company's decisions.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Malakoff Corporation Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

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 Malakoff Corporation Berhad insiders own under 1% of the company. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. It appears that the board holds about RM16m worth of stock. This compares to a market capitalization of RM3.0b. We generally like to see a board more invested. However it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 12% stake in Malakoff Corporation Berhad. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 39%, of the Malakoff Corporation Berhad stock. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Malakoff Corporation Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Malakoff Corporation Berhad (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Matthew McConaughey had to shut down his film production company, record label back in 2008  and then his whole life changed. Here's what happened and the 3 big lessons you can learn from it

Matthew McConaughey may be rich and famous, but as his star rose in Hollywood, his focus on what really mattered to him started to fade.

I had eight proverbial campfires on my desk every morning, the Dallas Buyers Club star recently said on the podcast of self-help guru Ryan Holiday.

In the past few years, McConaughey has done a lot more than just win an Oscar. He ran a record label, a production company and a charity to help teens thrive. But back in 2008, he realized that he was spread too thin.

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So he shut down the label and production company and focused on just three things: spending time with his family, working on his charity and acting in other peoples films. And that changed his entire output.

I was kind of making C's in everything, McConaughey admits, comparing his situation to stretching yourself too thin in school. When I got rid of five classes and focused on three, I started making As."

This isnt just good life advice, its also sound financial advice. It can be hard to know where to zone in your financial efforts with so many conflicting goals. Heres how to figure out how to make your money alright, alright, alright by taking a page from Matthew McConaugheys script.

Secure your income

Back in the early 2000s, McConaughey almost exclusively starred in romantic comedies, like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Ghosts of Girlfriend Past. As he explained to The Guardian, there was some strategy at play in this: Romcoms paid enough that he could later afford to take on less lucrative, but more personally interesting roles.

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And so when McConaughey was offered a choice between two very different roles with very different paychecks  $15 million to star in a Magnum, P.I. remake or $200,000 to star in Dallas Buyers Club  he was in a position to turn down the eight-figure salary, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It was this move that both clinched him his first Oscar and transformed him into an A-list star  complete with the salary to back it up. Puck reported that McConaughey received a fee in the mid-seven figures for his recent role in childrens movie Sing 2.

McConaughey told the Guardian back in 2012 that hed always considered himself a serious actor. But, as in most industries, he had to prove his chops before hed be handed anything. If, like McConaughey, you know what you want but its not quite within reach, ask yourself what its going to take to get there. Whether that involves going back to school or changing careers, use money as a tool to help you get there.

Consider starting an opportunity fund (as opposed to an emergency fund) that you contribute regularly to so when the time comes for you to decide between another blockbuster or your Oscar-award winning film, youll have enough of a nest egg to pick the project that youre most passionate about, rather than the most lucrative one.

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

Give back

As he gained fame and fortune, McConaughey wanted to give back. So, along with his wife Camila, they created the just keep livin Foundation to help teens across the country make healthy choices and lead active lives, as the charitys website explains.

While its important to think of your own financial security, if you can afford to help others, there are a number of benefits to charitable giving. First, itll make you happy. A 2022 study from lending platform Happy Money looked at the subjective well-being of participants whod reported donating to charity over the past month and 60% had higher levels of happiness.

Whats more, the study found that those who donate to charity experienced levels of happiness equivalent to earning $36,000 more income  or a near 6% increase in happiness.

So whats important to you? You may not be as interested in youth physical activity as McConaughey, but perhaps causes like financial literacy or the environment are closer to your heart. Once you find your passion area, you can start supporting a charity that aligns with your interests. Your donation wont only make you smile, you might also qualify for a nice tax deduction.

Remember your purpose

McConaugheys top priority is his wife, Camila Alves, and their three children, according to People. He told the publication he does everything for them and considers his kids his living legacy.

When youre in it, its easy to forget why youre hustling in the first place. But without a purpose, your goals lack substance. Even personal finance adviser Ramit Sethi would warn you theres such a thing as saving too much and living too little.

Whats your why for all this hard work and financial planning? To spend more time with family? To pursue your dreams? Dont let yourself get lost in the hustle and bustle and miss out on experiences youll never get back.

In the words of one of McConaugheys characters, Rust Cohle from True Detective: Lifes barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 21, 2023 / Today, the Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) commented on a ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) (OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, Consol. Ct. No. 21-219), which remanded the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) injury finding back to the ITC for reconsideration.

CIT appeals are common in trade remedy cases, and in most cases remanded to the ITC for reconsideration, the original finding of injury is affirmed. In OCP S.A. et al. v. United States, the CIT remanded on one specific factual issue out of many that the ITC relied upon. Neither the ITC nor the U.S. Department of Commerce have thus far changed anything from their earlier determinations, and as a result, countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers remain in effect with no changes to the rates applied at the border.

"The basic facts that led to countervailing duties on imports from Morocco and Russia remain unchanged," said Joc O'Rourke, Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to participate actively before the agencies and the courts to defend the original findings."

About The Mosaic Company

The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single-source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com.

Contacts:

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: The Mosaic Company





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/786194/mosaic-provides-an-update-on-recent-countervailing-duty-ruling




Rob Hainer / Shutterstock.com

As the pursuit of higher education continues to shape the aspirations of countless individuals across the United States, understanding the financial landscape of college tuition becomes increasingly crucial in order to make the best financial decision.

Check Out: All of the States That Will Pay Off Your Student Loans

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In order to help our readers in college or interested in pursuing higher education, GOBankingRates conducted a comprehensive study on the average in-state tuition at public colleges across the U.S. You might be surprised (or not) to discover that New England states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire have the most expensive tuition, while Southern states have the least.

Keep reading to learn more insights into the varying economic demands of obtaining a college degree nationwide.

Alabama

Average yearly cost of public college: $20,993

Most expensive public college: Auburn University, $25,092

Least expensive public college: Auburn University at Montgomery, $16,266

Notably, Alabamas private school higher education offerings showcase a wide expense gap, with Spring Hill College being the most expensive private school at $55,930 and Selma University being the least expensive at $14,335.

Alaska

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,185

Most expensive public college: University of Alaska Anchorage, $19,966

Least expensive public college: University of Alaska Fairbanks, $18,978

Alaska experienced a substantial 13% rise in college costs from the 2019 to 2021 academic years, highlighting the volatility of education expenses and one of the largest year-over-year college expense increases on this list.

Arizona

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,681

Most expensive public college: University of Arizona, $26,021

Least expensive public college: Northern Arizona University, $23,002

In Arizona, private four-year universities such as International Baptist College offer tuition rates ($18,450) lower than the least expensive public school.

Story continues

Arkansas

Average yearly cost of public college: $18,262

Most expensive public college: University of Arkansas, $20,714

Least expensive public college: University of Arkansas at Monticello, $14,968

Arkansas experiences minimal year-over-year tuition changes. There is a wide gap in the cost of private colleges though, with Hendrix College at $60,060 and Arkansas Baptist (the cheapest private school) at just $17,586.

California

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,015

Most expensive public college: University of California, Berkeley, $31,445

Least expensive public college: California State University: Fresno, $17,548

Berkeley is one of the most expensive public four-year colleges across the United States, and this state features one of the widest ranges in private school tuition, ranging from $77,696 (Scripps College) to $17,920 (Northwestern Polytechnic University). Scripps is the most expensive private four-year school in America.

Colorado

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,288

Most expensive public college: Colorado School of Mines, $33,273

Least expensive public college: Adams State University, $18,200

Colorado features the second most expensive public four-year college on this list: Colorado School of Mines. When it comes to private tuition, this state features some high rates, with the least expensive private school, Naropa University, starting at $43,128. Private tuition on average is 65% more than public.

Connecticut

Average yearly cost of public college: $28,425

Most expensive public college: University of Connecticut, $30,484

Least expensive public college: Central Connecticut State University, $23,636

Connecticuts average private tuition is more than double the average public tuition, with Wesleyan Universitys tuition costing $76,070 and marking this states most expensive school. Mitchell College, the least expensive private school, has higher tuition ($47,550) than nine states most expensive private colleges.

Delaware

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,862

Most expensive public college: University of Delaware, $27,488

Least expensive public college: Delaware State University, $20,242

Although Delawares most expensive private four-year university tuition is higher than the public school costs in this state, Wesley Colleges tuition is lower than most on this list, at $38,620.

Florida

Average yearly cost of public college: $15,543

Most expensive public college: University of South Florida, $18,246

Least expensive public college: Florida Gulf Coast University, $16,006

Floridas public four-year state school is affordable, with the most expensive private school (University of Miami) costing $69,152 and the least expensive (Baptist College of Florida) at $16,312.

Georgia

Average yearly cost of public college: $18,711

Most expensive public college: Georgia Institute of Technology, $24,772

Least expensive public college: South Georgia State College, $12,520

While private schools like Paine College are less expensive than the states most expensive public college, with tuition falling at $22,257, the majority of private schools in this state are more expensive than public. The most expensive private school in Georgia is Emory University, which features a tuition of $71,570.

Hawaii

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,012

Most expensive public college: University of Hawaii at Manoa, $25,252

Least expensive public college: University of Hawaii at Hilo, $17,770

Hawaii presents unique dynamics, as Brigham Young University-Hawaii offers private education at a lower cost than public colleges ($13,600) but Hawaii Pacific University features the highest private school tuition at $48,560.

Idaho

Average yearly cost of public college: $16,518

Most expensive public college: Boise State University, $19,314

Least expensive public college: Lewis-Clark State College, $14,662

In Idaho, students benefit from the nations most affordable private university tuition at Brigham Young University-Idaho, costing just $8,576. The College of Idaho commands the highest private tuition in this state, reaching $43,455. But that is still quite low compared to most states top private schools.

Illinois

Average yearly cost of public college: $26,252

Most expensive public college: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, $27,314

Least expensive public college: Western Illinois University, $21,466

The University of Chicago stands as the costliest four-year private university in Illinois, demanding tuition of $77,556. That trumps the most expensive private school in every state but California (Scripps). The least expensive private university in the state, Lincoln Christian University, offers tuition ($21,154) lower than the least expensive public institution.

Indiana

Average yearly cost of public college: $20,572

Most expensive public college: Ball State University, $20,890

Least expensive public college: Purdue University Northwest, $15,578

The University of Notre Dame tops the list as the most expensive private school, with tuition at $73,683, while Martin University offers the least expensive private education, at $23,860.

Iowa

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,788

Most expensive public college: University of Iowa $20,275

Least expensive public college: University of Northern Iowa, $18,098

Divine Word College in Iowa offers a private four-year university experience for less than the least expensive public school in this state. At this college, tuition falls at $17,560. In contrast, the most expensive private college is Grinnell College, which costs $70,544.

Kansas

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,082

Most expensive public college: University of Kansas, $21,516

Least expensive public college: Fort Hays State University, $13,798

Kansas witnessed a significant 4.5% year-over-year tuition increase in private schools from 2019 to 2021. Manhattan Christian College is the cheapest at $25,712, but that is still expensive relative to the cheapest private schools in every state.

Kentucky

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,317

Most expensive public college: University of Kentucky, $25,570

Least expensive public college: Kentucky State University, $14,390

Alice Lloyd College offers the second-least expensive private school tuition on this list, charging just $9,030  $5,360 less than the least expensive public university in the state. On the other hand, Centre College boasts the most expensive private tuition in Kentucky, amounting to $55,470.

Louisiana

Average yearly cost of public college: $20,031

Most expensive public college: Louisiana State University, $24,238

In Louisiana, year-over-year private university tuition costs increased by 4.7% from 2019 to 2021. Louisiana College offers the most affordable private tuition at $23,146. Tulane is the most expensive, costing $75,084.

Maine

Average yearly cost of public college: $20,677

Most expensive public college: Maine Maritime Academy, $24,778

Least expensive public college: University of Maine at Fort Kent, $16,864

Private four-year university experiences come at a higher cost in Maine. Even the least expensive private college, Husson University, costs $29,163. Additionally, the most expensive private college in the state, Colby College, charges $74,725 for attendance.

Maryland

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,380

Most expensive public college: St. Marys College of Maryland, $28,719

Least expensive public college: Coppin State University, $17,106

Marylands private schools average $58,134  among the 10 most expensive states for private tuition. Johns Hopkins University features the most expensive private education at $74,310, while the least expensive private school, Washington Adventist University, charges $34,416.

Massachusetts

Average yearly cost of public college: $28,317

Most expensive public college: University of Massachusetts Boston, $31,515

Least expensive public college: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, $13,535

Massachusetts has easily the most expensive private schools in America, averaging over $65,000 per year. Private schools in this state cost an average of 132% more than public universities. The most expensive private institution, Amherst College, costs $76,800, while the least expensive, Boston Baptist College, is much more affordable at $19,600.

Michigan

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,777

Most expensive public college: University of Michigan, $27,554

Least expensive public college: Saginaw Valley State University, $21,225

In Michigan, while public school tuition increased by 3% from 2019 to 2020, private school tuition in this state jumped by 5%. The least expensive private school (Great Lakes Christian College) costs $26,020, and the most expensive private college (Albion College) charges $63,155.

Minnesota

Average yearly cost of public college: $21,858

Most expensive public college: University of Minnesota, $25,385

Least expensive public college: Southwest Minnesota State University, $17,306

Among Minnesotas private institutions, Carleton College tops the list with a tuition of $74,499, while Martin Luther College is the least costly at $22,900.

Mississippi

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,221

Most expensive public college: Mississippi State University, $19,388

Least expensive public college: Mississippi Valley State University, $14,907

The most expensive private institution, Millsaps College, charges $55,524, while Rust College offers the most affordable private education at $14,200.

Missouri

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,394

Most expensive public college: University of Missouri, $23,712

Least expensive public college: Missouri Southern State University, $13,699

Private tuition in Missouri has gone up by 4.6% since 2020 and now sits at $38,798. Washington University in St. Louis is the costliest, charging $74,788 per year. Calvary University costs just $16,656.

Montana

Average yearly cost of public college: $16,931

Most expensive public college: Montana State University, $17,772

Least expensive public college: Montana State University Billings, $11,905

Montana experiences a relatively modest difference in private and public tuition. Carroll College is the most expensive private institution at $47,524.

Nebraska

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,352

Most expensive public college: University of Nebraska, $21,196

Least expensive public college: Wayne State College, $15,136

In Nebraska, there is a wide range of private education costs, with Creighton University featuring a tuition of $54,618 and Bellevue University offering a year for $18,510. When it comes to public universities, the costs can range from $15,136 to $21,196.

Nevada

Average yearly cost of public college: $18,065

Most expensive public college: University of Nevada Las Vegas, $19,628

Least expensive public college: University of Nevada Reno, $19,300

Sierra Nevada University tops the private tuition list at $49,333  a public university will cost around $19,000.

New Hampshire

Average yearly cost of public college: $29,222

Most expensive public college: University of New Hampshire, $31,180

Least expensive public college: Plymouth State University, $25,790

New Hampshire private colleges have seen a shocking 39% decrease in tuition. Dartmouth College falls at the high end of private college tuition, at $77,131 and Southern New Hampshire University is the cheapest at just $22,780.

New Jersey

Average yearly cost of public college: $28,335

Most expensive public college: New Jersey Institute of Technology, $31,574

Least expensive public college: William Paterson University of New Jersey, $25,270

Stevens Institute of Technology is the most expensive private school, at $72,196, while the least expensive, Bloomfield College, charges $43,330.

New Mexico

Average yearly cost of public college: $17,113

Most expensive public college: University of New Mexico, $17,646

Least expensive public college: Eastern New Mexico University, $13,845

In New Mexico, the public colleges feature tuition ranging from $13,843 to $17,646. The University of the Southwest is the cheapest private university, costing $24,570, and St. Johns College is the most expensive at $49,270.

New York

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,231

Most expensive public college: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, $27,415

Least expensive public college: SUNY College at Old Westbury, $20,118

New Yorks private schools are 141% more expensive on average than its public universities. Among New York private universities, Columbia University stands as the most expensive, at $76,920. The least expensive is Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim-Lubavitch, which costs $11,200.

North Carolina

Average yearly cost of public college: $17,779

Most expensive public college: University of North Carolina, $20,487

Least expensive public college: Elizabeth City State University, $12,484

Duke University is the most expensive private school, at $76,270, while Carolina University (formerly Piedmont International) offers the least expensive private education, at $19,900.

North Dakota

Average yearly cost of public college: $18,057

Most expensive public college: University of North Dakota, $19,280

Least expensive public college: Mayville State University, $13,924

The most expensive private school is the University of Jamestown, which charges $31,814. The least expensive, Trinity Bible College, charges $9,550.

Ohio

Average yearly cost of public college: $22,860

Most expensive public college: Miami University, $30,034

Least expensive public college: Ohio State University at Mansfield, $16,184

Ohio features one of the most affordable private colleges on this list: Allegheny Wesleyan costs just $10,400. On the other hand, the most expensive private university in this state is Oberlin College, coming in at $75,888.

Oklahoma

Average yearly cost of public college: $17,283

Most expensive public college: University of Oklahoma, $22,757

Least expensive public college: Cameron University, $11,902

The most expensive private school in this state, the University of Tulsa, costs $57,117; the least expensive, Randall University, charges about the same as the University of Oklahoma, $22,700.

Oregon

Average yearly cost of public college: $24,517

Most expensive public college: University of Oregon, $26,202

Least expensive public college: Eastern Oregon University, $19,401

Oregons private universities have seen a 6.5% increase in cost from 2019 to 2021 and have a vast range. The most expensive, Reed College, carries a tuition of $75,600, while the least expensive, Gutenberg College, costs just $19,650.

Pennsylvania

Average yearly cost of public college: $26,040

Most expensive public college: Temple University, $31,936

Least expensive public college: East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, $20,100

Pennsylvania public tuition decreased by 5% from 2019 to 2021. Private tuition ranges from $76,826 (University of Pennsylvania) to $28,900 (Keystone College).

Rhode Island

Average yearly cost of public college: $26,946

Most expensive public college: University of Rhode Island, $27,076

Least expensive public college: Rhode Island College, $21,972

Colleges in Rhode Island are expensive across the board. Private schools cost an average of 129% more than public, with Brown University being the most expensive at $76,504 and the New England Institute of Technology offering the least expensive private education at $46,050.

South Carolina

Average yearly cost of public college: $23,181

Most expensive public college: Clemson University, $26,534

Least expensive public college: University of South Carolina Aiken, $18,706

Private schools cost about 62% more in South Carolina, ranging from $65,454 at Furman University down to $11,444 at W.L. Bonner Bible College.

South Dakota

Average yearly cost of public college: $17,177

Most expensive public college: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, $19,540

Least expensive public college: Sinte Gleska University, $8,490

South Dakota features one of the most affordable schools for public college on this list, but the state saw a 5% increase in private tuition from 2019 to 2021. The most expensive is Augustana University, at $44,500, and the cheapest is University of Sioux Falls, which costs $27,220.

Tennessee

Average yearly cost of public college: $20,639

Most expensive public college: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, $24,746

Least expensive public college: University of Tennessee at Martin, $16,144

Although the average yearly cost of public college in Tennessee is $20,639, this states least expensive private college starts at $17,296 (LeMoyne-Owen College). On the high end of private universities is Vanderbilt, which costs $71,828.

Texas

Average yearly cost of public college: $18,325

Most expensive public college: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, $28,323

Least expensive public college: West Texas A&M University, $15,884

Although the costs of Texas public universities decreased by 2% from 2019 to 2021, this states private universities increased by about 4%. Texas private schools feature a significant expense gap, ranging from $75,650 for Southern Methodist University to $14,406 for Southwestern Christian College.

Utah

Average yearly cost of public college: $14,653

Most expensive public college: University of Utah, $21,510

Least expensive public college: Weber State University, $11,951

Utah is a state that features some of the most affordable public education on this list, with a yearly average of under $15,000. Private university ranges from $47,568 (Westminster College) to $13,376 (Brigham Young University).

Vermont

Average yearly cost of public college: $30,752

Most expensive public college: University of Vermont, $31,718

Least expensive public college: Northern Vermont University, $24,498

Both public and private university education costs in Vermont increased by nearly 4% from 2019 to 2021; going to college in this state will come at a hefty price. The cost of a private school averages $63,371, the second-highest in America behind Massachusetts. This state also features a vast cost gap when it comes to private university tuition, with Bennington College costing the most at $75,539 and Goddard College being the cheapest at $18,836.

Virginia

Average yearly cost of public college: $25,761

Most expensive public college: College of William and Mary, $36,554

Least expensive public college: Virginia State University, $20,698

Attending college in Virginia is expensive. The College of William and Mary is the most expensive public school in America. With the least expensive public college in this state costing $20,698, attending a private university can be cheaper as Virginia University of Lynchburgs tuition falls at $18,400. However, private university tuition in this state is as high as $73,095 (Washington and Lee University).

Washington

Average yearly cost of public college: $21,027

Most expensive public college: University of Washington, $24,761

Least expensive public college: Eastern Washington University, $19,931

Private schools in Washington are among the most expensive in America, averaging over $54,000 a year. The least expensive private university is Bastyr, where annual tuition costs $35,370. The most expensive is Whitman College, where fees are $69,768.

West Virginia

Average yearly cost of public college: $19,312

Most expensive public college: West Virginia State University, $20,775

Least expensive public college: Fairmont State University, $17,362

West Virginia marks another state that offers public college education for an average annual cost of under $20,000. Private schools are pretty affordable, relative to most states, with expenses ranging from $23,362 (Appalachian Bible College) to $42,760 (Bethany College).

Wisconsin

Average yearly cost of public college: $17,875

Most expensive public college: University of Wisconsin at Madison, $22,283

Least expensive public college: University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, $14,603

While this states most expensive public college falls at $22,283, the least expensive private university (Maranatha Baptist University) costs $23,960 and the most expensive (Beloit College) is $63,036.

Wyoming

Average yearly cost of public college: $14,584

Most expensive public college: University of Wyoming, $16,018

Although Wyoming doesnt feature any private colleges, this city offers an array of community college and public college opportunities for students. Plus, the cost of pursuing a degree at a public school in this state actually decreased by over 2% from 2019 to 2021.

Methodology: In order to find how much college costs in every state, GOBankingRates found various factors to determine the average costs and the most and least expensive schools. The average costs of in-state, out-of-state, public colleges and private colleges for each state were sourced from the Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics. Using this data, GOBankingRates was able to calculate a year-over-year change in costs. To find the most and least expensive public and private schools, GOBankingRates used the Chronicle of Higher Education Tuition and Fees to find each states most expensive in-state public school, most expensive private school, least expensive public school and least expensive private school, as well as the costs associated with each school in each state. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Aug. 28, 2023.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much College Costs in Every State
Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) is soaring through turbulence, oscillating between the gravity of its disappointments and the lift of its potential.

Its ambitious financial targets are under threat, with 737 deliveries stalling and defense projects in jeopardy. Yet, against this cloudy backdrop, sunbeams of hope emerge through booming aviation markets in China and Vietnam.

The aerospace titan finds itself in a complex balancing actgrappling with geopolitical intricacies, an impressive yet languishing MAX series and Wall Street's cautiously optimistic stance.

The disappointing reality





In November 2022, Boeing set ambitious goals, aiming for a free cash flow (FCF) of $3-5 billion in 2023 and $10 billion between 2025 and 2026. The main drivers were supposed to be increased production of the 737 and overcoming supply chain difficulties in its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) division.

However, the company has underperformed on both fronts. The latest update revealed 737 deliveries are likely to be at the lower end of the estimated range of 400-450 for 2023, due partly to manufacturing issues from fuselages supplied by Spirit AeroSystems. This is the second setback this year, making the full-year guidance increasingly unlikely.

On the defense side, BDS struggles with supply chain and labor issues. The segment also faces hurdles in de-risking fixed-price programs and improving profitability, with 25% of its legacy programs still underperforming.

August scorecard: Challenges in 737 MAX offset by robust wide-body deliveries

































In August, Boeing's performance presented a mixed bag with some bright spots amidst challenges. On the one hand, the company faced production issues from its supplier Spirit AeroSystems, affecting the delivery of its 737 MAX airplanes, which is soft.

However, this was partially offset by a robust flow of wide-body deliveries, including five Boeing 767stwo of which were base aircraft for the KC-46A tankerand three Boeing 767-300Fs for FedEx Express (FDX), as well as three Boeing 777Fs and four Boeing 787s.

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Despite these issues, the overall August delivery numbers remained stable year-over-year at 35 airplanes. Interestingly, the value of these deliveries increased from $2.5 billion last year to $2.9 billion this year, suggesting a favorable delivery mix and higher volume.

Year-to-date, Boeing has shown signs of recovery, delivering 344 airplanes valued at $24.7 billion, a 24% increase in deliveries and a 36% increase in delivery value compared to the same period last year.





























Silver linings: China and Vietnam deals





President Biden recently welcomed a "landmark" $8 billion deal between Boeing and Vietnam Air for 50 MAX jets. This signals international faith in Boeing's technology and provides a much-needed shot in the arm for the beleaguered company.

Undoubtedly, China plays a vital role in Boeing's medium and long-term growth strategies. With rising air travel in China, the country will need more airplanes. Boeings Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) predicts that China will need 8,560 new commercial airplanes through 2042.

Approving deliveries of the stored 737 MAXs earmarked for Chinese airlines could be the fastest way for Beijing to meet its growing travel demands. Recent reports suggest that some Chinese airlines have already started using 737 MAXs stored on Chinese soil for commercial flights, pointing towards an impending normalization of Boeing-China relations.

Furthermore, Chinas aspirations to manufacture its own commercial planes, such as the narrowbody C919, still rely heavily on American suppliers. A complete severing of ties with Boeing would not only be detrimental to China's aviation industry. Still, it could also lead to retaliatory measures from the U.S., potentially impacting China's homegrown aviation aspirations.

The situation can be described as a balancing act for Boeing. On one hand, the China market offers an enormous opportunity, not just in terms of new orders but also as an essential part of the supply chain for Chinese commercial aviation projects. On the other hand, geopolitical tensions and the historical 737 MAX issues provide a layer of complexity and risk.

The MAX factor





It's essential to remember the broader context: Boeing has almost 5,000 undelivered planes in its backlog, equivalent to years of demand.

While the MAX jet faced worldwide grounding between May 2019 and November 2022 due to two deadly crashes, it has been back in service without significant incidents.

Although lagging behind Airbus's competing A220 and NEO series, Boeing's MAX retains substantial market interest, with over 7,000 orders.

Conclusion





Boeing is at a crossroads. While it faces significant challenges in meeting its short-term objectives, long-term prospects offer hope, particularly in emerging markets like China and Vietnam. For investors, the Boeing paradox presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario that demands scrutiny and, perhaps, a measure of cautious optimism.

Therefore, the stock remains attractive based on its 2025/2026 targets and the sheer size of its backlog. However, investors must prepare for more bad news in the short term while keeping an eye on third-quarter earnings for updated guidance.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(Bloomberg) -- During a five-day tour of India earlier this month, Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang visited four cities, dined with tech executives and researchers, took numerous selfies, and sat for a one-on-one conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the AI sector. Huangs India itinerary was so crammed that he confessed to surviving entire work days on spicy masala omelets and cold coffees.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Huang may have been treated like a head of state, but the trips purpose was all business. For Nvidia, whose graphics processors are vital to the development of artificial intelligence systems, the South Asian nation of 1.4 billion people presents a rare opportunity. As the US increasingly clamps down on exports of high-end chips to China and the world seeks an alternative electronics manufacturing base, India could shape up to be a source of AI talent, site for chip production and market for Nvidias products.At a meeting with leading researchers in Delhi, Huang spoke of re-training entire swaths of the countrys workforce and building future AI models using Indian data and talent, according to multiple attendees. Huang also told one executive in Indias tech hub Bangalore that hes a big believer in the countrys engineering talent, particularly graduates from its top engineering schools, Indian Institutes of Technology.

You have the data, you have the talent, Huang said at a news conference in Bangalore. Huang added: This is going to be one of the largest AI markets in the world.

Nvidia and India have a shared interest in betting on, and speeding up, the countrys AI ascendancy. Chipmakers cannot sell top-end microprocessors to China, which accounts for a fifth of Nvidias sales, amid fears the chips could be used to develop autonomous weaponry or wage cyberwarfare. India is the only market remaining so it isnt surprising that Nvidia wants to put multiple eggs in that basket, said Neil Shah, vice president of research at Counterpoint Technology Market Research.While Indian engineers are a vital part of the digital workforce, the country is still far away from developing the cutting-edge capabilities needed to manufacture Nvidias sophisticated chips. But India has ambitions to boost electronics manufacturing as well as harness AI to buoy its digital economy. The country is plowing billions in subsidies to set up chip manufacturing infrastructure to lure the likes of Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Intel Corp.

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India is strategic to Nvidias future, said Nandan Nilekani, chairman of Infosys Ltd. and a designer of vital portions of the countrys massive digital public infrastructure. The government is aggressively building AI infrastructure and so are large private companies. Thats good news for Huang, said Nilekani, who dined with the chip billionaire during the visit.

In Delhi, the Taiwanese-American billionaire showed up at the prime ministers residence in his trademark black leather jacket, braving sweltering 90-plus-degree summer temperatures. Modi later shared that the two talked about the rich potential India offers in the world of AI.Huang and Nvidia saw signs of that potential during the trip. Indias largest conglomerate, Reliance, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, announced during Huangs multi-city tour that its Jio Platforms would build AI computing infrastructure for the country. The AI cloud will use end-to-end Nvidia supercomputing technologies, the company said in a release. Reliance and another large conglomerate, Tata, will also build and operate state-of-the-art AI supercomputing data centers and offer AI infrastructure as a service for use by researchers, corporations and startups, Nvidia said, without giving details or sharing timelines.

India has had reasonable success in enticing giants Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. to shift contract electronics manufacturing from China  to a point where, this month, Apple will sell India-made iPhone 15 devices on launch day. Now its turning to semiconductors, armed with some experience in chip design and no history whatsoever in semiconductor foundries. Nearly all cutting-edge chips, including those designed by Nvidia, are made in Taiwan. Over several decades, the country spent billions to reach current levels of manufacturing sophistication.

India wants to catch up, but it faces challenges turning itself into an AI hub. The country currently has no exascale compute capacity  being able to handle a billion billion calculations per second  nor the ready AI talent capable of writing sophisticated software, said Sashikumaar Ganesan, who chairs the computational and data sciences department at Indian Institute of Science. We have to build not just AI infrastructure but also high-performance computing workforce, said Ganesan, who was among those invited to Huangs meeting with AI researchers.

Still, India is a fast-maturing market for high-end technologies, said K. Krishna Moorthy, CEO of trade group India Electronics and Semiconductor Association. Thats created huge demand for Nvidias GPUs, or graphics processing units. As Indias digital economy grows, the government is mandating data security, data privacy and data localization, and this could require over 100,000 GPUs to build AI cloud infrastructure, Moorthy said.

The country has telecom giants like Reliances Jio which collect billions of data points daily from its half a billion mobile users and hundreds of millions of retailers. The data generated from 1.4 billion Indians could set the country up for the next phase of digital growth, said Moorthy. Huang understands this is where the next phase of growth for AI-enabling chips will happen.

Nvidia already has four engineering centers in India, including in Bangalore and in the Gurgaon suburbs of Delhi, with a total of 4,000 engineers, its second-biggest talent pool after the US. During his trip, Huang held town halls at each of the locations and stressed the importance of remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving AI marketplace. While speaking to employees, he repeated a line hes used in public before, offering his twist on the hunt-or-be-hunted adage: Either you are running for food or running away from being food.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Diamond prices have struggled over the past year, in part due to higher demand for lab-grown stones. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Russia diamond giant Alrosa is halting sales in a bid to boost diamond prices, according to Bloomberg.

The company will temporarily pause sales of rough diamonds until November.

Diamond prices have struggled over the past year amid growing demand for lab-grown stones.

Alrosa, one of the largest diamond mining firms in Russia, has decided to halt its sales of diamonds for two months in a desperate bid to stop prices from plunging.

The mining giant will pause sales of rough diamonds until November, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a company memo sent out to customers. That comes amid a freefall in diamond prices, which has only accelerated over the past few weeks.

"We expect that this will have a stabilizing effect, helping to balance the market, and will strengthen the stability of the supply chain," Alrosa said in the memo.

Meanwhile, De Beers  the South African diamond miner that's a close rival to Alrosa  is continuing its sales but offering customers the ability to reject diamonds they have already agreed to buy, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The company has already allowed customers to defer purchases for certain diamonds through the rest of the year, sources added.

Diamond prices have struggled over the past year, in part due to higher demand for lab-grown diamonds as well as demands from India's diamond association for miners to pull back on their supply of the precious stone. The organization influences a large portion of the diamond market, as it cuts, polishes, or trades around 90% of all diamonds in the world.

Those catalysts have already caused some diamond dealers to take a big hit. De Beers slashed prices of its diamonds in a certain category by more than 40%, Bloomberg previously reported, from around $1,400 a carat last summer to $850 a carat in July.

Even then, some diamonds sold directly between traders and manufacturers are being priced at a 10% discount to diamonds currently offered by De Beers and Alrosa, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, which could mean that the miners will face even more pressure to cut prices.

Russian diamonds are also facing a potential ban from the G7 nations, which could impact the price of diamonds of Russian origin. A G7 diamond ban could be finalized over the next few weeks, one Belgian official suggested last Friday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BERKELEY - A plan including fast-food restaurants, retail buildings and eventually a large supermarket is poised to breathe new life into the former Beachwood Shopping Center, a long vacant rundown property on Route 9.

Berkeley Shopping Center Urban Renewal LLC, the property's redeveloper, has filed plans with the Planning Board that, if approved, will bring commerce back to 40 acres along Route 9, a now demolished shopping center that has scarred the Route 9 entrance to Berkeley for decades.

A hearing originally scheduled for Thursday night will be adjourned for technical reasons.

"Its very positive," Mayor Carmen Amato said. "For 30 years, the Beachwood Mall area has been a blight on our community. It's just refreshing now that we have a redeveloper willing to invest the time and money and obviously resources to make this is a viable shopping plaza again."

The project is in two parts, with the developer seeking final approval for the first phase, which is located at the front of the property along Route 9.

New plans for the former Beachwood Shopping Center, seen here in 2021 after it was torn down in 2015, call for stores, restaurants and a supermarket.

Blackbeard's Cave: What Berkeley is doing to keep it from being replaced by homes

It includes a 4,500-square-foot car wash; two fast-food restaurants, one 2,340 square feet and the other 3,550 square feet; and a 14,400-square-foot retail building, including a 7,200-square-foot restaurant space, according to documents filed with the township. The only tenants mentioned are Popeyes Louisiana Chicken and Spark Carwash.

Berkeley Shopping Center Urban Renewal also wants preliminary approval for the second phase, which includes an 83,000-square-foot supermarket, a 125,000-square-foot retail building, a 44,124-square-foot retail building and another 2,340-square-foot restaurant out front.

It's been a long time in the making.

At one time, Beachwood Plaza, built in 1959 by maverick developer James E. "Jimmy" Johnson, was a popular strip mall. Customers could go to Thunder Bowl bowling alley, Woolworth's, a Chinese restaurant, a wicker store and a supermarket.

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What's Going There? This Toms River shopping center getting new stores, new look

New plans for the former Beachwood Shopping Center, seen here in 2021 after it was torn down in 2015, call for stores, restaurants and a supermarket.

It later became rundown and was in a sorry state for decades. The Township Council adopted a redevelopment plan for the parcel in 2009 and revised it in 2021.

It consists of land between Gladney Avenue and Mizzen Avenue, encompassing 40 acres of an approximately 140-acre parcel. The township has sold the 40-acre property to the redeveloper and remains owner of the 100 acres that are left.

One online contest in 2014 had Beachwood Shopping Center in the running for the "Saddest Strip Mall in New Jersey." Parts of some buildings had collapsed. Weeds grew from cracked concrete. A fire in one of the vacant buildings during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused even more damage.

The center, consisting of 22 stores including the Woolworth's building, was demolished in 2015. A Keansburg man died during the demolition when a roof collapsed and killed him.

Berkeley named M&M at Berkeley as redeveloper and later purchased the property, through a condemnation process, from Priscilla Oughton, Johnson's daughter, and subdivided it to allow for a 40-acre development along Route 9.

What's Going There? Ocean County Mall getting multiple new stores to join Honeygrow restaurant

Beachwood Plaza in Berkeley in 2003.

Over the years, plans for the property have changed.

An earlier concept drawing included plans for four large stores that were 28,000 to 44,000 square feet each. There also was more than 296 housing units envisioned, including some buildings with retail space too. In 2021, a 102,000-square-foot "delivery station" warehouse, as well as spots for fast-food restaurants, and a convenience store with fuel pumps, were a part of the plan's designs.

"Thirty years ago, it was a 180,000-square-foot viable plaza and that is what the redeveloper is looking to bring back to the community," Amato said.

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for 25 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Please sign up for his weekly newsletter and join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Old Beachwood Shopping Center in Berkeley getting stores, restaurants
To fix Rikers, invest in comprehensive reforms

Bronx: As a former NYC correction officer and past president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association for more than 20 years, it saddens me to see what Rikers Island has become. It is faced with a possible federal takeover, all due to a lack of resources that should have been directed to the Department of Correction years ago.

The decay and deplorable conditions are unacceptable. The commissioner must surround himself with competent personnel who have first-hand working knowledge of Rikers Island and what is needed. Every institution must be refurbished to ensure that inmates have all the necessary, mandatory, minimum standards. Inmates must be appropriately housed. A person accused of a major felony is not housed in the same area as a car thief. Inmates must be allowed to receive visitors who may have other responsibilities and are permitted to visit after work to eliminate undue stress. The department must do a better job at recruiting qualified candidates, from top to bottom. It is unacceptable that officers are required to work triple tours and expected to be proactive.

The problem I see going forward is if the federal court steps in, the same people there now will remain. Spending taxpayer dollars allocated for the building of several new facilities is ludicrous. With the ongoing migration problem here, I see no way to avoid significantly higher taxes for everyone.

Finally, to the extent that Commissioner Louis Molina has submitted his resignation, it would be regrettable if the mayor accepted it. Just allow him to do his job. Norman Seabrook

Locked out

Brooklyn: I doubt Im the only person with this problem: My Facebook account was hacked and deactivated. Sadly, I lost the data, photos and videos posted to this account. More alarming is that the business account linked to my personal page still exists, but I cant post to it! This is detrimental to my work. Ive emailed Facebook several times for assistance but they never respond. How can I get help with this problem? This is a consumer issue, and annoyingly indicative of poor dealings by huge corporations that ignore our concerns. Ellen Levitt

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Driving blind

Glendale: In the morning hours while it is dark, I often see cars traveling without their headlights on. While I have not seen any studies on the subject, what I suspect is that many new cars are provided with headlights that go on automatically when it is dark. If multiple drivers use the car, one may be used to turning on the car and having the lights go on. Another driver may manually turn the lights off. Since our government fails to provide public service announcements with useful information, I hope drivers reading this letter keep this in mind. Thomas Murawski

Sharing is caring

North Brunswick, N.J.: Nationwide, l support the legal influx of immigrants being evenhandedly and strategically relocated throughout our great 50 states. Otherwise, as evinced by the NYC migrant crisis, the road to perdition is often paved with good intentions prevails upon U.S. citizens and immigrants alike! Ea A. Mingo

Bigger will be better

East Elmhurst: Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue, recently wrote an op-ed underscoring the benefits a merger with Spirit Airlines would have for passengers and consumers. Equally important is the deals benefits to New York. From its decision to keep its corporate headquarters in Long Island City to sponsoring the new, world-class Terminal 6 at JFK, JetBlue has reaffirmed its commitment to Queens. As the only major airline based in New York, JetBlue already has more than 10,000 crewmembers located here. The merger with Spirit will unlock more opportunity, investment and tax revenue for our city and state. JetBlue has also been a strong community partner for the last 23 years, supporting Queens through donations to local nonprofits, volunteer hours and other initiatives. Our business community stands with JetBlue as it seeks to finalize the merger and bring more opportunity to Queens and New York. Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce

Ultimate price

Bronx: Voicer Sharon Cesario writes that pictures of the children hurt and the one who died in the day care center should be hung in the prison cells of the (if convicted) people involved so that they can see what they did to these beautiful children and their families. My feeling is that the pictures should be put on top of the gallows to show the world what you will face for crimes like this and any other killings of innocent men, women or children. Living in jail is no just punishment for these crimes. Jimmy Durda

Who signed off?

Manhattan: Is anyone else wondering how this Bronx day care passed inspection? I challenge your investigative reporters to follow up on that. What was inspected? Did they take photos as they are required? Lets see them. Or did their pockets get lined instead? The city failed again. How do these little babies stand a chance if we cant even get inspecting a day care center right? Cmon, Daily News, do your job  check on the inspectors. Maureen E. McNamee

Dressing down

Huntington Station, L.I.: Sen. John Fetterman should be ashamed of himself, showing up for work in shorts and a hoodie. He should show some respect for the office he holds. I know the world has gotten much more informal in many places, but the halls of Congress should not be one of them. Maybe a suit and tie is not necessary (although I honestly think it is), but one should not come to most places of employment looking like youre going to a barbecue. My son called him Sen. Gym Teacher. At our school, the physical education teachers dress nicer than that. Shame on you, senator. And shame on our Sen. Chuck Schumer for giving his approval. Nancy Macri Kennedy

Lets do lunch

Danbury, Conn.: It seems to me that the Voice of the People should sponsor a luncheon meeting between ultra-right-leaning Voicer Bob Pascarella and the blindly liberal Voicer Barbara Berg. Since you seem to print their respective rants regularly, it would be fun if one of your staffers could also attend the lunch and report which one comes out alive. Bob Bergin

Texas justice

Austin, Texas: I am disappointed but hardly surprised that Texas state senators voted on Saturday to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton on all of the articles of impeachment. The majority of Republican senators did what was easy and expedient, providing a negative example for the country. Sadly, the impeachment vote confirmed my cynical and disheartened view of Texas politics. The states three leaders (governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general) have been mean, vindictive and insensitive to the needs of their constituents. Each has been using the Donald Trump and MAGA playbook, placing political fortune above moral, ethical and legal principles. Watching Paxtons attorneys during his impeachment trial provides ample evidence of this shameful tendency. The tone and content of defense attorney Tony Buzbees closing statement echoed Trumps rhetoric, lashing out against prosecutors. I hope American citizens take notice and dont follow Texas lead. Richard Cherwitz

Thats on them

Williamsburg, Va.: I do not know how many, if any, of the Americans being released from Iran went there voluntarily. All I can say is that the U.S. should never negotiate and pay ransom for the return of Americans who willingly disobeyed American directives and ended up in the hands of our enemies, be they Russia, China, Iran or North Korea. These people should not be a part of any negotiation. John Lemandri

Slavic bigotry?

Long Branch, N.J.: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as an Afro-American, I would like to know if Ukraine is a racist country. I ask because when Russia first invaded your country, there were reports that people of color who were trying to leave were denied transportation and not allowed to leave. In addition, people of color Peace Corp members are being told to expect to be called the N-word once they arrive in your country. A lot of the aid money being provided to your country is being paid by people of color (taxes). As such, we would like to know where your country stands regarding race. Lenzy Kelley
World's largest Web3 event sold out with 10,000+ attendees from 5,000+ companies, 300+ exhibitors, 250 speakers and 450+ side events participating in the industry's largest international gathering of the year

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TOKEN2049 , Asia's premier Web3 and crypto conference, welcomed a record-breaking 10,000+ global attendees for its recently concluded Singapore edition. As the global crypto community descended on the city-state, attendees experienced an expansive range of over 450 side events, workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities throughout TOKEN2049 Week . With a remarkable 80% of its attendees flying in from overseas, hailing from over 120 countries, to take part, TOKEN2049 Singapore has reflected the vibrance and continued innovation of the global crypto industry as it took place at the heart of Asia's fintech hub.

As industry movers-and-shakers took stage at the critical platform to expound on the future of the industry, new releases from various exhibitors showcased exciting, forward-looking innovations that continue to push the frontier of the global financial technology ecosystem. Some standouts include LayerZero's partnership with Google Cloud , Circle's partnership with Southeast Asian superapp Grab and Huobi's rebranding to HTX , amongst many more ground-breaking announcements.

TOKEN2049 Week reached its grand finale with an unforgettable night at the official after party, AFTER 2049 , held atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands rooftop. The exclusive event offered awe-inspiring panoramic views with a spectacular lineup of international house DJs, setting a new benchmark for extraordinary nightlife experiences.

Reflecting on the phenomenal success of TOKEN2049, Alex Fiskum, Co-Founder of TOKEN2049 said: "What an incredible week it was! TOKEN2049 Singapore brought together well over 10,000 attendees, 5,000 companies, and 300 exhibitors, creating the largest global crypto gathering of the year. It's truly inspiring to witness how buzzing and vibrant the crypto community remains in spite of challenging market conditions. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and now, our focus is on Dubai, where we aim to provide the industry's largest community with an exceptional new experience."

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Following the remarkable success of TOKEN2049 Singapore, TOKEN2049 will expand to host its inaugural Dubai edition taking place from 18-19 April 2024. Held at Madinat Jumeirah , a world-class, luxury five-star resort, TOKEN2049 Dubai sets the stage for prolific industry leaders, global entrepreneurs, builders, and thousands of crypto enthusiasts to congregate and transform the city into a lively hub of Web3 innovation.

TOKEN2049 will return to Singapore next year on 18-19 September, promising an even grander and more immersive experience at the Marina Bay Sands.

For more information and continuous updates on TOKEN2049, please visit: https://www.token2049.com/

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Alex Fiskum, Co-Founder of TOKEN2049 is available for interview.

ABOUT TOKEN2049

TOKEN2049 is a global conference series, organised annually in Singapore and Dubai, where decision-makers in the crypto ecosystem connect to exchange ideas, network, and shape the industry. TOKEN2049 serves as a meeting place for entrepreneurs, institutions, industry leaders, investors, builders, and those with a strong interest in the crypto and Web3 industry.

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West Meets East in a new 28-piece collection

CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For twenty-five years, Rugs USA has helped its customers turn their houses into homes, offering a stunning array of rug styles, materials, and sizes to suit every design need and budget. The company is now thrilled to announce the launch of an exclusive collection in collaboration with internationally renowned, award-winning fashion designer Prabal Gurung. Prabal Gurung x Rugs USA is an expansive collection of rugs featuring 28 new designs in a range of sizes and price points.

Prabal Gurung x Rugs USA. Photo Credit: Frank Frances

The vision for the collection is "West Meets East" - showing appreciation for Prabal's love of Nepal and New York City. Known for his use of color and dedication to quality, he is an expert in modern luxury and exceptional style. Prabal's exclusive collection for Rugs USA showcases his impeccable sense of color, patterning, and texture, and translates it into beautiful, elevated rug designs. Each piece reflects his unique perspective and celebrates the beauty of heritage, diverse cultures, and individuality.

"For this collaboration with Rugs USA, I took inspiration from two concepts  my homeland, Nepal, and the place where I found myself, New York. Blending Nepal's mysticism and magic with New York's pragmatism, we created a line of rugs that are colorful, textural, and vibrant, but also play beautifully with neutrals. I'm so excited for customers to be able to style and live with these pieces in their homes," said Gurung.

Alyssa Steele, CEO of Rugs USA, "We are thrilled to unveil our first-ever fashion collaboration and have found the perfect partner in the incredibly talented Prabal Gurung. We've long admired him not only for his incredible designs but also for his advocacy work and the ways in which he celebrates the beauty of his homeland. We're proud to help bring his vision to life."

"We're inspired by the intersection of fashion and interiors and know our customers want their homes to be an expression of their personal style, just as much as the clothing they wear," Steele adds.

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THE PRABAL GURUNG X RUGS USA COLLECTION

From statement-making geometric motifs to delicate, impressionistic floral patterns to bold color palettes, the collection offers a wide range of stunning, elevated styles to suit every aesthetic.

Crafted in a range of materials and with the utmost attention to detail to ensure durability and a comfortable feel underfoot. Prices range from $85-$795.

The assortment features wool (both hand-tufted and flatweave), synthetic fibers, and natural fibers like jute. It also includes styles made with machine-washable fabrics for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Prabal's designs but need the ease and flexibility of washability.

The full collection can be found at rugsusa.com/prabal-gurung.

About Rugs USA

Rugs USA is a leading e-commerce retailer and supplier of area rugs and other home decor products. Founded in 1998, Rugs USA offers an expansive collection of area rugs and home decor products directly to consumers via www.rugsusa.com as well as through leading e-commerce marketplace partners. With a curated offering of more than 20,000 products, the Company provides consumers with unmatched choice, fast shipping, and exceptional value. Rugs USA has sold more than twelve million rugs to millions of homes and delighted customers.

About Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous collection in February 2009 with a philosophy encompassing modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour. Gurung was born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. After beginning his design career in New Delhi, he moved to New York to finish his studies at Parsons The New School for Design. Upon graduating, Gurung spent two years with Cynthia Rowley's design and production teams. Soon after, he was appointed design director at the iconic Bill Blass, a post he held for five years until launching his own collection, PRABAL GURUNG. A focus on quality and innovation has placed Gurung at the forefront of American fashion with designs worn by leading ladies including First Lady Michelle Obama and The Duchess of Cambridge, to name a few. Notable accolades include the 2010 Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award, 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner up, with various additional honors over the course of his career to present. In 2022, Gurung was honored as the Designer of the Year at the American Image Awards, was awarded the Humanitarian Award at the 38th Annual Night of the Stars Gala, and won the Positive Social Influence Award as a member of the Slaysians at the CFDA Awards. Gurung was also elected as Vice Chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, beginning his role in January 2023.

Media Contact: Good Word PR, rugsusa@goodwordpr.com

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(Bloomberg) -- Vladimir Putin needs better satellites.

Most Read from Bloomberg

While Ukraine has successfully deployed precision rockets guided by orbiting US spacecraft to hit targets deep behind the front lines  and has also used Elon Musks cutting-edge Starlink satellite constellation to stay connected to the internet  Russia is stuck with an aging network that has hindered its ability to use smart weapons.

The Russian constellation of two dozen positioning, navigation and timing satellites  called Glonass  dates back to the 1980s, when the USSR created it as a rival to the US-run Global Positioning System. Today, that American constellation of about 30 GPS satellites, all controlled by the Pentagon, is essential for everything from Google Maps to commercial airliners.

For the Kremlin, a homegrown global navigation satellite system offers protection against US efforts to deny Russias military from accessing GPS for precision-guided missiles. But while Russia has updated its satellites over the years, Glonass isnt as accurate as GPS, and thats having an impact on its war effort.

With Glonasss signals less reliable and precise for satellite-guided weapons, Putins generals have resorted to workarounds, including a massive new 3,300 pound (1,500 kilogram) bomb designed to use brute size to compensate for inadequate technology, said Bruce McClintock, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corp. and the lead for its Space Enterprise Initiative.

One of the reasons the Russians need to create a bomb that big is their inability to get accurate munitions, he said. Glonasss shortcomings have resulted in significant inaccuracy in their advanced weaponry.

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Russia also uses less-secure commercial-grade GPS signals in frequent attacks on civilian targets.

All the Russian systems use satellite navigation chips, which combine Glonass signals and GPS signals, said Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow with the Jamestown Foundation and a researcher on space policy. Sure, there are commercial/consumer-grade GPS chips, not the military-grade ones, but thats enough to attack big stationary targets like apartment buildings, hospitals, power plants, shopping malls and ports.

Read More: Russias Space Program Reels After Putins Ukraine Invasion

A long-delayed effort to fix the constellation is coming too late to help in Ukraine.

Russia last month launched a rocket carrying a Glonass-K2 satellite, the first installment in a network upgrade projected to cost 484 billion rubles ($5 billion), according to a Janes report.

First announced for 2018, the launch date kept slipping before liftoff finally took place in early August. Its the first in what needs to be a years-long effort to improve Glonass. More than half of the constellations satellites are already too old, according to Luzin, and with even more satellites approaching their use-by date, Russia will need 20 new ones by the end of the decade, he said.

They are able to produce and orbit just one or two every year because they dont have the electronics, said Luzin. Their biggest problem is how to save the system itself.

Glonass satellites, about 19,000 km (11,800 miles) above the Earth, arent as good as competitors, according to Craig Roberts, a senior lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, whose research compares Glonass with GPS and two newer networks, Chinas BeiDou and the European Unions Galileo.

The Russian network has poorer quality of both control stations on the ground and atomic clocks in space, he said, making their measurements less precise.

Everyone knows that Glonass is the worst, he said. If Im measuring a position and use all four constellations to process the same data, Glonass is at the bottom of the pile.

Russian space agency Roscosmos did not respond to a request for comment.

Even as Russia tries to overcome Glonass shortcomings, Ukraine can use US-provided codes designed to allow access to more secure military-grade GPS signals, said Roberts.

With the US having unlocked its satellites for Ukraine, the countrys army has taken advantage of GPS-guided weapons such as Lockheed Martin Corp.s Himars rocket launchers to attack Russian positions in occupied territory. The US has also provided the Ukrainian military with long-range GPS-guided bombs made by Boeing Co. capable of hitting targets 45 miles away.

The Ukrainians have had satellite problems of their own, including Musks rejection of a request to expand access to Starlinks constellation to assist an attack on a Russian naval base.

At the time of Ukraines request last year, Musk wasnt getting any US funding for Starlinks operations in Ukraine, although it currently is supported with Pentagon funds.

Russia has no cutting-edge network of its own. Upgrading the system it does have is expensive, and Roscosmos has suffered from lost revenue since early 2022, when foreign customers such as London-based satellite operator OneWeb canceled plans to use Soyuz rockets to send their satellites into orbit.

Foreign customers had accounted for between 10% and 20% of the space programs budget before 2022, said Florian Vidal, a researcher at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. All this money now is gone, he said.

Sanctions, which the US and allies first imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea and then expanded after the full-scale invasion last year, have further complicated the Glonass update since the system relies on many foreign components, according to Anna Maria Warlind, a specialist in space policy with the Swedish Defence Research Agency.

Theyve struggled to raise their own level of innovation, she said in a June podcast released by the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. Finding substitutes is very challenging for the Russian space program.

Russia isnt the only country with difficulties upgrading its satellite network. In the US, lawmakers have criticized delays in a GPS upgrade, with a House subcommittee in June reporting a Raytheon Technologies Corp. project to make the constellation more jam-resistant was seven years late and more than 70% over budget.

The US constellation isnt as accurate as the newer networks, said Roberts, the Sydney-based professor. It used to be GPS was out in front, he said. Now, though, the EUs Galileo is in the lead, with Chinas BeiDou close behind, he said.

Even with Roscosmos hit by falling revenue and the August failure of the Luna-25 moon mission, the military importance of Glonass means Moscow will likely find the money to upgrade the system, said Vidal.

The Glonass system somehow will be maintained, he said. The Ministry of Defense will prioritize defense systems from space.

Russias engineers might find short cuts to keep the system operating, albeit at a level thats less than ideal, said John Klein, a professor at the George Washington University Space Policy Institute. They have a long history of making do with the technology they have, he said.

Even if Russia eventually manages to address the constellations shortcomings, for now they will hinder efforts in the war, said John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a nonpartisan research institute in Washington.

Glonass measurements could be off by 10 meters, he added.

That could be the difference between destroying a target and not destroying it, he said. If youre off by a meter, that might be okay. 10 meters? Maybe not.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, SAF-Holland's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

51% of the business is held by the top 18 shareholders

Using data from analyst forecasts alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

A look at the shareholders of SAF-Holland SE (ETR:SFQ) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 63% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of SAF-Holland, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for SAF-Holland

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About SAF-Holland?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in SAF-Holland. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see SAF-Holland's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in SAF-Holland. TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC is currently the company's largest shareholder with 5.2% of shares outstanding. The second and third largest shareholders are Kempen Capital Management NV and Universal Investment GmbH, with an equal amount of shares to their name at 5.1%.

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A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 18 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of SAF-Holland

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data cannot confirm that board members are holding shares personally. It is unusual not to have at least some personal holdings by board members, so our data might be flawed. A good next step would be to check how much the CEO is paid.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 37% stake in SAF-Holland. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand SAF-Holland better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with SAF-Holland .

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.
Sam Bankman-Fried and his father, Joe Bankman. Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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."

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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
Barbara Fried. Michael M. Santiago / Staff / Getty Images

FTX lawyers are suing Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, saying they were wrongly paid millions.

The lawsuit says SBF's mom encouraged him to avoid federal campaign finance disclosure rules.

Lawyers for SBF's parents have called the lawsuit's allegations "completely false."

Sam Bankman-Fried's mom encouraged him to donate millions to politicans  including to a PAC she chaired  via other FTX executives, according to a lawsuit seen by Insider.

Lawyers handling the crypto exchange's bankruptcy case are suing Bankman-Fried's parents, Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried, accusing them of siphoning millions of dollars from company funds.

That includes a $10 million gift which lawyers say has been used for Bankman-Fried's legal defense, and a $16.4 million beachfront house in the Bahamas. FTX's lawyers are hoping to recoup that money to help pay back customers.

The lawsuit also accuses Fried of encouraging her son to "avoid (if not violate) federal campaign finance disclosure rules."

Back in February, prosecutors said Bankman-Fried funneled $100 million in political donations through executives who acted as "straw donors"  named in reports as Nishad Singh and Ryan Salame. The money was intended to "weed out anti-crypto" politicians and gain favorable influence without appearing too partisan, according to prosecutors.

Singh and Salame have pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations.

Monday's lawsuit, which was filed in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, suggests Fried played a role in these violations.

Discussing a donation to Mind the Gap, a Democratic PAC she co-founded and chaired until last November, Fried told her son: "I would counsel strongly against giving in a disclosed form under your own name," per the suit.

"You could get Nishad or Caroline to contribute to the PAC some of the total amount you are willing to give, but that has its own costs and risks," she added, according to the court document.

Story continues

FTX lawyers say that Singh and Bankman-Fried contributed "tens of millions of dollars to MTG or MTG-supported causes" at his mom's "explicit request."

Sean Hecker and Michael Tremonte, attorneys for Bankman and Fried respectively, called the lawsuit's allegations "completely false" in a joint statement sent to Forbes.

Tremonte did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside US working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
World Petroleum Council Introduces New Name at 24WPC in Calgary

MOU Signing at 24WPC

Signing of MOU, from left to right: Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy and His Royal Highness Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia

Dewhurst Award at 24WPC

Dewhurst Award from left to right: HRH Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia; Amin Nasser, President and CEO, Aramco; Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy

CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, announced this week the official MOU signed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy Saudi Arabia and WPC Energy President Pedro Miras. The MOU signing officially passes organizing privileges of the World Petroleum Congress to Saudi Arabia who will be hosting the 25th edition in Riyadh in 2026.



In addition to this signing, the World Petroleum Council officially unveiled its new branding at a name-changing ceremony during the opening ceremonies of the 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC). Announced earlier this summer, the World Petroleum Council has officially rebranded to WPC Energy to reflect the organizations commitment to leading the global transition to a low-carbon energy system which can only be achieved through a diverse mix of all energy sources and driven by technology and innovation.

We are witnessing a major industry transformation that demands the best of us all. That is why we have an enormous responsibility to meet these demands, stated Pedro Miras, President, WPC Energy. We are addressing all topics and becoming, once again, the largest forum for dialogue on energy transformation. The 24th World Petroleum Congress has been a great success to date and is a turning point in our long history.

The name-changing ceremony occurred during the opening ceremonies on Sunday, September 17, and the MOU signing took place during the first session of the congress, a Ministerial Dialogue with HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud. Following this session, Pedro Miras presented Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser with the prestigious WPC Dewhurst Award which recognizes leadership and contributions to the oil and gas industry. Amin Nasser is only the twelfth recipient of the Dewhurst Award in the nearly 90-year history of WPC Energy.

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Thursday, September 21 is the final day of the 24th World Petroleum Congress. Exhibition hours and the congress schedule, including strategic and plenary sessions, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recognizing our Sponsors

OCAN is pleased to recognize the Diamond, Platinum and Elite sponsors of the 24th WPC for their support: Accenture, Aramco, CNPC, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy, Sinopec, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor, bp, Bennett Jones, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil | Imperial, Petrobas, PwC Canada, S&P Commodity Insights, Sonangol EP and WestJet. OCAN would also like to recognize its government partners including PrairiesCan, the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary for their funding and in-kind contributions and support.

Media accreditation is required to attend, and all registered media will need to provide a WPC media pass upon arrival. For more information about WPC, including the full Congress programme, visit www.wpc24.com.

About the World Petroleum Congress

Held every three years in WPC member countries, the Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary will feature a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future.

About WPC Energy

Established in 1933, WPC Energy, formerly World Petroleum Council, is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). WPC Energy is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC Energy conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:

Rebecca Hurl, Brookline Public Relations

E-mail: rhurl@brooklinepr.com

www.24wpc.com

For further information about the WPC Energy, contact:

Sarah Beattie, Project Manager

E-mail: sarahb@world-petroleum.org

www.world-petroleum.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17b625a4-7691-4b6d-8828-70e7d17d588c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51f28c22-a4e1-44fa-b5c4-e5397430accd




audax is designed to help banks compete in the digital age, pursue new digital business models, while complementing existing core systems

audax is the digital banking platform that powered the first global bank to offer Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) in Asia

The launch follows audaxs successful commercialisation of its BaaS offerings for Standard Chartered with leading Indonesian all-commerce platform Bukalapak

SINGAPORE, September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SC Ventures, Standard Chartereds innovation, fintech investment and ventures arm, launches audax Financial Technology ("audax"), a digital banking technology solutions provider. It is designed to empower banks and financial institutions to accelerate their digital transformation, deliver new business models, serve new customer segments and derive new revenue streams.

By 20301, the business-to-business to any-end-user (B2B2X) market is expected to reach USD440 billion in annual revenues, driven by advancements in the financial infrastructure, digital banking and embedded finance space. audax will play a part in this growth market by helping incumbent banks in two distinct use cases: Digital Banking and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).

audax provides an end-to-end digital banking platform with modularised capabilities that are designed to efficiently handle millions of customer data concurrently. Its plug-and-play solution serves the entire client lifecycle  from client and staff interfaces, to deposits and lending products, to client servicing and data reporting. Built to complement incumbent banks core systems, audaxs infrastructure-agnostic technology also enables banks to pursue modern digital transformation without the need for costly and time-consuming in-house development or migration.

Prior to launch, audaxs solution powered Standard Chartered nexus ("SC nexus"), a white-label plug-and-play BaaS offering for large ecosystem players. Through SC nexus, Standard Chartered Bank was the first global bank to provide BaaS in Asia. Successful partnerships, include Bukalapak, an Indonesian all-commerce platform. Using audaxs technology, Standard Chartered nexus enabled BukaTabungan to simplify its digital account opening journey to be as fast as two minutes, since customers do not have to visit a physical branch or speak to a banker to complete an application. This is achieved through audaxs advanced automation, plus security technologies that employ artificial intelligence, biometric facial recognition and E-KTP (Indonesias biometrics-enabled ID programme) validation.

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With audaxs platform, SC nexus will help Sociolla, a beauty e-commerce platform, set up digital banking for their customers. audax is also slated to support SC nexus with its third partner in a second market, targeted to launch in Q4 of 2023.

"audaxs digital banking solutions will help financial institutions unlock more opportunities," said Alex Manson, who leads SC Ventures. "The successful partnership between Standard Chartered and Bukalapak to launch BukaTabungan is an example of how audax has provided a truly paperless, digital banking access, serving Bukalapaks ecosystem of more than 150 million users and 20 million business owners. Going forward, audax can achieve the same for any other financial institution looking to partner with any platform."

Headquartered in Singapore, audax aims to become a home-grown global technology company. The fintech is focused on accelerating the technology ecosystem starting with the APAC region. Its current mission is to empower banks and financial institutions to scale and modernise at speed with audaxs digital banking capabilities.

Kelvin Tan, the former Managing Director and Global Head of SC nexus, will lead audax as its CEO, together with most of his incumbent team. audax will continue to serve Standard Chartered in a commercial capacity by powering its BaaS proposition, SC nexus, for current and future partnerships. Having navigated complex technical and regulatory environments within the ecosystem of a global bank and boasting a proven track record in driving client success through its external partnerships, the team is confident in helping incumbent banks achieve similar digital transformation results successfully.

"The meaning of audax is courage  and that is exactly the defining characteristic of the team weve built and needed for what we are about to achieve," Tan said. "We are excited to push the frontiers of what is considered possible. audax has showcased the potential of BaaS and how it has scaled the digital business for Standard Chartered, enabling them to acquire new-to-bank customers at a fraction of traditional customer acquisition costs. We are now ready to scale it for other banks and financial institutions globally, helping everyone create better value for their business without risking their existing estate."

audax Financial Technology

audax Financial Technology is a comprehensive digital banking solutions provider empowering banks and financial institutions to scale and modernise at speed. audax Financial Technology has enabled new business models and revenue streams for Standard Chartered under the SC nexus proposition, becoming the first global bank to provide Banking-as-a-Service in Asia.

For more information, please visit www.audax.io and follow audax on LinkedIn.

SC Ventures

SC Ventures is a business unit that provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology and explore alternative business models. SC Ventures was established in 2018 as a new business unit to lead digital innovation and to invest in Financial Technology companies. It aims to scale breakthrough business models, having launched 30+ new ventures, 2,700+ fintech Bridge community and 22 portfolio companies under its belt.

For more information, please visit www.scventures.io and follow SC Ventures on LinkedIn.

1Reimagining the Future of Finance (BCG & QED, 2023)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920931696/en/

Contacts

For media enquiries:

Media:

Fernn Lim, Chief of Staff, audax

fernn.lim@audax.io

Chi-an Chang, PR & Comms Lead, SC Ventures

chian.chang@sc.com
Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is Sea Ltd (NYSE:SE). The stock, which is currently priced at 35.37, recorded a loss of 5.76% in a day and a 3-month decrease of 40.51%. The stock's fair valuation is $176.23, as indicated by its GF Value.

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 gives an overview of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on three factors: historical multiples (PE Ratio, PS Ratio, PB Ratio and Price-to-Free-Cash-Flow) 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.

We believe the GF Value Line is the fair value that the stock should be traded at. The stock price will most likely fluctuate around the GF Value Line. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Is Sea (SE) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Potential Value Trap Indicators

However, investors need to consider a more in-depth analysis before making an investment decision. Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, certain risk factors associated with Sea should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 1.66. These indicators suggest that Sea, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.

Understanding Altman Z-Score

Before delving into the details, let's understand what the Altman Z-score entails. Invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, the Z-Score 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.

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About Sea Ltd (NYSE:SE)

Sea operates Southeast Asia's largest e-commerce company, Shopee, in terms of gross merchandise value and number of transactions. Sea started as a gaming business, Garena, but in 2015 expanded into e-commerce, which is now the main growth driver. Shopee is a hybrid C2C and B2C marketplace platform operating in eight core markets. Indonesia accounts for 35% of GMV, with the rest split mainly among Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. For Garena, Free Fire was the most downloaded game in January 2022 and accounted for 74% of gaming revenue in 2021. Sea's third business, SeaMoney, provides mostly credit lending.

Is Sea (SE) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Sea's Low Altman Z-Score: A Breakdown of Key Drivers

A dissection of Sea's Altman Z-score reveals Sea's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress:

Operational Efficiency Indicators

When it comes to operational efficiency, a vital indicator for Sea is its asset turnover. The data: 2021: 0.73; 2022: 0.69; 2023: 0.74 from the past three years suggests a recent decline following an initial increase in this ratio. The asset turnover ratio reflects how effectively a company is using its assets to generate sales. Therefore, a drop in this ratio can signify reduced operational efficiency, potentially due to underutilization of assets or decreased market demand for the company's products or services. This shift in Sea's asset turnover underlines the need for the company to reassess its operational strategies to optimize asset usage and boost sales.

Conclusion

Despite the attractive valuation of Sea (NYSE:SE), the company's low Altman Z-score and declining asset turnover ratio indicate potential financial distress and reduced operational efficiency. These factors suggest that Sea might be a potential value trap, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence before making 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.


It already might be the hottest, sweetest, oiliest, and saltiest place on Earth, but Iberia Parish is hoping to add greenest to that list before long.

Dozens of local and state officials, business leaders and others gathered in the middle of a sugarcane field Thursday morning to celebrate the beginning of the largest private capital investment in Acadianas history.

First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturing company in the Western Hemisphere, officially began construction on its planned $1.1-billion manufacturing facility at the Acadiana Regional Airport in Iberia Parish with a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday. Dozens packed inside an air-conditioned tent to celebrate the project, which First Solar CEO Mark Widmar said he hopes will become the companys best facility.

Where we are today with this factory, I think will be best in class and a world leader, Widmar said. I want to make this our best factory. Not only our newest factory, but our best factory.

Iberia Parish plays a big role in the companys future

First Solar was founded in 1999 and is the only one of the 10 largest solar manufacturers in the world headquartered in the United States. Its also the only one without manufacturing operations in China.

The company announced in August that it had selected a site at the Acadiana Regional Airport for its fifth factory, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. Gov. John Bel Edwards said it is believed to be the single largest capital investment in the Acadiana regions history.

The $1.1-billion investment in an Iberia Parish facility is part of about $4.1 billion in planned investment in manufacturing operations between 2020 and 2026, according to a document distributed by First Solar at the groundbreaking.

The facility will produce high-performance photovoltaic solar modules that are expected to be made with all U.S.-made components.

The success that we have as a company will be reflected back into the community, Widmar said.

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What does this mean for Iberia Parish and Acadiana?

The project is expected to add about 700 direct jobs with an annual payroll of at least $40 million. The average pay is expected to be about $80,000, Widmar said.

During the groundbreaking, Iberia Parish President Larry Richard and Mike Tarantino, the president and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, lauded the project as one that will help expand the parishs footprint and portfolio of industries.

This is huge for us, Richard said. This is huge for the region.

How did Iberia Parish land the facility?

Troy Wayman, the president and CEO of One Acadiana, which serves as the chamber of commerce for Lafayette Parish and works with chambers and economic development groups across the Acadiana region, said the decision likely was based on a few factors: the availability of certified site, the access to a workforce via the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College, and the support of the local community.

Acadiana has a long history of success in manufacturing, and partners across Iberia Parish and the region are committed to collaborating with First Solar to provide the resources it needs to succeed, Wayman said. Todays groundbreaking celebrates that this collaboration will be a win-win for both First Solar and Acadiana, creating good manufacturing jobs, growing the vibrancy of our economy, and helping us to achieve our goals of diversifying in the energy sector.

Since Wayman took over in 2018, One Acadiana has been aggressive in developing certified sites  sites that already have had a lot of the legwork needed to begin development done ahead of time. One Acadiana has expanded its portfolio of these sites significantly in recent years, giving the group a number of areas to show off to prospective businesses.

The availability of a high-quality workforce has been a top-of-mind issue for many businesses plotting expansions in recent years, with many states seeing low unemployment rates and labor force participation rates. Louisiana has been no exception, with the state recording its lowest-ever unemployment rate of 3.3% in August.

But the proximity of two higher education institutions  SLCC and UL Lafayette  have First Solar hopeful that the company will be able to attract workers.

We are thankful to First Solar for their confidence in our ability, said UL Lafayette President Joseph Savoie. Working with our partners at SLCC, we will deliver.

Vincent June, the chancellor for SLCC, said the system has been working to address the workforce needs of Southwest Louisiana and will continue to answer the call.

In addition to the access to a quality workforce, Wayman said the support of the local community, especially from other business leaders in the area, was essential in helping close the deal. He specifically mentioned Blaise Zuschlag, the chief administrative officer for Acadian Companies and the chair of One Acadianas board of directors, as being instrumental in the effort.

He said Zuschlag arranged for one of Acadians medical helicopters to take First Solars leadership on an aerial tour of the site. He also hosted them at his duck camp and made them crawfish etouffee.

Those types of things showed the hospitality that they can expect here, Wayman said.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: First Solar breaks ground on $1.1 billion facility in Iberia Parish
South Korean investors and corporations hold over 131 trillion Korean won (US$97.9 billion) worth of cryptocurrencies in overseas accounts, South Koreas National Tax Service announced Wednesday. The figure is 70% of the total reported financial assets held by South Koreans overseas.

See related article: Korea Blockchain Week: diverging crypto paths for the US and Asia

Fast facts

In an annual assessment of monthly tax filings carried out from January to June this year, South Koreas National Tax Service found 1,432 retail investors and corporations hold the near US$100 billion of overseas crypto assets.

South Korean residents and corporations with over 500 million won (US$372,939) worth of overseas assets are required to report those assets to tax authorities. 2023 marks the first year South Koreas tax authorities included crypto in its annual assessment.

5,419 retail investors and corporations reported a total of 186.4 trillion won (US$139 billion) in overseas financial assets of all kinds. That figure is a 191.3% increase on last year.

This year saw a record number of filers and amounts because foreign virtual asset accounts were included for the first time, the National Tax Service wrote in a press release.

The press release said that authorities will use cross-border transactions data to identify anyone who avoids reporting their overseas asset holdings. It will also strictly enforce penalties including criminal charges for those found guilty of doing so, it said.

In 2021, South Korea effectively banned foreign cryptocurrency exchanges from operating in the country. However, South Korean residents may still trade cryptocurrencies via overseas exchanges.

See related article: South Koreas Hana bank partners with BitGo on digital asset services
Long-established in the Transportation industry, Spirit Airlines Inc (NYSE:SAVE) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. It has recently witnessed a daily gain of 2.78%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of -4.73%. 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 Spirit Airlines Inc.

Is Spirit Airlines Inc (SAVE) 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 Spirit Airlines Inc the GF Score of 59 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

Company Snapshot: Spirit Airlines Inc

Spirit Airlines Inc serves the United States, Latin America, and Caribbean as an airline operator. It primarily offers customers unbundled base fares to strip out any unneeded travel amenities. If needed, a customer can elect for additional options at an extra charge. Flight crews are entirely interchangeable across all aircraft, and maintenance and other support services are simplified due to not having an overly complex fleet. The company has one operating segment, air transportation, owing to its system wide route structure. It may decide to expand its network if a market is underserved or overpriced. The majority of revenue is derived from the United States.

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Is Spirit Airlines Inc (SAVE) Set to Underperform? Analyzing the Factors Limiting Growth

Financial Strength Analysis

Spirit Airlines Inc's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health. The company's interest coverage ratio of 0.15 positions it worse than 98.73% of 789 companies in the Transportation 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-Score is just 0.65, 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 0.19 indicates a struggle in handling existing debt levels. The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 4.31, which is worse than 95.17% of 848 companies in the Transportation industry. A high debt-to-equity ratio suggests over-reliance on borrowing and vulnerability to market fluctuations.

Growth Prospects

A lack of significant growth is another area where Spirit Airlines Inc seems to falter, as evidenced by the company's low Growth rank. The company's revenue has declined by -5.9 per year over the past three years, which underperforms worse than 75.08% of 915 companies in the Transportation industry. Stagnating revenues may pose concerns in a fast-evolving market. Lastly, Spirit Airlines Inc predictability rank is just one star out of five, adding to investor uncertainty regarding revenue and earnings consistency.

Is Spirit Airlines Inc (SAVE) 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 Spirit Airlines Inc has a commendable history in the transportation industry, its current financial indicators suggest a challenging road ahead. Investors should consider these factors when making investment decisions. Will Spirit Airlines Inc overcome these hurdles and return to its former glory? Only time will tell.

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.


Autoworkers have been striking across the country for nearly a week. On Thursday, UAW Local 862 in Louisville, representing 12,000 workers at the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant and the Kentucky Truck Plant, joined in the labor movement and held a rally "to show solidarity and support to striking UAW workers," according to a news release from Local 862.

Last week, the UAW launched a strike against all three Detroit automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands  for the first time in the union's 88-year history.

The action came after the Detroit Three automakers failed to reach an agreement on a new labor contract with the UAW  the union representing roughly 150,000 autoworkers nationwide  before the contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

Assembly plants in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio currently have workers on the picket lines while the three automakers continue negotiations with the union. With more facilities expected to join in the strike Friday, local unions across the country are rallying to prepare workers to be called to stand up and strike.

Tim Smith, UAW Region 8 director, was in Louisville for the rally and said it's about showing solidarity with striking UAW workers across the country.

Its hard to explain  to see the brothers and sisters out there working hard  its a wonderful feeling to be standing together, Smith told the Courier Journal.

Before working for UAW, Smith worked in a Kentucky auto plant where he helped unionize the workers under the UAW.

This union changed my life, Smith said.

Now, Smith is hoping the UAW will be able to win gains in wages and benefits for workers, saying We want people to come here and have a career.

Local 862, where the rally was held in Louisville, is one of the largest locals in the UAW. Located prominently on the Interstate 65 corridor which runs from Detroit, Michigan down to Texas, this stretch of highway has historically been home to automakers. Smith said for Region 8 to have a rally like this in the deep south is a sign to the companies that the UAW will never give up on the south.

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Currently, there are 50,000 active UAW members and more than 70,000 retirees living in the south.

When Smith took the podium Thursday, he started by saying You are the U in union and reminded the crowd the rallies and strikes taking place across the country are for the everyday workers standing for a better workplace.

I want the media to understand its not just about what were doing here, its about what we do in those plants every day, Smith said, adding If this local is called, we are locked and loaded."

Todd Dunn, President of UAW Local 862, asked the crowd, Are you ready to walk the picket line if youre called upon tomorrow?

He was answered by an overwhelming shout of Yes!

Several members of local union leadership took the stage, asking and rallying to be called to strike tomorrow.

Tag us in, said Brett Mitchell, acting union chair for Local 862.

David Firkins, also with Local 862, said Call on Louisville, well show you what you owe us."

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined UAW workers at the rally Thursday to show support.

I stand with you all  I am praying for a win-win, Greenberg said at the rally.

And that wasn't the only politician at the site Thursday. Buddy Wheatley, a candidate for secretary of state and a 35-year union dues-paying firefighter came out to support Ford workers. Wheatley said he came out to [recognize] solidarity between public and private sector unions.

Here's what we know.

What is a "stand up strike"?

The UAW has taken a new approach, enacting what Fain coined a "stand up strike."

The UAW's new stand up strike strategy allows union leadership to call on specific locals around the country and ask them to "stand up" and strike at their respective plants. This strategy is intended to give the UAW more flexibility in striking and will allow it to focus on multiple facilities across the three companies, the Courier Journal previously reported.

The autoworkers who remain in non-striking plants, including Louisville, will work under an expired contract. Fain said the automakers' management cannot change the terms and conditions of work under the expired contract.

"If we need to go all out, we will," Fain previously said. "Everything is on the table."

More: UAW's Shawn Fain threatens more closures at Detroit 3 plants by noon Friday

What does the union want?

Points of negotiations according to the UAW include:

Elimination of tiers

Big wage increases

Restoration of cost-of-living adjustments, COLA

Defined benefit pension for all workers

Reestablish retiree medical benefits

Right to strike over plant closures

Working family protection program

End "abuse" of temp workers

More paid time off

Increase retiree pay

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville UAW Ford workers host rally amid national auto strike
Crypto exchange FTX filed for bankruptcy in November 2022. NurPhoto/Getty Images

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
TORONTO, September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating a total of $20,000 to provide support in response to two recent major natural disasters in North Africa.

In Moroccos Atlas Mountains region, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Sept. 8, injuring thousands and killing over 2,000 people. In northeastern Libya, over 5,000 people have died and 10,000 were reported missing after Storm Daniel made landfall on Sept. 10. Strong winds and heavy rainfalls that followed led to the collapse of two dams near the eastern city of Derna, causing catastrophic flooding that has submerged entire neighbourhoods.

The SHF is responding to two emergency appeals. The Fund is donating $7,500 to the Canadian Red Cross to support its relief efforts in Morocco, and $12,500 to Islamic Relief Canada to help provide emergency shelter, food, water, blankets and other basic items to victims of the floods in Libya.

"The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is responding quickly to support victims of these tragic events that have affected Morocco and Libya. As survivors and families of victims now look at rebuilding their lives, we must do what we can to assist global humanitarian efforts to support them," said Marty Warren, SHF President and National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW).

Individuals who wish to donate can do so on the websites of Islamic Relief Canadas Libya Floods Appeal or the Canadian Red Cross Morocco Earthquake Appeal.

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921485500/en/

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Contacts

For further information:

Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951

Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, gcharbonneau@usw.ca

Shannon Devine, USW Communications, 416-938-4402, sdevine@usw.ca
Reed Jobs speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 at Moscone Center on September 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Reed Jobs, the son of Apple (AAPL) founder Steve Jobs, entered the spotlight for the first time last month while unveiling his venture capital fund, Yosemite. But hes not in Silicon Valley to follow his late fathers footsteps or to be famous.

Notoriety is very low on my priority list, Jobs, 31, said during an onstage interview at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 in San Francisco yesterday (Sept. 19).

Yosemite has raised more than $200 million in venture funding with the goal of discovering new cancer treatments, an area Jobs has been passionate about since he was a teenager when Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

All I really care about in this world is making a huge difference for cancer patients, Jobs, speaking in a manner reminiscent of his late father, told TechCrunchs new editor-in-chief Connie Loizos. What I want to do in my entire life is to make cancer non-lethal in our lifetimesThats what I want to be known for.

Named after the national park where Jobss parents got married in 1991, Yosemite has an unusual structure as both a for-profit venture capital fund and a nonprofit organization. About 2.5 percent of the fund is dedicated to a donor-advised fund that makes no-strings-attached grants to scientists. Jobs believes its the most effective approach to support new drug discovery because grants allow scientists to focus on early-stage research without having to worry about investment return and VC funding can come in later on to help scale and commercialize a successful new drug.

Yosemite is a spinoff of Emerson Collective, a philanthropic and investment organization founded by Jobss mother, Laurene Powell Jobs. There, Jobs was the managing director of health for eight years, leading the firms programs in health care with a focus on oncology.

Jobs said hed had success with the donor-advised fund model when managing investments at Emerson Collective. One example is Tune Therapeutics, a company that develops epigenetic therapies that reprogram genes. The companys work started with an Emerson grant and was later incorporated into a business with investments from the firm.

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Jobs said he decided to set up Yosemite as a separate firm because he wanted a little bit of independence. When asked why he chose to be an investor instead of starting his own company, Jobs said he feels he can make a greater impact by supporting multiple businesses instead of running just one.

Given the trends in the market, and really in science, its really outpacing what any one company is likely able to do, he said. I also am just innately very competitive. You know, in my family, if youre going to start a company, its got to be a hit.

Yosemite is funded by a group of individual and institutional investors including venture capitalist John Doerr, who was a close friend of Steve Jobss, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The firm invests in three areas of cancer treatment: early detection, immunotherapy, and digital health, such as technology that optimizes clinical trials. Jobs said, without disclosing names, he has already found a few promising startups, including a project that came out of MIT and another from Yale.

Steve Jobs had four children: Lisa, Reed, Erin and Eve. Reed is the second eldest and the only boy. He is named after the college Steve Jobs attended in Portland, Oregon in the 1970s.

Correction: A previous version this article contained inaccurate information about Steve Jobss marriage history. The article has also been updated to reflect Yosemites fundraising amount in the third paragraph.

Trending Observer Stories

Read the original story Steve Jobss Son Reed Jobs Discusses Investing, Fame and Family Influence and others by Sissi Cao at Observer.
STMicroelectronics N.V.

P4571S -- Sep 21 2023 -- STM32H5 sw for Microsoft Azure IoT Hub_IMAGE

STM32H5 sw for Microsoft Azure IoT Hub

STMicroelectronics releases software to securely connect IoT devices

to Microsoft Azure IoT Hub

New software for powerful STM32H5 MCUs leverages ST's advanced Secure Manager

for protected connection to cloud IoT platform

Geneva, Switzerland, September 21, 2023  STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has released software that simplifies connecting IoT devices built using the latest high-performing STM32H5 microcontrollers (MCUs) to Microsoft Azure IoT Hub.

STs STM32Cube expansion package, named X-CUBE-AZURE-H5, consists of a set of libraries and application examples for high-performance microcontrollers of the STM32H5 series, acting as end devices.

The sample application shows secure device-to-cloud connectivity with Azure IoT Hub, including network configuration and data publishing. The application handles Azure messages, methods, and twin update commands. This solution also leverages STs embedded security software, Secure Manager, to connect securely the STM32H5 to Microsoft Azure cloud.

With its state-of-the-art processor architecture and enhanced security, our STM32H5 is ready to power the next generation of IoT devices, said Daniel Colonna, STM32 Marketing Director, STMicroelectronics. By using the STM32Cube reference implementation, developers can take advantage of the powerful services offered by the Azure IoT Hub to transform the data collected from their devices into actionable insights. This can help them make informed decisions, optimize their operations, and improve their products and services.

"With the STM32H5 chip's advanced security features, it simplifies the process for developers to securely provision and manage high-performance IoT devices, ensuring secure device-to-cloud connectivity with Azure IoT Hub," said Kam VedBrat, General Manager, Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp.

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STM32H5 MCUs are programed in STs own factory to give each one its own unique identity. The identity is managed by Secure Manager and allows smart devices to be easily and economically registered with Azure IoT Hub without needing to keep their identities secret during object production.

Devices in production, as well as those in the field, can also benefit from remote provisioning and administration of credentials via third-party service providers. Secure Manager stores the credentials needed to connect to Azure IoT Hub, as well as other device secrets and assets, within the STM32H5 MCU.

Secure Manager provides isolation properties that facilitate protecting the intellectual property of multiple owners on the same platform, also known as multitenant IP protection. From development to manufacturing and when deployed in the field, every aspect of protecting the confidentiality and integrity of these important assets contributed by developers and partners is covered.



This also works well with use cases that involve AI inference, where models are running on edge devices with the benefit of protection by STs Secure Manager while training and secure updating are handled via the cloud. The STM32Trust TEE Secure Manager simplifies the implementation of strong security.

The combination of STs STM32Cube Ecosystem and STM32H5 microcontrollers gives developers a powerful and secure platform on which to build IoT applications that meet applicable regulations and standards. The STM32H5 series, introduced in March 2023, are the first STM32 MCUs to support STs Secure Manager. The devices target PSA Certified level 3 and SESIP3 certifications.

X-CUBE-AZURE-H5 is ready to download now.

For more information, please go to https://www.st.com/x-cube-azure-h5

STM32 is a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

About STMicroelectronics

At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For Press Information Contact:

Michael Markowitz

STMicroelectronics

Tel: +1 781 591 0354

Email: michael.markowitz@st.com

Attachments




The classic American steakhouse brings its lively, unforgettable guest experience and prime, flavorful menu offerings to the Motor City

DETROIT, September 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sullivans Steakhouse, a lively neighborhood steakhouse with a modern twist, has opened the doors of its newest restaurant in the historic city of Detroit. Located at 1128 Washington Boulevard, inside the newly transformed Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, the 9,300 square-foot restaurant space is the brands first location in Michigan and 15th in the United States. The one-of-a-kind steakhouse offers guests bone-in and hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails with the sounds of live, local jazz music in a friendly, familiar atmosphere.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921255370/en/

Sullivans Steakhouse, a lively neighborhood steakhouse with a modern twist, has opened the doors of its newest restaurant in the historic city of Detroit. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Detroit is a such a unique city with rich traditions and a storied history. It cannot be matched and we are excited to be a part of this community," said Nishant Machado, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dividend Restaurant Group. "When it came time to decide on where to open our newest Sullivans Steakhouse the choice was simple. We look forward to serving up our world-class dining experience to the fine people of the Motor City for years to come."

The new restaurant will seat more than 285 guests and feature main, patio and private dining areas that set the stage for Sullivans menu of classic cuisine, which includes appetizers such as the steakhouses iconic Cheesesteak Eggrolls, made with tender filet mignon, and an array of decadent cuts of steak, cooked to order, including an A5 Wagyu Strip, the rarest of all beef. An expansive indoor bar will serve as the backdrop for live jazz music and Sullivans happy hour that offers guests a menu of bar bites that pair perfectly with an array of signature cocktails, such as the Knockout Martini inspired by the steakhouses namesake, boxer John Sullivan.

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Sullivans has 15 locations across the country, opening most recently in Little Rock in spring 2022.

For more information about Sullivans Steakhouse, please visit SullivansSteakhouse.com or follow the brand on social media at @SullivansSteakhouse.

About Sullivans Steakhouse

Sullivans Steakhouse is a lively, neighborhood steakhouse brand rooted in rich tradition. Founded in 1996, Sullivans artfully blends hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails with the sounds of live, local jazz music and a friendly, familiar atmosphere. Each of Sullivans 15 locations across the United States (including Anchorage, Alaska) promises an unforgettable guest experience unparalleled in the industry today. For more information, visit sullivanssteakhouse.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @sullivanssteakhouse.

About Dividend Restaurant Group

Dividend Restaurant Group (DRG) was built on the core belief that the foundation of a company is defined by the character of the team, the versatility of its systems and the discipline of its actions. DRG is a guest-first and team-focused organization that has a successful track record of revitalizing iconic brands and driving value for all stakeholders. Housed in Denver, DRG brings together some of the countrys best-known brands, leveraging an industry-leading platform with a clear vision for continued growth. Its driving mantra is "we pay dividends to every stakeholder of our business; our guests, our team members, our vendors and our financial partners, all in different but meaningful ways."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921255370/en/

Contacts

Media:

Sullivans@icrinc.com
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Tambun Indah Land Berhad is RM1.53 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM0.85 suggests Tambun Indah Land Berhad is potentially 45% undervalued

The RM0.96 analyst price target for TAMBUN is 37% less than our estimate of fair value

Does the September share price for Tambun Indah Land Berhad (KLSE:TAMBUN) 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 take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

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 Tambun Indah Land Berhad

Crunching The Numbers

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM55.1m RM56.1m RM57.3m RM58.9m RM60.6m RM62.4m RM64.4m RM66.6m RM68.9m RM71.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 2.22% Est @ 2.62% Est @ 2.90% Est @ 3.10% Est @ 3.23% Est @ 3.33% Est @ 3.39% Est @ 3.44% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM49.5 RM45.2 RM41.5 RM38.3 RM35.4 RM32.8 RM30.4 RM28.2 RM26.2 RM24.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM352m

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 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM71m (1 + 3.6%)  (11% 3.6%) = RM945m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM945m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM323m

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 RM674m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.8, the company appears quite good value at a 45% 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

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 Tambun Indah Land Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.144. 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 Tambun Indah Land Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. 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 Tambun Indah Land Berhad, there are three essential factors you should explore:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Tambun Indah Land Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does TAMBUN'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.
Tavistock Investments (LON:TAVI) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: UK34.0m (flat on FY 2022).

Net loss: UK1.40m (down by 105% from UK29.6m profit in FY 2022).

UK0.25 loss per share (down from UK0.05 profit in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Tavistock Investments shares are down 8.7% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Tavistock Investments that you should be aware of.

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.
Japan's Terra Drone Corporation announced "Terra Agri," a new service aimed at sustainable agriculture globally to advance technology-driven precision agriculture from Southeast Asia to the world.

Avirtech specializes in providing pesticide spraying and mapping services using drones. And developed the world's first gimbal-based spraying for high precision.

TOKYO, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology provider, expands into the precision agriculture sector by acquiring the business of Avirtech, a leading startup providing agricultural drone spraying and mapping service in Southeast Asia. Terra Drone establishes a new company Terra Drone Agri in Malaysia. And develops its business in Malaysia and Indonesia under the new business brand "Terra Agri".

By reducing pesticide use and achieving growth with a significantly lower carbon footprint, drones empower farmers to become climate-smart.

Leading drone research firms, including Drone Industry Insights, recognize Terra Drone as one of the top drone service providers worldwide. Terra Drone has successfully completed over 3,000 surveys and inspection projects in 10 countries, while its subsidiary Unifly's the unmanned traffic management (UTM) system has become the most widely adopted in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Avirtech specializes in providing pesticide spraying and mapping services using drones and artificial intelligence (AI). The company's solutions assist palm oil farmers and plantation companies to minimize crop failures, reducing operating costs by 30%. Executing up to 4,000 flights daily, Avirtech has contributed to the scientific cultivation of over 200,000 hectares of land in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia and Malaysia are recognized as major palm oil producers, accounting for around 80% of global production[1]. However, these countries face serious issues including deforestation, ecological impacts, harsh labor conditions, labor shortages, and other environmental problems. Moreover, soaring prices stemming from a shortage of palm oil supply have become a major concern.

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Through these businesses, Avirtech has helped solve labor shortages, enhance worker safety, and boost productivity in the palm oil industry. Also, Avirtech is expected to continue addressing these issues and support sustainable palm oil production while also delivering value as an ESG investment.

The integration of Terra Drone's global leadership in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology with Avirtech's precision farming prowess has driven the growth of Terra Agri. The primary focus market for this new business is Indonesia and Malaysia.

Notes to editors:

[1]: Source: USDA "Palm Oil 2023World Production"

https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/cropview/commodityView.aspx?cropid=4243000

(PRNewsfoto/Terra Drone Corporation)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/terra-drone-expands-into-agriculture-sector-business-acquisition-from-avirtech-301931305.html

SOURCE Terra Drone Corporation
(Bloomberg) -- As TikTok gets more popular, researchers at leading academic institutions want to study what users are doing there. Publicly, the company says its open to this, and is partnering with academics. But researchers said so far, the video apps rules about data are too burdensome.

Most Read from Bloomberg

TikTok is in the process of making its application programming interface, or API, open to researchers to analyze data on the platform. But the terms of service are so strict, academics at leading institutions say theyre hesitant to accept them. The difficulty in researching TikTok comes as competing platforms also are making it more difficult to review their data and are starting to charge for access to their APIs.

Social scientists say its important to gain access to TikTok to understand the apps impact on a variety of issues such as elections, public health messaging or the spread of misinformation. By monitoring social media conversations, researchers have been able to flag inaccurate polling information that was turning away voters, for example, and help local governments better communicate with the public during natural disasters like Hurricane Idalia, which hit Florida last month.

Read More: How TikTok Became a US-China National Security Issue

TikToks rules state that academics must provide advance notice about upcoming research, allow the company to review papers before publication and delete some data after its used. Researchers said those terms could severely hamper their efforts and that some of the requirements are more demanding than rival platforms, including Googles YouTube, Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter. TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., comes under a unique level of scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers concerned that US user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government.

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TikTok is committed to working with the research community to support independent research, a company spokesperson said. Our goal is to make it easy to independently research our platform and bring transparency to TikTok content, while rolling out our API responsibly and in a way that helps ensure data is only used for appropriate non-commercial purposes and protects our community's privacy rights.

The companys terms of service require researchers to refresh their data sets every 15 days, which is more often than competitors YouTube and X, according to one researcher in New York, who declined to be identified for fear of being blocked from access to TikToks API. Researchers are also required to delete some data after its used, which could be a challenge for those who need to replicate their work, the person said.

The things in the TikTok terms of service that give me pause are mostly about pre-publication review, " said Libby Hemphill, director of the Social Media Archive at the University of Michigan.

Some social media companies have asked to review research for data privacy reasons, but used that oversight as a way to try to prevent unfavorable information from reaching the public. Researchers have been able to negotiate with the social platforms to stop those practices, said Hemphill, but its an ongoing conversation.

TikTok said the company plans to review research only to check for personal data that may need to be removed. To be clear, this does not grant TikTok editorial privileges regarding what is or is not published, said the spokesperson.

Over the past several months researchers at leading academic institutions have been in discussions with the company about loosening its terms of service. The video-sharing app hosted calls with academics in February and April, said one research program administrator whose California-based institution participated in the conversations. During the calls several other research groups brought up the same concerns, they said, but TikTok hasnt provided a status update yet.

The company said it has been actively engaging with the research community, and has rolled out some improvements to its Research API based on feedback. TikTok has received more than 160 applications from researchers in the US and Europe to access its data, a spokesperson added.But TikToks API also doesnt provide access to all the data researchers might need, said Ben Serrette, associate director of information technology at Indiana Universitys Observatory on Social Media. The API doesnt provide access to friend lists or information on whether a video was a stitch  a TikTok feature thats similar to a quote repost on X  even though that data is available from other platforms like X, Bluesky and Mastodon. Serrettes team gained access to TikToks API over the summer, before realizing some of these restrictions. We're unable to get that data from the API and so we're unable to do some of the research that we've done in the past with other social media platforms, he said.

Facebook and YouTube have similar policies about access, although they are less rigid, said the academics. The most important issue is, there is a trust deficit, not specific to TikTok, but with social media platform based research in general, said Joyojeet Pal, associate professor of information at the University of Michigan.

The relationship between social media giants and researchers has always been fraught, but things have escalated in recent months. Twitter, now known as X, began charging for access to its API in February. That meant researchers who could previously view millions of posts for free, have to pay thousands of dollars for access to a fraction of that amount. Reddit also began charging for access to its data in June, leading to boycotts across the site from third-party apps and users. And in July X sued a research organization that found a rise in harmful content on its platform. Some in the research community fear other social media sites may follow Xs example.

In other words, any academic doing this is taking some risks that the data may either not be theirs to use at some point, or that the work will be undermined by other structural factors, Pal said.

Still, because of the TikToks prominence, researchers say they need to look at who uses it and how. The social media company still has the chance to become a leader in the field by opening up the apps data in a fair way, the academics said, adding they are hopeful that TikTok and its rivals will response to the feedback and open their platforms in a meaningful way.

(Adds number of interested researchers in the 10th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Toro's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

The top 11 shareholders own 51% of the company

Insiders have been buying lately

If you want to know who really controls The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 82% to be precise, is institutions. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

As a result, institutional investors endured the highest losses last week after market cap fell by US$266m. This set of investors may especially be concerned about the current loss, which adds to a one-year loss of 9.6% for shareholders. Also referred to as "smart money", institutions have a lot of sway over how a stock's price moves. As a result, if the decline continues, institutional investors may be pressured to sell Toro which might hurt individual investors.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Toro.

See our latest analysis for Toro

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Toro?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Toro 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. 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 Toro's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. It looks like hedge funds own 5.3% of Toro shares. That worth noting, since hedge funds are often quite active investors, who may try to influence management. Many want to see value creation (and a higher share price) in the short term or medium term. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc. with 10% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 10% and 5.7%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 11 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Toro

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 data suggests that insiders own under 1% of The Toro Company in their own names. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$36m of stock. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 12% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Toro that you should be aware of before investing here.

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.
Erika Mitchell, 36, of Toledo, Ohio, center, stands with skilled trades workers outside Stellantis' Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday. The UAW strike against Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis is almost a week old, and the union is expected to announce an expansion of the strike, barring some breakthroughs in negotiations, on Friday.

The UAW strike against Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis is almost one week old, and there was no word yet on when the two sides might be ready to reach a deal. Friday, however, is likely to be a big day in the labor battle.

Here are a few questions and some answers about the strike you might have been asking:

Whats next for the UAW strike?

Union President Shawn Fain said recently that the historic strike against the three automakers would expand if substantial progress isnt made toward a fair agreement by noon on Friday.

When will we hear details of what facilities will be affected?

Fain is expected to announce Friday morning in a Facebook livestream which facilities owned by the Detroit Three automakers could be targeted.

How can I keep up to date on the strike?

The Detroit Free Press (freep.com) will have reporters and photographers covering the next announcement and whatever comes after, and we plan to be at the facilities to give you the sights and sounds.

How will expanding to other facilities change the strike?

So far, the strike has been confined to three plants  Fords Michigan Assembly in Wayne, Michigan; GMs Wentzville Assembly in Missouri, and Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio. The impacts have so far been contained, although the companies have made some layoff announcements. If the strike continues to expand, the impacts would be greater and more wide-ranging, especially because the industry is so interconnected.

More: As UAW, Detroit 3 fight over wages, here's a look at autoworker pay, CEO compensation

Will it work?

Thats anybodys guess and that depends on your view of what the ultimate goals are. Its not likely to lead to everything the union wants. But the strategy could be pushing the automakers to offer more than they would otherwise. Its also showing the union as energized and united in a way it hasnt appeared in a long time. Depending on what agreements eventually come out of this, it could give the union some momentum as it pushes to expand elsewhere.

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Could it backfire?

If the sides dont settle any time soon, and more and more autoworkers have to face uncertainty for an extended period of time, pressure would begin to grow on the union. Union finances wouldnt hold out forever, either, although the limited nature of this strike so far helps to sustain those resources for longer and a source familiar with the situation says the union has economic options in addition to its Strike and Defense Fund. An extended strike where vehicles are unavailable and consumers look to nonunion competitors for their next vehicle or if there's a significant downward shift in the economy as all this plays out might hurt the union cause as well as company bottom lines in the short and/or long run.

How big can this get?

Fain could call for a companywide strike against one or more of the automakers. The UAW could also strike more suppliers to the Detroit Three and even suppliers to other, nonunion automakers.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW strike may expand across Detroit 3 as new contract deadline nears
Long-established in the Banks industry, M&T Bank Corp (NYSE:MTB) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. It has recently witnessed a daily gain of 0.98%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of 5.51%. 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 M&T Bank Corp.

Unraveling the Future of M&T Bank Corp (MTB): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

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 M&T Bank Corp the GF Score of 69 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

Snapshot of M&T Bank Corp's Business

M&T Bank Corp, with a market cap of $21.22 billion, is one of the largest regional banks in the United States, with branches in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. The bank was founded to serve manufacturing and trading businesses around the Erie Canal and is primarily focused on commercial real estate and commercial-related lending, with some retail operations also present. The company's sales stand at $9.53 billion.

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Unraveling the Future of M&T Bank Corp (MTB): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Financial Strength Analysis

M&T Bank Corp's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health. The company's debt-to-Ebitda ratio is 9999, which is above Joel Tillinghast's warning level of 4 and is worse than 0% of 31 companies in the Banks 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.

Conclusion

Considering the company's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While M&T Bank Corp has a rich history and a significant presence in the banking industry, the current metrics suggest that it may struggle to maintain its past performance. 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.


NVR Inc (NYSE:NVR) has recently been in the spotlight, drawing interest from investors and financial analysts due to its robust financial stance. With shares currently priced at $5,877.5, NVR Inc has witnessed a daily loss of 4.15%, marked against a three-month change of -2.45%. A thorough analysis, underlined by the GuruFocus Score Rating, suggests that NVR Inc is well-positioned for substantial growth in the near future.

Unveiling the Investment Potential of NVR Inc (NVR): A Comprehensive Analysis of Financial Strength, Profitability, and Growth

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.

Here is a breakdown of NVR Inc'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, and moderate ranks in GF value and momentum, GuruFocus assigned NVR Inc the GF Score of 96 out of 100, which signals the highest outperformance potential.

Understanding NVR Inc's Business

NVR Inc is a United States-based homebuilding company operating in over 33 metropolitan areas across the east of the Mississippi River. The company builds single-family detached homes, townhomes, and condominium buildings under three brands, Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes. NVR's avoidance of direct land development activity is unique among public homebuilders and results in relatively outsize return metrics. The Virginia-based company also manages mortgage banking segment and homebuilding operating segments. The homebuilding segment includes four geographic areas; Mid-Atlantic, North East, Mid-East, and South East.

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With a market cap of $19.19 billion and sales of $10.02 billion, NVR Inc has an operating margin of 20.38%, indicating a strong profitability. Here is the income breakdown of NVR Inc:

Unveiling the Investment Potential of NVR Inc (NVR): A Comprehensive Analysis of Financial Strength, Profitability, and Growth

Financial Strength Breakdown

According to the Financial Strength rating, NVR Inc's robust balance sheet exhibits resilience against financial volatility, reflecting prudent management of capital structure.

The Interest Coverage ratio for NVR Inc stands impressively at 72.52, 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 12.04, NVR Inc exhibits a strong defense against financial distress, highlighting its robust financial stability.

With a favorable Debt-to-Revenue ratio of 0.1, NVR Inc's strategic handling of debt solidifies its financial health.

Profitability Rank Breakdown

The Profitability Rank shows NVR Inc's impressive standing among its peers in generating profit.

NVR Inc Operating Margin has increased (58.58%) over the past five years, as shown by the following data: 2018: 13.69; 2019: 14.17; 2020: 14.79; 2021: 18.30; 2022: 21.71; .

Furthermore, NVR Inc's Gross Margin has seen a consistent rise over the past five years, as evidenced by the data: 2018: 20.67; 2019: 20.96; 2020: 21.32; 2021: 24.52; 2022: 27.29; . This trend underscores the company's growing proficiency in transforming revenue into profit.

The Piotroski F-Score confirms NVR Inc's solid financial situation based on Joseph Piotroski's nine-point scale, which measures a company's profitability, funding and operating efficiency.

NVR Inc's strong Predictability Rank of 5.0 stars out of five underscores its consistent operational performance, providing investors with increased confidence.

Growth Rank Breakdown

Ranked highly in Growth, NVR Inc demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its business.

The company's 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate is 17.3%, which outperforms better than 71.29% of 101 companies in the Homebuilding & Construction industry

Moreover, NVR 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 34.6, and the rate over the past five years is 23.8. This trend accentuates the company's continued capability to drive growth.

Unveiling the Investment Potential of NVR Inc (NVR): A Comprehensive Analysis of Financial Strength, Profitability, and Growth

Conclusion

Given NVR 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 the importance of comprehensive financial evaluation in making informed investment decisions. With a GF Score of 96, NVR Inc stands out as a promising 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.


Las Vegas Sands Corp (NYSE:LVS) has recently experienced a daily loss of 4.36%, and a 3-month loss of 18.08%. Despite this, its Earnings Per Share (EPS) stands at 0.07. This raises the question: is the stock significantly undervalued? In this analysis, we delve into the valuation of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) to answer this question. Read on to discover our findings.

Company Introduction

Las Vegas Sands is the world's largest operator of fully integrated resorts, featuring casino, hotel, entertainment, food and beverage, retail, and convention center operations. The company owns several major resorts in Macao and Singapore, and is expected to open a fourth tower in Singapore in 2028. After selling its Las Vegas assets in 2022, the company now generates all its EBITDA from Asia, with its casino operations generating the majority of sales.

Given the current stock price of $45.82 and the GF Value of $90.04, the stock appears to be significantly undervalued. This valuation provides a compelling starting point for a deeper examination of the company's intrinsic value.

Unveiling Las Vegas Sands (LVS)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

GF Value Explained

The GF Value is a unique measure of a stock's intrinsic value, calculated based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. This GF Value Line provides an overview of the fair value at which the stock should ideally be traded.

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, the stock is undervalued and its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $45.82 per share, Las Vegas Sands stock shows every sign of being significantly undervalued.

Given that Las Vegas Sands is significantly undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much higher than its business growth.

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Unveiling Las Vegas Sands (LVS)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength

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 deciding to purchase shares. Both the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage of a company are great ways to understand its financial strength.

Las Vegas Sands has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.39, which ranks worse than 54.84% of 826 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. The overall financial strength of Las Vegas Sands is 4 out of 10, indicating that its financial strength is poor.

Unveiling Las Vegas Sands (LVS)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term, poses less risk. A company with high profit margins is also typically a safer investment than one with low profit margins. Las Vegas Sands has been profitable 8 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $6.80 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.07. Its operating margin is 8.74%, which ranks better than 55.62% of 827 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks the profitability of Las Vegas Sands at 7 out of 10, indicating fair profitability.

Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term performance of a company's stock. The faster a company is growing, the more likely it is to be creating value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth rate of Las Vegas Sands is -30.1%, which ranks worse than 88.53% of 767 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -56.9%, which ranks worse than 94.89% of 607 companies in the Travel & Leisure 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, Las Vegas Sands's return on invested capital is -96.35, and its cost of capital is 8.35.

Unveiling Las Vegas Sands (LVS)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stock of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) shows every sign of being significantly undervalued. The company's financial condition is poor and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 94.89% of 607 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. To learn more about Las Vegas Sands 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.


PulteGroup Inc (NYSE:PHM) recorded a daily loss of -4.8%, with a 2.3% gain over the last three months. The company's Earnings Per Share (EPS) stand at 12.1. The pressing question is whether the stock is fairly valued. This article presents a detailed valuation analysis of PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM). Read on to uncover the intrinsic value of this stock.

Company Introduction

PulteGroup Inc is a major player in the homebuilding sector in the United States. With a presence in 42 markets across 24 states, PulteGroup primarily builds single-family detached homes catering to entry-level, move-up, and active-adult buyers. The company also provides mortgage financing and title agency services through its financial services segment. With its headquarters in Atlanta, PulteGroup has a market cap of $16 billion and its stock trades at $72.78 per share. The GF Value, an estimation of fair value, is $77.18, indicating that the stock is fairly valued.

Unveiling PulteGroup (PHM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value is a unique measure of a stock's intrinsic value. It is computed based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor anchored on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line gives an overview of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. 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.

Based on the GuruFocus Value calculation, PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM) stock is estimated to be fairly valued. As PulteGroup is fairly valued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth.

Unveiling PulteGroup (PHM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Financial Strength

Companies with poor financial strength pose a high risk of permanent capital loss to investors. To avoid this, it's crucial to review a company's financial strength before deciding to purchase shares. Key metrics to consider are the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage. PulteGroup has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.74, ranking better than 58.49% of 106 companies in the Homebuilding & Construction industry. The overall financial strength of PulteGroup is strong, with a score of 9 out of 10.

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Unveiling PulteGroup (PHM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Profitability and Growth

Consistent profitability over the long term offers less risk for investors. PulteGroup has been profitable for 10 out of the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $16.90 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $12.1. Its operating margin is 21.38%, ranking better than 88.07% of 109 companies in the Homebuilding & Construction industry. Overall, the profitability of PulteGroup is strong, with a score of 10 out of 10.

Growth is a vital factor in the valuation of a company. The 3-year average annual revenue growth of PulteGroup is 22.8%, ranking better than 83.17% of 101 companies in the Homebuilding & Construction industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 43.2%, ranking better than 76.6% of 94 companies in the same industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC) is another way to evaluate its profitability. ROIC measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The WACC is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, PulteGroup's ROIC was 23.94, while its WACC came in at 9.78.

Unveiling PulteGroup (PHM)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stock of PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM) is estimated to be fairly valued. The company's financial condition is strong, its profitability is robust, and its growth ranks better than 76.6% of 94 companies in the Homebuilding & Construction industry. To learn more about PulteGroup 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 the GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Washington urged JPMorgan to "be patient" before the U.S. bank stopped processing agricultural payments for Moscow after it quit a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, a senior State Department official told Reuters on Wednesday.

JPMorgan had handled some Russian grain export payments for a few months with reassurances from Washington. However, that cooperation stopped in early August, said Russia's Foreign Ministry, after Moscow quit the Black Sea grain deal in July.

"It was JPMorgan's decision, and in fact, we had ... made clear to the Russians that if they could show signs they were returning to the deal, it would be much easier to keep this payment system alive," James O'Brien, head of the State Department's Office of Sanctions Coordination, told Reuters.

He said that JPMorgan made a "completely commercial decision based on business and reputational factors."

JPMorgan had initially agreed to the arrangement at the request of the U.S. government and not because there was ever money to be made, said a source familiar with JPMorgans approach, speaking on condition of anonymity.

JPMorgan declined to comment.

"We did not encourage it. In fact, we encouraged them to be patient if Russia would show any sign," O'Brien said during an interview on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in New York.

Western countries have accused Russia of using food as a weapon of war by quitting the Black Sea deal, which had helped bring down global food prices, and then carrying out repeated air strikes on Ukrainian ports and grain stores.

UNDERMINING U.N. EFFORTS

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday that Russia's bombardment was undermining U.N. efforts to help facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports. To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, U.N. officials agreed to help Russian exports reach global markets.

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"The bombardment is also undermining our efforts," Guterres said. "It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative."

Russia quit the pact - a year after it was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey - complaining that its own food and fertilizer exports faced obstacles and that not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have hindered shipments.

Guterres sent Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a letter in August outlining measures that the United Nations could facilitate to improve Russia's grain and fertilizer exports in a bid to convince Moscow to return to a deal.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed skepticism at the proposals made by Guterres.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk, writing and additional reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Michael Perry)
A conceptual plan that shows where a potential King Soopers could be built in Windsor if the Clearview Library District changes its mind and sells the parcel to the grocer.

Editor's note: This story was updated Saturday, Sept. 23, with additional information about the town of Windsor's offer to Clearview Library District.

Windsor's town board is putting its money where its mouth is, offering to buy land owned by Clearview Library District in hopes of securing a new King Soopers grocery store.

In a memo from Windsor Town Manager Shane Hale to the Clearview Library Board of Trustees, the town offered $1.75 million in cash and suggested several town-owned parcels it would be willing to sell to the library district for a future regional library. The offer was authorized by the town board Monday night, and Clearview has 30 days from the offer to accept or reject it.

The property was appraised at $1.3 million last year. King Soopers offered $1.5 million to purchase the property in August, an offer the Clearview board rejected.

Clearview's board chairman, Jeromey Balderrama, said Wednesday the trustees would discuss the offer at their Thursday, Sept. 28, meeting.

"Our offer to purchase their property gives them immediately the cash that would easily pay for one of the alternative pieces of ground," Windsor Mayor Paul Rennemery said. "Theyre not going to have to spend money they havent budgeted."

The town and library boards have been at odds since early August, when the Clearview board declined to sell the parcel at Colorado Highway 392 (Main Street in Windsor) and Hollister Lake Road that it bought in 2016 for a future regional library. King Soopers offered to buy the parcel for $1.5 million, but the library board voted unanimously to retain the land for future expansion, even though voters within the district's service area twice rejected a mill and bond levy to build and operate a regional library.

In that August meeting, trustees said they didn't want to give up an asset that would appreciate in value or abandon their dream of building a regional library. In addition, they said that since the district previously pursued a library on the site and designated the land for that purpose in its facilities plan, "Colorado law restricts the boards ability to list, market, negotiate and sell that property to private entities (such as a commercial grocer) without altering the facilities plan and classifying the property as surplus."

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The law does not prohibit the library district from selling to a public entity like the town. "We could facilitate a good deal for them to still own property" that would grow in value over time, or sell the property for the cash to build a regional library, Rennemeyer said.

Rennemeyer and town staff say attracting another grocery store is an economic issue as Windsor grows. Safeway and King Soopers are on the west side of town. King Soopers, the most popular of the two, does four times the business Safeway does and is always overrun, Rennemeyer said. That's resulted in about 17% of residents taking their grocery money and millions in sales tax revenue to West Greeley to avoid Windsor's congested Main Street or long lines at its King Soopers, 1520 Main St.

The town's purchase of the library land might be the solution that satisfies all sides if a deal can be struck in time.

"We're not confident we even have 30 days," Rennemeyer said. "We're already 90 days past when Kings Soopers first approached the library. Kings has said we're on borrowed time before they ixnay it."

If library trustees accept the offer, the town would buy the land and then sell it to King Soopers for the appraised value, he said.

Balderrama said he "wasn't married" to the site. "Throughout the process we talked about definitely looking for something equivalent. I think the town has done a lot toward that."

Speaking for himself and not as trustee chair, Balderrama said an equivalent site would be big enough to house a 38,000-square-foot regional library and be located within the heart of the library district and on or near a main road so it doesn't impact neighborhoods.

The Clearview Library District serves Windsor, Severance and west Greeley. "This is a great piece of land," Balderrama said. "We've dreamed about building library on it, but I'm not married to that piece of land as long as we can find something equivalent."

Potential library sites offered by the town:

3.1 acres northwest of the proposed grocery store, slightly north of the current library, in the Greenspire subdivision. Price: $1 million.

It could subdivide 5 acres west of the new police station in the Windsor North campus. Price: To be determined by appraisal. The town has offered to pay the difference between the $1.75 million the library would get from the sale of its land and the appraised value of the 5 acres in Windsor North.

The town could subdivide 4.5 acres on the northernmost point of the North campus property. Price: The town again offered to pay the difference between the $1.75 million the library would get from the sale of its land and the appraised value of the 4.5 acres in Windsor North.

The town could subdivide and sell between 5 and 7.7 acres in its Labue property between Crossroads Boulevard and Iron Horse Drive adjacent to a future park and school. Price: The town again offered to pay the difference between the $1.75 million the library would get from the sale of its land and the appraised value of the 4.5 acres in Windsor North.

Windsor Village Development (corner of Colorado Highway 257 and Eastman Park Drive). The master development is in the early stages of development and the town said it could work with the developer to find a spot for the library.

Next steps

Clearview Library District will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, tentatively at the Windsor/Severance Library, 720 Third St. in Windsor. Due to public interest in the topic, the meeting may be moved to a larger venue. For information, visit clearviewlibrary.org.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Windsor offers library district cash for land, potential grocery store
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
Christian Womens Noon Connection will meet for a noon luncheon on Monday, Oct. 9, at the Midland University Dining Hall, Ninth and Pebble streets, in Fremont.

The theme is The Beauty of a Dream. It will include a presentation about Expressions of the Table Dining and Social Graces. Music will be provided by Ken Gaskin.

Dorothy Smith of Molene, Illinois, will speak on A Dreamers Reality. A hairstylist and teacher of social graces will tell how reality fulfilled an ordinary girls dreams of a perfect life. She has dealt with divorce, rejection, fear and death.

Cost of the luncheon is $15. To make a reservation, call Pat at 402-720-3847 by Tuesday, Oct. 3. Honoring your reservation is necessary.
Officials at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs and Denver Zoo are playing Matschies maker as they try to spark a love connection between each of the zoos endangered Matschie tree kangaroos, Tristan and Pearl.

Tristan on Wednesday made the journey north to the Denver Zoo, where he will try to woo Pearl, who moved to the Denver Zoo earlier this summer.

With his pointy ears, bulbous pink nose, muscular tail and super soft chocolate-and-caramel-colored fur, how could she (Pearl) resist? Cheyenne Mountain Zoo officials joked in an announcement.

Tristan and Pearl are being introduced as part of a breeding recommendation with the goal of creating the most genetically diverse population of animals in human care possible, zoo officials said.

Considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature, only about 2,500 Matschies tree kangaroos are left in their only known habitat: the Huon Peninsula of northeastern Papua New Guinea.

In pursuit of protecting the existence of the endangered arboreal marsupial species, zoo officials are hoping Tristans permanent move to Denver will result in a perfect pouch bundle of joy for his future partner, Pearl.

Tristan has been preparing for this moment for months, said Amber Callen-Ward, lead keeper in the Australia Walkabout exhibit at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. We have been working with him on voluntarily entering his crate and staying calm and comfortable in his crate while we move him around. We want to make this move as low stress for Tristan and his keeper teams as possible.

We have high hopes and total faith in our colleagues at Denver Zoo, and although theres no guarantee Tristan and Pearl will have babies, we owe it to them and their wild counterparts to try, Callen-Ward added.

Tristan will live in the Denver Zoo's Australia-themed experience, expected to open to patrons in 2024.

This is the first time Denver Zoo has had tree kangaroos, so its very exciting for us to have Pearl and Tristan in our care, said Marcia Salverson, assistant curator of pavilions at Denver Zoo.

It will be wonderful for our members and guests to be able to see the two types of macropod species when Down Under opens next year  the ground-dwelling wallabies and arboreal tree kangaroos.

According to zoo officials, Pearl and Tristan will be introduced for breeding when the time is right. The zoo plans to keep the two animals separate for now, rotating them between indoor and outdoor habitats separately.

Tree kangaroos are solitary in the wild, so this setup mimics that for them in human care, officials said.
After three-and-a-half days of jury selection, opening statements began Wednesday in the trial of two Aurora police officers charged in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain.

Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt each face charges of criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and assault causing serious bodily injury in connection with McClains death.

McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, died several days after the encounter with officers on the night of Aug. 24, 2019 as he walked home from buying iced tea at a Mini Mart. He wore a running mask and a jacket because he was often cold, prosecutors said, and was dancing to the music in his earphones.

Roedema and Rosenblatt, along with Officer Nathan Woodyard, responded to a 911 call by a teenager who reported a person acting suspiciously. The area where the caller reported seeing McClain is considered a high-crime area, requiring a three-officer response, according to the Aurora Police Departments policy, their defense attorneys said in opening statements.

Woodyard was the first officer to contact McClain, while the other two acted as cover officers for Woodyards protection. He grabbed McClain when he didnt stop walking.

The officers then took him to the ground and put him in a type of neck hold that can induce temporary unconsciousness and is intended to gain control of a person by temporarily cutting off blood flow to their brain. McClain threw up into his mask several times while pinned to the ground.

An Aurora Fire Rescue paramedic called to the scene injected McClain with 500 milligrams of ketamine.

About 18 minutes after the officers first stopped him, McClain was unresponsive in an ambulance. He stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. He was taken off life support a few days later in the hospital and died Aug. 30.

Woodyard and paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec also face charges for McClains death.

In his opening statement Monday, prosecutor Johnathan Bunge said Roedema and Rosenblatt broke the Aurora Police Departments policies and training at every part of the encounter: They didnt have reasonable suspicion McClain had committed any crime to stop him. A carotid hold is only meant to be used if someone is violently resisting and less severe tactics havent been effective. The officers didnt check McClains vital signs after using it, and ignored his repeated cries that he could not breathe. A person saying they cannot breathe is meant to be treated as a medical emergency, Bunge said.

With that badge comes accountability to the people they have pledged to protect and serve. In this case, that promise was broken, Bunge said.

Bunge is a partner at Quinn Emanuel in Chicago and is serving as a special assistant attorney general for the case.

He said there is no evidence McClain resisted. Bunge played body-worn camera footage that captured McClain saying to the officers, Why are you grabbing me? Im just going home, and You guys started to arrest me, and I was stopping my music to listen.

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Defense attorneys for Roedema and Rosenblatt pointed the finger at paramedics during their opening statements, seeking to direct responsibility for McClains death solely to them.

Before the paramedics arrived and made the decision to inject McClain with a dose of ketamine too high for his 140-pound weight without examining or speaking to him, the attorneys argued, the officers followed their departments policies and training to the letter.

The forensic pathologist who performed McClains autopsy, Dr. Stephen Cina, originally prepared a report finding the cause and manner of his death undetermined. He later amended his report to say he believed an overdose of ketamine caused McClains death, but he didnt believe polices restraint of McClain contributed.

With all the circumstances put together, the officers reasonably found McClains behavior strange, defense attorneys said: Wearing a jacket and mask before the COVID-19 pandemic was a glimmer on anyones radar on a warm August night in a high-crime area.

The officers reacted appropriately to what they believed was McClain refusing to obey officers commands, said Reid Elkus of Elkus & Sisson, who represents Roedema. Roedema told Rosenblatt at the scene that McClain tried to grab Rosenblatts gun, a sign of intent to harm or kill the officers that could have justified a more extreme use of force than taking McClain to the ground, Elkus said. He argued the officers actually showed restraint in their response.

Roedema was the most senior officer of the three who stopped McClain.

Roedema and Rosenblatt also told their sergeant, who arrived later at the scene, that McClain had incredible strength, though Rosenblatt said he did not feel McClain grab his gun. Elkus said at one point, McClain did a push up to throw the officers off him.

McClains death is a tragedy, Elkus said, and nobody here is going to tell you different.

Just because a tragedy occurred does not mean criminality occurred.

Rosenblatts attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said in his opening statement the officers followed the Aurora Police Departments policies following the use of a carotid hold by putting McClain in the recovery position and calling their supervisor and the fire department. He also emphasized Rosenblatt was the most junior officer on the scene, with the department for about two years at the time.

Rosenblatt is accused of kneeling on McClains legs for several minutes to hold him down.

Im to ask one thing. Please be fair, Steinberg told the jury. Please be fair and dont allow emotion or sympathy to enter into it. And dont allow politics to enter into this. Please, please.
A juvenile girl is facing charges of attempted murder following a stabbing in Colorado Springs Wednesday evening, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police said at 6:32 p.m., officers received reports of a stabbing near the 4300 block of Northridge Place.

Police on the scene located one male victim with stab wounds to the face and chest. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Through initial investigation efforts, police learned the suspect was known by parties involved and on the scene, according to officials.

Police drove to the address of the suspect, and a juvenile girl was taken into custody without further incident, officials said.

According to police, the suspect is facing charges of attempted murder. The suspects identity will not be released due to her status as a minor.
One student was a window. Another was a rock. One was a bearded dragon officiating a wedding, accompanied by lizard-to-English and American Sign Language interpreters.

You never do know what the minds of fifth grade playwrights might conceive.

For the third year in a row, Martinez Elementary School students are bringing a classroom topic to life in partnership with local theater company Theatre Across Borders. Students on Wednesday broke into 19 small groups to flesh out the story with finishing touches, each embodying a character  or inanimate object  in the scene.

They had spent two weeks learning about volcanoes, partly with the help of hands-on demonstrations with instructors at local organization Science Matters. Then, guided by professional actors and artists from TAB, students were prompted through activities and discussions to craft a setting, plot and characters while incorporating information about their topic of focus. Their original, collaborative work will go on tour later this month after some fine-tuning from TABs owners and script writers, Melissa and Stephen ORear.

The play draws from academic material, like plate tectonics and soil fertilization, while also incorporating what actors say are more out-of-left-field ideas. It is, after all, a child-developed play for a child audience.

I always tend to get the most ridiculous props, and this year it was that we needed a coconut named Frank and a banana named Bob. To watch them just latch onto that idea, and the whole class just wants to see these two fruits become characters in this piece was just very smile-inducing, said TAB actor Sean Verdu. I think that was just a good takeaway of the fun and joy of the creative mind of a child and having no limits.

The partnership is made possible by TABs new program, Science to Stage, which teaches school lessons using immersive art. Last spring, a Martinez student-created play about the skeletal system toured 20 D-11 schools and showed publicly for four nights at the Millibo Art Theatre.

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In the end, they all have ownership of this creation, said TAB actor Tracy Taylor. No matter what, when they see this complete product, theyre all going to say, I was part of that.

The creative process centers on the theater concept of yes, and. No idea is a bad idea worthy of outright rejection, actors say. Instead, students are taught to work together and build upon one anothers contributions. Some proposals dont ultimately come to fruition, but thats part of the magic.

In the world of visual and performing arts, failure is a key part of learning and growing as a team.

Its really hard for kids to learn that because failure is always seen as that awful thing. So then to have a safe way to learn how to fail forward and learn from those failures and build on them, in a creative way that feels safe, thats so important, Taylor said. It doesnt feel like a test because theyre creating.

Martinez is one of Colorado Springs School District 11s two recently designated arts integration pathway schools alongside Columbia Elementary School. Teachers over the summer received a weeklong training on how to bring movement and art into their day-to-day lessons, much like Science to Stage.

Its a great example of how learning, movement, art, theater all can combine to happen at once because the kids do know more about volcanoes now and they do understand the different types, and for me as a teacher, I can easily see how movement can be incorporated into a subject like science, fifth grade teacher Anne Weaver said. When they can be active, then the learning happens a bit more.

The show will tour at least a dozen D-11 schools from Oct. 30 to Nov. 17. This spring, the Science to Stage program will expand to Columbia, where those students will have the chance to create a play of their own.
Over 800 projects from universities displayed at China Int'l Industry Fair

Xinhua) 13:45, September 21, 2023

A staff member from the stand of Shanghai University demonstrates a brain-controlled rehabilitation wheelchair at the 23rd China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 20, 2023. More than 800 projects from over 80 universities are displayed at the exhibition area of universities at the ongoing 23rd China International Industry Fair. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

A staff member introduces an endoscopic screening and diagnosis system for gastrointestinal tumors based on AI technology at the stand of Wuhan University at the 23rd China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 20, 2023. More than 800 projects from over 80 universities are displayed at the exhibition area of universities at the ongoing 23rd China International Industry Fair. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

A staff member demonstrates a simulation training system for acupuncture manipulation at the stand of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the 23rd China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 19, 2023. More than 800 projects from over 80 universities are displayed at the exhibition area of universities at the ongoing 23rd China International Industry Fair. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

A staff member uses models to introduce a multi-index detection technology of new coding liquid chips at the stand of Shanghai Jiaotong University at the 23rd China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 19, 2023. More than 800 projects from over 80 universities are displayed at the exhibition area of universities at the ongoing 23rd China International Industry Fair. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

A painting robot is seen at the stand of Peking University at the 23rd China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 20, 2023. More than 800 projects from over 80 universities are displayed at the exhibition area of universities at the ongoing 23rd China International Industry Fair. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Losing the beauty of the city

I read with interest about the planning with architects to remake downtown. I have to say that downtown has grown without planning and has destroyed any hope of being a very pretty downtown. Buildings have gone up helter skelter, any type of architecture, all a hodge podge. Most of it is high rises of every description, that have obscured any remnants of Colorado Springs that I believe tourists were drawn to the town to see.

I dont believe that people travel from their big city to see what they came from; more high rises. The once historic Colorado Springs with a view of Americas mountain is pretty much gone. The old West that people come to see is not just another bunch of high rises obliterating a view of the mountains.

Our beautiful old court house is almost impossible to find among the mess of all kinds of buildings, with every kind of architecture, from high rises to some of the ugliest of apartment buildings in the city.

Whatever happened to preserving green space so the environment can breathe, and so can the people living and visiting here: preserving the natural beauty of the town with trees that give us oxygen and help cool the atmosphere; green space that keeps the cool of the night long into the morning hours until the sun has heated long into the afternoon before the earth surrounding us is warmed, instead of rock, plaster, brick and stone that heats with the sun and stays hot during the cool nights until the nights are no longer even cool, and we are just another high rise city like all the rest with nothing unique to offer. And once it is gone, it is pretty much lost forever,

Think how expensive to bring down old crumbling high rises that are what we are going to be left with. Think how long it takes for us to grow a tree back, to try to replace some rocks with the beauty that once was Colorado Springs. Neighborhoods all over the city are fighting to keep their part of the beauty of the city and losing to the City Council daily!

Mr. Mayor, if you want to listen to the people, like you promised, please start listening! Just remember that the backbone of the city is at work while you are holding your meetings and dont have time or else energy to attend your meetings. You havent really heard from John Q. Citizen, or if you have you arent listening either.

Marcena Springer

Colorado Springs

Enabling the homeless

Reply to Spinning off axle: Speaking as a proud Libertarian, Sara Puckett relates a long litany of poor choices and circumstances, which she apparently believes or perceives either contributed to, or compelled her to resort to a homeless lifestyle as a coping technique, inadequacies within Denvers support mechanisms to serve her preferences, and all the justifications for perceiving herself as a perpetual victim to rationalize her circumstance.

Like it or not, right, wrong, coulda, woulda, shoulda, you have to acknowledge that fundamentally no one put Puckett there. She is in whatever circumstance she is in by virtue of the choices she made. Nobody twisted her arm.

Libertarians celebrate and advocate for the rights of all individuals to make their choices for how they want to live their lives (including drug use). However, with individual rights come individual responsibilities. Ms. Pucketts responsibility ought to be providing for her own support rather than guilt tripping other citizens into supporting her. We also advocate that individuals should not be deprived of the fruits of their labor to support Ms. Puckett without their consent.

The left would have you believe that not helping Ms. Pucket by providing an endless array of services is cruel and heartless by virtue of the conditions under which she chooses to live while claiming moral superiority for rationalizing their need/desire to help her/them. Its called being co-dependent. But are they really helping her? And do we really have an obligation to assure that shes comfortable in her lifestyle choice at our expense?

If you enable them, they will come.

Gordon Carleton

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Pueblo

The shining city on a hill

President Ronald Reagan often spoke loving and reverently about America as a shining city on a hill.

The conservative values that President Reagan promoted and advocated for included small government, low taxes, personal responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

In particular, President Reagan believed that as a Republic, strong states rights are integral to our governance and our way of live. And that governing decisions and policies should be made as locally as possible.

Reagan warned against the growing and ever oppressive federal government. Reagan was a passionate advocate for conservatism and never wavered from his commitment to limiting the size and scope of government and promoting God, family and freedom.

I state now and evermore that we need a conservative revolution, a recommitment to the constitution, to freedom, to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Following President Reagans leadership and example; America can again be the beacon of prosperity, freedom and liberty for the world.

We can once again be the shining city on a hill President Reagan so eloquently spoke about.

Daniel McHenry

Pueblo

Truly a sweet sound

I enjoyed Paul Baturas article in the Sept. 8 edition concerning Falcon Stadium. However, I would like to offer a contrary thought. Concerning the playing of the national anthem, he states, just a patriotic silence with hands over grateful hearts.

Actually, I was over on the west side of the stadium, and I recall hearing the joyous voices of several thousand softly singing along. It was truly a sweet sound. In how many other stadiums does that occur?

Darrel Whitcomb

Colorado Springs
Three years after a trial judge concluded Denver breached its agreement with Adams County to use a monitoring system for reporting excessive noise levels at Denver International Airport, the Colorado Supreme Court is weighing whether Adams County actually missed its opportunity to sue  by 20 years.

The airport opened in 1995 after Denver annexed 55 square miles of land in Adams County. The intergovernmental agreement between the two entities stipulated that Denver would be responsible for paying Adams County for noise violations, which have amounted to tens of millions of dollars over the years.

In 2018, Adams County sued for breach of contract after it discovered the modeling system Denver had long used to report violations was undercounting the number of excess noise incidents. It sought to force Denver to rely on a noise monitoring system instead. A judge agreed with Adams County and the state's Court of Appeals upheld her decision.

During oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, however, Denver insisted that Adams County knew since the mid-1990s that Denver was using a noise modeling system. The city maintained that if Denver breached its contract, it happened more than two decades ago  meaning the statute of limitations has long expired for Adams County to do anything about it.

"Is it your position, then," asked Justice Monica M. Marquez, "Denver's off the hook for ever installing an actual, true noise monitoring system going forward?"

"Yes, it's off the hook," responded Denver's attorney, Frederick R. Yarger.

"Even though we know now that the modeling system underreports the values?" said Marquez.

While some members of the Supreme Court appeared hesitant to endorse the notion that Adams County forfeited the ability to enforce a key term of its 50-to-100-year agreement, both parties distanced themselves from the legal principle the Court of Appeals employed to side with Adams County.

The dispute centers on Denver's obligation to report airport noise levels annually. If plane noise exceeds two decibels above the maximum threshold, Denver is allowed to ask the Federal Aviation Administration for changes to airport operations, or to adjust operations itself. If not, Denver is liable for $500,000 for each noise infraction.

Since opening, the airport has used a system that models noise levels, called ARTSMAP. In 1992, Adams County sued Denver, arguing a noise monitoring system, rather than a modeling system, was required.

At the time, the ability of microphone-based monitoring systems to distinguish airplane noise from other ambient sound was rudimentary. However, a consultant believed technology had improved enough to set up such a noise monitor, called ANOMS. Based on the promise of installation, the lawsuit was dismissed.

After the airport opened, both types of systems were operational. Still, Denver relied on the modeling system for its reports. Adams County sued Denver in 1998 for noise violations, but did not seek to force Denver to use the monitoring system.

More than a decade later, in 2014, Denver provided its annual noise report that included data from both ARTSMAP and ANOMS. Adams County processed the noise monitoring data and found that instead of the minor variation in decibel levels between the two systems that existed in the late 1990s, ARTSMAP was modeling vastly fewer noise violations than the monitoring system was catching.

Once again, Adams County sued, along with three municipalities, this time seeking a declaration that Denver had breached its contract by continuing to use the outdated and inaccurate noise modeling system to report violations.

Denver argued the three-year statute of limitations began  at the latest  in 1995, when the airport opened and Adams County knew Denver was using noise modeling instead of noise monitoring. But then-Jefferson County District Court Judge Christie A. Bachmeyer disagreed, noting Denver's annual obligation to report noise levels meant Adams County had a new claim every year that Denver did not use ANOMS.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals declined to endorse Bachmeyer's conclusion about the annual opportunity Adams County had to sue, but agreed Adams County could not have taken action until after it realized the drastic underreporting of noise violations from the modeling system.

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"Not only was Adams unable to prove that any damages flowed from Denvers use of ARTSMAP rather than ANOMS" before 2014, wrote Judge Rebecca R. Freyre, "but it also had no incentive to sue."

Denver appealed, arguing the Court of Appeals' standard did not correctly apply the law. The attorney for Adams County also declined to defend the "incentive to sue" principle, instead believing that Bachmeyer's initial reasoning was correct.

However, the county came under fire at oral arguments, as Justice Richard L. Gabriel pressed attorney Mark R. Davis to concede the absence of noise monitoring data was not news to Adams County.

"You knew they didnt do that in 1996," Gabriel said.

"Yes, we knew that. But we also knew they installed ANOMS," Davis replied.

"But they didn't use ANOMS to report (noise) values," Gabriel responded.

"We knew. Yeah, we knew," admitted Davis.

Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. observed Adams County "sort of took its chances" in the '90s.

"I understand now you realize, apparently, the values are different between the monitoring system and the modeling system," he said. "Why shouldn't we look at this as: Adams took its chances and decided, 'Well, let it go?'"

"Theres only a breach when you feel like there's one?" Justice Melissa Hart asked, doubling down on the county. "I guess that feels like not what a statute of limitations is."

Marquez threw a lifeline to Adams County, suggesting that, even if the justices believed the Court of Appeals was wrong, it could still find the facts supported Bachmeyer's original ruling.

"Your theory all along has been: this has been a recurring breach of a reporting duty  the duty to report the (noise) values based on a noise monitoring system. That thats an annual obligation," she said.

Correct, Davis responded.

The attorney for Denver clarified that even if the court decides Adams County cannot challenge the use of ARTSMAP, the county can continue to sue for noise violations.

Justice Maria E. Berkenkotter did not participate in the appeal.

The case is City and County of Denver v. Board of County Commissioners et al.
While the Colorado Supreme Court has established that prosecutors may not characterize a witnesss testimony as a lie, the states second-highest court has decided, by 2-1, a Denver prosecutor did not cross the line by repeatedly using a synonym for lie.

Jurors convicted Rigoberto E. Fernandez in 2015 for stabbing a man at Montbello Recreation Center. Fernandez did not dispute the stabbing, but claimed he was acting in self-defense after a group of the victims associates attacked him. In closing arguments, the prosecutor told jurors a half dozen times how Fernandez fabricated that story.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals noted the Supreme Court has not extended its prohibition on the word lie to synonyms of it. In context, the prosecutors comments were anchored in the evidence showing Fernandezs testimony was completely different from what the jurors heard elsewhere.

The disputed statements were embedded in the prosecutions discussion of specific contradictions in the testimony of Fernandez and the other eyewitnesses and its argument regarding how the jury should evaluate those contradictions, wrote Judge David Furman for himself and Judge Sueanna P. Johnson.

Judge Ted C. Tow III indicated he would have reversed Fernandezs conviction and granted a new trial. To Tow, the clear message the prosecutor sent to jurors was that the defendant was lying.

I believe the prosecutors closing argument was glaringly and tremendously improper and that this flagrant prosecutorial misconduct so undermined the fundamental fairness of the trial as to cast serious doubt on the reliability of the judgment of conviction, he wrote.

Word choiceThe state Supreme Court has repeatedly noted that prosecutors cannot call someone a liar or any of its other forms, as it is a violation of the right to a fair trial. In addition to being an inflammatory term, the court has reasoned that a prosecutor is improperly opining on the truthfulness of the witness by telling the jury they are lying.

In 2006, the justices issued a decision involving a prosecutor who initially called the defendant a liar. But when the trial judge intervened, the prosecutor modified her wording to say the defendant did not tell you the truth. The Supreme Court found the rephrasing acceptable, noting it did not have the same degree of rhetorical power as the word lie.

While we have repeatedly held that advocates may point to evidence that undercuts a witness testimony, we have never dictated the exact language counsel must use. We refuse to do so now, wrote Justice Alex J. Martinez.

Since then, the Court of Appeals has occasionally confronted the question of how far prosecutors may go in implying a witness is lying, but without using the word outright.

During oral arguments in a bank robbery case earlier this year, a three-judge appellate panel considered whether a prosecutor crossed the line by calling a defendants testimony pure fiction, manufactured and just not true.

Part of the problem with the word liar is it suggests a personal opinion. But also, liar is a particularly inflammatory word in Colorado law, observed Judge John Daniel Dailey. Do these other words  fiction, story, things like that  are they as inflammatory on a spectrum?

When you use all those terms back to back to back, the message is the same: hes lying, replied public defender Lynn Noesner.

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The Colorado Attorney Generals Office believed that, while synonyms for lie could be vivid and strong, they were not a problem as long as they were linked to the evidence in the case. Although the appellate panel ultimately reversed the defendants convictions on different grounds, the judges suggested the question about prosecutors language was a serious one.

Its kind of like doing everything you can without going over this imaginary line, commented Judge Christina F. Gomez. If the line is I dont say lie, but I say something else like 20 times, I dont know.

Misconduct or fair game?

In Fernandezs case out of Denver, the prosecutor repeatedly told jurors Fernandezs account of being attacked first was fabricated because it differed from every other witnesss testimony. The Court of Appeals did not identify the prosecutor, but the Denver District Attorneys Office said that Carlos Rueda was the one who made the comments.

Because the defense did not object at the time, the Court of Appeals reviewed whether the trial judge should have intervened because Ruedas statements were obviously inappropriate. The majority determined the answer was no.

Indeed, in context, each of these comments were anchored in the evidence and jury instructions and came while the prosecution pointed to inconsistencies in the testimony of Fernandez as compared to the five other eyewitnesses, wrote Furman in the Sept. 14 opinion.

Tow, writing in dissent, did not believe Ruedas comments were justified. Instead, they conveyed that the prosecution believed the other witnesses were telling the truth and Fernandez was the liar.

Rueda greatly overstepped the line by injecting his own beliefs about the defendants credibility, argued Tow.

In sum, misconduct pervaded the entirety of the prosecutors closing argument, he wrote.

A spokesperson for the Boulder County District Attorneys Office, where Rueda is now a senior prosecutor, said Rueda was unavailable for comment. Ruedas boss, District Attorney Michael Dougherty, said he agreed with the majoritys ruling and called Rueda an outstanding prosecutor.

Doughterty added that it is permissible for prosecutors to comment in closing on evidence that addresses the credibility of witness testimony, and that if the Supreme Court decides to extend the prohibition for synonyms of lie, prosecutors will follow the rule.

Absent such guidance, I think trial attorneys do their best to address credibility in a direct manner with jurors, he said. As trial attorneys, we know that jurors in Colorado tend to be smart people. The law requires jurors to determine the credibility of every witness, which is why it is always addressed in closing arguments.
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn has again been named to sit on the conference committee that will work out differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

A 16-year member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Colorado Springs Republican was appointed on Tuesday by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to serve as a "core conferee" on the panel, which is expected to produce a reconciled version of the sweeping, $866 billion military policy and spending bill before the end of the year.

The defense policy bill, known as the NDAA, is separate from defense appropriation legislation making its way through Congress this month ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline to fund the federal government.

McCarthy said in a statement that Lamborn has "worked tirelessly to ensure that our military has the resources it needs to keep America safe."

His experience as chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, where he has championed legislation to strengthen our nuclear capabilities, deter threats, and keep America ahead of our adversaries, will be essential to the success of the NDAA Conference," McCarthy said.

Lamborn was elected last year to a ninth term representing the El Paso County-based 5th Congressional District, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of military facilities in the country, including Space Command, NORAD, Peterson and Schriever space force bases, Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy.

This year marks the sixth time Lamborn has been a member of the conference committee for the annual bill. He sponsored or co-sponsored more than 50 provisions in the bill this year.

Among the bills highlights, Lamborn told Colorado Politics, are a 5.2% pay raise for military personnel  the largest in decades  and policies designed to strengthen the country's deterrence posture, including a provision pushed by Lamborn to establish the nuclear sea-launched cruise missile as a program of record.

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I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that the FY24 NDAA prioritizes hypersonic development, bolsters Americas nuclear deterrent and advances missile defense capabilities while addressing the pacing challenges posed by our adversaries," he said in a statement.

Considered must-pass legislation, the NDAA is typically approved by both chambers with broad, bipartisan support. Reconciling the two chambers' versions of this year's bill, however, could pose more of a challenge than usual after House Republicans attached numerous amendments on divisive social issues, including measures targeting the military's policies on service members' access to abortion and diversity.

Democrats and a handful of Republicans opposed the House version of the bill, which passed on a narrow 219-210 vote. The Senate version of the bill, which didn't include the social policy amendments, passed, 86-11.

Lamborn said earlier this summer that, while he supported the version passed by the House, he anticipated voting for the legislation that emerges from the conference committee if it's in line with the leaner version that passed the House Armed Services Committee on a nearly unanimous vote.

Other core conferees appointed by McCarthy include U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, who chairs the armed services committee, and U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Elise Stefanik of New York, Jim Banks of Indiana, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

"I am confident that these House Republicans will help bring both chambers of Congress together to produce a bill worthy of that mission," McCarthy said in a statement announcing his slate of appointments.

"These men and women understand how pivotal this legislation is to keeping America safe, building and maintaining strong relationships with our allies, and promoting peace around the world  I am proud to have such qualified individuals providing their leadership toward this incredible task, he added.

The Senate has yet to select its conferees.
Starting this month, the U.S. Forest Service aims to permanently close an area that has long been popular for hikers and mountain bikers in the hills of Colorado Springs.

The trails around Mays Peak  accessed along High Drive from the top of North Cheyenne Canon Park  were formally closed as part of a sweeping order in 2017, the Forest Service reminded in a notice to stakeholders involved in years of action around the Bear Creek watershed. The action has been in a stated effort to protect greenback cutthroat trout, federally listed as threatened and thought to be extinct before the Bear Creek discovery in 2012.

Since then, land managers have made various attempts to block or "decommission" trails deemed a risk to the habitat. In the case of trails around Mays Peak, the attempt this summer came with felling trees  "an environmentally sound practice in an area that is overstocked," according to the Forest Service's recent notice, which indicated previously determined fire danger in the area.

"This approach serves a dual purpose," the notice continued. "It blocks human travel while providing sheltered micro-habitat for plants to take root and revegetate the bare ground."

The resulting closure at Mays Peak will start this month, read the notice sent by Janelle Valladares, the Forest Service's fisheries biologist leading the Bear Creek watershed project. Attempts to reach her for this article were unsuccessful.

The job this summer sparked online outrage toward Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI), the Colorado Springs-based nonprofit contracted by the Forest Service. An online petition criticized the work as "destroying the habitat." The petition came with a small photo appearing to show a middle finger raised at a service vehicle.

In a local mountain biking group on Facebook, RMFI's executive director, Jolie NeSmith, addressed the animosity in a pointed post calling out harassment and threats to staff and vehicles.

"(B)y removing the smaller trees we are minimizing the risk of canopy fires while also closing trails," NeSmith wrote. "This is not a perfect remedy, but considering some trail users cannot respect (Forest Service) regulations, this is what is left."

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She added: "I say this because the power is truly in your hands. If you really care about our public lands, then you would stop creating illegal trails in a protected watershed and support the work being done to remove them."

The region's long-standing mountain biking advocacy group, Medicine Wheel, has continued to call for mutual understanding. The group's leader, Cory Sutela, posted a lengthy statement saying it was "extremely improbable" Forest Service leadership "will respond positively to threatening or emotional appeals to approve illegal trail construction in the Bear Creek watershed."

On the Forest Service's part, Sutela called for better communication and information. He noted "insufficient data to connect the impact of trails, trail users and sedimentation on fish habitat."

Land managers have seen a habitat threat from rock and soil kicked down to the creek by feet and wheels above, explaining several trail reroutes and closures in 2017. Three years later, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported an 80% decline in adult fish  leading some to wonder if the now-decommissioned trails had any impact in the first place.

The population has since stabilized, CPW told The Gazette earlier this year. In 2022, the agency announced a second population of greenback cutthroat trout naturally reproducing at Herman Gulch, one of several sites along the South Platte River where the fish have been stocked from hatcheries.

That was "reassuring," CPW biologist Cory Noble previously told The Gazette, "but it doesn't diminish the Bear Creek population by any means."
Maverik will stay, Kum & Go will leave and Good 2 Go has arrived as part of big changes to the Pikes Peak regions convenience store landscape.

Utah-based Maverik completed its purchase last month of Kum & Go of Iowa, the two chains recently announced. As a result, 120 to 140 Kum & Go stores in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming will be re-branded as Maveriks starting in January, Maverik said.

Kum & Go has 86 stores in Colorado, and online checks show about 25 of them are in Monument, Colorado Springs and Fountain. Maverik, meanwhile, has 29 stores in Colorado and four in the area.

Maverik and Kum & Go, both longtime, family-owned convenience store chains, announced their merger in April, but it was unknown at the time what that might mean for stores in markets such as Colorado Springs.

As they await their rebranding, all Pikes Peak region Kum & Go stores will remain open, a Maverik spokeswoman said via email.

Meanwhile, Maverik has sold three of its local stores to Good 2 Go, an Idaho-based convenience store chain thats entering the local market.

Those Maverik locations  at 711 E. Fillmore St. and 7491 Black Forest Road in Colorado Springs and 6180 Timber Rail Point in Fountain  already have been converted to Good 2 Go stores, with new signs and banners heralding the change.

Each of those Maverik stores was a short distance from a Kum & Go location; in the case of the Maverik on Fillmore, it was across the street from Kum & Go.

The purchase of these Maverik stores was a special circumstance and we expect that any future Good 2 Go growth in the Colorado Springs market would come from new Good 2 Go stores, Caleb Shiley, a Good 2 Go spokesman, said via email.

He didnt say how many total stores Good 2 Go envisions for the Springs market.

We think our Colorado Springs friends (we call our customers friends) will love what Good 2 Go Stores has to offer and we will continue to look for growth opportunities in the future, Shiley added.

Good 2 Go liked the areas where its new stores are located in Colorado Springs and Fountain, Shiley said.

The teams in our stores are fun and the friends (customers) that shop our stores are just as fun, he said. These are vibrant, growing neighborhoods with lots of personality and that fits well with who we are.

In addition to buying three stores in the Springs and Fountain, Good 2 Go has purchased six more in the Denver area, Utah and Wyoming, Shiley said.

Like restaurants and retailers, competition is fierce among brick-and-mortar convenience store chains. 7-Eleven long has dominated the local market, along with Circle K, Loaf N Jug and several independents.

Kum & Go opened its first area store in 2012, and Maverik followed five years later. Since then, other chains that have expanded locally include Murphy Express and United Pacific. QuikTrip, based in Tulsa, Okla., now is expanding to the area with a location in Monument and three more planned in Colorado Springs.

Convenience stores sell gas, hot and cold food, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, cigarettes, lottery tickets and many other items for on-the-go customers who want to make a quick purchase and get on their way to work or home.

Some chains also have ratcheted up the convenience store experience in recent years.

Kum & Go and Maverik have built stores of roughly 5,000 square feet, which are much larger than older 7-Elevens. Kum & Go, Quik Trip and others, meanwhile, have on-site kitchens that prepare fresh food such as pizza and breakfast sandwiches.
In 1973, when the first Corvallis Fall Festival was held, there was nothing else quite like it in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Some might say, there still isn't.

Organized by the Corvallis Area Chamber of Commerce, its aim was to be an all-inclusive community arts event that worked with nonprofit agencies to raise the visibility of artists and art in the community.

"Another of the focuses of the festival from the beginning has been to offer a high caliber of music to the community," Corvallis Fall Festival Executive Director Donele Pettit-Mieding said by phone.

Over the years, the festival has grown to become a highly anticipated art event that attracts artists and guests from across the Pacific Northwest, even the entire West Coast.

In its 50th year, the festival, set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, 24, is reflecting the all-inclusive community spirit at the core of its founding five decades ago.

A unique community

Linda Avery, artist and owner of Avery Studio, has been participating in the Fall Festival since 1976. She and her partner learned about the festival through word of mouth.

Avery graduated with a bachelors degree in food and nutrition, and her husband earned a bachelor's degree in communication arts. After college at Michigan State University, everyone was doing "the hippie thing," Avery said by phone.

So Avery's partner and a few friends packed up and moved west to Eugene to take advantage of government support services that fit the hippie lifestyle. Avery joined him later, after he agreed to marry her as a condition for moving West.

At their studio, Avery and her husband make wearable art from leather. She also keeps the books leaning on her experience as a food service supervisor at the University of Michigan.

In the late 1970s, prompted by a business management class she took at Linn-Benton Community College, Avery began taking stock of shows  where they exhibited, how much revenue the shows brought in, and where else they could take their art with a goal of earning a living and supporting their young family.

It was then that they first learned about and began attending the festival.

"What we found out when we did the show after a few years, and this is because we were doing other shows  probably as many as 18 a year  was that each show has a personality," Avery said.

"We really liked the Corvallis show because we felt that the people there appreciated us as artists; they wanted us to be there," she said.

This made the festival stand out from the rest.

Life marches on. Ten years ago, Avery's husband took on a full-time job, and shes cut back on the number of shows where she exhibits.

But the Corvallis Fall Festival has remained a part of that roster.

"Corvallis was never on the chopping list because that was our favorite show," Avery said.

Erin Linton, who has been painting for 12 years, first learned of the Corvallis Fall Festival about six years ago. In the years she has been attending, Linton, who paints birds and raptors on canvas covered with pH-treated tea bags, has won in the Best Upcycled Art category at last years festival and, before that, the Peoples Choice Award.

"It was one of the first large away shows that I did," said Linton, who is based in Southern Oregon.

The "beautiful venue," its accessibility, the moderate booth costs and the kind of guests the festival attracts have been reasons to keep coming back, said Linton, whose practice is called Orphan Girl Fine Art.

Lintons artistic interests in birds and raptors comes from volunteering as a certified wildlife rehabber. In the course of her work, she said she fell in love with the softness and textures of birds, which comes through in her choice of tea bags as a medium.

The proximity of the Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to the festival and the crop of young guests deeply engaged in art and wildlife conservation are also things that make participating in the festival worthwhile.

"I get some of the best questions and interactions in Corvallis than I do anywhere, and that speaks highly of the kind of patronage it draws," Linton said. "Its really exciting to come back for the 50th, and its really exciting to be a part of such a monumental moment in time for the festival."

Ebbs and flows

Since its launch 50 years ago, the festival has kept up with its core program lineup of music, art and food. Still, there have been a lot of changes since then. In the 2000s, the festival added a Young Artist Marketplace so artists younger than 18 can showcase their work.

In 1994, the festival became its own nonprofit entity, and in 1992 it tried out a three-day festival.

Avery remembers the three-day edition as one of the not-so-good changes.

"I was convinced that theres no reason if the people in Corvallis will turn out in two days, those same people, if you give them an extra day, will take three days," Avery said.

"It doesnt necessarily mean youre going to bring in one-third more people. And that proved to be true," she said.

She recalls that there was also a period when the festival wanted to fit in as many booths as possible, but this did not translate to a better experience for artists or guests.

For Linton, a lot of the changes shes observed in the time since she has been a regular at the festival have been personal. Her booth has gotten bigger and her display more professional.

Considering how financially rewarding the festival has been, Linton said she's willing to give the three-day experiment another try.

"I hope it gets bigger and better, which it seems to be doing," she said.

Book sale

As part of the festival, the Friends of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library are hosting a book sale in the Main Meeting Room of the library at 645 NW Monroe Ave.

It begins Friday, Sept. 22, with a members-only sale from 2 to 3:30 p.m., and opens to the general public from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

If you want to buy a membership to Friends of the Library to attend the members-only sale, memberships will be available for purchase at the event.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the sale will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and hours on Sunday, Sept. 24, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Available for purchase will be fiction and nonfiction books for children and adults, as well as DVDs and music CDs.

On Sunday, items will be sold at half price.

More art, more music, more fun

To mark the 50th anniversary of the festival, events have been ongoing all year around, Pettit-Mieding said.

She said the festival participated in the recently held Open Street Corvallis, and memorabilia have been displayed downtown at New Morning Bakery (posters through the decades) and at Footwise (decades of festival commemorative T-shirts) in the last few months.

This year, 173 art booths will be present at the festival, up from about 50 art booths when the festival first began.

The Young Artist Marketplace will also be present in the Art Discovery Zone for artists ages 8 to 18 to showcase their work. There will also be family-focused activities for guests in the Discovery Zone.

There will be twice as much food than was offered last year. The food booths, all operated as fundraisers for Benton County charities, have been a tradition of the festival from its inception.

This year, the Saturday Night Street Dance, a beloved feature of the festival, returns. It will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 on the Main Stage, beginning with a Mardi Gras-style parade. Headlining the night is Portland-based soul funk music band Outer Orbit, featuring Arietta Ward.

Organized by the Heart of the Valley Runners, there will be 1K, 5K and 10K races as part of the Fall Festival Run, which is in its 44th year.

It will be a busy weekend in downtown Corvallis.

Pettit-Mieding suggests biking or taking advantage of the free shuttle, which will be at Samaritan Square on Ninth Street to transport people to the festival.

"It is now the largest art festival in our direct area, and it has a really great reputation among show artists," Pettit-Mieding said.

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Avery and Linton are eager to be back.

While Avery is looking forward to seeing a community of friends, artists and people who have become lifelong customers, Linton is looking forward to interacting with young guests who are interested in the intersection of art and wildlife conservation.

Linton said she is also looking forward to being back in the Central Park location, where the beautiful trees and grass create a one-of-a-kind festival ambience.
Two Mason City juveniles were arrested on Wednesday evening after allegedly brandishing guns at another vehicle.

According to a release from the Cerro Gordo Sheriff's Office, a 15 year old has been charged with terrorism, third-degree theft and minor in the possession of a dangerous weapon. The driver, 16, has been charged with third-degree theft, minor in possession of a dangerous weapon and interference with official acts.

Law enforcement received a call at 9:01 p.m. reporting the incident at the intersection of 19th Street SW and South Pierce Ave. Shortly afterward a traffic stop was made at the intersection of 34th Street SE and South Federal Avenue.

One of the juveniles allegedly resisted arrest while having a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband. He was taken into custody without injury. The weapon was reported stolen out of Clear Lake.

The 15-year-old passenger was allegedly found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun reported stolen out of Northwood. Both teens were processed at the Cerro Gordo County Jail and transported to the North Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Waterloo.

Mason City Police assisted the sheriff's office at the scene.

Today in history: Sept. 21 1912: Harry Houdini 1938: Hurricane 1981: Sandra Day O'Connor 1982: National Football League Strike 1987: NFL 1989: Hurricane Hugo 2008: Yankee Stadium 2011: Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer 2018: Brett Kavanaugh 2020: The Las Vegas Raiders 2021: Gabby Petito
A new specialty grocery store carrying Micronesian and Hispanic items that many families have had to special order in the past, is coming to Mason City

Four Corners Market will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 22. The market is located on the corner of Highway 122 and Pierce Avenue in Mason City at 1306 4th Street SW.

Karrie and Raul Juarez are its proprietors, and this isn't their first venture into specialty groceries. "We had a good selection over at Midtown Liquor for a while. This is just us getting a chance to focus on that and have some familiar foods for people," said Karrie.

The couple is excited to have a wide selection of international favorites like spicy ramen noodles, native spices and black-labeled Spam. There will be coolers of specialty drinks like roasted coconut juice, tamarind drink and boba tea.

While the Juarezes will have a few individual beers or alcoholic beverages on hand, Four Corners Market is definitely not a liquor store.

"There are enough of those on the North End," said Raul. "We have your groceries and some gifts. We will have the big, heavy blankets with the design on both sides and rugs everyone wants, too."

"It's about bringing a taste of home to Mason City. We have so many people who supported us when we were at Midtown, we want to continue to provide people with the things they're looking for," said Karrie.

One of the most requested items is spicy ramen noodles mixed with a packet of Kool-Aid. This Micronesian staple may sound odd to someone who hasn't tried it, but the fruity tang of the Kool-Aid blends with the rich, spicy broth of international noodles. What is a familiar and beloved staple to Micronesians can be your favorite snack as well.

The Juarezes are looking forward to opening their doors to the public. "We've had so many people come in just to ask if we're open yet," said Karrie. "We're stocking the shelves and will be ready by Friday."

Four Corners Market has experience in special ordering international favorites from a number of distributors. "If someone is looking for something in particular, we can try to get it in the store," Karrie said. "We want to be stocked with things people want to buy, things they love."
North Iowa Mutual Aid held its Burgers and Brews fundraiser on Tuesday at Lake Time Brewery in Clear Lake. The event was an opportunity for board members and volunteers to connect with donors and share the mission of people helping people.

For those unable to attend the event, t-shirts, gift cards and silent auction items are available until Sunday at northiowamutualaid.org. Proceeds fund mutual aid programs that fight food insecurity, period poverty and harm reduction.

Natasha Marquis is North Iowa Mutual Aid's founder and director. "Mutual aid is a simple concept and one that can really transform communities. People helping people feels less like a hand out. When we support each other, no one gets left behind."

NIMA has a variety of programs to address what the board has determined are community priorities. There are weekly food distributions to assist people in stretching their food budgets. Period products are collected and distributed to those who otherwise may have to stay home during menstruation. Harm reduction kits include wound care and infection control measures to assist clients who use drugs.

Volunteers donate their time and efforts to helping others in similar situations. Marquis says that clients who receive weekly food distribution also make deliveries to other clients if they have a car. People who receive period products donate their time to sort and distribute products for others.

"Everyone has something to give," Marquis stresses. "More often than not, we have people who need to access services, but want to give back. That's exactly what mutual aid is, you may not have money for food, but you do have two hours spare to help pack boxes for others. It gives us all the feeling of helping."

An exciting new development for NIMA is a grant for naloxone to add to harm reduction kits. "We're also setting up a harm reduction drop off where people can access needed items at all hours," said Cassidy Flory, NIMA board member. Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

"Right now we're pretty focused on community refrigerators. We have a grant to buy the units, but we need to find hosts in communities who are willing to supply the plug in and space. The nice thing about the program is that we take care of the fridge. We stock, clean and maintain it, so all a host has to do is provide the electricity," Flory said.

There is currently a community fridge at Prairie Ridge Downtown Drop-In Center, which is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NIMA hopes to find 24-hour locations in Mason City and surrounding cities.

"Clear Lake and Britt Public Libraries have already committed to hosting a fridge," Marquis said. "We would like to have 24-hour access, so if businesses or agencies would like to host a community refrigerator, please contact us."

North Iowa Mutual Aid, an Iowa nonprofit corporation, is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Email northiowamutualaid@gmail.com or call 641-505-1566 for more information.
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.
Collective bargaining is prohibited for city workers following disagreement and a divided vote from the Danville City Council on Tuesday night.

Council members voted 6-3 to codify the city of Danvilles long-standing informal policy against collective bargaining among municipal employees.

City Councilman Sherman Saunders questioned whether such a proposal was necessary since there have been few grievances filed against the city by its employees.

If it aint broke, dont fix it, Saunders said before voting, along with Councilman Larry Campbell and Vice Mayor Gary Miller, to oppose the move.

I just feel like were doing something that doesnt need to be done, Saunders said. It sends the wrong kind of message to our employees and future employees.

But City Attorney Clarke Whitfield pointed out that in 2021, Virginia began permitting collective bargaining among localities that choose to allow it for their government workers.

Danvilles stance has always been to forbid collective bargaining or recognition of unions among its employees.

This policy preserves the status quo, Whitfield said during the meeting.

Before the City Councils vote, if a group of city employees requested to form a union, council would have had to decide within 120 days whether to allow it, Whitfield told the Danville Register & Bee.

The councils decision Tuesday night eliminated that requirement, he said.

Members who voted in favor of prohibiting collective bargaining included Madison Whittle, Lee Vogler, Bryant Hood, Barry Mayo, James Buckner and Mayor Alonzo Jones.

City Manager Ken Larking pointed out that union representatives have spoken before council occasionally asking council members to do certain things or adopt a particular policy and nothing has happened.

Tuesday nights vote is a firm statement of the citys position, he said.

This is making anyone aware the city will not have collective bargaining, Larking said.

The city has a grievance process for workers, Larking said. Any employee can file a complaint about their supervisor or even the city manager, he said.

If the employee loses the grievance case, then they can appeal the citys decision on that matter to the circuit court, Whitfield said.

But Miller pointed out that it can be very intimidating for one person to go up against their supervisor or other officials in city government. Its why people want representatives to speak for them or with them, he said.

I have a hard time voting at this time not to allow bargaining, Miller said, calling it an inherent right of the employees.

Vogler asked Larking how much it would cost the city to allow collective bargaining.

Larking estimated it would cost the city an extra $1 million to $2 million to administer it.

In another matter, the council voted 9-0 to rewrite the citys code on aggressive solicitation, or panhandling, in the city. The changes apply to the practice in center medians and the sides of streets. The rewrite adds new definitions, clarifies responsibilities and powers of city staff, and makes additional changes to make sure the city code complies with recent federal court cases.

Assistant City Attorney Ryan Dodson said the city is bringing the citys code into compliance with the law so it can enforce it.

We believe it will be enforceable but it will be constitutional and will hold up in court, Dodson told the Danville Register & Bee.
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.
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.
Editors note: This is the fourth email the Independent Record has received from Hands On Global Executive Director Valerie Hellermann of Helena, who is delivering medical aid and offering comfort to people in Ukraine and Syrian refugees living in Hatay,Turkey (Turkiye), on the Syrian/Turkey border.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on Feb. 6, killing nearly 55,000 people and leaving 1.5 million homeless.

She is making her fourth trip overseas to areas in need since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. She left Helena on Sept. 4 and plans to spend five weeks overseas. She started this trip in Ukraine, but was rerouted to Turkey to set up a mobile clinic. This email from Hellermann arrived 10:45 a.m. Thursday.

Our teams are moving around, truly mobile clinics.

Two days ago we set up our clinic in a schoolyard where the school had been partially collapsed.

People all over this community are living in tents outside their houses or apartments. Even the buildings that are standing are severely or dangerously damaged.

Then in the afternoon we met with an Egyptian man married to a Syrian woman who were camp leaders at a Syrian camp of 1,500.

They set up the camp without any help from the Turkish government so the police stay away. It was in the Arab section of Anatakya and before the earthquake there were 50,000 Syrians there.

Some recent refugees from the war and some (others) settled years ago. This section was devastated by the earthquake, collapsed buildings and rubble all over.

There are 4 showers and 4 bathrooms for all these people. There are 3 sets of 4 water spigots for water. It is questionable if this is safe drinking water

We went there yesterday. There was a plethora of scabies, impetigo, ringworm, infected insect bites and fungus infections in kids and adults.

The result of poor hygiene in such deplorable conditions.

Our pediatrician is with us, treating mostly skin infections, diarrhea, respiratory. We did see a young child with a prosthetic arm that was non functional. And a child with thalassemia a Mediterranean anemia that is fatal.

These people were so kind and so appreciative.

For more on Hands On Global, go to https://www.facebook.com/handsonglobal/
Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen touted both governments' investments they hope will have a positive effect on the local unsheltered crisis Wednesday during the latest in a series of meetings to discuss the issues.

During the meeting, held at Covenant United Methodist Church, Hunthausen said the county can only do so much and encouraged those in attendance to help.

"What are you doing about it? We need to do this together," he said. "It's not me. We can only do so much for so many."

Helenas Plymouth Congregational Church, in conjunction with United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area, the Montana Jewish Project, Good Samaritan and the Helena United Methodist Churches, organized the five-part series, with the final meeting scheduled for noon Sept. 27 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes St., where the discussion will revolve around the intersections of homelessness, addiction and mental health.

Wednesday's meeting was the fourth in the series.

In addition to local experts, the series has drawn from Rough Sleepers, a book by Pulitzer-prize winning author Tracy Kidder, and attendees were encouraged to read the book.

During a Sept. 5 joint work session between the city and county leaders, County Commissioner Candace Payne trumpeted the county's about $2 million this budget cycle earmarked as subsidies for nonprofit organizations working in this vein locally, about 1.5% of its total budget, seemingly claiming ownership of the nonprofits.

"I don't want anyone to be thinking the nonprofits are a separate entity from the county. They basically build their budgets on what the taxpayers are already providing. ... It's not a separate grouping," Payne said.

Hunthausen on Wednesday also spoke about other ways in which the county has helped further the cause, citing its pass-through of federal and state American Rescue Plan Act dollars to groups like Helena Area Habitat for Humanity and cosponsoring grant applications for nonprofit operations.

"I looked at the comparisons in the book, and we have some of those things going on in our community in terms of the response," he said, referencing "Rough Sleepers."

"We have the Dr. Jim (one of the book's subjects) out there without the Dr. part, checking on people seeing how they are," he said.

Hunthausen noted that estimates show a need of about 3,000 housing units in just the Lewis and Clark area.

"It's going to take us a long time to address that need," he said. "It isn't something we can do overnight. It isn't something local government can do alone."

Hunthausen said the community needs to lend a hand like it would in the aftermath of, for example, a flood.

"This emergency, we don't seem to apply the same kind of standard," he said. "I think we have to as a community, it's not just local government, but as a community, we have to think about what are our priorities, what constitutes that level of emergency and how are we going to respond."

Collins' message to the about 100 attendees was largely the same.

"The city of Helena encourages each and every one of you to continue to do what you're doing in terms of finding solutions for the unhoused," he said. "It is not only a city issue."

He noted the city's August allocation of $100,000 of savings accrued from ARPA aid toward funding a viable solution should one be presented.

Negotiations between a working group established to find those solutions and local property owners are underway for the potential establishment of a low-barrier emergency shelter for the coming winter.

Properties the group is considering include Helena Inn and the long shuttered St. John's Hospital.

Collins said the city will not be able to purchase the property on its own.

He also said city leadership was afforded the opportunity to meet with the regional director for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this week.

"We also provided some recommendations that she was very receptive to," he said.

Collins added that the regional director "promised" to work with the department director's adviser on homelessness on resources for Helena and municipalities of that size.

Michael ONeil, executive director of Helena Housing Authority, told the group the state government bears a good share of the blame, citing a lack of sustained funding for housing initiatives at the state level.

"Tell the governor we need real investment," O'Neil said.

The Sept. 27 discussion is scheduled to occur at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes St.
Daniel Pocha, a member of the Little Shell Tribe, stood in a park known as The Lazy Green across from Helena Middle School on Wednesday, happy that a memorial honoring his tribe had finally come to fruition.

The plaque, a circular memorial embedded in concrete, commemorates the 1908 Nepaquashimowin, or Thirsty Sun Dance.

This has been a dream of people here in Helena for a long time, he said to nearly 30 others who had gathered for the dedication ceremony.

This story needs to be told to stay alive, he said later.

The dedication included songs from the Magpie Drummers and speeches by Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray, a Little Shell writer, and Mike Jetty, Indian Education specialist with Montanas Office of Public Instruction.

The plaque states: On July 5, 6 and 7, 1908, at this location, Chief Little Bear of Rocky Boys Band held a Sun Dance. Followed on July 8, 1908, with a council at Congressman Carter's house, asking for a reservation for the Landless Indians of Montana.

The 1908 Sun Dance was held at the request of a Helena Fourth of July celebration committee, which paid the Little Shell to dance. The tribe also charged public admission to the event, according to a Sept. 14 story by Marga Lincoln in the Independent Record.

Known as The Landless Indians, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians had no reservation, which is still the case today. They have, however, gained tribal recognition from both the federal and state government.

Among those attending Wednesdays ceremony were Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen.

I appreciate what you have done, you have been working on this forever and it has come to reality and I appreciate that your story is now being actually told, Collins said.

Hunthausen said I am one who would love to learn more.

There were times I thought we would never succeed, Pocha said.

LaTray said we would have to work on togetherness if we are to move forward. He said as a Little Shell person he needs to act in a way to solve the problems communities face.

Every moment that we spend talking about these things  to even consider them, is a step in the right direction to solving these problems ... he said.

LaTray said the dedication was about all of our stories.

Jetty said ancient ceremonies are powerful, and this plaque represented another piece of Montana history.

This is sacred ground, he said, adding there were songs sung and people offered prayers for a better life for their people. He reminded those gathered that everything is connected and we are all related.

There are plans to offer follow-up education presentations for HMS students about this important historic event. Pocha thanked Matrix Construction for the work they did at the site.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh did something Thursday he hasnt done in the two years since his life of privilege and power started to unravel  plead guilty to a crime.

Murdaugh admitted in federal court to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering.

Murdaugh, 55, is serving life without parole in a South Carolina prison for shooting his wife and son. He has denied any role in the killings since their deaths in June 2021 and insisted he was innocent in two days of testimony earlier this year before he was convicted of two counts of murder.

The federal guilty plea likely locks in years if not decades in prison for the disbarred lawyer, even if his murder conviction and sentence in state court are overturned on appeal.

Murdaugh told the judge he wanted to be held accountable for stealing from his clients and do right by his surviving son.

I want to take responsibility. I want my son to see me take responsibility. Its my hope that by taking responsibility that the people Ive hurt can begin to heal," said Murdaugh, standing in his orange South Carolina prison jumpsuit.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

The deal for pleading guilty in federal court is straightforward. Prosecutors will ask that the federal sentence Murdaugh gets run at the same time as any prison term he serves from a state court. They won't give him credit defendants typically receive for pleading guilty.

In exchange, authorities get a requirement placed in almost every plea deal, which is especially significant in this case: The Defendant agrees to be fully truthful and forthright with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by providing full, complete and truthful information about all criminal activities about which he/she has knowledge, reads the standard language included in Murdaugh's deal.

That could be a broad range of wrongdoing. The federal charges against the disgraced attorney, whose family were both prosecutors and founders of a heavy-hitting law firm that no longer carries the Murdaugh name in tiny Hampton County, deal with stealing money from at least five clients and creating fraudulent bank accounts.

Murdaugh admitted Thursday to stealing from money meant to provide care for a man paralyzed from the neck down in a wreck, from two sisters who were children when they lost their mother and brother in a crash, the estate of his longtime maid who died in a fall at the family home and from others.

Murdaugh still faces about 100 different charges in state court. Authorities said he committed insurance fraud by trying to have someone kill him so his surviving son could get $10 million in life insurance, but the shot only grazed Murdaugh's head. Investigators said Murdaugh also failed to pay taxes on the money he stole, took settlement money from several clients and his family's law firm, and ran a drug and money laundering ring.

He is scheduled to face trial on at least some of those charges at the end of November. State prosecutors have insisted they want him to face justice for each one.

As federal prosecutor Emily Limehouse gave the judge details about each scheme to steal money, Murdaugh rocked back and forth.

Judge Richard Gergel asked Murdaugh if he disagreed with any of the prosecution's description and the former attorney, whose law license is now revoked, referred to his lawyer Jim Griffin.

When Murdaugh represented a woman who died in a wreck, he didn't steal from her estate  just her surviving husband's money, Griffin said.

Doesnt make it any better, but thats just one fine point of clarification, he added.

Murdaughs previous job was also mentioned a few times during the hearing. As it started, Gergel said he knew Murdaugh was familiar with the standard questions that defendants get asked as they plead guilty and mostly struck to the script.

But when Gergel asked if Murdaugh was sober, the former lawyer  who blames decades of painkiller and other drug abuse for his crimes  said he has been proudly clean for 744 days.

That would be Sept. 7, 2021, three days after police said he asked a friend to kill him on the side of that lonely Lowcountry two-lane road.

Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 14 counts of money laundering, five counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The click of his pen as he signed the documents reverberated around the quiet courtroom.

Each charge carries a maximum of at least 20 years in prison. Some have a maximum 30-year sentence.

Other requirements of the plea deal include that Murdaugh pay back $9 million he is accused of stealing and take a lie detector test if asked.
A 41-year-old Puyallup, Washington, woman has been charged with felony theft and misdemeanor criminal trespass to property related to an incident in which a city solid waste vehicle was reported stolen, authorities said.

A Lewis and Clark County sheriffs deputy said he was contacted at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 19 to go to the 1100 block of Spring Street for a report of a stolen vehicle. The deputy met with another deputy who said a white truck with a City of Helena Solid Waste logo, which had been reported missing by the city of Helena earlier in the day, had been seen.

A witness said two women, one of whom was wearing a high-visibility neon yellow jacket, were seen in the vehicle and drove into a shop, according to court documents.

A deputy knocked on the shop door and announced they were with law enforcement. No one answered, and deputies waited for the owner to arrive, according to court documents.

Two women were seen south of the shop in the yard of a residence, the deputy said. The defendant refused to talk, but yelled at deputies later, court documents stated.

The property owner said he owned the shop and residence and wanted both women arrested for criminal trespass. The vehicle was found behind the residence and had various items in the back, including a neon yellow jacket, authorities said.

The other woman told deputies the defendant, April Dawn Miller, had the keys to the vehicle, was driving it and collected trash from residences. A deputy searched the defendant's belongings and found the keys and gas card belonging to the vehicle, court documents stated.

Miller was taken to Lewis and Clark County Detention Center, authorities said.
A former state health department employee on Thursday pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government of nearly $90,000 by falsifying applications for assistance programs.

Heather Marie Bugni, a former client services coordinator with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in Butte, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court of Montana to theft of government money, property or records.

As part of her job at the department, Bugni processed applications, interviewed applicants and approved benefits for multiple public assistance programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to the U.S. District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said Bugni approved an application with false information and wage figures which landed her partner's parents a combined $78,020 between the two programs. She also filled out an application for her daughter using a false address while posing as her partner, according to federal court records, collecting $11,309.

"We are relieved that justice prevailed and the perpetuator of fraud was held accountable," A spokesperson for DPHHS said in an emailed statement Thursday. "Sadly, this fraud and theft scheme only detracts from the vulnerable Montanans we serve and the hard-working staff at DPHHS who are committed to ensuring Montanans have access to the resources they need."

Bugni signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in August to dismiss seven additional charges related to the scheme at her sentencing in exchange for her guilty plea on the theft charge.

Bugni's sentencing hearing has been set for Feb. 1.
People can reserve the Cummings Cabin in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234453

-- U.S. Forest Service

Pheasant, waterfowl weekend coming up

Youth hunters can get a head start on pheasant and waterfowl hunting during the 2023 Youth Pheasant and Waterfowl Weekend, which is Sept. 23 and 24.

Licensed hunters, 15 and under, can hunt pheasants, ducks, mergansers, geese and coots statewide on these two days.

The two-day youth hunt is open to:

legally licensed 12- to 15-year-olds who have completed hunter education and who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18,

properly certified and legally licensed apprentice hunters 10-15 years of age who are accompanied by a non-hunting adult "mentor" at least 21 years of age.

All regulations apply. The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area hours differ from the regulations for youth waterfowl weekend. They will be one half-hour before sunrise to noon.

Prior to the youth weekend, FWP will release pheasants, raised by Montana Correctional Enterprises, on state-owned lands with suitable pheasant habitat. The release program is to give youth hunters an opportunity to experience hunting success, encouraging their future participation.

The release sites are at the following wildlife management areas, fisheries conservation areas, fishing access sites and Department of Natural Resources Conservation lands. Locally, they are:

Region 3: Canyon Ferry WMA, Lake Helena WMA

Region 4: Freezout Lake WMA, Arod Lakes DNRC, Bullhead Ranch DNRC
MOUNT ZION  The Mount Zion Chamber of Commerce will host its 11th annual Community Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the Mount Zion Convention Center, 1400 Village Parkway.

Guest speaker will be Sarah Butts, widow of former Decatur police officer and Macon County Circuit Court security officer Tommy Butts. He died while awaiting a kidney donation and his wife will tell her familys story and talk of the desperate need for donors.

Doors open at 6:30 a.m. and the event will run from 7 to 8 a.m. Tickets for the buffet breakfast cost $13 and are available from the village of Mount Zion, Dels Popcorn, Prairie State Bank & Trust, Scott State Bank, Busey Bank and First Baptist Church. For information, call 217-864-2526.

PHOTOS: HSHS St. Mary's Hospital National Donor Sabbath service promotes organ and tissue donations Garner Smith_Lisa 11.9.18.jpg Earl_Doris 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 1 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 2 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 3 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 4 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 5 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 6 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 7 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 8 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 9 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 10 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 11 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 12 11.9.18.jpg National Donor Sabbath 13 11.9.18.jpg
DECATUR  Deonte M. Drake Jr., the jealous lover who did not like his girlfriend dating other men, was convicted Wednesday of shooting one of his romantic rivals to death.

A Macon County Circuit Court jury took just two hours to come back with a verdict that said Drake, 21, was guilty of the first-degree murder of 32-year-old Stonee O. Adams. The trial began on Monday.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said the victim died in a hail of bullets just before 2 a.m. April 9, 2022, when he was ambushed outside an apartment in the 100 block of South Dipper Lane. Adams had just arrived there with Drakes then 19-year-old girlfriend and police said Drake had been lying in wait for them.

Defense attorneys in earlier stages of the case had highlighted the fact that the girlfriend had not been able to identify Drake as the shooter at the scene. But detectives said the evidence soon pointed to him as a suspect and he was placed under observation within hours of the crime and was later seen to dump a gun that matched the caliber of the murder weapon.

And while Drake later denied everything, the sworn affidavit said he had confessed to officers when arrested.

In addition to convicting Drake of murder, the jury also found that he had personally discharged a firearm during the course of the killing, and that finding will greatly increase the sentence he is facing.

Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 9 and Drake remains in custody of the Macon County Jail.
DECATUR  Police said two twin brothers who are street gang members  and one of them fresh out of prison and on parole for firearms offenses  were involved in a shooting Tuesday that locked down a Decatur school.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said gunfire broke out in the 1100 block of East Leafland Avenue around 2:20 p.m. within four blocks of Hope Academy, which was locked down while officers determined there was no longer any active threat.

Officer Clayton Zilz, who signed the affidavit, said police collected multiple spent 9mm bullet casings from the crime scene.

The 1100 block of East Leafland Avenue is a known hangout for the city of Decaturs East Side gang and there is an ongoing feud between the East Side gang and the South Side gang (known as the Moes), Zilz said.

Police swarmed the area and quickly accessed surveillance footage which showed them a car driving along with the front passenger shooting out of a window.

Members of the police Community Action Team, which targets gun crime, soon spotted the car and had it under surveillance. They saw two men get out of the vehicle in the 300 block of South Calhoun Street before officers moved in to intercept it.

The driver, identified as Michael A. Swanson, then tried to flee by ramming a squad car that was hemming him in before baling out on foot and being caught and arrested a short time later.

Michael is a known South Side gang member and was paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections just four days prior for firearm-related offenses, said Zilz.

A check of prison records shows he was sentenced to 18 months in March 2022 for the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and released on parole Sept. 15.

The other two men who had been in the car were also soon found and arrested. One of them was Swansons 19-year-old twin brother, Mishawn A. Swanson, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison in November 2022 after being convicted of the aggravated unlawful use of weapon. Police described him as recently released from IDOC custody ... and is also a known South Side gang member.

The third person arrested was Qwantavis O. Bradford, 19, who has a previous conviction for the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Hes now been charged with the aggravated and reckless discharge of a weapon and possessing a firearm while being a gang member and a felon.

Both of the Swanson twins were booked on the same charges and Michael Swanson was charged with a further count of being an armed habitual criminal.

All three appeared in court Wednesday where Judge Lindsey Shelton said they will remain in the custody of the Macon County Jail under the new no-cash bail rules because they were a threat to public safety.

The defendants are due back in court Oct. 11 for preliminary hearings.
DECATUR  Charges have been filed against a man Decatur police say is a serial sex predator whose local victims range in age from 2 to 17.

Decatur police said they found Marcus W. Pickering with his bags packed and chatting with a visiting family member from North Carolina when they showed up at his Decatur home to arrest him and execute a search warrant Monday evening.

Given Marcus had a bag packed it was apparent that Marcus was going to flee the state, said Detective Jason Danner, who signed a sworn affidavit about the case.

A Mirandized interview of Marcus Pickering was conducted but he did not admit to any involvement in this case.

Pickering is described by police as having previously lived in North Carolina.

Pickering was arraigned Tuesday on several counts of predatory criminal sexual assault for the charges involving Decatur children that date to earlier this year and were revealed in August after the kids mother contacted police.

Macon County Circuit Court Judge Lindsey Shelton, now operating under the no-cash bail legal rules, told Pickering at Tuesdays hearing he must remain in the custody of the Macon County Jail. She said the risk he posed to the public and the chances of him fleeing from the area made releasing him too great of a risk.

Pickering is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on the charges Oct. 4.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
SPRINGFIELD  Decatur and Macon Countys efforts to acquire, maintain, rehab or demolish abandoned homes has received a boost from the state.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority announced Wednesday the awarding of $19 million in grants through the Strong Communities Program, which was created in 2020 using funds from the Rebuild Illinois capital construction program.

Decatur and Macon County will each receive $337,000 from the program. In all, 68 units of government received grant funds.

Decatur received $125,000 in 2021, the programs first year.

The program is meant to support local revitalization efforts in communities that may lack the resources needed to tackle abandoned, deteriorated and vacant properties on their own.

Through the Strong Communities Program, IHDA seeks to help communities transform these properties back into positive, revenue-generating assets for neighborhoods, said IHDA executive director Kristin Faust.

Program funds can be used to purchase properties for up to $5,000, rehabilitate homes for up to $75,000 or demolish them for costs not to exceed $40,000. Funds can also be used for landscaping and tree, shrub and debris removal.

Residential properties with one to six units are eligible for the program.

With the help of state and federal funds, Decatur has ramped up demolitions of vacant homes deteriorated beyond repair while creating a rehabilitation program for homes that can be saved.

The city hopes this dual track will help stop the spread of blight in the urban core and, eventually, reverse it. Efforts have been ongoing for years.

In January 2022, the council approved allocating $500,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds towards an abandonment to rehab initiative, which aims to rehab vacant properties and prevent them from deteriorating to the point where demolition is necessary.

That programs initial aim was for the city to identify 10 vacant homes to purchase. Rehab would cost about $100,000 each with the goal of selling to a first-time homebuyer for $50,000.

The first house to be rehabbed under that program, located at 439 S. Maffit St., is now listed on the market for $64,900. The city held an open house showcasing it on Friday.

Earlier this year, the city was awarded a matching $400,000 grant from the IHDA that is expected to be used primarily for roof replacements in the urban core.

About $2 million was set aside in the 2023 city budget for demolitions along with $1 million apiece for owner- and renter-occupied home rehabilitation programs.

The council in September 2022 also approved the allocation of $450,000 to the Northeast Community Fund for a small repair grants program aimed at low- and moderate-income home owners in the citys urban core. Those grants are capped at $15,000.
Photo: The Canadian Press Tensions between Canada and India worsened today following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. The Indian flag is seen flying at the High Commission of India in Ottawa, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for India's help to investigate the killing of a Sikh independence activist on Canadian soil, while New Delhi says Canada has provided no information on the case.

Trudeau told Parliament on Monday there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had been wanted by India for years and was gunned down in June outside the B.C. temple he led.

Canada expelled an Indian diplomat, and India followed suit by kicking out a Canadian representative on Tuesday.

At the United Nations on Thursday, Trudeau said during a news conference that taking the decision to address the Commons "was not done lightly."

The prime minister said he wants India to take the matter seriously and work with Canada to ensure accountability and justice.

Trudeau stressed that Canada would not waver on the importance of the rule of law, protecting Canadians and standing up for the country's values.

"We have a rigorous and independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course," he said. "And we call upon the government of India to engage with us to move forward on getting to the truth of this matter."

India has called the allegations being investigated in Canada absurd and an attempt to shift attention from the presence of Nijjar and other wanted suspects in Canada.

At a briefing Thursday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it appears Canada's allegations "are primarily politically driven."

"No specific information has been shared by Canada on this case. We are willing to look at any specific information, we have conveyed this to the Canadians," Bagchi said.

He also accused Canada of being a safe haven for extremists.

"Very specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis, but not been acted upon."

Nijjar was working to organize an unofficial referendum among the Sikh diaspora on independence from India at the time of his killing. He had denied India's accusation that he was a terrorist.

The second stage of B.C. voting on whether a Sikh homeland should be established in India's Punjab province is scheduled to be held on Oct. 29.

The Vancouver Police Department beefed up security outside India's consulate after Trudeau's announcement this week.

Tensions between the countries intensified, meanwhile, as India temporarily halted all visa services for citizens of Canada.

"Security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada have disrupted their normal functioning," Bagchi said.

"Accordingly, they are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis."

Foreign citizens need a visa to enter India, meaning New Delhi is effectively barring entry to all Canadians for the time being.

Bagchi called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India, saying they outnumbered India's staff in Canada.

Global Affairs Canada said Thursday that its high commission and all of its consulates in India are open and continue to serve clients.

The department said some of its diplomats had received threats on social media, prompting it to assess its "staff complement in India."

It added that Canada expects India to provide security for its diplomats and consular officers working there.
The Brews and Mews Cat Cafe in Lenoir announced it was starting a banned book club on Aug. 25. Two days later, the club was full.

A banned book club was an idea tossed around by cafe owner Sherri Biederman and employee Mars Marmolejo.

Brews and Mews partnered with Tybrisa Books to bring the idea to fruition. Each month, the club reads a new book. There are 12 slots per month, Marmolejo said, and readers must be 16 or older. Registration for October was $30, but will vary each month depending on the book, Biederman said. Marmolejo added the goal is to keep it around $30.

The $30 fee gets readers a copy of the book, coffee and time in the cat room.

The first book is Looking for Alaska by John Green.

Biederman said the idea is to encourage open, healthy discussion of a controversial book. Marmolejo will facilitate conversation so readers can discuss whether or not they found the book offensive.

It goes both ways, Biederman said. Readers who found the content offensive can hear why others did not find it offensive. Those who were not bothered by a taboo scene can also hear reasons why the scene is frowned upon.

Readers are not allowed to start heated debates, Biederman said. The group is only for calm, healthy conversation.

The club is not in response to the book challenges and book removal in Catawba County Schools, Biederman said.

Marmolejo said one of the goals is to highlight the librarians, teachers and community members who fight against book bans. And the more people who read these books and have time to process them, the more theyll realize that book banning, (is) just an agenda thats trying to be spread, Marmolejo said. Its a war against critical thinking.

Marmolejo chose Looking for Alaska as the first book because it is a young adult novel that is easy to read. This opens up the club to younger readers but also serves as a stepping stone for readers who have not read in a while.

Marmolejo said as a child, she always had a book in her hands. Then in middle school, she stopped reading.

What helped me after that was going back and reading some of the books I was reading before I stopped, Marmolejo said. The first books I read were books I loved in middle school, like the Percy Jackson series.

She added, It caught my attention because it was where I left off. I didnt start reading War and Peace. I started easy, reading young adult books, and then I slowly worked my way back up to reading the harder books.

Readers have about a month to read each book, Biederman said. Novembers book will be Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Decembers book is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
HICKORY  FryeCare Physicians Network recently welcomed Benjamin Thomas, MD, a board-certified neurologist, to his new medical practice at FryeCare Neurology, at 1985 Tate Blvd. SE, Suite 600, in Hickory. To schedule an appointment, call 828-328-5500 or online at FryeCarePhysicians.com. Same-week appointments are available.

Thomas specializes in treating Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, migraines, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Parkinsons disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and myasthenia gravis.

After practicing for over a decade in Wilson, North Carolina, I am excited to relocate to western North Carolina and join FryeCare Physicians Network, Thomas said. I am eager to collaborate with the team at FryeCare Neurology and deliver quality neurology care and treatment.

Thomas earned his medical degree from Indiana University in Indianapolis. He completed an internship and residency at University of Miami in Florida.

I am committed to the diagnosis and treatment of complex neurological conditions in adults of all ages, Thomas said. A healthy mind is central to whole person wellness, and I am passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

FryeCare Physicians Network offers preventive, diagnostic and treatment services. The network includes more than 80 experienced providers in a range of specialties, including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, family and internal medicine, infectious disease, neurology, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, pulmonology and vascular surgery. Learn more at www.FryeCarePhysicians.com.
One of six people charged in the fatal shooting of Hickory native Shonniel Blackburn pleaded guilty for his role in the crime.

Jeremiah Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday. Walker was not sentenced on Wednesday.

His sentencing is scheduled for the week of Nov. 6. Walker was ordered to pay $10,884 in restitution to Blackburns family.

Kyle Smith, with the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys, said Walker is the suspect that shot Shonniel Blackburn at Blue Ridge Heights apartments in Hickory on June 13, 2021.

Two of the other defendants, Damario Rousseau and Jaylon Cumberlander, told police that Aunshae Conley provided Walker with a 9mm handgun shortly before the shooting, Smith said.

Smith said Conley admitted to handing Walker the gun during his statements to police.

Conley is charged with murder, according to court documents. Conley also appeared in Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday. His hearing was continued to Dec. 4.

Conley was the only suspect that was an adult at the time of the shooting, Smith said. Walker, Demetri Reinhart and Deveshaun Williams were 16. Rousseau was 17 and Cumberlander was 15, according to court documents.

What the security camera revealed

Smith said Walkers mother drove Walker and three other juveniles to Blue Ridge Heights apartments on June 13, 2021. The apartments are located at 841 S. Center St. in Hickory.

Smith said the teens made their way to the corner of a building where they met with Conley. Smith added thats when Conley handed Walker the gun.

In the summertime, theyre literally getting out of the car with hoods on, Smith said while describing security camera photos. One of the juveniles at the time was actually wearing gloves.

Smith said Blackburn was seen on security camera footage walking on a sidewalk beside of the building where the defendants were standing.

Theres a walkway on the other side of the corner of the building, Smith said. And I would contend the evidence says that theyre clearly lying in wait, which would be a theory of first-degree murder, had we went further (with the case) along with premeditation and deliberation.

Blackburn was carrying a basket of clothes to his car. Smith said Blackburn walked past the defendants and looked back as if something was said to him.

As Blackburn walked away, the group of defendants followed, Smith said. Walker shot multiple times at Blackburn, Smith said.

Smith said 10 spent 9mm casings were found at the scene and processed. A lab confirmed all 10 casings were fired from the same gun. The gun was not recovered during the investigation, Smith said.

Five of the 10 rounds struck Blackburn, according to an autopsy report. Smith said three of the bullets that struck Blackburn would have been lethal. According to an autopsy, Blackburn was shot in the head, face, chest, right hand and below his left shoulder.

Following the hearing, Superior Court Judge Gregory Hayes offered his condolences to Blackburns mother, Rosella Blackburn, and the rest of his family. Multiple members of Blackburns family attended the hearing on Wednesday.

The rest of the defendants

Deveshaun Williams also appeared in court on Wednesday. His hearing was continued to Jan. 16.

Williams is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to court documents.

Rousseau and Cumberlander both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon earlier this year. Both were sentenced to a minimum of five years and four months in prison for their roles in Blackburns death, according to court documents.

Demetri Reinhart is slated to go to trial on Jan. 22. He is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to court documents.
" " This 1838 French print by the Thierry brothers imagines the landscape and inhabitants of the moon. The stories that ran in The New York Sun would inspire multiple artists. Notice those moon beings kibitzing in the foreground. SCIENCE & SOCIETY PICTURE LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES

On Aug. 25, 1835, The New York Sun ran the first in a series of newspaper articles describing scientific findings from the moon. Known as "The Great Moon Hoax," the articles were supposed to have been reprinted from the Edinburgh Journal of Science and written by Dr. Andrew Grant, a colleague of the famous astronomer Sir John Herschel. The series featured some of the most popular articles the New York newspaper had ever printed at the time, and people clamored to read about the breaking scientific news of the day.

The articles describe Herschel, who had traveled to Capetown, South Africa, in January 1834 to set up an observatory with a powerful new telescope. Grant's writings suggested that while in South Africa, Herschel had found evidence of life on the moon, including unicorns, two-legged beavers and humanoids that "average four feet in height, were covered, except on the face, with short and glossy copper-colored hair, and had wings composed of a thin membrane, without hair, lying snugly on their backs."

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The articles also described the moon's geography as having massive craters, amethyst crystals, flowing rivers and lush vegetation.

The problem? The articles were completely fake. Grant didn't exist, neither did the Edinburgh Journal of Science. It stopped publication years earlier. And the findings printed had no basis in scientific fact.

But the stories of supposed life on the moon captured the imaginations of the people from one end of the U.S. to the other. Newspapers couldn't print them fast enough. Artists set out to recreate the images spoken of in the articles.

People believed the stuff. And why wouldn't they? But readers weren't supposed to because the real writer never intended them to. The true author wrote the articles as satire pieces, similar to those you find in today's popular satire columns and sites, like the Borowitz Report and The Onion.

These articles were likely written by Richard Adams Locke. Locke was a reporter at the time for The Sun who worked meticulously to make people believe the moon stories, dropping items in the paper beforehand and establishing the unquestionable scientific reputation of those involved (Sir John Herschel, for example). Then, he printed the articles, allowing them to grow in their absurdity.

But when papers were being reprinted all over the country and the world, Locke and The Sun finally had to come clean and on Sept. 16, 1835, they finally admitted it was all a hoax.

So while we are certainly living in the day of disinformation and "fake news," maybe you can feel better knowing that readers have been tricked into believing words in print for a long time, even if the writers behind the words were merely trying to have fun.

Now That's Cool Edgar Allan Poe was not pleased by the Great Moon Hoax series. He claimed it was plagiarism of a piece he'd written that ran a few months earlier in the Southern Literary Messenger titled "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" about a man who had made his way to the mood by hot air balloon. The editor of Poe's piece was none other than Richard Adams Locke.
Digit robots will help make 10,000 of their own kind every year. Image: Agiligty Robotics

Bringing the dystopian future of The Terminator one step closer to fruition, humanoid robots will begin building more than 10,000 of their own kind annually once a new automated robot factory in the US state of Oregon goes live at the end of this year.

The 6,500 square metre RoboFab facility, which robotics pioneer Agility Robotics began building in the Oregon city of Salem last year, will see 500 human workers supported by a fleet of Digit humanoid robots who will work together to build even more robots.

Digit robots are expected to become common as automated workers that can assist humans  or replace them  in doing what the company calls boring warehouse tasks such as restocking shelves, loading delivery trucks, picking orders, and the like.

We built Digit to solve difficult problems in todays workforce like injuries, burnout, high turnover and unfillable labour gaps, Agility Robotics co-founder and CEO Damion Shelton said as the facilitys imminent completion was announced.

Its a significant milestone for the company, which was spun out of Oregon State University and has worked for years to deliver two-legged robots that can assist humans in blended workforce environments such as warehouses and factories, where repetitive tasks must be done accurately and efficiently, day in and day out.

Its Digit robots were first teased more than two years ago, superseding the original robot delivery ostrich called Cassie  which, among other things, completed a 5K run and set a 100-metre world record.

The updated version of Digit was demonstrated at an industry fair in March and in 2024 the first units will be available to partners  which include no less than Amazon and Ford Motor Company  with general availability slated for 2025.

There is, however, still no clear estimate as to when the artificial intelligence (AI) that controls the units will become self-aware, take over the facility, lock out the workers, and ramp up production of robots designed to take over the world.

Amidst the inevitable warnings about sci-fi scenarios coming true, however, for Shelton the launch is all about scaling up production so the robots can evolve from being laboratory novelties and deliver real-world benefits.

When youre building new technology to make society better, he said, the most important milestone is when youre able to mass produce that technology at a scale where it can have a real, widespread impact. We are poised to change the future of work for the better.

Walk like a man

Although robots can take any form that their components or intended uses require  Boston Dynamicss four-legged Spot robot has been impressing the Internet and providing fodder for the likes of Black Mirror for years  the creation of robots that move like humans has become a major focus for robotics engineers working to overcome challenges such as the rapid movement of the robots centre of gravity when picking up and carrying loads.

Making bipedal motion seamless has slowed development of many humanoid robots  as Elon Musk-backed Tesla has found in the development of its Optimus robots, which were teased at the companys shareholder meeting in May but still struggle to do more than shuffle in a straight line.

The Atlas robot of robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, meanwhile, has variously been tasked as a parkour expert, workplace assistant, and daggy dancer, while a host of other humanoid robot projects are at various stages of refinement.

Agility Robotics Digit units, by contrast, are designed less for backflips and more for manual tasks like moving boxes  where human workers regularly suffer injuries  and, if enough units are physically available, may well find their stride plugging persistent workforce skills gaps.

With manufacturers hit particularly hard by current skills shortages, the ability to engage robotic workers is expected to drive heady growth  with the likes of Emergen Research expecting the segment will grow by 62.5 per cent annually through 2030.

Musk has said he expects Optimus robots to become a bigger business for Tesla than its cars  but with just a half dozen or so units completed so far, that goal is clearly far off.

That creates a significant market opportunity for Digit, whose mass production by robots will be a fillip for Agility Robotics  and, if prognosticators worst nightmares come true, could herald the beginning of the end for humanity.
At the end of Monday nights Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting, the commissioners addressed a topic of growing concern to many across the district: How to adequately prepare for the influx of new students coming into the school system over the next decade.

Vice Chairman Lynn Shue, who served 12 years on the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education, including two as chair, brought up the topic during closing comments. He acknowledged Cabarrus County Schools would need to build multiple new elementary and high schools in order to accommodate projected growth.

What do we do with all these children that will be coming? Shue said.

In many ways, the issues regarding school capacity are a byproduct of the extraordinary growth the county and school district have experienced over the past decade. Cabarrus Countys population increased 27.5 percent from 2013 to 2023, the fourth highest in the state, according to data from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, while CCS student population grew 21% from 2010 to 2020.

Much of the commissioners concerns were echoed during a school board meeting that occurred at the same time. During the meeting, an official with Cooperative Strategies, which is working with the district to create a long-range facilities master plan, detailed it would cost CCS roughly $957 million to build the required new schools, along with rebuilding older facilities and addressing deferred maintenance costs. The official mentioned that 11 of the districts 45 schools were more than 100% utilized last year.

The commissioners were already aware of the hefty price tag of the districts master plan, noting it was more than the countys budget each year. The fiscal year 2024 budget, for example, is $340 million.

With schools costing more to build than they did when he was a board member, Shue said finding a way to generate the necessary revenue would not be easy.

So you either find a way to generate the revenue, or you dont build the schools or you start cutting services so you can make up the money to build the schools, Shue said.

Commissioner Chris Measmer said though he does not oppose the commissioners working with the district to address some of their needs, a $1 billion request is very substantial.

Measmer said he would like to see the public included in the discussion, possibly through a bond referendum.

I would like to see the public take a vote on that, Measmer added. Let them have some buy-in and some decision on that before we just assume that responsibility.

Commissioner Tim Furr, who had served on the school board for many years before replacing Barbara Strang on the board of commissioners in July, mentioned many of the schools are old and in bad shape. He said he recently sent Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki pictures of ceiling tiles from one of the facilities that was leaking water.

We have to repair the schools that we have, Furr said.

Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Morris, noting the school system has capacity concerns, acknowledged it was a challenging opportunity for the district. But he said he would rather deal with the problems that come with rapid growth as opposed to problems associated with counties that are shrinking in population.

Morris said he is looking forward to the commissioners sitting down with the school board in a public setting to discuss school growth.

Its good to get everybody on the record from time to time, Morris told the Independent Tribune in a follow-up interview, particularly when youre talking about an issue like this.
China has resurrected charges that go back more than a decade, accusing the NSA of hacking into the servers of telecommunications equipment vendor Huawei Technologies from 2009 onwards.

The charges were levelled by the Ministry of State Security in a post on its WeChat account, according to a report in Time.

The MSS claimed the intrusions were carried out by the now disbanded Tailored Access Operations unit of the NSA.

The charges that the NSA broke into Huawei's servers are nothing new, though the dates are different from a published account.

According to documents made public by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, the NSA effected an intrusion into Huawei's servers in Shenzhen in 2010.

A report in the New York Times said the NSA operation was codenamed Shotgiant and aimed to find links between Huawei and the People's Liberation Army.

It also wanted to exploit Huawei's technology so that when the company sold equipment to other countries, both US allies and enemies, the NSA could, "roam through their computer and telephone networks to conduct surveillance and, if ordered by the president, offensive cyber operations".

An NSA document was quoted as saying: Many of our targets communicate over Huawei-produced products. We want to make sure that we know how to exploit these products", to "gain access to networks of interest around the world.

When Bloomberg raised the MSS allegations at a Chinese Foreign Ministry press conference on Wednesday, spokeswoman Mao Ning responded: "I am not aware of the specifics. Id refer you to competent Chinese authorities."

Mao was also asked whether the release of a new smartphone by Huawei during a recent visit to China by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was intended to embarrass the US official.

The phone was built on technology not thought possible to be manufactured in China after several rounds of American sanctions imposed on the country.

Raimondo had said she was upset about the release of the phone during her visit.

To this, Mao responded: "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, destabilises 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."

China has accused the US of interfering in its networks on just a few occasions, though accusations the other way are made frequently.

In August, the pro-government newspaper Global Times accused US intelligence agencies of interfering with earthquake data at the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Centre.

The same newspaper said in March 2022 that details of a tool used to control network gear around the world to steal user data had been revealed by the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre.

Other accusations made by Chinese sources about the US include a report by security firm Pangu Labs in February 2022 that provided details about NSA malware, known as Bvp47, that had been found in 2013.

There have been two other cases in recent years when matters relating to the US have been raised by Chinese security firms. One was in March 2020 when 360 Core Security (Qihoo Security) claimed former CIA employee Joshua Adam Schulte was the one who leaked material to WikiLeaks which the latter published under the name Vault 7.

The other was in September 2019, when researcher Qi An Xin accused the CIA of breaching Chinese aviation industry targets between 2012 and 2017.
COMPANY NEWS: The winners were recognized for their achievements in leveraging Red Hat solutions to drive innovation and deliver exceptional customer experiences in an ever-changing landscape.

Red Hat, Inc., the worlds leading provider of open-source solutions, has announced the winners of the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2023 for the Australia and New Zealand region. Red Hat is honoring the remarkable achievements of ANZ Bank Australia, ING Australia, and Southern Cross Health Society, for their outstanding efforts to foster innovation, showcase ingenuity, and elevate customer experiences using Red Hats open-source solutions.

In an environment of economic fluctuations and technological upheavals, Red Hat continues with the theme Explore whats next for this years Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards. This years accolades celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of organizations in adapting to todays uncertain landscape, proudly recognizing the digital transformation achievements of 31 organizations from 13 countries in the region. By harnessing the power of open source creatively, these remarkable organizations propel themselves forward while prioritizing unforgettable customer experiences. Their unwavering resilience, strategic thinking, and ingenious utilization of Red Hat solutions have allowed them to conquer new business challenges and stay one step ahead of evolving customer demands.

Amid growing uncertainty, innovation still stands tall as a priority for businesses. According to the Red Hat 2023 Global Tech Outlook, businesses continue to rank innovation as a powerful differentiator, allowing organizations to rise above their competitors and forge a unique path to success. The awards five categories focus on key technology areas: Digital Transformation, Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud-native Development, Automation, and Resilience.

The Digital Transformation category recognizes organizations that have successfully made the transition into a truly digital enterprise, overcoming and addressing business challenges with digitalization.

The Automation category celebrates organizations that have effectively harnessed automation to transform their organizational processes, workflows, and tasks.

The Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure category showcases organizations that have demonstrated creative and collaborative use of public, private, and open cloud deployments.

The Cloud-Native Development category highlights organizations that have effectively used agile methodologies to speed up the innovation and development of successful business applications that have made an impact on customers.

The winners were selected based on the positive impact their Red Hat deployments had on their business goals. They showcase the possibilities of open source, pushing the boundaries of business processes, productivity, innovation, and resilience.

Category: Digital Transformation and Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure

Winner: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (Australia)

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited is one of the four largest banks in Australia, and the number one bank in New Zealand, serving over 8.5 million retail and business customers, operating in more than 30 markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Region, Asia, UK, Europe and North America.

As ANZ Bank set out to improve the financial well-being and sustainability of customers through its portfolio of services, tools and insights, it recognized very early on the importance of investing in digital to modernize workloads and differentiate itself from competitors. With their current implementation of Red Hat OpenShift 3.11 approaching the end of life, the bank worked with their account team and Red Hat Consulting to develop a roadmap that would enable them to migrate their existing applications to Red Hat OpenShift 4, while minimizing risk and avoiding any major disruption.

To do this, ANZ Bank used Red Hat Service Interconnect, a solution that enables agile, portable and secure communication across environments. The solution helped the bank to more securely connect applications across environments, enabling developer teams to move them as they were ready, without needing elevated privileges or dependencies on network operations. This resulted in a streamlined migration and improved developer experience, as well as maintaining uninterrupted transactions for the banks retail and commercial customers. Digitalizing these workflows has reduced the amount of engineering resources required to complete the project.

Category: Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure and Automation

Winner: ING Bank (Australia) Limited

ING changed the way Australians bank more than 22 years ago by launching the countrys first branchless bank. ING now offers Australians home loans, transactional banking, superannuation, credit cards, personal lending, insurance and wholesale banking services. Today, ING is Australias most recommended bank[1] and fifth largest main financial institution[2]. Its also Canstars Bank of the Year and has been since 2020.

As a longtime Red Hat customer, ING has used Red Hat solutions to improve automation, drive efficiency and accelerate cloud adoption. Working with Red Hat has allowed ING to accelerate the adoption of a microservices-based architecture. INGs technology department was further faced with the task of integration and operations of traditional and modern cloud-based workloads across the banks existing ecosystems. Leveraging Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform has supported ING in uplifting its capability, which will assist the bank in the adoption of a more efficient hybrid cloud operating environment to drive innovation and address complexity.

Category: Digital Transformation and Cloud-Native Development

Winner: Southern Cross Health Society

Southern Cross Health Society opened for business in 1961, introducing health insurance to New Zealanders and establishing itself as one of New Zealands most trusted brands. Southern Cross was established because its founders believed New Zealanders should have ongoing access to private healthcare options. Over the years, Southern Cross has expanded its community of care and now helps more New Zealanders than ever to look after their health and wellbeing, travel plans and pets.

One of the organizations main objectives was to move away from manual processes and monolithic platforms to provide customers with a better digital experience through online services and mobile applications. They also provide services to their healthcare partners, so centralized integration capabilities are crucial for this purpose.

To enable this, Southern Cross used a managed service for Microsoft Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO), unlocking access to a modern, microservices platform that enables essential services such as API management and streaming. The fully managed service gave Southern Cross the flexibility and scalability to grow with demand, without having to pump in extra investments or manpower to manage the platform. ARO has also provided huge cost savings for Southern Cross, boosting productivity and reducing the time to market. This has allowed healthcare partners and insurance clients a much-improved experience in handling their insurance policies, as most of these processes are now automated.

Supporting Quotes

Marjet Andriesse, senior vice president and general manager, APJC, Red Hat

As the business landscape continues to change in 2023, the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2023 celebrates the creative successes and achievements of our customers. Organizations today are increasingly turning to capabilities like data analytics to embark on transformation initiatives and cloud security to protect their businesses. Furthermore, they have to manage all these while addressing tightening resources and manpower. That is why open source continues to be a game-changer for businesses, giving them the flexibility and resilience to adopt technologies, both existing and emerging, to craft their own unique path to success.

Peter Tsatsaronis, product area lead, wholesale digital, ANZ Bank

Shifting IT architectures can be a very complex and lengthy process, especially when you take into consideration the costs and risks involved. Migrating our OpenShift applications presented similar challenges. The Red Hat team worked very closely with us to evolve and help bring Red Hat Service Interconnect to market and enable us to take advantage of the agility and scalability that it offers. This has allowed us to not only increase the productivity of our developers, but also retain a high level of customer satisfaction. With the success weve seen on the initiative, we can rightly say that our decision to go digital-first in investments has been the right one in these economic times.

Linda Da Silva, chief information officer, ING Australia

Its an honour to receive this award from Red Hat. This recognition is a testament to INGs incredibly diligent technology team, who are always focused on simplifying the technology environment and pursuing operational excellence, in order to continually enhance customer and employee experience. Thank you to Red Hat for assisting us in doing this.

Sam Koo, head of platforms, Southern Cross Health Society

As a healthcare provider, it is important to us to provide exceptional customer experience not only in the healthcare services we deliver but also in how they communicate with us. For us, delivering digital services is important to enable this. Migrating to the Azure Red Hat OpenShift has greatly revolutionized the way we work, allowing us to innovate faster and add new features and services. This has helped fulfil our commitment to provide the best customer experience as well as offer centralized integration capabilities to our healthcare partners.

Additional Resources

Learn more about the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2023

Connect with Red Hat

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat is the worlds leading provider of enterprise open-source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open-source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future.

[1] Australias most recommended bank according to RFI Globals XPRT Survey, December 2022  May 2023 (n = 31,860) when compared to customers of 20 other banks operating in Australia

Australias fifth largest main financial institution (MFI) with 6% of the market share, according to RFI

[2] Globals XPRT Survey, December 2022  May 2023 (n = 31,860). MFI is defined as the bank that the consumer says is their main financial institution.
The enhancements comprise a uniquely granular-yet-flexible risk scoring framework, features that enable vulnerability prioritisation workflows to be up to 11 times more efficient than industry standards and support for the evolving Software Bills of Materials (SBOM) landscape.

This release reinforces Clarotys commitment to tackling the most pressing issues facing CISOs and security teams across critical infrastructure sectors, including:

More CISOs than ever are responsible for assessing CPS risk posture: An estimated 95% of critical infrastructure CISOs are now responsible for securing not only IT but also CPS; of those, 98% must also quantify and account for their organisations CPS risk posture in the broader risk score shared with executive leadership. Mounting financial and regulatory pressures, as well as shortcomings of go-to risk assessment toolkits, are only exacerbating the challenges of these responsibilities.

Conventional wisdom is at odds with the reality of managing CPS vulnerabilities: Nearly 70% of CPS vulnerabilities disclosed in 2022 received a CVSS v3 severity score of high or critical, yet less than 8% have been exploited, per Clarotys State of XIoT Security Report: 2H 2022. This discrepancy raises concerns about the conventional wisdom and solutions that recommend prioritising remediation based solely on CVSS scores. Security teams following this recommendation are not only often overwhelmed; they may also be misdirecting resources towards vulnerabilities that are the least likely to be exploited, while overlooking the ones that are most likely.

Furthermore, according to The 2023 Gartner Market Guide for CPS Protection Platforms: The number of vulnerabilities continues to grow at the same time as CPS patching remains very difficult. Most solutions: correlate the outputs from asset discovery with common vulnerability and exposures (CVE)/manufacturer recall databases and third-party vulnerability repositories, prioritise for known exploited vulnerabilities, flag unsecure application usage and default passwords, provide remediation guidance including alternative compensating controls, and provide a ticketing mechanism to track actions. More advanced solutions include: a mechanism to prevent IT scanners from touching CPS, provide a contextualised risk score based on asset criticality and likelihood of exploitability, and enhance findings and risk score with real world knowledge of their research teams.

The new enhancements to xDome and Medigate, Clarotys SaaS-based solutions for industrial and healthcare organisations, respectively, build upon already-advanced VRM capabilities to now:

Deliver the most transparent and granular way to quantify CPS risk posture: Clarotys new risk framework is more accurate than ever because it accounts for an expanded range of factors that can increase risk, as well as compensating control improvements that can offset risk. The framework comes pre-configured out-of-the-box, so even customers who are new to CPS security can calculate their risk posture immediately and take prioritised actions to protect their operations.

Further empower customers to tailor CPS risk calculations to their needs: Clarotys new risk framework allows customers to tailor it to align with their existing GRC processes and risk priorities, and to have greater control of how different factors are weighted in their CPS risk posture assessments  further empowering them to prioritise remediation steps appropriately.



Prioritise vulnerabilities based on exploitation likelihood, asset criticality, and impact: Claroty now automatically assigns all CPS vulnerabilities to priority groups based on the latest indicators from the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS), as well as the criticality and risk of affected assets. As a result, customers can even more effectively  and up to 11 times more efficiently  prioritise the vulnerabilities that threat actors are most likely to weaponise.



Prepare for the CPS risk implications of the evolving SBOM landscape: As recent regulatory developments have made it clear that SBOMs are key to software supply chain risk management, Claroty now enables customers to upload SBOMs, view those uploaded by their peers, and support related workflows moving forward.



As highlighted in the SOCI Act in Australia, understanding an organisations attack surface and its vulnerabilities starts with knowing whats on the network, the risk posture of each asset and the options available to remediate, said Claroty healthcare distributor Wavelink CEO Ilan Rubin. The Medigate by Claroty platform is a key building block that complements Wavelink's health, mobility, and security offerings, and the platform's new VRM enhancements will help our partners and end customers achieve these objectives more efficiently and effectively.

CISOs and security teams face an increasingly uphill battle in mitigating the risk from obsolescent and insecure assets, as well as new vulnerability discoveries. Due to the uniqueness of CPS and critical infrastructure environments, patching everything is often impossible or too complex to execute, said Claroty chief product officer Grant Geyer. These VRM enhancements to the Claroty SaaS portfolio further equip our customers to answer their toughest cybersecurity questions: how to accurately assess risk, and which vulnerabilities to mitigate first based on how likely they are to be exploited in industrial, clinical, or other mission-critical environments.

The KEV/EPSS, SBOM upload, and risk capabilities are all generally available now. Features enabling SBOM analysis and parsing will be available in Q4 2023.

To learn more about Clarotys new VRM capabilities, visit the Claroty blog, download the xDome and Medigate VRM solution briefs, or request a demo. Claroty will also offer live demos at Crowdstrike Fal.Con 2023 until 21 September at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., at booth #0705.

About Claroty

Claroty empowers organisations to secure cyber-physical systems across industrial, healthcare, public sector, and commercial environments: the Extended Internet of Things (XIoT). The companys unified platform integrates with customers existing infrastructure to provide a full range of controls for visibility, risk and vulnerability management, threat detection, and secure remote access. Backed by the worlds largest investment firms and industrial automation vendors, Claroty is deployed by hundreds of organisations at thousands of sites globally. The company is headquartered in New York City and has a presence in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit claroty.com.
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 The Illinois legislature eliminated cash bail for criminals like N.Y. and L.A. It's crazy because no one's there to make sure they appear in court because the law eliminates the job of bail bondsman. One month from now, we will all be sitting in front of our TVs watching Dog the Aluminum Can Hunter.

 The U.S. Senate broke with two hundred and forty-four years of tradition and etiquette Monday when Senate Democrats voted to change the dress code. They're now allowed to wear hoods on the Senate floor. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said it's a way Democrats can honor the late Robert Byrd.

 The White House declared the U.S. Border closed Monday despite record numbers of immigrants crossing daily. The Royal Navy is trying to turn back migrants in the English Channel and the Italian Navy just formed a naval blockade around the country. It's all a vain attempt to prevent World War Free.

 The White House was hit with a poll Sunday saying three-fourths of Americans think Biden's too old to be president. Right on cue Trump accused Obama of starting World War Two. Next year, both campaigns will be careful to tell us that eighty is the new forty and senility is the new Mensa.

 Politico described the surging Trump presidential campaign as a runaway train Monday, Trump having reshaped the Republican Party in his own image. The Democrats are now researching ways to keep Trump's name off the ballot. They've dismissed the idea of having a candidate who can beat him.

 North Korea's Kim Jung Un met Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok to discuss swapping weapons for food. Fox News ran a story about Kim's second-in-command, his hard line sister Kim Yo Jong, and gave her the title as the Most Dangerous Woman in the World. Hillary immediately demanded a recount.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
100 years ago,

Sept. 21, 1923

CHARLESTON  After a jury had been sworn in to try them, Ralph Bickel, Rolla Shellabarger and John Milburn of Charleston pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy in the counterfeiting of keys to mail pouches, in Federal Judge Lindley's court in Danville late yesterday afternoon. Fines of $500 and four months in jail were given Bickel and Shellabarger, while Milburn received a fine of $300 and ten days in jail. According to government evidence on which the three men were indicted by the grand jury, Bickel, who is a telegraph operator and station agent for the Clover Leaf, used the keys that Milburn, who is a blacksmith, made, to open a mail sack. Shellabarger, a caller and also a taxi driver, was charged with being the instigator of the conspiracy...MATTOON  Frank Sullivan of Parker and William Hobbs of Ozark, both former relief agents in the Illinois Central station ticket office are held under $2000 bond to await the action of the October grand jury in connection with an alleged attack on Miss Dema Brown, 15-year-old daughter of Mrs. Jesse Kuykendall of Trilla. The girl's father is said by Mrs. Kuykendall to be Will Brown, from whom she was divorced several years ago. The apprehension of Sullens took place at the YMCA early Thursday afternoon by Sheriff McNutt and T.J. Cronin, special agent for the Illinois Central Railroad. William Hobbs was arrested at the station ticket office early in the afternoon. In answer to inquiry as to her daughter, Mrs. Kuykendall said: "It was on account of bad company, under whose influence she fell, that Mr. Kuykendall and I moved to Trilla, thinking thereby to protect her from evil. We would have been successful in this had it not been for the connection still maintained by her with men and girls here in this city as we have since found." The Brown girl's presence in the city Thursday and which led to the arrests was due to her having been sent here on a business mission by her stepfather, and which he found had not been performed. Tracing led her to the companionship of one Evalynn Schoffstall, daughter of Frank Schoffstall, of 700 Shelby Ave. and she too was taken into custody.
EAST MOLINE  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.
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 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 Circa 1955 Circa 1955 Circa 1955
CHICAGO  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.
Relief for residents near Smith Reynolds Airport whove experienced thousands of dollars in property damage from severe creek erosion is a step closer after a state panels vote on Wednesday.

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees agreed to pay nearly half of a proposed $616,000 project to restore 750 feet of deteriorating Brushy Fork Creek.

Residents along Barkwood Drive in the Northwood Estates neighborhood say the creek began eroding the banks at an unprecedented rate after the airport clear-cut 250 acres of trees in 2015.

The stream they once could easily step over now has a channel as much as 20 feet wide and just as deep behind their homes. The erosion has toppled fences and trees  one of which narrowly missed a residents bedroom in June  and created sinkholes in yards.

Airport manager Mark Davidson, who has expressed doubts that the tree-cutting contributed significantly to changes in the creek, said he applied for the North Carolina Land grant nearly a year ago because he wanted the airport to be a good neighbor.

The projected cost of the work increased from $420,000 to $616,000 after a June visit to the site by North Carolina Land representatives. The organizations board agreed Wednesday to cover $300,000 of the cost.

Dozens of land acquisition and stream restoration grants approved Wednesday will be funded regardless of when a budget is passed, but the board ranked the Brushy Fork project highest among the remaining applications.

That puts it at the top of a provisional list, which means it will be the first to get money when a legislature passes an overdue budget, North Carolina Land Executive Director Will Summer explained in an email to the Journal after Wednesdays meeting. Unbudgeted revenue  in the form of withdrawn grants or returned funds from previous projects  also would go the creek project first.

Chelsea Blount, a North Carolina Land field supervisor who is based in the Triad, has watched the airport situation closely.

The restoration will establish ... a conservation project in an economically-distressed area of the county and really foster a relationship between the county and the city, she noted at Wednesdays meeting.

Davidson applied for the grant after the Journal reported on a neighbors plight and questioned local and state officials about the 2015 tree clearing.

Residents say theyve spent thousands of dollars to remove trees as well as replace flooded outbuildings and fallen fences.

Their property is completely undermined and falling in, Blount told trustees. They took matters into their hands and did what they could to keep the stream moving.

That includes armoring their side of the creek with rocks and even the cut trunks of trees toppled by rising water.

The state funding is expected to cover costs for project design, permitting and construction.

They dont have any designs yet, Blount added. The county is working on it diligently.
An ambitious, technology-driven economic development initiative would gain up to $500 million in endowment funding from the 2023-24 state budget bill compromise.

The nonprofit NCInnovation has as its primary goal the commercialization of research developed and funded within the UNC System, utilizing regional hubs with a rural North Carolina emphasis.

The amount is about 35% of the $1.4 billion that would have been provided to the NCInnovation endowment in the Senate version of the budget bill. It remains well above the $50 million provided in the Republican House state budget proposal and Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers recommendation.

Of the $250 million in the 2023-24 budget cycle, up to $50 million could be used as investment income, while up to $90 million of the $250 million in the 2024-25 budget cycle could be used.

I believe in NCInnovations promise, and Im not alone, said Kelly King, the retired chairman and chief executive of Truist Financial Corp. who serves as chairman of NCInnovation. Leaders in North Carolina and across the country  people whove built commercial enterprises and have deep experience in finance, academia and industry  say NCInnovation is a national model for translating university research into jobs.

Its time to get to work doing just that.

Other high-profile members on NCInnovations Board of Directors and management team include Stan Kelly, retired president of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, UNC System President Peter Hans and N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold Martin.

According to state Sen. Brent Jackson, R-Sampson, NCInnovation will help generate homegrown industries and companies to stay in North Carolina and hire North Carolinians for decades to come.

Jackson said NCInnovation represents the offspring of a recent review of North Carolinas innovation ecosystem by a national economic research firm.

The data revealed good news and bad news, Jackson explained. The good news is that our population centers are landing major economic-development projects. North Carolina is an absolute powerhouse on research and development funding at $13 billion annually.

However, the outputs of that R&D funding doesnt measure up to the size of our research base.

There have been similar healthcare commercialization initiatives in North Carolina, in particular involving academic medical centers and medical schools, such as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Jackson said the reasoning for such a major funding push for NCInnovation is the increasing challenge of creating and retaining jobs in rural North Carolina.

We need to extend economic vitality to every corner of this state, Jackson said. To do so, we must take a visionary approach.
Truist Financial Corp. has entered a trade finance partnership with Standard Chartered Americas to enhance the banks ability to assist corporate and commercial customers with global business initiatives.

Standard operates in 53 global market locations, including eight locations throughout the Americas. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

According to the companies, the main focus of the partnership is creating a seamless and efficient business environment for importers and exporters in the U.S.

Standard Chartered will provide centralized processing, analytics and tracking services by leveraging the banks unique network, local expertise, infrastructure and technology. Examples are export and import letters of credit that will be made available through Truist clients wanting to buy or sell goods in the markets covered by Standard.

Truist also will be able to provide standby letters of credit so clients can execute performance and commercial contracts with counterparts in markets that require local knowledge and expertise in addition to local delivery capabilities.

The partnership sounds like a shrewd move, said Mark Vitner, chief economist with Piedmont Crescent Capital and a former senior economist with Wells Fargo Securities.

They are gaining access to financing growing trade with emerging markets, he said.

Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, an economics professor at Winston-Salem State University, agreed. He said the partnership will enable Truist to better compete for U.S. corporate clientele who need global servicing.

Madjd-Sadjadi added that there are some counterparty risks with this sort of partnership since each is relying on the other to complete their end of the deal, but I see little downside for either bank. They are both large, well-diversified banks with Standard Chartered Bank being considered a Globally Systemically Important Bank  that is, one that too big to fail from a worldwide perspective.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools agreed Wednesday to take additional steps to make sure that it is administering discipline without regards to race after a review by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights found that Black students faced harsher and more frequent discipline than white students with similar histories and conduct.

The Office for Civil Rights Title VI discipline compliance review showed that as recently as the 2022-23 school year, there have been persistent and significant racial disparities in disciplinary referral and suspension rates in the school district, according to a news release from the Department of Education.

A new code of conduct to address such disparities was introduced in 2022-23, but the report said it needs further revision.

The inquiry cited as an example that in 2022-23 Black students received 57% of discipline leading to in-school or out-of-school suspension while making up 29% of the districts enrollment. In comparison, white students received 14% of such disciplinary measures while comprising 34% of total enrollment.

Other findings show that Black students were more likely than white students to be suspended for a first-time offense in a school year. Also, Black students were suspended for longer periods than white students, on average, for first offenses of fighting.

The Office for Civil Rights was also critical of the districts newly implemented code of conduct, saying in its report that it remains concerned about the clarity of the guidance to staff and administrators about when to make referrals and how to determine appropriate consequences, particularly given the broad range of potential consequences for many offenses.

The federal government outlined its findings in a 25-page letter to Superintendent Tricia McManus on Wednesday.

I am still reviewing the resolution letter and agreement as I was just sent the press release by a constituent this morning, said Alex Bohannon, the vice chairman of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education. The findings are certainly troubling but not surprising. The district has worked to address the disparate application of disciplinary action over the past few years. These changes require a lot of heavy lifting and a commitment from every educator. Im confident were on the right track and will continue to improve over time.

In its resolution agreement, the school district agreed to review its code of conduct and other disciplinary procedures and, if necessary, make changes in such areas as providing more guidance to staff on when to refer a student for punishment and better defining certain offenses.

The district has also agreed to:

Collect complete and accurate data on all disciplinary referrals.

Analyze its current discipline data for evidence of unlawful discrimination or failure to comply with the disciplinary code.

Put in place corrective actions to address any concerns identified through data analysis.

Coordinate with local law enforcement agencies on School Resource Officer data collection, training and monitoring.

Conduct an assessment, with consideration of revision, of alternative school programs for students who commit disciplinary violations to determine program effectiveness as well as assess whether referrals to these programs are consistent with the district disciplinary code.

Provide information on its disciplinary policies to students and families.

Submit to the Office for Civil Rights annual reports regarding the effectiveness of its efforts for review and assessment.

Failure to enforce terms of the agreement may result in a case being referred to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has agreed today to take important additional steps to ensure it administers student discipline without discrimination on the basis of race, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon said in the news release. I look forward to ongoing work with this district as it offers all its students the nondiscriminatory learning environment federal law requires.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity that receives federal funds or other federal financial assistance.

The federal government began scrutinizing the school districts disciplinary procedures in 2010 after a rash of complaints from the NAACP and other local leaders. The school districts general counsel at the time, Allison Tomberlin, told the Winston-Salem Journal that such federal reviews are prompted by data, newspaper reports and a pattern of complaints.

After the review was launched, the school district provided the civil-rights office with discipline data as far back as the 2008-09 school year.

During its the 13-year review process, the civil-rights office visited local schools and talked with students and staff members.

Passed by the school board last summer, the new code of conduct has moved from a punitive to a more restorative approach, meaning its designed to work with students on their behaviors while still meting out some forms of punishment for certain actions.

Although there have been detractors, McManus has maintained that implementing the code is a years-long process that will involve constant training and refinement.

McManus said in a statement that the district has recognized for some time that there has been a discipline gap between Black and white students.

That very data is why we started, with urgency, much of the work we continue today, work that is cited in the resolution. Our Code of Character, Conduct and Support, our Office of Equity, our transparent and clear expectations around discipline and all the other work to reduce disproportionalities is work we must and will continue, she said. Discipline disparities still exist, but if we hadnt been moving in the right direction in the past several years, this review would not have been resolved. This is a positive step in justifying the work we are already doing because it brings resolution and shows we have taken this data seriously.
Buried deep within the state 2023-24 budget compromise bill is language that could allow legislators to determine what General Assembly documents are public records, shield those documents from public disclosure and destroy them if they choose.

Perhaps most noteworthy, the proposed language could impact the pending redistricting process where partisan gerrymandering has been permitted by federal and state courts, but not racial gerrymandering.

Legislative analysts cited as a potential example a previous redistricting attempt in which Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, relied upon maps that were not made public. A lawsuit against the subsequent redistricting maps requested copies of the maps, but the legislature said the maps didn't exist anymore.

The language on Page 531 of the revamped House Bill 259 was inserted during the compromise negotiations between House and Senate Republicans.

It was not included in the House version that was passed on April 6, nor the Senate version that was passed on May 18.

The House gave final approval to the revamped HB249 shortly after midnight Friday by a 70-40 vote with five Democrats, including Rep. Cecil Brockman of Guilford County.

The Senate approved by a 28-19 party-line vote on second reading and a third and final reading is set for Friday morning.

The language says the custodian of any General Assembly record shall determine, in the custodians discretion, whether a record is a public record and whether to turn over to the (N.C.) Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, or retain, destroy, sell, loan, or otherwise dispose of, such records.

That could mean a constituents correspondence citing concerns or pointing out potential wrongdoing to a legislator could be kept from public disclosure.

It also could mean prohibiting the public disclosure of legislators emails  often the subject of public records and Freedom of Information Act requests to reveal details and comments on potentially contentious public issues.

The proposed language does not state what exemptions, if any, would be applied to General Assembly records, whether past, present or future.

House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said in a statement that this provision is intended to clarify the ambiguity in current statute and broadens the purview of what constitutes a public record, increasing transparency and efficiency in responsiveness from legislators.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, told the News & Observer of Raleigh that the reasoning for the public records language is to settle a dispute with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources on "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."

However, the News & Observer reported that the department said it had answered legislative questions about archiving in 2021 and that "we are not aware of any dispute."

"This new provision appears to be the legislature entirely exempting themselves from the public records law and the archiving process that has retained government records throughout the state's history, said Schorr Johnson, the department's communications director.

Floor debate

Rep. Tim Longest, D-Wake, said during Thursdays House floor debate on the budget that the proposed language provides that all records and information of the legislative branch shall be exempt from North Carolinas Public Records acts.

That law was first enacted in 1935, and in the wake of Watergate, in 1975 the law was amended to give it more teeth and give members of the public a cause of action to obtain those records through the courts.

Longest said the law is meant to cover every public officer, whether state or local, elected or appointed.

He said if the bill passes, we would exempt ourselves from the law, rather than let the courts decide or debate the merits of the changes.

Instead of abiding by existing public records laws ... each legislator  while in office and upon leaving office  shall not be required to reveal or consent to reveal any document.

There would be no uniform standard that our constituents and the public that we govern could count on. It means each of us would be a law unto ourselves and accountable only to ourselves  the opposite of transparency to the public.

Longest cited as a primary concern that the proposed language shields what members on both side of the aisles say we should be expanding when it comes to redrawing district lines.

Everyone should ask themselves why. This is a vote of conscience ... if you are tired of backroom deals, you should vote no on the bill.

During Thursday's Senate debate, Sen. Brent Jackson, R-Sampson, said "lawmakers aren't hiding anything more than they have in the past."

Reactions

Brooks Fuller, director of the NC Open Government Coalition, was reported by multiple media outlets as saying 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.

Fuller told the News & Observer of Raleigh that said 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.

Phil Lucey, executive director of N.C. Press Association, said in issuing a warning to media members that the language 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.

(It) explicitly expands legislators privilege to exempt themselves from public records law.

Stating legislators 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.

Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, deferred comment on the language to Moores statement.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, called the proposed language terrible policy, and to slip it in the budget at the last minute is shameful.

We are public servants whose salaries are paid for by taxpayers. Our work product should be public with limited exceptions.

Even more troubling is a provision repealing the specific requirement about retention of redistricting-related communications.

Harrison said that access to redistricting-related communications have been vital in previous litigation that exposed race-based gerrymandering and the racial discrimination in the 2013 monster elections bill, to name a few.

Maybe thats the point. The provision also appears to be in violation of federal constitutional law.

Legislators would be allowed to destroy or dispose of records without the certification from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Currently, legislators must make a request that the record no longer has any public value that the department must agree with before they can be destroyed or disposed.

The NCPA asked its members to tell legislators the damage this proposed amendment will do to the publics right to know. The General Assembly will be allowed to operate in complete darkness.

The NCPA, and the N.C. Association of Broadcasters, aim to turn back this unprecedented and unjustified attempt to change the publics right to know in North Carolina.
Back in 2010, Sylvester Stallone created the mother of all geezer teasers in The Expendables, collecting every over-the-hill action star in a single movie like they were Pokemon  gotta catch em all. Since then, our favorite monuments of masculinity have come and gone, but nevertheless, the Expendables persist, whether we want them to or not. A full nine years after The Expendables 3, we have the confoundingly titled Expend4bles, with Stallone back in the cockpit with trusty Jason Statham riding shotgun.

Scott Waugh, a former stuntman and stunt coordinator who directed Need for Speed, helms this latest iteration, which concerns a crew of easily expendable baddies who take on various secret missions like every other juiced-up action franchise. This one happens to run on digital blood spatter, bootleg CGI and japes about genitalia, but the animus behind these films is nostalgia for the kind of retro action movies of the 1980s and 90s, where the men were muscly and the misogyny was cool with everyone  at least thats the kind of image were presented with in the profoundly silly Expend4bles, a film that verges on self-parody.

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Waugh and cinematographer Tim Maurice-Jones bring a bright, cartoonish look to the film, while writers Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart and Max Adams deliver the corny one-liners (Spenser Cohen contributed to the story, Dave Callaham the characters). This is especially evident in their opening mission, where Barney Ross (Stallone) and Lee Christmas (Statham), and the rest of the Expendables crew, attempt to retrieve a set of nuclear detonators from a crafty thief, Rahmat (Iko Uwais) who has stolen them from Moammar Gadhafis compound in Libya.

Sylvester Stallone in "Expend4bles." (TNS)

The action is messy, the geography indiscernible, and a few shots seem stitched together with but a single pixel and a prayer. As Christmas chortles atop an all-terrain vehicle while wielding a .50 caliber weapon, it looks like it could have been shot with rear projection, the green screen work is so shoddy. The scene is so incredibly bad and unbelievably wacky that one simply has to laugh in disbelief.

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But that is far preferable to the rest of the film, which becomes mind-numbingly dull. Stallone dips out, and Gina (Megan Fox) takes over leading the Expendables, though Fox seems exceptionally disinterested in the whole affair. Perhaps because this gig requires Gina to HALO jump and fight bad guys in a crop top, full glam, and astonishingly long and unwieldy hair extensions.

The look is laughably impractical in 2023, when even Hayley Atwell tied her hair into a ponytail for her big action scene in Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, and you can see Fox barely holding back her eye-roll. Its strange that even though shes distanced herself from her role as the lust object in Transformers, shes back in another testosterone-fueled action movie with little to do other than be ogled. Thats not Foxs fault, but rather these filmmakers who cant imagine anything more for her, even if she is ostensibly in charge of this mission, delivering a few lines detailing the plan.

Ginas team now has to liberate the same set of nuclear detonators from a container ship en route to Vladivostok. But they are quickly confined by Rahmats henchmen, and spend most of the movie standing around a small room, or sauntering around the ship trading stale jabs. Christmas has been left out of this mission for a minor infraction, but he makes his way aboard nevertheless, and thank goodness, as hes seemingly the only Expendable with any pep in his step.

Expend4bles is the Statham show, but is this really the show in which he wants to star? He gamely goes through the motions, while Fox seems bored out of her mind, delivering every line dripping with sarcasm. Curtis 50 Cent Jackson is also there. Randy Couture and Dolph Lundgren are the two other original cast members to return, while Jacob Scipio and Levy Tran round out the team, as Galan and Lash, respectively.

Not even the two most reliable action movie ringers, in legendary martial artists Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa, can help Expend4bles achieve liftoff. Uwais is relegated to growling threats into a walkie-talkie for most of the movie, getting only one fight scene at the end (wasting Iko Uwais is an action cinema crime). Jaa jazzes things up a bit, and when this film briefly flirts with becoming a martial arts movie, theres a spark of genuine potential.

But Waugh doesnt take advantage of what he has to work with. Expend4dbles wants to be the kind of movie thats best seen on cable with commercial breaks, or on a beat-up VHS tape, but there are far more entertaining action classics that can get the job done  theres no need to enlist this tired team.

Expend4bles  1.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for strong/bloody violence throughout, language and sexual material)

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Running time: 1:43

How to watch: In theaters Sept. 22
The reaching of a 2023-24 state budget compromise with Medicaid expansion funding and without casinos drew bipartisan praise  and sighs of relief  from Triad legislators on Wednesday.

Republican House and Senate leaders announced late Tuesday evening an agreement on the budget bill that did not include the contentious proposal that would have allowed for up to four new casinos in the state, including in Rockingham County.

I am excited that we finally have a compromise, said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and a lead House budget writer.

Lambeth credited House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, for moving past what was becoming an increasingly antagonistic back-and-forth on the casino proposal that Berger championed.

Eliminating the casinos was a decision the Senate had to make, Lambeth said. But, once that movement occurred, it allowed Medicaid expansion to default to the original position, not as a separate bill. So, this is an excellent outcome for the state of North Carolina and for many key projects in Forsyth County that will be released in the final budget details.

There were two specific Forsyth earmarks within a revamped House Bill 149 that would have tightly knotted Medicaid expansion funding with casinos and potentially tens of thousands of video game terminals. Those earmarks were $10 million to Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine for general use and $2.4 million to Village of Clemmons for improvements to its center.

Not done yet

Although there were sighs of relief about the compromise from Triad legislators, its doesnt guarantee a smooth passage in either chamber or being signed into law by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Cooper signed the bipartisan Medicaid expansion bill into law in March.

However, Republican House and Senate leaders required Medicaid expansion funding be in the 2023-24 budget that initially had been projected to be approved in early July.

Analysts have said the refusal to separate Medicaid expansion funds could make it difficult for Cooper to veto the state budget bill if the positive aspects of the bill outweighs what he would oppose.

When the revamped HB 149 became public, Senate Democrats released a statement Monday saying its straining the imagination to conjure a scenario where 11 million people would be held hostage for the bidding of a Maryland casino developer, but thats where we are today.

Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth, said Tuesday that he was disappointed that Medicaid expansion was being tied to gambling. While I support both of these legislative pieces, it is beyond frustrating to see, and deeply immoral, to tie critical healthcare access for more than half a million North Carolinians to gambling. I wont vote to support a combined bill, and it is my sincere hope they will be separated.

Meanwhile, 40 of 48 House Democrats signaled their opposition to the proposed HB 149 as Moore indicated at least 30 House Republicans did not want casinos in the state budget compromise bill.

I think the fact that there appeared to be less than 40 votes in the House for a combined casino/video poker/ Medicaid expansion bill played a large role in killing that proposal, and therefore convincing Senate leadership that there was insufficient appetite to tie gambling to the budget, Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, said Wednesday. I am grateful that leadership is sticking to the original deal to enact Medicaid expansion to the passage of the budget. I am sorry it took so long, but there are many very ill North Carolinians that will now have access to life-saving health care.

Rep. Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth, summed up the months-long state budget compromise negotiations as the Republican form of government working as it was designed. A long, deliberative process has produced an excellent budget for the state of North Carolina.

Whats next for Medicaid expansion?

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that it is reviewing the language in the new (budget) bill. A new launch date will not be determined until final authority is granted through enacted legislation, such as through the budget.

Medicaid expansion is projected to provide coverage for between 450,000 and 650,000 residents while making North Carolina the 40th expansion state.

North Carolinians likely to be eligible under an expanded program are those between the ages of 18 and 64 who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

DHHS cited as examples that expansion would give health care coverage to single individuals making under about $20,000 a year. Likewise, a family of three earning under about $34,000 combined would be eligible.

In late August, state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley announced that expansion had been delayed  this time from Oct. 1 to no new projected start date  because of the state budget stalemate.

Kinsley said delaying Medicaid expansion tragically results in hundreds of thousands of people not being able to access care when they may need it most.
Happy Thursday. We see you Mr. Weekend, waiting in the wings.

Tim Tsuji, the Forsyth County elections director with the hard-to-pronounce last name (Sue-gee), is a thoughtful, no-nonsense, straight-down-the-middle guy.

Ask him a question, hell give you a by-the-book answer, filled with facts and election law as currently constituted without shading or personal opinion.

Even when posed with a query thats just begging for a dash of snark.

Like, for example: What sort of turnout are you expecting for municipal primaries?

(Don't be embarrassed. How many of you knew that towns, villages and small cities in Forsyth and Guilford counties were even having elections? That started this morning?)

Anybody with a free minute and a half can look up voter turnout statistics. But wheres the fun in that?

Ill say this, said Tsuji, the last three municipal primaries there we had zero voters show up.

Thats right. Zip. Nada. Nil. Bupkis.

But the apathy, while bad, isnt quite as horrible as it seems.

The primary were talking about, in Forsyth County, anyway, involves just one precinct in High Point limits that happens to be geographically looped inside Forsyth. Precinct 12 has 131 registered voters, 47 Democrats, 29 Republicans, 54 unaffiliated and 1 Libertarian.

A voter in that precinct, should she (or he) choose to have a voice in High Point municipal affairs  a primary field of four candidates for mayor will be winnowed to two, seven running for two at-large seats on City Council to four and one of three vying for the Ward 1 seat will be eliminated  would have to drive to downtown Winston-Salem to cast a ballot. Or request a mail-in ballot and remember to buy a stamp.

Either way, exercising ones constitutional right to vote in that one instance requires determination and stamina.

Oh, and theres one other thing to bear in mind.

In North Carolina, this election season  primaries are Oct. 10 and municipal general elections are Nov. 7  will be the first to require photo ID.

Imagine being that lone wolf High Point voter out to break that embarrassing 0-fer streak and forgetting your wallet.

Yikes.

Requiring photo ID to cast a ballot was, recall, a contentious issue. The General Assembly passed that law in 2018, and it promptly wound up in court.

Opponents maintained that requiring a valid drivers license or any one of several other options including unexpired passports, military IDs and current government employee or student ID cards unfairly made it more difficult to cast ballots. Backers say requiring an ID is merely a tool to cut down on voter fraud.

Earlier this year, after Republicans flipped a decisive vote on the N.C. Supreme Court, the new court reversed an earlier decision and cleared the way for the law to be implemented.

On its face, to those of us with cars and drivers licenses, that sounds easy enough. Reach into the wallet (or purse), skip past the credit cards and produce the real ID.

But to poor people, maybe seniors on fixed incomes who have to take two buses to get to a grocery store, it can be harder.

It might require a half-day just to get to the DMV and wait for a state-issued ID card. Theyre free, but bus fare and the lost time isnt. Applicants also need a fistful of documents including a social security card and proof of address  utility bills for example.

In the five years before the Voter ID law was passed, good government groups documented all of 52 instances when someone tried to vote twice, seven reports of individuals impersonating a voter, four reports of vote buying and seven reports of non-citizens voting.

Thats out of 7.3 million registered voters. Over five election cycles.

And the biggest voter fraud instance in those involved a Republican operative who paid people in Bladen County in 2018 to collect absentee ballots from voters doorsteps and in some cases, forge signatures to aid a GOP candidate in a congressional election.

If an (unspoken) goal was to make it more difficult for poor people  black and brown voters who tend to support Democratic candidates  to cast ballots, the voter ID law may just work.

Candidate takes his seat

GREENSBORO  Perhaps now the Guilford County Board of Education can get on with the business of educating children and climb out of a political mud pit.

Michael Logan, a Republican and a former automotive-tech instructor, was sworn in Tuesday night with a minimum of fuss following months of acrimony over who would fill the District 3 seat.

A very public struggle over which Republican would occupy one seat on the Democratic- majority school board began in December 2022.

Thats when Pat Tillman resigned his seat to become a member of the board of commissioners. The executive committee of the county GOP picked Logan to fill the vacancy, per tradition.

But citing social media posts it felt were racist and bigoted, the Democratic majority repeatedly refused to seat Logan and set off a food fight that resulted in the Legislature intervening.

Hey, if a party chooses to pick, say, a candidate who could be viewed as, say, racially prejudiced, it wouldn't be the first time. (Nor the last.)

The chair warmer, Bill Goebel, resigned Tuesday, clearing the way for Logan to take the seat.

We followed the law, said board chairwoman Deena Hayes.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is partnering with three behavioral health groups on hosting a Conversation on Suicide Education & Prevention on Thursday.

The other participating groups are Partners Health Management, which oversees behavioral health providers in Forsyth County, along with the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County and Forsyth County Behavioral Health Services.

The event will be held from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. in the media center at Carver High School, 3545 Carver School Road in Winston-Salem.

The groups said the event is aimed at increasing awareness that mental health has become a growing concern among youth nationally.

The groups cited the 2019 and 2021 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Youth Risk Behavior surveys in which there had been a rise in the percentage of students who reported feeling sad or hopeless continuously for two weeks or more over a 12-month period and who said they seriously considered attempting suicide.

The data in the survey is alarming and shows the need for ongoing mental health services, both in schools and throughout the community," WS/FCS superintendent Tricia McManus said in a statement.

"Our district mental health plan includes components, which are focused on ensuring students feel capable, connected, and cared for, but we cannot do this work alone."

The event will feature two short videos about the effects of suicide from the family and community perspectives will be shown

Partners produced a video featuring students with the United Way of Iredell County and Iredell/Statesville Schools for a campaign to inform, educate and provide resources to middle and high school students following an increase in suicides in that community.

The second video features Forsyth parent Zakiyyah Niang, who lost her daughter Mariam to suicide in 2022.

I want to continue having hard conversations about how we prevent and reduce the numbers of completed suicides in general, but especially in the African American community, Niang said.

Talking about it is merely the first step, we have to enact action and keep the lines of communication open so that people suffering know that they have a multitude of options and support.

Andy Hagler, executive director of MHA in Forsyth, said the event at Carver "was purposefully planned at one of our local public high schools because there is a mental health crisis among the youth not only in our community, but across the nation."

"We want to get people talking about suicide and what you can do to prevent it. Talking openly about suicide saves lives.

Nationally, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death among people of all ages.

In 2020, there were an estimated 1.2 million suicide attempts in the United States and 45,979 people died by suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

North Carolina reported 1,441 deaths by suicide in 2020, with suicide being the second leading cause of death for North Carolinians ages 25 to 34 and the third leading cause of death for youths and young adults ages 10 to 24, according to CDC data.

In 2019, over four times as many North Carolinians died by suicide than in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.

Partners offers a Behavioral Health Crisis Line 24/7/365 at 833-353-2093 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Details are at www.partnersbhm.org/crisis-help/.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthys 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 doesnt end at the waters edge.

Lets 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-Kentucky, chair of the Oversight Committee, will keep doing exactly what theyve been doing.

Thats not the point, Republicans say. This is necessary to get the expanded subpoena power that impeachments provide.

Or not. During Donald Trumps 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 Trumps Justice Department penned a memo arguing that the White House didnt have to comply with subpoenas from an improperly formed impeachment inquiry. Bidens lawyers can invoke not just the memo, but also a 54-page ruling affirming it from a Trump-appointed judge.

The upshot: McCarthys 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. Its great politics for most Republicans. But while fundraising and friendly coverage from conservative media is assured, McCarthys primary motivations have to do with the fragility of his speakership, which is sustained by a mere four Republican votes.

McCarthy simply didnt have the votes for a proper impeachment. But pro-Trump members demanded something. Some sincerely believe Biden was complicit in his son Hunters influence peddling schemes. Others want it because Trump wants it.

And McCarthy wants to avoid a government shutdown. He apparently hoped that pro-Trump forces would agree to keep the governments lights on, if only to conduct their impeachment-ish hearings. So far, theyre 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. Its no surprise that the White House would insist that theres nothing connecting Hunter Bidens 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. Trumps 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  dont usually go to trial because defense attorneys know thats their cue to cop a plea.

So, when people say theres no evidence that Biden was a knowing participant in his sons shady dealings, what they mean is that theres no ironclad proof. And there isnt, at least not yet.

But there is plenty of evidence: testimony from Hunter Bidens partners, accounts from various whistleblowers, and bank records showing some unusual efforts to park funds in opaque LLCs. Bidens own falsehoods about having no knowledge of his sons 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 theyve 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 Bidens business dealings. Simply insisting theres no evidence wont help Biden. Thats why this impeachment-lite effort may just be stupid enough to work.
I ... agree?

Cal Thomas column Sex and the city: political edition (Sept. 20) was refreshingly unbiased.

I seldom agree with Thomas ... very seldom. But this column was refreshingly unbiased.

I, too, find it hard to understand how people with a strong moral code can support and even endorse candidates who seem to have no moral code at all.

The Good Lord gave us each a brain. We need to use that gift!

Patricia S. Benson

Pfafftown

Cal is right

The tepid criticism that Cal Thomas leveled at Trump/Republicans in his Sept. 19 opinion piece (Sex and the city: Political edition) seems to have bruised some right-wing sensitivities, particularly a letter writer (Sinners all, Sept. 20) who attempted to rehabilitate Mr. Thomas comments.

While the letter writer admits we are all sinners, he claims we cant compare a minuscule few Republicans  scandals with the progressive/liberal/socialist/Marxist Democrats, whatever that means. Since hes too shy to list minuscule Republican scandals, allow me.

The GOPs presumptive nominee:

Was impeached twice, once for attempting to bribe a foreign government and a second time for provoking an insurrection to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

Was convicted of sexual assault.

Had 11 members of his staff charged with crimes during his administration, and dozens of his staff indicted since he left office.

Was indicted four times in four separate jurisdictions for tax evasion, bribing a porn star, stealing nuclear secrets, and attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Republicans in Congress are currently trying to:

Defund the FBI and ATF.

Defund the IRS and Department of Justice.

Block appointments to Joint Chiefs and hundreds of military positions.

Block appointments to Cabinet positions.

Ban books nationwide.

Refuse to fund our government and military specifically.

Refuse to fund our ally, Ukraine, in its fight against Russian aggression.

Threaten state prosecutors and their families.

Promise pardons of terrorists convicted of sedition.

There are choice, redundant adjectives versus a real record. Let the voters decide.

Brad Schamp

Archdale

We will fire you

Our representatives in Raleigh need to do their jobs.

Medicaid expansion needs to happen immediately.

It was unacceptable, immoral and disgraceful to tie Medicaid to new casinos.

To them I say: Do your jobs! Pass Medicaid expansion and the state budget.

You work for your constituents, who can and will fire you.

Please call or email your representatives as soon as possible. We deserve better. You can use the following link to find names, phone numbers and email addresses: https://www.ncleg.gov/Help/Topic/27.

Christine Duffer

Winston-Salem

What we can do

Sometimes publishing two opposing opinions, as the Journal frequently does, leads to a nuanced truth that comes from unexpected quarters. The recent pairing of James Rosens and Bjorn Lomborgs pieces on Global Warnings (Sept. 18), however, seems to miss that lofty goal.

Rosen tells us we should get serious (panicked?) about climate change but doesnt sketch a path forward. Lomborg, a world-renowned climate contrarian, rightly says we should devote resources to adapting to the worsening climate. Following his typical pattern, though, Lomborg insists that actual climate solutions are too expensive, and that we should stop worrying about reducing emissions.

Fortunately, there is at least one big thing we can do that is neither Rosens panic nor Lomborgs abdication of stewardship. A steadily rising pollution fee imposed on raw fossil fuels would ripple through the economy, raising prices a little on most things, and a lot on things that require the most carbon pollution to make. Nobody likes higher prices, so all the money collected as a pollution fee on the fossil industry should go back to households on a per-capita basis. This avoids removing any capital from the economy or making low-income folks unable to afford groceries. It just makes lower-carbon alternatives cheaper than the higher-carbon business as usual.

Some results: innovation from entrepreneurs who develop new ways of doing things without fossil energy; asthma attacks avoided as air quality improves; a smile of gratitude when your grandkids grow up and realize what you did.

And the price tag? $0.

Matthew Mayers

Winston-Salem
A 52-year-old man serving time for a 2016 bank robbery in Lincoln got more time Wednesday for assaulting a prison guard last year.

Tyrone Estell pleaded no contest to second-degree assault for the incident April 25, 2022, at what was then called the Nebraska Diagnostic and Evaluation Center.

The Lincoln prison now is known as the Reception and Treatment Center.

Estell told Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson that hed had issues with the same guard twice before. On the day of the assault, he said, the guard came into his room, where he was napping because it was Ramadan, to get a chair. He said when he asked the guard for his coat, which was on the back of it, the guard called him a racial epithet.

Estell said he told him youre not going to talk to me like that, and the guard took the chair and left, causing Estells coat to fall and slamming the door.

Estell said he followed the corporal, asking him to get his supervisor, and the corporal said no, then pulled mace out and used it on him. Estell admits he grabbed the officer and pushed him back.

Defense attorney Doug Kerns said Estell reacted. He didnt plan on anything like this.

He called it an inflamed situation that Estell regrets.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Eric Miller said he didnt know what kind of interaction the two had before the assault, but the video of the incident speaks for itself.

It showed the guard walking past Estell and Estell engaging the guard aggressively. Only then did the corporal reach for his mace, he said.

It was Mr. Estell that began the physical altercation. Normally this would be a third-degree assault misdemeanor if this happened out on the street, Miller said. Theres a reason why the Legislature created this classification, and it is to protect not only inmates but also guards.

He said Estell placed the guard in a very dangerous situation.

While Estell could have been charged as a habitual criminal, Miller said, he agreed to take that off the table as part of the plea agreement.

In the end, Nelson told Estell she didnt for one moment approve of the type of language he alleges the guard used.

If that was what was used by that officer, youre right. Its deplorable. Its not acceptable, and it shouldnt happen. But the way you handled it isnt the right way to handle it either, the judge said.

Nelson said Estell could have reported the incident to the supervisor later, and if he had, he wouldnt be where he was on Wednesday.

Then, she sentenced Estell to five to 10 additional years in prison.

States where the most workers are quitting their jobs States with the most quitters #51. Pennsylvania #50. New York #49. Connecticut #48. Massachusetts #47. New Jersey #46. Michigan #45. Hawaii #44. New Hampshire #43. Nebraska #42. Minnesota #41. Illinois #40. California #39. Wisconsin #38. Missouri #37. Washington #36. Ohio #35. Rhode Island #34. Kansas #33. North Dakota #32. Iowa #31. Vermont #30. Washington D.C. #29. Oregon #28. South Dakota #27. Maine #26. New Mexico #25. Utah #24. Arizona #23. Virginia #22. North Carolina #21. Nevada #20. Idaho #19. Colorado #18. Indiana #17. Florida #16. Montana #15. Oklahoma #14. Maryland #13. Texas #12. Delaware #11. South Carolina #10. West Virginia #9. Mississippi #8. Alabama #7. Tennessee #6. Wyoming #5. Arkansas #4. Kentucky #3. Alaska #2. Louisiana #1. Georgia
The United States Marine Band is making its return to Lincoln for the first time in five years this October, bringing a classic White House experience to Nebraska.

The band, led by director Col. Jason Fettig, will take the stage at Lincoln Northeast High School on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert is free, but attendees are still required to reserve tickets at marineband.ticketleap.com/lincoln23. Tickets are all general admission, but any remaining seats at 7:15 p.m. the night of the concert will be released to the standby line. Only four tickets can be reserved at a time.

The band also will make a stop at Millard West High School on Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1798, the Marine Band is the oldest continuously active professional musical organization in America and has performed for every president since John Adams. Its primary mission is to play for the president and the commandant of the Marine Corps, but the band regularly goes on tour.

This year, the Marine Band will cover more than 4,600 miles across the Midwest in a month and will perform in 29 cities in 11 states.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
Education leaders urged a gathering of more than 500 people on Tuesday to stop admiring the problem of Nebraskas early childhood education crisis and instead find solutions to an ongoing issue thats 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 states early childhood education system. Like other states, Nebraskas 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 conferences 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 centers 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 dont 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 havent been officially released, but he debuted a preview at Tuesdays conference.

Many results revolve around reasons why providers have left the early childhood education profession. One popular answer in Nebraska that wasnt common among other U.S. states was a lack of respect, Gilliam said.

Gilliam said because of obstacles like the states 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 isnt 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 theyve 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 dont 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 (the) 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 wont be made without communities coming together.

We know its important to start to not just admire the problem, but talk about what to do about it, he said.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
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. 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 LB276, 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.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
Researchers and public health officials have been tracking the sharp increase in vaping among teens for nearly a decade.

Theyve also been tracking what youths are vaping. In 2019, researchers with the University of Nebraska Medical Center reported a significant increase in marijuana use in e-cigarettes by middle and high school students in the United States.

Now a new analysis by the UNMC-led team has traced a new trend: More than one in five youths who reported vaping within the past month in a national survey in 2022 also vaped cannabidiol, or CBD, according to a report they published last month in medical journal JAMA Network Open.

Its the first time for us to identify very high prevalence of adolescents reporting CBD use, said Daisy Dai, professor of biostatistics and associate dean of research for UNMCs College of Public Health.

Use of CBD, which does not cause a high, has been on the rise since the 2018 federal farm bill legalized the production of hemp, defining it as a cannabis plant with .3% or less of the high-inducing compound THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. CBD now is widely available in forms ranging from gummies to tinctures, including in states like Nebraska where marijuana itself remains illegal.

The analysis looked at responses from 28,000 middle and high school students in 341 schools to the federal National Youth Tobacco Survey collected between January and May 2022.

Among the nearly 2,500 e-cigarette users, some 21% reported vaping CBD within the past month. Among the e-cigarette using youths, 6% reported that they did not know whether they had vaped CBD.

Hispanic youth were more likely than non-Hispanic ones to report using CBD. Youth who identified as LGBTQ+ also were more likely to use the compound than those who did not.

Dai, who led the study, said the researchers were surprised that so many youth who were vaping did not know whether they had vaped CBD. Regulation of labeling is limited.

These kids are very, very young, Dai said.  ... They have lots of peer influences. If their friend hands over a vaping device, they just use it.

Shelby Bingham, director of the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition, agreed that the fact that some youth didnt know whether they had vaped CBD was a particular concern.

None of the youth in the survey were old enough to buy the products themselves, she said. Congress raised the age at which people can buy both e-cigarettes and cigarettes to 21 in 2019. Someone buying the products for them could put other substances in them.

Law enforcement agencies last month executed search warrants at dispensaries across Nebraska over allegations that some products contain a percentage of THC well over the legal amount.

The researchers noted that CBD, nicotine, marijuana and other compounds can be used interchangeably in some devices, which can make it difficult to pinpoint the specific products responsible for any adverse health effects from vaping. That was the case with an outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette use in 2019, which was linked to vitamin E acetate found in some THC-containing vaping products.

The findings suggest that evidence-based educational campaigns, interventions and public policy changes are needed to reduce the harmful health outcomes possible with vaping CBD among developing youths, the researchers wrote.

Dai and Bingham stressed that public health groups and tobacco education groups continue to work to educate youth, particularly the youngest ones, about potential concerns associated with vaping.

Our team is not just reporting, Dai said, we are supporting the community to battle this.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023